Caldera Book 6: New World Order Read online

  “Fuck me.” He whispered to himself as he pulled partially empty bottles and dropped them in the sink. “We hit the motherload.”

  He glanced out of the bathroom door and hoped to see Shooter nearby. He turned his attention back to the pills. “Lortabs, Vicodin, Codeine…what the hell? He didn’t finish any of these.”

  Stinky grabbed a pillow from the bed and tugged the case off. He shoved all of his goodies into it, making sure the lid was tight on the deodorants. He stepped out of the bedroom and held the pillowcase up to show Shooter. “Bingo. Better than a pharmacy.”

  Shooter grinned at him. “Excellent.” He spun quickly and leveled his barrel down the stairs. Stinky braced himself for a gunshot and stared wide eyed at him.

  “What? What is it?”

  Shooter shook his head. “I saw something.” He swallowed hard and nodded toward the bottom of the steps. “Something ran past. Fast.”

  Stinky pulled his own pistol and stepped closer to Shooter. “I ain’t climbing out no second floor window.” He nodded toward the stairs. “Just go slow.”

  The pair painstakingly worked their way down the steps, each covering a different corner of the stairwell. “Are you sure?” Stinky asked as they approached the bottom.

  Shooter nodded, his eyes still wide. “I ain’t hearing nothing though.”

  They crept to the landing; both men scanned the adjoining rooms. “Maybe it was a shadow?” Stinky whispered.

  Shooter shook his head. “Let’s just get out of here.” He pushed the other man toward the front door.

  Stinky pulled the door open and sunlight washed the interior of the house. Both men nearly froze when a scream erupted behind them. Stinky tripped and tumbled down the front porch steps in an attempt to get away.

  Shooter backed out of the house, his barrel pointed at the shadows within. “Stay back! I’ll fuckin’ shoot your ass if you don’t!”

  Stinky scrambled to his feet and scooped up the pillow case. “Come on, man! Let’s go!” He stepped into the yard and stared at the windows of the house.

  He saw the curtain move on the far side of the house and yelled for Shooter. “Move! They’re coming!”

  Shooter backed up and his foot slipped on the concrete steps. He fell to his ass, his gun firing as he struck the paved walk.

  Both men froze when a guttural scream erupted from deep within and Shooter saw at least two pale bodies moving inside the house. “Fuck me, man. The place is infested with them!” He brought the barrel up again and fired through the open door.

  Stinky grabbed the man by the collar and dragged him to his feet. “Outta here! We gotta get out of here!”

  He tugged at Shooter until they were across the street, both of them pointing their barrels at the house. Stinky suddenly turned and began to run back to their hideout. “We gotta tell Simon, man.”

  Shooter slowed and pulled at Stinky. “Wait.” He stopped and fought to catch his breath. “What if we don’t?”

  “What do you mean?”

  Shooter glanced back at the house then gave Stinky a serious look. “What if we just tell Simon that we found a big stash of whisky in that house?”

  Stinky shook his head. “He’s already checked them all. He said so.”

  Shooter nodded at the pillowcase full of drugs. “And he was probably drunk when he did it.” He shrugged. “Who’s to say what he could have missed.”

  Stinky glanced back at the house then to Shooter. “What if they don’t…you know.”

  Shooter smiled. “I’m willing to risk it. Are you?”

  Stinky blew his breath out hard and took one more look at the house. “What kind of whisky did you say that was?”

  Chapter 7

  “I hate to do it, but I won’t sleep as long as I know that wall isn’t secure.” Hatcher handed Wally the keys to the flatbed. “Just find whatever you can. Cement blocks would be perfect.”

  Wally took the keys and nodded to Buck. “Road trip?”

  Buck handed Skeeter the cardboard box and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be back soon.”

  Hatcher and Skeeter both watched as the men walked out of the lobby and through the front gate. She looked to Hatcher, fear barely hidden behind her eyes. “They’ll be okay, right?”

  Hatcher nodded. “As long as they’re back before sundown, I think they’ll be fine.”

