I forced myself to put Angel to the back of my mind and choked back on the tears. I went back into the bathroom and washed my face with cold water. Came back out to find the two of them standing by the door, waiting for me. I walked out and waved away the wheelchair waiting for me. Brian put my Zomgo pack into it, and then handed me my trusty MP-5. “I thought you had missed that.”
I checked the magazine and saw it full of hollow point 9mm. I slapped the magazine home and pulled on the charging handle. I was now loaded and ready to go. Julie helped me with the strap and got it connected to my armor. It added a little bit more weight than I was used to, but the pills Brian had given me, seemed to be handling the pain just fine. We walked outside and climbed into the Humvee waiting for us.
We drove onto the tarmac and out to a trio of waiting helicopters. “I thought we were going to be traveling on a C-130.”
Brian looked back at me from the front seat. “Last second change. We decided on a new place for the meeting, that is much closer.” He climbed out and opened my door. He offered his arm, which I took and used to pull myself out and to my feet. I straightened and waited for Julie to come over to my side as Brian retrieved our gear.
I took Julie’s arm, but made it look like a lover’s touch. When in fact she was helping me gain my stride. We marched up to the helicopter and Apache came out to see me. “Can we talk for a sec, alone, sir?”
I nodded yes and Julie kissed my cheek and let go of me. I kept my balance and watched as Brian and Julie made their way to our appointed helicopter. Apache took my elbow and placed her body in the way, so no others could see what she was doing. She took my other hand and placed a small object in it. Through a smile she said softly, “Swallow that.” I looked at her as though she was crazy, but did as she ordered. It was small enough and easy to swallow.
“Mind telling me what I just swallowed?”
“It’s a tracking device, with a five-hundred-mile range. I don’t trust anyone that isn’t on our team. Ridder tried very hard once to kill you. I don’t think they have just given up.” She hugged me briefly then messed with my gear. Out loud this time, she said, “Alright sir, that is all I know about that subject. You understand our security detail? Any questions?”
I eyed her for a second, “No Lieutenant I think I understand fully.” She walked by my side to the helicopter.
Hase and Heaven stood at full attention and saluted as I came up to them. “Stop that shit guys.” I shook their hands and gave them each a man hug. Doc was already in the chopper and threw me the bird. I shook my head and threw one back. “Never did get that coffee Sergeant.”
He spit a wad of gum out the other door and gave me a squinty smile. “Probably never will, sir. Good to see you vertical again.”
“Good to see you too Doc.” I meant it too.
Apache put her hand on my left bicep and stopped me from climbing on board that helicopter and directed me to the next one in line. “You will be on my chopper, sir.” She helped me up into the bay and Brian and Julie climbed in and sat on each side of me, bracketing me from the doors. Apache sat in front of us. “Kuppers and his team will be on the first chopper. The security team is in the middle and we will take rear. I want to be able to get away if we come under fire.”
Apache turned and patted the pilot on the shoulder and he fired up the engines. Two men climbed in and took control of big round side guns, putting Apache between them. The first helicopter in line raised and moved away, then the next one and finally us. Two Apache attack helicopters appeared beside us, one then fell back as the other raced forward to take the lead.
We flew in a staggered formation to the west and away from the base. The pilot reached up and turned on a radio he had attached to the console. Sharp Dressed Man from ZZ Top roared out from it. I found myself bopping my head and legs to the beat. Everything felt surreal like from a war movie, where loud music blares as the Hueys fly over low, rolling hills.
We flew for two hours, hugging the ground and hills. I closed my eyes for a little bit and relaxed. Not really falling asleep, just relaxing, working on everything I’d learned. A niggling feeling pierced through my thoughts. We were walking right into a Ridder ambush. I opened my eyes to alert Apache, when a loud bang came from behind and we slewed to the right fast. I grabbed onto my safety belts and looked over to Julie. She looked frightened and grabbed onto my arm. Brian’s massive right arm flew across Julie and I, and held us back against our seats.
The pilot and copilot sprang into action and the radio turned off. Alarms went off inside the cockpit and we straightened slowly, only to have another bang come from behind us and we slid to the left. I watched in front of us and the Apache from behind came forward and fired its deadly chain cannon into the tail of the helicopter in front of us. “Oh shit!” I yelled.
The Apache up front turned, twisted, and disappeared around a low hill, reappearing behind the enemy Apache. It fired its cannon and hit it around the main rotors and engine. Smoke began to pour out of it and it turned, trying to line up a shot. We shifted further to our left and I lost sight of the deadly battle going on in front of us. The pilot yelled back to us. “I can’t keep this thing airborne any longer. We are going to crash. Prepare yourselves for impact.”
Chapter 2
The helicopter rattled and we flipped almost onto our side. The gunner to my left fell out of the door but was attached to a strap so he didn’t go too far. Brian reached his big left arm over, grabbed onto the strap and heaved with all of his strength. The gunner appeared at the door with wide eyes and amazement written on his face. He grabbed onto a handhold and finished pulling himself back in just as we went level once again. I looked forward and saw a low hill fill our windshield. The pilot was grunting and doing everything he could to land us.
