by Tara Ellis
“So that’s why you and Chris are immune?” Missy asks, seeming to understand.
“Yes!” I confirm. “Seth and Benuk are resistant to at least the airborne version of it because of their Nephilim heritage. The Holocene virus was designed a bit differently than the Nephi Virus. It wasn’t nearly as virulent, or contagious, because it’s targeting was a bit more specific based on racial DNA purity.”
“So how come I’m not immune too, since I was infected with the Holocene Virus?” Kyle asks quietly. He and Nate never talk about being Shiners, because neither of them remembers what they did during that time, like almost everyone else. Both of Nate’s parents died and Kyle’s dad disappeared. Missy looks at me questioningly too, rubbing at her right hand. That one has the worst tremors, part of the mild, neurological damage she suffered from her own infection.
“Because the Mudameere were able to mutate the Nephi II Virus enough to essentially make it a brand-new strain. Whatever antibodies you have from the Holocene virus doesn’t matter, because your immune system won’t recognize it.”
“Tricky little buggers,” Seth says, coming a little closer. “Biological warfare is the most dangerous kind there is.” Before he has a chance to say anything further, the door opens again, and Jake walks in with Baxter at his side. I give Seth a warning look, and he comprehends that I don’t want any talk of the virus in front of my little brother.
“Jake!” Chris says happily. “My most loyal visitor!” It’s true, too. Jacob spent hours every day in the observation room, talking to Chris, playing games through the glass, and keeping him company. Running across the small space, Jacob wraps Chris up in a big hug. This is the first time since we left the ranch, nearly a month ago, that he’s been able to touch him.
“Mom just told me you were here,” he says, his voice muffled in Chris’s shirt. “I was in the radio room with Jim. I didn’t know you were getting out of quarantine today!”
Pushing back from him, Chris ruffles his hair affectionately. “You didn’t miss a thing,” he reassures him. “I just got here, bud. Not even half an hour ago.”
Kneeling down, he takes Baxter’s furry face in his hands. “I missed you too, Baxter.” Grinning back, Baxter licks him once on the nose and whines happily. Laughing, Chris looks up at me and my breath catches a little. He’s just so dang handsome. Blushing again, I try to distract myself.
“Any word on RA?” I ask Nate, since he seems to be the one with the most up-to-date info.
“No,” he answers solemnly. “Not a peep from RA or the Mudameere. At least, that’s what I’ve heard. Maybe these guys that the senator and Benuk are talking to can give us some answers.”
“They have some, but not much.” We all look up at Benuk’s voice, and find him standing in the open doorway. “Come on,” he continues, waving us forward. “The senator is waiting to talk to us, and you will all want to hear it.”
TWELVE
The compound is vast, and although I’ve been exploring it for the past four days, I still haven’t even seen half of it. After making our way out of the upper floors of the hospital, Benuk leads us through a maze of hallways and corridors. I’ve lost track of what building we’re in, but I know that we’re nearing the administrative section.
“Don’t you think it’s a bit dark in here for those?” Chris asks, looking sideways at me.
Stopping in between two of the dim solar lights, I turn to Chris and remove the sunglasses. “That’s kind of the whole point to them,” I explain, revealing my luminescent eyes.
“Oh. Of course,” he laughs. “I guess I could see where that might make fitting in a little difficult.” A pair of soldiers moves around us going the opposite way and emphasizing my point, they both do a double take when they see me.
“That’s her. The one I told you about,” the man whispers to his female companion. Letting out a slow breath, I replace my glasses and hurry to catch up with our group.
“You know, they’re almost totally silver now,” Chris continues, keeping pace with me. “Your eyes, I mean. That purple ring is even more prominent.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”
“Okay,” he says sheepishly. “That was a stupid thing to say. I’m sure you’ve looked in a mirror.”
“I actually try to avoid them,” I admit. “I’m going to ask the senator where the optical store used to be on this base. This place is huge, so there has to be at least one. I’m hoping I might be able to find some colored contacts.”
Taking my hand, Chris squeezes it reassuringly. “I’ll help you look,” he offers. I smile back, thankful to have him on his feet again. I don’t know what I would do if I lost him.
Benuk and the others have disappeared through a door on our left, and we eventually follow them inside. I’m happy to see Jim already seated at a large, mahogany table. I’ve only spotted him briefly a couple of times in the cafeteria since he was released from quarantine. He was quickly recruited into helping with radio communications.
Senator Zane Adel is standing at the head of the table, and our mothers are on either side. Mom and Lisa started working in the hospital this week, where they are really short-handed. Mom’s been an ICU nurse for years, and she told me that Lisa is a natural at being a nurse’s assistant. Cindy was a teacher before Natalie was born, and so helping to organize the kids on the base was a perfect fit for her. Keeping busy is important in this kind of situation and I’m hoping that Zane might have something for us teens to do too, because I’ve been starting to get a bit stir-crazy.
All of us find a seat around the huge conference table, and I notice that there is a topographical map spread out in the center of it. Some of the walls of the room have images of different planes, ships, and missiles. The rest are covered with computer panels that I’m sure were once very useful for displaying vast amounts of information. A large whiteboard that looks out of place is situated at one end of the room, and there’s already names of what I assume are towns, scrawled on it in red ink.
