Chapter Four
RAGE
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Chapter Four
Mary and I made it just in time to board. We didn’t have to go through the regular TSA lines. I had my way and she had her’s. That shaved off about an hour. Last night I upgraded both our seats to World Class Business. Actually, I upgraded mine. Mary I had to buy a new ticket. But because she was an employee and there were two unsold WBC seats available the airline gave it to me at price. For once, Mary would be pampered. She almost didn’t take the offer, but I persuaded her. I told her I have an unlimited budget - not quite the truth, and I could write this off as business related - a total lie. She gave in and the rest of the night was blissful. While on the flight Mary had a hard time just being a passenger. She wanted to help and I had to gently remind her she was a passenger. The other Flight Attendants would always shoo her back into her seat. One of them said, “Mary, yesterday you were a co-pilot. Today you are a passenger. Forever you are my hero. Now get back to your seat and relax.” After two hours in the air she finally adjusted and just let it all be.
Other than a few bumps our flight was uneventful. I was able to finally absorb all the info in the folder Vadnez gave me. It was the Four Horsemen riding hard toward humanity. What do you do when you know a time bomb drug that randomly sparks apocalyptic armageddon zombie nightmares into reality is out there? Reanders’ Bath Salt variant was scary. With regular Bath Salts it was rage and sex when something went wrong. With her street variant it was rage and random acts. Then a thought occurred to me. Reanders said Meth and Marijuana negated each other. It was caffeine that interested her. I made a phone call from the seat phone. Cortez answered switchboard. “Is Vadnez in his office?”
“Negatory. He stepped out a few hours ago. Need to pass on a message? He’s in a meeting with the CDC and UNODC.”
My heart raced. “Yeah, tell him Reanders was very interested in caffeine.” Then a thought occurred. “Cortez, who was our rager?”
Cortez said, “Our John Q Public was a Mr. Phillip Michael Hunt.”
“That’s a real name?”
“You’ve heard the jokes too?” His laugh was almost like Guy’s. He cleared his throat, “Anyway, Mr. Hunt was an average Joe. Troublesome youth, but nose clean through adulthood. He got caught up in the grunge scene and never left. He was on a trip to visit his girlfriend, CPL Kelly Stanford, stationed in Germany. She just finished rotation from Afghanistan. She hasn’t received news yet.
“Oh.”
“Yeah, total suckage.”
“You have access to his credit card records?”
He said, “Karen, still a human of little faith. Yeah, he bought coffee at the Airport Starbuck’s. Grande. He used his Starbuck’s card. He drinks it by the gallon.”
“Thanks, Cortez.”
“Two more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Reanders’ escaped shortly after you captured her. The two officers are okay, but hospitalized. The paper trail shows that she may be in Vegas, LA, or DC. We’re not sure yet. She has a dozen private jets and they all left within minutes of one another.”
“Who’s on it?”
“Vadnez left it to the FBI, lest we tread on US sovereignty.”
“And the second thing?”
“Reanders lied about the former assistant. I checked. Dr. Piper is still on the payroll. She has an office in Century City. She also has a fully functional research lab in Santa Monica. One and one is adding up to oh shit.”
“I agree. Cortez, always got good Intel.”
“Only for my best girl. When you get to LA don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, and if you do, don’t get caught.”
“Never.”
“Ha!” He ended the call.
A lot to think about. Reanders on the loose. I fear no man, but this woman was different. What do you get when you mix scary-genius with rage? The End of Days? December 21st was around the corner. I needed to think about something else. I looked over to Mary. She had headphones on and was getting into the ‘I’m just a regular passenger’ role. That made me feel better and I tried to think about all things good. Scary-genius kept coming up so I stopped trying to fight it. And I thought of different ways to end her life. Bullet to the head, to the heart, throat cut, decapitation, strangulation? All made me feel better and I was finally able to relax until we landed.
Jim was waiting for us at baggage. I told Mary about Jim and I warned Jim about Mary. Both were good with it so that made life easy. He waved and I ran to him. He caught me and I tried to slip my tongue down his throat. He returned the kiss likewise.
Mary reached us and said, “We need to get a room if you keep this up. And I so want some more.”
Jim broke first and gave Mary his best grin. “Mary, so nice to meet you.”
“He means it. That’s not a real gun in his pocket.”
Mary looked down. “OMG Karen, eight inches is really eight inches.”
Jim blushed. “Ladies, please.”
