AntiBio: A Post Apocalyptic Thriller

by Bible, Jake

  “I can isolate it and keep it from moving, Lieutenant,” Worm replies. “But the transport’s medical system is not capable of removing the clot at this time.” Worm pauses. “I do not detect Canine Unit Belly or Sergeant Crouch.”

  Gorge gives a sharp bark.

  “Belly didn’t make it,” Paulo says. “And Blaze has been captured by the Clean Guard and is being taken back to Control.”

  “This is most unfortunate,” Worm says. “This will put the time table back by a considerable amount, not to mention the almost certain demise of Sergeant Crouch.”

  “There’s nothing certain about that!” Jersey snaps. “We’ll get there! Connect to the sat and find out where they are!”

  “I cannot connect to the satellite,” Worm says. “Not without risk of detection and possible sequester. In fact, I am going to have to ask that all PSCs be removed immediately.”

  “Wait, what?” Ton asks. “You want to take out our personal sat chips? That’ll kill our coms as well as our StatShields.”

  “It will also remove you from Control surveillance, Lieutenant,” Worm says. “You are now officially part of the resistance and considered a traitor to the Clean Nation cities. I am sorry, but if I leave your PSCs in place you can be monitored and potentially turned against us.”

  “What about me?” Jersey asks. “I drop my StatShield and I’m exposed to every bug out here.”

  “You will be fine,” Worm says. “Your exuberant copulation with Sergeant Crouch has passed on the probiotic from him to you. I have monitored your system for months. The last test confirmed my findings. Technically, you are able to handle more Strain loads than any of the operators present, with the exception of Coffin squad.”

  “Exuberant copulation?” Paulo asks as he and Nick help carry a stirring Hoagie into the transport. They get him settled and go back for Milo.

  “Shut it, prick,” Jersey says. “This is all bullshit. How will we get inside Control? This wasn’t supposed to get this far.”

  “Apparently, Dr. DeBeers’s paranoia is clearer than we thought,” Red says. “Somehow, she got to you before we could.”

  “No, I don’t think it was Control,” Ton says. “The Cooties stopped us.”

  “Cooties?” Marco laughs. “Have you ever really talked to a Cootie? Their brains are soup. They can’t coordinate an attack on a transport.”

  “Unless it’s related to something else,” Red says.

  “What?” Jon asks, but Red just shakes his head.

  Jersey looks at the other three stasis cylinders then at the one sitting just outside the hatch. “Hold on. I have an idea.”

  “Leave them be,” Red says, seeing where she’s looking. He takes a seat next to Ton and straps in. Zeus pads over and lies on his feet, as does Snorts on Ton’s. “It’ll keep them from getting under foot.”

  “Shut up,” Jersey says. “I’m thinking.” She walks out of the transport and eyes the Clean Guard bodies strewn about. “Worm? Can you piggyback PSCs? Is there a way to do that?”

  “Piggyback, Ms. Cole? I am unsure of the term,” Worm replies.

  “What are you thinking?” Red asks.

  “With the head start DeBeers has there’s no way we’ll catch up before they get to Control,” Jersey says.

  “You’ve never seen me drive,” Nick says.

  “Ms. Cole is correct,” Worm responds. “Even pushed to full power, the Clean Guard transport has an insurmountable lead. It is why I stated previously that-”

  “Worm, not now, we all know you are super smart,” Jersey says. “But are you smart enough to trick the sat scans and Control into thinking the PSCs on us are those Clean Guard troopers’ PSCs? That’s what I need to know.”

  “It could be possible,” Worm replies. “They would need to be fused together, which would involve considerable pain and discomfort.”

  “Already there,” Ton says.

  “Yeah, tell me about it,” Milo replies.

  Jersey looks at the members of the two squads, then at the stasis cylinders.

  “The crap part is I’ll have to go back in there,” she states.

  Red and Ton look at each other and smile.

  “You make us look like Clean Guard, right?” Ton asks.

  “And we deliver the goods,” Red says. “You won’t have to piggyback Coffin squad since we don’t have PSCs any longer.”

