“Are you fuckin’ with me? Because if you are, now is not the time to be fucking around. So, please, I ask. Are you fucking with me?” John swallows hard and then looks her straight in the eye.
“I wish I was, John, but unfortunately, I’m not. The irresponsible actions taken by the accused countries will not be ignored, and justice will be served.”
“What are you talking about . . . who are you, and why are you talking like you’re not from Earth or something? Whatever government agency you’re from was most likely part of this war, so I would get off your high horse.” Agitation is evident in his voice and in his eyes.
“Who I am isn’t important, John, but holding those responsible for almost obliterating one of a handful of life-sustaining planets within our galaxy . . . and then some . . . is what’s important. But that’s out of our hands, and soon you’ll have a chance to speak about the Ark and try to save it. But until then, just sit back and listen . . . you may learn something.”
John takes one last look at Ena before he sits back in his seat and the audio becomes audible again, interrupting his racing mind. He tries to fill in the gaps of her words, but it soon proves to be almost impossible, and the frustration of the unknown quickly takes over his thought process.
The conversation coming from the chair speakers eventually becomes coherent once John stops his mind from wandering into something he can’t even begin to comprehend, and he finally gives up trying and just listens to the conversation between the multiple people.
Even after an hour of listening, he’s still unsure what they are talking about. Nor does he know who anyone is, besides the representatives of each country that is clearly marked on their desks.
Two hours go by, and he’s still just as lost as to what is going on as when he started listening, but then hears someone say they will be concluding for the day and that now is the time for questions, comments, or concerns from the audience.
Ena reaches over, grabs his arm, and talks in a low voice. “Okay. Here’s your chance. Just place your palm on your armrest and wait for them to call you.”
John looks around the massive room, then at the monitor, and watches as all the armrests light up. Soon he can hear that someone is picked, followed by them immediately asking their question.
Ena moves his hand onto the armrest and his chair lights up before she leans in and then motions for him to get closer before whispering in his ear, “Just so you know, I can place you next in the queue whenever you’re ready.”
John looks at his name on the queue list displayed on the monitor and then looks at her like a deer in the headlights. “What am I supposed to say? I’m not good at public speaking. I usually clam up. And I have no idea what I’m even supposed to ask.” He stares at her for a moment and then looks around the room.
“John, right this very moment, your home and family are under attack by the very same military that swore to protect you, and the woman sitting in the center of the US desk is the one who can save you.” She points to the screen showing the camera feed zoomed in on a woman.
He knows he recognizes her, but can’t remember who she is. He squints his eyes and gets closer to the screen. “Who is that? I know I recognize her, but I can’t put a finger on who she is.”
“That’s your new president, Darlene Keaner.”
He looks at her, confused, and then looks at the monitor. “Wait . . . the vice president? She’s the president now?” He continues to stare at the monitor.
“Yes, sir. She’s now the President of the United States.”
His jaw slowly gapes and eventually just hangs open for a while as he processes the ramifications. “Holy shit! That’s great. I’ve always wanted a female president. I’m so glad it finally happened!”
“As are we. We’re extremely excited that a woman will finally be in charge . . . we have very high hopes for her and think it’s what’s best for this country.”
“Holy fuckin’ shit. I can’t believe we finally have a female president. I’m speechless . . . absolutely speechless.” He stares at her on the screen.
“The president past away about a month ago and she was sworn in shortly after. She’s one of the most intelligent human beings we’ve ever tested and not just in females, but men as well.”
“Well, yeah, everybody knows woman have had higher IQs for decades now, and ever since I heard doctor Amen speak about how females are not only more intelligent, but possess all the traits that make for the perfect leader. Things like reasoning, empathy, compassion, intuition, etcetera, these things amongst many others are what make up the best leader . . . and which are usually lacking in men . . . especially rich white men . . . that have done nothing but ruin this country because all rich white men care about is other rich white men, and that’s it. They don’t give a fuck about anyone else.” He quickly lowers his voice once he realizes how loud he was getting.
“Please try and stay calm, John. You need to focus on the task at hand and try not to let the quote unquote big picture make you lose sight of what’s most important right now, and that’s taking care of your home. The rest can be argued about and figured out down the road at this very place. But for now, you need to worry about what you are going to say when you are called upon. You need to convince those people down there that they need to order their troops off of your land and never bother you again. And you need to convince them with proof that they have no right to be there. Are you ready to do that, John? Are you ready to convince those listening that enough is enough and you, as a citizen of the United States of America, will not tolerate anymore immoral acts? So I hope you’re ready, John, because you’re up next.” She turns back in her seat and places her hand on the armrest, which activates a different color light on her chair.
John’s mind races into a frenzy, trying to analyze her words while attempting to think of what he’s going to say, but only comes up with panic as the moderator finishes up answering the last question.
The moderator then takes a moment to look at her screen before speaking. “Ah, yes.” She turns and looks in their direction. “Ena, how are you? I see you’re with . . .” She looks again at her monitor. “Ah, yes, of course, Mr. Angelite. I’m very anxious to hear what he has to say.”
