ANTIVENOM

by M. Lorrox

  He doesn’t realize his mistake until he drops behind a log twenty yards away and he looks down at his pocket. He huffs a breath and springs up, then runs back toward the bag of explosives below the machine.

  Charlie hides behind one of the boat’s struts, while Owen hides behind the other. Ghost and Hecate take turns popping up and firing at the machine, but they’re still not getting anywhere. Hecate drops back into the boat, dodging a volley of 7.66mm bullets. “What’s Eddy waiting for?”

  Balena, forced to lie and wait while she continues to heal, raises up onto her forearms. “Huh?”

  Hecate clicks in another magazine. “He placed the bomb but hasn’t blown it!”

  Balena shakes her head. “Just pound it with grenades! Shrapnel can set it off!”

  Ghost drops in. “That kid’s crazy!”

  Hecate climbs up to take her turn, and she aims her grenade launcher at the bag of explosives. She’s about to pull the trigger when she sees Eddy running up to the bomb. She keeps the gun raised and yells to Eddy, “Get out of there!”

  Eddy ignores her. Instead, he runs up and leaps onto the long machine gun on the machine’s left arm. Come on, drop it!

  The arm sags but doesn’t drop the gun.

  Eddy looks at his distorted reflection in the shiny dome where a head would be, and for an instant, he’s confused by his image—he doesn’t have hands. Wait, it doesn’t have eyes, it’s gotta have cameras somewhere… He notices the broken optics on the machine’s right arm—where it holds the grenade launcher—then he looks down at his feet. He sees a camera in line with the machine gun, and with all his might, he rams his boot into it. The blow crushes the glass and even bends some of the camera’s metal housing. The arm lifts, and Eddy leaps off.

  Fucking kid! Nicholas rotates the drone to keep a visual on Eddy while he holds down the machine gun’s trigger and spins toward his fleeing target. The disintegrating links that hold the machine gun’s ammunition rains down like metal mist, and the bullets fired draw a line through the water as they chase after Eddy. Then, Hecate fires a grenade that explodes along the ground. One piece of steel rips through the bag Eddy threw below the machine and smashes into a claymore. The claymore blasts another claymore, which finally sets off the HMX.

  The explosion blows both legs off the machine and tosses the now slightly lighter, but still really heavy machine, five feet into the air.

  The last bullet it fired tears—back to front—through the ab muscles on Eddy’s right side.

  Hecate cheers, and then Charlie and Owen poke their heads out from behind the boat’s struts. Owen sees the falling machine, and Charlie sees blood splattering out of Eddy’s side. They swim to shore—Owen with shrapnel in his shoulder, and Charlie with a piece in his thigh.

  When Charlie’s feet touch earth and he can stand, he tears through the calm water, leaving Class III rapids behind him. Once he’s on land, he sprints across the shore. He reaches Eddy while Owen is splashing out of the water on his last few steps to dry ground.

  Charlie skids to a stop beside his son. “You alright? How deep? Need blood? Hold still—”

  “Dad, chill…” Eddy rolls over. “Blew straight through, I think I’ll be alright.”

  Charlie inspects the wound—the bullet tore through an inch of muscle, but nothing else. He grabs Eddy and rips him off the ground, catching him in a giant hug. “You did it, Leo!”

  “Ow!”

  Charlie sets him down. “Sorry.”

  Behind them on the shore, Owen rips the metal from his shoulder and winces, but he doesn’t scream. Then he looks up, points, and yells, “Guys! It’s still moving!”

  Charlie turns from Eddy and shouts, “Stay back from it! It might be rigged!”

  Owen’s mouth drops, and he shakes his head. “There was someone inside! They were blown in half!”

  Eddy and Charlie circle over and stare into the opening at the bottom of the machine—at shredded flesh, spilled entrails, torn wires, and split tubes. Ghost makes it to their side and hands an M4 to Charlie with a bloodied arm. “Put them out of their misery.”

  He nods, drops to the ground in line with what’s left of the person, and fires a burst of three bullets inside them. Even though he’s a terrible shot, he doesn’t miss at this close range. One bullet tears through Nicholas’ still beating heart, and the once moving arms fall still.

