by Byrd, Daniel
“Not even to create hysteria?”
Roman scowled. “Are the undead not doing that enough for you?”
“You're sure of what you saw?” Lydia asked. The focus shifted to her, making her pretty uncomfortable.
“Yes, dear,” Mikhail stated in all confidence, “we are sure.”
Aaron could hear her breathing hasten. He was sweating himself as their eyes met. Mikhail tapped his cane on the floor.
“Would you two like to share with the rest of the students?”
Lydia’s mouth felt like cotton had been stuffed into it. It opened, but no words came out. Jackson and Max looked on in curiosity while Roman maintained his ever-disgruntled demeanor.
“Talk, woman,” Roman demanded.
“It is not necessary,” Mikhail stated as he withdrew a manilla folder from his coat. Lydia and Aaron both felt their hearts skipping beats. Lydia finally worked up the courage to talk.
“When did you take that?”
Mikhail held the folder up. “This? Well, it was while you were worried over your friend there.”
Aaron clapped Lydia on the back. “You were worried about me?”
She seized his hand and squeezed his fingers while bending them. “Fuck you.”
“Well judging from the contents of this, you know a lot more about Tiamat Unbound than you say.” Mikhail’s good eye moved up to her as his head looked over the open contents. “Yet you say you have no affiliation?”
Aaron figured it was time to start telling the truth. “Okay, look, we weren't members, but two of our friends were, and with them we were the ones who took the whole thing down. We stole that information on the way out, before the UN swept the place.” He couldn't have felt any more stupid as Roman and Mikhail both started laughing. “I'm serious! She pulled me into the shit and we worked hard to take those assholes down! I'm telling the truth! She's the reason your friend in Italy-”
Lydia grabbed his ear and twisted with enough torque to make his eyes water. Fortunately for her, Mikhail and Roman were laughing too hard to catch that last part.
“Wait,” Jackson held a hand up as he spoke, “you mean to tell me that you two brought down the world’s most powerful private military company all on your own?”
“No, it wasn't just us,” Aaron replied in a smart-ass tone. “We had help from two former members. Well, three…four…”
Mikhail was wheezing the last bits of humor. “So, so you think even six makes the story more believable?”
“I don't give a damn what you believe, but they're supposed to be gone.”
“And that is what the media reported, and what my informants told me,” Mikhail assured him, “but I know what I have seen.”
“Which is what we’re after,” Lydia explained, “because we think we know who's responsible for this.”
Roman and Mikhail stopped laughing. Mikhail gestured towards her. “Continue?”
“There was a man with us. His name is Jackson Lewis.”
Mikhail quickly opened the folder and licked his thumb as he searched. He finally found a page and began scanning. “The leader of a special forces group called Dragon’s Talon.”
“That's right,” Lydia told him, “and he took all of the money the company had left and disappeared.”
“Interesting.” Mikhail began rocking on his cane. Roman was now very interested in the conversation.
“I know that name, but where from, Mikhail?”
“He was one of the men the UN was after. He is wanted for war crimes like many of the others.”
“And he's alive,” Aaron interjected. They'd already spoke of their stance, so he didn't care to hold back anymore. “We were in Oranienburg looking for him.”
Mikhail kept his attention on the information in the folder. “That does explain that. A trap, perhaps? Now, how much of this intelligence have you been over?”
“All of it,” Aaron replied.
“Then you have seen the documents on this?” He held up the stapled pages with the front labeled Project Second Fall.
“Yeah, but it seemed like a load of bullshit. That is, until a few months ago.”
“I supposed I cannot fault you,” Mikhail told him as he flipped through the pages, “though I would have loved to have had this information. It is much more accurate than my own.”
Roman’s impatience shone through again. “What does it say, Mikhail?”
“Hmmmmmm.”
“Mikhail?”
Mikhail put the documents back into the folder and closed it. “I will hold onto this, if you do not mind.”
Aaron didn't think he had an actual choice in the matter, so he kept his mouth shut.
“Well, I'm learning a lot, guys,” Jackson said to everyone, “but I'm still missing something here. What the hell is that project? The only thing you said in the car is that Hamilton is connected, and I figure that because of that then that explains why we have zombies everywhere.”
“It is another dark secret kept from you by your government,” Roman answered. “Is that good enough?”
Jackson crossed his arms, but smiled. “Actually, yeah. More than I've been told by my own commanders.”
Mikhail stood up and stretched. “I suggest we all get plenty of rest. Roman will take the first watch for the night.”
Max was still confused. “First watch?”
“Yes, child. The undead are still out there.”
Aaron snickered. “I’ve heard of not letting the bed bugs bite, but the undead? That's new to me.”
Mikhail chuckled. “A strange sense of humor. That is good. You will need a positive attitude for what is to come. Off to bed, all of you. There are rooms upstairs. We will speak of our next plan of action in the morning.”
Jackson placed a hand on his shoulder. “Next plan of action?”
Mikhail smiled at him. It was so unnerving, yet sincere at the same time. “Why, yes. If we are to work together, we must plan, yes?”