  “Let’s strip the bodies and cut off some arms,” Jersey says. “I can do the work on the way. The transport stays offline until I’m done. It’s damaged anyway so that will be a good cover story when we hit Control.”

  “Stripping bodies and cutting off arms?” Milo asks. “Is this how GenWrecks roll in the Sicklands?”

  “You do what you have to,” Red says and sighs as Jude walks into the transport.

  “Where do I si-” Jude starts to ask, but Red points at him and shakes his head.

  “No,” Red says. “You return to base and wait for orders. You’ll have to take the dogs as well as Sergeants Menendez and Kailua.”

  “Whoa, what?” Milo asks. “You’re leaving us here?”

  “You’re too wounded,” Ton says. “We get in the shit and you can’t fight. Even if we can trick Control with the PSCs, once they start doing a full med work up on you, they’ll match your DNA and everything will be blown to shit.”

  “And the dogs?” Paulo asks, looking at Munch. “I’m gonna feel naked without my bug hound.”

  “Clean Guard don’t have bug hounds,” Red says. “They can’t come with. Leave them out here and it’ll look like the squad was put down and the dogs ran off.” He looks at Jude and shakes his head. “Which means you can’t go back to base. You’ll need to squat in one of the bolt holes until we send word it’s all clear. Stay by the com.”

  “You have coms?” Milo asks.

  “There are communication relays planted throughout the Sicklands. Not part of the satellite grid,” Worm says. “There is a communications hub in Coffin base that connects to different safe coms throughout the Sicklands. Jude will need to get to one of those and get you all secured.”

  “Coffin base?” Ton asks. “How many bases and GenWreck squads are there?”

  “Not enough,” Red replies. “We’re spread thin and don’t have the resources to do anything yet.”

  “Can I ask why you are doing anything at all?” Paulo asks. “Why go after Control? They are the ones keeping the Strains from wiping everyone out.”

  “Control used to be called the Centers for Disease Control generations ago before the Strains brought the world to its knees,” Red says. “At first, they were the ones trying to protect us. Then it changed. Control doesn’t care about humanity the way we do. Control sees humanity like subjects to be studied and experimented on. Control lost its path a long time ago.”

  “Why would people do that?” Milo asks. “We barely survived the plagues, why mess with the balance even more?”

  “Heh, people,” Jersey snorts. “Right.”

  “Ms. Cale has a theory that it is not people doing this, but an AiSP,” Worm says. “Which I wholly disagree with. Control does have many imposing AiSPs, but they are not strong enough to orchestrate a plan such as this.”

  “You have,” Jersey says. “If you can help build the resistance then who is to say another AiSP isn’t building the opposite.”

  “I would be aware of an intelligence that strong,” Worm states. “And I have only helped with the resistance, not built it. An artificial intelligence on the scale you suggest would be far more powerful than my meager abilities.”

  “I’m just saying-” Jersey starts. “Screw it, not debating this again with you, Worm. Let’s get the uniforms and PSCs. We need to get moving now.”

  “Not to put a damper on your plans,” Milo says. “But I’m not hiking out of here.”

  “The Slides,” Jude says. “You two go on the Slides, the dogs pull the Slides.”

  “Smart kid,” Milo smiles.

  “Yep,” Red nods as h
e stands and looks down at Zeus. “Sorry, boy. You have to go with Jude. Keep him and the operators alive, got it?”

  Zeus looks up at Red with his large black eyes and sniffs then woofs quietly.

  “Good pup,” Red smiles and pats the dog on the head then looks at all the other bug hounds, their eyes watching him suspiciously. “I think they all know what’s up. Say goodbye to your bug hounds, operators, it could be a while before we see them again.”

  Everyone moves from the transport and gets to work. Sergeants Menendez and Kailua are secured on Slides, after Jersey incapacitates the sat link on the vehicles so they can’t be tracked.

  “The dogs’ PSCs will give away their location,” Jersey says.

  “That’s fine,” Red replies. “Control will think they just found a refuge in the Sicklands. We’ll close down that bolt hole after this; consider it compromised.”

  The Clean Guard troopers are stripped of their armor and relieved of their arms containing their PSCs. Everything is loaded on board the transport and the operators strap in while Jersey stays outside.

