Dante approached the dead man, shaking his head. He spotted a handgun on the floor, and picked it up, shoving it into the back waistband of his pants.
“That’s not exactly an uplifting sign there,” Ace muttered, sheathing his knife. He glanced at Katie, still with her back turned, covering her mouth, face pale. He glanced at the coat rack in the corner and snatched a jacket off of it, holding it out to Dante. “Hey, would you do the honors?” he asked.
Dante looked back at Katie’s quivering shoulders, and he took the jacket, covering up the dead General and then rolling the chair over to the far corner of the office. After a beat, she straightened, composing herself before turning around and approaching the desk.
“Sorry,” she said hoarsely. “Bad enough to see this… worse when it’s somebody I know.”
Dante nodded. “No apologies necessary,” he assured her.
Ace leaned over the desk that was strewn with papers, and picked up a folder, flipping through it to try to find something useful. Dante started scrolling through the reports still open on the computer screen, finding his way back to the main email menu.
He found one report labeled Evacuation Point - TOP PRIORITY, with a timestamp of 3:38 AM. He clicked on it and started reading.
“Might have something here,” he said. “This came in a few minutes before the Edisto Beach one. Also from the office of General Adams.” He scanned the document before clearing his throat. “Okay, it’s short and to the point… There is an unprecedented event happening, one that threatens the stability of the nation as a whole. In response, all base commanders are to prepare for an immediate evacuation. There will be an exception in rare cases, and if this impacts your base, you will receive a followup immediately after this.” He scanned further down a little more, muttering to himself until he found the next important bit. “Anyone with A-type blood needs to be immediately quarantined. This is to be done without exception. Explanation will follow shortly.”
“Are you fucking serious right now?!” Ace cried, slamming the folder he’d been holding down on the table. “The military just up and abandoned us? What the fuck man?!”
Dante shook his head. “Looks like we’re on our own,” he murmured.
Katie swallowed hard, and an envelope on the desk caught her eye. She picked it up and realized the label was in Whitley’s handwriting. General Whitley, Final Words, it said, and her breath hitched as she opened the envelope, pulling out a single sheet of paper.
Her eyes widened as she started reading, and then Ace cleared his throat.
“You going to share with the rest of the class?” he asked.
She blinked at him and then nodded when it registered what he was asking. “It’s General Whitley’s suicide note,” she explained. “I’ll start from the top.” She took a deep breath. “To the survivors. It pains me to write this, as it feels like I have betrayed my oath to protect this nation. In the face of grave danger, my final official act as commander of this base was to order the evacuation of every healthy soldier under my command. Instead of rushing headlong into battle to protect innocent life, we are retreating, leaving those who need us most to fend for themselves in this time of grave danger.” She paused, putting a hand to her chest as she continued, “While I am not privy to the rationale behind this decision, my only solace is knowing that I won’t have to live with the knowledge of this betrayal long. I don’t know how, but I have become infected with the virus that threatens our nation, our way of life, which leaves me only one option. May god forgive me for what I have done, and what I am about to do. Signed, General Whitley.”
The room was silent, soaking in the words and implications of the letter. The military had abandoned them. The situation really was dire.
“Goddamn, that is a rough way to go,” Ace groaned.
Dante cocked his head. “Single shot to the head?” he asked. “Seems like it would be pretty quick and painless.”
“No, I mean knowing what he knew before pulling the trigger,” Ace amended, waving his hands in front of his face. “It’s one thing to just keel over after being sick, it’s another thing entirely to know you’re on the clock and that the timer is almost zero.”
Dante nodded, and Katie stared at the letter for another moment before setting it back down on the table, her hand shaking.
“So what do we do now?” Ace asked with a sigh.
Dante held up a hand. “First things first, we gotta get the hell out of here,” he said. “The military might be gone, but QXR might still be here.”
“I was talking about long-term planning,” Ace admitted, “but I like your idea better.”
