Earth Zero: A Post-Apocalyptic Thriller (Next Book 2) by Scott Nicholson

Author:Scott Nicholson [Nicholson, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Haunted Computer Books
Published: 2016-01-19T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Capt. Antonelli awoke with a headache and soreness caused by more than just the hardness of the concrete floor beneath their bedroll.

The only light in the room was cast by the three functioning video monitors, and in the dim gray wash, he watched Colleen’s freckled breasts rise and fall with her breathing. This had been a moment of weakness. But that was just fine. He accepted his frailty now, and the emotional relief was almost as palpable as the physical relief she’d provided.

As he dressed, he debated how he would break the news to the troops. If Lt. Randall wanted to kill him for treason and dereliction of duty, Antonelli wouldn’t blame him. Hell, he’d even respect it.

When he stepped into the hall, he immediately sensed something was wrong. He took a breath. There was a faint but sickening odor, but also the movement of air.

Fresh air.

A breeze not pushed by the bunker’s ventilation system.

Antonelli drew his pistol and hurried to the entrance. The steel door was ajar, with no sign of Andrews, the man assigned to guard it. Antonelli shouted and ran to the nearest bunk room, flipping on the lights. The room’s occupants lay amid bloody blankets and pillows.

“Randall? Tidewater?” He banged on the doors as he ran the hall, wondering if he should’ve shut the steel door first. What if monsters had entered? What if Zaps—

Kokona!

He sprinted to the end of the bunker and turned the corner to see Tidewater dead on the concrete floor, staring up at the riveted metal ceiling, half a cigarette protruding from his lips. The door to the makeshift brig was open.

Kokona was gone.

Antonelli shouted again, the narrow confines of the subterranean chamber swallowing his words. All his previous resignation, his desire to retreat from the battlefront forever, were now gone. He’d lost more men and had fresh blood on his hands. His lapsed patriotism veered toward an unhinged and dark desire for revenge.

Should’ve killed the little bitch while I had the chance.

The mess hall was unoccupied, but the next door down was unlocked. He kicked it open, ready to fire, and found four more corpses. He was just beginning to accept that they were all dead except him and Colleen—unfairly spared due to their selfish carnality—when a deadbolt slid open and Randall staggered into the hallway in his underwear, carrying his rifle.

“What the hell?” Randall asked, still confused in the throes of sudden consciousness, hair frowsy and eyes crusted with sleep.

“Seven dead. The front door’s open and the Zap’s gone.”

Randall muttered a curse and sprinted barefoot down the hall to the entrance. Antonelli banged on another locked door.

“Who is it?” came a muffled voice from the other side.

“Your captain. Open up.”

The door swung open to reveal two soldiers, Privates Matthews and Stankowitz. Both of them were pale with fright. “We didn’t know who was out there,” one of them said.

Antonelli hid his anger at their cowardice. Their behavior was no worse than his. “Get your gear and be ready to move out in five minutes.

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