The New Haven Incident - Part Twenty-Four

Lilith grunted as her shoulder slammed into the wall. The attacking Dark One raised its right hand, the stinger protruding from its wrist extending. It plunged the weapon forward. Lilith twisted, and the stinger hit the steel wall behind her. The Dark One shrieked as the stinger snapped. Seeing her chance, Lilith struck, using her sharp nails to her advantage as she raked them up the Dark One’s torso. The creature stumbled back and Lilith lunged forward, drawing a blade.

“Move!” Sakata bellowed, taking a knee and firing down the corridor past the group of survivors as they ran following Dr. Liu’s lead.

Lilith turned and ran, letting the hail of bullets slow their pursuers.

“Here!” Dr. Liu yelled. He burst through the door, finding himself on the landing of a set of stairs. He looked up. That direction had once again been blocked off. There was no way to go but down. Down Dr. Liu went, moving quickly, his penlight offering light enough that he could just make out the steps before him.

Sakata and Franz moved backwards, the last to enter the stairwell. They were not followed. They had once again successfully repelled the attack with not a single person lost. But they were now low on ammunition - again - and they had been chased down more floors than Sakata thought possible.

Scowling, Sakata followed the group down the stairs and out into a darkened hall.

The first ambush happened near the first-floor elevators. Team Three and their charges had been chased down endless corridors and through multi-room laboratories until they came to a stairwell. Once through, with the ability to climb blocked, the group fled downwards. On each successive floor there had been an attack, and each time they had been driven down.

These were not random attacks. They were very deliberate. Planned. Team Three and their charges were being herded like so many sheep. Knowing this did not offer Sakata and his unit much of a choice in the matter. Unable to manoeuvre in any direction but what their enemy dictated, they fell further and further into what could only be a trap. Now they were God knew how deep underground with a diminishing supply of ammunition and no way out.

“Clear,” Carter whispered harshly as he peeked out of the stairwell, his flashlight casting a brief beam of light that revealed nothing but blood-splashed walls.

“Clear,” his companion Savage said, looking the other way.

The silence that accompanied the team and the survivors in their care was broken only by the harsh gasps of a number of scientists struggling to catch their breath.

“Anyone know which way?” Sakata murmured.

No one spoke. Cheryl shook her head, cradling Hannah, who clung to her desperately. “I’ve never been this far down.” There was a general murmur of agreement.

Dr. Liu cleared his throat. “I have.”

“And?” Sakata said.

Liu shrugged. “I have no idea. There are stairwells at each corner of the facility, but I don’t know if they’ve all been blocked off like this one or what.”

“We’ll try the elevators first,” Sakata said. “We’re going to get you out of here. Which way?”

Dr. Liu sighed, but did not voice his doubt. Instead, he made his way back to the head of the group and started walking. His daughter moved to his side, with Sakata on the other, offering brief flashes of light down the gloomy halls to ensure nothing horrific awaited them.

“This doesn’t seem random to you, does it?” Liu murmured to the captain.

Sakata shook his head, but didn’t speak.

“They brought us down here for a reason. And I think I now know —”

Dr. Liu didn’t get to finish his thought.

“Contact!” Franz bellowed from the rear guard as another swarm of infected found them. Changelings and Dark Ones both slammed into the rear of the group; entirely silent until the moment they attacked. The hall exploded in the zip of wings, cries of alarm and shrieks. Cheryl screamed as Hannah was ripped from her arms. Hannah shrieked, reaching out for her aunt.

“Hannah!” Cheryl screamed, running forward. A Changeling tackled her, sharp teeth biting down on her forearm. The pain and pressure were suddenly gone as Lilith grabbed the infected creature and pulled it away, quickly dispatching it.

“Help!” Hannah’s voice echoed down from the darkness of one of the adjacent corridors.

“Go!” Sakata barked at Lilith. “We’ll hold here!”

With a confirming nod from Cheryl, Lilith turned and darted into the darkness, the zip of her wings joining the chorus of insectoid sounds that seemed to be coming from everywhere all at once.

“This way!” Dr. Liu said, moving down the only way possible, well aware that he and his fellows were being herded somewhere. At this point, it did not matter. It was comply or die.

