Machines of the Dead

Chapter 16

Kevin knocked on Maria Lopez’ door, announced himself, and was told to come in. Roger Smithford, a high-ranking C-wing guard, was sitting in a chair. Of all the times to have a guest, he thought. Maria was sitting cross-legged on her bed, dressed in her pajamas. He knew Smithford and her were friends, but there was no way he was going to trust the guy. He thought about turning around, forgetting about Maria, and leaving with Jack and Zaun.

“What’s up?” Maria asked.

“I… um…” H e couldn’t get the words out, his mind caught between wanting to leave and wanting to stay. He turned to stare at Smithford.

“Meyers,” the man said, nodding.

Why the hell was the guy here?

Turning back to Maria, he said, “I have something I need to talk to you about. Something private.”

“You don’t look so good,” Maria said.

Smithford sat back, looking as if he hadn’t heard a word Kevin had said.

“I need to talk to you in private,” he reiterated.

“I get it,” Smithford said, not sounding the least bit upset. The man leaned forward, hi s chair clomping down. He stood, all six feet five inches of him. “You want me to leave.”

“Wait,” Maria told him, then looked at Kevin. “Can this wait until tomorrow?”

Kevin shook his head. “No, I really need to talk to you now.” He looked up at Smithford. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“No problem,” Smithford said. “It’s getting late and I should let you two talk. Sounds like Kevin has a problem he needs help with.” He said goodnight, then left the room.

Kevin took a seat on Maria’s bed, leaving his booted feet on the floor. He couldn’t face her. Staring at the floor, he felt her hand on his shoulder.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“There’s not a lot of time, so I’m going to just spit it out.”

“Okay,” she said, taking her hand back.

He turned to face her and just started talking. He told her everything, from his drunken conversation with Devon, to just before he left Jack’s room.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s all true,” he said, “and I want you to come with us.”

Maria sighed. “Kevin, not to be an asshole, but that’s the most ridiculous shit I’ve ever heard. I hope you’re puttin g me on. ”

He jumped up, unable to remain seated. “No. I’m dead serious. Didn’t you hear what I said?”

“You’re for real, aren’t you?”

“Yes, and there isn’t much time. We need to meet the others.”

Maria held up her arms. “Wait. Just wait. There’s no way our military would condone this type of thing, human experimentation. Maybe after the rats and monkeys were tested, then human trials, but outright torture and killing, no.”

“Don’t act like you’ve never seen shit. We both have. We’ve seen some nasty stuff that if it ever got out there’d be a public outcry.”

“That was different and those were some crazy-ass individuals. Who, may I remind you, were reprimanded.”

“Look, we’re leaving. Tonight. Getting out of here for good before it’s too late. For all I know you and me are next. We’re not part of the regular crew. We don’t have access to C-Wing. Reynolds has no test subjects left. What do you think he’s going to do to get more? Head out into the city because there are no more people there? It’s going to be Jack and Zaun and then us.”

Maria closed her eyes, shaking her head. Kevin could see he was putting doubt into her. On some level, she believed him.

“You’re talking about treason,” she said. “Going against orders, against your country. You’ll be put in front of a firing squad. You can’t do this.”

The door to the room burst open, startling both Kevin and Maria.

Smithford walked in, sidearm in hand.

“What the hell, Roger?” Maria barked.

“Was listening at the door,” he said. “Heard everything.”

“Get out,” Maria demanded, her voice cracking.

“Don’t,” Smithford warned, as Kevin went for his gun. “ Doc wants you alive and intact, but I’ll drop you where you stand if I have to. I’m sure as long as it’s not a fatal shot, the man can fix you back up; inject those little things into you.”

Kevin truly hated himself right now. He had been so careless. So stupid. Before speaking to Maria, he should have made sure that there was no one outside the door.

“I never liked you, Myers,” Smithford continued. “Fucking pussy.”

“Hey,” Maria shouted.

“Shut the fuck up,” Smithford demanded, keeping his eyes on Kevin. “Now, slowly, give me your sidearm.”

