Rotter World (23 page)

“Turn that off,” asked Robson.

“No problem.” Jennifer pressed a button, replacing the view of rotters with the interior of the blast door and their vehicles.

The remaining banks of monitors each had three schematics beneath them representing the floors of each building. Jennifer pressed the SCAN button for each set, and the monitor views changed, showing the corridors, exits, or various rooms, lingering on each for five seconds before switching to another. As the views shifted, Jennifer continued her explanation. She pointed to the bank of monitors on the right.

“This is the building we’re in now. It holds the offices, mess hall, security offices…you get the idea. This building in the middle is the dormitory.”

“So security kept tabs on everyone?” asked Robson.

“No,” answered Jennifer with a don’t-be-silly tone to her voice. “When the facility was in use, security had orders not to monitor the rooms. The cameras were permanently locked onto the three corridors, the two exits, and the common area. At least they were whenever I was on duty.”

“So you’re not into voyeurism,” joked Robson.

Jennifer chuckled. “The building on the left also contains offices. But when we came down here from Fort Detrick shortly after the outbreak, the building was reserved for the infirmary and Compton’s personal use. Compton converted the larger rooms on the first floor to labs and his own living quarters. The other two floors are not being used except for the infirmary.”

Natalie pointed to a set of separate switches on the far right of the console. “What are those for?”

“Those are the master controls for the generator, air filtration system, freezer, and so on.” Jennifer pointed to one switch colored red. “That’s the alarm system for the facility. And you don’t want to touch the one beside it.”

“What is it? The self destruct mechanism?”

“In a sense. That one controls the main gates. Touch that and you’ll let all the rotters onto the compound.”

Natalie involuntarily took a step back from the console.

Robson only partially heard the conversation, concentrating instead on watching the monitors for any signs of rotter presence. One image in particular caught his attention. “Can you freeze that one?”

“Which one?”

“Second set of monitors. Bottom center.”

Jennifer pressed the button, freezing the monitor on a blackened room.

“What’s that?” asked Robson.

Jennifer searched the schematic for the green light. “That’s Compton’s private lab.”

“What’s in there?”

“I don’t know. I was never allowed in. Only the doctor and Colonel Thompson ever went in there.”

“Why aren’t there any lights on?”

“The doctor must have shut them off.”

“But why?”

Jennifer shrugged.

“I want to check it out, just to be on the safe side. Where is it located?”

“First floor of Compton’s building, third door on the left. You’ll need these.” Jennifer reached into her pocket and removed a set of keys, which she handed over to Robson.

“I’ll go with you,” said Natalie.

“You stay here with the radio in case I need to contact you.”

“But—”

“I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Natalie frowned but didn’t argue.

It took Robson only a few minutes to reach the door leading to the lab. It contained a knob with a lock and a deadbolt, both of which looked new. He tried the knob. As expected, it was locked. He used Jennifer’s keys on the knob, eventually finding the correct one. A few tries later, he unlocked the deadbolt. Robson removed his Colt and held it in his right hand. With his left, he knocked loudly on the door three rimes and listened carefully, waiting to see if he heard anything moving around on the other side. Nothing.

“Everything okay?” Natalie’s voice came over the hand-held radio.

Robson unclipped it from his belt and held it to his mouth. “Yeah. I’m heading inside now.”

“Please be careful.”

Robson replaced the radio. He turned the knob and pushed the door half way open. Not enough light filtered in from the corridor for him to see anything.

“Anyone in here?”

The room was quiet.

Robson raised the Glock into firing position and carefully stepped inside. He felt around the wall with his free hand until his palm ran over the light switch. He flipped it on. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered to life.

Robson turned to look into the room and gasped when he saw a horde of swarmers rushing toward him.

Chapter Thirty-seven

Robson fell back until his shoulder slammed against the wall. Screw the pain, he thought. He raised the Colt, knowing he could never fight off so many swarmers, but still hoping to take down at least one or two before they tore him apart. He didn’t fire, though. By now the swarmers should have been ripping into him. Instead, they remained ten feet away, still snarling and clawing. Only then did Robson realize that a Plexiglas partition stood between him and the swarmers. A heavy Plexiglas partition, he hoped.

