The Great War (Surviving the Zombie Nightmare Book 5)

by White, Daniel

  “Hello and good morning Organic Ascendancy,” he began, “My name is Phillip Cornell. As Dr. Cain has told you, I have been an associate of Mr. Abel Nichols for some time now. Though my age seems fairly young compared to most in this room, I assure you that my level of knowledge and experience will not disappoint. I came on here at O.A. roughly five years ago, almost to the day actually. At that time I was thirty years old and was already considered one of the world's foremost experts on the supernatural realm. My knowledge has only increased in the time I spent working with Abel.” He smiled towards Bullosky, “I would be remiss if I did not thank Admiral Bullosky for giving me this opportunity. He has taught me as much in the time he has been here as I learned from Nichols the entire time before and that is saying something. I don't want to get too long winded here today but I will tell you that your spiritual needs and guidance are in great hands. I look forward to working with all of you.”

  As she watched him go back to the correct side of the table and sit in his chair, Dr. Cain wondered who this really was. It had been clear to most everyone she talked to that the presence of an actual demon negated any real need for a spiritual guide. Yet here Cornell was acting like he was the second coming, as if just him being at the table made everything alright. It wasn't just what he said or the way he said it that was troubling to her though. What bothered her most was how badly she wanted to believe him. Looking around the table, she saw that everyone was nodding towards him with a smile on their face with the exception of Mandy who appeared to be filing her fingernails. It also occurred to Cain that she might feel suspicious towards Cornell simply because of the knowledge she had of Nichols before and during his death.

  Not for the first time she wondered why that girl was allowed into these meetings. She clearly had no idea what was going on and did not appear to care. But Bullosky had demanded that she be included for whatever reason. All Dr. Cain had ever seen her do was something ridiculous like nail-filing or causing trouble. She decided to allow it for now but if she continued to be nothing but a distraction and an eyesore, Cain would deal with her and these meetings. She did not need to sit here and be a part of these proceedings to have a baby. It didn't make sense.

  Suddenly Cain realized that her good mood was gone and she didn't even know how she lost it. It clearly started with Cornell but everyone else was happy enough with the new guy. Why was she so irritated by him? It didn't make good sense, even considering her personal refusal to give him due respect, so she decided to do her best to put it out of her mind. They had very important, organization-changing, no, history-changing business to attend to.

  “Thank you for that stirring speech and welcome to the team Mr. Cornell. Do know that we will not hold you to the same standard that Mr. Nichols was held to before his untimely demise. Now,” she regained her good mood and her smile just at the thought of what was coming, “We have one terribly important bit of business to get to. I will introduce this with just a couple of bits of information before turning the floor over to Admiral Bullosky and finally Dr. Isaiah for the big reveal.”

  A look around the table showed that the interest of Mr. Terry was fully on her. He clearly had no idea what was coming and that was a very odd thing for the man who had been in charge of planning everything for O.A. during his time served. Cain had already planned for some backlash from him just based on the fact that he had no idea what was going on. Mandy had put away her nail file and was actually looking in Dr. Cain's direction. That was a first to her recollection. Cornell looked to be casually interested with his fingers steeped in front of him and his elbows on the table. Dr. Isaiah Neal was staring blankly ahead as if he was asleep with his eyes open. If she didn't know him so well she would be worried but Dr. Cain knew that he was probably just focusing on what he was going to say. It was quite an important announcement after all. Bullosky was stone-faced.

  She smiled proudly as she began her introduction, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have before us a historical moment for Organic Ascendancy and for the entire human race. The world of science and medicine, even in the lessened effect they have in the current world, will never be the same. For further introduction, here is Admiral Bullosky.”

  The large demonic admiral stood with the same stone expression on his face and began to speak, “It would be less than honest for me to tell anyone here that I cared a great deal about humanity. Being of demonic origin, I obviously care much more about my own future and that of my demon brothers. Even seeing this as being true, I must admit that what you are about to see is something that I never thought I would see. It did include power and input from myself and my associates but most of the work and research belongs to Dr. Neal. He has achieved something the likes of which most would never even dream that humankind could achieve. He has earned the respect of many and the fear of many others. I can say no more. Dr. Isaiah, the floor is yours.”

