Jennifer led them into the first room on the right. The door plaque bore the word SECURITY. A chest-high counter separated the room. They stood in a waiting area that contained nothing but three cheap plastic chairs placed against the wall. Jennifer went to the far end of the counter to where a break allowed them access to the other side. Here sat several desks with computer terminals. An empty gun cabinet stood in the far corner.
Jennifer led them to a room off of the left corner that was only a quarter of the size of the main area, with most of the space taken up by a bank of monitors mounted along one wall, divided into four sets of six screens. Those on the left showed various shots around the facility. Robson immediately noticed the tunnel entrance they had entered through, an entrance he assumed to be the one near the main gate, the blast door, the area with the school bus and Ryder, plus others he was not familiar with. The three sets of monitors on the right showed interior shots of the buildings. One screen among the second set showed Compton treating Thompson in the infirmary. Beneath each set of monitors, schematics of various sections of the facility and each building had been attached to the metal surface. Each section of the schematic contained one small red and green light.
Jennifer stepped over to a metal box mounted on the wall off to their left and opened it, revealing a circuit breaker. She flipped into the up position a large switch at the top labeled GENERATOR, waited a few seconds, and then flipped into the up position a second large switch beneath it. Each of the monitors glowed brighter as the facility’s fluorescent lights came on.
“That’ll give us some more light,” she said. “I’ll check out the generator and solar panels later to make sure we have a constant supply of electricity.”
Jennifer sat down in a leather chair in front of the main console. Robson and Natalie stood behind her.
“Security cameras are located all over the facility,” Jennifer explained. She pointed to the schematic on the left. “This shows the location of the cameras in the interior of the cavern. The tops screens show the tunnel entrances and the exterior of the blast door. They’re permanently locked onto those views. The other screens show the main entrance by the blast door, the motor pool, and the supply depot. I can toggle through them to view the other cameras.”
Jennifer pressed one of three lighted buttons beneath the facility schematic. The green light by the blast door entrance changed to the red light, while the red light to the left of the schematic switched to the green one. The scene on the monitor also switched, showing an indoor reservoir. Jennifer pressed the next two buttons, alternating the views on their respective monitors to show a large generator and a rung ladder rising up six feet to a small metal platform and door.
“What’s that?” asked Robson.
“The ladder? It leads to the room containing the air filtration system. It’s located on the far end of the access road.” Jennifer pointed to a larger light at the extreme left of the schematic. “It’s the only part of the facility that’s alarmed.”
“Why?” asked Natalie.
“There’s a ladder inside that leads up through the ventilation shaft all the way to the intakes on top of the mountain. Once the blast door is closed and secured, that air shaft is the only way into the building.” Jennifer pressed the button again. This time the monitor showed a long cement shaft with a ladder mounted onto one of the walls. The view looked down on top of the air filtration unit from a height of approximately one hundred feet. Another press of the button, and this time the view of the shaft looked up to a series of massive HEPA filters, each almost ten feet long. “The alarm was installed during the Cold War to warn against commando raids. Now the only time it goes off is when a squirrel or raccoon gets inside the shaft.”
Jennifer toggled through the other interior cavern views. The crematorium, which she explained was originally designed to dispose of those who died of disease or radiation after arriving at the facility. The machine shop. The meat locker and food closet.
When Jennifer switched to the last view, Natalie stepped close to Robson, pressing against him for comfort. From the angle of the shot, Robson assumed the camera was located on the roof of the access control building out front. It showed the compound’s main gate and the nearly four hundred rotters trapped between the outer and inner security fences. Packed in nearly shoulder to shoulder, they could barely move. They stood listlessly like cattle crammed into the dispatch chute of a slaughterhouse, except these things were already dead.
“Turn that off,” asked Robson.
“No problem.” Jennifer pressed a button, replacing the view of rotters with the interior of the blast door and their vehicles.
The remaining banks of monitors each had three schematics beneath them representing the floors of each building. Jennifer pressed the SCAN button for each set, and the monitor views changed, showing the corridors, exits, or various rooms, lingering on each for five seconds before switching to another. As the views shifted, Jennifer continued her explanation. She pointed to the bank of monitors on the right.
“This is the building we’re in now. It holds the offices, mess hall, security offices…you get the idea. This building in the middle is the dormitory.”
“So security kept tabs on everyone?” asked Robson.
“No,” answered Jennifer with a don’t-be-silly tone to her voice. “When the facility was in use, security had orders not to monitor the rooms. The cameras were permanently locked onto the three corridors, the two exits, and the common area. At least they were whenever I was on duty.”
“So you’re not into voyeurism,” joked Robson.
Jennifer chuckled. “The building on the left also contains offices. But when we came down here from Fort Detrick shortly after the outbreak, the building was reserved for the infirmary and Compton’s personal use. Compton converted the larger rooms on the first floor to labs and his own living quarters. The other two floors are not being used except for the infirmary.”
