Hm. I do hope no damage comes from word of this spreading too quickly. A panic is not what we need right now, he thought while he and Malcolm traveled down the hallway. He heard Isaac speaking, evidently attempting to rally his people or calm them down.
"Good luck," Michaels murmured to himself before interrupting and telling them that they were all going to die.
"Michaels, what are you... how did you get back? When did you... why is that monster with you?" Isaac stammered through questions, stunned by the entrance.
The former Citizen rolled his eyes. "Yes, this is all of such pristine importance. Why don't we procure some tea and crackers so we can sit down and have a nice little discussion?"
Isaac scowled. "I don't know why you're interrupting or what you believe is so important, but we're too busy to deal with whatever melodrama you've got cooked up, doc. And don't think I've forgotten about your complicity and friendship with individuals of questionable status-"
"Yes, of course!" Michaels shouted. "Let's continue to waste time with moronic posturing! After all, casting aside a valuable individual because of grief, heavy stupidity and misplaced anger wasn't bad enough, you need to cling to that ignorance!"
"I'm warning you doc, this is not the time or place-"
Michaels walked forward and planted his hands on the desk. "There is no time, and if you continue to be a complete simpleton, this won't be much of a place very soon."
Out of a pocket in his lab coat, he pulled out a printed digital photo featuring a magnification of one of the blood samples. Front and center in the picture was one of the organisms, a biomechanical marvel which appeared a nightmarish insect when increased to such a size.
Isaac sighed. "Fine, what is this, and why does it matter?"
In Michaels' entire life, he couldn't recall ever being so angry. Unbidden by his own rational will, the researcher's hand shot out and grabbed the Citizen leader's collar. He jabbed a finger at the organism in the picture. "This was originally in that." He thrust his arm towards Malcolm. "This is now in everyone." He tapped the picture again before sweeping a gesture to the whole room.
Isaac's mouth fell open, the irritation he displayed mixing with confusion. "Wait, you're saying-"
"Are you deficient? Am I not speaking clearly?" Michaels tightened his grip on Isaac's collar. "Nothing is more important than this right now, so listen very carefully. I have strong suspicions that the very thing which makes Malcolm a nigh unkillable, brutally strong creature is now inside everyone in Haven."
"Now before you ingrates all begin to celebrate your newfound immortality, consider two small details. One," he held up an index finger. "Look at him. Though I have a mild suspicion the physiology of all those now infected won't alter to such a high degree, I have no precise idea."
Michaels continued, "Secondly, I have placed in holding a captive from the raving lunatic cultists of down below. Yes, Nigel's people. Do you recall our delightful evening with them? Yes, when you abandoned myself and a teenage girl to their mercies."
"Th-the threat was ended," Isaac said, flustered.
"Wrong. If the captive is any indication, these individuals contain the highest concentration of Malcolm's little infection. They are strong, and they are resilient."
Isaac paled. "Y-you mean...?"
"Oh yes. Most of them are probably alive, or will be again very soon." Michaels noted the gawking stares, some with considerable disbelief. "Yes, these organisms are capable of reanimating dead tissue, and yes, bringing the departed back to life. Poor Malcolm here was burned to a cinder back when he was human. Which reminds me," he gestured to Isaac, "keep an eye on Sergei. It's possible his heart function has resumed."
The OHU leader appeared to be on the verge of passing out. His expression turned to pure shock, and all blood in the region of his face drained away. "Sergei?" his voice came out soft and weak.
"Yes, but he isn't important either. What you need to realize and prepare for is Nigel. His people will return, and they will slaughter everyone, Citizen and OHU alike." Michaels paused, cocking his head. "Considering this principle of resurrection, probably more than once."
Individuals in the room, having been gaping in surprise while Michaels spoke, suddenly erupted in a flurry of talking and panicking. It startled even Michaels himself, who had to duck out of the way of a few people making a hasty exit.