Mary and I laughed. Then a horrible thought occurred. Suppose Mary and Jim hit it off. She’s based in LA and she’ll be able to see him more often. Oh, man Karen. What have you done?
I was pretty quiet during the car ride. Both noticed.
Mary asked, “Karen, what’s up?”
I smiled, “Nothing. Just enjoying the moment.” While I had a tight and muscular body, Mary’s was smooth. She was toned but with just enough fat to make her hot. She had a nice butt and I loved her breasts. They were perfect on her.
Mary leaned in closer. “You sure?”
I leaned in too. “Of course.” and I kissed her on the nose. Now I hadn’t even considered Jim’s feelings on this. Here I am coming “home” and bringing toys. Most men would love to be in Jim’s shoes right about now and I’m doubly sure later tonight. But how did Jim feel about this. “Jim,” I said.
“Yeah.”
“I am being pretty selfish. How are you with all this?”
Mary sat quietly.
He looked over at both of us. “Karen. At first I wasn’t sure what to think. But this is you. And I’m okay with that.”
I stared back.
“Seriously. I’m okay. I’ve learned that anyone you want me to include in our circle will be included. Period. And you do give me lots of space which I really do appreciate.” After a few seconds he added, “Friday and Number of the Beast.”
Now I felt better, both of my favorite Heinlein books. I wasn’t sure if Mary got the reference.
She laughed, “Too weird.”
I said, “Huh?”
She answered, “Time enough for Love and Stranger in a Strange Land, my two favorites.”
Jim and I laughed. I did make a good move.
We got to Jim’s apartment before Noon. Luckily, Jim had the day off. Timing is everything. He parked in front of his new F150 and we carried all our luggage up three flight of stairs. I had a large suitcase with clothes and accessories and medium suitcase with work-related gear. I used a tactical messenger bag as a purse on this trip. Mary had her large luggage and a small tote bag. Once inside the apartment we deposited them on the living room floor. Jim walked into the kitchen when his phone rang.
“Damn! I hope this is Mom.” He answered, “Yes?” Seconds ticked by. “Seriously?” More seconds. “Give me thirty . . . no thirty. Not sooner. Sorry, no I can’t just drop this one. . . And if I didn’t answer the phone? . . . yeah . . . exactly! . . . no less than thirty. . . is it required . . . Sarge, push me and . . . thank you! See you soon.” He hung up and looked grim.
I looked at him, “It’s started?”
“That’s why you are here isn’t it?”
I nodded.
He walked over to me and kissed me like never before. Then he turned to Mary. She leaned in and he kissed her with just as much passion. Then he stood straight and got ready for work.
Mary said, “What just happened?”
“Our nightmare, serious shit.”
“Nightmare?” She said.
I nodded, “Have a seat.”
She did.
“You know I work for the UN.”
She nodded.
“You’ve seen me in action.”
She nodded again. “I’m sure it was only the tip of the iceberg.”
“The guy on the airplane is a small part of this.”
Her eyes grew big.
“You’ve heard of bath salts?”
“He was on that?”
I nodded.
“My brother-in-law tried that before Oregon made it illegal and he never, I mean never, acted like that.”
“Really?”
“My sister said he’d hit on the weekends. She tried it a few times and said she hallucinated colors for hours. She didn’t like the afterglow and gave it up.”
“You’ve tried it?”
“Nah, we drug test regularly. Even night binge-drinking is discouraged. I don’t even smoke pot.”
“Mr. Hunt . . . “
“That was passenger Hunt? OMG, sorry, continue.”
I smiled, “I’d never name my kid with that combination.”
She nodded.
“Well, Mr. Hunt was on a variant of the drug. He had other chemicals in his system which may have triggered his rage.”
“Wow,” was what I got.
“Your sister and brother-in-law coffee drinkers?”
“He isn’t, but my sister is.”
I thought about that. “History of Meth?”
“Thank God, no! Nasty stuff. They both do marijuana when the kids are not around or asleep.”
Jim came out of the bathroom. He had packed a duffle bag, probably clothes and things, and dropped it by the door. He was wearing sweats. I figured he’d change at the station. “I have twenty minutes before I go.” He smiled.
I licked my lips and said, “Plenty for me. Don’t know about Mary.”
She picked up on the cue, “I’m there in ten.”
Jim stepped up to us and kissed me first, then Mary.
“Mary,” I said. “The gun is back.”
She giggled and pulled his sweat pants and underwear down. Jim nearly poked us in the eyes.
