Linda Andrews - Extinction Level Event

“Well, she wasn’t sick yesterday so we must have caught it early.” David watched Lister rise from his seat and stride down the hall. He probably had to report that there’d be no shooting doctors tonight.

“Maybe.”

“No. Not maybe.” Leaving her side, he skirted the kitchen island, heading for the coffee pot. “We did.”

Turning her face toward him, she flashed him a brief smile. “You really are a glass three-quarters full kind of guy, aren’t you?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He tossed the old coffee down the drain, rinsed the pot then added enough water to brew the full eight cups promised by the maker. If the general planned to stay a while, David would need the caffeine to keep awake.

Marines were notorious womanizers.

Starting with the far left cabinet, he opened the doors.

“Coffee’s in the next one.” Mavis spun the laptop around until the screen faced her. “No improvement.”

He opened the cabinet. Inside was a hazelnut frou-frou coffee and the real stuff. Popping the plastic lid, he measured out enough grounds so the brew would allow a spoon to stand at attention then turned on the coffee maker. “Now we need a bug out plan.”

“Why leave?” Closing the keyboard of his Smartphone, Lister swaggered back into the room. “We have all that we need here, plus we can shop at all the empty residences.”

“The people may be dead, but their bodies are still lying around, decomposing and feeding the rats.” David removed two mugs from the wooden tree near the window. In the glass’s reflection, he saw Mavis wince. Tact wasn’t exactly a skill that survived sleep deprivation. He reached for a third mug then stopped. The corpsman could wait on the general.

“The President will make an announcement tomorrow and let everyone know about the Plague.” Lister plopped down on the reversed chair and scooted closer to the table.

And to Mavis.

Damned officers. He was definitely getting his own coffee. While the machine gurgled, David measured out two spoonfuls of sugar into a mug. She had taken sugar, hadn’t she?

“Bodies are one thing, but the nuclear power plant is another threat altogether.” Mavis frowned at her laptop then tapped a few keys.

“Give the order and we’ll shut Palo Verde down.” Lister leaned in his chair until his head practically rested on her shoulder.

Lecherous, pretty boy. Acting like he was all that and a home-cooked meal. David kept his clenched fists hidden behind the counter. At least he knew something that lascivious Lister didn’t.

Mavis cleared her throat. “It’s not so simple. Without a reliable supply of gas or coal, there’s no way we can supply enough electricity to keep the hospitals operating.”

“And since Operation Deep Six was aborted during week two of the Redaction, there are spent fuel rods stored on site. They will evaporate off their water, ignite and send enough radiation to kill everything.” He made sure he kept the smug look off his face. Last thing he wanted was to be dressed down in front of his woman. “Staying is not an option.”

Mavis turned the computer screen so the general could see it without putting his head in her lap.

“Fair enough.” Lister retreated a few inches. “I might be able to help. I grew up in the area.”

Of course he did. Where was a plague-infested rat when he needed it? David grabbed the half-full pot from the machine and filled the mugs. The rich scent of coffee didn’t soothe him as it usually did.

“What do you know of Colorado?” She tapped her computer and a green glow highlighted her checks. “Specifically, this area.”

Probably a topographical map. Not that it would help him worm his way into the conversation. He’d spent most of his years in service either overseas or in the South. Picking up the mugs by the handles, he joined Mavis.

“I’ve been there a couple of times. It’s rough terrain.” Lister brushed her hand as he shifted the focus of the map to another area. “This location would be better. There’s water and it’s relatively flat for farming.”

Shaking her head, she reached up and took one of the mugs. “You don’t quite understand what I’ve said. We’re not going to be living on the Earth’s surface but under her skin. These mountains are loaded with metals to block the radiation, plus there are a warren of tunnels we can make use of right away.” Setting her mug down, she shifted back to her original target area, then zoomed in to the valley. “This has a power connection to Glen Canyon Dam and will provide us with enough electricity while we set up our new underground civilization.”

David blew steam off his mug. That was his girl, showing the general she was more than just a pretty face. Much more. And the face was damn wonderful.

Lister scratched his clean-shaven chin. “So we’ll need supply stations along the exfil route.”

“Yes.” Frowning, Mavis pulled the mug from his hand and set it next to hers.

What the hell? She already had a cup; she didn’t need his.

“Why don’t you catch up on some sleep before your shift?”

Tugging his mask down, Lister reached out and nabbed David’s stolen cup.

Thieving bastard. He crossed his arms. Damn Jar heads always got the good stuff. “I can help plan the exodus.”

She set her hand on his arm. “You can, but I’d rather you catch up on the sleep you’ve lost since you’ve been assigned to me. And don’t bother to deny it. I’m a trained observer and I know a fatigue case when I see one.”

After a squeeze and a smile, she released him and disappeared down the hall.

Lister sipped David’s coffee then smacked his lips.

Yeah, well, at least she cared enough about him to worry. That was better than a cup of coffee any day. Mavis’s permission allowed fatigue to flood his body, infusing his limbs with lassitude, which made it hard to keep his eyes open. He’d comply, because she was his superior and she’d worry. She had enough on her plate without his health. Besides, he really could use the sleep.

A door squeaked twice, before she returned with blanket and pillow in hand. “Will you be comfortable on the couch or do you want the spare bed?”

“The couch.” He took the items and trudged to the sofa. The sweet scent of roses wafted from the bundle. He’d sleep with both ears and one eye open. Marines were not to be trusted.

She followed him to the couch and helped him tuck a sheet around the cushions. “What time do you need to wake to report back to base before your shift?”

“Six should be plenty of time.” David dropped the pillow onto the sheet then ripped open the Velcro of his jacket before lowering the zipper.

Lister scooted his chair closer to hers. “We’ll be sure to wake you.”

Mavis rolled her eyes.

Double-dog bastard. Turning his back on the general, David sat down and worked off his boots. Maybe he could sleep with both eyes on the Marine.

Manny blinked at the light shining on his eyelids before burying his face in his pillow. The soft scent of flowers invaded his senses. Flowers? Rearing back, he looked around. The twin-sized bed butted against a tan wall. A thin strip of seashell wallpaper hung midway down. Next to a glass jar of sand dollars and starfish, a white pitcher and bowl sat on a nightstand. Across from that was another twin bed. His brother, Jose’s favorite superhero-action figure sat among the rumpled sky blue covers.

Fear fisted his heart and squeezed.

This was not his home. While his brain struggled against the cotton batting wrapping his thoughts, he sprang from the bed. His bare feet sank into the plush carpeting, before he spun around. The niños ! Where were the niños ?