The Dead War Series (Book 2): Desperate Times (2 page)

“In a safe location. Now, let me explain one thing, from this point on I will only speak with Dr. Masterson. Is that clear?” Cassian said.

“I don't know who the hell you think you are--”

“I am the one person who can bring you the research data you need,” Cassian interjected, his tone was cold and direct. “Now, Dr. Masterson, what do I need to collect?”

“Do as he says... for now,” Maj. Garrett instructed Vincent.

Vincent leaned in closer towards the screen to get a better view of the area through Cassian's perspective. “Okay, there's a file cabinet over in the far right corner. The code is 5-4-8-6.  You'll need to get a big box because there's a lot you have to bring here. Clear out the top drawer.”

“I have what I need to carry the items,” Cassian said as he pressed the code into the number pad lock protecting the files in the cabinet. The red light turned green and he opened the top drawer and began removing the many files inside, placing them into one of the duffel bags. He did this until the drawer was empty. “What next?” He kept his voice as low as he could to avoid detection.

“All right, Doctor Pierce's desk in located next to mine in the middle of the room. You don't have time to copy all of his files, I'm sure, so just take his modem and whatever paperwork you find,” Vincent instructed.

Cassian followed his directions, unplugging the modem from the electrical sockets and monitor. He placed it inside the other duffel bag then he gathered all of the paperwork that was on top of the desk and slipped it into the bag.

“His drawers will be locked, damn it! He would have the key on him. See if you can find something to op--” He paused, stunned when he saw the stranger pull the locked drawer open as if it was unlocked, but he knew it wasn't. He heard the lock break when the drawer opened.

Cassian said nothing as he began removing all of the papers, disk drives and extra portable modems from all of the drawers.

Vincent turned, looking at the others to see if they saw what he did. The expressions they gave him and each other let him know they were all on the same page. Something was definitely different about this guy. First off, how in the hell did he make it to the lab past all of those zombies in the stairwell? Did he find one that wasn't overrun?

“Is this everything?” Cassian asked.

Vincent turned back around. “Um, as far as paperwork goes, yes.  You have to go into the other laboratory, you have to bring specimen Eleven-Fourteen with you if she's still alive. She was our only successful trial run.”

Cassian placed the duffel bags on the floor and walked towards the door connecting the two rooms via the decontamination chamber. Once again, he turned off and removed the headset, leaving the others in the dark.

***

“Shit! The son of a bitch did it again. What in the hell is he trying to hide?” Maj. Garrett slammed a fist on the desk in a display of frustration.

“I don't know. I'm still trying to figure out how in the hell he got into the lab in the first place,” Vincent said, his mind was working overtime trying to solve the puzzle that was this mysterious stranger.

“And so quickly,” Felicia pointed out. “Maybe that's what he's trying to hide. We know he's strong and fast... what else does he have going on. What is he? Who is he? Is he infected?”

“Those are some great questions. I'm going to make sure he answers them soon enough. That's if he makes it out of there in one piece,” Maj. Garrett stated as his eyes stayed glued to the screen.

***

Cassian, sans biosuit, opened the decontamination chamber door and entered. The spray went off automatically, but he kept going, turning the knob on the other door. It was locked but with a bit of force, he broke the lock and opened the door.

Blood. Everywhere. The walls were splattered with it. The floor was covered in it. The computers, desks, counter tops and tables all morbidly decorated in the very essence of life. Shameful, really.
Wasteful and unfortunate,
is what Cassian thought.

Had it been nightfall, he would have had the desire to run a finger along the wall, lapping up the spilt treasure. But it was daytime and his appetite for the precious nectar was null. Quietly and carefully, but still using his vampire speed, he maneuvered around the bloody mess on the floor, some of it being unavoidable. He made his way toward the animal cages. The bent and twisted metal doors of the cages had been ripped open or pried off.  Only one animal remained inside one of the cages, its head hanging on by a few strands of cartilage and arteries. Blood covered the cage and ran in a river from the decapitated ape onto the floor. The abdomen had been ripped open, its organs shredded and partly devoured. Cassian frowned at the sight before him, witnessing the aftermath of what those things could do left him with a certain sense of dread. He looked around the lab for a kennel. He located several in a locked cabinet and removed one. He would take the remains of the ape to the doctor if for nothing more than to study. He pulled the carcass out of the cage and placed it inside the kennel.

