“You’d be surprised Colonel, the things I have in mind for an encore. Just imagine the possibilities? She’s totally under my control. She’ll do anything I say, without any regard for herself. Do you know what this means?”
“That you intend to undo all of Presidents Lincolns hard work emancipating the slaves?”
“No Colonel. We’re not talking about human beings here. These monsters have been terrorizing us for years. What were onto here, is the most important discovery of our generation. Hell, of the past ten generations. We’re not just ending the war with zombies, we’re solving a whole lot of problems that have plagued this country for years.”
“You can’t enslave an entire population General. There are laws against that.”
“A population of what Colonel? You of all people know what they’re capable of. These aren’t human beings. They’re monsters that have terrorized and killed millions over the last decade and a half. I don’t care whether they look human or like Frankenstein's bride. They’re all the same on the inside, and now for the first time we can put a stop to all the terror. So, why shouldn’t we use them? They created the mess we’re in, why not put them to work cleaning things up. It’s not slavery. They owe us. They owe us more than they can possibly repay.”
“Whatever you say General. Thanks for the show. If you don’t mind, I’ve seen enough for today, and I’ll be heading back to my quarters now.”
“What you’ve seen here stays amongst between the three of us Colonel. This is the beginning of the end for these freaks. Once Christa is out in the wild everything changes. Changes for the better.”
Chaz headed for the door, and spun the handle to open it. When he hear the locking bars click open, he pushed the door open enough to walk through. Looking through the open door, Chaz said, “You need to remember General, that this is not entirely your decision. Nor is it Montgomerys. I realize you two have been running the show down here for years. It may seem like you're in charge, but there’s a whole country of people out there that will have something to say about this. Assuming of course, that they get the chance. And, in case you're wondering, they do need to have that chance.” Chaz paused for a moment, and looked back at Charlie, the General and Angie. “If you try moving forward with this on your own, you're going to look like twice the monster the freaks are. Even if you don’t care about what others think of you, you better be prepared to fight the biggest battle of your life. My advice to you, if you decide to go that way … get a lot more guns.”
Second Thoughts?
Chaz made his way down the hallway, as far away from the vault as he could get. Alex would be on his way to get to Montgomery. Alex needs to know what I know. He needs to understand, what I just saw. Christa really was one of those freaks. Angie was acting just like a grown up version of Christa. Seeing her transform from a freak to some semblance of person was unsettling to say the least. Alex really needs to understand, what we're getting ourselves into.
A month ago, I would have been all for the execution of every freak bastard I could get my hands on, and even a few I couldn’t. It was simple. They were all clearly the enemy, there was no middle ground. This was the most politically correct war ever fought by this country. The freaks were mindless crazed monsters, that didn’t deserve to live. They were animals, and we were their food supply. Things were black and white. Politicians like to paint wars as a simple good guys vs the bad guys. It's easier to justify all the body bags coming home. Everyone knows it’s always a big lie. There’s always gray areas and usually more than two sides to every story. However, these wars with the freaks truly were black and white. At least until recently. I like black and white. There's no complicated politics. It’s easy to get the public behind you, when the freaks are banging down their doors, and they just want their government to make their streets safe again.”
The elevator was just ahead, and Chaz slowed down his pace. There was another soldier waiting outside the elevator door. Chaz didn’t recognize the corporal. The corporal saluted Chaz as he approached. Chaz returned the salute, as the elevator door opened. The corporal stepped aside, to let Chaz go in first. On their way down, Chaz spoke up.
“You have any good friends son?”
“Sir?”
“Friends son. It’s a simple question. Do you have any friends … any good friends?”
The soldier thought for a second, “I suppose, Willstrop and Matthews are good guys. I bunk with them. I guess I’d count them as friends.”
“You guess? If you have to guess soldier, they can’t be good friends. I’m asking about good friends. That kind you know will always have your back. The kind that would do anything for you. Lie, cheat, steal for you. Maybe even take a hit for you, or put their own lives in jeopardy for you. Good friends. The kind you don’t have to think about whether or not their friends.”
“Yes sir.”
“So you do then? You do have friends like that.”
“Yes sir, my buddy Scotty. I knew him from grade school on. We got into a lot of scraps and trouble growing up. We were inseparable as kids, and anyone that messed with one of us, always had to deal with the other one. He really didn’t want me to join the army, but after my sister got taken by one of those freaks, I couldn’t not go. I didn’t want anyone else to have to go through what I did. She was only fifteen at the time.”
“Sorry to hear that kid, but OK, so you do have a true good friend.”
“Yes sir, I did.”
“Did? Did the freaks get him too?”
“Yes sir, they did. Just a few weeks after I shipped out. I felt guilty at first, thought that maybe if I was still there he would have been OK. That I could have helped protect him.”
“You realize, you probably couldn’t have right? Were you young when you signed up?”
“Yes sir, only eighteen. I know that now sir. There was quite a few of them when it happened. It was the middle of the night, and they took his whole family. If I’d been in the house I’d probably be dead now too.”
