“No, and we can’t kill you either. It’s not the way we do things.”
“You killed Jack,” Don said.
“No,” Oliver said, walking up behind him. “I killed Jack. There was no good in him, Don. But there’s good in you.” He patted Don on the shoulder. “And I won’t kill you unless I have to. Don’t make me have to.”
One of the burner phones buzzed on the desk table. Ashley snatched it up.
“Ash here,” she said. Her eyes widened. Her head nodded. “Stand by.” She flipped the phone shut.
“What’d they say?” Walker said, puffing on his cigarette.
“Something big is happening at Facility 105. A chopper landed. Cargo trucks have rolled in. A passenger van came in earlier. One of them was Henry Bawkula. He’s been scheduled.”
“Scheduled for what?” Nate asked.
She shrugged.
***
“What do you know about this, Don?” Nate said.
“I assume they’re going to pull the same stunts they did at the Daycare and Rehab,” he said.
“We need to stop them,” Nate said.
“Just hold your horses,” Walker said.
“There’s no time,” Nate said.
He could feel it. Something bad was about to happen. He had to try and do something. If nothing else, maybe he could save Henry.
“Walker, you know about all the security at these facilities. You’re one of the top brass. You can get us in there. I bet you’ve even been to Morgantown, haven’t you?”
“I’m one of many, Nate. They have facilities all over and I’ve been to dozens of them. And those are the ones I know about. I’ve been to Morgantown one time. They never seemed to be doing much of anything up there.” Walker shrugged. “That said, hell I don’t know. If our people say something’s going on and your friend’s there, then I suppose we check it out. Suit up, everybody.”
“What about me?” Don said.
Walker looked to Ashley.
“I’m not babysitting,” she said. She headed over to a set of lockers, popped open a door and grabbed a uniform shirt. “I’m going where the action is.”
“Fine,” Walker said, “I guess will just take him with us. Oliver, grab the van. Ash, get the warehouse secured.”
“What about Louie?” she said.
“We’re not taking him,” Walker said. “Just have Dr. Z’s gang pick him up.”
“But—”
“It’s either that or you stay here and babysit.
***
The black van blasted through traffic like rolling thunder at eighty miles per hour. Oliver drove. Walker rode shot gun. Don sat strapped in the middle row and Nate was in the rear seat with Ashley. Through the back window he could see two more black vans. It was a small convoy of Zombie Rebels. Nate wondered if this was what being deployed to war felt like.
Up front, Walker rolled down his window and chucked a burner phone outside, where it shattered on the interstate pavement. That was the fourth one in three hours. Walker’s conversations were brief. To the point. And coded.
“Listen up,” Walker said. “We’re posing as extra WHS security. Our back story―that they’ll discover when we arrive―is there was a mix up. A bad call was made and they overreacted. This bullshit should fly enough to get some of us in. Maybe all of us. Might be able to get a peek at what’s going on. So keep quiet. Act a little stupid and we might just pull this off.” He popped his zippo open and lit a cigarette. “If they sniff us out, well, just plan on getting your butthole filled with bullets. Capiche?”
Everyone nodded, except Don. The man sat head down, quiet. Nate was bothered. It didn’t make much sense to bring him along. He spoke up.
“What about Don?”
“I’ve got a rendezvous scheduled for him. Rest stop twenty. They’ll hold him until this is over,” Walker said. There seemed to be some finality about it.
Nate rubbed the synthetic stock of his shotgun. He hadn’t used one since the day of the outbreak. The day his friends and family were torn to shreds and devoured. He had fired. He had lived. Life had been a psycho circus ever since. Now he felt like a new recruit going off to war. He stomach turned inside his belly. Sweat beaded his forehead.
“You alright?” Ashley said.
“Yeah, just a little uncertain about the future is all.”
“You should be used to that by now,” she said, jokingly, “you’d think.”
He slunk back in his seat.
“You never get used to almost dying―because one of these times is going to be the last time.”
***
The van’s wheels squeaked to a stop. Nate rubbed his face and combed his fingers through his hair. Ow! His foot was burning like fire. Today of all days.
