After that, the Variants hunted her relentlessly. Maggie survived by sheer determination. Variants ambushed them on a bridge. Maggie killed as many as she could, but there were simply too many. The injured official was of no use. Variants swarmed over them. In desperation, Maggie pushed herself and the official off the bridge. Surprise turned to hope when the Variants stayed out of the water. They managed to cling to a floating log, shivering in the freezing water. The injured official died during the night from what Maggie suspected was hypothermia. Wary that she would follow the same fate, Maggie left the relative safety of the river and fled into the chaos. Alone, and far from home.
Maggie pivoted around 360, searching the rooftops, wishing she still had that M4 for the hundredth time. Nothing was wrong with the AR-15 she held, apart from the fact that the magazine only held seven bullets. Alice had explained it was to do with the firearm laws of New Zealand. Maggie had adapted a few magazines to take more, but not enough.
With no sign of Variants, she quickly shut the vehicle doors and turned the ignition. She said a silent prayer as the engine roared to life. Doing a three-point turn away from the fountain, she glanced back at the disappearing harbour with its boats — boats that could take her home. Home on the range, to the big open skies of Texas. Home to family. Sighing, Maggie concentrated on navigating her way through the inner-city streets of Tauranga. Earlier, she had been too busy firing at their attackers to take notice of their route. She quickly worked out that, like most cities, the streets were laid out in a grid. After a few turns, she found the main road and gunned the engine, urging more speed out of the 4x4. Sunlight reflected off several windshields a mile or so up the road. Hurrying to catch up, she slid into the back position of the convoy, taking up the tail-end Charlie spot. A radio squawked to life.
Maggie shuddered involuntarily.
“Who the hell is that at the back?”
She scrambled around, one hand on the wheel, the other searching for the radio.
“Answer me, back vehicle.”
Lifting up the center console, she found the black radio. What the hell was that guy’s name? Thinking quickly, she pressed the talk button. Coughing and hacking, Maggie made her voice as deep as possible. “It’s Terry.”
“Terry? From the farm?”
Keeping up her coughing, Maggie prayed it would disguise her American accent. “Yeah.”
“Terry, you sound awful. Where the hell have you been?”
“I stopped for a piss, then I got lost. Saw you guys drive past.”
“Okay. Did you catch the escapees?”
“Yup, shot the bitch. Kids are en route back to the farm.”
“About fucking time. I still don’t know how you idiots let some women escape with a bunch of kids. Follow us to the highway. I’m coming down to the farm tomorrow to sort your mess out. Over.”
“Okay. Copy.”
Maggie let out a breath and, tucking the radio beside her, turned the volume up so she could keep up with any chatter.
She followed the convoy as the road wound up the river valley and climbed its way up into the foothills, heading back to the Kaimai Mountains. Maggie counted twelve vehicles, mainly 4x4s like hers and a couple of white cargo vans. The flatbed truck on which the huge Variant with his grotesque trophy heads rode followed two lead vehicles. It reminded Maggie of a documentary she’d once seen on wolves. A couple of strong wolves led the pack through the snow, with the rest of the pack following.
The Alpha Variant had positioned himself behind two 4x4s, each with five of the creatures clinging to the roof racks. Even from this distance, she could see that they were bigger than most Variants. Maggie caught glimpses of red and the shadows of human collaborators through the windows.
As they climbed higher up into the clouds enveloping the bush-clad peaks, Maggie stole a few glances at the scenery. It was so green and lush. Tall forests of beech and podocarps hugged the rugged hills. She could understand why they had chosen to film Lord of the Rings here. It was perfect. Sweeping fields of grass curved away, and farm buildings dotted the landscape. Farms that had once held sheep and cattle, farms that once hummed with life. Maggie thanked God that Izzy was safe with Him and not living through this nightmare. She missed her princess every day. Thoughts of her daughter motivated her to continue fighting. Maggie could feel her looking down from heaven, protecting her. Maggie smiled. She really did have a guardian angel watching her.
Good. I need all the help I can get for this crazy mission.
