Seed

by Michael Edelson

  “Well,” she said in an even tone. “At least we know who is responsible for this.”

  “Who?” He stared at her stupidly, then it dawned on him. For the second time today, he smacked himself in the forehead. “Oh my god I’m such a moron! I didn’t even think…”

  “No, there’s a lot going on, and you’re used to following orders.”

  He smiled. “Thank you. You can make fun of me for it later, of course.”

  “Count on it,” she said with a grin. “Now the only question is why the military, or the government, would do this to us.”

  He looked away. “I can only think of one thing, and I don’t want to say it.”

  “Is it because of me?”

  He nodded.

  “I appreciate that, Alex, I really do. But I’d like to hear it.”

  “Well,” he began, looking down at the ground. “The only reason that makes sense is that something really bad happened, like an asteroid or something. And they knew it was going to happen, so they grabbed whoever they could and put them in colonies like this one. I think there are many of them, ours is number 103, if I’m right about the designation.” Hearing his own words surprised him. He had purposely kept himself busy to avoid over speculation, but apparently his mind had been working when he wasn’t paying attention. He had definitely enjoyed being here more when he didn’t have a clue what was going on.

  She wiped her eyes again. “No, that doesn’t make sense, the ‘grabbed whoever they could’ part I mean. This is too organized. Our clothes, how they are right for us, the DNA pads, how everyone is perfect for their job, except me of course.” He sensed some bitterness.

  “You don’t have any stuff in here? I mean stuff that tells you what you’re supposed to do?”

  She shook her head.

  “Don’t feel bad,” he said. “I only know of a few people with clear roles. You’re right, though, it was very organized. Whoever drugged us and brought us here did it in one day. Where were you when it happened?”

  “I was visiting my cousins in Los Angeles.”

  “Really,” he said. “Now that’s interesting. Fort Irwin…that’s where I’m stationed…is pretty close to Los Angeles. And Max was a professor at UCLA. I bet everyone here is either from California or was in California when this happened. That might also explain why you don’t have a job. Maybe you weren’t where they expected you to be.”

  She shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “Anyway,” he said, getting to his feet. “It’s time to eat.” He took a couple of plates and spoons from her tableware cabinet and dispensed two sizeable puffs of nutrient paste. He set one down on the desk near her. The dog picked its head up and stared at the plate intently.

  “Hope you don’t mind sharing…I’d be happy to return the favor later.”

  She stared at the plate. “What did Tom say?”

  “He said it was kosher.” That wasn’t a lie, he had said exactly that. “Eat. That’s an order.”

  She took the plate and spoon, scooped some up and put it in her mouth.

  “It’s really good!” she said, smiling. She ate heartily, and he joined her. In seconds, her plate was empty.

  “Let me get you more,” he said, taking it from her. She nodded. She had accepted that she could eat it, but willfully procuring it seemed just a bit beyond her at the moment.

  She ate three helpings before deciding she’d had enough.

  “Alex, thank you.” She reached out to him again, and again pulled back.

  “It won’t burn you,” he said.

  “What?”

  “Touching me.”

  She looked away.

  “Look,” he continued. “I don’t care, it doesn’t matter. I just like your company. Okay?”

  She nodded, then furrowed her brow, as though something had occurred to her.

  “Do you think,” she said, swallowing. “Do you think they’re dead?”

  “Your family?”

  She nodded again, and he saw a tear roll down her cheek.

  “No. I can’t imagine it. It’s too much.”

  “I know what you mean,” she said, wiping her face. “I had another idea, though. Maybe this is a quarantine.”

  “Like a medical quarantine?”

  “That’s the idea, yeah. Maybe there was some kind of outbreak.”

  “Hey yeah!” he said excitedly. “That would explain a lot!”

  “Really?” she said, looking up at him hopefully. “How so?”

  He stood up and began to pace. “It makes perfect sense! Let’s say something got loose…some really nasty bug. Fast acting, got us in our sleep, maybe lots died, but we’re immune!”