“You made the right decision corporal. You're making a difference now, you're helping to fight those freaks, and that makes a difference in the lives of others. Just being here, you're helping to save lives.”
“Thank you sir, I appreciate that.”
Chaz nodded in acknowledgment. The elevator moved slowly downward, as silence filled the air between them. Finally Chaz broke the silence.
“So, just hypothetically speaking, suppose your buddy Scotty … or say a buddy like Scotty did something that really pissed you off.” The corporal winced at the question. “Alright, let’s say someone totally different. Some guy that you were best friends with, but not Scotty. Let’s say this other guy really pissed you off. Let’s say, he broke into your house, and stole a bunch of your stuff. Stuff that was really important to you. Then, he lied about it. He totally lied about it, but you had proof that he really did it. What would you do?”
“I’d confront him. I’d want to know why he did it. He must have had a good reason. Maybe someone forced him to. Maybe his family was in trouble with no money, and they really needed the stuff. I’d need to know why. As long as he had a good reason, then I think I’d understand. We’re buddies right. We’d figure something out.”
“Suppose, he had no good reason. Or say, he just wouldn’t give you a reason. Say, he just kept denying he was ever responsible. Would you still be buddies?”
“Nah. If something happened to make him act that way, then he’d obviously changed. He wasn’t the same person I was friends with, and I’d probably just move on. After I got the stuff he stole back of course. If he was a friend, and really needed the stuff, then I’d probably let him keep it. But if he had changed that much to lie outright to me, then fuck ‘em. I’d do whatever I had to to get my stuff back, and then move on. It'd be hard, but I'd do it.”
“So, it’s all about talking it out then huh?”
“Yes sir, pretty much.”
“What if you couldn’t talk
to him? Say he was gone, or in a coma, or just wouldn’t answer your calls. Then what?”
“I’d wait if I had to, and just keep trying. For a good friend, I’d find a way. Whatever it took. I’ve learned, we don’t get that many good friends in this life, so I’d definitely make the effort. No matter how long it took. Eventually I’d find out the truth.”
“You're right, we don’t get that many. People do change, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve our friendship. Or at the very least, they need an honest effort from us to make things right. As right as they can be.”
The elevator doors opened, and the corporal held the doors open, as Chaz headed out.
A Little Kidnapping
Alex made his way to the elevator bank, which Dr. Montgomery would have to pass on her way to the cafeteria. Most personnel were already in the cafeteria area, so there weren't many to see Alex loitering in the hallway. Most science staff enjoyed eating at the same time, and discussing their day's work in an informal setting. Dr. Montgomery however, always avoided the large mealtime gatherings. She always took hers after the rush. That was fine with Alex, as it made grabbing her that much easier.
The elevator came up several times, but each time, it was a few latecomers from the science labs heading up for dinner. Eventually though, the doors opened and Dr. Montgomery stepped out. Unfortunately, this time she wasn't alone. Two other colleagues were following her, and talking about the latest round of lab results.
As they walked by, Alex acknowledged Judith, but made no attempt to take her. He hadn't planned for extra company. Then he turned around and called, "Dr. Montgomery."
Judith turned her head to acknowledge Alex. "Dr. Montgomery, I was wondering if you might have a few minutes to talk."
She looked at Alex for a second, not sure at first who he was. Then recognition brightened her face. "You're Alex, right? The one that came in with Christa, and Colonel Sheperd."
"Yes, ma'am, that's me. I was just wondering if I could ask you a few questions about how she's doing."
Judith and her two colleagues stopped and listened, waiting for what Alex had to say next.
"I, umm, haven't heard anything about her since we came in, and I was just wondering if she was alright. I was hoping maybe there was a chance I could come down and see her?"
One of the other doctors smugly turned and looked away. Judith said to her colleagues, "Why don't you two go ahead. I'll join you shortly." She turned back to Alex as the other doctors headed down the hallway. "It's good to finally meet you, Alex. I'm sorry we haven't had a chance to talk till now; things have been pretty hectic down below. I can assure you, Christa is doing just fine. She's quite the little girl, and it's been wonderful having discovered her."
"Discovered her?" Alex asked, looking up and down the hallway.
The elevator chimed as it opened up again. A few more staff came up and started making their way down the hall.
"Yes, discovered. She's quite a find. It was incredibly fortunate that you brought her to us. She's been a huge help with our research."
Alex stalled a little longer. "That's great, Doc, but I'd really like a chance to see her."
"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that's not possible. She's not up to visitors, and our research is at a critical stage. I wouldn't want to risk upsetting her now." The others made their way past Alex and Judith.
"Upset her? I don't see how my visiting her would make her upset. We're quite close; I'm sure she'd be happy to see me."
"You're right, Alex, sorry, just a bad choice of words on my part. But I'm afraid it's not entirely my decision. If you can get the general to agree, maybe we could work something out."
Dr. Montgomery turned from Alex and walked towards the cafeteria. The hallway was empty, and the elevator was silent. Alex took a few quick steps, grabbed Judith around the throat, and pressed the barrel of a pistol hard into her ribs.
