by Maxey, Phil
“In time. But for now, I need you to come with me, there is someone that wants to meet with you.”
Joel was led through mazelike corridors, some hewn from rock others with smooth straight walls, but each one worn by the years, until he arrived at a plain-looking green door. The words ‘General Hal McClure’ were etched into a silver plate on it.
Rachel knocked and a gruff-sounding voice told them to enter.
The office was of moderate size but looked spacious due to the scarcity of furniture inside. A potted plant sat in one corner, alongside some shelves which held pictures in frames and a few books. In front of them sat a plain desk. The only nod to luxury was a large, black, padded leather chair. A stout man, in army uniform and a scarcity of hair, examined Joel as he walked inside.
“This is Joel Garret, sir,” said Rachel.
Joel walked forward and held out his hand. The soldier went to move forward, but the general held up his hand then extended it further and shook Joel’s.
“As you might have already seen on the outside of the door, I’m the guy running this little operation. In charge of what’s left of the United States armed forces.” He pointed to two chairs. “Take a seat, son.”
Joel did, as well as Rachel. The soldier stood near the door.
McClure sat. “So, the doctor here tells me you’re special, but before we get to that, how about you fill me in on how you made it all the way from LA to here?”
The next twenty minutes were filled with gasps from Rachel, and raised eyebrows from the general. Joel pretty much covered everything apart from Russell’s death.
“And then the Apaches showed up, and here we are.”
The general slid his desk drawer open, pulled out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses. He looked at Joel. “You can still drink, right?”
Joel nodded.
The last time he drunk alcohol was with Marina’s husband. He had avoided it since because of the memories, but as the golden liquid ran down his throat and the burning began in his gut, he remembered how it helped him deal with his past. He was surprised to see a five-star general in uniform drinking though.
“That’s some story, son.” The general took a sip, then looked at Rachel. “I take it you’re going to run a whole battery of tests on this man?”
“Well, I… well, we need to understand. If what he says is true, and the others are infected, but have not become full vamps, then perhaps Joel’s blood contains what we need to create an antidote or maybe even a cure.”
“And what about these visions he had of a tomb?”
“Josh is looking into that.”
McClure looked back to Joel. “The others. The woman and kid. They got your speed and strength too?”
Joel immediately realized why the general was interested. The increase in Rachel’s heart rate meant she understood as well.
“Creating an army of hybrids is a risky move,” said Joel.
The general took another sip. “You don’t know how bad the scourge hit, do you?”
“I know the major cities took it worst. Wherever there was more people. Once the radio stations went dark, I presumed the worst.”
The general finished his drink, placing the glass back in his drawer, then got to his feet. “Come with me.”
More guards joined them, and the general led Joel and Rachel through a number of large secure-looking doors, until the final one came out to a room full of people and large computer monitors.
“This is one of three command centers we have down here.” He walked to the closest officer. “Bring me up our feed history from around the world. Major cities to start with.”
Joel watched as the blanket of screens which sat high up on the far walls changed to show what seemed like mass rioting, except the rioters had claws and teeth that tore at their prey. From the large clock tower, and historic looking buildings he recognized the scene was from the United Kingdom. On another, hundreds ran in panic as fanged creatures scrambled after them. Neon reds and greens reflected off rain-soaked streets.
“Japan?”
“Tokyo.”
“How long ago were these recorded?”
“Three months ago.”
“These are the scenes in the same cities today.” The general nodded to the officer who tapped away at his keyboard.
Fall rain fell on the cold empty streets of London. Rotting corpses lay mingled with looted items that never made it more than a few feet from their stores. Tokyo was the same.
“Did anywhere avoid the scourge?” said Joel.
“Nowhere avoided it, but we are in communication with some communities around the globe that are still surviving. It’s only a matter of time though before each one is overrun by vamps. My tech guys tell me ninety-eight percent of the world’s population has been infected by now.”
Joel sighed. “That’s a lot of vamps.”
Hal looked Joel squarely in the eyes. “You, son, could be what we have been waiting for.”
“What about Copeland?”
The general’s face hardened. “He’s on my to-do list.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Adrian Kee pushed his glasses up his nose and waited for Copeland to appear. The caffeine in his blood, with some help from his special stash of pills, was just about managing to keep his sleep-deprived brain focused. Ever since he had heard of what transpired in Haven, he was dreading the next time he would see the CEO of the Corporation. He even contemplated leaving, making a go of it in the world outside the compound, but the thoughts only lasted a few seconds before his fear of what existed beyond the electrified fence superseded his fear of Copeland.
His boss only offered possible death, while being outside, it was certain.
He looked across the newly built confinement chambers and what they held, and he allowed a tinge of pride to ease his nerves.
He’ll be happy with the progress we have made, I’m sure of it.
Adrian had graduated with honors from MIT and was promptly hired by Copeland to head up his new medical research team, to help develop ‘anti-aging’ treatments. As the years passed, he became surprised there never was any talk of how to market any treatments his department came up with. Eventually, he brought this up with his boss and discovered that there was only ever going to be one customer, and that was Copeland.
