Dormant (V) (492 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 1.4 on 10 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by r0fl (View user info) at 2006-03-13 23:04:15 EST
Part I: http://www.ubersite.com/m/83818
Part II: http://www.ubersite.com/m/84041
Part III: http://www.ubersite.com/m/84412
Part IV: http://www.ubersite.com/m/84565
Colonel Michael Newborn sent his empty metallic thermos into the backseat of his Humvee tumbling end over end.
He lightly massaged his temples, and read back his report and orders twice.
<ATTN>
<CLASS AAAA CLEARANCE>
<COL. NWBRN, M>
<RE: ZRV2>
VILE STOLEN. INFECTIONS REPORTED.
REPORT TO AUGUSTA HOSPITAL. 2 DEAD. ASSESS AND DETAIN.
USE ALL TACTICS. WHATEVER MEANS NECESSARY. KEEP SITUATION QUIET.
<END>
His vehicle was not painted in the traditional fatigues, but jet black. He was also in civilian clothes, in a neatly pressed suit, with black tie. A standard military issue tugged from its holster on his shoulder as he stepped out of the truck, and briskly walked toward the hospital entrance.
The last thing he wanted to do was be in Augusta this morning. He'd rather be in Brunswick, delegating PT and going on his morning run. He muttered, 'duty calls,' to himself. He checked his watch, 0615.
Newborn walked through the doors, his heels clicking the cold, solid floors. He hated the smell of hospitals; their antiseptic, yet unclean stench chilled him.
The caffeine was just starting to kick in. He ran his hand through his closely cropped hair, and scratched his freshly shaved cheek. A doctor was speaking to a patient about a child to his left, as it seemed the entire department was just beginning to breathe again.
He approached the desk and flashed an official-looking badge.
"I'm looking for the head of the ED, a Dr. Walker?"
To his left, the man in a white coat excused himself from his companion, and extended his right hand, exclaiming, "I'm Dr. Walker."
Michael flashed his badge again and applied a strong gripped handshake. He suggested they go somewhere more private, to discuss a couple fatally killed the evening before.
Upon the closing of the wooden door behind them in an empty conference room, Colonel Newborn explained that he was head of a containment control task force. He explained that the two admitted that evening were possibly infected, and that while there is no imminent danger, the hospital must be quarantined off, with no patients traveling in or out.
"It's merely for precautionary measures, but the government would rather err on the side of caution in these cases," the Colonel reassured.
"I understand. Considering it's not an airborne infection, we should be fine. What do you need from me?"
"Has their been a staff change yet?"
"Not 'til 7:00."
"OK, we still have some time."
Dr. Walker paged the appropriate personnel, and locked off the ED. He directed Colonel Newborn toward the maintenance stairwell, so he can have a better look at the air ducts and ventilation, for what he deemed 'precautionary measures' as well.
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Downstairs, what were left of Gene Hampton and his lovely wife were finishing off the janitor.
Upon finishing, they attempted to leave the room, but were stopped by the doors, unwilling to budge.
If they could have read the "Push to Open" sign above the red button beside the large, swinging doors, they would have made it out.
In fits of rage and hunger, they trashed about the room, stumbling on aluminum catacombs of bodies waiting to be autopsied and examined. If they could still produce saliva, they would have been drooling. It was a buffet.
--------------------------------------------------
Colonel Newborn placed a device on one of the main Oxygen lines for the entire hospital, and advised Dr. Walker and his staff to remain in the ED, while he grabbed more equipment from his truck and checked in with headquarters.
Upon almost exiting, a nurse, concerned for her safety as well as everyone else's, chased Michael down. She demanded, somewhat politely, why they had to stay in a locked down ED, and he could leave.
"It's more of an opportunistic infection," the Colonel explained, "...if you want, I can go over some specifics of the disease with you quickly in the conference room, if that will ease your mind a little."
She agreed, and they stepped into the room. The door locked, and Michael quickly locked it, and drew the shades.
Nurse Norma Grenier pulled a chair out from under the table, and sat down.
The butt-end of his sidearm connected the back of her skull with precision one could only gain from years upon years in the military.
She slumped over the mahogany table, thick plasma leaking from her nose and mouth. The silencer slipped over the muzzle, and traveled along the threads producing a harmonious tone.
The lone bullet passed through her skull through the golf-ball sized protrusion produced from the butt of his handgun. It exited above her right eye, embedding itself in the floor.