The remaining people yelled, argued, and continued frantic behavior, save for Isaac who simply slunk back into the chair behind the large desk. He stared into nothing with a distant expression.
Michaels recovered and composed himself. He drew in a deep breath and shouted, "For God's sake, are you all children?!"
To his surprise, his voice cut through the din. More surprising yet, the various people fell silent, staring at him. Some appeared offended, but most seemed eager for someone to tell them what to do and think.
Good lord, I am not supposed to be leadership material. He grimaced as he noted Isaac's detached expression.
"What are you idiots gawking at?" He scowled, hoping to avoid being drawn in to their petty squabbling.
Someone asked, "What are supposed to do about this? How can we fight them?"
"Ask your fearless leader how best to throw lives away; I'm not interested." Michaels cast a glare toward anyone looking at him. A few turned away, nervous, but too many remained eager for him to provide a solution.
"Look, I'm not a military strategist. I am unaware of what capabilities this pathetic organization has, and quite frankly I couldn't care less. I do somewhat hope you figure out a way to prevent this catastrophe, but I have no ideas."
"Cut open the big guy! Find a weakness!" one of them called out.
A growl issued from Malcolm, and he drew himself up out of his hunching posture into one of menace. Even without the threatening wrath directed at him, Michaels felt a chill. Whoever articulated the idea did not press it further.
After a few moments of silence, a murmur began to sweep through the room. Isaac remained unresponsive, but at least there was progress.
Good enough, Michaels thought, turning to leave.
"What does this mean for our attack plans? Are we still going to fight the Citizens?"
The former Citizen spun around, veins throbbing on his forehead. "How in God's name have you pathetic morons survived into adulthood?! Have you comprehended a single facet of what I've told you?!"
"This war of yours is over! The issue at hand is not whether or not you and the Citizens can continue hurling lives at each other, but whether or not you can save yourselves from multiple agonizing deaths!" Michaels felt a heavy temptation to order Malcolm to throttle the lot of them. He didn't know if the brute would obey, but given their idiocy and the one's suggestion of a living autopsy...
Michaels turned to leave, dispensing with any further tirades. Part of him hoped intelligent discussion would result from his badgering, but pessimism suggested all would meet a horrid end before any one of them entertained a useful thought.
"I have more work to do, people to warn of this impending catastrophe. I pray for the lives of those in your charge." Michaels jerked his head to the exit. Malcolm ceased his intimidation, falling in beside his former colleague.
OHU members babbled questions at him as he walked through the Institute lobby. Already his brief word at the Inquisition entrance to scare the guards into allowing him passage had spread and mutated. Dozens of individuals pressed in around, terrified and asking if they'd all turn into freaks and monsters.
Malcolm raised his head and bellowed. In a flash, the crowd surged away, giving time for the two to exit. Malcolm turned back, and with his glowing eyes speaking innumerable threats, no one dared follow.
Michaels' body trembled with intense anger and a small but growing fear.
Everything has changed, and no one is safe... he thought. I have to warn everyone I can about this, but will any of it matter? Even if they manage to set aside this conflict, what will happen?
Images of une
nding violence passed through Michaels' mind, horror and death filling the lives of everyone in the city. People tortured, their minds broken by pain and the inability to truly die. If the organisms continued to multiply, eventually everyone would be as indestructible as Malcolm.
Will every person who has ever lived and died be reborn? Michaels wondered with a chill. If Nigel's people continue their barbarism and cruelty, if they take control of the city... will everyone become like them: driven mad by unending pain and death?
******
Rick stood, tossing aside the empty can aside. He offered a hand to Kaylee, who accepted and was pulled to her feet.
"This seemed like a pretty big waste of time." Kaylee raised her arms and stretched.
"Yeah..." Rick spoke in a resigned tone. "Even I gotta say this didn't accomplish much. Sure, there's a couple of pretty decent places, but..."
She shouldered her pack. "Whaddya think is taking Gottfried's people so long?"
