by Jake Bible
“Go, go, go!” Holt yells. “Don’t wait for us!”
Bolton and Lowell don’t hesitate. They set their grips on Lu’s stretcher and run as fast as they can, Kyle right on their heels.
***
The smell of something hot and cheesy makes Dr. Probst’s mouth water as she is led from the elevator by Dr. McDaniels and Dr. Mannering.
“Shit, shit, shit,” a squat, pudgy man says as he walks out into the hallway a few doors down from the elevator. He has a slice of pizza halfway to his mouth but sets it back on the plate he holds. “Not good, guys.”
“Thanks, Ryan,” Dr. Mannering says. “Like we don’t already know that.”
“The good news is she’s a geologist,” Dr. McDaniels says. “A volcanologist. Dr. Cheryl Probst.”
“The bad news is she’s not supposed to be here,” the pudgy man replies. “Jesus, look at her. She’s obviously dehydrated, and probably hasn’t had a decent meal in days.”
“Is that pizza?” Dr. Probst asks, her entire being focused on the plate the pudgy man holds. “You have pizza?”
“I have pizza,” the man responds. “I’m Dr. Ryan Bennet. I’m an MD and should probably check you out before you go anywhere. Bring her to the infirmary.”
“That’s why we stopped on this level,” Dr. Mannering says.
“I’d kill for a bite of that pizza,” Dr. Probst says.
“Oh, don’t say things like that, Doctor,” Dr. Bennet says. “We take those types of threats very seriously here in the facility. I know you are being facetious, but Burkhorst has a no tolerance policy for threats of violence. It’s a good policy, considering.”
“Considering what?” Dr. Probst asks, her eyes still locked onto the slice of pizza.
“Considering the acts of violence,” Dr. Bennet replies. “This way.”
“We know which way the infirmary is, Ryan,” Dr. McDaniels snaps. “Just go make sure Burkhorst isn’t in there on one of her inspection kicks.”
“No need,” Dr. Bennet says. “She just got finished. Everything is exactly as it should be, just like the time before that, and the time before that. That’s why I’m eating pizza. It’s my reward for a job well done and an infirmary well maintained.”
“Oh, shit, is she withholding food again?” Dr. Mannering asks.
“Just the stuff in the freezer,” Dr. Bennet shrugs. “Dry goods are unlocked. For now.”
“Great,” Dr. Mannering sighs.
They all walk down the hallway, past several doors that are closed and padlocked. Dr. Probst glances at the locks, but her exhausted mind doesn’t make anything of them. The whole situation is so surreal that simple things like padlocks barely register.
A few turns and a couple more hallways, and they stop at a set of double doors. Dr. Bennet pulls a key card from around his neck and swipes it against a panel on the wall. There’s a beep, and the doors slide apart.
“Come on in, Dr. Probst,” Dr. Bennet says as he crosses to a counter and sets his pizza down. “Hop up on that exam table, and let’s take a look at you.”
Dr. Probst slowly gets up on the exam table, her eyes unfocused and taking in everything at once.
“Now, Doctor, where did you come from?” Dr. Bennet asks.
“She was in the warehouse,” Dr. Mannering says.
“Yes, Clark, I guessed that much,” Dr. Bennet sighs, looking over at the man and then down at the firearm still in his hand. “Maybe it’s best you check that back into the armory while I exam Dr. Probst. Once you’ve done that, you should probably go and fetch Burkhorst. She’ll be twice as angry if she believes we’ve withheld this new development from her.”
“Don’t hurry,” Dr. McDaniels says. “Take your time so Ryan can complete the exam.”
“You two just want to get rid of me,” Dr. Mannering says.
“Yes,” Dr. McDaniels says.
“Why do you get to stay?” Dr. Mannering asks.
“Protocol,” Dr. McDaniels says. “Another female must be present when being examined by a male doctor.”
“That’s an old protocol from when the-.”
“Shut up, Clark,” Dr. McDaniels snaps. “You need to take that mouth out of here right now, please.”
Dr. Mannering starts to respond, but the look on Dr. McDaniels’s face stops him. He looks at Dr. Probst, then shakes his head and leaves.
“And before you think of being a petty little shit, don’t forget she’s a geologist!” Dr. McDaniels calls after him.
