A carton of cigarettes lay on the kitchen table, but it was the bloody butcher knife that concerned Highbrow. Dribbles of blood trailed across the table to the floor where Calico Jack lay. The young man had not been hit. He had been stabbed.
“Get something around Jack’s head. Stop the bleeding, if you can,” Highbrow instructed Odin while keeping his eyes on the two teens. Odin found a towel, wrapping Jack’s bloody head. “Is he still alive?”
Odin nodded his head. “He’s lost an ear, sir. But he’ll live.”
“Take a seat on the sofa, Black Beard.” Highbrow waited for the team leader to scoot past Odin, plopping on the couch. “Drake, get your ass over here and sit at the kitchen table.” He kept his gun aimed at Drake. “Put your hands flat on the table where I can see them. I suggest you don’t reach for the butcher’s knife.”
Drake sat. “Black Beard is lying! I didn’t start the fight. He did!”
Walking over to the table, Highbrow pulled the knife free. Drake was sobbing. Black Beard remained quiet.
“Calm down,” Highbrow said, his voice laced with anger. “You’re both drunk. You know the new rules. No alcohol in camp and no cigarettes!”
The R.V.s were small, living spaces cramped. Each patrol had six members, and had to share everything. It was clear the Buccaneers weren’t handling their small space and few belongings very well anymore.
“I’m responsible for the whiskey, Captain.” Black Beard pointed at the bedroom he shared with Saber. On the bed was a busted bottle of Cutty Sark. “When you had all liquor destroyed, I kept a box. I know that means demotion, but I swear I had nothing to do with Drake or the others going to the lab. Ranger must have the vial of blood.”
“Did you see the vial?” Highbrow asked. “I ordered Rose to get rid of all of it. If you’re saying your team stole a vial, then you’re accusing the Dark Angels. Is that what you’re implying, Black Beard?”
“No, sir. I never saw Drake, Calico Jack or Ranger drink blood. I heard them talk. I’m not saying the Dark Angels are involved, but it’s my fault I can’t control my team. I apologize. I didn’t mean for this to happen and take full responsibility.”
“I believe you, Black Beard.” Highbrow turned to Drake. “Drake, you’ve always been a pain in my ass. In a short amount of time, you’ve racked up more demerits than everyone else combined. If you don’t want to be disciplined for your infractions, then you’d best come clean. What did you take from the lab, and what the hell did you drink? Are you infected?”
Drake looked scared.
“Who gave you the blood?” Highbrow said. “One of the Dark Angels?”
Drake shook his head. “No, sir. We stole it out of the fridge when the vamps were tending to the sick. Everyone in camp wants chameleon blood, so we took what we could find and drank it back here. Just a drop, sir. Honest.”
“Micah wasn’t involved? Did any Dark Angel know?”
The teen shook his head again. Highbrow sensed he was protecting someone.
“So you just selected a vial of blood without reading the label, stuck it in your pocket, and came back here to drink it? Didn’t you consider it might be zombie blood?” Highbrow watched him turn pale. “Then you’re as stupid as you look, Drake. A week in the brig will do you all good. Sorry, Black Beard, but this falls on your shoulders.”
“I understand,” the team leader said. “A week sounds about right.”
“There’s no way I’m spending a week in a cave!” Drake glanced at a rack of knives beside the sink. “I could overpower all of you if I wanted. No one is stronger than me. Tell him you cut Jack or I’m going to cut out your eyes, Black Beard!”
“Both of you shut up,” Highbrow said. “It’s the booze talking, not super-blood.”
A commotion at the door caught Highbrow’s attention. Lt. Sterling entered the doorway, supported by the Bulldogs. Drake gazed at the table wanting to disappear. Black Beard looked relieved and stood at attention. Sterling wasn’t impressed.
“Problem, sir?” asked Sterling, giving both Buccaneers a stern look.
“Take Black Beard and Drake into custody and toss them into the brig.” Highbrow put away his gun and stepped back so the Bulldogs could carry Calico Jack out on a stretcher. “Find Jack’s ear and put him in the hospital, under guard. Saber is there. I want her questioned about whether or not she was involved in the theft of a vial of blood. Hawkins and Ranger are on the loose. Find them and take them to the brig, too. Best to keep them separated in case they’re infected, Lieutenant.”
