Dee could see from the bags under his eyes that Ben was telling the truth. Hell, no one got much sleep these days. Last night in the boat was the best sleep she’d had since all this began.
“Well, since I’m here, how about I watch for a few hours?”
“Yeah, maybe. We’ll see how we go.”
Dee looked back to the monitors and could now see at least twenty of the Variants roaming around, sniffing at everything. Searching.
“You’re seriously not worried?”
Ben shook his head. “SNAFU.”
“SNAFU? I heard you say that.”
“It’s military jargon. It means Situation Normal All Fucked Up. We use it sarcastically, meaning it’s chaos, but that’s normal.”
“Oh right, so you were in the army?”
Ben nodded. “Yes, I served in the New Zealand Army, then the NZSAS, two tours of Vietnam, followed by some other stuff. Retired from the NZSAS when I was 45, then trained soldiers until I retired five years ago.”
Dee looked into Ben’s eyes. She could see pain buried deep. Those eyes had seen things no one should see. Not wanting to press him any further, Dee changed the subject. “Do you mind if I ask who you were talking too?”
“No, not at all. I was talking to the army…or what’s left of it.”
Ben pulled out a map of New Zealand. “We have pockets here in Wellington, holed up in the bunker under Government House. There’s a small group in Auckland, under the museum. A few are scattered around the South Island, in the mountains. Most evacuated out to the islands with the navy. Here on the Chathams, Stewart Island, Great Barrier and Mayor Island.”
“What about other survivors, like Boss and I?” Dee asked, hopeful of news of Jack.
“A few, yes, when we can find them. We’ve been flying them out to Mayor Island.”
“So why are you here?”
Ben rolled his shoulders, stretched out a kink and sighed. “Well, since I have this little bunker, I was recalled to active duty and ordered to stay behind, hunt for survivors.”
Dee allowed hope to float back into her mind. Perhaps Jack was still alive. Maybe he had been airlifted to safety.
“Can we radio Mayor Island and ask about my husband, Jack?”
“It’s pretty chaotic over there, but sure, let’s go for it.”
He turned back to the bank of radios and turned one on. He turned the detent dial until he had the right frequency, then pushed down the talk button on the microphone.
“Falcon 7, Falcon 7, this is Dusty Hollow, over.”
A voice immediately answered, making Dee’s heart leap with excitement.
“Falcon 7 receiving. Over.”
“Falcon 7, looking for civvie, maybe brought a few days back. Over.”
“Name, Dusty Hollow? Over.”
Ben looked at Dee. “Jack, Jack Gee. G-E-E.”
“Falcon 7, civvie’s name is Jack Gee, that’s Golf-Echo-Echo. Over.”
“Received. We’ll get back to you. Out.”
Dee paced around the room, grinning from ear to ear. She had hidden in that damp, stinky basement for thirteen days, and in the house for two. Fear of getting torn apart and eaten had frayed her nerves. But she had survived. Boss had provided humour. Her hope of seeing Jack had never diminished but now it flared up anew, thanks to Ben. He looked like a gentle giant, but Dee had seen the ruthless former SAS soldier in action.
Ben looked at Dee, a twinkle in his brown eyes. “Wait a minute. Is your married name ‘Gee’?”
Dee laughed. “Yes, I know. Dee Gee.”
“Really?” Ben smirked. He leant back and chortled.
“Yeah.” Dee giggled. It felt good to share a laugh with Ben.
The radio crackled to life. Dee’s heart hammered in her chest. “Dusty Hollow, Dusty Hollow, this is Falcon 7, Over.”
“Receiving Falcon 7. Over.”
“Nobody of that name on the civilian manifests, Dusty Hollow. Out.”
She was devastated. She had allowed herself to hope. Hope Jack had made it to Mayor Island. She sat down in a chair, deflated. The roaring in her ears drowned out the rest of the radio conversation.
Ben put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry Dee, I really am. I’ll get you and Boss to the next airlift.”
Dee nodded numbly, eyes downcast. “I should have gone to him. He was in the bush. But I made him come to me.”
