Infected World Trilogy (Books 1-3): They Only Come Out At Night

by Guenther, David

“Lieutenant Rosenberg, I want you to coordinate a meeting this morning with Captain Conrad from Security Forces, Major Arnot, and Colonel Serge. Let them know the topic of the meeting will be my personal security detail. I want their recommendations based on threat assessment, available assets, and manning.” Peters closed the door and returned to his office. Before he could even look at the stack of papers that had accumulated over night, his enlisted aide Sgt Suzy Zilkha waddled in with a tray carrying a small pot of coffee, a couple donuts, and a bottle of aspirin.

  “Suzy, you are worth your weight in gold. I don’t know how I ever did anything before you came to work for me.” Peters took a bite out of the donut, not surprised it was fresh. “How much longer until the doc makes you stand down?” Suzy smiled at the attention she was receiving, and was happy to be acknowledged for her hard work.

  “General, the doc wouldn’t dare. My little man inside has his own schedule and I’m willing to follow it. If the little monster was a little less active though, I’d appreciate that.” Suzy turned serious before continuing. The papers in your inbox include a preliminary report on the terrorist attack from last night. Most of the inbox are emails to you that were CC’d to me, I printed them out since I know you prefer to read them that way. You’ll be happy to know you have no appointments scheduled for today.”

  “Thank you, Suzy. I asked Lee to coordinate a meeting for today, why don’t you touch base with him on that.” Suzy smiled politely, knowing that the real order had been, I don’t trust the lieutenant, make sure it’s not screwed up.

  Peters started on the pile, confident that his sergeant had correctly piled them in his inbox with the most pressing and time sensitive on the top with the daily minutia on the bottom. Opening the first folder, unsurprisingly having a red cover sheet attached to it, was the report of the previous night’s terrorist attack. Thumbing through the report, it was light on speculation and heavy on post-attack facts. Near the end of the report, there was information on one of the terrorists surviving, though suffering from major injuries. This tidbit of information had been adequately protected. The terrorist, safely secured in the hospital, with intel analyst rubbing their hands in gleeful anticipation, waiting for him to regain consciousness.

  Peters quickly flipped through the remainder of the folders in his inbox, signing forms and documents that were ready for his signature, yet finding nothing important enough to keep him in his office. He stood up and stretched and then donned his favorite leather flying jacket. Before zipping it up, he reached into the inside pocket to make sure he could easily draw the compact M18 automatic. The pair of spare magazines still fit snug in their pocket. Exiting his office, he stopped at Suzy’s desk, “I’ll be out getting a little fresh air. I have my phone if any fires pop up.” Before the door was closed behind him, Suzy was already in action, calling his security detail and in particular. Werner.

  The sky was blue without a single cloud and there was no sign of Werner and the truck. Did I actually catch Jody off-guard for once? He wondered, until he saw the Staff Sergeant’s head poking out of the driver’s hatch of a Guardian. Peters then noticed, for the first time, that the grounds security was in full battle rattle. He let out a sigh as he headed for the armored car. The side hatch was already open and waiting for him. Werner moved over to one of the seats in the back of the compartment as the driver and vehicle commander reclaimed their seats on the front. He couldn’t hear what was being said among the crew, but did notice the gunner become more alert, turning the turret towards all approaches, never really stopping. Peters sat down on the seat next to the hatch as one of the guards closed up the hatch from the outside.

  “Really, Werner, you couldn’t get a tank? Not even a Stryker?” Uncharacteristically, Werner didn’t reply with his own retort.

  “Sir, the truck was feeling off to me, so I took it in. I was afraid there might be some fire damage. There wasn’t much in the motor pool to choose from, so I gave Captain Conrad a call and in minutes, these guys picked me up and we were heading back to the shop when I got the call from Suzy alerting me you were on the move. By the way, where do you want to go?”

  “Driver, head for the hospital.” Peters ordered, then grinned as he looked at Werner. “They caught one of the bastards from last night’s ambush. I want to be there when they interrogate him.”