“It’ll be pretty crowded in there,” Sterling said. “I just hauled in the Panthers and Razorbacks for inciting a riot at the garage. They tried to take the Beast out for a joy-ride and cracked Sturgis over the head with a wrench.”
The Buccaneers were cuffed and escorted out by two M.P.’s. Odin found the severed ear and handed it to Sterling, while Highbrow grabbed the box of booze. The captain took the alcohol outside and broke each bottle against the side of a frosty metal trash can.
The snow had stopped, and the first rays of dawn were creeping over the cliffs, but Highbrow sensed it was going to be a bad day. A Bull Dog placed yellow tape over the closed R.V. door, while the rest of the team carried the stretcher to the hospital.
Lt. Sterling blocked Highbrow’s path. “The Captain would never have tolerated this infraction. He would have lined up the Buccaneers before the entire company and given them twenty lashes. The same should be done with the Panthers and Razorbacks. Discipline must be maintained, sir. Make an example out of Black Beard and Drake, at least. A serious example for a serious offense.”
Highbrow didn’t whip people as their former captain had, nor did he want to start. If Sterling doubted his ability to command, others might as well. But he was not going to change his mind, which would look worse.
He placed his hand on Lt. Sterling’s shoulder. His father, Senator Powers, did the same thing when talking to a subordinate. The older man looked surprised, his hardened features softened.
“Do what’s necessary to get the truth lieutenant, but no floggings. Cut rations for anyone in the brig. An empty belly is just as effective.” He dropped his hand.
“Yes, sir,” Sterling said, saluting.
Highbrow walked back to the hospital. Odin fell into step beside him. Sensing his follower, Highbrow glanced over his shoulder. The lights in the Buccaneers’ R.V. were still on and it was empty, yet he saw a shadow move across the window. Someone was still inside.
Thinking it odd, Highbrow turned back to Odin. The darkness flashed past the private, gliding over the snow toward the hospital. Highbrow rubbed his eyes, but the shadow was gone when he looked again. Figuring it was the rising sun playing tricks on his tired eyes, he decided not to mention it.
The new hospital was built on the location of the original, near the mess hall. Aurora and her Valkyries were on guard duty. The all-female team was formidable in battle and always followed orders. The young women were tall, athletic, wearing blue capes over metal breastplates and helmets with painted wings. Aurora carried a sword but no gun. Her team carried spears and battle axes, with guns strapped to their hips. Spotting Highbrow, Aurora held up her blade in a salute. Odin waved back, grinning like an idiot.
“I like her,” Odin said. “Whisper, Aurora, and I went to the same high school, but they were a year ahead. She was the captain of the cheerleading squad. We came to the Peak together. Both saved my life more than once.”
An M.P. marched out of the mess hall, dragging an Amazon who was cursing up a streak, hands tied behind her back. Under the lights it was easy to see a nasty bump on her forehead and a bruise on her cheek. Aurora opened the door for Highbrow and Odin, but didn’t follow. Calico Jack was having his ear reattached by a Dark Angel. The Bulldogs stood at the door, guarding the injured Avenger.
“Dr. Rose? A word please,” Highbrow said.
The vampire doctor was caring for a little girl with a bloody nose. The child held a doll saturated with bl
ood. Ginger assisted, keeping the hysterical girl confined.
“In a minute,” Rose said, in an agitated voice.
At another table, Betsy was examining male twins. Nomad’s wife placed bandages on their foreheads. Both had identical cuts above their right eyebrows. Nomad sat against a wall, holding a small boy in his arms who was coughing hard. Saber, the Buccaneer’s only female member, was a pretty sixteen year old with a ponytail. She lay on a cot, under a blanket, sneezing and blowing her nose. There were a dozen beds, in each one a sick child or teenager. The scene reminded Highbrow of the initial outbreak during the Scourge. The room was pleasantly warm, having several heaters.
The Bandits, a former Latino street gang, helped tend to the sick, wearing Latex gloves and surgical masks. They were the toughest group in camp but had found a new calling.
