Caldera (Book 5): United We Fall by Stallcup Heath

Author:Stallcup, Heath [Stallcup, Heath]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Post-Apocalyptic
Publisher: DevilDog Press
Published: 2018-05-29T05:00:00+00:00

“These late-night meetings are becoming tiresome, colonel.” President Walters sat behind his desk, dark circles under his eyes.

“I’m sorry, sir. You were booked up all day.” Colonel Vickers sat across from him, his face etched with worry.

Walters nodded. “Although the world has gone to shit, there are still leaders who are praying we can get things back to some semblance of normalcy.” He shook his head and sipped at the dark amber liquid in his glass. “Unfortunately, most of them are in different time zones.”

“Understood, sir.” Vickers nodded. “I’ve got an issue with Dr. LaRue. I’m afraid that only you can intercede.”

President Walters raised a brow. “After you spoke so highly of her, I thought the two of you would work well together.”

Vickers pursed his lips. “We had an incident.” He stood slowly and paced the small office. “In her zeal, she began to abuse certain stimulants.”

The president nodded, not really caring. “I’ve heard of a lot of academics who resort to such measures.”

“Well, this time, things almost got out of control. Luckily, I was alerted and we nipped this problem in the bud.”

The president leaned forward. “Excellent. I’m glad you stayed on top of things.” He pushed up from his chair and Colonel Vickers held his hand up, stopping him.

“I’m afraid things only went from bad to worse.”

Walters sat back down slowly. “She found something else to abuse?”

“No sir. But she…” Vickers sat back down, his hands fidgeting. “I’m sure I informed you of the researcher that became infected.”

The president nodded. “Carpenter, correct?”

“Yes, sir. Well, he was in an isolation ward. The treatment that she developed didn’t work on whatever mutated strain he had contracted.”

“That’s a shame. I’m sure we could use all of the best minds on this project.”

“That’s just it, sir. She released him and put him back to work.” The president sat up and gave him a confused stare.

“Come again?”

Vickers nodded. “My sentiment exactly, sir. She is using one of the sound generators to keep him docile. But everybody in that lab is at risk.” He stood again and began to pace. “If there is a power outage, the generator breaks down…” He spun and faced Walters, his eyes wide. “What if the virus mutates again and the frequency thing is no longer effective? We could potentially lose all of our research personnel.”

The president sat back, his concern evident. “Why didn’t you shut this shit-show down, colonel?”

Vickers nodded again. “She informed me that you had given her carte blanche over this project. That she was the one in charge and if I didn’t like it, I should come to you.”

Vickers squirmed in his seat, feeling like a five-year-old that ran off to ‘tattle’ on somebody for breaking the rules. But this was potentially the future of the human race she was gambling with.

The president nodded slowly. “She’s right. I did.” He stood up and tossed back his drink. “But I can fix that.” He closed the lid on his laptop and stepped away from his desk. “From this moment forward, colonel…YOU are in charge of her lab and the people working in it.

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