Infected Poppy Fields

by Alathia Paris Morgan

  “Thanks. Maybe it will keep me awake long enough to get some food in my body.”

  “Don’t get to comfortable because the next group of wounded are going to start coming in now that the sun’s coming up.” Judith warned.

  “You mean there’s more?” He groaned.

  “Afraid so. The guys fighting can’t bring the wounded back when it’s dark because they might be driving right into an enemy encampment and they can’t see where the buried land mines are. Even though the soldiers might die, there’s more of a chance it will happen if they try to move around at night.”

  “That’s horrible.” I gasp.

  “We lose a lot of guys before they ever make it to us.” Judith agreed sadly.

  “If there’s nothing else I’ve learned while working for the army this past year, it’s how to take short small naps to keep going. Eat, sleep, work and work again.” Doctor Fitz sighed as he took a sip of his coffee.

  “You get used to it and your body will adjust to getting less sleep.” Judith added from years of experience.

  “I noticed that when I’d go on my leave, I wouldn’t be able to sleep for long amounts of time. After that first exhausted sleep, it would be fitful and I’d wind up walking through the Paris streets all during the night. It’s a good thing they don’t have curfews or I’d have gone crazy.” The hint of a smile peeked out from under all of his weariness.

  “Well, I’m sure that we’ll adjust. We’ve only been here in France for a little over a month. Although, a finding shrapnel through our tent and equipment, was a bit of a surprise.”

  “Were any of you hurt?” Doctor Fitz searched for signs of injury.

  “No, the Lieutenant made us move before the bombs hit, but as soon as we could, we went back. Those switch boards need to have someone working them at all times.”

  “Sounds like each one of us has pretty important jobs,” Doctor Fitz pushed back from the table, “which is what we have to get back to. It was lovely sharing a meal with you ladies. I’ll see you around.”

  I let out a sigh, “He’s right. My girls need to get a chance to get out and eat as well. Nice to know we’re not the only women here.”

  “Just be careful, there aren’t many of us and a lot more men that have been away from home a long time.” She warned as we put our plates in the tubs of water.

  When I returned, the new tent with a roof was up and our equipment was already repaired. I couldn’t believe that they had worked such magic in a short amount of time.

  Lieutenant Roman was still there setting up the cots until I got back.

  “I don’t know how to thank you enough for all of this.”

  “No, need. The General has made it clear that you ladies are to weave your magic loom and keep us running.” He tipped his hat as he left.

  “Just doing our jobs, no magic going on here.” I called after him.

  With the equipment fixed we were able to keep up with things much easier and I finished sending the girls out to get their meals in pairs mindful of Judith’s warning.

  If we could just make it through the war in one piece, I’d be ecstatic.

  -----

  Chapter 10

  Rudi

  There was a meeting of a few top generals with the head scientists in charge of innovations, Emil Fischer and Fritz Haber, today.

  As one of the trusted interns I was allowed to sit in the meeting and take notes.

  We all snapped to attention when General Ludendorff stepped into the room. He had taken over and shared the decisions with his older rival Hindenburg.

  “Have a seat gentlemen.” He took a seat himself as he pulled off his white gloves. “You must have something that will help me beat the French, English and those horrid Americans. Do you?”

  The men in white lab coats all looked around trying to find something to tell this important man quickly so that we weren’t sent out work on the front lines on the Russian front.

  “There have been tests on that gas we used on that village. It went really well, but our enemies have been using gas masks which undermine the effectiveness of any assault we use of this nature.” Dr. Fischer explained.

  “Really, I don’t believe that using the gas on the enemy is the best idea for several reasons. The wind can shift at any time and bring the gas back on our own troops. Plus, it’s just not humane. You’ve seen the videos of what happens to the people that it’s used on and it’s a horrible way to die.” Dr. Haben frowned not wanting to be the dissenting voice in the room.

  “It comes down to a question of morality. Can we use this on our fellow humans when we know what it does to them?” Dr. Fischer put the question out to the room for discussion.

  I listened to everyone putting out ideas on the morals of whether to kill our enemy or make them suffer while killed them. It was the same ending of kill or kill, so I honestly didn’t see what all the fuss was about.

  Finally, I’d had enough and raised my hand. It took a few minutes before the entire room became silent and waited to see what my question was.

  “General, I have an idea for you that hasn’t been brought up yet.” I keep my focus on his for his permission.

  “Well, what is it?”

  “I’ve discovered a virus that not only kills, but will spread through the trenches until the dead are doing the job of killing their own troops for us.”

  “Hmm, I’m intrigued, continue.” He nodded thoughtfully.

  I walked to the door and motioned for Karl to bring in the subject.

  When I’d gone back to collect my subjects, Karl had been the one to help find out how to kill them. I’d changed my mind and didn’t want to take the chance that those undead things would get loose and start biting innocent people.

