The Ark Series (Book 2): The Ark of Attrition

by Scott Kotrous

  The three guys enter the room looking as calm and relaxed as they could be. They make their way over to the fire, and Maggie hands Peter a bottle of water. “So where are you guys from, and how did you survive this long?”

  Peter takes the water bottle and smiles. “Thank you. And we’re from Golden. My dad built a bunker under our house a long time ago in case of something like this ever happening. Kelly, Jason, and Dave were neighbors that knew about the bunker and luckily got to us safely before all hell broke loose. Mia and Steph we encountered while on an excursion, and the rest they say is history.”

  Maggie jerks her head back and looks at them with a confused look on her face. “An excursion, what does that mean?”

  “My dad’s a biologist who used to work for the government. He had an encounter with the same type of thing after a town in Afghanistan was infected with a very similar biological weapon used on our cities by the terrorist. He was dead-set on finding out more about the infected and wanted to get samples from them to study.”

  “Does he think he can find a cure?” Kristie said.

  “Maybe—but who knows. We were up at one of his ex-colleagues house when we heard your radio transmission. We were all hoping for some kind of answers or insight, but came away with nothing—just my dad acting really strange afterward. He wanted to leave almost immediately and none of us know why, and he wouldn’t tell us anything.”

  Maggie pulls at her lip a few times that makes a sound when it goes back into place. “Well that explains why you left your bunker in the first place, and I have to admit, I’ve never even met the guy but that sounds strange even to me.” She takes a second to scratch her itchy scalp. “So—okay . . . you said they got split up, and they’re possibly with military soldiers?”

  “Well, we’re not sure. We were on our way up here when one of the trucks hit something and pretty much stranded us. We were unloading the sleds that we had brought along, when a couple of military-style Humvee’s came up behind that were I guess following our tracks. My dad basically forced us to go ahead and that’s the last time we saw them. They said they would meet up with us at your house, but the more I think about it, they might not have even been military at all, maybe just some yahoo’s who commandeered those vehicles. So I have no idea, really?” Peter drops his head and rubs his hand across his forehead.

  Maggie waits a second before responding. “Well—we’re just glad you guys made it safely. And I’m sure your dad and the other guys will be here soon . . . I hope—I mean, they’re probably fine—maybe even getting assistance from the military . . . hopefully.” She manages a slight smile to try to reassure Peter who looks more and more concerned with every passing second.

  They all talk for a little while longer with Peter and Kelly doing their best to shed light on the situation. But since they have been pretty much just as in the dark as everyone else, their knowledge of what’s really going on out there is just as limited.

  Kelly waits for Peter to stop talking and then clears her throat. “Okay, so enough about us. This whole home invasion thing has been on my mind since you told us so please elaborate on what sounds like a very serious issue.”

  Maggie shakes her head and takes a sip of water. “Sure, of course. That’s been on all our minds ever since that night, so I’m sure its been bothering you too.” She squeezes her water bottle a few times making a crackling sound. She goes on to explain that in the middle of the night they were woken by gunshots coming from the neighbor’s house. They tried to see what was going on without alerting them to their presence, but unfortunately couldn’t see much more then a few people leaving the back of his house carrying supplies. After they received a plea for help from Brock over the radio, they immediately armed themselves and went over to help. She reluctantly continues on about when they got there, Brock was already heavily bled out from multiple gunshot wounds that would eventually take his life. She abruptly stops to contain her emotion, and then clears her throat from getting choked up.

  “He—ah—there was nothing we could do, without a blood transfusion and immediate emergency care, it was only a matter of time before he passed away.” She lowers her head and begins to cry.

  Kristie gets up and joins her on the couch and then grabs her hand. “You did everything you could, Mags, there was nothing we could have done. He was just too far gone.”

  Maggie soon stops crying and wipes her tears. “He—ah—said something before he died—something about his girlfriend Tammy and a house down the street. I wanted to go out there to try to find her, but no one would let me since it seems like we always lose someone when we do. So I—”

  Eric interrupts. “While my girlfriend’s heart’s in the right place, it sometimes clouds her judgment on what’s right for the group and in keeping everyone safe. We think the house he was referring to belongs to his drug dealers, and they’re the ones who most likely took back their supplies they gave to Brock. Nate and I were over there not too long ago and he had tons of supplies and drugs that he didn’t have just weeks before his girlfriend went missing. He told us that she left soon after Denver was bombed, and he hasn’t seen her since. So we’re just not prepared to again risk peoples lives attempting a rescue mission for someone we’re not even sure is still alive, not to mention going into a house most likely full of armed addicts.”

  Maggie looks at Eric and shakes her head. “Thanks for clearing that up, boyfriend. Oh how I hate when my judgment gets clouded from wanting to help a fellow human being. Thank you so much for clearing that up.”

  “That’s not what I meant. What I meant was—”

  Nate quickly cuts him off. “What he meant was that we just don’t know the facts. And as much as we would like to help Tammy, it’s just not wise to go out there and take a chance on a rescue mission.”

