Evolution Z (Book 3): Stage Three

by Bourne, David

  When the men noticed them, they drew their weapons and slowly approached the strangers. The two men in the truck also got out and stood next to their comrades. Watson wanted to start barking, but Ray shushed him, and the dog stayed quiet. The man who had been behind the steering wheel was a stocky, bald guy in his forties with heavy grey stubble on his face. He looked at Ray without uttering a word.

  “Good evening. My name‘s Raymond Thompson, and these are my friends Nika, Scott and Screw, and our dog Watson. We‘re looking for a place called Sanctuary. Our friend here is in urgent need of medical attention.”

  The flickering light of the flames shone on the face of the truck driver while he talked.

  “You‘re lucky you still caught us. We were just wrapping up our excursion.”

  “Your excursion seemed to be quite eventful,” Ray replied and stared at the burning houses around them. He had the feeling t these men meant them no harm. Otherwise, they could have done so by now.

  “You could say that,” the bald man replied and held out his hand to Ray. “Kent Blank. I‘m the leader of one of the supply teams from Sanctuary. We‘re going to help you–that‘s what our code of conduct requires. You and your friends can get on the bed of the truck. We only have to ask that you hand over your weapons first. You‘ll get them back after the initial examination. Then tomorrow Mr. Krueger will help you. He’s the mayor of our town.”

  Ray nodded. Mayor. This promised some kind of orderly structure. After they had given up their weapons, they and Screw were put on the truck bed. Two of the men stayed with them and the supplies they had found in Reefe. A man who sat on a large wooden chest with a black lid watched them suspiciously, but he did not say a word. When the truck rumbled forward, Ray and Scott both simultaneously wondered whether they would be able to embrace their families today, though they each did not know this.

  39Sanctuary (II)

  The trip seemed to take forever. Ray could not see where they were driving, but it felt like they were often going around curves and over rough ground. Every time the truck drove over a bump or a pothole, Screw groaned in pain. He had taken more than the recommended dosage of pills already, but they no longer seemed able to suppress the pain in his knee. The two men from Sanctuary who sat in the back with them had neither said anything to them nor spoken a word to each other. Ray could understand this, since they knew practically nothing about him or his friends.

  When the tailgate of the truck was opened, it was already pitch-black outside. The newcomers were taken to a cave and locked in cells, so that one after the other could be examined. As Screw obviously was in such bad shape, he was the first to be taken. While Ray was waiting in his cell, he wondered whether the examination would include a blood test or a similar measure to check whether the arrivals were infected. Even if the inhabitants of Sanctuary might not know it, each of them could be doomed, as long as no cure was found. His questions were to be answered soon.

  A few minutes later, Ray was taken to an adjacent room and had to strip down to his underwear. A man in a white lab coat checked whether his body exhibited wounds or any other signs of an infection. When the doc did not find anything, he told him to get dressed again.

  “You are clean. Please return to the cell block. You will be picked up tomorrow morning.”

  “What about Screw?” Ray asked.

  “Who?”

  “My friend. The tall black guy who could hardly walk. He was here before me.”

  “Oh, him. He also was clean. We took him straight to the hospital in Sanctuary to look after his knee. You should be able to visit him tomorrow.”

  Ray nodded and was taken back to the cells by a guard who had waited outside the door. Nika and Scott were examined the same way. When they were back in their cells, Ray asked how it went.

  “No problems,” Nika said.

  “My cut on the arm was disinfected, and they changed the bandage. I explained how I got this wound, and that was the end of it. It seems this initial examination is just a formality,” Scott said.

  “Well, that’s how they did it in Fort Weeks, before they knew better. However, I really suspect nobody here knows yet that anyone could be potentially infected, even without bite wounds,” Ray replied.

  “When are you going to tell them?” Nika asked.

  “I still don’t know. Let’s wait what tomorrow will bring and what kind of person this Mr. Krueger turns out to be. Then we‘ll see.”

