Kaiju Inferno (Kaiju Winter Book 3) Read online

  Dr. Bennet cries out before the wind is knocked from him. Bolton wastes no time and flips Dr. Bennet around so he can wrap his forearm around the man’s throat. He rolls onto his back, putting the doctor between him and whatever security measures are coming.

  And come they do.

  Just as when they exited the purge shafts, small gun turrets reveal themselves from panels at the tops of the walls, up near the ceiling. They instantly take aim at Bolton and Dr. Bennet.

  “Don’t!” Bolton yells. “You shoot at me and you’ll catch the doctor too!”

  “Connor!” Lu yells from the cell.

  “Hold on!” Bolton yells back. He keeps his eyes focused on the turrets. “I want to speak to the person in charge! I want Dr. Burkhorst down here now! We’re done being prisoners!”

  “You are not prisoners,” Dr. Bennet gasps. “I tried to tell—”

  “Shut it,” Bolton hisses in his ear. “This isn’t a negotiation.”

  “Connor!” Lu yells again. “We have a problem!”

  “What?” Bolton shouts.

  “There are guns in the cell with us!” Lu yells.

  “What?” Bolton asks then focuses on Bolton. “Why are there guns in there too?”

  “The security system is designed to deal with violence swiftly,” Dr. Bennet says. “Violence can be…contagious down here. Your friends have been tagged as possible problems. If they twitch the turrets will open fire. Tell them not to twitch.”

  “Don’t twitch!” Bolton yells.

  “We heard him!” Lu yells back.

  “Override the turrets,” Bolton orders.

  “I cannot,” Dr. Bennet replies. “I am no more safe from them than you are. The system is designed to see all of us as potential problems.”

  “What? Why the hell would it do that?” Bolton asks.

  “Because we are all potential problems,” Dr. Bennet says. “Every human being down here is. You have no idea where you are, Sergeant Bolton. This is so much more than a government facility. This is a whole other world. Trust me. The best thing you can do is to let me go so we can just all relax. The system will assess our aggression levels and reset once it sees we are no longer a threat.”

  “Are you kidding me? I let go of you and I’ll get torn to pieces,” Bolton says. “Nice try, Doctor.”

  “Sergeant, if you continue on this path you will kill us both,” Dr. Bennet says. “The system will weigh the reality of the situation and fire through me to get to you. Losing one doctor is better than letting a trained killer loose in this facility.”

  “It won’t fire on you,” Bolton says.

  “As I said, you are in a different world, Sergeant,” Dr. Bennet replies. “Stop thinking like you did above and adapt to where you are. The rules are vastly different down here. So are the stakes.”

  “Connor,” Lu says calmly. “I think we should listen to him. My gut says he’s telling the truth.”

  Bolton debates. He hesitates. But the black eyes of the gun barrels are what finally convince him.

  “Okay,” he says. “How do we do this without getting killed?”

  “We do everything slowly,” Dr. Bennet says. “Very slowly. Try to calm yourself. Get your breathing and heart rate under control. Think about peaceful things. Visualize not being aggressive.”

  “Seriously?” Bolton asks.

  “Connor,” Lu hisses.

  “Alright, alright,” Bolton says as he eases his grip around Dr. Bennet’s throat.

  “I will count to three and slowly roll off of you,” Dr. Bennet says. “Stay perfectly still.”

  “You better not be shitting me,” Bolton says. “If this is a set up then know that my son is in that cell watching. You’ll be responsible for him seeing his father killed.”

  “I am not shitting you,” Dr. Bennet says. “One. Two.”

  The gun turrets retract back into the walls and the panels close just as the door to the space opens. Dr. Burkhorst stands there, her eyes filled with surprise and anger.

  “Ryan? What in God’s name are you doing?” Dr. Burkhorst snaps. “Why is that cell open? Why are you on the floor with Sergeant Bolton? Why was the security system engaged?”

  “A misunderstanding,” Dr. Bennet says as he rolls to his hands and knees and slowly gets to his feet. “One I was worried about, as you know.”

  Bolton gets to his feet slowly as well, his eyes watching, waiting for the gun turrets to return.

