Downtime and Death (Apocalypse Gates Author's Cut Book 5)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  “I don’t know,” James said.

  “You stay here with them. Me and Al will go in,” Bill said, heading for the front of the building.

  “Sure,” Alvin said, summoning his Type 56 and following Bill.

  “We good to go in, or are you going to change it?” one of the people who was still waiting asked.

  “Al and I are going next,” Bill said as he walked through the doorway.

  “This should be fun,” Alvin laughed.

  Crossing over the threshold had them exiting the bunker into the main yard. Bill came to a stop and was looking the place over. Alvin frowned; the scenery around them was well done, but obviously not real.

  “Decent,” Bill grunted and advanced a few feet. The sound of a siren made him turn in a slow circle. “That’s the alarm. The attack should be soon.”

  A moment later, zombies started scaling the wall. Some of the figures fell back as the mounted guns began to “fire.” Alvin raised an eyebrow; the mounted guns were making sound, but not actually doing anything. Bill opened fire and Alvin looked at the zombies. Most of them had body armor on and were carrying melee weapons.

  Alvin and Bill tore through the throng with brutal efficiency. Alvin glanced back in time to see more zombies rushing at them, and some “townsfolk” about to get mobbed by the horde. “Bill, behind us.”

  Alvin reloaded the Type 56, shooting in short, controlled bursts and saving the “townsfolk” running for open doorways. Once they were out of the way, he started laying waste to the zombies in earnest. The sound of Bill’s Tommy gun let him know that the other side of the bunker was being cleared, as well.

  When his last zombie fell, a shadow passed overhead. The mounted guns started firing again, and a screeching roar came from the wyvern soaring above the settlement. The wyvern— like the zombies— was a moving figure, and Alvin could see the system that kept the thing aloft. Calmly focusing on the beast’s head, he unloaded the last of his current magazine at it.

  “That doesn’t do the real ones justice,” Bill said, coming over to him. “This shouldn’t take long.”

  The two men fired at the wyvern, neither feeling any fear from it, even when it came swooping at them. Alvin ducked under the tail swinging at him, the swish of air making his duster move. Bill cursed and jumped over it, landing badly. Alvin laughed but kept firing; the wyvern pulled back into the air before flying away.

  “Well, that was much more entertaining than what we had before, and will definitely help the non-hunters get a feel for the chaos of combat. That wyvern, though… so sad,” Alvin laughed.

  “I wonder why they were so shaken up about it,” Bill said, dusting himself off. “It wasn’t threatening.”

  “For them, it might have been, especially if it’s on a timer and not set to attack when the zombies die.”

  “Hmm, point. Still pales compared to your training room.”

  “Yeah, but maybe this thing can get there with enough XP. It’s already far advanced over what it had been,” Alvin said.

  “Probably costs too much XP,” Bill grumbled. “We can hope that the deals with Night are more profitable than Susan thinks they will be.”

  “I’m sure they will be very profitable if you can get her what she’s asking for.”

  Everyone was waiting when they walked out of the exit. “How was it?” James asked.

  “I can see why the people who don’t normally face the stuff outside would find it hard and terrifying,” Alvin said. “For anyone who has been outside repeatedly, it’s not all that bad. The dolls do attack, so it’s already a step above the previous version... the weapons they had were nerf weapons when I looked at them, so you’ll be hit, but not bad enough to hurt. The wyvern… no idea if that would hurt, but I can see why it might frighten Amie.”

  Amie looked down, obviously embarrassed. “I’m not cut out to be a hunter, I know that.”

  “And there’s nothing wrong with that,” Bill told her. “This is here to help you be prepared to defend this place if needed. As long as you can do that, you’ll be fine.”

  “I’m the same way,” Justin told her. “I thought I might want to branch out before… but now I know that I would only hinder anyone with me.”

  “Can you upgrade it any more?” Alvin asked James.

  “Not without going over budget,” James sighed. “I’ll talk with Susan once we get some XP in from the Elves, but it’ll be a bit.”

  “Ah, well,” Alvin sighed. “Up for lunch?”

  “Sure, let’s head over to the inn,” James said. “The rest of you can come, too. My treat for being my guinea pigs.”

  “We’ll stay here and have a go or two with this setup,” said one of the men who had not done the settlement defense yet.

  “Have fun,” Alvin chuckled.

  “We should get back to work,” Justin said, but Amie’s stomach rumbled audibly. “Orrrrr we can do lunch. Did you miss breakfast?”

  “I was just so excited to be able to start learning,” Amie blushed.

  “Lunch for all of us it is, then,” Bill said. “Come on, Justin, no working the kids till they drop.”

  Justin sighed, “I’m not that bad.”

  Chapter Ten

  Taking a seat inside the taproom, Alvin waved to Frank. “Menus, please,” Alvin said.