  “It looks like they’ve been busy at the hospital.” The vehicle commander commented. The glass wall next to the glass door had been sand bagged. The door had a piece of plywood screwed over the frame to block the view inside.

  A military policeman and a security forces NCO were standing by the entrance talking with the civilian guard. When they noticed Peters exiting the Guardian, the two military members popped to attention, confusing the civilian who looked at the pair and then at the general. The pair saluted as he neared them and Peters returned their salutes. “It’s a beautiful day, Gentlemen, I almost wish I could spend it out here with you.” All three men chuckled and returned to their conversation after the general entered the building.

  An army private, in full battle rattle, responsible for securing the entrance to the emergency ward was distracted by a nurse who was asking about the gear he was wearing. He did not see General Peters until the general tapped him on the shoulder from behind. He was in a jovial mood, a huge grin on his face. The grin disappeared as he turned and faced the old officer he instantly recognized as the Air Force General in command of everything. “Um, good morning Sir, how may I help you today?” Should I have called the building to attention with a general officer? No, this is a civilian building. What does he want? The questions raced through his mind as he stood at attention, visibly sweating in only seconds.

  “Son, do you know where wounded prisoners are housed? The general was not openly happy but didn’t come across as unhappy. The private felt like he was leaving a puddle on the floor from all the sweat he felt dripping down his body. The general’s lips turned up in a partial grin as he waited for the answer.

  “Sir, that would be on the third floor if we had any enemy casualties. The third floor is the center of all military medical operations.” Peters suppressed the urge to laugh.

  “Thank you son, you may carry on. I suggest you pay more attention to the entrance than to the ladies.” The private’s face reddened as the general walked to the elevator. Werner slowed as if to make an additional comment and felt pity for the young man and walked on instead.

  “I think that kid would rather have faced off a horde of infected unarmed, rather than have you pissed at him.” Werner mentioned as the elevator door opened. An Air Force security forces Staff Sergeant stood waiting for the pair to exit the elevator.

  “Sir, I’m Staff Sergeant Golding. I’m responsible for the prisoner. Would you like me to escort you to her room?”

  “Lead on, Sergeant Golding.” Peters could not help but notice the Staff Sergeant was nervous and wondered if it was the usual brassaphobia, or if there was something the sergeant knew would make him unhappy.

  The woman lying in the hospital bed had been beautiful at one time. Now her blonde hair had been cropped off where it hadn’t been burnt off. The burned and scarred left side of her face reminded Peters of Phantom of the Opera. The paper gown she wore did little to cover up the burned skin along her left arm and chest. The bandages covering her abdomen were red where the blood still leaked. Below that her catheter was visible. Both wrists and ankles were tightly chained to the bed rail. Two separate drips were feeding into her left arm. Peters looked at the guard and another officer with disgust as he walked over to her and pulled the paper gown to give her some privacy. Her eyes popped open and seemed to take a minute to focus while she stared at him, until she realized who she was looking at.

  “YOU! YOU MURDERER!” she spat out as she tried to lunge at the general, disregarding the restraints. The monitors above her showed her heart rate racing as she thrashed about on the bed to try to free herself. A doctor walked in, appearing unconcerned, and inj
ected a solution into the IV line. A minute later the woman was lying back on the bed, a confused look on her face. The doctor turned to Peters.

  “Lieutenant Prince has been talking all about you since she woke. She and her husband were in the National Guard. She was cut off from her unit and unable to join her husband at the armory. From where she was, she watched as the survivors were evacuated, and then the extermination of the infected. I think it was at that moment she lost touch with reality. Her only goal left in life is to kill you for killing her husband.” The other officer in the room came forward.

  “Sir, I’m Lieutenant Birnbaum, from intel. Lieutenant Prince kept a journal. She was responsible for blowing up the bridge with the Stryker on it, and later she tried to assassinate you with a Barretts .50 cal rifle. She managed to get in touch with the Apocalypse Chosen cult and coordinated the attack last night on where she thought you were. We don’t believe there were any other survivors from her group.

  “How the hell did she manage to track me down for the assassination attempt and get in touch with the Apocalypse Chosen cult from here?” Peters asked as he watched the woman stare at him with hate-filled eyes.