  She nodded slowly and turned for her room. Hatcher opened his mouth to say something but what could he say? She was sixteen whole years old now.

  Would that be the new norm?

  Hatcher sighed and stepped back, his thoughts wandering too far, too fast.

  “Yo, Hatch.”

  He turned to see David Cooper advancing on him, a wild smile spreading across his features. “Dave. What’s up?”

  Coop nodded toward his office. “Remember those video cameras mounted everywhere? The monitors in your office?”

  “How could I miss them. They take up half of the wall.”

  Coop wrapped an arm around his shoulder and turned him toward the office. “You might want to check it out now.”

  Hatcher gave him a wide eyed stare. “You hauled them off for me?”

  “Better, brother.” Cooper pointed at the bank of monitors.

  Hatcher’s mouth fell open as he watched the black and white images flicker. He leaned close and watched as people carried dry goods; others continued working, running cables, mounting solar panels, and working on the perimeter fence.

  “Holy cow, Dave…when did—”

  “That Stanton fella said that security was our main priority; he made sure we ran power to the offices first. He’d seen these and prayed that they still worked.” He clapped Hatcher’s back. “Looks like they do, man. We’re in business.”

  Hatcher nearly jumped with the piece of good news. He fought the urge to hug Cooper and shook his head at the sight. “Is there any way we can move some of the courtyard cameras to the perimeter? Set them so we can really see out.”

  Dave nodded. “Oh, hell yeah. Easy as pie, brother.” He paused and rubbed his chin. “Well, I say that. I don’t know if these inside cameras will stay working outside.”

  Hatcher understood completely. “Get with Stanton and if he says they’re safe to use then let’s get some moved.” He gave Cooper a knowing look. “It’s not paranoia if they’re really out to get you.”

  “Damned Republicans.” Coop spat. He paused and narrowed his gaze at Hatcher. “You ain’t one, are ya?”

  Hatcher chuckled. “I’m apolitical.”

  “Well, I’m told I’m an A-hole, so we got something in common.” Cooper laughed at his own joke and made for the door. “I’ll talk to our resident genius and see what we can do.”

  Hatcher fell into the chair behind the monitors and continued to observe the activity. He couldn’t help but smile and was finally beginning to shake that nagging feeling that the move was a big mistake.

  “Anything good on the tube?” Candy asked as she stepped into his office.

  Hatcher rolled the chair back and waved to the screens. “We got eyes everywhere.”

  Candy flushed. “Not my room, I hope.”

  Hatcher snorted. “No, not your room.” He turned back to the screen and squinted. “But I think that’s your shower.” He smiled to himself. “I wonder if Roger put that in there.”

  “You are NOT funny.” She pulled open the bottom drawer of his desk and dug around. “Where’s your hidden bottle of…er…I mean…”

  Hatcher gave her a knowing glare. “I knew it was you and Vic that nearly emptied that thing.” He rolled to the other side of the office and retrieved the bottle from behind a file cabinet. “Here.”

  She grinned as she took the bottle from him. “We tried adding a little water to it after each time, but then it got to tasting like…”

  “Like watered down cheap bourbon.” He nodded. “I know.”

  Candy came to her feet and patted his back. “Enjoy your new toy.”

  “Hey! Where you takin
g my bottle?”

  She gave him an evil grin and wagged her brows at him. “I’m gonna use it to get Roger liquored up then I’m going to undress him with my teeth.”

  “Stop.” Hatcher held a hand up. “That’s more than I care to know.”

  “I told you I’d never lie to you, Hatch.”

  “Next time just tell me…” His mind drew a blank. “Just lie to me.”

  Candy snorted as she pulled his door toward her. “Oh yeah.” She reached across the taller file cabinet and flipped on the desktop fan. “Happy birthday.”

  She slipped into the hall and Hatcher fought the urge to cry as the fan began to spin. A moment later he scrambled to retrieve the papers it blew into the floor.

  Carol didn’t feel as violated as when she woke up nude on the stainless steel table, but it was close. She pulled at the loose clothing they had provided and muttered under her breath as she stepped out of the tent. “Like I’d be able to walk if I’d been bitten there.” She shook her head as she meandered across the deck.

