Finally, Nick turned toward his group. “What do you think, guys?”
Dylan still held her gun ready to use if need be, but her expression was relaxed. “They don’t look like a bunch of murderers to me. Let’s hear what they have to say.”
“I agree,” Missy said.
Richard grunted his assent. “We can always shoot them after.”
Nick rolled his eyes before turning to Big Joe again. He explained about their trip to the south but paused when Big Joe shook his head.
“You might as well turn around. You’re wasting your time,” Big Joe said. “Those places are gone. Destroyed. If nobody is answering you, it’s because there isn’t anyone left to talk.”
Shock fizzed through Nick’s veins. “What do you mean destroyed?”
“There is a horde of zombies pushing up the continent from the south. They chased us off our farm in Tyler, Texas, and we’ve been running ever since.” Joe jerked a thumb at the car behind him. “We met up with Tom and Wanda along the way. They’re heading for Canada.”
“Canada? Why Canada?” Nick asked.
“It’s cold. They’re hoping it’s zombie-free,” Joe said.
“Zombie-free?” Nick shook his head. “It’s not. From the few reports I’ve heard, there are less infected, but the ones there are have seemingly adapted to the climate. They’re just as active as ours except during the coldest of months.”
“Damn. Wanda will be sad to hear that. How about you? Are you with the army?” Big Joe asked.
“Yes, I’m Sergeant Dean and in charge of Fort Detrick.”
Hope filled Big Joe’s face. “A Fort? Is it safe?”
“It has been until now, but that all depends on the information you give me,” Nick asked. “How big is this horde?”
“Thousands, maybe even tens-of-thousands,” Big Joe said.
Nick paled. “That many?”
Big Joe nodded. “Would you be able to stand against so many?”
Nick glanced at Dylan. “We’ll have to. The Fort is our home, and I’m not abandoning it or the thousands of souls under my care.”
“Thousands?” Big Joe repeated, looking impressed. “I didn’t know there were so many of us left.”
“You’d be surprised,” Nick replied.
“So, what now?” Big Joe asked.
“Hold on. Let me talk to my friends,” Nick said, twisting around in his seat. “Well?”
“We need more details,” Richard immediately said. “How far away is this horde? What route are they taking? When will they get here? Plus, more.”
“I agree, but given the size of this horde, I don’t think we are the ones to gather that information,” Nick said. “We could get bogged down or run into trouble, and the base would be none the wiser.”
“They’d be sitting ducks,” Dylan said. “I say we go back and send out new teams. Teams that are fast and prepared.”
“Besides, the Fort will need your guidance to prepare for this threat,” Richard added.
“Why not invite these people back to the fort?” Missy asked. “They could tell us everything they know in exchange for asylum. Or, if they don’t want to stay, some supplies.”
“That’s a good idea. We’ll need to recall Saul’s team and warn the other communities that are close to us,” Nick said.
“They might even want to join us,” Dylan said.
“The more firepower, the better,” Richard added.
Nick turned back in his seat, and silence fell as he thought things over. Finally, he looked at Big Joe. “Listen. Our base isn’t far from here, and we’d be willing to take you in for more detailed information.”
“I don’t know,” Big Joe said, clearly hesitant.
“Look, we’re good people. Not murderers or robbers. And if you want to move on, we’ll give you some supplies to speed you on your way. It’s your choice,” Nick said.
“I can’t speak for Wanda and Tom,” Big Joe said. “Give us a minute to discuss your offer.”
“Go ahead, but time is running out.” Nick waited with growing impatience while the two groups discussed their options. After several long minutes, Big Joe and the woman he assumed was Wanda approached.
“Do we get to keep our weapons and vehicle?” Wanda asked.
“You do.”
“And we can leave anytime we want?”
“Nobody will stop you,” Nick said.
“What about our supplies?” she asked.
“You can keep it or trade it for other stuff you need, and if you decide to leave, I’ll even top you up.”