Jackson couldn't get a good read on the crazy geezer, but he didn't seem too harmful, minus the stuff back in Berlin. “One more question, if you don't mind?”
“What is that?”
“What the hell was your car made of?”
Mikhail got excited at the inquiry. “Security model! It had bulletproof-rated windows, run flat tires, and fire extinguishers!”
“Fire extinguishers? Wait, what about the doors? How did the bullets not pierce through and kill you?”
“Tougher chassis,” Mikhail commented with a smile, “and the doors too. German engineering is rather remarkable, is it not?”
“The windows didn't seem bulletproof,” Max said meekly.
“That term is very misleading. Perhaps to a 9mm or something similar. Multiple shots from higher caliber rounds render all of that useless.”
“Okay, enough talk,” Roman ushered them onwards to bed. “I would like to find some time to sleep later, so be quiet and rest.”
Jackson and Max shrugged at one another and followed after Lydia and Aaron to head upstairs. Roman continued to monitor the outside world through the window as Mikhail stood at the center of the room, flipping through the folder once more. Roman made an exasperated sigh and addressed his elder in Latvian. At least the woman probably didn't understand that one.
“Mikhail, you should rest. You have been through a lot today for an old man.”
“In a moment. Roman, I need you to look at something.” He walked over and handed the documents on Project Second Fall to Roman, who flipped through the pages.
“This is very recent compared to what we have.”
Mikhail pointed to a list on the current page. “Tell me what you see.”
Roman followed his finger down. “Roster of the research team…Dr. Frank Tuefel, Dr. Henry King, Dr. Edward Moriarty, Dr. Julia Adler, Mr. Evan Hamilton, and…wait…” He looked to his elder, who was wearing a very grim expression. “Mikhail, what does this mean?”
Mikhail took the documents back from him and tuc
ked the folder under his left arm as he walked away. “I have already checked with a few of my people. The name was unfamiliar to all of them. There is no military background. The only information that was found was an academic record. There is something else, but I am not sure what it means.”
“What is that?”
Mikhail stopped just before leaving the den. “A relation to one of the other members, but not direct. I am not sure where this person came from, but it is an oversight on our part.”
Roman let the reality sink in. “So what you are saying is-”
“We missed one.”
Chapter Twenty-Three - Biting the Hand
The evening was finally approaching. With the winter solstice having just passed, the days were already shorter, so work was cut short to allow the citizens of the haven to return home in time for lights out. Curfew times kept being adjusted over the three months in Philadelphia, but it didn’t do much to deter people acting out of line anyway. Katie grabbed her coat and nearly forgot about the Bible she'd tucked away with it. Opting to save it for later, she kept it under her arm as she left the laundry mat for the day. The sidewalks were packed with people heading home after a day of work. In an odd way, it almost seemed normal for urban life, minus the military vehicles passing by on patrol. Still, it was better than anything outside of the haven.
She was only a block away from home when the sounds of chaos carried on the cold wind to her ears. Another riot was starting, and right where she needed to go. Sure enough, military equipment was being brought down the road towards the hotel, and people wanting to stay out of the mess were rushing past her. Afraid that the stampede would take her, she began looking for a break in the crowd as she slowly moved with them. A hand grabbed her shoulder, and with a shriek she was pulled aside into an alleyway. She smacked away the hand, and was surprised to see Macy Baker.
“Macy?”
“You looked like you needed help.”
Katie took in a deep breath and gave her new friend a welcome hug. “Jesus, this place is becoming more scary.”
“There are more riots. I left the daycare center a while ago heading back here, and even though there wasn't anyone in the streets the air burned. I think it was tear gas.”
Katie didn't get any of this. “Don't these people realize that this place is the only thing keeping us safe?”
“I don't think they like the military rule,” Macy explained, “and that's putting pressure on everyone.”
“Well they need to stop fighting. We're all together in this.”
Macy didn't seem so sure. “I wish it was that way.”
The fleeing civilians died down, and that gave room for Macy and Katie to slip back out onto the sidewalk. Even the ones running from the problems created them, as a young man was currently spread out on the ground, motionless.
“Oh my God, Katie…”
They ran to him, rolling him onto his back where they discovered his mattered face. He'd been trampled.
“Is he?” Macy asked as Katie put her ear to his chest. There was a heartbeat, but it was faint.
“Macy, I don't know what to do. He's alive, but-”
“Get away from him!” The commanding voice came from across the street. Three soldiers approached, hands on their weapons. They kept them aimed at the ground as they stepped up to the downed man, and Katie and Macy complied without question.
“Shit.” The one who had shouted grabbed his radio. “We need medical assistance on Washington Avenue, near the Italian Market.”
“Sir?” Katie stepped forward. “Is there anything we can do?”
“Leave,” one of the other soldiers demanded, “or be prosecuted for violating curfew. It's starting soon, so why are you two here?”
“We’re trying to get home, but the riot-”
“Leave! Now!”
Macy grabbed her arm and tugged her along. Katie didn't get it. This place was supposed to be their sanctuary from the undead, but it was proving more and more dangerous inside every day.
“Katie, stop thinking about it.”
