APOSTLE'S CREED - a zombie story

[TGRF]

Chapter 23 - man, I'm over ten chapters behind. I will get back to this, I promise.

~TGRF.

[TheAverageFan]

Originally Posted by TGRF

Chapter 23 - man, I'm over ten chapters behind. I will get back to this, I promise.

~TGRF.

Don't worry about it man, you never know when a reader will fall behind or have real life matters come up or whatever. Feel free to catch up at any time, and don't forget you said you prefer to be further back rather than caught up should the urge to read in bulk strike you

~TAF

[TheAverageFan]

Now we are up to Chapter 24:

Spoiler Alert!

24
Regrets

i

____The hospital was completely trashed as Thomas walked in: empty, no power, no people, likely ransacked for supplies a dozen times over. Without humans to care for their shelters the weather had left the place in a sorry state, and the sound of glass and pulp and fallen ceiling tiles crunched under his shoes as he entered the lobby. Still, despite all this, he remembered it vividly.
____The last time he was here, he was still struggling to force normalcy into his life. He’d had parents like everyone did, he had a girlfriend like everyone did, he had a job like everyone did, and he had dreams and plans for the future like everyone did. Then everything splintered and the illusion was broken. And now no one had dreams or plans for the future, save for the grand designs of total destruction or recovery that King and Nazar had for mankind. But Thomas would never see things on such a scale. He was just a man, whose personal woes were quaint to those who never experienced them.
____There had been no zombies on the walk to this place, as if they had parted to make way for this journey. Realistically they were likely all corralled up by that Reaper, but the feeling that some strange purpose had brought Thomas here remained. There were also no zombies inside either. His pistol stayed in his hand but was held limply by his side as he walked. Somehow he just knew not to expect undead danger.
____Daylight offered some meager illumination as he walked deeper into the building, pressing one of the buttons on the elevator and laughing softly as it did nothing. Instead he ventured up the stairs to the third floor and entered there. Here was the hall, just as ruined as the first floor but still the same as he remembered it. There was utter silence.
____Although it was all dead now the light of the day made it seem to breathe better than the terrible fluorescent lights that had been there before. Thomas walked down the hall, marveling at the strange beauty of it. But it was just to cope, to put off the dread that increased more and more as he neared his destination.
____There it was. Room 332. There was no door here anymore. Thomas crept in, entering warily as if intruding.
____It was lit better than the hall, windows facing the sunlight and giving everything a faded white glow. The bed was still there, flanked by IVs and dead computers that had lost their purpose long ago. There was no staving off the inevitable here anymore.
____Thomas walked over, putting a shaky hand on the covers. It was dirty but still soft, and he cringed at the touch of the bed and backed off.
____“Why aren’t you here?” he muttered, glancing around looking for answers, “Why’d you call me here? Tell me something, please. I’m scared…”
____Nothing.
____Thomas walked to the windows where he could see the city below. He thought of where he might be now had things been different here. If he’d had his family, or his belief, or his foot in the door in New York. If he’d even be alive, or if he’d be with his family now, with them when Apostle had struck. If he could’ve helped keep them alive throughout all of this. If he’d been happy.
____“Why’d you take her the way you did, God?” he asked aloud, “You didn’t have to. You could’ve had it be whatever way you wanted. It didn’t matter, did it? We’re all going to die anyway; why couldn’t you let me be happy until then? What harm would it have possibly done you to let her live? What harm is there in letting me be happy? Why do you only ever take?! Why don’t you answer!?”
____Again, nothing.
____What was he even doing here, shouting at nothing alone in this abandoned place? He was never going to get any answers, because that was part of the mockery. Thomas grunted in frustration and whirled, turning to leave but freezing at the sight before him. For now in the bed there was something under the sheets, some form giving it a rise in its center. Perfectly still and covered.
____“Thomas.”
____Thomas’ own breath was deafening in the silence. He took a step back at first, then shakily advanced—terrified at what he might find under that sheet, knowing the torment that had been visited upon the others, but needing to know. He had to know. He’d left her before, left her there in that bed when she cried out for him most. He had to know!
____He outstretched one hand, slowly, slowly reaching.
____No movement from anything but himself. Thomas finally grasped the bed sheet by the corner, needing to see despite his trembling, feeling the nerves of one about to dive from a great height. He knew what he had seen that night hovering over his love. He knew the ringing he’d felt just seeing this place from between the dead buildings. He knew better than to willingly venture to this place, felt the fear, yet was here nonetheless. The dreadful feeling persisted, as his hand gripping the cover remained poised and frozen.
____Thomas pulled the sheet and bared what lay beneath.
____There was nothing, despite the shape. Nothing but a filthy mattress, covered all over in dry rusting-color blood. Thomas dropped the sheet and stepped back, shocked at the trick and the sight both. There was no reason, but it was there, there for him.
____“You came back too late.” King said.
____The bedframe lurched, scraping along the floor in his direction. Thomas yelped in surprise and fell back, scooting along the dirty floor away from it and crying out in terror. The bed lurched again, moving toward him.
____“Thomas!” He suddenly felt his back against Brooke’s body, and her arms came over him and held him tight.
____“Don’t!” he shouted, kicking and squirming still, “You can’t be here!”
____“But I am here.” she said, leaning over so he could see that it was really her, “I’m here, I’m real. It’s okay, Thomas.”
____He looked back at the bed, still sitting where it had last lunged for him but no longer moving. His gasps slowly turned into hurried breaths, and he turned and hugged her, murmuring, “Brooke… Brooke…”
____“I’m here.” she whispered back.
____“Please don’t leave me.” he rasped, clutching at her, “I don’t want to lose again. I don’t want to be scared anymore. I’m so afraid. I’m afraid to even love you, because if I do I’ll lose you. I know I will.”
____“Don’t fret. Fear is what they use to make us doubt and despair and turn away from each other. Don’t. I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you, no matter what happens.”
____Her words brought his composure no aid, and he continued to clutch and insist at her, “Please, please don’t die, Brooke!”
____“I won’t. Not until it’s my time, not until we’re both ready to accept it.” She held him and kissed him and let him cling to her, Thomas feeling the pang of regret in doing so but needing the comfort more. If it was going to be gone he could at least have her now. He could still see the bedframe out of the corner of his eye. It had indisputably moved, no dream to excuse it. The supernatural malice still hung over him.
____They stayed like that for a long time, Thomas finally summoning the strength to release her and sit upright. He wiped his eyes, “Why did you come here by yourself?”
____“Because I knew you needed me.”
____“What about the mission? You’re important you know—”
____“Not as important as you are to me.”
____He allowed himself a semblance of a sad smirk, “The Sergeant’s gonna lay an egg, you going off on your own after me.”
____Brooke smiled back, “I suppose he will…!” She helped him to his feet, dusting him off and straightening his jacket, “Are you ready to leave this place behind?”
____Thomas looked around him, not certain himself. “I don’t know.” he said, “I don’t know if I’ll ever really leave it. But if it’s a chapter of my life… I think I can try to close it, at least for now. I’m sorry that there’ll always be some part of me that stays morose, Brooke. It can never be more than bittersweet at most. This sorry sight you have here of me, it’s part of who I am.”
____“I wouldn’t ask you to forget it. But let’s leave it behind for now, now that we have hope to fight for. So don’t be afraid.” She offered him her hand, “Let’s get back, at least out of this room for starters, okay?”
____He didn’t know how she could continue to be the way she was, feeling fiercely envious of her continuous optimism. It’s because she’s ignorant! he knew, but he still wanted to be like her. He could, he supposed, at least try. So he started with a simple nod, “Okay…”

____They sat together out in the empty hall, Brooke stroking Thomas’ hair as his head lay in her lap. Her guitar lay across her other arm: his promise fulfilled to her, and she had played their song to him in return. He’d actually fallen asleep there, so fatigued by the restlessness of last night and the events of today. She didn’t dare wake him, staying in silence by his side even if they should have returned to the others by now. This was more important to her. Everyone else could take care of themselves, she was sure.
____In the quiet of the emptied hospital, Brooke might have almost drifted off herself, despite the danger. The feeling of Thomas’ head in her lap and the heaviness of her eyelids made sleep feel more comforting than vulnerable, and she nearly permitted it to overtake her. But something startling occurred first, snapping her back to reality: one of the wall-mounted phones suddenly bursting into loud ringing.
____It was the buzzing, electronic-imitation phone-ring noise she’d heard countless times before when doing volunteer work at the hospital, a rather turbulent throwback into subconscious nostalgia that only sounds or smells could achieve. She forced herself to calm down, gently laying Thomas to the floor and standing to answer it, wondering how the heck power still reached this place at all, “Hello?”
____A rather-gravelly but still plainly human voice answered, “Hello. I would like to speak to Brooke Arnakis, please.”
____She stiffened a bit, “Speaking…”
____“So you are.” the voice said, “It’s good to finally speak with you. I was beginning to worry I’d lose you to Vigil’s pertinacious clutches before we ever had the chance to talk. Not many endure him, but it seems a lesson lost on you. Even now you’ve wandered off on your own again despite the dangers.”
____The knowledge was upsetting to hear. She frowned, “How do you know that? You don’t know that!”
____“Am I not speaking to Brooke Arnakis: age twenty-four, hair dark, eyes brown, five-foot-five, third floor, east wing center hall, Cincinnati hospital? The very one I am looking at right at this moment?”
____“Who is this?” Brooke asked, looking around her and seeing no one, “Is this a hallucination?”
____The voice laughed, “No, nothing like that. This is very much real. I am a real person.”
____“Who are you then?”
____“That isn’t important for you to know, not right now anyway.”
____“What do you want from me?”
____“I wanted to ask you some questions, Brooke.” the voice explained, “I’m curious about you. You’ve become quite the person of interest in the last few days, ever since Nazar’s secret about you got out. Now everyone wants to know about you: Apostle, VACC, the government…”
____“You want to know about this cure I could help create, is that it?”
____“No, no! I want to know you on a more personal level. A cure is nothing more than a binary on-off switch for the undead; a meager brace to prevent any further destruction from them. It’s Brooke the person I’m more interested in.”
____“What about me?”
____“Is it true you murdered Louis Detchin? Looked him right in the eye and killed him? It seemed out of character.”
____Brooke shivered, “How would you know about that?”
____“The moon tells me many things, and I wish to know more.”
____“Louis was…” She paused, “It was self-defense. He tried to kill me. He tried to kill Thomas. He wouldn’t let it be any other way.”
____“Impressive resolve, the both of you. And yet, for now being a killer, you still made the effort to bury him afterwards.”
____Brooke sighed, “I didn’t want to just leave him there. Even him.”
____“Taking such efforts for your dead enemy, knowing danger was on its way…!” the line hissed, “You would do anything, wouldn’t you? Anything to be good.”
____“It’s important to me.”
____“Yes, and now knowing that the world is leaned in watching and waiting for you, you put even more effort into such an act.”
____“It’s not an act!” Brooke flared, upset at the very accusation.
____“Perhaps not, but it’s inflated by the amount of jurisdiction you now have over everything. It’s clear Nazar can’t control you any longer. Even Sgt. Header doesn’t own your group anymore. This is now your mission, and now you’re in charge of that mission. You even had the gall to call yourself the leader of your party when speaking to that child. But is it not so? It gives you every opportunity to make your decisions your way when you would ordinarily be just another background character. Do you think if anyone else had their way that you’d be allowed to just slip off on your own?”
____“I can do what I want if it means helping a friend.” Brooke insisted, “Whether or not I’m ‘allowed to’.”
____“Indeed. You value your individuality as well as your friends. This makes you different from Nazar, and from King himself. They both want men to be like machines: marching to the tune without exception. How they must hate the way you do things.”
____“Well I hate the way they’re homicidal.”
____The voice laughed again, “Brooke, you are an interesting one. I’d have thought most people of your ilk would’ve been killed or reneged on their altruism by this time, but here you remain still firing on all cylinders. Time will tell how long you have to be the way that you are. Until then, we’ll see if you can get past Elias on the bridge. It appears he lacks the patience for my way of doing things. I’ll see you again.”
____“Okay, bye.” Brooke paused, feeling stupid, “No, I’ll see you!”
____But the line had already disconnected. She sighed and hung the phone back up, looking around still to see if she could even spy a glimpse of this secret spectator. But of course he was nowhere to be seen. Brooke did not care for the idea of being watched, shuddering at the realization that all those feelings of it throughout their time in the city had likely been genuine rather than mere nerves. Was this the terror of being so important? She walked back to Thomas, wanting to just be with him again in quiet intimacy without worry.
____She lay back down and pressed against him, but there was no time. The door to the stairs way down the hall opened loudly, and she could hear the rapid footsteps and rattling rifle of Gene jogging over.
____“There you are!” he cried, slowing as he neared, “Well, I have had quite the experience chasing after you, Brooke! First there was… uh…” He beheld the two of them, “Well, firstly, I haven’t interrupted anything… intimate, have I?”
____He’d woken Thomas, who sat up rubbing his eyes. “I, uh…” he said, “What?”
____Gene stooped down and explained further, “I’m asking what you’re doing here? Oriel says you ran off, and then Brooke ran off after you, and then the Sergeant decides to send me after you both. For which I’ve nearly died! So may I ask why you’ve done this to me?”
____“Why?” Thomas thought about how to best explain that Gene had to risk life and limb because of his own selfish need to sort through years-old trauma. He hadn’t intended for it to possibly bring harm to anyone other than himself.
____Brooke intervened on his behalf, “Yes, Gene—we were being intimate! We’ve both been pent up, being stuck in a large group for so long, and we wanted to sneak off to be alone somewhere.”
____“Right.” Thomas agreed flatly, “It’s been very passionate. We just can’t stop, Gene. But we needed to be away from everyone, and we came here to find… a good bed… and some… medical stuff… to help.”
____Gene peered into the room, seeing the bloodstained mattress and making a face. “I understand.” he said, “No wonder Sarge didn’t want to go fetch you himself! Well, I’m terribly sorry to have ruined your fun, but you kids should know that it’s too dangerous for that sort of thing around here right now.”
____“You can’t stop love, Gene.” Thomas said, “But I think we’re ready to head back now, if you’d be so kind as to escort us.”
____“Actually, I wasn’t told to bring you back. Header’s got a different idea, and this building here is pretty perfect for what he had in mind.”
____Brooke raised an eyebrow, “Oh?”
____Gene unslung his rifle and headed back to the stairwell, “Follow me. Let’s go to the roof.”
____“Okay, right behind you!” Brooke called after him, glancing to Thomas next to her, “‘Medical stuff to help’? Aren’t you supposed to be an actor; can’t you improvise at all?”
____“I just woke up!”
____She smiled, nudged his hip with hers, “I’m only poking fun. C’mon, let’s not keep Gene waiting.”
____“To the roof, then.” He phrased it as if it were a question, rising to his feet and following her. Wondering what exactly Gene had planned.

____Sgt. Header again peered through his rifle scope out to the bridge beyond. They had crept as close as they could without giving up their positions, though they were still one-hundred yards away by his guesstimate. Visibility was poor, given the defenses erected all about the bridge: along it and in front of it with no shortage of walls or debris enemies could be hiding behind. The undead at least made no such efforts, several dozen regular walkers milling about before the road leading to the bridge. They of course served not just as meat shields but as life-detectors. Anyone got close and they’d know about it.
____“It’s less defended than I expected.” he muttered quietly, lowering his weapon and glancing to Cpl. Thorn beside him, “You seein’ what I’m seein’, kid?”
____Thorn passed the binoculars along, “If they were trying to stop us, they’d blow it up. The defenses are meant to look inviting. Attempting the crossing is what they want.”
____“Yeh, well it’s what we need. Jus’ gotta spring the trap first.”
____Irene looked through the binoculars handed to her, “Who’s the blonde chick?”
____Header aimed again, seeing only a glimpse of gold hair and black clothes before it disappeared behind the erected defenses again. He’d seen enough to know though, gritting his teeth, “Elias!”
____Irene glanced his way in confusion, “That’s not how you pronounce…”
____“That bastard’s the reason we left Joetex’s lab with one vial instead of six. I coulda sworn Thomas shot ‘im full of holes. His bein’ here don’t bode well.”
____Thorn shook his head, “Do we change our game plan?”
____“Naw, naw we gotta push on.” The Sergeant pressed the shoulder-speaker the Lieutenant had given him, muttering into it, “Are you in position, Oakerley?”
____“Yup. Ready and waiting.”
____Radio communication was the only way they could talk right now, the Lieutenant far off and out of sight at the moment. If they were lucky, Header wouldn’t be the only one who couldn’t see where Oakerley and his armor was.
____They were waiting for their mark; the rest was up to Header. He didn’t have much of the convoy to work with: a lot of their number forced to defend their rear, as the city behind them wasn’t exactly secure. Oakerley had the tank and a lot of the other armored vehicles with him. That left only a couple for the main assault. They’d have to make do.
____“All right!” he declared, turning and facing the others behind him. Cpl. Thorn, all the armed members of their number, and a small handful of additional soldiers Oakerley had lent out. It wasn’t much of an assault group, but he’d done more with less in the past. The Sergeant paced sternly as he continued, “This is the moment where y’all prove yerselves to me. That starts with you, Gauge.”
____The ex-Apostle soldier straightened up a little, “What do you want me to do?”
____“Them zombies is gonna go into a frenzy once a livin’ person comes close. But they jus’ stagger around aimlessly when there ain’t nobody nearby, ‘cept for immune people like the enemy. So you ain’t gonna trigger them either, are ya?”
____“That’s correct.”
____“So I’m puttin’ you in charge of the opening attack. Think you can drive one of these AVs an’ get out without gettin’ shot?”
____Gauge paled a bit at the idea.
____Thorn rapped his shoulder, “Just think of all those civilians needing to cross. That’s a ton of people you could help out, you know.”
____“That’s right.” Reed said, “Think of the babes, Gauge.”
____“Your words fill me with courage, Reed.” he replied dryly, “Okay. I’ll do it. No one else can, after all.”
____Header nodded, “I’ll be right behind you.”

____It was actually nice and breezy out atop the roof of the hospital, where danger felt more distant. The tenseness of street-level felt like a far cry from the top of this building. From here the bridge was visible, a clear sight of their objective, and Thomas eyed it cautiously, wondering if the others would be okay in storming it. Gene knelt next to him, setting his rifle up against the edge and aiming carefully through the scope. It was the same gun Silvin had used at the factory, recovered by Thorn and now ready to be put to better use. Brooke sat by the door, strumming her guitar a few notes at a time. Thomas could tell from the melody that it was their song she was still working on. He still envied how bereft of worry she seemed to be.
____“Well, we should be plenty safe up here, I think.” Gene declared as he aimed, “Nice and far away from the action. I could get used to being a sniper! I was starting to get tired of being shot at.”
____“That’s all well and good,” Thomas said, “but are you sure you’ll be any good with that thing? I haven’t seen you use it much.”
____“It’s fine.” Brooke told him, “Gene has us for moral support. Isn’t that right?”
____“That is correct!” Gene said, “Okay, I think I see them coming now. Brooke, quick—give me an electric guitar solo!”
____“This is an acoustic, but okay!” Brooke began strumming quickly, bobbing her head to the tune.
____Gene took aim, and Thomas watched, hearing the subtle humming of an engine gradually drawing nearer to the bridge. The attack was underway.

ii

____Elias paced back and forth across the bridge, staying in the shade of the tall defenses they’d erected, twirling both his guns in his hands like a cowboy would with his six-shooters. He likely looked bored, but he was paying sharp attention to his surroundings as always. “Time passes.” he declared aloud, “Would they waste so much of it this freely? A man can die on any day, yet he wishes his years away.”
____“I don’t know, boss.” one of his troopers said, “Are you certain they’re coming this direction?”
____“If you’re looking for an excuse not to be where it’s hottest, soldier, I’ll have you know I was being deployed here all the same.” Elias told him, “This bridge is essential to the crossing of those civilians, which we must block. That comes from the top. It’s only an added bonus that Brooke’s group should be passing through here as well.”
____“Is that to do with the rumor about everyone leaving the safety zones?” another soldier asked, “Moving to the coasts for some reason? Is King that concerned with it?”
____“He is.”
____“Even more than stopping the cure, sir? For real?”
____“Yes.” Elias put his guns away, facing his men, “But I’ll keep no secrets from you: I know not the reason for Nazar performing such a move—God knows the manpower and vulnerability required to do so—but whatever the case may be Lord will not let it succeed or go without great slaughter. I’m told Nazar’s plans have been temporarily halted by the feds, which leaves any groups stuck in mid-movement like those outside the city susceptible.”
____The trooper shook his head, “Sh*t like this is why I left. Just what the hell are they doing?”
____Elias smiled, “Just being humans. Acting, disagreeing, not acting, hesitating… all the while people dying by the hundreds throughout it all.” He laced in words he knew this particular soldier resonated with: “But what do you expect from the supremacists? What do they care if the slaves bleed?”
____Even behind the helmet the man’s disgust was evident. When would there be true equality? When it was forced: that’s what he had learned from Apostle.
____“Heads up!” cried another soldier near the edge of the bridge, “I see light. There’s movement!”
____He was aiming his assault rifle over the ledge, peering out to the low waters spanning the river. As the moon neared the planet the tides had naturally been affected, leaving the river under the bridge either very low or unusually high during the various days.
____“Attempting a crossing!” the trooper shouted, “Sights on target.”
____Elias stormed over, not finding Brooke or any of her other friends from the lab but only a child on a terribly uneven hunk of floating debris. Slowly paddling his way across all by himself. Light glinted off his bangle even at that distance, giving him away plainly to the soldiers above. Two zombies lingered on the shore behind him, having gradually but ineffectively given chase to the water’s edge.
____Not their target. Elias sighed and forcefully lowered the trooper’s weapon, “Don’t give up your positions, soldiers. It’s only a child, let him cross.”
____“Sir?” the soldier questioned, “Orders were to kill them all, I thought.”
____“Man is a creature of circumstance. No matter how much conflict each generation inherits, they somehow still always manage to create more problems of their own design. Let this one earn his fate first. You don’t need a child’s life on your conscience.”
____“Sir?”
____“He’s all by himself. Leave it to the zombies.” Elias explained in a more blunt manner. He perked up, hearing wheels on pavement nearing their location. An engine. He turned to the lookout stationed atop their makeshift gate, “Turn your attention to the genuine threat. Private! Anything from the zombies?”
____The trooper leaned over the edge, peering down at their perimeter of undead, “Nothing! But sir, something’s coming!”
____“Contact!” Elias barked, “Battle stations! It sounds like an AV!”

____Gauge rounded the corner onto the main street leading to the bridge. The armored transport was unlike anything he’d ever driven before, too big and bulky for the speed he was comfortable going at. Through the narrow windows he could see the bridge ahead: with a tall wall brought up before it. There was only space for one car to fit through what they’d constructed: a natural bottleneck that likely wouldn’t even permit this vehicle to pass through. But that wasn’t his job: he floored it and barreled straight toward the gate.
____Bullets bounced off the hood of the transport, already hot under fire from multiple guns. Gauge could see their little black helmets peered over the edge at him, with more movement behind. Just barely visible was the black trumpet-like end of an RPG. They were ready for armor, all right.
____Buffeting zombies aside with complete nonchalance, Gauge drove straight for the gate at maximum speed. Only as he drew near did he put on his helmet, then opened the door and leapt out. He hit the pavement hard and rolled, protected by his armor and helm and scrambling to his feet quick. There were already sparks flying about him as he was shot at: the “disguise” of his uniform fooling no one. Louis had told Apostle about him, it seemed.
____The AV kept on rolling, quickly coming under fire of the RPGs. Missiles flared and burst, and the transport went up in a massive fireball. Too massive for the rocket launchers: the vehicle had been transporting nothing but additional explosives and flammables. Parts of the gate burst asunder in the flames, and the Apostle soldiers who weren’t thrown back retreated down the bridge.
____Gauge ran for it.
____The initial enemy cover blown, Header’s own AV now rounded the corner and sped toward the opened bridge. This one contained actual fighters: Thorn and other soldiers inside, ready for action.
____They came under similar fire from the remaining Apostles, though now another thing occurred. One by one, those aiming their rockets were struck and fell, pierced clean through by powerful shots. With the gate rent apart they had no genuine cover from which to fire their weapons, and were suddenly easy prey.
____Elias watched this with shock, eyes darting from the bursting pockets of blood in his men to the general direction from which the shots had to originate. “Sniper!” he shouted, “Stay down!”
____“Armor incoming!” one of his men shouted back. The AV was slowly rolling its way over the remnants of the gate, soldiers exiting from the back of it and taking up positions. The wreckage of the defenses now provided cover to the attackers.
____“Leave it to Yamato. Kill any infantrymen you can see.” Elias ducked behind some cover of his own, knowing his distinctness made him more vulnerable to sniper fire. He rolled up his sleeve and shouted into a little black band upon his wrist, “They’ve shown themselves! Attack now! Armor on the bridge, snipers on the port bank, hospital. Bring it down!”

