Eximus

by Marcus Wearmouth

  She tried to remain indifferent and enjoy the view but a nagging guilt wriggled inside her. If only the ocean could wash over everything. Remake the world and solve all our problems.

  The horizon began vibrating and she closed her eyes.

  An audio voice began describing a visible entrance. Avery was floating in the sky. Below her a concrete road led to an abandoned building, the front elevation the only visible sign of a building actually being there. The roof was part of the landscape, covered with grass that swept down at either side of curved double doors. Beyond the entrance were trees and flat fields. A chain link fence bordered the site with an airfield close to the right boundary.

  The access road suddenly filled with debris, a representation of its appearance post lock down. A separate emergency exit was located within the wooded area, its covered hatch leading to a steel circular staircase.

  A section of land flipped open and a green SUV rose from the ground. Further away a Wraith gunship flew into the sky.

  “The site is protected by eight plasma canons.” The voice continued. “The stealth configured turrets of which rise from camouflaged recesses in the ground, covering overlapping arcs around the perimeter. Multiple surface to air missile systems, micro phased array surveillance and acquisition radar are all housed near the centre of the site. Heavy machine guns and grenade launchers are located in overlapping sited positions. The latest stealth technology is incorporated in the construction of all weapon platforms.”

  Avery recognised the shape of a sonic weapon. Its pod emerged from beneath a pile of dummy rubble, on high ground near the main access point to the bunker.

  “When deployed from their subterranean housings, the weapon pods are virtually invisible to optical and technical surveillance systems.”

  All at once, the weapons emerged from the ground. They fired in unison, demonstrating the full destructive power of the bunker defense systems.

  The virtual tour continued inside the bunker. Avery travelled along a white colored passageway and through large circular steel blast doors. The main bunker entrance was located in a circular room with two further blast doors. The first led to an emergency escape and the second to a deep store.

  Through the bunker entrance door, Avery floated down a sloping corridor to a final blast door. It opened onto a wide steel staircase that led down to level one and continued down to level four.

  Level one was open plan and vast, its floor sectioned into colored areas. One by one the areas filled with equipment. In the left hand corner was a vehicle section. Eight green SUVs crowded against each other. Four familiar APVs, trail bikes and quad bikes completed the inventory of the motor pool. Large aircraft carrier type elevators were built into the rear wall to raise vehicles to the surface.

  “The central area of level one contains Nuclear, Biological and Chemical suits. Respirators and associated decontamination and detection equipment. The main armory is located in a secure caged compound. It contains Springfield XD semi automatic pistols, M60 infantry assault rifles with integrated grenade launchers. TDI Vector submachine guns and man portable multirole anti-armor tube combo packs.”

  Avery stared around at colored sections within the level. An open area stretched across the bunker for facility meetings and training.

  Level two contained logistic storage areas, kitchens and rest areas on one side. A command centre, meeting rooms and offices on the other. The information began to leak from her as the torrent continued.

  Level three contained the living accommodation. The commander’s suite was a one bedroomed self-contained apartment. Other suites belonging to the heads of departments were adjacent. The remaining accommodation area was a warren of corridors and fire doors. Areas sectioned into colours, numbers and letters. They contained open plan bedsits and larger rooms with multiple bunk beds.

  Level four housed the science and engineering departments. Each laboratory marked with a sign above double glazed swing doors. Opposite the labs was a technical support unit that could manufacture any part or object the facility would need. The level also contained an electrical substation and generator, water processing, recycling systems and a waste disposal incinerator. In addition, there was a hydroponic horticulture house, a fish farm and a livestock area for rabbits and chickens.

  Avery was pulled back out of the bunker and watched the facility appear as a sectional detail in the landscape. Figures appeared in the bunker, moving around on routine duties. A nuclear winter swept across the landscape. Inside the bunker, there was no change in activity, as staff carried on unmindful of the outside world.