  “This is going to suck,” Jersey says as she places a static blade to Milo’s wrist.

  “I’m still under the influence of a lot of painkillers,” Milo says, but hisses as Jersey slices him open and removes his PSC. “Fuck. That did suck.”

  She moves to Hoagie and thankfully, the operator stays unconscious during the procedure. Making sure the PSCs are destroyed, Jersey nods to Milo then steps into the transport.

  “You got this?” Red asks, looking at Jude. “I’m putting a lot on you. Two wounded operators and a pack of unfamiliar bug hounds.” He looks at Jude’s shoulder. “You okay?”

  “I got this, Pop,” Jude says. “Just come back alive.”

  “And you stay alive,” Red says. “Watch the sensors. If you see any activity from Control coming your way, you get the hell out of there.”

  “What about Zebra squad’s bug hounds?” Jude asks. “If Control comes then they can track the dogs. I’ll never get away.”

  Red looks over at Ton. Ton nods.

  “Leave them if you have to,” Red says. “It sucks, but it’s what has to be done.”

  “Got it,” Jude nods. “Good luck.”

  “You too, boy,” Red says, clapping his son on the uninjured shoulder. He pulls him into a firm hug then lets him go. “Now get the hell out of here before the Cooties close in. Nick? Ready?”

  “Systems are a go,” Nick says. “A little banged up, but a go.”

  “Let’s roll,” Red orders. “Time to do the impossible.”

  “If it was impossible, I would inform you, Captain,” Worm responds. “While the likelihood of success is slight, there is a chance-”

  “Worm? Hush,” Red says.

  “I spend most of my day saying that,” Ton laughs. “But it’s usually worded as shut the fuck up.”

  “I’ve always been more diplomatic than you, Ton,” Red smiles, getting strapped in. He watches as the transport hatch closes and his son is lost from sight. “Punch it, Nick.”

  “Aye aye, sir,” Nick says as he initiates the transport drive and the machine speeds away from the battle site.

  Jude, with his bug hound Ajax by his side, watches as the transport hits the route hard and is gone from sight in seconds, lost to the night and whatever fate awaits the squads.

  “Come on,” Jude says, glancing over at Milo who is lain out across a Slide, looking very uncomfortable. “We better hurry before those Cooties out there catch up. You aren’t going to die on me, are you?”

  “Not that I know of,” Milo replies. “But Hoagie isn’t looking too good. How far is the bolthole? All of this movement could send that blood clot right into his brain.”

  “It’s a good fifteen clicks that way,” Jude says, pointing towards the ridge. “I thought Worm stabilized him?”

  “He did, but we’re in the Sicklands, kid,” Milo says. “Nothing good happens out here.”

  “That depends,” Jude says. “The Sicklands can surprise you.”

  “I hope so,” Milo says then waves at the ridge. “After you.”

  “Dogs, move out,” Jude orders.

  The bug hounds orient themselves with the Slides. It takes them a few yards, but they quickly work it out and get coordinated for efficient movement. They have been given a job and intend to see it through.

  33

  “I have picked up PSC signals from…” the AiSP states.

  “Are you planning on finishing that sentence?” Dr. DeBeers asks, settled into the front seat of the Clean Guard transport, her eyes on the route displayed on the windshield view screen. “I can’t read human minds, let alone AiSP minds.”

  “I was picking up movement of several PSCs,” the AiSP explains. “All from GenSOF Zebra squad. But the signals are now registering as deceased. However, several members of the Clean Guard are now back online. The anomaly is to be expected with the amount of static discharge released during the fighting.”

  “But you have confirmation that Zebra squad has been eliminated?” Dr. DeBeers asks.

  “I do, doctor,” the AiSP replies. “I also have confirmation that the Clean Guard troopers have commandeered the GenSOF transport and it is proceeding towards Control.”

  “Can you calculate their ETA?” Dr. DeBeers asks. “Based on the last transmission and our current location?”

  “There is still too much interference,” the AiSP replies. “Signals are not strong enough for an accurate estimation.”

  “That’s why it is called estimation,” Dr. DeBeers snaps. “Just try.”

