Death and The Divide (21 page)

He had to admit it spooked him a bit - the quietness, isolation, and the rustic location. He hoped some kind of facility and Dr. Manson waited at the end of this road. Who would build a sophisticated research center out here? If the scientist continued his work, he had to have a decent lab with modern equipment. Maybe they’d get lucky and it would have beds and hot food, too.

Ria stopped and held up a hand. She whispered, “Did you hear that?”

He turned his head, listening. “No, what did you hear?”

She tilted her head to one side. “I’m not sure. Maybe trees creaking.”

His muscles tightened, and he swung his light in an arc around them. In the dark, the beam only penetrated about twenty feet. “Keep moving.”

They trod on, Min hugging his backpack to his chest like a momma with a baby and constantly twisting his head to search the black landscape.

“How much farther?” Linc asked after a while.

“About another mile,” Ria replied.

“I can’t believe there’s anything out here,” Min said. “What’s it supposed to be, some military post?”

“I don't know,” she said. “A kind of secret lab.”

The hairs on the back of Linc’s neck rose, and his stomach fluttered. He had experienced the same sense during his war times when the enemy snuck up on him. A growl rose in the back of his throat. Something was out there and not a cougar or bear. Ria had been right. The parasite evolved toward cooperative effort. They were being stalked.

“Stay alert,” he said in a low voice.

“Did you hear something?” Min asked.

“No, but have your weapons ready.” He shifted the metal piece to his right hand.

Humming made Ria shoot him a wide-eyed glance. Cannibal captives had made the same sound in the Deltaville prison pods. It circled them, reverberating and growing louder. Other animals he’d studied made noises to frighten their prey into immobility. That thought disturbed him more than anything.

“Linc!”

“I know.”

“What is that?” Min hissed.

“Run,” Linc shouted.

Footsteps crashed toward them through the undergrowth. Adrenalin pumped through his veins and he snarled as he raised his weapon.

Cannibals closed in behind them, steadily gaining ground. Their humming had given way to high-pitched screams, terrifying in the night. Ria and Min’s shaky cries joined them.

Was this it? The end before they reached their goal only a mile away? He couldn’t accept that. He’d fight to the death.

Figures appeared before them, and Ria skidded to a stop with Min falling into her. Some of the creatures had circled ahead of them and closed off their escape. He moved to form a triangle with Ria and Min, their backs together, brandishing their pitiful metal sticks.

The shrieking settled to humming. The tattered and bloodstained cannibals crouched around them, inching closer. Their teeth glinted white in the handheld lights as they growled and snapped.

“Linc, what do we do?” Ria called.

“Fight,” he said, his nostrils flaring as he sucked in a breath.

One of the males lunged for Linc, but he managed to knock him in the head. The man fell. They were being tested. A female went for Min who surprised her with a kick under the chin that whipped her head back. She crumpled.

“Nice, Binky,” he said.

“Shut up, Dope.”

The cannibals went still, tilting their heads back and forth the way dogs did when you talked to them.

A blue light flashed. A high frequency buzz filled the silence then the chest of one of the males exploded. More blue flashed and the cannibals’ hum returned and deepened. They melted into the darkness.  Men in gray uniforms rushed into view, blasters pointed at the retreating figures.

“Are you Miss Moralez?” one of them asked.

“Yes, yes. Who are you?” She clutched her meager weapon to her chest.

“Dr. Manson sent us. We tracked your approach. When the cannibals attacked, we came to retrieve you.”

“Yay for the cavalry.” Min whooped.

“Get us out of here,” Linc said. “They could return.”

“Dr. Butler?” The same soldier turned to him.

“Yes.”

“Good. And this man?” He jerked his chin to Minlo.

“He helped us escape the capital,” Ria said. “He’s a computer genius.”

“Minlo Fucking Sakura.” He gave them a mock salute. “Bot Meister.”

“Into the air-car.” The soldier motioned over his shoulder.

They complied, and his men backed from the scene, blasters pointed in the direction the attackers, had retreated.

Linc sank into the backseat, the rush of stress chemicals depleting and leaving him limp. Tears rose in Ria’s eyes and she lowered her head to her hands, her shoulders shaking. The sight of her despair tore at his insides. He had barely enough energy left to wrap an arm around her.