“Why do you keep saying that?” Dr. Probst asks.
“Can you undo the top of your coveralls, please?” Dr. Bennet asks.
“Uh, sure,” Dr. Probst replies, almost mechanically unzipping the front and shimmying out of the sleeves so the top half falls to her waist. She looks down and smiles. “Phew. I’m wearing a bra. Couldn’t quite remember.”
“That’s some nasty bruising, Doctor,” Dr. Bennet says. “Were you attacked? Or is that from a crash or fall?”
“Yes,” Dr. Probst nods.
Dr. Bennet accepts the answer without question and pulls a penlight from the pocket of the lab coat he wears. He checks Dr. Probst’s eyes, having her look up, down, and side to side.
“Open, and say ahhhh,” he says.
Dr. Probst complies, and then frowns when he’s done.
“Sorry,” she says. “I don’t know when I last brushed my teeth.”
“I understand,” Dr. Bennet says. “If you were topside, then I am sure you had more important things to deal with. Now, where did you say you came from?”
“I didn’t,” Dr. Probst replies. “Did I?”
“No,” Dr. McDaniels says.
“Uh, I was in the bunker,” Dr. Probst says. “We were taken there by those militia guys.”
“We?” Dr. Bennet asks. “You said we were taken by the militia members?”
“Those assholes,” Dr. McDaniels says, shaking her head.
“Doctor, please,” Dr. Bennet says.
“Sorry,” Dr. McDaniels replies.
“Can you fetch me my stethoscope?” Dr. Bennet asks. “It’s on the counter there.”
“By the pizza,” Dr. Probst says. “Any chance I can get a bite? I’m fucking starving.”
“Let me finish my exam and then get some fluids in you,” Dr. Bennet says as Dr. McDaniels hands him the stethoscope. “Now, take a deep breath for me.”
Dr. Probst takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. She takes another and another, then starts to lean forward.
“Careful now,” Dr. Bennet says as he braces her. “Did you get lightheaded?”
“Yeah,” Dr. Probst replies. “Felt good.”
“That’s your body enjoying the fresh oxygen down here,” Dr. Bennet says. “I can hear a little damage in your lungs. Do you smoke?”
“No,” Dr. Probst says. “It’s the ammonia.”
“Ammonia?” Dr. Bennet asks, then looks to Dr. McDaniels. “Is there some issue with ammonia up top?”
“Yeah, we smelled it as soon as we got off the elevator,” Dr. McDaniels answers. “The Progeny must be messing with the atmosphere.”
“You don’t think it’s the Substance?” Dr. Bennet asks.
“No, all sensors say the Substance is stable,” Dr. McDaniels replies. “Or they did when we last ran tests. Burkhorst will be able to say for sure, since she’s on window duty today.”
“Until she gets called here,” Dr. Bennet says.
“One more reason she’ll be pissed,” Dr. McDaniels sighs.
“Maybe the realization we have a geologist in our midst will ease that anger,” Dr. Bennet says.
“Will you tell me why you keep talking about me like I’m some savior?!” Dr. Probst shouts, making Dr. Bennet jump back and Dr. McDaniels raise her firearm slightly. “Sorry. Sorry. It’s just kind of creepy.”
“I’m sure it is,” Dr. Bennet says. “We have been in need of a geologist since our last one met an unfortunate end.”
Dr. McDaniels looks away qu
ickly, but Dr. Probst, even in her semi-delirium, catches the look of sorrow that washes over her features.
“What happened to him?” Dr. Probst asks.
“He was attempting to take some samples when an event occurred,” Dr. Bennet says. “I did my best to save him, but the wounds were too severe.”
“Wounds? Did one of the monsters get him?” Dr. Probst asks.
“Something like that,” Dr. Bennet replies.
“You know about the Progeny?” Dr. McDaniels asks.
“Is that what you call them?” Dr. Probst responds. “Why? What are they the progeny of?”
“I can’t answer that directly,” Dr. McDaniels says. “Not without permission.”
“From Burkhorst?” Dr. Probst asks. “She sounds like a piece of work.”
“She is,” Dr. McDaniels says. “So don’t mess with her.”
“Okay,” Dr. Probst nods as Dr. Bennet continues his examination. “But only if you tell me why a geologist is so important.”
