What Remains (Book 3): Epidemic

by Barrett, Tyler

  “This is where most of the paperwork is kept, lots of clerical workings. Order forms, records of inventory, requests for equipment, that sort of thing,” Muller waved for him to follow him toward a room which was kept separate, “Over here is where Ops is located, information for planning missions and maintaining current ones.”

  Through the windows, he could see a room filled with screens, displaying maps and other information Kenji didn’t know what it pertained to. Everyone working at their stations looked focused on their work, and many people moved around the room; it was controlled chaos. As he watched, a man opened the door to leave, and constant chatter and background noise immediately filled the office.

  As the door closed, silence filled the office once more; Kenji was disturbed at how quiet it was. Muller ushered him once more to follow, and Kenji gladly moved on. Following him through the office space to the other side, he was led into the conference room. Upon entering, he saw a woman sitting at the table, waiting patiently.

  “Ah, Kenji! Welcome, I’m glad you accepted the offer. I am Dr. Victoria, Director of the IVC,” she said, standing up to shake Kenji’s hand.

  “Thank you,” Kenji replied with curiosity, taking a seat across from her, “I remember seeing you on TV.”

  “Ah, that segment, an important beginning for us here,” Dr. Victoria said, sitting, “Now I know you are wondering why we want you to join our efforts. Frankly, from Muller’s praise and your debrief report after your rescue, show that you can lead and have the necessary skills to survive. Those are invaluable to our organization. We need those skills to aid us, and normally we would require a full assessment of your qualifications, but Muller has personally vouched for you.”

  “I don't know if I’d even be sitting here alive right now if it wasn’t for Kenji,” interjected Muller.

  Dr. Victoria nodded, “Your survival directly allowed us to receive the knowledge of the Demon Virus; without that information, we wouldn’t know as much as we do now. Potentially your rescue and firm commitment to getting the research data to the outside world saved many lives.”

  “I just wanted to make sure that others knew of the infection,” replied Kenji humbly.

  Dr. Victoria smiled, “Without your group's determination, I’m sure the virus would have spread. Either way, we are happy to have you with us!”

  “Thanks,” Kenji replied, “I can’t wait to be helpful.”

  “I know you’ll be best for the job. Come see me tomorrow, I’ll discuss more what your job will be directly, until then, get settled in,” Dr. Victoria said before leaving the room.

  Muller stood up, “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”

  Kenji stood up, following Muller once more. Together they walked back past the desks, Kenji looked into an operations center, wondering what those inside were working on. Before he had time to try and grab a glimpse of anything they were working on inside, it was out of view. Kenji followed Muller back down the empty hallway to the elevator. Shortly after, they were leaving the building, stepping out into the warm California sun.

  Outside, Muller led Kenji to a smaller building across a courtyard, noticing four buildings were creating a square shape. In the courtyard, there were a few people sat on benches discussing their jobs or eating their lunch. Everyone seemed friendly enough, waving to Muller as he passed by. A few stared at Kenji as he walked by, making him uncomfortable. He knew everyone had heard of him and wondered if they thought him the hero as everyone else did. Kenji adverted his eyes, keeping them glued to Muller’s back.

  Directly across from the administration building was another building, this one seemed very basic from the outside as well, white-washed and plain. Muller swiped his badge again before opening the door. Upon entering the building, Kenji was again surprised, finding a small lobby area, directly tied to the cafeteria, brightly lit with many people sitting down eating breakfast. Passing the enormous room, they moved down the hallway, passing several doors, many of which were closed. Reaching the end of the hall, they passed by another open common area, where inside sat many people watching a movie.

  One of the men sitting nearby noticed Muller and Kenji passing by, “Hey, Muller, back already? Are we still on for poker tonight?”

  “Sure thing. Meet you at nine,” Muller replied, continuing past the common room.

  Moving through the door, they climbed the stairs up several flights of stairs to reach the third floor. Four doors down the hallway on the right side, Muller stopped.

