He opened the door of the truck and hopped inside. As he pulled the door shut he looked back at the little car. “I lied. It IS you. I need something that can push a wreck out of the way.” He slapped the side of the pickup with his hand as he started the big Cummins back up. “Catch ya later, Squirt!” He put the truck in gear then stopped. He glanced back at the sad little Jeep then put the truck in park.
He slowly got out of the cab and walked back to the Renegade. He pulled the door open and reached inside. He snatched his USB with the driving music then shut the door. “Nice try.”
“No way,” the captain of the guard stated flatly. “I don’t care if they walk normal, talk normal…I don’t care if they dance a jig. There is no way you’re bringing a Zed inside this facility.”
Carol glared at the man. “You’ve had them inside here before.”
“Not on purpose.” The man crossed his arms and narrowed his gaze at her. “They killed a lot of people when they were inside.”
“And these won’t.” She sighed as she rolled her eyes. “They’re cured!”
“So were they!” He pointed to the acrylic cells.
“They were never infected. They got…” She blew her breath out and threw her hands up in disgust. “I’m debating with a Neanderthal.”
Broussard walked up on the pair. “What’s going on?”
“She wants to bring in infected Zeds. I won’t allow it.”
“I want to bring in cured people,” she pleaded. “Do you remember Kelly? The woman I was with when you came back for me?”
Andre nodded. “Of course.”
“She said that they had their own language when they were infected.” She looked at him knowingly. “If our test subject can’t cooperate with us, maybe somebody who was once infected could tell us what she’s saying.” She glanced back at the woman in the lab. “If anything.”
Broussard nodded. “And you want to go all the way back to the university to find her?”
Carol rolled her eyes. “No, of course not. All I asked was if they could find somebody…anybody local who was cured. Perhaps they can understand our subjects.”
Broussard looked to the man and raised a brow. “And why not?”
“If they were infected, they aren’t coming inside this facility.” He thrust his jaw out in defiance.
Andre nodded slowly. “I see.” He looked at her and smiled. “And yet, the general distinctly told me that we were in charge of the lab. We could do whatever we wished.”
“Not bring in infected people, no.”
“Ah, but you see, they’re not infected. Not any longer.” He held a finger up. “They may ‘appear’ infected, but they are not. If they are able to converse and are not trying to eat your face, I do not see the problem.”
The captain leaned forward, his face intense. “No. Zeds. Inside. Period.”
Broussard nodded. “Very well, then.” He shrugged and looked to Carol. “I am sorry, ma cherie, but there is only one thing to do.”
She stared at him hopefully. “What’s that?”
“We go above this soldier’s head to his general.” Broussard smiled at the man. “We’ll let the general order him and his men to bring us cured people.”
She smiled broadly. “Let’s go. We’re cutting into my thirty-six hours.”
“Excuse us.” Broussard reached around the man and opened the door. “After you.”
When the door shut behind them Carol giggled quietly. “Oh, he was NOT happy.”
“As long as you are, that is all that matters.” He stepped in front and led the way.
Simon tucked his pistol inside his vest and stepped out of the RV. “I’m coming with you,” Lana stated, the shotgun in her grip.
“This might get messy.”
She smiled at him. “That’s why I’m bringin’ Bessy.”
“You named the shotgun ‘Bessy?’”
She shrugged. “She didn’t mind.” She slung it up onto her shoulder. “Shall we?”
Simon began the short climb up to the upper campground. He was surprised at how quiet the place was and immediately noted the lack of people outside. “This place was alive with folks when we arrived,” he stated rhetorically.
“Maybe then they were just curious about the newcomers?”
He spotted Jake and Tommy sitting outside an RV whispering to each other. He immediately marched toward the pair. “Where’s Trent?”
Tommy shot him an evil smile. “He’s inside.” He cleared his throat and gave him a knowing look. “He’s ‘dealing’ with the hippies.”
Simon groaned as he reached past the two nitwits and beat on the door. “Trent!”
“Hey, man…he said not to disturb him.” Jake snickered. “We’ll all get our turn when he’s done.”
Simon glared at the man. “No. You won’t.” He leaned forward and beat on the door again. “Trent, get out here!”
Tommy came to his feet and shot Simon a pointed stare. “Who the fuck are you to come in here and tell us how to run things?”
Tommy’s face twisted and his eyes bugged as Simon pressed the barrel of his pistol to the bottom of his jaw. “Your new fucking leader, that’s who.” He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “Care to disagree?”
Tommy nervously shook his head and both men turned when Lana racked a round into the chamber. “I wouldn’t even think it if I were you.”
Jake slowly pulled his hand out from under his jacket and dropped a large Bowie knife to the ground. “We’re cool,” he stated nervously. “W-we’re cool, right, Tommy?”
“Yeah, yeah.” He swallowed hard. “Totally cool.”
Simon pulled the pistol away from Tommy’s head and nodded toward the RV. “Get him out here. Now.”
Tommy turned and beat on the door, rattling the knob. “Dude, get your ass out here!! Right now!”
The door swung open violently and Trent was buttoning his pants. “What the hell