“Is that supposed to be some type of leverage?” Dr. McDaniels asks. “Because it’s not. If you want to mess with Burkhorst, then be my guest. Everyone tries it once, no one tries it again.”
“She has certain skills when it comes to psychological warfare,” Dr. Bennet explains as he preps Dr. Probst’s arm for a blood sample. “She has broken down men and women that war never broke. She can reduce a person to tears in seconds and have them begging for her to stop in minutes. Do not mess with Burkhorst.”
“War?” Dr. Probst asks. “Oh, shit!”
“Hey! Stay still!” Dr. Bennet yells as he manages to keep the needle in Dr. Probst’s vein. “The last thing I want to do is dig a snapped needle out of your arm!”
“Sorry, sorry,” Dr. Probst says. “But we have to bring everyone else down here! The ammonia is going to kill them!”
“There is no way in Hell we’re bringing those militia idiots down here,” Dr. McDaniels says.
“What? No, those guys are all dead,” Dr. Probst says. “Lieutenant Taylor and his men killed them. No, I mean the others. Marshal Morgan and her son. Plus Sergeant Bolton and the inmate, uh, Lowell. They’re still up there!”
“The militia are dead?” Dr. Bennet asks, looking at Dr. McDaniels. “Did you know that?”
“No, I haven’t been on camera duty,” Dr. McDaniels replies. “Been busy with warehouse checks and making sure that last EMP didn’t harm any sensors. Spying on rednecks wasn’t a priority.”
“Who is Lieutenant Taylor? How many men does he have?” Dr. Bennet asks.
“He’s the leader of a SEAL Team,” Dr. Probst says. “He has three other men with him.”
“SEALs?” Dr. Bennet asks. “And Marshal Morgan, who is he?”
“No, no, not a he, ashe. Marshal Lu Morgan,” Dr. Probst corrects. “She was with Sergeant Bolton and Lowell. Taylor and his men picked them up along the way here.”
“Why were they coming here?” Dr. Bennet asks.
Dr. Probst sighs and fills the man in on everything she knows up until the second eruption. Dr. Bennet and Dr. McDaniels share a look, but Dr. Probst misses it as her attention is drawn back to the abandoned pizza slice.
“Settle back, and I’ll start an IV,” Dr. Bennet says. “Once I’m confident you are sufficiently hydrated and stable, then you can have some food. We have more than just pizza.”
“Yeah, sure, fine, what...ever…” Dr. Probst says as she lies back on the exam table and closes her eyes. She’s snoring in seconds.
“That’s not just saline, is it?” Dr. McDaniels asks, nodding at the bag attached to Dr. Probst’s IV line.
“No, there’s a mild sedative in there as well,” Dr. Bennet says. “She needs rest, not just rehydration and food. I’m betting her adrenals are nearly shot from stress. Her blood pressure is through the roof. If she doesn’t sleep, she could stroke out.”
“And if she’s out, then Burkhorst can’t interrogate her,” Dr. McDaniels says.
The doors to the infirmary slide open and a tall woman, late twenties, pitch black hair with hazel eyes, walks in. Her lab coat and tan slacks are immaculate, as is the light blue blouse she wears under the coat. Crisp, clean, controlled.
“Is she dead?” the woman asks, her voice as crisp and controlled as her appearance. “Or did you knock her out so I can’t talk to her?”
“Would I do something like that, Dr. Burkhorst?” Dr. Bennet asks.
“Yes, of course, you would,” Dr. Burkhorst says. “You’ve always put the well-being of the individual above the greater good, Ryan. It’s admirable for a country doctor in bumfuck Kansas, but not down here.”
“I’ve never been to Kansas,” Dr. Bennet replies.
“You haven’t?” Dr. Burkhorst asks. “That’s a blatant lie. I know for a fact you attended a summer conference in Topeka back in ’94. You spoke on frontotemporal craniotomy.”
“I’d completely forgotten about that,” Dr. Bennet says. “Thank you for reminding me.”
“You didn’t forget it, because that’s where you met VanderVoort’s predecessor for the first time,” Dr. Burkhorst responds. “Stop wasting my time, Ryan. Tell me what you two know about this woman.”
They do, and it leaves Dr. Burkhorst with a pained look on her face.
“I’d think having another geologist down here would be a good thing,” Dr. McDaniels says.