  The scene faded to black and Avery engaged again with the real world. She opened her eyes behind the face mask, shifting beneath the restraints holding her in place.

  “Take your time Commander. You’ve been under for three hours.”

  The restraints fell away and she stretched out, rubbing muscles and joints. Pulling off the hood, she discarded it on the chair and breathed deeply.

  Spencer was gone, but the operator waved as she slid from the chair. Her uniform had been replaced with a holdall and briefcase. Inside the holdall was a blue quilted jacket, white T shirt, blue cargo trousers, underwear and a pair of black boots. She dressed quickly then opened the briefcase. There were two items inside, a folded flexi screen and copy of the bible.

  A driver introduced himself as Private Barr and directed her towards a green SUV. He handed her a small box filled with sandwiches, fruit and chocolate. She was careful to study him before entering the vehicle and watched him as they drove. He seemed to be a genuine driver, but Avery was taking no chances. Barr was a man of few words, restricting his conversation to short or one word answers. She gave up an attempt at conversation and instead watched the scenery pass by.

  “Your belongings will be packed and sent to you at the bunker,” Barr said, eyes fixed on the road.

  Avery nodded in response. Barr would need to be looking out of the corner of his eye to catch the movement. She remembered the two rooms she had left that morning. They contained nothing of intrinsic value, but she had filled a bookcase with mementos of a life in service. Clothes, books, souvenirs and photos. The items now seemed pitiful and irrelevant, carted from one posting to another like a comfort blanket.

  On impulse she replied to Barr. “I don’t need anything from my quarters.”

  He seemed to almost enjoy her response. His head twitched as he turned only a fraction towards her, his posture more relaxed.

  Barr drove in silence for an hour, until they reached a sign for Griffiss International Airport. Avery noted the discreet security detail, both on the roadside and in the SUV parked at the junction. As they drove along a single track road, lights blinked behind skeletal trees.

  She began scanning the ground for signs of the bunker or weapons systems. Their vehicle slowed to a stop outside a square grey entrance door, big enough for a truck to drive through.

  She thanked Barr for a pleasant journey. He nodded in response, driving away as soon as she closed the passenger door.

  Although covered in snow and in fading light, there was no evidence this was the site of a large underground facility.

  She walked to the entrance door and not knowing what else to do, knocked. The door was solid. Not just solid sheeting but solid concrete. She smacked it harder. No vibration or echo. Just a damp slap.

  If this was an entrance it wasn’t manually operated.

  She wandered to the left hand side of the elevation. Grass sloped up the arched wall and onto the roof. Behind it, a thicket of semi mature trees continued into the distance.

  Spencer emerged from between the trees and waved as she approached.

  “Welcome Commander,” he said.

  He was now dressed in a blue combat uniform that accentuated his lean muscular body. Dark skinned and good looking under spiky black hair.

  “Spencer, are you on the staff?”

  “Apologies Commander, my name isn’t Spencer, its Captain Ma
tos. I’m the senior officer present.”

  Matos didn’t look very sorry, as he stood with an irritating lopsided grin on his face.

  “You’re the senior officer present?”

  “I’m also your veterinarian. We have a busy programme ahead and I’ll brief you on that first. In the morning we have a head of department briefing then full tour of the facility.”

  Matos led her back through the trees and towards a dome shaped rock. He pressed his hand to the surface and it opened out to reveal a steel door. It opened at a light touch into a sloping arched corridor. They arrived at the first blast door, opening it easily despite its immense size and weight. Avery recognised the circular decompression room, running her hands along the wall for tactile confirmation. The grey smooth walls grazed and tickled her fingers.

  Opening the second blast door, Matos gestured for Avery to enter first.

  “You’re a vet?” Avery asked.

  “Amongst other things,” he replied.

  At the final blast door, Avery nudged past Matos and blocked his path with her arm. He stared at her below lidded eyes. Although smaller than him, Avery was able to study his face in detail. She released pressure on the door allowing him to open it. Matos shrugged and walked through, he descended a steel staircase to the first platform.

