Page 32 of Tracking the Alpha
A fellow in uniform, still wet behind the ears and barely old enough to shave, stood waiting by the open door. “General wants you to report to Major Stevens in the main building, ma’am. You’ll find him on the main floor. Look for a door marked Ops.”
“Of course. Right away. Thanks for letting me know.” She beamed vacuously at the young man.
He cocked his head. “You’re that lady hunter, aren’t you? Did you see it?”
“See what?” she asked.
“You know, the thing that killed Leroy,” he whispered.
Did he speak of the coyote or the wolf? She had to be careful. “Sorry, but I’ve been told to only report to the major or general.” Not a lie. Davidson had been very clear she was to keep her mouth shut about everything.
“Yeah, they’re pretty tight-lipped about stuff. Leroy was a good dude.” His lips turned down.
“What happened?” she asked.
The chance to gossip almost brought back his smile. “Animal attack. No one knows how it got inside the walls, though. We were all in bed when we heard Leroy screaming. Me and a few of the other grunts ran outside in time to see the thing just savaging poor Leroy.”
“Did you shoot it?” she asked, already knowing the reply.
“We tried, but it moved damned fast. It climbed the wall like it was nothing and disappeared into the woods. General sent a few grunts after it, but they never found it. He called off the hunt when we found the woman.”
“What woman?” She continued to play dumb because no one knew she’d encountered the coyote. Best she kept it that way.
“Dunno. Some civilian who got unlucky, I imagine. Guess you’re lucky the wolf didn’t go after you.”
“Wolf? You’re sure that’s what killed Leroy?”
The young soldier shrugged. “Big, hairy, mean. Looked like a wolf to me.”
She couldn’t correct him without admitting she’d seen the coyote. “Sounds like I was in the wrong place last night.”
“Hope it doesn’t come back because what a shitty way to die. Hope you bag it, ma’am.”
“Me too.”
“Better get back to my post before I get in trouble with the bosses,” he stated before heading out the door.
He would most definitely have been reamed at the very least if the general or major heard him gossiping. But he’d confirmed the coyote definitely originated here and, by the sounds of it, escaped by accident. Not exactly useful news.
Back to her other task, though, Wet-behind-the-ears made eight. Add in the general and major, that put the count at ten thus far and she’d yet to get inside the main building. Who knew how many lurked within? In good news, the empty barracks didn’t add to that total.
When Tanis exited the converted stables, she glanced through the open gate. Had Barrett followed? Did he watch? How could she get him word? If only he’d not disappeared last night they could have better plotted. As it stood, while Tanis wanted to help, she doubted she could bring herself to kill soldiers whose only crime was following orders. Would she feel and act different if they threatened? Most definitely, but she wouldn’t start the violence. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t try and sabotage the operation, though. Ruining the project, or exposing it, might be her only chance to emerge from this alive.
The main building had one door for entry, which was kept locked at all times. Tanis poked the button below a dark screen and waited. An electronic voice said, “State your name and business.”
“Tanis Rivard. I’m supposed to meet with Major Stevens.”
“Please stand still as your claim is verified.”
Clenched fists helped her to not grimace too hard as a green light emerged from a hole above the screen and scanned her face like something out of a sci-fi movie. Rather than people, expensive high-tech security protected the main building. Tanis wasn’t a fan. She’d seen Terminator and had a healthy fear of what AI could do, but in good news, all the gadgets meant less people, and if she could pull the plug—AKA shut off the electricity— all the fancy cameras and AI door guardians would be useless. The problem would be getting to the fuse box. She doubted it would be easily accessible.
Click.
“Please proceed to the Operation Room. The major is waiting,” the machine voice replied as the door swung open.
“Thanks.” Tanis chose to be polite to the AI as a precaution. Never knew if it might save her when the machines decided to rise. Although, having met Barrett and now knowing what Davidson did here, it might be the beasts who came for humanity first. What if that coyote had made it to someone’s house or a nearby town? What if Barrett’s friends were just as rabid? What if what had been done to them proved contagious?
Then maybe the world deserved it for tampering with things best left to gods.