Minlo jumped in beside him, eyes flashing. “That was killer tight, man. I was ready to drop some more cannibal ass. Too bad these dopes showed up. Right?”

Linc slapped a hand to his forehead and covered his eyes. “You have no idea what you’re saying. They would have ripped the flesh from your skinny body.”

“No. Did you see me dropkick that bitch? I only had a couple karate lessons, too. I should start again. I think I’m good at that.”

“I think you’re in shock and you should shut up,” Linc said.

“Both of you stop! I can’t take it,” Ria said in a loud voice. She started shaking, and Linc tightened his arm around her as she slumped over.

“Ria? Are you okay?” He pushed her mop of hair from her face, but her eyes appeared out of focus. Her skin had grown cold and clammy, and her breathing became shallow. Damn, she was going into shock.

“Hey,” he called to the men at the front of the vehicle, panic building inside him. “Hurry. Miss Moralez needs medical treatment. She’s in shock.”

Minlo sank into the corner, pressing his hands over his ears and his eyes squeezed shut.

Linc held her as they raced through the night. The ride felt smooth despite the rough, unkempt road. An air-car handled this terrain a lot better than the outdated pod they’d stolen.

“Hang on, Ria. We’re almost there,” he whispered in her ear.

Her shaking eased slightly. If they could stabilize her soon, she should recover. The idea of losing her ripped into him like a saw, painful and jagged. He realized then how much he cared about her.

Damn, this made everything much more complicated.

Chapter Twenty-One

Ria couldn’t stop trembling. Lack of decent sleep and food, dehydration, and sheer terror had taken their toll. Flashes of scenes filtered into her consciousness as they entered the secret place where Manson waited. Linc’s voice sounded muffled and vague, and she couldn’t make out what he said. 

She caught images. A tall, laser-activated fence. A dome shape looming overhead. People’s hands lifting her onto a stretcher. Then everything went black.

When she opened her eyes, a light from above blinded her. She squeezed her lids shut and turned on her side, trying to remember where she was. A warm blanket weighted her down, and she threw it off.

“Ria?” a familiar male voice penetrated her sense of unreality.

She cracked open one eye. Manson! She sat up and swayed from light-headedness. “Louis, you’re here!”

“Indeed.” He beamed. “And very happy you and Linc made it safely.”

She slid off of the bed and stood on tiptoe to throw her arms around his neck. She’d never been so happy to see someone in her life. After a second, his arms circled her and he patted her back. She grinned. He never did human contact well.

“I’m so glad to see you,” she mumbled against his chest.

“Yes. I understand you were about to become dinner for a group of hungry cannibals.” He chuckled.

She released him and took a step back. “It’s not really that funny.”

“I know, but your narrow escape certainly frightened me, and laughing makes it a little easier to bear.” He grew serious. “Now, I know you’ve been traumatized, but we don’t have time to waste if we’re going to stop this spread.”

She nodded and ran her fingers through her tangled hair, meeting knots of resistance. A few twigs and pine needles escaped to the floor. A bandage on her inner forearm and a near-empty bag of clear fluid hanging over the bed indicated she’d received rehydration. Her head cleared a bit as she took deep breaths.

“So after you shower and have a meal, I need you and Dr. Butler in the lab.”

“What is this place?” She studied the white-walled room, bare of furniture except her gurney and some cabinets the same white as the walls.

“This?” He waved a hand. “Is a room in the infirmary. I assume you’re asking where on a larger scale. You’re now in an underground bunker we call Haven. It’s still under the control of the Triumvirate, despite those idiots thinking they took over the government.”

“Looked pretty convincing to me,” she said. “They had the whole capital complex in their clutches.”

“We’ll see,” he said cryptically.

“So, an underground bunker?”

“Yes, it was built as a missile silo in antiquity then converted to luxury doomsday condos. Quite a few people weathered the civil war here. After stability returned, they abandoned it for luxury condos aboveground. The government took it over and rehabbed it to provide a safe house for situations like the one we currently face.”

“It has a laboratory?” she asked.

He laughed a big rolling laugh. “My dear, there is so much here you can’t imagine. The bottom level is a pool and spa. There’s a library, a green room for hydroponics, and an aquaponics section for raising seafood. Some of the floors are apartments, and upper levels house a lab and security facilities. They a library and even have pods programmable to any religion of choice.”