  “This is your room,” Muller said, opening the door, waiting for Kenji to enter.

  Kenji entered the room, finding it large enough for a desk, a full-size bed, complete with its own bathroom. On the bed was Kenji’s bag he had packed earlier, before leaving his old home. On the desk, he spotted something familiar, something he was both equally afraid and glad to see. His weapon; the katana he had used in Japan to stay alive.

  “Is that?” Kenji started, pointing at the desk.

  “Yes, it’s your katana. I requested it to be kept separate from everything quarantined on the ship. I figured you might want it, if not, do what you want with it,” Muller interrupted, before turning to leave, “I’ll leave you to unpack. If you want something to eat, there is a cafeteria downstairs at the end of the hall to the right. I’ll see you tomorrow in the morning, just ask around if you need anything, someone will help you.”

  “Thank you, Muller,” Kenji replied gratefully.

  As the door closed, leaving Kenji alone with his sword, he looked at the weapon. Part of him was glad to see it since it had become an extension of himself during his time during the outbreak. Having to give it up when quarantined, Kenji felt like he was taking off proverbial armor, leaving himself exposed. Knowing where the blade was brought him a small feeling of comfort.

  However, Kenji wasn’t completely ready to wield the weapon again, knowing that while it was the sole reason he lived, it was also a weapon of destruction. It had ended many Yokai, some of his friends, and…

  Kiyomi.

  Kenji grabbed the sheathed blade, quickly wrapping it in a spare blanket before shoving it under his bed, hiding it for later. If he ever needed it, he knew where it was, until then, it was safe. Kenji grabbed his bag, setting it next to it on the floor, and sat down.

  I guess this is the start of something better. I’ll find out tomorrow.

  Chapter 6

  The next day Kenji was bursting with excitement, hopeful even. Today he was going to speak to Dr. Victoria and become part of the organization. Kenji had woken up early, unable to go back to sleep, deciding to hunt down some food for breakfast with the help of another soldier who wandered the early morning halls. He was ready to start but had to wait for Muller to take him since he still didn’t have a security badge to get into the admin building, or back into the barracks.

  Kenji sat in the common area waiting until Muller was ready to find him and begin the day. Slowly others left their rooms, heading to the cafeteria area, or sat in the common area nearby Kenji. He noticed many of them looked at him, less in awe like so many had recently, and more in wonder of why he was there. Luckily for Kenji, he never had to talk to anyone else, as Muller arrived.

  “Kenji! Good, you’re awake. Are you ready to go see Dr. Victoria?”

  Kenji stood up, moving across the carpeted area toward Muller, “Yes, I am. I’m very excited.”

  “Well, we need to stop by the security center first in Admin. They should have your permanent badge ready, so you don’t have to wait around for me,” Muller replied.

  Together they set off across the courtyard, Kenji admired the coolness of the morning air, smiling as they approached the Admin building. Muller swiped his card at the door, opening it to the same lobby area as the day before. A different guard sat at the desk, who looked up to see who was entering the building.

  “Muller! How are you, man?” The guard asked, standing up to greet them.

  “I’m good, just here to see the Director,
and get my newest recruit his perm badge,” Muller said to the man.

  The guard looked at Kenji, who was slightly behind Muller, “Hey, I know him, that’s cool he’s going to join us. The Hero of Japan, working with us, that’s awesome!”

  “Did they leave the badge here with you?” Muller asked in a slightly annoyed tone.

  “Nah, they didn’t. Probably still back at the main hub,” The guard stated.

  “I’ll go back and get it then. I’ll be right back, Kenji,” Muller stated, walking down the hall, out of view.

  “So, are you excited? My name is Rodger, by the way,” The guard said to Kenji.

  It took Kenji a moment to answer, unsure of what the man wanted out of talking to him, “Yes. I hope to make a difference.”

  “That’s cool. I heard you’re a real badass, you know a real hero and all that. I wish I could have been there to see you in action. I’m sure it was a sight to see.”