“Sounds okay, I guess. We’ll give it a shot, and in return, we’ll tell you everything we know about the zombies.”
“Deal,” Nick said. “You can follow me back to the base. I’m heading there now.”
“Got it,” Wanda said.
“See you there, Sergeant,” Big Joe said.
They returned to their vehicles while Nick did a quick U-turn. As he headed back to Fort Detrick, his mind whirled with a million and one thoughts. None of them were comforting. It seems we’re in for the fight of our lives. I only hope we emerge victorious.
Chapter 10 - Saul
Saul climbed out of the Humvee and handed the keys to Alex. The parking lot was in an uproar, and he hadn’t seen so many new faces in a long time. A queue of vehicles of every shape, size, and color waited at the gates for admittance, and the guards were hard-pressed to let everyone through. Inside, teens with flags directed the newcomers to an open corner of the lot. At the same time, Mandy Baker and a couple of other women sorted them into groups. “What in hell’s name is going on?”
“It’s the apocalypse all over again,” Alex answered with a somber look.
“Who are all these people?” Saul asked.
“Survivors streaming in ahead of the horde,” Alex said.
“So many?” Saul said. “I thought Nick alerted only those communities we’ve been in contact with.”
“He did, but the word is spreading. Nobody wants to face the horde on their own,” Alex said. “A few of them have seen it.”
“Seen the horde?” Saul said.
“Yeah, they escaped in the nick of time, and somehow ended up here,” Alex said. “Nick and Dylan got a bunch of volunteers to place them in shelters for the time being.”
“I can’t believe it,” Saul said, staring at the crowds of people that swarmed the base.
“I can hardly take it all in myself. I mean, where are we going to put them all? Do we have enough food, water, and electricity?”
“That’s for Nick to answer, I guess,” Saul replied. “Speaking of which, where is he?”
“He’s around here somewhere, and he asked me to tell you something the moment you got back,” Alex said.
“What’s that?”
“He called for a meeting at sixteen-hundred hours. Anyone who’s anyone has to be there, including you and Tara. Could you let her know, please? I don’t have the time to tell her myself, and she’s at the lab, I think.”
“Where else would she be?” Saul muttered. “Anyway, thanks for letting me know.”
“No problem, but you’ll have to excuse me. I’m prepping a fleet of motorcycles for the new scouting teams,” Alex said, wiping his hands on an oily rag.
“Motorbikes?”
“Yup, they’re fast and versatile,” Alex said. “The scouts can get in and out on them without getting bogged down.”
“Clever thinking,” Saul said.
“Thanks. It was my idea,” Alex said, hurrying toward his workshop.
Saul turned back to his team. They milled about in wide-eyed wonder, except for Jackson, who leaned against the Humvee as if nothing had changed. “Alright, everyone. The trip’s over for now. I’ll see you all later, I guess.”
Once he’d seen them on their way, he crossed the grounds toward the lab with long strides. Along the way, he saw more evidence of the changes taking place. Soldiers with loads of sandbags rushed past, and a line of excav
ators rumbled toward a nearby gate.
It seemed Nick had wasted no time setting things in motion when he got back, including recalling Saul and his team. While he was disappointed at being pulled back so early, Saul didn’t resist. He still had vivid memories of the night Fort Knox fell beneath the tramping feet of an undead horde. He knew what was at stake, and his place was here.
At the lab, he presented his ID to a guard he’d never seen before. The entry and lobby bristled with guns, and he searched for a familiar face. He found it in Greta, who performed her usual duties with calm precision. “Who are all the newbies?”
“Sergeant Dean sent them here when he got back. The lab is a vital structure and needs extra protection.”
“I see. Thanks for the update,” Saul murmured before continuing upstairs toward Tara’s office.
He found her in a state of nervous excitement, but not because of the approaching horde. “What’s going on?”
“You’ll never believe me,” Tara exclaimed. “I found it. At least, I think I did.”
