The Great War (Surviving the Zombie Nightmare Book 5) (11 page)

“Should I shoot?”

This time she did spare a glance at the soldier, “Are you fucking crazy? You are not shooting that weapon at Eric or the wad of zombies around him unless you want me to gag you with your large intestines.”

The soldier's face soured a bit and he said, “Uh, yes ma'am. Got it. I'll fire on your command.”

Destiny nodded her approval but then the soldier's face changed again. He looked more afraid than he had since they had bound him in the first place back beside the main road. She shook her head, “What? What now?” He said nothing but just shook his head and pointed out the windshield of the truck.

She looked around, following his finger and saw the pile of zombies had grown larger still but that wasn't the scary thing about it. The entire ball was beginning to shake and tremble like a massive hand was shaking them around in its' palm. Without saying so, she wondered if this was it. Was Eric finally going to bite the bullet and be unable to get out. Then again, who could get out of that ball? Her answer came in the next second.

With all of the glamor of a perfectly crafted explosion, the giant ball of zombies suddenly seemed to crush inward and then literally explode. She didn't see any spark or fire but that was an explosion if she had ever seen one. Standing in the middle of the explosion was a man who was clearly at times not very human at all. His hair seemed to be a shade lighter and his face held an expression of serenity. That was where the feel-good part stopped. His clothing was in tatters and there were sores all over him where the zombies had clawed through his shirt or pants and into his flesh. His arms were held out wide to the side and he was standing perfectly straight and still with his eyes closed tight.

Suddenly the warehouse seemed somehow lit up as Eric lifted himself up from the machine telepathically. He was actually floating over towards the truck while keeping the exact same pose that he had held to blow the zombies off of him. At first she wondered if he was showing off by floating over. Apparently the soldier thought that too once he found his voice.

“Fucking, no fucking way he just did that shit and now he's fucking flying! What is he?”

Destiny didn't look back but looked instead at the strange way Eric's feet were situated and said, “He's floating over here because his legs are broken.”

“Oh, oh shit!” the O.A. soldier said, “What now?”

“Do you not see the sores healing themselves on his skin?” Destiny said in awe of the man, “He'll be fine.” There were no zombies around the immediate area so she got out and ran around the truck to help him to the ground. She saw the look of agony on his face as he lowered himself to the ground and said, “I've got you Eric. Let yourself go.” He didn't at first and she yelled, “Eric! Let go!” At once the bubble of telepathic brilliance that had surrounded him was gone and she barely was able to stop him from falling or hurting his legs more. She threw him face down across the passenger's seat then ran back to the driver’s side.

There was so much she could say about what she had just witnessed but Eric was completely unconscious lying across the seat. It was just as well because she knew already there were no words to correctly describe what she felt. This man was so much more than a regular guy with a few abilities. For whatever reason she had fought him before, it didn't matter now. Right then Destiny determined that she would do everything she could up until and possibly including her dying breath to assist him in doing whatever it was, that whoever there was, among angels or gods was giving him abilities to do.

She didn't really know where the sudden desire to assist him came from and she absolutely did not care. He had just saved her life again and this time it would not go silently into the evening. Now his mission was her mission. As she turned the truck around the zombies that survived Eric's incredible explosion were making their way back to the truck. She pulled out the door that she couldn't even remember opening and said to the O.A. soldier, “Fire!” The warehouse exploded in a wash of white and a ball of fire as she drove through the opening in the woods.

The mood of the meeting was somber to say the least. For everyone at the table with the exception of herself and Peyton Terry, who sometimes met in one on one meetings, this was the first meeting without Abe
l Nichols. Dr. Cain was aware of the fact that there were mixed feelings all around the room but that did not trouble her. Most everyone knew nothing about the death of Nichols anyway. The only two that knew she shot him would soon take center stage in this meeting; a meeting that should take a high place among the most important ever held in that room.

She cleared her throat and everyone's attention fell on her. With a gentle smile she looked at each face around the table, “Mr. Terry, Mandy, Phillip Cornell, Dr. Neal and Admiral Bullosky, this meeting begins with each of us having a heavy heart. Our coworker and dear friend, our brother in arms,” she clinched her fist, “Abel Nichols was found dead of a gunshot wound to his head recently. As you all know by now, we have been investigating the cause of his death since the terrible discovery. We can now give you an educated assumption as to what likely took place but there will be much more on that later.

“For now,” Cain continued, “We have a new member to welcome to our table. Mr. Phillip Cornell has been an understudy, for lack of a better term, of Nichols for the better part of four years. He might not have the credentials among those at this table that Nichols enjoyed but trust me when I tell you that he is more than qualified. For our first order of business, we will allow Mr. Cornell to have the floor and introduce himself properly. Feel free Mr. Cornell to tell us all about yourself.”

