The Geezer Quest: World After Geezer: Year Two

by Penn Gates

  Without waiting for an answer, she pats the Hazmat cooler on the floor next to her. “But why should I say all this twice? Who’s the head of the CDC now? Let’s get him - or her - in on this right now.”

  The lieutenant apparently decides he had better be the one who explains they have an unexpected visitor. “Stay where you are,” he barks at her. “No funny business. There’s a guard at the door.”

  Lisa nods casually and crosses her legs. As soon as the door closes behind him, she sighs. The world belongs to the very young now. She hopes there are officers a little bit older in this place who are holding it all together.

  SHE HEARS THE DOOR open behind her and twists in the chair to get a look at what’s coming for her. The glorified boy scout enters first, followed - hopefully - by the head of the CDC. The man behind the lieutenant is of average height, with dark hair and stylish, horn rimmed glasses. He falls just short of being good-looking, mostly because of his long upper lip, which covers a pronounced overbite. When he smiles - as he does now - his prominent teeth give him a vaguely simian air.

  She feels a surge of hope. The universe may be in her corner on this one. “Gary Lloyd? Lisa gasps dramatically. “Is that really you?”

  She stands and pulls off the knit cap she still wears. Her hair tumbles around her shoulders. Don’t hesitate, she thinks. Seize the opportunity you’ve been granted by coincidence or fate. She extends her hand and gives him a dazzling smile.

  “Lisa Terrell!” Lloyd says immediately, gripping her proffered hand in his own damp one. “I’d know that wild red mane anywhere!”

  Lisa grits her teeth. A typical remark from a guy who has always been tone deaf when it comes to interacting with others. Tone deaf and persistent to the point of stalking.

  “I’m flattered you remember me, Gary. I almost always had my head in a hazmat helmet when I worked here.”

  “You did love the research,” he says, a little condescendingly.

  “And you were always more interested in administration,” Lisa says before she can stop herself.

  Dumb, dumb, dumb. He had a thing for me - a nuisance then - but at this moment it could be the difference between success or failure. Say something flattering - now! Because he could just as easily see this as payback time if he’s reminded of my rejection of his many clumsy overtures.

  Lisa arranges her features into an expression of admiration. “How wonderful to find that you’re the director!”

  Lloyd’s face remains blandly welcoming, but she sees a flicker of uneasiness in his eyes before he shows his teeth in an imitation of a smile.

  “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather share my research with,” she gushes aloud. “That is, if your team is still working on a vaccine for Gee—”

  Just in time, she stops herself from using the ironic nickname created by the young, so confident that they would live. That confidence was short-lived. The electricity they thought of as ever present in the world - like air or water - began to flicker and die, and it took a lot of them with it in freakish accidents.

  She coughs and covers her mouth ostentatiously. “Excuse me,” she murmurs. She clears her throat before saying, “We were discussing your efforts toward a vaccine for the Gaza virus.”

  “Well, of course we’ve been researching it,” Lloyd says pompously, “But it’s not quite - uh - a life or death emergency any more - is it?”

  Lisa’s eyes widen in shock. “It isn’t?” she gasps, feigning surprise.

  He can’t be serious! Or has he somehow managed to hide in this grand cathedral of science from the more distressing implications of the virus? But isn’t this where they’re supposed to know what’s going on everywhere?

  “Well - it’s killed everyone old enough to catch it,” he explains to Lisa as if she’s a junior high biology student on a tour. “Essentially, it’s caused its own extinction.”

  “That’s - true,” she says, choosing her words carefully. “Or rather, it may be true - no one can really know for a few more years.”

  “Oh?” Lloyd responds, looking displeased at being contradicted. There it is again - that smug condescension.

  She keeps her eyes lowered to conceal the contempt she’s feeling for this complacent fool. “I believe it targets the older demographic because there’s something about aging cells that it needs to replicate.”

  Lloyd looks at her blankly and then frowns. “Interesting, but still—”

  “And, as you are aware, Gary, a virus can survive until it finds another compatible host.”