We made a little altitude and cleared the summit of the hill, I looked down and saw Humvees and men sitting in a small valley. “Ridder!” I yelled.
The door gunners went on instinct and started firing into the men and vehicles down below. I then came eye to eye with Apache. She reached out and took my head in both hands and pulled me close. “Stay alive, they will want you as a prisoner. I will come for you, I promise.” We then plowed into the ground and the helicopter rolled to its right side. Apache pushed me down and covered my body with hers. Brian then threw his body over hers. A hand appeared in mine and squeezed. I knew it was Julie’s. I didn’t care about me, just about her. I looked to my right and watched the gunner on the side, cover her body with his.
We continued to roll and I heard screaming and yelling. Apache went limp on me and I moved my head to the left, watching Brian be ejected from the door on his side. Finally, we came to a sudden stop. I had to get out of here. I figured if I met up with the troops coming for us they would have no reason to go to the helicopter and would just take me, leaving my friends behind and unharmed, except for their injuries from the crash. I undid the clasp on my belt and moved Apache back, I checked her neck and found a pulse. I undid her clasp and moved her over to her side, resting on the seat. I checked Julie and found her semiconscious. I whispered into her ear. “Stay here, my love. Stay alive and take care of Apache. I am going to go surrender and hopefully, they will leave you alone. I love you, and will never really leave you.” I kissed her forehead and grimaced at the pain in my chest. I moved away slowly and Julie tried to grasp me. I moved her hand and climbed from the wreckage. I stood outside, swaying from a slight concussion. I took off my helmet and threw it aside. I searched around till I found Brian. He also had a pulse, I looked around and found some debris and tumbleweeds. I covered him the best I could and walked away.
I made it pretty far from the helicopter, I was amazed at how I could ignore the pain in my chest and abdomen. I came around a band of rocks, and right into the devastated convoy. Humvees that had been ripped apart and men laid about being, tended to by medics or covered by tarps. A knot of soldiers lifted their guns and pointed them at me. I raised my hands then fell
to my knees, pain and exhaustion finally taking their toll. Rough hands ripped my MP-5 and 1911 from me. A man yelled in my face demanding my name.
“My name is Dan Welko.”
The man turned and yelled down to someone else. “Radio the commander and let him know we have the subject.” He turned to me. “Where are your friends?”
“Dead. You, assholes killed them all!” I tried to climb from my knees and attack the man. It was a weak attempt. I didn’t expect to be able to do anything. I just wanted them to believe me and not go check the wreckage. The soldier kicked me in the ribs and drove me to my back. Black dots exploded in my vision. The pain ripped through my wounds and burned my chest. He then flipped me over and zip-tied my hands together.
Someone yelled from further away. “Get the prisoner in one of the working Humvees, we need to boogie. The Apache and the last helicopter are coming back this way. We need to get far away.”
Four people grabbed me and lifted me by my arms and legs off the ground and carried me to a Humvee, tossing me into the clamshell in the back. I felt a prick in the back of my neck and passed out. I came to a couple of times. Once during the ride in the back of the Humvee over bumpy ground, the next time I was on a helicopter, I could tell by the thumping of the massive rotors.
I finally came wide awake when I heard someone’s voice calling my name. I almost called out Julie’s name, but bit down on my tongue. I slowly opened my eyes, only to find myself sitting in a metal chair, with my hands handcuffed to the top of a table. I ignored the person talking to me and looked around. The room reminded me a lot of the SFPD interrogation room back when Vic was interviewing me. The room was a bland grey with concrete walls, and a mirror, obviously a two-way mirror.
I focused on the man in the room. I thought I recognized him but kept it off my face. He was dressed in a fashionable grey suit, crisp light blue shirt, and no tie, instead the top button was undone. He had a full head of brown hair with a little grey flecking the sides. I looked down at his hands and found them to be soft-looking with buffed nails. He wore a watch that I was certain was worth at least two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, back when money meant something. Three rings adored his left hand and two on his right. All had diamonds in them except his wedding ring which was a normal gold band.
He waited patiently as I looked him over. He gave me a toothy smile that showed perfectly straight white teeth. I decided that I hated him. “Mr. Welko, nice to finally meet the thorn in our side.” His voice was friendly with no anger in it at all.
I coughed a little then moved my tongue around inside my mouth, trying to loosen it up enough to talk. “Can’t say I like your method of bringing me here. You could’ve sent an invitation.”
He chuckled and poured me a glass of water from a pitcher on the table. He put a straw in it and placed it in front of me. “Please, I do not have to be uncivilized. Have a drink, that tranquilizer they used on you leaves terrible dry mouth.” I bent my head and took a nice long cold sip from it. He waited a moment letting me sip at the water before he continued. “I am sorry for the method we used to get you here, but I didn’t think you’d respond to a formal invitation. Plus, we need to keep this place secret for a little longer.”
“You should’ve tried the written invitation first. I would’ve been happy to show under a white flag, to discuss our differences and your possible surrender.” I smiled back at him.
He let out a small laugh and shook his head slightly at me. I was amazed that his hair never moved out of place. Had to have been plastered there. “Why would we surrender, when our plans are humming along just fine?”
