What Remains (Book 2): Quarantine

by Barrett, Tyler

  Once she was over the scare, Minori realized it was Hisashi reaching out to help her into the van. She took a deep breath, “You scared me! I didn’t see you in the front of the van.”

  Hisashi chuckled, “Sorry, I heard you pulling on the handle.”

  “Have you even slept?” she asked, noticing the heavy bags under Hisashi’s eyes.

  “No, do I look that bad?” He asked.

  “No, I just know how long you have been up. Speaking of which, what have you been doing?” She asked earnestly.

  “I came out here to work on the equipment and make sure it was working for later. For some reason I couldn't get a good connection, I think the military might be blocking the satellite feed. Anyways most of the equipment we use is now digital, so I pulled out some old analog equipment, gave your studio a call, using the old payphone nearby, and we have been setting it up since. They were surprised by someone calling them asking to set up an analog connection. I just got connected a few minutes ago though,” Hisashi said, exhausted.

  “At one point I thought about just trying to drive outside the town limits to see if I could make it past the military jamming our satellite feed but knowing my luck I’d be caught by the military trying to leave town and it would all be for nothing.”

  “Wow, all that trouble to make sure we can send a feed...” she said trailing off.

  Hisashi nodded, “It’s like you said, and the world needs to know what is going on. I won't let them stop us.”

  “Well I'm glad that we aren't wasting our time here,” she smiled.

  Hisashi rubbed his eyes, “How about we go make some coffee? I could sure use the caffeine.”

  “Now that, that sounds like a good plan,” Minori said, perking up at the idea.

  A short while later they made their coffee, making sure to make one for Nobou too, and were back in their hotel room. They each sipped their drinks, letting the caffeine get into their system.

  “So, here's something I think you will both like. Using that analog feed, Hisashi set up, I was finally able to upload the source footage since the satellite feeds are down. I’ve set it up to begin uploading to several news sites; they should receive it all about an hour after we run our copy, which I have right here,” Nobou said grabbing a DVD case.

  Hisashi took it, “Well, it looks like we are all set, do you think we should leave and get there a little early?”

  Minori really didn't want to go, but she knew she had to, “Yeah, we should probably head out.”

  Chapter 17

  Approaching the hospital, they pulled up to a pair of soldiers at the gate, who stopped them. One soldier stepped in front of their vehicle, as another approached the driver window, “Identification.”

  They each produced their press ID badges to show that they were with the TV station. The soldier inspected each one carefully, before handing them back, waving to the guard to open the gate. They drove in and headed to the same spot they had been last time they were there. It seemed no different than last time; soldiers went to and from doing their jobs.

  Again, a pair of soldiers approached them, “Follow us.”

  They followed them to the main tent where Minori had met the Major General. The soldiers lead them inside, showing them to some seats, before leaving. She glanced around feeling odd to be in the same tent that she had dreamt herself and her friends being murdered in. It eerily looked almost exact to her dream; the only exception was the file wasn't here in real life.

  It made her feel a little at ease. The tent flap opened quickly, with the Major General walking in.

  “Hello again, I hope you had a good past couple of days. It has been chaotic,” the Major General said warmly.

  His demeanor had completely changed from last time. Minori wondered what had him in such a good mood.

  “I hope you are all prepared for this interview. I have been looking forward to it all day!” He continued, “I have my list of questions for you right here. Do you have any material to submit?”

  She had completely forgotten that he wanted to view everything they wanted to play during the interview personally. He would watch the video and know they had been spying on them. She had a feeling that things were about to go badly.

  Nobou interrupted her thoughts, “We have some stock footage we took of the city and its surrounding area, just in case we needed a backdrop.”

  Minori looked mortified; she knew they didn't take any stock footage. She was about to say they couldn't use the footage when the Major General interrupted her.

  “Good, we can use that to show the public that we are keeping the town safe!” He exclaimed, grabbing the DVD case Nobou handed him, “I will just go review this footage really quick to make sure you can use it.”

  He stood up and left the tent, leaving them alone in the tent again.

  She waited a few seconds to make sure he had indeed left, “What in the fuck Nobou? He's going to find out we were there last night-”

  Nobou held up his hand, “We are ok. It’s B footage of the towns we were in this last week and I edited it together. The real video is back in the van hidden. He will think we are playing this video, but we aren't.”

  She felt all the anxiety inside her melt away, “Nobou, did I ever tell you how much I love you?”

  He smiled, “Enough to buy me a big fancy dinner when we get back home from all this.”

  Before Minori could reply the tent opened once more. The Major General came into the tent; his attitude hadn't changed, which meant they were in the clear.

  “These shots will do just fine, they really make it seem like there isn't anything happening here,” he said smiling.

  “I'm glad you like them,” she said returning his smile, “I was hoping after our little interview, to play that footage and describe the rules of the Martial Law, and the tell the public how much the military is doing to keep them safe.”

  He nodded, “That sounds like a wonderful idea.”

