Necrotic Earth

by SW Matthews

  “Infiltrate and assume control,” said Elvis.

  “Exactly. Let us know when it’s safe to come in, then we’ll figure out the rest.”

  “How are they going to contact us?” Piper asked, coming up behind Andy.

  “Link your commlinks to my suit,” Kat said to the panthers.

  All three soldiers did. When testing confirmed they could communicate with Kat, they returned to the cargo hold and prepared for their mission, and Andy and Piper returned to the cockpit.

  “There,” said Andy, pointing toward the mansion. “There’s room on the south side, barely.”

  “Are you sure?” Piper asked nervously.

  “It’ll work.”

  “Andy, you’re scaring me. You’re getting all… bowed up. I’ve never seen you like this.”

  Andy turned to her. “Babe, this guy killed Tuck. Son of a bitch must pay.”

  ***

  After the panthers made quick work of the office’s occupants, the rest of the group met up with them in the control room.

  “Good job,” Andy said, noting the four men slumped on the floor. He didn’t know if they were dead or unconscious, and he didn’t care. He looked around. “ I was hoping there would be a map of this place.”

  “I’ve been here a couple of times,” said Doc. “It’s been several years, but it’s essentially two wings slightly angled, north and south, so that there’s an ocean view from every room. The landing pad is in the middle.”

  “Then we split up. Piper and Bash will come with me. We’ll head south.”

  Elvis stepped forward. “Take Rico and Luis with you. I’ll stay with Dr. Braxton and the rest.”

  Andy looked around at the group. “Payback time. Let’s roll.”

  Chapter 63

  The president stood by the window in the observatory, looking out over the ocean swirling beneath dark clouds. The room was positioned out over the water, with three walls of glass and a high glass ceiling, so it provided a spectacular view of the world beyond and above. In contrast, the room itself was rather sparsely furnished; a gas burning firepit sat in its center, surrounded by plush leather couches. It provided the effect of sitting around a campfire underneath an open sky, but without the nuisance of insects or inclement weather. And of course, with the comfort of overstuffed, supple leather cushions and heated floors.

  Raindrops had just started to fall when the door opened and Braxton entered.

  “Sy! So good to see you! It has been a long time!” The two men shook hands, and Braxton gently guided Cole toward the couches. “Come and sit,” he said. “I’m sure you’re exhausted after all you’ve been through today.”

  “It has been a while, Mr. Braxton,” Cole replied.

  “Please, call me Will.”

  “Okay, Will. Yes, it has been quite a day.” They sat on adjacent couches next to the smoldering gas logs.

  “Would you care for something to eat or drink? Anything you want!”

  Cole shook his head. “No thank you. I’m not really hungry right now. I’ve really got a lot to do, and Maxine is waiting for me on Air Force One…”

  “Ah, yes, Maxine. She’s all business, isn’t she?”

  “Yes, she seems to be.”

  “That’s what I like about her. I assume she told you why you were stopping here before going to Calgary?”

  “She didn’t say too much. She said you would explain it.”

  Braxton peered at the younger man. “I see. And what about my kids, Billy and Kat? What did they tell you when you met with them in Denver?”

  Cole had already decided his best bet would be to play ignorant. “I was surprised to see them,” he said. “I hadn’t seen Billy in years, and everyone thought Kat was dead.”

  “Yes,” replied Braxton coolly. “Quite a shock.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “Listen, Sy, we need to cut the bullshit. I know they contacted you. And I know you helped them set up a meeting with Zhen. One of their friends was the sniper who killed Porter so you could become president. So, I know you’re involved in their little rebellion. But now you need to know what’s really going on here. You need to understand what’s happening so you can help me. So you can help all of us, and all of our descendants. So you can help ensure that there will continue to be a human race.”

  Cole looked at Braxton blankly.