____BANG!! BANG!! The deafening cracks to Gene’s rifle firing filled the air. Thomas was surprised to see how little kick the weapon seemed to have for its power, or perhaps it was just how it was positioned. Even Gene seemed to absorb the shock into his shoulder, handling it without getting his ass kicked like Gauge’s carbine had done to him. A lesson not to shoot heavy weapons while standing, he supposed.
____“Man, I rule!” Gene shouted, carefully aiming from one target to the next. Because the battle rifle was semiautomatic, any shots he missed could be made up for rather quickly. And with nobody shooting back, he felt no pressure in his muscle movements or the shakiness of feeling exposed. Sniping was not an even playing field: he rather enjoyed it. He glanced up from the scope as he reloaded, “I’m not too shabby at this. I’m helping win the battle, guys. There’s something I’m not too shabby at!”
____Brooke was still playing her guitar, “You got this, Gene!”
____Thomas was glad she was out of harm’s way, though he didn’t know how he felt being up here so far from the action. He could see the battle down there: all their number exchanging fire with the Apostles as Header’s AV slowly paved the way forward. Maybe he should have been down there, helping out however he could. Having (allegedly) sorted out his issues at the hospital, he now felt mildly like a deserter giving up on the eve of battle, leaving like he did when he did. Pistol useless from this distance, he just sat there, staring up at the cloudy sky and hoping no one would be killed because of his absence.
____He saw movement up there. Thomas snapped out of his wallowing and sat up straight, “There’s something up there!”
____Brooke stopped her strumming, “Up there? What?”
____Something large and gray was descending down upon the battle, directly overhead the far end of the bridge. Thomas watched, “The thing that destroyed the Exclave, that’s what.”
____He couldn’t believe his eyes as it came down. It was a blimp, of some design he hadn’t ever seen. Four long rigid gray balloons intercrossed together like a pound sign, with a metal gondola held in the center between them all. Although the individual balloons were smaller than those he’d seen on other dirigibles, it was still massive compared to any of the helicopters, IFVs, or other war machines Thomas had seen in his travels thus far.
____“Hiding in the clouds.” he said, half to himself, “I don’t believe it!”
____From the windowless gondola he saw a small glimmer, like a twinkling star ejected from the metal, which then lifted high up onto the air leaving a thin smoke trail behind. Thomas watched it ascend, quickly shaking Gene’s shoulder and scrambling to his feet.
____“Huh? What?” Gene asked him.
____“Time to go.” Thomas said, then shouted, “Run! Down the stairs, go!”
____The little smoke trail had shot all the way up into the air and the shining star atop it now veered sharply down like the hard drop of a rollercoaster track. It moved faster on the descent, aiming down directly on their location. The three of them bolted.
____CRASH!!! Only a flight down the steps when the missile landed, the three were thrown as the entire building seemed to jump. Cracks ran all along the walls, the furthest of which began to sag more sharply than any structure ought to. The sound of crumbling could be heard both above and below. The missile had struck through several floors, Thomas realized.
____“It’s coming down!” he shouted, bounding to his feet and grabbing Gene and Brooke together, hoisting them up as both were slow to react. He did have a reason to be here, it seemed, “Run, run, run!”
____They took up the retreat once more, scrambling down the steps. Brooke continued falling behind, encumbered with her instrument more than Gene was with his rifle. Thomas scowled at her insistence and ran back to her, forcibly taking it and shouldering it himself. Directly above him he could see the roof of the stairwell drop. It crashed down two floors then stopped, only just held up by the withering structure of the building. Thomas ran faster, wanting more than ever to drop the guitar to save himself. But it was Brooke’s: Brooke who came for him despite the dangers, who loved him despite himself. He kept it. He said he would.
____A few more flights down. The ceiling gave again as another entire floor of hospital collapsed, dropping ever closer down on top of them. The sounds of creaking metal giving way surrounded them as they went, the steps warping and twisting as everything caved bit by bit. The hospital was on the verge of total collapse, only staying intact long enough to perhaps get three more saved lives out of its existence.
____They hit the ground floor and ran out into the hall, looking for somewhere—anywhere—to exit and come spilling outside. The lobby was completely collapsed ahead, in the center of the building where the missile had struck. Brooke, now at the lead, took a sudden turn and led them down a separate hall. Thomas didn’t dare question her, following this way and that, hearing cracking and crumbling above him. Ceiling tiles fell in droves.
____But Brooke doggedly kept on, seeming to know her way. Thomas and Gene raced after her, until at last she came to a side door and threw it open. Or tried to.
____“It’s stuck!” she cried, banging against it stubbornly, “It was never locked before!”
____Thomas put one hand on the door, “The doorframe’s probably bent or warped!” He looked back, “Gene! On three: man-ram attack!”
____Gene gestured to himself, “Do I look like a man of great strength?”
____“Too bad! Three!”
____The two threw themselves at the doors with all their might, crashing against the stubborn exit and only narrowly managing to make the difference against them. The hinges again swung freely and all three of the escapees fell out of the building. Brooke was on her feet first, quick to grab Thomas and drag him away from the scene. As he staggered upright Thomas beheld the building finally giving way, cratering inward in totality and sending walls of dust flying outward in its wake, coating them all.
____“Too close.” he muttered, “Nice to have someone who knew the place already.”
____“Ha…!” Brooke replied in heaved breaths, “I used to sneak out that way for smoke breaks! Funny, isn’t it…?”
____There wasn’t time to reflect on ironies. Only the outermost walls remained somewhat upright, each collapsing or falling outward one at a time without any support to keep them intact. The closest one—a big wall of windows—fell toward them, as Thomas and Brooke hastily backed out of its reach. Gene was only still getting to his feet.
____“GENE!!” Brooke screamed, but it was too late. The wall came down in a terrible crash, the sound of dozens of windows bursting at once in its wake.
____Thomas flinched and held Brooke tight to his chest, just barely daring to look himself. But of course there Gene was, standing upright and looking around the collapsed wall all about him. He’d been right in the center of a windowless frame.
____“Well!” he said as the dust settled, “This window here was already broken! I’ve pulled a Buster Keaton!”
____“Gene!” Brooke cried, “You… you…!”
____He carefully stepped his way over throughout all the glass and twisted metal, “Well, I did tell you I was lucky.”
____She tearfully laughed, not knowing how to process what she just saw, “You idiot! Aren’t you even phased? One day your luck’s gonna run out, you know!”
____He put a hand on his gut and made a face, “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
____“Come on.” Thomas said, “We shouldn’t stick around here. Let’s try to catch up with the others, if they’re not all blown to bits.”

____“You ain’t gonna blow me to bits!” Header muttered through gritted teeth, reversing hard and flipping a switch above his head. A little green light came on, indicating that IR smoke had been deployed. He backed up quick, the AV only narrowly evading the rockets the dirigible above launched, stopping only as he heard a sickening crunch of ramming an enemy behind him. Header gripped his radio, “You seein’ this, Lieutenant?”
____“I see it all right, what the goddamned hell…” Oakerley’s reply crackled, “But you did promise us something to shoot at.”
____“They’ve played their hand.” the Sergeant said, “Time to play ours. Open fire!”
____“Open fire, now!” Oakerley relayed.
____From their side of the river the Lieutenant’s armor rolled down the various streets they were stationed on, revealing themselves and raising their guns into the air. Oakerley commanded from atop his IFV, Sgt. Londel further south in the tank. Both aimed and fired upon the aircraft, repeated shots flying through the gray air over the river.
____Explosions crackled above Sgt. Header, raining sparks down onto the battle below. No impact: he should’ve expected a multitude of trophy systems on that thing. Still, it ceased firing on the bridge and slowly rose higher into the air, returning fire at the distant targets below. Deploying countermeasures of their own, Oakerley’s armor backed up and aimed higher, continuing to trade.
____“Keep on it!” Header barked into the radio, “Git at least one more IFV in there! We’ve gotta keep up the pressure until it’s outta defenses. Then pop!”
____Oakerley laughed grimly, “Ha! You think anything can keep up with American artillery? You just take that damn bridge!”
____“On it!” Header rolled down the window, “Thorn!! Hey, kid!”
____He heard a distant “Yeah?!” amongst the gunfire.
____“Fight harder! We gotta take this!”
____Thorn, an expert in exchanging gunfire from cover, had slowly fought his way across the bridge: taking out one tango after another before sneaking up to a chunk of metal to hide behind. He led the small number of soldiers Oakerley’s team could lend, with the armed boys and girls of the group behind. Reed, Irene, James and the rest were tasked with making sure the zombies behind them didn’t encircle the battalion as they crossed. It was hard work fighting with bullets to their backs, but they were holding their own. Their flank secured, the soldiers forged ahead, taking more and more of the bridge.
____“Get out of here!” Elias screamed to the retreating Apostle soldiers scrambling for further cover at their end of the crossing. He loosed a barrage of pistol fire into the enemy before ducking down without seeing if he even hit anything, shouting next into his wristband, “Get Yamato out of here before it’s destroyed! Back into the clouds, quick!”
____“We still have gas cartridges to deploy, sir.”
____“That won’t do any good against the AV! Get it out!”
____“But sir, the bridge…!”
____“There is no bridge.” Elias cut the connection and stood, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a detonator: a wireless little handle with the key already inserted into the switch. Of course the structure was wired to blow—that’s why the enemy armor hadn’t dared to fire artillery against it—and if the bridge could not properly serve as bait then it had no use to Apostle. Better there be no crossing and force the army to attempt a bridgehead while Apostle still controlled the Kentucky side of the river.
____Cpl. Thorn at the head of the pack saw this, shouting out and aiming. But Elias proved faster, firing off another barrage of quick shots and forcing the Corporal to duck down. The Apostle backed off, making sure he was outside the blast area and holding the detonator high into the air.
____“There is no crossing!” he shouted loud enough for all to hear, “There is no safe passage! For mankind there is only the fall—!”
____He was interrupted by Header, who hearing Thorn had thrown his AV back into Drive and floored it: reappearing from the smoke he’d deployed and quite suddenly barreling toward Elias at maximum speed.
____“Waah!” The Apostle was surprised by the sudden onslaught of a huge vehicle racing right for him with reckless abandon, even with only the railing behind him. Having no time to properly react, he threw himself out of the way and over the edge of the bridge. Header skidded to a sudden halt, listening to the dropping scream and subsequent Splash! down below. The bridge remained intact.
____“Heh, he was right: he could only fall.” the Sergeant grinned, “So long, blondie.”
____“Clear!” Thorn shouted to the others, “Let’s get that armor up here pronto, old man!”
____“Yeah, yeah.” Header drove on ahead, working quickly to secure both ends of the bridge. The remaining enemy infantry scattered before the might of the armor. A little fighting later and there was again solid ground under his wheels. They’d actually taken the crossing. He almost couldn’t believe it. Now they had to keep it.

Let me know what you think

~TAF

[TheAverageFan]

Chapter 25. This is another of my favorite chapters.

Spoiler Alert!

25
Over The Bridge

i

____Lt. Oakerley quickly redeployed his armor to pass the bridge, sending the IFVs across where any remaining zombies or Apostle soldiers could do little damage. Sgt. Londel’s tank remained on the other side of the river, firing freely on any enemy positions that gave their locations away. In the meantime any engineers in the convoy slowly worked their way underneath the bridge, defusing the explosives that had been placed there one by one. There would be no costly struggle to take the Kentucky side of the river: they had won.
____“Now that, kids, is what some armor can do.” Header told the group as they watched the other soldiers work, unable to contribute beyond just staying out of the way, “Now if we could just git ourselves some harrier jets you all’d see just how b*tchin’ bein’ in the armed forces can be.”
____“Yay. Hooah. Hooray.” Reed sarcastically agreed, “Goodness an’ love always triumphs, now don’t it?”
____“How much longer do we hafta wait?” Stacey asked. She sat atop the parked AV, watching the work impatiently. She hadn’t been allowed to participate in the battle at all, being unarmed, and seemed antsy.
____Thomas and the two with him had caught up in the time that had passed, glad to see that the battle had been won in their absence. It spared them really being chewed out for sneaking off.
____“It might be awhile.” he told Stacey, “They’ve gotta diffuse the bridge, clear the way forward, and secure the way behind. These things take time, I’m sure.”
____Brooke nodded, “We can rest for a bit, knowing we’ve done a good deed. Once the way’s cleared all the people trapped behind us can move through the city.”
____“Not all the people.” Miles solemnly reminded her. She frowned.
____Thorn gestured to the bridge, “I heard one of the troops say they saw a boy crossing the river before the attack. Three guesses who that is.”
____“Henry!” Brooke said, “He’s still alive!”
____“Maybe. But he’s right back in contested territory now. Shouldn’t have run off in the first place.”
____“Oh! And now we’re actually doing okay! I wish I could’ve convinced him to… ugh!”
____“Relax, B.” Stacey told her, “No one’s more resourceful in survival situations than a stubborn kid on their own. I should know.”
____She dropped down but landed seemingly much harder than intended, clutching her gut and crying out in sudden, sharp pain. Overestimating her painkillers. Thorn was by her side in an instant, seeing red in her blouse and knowing she’d pushed the stitches too hard. It hurt him to be reminded: the medic had given her strong stuff—including ketamine—and she wanted to act better so she could feel better. But she wasn’t better. Nor would she be any time soon.
____“I’ve got you, I’ve got you.” he muttered, helping her up, “Let’s find that EMT.”
____“I’m fine!” she protested, but her legs couldn’t carry her, suddenly useless again.
____“No you’re not!” He helped her stagger off, leaving things awkward and quiet again.
____“They seem like they’re in a rough spot.” Thomas told Brooke.
____She nodded, “I hate seeing it. They just can’t ever seem to perfectly line up right at the right time. Like we did when we first kissed.”
____“You mean when we were screaming at each other?”
____“Yeah.” Brooke looked around, “It doesn’t matter. I’m going to find Gauge.”
____She wandered off at that, Thomas watching her go and sighing at the sight of it. Still off on her own at the drop of a hat, still having not learned her lesson. But the area was actually secure this time, he figured. More troops were coming in by the hour. He only hoped that would make them safer, not more vulnerable. These were big numbers they were starting to play with, both the army and the survivors they escorted, and for both it’d only take one bad egg…
____Lt. Oakerley trudged his way up to their position, informing Sgt. Header of the situation, “I reckon two or three more hours, tops. Reinforcements are opening up the passage on our side of the river. Their side, still bein’ checked out. I think this Reaper figure had most of the zombies about himself, not that he’s showed himself since we chased him off.”
____“I think we’re safe from him as long as there’s armor about.” Header said, “It’ll make escortin’ the survivors through rather slow, but that’s the way it’ll have to be.”
____“Yup. Meantime we’ve got a UAV passing through. No sign of the blimp, but it’ll show even if it’s hiding in the clouds nearby.”
____“UAV?” Header snorted, “Hot damn, how’d you manage that, Lieutenant?”
____Oakerley donned a sober look, “The Commander’s pulling some serious strings.”
____“For us?”
____“For whatever Nazar wants.”

____Brooke wandered the streets, finally coming across Gauge all on his own. The ex-Apostle was sitting alone in the middle of an abandoned restaurant in a street-corner bistro. Brooke slipped through one of the vast broken windows, stepping in as if through an empty portrait frame and walking over to his lonely painted image, “All by yourself, Gauge?”
____He glanced back and shrugged, “I ran off after the opening engagement. Did my job. …I figured it was best not to stick around while the army cleans up the mess.”
____“You didn’t come back to us.”
____“I figured it was best not to be seen around you guys either.”
____She pulled up a seat and sat down, “Header told me what you did to break the gate, and I think you were very heroic.”
____“Guess so.”
____“You helped all those people behind us, in the camps. You remember how many people there were? Now they’re saying they’ll be able to cross and get to safety.”
____“Sounds good.” He wasn’t making eye contract, just playing with an empty champagne glass.
____“Thankful ladies might just lay you for being so brave.”
____He faced her, plainly shocked, “What?”
____“There, got you to look at me.” she said, putting her hand on his now that he was locked into eye contact, “You don’t have to be ashamed to be seen with us, Gauge. You can be one of the good guys, you know.”
____“I’m wearing their symbol.” he said in a soft laugh, glancing at the proof upon his armor, “I’m still alive. How heroic can I possibly be when I’m still alive? Nazar said it himself: he still has some use for me. It doesn’t matter how much good I do until then, for me to still be here means that much more evil must somehow come of it. It’ll never be enough.”
____“You think King…?”
____“I heard James say that someone was gonna betray you, Brooke. That it’ll only take one of us who lacks the spine to do what’s right. I know they all think it’ll be me. I don’t want it to be me, but then why am I here? How much worse will things get because of me?”
____She clutched his hand tight, “Don’t listen to James! Don’t listen to Nazar either! They’re wrong!” She knew she was speaking to nine dead innocents right then, whose voices he’d taken, but she steeled her resolve to keep going: “I know you won’t betray any of us. And King can only get from you what you let him take. He has no power over you!”
____“He holds my very life in his hands.”
____“Well, are you afraid to die?”
____“I…” He paused, sat back, “I don’t know. Less than I was. I don’t know. I’m no saint, I’m not even normal or breaking even. It’s scary to think about, knowing everything Apostle says, knowing everything I’ve done…”
____It was quiet.
____Gauge set the glass down and nervously drummed his fingers on the table in silence. Finally he continued: “Brooke? You believe in this sort of thing. I’d heard Oriel mention it. Do… you think Judas went to heaven?”
____An odd turn. She sat upright, “What do you mean?”
____“I know the story. But someone had to do it, isn’t that right? It was all prophesied, and somebody had to be the one. And knowing this, if he felt sufficiently bad enough, do you think he ended up being forgiven? If they really do forgive anything, even that?”
____Brooke mused on it, never having thought much about it herself. Naïve of her, perhaps, taking everything at face value and never dwelling on theoreticals. “I honestly don’t know.” she said, “I think it’s possible, and if he did go to heaven then doesn’t that mean you have a chance of it?”
____“If I did it wouldn’t feel right. I just can’t picture it, being forgiven. Or even good. Or even one of you all.”
____Brooke scooted her chair over and hugged him tight, knowing he loved her. Then she stood and looked around the restaurant, seeing the empty booths and candles and the open kitchen behind the bar counter. There were still some bottles there, even now.
____“Gauge, I can’t promise that you’ll get into heaven.” she said, “I don’t even truly know if I’ll make it. And I can’t be the one to tell you if you’ve done enough to become a good person or not. I’m sorry I can’t give you good solid answers. But I can help you be one of us.”
____He stood. “How?”
____“By helping me with something while we’re stuck here waiting.” Brooke said, “You see, Cpl. Thorn loves Stacey, but he feels so awful about what he let happen to her. And Stacey loves Thorn—I’m sure of it—but she’s hurting so bad right now. I can’t stand to watch it happen, not when people deserve to be happy in such terrible times.”
____“Fair enough, but what do you want me to do about it?” he inquired, “I—I’m just a Gauge. I don’t know Thorn hardly at all, and Stacey even less.”
____“You’re helping by finding this place here! I want you to take off that Apostle armor—to take off the mantle of murderer—and become Gauge the clerk again! Just for tonight! I’m gonna find Thomas, and anyone else who might lend a hand.”
____“Gauge the clerk…” he mumbled to himself, calling out to Brooke as she hurried off, “Wait, Mary!”
____She stopped at the doorframe, “…It’s only me, Gauge.”
____“I…” Gauge stumbled over his words a few times over, before finally concluding with: “…I’ll see what I can scrounge up from this place.”
____She smiled at him and left.

The Date

____Word was spread and plans were made. Once satisfied with her prep, Brooke headed over and found Stacey back with the army’s field medic, sitting there rather glumly in the FOB Oakerley’s troops had set up on this side of the bridge. Her shirt was rolled up, with the medic hunched over resewing her stitches and giving her more drugs for the pain. Brooke knew it’d probably be best for Stacey to just stay put and wait to heal, but she just wouldn’t have that and even this trained military surgeon must have given up on trying to convince her otherwise. Oriel was also there, still providing blood and worriedly supervising.
____“Thank God you’re here.” he said to Brooke as she walked over, “‘Where two gather in my name, there I am with them’. I could use your help; I don’t think He answers my prayers.”
____“Don’t be silly.” she replied, “I’m just here for Stacey, if that’s okay.”
____The medic glanced up at her. He was fully decked-out in kit, not a speck of his face visible to her, but she could still detect the disapproval in the gleam of his visor. “You want her to move around more?”
____Brooke frowned and put her hands on her hips, “What if I told you I was just taking her someplace where she’d sit around doing nothing for a while?”
____“Hmm.” the medic stroked his chin at the thought, “The patient sitting still… a novel concept.”
____“What do you say?” Brooke asked Stacey.
____She struggled to sit up, “What exactly did you have in mind? You have a look in your eye, as if this is a trick or something.”
____“I wanted to get you dinner.”
____Stacey glanced at Oriel and then nodded, “Okay. Help me up.”
____Brooke obeyed and the two girls limped off, leaving the medic to rebandage his donor’s arm. “It’ll be worth it, I promise.” she told her friend as they headed to the restaurant Gauge had found.
____Stacey only shrugged, “I trust you. If nothing else it gets me away from that preacher.”
____Brooke raised an eyebrow at this, “What’s wrong with Oriel? He seems nice.”
____“You would think that.” Stacey said, “He just won’t leave my side while I’m like this, like a vulture waiting for me to kick it. He kind of creeps me out.”
____“He’s just worried about your health. He’s a youth pastor—he feels like he has to be there for any young people in need.”
____“You’re way too trusting, Brooke.”
____“That’s what everyone seems to think. Here we are.” They’d made it far enough down the street for the restaurant to come into view. They were already losing daylight, and the sight of a building with actual lights on was a small something to behold, even if it was only through firelight.
____Out came a waiter: Gauge having ditched his armor for one of the uniforms they had found in the back of the place. The slender black-and-white dress of it made him look significantly thinner, and more to Brooke’s liking.
____He bowed ever so slightly, “I can take the lady from here.”
____“Uh, who are you?” Stacey asked him.
____“It’s Gauge.” he touched a tussock of his orange hair, as if it were the biggest signifier of his identity.
____“Oh, right.” she said, still not knowing who that was.
____“It’s okay.” Brooke told her, “I’ll be right back.”
____The medicine had kicked in enough for Stacey to walk on her own at this point, so Brooke left her there and scurried around to the back of the building to get changed. Gauge wasn’t the only one who’d be in uniform.
____Jaxson and Gene were already back there, two of the few people Brooke had managed to pressgang into her little idea. They were standing there awkwardly, waiting for a signal that didn’t exist. Miles had surprisingly turned her down, likely still too close to the grief of losing Hanna so recently. She elected not to hassle him past the first No, giving him time and space. He would need both.
____“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Gene asked her as she walked up to them.
____“Of course it’s a good idea! I know a lot about love.” Brooke said, “What would you know about romance anyway?”
____“Well, nothing.” he admitted with sagging shoulders.
____Jaxson nervously tugged at the uniform’s little bowtie, “I feel like I’m wearing a dead guy’s outfit.”
____“You’re breathing new life into this place! That’s all we’re doing, having a little heartwarming fun. Enough with the bitterness about the world!” She shooed them both out of the room, and into the dining area, “Now get out there! I’ve gotta get changed.”

