Caldera 8: Simon Sez

by Stallcup, Heath

  She sat forward and gathered her hands in her lap. “Danny, in the past, when a bug is spread through a contained group it’s usually brought in from an outside source. To my knowledge, there haven’t been any new people added recently that weren’t thoroughly checked out. We haven’t had anybody exposed to a source.” She searched his eyes. “Yes, we‘re packed in here, but unless somebody encountered another individual that was sick, it simply shouldn’t be here.”

  Hatcher studied her and finally understood what her point was. “So, either somebody came into contact with a survivor that had this out there…” he pointed beyond the gate, “or it was introduced another way? Is that what you’re getting at?”

  She shrugged. “When people make a run outside the walls, they’re supposed to report contact, right?”

  “Of course. But there haven’t been any reports of other survivors since…” His voice trailed off and he stared at her wide eyed. “Are you thinking that maybe one of the Zulus spread this during the attack?”

  She gave him a slight shrug, her face a mask. “I’m saying the bug is here and I don’t know how it was introduced.”

  Hatcher leaned back in his chair and stared toward the alley where the Zulus had tripped the mines. “Could it be spread through remains?”

  She shrugged again. “I was always taught that it was spread from saliva but that really aggressive strains could remain on the skin and could potentially be spread through touch.” She sighed and seemed to slump in her seat. “All I know for sure is, we need more medicine.”

  He gave her a worried look. “Now you’ve got me worried that we’re dealing with some Zulu strain of mutated bug.” He shuddered in his chair and cleared his throat. “Now my throat is aching.”

  She chuckled as she sat up. “That’s probably psychosomatic.”

  “You’re psycho,” he mumbled.

  “I mean it’s in your head.” She patted his arm. “Just let me know as soon as they get back so I can get the meds distributed.”

  “I know what you meant.” He gave her a lopsided grin. “But you’re still psycho.”

  Dr. Kevin McAlester sat hunched over the lab notes that Broussard and Chaplain had left and rubbed at his eyes. “This should have worked.” He leaned back and stretched his neck and shoulders. “By every indicator, their solution was viable.”

  He pulled another notebook closer and compared the test results. “So, if they had the cure…why would they run off?”

  He turned slightly when the door to the lab slammed open and a trio of military men stepped into the lab. “We’re shutting this facility down.”

  “On who’s authority?” Kevin asked, slowly pulling his reading glasses from his face.

  “On mine,” a man stated as he stepped into the room. “Let’s get this shit out of here and get the room repurposed.”

  Kevin stepped away from the counter and gently placed his glasses on the workbench. “What exactly is going on here?”

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but the manufacturing of the ‘cure’ has been turned over to a different ship. They’ll divvy out the doses and we’re choppering it to the coast. From there, we’re using high altitude craft to spray this shit in the air.” The man gave him a self-satisfied look. “Your services are no longer needed.”

  Kevin nodded knowingly. “And what exactly am I supposed to do then?”

  “I don’t care as long as you do it someplace else.” He stepped closer, invading the researcher’s personal space. “But you might want to make yourself useful for something, or you might find yourself floating back to shore.”

  Kevin gave him a curt nod, refusing to back away. “And when something unforeseen pops up? When the cure isn’t working and you can’t figure out why…what then?”

  “Not my problem.” He turned to the others. “Box this shit up and store it.” He turned slowly back to Kevin. “Or they can toss it overboard. I don’t really care.”

  Kevin chuckled and gave the man a sad smile. “Shortsighted people have no business being in positions of authority.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” The man swelled his chest as he growled at him.

  “It means exactly what I said.” Kevin’s voice was soft and non-threatening. “Stupid people should never be allowed much responsibility. They’ll always step up and find ways to make even stupider decisions.” His sneer was as insulting as he could make it.

  “I think you need to go for a swim overboard, you little—”

  Kevin’s hand reacted before his brain could countermand the order. He gripped the man by the throat and was actually surprised when he lifted him from the floor. “You first.”

