Extinction New Zealand Box Set | Books 1-3

by Smith, Adrian J.

  The Alpha of his nightmares lumbered out of the cave. It looked out to the island and pointed its huge, meaty claw. The children’s heads mounted on its shoulders jiggled as it bellowed again, ordering its Variant kin to attack.

  The two beasts closest to the island leapt into the water and started thrashing their way over the lake. Several others scampered around the sides of the caldera, clinging to the cliff walls.

  With their cover blown, it was time to flee.

  “Climb over and hide,” Boss said, lifting George into the pohutakawa.

  “What about you?” George whimpered.

  “I’ll catch up. Go!”

  He boosted George higher, watching his little hands and feet grasp the thick bark.

  Boss pivoted and raised his shotgun, aiming for the beasts on the walls. He let loose with a blast. He hit a couple, but they didn’t slow down. Cursing, he aimed a little in front of the lead Variant and squeezed the trigger. A section of its head painted the cliff wall, and its lifeless body splashed into the lake. A shriek and the thrashing of water shifted his attention to those swimming to the island. They were only a few metres away now.

  Boss glanced up at the Alpha. He swore the monster grinned at him as it raised its left arm and howled. Dozens of Variants flooded out of the cave and started to climb and swim their way over to the island. Boss glanced to the island shore and quickly dispatched the two monsters climbing out. He risked a glance up the tree to see George had reached the top of the caldera wall.

  “Go, George! Run. I’ll hold them off.”

  George stared back at him, his red hair glowing angel-like in the early morning sun. He shook his head at Boss.

  “Run! Please.”

  George’s head dropped out of sight.

  Boss squared his shoulders. He pumped the shotgun and twisted to his left, firing at the Variants. So many of the bastards. He managed to kill four. He aimed and fired until his shotgun clicked empty. With no time to reload, he reached down and pulled his Glock free. Several of the Variants had reached the island now and were standing on its obsidian-laden shore, oblivious to the sharp edges.

  The Trophy King lumbered forwards and waded out into the lake, its bulk causing ripples as it strode towards the island, its towering frame easily staying above the surface. The Variants climbing around the caldera walls started to reach the island and were dropping down, landing with a thud, their yellow eyes watching Boss. Several pushed their sucker mouths towards him, tasting the air.

  Boss slowly turned in a circle. He was surrounded. Sweat ran down his spine, soaking the waistband of his pants. He stared out at the Variant horde collected around the lake and island. He could feel his stump quivering, his nerves were starting to re-establish themselves, telling him that he hurt all over.

  At least George got away.

  Boss clicked a fresh magazine into his Glock. He looked down at Max, who was still growling and baring his teeth. Boss’s heart thumped in his chest. After all I’ve been through to survive, it’s going to end like this? Surrounded by man-eating monsters. After all those hours playing video games, killing all manner of beasts, and I’m going to be torn apart by them. Ironic.

  Boss sighed, remembering his life. Home had been fine, and school was too, until he reached fourteen.

  It wasn’t his fault she liked him. Anya was her name. Beautiful blue eyes and long blonde hair. All the boys liked her, including Boss. Especially his best friend, Thomas. Thomas chased her for months. When Thomas finally asked her out, she declined. Boss was surprised when she texted him, asking him to the movies. Boss agonised over his decision, but in the end accepted. Thomas then turned on him and accused him of “swooping”. He launched a vicious social media campaign, bullying Boss mercilessly.

  Boss began to hate school, dreading each day. He spent his time hiding, away from the other boys and their taunts. He spent weekends online, immersed in WOW, joining guilds and raiding.

  They were some of the worst days of his life and, weirdly, some of the best. His parents advised him to chalk it up to a life lesson and told him to remember that real friends stick by you no matter what.

  Anya dumped him and moved on. Boss felt empty and without purpose. He struggled for the next couple of years. Now, with the Hemorrhage Virus, Boss had a motive. Survive!

  With new determination, Boss stared into the yellow eyes of the approaching Alpha. As it got closer, Boss saw that the trophy heads were rotting. Bits of flesh and tissue had fallen off, and the whites of the skulls were gleaming through. He raised his gun, sighting the Alpha, though he doubted the bullet would penetrate its bark-like hide.

