Stories by Kiera Dellacroix

by Dellacroix, Kiera

  Alvarez leapt forward with a lightning fast draw of his knife and brought it down, cutting off a large chunk of her ponytail to free her. Malory staggered forward with the abruptness of her liberty and turned to put her strength against the door.

  Seeing the dilemma, Clovis let go of a frantically struggling Corky and ran forward with a roar. He lumbered powerfully across the room and utilizing all of his considerable strength, collided into both the startled soldiers and the door.

  The force of his arrival slammed the door closed with a sickening crack as one of Gregory's arms was crushed and almost severed in the doorframe. Blood filled the doorframe like glue and Gregory's fingers twitched madly as the crushed limb dangled from the precarious tissue still exerting a hold on the appendage.

  "The door won't hold!" Reynolds said.

  "Back up," Malory ordered. "Form another firing line!"

  The words were no sooner out of her mouth when the door crashed open with stunning force, scattering the soldiers and Clovis in all directions. The edge of the door caught Malory on the side of her face and knocked her several feet backward to land painfully on her back. She groggily rolled over and brought herself to her knees, drawing her pistol.

  "Malory!" Corky screamed.

  The sound barely registered as she was yanked into the air by the scruff of her neck, catching sight of an evilly unnatural mouth filled with grotesquely gyrating worms descending upon her. She screamed and desperately thrust the barrel of her pistol into Gregory's surviving eye. The bullet splattered brain matter on the wall behind him and the grip holding her aloft was suddenly released. She fell to the floor and collapsed to her knees, dimly aware of McNeely running forward to grab her by the shoulders.

  He started to pull her away but Gregory's wildly flailing arm caught him in the chest and propelled him into the air, dropping him with a grunt of pain several feet away. Malory was struggling to get to her feet when the swing that had dispatched McNeely returned to catch her in the side. The blow lifted her off her feet and sent her smashing into a table halfway across the room, where she lay motionless.

  Another scream from Corky and she wrenched free of the men holding her, racing over to her fallen lover.

  Alvarez rushed into the hall to retrieve Malory's discarded shotgun and walked back into the room loading it. He approached the blind and still thrashing Gregory from behind, coming to just within arms reach and shouldering the weapon. The blast removed what was left of Gregory's head and he followed the shot with two more to the back of his knees, dropping the twitching body to the floor.

  "Burn it, Hanson!" he ordered. "Terrel, get the ones in the hall. Everyone still standing find something to block the door with when he gets back, move!"

  Corky frantically rolled Malory over and checked for a pulse, tears of relief filling her eyes when she found it strong and steady. She was in the process of searching out any obvious injuries when blue eyes fluttered open.

  "Is…is everybody okay?" Malory croaked.

  The threatening tears spilled over and ran down her cheeks. "I think so."

  "Hey," Malory whispered. "I'm alright."

  "You better be."

  "I just needed a little nap," Malory said with a grin. "Now help me up, we got things to do."

  "Okay," Corky said, wiping at her eyes.

  Malory got to her feet and winced, knowing that she had broken or at the very least bruised some ribs. She shook it off and smiled for Corky's benefit, squeezing the hand in hers tightly before turning to assess the situation.

  Evidently, she was the last person to regain her feet and the men were busily working to block the door. She turned a look at the broken table that had borne the brunt of her impact and spotted her gun on the floor several feet away. Not caring if anyone might be watching, she released Corky's hand and leaned over to peck her on the cheek.

  "We're gonna be okay," she said and ambled over to pick up her pistol.

  --------

  Twenty minutes later, Malory gingerly sipped at a cup of coffee and surveyed the prison they had created for themselves. She had pointedly ignored everyone since obtaining her java and the men had only just finished shoring up the doors to their satisfaction. A task she personally thought was a waste of time; if they wanted in, they were gonna get in and a confrontation within the small confines of the mess hall was a prelude to disaster.