  Luckily again, Kenji didn’t have to speak, as Muller returned with Kenji’s badge.

  “Did I just hear you say you wish you were there in Japan?” Muller asked eyes squinted.

  “Uh…Hey, that’s not what I meant…I was just trying to make him feel welcome is all…” Rodger stated.

  “Well, Rodger, that’s an interesting way…” Muller said, handing Kenji the badge.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend anyone. You know how I sometimes get, opening my big mouth before I think. Guess I should have just said welcome,” Rodger said, sitting back down.

  Muller didn’t respond, motioning for Kenji to follow him. Quickly, they stepped onto the same elevator as the day before.

  The doors closed, and Muller turned to Kenji, “Sorry about Rodger, he’s…something.”

  Kenji laughed, “He seems nice, though.”

  “Yeah, don’t get me wrong, he’s nice, but the man never shuts up.”

  The ding of the elevator doors opening stopped their conversation, as Kenji followed Muller down the hall again. Muller stopped at the door, moving out of the way for Kenji.

  “Here, try your badge on the door. This door requires high clearance to enter, I just want to make sure it works.”

  Kenji nodded, moving to the card reader next to the door, swiping his card through it. Within a moment, the little red light on the reader turned to green, and Kenji pulled the door open, with Muller following.

  “Hey, I’m not going to the meeting, I have to check a couple of things, I’ll meet you in the courtyard after, okay,” Muller said, “Just head to the Director’s office over there.”

  Kenji looked to where Muller was pointing, “Okay, I’ll see you later.”

  Parting ways, Muller left Kenji on his own in the mostly silent room, where the occasional shuffle of paper was the only noise. He made his way around the cubicles to where Dr. Victoria’s office was, finding the door was closed. Kenji knocked on the door, waiting for a reply.

  “Come in!” Came through the door, slightly muffled.

  Kenji opened the door to find the Director of the IVC, Dr. Victoria, sitting behind a large desk, filled with paperwork. The office itself was nice, big enough to hold a couch and small table, facing a TV, a set of cabinets lining the opposite wall. The desk sat closer to the cabinets but left plenty of room for them to all be opened. Behind the desk, the back wall was nothing but a glass window to the outside; however, currently, the blinds were closed.

  “Kenji. Give me a minute to finish this report, then we can talk,” Dr. Victoria said, quickly looking up from the paperwork.

  Kenji sat in a chair in front of the desk, silently taking in his surroundings while he waited.

  A couple of minutes later, Dr. Victoria looked up, finally finishing her report, “How are you? I hope you slept well.”

  “Yes, I slept fine. I’m good, ready to discuss what I’m going to be doing,” Kenji replied.

  “Me and Muller have set up a plan for building this organization, which we are still in the process of setting up. It feels like we’ll never be done. Up to this point, Muller has been the one training all our field operatives, but I need him to move to Operations Manager. We were both hoping you would be the one to train our new operatives. How do you feel about that?” Dr. Victoria asked.

  “I think I could easily train them on how to handle any of the infected. I’m concerned more about if I would need to train them about anything else. After all, I have no military training like Muller does,” Kenji replied.

  “We thought about that too, and we would like you to train with Muller’s current team. Think of it as a crash course boot camp. Don’t worry, it wouldn’t focus on the physical training side, more of how military operations are handled, weapons training, terminology. If we stick to the training program Muller gave me, it would take you about a month. Would you be interested in that?” Dr. Victoria asked.

  “I think that would be a big help. I would be able to fully train anyone after that,” Kenji stated.

  “After your training is complete, we have a huge initiative planned. We will have you train a large group at a time. The initiative comprises of creating a large force of operatives stationed along the coast of North America to prevent any chance of a ship carrying infected slipping by the quarantine and breaking land here. We need those operatives able to train their own smaller groups. We can discuss what you think would be a good training plan for that group after your training, though, does that sound good for now?”

  “Yes, I look forward to my training, then giving my knowledge to others,” Kenji said, with a smile.

