“What’s wrong?” Reece asked. She saw the trouble on Jee’s face.
“Well, lots of things. But for you Clarice, I actually kind of have some good news. You’re getting out of here.”
“What do you mean?” As if in answer, Jee produced a small key, and she waved it at Reece, beckoning for the arm. Dumbfounded, Reece offered the limb up, and Jee unlocked the monitor from her. Finally, Jee smiled, although it was forced.
“You are immune, Clarice.”
***
Ever since the altercation with Clayton’s Militia that had almost ended in a firefight, the guards on the main entrance to the Astrodome had been wary of trouble. The city around them was on fire, the National Guard and Law Enforcement just about able to hold it all together. Things were getting precarious though, the violence escalating as people started to resort to desperation. The constant flow of buses was filling up the quarantine facilities rapidly, the makeshift prison that had been set up also beginning to creak with the weight of humanity that was being pushed into it. And out on the street, the number of undead was rapidly growing while those battling the infection only seemed to be getting weaker.
Zombies didn’t need to sleep, and although they craved it, they didn’t need to feed to function. They were relentless and spreading. So bad was it becoming that some of the soldiers were beginning to joke that they perhaps didn’t have enough bullets for the task at hand. There was also the psychological toll that was being paid by the men and women battling Lazarus. People were already starting to break under the strain.
The last thing the soldiers on the front gate expected to see then were helicopters descending from the heavens. Nobody had warned them of any such arrival, so when one of them landed on the road directly in front of their guard post, a tingle of concern was raised. They were definitely military, US Marine markings all over them, but some notice of their appearance should have been forthcoming. The helicopter stayed on the ground long enough to unload five men, before it rose back up into the smoke-filled sky where it hovered menacingly.
As with every soldier that was engaged in operations, the newcomers all wore the uncomfortable and laborious NBC suits that would hopefully protect them from the ravages of Lazarus. Although less than ideal to be wearing in the Houston sun, such outfits were the only thing guaranteed to keep a person virus-free. The first man to step off the helicopter walked with authority and radiated a presence that told everyone he was an officer, someone who was supposed to be here. Someone in charge that you didn’t want to get on the wrong side of. It was obvious to any casual observer that he was the man in command, and this leader of men marched forward, his entourage in step behind him. He presented himself to the guards on the gate.
“Major Carson, United States Marine Corps. I am here to take charge of a patient for transfer.” Before the Corporal on the gate could say anything, the Major thrust the mandatory plastic wrapped request documents at him. Looking over the paperwork, the Corporal found he didn’t know what to do. A week ago he had been changing the oil and stripping out busted spark plugs in the cars brought to his brother’s auto shop. Now he was sweating his balls off making sure only those who were authorised to enter the infection treatment zone did so.
“Sir, I will need to check this with my commanding officer.”
“You do that son,” Carson said in an almost mocking tone. “But be quick about it. This heat is a killer, and I have places to be.”
Within two minutes, Carson and his team were in a jeep being ferried to the Astrodome. The guards on the gate might not have been warned, but their commanding officer was well aware of Carson’s arrival. Carson’s reputation had preceded him, so it was the commanding officer’s opinion that the sooner he and his men were gone, the better it would be for everyone concerned.
***
“Immune? Does that mean I can get out of here for good?”
“In a sense, yes, but not in the way you’re thinking.”
“I’m thinking a bottle of red, a long bath and to be able to sleep in my own bed again.” Would that even be on the cards though? From what she had seen from the numbers of people being brought in, half the city would probably be in ruins. Her apartment might not even be there anymore. Likely she would just end up back on the streets doing the only thing she knew how to do.
“No, that’s not the way this plays out,” Lee said with definite sadness. There was regret all over her face. She liked Reece, and she knew that what was going to happen next was going to be difficult for her to understand. When you spent your entire working life upholding the law, seeing how it could be so abused was going to really hit Reece hard, despite the good news she had been given. Personal freedoms and liberties, the things that had made America the country it was…well, they were now pretty much a thing of the past.
“What are you trying to tell me, Jee?”
“Firstly you need to understand that I had no say in this. If it were up to me, I would let you stay here. We need all the help we can get. But it’s your blood.”
“What about my blood?”
“You’re immune Clarice,” Doreen interjected. “That means your blood might hold the key to curing Lazarus.”
“Okay, so take what you need,” Reece insisted. “I want to help, I really do.”
“It’s not as simple as that.”
“I don’t like the sound of this,” Reece warned. She could see the troubled look on Jee’s face.
“It would make more sense for Clarice to stay here. We have the facilities to work on the cure,” Doreen insisted. There was the threat of anger in her voice.
“Don’t you think I know that?” Jee almost shouted with exasperation. “Look, sorry, I don’t mean to take it out on either of you.”
“I know dear,” Doreen said. She knew not to attack the messenger despite the unpleasantness of the message.
“Will someone please tell me what’s going on?”
“Clarice,” Jee said, “the military is in charge of the fight against the virus now. They are moving all immune individuals to a single facility.”
“Moved? Where?” Jee paused before spitting it out.
“Fort Detrick…Maryland.”