  She shot a glance over her shoulder at Corky, who was going about the task of getting what food she could ready for consumption. Not that anyone had much of an appetite after witnessing Gregory's bloody demise firsthand, yet she realized that the doctor was coping with things in her own way. A smile came to her face as Corky stuck an experimental finger into her concoction and brought it to her mouth, nodding slightly in satisfaction. Suddenly, the situation became intensely personal and a grim purpose fought for air. It was a feeling she had only experienced once before and she recognized it for what it was; resolve.

  She rose to her feet and spared a long glance at all the people depending on her leadership. It was do or die time.

  "Everyone gather around," she commanded, waiting patiently for them to congregate and taking Corky's hand when she came out of the kitchen. "We can't stay here. You all saw what just one of those things did. We're sitting ducks and I'm not going to sit here and play with myself until one of those things decides to make a meal out of me. We have to make some choices."

  "What choices do we have, Commander?" Lenard asked.

  "There's only one," she said. "We flush them out and destroy them. I won't order anyone to come with me but that's exactly what I'm going to do."

  "Where do we start, skipper?" Alvarez said. "I'm with you and I believe I speak for everyone in uniform."

  "Here, here," McNeely chimed in.

  "I'm with you," Clovis said.

  Every head in the room began to nod.

  "It looks like we all are," Lenard observed.

  "Alright," she said. "What do we have in the armory, Mr. McNeely?"

  "Standard compliment of M16's and 1911's. About six Benelli M1's and a thousand rounds for each weapon minus what we've already used."

  "Nothing heavier?"

  "Afraid not," he said. "This is a scientific outpost. The flame units, which we have about a dozen of, are only present because they're excellent for creating tunnels in the ice. We have plenty of fuel for them and some small explosives. That's it."

  She hummed. "Lemme hear some opinions."

  "I think we need to find out how the hell they got in here," Reynolds said. "As strong as they are, they're not strong enough to break the seals on the fire doors. There has to be something we missed."

  "I suggest that we reestablish the perimeter once we determine how they got in," Alvarez said. "Then I recommend we travel as a group, rifles up front, shotguns in reserve for close work and flame units to finish. Fire teams in front and behind."

  "I have no objections to any of that, skipper," McNeely said. "But if we can manage to reestablish a perimeter we still have to count on them getting in sooner or later."

  "I agree," Ring chimed in.

  "Alright," Malory said. "First trip is to the armory so we can get everybody packin'. Then we inspect the quarters of those dead or missing from last night, I'd be willing to bet those rooms can tell us how they got in. Once that's done, I intend to hunt them down. Anyone disagree?"

  She looked around. "Good, because it wasn't up for debate. Let's get it together, I don't want to be caught in here. Stock up on the C-rations, gear up and clear one of the doors."

  Corky squeezed her hand and she turned to her curiously. "I'm coming too, right?"

  "You're not getting out of my sight."

  --------

  Malory stood in the hall outside of Laroux's quarters with her shotgun at the ready, her army of armed civilians standing by behind her. They had proceeded to the armory without incident and had cleared all of the rooms to Laroux's thus far.

  McNeely and Alvarez had poin
t and stood on either side of the door; waiting for her signal. She nodded and waited tensely as McNeely pushed open the door and fell back to a cover position as Alvarez dropped to a knee in the open doorway. After a careful inspection, he entered slowly only to emerge a handful of seconds later.

  "Clear," he said. "Laroux is dinner scraps. No sign of Garret."

  Malory sighed, slightly ashamed that it was a sigh of relief. One meal meant one less enemy. "Was Garret his bunkmate for the night?"

  "Yeah," McNeely confirmed, curiously peering into the room. "We need the Chief up here."

  "Alright," Malory agreed. "Alvarez relieve him and send him up front."

  Alvarez nodded and began making his way through the crowd gathered in the narrow hall towards the rear.

  "What's up?" Malory asked, reluctant to look inside of the room. Viewing Ballenger's remains had been enough to witness.

  "They came in through the floor."

  "Huh?"

  "There are service tunnels under the complex that contain heating ducts, electrical cables, network cable, and so forth," McNeely explained. "They used those tunnels to get in."