  Braxton sighed and stood. He stepped outside the circle of couches and began slowly walking around them as he spoke. “You know me, Sy. You’ve known me since you were a child. But there’s a lot you don’t know. Yes, I’m a trillionaire. The only one in the world. I work all the time and I’m aggressive in my business dealings. But did you know I also pay seventy-five percent of our government’s budget every year?”

  Cole was surprised by this, and he didn’t hide it.

  “That’s right,” said Braxton. “Shortly after the war, when the company really took off, the government was struggling with debt, and the economy was in a death spiral. I stepped in and paid off the debt, and I agreed to cover the majority of the budget every year—on the condition that income taxes were decreased on everyone and every company.”

  “That’s not what the history books say…”

  “Of course not! Everything had to kept confidential. If anyone knew the survival of our country was dependent on one person, investor confidence would plummet, the markets would suffer, and the conspiracy theories would swirl like a hurricane! So the economist think tanks received all the credit—although the truth is, those jackasses can barely understand the intricacies of a lemonade stand. They prance around and spout advice and try to dictate policy, but when the shit hits the fan they always come running back to me.”

  “And you bail them out.”

  “Absolutely. That’s something else you may not understand. By education I am a scientist, and by occupation I am a businessman. But my soul is that of a humanitarian.”

  Cole held his tongue at that comment.

  “And that is really the heart of everything I have done. Starting with synthetic food, which saved all of us after the war. And when I expanded the company by leaps and bounds, while other companies struggled and died, I was able to provide jobs for our citizens and stability to our country. Lowering taxes freed more money for private spending, and the economy soared. People and companies prospered. And for the past thirty years I have been working on saving our entire species—by enabling us to leave this planet and inhabit other worlds.”

  “The Mars Project.”

  “Yes!” said Braxton, turning and pointing at the president. “But that’s just the beginning. Once we’re able to populate Mars, nothing will keep us from extending our grasp. We are on the brink of a monumental paradigm shift—nothing in human history even comes close. The lives we lead now will seem like the Stone Age compared to humans a generation or two from now.”

  “The climate committee has said they don’t believe the Earth will be able to support life for more than another century…”

  “More fools!” Braxton laughed. “Another group of so-called experts who couldn’t have even predicted this storm,” he said, motioning toward the windows. He sat next to Cole. “You’ve been in the government for a long time. I know you’ve seen how it works. The think tanks, the committees, groups like the UN. They’re all the same: bureaucracies. Elected officials only worry about getting re-elected, and the unelected people make decisions for everyone based on whatever they can get out of it for themselves. The think tanks and committees get money, influence, prestige, and articles written about them, often by other committees or think tanks, and the UN lobbies for whatever member country is paying them off because they think they need something, or they are being treated unfairly. It’s all a time-wasting circle jerk, and it’s going to end up being the death of all of us.”

  “But a lot of what you describe is intentional,” Cole said. “Our country’s constitution is based on the USA’s, and the USA’s founding fathers deliberately designed the
government to be inefficient—to keep rash decisions from being enacted.”

  “Those founding fathers weren’t facing total global devastation, Sy.”

  Cole sighed and sat back on the soft leather. “Is this war with China legitimate?”

  “It’s legitimate in the sense that it’s necessary.”

  “Did they commit these terrorist attacks?”

  “You know the answer to that. Look, either we finish this now, once and for all, and take the next step in human advancement, or we stop, and everyone dies.”

  “How long does the Earth have?”

  “The most optimistic guess, by my experts, is fifty years.”

  Cole was silent for a moment. “So, just for the sake of argument, let’s say I actually believe you. What would you ask me to do?”

  Braxton smiled. “Sy, you are now the most powerful man in the world.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Well, the most powerful man according to the majority of the population, and we need to keep it that way. Together, you and I can save the human race. You will be remembered in the archives as the man who saved humanity and enabled the departure from our moribund home world. Just think about that for a moment, Sy. You are going to save the entire human race.”

  “And you?”