She shook her head. “I can't. Why are we tearing ourselves apart?”
“Katie, it could be a lot worse than it is. The only reason people aren’t killing and looting is because of the military’s presence.”
“But why do they have to? Why is every disaster like this?”
Macy was keeping watch for any signs of trouble while she listened. “What do you mean?”
“After every disaster people always have to fight against each other like we’re all enemies. It doesn't make any sense.”
“Oh…well, I’d say preservation.”
“But we can do that without all of this fighting!”
“Katie, even if things were calm now it would all fall apart eventually. There are always going to be jerks who want more in a society. More power, more food, more say, and more than what others have.”
Katie sighed. “I guess that's why communism always fails?”
“Well there's more to it than that,” Macy said with a laugh.
The joking stopped when they saw the scene in front of the hotel. People were being forced into the back of a truck, their hands zip tied behind their backs and soldiers with gas masks ushering them onward. The smell of mace was still present in the air, and it hurt to breathe.
“Jesus,” Katie uttered as she covered her mouth to shield from the odor. Her eyes watered while commands were barked at the arrested. Two men were lying in the street with guards kneeling atop them. One was pooling blood.
“What the hell are you two doing?!” a soldier roared. “Go on somewhere! Want to join ‘em?!”
Macy and Katie hurried into the hotel lobby, coughing and wiping away the mucus from their faces. It was easier to breathe, but not one bit relaxing.
“Macy…”
“I know, Katie. Come on, you can stay in my room for a while. We’ll just talk and try to get our minds off of it, okay?”
Katie couldn't believe how optimistic this girl was, but it didn't hurt to have her around at a time like this. “Okay.”
“Hey, what's that you've got there?” Macy asked, pointing to the bulge in Katie’s coat. Katie withdrew the Bible and flipped it around.
“It's just a Bible. It has a bunch of notes in it, but I haven't read them yet.”
“Well, it'll give us something to do. Come on.”
Katie looked outside one more time. The soldiers had dragged the beaten people over to a curb, where they stood over them, probably talking about their fates. She couldn't help but think of Max as she watched them. She didn't want him to turn into a monster out there; figuratively and literally.
Minutes later they were up the elevator and outside of Macy’s assigned room. Macy opened the door, revealing a bit of a mess inside.
“Sorry, I haven’t had the time to tidy up.”
Katie noted the clothes everywhere and empty soda cans. “It’s fine, really.”
“So what’s up with that Bible? I didn’t know you were religious?”
Katie opened it up and looked at some of the notes scribbled on the inside cover. “It belonged to a guy who was saying this was all planned. He was spouting some things about ‘will’ and stuff he’d found online. I don’t know, but there are a lot of websites written in here. I think they’re forums or something.”
Macy crossed her arms. “Conspiracy theories?”
“I’m not sure, but it couldn’t hurt to look into it, could it?”
Macy thought on the suggestion. Her hand was on her chin as she looked at the text. “I think I can get us access to a computer. Sure, let’s see what’s getting people so riled up.”
***
“You’re sure, Houseman?”
“Yes sir. We can confirm that the explosions originated from underneath the city. German forces have concluded the craters match the explosive yields of numerous ordinance types used during the Second World War. It’s believed that they were many of the unaccounted for bom
bs dropped on the city that buried themselves deep into the earth and were lost.”
President Loft whipped his eyebrow. The bad news just kept stacking up. “No information as to how that many spontaneously detonated?”
“No sir, but a report detailed remnants of detonation cords uncovered beneath the rubble of one structure. We can only make assumptions from there.”
“I understand. How are the efforts to locate survivors?”
“There are more than we could have hoped for, but most of the city’s population is gone. Sir…the devastation-”
“I’ve seen what the media has portrayed. Houseman, be prepared to send more aid. They’re our allies.”
“I understand, sir, but that threat from earlier has to be taken seriously.”
“I know that, General. You’ve already assured me that the base is secure, so I have full confidence in all of you.” Loft contemplated his next question, but dreaded mouthing it out. “Have you heard from him?”
“No sir. The signal is still gone, and his shoes were discovered inside of the memorial. We have no way of knowing his current location.” Loft swore under his breath, but it wasn’t anywhere near quiet enough. “Sir, he’s resourceful. I hate the man, but he has some resolve. We decided on this because of his stance on Tuefel’s work. He’s not a good person, but he has his own reasons for wanting to stop this. There’s still a chance.”
“I don’t want my hopes high, Houseman. I already knew this was a very risky decision. I just didn’t expect everything to go wrong all at once.”
“With all due respect, none of us did, sir.”
The shit had hit the fan, and that fan was industrial. The undead were already an unpredictable variable, but now there were coordinated attacks tossed into the mix. This new war was starting to have way too many fronts to be fought on.
“There’s been another development with the disease, sir.”
“I’ve been told that as well,” Loft replied. “The IANPHI has reason to believe that the virus has been contracted in some regions without bites.”
“We’ve asked for answers, but it’s too dangerous for any doctors to go out and conduct field research. The CDC back home still have their hands tied with the Havens?”