That was the point at which he doubted working for Copeland the most. He hadn’t slaved through university just to help out one man’s obsession to live forever. But it was also the point that his salary trebled. Daniel Copeland knew how to be persuasive.
After almost a decade with no end in sight, Copeland turned away from medical science and looked elsewhere. For Kee, despite hating the feeling of failure, he was glad the search was over. Copeland would go back to living the life of a ‘normal’ billionaire, of fast cars, drugs, and faster women.
But he found himself still working twelve-hour days, only now, he was working with archaeologists rather than his own team.
When they broke through into the hidden tomb and discovered the tablets which resided there, he felt as if he had been transported into Copeland’s crazy dream. Unfortunately, it soon became a nightmare when the elixir was created. The archeologists told him it had been created by the gods for specific humans to rule over their kin. And would allow these kings to live for thousands of years. He thought it was all a fairytale until they tested the first batch and watched as the rats lived five times as long as they would normally.
When Copeland saw those early results, he insisted he be given the elixir, despite Kee’s and his teams protests. That was five months ago.
At first, they thought there was no change in his metabolism, but they also weren’t aware of his bloodlust, nor the employees that were going missing. His security team did an expert job in getting rid of the evidence before anyone really noticed.
Then the obvious changes begun in Copeland. His eyes changed color first, darkening with each passing day, then hardened scales appeared over his
skin. Kee and his team did what they could to slow the progress of the virus which was brought about by the elixir, but they could not stop it. Within a few weeks the man who founded the corporation was gone. Replaced with a being from nightmares. The thing’s brain still seemed to be functioning roughly as before. It was still Daniel Copeland, at least in name.
When it started to hit the local news networks that people were showing up at hospitals with symptoms from an unknown virus, Kee started to suspect the Corporation was responsible. The rest, as they say, is history.
He tried to tighten his tie, then gave up as the door opened and Copeland appeared. Adrian noticed straight away how awkwardly the large creature was moving. Nevertheless, he walked up to him.
“Welcome back, sir.”
“You said you have made progress…”
“Umm, yes, please step forward to view the first chamber.”
Copeland walked forward slowly.
“Are you okay? Are you injured?”
“I’m fine. What am I looking at?”
They both stood looking through a wall of reinforced glass, into a fourteen foot square room. Inside, sat a young man.
“You captured a child. Congratulations.” He looked fiercely at Adrian. “What… am… I… looking—”
“What… am… I… looking…”
Copeland looked back at the cell. The young man was looking straight at him. Copeland looked surprised. “Can he see or hear me?”
Adrian shook his head. “The cell’s walls are three inches of steel and carbon fiber, with a network of conducting—”
“I know what a faraday cage is, Adrian…”
“All forms of electromagnetic radiation are blocked by the walls around him, including this window.”
The boy stood. “All forms of electromagnetic…” He walked forward and slammed a fist on the wall. “I know you’re watching me!” He poked a finger into the side of his head. “I hear you!”
Copeland looked at Adrian. “He can read my thoughts?”
“This is A-32. It would seem he can read the thoughts of those around him. We do not know yet the exact range of his abilities, but—”
“Yes, I can read your thoughts! That’s why I’m in here, right?”
Copeland looked back at the teen and nodded. “Good… very good…”
The boy tutted, turned, and sat back down.
Copeland looked at the next cell, then walked to it. Adrian followed.
Inside, a young woman sat on the small bench.
Copeland leaned closer into the glass. “What is happening to her hand?”
Fingers grew from her right hand, until there was almost double the norm. She then closed an enormous fist, her wrist increasing in breadth, stood, and slammed her hand into the door. The sound of breaking bones filled the air, but she hardly winced, instead she looked at her broken hand as the extra digits receded. Her hand then returned to a fresh-looking appendage.
“A-17. She can manipulate her body. Bones, muscle, ligaments, everything from what we have observed so far.”
Copeland looked at Adrian. “They all require blood?”
“Yes.”
Copeland lightly placed his giant hand on Adrian’s shoulder. “Old friend. You have done well. Continue your research…” Copeland turned and started to move away.
“But, sir, we have another. He seems to be able to change to a canine form…”
“Later, Adrian. I need to rest.”
*****
Josh Coffey looked at the innocent few pounds of unknown material sitting in the laser-scanning chamber. He nodded at the younger man next to him, who tapped away at his keyboard. Bright shimmering beams pierced the darkness and started to move across the surface of the ancient tablet.
They both watched the computer monitor nearby intently.
“Well, so far, it appears to be an alloy of various metals. Picking up a few rare earth ones, nothing too exotic so far, though.” The man looked up at Josh. “The guy you brought in said the symbols on the surface changed when it was touched?”
Josh nodded.