"Beats me. They must've gotten delayed, lost, or..." he sighed. "I hope they're okay. I can't say I want to spend the evening trying to find them, but jeez, if they ran into trouble..."
"From who?" Kaylee asked, waving a hand. "Y'think maybe Isaac sent some people to grab revenge?"
He grumbled under his breath. "It'd be just our luck, but no, I'd wager his hands are full right now." Rick sighed. "Let's head back to the school, figure out if they maybe stopped in and stayed. I guess they could've mixed up the intended plan and waited there instead of coming out to find us."
"You think so?"
"Nah," he started walking, "I'm sure we'll spend half the night looking for a whole lot of nothing only to realize Gottfried changed his mind about sending them. 'Course, we have no way of finding out about any of it unless the high and mighty Inquisitor bothers letting us know."
Kaylee fell in step beside him. "Why do you trust him, anyway?"
"Aside from the fact that he pulled our asses out of trouble with Isaac, he's got resources, and our goals are the same. I don't really trust him much beyond that, since he's an Inquisitor and all, but hey... there's never been any reason to doubt him either."
Scowling, she replied, "Yeah, because the Inquisition was always all happy and kind to us all those years."
"Point taken, but things are a bit different now." Rick held up a hand as Kaylee prepared another retort. "I get it, I know. I'm pretty sure he'd use me up and toss me aside if it served his purpose, but he's got no reason to. I'm not in his way."
"What if he changes his mind?"
Rick shrugged. "Then I'm screwed, aren't I?"
"Oh great, I'm sure glad I'll probably be near enough to get dragged down with you."
They continued speaking as they walked. In truth, the entire day was almost relaxing. It would've been dull had Rick or Kaylee been alone, but together it practically provided a long leisure hike. Throw in the canned fruit for dinner, and we pretty much had a date.
He kept the thought silent, not wishing to receive a biting retort. He'd gotten enough of it throughout the day. Brief, aimless, and mild conversation ensued, and after a while of walking, they arrived at the school.
Complaints and irritation increased in short order, no hints of news to be found from anyone. Worse, the word of their newfound fondness spread to every sector and individual. Gawking and snickering filled the halls they walked in, other individuals offering snide comments and inquiries as to where they'd been all day. Good lord, is this the most interesting news they've got here? They don't even know us that well.
Far from endearing, Rick found himself growing more and more irritated. Most of it was due to the lack of Gottfried's delivery of the equipment, but the thought that he could've wasted the day in something more enjoyable without noticeable difference... it chafed at him.
Worse came the certainty that he now had to go out once again to make sure the Inquisitors didn't have trouble. Hours of dull searching... sounds like a thrilling evening.
******
A horrible chill swept through Rick as he surveyed the terrible scene. Like something out of a nightmare, it was grotesque and morbid. He desperately wished Kaylee had stayed behind.
"Holy... mother of... shit." The last word elongated and emphasized, Kaylee gawked in disgust.
"I think we need to get out of here. Now." Rick tried to keep the edge out of his voice.
There were no bodies: only considerable blood, a scattering of shell casings and a few torn scraps of black clothing. All of whatever equipment they'd brought was missing as well, save for a jackhammer whose varied parts were smashed and strewn about.
A number of torn cloth scraps with the faint, eye-shaped Inquisitor insignias lay in a small pile. Taunting, Rick thought. How clever, they put out the eyes. In spite of the sarcasm, he felt considerable relief to find only clothing left behind and not actual eyes.
"There's no way this was Isaac," Rick said. "I don't think he even could... not to Gottfried's Inquisitors."
Kaylee pulled on his sleeve. "You're right; we should go. Before they come back."
"They?" Rick blinked. "You think you know who did this?"
She grabbed his wrist and pulled. "I do, and so do you. Let's go."
He clenched his teeth. "It's not possible."
"Doesn't matter. It's them, and we both know it."
