The Protocol by Shawn Chesser

Author:Shawn Chesser
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: zombies, action adventure, zombie action, armageddon, end of world, military scifi, walking dead, viral outbreak, post apocalyse, gobal collapse
Publisher: Shawn Chesser

Chapter 18

Frenchman Mountain Complex – Las Vegas, Nevada

General Conklin’s chin was touching his chest and he was snoring loudly when an airman gently tapped him on the shoulder. As he came to, slightly disoriented and with a sharp pain behind his eyes, he looked around and quickly realized he was still in the operations center deep in the bowels of what amounted to a glorified fallout shelter.

“What is it?” he asked, his eyes fixing on the large wall-mounted monitor.

“The target vehicle just pulled to the side of 93 North and stopped. No movement so far.”

“How far out?”

“Ten miles north of Dry Lake. Roughly twenty miles total north of where the vehicles split up.”

“And the ground unit?”

“They’re already underway. Their last SITREP put them twelve miles north of the 15/93 junction.”

Conk had been watching the stationary SUV the entire time he was interrogating the airman. Now, just when he expected the vehicle to pull back onto the road and resume traveling north, the driver’s door opened, and a lone figure stepped onto the road, circled around to the passenger side, peered over the guardrail, then seemed to relax. After watching the unmoving form for a good thirty seconds, Conk said, “Who is that, and what are they doing? Have the sensor operator increase magnification.”

Coinciding with Conk issuing the order, but before the airman in contact with Creech could acknowledge it, let alone pass it on, the drone’s camera zoomed in tighter on the vehicle.

“He’s wearing one of our uniforms,” the airman reported. “And I believe he’s urinating, sir. See the black spot spreading out? That’s urine.”

Realizing he had chosen the wrong vehicle for Vader to follow, the general shot from his seat. “Have the ground unit turn around and find that second vehicle.”

“Yes, sir,” replied the airman. “What are your orders for Vader?”

“Have Vader remain on station.”

“Come again?”

“I didn’t stutter,” bellowed Conk, spittle flying. “Have Vader remain on station.”

As the airman relayed the new order to the drone operator at Creech, another airman informed the general that the vehicles were operational and ready to move out. “What do you want me to tell Staff Sergeant Wright?”

Having regained his composure, the general said, “Tell him to have his men suit up and be ready to move out. I’ll be down in ten.”

While the airman issued the new orders, Conk watched the deserter circle back around the SUV and climb inside. Already, the puddle of urine had long fingers running away from it. The brake lights flared red, and the vehicle started to move.

“Sir,” said the airman still connected to Creech, “Vader is requesting new orders.”

“That airman is a collaborator. His actions put every one of us at risk of radiation poisoning.” He swung his gaze from the screen on the wall to the airmen staring at him. “What that man did is treasonous. Have Vader engage the target.”

Both airmen swiveled around and stared at their monitors.

Nothing.

“Relay the order, Airman.”

“Vader,” said the younger airman of the two, the stress of the moment evident in the tone.

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