  Charlie lowers the gun and feels faint. He drops the weapon and sits down on the ground.

  Owen extends a hand to help him up. “Sir, what’s next?”

  He said WE... This isn’t Hector... In the distance, he hears drones. He growls, but it transforms into a howl, then into a yell. “Damn you, Hector!” He takes Owen’s hand and pulls himself up.

  Eddy points with his right arm-stub and winces with the pain coming from the hole in his abdomen. “Ugh. Drones are coming, we—”

  Charlie is nodding, then he’s yelling, “Everyone back to the boat! Sharpshooters at the front and back openings! Take the drones if they get close!”

  Hector tosses his headset onto his desk and casts his eyes to the bullpen below him. “Patrol with the drones. Take those assholes out if possible, otherwise just pin them down.” Time to give Peter the bad news... He starts to write a message, but then he frowns. He picks up the phone and dials him instead.

  “Yes?”

  “This is Hector. I’m very sorry to tell you that the mission failed.”

  No response.

  “Peter?”

  “And my son?”

  “Deceased. I’m sorry, Peter, he fought valia—”

  -click-

  “Peter?” Hector waits a moment before hanging up. Oh well. Maybe he’ll be useful again in a couple months... He looks up at the screen showing the active units and rubs his chin. He switches back to the messaging system, and he sends a note to Valerie Beran, the woman in charge of remote zombie release:

  @Valerie, the assault failed. Ready replacement Z containers for 5, 6, 12, and 13. I’ll alert the helicopter team.

  That should be good enough to hold them. He activates the helicopter team then stands up and pushes his chair in. “If there’s any change on the ground, contact me. I need to pay someone a visit.”

  Andre Cojocaru, sitting below at a station, nods while typing commands. “Yes, sir.”

  Peter clenches his jaw and his fists, then casts his eyes to the perfectly clean tiles on the floor. Those bastards. They promised me they’d save him and fix him... “AAAHHH!”

  He glances to one of the camera units in the corner of the briefing room he’s been waiting in. He walks over to it, stands underneath it, and gives it the finger. He shakes his head and walks over to the window facing the valley. This was supposed to be the start of a new life, but…it’s been nothing but death.

  I gotta get out of here.

  He makes his way to his apartment on the residential level of The Plant, packs supplies, grabs his weapons, and leaves.

  In the hall, he crosses paths with Hector.

  Hector stops and performs the requisite sad, sorry-for-your-loss-but-remember-we’re-at-war face. “You look like you’re leaving.”

  “Fuck off.” He walks past Hector without another word or a glance into his eyes.

  Okay, maybe it’ll take longer than a few months.

  All members of the High Council gather in their meeting room, only for Sadie to tell them that they’re going offsite. They pile into a waiting bus, and they are all surprised to see Hamid ibn al Zaman sitting in the back.

  Vincent, walking with the use of crutches, approaches Hamid and greets him, but Hamid only smiles and looks away.

  Sadie directs the bus driver to a community park a little over a mile away, then she leads everyone across the park toward a pavilion. It’s a bit before dusk, and sunset-tinted light turns the grass gold and blue. Once they arri
ve in the pavilion, everyone but Eliza Leroux sits down on the picnic table’s benches. Her hands are firmly planted on her hips. “Madam Prime Minister, what on earth are we doing?”

  Sadie motions for her to sit, and she does. “Thank you all for your patience. It has come to my attention that the Væir group has received strategic information on our rescue operation.” She connects with each, old set of brilliant eyes. “We have a mole.”

  Vincent slaps the table and growls. Then, he feels eyes on him. “I haven’t heard any updates from our team. What new information have you gathered?”

  Sadie sighs. “The fixer they were supposed to meet in Hawaii was found dead. However, the team did pick up someone who claimed to be their fixer. It’s likely the mission has already experienced setbacks, or that they will.” She swallows. Carles, you better be alright... And Eddy... And June-July. Ugh. She shakes her head. “In an overabundance of caution, please pardon this intrusion.” She looks at Hamid, and he stands.

