"Tell you what Derek, you can be on John's helicopter crew. We'll get you trained up as soon as possible."
"Thanks."
Amy leaned over the table on her elbows and looked the Captain in the eyes. "How is it that the percentage of survivors on this ship is higher than in the general population?" she asked. "How did twenty percent of you survive. Best we can figure, maybe one in a hundred survived."
"And," the Captain said, "that would be a very generous number. It's more like one out of ten thousand," he paused to let that sink in. "Now understand that more than one in ten thousand probably survived the initial outbreak. Possibly two or three times that number but after the survivors were killed by the…um…dead, that number is all that was left. Those were the numbers we were given by the Pentagon before we lost contact."
“So the Government was in control for a while,” John said.
“Not really,” the Captain said. “A few, and by a few I mean five or six, higher ups survived and stayed in contact with us until late the second day, but, they had no control. They said we were the only ship or military unit left. Everyone else was wiped out. Their last transmission said they were being overrun.”
"We had no idea. We thought there were quite a few survivors," Amy said. "Only we never saw them because they were hiding."
"There aren't as many survivors as we thought," Derek said looking at Amy and shaking his head. “We were way off.”
"Well, let’s put some numbers on it for you. What's the population of South Carolina?" Captain Dean asked John.
"Last years census says about four point five million. The Charleston area has around six hundred and fifty thousand. The city itself one hundred and twenty thousand."
"Wow a numbers guy," Amy commented.
“What can I say... I’m a salesman,” John said.
"The math is pretty easy," the Captain said, "that means there were approximately four hundred and fifty survivors in the entire state with sixty-six of those in the Charleston area and about twelve in the city, maybe one or two more if you figure in tourist. There could be clusters of survivors, five or six, spread out across the country but they would be few and very far between. "
"Wow," Derek said, "that's crazy."
"It gets better, in the United states there would only be somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty-five thousand."
"Yeah," Amy said, "but that's a lot of people."
"Not really," John said, "that would only fill the Gamecocks football stadium to about forty percent of capacity. Then spread those people out over the entire country."
"Total number of survivors on the planet? Six hundred and ninety thousand," the Captain added, "and keep in mind this secondary wave of infections is under way now among the surviving population. That could reduce that number drastically"
"Do you think it's such a good idea to be picking up survivors then?" Derek asked.
"If we're careful. You have to remember we bring no-one aboard this ship until they have been cleared. As a matter of fact we have a security team with each rescue aircraft," the Captain looked at Derek and nodded, "that's where I plan on putting your Army training to work. You'll be on John's helicopter for security. Anyway, no survivor is allowed near the choppers until they've been cleared."
"Have you run into any trouble so far," Amy asked.
"Unfortunately we have."
"How so?"
“We had an incident several days ago. One of our rescue helicopters found a group of four survivors. One was a carrier in the extremely contagious stage and one other was ill. It was quickly determined that all had to be left. As the crew re-boarded the aircraft they were rushed and overtaken. The pilot managed to take off and make it back to the ship but the rest were dragged out of the aircraft.
“Is the pilot ok?” Derek asked.
“No. You have to realize we thought we were immune. We were wrong,” the Captain paused. “He was quarantined just as a precaution but he did become sick and died shortly after. He’s actually still onboard, locked up in an isolation cell in the brig. The room is completely sealed but we have a ten inch round window in the door so he can be observed. Our ships Doctor wants to watch it and see what happens to it over time. And two other people who came in contact with him before he was locked up also became sick and died. They were tossed before they came back.”
“Wow,” Amy said. “You have a pet zombie.”
Everyone laughed.
“We’ve changed protocol now,” the Captain said. “Survivors are instructed to stay away from the aircraft until the medical personnel instruct them approach, one at a time, to be checked. The security personnel are under strict orders to shoot to kill anyone trying to approach the aircraft without permission. We have no choice.”
“So you were short a helicopter pilot?” John said.
“No actually we had three helicopters and four pilots on board. So, we had an extra pilot. With you we're back to four helicopter pilots and now we have four aircraft."
“Captain Dean,” Amy said, “that still doesn’t answer my question as to how so many people on the ship survived... and what do you mean by you thought you were immune?”
“I was getting to that. We were prepping for deployment and had a skeleton crew because most of the ships personnel were away on leave. We have an upcoming cruise and most people like to take time off right before. So, the Navy decides that one thousand of our crew would be the first group to receive a new vaccine that was supposed to protect us against all types of flu. Past, present, and future. Like a super all in one vaccine. Anyway, they wanted a thousand but there were only eight hundred and sixty-eight people on board. So eight hundred and sixty-five received it and three did not for medical reasons. It was given to us on Monday the day before this started. So somehow we were protected. Short term anyway.”
“Why short term,” Derek asked, “Isn’t a vaccine supposed to be good for years?”
“Yes but evidently not this one. Not against this particular bug anyway. Some of us may be immune. We just don’t know. What we do know is the pilot and the other two had the shot and still died. Actually we shouldn’t have even been protected so quickly. It usually takes several weeks to develop immunity, but evidently this was different. Our medical staff doesn’t know what to make of it yet. ”
“What about the three that didn’t receive it?” John asked.
“They became sick, died and then came back. We disposed of them. People were exposed to it at the time and no-one became ill. This just reinforced the notion that we were immune. And this was on the first and second day after the outbreak. The pilot contracted it five days later so logic tells us the protection has worn off.”
“Bummer,” Jimmy, who had been listening intently, said.