“Head to the pissers,” Walker said. “Make it quick. Life’s going to move really fast after this.”
Nate watched Don being moved from one van to another. The old man took a long glance at him, made a causal wave with his handcuffed wrists and showed a grim smile. Nate had a feeling Don was going to fare better than him. A moment later the van door slammed shut. It backed out of its space and sped away. He hobbled out of the van and headed towards the rest station. Outside, the air was fresh. The sun bright. He could smell the dew on the honeysuckles that blossomed on the green backdrop. Men, women and children bustled in and out of the rest station, more smiles than hurried faces. At least some life is still normal. He made it inside, did his business and headed out. Took one last look at his surroundings.
“Come on, Rick Jones, get the lead out,” Walker said, his mirrored glasses reflecting in the sun. “It’s time to save the world.”
“Again,” Ashley added, opening up the door.
Nate rubbed Jeanine’s crucifix under his shirt. Took a breath, looked up above and hobbled forward. With stabbing pain in his foot he stepped into the van, sat down and buckled himself in. Ashley shut the door. Oliver fired the ignition. Seconds later they were rolling.
“Say,” Walker said, “How about some music?”
CHAPTER 26
-Morgantown, WV-
Charles hunched over a Zombie Soldier lying on a gurney. His feet splashed on the floor when he moved. His stomach was queasy, his handkerchief soaked with sweat from his forehead. His breath was quick. Rapid. Settle down, Charles. Settle down. Damn, feels like my first day of school all over again. He had hated every grade, kindergarten through twelfth. He slid an IV into the zombie’s arm. Let out a short cough.
“You need anything?” a deep voice said.
Charles half looked over his shoulder.
Jake was behind him. Tall and heavy shouldered. A gorilla in the room compared to the others that doddled about in a rush.
“A scalpel,” he said.
“I mean like a drink or something. Maybe a towel. Maybe a mop to clean your sweat off the floor.”
Damn ogre! I’ll turn your ass into a zombie if you’re not careful. Dime a dozen, you brutes.
“No thanks, Jock Head.” He took a pen light and studied the zombie’s eye. “But I appreciate your humor.”
“Huh. Careful then, might slip on your own sweat and crack that egghead of yours. Maybe you should invent a deodorant for that.”
Charles reached over and grabbed a scalpel off a shiny metal plate of medical instruments. Turned and faced Jake. “Do you know how many living people I’ve operated on? Hmmm?”
Jake’s dull eyes brightened a little before he shrugged.
“Some of the people that died could have lived, you see,” Charles continued. “Imagine what would happen if you ended up on my table after an accident, hmmm? If I still didn’t like you?”
Jake’s Adam’s apple rolled in his thick neck. Then he let out a short laugh.
“I’ll take my chances, because I’m pretty sure you don’t like anybody.”
“Hmmph,” Charles said, “Well that’s one thing we agree on. Now, if you’d be so kind, I could use a coffee.”
>
“Sal,” Jake barked, causing Charles to flinch. “Bring two Joes. Pronto!”
Charles shook his head and turned his attention back to the zombie.
“Idiots,” he muttered, cutting the zombie deep in the thigh. He grabbed some metal tongs and spread the pasty gray skin open. “Water on the floor’s not because of me. This zombie’s still thawing.” He chiseled at the frozen muscle over the bone. The zombie didn’t move or flinch, but its sunken eyes rolled in its head. He sighed. “He won’t be worth a lick for hours.”
“I don’t think we’ll need him,” Jake said. “It’ll be like fishing with dynamite today.”
“Pah, you think it’s all so easy, don’t you, Jock Head. Let me ask you something. Did you ever lose a game that you were sure you’d win?”
Jake nodded. “Good point.”
“And, in case you haven’t noticed because you’ve been so preoccupied with entertaining me, your staff is rolling out.” He wiped his forehead. “Not all hands are on deck. Did you ever go play a game with half a team?”
Jake dropped his big paw on Charles’s shoulder, jolting him. He offered a broad smile behind his trimmed goatee.
“The team we have, I’ll have ready.”
