Doomsday Recon by Jason Anspach & Ryan Williamson

Author:Jason Anspach & Ryan Williamson [Anspach, Jason & Williamson, Ryan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WarGate Books
Published: 2024-02-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty-six

“What do you think, Captain?” Sanchez asked after the two of them had listened to the sounds that rose up from the dark, lower levels.

“I think it’s the wind,” Brown answered. “And if we were back home, I’d be willing to leave it at that. But we’re not.”

Sanchez grunted his agreement. “We can clear it again. Maybe there’s some kinda breach we missed.”

“Or a secret door,” Cohen added.

Sanchez shot him a look that let him know his speculations on the issue weren’t required. Cohen swore to himself and then focused on the dark stairwell.

“I’d like to avoid that if we can, Diego,” Brown said. “We’re leaving at first light regardless of the weather outside. We’ve rested up here for as long as I’m willing to. But let’s play it safe. Get two more troopers on this stairwell and make sure they have the M60 trained on it.”

It fell to me to spread the word, since Cohen and Sergeant Tak were still on watch. I got García and Woodward up. Neither was particularly pleased, but at least they weren’t dead on their feet. The full day of rest had done wonders for all of us. I figured I’d better get some rack time, but Captain Brown found me and pulled me aside.

“Have you seen Epasotl?” he asked.

I shook my head. “Sorry, sir. She went off to prepare some kind of potion or something.”

The truth was, I had no idea what she was doing. Making another poultice? How was that going to help with ghosts?

And yes, I had started to feel like she might be right about the ghosts. The sounds that I had written off as wind had taken on a major creepy vibe when I’d last heard them. They weren’t any different, but the effect on me was. I have to admit I was freaking out a little.

“How about Xochi?” the captain asked. “Does she have a take on it?”

“I’m not sure she’s heard the noises. I haven’t talked to her since before I got up.”

Brown nodded. “I’d like to get both hers and Epasotl’s take on this. You mind staying up past your bedtime a little longer, Corporal? Xochi seems most comfortable when you’re around.”

“Yes, sir.”

We found Epasotl in one of the empty “treasure rooms” and painted head to toe with strange glyphs and patterns. To my surprise, Xochi was with her, watching as Epasotl mashed a green-and-brown sludge inside an empty MRE pouch.

“Captain Brown,” Epasotl said. “Your men should all eat this.”

The captain wrinkled his nose at the contents of the bag as Epasotl held it beneath this face. I could smell its stench from where I was standing.

“What is it?” Brown asked.

“Protection against the necromancy that awakens in this place.”

“I meant what’s in it, Epasotl.”

She rattled off a quick list of ingredients. It sounded to me like we’d need a necromancer of our own after we crapped ourselves to death.

“I’m sorry,” Captain Brown said. “I heard you say blood. What kind of blood was that again?”

But Captain Brown had heard it right the first time, as had I.

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