Deadlocked 6

by A. R. Wise

  "General, I must insist that you stop immediately. No one outside of The Electorate is allowed within the Transfer Facility."

  "Fuck that," said General Scott. "I'm taking command of this outpost."

  "Sir, with all due respect, this is not your jurisdiction," said the man in blue as we continued to walk. He sounded flustered, like he had never been disobeyed until now and wasn't sure how to react. "This facility is under the command of…"

  General Scott stopped and interrupted the other man, "Of me." He paused, letting his statement sink in. "From this point forward, this facility, and all the staff in it, are under my command."

  "No it's not," said the man in blue, but his defiance was hampered by a stuttered response. "This facility is part of The Electorate's…"

  "This facility is in my territory!" General Scott's booming voice overcame even the deafening helicopter. "You're in my backyard now, Blueboy. Don't you forget it."

  The man in blue made the mistake of grabbing the general's arm. Within a second, General Scott had twisted the man's arm and had him on the ground. The general had his boot on the man's neck as the other soldiers drew their weapons and started screaming. The soldier still in the helicopter pulled his weapon as well.

  The general was holding my cuffs with one hand, and still had the commander's wrist in his other. I knelt down, hoping to avoid being shot when the men around me started firing.

  General Scott savored the moment, and I could see the man on the ground struggling to breathe. The other men were screaming, but it was clear who controlled the situation. The general let go of my cuffs and motioned to the helicopter pilot to shut down. Then he reached back down and grabbed me by the hair. I winced as he tightened his grip, knotting my hair between his fingers. Soon, the whir of the blades calmed as I continued to squirm in pain.

  "Gentlemen," said General Scott as if addressing a gathering of friends. "You seem to be under the impression that I'm not in charge here." He chuckled while continuing to crush the man beneath his boot. "Today, I'm going to teach you a valuable lesson. I, General Jerald Scott, am the sole one in charge of the Western District. In this area, I am judge, jury, and exe-fucking-cutioner." He released the commander's wrist, but kept his boot pressed hard against his throat to subdue him. Then he drew his pistol and the men in blue stiffened.

  "Put your guns down," said the soldier in the helicopter as he pointed his rifle at the men on the ground.

  General Scott held his pistol high in the air as if to show he meant no harm. "In this area, I am your commander, plain and simple. And I don't have time to try and convince you of that. So, to prove my point, we're going to have ourselves a little demonstration." He nodded at his soldier in the helicopter and spoke to him directly, "Church, if they shoot me, kill the girl." Jerald pulled me across the walkway so that I was in his soldier's sights. Then he brought his pistol down, never pointing it at any of the soldiers in blue, and then finally pointed it down at the man on the ground. He aimed at the commander's head as the helpless man struggled beneath his boot.

  The helicopter's blade continued to spin, slower and slower with each revolution, until it finally stopped. All of the men in blue pointed their rifles at Jerald, but none of them took the shot that would save their commander. I clenched my eyes shut, waiting for the onslaught of gunfire that would certainly kill most of the men around me.

  Jerald stared down the sights of his pistol at the commander, seeming to savor the moment. Finally, after prolonging the tension beyond what should've been a breaking point, Jerald said, "And there you have it, Commander." He winked and then holstered his pistol. "I think I've made my point."

  He kept his boot on the commander's neck and addressed the men in blue. "Now put your fucking guns down and maybe I won't have you all killed." I could hear the approaching helicopters in the distance. Jerald pointed into the sky in the direction that we'd flown in from. "I've got my men headed here now with the wounded. I want you to help them anyway you can. If you don't, I'll kill you. Understood?"

  The soldiers in blue reluctantly nodded as they lowered their guns.

  Jerald looked down at the man still pinned beneath his boot. "Good bunch of guys you've got here, Commander. Real loyal to you. Now get the fuck up and get to work." He lifted his boot.

  The commander grasped his throat as he got up. It looked like he was about to say something, but Jerald grabbed his shirt and pulled him close. The general practically hissed his words, "And don't you ever dare challenge me again. Don't you dare, boy."