  He pushed.

  Hard.

  The man slid across the polished linoleum floor and stared at him wide eyed from the doorway. “Y-you…can’t do that.”

  “I just did.” He stepped forward and planted his hands on his hips. “Tell your captain that if he wants to shut down this lab, he has every right. But I still have research projects going on here that need to be completed.” He stepped forward and squatted, eyeing the man at his level. “And in my professional opinion, closing this lab before we know the full ramifications of the cure is a stupid move.” Kevin grinned and patted the soldier’s boot. “You might let him know that the time lost reestablishing this research facility could well mean the difference in fixing any problem that might arise and dealing with circumstances that they simply cannot comprehend.”

  “What?” The soldier blinked at him, still shocked.

  Kevin sighed as he came to his feet and he looked to the other two soldiers. “Tell your captain that if he wants to close this lab, he needs to come talk to me first.” He waved the trio off with his hand. “Go on now. Leave me be.”

  He turned his back on the three and pulled the stool out at the workbench. He heard the door shut as he moved the lab books closer and began to read again.

  Without thinking he reached for his reading glasses and slipped them on. He blinked a few times and pulled them off, staring at the lenses. He could actually see better without them.

  He set them aside then froze.

  Had he actually just used physical force against a trained soldier?

  And won?

  He turned and stared at the door, his mind trying to piece together what had just happened. He slowly came to his feet and he stared at where the soldier had been sprawled on the floor.

  Was this another dream? Did it really happen?

  He slowly lowered himself to the floor and looked at the little bits of dirt and lint that lay scattered across the linoleum. He could actually see where something large had slid across the floor, wiping a clean spot.

  He stood, letting his breath out slowly.

  “What the hell is happening with me?”

  Simon walked the newest members of his army into the supermarket. Almost immediately the others began to grunt and take defensive positions as the supposed invaders cautiously approached. He pointed to the large hunter that was now his first lieutenant. “What’s your name?”

  The tall Quee stared at him as though he spoke a different language.

  “Fine. You look like a ‘Clyde’ to me.” He slapped the man’s shoulder. “Clyde, show our guests inside and get them settled. I’ll start gathering some food for them.”

  The woman that he’d claimed approached slowly, her eyes wide. “No bring them. Eat our foods.”

  Simon nodded. “Angel, that’s the whole idea.” He patted her balding head and stepped around her.

  “What we eat?” she asked, falling into step behind him.

  “There’s more out there.” He turned and gave her a broad smile. “Besides, once we get them fed and feeling stronger, we’re going to the neighbors. You like slow and tasty, right?” He winked at her.

  She pulled at his arm, trying to get him to stop. “No. They go. Now.”

  Simon sighed and tried to think of a way to explain to her his plan. “Do you understand
strength in numbers?” She gave him a confused look. “Okay, fine. What’s better? You alone, or you and me together?”

  “Together.”

  “Good.” He gave her a quick nod. “What’s better, you and me together or all of us together?”

  She cocked her head and thought for a moment. “All.”

  He nodded. “Then adding more to the ‘all’ is better for everyone, right?”

  She shook her head. “They eat food.”

  He nodded. “And they help find more. More food for all.”

  He could almost see the gears in her head turning as he walked away. He snatched up the can opener and began grabbing random cans from the shelves.

  After he ensured that the newcomers were fed and the two groups slowly sniffed each other’s butts, he gathered the hunters together and stepped out into the parking lot for a quick pow-wow before the sun rose.

  “Is this all the hunters?” He looked to Clyde and the Quee that had offered him the heart of their old leader. Both men agreed that all the hunters were present.

  A quick head count had Simon worried. “We got nine hunters? That’s it?”

  “You.” Clyde pointed at him. “You hunter.”