  There’s a slight tremor in his voice when he asks, “Are you suggesting—”

  “I am,” she agrees. “The Gaza virus has not been eradicated. It could very well be waiting for the next batch of suitable hosts - to ripen.”

  “Jesus Christ!” the young lieutenant yelps.

  Lloyd doesn’t bother to hide his annoyance at the outburst - and his irritation also extends to Lisa. “That’s rather a dramatic statement, my dear. I think perhaps you’re overstating your hypothesis.”

  Why is he irritated instead of horrified? she fumes. And then she knows. This pile of steaming ego is angry because she’s described her theory in front of a witness. But why should he care what this glorified boy scout thinks?

  “What’s in the cooler?” Lloyd asks, running his tongue over his prominent teeth while rubbing his hands together in anticipation. A tell, Lisa thinks triumphantly. He wants this - a lot. Which means they haven’t solved the Geezer puzzle yet.

  “I’ve brought some slides and things. I hope you’ll take a look at them, Gary.” Lisa swallows hard before she adds, “I’d really value your input.”

  LISA LOOKS AROUND THE gleaming laboratory, which really does look like the inside of a space ship. In retrospect, the mobile lab seems more like an RV for vacationing scientists. She should be a lot more excited about being here than she is. She’d expected to see at least some of the people she’d worked with before, but she recognizes no one. They’re all young men with buzz cuts and closely shaved faces - and they don’t look like people who have spent their lives hunched over microscopes. They look like soldiers. The idea pops into her head and refuses to leave.

  “Ma’am,” says one of them. “Should we begin by you explaining your research?”

  “Why don’t we begin by you introducing me to the team I’ll be working with?” Lisa suggests.

  The young man colors. “Sorry, ma’am - not thinking. We’re all so excited to see what you’ve been doing.” He holds out his hand awkwardly. “I’m Sean,” he says and turns to the rest of the group. “Line up,” he orders. “And introduce yourself to Dr. Terrell.”

  The introductions are brief - and unsatisfactory, from Lisa’s point of view. All she’s learned by the time she’s gotten to the end of the line are names. No titles, no description of individual duties. It’s clear they’ve been warned she’s on a need to know basis - at least as far as personnel are concerned.

  She’s barely had time to pull out her slides and notes when she’s interrupted by another fresh-faced young man who looks like all the others - except he’s not in a lab coat, but a uniform.

  “Ma’am, would you please follow me?”

  “I’m about to give a briefing,” Lisa says impatiently. “Can’t this wait until later?”

  “The general wants to see you now, ma’am,” the soldier answers, and he doesn’t sound friendly.

  “What general?” Lisa asks.

  “Now - ma’am.”

  In the elevator, the soldier stands ramrod straight, staring at the door. Is he doing that because he’s got claustrophobia - or to discourage her from asking more questions?

  Lisa can’t resist testing her theory. “What’s the—”

  The door slides open. “After you, ma’am,” the soldier snaps.

  Lisa recognizes the lobby. This is the command center of the CDC. It’s where the director has his office. She relaxes a little. It’s only Gary Lloyd, wanting to pick her brain, or play t
he big shot - or both. But when she’s ushered into the office, it’s not him sitting behind the impressive desk.

  The uniformed man is at the upper end of the age spectrum for survivors. His cropped hair is salt and pepper gray, but except for a couple of scars, his face is smooth. His most outstanding feature, though, is the color of his eyes - an unusually dark steely blue - like a rifle barrel.

  He rises to his feet courteously. “Dr. Terrell - welcome. We’re pleased you found your way here.”

  In spite of his pleasant manner, Lisa is tense. The last thing she wants to discuss is where she’s been and what she’s been doing for the past two years.

  “I’m General Luke Darwin, by the way. In charge of operations at the CDC.”

  “I thought Gary Lloyd was the director.”

