Adam puts up his arms and talks loudly. “Oh, fine. Maybe that’s what I should do then, just open the Ark’s doors and let everyone and anything in. Is that what you want?” He walks past Kate to address everyone sitting in the pit. “Is that what you all want me to do, huh?! Let them in to potentially infect everyone living here? Or maybe I should just open the doors and let everyone in, military . . . Infected, so they can kill our families and friends along with each and every one of us!”
Kate steps in front of him looking at him like he’s crazy. “I’m not asking you to open every blast door, Adam. Just the one my husband is trying to access. We simply let them in and put them in quarantine until you’re satisfied with their test results. It’s as simple as that . . . and no one else has to get in.”
He talks low enough for just Kate to hear him. “Nothing’s ever that simple, Kate, and that’s what I’ve been trying to explain to your naive husband. We don’t know how it’s transmitted and we could possibly be putting it into our air system somehow or water supply or who knows what else.”
“Naive husband? This is about you and me, isn’t it?! You pathetic little man! And just so you know, Adam, there will never be a you and me, never!”
Adam gets angry and again pulls her to the side, with her hesitating the entire time, but he’s insistent. “Let’s get something straight, Kate. If I wanted you for myself, then you’d be mine. Whether you liked it or not, you’d be mine.”
Kate jerks her head back and takes a step back. “What the hell is that supposed to mean, Adam? What are you trying to say?”
He grins and looks at her with eyes that look like dark pits. “Meaning that you may want to start being a little nicer to me and a little more respectful, that’s all. I would hate for you to bite the hand that feeds you.” He gets directly in her face. “Your kids are going to need a mother, ’cause their daddy just might not come back alive. So play nice and your kids won’t have to grow up without both their parents.” He smiles at her as her face blanches.
“Wha—what are you saying, Adam . . . was that some kind of threat?”
He smiles at her and then grabs her arm roughly. “Oh, that’s not a threat, sweetheart, that’s a promise! So, again, I suggest you play nice.”
Sasha walks over with a few people behind her. “Adam, what the hell is going on over here? Kate, are you alright?” She looks at Adam and then at Kate.
Adam slowly turns toward her and shows his teeth. “Everything’s fine, Sasha. Why don’t you mind your business and get back to work? I’ll handle this.”
Chris steps up beside Sasha. “It is our business when it involves Kate. So seriously, what’s going on over here?”
Sasha looks at Kate and motions for her. “Come here, Kate. Get away from him.”
Kate shrugs off Adam’s hand and moves behind Chris and Sasha. “You’ve got a strange look in your eye, Adam, and you’re starting to scare me. I think—”
Adam gets in front of her and grins. “Oh, I’m sorry if I’ve scared you, Sasha, but that’s what you get for butting into other people’s conversations. So why don’t you guys all go fuck yourselves so I can get back to my job!”
Chris steps in between Sasha and Adam. “Okay, Adam, let’s just relax here and calm the heck down.”
Adam focuses his psychotic stare at Chris. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talkin’ to, boy. When I need a radar report, I’ll ask for one. Until then, get back to your station and shut the fuck up.” He gets closer to Chris’s face.
Sasha slowly pulls Chris back by his shirt while backing up with Kate. “Chris, back up, just step away.” She looks at Adam. “Fine, Adam. Then get back to work and figure a way out to get everyone in this place safely while keeping everyone safe, okay?”
She continues to walk everyone back as two of Adam’s men walk over to him. She gets Kate out of the room while Chris goes back to his station, avoiding Isla’s eyes.
Chapter 14
The Major studies the blueprints of the Ark while drinking his coffee. He’s not used to working with actual paper schematics and finds it a little archaic not to be looking at a computer screen. He accidentally sets his mug on a pen hiding under some papers and it tips over and spills the rest of its contents on the pages.
He jumps up out of his chair to avoid it spilling on his lap. “Sonovabitch!” He picks up some papers, trying his best to salvage what didn’t already get ruined.
