the military to stop them at this point,” Julian said with a scary certainty.
“How can that be?” Mike asked.
“Once started, the area is overrun at an exponentially greater rate as time passes, so we are already compromised being this close to the outbreak.”
“Then why haven’t you left yet?” Eric asked.
“Because we are looking for something we weren’t sure existed before today,” Julian told them.
“What might that be?” Mike asked before Eric could.
“Terra Corp has been in search of an anomaly we refer to as Latent ,” Julian said, sliding his gaze over to Marlee before continuing. “An original that didn’t change through intervention and didn’t turn into what you’ve witnessed outside.”
Mike was getting ready to ask him what all that gibberish meant when someone’s radio started to sound off.
“Mr. Fairchild,” one of the guards delicately interrupted, “we need to get moving; the Zs are gathering en masse around the building.”
“Point taken, Haya. Round up the critical gear and leave everything else; then go get the vehicles ready,” Julian said in his quiet but authoritative tone.
“Right away, Mr. Fairchild,” Haya replied as he set off with the others to do as instructed.
“Marlee, put on those sunglasses, we’re gonna go get Reid and Ash then get the hell outta here,” Mike said, wondering if they had any chance of getting back across the street.
Julian, who had been watching Mike and his friends, shook his head. “I don’t think you understand, Mike, we will be leaving together or with just the girl. Marlee is part of this now and will be coming with us.”
“She will be staying with me,” Mike responded angrily.
“Mike, look around. You’re in no position to exert your will in this situation. I understand your dilemma and have space if you wish to join us, but Marlee will be coming with me regardless.”
Mike glared into Julian’s eyes, realizing he would need to capitulate for now. The man had a small army with him and was in Tampa for a purpose, one Mike knew he fully intended to complete.
“I still need to get my friends out of the parking garage,” Mike stated firmly. He did not intend to leave anyone behind.
“You were a soldier once?” Julian asked Mike.
“Army,” Mike acknowledged. “Eric and I served in the Army together and we got ourselves into some crazy shit, but we never left a man, or woman, behind,” he said an intensity that drew nods of respect from the guards that had remained behind with Julian.
One of the Terra Corp guards broke off from the rest and rummaged through stacks of gear piled up next to the elevator, returning shorty with two M4A1s and a couple of ammo belts. He handed Mike and Eric one each, who gratefully accepted such fine weaponry, and Mike looked questioningly at Julian.
“Let’s get your friends and when we have time I’ll fill you in on what’s going on outside as I understand it, but dead men don’t tell tales so we need to get out before they get in,” Julian said, reminding everyone of the thin line between them and the Changed.
Marlee donned her sunglasses as the team formed up and started back down to the lobby. When they reached the first floor it was readily apparent much had been done in the short time they had been upstairs. Equipment was now neatly stacked and most of the people they had seen before were headed toward the interior loading dock. Marlee gasped when she spotted the Changed outside; they were still smashing into doors and windows trying to gain entrance, while others were just standing there pressed into the glass by those pushing from behind. It looked like a macabre rock concert with the crowd going crazy to catch a glimpse of the band, only this crowd was interested in much more than an autograph. Mike was concerned Marlee would freak out, but was pleasantly surprised when she kept her cool. Life would get complicated if she broke down every time she saw one of those
“How can that be?” Mike asked.
“Once started, the area is overrun at an exponentially greater rate as time passes, so we are already compromised being this close to the outbreak.”
“Then why haven’t you left yet?” Eric asked.
“Because we are looking for something we weren’t sure existed before today,” Julian told them.
“What might that be?” Mike asked before Eric could.
“Terra Corp has been in search of an anomaly we refer to as Latent ,” Julian said, sliding his gaze over to Marlee before continuing. “An original that didn’t change through intervention and didn’t turn into what you’ve witnessed outside.”
Mike was getting ready to ask him what all that gibberish meant when someone’s radio started to sound off.
“Mr. Fairchild,” one of the guards delicately interrupted, “we need to get moving; the Zs are gathering en masse around the building.”
“Point taken, Haya. Round up the critical gear and leave everything else; then go get the vehicles ready,” Julian said in his quiet but authoritative tone.
“Right away, Mr. Fairchild,” Haya replied as he set off with the others to do as instructed.
“Marlee, put on those sunglasses, we’re gonna go get Reid and Ash then get the hell outta here,” Mike said, wondering if they had any chance of getting back across the street.
Julian, who had been watching Mike and his friends, shook his head. “I don’t think you understand, Mike, we will be leaving together or with just the girl. Marlee is part of this now and will be coming with us.”
“She will be staying with me,” Mike responded angrily.
“Mike, look around. You’re in no position to exert your will in this situation. I understand your dilemma and have space if you wish to join us, but Marlee will be coming with me regardless.”
Mike glared into Julian’s eyes, realizing he would need to capitulate for now. The man had a small army with him and was in Tampa for a purpose, one Mike knew he fully intended to complete.
“I still need to get my friends out of the parking garage,” Mike stated firmly. He did not intend to leave anyone behind.
“You were a soldier once?” Julian asked Mike.
“Army,” Mike acknowledged. “Eric and I served in the Army together and we got ourselves into some crazy shit, but we never left a man, or woman, behind,” he said an intensity that drew nods of respect from the guards that had remained behind with Julian.
One of the Terra Corp guards broke off from the rest and rummaged through stacks of gear piled up next to the elevator, returning shorty with two M4A1s and a couple of ammo belts. He handed Mike and Eric one each, who gratefully accepted such fine weaponry, and Mike looked questioningly at Julian.
“Let’s get your friends and when we have time I’ll fill you in on what’s going on outside as I understand it, but dead men don’t tell tales so we need to get out before they get in,” Julian said, reminding everyone of the thin line between them and the Changed.
Marlee donned her sunglasses as the team formed up and started back down to the lobby. When they reached the first floor it was readily apparent much had been done in the short time they had been upstairs. Equipment was now neatly stacked and most of the people they had seen before were headed toward the interior loading dock. Marlee gasped when she spotted the Changed outside; they were still smashing into doors and windows trying to gain entrance, while others were just standing there pressed into the glass by those pushing from behind. It looked like a macabre rock concert with the crowd going crazy to catch a glimpse of the band, only this crowd was interested in much more than an autograph. Mike was concerned Marlee would freak out, but was pleasantly surprised when she kept her cool. Life would get complicated if she broke down every time she saw one of those
Similar Books