  The following morning, the guards took them out of the cells and accompanied them to Sanctuary proper. Ray was quite amazed at the structured activities and the well-organized life in the town. Mr. Krueger seemed to have created a similar microcosm as Pelletier had done at Fort Weeks. At least he wanted to believe this, for unless there was another kind of test that screened for infection, this place of refuge might turn into a scene of terror at a moment’s notice. Before telling that to Krueger, he first wanted to find out what made the man tick—and to find out whether his, Scott’s and Dr. Abbadon’s families were here.

  They were lead to a massive stone building in the center of town that seemed to serve as town hall, and the signs on the entrance doors indicated that the settlement was administered from here. “Work Assignments,” “Outside Missions,” “Distribution of Goods,” “Medical Services”—there seemed to be a department for all important aspects of community life. When he passed a room with the sign “Registration Office;” Ray’s heart beat faster. He would have liked to go in there and ask whether the people his group was looking for were in this town. Instead, they were taken to a small conference room on the second floor, where they sat down at a round table.

  “Mr. Krueger will be with you soon,” one of the guards said.

  A few minutes later, an older man with a weather-beaten face and a large, grey mustache came in and welcomed them. He sat down across from the group and smiled at them.

  “Hello, everyone. My name is Walter Krueger. I‘m the mayor of this town, whose main goal is to offer refuge to all who managed to escape this terrible catastrophe. I would like to welcome you to Sanctuary.”

  A huge number of questions raced through Ray’s mind, which he would have liked to ask right away. Even though Krueger seemed to be honest, Ray told himself to stay calm. He had agreed with Nika and Scott that he would take over the negotiations.

  “Thank you, Mr. Krueger. My name is Raymond Thompson, and these are my friends Scott Gerber and ... Nika.” Ray just realized that he did not even know Nika’s last name. Krueger did not seem to mind.

  “Lying next to me is my dog Watson, and our friend Screw should be somewhere in your hospital right now,” Ray continued. “We‘re happy to be here.”

  “Right, the man’s knee had to be immobilized. Once the swelling has subsided, our doctor will decide what his further treatment should look like. Where are you coming from?” Krueger asked.

  A doctor. Ray was not surprised that there was medically trained personnel here, since they had all been examined shortly after arrival. He wondered what else Sanctuary had to offer.

  “Scott and I have been on the road for some time now. We moved from one refuge to the next, until we heard rumors about Sanctuary. On our way here we met Screw and Nika. It was... a difficult road.”

  Krueger nodded. “Most of our newcomers arrive here in a similar condition. However, few of them carry U.S. Army weapons.”

  Ray had expected this topic to be brought up. He had to reveal some information in order to gain Krueger’s trust but on the other hand, Ray wanted to play his cards close to his chest.

  “One of the places where Scott and I sought refuge was a military base. That’s where we got our equipment.”

  Krueger nodded sympathetically.

  “You know, Mr. Thompson, I am basically against all forms of violence, but I understand that you had to defend yourselves. It is simply hell out there. Nobody comes out of that unscathed. I myself lost my wife during the first few days,” Krueger’s voice trembled, but soon h
e regained his composure.

  “Even though I am often called Mayor, I never was elected. I more or less fell into the role of the manager. But I have my principles, which you will have to follow if you want to stay.”

  Ray nodded.

  “Sanctuary is ruled by a code that requires us to offer any survivors protection and refuge, if the initial examination determines they are not infected. Besides that, there are some general rules. First, everyone must work in Sanctuary and contribute to the overall welfare of the community. Second, violence for any other purpose other than defending ourselves against those poor souls out there is absolutely forbidden. Third, conflicts between inhabitants must be reported to the town hall and will be solved by an arbitration panel.”

  “Those rules sound reasonable,” Ray replied.

  “They sound like civilization, Mr. Thompson. Sanctuary is an oasis of peace and decency, and I wish it to remain so.”

  “In that case you should listen carefully, Mr. Krueger. There is something you definitely should know if you want your wish to come true.”