  “We’ll discuss this later,” Dr. Burkhorst says. “For now, I need Sergeants Bolton and Holt to follow me. VanderVoort and the President of the United States need to talk to them.”

  “Um, I know who the president is,” Holt says, taking a tentative step towards forward. “But what’s a VanderVoort?”

  “The new leader of the world,” Dr. Burkhorst says. “And she is not a patient person. Less patient than I.”

  “What about us?” Lu asks.

  “You will remain here with Dr. Bennet,” Dr. Burkhorst says, seeing the still form of Lowell on the floor. “Help get your friend to the infirmary. Dr. Bennet will find you suitable quarters after that.”

  “We’re free to go?” Lu asks.

  “No one is free to go anywhere,” Dr. Burkhorst says, her voice grating and harsh. “I don’t have time for this. Bolton. Holt. Follow me now. Ryan? Take care of this mess and make sure I do not have to deal with it again.”

  “Yes, Doctor,” Dr. Bennet nods. “My apologies.”

  Dr. Burkhorst gives him a withering look then turns about and marches away swiftly.

  “You should go with her now,” Dr. Bennet says to Bolton and Holt. “She’s more dangerous than the gun turrets. Believe you me.”

  Bolton gives Lu a quick look then takes off after Dr. Burkhorst with Holt right on his heels.

  Dr. Bennet stretches then looks at Lowell.

  “What really happened?” he asks.

  “Connor applied pressure to a nerve cluster until he passed out and seized,” Lu admits. “He’s had to do it before in the field.”

  “Your little rouse could have killed your friend,” Dr. Bennet says. “But he looks to be breathing fine. Hopefully there’s no permanent brain damage.”

  “That can happen?” Kyle asks.

  “Your father induced a seizure on a man,” Dr. Bennet says. “Brain damage is very possible.”

  He looks at Lowell then looks at Lu and Kyle.

  “You two appear more than capable of carrying him,” he says as he turns and starts to leave. “Hurry up and follow me.”

  Kyle shakes his head as he squats at Lowell’s feet. “These people are fucking bossy as hell.”

  “Kyle,” Lu snaps. “Stop it with the language. Your grandmother would be appalled.”

  Kyle opens his mouth then closes it and nods as he and his mother lift Lowell up and carry him out of the cell.

  Three

  “There is just too much going on,” VanderVoort says to herself. “Look at this place. It’s like an ADHD convention when the Ritalin runs out. Fifty million video monitors, a hundred techs all warbling at each other, bureaucrat after bureaucrat blabbing, blabbing, blabbing about God knows what. And what am I doing?”

  She sighs and looks up at the monitor that shows Dr. Burkhorst with Holt and Bolton flanking her.

  “I get to help plan a road trip for two overgrown Boy Scouts,” she says and twirls her finger in the air. “Yay.”

  “It’s not easy being the leader of the free world, is it?” President Nance chuckles at her side.

  “Don’t,” VanderVoort warns. “You cannot even come close to comparing your corporate sponsored principal’s job to what I’m doing here. When you cut your puppet strings and actually make a difference, then come have a chat with me. I’ll be the one doing the heavy lifting, trying not to piss my pants as my unborn child does the Macarena on my neither parts.”

  President Nance begins to protest, but stops as VanderVoort shifts her eyes in his direction. He closes his mouth and nods.
/>
  “The facility is on full lockdown, Ms. VanderVoort,” Dr. Burkhorst says. “I don’t know how I will get them outside without compromising our security.” She looks over her shoulder as a reading is announced. “And the creature coming from the Yellowstone caldera is not going to stop and take a break so we can coordinate a journey for these soldiers over nearly a thousand miles.”

  VanderVoort looks at a different monitor and the scene of the giant monster, now with its shoulders out of the ground, destroying miles of what had once been pristine wilderness landscape. At least before the supervolcano exploded.

  “Are those four shoulder sockets?” VanderVoort asks. A dozen techs and scientists in the situation room scramble to bring up more detailed views.

  “Looks like it,” Dr. Hall says from her left, seated a few stations over from where she stands. “I bet the other two arms are helping clear space under the ground so it can wriggle its midsection out then bring up its legs. How many legs do you think it has?”