  Sadie motions to him. “We are all going to place our hands into Hamid’s, and we are going to proclaim loyalty to the Order, and that we have no part in Væir—or what we’re calling Væir. For what it’s worth, neither he nor I believe any of you are involved, but for my plan to succeed, this must be done.”

  There are some grumbles and sighs, but someone stands.

  It’s Eliza. She walks over to Hamid, holds her hands out, and he takes them. “I, Eliza Leroux, High Councilor, have zero connections or dealings to the entity we’re calling the Væir. All my loyalties lie here, in the Order.”

  Hamid smiles. “Thank you.”

  As she returns to the table, she delivers a respectful smile to Sadie, then she sits. One by one, everyone—including Sadie—places their hands in Hamid’s and makes a proclamation. When they are all done, Hamid steps closer to their table. “Thank you all. As Sadie said, we did not suspect any of you, but we found it prudent to quell any suspicions that might have arisen within the group. As it is, I myself could be the mole. Without anyone present who can gauge my honesty, I will take leave of your discussion.” He bows, then turns.

  Vincent pushes against the tabletop to stand. “Hamid, wait one second, please.”

  “Yes?”

  Vincent dips his head. “It’s good to see you, sir. We all wish you well.”

  He smiles. “Thank you...and good luck. I fear the next twenty-four hours may be the most challenging the High Council has faced in centuries.” He walks off and smiles. In the distance, he can hear traffic. But in the park, he focuses on the other sounds: children playing, couples laughing, birds chirping, and dogs playing with their owners.

  When he’s across the park, Sadie interrupts the small talk that has sprung up and begins the meeting. “I have come up with a plan, but it will only work with all of your cooperation.”

  Philip Simonsen nods. “I’m sure you will have it. What exactly do you have in mind?”

  Sadie sighs. “Something rather drastic.”

  Hector and a half-dozen security guards assemble in the hall outside the room Mary and July are being kept in. Hector pulls back the slide on his Desert Eagle .50 caliber hand-cannon. “Remember our orders. If we’re attacked, we can fire on the girl.”

  A pair of vampires with rubber gloves that extend to their elbows jog down the hall, pushing a large wheeled garbage bin. “Ready, sir.”

  Hector bangs on the door. “Hey! Listen up in there! We’re coming in! Get in the beds or stand against the window! Try anything, and we’ll open fire!”

  Inside the room, Mary steps to the side. “July? You won’t try anything, will you?”

  July is looking out the window. She blinks a few times, squints and rubs her eyes, then looks at Mary. “Of course not.”

  Mary nods. “This is not the time to fight.”

  July nods, then adjusts the sheet she has wrapped around her.

  Mary yells toward the door, “We’re at the windows! Come in!”

  The door unlocks and is pushed open. As it swings, the security guards aim their laser-sighted, submachine guns into the room. At first, all the dots are on July.

  She turns around, sees the red dots dancing on the white sheet, and she curls her lip.

  Mary counts six dots quivering on the young girl’s body—the guards are shaking and not holding their guns steady. Mary can’t help but snicker. Then, a set of three dots find her chest. These dots don’t quiver.

  “Push in.” Hector stands a step behind the door and watches as the guards enter. One by one, they slip in and fan out against the room’s back wall, navigating between the broken chairs.

  The last guard to enter glances toward the door. “In position.”

  Hector walks in, not aiming his huge pistol, but swinging the heavy weapon at his side. He looks at the pile of Lars’ body parts on the floor and shakes his head. “What a mess.”

  July snarls and flares her nostrils.

  Every laser dot on her twitches as the guards aiming at her feel a jolt of fear.

  Mary raises her hand. “Take it easy.”

  Hector waves the vampires with the garbage can into the room with his gun. As they cross the floor, the guards spread out to maintain clean angles on their targets. Hector walks forward and motions toward Mary with the gun. “Ms. Wollstone, I’m glad to see you up and about. I hope you are finding your accommodations to your satisfaction.” He smiles.