She didn’t know what to say. How did something like this remain hidden all these years?

“You’ll have time to explore later. For now, I’ll show you to one of the apartments so you can clean up and eat. Dr. Butler is already there with your curious new friend.”

He led her to a lift and pushed a button for floor six. They rose in a soundless car, and when it stopped, the door slid open with a
whish
. They entered a well-appointed round area sectioned into bedrooms, kitchen and living area. Linc emerged from one of the bedrooms, looking fresh and clean in new tan tunic and pants. His frown eased when their eyes met.

“Ria, are you all right? They took you away as soon as we got here.” He came toward her.

A wave of happiness washed over her seeing him well. What would she have done without him? They’d actually made it. “Yes, how long have I been gone?”

“About four hours,” he said. “Do you feel better? I was very concerned for you.”

Manson rocked back on his heels. “A case of dehydration and shock remedied by intravenous fluids and rest. The medic also administered a slight stimulant to help with the exhaustion. I need you both up and functioning. You received an injection as well, Dr. Butler. I hope you’re feeling better, too?”

Linc rubbed a bandage on his forearm and gave the parasitologist a skeptical look. “I’m fine. I think we’re both ready to start working on the cure. It’s a nightmare out there. Do you know what’s going on?”

Manson’s bushy brows came together. “Indeed. We’re tracking the spread. It’s unbelievable. If this parasite weren’t so deadly, it would quite intrigue me with its abilities. I would be fascinated to see how far it could develop, given its rate of mutation.”

Ria shared a glance with Linc. This was no experiment in evolution. This was life or death. Louis seemed a little too enamored with their enemy.

The big man coughed. “Of course, that’s just my academic interest surfacing. The virus must be eliminated, I’m afraid.”

“Yes, and the sooner the better,” she said. “What do you want us to do?”

“For now, I have a program running with a new theory that may prove successful. Go ahead and have some food. I’ll send someone for you when the program is finished.”

The lift door opened. A female soldier entered, bearing a tray with a variety of containers.

“Ah, here’s your meal.” Manson gestured as the woman placed the tray on the dining table. “Enjoy. Now, I need to return to the lab. I’ll see you shortly. Don’t leave this level without an escort. I do have some live victims on Level Ten, so it’s best you not wander around.”

“Great,” Linc said in a flat voice. “I was hoping we’d seen the last of them.”

“I have to have subjects to test my potential cures.” Louis said. “But don’t worry. They’re secure. We have cells on ten instead of the usual apartment setup. They have no way to escape, so it’s not a concern. Still, best to stay away. Please, eat. I’ll see you later.”

Savory aromas wafting from the dishes made her stomach rumble. She headed for the table as soon as he and the soldier left, taking in the rich appointments of the room. Muted colors of the walls and furniture were set off by splashes of brightness in pillows, chair cushions and eclectic modern paintings. The polished black marble table glowed under a hanging light shaped like a dragon. “Can you believe this place? The infirmary is a first class clinic. Manson says there’s even a pool on one level. This apartment is beautiful, too.”

Linc stood unmoving, his brow wrinkled.

“You look like you ate something you don’t like. What’s wrong?”

He peeled the bandage from his arm, inspecting the small red spot there. “I’m a little confused. I thought he needed you here right away. We finally make it and he tells us to relax and eat.”

She crossed to his side and gazed at his wound. Now that she had arrived, a huge load lifted from her shoulders. Louis would solve the problem, and they could find a way to deliver it to the world. Everything seemed to look up. Her spirits rose. “Don’t worry. He knows what he’s doing. Where’s Minlo?”

Linc jerked his head to a closed door. “Sleeping. After he came down from the false high of ‘kicking cannibal ass,’ he realized how close he had come to dying and shut himself in a bedroom.”

“Well, I’m going to eat. I’m starved. Louis knows how to proceed. When he needs us, he’ll call.” She returned to the table and opened the lids of white containers. Tendrils of steam escaped, and she leaned over and inhaled. “Mmm, Laska stew.”

Linc’s expression eased and he joined her, dipping food to a plate. “Did he tell you about this place?”

“A little. You?”

“One of the soldiers gave me the history. I must say, I’m very interested to see all the levels. It sounds like an amazing structure.” He forked a bite into his mouth.

