The Zombie Uprising Series: Books One Through Five

by M. A. Robbins

  O'Connor stabbed her arm and Jen flinched. She looked away. She didn't mind shots or needles as long as she didn't have to look at them stuck into her body.

  Cindy had wandered over to the lab tech on the computer, and they spoke in hushed tones.

  Jen looked around at the well-equipped lab. Doc would've liked it there. Doc. His name still brought a twinge of guilt. I'll never forgive myself for his death.

  A sharp jab in her arm caused her to pull in a breath.

  "Just another minute," O'Connor said.

  Jen looked down. A full tube lay next to two more. A fourth one was in the vacutainer and filling up fast. He pulled that one out, shook it, and laid it down, before slipping another in.

  Looking away, Jen said, "Looks like a lot of blood."

  "You'll be fine," O'Connor said. "But I want you to sit here for ten minutes afterward just to make sure you don't feel faint."

  He removed the needle and pressed a cotton ball over the wound. "Hold this here, please."

  Jen pressed a finger onto it as O'Connor taped it down. "I'll pass on the ten minutes," she said. If I haven't passed out from anything that's happened in the last month, then I won't pass out from this.

  O'Connor shrugged.

  Jen eased out of the chair and straightened. "Cindy, can we get going?"

  Cindy looked over from the computer, said something to the lab tech, and walked to the door. Jen joined her, and as soon as the door opened, the zombies came alive again.

  They'd made it several feet from the lab when Dr. O'Connor appeared in the doorway. "Ms. Hirt, Dr. Cartwright is on the phone for you."

  Cindy put out a hand. "Wait here." She hurried into the lab.

  "Shit," Jen said. "And I have to stay out here and listen to this?"

  The door eased shut and the zombies went silent as if someone had flipped a switch.

  Jen peered at each of them. All of their eyes were on her. What the fuck?

  She took a few steps toward the exit, and the zombies straightened like soldiers at attention, their heads swiveling to keep their gazes latched on her. Jen approached one, a young redhead, and its soulless eyes locked on hers. Nothing. Not even a spark of life in them.

  The lab door opened and the zombies went wild, gnashing their teeth and growling at Cindy.

  Well, well. If this ain't some creepy shit.

  4

  Jen followed Cindy back into Cartwright's office. What was going on with those zombies? Why did they quiet down when only she was there? Could it be another mutation in the virus? Should I tell Cartwright?

  "Just in time," Cartwright said.

  Jen broke from her thoughts. "Just in time for what?"

  Howell stood next to Cartwright. He put his hand out. "Dr. Cartwright has assigned me to be her liaison with the Pentagon. I'm taking tonight's train to Washington."

  Jen shook his hand, then pulled him into a hug. "Sorry to see you go." She broke the embrace. "You saved our asses more than once."

  Howell smiled. "And you've saved a lot more with your observations and reports."

  "And she'll save even more by helping us find a vaccine," Cartwright said.

  Howell stopped in the doorway. "I think it'll take all of us to save humanity."

  He disappeared into the hallway just as Mark and Zeke walked in.

  "Where have you two been while I was getting stabbed?" Jen asked.

  Zeke smacked his lips. "Got a bite to eat."

  "Knowing you, it was enough to feed a bear," Jen said.

  Mark laughed. "Don't you know it."

  Cartwright's phone rang and she put on a headset. After listening for a few seconds, she said, "Yes. Bring them up."

  Mark and Jen exchanged puzzled glances. Zeke examined a spot on the rug and scuffed it with his foot.

  A knock came from the door a few minutes later. "Enter," Cartwright said.

  An older woman with gray streaks in her curly black hair walked in with a younger version of herself. The younger woman's eyes grew big and a smile broke across her face as she yelled, "Mark." She raced to Mark and threw herself into his arms.

  "Michelle," Mark said, his voice muffled as he held her close. He loosened his grip on her and put an arm out toward the older woman. "Mama."

  The older woman shuffled to him, her eyes glistening, and buried herself in his arms.

  Jen watched the reunion, half-fascinated at the emotional display and half-jealous there would be no such experience waiting for her. She glanced away, a little embarrassed about her feelings.

