Running With The Horde (Book 2): Delusions of Monsters (27 page)

The Past

Dick hadn’t been lying about the security of their new prison. Andrew had been through every nook and cranny trying to find a way out since Dick left. His foot was still smarting from kicking the cement wall that was blocking the stairwell. He couldn’t believe the amount of modifications Dick had been able to complete inside the building without anyone finding out. If there was a fire they were really screwed. In addition to the physical barriers there was also no cell service so his phone was useless.

“I don’t know why you don’t just give it up,” John said from behind his back. “There is no way out. We need to focus on that vaccine. When the Simon Virus finishes incubating it’s going to be utter chaos out there. Hell, we’ll probably be safer in here.”

“Whatever, John!” Andrew yelled. He limped back to his bunk and flopped down on it like a giant baby. He was pouting but didn’t give a crap. But Andrew knew John was mostly right. The vaccine was a waste of time but their other project might still have a chance. He needed to do something to rectify the mess he’d helped to create. Where would he go if he escaped anyway? His mom and stepdad were dead. The sum total of the people he knew in the state of Minnesota were three and included, Dick, John and Todd. The phone was still an option if he could ever get a signal but who would believe him? Dick was still a problem. Even if they could’ve created a vaccine he would kill them and take it for himself, probably sell it to the highest bidder.

After a few more minutes he was disgusted with himself for pouting. He grabbed a fresh cup of super-charged coffee and joined John in the lab. He was staring at his computer screen like he’d just watched a live kitten execution.

“What’s wrong with you? Where is Todd?” asked Andrew.

“What’s wrong is this is hopeless. There is no fucking way to make a vaccine. Goddamn virus is too unpredictable and I have no fucking idea were that maniac is. He’s gotta be in here someplace.”

“I told you it was hopeless three days ago. Geez, I’ve been saying that for years,” Andrew said.

“I thought desperation would give us some new ideas.”

“So let’s focus on the other project then. I could really use your help.”

“Shit. You want to waste what little time we have left with that? The control option went into the toilet when Todd shipped out the wrong version of the virus.”

“I agree the original prototype won’t work but we’ve been going about this all wrong. We can’t create a vaccine but we might be able to code the nanotech to mutate with the virus. We have decades of research to pull from. You know that stuff has almost limitless potential. The way it’s networked together means the nanotech is practically a virus itself.” Andrew said.

“Okay, let’s say it does work and that’s a big if,” John said. “It means one host would basically have control over everyone infected with the Simon Virus.”

“Or two or three, however many master doses we are able to replicate before we run out of time. I don’t think we are that far off with the original prototype. Hell, if it works maybe whoever controls it can just shut the virus down completely,” Andrew said.

“Still doesn’t solve the issue of who we’d give it to. It couldn’t be Dick or the psycho. You and I are the only two sane people left who even partially understand the Simon Virus so we couldn’t take it.”

“One problem at a time, John.”

“There is no guarantee it would even work. It’s a long shot at best,” said John.

“Well, if this was a football game we would be on the losing side with just a few seconds to go. The only play we have left is a Hail Mary,” said Andrew.

Just then Todd popped into the lab out of nowhere startling both men. “Hardy har on the daffodil throwing out a sports analogy,” he said. “What are you two shits going on about? Anything I can help with?”

“No!” both men shouted in unison. “It was nothing,” Andrew said. “Just the vaccine Dick wants. We’re running out of time.”

“Sure,” Todd said and followed it with his weird cackle as he shuffled away towards his bunk. “Jinx by the way,” he called back to them. “One of you owes the other a Coke.”

Andrew and John stared after the man they both hated with equal intensity. John looked at Andrew with a cocked eyebrow but didn’t say anything because the message was clear. How much had Todd heard?

…

Derrick was able to do some recon due to his city connections. Significant renovations had been done to the floors in question. Illegal renovations as it turned out. There was now only one way to physically enter the floors 40 through 42 and that was through an encrypted passage built into the freight elevator. People had been bribed to look the other way. That seemed to be the theme anytime the Syndicate was involved. The regular elevators only opened to a wall of cement and the same was true of the staircase.