  “We’re carriers!” she exclaimed, also standing. “We survived, and they put us here to quarantine and study us!”

  “Exactly! That would explain why everyone is from California! I mean assuming I’m right about that.”

  She was about to say something when her laptop screen came to life, displaying a picture of Max’s face.

  “This is a general announcement,” Max said though the computer’s little speakers. “Captain Alex Meyer, please come to my cabin immediately.”

  “I didn’t know he could do that,” Alex said as he felt his mood deflate. They had been sharing an exciting moment when that air bag interrupted. “That’s creepy, I wonder if he can see us.”

  “Doesn’t look like it,” Yael said. “I guess you have to go?” she asked, and as he recognized the disappointment in her voice he felt a rush of excitement.

  “I guess so,” he said. “We’ll pick this up later?”

  “Okay,” she said.

  Patting the dog on the head, he gave her a long look and walked outside, closing the door behind him.

  When he had walked quite a way from her cabin, he realized he had no idea where he was going. The complex wasn’t that big, though, and within a few minutes of walking in random directions he spotted a cabin that was considerably larger than the others. He doubted it was twice the size, but then again which definition of “twice” had Max used? Twice the volume? Double the exterior dimensions? He realized how much importance he was placing on such a meaningless detail and chuckled under his breath.

  “At least they gave me a big TV.”

  The door was open and Max was inside, along with Reynard.

  “Max,” Alex said, nodding a greeting. “Reynard.”

  “Alex, good,” Max said. He looked pleased to see him. There was an excitement about the two men, and both were fixated on the terminal. “Come look at this.”

  Alex walked up to the monitor and looked at the screen. It was the same NTCN program that he had on his arms room terminal.

  Perimeter Defense Main Menu

  -----------------------------------------

  Barrier Status: Active

  Barrier Grid Status(by zone): (1)98 (2)85 (3)87 (4)91 (5)77 (6)91 (7)85 (8)92 (9)84 (10)89 (11)93 (12)91

  Actions:

  1. Barrier Controls

  2. Access Grid Controls

  3. Access Fusion Generator Controls

  4. Help

  5. Return to Main Menu

  “Fusion generator?” Alex said. “Holy crap! There’s a fusion generator here? Does such a thing even exist?”

  “It would appear so,” Max said. “I have access to some of its parameters, but I have no idea where it is. But Alex, forget about that for a second. Look at the menu.”

  “Yeah,” he said. “I saw. We can turn it off.”

  “Not quite,” Max said excitedly. “It won’t let us shut it off completely, but we can drop it down to twenty percent intensity. According to the program, that will make passage through it possible, but I’m guessing quite a bit uncomfortable.”

  “That’s weird,” Alex said. “If they want to let us pass through it, why not just let us shut it off completely?”

  “I don’t know. This menu became active just a few minutes ago. I don’t know what most of the settings are, but I’d be willi
ng to bet there’s someone among the other residents that can figure it out.”

  “Did you try option four?” Alex asked.

  “Yes. It’s just technical information about the settings. I can’t make heads or tails of it. Do you want to take a look?”

  He shook his head. “No, stuff like that is above my pay grade. But on to more important matters. I want to get a group together and go out there. I’ve been thinking about that ever since I read my general orders. They mentioned that we would get control of the barrier.”

  “Do you think that’s wise?” Max asked, looking annoyingly concerned.

  “Yes,” Alex said. “I do. If there’s one thing we all have in common, it’s that we all want to know what the hell is going on here. And we’re not going to learn that sitting here.”

  “We have some theories,” Max said.

  “We do too, Yael and I.”

  Max raised an eyebrow. “Really? I’d love to hear them.” Reynard was keeping silent, though Alex didn’t like the way he was looking at him. Did he resent his position?

  “We have two,” he said, though he almost didn’t want to tell Max Yael’s quarantine theory. He didn’t want to share with anyone else what he’d shared with her. “The first is the obvious one…there was some sort of disaster, like an asteroid strike, and the government had lots of time to prepare. They couldn’t save everyone, so they saved a random group of people, or maybe we’re all special, though I can’t see how I am.”