____Thomas wasn’t quite sure how he had been talked into this, fetching Thorn from the other military men and leading him here without being able to say why. But if it was what Brooke had wanted, then he’d play along. That at least was something he was half-decent at. And if nothing else he could perhaps live vicariously through seeing a date play out. It was something he would have liked to have with Brooke, were things normal. A bit of normalcy could go a long way, and they were all only kicking rocks waiting on Oakerley’s men at the moment anyway. Advancing before it was properly cleared was dangerous, so they had a little time to kill.
____“So what is this?” Thorn asked as he was led to the restaurant.
____“Dinner.” Thomas said bluntly.
____“Well the place looks better off than your old bar last night did, but I don’t know… the area may still be hot even with the reinforcements here, and unnecessarily lowering our guard—”
____“Thorn.”
____“Yessir?”
____“Just shut up with the military stuff for a minute and enjoy yourself.” With that, Thomas opened the door and forced the Corporal inside.
____There was an air of coziness within: with enough intact windows for the interior not to be cold and drafty, all given a dim orange glow with the candles everywhere. Someone must’ve raided the place’s entire stock of the things to provide this much light in a world where night was always without electricity and held the power over all living things. It made it feel a bit more like how life had been before.
____One table had been given more space than all the others near the center, and there at it sat Stacey, looking no less lost than Thorn as he wandered over. “What’s going on?” she asked him as he neared.
____“I don’t know.” he said as he took a seat, “Dinner was all Thomas would say.”
____Stacey crossed her arms, “You put them all up to this, didn’t you?!”
____“Believe me, I would never.”
____“It’s okay, Stacey.” Up walked Brooke, dressed just as Gauge was, “It was my idea.”
____Thorn gawked at her, “What are you wearing?”
____“I’m your waitress!”
____“Uh…”
____“Listen!” Brooke put her hands on her hips, looking down at them both, “You’re hurt, you’re hurt. Neither of you ever talk about it, we all want you to be happy, and we all want to do something nice for you two. Just let tonight be a little slice of how things used to be, while they can.” She snapped her fingers, “Gauge: drinks!”
____He hurried over and set down two pairs of glasses, arranging them neatly.
____“Water will be out momentarily. Got some grape juice intact in the back if you’re interested.” he said, wagging a wine list paper with most of the options scratched out.
____Thorn shook his head, “Sorry, I don’t drink.”
____“Neither do I…” Stacey added, glancing at the Corporal and falling into wondering all over again. Would he really never get drunk? Never get… No! she told herself, thinking about everything Silvin had said. Thorn had been just an idea she had foolishly chased: a shadow on the wall, right up until she paid the price for it. And of course, just as Silvin had predicted she was already jumping at the bit to relapse back into it. Because getting shot once doing what Thorn wanted hadn’t been enough, apparently. She forcibly shut the door on that hint of wonder she had felt, frowning and choosing the comfort of bitterness instead.
____Gauge, detecting the stint of awkwardness already in the air, simply nodded, “Ooo-kay, no wine. That simplifies my tasks for the evening.” He whirled and left.
____Next came Gene and Jaxson, also dressed to wait on the two. Gene handed out some old menus, speaking in a terribly silly fancy-pants voice: “Our starter this evening are seared scallops served on baby spinach and glazed with spiced pomegranate, followed by an entrée of our famous beef wellingtons topped with pâté and mushroom sauce drizzle, served with a side salad.”
____Jaxson took the menus back before they could even be read, “Also actually we’re only serving what we were able to pilfer from the stock at VACC. However, chef Thomas will serve it beautifully. Enjoy.”
____“Oh. Thanks.” Thorn watched them leave before glancing down at his hands. He was nervously fidgeting, something he almost never did. He usually remained in control—well, he was usually certain about things. But that mostly just pertained to tactical decisions. Now he wasn’t certain about hardly anything, including what even to say, “I, well, I… I guess since we’ve been put here I’ll just get into it.”
____“Fine.” Stacey said.
____“I wanted to say I’m sorry. And I know that basically means nothing, because how could Sorry ever begin to cover anything? …But I am.”
____She sighed, “I know.”
____“I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself.”
____“When do you ever?” Stacey asked him, “You just add it to the ever-growing amount of angst and self-loathing and desire to press on and finally end him once and for all… except you never do.”
____He looked terribly sullen, thinking about her words, “What would you have me do?”
____She kept her arms crossed, “Doesn’t matter to me.”
____With that simple verbal punch she had defeated him, Thorn staring down at his empty plate. Empty, in this husk of a restaurant, this façade…
____“I thought I’d figured it all out.” he said, “When I first bounced back from what Silvin had done to me, finding resolve for the first real time in my life, I thought that was the self-actualization that’d carry me on for the rest of my days. But now it feels like nothing’s really changed. Before I was just a fat miserable failure, well now I’m a fit miserable failure. He’s still out there, innocent people are still getting hurt, hurt so bad that my psychological trauma seems offensive to even compare. What’s really different?”
____The arms did not uncross.
____Gauge watched from the back, glancing to Brooke who stood by him softly playing a background tune on her violin, “Guys, this is going down in flames.”
____Brooke wavered for a moment, snapping her fingers at Thomas in the kitchen, “Appetizers, out.”
____Thomas, finding being the cook no less random than being the driver, plated the portions he’d prepped already and handed them off to Gene. Stew and greens from the stock at VACC, nothing complicated.
____Thorn meanwhile continued: “I’ve gone nowhere, helped no one, achieved nothing. It’s all a sick joke at our expense. I get that. You have no obligation to ever forgive me, why would you save for outside pressure like this?”
____Stacey said nothing, only offering an empty look that gave him no solace.
____Thorn sighed harshly in frustration, taking the napkin from his lap and throwing it aside as he scooted his chair back, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have even tried. Seeing you so miserable is more than I can bear. I’m sure Brooke had the best intentions, but my even being here at all is an insult. I truly hope one day you meet someone who can right the wrongs done to you, or actually make you happy like you deserve. Goodbye.”
____Only as he moved to leave did Stacey feel the pang of regret: that she didn’t want to see him for a last time. “Wait—!” she almost began to say, but he was already up.
____He kicked his chair out and sharply stood, but did so too fast just as Gene returned to the table. “Woah!” the makeshift waiter cried, lifting his tray of food too late as the Corporal rose into it and knocked it over himself. Splat! Crash! Jaxson too bumbled into Gene, splashing pitcher water on his back as he unexpectedly halted. Brooke paled and stopped playing.
____Stew and salad had spilled everywhere as the Corporal stood into the appetizers, leaving him there dripping soup with leaves hanging off his shoulders. He frowned, slumping hard back into his chair only for it to suddenly give out and collapse with another Crash!, falling on his ass.
____Stacey sat there, staring down at the Corporal in shocked silence. Her lip quivered and she startled softly at first, hand quickly reaching to her mouth trying to stifle the laughter. But it proved too contagious, Stacey sitting there just laughing for the first time in too long.
____“You two…!” she spoke gradually by necessity, “You couldn’t have messed up more if you tried! I’m surprised… I’m surprised you didn’t drop the water for good measure, Jax!”
____Jaxson smiled warmly at her, glad to see her happy, “You mean like this?” He reached out and overturned the pitcher of water he held, pouring it on Thorn. Stacey laughed harder.
____Thorn flicked his wet sleeves, finding her laughter healing and chuckling to himself at the sorry sight they all must be right now. “Hey.” he said, “You got the soup out, Jax. Thanks.”
____Stacey laughed and laughed, and he could see that she was crying too. At last she shook her head, “Oh, Christian! I’m so sorry too. I couldn’t see you—the real you. We’ve got adult problems, but you’re only just a boy: a lost hurt stupid kid doing all you can think to do. And I’m just a lost hurt stupid girl doing all I can with what I have.”
____He staggered to his feet, “I suppose so.”
____She shook her head, wiping her eyes, “Oh, we’re only us: broken and just… trying. And that’s okay. I’d rather be that than horrible and so sure of myself.”
____Thorn exhaled slowly. He pulled over a new chair and sat down: next to her, not across. “I thought I’d fixed myself.” he said, “But I’m more backwards than ever.”
____“That’s okay.”
____“Help me, please, how can I make things right if I’m not even right myself?”
____Again Stacey shook her head, “Just let it go, Christian. If he taught me any one thing it’s that we shouldn’t let anyone control us so much. He defines you, Thorn… just like I let others define me.”
____“Your…” he wasn’t even sure if he could go there, “Your scars…?”
____She took a deep breath, knowing the leap she was about to make again, “For all my life I tried everything I could to hide it, because I hated being the way I was. I just wanted to be like everyone else, but I never could. I could never be as carefree as they were, because I knew what could happen. And everyone treated me different—even being polite and walking on eggshells about it was still somehow shining a spotlight right on my scars. I could never undo that. After a while I just started pretending to be who I wanted to be. But that fantasy girl will never really exist. Do you understand the control my tormentors had over me, the influence their trauma had without even needing to lift a finger after the fact?”
____Her mind flashed back vividly to what Silvin had said of his own tormentor—his own father: “To write it all off as his influence? To have the whole world place all the blame of my life and actions upon my father? And let him rob me of all my agency?!” How his face had uglied with hatred. “…Never!!”
____She shook her head, “When I saw the anger in his eyes for even suggesting that it might be the same way with him, I understood him. And I think you’re the same way, Thorn.”
____“He drastically affected me, true. But I always hated who I was before.”
____“You said yourself you hadn’t changed.” Stacey reminded him, “Do you really think you could change now, a genuine leap? One truly free of him? Could you really protect what you love rather than chase what you hate?”
____Now Thorn took a deep breath, knowing what she was asking. He thought of Header and the Commander and all the rest. Orders and uniforms and bullets and mortars had been his life, the things which had picked him up and kept him on his feet for so long. But he had also known what Header had said to him. Don’t end up like me.
____Thorn dwelt on this, and looked into Stacey’s eyes: her soft gaze with beads of orange in the candlelight. “If you’ll let me, I’d like to try.” he said, “I’ll devote myself, if you permit me the chance. After everything that’s been thrown at us, can’t we at least trust to lean on each other?”
____“Maybe. Despite ourselves.” Stacey said, knowing her folly. The illusion of the soldier Thorn had appeared to be was broken to her now, and she saw only the frail human being that was truthfully on the other side. Shyly, familiar with pain, she reached her hand out and he, knowing her sensitivity, gradually took it. That he hesitated first comforted her: not immediately reaching to profit from the touch of her skin, rather recognized the gravity of her consent and waited until it was certain. He too could see the frail human behind her guarded visage. They both knew the risks of attempting this leap and being so vulnerable, but the simple truth was that Brooke was right—they were in love with each other. With such vulnerability could come intimacy, freedom from all the baggage that had weighed them down in the long painful walks of their lives.
____Brooke sighed contently as she watched them just gently hold hands, permitting herself to resume playing her violin. She gave them music in their quiet company, as her four recruits similarly toiled to provide the dinner, and afterwards clear out space and give the kindness of distance and atmosphere so their guests could eat and talk and be solaced with each other.
____At last the intimacy provided connection—calming and relaxing and just being themselves without the need to be guarded—and the two winded down the night just silently slow dancing with each other to Brooke’s beautiful music, while all the others watched, just happy to have helped make this small moment of rare happiness.
____“Ah, l’amour.” Gene told his fellow staff as he swooned to the music, “The world is now just a little better than it was before. To help kindle young love. It takes me back, fills me with life. Jaxson, I could kiss you!”
____“Please do not do that. We’re just joyful observers. Also you’re not that old.”
____“Living vicariously.” Gauge added, “I won’t lie to you about our chances—I doubt hardly any of us will get to experience that up there before we die. But it’s hard to be envious; just glad to see it happen at all nowadays. Just glad to be part of a whole. Let’s hope they make it.”
____Thomas only nodded subtly, watching Brooke up there playing her music for Stacey and the Corporal, a big warm smile on her face. He knew even if she were alone right now she’d just be happy to make love happen. He too hoped they made it work, impossible as it seemed. He observed aloud to his peers: “All the carnage, hard choices, or even the usual human nature… to love now seems like such a suicidal gamble, knowing circumstance will almost certainly ensure a tragic and premature ending.”
____Gene wistfully shrugged, “Well, yes, but still choosing to try despite that is part of what makes it beautiful, Tom. To be married in wartime is to commit your true heart fully even as the tears are already in your eyes.”
____“What’s that from?” Jaxson asked.
____“My brain just now!”
____“Hmm, yeah…” Thomas concluded, gaze remaining fixed on Brooke. She’d understood, brought them all together, choosing still to try despite such things. All of them were gathered here for the chance of two unhappy people finding love. And it was beautiful, but also bittersweet as if it were already lost. Death still hung in the air above him, and he knew that one day he would have to look back on this moment and reflect on those who wouldn’t be there afterwards. For his own chance of love was no less precarious than theirs.
____The four young men stayed and ate what was left and watched while Brooke played her music, and Stacey and Thorn dared to be broken together for the chance of love in that place, leaning together and slow dancing long into the night. And all the while they were watched from far away by two tireless spying eyes, observing through machines and listening instruments in a dark empty building across the river.

ii

____“This is the place.” Montag turned the wheel and drove up to the facility. It had been rough the first day on foot, but after managing to find a functioning car he had led his group to their destination without much drama. They had to take a route other than the one suggested by the doctor, but Montag had pushed himself to drive throughout the night to make up for it. It had been nervous work, being in the outside world again, knowing that the undead could turn up anywhere and in large numbers. Plenty of zombies had gone chasing after their car as they sped through the countryside. Montag tried not to think about what might’ve happened had they not found an automobile when they did.
____He was more than rusty in terms of survival, and he had been apprehensive for the elderly Mr. Collis and the subtly injured Lynn (and Guy was… well, perhaps he could prove useful somehow). But disaster had evaded them with all the unfairness of chance: Montag felt no pride in their plain luck. He knew somewhere someone else would suffer lesser fortune and perish without hope.
____This new VACC facility was radically different than the one they’d stayed in before: actually above ground and consisting of a few large connected buildings. It almost looked like one of the places Montag had gone for classes while at college, for all the good that had done him.
____It stood alone far from the nearest main road in a large flat plain of soon-to-die green grass, not guarded by any trees as the old VACC had been. Instead around the base was a vast perimeter of barbed fences nearly three-hundred feet from the buildings themselves. As Montag pulled the car up he could see lots of soldiers, some manning stations and guard towers, others standing around smoking or checking their weapons. A pack of ten were jogging along the perimeter, shouting some sort of military jargon in rhythm with their pace. Montag watched them go as he neared the fence entryway. It wasn’t so lonely here, he noted, knowing there’d likely be just as many staff inside the facility as there were armed guards outside.
____“This is it.” Lynn muttered to him as he ground the car to a halt and sentries approached from all sides.
____“This is what?” he asked her.
____“The part where we see if they just kill us or not.”
____The first soldier to reach the car stooped to the window and demanded to see some identification. Having none, Montag simply answered with, “Uh, we’re with Nazar. We’re part of Brooke Arnakis’ group from VACC-104, you see. We’re part of her, um, hmm…”
____“Entourage.” Lynn finished, “Can you tell Nazar that we’ve arrived?”
____The soldier nodded but only slunk off to whisper amongst his peers. Montag watched them in morbid silence, gripping the wheel tightly and hoping he hadn’t led his group to an execution. Nazar had been very upset with how things had transpired at the old base, and Montag didn’t give him the credit to assume there wouldn’t be grudges to pay now that there were men with guns everywhere. No longer did they have the power they held over him in those pristine tunnels. Montag counted the long seconds with increasing nerves. Either let them through the gate or get it over with…
____“They don’t trust us.” Guy whispered from the back seat.
____“Can you blame them?” Mr. Collis said, “After Louis? I don’t know if I trust us.”
____“I know, and it can’t be helped.” Montag replied with attempted resolve in his voice, “But remember what Brooke said: no second-guessing ourselves now. She stuck up for us; let’s not act guilty before Nazar when we’re not.” He glanced up at the rear view mirror, “Chin up, Peyton. She looks up to you, you know.”
____“I know.” the old man said, looking somewhat grim, “All because of a bit of company charity she happened to know of. It’s naïve of her. She should know better.”
____The soldier returned to the car, waving them on as the gateway opened up. Montag entered, driving up the road and following it as it curved around the building. There was a lot to the right of the lab—populated meagerly by a small number of cars—and another at the bottom of a slope behind where a large number of Chinook helicopters were parked. The hill there was carved out, with gates connecting the lot to what was likely the underground portion of the facility, and men could be seen going in and out down there around all the aircraft. This was no simple laboratory like VACC-104: this was a military base.
____Montag pulled the car around as he reached the largest building’s main entrance, cautiously exiting and taking in his new surroundings. That woman, Lavender, was waiting for them at the entryway: standing up straight, clutching her tablet and saying nothing as usual. She led them inside and down the hall, through a few busy offices and corridors full of squabbling staff.
____The main building here was a vast square, hollowed in its center where a large atrium sat: permitting natural light to pour through the big windows on Montag’s left as they walked. How peaceful it might be to just sit out there in the green and empty benches and dawdle away without worry, he thought. But there was too much going on too fast for that, nobody out there now. Who would dare relax at such a vital hour? Lavender led them on and the light faded behind them as they ventured deeper into the lab, until they at last found themselves face-to-face with Nazar.
____He had chosen to sequester himself away from all the bustle in this base of his, located in a cramped cluttered little office all on his lonesome. He was bent down eyeing a computer carefully as they entered, with what looked like some kind of blueprint displayed on it. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he quickly switched the screen off and stood up, facing the four newcomers and scowling.
____“You’re not the members of ‘Brooke Arnakis’ group’ I wanted to see.” he said bluntly, “I detest false advertising. What are you doing here?”
____“Is Brooke not here?” Montag asked.
____“Of course not. Why would she be here? Why wouldn’t you get here faster than she did? She’s devised some way or another to put the entire campaign in jeopardy, no doubt.” Nazar paced about the office, closing open folders and flipping papers onto their blank sides.
____Lynn shook her head, “We’ve made it here, she’ll make it here. Have some patience, why don’t you?”
____“But since we’re here—” Guy began.
____Nazar whirled to face them again, cutting him off quickly, “Of course. Lavender will escort you off the premises immediately. You wouldn’t have got in at all, had I known that you’d separated. I’ll have a chat with the gateman on that matter.”
____“You what?!” Montag reeled.
____“Not to worry, dear, dear Montag. There’s a temporary safety zone not far from this base for all you regular humans to dwell in, until we can get you moved somewhere more proper. It has military protection and everything.”
____The writer frowned, clearly dejected at this unwanted update, “But we’ve just arrived! And Brooke—”
____Nazar waved one hand dismissively, “Don’t fall under the illusion that just because you and your lot were permitted to stay at a VACC facility—that was my mistake—that you yourself are VACC personnel. You’re not. You are merely civilians: unwanted, unvetted, untrustworthy little casualties that I can’t afford to have as my problem right now. Farewell, give King my best.”
____“Oh no you don’t!” Mr. Collis shouldered his way forward, looking as furious as a gentle man brought to rare anger could. He held out one hand as he stormed up, finger pointed accusingly, “We’re here on Miss Brooke’s behalf, because she trusts you about as much as you trust us. And when she gets here if she finds that you’ve just sent us away, she’ll assume that you had us all shot. What cause would she have not to believe so? Do you think she’ll just take your word on it?” His finger rapped on Nazar’s chest, “You’ve no choice but to let us stay, at least until we can be sure that all of us see each other safe and sound!”
____Nazar scowled and brushed the old man’s hand aside, at last relenting. “Fine.” he said through clenched teeth, “You can have your little moment with that… child! But don’t expect me to keep you around after that. And you’ll have to speak to her from behind bulletproof glass. I’ve been forced to take too many chances as it is!”
____“That’s all I ask.” Mr. Collis said, straightening his tie with the satisfaction of a won argument.
____Nazar faced his assistant, “Lav, take these liabilities somewhere where they can’t do too much damage. Make sure they’re watched.”
____Lynn smirked at his paranoia, “Watch all you like. As long as it’s safe.”
____“I’ll take you to the unrestricted wing of the base.” Lavender told them calmly, gesturing to the doorway behind her, “This way, please.”
____Montag sighed a breath of relief, nodding his thanks to Collis. The old man merely gave them all a wink and followed them out, glad to have helped. They’d made it. Now they just needed Brooke to keep her promise and make it too.

____By morning the bridge and opposite shore had been secured enough for crossing. Soldiers and engineers had been toiling around it and across it like ants all evening long, and even now there remained more activity ahead and behind the group. The enormous amount of civilians before the city had to cross too, after all.
____Brooke watched the work with amazement, standing with the rest of the group on the Ohio side of the bridge waiting for the go-ahead to cross. “I haven’t seen so many people since before the outbreak.” she said, “It certainly feels a lot safer now.”
____“Safer from the zombies, perhaps.” Reed told her, “Surrounding ourselves with so many soldiers carries risks of their own, you know.”
____“Meh.” Header dismissed, surveying the scene with confidence, “We’re goin’ to a government facility, what difference does it make if there’s friendly troops on the way? My only concern is what in the hell took so long?”
____Lt. Oakerley walked up to the group, “You’re clear to cross. As for your question Sergeant, there’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes madness at headquarters. Your VACC premier Nazar isn’t authorized to call in anyone anymore. We had to wait for the go-ahead from Gen. Tandom and the big brass at the mobile Pentagon.”
____Reed frowned, “Y’know, when orders have to get the green light four times before they can be carried out, they’re outdated by the time they hit the field. An’ it ain’t never the generals who pay the price for it.”
____“You’re preaching to the choir, biker-kid.”
____Reed startled, “‘Biker-kid’?!”
____Oakerley continued over him: “But Nazar’s fallen out of favor with the Director and his cabinet. When the outbreak started they did whatever he said, because it was useful to them. But now the initial shock’s died down, and Nazar’s plans stopped making sense. He won’t tell a soul why we have to move everyone to the coasts. We can theorize maybe, but point-is they’ve lost confidence in him. Anyhow, no one knows what’s going on anymore.”
____Header’s lips flattened with dissatisfaction, “Now is that still happening or not? You got all these civvies here still out in the open.”
____“I’ve been told the official position on that is Yesn’t. The cabinet can’t make up its mind. First we’ve got to move everyone, then it’s ‘no, turn around and go back’, then it’s ‘no don’t do that, better to keep going to the next closest place’, and then of course it becomes ‘no stop, wait and do nothing and await further orders’. So we’re just going here and there and staying in place, bleeding men and civvies all the while. They can’t decide if it’s better to go back or to finish the journey.”
____“That’s terrible!” Brooke said, “Is there anything we can do?”
____“Right now for this group there’s nothing to be done but to keep moving to the nearest safety zone. It’s too far to go back and the last one’s compromised anyway.” The Lieutenant faced Reed again, “I know there’s lives lost in every moment of this indecisiveness, but that’s just the way things are when they’re on this grand a scale. There’s no helping it, and we’ve got to follow orders until things can get sorted out at the top.”
____James smirked at this, “The officials, quick and competent with our lives as always.”
____Brooke merely shook her head, unwilling to accept it. For once Header was with her, frowning at all this news, “Flip-flopping committees… We should have a Commander for this sort of thing!”
____Oakerley shrugged, “They don’t trust the Commander anymore. Rumor has it the Director’s cabinet is worried Grimm will attempt to take control for himself as a warlord. There’s a growing divide between the suits and the military; they don’t want him having too much influence on the latter.”
____“A coup!?” Header shouted in disbelief, “That’s absurd. Comm. Grimm wouldn’t do that! The man’s loyal to his country!”
____“Again, the choir.” Oakerley said, “I’m only telling you what I’ve heard. Anyhow, I’m under special orders to get you to your destination discreetly. The bulk of my forces will continue on to their rendezvous point with the civilians. There’s a multitude of temporary zones their number needs to be dispersed to.”
____“Can’t we go with them?” Brooke asked.
____“Only if you want to walk. There’s too many and it’s too out of the way. I can arrange a small detachment to continue escorting your group to VACC-102 as intended. About fourteen soldiers, two IFVs. I’ll have Sgt. Londel accompany you. As for myself, I’ll be with the main body in contact with the General; Londel will be with your group in contact with Nazar. You will not be in contact with me or with Tandom, understand?”
____Header nodded, “Clear as mud. So there is a divide. The hell’s goin’ on out there…?”
____Thomas listened to all of this in silence, musing on it all internally. It all felt too big to him: too many moving pieces on too complex a board. Things had been simple before: a small group with a small purpose, with VACC and the soldiers acting as their guide and solution—clear good guys against the zombies. But now he could see that that had been an oversimplification on his part, the measly perspective of a single insignificant civilian limited to only what he could hear or see. But even knowing that it was wrong, he still sorely missed that perspective. Not being able to have faith in their leaders, knowing that there was confusion and indecision and agendas and bickering… it made him feel uncertain. And more importantly unsafe. They were not necessarily in good hands.
____“Clear to cross!” he could hear Sgt. Londel call out, signaling to the open bridge.
____Brooke held Thomas’ hand, having seen the tenseness in him, “You okay?”
____“Fine.” he lied, “Let’s get going.”
____Just trust in Brooke. he assured himself, Forget everything else and stand with her. Remember how she was there for you, to pull you out of that hospital. She’s all we can put hope in. I can’t support her if I can’t trust in her. If nothing else, I must do that.
____They all grouped together and headed for the AVs that would take them across. Two IFVs with plenty of soldiers around them—Londel at the lead—accompanying the other vehicles that had been brought up for the civvies to use. Header led the way and opened the door for Brooke to enter.
____“Wait up!” cried an old voice as they entered, Brooke glancing to the street behind and seeing a large number of other survivors approaching. At the head of this pack was the chief they’d met previously, waving a wrinkled arm as he approached.
____“You all made it!” Brooke told him, “We were just preparing to cross ourselves.”
____“So I’ve heard.” the old man said, “But before you go I wanted to thank you for risking it all on our behalf, going in and saving those still trapped in this place. We’re finally moving again because of you.”
____“It was nothing.” Brooke said, “I don’t believe in not helping those in need.”
____Header lit a cigarette and waited.
____“Besides,” she continued, “we only helped Oakerley do most of the heavy lifting. The soldiers should get their share of the thanks.”
____The chief shook his head, “They did what was expected of them. You all were the ones to go above and beyond, and for that we’ll always owe you. So thank you, thank you.”
____He bowed low, leaving Brooke blushing and beaming.
____“I’m sorry we couldn’t save everyone.” Miles told him in a sad, blunt tone as he turned. But the old man had too big a flock to mind one death, returning to the crowds behind him without a word.
____“Miles, ride with me.” Brooke said, getting into the car and patting the seat beside her, waiting for him to take it before continuing, “I’m sorry about Hanna. We won’t forget her.”
____“It’s sad enough that remembering is all we can do.” he said, “I wasn’t even there. Irene just…!”
____“Don’t be hard on her, she did all she could!” Brooke protested, “Even if it wasn’t enough… Listen, maybe we can still help her—Hanna I mean—she was doing everything to keep Henry safe, and he’s still out there. Maybe we can find him, to give her what she wanted before the end.”
____“Don’t even think about it!” Header interjected, looking back at the two of them from the front seat, “It’s an entire city to sort through, and it ain’t all close to bein’ cleared yet. We’re movin’ on through it.”
____“But he’s all alone out there!”
____“Not feasible!” the Sergeant barked, “We’re leavin’!”
____He wasn’t having it, not today anyway. Miles too only shook his head and shrugged at the idea. “It’d be nice to know if he were safe.” he said, “But having one life spared can’t ever account for the other.”
____Brooke said nothing, having nothing to dispel his words.

~TAF

[TheAverageFan]

Next chapter. It is a longer one:

Spoiler Alert!

26
Observer

i

____Crossing the bridge, the group finally entered Kentucky territory and continued through the city from there. Troops and engineers had combed through the buildings in force to clear the way, ensuring a much quicker passage compared to the previous venture through the Ohio side. Zombies were too sparse here against such numbers and armor, and the Apostles present in the city had been scattered and kept at bay from here. Still, despite it all, the feeling of being watched did not depart.
____Although the tension persisted, no attack came as the convoy moved through the city. It remained too strong, moving at a faster speed as the IFVs led the way. Like the Rikers’ attack trucks the foremost vehicle had a large train-like plow mounted to the front, flipping all debris on the road aside with ease and forging a clear way forward on the street. Not even wrecked cars could halt the chugging military engine as it carved its path. They moved quickly.
____The convoy made it out of the city in a little over an hour. As the buildings dwindled away the main body of the line of vehicles stretched out across the opened-up road beyond, finally permitted space now that the city was behind them. Lt. Oakerley gave the command to fan out, a number of the tanks veering to the right in a wing of armor. Behind them, Sgt. Londel’s smaller number turned that way also and ducked out off the main road on their own. Header followed and their number quietly diverted from the body of the convoy. Anyone spying the army’s movements from at least two angles wouldn’t have seen them slip off. It was their best hope of being covert.
____Thorn watched Oakerley’s force head off on its own path. He hoped them success, knowing a survivor’s group of that size was dreadfully vulnerable. But they’d have to worry about themselves for the time being. He glanced to Stacey, who sat next to him—subconsciously leaning on him—permitting worry to show on his face, “On our own again.”
____“On our own.” she repeated, “Back into danger, as always.”
____The Corporal slumped a little in his seat, feeling strangely exhausted from the weight of all his equipment for the first time in a very long while. Maybe it was because he had nothing to do, or maybe it was because for once he longed to be free of it. Whatever the case, he leaned a little on her, and the two sat there waiting and riding on.
____The convoy escaped the shadow of Oakerley’s escort and the horde of civilians moving onward, dipping more south than east and departing down the lesser roads of the Kentucky countryside. Large zombie sightings had been reported over the radio, congregating across nearby highways in what felt like a deliberate blocking attempt. With that in mind, Londel and Header navigated their way locally, with frequent turns and reduced speed. The skies gradually cleared as they ventured: permitting beams of sunlight to finally give life to what was left of green upon the earth around them. Fields and hills again became rolling in the livening light against the bitter cold that had strangled much of the group’s journey, and for a short time one could see the colors again and breathe freely again and perhaps even forget the evil circumstances of all that had happened: if it all could only be seen through anything but the thick window of an armored military vehicle. But after a while the clouds returned, and the light faded under their passing.
____They rode on, confined to their dense metal transports as essential cargo: doing and serving nothing other than just sitting there with their own heavy thoughts.
____For a long while nothing occurred, the side route successful in its stealth. It of course had to end, and with a shouting and signaling the convoy came to a halt. Sgt. Londel left the lead vehicle and called her fellow Sergeant out. Header walked over.
____Their road had taken them through an underpass tunnel, and it was caved in completely. No IFV would squeeze its way through in a million years. Header grimaced and examined the rubble.
____“Terribly dusty collapse. Ain’t no way this occurred naturally.” he summarized, rising to his feet and wiping the powder from his gloved hands.
____“What do you make of it?” Londel asked him.
____“We got stuck in the city, blocked off from behind. This don’t look much different to me. Not necessarily by the Reaper, but deliberately performed nonetheless.”
____“Go back?”
____“Huh! Back, as directed by this? Yer young!” Header said with a smirk, “Naw, we go around.”
____“Where to, sir?”
____“I know a place. Here, let me take the lead.” The two Sergeants hopped into the AVs, and Header directed a new route from there. The pilgrimage resumed, under his discretion, veering down impromptu roads. Still they remained unassailed as the hours passed, though the unease of the blocked passage persisted even into the dark-clouded evening. The watching feeling too did not wane.
____At last as the day waned Header reached his destination, ordering the vehicles to grind to a halt and stop for the time being. Again Londel dismounted to confer with him. “Are you sure we’re still heading the right way?” she asked, “We’re losing daylight now.”
____“I’m aware.” he gruffly answered, surveying his surroundings. They had made their way off the grid, parked on a long road with few houses on both sides. It could hardly be called a neighborhood. He faced her, “What’s another day wasted takin’ this route? I know a place where we can stay.”
____Londel nodded, “We can’t all sleep in the AVs. Sure some of these houses might do?”
____“That one.” Sgt. Header nodded, glancing back to the civvies he knew were watching curiously, “Git out and stretch yer legs! We’re stayin’ here for the night!”
____“There’s still some sun left.” Londel told him, “Why here specifically?”
____Header smirked at her, “I used to live here.”