A soldier walks in the room and clears his throat to announce his presence before saluting. “Sir, I’m sorry to disturb you, but there’s a convoy heading this way most likely carrying the Ark specialist.”
The Major throws the wet papers on the table and turns around to look out the window before leaving the room with the soldier right behind him.
He walks out on the front porch and puts his hands on his hips. “Take a team down to the gates and assist them in getting inside safely. I take it comms are still down?” He turns around and looks at the soldier.
The soldier straightens his posture as soon as the Major turns toward him. “Sir, yes, sir. Comms are still down.”
The Major turns back to look out beyond the gates and then he starts to walk back into the house but stops. “Get down there and help out where you can, then report back to me.”
The soldier salutes the Major and then takes off down the hill and meets up with the squad moving toward the gates.
The Major walks into the house and back into his office and over to the blueprints. He takes one last look at them before turning around and looking out the window. Then he grabs his binoculars, gingerly walks upstairs into the master bedroom, and sits in the chair in front of the window before looking through them.
The gunfire rate and intensity increase as he moves the binoculars along the fence line and soon comes upon a group of vehicles slowly making its way toward their makeshift fence. The nonstop heavy weapons fire coming from multiple vehicles in the convoy is like music to his ears, and he’s ecstatic that their vehicles must have been out of range of the EMP and were obviously not affected.
He adjusts his binoculars while sitting up in his chair, intensely focused on what the convoy is planning on doing when it gets to the perimeter fencing.
The convoy continues to move through the herd of Infected, mowing them down like a weed-whacker as they fall like blades of grass.
Once the caravan gets within fifty yards of the perimeter fence, the Major turns back toward the men in the perimeter and sees them all falling back once they realize it’s increasing in speed as it gets closer.
As soon as the first vehicle hits the fence, every soldier still left inside the perimeter falls back inside the gates and joins the rest of the men. They spread out along the fence line and begin picking off the Infected while a few soldiers stay by the fence to most likely open the gates once the first vehicle gets close.
The first Stryker has no problem taking down the fence, but pulls down a few attached sections along with it, making an even wider opening for the undead to get through. Gunfire increases as soon as the fence comes down, and bodies are now pouring into the unsecure perimeter.
The Major pulls down his binoculars and draws his handguns from his hip for inspection. Once satisfied, he stands up and again looks out at what’s unfolding.
The men by the gates open them and the first Stryker successfully gets through, then immediately turns along the fence and back to the Infected. The second and third Strykers get through successfully, but the first Humvee gets stuck on the fencing, which halts the following vehicles.
A few vehicles in the convoy start to disappear from the Infected swarming them like flies on shit, and most of the gunfire is redirected and concentrated on the swarmed vehicles, but as soon as they do so, they too are covered in undead.
The Major walks back and forth in front of the window trying desperately to get a better view. He quickly waves off a soldier who comes to the door needing his attention which he won’t receive.
The stuck Humvee finally gets dislodged when the rest of the convoy pushes it past the fence and then slowly gets moving again. Heavy weapons fire and numerous explosions light up the battlefield in a display of sheer military power and the vehicles are able to get inside the gates along with Infected.
The soldiers once manning the gates have since backed away and are now taking refuge behind the vehicles. The vehicles slowly start moving away from the gates as more and more Infected enter . . . some crawling . . . some running.
Chapter 15
John anxiously waits in the corridor with Peter and his team, everyone looking just as impatient as he feels. The unknowing of if or when the military is going to come storming down that tunnel is unnerving and is starting to get to John, who’s been unable to sleep or even relax because of the uncertainty. He sits on a few sandbags against the wall in a spot where he can see clearly down both tunnels leading to the Ark and the house the military is held up in, and his eyes won’t stop bouncing back and forth to each one. Even when he feels like he falls asleep, he’s instantly awoken and his eyes dart around trying desperately to gain clarity.
