The Survival Chronicles (Book 6): Dark Mercy

by Nally, Fergal F.

  “Where is he?” Fay said.

  A flaming trope appeared at the top of the fire escape, it toppled over the edge of the roof. Mercy shoved Fay out of the way, landing on top of her. The burning trope burst on impact, sending parcels of burning flesh in all directions. A flaming piece of scalp landed on Fay’s ghillie suit, igniting it. Mercy pulled the suit off her friend and stamped out the flames.

  Two more flaming tropes hit the ground, bursting on impact. The fire escape started creaking. Mercy looked up. Barnes was descending fast.

  Mercy glanced around. “Fay come on, under that truck.”

  Mercy ran to the 18-wheeler and dropped down, rolling underneath. She came face-to-face with the remains of a crushed alpha. It reached out to her, its teeth snapping, inches from her face. Mercy shoved the SIG’s barrel into the trope’s face bursting its opaque eye. She squeezed the trigger.

  No. Not now, not like this—

  Fay and Barnes rolled under the truck seconds later.

  “Drone’s here,” Barnes said.

  Mercy closed her eyes.

  Fuck. This. Shit.

  Chapter 9

  Hunter Killers

  A charred trope landed on the ground feet away from Mercy, its abdomen exploded on impact, sending cooked intestines onto the tarmac. The trope’s fingers twitched, it turned its head towards the truck and stuck out its swollen tongue, trying to taste the air.

  Die son of a bitch, die—

  Barnes raised a hand and pointed at the wall twenty yards away. A shadow hung suspended, half way up. A red laser light danced across the ground, searching.

  Jesus, it’s nearly on us—

  Mercy edged closer to Fay and crawled under the ghillie suit, her eyes never leaving the shadow. The shimmering laser moved closer to the charred trope. Mercy gripped her SIG and listened to Fay’s shallow breathing. The laser played across the now still trope, lingering over its smoking flesh. Mercy blinked and the laser was gone.

  Wait—

  Mercy counted.

  One. Two. Three—

  The shadow rose up the wall and disappeared from view.

  It’s gone—

  Barnes raised a fist.

  Keep still—

  Fay put her forehead on the ground and murmured something unintelligible. Mercy looked around, searching the car park for any threat.

  For fuck’s sake—

  A watcher’s legs were visible on the other side of a car twenty yards away. Mercy turned to Barnes, his eyes were glued to the car.

  He’s seen it—

  “Stay or go—?” Mercy mouthed.

  We should make a break for it—

  Barnes shook his head, adjusted his ghillie suit and hood and pointed at Mercy. She took his cue and made sure Fay’s hood covered both their heads. She watched as the robot appeared at the front of the car and moved towards the fire escape ladder. It stopped, inspecting the ground under the ladder.

  Just make your sweep and fuck off—

  The watcher turned towards the 18-wheeler and approached the rear of the truck. Mercy held her breath.

  Shit, shit, shit—

  Mercy glanced back and froze. More watchers were moving in towards the front and side of the truck.

  They’re surrounding us—

  She turned to look back. A cement mixer truck was parked fifteen feet away, its discharge chute deployed against a row of slanting basement windows.

  Some of those windows are broken. Looks like they were trying to block off that section with concrete—

  Mercy swung her head back to the watchers and counted.

  They’ve stopped. Jesus, there must be six of them plus that one in the back. It’s probably the leader, co-ordinating the others—

  The leader took a few steps along the rear of the 18-wheeler and stopped. Mercy glanced at Barnes who was keeping still. She gritted her teeth.

  Follow his lead, don’t move—

  Movement from the truck cabin ten feet away. The driver’s door opening. A loud shot.

  What—?

  A rumble overhead. Then a deafening noise like a rattlesnake’s rattle magnified a thousand fold. Steel rain shredded the truck’s cabin from the sky.