  Cartwright sat behind her desk, her face neutral. Is she really like that, or does she have to practice that look?

  Mark looked up. "Thank you, Dr. Cartwright. It's so good to know they're safe, and now I can escort them back to Biloxi."

  "About that," Cartwright said, "I have an offer for you."

  Mark frowned. "What offer? I'm not leaving them alone again."

  Cartwright adjusted her glasses. "Precisely. I'd like you to become CDC Headquarters' Chief of Physical Security."

  "But wouldn't I have to stay here for that?"

  Cartwright nodded. "Yes. But part of the offer is that your mother and sister can stay here free of charge. Room, board, security. And that security will be provided by you."

  Mark's mouth dropped open. He looked at his mother. "What do you think, Mama?"

  Michelle nodded. "Take it. Things are getting weird out there. I know we'll be safer here with you."

  "OK," Mark said. "I'll take it."

  "Excellent," Cartwright said. "You can go through inprocessing tomorrow." She pressed a button on the phone. "Please come in."

  The door opened and Cindy appeared. "Take our new Chief of Physical Security and his family to their quarters, and show them where to eat."

  Cindy ushered the family through the door. Mark stopped and looked back at Jen. "I'll introduce you and Zeke later. I really want them to meet you."

  Jen waved him on. "Looking forward to it. Just enjoy the time with your family." Her thoughts went unbidden to her mother and father.

  Cartwright clasped her hands and laid her elbows on her desk. "Miss Reed and Mr. Tripp."

  Jen turned to her. "So what've you got in your black bag for us?"

  Cartwright frowned. "Bag?"

  "Sorry," Jen said. "Wizard of Oz reference."

  Cartwright sniffed and her phone buzzed. She pressed her earphone and listened. "Very well. Send him in."

  What next?

  The door opened and a man stepped in. He looked a couple years older than Jen and wore a pair of snug jeans and a T-shirt that showed every muscle. While not a bodybuilder, he either worked out or had a physical job.

  Jen's pulse picked up. I hope this one's for me.

  Zeke yelled, "Wayne." He rushed the man, who caught his skinny frame in a crushing hug.

  "Zeke, I've been worried about you. I thought you died when they nuked Anchorage."

  Zeke released Wayne and gestured to Jen. "Jen and Mark saved me."

  Wayne's gaze fell on Jen and she swallowed. Hazel eyes.

  "Uh," she said, "Zeke saved us more than once, too."

  Wayne's eyebrows rose and he looked at Zeke. "Really? How?"

  "I had this great katana." Zeke mimicked slashing the air with a sword. "It wasn't real, but it was close enough. It broke on a zombie."

  Wayne glanced at Jen and she nodded. "He's amazing with a katana."

  "Then we'll have to find you a new one," Wayne said. "We're heading back to Rhode Island tomorrow."

  Zeke froze. "But I can't go back. I have to watch over Jen." He turned to her. "What would she do without me?"

  Wayne glanced at her and winked. "She can come with us."

  Jen's face grew hot. Is he coming on to me?

  "Impossible," Cartwright said. "Jen must remain here."

  "Then I have to stay," Zeke said. "Sorry."

  Wayne sighed. "I couldn't get you to leave Anchorage a few years back when I did, so I'm not surprised I can
't get you to join me now."

  The door opened and Cindy stumbled in carrying two wooden boxes, one about four feet long and the other half that. She placed the boxes heavily on the table, arranged them side-by-side, and left without a word.

  "What's that?" Zeke asked.

  Cartwright approached the table. "I'm offering the two of you positions in Homeland Security."

  "I'm not into groping passengers at the airport," Jen said.

  Wayne snickered, catching Jen by surprise. A sense of humor, too. Take me now.

  Cartwright's face hardened more than usual, if that were possible. "Homeland Security, not TSA. You'll both work for me—Jen on the cure and virus mutations, and Zeke as protection for Jen."

  Zeke hovered by the table. "But the boxes. What's in them?"

  Jen caught Wayne's eye. "He must've been a riot at Christmas."

  "You have no idea."

  "The boxes," Cartwright said, "are part of your equipment. You'll receive firearms, a badge, and these."

  "A badge?" Zeke said. "Do we get a car with a siren and lights?"