____There was something surreal about revisiting the house of someone known only through the disaster. It was a flat single-story residence with painted white walls lathered with the chips and fading of age, sat before a vast field of now overgrown grass. Inside the colors of the wallpapers and wooden cabinets and drawers were no less desaturated, but the curtainless windows permitted it to at least be lit well while there was still sinking sunlight. It glinted orange off the silverware still lying set on the table to the immediate right. It might have once been nice.
____Stacey glanced from one framed picture to another, “You lived in a house, Sarge?”
____Header shouldered his way in as the group entered and fanned out to make space. He frowned at the pictures, “Where else should I be livin’?”
____“I dunno, I thought you dwelt in a tank or something.”
____“‘Dwelt?’ Huh!” Header walked on ahead, “There oughta be three couches an’ two beds. Don’t know if the beds’re still good to sleep on, but even if it’s the floor the place is still insulated.”
____“It’s a nice place, sir.” Thorn told him, but he was already gone. The Corporal rubbed the back of his head at the awkward silence, glancing to the others, “Uh, well, everyone settle in.”
____Londel was less lenient to her own, gesturing to her soldiers, “Make a perimeter! Nothing gets in, understood?”
____Header left them to their business, ducking off into the kitchen and glancing around. All as he left it. That wasn’t terribly surprising, given that the house would more likely be abandoned before it was attacked. A fair distance from the city. But just not distant enough.
____He opened a mini fridge he knew hid under one of the cupboards, taking out a room-temperature beer and cracking it open. The can only hissed slightly, probably just shy of expiration in the months that had passed since the outbreak, and it tasted like sh*t. The hops were long gone. But it was a drink, and one of home. The fact that it was still unexpired at all meant that Colleen had probably just bought it for him before it all happened, in preparation for his returning stateside. He took it and left, exiting out onto the back porch and sitting on the peeled-paint step with his army boots in the yard’s unkempt grass.
____The distant hills glowed orange in the setting sun, looking like sleeping cats on the horizon. Header sighed and lifted his visor, rubbing his weary eyes, just sitting there fatigued letting the cool open air and old memories wash over him. He’d come back here far too late, and even now he returned on detail: still clocked in as ever.
____Sipping his beer and lighting up a cigarette, the Sergeant reached into one of the many pockets dotting his uniform and slipped out a paper, unfolding it and staring at the family photo printed in faded ink upon it:
____“THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT”
____Header exhaled grimly and just glared at it, dwelling on regrets in silence and smoke. Only the sun moved, descending slowly.
____“Sir?” Header startled and looked back. It was Sgt. Londel, “We’ve wired a connection to Nazar. If you’d like to report in.”
____Work. He nodded, noting how much his cigarette had withered unused, “Yeah, I’d better.”
____Londel’s men had swept the house and its surroundings quickly, securing a safe perimeter, before setting up a secure connection to VACC-102. A thick rugged laptop was opened up on the table awaiting encryption as Header entered, waited and watched. All the internet security concerned him, still not liking the idea of needing to hide from their own side’s ears. He could see Thomas and some of the other civvies peeking into the room, not liking their presence here either for what they might say or do.
____At last the screen snapped to life, projecting an impatient-looking Nazar drumming his fingers on an office table.
____“Report: where are you, Sergeant?” he asked immediately.
____“There was a li’l detour.” Header answered truthfully, “We’re crashing at my place for the night.”
____“Another delay, then?”
____“It was unavoidable, sir. We’ll be there tomorrow for certain.”
____“Tomorrow, Sergeant. For certain.”
____Thomas stepped forward, “We’re handling ourselves fine, Nazar. Do we have any assurance that Brooke’ll be in safe hands at this place of yours?”
____Header subdued the urge to shoo him out of the room. Thomas had a way of making his own plans, after all.
____“You. The actor who so shallowly turned on me at VACC. What assurance are you owed?” Nazar smirked, cupping his hands together with fingers intertwined, “Brave, brave Thomas Santeri. It was bad enough that you had to take these people on your mission of self-importance to Joetex’s doomed lab, for all the good that did you. Now you want to claim ownership of Brooke and her vital blood, and so insist that you be included in my mission. Your only qualifications being that you care about her—or at least you think you do. Aren’t you the hero of your own little play? Your love for her is undoubtedly so strong that no man, nor society, nor nature, nor machine, nor self or even God can hope to stop it.”
____Thomas frowned at him, “You’re prophetic, doubtlessly.”
____“Doubtlessly. But to be brief: stay out of the way and don’t muck up my mission. I know you’re more quixotic than you appear. Do try to stay on the tracks this time so I can do my work unhindered. Can you do that much?”
____“If you play nicely, I suppose. I’m familiar enough with your insidious nature to be wary, is all.”
____Sgt. Londel looked impatient with the exchange, “Sir, are these hostilities necessary? Let us continue.”
____Nazar nodded, “Forgive me, I’ve seen love lead plans astray and into disaster too many times to not look at it with suspicion now. The enemy is counting on human nature to thwart us. But as long as we all march to the same tune we’ll come out on top.”
____“Your tune, of course.” Thomas assumed.
____“Of course.”
____Header shook his head, “Listen, it ain’t gonna be long, sir. We’ve cleared the bridge, we oughta be okay from here.”
____“You’d better. My patience was thin days ago. Tomorrow, Sergeant. For certain.” With that, Nazar cut the connection and the screen went blank.
____Header sighed and shut the laptop, taking a deep breath before standing. He faced all the other troops, “All right, you heard the man. I wanna be secure tonight. We got only one last chance to throw now; I want quiet and uneventful.”
____The soldiers nodded and dispersed. Londel too took her leave. Alone now with the Sergeant, Thomas sighed and shook his head, “I just have this feeling, Header.”
____“No, no feeling. Don’t feel, jus’ focus on the task at hand. Think you can do that little?”
____Thomas shrugged, “Sure.”

____The civilians divvied up space among the rooms and couches for the night, taking the indoor shelter for what it was worth in the cold. Thomas stayed by Brooke’s side, while she remained by Stacey on one of the couches. Thorn hadn’t really left her, always minding her health and comfort—they were still honeymooning it seemed. Gauge and Gene sat alone in the corner.
____“Tomorrow…” Brooke mused as they all sat around the lounge in the quiet glow of what little orange was permitted, “How am I going to get any rest knowing that?”
____“It’s like Christmas Eve.” Stacey told her, “The anticipation makes it too hard to sleep.”
____Thomas was still musing on what Nazar and Header had instructed, “All we have to do is stay out of trouble for however many hours. Then the rest is up to the doctors. It’s going to be very serious business there.” His words seemed to make Brooke look a little dour, for some reason he couldn’t guess, so he picked one of the little pillows off the couch and lightly threw it at her, “That makes tonight our last chance to have fun.”
____It harmlessly struck her face and she laughed at how unexpected it was, “Ow! Hey! How old are you?”
____Even Gauge smirked, “Older than me.” He too picked up a small cushion off the easy chair he occupied and threw it at her.
____She laughed and shielded her face, earning only a third: Stacey lobbing one of her pillows to join in the fun. It struck the back of Brooke’s head, thrown a little hard, and she whirled and stared in surprise, “Ow! Thorn!!”
____The Corporal seemed stricken with genuine surprise, “Me? Wait, but I—” But Brooke was on her feet and over to him, hitting him repeatedly with the pillow not knowing his innocence. Thorn accepted it, just shielding himself, “Man down, man down!”
____Sgt. Header peered in, “Hey! Y’all keep it down. People is tryin’ to sleep!”
____“Sure thing Dad.” Brooke giggled, “This is like a sleepover.”
____The Sergeant was unamused but everyone else found it a charming analogy. He slunk out grumpily, and Gene smirked at it, “I’ve never seen him defeated so quickly, Brooke. Just, uh, never ever call him Dad again, if you could.”
____“Ha, sorry about that, Gene…”
____At that moment, something very unexpected happened: the landline phone sat in the corner of the room began ringing. Surprised, Thorn rose and answered it, his greeting still carrying some of the laughter with it, expecting one of the others in the house, “Hello! How on earth did you manage this?”
____The reply rid that jovialness, a flat gravelly voice he didn’t recognize at all coming through the line, “Hello Corporal. I would like to speak with Brooke Arnakis, please.”
____Thorn snapped to attention, standing up straight and immediately glancing across the room at all of the windows. He didn’t see anyone, “I don’t know who that is.”
____“Now don’t be absurd, Cpl. Thorn. I know she’s there with you.”
____The grave change in mood about him caught the others’ attention, Stacey starting to rise, “Christian…?”
____Header beat her to it, having peered back in and seeing what was happening. He would have remembered a phone on that table had it been there before, barking at his comrade, “Hang it up!”
____The one on the other line must’ve heard this, quickly adding: “I would strongly advise against doing this, Corporal. It could have dire consequences for an innocent life you swore to protect. Listen here.”
____Thorn gripped the phone tightly, hearing a shouting yelp on the other side, a young voice: “Stop it! Let me go! Stop!!”
____This he recognized, clicking in his mind. Henry…! How did he? How does he know?
____“Kid!!” Header snapped again, “Hang it up, now!!”
____“I shall end his life painfully if I am not satisfied with this call.” the mystery voice said, “Now, I should like to speak with Brooke, please.”
____The Corporal turned back, looking pale-faced at Header before finally acting and holding the phone out to Brooke, “It’s for you.”
____She stood, slowly accepting the phone and speaking shakily, “Hello?”
____“Hello Brooke. We meet again.” the voice replied. It was dry and hoarse, like she would expect a serial killer to sound like, and she shivered in recognition of it, “There wasn’t time for an introduction at the hospital. I am codename Voyeur, one of King’s Apostles. And you are the girl Elias is looking for… Nazar’s little pet project: the immune one, yes…”
____“I…” she said, finding it hard not to stumble over her words.
____The voice interrupted sharply: “Speak truthfully, whatever you do.”
____“Yes. I’m her.”
____“Elias has tasked me with apprehending you.”
____“How did you find me? How are you doing this?”
____The voice chortled, “I take my tasks very seriously, Brooke, very seriously indeed… Getting you here was a simple measure, as you all explained clearly to me in Cincinnati.”
____She heard other voices coming through the line then, a recorded copy of Thomas and Header’s own words: grainy with increased distance and volume to compensate: “‘Don’t tell me you’re from around here too, Sergeant?’”…“‘6601 Hayden Blvd, KY. Since ’05, son. Not the same side of the river but it counts.’”
____Voyeur returned, continuing, “Which faceless soldier suggested this route to the Lieutenant, and who blocked the tunnel which led to this detour? You would come this way if redirected, however subtly. And now you’re here. While all the others have been scrambling and fighting I have been studiously watching you. I’ve come to understand you.”
____Brooke breathed deeply and tried to gain some composure, speaking clearly, “Get to the point. What do you want?”
____“I want to test you, Brooke. You, as I see it, are a terribly altruistic person. I’ve observed as much from your words and deeds on this little trip of yours. You could say I’ve been moved by it. But I prefer love at a distance—to be near is to be duped and exposed. Up close the flaws become apparent. Who you say you are could always be a falsehood. Do you think I haven’t seen it before? I do not like blemishes. Blemishes are disorderly.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “Now, many people… they think they are selfless, but it is only because they are untested. I want to see you in action. I have here this child, who I watched and waited for.”
____Again Henry’s voice could be heard, “Brooke! Help! Make him stop!”
____“Henry!!” Brooke shouted, “Don’t you dare harm that child! You let him go now!”
____Voyeur cackled, “Ah, but only you can make me. Would you stake the fate of mankind on saving a single child? Would you really?”
____“Yes!” she shouted, “Just let him go. Don’t hurt him!”
____“I haven’t done anything egregious, not yet.” he said, “You answered without hesitation: that is a good sign. I will leave him for you, but you must come and collect him. Alone. There will be many undead there, and I will kill the child immediately if they are stirred up by the presence of your friends.”
____“Okay, fine.” she huffed, “But you can’t hurt Henry. Don’t do anything to him, please.”
____“I see no reason to do anything more than what I’ve done. I’m not one to do harm out of mere restlessness. But I fear for his fate if you do not come and collect him, Brooke. I’ve stowed him in a dump west of Sutton Lake, not far from your current location. Approximately forty miles, thirty minutes by car. Therefore I shall expect you promptly in that time. Just follow the flames from there for direction. I’ll see you then. But you won’t see me.”
____Brooke heard the line close. She dropped the phone and slumped down to her knees, letting out an exhausted sigh. Everyone stared, all drawn to the shouting.
____“I have to go.” she said, “He took Henry.”
____“How?” Gene asked.
____“I don’t know. He said he was watching… he must’ve known we’d become friends. I never should’ve let him leave.” She started to her feet again, “I have to go. He wants me there alone. It’s the only way to get him back!”
____“Hell no!” Header shouted, “We are this close! There ain’t no way we’re lettin’ you go off on your own again, certainly not into what is absolutely a death trap!”
____“It’s that or Henry will die!” Brooke snapped at him, “I have to try to save him! I won’t just let him be killed like that!”
____“I’ve gotta side with the Sergeant.” James said, “There’s no certainty of anything but death in this scenario. You don’t even know if you’d get the kid back. It’s Evil 101.”
____“What do you know? I’m leaving.”
____“Really by yourself?” Gene asked.
____“Gauge can come with me.”
____He simply nodded at the mention, standing up quickly and ready to help her without a word. Brooke turned to leave, stopped only by Header grabbing her by the arm. For the first time she felt his genuine strength, and she was yanked back to face him. The Sergeant glared down at her, “You cannot do this, ma’am.”
____She stared up at the man, standing there gauntly towering over her, “Why not? And let go of me.”
____“Jus’ think of everyone depending on us getting that cure outta you. Jus’ take a moment and dwell on the gravity of the situation.”
____“Header, Henry’s only a child. I won’t let him die.”
____His grave expression didn’t change, “Think of how many children’ve died already ‘cause of this virus. We can’t throw it away over jus’ one.”
____“Says who?” Brooke tore her arm out of his grip, “I don’t coldly measure things like Nazar does, arrogantly thinking he knows the value of everyone’s lives. We do things differently. We can’t assume to know anything about the significance or insignificance of a person. I don’t care if I’m ‘important’; I refuse to let anyone die because of my own life.”
____“It’s your death I’m worried about.”
____“My life, my death: either way it’s me so we do things my way. As long as that’s the case, we don’t turn our backs on anyone. Certainly not children. I’m going. Let’s go, Gauge.” With that, she turned to leave, the ex-Apostle following her right out the door without a second thought.
____The Sergeant turned his attention to Thomas, “She’s gonna git herself killed within the hour. Can’t you talk some sense into your woman, boy?”
____“I don’t know if I can.” he said with no small amount of uncertainty. Her words of comfort at the hospital were nearer to him now, but the more distant memory of the visage hovering over her rung harder. Brooke’s certainty hadn’t rid that fear from him entirely. But what could he do? Could he even stop her if he wanted to?
____Header looked displeased with his short blunt answer, shaking his head, “Well damn! Perhaps you could follow Gauge out there and help her out. Paint a nice big target on her, in case the bad guys have trouble seein’ her right away.”
____Thomas dismissed the critique and rose, leaving the house and walking out into the dark outside. Only the dim glow of the meek lights escaping the windows provided any sight out here, where Brooke and Gauge stood by one of the cars. Getting ready to leave already. Thomas walked after them, feeling the brisk cold on his ears only seconds spent out of the building.
____“Brooke.” he said, “You’re leaving already?”
____“He only gave me half an hour to get there.” she replied, facing him, “Which means you don’t have the time to try and talk me out of this.”
____“You’re really going through with it? After all the work everyone put in getting you through the city safely?”
____“We don’t have time to think of a clever workaround.” Brooke said, “And we went through the city to let all those people through to the other side. That’s what was important to me. And this is important to me too.”
____“But you act like you’re not important.”
____“In the grandest scheme of things, I don’t think I am.” she said, “I know this looks like a bad trade to all those ‘big picture’ thinkers, but trust me Thomas: in the biggest picture it’s the littlest things that are the most looked at. Some of the most essential instruments aren’t noticed until they’re gone.”
____He didn’t like this notion: that she would die attempting an insignificant good so that some inspector in the next life would examine it and nod with approval. She would then get an extra jewel in her crown and it would all be worth it, despite how many more people would perish if she died too soon in this vital conflict. And of course none of it would occur anyway, rendering it all the more moot. Their enemies could thrive off of this mode of thinking.
____No, no. Thomas shook himself out of it, refusing to dismiss her so easily. If he didn’t trust Brooke then he didn’t respect her, didn’t believe in her. He had to believe in her, despite the logic, despite the vision. If he didn’t then there was too little separating him and men like Nazar.
____“I love you.” he concluded aloud, “And so of course I trust you.”
____Brooke smiled, “Even when things are this dark, one small thing can brighten up the world. I will get Henry back, and no matter what happens I know I’ll be okay because I have people like you looking after me.”
____“Okay. I believe you.”
____“I’ll make sure she’s safe.” Gauge assured Thomas, “They won’t detect me.”
____He nodded, albeit a bit shakily, and backed away as they both got in the car. Watching them leave, telling himself that he believed.

ii

____Brooke and Gauge did not leave unaccompanied. Despite his protests, Sgt. Header played along with the charade and permitted the two to leave, but he still wanted to follow them as close as he could while he could. Sgt. Londel and her men were similarly dissatisfied with the scenario, having worked their asses off to secure that bridge for her, so as soon as Brooke had left most of the remaining group and soldiers had piled into the two IFVs and followed along, rumbling down the vacant back roads in the dark.
____They had stopped once reaching the town outside Sutton Lake, where Brooke had been instructed to go. As promised numerous fires had been lit, a path of large flames directing the car to its destination. Through the night-vision sights of the IFV Header watched the lonely little vehicle go on ahead on its own, lost between the blinding pyres, still grumbling to himself bitterly.
____“Off they go.” he said to the others in the cramped red-lit metal vehicle with him, sliding back and permitting Thorn to look through the sights next, “All we can do now is wait for commotion and hope to git there fast enough.”
____Reed scoffed loudly, “Yeah, fast enough!” He aimed and bolted an invisible rifle, “Boom! Dead.”
____“Well, we’re as close as we can get.” Thorn assured the Sergeant, “Try your best to relax, old man. We’re doing everything in our power.”
____Thomas just sat there, trying not to wring his hands in worry, “We have to trust in Brooke. Trust that she’ll be okay, that she knows what she’s doing.”
____“Hah!” Header balked at the idea, “How many tours does she got under her belt? She has no idea what she’s doing. Apostle’s got us by the balls with her callin’ the shots. All this guy needs is a clear view, which she’ll be gladly providin’ momentarily. ‘Trust that it works out’, ‘Hope we can get there in time’, these are bad things to be hearin’ at the height of war.”
____Thorn shook his head, “Well, we’ve got one trump card in Gauge. He’ll be much closer to Brooke, without riling any undead nearby.” He paused for a second, “Was that two Well’s back-to-back? Damn, Gene’s rubbing off on me.”
____Thomas watched him leave the sights and then moved up himself to take a look. The camera was grainy and dark, flecked with static and the blurred blaring lights of the fires out there in the night. He could barely see but it was all there was to work with at the moment. Somewhere Brooke and Gauge were out there, approaching the site where they would allegedly collect Henry. He could feel the tension in his gut, being so far, being so unable to intervene. He hated having something of such importance out of his control, but then when did he ever have control before? Rarely if ever. Feeling no less sickened, he just watched and waited. Waited for the disaster to strike.