  “Good, now I think Muller wanted you to meet the rest of his team downstairs; they should be readying themselves for your training. Do you have any other questions for me?” Dr. Victoria asked.

  “Not right now,” Kenji said, before standing up, “Thank you, Dr. Victoria.”

  I hope the rest of the team is like Muller. Either way, I’ll push myself to complete anything they throw at me. Once I’m finished with that, it will be on to training others and giving my knowledge of how to fight the Yokai. Muller was right, it looks like I am needed here.

  Kenji left Dr. Victoria’s office and headed back to the elevator. Once the doors opened to the lobby, he was greeted by Rodger once more but less friendly.

  “Hey,” Rodger said, his eyes never leaving the video monitors behind the desk.

  Kenji didn’t feel comfortable answering and just kept walking, opening the heavy door to the outside. After looking around for a bit, Kenji spotted Muller waited for him in the courtyard.

  “There you are, ready to meet the team?” Muller asked as he approached.

  “Sure. I’m ready to start my training.”

  Muller lead him in a new direction, away from the barracks and Admin building, toward the airstrip. As they approached the airstrip, Kenji could see they were prepping a cargo plan on the runway. Moving toward a huge hanger beyond, that he assumed had recently held the cargo plane, the noise of aircraft filled his ears. Inside he could see people walking around, bringing crates to the plane to be loaded. A truck was nearby fueling the plane.

  The loud mechanical pumping of the fuel reminded Kenji of the airstrip they had used to escape Japan. He remembered it vividly, as though it had just happened yesterday. Remembering every person they lost that day, so close to escaping, yet they hadn’t. Some of those deaths hit him the hardest, because without their sacrifice the others, himself included, probably wouldn’t have made it out alive.

  “Hey, Kenji!”

  Kenji snapped out of the daydream he was lost in, as they walked. Muller was waving him toward the hanger, having continued without him. Kenji walked quickly, eager to meet the men who would be giving him military training.

  “Come meet the team!” Muller said in a good mood.

  Kenji walked into the hanger, letting his eyes adjust to the darker interior. The hanger was enormous inside and could easily fit the plane outside and still had room for several smaller rooms attached to each side. Mull
er led him to the right side of the hanger toward a gated off section. After swiping his badge, they entered through two sets of doors, which opened into a sizable room. Kenji stopped at the sight; rows and rows of guns were held in gun racks, currently unlocked, waiting for the soldiers to grab as part of their loadout. Three men stood nearby, finishing their choices of weaponry and making sure they had plenty of ammo and magazines.

  Muller put his arm around Kenji's shoulder, leading him toward the armory where three soldiers were currently gearing up, “I’ll introduce you to the others! They come off as rigid, but they'll watch your back in a jam.”

  Kenji felt uncomfortable as Muller led him, having kept his physical contact to the bare minimum. He pushed those thoughts out of his mind, deciding to focus on meeting his team. One soldier, out of the three, moved toward them.

  A tall, muscular man, with a neatly kept beard, approached extending his hand out, "Sam King, ‘Ow are ya? Call me, King."

  Kenji took King's hand, shaking it, "Good, I'm Kenji," he said with a hint of nervousness.

  "Yeah, you're known, be a treat like to have someone who's on point finally," exclaimed King.

  "Hey, we heard that! You're lucky we are training today. Otherwise, I'd have to show you how we settle things here in America,” stated one of the two soldiers who hadn't approached yet.

  King turned back toward the two soldiers, "Bugger off, ya knobheads! 'Ave a look 'ere, show some decorum, we 'ave a guest!"

  The two soldiers laughed, as Muller and King led Kenji toward them. One set down his rifle and approached much like King had, hand extended, “I’m Zack Shields. Glad to have you with us.”

  Zack was shorter than King but taller than Kenji. He had piercing blue eyes that held some mischievousness in them. His gaze weighed Kenji, and it made him feel uncomfortable.