Right when John dozes off, the echoing sound of footsteps coming down a tunnel forces him to jump out of his seat and almost fall face first when he gets to his feet. He moves from side to side in the tunnel to try and get a better look at what’s coming toward them . . . but he starts to feel a little relaxed once he’s positive it’s coming from the Ark tunnel.
Large shadows begin to appear along the tunnel walls, followed by a team of about six people moving toward them all wearing Hazmat suits . . . and some carrying rifles.
John gives the order for everyone to stand down and return to guarding the other corridor, and so the men do. Right when he lowers his rifle, a sound of footsteps running can be heard from behind them, and everyone turns and raises their weapon toward the military tunnel, but soon realize it’s not coming from there, so they reposition their rifles toward the tunnel coming from John’s house.
Both groups are aiming their rifles and handguns at Nate when he runs up and quickly slides to an abrupt stop once he sees all the muzzles trained on him.
“Whoa! It’s just me . . . Nate. You can lower your guns.” He puts his hands up right when John and his group lower their rifles, but the Hazmat suits do not.
John has to do a double take once he realizes they haven’t lowered their rifles. “Hey, guys, lower your fuckin’ rifles . . . he’s with us.”
The Hazmat team takes a second to look at each other before slowly lowering its rifles.
Nate puts his hands down and starts to slowly walk toward John, but with a cautious eye on the Hazmat team. “Ah . . . we’ve got a serious situation on our hands that’s about to get worse real quick.”
John takes another glance toward the Hazmats, then at Nate. “What’s goin’ on? What do you mean by serious situation?”
Nate takes a deep breath and loudly exhales before responding. “Another military convoy arrived and when they tried to let them in the gates, they let the zombies in with them.”
John’s heart feels like it skips a beat when he hears the words come out of Nate’s mouth, which forces his jaw to slack for a moment. “Ah—what? Did you just say Infected breached the gates?”
“Yes, that’s what I said.” Nate looks around John at those behind him.
John turns around toward the group and waits for a response from anyone, but no one responds. “Um—did you guys . . . ah, hear what he just said?” He turns back toward Nate and then back to the group.
Peter shakes his head. “We better make this fast.” He turns his head toward the Hazmat team and then back to John. “We need to get everyone inside the Ark ASAP.”
John shakes off the haze caused by the shocking words still rattling around in his head, almost like his brain doesn’t want to fully process them. He fights the urge to panic, but feels himself starting to hyperventilate, the lack of sleep proving more difficult then just mind over matter. “Fuck . . . fuck . . . fuck!” He paces back and forth a few times before raising his rifle and looking like he wants to smash it on the ground, but he doesn’t.
“What do you want to do, John? I need go tell the others what the plan is.” Nate briefly turns back toward the house and then waits for a response.
John continues to pace back and forth, but eventually lowers the rifle with blood-colored hands, obviously from squeezing it too tight. “Motherfucker . . . fuckin’ cocksuckers.”
“John . . . what should I tell them?” Nate puts his palms in the air.
“Just gimme a second.” He finally stops pacing and then drops down to a crouch position while holding his rifle upright.
Nate drops his hands and looks back down the tunnel leading to John’s house. “I hate to be rude, but we really don’t have a second to—”
“Alright.” He stands up and turns toward Peter and group. “Here’s the plan.” He turns toward the Hazmat team. “Who’s in charge here?”
One of the men not carrying a rifle steps forward. “That would be me. I’m—”
“I don’t care . . . just get your men moving and make this whole process fast. Do I make myself clear? What all do you need to do?”
“We just need to get basic info from each person along with their vitals and a blood and saliva sample. That’s it.”
“Great. Nate here will be escorting you to the house and I’ll be along shortly. Now get going, and like I said, make it quick.”
“Copy that.” The Hazmat team moves past everyone, but then one stops and turns around. “What about these guys? We can test them now.” He points to Peter and his team.