  “You are one ugly bastard, aren’t you?” Boss shouted at the beast as he squeezed the trigger a couple of times, the bullets harmlessly bounced off it.

  He holstered the Glock and let his hands fall to his sides. Heat rose up through his body.

  Strangely, he felt angry. Angry that it was going to end like this.

  He bit his lower lip as the Alpha reached the island and hauled itself ashore. The clear lake water sloshed off it, making the green and black obsidian glisten in the morning sun. Boss shook his head. He hated to admit it, but he felt abandoned. Jack, Dee, and Ben had left him alone to look after George, and when he needed them most, they weren’t here. Well, they had asked their friend Erin to stay with him, but Boss felt responsible for George. Dee had made him promise to always look out for him. Eager to please her, Boss had readily accepted. He’d never imagined this.

  The Trophy King stopped a couple of metres away. It raised one of its claws and pointed above Boss. Boss turned around as screams reached him. Feminine screams. Beth’s blonde hair appeared on the clifftop between two Variants as they man-handled her. The Alpha then pointed to its right. George appeared, firmly held by a large Variant, his blue eyes pleading.

  Boss turned back to the Alpha. All his anger and frustration at the situation boiled up and over. He sprang forwards, pulling his knife. A blur of black and white followed. Max barked and leapt at the huge creature, managing to latch onto its ankle. Boss leapt, raising his hand, knife clasped tightly. He aimed for the Alpha’s neck, hoping to penetrate the skin and cut the jugular. The Alpha bellowed and lunged forwards. It caught Boss in mid-air with one claw, holding him aloft. He reached down and, without taking his eyes off Boss, lifted Max off his ankle. The dog barked and howled in pain. The Trophy King grasped Max in his claw. With an evil glint in his eyes, he smashed the dog onto the ground. Max let out a whimper and fell silent.

  Boss started to thrash and twist, desperate to escape. The Alpha lowered the squirming Boss to the ground. A Variant moved up in front of him and excreted a hot liquid into his face. Boss spat some of it out as his vision started to fade. He struggled to keep awake, but, thinking quickly, he reached down and untied his prosthetic. The sound of it clinking off the stones brought a smile to his lips. He twisted his heavy head, catching a final glimpse of George as his world went dark.

  — 19 —

  Dee scanned left and right, letting off short bursts at any Variant she saw. With the arrival of the Maori warriors, they had focused their efforts on the Variants crowding on the campsite. With Ben directing them, they were breaking through after some ferocious fighting. Dee shook her head, amazed at the ferocity with which the Maori fought. They didn’t have any guns either. Just traditional weapons.

  The Renegades and the Maori warriors entered the tree line and started to climb the surrounding mountains, screams and howls following them. Skirmishes broke out on all sides. Dee caught a glimpse of Jack running ahead, following one of the Maori. He was pointing farther up the mountain, beckoning them to follow.

  Dee pushed Katherine’s back, urging her forwards. The scientist was struggling. First, they had run through the lab, then flown across the zip-lines, and here they were running again. Even amongst the scents of mud and gunpowder, Dee could smell the rotten fruit smell the beasts expunged.

  Katherine stumbled. Dee reached down
and hauled her to her feet. “C’mon, don’t stop.”

  The scientist mumbled something that Dee didn’t catch.

  On they ran, the lactic acid building in Dee’s legs. The exhaustion of the last few days was beginning to take hold. If it wasn’t for the imminent threat of being torn apart, she would stop right here and sleep, nestled against a rock.

  But she hurried on up the winding path, ducking between slabs of limestone and jumping over gnarled roots. Several of the Maori jogged alongside her and Katherine, weapons in their hands. The distinct tang of blood hung in the air, adding to the gruesome cocktail of body odour and cordite. Sweat was pouring off her forehead, stinging her eyes. Dee turned, looking for Ben’s comforting figure. He was bringing up the rear with a knot of Maori warriors, taking down pursuing Variants. He caught Dee watching and waved her on. She turned and hauled herself and Katherine up a steep rock shelf, straining at the effort.

