The mountains rose like the jagged teeth of a giant beast against the sky, sunlight glinting off their peaks. They formed a bowl, and within their walls, the thick canopy of a large forest.
At a glance, Mark identified the places most likely to have fresh water, the locations best to attack and defend from. He couldn’t make out the compound, but he knew the area it could be found.
“It’s perfect for defense,” Major Edwards said, pointing out the natural pinch point. “One way in, one way out.”
“The locals aren’t going to like our exercise much, are they?” Mark said.
“We’ve commandeered the forest for our purposes,” Major Edwards said. “It’s for an important cause, both national and international. They don’t like it, but they understand.”
There was a large group of buildings in the center of the forest with a great shimmering lake behind it.
“What’s that?” Mark said.
“That’s Uwharrie,” Major Edwards said. “Located in the heart of the forest. Then Charlotte about fifty miles west. Used to be you could barely notice Uwharrie from the air, but it’s grown a lot recently. Rich city people buy up land and properties down here for spring and summer. You’re not thinking of going on a road trip, are you?”
He smiled, knowing it wasn’t in Mark’s character to run from a challenge. He knew this because he was the same. So much of his father was in Mark that his mother’s genes barely even factored. Yet Mark knew they were there. Where his father was a rock, immovable and single-minded, his mother had been as swaying and changing as the wind. That was why he was having seconds thoughts about the baby and what it meant to him and his career in the military. His father wouldn’t – in fact hadn’t – concerned himself with such things.
“Nice to see you were careful in picking the location,” John said.
“We have to give you a challenge,” Major Edwards said.
The helicopter banked sharply over the town and headed west. Mark made out white pitched tents clinging to some of the buildings.
“What’s going on there?” Mark said.
“They’re under quarantine,” Major Edwards said. “A virus broke out.”
“Another one?” Mark said.
“It’s happening everywhere these days,” Major Edwards said.
“Ebola?” Mark said, a pit forming in his stomach.
“No,” Major Edwards said. “So far as we can tell no one who’s been to Africa has passed so much as within a thousand miles of this sleepy little town.”
But Mark knew better. It was possible for the virus to spread past border security screens and roadblocks as easily as the wind blew. Borders meant nothing to a virus. But then that was why they were undergoing this mission – to subvert these kinds of events from happening in the first place.
“Don’t worry, you won’t be anywhere near it on your mission,” Major Edwards said.
“Small mercies,” John said.
The small white tents were a reminder to Mark what they were up against. Should they fail in their training, they would get another try. In the real world they wouldn’t enjoy such a luxury. They would have one chance. They dare not fail with stakes as high as they were. They carried the world’s hopes in their hands. Suddenly, the task seemed insurmountable.
“How did the outbreak start?” Mark said.
“A woman came down from New York,” Major Edwards said. “Apparently she was at a birthday party.”
“Do you think it spread?” Mark said.
“I don’t even know if the story is true,” Major Edwards said. “The hardest part used to be just getting information. Now, it’s getting reliable intel. It’ll probably end up being someone’s pet cat that caught it first. Now remember, you’re after the virus. Your enemy will utilize any weakness they can against you. We’ll be waiting for you at the compound.”
Mark blinked.
“‘We’?” he said.
“I’ll be heading up the exercise,” Major Edwards said.
Mark’s eyes went wide.
“What?” he said.
“You’ll be against me,” Major Edwards said. “I told you this training mission was of the upmost importance. You didn’t think I would put a greenhorn in charge of defense, did you? Our enemies won’t be cautious, and neither must we.”
The chances of success had just dropped significantly. His father was a veteran of every major conflict the US had had over the past thirty years. He knew how his enemies thought and used that information against them. He studied until he knew their territory almost as well as they did – sometimes even better. And in his arsenal he would have not one but two Special Forces teams. Possibly even more. Just because he had allowed them to see two teams did not mean there weren’t more. Such were the mind games Major Edwards was capable of. Mark would need to be on his guard and do the unexpected.
The helicopter hovered over the forest canopy. The trees bent over at an angle. Leaves swirled like a miniature tornado.
“Remember fellas,” Major Edwards said, having to shout to be heard. “Keep your wits about you. This isn’t your typical training exercise. You’ll need to think creatively.”
“Don’t worry about us,” Mark said. “You just try to stick to the rules.”
“Why?” Major Edwards said. “You’re not going to.”
They shared a smile. They were about to begin a game of chess like they used to play when Mark was a kid. Only now it was on the military’s dime.
“There are a few curve balls,” Major Edwards said. “Keep your wits about you.”
He pressed a button on his watch. It bleeped, the countdown begun.
“You’ve got eight hours,” he said. “Good luck.”
The wind kicked up a swirl of dirt that stung their faces. Mark and his team hopped out and made a B-line for the trees. The helicopter waited a moment before it lifted and veered away.
The helicopter was lost to the canopy as Mark’s team headed deeper into the forest’s underbelly, into an imposed darkness.
“You would have thought multiple tours would have ruled us out for basic training,” John said.