“Well this won’t tell us what’s inside, but it should give us an age…” He stared at the screen as numbers came and went. After a few seconds a date appeared. “Hmm…”
Josh looked back down at the screen. “That can’t be correct.”
“This technique is pretty sound. It’s usually correct to a few decades… not… that’s going to make much of a difference in this case. Where did he say he got it?”
Josh looked back at the tablet. “Stop the scan.”
A few levels above the laboratory, Shannon threw a pillow against a wall.
She looked at Evan. “If I don’t get out of here soon, I’ll let you bite me, just so something happens!”
The young man blushed.
Bill smiled. “They can’t keep us locked up in here forever.”
“No, they can just march us outside, line us up against a wall, and shoot us!” said Hardin, lying flat on his bed.
A flash of concern hit Jess’s face. Marina went to say something, but her daughter’s expression changed to one of defiance.
“Joel won’t let that happen,” she said to the former mayor.
“Sure, kid.”
“I wonder where they took him,” said Anna.
“Probably more debriefing. Like what we all did.”
Anna recognized the matter-of-fact tone in Marina’s voice. “You were in the military?”
“In another life, yeah.”
Jess looked up with pride in her eyes. “Mom fought in the war!”
Marina frowned. “Jess, quit it.”
Anna went to enquire further when the door opened, and Rachel walked in holding a bunch of plastic cards.
Shannon stood. “Are we free now?”
“In a matter of speaking, yes.” She held up the cards. “Each one of these is for each one of you. Keep it on you at all times. They will allow you to move from this room, to the mess hall, to the games room, common room, showers, and rest rooms, but no further. If you are found without your card, you will be arrested and placed in confinement. Does everyone understand?”
Marina stood and walked forward. “We get it.”
Rachel shifted through the cards and handed Marina hers. She then did the same for all the others.
Shannon immediately left the room, along with Hardin, Lee, and Anna.
Rachel looked at Bill. “I would like you and your grandson to come with me.”
Bill and Evan briefly exchanged glances.
“We would like your input on something.”
An elevator ride and four corridors later, Bill and Evan, escorted by Rachel, approached secure double doors with two guards outside. She waved her ID card in front of one, who then typed in a sequence of numbers into a keypad. He then pushed the door open, and a rush of sound escaped.
Bill and Evan walked inside, mouths agape at the cavern-like room they were entering.
“Welcome to the dome. Military hardware used to be stored here, now it’s where we try to save the human race from extinction.”
They both looked up at the concave ceiling some hundred feet above them, with walkways along the edge of the circular space at various heights. The floor was divided into sections, with partitions separating the different scientific disciplines. The scene reminded Evan of a computer convention he went to once when he was younger.
Rachel walked forward, they followed. “Micro-biology, including, of course, virology.”
They passed a thin wall, moving into an area full of cages and counters full of microscopes and test tubes.
“Zoology.”
A door against the side wall had two guards standing either side of it.
“What’s in there?” said Evan.
“That’s off-limits.”
They continued walking. The next section was obvious to Bill and Evan.
“Archaeology.”
Dusty faded statues, carvings, and pie
ces of crumbling tablets fought for space with vellum-covered volumes, all laid out on long tables, with men and women huddled over them.
Finally, they were across the huge space, passing the last false wall. This section was full of machines, some as big as cars, and most interconnected. This was also the section where Joel was seated, covered in wires attaching him to those same machines.
Bill looked at Rachel. “What is this?”
“It’s okay, Bill,” said Joel. “I agreed to this, but only if you and Evan were part of it.”
Evan was already looking over the shoulder of one of the many people seated at computer work stations.
Josh walked forward, his hand stretched out. Bill shook it.
“I’m Josh Coffey. I’ve seen the work you had on your computer. Most impressive, I must say.”
Evan looked excited as he glanced at another of the monitors. “Hey, its my deciphering program!”
Josh smiled. “Indeed. As you can see, we have already decrypted sixty-five glyphs.”
“Wow…” said Evan.
Josh pointed downwards. “There’s a football stadium amount of servers below our feet doing all the work.”
Bill walked to the chair that Joel was strapped to. A device which looked like a large bike helmet covered most of his head. He looked back to Josh. “You’re going to monitor his brain waves?”
“Yes, but I can’t take the credit for that, that would be—”
A portly, elderly man, walking with a stick shuffled forward. “Max Higgins. Resident chief physicist. That bundle of wires on your friend’s head is my doing. If he was human, I would be slightly concerned it might fry his brain, but seeing he’s well, not… then…”
A look of horror came across Bill’s face.
Max smiled. “Oh, I’m joking! It’s quite safe. He looked at a young man at a computer station next to him. Let’s begin.”
Bill stepped back.
A robotic arm swung around and stopped just in front of Joel’s stomach. Within it’s claw was the tablet, hooked up to a myriad of wires across its surface.
“That alright, young man?” Max said to Joel.
“Yup.”
“Remember, we want you to touch the memory glyph again.”