Blood Harvest

by Michael Weinberger

  “Didn’t work much when I asked Lei, but what are you doing here Alpha?”

  The man called Alpha cocked his head as if confused by the question. “Last time I checked, this was a free country where people could go as they wished.”

  “Don’t be evasive, just tell me why you’re here. And I mean why you are here now, at this moment, and if you have anything to do with what happened tonight.”

  Instead of answering, Alpha unscrewed the top of the flask and sniffed the contents. His face screwed up into a look of disgust then he looked back to Steve.

  “Please don’t tell me you are using French wine.”

  “Just as you taught me…”

  “I didn’t teach you that. I used to use that swill because it was all I had available to me at the time.”

  “It’s not all bad.”

  Alpha seemed to consider this. “True, but apparently the type you can afford on a Detective’s salary turns the mix into something more akin to hog piss.” Alpha tossed the flask away and then pulled a large syringe out of a lining in his black jacket. “There’s an easier way you know.”

  Rage filled Steve as he recognized the syringe and the contents within.

  “Never! You son of a bitch! How dare you even show that to me!”

  Alpha smiled. “Still upset I see?” Alpha rolled up his sleeve, pushed the needle into the fleshy part of his forearm and injected the entire contents of the syringe into himself. Steve caught himself staring at the entire process and felt his body writhe with longing for the now empty syringe’s former contents.

  “God’s eyes boy, I don’t know why you do this to yourself. Your stubbornness will only ruin you in the end.”

  “I know your secret Alpha. You may have fooled the rest of the clan into believing you are some kind of benevolent leader, but I saw how you make your little cocktail and what you will do to keep it safe.”

  Alpha’s demeanor deflated when he heard these words. “I have wanted to explain to you what you saw that night for years, but you’ve never given me the opportunity. At first I thought it was simply because you were afraid of me, but now I see that it isn’t fear that keeps you away.”

  “No?”

  “No. You feel betrayed. If for nothing else, then for that I am terribly sorry.”

  Steve was struck by the apology; he hadn’t expected it, but the rage he felt overwhelmed the other emotions welling up inside him.

  “It’s a little too late for apologies and even if it weren’t, it certainly doesn’t change anything.”

  “No it doesn’t,” Alpha agreed. “So where does that leave us?”

  “It leaves me as a Detective with the Los Angeles Police Department and you a suspect in an ongoing investigation.”

  Alpha tilted his head slightly, almost as if to stifle a laugh, then he began to turn his back and walk away.

  “Don’t you move!” Steve tried to say with authority, but it came out more like a request than a command. Alpha froze. His back was now to Steve. As he looked over his right shoulder Steve spoke. “You can’t just leave.”

  “Oh?”

  “No. You need to answer some questions.”

  “That would be fine. After all, I came here to talk…”

  “No, not about our past Alpha. You are not under arrest at this point, but I need you to answer some questions, specifically about what you and Lei are doing here at this particular time. I am well aware it isn’t simply to talk to me.”

  Alpha apparently had no response as he remained silent and motionless.

  You can tell me here or back at the station.” Steve began to reach for his back-up pistol, the one he had in an ankle holster.

  “No. I don’t think so.” The man’s head shifted slightly as Steve silently drew the revolver and pointed it at Alpha’s back.

  “It isn’t a request,” Steve said calmly as he fingered off the gun’s safety.

  “It should have been,” Alpha said angrily in a voice that had changed into something more primitive and guttural.

  Alpha suddenly spun and jumped toward the left of the garage wall. Steve didn’t want to shoot, but realized he might not have a choice as Alpha now leapt off the wall and launched himself directly at Steve. Before Steve had a chance to comprehend what was happening Alpha had closed the gap between them. Using his left hand, Alpha slapped the revolver out of Steve’s grip. With his right hand he snatched Steve by the throat. Alpha’s grip was incredibly strong; it felt as though he had been grabbed by some kind of hydraulic vise as opposed to a man’s hand.

  Steve brought his hands up to his throat but Alpha slammed his left fist into Steve’s solar plexus forcing all of the remaining air from his lungs. An incredible pressure had built up under his lower jaw as his entire body weight was being supported by the one-handed grip around his throat. He couldn’t breathe and his vision was getting blurry. He scratched, kicked and clawed as best he could, but he had already grown so weak he doubted the effort was going to help.

  “You are going to have to start respecting your betters, boy,” Alpha hissed softly as he bent his arm to pull Steve in close.

  Though his voice was little more than a wheeze Steve managed, “Let me know when they arrive.”

  Steve struck Alpha hard in the throat with the webbing between his thumb and index finger, pressing upward and forward directly on the cartilage below Alpha’s adam's apple. In any other case Steve knew the strike would have been lethal, crushing the cartilage and collapsing the trachea, such that the person on the receiving end would suffocate. Steve knew that in Alpha’s case it would only be a mild annoyance. Truly, Steve was aware of just how out-classed he was when it came to confronting Alpha. Even with everything Alpha had taught him and all he had since learned at the Police academy there was no comparison between them.

