Moving his finger along the Kansas River, he said, “And the river goes all the way to KC.”
Jen craned her neck to examine the map. “So the horde still has a clear path there. Looks like the army’s just keeping them from coming in on I-70.”
“Look at KC,” Zeke said. “It’s split into three sections by the Kansas and Missouri Rivers. By blowing the bridge, the horde will be isolated in the south.”
“So what?” Mercy said. “Why does that matter?”
Jen pointed to the top third of KC. “That’s why.” Her finger rested on the downtown airport. She looked at Wayne. “Remember when we came through there? They had advanced aircraft set up.”
Wayne whistled. “They’ll be able to reload chain guns and bombs damn quick.”
“We’ve got to knock that airport out,” Zeke said. “But how? We have no aircraft, and Jen’s zombie army will be sitting ducks in the south part of the city.”
“Give me a second.” Jen squeezed her eyes shut. Everyone stop.
All movement ceased.
Those of you in Lawrence, close your eyes.
Only nine screens still displayed anything.
Jen zoomed in on the first one. Omaha. When I give the order, attack Omaha. That’ll draw any assets from Offutt Air Force Base.
She moved to the next screen and directed the leader to the nearest road sign. Wathena.
“Find a town named Wathena on the map,” she said.
The map rustled. “Here it is,” Wayne said. “It’s seven miles east of St. Joseph.”
“Where’s that?” she asked.
“Fifty-five miles north of KC.”
“Is there a river?”
“Yup. The Missouri. One bridge over it, just like Lawrence. You’d have to cross the bridge to come south into North KC.”
Jen opened her eyes and blinked to get them back in focus. She leaned on the hood and examined the map. “We’d have the same problem. Even if the city is abandoned, it’s big enough that the military is apt to have eyes on it. By the time the horde makes the bridge, they’d have it down.”
Her gaze drifted down the map. “Here.” She stabbed a finger at a town forty miles northwest of Kansas City named Atchison. “It’s not a major city and has a bridge that spans the river. If we have a chance of getting the horde across, it’s there.”
“But what about us?” Zeke said. “We still need to upload the video.”
Mercy cleared her throat.
“We should go into KC alone to do that,” she said.
“Why’s that?” Wayne asked.
“Once the zombies are in the city, the bombing and stuff starts, right?”
Jen nodded. “Probably.”
“Then the power goes out.”
Jen and Wayne looked at each other. “Why didn’t we think of that?” he said.
Zeke clapped Mercy on the back. “Good thinking.”
Mercy’s face reddened. “Thanks,” she murmured.
Thirty minutes later, Wayne drove the SUV onto I-70 and sped east.
“I’ve got my troops broken into three groups and I’m communicating with one leader,” Jen said. “This has to be how Butler was able to level up and command so many at one time.”
“I’m still jealous,” Zeke said. “Wish there was more of that serum.”
Jen grasped his forearm and lowered her voice. “No, you don’t.”
Zeke broke from her gaze and looked out the window.
The Omaha horde had assembled on the outskirts of Omaha and awaited orders. The Kansas City horde still ran toward KC. Jen estimated they should be ten or fifteen minutes from the city’s south side. The Atchison horde was due to arrive on the outskirts of Atchison in thirty minutes.
“All of them are still on track,” she said. “They all have orders to attack their targets when I give the word. Atchison’s got the farthest to go, so I’ll have to time the diversionary attacks precisely.”
“When do we get to KC?” Zeke asked.
Wayne turned and gave him a toothy grin. “At the speed I’m going? Twenty minutes.”
“You look like you’re having too much fun,” Jen said.
“Driving a vehicle with some balls, and no cops to worry about? Nah.”
Jen went back to monitoring the hordes.
Fifteen minutes later, the Kansas City horde arrived at the outskirts of South Kansas City. “KC’s in position,” Jen said.
“And we’re here, too,” Wayne said.
Jen peered out the windshield at the signs for Kansas City. “Mercy? Do you know where we’re going?”