“Apparently not,” Jacob said. “Though they’re scraping the bottom of the barrel if they recruited you for this.”
“Dude, you’re so near the bottom of the barrel you’re part of the concrete,” John said.
“All right guys,” Mark said. “Knock it off.”
They walked in silence.
“I can’t believe we’re here,” Jacob said.
“Get used to it,” John said.
“Just this morning I was in the arms of a beautiful woman, and now I’m here in the middle of a forest with you three,” Mark said. “How do you think I feel? Believe me, we’ve all got places we’d rather be. If anyone should be complaining, it’s me.”
They carried their weapons in their arms crossed at their chest. They were careful to keep under the thick foliage. They avoided the wide open stretches of grassland that ran like bald patches on a man’s head.
The forest was quiet, save for the gentle background noise of cawing birds and rustling foliage of small furry creatures. It wasn’t the dead silence nature adopted at the approach of dangerous invaders. It was difficult to teach soldiers how to be aware of such things. It was instinct, learning to turn on an ancient part of their brains that had once done this without thought.
A hush came over the forest.
The soldiers’ heads snapped around, their movements slowed, and they crouched down into the foliage, peering about with slow measured movements, each looking out at the forest with heightened awareness, every muscle in their bodies tensed and ready to spring at a moment’s notice.
This was not merely a practice drill. There was nothing ‘mere’ about war, including its training. Every experience and emotion that passed through their bodies was incorporated into their brains, stored and ready for use at a future date when it could very well save their lives.
The birds began to sing again, the foliage rustling with furry life. The tension in their bodies relaxed.
“Break,” Mark said.
The soldiers loosened their bags from their shoulders and took turns heading into the forest for a slash.
Mark spread the map over the rough contours of a tree and pointed out their position, and the location of their objective, the compound.
“How far left?” John said.
“Must be a couple of miles,” Daoud said.
Neither Mark nor John reacted as if they heard Daoud. It was the way they’d all treated him since disembarking from the helicopter. If they couldn’t trust him, he didn’t exist.
“Patrols’ll be coming up soon,” John said. “What do you want to do?”
“Avoid them,” Mark said.
John rolled his eyes.
“Really?” he said. “I thought we could just stroll merrily up to them and ask for a lift.”
“I had considered it,” Mark said. “They’re not meant to know we’re here.”
“Of course they know,” John said. “Why else would they be out here on a training mission? They know we’re here all right.”
“Sort of defeats the point of a training mission, doesn’t it?” Daoud said.
“It never hurts to assume the worst,” Mark said. “We could have dropped behind enemy lines and someone could have spotted us, informing the authorities. There’s no way of really knowing until you’re out in the open.”
“So how do you want to do this?” John said.
Mark cast an eye over the map.
“We make our way around the compound, get a good look at their security and figure out a plan,” Mark said.
“Short and sweet,” John said.
“Hopefully not too short,” Daoud said.
“They’ll have road blocks in place,” Mark said. “They’ll know we won’t have transport.”
“We could commandeer something,” John said.
“No,” Mark said. “It’ll leave us too open to attack. We’ll continue on foot.”
John turned to Daoud. It was the first acceptance of Daoud’s existence.
“I hope you’re not getting any ideas about revealing our position to your old friends,” he said.
“Not unless you give me good reason,” Daoud said.
John blew across his knuckles.
“I could give you one, if you want,” he said.
Jacob came from behind a bush. He looked from John to Daoud and sensed the tension.
“What’d I miss?” he said.
They walked through the undergrowth, roots and trailing tree limbs attempting to snag their feet. A fresh breeze stirred their damp fringes. Mark and Jacob took point, Daoud and John covered their rear.
“How old are you, John?” Daoud said.
“You want to ask me out on a date?” John said. “You’re not really my type.”
Jacob snickered.
“I’d say you were in your mid-thirties,” Daoud said.
“Don’t you know it’s rude to gossip about someone’s age?” John said.
“You should have made sergeant by now,” Daoud said. “What happened? Couldn’t pass the intelligence exam?”
“I’m a fighter,” John said, his words clipped. “I belong in the field.”
“You don’t want more responsibility?” Daoud said.
“I can’t imagine any job with more responsibility,” John said. “They give me powerful weapons and tell me to kill people.”
“But you only follow orders,” Daoud said. “You never make them.”
“Here’s an order,” John said. “Why don’t you shut your trap?”
Daoud had hit a nerve, and John made the mistake of letting Daoud know it.
“Sh,” Jacob said. “Did you hear that?”
The team froze, listening. They aimed their military-designed paintball guns at the foliage ahead of them.
The foliage to their left rustled.
John swung his gun around. Then the foliage to their right shook. None of the team said a word. Their breath froze in their throats.
A figure lurched from a bush, running at them. Jacob turned to face it. Mark made out ragged torn clothes and a snarling face.
John and Mark, taking point, fired at the figure. The paintballs made thumping noises as they thudded into the figure.