The young man appeared to be roughly in his middle thirties. He stood up and walked around the table. Dr. Cain was surprised because nobody ever walked to her spot to speak. Considering her general good mood and the fact that she was putting the new guy on the spot, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and let him stand near her, though of course she refused to move over for him. He stood next to her and Admiral Bullosky as if he were something special. It was an odd thing for someone just chosen to fill a chair. Cain hadn't even cared who filled the spot and had left it up to Bullosky to choose someone to at least appear to fill Nichols' shoes.

“Hello and good morning Organic Ascendancy,” he began, “My name is Phillip Cornell. As Dr. Cain has told you, I have been an associate of Mr. Abel Nichols for some time now. Though my age seems fairly young compared to most in this room, I assure you that my level of knowledge and experience will not disappoint. I came on here at O.A. roughly five years ago, almost to the day actually. At that time I was thirty years old and was already considered one of the world's foremost experts on the supernatural realm. My knowledge has only increased in the time I spent working with Abel.” He smiled towards Bullosky, “I would be remiss if I did not thank Admiral Bullosky for giving me this opportunity. He has taught me as much in the time he has been here as I learned from Nichols the entire time before and that is saying something. I don't want to get too long winded here today but I will tell you that your spiritual needs and guidance are in great hands. I look forward to working with all of you.”

As she watched him go back to the correct side of the table and sit in his chair, Dr. Cain wondered who this really was. It had been clear to most everyone she talked to that the presence of an actual demon negated any real need for a spiritual guide. Yet here Cornell was acting like he was the second coming, as if just him being at the table made everything alright. It wasn't just what he said or the way he said it that was troubling to her though. What bothered her most was how badly she wanted to believe him. Looking around the table, she saw that everyone was nodding towards him with a smile on their face with the exception of Mandy who appeared to be filing her fingernails. It also occurred to Cain that she might feel suspicious towards Cornell simply because of the knowledge she had of Nichols before and during his death.

Not for the first time she wondered why that girl was allowed into these meetings. She clearly had no idea what was going on and did not appear to care. But Bullosky had demanded that she be included for whatever reason. All Dr. Cain had ever seen her do was something ridiculous like nail-filing or causing trouble. She decided to allow it for now but if she continued to be nothing but a distraction and an eyesore, Cain would deal with her and these meetings. She did not need to sit here and be a part of these proceedings to have a baby. It didn't make sense.

Suddenly Cain realized that her good mood was gone and she didn't even know how she lost it. It clearly started with Cornell but everyone else was happy enough with the new guy. Why was she so irritated by him? It didn't make good sense, even considering her personal refusal to give him due respect, so she decided to do her best to put it out of her mind. They had very important, organization-changing, no, history-changing business to attend to.

“Thank you for that stirring speech and welcome to the team Mr. Cornell. Do know that we will not hold you to the same standard that Mr. Nichols was held to before his untimely demise. Now,” she regained her good mood and her smile just at the thought of what was coming, “We have one terribly important bit of business to get to. I will introduce this with just a couple of bits of information before turning the floor over to Admiral Bullosky and finally Dr. Isaiah for the big reveal.”

A look around the table showed that the interest of Mr. Terry was fully on her. He clearly had no idea what was coming and that was a very odd thing for the man who had been in charge of planning everything for O.A. during his time served. Cain had already planned for some backlash from him just based on the fact that he had no idea what was going on. Mandy had put away her nail file and was actually looking in Dr. Cain's direction. That was a first to her recollection. Cornell looked to be casually interested with his fingers steeped in front of him and his elbows on the table. Dr. Isaiah Neal was staring blankly ahead as if he was asleep with his eyes open. If she didn't know him so well she would be worried but Dr. Cain knew that he was probably just focusing on what he was going to say. It was quite an important announcement after all. Bullosky was stone-faced.

She smiled proudly as she began her introduction, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have before us a historical moment for Organic Ascendancy and for the entire human race. The world of science and medicine, even in the lessened effect they have in the current world, will never be the same. For further introduction, here is Admiral Bullosky.”

The large demonic admiral stood with the same stone expression on his face and began to speak, “It would be less than honest for me to tell anyone here that I cared a great deal about humanity. Being of demonic origin, I obviously care much more about my own future and that of my demon brothers. Even seeing this as being true, I must admit that what you are about to see is something that I never thought I would see. It did include power and input from myself and my associates but most of the work and research belongs to Dr. Neal. He has achieved something the likes of which most would never even dream that humankind could achieve. He has earned the respect of many and the fear of many others. I can say no more. Dr. Isaiah, the floor is yours.”

Dr. Cain smiled at the way that Bullosky introduced Dr. Isaiah. For a few moments she wondered if he would just keep the same stone-faced expression and fail to give the proper attention to Dr. Isaiah and the amazing things that Organic Ascendancy had achieved. Truth be told, a lot of this had to do with her and what she wanted to do in order to defeat Eric Bayne and Destiny. She figured she and the O.A. brass could handle Destiny. After all, they were the ones who made her who she was. Bayne was different. He was completely different in every way. It was possible that he was the most powerful human ever and he certainly had been blessed with more super-powers than any other human in known or written history.