“I’ll send them up one at a time once we get a replacement down here to spell them. I’ll figure that out once I get up there, but for now, get moving.”
The man nods his head and turns back to rejoin his group.
John turns around to face Peter. “Peter, follow me.” He tilts his head and then walks down the tunnel a short distance and turns around with Peter right behind him. “Peter, we need to somehow keep you out of the loop when it comes time for testing. I’m not exactly sure how we’re going to do that quite yet, but I’m working on it.”
“Copy that. I’ll stay here as long as I can and guard the tunnel. Maybe I can switch clothes with one of the men we send or something.” Peter shrugs his shoulders and then peeks over John’s shoulder.
John pulls at his beard while deep in thought when Peter looks at him. He regains his focus on Peter and puts one hand on his shoulder. “No worries, kid; we’ll come up with something. In the meantime, stay sharp, and I’ll be back in no time.” He smacks the side of Peter’s arm and then takes off down the tunnel.
He jogs for a short while and soon gets to the hatch opening. John quickly climbs the ladder with a sharp pain that shoots down his back reminding him to take it easy, even though it’s not an option right now.
He takes a second once he gets topside to make sure he didn’t tweak something again. Once satisfied with how his back feels, he moves upstairs and, upon entering the kitchen, is instantly met with the sounds of chaos coming from every direction.
John rushes into the living room to what appears to be some kind of standoff between the Hazmat team and a handful of his group. They are pointing rifles at each other while screaming at the top of their lungs. Nate and Kelly are standing in the middle of everything with their palms up and facing each group, looking like they’re desperately trying to keep the peace.
John raises his arms and holds his rifle in the air before entering the circle to join Kelly and Nate. “Weapons down, now!” He turns back and forth to each group as the shouting becomes minimal. “Now, dammit! Rifles down right fucking now!” He slowly lowers his rifle to the ground and sets it down. “One gunshot will send every nonliving creature and soldier straight for us, and then we’ll all be up shit’s creek! Now, everyone, lower your fucking weapons right fucking now before you get us all killed.” He turns to lo
ok at Nate and Kelly. “I thought you guys let everyone know what these men were here to do?”
Kelly continues to look back and forth between groups. “We didn’t have a chance to let everyone know and this group was one we didn’t get to . . . sorry, John.”
“That’s okay, Kelly. No harm, no foul, just as long as everyone does what we say and lowers their fucking guns before I kick their asses outta my house.” He looks at his group with raised eyebrows and a pursed lip smile.
Slowly, everyone in the room eventually lowers their rifles and lets down their guard. They still look a little wary, but even from where John’s standing it’s completely understandable.
“Now, these people are here to run some tests on us so we can get in the Ark as quickly as possible. So please be as cooperative as possible so we can move this along and get it done. Because either those things or the military will be here any day now, so the sooner we can get to safety, the better. Does everyone understand that, or are we gonna have a problem with anyone? Because, like I said, if you do . . . there’s the door . . . good luck.” He points back toward the main hallway while still maintaining brief eye contact with some of the people around the room.
Everyone appears to be on the same page and no one seems hostile at the moment. John lowers his arm and smiles at everyone. “Alright then, everyone. We need to split up into groups where some people will be getting tested while the rest will gather as much lumber, hardware, and tools as possible and start reinforcing the windows and doors in preparation for not only a possible military incursion, but now also a threat from the Infected. I know a lot has been done already to prepare for the military, but now we need to change our thought process and board up every window and door. I’m pretty sure there’s some particle board and some other lumber in the shed out back, along with some tools. Anything else will be either in the garage or in the basement.” He turns toward the Hazmats. “You guys start with the sick, injured, and younger ones before you work your way up to those helping.” He turns his head back and forth between groups. “If there aren’t any questions, let’s get moving . . . now . . . move out.”
The Ark Series (Book 3): The Ark of Alliance Page 8