  40Consternation

  Krueger could hardly believe his ears when Ray basically told him anyone might be infected. It was only after Scott and Nika had repeatedly confirmed that Ray was telling the truth that he accepted the idea.

  “That is terrible. And you are quite sure of this?” Krueger asked again.

  “I know how incredible it must sound. However, we know of two confirmed cases where people turned zombie, even though they had not been bitten by the undead.”

  Krueger was obviously shocked. Ray had not told him anything about Dr. Abbadon or the USS George Washington, though. He only explained that he knew about this from having been in close contact with a high-ranking officer of the military base–and this was not too far from the truth.

  “Listen, Mr. Krueger, I understand news like this is not easy to handle. But a quick reaction is important for the welfare of the people here.” Ray took a small vial out of his pocket and placed it on the table. “We brought a quick test sufficient for one hundred people. How many inhabitants does Sanctuary have right now?”

  “Almost two thousand.”

  “Okay, that means we need more test kits. We have the formula for the test with us, and your doctors should be able to replicate it easily, if they have the necessary ingredients.”

  “How did you get the test?” Krueger asked.

  “We got it at the military base,” Ray answered.

  Krueger remained skeptical, as if desperately looking for another explanation that was more acceptable than what Ray had just told him.

  “Why didn’t you stay at that military base, if it didn‘t just offer protection but also information like this?”

  “Because the U.S. military still has a responsibility toward the American populace, and the people in the rest of the world. If there‘s a chance of helping others, then this code of behavior also applies to us.”

  “That still doesn‘t explain why you came to Sanctuary,” Krueger retorted.

  “There were for personal reasons. We were hoping that in exchange for the quick test you would help us find our families. We believe they might be here. We‘re also missing wives and children,” Ray explained.

  Krueger nodded. “I would‘ve done that anyway. But your test will make our town safer, if your information is correct. And honestly, I cannot imagine right now why you would want to lie to me. Your gear is outside this room. Please go to the registration office downstairs, where you can also inquire about your families. I‘m going to give the test kit to our medical personnel to examine. Furthermore, I‘ll soon call a town meeting in the amphitheater. I will ask you to stay inside the building until the meeting, then I‘m going to introduce you to the people and tell them the news. Afterwards, you can stay here and we‘ll give you time for your personal affairs. I have to thank you and your group for traveling this far, Mr. Thompson. I‘ll see you later. I first have to speak with my security advisor, Mrs. Martinez. You‘ll hear from me. Until then, I wish you a pleasant stay.”

  With these words, Krueger got up, took the test kit and quickly walked out of the room.

  41Searching for Families

  In the registry office, a young, friendly brunette sat behind a desk. When Ray, Scott and Nika entered, she looked up from the files she was busy with.

  “Hello,” she said. “You are new here, aren’t you?”

  “That‘s correct. Ray Thompson,” Ray said and held out his hand.

  “Christina Baker, pleased to meet you,” the woman said and shook Ray’s hand. “Then let’s get started with you, Mr. Thompson. If your two friends could wait outside, please.”

  Nika and Scott left the room, and Ray was once more amazed how much emphasis there was in Sanctuary of things being done by the book.

  “So, I already have your name. Age?” the woman asked.

  “Forty-one.”

  “Previous job?”

  “Pilot.”

  “Oh, that’s a new one,” the woman replied. “Okay, duly noted. You‘ll be informed by Mr. Krueger about what you‘ve been assigned to. Could you please send in the next one?”

  “Sure. May I ask you for a favor, Miss Baker? I...”

  “You want to know whether friends or family of yours are here, I know. Everyone who gets here wants to do that. As soon as I have registered your friends, we‘ll take care of that.”

  “Thank you.”

  Afterwards, Scott and Nika were also officially entered into the registry of Sanctuary. When this was done, all three of them stood expectantly in front of Christina Baker’s desk.

  “Please tell me which name I‘m supposed to look up,” the woman said with a smile, while opening a large file folder on her desk.

  Ray nodded at Scott to tell him to go first.

  “Jane and Sam Gerber,” he said with a slightly trembling voice.

