Authors: Craig Halloran
Chapter 18
Washington, D.C.
J
ack watched in awe. The men of the security team couldn’t withhold the fear that grew in their faces as the zombie rushed forward. It was almost like playing a video game, except the shotgun blasts and screams were so much more real. Unable to hide his fascination, he giggled as the men fought against the hoard only to be barreled over and pushed down into the fog. They couldn’t have made it any better in Hollywood. The zombies were on the men like a pack of jackals, tearing off the suits and sinking their faces into the men. The close view of the zombie eyes was a little too close as the image thrashed and jerked like it was on a roller coaster.
“Good Lord, Jack,” Don exclaimed, “What are you doing? Those are our people!”
Jack looked over at the distraught features of his uncle and noticed the man had aged another ten years.
“Ah, you know what you always taught me Uncle Don: Don’t mess with the WHS. I’ve got my orders, and I have no choice but to run this op. It’s for the greater good. You always told me that … remember?”
His wide-eyed uncle looked like he had swallowed a toad. For decades, Jack had thought his uncle was as tough as iron and cunning as a shark. Now his uncle had changed. Don looked old, haggard, and weak. The time had come for a strong young man to pick up the banner and lead the charge to bring order back to humanity. No mercy. Just results. And if turning loose a wild pack of zombies on a bunch of men and women was what they wanted, then that was what they were going to get. A show.
Don was pleading:
“Jack, there comes a time in your life that you’re going to make choices that you’re going to regret. This will be one of them. I didn’t bring you in to become a bigger part of this. I brought you in to protect you. These people that are dying have families. Just like me and you.”
“I know that. But, we can’t all have the life that we want. I consider myself grateful this is happening to them and not me. Besides, they’re all loners.”
“They’re human beings!”
“They’re expendable. Just like that other billion you helped wipe out, so what’s a dozen or so more? Isn’t that what you wanted to begin with?”
Don was silent.
“That’s what I thought. Now keep your eye on the screen, Uncle Don. And just so you know, this isn’t my first rodeo,” Jack said with a wink. “I’m having them cut the power to everything except the security wall and the interior fence. If anything tries to climb that fence, man or zombie, they’ll be fried chicken. The security servers have all been switched under our control. Inside the complex, everything is dead except for the emergency lights. All of the zombie shelters are sealed off with magnetic locks, and if you aren’t already inside, you won’t be getting in. All communications are off unless they hack into our system, but that’s not likely. It’s on the other side of the wall.”
He cleared his throat as he pointed at his screen.
“And if it makes you feel any better, the humans are still armed. They have shotguns, side arms, and plenty of ammo. They have zombie suits, masks, and helmets, so they aren’t fish in a barrel. They’re just the fish and the zombies the fishermen.”
His uncle was as stone-faced as he’d ever been.
“Come on, Don. Now’s not the time to get attached to people. You know what is going on. We’re the lucky ones. You might as well make the most of it and enjoy the show. You know they’re going to want your opinion on this and that you’ll have to play along as if you like it, so go ahead and pretend to like it.” He cleared his throat again. “Come on, you’re making me uneasy.”
“Okay, okay,” Don grumbled. The older, bigger man pulled his head and shoulders back and flipped open his computer cover. His fiery gaze returned as he stared Jack back in the eye and said, “You want to make it fun, Boy? Then put your money where your mouth is.” Don extended his hand. “I’ll put twenty thousand dollars that those men and women beat your zombies.”
Jack swallowed hard and said, “Well, I hardly see the poi—”
“TWENTY THOUSAND, NEPHEW! That’s what it will cost for me to enjoy this. What’s the matter? You’re not losing your faith in the dead, are you?”
Jack stiffened at the remark and said, “Fine, you’re on!”
“Good, then what are your terms?”
“Easy, just one of them has to live until sunrise.”
Don had a calculating look in his eyes as he scratched at his chin. Jack wasn’t worried, though. The last complex they turned the zombie soldiers loose on ended up being a slaughter. The humans lasted little longer than three hours, and the next sunrise was over twelve hours away. The zombie soldiers were incredible hunters that could smell blood and brains from a mile away, and even if the men managed to disable them, he still held another ace up his sleeve. He smiled. All of those years of online poker in college were going to finally pay off, big.