“That’s affirmative Jimmy,” the Captain said as he stood to leave. "We can discuss this more if you like but for now get some rest. You've earned it. I’ll see you guys in the morning. Sleep as late as you like. We won't put you to work for at least a couple of days. Then everyone will be assigned a job. You have to remember we're on a ship that normally takes five thousand people to run. We have nine hundred."
“I want a job,” Jimmy said.
“Ok,” the Captain said. “How about I make you an assistant quartermaster.”
“What’s that,” Jimmy asked.
“The quartermaster steers the ship. You can work on the bridge for three hours every morning. Deal?”
“Awesome,” Jimmy said grinning from ear to ear.
"Like I said sir, just let us know what you need us to do," John said.
"Don't worry we will," and with that the Captain turned and left.
After the meal they were taken to the berthing area. Amy put her arms around Jimmy and hugged him tightly.
“Sleep tight ok,” she said. “You’re safe now.”
Jimmy hugged her back, reluctant to let go.
“I’ll see you bright and early buddy,” John said patting him on the sho
ulder.
Jimmy let go of Amy and put his arms around John. John hugged him back. They all said goodnight and were shown to their compartments.
John and Amy thanked the seaman helping them then went inside and closed the door. They stood looking at each other for a moment then Amy lost control of her emotions and fell into John’s arms and cried like she had never cried before. He held her tight.
The bunks were ready with crisp clean sheets, blankets and soft pillows. Clean for the first time in over a week and well fed, they climbed into one of the bunks. John held Amy close in the soft red glow of the night watch lamps. He promised himself to focus on Amy and Jimmy now. All three of them had lost everything they had ever known. Now it was up to him to protect and take care of them. He gently kissed her on the forehead. She put a hand on each side of his face and looked into his eyes lovingly then kissed him gently on the lips.
John started to speak but Amy put a finger to his lips, "SShhh..." she whispered, relishing the chance to put him in his place again, "don't ruin the moment."
Then she laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
The hum of the ship gave them a great sense of security. The ship seemed alive. It was almost as if they could feel it breathing. And, as impossible as it seemed only a few days ago, they had made it. They had survived.
Amy thought back to the day she found her Grandmother lying in the street. Maybe she had been wrong then. Maybe she could feel safe and content. Maybe she would be able to be happy again after all.
A tear escaped from the corner of her eye, rolled down her cheek and soaked into John’s shirt. She pressed her face closer to his chest and breathed deeply.
As they lay there wrapped in each other’s arms, the gentle roll of the ship was barely noticeable as they drifted off into the deepest sleep they had ever known.
EPILOGUE - THREE HOURS LATER
On the darkened flight deck no one noticed as the left side cargo hatch of the news helicopter slowly swung open. A dark figure slipped out of the compartment and dropped to the deck. A second soon followed. The two crouched there in the darkness, waiting. They had listened as the two sailors on watch passed by minutes before.
When the guards returned, the stowaways were waiting. The sailors stopped at the rear of the chopper to smoke. It was forbidden to smoke while on watch but what the hell. Things were different now right? They un-slung their assault rifles and leaned them against the helicopter. Crowded together against the wind to light their cigarettes they were easy targets. Both succumbed to the attack and died quickly.
Each demon picked up a rifle. Then waited patiently for their new recruits to join them. Soon the bodies of the guards began to stir. First one and then the other stood to it’s feet and stumbled in the dark. The two demons watched the zombies with anticipation.
Shortly thereafter there was an audible sucking sound as two more swooped in to fill the voids left behind by the departure of the sailor’s souls. The newly embodied demons heard sounds of approval as they took the pistols from their holsters and gripped them tightly. The four grunted with evil delight as they set off across the flight deck.
About the Author
ARTHUR M WYATT (AKA:MIKE/MICKEY) IS AN EX U.S. NAVY SEABEE AND NO-TIME BRAM STOKER AWARD WINNING AUTHOR. SEVERAL OF HIS SHORT STORIES HAVE NOT BEEN ADAPTED INTO GRAPHIC NOVELS AND NONE OF HIS BOOKS ARE SLATED FOR FILM OR VIDEO GAME ADAPTATIONS. HE LIVES IN UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA WITH HIS WIFE, TWO DAUGHTERS, BLACK LAB, TWO MINIATURE SCHNAUZERS, SIX GUITARS FEATURING AN AMERICAN FENDER STRATOCASTER, 1000 BOOK PERSONAL LIBRARY, VAST COLLECTION OF HEAVY METAL, PROG METAL, JAZZ, BLUES AND BIG BAND MUSIC, TWO FANTASY FOOTBALL SUPERBOWL TROPHIES AND A 1994 FORD F-150 WITH OVER 250,000 MILES. HE FLIES THE AMERICAN FLAG YEAR ROUND,
Contact Us
HE COMMUNICATES DIRECTLY AT
[email protected] or [email protected]
follow me on Twitter: @ArthurMWyatt
You may purchase this book on-line by visiting:
https://www.createspace.com/3620515
Visit:
http://thedemondead.yolasite.com/
While this book is a stand alone novel, a second “Demon Dead” novel, with some links and overlaps, is in the works. For information about the upcoming sequel visit the web site above or follow me on twitter @ArthurMWyatt. “The Demon Dead: Troubled Waters” will be available sometime in 2013. (Unless of course the world comes to an end on December 21, 2012. If so you may disregard this notice, grab a cold beer, and enjoy the fireworks.....) The above site also contains other very important trivial information and links as well.
Thanks
Arthur M Wyatt
The Demon Dead Page 30