____The winged moon was hovering fully close overhead as Brooke finally reached the site. It had been nerve-wracking just driving here through the dark, too dangerous to even use headlights on the way through the winding country roads. Gauge had accompanied her closely thus far, only now beginning to hang back as it came into view, not wanting to be seen and ruin the deal with the enemy. The others had come as well, albeit at a far distance long out of sight. Header would be watching, she knew, even if he had to stay so far away as to not be able to immediately help if things went wrong.
____A vast dump site opened up as they neared, the glow of flames below having guided them here, carved low into the ground like a quarry and littered with vast piles of trash. Much of the refuse had been lit and burnt brightly in the night, lighting the place like an arena. A small army of zombies swam about down there, kept partially entrapped by the deep dip in terrain: a vast flat pit. Their cries and hisses filled the night like the buzzing of insects.
____“All lit up like Christmas…” Gauge muttered to Brooke, hanging around close behind one of the garbage piles where he hoped to remain out of sight, “It can’t have been burning for too long. He knows you’ll be here tonight.”
____“He’s probably still watching from somewhere…” she said grimly, looking about but unable to see any signs of this spy, “Stay here. I’m going in.”
____“Be careful. If I see him I’ll shoot him.”
____“That’s the trouble—you won’t see him.”
____With that they parted, Brooke carefully climbing down into the shallow quarry. Rocks tumbled about her feet as she went, Brooke paling at the noise and again looking around her. Never knowing when a killing slug might fly through the air and end her life in an instant. So far, nothing.
____Zombies paced around her as she went onwards, still ignoring her outright and going about their business. Brooke still kept her distance from them out of habit, trying not to retch at their rotting-meat smell. The smoke and the burning trash did little to aid this, and the whole area reeked of blood.
____Blood: oh, she was stepping in it everywhere she went here. There were sharp sticks and spears all over this place, she recognized now: with countless limp bodies pinned upon them, or them through the bodies in an ugly display of impalement. They were all dripping with the blood staining the ground, and all masked with burlap or tape wrapped all about their heads: making it impossible to tell if they were killed humans or zombies or fakes. How did these corpse-scarecrows get this way? It could only be the disgusting work of her mysterious host. Covering her mouth, Brooke hurried past it all.
____Almost a hundred feet into this dreadful place she finally heard Henry’s voice, shouting for her, “Brooke?! Someone help! Anyone!!”
____“Henry!” she called back, “Henry, it’s me! I’m coming!”
____Now she pressed her way through the filthy throng of undead as they crowded around the center, fighting her way through until at last she could see him. Here in the very heart of the quarry an ugly rudimentary cage stood: made from branches and long beams of metal all stitched together. Inside this was Henry, fastened with rope to a pole in the middle. He was struggling and panicking, but he was kept still right in the center where the stretched, grasping arms of the hungry zombies between the bars couldn’t reach him.
____“I’m here!” she cried, forcing her way through and over to him.
____He saw her, lighting up, “Brooke! Help me! The door!” He nodded to the cage wall on his right, “But don’t let them in!”
____“I won’t.” Brooke walked over, making her way through the frenzied horde with the ease or even casualness only an immune person could have. The door possessed an extremely simple latch, only complex enough to stop the zombies, which she opened and slipped inside. Instantly the horde surged, Brooke closing it quick behind her and locking it again. She moved to Henry’s side without hesitation and began untying the ropes around him, “I’m here. Don’t panic.”
____He gawked at the zombies surrounding them, “Yeah. No reason to panic…!”
____Brooke quickly freed him and held him tight, looking around her now for a way out. She heard ringing again and whirled, seeing a tiny little table sat in the corner. It was round and tall like a stool, and looked both fancy and ugly in a way that the furniture at a grandparent’s house might. Upon the out-of-place eyesore sat another landline phone, its wires running out of the cage and out of sight under the countless undead feet flooding the area.
____There that phone was, just ringing and ringing. Brooke took a deep breath, leaning out while trying to keep Henry both close to her and out of the reach of the zombies clawing between the bars.
____She answered the call, “What do you want?!”
____Voyeur’s voice replied calmly, difficult to hear amidst the zombies’ groans and shouts, “Hello again, Brooke. I see you’ve found your way here; how do you like my handiwork?”
____“It’s sickening!” Brooke answered sternly, looking around her at all the undead, all the blood and fire and bodies and filth. No sign of Voyeur that she could see.
____“I thought it might be a fitting arena. The survivors you see skewered around this place were toiling to dig it out themselves. I imagine they wanted to use the quarry as an execution pit. As I killed them, I thought of how well it might serve me. Their bodies make for haunting decorations, do they not—though you couldn’t now tell which were human and which were undead, which were good and which were evil. They’re just the same now. Those stories are lost, and we remaining can only speculate.”
____“Get to the point!”
____“Ha ha…! Very well: I see you came for the boy as promised. Another mark in favor of your purity.”
____“How dare you put him through this just to get to me!” Brooke said, “Why are you doing this?!”
____“Why…?” Voyeur paused for a moment, “When I was young, I saw a dead bird. I wondered how her hatchlings would possibly survive without her, and knew that they simply would not. And then I thought to myself, ‘If these creatures are not permitted to live, then what gives any of us the right to do so? This is an imbalance, and if I cannot have perfection then I will have nothing.’”
____“Over a bird?!” Brooke shouted with disbelief.
____“Hahahaha!!” Laughter rattled from the phone, “Did you expect a greater sob story to justify all this? You should hear Elias’ reasons for his joining Apostle! But I don’t believe there is any excuse that would satisfy you in regards to our actions. Nonetheless I have witnessed imbalance, and the imbalance must have its due. King understood this, and so I have been given a way to achieve what I desire. It began with the outbreak, and concludes with you. No cure, no recovery, and the disease becomes terminal. No more imbalance, Brooke.”
____She breathed out sharply in exasperation, furious that this man’s so-called reasoning might kill her, “Imbalance! It’s no excuse at all! You’re just doing what you want to do! I swear to you that bird’s fine up in birdie heaven!”
____“Then certainly you won’t mind if we send everyone up to human heaven; to get it over and done with, like ripping off a band-aid.”
____“You know that’s not how it works!”
____“I know only what you believe, Brooke. Coping mechanism: religion, Christianity. Denomination unspecified. Tell me earnestly, is that sufficient enough to satisfy your doubts about this world, that there will be some kind of perfect paradise for your kind afterwards?”
____“It has to be!”
____“But not for me: even in your heaven it would not be enough for my tastes, because there would still be empty seats at that table. Would there still be hot and cold, sun or rain, left and right—all against my preference or with someone else’s? I will not be satisfied. No, only King can offer what balance I desire: that of absolute zero.”
____Brooke lowered the phone, having no time for this, feeling Henry clutching her. She looked all around her. The zombies had only thronged in closer, pressed tight against the cage from all sides. Its shoddy make only just held them all at bay: bending in its weakest spots, creaking under their force. If it gave in even one bar they would come spilling in, and she would be as helpless to defend Henry as she was to get him out right at this moment. She swallowed and again held the phone close, “Let us go!”
____The gravelly voice only laughed, “You are free to go at any time, Brooke. They can’t stop you. Of course, it will be difficult to get the boy out with you. I told you there would be zombies. I don’t suppose you had any plan to deal with this?”
____She turned, looking for any gaps in the undead and seeing none. She scowled, “That’s not fair! I thought the whole point of this was for him to go free. You have me here just like you wanted, so find some way to let him go!”
____“You misunderstand me, Brooke.” Voyeur said, “This was an exercise in your altruism. The others only want to take you, but they have attempted thus without knowing you. I, on the other hand, have been watching for some time: with ever-increasing interest. You must know the value of your own life, especially to Apostle, yet you offered to trade it away to save a single meaningless soul. Such intoxicating purity. And I knew you would do it without a second thought. Surely, thought I, this would fly in the face of all that King says about mankind. He who gives so very little credit to the human spirit. You and him, sacrifice and misanthropy, good and evil… who will win?
____“I must have these answers myself, so I’ve taken a little detour from my orders as Elias gave them to me. You’ve proven too interesting for me to let go that easily. You poor thing. Of course the immune one had to be a young girl of such spirit. No doubt Nazar is furious at that! If only it could’ve been one of the soldiers, he must curse every single night!”
____Brooke scoffed, “Well that’s all fine and dandy, but if I’ve proved myself then I should be allowed to go. You can’t sit there philosophizing about me and King only to help Apostle’s side anyway!”
____“I’m not finished with you yet! I said that most altruists are fakes because they are untested. Even some who are tested are only boastful martyrs. Certainly you knew the logic of coming here: it would be naïve to do so and expect to leave alive. Perhaps you think you’ll get to have it both ways. Or you are happy to trade your own life for another… but that’s only a simple barter. There’s nothing impressive about that. Let me make it clear that nothing of that sort is going to happen here!”
____A quick series of quiet bursts could be heard, explosions masked only by their great distance. Brooke turned east, facing that direction and staring out into the vast dark beyond the quarry.
____“I’ve just destroyed the Sutton Lake reservoir.” Voyeur explained, “In approximately seventy seconds the torrent of water—average eleven degrees Celsius in this weather—will come smashing down on your current position, with volume still sufficient across the distance to flood this pit in seconds. I don’t believe that permits much time for you to escape. And it permits no time at all for you to kill all the undead and clear a path for the boy, or for anyone else to barge in and save you.”
____She paled, the phone partially slipping from her palm, seeing nothing in the dark but hearing the rushing waters: only faint at first but growing ever louder. Henry grasped at her, “Brooke…?”
____“Now face the actual test.” Voyeur said, “Save yourself and let him perish all alone, or stay and grant him this meager comfort: to die in someone’s arms. I of course already know what you will choose, and you know it too. Farewell!”
____“Brooke?” Henry repeated, not knowing what was going on.
____She dropped the phone and held him tight, “Everything’s going to be okay.”
____There was no room for hesitation in her mind, only a brief flicker of despair as she realized that she couldn’t do anything to help Henry: not anymore. He was always going to be killed: the monster only wanted to see if she would abandon him when faced with the certainty of his death. He knew she wouldn’t. And so that was that.
____The water roared closer. She held him and closed her eyes.

iii

____SPLOOSH!!!
____A rolling wave of water came from the darkness and crashed down into the quarry, instantly outing the blazing fires and smothering the entire area: rendered crushed and invisible beneath the shining surface above. The spent remnants of the released reservoir washed up only to Gauge’s boots as he watched in horror.
____“Brooke! BROOKE!!” he shouted, sloshing about the perimeter of where he knew the sharp incline down lay, looking for signs of life. The cage he’d seen her go into probably wouldn’t have survived to trap her, but that meant she and the boy could’ve been thrown anywhere in this now-makeshift lake.
____That was another one gone, then. Gauge trudged this way and that, cursing the fact that he’d ever helped Apostle with anything: they who had toiled so hard to take everything good in the world and destroy it forever. He hastily began unstrapping his armor, casting off anything that’d weigh him down too much.
____Donning his Apostle mask and turning his carbine’s underbarrel flashlight on, Gauge dove in. Instantly the cold of the water rushed his senses: all frigid, all black down here. It could kill, but Gauge smothered the urge to flee the chilling freeze and swam deeper. He’d die looking for her.
____All the water was filled with junk: tires and pipes and boxes and plastics floating about like debris around a wrecked satellite. Gauge shone his light and squinted to see, struggling to even swim his way through let alone find the two lives lost in this sunken haystack. His own breaths came quickly, his mask offering only a gasp or two of extra air and trickling water in. There was no time, no time for anything.
____Gauge swam, shone his light about, swam deeper, repeated. The quarry was too vast. There was too much, they could be anywhere. As his own breath dwindled the ex-Apostle hunted ever more desperately, knowing if he had to surface for air then he would be too late to mount a second search.
____Where are you? Brooke! This can’t be how it ends for you!
____The debris was no less dense the deeper he was, and Gauge looked and looked endlessly through it, trying to find their bodies. It was too much to sift through. Then as his own stamina depleted he turned with his weapon and saw a glint in the murky distance. Mirror-like glass reflecting off his flashlight.
____Gauge faced it. The band around the kid’s wrist!
____Furiously he swam over, forcing his way through the waves of junk. There Henry and Brooke both were: her arms still limply wrapped around him. Instantly Gauge grasped them both, swimming as fast as he could, shoving refuse out of the way and racing to surface even as his own breath gave out.
____Moonlight glinted off the rippling water above. Gauge surfaced.
____“Ah!” He ripped off his mask the second he breached the top, gasping for breath and yanking hard on both the bodies to pull them from the deeper water. He trudged hard, weighed down by the waterlogged equipment hemorrhaging big droplets with his every move. He heard fierce hissing: Gauge whirling and startling at the sight of zombies clawing their way out after him. Snatching up his rifle, he sprayed them back down with gunfire: BANGBANGBANGBANG!!!
____Again it was quiet, Gauge panting and dropping his weapon as he fell to his knees. The damn things were persistent even when drowned. But wait, they were still giving chase. He snapped to attention, realizing that in their supernatural sense the zombies had signaled that Henry at least was still alive. They wouldn’t react to Brooke or Gauge himself after all.
____“…Alive!” he breathed to himself, immediately stooping to the boy to begin CPR, pausing only to glance over at Brooke’s body lying there beside him, unable to tell if she was dead or not, “But… No, she came here for him, she’d want it to be him before herself!”
____It hadn’t been long, but he found Henry to be dreadfully cold and still. Brooke had shielded him with herself, but it wouldn’t halt the water or its freezing temperature. Gauge ripped open the kid’s shirt and began forcefully pumping his chest with both palms, then giving mouth-to-mouth and repeating the process.
____“Come on, kid… come on…”
____At last one final push of air into Henry sent him into sudden movement, convulsing upright as if shocked and spitting out water in violent coughs. He rolled over onto his hands and knees, retching and hacking before finally managing one word, “…Cold…!”
____Gauge breathed a sigh of relief, noting his own visible breath in doing so, “I’ll get you back to the others. They’ll be on their way. But first I have to save her!”
____He crawled over to where Brooke—pallid as a corpse already—lay, but was prematurely halted, for in that moment one of the erect scarecrow-like bodies mounted all about unexpectedly moved. It hadn’t been there when Gauge had thrown himself into the water, but he hadn’t kept track enough to notice. It drew its hood to only reveal a second mask: a black balaclava with an Apostle insignia crudely sewn across the face in thick red thread. This figure moved: one step forward, and a sudden flash of silver in the moonlight as its hand darted. Gauge shouted and fell back, two knives suddenly planted in his vest.
____Henry recoiled, not even knowing Gauge’s name to shout out. He whirled to the newcomer, “You!”
____“So you weren’t alone at all, lying little girl…!” Voyeur said, speaking down to Brooke’s body as he quickly waded over, “Up close the flaws reveal themselves. Would this make King correct? The penalty for this treachery is death!” He drew another knife as he neared.
____Henry dipped his hands into the water, knowing that they trembled violently more by sight than by feel in their numbness. As he saw the Apostle approach, he grasped Gauge’s submerged gun and pulled it up, finding it terribly difficult to keep it trained on his enemy, “D—Don’t you touch her!”
____Voyeur laughed loudly at this, then reached and tore open his black jacket. Underneath lay a fully-armed suicide vest: blocks of claylike explosives wreathed in wires, red lights flashing. Having revealed this, he fearlessly came closer, “Careful! This keeps track of my health and is terribly sensitive, provided I don’t push the button myself. I wouldn’t want you to kill us all after such a close brush with death. They both gave their lives to save yours. Would you render that all in vain?”
____“I…!” Henry started, furious at his inability to fight back. Voyeur walked over, freely lashing out one leg to kick the boy across the face and back down into the water. Thwack! Splash!
____The Apostle then strode over to Brooke, “Sweet thing… much too sweet. You have affected me, but to be close is to be vulnerable, and I know by this helper of yours that you are ultimately a liar. Forgive me Elias, but I can’t have that affecting me.” He surveyed her still body and dreadfully pale skin, musing, “You should by rights be dead by now, but best to be certain. Always best to be certain…” He stooped and raised his knife into the air, “To absolute zero!”
____Just then Gauge burst back up, grasping Voyeur and fiercely grappling with him. The blades had been blocked somewhat by his armor—lightened as it had been—lessening the damage and leaving him with more fight left than expected, though his torso was still soaked in blood. He had pulled one knife from himself, wrestling his way close and trying desperately to cut the wires connecting all the explosives latched to his enemy. His other hand gripped Voyeur’s own, doing all in his power to keep the Apostle’s thumb off the button sewn into the palm.
____“Don’t you dare…!” Gauge muttered as the two thrashed around, kicking up water. Slowly he dragged the Apostle away from Brooke, and they fought and wrestled gradually up one of the piled hills of junk that still surrounded the drowned quarry.
____“Our own little Judas! Cheater!” Voyeur grasped his foe’s knife hand and held it at bay, his remaining charges still armed. The two grappled there for a moment without result, though one gradually overcame the other. Slowly the ascent away from Brooke halted as Voyeur mastered their struggle. Gauge paled, too frozen and too light with bloodloss to keep up the fight for this long. They weren’t nearly far enough away to spare her and the boy. He could practically hear the grin in Voyeur’s voice as this thumb fought its way to the trigger, “What you fear will come to pass, Gauge: to die without making a big enough difference! Insufficient!”
____The splashing of water around heavy spinning wheels came to his rescue: the IFV that had shadowed them here racing to the scene. Header at the weapons saw what was happening and barked a single order at maximum volume over the speakers, “Gauge! Drop!”
____Seeing the IFV’s cannon swivel in the moonlight, Gauge obeyed. He released Voyeur and fell limp like a corpse, knowing he might perish right that second. His foe whirled to meet the new guests, free to detonate himself and take them all. But Header was faster on the trigger. Squeezing the controls, he fired the cannon point-blank straight into the Apostle.
____The IFV’s heavy shot punched Voyeur square in the chest: too close to detonate and instead acting more like a baseball launched at impossible speed. From the low angle of the Sergeant’s gun fired up the hill it knocked him back and up—right into the air screaming where his vest exploded in a bloodied, blazing firework above them all. Bits of flesh rained into the water as all those nearby reeled and struggled to sit back up.
____The wake of the explosion’s subsequent silence took a few moments too long to shake off, a very dazed Henry managing to stifle out a shout as he pointed, “Brooke!”
____Thomas was already out of the armored vehicle and hurriedly sloshed through the water to where she lay, finding her still as death. The comfort of all her words and promises seemed lost in the dark now, only terror to replace it, and he now wondered why he had ever agreed to let her do this thing at all. Hands to her chest, he began pressing her, trying in vain to do anything at all, “Brooke! BROOKE!!”
____Header furiously waded over.
____“Out the way, you idiot!” he roared, shoving Thomas aside and stooping low. Without a second’s hesitation he drew his knife and remorselessly cut Brooke’s top open. Using only the very tip of the blade he then punched it into her before flipping her over to grip and heave as if he were performing the Heimlich maneuver. Water leapt out from her puncture wound and then her throat as she snapped back into motion, violently convulsing and coughing.
____Thomas tried to rush to her side, “Brooke!—”
____“Out of the way!!” Header shouted again, scooping Brooke up and rising to his feet. She wasn’t out of the woods yet. He shouldered his way past them all, hurrying back to their ride, “I need warmth and dryness ASAP, Corporal! Now, now, now, now, now!!”
____“What about these two?” Abbey protested, pointing to Gauge and Henry.
____“I’m on it.” Thomas told her, knowing that he could do no more for Brooke at the moment, and that the other two hadn’t escaped Header’s sight. But he knew the Sergeant’s logic perfectly well: Gauge and Henry weren’t Brooke. She was the essential one, she had to be the one to survive. All the others—even the child—were flying economy class.

____Brooke was rushed back to higher ground where the flooding couldn’t cause more harm, taken into the first standing shelter that could be found. Header swept through the house, clearing it quickly and returning to the fireplace and piling it high with anything that could even remotely burn. A splashing of gasoline and a spark from his lighter later and a large fire began roaring within the mantle.
____“Towels, blankets!” he’d snapped at Thorn as he toiled, returning to Brooke and finding her still pale and limp. He grimaced, stuffing a cigarette in his mouth before stooping and forcibly undressing her. Wet clothes would do her no good right now.
____As the Corporal returned carrying stiff towels left behind in the home for months Header rose again, snatching them without a word and working to dry Brooke quickly. Thorn left again to find any blankets that might still be around, returning soon and providing some to his comrade. Header wrapped Brooke in them and ushered her close to the blazing fire, giving instructions as he did so: “Rub your chest, not your arms.”
____She seemed to be conscious but reacted to his orders very slowly, saying nothing.
____“I think she’s delirious, sir.” Thorn said.
____“We’ll hafta wait and see if she’s suffered any permanent damage.” Header said, exhaling smoke before shouting: “Stay back all o’ you! Don’t come crowd her!”
____It was directed at everyone behind him at the doorframe, peering in with morbid curiosity. Only now had it seemed safe enough to come in. Miles frowned and muttered, “Has he got eyes on the back of his helmet?”
____Header sighed, seeing Brooke slump a bit and reaching to manually correct her. He took out a second cigarette and put it in her lips. Then he turned back to the others, “She was under over a minute longer than the boy, jus’ lyin’ there while Gauge and the assassin duked it out. Even nevermindin’ the hypothermia, we could be talkin’ serious brain damage. It’s a miracle she’s still alive.”
____“Told you…” Brooke breathed out the words.
____“Brooke!” Thomas shouted, squirming his way through the crowd and stooping to her side. She turned slightly to face him, barely managing a smile, unlit cigarette hanging limply between her lips.
____“I said don’t crowd her!” Header told him, but now everyone was in the room, Thomas having proven that it was possible.
____“She needs us.” Stacey said, crouching to Brooke’s right and hugging her, “Body heat goes a long way, you know!”
____Abbey was behind her, ushering Henry close as well, “He needs the warmth too.”
____Only Gauge stayed behind, still standing at the doorway dripping and bleeding. Seeing this, Oriel grabbed him and pulled him over too, “Come on, sensitive sad boy. Group hug time.”
____“Thank you all.” Brooke whispered, sitting there in the middle of all these people hugging her, “Thank you…”
____“You…” Henry told her, seeing her still smiling despite her sorry pallid, battered appearance, “How could you do this? All to save me? You went right into his trap, just for me…? I’m not important, I’m not…”
____She could see him wiping his eyes in sorry disbelief, reaching out to pull him closer and hugging him tight. “Because,” she said, “it doesn’t matter who they say is important or not. To me, one small thing can change the world. One act of selflessness can brighten everything.”
____“One small thing…” Thomas murmured at her words. She wasn’t concerned with what everyone else said or thought, about what should or shouldn’t be done with the war against Apostle. Maybe that didn’t matter as much as people thought it did. Her war was against the despair that had come with all the destruction. Henry didn’t matter in the big picture, he knew, but that meant nothing to her. She had almost died, but that too meant nothing to her. He held her tighter, not wanting that light to go out.
____“Hmm.” Header concluded at this, rising to his feet and walking out of the room. Thorn followed him.
____“What’s the matter?” he asked the Sergeant as they stood alone in the hall, his superior puffing out smoke as he rapidly went through the cigarette.
____“Things aren’t good, kid.” Header said simply.
____Thorn shrugged, “She survived, didn’t she? That’s more than we expected.”
____“It almost don’t matter. She went in there expectin’ a miracle and she got it in her eyes.”
____“So? What difference does it make what she believes?”
____“So.” Header faced him, “She gits to be the special one. She thinks it’s divinely inspired. As a result, she thinks she’s invincible.”
____Thorn glanced back to the room behind, seeing everyone there huddled together by the fire. He frowned, “Maybe she is, Sarge.”
____“Bah.” Header waved the suggestion away in dismissal, “She got them all thinkin’ it now. God didn’t save her back there, I did. Damn, my hands’re still shakin’ with that close a call. She’s not takin’ this seriously, an’ I’m the one what’s got to see us to the destination in one piece. The rest of them is just a bunch of kids.”
____“They’re only trying to do what’s right, sir.”
____Smoke. “Nazar was right: you are just in love.”
____Thorn was taken by surprise, “What’s that got to do with it?”
____Header was looking past him, seeing Brooke and Stacey together, dark hair leaned against her wavy red. He frowned harder, “Maybe not in love… infatuation more like. It makes it harder to focus on the mission, don’t it?”
____“You’re the one who told me not to be like you.”
____The Sergeant laughed, “Ha! Well you’ve got me there. Jus’ remember what we’re tryin’ to accomplish here. Everyone else has forgotten.” He reached down and felt his own pulse, exhaling a hard sigh, “Damn that’s tense! We’re so close now, jus’ wait an’ see what she might try to do next before we can git there.”
____“Yes sir… I’m sorry sir.” Thorn told him, glancing back to the room where everyone else sat and wishing he was there. But he knew he couldn’t be, not just yet.

As always let me know what you think

~TAF

[TGRF]

I'm back, and we're off with Chapter 13:

Spoiler Alert!

Throughout it all no source of light came to her rescue, save for the moon which was mostly obscured by clouds tonight. By this point all was mired in blackness of dead night, and she was running blind. The undead didn’t require light, and she was beyond exhausted.

Two things here. I'm pretty sure you missed a 'the' before 'blackness'. Technically you don't need it, but it reads a bit odd, so I thought I'd mention it.

Second, the YouTube-certified zombie-apocalypse-survivor in me notes that if the zombies don't need light to see, then they've got to be tracking Stacey some other way. Heat? Smell? Surely suits could be designed to impede these senses...

The way Thorn thinks of Stacey - while at this point expected - made me remember just how suddenly his 'feelings for her' appeared. Like, I remember back in TMHW, when Silvin singled her out because he thought Thorn liked her; I thought that was just that: Silvin guessing and being wrong. There had been no inclination before or since that Thorn was particularly involved with any of the survivors. Nor Stacey with him really. I just chalked her actions up to wanting protection in the hotel.

So in this story, the fact that Silvin was right and Thorn actually does like Stacey kind of came out of nowhere for me. Now maybe there were hints along the way - I'm guessing there were - but for me anyway, they didn't register. That could be me, or it could be that the hints weren't obvious enough. So take that feedback as you will.

“Naw, I don’t make bad decisions.”

Beg to differ there, Header, beg to differ.

This chapter was much more manageable in size, which I'm definitely a fan of. At 9 pages in Word, it was still long, but workable in a half hour reading session.

Reed being the one to find Stacey did catch me completely by surprise, so kudos there. I had 100% forgotten that he had even left, and was totally expecting James and Jaxson to miraculously pick her up somehow. Also bonus points for Reed still being Reed, but also protecting Stacey. Good depth of character there, balancing out what was quickly becoming your typical 'loose-canon' character.

~TGRF.

[TheAverageFan]

Ah, movement!

Spoiler Alert!

Originally Posted by TGRF

Two things here. I'm pretty sure you missed a 'the' before 'blackness'. Technically you don't need it, but it reads a bit odd, so I thought I'd mention it.

Erroneous. Fixed.

Second, the YouTube-certified zombie-apocalypse-survivor in me notes that if the zombies don't need light to see, then they've got to be tracking Stacey some other way. Heat? Smell? Surely suits could be designed to impede these senses...

It's been established that the zombies can just kind of supernaturally sense the presence of life and are drawn to it, though sound and especially blood rile them up more. TMHW zombies can't really be stealthed upon as a result.

The way Thorn thinks of Stacey - while at this point expected - made me remember just how suddenly his 'feelings for her' appeared. Like, I remember back in TMHW, when Silvin singled her out because he thought Thorn liked her; I thought that was just that: Silvin guessing and being wrong. There had been no inclination before or since that Thorn was particularly involved with any of the survivors. Nor Stacey with him really. I just chalked her actions up to wanting protection in the hotel.

I think it's fairly well established at this point that Stacey likes Thorn (she had a whole conversation with Silvin about it). Even in TMHW the hotel was definitely more than just protection: she chose him specifically knowing his gun was actually empty at that time.

Whether Thorn likes Stacey or merely "cares about" her is more up in the air. His conversation with Header this chapter is mostly about his concerns with Stacey and Jaxson's general safety. I'll reiterate his perspective in Ch. 3 when he talks to Reed about this exact subject, and let you decide for yourself:

Originally Posted by AC Chapter 3

____Reed stuffed his hands into his leather jacket pockets and continued, “It’s too bad, you letting assault be the last touch she experienced. Oh well. I’m sure she’ll figure out you ain’t interested soon enough. Then I’ll go swoopin’ right in!”
____“God damn it.” Thorn shut his eyes tight as he rubbed his brow. There was no time for this nonsense. They had to get back to VACC. Then Dr. Brett and Lance could develop and deploy the cure. The civvies could decide who cuddled with who over the winter. And he could focus on his one true goal: putting a cold knife through Alex Silvin’s colder heart. Because in spite of everything that damn lucky bastard was still out there alive and well. That could not be allowed to continue.
____He thought again of Stacey: admiring her plenty, liking her even. But even if what Reed said was true, he couldn’t ever give her what she would want. He wasn’t like other men: himself remaining so single-minded, so consumed with Silvin. With all the tours and ballistics and tactics that’d been poured into killing that man. What else was there should it all be peeled away? He’d rid himself of everything he hated about himself: and that was nearly everything. He was just a warm body otherwise.

But for the record if Silvin asserts that someone is or feels a certain way he is usually correct. Call it a lucky guess

This chapter was much more manageable in size... At 9 pages in Word, it was still long.

Later Chapters:

I had 100% forgotten that he had even left, and was totally expecting James and Jaxson to miraculously pick her up somehow. Also bonus points for Reed still being Reed, but also protecting Stacey. Good depth of character there, balancing out what was quickly becoming your typical 'loose-canon' character.

Reed is one of my favorites, so it's good to have him back

Regarding James and Jaxson, if you've been following along they were just at the factory but turned back: so had they tried their rescuing Stacey wouldn't have been so terribly miraculous as you might think.

I'll post the new chapter shortly

~TAF

[TheAverageFan]

New chapter. This one is shorter, except that it isn't: another three-section one.

Spoiler Alert!