  Well, we need to get ready for the broadcast, will you be in here until it's time?” She asked.

  “Yes, ma'am. I will be here if you need me. There will be a soldier outside that will make sure you are able to connect to the satellite feed.”

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Outside the tent, Hisashi found the soldier who gave them the security protocols to gain access to the satellites. That would help make sure that the video was received. Minori looked over the questions, all of them avoided the topic at hand; why the military was truthfully there. It seemed they were still sticking to the story of riots and civil unrest.

  She was extremely nervous and excited, as were Nobou and Hisashi. Once they got back to the van, Nobou showed them both where the DVD was hidden, and Hisashi quickly inserted it into the disc reader. They then got out all the audio and lighting equipment, setting up a small spot next to the tent to conduct the interview.

  The time got closer and closer, and her nerves started again. She had to stop and take several deep breaths to calm herself. Minori never imagined this is how her career would jumpstart, uncovering a major cover-up. She had dreamed of this day, and now it was finally here.

  It was time to set and start the final countdown until they were live. The Major General joined her and stood off to the side, waiting for the interview to begin. She was patched into the studio, listening to the news anchor start their greeting, and began to introduce her segment. Then they were prompting Minori to start.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Minori began with her opening, and after she was done, a man in his fifties walked into the camera angle, the Major General. He seemed relatively relaxed; she was going to change that.

  Minori started her questions, repeating the lines she was given, “Now, why is it that only some towns are under martial law while most of the country has seen no military presence?”

  “Well, we have reason to believe that this region is the ground zero for a group of people that are anarchists. Several people have joined together to try to overt
hrow the government in these villages. They have caused chaos, breaking into people’s homes, attacking people, and even murdering a few,” The Major General said without hesitation.

  She excitedly continued, “What about the reports that some of these “anarchists” have even resorted to cannibalism? Including the question why non-military or hospital personnel aren’t allowed near any of the hospitals in the area? We also have several families reporting missing persons, are you doing anything to find them?”

  The Major General seemed a little surprised when she brought up cannibalism, and not surprised as if he hadn’t heard that rumor. No, he was surprised by the fact that she knew about it.

  “Again, I want the public to understand that as long as they are following the rules set in place by the military, you have no reason not to feel safe. The hospitals are a major source of supplies and are where the main headquarters for the military are located. We cannot have just anyone approaching military equipment or personnel.”

  Minori was visibly excited now; she had hit a nerve in the command asking about the cannibalism. Not only that, but the Major General completely avoided the question. She pushed him harder now. “We have video footage of one of these “anarchists” EATING another person, here let’s play the video.”

  The Major General's eyes went wide, understanding something he didn’t want to be aired out was about to go public. He was cut away as a video was played…

  Chapter 18

  The video started up, while Hisashi was sitting in the van at the broadcasting equipment. He had heard her say to roll the video. It felt like justice had finally been served, Toru's death had meant something. He started to lean back in his chair when a loud banging on the sliding door made him jump. Someone wanted inside badly.

  “Open the door!” Someone on the other side exclaimed, before repeating the banging, “I won't ask again!”

  Hisashi knew it was the military. He wouldn't allow them to stop the footage, he sat at the door, knowing they couldn't get in. The banging stopped as though they had given up.

  He heard someone yelling, but couldn't make it out, but what he could make out scared him. “Yes sir, I'll get it open, no matter what...”

  Hisashi stood up preparing for what they were going to do to get in. He wasn't prepared as a hail of gunfire erupted through the thin metal door, slamming into everything that lay on the other side. Bullets went into Hisashi and the equipment behind him. He didn't die right away; Hisashi slowly bled out as he watched the door being yanked open by a soldier.

  The soldier didn't even give him notice and took aim at the equipment. He let another burst into the machines. The casings fell on top of Hisashi; he knew they should be burning him, but all he felt was cold. Soon he took his final breath, staring into the empty void.

  ✽ ✽ ✽

  Viewers at home, glued to their TVs, watched the video clip. Then the TV screen went blank and then displayed the error message from the station that was broadcasting. Many thought it a hoax, just something the news had come up with to draw in viewers and turned the channel. Others were horrified at what they had seen and began to wonder what they weren't being told.

  Chapter 19

  She smiled knowing that they had successfully tricked the Major General and now the truth was out. The light from the camera went off signaling that they had been cut away.

  “What video are you playing?!” The Major General asked ready to burst into outrage.

  “Nothing really. Just the truth. The one you are hiding from everyone,” Minori said casually, and even a little happy with herself.

  The Major General whistled, getting the attention of two soldiers, “Grab them both, if they try to escape, shoot to kill,” he said before taking off towards where they had their truck parked.

  The Major General was talking into a walkie, telling his soldiers to get into the van. He went around the tent, and began shouting at someone, “I don’t care, get that van open, shoot it open if you have to.”

  “What do you mean shoot if-” she began; gunfire interrupted her.

