MuTerra-kindle (16 page)

She listened and filed the information away as he spoke. “What kind of protection did they give you for the radiation,” she asked with concern in her voice.

This was another area of conversation he had to sidestep with her. He was not going to lie, but he could not tell her what he had gone through either; not yet.

“They have Demron suits to protect against the radiation. They also have a decontamination facility between here and the outside. When I came back, all my readings were clean,” he said hoping that further explanations could be avoided.

They were as she moved on to another subject, “What did you do when you were out there?”

“They gave me instruments to take readings and collect samples. I guess that’s why they determined it was time to get started with their staging area project.”

“They―as in your father and my boss?”

“Yes.”

“Are you involved with this project?”

“No.”

She stood and stared at him until a slow smile began to take shape on her face. She went once again into his arms and stayed there with her head against his chest, “I love you,” she said.

“I love you too, honey,” he replied as he stroked the back of her head with one hand while holding onto her with the other.

SEVEN

The weeks following that historic announcement were filled with excitement and conversations of what was in store for the future. The call had gone out for volunteers, and while hundreds of people applied, only forty would be chosen. Jim Forrest was given the final say on who went, as he was leading the mission. Aside from one physician, and a three-man security team, all others were to be unmarried and proficient in their respective fields. Before they made their departure, two weeks of classes were given to prepare them for life on the outside. They learned how to monitor their radiation levels, to operate the portable decontamination unit, and identified other dangers they would need to be prepared to handle. They were trained in basic first aid and taught how to maintain their general health with the special rations set aside for them. In addition, fundamental training in the use of construction tools and materials was provided. They would all need to wear more than just one 'hat.’

The design resembled a large hangar with multiple offices lining the walls. Each had their respective purpose. The exterior of the hangar itself was constructed out of radiation absorbent panels. These and many of the other construction materials were being transported from deep storage holds around the clock. This would all take place at the original main entrance of the facility where those same supplies had been trucked in many years prior. A few vehicles, pallets of foodstuffs, and every necessary piece of equipment and raw materials on hand were stacked in the corridor just inside the mountain door. Once they were ready to begin, this area would be sealed with all future access limited to the work detail. They would move what was necessary outside, while setting up temporary shelter in the mountain itself. It was to be a temporary staging area until the outside construction was complete. Those who remained inside would be restricted from entering this area until the call came for their services.

It was estimated that the exterior frame would be finished within two months, adding another two for completing the more permanent living quarters. When the facility was capable of accommodating a full staff, other specialists would arrive. A radio and weather station was to be setup as soon as possible. Word had circulated that other people may have survived in underground bunkers around the world, so an external radio station was deemed appropriate. Scientists of varying specialties were necessary to study their new environment.

Those who were now ‘outside,’ were able to maintain contact through their closed circuit network with the ‘inside.’ Natural gas, water, and electrical lines were directly connected to their inside sources. It was almost as if they were just in another part of the mountain itself, but with fewer luxuries.

Jim Forrest was very motivated by his opportunity. He was in complete control of everything that went on outside the mountain. Not only was it his command alone, every step they made would be accredited to him in some way. He was in a position to influence the future of everyone who survived. He was looking forward to the challenge.

****

It was his ninth trip outside the mountain. The tunnel he exited was not as large as the main entrance where the others had begun construction. This one was only meant to handle foot traffic. On this trip, his mission was to cover as much ground as possible, so the supplies he carried were few. He decided to take a handgun with a few spare clips. He had yet to see animal or human, so he was not overly concerned. He also had his two knives, one in his boot, and one on his side. He never went anywhere without them. One thing that remained with him from survival school, and Special Forces training, was that a sharp knife enabled a person to carry out many other tasks, such as turning other implements into tools or weapons. It was more of a habit, than a necessity, but they remained with him ever since his first day here.

Aside from his wife being added to the list, no one else in the complex knew of his excursions. The process was the same each time, and Keith was enjoying himself. He only wished he could share the experience with Terri, but he knew that was impossible for now. He even thought about returning with a collection of flowers for her until he realized that it was an impractical idea. He was told that if he found what Dr. Maddow was searching for, others would be treated and be capable of leaving as well.

The doorway opened on the east side of the mountain, just as the main entrance did, the  difference was that it opened into a hidden area, not visible from afar, and it was almost one mile north of the other entrance. He started to jog as he welcomed the air into his lungs. His stamina was virtually unlimited, as he never seemed to tire. He could run non-stop. He only chose to walk when there was something to investigate or when he was just bored with running.

