Necrotic Earth

by SW Matthews

  “There’s a Braxton Laboratory in Edmonton. We need to access to all of their data.”

  Firi nodded and went back to work.

  Suddenly all of the television screens mounted on the front wall of the Nog switched to news coverage.

  “Looks like it’s about time for Porter’s speech,” Doc said.

  “I can’t believe I voted for that asshole,” said Sepe, turning his chair toward the front.

  “The president is set to take the stage in about thirty minutes, and everyone here is expecting him to officially link the destruction of a UNA drone to China. The drone was reportedly carrying an unnamed ambassador on a secret peacekeeping mission. However, now that the mission has failed, it is likely that the president will announce some type of military action.”

  Rosie turned to her father. “You’re sure Mr. Cole said he could stop the EMP and missile attacks?”

  “He said he’d try. As vice president, he may not have the ability.”

  “We’ll look at that next,” said Kat. “But I’m sure he’ll be able to at least delay the attack. He has a lot of contacts and is generally well-liked in the government, from what I understand.”

  Firi looked up. “Okay, there’s a lot of files here. You looking for anything in particular?”

  “Something that sounds like it’s a healing serum, or a DNA-altering experiment,” Kat said.

  Firi started listing folders that might be relevant. “Nanite healing program, cybernetic reconstruction initiative, cybernetic neuro-soldier, genetic modification—”

  “That one,” said Kat. “Genetic modification. What’s in that?”

  He tapped. “Several more options here. Looks like most have to do with food. You know, Syn-Bio.”

  “Anything that looks like it could be a human trial?” Rosie asked.

  “Here, how about genetic augmentation and somatic regeneration?”

  “That’s it,” said Kat.

  He tapped again. “Okay, looks like there are two main trials here. I’m afraid I don’t really understand this stuff…”

  “Can I look?” asked Rosie.

  “It’s all yours.” Firi slid out of the way, and Rosie took his seat in front of the computer.

  “And who are you, beautiful lady?” Firi said, hovering over her.

  Rosie shook her head. “My name’s Rosie, and I’m a little old for you.”

  “Age is just a number, rose blossom. I am more intelligent and capable than most men twice my age, and you are more beautiful than any teenage princess I have ever seen.”

  Rosie grinned up at him. “You are very charming, I’ll give you that. But we have work to do.” She turned to the computer screen. “Okay. Two main trials. The first is just a generic serum from Primary Object 1, which is Pol. Looks like they managed to correct most of the transformation issues, but about five to ten percent can still suffer partial transformation once a certain damage threshold is met.”

  “So they didn’t totally solve that problem,” Doc said.

  “I guess not. Also, the effects of the serum are pretty short-lived, which is why they’re using the pumps. Once the pumps are shut off, the benefits of the serum quickly abate, with… Oh my.”

  “What is it?” asked Doc.

  “It says that the serum has to be slowly tapered off, and that if it is abruptly stopped up to fifty percent of the subjects experience rapid aging. Their resulting biological age can increase to double, or even triple, their chronological age.”

  “That’s not good,” said Doc.

  “And the other fifty percent suffer total body transformation!” Rosie added.

  “And they’re using this?” Kat gasped.

  Rosie turned to look at her aunt. “It says they currently have over one thousand subjects on the serum.”

  “My God,” said Doc.

  Rosie turned back to the screen. “There isn’t a whole lot more here. It doesn’t look like they tried to make any other improvements.”

  “So if we can stop the infusion…” said Doc.

  “Then half will rapidly age, and the other half will die,” finished Kat.

  “We don’t want to kill them!” Rosie exclaimed. “They’re UNA soldiers!”

  “A few hundred to save millions…” said Kat.

  Doc shook his head. “We’re playing Dad’s game now.”

  Rosie reached over and rubbed her father’s arm.

  “How would you even stop those pumps?” Kat asked. “If you wanted to,” she quickly added.

  “Good question,” said Rosie. “There’s no central control. Each is individually powered.”

  Tuck had joined the group. “Remember our trip to Appalachia Island?” he asked Doc. “When the drones attacked us?”