  The commander stuttered, but then capitulated. "Yes, sir."

  Jerald's demeanor lightened as soon as the commander relented. His tone became friendly as he pulled me back up and started to head for the cabin again. He looked back, over his shoulder, to see if the commander was following. "Well, come on then," he said when he saw that the commander had paused.

  "Yes, sir," said the man in blue as he rushed to catch up.

  "Is the old broad here yet?" asked Jerald.

  The commander shook his head. "No, not yet. Her plane landed, and they're prepping the helicopter for transport now. If possible, she'd like to communicate with her subject before she flies in because we can't secure a connection while in the air. Otherwise, she's expected to arrive within a few hours."

  "Good," said Jerald. "I need a few stiff drinks before I deal with that bitch. Am I right?"

  The commander seemed unsure how to respond, but then said, "Yes, sir."

  Jerald put his arm around the commander's shoulder and pat the man on the back as if greeting an old friend. He laughed and shook his head as he said, "I feel for you, kid. You've got to work with these old fucks. Can't be easy."

  "No, sir."

  "How's your neck feeling? I didn't hurt you too bad, did I?" asked the general. I was astounded by the way he shifted personalities, as if only willing to be friendly to subordinates. Anyone that thought of himself as being on equal ground with the general was seen as a threat.

  "No, sir. I'm fine."

  "Good, good," said Jerald.

  The cabin was nice, but rather plain looking. It was two-story, with a wrap-around porch that had several rocking chairs facing the railing, and it was well kept. The wood was smooth to the touch and shined as if wet, though it was dry when my arm brushed against it. I looked in through the windows as we passed and saw a quaint abode within, comfortable but unassuming. It certainly didn't appear to be a military base of any sort.

  We went in through the kitchen, where a large rectangular dining table was laid out with plates, silverware, and napkins. Jerald jerked me along by the crook of my arm and led me to the wall where he finally released me.

  "I like it," said Jerald as he scanned the room. "More rustic than I'd imagined it would be."

  The commander was unsure how to respond. He was still nursing his throat and he looked frightened, like a puppy that had just been smacked for the first time. "The Electorate use this cabin as a place to relax after a procedure. They built it according to strict guidelines about what sort of atmosphere is most conducive to mental relaxation."

  Jerald's expression soured. "Figures. Everything they do is backed up by a fucking study." He breathed in deep and closed his eyes, as if savoring the scent of food. "Smell that mountain air, boy. You can do all the scientific studies you want, and spew bullshit about facts and figures to me all day, but nothing beats nature. That's a fact."

  "Why are you doing this?" asked the commander. He spoke tentatively, and I could almost hear his heartbeat in the rhythm of his words. "The Electorate is going to turn on you for this. You know they will."

  The general nodded slowly. I could hear every breath he took, as if there were cavernous lungs inside his chest that needed to be filled. He walked to the sink and flipped it on to test if the plumbing worked. It did, and he seemed amused by that fact. "Hot water right away. You must have a tankless setup here. Spare no expense." He seemed to be speaking to himself, as if we were eavesdroppin
g on his jealous thoughts. Then he looked at the commander and clasped his hands behind his back. "I know part of The Electorate will be angry; hell, they've been angry with me for years. Fact is, this day's been coming for a long time."

  "So you're defecting then?" asked the commander.

  "Defecting?" The general was amused. "Son, I'm working with The Electorate. Always have been. It just so happens that there's a civil war brewing among the higher ups. Us lowly old grunts just got caught up in between. I could tell you things that would make your head spin. If you knew the truth, you might not be so quick to scowl at me like that."

  "What's the truth then?" asked the commander.

  "The truth is I'm the one trying to save us. I'm the one fighting to stop what's been going on in here." He smirked and laughed as if mocking the commander's ignorance. "I bet you don't even know what they've got hiding down in the bowels of this place. Do you?" He didn't give the commander a chance to answer. "You probably have no clue why they've been pushing so hard to find a cure. Do you? Hell, boy, if it weren't for me, you'd probably be dead by now too. All of us would, except the bitches like her." He pointed at me.