“Better hope there isn’t a fire,” Shipman said

“Can we beat the encryption?” Bill asked.

“If we had more time or used C4,” Derrick said.

“No we can’t blow it. I don’t want to risk bringing the whole damn building down or killing whoever is inside,” Bill replied.

“And we don’t have time to break the encryption,” Derrick said.

“Correct. So we have no options,” said Bill.

“It’s not looking good, Bill,” Derrick said.

“What if we go up through the floor,” suggested Shipman.

Bill glanced at Shipman and Derrick grunted.

“What?” Shipman asked.

“Oh it’s nothing,” Derrick said with a sideways grin, “it just dawned on me Bill was right to keep you alive. You do have a purpose.”

“Huh,” Shipman said with a frown, “Thanks, I guess.”

Derrick said, “Me and my guys will check out the floor. Maybe we’ll get lucky and whoever prepped this building didn’t think about security holistically.”

They did get lucky. While new heavy-duty flooring had been added to the floors no additional reinforcement had been added. There were weight constraints no amount of bribery could overcome.

They used their own trickery to gain access to the 39
th
floor and smuggled their equipment in afterhours the next day. The bomb threat went off as expected. Derrick used a five man team posing as part of the bomb squad. They got through to the 40
th
floor in a matter of minutes. It was empty of people but full of supplies including preserved food, water and medical equipment.

The next floor took a bit more time, the flooring proving to be a bit more stubborn than the flooring on the 40
th
floor. When they finally hit pay dirt they were surprised by a well-lit laboratory, some insane laughter, shouting and gunfire. The first of Derrick’s men took a bullet to the face and toppled back down the temporary scaffolding, dead before he hit the floor. Derrick cussed and had the remaining men fall back as he pitched a flash bang up through the hole. This resulted in some additional screaming but effectively ended the gunfire. Derrick’s men climbed rapidly through the hole like true professionals, providing cover until everyone was safely up.

“Status?” Derrick yelled to the point man.

“We’ve got three lab coats, one appears hostile the other two are down and out of play, possibly weeping.

“Listen up,” Derrick called. “Put down your weapons and raise your hands. Nobody needs to get hurt.”

“You listen,” a reedy voice called back. “I have the only working vial of the vaccine in my hands. I will smash it to a million pieces if you come any closer.”

“Todd!” one of the other lab coats shouted. “You do not have a vaccine in your hand. That is only a sample and it hasn’t even been completed!”

“Liar!” he screamed. “You are always fucking lying to me PENISROD! I know this is the control dose. I heard everything you and John said.

The man Derrick assumed to be Andrew Penrod based on what Todd had just called him rose from his hiding place with his hands held high. He looked nervous as hell shooting furtive glances at Derrick and his men. He took a tentative step towards Todd. “Please listen to me, Todd, I know what you are thinking and trust me you do not want to stick that needle in your body. I assure you that is not the control dose, it is nothing more than an early prototype. You shoot yourself up with that you will probably die a horrible death.”

“Of course you would say that,” Todd said. “You don’t want me using it. You don’t want me to have the power because you know what I will do with it.”

“I’ve known you for years, Todd. It’s no secret we don’t see eye to eye but I wouldn’t wish that fate on anyone,” Andrew said, taking a few more steps toward the taller man.”

“These men are here to kill us, Penrod, or worse take us back to Area 51,” Todd whined. “I can’t go back there.”

“Is that true, mister?” Andrew asked cocking his head toward Derrick.

“No, we are not from the Syndicate,” Derrick said. “The man I work for was a friend of your stepfather. We got your message. We just want to get everyone to safety and see if we can fix this mess.”

“See, Todd, they are here to help us. We can finally get away from Dick, the Syndicate and the whole mess. We have a chance to make things right.”

Todd cackled and began to back away from the group with the tiny vial held up over his head.

“He’s heading for the service elevator, chief, you want me to put him down?” one of the soldiers said.

“No just wait,” Andrew urged. “He doesn’t have an access card. Only Dick does and he left days ago. We’ve been locked inside since we got here. We really need to get that vial back,” Andrew said.