  “Six?” VanderVoort guesses. “Eight? Or maybe two. Yeah, just two.” She looks over her shoulder. “Get a pool going. I claim two.”

  “I’m going with four,” Dr. Hall says.

  “That’s quite enough, Doctor,” President Nance says.

  “Bull,” VanderVoort counters. “It’s not nearly enough. Better stop being so afraid and squeamish, Charles. Even if we do manage to kill the biggun’ here, we’ll still be sharing the planet with quite a few other monstrosities. You know, the Greeks learned to create theatre and comedy around their nightmares. Laugh it off, Charles, or go crazy fighting it.”

  “I do not understand how you got where you are,” President Nance replies. “Who in their right mind would put you in charge?”

  “I got where I am by a combination of guile, street smarts, and perfectly timed assassinations,” VanderVoort says. “If you can’t out think ‘em, out maneuver ‘em, or intimidate ‘em then be sure to put a bullet between their eyebrows.”

  Those behind that had been trying to eavesdrop while also looking like they were having their own conversations suddenly go silent.

  “Kidding,” VanderVoort announces. “Relax, folks. I applied for the job and give great interview. Sheesh.”

  She leans in close to President Nance. “I’m also an amazing shot with a twenty-two at close range. Right behind the ear. Click, bam, done.”

  “You are insane,” President Nance says. “Certifiable.”

  “Ms. VanderVoort?” Dr. Burkhorst calls. “What shall I do with the sergeants? What would you suggest? If I open things above then this facility could be breached.”

  “Capsule them up through the Substance?” VanderVoort suggests then shakes her head. “No, too much risk of pure insanity.” Again she leans in close to President Nance. “You want to talk insanity? Spend a night by yourself right next to the Substance. The whispering of Gods will be in your head for months. No thanks.”

  “So I breach our security and send them up through the elevator?” Dr. Burkhorst asks.

  “Unless you have a better idea,” VanderVoort replies. “Do you?”

  “I do,” Bolton says, raising his hand. “Uh…ma’am.”

  “Polite yet bold,” VanderVoort says. “I like it. What’s your idea, Sergeant Bolton?”

  “We go back up the way we came down,” Bolton says. “Through the purge shaft.”

  “Through the purge shaft?” VanderVoort asks. “Those haven’t been sealed?”

  “Have they?” Bolton asks Dr. Burkhorst.

  “Well… Uh, I’m not exactly sure,” Dr. Burkhorst answers. “They should have been. All of them. To prevent the creatures from above getting below, but…”

  “But you’ve been a little busy and don’t remember if the task was completed,” VanderVoort finishes for her. “This could be one time where a lapse is a blessing. Check on that, Burkhorst. Get back to me in no more than ten minutes. At that time, I want those men prepped and ready to ascend back to the ground level and get to hiking. It’s a long walk to Colorado Springs.”

  “Ma’am, if I may?” Bolton asks. “Even fully armed, and outfitted with plenty of supplies, we still have the caldera between us and Colorado Springs.”

  “Then plot a course around,” VanderVoort says. She makes a big circle in the air with her right hand. “A-roun-duh. Get it?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Bolton nods.

  “Ten minutes,” VanderVoort says and walks away, moving swiftly over to Dr. Hall. “What have you got for me?”

  “Excuse me?” Dr. Hall asks. “You never gave me an assignment.”

  “Exactly,” VanderVoort replies. “You’ve been topside, dealt with the creatures first hand, watched people die, and are now safely down here with us. I specifically didn’t give you an assignment so you could get your work done. What do you have for me?”

  “A theory,” Dr. Hall says, tapping at his keyboard until his screen is split into six panels, each showing different footage of the events that have occurred at the Yellowstone caldera.

  “I like theories,” VanderVoort says.

  “You hate theories,” Director Miles says as he walks by. “Heading to the mess for some chow. Need anything?”

  “Pudding cups and nacho chips,” VanderVoort says. “And an apple. I’m completely backed up. I need the fiber.”

  “Gotta keep the pooper shooting,” Director Miles says. “Back in a minute with your goodies.”

  Dr. Hall just blinks.

  “We’re long time friends,” VanderVoort says. “I’ve seen him naked.”

  “Oh,” Dr. Hall nods as if that explains it all. “Okay, uh, my theory?”

