Transmission: Voodoo Plague Book 5 (13 page)

At 1000 we were sitting in the same conference room.  I felt
like a million bucks after a good night’s sleep.  Crawford breezed into the
room and took his seat at the head of the table.  Blanchard was right on the
Colonel’s heels and Cummings wasn’t far behind.  The Captain set about
initiating a video call with Admiral Packard as Crawford settled himself and
flipped open a leather bound notebook.  Cummings studiously ignored me, said a
bright good morning to Rachel, and then seated himself as far away from me as
he could get.  Dog was in his usual spot and kept an eye on the Chief of
Staff.  Good boy!

“What’s the infected situation, sir?”  I asked.

“We’re holding our own.  I have to brief the Admiral in a
moment, so hang on if you don’t mind.”  He didn’t take his attention off the
file he had started reviewing when he sat down.

A few seconds later the screen at the front of the room
flared and the Admiral stared out at us.  Pleasantries were briefly exchanged,
then Crawford began his briefing.

“Sir, the population of infected in the greater Oklahoma
City area continues to grow.  Tinker is currently surrounded and in a defensive
posture.  The only ingress or egress at this time is by air.  Current estimates
are 12,000 infected at our perimeter fence line.

“There is also confirmation that the virus has mutated and
jumped species.  Major Chase encountered several feral hogs yesterday that were
infected.  They exhibit the same aggressive behavior, though they don’t seem to
discriminate between attacking infected or uninfected humans.  Additionally,
the differing effects of the infection on male versus female do not appear to
carry over to other species.  We have a researcher evaluating this information
as well as looking into the possibility of the virus moving to other species.

“Vaccine production and distribution has begun and is
steadily ramping up.  As of 0700 this date, all military personnel at Tinker
have been vaccinated and we are in the process of vaccinating all civilians
that are on base before commencing distribution to the general population.  The
vaccine is rather simple to manufacture.  There is a large veterinary medicine
company located here that has a very high capacity lab and we are utilizing its
equipment.  We are currently producing approximately 10,000 doses per day.”

“That’s great news, Colonel.”  The Admiral broke in.

“Actually, sir, it’s not.”  Crawford countered.  “Best
estimates are that there are close to 250,000 survivors currently in Oklahoma
City.  Based on information from the GRU, and our own observations, we do not
have time to manufacture and distribute enough vaccine to protect all of them
before they turn.  Our best guess is anyone not vaccinated has seven more days
at the most.”

Everyone was quiet, doing the math in their head.  In seven
days we wouldn’t have enough vaccine to inoculate even a third of the local
civilian population.  By the time the vaccine was actually administered, we’d
be lucky to treat a fifth of the population.  That meant we were about to have
200,000 infected in our back yard.

“Can you hold out against nearly a quarter of a million
infected, Colonel?”  The Admiral leaned into the camera.

“We’re going to try, sir, but we’re working on an evacuation
plan.  Large transport aircraft are being brought in from the civilian airport
as well as other Air Force bases in the region to prepare for that
contingency.  There are also scouts deployed to find suitable locations that
are not already either occupied by the Russians or overrun with infected. 

“Additionally, I’ve been working with the Air Force and
sending out patrols looking for stranded military units.  We’ve located a
Marine Expeditionary Unit that went ashore in Corpus Christi when their ship
experienced an outbreak.  There are about 1,500 Marines still alive and combat capable.
 We’ve dispatched C-130s to pick them up and bring them here.  I’ve also got a
team going to Fort Hood to obtain some heavy armor, and we’re collecting all
heavy construction equipment in the area.”

The Admiral looked like he wanted to ask another question,
but it was 1020.  An aide signaled to Packard that there was an incoming call.

“Looks like our Russian ally is right on time.”  Packard
said to make sure we knew Irina was calling in.  He nodded to the aide, and a
moment later I heard her voice.

“Admiral Packard, have you received approval to provide me
with what we discussed?”  She asked without preamble. 

“Yes, Captain.  I have.”  He answered.

“Good.  I assume you have Major Chase on the line.”  The
Admiral looked at me and nodded.

“Hello, Irina.”  I said.  “How’s the leg?”

“Hello, Major.  It is nothing.  Just a scratch, but thank
you for inquiring.  I’m glad your Colonel was able to locate you.  Have you
been briefed on the situation?”

“Yes.  I’m ready.”  I said, glancing at the laptop screen
Captain Blanchard had open next to me.  He would input the coordinates she
provided so we could see on a satellite image exactly where I was supposed to
meet her in the El Paso area. 

