Mercy pinned Fay’s arms to the floor. Barnes sat on Fay’s thigh and grabbed her other leg. He took the pen-like object from his mouth and stabbed Fay’s leg with it.
“Jesus, Barnes. What is that?” Mercy asked.
“It’s her only chance—” Barnes replied. He depressed the plunger on the syringe.
They restrained Fay for five minutes, until the spasms subsided. Her breathing settled and colour returned to her face. Her eyes remained shut. Barnes rolled Fay onto her side and checked her airway.
“She should be OK… but maybe not. We need to watch her—” Barnes sat back and pulled out his knife.
Mercy’s heart was racing, she leant over and picked up the discarded syringe. She read the label: NSA REVEX ANTISERUM BATCH NUMBER 7364-L.
“What is this stuff?” Mercy waved the syringe at Barnes.
Barnes sighed, “It’s the only one I’ve got. I took it from the NSA prisoner I told you about. He told me it’s antiserum, a temporary fix for trope bites. The NSA have issued it to their front line troops. One vial each. He said it’ll buy the victim 48 to 72 hours, then the virus will kick back in unless you can find another dose.”
Mercy absorbed the information. “If they’ve developed an antiserum they must be working on a vaccine—”
Barnes shrugged, “We know Cobalt Biotech have labs in DC, so it stands to reason they’d be working on a vaccine. A permanent solution. You said they experimented on you… maybe you were part of that programme?”
Mercy dropped the syringe, “Could be. Yeah, more than could be—”
Barnes stood up, “Well, that NSA bastard was bit. I got to his antiserum before he did. Took him a while to turn, that’s how I got the intel from him. He was begging for me to give it to him. Well, now your friend has benefited from it—” Barnes broke off, he looked uneasy. “Look, we need to leave here—”
Mercy stared at Barnes, “Look, I get it Barnes. OK, have it your way, we’ll bail soon. You stay with Fay. Watch her. I’m going out to look for my guys, that’s non-negotiable. Mercy checked her watch. If I’m not back in an hour, you can go—”
Barnes locked eyes with Mercy. “I’m trying to figure you out Dawes. I ain’t seen enough yet to draw any conclusions… but I hear you. You do what you gotta do. I’ll keep an eye out from the window here, we’ve got no comms so don’t wander too far. Me and Fay will be here when you get back. Go on, the sooner you leave the sooner you’ll be back and we can leave this shithole—”
Détente—
Mercy blinked, “Yeah, thanks Commander.”
Mercy stood up and took a last look at Fay. She turned her back on Barnes and went downstairs.
Chapter 5
Outside
Outside the light was fading. Mercy looked at the sky.
Dusk, maybe an hour of light left—
She pulled her knife out and took a deep breath.
Just do it—
She went around the side of the building and stepped from cover, her eyes on the sky.
These drones are quiet, then they’re right on top of you—
She crossed the car park and entered the dunes. Marram grass swished around her legs. Sand sprinkled her boots, wind played with her hair.
This would’ve been a nice spot, before—
She wound her way through the dunes and emerged onto the beach. Her eyes took in the high tide line.
Tide’s gone out, should be able to see more—
She looked up and down the beach, some of the trope bodies had been washed away. There was no sign of the NSA soldier that had jumped ashore.
Be methodical, start at the dock and work your way down the beach—
Mercy headed for the dock and found the spot where she had jumped down onto the sand. She turned to look along the length of the dock to the water, fifty yards away. A flash of colour. She tilted her head.
Orange? What is that? Hi Vis—?
Mercy’s heart skipped a beat. She raced alongside the dock and ducked in among the pilings. A partially buried lifejacket was snagged on a barnacle-encrusted piling. She bent down and pulled it free.
It’s torn and… blood on the straps. Shit, it’s one of ours, it’s got to be—
A dull glint caught Mercy’s eye. A straight edge under a clump of seaweed. She pulled the seaweed away and stared at the half-buried pistol.
Rose’s gun—
Mercy lifted the SIG 1911 out of the damp sand.
Rose, you were here. Where are you now?