  “Go on,” VanderVoort says.

  “Look at these here,” Dr. Hall says as he points to the screen. “See how some of the monsters seem to prey on the others? Or have no regard for their safety? Like that there. The bigger ones crushed those smaller ones then ate them. Why would they do that?”

  “Some just like to be bullies,” VanderVoort says. “Stop asking me questions. Give me answers.”

  “Let me through!” a voice calls. “I have to speak with the president!”

  “Ignore the commotion,” VanderVoort says. “Continue.”

  “I don’t think they all like each other,” Dr. Hall begins again. “I think we are dealing with not only different species of monster, but different factions—”

  “It’s a war!” the voice calls out.

  Dr. Hall turns from his station. “Let him in. Let him in!”

  VanderVoort nods and Alvarez comes stumbling into the situation room looking worse for wear. He turns in a daze then sees Dr. Hall and hurries over.

  “It’s a war,” Alvarez says. “Or something like that. They aren’t all working together. Remember? Like we saw outside the Mall? Some of the ooze creatures went after the others. The new ones attacked the crabs. They fucking attacked the crabs! Then someone said something about whale-squids on the West Coast. They came up out of the water. Out of the ocean. Two fronts, attacking at the same time. It’s a war.”

  VanderVoort stares at Alvarez and wrinkles her nose. “You could use a shower. But I’ll get you a chair. Have a seat next to Dr. Hall. I want your crazy to mix with his crazy and get me some more theories. I like this war between the monsters idea. Could explain a few things.”

  “Ms. VanderVoort?” a tech calls. “We are getting reports of activity increasing tenfold at the other facilities.”

  “Are we now?” VanderVoort grins. She slaps Dr. Hall and Alvarez on the shoulders then walks off. “Show me the data, boys and girls! Show me the data!”

  ***

  “I see a bright light,” Lowell says. “Is it all over for me? Be straight. Should I go towards the light, doc?”

  “You seem fine,” Dr. Bennet says as he pulls the pen light away from Lowell’s face. “And you didn’t need to take off your pants. Please put them back on.”

  “Hey, Doc, where I come from, when you wake up from a violent event, your pants ar
e usually already down around your ankles anyway,” Lowell smirks. “I figured you’d forgotten that part and was just trying to be helpful.”

  “Is he always this flippant?” Dr. Bennet asks, looking back at Lu as she leans against the infirmary’s wall.

  “For as long as I’ve known him, yeah,” Lu replies.

  “I’m just a product of the system, man,” Lowell says. “I am what the corporate run penal machine has made me. I have tried to rehabilitate, but I’m caught in a pattern of self-destruction and depravity. I’m hopeless, I say. Hopeless!”

  Kyle snickers as he walks around, checking out the various machines and drawers of medical supplies. “Penal.”

  “Don’t encourage him,” Lu snaps at her son.

  “And please don’t touch anything,” Dr. Bennet says. Kyle holds his hands up at his shoulders. “Thank you.”

  “Not a kid person, Doc?” Lowell asks, hopping off the exam table and yanking his pants up. “They’re just little people, ya know. Like you and me. Although the kid isn’t exactly little. He’s taller than you are.”

  “Not a kid,” Kyle says.

  “Really? Ever gone down on a chick?” Lowell asks. “When you have then you can call yourself a man.”

  “Hey!” Lu shouts.

  “Please, all of you,” Dr. Bennet says, pinching his nose. “Can we keep our voices down? There is no need to continue to shout and yell. This is a civilized place.”

  “Yeah, with gun turrets in the walls and weird sex cells,” Lowell says. “Don’t think I don’t know you like to get freaky in those cells when the lights go out at night. A little anonymous buggering, am I right? Eh? Eh?”

  “Your file said you were disturbed, but I had no idea it would be this severe,” Dr. Bennet says.

  “My file? Can I see my file? I would so love to see my file,” Lowell says.

  “I’ve seen it,” Lu says. “It’s not that exciting.”

  “I know you’re lying, Marshal,” Lowell replies. “You’ve tried to use it against me more than once. If it was boring then you’d never have referenced it.” He taps his temple. “I’m a smarty, remember?”