“Found what?” he asked, confused.
“A vaccine.”
“For real?” he asked.
“The blood work proves it. I did it!” She jumped up and down, clapping her hands. “The tests are conclusive.”
“What’s next?”
“Now, I need to test it on living creatures,” Tara said.
“People?” Saul asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Hell, no. It’s way too soon for that. There are still a million things that could go wrong,” Tara said. She waved a hand at a couple of cages bolted to the wall of her lab. Inside, rats scurried about, their nose sniffing at the air.
“Ah, I see. You’re going to test it on the rodents,” Saul said, relieved.
“Exactly,” Tara said with keen enthusiasm. “I’d better get on it. I’ll see you later, my love.”
Saul grabbed her arms when she tried to kiss him goodbye. “Wait a minute, do you even know what’s going on outside?”
Tara shrugged. “Not really. I’ve been in here all day.”
“What about yesterday? Haven’t you heard about the horde?” Saul asked.
“What horde?” Tara said with a frown. She stared about her and pointed to a nearby couch. “I’ll be honest. You weren’t here, so I didn’t bother going home last night. I slept over there.”
“Let me get this straight. You haven’t left the lab since I left on my scouting trip yesterday morning?” Saul said.
Tara had the grace to look a little guilty. “I didn’t plan it that way, but I wanted to make up for the time I lost with the party, and then I had the breakthrough, and you weren’t here, so I thought—”
Saul sighed and held up his hand. “Let me stop you right there. Has nobody bothered to tell you what’s going on?”
“No, but to be fair, they all know not to disturb me when I’m in the middle of something serious,” Tara said. “Why? What’s going on? Why are you back so soon?”
“Now, you want to know?” Saul raked one hand across his head. “Honestly, my love. Remember when I said you were going to work yourself to death?”
“Yes,” she admitted with reluctance.
“Well, this is what I’m talking about.” He pointed to the couch and pulled out a chair for himself. “Sit down. You need to hear this.”
Saul spent the next ten minutes explaining to Tara what Nick and his team had discovered. By the time he was done, Tara sat frozen with wide-eyed shock. “Tens of thousands?”
“That’s right,” Saul said. He frowned when another thought occurred to him. “Do you know about Rita?”
“What about her?”
“Oh, my God. You don’t know what she did at the party?” Saul said with a groan.
“She was fine when I left. I think,” Tara said. “Now that you mention it, I didn’t see her that morning. I was in such a rush to get home, I never said goodbye.”
Saul stood up and waved at the door. “Grab your stuff. We’re going to the infirmary.”
“The infirmary?” Tara asked with a look of confusion.
“That’s right, and after that, we’re attending Nick’s meeting. I’m sure he could use your expertise. We all could.”
“What about my work?” Tara objected. “This is huge, Saul. Don’t you understand?”
Saul ground his teeth together in frustration. “Your friends are important too, Tara. Besides, if we can’t stop this horde, you won’t have a lab to come back to, let alone continue your work.”
Tara’s shoulders drooped. “I guess you’re right, but let me inject the rats before we go. It’ll only take a moment, I swear it.”
“Okay, but hurry up. Every second we waste is a second we could’ve spent preparing,” Saul said. “Make no mistake, Tara. We are in for the biggest fight of our lives.”
Chapter 11 - Dylan
Dylan slipped through the crowded room until she reached Nick’s side. She stood on tiptoe and planted a quick kiss on his cheek before looking around. “Did you invite the entire base?”
“No, but it was close,” he answered, rubbing one hand across his forehead. “How’s Rita?”
“She’s doing much better,” Dylan said. “Her arm is healing fast, and she seems to be in better spirits.”
“Well, she got what she wanted. She has to be happy now,” Nick said with a shrug.
“I suppose you’re right, but I still can’t see how she did it,” Dylan said, her mind flashing back to a bloodied Rita lying on crimson tiles. “The pain alone must’ve been unimaginable.”
