The Dying of the Light (Book 1): End

by Jason Kristopher

  “Justin, like I said, this is a very nasty bug.”

  He looked at her, searching for the lie, and when he didn’t find it, settled.

  “You’ll need to let the office there burn itself out. Since it’s free-standing, and there’s plenty of space around it, you should be fine. Bring in your fire team to keep it from spreading, but make sure they let it burn all the way. There’s no sense taking a chance at infection.”

  He sighed again. “Okay. I guess y’all know what’s going on better than I do.”

  Barnes nodded and shook his hand. “You’re a good man, Sheriff Brentwood.”

  Justin shook his head as they walked back to the others. “No, ma’am. But I’m gonna try.”

  “Sometimes, Justin, that’s all we can do.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Fort Carson, Colorado

  “Is this line secure, Mr. Gardner?”

  “I assure you, sir, this line is as secure as they come.”

  “Good, very good. Then I can assume from your call that you have acquired more of the items we discussed?”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Hwong. Quite a few, actually.”

  “I see. And are these items of the first or second type, Mr. Gardner?”

  “The first type, sir. Unfortunately, it has proven… difficult to obtain the second type recently.”

  “You are aware that we seek those most of all, are you not?”

  “Of course, sir. Of course. I am most appreciative of your patience in the matter, sir. I expect that we shall be able to collect more… items… for you soon, with the situation being what it is.”

  “As you should be. It seems we could conduct our own operations nearby, what with current events. Therefore, we have decided to offer you somewhat less for future purchases, Mr. Gardner. I’m sure you can understand. It’s simple supply and demand, after all.”

  Gardner maintained the even tone in his voice and put on a show for his buyer. Like I give a damn about the money.

  “That is unfortunate news, sir, but it will not deter me from providing you with top-quality items.”

  “Very well, Mr. Gardner. We shall expect the next shipment soon.”

  “Already on its way, sir.”

  “Good. You will receive payment per our agreement. Good day, Mr. Gardner.”

  “And you, sir.”

  “Sir! I have something for you, sir,” said Sam Lansford as he entered Colonel Maxwell’s office. He noted the presence of Commander Anderson and snapped to a salute, realizing his mistake. Maxwell glanced at Anderson, who was trying to hide a smile with his back turned to the young private, and returned the salute.

  “Yes, private, I’m sure you do. Walk with us, will you?”

  For the first time, Lansford noticed that Maxwell and Anderson were dressed in sweats and hoodies, obviously preparing for a morning run. He sighed, preparing to run with them as all three walked outside, Maxwell waving to Nancy on the way out. She simply nodded and continued her phone call — supply requisitions, from the sound of it.

  As they reached the path outside the office, the two officers broke into a slow jog, forcing Lansford to keep up with them.

  “Well, Sam, what have you got for me?” asked Maxwell. When the private glanced at Anderson, he continued. “Don’t worry, Sam. He’s cleared.”

  “Yes, sir,” said the private, already beginning to feel the strain of unfamiliar exercise creeping in. That’s what a desk job buys you, I guess, he thought. “It appears that Gardner is now involved with North Korea, sir.” He held out the small tape player for Maxwell, who took it and pressed “play.”

  As the conversation continued, Maxwell’s face got darker, and Anderson’s… well, the private had thought the commander’s face was chiseled in stone before, but now it actually scared him a bit.

  “Very well, private. You’re dismissed.”

  Lansford gave a running salute and stopped, breathing hard, staring in wonder at the two older men who hadn’t even broken a sweat. I need more exercise, he thought, heading back to his office.

  “Well, Frank, what do you think?” said Maxwell.

  “I think the fecal matter is about to impact the rotary air impeller, sir.”

  “I think you’re right, and for once it’s not going to be us standing under it, getting covered. Have you talked to the others?”

  “Most of them. I’m still waiting on two or three, but I expect them to confirm in the next day or so.”

  “Good. Hopefully we’ll be ready to go by the end of the week.” He sighed, shaking his head as they made the turn by the mess hall. “Did you ever think it would come to this, Frank?”

  “I didn’t want to sir, but, yes, I thought it might.”

  “You knew Gardner was dirty?”

  “Not him specifically, sir, but if it wasn’t him it would’ve been someone else. It’s human nature, sir.”

  Maxwell glanced at his executive officer. “Sometimes, Frank, you really depress the shit out of me, you know that?”

  “Yes, sir. It’s my job, sir.”

  “This is Tabitha Greene, and here’s your HealthWatch update. Tonight, our top story is from southeast Asia, where a massive outbreak of the new flu virus is being reported in southern Cambodia.” She turned just slightly to face another camera, and a helpful map of Cambodia appeared on-screen. “Seventy miles south of Phnom Penh, the small community of Phumi Rôménh has been decimated by what some are calling the next biblical plague. Of the approximately six hundred residents of the area, nearly all have been confirmed to have this new strain of flu. The Royal Cambodian Army has been mobilized to cordon off and quarantine the area, and no one is being allowed in or out. Food, water and medical supplies are being air-dropped.” Another turn, and a general map of Southeast Asia appeared over Tabitha’s shoulder.