Ena stands up and then slightly bows. “Hello, madam. And thank you.” She turns as she sits down and then looks at John. “Showtime, John. Here’s your chance to save your people.”
He sharply turns toward her while breathing heavily and while starting to sweat. He tries to say something, but he’s incapable of forming words as the fear takes over.
Ena sits forward in her seat while grasping his hand. “Madam, I think John needs a moment to gather his thoughts, so I’ll fill you in on the situation.” She pulls out her tablet and lays it on the armrest. She taps on the screen a few times and then waits a moment before speaking. “As you can see, the situation has gotten out of hand, and intervention is needed immediately.”
John stares at the camera feed coming from inside his garage, showing the battle raging in it. The amount of bodies and destruction mounting is hard to look at, rendering everyone in the room into uninterrupted quiet.
“As you can see, the bloodshed is disturbing and only getting worse. The US claims they are there because of a potential ‘cure’ that may exist in a young man currently residing within the Ark. Now, it is my belief that this is untrue, and the troops need to evacuate immediately or this will only get worse, and more and more innocent lives will be lost.”
The moderator studies her monitor for a few minutes and then leans over to discuss something with the person sitting next to her before taking one last look at the monitors. “Mister Angelite, this is your home. Do you have anything to add?”
John swallows hard and opens his mouth to say something right as Ena nudges his arm and raises her eyebrows. He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly with his eyes closed. He pops them open and breathes out is nose. “Yes, ah—madam, ah . . . what Ena says is true
. The military, as you can see, is attempting to get into the bunker I’ve built, and ah—” He again swallows hard. “Ah, well like Ena said, they say they just want Peter, but they’ve been trying to get into the Ark for a long time now, so I find it hard to believe they’re there just for that. And I’m asking you to please have them removed from my land before anymore blood is shed . . . please.” He looks at Ena and waits.
The moderator looks toward the US desk. “President Keaner, your response?”
The president turns to discuss with the person sitting next to her before responding. “Madam, this was something put in place before I took office and I’ve been attempting to fight it ever since, but have just had too much opposition. Is it possible to put an end to the question by having the individual tested so we can rule out the chance that he’s carrying a cure?”
The moderator looks toward Ena and John. “Ena, is this possible? Can you contact Nye and Tye and have this done?”
“Absolutely. Just give me a minute to contact them.” She sits back in her seat and attempts to make contact.
Chapter 33
Maggie and Peter both pace back and forth as Nye and Tye continue to focus their attention on something of concern on one of their tablets. They haven’t yet said what it is, but both Maggie and Peter know it can’t be good.
Suddenly, they both look up as if they expect something to happen, and a few seconds later, the top of the dome slowly begins to dissipate and works its way down the bubble.
Maggie looks at the slowly deteriorating bubble that’s protecting them, and then at Nye and Tye. “What’s going on . . . what’s happening?”
Nye confirms something with Tye before she addresses Maggie. “Please take cover. We’re losing power and will soon lose our shields. Please prepare yourselves.”
They go back to working on their tablet while slowly stepping back and positioning themselves better behind what’s left of a car.
Maggie looks at Peter, who’s already eyeballing their rifles. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”
“If you’re thinkin’ about grabbin’ our rifles and entering this fight, then I’d say yes.” Peter stretches his neck and shoulders.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking. Just grab the guns and then get to cover before we engage. Okay?” She looks at him with concerned eyes, which he just glances at, and then back at the rifles.
He hesitates for a moment and doesn’t look her in the eye. “Ah . . . okay, yeah, yeah. Copy that.”
“Please don’t be a hero, Peter. Just grab the guns and get to cover, okay?”
“I will. And don’t worry, I’ll protect you.”
She smiles and then touches his shoulder. “I know you will. That’s why I don’t need you doing something foolish just because you want to help your friends.”
He glances at her again and then back at Jason and Dave, huddled behind a hole-filled car and barely able to return fire due to the onslaught of bullets pounding their surroundings. “As soon as we get cover, we need to redirect some of the gunfire toward us. That way they can get to better cover and hopefully gain the ability to return fire.”
“Copy that.” She looks up again at what’s left of the shield.
“Total shield loss in . . . five, four, three, two . . . please take cover.” Nye moves behind a car, followed by Tye.
Both Maggie and Peter dive for their weapons and then immediately get behind an SUV.
The gunfire seems to pick up around the room, coming from various groups of people in very sporadic bursts.
Peter looks at Maggie and then at Jason and Dave, then pulls the slide back on his rifle, leans around the car, and returns fire.
Maggie lifts her rifle over her head and fires aimlessly through the blown-out windows in an attempt to help redirect the gunfire onto them. After only a few seconds, the gunfire from all around them intensifies and forces Maggie to duck down.
Peter continues to fire his rifle around the side of the SUV, which enables Jason and Dave to establish better cover and return fire.
Maggie tries to make herself as small as possible behind the truck, but then wonders if bullets could get under it. She moves over behind the driver’s side rear tire and then looks at Peter, then at Nye and Tye. Tye continues to work on his tablet while Nye appears to be communicating with someone.