Don shook his hand and said, “Let loose the dogs of war …”
“… and cry havoc.”
Chapter 19
Institute, WV
T
he glow from the emergency lighting was all they had as they scoured the rooms for weapons on the security deck and loaded up. Everyone was in a zombie suit. Automatic pistols were strapped on every hip, while the black synthetic .12 gauge shotguns were charged. Myrtle seemed calm as she put two belts of ammunition over the top of Rod’s massive shoulders. The big man had a fiery look in his eye as he talked on his short wave radio.
“Status report all stations!” he ordered.
“One check.”
“Two check.”
“Listen up, this is Command One. We have a breach. Zimmerman 23. Zimmerman 23. Over.”
“Check.”
“What’s Zimmerman 23, over?”
“Zombies are on the loose, fellas. Maybe a dozen. But they’re fast. We already have men down. Take the high ground. Report any sightings immediately.”
“
Roger that.”
“Roger.”
“Henry, we have four guys out there. The gate’s not reporting. What’s the plan?”
Everything in the security manual depended on the availability of backup power. The zombie panic room on their floor was locked. The computer stations were dead.
“What do we do, Henry?” Tori was shivering at his side.
He had already seen what the zombies had done to a well-armed security fire team, and he didn’t have any inclination to take them on. The last thing he wanted to do was put any more lives in jeopardy. They were either going to have to fight, or hide and hope that the cavalry came in time, but deep inside he didn’t figure that was going to happen. He had to give his friends hope even though he didn’t have any. He was too smart to figure this for some kind of accident.
I can’t believe they’re doing this again. WHS playing games with men’s lives. They must figure we’re worthless or that I know too much.
It seemed that the WHS had other plans for the XT serum. The zombies were moving so fast, and the only thing he could think of was that the serum must be a part of that. No, they weren’t trying to cure the zombies; they were trying to control them. All he could figure was that his usefulness must have come to an end.
Burn off the loose ends.
It infuriated him.
Lab rats again.
“Henry! What do we do?” she said again.
“I’m thinking. Just give me a second.”
“Team One to Command One, we’ve got movement over near your building.”
“What’ve you got?”
Rod said.
The man’s voice on the radio was almost inaudible.
“Take a look out of your east entrance windows.”
“Oh my!” Myrtle cried. “There must be twenty of them coming our way. Geez! They move as fast as us!”
Henry tried to remain calm, but the sight of the zombies swarming the building uncoiled his nerves. He counted the heads bobbing through the fog and was relieved that there weren’t any more than ten of them.
Weege shouted, “Shoot them before they get here. Shoot them now!”
“Shut up, Idiot,” Tori said. “They don’t need to hear us, too.”
“They can’t hear,” Weege said.
“We don’t know that, so keep it down for now,” said Henry.
“What’s your location, Team One? Why aren’t you in a secure location?” Rod said.
“Sorry Rod, but the nearest bunker was locked down. We’ve been all over as far as we could stand to go. We’re on top of the Municipal Building now. We can’t see in your windows, but we’re on the ledge facing you. We had a clean shot on them earlier, but not much that a pistol or shotgun can do from this distance.”
“Keep it quiet, watch your back, and let me know if you see anything else. Team Two Report.”
“We’re good. The bunker in the south quadrant is locked up. The fence is hotter than the 4th of July. No zombies though. Over.”
Blam! Blam! Blam!
Everyone lurched. The sound of the shots was muffled and distant.
“Disregard! We’ve got three walkers! Fast ones!
Another procession of gunfire rang out from deep in the complex.
“Get on the buildings, Team Two! Shoot at their legs!”
“We’re on the building! Damn things keep moving! Got on some kind of suit, like ours. Who in the hell put the walkers in zombie suits!”
Rod’s face was dripping with sweat, but Henry thought he was handling the situation quite well.
“You should be safe on the building. Hold your fire and save your ammo until help arrives.”