“And fully loaded.”
We both giggled and did our thing. Jim did his job and satisfied us in fifteen. We finished him minutes later.
“There are people eating people out there”
After Jim left, Mary and I continued. We took our time and just enjoyed the moment. Around 3:00 pm my official cell went off. It was Cortez.
“Karen, channel 9 news, quick.”
I fumbled for the remote and tuned Jim’s 60” flat screen to channel 9.
“ . . . again, LAPD has quarantined skidrow. All traffic has been halted into and out of anywhere east and south of Main and 3rd and west and north of Alameda and 7th street. CDC has been called in. There are reports of vicious attacks and acts of cannibalism coming in. LA County Sheriff, LAPD, LA Fire department and other organizations have mobile units in front of City Hall. There’s talk about bringing in the National Guard . . ..”
I turned the TV off.
I told Cortez, “I’m on it.”
He said, “Be safe. Out.”
Mary was looking at me wide eyed. She was scared. “Is this real?”
I nodded. “I gotta go.”
She grabbed me, “Please no Karen. This shit scares me.”
“Mary, look, this is what I do. I put myself in harm’s way. I have to assess the situation first hand.”
She stared at me for a long time. She had the same look she did on the airplane. Then she wiped her eyes and said, “I’m coming with you.”
“The hell you are!”
“Karen, I will not stay here by myself, and I gotta know. You seem to be one of the few people who are in the know. I flew shotgun with you for God Sake.”
“Mary, please think this through. Most likely all the action is in Skidrow and not here.”
“I don’t care. I wan . . . no, need to be near you. I can help too.”
I stared at her.
She stared back. “Karen, please.”
I pointed out the window. “There are people eating people out there.”
“I ate you didn’t I?!?”
Well, that knocked the wind out of my sails. I softened my tone, “Ummm, that’s different.”
“Eating is eating.” And she dared me to answer back.
Instead I kissed her. “Have you ever fired a pistol?”
“My sister taught me. Nine, ten, forty-five, three-fifty-seven, shotgun, M16-A2, a handful of rifles.”
Okay I was convinced. “Seriously, this is worse than real. You saw how the guy was on the plane.”
She answered, “Headshot, end of rage.”
I nodded and got my medium bag. The large one had my clothes. This one was work related. I plopped it on the bed. I had a special lock on the bag. It had the UN seal and my agent number. I unlocked it. Mary’s eyes went wide when I opened it.
“They let you travel with that type of arsenal?”
“Yeah, neat, huh?”
She reached in and pulled out my M4A1. “I’ll take this one.”
I laughed. “Not this?” I pulled out a Kahr Limited Edition Pink Pistol.
“And that too! It’s so cute. That’s my backup gun.”
I pulled out two Glock 20s. “Mine.” Next came my 15 inch hunting knife plus my Ka-Bar. I took out my short sword, some stars, a few throwing blades, duty belt, boots, gloves, bodysuit. The tactical vest came out last with a light level 3-A kevlar vest. “Sorry, I only brought one vest.”
“Then can I have one of those nasty looking knives?”
I had an extra 15-inch Jungle Master. I gave it to her along with a small walkie-talkie. I pocketed two and placed my short-nosed Smith & Wesson .357 in a back holster. It was a seven-shooter and my backup.
Five minutes I was set to dish out death. Mary had black tights and a black tank. With her black biker books and my Jungle Master strapped to her leg she looked tough. Me, I was downright scary. Something out of a GI Joe comic book.
“Ready?”
“Ready.”
We took Jim’s F150.
Thirty minutes later we pulled up to a road block. I presented my ID. It took several minutes to verify my credentials. I found a spot and backed the truck into it. Mary and I got out and walked to one of the command post. Everybody was represented, including the FBI. “Who’s in charge?” I asked. I figured the Mayor and Chief of Police would be in RACR feeding pertinent data to this mobile post.
A few hands pointed to a Mobile Command Unit that had LAPD markings. We walked over. I showed my ID. Donaldson turned around.
“Well, Karen! Not surprised to see you. Nice flying, but your landing sucked. Jim told me you might make your way down here.”
“I’m here talking to you. Doesn’t that mean anything? What’s the news?”
“Scary, that’s what. We got a dozen teams going in pulling people out. There’s groups of Ragers, that’s what we are calling them, roaming the streets.”
“Groups?”
“Yeah, don’t know how many. RACR spotted about twenty. Small arms is only effective in headshots.”