They followed Todd all the way to the freight elevator entrance. Derrick and his three remaining soldiers all fanned out with Andrew in the middle. The other man in the lab coat hung back behind the group. He seemed to be with Andrew Penrod so Derrick wrote him off as a friendly.

“There is nowhere to go, Todd,” Andrew said when the tall man’s back hit the encrypted door.

Todd laughed and fished a key card out of his pocket. He waived it Andrew with a sneer. “Dick gave me a card too, you stupid shitty-shit. Now, I am going to swipe this card and walk out of here. When I have the door open I will put this on the ground. I get to leave and you get the vial. Deal?”

Derrick looked at Andrew who gave him a nod. “Deal,” Derrick said.

“Perfect!” Todd said. He never took his eye off Derrick while he swiped the card. The red light changed to green and the door clicked open. Todd pulled the door open and very calmly placed the vial on the ground before jumping inside and pulling the door closed behind him. As soon as he was clear both Andrew and Derrick rushed to the spot. Derrick tested the door which was once again securely locked and Andrew grabbed the vial.

“I guess he held up his end of the deal,” Derrick said.

“He did except for one thing,” Andrew said.

“What’s that?”

“The vial is empty. He must have taken the shot before you busted through the floor.”

“Well shit, that sucks,” Derrick said, “Who the hell was that guy?”

“That was Todd and he is a real creep.”

The Past

The lab and the other floors had been cleared out by Derrick and his crew over the course of the night. Everything had been relocated to an empty building on the corner of 3
rd
Avenue and 10
th
Street on the southeastern edge of downtown. Bill had it on good authority the location had already been searched and cleared by a group calling themselves the military branch of Homeland Security. Their heavily armed troops appeared to be multiplying like rabbits every day. Roaming the streets in large units and scaring the shit out of the public.

In actuality this group was the Syndicate. Andrew had filled them in on what he knew about the Syndicate but it wasn’t much more than they had already learned from the coded blankets. In any case, the Syndicate had somehow taken control of the city.

They had instituted a curfew and were controlling the streets with an iron fist. Anyone exhibiting signs of the Sickness was immediately sent to the quarantine zones outside of the downtown area. Getting around unseen was a becoming nightmare but Bill felt it critical they remain inside the city. That’s where they would need to be when this Simon Virus went into full effect. Andrew said it was tied to the Sickness but hadn’t yet explained how. The man seemed a little off, like he didn’t fully trust Bill and Derrick yet and Bill couldn’t figure out why. It was all so surreal Bill kept pinching himself but still couldn’t wake up from this ridiculous dream.

When they finally settled in to their new hideout Andrew finally explained his side of the events and insisted he and Dr. Reynolds be allowed to finish their work. After hearing their plan Bill couldn’t help but agree it was their only chance. Derrick had people posted in the Investor Tower in case their captor, Dick, came back but so far he hadn’t returned. From the information Andrew provided, it was clear the man was a force to be reckoned with. There was no doubt Dick was aware of Andrew’s escape. Bill figured it was safe to assume he was simply waiting for his chance to recapture Andrew, John and their work. The only good news was it appeared Dick was also hiding from the Syndicate which would certainly limit his mobility.

“We’re close,” Andrew had told him the day before.

“You’d better be,” Bill said. “It’s only a matter of time before the Syndicate or Dick finds us.”

“We need one more day,” the doctor had said.

That day passed and Bill found himself in a dusty conference room with both doctors, Derrick and Shipman. Andrew Penrod had the floor. On a small tray were two vials that looked like a cross between a USB drive and a hypodermic syringe. One had a green cap and the other a red cap.

“We believe we have created a master dose of the Simon Virus that will allow a host to control anyone infected with it,” Dr. Penrod said. “This was the intent of the Syndicate all along until Dick and Todd changed everything.”

“This is the same virus everyone has been calling the Sickness?” asked Derrick.

“The Sickness and the Simon Virus are one in the same. The flu-like symptoms and coma are merely phase one of the Simon Virus. Basically the virus is doing a total transformation of its human host. The end result is too crazy to even describe,” Dr. Reynolds explained.

“You said the master dose will allow someone to control the infected. In what way would they be controlled?” Bill asked.