  Kristie gives her boyfriend a smile and quickly drops it before turning back to Maggie. “So none of us know what to do. We’re torn by wanting to help her, but we’re not highly trained combat oriented individuals, and only some of us with prior weapons training. So as much as we want to help, we just don’t think it’s safe for any of us to go out there. I’m sure you guys understand.”

  Peter nods his head and looks over at Kelly. “Well you’re in luck because not only is Dave a highly trained combat oriented Navy SEAL, but Kelly’s husband is an ex-Marine, and my dad’s ex-military as well and he’s been training me my entire life. Not to mention the training I’ve received from Dave over the last few months. So as soon as they get here, you’ll have the personnel you’ve been looking for to pull off a rescue mission, and I’m sure they’d be happy to help.”

  “We can’t ask you to risk your lives to save another, it just wouldn’t be right,” Eric said.

  “Nonsense, you took us in so it’s the least we can do.” Peter looks over at Kelly gingerly nodding her head.

  Maggie’s face lights up as a smile grows. “That would be wonderful! And thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  Kelly clears her throat. “Like Peter said, we’d be happy to help. And you’ve got genuine hero’s in the flesh coming this way, ready to lay their lives on the line for the sake of humanity. If only the rest of the world were like them.” She looks right at Eric pursing her lips.

  They talk a little while longer so they can warm up longer by the fire, but after, Maggie forces everyone downstairs, except for someone to continue to stay upstairs to keep the fire going. But after Peter points out how the smoke is easily visible from outside, they decide to extinguish the fire and move everyone into the bunker. And even though it’s cramped and crowded, the undeniable overwhelming feeling amongst the group is obvious, and it’s clear they all just feel a little bit safer with everyone together under one roof . . . even Dusty looked like he felt safe.

  Chapter 20

  Simon flinches when they remove the bag from his head, overhead lights instantly blinding him. He continues to squint over and over again trying to regain his sight,
but it’s taking longer then expected. As his vision begins to slowly come back into focus he can see multiple armed soldiers standing around in full combat fatigues. He turns to his right to see Dave and Jason kneeling next to him, and only offering a quick glance his way.

  He watches the soldiers turn toward his left and stand at attention while saluting someone coming. An officer walks up to them and looks them up and down, but not saying a word. He’s handed a tablet, which he reads for a moment, and then looks up at them.

  “Private get these men off their knees and cut those flex cuffs.”

  Simon feels the cuffs break, freeing his wrists. After he’s helped up, the officer paces back and forth in front of them while he continues to read the tablet.

  “I apologize for the treatment, gentlemen, but we just got your prints back and we needed to confirm your identities.” He stops right in front of Simon and reaches out his hand. “Major Alec Stevens.” Simon shakes his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Doctor Timmons, a real pleasure.” He looks back down at the tablet. “Former military biologist, but now listed as a civilian. And you’re the father of Peter Timmons. By the way where is your son, Doctor?”

  Simon shakes his head and says nothing.

  “Fair enough, we’ll find out soon enough.” He directs his attention to Jason. “And you are—” He checks the tablet again. “Ah, yes, Jason Andrews, retired from the Marine Corps in twenty-eighteen, two tours in Afghanistan and now lives with his wife, Kelly, in Golden. Pleasure as well.” He shakes Jason’s hand and moves onto Dave. Dave’s posture oddly drops, quickly turning into an obvious slouch, and then turns his head to avoid any kind of eye contact. “And last but not least, David Andrews, currently a civilian with a last known address in Colorado Springs and last active navy status was three years ago—honorably discharged.” The Major looks up just as Dave continues to avoid any eye contact by moving his head around in very peculiar positions.

  Jason jerks his head back and in a very mechanical motion turns toward his brother. “Sir, you must be mistaken. My brother is Warrant Officer Jason Andrews, a highly decorated Navy SEAL; you’ve obviously made some kind of clerical error.”

  The Major looks up and down the tablet, scrolling with his finger. “N—nope, says here he dropped out of SEAL training due to a knee injury and was later discharged because of a prescription pain medication addiction . . . and, like I said, that was about three years ago . . . says it right here—see.” He flips the tablet around and shows it to Jason.

  Jason reads the tablet and then stiffly draws his head back and slowly turns toward Jason. “Bro, why aren’t you defending yourself? What the fuck is this guy talkin’ ‘bout?”

  Dave’s entire body stiffens as he continues to avoid eye contact with anyone in the room. He softly mumbles. “Cause there’s nothing to argue.”

  Jason turns and squares himself to his brothers side and bumps his inflated chest against his arm. “The fuck did you just say, there’s nothing to argue! Is what he said true? Have you been lying to me for the past three years! Speak to me, bro. What the fuck is going on?”

  Dave instantly turns and gets right in his brother face also with an inflated chest that’s now bumping up against his brothers. “Yes, it’s true! Okay, you happy! Yeah, I’m a fake, a fraud, and a phony! I washed outta SEAL school because of a fucking knee injury that ruined my entire life! I only lied about it because I thought I would eventually try again and eventually become a SEAL. Pop was so damn proud of me I didn’t know how ‘da tell ‘em—I didn’t know how to tell you.” He again drops his head and deflates his body.

