Free Outer Banks by Anson Barber Page A

little shaken up.”
    â€œThen it won’t take long.” She nodded down the hall and I followed her into an exam room. A nurse came in and they spoke in medical lingo for a while. The nurse handed her a white coat.
    â€œYou’re a doctor?” I asked, causing one side of her lips to pull up.
    â€œThat’s right.”
    She took a blood sample. The fact my blood was still red seemed to be enough to make her smile.
    â€œDo you dress like this for work every day?” I asked.
    She smiled again before she answered.
    â€œI was at a party when I got the call.”
    â€œPretty quick response time.”
    â€œI have a jet at my disposal. It’s one of the perks of being the acting Chief Medical Officer of the US Air Force.”
    â€œOne of the perks, huh? Well, la-dee-da,” I muttered that last part more to myself, making her laugh. She was checking me over with a little more than just medical interest. It helped me relax, having that extra bit of normalcy.
    After she took my blood pressure and gave me a once over, the nurse was dismissed so we could talk privately.
    â€œSo. What happened?” she asked.
    I spent the next hour being debriefed. I explained how the Haunts seemed to be connected to the queen, though I only had Bobby’s word on that. I explained how I got away and how the other Haunt died in my van, presumably when the queen was killed.
    â€œI thought they couldn’t do that,” I said when I’d finished. “I thought that was one of the reasons they gave up. Because they couldn’t get into our head and control us.” At least that’s what the eggheads on TV had said. But they had also said none of the Bugs were left alive on Earth too.
    â€œI’m afraid I can’t comment on that. But I remind you this information of yours is classified. It goes nowhere outside of this room.”
    I leaned in closer and tilted my head giving her my best grin. “Yes. I understand, but come on. Between you and me. This kind of information might keep me alive if I come across any similar situations. That helps you out as well, right?”
    She sighed and looked back at the door before deciding whether or not to share. I watched her pupils dilate and knew I was in.
    â€œAs you know, the Bugs were controlled by their queens.”
    â€œYes.” I knew that much from TV.
    â€œWe figured there were a dozen or more on each ship. No way to be certain. Most of them stayed onboard, but some came down during the harvest. And while the drones didn’t have the ability to control us, it appears the queens might be able to.”
    â€œShit.”
    â€œYeah.” She sighed. “And we really have no idea who was controlling the queens.”
    â€œWait, they weren’t in charge?” I swallowed. It didn’t seem possible.
    â€œThese Bugs aren’t advanced enough to work out an invasion plan capable of taking down a civilization, let alone build FTL capable ships. They were shock troops, disposable and easily bred. Something smarter had to be calling the shots.”
    I shivered from the thought. “So how did she end up surviving here so long? Why didn’t she die like the others?”
    â€œWe don’t know, but we’re going to look into it. At this point we can only assume the queens are autonomous.”
    I asked the most important question. “Is she dead?”
    â€œI’m afraid that’s classified,” she said. I wasn’t sure I liked that answer. “Why don’t we get out of here? I’m guessing you could use a drink and I got pulled out of a party. You owe me some fun, and I bet you’d rather continue this someplace more comfortable than a hospital.”
    â€œOkay.” I wasn’t quite ready to be alone with my thoughts.
    A man in fatigues and a bright blue beret came to meet us as we left, handing me the forms I needed to fax to Ray.
    â€œDo I assume you’re keeping