It was going to take extreme measures to defeat someone with that level of telepathic and regenerative ability. What Dr. Isaiah was about to announce was the key to the final defeat Bayne. She knew it in her soul. This was the key that would unlock the door to the demise of the legend of Bayne. Something inside of her told her that there would be another battle between them and when that battle came, she was certain this breakthrough would allow her the upper hand to get Bayne on his knees and defeated once and for all.

With a look as blank as death itself, Dr. Isaiah finally stood slowly to his feet. He looked slowly around the table starting from his right with Cornell. His cold gaze fell across Mandy and then around to Peyton Terry before finally stopping on Admiral Bullosky. When he locked eyes with the demon, there was a faint hint of a grin in the edge of his mouth and a slight gleam in his eyes. It faded as quickly as it showed itself however and he turned his attention to the room as a whole. Maybe it was nothing but she thought it odd that he made a point of looking at everyone in the room without actually looking at her. As he started to speak she shrugged it off and listened intently.

“This is not a good thing for anyone,” Isaiah started in a cold and dry voice. “Do not be fooled by the language you have heard here today. Nothing about this so-called breakthrough is good. It is not good for me as the doctor responsible for the technology to achieve it. It is not promising for a human race which is in the final stages of being completely removed from the planet and replaced with something which could not be called, in short; human.

“I do not mean to dampen the mood here today,” he continued. “To be sure this is an amazing medical and magical breakthrough. I cannot take complete credit though and actually I would not take complete credit even if you all wanted to give it to me. Admiral Bullosky, the demon in our midst had a lot to do with this as well. To be completely open and honest, I do not know how much of his power and magical ability went into this breakthrough. He deserves as much of the credit and, some would say blame, as I do.”

Dr. Cain stood from her seat. It was rare that she sat down anyway so it should not have been shocking that she would stand up. Still, she didn't even get the words from her mouth before Isaiah looked at her, “The floor belongs to me Dr. Cain. With all due respect, considering all that has happened over the last few weeks, I deserve the chance to speak my mind on this. I calmly request the opportunity to continue uninterrupted.”

Cain looked to the side and took two long breaths to calm herself down. This was not in any way standard in the way things were done and she did not like it. But then again, she needed the technology and the doctor who was speaking needed to be around when she needed it. That would be rather soon so she would relent. She would sit back down and allow him to disrespect her in her sanctuary. With a smile that was clearly forced she said, “Very well Dr. Isaiah. Be mindful of the rank and file here and of the fact that not everyone is privy to the inner workings of your lab or my office.”

Isaiah nodded blankly, “Right as rain doctor. She is right you know,” he looked to the others at the table. “None of you know the things I have done in my office or in my lab in the last several years. It would push the boundaries of humanity and decency if you had seen some of the things I have done. You are all aware by now that I was able to bring beheaded zombies back to life. That is something that succeeded and that you were allowed to see. Be thankful and prayerfully glad that you do not know all of the things I have dabbled in during my time here. It has only grown more disturbing since the demons became our partners. That at least should have been easy enough to foretell. Nonetheless, we are not here for that discussion.

“As far as what I am here to tell you about and show you today,” he continued with his hands in his pockets and his head lowered, “It surpasses anything else ever done here by me tenfold. Literally this is the most amazing, disturbing and upsetting project I have ever been a part of. Rest assured that you all should be glad and thankful that you do not find yourselves in my shoes now and be thankful that you were not in my shoes when these things were asked of me.”

With the same posture he walked to the door and opened it a crack. He nodded and said something that no one in the room could hear. When he turned back around he kept his hands in his pockets and looked up with reddened eyes. “Trust me when I tell you that I take no pride in what you are about to see. It makes me sick to my stomach.” He walked over to where Phillip Cornell was sitting and listening. Isaiah placed his hands on Cornell's shoulders briefly, “Thank you for being willing to take over for my dear friend Abel Nichols. I have a couple of doctors under me who also know a lot of what I do. They do not know my most terrifying accomplishments but they are all recorded in great detail in my notes.”

He walked back over to the door. “Not everyone here knows how far back Abel and I go. It doesn't matter now but I want you all to know, you especially Dr. Cain, that it changed me forever when I saw him die.” He shook his head as he looked at the floor once again. When he looked back up there were tears in eyes. “I miss him greatly. For those of you who are terrified by what you are about to see, I am sorry. For those among you who will be happy, proud or satisfied by what you are about to see, I am even more sorry for the kind of person the world has turned you into. I for one am finished allowing angels, demons, bosses, wars, zombies, soldiers, or goddamn anything else tell me what to do or how to live.” He stepped to one side and opened the door.

With a wave of his hand a man walked in with a severe and blank stare. Gasps filled the room at the sight of him. He was wearing all black armor with weapons all over it. Guns rested along the left leg and around the belt while there were blades along the belt and a sword sheathed on his back. The tone of his skin was pale, almost to the point of a cadaver, but he was clearly alive. The gasps of those at the table gave way to complete silence.