In an effort to spare their ammunition, the mercenaries of Team Three shot only when absolutely necessary as the group fled down hall after hall. They only stopped when they were certain they were no longer pursued.

Taking stock, Sakata and his team flicked their flashlights on and off, taking snapshots of the space they found themselves in. It was not a hall, but a room. A large, empty room with nothing but white steel walls. Still, there were no infected here, so Sakata permitted everyone a rest.

The survivors huddled together, panting as Team Three made a perimeter around them.

“Fuck this,” Savage whispered quietly.

“Chin up,” his entirely too cheery companion said. Bosch grinned over at him. “Imagine the stories you can tell when we get out here.”

“If,” Savage grumbled. “If we get out of here.”

“We will.”

Savage grunted, but didn’t bother to argue. He was too tired and too short of breath.

Sakata paused a moment, his mind working. He had to find a way out of here, but he was now hopelessly lost, and unless he could find help, the survival of his team and those they were supposed to be protecting was very unlikely. He straightened and walked over to Carter.

“We have to get our comms. working,” he said.

Carter nodded. “No shit.” He grinned up at his captain. “Sir.”

Sakata nodded, knowing full well his communications expert was telling him that their chances of achieving that were slim.

“Try.”

“Yes, sir.”

The gunfire echoing down the halls fell silent. Sebastian, who had just arrived at the elevators when he heard the fighting break out, swore quietly to himself as he moved silently through the corridors, knife in one hand and gun in the other.

He arrived at the scene of the fight. Several dead Infected lay along the hallways, black, clotted blood pooling beneath them. Sebastian recognised the cuts of long blades. Lilith had been here, which meant Team Three and the rest of the survivors were likely down here as well. What they were doing on the fourteenth sub-basement was anyone’s guess. They should have been on the first sub-basement where Team Two had left them, or out of the labs by now, making their way to the stadium.

Stepping carefully, in case any one of them were not quite dead, Sebastian followed the trail of bodies and dark blood down the long halls of the Cedarwood laboratories. The route they took was convoluted, often crossing their own paths. Sebastian lost the trail once, had to double back and attempt a different route. Silence pressed in from every angle, the gloom of the corridors turning every anomaly into an enemy.

Sebastian’s condition was worsening. He had to stop several times due to vertigo and fight to regain his vision. He fought with his lungs, and the now ever-present pain in his chest that spiked every so often, making him stumble, bent over in agony.

The voice in his mind remained silent, but somehow the presence of it was there, a strange extra pressure in addition to the throbbing pain of his headache.

At length, Sebastian came across a door. A slight trail of red blood indicated that someone was wounded, and they had gone through that door. Sighing, he turned his attention to the keypad on the wall beside the door. He pulled out the card he had found earlier with Mendez and swiped. For a moment nothing happened. Then there was a short musical beep and the door slid open.

Sebastian stepped through.

Sakata spun, his flashlight jumping to life. He was not the only one. Nearly all of Team Three turned, shining their light at the now open door.

Sebastian winced, putting up an arm to shield against the sudden flare of bright light that punctured his vision like blades.

“Sebastian?”

Agent Connors recognised the voice.

“Cheryl,” he greeted.

The lights vanished and Sebastian stood still, blinking furiously in an effort to get the resulting dark spots in his vision to clear.

“Agent,” another person greeted.

“Captain Sakata,” Sebastain replied, still unable to see. He scowled, as his vision improved. It was easier to see in this room than in the corridors. There must be a source of light somewhere, but he could not locate it. “Where’s Lilith?” he asked, aware that the strange winged woman was not here.

Cheryl turned away, poorly stifling a sob.

“They took the child in our last attack,” Sakata said with a sigh. “Lilith went after them. We were chased in here.”

Sebastian shook his head. He turned and looked at the door, trying to think through the pounding in his head.

“We must trust that she’ll find Hannah,” Dr. Liu said, a slight catch in his voice. “And that she’ll return to us soon.”

Sebastian turned to him and nodded. He observed the diminutive man. He looked worried, but was managing a stoic expression well. Turning back to Sakata, Sebastian asked, “What’s the situation here?”

“Low on ammo. Again. Exhausted. And nowhere near where we’re supposed to be. It’s going great.”

Sebastian grunted, but was robbed of any other response. Blinding light stabbed his eyes as the room suddenly flared white.