  “And the second?”

  “Quarantine,” he continued. “Yael came up with that one.” He turned to Reynard. “You’re from California, right? Or you were in California when this happened?”

  Reynard nodded, then glanced nervously at Max. “How did you know?”

  “I think we all are,” Alex said. “It makes sense if you go with the quarantine theory. Outbreak, millions die, we get infected without realizing it, but survive. So we’re carriers, but we’re immune. They grab us all, bring us here. Who knows how long we were actually out?”

  Max nodded and rubbed his chin. “That was one we had not considered. The only problem with that one is why did they give us so many weapons?”

  Alex shrugged. “Maybe the virus, or whatever it is, turns people into zombies.”

  Max chuckled, but it was an annoying patronizing chuckle. “I don’t think that’s very likely.”

  “I was joking,” Alex said. “But if it is some sort of deadly outbreak, maybe there’s widespread chaos, rioting, that sort of thing. The point is we have no idea what’s going on out there, and we won’t until we go have a look. You’re the governor, so I need your permission.”

  Max considered it. “Alright, put a small team together. No more than six or seven people. Go out for one day, then come back and report on what you find. At the first sign of trouble…”

  “Got it,” Alex said. “We’ll come right back. But one day might not be enough. Let’s make it three.”

  Max rubbed his chin. “Fine, three it is, but if you find something, come back sooner.”

  “Will do.”

  “You’ll need to leave us some guns,” Max said. “We need to be able to protect ourselves if something should happen.”

  Alex was about to protest, but then thought better of it. He didn’t like the idea, but if he had been in Max’s shoes he would have felt the same way.

  “Fine. I’ll give you some pistols. Three enough?”

  “Let’s make it five. When will you leave?”

  “First thing tomorrow morning,” Alex said. “I’m going to put the team together right now though. Expect gun fire.”

  “We’ll keep the barrier at full strength until you go.”

  “And after we leave,” Alex said. “Until we know what’s out there, it’s only prudent. I have short range radios in the arms room, I’ll give you one and we’ll contact you when we’re nearby so you can shut it down again.”

  “Good luck, Alex,” Max said, and offered a hand. Alex shook it.

  “Do me a favor,” Alex said. “Get on that broadcast thing of yours and tell anyone interested in going with me to head down to the beach.”

  “Good idea, I’ll do it right now.”

  “Be sure to let people know I’m going to set a fast pace, and it’s not going to be easy or comfortable.”

  Alex turned and walked out of Max’s cabin, headed towards the warehouse. He was excited at the prospect of finally getting to find out where they were and what was going on out there, but he was also feeling let down. The vacation was over. Whatever happened next, things would never be the same again.

  Chapter 10

  There was a large group waiting for him by the time he made it down to the beach. Neither Bob nor Reynard were there, which did not surprise him, but Barbara and Tom were, as was Yael. A quick tally indicated about fifteen people in all, along with a couple of spectators— two girls in shorts and tank tops stood off to the side and stared, whispering to each other. They looked like typical college girls on spring break, tanned and healthy. And cute.

  “Hello,” Alex said as he set down the duffle bag he had brought from the arms room. “Let me save you all some time. If you don’t know how to handle a military rifle without me showing you, I can’t use you, not for this one. I appreciate the offer of help, but I don’t have time to train you. Maybe when we come back, if we don’t find a way out of here, but not now.”

  “No way,” a man said. He was tall, with long hair and dark stubble. “Who do you think you are? I’m going.” Some of the others shuffled nervously, expecting trouble.

  “You can do whatever you want,” Alex said calmly. “But you’re not going with me.” He turned to the others. “When we lower the barrier, no one is going to stop any of you from leaving, but I wouldn’t recommend it, not until we know what’s out there and why the barrier was up in the first place. To do otherwise would be stupid.”

  The long haired man scowled. “Who the hell needs you anyway?” He turned and walked away, and several others followed him.