“Oh, shit,” Katie breathed, looking out the window, and the boys turned just in time to see a single military jeep coming up the main path towards the building.
Ace groaned. “I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that’s QXR and not a welcoming committee,” he said.
“Stay calm,” Dante said, “maybe they’re just on patrol. They don’t know we’re here.”
The trio stood tense as they watched the vehicle driving by each of the buildings to their left, slowly and scanning for god knew what.
“Fuck my life man,” Ace groaned as the jeep parked in front of the building they were in. “Just fuck fuck fuck!”
Dante turned away from the window. “We got this.”
“They’re fucking mercenaries, man!” Ace cried. “We should hide!”
Katie raised a hand. “I agree,” she said.
“If we don’t fight our way out of here, we may never leave,” Dante countered, shaking his head.
“I really think we should hide,” Ace replied, though his voice was less forceful.
Katie took a deep breath. “Why don’t we do both?” she asked. “We’ll hide in here and fight if we need to. Maybe they’re just going to peek in and keep moving.”
They stared down at the vehicle and watched three mercenaries get out. The men took a moment to stretch and appeared to be talking between themselves.
“Okay, we’re going with Katie’s plan,” Dante said, and pulled out the handgun he’d taken from the floor, checking to make sure there was still ammo in it. “You know how to use one of these?” he asked, holding the gun out to Katie.
She shook her head. “Not really.”
“Then here’s hoping we’re just being overly cautious,” he replied. “I want you to keep this out of sight until you absolutely need it. Understand?”
She reluctantly took the weapon, turning it over in her hand.
“So what’s the plan?” Ace asked, putting his hands on his hips.
Dante pursed his lips as he gazed back out the window at the trio approaching the building. “Looks like you get to hide after all,” he said.
CHAPTER FIVE
Katie stood nervously in front of General Whitley’s desk, looking directly at the door. Her hands were on the desk, just a few inches from the handgun that was positioned behind her. She strained her ears as the voices downstairs laughed and carried on, the sounds of glass shattering in between.
They’re breaking stuff, she thought, imagining a couple of boisterous guys tossing computer monitors around the office. Maybe this isn’t an official patrol, just some guys blowing off steam. We might be okay.
Her wishful thinking vanished as she heard the echoes of footsteps in the stairwell at the end of the hall. In the empty building, the sound easily carried. The voices got louder as they opened the door, heading up the hall.
Katie tensed, every muscle in her body on edge. She knew they’d be found. She clenched her jaw as they came down the hall, footsteps getting louder and louder. Occasionally there was a boom of a door being kicked in as they checked the offices along the way.
“And now, gentlemen, let me introduce you to a coward who took the easy way out!” one of the men bellowed, and kicked in the General’s door.
Three large men stood there with assault rifles, stopping short at the sight of Katie standing there. The lea
der immediately leered at her, sauntering into the room.
“Well, look what we have here,” he drawled, licking his lips. “Now what’s a pretty young thing like yourself doing up here all alone?”
“I think she could use some company, don’t you?” the second guy drawled as he slid into the room.
The third smirked and chuckled. “Oh yeah,” he added, “lots of company.”
Katie’s heart hammered as they approached her, three predators with their sights set on her.
Two handgun hammers clicked, and Ace and Dante stepped out from the corners flanking the door.
“The lady has all the company she needs,” Dante said, voice like ice.
The mercenaries froze in their triangle formation, the first one at the tip glancing over his shoulder. “Looks like we got a tough guy over here,” he said as he raised his hands, and then cocked a brow at Dante’s face. “Whoa there brother, and I thought I was having a bad day. You let us go, and I can have the doc take a look at your face.”
“I’m good, thanks,” Dante replied.
One of the guys in the back scowled, keeping his hands high. “You guys have any idea who the fuck we are?” he demanded.
“Nothing but a bunch of hired goons,” Ace declared.
The scowling mercenary glared at the short redneck. “Better than being a punk-ass bitch like you,” he said with a sneer.