  “It appears she worked in the communications group. She was responsible for monitoring the Apocalypse Chosen cult as well as other groups that have refused to acknowledge us as the legitimate government. It wasn’t hard for her to also listen to your security squad that was maintaining a discrete observation when you were attacked.”

  Peters looked back at Staff Sergeant Werner. His face turned red and appeared guilty as he hunched his shoulders up, signaling what can I say? “Let’s get back to the office, Jody.” He turned to Lieutenant Birnbaum, “Keep her alive and safe. We’re not done with her yet. I’m sure she had some type of help and support. We’re going to need more than one noose.”

  Chapter 12

  Surprise, Arizona. April 12, 2029

  I have to give up drinking, this crap is getting old, Caleb thought as he fought both his aching head and his confusion. I’m on a fat, comfortable couch, there’s tables and refrigerators? I’m in the breakroom of the warehouse! He tried to sit up and the room began to spin as he slowly lowered his head back to the pillow.

  “How are you doing, Caleb? Are you still feeling any pain from stepping on those burning candles, and then tripping and hitting your head? It’s a good thing you didn’t catch fire.” Concern was written all over her face but he sensed some type of deception also. There was pain on the very top of his head and the souls of his feet. Crossing his legs, he pulled up his right foot and saw it was covered in red and white splotches. Those damn candles! He went through what happened as he stepped on the lit candles surrounded by melted wax and then going back to the door, and …

  “You did this to me!” He almost shrieked as the pain resurfaced even more intensely. “Get me some aspirin and water please?” He asked in a softer voice that did nothing to hide his anger. “I have water on the table, just look for the aisle with the first aid kits for the aspirin, please.”

  Gloria didn’t hesitate, immediately heading through the doors to find the first aid kits, ignoring the infected in the hallway other than to lift the neck of her t-shirt over her nose to filter out the stench they gave off. The two infected watched the strange woman pass them, disgusted at the smell of chemicals coming from her. The braver of the two pushed open the door that had been blocked by fire the night before. A man was lying before them, covered up. He was giving off a sign that he was hurt that both infected picked up on. He smelled slightly of chemicals but not as bad as the female. The taller of the two went closer to him and bent over, giving him a little shove. Caleb opened his eyes and couldn’t stifle a laugh.

  “And where were the two of you last night when I needed you?” he asked as he checked out the two infected women. Both were blonde, wearing only tattered t-shirts, and looked like sisters or perhaps mother and daughter. Caleb forced himself to a sitting position, groaning in pain as the pair made a soft whimpering noise, displaying empathy. “Aww, aren’t you the cutest pair of stinking infected I’ve met yet.” He said in a soft, baby talk voice. Both infected looked at him confused, but appeared happy at his attention.

  “Awww, do the sick little man want some ‘a lone time’ wid the little infected wected?” Gloria asked in her own baby voice dripping with sarcasm. She stood holding the door open. Startled, Caleb looked over at her embarrassed, the pair of infected, cowed, figuring she was the man’s mate and ran past her, out the door.

  “You know, you could have joined in with us. No reason to be jealous and scare the poor little things off.” Gloria looked at Caleb in disgust before throwing the heavy backpack at him. “I’m joking! Dammit. Do you really think a normal man could do anything with those stinking things? Now leave your attitude at the door and get in here. You should know that you never upset the infected, try to be calm and friendly with them or they can attack for no reason. They’re two of them and one of me. You didn’t happen to find any breakfast meals while you were out there did you?” Am I jealous of a pair of infected sluts? I’d just as soon walk out of here and never see that stupid boy ever again. Oh shit, he’s still in pain.

  Caleb watched in amazement and surprise as Gloria walked across the room to where a partial case of water sat and pulled out a bottle, then brought it to him. She was no longer glaring, but she wasn’t speaking either.

  She finally broke the silence after watching him dig through the medical backpack. “I’ll go find some breakfast. I don’t want to come back in here and find you with any smelly infected girlfriends, understand?”