Natalie pointed to a set of separate switches on the far right of the console. “What are those for?”
“Those are the master controls for the generator, air filtration system, freezer, and so on.” Jennifer pointed to one switch colored red. “That’s the alarm system for the facility. And you don’t want to touch the one beside it.”
“What is it? The self destruct mechanism?”
“In a sense. That one controls the main gates. Touch that and you’ll let all the rotters onto the compound.”
Natalie involuntarily took a step back from the console.
Robson only partially heard the conversation, concentrating instead on watching the monitors for any signs of rotter presence. One image in particular caught his attention. “Can you freeze that one?”
“Which one?”
“Second set of monitors. Bottom center.”
Jennifer pressed the button, freezing the monitor on a blackened room.
“What’s that?” asked Robson.
Jennifer searched the schematic for the green light. “That’s Compton’s private lab.”
“What’s in there?”
“I don’t know. I was never allowed in. Only the doctor and Colonel Thompson ever went in there.”
“Why aren’t there any lights on?”
“The doctor must have shut them off.”
“But why?”
Jennifer shrugged.
“I want to check it out, just to be on the safe side. Where is it located?”
“First floor of Compton’s building, third door on the left. You’ll need these.” Jennifer reached into her pocket and removed a set of keys, which she handed over to Robson.
“I’ll go with you,” said Natalie.
“You stay here with the radio in case I need to contact you.”
“But—”
“I’ll be fine. I promise.”
Natalie frowned but didn’t argue.
It took Robson only a few minutes to reach the door leading to the lab. It contained a knob with a lo
ck and a deadbolt, both of which looked new. He tried the knob. As expected, it was locked. He used Jennifer’s keys on the knob, eventually finding the correct one. A few tries later, he unlocked the deadbolt. Robson removed his Colt and held it in his right hand. With his left, he knocked loudly on the door three rimes and listened carefully, waiting to see if he heard anything moving around on the other side. Nothing.
“Everything okay?” Natalie’s voice came over the hand-held radio.
Robson unclipped it from his belt and held it to his mouth. “Yeah. I’m heading inside now.”
“Please be careful.”
Robson replaced the radio. He turned the knob and pushed the door half way open. Not enough light filtered in from the corridor for him to see anything.
“Anyone in here?”
The room was quiet.
Robson raised the Glock into firing position and carefully stepped inside. He felt around the wall with his free hand until his palm ran over the light switch. He flipped it on. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered to life.
Robson turned to look into the room and gasped when he saw a horde of swarmers rushing toward him.
Chapter Thirty-seven
Robson fell back until his shoulder slammed against the wall. Screw the pain, he thought. He raised the Colt, knowing he could never fight off so many swarmers, but still hoping to take down at least one or two before they tore him apart. He didn’t fire, though. By now the swarmers should have been ripping into him. Instead, they remained ten feet away, still snarling and clawing. Only then did Robson realize that a Plexiglas partition stood between him and the swarmers. A heavy Plexiglas partition, he hoped.
“Mike, are you okay?” Natalie’s voice sounded frantic over the radio. “Mike!?”
“I’m fine.” Robson took a few steps forward to get into the camera angle. As he drew closer, the swarmers grew increasingly frantic. They clawed at the Plexiglas, some so desperately that they ripped out fingernails. One swarmer in an Air Force officer’s flight suit gnawed at its surface, succeeding only in dislodging a few teeth that dropped to the floor. Robson looked up at the camera just long enough to ensure Natalie he was all right, and then turned his attention back to the swarmers.
Natalie sounded only slightly less relieved. “I saw them lunge at you. I thought you were….”
“I would be if it wasn’t for the Plexiglas barrier.”
“I’m coming down.”
“Leave the radio with Jennifer. I want to talk to her.” Robson’s tone had an icy edge to it as his initial shock gave way to fury.
A few seconds later, Jennifer’s shaky voice came over the radio. “I’m so sorry. I had no—”
“What the fuck are you people doing keeping swarmers?"
“I had no idea they were there. I never would have let you—”
“Bullshit! How could you not know?”
“S-sir, please believe me. I’ve never been in that room. That’s Compton’s private lab. Only the doctor and the colonel ever went in there.”
Jennifer had mentioned that to him earlier. So far she had played straight with him. His anger with her quickly subsided. However, he was still furious at being lied to by Compton, and would have some choice words with the doctor about this later. “Are there any more swarmers or rotters I need to know about?”
“I d-doubt it, sir. Every other room checked out clean. You saw them for yourself.”
“Good enough. I trust you.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“And stop calling me, sir.” Robson softened his tone. He looked up at the camera and forced a smile. “I want you to stay there for awhile and keep watching the monitors. Let me know if you see anything suspicious. I’ll have someone relieve you soon.”
“Roger.”