  “The lasers?”

  Tuck nodded. “They had an EMP effect. They shut down our systems.”

  Doc’s face brightened. “Of course!”

  Rosie understood. “We don’t have to hit all of the soldiers. Once a few are hit with the EMP—and they either transform or rapidly age—the others will likely stop attacking. It’ll save hundreds of lives.”

  “You’re a genius, Tuck!” said Doc.

  Tuck smiled and walked back to the map.

  “The third wave of the attack is supposed to be drones,” said Kat.

  “Then we need to get control of them,” Rosie said. “Firi, can you help with that?”

  “Your wish is my command, Sweet Rose, but did you want to check out the other trial?”

  Rosie hesitated. “Well, might as well see what it is, while we’re here.” She pulled it up and read. “This one is more specific. They started with the same general serum, but customized it for each subject, using their own genetic information to produce an individualized product.” She scrolled down. “It doesn’t show any transformation taking place, and once the infusion is stopped the effects go away over a matter of months. No rapid aging, no side effects whatsoever. Amazing.”

  “How many subjects?” Kat asked.

  “Thirty-four. Each is listed by initials. The third one is WB6.”

  “Dad,” said Doc.

  Rosie nodded. “Probably.”

  “Any info on the subjects?” asked Kat.

  “Not really, other than they are all listed as active—and all of them except Grandpa associated with another trial: Cybernetic Neuro-Soldier.”

  “That was one of the earlier files,” said Firi.

  Rosie pulled it up. “Yes, here it is. Uh… not much information though. It just says it’s a joint project with 3i.”

  “The company that made my suit?” Kat said.

  “Yeah. I guess we’d have to get into the 3i system to learn anything more.”

  Firi looked like he was about to do just that, but Doc waved him off. “Later,” he said. “Let’s get control of the drones first. Sepe, can you get your men ready? We need to get to Lakeland as soon as possible.”

  “They will be ready in minutes,” Sepe said. He turned and exited the Nog.

  “And I’m going to call for the company helijet,” Doc said. “I just need to figure out where to have it pick us up.” He walked to the back of the room and began studying the map. He didn’t even notice that Tuck was gone.

  Chapter 42

  As the helijet sped toward Burntside Lake, Bandit sat on the floor of the cockpit, sharpening one of his knives, while Andy filled him in on everything he could about Bash: the source of the man’s animosity toward him, his proclivity for hunting and trapping, his inability to deviate from his chosen path, and his only mercy being that of granting death quickly.

  “Which I am sure he will not grant me, or Piper,” he finished.

  Bandit continued to slide his blade along the whetstone. “You think he’s going to inflict some sort of agony on Piper, in order to punish you?”

  “Piper is tough,” Andy replied. “But she’s no match for Bash. I’m afraid… I’m afraid he’ll rape her in front of me. And when she tries to fight him, he’ll kill
her.”

  Bandit stopped sharpening his knife and looked up at Andy. “Do you really think he would sexually abuse her?”

  “Yes. I think he will do whatever tortures me the most, and he knows that defiling my wife would kill my soul. And he was spouting ‘an eye for an eye,’ so I’m sure he hopes to do to Piper what I caused to happen to his own fiancée.”

  Bandit looked straight into Andy’s eyes. “I will not let that happen. I will kill him.”

  Andy was taken aback by the young man’s frankness and sincerity. They had only been friends a short time, but Bandit’s devotion seemed unwavering. “Thank you,” he said slowly.

  Bandit sheathed his knife and stood. He stepped to the copilot seat and sat facing Andy. “I cannot tolerate someone sexually abusing a weaker person.”

  “Yeah, me either,” said Andy. He had a feeling there was a reason for Bandit’s animosity, but he wasn’t about to ask.

  He didn’t have to. “I was abused when I was a boy,” Bandit said suddenly.

  Andy’s surprise was genuine. “What?”