  On the grounds of the mansion that I’d been living in due to the fact that it was my family’s second home, we’d found several people who were willing to test subjects for the promise of being paid.

  Impressed with our results, Karl had been the one to suggest bringing one to become infected front of the generals.

  He’d been such an asset and I was willing to overlook his other ways of stealing, lying and coning people for the fun of it.

  As he brought in a live human in hospital clothes, I moved the board I’d had delivered earlier.

  “This is going to be a live demonstration.”

  “General, I apologize. We have no knowledge of what he’s been working on or if it will hold up to our very precise scientific standards.” Dr. Fischer began with a worried look in my direction.

  “No need to worry, my assistant and I will strap the test subject to this board so that you can watch what happens when the serum is injected.”

  We proceeded to put the leather straps around the man who was happy to earn a few extra dollars.

  When his arms and legs were fastened tightly, I reached up and told him to open his mouth. He obeyed without protest and I slid the leather strap between his teeth so that he couldn’t take a bite out of me once I was done.

  I took out the syringe filled with the serum and inserted it correctly into his veins.

  “Now, gentlemen if you’ll turn your attention to his eyes and mouth as this process will take about ten minutes. I’ll explain exactly what is happening.”

  Excitement filled me as I looked around this room with very important men and knew that I was about to move up into the world of well-respected people.

  “What you see beginning here, is the complete overwriting of his dna and genetic material. First it’s going to kill off all of the live cells so that he is no longer a living human. Then his body will reanimate and become filled with the need to eat any organism that is a living cell.”

  “This is the weapon that we’ll be able to use against our enemy. They’ll see men in their own uniforms begin to attack each other. Not only will we be killing the enemy without using bullets, but even if they are able to stop our new killing machines, they will lose moral among the troops. Many will flee an
d it will be a matter of weeks, maybe just days if things take their natural course.”

  Murmurs began to fill the room as my test subject started to jerk and moan.

  “How do we know that what you say is true? You might have just given him something to prolong his death just to fool us.” Dr. Haber accused.

  I had expected to be asked this question and was ready for the second part of the test.

  “We will continue the demonstration outside in the cage that’s been set up for this purpose.” I motioned Karl to proceed with moving the subject. “Shall we?”

  The men in the room filed out and as Dr. Fischer passed me, he whispered, “I’m not sure what you’re playing at, Dr. Vogel, but rest assured that we’ll have words when all of this is over.”

  “I’m looking forward to it, sir.” I smiled in reply. Once General Ludendorff had seen the rest of the demonstration, I would be the one running this facility.

  They gathered eagerly around the cage as the new test subjects helped to carry the trapped infected into the cage.

  Karl moved with efficiency and walked out of the circle of iron fencing that had been erected.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” One of the test subjects protested. “Let us out.”

  Karl ignored him and instead walked directly to where they had leaned the infected man against the railings. He slid a knife out and cut through the man’s strap holding his mouth shut.

  “This isn’t funny, Karl.” They protested moving as far away from the man as possible.

  He had left only a half an inch of leather intact so that when the infected struggled against the straps, he would be able to break free.

  In seconds he was across the cage and had pounced on one of the men, tearing into his flesh.

  “May I, General?” I held out a hand toward his gun.

  “Oh, um, yes.” He appeared confused, but unbuttoned the snap and held it out to me.

  With perfect aim, I shot the infected in the head and he dropped to the ground next to his victim.

  The other test subject was screaming for help, but no one tried to move Karl from the door into the cage.

  When he realized that no one was going to help, he tried to stop the bleeding. It was only when his friend’s chest quit moving did he seem to realize that it was futile.

  I began to count to thirty.

  At about twenty, the dead man began to twitch and move as his friend watched in horror before being overwhelmed by the deadly bite of the dead.

  Two shots rang out and put an end to the misery of both the dead and dying.

  “That gentlemen is the way we win the war. A couple of men injected and set down into the trenches of our enemies will send them into such a tizzy that they won’t be able to wave that white flag quickly enough.” I wiped the pistol off and handed it butt first back to the general.

  “Well, done. How much of the serum will you need to make this happen?” The general questioned thoughtfully.

  “I’ve got enough produced right now that we’ll be able to do a small test and see what the results are.” I hastened to assure him.

  “Very well. We’ll have to make a few arrangements and I’ll have to explain a few things to the other generals before we give our complete approval. Continue with the tests and see what other uses we’re able to surmise from this enterprising new serum.”

  “Yes, sir.” I inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Dr. Fisher and Dr. Haber will check things, but after this I believe that you’ll be their equal if your findings are correct.” He gave me a happy slap on the shoulder. “This could be what we’ve been hoping for and you could be our next savior.”

  “I certainly hope to be of service to our country sir.”

  “Make sure that your man over there cleans this mess up.” He pointed a finger to the rest of those present, “No one is to breathe a word of this to anyone. We need the element of surprise if we’re to make this work.”