27
Killed Feeling

i

____Thomas woke up cold the next morning. The house had been less insulated than he had hoped for this weather, and he had spent the night huddled close to Brooke trying to keep her warm. Or that was at least what he had assured himself: he had practically been clinging to her in fear. He’d almost lost her, so soon after their promise to each other at the hospital. He wouldn’t lose her, he couldn’t…
____He rose and ran his hands down his face, feeling the ickyness of morning and how it uglied him. His feet were still damp of the wading of last night, and he could feel the rings of fatigue under his eyes. It felt dour coupled with the weather, and he walked out.
____Cpl. Thorn was already outside as Thomas exited the house, crouched over a very generous puddle from last night’s flood all by his lonesome. He was using the water’s reflection as a mirror, carefully flicking off the last hairs from his chin with his straight razor—looking presentable as always.
____“I have to admit.” Thomas told the Corporal as he approached and stooped to wash his face, “I’m envious of your ability to keep up your look all the time.”
____“It’s simple vanity.” Thorn dismissed, “Besides, looking tidy presents an image of stability.”
____“I admire the way you jump from the humble answer straight into the military doctrine of it.”
____Thorn chuckled, “It’s not difficult to maintain. You’ve just got to get up a little earlier for it.”
____Thomas shrugged, “I’m up, but I’m still finding it a bit difficult with just my empty pockets.”
____“Here, let me then.” Thorn stood and walked behind Thomas, lathering his face with some simple soap. His razor fell to the actor’s cheek, “Just hold still.”
____“Oh dear.” Thomas watched his reflection as he felt the blade slowly cross his skin.
____“Come on, you’ve trusted me with a lot more than a shave before.” Thorn said, “This’ll give a good impression to the people at VACC if we show up like this today.”
____Even with the lackluster substitute for shaving cream he worked with complete expertise, having done this a million times before. Bit by bit Thomas’ preferred face emerged from the shed stubble. Only at the last pass of the blade did he feel a nick of pain, and Thorn pulled back.
____“Ow…!” Thomas felt his cheek, finding the cut not deep enough for blood, “There goes your perfect record.”
____The Corporal’s eyes fell to his razor, as if the tool had caused the error and not himself, “Hmm. Sorry, that’s odd. I haven’t messed up—”
____“No, it’s fine. Thank you.” Thomas splashed more water on his face to rinse away the last of the soap and then stood, “It’s a semblance of better. …Hey, how come your hair’s all perfect too?”
____Thorn actually broke eye contact, “Uh, Stacey gave me some of her conditioner…”
____“Ah, of course. I suppose you both always try to maintain your looks, though she doesn’t exactly get up early for it. Fitting…” Thomas gave him a more serious look, “You’re not going to screw it up with her again, are you?”
____He got a serious look right back, “I’d sooner die.”
____“That dedicated, huh? What about your whole…” Thomas gestured to the Corporal’s military getup, all that gear of course also already prepped this early in the morning.
____“Hopefully I’m not forced to choose.”
____The two headed back to the house, Thomas ducking inside and finding Brooke missing. He checked both rooms still full of sleepers before detecting smoke and heading to the back porch. There Brooke sat, a blanket hanging loosely from her shoulders and a cigarette perched between her lips. She looked pained to even be using it, breasts heaving as she carefully breathed.
____Thomas frowned at her, “Lungs even feeling up to it right now?”
____She stared up, shook her head, and threw the barely spent thing aside into the wet grass. It fizzled out and died. Thomas sat next to her, holding her tight in worry. She still didn’t look well, and he couldn’t help but fret and fret over her. He didn’t want to lose her. Somehow the threat hadn’t felt real until now.
____She leaned on him, “I’m glad you’re with me.”
____“I’m here for you. Just stay warm with me. Let’s just rest here for a while.”
____“Okay.”
____They sat together there in silence, staring out at the overgrown yard and the cemetery of ragged wooden fences and sheds beyond in this sad remote neighborhood. He felt cold, and her skin was cold, and he shivered with uncertainty. The danger of last night still felt too near, as did Header’s warnings of her condition, and the visage, and… he wanted it gone. He wanted to feel safe and certain with her.
____“Brooke…” Thomas asked, getting no answer at first, “Brooke.”
____“Mmn?” She glanced up at him.
____“How are you feeling?”
____Again she took a moment to respond, “Okay, I guess.”
____He bit his lip. Then, needing it but trying to make it sound playful: “Play our song?”
____Brooke slowly shook her head, “I’m sorry Thomas, not now. I’m too tired.”
____He frowned, knowing he had asked too much of her. She had nearly drowned last night, and that was ignoring the severe battering the onslaught of water had inflicted upon her. Not being killed outright didn’t mean it hadn’t affected her. He was being terribly selfish, wanting her still for himself despite her own needs for rest. He was too fretful to think clearly about things, and for once penetrating through his usually silent arrogance he recognized that she was more mature than he was.
____She must’ve sensed his guilt, adding: “Later, promise.”
____Thomas nodded, clutching her tight and trying to keep her warm in his embrace, though he wasn’t sure if he was succeeding, “Okay.”
____They sat in silence for a long time, until at last Brooke stirred and slowly rose to her feet. Perhaps she was feeling a bit better. Thomas rose with her.
____She stared at the houses beyond, seeing movement, “There’s someone there.”
____Thomas looked. She was correct: around the corner of the yard’s fence came a trio of men, walking up casually as if there was nothing unusual about their appearance.
____All three looked perfectly well-maintained and tailored with their hair combed and clothes spotless, and they all carried briefcases. They couldn’t have looked more out of place if they tried. Instantly Thomas ushered Brooke behind him, hand on where he normally kept his pistol. But he’d left it at the house.
____“Beth Arnakis?” The frontmost man inquired.
____“…Yes?” She replied with uncertainty, still wavering even as she stood. Thomas stayed close, letting her lean on him. Who were they? Where were the perimeter soldiers?
____“Beth, my name is Agent Yaegel—I’m with the CIA. We’re here to escort you to safety, if you’d come with us.” From his lapel he flashed a badge as proof.
____“Are you taking us to VACC?” Brooke asked.
____“No, there’s been a change of plans. We have reason to believe VACC is compromised to Apostle agents. We’ll be going to a safe house for extraction to a more secure site where you can be studied in a safe, comfortable environment.”
____Thomas frowned and slowly backed away, not liking being out here with these three in what felt like a completely exposed location. There had been smoke from the fire last night: anyone could’ve found them and pretended to be there on government business.
____“We’ll need to check with our people.” he said.
____Agent Yaegel took a step forward with every step back Thomas made, “There’s not a need for that. CIA authority overrides any conventional orders. This is a matter of national security, after all. Now come with me, quickly.”
____The porch step creaked under Thomas’ shoe. He stopped and repeated the pressure, creaking again and again. Yaegel gave him a look and reached for his briefcase, but before he could do whatever he planned Thomas heard Sgt. Header’s voice behind him, exiting the house to meet the newcomers, “What’s this goin’ on here?!”
____The agent held up one hand, signaling the Sergeant to stop, “We’re with the CIA, taking the subject to a new safe house on the Director’s orders.”
____Brooke looked from them back to Header, “They’re saying we can’t go to VACC anymore.”
____“Is that so?” Header said, “First I’ve heard of it. I’m under strict orders to take this girl there with no deviations whatsoever.”
____“CIA operatives have the authority to override any military operations, sir. She has to come with us now.”
____“Do you have the power to override Nazar’s orders? I understand he’s the top authority regarding studying and fighting against the virus.”
____Commotion was developing quickly. Now Thorn and Londel were coming over. Thomas gripped Brooke’s hand tightly, slowly trying to pull her away from the standoff he could see brewing. She staggered lightly at his tug, still not entirely there it seemed.
____The agent saw him do this, “Stay right there.” He turned back to Header, “I assure you the Director’s orders fly over anything Nazar has told you. VACC does not act entirely in the favor of the United States, and may in fact be rogue. The girl is coming with us.”
____“Says you.” Thorn said simply, “Do you have any proof of the Director’s orders? We should have the most up-to-date countersigns as of this morning.”
____“Nazar wouldn’t have provided you the correct sign, if he knew we were taking control of this operation. But it’s Falcon-West.”
____“Yer right, that’s not the correct sign.” Header huffed, “We’ve got our communication equipment still set up around the armor. Why don’t we take this up with the General to git our concrete answer?”
____To this Agent Yaegel just shouted to his subordinates, “They’re Grimm’s men, kill ‘em!”
____His briefcase fell open and out came a machinepistol, which he raised and sprayed with reckless abandon. Thomas felt the bullets pass through the air right in front of him, heard Brooke scream and saw the soldiers scatter, and with a reaction that was nothing more than knee-jerk instinct he took her hand and fled. He couldn’t see who behind him had or hadn’t been hit and didn’t check: just running away with her.
____The yard about him offered no comfort in the sudden firefight so he just turned right and ran straight ahead, past the fence and to the messy lawns beyond. The ground further on lifted up slightly and then dipped back down abruptly, providing the only semblance of cover. Thomas ran up it and leapt down into the ditch below, pulling Brooke along with him and pressing his back to the steep slope behind, feeling the cold earth against him. There they hid.
____Brooke pressed tight to him and he held her tighter, hearing the continuous gunshots behind them—the drumming of the firearms spraying death and the steps of the combatants running about. Neither of them saw anything, just sitting there listening to the sounds of battle waiting for it to be over.
____As Thomas lay there, clutching his beloved and listening to the gunfire, a pang of fear resounded somewhere deep inside of him. It was the constant danger: the undead and Apostle and the infighting of countless authorities occurring right now… he realized that what he was waiting for—the fighting to be over—would not truly occur. Voyeur had been killed, the agents would possibly be killed… but it wasn’t enough. Even if they got to VACC, it might not be enough.
____They’re never going to stop coming for her. he realized in that held-breath moment, cowering behind that slope, Not until she’s dead…!
____They’d never cease fighting over her, trying to get to her. Until eventually some malicious agent or stray bullet fired recklessly would snuff out her life prematurely. Realizing this, Thomas found himself suddenly all at once both paralyzed with the fear of loss—finding no comfort in VACC being so close—and stricken with a wild desire to just take her hand and run off into the empty nowhere beyond while all those combatants above were busy with each other. To disappear off the face of the earth with her and never again be threatened by the burdens of this overwhelming responsibility. The way ahead was open, right this moment. Brooke wasn’t even collected enough to object: he could pull her there and she would follow. They could just escape.
____But ultimately she would never have it. She had a job to do still, hope to impart on mankind while she still could. Thomas wanting otherwise was entirely selfish, he realized, and so he cowardly sat there doing nothing. Just holding her and hoping that none of the agents would find and kill him.

____Thorn scrambled along the grass in a panicked retreat from the sudden spray of lead. It had only been a quick hail of pistol rounds, but even with his armor he was perfectly aware that it could end him in an instant. Sgt. Londel had been struck on the head by one of the rounds, her helmet only just catching the bullet.
____Clearing a good distance, the Corporal whirled and dropped prone to the wet grass. He leveled his rifle and fired, capping the agent nearest to him clear in the chest and knocking him down. Turning, he could see the third running away further down the field with his opened FMG drawn. He was chasing after Brooke, Thorn realized. He’d catch up, kill Thomas, and run off with her. That couldn’t happen. The Corporal aimed carefully, lining up the shot, tracking the agent’s head… BANG!!
____He saw a burst of red and the enemy collapsed dead. It was an American federal agent, Thorn grimly realized then. Somehow it just didn’t click until now. And somehow it just didn’t have the impact he thought it would. Everything here, immediately around him, was too important. They were fighting everyone now, weren’t they? He hoped dearly that this wasn’t some trick of Nazar’s—that this wasn’t just another regret he’d feel down the line.
____“Clear, clear!” Londel shouted over the din. She had traded fire, killing the suit who’d shot her helmet and quickly scanning for any other hostiles. More machinepistol spray answered her from the next house ahead, and she hit the dirt firing back. It was panic fire, and Header let her draw the attention as he aimed down his ACOG.
____There were two more. One he gunned down with a triple-burst from his M16, and the other whirled to meet him. The loud drum of a rifle shot killed him first, and Header glanced back over his shoulder. A grim-looking Reed stood there at the window, with his rifle aimed and smoking. He drew the weapon’s lever and the killing casing fell out, “New day, new sh*t on the fan, eh? Now who did I just kill?”

____Soldiers scrambled to reestablish a secure perimeter. Thorn was dispatched to find and retrieve Brooke and Thomas, while Header rolled the body of his first victim over with his boot. “CIA, they said.” he summarized, musing hard on it, “They musta found us last night, with the fire. Anyone can claim to be anyone—they must be more Apostle agents.”
____“I don’t know.” Londel told him, “I think they might actually be legitimate federal agents. Falcon-West is Sommet’s department, I believe. If so they’d be CIA just like they claimed. Things are about to go t*ts-up at headquarters.”
____“Sh*t…” Header rubbed the back of his neck. “Self-defense I know, but that’s a serious friendly fire charge at minimum. Sh*t!”
____Reed just laughed despite the gravity of the situation, “Well I don’t care. Bastards thought the totem-pole only went one way. Turns out the grunts can fight a lot better!”
____“Shut yer trap, this is serious.” Header turned and deferred to his fellow Sergeant, “What should we report?”
____Londel drummed her fingers on her weapon’s magazine. “It’s Nazar’s mission and his responsibility.” she concluded, “We made our judgment call on the ground, and this is a zombie apocalypse. Desperate times, limited intel. We can report on it at VACC, if you prefer. Gen. Tandom can take the ball from there.”
____Standard protocol demanded that they report it right away, Header knew. They were playing fast-and-loose now. Londel was probably with Reed on the matter. The agents had killed two of her sentries sneaking in. He nodded, “Agreed. We’ve stayed too long as it is.” He turned and watched Thorn return with pale Brooke and a very shaken-looking Thomas, “Git ready to leave! We’re in the AVs and on the road ASAP! No more games!”
____Thomas just wanted to sit down, still holding Brooke close as the soldiers all moved to prep and go. Suddenly it felt like there was no time, no time for anything, as everyone was roused and instructed to leave. VACC-102 loomed over him.
____Frantic activity soon surrounded the house as everyone hastily prepared to depart. Clearly they had stuck around too long already, and their destination wasn’t far now. If Nazar was to be believed, the end of the zombie virus would be just around the corner. To say that everyone was on edge would be an understatement.
____“Did you get your meds?” Thorn asked Stacey as he helped her to her feet.
____“I did.” she told him, glancing skyward as the two exited the house, “So this is the day that decides everything? It should look less gloomy.”
____She heard Irene scoff behind her, “We’re handing it all off to that creep—what’s not to be gloomy about?”
____“The doctors will be there to look after her.” Thorn reminded her.
____James too looked unenthused, “As long as it’s safe there, I don’t care. I only want what was promised to me. Maybe we really can get a cure out of VACC too, but if it sounds too good to be true it usually is.”
____There weren’t many words to be said against such a statement. They would get their cure, and it would finally be safe. Wouldn’t it? It had to be.
____Brooke was first to be ushered into the IFV, with Gauge as always insisting to be close by. He looked better than she did—more recovered—nodding his assurances to Thomas before getting in, “We’re nearly there. Don’t look glum.”
____It wouldn’t shake the expression from him, but he nodded anyway, “I know.”
____“Just a little closer to hope.” Gauge said, almost looking bright-eyed despite the cold and the injuries he’d suffered, “Nothing’s going to get in her way, I’ll make sure of that.”
____“I didn’t thank you for saving her last night.”
____“And you’ll never have to. I’m only following her brightness as best I can. Brooke was right: maybe even Judas can make it to Heaven.” With that, the ex-Apostle climbed in the AV.
____Thomas moved to follow, seeing Oriel there having plainly listened in. He paused, “You’re looking grim, Father.”
____“I worry.” the pastor said, “But don’t fret about what I think.”
____“I’m the last one who needs to have their ignorance protected. Go on.”
____“If she did tell him that…” Oriel shook his head, “I admire Brooke’s spirit, but she should read her Bible more closely. Judas absolutely did not make it.”
____Thomas glanced Gauge’s way, “How do you figure?”
____“Matthew 26:24. ‘But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man.’” Oriel recited grimly, “‘It would be better for him if he had not been born.’”

ii

____“Gentlemen.” Elias announced, “The world stands upon the crossroads, to forever go either this way or that. In other words… things are not looking too hot.”
____Silvin almost scoffed at the blank assertion. Of course things were bad: Elias had undercut him in his attempts to thwart the VACC survivors, and now they were in this hole. King had summoned them all to wake in his golden hall, and now they all sat in council.
____The big boss himself sat in silence, with Elias sat to his right—opposite to Silvin where they could glare at each other—and quiet Deacon to his left. That one was a mystery even to Silvin, all clad in white: completely covered and gloved and veiled in priestly-looking garb. A desaturated Apostle logo was sewn upside-down across the face of his veil, that one-way mirror hiding him. The opposite black-clad Vigil sat next to Elias, flanked by two of his women-zombies, saying nothing and playing with one, hand in its mouth. The remaining seats to Silvin’s left and right were both empty. There had once been two more, belonging to Dr. Joetex and Dr. Ruxus respectively, but in their treachery they had been destroyed. King did not much favor the memory of men who successfully betrayed him. So the circle had tightened.
____“It must be serious to convene nearly all of us here.” Silvin said, “Save for our two empty chairs: are Peyton and Shou too cool to come when called? We’ve never once successfully assembled the full Council of Evil.”
____“We are not called the Council of Evil!” Elias snapped. He sighed and continued, “Shou I’m afraid has sadly perished. Of all the times to fail, it had to be now…”
____“It is good that he failed.” Deacon declared, his calm eerie voice like a child’s whisper, “He became obsessed with the target and deviated from his orders.”
____“Elias’ failure is complete.” Silvin said with a smirk, “Had he only relied on me for help… Instead he chose to go to Voyeur, and tried to stop the enemy himself. Botched on both accounts. And I’m told even our mighty Vigil failed to apprehend the girl. What gives?! Did you get a little distracted, bud?”
____“Be silent.” Vigil growled, still caressing the zombie before him without looking up, “I didn’t know the military would arrive so soon. I had merely elected to go after the virgin first.”
____“Excusable, I suppose. You guys gotta stick together.”
____Vigil flinched. The jawbone of the zombie snapped off as he clenched his fist, a reaction too strong for his own good. He stood, grabbing what was left of the zombie’s head and hurling it at Silvin in an instant. The increased speed and strength of that Apostle gave Silvin no time to react, struck by the limp body and knocked from his seat.
____Vigil was over him as he struggled to throw the haggard undead off, gripping his throat tightly, black featureless helmet bent down close over Silvin as he throttled him, “Insecure ugly jealous little worm!!”
____Silvin gagged and pawed at the hand on his windpipe, barely managing the words, “You’re a little diffident yourself!”
____“Vigil.” King said calmly, “Release him.”
____Immediately the grip relented. Vigil stood and strode back to his chair, “Yes, Lord.”
____“Let’s not fight amongst ourselves now.” Elias said, cupping his hands in his lap, “It won’t be long before Miss Arnakis reaches her destination. Any time we had from the delays is now spent. If Nazar gets ahold of her this time the jig will be up.”
____“But we don’t know her exact position.” Vigil said.
____“It’s dreadfully close to VACC as we speak.” Deacon whispered, “There is no time to storm that base, so defended as it is. Too large a perimeter: she’d only escape elsewhere by the time we could capture it. No justice, no justice…”
____“Am I the only person here who’s met with some success?” Silvin asked, placing one hand proudly on his chest, “Lest we forget that I’m the one who blew the lid on her immunity in the first place? Without that she never would’ve known, and word would’ve never reached Detchin, and Nazar would still be holding all the cards now. You should’ve consulted with me right away!”
____“Your uncovering the immune one was purely coincidental. Dumb luck.” Elias argued, “I couldn’t trust you after that fiasco with the other girl. You’d have let Brooke slip away somehow, or worse yet killed her outright.”
____“So you went to Voyeur instead, and now look where we are.”
____“Nazar still holds all the cards.” Deacon muttered, “Soon he will control everything, and we won’t be able to prey on mankind’s divisions any longer. All the power in one place. No good, no good…”
____“Perhaps that can be an advantage in itself.” Vigil offered.
____Elias smirked, “A man builds a house to honor himself. It collapses and crushes him under its weight.”
____“Your wise insights are always appreciated, Elias.” Silvin told him mockingly, “But it has also been said: everything has an end, except for bananas which have two.”
____“Many words, few offerings.” Deacon said.
____“Be silent, all of you.” King finally declared. He did not blink or breathe or budge at all, only folding his metal-clad hands together before continuing, “I have weighed our objectives. I will not let our opportunity along the coastlines go to waste. There must be a great slaughter there, in both places, before my brother can mobilize them to escape. That is my primary goal at this moment.”
____“But the cure, Lord!” Vigil rasped.
____“Silence. Vigil, you will oversee the attack on the east coast. Silvin, I am putting you in charge of the west coast. We have gathered all the dead we can, use them as you see fit. Those shores must run red with human blood.”
____Silvin grinned at the sudden massive responsibility placed upon him, knowing it’d get under Elias’ skin.
____“Deacon will remain in Europe.” King continued, “As for you Elias, I am entrusting you with the girl. You will capture VACC before they can reach their findings with her. It is essential that Nazar continues to believe her abilities will help save mankind, when the opposite is true. I will assist you with this, but afterwards I must go east to aid in the battle that will undoubtedly occur there. That evacuation must fail.”
____“Sir!” Elias stood and bowed low.
____“Mankind will fall.” King told them, “My brother, being the knife-wielder, planted these seeds. He should be here to see them to fruition. We were to do this together.” He dwelt on it for a second or two in silence before continuing, knowing that was all in the past: “…But as he has firmly elected to oppose us, he too must fall. He moves quickly to free himself of his hindrances. We must do the same. This has been ordained. You are all dismissed, save for Elias. I would speak with you alone.”
____He rose and left, returning to his great hall to stand pondering before the immense bloody hourglass there. While all the other subordinates bowed and disappeared back to their waking worlds, Elias followed his master. He stood there in silence, watching the blood flow down the great glass for a moment before working up the will to speak.
____“Lord,” he called, “What is it you wished to tell me?”
____“The last of them died today.” King said simply, facing his servant.
____Elias trembled at the news, knowing what those words meant, taking a moment to dwell on what to say, “…Which one of them was it?”
____“The prosecutor.” The dark eyes did not blink.
____“I see.”
____“The contract is fulfilled.” King told him, “They have all died and are gone forever, while you still endure. Only you remain, as I had promised.”
____“Thank you.” Elias said, bowing low even as he still shook, “Thank you, thank you…! I will do whatever you ask, whatever you want of me, forever. Just tell me how to proceed.”
____“You are troubled with your task.” King surmised.
____“We tried to take Brooke while she was vulnerable, Lord. Once she reaches VACC she’ll be out of our grasp. There’s too many military personnel there, and it’s a large area. Deacon is correct: even if we did attack it successfully, it would take too long to get past the perimeter and storm the base in time. She’d be warned before we could reach her and just escape somewhere else. What should we do?”
____King did not seem fazed, “Did I not perform signs beyond belief to you? I who placed the wings upon the moon and freed men’s ghosts upon themselves in the waking world—do you think I am concerned with personnel numbers? You have failed thus far because you have utilized human methods against your human enemies. But in this you shall always be outclassed. I have no such handicap. Is anyone truly safe from me?”
____“No, Lord.”
____“You believe in my power.”
____“Always, Lord.”
____“Kneel.”
____Elias obeyed without question.
____King held out one arm, “You have served me faithfully all these years. Even though you possess a gentle spirit and loathe doing harm to others, you nonetheless have always performed even my darkest tasks without question. You are a worthy disciple. Because you require power to succeed in this charge given to you, I will provide you with an inkling of my capabilities. In this way, mere military defenses will not hinder you. They will forever be limited by direction, gravity, tangibility—you however will not.”
____The air about his metal hand crackled, bits of visible electricity forming ahead of his palm. Then suddenly the air darkened in an instant and then was gone, and now there was a sword in his hand. Elias looked on in silent amazement.
____“This is Bellarast, my power over Space.” King explained, “As there are seven knives in me so too are there seven swords of my power. I have already given Vigil the gift of Drophine—my power over Strength—as an arm to wield against mankind. Would you accept this gift, even as it gradually destroys your fragile mortal form?”
____“Yes, Lord.” Elias said with trembling breath.
____King took the sword and in one fluid crescent motion swept it inward. A small cut formed upon his own forehead, with but a single drop of black liquid standing upon the tip of the blade. He then held the sword down, swift and stable as a machine, and poised the droplet a mere inch from Elias. He stared at it.
____Of its own accord, the tiny black droplet detached from the sword, floating over and calmly landing on his left eye.
____“Ah!” Elias flinched, but it was too late. The droplet formed and spread out across his eye, running along it and behind it even as his lid closed. He fell back, clutching his face and kicking as a violent burning pain set in. King merely watched this, releasing the sword which fell into sparkling dust.
____It was running all through him and around him, Elias’ body and mind burning as this essence ran its course. He could feel King’s presence within him: the hatred of his humanity burning brighter than a star, seeking to smother every ounce of it out of him. But Elias remained himself, this contrasting nature forcing itself to settle within him like water and oil separating. But there was something else now too, some other presence within him. And it was forcing itself open, splintering his bone in the limited space that was the interior of his skull and down his spine. He could feel the profane wrongness he had just accepted into his body: certain realities never meant to occur as his God-given limitations were broken.
____Elias retched and screamed and black lightning came bursting out of his back. It retained this form, sprouting and sparking and lifting him up. He disappeared and reappeared, lifting to the air and falling and lifting again and spinning around as if gravity no longer applied to him. His head spun at that same time, doors inside him that had been shut all his life opening in a sudden instant. No longer did the laws of reality hold sway over him in this way. He had control now. It was a miracle: for like any other miracle the rules of this world were inexplicably defied.
____In a burst of lightning Elias reappeared back on the floor, on his hands and knees and coughing up a mouthful of some kind of black sludge. Wiping his lips and trying not to get his golden hair wet in any of the stuff, he staggered back to his feet. Or higher than his feet, now held a few inches off the ground by the electric entity which remained latched upon his back. “What have you done to me?” he asked morbidly in disbelief.
____“I told you, you have been given my power over Space.” King answered calmly, “Now no gates will hinder you.”
____“I can see everything. Everything and nothing is a floor now!”
____“Go and collect your army.” King flatly instructed him, “Gather two-hundred of your finest men. Fanatics: those wanting to kill and willing to die. And also however many dead you require. You can take them with you.” He then turned and walked a few steps away, again glaring up at the hourglass before him, “I have another sword I must wield now: Teleresque, come to me.”
____Elias willed, and the entity behind him moved forward, following his master.
____“Tell me, my human servant.” King said, turning, “What do you believe to be the greatest weakness of mankind? Their utmost folly.”
____Elias thought for a moment before speaking. “Love.” he answered warily, “The madness and vulnerability of love, Lord, from which all hate originates.”
____“You are right to distrust it.” King said, “But even love can at times be true: as you love me and so serve faithfully, even against your own nature and your own species’ extinction.” He summoned a new sword, clenching it in his metal hand, “My answer is Hope. Hope that they can be saved, that their lives will get better, that their injuries can be mended… they stake their entire beings upon these dreams. But such things are always a falsehood, because the veil between life and death hides their true situation from them. I have given them hope—a cheating chance—knowing they will cling to it, and once it is revealed for what it is I will destroy them completely. Broken men accept their demise as an old friend. This sword I now wield against my brother, and all those who follow him believing today is the day the world brightens. You shall remove the blindfold they have willingly taken from me.”
____Elias could feel the power resonating within him, and channeling it he obeyed. Vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye, he teleported as if carried in a lightning bolt, off to gather his army as commanded. What walls could stop a god?

