Caldera Book 6: New World Order

by Stallcup, Heath

  He jumped when his office door opened and Vicky stuck her head in. “You skipped breakfast.”

  Hatcher swallowed hard and nodded at her. “Yeah. I guess I slept through it.” He wiped at his face then stood and wiped out his coffee mug. “Anything happen?”

  She shook her head then set a paper plate on his desk. “I saved you a little. I figured you’d need your strength.”

  He gave her a half-hearted smile. “Thanks, sis.” He poured a cup of the bitter nectar and held the pot up, offering her some.

  She shook her head. “I had plenty at breakfast. With Cooper.”

  Hatcher paused, the coffee pot still in his grip. “Should I be worried?”

  “Only if you plan to intervene.” She raised a brow at him.

  Hatcher stepped back to his desk and sipped at the coffee, trying his best to read between the lines. “Okay, I surrender. Why would I intervene?”

  She crossed her arms and stared at him. “Because you never thought anybody was good enough for me.”

  “Because they’re not.” He slowly sat down, his eyes studying her. “I’m curious though…do I need to set an extra plate for our family get togethers?”

  Vic shrugged. “I’m not ruling it out.”

  Hatcher shook his head and sipped the coffee. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

  She raised a brow at him. “Daniel, I’m not a kid.”

  “Neither is he.” He raised a brow back at her. “Just…don’t jump into anything.”

  “Do I ever?” She pushed off of the door jamb and hooked her thumb toward the courtyard. “They’re setting the poles for the greenhouse.”

  Hatcher’s brows narrowed. “Already?”

  Vicky nodded. “Will said something about getting a jump on planting. I’m no gardener, so I have no idea the ins and outs, but he said the sooner they get the structure up, the sooner he can put in the grow lights.”

  Hatcher leaned back and sighed. “The man is like the Energizer Bunny.” He took a long drink from his coffee then stood. “I guess I better go and see if I can help.”

  She held a hand up to stop him. “He’s got all available hands out there already. If you just want to go have a look, that’s fine. Just don’t get in the way.”

  “Get in the way? Me?” He tapped his chest. “I’m not useless ya know.”

  “You can’t swing a hammer to save your life.” She snorted at him. “If we get a bear that we need to move, you’re the first person I’ll call. But leave the building stuff to people who know what they’re doing.”

  He gave her a sidelong glance. “I’m guessing Cooper is out there.”

  She nodded. “And if he’s whistling, don’t you dare read anything more into it.” She gave him a stern glare. “I mean it.”

  Hatcher held a hand up, stopping her. “Trust me, the only thing worse than hearing about your love life is the idea of listening to him talk about his.” He shuddered animatedly. “His old wrinkled ass—”

  “His ass is NOT wrinkled.” She paused and gave him a shocked look. “Never mind. I’m going to…inventory the infirmary.”

  Hatcher pushed the mental image from his mind and stepped out to the veranda beside the courtyard. He did a double take when he saw Mike Sutton leaning on the adobe archway. Stella was by his side, watching is face for any signs of pain.

  “Savage?”

  Mike turned and gave him a crooked smile. “Just Mike.” He turned back to the men working and nodded. “It’s really happening, isn’t it?”

  Hatcher nodded. “Looks like it. Ready or not, they’re going full tilt on this project.” Mike stuck his hand out and Hatcher reluctantly took it. “What’s this for?”

  “For letting us be a part of it.” He shook Hatcher’s hand then winced. “I just wish I could be a more proactive part of it.”

  “You will.” Hatcher turned and watched as the men set base poles into holes filled with concrete. “Not to be nosey, but should you be out here?”

  Mike shrugged. “I have to move around some. That bed…it’s just not me.” He took a deep breath and winced, his hand gripping his middle tighter.

  Stella gripped his arm. “Come on. You should be resting.”

  Mike brushed her off. “I’m fine Stella. I’d like to watch.” He closed his eyes and smiled. “I want to watch our future grow before my eyes.”