Kevin did as he was told, and handed the weapon over.

“He’s just confused,” Maria told Smithford. “He’s been down here too long. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

“You’re a stupid bitch,” Smithford said. “You know that? Maybe if you’d been willing to put out, I would’ve tried to spare your ass; claimed you as mine, but you’re nothing but a dyke, aren’t you? Or maybe just a tease? Are you a tease?”

“What the hell is wrong with you, Roger?” Concern was evident on Maria’s face. “Cat’s out of the bag, stupid. You weren’t supposed to know about this place. What’s really going on. You two were temporary. Doc was going to ship you right back out, then hopefully get in some people, people like myself, that would go along with the program. But after the city fell, that plan went to shit. He was stuck with both of you. Military wasn’t letting anyone in or out. ”

“This is wrong,” Kevin pleaded. “Don’t you see that? Come with us.”

“Myers, you really are an idiot. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t leave here. It’s the safest place to be. But I ain’t going with you, because I’m going to do my job and get paid, paid a lot of dough for helping the Doc.”

Maria’s eyebrows came together, her face contorted into an angry snarl. “You piece of shit.” She went to get up, but Smithford stepped up to her and shoved her back down.

“Like I said, Doc wants you two alive and unharmed, if possible. Not sure why though. If I fuck you two up, he’ll just inject those bots into you and heal your asses.”

“So, everything Kevin said was true?” Maria asked.

“Wasn’t supposed to be like this, at least not for another couple of days. Maybe even a week, depending on how long Jack and his friend lasted. But fuck it. I’m sure the Doc will love hearing about your little plan to leave.”

“You haven’t radioed this in, asked for backup?” Kevin said.

“Nope,” agreed Smithford, eying Maria like a piece of meat. “Not yet.”

“What do you want then?” she asked.

Kevin knew. He saw the look in Smithford’s eyes. He wanted some alone time with her. Maybe he would offer her a deal in exchange for a romp in the sack. Or maybe he simply planned on raping her.

“He wants to have his way with you,” Kevin said coldly.

“What?” Maria asked, grabbing the blankets and pulling them up to her chest. “No.”

“You ruined the surprise.” Smithford stepped up to Kevin and smashed the butt of his gun into Kevin’s nose.

Pain exploded in Kevin’s head as white light flashed before his eyes. He stumbled back into the wall and crumpled to the floor. He heard Maria scream, then a loud smack sounded and she was quiet. Looking up through teary eyes, he saw Smithford standing over the bed, laughing.

“Leave her alone, asshole,” Kevin demanded.

Smithford turned toward Kevin, his eyes filled with malice. “You want more, huh?”

Kevin went to get up. He still had his knife strapped around his ankle, but took a boot to the stomach. The wind flew out of his lungs. He couldn’t breathe, and curled up on the floor. Smithford kicked him again and again. “Stay. ”-kick. “T he fuck, ”-kick. “Down,”-kick.

Kevin was on the verge of passing out when the blows finally stopped. Breathing was impossible and the pain was overwhelming. He thought for sure a few ribs were broken, and maybe some other parts too.

Halfway to unconsciousness, he heard Smithford talking to Maria. Shaking his head, he looked up and saw the big man on top of her. She was struggling, kicking her legs, but Smithford slapped her and held her down. He was simply too strong.

Focusing on saving his friend, Kevin pushed himself to his knees, finally able to draw in a small breath. Using the wall, he was able to stand. Smithford was too busy with Maria to notice him. She let out a scream, and yelled, “stop” and “no” and “help” before Smithford punched her in the face, silencing her.

“That’s better,” he said. “I don’t mind my women a little roughed up.”

Kevin pulled the knife from his boot, his stomach screaming at him for bending over to get it. He crept up behind Smithford, and using both hands raised the weapon.

Maria spit in Smithford’s face.

“Fucking bitch,” he growled, then tore her t-shirt down the middle, exposing her breasts.

With all he had, Kevin sank the knife into the back of Smithford’s neck, just below the skull. The man let out a small gasp, then collapsed onto Maria. Kevin shoved the man off of her, his body sprawled onto the bed.