iii

____It remained cold and gray as the convoy rounded the corner and finally made the approach to VACC-102. It was a significantly larger facility compared to the previous lab: above-ground offices and buildings with roads going around and between them all. It looked almost like a campus to Thomas, though the sight of it didn’t make him feel much better. Indeed things only felt more tense as the group passed the outlying fence and approached the lab. This was Nazar’s territory here; it didn’t make Thomas feel safe at all.
____Soldiers flanked all the vehicles as the convoy pulled up to the main lot’s entrance, both General Tandom and Lt. Oakerley already there waiting for the newcomers. It was the first time Thomas had seen the General in person, and this close he could in fact see a surreal resemblance to Reed, even if it was buried under wrinkles, a stern face, and a clean shave. Oakerley had somehow managed to beat them here, but then of course he had—the detour with Voyeur having cost their little group more precious hours. The survival zone he’d mentioned wasn’t far from here, he had said.
____He saluted as Sgt. Londel led the group up, “Nicely done. Get something to eat and prep the convoy for departure. We still have civvies on site.”
____Londel nodded and took her troops without a further word, the IFVs rumbling off and leaving the group alone. Only VACC-102 military personnel remained to surround them all.
____The General took a step forward. “Brysen Header.” he said, “Mission accomplished. Well done, old boy. I know it wasn’t easy.”
____Header nodded grimly, “Jus’ glad to have made it in one piece, sir.”
____“Glad’s too humble a word. Take some pride in your accomplishments. From what Nazar and Oakerley have told me, you went above and beyond to ensure the success of the mission. Without you Miss Brooke here probably wouldn’t have made it out of Chicago, and we’d be up a creek without a paddle right now.” He shook Header’s hand and then saluted him, “Let’s hear it for First Lieutenant Header now.”
____He received obnoxiously loud sarcastic clapping from Reed but genuine enough congratulations from everyone else. Header stood there, looking actually a little flustered for once, just nodding at the General in thanks. Thorn gave the softest applause, knowing his friend’s unease. It was a big promotion to be sure, but he was old. Header should’ve retired or reached that rank long ago: AKA he’d never pursued it until now. But there were too few soldiers around nowadays for declining promotions to be permissible.
____Tandom had taken note of Reed’s attitude, brushing his way past Header and eyeing his son with disappointment. Or was it love? His face made it impossible to discern. “Son.” he said, “Thank you for your help. You’ve done well.”
____“I didn’t do sh*t.” Reed flatly told him, “Not in regards to keeping Brooke safe.”
____“Why do you turn at any chance for heroism?” Gen. Tandom asked him directly, “You’re like a minnow veering at every obstacle or change in current. You were once such a good soldier. The world needs good soldiers right now. Think of all you could do.”
____“Soldier this, soldier that.” Reed said, “Everything’s a gear to you, idn’t it? Well, I’m a person. I do what I want. Now drop it, we’re wasting time here, aren’t we?”
____“Indeed you are.” There was Nazar, standing at the open door with Lavender to his right. His hands were in his pockets but Thomas could see the fidgeting his fingers were doing under the flap, likely rolling those little magnets he carried. Brooke faced him, staring defiantly up at him as if he were an adversary.
____“I’m here, like I promised.” she said, “We all made it okay, just like I said.”
____“We’ll see if history forgives your tardiness.” Nazar countered, “But in the meantime we can get started right away. I’ll alert Dr. Lance to your being here: he’ll oversee the procedure. Properly, this time.” He snapped his fingers, “The rest of you may leave.”
____Instantly the ring of soldiers around the group tightened significantly. Some had their hands on their weapons already, half-raised should anyone try anything.
____“What the?” Irene said, “Have we done something wrong, you little rat?!”
____“No, and I’m not giving you the chance to.” Nazar explained, “Brooke had her way, you all got here safely, so that’s that. Now I want you gone. Lt. Oakerley will escort you all to the nearby safety zone, where you will then be transported to the base in New York with the other civilians when the time is right.”
____“I thought the whole plan with the coastal evacuations was on hold.” Thomas said.
____“Only for the moment, Mr. Santeri.” Nazar faced Brooke again, “You got your way, now it’s my turn.”
____“But they’re my friends.” she protested.
____“Your civilian friends are just that: civilians. They will be treated as such. Evacuating this country is my top priority for the sake of all of them. If you want what’s best for them you’ll let them leave while they still can.”
____“Will I get to go with them when you’re through with me?”
____“Brooke…” Nazar cocked his head, “Know better.”
____She sighed.
____“It’s okay.” Abbey told her, “You did all you could for us.”
____“Yeah,” Jaxson added, “We got here, that’s what matters. We’ll be okay.”
____Brooke shut her eyes and took a deep breath. “Henry.” she finally said.
____He still looked pale and shaken and tired from last night, yet still snapped to attention at her call, “Yes?”
____“Everything’s going to be okay now. You’ll be safe. We got you through, like we promised. Even Hanna, what she did to look after you saved your life. So just remember that none of it was in vain.”
____He glanced sadly at the mirror-band around his wrist, saying nothing.
____Brooke bit her lip and nodded, “Okay… Okay, I’m ready.”
____Nazar turned and led the way in, “Follow me, all of you.”

____The lot of them were rushed though the bright halls of the building and taken down to the tunnels beneath the grounds, placed there in what could only be described as a large waiting room. There Nazar left them with some of his men, swiftly leaving with Brooke immediately after. She had time only to give a longing, worried glance at Thomas before she was ushered out, still stumbling rather than walking in her condition. With that, she was gone. Montag’s crew was already waiting there, having arrived earlier and receiving a similarly standoffish greeting.
____Montag was the first to rise at their entrance, “You made it!”
____“For now.” Thomas told him, “They want us gone.”
____“Nazar doesn’t want to take any chances after Louis.” Montag said, “He only wants his people anywhere within five miles of this procedure of his. We’ve barely seen any of this place at all.”
____“If it sounds like prison that’s only because it is.” Mr. Collis joked.
____“They’re taking us out of here.” Miles said, “I guess we’ll be crowded in with the rest of the civilian bloc soon enough.”
____James crossed his arms, “Huh! So this is the reward we get. Big facility but no room for us. So much for doing the right thing.”
____It felt like a personal attack to Jaxson, “We did all we could, the best thing we can do is just continue doing all we can, for her sake and our own. We never know where we might end up ultimately.”
____“Toiling all the way to a thankless grave, just like your old man.” James told him, “This promised safety is a scam. We know exactly where we’re ending up: getting crammed into the human ranch.”
____“Screw that.” Reed dismissed, “I’ll ditch if I have to. It sounds like a death trap.” He whirled as he paced, facing Thomas, “I’m shocked you’re not putting up more of a fuss about this. You’re never gonna see your lady again, you know!”
____He’d taken a seat, one hand in his other, staring up at the florescent lights above. He was right back in the hospital again, complete with the distant Beep! of some machine far down the hall in one of the labs.
____“I’ll stay with her.” he said simply, not really sure if he could truly mean it. The tension was getting worse.
____“Will you?!” Reed snapped at him.
____Lt. Oakerley entered the room, clearing his throat. “First convoy’s prepped.” he said checking an unfolded paper he’d brought, “Abbey, Oriel, Jaxson, Miles, James, Henry. Come with me.”
____Jaxson sighed and glanced at his mangled hand. Even now it hadn’t fully mended: completely overshadowed by Stacey’s own injury. His shot shoulder was no better, infected and itchy. He hadn’t even asked the medic to spare some painkillers for himself. Too meek. Thankless. Maybe James was right. They had both come along, playing by Jaxson’s rules, with nothing to show for it. Still he just nodded, conceding to the order, “Okay…”
____“We’re really going then, are we?” Oriel asked the Lieutenant.
____“That’s correct. You’ll see each other soon, I promise.” Oakerley faced the two soldiers, “Tandom wants the two of you redeployed when available. First Lieutenant, sir, he wanted you by his side.”
____“Aye sir.” Header said simply.
____“No, you’re the sir now.” Oakerley turned to Thorn, “Corporal, the General’s told me he can accommodate moving you to a western platoon. Alex Silvin has reportedly been sighted close to the evac zone near Corvallis. The General needs good soldiers to help defend that zone and fight back, if you’re interested.”
____The Corporal seemed to think, looking first to Header but then to Stacey. He shook his head, “I’m not going that far for maybes anymore. I’ll stay with the civilians here. They’re important to me.”
____“Those aren’t the General’s orders.”
____“I know.”
____“Hm.” Oakerley dismissed with a shrug. He turned to the others he had named, motioning for them to stand, “Come on, then. The sooner we leave the sooner I can get the rest of you, and you’ll all be together again.”
____“Except we won’t be together, not all of us.” Miles said. He still complied with a sigh, standing and facing the rest, “Here we go. See you soon.”
____“I love you all.” Abbey had to first hug them all one by one, whispering to Thomas as they embraced, “(See her again, no matter what it takes).”
____He said nothing, still uncertain, and watched Oakerley leave with the six in tow. If they were a cake Nazar just cut an enormous slice out of it, and he’d be back to do it again until they were all split apart and no longer a matter he had to consider. He might even deliberately scatter them to rid the solidarity that had formed their group into such an irritant. With that thought in mind, Thomas sat and stared at the ceiling again, trapped and waiting.
____Dreadful waiting.

____The overhead speaker buzzed above them, “The second convoy is prepped to leave.”
____Thomas startled a bit at the news, as if he’d fallen asleep and the announcement felt like seconds after the first convoy left. They had only just arrived, but they were already being shuffled off somewhere else. The tension worsened. He didn’t want to leave, not really, not after all the horror stories he’d heard about these vulnerable, overcrowded zones. And he didn’t want to leave Brooke behind here either, not trusting in Nazar one bit even if he could deliver a cure from her. Was it even worth it if it meant leaving her here? But what could he do? He was like a child not wanting to move to an uncertain new town, unwillingly dragged along with the bad ideas of the grown-ups.
____“Thomas.” He looked up. It was Lynn, staring down at him, “Go see her. Please.”
____Did he really need to be told twice? What was he doing?
____“…Okay.” He got up, walking to the door where the soldiers stood. They of course immediately moved to block him, but the Sergeant—no, the First Lieutenant—ordered them to stand aside with a mere gesture. He passed, “Thanks, Header.”
____Oakerley was in the hall, seeing the civilian exit, “You’re in the next convoy, Thomas. This way.”
____“Not until I see Brooke again to make sure she’s okay.”
____The soldier seemed to understand, pointing, “Very well then. Follow me.”
____He led the way, down this corridor and that, all evenly lit in the same plain white of the old VACC tunnels. There were few people down here compared to up above, Nazar keeping as many people far away as possible. Only select scientists and a scarce few military personnel could be seen, as Thomas passed one tunnel after another.
____It was eerily quiet for such a large site, compounding the nervous feeling he felt mounting upon him. It was too bright for underground—all the white everywhere—too few people in too much space, and the faint buzzing of the lights above provided the most noise other than their solitary footsteps.
____Thomas heard gasping as he passed another tunnel, glancing aside and seeing a small crowd of VACC personnel thirty feet down. They were gathered nervously around an old man, lying rigid upon the floor as if dead. Quiet mutterings went about the staff, stooped to him or going to fetch help: “He’s had a seizure I think. No, he’s isn’t infected…!”
____There was only a second to gawk and they were past, the ill omen and pale atmosphere striking Thomas and worsening the sensation that he was back at the hospital. Too white, too quiet. He wanted to leave right away at that, but was again locked in by everything around him. He had to get out of here, get Brooke out of here, but knew that he couldn’t. There was nothing to do but see it through in awkward silence, as he followed Oakerley to their destination.
____At last they reached the small office where Nazar stood, frowning at the two as they approached, “Here to say goodbye?”
____“Can’t I stay with her?”
____“Not if you want to live.” Nazar stepped aside and Thomas entered.
____It indeed looked like a small hospital room inside, save for all the lab equipment lining the counter on the far wall. Pale and dreary in its bright stainless light. There Dr. Lance sat, prepping needles and computers. He had a full spread of tests to run, it seemed.
____Brooke was sat upright in the bed under the bright fluorescents. She had been changed into a simple hospital gown, as the Doctor was going to be taking samples from her spine. Thomas almost froze at the sight of her, standing dumbfounded at the doorway. But she seemed happy to see him.
____“Thomas!” she said, giving a weary smile, “I was worried nobody would make it to see me.”
____Again the speaker overhead down the hall buzzed: “The second convoy is now departing.”
____“I…” Thomas said, looking down at her. Her plain gown and battered state, but still cheery in her eyes. It didn’t make him feel better, and he didn’t move past the first two steps into the room, “Are you going to be okay?”
____Lance wheeled his chair around to meet his guest. He at least sounded just as calm and casual as always, “She’ll be fine. I just need time with her undisturbed.”
____“Repeat. The second convoy is now departing.”
____“Thomas.” Brooke repeated, “Come sit with me.”
____But he was frozen, stuck seeing her in the bed like that. He couldn’t throw the feeling, the subconscious terror digging into the back of his head. The lights, the hospital bed…
____Beep! “The second convoy is now departing.”
____Brooke stared in confusion at the inaction, “Thomas? Stay with me?”
____“Brooke, I…” he only began.
____Oakerley stepped forward behind him, “Sir, it’s time to leave.”
____Beep!
____Brooke staring: “Thomas…?”
____If you stay here you’ll die.
____He staggered back, bumping the doorframe as he did so, and then slunk out of the room, unable to be there. He stumbled back out into the hall, hanging his head in shame and hurriedly having Lt. Oakerley escort him back to the others. He didn’t dare make eye contact with Lynn upon his return, only wanting the regret to go away quickly.
____Brooke meanwhile sat there in relative shock. She had hoped that he would overcome his fears, now leaving her to contend with whatever would come of this alone. Dr. Lance gave her only a momentary glance of solace before turning back to his work, leaving her with only smirking Nazar for company.
____“He’ll be fine.” he told her, fingering the little eye pendant he wore as he spoke, “But you’d do well to forget your friends from here on out. You’re part of the big-picture battle now.”
____She took a deep breath, “Fine. Just take what you need from me to beat King.”
____“Leave that to the good doctor here. It’s just us now.”
____The steps of heels down the hall indicated Lavender’s approach. She stepped into the office, tablet clutched close to her, bowing slightly and quickly before moving to Nazar’s side to mutter in his ear: “(Sir, Director Merne’s making his move. He’s en route to Sernier’s location as we speak).”
____“Now?” Nazar scowled. He put his hands behind his back and tapped his foot in quick contemplation, “Damn you, Arnie… indirectly helping my brother even now through your idiotic human actions.”
____“What is it? Who’s Arnie?” Brooke asked, but they both ignored her.
____“If we’re going to act it has to be now, sir.” Lavender advised.
____“Don’t you think I know that? Hmm… The cure or the exodus…” A few pained seconds passed in dreadful consideration, “…It’s just too important.” He glanced over to Brooke, “Forgive me, I must leave.”
____She remained confused, “You’re leaving?!”
____“My presence is not required for this procedure. I trust Dr. Lance to this.” With that, he simply turned and walked out, stopping only briefly at the doorframe to say one last thing: “When they come for you, hide. Understood?”
____“What?” Brooke asked in disbelief, but he was already gone, Lavender right behind him without a word. Suddenly feeling dreadful uncertainty, she lay back down, gripping the bedcovers and staring up at the ceiling. Wishing Thomas hadn’t left her there unconsoled, all alone.

Things are now truthfully up in the air.

~TAF

[TGRF]

Chapter 14:

Spoiler Alert!

staring up the second vehicle

Starting.

“Toward, Sugar. It’s never towards.”

This seems odd, that Reed then immediately goes towards the smoke. Is the never a typo perhaps?

But if you do really this, we all have to do it.”

Really do instead of do really?

And so things have changed. I'm not sure what to think about the new goal - it's probably better in the long run. Simply getting to VACC was getting rather stagnant - it seems simple survival can only get you so far.

The quest is certainly debatable, but at least there is a legitimate reason to pursue it now and not later: Thorn could lose Silvin's location. And obviously I get that Thorn hates Silvin and wants him dead. But it just feels a bit... predictable. A bit flat.

I would guess this is again because of the multiple PoVs. We've spent time in everyone's head, and I feel like we haven't gotten to know any of them super well as a result. They all have their collection of traits and backstories, but they don't hit like they should. I don't know... maybe I'm completely off the mark and there's a different reason.

Either way, I find myself just kind of 'going along' with the decisions as they come. The group could decide to march straight into Apostle's headquarters and I wouldn't be too surprised. Maybe that's because they've made questionable decisions before? Not sure. The point is, the scene where they decide to go doesn't feel like a true twist... more just like the 'next thing'.

Regardless, I think it's a change for the better. Following the 3-act structure, this would be the Midpoint, where they decide to attack rather than continue to run. But given the length of this tale, I'm doubting that's the case. Could be wrong there; we'll have to wait and see.

Either way, this should help give the tale more sense of direction. VACC as a goal felt nebulous - like they could simply arrive whenever you the author wanted. Like they could be making progress, but it never felt like they were any closer. This is a scenario where a map would have helped immensely, simply to convey that they were in fact getting closer.

Silvin is a much more measurable goal. I'm looking forward to the group making an actual plan to take him out, and making real progress towards that goal. I think it will go a long ways towards giving the story direction, and thus agency as a whole.

~TGRF.

[TheAverageFan]

Typos fixed.

Spoiler Alert!

Originally Posted by TGRF

This seems odd, that Reed then immediately goes towards the smoke. Is the never a typo perhaps?

Reed is correcting her grammar, although I believe he is mistaken in doing so

Next chapter. 28 is a bit shorter, partially as a result of the length of the chapter previous, but that doesn't mean nothing happens in it.

Spoiler Alert!

28
Enemies

i

____“This way please, no shoving!” Car doors opened and elbows bumped as the convoy’s contents were emptied into the vast lot that made up the temporary safety zone. Instantly Abbey found herself swallowed in a sea of people: this place little more than a fence encircling a herd. It was a parking lot of some kind, with few tents or buildings to hide in. Their white exteriors were lost in the winter palette that was quickly forming. All there was otherwise were standing people and frigid metal benches to sit upon. A man in a stiff-looking suit wearing a lanyard pulled and directed her, “This way, this way! Don’t crowd the entrance. Stay in your assigned sector.”
____She had been holding Henry’s hand but the grip was broken as she was shuffled and jostled about. “Henry!” she called in vain, but lanyard-man was quick to usher her into the crowds. Jaxson and the preacher were gone too. Only Miles held her other hand, and Abbey turned to him pale with cold and realization, “They’re separating us!”
____“We’ll find them.” he assured her, squirming his way through the crowds they were being squeezed through. It was like Black Friday here, and although the lot was large it still wasn’t fit enough to contain all the haggard mass of refugees it housed. They were thrown back and forth as the crowds surged like waves: the IFVs and Humvees were rolling through to return to VACC and people scrambled to get out of their way. Their many tires squeaked on the wet pavement.
____Abbey felt pulling and again faced Miles. Now he was being flanked and suddenly seized by callous-looking soldiers. One shoved his head down and they were all off at once, “All able-bodied men in this sector, sir. Don’t cause trouble.”
____“Miles!” Abbey called, after them. But they navigated the packed crowds faster than she could, forcing their way through while she remained antsy, and they were gone. Abbey fought her way even as people shouted and shoved at her for jostling them, yelling all the while, “Miles, Miles! Everyone! Anyone!!”
____It was beginning to snow, and visibility was worsening quick. Abbey hugged her unprotected arms and shivered, surveying her surroundings in increasing panic. She had lost Henry twice now—she had lost everyone. This had to be Nazar’s doing: deliberately stripping them down powerless and apart. She felt both in spades, standing there surrounded on all sides but remaining alone.