“She’s one tough cookie, that’s for sure.”
“Oh, yes, before I forget. I ran into Saul and Tara along the way,” Dylan added. “They should be here any moment now.”
“Good. I need them,” Nick said.
Dylan eyed him through slitted lids. “Have you slept at all since we came back yesterday?”
“Not much,” Nick admitted.
“Have you eaten anything?” she pressed.
“I had a protein bar this morning,” he said.
Dylan groaned. “You can’t do this to yourself, Nick. We rely on you. You’re our leader, and what good will you be if you end up in the hospital?”
“I know, but there’s just so much to do, and so little time,” Nick said.
“Then delegate. That’s what we’re here for,” Dylan replied. “You can’t do everything on your own.”
“I know. That’s why I called this meeting. We all need to play our part in the coming days.”
“Okay, but let me grab you something to drink, at least. You look like you’re about to pass out,” Dylan grumbled.
“Fine, but hurry up. I’m about to begin,” Nick said.
Dylan pushed her way toward a snack table in the corner by Mandy, the lady in charge of their rations and the thrift shop.
Mandy flashed her a frazzled smile. “Hey, Dylan. How are you?”
“I’m okay, but you look worn out,” Dylan said, scooping up a bottle of water, an energy drink, and two cereal bars.
“It’s been hectic,” Mandy admitted. “But I’ll be okay.”
“Do you have enough help?” Dylan asked.
“I could use more hands,” Mandy admitted.
“I’ll see if we can arrange something,” Dylan replied.
“Thanks. I’d appreciate that.”
Dylan made her way back to Nick and handed him the energy drink and one of the cereal bars. “Here. Take this. It’s not much, but it’ll have to do for now.”
He flashed her a grateful look before clearing his throat. “Listen up, everyone. I’d like to start the proceedings. Is everyone present?”
A chorus of assent rumbled across the room. Dylan spotted several familiar faces, including Corporal Parker, Nick’s second-in-command, Grissom who used to be King’s man, and Mac, who was in charge of their munitions. There was also Andrew, the principal of the school, Davis, the civil engineer, Saul, Tara, and others. The rest were unknown to h
er.
“Right. As you all know, I called you here because a horde of infected is on its way, and we need to prepare for its arrival,” Nick began.
“Are you sure they’re coming here?”
“How many zombies are we talking about exactly?”
“Have you seen them yourself?”
“Where are they coming from?”
The questions kept flying until Nick raised his hands for silence. “I haven’t seen the infected with my own eyes, and we don’t know anything for sure yet. Scouting groups are setting out as we speak to determine the horde’s exact course and numbers.”
“So, they might miss us?” someone asked in a hopeful tone.
Nick shook his head. “I doubt it. Their trajectory puts them on a collision course with this base.”
“If you haven’t seen them, how do you know they’re coming?” a man in civilian clothes asked.
“We first picked up on it when communities to the far south went off the air,” Nick explained.
“But how do you know it was zombies that got them? It could be anything. Broken equipment, loss of signal, even disease,” the person in question persisted.
“Because we ran into other survivors who have seen them,” Nick said. “These people were driven from their home by this undead scourge, and they’re here to tell us what they saw.” With a wave of his hand, he introduced two people. “This is Big Joe and Wanda. They each belong to a different group, but they both came into contact with the horde. Please, listen to what they have to say.”
Big Joe went first, relaying his first sight of the horde. “While I can’t say exactly how many there are, I estimate that they number in the thousands.”
“I agree. It took three days for all of them to pass through our city. Three days that we spent stuck up on a roof,” Wanda said. “We managed to circle them and met up with Joe’s group, but the zombies aren’t far behind us.”
Big Joe nodded. “A few days, at most.”
A ripple of fear ran through the air, and Nick raised his hand. “Please, everyone. This is not the time to panic.”
Rise of the Undead (Book 6): Apocalypse Z Page 8