“But that…. that’s on the other side of the country.”
“I know,” said Jee. “And apparently I’m going with you. Neither of us seems to have a choice in this.” For Jee, it didn’t seem like such a bad move. She was going to be helping the team at the heart of finding the answer to Lazarus. It wasn’t like she even lived in Texas, she had just been sent here to help coordinate the Governor’s emergency plan, as well as acting as the CDC liaison. This could very well be described as a step up for her.
“When do I leave?”
“Sometime today.”
“Who’s taking over from you when you go?” Doreen asked, shocked. Jee gave her an embarrassed look. “Oh God, not Dereck?” Dereck was Doctor Lee’s number two.
“He’s more than capable of running things here,” Jee said defensively.
“Bullshit,” Doreen said, rejecting her false praise. “The man’s an incompetent, egotistical idiot.”
“My hands are tied,” Jee said. “Things are bad out there. The CDC is having to abandon its headquarters in Atlanta.” Lazarus had struck hard and fast, gouging out the very heart of the agency that would be tasked with fighting it.
There was a commotion at the entrance to the rest area. Several soldiers entered, one pointing towards Reece and the two people with her. Carson stood there for several seconds, appraising the women.
Stopping off at Houston had been no great chore for him, and it tempered the failure of the operation he had been running in Nevada. He and his team had been dispatched to fetch a suspected immune individual from Las Vegas. That had been a waste of his time, the individual in question taking their own life when faced with the unfolding apocalypse. The woman’s body was already halfway to the research team at Fort Detrick with the hope that some good could be sal
vaged from the cadaver.
Carson folded his arms and Reece witnessed him whisper to one of the soldiers with him. That soldier scurried off somewhere. Carson stepped over, two of his men coming with him like loyal lapdogs. The fourth one guarded the room’s only exit.
“Ladies. Deputy Reece, I am Major Carson, United States Marine corps.” One of the things Reece hated the most about this place was her inability to see any of the faces of the soldiers guarding the infected due to the respirators they all wore. It made them seem impersonal, even oppressive.
“That’s nice for you, honey, but the girls are having a chat here.” She quickly saw any attempt at charm wouldn’t work on this man. His body language just shouted hostility.
“By order of the President, I am to transport you to a secure facility at Fort Detrick. If you could come with me please.” When Reece didn’t instantly move, Carson added the word “Now,” with exaggerated insistence.
Jee stood up from her seat, turning around so Carson could see her face, a photo of which had been attached to the briefing documents Carson had been given before his arrival here. “Ah, Doctor Lee. Excellent. You will be coming too, I believe.” Jee seemed to nod sheepishly. She found herself wondering how the Major knew what any of them looked like.
“And what if I decline your generous offer?” Reece insisted. She had taken an almost instant dislike to Carson.
“You don’t have a say in the matter,” Carson advised. “I would rather you came willingly though. It’s too hot out there to be dragging you out kicking and screaming.”
“I don’t think there is any need to take that tone, Major,” Jee admonished. Carson gave Jee a withering glance before turning his attention back to Reece.
“The hell you say,” Reece protested. “I still have rights.”
“No, you really don’t. And I will need you to surrender your firearm, deputy.” Reece surged up from her uncomfortable seat, her anger bubbling. The soldiers with Carson spread out slightly in response, ready for what might follow. Several of the people using the rest area vacated it, not wanting to get caught up in what was likely to be impending violence. With all the deaths occurring, people were developing a sense for when trouble was about to occur.
“I’m still on duty here,” Reece insisted.
“Not any more. You are relieved for the foreseeable future. Houston doesn’t need you anymore, but your Nation does.”
“I work for the Sherriff’s Department, you don’t have any jurisdiction over me.”
“Deputy, words are coming out of your mouth when you really just need to stay silent and accept this.” Carson sounded pissed off now.
“There’s no real urgency is there? I will need to get my research before I go, so that gives Reece a chance to say goodbye to people at least,” Jee said. Carson turned his attention to her once again. His eyes seemed to blaze with malevolence behind the glass portals in his mask.
“I regret there will be no goodbyes. And you should be ready to leave already. You were informed of our arrival. What do you think this is, some kind of game I’m playing?”
“Hey, I’m not in your goddamn army. I’ve got a facility to run here. And besides, nobody actually told me when you would be arriving so you will need to give me fifteen minutes at least. My research is important, or would you rather I go without it?” Jee tried to move past him but found Carson blocking her exit. “The sooner you let me go, the sooner I can be ready. It’s your clock that’s ticking.” Carson seemed to stare at her for several seconds before eventually moving to one side. Jee scurried off before the Major changed his mind, her heart pumping from the stress of the brief confrontation.
Carson turned his full attention on Reece once again.
“Gun, now.” To emphasise the point, the two men with him aimed their own weapons at Reece.
“You’ve got to be bullshitting me. And you know you’re not going to shoot me,” Reece countered. “It’s clear how important I am if you’ve come all the way across the country to fetch me.”