  Broussard wiped nervously at his forehead and slid the test tube out of the incubator. “This should be it.” He looked to Carol, who gave him a nervous smile. “We just need to test it.”

  “The tissue samples won’t be ready for days.” She chewed at her lower lip. “Maybe we should make more…so when the tests prove positive we’ll be well on our way to mass production.”

  Broussard set the tube in the holder and stepped back. “I feel like it’s a live grenade.” He laughed nervously. “I, too, wish we could test it now.” He looked at her knowingly.

  Carol nodded. “Yeah. Well, why not?” Her hand slipped into her lab coat pocket and she withdrew a long cotton swab. Her eyes met his. Her face was stoic as she reached across the table and lifted the top of the tube. She ran the swab along the edge of the glass then sealed it again.

  Broussard said nothing as she walked across the lab and swabbed the edge of Kevin’s coffee mug. She took a deep breath then slipped the swab into the hazardous waste bin and stripped her gloves. She turned and gave him a sad smile. “We’re confident in the work…aren’t we?”

  Broussard nodded, his eyes glued to the coffee mug. “Oui…yes, yes. But perhaps we should wait and…” His voice trailed off as Kevin pushed the door open to the lab.

  “What are you two up to?” He seemed overly joyous as he dropped a paper towel on the table, a half-eaten doughnut wrapped inside. “Oh, there’s doughnuts on the mess decks.”

  The pair watched as he plucked his coffee cup from the top of the file cabinet and blew inside. He poured his coffee then set down at the table.

  Both researchers watched as he sipped from the cup then took another bite from the doughnut. Carol glanced at Broussard who seemed to be blowing a hard breath out.

  “Doughnuts ya say?” Carol gave Kevin a smile. “Were there many left?”

  Kevin nodded. “They’re not the best, but yeah. There’s a bunch in there.” He flipped open his files and began to scan them. “I think they said something about a big meeting here. I only caught snippets but I think some of the other captains are coming in and they’re having a big pow-wow.” He held the doughnut up and gave her a broad smile. “Even at the end of the world, the bosses have to have their damned doughnuts at their meetings.”

  Carol gave up a nervous laugh then turned to Broussard. “Imagine that. Doughnuts. And a meeting of the brass…” She swallowed hard and gave him a knowing look. “Here. Today.”

  Broussard sighed and shook his head. “Perhaps they want an update on our work?”

  Kevin snorted and took another sip of his coffee. “I’m surprised you haven’t cooked up your cure already.” He turned and gave them both a knowing look. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”

  Carol stiffened and turned to him. “What do you mean?”

  “I know that you two have been staying in here all night working on this…thing. Your ‘cure’” He shook his head at them. “Like all work and no sleep is going to give you proper results.” He stuffed the last of the doughnut in his mouth then washed it down with the coffee. He swept the crumbs from the table then wiped his mouth with the paper towel.

  “Time is of the essence, Dr. McAlester,” Broussard stated.

  Kevin snorted. “Right. Like anything we do now will make a difference.” He wadded the paper towel and tossed it towards the trash. “Face it guys…we’re just biding our time here. Everybody on the mainland who’s infected? They might as well be dead. You know where the survivors are? Right here on these boats.”

  “That’s not true.” Carol stepped forward, her face stern. “Remember the Wilkes girl?
She had a natural immunity.”

  “…That we couldn’t use to our advantage.” Kevin gave her a short cynical laugh. “She was immune to the biggest, baddest virus known to man, but she dies from a sinus infection. If that ain’t Karma snuffing somebody out, I don’t know what it is.”

  Carol opened her mouth to argue when Kevin spun on his stool. “I’m not saying that I don’t want there to be a cure.” He met her gaze and shook his head. “But the ninety percent that are infected? Most of them are DEAD. The only infected that are still kicking are the ones that found somebody to eat.” He crossed his arms and gave her a smug stare. “Tell me, Dr. Chaplain…would YOU want to be cured if you knew you had eaten your friends and family?”