“Mike, are you okay?” Natalie’s voice sounded frantic over the radio. “Mike!?”

“I’m fine.” Robson took a few steps forward to get into the camera angle. As he drew closer, the swarmers grew increasingly frantic. They clawed at the Plexiglas, some so desperately that they ripped out fingernails. One swarmer in an Air Force officer’s flight suit gnawed at its surface, succeeding only in dislodging a few teeth that dropped to the floor. Robson looked up at the camera just long enough to ensure Natalie he was all right, and then turned his attention back to the swarmers.

Natalie sounded only slightly less relieved. “I saw them lunge at you. I thought you were….”

“I would be if it wasn’t for the Plexiglas barrier.”

“I’m coming down.”

“Leave the radio with Jennifer. I want to talk to her.” Robson’s tone had an icy edge to it as his initial shock gave way to fury.

A few seconds later, Jennifer’s shaky voice came over the radio. “I’m so sorry. I had no—”

“What the fuck are you people doing keeping swarmers?"

“I had no idea they were there. I never would have let you—”

“Bullshit! How could you not know?”

“S-sir, please believe me. I’ve never been in that room. That’s Compton’s private lab. Only the doctor and the colonel ever went in there.”

Jennifer had mentioned that to him earlier. So far she had played straight with him. His anger with her quickly subsided. However, he was still furious at being lied to by Compton, and would have some choice words with the doctor about this later. “Are there any more swarmers or rotters I need to know about?”

“I d-doubt it, sir. Every other room checked out clean. You saw them for yourself.”

“Good enough. I trust you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“And stop calling me, sir.” Robson softened his tone. He looked up at the camera and forced a smile. “I want you to stay there for awhile and keep watching the monitors. Let me know if you see anything suspicious. I’ll have someone relieve you soon.”

“Roger.”

Robson stood back against the wall to wait for Natalie, using the time to study the swarmers. He counted seventeen in total. Christ, it had been months since any of them had encountered swarmers, which was fine by him. Rotters were bad enough. Rotters with speed, agility, and an increased ferocity were something he would prefer not to deal with. There was something unusual about them, although he could not readily place it.

The containment unit the swarmers were caged in took up half the lab. Two thirds of the front façade was comprised of double Plexiglas screens, constructed with an inch between them, probably to provide added protection if the swarmers somehow shattered the inner layer. The other third was a steel wall that contained a single metal door with four electronic deadbolts extending from the center at right angles, similar to a bank vault. He noticed another door on the metal wall making up the left interior of the cage. The three inner walls were all made of steel. Thank God whoever built this knew what they were doing.

Robson heard several pairs of feet racing down the corridor. With his eyes still on the swarmers, he backed out of the lab. Taking a quick look, he saw Natalie running down the hall as fast as she could manage, a Mauser clutched in front of her. Tiara and Sandy were right behind.

“Everything’s okay,” he called to them.

“The fuck it is.” Natalie panted lightly from the sprint. “There’s swarmers in this facility. That puts us all in danger.”

“They’re sealed up tight. They can’t get out.”

“They’re a threat just by being here.”

Robson stepped back into the lab and motioned for the Angels to join him. When the three women entered, the swarmers went wild again, even more frenzied this time at the prospect of food. The three women stayed close to the far wall. Tiara had raised her Mauser ready to fire from the hip if necessary.

“See. They can’t get to us, though not for a lack of trying.”

Natalie kept her eyes fixed on the swarmers. “That bitch should never let you come in without warning you.”

“It’s not Jennifer’s fault. I reamed her out, but she swore she didn’t know about them. I believe her. She said only Compton and Thompson ever came into this lab.”

“Figures,” spat Natalie. “I don’t trust those two.”

“Oh, my God.” Tiara’s face twisted in a look of horror. “They’re all military.”

Robson took another look at the swarmers, suddenly realizing what he had found unusual about them. Except for a female with long red hair and dressed in a white lab coat, all of them wore battle fatigues from the various services. They were all members of Compton’s and Thompson’s staff. Being swarmers, they could only have been turned four or five weeks previous, at most. Something else also dawned on Robson. As he scanned each one, he noticed that none of them bore any noticeable bites or wounds, nor were they covered in blood, which ruled out their being infected during an attack on the facility.

