Caldera 5_United We Fall

by Heath Stallcup

  “I can’t promise the barbed wire will be in place and finished this evening.” Stanton turned and peered at the progress so far. “They are close, but it may have to wait until morning…unless you decide that we should chance working at night?”

  Hatcher shook his head. “Nope. That’s not an option.” He pulled the door to the truck open and reached for his leather gloves. “Nobody is going anywhere tonight. I reckon it will take a few days to get everything moved anyway. We’ll take out time, do it right and make sure nobody’s life is risked unnecessarily.”

  “Very well.” Will pushed his glasses up on his nose then pulled a battery to the edge of the bed. “Let’s get these unloaded so you can continue.”

  Hatcher and Roger began stacking the batteries to the sides in order to get them offloaded quicker. Men used little red wagons, wheelbarrows and dolly carts to transport them to the outbuildings.

  Roger took another look at the work being performed before opening the door to the truck. “Make sure you guys pack up and leave with enough time to be back before sundown.”

  “Of course.” Stanton gave him a curt nod. “We’ll see you this evening.”

  Vivian popped the top on the acetaminophen and shook out a small handful of tablets. She tossed them to the back of her mouth and quickly drank from the water bottle. She sat down and squeezed her eyes shut. “Please, let this just be a migraine.”

  She laid down on her mattress and turned her face to the wall. The pain in her frontal lobe increased and she fought the urge to cry.

  She tossed from side to side, pulling her wool military blanket up to her chin, then kicking it to the floor, unable to find comfort.

  Finally, she sat up and pressed her fingers to her temples, rubbing them hard, praying for relief. With a deep breath she stood from the mattress and went to the door of her stateroom.

  She pulled it open slightly and noted that the guard seemed to jump slightly when she spoke. “Can you do me a favor please? Will you get Doctor…” She paused, trying to remember Ponytail’s name. “Um, Carol!” Can you please get her for me? It’s rather urgent.”

  The guard opened his mouth to argue then slowly he turned and looked at Vivian more closely. “Doc, you got…is that blood in your eye?”

  Vivian wiped at her eyes and saw nothing. She shook her head slowly. “Please, get Carol. Now!”

  The guard nodded then turned and marched toward the lab. He pushed open the door and looked for the pretty young researcher.

  “Hey you. Where’s Carol?”

  The researcher he spoke to looked around the lab then shrugged. “I don’t know. She was here a moment ago.” He set down his pipette and went into the isolation ward. He stepped back out and shook his head. “You might check her room.”

  “Where’s that at?” The guard seemed agitated and in a hurry.

  The researcher pulled his mask from his face and walked to the exit. He stepped into the hall and pointed the opposite direction. “To the end, turn right, second door on the left.” He stepped back and rubbed at his chin. “I think.”

  “You think?”

  “If she’s not in that room, they can tell you where she is. It’s right there in that area.” He gave him a weak smile. “Sorry. Best I can do.”

  The guard huffed then turned for the end of the hall. He turned right and counted the doors on the left. He knocked on the second one and waited a moment. A louder knock had the door jerk open, Carol standing in the doorway rubbing at her eyes. “What?” She squinted in the light of the hallway. “I just fell a—” Her eyes widened when she saw the military man that she only knew as ‘Rob’ standing in front of her. “Rob? What’s wrong?”

  “Doc needs you.” He seemed nervous as he spoke. “She said it’s urgent.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer. “I’m pretty sure I saw blood in her eyes.”

  Carol’s eyes widened and she seemed to go pale. “Alright. One moment. I need to put some clothes on.” She disappeared into her room and Rob watched as she tugged scrub pants on over the baggy boxers she wore. She grabbed a polo shirt and pulled it over her white t-shirt then reached for her lab coat. She appeared in the doorway, pulling her hair back into an elastic band. “Where is she?”

  “In her room. She didn’t look good at all.”

  Carol practically ran down the hallway with the guard right behind her. She pulled the pen light from her coat pocket and knocked lightly at Vivian’s door. “Dr. LaRue? It’s Carol. May I come in?” She pushed the door open slightly and peered into the darkness.