“Completely, but there are variables we won’t able to account for until we see how the virus actually manifests in people. It most certainly won’t be a docile population of drones. Of that much I am certain. ” Andrew said.

“To what end? What was the purpose of this nonsense?” asked Shipman.

Dr. Penrod sighed in the way overly smart people do when trying to explain complex ideas to those less gifted. “You need to understand some things about the Simon Virus.”

Andrew and John explained over the next hour everything they knew about Project Simon, the Syndicate’s original plan and what Dick had done. As they spoke about the parts they played it was clear both men felt a tremendous amount of shame and guilt.

Bill made them repeat the Syndicate’s vision several times. The mood in the room was somber and angry as Bill, Derrick and Shipman dissected their tale with a thousand questions. Bill found he was having a hard time not hating the men for their complicity in what was becoming a world shattering debacle. He didn’t try to hide his disgust for Andrew and Jack.

“I have no excuses for what I did. Bottom line is I was scared. We all were,” Andrew said and glanced at Dr. Reynolds.

“It was all so ludicrous,” John added. “I kept thinking it was all a game of some kind. That we were being tested and one day they would tell us the true grand purpose we were really working on. For me it wasn’t until Dick led us out of the facility at gunpoint did I realize it was it was really happening.”

“When this is over you can turn us over to the government or kill us but for now we can still maybe fix this,” Andrew said.

“With the control dose?” Bill asked, pointing at the tray

“Exactly. I want to be clear. It’s an extreme longshot. We have no idea if it will even work. It could just end killing whoever receives the injection in a horrific way.”

“Like the one your friend Todd injected into himself?” Bill asked.

“He is not our friend, but yes, like that one. If he is lucky it killed him already, wherever he is.”

“We still haven’t been able to find him. My guess is he high-tailed it out of the city. If things get as bad as you two claim, the odds are we will never see him again,” Derrick said.

“What’s the other vial for?” Shipman asked, pointing to the one with the red cap.

“Let’s say the control dose works as planned. The other one is a failsafe. It will shut down the nanotech. Basically it will function as an off switch in case whoever is in control happens to turn into a head case,” John said.

“Which leads us to our dilemma,” Andrew said.

“Who do you give the control dose to?” Bill asked.

“Exactly. It has to be someone who is levelheaded,” Andrew said.

“And someone who is generally a good person. You know, someone who wouldn’t let all that power go to their head,” John added.

“They are going to be making decisions that impact everyone,” Andrew said. “Everyone that survives I should say.”

“But they also have to realize they could die a horrible death just by taking the vial. We have no way of knowing if it will even work,” John said.

“I think we get it,” Shipman said. “It’s a really big deal.”

“So who gets it?” asked Derrick.

“Our choices are limited to the people in this room. We have nobody else we can trust,” Bill said.

“The two doctors are out,” Derrick said. “They helped get us into this mess in the first place. Plus, we need to keep it all on the down low. Whoever gets the dose will be the Syndicate’s Most Wanted as soon as word leaks out. Assuming it works, of course.”

“Agreed,” Andrew said. “It was never our intention to inject either one of us. In any case it would be better for us to both continue working on other solutions.”

“Shipman, you are out too,” Bill said. “Wasn’t that long ago you were playing for the wrong team.”

“Makes sense to me,” Shipman said.

“That leaves you and me, Derrick,” Bill said.

“How do you want to do this, Bill? Flip for it?”

“Seems like a fair enough way to determine a life or death situation,” Bill said. “Who’s got a coin?”

Shipman tossed over a quarter and a moment later Bill had won the toss.

“We should probably do it right away so we can monitor you. Like Derrick said, If word leaks out you have the power to control all the infected you are going to become the most wanted man in the world,” Dr. Penrod said.

“What are the odds it will work like you say?” Bill asked.

“I wouldn’t even hazard a guess,” Andrew said. “But look at it this way, you may die from the injection but you will for sure die when you get the Simon Virus. So can we do it now?”

Bill had no intention of actually giving the injection to himself. He didn’t fully trust the two doctors with that knowledge. He had someone better in mind. Someone whose electronic footprint he had virtually erased over the years. Someone the doctors and the Syndicate would never know about.

