Deadrise

by Steven R. Gardner

  “Yes.” Matt said. “Let’s do it.”

  They looked into each other’s eyes for several long moments then embraced in a passionate kiss before setting off to find the Pastor…

  Chapter 31

  Sunday, June 24, 2001

  Uintah, National Forest, UT

  4:14 PM

  Zack lay on his back, convulsing, his eyes were rolled up white. Blood and brain matter covered his face and chest. The three dark robed creatures stood in a circle around him, watching.

  “Do you think he is strong enough to survive?” one of them said. Its voice was a series of hissing snarls, as savage as its language was alien.

  “I chose him well.” Answered another. “Strong and healthy in life even as he lay on the brink of death. I could smell the genetic compatibility in him. The conditions couldn’t have been better for implantation.”

  “But look how his body rejects the embryo.” Said the third.

  “His willpower is impressive. I had to mentally command him to eat. Even then he resisted. But fresh brains will give the embryo enough strength to dominate him. Complete the bonding.”

  “What does he know of the human city to the southwest?”

  “It is called Park City. It is well defended, but we have enough minions to take them.”

  Each of the three hissed at the thought of all the fresh human brains inside the city, waiting to be had. The psychic backlash of their thoughts filled the thousands of zombies in the forest and within seconds the forest was echoing with the hungry moans of the zombie army.

  “Contact the mothership,” Said the leader of the trio, the one who implanted Zack. “Inform the Overlord of our progress.” One of the other creatures hissed in submission and walked up the entrance ramp into the ship.

  “Your supplicant appears to be stabilizing.” Both creatures stared down at Zack’s body…

  For the longest time there had been only pain. An engulfing, all encompassing pain that filled him to the center of his being then out again. His entire universe had been the pain. And then it was gone.

  Zack slowly opened his eyes, squinting at the bright sunlight and cringing at the sensory input that flooded his mind and body. His senses were in the hyper tuned state again, only this time much sharper and focused than before. His sight, hearing, smell and taste had all been blended into one and combined with a psychic awareness that made him aware of everything about him; The two Krylok standing a few feet from him, the assault shuttle, the third Krylok aboard the ship, the twelve Sentinels in the perimeter around them and the four thousand drones spread throughout the forest in a one mile radius.

  He sat up slowly, looking at the pair of robed Krylok standing over him. He could see their cloaked faces much clearer now, and discern subtle differences in their reptilian features. And their scents were much different; the nearer one smelled much more familiar. That ones psychic aura was also much stronger than the other two, signaling him as the Master.

  “The embryo has taken,” said the Master. Its alien language was no longer a series of guttural hisses to Zack, but smooth and fluent. “My hybrid lives.” Zack could sense something of pride coming from the leader. “The first successful hybrid we’ve achieved with the human species.”

  “There was more mutation than we had hoped for.”

  “This is but the first. We shall refine the process until hybridization is perfect.”

  Zack sat there silently and listened to them talk. Any trace of shock or horror had been burned from his psyche when the embryo had bonded with him. He looked down at himself. His skin had changed from healthy, tanned flesh to smooth, hairless, mottled greenish black and covered with a fine layer of slime. His genitalia had retracted up into his abdomen, leaving a hardened lump of flesh in their place. His fingers were long and dexterous; the nails had blackened and elongated over an inch to form wicked claws. There were other, internal changes that Zack was instinctively aware of. His saliva glands could now secrete toxic venom that he could inject into the blood stream of his prey to paralyze them so that he may feed more easily. The poison could also be collected in his mouth and spit as a defensive mechanism. It would burn the skin and blind the eyes of most terrestrial creatures. The joints of his body had been given an inhuman flexibility, allowing his body to twist and contort into positions that would make the best circus contortionist weep with envy.