Maggie plugs her ears right as explosions coming from in front of the vehicle shake the floor and move the truck back slightly, which forces her to jump away from it.
She sees Peter move back to accommodate and then he goes back to returning fire once he reloads.
Maggie continues to plug her ears while she looks at Nye moving toward her. Once she gets close, Maggie pulls her finger out of her ear.
“We need to displace at once and find safety. Please inform Peter we will be moving out momentarily.” Nye turns to go back, but Maggie stops her.
“What do you mean we need to leave? We need to help our friends, not abandon them.” Maggie points in the direction of Jason and Dave.
“This is not an option. Our orders are to get you and Peter to safety. I’ll fill you in as soon as we accomplish that.” Nye pulls away from Maggie’s outstretched hand and goes back to Tye’s side.
Maggie moves closer to Peter and yells toward his ear when she gets close. “We have to move out of the area and find safety.”
Peter stops firing and then ducks down behind the truck before turning toward Maggie. “What’re you talking about? We can’t leave them. They need us.”
Maggie shrugs her shoulders and looks over at Nye and Tye. “They said they have orders to get us to safety and then they’ll fill us in. I think we should listen to them.”
Peter looks around Maggie at Nye and Tye and then looks at Jason and Dave, still in the midst of fighting for their lives. “I can’t leave them. You go, and I’ll catch up to you later.”
Maggie puts her hand on his arm right before he goes to lean back around the truck. “I don’t want to leave you behind, Peter. Please come with us. Once we find out what they want, we can come back and help with the fight, but something’s up, I just know it, and my gut tells me we need to listen to them right now.”
Peter deflates his body and lets out a sigh. “Can’t you find out what they want without me? I really don’t want to leave them behind.”
Right when he finishes, Nye appears over Maggie’s shoulder. “You must come with us, Peter. We have orders coming directly from command with which Ena and John are in direct contact with. So it’s imperative you both come with us, and we need to leave now. Please prepare to move out as soon as we throw a smoke grenade.”
“Smoke grenade? You just had a force field surrounding us and now all you have is a smoke grenade?” Maggie looks at her with a furrowed brow.
“Something has drained our battery, and some of our electronics are not functioning at this time. All we have is a smoke grenade, so please prepare yourselves for detonation.” She scurries back to Tye’s side.
Maggie looks over at Jason and Dave and then at Peter. “You heard ’em. We gotta go. Don’t worry; we’ll find out what’s going on and then be back before you know it. I know you don’t want to leave them, but we’ll be fast, I promise.”
Peter looks at Maggie and then at Jason and Dave. “Just make sure we make it fast.”
“Deal.” She smiles and then looks at Nye right as she throws the grenade over top the car. “Okay, here we go. Get ready to move.”
A bang is immediately followed by a hiss, and then a cloud quickly forms in between them and their attackers.
Nye motions to them to move out, and so Maggie and Peter take one last look at each other before moving toward them while staying low to the ground. Right when they get behind the same car as Nye and Tye, they all move along the rear of the vehicle and make their way toward the door they entered from.
Once safely on the other side of the door, Maggie turns to Nye. “Okay, we’re out of harm’s way. Please tell us what’
s going on so we can get back to helping our friends.”
“We need to get take a sample of Peter’s blood so it can be tested for a potential cure. If it does not contain antibodies or a basis for a cure, then there’s a chance your uncle and Ena can get the military to depart the Ark. Also, our testing equipment needs to charge as well, so where can we accomplish that?”
Maggie only takes a second to think before she responds. “Medical. They’ll have everything we need to take his blood, as well as the ability to charge your gear. Here, follow me. I think I remember how to get back.” She doesn’t wait for a response from anyone before walking away.
She turns back to see if anyone is following her, and sees all three right behind. They move through the hallways as fast as they can, trying to stay as quiet as possible, but are forced to slow their pace anytime they come across a section of metal grating due to the amount of noise they make.
After a while, they get to a door leading to a stairwell, and Maggie turns to address everyone. “Medical should be down here . . . I hope.” A look of uncertainty becomes obvious right when she turns to open the door.
Peter grabs her arm. “Hold up . . . did anyone else hear that?” He looks at Maggie and then at Nye and Tye while looking like he’s listening.
A faint screech coming from the other side of the door is quickly overpowered by another screech coming from down the hall. Peter backs away from Maggie and raises his rifle toward the sound.
“Fuck, contact!” He doesn’t fire his weapon before he lowers it and looks at Maggie, who’s opening the door. “No, wait!” He lunges for Maggie and pushes her out of the way just as something hits the door on the other side, which slams the door into his forehead. He stumbles back and tries to shake off the blurry vision, but can barely make out an Infected getting up from off the ground.
Maggie rolls onto her back and screams, “Peter, look out!”
The creature stands up and screeches at Peter before launching itself at him. He staggers backward and is somehow able to barely dodge the beast coming at him as it falls to the ground behind him.
The Ark Series (Book 3): The Ark of Alliance Page 18