Wasteland in Red Square

by Josh Matthews

  “Why did so many people leave?”

  “They’re setting up new lives in the surrounding farms.”

  “So, they didn’t abandon you?”

  “Not at all,” Reno chuckled. “The bunker still serves as the focal point for the new community we’re establishing, sort of an underground town square. The hospital stayed here as did the armory. The locals gather outside the ground entrance at noon every day to trade goods and barter services. And everyone knows to come back here for shelter if there’s trouble.”

  Jason grew concerned. “Are there still Hell Spawn in the area?”

  “No. Even though that threat is gone, there’s still the possibility there may be others out there who want to take what we’ve worked so hard to rebuild. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

  “I can’t argue with you there, sir.”

  “Jason, you don’t have to call me sir. You’re the one we should be honoring.”

  “Merci.”

  “Don’t mention it.” Reno reached out, placed his right hand on Jason’s shoulder, and squeezed. “You said you wanted to talk business.”

  “I do. I’ve reconstituted the search and destroy team. We’re on our way to close Moscow’s Hell Gate, and then will continue on to the other portals.”

  Reno sat back in his chair. “That’s ambitious.”

  “It’s very ambitious. It’s also necessary. As long as the other portals remain open, we’re still at risk from Hell Spawn. Maybe not in the next few months, but eventually they’ll make their way here. I want to close those gates now to prevent that from happening.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “I need two things. You mentioned earlier that you had a two-way radio you used to monitor events following the opening of the portals. Do you know the locations where they opened?”

  “If you mean the exact coordinates, I don’t. I know the Russian portal opened in Red Square. The Chinese gate is somewhere in the northeast in Manchuria. The initial Japanese reports placed theirs in the vicinity of Tokyo, but I can’t confirm that since it’s been months since any news has come out of Japan. There’s been a lot on conflicting reports on what happened in the United States. All I know for certain is that the portal is located somewhere along the east coast between Washington and New York City.” Reno paused. “What’s the other thing you need?”

  “Does your two-way radio still work?”

  “Yes. Why do you ask?”

  Jason leaned forward and rested his arms on the table, his attention drawn to the others seated around him. “I have twelve people on my team, including myself. There is no way I can travel around the world without help. Once we leave here, I want you to get on the radio and try to find groups of survivors who can meet up with us and help us.”

  “There’s not much talk out there anymore. Most people have either lost power or been killed. It’s not going to be easy.”

  Jeanette reached out and clasped his hand. “Neither is closing four more Hell Gates.”

  Reno placed his other hand on top of hers and squeezed. “I’ll do what I can.”

  “Merci, oncle.”

  “Yes, thank you,” added Jason.

  “If I find anyone out there who’s trustworthy and willing to help, how will they find you?”

  “I brought you this.” Jason unzipped one of the pockets on the right leg of his flight suit and withdrew a map that he unfolded across the table. It showed Europe from Spain to the Ural Mountains. A yellow highlighted line stretched from Paris to Moscow. “This is the route I plan on taking to Russia. We won’t run into any Hell Spawn until we reach Belarus, so I’ll take main highways to save time. I’ve marked them on this map. If you find anyone who wants to join us, have them meet us along this route.”

  Reno slid the map in front of him. “Is this mine to keep?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thanks.” Reno studied it for a few seconds. “How do you plan to get to China?”

  “I’m not thinking that far ahead right now. Hopefully, whoever helps us will have a two-way radio we can use to contact you and radio our plans.”

  “If we find someone willing to help us,” said Jeanette.

  “What have I told you about being negative?” Reno gently admonished her, eliciting a grin. He studied the map for another minute. “I can do this.”

  “Are you sure?” Jason asked, not wanting to get his hopes up.

  “You’re about to travel around the world to save mankind. The least I can do is find you some help.”

  “Merci,” said Jeanette.

  “Anything for you. That goes for you, too, Jason.” Reno paused. “When are you leaving for Moscow?”

  “First thing in the morning.”

  “Good. Then we have enough time for another round of drinks to toast your success.” Reno raised his hand to get the attention of one of his kitchen staff. “Nous apporter encore cinq bouteilles de vin.”

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  The feast lasted another hour before the Hell Gaters called it a night and headed for their bunks. Each wanted to get one last good rest since no one had an idea how long it might be before they slept in a bed again. Jeanette stayed behind with Reno, the two continue the conversation long after the others had left. They chatted about how things had changed after the closure of the portal as well as life at Mont St. Michel. Reno steered the conversation onto his main concern.

  “Is everything going well with Jason?”

  The way her uncle phrased the question caught Jeanette off guard. “What do you mean?”

  “He seems different.”

  Jeanette thought for a moment and arched her eyebrows. “He is different. Paris made him more confident and sure of himself. He’s more assertive.”

  “I don’t see that.”

  “You won’t. Jason likes and respects you. But he stood up to the town council at Mont St. Michel because he thinks they’re assholes.”

  “Are they?”

  “Big time.” Jeanette laughed. “Before we left, Jason dressed down Bishop Fiorello, this pompous jerk who acts like he’s the Pope, in front of the whole team.”