“Josh has this one,” she said.
Josh leaned forward. “Take the exit for 670 East. It’ll take us over the Kansas River and into downtown.”
He pointed at a sign on an overpass. “There it is. Exit 421B.”
Wayne maneuvered the SUV onto the ramp, followed the curve, and approached the bridge. “Looks like this bridge is still intact.”
“I’m not seeing any working traffic lights,” Jen said.
Wayne slammed a fist on the dashboard. “Dammit. No power again?”
“We don’t know that,” Mercy said. “Those lights could be out even if the power’s on.”
Josh pointed over Wayne’s shoulder. “Big cloverleaf up there. You want I-35 south, then get off at West 20th Street and go east.”
Wayne took the first off-ramp on I-35 after the cloverleaf and took a left at the stop sign. Houses, half-hidden by trees and bushes, gave way to brick buildings and warehouses.
“Go up to Main Street,” Josh said. “Take another left there and it’ll lead you into downtown.”
Jen stuck her head out the window and searched the sky. Nothing. No sign of aircraft.
They hit downtown and Josh guided Wayne to a sixteen-story building. He stopped the truck in front of a set of double-glass doors.
Jen jumped out. Other than the SUV’s doors closing, there still was no sound, no movement. A chill ran down her spine. “You’d think I’d get used to the silence.”
Wayne looked around. “I know what you mean.”
Josh pulled on the doors. “Shit. Locked.”
“Stand back,” Zeke said. He slid the M4 off his shoulder. Josh scrambled out of the way, and Zeke shot a burst of three rounds at the door.
Cracks spidered from the bullet holes.
“I guess that didn’t work,” Josh said.
Zeke handed Jen his rifle and approached the damaged door. He took a wide stance and concentrated. With a short bark, he lashed out with his foot, nailing the glass and knocking a chunk into the lobby. He reached inside the opening and opened the dead bolt.
Pulling the door open, he stood to the side. “After you.”
Josh grinned and entered with Mercy at his side.
Wayne bumped fists with Zeke as he passed.
Jen put up a hand. “Wait.” She cocked her head.
A Blackhawk zoomed over the building.
“Shit.”
She hurried into the shadows of the lobby.
The Blackhawk hovered above the intersection next to the building. A loudspeaker squawked. “Time to give up.”
A pair of Humvees squealed around a corner two blocks down.
“How the fuck did they do that?” Jen asked.
Wayne peered out next to her. “Don’t know.”
“I’ll bet they still have working satellites,” Zeke said. “I read about them on the internet.”
“Shit,” Wayne said. “They were probably tracking us the whole way.”
“Mercy,” Jen said, “you and Josh get your shit uploaded. They want me so I'll draw them away.”
Wayne grabbed her arm. “I’m coming with you.”
“Me, too,” Zeke said. He had a crazy, excited look in his eyes.
They dashed down the sidewalk and into an alleyway. Dodging trash cans and debris, they raced to the other end. One of the Humvees stopped at the entrance and two soldiers jumped out and gave chase.
&
nbsp; Wayne pulled his pistol and shot a few rounds in their direction. The soldiers took cover. Jen added a few rounds of her own.
You asshats can't fire back, can you? Need to take me alive.
They burst onto the next street right in front of the other Humvee. It screeched to a stop and Jen rolled over its hood. Zeke made a flying kick at the driver’s door as it opened and slammed it closed. Wayne zipped past him and ducked into the alley across the street with Jen.
The Blackhawk flew past overhead in the direction they were heading.
Jen glanced back. Zeke was catching up. She looked past him. No one gave chase.
What the hell?
She slowed as she approached the alley’s entrance. Wayne paced her. “What’s wrong?”
Four soldiers stepped into view. They had rifles Jen didn't recognize pressed into their shoulders.
Jen raised her pistol, but the soldiers shot first. A sharp pain made her wince and drop her gun. A dart of some sort stuck from her shoulder. She pulled it out and stumbled. Her vision blurred.
“No.”