  Zack stood and stretched with the sinuous strength of a snake. With a burst of energy he leapt twenty feet to the nearest tree, catching the branch and swinging himself up into a kneeling position with the easy of a monkey. His feet felt confined within his shoes and with two quick slashes of one clawed hand both shoes fell from his feet to the forest floor below. His toes had elongated and the toenails curved into black claws and what looked like a thick, black, curved spur one inch in length had sprouted from the back of each heel. It had the flexibility of a finger and automatically hooked deep into the tree bark.

  “You have been reborn a superior life form.” The Master replied. “The human body is weak and frail; fit only as stock for food, Sentinels and drones.” At the mention of food Zack looked at the Master sharply, his own eyes now burning red.

  “Yes. Humans are your food. You feed upon the brain and leave the rest for the drones. If you do not feed you will die.” Even now Zack felt a gnawing hunger at the core of his being, demanding to be sated. The feeding proboscis slid out of its fleshy sheath beneath his tongue and protruded an inch from his mouth. Black as rotten flesh, it was equipped with a bone hard tip just like the Krylok’s tongue. Zack leapt from the tree to land perfectly in front of the Master. He looked down at the black robed Krylok… His creator.

  “Why…me?” Zack spoke English. Despite an ability to understand the Krylok tongue he didn’t have the proper anatomy to speak it.

  “You had the proper genetic profile to be compatible with the embryo.”

  Zack tried to remember when the small creature had crept into his room in Summittown two days ago but there was only fleeting memories, seen through a black fog. A tall, dark haired man named Matt, who had been Zack’s friend. A pretty, blond haired girl named Susan. A boy, Zack couldn’t remember his name, and some soldiers…beyond that, there was nothing.

  “I can’t remember.” Zack said. Even his voice had changed: deep and throaty, almost a snarl.

  “You have no need of the old memories.” The Master said. “They are nothing but human frailties that have been discarded so that you may fulfill your purpose.”

  “What is my purpose?” Zack asked defiantly. Zack had only one desire in his mind. The desire too feed. To find a warm human, crack open their skull and suck out they’re warm brains.

  “To serve your master…” The Master said fiercely. His eyes grew hotter and Zack felt a psychic wave of pain shoot through his entire body. He collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain.

  “He still has much willpower.” The other Krylok said.

  “It will be broken. Once the bonding is complete independent willpower is a hindrance.” As the two Krylok watched Zack convulse in pain the third alien creature exited the black craft.

  “The Overlord is pleased. His orders are to commence with the invasion of the human city.”

  “Excellent.” The Master hissed. He bent over Zack and rolled him onto his back. He gripped his chin in his small, clawed hand and looked him in the eyes, which still burned with defiance.

  “Never challenge me again supplicant, or you shall become my food.” The Master dug his claws deep into Zack’s flesh before letting him go. “There was a place in your mind, not far from here, called Rainbow Lake. Your former companions are headed there. Go and await them. When they arrive, feed.”

  The Master turned away and walked up the ramp into the spacecraft, followed by the other two Krylok. Zack could sense the superzombies and the thousands of zombies in the forest begin to disperse and make their way to Park City. Zack climbed to his feet and watched them go, the words of the Leade
r echoing through his mind.

  Rainbow Lake… Feed… Rainbow Lake… Feed…

  Zack couldn’t remember how he knew where Rainbow Lake was, and he didn’t care. All he cared about was food…

  Chapter 32

  Sunday, June 24, 2001

  Park City, UT

  5:31 PM

  “I now pronounce you man and wife.”

  Upon hearing the words Susan let out a yelp of delight, threw her arms around her new husband and kissed him passionately.

  “Congratulations.” The Pastor said then walked away, muttering under his breath about the foolishness of youth.

  “Do you feel as faint as I do?” Matt asked when they finally broke the kiss.

