The Ark Series (Book 3): The Ark of Alliance

by Kotrous, Scott

  Peter stands like a boxer waiting for his opponent, only with knifes as his gloves. He spins and maneuvers almost with the grace of a ballet dancer, weaving in and out of oncoming Incipients while he slices and stabs his way to their deaths as, one by one, they fall at his feet.

  He can hear people yelling at him, but he can’t make out what they’re saying as he continues to put down every creature that comes at him.

  The gunfire picks up right as he puts down the last beast he sees. The voices soon become coherent, and he can tell it’s Maggie yelling at him to get back, but he doesn’t listen.

  A blast near the opening sends him flying backward and slams him to the ground. His hearing quickly turns to a high-pitched ring inside his ear which sends him into an even higher level of rage. It makes his heart feel like it’s going to pound out of his chest as his anger spikes.

  He lets out a scream like a wild animal when someone grabs his shoulder and attempts to turn him around. He cocks his fist as he twists his torso and gets ready to clock whatever’s behind him when he sees Maggie standing there, looking terrified.

  “Stop, Peter! Just stop! It’s me, Maggie!”

  He stops his fist just in time as she braces for impact by flinching. He lowers his arm and starts to slow his breathing when she places her hand on his arm and helps him lower it to his side.

  He eventually gets control of his breathing, along with his rage. He lowers his head and she places a finger under his chin and attempts to lift it, with much hesitation from Peter.

  “Where are ya, Pete . . . come back to me.” She only manages to get his head lifted slightly.

  “I’m sorry . . . sometimes it gets so hard to control.” He turns his head away from her finger, but then glances at her right as her face turns to terror. He spins around and drops to his knees while pulling out his pistol from his vest and plugging the oncoming Infected with the remainder of the clip, just as others move in.

  Peter instantly regrets hitting the first one with a straight kick to the abdomen, which allows multiple other Incipients to gang tackle both Peter and Maggie.

  Peter takes care of one, and then quickly directs his attention toward the one on top of Maggie. He rips the creature away from her and throws it almost ten feet; he then kicks a rifle up from the ground using his foot and fires off a round.

  He drops to one knee, aims down his sight, and fires his weapon with inhuman-like precision, taking everything in his sight down with a single headshot.

  Pull after trigger pull, and it’s the same result every time . . . nothing but headshots, annihilating the beasts.

  The group behind him is finally able to move up and secure the gap in the wall, and the gunfire eventually starts to slow, so they all have a chance to move up.

  Peter takes one last look at his dad before lowering his head while Maggie slowly walks up and puts her arms around him while crying.

  “Thank you, Peter. You saved my life again . . . thank you.” She squeezes a little harder and he feels his body relax. She lifts his head and attempts to look him in the eyes. “Your dad is in a better place now, Peter . . . he’s with your mom now.”

  Peter’s eyes instantly shoot to hers and then he slowly starts to bob his head. “Sure, Maggie . . . if you say so.” They embrace again before Dave interrupts them.

  “Let’s get this fuckin’ door closed, shall we?” Dave pulls the slide on his rifle and spits out some blood before putting his fist up. “Hoorah.”

  Peter looks at Maggie and then at his fist before bumping it, followed by Maggie doing the same.

  They gather up as much ammo and weapons as possible before following the group that’s gone ahead. They run up the ramp, follow the trail of bodies up and around the ramp, and eventually catch up to them engaged in an intense battle at the mouth of the blast doors leading outside.

  Peter looks through a monocular and can see that another wave of Infected is slowly moving into the area. He adjusts the scope and moves it to find the blast door emergency button that’s about a football length away. He then pans over to what appear to be some sort of glass-looking bubble-type things on either side of the opening that encapsulate multiple soldiers who appear to be shooting out of gun ports. He also notices that the group that ran ahead is up against the far wall and also fighting the beasts.

  He lowers the scope, pulls out his handgun, and fires it twice, taking down an attacking Incipient while the rest of the group takes care of the others, before he looks at Maggie and then at Dave and points. “Button’s next to the far bubble-looking thing that’s surrounded by those things.”

  Some look in that direction, while others continue to take down any oncoming Infected.

  Dave checks his mag and then looks up at Peter. “Let’s just fuckin’ go for it.”

  Peter nods his head. “On you, Marine.”

  Dave nods back and then takes off toward the wall with everyone close behind. They take out any stragglers not part of the mob that’s now really starting to surround the two bubble defense pods, as more and more of them pour into the area.

  They follow the outer wall of the massive loading dock until they get to the corner and up against the wall, with the button on the far end.

  As soon as they stop, Dave steps in front of Peter and Maggie. “I got this . . . ya hear . . . I got this.” He looks right at Peter and stares at him straight in the eyes.

  Peter knows there’s nothing he can say to talk him out of it, and he quickly looks away for a second before looking back up at him. “We’ll cover you . . . good luck.” Peter shakes Dave’s hand and then nods his head. “We got your back . . . just be stealthy about it, and you may just accomplish your mission without attracting a lot of attention.”

  Dave looks behind him and then back at Peter. He gives him a quick nod before taking off toward the button.