“I don’t have to shoot you,” Carson said menacingly. He raised a finger in the air and the two guns being aimed at Reece were suddenly aimed at Doreen. Jee saw this all unfold before she left the rest area. As mad as it was, she chose not to intervene because she knew she had no power to stop any of this from happening.
“Get those guns the fuck out of my face,” Doreen demanded. She was too appalled to show any kind of fear, the anger bringing on another coughing fit. “I’ll rip that mask off you and make sure you end your days here.” The threat was ignored by Carson.
“Deputy. It doesn’t have to go down like this. All I require is your compliance,” Carson insisted. With everything covering his face, Reece couldn’t tell if he was enjoying his use of power. Most likely he was. She had met people like him before in both the criminal and law enforcement setting. Carefully, she pulled the gun from her holster and placed it on the table. She suddenly felt vulnerable without it, but she really had no choice.
“See, isn’t that easier? Corporal, take Deputy Reece into protective custody. We need to make sure nothing bad happens to her. As she so rightly said, she’s important.” Carson didn’t even try to hide the sarcasm in his voice. Reece realised she was probably in a hell of a lot of trouble here.
23.08.19
Manchester, UK
Viktor knocked lightly on Susan’s door, even though he felt he didn’t owe her any kind of courtesy. The sooner she accepted her fate, the better it would be for everyone involved. Clay was weak, and Viktor knew exactly how to exploit that weakness. Before the virus had been unleashed upon the world, Viktor had been happy to work for Clay, receiving a generous financial sum every month as well as other perks. He was also happy to supply Clay with the women needed to feed his depraved habit, knowing that eventually, it would result in the downfall of the crime boss. No matter how careful Viktor was at disposing of the bodies, the British police were not stupid. It was a certainty that Clay’s secret would be uncovered eventually.
Clay’s influence through bribery and blackmail was limited because this was no longer the 1970’s. There would always be people looking into Clay’s activities, and Viktor had prepared for the day when they came for his boss. When that eventuality happened, Viktor had planned to just move on as he had done so many times before. He didn’t have that luxury anymore, nowhere in the world would be safe, not even for a man like Viktor. To survive in the growing apocalypse, you needed others around you, people competent and capable at surviving. Even better if you were the leader of such hard and ruthless men.
Viktor was essentially an opportunist by nature. It was the way he had stayed alive.
In the last day or two, Viktor had noticed a definite decline in the mental state of his employer. Clay seemed more paranoid than normal, more jittery, despite the menacing façade he wore. Where once they had been rare, he was now becoming prone to violent outbursts. Clay still held the loyalty of his men and was making the right moves to maintain that loyalty. But he had already had one of his top men killed as a result of a supposed power play against him. There had been no real betrayal, of course, just subtle whispers from Viktor’s duplicitous lips. It was so easy to sow the seeds of doubt, so easy to remove the support structure that propped up Clay’s organisation without having to actually act directly against the man himself. All Viktor had to do was subtly imply disloyalty and let Clay’s own inherent fear of betrayal work its magic. It helped when the alleged disloyalty was nurtured with a grain of truth.
Then, when the time was right, Viktor would deal with Clay and step into his shoes. There weren’t many obstacles to stop that now, but Viktor needed Clay to lose the plot a bit more to create distrust in the men under him. The problem with ruling by fear and intimidation was that there was always a willingness to choose something better if it ever came along. Viktor felt he was that something and there was no need for him to rush or take foolish actions. Time was his friend here, and Clay would do most of the
work to bring himself down.
It was still a dangerous path to follow for Viktor. He had to be mindful that Clay didn’t even trust him fully. For example, Clay had not informed Viktor about his plan to acquire the antiserum from the military couriers until the XV1 was safely locked away in the large safe in Clay’s ridiculously opulent bedroom. For sure, Viktor knew of the plans to ambush the soldiers, but only Clay and the informant at the hospital where the antiserum had been made were aware of the contents of the package one of the soldiers was carrying. Viktor, however, had easily been able to deduce that Brian had been sent out to get something of ultimate importance, the men’s chattering about the midnight raid on the couriers full of meaning to him.
Only after it was acquired did Clay inform Viktor of the great gift they had been able to steal.
The antiserum was thus essential to Viktor’s long term plans, but he had no way of accessing the safe where it was most probably stored. It was a combination lock, and Viktor was not known for his safe-cracking skills. While he could ultimately blow the thing, that wasn’t something he could do silently or without Clay’s knowledge. There was also a question mark about the safety of the antiserum, and that was, above all things, what Viktor was waiting to have confirmed.
He wanted Clay to prove that the antiserum was safe and that it worked. If Viktor were in Clay’s shoes, he would first pick a test subject, inject them and then put said subject in harm’s way, that was assuming there was more than one dose. With proof that the XV1 worked, Clay could then inject himself and become one of the few individuals on the planet immune to the virus. What was then to be done with any remaining vials of antiserum if any existed? Viktor had no guarantee that Clay would choose him to be the recipient. There were too many variables for Viktor to just sit back and accept whatever was offered. That wasn’t the kind of man he was. So Viktor plotted and schemed behind Clay’s back, creating his own secret agenda.
The Lazarus Strain Chronicles (Book 3): The Fall Page 5