  “I don’t need any recognition. My reward is simply to do what needs to be done. I will stay behind the scenes, where I can do the most good. But you…oh, Sy…” Braxton shook his head and smiled at the president. “You will have everything you ever dreamed of.”

  “I’m not sure I understand.”

  “Power! Prestige! Whatever material objects your heart desires! It will all be at your fingertips, Sy. Work with me and I will make sure your life is better than you ever hoped it would be.”

  “And I just have to do whatever you tell me to do and not let anyone know about it…”

  “You just have to trust me, Sy. That’s all. I’ve already told you how I saved the country, and in fact, the world, and now all I truly wish for is to save our species. You just have to trust that I can do it, and help me. You know Porter had overwhelming support for his entire administration, and Tessier was the same before him.”

  Cole nodded. “They both had approval ratings that were through the roof.”

  “Exactly!”

  “You’re saying it was because of you?”

  “I gave the instructions, and they followed them. The country flourished and the people adored them. In their private lives they lived like royalty, and I ensured that all of their desires were fulfilled.”

  Cole sighed, obviously intrigued, but still unsure. “Kat was adamant. She was certain that you had to be stopped.”

  Braxton nodded and sat next to Cole on the couch. “Katherine is one of the most intelligent people I have ever known, but she is a biochemist. She has always worked in a lab, and followed the scientific method. She is ignorant about how to get big things done. She simply is not aware of the steps which must constantly be taken to keep our country safe and thriving. And you must remember that she has been in a coma for the last twenty years. She really has no idea of what is going on.”

  “She said she was in that coma because of you.”

  Braxton signed and nodded sadly. “I know you have always cared for Kat, Sy. I remember you at the house all the time when you were all kids. You used to follow her around like a little puppy.”

  Cole looked down at his lap, clearly embarrassed. “I’ve loved her since I was ten years old.”

  “Who wouldn’t fall in love with her?” said Braxton, patting Cole’s leg. “She’s beautiful, smart, rich. You’d be a fool not to love her!”

  Braxton stood and stepped close to the fire pit and stared into the flames, a sly grin appearing on his face as he continued. “And I’ll tell you something else, Sy…once I speak to her myself, and explain everything to her, I promise you that she will understand and agree with me. In fact, I’m certain that she will realize that you were the man she should have married all those years ago.” He turned from the fire to face Cole, who was looking at him with a surprised look on his face. “You two can finally be together, and you can fuck her every night, Sy.”

  Cole stared at Braxton for a few moments, then blinked and shook his head as he came back to reality. “No, she would never…”

  “She would, and she will. Trust me, Sy. I know my daughter. She will understand the logic behind our actions, and she will respect you for making the right choice.”

  Cole stood and looked Braxton in the eye. “So what’s the next step?”

  Chapter 64

  Andy, Piper, Bash, Rico, and Luis worked their way south on the deck that lined the entire wing of the mansion. The wind and rain were increasing, and the deck’s small overhang did little to shield them from it. Rico checked each window as they advanced, then motioned for the others to follow. So far they hadn’t encountered anyone.

  “Where is everyone?” asked Piper as they slipped past another window.

  “This weather might be too much for them,” Andy answered. “Maybe they’re hiding out in a safe room?”

  Peering into the next window, Rico stopped and raised his hand. After a few silent moments, the panther soldier turned around and padded back to the others. The group huddled around him.

  “There’s two men in this room,” he said softly. “It looks like an office. One man is sitting in a chair, facing away from the window. He’s slumped over, like he’s injured or tired. I think it’s a cop.”

  “A cop? What the hell is a cop doing here?” Andy asked.

  Rico shrugged. “The other guy is a big motherfucker. Dressed in black with a hood over his face.”

  “A prisoner?” asked Bash.

  “No, it’s part of his uniform, I think. He’s standing by the door on the wall opposite us, like he’s guarding it.”

  “Neither sounds like Braxton,” Piper said.

