The guards were just down the hall. Their weapons remained pointed at both Kevin and Lopez, whose faces were bloodied and bruised. Jack thought it lucky they were still alive, and probably the only reason being was that the doc needed subjects.
“Last time I’m going to ask,” Jack said, “and then my friend pokes out an eye.”
Jack wanted Zaun behind him, in case one of the guards thought he could get off a shot, but liked them seeing Reynolds surrounded by gun and bladed implement.
“Lower your weapons,” Reynolds finally said.
The guards remained as they were for a moment, until the one behind Lopez shoved her forward. He placed his sidearm against her head. “Lower your weapons and release the doctor. You have until the count of three, or she dies.”
Zaun turned, and threw the knife at the guard, hitting the man in his throat.
The man dropped his gun and stumbled backward, holding his throat, complete and utter shock on his face. One of the other guards went to help him, but Reynolds spoke up.
“Leave him; he’s already dead.”
Everyone watched as the guard pulled the knife from his neck, then fell to the floor, blood continuing to gush, leaving streaks and puddles everywhere. Desperation filled the man’s face as he tried crawling forward, his doom imminent.
Jack pointed the. 44 at the man and put a bullet into his head, the guard’s body going limp.
The others appeared stunned, staring at their dead comrade as blood pooled around him.
Jack returned his gun to Reynolds’ head, his hand shaking slightly.
The guards’ demeanor began to change, from astonishment to anger.
“Get behind me,” he whispered to Zaun, and his friend did, readying his M4.
The guards looked enraged. Behind the muzzles of their guns, Jack could see the hate in their eyes.
“Drop your weapons,” Reynolds said, his voice taking on a heavy, authoritative tone. “The man is dead because he didn’t obey a direct order.”
Jack began to worry the others wouldn’t either; that they’d seen one of their own killed, and would want revenge, but his worries were squashed as the men laid down their arms.
“Kevin,” Jack asked, “you guys all right?” The kid nodded. “We’re a little banged up is all.”
“Fucking traitors,” one of the guards said.
“Tell your men to back away,” Jack demanded, fearing that not all was okay yet.
Reynolds complied, ordering his men back.
“Grab the weapons and a radio, then get over here,” Jack said.
When Kevin and Lopez were out of harm’s way, Jack had Reynolds make an announcement over the walkie. The man ordered his staff to stand down and to let Jack and the others pass without hindrance. If they complied, no harm would befall him.
The guards were cuffed, using their own zip-ties, and shoved into a room where they were ordered by Reynolds to remain until told otherwise. Jack didn’t imagine the guards staying tied up for long, but anything to slow them down and keep them from causing trouble was a good thing.
When all was said and done, Jack and the others had quite a little arsenaclass="underline" two more M4 machine guns with an extra magazine each; two more 9mm Glock 21’s with an extra clip each; and three Tasers.
Jack took out the Glock he’d taken from Reynolds and popped in a fresh clip, the old one feeling rather light. Now he had the. 44 magnum, the Glock 9mm, which he returned to his waist, and a T aser. Zaun had his sword, a Glock, and a machine gun. Kevin took one of the machine guns, an extra magazine and one of the Glocks. Lopez, who said to call her Maria, had a machine gun, a sidearm, a Taser, and a few extra clips for the guns.
The group moved easily down the halls, using the stairs, not wanting to take the chance of getting trapped in the elevator. For all Jack knew, the thing had security features, like a sleeping agent that could be released when undesirables were inside.
Just outside Reynolds’ office was the weapons store and down the hall from that was C-Wing. If the weapons store hadn’t been on the way, Jack thought they might’ve skipped it entirely, especially with them being so well-armed now. But since it was on the way, why not check it out, and at least stock up, leaving less for Reynolds’ men.
Using Reynolds’ keycard-Chambers’ in his pocket-Jack unlocked the arsenal. The room wasn’t very wide, and was as deep as an oversized walk-in closet. He kept an eye on Reynolds and the hallway while the others went in and further armed themselves.
Zaun came out quickly, holding Jack’s shotgun and ammo belt, still filled with shells. “Thought you might want these back,” he said. Jack took the gun, admired it for a moment, then shouldered the weapon. “And these,” Zaun continued, producing and proffering to Jack the Sig Sauer and his. 45 caliber Smith and Wesson. Jack smiled as he took the guns. Both were loaded.
“Rifle’s in there too,” Zaun told him, “if you want it.”
Zaun took over watch of Reynolds and the hallway as Jack entered the room, Kevin and Maria passing him by on their way out.
Jack looked around the armory. Ten M4 machine guns rested against the wall on his right; crates of magazines below. On the far wall were eight Glock 21’s. Boxes of varying ammo filled the shelves on the left, along with Tasers and Taser re-loads, gas masks, flash-bang grenades, mini attachable gun lights, and flashlights. He grabbed a couple of clips for the Glock, found a box of. 45 shells, took two flash-bang grenades and headed out.
Jack asked if everyone was good before closing the weapons room door. Everyone had taken a couple flash-bang grenades, Maria explaining how to use them, informing Jack and Zaun that they were designed to disorient a person, everything from temporary blindness to hearing loss. When used, it was a good idea to close one’s eyes and cover one’s ears.
“Does anyone else have access to this room?” Jack asked.
“I know the Doc and Chambers did. Not sure about any others,” Maria answered.
“Me either,” Kevin echoed.
“Well?” Jack asked Reynolds.
“Only two others have access cards to the arsenal.”
“Doesn’t matter; as long as we have this asshole,” Zaun said, nudging Reynolds, “we’ll be fine.”
Chapter 18
Just down the hall was C-wing. Using the keycard, Jack opened the security door. He kept the. 44 magnum at Reynolds’ head.
Two guards, both holding M4’s stood before the group.
“Drop the weapons and stand back,” Jack demanded.
“Do as he says, gentlemen,” Reynolds ordered. “They’ll be leaving us real soon.”
Faces like carved granite, the guards laid down their weapons and stood to the side.
Maria removed the magazines and clips from the guns. The two guards were ushered into a nearby office where their own zip ties were used to subdue them.
Moving down the hall, there was a windowed laboratory on the left. Three scientists surrounded a zombie lying on a steel table. Jack thought the place looked exactly like the operating room in a hospital. The men were so absorbed in what they were doing that Jack didn’t think they even noticed him or the others.
“You’re a sick bastard, you know that?” Zaun said to Reynolds. He walked up to the door and kicked it open. The scientists jumped, startled by the abrupt intrusion.
“You better stop your man from doing anything stupid,” Reynolds warned.
“Zaun,” Jack yelled. “Stop. Let the men work.”
Zaun spun around, his eyes slits. “What?”
“Listen to your friend,” Reynolds said, talking to Zaun. “He understands.”
Zaun came from the doorway, gun out and pointed at Reynolds’ head. “One more word out of you and screw the consequences, you’re dead.”
“Zaun,” Jack said. “He’s right. Whoever’s on that table is dead. There’s no helping him anymore. We need to help the survivors. And as much as I’d like to blow this place sky-high, the work here is essential. Reynolds’ people are the only ones who might be able to stop all this.”