  But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t fight back.

  Alpha had regained his footing and held his arms out at his side.

  “So this is what we have come to?”

  Steve didn’t answer as he quickly glanced in each direction to see if there was anyone who might be a witness to what was happening. Not seeing anyone, he dropped to the ground and lifted a cinder block which had been lying in a pile of garbage next to the parking garage wall. As Steve rose he threw the concrete block at Alpha with considerably less difficulty than it should have taken to cover the ten yard separation between the two of them. Alpha didn’t try to duck out of the way or dodge; instead he looked bored as the projectile closed the distance on its deadly path. Then, at the last possible moment, Alpha raised his fist and struck the airborne cinder block as it reached him with such force it caused the block to explode in a cloud of small fragments and grey dust.

  Initially, Steve felt a surge of panic when Alpha wasn’t trying to get out of the way of the block. He had hurled it in anger and the reality that it might actually strike Alpha sent a terrifying concern through him. After Alpha had shattered the block, Steve felt slightly relieved and frankly impressed at the sheer spectacle of power his one time mentor showed…until reality set in that the fight was not yet over.

  Steve lunged forward and began landing blow after blow to Alpha’s body and face with a determination that should have been bone-splintering with every impact. Steve had always had to hold back whenever he trained with the other members of the Police Department. He possessed enough strength to cripple a man with a single well-placed punch. Now he held nothing back. Steve let loose with everything he had, but Alpha’s body barely rocked as each fist landed.

  Steve kept the punches coming, but he soon realized he was tiring. His knuckles had begun to bleed while Alpha looked no worse and even seemed to be bored. Less than a minute later Steve knew he didn’t have the remaining strength to keep his arms up. He looked into Alpha’s eyes, glowing in their bright yellow amber color.

  “So,” Alpha said mockingly, “you done?”

  Steve was completely out of breath and could hardly speak.

  “We…w
e haven’t…even started…yet” Steve barely managed.

  Alpha shook his head in what seemed to be more disappointment than anything else.

  “No boy, we’re done…at least for tonight.” Alpha balled his fist and held it up next to Steve’s cheek. “Sleep well.”

  “Oh crap,” was the only thought passing through Steve’s mind before the blackness enveloped him.

  Chapter 9

  Pain was the first sensation to return as Steve regained consciousness. It was as if the entire physical world was comprised of nothing but pain. He believed even his thoughts were hurting him as he strained to open his eyes to the realization he was lying in a large pile of garbage. Unfortunately, the next sense to return was the sense of smell which, in combination with the pain, created an extremely nauseating reality.

  Instinctively, Steve rolled away from the putrid odor although the action didn’t diminish the smell all that much. It did, however, successfully increase his pain to the point where he couldn’t hold back the nausea. He managed to clamor to all fours before the violent contractions sent what little he had in his stomach into the mound of trash surrounding him. When the spasms finally stopped he extended one groping hand in search of something he could brace himself with and support his attempt to climb to his feet. Most of his bodily pains had subsided to only a mild roar after the retching, although his head was still throbbing explosively. In his disorientation the word “concussion” flew across his mind a couple of times, but in this tenuous state he didn’t pay it much attention.

  Touching his face and the sore spots along his jaw and cheekbones, hazy memories began to return. Carefully trying to stand, the pain and nausea came back with flooding swiftness. He placed the flat of his back against an unexpected wall and slowly slid down to a seated position so as not to fall. That’s when Steve realized he was in a dumpster, probably the one outside his apartment building.

  “Yep, concussion,” he softly spoke out loud, understanding why the word had been flying around in his head the entire time since he’d regained consciousness.

  Searching his pockets the best he was able, Steve located his wallet, keys and cellular phone. He opened the flip phone and scrolled down the contact list until he found the one he wanted. Depressing the send button he waited until the line connected to the other end.

  “About time you called ass face!” came over the speaker end in a volume far too loud for Steve’s condition. Chris Barnes was in his usual jovial mood, playfully reproaching Steve in his own humorous way. “What, were you planning to keep me hanging all night? Dude, that is so not cool and I have half a mind to…”

  “Chris…” Steve’s voice was so cracked and so slight he was barely able to get the word out.

  Silence followed on the other end of the receiver.

  “Chris…” Steve spoke again and this time his voice was marked with the pain that accompanied the effort to speak.

  Chris’ voice and attitude changed to a deadly seriousness.

  “Hurt or sick?” Chris said gravely as if he already knew the answer. Over the phone Steve could hear Chris’ footsteps hurrying over hardwood floorboards and the sound of keys being scooped up from a countertop.

  Steve tried to reply but his head started swimming and his eyes began to lose focus.

  “Steve,” Chris spoke calmly and directly into the other end, “Tell me where you are.”

  Steve could barely focus enough to respond; he was only able to utter an unintelligible sound as he slumped to one side.

  “Steve! Concentrate and tell me where you are!” Chris almost hollered in a commanding voice.

  Using every last ounce of effort Steve managed, “Dumpster. My place I think.”