  Christ—

  Mercy jerked away from the storm of bullets, her hands going to her head. The smell of burning rubber and death filled the air. The firing stopped and smoke billowed from the remains of the truck’s engine. Mercy turned to look at where the tractor unit had stood. Only a mangled frame remained. Something was dripping from the remains of the sleeper cabin.

  Red? Shit; it’s blood. Someone was living in that truck—

  A mangled arm dropped down from the twisted metal and hung, unmoving, almost touching the tarmac.

  At least it was quick for them—

  Movement caught Mercy’s eyes. A colourless liquid was leaking from behind the tractor unit, spreading at an alarming rate. The smell hit her a second later.

  Diesel. If it catches fire—

  The wind shifted direction blowing the smoke back, around the truck. Fay brought a hand to her mouth and stifled a cough. Mercy felt irritation building at the back of her throat. She blinked and caught a glimpse of the watcher’s legs through the smoke.

  Bastards are still out there, we’re trapped—

  She twisted around, towards the cement truck.

  It’s obscured by smoke, they wouldn’t see us. We could reach those windows—

  Mercy tapped Fay and signalled to Barnes. She pointed towards the barely visible cement truck and whispered the word basement.

  Barnes nodded and rolled out from under the 18-wheeler and disappeared into the smoke. Mercy nudged Fay and they followed Barnes through the thickening smoke. They reached the rear of the cement truck, their throats burning and eyes watering. Mercy went to the nearest basement window and looked in.

  Dark, the cement’s been poured through the window, get in—

  She climbed in the window and slid down a cement ramp, coming to a stop half way down. She covered her stinging eyes and took a breath.

  Air’s clean. My eyes, Christ—

  Scrabbling noises behind.

  The others. Keep going—

  She felt her way to the bottom of the ramp, holding the silenced SIG in front of her.

  Can’t see—

  Fay slid down beside her, holding the drone box.

  Mercy opened her eyes and blinked.

  It’s wearing off—

  She turned around. Barnes was on his stomach aiming the AR-15 at the open window above.

  He’s OK—

  A deafening explosion ripped through the air. A tongue of flame burst through the windows and licked the basement ceiling for a heartbeat before being sucked back outside.

  Mercy blinked, stunned.

  Fuel tank’s blown—

  Barnes slid down the rest of the ramp, his eyes fixed on the shattered windows above.

  If they come down the ramp—

  Minutes passed. Nothing. Barnes crept back up the ramp and pulled a mirror from his chest pocket. He held it up, using it to see outside. A few minutes later he joined Mercy and Fay. “They’re gone. But we should wait a while before we go back out there—” he took his water bottle from his belt and offered it to Fay. “Here, drink, it’ll help clear your head.”

  Fay swallowed a mouthful of water, “They nearly had us. Those people in the truck, they’re dead because of us—”

  Mercy stared into the underground darkness, “Shit happens—”

  Fay gave Mercy the water bottle.

  Mercy took a long pull and handed the bottle back to Barnes. “Yeah, we should stay down here until the fire’s burnt itself out. They may still have eyes on the area. You two stay here, I’ll explore down here a bit. I might find an alternative way out—”

  Barnes looked up, “You think that’s a good idea? We don’t have to recon this area—”

  Mercy pulled a smile, “What was it you said? Always have more than two esca
pe routes from every situation—?”

  Barnes held up a hand and shrugged, “Yeah, something like that. And you’ve got that anti-trope biotech anyway so go ahead, knock yourself out—”

  Mercy stood up and attached her torch to her SIG. She shone the light ahead. Grimy shop fronts lined the hall on either side. She walked forwards avoiding the larger pieces of broken glass on the floor. The torch beam revealed stacks of sandbags and barbed wire.

  Looks as if there was a battle here. Probably rival gangs after the Fall fighting over resources. Plenty of bullet holes and spent casings but… where are the bodies—?

  She continued along the hall, picking her way through what remained of the defensive positions. Melted plastic stained the floor, she shone her light up.

  Fire damage in this section—

  Mercy looked back; the concrete ramp was lit by a feeble shaft of daylight. Fay’s outline was barely visible. She returned to the dark and silent world ahead.