He headed north this day, along the rolling foothills. As the miles passed, he encountered more and more low growing scrub pines. He packed a popup shelter as he intended to go as far as he could on his rations. He was determined to find something new, a sign of life, a viable resource, anything. The clouds remained overhead, dark gray, and moving as if they were boiling in the sky, just out of reach, but his spirit was undiminished. He ran along old game trails, where he could find them, as these were often the most efficient routes to travel. The landscape along the foothills was bathed in muted colors from the lack of direct sunlight.

His first day was uneventful, but pleasant. As the skies grew darker, and the ambient light from the sun subsided, he built a small fire and made his camp. He was not sure if it was the time of year, or if the environment was starting to change, because he did notice that the cloud cover was lessening in intensity making the days seem longer, and the skies seem brighter in comparison to his first journey outside of the mountain. He stared into the fire and watched as the sparks rose into the night, and the kindling crackled as it was reduced to bright colored embers. It was not normally a smart thing to do, as his vision was impaired, but he had not come across anything yet, which posed a threat to his presence. He thought back to the camping trips they had when he was young. His mother, father, Frankie and he went camping at least once every year until his mother became too ill. That was when their family life changed. While she was alive, they were a family. She was not only the central figure; she was the glue that joined each individual to the other. When she was gone, they became separate, remaining a family only in name. Keith reflected on those memories. They were two distinct chapters in his life;
the life with Mom and the life after Mom.
Once the fire died down enough to not pose any danger of spreading, he crawled into his tent. He slept soundly for the few hours that were now normal for him. When he awoke, he ate, drank some water from a nearby stream, and secured his shelter. He made an early start.

―

He crested a small hill and saw a forested valley below. The fir trees were thick and tall. As he walked down the slope to enter the trees, he thought he saw a movement. He stopped. He did not notice it again, and he heard no sound, so he continued on. When he had gone several hundred yards into the forest, he detected movement once again. This time he was sure. He started on a parallel course to try to intercept whatever it was. He drew his handgun and walked as quietly as possible taking care where he placed his steps. He stopped at a small break in the trees that opened into a clearing, and saw the form of a person lying on the ground drinking from a puddle of water.

He decided to wait a moment to think on how to approach this. He did not want to scare the person away, but he did want to make contact. He replaced the pistol in its holster, and walked out into the open. Even though he was a few hundred yards away, he could see the individual was not in very good shape. He was raggedly dressed, and had an unhealthy look about him, which was only enhanced by his lack of any significant body weight. Keith’s eyes were as enhanced as were his other senses, which aided in his perception. This was something that took some time to get used to, but he could see where this ability would benefit him in circumstances such as this one.

After he took a few more steps, the person stopped drinking, and looked his way. It was as though he could not see him, although he was close enough, but was rather sniffing the air. He was quite emaciated. His hair was long, but thin and straggly. His eyes were sunken, and his skin was pale. There was no muscle tone, and only a minimum amount of clothing still hanging from his body. Keith decided to speak. “Hello. Who are you?”

He did not speak, or even acknowledge that he had heard him, he simply returned to drinking. Keith walked a little closer. “Hi there,” he said hoping to solicit a response; nothing. When he got off the ground, Keith stood still. It looked more like a creature than a man.
Maybe they were right in calling them MuTerra,
Keith thought.
They would hardly pass for human.
“Do you have a name? Do you live near here,” Keith tried once more.

The creature looked his way again, sniffed the air in his direction then walked off as if he did not exist. Keith decided to follow him, but at a safe distance. When he walked past the waterhole, he noticed it was quite brackish, something only a desperate creature would drink. He was easy to follow, as the smell was unmistakable. At no time did he ever look back or give any indication of concern that he was being followed.

After a mile or so, the creature walked into a cave. Keith decided to go in as well. It was a large cave just on the edge of the forest found amongst the large rocks aligning a hillside. He waited until his eyes became adjusted, then he moved on. The stench was increasing as he made his way. Soon, he came to an open cavern. It was as wide as it was long. He stopped and noticed even more of the creatures. There were about twenty of them. They did not talk, they did not even move around much. They were just there, some sitting, some standing. He stepped cautiously along the wall, but not one of them seemed to take notice or care that he was among them. When he came to a side passage, the smell became almost unbearable.

He looked inside the passage and saw a large pile of rotting bones; very little remained other than the bones themselves. He could tell some were human, and others were from a variety of animals. He decided these creatures were indeed not human, but had become something else altogether. He removed his pistol once again, and retraced his steps. They did not try to follow him as he left the cave.

He was not afraid of them, but he still decided to put some distance between himself and the cave. They did not look very healthy, but he was not interested in any unnecessary confrontation. He continued north at a healthy jog. As he went, a few things became clear, there were people alive out here, those in the cave, and those who they may have preyed upon. There was also evidence of wild animals. The bones were too new to be of long dead carcasses. He only hoped that what he found next was not as wretched and revolting as what he witnessed in the cave.