  Cartwright's pushing too hard. "And what do the badges get us other than a discount at the donut shop?" Jen asked.

  "You'll be federal agents. They'll get you access and assistance from pretty much any agency."

  Zeke's eyes shined. "Come on, Jen. Sounds fun to me."

  Jen frowned. I'm getting boxed in. "Will it get me military assistance when I go after Butler?"

  Cartwright ignored her and pointed to the long box. "That's yours, Mr. Tripp."

  Zeke pulled the box toward him and lifted it, testing its weight. "What can it be?"

  He flipped three latches on it and tilted the top back. An audible gasp escaped his mouth. "Oh. My. God."

  Zeke reached in and lifted a deadly, beautiful katana. "Stainless steel, thirty-six-inch blade." He stepped back from the others and gave it a practice swing. "The balance is perfect. I could take out a ton of zombies with this." His eyes met Jen's. "And this one won't break."

  Cartwright's face wore the glimmer of a smile. She had Zeke. And she knows that's one way to get to me.

  Jen pointed at the remaining box as Zeke removed a scabbard from his. "I suppose this is for me."

  Cartwright nodded.

  Jen opened the box and reached in, pulling out a tactical tomahawk. Like the one Griffin had in Point Wallace.

  "The blade is eight inches and the length with the handle is almost eighteen," Cartwright said. "Doc told me you admired this weapon that someone had in Point Wallace."

  Jen hefted it. "Damn this is light and balanced well." The sinister blade looked like it would cut through bone, and the sharpened steel point on the other end would no doubt pierce skulls.

  She removed a sheath from the box looped her belt through it before inserting the tomahawk. "I suppose this is mine only if I stay."

  Cartwright leaned against her desk and crossed her arms. "I understand why you want to go after Butler, and you could do that, but you would be dooming many people."

  "Not if I kill him."

  "Killing him won't stop the virus," Cartwright said. "We've got to stop the dead from coming back. Emergency protocols have been put in place, but they aren't enough."

  "We heard about the protocols on the way here," Jen said. "I'm not surprised that killing people who may not be infected doesn't work well."

  Cartwright took her seat. "There are more than that. Armed personnel are stationed at all hospitals to make sure the recently deceased don't reanimate EMTs go out armed. All pet mammals have been quarantined."

  Jen lowered her eyebrows. "Just the mammals?"

  Cartwright nodded. "We've determined that the virus only infects mammals. But even with the quarantine, there are plenty of strays and other wildlife that die of natural causes, then reanimate and infect others."

  She clasped her hands together and leaned forward, her elbows resting on the desk. "The truth is we're just barely staying ahead of it. There have already been multiple outbreaks that could have spread out of control. With the military and national guard committed to the threat in the west, we rely on federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and it isn't enough. Local militias have been formed to help fill the gap."

  Jen swallowed. Two threats, Butler and the virus, and I can't battle them both at once.

  "OK," Jen said. "I'll stay and help with the vaccine." She walked to the door. "But once it's ready, I'm out of here and on Butler's ass. And I expect your help in getting to him." And in the meantime I'm going to find out what's going on with those whacked-out zombies downstairs.

  5

  The next morning Jen and Zeke strolled out of the administrative office. A shower, a good night's sleep, and fresh clothes had done Jen wonders. She stopped in the lobby and pulled her access card out. "I wonder how much of this place we can get into?"

  Zeke scratched the shaved side of his head. No longer in a ninja costume, he wore a T-shirt with sleeves he'd carefully ripped off, and a pair of black cargo pants. Somewhere he'd found gel and had turned the hair on the unshaven side of his head into a series of spikes. "We should be able to go anywhere." He pulled his Homeland Security Agent badge from his pocket. "Bad boys. Whatcha gonna do?"

  "Put that thing away, Dirty Harry. I don't think it's going to do much for you while we're here." She smiled. "But once we're on the road again, we'll travel like a boss."

  Zeke shrugged and dropped the badge back into his pocket. "So what are we going to do? I'm already bored." He adjusted the katana scabbard on his back.

  Jen strode to the elevators. "Cartwright's supposed to be in some meeting for the next few hours, so let me take you on a tour of the basement."