Two men in dark blue uniforms enter and purposefully walk over to the senator. They have all sorts of stars on their shoulders, which lead me to believe that they are high ranking. The three of them talk quietly for a minute before they take up at-ease positions behind Zane.
“Allow me to introduce Lt. General James and Major General Costas of the United States Air Force. We’re fortunate to have their leadership, because we are preparing to go to war,” he says somberly to all of us.
“With who?” Nate asks, mirroring all of our thoughts.
“For now, the Shiners. New reports indicate that the Nephi virus is rapidly spreading through all of the major cities. We are already seeing organized behavior disturbingly similar to that during the Holocene outbreak. The attack on Chris is proof of this. We can only assume that the next phase is imminent, and they’ll move on to all of those who aren’t infected. We have to take action before this becomes widespread. In short; we must protect our assets and at this point in the game, all uninfected people are assets.”
With a flick of his hand, Lt. General James steps forward to give his report. The middle-aged soldier has somehow managed to keep his hair neatly cropped and his uniform pressed, in contrast to the chaotic circumstances. Clearing his throat, he addresses us with a gravelly voice.
“We have reliable intel that known members of the Mudameere organization have gone underground and not yet resurfaced.” I catch him giving Seth a quick look when he says this. Seth shifts uncomfortably in his seat, and I know that he noticed it too.
“If they follow the same pattern as before, once all threat of infection is past they will re-instate themselves, and at that point actively lead the Shiners.” Pausing, he turns his steely eyes on Seth. “Agreed?”
Placing his hands very deliberately on the table, Seth clasps them together and then purses his lips. “It’s really not quite that simple,” Seth begins, speaking to the senator rather than the General. “You make it sound like they’re some sort of is
olated group. They aren’t. There are members placed all throughout your government, military, and civilian population. There are also dozens of isolated cells, which are likely the ones you’re getting your info on. Sure, we can try to locate and eradicate them, but the actual challenge will be identifying the real threats. The ones you don’t know about.”
Seth leans back in his chair as his words apparently have the desired effect. The three leaders once again converse in private, although I can pick out several of their words. I know they are talking about Seth, and whether or not he can be trusted. But then, anyone in the room could figure that out, enhanced hearing or not.
“Seth,” Zane says, turning back to us. “Your insight on this is clearly valuable to our fight here, and I would appreciate any help you can give us. Would you be willing to work with my men on this?”
“Finally,” Seth says loudly. “You could have asked me this a week ago … but whatever. Yeah, I’ll help, Zane. We can start with this base. There are two guys you need to track down and see if they’re still here. I don’t believe they are, because they went dark weeks ago, but you need to double check.”
Another flic of the wrist brings the Major forward, and he tells him to set up a time ASAP for the ‘team’ to meet with Seth. It’s clear that the senator is in charge, but that there’s also a strong military presence. It’s good to see that they’re organized, and I feel a little of the weight lifted from me at the recognition of an authority I can trust and hand over some responsibility to.
“I know you basically just got here, Alex,” Zane says, turning to me. “But you’re role in this fight is critical, and I’m going to rely on your help to bridge this large gap of understanding we have when it comes to the Shiners, Nephilim, and Khufu Bast.”
The weight immediately settles back into position. Well, scratch that thought. I feel a protective hand on my back, and lean slightly into Chris’s strength. “I’ll do whatever I can Senator, but I’m not sure it’ll be all that much.”
“Please, you kids call me Zane,” he says, finally sitting down at the table. “And Alex, there is a lot you can do. All of you,” he continues, addressing everyone at the table. “This is going to be a strategic fight, rather than who has the biggest guns. It’s a game of numbers, and we’re severely lacking.”
“Are there other bases like this one anywhere?” Nate asks.
“Yes, but we just made contact with them in the past two days. Jim is to thank for that one.”
“Well, it was just a matter of getting the ham radios up and running,” Jim explains, taking a nervous sip of water. “It still isn’t clear how many people we’re talking about, but both of the other Strike Command bases located in Wyoming and North Dakota are responding. I’m working with them to clear up the communication. Once we determine numbers, we can co-ordinate getting the antiviral meds to them first. Then we’ll work from all three bases in an outward pattern, to locate and treat any newly infected members of the population.”
“The problem,” Zane interrupts, “is that with the rate the infection has moved, it may already be too late for anyone outside the sanctuary of these bases. It’s flowing like a wave, and we’re behind the crest of it. We’ll be focusing on those that have gone into hiding and avoided exposure, which of course will make it more difficult to find them to get the meds to.” Shaking his head, he stands again and crosses over to the whiteboard. “These nearby cities have had an initial search conducted during our limited recognizance. It doesn’t look promising, guys. The handful of people we found that weren’t fully changed, were still too sick. So far, Chris is the only exception.”
“What about a cure?” Missy asks, putting an arm around her mom, and I know she’s thinking about her dad.
“Our top scientists are working on that Missy, but none of them are as brilliant as Professor Hassan.”