  Dr. Cain smiled at the way that Bullosky introduced Dr. Isaiah. For a few moments she wondered if he would just keep the same stone-faced expression and fail to give the proper attention to Dr. Isaiah and the amazing things that Organic Ascendancy had achieved. Truth be told, a lot of this had to do with her and what she wanted to do in order to defeat Eric Bayne and Destiny. She figured she and the O.A. brass could handle Destiny. After all, they were the ones who made her who she was. Bayne was different. He was completely different in every way. It was possible that he was the most powerful human ever and he certainly had been blessed with more super-powers than any other human in known or written history.

  It was going to take extreme measures to defeat someone with that level of telepathic and regenerative ability. What Dr. Isaiah was about to announce was the key to the final defeat Bayne. She knew it in her soul. This was the key that would unlock the door to the demise of the legend of Bayne. Something inside of her told her that there would be another battle between them and when that battle came, she was certain this breakthrough would allow her the upper hand to get Bayne on his knees and defeated once and for all.

  With a look as blank as death itself, Dr. Isaiah finally stood slowly to his feet. He looked slowly around the table starting from his right with Cornell. His cold gaze fell across Mandy and then around to Peyton Terry before finally stopping on Admiral Bullosky. When he locked eyes with the demon, there was a faint hint of a grin in the edge of his mouth and a slight gleam in his eyes. It faded as quickly as it showed itself however and he turned his attention to the room as a whole. Maybe it was nothing but she thought it odd that he made a point of looking at everyone in the room without actually looking at her. As he started to speak she shrugged it off and listened intently.

  “This is not a good thing for anyone,” Isaiah started in a cold and dry voice. “Do not be fooled by the language you have heard here today. Nothing about this so-called breakthrough is good. It is not good for me as the doctor responsible for the technology to achieve it. It is not promising for a human race which is in the final stages of being completely removed from the planet and replaced with something which could not be called, in short; human.

  “I do not mean to dampen the mood here today,” he continued. “To be sure this is an amazing medical and magical breakthrough. I cannot take complete credit though and actually I would not take complete credit even if you all wanted to give it to me. Admiral Bullosky, the demon in our midst had a lot to do with this as well. To be completely open and honest, I do not know how much of his power and magical ability went into this breakthrough. He deserves as much of the credit and, some would say blame, as I do.”

  Dr. Cain stood from her seat. It was rare that she sat down anyway so it should not have been shocking that she would stand up. Still, she didn't even get the words from her mouth before Isaiah looked at her, “The floor belongs to me Dr. Cain. With all due respect, considering all that has happened over the last few weeks, I deserve the chance to speak my mind on this. I calmly request the opportunity to continue uninterrupted.”

  Cain looked
to the side and took two long breaths to calm herself down. This was not in any way standard in the way things were done and she did not like it. But then again, she needed the technology and the doctor who was speaking needed to be around when she needed it. That would be rather soon so she would relent. She would sit back down and allow him to disrespect her in her sanctuary. With a smile that was clearly forced she said, “Very well Dr. Isaiah. Be mindful of the rank and file here and of the fact that not everyone is privy to the inner workings of your lab or my office.”

  Isaiah nodded blankly, “Right as rain doctor. She is right you know,” he looked to the others at the table. “None of you know the things I have done in my office or in my lab in the last several years. It would push the boundaries of humanity and decency if you had seen some of the things I have done. You are all aware by now that I was able to bring beheaded zombies back to life. That is something that succeeded and that you were allowed to see. Be thankful and prayerfully glad that you do not know all of the things I have dabbled in during my time here. It has only grown more disturbing since the demons became our partners. That at least should have been easy enough to foretell. Nonetheless, we are not here for that discussion.