“It is, but the people up top worry me,” Dr. Burkhorst says. “SEALs means presidential involvement, which is the last thing VanderVoort wants. In order to be off books, we must be off the radar, so to speak. If those soldiers are allowed down here, then they’ll immediately want to contact the White House to check in with their superiors, especially after that last EMP wiped out all communications across the continent.”
“The whole continent?” Dr. McDaniels asks.
“Pay attention, Valerie,” Dr. Burkhorst snaps. “Watch the feeds, will you? Other than the situation room below the White House, this could be the only place left that has access to satellites.”
“NORAD,” Dr. Bennet says. “They are just as shielded as we are.”
“No, they are not,” Dr. Burkhorst says. “Trust me. I’ve compared the specs.”
“Of course you have,” Dr. Bennet smiles.
Dr. Burkhorst stares at Dr. Probst’s sleeping form for several minutes without saying a word. Neither Dr. McDaniels nor Dr. Bennet interrupt her, both knowing how the woman works.
“Staff meeting,” Dr. Burkhorst says suddenly. “Now.”
“I have a patient to look after,” Dr. Bennet says.
“Strap her down so she doesn’t hurt herself,” Dr. Burkhorst orders. “The meeting is mandatory. I’ll inform the others. Ten minutes in Conference Room A, First Level.”
“Why First Level?” Dr. McDaniels asks.
“Why not?” Dr. Burkhorst replies, turns, and leaves.
“That wasn’t so bad,” Dr. Bennet says.
“That’s because she’s saving it for the staff meeting,” Dr. McDaniels replies as she watches Dr. Bennet place restraints around Dr. Probst’s wrists and ankles. She sighs heavily. “You think she’ll purge the topside?”
“Maybe,” Dr. Bennet replies. “Maybe not. She let the militia morons live.”
“They were harmless and would never have discovered us,” Dr. McDaniels says. “SEALs on the other hand…”
They both let the implications, and complications, hang there unspoken.
Six
Those that sit around the situation room’s long table are silent as President Nance reads the report that has been handed to him.
“How did we get this?” President Nance asks.
“The Russians bounced two satellite signals off a buoy they have just outside Puget Sound,” Borland replies. “They didn’t have to give us this information.”
“That means they’re just as scared as we are,” Admiral Quigley states. “They compromised a tech asset to share intel. Makes me wonder why.”
“More n
ew creatures?” President Nance asks. “How? Where did they come from?”
“The sea, if the report is to be believed,” Borland says. “And if it is, then Everett is lost.”
“We do not know that,” Admiral Quigley snaps. “My sailors are more than capable of defending themselves.”
“Twenty foot tall mutated killer whales with tentacles?” Borland laughs. “Really, Admiral? Where in the Navy training manual does it prepare sailors for fighting that kind of nightmare?”
“Gentlemen,” President Nance growls. “Put the dicks away.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Joan says. “Do we want to respond to the Russians? They are keeping a channel open to us from here on out.”
“They are?” President Nance asks. “Then Gregorich must really be scared.” He thinks for a second, then nods. “Yes, respond with our gratitude, and send them Dr. Hall’s last findings. It’s not much, but it’s more than they know now.”
“Sir, I don’t think giving away that kind of intel is a good idea,” Borland warns. “A simple thank you will suffice.”
“I believe we are beyond simple thank you’s, Jeremy,” President Nance replies. “If Gregorich is sharing intel and keeping his line open for me, then that means something is happening in Russia. Do any of you know what might be happening in Russia?”
Everyone at the table looks at each other, then back to the president, none offering answers.
“Jeremy? Contact your counterpart in Russia,” President Nance orders. “Joan? Call Secretary of State Jefferson. I want him to find out if the Chinese are just as worried as the Russians.”
“I’ll speak with NATO command,” General Tulane says. “I know General Lopez personally. He’ll shoot me straight if any of the EU countries are reporting issues with the creatures.”
“Are we really thinking the creatures have spread beyond our borders?” Joan asks.
“If they are emerging from the sea, then we have to assume they already have,” General Azoul says. “But we’re blind with the ash cloud covering the country once again. Satellites cannot penetrate, no matter the spectrum.”
“Thermal?” Borland asks. “Can we even see our own forces?”