  “Reports continue to come in from other countries as the flu outbreak spreads. The current global death toll is well into the hundreds, with nearly half of those in the US. The CDC has asked that we remind all citizens who think that they or someone they know may have contracted this illness to report it immediately to the 800-number on your screen. Remember, this is a highly contagious illness, so isolation is imperative.

  “I’m Tabitha Greene, and this is HealthWatch.”

  Northwest Washington State

  “Do you think this looks anything like what Captain Trace saw way back when?” asked Gaines as he and the rest of Alpha squad trudged through the snow.

  “I doubt it, Gunny,” said Reynolds. “I keep feeling like the next time I turn around I’ll see the Space Needle.”

  “It’s too cold up here, man. People weren’t meant to live in conditions like this,” said Martinez. “What the fuck is wrong with gringos?”

  “If you ladies will stop jawing for half a damn minute, I need to report in,” said Eaton, and ignored the resulting snickers. “Alpha Six, Alpha Three.”

  “Alpha Six, go ahead.”

  “No contacts, ma’am, and, respectfully, we’re freezing our balls off out here.”

  “At least we know who has ‘em now,” Reynolds stage-whispered to Martinez, who chuckled. This, of course, earned them both glares from the corporal and Gaines.

  “Acknowledged. You are clear to RTB.”

  “Roger, Alpha Six, we are RTB.”

  “Yes! Last one to the hummer buys the beer.” Reynolds shot off like a cannon. Even Eaton laughed as she raced ahead of Martinez and Gaines, who was packing the 50-pound sniper rifle.

  They pounded through the snow toward the parked Humvee, and, as expected, Gaines was last. Throwing their gear in the back, they piled in and roared off, slipping and sliding down a steep embankment. Minutes later, they arrived back at the temporary command post set up just outside the small mountain town of Jackson River, population 1,312 — and falling.

  “Sergeant Eaton reporting as ordered, sir,” said Rachel as she arrived in the command tent. Kimberly looked over at her and nodded.

  “Good. I need Alpha s
quad here, at the doctor’s,” said the tall team commander, pointing at a tactical map spread on the table. She looked over at 2nd team’s commander, Lawrence Greer. “Captain, it seems the highest concentration of walkers is around the mall, here. What do you think about having Charlie secure that location?”

  Captain Greer looked over the map and ran a hand over his shaven scalp. “Well, it’s a smallish structure, so it can’t hold too many of them. Do we have a free hand here?” he asked, looking up.

  Barnes nodded. “That’s what the colonel said. ‘Use any and all means.’ What are you thinking?”

  “To be honest, I don’t know that it’s worth our time to secure the inside of it, or that it would be safe with just the one squad. I say we secure a perimeter, then lase it and blow the whole damned thing.”

  Barnes thought for barely a minute. “Agreed, but let’s see if we can find out if there are any survivors in there first. Can we tap into the security systems? Where’s Ivanovich?”

  Jake Powell, commander of Bravo squad, stepped outside to shout and whistle sharply. Moments later, a slim young man trotted into the command tent and saluted Kimberly. “Yes, sir.”

  Barnes returned the salute. “Arkady, I need to know — can you break into the CCTV signal of the mall?”

  With a huge grin, the young man nodded. “Easy as pie, sir.”

  “Good. You’re temporarily detached to Captain Greer.”

  “Yes, sir,” he said, saluting again. “I’ll go get my gear, sir.”

  “What about the perimeter, major?” Greer asked, turning back to Kimberly.

  “Let’s keep Bravo on it for now. Contact once you’ve secured the mall, captain.”

  It was Greer’s turn to salute. “Yes, sir!” he said, then about-faced and left. Kim looked at her remaining squad leaders.

  “Jake, I know I don’t have to tell you this, but I’m going to anyway. I want you to watch Forrest, and watch out for her. Whatever she’s seen now, she’s not fully trained, so it’s touch and go at this point. Keep an eye out.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “You all know your assignments. Dismissed.”

  As her people dispersed, Kim walked out of the tent and looked out over the river valley where the town was located. It had been easy to quarantine the town, even with only two teams. Hell, there was only one road in. The hard part was the back-side of the town: it was all forest. Delta squad was not going to have a good patrol out there.

  Kim began to wonder about Captain Trace, as well, as she envisioned the hunting camps that had no doubt been in this area over a hundred years prior. This is where it all began, she thought. AEGIS was created here.

  Looking down at the town, she felt fortunate, in a small way. At least we’re not fighting them with muskets.

