He was holding himself up with one hand on the bench and the other on a chair. He was hunched over and breathing very heavy. A fresh batch of pills was on the counter, a few pill bottles filled with tablets, also sat nearby.
Malcolm approached slowly looking the room over and seeing nothing out of place. The Doctor let out a heavy sigh and turned his head. His face was ashen and small beads of sweat formed on his skin. He looked unsteady and then began to shake, the legs of the chair he was using for support echoed in the sterile lab.
“Doc … doc … are you alright?” Malcolm asked.
Chapter 22
Hostages
Benton tightened his grip on Katie as the Major took one abbreviated step towards him. That stopped Major Bradley in his tracks. He then surveyed the chapel, it was smaller than it looked from the outside, capable of holding maybe forty people. Most importantly for Benton, there was no sign of the Doctor. Apparently, his invitation had been lost in the mail.
All this meant was he was going to have to do it the hard way.
“Relax ladies and gentleman, I’m afraid this little ceremony will have to wait,” Benton said as Gunner maneuvered his huge frame through the doorway and next to his boss.
“We have no desire to hurt anyone but rest assured we will if we have to,” Benton said.
He locked eyes with Holly Sanderson while at the same time nodding in the Major’s direction. Gunner immediately moved toward the Major and held out his hand.
“My associates will be collecting your weapons,” Benton said as Bronson and Mikial entered the chapel and began making their way down the aisle.
“Please don’t give them any trouble, I’d hate to turn this lovely brunette into a redhead,” he said.
Major Bradley’s blood began to boil as he stood face to face, or more like face to chest, with Gunner. His mind was racing with options but none of them seemed viable. They had the drop on them and there seemed to be very little he could do but comply and wait for an opportunity. Perhaps a time when there wasn’t a gun pressed against Katie’s temple.
He slowly reached for his sidearm, unbuttoning the strap and carefully removing the weapon. As he handed it over to Gunner, it finally hit him that for these men to be in the chapel they would have had to get past Sanchez and Stevens. It was possible that they may be bound and gagged just outside but the Major, knowing what he did of Benton, feared the worst.
Only the Major, Corporal Sinclair, and Stephen actually had weapons on them. Security had been entrusted to the soldiers and most everyone, despite the new world order, felt it gauche to bring a weapon to a wedding. Mikial picked up the only other weapon, a shotgun leaning against the last pew, left there by Chester before walking Lucy down the aisle.
Bronson and Mikial returned to the door with the weapons and stood next to Benton.
“Major Bradley, where might Dr. Sanderson be?” Benton asked.
The Major knew that he asked to go the hospital today and miss the wedding ceremony because he felt he was close to some kind of breakthrough. He gave his permission because deep down he knew that while this wedding was a nice diversion, and one everyone probably needed, the most important pursuit was that of a cure for this madness.
He also knew that Malcolm was with him. What he didn’t know was whether or not he had left yet. He didn’t check in with him this morning as his top priority was securing the chapel so he was out early. He could still be at the MGM, at the hospital, or on his way. So, in all honesty, he didn’t know.
“He’s not here,” he answered.
“Well, I can see that,” Benton said.
Katie struggled in Benton’s arms, looking over at Major Bradley with a look that clearly asked for help. He could see no way that anything he did at this moment would be beneficial. The most important thing was to keep everyone safe, even if it meant complying with Benton’s instructions. There was no telling what that maniac Worthington might do.
Benton, tired of struggling with the girl, threw her over to Bronson who grabbed her and held her tight against his hip. He was considering who he was going to bring with him as a hostage. The rest were going to stay here until he got what he came for. He knew that the Major was the best person to bring him to the Doctor, it then occurred to him who the best hostage would be.
“Bring the Doctor’s girl,” Benton said to Gunner.
Gunner made his way down the aisle, stopping at the second row of pews. He reached in and grabbed Zoe Sanderson’s arm and pulled her towards him. She resisted as her mom grabbed her other arm.
“No! Leaver her, take me instead,” Holly Sanderson pleaded.
Chester, standing in the first row, moved forward but thought better of it as he had no weapon, save for the small Buck knife hidden in his boot that they didn’t find. He knew better than to bring a knife to a gun fight. Gunner raised his weapon in Chester’s direction as he easily pulled Zoe away from her mother’s grasp and into the aisle.
Zoe let out a scream but it was no use. Holly followed her daughter in to the aisle and stood frozen as Gunner dragged her to the front of the chapel.
“That’s enough!” Benton yelled. Everyone fell silent.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. The Major, Gunner, and I are going to go and get Dr. Sanderson. Ms. Sanderson will accompany us in case the good doctor has any reservations about returning to my employ,” Benton said.
He waited a few seconds to let that sink in before dropping the second bomb.
“My other two associates will remain behind to ensure you are all well taken care of. If the Major has the poor sense to lead us on a wild goose chase or bring me to the wrong place, well, I’m afraid young Ms. Sanderson will pay for that mistake with her life, and we will return for another and start the whole process all over again,” Benton warned.
