Kevin nodded knowingly. “And what exactly am I supposed to do then?”
“I don’t care as long as you do it someplace else.” He stepped closer, invading the researcher’s personal space. “But you might want to make yourself useful for something, or you might find yourself floating back to shore.”
Kevin gave him a curt nod, refusing to back away. “And when something unforeseen pops up? When the cure isn’t working and you can’t figure out why…what then?”
“Not my problem.” He turned to the others. “Box this shit up and store it.” He turned slowly back to Kevin. “Or they can toss it overboard. I don’t really care.”
Kevin chuckled and gave the man a sad smile. “Shortsighted people have no business being in positions of authority.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” The man swelled his chest as he growled at him.
“It means exactly what I said.” Kevin’s voice was soft and non-threatening. “Stupid people should never be allowed much responsibility. They’ll always step up and find ways to make even stupider decisions.” His sneer was as insulting as he could make it.
“I think you need to go for a swim overboard, you little—”
Kevin’s hand reacted before his brain could countermand the order. He gripped the man by the throat and was actually surprised when he lifted him from the floor. “You first.”
He pushed.
Hard.
The man slid across the polished linoleum floor and stared at him wide eyed from the doorway. “Y-you…can’t do that.”
“I just did.” He stepped forward and planted his hands on his hips. “Tell your captain that if he wants to shut down this lab, he has every right. But I still have research projects going on here that need to be completed.” He stepped forward and squatted, eyeing the man at his level. “And in my professional opinion, closing this lab before we know the full ramifications of the cure is a stupid move.” Kevin grinned and patted the soldier’s boot. “You might let him know that the time lost reestablishing this research facility could well mean the difference in fixing any problem that might arise and dealing with circumstances that they simply cannot comprehend.”
“What?” The soldier blinked at him, still shocked.
Kevin sighed as he came to his feet and he looked to the other two soldiers. “Tell your captain that if he wants to close this lab, he needs to come talk to me first.” He waved the trio off with his hand. “Go on now. Leave me be.”
He turned his back on the three and pulled the stool out at the workbench. He heard the door shut as he moved the lab books closer and began to read again.
Without thinking he reached for his reading glasses and slipped them on. He blinked a few times and pulled them off, staring at the lenses. He could actually see better without them.
He set them aside then froze.
Had he actually just used physical force against a trained soldier?
And won?
He turned and stared at the door, his mind trying to piece together what had just happened. He slowly came to his feet and he stared at where the soldier had been sprawled on the floor.
Was this another dream? Did it really happen?
He slowly lowered himself to the floor and looked at the little bits of dirt and lint that lay scattered across the linoleum. He could actually see where something large had slid across the floor, wiping a clean spot.
He stood, letting his breath out slowly.
“What the hell is happening with me?”
Simon walked the newest members of his army into the supermarket. Almost immediately the others began to grunt and take defensive positions as the supposed invaders cautiously approached. He pointed to the large hunter that was now his first lieutenant. “What’s your name?”
The tall Quee stared at him as though he spoke a different language.
“Fine. You look like a ‘Clyde’ to me.” He slapped the man’s shoulder. “Clyde, show our guests inside and get them settled. I’ll start gathering some food for them.”
The woman that he’d claimed approached slowly, her eyes wide. “No bring them. Eat our foods.”
Simon nodded. “Angel, that’s the whole idea.” He patted her balding head and stepped around her.
“What we eat?” she asked, falling into step behind him.
“There’s more out there.” He turned and gave her a broad smile. “Besides, once we get them fed and feeling stronger, we’re going to the neighbors. You like slow and tasty, right?” He winked at her.
She pulled at his arm, trying to get him to stop. “No. They go. Now.”
Simon sighed and tried to think of a way to explain to her his plan. “Do you understand strength in numbers?” She gave him a confused look. “Okay, fine. What’s better? You alone, or you and me together?”
“Together.”
“Good.” He gave her a quick nod. “What’s better, you and me together or all of us together?”
She cocked her head and thought for a moment. “All.”
He nodded. “Then adding more to the ‘all’ is better for everyone, right?”
She shook her head. “They eat food.”
He nodded. “And they help find more. More food for all.”
He could almost see the gears in her head turning as he walked away. He snatched up the can opener and began grabbing random cans from the shelves.
After he ensured that the newcomers were fed and the two groups slowly sniffed each other’s butts, he gathered the hunters together and stepped out into the parking lot for a quick pow-wow before the sun rose.
“Is this all the hunters?” He looked to Clyde and the Quee that had offered him the heart of their old leader. Both men agreed that all the hunters were present.
A quick head count had Simon worried. “We got nine hunters? That’s