Before he left the lab, he gathered several liquid-filled tubes that managed to survive the destruction. Grabbing the two duffel bags, he tossed a glance toward the windows. He could hear them coming and he could smell them. The stench of death and decay was strong in the air, nauseating to a vampire with their keen sense of smell. Those things were searching for something to eat. As long as there were bodies to feed on, they'd stick around. But Cassian knew that once their food source was diminished, they'd leave the building searching for more. It was even more important that they create their strongholds. He was relieved that Ovidius had finally agreed to his wishes.

Cassian flew up onto the roof, advancing quickly on the soldier guarding the helicopter before he could react. He pressed the man against the door of the helicopter, forcing the man to lock eyes. Once he had the pilot under his mental influence, he gave him his orders.

“Listen to me very carefully. Do not make contact with your superiors whatsoever. You will only take your orders from me. When I give you leave, you will take these items to Costco in St. Louis and hand them over to a vampire named Ovidius.” Cassian gave the soldier the coordinates. “Do you understand these orders?”

Staring forward, the soldier nodded. “Yes sir.”

“Good, now get inside the helicopter and await my return.” Cassian watched as the soldier climbed into the pilot seat.  Next, he loaded the two duffel bags and the kennel inside the helicopter. To make sure the soldier was safe from the zombies wanting to attack especially upon hearing the helicopter once it was going to take off, he jammed the rooftop door as he did the other, pushing the thick steel door into its frame.

He decided he would do a search of the building to see if any scientist were still hiding inside. When he was done with that, then he'd make contact with Dr. Masterson again. He levitated down several levels and back through the window of Lab A,Vincent's workstation.

Chapter Two

“Sir, we need to leave this area. We have reports that this city has been compromised,” Staff Sergeant Enrico Santiago informed Major Garrett. “I would suggest boarding a plane in Decatur. Surprisingly, it hasn't been breached yet. Attempting to use the Abraham Lincoln airport might put us in direct contact with the threat, sir.”

“Shit,” Major Garrett said. “I knew they'd breach the city soon, with the speed these things are traveling at. Very well. Let Decatur know we're on our way.”

“Yes, sir,” Enrico lifted the walkie-talkie to his mouth and relayed the Major's orders to a soldier on the other end.

Maj. Garrett turned addressing the room. “All right everyone, we need to vacate this building. Helicopters are waiting on the roof, time to move out.”

“Wait, we can't leave here without the resources,” Vincent said, rising from his seat.

“Doctor, we can't afford to wait any longer. We haven't heard back from whoever the hell that guy is in over ten minutes and I haven't been able to make contact with my team--”

“Well, we know that one guy said he was taking them to some other location in St. Louis. Your team may still be alive,” Vincent stated.

“That may be, Dr. Masterson, but that doesn't change our situation here. Those things will be here before we know it and I don't plan on being around when they bust through those doors, do you?”

Maj. Garrett gave a brief pause to allow for his words to sink in to anyone who was still thinking about waiting around for any reason.

Vincent shook his head. “We should go, you're right, but we need to still try to make contact with that guy. He has all of my research.”

Maj. Garrett shook his head. “We need to assume he didn't make it out. He was one man in a building surrounded by those things. If my team couldn't make it out, I have little hope that he did. What you've gathered so far will have to be enough. We need to neutralize as many cities infected with this disease as fast as possible. Including this one.” He turned to the others. “Gather that equipment and whatever else you can. I still have a man on that roof I haven't been able to get in contact with either. If by some chance he can contact us, I want to keep the lines open.”

“Sir, I've just received information from the FBI on the two men who intercepted our men,” Enrico said, handing Maj. Garrett the printed papers.

“About fucking time. Let's see who these two S-O-Bs are.” Maj. Garrett began reading over the documents while consciously directing the others in the room in an effort to evacuate quickly and smoothly. “Get these people to the roof and make sure all of the entrances are sealed off. That should buy us some time.”

“I've already done that, sir. I'll get these civilians to the roof,” Enrico followed the orders and began to lead the few remaining employees up to the roof. The building was pretty much empty as only a handful had stayed to assist in recovering the files at SciTech Labs.