  “You there!”

  She turned to see a Marine holding a rifle. “Me?”

  “If you’ve been cleared, you need to get below decks.”

  “But, I’m waiting for someone.” She pointed to the larger tent that the men had gone through.

  The Marine waved his rifle at her. “Now. If he’s not already down there, he will be shortly.”

  She felt her shoulders sag when the man practically pushed her toward the steel doorway. She stepped into the darkened space; it took a moment for her eyes to adjust. Another man with a clipboard waited for her.

  “You’ll need to display this at all times.” He handed her a small plastic badge. “We’ll get you your own in due time.”

  She stared at the plastic badge with the red V on it. The word “VISITOR” printed along the bottom. She looked back at him and shook her head. “Really? Is this necessary?”

  The man opened his mouth as if to yell at her then sighed heavily. “Ma’am, I don’t make the rules, I just have to enforce them.” He waved her down the hallway.

  Carol followed the directions of the men carrying weapons until she was directed into a rather large space with others milling about. She saw a few familiar faces but nobody that she could say that she knew.

  Kevin stepped into the space a moment later and looked around. “Wow. I never thought I’d see the insides of one of these.”

  Carol approached him and grabbed his arm. “Did you see Broussard?”

  “Do you realize they probably had to pull this ship out of mothballs and recommission it?”

  Carol shook her head at him. “HAVE YOU SEEN BROUSSARD?”

  Kevin stepped back and gave her a shocked look. “You don’t have to yell.”

  “Apparently I do or you would have answered me the first time.” She planted her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at him.

  “I am here.” Dr. Broussard stepped into the light and Carol quickly closed the space between them.

  “Do you have any idea what’s going on?”

  Broussard shook his head. “No, but they are being very thorough.”

  Carol felt her face flush. “Tell me about it.”

  Broussard nodded his approval. “I cannot say that I blame them after what occurred on the previous ship.”

  “Have they said if they’re going to let us continue our work?”

  He shook his head and glanced around the room. “I cannot be certain that they could provide the equipment we need.”

  Carol huffed and sat down on a grey metal box. It’s not like they couldn’t send some people to the shore and GET the equipment we need.” She waved her arms animatedly. “They could send people to collect a sample of the primordial; surely they could retrieve us a few microscopes.”

  “And incubators,” Kevin added.

  “And centrifuge and…” He smiled at her. “As long as we’re making a shopping list, how about a DNA sequencer and a scanning electron microscope?”

  Carol snorted and fought the urge to laugh. She leaned back on her makeshift seat and tried to count heads. “How many are in here?”

  Broussard shrugged. “Perhaps…thirty?”

  She groaned and propped her head in her hands. I hope that whatever they have planned they don’t wait until everybody is brought over.”

  “I think the wait is over.” Kevin nudged her. He pointed toward the door and a man with a silver eagle on his collar stepped in.

  “Thank god.” Carol was on her feet and stepped toward the man. “Colonel? Colonel, please, we’d like to know what’s going on here.”

  The man stiffened and gave her a pleasant smile. “It’s Captain. And I’ll be happy to answer your questions in just a moment.

  He turned to the crowd and waved them toward him. “If you’ll all step a little closer so I don’t have to yell.” He continued to wave them in closer. “That’s it. Thank you.” The room fell silent as they waited to hear what the man had to say. “I am Captain Proctor and I’m in command of this vessel. We are doing our best to find accommodations for all of you, but in all honesty, we’ll probably have to spread you out over the fleet.”

  Carol gave Broussard a questioning look. “They’re splitting us up? Don’t they realize who we are?” He held a finger to his lips and narrowed his gaze at the officer.

  “My yeoman will be here momentarily to get your names and ranks. Those of you with Navy ratings will be transferred per the needs of the Fleet. Civilians will be detailed to whichever ship we feel you can do the most good.” He paused and gave them all a solemn look. “I realize that you civilians didn’t sign up for this and I understand your trepidation. But I can tell you this; pulling your weight with us is a hell of a lot better than trying to make it out there on your own.

