When the USS McClusky (FFG-41) was overwhelmed by the dead, Machinist Mate First Class Jackson Creed, and Marine Sergeant Joel “Cruze” Kelly, were forced to abandon the ship, and take their chances in San Diego. Now they are stuck in a city that has been completely overrun with zombies and as the days go by they must range farther and farther away from ‘fortress’ in their search for supplies. Relying on military training, guts, and pure force of will, the two of them will face a nightmare world that is intent on killing them one bite at a time.

When the USS McClusky, a US Naval frigate out of San Diego, ran aground, it was only the beginning for Machinist Mate Jackson Creed and Marine Sergeant Joel “Cruze” Kelly. The unlikely duo battled for survival as they established a base of operations and fought to retain their “fortress." Now they have been driven out of the city by a massive horde of the undead. On the road with new companions, including mercenaries with murky pasts, the band of survivors face new challenges at every turn. Jackson and Creed’s journey will take them across a nightmare landscape where the living may be just as dangerous as the dead.

Machinist Mate First Class Jackson Creed and Marine Sargeant Joel "Cruze" Kelly have faced hordes of undead, rogue military units, and a constant living nightmare as they try to navigate the apocalypse. Now they are close to their goal of reaching Los Angeles where they hope to learn the origin of the plague that has affected the US. Along the way they've been harried by the shadow mercenary group known only as Bright Star but that is all about to change. Questions will be answered if they can only survive the harrowing trip.

Machinist Mate First Class Jackson Creed, Christy, and Frosty, have been separated from their companions. With no idea how to contact his friends, Marine Sergeant Joel "Cruze" Kelly, and out of supplies and ammo, the three reluctantly join a group who offer a secure and fortified location. But the new group have done something that shakes Creed to the core, they've captured a shuffler, and plan to find out the ghoul's secrets at any cost. Now a massive horde of Z's is about to descend on the location and no one may be able to escape the coming onslaught.

Joel Kelly and Jackson Creed have managed to settle down in Oregon with both old and new friends. Having rescued a man named Erik Tragger, and his girlfriend Katherine from the clutches of a nest of shufflers, they learn that an offensive to take back the area is being organized in Portland. The stakes have never been higher as the entire land mass is about to go up in flames, thanks to a massive incursion by the shufflers. If Joel and Jackson can't break free, they may very well join the ranks of the undead. Z-RISEN 5: BARRIERS follows the events of BEYOND THE BARRIERS: GHOULS, however, the books can be read independently of each other.