Mercy stood up and glanced around, the sun had disappeared behind the trees beyond the dunes. She tucked the pistol into her belt and looked around for footprints.
Nothing… nothing, widen the search—
Mercy swept the area in increments. Thirty yards out she found footprints in the sand, leading up the beach towards a break in the dunes. She bent down to examine the tracks.
No shoe prints, looks like bare feet. A group, maybe six… those prints—
She touched the deepest set of footprints.
This one’s heavier than the rest—
Her face darkened.
Carrying something? Or someone? Shit—
Mercy ran up the beach, following the tangled prints. She entered the dunes and lost the trail in the soft sand. She continued and emerged on the far side of the dunes. The light was almost gone. She stared at a stand of trees then turned around and climbed up the nearest dune. She reached the top and sat down, panting. She lifted her head and peered through a gap in the trees. A silhouetted cityscape filled the horizon.
Buildings, that’s… west, northwest of here… Annapolis. They’ve taken her to Annapolis—
Mercy made her way back to the store and called up the stairs.
“Barnes, it’s me. I’m back, don’t shoot—”
Barnes appeared at the top of the stairs. “Glad you said that, it’s a kind of shoot-first-ask-questions-later kind of world ain’t it?”
Mercy climbed the stairs and reached the top. Her eyes went to Fay, still lying in the corner.
“She OK?” Mercy gestured at her friend.
“Well, she ain’t turned trope yet. I cleaned her bite and put a field dressing on it. The wound could still get infected. I ain’t got any antibiotics with me. I’ve got a small stash back at the safe house,” Barnes moved aside to let Mercy pass. “So what did you find out there?”
Mercy told Barnes about the torn lifejacket and showed him Rose’s SIG 1911.
“The tracks head northwest, to the city. Whoever it is, they’ve taken her in that direction. We’ll never find her—” Mercy faltered.
Barnes looked thoughtful, “No sign of your other buddies?”
Mercy shook her head.
“Maybe—” Barnes said, his voice low.
Mercy looked up, “Maybe what?”
“Well, it’s a long shot, but when we first reached Annapolis, me and Lou, we staked out the city… recon and intel. We found some trail cameras in an outdoor shop, found batteries too. We hid six cameras at key places around the city to spy on the NSA and their robots—”
Mercy’s face lit up, “So there’s a chance if we check these cameras we might get a steer on where they’ve taken Rose or the others—?”
Barnes shrugged, “Like I said, it’s a long shot, but worth checking after we get back to the safe house.”
Mercy checked her watch, “We’ve got to go, time is critical—”
Fay stirred in the corner. She let out a cry. Her hand went to the dressing on her shoulder.
“I heard what you said,” Fay shouted, her voice loud. “I’ve been bit. I’ve been fucking bit—”
Mercy rushed over to Fay and embraced her. “It’s OK Fay, we’ve given you an injection—”
Panic filled Fay’s voice, “I’ve been bit, shoot me, do it, don’t let me turn into one of them—”
Fay lashed out at Mercy, trying to break free. Mercy held on tight and kept talking. “Fay, it’s OK. Barnes gave you a shot, it’s all
good, it’s an antiserum, you’ll be OK,” Mercy tried to keep her voice calm.
Talk her down, hold on—
Fay went limp. Mercy loosened her grip on her friend. Fay lunged for Mercy’s holstered SIG, grabbing it. She brought the pistol to her chin and screamed, “I’m infected—”
Fay pulled the trigger.
Oh—
Nothing.
Fay’s eyes opened. She pulled the trigger again.
Nothing.
Safety’s on—
Barnes appeared at Mercy’s side, he disarmed Fay with a swift motion. She let out a cry and hit out at Mercy again.
“Do it, shoot me, I’ve seen what happens. Don’t let me turn into one of those things, don’t let me turn—”
Fay stopped struggling and dissolved into Mercy’s arms, sobbing. Mercy held her friend and gave Barnes a look.
“Fay, listen to me, it’s important that you listen—” Mercy kept her voice calm, soothing. She explained slowly about the bite, the antiserum and its protective effect. Fay stopped sobbing and began listening. When she had finished Mercy repeated the facts again to make sure Fay had absorbed the information. She held Fay for a long time.