  Malory closed her eyes as the information sank in. They could be anywhere, including the places they'd already searched. "Jesus, where are the access points?"

  "I only know of the one outside of Operations, the Chief will know," McNeely said. "Here he comes," he added as Reynolds came forward.

  Malory turned to him immediately. "Chief, where are the access points to the service tunnels?"

  He looked at her in sudden understanding. "Shit," he exclaimed. "One outside of Operations, one in Receiving, and another in Mechanical."

  "Can they be sealed?"

  "Yeah, they seal with a vacuum door a few yards after the access point."

  "Why didn't they close when the complex went into lockdown?"

  "They should have," Reynolds said with a shake of his head. "I can only assume they were propped open."

  "Did we do that?"

  "No way."

  "Would they seal automatically if the prop was removed after lockdown?"

  "No," Reynolds replied. "After the computer verifies lockdown it won't send any further commands until it is rescinded."

  "Why didn't the computer tell us the damn doors were still open down there?"

  "It should have. I can only assume that whoever kept them from closing, blocked the sensors on the lock mechanism. It's the only way I know to fool it."

  "So someone was down there when the command was given and was smart enough to block the sensors?" she asked unbelievingly.

  "That would be my guess," he admitted. "Or someone knows a trick I don't."

  Malory chewed on that in dismay. "Alright, where would the safest point in the complex be that is not vulnerable to entry through use of the service tunnels?" she asked, suddenly feeling terribly exposed.

  "The lab," Reynolds said. "All heat and power is routed in from overhead. The service tunnel is cut off from entry to that area by another vacuum door. The door itself is permanently sealed. Only you can open it via computer command."

  "Then lets roll," she said. "That's the only safe place in the entire compound right now."

  "Commander," McNeely said. "The lab is huge, it'll take some time to clear it."

  "Do we have another option at this time?"

  McNeely considered. "No."

  "Then let's go there directly," Malory said. "Chief, you're on point with the Sergeant Major.

  "Aye, skipper."

  "But first," she added. "Hanson, burn what's left of Laroux."

  Hanson nodded grimly and stepped forward, illuminating the hall as he sprayed fire into the room.

  --------

  The going was excruciatingly slow as every door they encountered was treated as a potential threat and they darted two at a time past each one. They made no overtures to conduct a search effort and traveled grimly toward their destination. Finally, as their objective came into sight, movement became quicker as all hoped to get behind the relative safety of the laboratory's pressure door.

  Within twenty-five yards of the entrance, Malory had begun to harbor the small hope that they would arrive unscathed. A hope that vanished as the floor suddenly rushed up in the middle of their party, immediately dropping two men into the tunnel below. The pit in the floor creating two groups, one in front and one behind. The screams started from below instantly.

  "Leave them, we can't help!" Malory yelled. "We're running for it, everyone over as fast you can!"

  Those trapped on the other side didn't ask questions and took several steps back, initiating a running start to propel them over the four-foot gap in the floor.

  "Sergeant, Chief, form a firing line in front of the lab!" Malory ordered, darting around the running bodies and grabbing Corky's frightened hand.

  "Stay with me," she said quietly and began pulling her down the hall toward the assembling men.

  McNeely started barking orders to get everyone positioned and Malory ran toward him with Corky in tow, turning a quick look behind her to see Isaaks seized in midair from the tunnel below. His face crashing grotesquely into the edge of the floor with a grisly thud that left behind teeth and blood before he disappeared into the tunnel.

  His fate went almost unnoticed as the remainder of the men jumped across the void without hesitation and ran forward. As Alvarez passed her and joined the firing line, she released Corky's hand and dropped to one knee.

  "McNeely, clear the lab. Use as many as you need to get it done as quickly as possible," she ordered. "Everyone else shore up and hold the hall."

  McNeely turned at once and slapped several men on the shoulder to follow him and within seconds, a deadly quiet descended upon the hall.

  "What do we do, Commander?" Watkins muttered nervously.

  "Keep your shit together and blast anything that moves until McNeely gives us the go ahead to enter the lab," Malory replied.