  Peter, Maggie, and the rest of the group set up shop behind a couple of pallets and watch Dave move along the wall as quietly as possible. He gets about halfway to the button when he freezes for a moment and then starts moving again at a much faster pace. He continues at that pace until he gets about twenty yards, and that’s when he takes off in a full-on sprint.

  Peter looks through his scope and can see multiple Infected moving toward Dave. “Fuck! They’ve seen him. We gotta help!” He doesn’t wait for a response from anyone before leaning over the pallet and firing his rifle downrange.

  Everyone else in the group spreads out and join the fight. They’re able to take out most of them, but others continue toward him.

  Dave reaches the button right as an Incipient side tackles him into the wall. He drops his rifle and then elbows the creature on his back multiple times before it drops to the ground. He’s able to pull his handgun from his vest and put down the next two coming at him before plugging the one on the ground.

  He gets hit by more, each sinking their teeth into his flesh, dragging him to his knees. He’s able to knock one off, then drags two latched on over to the button. Another one jumps on his back as he hits the Plexiglas cover and breaks it, but can’t press the button.

  The beast bites in again, but this time hitting bone, which almost cripples him. More hit the pile that slams him against the wall; expelling the air in his lungs as they latch onto his body; dragging him down.

  His hand slowly reaches out of the pile and somehow presses the button, then completing gets smothered.

  “No—!” Peter yells out before leaving the pallet and running toward the pile. He fires his weapon along the way, which doesn’t connect with anything. He slows his pace once he realizes Dave isn’t getting up. He stops and then doubles over, trying desperately to keep it together.

  He stands up and then fires his weapon toward the pile, which only aggravates his attackers, who in turn take off after him. He continues to pull the trigger until everyone in that pile is on the ground, which only attracts more attention from the Infected swarming the dock.

  And as the blast doors close, ever
y living soul in that hanger still holding a weapon intensifies their attack on the ones within the blast doors.

  The non-stop gunfire only picks up after the doors close, leaving behind whatever’s left standing.

  Chapter 36

  John paces back and forth as he and Ena wait for the president just outside the US-appointed base of operations within the complex. He’s not sure what’s taking so long, but his patience is wearing thin; he needs to get back to his family . . . and soon.

  “What the hell is taking so long? We need to get back.” John stands there holding his hands out while facing the Secret Service men standing by the door, before turning back to face Ena. “And by the way, any word from the Ark . . . like from your people?”

  Ena leans forward while motioning for him to get closer. “Last I heard from Nye was that she and Tye were staying behind for further blood and saliva analysis, while Maggie and Peter left to help the others. And I’m uncertain as for the reasons behind the president’s delay . . . but I know what you know.”

  “I know, I know . . . rhetorical question. But seriously . . .” He looks directly at one of the agents. “What the f—”

  One of the agents confirms something into his comms and then looks at John. “Madam President will see you now.” The agents open both doors simultaneously.

  John looks at Ena, then at the agents, and walks in their direction. “Well, alrighty then.”

  They walk past the agents and enter the meeting room just as several obvious government-looking officials appear to be leaving except for the president and a few others.

  The president finishes discussing something with someone before turning in her chair to face them. “Ena, John, welcome. Please come, sit; I’ve heard so much about both of you, welcome.”

  Both John and Ena shake the president’s hand.

  She looks at her advisors and then at John and Ena. They don’t waste any time and get right down to business discussing why they haven’t moved out yet.

  John looks at Ena and then at the president. “We’ve already established Peter doesn’t carry a cure, so then why haven’t you evacuated the premises?”

  “Because my people have to analyze the data and samples as well. We need to make that determination for ourselves.”

  “Rest assured, my people are working around the clock as we speak just to make certain . . . so there’s no need for your help, Madam President.” Ena slightly smiles.

  The president exhales and then stands up and walks around the table and sits on it near them. “And who exactly are your people, Ena? Because they’re certainly not from this planet . . . so why should I trust you?”

  John turns toward Ena, looking confused. “Wait, what . . . not from this planet?”

  Ena looks at John. “I’ll tell you later.”

  “Oh, you mean you didn’t tell him yet, Ena?” The president looks at John. “So I take it you don’t know?”

  John looks at Ena while shaking his head. “Know what?”

  Ena exhales and then looks away.

  The president glances at Ena and then back to John. “Neither she nor anyone she’s with is from this planet . . . they are from some planet called . . .” She looks at Ena. “What’s the name of your planet again?”

  Ena hesitates while the president proceeds to sound out a word she’s trying to remember. “It’s called Enock . . . and yes, I am from there.” She slowly turns toward John, who’s looking absolutely dumbfounded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, John, but it was on a need-to-know basis. I’m sorry.” She turns toward the president with pursed lips.

  John stares at her for a minute while trying to comprehend things.

  The president stands up while laughing and walks back to the other side of the table. “Judging by the look on mister Angelite’s face, I’d say this meeting is adjourned. Oh, and Ena, I want those test samples in my people’s hands ASAP; no more excuses. The sooner we have them; the sooner we can be out of there.” She looks at Ena and John before sitting down next to the man in black. “We’ll talk soon.” She turns and starts talking to her associate.

