Chapter 12
Erik
Blood samples had been taken from several of the infected, including from David’s blood.
If there was any hope of finding some type of cure, or serum in order to protect the others, this was the only chance of doing so.
The medical facilities within the city were limited, many of their drugs and other supplies expired given the number of years they’d been on the planet.
At least Cassia had been able to isolate two genes that she believed to be competing with each other.
We’d given ourselves thirty-six hours so accomplish our goals.
The others were all hopeful for some moderate success, albeit there were no guarantees to anything.
My thoughts were more jaded, a full realization that we were doomed to fail.
At least my human memories had started to resurface, whether from early stages of the disease or lessening effects of the DNA-splicing drugs.
Either way, my previous combat mission would serve me well.
Sadly, there were other horrors to face, memories that had become fresh all over again.
“Keep going,” I encouraged, my hand never far from Cassia.
“According to the console, we’re almost there,” Brexin called.
In three short hours, David’s condition had grown significantly worse, the six other hybrids showing additional symptoms as well. We were on borrowed time.
We trudged through mud and slop, the horrific rain turning melting snow into rivers.
Thunder and lightning kept talk to a minimum, all our exhausted efforts concentrated on getting to the compound before dark.
We would hunker down for the night, finding our way back in the morning after Cassia had sequestered everything she could from the experiments, including detailed reports.
If we were lucky, the all-terrain vehicles hadn’t been destroyed or taken, allowing us a quick return.
Sadly, I believed our luck had already run out.
My headaches had returned, my heartrate increasing. I was no fool, certainly susceptible to the disease and something Cassia was monitoring. I refused to succumb. I’d made her a promise of protecting her and I would keep that promise.
By the time we reached what was left of the compound, twilight had settled in, the rain lessening.
Thunder continued to rumble in the distance as we approached, every one of us in awe of the sight.
The building was in shambles, but certain portions remained intact given the engineered steel trusses and walls.
I’d never wanted to see this wretched place again, but on this day, I was forced to put my feelings aside.
“Wait here,” one of the soldiers stated, motioning to the others. The main doors had withstood the blast, remaining closed. There could be another battle if survivors remained, something I was prepared to face.
“I’m going to check around back,” I stated, taking them to the outskirts of the forest. “Cassia, stay here and watch the door; Brexin, check on the other side. If either of you see anything, touch your consoles. The single blip will be all I need.”
“Be careful,” she said, a quiver in her voice from the chill as well as her continued fear.
I gave her a longing look before crouching down and moving through the woods as quietly as possible. While I doubted we’d been followed or that true predators were hunting us, I had to make certain.
I kept my weapon in both hands, scanning the surrounding area as I listened for any signs of intruders.
The drops of rain pelted against the slick covering on my shoulders, the sounds a distinct reminder of my incarceration.
I shoved the thought away, heading deeper into the forest. While some of the lower lying branches had been knocked off, that could have been caused by any of the severe storms.
I walked several yards, unable to detect anything.
If there had been any signs of activity, it was gone.
I felt a rush of adrenaline seizing my muscles, causing my heart to beat erratically.
Forced to stop and take a deep breath, I closed my eyes and leaned against a tree.
I could almost feel my blood thickening, my muscles flexing then constricting.
Don’t do this. Don’t. An image. Her face.
This time, I was immediately thrown into a vision that was so real, I was paralyzed as it unfolded, gasping for air.
“Get him out of here! We are finished, Mr. Trebold, and while I realize you believe our time spent together wasn’t worthwhile, I assure you that it was.
You will make an interesting addition to Earth Two and you and I will meet again.
For now, you are nothing but an animal awaiting experimentation.
” As he walked out of the room, he laughed.
The odd smile on the man’s face had pissed me off the most, as if he knew something he refused to tell me.
I’d come damn close to swiping the smile off his face permanently.
Yet I’d heard the discord in the doctor’s voice and laughed to myself.
His threats meant nothing to me. Even though I was in chains, the soldiers assigned to walk me from the various laboratories to my glorified cell were terrified of what I could do.