  Without stopping, he opened a door that led into level one of the bunker.

  “Commander present,” he shouted.

  Avery emerged from the door to see randomly stationed staff stand still and salute. She returned the salutes with a touch of her forehead.

  “As you were,” Matos shouted.

  His words broke the tableau and people began moving around.

  The level was enormous. Grey concrete floor, whitewash walls and ceiling. Massive digital wall displays depicted the exact panorama from outside. Even stuffed with vehicles and equipment there was be enough room for the whole facility staff on the floor.

  This was nothing like a bunker.

  She watched a group unpacking chemical suits and respirators. All vehicles were in place, lined up exactly as the tour had informed her. The armory was also operational and a guard sat at a table behind the steel grille.

  She followed Matos back to the staircase and they repeated the procedure for each floor. Only on level four were reactions different. Scientists either ignored them or offered brief waves. Arriving back at her quarters, Matos bade her farewell and disappeared back through the staircase entrance.

  Avery placed her hand on the door sensor, turning the backlight from white to green. With a soft whooshing sound, the door swung inwards.

  At first, it reminded her of a cheap hotel room. Beige carpet in a square pattern, cream walls and a white ceiling. The kitchen and seating area formed an L shape, around a rectangular bedroom. A faint odor of pine mingled with the fresh smells of a new home.

  To her immediate right, a yellow sofa curved around the corner of the room with a wooden coffee table in front. Paintings hung above the sofa depicting glacial mountains and open meadows. All with prominent views of the sky.

  A workstation sat opposite the sofa with bunker floor plans printed onto its surface. Tucked into the corner was a spinning bike. Laying her briefcase on the sofa, Avery slipped onto the saddle, cycling to test its operation.

  In the kitchenette, a black coffee machine and box of capsules sat on a white worktop. Red cupboards doors below opened to reveal packs of crackers and cookies, tea and coffee, cups, plates and cutlery. The central cupboard was a fridge containing yoghurt, cheese, salad leaves, milk and chicken.

  She reached inside and pulled out a chicken leg to gnaw on.

  Yellow and white decor continued into the bedroom. It was a square room with two doors opposite a double bed. The first opened into a wardrobe. Uniform and training kit hung on the rail. There were draws full of underwear and a multi level shoe store. The second door opened into a shower pod. Its cupboards filled with toiletries and towels.

  Avery flopped onto the bed.

  Her life had changed so much in twenty four hours. The day’s events whirled through her mind.

  How it could all happen so fast.

  Her memory was hazy, likely due to lack of sleep and stress. She couldn’t even remember anyone’s name from her old unit. Despite wanting to feel emotion towards those she left behind, she no longer cared.

  Chapter 6

  “I’ve always said you’re cocooned in your own world,” Jarod said, passing a tube of Mentos to Logan.

  “I know, I know. I’m a day dreamer.”

  Jarod chewed the sweets while he drove his personal SUV, fingers tapping out a tune on the steering wheel.

  Logan sat in the passenger seat, glancing between the road and his friend. “You don’t seem surprised.”

  “I agree with your buddies. Something’s happening. Those earthquakes and tsunamis over the last few years are not normal.”

  “I can’t believe that. How can we know what is a normal?”

  “I’m scared about the Eastern Alliance as well. Russia, China and Iran, we’ll never have peace with them.”

  “I’m worried by the riots here. The government’s given up,” Logan said, throwing his hands in the air. He leant back and sighed. “But the world’s been through rocky patches before and we’re still here.”

  Jarod glanced across at Logan, an eyebrow raised and face mocking. He was matching Caspar and Rich in manner. It seemed so alien for Jarod to have anything other than the plant on his mind. He had never spoken about any worries before. Who knows what anyone really thinks behind their mask.

  “The east and west are squaring up for a war, have been for years” he said, chomping on sticky sweets. “I don’t want my chin out when the first punch lands.”