  Dee looked up to find Jack holding out his hand. She grasped it, enjoying his touch. For a fleeting moment, she let her mind enjoy the familiarity.

  “Hey, you.”

  He smiled and kissed her cheek. “Hey.”

  A blur of movement on both sides rushed from the trees. Dee pulled away from Jack and raised her rifle back up. The fleeing humans had run straight into an ambush. Variants poured out from the bushes on both sides. There were dozens. Intense fighting broke out. Jack moved to Katherine’s other side, sweeping his AR-15, taking out any beast he could. Motion buzzed all around, making it difficult for Dee to use her carbine without hitting someone friendly.

  She slung her rifle and pulled out her Glock. She unloaded her magazine, dropping several monsters. Jack, standing beside her, had adopted the same idea. Katherine, crouched between her and Jack, screamed.

  Three Variants broke through and barrelled into them. Dee twisted to one side, firing as she tumbled to the ground. Her bullet sailed true, smashing through the beast’s throat before exploding out the back. The Variant slumped to the ground. Dee risked a peek at Jack; he had rolled out of the way and shot a Variant in the head.

  The third Variant had straddled Katherine. It slashed at her torso with its claws, cutting deep and exposing her intestines. Dee screamed and ran forwards, reaching back to pull out her katana. She brought the blade down in a slashing arc, relieving the beast of its head. She watched, satisfied, as the head bounced along the forest floor. One of the struggling warriors kicked it and it ricocheted off a rock and dropped out of sight.

  Yelling for Jack to cover them, Dee bent down and clasped Katherine’s hand. “Lie still. I’ll bandage you up.”

  Katherine looked into her eyes and squeezed her hand back. “Dee, I can feel how bad it is.”

  “Regardless, I’m not leaving you behind.”

  Katherine shook her head at Dee. All around them, the battle went on. Gunshots and war cries. The whacks of mere hitting skulls. Grunts of effort as the Renegades and their saviours fought for their lives. Jack reached down and grabbed Dee’s katana, standing guard as she pulled out her first-aid kit and field dressed the wound. Blood immediately soaked the bandage, coating her hands. She quickly tied it off and signalled to Jack to help her. They lifted Katherine. She cried out and at the same time handed Jack the metal case she’d carried all the way from the lab, often hugging it close. “Get this to Colonel Mahana.”

  Jack nodded. “You’re going to make it, Doc. You have to.”

  “Just take it. Please.” She looked at Dee. “Everything is in there, all my research. I hope… I hope I’ve done enough to save everyone.”

  “Let’s just concentrate on getting out of here first.” Dee said.

  She wrapped her arm around Katherine and held her up. She looked over at the warriors; they were dispatching the last of the Variants. Several were coated in blood and black gore. Dee couldn’t tell if it was theirs or the beasts’.

  Ben jogged up clicking a fresh magazine into his rifle. He looked Katherine up and down. “Bad?”

  Dee looked into his brown eyes and gave him a slight shake of her head. “Not too bad.”

  “Okay. Let’s keep moving. That attack was just a taster.” He turned to the hulking tattooed warrior next to him. “How close are we to your Pa?”

  The warrior pointed with his taiaha. “Top of the mountain. If we hurry, about ten minutes.”

  Ben nodded. “Let’s go. I want this bloody day to be over.”

  Dee pushed on, holding Katherine up as they struggled up the mountain. One of the Maori dropped back and held Katherine on the other side. Dee smiled at him, thankful for his help.

  As they climbed higher, she caught whiffs of decay. The morning sun broke through the clouds, illuminating the mist swirling around the trees and rocks. The muscles in Dee’s arm and shoulder were straining under Katherine’s weight. Not only was she straining with the physical task, but she was also struggling to grasp the fact that Katherine knew her mother. And that her mother was apparently alive.

  The stench of decay became stronger as the steep path plateaued out. Dee glanced to her left, seeking the source of the putrid smell. The swirling mist dissipated, revealing several Variant corpses tied to trees, all in different stages of putrefaction. The nearest one’s insides were spilling out, liquified, dripping to the ground in a black, oozy mess.

  “Why do you do that?” Dee asked, gesturing with her head.