“You in charge?”
“The Commander is. He’s in the Van. Let me introduce you.”
We followed Donaldson up a small set of stairs. The MCU was abuzz with activity. One side had a bank of cubicles with chairs and monitors. One individual was talking into a walkie-talkie.
“Unit two, proceed. RACR gave clearance. Nothing in sight for at least a block.”
Donaldson cleared his throat.
The Commander was seasoned with weathered skin, but his eyes were crystal sharp. He gave me one look, “Bechard, right?”
Quick. “I am and you, sir?”
He kept his eyes on one of the monitors. “Unit Five hold that position. RACR hasn’t cleared it yet.”
He looked over to me. “Richardson. You here to take over, get in the way, or help.”
“Get in the way. UN Observer, but I’ll do Tactical and or Rescue.”
He looked over to Mary. “Civilian?”
“Assistant. Name is Hernandez. She can be a runner as well as provide shooter backup.”
He gave me one more look, “Approved. Donaldson, they’re yours.”
We followed Donaldson. Before we reached the door Richardson started shouting. “Unit Five, fall back. Herd coming your way from 5th and Wall St. North. Fall back west.”
I stopped and turned. I could see the herd Richardson was talking about on the monitor. They were running toward a group of about six officers. Richardson said, “What the devil.” There’s another herd. They’ll be closed in. “Unit Five. Go immediately east. New herd closing in from west. Run! Run!”
We watched in horror and disbelief as the six officers ran. The monitor switched to a different camera angle.
Oh shit I thought. They’re not going to make it.
Within a minute everyone was in eyesight of one another. Unit Five started shooting.
I heard over the walkie-talkie, “Unit Two on the way to assist. Over.”
Richardson spoke out loud, but in a low volume. “Not sure if they’re going to make it.” He turned to Donaldson, “We have any spare units to assist.”
“No, Sir. All the units are out.”
“I need a mobile to assist.”
I spoke up. “We can do that. I have Jim’s Truck keys in my hand. What’s the radio frequency?”
Richardson gave it to me.
Mary and I ran to Jim’s Truck.
“Ready Girl?”
“Ready.”
I pulled out and headed to an inner barricade. Richardson radioed ahead for them to move the barrier. We sped past the cement blocks. I had the walkie talkie in my shirt pocket with a white earpiece stuck in my ear. Mary had her’s on the opposite side. I heard Richardson of the radio.
He named us Mobile Two, interesting. I briefly wondered what happened to the first Mobile Two.
I turned down Wall St and saw about twenty of them. Blood covered and torn clothes. Blood on their faces and hands. The movies got the image better, but real life was scarier. I gunned the engine and rammed them. They were doomed souls anyway. I just sped them closer to that end. I took out about half with one being tossed into the bed of the truck. He got up, raging, smashed a hand through the back window. Must have broken every bone in that hand. He grabbed my collar and pulled. Mary stuck her gun through the opening and blurped a set of rounds through his skull. The hand slacked and let go. I saw several more and ran them down too. Then I saw the officers. Four were dragging two while shooting Ragers. I stumped on the accelerator and took out three more. Mary and I finished the rest off with head shots.
“Get in and someone toss the deadweight out in the back.”
They put the two wounded in the back. Two sat up with us in the cabin. I stumped the accelerator again and sped up Wall St. Two Ragers had the nerve to try and compete with metal. Both lost.
I told the two Officers in the back, “I’m UN Agent Bechard. This is Ms. Hernandez, my partner.”
“I’m Officer McKinley, this is Rogers. Cass, Dean, Jones, Sanchez, are in the back. Thanks, we owe you.”
We had three blocks to go. “Do you know an Officer Jim Anderson?”
“This is some mad shit out here. Yeah, I do. He’s with Unit Twelve. They took a Hummer further in. We got thousands of people out there. Most were able to lock themselves into various buildings. Office buildings and hotels are secure. We have dozens of units safeguarding those. But there are some with limited shelter. Some liquor and grocery store owners were able to lock some patrons and themselves in freezers and meat lockers, but of course we’re gonna have to get them out eventually. It’s the smaller shops and motels that got hit hard. Some folks are locked in cars and vans. They’re safe only because they hadn’t been discovered yet by these Ragers. Those are the ones we’re trying to get to and extract.”
We made it to the barriers. I stopped outside a medical unit.
Mary asked, “Why so many?”
