by M. W. Duncan
“Then why are you here?”
“Because there’s more to you than you let on. You know something and it’s important. I don’t know what or why, but you do. I’ll get to the bottom of it or if I don’t, I’ll leave you here to rot. Funny thing about Aberdeen, for all the cutting edge technology they still couldn’t contain the virus. How long do you think a piece of shit backwater hospital like this has? A week or two? You’ll be one of them, or dead. Either way, I won’t care. I’ll be gone. You came to me with a deal.” She shook her head. “Now I’m coming to you with a final chance.”
Gemma squeezed his hand where the IV needle pierced his vein. Jacob sucked in air.
“Tomorrow morning. I’ll expect an answer. Sleep well, Jacob. I know I will.”
She left his bedside without looking back. In the corridor she braced herself against the wall, her arms and legs shaking.
***
A hand shook her awake. Gemma sat bolt upright, grabbed for the thin-bladed knife tucked into her boot.
“Easy, it’s me. Jacob.”
“What are you doing here?”
His eyes focused on the knife. “I want to talk to you, and since you so rudely interrupted my sleep I thought I would return the favour.”
“This isn’t a game, Jacob. You mess with the wrong person and you’re dead. There’s no coming back from that. Dead, or worse.”
“You wanted an answer by morning. I’m going to give you an answer now. Everything. Honestly. I need to get out of this place. The hospital is dying, everyone in it just doesn’t realise it yet. Each day you notice a staff member absent, and patients go missing, too. Each day you wonder if they succumbed to the virus or if the soldiers got them. I can’t leave on my own.” Jacob pointed to the knife. He smiled, but it was not full of sarcasm, nor was it friendly. There was fear, an admission that the dynamics of his confidence had changed. “You don’t need that. Please, put it down.”
She returned the weapon to her boot.
“Where did you get that thing?”
“From a friend.” She sat up.
“May I?” he asked, indicating a seat one away from her.
“I’m going to sit here and listen, and you’re going to talk.” She pulled her memo recorder from the camera bag, and clicked it on.
“What’s that for? I didn’t agree to that.”
“Insurance. You can start talking when you want.”
Jacob licked his lips, kept his eyes down at his hands.
“We can trust each other, Gemma. I’m sorry how I was before. I haven’t been acting the way I should. It’s this godforsaken place. It’s insane and I couldn’t see a way out. With you I … I acted badly.” He blew out his cheeks. “I don’t know where to start. I guess I’ll tell you my history and how I came to be here. I work in construction, or I did. I’ll probably never work in the industry again. We’d been working onsite in Glasgow for almost eighteen months. I’d moved up from Cornwall for this job. I was the project manager. It was a new build, down on the Clyde side. Eighteen storeys, a high rise. I won’t bore you with the details. This wasn’t a typical build for the UK, not outside of London anyway. It dominates the skyline. Like I said, not typical. The construction was pretty much complete, the electronics and final clean-up were underway. Another team of workers came in to complete it. Now, it’s standard for me and a few of the others to be there and sign off at the end. Some suits and ties arrived and told us to ship out, down tools and leave. I was straight on the phone to the company. They said the same. Stop whatever you’re doing and get the hell off site.”
Jacob wiped his forehead with the back of his hand.
“The entire construction team left. I stayed behind. I poked into business that wasn’t mine to pry into. The security detail caught me. They beat me so bad I couldn’t walk properly for a week. I crawled out to the roadside in the snow and someone called an ambulance. Next thing I knew, I’m here and the world has turned to shit.”
“No police?”
Jacob shrugged. “I was waiting for them to come but nobody ever did. I guess there were more important things happening than some guy being beaten up in Glasgow.”
“The building you worked on, what was its purpose? Residential? Business?”
“The building was neutral. It had extensive underground vaults. Possibly for storage or perhaps power generation. We build to a specific design but it could have been anything from offices to retail space. All I know is somebody didn’t want me knowing any more about the building than I had to.”
“And you think it’s somehow linked to the outbreak?”
Jacob shook his head. “I don’t know. And I don’t want to know. Trying to find out almost got me killed. One thing that had come up was the word Athena. I don’t know the relevance, or if there is any.”
Gemma switched off the memo recorder, tidied her hair and ran her tongue over her teeth. “I think you and I can do business.”
“I want to get out of here, get my family and find somewhere to lie low until it all blows over.”
“You have access to a satellite phone. How?”
“Leave that to me. You’ll get us both out of here?”
“If I can. It might take some doing. I’ve become a little less useful lately but I think I still have enough friends to do the job.”
“And you can get us both out?”
“If I can get myself out I can get you out, too.”
“Promise?”
“What, you want a Girl Guides pinkie promise?”
Jacob grinned with a softness, probably the most genuine expression he had shown. “I’ll work on the satellite phone. You should be ready to leave.”
Gemma patted her bag. “Everything I have is here.”