“What the fuck?” Sakata grunted as he, along with everyone else, brought his hand up to shield his eyes from the sudden light.

Hello, my lovelies, a disembodied voice said. Sebastian recognised the voice, in that its slightly lilting accent and timbre matched his audio hallucinations. And, he suddenly realised, the voice that had confronted him over the radio. A chill swept through him that had nothing to do with his fever.

Team Three lifted their weapons, scanning the room for any clue as to where the voice was coming from.

“Captain Sakata,” the voice greeted. “You did very well, all things considered. I expected that you’d have lost more on your flight. Well, I had hoped.”

Dr. Liu straightened. His eyes now adjusted to the light, he stepped forward. “Reinhert.” It was not a question.

James, the man named Reinhert greeted, his voice dripping with disdain. James, James, James. You, my most esteemed colleague, have proven remarkably difficult to kill. Though, I wonder how true that will remain with your hideous brat gone.

Sebastian scanned the room. The top of the walls were reflective glass – no doubt observation windows – which meant part of them should hold some sort of control room. That’s where this Reinhert should be. Moving slowly to try and avoid attention from the unseen threat, Sebastian reached for the handgun in his thigh holster.

Uh-uh, Agent Connors, Dr. Reinhert said. Sebastian froze, cursing quietly under his breath.

A noise above lifted Sebastian’s gaze. A lattice of lines opened in the ceiling. “Fuck,” Sebastian grunted. He turned to Sakata and pushed him hard, moving him out of the way of the falling cage bars. They slammed into the ground, dividing the room in two. Team Three and the survivors on one side, Sebastian isolated on the other.

You forget, pet, that we’re connected now. I know your thoughts.

“Connected?” Sebastian demanded. “Connected how?”

Honestly, Agent. You’re being incredibly dense for someone whose file indicated an almost genius level IQ.

“IQs are bullshit,” Sebastian growled to himself. He scowled.

Do think, Sebastian, Reinhert continued. When Sebastian remained silent, Reinhert sighed. Your symptoms, Agent Connors. The headaches? Vertigo? Chest pain?

“Oh no,” Dr. Liu whispered.

Sebastian turned to him.

“You’re infected.”

Sebastian frowned. He shook his head. “That’s not —”

Not what, Agent? Reinhert’s disembodied voice demanded. Possible? Think back. A sharp pain. Unexpected.

Sebastian’s gaze turned to the far wall as he searched his memory for some moment where he might have been infected. For a moment, nothing came to mind. The moment of realisation drained the blood from his face. His lips parted slightly. Raising his right hand away from the thigh holster, he felt it tremble as he lifted it to his left shoulder.

In the fight at the safe house, as he had moved to rescue Mendez from the giant Dark One, there had been a sharp pain in his shoulder. It happened so quickly that Sebastian hadn’t read anything into it. But the pain came into his mind now, and he knew with certainty that had been the moment of his infection.

“Doctor?” Sebastian said, moving to the bars and turning around to present his back to Dr. Liu.

Swallowing, Dr. Liu moved forward.

“There is a gun in my belt,” Sebastian whispered to him. “Take it.”

Nodding, Dr. Liu reached through the bars and took the gun with his right hand. With his left, he reached up and pulled Sebastian’s collar and tactical vest down as far as he could revealing a puncture wound on Sebastian’s left shoulder blade. From it, a lattice of veins and capillaries, now black, indicating the spread of the infection, radiated out like a spider’s web. Liu released the fabric and jumped back.

“Jesus,” he breathed.

Sebastian turned and met Dr. Liu’s wide-eyed gaze. That was all the confirmation he needed. He turned his head slightly, the tendon at his jaws jumping as he clenched and released his teeth. Finally, he nodded to himself and once again met Dr. Liu’s gaze.

“Shoot,” he said quietly.

Dr. Liu shook his head. He had a gun now, but he could not use it. Not against Sebastian.

“Sakata?” Sebastian said.

“Agent Connors,” Sakata answered.

“I’m compromised.”

“Acknowledged.” Sakata lifted his rifle, aiming.

Cheryl gasped, bringing her hands up to her mouth, staring at Sebastian with wide eyes.

No! Reinhert barked. Another noise from overhead made Sebastian jump backwards. A clear divide fell from the ceiling. He’s my pet now.

