Captured Earth by TJ Nichols

Author:TJ Nichols [Nichols, TJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: TJ Nichols

Chapter Seven

Josh was the last one back to the hotel and the only one who seemed to have thought about barricading the front doors with the lobby furniture. “Where is everyone else?”

Xavier was sitting with a rifle behind the counter, bracketed by two big torches that were pointing up at the ceiling. “Eating.”

Josh’s jaw twitched. They’d left Xavier out the front. No, Xavier had probably volunteered.

He lifted one hand. “I told them to. Seeing the empty town kind of upset them. I thought a feed might cheer them up. You seem kind of paranoid…more so than usual.”

“There're larvae in the hospital and the adult insects are out there. How secure is this place?”

“Completely indefensible from the Geckos, but it’s structurally sound so theoretically it should keep the bugs out. Bird said there was at least one survivor in the cop shop?”

“Yeah. He’s staying put.”

Xavier nodded. “So no weapons.”

“Took a spin out to the airport, got a couple of pistols and some radios.” He opened the bag of perfume and liquor bottles. “Want to help me burn down a hospital?”

Xavier put his hand over his heart. “I thought you’d never ask. But can we eat first? I’d much rather commit arson on a full stomach.”

Josh shrugged. “I was thinking of doing it as we left town anyway. No rush.”

“Nice. Marsh found a boat with a bit more speed than the landing craft. And I did some research and found a shooting range. They might have some fun stuff on site.” Xavier hobbled around the counter. “I also assigned everyone rooms.”

A shooting range should have some ammo, and he was willing to bet there would be some rifles or pistols stored there too. They’d have to check it out tomorrow. It was too dark now. “Is there running water?”

He was hoping that maybe there was a generator or a water tank or something. Even an outdoor shower that was gravity fed would be grand.

“There’s a green pool.”

Josh wrinkled his nose.

“And a water tank for the gardens. I might have run a hose from the tank to our bath and filled it already.” He put his finger to his lips.

Josh put his arm around him to help him walk to the restaurant. “You’re the best.”

“I know.” He kissed Josh’s cheek. “Between a bath and the toothbrushes, I might be able to die happy.”

Josh pulled the lube out of his pocket. “Saw this and thought of you.”

“Aww…I can’t wait to destroy you.” Xavier pocketed the lube with a grin. “After dinner.”

“What is for dinner?”

“I have no idea, and I don’t really care as long as it didn’t once wriggle.”

“We should secure the building.”

“All the doors are closed. We’ll be fine for a night.”

They were not going to be fine, but he was too tired to argue about it. As Xavier had said, the building was watertight, so no bugs should get in unless they’d learned to pick locks.

The survivors were sitting around a table with another torch in the middle that was pointing up to the ceiling like a candle.

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