***
The drive home was slow and frustrating. Several checkpoints had been set up manned by both police and military. Eric stepped out of his car as instructed. A medical technician checked his pulse, squeezing his wrist. She nodded, satisfied. Eric was ordered to tilt his head and allow her to take his temperature, the thermometer placed just inside his ear. It beeped several times before revealing a normal reading. She shone a short torch into his eyes, and swung it left to right, before turning her back to him.
“So I’m not infected?” Eric asked with a dull tone, then rubbed at the white blotches distorting his vision.
She did not answer, and went about prepping for the next motorist who had been stopped.
A field tent had been pitched off the road. Eric was certain others would be subjected to more in-depth questioning and examination in that tent, those unlucky enough to display anything but absolute normal readings on the basic tests.
“The purpose of your journey?” asked another office.
“I’m returning home with shopping for the family.”
The officer checked inside the car. “You may go.”
“How many do you have in the tent?”
“You may go,” the officer repeated, and waved him on.
Eric headed home. Jacqui’s face appeared between the curtains as he pulled into the drive. Seconds later, she rushed from the house.
“Where have you been? We were worried sick.”
“Why? What’s happened?”
“I’ve been trying to call you. It just beeped and went dead. I … I thought something had happened.”
Eric pulled Jacqui close. She did not cry, but trembled in his arms. Jacqui’s resilience was faltering more each day. He couldn’t blame her.
“I was only gone a short time.”
“I know, but …”
“I’m sorry. The signal has been dropping out a lot lately.” He kissed her lightly on the head. “I have chocolate for the kids.”
A tired smile appeared. “They’ll love it.”
“Is anyone here?”
“No, why? Are you expecting someone?”
“Maybe. Let’s get you indoors.”
“Did you buy anything other than chocolate?”
> “Of course. You ask, and I do.” He swatted her playfully on her behind. “Stick the kettle on. I’ll bring the shopping in.”
“Coffee or tea?” she called from the door.
“Coffee. Hot.”
He grabbed the bags and closed the door with a foot.
A black Audi with tinted windows pulled up.
“Never thought I’d see the day shopping bags were a burden to Eric Mann.”
“Carter. You Ben’s bodyguard now?” Carter was an operative for Black Aquila, and fought with Eric in Aberdeen and a half-dozen times in different warzones around the globe.
“Just keeping busy. He’s finishing off some calls in the car.”
Eric moved the bags to his left hand. The two men shook hands.
“Good to see you.”
“We’ll see.”
“You know why he called me?”
“No, but things are heading toward hell out there.”
They both looked to the house. Jacqui’s expression was a mixture of alarm and determination and acceptance. She knew the signs. She knew Eric’s work. And she knew he was needed.
“She’ll be pissed,” Carter said low.
“Yes, she will.”
“Well don’t just stand there,” called Jacqui, her voice pleasant, but no smile reached her lips. “Come in and get warm. The kettle’s on.”
Two men climbed from the car, one opening the back door. Ben Williamson unwound from the seat, a black scarf around his neck.
***
Williamson had aged half a decade in three months. Deep, black circles clung beneath his eyes. His lips were cracked and dry. Drinking too much of the wrong stuff. He looked like a dehydrated insomniac.
Eric’s fingers tapped at the table, waiting for Ben Williamson to start.
Williamson spread his hands. “Events have moved rapidly, Eric. To the point that I believe we are on the precipice of a world changing event. I’m no longer involved in any operational matters. I’ve been left out in the cold. I still have a few sources who will trickle information my way, but it’s not been enough. Not near enough. We know of The Owls of Athena and something called The Athena Protocol.”
“Which is?” Eric stilled his fingers.
“We don’t know, but this group has resources beyond our wildest dreams. Someone’s helping them. They can’t operate without the compliance of governments. Or at least part of.”
“You know this for a fact?”
“No. My theory is that The Athena Protocol is the beginning of the new phase of their operation. Aberdeen was the first phase, almost a combat test, and this new protocol is phase two.”
“The situation in Aberdeen has gone to hell,” said Carter. “Reports are hard to come by but after the destruction of the airport, the military surged their numbers. Containment was not considered after the airport. Unofficial projects resulted in a sixty to seventy percent casualty rate.”
“Christ. Out of what? Two-hundred-thousand?”
“Give or take.” Carter sipped his tea.
“So this second phase I imagine will be to hit another city,” added Williamson.
“In the UK?” asked Eric.
Williamson shrugged. “We don’t know. If we knew their aims then we could assume a little more. Perhaps they’re attempting to destabilise the United Kingdom. Perhaps they’re seeking the recall of foreign military assets. Or perhaps they have another city in another country in their sights.”
“If the Carrion Virus took hold in London, we would never be able to contain it. I don’t get it,” said Eric. “What do The Owls of Athena get out of this? What’s their goal? People don’t act without a purpose.”
“They’re purpose is to release the virus,” offered Carter.
“I understand that, but why? What do they get out of it?”
Nobody had an answer. All three men spent time in quiet, the clock ticking faithfully in the lounge.
“I suppose that’s what we need to find out. What is the end result of all this?” asked Eric.