  Minori felt her stomach sink, no longer feeling happy with herself. New emotions flooded her, none that she wanted to explore. She knew what that gunfire had been, but didn’t want to face reality. Minori looked at Nobuo, who had the same face of silent remorse. The soldiers grabbed them both, shoving them into the tent, aiming their rifles at them.

  “What are you going to do with us? You can’t keep us here,” she said fearfully.

  The soldiers ignored her, and shoved her down to the ground, “Shut up and don’t move.”

  They sat in silence waiting for something to happen, watching the twitchy-fingered soldiers. Her fears had come true; her nightmarish dream was playing out before her. Any second now the Major General would come inside and threaten them, and then shoot them. They would be erased from existence.

  Just as she predicted, the Major General entered, but it was only him. Hisashi was nowhere in sight. She knew deep down inside that the gunfire had been in fact them shooting him. Minori could feel her emotions swelling, tears on the verge of bursting from her eyes. The Major General just stared at them both for some time, showing no emotion himself.

  Finally, he spoke, “Why? Why, did you think it was a clever idea to go against my wishes?”

  Neither one of them answered, too fearful of what was going to happen.

  “ANSWER ME!” The Major General yelled.

  “W-We wanted to show the nation the truth!” Minori said regaining a small amount of her courage.

  The Major General shook his head in disappointment, “You have no idea what you have done. We kept all of this secret because if the public knew what was happening there would be mass panic, probably even a collapse in government...”

  “You need to warn the public about the virus, at least, start working on a cure!” She exclaimed.

  “You do not understand. There is no cure, we have the best doctors we have on this, and they haven't found anything. They project the virus has ninety percent chance to wipe out everything in the country. We were told to wipe out the virus, leave no trace,” he said frustrated at having to explain himself.

  “Then why haven't you placed the town under quarantine?” Asked Nobou.

  “We did this morning, no one leaves or enters. I lost twelve men last night, twelve good men. You saw to it that their effort was in vain,” the Major General said with anger.

  He paced back and forth a few times before continuing, “I have the full power of the government behind me, and if I wished to, I could have you executed for treason. But, I am not a cruel man, and I believe in a fair trial. I have decided your fate; you will be kept in lockup in the hospital with the infected, and if we all survive I will see that you get a trial.”

  “You are arresting us for treason?” She asked surprised.

  “Yes, be happy that's all I am doing,” he replied; turning to the soldiers, he ordered them, “Take both prisoners to the hospital and make sure they are kept safe.”

  With that order, the soldiers grabbed them both, binding their hands, and then led them outside.

  Chapter 20

  The soldiers led them to the hospital, a place that looked like it was death inviting them to their final walk. She had never been arrested before, let alone for treason. But even worse was she knew she was being brought into the heart of a virus-ridden place. She was going to get another first-hand experience of the virus.

  They were led to the main entrance of the hospital, where two heavily armed guards stood watch. After they passed through the doors the smell from inside hit them both; a stench so foul Nobou immediately threw up. They could quickly see why the hospital staff had been turned away. It was no longer a place of healing, but a place of death and only that.

  As they were led down the hallway, they passed many rooms, where ordinarily recovering patients would be laying in a bed. Instead, these rooms held body bags, all of them occupied, containing ten body bags ea
ch. She started to feel the Major General's words sink in. So many people had already died, and only more would die.

  Minori still felt she did the right thing, but now could only regret not having an escape plan. She had imagined the world being different, an angry mob mounting an assault on the corrupted military she had exposed. Instead, only the harsh reality remained, and it was before her very eyes. Every room on the wing was filled, yet they continued down the hallway.

  At the end was an elevator, which they waited to enter. The soldier who had pressed the call button, turned to the other, “Are we taking them to the second floor with the rest of the infected?”

  “No, it's better we take them to the third floor, plus we don't have to pass by the infected. It gives me the creeps every time, then if they are closer to where the other soldiers are we can keep a better eye on them.” the other soldier replied.

  Once the elevator had arrived, they all climbed into it. The soldier pressed the button to go to the third floor, and they waited for the elevator to carry them up. It took only moments, and when the doors opened, a gruesome sight awaited them. On the ground in front of them were the remains of a pair of soldiers, surrounding them, a dozen people tearing into the bodies; the blood and gore was still very fresh.

  The ding of the elevator doors opening rang in the hallway, and every head turned in their direction simultaneously. Minori’s eyes went wide with fear, knowing that they had no way to escape them if the doors didn't close. A deep chorus of moans sent them all into action, the soldiers desperately fired their weapons into the infected, not hitting any in the head. They were all deafened by the noise in the small elevator. She quickly moved to the front of the elevator and turned around, so she could hit a button.

  She felt around and hit the first one she could. After five seconds the doors closed and they all let out a collective sigh, ears ringing. Their feeling of safety didn't last long as the doors opened once again, this time to the second floor. The light from the elevator cast a long beam of light into the hall, beyond the hallway was dark, only the lights from the emergency lighting were working.