  “Just please, be patient. We’ll get you where you need to go and get you settled in.” He tipped his hat to Carol. “I hope I answered all of your questions and I bid you a good day.”

  He spun and was out the door before his words truly had a chance to soak in. Carol stepped forward, her hand in the air. “Captain!”

  A soldier with a rifle stepped into the open doorway, blocking her. The fact that the captain didn’t turn around did not go unnoticed. She gave the soldier a firm stare then turned and motioned to Broussard. “Something tells me that we’re not going to like this.”

  Stinky handed Sinner the water and made sure he got the antibiotic down okay. He took the cup and set it aside, his eyes turning to Shooter’s. He sighed heavily and came to his feet. “I need to ask you something.”

  Sinner shrugged with his good shoulder. “Ask away.”

  “We may have, uh…run into some of the Ragers when we were getting your meds.” He looked to Shooter again but the man was keeping watch on the hallway, ensuring that Simon didn’t interrupt their powwow.

  Sinner seemed to become more aware. “Where at?”

  “A couple of blocks over, near the main entrance. I know there were at least two in the house.”

  Sinner shook his head and tried to sit up. “We need to clear them out.”

  “No!” Stinky pushed him back to the mattress. “You need to rest so you can heal.” He glanced at Shooter again then leaned in closer to Sinner. “We had an idea.”

  Sinner’s gaze narrowed at him. “What would that be?”

  “We thought maybe we’d tell Simon that there was some booze over there that he missed.” He gave Sinner a knowing look. “Maybe they could take care of him for us.”

  Sinner’s brows knitted together and he glared at Stinky. “Are you for real?” He shook his head. “Simon would kill them dead before they made a move on him. Then he’d come back and kill you two.”

  Stinky’s head dropped and he ground his teeth. “He’s gonna kill us anyway.” He looked up at Sinner. “The man is off his hinges. He’s fucking nuts.”

  Sinner nodded. “Yeah, and it’s that kind of crazy that will keep us all alive in this new world of ours.
”

  Stinky nearly fell against the wall. “You’re shitting me. You believe that? After what happened to you?”

  Sinner forced himself up into a sitting position. “Yeah, Stink, I do.” He pointed to his wound. “This? This was some cager with a rifle and a lucky shot.” He glared at the smaller man. “You seen how those assholes lived. You want to be trapped inside a warehouse like that? What happens when you run out of food and water, huh? Who do you think will be the first ones kicked to the curb?”

  Stinky shook his head. “I could have lived there. I don’t care if it’s a warehouse or…” he motioned around him. “Here.”

  “Then why’d you leave?”

  He sighed heavily and fidgeted with the pill bottle in his hand. “Donna didn’t want me no more. What was I supposed to do? Sit there and watch her play house with some other asshole?” He sniffed back an unshed tear. “I had to leave.”

  “Listen to me.” Sinner lowered his voice and motioned him closer. “You want to get on Simon’s good side? Go and tell him you ran into the crazy fuckers in the house. Offer to help him clear them out. We don’t need them this close to where we lay our heads at night.”

  Stinky’s eyes widened and he shook his head. “But…they could—”

  “No, man. They couldn’t.” He lay back and sighed heavily. “I know Simon is a dick, but he’s the dick we know. We know that he’s only looking out for himself.” Sinner smiled. “That’s shit I can work with.”

  “You can’t be serious. He’d sell us out in a heartbeat.”

  Sinner nodded. “The devil you know.” He patted Stinky’s shoulder. “Thanks for looking out for me. Trust me, I won’t forget it.” He lowered his voice to a whisper. “Just like I won’t forget how Simon hung us out to dry.”

  Stinky smiled as he came to his feet. “I think we’re on the same page.”

  “I hope so, brother.” He glanced to Shooter and nodded. “You’re good with this, right?”

  Shooter nodded, his eyes still glued to the empty hallway.

  “You boys go and report the Ragers to Simon.” He leaned back with a groan. “You may end up having to check every other house in the division, but it’s worth the peace of mind.”