  “I’m the leader, Clyde. I’m the alpha. The boss. I’m the one who tells the soldiers what to do.” Simon sighed and stared back toward the store. “We need more.”

  He pointed out towards the rest of the city. “Are there more? More Quee?”

  Clyde looked to the others and shook his head. “Maybe.”

  The others murmured amongst themselves then decided that there weren’t. Simon leaned on the body of a dead car, rubbing at his temples. “You mean to tell me that out of this entire city, it’s just us? Less than sixty Quee?”

  “No food,” one of the newcomers stated, his eyes narrowing as his guts began to twist. “Many die.”

  Simon cleared his throat and rubbed at his neck. He glanced for the bottle of brown liquor that he always kept close and was shocked that he had no idea where it was left. He swallowed hard and grimaced at the rawness of his throat.

  He nodded slowly and glanced to the east, the first licks of sunlight beginning to lighten the early morning sky. “Okay. Let’s everybody hunker down for the night.” He cleared his throat again and pressed a palm to his temple as the headache threatened to return. “We’ll pick this up after we’ve all had some sleep.”

  He motioned them back towards the store.

  “And remember, find one area to shit in so we aren’t stepping in it all night,” he muttered as he pulled the glass doors shut. “Fucking people act like they were raised in a barn.”

  Chapter 12

  Hatcher stood by the gates, his eyes squinting in the early afternoon sun. He heard the engine just a moment before his eyes picked up the dust plume rising into the air. “Has anybody radioed that they’re returning?”

  The gate guard shook his head. “Not yet, boss.”

  Hatcher stepped to the chainlink and tossed open the gate, his hand hovering over the holster strapped to his hip. He continued to stare towards the dust plume and visibly relaxed when he saw the red truck come into view. “It’s Hank and Wally.”

  He stepped out and waited by the side of the road as the pair pulled up and gave him a dissatisfied shake of the head. “Every place we could think of to look was picked clean already.”

  “You should have radioed ahead.” Hatcher’s eyes narrowed on the pair.

  Wally held the radio up. “The battery went dead shortly after we left.”

  Hatcher rolled his eyes. “We need to find a more reliable way to communicate.”

  Hank grinned as he slammed the door of the truck. “Smoke signals?”

  “You’re not funny.” Hatcher tossed the radio back to Wally. “Next outing I want you boys to raid an electronics store. Or maybe a hunting or sporting goods place. Find us some two-ways that are more…” His voice trailed off as the sound of another engine caught his attention.

  The gate guard turned and shook his head. “They didn’t radio in either.”

  Hatcher stepped to the rear of the truck and watched as a small crossover SUV slowed its approach. He recognized the two men in the car but couldn’t recall their names. The car pulled to a stop behind the truck and the two men stepped out, broad smiles across their faces. “We did good.”

  “Why didn’t you radio in?” Hatcher stepped closer to the car and watched as the two men looked at each other.

  “I thought those were just in case of trouble.” He gave Hatcher an apologetic look. “It won’t happen again.”

  “But I think we got what you need.” The taller man opened the rear hatch of the car and pulled out a box. “This one is stuffed with all kinds of meds.”

  “We got another box with random drugs, too.” He pulled the tote closer and lifted a handful of small packages. “Heart meds, blood pressure…you name it.”

  Hatcher breathed a sigh of relief and waved the men on. “Get it to the infirmary. Vicky will be happy to see it.”

  “Hatcher?” Roger hung his head out of the main doors. “You need to hear this.”

  Hatcher pointed to Hank and Wally. “Make sure the vehicles are secured.” He turned toward the main doors and walked back into the cool interior. “What’s up?”

  Roger gave him a look he couldn’t identify. “You have to hear it for yourself.” He waved Hatcher down the hall and to the closet that had been cleared out for the radio. “Mike hollered at me as soon as he stumbled on it.”

  Hatcher laid a hand on Mike’s shoulder. “Should you be out of bed?”