Wayne dropped to the ground next to her.
“Jen,” Zeke said.
Another shot and he stumbled.
The world spun.
Attack!
Jen fell to the concrete and into the darkness.
25
Jen opened her eyes and the world spun. She rolled to her side and puked.
“It’s OK,” Wayne said. “That’ll pass.”
Groaning, Jen squinted in an attempt to see through the blackness. “Where are we?”
Wayne’s voice came from her left. Not close, but not too far away. “Don’t know. I’ve only been awake for ten minutes or so and haven’t seen anyone.”
“Zeke?” Jen asked.
“There’s someone breathing heavily,” Wayne said. “Got to be him.”
“My hands,” she said. “Handcuffed.”
“And chained to the wall,” Wayne said. “I pulled on them. Solid.”
Jen pushed herself into a sitting position and scooted her back into the wall.
A cough came from in front of her.
“Take it easy,” Wayne said.
Zeke’s slurry voice pierced the darkness. “Is Jen OK?”
I’m the first thing he’s worried about. What’d I do to deserve that guy? “I’m good.”
A tumbler turned and a door opened. Light spilled in and Jen clamped her eyes shut.
“You’re awake,” Howell said. “Good. Let me see how you’re doing.”
A click and the light grew brighter.
Jen cracked her eyes. Howell stood in the doorway with his hands on his hips.
The rustle of chains to her left drew her attention. Wayne sat up, shading his eyes with his bound hands. On the other side of the room, Zeke lay on his side with his head buried in his arms.
“The drugs will wear off soon,” Howell said. “Once it does, we’ll bring you food and water.” He spread his arms. “We don’t want to hurt you. All we want is your cooperation.”
“That’ll be the day,” Jen said. Need to see where my troops are.
She closed her eyes and concentrated, reaching out with her mind. Who’s the closest? Where are you?
Nothing but darkness.
“I forgot to tell you,” Howell said. “Jen’s been given an extra drug. It screws with your focus, your concentration. After all, we don’t want you rallying your undead hordes. At least, not until you’re doing it for us.”
Jen glared at Howell. “You think after all this I’m just going to be your puppet? How about I line the horde up and have them bend over so you can kiss their asses instead?”
“We need you,” Howell said, “but don’t think our patience is limitless.”
He stepped out of the room and eased the door shut. Jen dropped her head forward. How the hell are we going to get out of this one?
“Don’t lose hope,” Wayne said.
She looked over at him.
He smiled. “Think of what we’ll do after this shit is over.”
“Haven’t given that much thought,” she said.
“Yeah,” Zeke said. “I’m visualizing slicing that asshole’s head off. Makes me feel all warm inside.”
Wayne pulled his knees up and rested his arms on them. “Maybe you should think about after. Where are you going to live? Can’t go back to Alaska.”
He’s trying to keep my spirits up. Even though I know what he’s doing, it’s still working.
“Where will I live?” she said. “Haven’t the foggiest.”
“What’d you think of Rhode Island?” Wayne asked.
Her eyes met his. “Rhode Island? With you?”
He smiled. “Why not?”
Warmth flooded her chest. Why not?
The door cracked open and Howell stuck his head in. “Someone wants to see you.”
He pulled the door back and stepped to the side.
Cane in hand, Dr. Cartwright limped in.
26
“Hello, Miss Reed.”
Cartwright?
“I can see by your expression that I’m the last person you expected to see.” She pulled a metal folding chair inside and sat. Howell leaned on the doorframe. If I could stand, I don’t know which one I’d kill first.
A snippet of memory bubbled to the top of her mind. “The college kids said that one person was pulled from the helicopter crash site.”
“Bravo.” Cartwright did a sarcastic clap. She looked at Howell. “If she’s remembering things, then the drug is probably wearing off. See to it she gets a new dose.”
Howell nodded.
Shit. That’s the last time I’ll let them know how I’m doing.
“I need you, Miss Reed. Our country needs you.”
“You need your asses kicked is what you need.”