“Rod …”
“What is it?”
“They can climb.”
Henry felt the goosebumps rise on his arms. He’d known in the back of his mind that if the zombies were on the XT Formula that it was a possibility. Now, it was confirmed that the zombies were on the formula, and the evil powers of the WHS were at work again. He grabbed Rod by the arm and said, “Tell them to get as close a shot as they can of the zombie’s face. It’s the best chance.
“Fire Team Two, aim for the face. Over.”
He could see the small flashes of light reflecting off the windows in the distance. The steady popping of gunfire gave him hope that the creatures were about to be stopped. Every face in the room was almost pressed against the window as each critical second passed. Then the silence fell. They all looked at each other then back over to Rod, who held the radio up to his lips.
“Fire Team Two, Over.”
Nothing.
“Fire Team Two, Over.”
“Rod, it’s over.”
A collective sigh of relief filled the room along with a few fists pumping in the air.
“They didn’t make it. We can see the entire thing. One zombie down. Sorry Rod, but they’re gone. Fire Team One. Over.”
“Dammit!” Rod said. “Those fiends! I must have heard over fifty shots fired, and they’re still moving! We’re gonna need some more fire power, Henry! My men ain’t gonna die for nothing.”
“Hey, what’s going on?”
It was Rudy.
“Why are you guys geared up?”
“Tori, get a med kit and give him an oxygen shot.”
“Zombies, Rudy. Remember the zombies before you passed out? Well, they’re everywhere. Do you know anything about that? Because anything you might know might save all of our lives.” He waved his hand across the people in the room. Rudy blanched. “You know something, don’t you?”
Tori handed Rudy the oxygen tank and mask. He breathed heavy breaths in and out as his eyes flitted from one face to another. Rudy knew something. Henry was sure of it. Rudy began to stare at Tori’s chest as he sucked more into the mask. Henry stepped into his view.
“Rudy, what do you know?”
“I overheard Alice talking to the director about a drill and new zombies. That’s all.”
“Henry, get over here.” Rod was talking from somewhere down the hall. “We’ve got movement down there.”
“Get Rudy in a suit, Myrtle.”
He headed down the hall with Tori sticking to his side. Rod had the fire exit door cracked open. The big man said, “Listen.”
The voices were haunting and fast.
“Numma-Numma. Numma-Numma.”
Tori shrieked. He ran over to the other door and cracked it open.
“Numma-Numma. Numma-Numma.”
“They’re in both stair wells. Let’s get these doors secured.”
“We can’t lock them without power!” Rod shouted. “We need padlocks and chains!”Rudy had wandered into the hall with his suit half on.
“What’s going on?”
“Can you hear that?” Rod said as he charged his shotgun.
The steady sound of Numma-Numma was getting louder in the stairwells.
Rudy looked like he was about to puke when he said, “Yeah.”
Rod smiled as he said, “Then grab a weapon, Rudy. The Zombies are coming!”
Chapter 20
Location Unknown
“Y
eah, that creep called me every day for years,” Nate said.
Rose, Walker, and Doctor Z all looked at one another. It made him uncomfortable. Who was Harry? The man had been like a steady drip of water: calling, calling, and calling. It was never at the same time of day, either, but rather anytime of the day or night. It was odd to feel either hatred or resentment for someone that he had never met. Harry’s calls and voice had even awakened him from his sleep. Countless nights he had lain restless in the bed if Harry hadn’t called yet.
Doctor Z stood up and asked, “Have you ever met the man?”
“No.”
“Do you think you would recognize him if you saw him?”
It was odd, but for some reason he thought that he would. For years he’d had an image in his mind of what Harry looked like, but for all he knew he had probably met the man a dozen times and didn’t know it.
“I doubt it.”
The doctor’s eyes and voice were probing.
“What if you heard him?”
Nate scratched the back of his neck.
“Well, maybe. At least I think I would, but there were many days when I was pretty sure the person I was talking to wasn’t him. It was like him, but different. I always figured it was either his mood or it was a voice box of some kind. Still, it was spooky. The man knew everywhere I had been, and then he’d joke about it with me on the phone.”