  "I don't understand," said the commander.

  "I know you don't. That's the point. Now, are you going to show me how to get into the facility below us? I really don't want to have to shoot you."

  "Did you kill Victor?" asked the commander suddenly, as if he'd wanted to ask that all along.

  "Who?" asked the general.

  "Victor. The man from my unit that was sent to assist with the assault on the town. He hasn't reported in since he transferred the data about the re-emergence of the High Rollers."

  The general stared at him, and the tension grew until he asked, "Do you think I killed him?"

  "Yes," said the commander.

  I saw more helicopters arriving outside, but the cabin was well insulated and the noise was only a distant hum. The conversation was tense, and both of these men ignored what was happening outside.

  The general expressed no emotion, except for a sadness I saw in his eyes. While he stood stoic, I thought I glimpsed regret in him. "No," he said finally. "I didn't kill him. I don't kill soldiers unless I have to, which is what makes me different from the people you work for."

  "Then where is he?" asked the commander. "Why hasn't he reported in?"

  "He's working for me now. When I told him about what The Electorate was doing in this facility, he broke down in tears and joined the Wolfpack. That's the truth, Commander."

  "I don't believe you."

  The general nodded and raised his eyebrows, completing a smug look that demeaned the commander. "That's only because you don't know the truth yet."

  "Then tell me." The commander shouted involuntarily as his emotions got the better of him. He calmed down and spoke as if pleading for his life, "Tell me why I should join your side."

  "What do you think is down there?" asked the general. "What does your gut tell you they're up to?"

  The commander didn't want to say. He looked frightened when he answered, "They're making a new virus. One that's worse and that will kill everyone but them."

  The general smiled wide and winked. "See, you're not as dumb as you look. Now show me how to get inside and we can make sure this new virus never leaves this facility."

  "But Beatrice Dell is on her way here right now," said the commander. "How are you going to handle her? As soon as she finds out what's going on here…"

  "She'll what?" The general's interruption silenced the commander. "I've got her Dawn. When she gets here, she'll do everything we say. And with her in my control, the rest of The Electorate will fall in line. Son, I came here to save you and everyone you know from certain death. I'd sure appreciate it if you gave me a helping hand."

  The commander closed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. He looked tired and deflated as he shook his head. "This is hard to believe. I don't know what to think anymore. All I ever wanted was to do what's right. That's all of my men wanted."

  "I know, kid," said Jerald. "I felt the same way when I found out what they were planning. They're starting what's called the Noah Initiative, where they kill off everyone that doesn't fit into their scientific studies of perfection. I, for one, am not going to let that happen. Now, are you going to stand with me, or are you going to get shot in the head for getting in my way?"

  "If I help you, will you take me to Victor?" asked the commander.

  "Sure, if that's what you want. Why's he so important to you?"

  "I've known him since we were children," said the commander. "He's like a brother to me."

  "I know how that goes," said Jerald. "I've got lots of brothers in the service, and there's no way I'd ever stand back and let someone hurt them. Soldiers stand together, always. As soon as we're done here, I'll take you to Facility 23 where Victor is stationed now."

  The commander nodded, sighed, and then pointed at the wall near my head. "I'll get you inside. Go ahead and push the button inside of that carving."

  Jerald walked over to me and gripped what appeared to be a decorative carving of an animal on the wall. He put his finger into the creature's mouth and then pulled it down slightly before looking over at the commander.

  The commander lifted a metal grate off the top of the stove and reached inside. He flipped a switch within and a sudden hiss escaped from the wall beside me. I was startled, and moved away as white mist poured out from beneath the wall. Light appeared under a small slat until the entire wall began to move. It slid to the side, and revealed a grey hall within, eerily familiar to the ones within the Facility that Hailey and I had escaped from.