The mention of my friend causes a pang of regret and I look at Zane hopefully. “Do you know where he is?”
“No, Alex. We’ve had no Intel on him, but we’re working on it. That will be one of our primary objectives. If what you told me before about the 80% infection rate of the Nephi Virus is accurate, then it won’t be long before the infectious phase is completely past, and a cure is a necessity to ultimately winning the war. Aside from the fact that we don’t want to have to kill our family and friends, we will simply be overwhelmingly outnumbered.”
“What can we do, then?” Chris is drumming his fingers on the table, eager to get to work. “Help distribute the meds?”
Nodding, Zane comes back to the table. “That’s a start,” he agrees. “Our next move is to widen our range of communication and organize the search and distribution. After that, it will be to form strike teams against the Mudameere, based on Intel collected.”
“I want on the strike team.” Everyone turns to me, surprised. “Why not?” I ask, my voice rising. “Aren’t I the perfectly engineered soldier now? Who better to lead the way against my creators?”
“Absolutely not!” Mom slams her hands on the table for emphasis, but the senator quickly places his overtop of them.
“She’s right, Katie,” he states. “It’s actually my plan to train Alex and whichever friends want to participate, as special ops. They have more knowledge and experience with the Shiners, Mudameere, and Khufu Bast than any of my men here. Even in normal times, most of them would be old enough to serve.” Surprised at how easily he’s agreed with me, I can see that Mom is struggling with accepting the truth to his argument.
“Well count me in!” Kyle says enthusiastically. “I was planning on going into the Air Force later this year, anyway.” All of my friends quickly jump on board with the plan. Except for Seth, who’s still leaning back in his chair, quietly watching us. Tilting my head slightly, I meet his gaze across the table and raise my eyebrows questioningly.
Grinning, he crosses his arms over his chest. “I’d follow you anywhere, doll,” he whispers, so that only I can hear him. Except that Chris’s hearing is almost as sensitive as mine now, and his head snaps around. Seth’s smile falters slightly, but he quickly recovers, and give’s Chris a little salute.
“When do we start?” I ask, trying to ignore the exchange.
Opening up a briefcase I didn’t even notice, Zane removes a small stack of papers, and starts passing it around. “This is a schedule I made up. It includes radio communication, logistics, map study, firearms, and hand-to-hand combat. You’re cleared for everything but the combat, Chris,” he explains. “Doc says to give it another week, and then you can do that, too.”
Looking at the times and dates on the paper, I feel a sense of belonging and purpose so strong, that I have to fight to keep my emotions in check. Finally, we are doing something to fight back!
“This isn’t going to be easy,” he continues, once we all have a sheet. “This will essentially be a crash-course boot camp. The idea of planning something months into the future at this point is a lot of wishful thinking and could change in a heartbeat. But before I can put you out in the field in any sort of combat situation, you have to have basic training. I won’t risk your lives or the lives of my men. If you don’t cut it, we find something else for you to do. Let’s be clear on that up front.”
I turn to Missy, who’s seated to my left, and gently grip her arm under the table, out of sight from anyone else. It’s not that I don’t think she’s capable, but I could never picture my petite, fun-loving friend as a soldier. All concern is erased though when instead of fear, I see the excitement and fire in her eyes.
“I may not be super strong or fast like you, Alex, but I’m ready to kick some alien butt,” she reassures me. Chuckling, I really want to hug her, but I don’t want to give any impression to the soldiers that I’m not taking things seriously.
“This last batch of meds was brought over on a motorcycle they were able to get working,” Zane states, apparently moving on to the next topic. “Turns out those docs at the lab are also great mechanics. We’re lookin
g through the base now for similar bikes, and the needed components to get our own up and running. But assuming we’re successful, this will enable us to get around a little faster than with the horses. Except, of course we’re still limited to how much gas can be carried.
“Both RA and the Mudameere base have been silent,” he continues, moving onto the next point of concern. “North Dakota last saw the Nephilim ship three days ago, and there’s been no sign of it since. We expect to make contact with Canada, and hopefully Europe, in the next week, and begin collaborating with them.”
“Don’t expect RA to be calling a press conference anytime soon,” Seth interrupts, and Benuk nods in agreement. As Seth and Benuk get into a long conversation with Zane about the whole social aspect of the Nephilim, my attention starts to wane and I realize how hungry I am.
I notice a small table at the far end of the room, and discover it’s the source of the water Jim has been sipping at. There’s also a plate of muffins. Muffins? How in the world do they have big, fresh, blueberry muffins with the nice little crinkled paper holders? I haven’t seen real, baked food like that in what feels like a very, very long time. I think I can smell them. My mouth is actually watering, and I don’t even know what’s being said anymore. I would really like to go over and get one, but I don’t want to be rude.
Before I can finish my internal debate over whether my desire is more important than my manners, there is a loud scrapping sound to my right, as Chris suddenly scoots his chair away from the table. Without a word, he abruptly stands and walks across the room to the snack table. Taking the same muffin I was ogling, he then returns to his seat, places the muffin in front of me, and goes back to taking notes on the back of his schedule.