Cold Sanctuary (John Decker Series Book 2)

by Anthony M. Strong

  “I’m sorry about your friends.” Mina took a step toward him.

  “What?” He looked puzzled for a second, as if he found it hard to believe anyone would feel sympathy for him. “It’s fine.” He lingered by the door. “Now go over to the cabinet and find me those trays.”

  Dominic shook his head. “You do know that if you take those vials, let them fall into the wrong hands, a lot of people will die. You will be condemning innocent people to the same kind of suffering your friends are now enduring.”

  “Do I look like I care?” If Silas felt any compassion, it was now gone. “Just get me what I came for.”

  “Alright.” Mina made her way to the cabinet. She opened it and paused, looking at the two trays of vials. “What are you going to carry them out in? You can’t take them like this; these trays aren’t safe to carry.”

  “I don’t know.” Silas looked around, his eyes alighting on the red cooler Jerry and Boyd had brought down weeks before. It was still there, placed against the wall. “That will work fine. Put the vials in it and hurry up. I don’t want to spend any more time in here with that thing on the gurney than I have to.”

  “I’ll get it.” Decker walked to the cooler and carried it over to Mina.

  She looked at him, and then spoke under her breath. “You know he will kill us the minute he gets what he wants, don’t you?”

  Decker placed a hand on her shoulder. “I think he will kill us if he doesn’t.”

  “I’m scared.” Mina looked up into his face.

  “I know.” Decker wished he could tell her everything would be alright, but he wasn’t sure that it would.

  It was at that moment that the lights went out.

  The lab was plunged into darkness.

  61

  Decker kept his hand on Mina’s shoulder as the lights went out. He leaned close to her and whispered. “Don’t move, whatever you do.”

  “What is going on?” She kept her voice hushed. “Did you have something to do with this?”

  “No,” Decker replied. He peered into the blackness, hoping to see something, anything, but he was completely blinded. The only upside was that Silas would be blind too.

  “What did you do?” Silas asked, his voice rising through the darkness, a quiver of panic punctuating his words. “Get the lights on again, right now.”

  There was a long, expectant pause.

  Silas spoke again. “Hey, scientist man. Turn the goddamn lights on or I’m gonna make you wish you weren’t born.”

  “I can’t.” Dominic sounded scared. “I didn’t do this.”

  “Damn it,” Silas cursed. “You had better not be lying to me.”

  “I’m not.” Dominic spoke again. “I swear.”

  “Shit. What do we do now?” Silas said. “Did we trip a fuse somehow?”

  “Unlikely,” Dominic answered. “The base systems are automated. Besides, if there is a fuse box, I have no idea where it is.”

  “This just keeps getting better,” Silas said. “We’ll never find our way out in the pitch black.”

  “Even if we could, it won’t do any good,” Dominic said. “The elevator runs on electricity. If the power is out there is no way back to the surface.”

  “Great,” Silas moaned. “So we’re stuck down here until we starve to death.”

  “It’s worse than that. The air down here is pumped in from above. If we don’t get the power back on we’ll suffocate long before we starve.”

  “Shit.”

  “There must be a backup system,” Dominic said. “Although that should have kicked in by-“

  “Quiet,” Silas interrupted. “I think I hear something.”

  “I don’t hear anything,” Dominic said.

  “Listen.” Silas spoke in a hoarse whisper. “There, hear that?”

  “What?”

  “It sounds like footsteps coming in our direction,” Silas replied, an edge of fear in his voice. “There is someone down here with us.”

  Decker strained his ears, but he could hear nothing. He wondered if Silas was going crazy, or if the sudden blackout was affecting him.

  It turned out to be neither.

  “Drop the gun and raise your arms.” A voice boomed through the room.

  “Make me.”

  A shot rang out, the muzzle flash lighting up the scene for a brief moment. Decker turned toward the shot, realizing it came from where he’d last seen Silas prior to everything going dark.

  Another shot pierced the darkness.

  The idiot was firing randomly in the direction of the voice. He was going to get them all killed.

  “I said, drop your gun.” There was a bright flare. Another sharp crack filled the air. This time the muzzle flash was nowhere near Silas. Whoever had turned the lights off was now firing back.

  Silas let out a cry of pain.

  Two more small explosions made Decker’s ears ring. Great, they were caught in the middle of a gunfight with two combatants who could not see each other.

  “Get on the floor,” Decker whispered to Mina. “Keep your head down.” He waited until he was sure she had done as he asked and then followed his own advice.

  “Who is firing?” Mina’s voice was full of fear.

  “I don’t know,” Decker replied. “Whoever they are, I hope they are friendlier than Silas.”

  The room was illuminated as the newcomer fired again, the sound of the gunshot echoing in the confined space.

  Decker just happened to be looking toward Silas.

  He saw the man lit up for a brief instant, saw his shoulder erupt in a spray of blood, and then they were doused in darkness again.

  The silence that followed the exchange of bullets seemed somehow worse than the gun battle itself.