  “As far as what I am here to tell you about and show you today,” he continued with his hands in his pockets and his head lowered, “It surpasses anything else ever done here by me tenfold. Literally this is the most amazing, disturbing and upsetting project I have ever been a part of. Rest assured that you all should be glad and thankful that you do not find yourselves in my shoes now and be thankful that you were not in my shoes when these things were asked of me.”

  With the same posture he walked to the door and opened it a crack. He nodded and said something that no one in the room could hear. When he turned back around he kept his hands in his pockets and looked up with reddened eyes. “Trust me when I tell you that I take no pride in what you are about to see. It makes me sick to my stomach.” He walked over to where Phillip Cornell was sitting and listening. Isaiah placed his hands on Cornell's shoulders briefly, “Thank you for being willing to take over for my dear friend Abel Nichols. I have a couple of doctors under me who also know a lot of what I do. They do not know my most terrifying accomplishments but they are all recorded in great detail in my notes.”

  He walked back over to the door. “Not everyone here knows how far back Abel and I go. It doesn't matter now but I want you all to know, you especially Dr. Cain, that it changed me forever when I saw him die.” He shook his head as he looked at the floor once again. When he looked back up there were tears in eyes. “I miss him greatly. For those of you who are terrified by what you are about to see, I am sorry. For those among you who will be happy, proud or satisfied by what you are about to see, I am even more sorry for the kind of person the world has turned you into. I for one am finished allowing angels, demons, bosses, wars, zombies, soldiers, or goddamn anything else tell me what to do or how to live.” He stepped to one side and opened the door.

  With a wave of his hand a man walked in with a severe and blank stare. Gasps filled the room at the sight of him. He was wearing all black armor with weapons all over it. Guns rested along the left leg and around the belt while there were blades along the belt and a sword sheathed on his back. The tone of his skin was pale, almost to the point of a cadaver, but he was clearly alive. The gasps of those at the table gave way to complete silence.

  Dr. Isaiah broke the silence, “Ms. Mandy and gentlemen, I give you the resurrected Abel Nichols.” He then looked directly at Dr. Cain, “Genesis Cain, I give you my resignation. Goodbye.”

  Cain looked on in shock. Not only was the evidence of a resurrected human being standing right before her eyes, but the amazing doctor that had made it happen just quit right in front of her. She was too stunned to say anything at all. It was at once great success and great disappointment.

  Mr. Cornell stood up at near attention, “Oh my god!”

  Mandy spun her chair around, “What just happened?”

  Admiral Bullosky smiled, “It's beautiful, and it’s amazing.”

  Peyton Terry stood and looked directly at Dr. Cain and asked, “What is this? What in the fuck did you do?”

  Dr. Cain was a little bit confused by the situation but Admiral Bullosky was in complete control. He apparently was not surprised that Isaiah Neal had just quit Organic Ascendancy. “What we have done Mr. Terry is to change the entire world. We now, demons and humans together have achieved something that only god himself was able to do before. This is a historic day in the war against Eric Bayne and the angelic hosts. Now, with this move, we have shown the one on the great throne himself that we are a force to be reckoned with. We will not step backwards from this. Dr. Cain,” he looked at her, “Do not worry about the next phase of the resurrection plan you had placed in motion. It has been taken care of already. I had a feeling Isaiah Neal might quit or do something else totally ridiculous and so I made sure it was all in place. Rest assured Dr. Cain and everyone else that we are going forward and we shall not lose this war or any war. Now, we are gods!”

  There was no applause in the room as people tried to make sense of what they had seen and what they had heard. All Dr. Cain knew was that she was extremely glad that Bullosky showed enough forethought to allow the resignation of Dr. Isaiah to not be a tragedy for O.A. Now it was at least possible that her plan would still work. She only hoped that Bullosky was telling the truth and that all was in place before any such time when Bayne and Destiny could bring the war back to them. At the same time that she was thankful for Bullosky's forethought, Cain found herself feeling somewhat suspicious of the demon, though she couldn't place why. Finally she put the thought behind her and allowed business to continue.