  “Yes Ma’am, I’ll make sure you don’t catch me with any infected girlfriends.”

  “Why do you have to be so stupid?” Gloria shook her head as she walked out the door. A bunch of infected, standing by the door were surprised, and then fled when she hollered, “BOO!” at them. She laughed as she walked towards the warehouse.

  More infected were waiting inside the door, curious about the female that appeared aggressive towards the others. Gloria brushed past them, trying her best not to be touched by the stinking others, not noticing there were even more gathering, interested in her strangeness. Crap, what’s she doing? Caleb wondered as he could sense the others, their curiosity turning to fear and he knew that would turn to anger. Forcing himself off the couch, he looked at his M4 and his battle rattle gear. No, I’m not going to commit suicide today. He painfully rushed down the hallway, not sure what he would do. He watched the others as they observed Gloria reading box labels, not noticing her audience. How can she not sense the danger she’s in?

  “Get the hell out of my way, you stinking bastards!” Caleb swaggered down the aisle, occasionally hitting boxes while trying to look bigger than his 6’2’’ frame. Infected melted away as he walked towards Gloria. “These misfits are trying to work up their courage to attack you. Drop to all fours and start acting scared of me. If it doesn’t work, head for the door and get in the sunlight. Don’t worry about me.” Gloria looked at him like he was crazy, then noticed the crowd that was gathered.

  Gloria dropped down to the floor disgusted when she felt something soft and gooey under her left hand. “Is this really necessary?” She tried to sound calm as she felt her heart start to race.

  “Did you threaten or hit anyone? These things are very pack-oriented. If they think you are a danger, I don’t really know what the hell they’ll do.” Caleb stopped for a moment and let his mind go as blank as it’d let him. He sensed the infected mostly were entertained by him. It seemed that the threat might have passed. He looked at Gloria, then shouted, “Act like you’re scared and submissive when I turn to walk away, then follow close behind!” Caleb punched a couple cardboard boxes and then some of the infected started to make a ‘hoo’ noise, appearing to be their sound for laughing. Caleb turned to head back to the door, and heard Gloria noisily shuffling behind him. He fought the urge to turn and watch her as he just wanted to get the hell out of ther
e. A lone infected stood before the door and wasn’t impressed with the show Caleb had put on, shrieking at him and posturing like an alpha male.

  I don’t have time for this shit, Caleb thought as he approached the giant infected, covertly pulling out the telescoping baton from his back pocket. The giant let out a shriek that washed over Caleb and reverberated from the ceiling and walls. He shuddered as the alpha charged towards him, effortlessly clipping him out of his way before he could use his baton, continuing on towards Gloria. She raised her hands in front of her to try and ward him off. He grabbed her around her shoulders and lifted her like a toy, shrieking into her face angrily. She could feel his strength yet could sense he was holding back. He didn’t go for her vulnerable throat, but instead, seemed satisfied, like it had made a point. She felt the grip lighten slightly as he began to lower her when he made a new grunt noise that startled her, before falling from his grip. She landed on her back and managed to roll to the side in the nick of time as he collapsed down where she had been a second before.

  “Are you all right? Did he hurt you? Can you move?” Gloria looked back at Caleb in shock and confusion before answering.

  “Why did you kill him? He was letting me back down. He wasn’t going to hurt me, but was giving me a warning about playing good with the others. Do you have to kill everything that doesn’t agree with you?” She ignored his proffered hand and pushed herself to her feet. There was no longer any sound coming from the infected as they just melted away to other parts of the warehouse away from the deadly strange pair.

  Caleb stood speechless, in shock while she brushed by him in her rush to get out of the warehouse. He continued to stand alone and could sense the fear from the infected and, was that--sadness?

  “Aww, crap so now I’m the bad guy huh?” He shouted out in anger. He headed towards the aisle that held the breakfast meals, adrenaline leaving his body, he began to feel fatigued, along with his splitting headache and soreness from being knocked aside by the giant. He grabbed a huge cardboard box labeled Freeze Dried Backpacking Meals, and shuffled back to the break room, ignoring everything around him.