  He nodded gently then handed him the headphones. “Doc’s orders. I need to move around some, so I thought I’d play with the radio.” He grinned at him. “You gotta hear this.”

  Hatcher slipped the headphones on while Candy and Roger watched him excitedly.

  “…What is left of the United States Government is safely anchored approximately twenty miles offshore on a flotilla of Naval vessels.

  “The CDC is still working tirelessly to bring the infection to an end. With the assistance of researchers from across the globe, a working treatment has been created that will combat the Encephalitic Rage Virus. Early tests have proven promising and the treatment for ERV is currently being released into the atmosphere.

  “Because the treatment was created to be airborne, both the infected and the uninfected will be exposed. Do not be alarmed if you suffer from fever, sore throat, congestion, or nausea. The treatment will need to run its course, therefore, it is imperative that those exposed do not attempt to combat the symptoms with prescription medications. Over the counter analgesics are authorized to alleviate symptoms, however, the antibodies necessary to combat the virus must be allowed to build up in order to ensure proper inoculation.

  “Be advised that the infected will still be a danger until the treatment has run its course. Expect those people to begin showing signs of improvement within days and prepare to assist those who transition back to a more normal state as they may be frightened, confused and in need of basic services.

  “For those who receive this broadcast, please inform all other survivors of the content of this message.

  “This recording will repeat in fifteen seconds.”

  Hatcher pulled the headphones from his ears and looked to Roger. “Has anybody told Vic yet?”

  Roger shook his head. “We thought you’d want to know first.”

  He handed Mike the headphones then turned to Candy. “Let Vicky know what the message said and let’s arrange for somebody to go around and retrieve the meds that she’s already handed out.”

  “Should we tell them what the message said?” she asked as he stepped away.

  He shook his head. “Not yet.” He rubbed at his chin. “For now, we need to just collect the meds. If this ‘cure’ doesn’t work, we don’t need people to lose what little hope they have.”

  “So what do we tell them?”

  Hatcher paused and gave her a
slight shrug. “See if Vic can come up with a viable excuse to pull their meds. Maybe they’re so far out of date that they’re dangerous? I honestly don’t know.” He patted her shoulder. “I’m sure that the two of you can come up with something good.”

  Candy watched him walk away and gave Roger a confused look. “You’d think he’d be more excited.”

  Roger turned and watched Hatcher disappear around a corner. “Maybe he’s just being a pragmatist.”

  Carol woke with a start and blinked rapidly, her head whipping side to side. “Andre?”

  “I am here. I thought it best to let you rest.” He stepped from around the workbench in the middle of the lab and handed her a cup of hot coffee. “Apparently, the lab uses compressed propane rather than natural gas.”

  She accepted the mug and inhaled deeply of the rich aroma. “It’s the little things, isn’t it?” She took a sip of the bitter liquid then gave him a confused stare. “Where did you find coffee?”

  He nodded behind her. “At one time there was a lounge back there. I found two bags of unopened coffee. There were also five, gallon bottles of water. The Bunsen burners did an adequate job of boiling it.” He gave her a self-satisfied grin.

  “Necessity is the mother of invention.”

  “Oui. This is true.” He settled in next to her and sipped at his own cup. “Unfortunately, there was only powdered creamer.” His face twisted into a grimace. “I could not do such a thing to the elixir of the gods.”

  “Agreed.” She sat upright and stretched slightly. “I don’t think the floor agreed with my body, though.”

  “Relax.” He nodded toward the barricaded door. “After you fell asleep last night I heard a few more screams, but none from within the building.”

  “Did you sleep?” She already guessed the answer based upon his swollen eyes.

  “Some but not much.” He leaned back and closed his eyes, his cup cradled in both hands. “I preferred to stand watch until I felt we were safe.”

  She took a long drink from her cup then pushed up from the floor. “We have a lot to do today and I think I can do most of it.” She pointed at him. “You should sleep while you can.”