Finally, Fay moved, “It’s OK, you can let go now.”
Mercy loosened her arms, “Promise me you won’t do anything I’d regret—”
Fay sniffled, “I’m good. I promise. You can let go now—”
Mercy released Fay and knelt back. Fay dried her eyes and nose.
Barnes cleared his throat, “Look, I hate to break up the party but we should get the fuck out of here. We’re on alpha time now—”
They left the store and entered the night-shrouded landscape. The next two hours passed in a blur of potholed roads, trees and streets. Finally, Barnes stopped at a break in the trees. He held up a hand and crouched down. Mercy looked over his shoulder at a parking lot. Her eyes roved over the abandoned cars and buildings.
Barnes held his position for ten minutes. Watching. Listening. Then, without looking back, he rose and left the trees. Fay followed, then Mercy. A broken sign over the nearest building declared: FOREST HILLS BOWLING ALLEY.
Quiet, so far… too quiet—?
Barnes brought them around the back of the building to a steel plate door. He checked a strip of duct tape at foot level and, satisfied the seal was intact, he opened the door. Fay recoiled, turning away. Mercy gagged and blinked at the stench from inside.
Jesus, that’ll be the NSA soldier Barnes has chained up in there. That stink—
Barnes disappeared into the building and reappeared a few seconds later. He beckoned them inside. He bolted the door once they were in. The rattle of chains came from behind an adjoining door followed by a scraping sound. Barnes was busy lighting candles.
“That’s your prisoner?” Fay nodded towards the inner door.
Barnes grunted. “He has his uses. I’ve got water here and food. And antibiotics.” He handed some tablets to Fay, “Here, take these for your shoulder, to stop secondary infection, two now and two later.”
Fay took the tablets, “Thanks Barnes. Can I have a drink?”
Barnes gave her his water bottle. “We need to hydrate and eat. Then I suggest we get some rest.” He gestured to the front of the bowling alley, “I’ve got sound traps out there, we’re behind the lanes here. That’s the machinery for setting the pins,” he indicated the bowling pin setters on their right. “We’re in a kind of bunker back here, we can see out but anyone out there would find it difficult to see us.” He pointed at the door they had used, “Door there and there’s another door behind you at the end of this corridor, so… two exits. We could exit through Mr NSA’s room but I wouldn’t recommend that, he’s likely to get riled.”
“Yeah, but you said he’s chained up, right?” Mercy asked.
“Correct,” Barnes fired back.
Fay swallowed the antibiotics with a mouthful of water then she spotted a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush. “Oh my god, you’ve got real toothpaste. Can I—?”
Barnes stroked his beard and put his rifle against the wall, “Go ahead, knock yourself out. You can keep the toothbrush though—”
Fay frowned for a moment but the lure of the toothpaste was too strong. She took the toothbrush and put a liberal amount of paste on it and started brushing her teeth.
Mercy noticed a packet of cigarettes on the floor. “Mind if I take one?” She did not wait for Barnes to answer. She broke a cigarette in half and inserted the pieces into her nostrils.
Barnes shook his head, “Surely you’re used to the stink of trope by now.”
Mercy sat on the floor, “I am. I just try and avoid sleeping with them is all. I guess they teach you all sorts of off-piste survival tips in the Navy SEALs.”
Barnes raised his chin and broke into a smile. “Hide in plain sight amongst the enemy is a useful one all right. He bent down and grabbed a handful of maps from the corner. “Here, familiarise yourself with Annapolis and the neighbourhood. We can go and check the trail cameras just before dawn. The alphas should be returning to their nests around then—”
“Nests?” Fay said, through a mouthful of toothpaste.
Barnes began sorting through the supplies lined up against the wall. “Yeah, like I told your friend before, the NSA tried to clear out the feral alphas from the city. They burned out some of their nests but some of the larger groups they left untouched, they were too well defended—”
“Defended? Mercy repeated, “You mean they’re capable of that level of organisation?”
Barnes started opening a tin, “Hell yeah, welcome to the nightmare. Like I said, the NSA even captured some of the feral alphas, they were taken away, my guess is back to Cobalt Biotech in DC.”