I was fed up with being a pincushion. I’d finally signed the damn agreement then had become subjected to various tests and inoculations, much more painful than they needed to be.
There was a special place in hell for the doctor.
I was suddenly nauseous, every muscle in my body tingling and unable to walk on my own. As they began to drag me, I heard a voice, the beautiful lilting sound of a woman. Somehow, I managed to turn my head. Then I saw her.
“Erik!” While the scream wasn’t high pitched, Cassia’s urgency managed to yank me out of yet another nightmare.
I took off running, stumbling and sliding in the muck until my legs ceased shaking.
I took several gulping breaths, moving forward by the force of will alone.
Another haunting vision that gave me no real answers.
She raced toward me, her arms outstretched. “Are you okay? What the hell happened?”
“I’m fine. I thought I heard something. What did they find?”
“You were gone for almost thirty minutes. Jesus Christ. I thought I lost you.” She placed her hand on my face. “You’re getting warm. We need to get you inside.”
“What did they find?”
“They found two survivors including one of the scientists. I trust her. She will be able to help us.” Her face held the first real smile I’d seen.
“No one else?”
She wrapped her arm around my waist, guiding me through the forest. “No one else, including Kevin. However, the soldiers said the lab is mostly intact. We might have hope.”
“Damn the asshole. I don’t believe he would have gone very far.”
“Maybe not, but we can’t worry about him. Not right now.”
“Agreed.”
We made our way into the compound, able to turn on a few lights. At least the entire electrical system hadn’t been blown.
Brexin was just inside, his face far less hopeful than hers. “The guards will secure the perimeter, allowing us to work safely.”
“Make certain they know that one of the scientists is on the loose. He needs to be found.”
“Fantastic. The night is going to be interesting,” he muttered and headed toward the entrance.
“Let’s not waste any time doing what we came here to do.” I rubbed my head, refusing to believe there wasn’t anyone else left. The female scientist had been brought to what had once been the eating room. She was dazed but her eyes followed me as I approached. “Rowena.”
“Erik. What is happening?” she asked. “Oh, my God. You look so different.”
“Because of what you and Dr. Fields did to him as well as all the others,” Cassia retorted. “You have no idea what you’ve done.”
“What we were forced to do, Cassia. I already told you that,” she snapped. “I had no choice. We had no choice.” Her eyes had a faraway look, no longer believing in the great cause.
“Attend to her injuries and see what you can find,” I knew my words were orders, but at this point, our borrowed time could be running out. “Were there others after the attack? Did you see them?”
Rowena shook her head. “I was in my quarters when the attack occurred, blocked in. I managed to crawl through the vent to get out.”
I took a deep breath, studying her eyes. There was no sense she was lying.
“The hybrids have succumbed to a disease. Did you know anything about this?” Cassia continued. Dropping the duffle containing the various samples she’d taken, she yanked off her parka, tossing it aside.
She shrank back, shaking her head. “No. What are you talking about?”
“Are you strong enough to come with me to the lab?” Cassia crouched down in front of her.
“Yes, I believe so. What are you trying to accomplish?”
“I want to see every report on the hybrids, no matter how inconsequential, including every test you and the others performed. I also need to run blood samples. I think I know exactly which blood cells are the problem, but my findings must be confirmed.”
“How serious is this?”
“Deadly,” I answered. “To both species.”
“Jesus.” Rowena eased to her feet, gripping the table, her lower lips quivering. “Kevin kept the majority of his work locked in a system that only he had access. He didn’t trust anyone. I told you that.”
“Bastard. Please say there’s a ‘but’ here,” Cassia begged.
“Maybe. I also kept my tests in a separate file. As long as the computers haven’t been destroyed, I should be able to access them.” Rowena shook her head. “With only the two of us, this is going to be time-consuming.”
“We have a few hours. That’s it.” Cassia rubbed her forehead. “We will find something.”
“Keep your weapon close and if you hear anything at all, you contact me right away.” My command was met by a roll of her eyes.