  Chapter 12

  Destiny had not exactly formulated a plan for what to do after running away from the woodworking facility. She didn't like demons or the new breed of zombies but after barely escaping that place with her life, she thought maybe the newer options were better than being swarmed by the original zombies. It had been positively terrifying and she knew without a shadow of a doubt that she would have been unable to get out alive without Eric.

  Currently they were parked in the middle of a heavily wooded area roughly five miles away from the facility. She wanted to get away but she certainly did not want to just sit out in the open for fear of running upon another Organic Ascendancy team. Also she wanted to give Eric time to recover. In the meantime she was doing her best to restrain herself from freeing the O.A. soldier they still held prisoner from the burden of his head on his shoulders.

  “I just don't get it,” the soldier said, “You are O.A. soldier original. Destiny, this is Bayne right here, helpless and you are just going to let him live? Why? What happened? I do not understand! Please, for the love of god, help me kill him. Here,” he started to pull himself between the seats, “I'll do it and you can help by looking the other way.”

  Destiny had her sword in her hand and had been jabbing it into the floor of the armored truck to pass the time. When he stuck his head through the seats, she jerked her hand backwards and slammed him in the forehead with the hilt. “Sit, the fuck, down!”

  “Ow!” he fell back holding his head, “What the fuck?”

  “I'll tell you what the fuck,” Destiny said as she turned enough to face the soldier, “You would be zombie shit right now if it had not been for this man right here. He saved both of us with that crazy-ass move he pulled off back there. I know that you at least have enough brains in that otherwise vacant head to understand that. Well, understand this. When O.A. turned their backs on me and left me at the mercy of demons and zombie-demon half-breeds, it was Bayne working with me that allowed me the chance to survive.”

  “O.A. turned their backs on you?” the solder still held his head but looked confused, “Wait, what?”

  Destiny was bored with the fool anyway so just said, “What, what?”

  “I thought you turned your back on O.A. That's
what I heard.” The soldier shrugged finally, “Well first we were all told and most still believe that you died while fighting and killing Bayne. Clearly this mission could not be planned all that well without a small portion of us figuring out that you two must be alive. I'm not saying I believed you were alive but, well anyway, the point is that I heard you were the one that turned your back on us. That's what my commander thought at least. He suggested that the other story was just a cover so that you could still be a rallying factor for the O.A. troops.”

  After running a hand through her long blond hair, Destiny sighed wearily. She really didn't want to rehash this stuff all over again. Maybe at the very least going over it would shut this fool up for a few seconds. “Okay, I'll tell you what really happened. You should know from the start that I don't expect you to believe me and I don't care if you do. This is the truth.”

  She began to twist and turn her sword hilt in her hand as she spoke, “I was more than done with O.A. I packed a ton of stims and all kinds of clothes in my gear because I was finished. I had no plans to take my issues with Dr. Cain out on any of you. I figured you were all just following orders so whatever. I was fine playing the game one last time. Maybe the mission could be a success in some way. Who knows?

  “We ran up on a large group of zombies accompanied by demons,” she continued. “I stepped out in front of the crew I had with me so that I could hopefully take out some of them with a telepathic move. Just about the time I stepped out into the dangerous area, I heard their weapons and I knew. By the time I turned around it was too late to kill them all before I was hit with a stun shot. It dropped me.”

  “Son-of-a-bitch,” the soldier said in disbelief, “They shot you in the back?”

  “Not only that,” Destiny said, “They tied me up and left me in the middle of an arena at the mercy of Eric Bayne. When he woke up from his own bit of treachery, he had the option of killing me right there. After all of the times we had fought and even after I cut off his hand, he decided instead that he would rather fight alongside me than kill me. He freed me and we kicked the asses of the demons and zombie-demons. It’s just been the two of us against the universe since then. Eventually we kidnapped an O.A. bastard and here we are. Are you caught up now?”