Ace growled, and the lead mercenary took a deep breath.
“Let’s all settle down now and talk this out,” he said firmly. “No reason for anybody to get hurt, or worse.”
Dante cocked his head. “Somehow I doubt you’re going to just let us go,” he said.
“Well whatever fucked up your face didn’t fuck up your brain,” the mercenary replied. “No, we’re not going to let you go.”
“Bold statement when we have guns on you,” Ace declared.
The sneering mercenary in the back ran his tongue over his teeth. “Boy, you ain’t gonna be hot shit in a minute when I have you bent over that desk,” he warned.
Ace clenched his jaw.
“As I was saying,” the leader continued, rolling his eyes. “No, we aren’t going to let you go. However, we can bring you into the fold, give you protection.”
“Just like you’re giving protection to those on Hilton Head Island?” Dante snarled.
The mercenary chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re the jumper, aren’t you?” he asked, amused.
Dante blinked at him in surprise.
“Don’t look so shocked,” the man continued, “that little maneuver has been quite the story floating around base. Not every day a man does a high dive from a bridge and survives. Looks like I owe Marcus five bucks.”
Dante smirked. “I would say I’m sorry for costing you money,” he drawled, “but kind of your fault for doubting me.”
“No apology necessary,” the mercenary replied. “Not like that money is good for anything these days anyway. More of a pride thing really. But now that I know who you are, I’m pretty sure I can get you a job if you want one.”
The guy in the back winked at Ace. “And don’t worry cupcake, I got a job for you too,” he said, blowing the redneck a little kiss.
“You listen here, motherfucker,” Ace snarled, and walked right up to the guy, pressing the gun against his temple. Before Dante could protest, the mercenary reacted immediately, spinning around and smacking Ace’s arm out of the way, causing him to pull the trigger.
The shot was deafening in the small office, startling everyone. The mercenary took advantage of the distraction and struck Ace, causing him to drop the weapon to the ground. The redneck fought back, delivering a couple of blows to the side of the mercenary’s head. Despite his smaller wiry frame, he managed to get force behind his hits.
The lead mercenary hit the floor as Dante opened fire. His first shots missed, but he quickly turned his attention to the third guy who raised his assault rifle. Dante managed to hit him in the chest with three rounds rapidly, dropping him.
The leader stayed low as he lunged for Dante, tackling him. They slammed into a bookcase, the impact causing Dante to drop his gun.
Ace continued fighting with all he was worth, but his opponent managed to deflect and block every blow. The mercenary sneered as he batted his arm away.
“Man, I thought I was going to have to make you my bitch,” he taunted, “had no idea you were already one.”
Ace grunted as he swung again. “Fuck you, motherfucker,” he snarled. “I’m going to tea bag your corpse.”
The mercenary chuckled, and attempted to block, but in his laughter he left the smallest opening for the redneck to land a shot. Ace’s fist connected with his nose, staggering him back a couple of steps.
The mercenary wiped at his nose, smiling through the blood. “Hope you enjoyed that,” he spat, “because that’s the last one you’re getting.”
As they re-engaged in their fight, Dante exchanged blows with his opponent. The mercenary delivered a straight punch that he deftly dodged, causing his attacker to crack his hand into the wooden bookcase. As he recoiled in pain, Dante used the opportunity to grab his wrist, wrenching it around and down, forcing the mercenary to double over.
As he let out a yelp, Dante gave his elbow a vicious palm strike to the elbow while pulling back his wrist, snapping his arm in two. His opponent let out a blood-curdling scream, drawing his knife with his other arm and swinging it around in an attempt to gut him.
Dante hopped back, narrowly avoiding being stabbed, which allowed the mercenary enough time to get back to his feet, holding out the blade.
“You’re one tough son of a bitch,” he snarled, “I’ll give you that.”
“Thought the bridge dive would have taught you that,” Dante snapped.