  It’s like a tomb—

  Something brushed her shoulder, she pulled away and threw out a hand. Nothing. She swung the torch around.

  Cabling, just cabling. Relax—

  Mercy walked through the mass of dangling cables letting them brush against her. She reached a junction and turned right.

  It’s darker here—

  Her torch stabbed through the cloying blackness. A sign emerged out of the murk: BALE’S OUTDOOR STORE.

  Worth a look—

  Mercy entered the store, scanning the shelves and display areas. She reached the back and found a climbing wall. A display on the right showcased snow and ice-climbing gear. She bent down and explored under the shelves. Her hand touched a box, she reached in and pulled it out.

  Rope… now that could be useful. A grappling hook would be good—

  Her eyes strayed to the next display area.

  Ice axes. OK—

  She went over and took two small ice axes.

  I could always make a grappling hook out of these—

  She reached the end of the display. A chill swept over her.

  Something… something’s not right—

  Mercy backed away from the rear of the shop and withdrew to the concourse. The smell of decay hung in the air.

  How come I didn’t smell that before? Shit, just get back to the others.

  Mercy retraced her steps and reached the concrete ramp and daylight five minutes later.

  Barnes appeared from a shopfront on her left. “How’d you get on?”

  Mercy glanced over her shoulder, unease worming its way through her stomach. “I got some rope and a couple of ice axes. Might come in useful. Listen, I think we should get out of here… there’s—”

  The sound of crunching glass cut through her words.

  Chapter 10

  Maryland State House

  “Let’s get the hell outta here,” Barnes pushed Mercy up the ramp. “You check outside. I’ll get Fay—”

  Mercy ran up the ramp and reached the shattered windows. She crouched and looked out at the scene of devastation. The 18-wheeler was still burning, the wind had changed direction and was dispersing the smoke.

  Go on—

  Mercy clambered out of the dark into the light.

  Where are they? Where are they?

  Her eyes darted left and right.

  Clear—

  She checked the sky.

  Clear—

  She turned to help Fay through the broken window. Fay handed her the drone box.

  “You stirred up something down there. It’s not showing itself though, it’s keeping away from the daylight. Which is just as well, the last thing we need is more noise—” Fay said, she took the drone box from Mercy.

  “Damn right—” Mercy replied.

  Barnes emerged from the window. He took in the scene of devastation. “We need to lie low, let the dust settle, best if we head back to the fire station—”

  Mercy glared at Barnes, fire in her eyes. “Look it’s still daylight. Rose may be dead, but she could be alive and my other friends might be captive too. Time is passing. I’m not going back to the fire station to sit it out. I’m going to get this drone working and you’re going to help me. You’re going to take me close to the Naval Academy. We’re gonna use this drone and get the intel we need—”

  Barnes held Mercy’s gaze. He reached into his top pocket and produced a strip of pills. He put two into his mouth and swallowed. “OK Dawes, have it your way. I’ll take you to the Maryland State House. It’s on our way, you can actually get into the dome at the top, plus I have a stash of food there. I’ve used it a few times—”

  “So long as we’re in range for this thing,” Mercy tapped the drone box. “And… what were those pills you just took—?”

  Barnes nodded, “Oh, we’ll be within range alright. The pills? Speed… Dexedrine, they keep me going. Want some?”

  Mercy glanced at Fay and pulled a face, “No… thanks. I’m good.”

  Barnes grunted, “Suit yourself, time to haul ass, follow me. Eyes and ears people—”

  They took a circuitous route, avoiding the main thoroughfares. An hour and a half later they were at the rear of the state house.

  Barnes looked at the roof, “We’ll use the fire escape to the first floor, inside there’s access to the roof and dome. My stash is on the first floor. The place was clear a few days ago so should be OK but keep sharp—”

  Mercy followed Fay and Barnes up the fire escape. They reached a partially open first floor window.