"I'm sorry, Doctor, but that's not good enough. We're going to have to spend a little more time talking about our mutual friend."
Judith struggled and took a deep breath, but before she could scream, Alex spun her around and slammed her up against a wall. He rammed the muzzle of the pistol in her mouth. "I assure you, I'm quite serious about this. If you can't play along, then I have no problem killing you and moving on to one of your colleagues. We need to talk, and we're going somewhere a little more private."
Alex moved a very quiet Judith down the hall into a storage closet he had already unlocked. Inside the small space, Alex locked the door and pushed the doctor to the ground.
"I have no intention of harming you; we just need to be patient until my friend shows up."
A shaken but defiant Judith said, "I don't know what you're thinking, but there's no need for all this cloak and dagger. I'll answer your questions without guns in my face."
Alex crouched down to her level. "Well, obviously there is. Otherwise I wouldn't have done it now, would I? I'm not the violent type, but you and the general need a little persuasion. I just want to see Christa and know she's OK."
"You're being foolish. Your sentimental attachment to that girl is going to land you in more trouble than you know. She's not even a little girl, she's a damn freak."
Alex pulled back his foot to kick as Judith flinched and leaned away. He caught himself, turned his back on her and walked away.
"When I saw her two days ago, she was still a little girl. I don't know what you sick bastards did to her down there, but if you've harmed her in any way there will be repercussions. There will be justice."
"What the hell did she do to you two out there? Don't you realize what she is? She's one of them. She's one of those things that we're fighting against. Fighting, and dying and losing."
There were three knocks at the door. Alex unlocked it, and Chaz came inside.
Going Down
Chaz looked down at a rather nervous-looking Dr. Montgomery, and a somewhat aggravated Alex.
"Well, you two look like you've been having a good time getting to know each other. I assume you've made up for lost time and had a nice life chat."
Judith looked up at both of them. "I don't know exactly what you have in mind, but I can assure you it won't end well. Have you forgotten where you are? This is the most secure, impenetrable building on the planet."
Alex smiled smugly. "We're not looking to penetrate your little fort, Dr. Montgomery, we're looking to leave it. I can assure you those are two totally different things. And we're taking ..."
Chaz gripped Alex's arm. "That's enough. There's no need to gloat, and no need to trouble the doctor with any more stories. Understand?" He stared directly at Alex, releasing his arm.
"Yes, sir, I understand. Focus on the plan."
Chaz crouched down and grabbed Judith under the arm and pulled her to her feet. "As for you, my good doctor, there's no need for your bedside advice. I'd prefer you just keep quiet, and do what's asked of you. If you can do that, everyone goes home happy at the end of the day. As much as I enjoy being a military man and hurting my enemies, I rather think of us as colleagues. I'm hoping that works for you, Doctor." Chaz tightened his grip on Judith's arm for emphasis, and motioned for Alex to check the hallway.
Alex peeked down the hallway, and indicated the way was clear. The three of them proceeded down the hallway towards the elevator. As they watched the elevator lights slowly reach their floor, Chaz spoke. "I must insist, Doctor, that if anyone gets off the elevator when the doors open, you don't say a word. You don't even give them a glance. You're going to be totally lost in your thoughts. I'm letting go of your arm before the door opens, and you're going to walk right on in. If anything else happens other than what I've just described, there will be a body count. It may not be your body, but you will be responsible." Chaz turned and looked at Judith as he finished. "Any questions?" Judith remained silent. "Good, I'm glad."
As the light for their level lit up, Chaz released his grip on Judith's arm. It seemed forever till the doors opened. No one w
as inside. Alex commented, "I guess everyone must be enjoying pasta day in the cafeteria."
No one moved towards the elevator. Alex reached in to hold the doors as Chaz placed a hand on the small of Judith's back and firmly pushed her in. The doors closed, and Chaz held down the stop button. He turned to Judith. "I need to see a little more enthusiasm from you this time, Doctor. We're heading down to the lower science level. I'm going to need you to place your finger on the scanner when I press that button. From what I understand about biometric fingerprint security, a pulse is not required. Don't make this any more difficult, please."
Chaz released the stop button, and pressed the lower-science-level button. Judith reluctantly placed her forefinger on the scanner, and the elevator started moving. "Thank you, Doctor, that was much better," Chaz said.
Lab Time
The elevator opened on the lower science level and the three of them stepped out.
"Same rules apply down here, Doc," Chaz reminded Judith. "We're going to see Christa, and don't even think about sending us on a wild goose chase. I know exactly where she is, and how to get there. You just need to play along."
Judith looked at Chaz, somewhat confused. "How do you know where the girl is? No one but my hand-picked team members are allowed here."
Chaz smiled. "Let's just say the general has a few secrets that even you don't know about."
"The general wouldn't tell you anything about this level. He knows nothing about this floor."
"I would beg to disagree. He knows a lot more than he's telling, but you're right, he didn't tell me a thing. But he has been watching you. He's been watching you for quite a while."
Mutation: Parables From The Apocalypse - Dystopian Fiction Page 9