“Dee, where was he?”
“Up in the Kaimai Mountains. Near Sentinel Rock.”
Ben got up and started pacing around the small room. “So he would’ve come across the country towards the city, right?”
Dee could feel a spark of excitement. “Yeah. He loves those back country roads.”
Ben fumbled through his pile of maps. Finding the one of the surrounding area, he excitedly pointed down. “Look. All the roads got choked up quickly, so maybe he had to skirt this area, forcing him wide to try to come into the city from the south?”
Dee nodded her head in agreement.
“If he ran into any Variants, he may have been taken.”
Ben placed both gnarled hands on Dee’s shoulders. “Dee, I think I might know where he is. If he’s alive, he’s here.”
Dee looked at the map. Ben was pointing at the Waikato River. Next to his finger, she read Karapiro Dam.
“The dam? Why would he be there?”
“Those guys you met? Well, they used to find survivors too, only they give them to the Variants. I captured one of the traitors and extracted some information. The Variants use the dam as a meat locker, a slaughterhouse and a bloody nest!” Ben spat the last words. “Look. I’m not going to lie to you. It’s a long shot. Chances are he just got caught up in the chaos.”
Dee felt herself fall to the ground. Food? Her Jack, now food? The mere thought of it curdled her stomach. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes and she buried her head in her hands. Dee didn’t want Ben to see her like this. Soldiers like him were used to people holding their emotions in check.
Ben grasped her shoulder. “If we had a way to be sure, I’ll help you get him.”
“Wait. You said it’s a meat locker?”
“Yes.”
“So, that means there are other people there?” Dee said, rising to stand next to Ben. A plan was forming in her mind.
“That’s the impression I got from the traitor, yes,” Ben said, grimacing.
“Why doesn’t the army mount a rescue mission, then?”
“I’ve already asked and got a firm no. Not enough resources.”
“That’s crazy,” Dee said. “I thought the army was there to protect the citizens. To protect our way of life. Not run and hide.”
Ben smiled and nodded. “I agree with you, Dee. I must admit I don’t like this running and hiding.”
Dee paced the room, arms clasped behind her back. There were so many thoughts running through her head, she struggled to focus. She tried to calm herself and then, with sudden clarity, an idea came to her. But with no knowledge of how the electrical grid worked, it was a long shot.
She stopped walking and snapped her head up, looking at Ben. “You don’t happen to have an Android phone charger, do you?”
— 25 —
Dee watched as Ben rummaged around in the drawers on the desk.
“Is this what you mean?” Ben said, holding up the charger.
Dee looked at the end and smiled. “Yes.”
She plugged it in and ran back to the bathroom, where she had left her old, smelly clothes. When she had been resting in the boat, Dee had been surprised to find her smartphone in her pocket. She guessed she had put it there out of habit. Or, and more likely, hoping for a miracle, that Jack would call her.
Thankfully her phone sprang to life and Dee spent a few seconds scanning through her apps.
“What are you going to do? Call him?” Ben said, frowning.
Dee shook her head. “No. Tried that already. I’m going to use this app. Find my phone. Jack installed it in c
ase he ever went missing on one of his hikes.”
“Good idea.”
“I just hope the cell towers have power.”
“I’m pretty sure they have backup.”
Dee grunted and stared at her screen. The app glowed back at her, but after several moments a tiny blue arrow blinked back. Dee swiped her fingers over the map, enlarging it. Jack’s phone was on Wiltsdown Road. Dee heart sank as she glanced over the map. That was at least thirty kilometres away from Karapiro. She showed Ben the location.
“Damn it,” Ben said. He stroked his beard and looked over his paper maps. “Dee. He could still have ended up in the dam. Look how close his phone is to the river. Maybe he ran into trouble and had to leave it in a hurry.”
“Do you think there’s a chance?”
“Stranger things have happened,” Ben replied. He tapped his fingers on the desk. “There’s always a chance.”
“I have to know, Ben. I can’t fly out of here to Mayor Island without knowing,” Dee said. “Will you help me search for him.”