  Logan laughed, releasing some tension in the car. He gazed out of the window at the passing landscape. Snow used to be like a sprinkling of magic across the land, good for sledging and snowballs. Now it only got in the way.

  “It’s no wonder we can’t get anyone to work at the moment,” he said, facing the side window.

  “We should be fine at the plant. Everyone needs power.”

  “We’ve lost key people over the last few years. They disappear and never return. I’m piecing this together but what if Barney has a full crew ready to take over?”

  “Never happen.”

  They continued in a companionable silence. Logan staring out of the window, beginning to sense he was the only one who hoped for a brighter future. He was relying on Jarod to be the voice of reason. Tell him to grow up and concentrate on his job.

  “Interesting idea to use a salt mine,” Jarod said, breaking the silence. “Who came up with that?”

  “I only know what Caspar and Rich told me. Caspar has the keys and he’s meeting us there.”

  “What’s he like?”

  “Quiet and intelligent. He can crack you up with jokes. But sometimes he’s intense - one word answers and grunts.”

  “Sounds like my kind of guy,” Jarod said, laughing.

  He tapped Logan’s arm and pointed towards two rectangular towers rising above the ground to their left.

  “I recognize them,” Logan said, craning his neck to for a better view.

  Jarod turned left and headed towards the towers.

  Shit.

  An olive green Jeep blocked half of the access road. Red and white barriers stretched from the vehicle to a grassy verge. Jarod flicked the indicator switch and slowed towards the entrance.

  A young private soldier hopped out of the jeep and began pointing. Jarod took the cue, pulling into a space by the barrier. There was a call from the jeep and another man emerged.

  He was older looking than the baby faced private, a serious looking man with a head shaved to black stubble, watery brown eyes and thick lips. His uniform identified his rank of Sergeant, and the name badge read, Ortiz.

  “Good Afternoon Sir, we’ve been expecting you,” he said.

  Logan and Jarod exchanged
looks.

  “Caspar’s waiting for you at the mine entrance.”

  “Thanks Sergeant, that way?” Logan said, gesturing at the barrier.”

  “Correct sir, continue past the towers and follow the track.”

  Ortiz pulled back the barrier to allow access and Jarod drove through the blockade. They cruised past three other buildings on the site. Their rusted steel sheeting and broken windows told of years of neglect. On their left, the large steel columns rose into the sky. Two beacons of hope or two beacons of warning.

  Jarod whistled and shook his head. “He’s got the army involved?”

  “Caspar's an operator. He had an escort when he came to see me. If we get dragged into this and it goes wrong, we’ll be breaking rocks.”

  They continued past the second tower and Logan could see the mine entrance. It was a squat building with rusted cream sheet walls and blue doors. The car park had been cleared of snow. Its concrete cracked like an eggshell.

  Caspar stood in the middle of the car park, wearing a chunky blue ski jacket and beanie hat. Two flatbed trucks parked behind him. The contents of one were being ferried into the mine.

  He waved at them, gesturing a left turn.

  “Glad you could make it,” Caspar said, smiling and pulling open the SUV door.

  “Caspar,” Logan replied. “This is Jarod Washington from the plant.”

  “I trust there’s no need to remind you this is a secret operation,” Caspar said, still grinning.

  “I’m here to make it happen,” Jarod replied.

  Caspar nodded, staring at Jarod for a long moment. “Who’s ready to go down the rabbit hole then?”

  “Let’s go,” Logan replied, cutting off Jarod’s reply.

  Logan followed Caspar into a corridor of grimy white painted block walls. Two empty grey filing cabinets marked a right turn into a square lobby. Unmarked doors led off in all directions, two were identifiable as toilets. Logan zipped up his jacket, suppressing a shiver. Without sunlight it seemed even colder inside the bare and derelict building.

  “This is the old admin area for the miners. Offices, rest rooms and toilets,” Caspar said.