Highbrow walked over to Dr. Rose, waiting while she finished with her patient. The slender, pale-haired vampire wore a white lab coat spattered with blood, looking exhausted. She left Ginger to hold a cloth against the little girl’s bloody nose then turned and shook her head at Highbrow.
“What’s going on? We’ve never had this many children sick or injured at one time,” Highbrow said. “I just broke up a knife fight at the Buccaneers’ R.V. The Razorbacks and Panthers are in the brig for rioting, and I don’t see Sturgis in here. Where is he? He got whacked on the head.”
“It’s been this way all night,” Rose said. “Most kids came in with the flu. Typical during this time of year, but we’re running out of beds. The worst cases are in our R.V., with Tandor tending to them. Most symptoms I can treat with antibiotics and aspirin. If I didn’t know better, I’d say these kids are suffering from cabin fever.”
Pulling off his cap, Highbrow stuffed it into his coat pocket. He lifted his hand to wipe it across his nose, sniffing. Rose caught his arm and squirted disinfectant gel into his palm.
“Come on. Is it that contagious, Doc?”
“Infection is never good, captain. Last thing we need is you falling sick. But in my medical opinion, apart from the flu, these kids are going stir-crazy being snowed in. They’re fighting over dolls, arguing over stolen caps and socks. I have a boy here who swears his dead mother told him not to eat his dinner or he’d die. He ate something that didn’t sit well, and he’s been throwing up in the bathroom for an hour now.”
“Where is Micah?” Highbrow asked, looking around the hospital. Rose lowered her eyes. “Are you aware Micah and a few other Dark Angels have been leaving camp at night? I thought I made it clear that no one leaves without my approval.”
“There’s a new nightclub in Colorado Springs called the Graveyard,” Rose said. “It’s a big hit with the younger vampires.”
Highbrow snorted. “Do they drink human blood at this club?”
“Another good question that deserves an honest answer.” Rose went to Ginger and drew her to the captain. “Did your boyfriend go back to the club, Ginger? Don’t make excuses for Micah. He was told not to leave camp.”
“He better be at the Graveyard. If Micah is cheating on me, I’ll break his neck,” Ginger said, sweeping her long, red hair from her shoulders. “Micah says the Shadowguard hang out there and get loose-lipped when they’re drunk on champagne.”
“When Micah gets back, tell him I want to see him,” Highbrow said. Ginger walked away to help another patient. Rose remained beside him.
“The Buccaneers stole a vial of blood,” Highbrow said, trying not to sound accusing. “I thought we destroyed it all.”
Rose’s cheeks turned bright red. She was the only vampire Highbrow knew who still blushed. “We did,” she said. “The only things I’m keeping are a few samples of the flu outbreak. The Buccaneers are infected with the flu, nothing else.”
An older female vampire was singing to the sick children in French. Some knew the song, Alouette, and sang along. For a moment, the hospital became brighter. Highbrow nodded to Rose and headed toward the door. Odin went to talk to the Valkyries, leaving Highbrow alone with Rose. They walked down the path and came to the waterfall, frozen for the most part, a small trickle still feeding the pool.
“You’re sure there are no more vials of Cadence’s blood?” Highbrow asked again.
“There isn’t any chameleon blood in camp,” Rose said. “It was all destroyed. I think these kids are homesick. It’s Christmas, and this isn’t a cheerful place.”
“Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions, but I’m worried the Kaiser is behind this outbreak.”
Rose laughed, the sound soft. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Eliminate possibilities. Cross-reference evidence. Solve the mystery. But if you want your doctor’s medical opinion, a few hours of sleep will let you see things more clearly.”
Highbrow took Rose’s advice and went straight to HQ. Odin entered as he was turning on the cabin’s small heater, and the bodyguard collapsed onto his cot and tossed a wool blanket over his legs. The soldier was snoring within seconds.
Sleep for Highbrow wasn’t far behind.
* * * * *
Chapter Five
Freeborn toppled her king. “How many games is that?”
“Forty-eight wins for me. Zero for you,” Picasso said, with a chuckle. “I’ve played for thirty years, so don’t be disappointed. You must have contempt for your opponent if you ever hope to win.”
Cadence stood inside the doorway of NORAD’s small control room unnoticed, watching Freeborn and Picasso play chess. The pair had not played a match in days. Earth Corps had been working around the clock to clear the bunker of bodies and debris, and set up a functional operations center.