Doubts nagged at her with every mile. Was she doing the right thing? Would Alice get Becs, Leela, and the other kids to the safety of Mayor Island? Maggie knew she couldn’t leave the kid Alice knew to the horrible fate that awaited him. What was his name? Bruce? Brian? Something like that. She knew she had to find out where these kids were being taken. If she died saving them, then at least she would know she had died trying. She could be at peace, and finally be with Izzy and God.
Maggie brushed away her doubts and thoughts as the road finally breached the crest of the peak and began its descent. She gasped at the view. A patchwork of fields lay spread out like a giant quilt, stretching away to the west, to the spine of green mountains that ringed the plains. She grinned at the sight. Even during the apocalypse, nature had a way of taking hold of her and capturing the moment. It forced its beauty into her memory, to be thought of and appreciated at some future time. She drove on, her trepidation growing.
The convoy slowed, edging its way between a knot of cars that had tangled with a truck. The truck had jackknifed and snagged itself on the fences. Burned out husks of cars had been pushed aside, allowing enough room for the convoy to pass. The truck carrying the Alpha passed through the gap, scraping against the crashed lorry. The shriek of metal on metal rang in Maggie’s ears, making her shudder. Another higher-pitched shriek echoed out and Maggie watched, mesmerised, as a black wave of Variants poured out from behind the abandoned cars, attacking the convoy.
Maggie slammed on the brakes, bringing her 4x4 to a skidding stop. She glanced in the rearview mirror, checking her six for an escape. More Variants poured out from the fields to attack the convoy, cutting off that option.
Her radio blared to life. “Stay down!”
Chaos erupted as the Alpha bellowed, a terrifying deep howl that shook her bones as it reverberated up through the metal floor of her vehicle. The Alpha jumped down off the truck. The Variants from the two lead 4x4s sprang into action. Five of them jumped up onto the flatbed truck, forming a semicircle around the two kids slumped against the cab. The other five grouped around the Alpha, shrieking and howling.
Maggie locked her doors and grabbed her rifle. The attacking Variants ignored her and the others in red coveralls. Instead, they attacked the convoy Variants. Claws drawn and sucker mouths smacking, the two rival groups smashed into each other. They tore hunks out of flesh and snapped limbs. Maggie watched, horrified, as the huge Alpha waded through the melee, plucking Variants off the ground and snapping their necks with flicks of its huge claws. It speared a creature with a claw and bit off its head with one snap of its mighty jaws. New howls joined in the racket. She turned her head, and watched as a new horde joined the battle to fight alongside the Alpha and its Variants. Tearing, snapping, clawing. As the Variants continued to fight each other, there was no mercy given, no quarter. This was a fight to the death. A no-prisoners massacre.
The Alpha and the new arrivals made short work of the attackers. She watched as some of the attacking Variants were chased down and disposed of. With a final huge bellow, the convoy Variants jumped back onto their rides and the convoy started to move off again, heading west. Maggie shook her head. It was as if nothing had happened. She pulled her cap down tighter over her head, and prayed her disguise would last awhile longer. As she crept the 4x4 through the gap, she could see the victorious Variants picking up the bodies of the dead and lumbering away across the fields.
Maggie held up a shaking hand. She had faced the Talib
an in Afghanistan and insurgents in Iraq, but seeing the Variants battle each other had shaken her to the core. She gripped the steering wheel, willing herself to stay strong. She had some kids to rescue.
Maggie glanced up to heaven. Look out for me, Princess. Mom has to fight a demon.
TWENTY-ONE
Jack bent down and helped Dee from the lake. Pain from his fresh wounds shot up his spine. He took the whimpering form of Max from Dee and laid him on sand. Max’s eyes met his. He managed a small wag of his tail and licked Jack’s hand. Gently, he checked over their adopted dog. He had no cuts or tears on his skin. When Jack pressed his hand against Max’s ribs, the dog let out a pained howl and licked at Jack again. Seeing the injured Max, Jack couldn’t help the tears forming. As an animal-lover, seeing any injured animal pained him. Especially a loved pet. He leant down and kissed the dog on his head.
