by Greg Ramsay
“Makes me happy I’m alone, there’s no one deep in my heart left to lose,” Steele said sadly.
Lia watched her understandingly. “Your captain friend, I’m guessing?” Lia asked gently.
Steele’s eyes fell. “David, yes...”
After a seemingly long pause, Lia commiserated, “You’re not alone yet, Cap. Let’s get this shift done and go back to murdering like we were built for, in the morning.”
Black and Grant got into the Jeep leaving Steele and Lia to rest. Once they were settled with the laptops running, Black turned to Grant. “Ever get the feeling we’re out of the loop?” she said.
Grant laughed. “Oh, we definitely are. Although the way John always smiled at Lia, and how she looked like his ex... Them dating now is no surprise.” he said.
“I’m with you on that one; it was only a matter of time before they hooked up if you ask me. Lia may not have noticed, but God, were John’s puppy dog looks getting annoying,” Black said jokingly.
“That whole incident with the Leader when Lia almost died was just the final push in that direction,” Grant said in agreement. “Do you think it’ll last?” he asked.
“I hope it does; John’s always been lonely since Kathy became a shifted. He deserves a chance at some happiness in this mess of a world,” Black said.
Grant’s disposition darkened. Black looked over at him and he looked at her. “I wonder if there’s somebody out there for me now.” Black smiled.
“You never know, it’s never possible to predict fate,” she said. Grant laughed quietly.
“Ya, you’re right on that one, at least we’ll always be tight,” he said. Black pumped fists with him.
“Damn right, man,” she said.
John awoke when his CB radio in the tanker buzzed. He got out of the tanker with Wanderer at his heels. They got to the Jeep and took over for Black and Grant who went to the tanker. “Goodnight,” John said as they left. Black and Grant both said goodnight, then John climbed into the driver’s seat of the Jeep, letting Wanderer sit in the passenger seat. Jokingly John set a laptop in front of Wanderer and watched bemused as the big husky curiously sniffed at it. “You keep an eye out for any shifted on there for me buddy.” Wanderer wagged his tail then laid down across the seat. John laughed. “I guess that’s no,” he observed as he picked up the other laptop and situated them both in front of him.
Chapter 23 – Intensifying Doubt
Five hours later:
John was still watching the partitioned screens. The mundane expanse of yellow lines on grey pavement was the only thing to be seen in near proximity to the vehicles. Thin scraggly trees stood untended around the edges of the lot. He glanced at the left section of the cameras’ screen. He found nothing there. Just as he was about to turn away from the screen, a black shadow shot across the screen; it flew through each of the screens so fast it barely registered on the cameras.
John grabbed his gun, threw open the Jeep’s door, and jumped out ready to face the threat. He scanned around, checking his corners through his iron sights. Seeing nothing, he quickly ran to the driver’s side of the Jeep. He bent inside to grab the CB’s microphone to alert the others when suddenly the sunlight streaming through the windshield went dark. John clicked the microphone on, whistled quietly, then dropped it. He turned to look toward the sun knowing his friends would’ve received his warning call. The sun was eclipsed by a dark pulsating form similar to a cloud. He focused his eyes on the cloud; whatever it was made of seemed to be moving. It shifted, then all at once it broke apart. A shrill scream filled the air as thousands of infected crows dove toward John. He froze for a second. The birds drew closer rapidly. John turned and dove back into the Jeep. He shut his door, engaged the locks, and unlatched the turret’s hatch. He swung the hatch off as he angled the turret upward, immediately opening fire into the descending swarm. The birds separated as their comrades fell, then began to haphazardly circle the Jeep.
John could still hear the birds’ shrill cawing over the thrumming of his turret. He could see them drawing ever closer unfazed. John spun the turret in circles trying to repel the birds as they came close enough to brush against the sides of the Jeep, their wings rasping the metal as they rushed across it. John was beginning to panic. He continued firing, hoping to kill as many as he could before they got to him. A bird suddenly broke from the circle and rushed for his unguarded face. He stared into its beady eyes as its deadly beak opened to rend his flesh. A piercing caw cried from its throat like an angry war cry. John watched in what seemed like slow motion as it drew an inch away from his face, waiting with arms raised for it to reach him. Instead a startling red streak shot like a bullet through its body. John refocused.
Turning toward the source of the light that had killed the bird, he saw Lia standing by her Hummer with her kynari in hand. She had taken the shot with the Leader’s mask only half formed on her face. Black, Grant and Steele were close behind her. He heard her calling his name, then heard her yell, “GET DOWN!” He grabbed the turret’s hatch, slamming it shut before he crouched down beside the passenger side door. He watched Lia through the window as the birds rammed against the Jeep’s hatch trying to get him. John watched the Leader’s mask take full form on her face, then he saw the Leader raise his now formed blade.
The Leader slammed his blade into the ground in front of him. Suddenly the ground beneath John shook like an earthquake. Huge spiked tendrils shot from the ground like pillars around the Jeep. The tendrils separated into smaller vines that snared the birds assaulting the Jeep while simultaneously building a dome around it. John watched as the last view of Lia was obscured by the dome she had put around him. He could hear the birds trying to break through the dome. John remained on the floor of the Jeep where he watched through the passenger door window, calmly waiting for Lia/The Leader to finish with the birds. He remained on the floor with his pistol at the ready in case anything broke through. Outside the dome, Leader form Lia had already lifted the blade from the ground and was deftly slicing through the remaining birds still attacking him.