McKinley answered, “So many? There are hundreds of them running rampage. I’d call them Zombies but they run!”
“Haven’t they tried to get out?”
“Yeah. And we stop them each time with deadly force. It’s like the mind is still working but amped on anger juice. They attack then suddenly they all know when to stop. Eerie.”
We got out and walked over to the Command Unit. Richardson was waiting. Some spots RACR couldn’t see.
McKinley said, “Commander, all dead. The camper was ripped to shreds. Body parts everywhere.”
Someone from the Command Unit yelled out. “We got another 911. Not too far from here.”
Donaldson said, “Mobile two is the only one on this side of the barrier.”
Then we heard over the radio, “Mobile eleven coming in with survivors . . . this is Mobile Twenty . . . eta two minutes. Gonna need EMTs . . .” I pulled the earpiece away and draped it over my shoulder.
“Directions?”
“On the roof of the Weldon Hotel, Maple and E 5th Ave. Take Wall and make a right on 5th.”
Mary and I ran to the truck. McKinley and Rogers were already in the back seat. This time they were dressed in Riot Gear, had M16s, two pistols, and some flash bang grenades.
I started the truck and popped it in Drive. We zipped past the barriers and headed toward Wall St.
I put the earpiece back in. “ . . . Unit Thirty secure for the moment. We have eight-four civilians. Three are hurt, but not critical. Mobile Two you got company. Five News copters are following you.”
Great I thought. Just what I needed.
I took 5th pretty sharply then slide onto Maple. I slammed the brakes and stopped just in front of the entrance. McKinley and Rogers got out and took position just inside the building. McKinley said, “Get them we’ll hold.”
As Mary and I walked through the carnage I made sure we both had an earplug in our free ear. We stepped through some really nasty stuff - blood and guts everywhere. We found the stairs. In the distance we could hear them raging. I couldn’t tell how many but I knew it was one too many. With Glocks in hand I started up the stairs. Mary had my back with the M4 at the ready. It was like she was born to do this. Her sister was a great teacher.
After a few minutes we made it to the top and about five were pounding on the roof fire door. I aimed and made three immediate headshots. Two turned and jumped down the flight of stairs raging. One caught the pistol in his mouth. Trigger squeezed and that ended him. The last one had his arms raised. Mary blurped the M4 and half his head was gone.
We made it to the door. I yelled , “The stairwell is clear. We need to get you out now.”
The door didn’t open.
I yelled, “UN Agent Bechard with a rescue team. We need to leave now.”
The door opened. I saw a collection of old and young men and women - all had lived a hard life.
“Follow me.” I said and started down the stairs. About half way down a door opened. It was a Rager. Mary took him out with one shoot. The girl was getting used to the M4A1’s five pound trigger. We made it to the bottom floor. McKinley and Rogers just finished off about ten Ragers. It was maddening to think about why so many and why they are group thinking. It was beyond scary. We rushed outside. I did a quick head count. Thirteen plus us. The Truck was too small. “Okay,” I said, “Mary you drive, McKinley, Rogers, and Myself will stay. Everyone else into the truck. Four up front, the rest in the back. Someone started to protest. I barked out, “Shut the fuck up and get in the back. Another word and I’ll take you out.”
No protest.
With the truck packed Mary took off.
McKinley, Rogers and I decided this was our home base. We pretty much had the building to ourselves and if necessary we had the roof as Plan B.
Off in the distance I saw a Honda accord driving up the street. All but one tire was blown, but it didn’t matter. Something was lodged in the passenger wheel well. The wheel just spun casting smoke in the air. He was going nowhere fast. Idiot I thought. Reverse, then drive. The driver was probably in a panic and just wanted to get out. Then I spotted six Ragers rush the car. They started pounding on the hood and roof.
‘Karen,” I told myself, “Save lives.” I told McKinley and Rogers to guard the building. “I’ll be back,” I said as I ran toward the car. The Ragers had managed to lift the car over their heads and toss the thing about ten feet. It landed on its side and the passenger window buckled then burst. One got on top of the car and ripped the door off.
Run Karen! Run!
He reached in and grabbed a man.
Karen, run! Faster! I stretched out my legs. Run, Karen, run!
He was about to bite the man in the neck.
I reached him in time. Bam! My Glock barked. Headshot. The man dropped back into the car.
I jumped on top of the car. Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! All headshots. All Ragers dead. I helped the man, a woman, and three kids out - one boy and two girls, all scared. The little boy was holding a backpack. The top was partially opened. A small white mutt terrier poked its head out of the opening. I said, “We have to get to that building.”