The mercenary grinned and lunged, but Dante smacked his hand to the side, forcing him to retreat. They did the same dance again, and then the mercenary regrouped and tried again, putting a considerable amount of thrust in his attack.
This time, Dante snatched his wrist and pulled him forward, using the momentum to slam him into the bookcase. As the mercenary’s head smacked into the thick bookcase, the knife fell to the floor. Dante slammed his skull into the shelves a couple more times and then put him in a chokehold.
He wrestled his opponent to the floor, wrapping his leg up and pulling tight as the mercenary struggled, swinging his good arm around frantically as he struggled to breathe. He tried to pull the arm away, but that didn’t work, so he tried to reach back for Dante’s face, but he couldn’t reach.
He jabbed back with his elbow into his attacker’s ribs, and Dante hissed with the pain, but didn’t let go. If anything it gave him the drive to pull tighter. The blows started to weaken as the light drained out of the mercenary, and Dante squeezed as hard as he could, taking the last bit of air.
When his opponent went limp, he held on for several more seconds just to make sure he was dead. He finally relaxed, shoving the body off of him and regaining his breath as he rubbed at his ribs.
Ace tried to throw a punch, but his opponent smacked it aside and punched him in the stomach, knocking the air from his lungs and causing him to drop to one knee.
“All right bitch,” he declared, “I’m done playing with you. Time to put you out of your misery.” He pulled out his knife, raising it up as if he were about to impale it into the top of the redneck’s head.
A single shot rang out, and one of the paintings on the wall exploded as the bullet whizzed by his ear. The mercenary startled, and glanced back at Katie, standing there shaking as she held up the gun.
The anger in his eyes caused her to lower her arms in fear, and he pointed the knife at her. “Oh don’t worry sweetheart,” he cooed, “I got something for you too.”
Ace pulled his own knife and stabbed up from a kneeling position, burying it into the mercenary’s gut all the way to the hilt. Giving it all he had, the blade tore up several inches of the man’s torso.
The me
rcenary dropped his knife and fell to his knees, mouth open in shock. Ace stood up, tearing his blade out and then immediately slicing the asshole’s throat before kicking him in the chest and crumpling him to the ground.
And then, as promised, he stood right over the mercenary’s face and bobbed his crotch up and down. “Yeah, who’s the bitch now, motherfucker?” he growled.
“Ace!” Dante snapped as he got up from the ground, glaring at him.
The redneck straightened up and stared down at the corpse as the light disappeared from its eyes. He haucked a massive loogie across the mercenary’s face. “Bitch.” He turned back to Dante, raising an eyebrow. “You okay, Scarface?” he asked.
Dante grabbed him by the shirt, jerking him close and speaking an inch away from his face. “When you have a gun on someone, you do not get within five feet of them,” he said firmly, “do you understand me?”
Ace’s eyes widened, fear evident in his face at the cold hardness of his companion.
Dante let go of him, taking it as acquiescence and stepping back. “Come on, we gotta get the hell outta here,” he said. “Get their guns and ammo, and move.”
He gave Ace a supportive smack on the back, and the redneck breathed a sigh of relief before joining him in looting the dead.
Dante turned to Katie as he slung an assault rifle strap over his shoulder, noticing that she hadn’t moved an inch since firing her one shot. He stepped over and gently pried the gun from her hand, shoving it into the back of his pants.
“We gotta go,” he said quietly. “Come on.”
She nodded, snapping out of it, and took a deep breath, following the duo out of the office. They thundered down the stairs and burst outside, looking around to make sure nobody else was around.
“Guess nobody heard the shot,” Dante said.
Ace jogged over to the jeep that the mercenaries had arrived in.
“What are you doing, man?” Dante demanded.
Ace didn’t answer, and simply got into the driver’s seat, finding the keys still in the ignition. He started it up and drove around to the back of the building, parking it by the fence. As he jogged back out to where Katie and Dante stood in the open, the latter spread his arms.
Dead America: Lowcountry | Book 3 | Lowcountry [Part 3] Page 5