  “It’s my bill,” James was quick to clarify for the old vet.

  “Isn’t he,” Alvin deadpanned, hooking a thumb at Bill, “your Bill?”

  “Al… you’re not as funny as you think,” Bill replied, glowering.

  Alvin chuckled, “Funny, I saw a smirk on Amie’s face.”

  “No, I didn’t,” Amie said. “I wouldn’t—”

  “Yes, we know. He’s just being an ass,” James said, cutting off her denial. “We don’t believe him, either.”

  “Al,” Terry sighed, coming toward them with menus, “don’t cause trouble in my home.”

  Alvin gave her an apologetic smile, “Sorry, Gran.”

  “Now, what can I get you all to drink?”

  “It’s getting cold out,” Justin said. “Can I get a hot tea?”

  “Green or black?” Terry asked.

  “Green.”

  “Me, too,” Amie said.

  “Coffee,” James said.

  “Coffee with some Bailey’s,” Bill said.

  “Hmm... just some water for now, Gran.”

  “Be right back,” Terry said, moving away from them.

  “What do you recommend, James?” Alvin asked after looking over the small menu.

  “My family makes some mean pasta,” James said.

  “Which one; red or white?”

  “The red is a secret family recipe,” James replied, “but Gran makes some excellent alfredo, too.”

  “Here we are,” Frank said, setting the drinks down. “You all ready?”

  “I’ll have the crispy chicken salad,” Amie said. “Ranch, please.”

  “I’m thinking the Philly, no veggies and extra cheese,” Justin ordered.

  Bill looked up from his menu, “A Philly with no veggies? Is that even a Philly, then?”

  “He’s ordered it before, and Terry makes it,” Frank shrugged.

  “I’ll have the lasagna,” James said.

  “She figured,” Frank chuckled as he wrote down the order.

  “Make that two,” Bill said.

  “Three,” Alvin added. “If these two both want it, it’s got to be damned good.”

  “Can I change mine?” Amie asked.

  “Of course,” Frank told her. “I have one Philly with no veg, and four lasagnas. Be right out.”

  “Why’d you change?” Justin asked Amie.

  “If James, Bill, and Al are all having it, then it must be worth trying,” Amie replied.

  “I wonder…” Alvin said, getting to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Don’t take long,” James called after him.

  Alvin went upstairs to his room and was in the base a moment late
r. “Jarvis?”

  “Here, sir,” Jarvis said, coming out of the kiosk room. “What can I do for you?”

  “Do we have any of that special wine from Svargax?”

  “I can get a bottle from the special pantry, sir.”

  “Doesn’t work, that can’t leave the base,” Alvin said. “What was the name of it?”

  “Night’s Kiss,” Jarvis replied.

  “Really?”

  “When you buy one, you might want to look at the description,” Jarvis replied with a small smile. “Did you need anything else, sir?”

  “No, I’m having lunch with Bill, James, Justin, and Amie,” Alvin said, heading for the kiosk room. “Have the wild bunch been quiet?”

  “They have not yet emerged from the bedroom this morning,” Jarvis replied, his face and tone neutral.

  “I hope Mousie can walk later,” Alvin chuckled, looking through the kiosk store. Night’s Kiss was expensive— a thousand XP— but he bought a bottle and retrieved it from the slot in the kiosk.

  “Oh, Hero, what are you doing here? Going to take me up on my offer to help with lessons?” Becky asked from behind him.

  Alvin turned around and smiled at Becky, Kuro, and Megumin. The three women were dressed in their usual gear. “Having lunch at the inn, but I wanted to share some wine with them since I’m sure none of them have had this before. You three all done?”

  “Taking a break for different training,” Becky smirked.

  Alvin remembered Justin’s expression from earlier and asked, “Megumin, do you think Justin has a crush on you?”

  Megumin looked shocked, then her lips compressed as she turned on Becky, “You promised!”

  “I didn’t tell him,” Becky told her firmly. “Hero, where did that come from?”

  “You three went by this morning, and Justin looked sad that Megumin was going with you. I figured he had a crush on Megumin, and he thought she was being taken by you.”

  Megumin blinked, “He was sad?”

  “I’ll take that to mean he’s the guy you’re interested in... and for the record, Gothy held out against my questioning last night.”

  “He is,” Megumin admitted, blushing.

  “He’s having lunch with us. Why don’t you three come join us?”

  “Now’s as good a time as any, Megs. Just be firm with him. If you’re going to have a chance, you need to press now.”

  Taking a deep breath, Megumin nodded, “Okay.”

  “I’ll get a second bottle,” Alvin chuckled. “Why don’t you ladies go down and order?”

  “See you there, Hero,” Becky said and ushered the other two out.