  “I was molested. The only person I have told is Pol.” Bandit’s voice was emotionless, as if he were reading the words from a page. “After we rescued him, and he came to live with us, I was shocked and angry at how he had been treated for his entire life. I suppose I felt a certain… kinship with him, due to my own abuse. We are actually very close in age, and I felt comfortable talking to him, and he with me. Eventually I told him about my past. He was very understanding, and I discovered that talking about those terrible years made them less burdensome, which is why I am telling you.”

  Andy shook his head. “I’m sorry, Bandit. I had no idea.”

  “There’s no reason why you would, Andy. It was a long time ago. I was just a boy.”

  “Your dad doesn’t know?”

  “No. I’ll tell him someday, but not yet.”

  “Well, thank you for your help, Bandit,” Andy said. “I appreciate it more than you know.”

  Bandit returned to his position on the floor, where he unsheathed his other knife and retrieved the whetstone. “Sexual abuse is devastating, Andy,” he said, “and I will not allow it to happen to anyone, if I can prevent it. If this ‘Bash’ gives any indication that he intends to rape Piper, I will kill him without hesitation or remorse.”

  ***

  Thirty minutes later, they were above Burntside Lake. Bandit had finished his sharpening his knives and sword, and was again in the copilot’s seat. As they approached Lakeland Transit Andy noticed a familiar plane at his dock.

  “That’s Skinner’s Skeeter,” he said, pointing. “It belongs to my friend Jimmer. I called him for help earlier. He must have come by to see what was going on.”

  “It could be useful to have another plane,” said Bandit.

  “Plus, he’s an ex-navy pilot. He’s a little on the rough side but good to have on your team if things go south.”

  “So, we can split up and look for this SUV?”

  Andy nodded. “That’s the only starting point I can think of. Before we set off, I’ll go inside and call some friends around here. They can keep an eye out for it on the ground while we’re searching from the air.”

  ***

  Piper sat in front of her desk, hunched over and still in her nightclothes. Bash was studying the collection of electronic devices and screens on the wall. Skinner stood in one corner, facing them but silent.

  When the quiet whoosh of the helijet sounded outside, Skinner looked up at Bash and moved one foot closer to the door. Bash was immediately in front of him and smashed him in the face with his gloved metal fist. The old pilot crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

  Bash then turned to Piper. She was sitting up straight now, staring hopefully at the door. Bash was beside her in two quick steps. He produced a small length of rope from one of his pockets and bound her hands in front of her.

  “Nothing stupid, eh?” he said. They locked eyes, and he added, “I know you are not stupid, mon cher. Your words earlier were true, and it is possible I do not fully understand God’s plan for AJ. I believe your husband has suffered, but has he learned? Has he asked for forgiveness and sought refuge in God’s infinite wisdom? We shall see, hmmm? Regardless, you will remain silent. This is a matter he and I must resolve.”

  He stood her up and moved her in front of him. He grabbed the back of her neck with his left gloved hand and unsheathed his hunting knife with his right.

  “After you,” he said as he gently pushed her to the door.

  ***

  Andy and Bandit approached the cabin.

  “I’ll call the pub first,” said Andy. “They usually keep pretty close tabs on what’s happening in town. If the SUV is in Ely, they’ll probably—”

  Andy stopped in mid-sentence as the cabin door opened and Piper stepped out—with Bash right behind her, his hand on her neck.

  “Bash!” Andy yelled. He pulled the handgun from his shoulder holster and aimed at the scarred man. Bandit assumed a battle-ready position with a knife in each hand.

  “Bonjour, AJ,” Bash said. “I see you have recruited some help. Surely you do not think this boy can challenge me?”

  Andy continued to stare at Bash through the sights on the sidearm. “You underestimate him,” he said. “That’s not like you, Bash. You used to be more careful.”

  Bash smiled. “You misunderstand me, mon ami. I am sure he is quite the combatant, it is just that I am sure he cannot defeat me.”

  “Well, we don’t need to worry about it, Bash. There’s no need for anyone to fight. Just let Piper go, and Tuck.”

  Bash looked at Bandit, who was taking very slow, small steps toward the cabin. “And what is your name, boy?”