Charles pushed Jake’s hand away.
“That’s not reassuring.”
In all truth, Charles wasn’t worried. He was excited. These lab rats had as much chance of surviving as a fish had of getting out of its tank and into the ocean. No, this would be fun. This would be brilliant. Everything he’d worked on for years was falling into place. Zombie Soldiers. Modified XT Formulas. A new zombie virus. The keys to the kingdom would be his.
The man named Sal, a big black bearded middle easterner, returned with two coffees. Jake’s phone buzzed on his hip. He checked the message.
“Hmm, seems like they’re ready for you, Doctor.”
Charles felt his spine freeze.
“Looks like you’re gonna have to wait on the coffee.”
Jake looked him in the eye and chuckled.
“Let’s go. It’s time to show the Magnificent 12 what you got.”
“Twelve?” Charles swallowed.
***
Charles entered the room first and Jake right after. It was a Board Room of sorts. A large oval table made from black modular furniture was in the middle, surrounded by over a dozen four-legged chairs. The ceiling was a grid of drop tiles and incandescent lights, and the windowless walls were stark white. A man sat at the end of the table. Two attractive women on either side. Business types. Back against the wall were two guards, dark blue suits and mirrored glasses. Uzi’s at the ready on their chests.
“Charles,” said the man at the end of the table, brightly. He stood. Clapped his hands. “Doctor Charles Sikes. The man of the hour. So good to meet you.”
Charles nodded. Swallowed.
“Thank you,” he said. “Thank you kindly, Mister Ravenloft.”
Fists on hips, the man tossed his thick black hair back and chuckled. Ravenloft was average size. Well put together in his dark gray suit. Piercing dark eyes.
Ravenloft walked over and shook his hand. His grip was strong like a construction worker’s.
Ouch!
“Come sit,” Ravenloft said, “the both of you. This is Julie Edgerd and Leslie Mckinley.”
“A pleasure,” he nodded. He extended his hand.
They nodded, smiled.
He withdrew. Feeling embarrassed, he sat down. A lady offers her hand, you idiot. Not you. It’s bad enough I’m sweating like a pig. He knew both women. Both a part of the Magnificent Twelve. Top of the order in the WHS world. Be smart. Don’t look stupid.
Ravenloft resumed his seat.
“I tell you, Charles, I’m excited. Very excited about all of this. Looks like all your hard work is about to pay off.” He picked up a glass filled with water and drank. “Ah. We have a lot of facilities. Many. But no one has made the strides with the zombies what you have. Zombie Soldiers. Brilliant. An anti-dew vaccine.” He slapped the table. “Marvelous! And you’ve even got something else brewing too. What would we call that? Zombies without blemishes?” He laughed a little. Smiled. “I’m having them get that big man ready. Let’s test him.”
Charles shifted in his seat. What? That’s my experiment. How did Ravenloft already know all of this? He knew every detail. Every bit. He’d only done the testing on Rod a few hours ago and now—zoom—here he was with Ravenloft himself.
“I’m not sure what to call it, yet?”
“Don’t you worry, Charles. You’ll get plenty of credit for whatever we choose to call it.” He shot his fists at him. Excited. “It’s wonderful how all of a sudden so many breakthroughs fall into place. Perseverance, Charles. Perseverance. Have you ever noticed that the zombies have amazing perseverance? Hmmm. So do you.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Please, you flatter me. Call me Anthony.”
“Alright, Anthony.”
“So,” Ravenloft said, “I’m eager to get started. We are just waiting on a few more guests to arrive.”
Charles eyed the empty seats. Eyed Jake, who sat across from him. The big man had a little grin on his face. Bloody Hell, they’re all coming. He rubbed his hands on his pants. I’ll probably sweat to death before they arrive.
CHAPTER 27
“Hey.”
Henry felt someone shoving him.
“Hey.”
Henry flinched. Popped up into sitting position from the floor.
“What the hell?” he started to say.
“What’s going on?” the same voice said again. It was a young woman’s.
Henry felt his face. His glasses were gone. His heart jumped.
“Anyone see any glasses?”