____Brooke stared dead-ahead at the blank white wall before her, feeling almost like she was at the dentist’s office in normal times. She was left alone and quiet, save for the occasional rattling of the equipment Dr. Lance was preparing. He had her on her side where he had administered an anesthetic in her back. It was still taking effect; her feet were already numb. So there she lay, staring at the wall, hearing the doctor prepping behind her.
____It was just him now, no Nazar, no Thomas, no one else. She was safe at VACC and the procedure was commencing, and yet she felt as tense as ever. Right here, where she was now expected to help save this world. Right now, where any last things to go wrong could still do so. But at this moment the most she could do was just lie there on her side while Dr. Lance worked behind her. She could only hear him.
____At last the sound of his chair wheeling rattled near, “We can begin now.”
____“Lance…” she said simply, still staring at the blank wall ahead, “…I trust you.”
____“I know. Don’t you worry.” He wheeled to the counter and back, stretching on the surgeon’s gloves he’d fetched, “You’re in good hands here, Nazar made sure of that.”
____“I’m not sure I trust Nazar.”
____“Then as for yourself, just know you’re with a brother in Christ. I wouldn’t let Apostle’s despair win: not now, not ever. So let’s cast aside all doubt and be rid of it, yes? The good Dr. Brett would accuse us of being ridiculous here.”
____“Okay…” She breathed a soft sigh of relief, hoping he meant what he said.
____“I’m gonna start with a new blood sample. This’ll sting a bit. Next I’ll extract some of the bone marrow. Lastly the spinal fluid. Your cure will start there.”
____“Okay. Okay…” Brooke just closed her eyes and waited, soldiering through the needles and the draining feeling of bloodloss. She could still feel the strong light against her eyelids and certainly couldn’t sleep, just waiting for him to do his work. Waiting for it to be sealed and over so her part could be done and the scientists could do the rest. The burden of her importance felt so terribly heavy now that she was alone.
____“I’ve got the blood and have stuck you with some additional anesthetics. You’ll feel some numbness.”
____“Okay.” Brooke’s eyes remained closed, only listening to him.
____“Give it a moment to take and then I’ll draw the marrow.”
____“Okay…”
____Boom…!
____Brooke lay still.
____Boom!
____She opened her eyes.
____The room rattled. Dr. Lance ceased his work and looked up, watching dust fall from the ceiling. He frowned.
____“What’s going on?” Brooke asked him, struggling to sit up to face him.
____“They’re here.” he said simply, looking back down and meeting her eyes, “It’s an attack. They’re already in the building.”
____“How is that possible?”
____“I’m not sure. The outer perimeter should’ve raised the alarm in case of an assault. We were supposed to have ample warning time, before even reaching the gate.” Lance stood, “We need to get you out of here.”
____They could already hear the muffled sounds of gunshots on the floors above.
____“No, wait, wait!” Brooke protested, “Finish the procedure before they get here!”
____The doctor smirked at her, “I appreciate the notion Brooke, but doing that now wouldn’t do us any good. They’d only destroy whatever samples I could collect in that time.” He hoisted her out of bed and onto her feet, “No, better to sacrifice the doctors here and preserve you rather than the reverse. Brett can do my job later.”
____She fell against him, barely able to lean let alone stand, “What’re you saying?”
____“Don’t worry about it.” Lance hurriedly sealed up whatever blood he had collected into a metallic little briefcase, which he took with him as he rushed to the door. He motioned her to follow and they slipped out into the hallway. The drumming of gunfire was significantly louder now, and nearer too. There was a lot of it: a sign that there was a battle happening above them, and not one involving only a few combatants. Brooke could feel Apostle’s full weight right on top of them now. How could so many get in so soon? Only now was an alarm blaring and it was here in this building, not out from the distant perimeter. Lance took her hand and ran down the eastern hall, “Hurry!”
____They stumbled down the passage. The gunfire followed them, as did the shouting of men and hiss of zombies. There were undead in the breach too? They couldn’t possibly have made it past the gate so fast.
____Lance turned the corner and halted firmly, Brooke slumping against him in her struggle to remain standing. The first face she saw was Montag, holding his hands up as the doctor immediately drew a hidden pistol and held him up.
____“Whoa, whoa!” the author shouted, “Hold it, Doctor! The hell’s going on here? Our detainers just randomly left us. Is it a siege?”
____He was with Lynn, Mr. Collis, and Guy—apparently the last batch of normal folk to be sent away though now it seemed too late. Brooke was glad to see their familiar faces, but Dr. Lance only looked hardened and suspicious now, like Nazar had been before. She reached to his arm and lowered his pistol, “Lance, no!”
____He glanced down to her, “Brooke, now isn’t the time!”
____“It’s always the time for me.” she said.
____“Do you really trust them?”
____“I do.”
____Giving a frustrated sigh, Lance grimaced but nodded. He turned to Montag, flipping the pistol in his hand and offering it over, “Take her to safety. Stop for no one, trust no one.” With that, he took his briefcase and backed away.
____Montag watched in confusion, “Wait, where are you going?!”
____“To buy you some time.” the Doctor said with a flash of the metallic case and a short bow. And with that little of a farewell he turned and ran back the way he came, shouting to someone they couldn’t see down the previous hall, “Hey you! Looking for this?”
____Gunfire answered him, Lance racing away down a separate corridor with the precious-looking briefcase. His goals were apparent now, and the volume and immediate proximity of the gunshots put fire under the rest of their feet. Armed already, Montag handed the pistol off to Mr. Collis, then grabbed Brooke’s hand. They all ran for it.
____“Where are we going?!” Guy shouted as they hurried down the corridors.
____“Anywhere but here!” Brooke told him, struggling to think clearly now in the heat of the moment, “Downward maybe. We need to find somewhere to hide!”
____They crossed a four-way junction in the halls which lit up immediately with gunfire. Several Apostle Soldiers had fought their way down the stairwell and were on this level now, firing at first sight of survivors. They were that close already, missing but tramping after the five as they charged down the corridor.
____Brooke and the rest ran from them, save for Montag who pressed tight against the wall and waited for the first of the enemies to round the corner. One did and the author pounced, grappling and shooting him with his pistol before yanking back and stealing away the foe’s assault rifle. He backed up and began recklessly spraying shots at any of the rest daring to round that corner.
____“Keep going, keep going!” he shouted at the rest of them, tossing his pistol to Guy.
____“Montag!” Brooke yelled back, “What do you think you’re doing? Come on!”
____“What’s it look like? Buying time!”
____She scowled at his sacrifice, “You’re never going to finish that book if you get yourself killed!”
____He gave her a rather grim smirk, “No one ever cared about that, Brooke. It’s time I paid you back. Lynn, take her!”
____“No time to argue, dear!” Lynn said, simply grabbing Brooke and forcing the sprint back into the rest of them.
____They ran. Brooke only dared to look back once, seeing Montag hiding behind what meager cover could be found in the hall and continuing to fire. An Initiated rounded the corner and ran to him, eating up time and bullets to kill in its speed. At the same time more soldiers followed, heedless of the dangers in their numbers and fanaticism. Montag killed the zombie and one of them before Brooke saw blood burst out of his back in return fire. He fell. The troopers resumed the chase.
____Lynn heard it happen, forcing them to keep running, turning whenever possible to keep line-of-sight out of the enemy’s hands. “Move, move!” she ordered, knowing none of them were in good shape for such a chase, “Find somewhere to hide!”
____“Would it not be better to run?” Mr. Collis gasped, the least equipped for this sprint.
____Brooke wavered in indecision, “Nazar told me to hide if anything like this happened.”
____“How long can we hope to do that when they’re suddenly on top of us?” the old man asked, “They’ll follow if we flee. Draw them away from VACC, maybe into friends.”
____Brooke paused. Everyone here was going to die because of her, she realized. She’d just watched Lance and Montag both do it. Her hands felt wet with their blood. Apostle would tear this place apart, along with anyone they could get their hands on. Thomas, she suddenly thought. She couldn’t bear the thought of looking at him with all this death on her conscience, all this happening because of her. At the same time she remembered the caravan escorting him and the others to the nearby base. There’d be more troops there to help fight. If she ran to them Apostle would follow, leaving those here to live on.
____“I can’t be the death of everyone here.” she concluded, nodding, “Okay, Mr. Collis. We’ll make a run for it. They’ll follow wherever I go.”
____He nodded back, “Perhaps even into reinforcements.”
____“The north hangar.” Lynn said, pointing, “It connects to this floor.”
____“You know the way?” said Guy, impressed.
____“With the access they let us have? Of course not. But I saw the copters when we arrived.”
____They resumed the race, continuing down the mazelike underground halls, avoiding any sound of tramping boots or moaning zombies. It was far from a straight shot here, Lynn not quite knowing the way by heart, reversing every turn that was met with a corridor full of enemies: there was no shortage of them on this floor now.
____“Hangar!” Guy pointed to a sign marked upon the wall, indicating a general making to several different points of interest. They rounded the corner but were met only with more soldiers charging forward, “…Not that way!”
____Only Brooke among their group didn’t have a pistol, but the quick burst of small-rounds fire only startled the enemies back for a bit, giving just a second to flee. Seeing their prize, the enemies gave chase without fear of pistol rounds.
____The group fled further, Brooke constantly struggling to stand, leaning against friend or wall as she staggered. They rounded another corner, only to be met this time with King: sword drawn, slowly advancing. Brooke stumbled back, pulling at her friends, “Not this way either!”
____They backed up to navigate elsewhere, desperately trying to evade the closing jaws of all these enemies. King followed at a walking pace.
____The sounds of soldiers in pursuit were hot on their heels as they kept up the hastily-improvised escape. Lynn led the way, staggering under the strain of the injury she never spoke of but refusing to give into it now. Collis too was tired and old, and Guy was in no great shape himself, but they all kept at it trying to escort their friend to some semblance of safety. Brooke stayed in the center of the pack, chest tight with dread as everything seemed to collapse around her. But she had vouched for these friends at the old VACC, and now they were all there was separating her from death. She counted on that paying off now, hoping they would somehow find a way out of here.
____The maze of VACC’s corridors aided them slightly, and they lost or at least outpaced their armored pursuers for a brief moment. There were several ways in and out of here, and at last the path back to the hangar revealed itself. They spilled out into the cold open air of the outdoors, managing to escape the besieged building unhindered. Brooke gasped with relief.
____Parked helicopters. None of them knew how to fly one, but it seemed like their best bet. If the enemy was somehow completely inside the building then perhaps the skies at least would be clear.
____Lynn led the way to one of the Chinooks with its back door open, ready to receive them, “This way, quick!”
____But just as they approached, there was an abrupt strike of lightning and a flash of black light right upon the open door of the aircraft. There suddenly stood Elias, hovering there with feet just inches off the ground, held aloft by some giant crackling form of black lightning on his back. He didn’t move, save for cupping his hands together and smiling politely but devilishly.
____“Gah!” Guy reeled back at the sudden appearance. He staggered, but knowing the importance of this escape found his courage: raising his weapon and firing without hesitation. Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
____But he was cheated. Each shot landed close or true, but regardless they seemed to sputter out into nothing just before making contact: caught by a tiny strike from the lightning-form behind Elias. He seemed to expect this result, not flinching or reacting to the gunfire and simply wagging one finger, “Ah-ah…!”
____He then rapidly drew both of his pistols and offed over a dozen shots in just a breath of time. Bangbangbangbangbang!! A few slugs found their mark in this frenzied spray: Guy struck and flung to the ground, shot dead.
____Brooke screamed as she watched him drop. Elias calmly holstered his weapons, hovering over and motioning to her two remaining friends who stood bunched close to her. “Stand aside.” he commanded, “There’s no need to spill more blood here.”
____Lynn and Mr. Collis looked grimly to each other, saying nothing. What could be said? This man had demonstrated a sudden immunity to gunfire, and had killed Guy with ease. While Collis stood by Brooke—one hand still gently gripping her arm to support her, and continuing to subtly pull back as Elias approached—Lynn seemed to waver with an odd look in her eye. She had an idea, Brooke could see, a bad idea. She released Brooke and backed off to the side, dropping her pistol and holding her hands up.
____“Okay, okay…” she relented as Elias hovered over, “Just don’t kill us.”
____Mr. Collis seemed to see this same spark in her eyes, muttering to his friend, “(Lynn, don’t try it…!)”
____But Elias floated past her as she stood aside, eyes only on Brooke, “Finally some common sense. I’m sick of martyrs.”
____Lynn watched him pass, very slowly reaching behind her. A hidden knife glinted as she gradually circled, a sharp sliver of hope that her foe’s back being turned would make the difference here. Would the knife be caught the way the bullets had been? Brooke’s heart twisted in her chest, not knowing what her friend was thinking and yet knowing all too well that she was risking it all on even the tiniest gambit to preserve Brooke at any cost. At any cost… she hated seeing it.
____Mr. Collis too saw what Lynn was doing, quite suddenly raising his pistol again. But rather than attacking or distracting Elias he quickly aimed and shot his own friend, firing a single shot through her kneecap. Bang!
____It burst, Lynn crying out in sudden unexpected agony and staggering before the old man coldly offed a second shot into her chest. Bang!
____“NO!” Brooke screamed.
____Lynn fell even as Elias whirled around with weapons drawn, seeing the sudden knife in her limp hand. “Well!” he declared, holstering his guns and glancing back to the final survivor between him and his prey, “That was close, wasn’t it?”
____Brooke tried to run but Collis gripped her tightly, holding fast even as she kicked and shouted. She was too weak to break from him, still struggling to stand. “Bastard!” she screamed at him, wriggling and fighting in vain, “Murderer! You killed her!”
____“Forgive me.” he said to her as Elias floated over, “You don’t know how sad you made me, insisting on the good will of us all in the face of Nazar’s accusations. It would hurt to prove you so wrong, I knew that.”
____He threw her to Elias who caught her arms and held her tight. It wasn’t even him Brooke was fighting against, now just wanting to slap the traitor while she could, “You killed her! I trusted you!”
____Mr. Collis calmly adjusted his tie, “I’ve no ill will against you, Brooke. You did seem like a sweet girl, it’s just that potential inside you I can’t let persist. Within you I can only see all the hopes and dreams of that rotten old world wanting to come back: all the criminals, the elitists, the Jews, the pedophiles… they’re all counting on you to succeed. You couldn’t possibly expect me to allow that dreadful status quo’s return, not when we’re so close to being rid of it forever.”
____“I—I…!” Brooke couldn’t even find the words to express her revulsion. Everything she had done, worked for, looked up to… it all seemed like a cruel trick now. How she had defended all of these friends of hers only for just one to twist the knife and ruin everything, with them all dead just the same. She begged for this to be some kind of deception on Collis’ part, some secret way to fool Apostle’s trust and ultimately ruin their plans. But that wasn’t the case, she knew it; the look in his eyes was proof enough of that. She was only now beholding Peyton Collis for the first time. Knowing she was ended, Brooke simply hung her head, “…No…”
____“Tsk, tsk. Misery, misery…” Elias said of her sorry state, “Everyone has to realize it eventually, or die a fool. But your ‘fellow survivor’ is correct, Brooke: let this mercy be an end to all the people far worse than any of us here.” He faced Collis, “Well done, old friend. I thank you for your patience.”
____The old man bowed slightly, “After so many years, doing awful things for wealth, mingling with the filth… It is an honor to finally serve openly.”
____Brooke fell slack in Elias’ grip. “Just kill me.” she said, “You got what you wanted. You proved my trust wrong. Don’t mock me now too. Just end it and get it over with.”
____Elias only smiled, leaning down and muttering in her ear, “That’s just it. Who said anything about killing you?”
____“What?” she asked, but he was suddenly gone, taking them both in a bolt of black lightning, leaving Collis standing there alone with the corpses of his compatriots on the platform.

ii

____Nazar looked skyward as he approached the helipad. The meeting point was an abandoned radio station not far from the safety zone, atop a small hill already growing dusted in the snow beginning to fall. Lavender followed him up and over to where she knew Merne would land. Comm. Grimm was waiting there already, flanked by troops. They all looked very tired.
____Chinooks flew overhead, accompanied by an attack helicopter escort. It circled the area four times as the two larger birds descended and settled in the open lot. Looking for Apostle aircraft, transports, hidden guns, anything… but there was nothing to find. Area secured, the Chinooks opened up and the Director exited, followed by that lanky minion of his and a whole herd of staff. He walked over quickly, keeping his head low and clutching his loosely-clinging hair as the whir of the helicopters gradually died down.
____“Nazar! You were instructed to mind your own business!” he shouted as he neared, seeing the Commander on the same pad and scowling, “And Grimm! Have you any idea how dangerous it is for the three of us to be here in one place? I’m already risking everything by being here in person! Do you want Apostle to remove the whole head so easily?”
____“You needn’t worry in that regard, sir.” Nazar told him plainly, speaking loud over the noise of the aircraft, “Though you were nonetheless terribly foolish to do so.”
____“Damn your riddles, boy! Where is Sernier at?”
____“He’s dead!”
____Dir. Merne flared, “He’s what?!”
____“I intercepted him personally, sir. And executed him just now. I have no use for cowards and backstabbers.” Nazar confirmed.
____“Bastard! This was a show of good faith!”
____Nazar scoffed, “Faith is for fools. I know Apostle more than Sernier ever could, and I know that negotiating with them is a folly we can’t afford.”
____“You breached the agreement!”
____“I did. I told them it would be safe. So Sernier came, and then I killed him and his escort. Don’t be mad at me, he was wired to infect us all anyway. I did you a favor. He had served his purpose to me already.”
____“Nazar!! Does your word mean nothing?!”
____Nazar just shrugged, “Words are just words, Director.”
____Arnie’s face was red with fury and disbelief.
____“You bastard!” he repeated, “You’ve forgotten your place in all this. You only have any influence because I allowed it! I let you in! I enabled you! And you used it to obliterate our last chance at meeting with our enemy halfway! Lives were on the line for that! You truly believe your absolutism is helping us? You really do think you’re the only one standing between us and Armageddon, don’t you?”
____“I am the only one. You think it’s your committees and compromises, a ridiculous concept. Will you defeat the evil lurking beneath the earth by handshaking your way to it? Those survivors and doctors think it’s Brooke Arnakis, who I’ve been forced to leave to Apostle’s clutches so I can deal with you. But even that cure is only a small measure to combat this force against us. The game doesn’t end on the capture of a queen. All of you are just pieces on the board, good and bad. But the only one ultimately between us and oblivion? I am the only one, Director.”
____“No. You’re through. I’m pulling the plug on you for good. You were my mistake.” Merne snapped his fingers in Blake’s general direction before pointing to Nazar, “Take this bastard into custody. This inflated self-importance has finally cost us and I refuse to enable it any longer.”
____The bodyguard quickly paced forward, mimicking the pointing motion while keeping his other hand on his holster. He subdued his elation at this opportunity and spoke to Nazar in serious, straightforward instructions: “Hands on your head and face away. Right now.”
____The gall of this human. Nazar only shook his head, “You remain blind and bloated as ever, you politicians. Even now you assume we have the time to take prisoners!”
____“I am not going to repeat myself!!” Blake flared, furious at the nonchalance being demonstrated at his orders: not even receiving eye contact at his threats.
____Nazar still did not comply, instead muttering to his assistant behind him, “Lavender, kill this man.”
____“Yessir.” She drew her pistol without a second thought. Blake saw this and quickly drew his weapon in response, but she proved the faster and had already squeezed the trigger.
____Bang! He fell dead, shot through the skull. Immediately everyone else startled at the gunshot, staff scattering and soldiers raising their rifles in uncertainty.
____Dir. Merne had ducked and stumbled at the shot, not fleeing outright as he tried to keep a firm grip on the situation, barking orders: “Kill her! Shoot her now!”
____“Delay that order.” Comm. Grimm said almost instantaneously as the troops aimed. His voice was chillingly calm in spite of the sudden outbreak of violence.
____“Kill her!” Merne repeated.
____“Delay that order!” Grimm answered again in kind.
____The Director glared at him in shock, “Are you going to use your position to betray your country’s publicly elected officials, Grimm? Are you so quick to forsake your oaths?”
____The Commander’s nostrils flared as he prepared his next words: “…Nazar knows what’s best. I stood by and said nothing for as long as I could. But I see now you’re only hindering his methods and even courting with the enemy.”
____“‘Courting with the enemy’?! You’re not seeing the big picture! Don’t get hung up on your own personal losses! You’re letting him manipulate your emotions!”
____“No, sir. You were letting Sernier manipulate yours. This ‘good faith showing’ is a farce. We’re at war.”
____Merne scowled, “I should’ve guessed the military would attempt a coup sooner or later. He convinced you, didn’t he? You stupid dog.”
____Grimm turned to his troops. Most of them looked uncertain, doing what they did only because their Commander had said so at the time. These were faithless, uncertain times, and they were about to become even messier. But throughout the ferocity of the hurricane trained men could still be counted upon to do their duty. They would answer the call of their Commander. That was the only reliability left.
____“Secure the Director’s staff and take them into custody. Shoot anyone who resists.” he ordered them, “And get me comms to HQ.”
____Director Merne trembled with fury but did not resist as the soldiers turned on him and his cabinet. Weapons at their backs, they were quietly herded out of sight. Only the Director spoke in protest, speaking venomously to Nazar rather than the Commander, “I won’t say you’ve outsmarted me, because you haven’t! You’ve criticized and critiqued and backseated, well now you might find that total power is much harder and messier than your absolutism prefers, Nazar! I hope you like it: the wheel is yours!”
____Nazar only smiled at this, “Splendid. Farewell, Arnie.”
____Grimm faced him, “There’s going to be bloodshed at every base detaining them all. Merne’s allies will retaliate. We have to move quickly if we’re going to restore order out of all this.”
____“Yes. You’re in command now, Grimm. Your stern oversight, quick thinking, commitment to the cause above all else… that is what must lead us now.”
____Every word out of Nazar’s mouth seemed coded to ensure Grimm that all of this was his own thinking, unguided by Nazar’s own hand. But some part of the Commander seemed to know better. He grimaced and smirked, “This is all treason now, Nazar. If this country is coming out of this ordeal alive, we can’t make ourselves exceptions to what’s been done to it for the sake of its survival. All foul rebels pardon themselves before becoming dictators; I refuse to permit that for you and me. The keys will have to be returned to the people in suits someday. We’ll be held accountable afterwards.”
____“Yes, yes of course. But only if there is an afterwards.” Nazar began his deft departure at that, leaving Grimm to the messy business that would have to follow now. He motioned Lavender to follow him, heading quickly off the platform and back to his car.
____Lavender checked her tablet, giving him the news he already seemed to know, “Sir, VACC-102 is under attack.”
____“Of course it is. Even this necessary step has taken everything.” he said as he went, “Merne will have already cost me Brooke if we aren’t back at the lab ASAP. If there’s even a tiny chance she’s managed to hide away in the depths of the facility we’ll have to try and recapture her while we can. But then I told her to hide, so it seems unlikely.”
____“They’ll be counting on your coming to save her, sir.” Lavender informed him, keeping up his brisk pace, “Is it worth your life?”
____“For the chance of hers? Besides, King won’t move against me, I’m sure of it.”
____Grimm had already departed by the time they made the lengthy walk to where the limo was hidden away. After his long absence Gondowl was finally back, waiting by the driver’s side door. Nazar motioned him away and for Lavender to drive instead, circling around the car to meet the old man.
____“Everything you requested is done, sir.” Gondowl muttered to him.
____“No traces, then?”
____“None. They will if anything know only of the anonymous tips to Apostle, which all but a handful will attribute to Sernier because of the timing. He is of course too dead to defend himself. Not to say he is blameless, with how easily the information was parted from him when pried.” Gondowl opened the door for his boss to enter.
____Nazar paused and smiled warily at him, “Then only the two of us know the truth of the matter?”
____“Only the two of us, sir.” came the old man’s grave answer.
____“I’m sorry then, Gondowl. You’ve just saved millions but as it was done through trickery no one will ever know about it, at least not for a long time. A shame: so much gravity for such a small footnote. But between only the two of us I at least thank you.” Nazar then drew his pistol and shot him. BANG!!
____Gondowl gasped out an aged yelp and collapsed onto the cold ground, hit right through the heart. Putting away the weapon, Nazar nodded to his only living assistant, “Get him in the limo; he’ll have died fighting to recapture the base.”
____“Yes sir.” Without needing to know why Lavender remorselessly helped Nazar lift the body and hoist it into the rear of the vehicle. The trunk slammed shut.
____The deed done, Nazar entered the limo and casually readjusted his collar as if nothing serious had occurred, “Drive, Lavender! This bitter business has cost me enough time already.”

____The black-clad soldier threw Dr. Lance down against the wall, “Sit here!”
____He’d been taken to one of the cleaner corridors, sat in what could only be an execution line of other scientists and staff caught unarmed in the raid. Everywhere else was littered with the blood and bodies of the dead: soldiers, doctors, Apostles, zombies. It had been a terribly bloody battle: too many troops all fighting in one space. But the attackers had possessed the numbers and the mad drive to succeed no matter the cost. They now controlled the building.
____Lance looked around. The others were trembling, some weeping outright while others merely fidgeted violently with nerves. The Apostle soldiers stood about them, hands on their weapons, save for two who were busy defacing the halls: spray-painting crudely drawn Apostle insignias wherever they could. Collis stood there too, smiling gladly to himself with his hands behind his back. Lance scowled at him but the old man seemed untroubled with guilt.
____“Your uniform, sir.” one of the soldiers told the CEO, walking over and handing him a briefcase.
____“Perfect.” Collis opened it, taking out a suit jacket with the Apostle insignia displayed largely across the front and lapels. He doffed his bloodstained coat, changing calmly as if about to enter a simple business meeting, “How I’ve waited to wear these colors. What’s our current strength?”
____“Thirty-seven still fit for battle, about thrice that number worth of undead on the grounds. The rest have moved on.”
____“Such valor.” Collis said, straightening the new jacket and buttoning it up, “Don’t dwell on the loss of lives. It was worth it to thwart that arrogant pillock Nazar.”
____“We were unable to capture the comms room in time, sir. I don’t expect us to survive the inevitable counterattack with this few remaining.”
____“No.” Collis answered calmly, straightening his tie in finality, “No, I expect not.”
____He turned and with the other troopers knelt quickly as King entered the hall. His dark eyes glared dismissively at the prisoners for only a moment, then he slowly walked to Collis. His bloodied sword remained drawn. “You have succeeded?” he asked Collis simply.
____“Sir!” the old man groveled plainly, “It has been my honor to serve you in this most vital hour! I led her straight to Elias. He’s taken her with him.”
____“Then she is in good hands. Elias will perform his task faithfully. Rise.” King said. He walked to the scientists lining the wall, “These are the only survivors?”
____His questions were always framed as answers he already knew it seemed, but the old man replied all the same. “Yes sir.” Collis told him, “Overzealous troops and zombies took the rest.”
____“Hmm.” King walked to the first captive, holding his sword out and placing it squarely on the scientist’s chest, speaking now to him: “Explain to me why I should let you live.”
____The man he held at sword-point stared up in shock, “W—What?”
____“I am asking you to justify your existence to me.”
____“My existence? I was born, wasn’t I?” the scientist exclaimed.
____“That is insufficient.” The sword neared, pressed now against the buttons of the man’s dress shirt.
____“I have a family! There are people who need me, people who count on me!”
____“That is insufficient.”
____The blade pressed tighter, furthering the prisoner’s panic, “Wait! I haven’t hurt anyone! There’s no reason to kill me!”
____“Yes there is.”
____“I’m a scientist! I’m here to save lives! I developed antibiotics for FXX before the outbreak! I’ve saved lives with my work! My life has given life to many others!”
____“That is insufficient.”
____“What do you want—”
____King shoved the sword into him, cleanly gutting his heart and then moving on to the next, asking without hesitation, “Explain to me why I should let you live.”
____He moved down the line in this way, those soldiers there who knew him best watching with bemusement, knowing that this was merely his favorite game of execution. The answers varied, from pleas of mercy for the sake of loved ones to desperate insisting of how many doctorates and master’s they had. Some became quite pathetic in their panicked answers, others could barely come up with anything at all. Some even offered to help in exchange for their lives, but it made no difference.
____At last King made his way to the end of the line, where Dr. Lance sat. The sword fell to level at the doctor’s chest, King towering above him and glaring down, asking him next: “Explain to me why I should let you live.”
____Dr. Lance glared right back up, “There’s no answer I could give that would satisfy you. I know why I’m here, I know why I’m evil, and I know why there’s still a way out. But you’d never hear of it. You know you’d never hear of it. And for that I’m sorry for you.”
____“Savor that sorrow; you will need it for yourself.” King said. Lance bit his lip and braced, knowing that it would hurt and that he might have been wrong about everything. He didn’t need Dr. Brett’s assertions to feel doubt, and it loomed greater than ever now in that gasp of time. He could only hope he was right. It was a sorry thing for a scientist to think, yet to hope was the best a feeble human like him could ever ultimately manage.
____Without hesitation the sword lunged forward, cleanly punching through the doctor’s coat and piercing his heart. King wrenched the weapon out and Dr. Lance slumped down, bleeding out quickly, only staring still up at Collis in his last moments.
____King left him there to die, turning to the old man, “Prepare for battle. There is a base nearby with numbers sufficient to support the recapture of this lab.”
____“Why bother, sir?” one of the troopers asked.
____“We have not been here long. They will come running back in the vain hope that their subject has managed to hide herself.” King faced the comms officer among them, “The Yamato is still nearby?”
____“Yessir. Weapons, flares, and cargo fresh restocked from the skirmish at Cincinnati.”
____“Summon it here. Fight until destroyed. Kill as many of them as you can.”
____Collis took a step forward. “And what if Nazar is there?” he asked King with a hint of impatience in his old voice, “If your brother is among the attackers? Can we finally kill him then? We already pointlessly waited for him to be gone before making our move. How much longer do you plan on letting him live?”
____King looked him right in the eye, glaring but ultimately saying nothing. At last he turned and began walking away, changing the subject altogether, “I am needed in the east. Nazar will be resuming the evacuation very soon. The exodus cannot succeed.” He spoke to two of the soldiers as he went, “Come with me. Take one of their aircraft. I have given away the ability to cheat the laws of distance.”
____The comms officer spoke up, “They’ll shoot you down, sir.”
____“They will, but it will not hinder me, and when they find this place empty they will assume that I took the girl with me.” With that King made his exit, “I leave the defense of this base to you, Collis.”
____The old man still looked visibly upset with the non-answer he’d been given regarding Nazar, just straightening his tie in protest, “…Yes sir…!”

As always let me know what you think

~TAF

[TGRF]

Originally Posted by TheAverageFan

Typos fixed.

Spoiler Alert!

Reed is correcting her grammar, although I believe he is mistaken in doing so

Interesting... I've been taught and used it as using 'towards' when the object is singular, and 'toward' when it is plural. The internet seems to disagree with me there.

I think in the above passage, setting the words off with quotes would have tipped me off that Reed was talking about grammar, and not using the words literally.

~TGRF.

EDIT: Also, I recall you saying at one point that you wanted to keep the chapter count relatively same for both books, but we're a few over the count of TMHW now... does that mean the end is nearing for AC?

[TheAverageFan]

Originally Posted by TGRF

Also, I recall you saying at one point that you wanted to keep the chapter count relatively same for both books, but we're a few over the count of TMHW now... does that mean the end is nearing for AC?

Yes, we are nearing the end. The final chapter will be specified as the final chapter when it's posted, so you'll know when the story has officially reached its conclusion.

~TAF