  “Dr. LaRue?” Carol reached for the light switch and paused when she saw the room empty. She went to the en-suite bathroom and knocked on the door. “Dr. LaRue? Are you feeling…” She froze as she stared into the restroom.

  “What’s wrong?” Rob asked, blocking the doorway.

  Carol turned to face him, her eyes wide. “She’s not here.”

  Rob paled and stepped out of the doorway. He glanced both directions then turned to face Carol. “I didn’t…I mean…she…” He took a deep breath. “Fuck me!”

  “We have to find her.” Carol appeared at his side. “Now!”

  Sinner drove the pickup through the city streets looking for any signs of the pale skinned people they called the Crazies. He found a lot of trash scattered and broken windows, but no bodies.

  “You’d think they’d be out in force as many times as we’ve driven this same stretch.”

  Simon shook his head. “They have a trap set up right up the road. I lost a few good men there not too long ago to those biker eatin’ bastards.” He took another drink from the rum and grimaced. “You’d think they’d have somebody to keep an eye on their main source for meals.”

  “If that IS their main source.” Sinner sighed and turned to drive down the next block. “For all we know they might have people farms somewhere.”

  Simon snorted. “Plant ‘em like a carrot and hope they grow?” He laughed at his own joke. “Yeah, I don’t think so.”

  “I just meant—”

  “I know what you meant.” Simon barked. “Keep looking.”

  A bang on the cab of the truck had both men turning to peer through the back window. “To the right!” Stinky yelled.

  Both men turned and stared at the row of houses. Simon shook his head. “I ain’t seeing nothing.”

  Stinky banged on the cab again. “Stop! Right there. The house with the red car. I saw the curtains move as we came close.”

  Sinner stopped the truck and Simon stared at the house. “Could have been a cat.”

  “Or it could be a crazy.” Stinky stated. He hooked a leg over the edge of the truck and slid out of the back. “Give me a second.”

  Simon watched him approach the front of the house. As he grew closer, he pulled his pistol from his waistband and nervously stepped closer to the door.

  Simon motioned to Sinner. “Go with him. I don’t’ want him to shoot himself when a cat jumps out at him.”

  Sinner groaned then threw the transmission into park. He stepped down from the truck and pulled his AR from behind the seat. “If this is a snipe hunt, I’m gonna beat his ass.”

  “It probably is but keep him from killing himself.” Simon tilted the bottle, all while keeping an eye on Stinky.

  Sinner huffed then marched across the yard. He walked past Stinky and with one kick forced the front door open. Sinner stepped into the house as screams erupted from inside.

  Gunshots echoed and Simon threw open the door of the truck. “Don’t kill ‘em!” He ran to the front of the house, Stinky still standing on the porch. “Don’t kill ‘em! We need them!”

  Sinner motioned to the rear of the house. “I didn’t kill nothing. Just spooked them back.”

  Simon paused and stared at him. “I’ve never known a crazy to run from gunfire.”

  Sinner shrugged. “This one did.” He pointed to the door. “As soon as I kicked the door in it took off. I just helped it find another gear.” He grinned at Simon triumphantl
y.

  Simon pulled Sinner from the front room and toward the door. “Come on. They know we’re here and we know there’s some here. We need more than one or two.”

  Stinky stood shaking on the lawn. “I told you I saw the curtain move.”

  “What do you want? A medal or a chest to pin it on?” Simon swung at the man, intentionally missing. “Get your ass in the truck.”

  “But don’t you want them?” Stinky asked as they marched past him.

  “I want a bunch of them. Not a small handful.” He turned and gave the man a disgusted look. “Besides, what would you do? Put them in your pocket until we were ready to use them?” Stinky shook his head, unsure of the correct answer. “Just get in the truck.”

  Shooter leaned across the cab holding binoculars. “I think I see something.”

  Sinner reached out for the field glasses. “Where?”