  Ena looks at John, who is in a state of obvious shock. She helps him up and they leave the room without saying a word. She leads them into the hallway, where John takes a few steps before abruptly stopping.

  He raises his hands above his head in a thrusting motion while shaking his head and looking around the room like a crazy person. “What the . . . what the fuck did I just hear . . . who the fuck—” He points at her before she interrupts.

  “I’m sorry, John. I wanted to tell you but I was under orders not to. I wanted to, but I just couldn’t.” She lowers her head and then slowly starts walking.

  John raises, and then lowers, his hands in a very peculiar manner. “Well, then, you need to explain right now.” He shows his palms with outstretched arms.

  She turns around to face him and then looks behind her. “We need to get back.”

  He waits for a second before responding. “You’re right. Then talk and walk.”

  She turns and walks forward while swiping the side of her glasses, and John can hear her near his ear. “Fine, I’ll explain using comms . . . and I’m just going to start from the beginning.”

  John follows Ena through the corridors while she explains. “There are actually two other life-sustaining planets within our galaxy that use highly advanced technology to mask them from your planet.”

  John stops in his tracks. “Say what!” He stands there for a second. “What the fuck are you talkin’ about?”

  She stops and turns around, looking annoyed. “Will you please let me explain?” She stands with arms crossed.

  John raises his hand up waist high. “Go ahead . . . I think I’m just in shock, that’s all.”

  She turns to walk before continuing. “Along with Earth, there is the planet I’m from called Enock, as well as a third planet called Opock . . . and it is what’s known as the Forgotten Planet.”

  John stops again. “The hell is the Forgotten Planet?”

  Ena sharply turns around. “John! Your family . . . let’s go!” She waves her hand sideways.

  John shakes his head and then gets moving. “Fuck! You’re right.” He starts to walk. “Let’s move.”

  Ena turns and walks faster. “If you don’t ask any questions, I can explain it much faster and then you can ask questions at the end.”

  John acknowledges before she continues.

  “Only a pure soul can ascend to, and inhabit, Planet Enock. Thus, sin and wrongdoing cannot, and do not, exist. And the reason why Opock is referred to as the Forgotten Planet is because nothing exists there except the lost souls from your planet that have been soul spec’d once their souls have departed their bodies.”

  He replies while continuing to walk quickly. “What’re you talkin’ about . . . soul spec’d? What’s that?”

  She exhales loudly. “Remember how I showed you how a person’s soul looked through your goggles?”

  John acknowledges while they load up in the aircraft. Once situated, Ena places her hand on the armrest and the aircraft lights up and she continues. “So, each planet was given the same twelve rules, or commandments, as you’d call them, but—”

  “Wait, what! Twelve commandments?!”

  “I was just about to acknowledge the Earth’s list of only Ten Commandments, but there are actually many more rules that our planets are supposed to abide by. But anyway—”

  “Oh, right. The one Jesus made, Love thyself, or something, right? But then what’s the twelfth?” John looks at her.

  “If you’d just let me finish speaking, I’d tell you that technically Jesus’s commandment would be considered the twelfth commandment because it was made after the eleventh commandment, which is Thou shall not molest or rape . . . which is kind of a given, if you ask me, but for some reason you humans just need to keep being reminded . . . Nevertheless, it’s sickening behavior and must stop immediately.”

  John sh
akes his head “Seems like a given to me too, but I’ll be quiet.” He makes a zipper motion over his mouth, making Ena smile while the plane hovers for a moment before moving.

  “Anyway, so when you break one or more of these rules slash commandments . . . well, it actually changes the color of your life energy darker and darker with every infraction. And if that person does not reverse some of that dark energy with light—”

  “Reverse some energy . . . what—oh crap, sorry! I’ll be quiet.”

  “You’re fine. Take for instance if someone kills. They, in turn, have to physically save three times— and sometimes even ten, to upwards of hundreds of lives, if it’s a child, or an innocent or pure soul— that many lives just to get back to neutral. But here, it’s better I show you.” She holds her tablet up and swipes it a few times, soon displaying an image of what appears to be some kind of digital scan of the body. She explains that this was taken from a special overhead camera mounted to a soldier’s helmet that works the same way as the goggles and can monitor a person’s life force as they perform on the battlefield.

  “This was taken from a new recruit with no prior infractions. He, as you can see, is a pure soul.” She points to the glow of light emanating from his body.

  The video rolls with the soldier running and then getting to one knee. He fires his weapon a few times and then again in bursts, followed by throwing a hand grenade. Shortly after he stops firing, the bright light slowly starts becoming dim. It doesn’t take long for it to begin changing to a cranberry shade of color.

  “Okay, now watch this one.” She swipes the tablet again and another video plays. “Same soldier, a few days later. His unit comes upon a village that’s just been bombed and with numerous injured, which the soldier helps . . . just watch.”

  The soldier can be seen moving around a room working on the injured. She speeds the video up to a time-lapse view of the dozens of injured he saves, and soon the color of his life energy slowly starts to get lighter until it’s almost the color of smoke.