When I’d first heard El Paso, I’d been surprised.  Was it
coincidence, or was Irina sending a message?  I had grown up in the El Paso
area.  Well outside the city on a large chunk of desert, commuting a long way
into town each day to go to school.  I knew the Soviets and then the Russians
had worked hard to create and maintain files on American SF Operators, and
there was no reason to think they didn’t have one on me.  It’s just always a
bit unnerving when someone you don’t know has that much detail on you.

Irina read off the coordinates, Blanchard quietly tapping
them into his computer.  A moment later a red dot started pulsing on the
satellite image he was displaying.  I had him zoom to confirm I was right about
the location I’d instantly recognized.

“Do you know where we’re meeting?”  She asked.

“I hope you’re not playing games, Irina.”  I said.  “This is
way too dangerous to be screwing around, trying to mess with someone’s head.”

“No games, Major.  I just thought it would make you more
comfortable to meet somewhere that you were familiar with.  2200 local time.  Tonight. 
Will you be there?” 

“Yes, Irina.  I’ll be there.”  I said, exasperation clear in
my voice.  There were a couple of beeps and she was gone.

“Care to enlighten us, Major?”  Asked Admiral Packard.

“Her coordinates are right in the middle of what used to be my
family’s land, sir.”  I said.  “There’s an old windmill and stock tank at the
point where she wants to meet.  She’s right.  I know the area very well.”

“How secure is the area?”  Crawford asked.

“It’s the middle of nowhere, sir.  I suppose there could be
the odd infected wandering around, but it’s either a long, rough hike or you
need a sturdy horse, good four wheel drive or helicopter to get to the spot. 
It’s actually pretty smart on her part.”  I said, remembering the place
vividly.

As soon as he got the coordinates from Irina, Blanchard had
started working with the Navy to re-task a satellite and get a good view of the
location.  He also got the Air Force to assign a Predator drone to him and it
was on station over the ranch at 30,000 feet within a couple of hours.  I had
left him to it.  I could probably draw a map of the area from memory.  In high
school this was where my friends and I had gone to drink and have fun with our
girlfriends.  I remembered the area quite well, even after several decades.

Rachel and I had stepped outside after the meeting broke up,
and had the first fight of our new relationship when I told her she wasn’t
coming with me. 

“You’re going to leave me here so I’m safe?  That’s absolute
bullshit!  The only time I’ve been safe since this whole thing started is when
I’ve been with you!”  She was pissed, standing toe to toe with me, her face
thrust into mine.

“Rachel, I…”

“Fuck that!”  She cut me off without even knowing what I was
going to say.  “Every time you go off without me, something bad happens. 
Every.  Single.  Fucking.  Time.  I thought I actually meant something to you,
but I guess you just see tits and ass when you look at me!”

“Goddamn it!”  Now I was getting angry.  “I’ve got to go
meet some Russians in the middle of fucking nowhere.  Anything could go wrong. 
Vostov could be under duress, forced to set this up so they can get their hands
on me.  Infected could show up.  I need to be focused on the mission, not
worrying about making sure someone I care about is OK!  Distractions like that
are what get people killed.”

“You are the goddamn dumbest smart person I’ve ever met. 
When we’re together, everything turns out OK.  You leave me behind, who’s going
to save your ass when you get in trouble?  That little shit the President is
sending along?  And what happens here when the infected break through the
fence?  You’re going to leave me here alone to deal with that shit?”  Tears
were running down her face and I thought she was going to hit me.  Before she
could get that far I reached out and tried to circle her into my arms, but she
was having none of it.

“You can really be an asshole.  You know that?  If you leave
me here alone, don’t expect me to be waiting for you when you get back!  If you
get back.”  She wiped tears and started to turn away.

I grabbed Rachel before she could take a step, gripping both
of her upper arms so she couldn’t hit me, pulled her close and kissed her.  She
struggled, twisting and trying to pull away, and I was prepared to defend
against a swift knee to my balls.  But I didn’t have to, and after a moment she
pressed against me and lifted her arms to wrap around my neck, the intensity of
the moment becoming passion in the kiss.

We might have stood there kissing for a long time if a
Humvee hadn’t pulled to a stop next to us with a squeal of brakes.  I broke the
kiss, but kept my arms around Rachel, looking over to see who had just pulled
up.  Two Marines climbed out of the vehicle.  Looked like some of the MEU that
Crawford had made contact with had arrived.  When I saw the Eagles on one of
them I stepped away from Rachel, came to attention and saluted the Marine
Colonel. 

“Jesus H. Christ, sir.  I guess the Army is harder up than
we thought.  Looks like they’ll make an officer out of anything with a pulse.” 
I dropped the salute and looked at the man who had spoken, a Master Gunnery
Sergeant.