  The sound of nervous breathing and restless fidgeting were the only things to be heard for the next twenty minutes. Malory's eyes vigilantly scanning the hall down the barrel of her rifle and trying very hard not linger on the teeth scattered indiscriminately on the floor a dozen yards away. A hand touched her shoulder and it took every once of willpower she had not to scream and rain gunfire down the hallway.

  Corky felt the body under her hand tense powerfully and she squeezed Malory's shoulder reassuringly. "Easy," she whispered and Malory relaxed slowly.

  "Commander," Clovis whispered. "If we get into the lab, I need to talk to you."

  Malory just nodded, afraid to glance away from the hall for even a second.

  Her concentration was so intense that she periodically had to wipe the sweat away from her eyes with her shirtsleeve and she felt the beginnings of a powerful headache. Finally, as she began to believe she had spent a year of her life rooted to the same spot, McNeely called out.

  "Lab is clear," he said. "Move!"

  Organized chaos ensued as everyone scrambled to get inside and Malory breathed a long sigh of relief as the pressure door was sealed behind her.

  "Commander," Clovis said.

  She turned to him tiredly. "What is it, Mr. Stokes?"

  "We need to change the entry code on that door immediately," he said. "I don't think we can take the chance that it might not be remembered."

  Malory closed her eyes. "Who knows it?"

  "Everyone but you most likely."

  "Why is that?"

  "Because you're the only one who never comes in here," he explained. "Everyone else knows it, it's common knowledge."

  She sighed. "How do we change it?"

  "Has to be done by computer, I'm sure the Chief knows."

  Reynolds overheard. "He's right, skipper," he said. "I'll get on it right now," he added, slinging his rifle and ambling over to the nearest computer.

  She followed him. "McNeely, Ring, and Alvarez join us, please."

  When they had all gathered around Reynolds
she spoke softly. "Can you change the codes on all the doors, Chief?"

  "Yes."

  "Do it, make them all the same," she ordered. "The five of us are going to be the only ones with the new code. If one of us falls it needs to be changed again. Who else knows how to do this, Chief?"

  "Only myself and DeSoto."

  "Very well."

  "How do you suggest we proceed from here, skipper?" McNeely asked.

  Malory took a deep breath and fell into a nearby chair. "Obviously, we need to clear the service tunnels and seal the pressure doors or we can't clear the ground we've already covered."

  "Only one person at a time can fit down there," Reynolds pointed out. "Unless we travel through them single file."

  "I kinda figured," Malory said.

  McNeely scrutinized her intensely. "No way."

  "We don't have a choice, Sergeant," she said. "We can't survive in here until summer."

  "I agree. But you're not going to be the one going down there," he said. "We'll draw straws."

  "Rank hath it privileges," she said. "And unfortunately, it also has its responsibilities."

  "No."

  "Sergeant," she rumbled. "I'll admit your dick is bigger than mine, but this isn't your call."

  "I'll do it," Alvarez interjected.

  Malory's eyes tracked to the formidable Tech Sergeant. "Your offer is gratefully acknowledged, Mr. Alvarez. But I won't allow it."

  "May I speak freely?" he asked.

  "Sure."

  "Neither you or the Sergeant Major can be spared. You two are the only ones capable of bringing the complex out of lockdown. Lieutenant Ring can't do it because he's our only pilot and the Chief can't be chosen because his knowledge of the facility is too valuable to lose. And honestly, I'm probably the only one who stands a modest chance of surviving. I spent my previous two tours with Special Operations."

  Malory studied him thoughtfully. "All good points," she conceded. "But you're not going to change my mind."

  "Commander," he continued. "Your survival is paramount. In addition, you are physically the weakest among us and the most injured. I've seen you try to hide it from Dr. Rivers but you took a hell of shot in the ribs this morning. You'll have to stoop to maneuver in the service tunnels and even crawl in certain areas. Your injury will only hinder your ability to act in the event of a confrontation. Not to mention, you risk further injury to yourself by attempting to negotiate the terrain down there."