“I wouldn’t say they are humming along. I am sure we have been throwing monkey wrenches into your plans.”
“I will admit you have been the one squeaky wheel in my machine. That is the reason why you are here.” He bent over and lifted a brief case onto the table. He undid the clasps and opened the lid. He removed a couple of items, reclosed the case, and put it back on the floor. He situated a couple of files in front of him, along with a gold pen. “I realize I have been incredibly rude. I have not introduced myself yet. I mean I know who you are of course. I am Joseph P. Hedley, I am the sole owner and CEO of H&M pharmaceuticals. We make lots of different things. We have our public department where we supply normal drugs to the masses, and we have a militarized arm, where we make chemical weapons for different governments.” He held his hand out to me.
I stared at his hand. “We do not have to be uncivilized Mr. Welko.” I raised my hand and took his proffered hand, shaking it firmly. “See? That didn’t hurt, did it?”
“Nice to meet you, even in this not-so perfect situation.” I said, as nicely as I could.
“Yes, well, we will see how things can change for you depending how you act and what information you decide to share with us. But this is not the time to start asking those questions. I just wanted to meet with you and go over some quick things. We will let you rest tonight, and then we can start tomorrow.” He opened the files in front of him and slid them over so that I could see them. One had pictures of the General, Colonel Phillips, and Colonel Kuppers. “See, I already know who your leadership is.” I looked over at the other one and read the single sheet of paper. The gist was a letter informing our leadership of my capture and proof of life. It didn’t demand anything or make threats. At the bottom, there was a place for me to sign. He handed me the gold pen. “Just sign the bottom and I can get this to your people. That way they can relax. I am sure your wife Julie would love to know that you are alive.” He gave me that practiced slick smile.
I took the pen and signed it. At the bottom I wrote I was okay and not to worry. He waited for me to put the pen down and I did. He took, it screwed back on the cap, and put it out of my reach. He took the two files and closed them. “I will have that delivered to your base ASAP. That will end our time today.” He turned toward the mirror and made a hand gesture. The door opened and three men came in.
“Please be kind to our guest and show him to his room. Make sure the doctor looks him over, and get him some food. If anyone harms him, I will have all three of you tossed into the pit of infected.” He rose shot his cuffs, and picked up his briefcase. “Till tomorrow then.” He turned and left the room.
I sat there unsure of what had just happened. The guards unlocked my handcuffs from the table and locked them in front of me. They escorted me out of the room, we turned left and continued down a rich blue carpeted hallway and to an elevator. The doors opened swiftly but quietly. The elevator looked like something you would expect to find in a corporate high-rise. I figured we would head down to the basement, but instead they pushed the button for the twentieth floor. The elevator climbed fast and silent. The doors opened onto a hallway with the same plush blue carpet. They walked me down to a door at the end of the hallway and opened it. I walked in and they turned me around and undid my cuffs. “The doctor will be up soon to check on you. There is water in the fridge.” The door closed and I heard it lock.
I turned in a circle and found myself standing in a living room with floor to ceiling windows. To my left was a small kitchen and a door. I walked over and opened the door. It opened onto a room built for a VIP. The bed was California King size with sheets in the high thousand thread count. I made my way to the bathroom and was floored at the sight of it, all marble and gold gleamed at me. I went back to the living room and looked out the window.
I was in Las Vegas overlooking the strip. I could see that Ridder and the Culling Initiative had turned the city into a large prison camp and military compound. I sighed, knowing that there was no way I would be rescued from a place like this. I made way over to the kitchen and retrieved a cold water and sat on the massive leather sofa. I pulled up my shirt and looked down at the yellow and blue bruise on my chest from where the Ridder soldier had kicked me. I probed it with my fingers and hissed at the pain. My scars looked okay, still pink and shiny, and they had not been reopened. I let my shirt fall and took a
drink of the cold water and sat back staring outside since the TV that had been in here had been removed.
I closed my eyes tight and thought about Julie and hoped everyone was okay. Last time I’d seen Brian, he’d been unconscious and barely breathing. If he or Julie had died I would tear the Culling initiative and their lackeys, Ridder down and burn it, then salt the ground so nothing could ever grow again. Someone knocked on the door and then it opened. A small man dressed in green scrubs followed by a female dressed in blue scrubs entered the room. He extended his hand to me and introduced himself. “I am Doctor Fieldman, and this is my nurse, Linda Correlia. I was asked to come up and check you out, give you a ‘check-up’, I guess we could call it.”
I decided to be nice and play their game. I extended my hand and shook both of their hands, plastering a smile on my face. “I am Dan Welko, as I am sure you already know. Where shall we start?”
“If you could remove your shirt, please. We will take your vitals.”
I peeled my shirt off with an audible hiss of pain. The nurse gasped in awe. “Oh my goodness, that is one big bruise. Are you able to breathe fine?”
“One of the soldiers thought I wasn’t moving fast enough for him, so he kicked me. I am having difficulties breathing, that is safe to say.” I hissed again when the Doctor slid his hand over the bruise.
“And what about these three wounds on your torso?” He looked a little closer. “Are those bullet wounds?”
Zombie Theorem (Book 3): The End Game Page 4
