Operation Exodus: Part IV

Rogers took a long drag of his cigar, and let the thick smoke drift out of his mouth. It was the first time in a month that he had been allowed to the surface. The morning sun had chased away the chill, and he savoured the warmth on his pallid face. Better enjoy it while you can he thought. Who knows when they’ll let you out next? He looked over the courtyard of Camp St. Teresa. It was peaceful, and a lone raven hopped along the ground, looking for any scraps of food it could scavenge. There was a crackle behind him as a soldier’s walkie-talkie hissed instructions. Rogers turned around, knowing what the soldier was about to say.
‘Dr. Kahl needs to see you in his office,’ said the soldier. Rogers nodded sadly and took one last look at the sky, before heading back underground.

‘Come on son, you can trust me,’ said Dr. Logan. For three weeks he had been kept in his office, with nothing but books to read. At least one soldier was always on guard outside his door, with strict instructions that Logan was to go nowhere.
‘Sorry sir, nothing I can do.’ The young soldier scratched his arm nervously.
‘Tommy, we go way back. I remember when you were born, for god’s sake. Your father and I were hunting when your mom went into labour.’ Logan put a friendly arm on the soldier’s shoulder. ‘I still remember the look of panic that crossed his face when he got that phone call.’
‘But I’ll get in trouble,’ hissed Tommy. ‘I was told, “No phones or computers allowed.”’
‘I just need it to contact my wife, let her know I’m OK. No-one will ever find out.’
Tommy stared at the ceiling for a moment, and pulled at his ear lobe.
‘OK Dr. Logan, but if you get-‘
‘You’re a good boy Tommy, don’t worry about that.’ Logan smiled as Tommy scuttled down the corridor.

Above ground, Privates Mendes and Gaines were talking.
‘I’m just saying bro,’ said Gaines, ‘the shit’s gonna hit the fan in a big fucking way.’
‘We can’t go AWOL, not now,’ said Mendes. From the watchtower he could see a grey van about a mile from the front gate. A satellite dish on the roof was slowly revolving.
‘Fucking media,’ said Gaines, following Sam’s gaze. ‘Bunch of vultures. Look Sam, there’s six of us who want out. Tonight. We’re gonna take a humvee, and scoot our asses to Vegas.’
‘And what if those...things get out?’
Gaines’s walkie-talkie beeped, and he flicked the transmitter button irritably. ‘So fuck! What are we gonna do?’ He waved his hands above his head. ‘Ooooh, we lost some zombies! Who gives a shit, they’ll just get shot.’
Sam pointed at Gaines’s walkie-talkie. ‘You left it on,’ he said, and glanced to the media truck parked outside the camp. ‘Don’t give those fucks a story dude.’
‘Come with us Sam. Shit man, it’s October 31st! Halloween! In Vegas! Remember, 8 o’clock, and we’re history.’
‘We’ll see,’ said Mendes.

Rogers walked into Dr. Kahl’s office. The sharp aroma of whisky filled the room, and Kahl was slumped across his desk, holding an empty bottle of Kentucky Bourbon. He sat up slowly as Rogers coughed.
‘Aah, Dr. Rogers. Please sit,’ said Kahl slowly, rubbing his red rimmed eyes. ‘It seems we have a problem.’
Rogers sat on the stiff wooden chair and looked around the office. Papers were scattered on the floor, and a trash can had been knocked over. It looked like it had been kicked; there was a large dent in the side.
‘Our funding has been cut,’ continued Kahl. ‘Seems like our project was not proceeding fast enough. It’s all over.’
‘Over sir? The whole project?’
Kahl looked at his fingernails. ‘Well, the important part. I guess we could still try and make a vaccine.’
‘Isn’t that what we’ve been doing all along?’ said Rogers.
Kahl looked at him, wearing a lopsided grin. ‘So innocent. I guess we may as well get Logan back to work now. No point in keeping him locked up anymore.’
Rogers let out a sigh of relief.
Then all the lights went out.

Above ground, Gaines had climbed up to Mendes’s watchtower.
‘Time to go bud, you coming?’
Mendes stared at the distant lights of Las Vegas. ‘Fuck it, let’s go.’ They hopped down the ladder and were scurrying across the courtyard when all the floodlights went dark. There was an ominous creek as the door to the main quarantine section opened. A body fell out. Then stood up.
‘Ooooh shit,’ said Mendes.


Logan took the hand-held computer from Tommy, and patted him on the back.
‘I’ll just be a few minutes son.’ He closed the door before sitting at his desk. Cracking his knuckles he stared at the computer. Keep me hostage will you? His fingers danced rapidly from key to key. As soon as this virus hits, all the electric doors will open. I’ll simply walk out of here. His finger hovered above the enter key. He pressed it.