“All right buddy, we’ll get you home. Hang in there.”
He looked up at Dee. She was rubbing herself dry with the small hiking towels they carried in their packs. She paused, smiling at him, watching. He always admired how she found the time to smile at him despite everything that was going on. He knew she was just as concerned about the boys as he was. Six had told them about the Trophy King being on the island, and with what he and Dee had discovered, he was in no doubt now: this attack had been planned.
Could they even think like that?
Like the others, he thought they had left that beast behind on top of that mountain. With this attack, it seemed to Jack that this Alpha not only had retained its human intelligence, but used it to collaborate with humans. And had come for them to settle a score. Memories of the nest he and George had escaped from, and the horrors that lay within, came flooding back. Jack swallowed down the lump that was forming in his throat. Not only did he feel guilty for not being on the island to help defend against the attack, but he felt some responsibility for it. His escape and his actions had caused the Alpha to purposely seek them out to mete out his revenge.
Dee reached out, grabbing his arm. “Hey, come back to me, babe.”
“Sorry, I just feel guilty. What if this is our fault, Dee? What if the Trophy King came here for us?”
“I know, Jack. I feel it too.” Dee knelt with him beside Max and kissed his cheek. “We’re going after him, right?”
“Remember in Fellowship of the Ring when Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas went after Merry and Pippin?”
“Of course. We’ve watched that movie so many times!” she said, punching his arm.
“Dee, we’re going after them, because the thought of the boys being in that place cuts into my soul. I know what’s there. I couldn’t go on knowing that and not doing anything about it.”
He pulled her into a hug, kissing her neck. Tears filled his eyes. Dee once again pulled away from him. Standing up, she shouldered her pack and checked her rifle before holding it ready.
“Well, come on then. Pack light, for we travel far and swift.”
Jack grinned at her. Standing, he cradled Max into his arms. With a last look at the crater lake, he followed his wife’s striding figure back into the caves.
***
Jack’s arms burned with the exertion of holding the injured Max. He paused and shifted the weight of his load, attempting to relieve some of the pressure. Dee was scanning ahead, looking for other Variants.
Where there is one, there are many.
He had radioed Ben with the news of what they had discovered. Ben had relayed the information that patrols had encountered several groups of the beasts, and warned them to stay vigilant. They stopped several times to rest, the last few days of madness finally catching up with them. After forty-five minutes, they made it back to the village. The sun was beginning to sink lower in the sky, bathing the small settlement in an orange glow. Activity buzzed all around them as they made their way to the old hotel. Several soldiers wearing chemical suits and masks were stacking dead Variants into piles, ready to be incinerated.
Entering the FOB, he gently laid Max on his bed near the door. Jack scooped out a few biscuits and scratched his ears. Max licked Jack’s hand and wagged his tail in appreciation.
Jack scanned the room. Ben was standing at the main table, deep in discussion with a couple of sergeants. Spotting them, he waved them over.
As Jack approached the table, he could see a large map of the island spread out on it. Red circles had been drawn over it, one of which circled the lake. It was going to take them a while to flush out the remaining Variants, and with so many caves on the island, perhaps never. Ben gave one of the sergeants an order to set up a perimeter with rotating patrols. Jack reached for Dee’s hand and grasped it, comforted by her touch.
Ben turned and looked them over, shaking his head. “You two have to be the luckiest sons of bitches I’ve ever met.”
Jack glanced at Dee. “Why?”
“How many Variants were in that crater?”
“Five or six?”
“Five or six. Yet here you are, still living and breathing.”
Ben glanced down at Jack’s wounds, which were seeping blood. “Jack, go and see the Doc after we’ve finished here. I’m going to be tied up here most of the night. I want you two to get some sleep.” He paused, looking at them in turn. His voice softened. “Look, I know you’re worried about the boys, and you have every right to be. If what you say about the Alpha is true, I know you want to go charging off after them. But you guys need rest. You look like shit. Get some sleep. We’ll plan a search and rescue in the morning. I’m posting a couple of guards at the villa.”