“Everything from an infirmary to a spa and pool. They even grow their own seafood.”

“Hopefully without any parasites in it.”

She giggled. “Funny.”

“You seem happy. Looks like a little rehydration did wonders.” He took the piece of bread she handed him, eyeing her thoughtfully.

“Why shouldn’t I be? We made it. Now it’s only a matter of time before Louis figures out this mess. Meanwhile, we’re safer from the cannibals than anywhere outside. What’s not to like?” She spooned more of the chunky stew on her plate.

“You seem convinced Manson’s going to solve the problem and save the day.”

She placed the spoon on the table. “Linc, he’s the foremost authority on the planet when it comes to parasites and how they operate. He’ll do it.”

He remained silent the rest of the meal. She wanted to smack him and bring him out of his skeptical mood. They’d been under too much pressure lately, and she was ready for a reprieve. She had to believe in Louis’ ability. Who else had the credentials and experience to find a cure? Certainly not her or Linc.

When she’d eaten enough to fill her stomach, she yawned and stretched. She wanted to sleep without fear for the first time in so long she couldn’t remember. “I’m going to shower and take a nap. Wake me when Louis is ready for us.”

“All right,” he said, still eating. He cast an occasional somber glance at the elevator door.

“See you later.” She headed for the remaining bedrooms and found a set of pearl gray knit sweater and pants on the bed. She fingered the soft material, her thoughts turning to her parents and Conner. She’d battled exhaustion and terror for days and hadn’t had the energy to worry about them. Hopefully, in the shield-protected capital, they wouldn’t have to deal with cannibal attacks.

She wished it was possible, to contact them and let them know she was okay. With the technology here she might use a SatNet link, but she didn’t want to put them in danger from the new government. Once things were settled she’d contact them. She yawned and headed for the shower, stripping off her soiled cloths as she went. Linc’s doubt didn’t sit well with her. She needed to relax, at least until Louis sent for them. Didn’t he realize they’d made a miraculous journey? He should be happy.

She stepped under steaming jets of water, moving her arms and legs to relieve the aching strain in them.

Still, Linc was no fool. Something kept him on edge. His instincts had alerted them to the cannibal attack, as if he had a sixth sense for impending doom. She lathered her hair and scrubbed the debris from the strands.

She rinsed then left the glass circular stall, reaching for one of the thick white towels on a warming rack. Damn it. His uneasiness had infected her. She’d come to trust and admire Linc over the last weeks. If he believed they needed to exercise caution, she should take it seriously.

***

Linc completed his meal and pushed from the table. Ria’s new complacent attitude bugged him. And not only that. Manson’s jubilant mood didn’t mesh with the fact that modern society teetered on the brink of destruction by cannibals. How could anybody be that sure of themselves?

He stood and paced the circular space, passing the bedrooms, the living area, and finished at the kitchen. The soldier who gave him the silo’s history also told him they were elite troops assigned directly to the command of the Triumvirate and so avoided involvement in the coup sanctioned by the rest of the National Security force.

According to this guy, other pockets of such troops hid around the country. He wouldn’t say how many, but he didn’t seem too concerned about the takeover. Then again, this place could house seventy-five people for at least five years in a self-sufficient manner. Redundant power, air and water supplies, along with an impenetrable exterior, gave the inhabitants a lot of confidence.

He didn’t have to worry about cannibals breaking in, or the RD, for that matter. What niggled at him? He paused in his pacing. Maybe it was because he couldn’t see how the two disrupted governments would adequately deploy a cure when Manson found one.

The
whish
of an opening door made him turn. Min wandered from his room. He’d showered and changed into new clothes, but his straight black hair stood out at all angles. He rubbed his eyelids and yawned.

“There’s food,” Linc said, pointing to the table.

“Where’s Annaria? Did I hear her?” The young man took a chair and examined the remaining items in the containers.

“Yes, she’s sleeping in the other bedroom. Dr. Manson said they gave her some fluids in the infirmary.”

“So she’s better?”

“Seems to be. Says she’s relieved we made it and now her boss can save the world by coming up with a cure while she sits adoringly at his feet.”

“That’s bitter, Dope. Are you jealous of that old freak?”

Linc rubbed his face. He shouldn’t have said that, but he was sick of Ria’s blind faith in the man. “I’m not jealous.”