There were a few gasps from the assembled guests as well as a couple of muffled sobs. The Major looked around and saw that many were afraid, holding each other. A few, like Chester and Stephen, who had come down from the step leading up to the altar, were desperately trying to plan some kind of a move.
He knew it was too dangerous and caught Chester’s gaze, shaking his head, Chester nodded back.
“Speaking of former employees … I see my old friend Captain Bannon,” Benton said glaring at his former pilot. The malice implied by his stare was enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone who noticed.
“I’ll be back later to deal with you my friend,” Benton said, the threat obvious.
“Ok Worthington, I’ll go with you but leave the girl here. I promise to bring you to him,” Major Bradley said.
Benton stood for a second like he was actually considering the Major’s proposal.
“No … no, I think we’ll bring the girl but I must say I’m glad to hear that you won’t be trying anything foolish,” Benson answered, a wry grin crossing his face.
The Major considered threatening not to go but decided that Benton might just shoot them one at a time until he agreed. He had no choice.
“We’ll do it your way Benton, but I want a promise that when I give you what you want that you’ll leave, and no one will get hurt,” Major Bradley asked.
“Of course, I’m a reasonable man,” he said.
Major Bradley nodded and moved along the wall towards the end of the aisle. Holly Sanderson ran up the aisle, alarming Benton and Gunner. Major Bradley cut her off before she could reach her daughter and spoke to her in hushed tones, tears streaming down her face.
“They won’t harm him, they need him too much,” He said, holding her steady by the shoulders. She glanced over at her daughter.
“And I won’t let anything happen to Zoe,” he promised.
“Major! Time’s a-wastin’,” Benton said.
Major Bradley saw the fear in Holly’s eyes but she wiped away the tears and nodded her head anyway.
He turned and faced Benton and Gunner.
Gunner moved first, dragging Zoe out.
“I
love you, mom!” Zoe yelled, twisting around to see her mother.
“I’ll see you soon sweetheart,” Holly managed, voice trembling.
Benton motioned for the Major to follow Gunner out the door, which he did.
Benton turned back around to address the remaining hostages.
“Please listen to my associates and no one will be harmed. If the Major is good to his word, we should be seeing you all very soon,” Benton said, then turned to leave.
He exited the chapel into what was now a brilliant Spring day.
The Major was standing over the dead bodies of two men he had led into battle and had become quite close to, his worst fears confirmed. He didn’t know how or when but he swore that Benton would pay for their deaths.
Chapter 23
Follow Up
Captain Benjamin Morris crouched down just outside the upper level of the MGM Grand entrance that led to the walkway crossing over Las Vegas Boulevard. He had a perfect view of the duce and a half as the wedding guests boarded, on their way to the chapel.
From his vantage point, he could see trouble coming from all sides and would have an easy shot, taking out any infected attempting to join the wedding party. The area has been clean for weeks and his being up here was merely a precaution.
Major Bradley had asked him to stay behind and keep an eye on things while he was in the chapel. He was responsible for making sure the reception was ready for when the newlyweds returned. He was happy for the diversion, something different from the day to day grind.
Stephen and Lucy had been real contributors to what they were trying to accomplish here and he was happy for them. Happiness was in very short supply these days.
He relaxed a bit when everyone had finally climbed aboard the vehicle and Ken put the truck in drive, slowly pulling away from the Jersey barriers lining the side of the street.
He watched as they made their way north on the Boulevard, weaving through the abandoned cars. There was some talk of moving the cars when they first arrived but they decided not to. It was more of a defensive decision than anything else. It made it more difficult for a direct assault on the casino if some group was so inclined.
He waited a few more minutes, until the cargo truck was nearly out of sight, before deciding to head back inside and see how the reception preparations were coming. As he started to stand back up he caught movement from his left side. Instinctively he crouched back down and slowly turned to his left.
He thought he noticed something pass under the walkway he was standing on, but it was only a glimpse. He waited a couple of seconds before spotting the black SUV emerging on the other side, traveling north in the southbound lane.
The windows were tinted but not entirely visually impenetrable. The sun hit the SUV at just the right angle and the captain made at least three people in the vehicle, perhaps four. Raising the semi-automatic rifle he was carrying, he trained it on the SUV, following it as it passed the New York, New York Casino.
It wasn’t traveling with any urgency, like whoever was driving it was in no hurry to get to where they were going. They seemed to be keeping what he would call a safe distance behind the cargo truck. And why are they traveling in the southbound lane? Almost as if they didn’t want to be spotted by anyone moving north in the northbound lane.
If he didn’t know better, Morris was sure the black SUV was following the cargo truck.
He did not like the look of this, not at all.
The car parked at an angle just past the row of Jersey barriers, with the hood up, and looking like it had seen better days, was actually a finely tuned automobile. It was a 2025 Dodge Challenger that Ken Schaffer supped up, adding high-performance tires that he dirtied from the outside and spare parts he cannibalized from other cars he found around town.
It was meant to look like no matter how hard one tried there was no way that car was going to start when, in fact, the exact opposite was true. Ken kept it running and it was used if someone needed to get somewhere fast.