Ben looked at her, a steely glint in his eyes. “I never could say no to a pretty lady asking for help.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Affirmative. We’ll need guns. Lots of them.” Ben laughed. “What about the kid?”
“I’ll ask him when he wakes up.”
Dee and Ben spent the rest of the evening making preparations. Planning a possible rescue was not something Dee had ever thought she would be doing, but the thought of her Jack being stored as food to be consumed was not something she could bear to imagine. This guy, who through kindness and a quirky sense of humour had helped her through the darkness. This guy who, through sharing his joy of movies, books and the natural world had helped Dee see the magic of the universe. She wasn’t going to give up on him. She had to know, and if she could banish some of these monsters to the pit of hell from whence they came, all the better.
As she helped Ben prepare, she checked on Boss a few times but the poor kid just slept right through. Even with all the noise they were making.
Ben spent thirty minutes showing Dee how to use an AR-15. How to load it, where the selector was. How to keep her finger on the guard, not the trigger. Dee tried to remain attentive, but exhaustion crept in. The bunks in the next room looked more and more inviting.
“Ben?”
“Yeah?”
“Can we continue this in the morning?”
“All right, sure. And Dee, don’t worry. We’ll go find him.”
She could see the genuine belief in Ben’s eyes. It comforted her, but that old demon of self-doubt nagged at the back of her mind, threatening to pull her back down.
“Wake me for my watch, okay?”
“Sure.”
Dee lay awake for some hours, her body battered and bruised but her mind racing, thinking out all the scenarios. What if Jack is dead? Could I still go on? What chance do we have? Sleep finally pulled her into its embrace.
Dee woke to Boss shaking her shoulder. “Hey, sleeping beauty. Where are we?”
Pushing herself up, Dee struggled to shake the cobwebs from her mind. “Umm, we’re safe…Ben…saved us…his place.”
“Ben?”
Dee ran her hands through her pixie hair, pulling out the knots. “It’s okay.” She patted Boss on the shoulder. “He’s a friend.”
“What happened?” Boss said. He rubbed the bruise on his head.
“After you were knocked out, Ben shot those two rapists and brought us here. Come on, I’ll introduce you.”
“Did those guys… Umm?”
“No. Ben shot them before they could.” Dee smiled.
“I’m sorry, Dee. I tried to help but he was too strong,” Boss said, wiping away a tear.
“Boss. You tried and you put yourself on the line to save me. Thank you.” She pulled Boss into a hug and held on to him.
After a couple of seconds, Dee let go. “Come, I’ll introduce you to Ben.”
Boss grinned and followed her into the war room. Ben turned as he heard them walk up. Dee could see his eyes were red and slightly puffy.
“Hey. You should have woken me for my watch.”
“It’s all right. You guys looked exhausted, thought I’d give you some rest.”
“Still, you need it too.”
Ben tilted his head to one side. “I’m used to it. Been surviving on little sleep most of my working life. This must be Boss?”
Dee smirked. “Oh yes, sorry. Ben, Boss, Boss, Ben.”
“Thank you for yesterday,” Boss said, holding out his hand.
“That’s all right kid.” Ben shook the offered hand. “Hungry?”
“You have food?”
Ben grinned and slapped Boss on the back.
Dee watched the exchange, admiring how they accepted each other so quickly. She guessed the apocalypse could bring out the worst and the best in people.
Before the Hemorrhage Virus had torn into the fabric of society, throwing the country into chaos, she never would’ve imagined herself doing any of the things she had done in the last couple of weeks.
Deep down inside is a strength most of us never know exists until the greatest of circumstances call upon it. That time is now. Today it is time.
After a hearty breakfast of bacon, eggs and sausages, Boss started to look more like his old self. Dee grinned as she finished her meal and her cup of coffee, sighing inwardly at the bitter taste. It had been days since she had enjoyed a cup.
“What’s the plan, Ben?” Dee said, glancing at the soldier.
“Plan?” Boss said. “What have you guys been up to?”
“We might know where Jack is.”