But the figure kept coming. Before they knew it, he was on them.
Mark and John dived aside. Daoud and Jacob kept firing, but the figure still didn’t stop. The figure reached up and drew his fingers across Jacob’s arm and face, making red marks.
Jacob pushed the figure back. He tumbled over into the foliage. Jacob felt at his face, his fingertips coming away red.
“What the fuck?” he said.
“Haha!” the man who’d rushed them said as he got to his feet. “I got you!”
He jumped in the air, pumping his fists in victory.
“You see those?” he said, pointing to the marks on Jacob’s skin. “That’s fifty big ones right there!”
“I’m sorry,” Mark said. “Can we help you?”
“You already have,” the man said. “But no one can help
him
now!”
He pointed at Jacob with a dirty finger. He wore ragged torn clothes and white powder on his face.
“I repeat: what the fuck?” Jacob said. “Did you just paint me?”
He squared off against the man, who backed away, eyes wide in fear.
“It’s all just part of the game, man,” he said. “Didn’t you guys get briefed about the mission?”
“Why didn’t you fall when we shot you?” Mark said.
“Those aren’t the rules of the game,” the man said. “I can take as many shots as you can dish out, except to the head and spine. Though I didn’t much enjoy getting shot at. They sting.”
“Why can you take shots anywhere else?” Mark said.
The man shrugged.
“Those are the rules,” he said. “If I scratch you, you’re done. We get a bonus if we infect one of you guys. Hurray for me.”
“‘Infect’?” John said. “Is anyone else confused by all this?”
“It appears this is one of the curve balls the major warned us about,” Mark said. “These guys are infected and wander around, trying to infect the rest of us who aren’t infected. Is that about right?”
“Yessum,” the man said.
“How are we supposed to kill one of you?” John said.
“A bullet in the head or decapitation usually does the trick,” the man said.
The man looked down at his body, at his fingertips covered with red paint.
“In fact, technically, I’m still alive…” the man said. “So…”
John put his gun point-blank range to the back of the man’s head.
“Don’t even think about it, bub,” John said.
“I can’t control myself,” the man said. “I’m an unthinking, unflinching monster! I must kill. The only possible way of stopping me is to-”
John pulled the trigger. There was a pop like pulling a stubborn cork from a bottle, followed by a solid thud as the paintball struck the back of the man’s head.
“Now you’re dead,” John said.
The man bent over and rubbed his head, as if the heat would help.
“Ow!” he said. “That hurt!”
“It was meant to,” John said.
“What kind of virus is this supposed to be?” Mark said.
The man scowled at John. He reached into his pocket and took out a card.
“Here,” he said, handing it to Mark. “You’re supposed to take this after killing me.”
Mark read the card out loud:
“Congratulations! You have killed an infected. If you or a member of your team were scratched, you/they are out of the game. Please send the infected person(s) to the drop off point. They will be brought back to base.”
Jacob threw up his hands.
“We barely even got started!” he said.
“Name of the game, I’m afraid,” the man said.
“What’s your name?” Mark said.
“Alf,” the man said. “Alfred.”
“Is there any way we can change your mind, Alf?” Mark said. “Convince you that you didn’t scratch my friend here?”
Alfred shook his head.
“Sorry, man,” he said. “No can do. The major warned us you would try something like this. He said not to give in. If we do, and he finds out, I won’t get paid.”
“How much are you paid?” Mark said.
“That’s private,” Alf said, pursing his lips.
“We’ll cover the cost, should anyone find out,” Mark said.
“We will?” John said.
“Yeah, we will?” Daoud said.
“Yes,” Mark said. “We will.”
John grumbled.
“What do you say?” Mark said to Alf. “We’re the little guy against the world. The underdog. Can’t you cut us a little slack this one time?”
“Look, guys,” Alf said, raising his hands. “I’ve got nothing but respect for you. Honestly. The way you defend our country. Wow. And the cool gear you guys have. Awesome. But I need this gig. It could be regular money. But hey, if you ever need a performer at your kid’s birthday party, just give me a call. I’ll make it up to you. I do the best Elvis impression you’ve ever heard. Your kids will go nuts.”
He opened his mouth in the shape of the famous crooner’s lip and drew a deep breath.
“That won’t be necessary,” Mark said. “Jacob, you’re out.”
“I’m out of the game already?” Jacob said.
“Afraid so,” Mark said.
“Can’t I come with you anyway?” Jacob said. “No one will know. And he barely even touched me.”
“You heard the rules,” Mark said.
“Oh, man,” Jacob said. “They’re gonna rip the piss out of me when I get back. Must be some kind of record, out of the game within half an hour!”
“It’ll prepare us for next time,” Mark said. “To be more vigilant.”
“Glad I could be of use,” Jacob said petulantly. “Fine. Good luck, guys. You take care of yourselves.”
He turned and headed back the way they had come, slapping Alf on the back and leading him away.
“And then there were three,” Daoud said.
John glared at Daoud and weighed the rifle in his hands as if he was seriously considering reducing their number to two.