  “Why did he do that?”

  “Do you remember Vicky, the girl who sat by herself at the end of the table?”

  “The sullen one?”

  “She was Jacques’ assistant until Jason put her on the team to get her away from there. Fiorello tried to persuade Jason to leave her behind.”

  “How did that work out?”

  “Vicky’s with us.” The grin on Jeanette’s face showed admiration and affection. Then it faded. “Unfortunately, his newfound confidence also brought with it a darker side.”

  Reno frowned.

  “Nothing bad,” said Jeanette. “He sees the world differently. He’s still optimistic about the future and about closing the other portals. But he’s more aware of the bad that goes on, like what Jacques is doing at Mont St. Michel, and fights it.”

  “It’s called being mature. Jason is becoming a man. Soon you’ll appreciate it.”

  “I appreciate it now.”

  “How does he treat you?”

  “He’s wonderful to me.”

  “Have you . . . ?”

  “No.” Jeanette felt her face flush with embarrassment. “I’m not ready yet, and he understands. It’s one of the many reasons I like him.”

  “I’m glad. Let me ask you a question. Do you really think this mission has a chance of success, or are you following Jason because you like him?”

  “Jason knows it’s dangerous, and for most of us, it’ll be a suicide mission. It’s why he asked for volunteers.”

  “You like Jason that much to follow him?”

  “Oncle, this has nothing to do with Jason. This has to do with me. I know how dangerous it is. But if we don’t do it, who will? Besides, how often does someone get a chance to change the world for the better?”

  Reno leaned back in his chair, studying Jeanette.

  “What is it?” she asked.
<
br />   “I’m just admiring what a young lady you’ve become.”

  “Then you approve of my going?”

  “Of course.” Reno cocked an eyebrow. “Would it have mattered if I didn’t?”

  “No. I still would have gone, but I would have felt bad about it.”

  Reno laughed and slapped a hand against the table.

  Jeanette felt offended. “What’s so funny?”

  Reno stood up and motioned for Jeanette to do the same. When she did, he hugged her tight, cradling her head against his shoulder. “I’m proud of you. And I know your parents would be too.”

  Jeanette hugged him back and bowed her head, trying to hide the tears of joy that ran down her cheeks.

  ***

  Jason stood outside the dining room talking with Haneef and Slava when he spotted Vicky exiting the showers at the end of the corridor. He excused himself and followed, catching up with the young woman in front of her room. Vicky had the door halfway open when Jason called to her. “Wait.”

  She stopped. “What’s up?”

  “I wanted to talk with you. Why are you so morose?”

  Vicky averted her gaze. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Six days ago, when we chose you for the team, you were ecstatic. Since then you’ve done nothing but mope and act like you don’t want to be here.”

  Vicky’s head shot up. “That’s not true! I desperately want to be here!”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  She sighed. “I’d rather not say.”

  Jason knew what bothered Vicky. He wanted her to admit it. “You don’t have that option. I need my team focused on battling Hell Spawn and closing the portals. If you’re distracted, you’re going to get yourself killed. Or worse, you’re going to get some of us killed. If you can’t deal with this problem, let me know now and I’ll have Reno’s people escort you back to Mont St. Michel.”

  Vicky’s eyes widened and her lips trembled. For a moment, Jason thought she might have an emotional breakdown. Then the expression of fear morphed into one of resignation. She took a deep breath. “It’s what Bishop Fiorello said at the church the day before we left, when he said Jacques will find someone to replace me. I got out of a terrible situation by letting someone else take my place.”

  “You’re here because I wanted you on the team,” Jason tried to comfort her.

  “I could have backed out, but I didn’t.”

  “You did what any person would in a situation like that.”

  “I saved myself at someone else’s expense.” Vicky lowered her head and cried. “I’m selfish and horrible.”

  Jason cupped her chin and lifted her head until their eyes met. “You can’t save everyone. Trust me, I know.”

  Vicky sniffed. “How?”

  “In Paris, as we were about to deploy the device, my mother appeared on the other side trying to escape.” The memories of that incident flooded his mind, stirring up the rage he had tampered down. “Several Golem were between her and the opening, getting ready to attack, and my team was about to be overrun by Nachzehrer. It would have taken a few seconds to allow her to get out, but I couldn’t risk the lives of six other people. I couldn’t risk letting the Golem get between me and the portal, which would have meant we failed. So, I deployed the device.”

  “You killed your own mother to close down the portal?”

  “I don’t know if she’s dead or still trapped in Hell. The point is, saving my mother would have resulted in us failing. I had no other choice. Being trapped in Hell is my mother’s punishment for irresponsibly opening the portals in the first place. Yet not a day goes by that I’m not angry at my mother for the position she put me in, and at myself for not feeling guilty about what I did.”

  Vicky wiped the back of her hand across her nose. “That’s exactly how I feel about the situation with Jacques.”

  “It’s natural, but you can’t dwell on that. Nothing you could have done would have changed the situation, so don’t beat yourself up over it. If it makes you feel any better, I really do need you on this trip because of your apothecary experience.”

  “You’re not just saying that?”