  “They will not catch up to us and will, under my weak estimation, arrive about two hours after us,” the AiSP responds. “I have maintained control of your transport driver and increased his driving efficiency by thirty-two percent. We will arrive at Control in an hour and fifty-seven minutes.”

  “Good,” Dr. DeBeers says, settling into her seat. “Wake me when we are thirty minutes out.”

  “Yes, doctor,” the AiSP replies.

  “And keep an eye on that transport at all times,” Dr. DeBeers says. “If it deviates from the route for any reason I want to know.”

  “Yes, doctor,” the AiSP replies. “Would you care for a mild sedative in order to sleep easier?”

  “No,” Dr. DeBeers says. “From this moment on I need to stay clear. There is no going back now.”

  “Management is requesting communication, doctor. Shall I patch them through?”

  “No,” Dr. DeBeers says. “Tell them facility lockdown is still a go and they have less than two hours to complete it. Once I have had time to study Sergeant Crouch on my own then I will submit to quarantine, you fucking imbecilic piece of techno-”

  She stops and rubs at her temple.

  “I’m not sure why I said that,” Dr. DeBeers says. “I’m going to rest. Wake me as ordered.”

  “Yes, doctor.”

  34

  “Anything, Worm?” Red asks.

  “No, Captain,” Worm replies. “There is too much static discharge interference to be able to accurately scan for life signs.”

  “We’re stopping, right?” Collette asks. “If any of our people are still alive then we have to help them.”

  Red and Ton share a look.

  “If we stop they’ll know something is up,” Ton says.

  “We could make it look like transport malfunction,” Nick says. “They’ll buy that.”

  “Maybe,” Red says, looking at everyone. “But it is a risk.”

  “I could use the extra time,” Jersey says. “I need to make some more mods to my stasis cylinder before I get back in. I leave it as it is and I’ll be locked inside. We don’t want that.”

  “Control? This is Clean Guard trooper 85732,” a voice rings out.

  “What the fu-” Paulo starts to say then stops when Coffin squad all glare at him.

  Red points up at the ceiling and mouths, “Worm.”

  “Control?” Worm asks again. “We a
re having vehicle issues and need to stop for short repairs. We expect to be up and mobile again within the hour. Do you read, Control?”

  There is a loud hiss of white noise then a faint voice.

  “Clean Guard 85732…interference…you…unidentified transport…malfunction…for repairs,” the voice says. “Location noted…after one hour…copy?”

  “Copy that, Control,” Worm responds. “Will report as soon as repairs are completed. Please note we have commandeered Caldicott City GenSOF Transport Eighteen. Contact Dr. DeBeers for more information.”

  “Copy…safe…confirm…” the faint voice responds. “Clean…and Control. Out.”

  “Clean Guard trooper 85732 out,” Worm replies. “We have just under one hour to search for survivors and for Ms. Cole to complete her alterations to the stasis cylinder.”

  “That’ll work,” Red says. “Good job, Worm.”

  “Thank you, Captain,” Worm replies.

  Nick brings the transport to a stop and the operators, suited up like Clean Guard, all grab weapons and step out as the hatch opens.

  “Jesus,” Ton says, looking about the blast marked terrain. “This may be a waste of time.”

  “We have almost an hour,” Red says. “We have to try. Jersey needs the extra time anyway.”

  “Well, at the very least we can talk,” Ton says. “I’d rather you tell me what’s going on than Worm. He’ll skip all the important stuff and just state the facts.”

  “It’s a long story,” Red says.

  “More than an hour long?” Ton asks, snapping his baton into a rifle and placing it to his shoulder.

  Red looks at him and the rifle. “We’re here to rescue my folks, not fight them.”

  “It’s the Sicklands, Red,” Ton says. “You may be used to them, but I’m not. I’ll feel better with this up.”

  “Okay, but no friendly fire,” Red shrugs.

  “Take a look at us,” Ton says. “We’re dressed as Clean Guard. If any of your people are still alive we have more to worry from them than they do from us.”

  “Good point,” Red nods. “But dial your rifle back to light stun, will ya?”

  “I will if you fill me in on what’s going on,” Ton says. “All of it. Start from the beginning.”