“Guess it’s time to throw me to the Infected?”
The Major stands in front of him, crossing his arms. “No, actually, they’ll have to wait . . . that actually worked and they’ve let us in. So we’re moving out on foot, since the vehicles are still disabled.” He hands him a crutch with a wider than usual makeshift base and then pulls on a backpack and slings into his rifle before starting to walk toward the gate.
One of the soldiers pushes Simon to get moving and he painfully complies. He puts a little weight on the crutch and it sinks even on the packed snow. Both soldiers laugh and give him another nudge with their rifle barrels.
Simon sharply turns around and faces the soldiers. “Push me again and I’ll shove this crutch up your ass much further than that, I can promise you.”
Both soldiers stop laughing and one says, “Just keep moving, old timer.”
“Oh—nice . . . real original, dumbfucks . . . good one . . . no, really . . . pure genius.” He shakes his head and smirks before turning and walking.
Simon notices that about half of the soldiers appear to be staying to fight off the Infected, and the other half is going inside. But, by the looks of it, they’ll all soon be falling back into the gates, and he’s not quite sure why the Major isn’t having them do that right now.
Once inside the gates, the troops spread out to set up a perimeter. They then move to the Havocs and quickly clear them and regroup. They soon pick up the trail left in the snow leading up the hill, and so they follow it. They move through the snow three soldiers across instead of single file, which slows them down.
Simon tries to walk as slowly as possible, hoping it may slow the pace and give his son and whoever he’s with a little more time to prepare for them. He repeatedly and purposefully falls in the snow and pretends he has a really hard time getting up. After a while, the soldiers just start picking him up themselves, spoiling part of his plan.
After what seems like a couple hours, they eventually arrive at a house, which a small squad quickly clears and then comes back to report to the Major.
Simon hobbles past everyone and sits down on the steps.
The Major quits talking to whoever he’s talking to and turns toward Simon. “Ah . . . what the hell do you think you’re doing?”
Simon props his leg up on the stoop and tries to massage his leg. “What the hell does it look like I’m doing, Major? Something you and your entire squad can use . . . when’s the last time your men slept? Two, three days? Come on, Major. You know if you spread your men out too thin they won’t be as an effective killing machine. So why don’t you take a load off and let your men rest? The people you’re following aren’t going anywhere, so what’s the rush?”
The Major moves closer to Simon. “Every minute we waste gives them another minute to get in the Ark, making it harder to get them out. So, yes, there is a—”
“—if they’re gonna get in there, they’re already in there . . . why the hell would they be wasting time around here? Fact is, they wouldn’t, and so most likely they’re already in there. So again, what’s the rush?” Simon stares at the Major and he thinks he may have convinced him. His face shows an indecisive man contemplating a warm bed and possibly a hot meal.
The Major stands there for a minute not saying a word, just looking around, and then his eyes dart straight back to the front door.
“It’s already dark, Major; one night isn’t going to hurt. Do it for your men, and, of course, yourself.” Simon knows he’s got him now . . . he’s slowly breaking down with every second that passes.
“Alright, just for the night.” The Major turns to address his men. “I want a team to secure the house, another one to take up positions in and around the house, and another to do recon. Move out.”
Three groups quickly split up and move in multiple directions, obviously eager to get their assignments done so they can get a little R and R.
The Major walks over to Simon and helps him up, and they walk inside. They make their way into the living room and the first thing the Major does is go over to the fireplace and check it for heat. He concludes that they were here recently and that they probably aren’t far away.
Chapter 12
John awakes in the early morning to the smell of coffee brewing and maybe even something that resembles cooking. He almost goes to reach for Kate, but stops himself as soon as he remembers that she’s not there. He sits up in bed and takes a second to process the blinking clock on his alarm clock . . . did we get power back?
He gets out of bed and goes over to the window to the dawning sun basking the surroundings in a beautiful pink glow, something he hasn’t seen in a while. After staring at it for bit, it hits him that the intercom system could be up and running. So he goes over to the tablet on the wall and attempts to contact the Ark, but without any success. He leaves the bedroom and walks downstairs to investigate what that smell is. He follows it to the kitchen, where he sees Maggie and Jen in front of the stove cooking something.
He walks further into the kitchen and stands next to the island. “Well, good morning, ladies . . . looks like we got power back.” He smiles.
They both instantaneously turn around with smiles on their faces. Maggie sets down the spatula and walks over and hugs her uncle. “Good morning.” She squeezes harder around his waist and he grimaces. “Oh! Your back . . . I forgot all about it . . . I’m so sorry.” She pulls back and looks at him.
John smiles at his niece and then twists his torso to stretch. “No worries, it’s just still a little tender. You didn’t hurt me. So what you girls cookin’? Smells good.”
Maggie walks back over to join Jen at the stove. “Well . . . it’s just pretty much a hodgepodge of various freeze dried and canned foods . . . so it should be interesting, to say the least. Are you hungry?”