Michael grabbed the keys from her waist, and exited the room quietly after holstering his weapon, locking the door behind him.
He waved to the woman at the front desk, and exited the hospital and walked toward a payphone.
The phone rang three times, and he hung up. Moments later, the call was returned. He picked up his receiver.
"This is Newborn, ID 34TY67J. Clearance AAAA."
"Copy," the receiver barked.
"Situation contained. Vaccine available?" Michael asked, almost reluctantly.
"Negative," droned the phone in reply.
"The device is in place, timer set."
"Copy. Proceed."
Click. Colonel Michael Newborn looked at the hospital, and then East to see the sun rising.
He then boarded his truck, and opened the next order of directives. He began winding around roads in suburban Maine, to the coastal town of Boothbay.
--------------------------------------------------
The Walker's kitchen smelled of breakfast, a weekend treat for the kids and adults alike. The scent of bacon carried throughout the house, entering the children's noses, arousing them.
They trudged into the kitchen, the crackling of meat on the frying pan the only sound besides their footsteps. On the counter the toaster popped, presenting two perfectly toasted slices of Freihofers.
"Did Shivers come home last night Mom?" Jimmy asked.
"No, I'm sorry son. He'll be back, just you wait. Shiv's ran away a few times."
"It's different this time, I know it. I miss him"
"I know you do honey. Where's your brother? How's he feeling?"
"He said he's still tired, he didn't want to get up."
"I'm coming!" boomed Tommy, from the bottom bunk in their room. "Hold your horses!"
Tommy slowly walked in, and dropped himself down in his seat at the table looking out the yard. He was remarkably pale, and his stomach ached.
"Have you taken your pills yet Tommy?" asks his mother.
"No, Ma, I just woke up. Jeez."
"Don't use that language with me young man, eat your breakfast." Celeste scolded, as she shoveled the bacon onto his plate, already decorated with toast and jam.
Jimmy began to eat a slice of fresh watermelon in a separate plate. The fleshy pink fruit dissolved on his tongue, juice dropping out of the side of his mouth.
"Where's Dad?" Jimmy asked. Tommy completed a sculpture of scrambled eggs with the corner of his crust.
"He's on call again, he got called late last night for some accident in Boothbay. He should be back later. He'll take you to look for Shivers then."
The boys cleaned their dishes and gathered their gear, and walked outside to a beautiful day. They walked toward the diamond, gazing at the clear, summer skies.
If would have left moments later, they would have seen the helicopters.
Large, black, helicopters.
User Reviews
Submitted by r0fl (user info) at 2006-03-14 21:56:50 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Benny (user info) at 2006-03-14 21:48:33 (#)
Ranking: 2
Well written, although it was a little confusing why the colonel killed the nurse.
I know, that's the point. Thanks for the comments and reviews. VI will be out soon, I do have an exam on Friday.
Submitted by Benny (user info) at 2006-03-14 21:48:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Well written, although it was a little confusing why the colonel killed the nurse.
Submitted by r0fl (user info) at 2006-03-14 17:17:06 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
?
Submitted by Smack_Fuck (user info) at 2006-03-14 13:10:30 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
AWEZOME
Submitted by Smack_Fuck (user info) at 2006-03-14 13:10:05 EST (#)
Ranking: -2
ghey
Submitted by Stagger_Lee (user info) at 2006-03-14 01:29:49 EST (#)
Ranking: 1
Yeah, this was pretty good. I'll certainly read more of it. Some of the dialogue is a bit clumsy (though I'm not really the guy to complain about that cos my dialogue is atrocious - but I am anyway, go figure). It could use a bit more description too.
"VILE STOLEN": Sorry man, I'm a nitpicker, so I have to point out that this should be "VIAL".
Submitted by HawthorneHeights (user info) at 2006-03-14 01:16:11 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Fucken zombies.
Submitted by ScotchTape (user info) at 2006-03-14 00:54:13 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
Oh, I really was waiting for it. I think you may have figured me out fairly quickly...
Submitted by r0fl (user info) at 2006-03-14 00:14:16 EST (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by ScotchTape (user info) at 2006-03-13 23:35:33 (#)
Ranking: 2
This is just so good. The suspense is killing me!
I was actually going to link this to your last post if you didn't see it in a bit, I knew you were waiting.
Submitted by ScotchTape (user info) at 2006-03-13 23:35:33 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
This is just so good. The suspense is killing me!