Kevin nodded. “They’re not the best, but yeah. There’s a bunch in there.” He flipped open his files and began to scan them. “I think they said something about a big meeting here. I only caught snippets but I think some of the other captains are coming in and they’re having a big pow-wow.” He held the doughnut up and gave her a broad smile. “Even at the end of the world, the bosses have to have their damned doughnuts at their meetings.”
Carol gave up a nervous laugh then turned to Broussard. “Imagine that. Doughnuts. And a meeting of the brass…” She swallowed hard and gave him a knowing look. “Here. Today.”
Broussard sighed and shook his head. “Perhaps they want an update on our work?”
Kevin snorted and took another sip of his coffee. “I’m surprised you haven’t cooked up your cure already.” He turned and gave them both a knowing look. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to.”
Carol stiffened and turned to him. “What do you mean?”
“I know that you two have been staying in here all night working on this…thing. Your ‘cure’” He shook his head at them. “Like all work and no sleep is going to give you proper results.” He stuffed the last of the doughnut in his mouth then washed it down with the coffee. He swept the crumbs from the table then wiped his mouth with the paper towel.
“Time is of the essence, Dr. McAlester,” Broussard stated.
Kevin snorted. “Right. Like anything we do now will make a difference.” He wadded the paper towel and tossed it towards the trash. “Face it guys…we’re just biding our time here. Everybody on the mainland who’s infected? They might as well be dead. You know where the survivors are? Right here on these boats.”
“That’s not true.” Carol stepped forward, her face stern. “Remember the Wilkes girl? She had a natural immunity.”
“…That we couldn’t use to our advantage.” Kevin gave her a short cynical laugh. “She was immune to the biggest, baddest virus known to man, but she dies from a sinus infection. If that ain’t Karma snuffing somebody out, I don’t know what it is.”
Carol opened her mouth to argue when Kevin spun on his stool. “I’m not saying that I don’t want there to be a cure.” He met her gaze and shook his head. “But the ninety percent that are infected? Most of them are DEAD. The only infected that are still kicking are the ones that found somebody to eat.” He crossed his arms and gave her a smug stare. “Tell me, Dr. Chaplain…would YOU want to be cured if you knew you had eaten your friends and family?”
Carol felt her jaw quiver for a moment then she gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Yes.”
Kevin snorted again. “Then you’re on the short list.” He shook his head as he turned back to his files. “Odds are, even if you do find a cure, they’ll be blithering idiots unable to fend for themselves once they kick the virus. The human brain wasn’t made to operate under such high temperatures for extended periods.”
Carol turned and stared at Broussard, her mouth hanging open. Dr. Broussard gave her a muted shake of the head. “We shall see.”
Simon walked up to the bulldozer and smiled at Sinner. “See? Told ya.”
Sinner gripped the grab handle with his good arm and pulled himself up to the cab. “And you two figured out how to operate these all by yourselves?”
Shooter laughed. “It wasn’t as easy as you’d think.” He pointed to a pickup with the side scraped to hell. “That poor truck didn’t stand a chance.”
“But we figured it out.” Simon eyed him cautiously. “You think you’re up to it? We could sure use all the help we can get.”
Sinner shrugged. “Why the hell not?” He sat back and eyed Simon. “Teach me.”
Simon laughed as he pushed his way into the cab. “First things first. Let’s get this beast started.”
Trevor slipped the key into the ignition and crossed his fingers. “Please, please, please…just start.” He twisted the key and heard the engine slowly turn over.
He pumped the gas pedal and held the key, listening to the engine spin slower and slower until it began to simply “click” under the hood.
“Dammit.” He slammed his fist against the steering wheel and nearly jumped when Patricia reached across him and slapped at the steering wheel, her face mimicking his own frustration.
Trevor laughed and pulled her to him. “That’s my girl. Give it hell.” She smiled at him and he gave her a quick scruff of the head before moving her back into the darker recesses of the vehicle.
“I need to find another battery that’s up or a booster or…something.” He glanced around the lot then opened the door of the RV. He turned to her quickly and pointed. “Stay here. The sun’s out and we can’t risk you being hurt again.” He held his hand out to her in a “stop” motion then slowly moved from the door.
He walked toward the shop and pried the doors open. He could barely see in the interior gloom and was halfway into the building before he froze, his mind creating Ragers in every corner. He spun a slow circle, listening intently until he was fairly certain he was alone.
He walked through the shop until he made out the light leakage around the rear overhead door. He felt around for the handle then lifted the door, flooding the interior with natural light.
He turned back and smiled. “That’s more like it.”
Trevor made his way through the shop until he found what he was looking for: a compact, lithium ion battery booster. He found the charge indicator button and pressed it. The elation he felt when he saw a three quarter charge was only surpassed by his relief seeing the tools and equipment scattered around the building.
He trotted back to the RV and popped the hood. It only took a few moments to connect the booster,