“Now, sweetie, you know I’m always hungry.” He smiles and then walks over to the coffee machine and sees a fresh pot of coffee. “You girls are amazing. Not only does the food smell great, but the coffee smells incredible as well.” He grabs a mug and pours a cup, and then puts it up to his nose and takes a big whiff just as Kelly, Peter, Nate, and Mia and Steph enter the room. “Well, good morning everyone. Did you all sleep well?
Dusty runs into the kitchen wagging his tail and sniffing all around the stove. The girls wave him off and then Peter calls him over.
“Take a look in the pantry . . . I have two dogs myself and there’s most likely some dog food in there.” John points to one of the doors.
“Oh, sweet. Yeah, he looks pretty hungry.” Peter walks over to the pantry, opens the door, and walks in. He soon walks out holding a big bag of dog food and Dusty starts jumping up and down and smacking anyone around him with his tail. “Like I said, he’s pretty hungry.” Peter carries the bag over to some dog bowls, rips a hole in the top, and then pours some food in the bowl, which Dusty devours in a matter of seconds.
John reaches out his hand while he walks toward Peter. “Hand me the other bowl and I’ll fill it with water.”
Peter grabs the bowl but waves off John’s hand. “Don’t worry, I got it. And, by the way, thank you so much for the dog food . . . I’m sure you just made his day.” He looks back at Dusty standing over his bowl wagging his tail looking for more.
John looks at Dusty and laughs. “You make me miss my pups there, Dusty dog.”
Peter fills up the bowl with water and returns it to the raised dog bowl feeder, where Dusty proceeds to lap up the water. “By the way, I did a little recon this morning and found out that the military has commandeered the first house we were in. They have guards posted at various positions around the house, but that’s all I could see. The view was limited from the windows in the house, and we should probably venture outside if we want to try and get more intel.”
John leans against the island sipping his coffee, but doesn’t say a word. He walks back over to the coffee maker and pours a few cups, then hands them out to whoever wants one.
“I’ve
got men posted at almost every window, armed and ready to fight if they decide to come knocking.” Peter looks at him and waits for a response. “John, did you hear what I said?”
John exhales, then looks away, and then back to the group. “I usually don’t like to get the old brain moving until I’ve had my first cup of coffee . . . but since we’re in dire straits I’ll make an exception. But first, let’s all sit down and have a nice quiet breakfast. Then, Peter, you and I will head back to the Ark and try to get in. Since they’ve most likely got power back as well, there’s a good chance we can get in.”
He looks at everyone in the room slowly starting to move closer to the center island, looking like they want to pitch in or help out in any way. He delegates a few easy duties like setting the table, but he doesn’t want anyone doing anything that could cause any stress. He knows they are in for what could be a very stressful few days, and he just wants one nice meal before all hell breaks loose.
During breakfast, John’s mind starts to race at the thought that they could be moving in and surrounding the house or that they’ve possibly already found the tunnel. He slams his cup down on the table, almost breaking it, and then stands straight up and looks at Peter. Everyone in the room looks at him, obviously confused.
“Ah . . . Peter. Can I see you in the other room, please?” He walks out of the room with Peter right behind him.
John walks down the hallway and then stops and turns to face him. “We need to secure the tunnel leading to the Ark before the military finds the evac point.”
Peter nods his head.
“Grab a few men and head for the tunnels. We need to be prepared if they decide to attempt a breach using them. I’ll take a team to the Ark and try to get in. Go round up your men and meet me in the kitchen.”
Peter acknowledges and then runs off.
John walks back into the kitchen and everyone is staring at him.
“Ahh . . . is everything alright, Uncle John? You seem kinda frazzled.” Maggie waits a second before taking a bite.
Moments later, Peter walks into the room followed by three men carrying rifles.
“No, everything’s not alright. And, as much as I hate to break up the party, we need to get back to business and secure our perimeter. Maggie, Jen, I want you two to distribute food for everyone in the house and let them know they need to be on high alert and ready at their posts. Peter will head into the tunnels and secure our passage to the Ark. Nate and Kelly, you’re coming with me to the Ark.”
“Tunnels? What tunnels?” Kelly asks.
“There’s no time to explain, and you’ll see them soon enough. Now, everyone, finish your food fast and let’s move out.” John looks at everyone with shocked faces that look a little nervous at the same time.
Peter and his crew exit the room through the basement door and are soon out of sight. John takes one last look at everyone and then walks out of the kitchen, eventually followed by Kelly and Nate. They walk down the hall and grab a few rifles, along with some other gear. He gives them both a nod and they walk back into the kitchen and then walks downstairs into the basement.
Once at the escape hatch, he goes over a few things with them before dropping into the hole, followed by Kelly and Nate. They jog for a while and soon come upon Peter and his crew at the intersection.
John announces their presence, but he’s pretty sure Peter already knew they were close. “Any sign of military yet?”
“Not yet. It’s been quiet so far. We’re at the right spot, right? Isn’t the other house we were at down this corridor?” Peter points down a tunnel.
John looks around for something that would tell them for sure. but he doesn’t find anything. “I’m not a hundred percent sure, but I think so.”