  “Faint?” Susan said. “Hell NO I don’t feel faint. I feel alive.” She kissed Matt quickly again and broke away from him, turning to face the small crowd of hospital patrons who had gathered to bear witness to the ceremony. “DO ALL OF YOU HEAR ME? I SAID I FEEL ALIVE!” Susan screamed at the top of her lungs. This got cheers of agreement from the crowd. She turned back and embraced Matt once again. “I feel so alive.” The crowd dissipated as the two newlyweds held one another and gazed into each others eyes.

  “Susan? Matt?” They turned to see David and Sharon approaching. Susan ran over to embrace them both tightly. “I’m so glad you’re both OK.”

  “Ron got scratched by a superzombie out on the raid.” David said. “That’s how he got infected.”

  “Zack was infected as well.” Matt said.

  Matt quickly told David and Sharon everything that had happened with the military.

  “And then the Captain told us they were taking all of you into custody to be checked.”

  “How is Rick doing?” Susan asked.

  “I haven’t seen him since they arrested us.” They all looked at each other for several seconds.

  “Do you want to tell them or should I?” Susan said.

  “Tell us what?” Sharon asked. Her eyes were clearer than they’d been since Frank had died. Her whole demeanor seemed much calmer, as if she were finally starting to come to terms with his death.

  “Matt and I just got married.” Susan said with a smile. David and Sharon just started at them blankly for a moment.

  “Zack and Ron get infected with the plague and you two get married?” David said harshly.

  “It’s because they are gone that we decided to do it.” Susan said. “I know you don’t understand.”

  “I don’t understand.” David said.

  “It might have been impulsive but I know that I love Susan and she loves me. And it was right for us.” Matt said.

  “With what happened to Zack and Ron… Dad… We realized that tomorrow might never come for any of us. Like Matt said, we love each other.” Susan looked between her mother and brother, looking for understanding in their eyes. David just shook his head in amazement but Sharon hugged her daughter close and kissed her again. She called Matt over and included him in her embrace.

  “Zack was wounded saving the lives of me and my children. You have put the safety of my family above your own. If my daughter says she loves you then that’s enough for me. I’m proud to call you son.” Sharon hugged them both tight, tears of sadness and of joy streaming down her face.

  “I made a promise to Frank to take care of his family.” Matt said, his own eyes clouded by tears. “Now you’re my family.”

  Susan looked over to David, who had a look of confused anger on his face.

  “Davey please?” she pleaded, holding an arm out to him. For a moment she thought he might scream obscenities at them and run away but he broke, tears coming to his eyes as he rushed to the embrace…

  They left the hospital and walked back to the Hotel. Susan was happy to see her mother smiling and actually enjoying the good weather. When they reached the hospital they saw that the rest of their party had gathered at four tables across the room. Even Jenkins and Mac were there. All four of them went to Rick, who sat holding his wife Jennifer and their two daughters and paid their condolences. Rick was red-eyed from earlier tears but his composure seemed strong for the moment.

  Matt ordered a round of whiskey for everyone and once they were served his took his in hand and looked to Rick.

  “I’m sorry about your brother Rick. I truly am. I didn’t know him that long but he was my partner too.” Jenkins looked at Matt coldly and Matt stared back. They eyed each other for several long seconds before Jenkins smiled and picked up his shot of whiskey.

  “To partners…” Jenkins said and everyone drained their shots.

  “We are still partners, aren’t we Jenkins?” Matt asked.

  “Partners.” Jenkins said with a nod.

  Matt ordered another round for everyone. While the bartender poured them Matt handed them out to the band of refugees. Matt raised his up in another toast.

  “Zack Thomas, Frank Young and Ron Black. Zack and Frank got us going and without Ron, we wouldn’t be where we are now. May God have mercy on your souls. Amen.

  “AMEN!” the group cheered. Everyone drained their shot.

  Jenkins ordered another round. When they had all been served it was his turn to raise his glass in a toast.

  “To the newlyweds Matt and Susan. Your mother just told us all the news. You’re both crazy you know that? But I guess congratulations are due.”

  Everyone drained they’re glasses.

  Only then did they finally get down to serious talk.