  "Thank you, Commander," said Jerald. "You've done me a hell of a service." The two men walked over to the entrance and the general motioned ahead. "After you."

  The commander started walking down the hall when Jerald drew his pistol. The general wasted no time pointing the gun at the back of the man's head and then pulling the trigger. I gasped in shock as the commander fell forward. He never saw it coming and was dead instantly.

  Gunfire erupted outside as Jerald's men exterminated the rest of the men in blue.

  "Tell Victor I said hello," said Jerald before turning to me. "You've got to know who to trust, isn't that right, doll?"

  "You're insane," I said as he grabbed my shoulder and shoved me toward the hall.

  "Let's go," said Jerald as he pushed me forward. I hadn't realized that I was reluctant to walk in until he forced me to. I dreaded these non-descript, grey hallways. My heart raced as if I was being led to my own execution and I felt beads of sweat form on my forehead. I began to shake, and my eyes darted around as I was guided down the tunnel, past the commander's corpse.

  These walls, the wires tied to the corners, the grey concrete sides, the smell, and the hum of electronics within - all of it served to unnerve me. I was having trouble breathing, and my knees buckled as I walked.

  "What's wrong with you?" asked Jerald as he pulled me back up. "Stupid little bitch. Get on your feet. That can't be the first time you saw someone get his brains blown out. What about your little friend, Hailey? Didn't you see her body? If you want, I can show it to you. My men pulled her out of the truck back there, before the fire got to her. I can let you see her if you want." He tugged at my cuffs, forcing my arms back into a painful position, but no matter how hard he pulled I still couldn't stand on my own. My feet refused to anchor me, and my legs wobbled as I was forced deeper into the complex.

  "Fine then," said Jerald as he bent down and scooped me up over his shoulder. "We'll do it the hard way."

  I flopped on his shoulder as we continued down the declining ramp. It was the same position I'd been in when the soldiers first appeared from within the walls of the Facility, after the first zombie I'd ever seen came crashing through our ceiling.

  I started to thrash on top of him as I screamed. He yelled back, but I didn't hear what he said over my own manic cries. Finally, he threw me to the floor and gra
bbed the front of my hair. He lifted me up and then said, "You did this to yourself." He hit me as hard as he could and an explosion of light blinded me as I was knocked out.

  * * *

  I was home.

  If not for the pain that served as a reminder, I might've thought everything that happened for the past day had been a dream. I was on the floor of my ready room, although I knew that couldn't be true. There was a counter with a sink, and a large mirror on the wall, just like the ready room that was in my domicile in the Facility. It was exactly the same, except that I knew the mirror in my room had been pried off the wall when Hailey and I escaped.

  The light in the shower turned on and the one in the ready room began to dim. This room functioned the same as mine, silently ushering you into the activity the Instructors wished you to take. It was as if I'd left the world I'd known, only to be forced back in, as if everything outside the door was a dream.

  "Hello, Cobra," said my own voice from the bedroom, beyond the shower. I could see the illumination from the computer screen in the bedroom as I cowered in the ready room. "I'm so happy you're safe."

  I stayed on the floor of the ready room as the shower turned itself on. The light above me faded until it clicked off and steam from the shower wafted over me.

  "Cobra," said my own voice from the speakers that were hidden in the walls. "You must shower and go to your room."

  "No," I said, as if my defiance was the last vestige of free will.

  A red light began to flash, and instinct kicked in. I moved toward the shower like a fearful, obedient animal. My entire life had been spent under the careful rule of the Instructors, and despite what I'd experienced in the past day, I couldn't rid myself of their control. At the time, I wondered if I was being manipulated somehow, but I've come to accept that I had reverted back to my old ways. My psyche was tortured and shattered, and I felt like a child again as the computer guided me on.

  I cringed as I disrobed, the bite marks on my shoulder still agonizingly fresh. The hot shower seared my abrasions and I cowered from the water as dirt and blood swirled around the drain below. My face ached where the general had hit me and I touched the tender skin to see how much damage there was.