  Alvin smirked as they were leaving. Justin, I hope you know how to accept what is coming... If Gothy taught her to be forward, you’re about to find yourself on the backfoot. Chuckling, Alvin picked up the second bottle of wine and headed back to the taproom. “See you later, Jarvis.”

  “Enjoy the meal, sir,” Jarvis called back from the kitchen.

  Another table had been added to the one Alvin had been at, to make room for the extra people. Megumin had taken his old seat beside Justin, and Alvin kept the smile off his face as he went and took his new seat between Becky and Kuro.

  “Frank,” Alvin called as he set the bottles on the table, “I need nine glasses for wine; seven for the table plus two for you and Gran. You both need to try this… oh, and a corkscrew, please.”

  “You went to get wine?” James laughed.

  “Don’t laugh until you’ve had a taste,” Alvin replied. “What did you three order?”

  “Everyone switched to the lasagna,” Bill chuckled. “Justin felt bad being the odd man out, though he’s taking the sandwich as a to go order since Terry had already started it.”

  “Glad I did,” Justin said. “Not sure wine would go with the Philly.”

  “Here you go,” Frank said, setting glasses down for the adults. “I’ll take Terry’s back to the kitchen for her.”

  Alvin handed over the bottles, “Pour away.”

  Frank had the glasses filled, leaving only a small amount in the last bottle. “There’s enough for a single glass left.”

  “Can I try it?” Amie asked. “I’m sixteen. Isn’t that old enough?”

  “Your call, Bill. It’s your settlement,” Alvin said, removing himself from the equation before anyone could include him.

  “I’ll ask Terry,” Frank said, picking up the glasses for him and Terry.

  “We’ll let Terry decide,” Bill said.

  “Should we wait, then?” Justin asked as he looked at the dark wine.

  “Yes,” Megumin said. “If she can join, it would be best to wait.”

  Frank came back after a minute with a new glass. “She said her kids used to get wine by the time they were thirteen. A single glass only, though, and only because this is a special meal.”

  Amie beamed proudly as she sat up straighter. “Thank her for me, please.”

  “I will,” Frank chuckled. “Here you go,” he set the now filled glass in front of the teen. “Your food will be out in another five minutes.”

  Once everyone had their glasses, Alvin raised his. “A toast to the new gun range, and for Amie, who gets to be special for today.”

  There was laughter as they tapped glasses around the table. Alvin sipped his wine, the undefinable taste flowing over his tongue like a welcomed friend. He was reminded that he had not looked at the description for it, so he concentrated on the wine while the others all sampled it.

  Night’s Kiss is a wine made by the Queen of Svargax. Grown in her private garden and tended to by her youngest daughters, the love and care each of them has for their task and mother has imbued this wine with a flavor unrivaled by any other.

  “I can’t even…” James trailed off as he looked at the wine.

  “I agree,” Bill said with a surprised look on his face. “I’m not a wine person, and this is…”

  “Good,” Megumin said when Bill paused. “Different and indescribable, but good.”

  “All wine isn’t like this, is it?” Amie asked.

  “No other wine comes close,” Becky told her. “This is also very expensive wine.”

  “It is,” Alvin agreed, “I wanted you guys to know that it can be purchased through the kiosk, but unlike many things there, it’s listed as uncommon and has a limited quantity.”

  “This is the stuff the Queen sells,” Kuro added. “It is said that her private stock makes this seem like swill.”

  Alvin blinked, “That would be some incredibly expensive wine if she sold it, then.”

  “It is said she only shares with those she favors,” Kuro replied.

  “Wonder if she’ll be inclined to share if we head back that way after the war is over?” Becky murmured.

  “What changed in the gun range?” Megumin asked, changing the subject.

  “We upgraded it,” James said, launching into a more detailed description of the new training area. “It’ll help the people who aren’t as skilled.”

  “And terrify us,” Amie murmured.

  “I think if we did it again, we’d be fine,” Justin told her. “The shock value wouldn’t be nearly as bad. Having mannequins attacking us was what really hampered us— we just expected pop-ups.”

  “Maybe,” Amie muttered.

  “I can do it with you,” Megumin said. “I’m not as good as the others here, but I can help.”

  Justin glanced from Megumin to Becky, “You’re busy, no need to change your plans.”

  “Actually, my plans for the rest of today mean I need to talk with you, Justin,” Megumin said, staring at him.

  Justin frowned, meeting her eyes, “Me?”

  “Yes. After lunch, I would like to speak privately for a few moments. You’ll make the time, yes?” Megumin had not asked so much as told him, even though it was phrased as a question.

  “Uhh… yeah… sure…? I mean, no problem,” Justin stammered as he looked into her eyes. “A small delay before go
ing back to work will be fine.”

  Amie frowned at Megumin, “He’s supposed to be teaching me, you know.”

  “And he will teach you— cars.” The last word held an intentional emphasis as Megumin stared Amie down.