“Okay, good. I thought so as well. So then get going and we’ll keep this locked down in case they come.” Peter turns away from John and gets to one knee, pointing his rifle down the tunnel.
John doesn’t waste another second before taking off again for the Ark. They jog for a while and eventually arrive at the unloading zone. He slows to a walk and makes his way to the emergency phone.
He picks up the handset and waits for an answer. “Hello, who’s this? Get me Adam.”
After a few minutes, Adam answers. “John, it’s Adam. How’re you guys holding up?”
“We’re fine, Adam, but we need to get in there like right now . . . we’ve got the military hot on our trail and they could very soon be using the tunnels to get to us.”
“Well, John, that’s why I didn’t want to let them in the gates. But you insisted, so now here we are.”
“Yeah, that’s great. I see you got power back to some of the houses, but how about power for the blast doors?”
“You’re welcome for the power back, by the way . . . and yes, we do have power back to the blast doors, but unfortunately I have to follow protocol, which dictates I must send a team out to determine if any of you are a threat to the Ark’s inhabitants. I’ll be sending a Hazmat crew out soon and—”
“—the fuck are you talkin’ ’bout . . . we need to get everyone in there ASAP; there’s no time for a Hazmat crew to look us over!”
“I’m sorry John, but we just can’t take any risks by letting you all in here without being examined and everyone’s blood tested. Now, I’m sorry, John, but it’s protocol.”
“Fuck protocol and let me in my goddamned house, Adam!”
“I’m sorry, John, but I have to take into consideration the health and wellbeing of everyone inside the Ark before letting potential carriers in.”
“I’m not messing around here, Adam! Now let us in or there’s going to be hell to pay!”
“This isn’t just your home anymore, and things have changed, John. I have to look out for the many and not just the few. Now, my men are getting ready as we speak and will be on their way momentarily. But I need you and whoever you’re with to head back to your house and they’ll be there soon for examinations. But if they see anyone around the blast doors once they exit, they’ve been instructed to use lethal force if necessary or if they think anyone’s trying to get in. Please don’t make my men go down that path. Just get your people back to your house, and once we make sure everyone’s safe, we’ll let you guys in. But that’s after blood and saliva tests come back negative. Do I make myself clear?”
John grips the phone so hard he can feel his hand going numb. He clenches his jaw and wants to slam the handset down so much, but he’s afraid it’ll break off this time. “Get your fucking team over to the house like right now, Adam.”
“Just get your team back to your house and they’ll be along soon.”
“Not soon, Adam . . . now, dammit . . . right fucking now! We’ll fall back as soon as I hang up, so don’t waste any time getting out the door. Are we clear?”
“Just as soon as they’re ready to move out, they’ll be on their way.”
“Copy. And Adam, things are going to change once I’m back in there. You will be relieved of your command.”
“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way, John. I’m just looking out for the safety of all the Ark’s inhabitants and not just for you, John.”
John hangs up the phone and calms down before letting Kelly and Nate know what’s going on and then taking off back to the house. They run through the tunnel and soon get back to where Peter and his team have set up shop. They’ve found some sandbags and have made a few small barriers big enough for a man to get behind. He explains the situation to them and lets them know they’ll soon be seeing a team in Hazmat uniforms coming from the Ark.
After giving them the rundown, John decides to send Kelly and Nate ahead to tell the others, and he’ll stay behind in case there are any problems with the Hazmat team since they’re not at the house.
Chapter 13
Kate storms into security and frantically looks around for Adam. A few people slowly turn around, only to instantly turn back once they realize who it is, and Kate knows something’s up.
Before anyone has a chance to answer, Adam enters the room and walks over to Kate. “Hello, Kate. What brings you down to security?”
“Is it true? Are John and the others stranded outside and you’re not letting them in?” Kate stares at him as his posture deflates while he lowers his head.
He shakes his head and then looks up at her. “Let’s continue this in my office.” He starts to walk in that direction when Kate stops him.
“Right here’s fine. I don’t need to go anywhere with you, Adam. Just answer my question. Are they stranded outside?”
Adam exhales loudly and puts his hands on his hips as he glances over at his staff, and then walks over to Kate and says in a low voice, “Listen Kate, I’m sorry for hitting on you. I had a little too much champagne and made a bad decision. It’s not going to happen again, I—”
“It better not, Adam. I’m a married woman who wants her husband back, and I’m starting to wonder if you’re not letting my husband into his home because you have ulterior motives because you keep avoiding the question of why my husband is outside with the United States army shooting at them!” Her voice rises and she gets right in his face. “Now answer the fucking question, Adam. Where the fuck is my husband and niece?”
Adam pulls her aside and looks like he’s getting agitated by the sound of her voice. “Settle down, Kate! I don’t need a guilt trip! Now, I have hundreds of people to protect and not just a few that are currently safe at your house. So just calm the fuck down and try not to make a scene!”
“Don’t tell me to calm down, you pompous ass!” She starts to get louder and more irritated when he grabs her arm and tries to pull her toward him, so she shrugs her arm away. “Don’t fucking touch me, scumbag!”
The Ark Series (Book 3): The Ark of Alliance Page 7
