David Bernstein - Machines of the Dead

Zaun was right, but any hope of escaping just went from good to terrible. Without Reynolds as a hostage, they had no leverage. It would be a number of armed guards against a few fools. It couldn’t end like this. Jack looked around the room, searching for an answer as to the doc’s whereabouts. Then it hit him. He snapped his fingers, catching Zaun’s attention, then pointed to the bookcase.

Zaun nodded, then raised his weapon.

“Come out from behind there or my friend is going to start shooting at it. He’s itching to kill someone, especially you. All we want is the keycard so we can get our butts out of here.”

Zaun fired a shot high, the bullet dislodging a book, sending its torn remains to the floor.

The bookcase clicked, then slid sideways, revealing Reynolds, standing in a small room. A Glock was resting on the floor at his feet.

“Kick the gun over here,” Jack said, and Reynolds did. He picked it up, and placed it into a pocket.

“Now get out of there,” Jack ordered, keeping his gun aimed at the man.

“You’re crazy, Jack,” Reynolds said. “After everything I did for you; gave you. And this is how you repay me?”

“Cut the bullshit. We know what you’ve been up to; how you’re using people, killing them.”

“They were homeless drug addicts. They would’ve died on the streets or hurt someone. They were doing nothing for society. I gave them a way to contribute.”

Zaun stepped forward and knocked the butt of his gun into the man’s head. Reynolds staggered back, holding a hand to his temple. Blood trickled from between his fingers.

“I say we shoot the bastard right here.” Zaun pressed the muzzle of his weapon to the man’s head.

Hands up and out, the doc backed up a step. “Don’t do anything stupid. You’re under a lot of stress. You’ve been cooped up to long and aren’t thinking clearly. And Jack, you’ve suffered a great deal. Stop this madness before someone gets hurt.”

“Sure, Doc,” Jack said. “We’ll put down our weapons and surrender, so you can stick us in C-Wing and fill us with bots.”

“You need me alive,” Reynolds said, “or they’ll cut you two to shreds.”

“Don’t we know it,” Zaun said. “That’s why you’re coming with us.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the escape tunnel; to freedom, and away from you,” Jack said.

Reynolds started laughing. “Leaving here isn’t going to happen, Jack. And it’d be a big mistake to do so.”

“Jack,” Zaun fumed, “this guy’s really pissing me off. Can we please get the hell out of here?”

Jack told Reynolds to turn around and place his hands behind his back. Zaun handed him a zip-tie and Jack slid the plastic cuff over the doctor’s wrists, securing them tightly.

“Fuck me,” Zaun said, as he headed over to Reynolds’ hideout. “Piece-of-shit had my sword.”

“A fine piece of craftsmanship,” Reynolds told him.

“We can add thief to all the other things you are.” Zaun picked up his baby. He checked the blade. Appearing satisfied, he sheathed it, then tucked it between his hip and belt. Using the small pieces of fabric attached to the sheath, he tied the weapon in place. “I would’ve been uber pissed if we got to the armory and it wasn’t there. You’re a lucky son of a bitch, Doc.”

Jack was beginning to wonder if his friend, who had always been a bit ‘odd,’ had gone a little off the deep end. Zaun had spent a lot of time alone in his apartment. He guessed the guy was as frightened and nervous as he was, trying his best not to flip out.

They exited the room and were heading down the hall, on their way to the weapons store, when Jack saw a group of guards heading their way. Kevin and Guard Lopez at the front, machine guns pointed at their backs.

“Tell your men to put down their weapons,” Jack ordered Reynolds, “and release Meyers and Lopez.”

“Jack,” Reynolds responded. “Before you go down this path, and I see you’ve gotten others to join you, think about what you are doing.”

“I have,” he said, pressing the. 44’s barrel to the back of Reynolds’ skull. “Now tell them.”

When Reynolds said nothing, Jack cracked the man in the side of his head with the gun-Reynolds’ crying out-then returned the weapon to the back of the man’s head. “Call. Them. Off.”

“You’re going to regret this, Jack.”

Zaun stepped forward, steak knife in hand, and put the blade’s tip just under Reynolds’ right eye. The man winced. “We don’t have to kill you. We can maim you, keeping you alive just enough to get what we want.”

The guards were just down the hall. Their weapons remained pointed at both Kevin and Lopez, whose faces were bloodied and bruised. Jack thought it lucky they were still alive, and probably the only reason being was that the doc needed subjects.

“Last time I’m going to ask,” Jack said, “and then my friend pokes out an eye.”

Jack wanted Zaun behind him, in case one of the guards thought he could get off a shot, but liked them seeing Reynolds surrounded by gun and bladed implement.

“Lower your weapons,” Reynolds finally said.

The guards remained as they were for a moment, until the one behind Lopez shoved her forward. He placed his sidearm against her head. “Lower your weapons and release the doctor. You have until the count of three, or she dies.”

Zaun turned, and threw the knife at the guard, hitting the man in his throat.

The man dropped his gun and stumbled backward, holding his throat, complete and utter shock on his face. One of the other guards went to help him, but Reynolds spoke up.

“Leave him; he’s already dead.”

Everyone watched as the guard pulled the knife from his neck, then fell to the floor, blood continuing to gush, leaving streaks and puddles everywhere. Desperation filled the man’s face as he tried crawling forward, his doom imminent.

Jack pointed the. 44 at the man and put a bullet into his head, the guard’s body going limp.

The others appeared stunned, staring at their dead comrade as blood pooled around him.

Jack returned his gun to Reynolds’ head, his hand shaking slightly.

The guards’ demeanor began to change, from astonishment to anger.

“Get behind me,” he whispered to Zaun, and his friend did, readying his M4.

The guards looked enraged. Behind the muzzles of their guns, Jack could see the hate in their eyes.

“Drop your weapons,” Reynolds said, his voice taking on a heavy, authoritative tone. “The man is dead because he didn’t obey a direct order.”

Jack began to worry the others wouldn’t either; that they’d seen one of their own killed, and would want revenge, but his worries were squashed as the men laid down their arms.

“Kevin,” Jack asked, “you guys all right?” The kid nodded. “We’re a little banged up is all.”

“Fucking traitors,” one of the guards said.

“Tell your men to back away,” Jack demanded, fearing that not all was okay yet.

Reynolds complied, ordering his men back.

“Grab the weapons and a radio, then get over here,” Jack said.

When Kevin and Lopez were out of harm’s way, Jack had Reynolds make an announcement over the walkie. The man ordered his staff to stand down and to let Jack and the others pass without hindrance. If they complied, no harm would befall him.

The guards were cuffed, using their own zip-ties, and shoved into a room where they were ordered by Reynolds to remain until told otherwise. Jack didn’t imagine the guards staying tied up for long, but anything to slow them down and keep them from causing trouble was a good thing.

When all was said and done, Jack and the others had quite a little arsenal: two more M4 machine guns with an extra magazine each; two more 9mm Glock 21’s with an extra clip each; and three Tasers.