  Decker lay flat on the floor, his training telling him to make as small a target of himself as possible. Next to him, he knew, Mina was also sprawled out. He could hear her breath coming in sharp intakes. Once in a while a frightened sob escaped her. That was good, it meant that she was alive, and hopefully bullet free. He had no idea what had happened to Dominic, and he wasn’t willing to reveal his position to find out. If he had any sense, the scientist would have taken cover the minute the shooting started.

  Minutes passed.

  Decker wondered if the two combatants had somehow killed each other in the melee. He remembered his phone, tucked into his right trouser pocket. He could use that to provide enough light to find out, but then he would be lit up like a Christmas tree. For all he knew the gunman was waiting for one of them to reveal their location.

  The phone was not an option.

  They waited.

  After another minute went by Decker felt a hand reach for his. He gripped it and squeezed, reassuring Mina.

  At that moment, the lights flickered back on.

  62

  Adam Hunt picked his way back through the complex toward the equipment room. Despite the darkness, he could see just fine thanks to the set of night vision goggles he wore. Most people kept their shirts and ties in the closet, but Adam Hunt kept a cornucopia of more interesting objects in his. Past experience had taught him to be prepared for any eventuality, and the closet had become a repository for all manner of low and high tech black ops related items. At the end of this mission, when he was reassigned, they would all come with him, because it was better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

  Today he had needed the night vision goggles.

  The equipment room was a small, cramped space tucked in between the rec room and the living quarters. It was an unassuming space, easy to miss if you weren’t looking for it. Thankfully, Hunt knew every room in this complex. He had memorized them a few years before, at the start of his assignment.

  Hunt swiped his key card to gain access and hurried to the large breaker panel at the back of the room. He went to the panel marked EMERGENCY BACKUP, and lifted the breaker, reactivating the backup lighting system, then turned his attention to the main supply and
put that breaker back to the on position. Finally he removed his night vision goggles before the room was flooded with fluorescent light.

  His mission complete, Hunt slipped from the room and closed the door, making sure it clicked shut and that the lock engaged. Satisfied that the room was once again secure, he turned back toward the labs. Things had gotten out of control. Now he must contain the damage before the situation got any worse.

  63

  Decker raised his head and looked around. “We seem to be alone.”

  “Except for him.” Mina pointed to the form sprawled near the entrance to the freezer.

  “Is he dead?” Dominic lifted himself from the floor. “He looks dead.”

  “I don’t think so.” Decker approached Silas and picked up his gun. He checked the magazine and was pleased to find there was still some ammo left. “He’s still breathing. Just out cold.”

  “That’s a shame.” Mina joined Decker. She eyed the two bullet wounds on Silas, one on the shoulder, the other one lower, near the abdomen. Blood seeped through his shirt and stained the ground. “We could let him bleed out.”

  “That’s a little callous,” Dominic said.

  “He put a gun to my head. Threatened to blow my brains out. He doesn’t deserve my help.” Mina turned away.

  “No one is going to die.” A new voice joined the conversation.

  As one, the group turned toward the newcomer. Decker raised his gun, finger flexing on the trigger.

  “You won’t need that.” The stranger said. Even though he carried two weapons, an assault rifle slung over his shoulder, and a pistol sitting snug in a holster under his jacket, he raised his arms.

  “I take it you are responsible for shooting this man?” Decker nodded toward Silas.

  “Indeed I am.”

  Dominic dug his hands into his pockets. “I was wondering when you would show up. About time.”

  Decker glanced from the stranger to Dominic. “You know this guy?”

  “Oh yes,” Dominic replied. “He’s my co-worker.”

  “I’m his boss,” the stranger said. “My name is Adam Hunt, and my colleague here is Dominic Collins.”

  “I see.” Decker lowered the gun. “I think an explanation is in order. What is this place, and who do you work for?”

  “All in good time,” Hunt said, kneeling next to Silas. “First we need to patch this man up and put him somewhere secure.”

  “And how do you propose we do that?” Decker asked. “I’m sure Shackleton has a clinic, but we can’t really take him there, given his condition. A gunshot wound is bound to raise eyebrows.”

  “No need. There is a full medical suite down the corridor.” Hunt motioned to Decker and Dominic. “The two of you can carry him.”

  “We could put him on the gurney,” Decker said. “It has wheels.”

  “And it has a deformed monster corpse on it,” Mina interjected. “I’m not touching that thing. Gross.”

  “The girl’s right. We shouldn’t disturb the corpse. It might have been down here for years, but that doesn’t mean it is safe,” Dominic agreed. “Who knows what they did to that poor man.”

  “Besides, we may need the corpse for testing, so I can’t let it get contaminated.” Hunt put his hands on his hips.

  “Alright. I get it. We’ll carry him.” Decker offered the gun to Mina. “Here, hold this.”

  She eyed it with disdain. “Can’t you keep it?”

  “Not really. Unless you want to carry him?” Decker nodded toward Silas.

  “I’ll take the gun. Lesser of two evils.” Mina reached out and took it, holding the weapon at arm's length. “Maybe if I’m lucky it will go off and accidentally shoot him again.”

  “Just make sure it isn’t pointed in my direction if it does.” Decker leaned over and lifted Silas, slipping his hands under the prone man’s shoulders, careful to avoid the gunshot wound. He looked up at Dominic. “Take his feet.”