  Carol felt her jaw quiver for a moment then she gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Yes.”

  Kevin snorted again. “Then you’re on the short list.” He shook his head as he turned back to his files. “Odds are, even if you do find a cure, they’ll be blithering idiots unable to fend for themselves once they kick the virus. The human brain wasn’t made to operate under such high temperatures for extended periods.”

  Carol turned and stared at Broussard, her mouth hanging open. Dr. Broussard gave her a muted shake of the head. “We shall see.”

  Simon walked up to the bulldozer and smiled at Sinner. “See? Told ya.”

  Sinner gripped the grab handle with his good arm and pulled himself up to the cab. “And you two figured out how to operate these all by yourselves?”

  Shooter laughed. “It wasn’t as easy as you’d think.” He pointed to a pickup with the side scraped to hell. “That poor truck didn’t stand a chance.”

  “But we figured it out.” Simon eyed him cautiously. “You think you’re up to it? We could sure use all the help we can get.”

  Sinner shrugged. “Why the hell not?” He sat back and eyed Simon. “Teach me.”

  Simon laughed as he pushed his way into the cab. “First things first. Let’s get this beast started.”

  Trevor slipped the key into the ignition and crossed his fingers. “Please, please, please…just start.” He twisted the key and heard the engine slowly turn over.

  He pumped the gas pedal and held the key, listening to the engine spin slower and slower until it began to simply “click” under the hood.

  “Dammit.” He slammed his fist against the steering wheel and nearly jumped when Patricia reached across him and slapped at the steering wheel, her face mimicking his own frustration.

  Trevor laughed and pulled her to him. “That’s my girl. Give it hell.” She smiled at him and he gave her a quick scruff of the head before moving her back into the darker recesses of the vehicle.

  “I need to find another battery that’s up or a booster or…something.” He glanced around the lot then opened the door of the RV. He turned to her quickly and pointed. “Stay here. The sun’s out and we can’t risk you being hurt again.” He held his hand out to her in a “stop” motion then slowly moved from the door.

  He walked toward the shop and pried the doors open. He could barely see in the interior gloom and was halfway into the building before he froze, his mind creating Ragers in every corner. He spun a slow circle, listening intently until he was fairly certain he was alone.

  He walked through the shop until he made out the light leakage around the rear overhead door. He felt around for the handle then lifted the door, flooding the interior with natural light.

  He turned back and smiled. “That’s more like it.”

  Trevor made his way through the shop until he found what he was looking for: a compact, lithium ion battery booster. He found the charge indicator button and pressed it. The elation he felt when he saw a three quarter charge was only surpassed by his relief seeing the tools and equipment scattered around the building.

  He trotted back to the RV and popped the hood. It only took a few moments to connect the booster, then he slipped into the front seat again and reached for the key. “Cross your fingers, baby girl.” He twisted the key and the engine revved, coming to life with a solid purr.

  Trevor whooped then turned back to her. “We’re golden!”

  He slid out of the seat and pulled the booster from the battery, slammed the hood, then crawled back behind the wheel. “Time to install some upgrades.”

  Chapter 25

  Hatcher walked the grounds, nodding to the people he encountered, most doing some form of work to propel their community forward. He paused in the shadow of the watch tower and smiled to himself. For the first time since they began this project, most of his worries were set aside.

  He watched as the children played while their parents either prepared seedling cups or helped in the construction of their new greenhouse. It appeared to be all hands on deck as they worked.

  He couldn’t help but notice the smiling faces. People had hope etched in their features and he knew it was because of this place–this forgotten corner of the town he had grown up in. This place, where so many parents and grandparents were sent to live out their remaining years; it had become a haven for their children.

  Hatcher allowed his mind to wander and he could imagine a time where there were no Zulus, a time where neighboring communities would reach out and offer to trade with each other. A new beginning where the people would flourish and branch out, rebuilding humanity one child at a time.

  The ball that the kids were playing with rolled toward him and he bent to pick it up. “Toss her back, Mr. Hatcher!”