  “He is in charge of the science. I am in charge of everything else.” When he smiles, he shows a mouthful of white teeth. Lisa amends her opinion of his most outstanding feature. His teeth remind her of the kind of trap that catches small animals by the leg. I am not a bunny rabbit, she tells herself fiercely. I’m a survivor - like Nix.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you General, but this is my first day in the lab. I haven’t even had a chance to be introduced to my team members. And, of course, I have nothing to report yet.”

  “Nonsense,” Darwin responds. “Gary has told me of your theory - the one where Geezer is dormant until another batch of humans ‘ripen’.” He points to a chair. “Have a seat.” He drops into the opulent looking desk chair without looking and leans back. “Would it surprise you to know that some of us have come to the same conclusion?”

  “Yes - it would,” Lisa answers. “When I mentioned it to Gary Lloyd, he seemed - startled.”

  The general snickers. “More likely he shit himself. That boy never thinks outside the box. He’ll go on working hard to stay safe until he steps on a land mine he didn’t see right in front of him.”

  Lisa thinks it’s a perfect description of Lloyd’s character, but she diplomatically remains silent.

  “So what have you got for me, doctor?”

  The question reminds Lisa that the man in front of her may have just set a trap of some kind. And suddenly she isn’t sure she wants to give this man the power of the knowledge she possesses.

  He sits studying her face, as if he can read her thoughts. “Well, never mind. I won’t waste any more of your time. Your team members will be reporting directly to me. I’ll soon learn everything there is to know.”

  “And when you do - what do you plan on doing with it?” Lisa blurts.

  “Wherever you’ve been hiding,” he says, “You probably haven’t been able to keep up with what’s happening in the world.” He leans back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head. “It’s fucked,” he says conversationally. “We haven’t heard from our troops in the Middle East since Geezer broke down communications. The European Union has fallen apart. Here, in the good old USA, we got folks thinking they can start their own country and do whatever the hell they want.”

  “What about national leaders?” Lisa asks. “The president, the Congress - federal agencies?”

  “Are you kidding? All those old farts are long dead.” Darwin stares into her eyes as he says it. “Don’t you get it? The only thing left is the military. We’ve got things running smooth here in Atlanta and a few other places, but we’ve got to regain control before the ragtag remains of the population forget they were ever part of something bigger.” He smiles earnestly. “That’s where your vaccine comes in. Whoever controls that can get everybody back together again.”

  He makes it seem so logical, even altruistic, Lisa thinks. Would I even question the truth of what he’s telling me if Cash hadn’t inoculated me with a healthy skepticism at the last minute? This man may sincerely believe in what the military is doing, but using the choice of life or death to impose your will is no different than pointing a gun at people so they see it your way.

  “Doctor?” Darwin is frowning at her. “I asked how long you think before your research bears concrete results?”

  Lisa massages her forehead. “Forgive me, General. It’s the lack of sleep - and excitement about getting back to the lab.” She forces herself to smile warmly. “I can’t really answer your question until I put my head together with the team you’ve assembled.”

  CHAPTER 41: Wait And See

  As soon as Holden hears the commotion down below in Moz’s camp, he leaves the shelter of the tree he's huddled against and presses himself to the ground at the edge of the bluff. Through his scope he watches the VW arrive. Before Hatfield and Michael are out of the Beetle, Aaron is striding toward them with his hand outstretched. Angry words are exchanged between the two men. Michael stands watching, his rifle cradled in his arms while Andy crouches in the back seat of the car. Suddenly, all hell breaks loose.

  “Nobody fucks me over!” Aaron yells and charges at Cash.

  Some guys never learn, Holden thinks, as he watches Aaron get the shit beat out of him. Doesn’t the asshole remember what happened last time? He stops watching the fight as he catches movement out of the corner of his eye - Aaron’s goons are closing in to even the odds in their boss’s favor. Holden fires at the feet of one of them at exactly the same moment Michael makes another one hop back from a bullet that misses his toes by less than an inch.