“Yeah, it’s fucked beyond belief,” Mercy sighed. “Hey, you gonna call Constantine on your sat phone? We can get an update on how things are going, you know? With the offensive—”
“I was just about to do that,” Barnes produced a satellite phone from a recess in the wall. “I need to get a signal on the roof. I’ll be back in five.” He stopped at the door, “It’s just a set of field signals. There’s no… chit chat. They won’t tell me how the offensive is going over the wire. They’ll acknowledge my message and confirm whether the mission’s still a go—”
Mercy pulled a face, “Brief then, that’s disappointing. I was hoping for a little news on… you know, the war front. We’re so in the dark is all—”
Barnes put his hand on the door handle, “Welcome to my world.”
Mercy nodded, “It’s OK. I get it—”
Barnes returned ten minutes later.
“How’d it go?” Mercy asked.
Barnes put the satellite phone down. “Got my signal through. Constantine knows we’ve met up. The mission’s still a go. Phone’s out of juice, battery’s dead. We’re on our own—”
Silence.
Mercy straightened up, “I’m used to that.” She examined the map of Annapolis. “So we’re in Forest Hills… where’s your nearest trail camera?”
Barnes came over and pointed to a spot on the map. “Here, in a fire station, first floor, good view of the eastern approach to the old town. The Naval Academy is over here. It’s a huge campus, almost a town in itself.”
Mercy chewed her lip, “Janice Drive, that’s just over a quarter of a mile from here.” She looked at her watch, “We could check that camera out now, we’d be there in twenty minutes. It’s on the eastern side of the city, there’s a chance they may have passed there—”
Barnes shook his head, “No, look, we’ve had enough exposure tonight. We’re tired, you need to be sharp out there.”
“I know,” Mercy said. “But we’re up against the clock, this group may torture or kill Rose or the others if they’ve taken them too. We’ve got to act now, otherwise their chances of staying alive fall.” Mercy pulled a face, “Same deal Barnes, I’m going back out there, you can come if you want. No one’s forcing you—”
Barn
es gave Mercy an appraising look, “Stubborn one, ain’t you? That might get you killed one day.” He looked away, scratching his head. He bent down and picked up an object and handed it to Mercy. “This belonged to Mr NSA in there. I ain’t had much use for it… seeing as I’m trying to keep a low profile. You might as well take it.” He handed her a grenade.
Mercy examined the grenade’s markings, “Phosphorus… nasty. I saw them being used back in New York. Never used one myself… so I take it you’ve no spare rifles?”
Barnes stood up and picked up his Steyr SSG 69, “Nope, this’s all I got.”
Fay spat out the toothpaste and rinsed her mouth with water. “Sounds as if you two have just agreed on a field trip. You can leave me here with the food and water. I’ll keep it safe until you return—” Fay grinned.
She smiled, that’s good—
“When we get back I’ll tap on the door four times,” Barnes said to Fay.
“Got it,” Fay replied.
Barnes looked at Mercy. He shouldered his rifle. “Let’s go—”
Mercy attached the phosphorus grenade to her webbing.
“I’m right behind you Barnes, lead on—”
Chapter 6
Fire Station
Silence.
Damn, it’s too quiet. This is… weird—
Mercy kept five paces behind Barnes. She watched the lifeless buildings on either side of the street. They were surrounded by broken windows, broken doors and burnt out houses.
They had it bad here. Signs of panic everywhere. So the NSA cleared out the normal tropes. Or maybe they cleared out the ones that weren’t strong enough to migrate to DC. What’s that all about anyway? Why are they congregating on the capital?
Mercy ruminated on the information Barnes had given her. She shook her head.
It makes no sense. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle without the crucial pieces—
Barnes pulled into a shopfront and crouched down. Mercy followed suit. A fire station stood fifty yards away on the opposite side of the street. Barnes was examining the station through his night vision scope. He took his time checking the roof and every window. A few minutes later he turned to Mercy.
“Looks OK, no sign of activity. But expect shit when you least expect it—”
The Survival Chronicles (Book 6): Dark Mercy Page 3