  Mary frowns as she looks around at her accommodations. A bathroom, a mini fridge—stocked, but still—a bed, and a view. Oh, and a stinking pile of torn apart flesh. “I want to be released, immediately.”

  He shakes his head. “Sorry, orders are orders.”

  July snaps her hand up, pointing at Hector. “Liar!”

  He laughs and points the gun at her. “Yeah, I guess I’m not sorry. I have to say... July, is it? That was a pretty amazing thing you did, when you transformed into that beast and killed old Kyllinglår over here.”

  July tilts her head.

  “It was a nickname he hated. Anyway, how’d you do it? How many bullets do you think you can take in that form? He turns the pistol in his hand over, making a point of looking at it. “I don’t have a great aim, but these are really big bullets.”

  July grits her teeth and glances down at the laser dots on her chest. “Feel like going one on one? Call off your goons... Or are you chicken?”

  Hector laughs. “Nice try, but I don’t think so.” He keeps his eyes fixed on the girl, but he tilts his head over his shoulder. “How we doing on cleanup?”

  “Almost done.”

  Mary plants her hand on her hip. “I want to talk to whoever’s in charge.”

  Hector licks his lips as his eyes dance back and forth between her and the girl. “Why, you’re in charge, didn’t you know that? Just tell us whatever you need, and as long as you don’t ask to be released, I’ll make it happen.” He smiles.

  Melgaard’s head is dropped into the trash bin. It’s rolled away as a wet mop is plopped onto the ground.

  Mary scowls. “Put that gun to your head and pull the trigger.”

  Hector rolls his eyes. “Obviously, I’m not going to do that. Because if I did, who will make sure you have meals tomorrow? Who will make sure these guards don’t use you for target practice?” His eyes glint. “Sorry, but it’s for your own good.”

  The mop is rung out, and then it’s plopped onto the ground again to soak up the blood and cleaning solution.

  July glances at Mary, then back at Hector. “With Dr. Melgaard dead, why aren’t you letting us go?”

  Hector furrows his brow, then he brings his empty hand up to his chin like he was thinking. “Huh, I guess I never considered that you thought Kyllinglår was calling the shots...” He sighs. “Sad to lose him though, I always got a kick out of how pissed off I could make him.” He shrugs. “Oh well.”

 
“We’re done, sir.”

  Hector sucks air in through his teeth. “Well, this has been lovely.” He starts walking backward, still keeping his eyes on July. “Just remember, if you need anything, just holler. I do want you to be comfortable.” He glances at the shaking dots on July’s chest, then at the steady ones on Mary’s chest. He turns and walks out. “Fall out.”

  July takes a step forward and pounds her fists at her side. “HEY!”

  The dots shake on her, and one guard almost pulls his trigger. Hector pauses and turns around. “Yes?”

  July points toward the mini fridge. “You need to take that container and preserve…the contents.”

  Hector glances at the container, then back at July. “Do I?”

  July grits her teeth and snarls her lip, then relaxes with a sigh. “Please preserve my friend’s hands. He’s a vampire, and I hope they can be reattached.”

  Hector snickers. Thanks for the bargaining chip… He glances at Mary, then nods at July. “Bring them over.”

  July takes a deep breath, then walks over to pick up the container.

  “I hope you’ll remember that I’m helping you here… After all, we are doing something important for the world; it just might be too hard for you to see it.”

  She presents Eddy’s hands to him and stares into his eyes. “I’ll consider not killing you if these are put back on my friend.” You’ll wish for death, though. She smiles.

  Hector laughs. “That’s such a generous offer. See, we’re already becoming friends. Now if you don’t mind behaving yourself, I’ll make sure these are preserved.”

  “Make sure you do.”

  Hector smiles and nods at her. Then, he turns and walks away, carrying the container with Eddy’s hands under one arm. When he reaches the hallway, he pauses and glances back at July. “I’ll see if we can find something for you to wear. Guards, fall out.”

  The guards move toward the door while hugging the wall. One by one, they exit, maintaining their aim with every step. As the last guard closes the door, Hector waves at Mary and July with his large gun loose in his hand.