Howell chuckled. “That’s one of the things I liked about working with you. You’ve got attitude. But it’s time to play ball. We’ve got you. All of you.”
Jen’s pulse kicked up a notch. “I don’t believe you.”
“You can believe it,” Cartwright said. “We even have the video your friends were trying to upload. Seems our troops got to them just in time.”
“Bullshit. You’re a fucking liar. Every damn word from your mouth’s been a lie. I’m just glad Doc’s not here to see it.”
Cartwright stiffened.
Howell sighed. “Maybe you’ll believe this.” He rapped his knuckles on the door. A soldier came in carrying a video camera.
“Look familiar?” Howell asked.
“You’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all,” Jen said.
Howell turned it so the monitor faced Jen. He pressed a button on the side and the monitor came to life. There was Butler and Jen in the hallway of the hotel. Butler’s head exploded and the camera swung to Howell, his gun still aimed down the hallway.
Jen’s heart sank. “Where are Mercy and Josh?”
“They’re no longer an issue.” Howell gestured to the soldier and he left the room with the camera.
Zeke strained against his chains. “What does that mean? You killed them, didn’t you?”
Cartwright looked calmly at him. “For national security purposes.”
A sergeant appeared next to Howell and whispered into his ear. He nodded and stepped aside.
The sergeant waved a corporal in. They descended on Jen. She kicked out, hitting the corporal in the shin. He grimaced and grabbed her legs, pinning them to the floor.
“No,” she screamed. “Get the fuck off me.”
“Leave her alone,” Wayne yelled.
The sergeant pulled Jen’s bound hands up, immobilizing her arms. He slid her sleeve down and produced a hypodermic needle.
Jen struggled, but they held her fast. “You fucks! No!”
“I’m gonna kill you assholes,” Zeke shrieked.
The sergeant plunged the needle into her arm. Jen wriggled and screamed.
Cold steeped into her veins and bil
e rose in the back of her throat. The sergeant removed the needle and stepped back. “Let her go.”
The corporal released her and jumped back, but not before Jen lashed out with her foot and slammed her heel into his calf muscle. He hobbled from the room.
Jen pulled herself up. “That won’t do shit, because in the end I’m going to kill you both.”
Leaning on her cane, Cartwright stood. “I hope you understand we don’t have time for games. We need your help soon.”
She limped out the door.
“What does that mean?” Zeke asked. “No time for games?”
Howell sighed. “It means she and I wish Jen would cooperate on her own.” He raised an eyebrow. “What do you say, Jen? Make it easy and get back on the team.”
“Fuck you.”
Howell pursed his lips and sighed. “We know how much Zeke means to you. Don’t make us go there.”
“I’m not afraid of you,” Zeke said.
Can’t let him hurt Zeke.
“Your answer?” Howell asked.
Jen stared at Howell, keeping a poker face.
Howell shook his head. “So that’s it, is it?” He stepped out of the room, keeping his eyes on her. “Sergeant Doyle.”
The sergeant pulled his pistol and aimed it at Zeke.
Jen’s heart jumped into her throat. Zeke yelled something unintelligible and Wayne threw himself against his chains.
Falling to her knees, Jen begged, “Please, don’t.”
Sergeant Doyle swung the gun barrel around to Wayne and fired two rounds.
27
Wayne dropped to his knees, two holes in his chest leaking blood.
“Wayne!” Jen screamed.
Doyle calmly walked from the room. Howell stood in the doorway for a moment, then closed the door.
Wayne looked down at his wounds then over at Jen. Tears flowed down her face and her throat thickened. “Wayne,” she whispered.
He fell on his side and his body convulsed. Once. Twice. Then he was still.
Head down and hands pressed to his forehead, Zeke cried, his whole body trembling.
Numbness enveloped Jen. What have I done?
A wave of emotions crashed over her and she clenched her fists, raised her face to the ceiling, and wailed. A long, low sound that hollowed out a part of her soul.
The Zombie Uprising Series: Books One Through Five Page 69