  “I repeat,” Alex said to those who remained. “Thank you for being willing to help, but if you can’t operate an M4 carbine, by which I mean load, chamber, fire, clear and reload, I can’t use you. And if you have no idea what I just said, I definitely can’t use you.”

  Most of them started to leave amidst assorted murmurs and grumbles. Barbara was one of them.

  “Except you,” he said to her. “We may need a doctor.”

  “Okay,” she said, her expression transforming from a frown into a warm smile. “I’m your man then.” She turned and walked back to stand with those that remained: Tom, Yael, two men Alex didn’t know and the round faced blond from the beach, the one who wanted to use the fire to signal the ships.

  “Now then,” Alex said. “You need to be in good shape. I’m going to set a brisk pace, and we’re not going to stop because you’re tired. You’re also going to be carrying about thirty pounds of gear. If you can’t handle that, or if you’ve never carried that much weight for extended periods of time, do everyone a favor and walk away now.”

  He looked at the assembled faces, except for Yael. He couldn’t quite meet her gaze. It didn’t seem right to him to be including her in this impersonal selection process. No one left.

  “Finally,” he said. “And this one’s a doozy. Assuming we don’t walk out of here and find a strip mall and a movie theater, things may get ugly. If you go, you will follow my orders without question. If you disobey me, I may have to shoot you.”

  There were murmurs, and people exchanged glances. One of the college girls whistled to the other.

  “Are you serious?” Tom asked with a bewildered expression. “Shoot us?”

  “Yes,” Alex said. “But you would only have yourself to blame. Disobeying orders puts everyone in danger.”

  “How do we know,” one of the men asked. “That you won’t order us to do something crazy?” He was about Alex’s height but a bit heavier, and not from musc
le. A bit of fat didn’t mean he was out of shape, so Alex wasn’t concerned.

  “What’s your name?” he asked him.

  “Ryan.”

  “Ryan, what’s stopping me from shooting you right now?”

  The man blanched. “I didn’t mean…”

  “I’m trying to make a point,” Alex explained. “You trust me enough to want to go out there with me, presumably based on the way I’ve acted in the short time I’ve been here. I haven’t shot anyone, or harassed anyone, otherwise you wouldn’t be here, right?”

  He nodded.

  “Trust is important, and if you don’t trust me, don’t go. When I give an order, it will be a very specific thing, and you’ll know you are being given an order. It won’t be arbitrary, and it will be something important. Is that okay with everyone?”

  There were nods and other affirmations. This was strange for Alex, being in a position of authority. He thought he sounded like Campbell, which wasn’t altogether a bad thing. If he had to emulate someone, Bill was probably his best bet.

  “Good.” He reached down into the duffle bag and unzipped it, taking out three tactical vests. He set the vests down about ten feet apart, then pulled out three M4s. He set these down, one on each vest. He then placed an empty magazine and three rounds of 5.56mm next to each carbine. Reaching into the bag one last time, he pulled out three empty metal ammo cans, walked them down the beach about forty meters from the vests, and set them down as far apart from each other as the vests were. The ocean would serve as a backstop.

  He walked back to where the others were standing, turned to the two college girls and said, “Ladies, this is going to be very loud, so you may want to step back a bit.”

  “Okay,” they both said, almost in unison, and smiled at him. He knew flirting when he saw it, and before he could stop himself, smiled back. He watched them walk away and had to force himself to avert his gaze. He noticed Yael staring at him with a blank expression.

  “So here’s the deal,” he said to the others. “This is a very easy test, and unless you lied about being able to use a rifle you should all pass. There are six of you, and you’ll take turns, three at a time. You will have thirty seconds to load those bullets into the magazine, insert the magazine and chamber a round. After that, wait for my signal, then you will have another thirty seconds to activate the Aimpoint sight, take aim at the can that corresponds to your position, and fire, three times. If you take longer than thirty seconds, either time, you fail. If you miss the can more than once, you fail. If you’ve never used a red dot sight, I’ll help you take it off before you begin and you can flip up the irons instead. Everyone got it?”