Computer stations dotted the room, each with operational flat-screens hanging on the walls, showing ground-based radar and satellites tracking objects through space. Two-panel glass walls separated the control room from the battle cab, an interior room for high officials to gather in case of a nuclear strike. It was as impressive as Cadence had expected, and it boasted private quarters, a gym, a theater, restaurants, stores, a library, and an armory.
“Shame we can’t launch an air strike against the Citadel,” Cadence said, as she walked between the cubicles and took a seat. “What’s going on over there, anyway?”
Picasso brought a world map up on the center screen. Four monitors revealed images of the Citadel. The Shadowguard were unloading supplies from a plane in one; a second showed an armored convoy was driving the main road to the former campus; vampire soldiers were drilling in the courtyard in a third; and a fourth showed vampires clearing out carcasses from the football stadium.
“The plane came out of Los Angeles, but I haven’t seen a bird in the sky or any movement at sea,” Picasso said. “The Shadowguard appear to be in a hurry to launch another attack on the camp. Fortunately, the Kaiser is also preparing for the Christmas Eve Death Games.”
“Dragon will be fighting,” Freeborn said. “We have to get him out of there before he’s killed in the arena.”
Cadence nodded. “And we will, Freeborn. I promise.” She pulled the brown, leather journal from her coat pocket. “This belonged to Captain Richard Mallory. It gives a detailed account of NORAD before and after the Scourge. A general brought the virus in, and they weren’t able to evacuate quickly enough. Some of the journal is written in Latin, so Lachlan might read it when he has time. I need someone to hack into the computer in my room, too. I can’t figure out the password, and I want to know what’s on it.”
The vampire leaned back in his chair. “It wasn’t easy accessing the satellite system, and the security codes for some of the other things here are even tougher to break. Still, I think Tandor can do it. He was a computer technician for a big Japanese corporation. The good news is the bunker’s secure. Everything checks out, except for the last underground reservoir, which we still need to look at. The surveillance cameras aren’t working at the fourth lake, the one used for the cooling system. When Lachlan is available, we’ll go get things running.”
“Sounds good,” Caden
ce said. “Have you reached our military bases? Any luck getting anyone to respond? I’m anxious to find other survivors and make contact.”
“I’ve sent messages to every military base worldwide, including Cape Canaveral, as you asked. If Senator Powers is there in a think-tank, he’s off the grid. I did manage to pick up S.O.S. broadcasts from Atlanta, London, Honolulu, Rome, Hong Kong, and a few others. I can’t tell how long they’ve been playing, though one from Vancouver says any survivors are going to the Aleutian Islands, off the northwestern coast of Alaska.”
“What about locating survivors? Can satellites track them from space? Are you able to distinguish between the living and the dead?”
Picasso hit a few buttons and black, red, and green dots appeared on the map. He gave her a quick rundown. Most of the countries were blacked out and occupied by zombies. Italy was lit up in red for vampires, along with London, Paris, Denver, Colorado Springs, New York City, L.A., and Vegas. Smaller amounts of green scattered throughout the continents like tiny ants, appearing and disappearing at random. The greatest number of humans was congregated at Seven Falls.
“The satellite I’m relying on the most orbits the earth eight times a day, so we should hear something back if anyone is listening,” Picasso said. “You wanted me to focus on what’s going on at the Citadel, and I have an update.”
“Freeborn, I’d love a cup of coffee. You mind?” Cadence didn’t want her present when they discussed the prisoners. Freeborn and Dragon were an item. The less Freeborn knew about Dragon’s current situation, the less she had to worry. “Lotus and Smack are in the restaurant. I’m sure you need a break anyway, so take your time.”
“Can’t it wait?” Freeborn hesitated. “Fine. I can tell when I’m not wanted.” She grabbed her coat from the back of the chair she was occupying and marched out of the control room.
Taking a seat beside Picasso, Cadence gazed at the screen. “I’m impressed with everything you’ve shown me so far. What have you found on prisoners at the Citadel? I’m sure we’ve lost quite a few, but who’s left?”
Dead Hearts (Book 3): Vengeful Hearts Page 5