Steele was closest to Lia so she yelled out to her, “Is John alright?”
She heard a deep growling voice mixed with Lia’s reply. “He’s fine, deal with some of these birds.”
Steele noticed the black katana in Lia’s hand. Without hesitation Steele began firing on birds in close proximity to Lia. Black and Grant took up positions beside her, also firing. Leader form Lia raised her katana to seize the opening they’d given him. She swung the blade down as their joined voice screamed, “Release!” Crimson fire roared out from the run of the blade toward the dome, obliterating any birds in its path. John heard a loud whooshing sound from inside the Jeep, then suddenly everything was silent. The sound of infected birds pecking at the dome was gone.
Calmly, John exited the Jeep as the dome around him began to crack, then started breaking apart in segments. He watched as the segments joined together into pillars before toppling to the ground away from him, where they turned to dust. John holstered his pistol, then turned toward Lia/the Leader. Steele and the others walked up beside him.
John held out his hand. “Thank you,” he said.
The Leader spun his katana in his hand then held it sideways in front of him. As the blade seemed to dissolve into the kynari, and his mask was falling away from Lia’s face, John heard him laugh quietly. Lia glanced around herself after the Leader had returned control to her. John stood in front of her with a slightly confused expression, with his hand still held out toward her. Lia smiled at him before putting his confusion to rest.
“The Leader isn’t exactly friendly.”
John laughed awkwardly, then withdrew his arm. “Ya, I noticed ... all’s well, thanks for the save,” he said. John bent in to kiss Lia, but she pulled back.
“Anytime,” Lia said coldly then she turned and walked toward her Hummer without looking at John. He isn’t right. The distorted man from her near-death experience haunted her, increa
singly making her believe her memories weren’t of John.
John stood there not knowing why she was suddenly acting so distant. His face contorted in confusion briefly.
Black coughed audibly to break the awkward silence Lia left. “What are we, chopped liver?”
John smiled forcibly. “No, thanks for your help too, guys.” He glanced at each of them in turn then grabbed his assault rifle from the Jeep before heading toward his tanker.
Steele shook her head disappointedly, then said, “Alright, let’s get our vehicles and get outta here.”
Grant inspected the outside of the Jeep for damage while Black examined the inside. Once they deemed it operational, they both got in. Grant opted to sit in the passenger side. Steele got into her Humvee, grabbing her CB microphone with her free hand. “Are the Jeep and supplies okay Black?”
Black grabbed her microphone. “Ya, everything’s operational and secure. The only damage the Jeep sustained is multiple superficial dents and paint gashed off by the birds’ beaks,” she reported.
“No big deal then, good to hear. Let’s move out.” Everyone started their vehicles then left the supermarket on their way toward Arlington.
Chapter 24 – Cynicism
After half an hour of quiet driving through suburbs and small market districts, Black radioed Steele. “Why didn’t we raid that supermarket back in Brookings?”
“It would have long since been emptied of any useful supplies by fleeing civilians when the infection first began to spread residentially,” Steele replied.
Grant took the microphone from Black then said, “At best we might’ve found a bag of chips underneath a pile of trampled suckers.” Black grabbed the microphone back, setting it back on the dashboard. Grant laughed. “What?” he asked jokingly.
“Next time ask for the microphone, dammit,” Black said in mock anger.
“Ya, sure I’ll remember that,” Grant said in an equally mocking tone. He grunted in discomfort as Black’s fist connected with his side.
“I can get you when you’re not on the turret, genius,” Black said, then they both laughed.
John glanced in his rear-view mirror at Lia’s Hummer; her expression was blank. He wondered what she was thinking. Fifteen minutes later the convoy passed a sign welcoming them to Arlington. As they drove through the city each of the convoy’s members searched for any signage concerning the base that was supposed to be in the city, each of them hoping it stood to be of any help ... hoping Barton wasn’t hiding within it, waiting for them.
They passed through streets that looked like the lines found in horrid stories. The same stories they’d seen wherever they travelled, stories of death and destruction. Buildings all but lay in ruin, their walls stained with the blood of people running from a death they couldn’t hope to escape. The convoy continued forward until obvious signs of a fortified structure ahead became apparent. Steele slowed along with the others to pull alongside a large concrete wall; ahead of them stood a large gated checkpoint. The gate was lined with barbed wire, and still barred shut.
Steele grabbed her microphone. “Remain on guard, Barton could be here since he’s obviously been keeping tabs on us using the birds. I’m gonna take a look through this fence to see what’s beyond.”
Lia grabbed her microphone. “Steele, why don’t we just smash through? It really doesn’t make any difference if we go in quiet or not; he’ll already know we’re here.”
“How can you be certain of that?” Steele asked.
Lia replied, “The same way I can sense when shifted are near. I’ll wager my presence would stick out like a sore thumb.”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean he knows we’re here with you. The gate’s security cameras don’t have a view of our current position. Are you capable of sensing human presence?”