  Shooter handed them to him and pointed ahead and to the left. “That two story building ahead. “Looks like a clinic or office or something.”

  “Flag pole in the front?” Sinner asked.

  “That’s the one. Second floor, third or fourth window from the right.”

  Sinner studied the windows, looking for movement. “Damn…I think you might be on to something.” He handed the binoculars back. “Simon, Shooter might have found them.”

  “Lead the way.” He climbed back into the cab and stuck his head out of the window as they made a slow approach.

  “Sun’s going down boss. It will be dark soon.”

  “Yeah? So what?” Simon barked.

  “So, if we’re gonna try to pull off Shooter’s plan, shouldn’t somebody go and make sure that fence is cut?” There was a distinct edge of fear in Stinky’s voice.

  Simon nodded. “Yeah, we should.” He slapped at Sinner. “Find Shooter wheels and send him on his way.”

  Sinner sighed and slowed the truck even more. “Find something that still runs.” He shook his head. “Sure, let me just pull a helicopter out of my ass at the same time.”

  Sinner stepped from the truck and pointed to Shooter. “Come on. We need to get you mobile so you can cut the fence.”

  “Maybe I should go with him. You know…to watch his back.” Stinky offered.

  Simon stepped from the truck and eyed the man with contempt. “You really that big a coward?”

  Stinky shook his head. “No boss. Not me.” He swallowed hard. “I just…I think he should have somebody watching his back while he…you know. In case they see him or something.”

  Simon shook his head at the man. “Fine. Go with him.” He unscrewed the cap and downed the last of the rum. He tossed the bottle to the curb and smiled when the glass shattered. “Your dumb ass would probably get the rest of us killed if you stayed anyway.”

  He turned when he heard an engine turn over and bark to life. Shooter gave Sinner a thumbs up as the larger man dropped the hood on the little red car. “I’ll be back quick as I can.”

  “Take Stinky with you.” Simon ordered as he climbed back into the truck.

  “I don’t need him.” Shooter replied.

  “Neither do we.” Simon glared at the coward as he made fast tracks toward the car. “But he’ll be out of my way if he’s with you.”

  Shooter shrugged as Stinky climbed into the car.

  Simon watched the little import pull away and he turned to Sinner. “Let’s get this party started.”

  26

  Candy sighed with relief when she watched Roger climb out of the flatbed with Hatcher. She walked up to him and pinched his butt as he pulled his gear from the truck.

  “Hey now!” Roger jerked up and turned on her. “Give a guy a little warning, will ya?”

  “Half the fun is watching you jump.” She slid in close and wrapped her arms around his middle. “I’m glad you made it back in one piece.”

  Roger gave her a lopsided grin. “It’s weird. It’s like the Zulus have retreated or something.”

  Candy sighed and pulled his face to hers. “Maybe they’re scared of the two of you.” She gave him a quick but squishy kiss.

  Roger chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tighter embrace. “Those things fear nothing.”

  She fell into step with him as he sauntered through the staging area. “Maybe they’re scared you’d be too tough to eat?”

  “Or that I’d give them indigestion.” He gave her a quick grin. “I’m sure that’s it.”

  “So, did you and Hatch accomplish anything today or were you just cruising around looking for chicks?”

  “Ha! Of course, we got a lot accomplished. Mostly we accomplished driving around looking for chicks.” He gave her a squeeze. “And look, I just found one!”

  “Nice save.” She pulled away and opened the door to the armory for him. “But seriously, how are things going?”

  “Good, actually. That engineer guy that Hatch put in charge over there is really getting things done. Sailor…I mean, Cooper, is a pretty good slave driver. He’s got the guys busting hump.” Roger placed his weapons onto the table and prepared then for storage. “Hatcher is saying that he wants people to start packing tonight. With any luck we can start moving stuff over tomorrow.”

  “Seriously?” Candy gave him a worried look. “I haven’t even begun to get stuff ready.”

  He gave her a shrug. “Lucky for me, all I have is the clothes on my back.” He pulled her to him again and rubbed his nose to hers. “I bet you could sweet talk me into helping you pack your stuff…for a price.” He gave her a lustful stare and a soft laugh.