  “The rewera don’t like their own dead. It keeps them away.” The Maori helping her grinned, showing his teeth.

  Dee frowned. “Rewera?”

  “Ummm…demon. What do you white fellas call them?”

  Dee paused and looked down at her feet, watching where she put them as she stepped over some gnarled roots. “We call them Variants, sometimes beasts.”

  “Variants? Who came up with that?”

  “Some American, I think. That’s what we’ve been calling them since near the beginning. I’m Dee, by the way.”

  He nodded at her. “Tama.”

  Dee held his gaze, smiling.

  Katherine whimpered something inaudible. They stopped and shifted their grips, trying to make it more comfortable for the ailing scientist.

  Tama looked at her. “Not far now.”

  Dee gazed in awe at the intricate carvings surrounding the gateway to the Pa as the exhausted and bloodied Renegades passed under it. She could see the figures called tekoteko and other shapes with names she couldn’t recall. She made a mental note to ask Tama.

  Several women and men stood on either side, letting them pass. Two older women ran forwards and lifted Katherine away. They carefully helped the injured scientist towards a building to their right.

  With Katherine’s weight gone, Dee took in her surroundings. Immediately in front of her stood a large wooden building, the meeting house. Surrounding the whole facade were more intricate carvings. To either side were four smaller buildings, with a large rectangular building directly behind the carved meeting house. Dee could see gardens with a raised kumara store perched on a pole above them. She glanced back, happy to see the other Renegades enter.

  The gates slammed shut with a thud and several of the inhabitants pushed thick, heavy logs into place. Jack handed back her katana and she slid it into its saya, savouring the swoosh as it slid home.

  “That was too close,” Dee whispered, pulling Jack into a hug.

  “So much for a simple pick up.” He pulled away slightly, grinning.

  “I can’t believe the Colonel sent us. I don’t think I’m ready for this, Jack. I mean, we’re not soldiers. We barely survived that.”

  “I know, right? I guess we were all they had. I would’ve rather gone to Mayor and checked on the boys. Now we’re stuck here, and Katherine is injured.”

  “I guess so. I suppose I should go and check on her.” Dee paused. “I wonder if what she said about my mother is true.” Saying the word “mother” felt hollow to Dee. She was so used to not having one.

  Jack brushed some of Dee’s hair behind her e
ar. “Do you really think she is alive?”

  “I don’t know why Katherine would lie. She’d gain nothing from it.”

  “True.”

  “I don’t recognise her, but then I was young when Mum died. Well, when I thought she had.”

  Question after question flashed through her mind as she glanced around the Pa. Why had her mother abandoned her? Why had her father lied? A gnawing feeling ate away at her stomach as she tried to grasp the reasons. Since her father was no longer here, she vowed to ask Katherine what she knew.

  Dee shook her head. She turned at footsteps and saw Ben approaching, the big warrior striding beside him.

  “Jack, Dee, this is Hone.”

  Jack reached out his hand to shake Hone’s. Hone pulled him closer and gave him a hongi — the Maori greeting, touching noses.

  A fleeting memory of a school class flitted into Dee’s mind. She recalled the hongi was so you could feel the breath of life. Dee watched, smiling to herself, knowing Jack would struggle with that. She reached out her hand to Hone in turn. Grasping it, she went in for the hongi, but Hone moved his head and kissed her cheek.

  “A real kiss for the lady,” he said, grinning.

  Dee couldn’t help but smile. “Thanks for saving us back there.”

  Hone grasped her shoulder. “You’re welcome. Couldn’t leave you to the rewera. Even you white fellas. You guys certainly made a lot of noise. If we hadn’t been on a supply run, we’d never have found you. It’s always nice to save the pretty ones.”

  He was grinning at her, his eyes glistening in the morning sun.

  “Well, thank you.” Dee blushed.

  “What is this place?” Jack said, gesturing around the Pa.

  “Always with the questions, you white fellas.” Hone laughed. “First we eat, then we talk.” He pointed to the rectangular structure behind the building with the carvings. “Kai is in there.”

  “Thank you, we’ll meet you there. I want to check on Katherine first.” Dee said.