  The general turned to leave with his entourage and the two doctors stood with arms crossed unhappily eyeing me.

  “May we speak with you in the laboratory?”

  I followed along because they might as well find out what had been going on under their noses.

  “What can I do to help you gentlemen?”

  “You can tell us where this virus or serum or whatever the hell it is came from?” Dr. Haber raved.

  “Yes and while you’re at it can you please explain how you were able to work on this when you were supposed to be working on the tests for the poisonous gases?” Dr. Fischer shook his head in disgust.

  “Doctors, I understand your reluctance to deal with this issue, but this virus was brought to my attention and after months of testing subjects and then reinjecting it into more subjects, I’ve come up with the serum that can easily be manufactured.” I explained with great patience.

  “You’ve been conducting experiments here in our labs that could have killed all of us without even asking for our consent. How could you put all of our lives in danger like that?” Dr. Haber accused growing more upset by the moment.

  “Honestly, doctors I would have thought that you would be happy for me. This a breakthrough of huge proportions that could help us win the war. Are you really going to begrudge me the few moments in the spotlight because you’re jealous?” I shook my head in disappointment.

  “If the general wasn’t waiting for more information, we’d kick you out so fast and make sure that no university would let you darken its doors.” Dr. Haber threatened.

  “It’s a good thing that I’m the only one with the formula then isn’t it? We’d hate for it to fall into the hands of the enemy if it was written down. This way I’m certain that I’ll live until a ripe old age and we’ll make some progress on this war.”

  “Think of the innocent people that will be killed because of those undead things.” Dr. Fischer pleaded.

  “If a few people are hurt in the process that is not my problem. We need to be more aggressive or we’re going to be speaking French and English before much longer.” I left the room slamming the door behind me.

  To think that I’d spend months working on this only to have them held back by their morals. What imbeciles. Totally incompetent doctors that had no clue as to what was needed in a war of this to actually win.

  Today had been a victory for me and for our glorious armies, but there was still a feeling of defeat as my colleagues tried to stop me from this action. It was going to take a strong will and an iron fist to make sure that this serum was used by our armies.

  I wouldn’t listen to their objections or words meant to discourage me. I was going to embrace the future. If that included the infected dead then so be it.

  Part 3

  Meuse-Argonne Offensive

  The Turning Point in the War

  Zombies

  Chapter 11

  Joseph

  Months. Long months of racing to a battlefield hospital, patching up soldiers to send back out or home if they got to us in time.

  Lucky. That’s the only way to describe that ones that were hit and walked away. Some were lucky because they were finally going home, while others were continuing the long fight against the Germans.

  Each time I was sent to the front, and I returned to the hospital base whole, I was just thankful to be alive.

  I’d learned to conduct surgeries while bombs were being dropped around me. While patients screamed at things only they could see, and those who were already silent with a slim chance at recovery.

  Throughout the summer I had a few moments to hang out with Ms. Bedford or Emma as I like to think of her. I wasn’t ready to jump into another relationship, but she was a lot of fun to be around.

  From the army regulations, the women in the Signal Corps weren’t supposed to be dating men while they were overseas.

  The Hello Girls as everyone had started calling them where hilarious. The doctors and most of the soldiers were very protective of our ladies in uni
form. We had to make sure that nobody messed with them because they had a very special job to do.

  Whenever I had a few days off or was about to take a break, I’d be told that I had a phone call. Since I honestly didn’t know anyone, it could only mean that the ladies were trying to set me up again. I’d find Emma or one of the other ones that they thought I might connect with on the other end of the line.

  Emma and I had finally gone out for coffee so that they would leave us alone.

  We weren’t the ones that everyone should have been worrying about because Holli and Private Emerson had fallen in love. A few of us from the hospital had decided to help out and managed to get both of them off on the same weekend.

  I used a couple of the connections that I’d made in the months that I’d been dating Vivi to find a priest that was willing to marry an English couple.

  Vivi. I’d tried to avoid thinking about her, but on occasion she’d make her way into my thoughts. I’d gotten word that she had been arrested for crimes against her country. While I hadn’t wanted to believe it, I knew that she could skirt the line to get supplies. It just never dawned on me until after she was gone that maybe her motives for being so helpful might have been to gain information for the enemy. They had already executed Mata Hari and the outrage had been horrific. I was pretty sure that they wouldn’t be executing any more women in the near future.

  Much as I hated the way she’d played me, I didn’t wish for her to die. That wasn’t something I even wished on the Germans and they weren’t on best friend list either.

  She was something I needed to get out of my system because I didn’t want to think about all the ways I’d been stupid to her charms.

  One good thing had come out of my relationship with her, I could now speak fluent French. Months of practice had made me able to converse with any of our patients no matter where they were from. It was a good thing the Brits spoke English even if it was a slightly different version, at least I could understand them without having to translate.

  While my world wasn’t great it was as good as could be expected and I returned from my long holiday happy that I’d been able to help a couple find love.