“I’m not, but the Leader can sense any life form when he’s in control, and I have no doubt the infection in Barton is granting him the same capability,” Lia replied.
“Alright, so he most likely is aware of our being here after all; that doesn’t mean we can’t still surprise him,” John radioed.
“Are you suggesting a diversion?” Steele asked.
“I am,” John replied.
“Ok, so what’s your plan then?” Lia asked.
“We split into two teams. You and I go in directly while Steele, Black, and Grant set up in ambush positions around the back of the base. If you go directly to him, I doubt he’ll bother to consider any of us as threats which we can use to our advantage,” John said.
Lia replied, “Ok, so my presence gets his attention, buys them time to move up, and hopefully he underestimates the others? I see the point, but no doubt he’ll already be more than strong enough to eliminate any chance of an ambush being effective.”
“So, what are you saying?” Steele asked angrily. “You figure we’d all just be swatted like flies so we should stay behind while you take care of it alone?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” Lia replied.
“Well that’s bullshit, and you know it,” John said. “We wouldn’t let you try something insane like that alone, and you would say the same if any one of us were to try it. Let’s just go ahead with the ambush plan.”
“I agree,” Steele said.
“As do Grant and I,” Black radioed.
“Alright we’re all in agreement; let’s get started then,” Steele ordered.
Lia got out of her Hummer as John got out of his tanker, and together they proceeded toward the gate. John shot out the camera with a round from his silenced rifle, then they both took cover positions on either side of the gate.
As Lia peered through the gate John asked, “Why is it you’ve made a point of avoiding me?” Lia gave him an irritated look.
“Do you honestly think now is the best time to be discussing this?” she asked.
“Considering there may not be another time, I thought it might be a good idea,” John replied sarcastically.
“Fine, here’s the long and short of it. We’re done,” Lia said coldly.
John stared at her angrily. “So, what? A couple of days pass and suddenly you decide to dump me?”
“I just don’t think our attachment to each other is something viable considering our past and our current situation,” Lia said.
“Are you afraid one of us will die in a fight or something?” John asked in an exasperated tone, hoping she would open up. Her face showed no sign of emotion as she looked away from him.
“We have a job to do here, let’s go,” Lia said as she pulled out her kynari, focused the pointed tip into a blade of energy, then cut through the large steel bars holding the gate closed.
Wordlessly, Lia pushed the gate open then gestured for John to follow as she walked through. John looked at her as he walked behind her. She walked confidently toward the base with her kynari in her hand. She hadn’t yet brought out her armour. He noticed she was wearing the same army pants, boots, and black t-shirt she was wearing when they first met. He was going to say something to her about leaving herself vulnerable, but he knew that was exactly what she wanted to be. Even knowing her intent, John was still concerned. To him, it now seemed like she was determined to get herself killed. It wasn’t good enough for her to walk right to Barton’s doorstep; she also wanted to keep his focus entirely on her. John said nothing, despite his nagging feelings, because he knew any words would be pointlessly wasted on her in her current state. Instead, he focused his attention on watching for signs of Barton.
As Lia and John drew close to the giant sliding doors of the base’s forward building, Lia fired a quick blast of energy from her kynari to signal Steele’s team they were moving in. Lia pushed open one of the giant doors, then walked in while John waited by the other door watching the hangars on either side of the building. Lia searched the interior of the building as John signalled Steele’s now approaching team toward the back of the building. Once the ambush team had moved around the hangars and out of sight, John
joined Lia inside the main building.
The room they found themselves in was well lit as well as clean. Desks sat against the walls facing the door with terminals sitting atop each. The room only had one small barred window on the right wall. There wasn’t anything to indicate Barton had even been in the room, so Lia headed for a staircase at the right wall. At the top of the small flight of stairs was a smaller office space with a solid wood desk. The name plate on the desk said Gen. Rick Briggs, but other than a terminal on the desk, there wasn’t anything else in the room.
Lia descended the stairs. “Nothing here,” she said to John.
“Alright, let’s move on to the left hangar,” John said.
John and Lia quickly exited the main building, then headed around the left side. John gestured to Steele as they passed, then Steele and the others headed for the right hangar. Once both teams had moved into breaching positions, Steele nodded. On her signal, both hangars were opened simultaneously, then entered. Lia and John quickly looked through the hangar. Within it they found nothing more than some cots and food storage. Steele walked up to Lia and John.
“All we found were cots, a couple guns, and some water. Black and Grant are just gathering the supplies, then they’re gonna start loading the vehicles. What did you two come across?” Steele asked.
“Not much, just a bunch of dried food,” Lia answered.
“Alright, well let’s start moving these supplies...” Steele trailed off as a dark shadow flew across her peripheral vision. She dropped into a firing position. “Did you guys see that?” she asked quickly.
“Yeah, I did,” Lia said as she brought out her armour.
“Is it Barton?” John asked as he aimed his gun toward the doorway of the hangar.
Lia focused on her sensory ability. Around them she started feeling a large dark force surrounding them. “He’s here, and it seems he’s brought an army with him,” Lia said.