  “Gerber... Gerber...” Christina mumbled while turning pages. “Here they are!” she said, and Scott’s eyes widened.

  “Are you sure?” he asked nervously.

  “Absolutely. Jane and Sam Gerber have been here for several weeks. They are located at this building.” The woman behind the desk circled a spot on the map of Sanctuary which she handed to Scott. Scott noticed his eyes were getting moist.

  “I have to go outside for a moment,” he said briefly and ran into the hallway, from where a moment later a loud sobbing could be heard. Scott Gerber was crying for joy.

  “What about you?” said Christina Baker to Nika.

  “I‘m not looking for anyone, thanks.”

  Ray cleared his throat. One could see the fact that Scott’s family was here had also raised his expectations considerably.

  “Please check for Tom, Eve and Melissa Thompson.”

  The woman behind the desk flipped through her file folder again. Minutes went by, and each time she looked at a page a bit longer, Ray’s hope was rekindled. But as time passed, Ray became certain his family had never been here. It had been a trick–the photo, the information. Dixon had done everything to get him to rescue Abbadon’s family. He had been lured here, that was all. Suddenly, the old desire for alcohol became stronger than it had been in a long time. Finally, Christina Baker shook her head.

  “Thank you for your efforts, Miss Baker.” Ray’s disappointment was obvious. When they left the room, Nika placed a hand on his shoulder. Scott was sitting outside, and his joyous mood stood in stark contrast to Ray’s despondency. When he saw Ray, he immediately knew what had happened.

  “Ray, I‘m so sorry. Maybe–” a message over the PA interrupted Scott’s words. It was Krueger.

  “Inhabitants of Sanctuary, there is important news concerning all of us. This is why there will be a town meeting in the amphitheater today at 6:00 p. m., which everyone should attend. I repeat: We will all meet at 6:00 p. m. in the amphitheater.”

  It appeared the medical staff had verified the test kit, and now Krueger finally believed Ray. Right now, thou
gh, Ray didn’t care. He felt an emptiness inside, like he used to.

  In contrast, for Scott there was no holding back. “Ray, I know where Jane and Sam are living. Please–I‘ve got to go there right now. I understand if you don’t want to come with me. I‘m terribly sorry that Melissa and your kids aren‘t here.”

  “Scott, we‘re friends. Even though I‘m disappointed, I‘ll never give up searching for my family. But this doesn’t mean I don’t want to meet your loved ones. After all, I have to know what kind of crazy woman could stand you day after day, big boy, plus I‘d also like to meet your son.”

  Scott gave him a grateful smile. He knew how hard it must be for Ray to show such graciousness in spite of his bitter disappointment and to go with him. Therefore, he tried to subdue his expressions of joy.

  “You‘re going to like each other, Ray.”

  “I‘m sure we will. Let’s get started.”

  Nika shook her head slightly. “If you don’t mind, gentlemen, I‘m going to look around the town in the meantime. I still will have time to meet your family later, Scott. We’ll see each other this evening in the amphitheater.”

  Scott barely heard her last words. He was almost running in the direction of the building where Jane and Sam were supposed to be. Ray could hardly keep up with him.

  42Collision Course

  Duke was on his way to Jane’s apartment. Since the outside missions had been his top priority, he hadn’t had much contact with her recently. But, he did not want Jane to forget about him, either. Before the outbreak, Duke’s list of amorous conquests had been long, and he believed a man should make himself scarce with a woman in order to remain desirable, but also now and again to place a lure for her. Today was just the ideal time for this, and he clutched a bunch of freshly-picked flowers in his hand. Normally, he did not care for such romantic nonsense, but he know how Jane Gerber was wired, and if these flowers would soon get him into her bed, he was alright with that. Duke whistled a tune as he strolled along. With his act as the big, strong protector he had clearly impressed the pretty blonde. This had become obvious on the way to Sanctuary, and then in the quarantine cells where they waited to be let into the town. Duke was sure that she was also impressed by his new role as Fuller’s right-hand man.