“No,” the unfamiliar voice said.
Henry’s vision wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t good either. He squinted. Peered around. A group of people had formed a circle around him. Other forms lay stirring on the ground beside him.
“Tori,” he said. He crawled over and shook her shoulders. “Tori, wake up.”
“What’s going on?” she said, rubbing her head. “Ow! Did someone hit me with a pipe or something?”
“I think you fell. We were gassed. Remember?”
“Uh-huh,” she responded.
They were inside the mall. The people surrounding them looked like zombies. Num-num sounds rattled farther down the main corridor.
“Who are you guys?” one of the interns said.
“We’re the new help,” Henry said, getting up. He helped Tori.
“What’s going on?” said another face in the crowd. “We were just making our rounds, and, well, we tripped over you. Why are you sleeping here?”
“Did you see anyone bring us in?” Henry said. He checked his shirt pocket. Felt his glasses. Ah. He slipped them on his head. “That’s better.” The zombie interns didn’t look good, but they didn’t look bad either. It was more like a group from a Halloween party. Younger men and women. Five in all. They all started talking.
“I didn’t see anything.”
“Something weird is going on. I can’t get access to the Cove. And my shift is up.”
“Mine too.”
“No! No! No!” a woman said. She seemed hysterical. It was Alice. “They can’t do this to me! They can’t! I’ve been loyal!”
“What are you talking about?” Weege said.
“Yeah,” Rudy added. “Do what to us?”
Alice ran to the nearest Security Door. It was the one they had entered earlier. She scanned her thumb. Red.
“No!” She pounded at the door. “No!”
Weege tried his. Red.
“What are they doing? What are they doing?” he said. “They can’t do this. Henry?”
“Told you they didn’t work,” one of the zombie interns said. He had a football jersey on. “We’re locked in here.”
“It’s just a malfunction,” said another in a DTD sweatshirt. �
�Don’t wet your pants over it. They told us these things would happen. I’m not panicking.”
“I’m scared,” one mousy girl said.
“Look, you old people need to tell us what’s going on.”
“Hey,” Tori objected. “I’m thirty one.”
“Look, everyone just calm down. Stick together. We’ll figure a way out of this,” Henry said.
Alice was yelling up at the camera mounted high on the wall, waving.
“Don’t do this! Don’t do this! I’m loyal! I’m not like them.”
“What is she freaking out about?” a zombie intern said, horrified. “What does she mean?”
“We’re bait, Man! We’re bait!” Rudy said, digging his fingers into his hair. “Damn, I thought this gig was going to be so good.”
“Shut up, Rudy!” Tori said. “You might be zombie food, but I’m not. They didn’t—”
Henry grabbed her. “Let it go, Tori.”
“What?”
He looked at the zombie interns. Two of them were crying, their dark makeup smearing.
“Everyone, just stick together.”
Why not just kill us? Henry thought. What does the WHS need us for? He didn’t know what was going on. What to expect. He couldn’t trust anyone except Tori. He checked his watch. Over six hours had passed. We’ve been out that long? The num nums seemed to be growing in numbers. Shivering, he grabbed Tori’s hand and addressed the zombie interns.
“Have any of you noticed anything else strange the past few hours?”
“I just got on shift a few hours ago. Lots of staff were heading out. Seemed weird at the time. Bird Lady said they were running drills. They do that sometimes.”
“The Zombie Dew fountain drained a few hours ago.”
“There was a black helicopter outside.”
“There was?” said another. “I didn’t see it.”
“I saw the prop on the backside of the building. Saw some suits coming out too.”
“Yeah,” added another. “It was weird how they were rushing us around. Normally it’s really casual. I hope nothing bad’s going to happen to the zombies.” She sniffed. “Are they going to take them away? I saw one of them fall over dead the other day. Poor thing.”
“You’re kidding me,” the guy in the frat shirt said. “You’re worried about them? I’m worried about me. We’ve got to get out of here.”
“There is no way out of here,” Alice said, distraught. “We’re all dead.”
“Shut up, Alice!” Tori said.
Zombie Warfare: Impact Series - Book 3 Page 12