  “He looks heavy,” Dominic observed. “We could lift him into a chair and wheel him down the corridor.”

  “Just pick him up,” Hunt snapped. “He’ll be dead before we get him to the medical suite at this rate.”

  “Alright.” Dominic leaned toward Silas and took hold of his feet. He lifted his end with a grunt, glancing toward Hunt as he did so. “Seems you would be better at this than me.”

  “I’ve done my part, having rescued you and all.” Hunt turned and strode through the lab out into the corridor. “You’re welcome by the way.”

  “Dammit, Hunt, if you were any good you would have left him conscious so he could walk out under his own steam.” Dominic struggled to keep his end of the dead weight balanced.

  “Quit bellyaching.” Hunt was out of sight now; his voice drifted back into the room as Decker and Dominic heaved Silas toward the corridor.

  Mina walked beside them, the gun cradled in her hands.

  Decker watched her. If Silas came to and gave them any trouble she would be useless, a far cry from her usual self. He wondered why she loathed guns so much, especially living up here in a wilderness so vast that a gun might be the difference between life and death.

  They reached the corridor.

  Hunt stood waiting next to a door at the far end. He watched them stagger toward him, then held the door open as they drew close.

  The medical suite was small and outdated, but it appeared well equipped. The outer room must have served as a waiting area. Plastic chairs lined the walls, and a reception desk with metal legs sat catty cornered with a worn office chair behind it. A retro chrome fan stood on the desk, its blades dusty behind a gleaming grille. It crossed Decker’s mind that it would look great in Cassidy’s Diner. Nancy loved old stuff, and the fan would fit right in.

  There were three doors in the room, one to the left marked SURGERY, another to the right with the words EXAMINATION ROOM stenciled on the door, and one at the rear marked PHARMACY.

  Hunt led them to the door on the left. This second chamber contained an examination table parked under a large round light that extended from the ceiling on a flexible double-jointed arm. Various pieces of medical equipment lined the walls. They looked old. Decker hoped they would not need them, because he doubted they would work.

  “Put him up here.” Hunt tapped the table. “We’ll patch him up as best we can, then find somewhere nice and secure to put him.”

  Decker nodded and followed Hunt’s instructions. It took effort to lift him, but soon Silas was lying on the examination table. “How are we going to patch him up exactly? Are either of you doctors?”

  “I’ll do it,” Hunt replied. “This won’t be the first time I’ve pulled a bullet out.”

  “I don’t even want to know.” Dominic turned away.

  “Probably best.” Hunt leaned over Silas. “Now let’s take a look at him. Someone give me a hand here.”

  “Sure.” Decker took a step forward. “And then I think we need to have a talk. I have a few questions, and I suspect you have the answers.”

  64

  Decker peered into the quarantine cell, his eyes fixed on the creature within. It sat crouched in the corner, huddled in a tight ball. “So this is what has been killing people?”

  “Not this one.” Hunt rubbed his neck, soothing a knot of tension. “But yes, a similar creature.”

  “The other man.” Decker turned his gaze toward another cell, this one containing Silas, who now sat propped up against the wall, awake but groggy. “The one this guy was looking for.”

  “Right.” Hunt looked down. “I have been in Shackleton for a couple of years, monitoring the labs, preparing everything for removal once the road opens up. Several weeks ago a breach of the base tripped the security measures I had installed. I came down to investigate, but not before the intruders managed to activate a containment lockdown and expose themselves to whatever was being cooked up down here in the sixties.”

  “So how did the other one get loose?”

  “My mistake.” Hunt looke
d sheepish. “I underestimated the effects of the exposure. They weren’t as sick as I expected. I was leading them here when one of them jumped me. He managed to break free, got to the surface, and went to ground. I figured that whatever they were exposed to would kill them both, just like the guy on the gurney, so no big deal. Worst-case scenario, a corpse would show up. I was wrong.”

  “Instead they turned into monsters,” Mina said. “You’re responsible for at least eight deaths.”

  “I’m not the one who broke in here and got myself infected.”

  “No, but you are the one who let the situation get out of control.” Mina turned away. “Those people didn’t deserve to die like that.”

  “I agree.” Hunt looked down.

  “And since we’re being open with one another, something else is bothering me,” Mina said.

  “Go on.”

  “How did you know what was happening down here?” Mina drew a breath. “It can’t be a coincidence that you showed up when you did.”

  “We’ll talk about that later.”

  “I’d prefer to talk about it now,” Mina replied.

  “Fine.” Hunt glanced toward the door, looking uncomfortable. “I saw what was happening in your apartment.”

  “What?” Mina looked shocked. “How?”

  “Is it really important right now?”

  “Just answer her,” Decker said. “I’m a little curious myself.”

  “I had cameras and microphones in both your apartments.”

  “You bugged us?” Mina took a step forward.

  “I was keeping an eye on the two of you.”

  “You could see and hear everything we did?” A flash of anger passed across Mina’s face, followed by a look of horror. “You were watching everything I did, watching me undress, watching me shower?”

  “If I hadn’t put those cameras in your apartments, you would be dead now.”