“But we don’t know anything about Eric,” Matthew argues.
“No, but then again what do we know about you?” I ask.
Matthew glares at me, “you want to know what I am. I am a Shepard of the lord, guided by his light and protected by his grace.”
Eric puts his gun up to Matthew’s temple and cocks the hammer back, “Let’s just see how protected you are.”
“My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence,” Matthew prays
A pounding sound is heard coming from the opening.
“You are one lucky son of a bitch,” Eric says uncocking the gun.
“Could it be the resistance?” Penelope asks.
“Are we ever that lucky?” Kennedy scoffs.
“Come in Miami base, this is General Kissner of the U.S. Army. Open the door willingly or we will enter by force,” The Ham radio screeches through the static.
“Well, that pretty much answers that question,” Natalie chuckles.
“General Kissner, this is Master Sargent Eric Summers,” Eric says though the microphone, “request to open the door is denied.”
“What are you doing?” Connor asks knocking the microphone out of his hand.
“What?” Eric snips back, “they already know we’re in here.”
“He’s right, we make a stand here and now,” I say.
“In this sardine can?” Kennedy squeals.
“Would you rather we take this fight outside?” Natalie asks.
“We need a battle plan, fast,” Penelope sighs.
We argue amongst ourselves momentarily trying to optimize our chance for survival. We barely agree on a plan when the pounding begins on the door again. We each ready our weapons as the pounding sounds continues. I grip my sword tightly in my right hand, my left hand griping my hand gun. The door swings open from the brute force coming from outside, time seems to slow to a halt as my eyes turn from my group back to the invaders at the door. One by one soldiers rush into the bunker backing us cramming us against the walls.
“Put down your weapons,” a soldier in front of us orders.
“I demand to speak to General Kissner,” I retort.
“Yes I figured as much,” a voice comes from behind the other soldiers.
The soldiers start to part, the white haired General makes his way to the front standing in front of us. He slides his black gloves off his hands. His head never looking up as if he doesn’t consider us a threat.
“I must say, the lot of you impress me,” He says in a deep hypnotizing voice, “now correct me if I’m wrong, because you were flying under my radar until D.C. but it was your group that blew up the New York bunker, was it not?”
“We were there, if that’s what you mean,” I respond.
“I thought as much,” he smirks, “you’ve really become a thorn in my side. Blowing up U.S. property, killing a soldier, kidnapping a scientist, and breaking into a restricted military base.”
“With all due respect general,” Connor breaks in, “yes we blew up the bunker, but it was something that needed to be done. Jeremy was not kidnapped, he joined us willingly. And yes, Mason was shot dead by one of us, but he had tried to kill us first.”
“Yes I know, I ordered him too,” Kissner admits, “and don’t worry about hiding LT. Daily’s killer. I saw the whole thing, and I know it was the raven haired female in the back.”
“Don’t worry General, I saved a bullet for you too,” Natalie winks.
“Such big talk from such a little girl,” General Kissner growls, “especially when there are at least twenty trained soldiers pointing guns at you, with plenty more outside.”
“What do you want from us?” I ask.
“Well originally I had every intention of coming down here and killing each of you, with the exception of Doctor Fairfield that is. I was hoping to bring him back and have him resume his research,” Kissner answers, “but after reviewing each of your records during my trip down here, I have had a change of heart. I want you all to join me. Together we could remake this world into our own.”
“All while being led by President Quinn I assume?” Eric barks.
“He has his role to play in all this, just like each of us. But in this new world we will need a greater resistance, led by me and my men,” Kisser glorifies.
“We will need time to discuss this,” I say.
I can feel the eyes upon me as soon as the words spilled out of my mouth. Kissner’s lips curl into an evil smile before he lets out a soft, deep laugh.
“You have twenty four hours,” The general says, “After that you either join us, or prepare to fight us.” He waves his hand in the air and the troops begin to pile out of the bunker one by one leaving just him in front of the dented metal door, “oh and I apologize about the door, but I am a very inpatient man.”
He closes the door the best he can. I press up against it as hard as I can until it slides into the frame. I turn back around and find everyone else glaring at me.
“Why did you do that?” Natalie asks.
“What?” I question.
“You gave him the impression that we were willing to join him,” Kennedy yelled.
“No, I bought us time to come up with a plan,” I say walking past them to my bag. I slide my sword back into its scabbard and place it against the wall. I dig through my bag as the others join me.
“What kind of a plan?” Eric asks.
“I don’t know, but I do know that we were severally outnumbered, in cramp quarters. We needed time,” I reason. I pull my journal out of my bag and walk past the group to the first supply room I could find. I place my book down on the pile in the room and slowly shut the door.
“What are you doing?” Penelope asks.
“Well survival is our first objection here. Not just ourselves, but the human race,” I start.
“And?” Matthew shrugs.
“And this journal has the truth in it. The government conspiracy. President Quinn, General Kissner, and everything Jeremy taught us about the Omega Virus. We have twenty four hours before they bust down that door…again. And plan or not we have two real options, fight or run. If we fight there is a chance we will lose and if we run…” I pause, “the point is eventually the resistance will come here to restock. Hopefully, if we aren’t around to warn them, they will stumble across my journal and learn the truth.”