Maj. Garrett’s brows creased as his eyes scanned the words on the pages. He was confused by what he was reading.
Just what in the hell did an extremely wealthy, high-end art dealer, which was Cassian Aetius and an investment banker, being Logan Marcelo think they were doing by interfering with a federal mission. How in the hell did they even know about it?
These questions were running through Maj. Garrett's mind. He needed to know where his men were, those Cassian said would be taken to a “safe place”. Exactly what was going on in St. Louis?”

“Do you know who they are?” Vincent asked as he walked alongside the Major, keeping pace with him. He held Sarah's hand as they made their way to the roof with Felicia, William and Dr. Powers trailing behind them. Samantha had taken the other helicopter along with the two children. Maj. Garrett Opened the rooftop door, immediately shielding his eyes from the wind and dust the powerful helicopter blades were kicking up.

“Major, do you know who they are?” Vincent asked again, this time more forcefully. 

“I don't know them, but I know who they
are
now,” Major Garrett finally replied. “Are you keeping track of the monitor?”

“Yes, I have the screen and headset on, but I haven't heard from that guy... what's his name?” Vincent asked.

“Cassian Aetius. Apparently, he's some big shot rich ass art dealer in Chicago. Our next stop is an airport in Decatur. Then, from there--Atlanta.”

“Great, that works for me,” Vincent said. He held the door open for Sarah and the others. Then he ran with them, head ducked down toward the remaining helicopter.

Soon, he'll be at a location where he can make a difference. At least, that's what he hoped. A part of him felt like what he really needed was at SciTech Labs and they lost their one chance to get it. He'd have to do whatever he could with what he had.

~*~

Cassian had found only one person left alive during his sweep of SciTech Labs. A female intern who had hidden successfully--at least for the time being--inside a lab on the tenth floor. The woman was terrified when Cassian crashed through the window behind her. She'd screamed and scrambled for the barricaded door and a sure death but Cassian caught her before she could reach the mountain of metal cabinets, chairs and tables she'd set up blocking the door. Through his powerful persuasion, he was able to calm her down. He also took that time to see what purpose she could serve. In a daze, trapped in the vortex of his mental compulsion, the woman told Cassian her name; Isabelle and her job, which was personal assistant to Steve Morris.

“So, you'll be food,” Cassian said, not really caring what effect his words had on the already shaken and entranced human. He'd already determined that her skills would be of no use to them. Taking her up to the roof, he sent her and all of the research material to St. Louis. He was pleased to acquire the helicopter as well as the extra humans. He stepped back as the soldier ignited the engine. The blades began to rotate furiously, whipping up wind and dust particles. Cassian shielded his eyes as he monitored the helicopters assent. Just as he suspected, he could hear banging and clawing on the other side of the metal rooftop door as the zombies gathered there drawn by the sound. Cassian watched as the helicopter drifted away from the building heading in the direction of the coordinates given.

Now he was on his way to the one human who was the most important.

Flying high, above the chaos, he saw firsthand vampires infected with the virus advancing at superhuman speeds, feeding and mutilating people stranded on the highway and expressways. By the time he made it to Springfield, the zombies were breaching the city.

Cassian perched himself on the rooftop of the Hilton where he could overlook the city. He clicked the headset back on. “Doctor, I'm in Springfield. Where are you?”

“You're still alive, thank God!” Vincent exclaimed, a little too excitedly but he was beyond caring what he looked like to the others. Just knowing Cassian was alive meant the research was still attainable.  When the screen clicked back on and he heard Cassian's voice, he felt a glimmer of hope. The first glimmer he had since the moment he knew Sarah was still alive. “We're leaving Springfield right now. We're on our way to Decatur.”

“Where are you now?” Cassian asked once more, his tone was dark and serious.

Vincent paused, a frown on his lips. Everything about the stranger unnerved him. He looked at Maj. Garrett, who stared at him expectantly.

Maj. Garrett mouthed the words “go on”, encouraging Vincent to continue. He was fiddling with his own headset, trying to get the device to work.

“We've just lifted off from the Illinois Department of Public Health building. We're heading east.” Just as Vincent answered the question a thought came to him. “How did you get to Springfield so fast?”

“Are you inside the green helicopter labeled 'U.S. Marines'?” Cassian asked.

“Yeah. H... How? What? Where
are
you?” Vincent looked out of several windows, trying to find the helicopter Cassian was traveling in.

“What's going on?” Maj. Garrett inquired. He had begun looking out of the windows as well, trying to see what Vincent could be looking for.

Vincent muted the headset. “He says he's in Springfield and that he sees our helicopter, but I can't find his.”