  “Before we head up to Rainbow Lake en masse I suggest we do a bit of recon.” Jenkins said.

  “It makes sense.” Matt said. “We don’t want to be heading in there blind. God only knows how the town of Kittewa has handled the plague.”

  “You’d think a few hundred rednecks in a back water town would be able to contain this shit.” Rick said. “It’s not like the city where dozens if not hundreds of people die each day.”

  “It’s not about how many people die compared to the town population.” Scott Bowler said with a touch of anger. He had hardly said a word since they had picked him up near the zoo yesterday afternoon. Despite his small, wiry frame there was fierceness about him, just under the surface. “What is happening is wrong. It goes against God. It goes against nature. Dead men aren’t supposed to walk. Only Jesus has dominion over the dead. Just seeing such a thing…” By the tone of Scott’s voice it was affecting him deeply right now. “Many of them might not be able to handle it. The Lord knows I’m having a hard time.”

  “I don’t give a damn how it’s affecting other people. All I care about now is our situation. That’s all any of you should care about.” Jenkins words were spoken as brutally as they were truthfully. “We don’t know anything about Rainbow Lake or Kittewa except their names. Matt, earlier you told me that most of the houses on the lake were summer places. Martial Law was declared several months ago, just before Thanksgiving, so hopefully not a lot of the homes were occupied. But if things did go to shit in Kittewa then the survivors may have fled to the lake.”

  “So you think some of the lake residences are already occupied?” Rick asked.

  “I don’t know what to think until we get some Intel. The only way we’re going to get that it by having a look for ourselves.”

  “When do we do this?” Mac asked.

  “Tomorrow…” Jenkins said. “When Ron and I were at the tariff station this morning we met one of the militia helicopter pilots. I was asking him if he’d by chance been up near Rainbow Lake. Unfortunately he hadn’t. But he also told me there’s an old news chopper that hardly gets used. A Bell 206 L-4. No weapons or armor. And it only holds five, maybe six people.”

  “How much will that cost us?” Susan asked.

  “That’s if the military will even sell it to us.” Matt said.

  “We are very rich people here my friend.” Jenkins said smugly. “And everything has its price. Everything…”

  “Who will pilot it?” David asked.

  “I’m going to be the pilot.
” Jenkins said.

  “Where the hell did you learn how to fly?” Matt asked him.

  “Personal interest… My dad was in the Air Force and then a commercial pilot. When I was a kid he built his own airplane from one of those kits and taught me how to fly. He expected me to join the Air Force just as he did. It really pissed him off when I joined the Army.” Jenkins got a small chuckle out of that. “I picked up helicopters on my own.”

  “It will only be useful until the gas tank runs dry.” Jennifer Black said.

  “We can buy gas from Park City. Just today while I was at the tariff station I saw two rigs pulling tankers of diesel fuel come in. The dock manager told me the team of six men who brought them in were regulars.”

  “Babylon has fallen, but she left behind a fat bloated corpse for us to feed upon.” Scott said sourly.

  “A recon mission it is.” Matt said, eyeing Scott oddly. “And I’m in.”

  “Me too…” Mac said.

  “Me three…” David said.

  “Are you as tough as your sister, boy?” Jenkins asked, giving the teenage boy a hard stare. “If your not then you stay back with your momma and Rick comes along.”

  “I can handle myself.” David said sharply.

  “Are you alright with that?” Jenkins asked Rick, smirking at David’s stung pride.

  “I’ll take care of things here. We’ve got plenty of shopping to do.” Rick answered, returning the smirk.

  “I’ve compiled a rudimentary list of things we’ll need.” Jenkins said. He pulled a sheet of paper from another pocket, all business once again. “We have plenty of food and medicine for now. What we do need is ammunition, fishing equipment, blankets and clothing. We will hole up in one of the large mansions, raiding the other mansions for food and supplies. With what we have we can easily make it through winter with plenty to spare.”