“What the fuck is going on here?” asked Natalie, her fear replaced with anger.

“I have no idea,” answered Robson. “But I know who does.”

Chapter Thirty-eight

When Robson and the Angels arrived back at the vehicles, Tibor had already returned from the infirmary and was talking to the rest of the group. He noticed them approaching and stepped back to make room for them.

“I was just telling the others that Thompson will be all right. He has a mild concussion, but Compton says he’ll be back on his feet in a day or—”

“I don’t give a shit about the colonel.” Robson stopped in front of the group, consciously trying not to direct his anger at Tibor. “Where’s Compton?”

“He’s in the infirmary with Thompson. The Angels are with him.” Tibor suddenly realized something was wrong. “Why?”

“Oh, the good doctor forgot to mention that he has seventeen swarmers locked up in his private lab.”

A flurry of responses bombarded Robson. He held up his hands to quiet everyone. “They’re in a reinforced cage, so there’s no immediate danger. But I’m pissed that neither he nor the colonel thought to tell us about them beforehand.”

“Are you sure we’re safe?” asked Daytona as his hand felt for his firearm.

Natalie answered. “They tried to get at us, but their cage is pretty solid. They’re not getting out unless someone lets them out.”

“That doesn’t mean we can let our guard down,” added Robson. “God knows what other surprises are hidden around here. Until I know exactly what we’re facing, everyone is to carry a weapon with them at all times. And no one is to go anywhere without a buddy. Is that clear?”

The others nodded or mumbled in the affirmative.

Robson pointed to the center building behind him. “That’s the dormitory. I want each of you to double up with someone so you’re not alone, and stay together on the first floor. I don’t want anyone separated from the rest of the group. Now get some rest. We have a long day ahead of us.”

As everyone gathered their gear, Robson waved O’Bannon over. “I need you to do me a favor.”

“Sure. What?”

“The guard room over in the third building has monitors for every security camera in this place. Jennifer’s on watch right now. After you find a bunk, relieve her. She’ll brief you on how the system operates.” Robson glanced at his watch. “It’s a little after seven now. I’ll have one of the Angels spot you around noon.”

“Anything in particular I’m looking for?”

“Mostly stray rotters that may be wandering around. And keep close tabs on Compton.”

“Roger.” O’Bannon followed the others into the dormitory.

Robson waited until Dravko exited the school bus and ushered him to one side so no one could overhear. “I want you, Tibor, and Tatyana to stay in one room, and reserve the one across from it for me.”

Dravko seemed disturbed by the order. “You’re keeping an eye on us?”

“I’m looking out for you. Something about this place doesn’t sit right with me.”

Dravko nodded slightly.

“Now get some rest and regenerate that arm. We’re going to need you at full capacity tomorrow.”

Robson waited until everyone had drifted off to find a place to bunk down before turning to Natalie. “It’s time we talk to Compton.”

* * *

Robson led the way to the infirmary. He knew which room to go to because the Angels milled around the door. Ari leaned against the wall. Emily sat on the floor. Bethany crouched between them, her wrist now in a cast and her arm in a sling. When they saw Robson and Natalie approaching, the three stood to greet them.

Natalie waved at them to stand down. “Is Compton still in there?”

Ari nodded. “He’s with Thompson. Looks like the colonel will be okay.”

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”

The tone of Robson’s voice took the Angels by surprise. Ari looked to the other Angels, then back to Robson. “What’s up?”

“I’ll explain later,” said Natalie. “We’ll take it from here. Join the others in the dormitory and find yourselves a place to sleep.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Robson waited until the Angels had left before he and Natalie entered the infirmary. Twenty hospital beds filled the ward. Thompson rested comfortably on the one opposite the doorway, an IV drip inserted into his inner elbow. Compton stood by him, jotting notes onto a clipboard. The doctor looked up as they entered, and then went back to scribbling.

“I can tell by the look on your face that you’re not here to check up on the colonel’s health.”

“Why didn’t you warn us about the swarmers locked away in your private lab?” demanded Robson.