  Zeke followed her into the car. "That doesn't sound very exciting."

  Jen punched the bottom button. "It's right up your alley."

  "Why?"

  "They've got zombies down there."

  Zeke's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Can I kill some?"

  When they arrived on the lowest level, Jen made a beeline to the card reader by the door. Let's see how much Cartwright trusts me.

  She slid her card through the reader and the door answered with a buzz and a clunk. She pulled it open and stepped into the hallway.

  It looked the same as it had the night before. Buzzing lights hung overhead, glinting off the tile floor. Not a speck of dust lurked in the corners, and the air held a slight tinge of ammonia.

  "What's this?" Zeke asked.

  Jen peeked in the first door's window. A young man lay in a bed with an IV in his arm. His sunken eyes stared at Jen. "Not sure. I don't know if they're treating them here, or using them to test the vaccine. I'm guessing they're guinea pigs."

  She led Zeke to the windowless swinging doors that led to the zombies and pushed one open.

  The zombies went into a frenzy, straining at their chains as soon as Zeke and Jen entered the room. Zeke reached back and gripped his katana's handle, ready to pull it into action.

  Looks like they're only quiet when one of us is out here.

  She strode to the lab door and pointed at Zeke. "Wait out here for a minute."

  Zeke shrugged and leaned up against the wall with his arms folded.

  Jen pushed the door open and eased it shut behind her. She didn't even need to press her ear to the door to know the zombies were still going apeshit. Guess that disproves that theory.

  "Miss Reed," Dr. O'Connor's voice came from behind her. She spun. He sat on a stool, loading a syringe with an off-color liquid. "You're just in time."

  Jen pulled the door open and waved Zeke in, then gestured to O'Connor as Zeke entered. "Dr. O'Connor. Doctor, this is Zeke."

  O'Connor nodded at Zeke, then turned to a thirty-something lab tech with Clark Kent glasses. "Randy."

  The lab tech looked up. "Yes, Doctor."

  "You're with me on this one."

  Randy wiped his hands on his lab coat. "Yes, sir."

  O'Connor swept past Jen a
nd Zeke and paused as he opened the door. "You'll want to see this, Miss Reed."

  He led them to one of the cages. Inside, on a gurney, lay the older woman Jen had seen in one of the rooms the day before. Why do they have her in a cage now?

  Randy removed the padlock from the cage door and held it open as O'Connor stepped inside. An IV drip ran into the woman's arm and a mask covered her mouth and nose while a machine on a wheeled table next to her made wheezing sounds.

  O'Connor waved Jen in. The zombies raised their din to another level. O'Connor leaned toward Jen and Zeke. "Mrs. Jawolski volunteered to be a test subject for the vaccine. In return, her family is living in a government-secured location."

  "What's wrong with her?" Zeke asked.

  "COPD," O'Connor said. "She's at the end. That ventilator is the only reason she's still alive." He inserted the needle into a rubber stopper halfway up the IV line and pushed the plunger until the contents were emptied. "Randy?"

  Randy looked at his watch. "Injection at 8:41 a.m."

  Jen watched the old lady's face. Was she supposed to turn? To die?

  O'Connor herded them out of the cage. "Now, we wait. Ten minutes." He strode into the lab.

  Randy locked the cage door and followed the doctor.

  "This science stuff is pretty lame," Zeke said. "I expected something more interesting."

  Jen gave him a playful slap on the back. "Now that I think about it, damn near every time you say you're bored, it suddenly gets un-boring and we're up to our necks in zombie shit. How about wishing for something else for once?"

  Zeke sighed. "I've got to take a leak."

  Jen pointed to the lab. "Saw an open door in the back of the lab with a toilet."

  "Be right back." Zeke disappeared into the lab.

  The door closed behind him, and the zombie racket cut off. Shit. So it wasn't my imagination last time.

  Jen walked up and down the rows of cages. Every zombie stood quiet and followed her with their eyes.

  She stopped at one, a fresh-looking woman with a pinched face and wide shoulders. She reminded Jen of her sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Curling.

  Jen stood right up to the bars and stared into the yellow eyes. No hunger. No hate. Just blank.