  “You’re in the trash?!?” Chris sounded panicked. “Can you climb out?”

  “No.” Every word seemed like a full physical effort so Steve limited his answers as best he could.

  “Holy crap dude! What days do they collect at your place?”

  Steve tried to think but his thoughts were muddy.

  “All right, never mind, I’m on my way. Stay with me, keep talking and I’ll be there before you know it.”

  Steve couldn’t stay awake anymore as his body slid into the filth that lay beneath him. He gave a silent thanks that his head landed gently on something soft and dry as opposed to a used diaper or some other such nastiness.

  “Steve!” Chris urgently yelled from the other end of the phone line. Steve looked to his left hand and was amazed to see he was still holding the device.

  “Chris…” Steve managed.

  “I’m coming bud, stay with me.”

  “I’m still here,” Steve whispered into the dark as the shadows danced around him swallowing him whole into a sea of black.

  * * *

  Welcome to KTLA Channel 3 News. Our top story this morning:

  The United States division of the World Health Organization has declared a state of emergency surrounding what appears to be a biological or chemical agent let loose inside the popular nightclub “The Inferno” last evening at approximately four minutes past midnight. Officials on the scene are reporting a serious contaminant used primarily in biological or chemical warfare was released into the ventilation system of the trendy nightspot, resulting in several casualties. The officials are not releasing the names or the exact number of victims nor are they stating the mortality rates among the victims; however, they do feel the threat has been contained and the surrounding area is free of any danger of exposure. Lead officials on site had this to say:

  Currently we are detecting absolutely no residual traces of the suspected agents outside the nightclub. We are in the process of performing sterilization procedures to the interior of the club, at the completion of which we are confident all remnants of the agents in question will be eliminated.

  Clean up continues at this time and all traffic has been re-directed around the area. Most gridlock has been kept to a minimum due to the light Sunday traffic in the immediate vicinity, but commuters are cautioned to take alternative routes for the majority of the day. We will update this story as information is made available.

  Chapter 10

  The Pharmanetics Building, Downtown Los Angeles

  Corporate Headquarters, Pharmanetics Corporation

  Alex Daniels loved working the weekends, particularly on Sunday since the building was so quiet and peaceful he could actually relax inside his executive office. He would look out the floor to ceiling windows, see the ocean on a clear day and read the Sunday paper while drinking a decadently heavy cream café latté and eating a scone.

  His company had struck it rich with two different patents on new cancer drugs evidencing the same success rate as traditional chemotherapy without all of the side effects associated with normal cancer treatments. Not that there hadn’t been a few problems along the way. Rival companies had released similar drugs first, which caused Pharmanetics’ cash flow to plummet to the point the company had declared a Chapter Eleven bankruptcy.

  Alex scrambled and found a group of investors who were willing to infuse substantial amounts of capital into Pharmanetics. The group’s only stipulation for the investment, aside from a significant amount of ownership in the company (which Alex had been reluctant to part with), was for Alex to employ one of their hand-picked executives to oversee their interests within the business. This liquidity of cash enabled Alex to “grease the wheels” within the FDA; the drugs passed through the human trials in half the time it would normally have taken to have the substances legally approved. The money also funded a massive PR campaign for the drugs once they were available to the public and the drugs sold at unbelievable rates. Now Pharmanetics was one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world and one of the largest in America.

  As Alex scanned through the Sunday paper, CNN played on the 60” plasma TV from the wall across from his desk. He had been paying partial attention when the news of the incident at The Inferno had been announced on the nationa
l news. Details about the condition of the victims were now being released:

  Eyewitness reports state the victims were in a comatose or catatonic state, but there appeared to be no fatalities.

  Alex lowered the paper and stared off into the distance of Los Angeles. The news broadcast now commanded his full attention:

  Apparently, the list of casualties includes most of the members of the Los Angeles Police Department who arrived on the scene soon after the outbreak of what people are calling the worst biological attack in the history of the United States.

  Alex spun toward the television as he swallowed hard and tried to control his breathing, his hand shaking as he reached for the phone and pressed a speed dial button.

  “Where are you?” Alex spoke into the phone as the line connected. “You’re in the building? Good, come to my office immediately.” Alex nervously set the phone down on its cradle. He began to pace the room, something he had not done in years, a clear indication of just how agitated he had become.

  It had been such a perfect Sunday. Now Alex wondered if this latest development could ruin the whole project. If the Press were to get any leads which pointed back at Pharmanetics the whole world would find out what they were working on. This would spark other pharmaceutical companies trying to beat them to the Patent Office. Industrial espionage would become so rampant the company would be spending all of its resources trying to prevent it instead of finishing current projects.

  Pharmanetics had been trying to develop a new form of anesthesia without negative side effects. The number of patients who have complications, including death, as a result of adverse reactions to anesthesia is staggering. The development of a side-effect-free surgical anesthesia would be worth billions of dollars to the company able to patent it. Pharmanetics’ latest research, spearheaded by their incredibly eccentric head researcher, had taken the company into a direction they had previously never been fathomed.