  Barnes looked through the glass, “Can’t see anything, window’s jammed, it won’t open any further but it’s enough to get through, just unsling your rifle. Dawes, you’re up first, you’ve got that biotech—”

  “Got it,” Mercy said.

  She clambered through the window, her mind focused on the room on the other side. Her webbing caught on the window frame, she had to wriggle to free herself.

  Shit, I’m vulnerable here—

  Mercy stepped into the room and pulled out her silenced SIG. A large conference table and chairs occupied the centre of the room. A faded carpet, damp and rotting in places, covered the floor. Fay clambered through the window followed by Barnes. Mercy listened at the door.

  Nothing—

  She opened the door and peered through a crack into the gloom beyond.

  All good—

  Mercy stepped into the corridor and made her way along the wall to a series of doors on the left. A sign caught her eye: ROOF ACCESS.

  Keep going. Every minute counts—

  She opened the door and peered into the murk; an old wooden staircase extended upwards. Fay appeared, carrying the drone. Mercy pressed on, climbing the stairs, on edge.

  Clear—

  They reached the roof door. Mercy hesitated. The stairs continued on, past the door, heading to the dome.

  Go higher, you’ll get a better view—

  Mercy moved up and emerged on a maintenance walkway circling the base of the dome. Shafts of grey light penetrated a series of grand windows. Birds jostled in the beams above. Broken glass covered the topmost steps. A breeze touched Mercy’s cheek.

  Broken windows, birds, damp. Some of the wood looks rotten… the whole structure’s made of wood. A fire could easily take this place down—

  Movement behind.

  Barnes edged forwards indicating a window on the other side of the dome, “That one, north east, best view, we can release the drone from there—”

  They made their way to the window using the walkway. A cool breeze blew through the shattered window, bird droppings and feathers littered the floor. Barnes helped Fay to remove the drone from the box. He assembled it with his multi-tool and inserted the batteries. He switched the power on and let out a satisfied grunt as the operational LED lights glowed.

  “We’ve got three quarters power, that should be enough for a couple of sweeps of the base,” Barnes adjusted the controls.

  Mercy stepped forwards, “Fay, keep an eye
on our exit back there. There’s enough glass on those steps to act as a sound trap, that’s our way in and out—”

  “Leave it to me,” Fay took an AR-15 and returned to the stairs.

  “Let’s do this,” Mercy lifted the drone up and held it out the window. “All good?”

  Barnes adjusted the controller, switching on the video feed. “Yeah, I’ll start her up.”

  The drone’s rotors sprang to life sending vibrations into Mercy’s arms. The machine pulled at her hand, lifting itself up.

  “OK, let her go,” Barnes ordered.

  Mercy released the drone and watched as it flew away from the window. She joined Barnes and looked over his shoulder at the video feed. The drone gained height and its bird’s eye view came up on the display.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about, impressive—” Mercy blurted out.

  Barnes remained quiet, concentrating, “I’ll try the main campus building first, it’s got an enclosed courtyard… see—? It’s totally overgrown; trees, ivy, weeds and shit.”

  Mercy shifted her feet, “Yeah, look for any trampled ground, any sign of entry or exit, any recent activity—”

  The drone sent back images of trees, and rows of windows. The walls were pockmarked with old bullet holes. Fire damage was evident in some of the building.

  “Bring it down, lower. Can you get close to the windows? We might be able to see inside?” Mercy’s voice was tight, strained.

  Come on, come on give us something, anything—

  “Gonna have to bring her back, the battery’s running low,” Barnes said.

  Mercy felt her shoulder muscles tightening. “Bring it back a different way, what about that long building on the west of the campus?”

  Barnes directed the drone over the elongated building.

  “There, there… what’s that?” Mercy said, pointing at the display.

  “It looks like a trail,” Barnes said, after a few seconds.

  “I knew it,” Mercy said, excitement in her voice. “Go lower—”

  “I could, but it’ll burn the batteries and we could lose the drone. I’ll bring it back for fresh batteries.”