“How the fuck did he get here so fast?” Maj. Garrett asked.

“I don't know. That's what I was trying to find out,” Vincent said, then clicked the headset back on. “Where's your helicopter?”

“Dr. Masterson, please move away from the door,” Cassian instructed.

“What? Why?” Vincent asked.

“Please do as I say,” Cassian ordered.

Curious and confused, Vincent did as instructed. Both he and Sarah moved away from the door, taking the seats next to Felicia.

“What's going on?” Felicia asked.

Vincent shrugged. “He wanted me to move away from the door.”

“What the hell?” Maj. Garrett's brows creased. “Why would he ask that?”

“I don't fucking know!” Vincent shot back.

“Enough of this,” Maj. Garrett growled as he tossed his faulty device to the floor and snatched Vincent's headset from his head then slid it on his own. “Listen to me very carefully, civilian. You are interfering with a federal mission. At this point, you will take your orders from me if you wish to avoid spending time in a federal prison. Do I make myself cl--”

Maj. Garrett's voice caught in his throat as the door to the helicopter was ripped off its hinges and tossed below. Everyone inside the helicopter screamed and crammed as far as they could to get away from the man who was now looking at them from the open doorway. The helicopter listed to the side as the pilot, panicked by the sound of the metal breaking and the gust of wind that followed, lost control of the aircraft momentarily. He looked behind him to see what had happened as he steadied the helicopter once more.  Cassian took a quick glance at everyone who was inside bundled together and grasping for anything to hold onto. He immediately located Vincent in the group and the female who was in the photo with him. His eyes shot back at the Marine with the Major ranks on his lapels who was now pulling his gun from his holster.

“Don't,” Cassian ordered, locking eyes with Maj. Garrett, then he turned his gaze on Sgt. Santiago, who was also aiming his assault rifle. “Lower your weapon.”

Both men did as they were ordered, unable to look away.

“Pilot, keep this aircraft steady and follow these coordinates.” Cassian gave the man the coordinates to Costco's in St. Louis as he climbed inside the helicopter, and settled comfortably in one of the seats as he kept his eyes on the frightened humans.

All eyes were on him and he could tell they had a million questions, but only his would be answered at this time. He looked at Vincent. “Dr. Masterson, very interesting to make your acquaintance. It's not every day I meet the man responsible for bringing on the end of days.”

Vincent stared at him, in spite of the wind now whipping through the helicopter, sweat still poured into his eyes and he blinked several times to clear his vision. His heart pounded so hard inside his chest he thought it would explode. His arms tightened around Sarah, painfully, so that he nearly crushed her as he held her closer.

“You may speak,” Cassian said, giving the human the permission and ability to answer his questions.

“Th...that w...was not my attention,” Vincent stammered.

Cassian huffed. “Of course it wasn't. Glory, notoriety and prosperity was your intentions, I'm sure. Well, you have notoriety, at least.”

Vincent frowned, unable to deny the claim. He remembered how excited he was after they first discovered their serum had worked. He had already begun imagining his future, the accolades that was awaiting him. Cassian studied him silently as he mulled over his words.

“You're a typical human,” Cassian said finally breaking the silence between them.

“And you're not,” Vincent shot back. He thought about how the man had entered the helicopter while it was in the air. It was impossible for a human to do. Well, not without some mechanical help at least. “How'd you do that? Get inside this helicopter, I mean?”

“I have all of the items you wanted me to gather,” Cassian said, purposely ignoring Vincent's question.

Vincent frowned. “You're not going to answer any of our questions, are you?” he asked.

“In time, I will.”

“What did you do to them?” Vincent pointed to the others.

“I silenced them. They are fully aware of the conversation we are having, they just won't be able to speak unless I allow it.”

“You're not human, of that I'm certain.”

“I'm not.”

“What are you? Have you been infected?”

“The ape you wanted me to bring was dead, its head nearly decapitated,” Cassian said, again derailing the line of questioning.

Catching the hint, Vincent played along. “Please tell me you brought him anyway? And where is all of my research?” He was hoping he didn't leave the animal there simply because it was dead. They could still use whatever they might find hidden in its biology.

“I did retrieve the chimpanzee and sent it off to St. Louis,” Cassian said, sneering slightly. The implication that he'd be foolish enough to leave behind such a valuable resource insulted him.