“How so?”
“Oh, I’d be at a bar and he’d call me at the bar and ask me if I was enjoying my martini. Stuff like that. He was like a ghost or something.”
“Someone was watching you, but you were just too stupid to notice,” Walker said in his matter-of-fact tone.
“Thanks.” He directed his attention back to the doctor. “So, why the interest in Harry?”
Doctor Z was staring into space.
Agitated, Nate snapped his fingers in the man’s face.
“Hello! What’s the deal with Harry?”
The doctor’s phone buzzed in his pocket. His eyebrows perched as he read the message.
“Walker, you and Rose finish this up. I’ve got another patient.”
Nate heard the door shut before he even realized the man had left the room.
“Man, he’s a strange one. So where were we?”
Rose took the doctor’s place at his bed and said, “Our insiders have been gathering information on Harry for the past several months. They are being led to believe that Harry is the man in charge of the WHS. They think he’s the brains behind World Population Control.”
“Yes, but why would he be calling me?”
“Because you’re the man that foiled his plans. You’re the man who can foil them again.”
“I just love the insanity of all this, but please continue.”
“Think about it: every time you went to a WHS function there were always a bunch of lackeys all around, weren’t there?” Rose motioned with her hands. “They were jawing back and forth and talking about all the good they were going to do for the world. Remember all of that?”
Did he ever. It had been fun the first few months, but it hadn’t taken long before he’d been completely sick of it all.
“Sure I remember. They were all so smug and insincere. Liars, every last one of them.”
“If you had to think about it, would any of them make you think of Harry?”
“No. I mean, I really never hit if off of any of them. I’d recognize some faces and names, but they all would have been all over the papers, too.”
“Sometimes Nate, the best place to hide is in plain sight.”
“Especially when you have a new face,” Walker chuckled.
“What are you saying? I can’t go around those people.”
Rose nodded over at Walker and said, “Let me show you something.”
Walker grabbed a computer and handed it over. She turned the display his way.
“Do any of them look familiar?” she asked.
It was a group photo taken at WHS headquarters in Washington DC. Nate was in the picture surrounded by nine other smiling people. Six men and Three women. One just as disingenuous as the next.
“I know them all by name. Do you think one of them is Harry?”
“Maybe. This picture was taken years ago, and at this point in time we know that this group is the highest authority in the WHS. Harry could be one of them, or one of them might know who Harry is. What do you think about this guy?”
She tapped the screen, and a larger picture of an older and distinguished man popped up.
“That’s Don Baker.” He sucked the rest of his Mountain Dew out with a straw. “He wasn’t so bad; he knew some good jokes, at least. But, he seems too old to have been Harry.”
“How about her?”
“What is this, a line up? Look, if they’re all so bad, why don’t you just go send Walker in to kill them all?”
Walker smiled and said, “That’s what I said. I think that Taco Bell’s making him smarter, Rose.”
She shook her head.
“It’s been discussed, but the security is too heavy. You know that. But, if we can find the right one and take a shot, we think we can take down the rest of them.”
“So you want to cut the head off the snake, huh?”
“No, more like a dragon.”
“Then you better hope it only has one head. So what do you want me to do?”
“We’re going to reunite you with your old friends. Just get you in the same room. Walker’s got it all set up.”
“What?” Henry felt his food start to come back up. “I’m not a spy. And they’re looking for me? No way, I’m not doing that. Can’t you just get me a video or something?”
“We’ve tried.” Rose grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Nate, the next outbreak is coming soon. We don’t have much time. We’ve run into a bunch of dead ends. As of now, you’re Plan C. We are sorry to ask, Nate, but the world needs you again.”
Her soft red lips were convincing, and her pretty eyes were pleading. How could he possibly say no?
“Okay,” he gave in, “but I have one request before you send me to my next death.”
“What is it, Honey?”
He whispered something in her ear.
Rose smiled at Walker and said, “I’ll take it from here.”
Walker grumbled as he shook his head and left the room.
As soon as the door clicked shut, her lips and his were one.