The man nodded, “Thank you! We thought we . . .”
I cut him off, “Welcome. Building. Focus.”
He took a deep breath.
I was about to say ready when I spotted a dozen coming at us. If this was the time to say ‘Oh, Shit.’ I missed it. I grabbed the backpack and put it on. “Grab the kids.” I said. The father picked up his son and one daughter. The Mom picked up the other daughter. I said, “No matter what happens you run for that building where the two officers are. This is serious. Don’t stop period because your life depends on making it to that building.” Both nodded. The group was now between us and the Hotel. I yelled, “Run!” I hadn’t reloaded so the Guns were limited. I pulled out my short sword and hunting knife. Both had blade edge facing outward. I ran and hoped the family could keep up. To their credit the Mom and Dad did. Fear of death does that I guess. I put myself in the middle zone and made sure my mind was clear. We had another ten yards to go when I remembered a verse an instructor used a lot. The mean old bastard turned out to be very poetic at times. ‘I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.’ and I thought of nothing. I reached the first two and slashed my blades. Head drop, head drop. I cut right - head drop, head drop. I moved to the left - heart pierced, arms gone, head drop. Then centerline - throat cut, arms gone. More came at me. Throat cut, head drop, heart pierced. I lost count, but I kept centered and let instinct and muscle memory guide me. Head drop, head drop. I was Lady Death today and gave a lot of it. Hands grabbed at the Father and I sliced up. Arms gone, head drop. Another tried for the Mother. I sliced down and cut through the entire torso. I cut sideways and just worked the blades. The Mom and Dad ran faster. The kids screamed. I heard the Father yell, “No!” And he bit down hard on a hand that had grabbed his daughter’s shirt. I sliced up and the handgrip slacked. The father spat the hand out. I sliced again. Head drop, heart pierced, arms gone, throat cut, throat cut, head drop, throat cut, arms gone, then nothing. All the kids were crying and terrified. We had another 30 yards to go to reach the building when a few more came at us. I heard a gunshot. Then two, then three. Ragers dropped at each gunshot. McKinley and Rogers were hitting dead center and dropping them. Several tried to sideswipe us. Three shots, three dead. Seconds later we made it to the building. I spoke into the walkie-talkie, “Mary, how’s that ride?”
“Just dropped off my payload. Got more troops and heading your way.”
Rogers looked over to me and said straight faced, “Agent Bechard, I want to have your baby.” His mic was live.
I heard Jim’s voice. “Sorry, but I’m having that baby.” Just then Mary skidded to a stop. Jim jumped out and I ran to him still covered in blood.
He caught me and planted a wet kiss on my lips. “I expected you to be an observer, not part of the action.”
I shrugged, “I’m not good at observing.”
Mary had brought a SWAT team.
The Mother had lost a shoe during the run. She took off the other shoe and flung it toward the pile of dead Ragers. She cursed them all to hell, collected her kids and got into the truck.
Mary said, “After I drop the family off I have to deliver more troops to the front line. There’s about a hundred of them gathering near 6th and Los Angeles St. LAPD and the LA County Sheriff located a new command center near there. It’s on 6th and San Pedro.” She hugged me and got back in the truck. “Be safe, Girl.” And she was off.
I looked to Jim, “What’s the plan?”
He said, “Captain Banner is in charge,” and leaned his head toward an officer in full SWAT gear. He was talking to McKinley and Rogers. I walked up to him.
“Captain, UN Agent Bechard. I’m here to offer my assistance.”
The Captain looked me up and down. “I think we got this one, Ms. Bechard. I’ll request a runner to pick you up.”
I was about to say something when McKinley spoke up. “Captain, no, we don’t got this one. I’ll fight with Agent Bechard anytime.”
Rogers nodded.
The Captain looked perplexed. In ten seconds he marked himself as a sexist pig. I’d have to convince myself to save his ass when the fire got hot. McKinley pointed to the pile of bodies off in the distance. Banner looked. Then looked at me. He was in turmoil. “Military?”
“Army, the first Iraq War. Apache pilot. Trained with the South Korean 707 White Tiger Commandos. Trust me, I won’t be the one in the way.”
Jim said, “Wait. Karen. You?”
Rogers said, “It was fucking awesome. She ran through a dozen of those things. With fucking long blades and with a family running behind her! And they came out alive! No cop here could have done that. If I had my choice I’d fight alongside Agent Bechard anytime. Anytime.”