“That’s a noble thought,” Penelope smiles taking my hand.
“Yes, very noble,” Natalie scorns, “but we need a way out of here.”
“I think we should stand and fight,” Connor says.
“I agree,” Eric chimes in. The rest of the group nods in agreement behind him.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I smile, proud of my team.
“Should we call up General Windbag and tell him?” Natalie asks.
“No,” I say shaking my head, “I think we deserve this one last night together.”
Chapter 22
December 21st, 2037
It’s a little after midnight as I write this. My possible final journal entry as my team and I prepare to fight General Kissner and his army. I hope that this journal is found in time, that the world can be saved. I’m not scared like I usually am in these situations, but I am scared about the safety of my team. I can only hope that the outcome is in our favor.
“What are you doing?” Penelope’s voice calls out behind me. Her voice gives me a slight sense of calm that I didn’t realize I was missing.
“Just adding one last page to the journal,” I reply, “I mean…”
“I know what you mean,” She smiles, “if it means anything, I’m scared too. We all are.”
“That’s part of my problem, I’m not scared,” I sigh, “I’m more scared about the group. About you.”
“I appreciate you being worried about me, but we’ve been through worse,” Penelope says pressing against me.
&
nbsp; “Worse than facing the Army?” I ask.
“All right, maybe this is the worst thing we’ve ever had to face. But we are going to face it together,” She leans in closer to me, her lips kiss my neck, slowly working their way to my lips.
We spend the next few hours alone, in the supply closet, entangled in each other’s arms. Our clothes thrown across the room, retrieving each article of clothing is almost like a scavenger hunt. After finding all of our clothing we join the others in the main room. We all fit snuggly in the room, but none of us seem to mind much. Everyone is silent, with faces painted on most of them.
“Waiting sucks,” Fanny says, her legs curled into her body, her face buried in her knees.
“Yeah, can’t we just challenge Kissner now and get it over with?” Natalie asks.
“Yeah, I’m all for enjoying our last twenty four hours and all, but not when there is nothing to do,” Connor adds.
I look down at my watch, “we have about three hours left before Kissner, give me five more minutes.”
I get up off the ground and grab my bag out of the bedroom. I reach inside and place an item on one of the tables.
“What’s that?” Penelope asks.
“Something I’ve been holding onto for a while,” I smile.
A smoothing, sound comes out of the speakers I found some time ago. The sound of violins booms from the speakers, sparking the interest of the rest of the group. The slow beat starts to pick up. Time passes by quickly as we allow ourselves to live it up for the few hours we had left. I check my watch, our time is up.
“Our twenty four hours are up,” I inform the others. They nod, no one saying a word. “I would just like to say, if this is our last night together, then I am honored to have spent it with all of you.”
“We will have more,” Connor assures me.
I smile at him, hoping he is right. The Ham radio squeals, and voice tries to come through but the static over powers it. Eric fiddles with a few of the dials trying his best to remove the static.
“I repeat, your twenty four hours are up and I await your decision. A paradise with me, or death.” Kissner’s voice rings out loudly as the static disappears.
Eric hands me the microphone. I take in one last breath before turning the microphone on, “General Kissner, this is Damian. We respectfully decline your offer. But we would like to ask that you go fuck yourself. Thank you, and have a nice day.”
“That was bold,” Natalie says patting me on the back.
“Thanks. Everyone remember their parts?” I say. A loud ‘yes’ rumbles from everyone in the group. “Good, then let’s go kick some ass.”
We all scramble, the music still going on behind us. I watch as they each scuttle out a loose panel in the floor. Eric stays behind with me as the last of them flee the bunker.
“Go with them,” He orders.
“That’s not the plan,” I say.
“No, but I figure this is better. They need you more than me,” Eric states.
“I can’t leave you here to die,” I argue. A loud pounding shocks the metal door.
“You’re not leaving me, I’m kicking you out. That door won’t hold as long as it did yesterday, so please go,” he begs.
I stand tall and salute Eric, “Remember, don’t let them open the door to the supply room. It’s the only thing that will protect the journal.”
He nods at me before ushering for me to go. A second thud bangs on the door as I slid into the cramp hole. I slowly wiggle myself down to the tunnel under the bunker. I can hear another muffled thud followed by thunderous stomps as the troops storm the inside of the bunker. I pick up my pace, working my way to a brief sprint before hearing numerous explosions come from the bunker. Small bursts of fire can be seen above me, I can feel the heat engulf me as I continue to rush through the underground. It takes me a few moments to catch up with the others. Looks of shock and amazement wash on their faces as they see me. Penelope rushes to my side and wraps her arms around me.
“I thought you were dead,” she sobs.
“I told you I wouldn’t leave you,” I whisper to her.
“What happened to Eric?” Jeremy asks.
I walk over and join the rest of the group, “Eric sacrificed himself for me.”
“So what do we do now?” Fanny asks.
“Nothing has changed,” I say in a loud, booming voice, “we keep going, and surprise Kissner from behind.”