Boss frowned and looked between her and Ben. His mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. “I’m trying to think of some witty Python reference but I’ve got nothing. Just. What?”
“C’mon, I’ll show you,” Dee said, pushing back her chair.
Ben gathered them around the table in his war room and spread out one of the maps. Ben filled Boss in on what they had figured out while he’d been unconscious, then outlined his plan.
“This is the nest where we think Jack is. There are multiple entrances but only three of us.
“Boss, you’re going to be in the river driving the boat you two found. Dee and I are going to go in, look for Jack and get out, killing as many of those bastards we can. As you discovered, these things don’t like the water for some reason, so that’s our escape route. Now, I’m not going to sugarcoat it: this is probably a suicide mission, and I’m disobeying orders. But I’m tired of the army just running and hiding.” Ben looked sternly at Dee then Boss. “I’m giving both of you the opportunity to back out now. I know neither of you have training, but someone with determination and a will to survive can overcome great odds.”
Dee put her hand over Boss’s. “I know it’s a lot to ask, Boss. If you don’t want to do this, it’s fine.”
Boss nodded, shrugged. “Sure, why not, I’m in. Two weeks ago I was just another millennial playing video games and annoying my parents. It’s better to burn out than to fade away, eh?”
She couldn’t help but grin at his movie reference. Just like Jack. Probably why she liked the kid so much.
“Thanks, Boss. I appreciate it,” Dee said, smiling. She looked back down at the map and remembered Jack’s phone.
“Shouldn’t we check the phone location first, in case he’s moved. Ben?”
Ben crouched down and opened a big duffle bag next to the table. Pulling out some guns, he placed them on the table. “My gut says he’s in the nest. We can check it after.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
“All right. Boss, you’re going to take these in the boat as backup. If we get out of there alive and Variants are attacking us, as I know they will be, you’re going to have to give us covering fire. Don’t worry too much about hitting them. Just give them something to worry about. I’ll give you both some quick lessons before we move out at 1100 hours, okay?”
Dee and Boss nodded. Ben pulled out a rifle, the same as the one Dee had seen him use in their rescue.
“This is for you, Dee. Again, I’ll give you another quick lesson before we go, okay? I’ll also give you a shotgun — easier to hit them with. Now, if we get out alive, Boss, you fish us out of the river and we motor to the vehicle I’m going to drop off here.” He pointed to a spot on the map. “Then we hightail up this road straight to this airfield. I’ll call in the chopper to get us out to Mayor Island.”
Dee looked at Ben and saw a determined look. She felt happier knowing he was a seasoned professional. It was an extremely simple plan, but as he was the only one with military training, it was the only course of action to take. If Jack was out there, she had to know.
“Umm, why can’t we wait for your army buddies?” Boss said.
“They would never approve it. The order went out about a week ago. Get out with as many survivors as you can find or hunker down. The virus hit too fast. The under-strength army wasn’t ready for this. It was a miracle the navy and air force were having exercises in the Pacific. As harsh as it sounds, they aren’t worried about one man. It’s us or no one will save Jack,” Ben said.
“Fine. Let’s go hunt some Orcs!” Boss smirked.
Dee shook her head at the teenager. Definitely like Jack. Movie obsessed.
At 1100 hours Dee found herself following Ben back down the same road they had driven up the previous day. She couldn’t help but shudder in disgust as they pulled into the farm where Missing Teeth and his buddy had tried to rape her.
Dee and Boss climbed out of the vehicle and headed towards the boat. Dee hugged the teenager goodbye before he climbed in.
As he moved out into the current, she waved. “Good luck… Thanks, Boss.”
Boss returned the wave. “Now you owe me.”
Jumping back into the car, Dee found herself grinning as she followed Ben again.
The sun was reaching its peak and she revelled in the warmth of its rays. She couldn’t help but wonder if this was the last time she would feel them on her skin. That she was on her farewell drive, taking in her last sight of the world they had lost. Dee wound down her window and let the wind blow through her hair, enjoying the sensation. Jack always said to enjoy the little things.
The Rule of Three (Extinction New Zealand Book 1) Page 14