“Forgive me,” Compton said with sincerity. “I was concerned with getting Bethany and the colonel medical care and forget to mention it.” He inserted his pen between the clip and the board, and hung it on a hook at the end of Thompson’s bed. “How did you find out about them?”

“While I was checking out your private lab they charged the Plexiglas cage. Scared the shit out of me.”

“I’m truly sorry about that. I planned to warn you about the revenants when we arrived at Site R, but as I said, I was preoccupied with the colonel’s health.”

“Why didn’t you warn us back at camp?”

Compton answered with the shrug of someone who never questioned his original decision, but now had second thoughts. “You’re right, of course. I guess I never mentioned them earlier because I don’t see them as a threat.”

Before Robson could argue that point, Natalie jumped in. “Who are they? Why are they all dressed in military fatigues?”

“They’re some of the bravest men and women I’ll ever know.” Compton leaned against the hospital bed opposite the colonel’s. “Each one of them agreed to try out the variations of the vaccine. Unfortunately, as you saw, I had several failures before I was able to perfect the serum.”

Natalie was aghast. “You mean they were guinea pigs?”

“Volunteers. Every single one was a willing participant. They were fully aware of the risks before I injected them.”

“Couldn’t you have experimented on animals instead?” asked Robson.

“The results would have been inconclusive. A far as we know, animals are not affected by the Revenant Virus. I required human test subjects.”

“What about their families?” Natalie could not let go of the horror of it all.

Compton pulled up the sleeve of his lab coat and began unbuttoning his shirt sleeve as he responded. “Everyone who joined me at Site R was selected because they had no immediate family members. It was necessary if we wanted to concentrate on finding a cure for this virus. And before you think I’m some type of monster, remember that I even volunteered to be a test subject.” Compton raised his shirt sleeve, showing them his scarred-over bite wounds.

Though he did not necessarily agree with the doctor’s methods, he understood why he had taken that course of action. “Why didn’t you dispose of them as they turned?”

“I was hoping to find a serum that not only prevented humans from catching the Revenant Virus but that could reverse the effects for someone newly infected. Unfortunately, there’s no such miracle cure. By that time, there were too many to risk exterminating them. The colonel and I felt it better to leave them in the containment cell to deal with later.” Compton pushed himself off the bed. “I admit that was an error in judgment.”

Robson couldn’t argue that point. God knows he had made quite a few bad calls since the outbreak began. “Is the vaccine ready to go?”

“Not yet. I planned on getting some rest before I begin.”

“How long will it take?”

“I have to make enough serum for all of us, plus extra for those at camp. I also need to make back-ups of all my notes. Everything should be ready in the next thirty-six hours or so.”

“Good. I want to get out of here and back to camp as soon as possible.”

“Understandable.”

“Everyone is bunking down in the dormitory. I’ll have them save a room for you.”

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather stay here tonight in case the colonel takes a turn for the worse.”

Robson thought about it for a moment. “Makes sense. I’ll have one of the Angels join you for protection.”

“No need to bother any of them. I’m perfectly safe. Besides, I have a radio if I need help.”

“Have it your way. I’ve posted someone in the security room to keep an eye on things. Call them if you need anything.”

“I will.”

Robson and Natalie left the doctor in the infirmary and headed back to where they had parked the convoy. Once they were far enough away so they couldn’t be heard, Natalie asked, “Do you buy his story?”

“About forgetting to tell us about the swarmers? It sounds legit.”

“Maybe.” Natalie shrugged. “I still don’t trust him.”

“He’s definitely holding out on us. I’ll check out what tomorrow.”

“I hate to tell you,” said Natalie as she looked at her watch. “It’s already tomorrow.”

“What time is it?”

“A little after eight.”

“Shit. We’ve been on the go for fourteen hours. “

“You need to get some rest.”

“I will. First I want to take a look around the facility and get my bearings. I don’t want any more surprises.”

“I’ll go with you,” offered Natalie.

“No need for that. I’ll be fine.”

“I can’t let you do that.” Her smile bordered on flirtatious. “No one’s supposed to go off on their own. Remember?”

“I’m too tired to argue.” Truth be known, Robson appreciated her company. “Come on. Let’s make this quick so we can get some rest.”