“Praise be, we’re saved!  When the infected see your ugly
face they’re just going to lay down and die!”  I retorted.

Neither of us had sounded friendly, and Rachel had taken a
step back.  Dog had stood up and growled softly in his chest at the two men.  I
eyed Master Gunnery Sergeant Matt Zemeck, looking him up and down, and he did
the same to me.  I hadn’t seen him in nearly 10 years, and other than a few
more wrinkles and a couple of new scars, he looked the same as when we’d first met
in a foreign country.

His unit had been on a mission to - well, never mind what
they were doing.  They had bad intel from the CIA, as amazing as that may
sound, and had walked into a trap and been captured.  Most had been captured. 
Two of them had been killed.

My unit had been in the area and, much to the chagrin of the
Corps, had been sent in to rescue them.  The rescue had gone off like clockwork
at first, then more bad guys had showed up and Zemeck and I had gotten
separated with about 200 screaming fanatics between our units and us.  It had
taken a week, but we’d fought our way out of the country, saving each other’s
lives more times than I could count.  Time passes and I’d lost touch after
leaving the Army.  He was about the last person I expected to run into in the
middle of the apocalypse.

I’m not a hugger of other men.  It’s fine if other guys want
to go around pressing their bodies against each other, but I prefer to feel a
female form when I give a hug.  Unfortunately, Zemeck didn’t agree with me. 
With a laugh he stepped forward and wrapped arms the size of my legs around me
and lifted me off the ground like I was a child.  Did I mention he’s one of the
largest human beings I’ve ever met? 

I remembered one time he had come across a little British
convertible sports car that he just had to have, regardless of the fact that he
was probably taller than the car was long.  Once he finally shoe horned himself
into the driver’s seat, he draped his left arm down the outside of the door and
his knuckles touched the ground.  I think I had hurt his feelings when I
couldn’t stop laughing, but it was just too damn funny. 

Dog didn’t like seeing me lifted up in the air, standing and
growling at Zemeck with the fur along his back standing on end.  I reached down
and rubbed his head, Zemeck taking a step back.  Dog settled down and I kept
rubbing his head to calm him. 

“Colonel, I suspect you’re here to see Colonel Crawford?”  I
said, glad to see an old friend but needing to get on with prepping for my
flight to El Paso.

“Yes.  I was told he’s here in the admin building.”  The
Colonel answered.  I glanced at his uniform and read his name.  Pointere.

“I’ll show you the way.”  I said, motioning for Rachel and
Dog to stay put before turning and leading the two Marines into the building.

“That’s not Katie,” Zemeck said when we were inside.

“No, it’s not.”  I said, a lump forming in my stomach. 

It had been threatening to start building since I had woken
up earlier in the morning with Rachel’s nude body pressed against mine.  I had
been focused on other things since, but his question reignited my guilt. 

“I don’t think Katie survived.  I was over my house in an
Air Force bird a couple of days ago and there’s nothing left of it.  Whole damn
city is either burned or empty.  What about Chris?”  I asked, referring to his
wife.

“You know those goddamn annoying talk shows for women where
all they do is gossip about celebrities, scream at each other and bad mouth
men?”  He asked.  I nodded my head.

“She was a huge fan of one of them.  For the life of me I
can’t remember which one.  She was in New York with her friends.  They had
tickets for a taping of the show.  She arrived the evening of the attacks.”  He
spoke with a steady voice, but I could hear the pain he was dealing with.

“Ahhh, fuck.  I’m sorry, man.”  I said, stopping outside the
conference room where Crawford had set up his office.  Blanchard saw me and
stepped out, welcoming the two Marines and ushering them through the door.  Zemeck
clapped a huge paw on top of my shoulder, sharing a look with me, turned and
followed his Colonel into the room.

Rachel and Dog were waiting for me when I came back
outside.  In the two minutes I’d been gone, Dog had managed to find a large
stick and convince Rachel to throw it for him.  When I stepped out the door he
was just picking it up and running back to her, changing direction when he saw
me and ramming it into my leg.  I wrestled the stick away from him and threw it
as far out into an immaculate, grassy field as I could.  He raced after it and
I walked over to Rachel who waited for me with her arms crossed and a storm
cloud on her face.

“Alright.  You win.”  I said, folding her into my arms.  She
relaxed and wrapped her arms around my waist, burying her face in my chest.

“What changed your mind?”  Her voice was muffled by my
clothing and vest.

“Just take your victory and don’t push it.”  I chuckled, not
wanting to let on that I’d wanted her to go along all the time.  I’d just been
worried that something would happen to her.  But the brief conversation with Zemeck
had all too clearly reminded me that bad things happen to the people we care about
even when they’re somewhere we think is safe.