Free DEAD FACTIONS - the Zombie War Narratives - a Novella by Michael Carr Page A

about this device on my neck?”
    Patrick has questions of his own for the Doctor, “First…what is the thing on his wrist?”
                  With Corey on the examining table, Richards begins to work on him and answers Patrick, “It is a developmental drug. One that has been tested many times on soldiers infected by walkers, but never on someone infected by a Zly.” Turning away to review test results, Richards continues, “He has shown some positive results. I’m surprised at the abilities he has acquired, even with his infection.”
    Patrick has no faith in the Doctor or his motives, “Explain!”
                  The Doctor continues to look over the chart, “By this time a large majority of the soldiers that were given this amount of the drug had expired. But Corey shows no signs of physical breakdown, in fact he is statistically better.” Richards looks over at Patrick, “Corey should show signs of increased intelligence and perception, ESP if you will…characteristics of the Lu-Ci-4 drug.”
    Patrick is perplexed, “Lucifer? Are you kidding? Is this the same thing you are taking?”
    Richards takes a deep breath, “If I answer, can I get this explosive removed from the back of my head?”
    Patrick provides a blank stare. The Doctor is not surprised, “I didn’t think so.”
                  In the meeting room Tonya situates herself to be at eye level with Chief, “We have time. Think about what you want to do.”
    Chief puts his hand on her arm, “Thinking’s done! Tonya, these are evil people. I need you out of here now! Don’t waste the little time I have left to do what I need to do.”  
                  In another part of the base, the General hurriedly walks out of a meeting, with his assistant next to him, “I’m on my way to see Richards. Let me know immediately when you pick up that signal.”
    His assistant nods and returns to her station “Will do, Sir!” The General continues walking down the hall briskly.
                  Doctor Richards looks at Patrick, “That’s the General's footsteps...I have heard them a million times.” Patrick steps back just beyond the entrance so he is not seen when Anders comes in. Hopefully he can slip out when the General passes him.
    The door opens, “Where are we with the patient?”
    Richards is noticeably nervous, “He did come to briefly, Sir.”
    General Anders reaches over as he puts on his reading glasses, “Let me see his chart.” Patrick tries to slip out, but the General turns with the chart in his hands to see him, “What are you doing here?!” 
    Patrick gets a bit ballsy, "Making sure your Doctor doesn’t do anything else weird to him.”
                  The General walks up putting his finger in Patrick’s face, “Leave now!!!”  Patrick becomes fearful and exits. The door shuts, Anders looks over his glasses to glare at the Doctor. “Explain!”  
    Richards pauses... “They know.” 
    General Anders becomes increasingly frustrated, “Know what?”
    The Doctor tries to continue business as usual and holds up a syringe, drawing from a vial, “That we are performing tests and enhancements on Corey.”
    Anders is speechless and red faced, “And why would you tell them?!”
               Dr. Richards with the syringe still in the air flicks it to the simultaneous sound of Tonya and Patrick busting through the door. With little acknowledgement of the intrusion, the Doctor looks again at the needle, “because they put…”
    “Enough!” Tonya prevents the Doctor from commenting further, “We are citizens! We came here for help yet you treat us as vagrants. We are out of here! Doctor, gather Corey whatever medical supplies are needed.”
    The General folds his arms, “I can not let you leave with him. Besides, how do you think you are going to get out of here?”
    Tonya looks annoyed and gets in the General's face, “I think you are the one