  “Major?” came a call from the tent.

  Kim took a deep breath and turned around. “Yes, specialist?”

  The comm specialist Maxwell had sent with her handed her a small note. “Flash traffic from command, ma’am.”

  Kim took the note and glanced at it, sighing as she read it. “Thank you, sergeant.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Kim read the note again, then destroyed it and toggled her microphone. “Bravo Six, Alpha Six.”

  “Bravo Six, go ahead.”

  “Flash traffic from command. There are confirmed cases in all fifty states now. Florida is reporting 10 cases, Jake.”

  Another pause. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “I’m sure your family is fine. Most of the cases are outside of Tallahassee.”

  “I hope so, ma’am. Ma’am, we’ve reached the mall.”

  “Very well. Continue your mission.”

  “Yes, ma’am. And… thank you, ma’am.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Fort Carson, Colorado

  “Success, major?” asked Colonel Maxwell.

  “Yes, sir. We didn’t lose anyone, not even to frostbite — although there were times we thought that might not be the case, sir.”

  Maxwell chuckled. “They can be a bitch, those winter patrols. I’m glad you got out of it okay, though.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “How’d the new girl do? Forrest?”

  “Yes, sir. She did very well, sir. We didn’t have any injuries on this go-round, so we didn’t get to see her treat anyone, but she was right there in the thick of it with the rest of Bravo Squad. She had a count of four with two assists, if I remember correctly, sir.”

  Maxwell’s eyebrows rose. “Fired on six of ‘em, did she? Well, it appears you chose well, major.”

  “Yes, sir. It appears so, sir.”

  Maxwell sighed and motioned for Kim to sit as he took his own chair. “Unfortunately for us all, things aren’t going so well everywhere else. We’re getting more and more calls and we’re spread too thin. We got word from higher today,” he said, sliding a memo across his desk. As she took and read it, she began nodding. “Fifth through Tenth teams are now officially activated as of 0800 hours today. They didn’t have the training opportunities the rest of you did, so we’ll have to watch them a little closer. Especially since we lost Chauncey.”

  Kim shuddered at her own memories of the ‘acclimatization training’ she’d undergone with the captive walker. “Have they been through everything else?”

  Maxwell shook his head. “Pretty much just the basics. Briefing on the history, facts about the walkers, the same background material the first four teams got. Beyond that, they’re on their own. There’s just no time to train them adequately before getting them out there. We’re too short-handed now.”

  “All we can do is try, sir,” Kim said, putting down the activation order just as the phone rang and, at the same time, there was a knock at the door.

  Maxwell picked up the phone first. “Just a sec, Nancy,” he said into the receiver. “Enter!” he called to the door. Commander Anderson entered and sat down at Maxwell’s indication.

  “Go ahead, Nancy,” Maxwell said to the phone. “Put him through, please.” Maxwell sat up straight in his chair, and Anderson and Barnes shared a glance.

  “Higher?” she whispered. Anderson nodded and smiled. “What? What is it?” Anderson shook his head, putting a finger across his lips and pointing at the phone in Maxwell’s hand.

  “Yes, sir. I see. And these notifications will start next week? Yes, sir. You too, sir.” Maxwell started to hang up, but the voice on the other end continued. “Sir? Yes, sir, he’s here. Yes, sir.” Maxwell punched the speakerphone button and placed the handset in its cradle, looking curiously at Anderson across the desk.

  As though at the bottom of a well, the voice from what Kim could only assume was the Pentagon echoed in the smallish office. “Commander Anderson, this is General Morrison. Are you ready?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Very well; you may give it to him now.” Anderson stood, saluted, and standing ramrod-straight, slid a small box across the desk to Maxwell. Barnes stood as well, standing at attention after a nod from Anderson. As he, too, stood, Maxwell opened the box. Kim could see the glint from two silver stars, and couldn’t help but smile.

  “Colonel George Maxwell,” continued Morrison, “For conduct consistently and continuously exemplifying everything that the United States Army stands for over the course of more than twenty years, and for your commitment to the safety and prosperity of this nation and her people, I hereby announce your promotion to the grade of Brigadier General.” Commander Anderson moved around the desk, taking the box from the general and pinning the stars to the lapels on Maxwell’s uniform. “Congratulations, George. I would have rather done it in person, but you understand.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” Maxwell managed to choke out a second later, his face pink.

  “Now take me off speaker.”

  “Yes, sir.” Maxwell picked up the phone. “Yes, sir. No sir. Will do, sir. Thank you, sir. You too, sir.” He hung up the phone and turned to Anderson, demanding, “How long have you
known, Frank?”

  Anderson was grinning ear-to-ear as he took his seat. “Oh, about a week, ever since I got your stars in the post. Nancy knew, since the paperwork came to her, of course. But Morrison wanted it to be a surprise, so he ordered me not to mention it, sir.”