  In the midst of the shooting and the fighting, Moz makes one of his mysterious appearances. He stands motionless in the middle of the chaos, and the air seems to shimmer. Everyone around him freezes. Then Aaron steps back from Cash, and his men follow his lead.

  “Holy shit,” Holden whispers.

  Instead of addressing the people surrounding him, Moz turns toward the spot where Holden is hidden and calls, “I give you my word - there will be no more unpleasantness.” He smiles and his teeth show white against his beard. “You have been there in the cold for a long while. Please come down and warm yourself by the fire.”

  After Holden thaws out a little and has some coffee, Hatfield fills him in on conditions in Atlanta. “The place was crawlin’ with military,” he explains. “I got a bad feelin’ the doc might need a way out. So I figured, if a shiny rock bedazzled that shit, Aaron, at least one of the guards might feel the same way about it.”

  “I shoulda guessed that’s what the dust-up was all about,” Holden mutters, a knot forming in the pit of his stomach.

  Cash doesn’t have to say another word. Holden knows what’s happened. As soon as the brass got taken out by Geezer, newly minted ‘generals’ seized control, and he’s pretty sure they’re making it up as they go along. He might just be stuck in this hell hole forever - because he knows what Lisa was expecting, what she was looking forward to - her people, the ones who speak the language of science and see the billions of invisible pieces that make up the world. Instead she’s as good as held captive by bastards who want new ways to destroy it. At least the parts they don’t like.

  Hatfield looks at him with something like pity. “I don’t suppose you’re comin’ back with us - are you?”

  “What can I say? I’ve always been a sucker for good-looking women with genius IQs.”

  “Yeah - I’d do the same for Nix.” Hatfield reaches into his pocket and holds out a scrap of paper. “She wanted me to give you this.”

  THE VW IS PACKED AND ready to leave at dawn. Holden, Hatfield, and Michael sit around the fire together, maybe for the last time.

  “Tell my guys - tell ‘em I’ll be back if I can. Don’t know how long.” Holden sighs. “Joe Chiznik is a good soldier, but—”

  “Hey, bro,” Cash interrupts. “We’re all in this together now. We’ll have their backs, same as they’ll have ours.” He looks regretful. “I feel like shit leavin’ you here on your own - but I ain’t gonna stay away from my family for a whole winter.”

  “Just as well,” Holden says. “Baldy doesn’t like you very much. Maybe he’ll calm down after you leave.”

  “Wouldn’t count on it,�
� Hatfield shoots back. “He’s the kind that runs on rage.”

  Michael has listened in silence, so motionless that Holden almost forgets he’s there. “I’ll stay with you,” he offers.

  “I appreciate the thought,” Holden answers, although there’s no way he’s putting this kid into a situation that could end up being a death trap. “But it only takes one to sit around waiting for something that might never happen.” He gives Michael a friendly punch on the shoulder. “Means a lot, though, bro - you offerin’.”

  Michael ducks his head in embarrassment, but Holden knows him well enough by now to know that he’s pleased.

  “Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty,” Cash says. “Andy told the doc all about an SOS these guys use if one of ‘em gets in a jam while they’re down in Atlanta. If she can get to their pickup point, she can signal for help.”

  “The bigger if is how the hell she can escape before she can even try getting to the exfil point.”

  “I think the answer to that is the genius IQ - and she’s pretty gutsy, too, when she has to be.” Cash rubs at his eyes. “One more thing. Comin’ back from Atlanta we spotted a deserted gas station. Stuck a few supplies in the pit under one of the lifts in the garage - just in case.”

  “Appreciate it,” Holden says wearily. “I’m gonna go wander around in the woods some more. You guys have a safe trip home.”

  IT’S WHEN HOLDEN STANDS watching the VW’s tail lights disappear into the distance, that it hits him. He’s a stranger in a strange land. All he’s got left in this world is the Triumph and his rifle - and no guarantee at all that Lisa will ever decide to cut and run.

  “Do not despair,” Moz says from behind him, his voice sounding hushed and booming at the same time. “You act out of love, and that connects you to the Higher Power, which is love.”