Rick allowed himself to be pulled into motion, and they took off running. Their flight quick and spirited, neither wished to share the fate of the Inquisitors. Both Rick and Kaylee remained in good condition, and in spite of the usual lack of sleep and long exertion, they made it a solid distance before having to slow their pace.
"We weren't followed, were we?" Kaylee doubled over, taking in deep breaths.
"Beats me, but I don't think so. It didn't seem like anyone stuck around. Probably had to take the bodies back to..."
Kaylee stretched up, shaking out her limbs. "Back to where we already killed them all?"
"Or so we thought," Rick scowled. "Something screwy is going on. It'd have taken a lot of people to handle the Inquisitors because they're careful and not idiots."
He nudged her and jerked his head, indicating they should keep moving. They kept up a brisk walk instead of running. "I didn't think it possible for that many to be left. Hell, I didn't think they could have so many to begin with."
"Yeah, what is that about?" Kaylee asked, keeping a paranoid glance all around. "It's like they don't die, or something."
Rick's mind flashed to Nigel's mysterious disappearance, and a shudder crawled over him. "A second-in-command, or even another related group, I guess. Maybe someone disagreed with Nigel at first and took a bunch with him."
Wincing, Kaylee blew out a breath. "God, I hope not. How would they recruit so many?"
"I dunno; that's the screwy part. I didn't think Nigel could gather up so many crazies, much less have held a reserve or lost some of them."
They continued speaking, not accomplishing much besides increasing the nervous tension and number of unknowns in the situation. Eventually, they drew within sight of the school.
"What are we gonna do?" Kaylee asked. "If it's still dangerous down here..."
Rick closed his eyes, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, I know. If they can take out a pile of Inquisitors..." He chewed his lower lip and furrowed his brow in thought. After a moment, he shook his head. "If they're able to regroup after last night, the first place they'll go is the school. If we get trapped there... God dammit all, I'm never going to get any frickin' sleep."
She winced. "Are you saying we've got to evacuate?"
"Hah!" He gave a bitter laugh. "We have to convince them to evacuate. After that, we get to help them do it."
"Are you sure we can't just stay at the school?"
Rick felt a sinking sensation. "I don't think so. A few dozen kept us locked down there for hours last night, and they could easily do it again until we run out of bullets or food. No, we've got to risk it and head for the surface. Hopefully, the
lunatics are occupied with the new..." he winced, his mind returning to the bloody scene with the missing Inquisitors, "bodies long enough for us to slip away."
"This sucks," she replied. "Can't we just find someplace to hide?"
"I wish, but I don't know if anywhere is safe anymore, and being alone...?"
Kaylee stopped walking. "Holy crap."
"What?"
"This is it," she replied.
Rick reached out for her, confused, "Yeah, it's just a bit further..."
"No..." she said, distant. "This is it. We're coming to the end of it all, and..." she swallowed hard, and an expression of despair crossed her features, "...and we really are screwed this time, aren't we?"
Rick wished he could be comforting, wished he could tell her everything would turn out all right. In truth, however, he felt a similar foreboding.
"Pretty much everyone hates and wants to kill us, except for some schoolteachers, civilians, and children." Rick tried to express his best charming tone. "We're pretty much doomed to stay here in the dark and die. All in all, could be worse."
Kaylee didn't smile. "How?"
"I dunno. Probably couldn't, but I'm trying to make you feel better."
She frowned. "Great job."
"Hey," he set his hands on her shoulders. "I've said it before; I'll say it again. I won't let anything happen to you."
This brought at least a bit of a smile to her face. "Not if you can help it."
"Damn straight," he gave her shoulder a squeeze, "but let's get going. Lots to do."
Kaylee nodded, moving in for a quick hug. "Okay."
With the tiny bit of comfort added to their troubling situation, they continued onward to the school.
Chapter 13: Out of the Ashes
"Well," Michaels said, noting Malcolm's irritated glare in his direction, "this could have gone better."
Exodus (The Fall of Haven) Page 27