“That isn’t something we can answer at the moment. We simply don’t know, or have enough to make an educated guess. But you’ll notice things are changing here. Road blocks, random checks. The military are patrolling in many cities. They’re guarding key buildings. Large gatherings are broken up by police. Britain is grinding to a halt. It’s like the nation is holding its breath. What comes next won’t be good, Eric.”
“So why are you here? You’re bringing tidings of fear and death but what’s your purpose?”
Williamson drained his drink, and placed the mug back to the table.
“Gemma Findlay. You remember her? Of course you do.”
“Of course,” said Eric. “I wondered what happened to her after Aberdeen fell.”
“She got out, evacuated with some army units, and now she’s in a decanting hospital outside the city. She swindled a satellite phone, so now we have unauthorised contact with someone in the middle of it all, and she has information about a building The Owls of Athena are using.”
“The source?” asked Eric.
“One of the patients in the hospital supposedly worked on the construction.”
“A patient? An infected?”
“No. Not infected. She wants to cut a deal before she tells us more. We pull her out and she gives us the location.”
“And you want me to go and get her?” said Eric after an impossibly long time.
“I’m not telling you that you have to go. I’m not even suggesting that you should go.”
“Is she in danger?”
“Almost certainly,” said Williamson. “If Aberdeen has taught us anything, it’s that this outbreak is deadly even under controlled situations.”
“If I accept how would I get there?”
“Fly some of the way, drive the rest. But it’s not like you could just walk up to the gates and ask for her. It’s a controlled military facility. You couldn’t go in hard either.”
“My family needs me.”
“Carter will remain here if you wish him to.”
Williamson presented the option to Eric as if he were neutral, with no preference, no bias. He was a sly bastard. He would likely be chewing at the bit to get the location of that building but knew that if he ordered Eric to go, he would resist.
“Carter?” said Eric.
“You know I’ll protect them as if they were my own.”
Eric knew the sincerity behind that promise.
“And you, Ben? What will you do now that things are going to hell?”
“I have a boat. I’m heading offshore until we can gauge how the land lies. If I’m wrong then I’ll return and rebuild what’s left of Black Aquila. If I’m right, then we’ll head for safer waters.”
“So you’re running while we do the hard work?”
Williamson stood, an action that caused his stomach to rock the table. The mugs rattled.
“I don’t need to remind you that you are an employee, Eric. I called you here as a mark of respect not to be accused of apathy. There’s a hundred men on my roster who could serve me just as well.” Williamson raised a finger. “There’s a day coming you’ll realise how lucky you are to have my generosity. Carter will remain here pending your decision. Say goodbye to Jacqui for me.” Williamson left the house.
Carter hefted a holdall onto the kitchen table. “He’s furious.”
Eric unzipped the bag. “He’s holidaying on a boat? He could have taken us all with him. Bastard.”
Inside the bag were two AR-15 rifles, with several hundred rounds of ammunition, some silencers and tactical flashlights.
“Eric, don’t be too quick to judge. No good pissing off the one man who can help.”
“Help who?”
“The world. If you go get her, your family will be safe with me.”
“I know, and Gemma’s risked a lot. She needs help.”
Carter zipped the bag closed. “She knew the danger before she got into this mess.”
“Not for me to say. But if everything goes to plan, you could be back in a couple of days.”
“When does anything ever go to plan?”
***
Five days! The way the situation was slipping at the hospital, Gemma was not sure there was five days left. She tapped the satellite phone against the cubicle wall. They made no promises but advised if they could help, it may take five days.
Five days!
She gave a final tap against the wall with the phone, flushed the toilet and left the bathroom. Jacob waited nervously peering around the corner and down the hallway.
“Well?” he demanded, holding out his hand for the phone. “You’ve been gone a long time.”
She reluctantly handed it over. It would be handy to hold onto, have access to communications at almost any time, but she had an agreement with the creep, and it would do no good to alienate him. Not yet anyway. He put himself in considerable risk to acquire the phone. Using his silver tongue to access a part of the hospital he shouldn’t have been able to, and then sneaking around to steal the phone.
“They’re sending people to get us out of here,” she lied. “They couldn’t tell me exactly when, and since we’re not contactable for the moment it could be anytime within the next five days.”
“Five days?” Jacob half shouted. “Do they know how bad it is here? Maybe I should speak to them.”
Gemma grabbed Jacob by the lapels of his dressing gown and backed him into the wall. “Listen. If you want to get out of here alive, you need to keep your head. You start talking to those people, we’re dead. You start getting careless, we’re dead. I can get you out of here, but you need to do what I say. You understand?”
Jacob pointed into her face. “You just make sure that you hold up your end of the bargain. You get me out of here and nothing bad will happen.” He looked down the corridor beyond Gemma. “I’m not dying in this shithole.”
If no rescue came within three days from Black Aquila, Gemma would make her own escape. Jacob could be goaded to making a rash move, she was sure. It would likely end with him being killed but that was the price of survival.