Sebastian spun around. “I’m no one’s pet,” he snarled.

No? Well, it’s true your initial phase has lasted longer than any of my other subjects. We can contribute this to your training. A great deal of time was expended in making you more resistant than most to torture and mind-control techniques, I see. A fascinating development. I’ve made a note of it for my buyers.

“Buyers?” Dr. Liu said. He frowned. “You bastard, Reinhert. You’re selling bioweapons!”

No, no, Reinhert said, with his sinister chuckle. Once again, you’re too daft to realise. How they could ever have given you any funding is beyond me. I’m selling bio-augmented semi-autonomous weapons.

Dr. Liu’s frown deepened. “Super soldiers,” he whispered. “You bastard!”

Don’t take that tone with me! Reinhert barked. I will not have you, of all people, disparage me.

“This was you. This whole thing was you!”

There were tests to run, James.

“You unleashed a plague!”

No. I tested my army.

“Jesus,” Sakata breathed.

“Army? What army, Howard?”

Just because you could not harness the power you created, doesn’t mean no-one else could, James. These soldiers are mine. They obey my command.

Dr. Liu shook his head. “You’re out of your mind.”

Let me demonstrate for you, shall I? Agent Connors, be so kind as to take a step forward, if you would.

Sebastian scowled. “Why the fuck would I —”

Step!

Sebastian’s right foot moved forward at the barked command. He stared down at it.

See? Reinhert’s voice in his head said. I told you it was only a matter of time.

Over the hidden speakers, Reinhert said, I have perfected the method of creating obedient soldiers. I succeeded where you failed, James, you research stealing little rat. I will change the face of warfare. The world will owe me a debt. Me. Not you. There was a pause. And I must thank you for bringing this fine specimen to me. Agent Connors will be the poster-child of my BASAWs. The perfect demonstration of how fully they can be controlled. My new, favourite pet.

“I am no-one’s pet,” Sebastian growled again.

Reinhert chuckled, the already sinister sound made more so over the speakers. Oh, but you are. The step was nothing. There was no reason not to obey. No morality attached to putting one foot forward. My programming needs more of a challenge. Let’s test further, shall we?

A door to Sebastian’s right slid open. He had not even noticed it. It had been flush with the wall, absolutely invisible, until it opened. Hannah stumbled through it, her clothing torn and her face streaked with tears. Blinking rapidly, she stared up at Sebastian and froze.

“Hannah!” Cheryl cried, running forward to the bars. Hannah turned to her and ran. Her tiny hands pressed on the clear divide.

“Auntie?” she said in a meek voice. “Auntie?”

“I’m here,” Cheryl said. “It’s alright. I’m here, baby girl.”

As I understand it, Agent Connors, you and this snot-nosed leech have grown quite close.

Sebastian stared at Hannah, fear and horror chasing each other across his expression as he guessed what was to come next.

My buyers must know that their weapons will do as they are told, Agent. They must know that their orders will supersede any personal considerations. So, for my buyers, Sebastian, kill her.

Dread silence fell in the room. All eyes turned to Sebastian, who stood stock still, staring at Hannah. Of his internal struggle, they could see nothing but the panic in his pale eyes and the straining of the muscles in his neck as he fought to keep control over his own body. Despite himself, he felt his right hand inch towards the gun holstered at his thigh. He shook his head, fighting hard.

“S-s-s-shoot!” he hissed.

Sakata lifted his rifle again, aiming at Sebastian’s head and pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the clear divide and shattered, leaving nothing but a smear of ash on its surface.

Tears filled Sebastian’s eyes. Try though he might, he could not stop the slow creep of his hand towards his weapon. Agony shot through his body as he fought.

It is inevitable, Reinhert’s voice whispered in his mind. Spare yourself the pain. The grief. There is freedom in obedience. You need not suffer. Yield to it.

Sebastian grunted, closing his eyes briefly in an effort to divert more strength to resisting the command that had his body moving against his own will. His fingers closed around the butt of his gun.

“No,” Cheryl whispered. “Please!” she said louder. “Sebastian, please!”

Sebastian could not answer. All his strength was focussed on fighting his own body as the gun was drawn and raised. His breath stuttered in his chest and his blue eyes opened, fixing on Hannah.

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