Robson stood back against the wall to wait for Natalie, using the time to study the swarmers. He counted seventeen in total. Christ, it had been months since any of them had encountered swarmers, which was fine by him. Rotters were bad enough. Rotters with speed, agility, and an increased ferocity were something he would prefer not to deal with. There was something unusual about them, although he could not readily place it.
The containment unit the swarmers were caged in took up half the lab. Two thirds of the front façade was comprised of double Plexiglas screens, constructed with an inch between them, probably to provide added protection if the swarmers somehow shattered the inner layer. The other third was a steel wall that contained a single metal door with four electronic deadbolts extending from the center at right angles, similar to a bank vault. He noticed another door on the metal wall making up the left interior of the cage. The three inner walls were all made of steel. Thank God whoever built this knew what they were doing.
Robson heard several pairs of feet racing down the corridor. With his eyes still on the swarmers, he backed out of the lab. Taking a quick look, he saw Natalie running down the hall as fast as she could manage, a Mauser clutched in front of her. Tiara and Sandy were right behind.
“Everything’s okay,” he called to them.
“The fuck it is.” Natalie panted lightly from the sprint. “There’s swarmers in this facility. That puts us all in danger.”
“They’re sealed up tight. They can’t get out.”
“They’re a threat just by being here.”
Robson stepped back into the lab and motioned for the Angels to join him. When the three women entered, the swarmers went wild again, even more frenzied this time at the prospect of food. The three women stayed close to the far wall. Tiara had raised her Mauser ready to fire from the hip if necessary.
“See. They can’t get to us, though not for a lack of trying.”
Natalie kept her eyes fixed on the swarmers. “That bitch should never let you come in without warning you.”
“It’s not Jennifer’s fault. I reamed her out, but she swore she didn’t know about them. I believe her. She said only Compton and Thompson ever came into this lab.”
“Figures,” spat Natalie. “I don’t trust those two.”
“Oh, my God.” Tiara’s face twisted in a look of horror. “They’re all military.”
Robson took another look at the swarmers, suddenly realizing what he had found unusual about them. Except for a female with long red hair and dressed in a white lab coat, all of them wore battle fatigues from the various services. They were all members of Compton’s and Thompson’s staff. Being swarmers, they could only have been turned four or five weeks previous, at most. Something else also dawned on Robson. As he scanned each one, he noticed that none of them bore any noticeable bites or wounds, nor were they covered in blood, which ruled out their being infected during an attack on the facility.
“What the fuck is going on here?” asked Natalie, her fear replaced with anger.
“I have no idea,” answered Robson. “But I know who does.”
Chapter Thirty-eight
When Robson and the Angels arrived back at the vehicles, Tibor had already returned from the infirmary and was talking to the rest of the group. He noticed them approaching and stepped back to make room for them.
“I was just telling the others that Thompson will be all right. He has a mild concussion, but Compton says he’ll be back on his feet in a day or—”
“I don’t give a shit about the colonel.” Robson stopped in front of the group, consciously trying not to direct his anger at Tibor. “Where’s Compton?”
“He’s in the infirmary with Thompson. The Angels are with him.” Tibor suddenly realized something was wrong. “Why?”
“Oh, the good doctor forgot to mention that he has seventeen swarmers locked up in his private lab.”
A flurry of responses bombarded Robson. He held up his hands to quiet everyone. “They’re in a reinforced cage, so there’s no immediate danger. But I’m pissed that neither he nor the colonel thought to tell us about them beforehand.”
“Are you sure we’re safe?” asked Daytona as his hand felt for his firearm.
Natalie answered. “They tried to get at us, but their cage is pretty solid. They’re not getting out unless someone lets them out.”
“That doesn’t mean we can let our guard down,” added Robson. “God knows what other surprises are hidden around here. Until I know exactly what we’re facing, everyone is to carry a weapon with them at all times. And no one is to go anywhere without a buddy. Is that clear?”
The others nodded or mumbled in the affirmative.
Robson pointed to the center building behind him. “That’s the dormitory. I want each of you to double up with someone so you’re not alone, and stay together on the first floor. I don’t want anyone separated from the rest of the group. Now get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us.”
As everyone gathered their gear, Robson waved O’Bannon over. “I need you to do me a favor.”
“Sure. What?”
“The guard room over in the third building has monitors for every security camera in this place. Jennifer’s on watch right now. After you find a bunk, relieve her. She’ll brief you on how the system operates.” Robson glanced at his watch. “It’s a little after seven now. I’ll have one of the Angels spot you around noon.”
“Anything in particular I’m looking for?”
“Mostly stray rotters that may be wandering around. And keep close tabs on Compton.”
“Roger.” O’Bannon followed the others into the dormitory.
Robson waited until Dravko exited the school bus and ushered him to one side so no one could overhear. “I want you, Tibor, and Tatyana to stay in one room, and reserve the one across from it for me.”
Dravko seemed disturbed by the order. “You’re keeping an eye on us?”
“I’m looking out for you. Something about this place doesn’t sit right with me.”
Rotter World Page 21