Banner huffed. I could have decked him, but he saved himself. “You wanna do point?”
“Wedge? What’s the mission?”
“Yes or no?”
“I gave you my answer. Now tell me the objective.”
He looked at Jim and said, “Feisty one. Bet she’s a tigress.”
Jim didn’t answer. I saw he had his own turmoil to work through.
Banner coughed. “We’re going to start clearing out buildings and looking for survivors. Once we clear a building we’ll get a runner to move out survivors, if any.”
While he was talking I filled my magazines to capacity.
“G.I Jane here will take point. You officers will take rear. We’ll do a wedge formation through the streets. Once inside a building the Officers will guard our Xville. The Agent here will work point. We’ll clear rooms in alternate. Any questions?”
“Are we ready yet?” I asked.
“Just for that you can kick your own doors in.”
I smiled and walked into the Hotel.
“Wait,” He said. “This building hasn’t been cleared?”
“Nope. We went in and rescued thirteen civilians. Encountered some Ragers. Might be more and since we are here this might as well be the first building.”
He grunted his approval
I pulled out my right holstered Glock and switched on the flashlight and laser pointer. Jim and the other Officers guarded our rear. Banner and the rest of the SWAT team followed me. I checked behind the counter and saw body parts and dried blood. I walked through the first floor. The first door was locked. Banner’s smirk disappeared when I kicked the door off its hinges. Messy bed, unflushed toilet, half packed luggage. I heard the next room door kicked in. It took two tries. This one was clear and I yelled out “Clear!” I heard several more clears and was once more point going up the stairs to the second floor. We repeated this all the way through to the roof. The Hotel had two elevators and we split off to ride them down to the bottom. Banner radioed in and said the Hotel was clear and for a runner to send in a guard group to hold the position. We would make this our home base. A few minutes later Mary showed up with a dozen National Guard soldiers. Banner wanted them to guard the hotel until we returned. And that was exactly how we would do this. Check, clear, bring in the Guards to maintain. Mary was busy and that was good. She was one of a dozen runners that kept a steady stream of soldiers, cops, and survivors moving throughout the entire area.
It was the sixth building we went into that turned bad. I heard the scream first and rushed forward. The building was a local drug store and several Ragers had broken through the back door. One was about to bite down on a woman’s neck when I hit him in the head with the butt of my gun. He lifted up his head and I made him eat the barrel. The Glock barked once and he hit the floor like a sack of potatoes. One thing I found interesting was that there were no women Ragers. Not one. The woman I saved was hysterical. She latched onto me and nearly choked me. I heard several other shots in the distance.
“It’s okay, it’s okay.”
She sobbed harder into my shoulder.
“Is there anyone else alive?”
She cried harder. I lifted her chin up and gave her a sharp short slap to the face. She stopped crying.
“Is there anyone else around?” I asked.
She blinked a few times. “Maybe. We ran in here and waited for hours. Then one of the women went crazy and rushed out the door. A few minutes later those things rushed in. Then you came in.”
A few minutes later we cleared this building. Banner called in a runner for guards and retrieval. It was getting dark now and that just turned scary up a notch.
He looked out to the street. I knew what he was thinking. I walked up next to him.
“Forward or base camp?”
“Our odds just got worse if we continue. . . “ I knew he was scared. Who wouldn’t be. Raging maniacal cannibals in the dark? Then we heard over the radio. “All units return to your home bases. Runners will bring food, ammo, and sleep gear. Report your location by the numbers.” We were group twenty. Banner had sent the group of Guardsmen to the last cleared building. He wanted to be sure it stayed cleared. Thirty minutes later Mary showed up. She made us her last run. She jumped out and gave me a big hug. “I’m staying the night here.”
I smiled. Best way to end the day.
Banner walked up to us. He had been talking to Jim and the others for some time. “You and Anderson can have first watch street level. Ms. Hernandez here is free to leave.”
Mary said, “I’ll stay thank you. I’ll do first watch with Karen.”
He stared at her for a few seconds, smiled, and said, “Very well. McKinley and Rogers will relieve you in four hours.”
The old prev had probably undressed Mary and bedded her within those seconds.
He walked off.
I looked at my watch. It was eight and the sunlight was fading too fast.
We used lobby chairs and couches as barriers. I was stationed on the right side, Jim left. Mary was our runner and kept us both engaged.