  Bandit continued his slow advance. “As far as you are concerned, my name is death,” he growled.

  Bash smiled, then turned back to Andy. “Are you planning to shoot me, AJ? We both know you are no marksman. You are, what? Fifty feet away? You are likely to not hit anything at that distance, or perhaps injure your beautiful wife, hmmm?”

  Andy knew he was right. He looked at Piper. She was bruised and dirty, her tank top dangling from her, barely covering her at all. “Are you okay, babe?” he asked.

  “I’m… okay,” she said.

  “Did he… do anything to you?”

  As she started to reply, Jimmer came crashing through the door behind them, trying to tackle Bash. Bash nimbly stepped aside and hit him in the face, knocking him back into the cabin.

  But it was all the distraction the two men needed.

  Everything happened quickly. Bandit sprinted for the porch and Andy refocused his aim. Bash realized he had exposed himself, and he pushed Piper to the ground. With her hands still tied, she couldn’t break her fall, and she struck her face hard on the wooden planks.

  Andy pulled the trigger.

  The bullet was high and to the left of Bash, and it splintered the wood above the door. But Bash had ducked out of reflex, and when he stood up again, Bandit was on him, blades moving quickly. Bash dodged and blocked the knives, using his own to deflect and defend. He managed to kick Bandit in the stomach, which backed him up a few feet and off of the porch, and Bash quickly advanced on him.

  While the two fought, Andy rushed to the porch. Piper was lying unconscious, her face in a pool of blood. He sat next to her and pulled her into his arms. She was breathing, but unresponsive. He began kissing her face.

  “Oh, Piper, I’m sorry,” he said quietly, over and over.

  ***

  Bash and Bandit were now circling each other. Bandit feigned a blade attack but slipped down and kicked Bash’s right leg out from under him. As the older man went down on one knee, Bandit brought both knives down for the killing stroke. But Bash raised his larger knife, blocking both of the small blades and knocking the younger man back a step. Bash then leaped at Bandit and punched him in the face with his empty fist, sending him airborne and onto his back.

  As Bandit wiped the
blood from his lip with the back of his hand, Bash merely stood his ground, several feet away. He didn’t advance on the fallen man; he just smiled.

  “You see?” he said. “How about I put this away?” He slid the knife back into its sheath and held his gloved hands out, palms up. “More than fair, yes? Come, ‘death,’ let us dance.”

  Bandit flipped up to his feet and rushed him, blades whirring. Somehow the gloved man deflected the blades without being cut, but Bandit didn’t try to understand how, he simply increased his attacks. He managed to kick Bash in the back twice and once in the face, but the man would not go down.

  Finally, he managed to back Bash up against the helijet, with nowhere to go. Bandit pressed for another killing stroke, and this time he knew his opponent had no larger blade to stop him.

  But as he brought the blades down, Bash simply caught them, one in each hand.

  The look of surprise on Bandit’s face brought a smile to Bash’s. “You see? I am God’s warrior! A man of valor!”

  He squeezed, and the blades shattered in his grasp. A punch from his left fist staggered the young man, and a punch from the right fist sent him toppling to the ground, where he remained motionless.

  ***

  When Andy heard the blades shatter, he looked up. He witnessed Bandit’s defeat and watched as Bash turned and slowly walked back to the cabin.

  Andy pulled the handgun from his holster again, and aimed at Bash as he approached. Through tear-filled eyes he saw the blurry vision of his nightmares come to stand within feet of him, calm and unarmed.

  “Even you could hit me at this range,” Bash said. “If you wish to kill me, AJ, I suggest you take this opportunity. I promise you will not get another.”

  Andy sniffled, wiped his eyes and nose with his left hand, then cocked the gun and leveled it at his friend.

  Chapter 43

  The police sniper rifle was equipped with a state-of-the-art scope that automatically calculated for wind, altitude, humidity, temperature, spindrift, the Coriolis effect, and cosine angle. Unfortunately, the target was likely to be shielded by a laser detection field that would sound an alert if the fancy scope was directed at him, so Tuck had to turn off all of the high-tech components.