  Andy nodded. “Yeah, we need to find the big guy.” He looked south, past Rico. They were almost to the end of the building—the deck led to just one more room. “Let’s keep going. If we don’t find anyone else, we’ll come back and see if these guys can lead us to him.”

  Everyone nodded consent and one by one they slipped past the occupied room, ducking beneath it so as not to be seen by the guard.

  But Bash couldn’t resist a peek. And as he looked into the room, he stopped. “That’s Tucker.”

  Andy and Piper turned and stared at him. “What?”

  “The police officer,” Bash said.

  Andy and Piper rushed back to his side and peered in. “Are you sure?” Piper asked.

  “It’s him,” Andy said.

  “But… but Doc said—”

  “Doc said Braxton would kill Tuck to keep his agenda intact. But apparently he hasn’t done it yet.”

  Andy pulled the gun from his shoulder holster and moved toward the door into the room. Piper unslung the net-rifle from her shoulder.

  “Whoa,” said Rico. “What’re you doing? That’s not Braxton.”

  “No, it’s our friend. Change of plans. First we rescue Tuck, then we find Braxton.”

  Rico looked at Luis, who just shrugged. “Fine,” said Rico. “What’s the plan?”

  “We’re getting Tuck. If that hooded son of a bitch tries to stop us, we kill him.”

  Rico nodded. “Good plan.”

  “Andy, let one of these guys go first,” Piper said.

  Andy looked down at his weapon. “Yeah, you’re right,” he admitted. He turned to Rico. “I’m saving these bullets for Braxton. I’ll follow you.”

  With a grim smile, Rico opened the door.

  Rico and Luis both darted into the room, the sights of their automatic weapons on the hooded man.

  “Get on the ground!” Rico shouted.

  The man didn’t even move.

  “His name is Luc,” Tuck mumbled, raising his head.

  Andy and Piper were instantly beside him.

&
nbsp; “Hey, Skipper. Hi, Sparky,” he managed through a weak smile.

  They both hugged him, then helped him to his feet.

  “We thought you were dead,” said Piper, her voice breaking.

  “Not yet, Sparky.”

  “Did you really kill the president?” Andy asked.

  Tuck smiled. “Assassination is the highest form of public service.”

  Andy laughed. “What’s the deal with this guy?” he asked, motioning toward Luc.

  “Not sure. Braxton left a while ago. Told Luc to stay here and not let me leave, and to notify him if I tried. How’d you guys find —”

  He stopped in mid-sentence when he saw Bash.

  “Bonjour, Tuck.”

  Tuck stared at Bash for a moment, then turned to Andy, a confused look on his face.

  “Yeah,” said Andy. “Umm, we’re puttin’ the band back together.”

  “No shit?”

  Andy glanced at Bash. “Yep. We’re gonna call it Prefrontal Scar. First song’s ‘Findin’ My Religion.’”

  Bash stepped forward, reached down and broke the handcuffs off of Tuck’s wrists, then embraced him. “I am sorry, mon ami. I have a lot to tell you. I have missed you.”

  “Time for that later,” said Andy, gently urging the men toward the deck. “We can all catch up after we find Braxton.”

  Tuck stopped. “It’s too late, Skipper. The attack is already happening, and now Braxton is trying to get Cole to switch sides.”

  “In that case, you may get the chance to become the only person in history to kill two presidents.”

  Tuck grinned. “Never liked politicians. They talk too much and smell too good.”

  “So that’s why you like Andy,” said Piper with a smile.

  The four of them started toward the door, and the two panther soldiers began to back slowly away from Luc, who still hadn’t spoken or moved. But the moment Bash opened the door, the hooded man came to life—and stormed toward Luis.

  Gunfire rang out. Both panther soldiers were firing at Luc, but he seemed not to care. He grabbed Luis and threw him across the room, then lunged at Rico. He grabbed Rico’s rifle and threw it away, then grabbed Rico by the neck and lifted him from the ground. The soldier struggled for a moment, then became limp before Luc threw him away as well.