David Bernstein - Machines of the Dead

Jack took out the Glock he’d taken from Reynolds and popped in a fresh clip, the old one feeling rather light. Now he had the. 44 magnum, the Glock 9mm, which he returned to his waist, and a T aser. Zaun had his sword, a Glock, and a machine gun. Kevin took one of the machine guns, an extra magazine and one of the Glocks. Lopez, who said to call her Maria, had a machine gun, a sidearm, a Taser, and a few extra clips for the guns.

The group moved easily down the halls, using the stairs, not wanting to take the chance of getting trapped in the elevator. For all Jack knew, the thing had security features, like a sleeping agent that could be released when undesirables were inside.

Just outside Reynolds’ office was the weapons store and down the hall from that was C-Wing. If the weapons store hadn’t been on the way, Jack thought they might’ve skipped it entirely, especially with them being so well-armed now. But since it was on the way, why not check it out, and at least stock up, leaving less for Reynolds’ men.

Using Reynolds’ keycard-Chambers’ in his pocket-Jack unlocked the arsenal. The room wasn’t very wide, and was as deep as an oversized walk-in closet. He kept an eye on Reynolds and the hallway while the others went in and further armed themselves.

Zaun came out quickly, holding Jack’s shotgun and ammo belt, still filled with shells. “Thought you might want these back,” he said. Jack took the gun, admired it for a moment, then shouldered the weapon. “And these,” Zaun continued, producing and proffering to Jack the Sig Sauer and his. 45 caliber Smith and Wesson. Jack smiled as he took the guns. Both were loaded.

“Rifle’s in there too,” Zaun told him, “if you want it.”

Zaun took over watch of Reynolds and the hallway as Jack entered the room, Kevin and Maria passing him by on their way out.

Jack looked around the armory. Ten M4 machine guns rested against the wall on his right; crates of magazines below. On the far wall were eight Glock 21’s. Boxes of varying ammo filled the shelves on the left, along with Tasers and Taser re-loads, gas masks, flash-bang grenades, mini attachable gun lights, and flashlights. He grabbed a couple of clips for the Glock, found a box of. 45 shells, took two flash-bang grenades and headed out.

Jack asked if everyone was good before closing the weapons room door. Everyone had taken a couple flash-bang grenades, Maria explaining how to use them, informing Jack and Zaun that they were designed to disorient a person, everything from temporary blindness to hearing loss. When used, it was a good idea to close one’s eyes and cover one’s ears.

“Does anyone else have access to this room?” Jack asked.

“I know the Doc and Chambers did. Not sure about any others,” Maria answered.

“Me either,” Kevin echoed.

“Well?” Jack asked Reynolds.

“Only two others have access cards to the arsenal.”

“Doesn’t matter; as long as we have this asshole,” Zaun said, nudging Reynolds, “we’ll be fine.”

Just down the hall was C-wing. Using the keycard, Jack opened the security door. He kept the. 44 magnum at Reynolds’ head.

Two guards, both holding M4’s stood before the group.

“Drop the weapons and stand back,” Jack demanded.

“Do as he says, gentlemen,” Reynolds ordered. “They’ll be leaving us real soon.”

Faces like carved granite, the guards laid down their weapons and stood to the side.

Maria removed the magazines and clips from the guns. The two guards were ushered into a nearby office where their own zip ties were used to subdue them.

Moving down the hall, there was a windowed laboratory on the left. Three scientists surrounded a zombie lying on a steel table. Jack thought the place looked exactly like the operating room in a hospital. The men were so absorbed in what they were doing that Jack didn’t think they even noticed him or the others.

“You’re a sick bastard, you know that?” Zaun said to Reynolds. He walked up to the door and kicked it open. The scientists jumped, startled by the abrupt intrusion.

“You better stop your man from doing anything stupid,” Reynolds warned.

“Zaun,” Jack yelled. “Stop. Let the men work.”

Zaun spun around, his eyes slits. “What?”

“Listen to your friend,” Reynolds said, talking to Zaun. “He understands.”

Zaun came from the doorway, gun out and pointed at Reynolds’ head. “One more word out of you and screw the consequences, you’re dead.”

“Zaun,” Jack said. “He’s right. Whoever’s on that table is dead. There’s no helping him anymore. We need to help the survivors. And as much as I’d like to blow this place sky-high, the work here is essential. Reynolds’ people are the only ones who might be able to stop all this.”

Zaun continued to stare at Reynolds, his cheek muscles flexing as he clenched his jaw.

Jack didn’t like leaving things as they were. He wasn’t sure he was doing the right thing by allowing the experimentations to continue, but to him at least, Reynolds and his team were necessary evils. He knew the man wanted to get control over the situation. N o scientist wanted to be a failure.

Seeing his friend still fuming, Jack reminded Zaun that they were there for the survivors. The dead weren’t going to get any better.

“For the record,” Zaun spat. “This sucks.”

“I’m with you,” Maria said, “but Jack’s right. As much as I hate what this man’s done, he’s needed.” Stepping up to Reynolds, she added, “But don’t think for one second you’re getting away with any of this. I’m going to report you; see to it you’re brought up on humanitarian charges, treason, espionage, and whatever else I can come up with.”

“Amen to that,” Zaun said. He sighed. “Fine, I’m with you all, but if he gets out of line I’m going to pound on his face a little.”

“Agreed,” Jack said. Then to Reynolds, “You hear that, asshole? You’ve got something to live for, to finish your work. So don’t try anything stupid, and as soon as we’re out of here, we’ll let you get back to it.”

The group continued down C-wing, passing by other labs and offices and a few of what appeared to be operating rooms. A number of undead were being poked and prodded, electrocuted, cut up, and whatnot. Jack felt sick at seeing the carnage, but also at seeing the glee and seriousness on the scientists’ faces. He began to shake with anger. Needing to burst, he did the next best thing. Spinning Reynolds around, he punched him in the gut. The man collapsed to the ground, curling up into a ball, coughing.

“What happened?” Kevin asked.

“Sorry. I lost it. Seeing those rooms. W hat he did to those people. H ow he used them… I just needed him to hurt a little. I know he’ll pay for what he’s done. I just couldn’t help it.”

“No problem here,” Zaun said. “Can I have a go? I’ve been dying to do that all night?”

Jack almost laughed, his emotions like a roller coaster.

The hallway grew dim as the overhead lights faded, as if the power were about to go out. A high-pitched alarm chirped. Red lights came on along the ceiling, flashing like the strobes on a police car. A door at the end of the hall opened, the same door where the “test-subjects” were held.

Jack spun around to check behind him. Zaun screamed that Reynolds was getting away. He turned around and saw the man dash into one of the lab rooms. Fuck, the bastard had used the confusion to escape.

Jack ran after Reynolds, but the room’s door was locked. He pounded on it to no avail, meeting Reynolds’ eyes. The mad scientist was grinning as if he was possessed. Two men in white lab coats stood behind him, patting him on the shoulders. The madman’s fellow goons must have sounded the alarm, hoping for a distraction so they could get their leader back. It had worked.