  Candy pushed him away playfully. “Like I would want you pawing my underwear. Pervert.”

  He squeezed her tighter. “I want to paw what’s in your underwear.” He wagged his brows at her.

  “Okay, that’s…” She felt the smile forming and tried to hide it. “That might be doable.”

  “Knock it off, you two.” Hatcher pushed his way through the door. “Don’t you have stuff to get ready to move?”

  Roger shook his head. “Not me. All I have are my clothes.”

  Hatcher gave him a nudge. “I wasn’t talking to you.”

  “He just told me.” She pulled away from Roger and gave Hatcher a dirty look. “Thanks for the heads up on the whole ‘pack your life up and get ready to move’ thing. I had to hear it from Mister Touchy-Feely here.”

  Roger gave her a hurt look. “I thought you liked my touchies and my feelies.”

  “Not in public, dear.” She pulled him to her for a quick kiss then pushed him away. “Get your butt over there and help me as soon as the boss cuts you loose.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Hatcher groaned as he put his weapons away. “You two…”

  “I know, right?” Roger leaned against the table and gave him a grin. “Isn’t it cute?”

  “Like a puppy.” Hatcher deadpanned. He slid the plastic storage bin back into place then pushed away from the table. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

  Roger glanced at his watch. “Think it could wait for about…twenty minutes?”

  “Tell me you gotta drop a deuce.” He raised a brow at him. “Anything less is a disservice to Candy.”

  “Hatch!” Roger feigned shock.

  Hatcher sighed heavily and waved him off. “Go. Help her pack.”

  Roger wagged his brows at him. “I’m sure that’s really what she wants me for.” He stepped out of the armory and stretched animatedly. “My unbridled ability to pack a box.”

  “Where could she have gotten to?” Carol stopped at each door and threw it open, her eyes scanning for Dr. LaRue. She turned to Rob, “Tell me again how she appeared.”

  The guard swallowed hard. “I dunno. Tired. Like there were little specks of blood in her eyes.” He shrugged. “She didn’t look well.”

  “Dammit.” Carol trotted to the lab and threw open the door. “I’m almost positive that Dr. LaRue is infected.” She watched everybody stop working their eyes mournful as she spoke. “
And she’s escaped her room. Lock down the lab!” She pulled the door shut behind her. “We can’t lose any more researchers.”

  “Shouldn’t you be in there then?” Rob asked quietly. “I can look for her. It’s my fault she’s loose on the ship.”

  Carol inhaled deeply to argue then stopped. “By all rights, yes. I should lock myself in the lab with the others.” She shook her head firmly. “But I need to help locate her. If security forces find her first, they may not care that she’s our team leader. They’ll likely shoot first and deal with the aftermath later.”

  “No offense, doc, but that might be the only way to stop her.”

  Carol’s reply was interrupted by a feral scream. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and she instinctively stepped behind Rob. “I bet that’s her.”

  The guard stepped toward the noise, his hand sliding down to his sidearm. Carol reached out and took his hand. “Please don’t.”

  “If she’s gone over the edge doc…”

  “I know but there’s still the possibility she can be saved.”

  He gave her a confused look. “Like Carpenter? The man chewed his own hands off to get loose then used one of his own bones to slice his throat.” He shook his head at her. “Tell me where that gets fun?”

  Carol paled at the visual but held onto his arm. “There’s still a chance. If she has the original form of virus inside her, we can treat her. She can be saved.”

  “And exactly how do we figure that out?” Rob pulled his arm from her grip. “First things first. We have to locate her. If she can be trapped alone somewhere that we can gas her, then maybe we stop her without killing her.”

  He turned and took off in the direction of the scream. As he rounded a corner he was nearly toppled by sailors running away from the crazed woman.

  “Wait!” Carol ran toward him, her eyes focused on his arm raising, the weapon still in his grip.

  She launched herself forward and grabbed his arm, her weight dragging the gun downward just as he fired.