“We’ll do it later or in the morning,” Bill said. “I have some loose ends I need to tie up and someone I need to say goodbye to.” The doctors protested but Bill ignored them.

“Who would that be?” Shipman asked.

“That would be my son if you must know,” Bill said with a sigh. He should have kept his mouth shut and couldn’t think of a lie fast enough.

“Oh yeah, George, right? I haven’t seen that kid since he was a snot-nose little shit running around your office with his toy cars,” Shipman said.

“Well if you need to call him or something I would suggest you do it soon. At the rate this city is going down the tubes I expect cell networks to fail before too much longer,” Derrick said.

“Agreed,” Bill said as he pointed at the vial. “Doc, I need you to pack that up. I will be taking it with me for safekeeping. I will be back in the morning and we can do the injection then. You keep the failsafe vial, Andrew. The two of you need to try to make more control doses. Give a list to Shipman for any supplies you need. This place should be secure for the time being. Derrick, I need to get to my apartment and would very much appreciate an escort.”

Bill took the small case from Dr. Penrod. He and Derrick headed for the stairs to get down to the skyway level. He dialed George’s number as they walked. It seemed doubtful he would answer. He wondered how he was going to drive all the way to New Brightown with all the shit that was going down in the city. But then, miracle of miracles, his son picked up.

“Hello?”

“George, hey! It’s your dad.”

“Yes, I know who it is.”

“Listen, I know it’s been awhile but I really need to see you. Is there any way you could make it down to my place tonight for dinner?”

“I don’t know, dad. I kind of have a lot going on today.”

“Please,” Bill said.

“Maybe another time.”

“George, listen to me….”

…

“Did you have any trouble getting into the city?” Bill asked as he flipped the steaks on the grill. The smell and the sizzle of the meat seemed so out of place with all the crazy shit he’d been dealing with the last few weeks.

“Um, yeah, you could say that. Construction was a nightmare. Took me an hour just to get over the bridge. Are they remodeling the whole damn city?”

Bill laughed, “Still not really following current events too closely, huh, son?”

“What do you mean?” George asked. Bill watched him lean over the balcony to take in the street below. His whiskey-manhattan held casually in his hand.

“You’re going to have to grow up one of these days, George.” He said. “The construction is for all the security upgrades the government passed last year. A couple of months from now Downtown, Minneapolis is supposed to be one of the most secure places in the world.”

“Supposed to be?”

“We’ll just have to see what happens,” Bill said. “Have you heard about the new flu?”

“People at work are a little freaked out about it but I’m not worried. Aside from my job I don’t really get out much these days. I meant to get a flu shot but I never got around to it. I guess I’ll probably get one next week, they’ve been giving them out free at work,” George said.

The steaks were ready so they moved into the kitchen and prepared to eat. George poured them glasses of red wine while Bill set the table. He moved to the stereo and popped in a cassette and hit play. A moment of static belched out of the speakers and then Merle Haggard was entertaining them with a country ballad.

“Maybe I’ll grow up when you start using that iPod I gave you five years ago,” George said, cutting into a piece of perfectly grilled rare steak.

“I like my tapes. They remind me of the good old days,” Bill said and George grunted. Over the course of dinner they talked about those old days, George’s mom and regrets. “I know I’ve told you this before but if I could go back and change things I would,” Bill said. He knew he was treading on forbidden ground but he wanted more than anything to make peace with his son.

“You were a monster most of the time. When you were home at all.” George said. His tone was bitter.

The tape deck clicked off and the room was uncomfortably silent while Bill considered the best way to respond to this old conversation. “I was. I know that now. Some of the things I saw in my line of work, well, I just wanted to prepare you for anything.”

“All you prepared me for was therapy,” George said. “And what was that line of work again? I didn’t realize the import export business was all that dangerous.”

“C’mon, you know I couldn’t talk about it. I still can’t. It was to protect you and your mom.”

“Too bad there was no one to protect us from you.”

“I know, George, and again I am sorry,” Bill said. Truth be told he was starting to get a little angry. He had been rough on George to toughen him up but it hadn’t been that bad. “Look let’s change the subject. Tell me about your life.  Are you still seeing that nurse? What’s her name? Elizabeth, right?”