Trevor whooped then turned back to her. “We’re golden!”
He slid out of the seat and pulled the booster from the battery, slammed the hood, then crawled back behind the wheel. “Time to install some upgrades.”
Chapter 25
Hatcher walked the grounds, nodding to the people he encountered, most doing some form of work to propel their community forward. He paused in the shadow of the watch tower and smiled to himself. For the first time since they began this project, most of his worries were set aside.
He watched as the children played while their parents either prepared seedling cups or helped in the construction of their new greenhouse. It appeared to be all hands on deck as they worked.
He couldn’t help but notice the smiling faces. People had hope etched in their features and he knew it was because of this place–this forgotten corner of the town he had grown up in. This place, where so many parents and grandparents were sent to live out their remaining years; it had become a haven for their children.
Hatcher allowed his mind to wander and he could imagine a time where there were no Zulus, a time where neighboring communities would reach out and offer to trade with each other. A new beginning where the people would flourish and branch out, rebuilding humanity one child at a time.
The ball that the kids were playing with rolled toward him and he bent to pick it up. “Toss her back, Mr. Hatcher!”
Daniel looked across the courtyard and smiled at the boy clapping his hands together. He tossed the ball back to the group and took a long deep breath.
“This is home.”
His reverie was broken by the radio. “Hatcher! Hatch! Come in!”
He pulled the radio and pushed the talk button. “Go for Hatcher.”
“Front gates, man. You need to get here quick.”
Hatcher glanced up to the men in the watch tower. One was pointing over the roof of the main building, the other squinting to see whatever it was he pointed at.
Hatcher felt his blood run cold. He bolted through the courtyard. He ran through the main foyer and burst through the open glass doors, his feet spraying decorative gravel as he slid to a stop by the wrought iron gate.
“Do you see what I’m seeing, man?”
Hatcher didn’t need to look where the sentry was pointing. He could see the three large yellow machines lumbering their direction, black smoke pouring from the stacks. “What the hell?” Hatcher walked slowly toward the gates and squinted as the sunlight beat down on the slow, yellow earth movers. He keyed his radio again. “All security personnel muster at the front gates. Lock and load, men! Lock and load.”
Kevin pushed the door open to the lab and walked inside. His normal, obnoxious personality seemed tempered as he took a seat at his workstation. He wiped at his brow and pulled at his collar. “Is it just me or is hot in here?”
Carol turned and gave him a curious look. She and Broussard wore masks over their mouths and nose as they worked. “Is something wrong?”
“I don’t feel very good.” He rubbed his neck and pulled at the collar of his shirt again, stretching the thin material. “I keep going from hot to cold and…” He forced a swallow and winced. “My throat is killing me.”
Carol looked at Broussard and whispered, “That was fast.”
Broussard nodded. “Perhaps, too fast?”
“What are you saying?” Kevin pushed away from his chair and had to steady himself. “Whoa. I really don’t feel so good.”
“Maybe you should go back to your room and lie down?” Carol stepped toward him and he held a hand up to hold her off.
“No, I have to record…” He shook his head slightly. “I have to record the changes in my…” He seemed to swoon and Carol reached out to catch him before he fell.
“Oh, no. You’re burning up.” She motioned to Broussard. “Kevin, you shouldn’t be here. You should be in bed.”
“No…really, I’m fine.” He tried to swallow again and glanced around the lab. “I just need some Tylenol. This feels like strep throat.”
Carol’s eyes went wide. “We are working with streptococcus here in the lab. Maybe you came into contact with it.”
Kevin gave her a concerned stare. “The bacteria you’re experimenting with is strep?” He could feel himself begin to panic as she helped him back to his stool.
“Relax, McAlester.” She smiled under her mask. “Strep is one of the most common infections there is. You probably got a dirty cup in the cafeteria or something.”
Kevin shook his head. “They call it a mess…” He leaned against the stainless steel table and shook his head again. “I…maybe I should lay down”
“Come on. We’re taking you to your room.” She and Broussard lifted him and helped him to the door. “If you do have strep, we can’t risk your strain infecting and diluting our work specimens.”
Broussard nodded. “Good point.”
The pair helped him to his stateroom and Carol pulled the covers back. “You rest. I’ll bring you some juice and some acetaminophen for your throat.”
Kevin pulled the wool blanket up to his chin and shivered. “I go from burning up to freezing cold.” He turned worried eyes to her. “I can’t get sick. Not now.”
“Don’t worry.” She patted his arm. “It’s just a bug.” She glanced at Broussard again. “You’ll kick this in no time and be back in the lab making us all miserable before you know it.”
Kevin smiled at her. “I knew you cared.”
She patted his head. “I’ll be right back.” She turned and pulled Broussard to the hallway. “Tell me that this is something he caught earlier and not…” She trailed off.
Broussard shook his head. “We altered its DNA to make it much more aggressive. If I were to bet, I would say this is the effect