  Just as Jason gets ready to say something, the Major interrupts. “Boys this is not the time nor place to get into domestic disputes. We have a country in peril out there so we need to focus. Now, I’m sure your wondering where you’re at.”

  Jason whispers something to his brother before deflating his chest and turning to face the Major. “You’re right, Major, this is neither the time or place. So please, continue with what you were saying.”

  “Certainly. Well, I don’t need to tell you how sensitive this information I’m about to tell you is, and of course it can never leave this room. But since you’re all former military personnel, I’ve been granted clearance to tell you.”

  He waits for a couple head nods and verbal conformations before proceeding. He explains that what they are standing in is a secret military facility deep beneath Denver International Airport. But before continuing on, he immediately extinguishes any urban legend questions by explaining that despite all the foolish conspiracy theories surrounding DIA and what truly exists below the airport concerning any new world order, neo-Nazi, or even something to do with the Freemasons, were entirely made up and fabricated theories.

  Jason looks at his brother briefly, and then over to Simon, but neither of them say a word. The Major continues to explain that this facility is part of the COG, or Continuity of Government Program that was put in place a long time ago in the event that Washington or the central government command hub was compromised.

  “Which I’m sure you’re well aware that it was,” the Major said.

  Simon waits to see if anyone responds before speaking. “We assumed so. And I’ve heard of the COG but I was unaware this place existed.”

  After Jason concurs Simons statement, the Major goes on by telling them that the facility is the main hub for the Air Transportation Program that was set up by the DOD and was responsible for flying in VIP’s, sitting Senators, Congressmen, and top elected officials including Heads of State. Along with housing thousands of military personnel and their families within the facility.

  “Holy shit! Living in Denver you always would hear theories of what this place really was, but no one actually knew exactly what it was. So is it true that this place has underground tunnels that connect to different areas of the country?” Jason asked.

  “It most certainly is. Here follow me.” He leads them down a hall and up to a large map and shows them how the facility was not only connected to numerous military installations in Colorado like Cheyenne Mountain or Peterson Air Force Base, but also nuclear facilities such as Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada along with countless other facilities throughout the west and Midwest.

  “Wait, why are you telling us all this? Seems like this should only be known by active military personnel?” Jason looks at the Major and then at Simon and Dave.

  “Most of what I tell you has been declassified and is public knowledge. What, you guys didn’t think the government wasn’t building underground facilities within the US in case of a catastrophe? The only thing you should be surprised about is if we didn’t have facilities like this and we weren’t prepared. Hell there’s even that rich guy that everyone thought was crazy for building his own massive bomb shelter in the mountains just because this country got so dangerous. Where the fuck do you think he got the idea from!”

  Jason shakes his head and looks over at Simon still not saying a word. “Alright, whatever. So then why all the conspiracy theories surrounding this place, like the shit about the Freemason’s and all that crazy artwork along the concourse?”

  “Quite simply put, it was marketing propaganda,” Major Stevens said.

  “Marketing propaganda?”

  “Yeah. This place cost billions of dollars to build and the government couldn’t just pass the bill off on the public without raising eyebrows. So by creating this conspiracy theory about this place, it brought the curious to Denver. Hell, why else do you think Denver was chosen to be one of the first cities to legalize marijuana?”

  “Ah, because of all the fuckin’ potheads in this state. And wait, what . . . chosen?”

  “Okay, maybe chosen wasn’t a good way to describe it . . . how about allowed, that’s probably a better word to use. The government knew it was losing its battle on the prohibition of cannabis, so what better way to bring a ton of money into the state then to legalize marijuana and tax the hell outta it. You actually didn�
�t think that added excise tax was actually going toward the schools, do you? Hell, they never saw a dime. It was to help fund this massive project.”

  “What? I thought they eventually got that figured out and the funds did eventually start going toward the schools?” Simon said.

  “Okay, maybe a small portion, but not nearly all of it.”

  “So why didn’t the government just federally legalize pot across the board?”

  “I just told you, they needed a concentrated cash flow into Colorado, specifically Denver. The government doesn’t give a fuck about keeping marijuana out of the public’s hands, hell most of those VIP’s I mentioned are heavy users. Why do you think it was legalized in Washington DC?”

  “Okay now, come on, now you’re just blowing smoke up our asses. I highly doubt the president and congress are toking up.”

  “It makes no difference if you believe me or not, that part’s irrelevant.”

  Jason shakes his head and almost can’t believe what he’s hearing, but he’s more surprised that neither Simon or Dave is saying anything. “What you’re telling us is absurd and highly unlikely. But what I still don’t know is why the hell you’re telling us all this in the first place. Seems to me that this is something we shouldn’t know about.”

  “The time for secrets and lies are behind us. We’re all under one roof now, and a trust bond needs to be established. So I’ll tell you boys anything you want, you just have to ask.” He looks right at Simon and smiles. “Wouldn’t you agree, Simon? Don’t you think we need to establish trust between us? Without trust, well then what’s the point. Right, Simon?”