We manage to find the back entrance, coming out on a ledge below a cliff overlooking the ocean. We fight our way back up the ledge and onto the cliff. Smoke can be seen billowing from where the bunker was located.
“The smell of the smoke is going to attract Zombies,” Jeremy gulps.
“I’m counting on it,” I smirk.
We split up, hoping to surround General Kissner and any remaining forces he had left. Our time is precious, so we make the best use of it. We climb a hill overlooking the General’s base camp. We wait in silence, watching as the general curses out his remaining troops.
“I count half a dozen, including Kissner,” Connor calls out.
“Who’s that with him?” Kennedy asks as a man steps out of an all-terrain vehicle
“Quinn,” Jeremy says.
“Wait, so if Quinn is here, then who really is in charge?” Jeremy ask.
“Does it matter?” I ask, “Take them both out.”
There is a soft rumble coming from the ground. Hissing and groaning is heard from the distance.
“They’re coming,” Jeremy says.
“Fanny remember what I told you. Go find a place and hide,” I say to her.
“Where am I supposed to go?” she asks.
“I don’t know. But remember wherever you go keep your eyes open and keep your blade ready,” I say to her.
“Alright,” she sighs.
We watch her tiny legs carry her away from us. We wait until she is out of sight before rushing up on Kissner and Quinn. Guns fire, and bullets fly. Quinn rushes back for the all-terrain vehicle looking for safety. I manage to get to the President before he is able to get away.
“Don’t do this,” Quinn says.
“I think you missed the memo Mr. President, but you’re not giving orders anymore,” I bark ramming my gun into the back of his head.
“This is my world and you would do well to listen to me,” President Quinn says getting to his knees.
“KISSNER!” I yell, cocking the hammer of my gun. The blade of my sword reflects the light of the fading sun.
General Kissner pushes his way through a pile of dead bodies. He has several burn marks on his face. He fires his gun several times in my direction. I fire back, making sure to keep Quinn down with my sword.
“Let go of the President,” Kissner demands.
“Not until you tell your men to stand down,” I bark back.
“Son, I can think of a dozen ways to end this. Each one ends with your death,” he grins.
“Then I die,” I huff, “but I’m taking Quinn’s life with me.”
General Kissner doesn’t say a word, his wrinkled lips curl into a crooked smile as he backs away. He raises his gun in the air in a sign of surrender. Kennedy and Jeremy surround him from either side, their guns pointed at the defeated General.
“Good show,” Kissner says, “I’m glad to see you’re willing to do whatever it takes to win. You would have made an excellent soldier.”
“Not to win. To survive,” I correct him.
“Winning is survival!” Kissner spits, “That’s why I did what I had to do to get here.”
“What are you talking about?” I ask, pushing the barrel of my gun harder into Quinn’s head.
“Everything that has happened in the last eighteen months has been under my influence. I’m the one who talked North Korea into taking Doctor Ming, showing them how to use him to attack D.C. Then I talked Quinn into retaliating with a nuclear strike, effectively ridding us of the enemy. I was so close to having my vision of a perfect world, but
then you all came and ruined my plans,” Kisser yells grabbing Kennedy by the throat.
He fires his gun at Jeremy, and the bullet drives through his head with little force. His eyes roll upward as a bead of blood spills down from the hole making its way down his nose and spilling to the ground. He drops to his knees dead. Kissner laughs as he grips Kennedy’s throat with his free hand, his gun pressed firmly against her head.
“It seems as if we are at a standoff,” Kissner says.
“It seems so,” I snarl.
“Now, call off the others or I kill her,” he yells.
I gaze at Kennedy who is now drenched in tears as Kissner tightens his grip on her, “Everyone, stand down.”
“Good boy,” The General smirks.
“I’ve done what you asked, now let her go,” I implore.
“No. You see with her in my grip, I have something you want, and that means you can’t shoot me,” Kissner says, “You value her life to much to take that chance, don’t you?”
“Shoot him,” Kennedy mouths.
My hand trembles slightly. He’s right, I can’t take a chance that would kill her. “How about a trade instead? Quinn for the girl.”
“Intriguing,” the General says. “You would give up the one thing you have over me just to keep her alive?”
“Yes,” I reply, I can feel my blood boiling.
“Very well then. Send the President over first,” he grins.
“No release the girl first,” I say, kicking the President face first into the ground.
General Kissner laughs, “You have a lot of heart and pride. But it is that very pride that is going to get her killed.”
I sigh before lowering my gun, “deal.” I usher Quinn along with my foot. He crawls halfway over before getting back to his feet. “Now release Kennedy.”
He smiles his crooked smile at me, almost as if he is testing me. “I really would like to, but you’re not really in a position to be giving me orders.”
I am grabbed from behind, the smell from the rotting Zombie behind me infiltrates my nose. It bears its teeth down on my shoulder hard, I can feel the blood pouring all down my arm. I loose feeling in my arm, dropping the gun to the ground. I drop to my knees as the Zombie continues to munch on me. My eyes concentrate on Kissner, watching as I struggle to free myself.
Omega Virus (Book 1): Surviving the Horror Page 20