Captain Morris ran back inside, barricaded the door, and went downstairs to the lobby where people were busy setting up a few banquet tables, adding some decorations and party favors. Casinos were always ready to put on a show or host a party at a moment’s notice so it was easy to find plenty of stuff necessary to plan a wedding reception.
He needed two men to come with him but he couldn’t pull anyone off of sentry duty, especially with an unknown vehicle loose in Las Vegas. Where there was one, there could be more. It was important, however, to confirm his suspicions. He felt that SUV was following the cargo truck.
He found Richie Timmons over by the reception desk stringing silver and gold paper wedding bells.
“Timmons,” Captain Morris said.
The Civilian Army Corps member turned around.
“Captain?”
“Get your rifle … quickly but quietly, and meet me at the Challenger,” Morris ordered.
“Yes, sir,” Richie answered, immediately heading towards the casino floor.
Captain Morris moved quickly to what used to be the Rainforest Café and was now a weapons storage area. Manned at all times, any authorized personnel could sign out a weapon and ammunition.
Wilson Pike, “Willie” to his friends, was currently behind the counter and nodded at the Captain as he entered.
“Captain Morris, how are the preparations coming along?” He asked.
“I need four grenades and some extra ammo for the rifle,” he said ignoring the question.
Willie turned the logbook around for the Captain to sign out the requested items and went to fetch them.
“And I need a walkie…” he added.
Willie returned a minute later with everything and placed them on the counter.
Captain Morris grabbed the walkie.
“Stanton, come in Stanton, over,” he said into the walkie.
“Everything OK Cap,” Willie asked.
Morris looked up at Willie and was about to say something when a voice came through the walkie.
“Stanton here Captain, over.”
“I need you at the Challenger ASAP … with your weapon,” he said.
“Copy that, there in three minutes, over.”
Captain Morris attached the grenades to his belt and stuffed the extra mags in his jacket.
“Captain?” Willie prodded.
When he was done arming himself he turned to Willie.
“We might have some unexpected guests, but I’m not sure. I’m taking Timmons and Stanton with me to check it out. Keep it quiet until I know more. And tell the sentries to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary,” he said.
“You got it,” Willie said.
Captain Morris turned and headed out to the Challenger.
Five minutes later Captain Morris, Timmons, and Brian Stanton were standing next to the Dodge. The Captain had given each of the men a spare cartridge as he scanned the area for any signs of the black SUV or any other unknown vehicle.
“What’s this all about, Captain?” Stanton asked.
He gestured for them to get into the car as he slid behind the wheel. Timmons, being the smaller of the two men, squeezed into the less than generous back seat, Stanton got into the passenger’s seat.
“I spotted a black SUV traveling north in the southbound lane, it looked to be following the deuce and a half,” he began when they were settled in. “Keep an eye out for any strange vehicles, I’m going to take the back roads to the chapel. If that’s where they’re headed, I don’t want to be seen.”
He had been giving the matter some thought while waiting for the two men to meet him at the car. If he went straight up Las Vegas Boulevard, he risked being spotted and could be dragged into a fight before he was ready. He was sure there were at least three men in that car, but maybe four. There could be more cars as well.
If they were following the wedding party, for whatever reason, they would probably stop before the chapel, not after it. His plan to swing around
to the north and head down to the chapel seemed like a good idea. If they were there, he might surprise them. If not, he could sneak into the ceremony and alert the Major.
He did risk losing them altogether this way but he felt it worth the risk.
He started up the Challenger and made a U-turn and then a left onto Tropicana.
“Why would they be following the truck?” asked Timmons.
“No idea young man, but that’s what I hope to find out,” Morris answered.
A few minutes later he took a left onto Paradise Road. No sign of the SUV.
Captain Morris rolled down the windows.
“Get your weapon ready, just in case,” he ordered.
Paradise Road was fairly clear of cars, it was not a heavily used road when the shit hit the fan. He was making good time but didn’t want to miss anything, so he kept the car at a moderate speed.
“There!” Stanton said.
Morris applied the break and looked to his right, in the direction of Stanton’s outstretched arm.
There was a black SUV parked on a side street named Karen Ave. Someone was bent over, leaning into the driver’s seat.
He slowed to a crawl and looked closely at the SUV. It did not appear to be the one he had spotted earlier. Cautiously he pulled the car to the right and came to a stop. A few seconds passed as the person backed up from the car, turning the face the challenger.
“Please take care of that, Mr. Stanton,” Captain Morris said.
An obvious infected had stumbled away from the car, clutching something in his hand. At first, it looked like a small animal but upon closer inspection, it was definitely a human hand that the infected was gnawing on, not unlike a turkey leg at Thanksgiving.
Stanton approached the infected, who immediately became aware of his presence and lost interest in the hand it was holding. He reached for his knife and withdrew it slowly. Approaching from the side, he plunged the knife into the infected’s skull and took a step back as it collapsed to the ground.
The Zombie Principle II Page 21