  Daniel looked across the courtyard and smiled at the boy clapping his hands together. He tossed the ball back to the group and took a long deep breath.

  “This is home.”

  His reverie was broken by the radio. “Hatcher! Hatch! Come in!”

  He pulled the radio and pushed the talk button. “Go for Hatcher.”

  “Front gates, man. You need to get here quick.”

  Hatcher glanced up to the men in the watch tower. One was pointing over the roof of the main building, the other squinting to see whatever it was he pointed at.

  Hatcher felt his blood run cold. He bolted through the courtyard. He ran through the main foyer and burst through the open glass doors, his feet spraying decorative gravel as he slid to a stop by the wrought iron gate.

  “Do you see what I’m seeing, man?”

  Hatcher didn’t need to look where the sentry was pointing. He could see the three large yellow machines lumbering their direction, black smoke pouring from the stacks. “What the hell?” Hatcher walked slowly toward the gates and squinted as the sunlight beat down on the slow, yellow earth movers. He keyed his radio again. “All security personnel muster at the front gates. Lock and load, men! Lock and load.”

  Kevin pushed the door open to the lab and walked inside. His normal, obnoxious personality seemed tempered as he took a seat at his workstation. He wiped at his brow and pulled at his collar. “Is it just me or is hot in here?”

  Carol turned and gave him a curious look. She and Broussard wore masks over their mouths and nose as they worked. “Is something wrong?”

  “I don’t feel very good.” He rubbed his neck and pulled at the collar of his shirt again, stretching the thin material. “I keep going from hot to cold and…” He forced a swallow and winced. “My throat is killing me.”

  Carol looked at Broussard and whispered, “That was fast.”

  Broussard nodded. “Perhaps, too fast?”

  “What are you saying?” Kevin pushed away from his chair and had to steady himself. “Whoa. I really don’t feel so good.”

  “Maybe you should go back to your room and lie down?” Carol stepped toward him and he held a hand up to hold her off.

  “No, I have to record…” He shook his head slightly. “I have to record the changes in my…” He seemed to swoon and Carol reached out to catch him before he fell.

  “Oh, no. You’re burning up.” She motioned to Broussard. “Kevin, you shouldn’t be here. You should be in bed.”

  “No…really, I’m fi
ne.” He tried to swallow again and glanced around the lab. “I just need some Tylenol. This feels like strep throat.”

  Carol’s eyes went wide. “We are working with streptococcus here in the lab. Maybe you came into contact with it.”

  Kevin gave her a concerned stare. “The bacteria you’re experimenting with is strep?” He could feel himself begin to panic as she helped him back to his stool.

  “Relax, McAlester.” She smiled under her mask. “Strep is one of the most common infections there is. You probably got a dirty cup in the cafeteria or something.”

  Kevin shook his head. “They call it a mess…” He leaned against the stainless steel table and shook his head again. “I…maybe I should lay down”

  “Come on. We’re taking you to your room.” She and Broussard lifted him and helped him to the door. “If you do have strep, we can’t risk your strain infecting and diluting our work specimens.”

  Broussard nodded. “Good point.”

  The pair helped him to his stateroom and Carol pulled the covers back. “You rest. I’ll bring you some juice and some acetaminophen for your throat.”

  Kevin pulled the wool blanket up to his chin and shivered. “I go from burning up to freezing cold.” He turned worried eyes to her. “I can’t get sick. Not now.”

  “Don’t worry.” She patted his arm. “It’s just a bug.” She glanced at Broussard again. “You’ll kick this in no time and be back in the lab making us all miserable before you know it.”

  Kevin smiled at her. “I knew you cared.”

  She patted his head. “I’ll be right back.” She turned and pulled Broussard to the hallway. “Tell me that this is something he caught earlier and not…” She trailed off.

  Broussard shook his head. “We altered its DNA to make it much more aggressive. If I were to bet, I would say this is the effect of our ‘cure.’”