Maria sat up, scooting away from the body, holding her shirt closed with both hands. She was breathing heavy, blood trickling from her nose and mouth.

“He… he tried to rape me,” she said, staring at the dead form. She looked at Kevin. “You fucking killed him.”

He nodded. His side was killing him and his face hurt like hell. The coppery taste of blood filled his mouth. “Now do you believe me?”

Maria nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. She nodded. “We have to…”

“To what?” Kevin barked.

“Tell someone. Report what’s been going on here.”

“We will, expose Reynolds and the others, but first we have to make it out of here.”

Maria hopped out of bed, went over to her closet and changed into her black fatigues. She strapped on her gun belt and turned to Kevin.

Kevin grabbed his own gun from the floor, then Smithford’s, tucking it into his pants at the small of his back.

“Where to?” Maria asked.

“We’re meeting Jack and Zaun at the armory.”

“You better hope they have Reynolds or none of us will be going anywhere.”

A banging at the door made Kevin and Maria jump.

“Who is it?” she asked.

“Everything all right in there?”

“Yeah, everything’s fine.”

“I heard screaming.”

“I was having a nightmare. Sorry if I woke you.”

“Open up so I can make sure you’re okay.”

Maria’s nostrils flared as she took a breath. Silently, she mouthed the words “What do we do?”

“Ask. Who. It. Is,” he replied in a whisper.

“That you, Clark, wanting to get into my room after hours?” She tried to sound lighthearted, playful.

“Yeah, it’s Clark. Stop fooling around. You know the protocol. Just open up so I know everything’s okay or I’ll have to call whoever’s on duty.”

Shocking Kevin, Maria opened the door and put her gun in Jerome Clark’s face. He was wearing shorts and a white t-shirt, and looked as if he had been sleeping.

“What the hell, Maria?” he asked.

“Get in here or I swear to god I’ll blow your head off.” She backed up, giving him room to enter. She opened the door a little more, Kevin saw Clark’s eyes move to the bed where Smithford’s body lay-blood covering the man’s back and neck, staining the white sheets crimson-the knife still protruding from the corpse.

Clark’s eyes went wide, his mouth hanging open. “What the fuck did you guys do?”

“Get in here,” Maria demanded, talking through clenched teeth.

“Okay, just calm down,” Clark said, holding his arms out, but before Kevin knew it, the man had bolted from the doorway.

“Shit,” Maria said, running into the hall. Kevin pulled his sidearm, joining her. She aimed her gun at Clark’s back, but didn’t fire. “Damn it.”

Kevin watched the man’s form disappear into a room down the hall.

“You had a shot,” Kevin said.

“I’m not about to shoot a man in the back who might not be involved in all this.”

“Don’t you get it?” he asked. “We’re on our own. We killed Smithford. We’re as good as dead down here. You know what happens when a soldier turns on other soldiers. And these guys are nothing more than fucking mercs. All they’ll see are two people getting in the way of them making money. It’s us against them.”

Maria wiped a hand over her head. She looked on the verge of losing it. “I know. You’re right. I’m having a real hard time absorbing all this. I mean Smithford’s dead, and now Clark’s going to tell the others that we killed him.”

“Let’s move,” Kevin said. “We have to get to Jack and hope he has Reynolds. It’s the only way we’ll be safe. And don’t you dare hesitate on killing these pricks. They’re the enemy now and they won’t hesitate to kill you.”

They took off running down the hall when gunshots erupted from behind, Kevin feeling the whoosh of the bullets as they just missed his head. Turning, he saw Clark pointing his gun in their direction. He fired back, hitting Clark twice in the chest, red flowers blooming on his white t-shirt.

“Drop the weapon!” came a voice from behind.

Kevin spun around and saw Maria with her arms up. Two guards were standing at the end of the hall, having just come from the stairwell. He didn’t even think about trying to get off a shot-the two M4’s pointing his way ensuring him a quick death. With no other options, he joined Maria and put his hands in the air.