  “You’ll be more use to me out here in the field than you ever could be back in the Abbey.”

  “Thanks.” Vicky ran her fingers across her eyes and down her cheeks. “Do you think my parents will be okay?”

  “I made it clear to Bishop Fiorello that they deserve special treatment because you’re now a Hell Gater. I don’t think him or Jacques would risk the bad publicity they would get taking it out on your folks because I brought you onto my team. I take care of my people.”

  “I won’t let you down.”

  “I’m counting on that.”

  Vicky opened the door again and stepped into her room when Jason said, “Vicky, remember one thing.”

  “What’s that?”

  “We can’t stop all the evil in this world. We can only be the best people we can. Once this is all over, and once we have clout from closing the portals, maybe then we can use that influence to change things for the better.”

  “You’re a hopeless optimist.” Vicky winked at him playfully. “That’s why we might succeed in this. Good night.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Jason’s team gathered in the dining hall at seven the next morning. Reno had arranged a farewell breakfast for them and, as a surprise, had restocked their supplies from his own coffers. He had even filled a special request of Gaston’s for five cloves of garlic and a jar of local honey. As each member finished eating, they made their way topside where Reno’s people had gathered the horses by the bunker entrance. Jason, Neal, Slava, and Sook-kyoung were the last to leave, bringing the saddle bags with the five antimatter devices. As the group made the final preparations to depart, Reno waited by the entrance. When everything had been loaded, the team members mounted their horses. Lilith and Lucifer hovered around the lead, waiting for their master. Jason and Jeanette walked over to say goodbye to Reno.

  “Thank you for everything, oncle.” Jeanette threw her arms around Reno’s neck and hugged him.

  “Yes,” said Jason, who stood a few feet away. “This is the second time you’ve helped us.”

  “It’s my pleasure. It’s the least I can do considering what you’re about to undertake.” Reno broke the hug with Jeanette, tapped her on the shoulder, and crossed over to Jason. He shook the teenager’s hand. “I haven’t forgotten our arrangement. I’ll get on the radio today and see if I can find any survivors who can help you.”

  “We’re going to need them, especially when we get to Asia and the States.”

  “I’ll do what I can.” Reno removed a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Jason. “Starting a month from today, I’ll go on the radio every night at 2000 GMT and will stay on for thirty minutes. My call sign is MARQUIS. That’s the frequency I use. Reach out to me if you get a chance so we can coordinate our efforts.”

  “You don’t have to do all this.”

  “I want to.” An awkward silence passed. Reno said, “Well, it’s time.”

  “I guess.”

  Jeanette stepped up beside Reno. “I love you, oncle.”

  “I love you, too.” Reno wrapped his right arm around Jeanette’s shoulder. His eyes met Jason’s. “Take good care of her.”

  “I will.”

  “She means a lot to me.”

  “She means a lot to me, too.”

  “I know. That’s why I don’t mind letting her go with you. Take care of yourself. You’re family now.”

  Jason and Jeanette mounted their horses. Jason ordered them to move out, and the team set off in a line, circling around behind the bunker and corral before heading east. The werehounds took up their usual position on either side of Jason. Reno watched them cross the field until the last horse disappeared into the distant tree line, and even then, stared in that direction for another few minutes. He harbored no illusions as to the dangers Jason’s people faced i
n the months ahead, and he knew the odds of his seeing his niece again were slim. Yet that didn’t prevent him from wanting to help any way he could. If he could find survivors who thought like Jason, who were willing to make sacrifices to set things right in the world, then maybe he could better the odds of seeing his niece and Jason again.

  Reno made his way back to the bunker and headed down stairs. He would be spending a lot of time on his two-way radio over the next few months.

  BOOK TWO

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Minsk, fifty-seven days after leaving Mont St. Michel

  Reinhard sat in the shade of the pine tree, leaning against the trunk. He used his bayonet to cut a slice off an apple. “Werner, remember vat I said a month ago about being thankful that ve hadn’t run into any Hell Spawn?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I vas wrong.” Reinhard popped the slice into his mouth and chewed. “I’d give anything right now to take on a horde of Nachzehrer or a few soul vampires.”

  “You can’t mean that,” said Sook-kyoung taken aback by the statement. “Most of us would be dead if we had to fight our way across Europe.”

  “I’m bored,” he grunted. “Ve’ve been on the road two months und it’s the same thing every day. Travel for eight hours, set up camp, eat, sleep, repeat.”

  “It’s just another of the ABCs of traveling Europe, mate” said Ian.

  “Vat’s that?”

  “Another bloody campsite.”

  “Another bloody cathedral,” said Gaston.

  “Another bloody church,” Slava joked.

  “Another bloody castle,” added Vicky.

  “Another bloody city of the dead,” said Antoine, bringing an abrupt end to the attempt at levity. The mood became dour.

  Jason could not blame them for feeling this way. When planning this trip, he had tried to take into consideration every possible aspect, yet had not factored in morale. Sook-kyoung was right. Most of them would never have made it this far if they had encountered Hell Spawn every step along the way. However, the monotony of the past two months threatened the team’s cohesion almost as much as if they had endured constant attacks by demons.