We were close enough to talk in normal voice.
Once we settled in Jim said, “Karen, I’m sorry.”
I would have guessed he was talking about me being Lady Death.
“Sorry about my reaction this afternoon.”
I said, “Jim, you didn’t know. Remember I don’t talk about my work or what I do.”
He replied, “Not that. When Banner made that sexist remark.”
That got me for a loop. “Jim, no need, it was none of his business.”
“I should have said something.”
“I’m glad you didn’t. Jim, seriously, I’m glad you didn’t. It worked out better that you didn’t say a thing. Besides, we’re on watch together. He figured it out and has a soft spot in the middle of that iron heart of his.”
He was silent for a moment. “You know, this is the first time we’ve worked together.”
I liked that about Jim. He was sentimental and very romantic. True, we really didn’t know much about it each. I’d fly in for a few days or we were able to take some time off together, but we never really engaged one another on the personal stuff. We had a lot in common and that made it easier. It was the fine tuning we never had a chance to do, but so far I liked. He did his job well - he was a Police Officer Level 3, so someone in the department thought he was worth promoting. He was a wonderful lover and even let me bring Mary into our intimate circle. He was confident about himself. The fact that he apologized for not speaking up spoke volumes.
Mary came up and plopped herself on a chair between us. She was exhausted I knew.
I said while still looking out in the increasingly darkening street way. “How goes it?”
She replied, “It goes. You guys need anything? Food, water?”
“Not yet, a bath would help.”
“That, girlfriend, we get at Midnight.”
Luckily, we still had power. All the streetlights came on. A few minutes later, Banner came out.
“Word from RACR. The mass of Ragers that was assembling earlier has been dispersed. We killed over half and wounded most of the others. The CDC is on the scene and took surviving Ragers. What a blood spill. Tomorrow we clear more buildings but it looks like we may have gotten this thing under control.”
I nodded.
He looked my way. “Bechard?”
“Yeah,” I said without looking.
“I’m an old Soldier. It’s hard for me sometimes to see women in harm’s way.”
“Something change your mind?”
He softly chuckled, “Check out the news when you’re off shift.” He left.
Mary said, “Something I missed?”
“Not really. Banner and I had a disagreement earlier.”
She said, “Karen, you know you already got a nickname.”
“Really? What’s the name?”
“G.I. Jane.”
“Banner called me that earlier.”
Jim spoke, “The Demi Moore movie?”
Mary said, “Yeah. It was a good movie. Pretty intense at some parts, but she did a good job.”
“I really should be called UN Jane, if that’s the case.”
Jim took his eye off the street for a moment and looked at me. Then he looked back. I wondered if I scared him. Was he even into death wielding butches? He was deep into thought. Most times I dig what I can do. I can best most men in almost anything physical. I love wiping smirks and smiles off their faces when they say, ‘Aw, look. A little woman.” After I kick their asses they change their tune, “Aw, fuck. It’s that bitch again.” Which is totally fine by me, but I was having trouble with the thought of Jim rejecting me for the reasons I like being me.
We remained quiet for the remainder of our shift. McKinley, Rogers and one of the SWAT team members took over.
Rogers tapped me on the shoulder. “I was serious when I said I’d have your baby. If Anderson has issues, I don’t.”
I smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek. He turned deep red.
When I made it to the room designated as ours Mary was already in the shower. Her flashlight was aimed at the ceiling and that gave the bathroom enough light to see. Jim was sitting on the bed. He was still in his clothes. The TV was on and he was looking at a local news channel. I had forgotten about the News copters, but there I was. The whole scene of me saving the family. The Newscaster warned everyone the broadcast was graphic and disturbing. I thought, “Ya think?” There was a close up of my face and the Newscaster remarked how calm I was during the run. He, too, called me G.I. Jane. There was banter on who I could have been. One of them mentioned I was part of a covert department of the United Nations. I was certain Vadnez was having a cow. It didn’t take much for me to imagine the lecture I’d get later. ‘Ms. Bechard, we are observers, not participants.’
After watching the segment Jim looked over to me.
I was speechless.
He took off his clothes, laid them neatly on the back of a chair, and walked into the bathroom without saying anything. No expression at all. Mary was still there hogging all the hot water.
I didn’t know what to do. A few seconds later Jim called out. “Karen, why aren’t you in here with us. Mary is using all the hot water.”
I was so relieved. I took off my clothes and got a much needed wash down.