Jack rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the wispy hair with the tips of his fingers. “We think he’s taken them back to the dam.”
“You don’t know that for sure, Jack. He could’ve moved his nest somewhere else.”
“Maybe Ben, maybe. I just know he has. Like that friggin’ dam has some weird cosmic meaning.”
Ben reached out and grasped Jack’s arm. “Get some food and some rest. We’ll sort it out in the morning.”
Dee gave Ben a squeeze. “Thanks, Ben. See you in the morning.”
Jack smiled as she hugged the grizzled old soldier.
A private Jack didn’t know ran out of the radio room and approached them. “Sir, I received a radio call. We have a boat coming. She says she has children on board.”
“Thank you, Private. Radio back to her to approach slowly to the south dock.”
Ben turned to one of the sergeants. “Tell your men to lock and load. We don’t want to get caught out again.”
The sergeant turned and left. Ben looked back at Jack and Dee. “Jack, go and get patched up. That’s an order. Dee, if they do have kids on board, they will respond better to a friendly face. I need you with me.”
Jack and Dee nodded. Jack embraced Dee, then headed to the infirmary, stopping only to scratch Max behind the ears. Jack was pleased to see that Max had eaten all his food.
Dee walked along the boardwalk, struggling to match Ben’s long strides as they made their way down to the smaller of the two jetties. A white and blue boat was slowly chugging its way towards it. Armed soldiers lined the jetty, Dee heard the synchronised sound as they clicked their rifles off safety.
The boat nudged the jetty. One of the soldiers jumped on board and tied the painter to the bollard. He lashed it tight before standing back, rifle raised and ready. Dee caught a glimpse of blonde hair in the wheelhouse. The door to the cabin creaked open. The soldiers on that side of the boat tracked it opening. A blonde-haired figure emerged from the cabin.
Dee’s heart leapt in her chest as she recognised the figure. “Don’t shoot! I know her.”
The woman turned towards Dee. Her mouth dropped open. “Dee?”
“Alice!” Dee leapt onto the boat and wrapped Alice in a hug. “I can’t believe it! You’re alive. What about Matt? Austin?”
Alice shook her head, tears falling freely down her cheeks. “Dee, I saw Boss. Some big ugly Variant had him.”
/>
“What? Really? Where?”
“Back in Tauranga. Maggie…she…she went after them.”
“Maggie? Who’s Maggie?”
“She helped us escape the camp. Rescued the kids.” Alice paused and pointed to the cabin. “Becs, Leela. Kids, you can come out now.”
Dee watched as a girl with red hair exited the cabin, a small blonde-haired girl in tow. More children followed them out one by one. Dee counted six all together. The kids’ eyes went wide at the sight of the soldiers and their guns.
Ben turned and waved them away. He reached out and shook Alice’s hand. “I’m Captain Johns, but please call me Ben. C’mon. Let’s get you guys fed.”
“Ben, she has intel on Boss. She saw them in Tauranga. The Trophy King had him. I suspect George too.”
“Alice, was there a red-haired boy?”
“Yeah, there was.”
Dee looked down at her feet, thinking, trying to gather her racing mind. Alice had just confirmed her and Jack’s worst fears. That was it. Tomorrow she was going to end this.
She caught Ben’s eye. “We have to go after them, Ben. I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll take this bloody boat and do it myself if I have to.”
“Okay, Dee. I believe you and I agree. Get them up to the villa. I’ll tie up some things down here, then join you. It sounds like we have a lot to plan.”
“Thanks, Ben.”
Dee reached out and hugged Alice again. She couldn’t believe it. Alice here, on this island? Somehow, against all the odds, she was seeing her friend again. She had hoped they had made it to Alice’s family’s sheep station, but with the horrors she and her friends had faced, barely escaping with their lives both times, her hopes had faded.
Alice reached down, grasped the little blonde girl’s hand, and helped her off the boat and onto the jetty.
Dee turned and helped the red-haired girl. “I’m Dee, what’s your name?”
Extinction NZ (Book 2): The Fourth Phase Page 17