“Where are the others?”
“What makes you think I’m not alone?”
He stared at her. “I can count bunks, Grace.” He put special emphasis on her name. “There are sixteen people here including you. One is injured.”
“You still haven’t told me why you’re here,” she said.
He sighed. “We’re here to secure the bunker and the supplies.”
She shrugged. “You’re too late. I’ve already secured them.”
Books returned. “Gunny, the code on the door that goes to the upper level has been changed.”
“Why am I not surprised?” Dan glared at her. “Why did you change them?”
“To keep the security guard, Bruce Rogers out. He and another cadet, Jefferson Mitchell, have gone over to the dark side.”
“What do you mean about Rogers?” Dan asked.
“When he couldn’t unlock the doors, he tried to ram the front doors with his truck. The creatures, who were Variants then, were all around him but they didn’t attack. Then a few days later we saw Jefferson with Rogers and again they weren’t attacked.”
“They’re collaborating with them. We’ll take care of them,” Dan said. “We aren’t here to hurt you.”
“No, just to take over,” she said. “And, you haven’t mentioned anything about rescue.”
“Our mission includes looking for survivors.”
“Well, then, I certainly don’t want to see you fail in your mission.” She moved to the solar panel room with Dan on her heels. She knocked on the door in a prearranged pattern then called out her name and opened the door.
Luke, Stephan, Damien and Mark stood in front of the other cadets, their pistols in their hands and aimed at the door. John lay on a mattress behind them.
“It’s okay,” Grace said. “They’re here to secure the bunker and food supply, oh, and look for survivors.”
Dan stepped around her. “Lower your weapons and place them on the table.”
The four ignored his order and looked passed him to Grace.
Grace sighed. This moment had been coming since the moment they’d decided to let the Marines into the shelter. “This is Gunnery Sergeant Dan Perryman. I believe he has the highest rank and is therefore in command.”
The four cadets obeyed the order then all of them with the exception of John waited at attention.
“Rest,” Dan ordered, and the cadets moved their feet apart and placed their hands behind their backs.
Grace crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the doorframe. “The tall blond is Luke Matthews. On his left is Stephan Greco and Damien Moretti. Mark Kelton is to his right. The petite blond is Megan Matthews. Next to her is Sherry Jones and Sabrina Carson. John Martinez was injured yesterday when we rescued the six cadets you see with him. They’ll introduce yourselves when they’re rested and feeling better.”
“One is missing,” Dan said.
“Neal White is in the security room at the end of the hallway,” Grace said. “Mark will show you where it is.”
Dan sent a signal to one of his men then tipped his head to his right. “Go with him, Kelton.”
Mark joined the Marine and he hurried away with the Marine trailing a few steps behind him.
Dan moved Grace. “We were told there were at least sixty cadets on campus. Where are the others?”
Grace slid her hands into her pockets. “Dead or captured.”
“Or alive in another form,” Sherry said. “Depending on how you look at it.”
Luke sent Sherry a signal to zip it. She smiled and looked away.
“A lot of the cadets are in the Main Dorm’s basement stuck to the walls by some kind of goop the Variants spit up. We think they’re being stored for food later on.”
“You’re right,” Dan said. “We’ve seen it before. We’ll clear that building first and rescue the ones who are still alive.” He paused for a moment. “You’ve done good here. I was surprised to find anyone alive although Dr. Matthews told us we’d find his niece and nephew here.”
Megan held her hand up. “Yes, cadet?”
Sir, permission to ask a question,” Megan said.
“Permission granted.”
“Our uncle, Mike Matthews is still alive?”
Dan nodded. “He’s in a secure location working on a way to kill the Variants.”
“Variants?” Megan asked.
“It’s what they call the creatures,” Grace said then sent Dan an offended glare. “I don’t know why you thought we’d all be dead. This shelter is nearly as impregnable as they come. I think you’re aware of that or you wouldn’t be here.”
“My mission is to clear the campus of Variants. Command intends to use it as a post. I want to know everything you know about the campus. The buildings, the greens, everything.”
“Most of the creatures stay with the leader in the Main Dorm by the Admin building but they wander around the campus and enter and exit the other buildings,” Luke said.
“How do you know that?” Dan asked.
“Mr. Edgar had cameras installed everywhere, even the girl’s showers.” Sherry said.
“Gunnery Sergeant, I’m prepared to give you a SITREP,” Luke said.
“What’s your cadet rank, Luke?” Dan asked.
“Cadet Battalion Sergeant Major, Sir.”
“How many cameras and where are they located?” Dan demanded.
“There are hundreds of them,” Luke said. “They cover every inch of the campus and just about every room in every building. We monitor them and use them to plan rescue missions.”
“How many times have you left the bunker and when?” Dan asked.
“Bravo team rescued Stephan, Damien and Sabrina from the library on April twentieth,” Luke said. “Charlie team rescued seven cadets from Admin yesterday. They lost one on the way back and that’s also when John Kelton was injured.”
“I want to know everything about your missions. Where you went, what time you went, how many variants you saw, how many you killed, how John was injured, every detail,” Dan said.
“We’ve already eaten but we’ll prepare a meal for you and your men while you clean up. While you eat, we’d appreciate anything you can tell us about what’s going on out there.” Grace turned to Luke. “Show them where the clean clothes and towels are stored and make sure they know where to put their dirty clothes.” The offer for food and showers made, she walked away.
Megan caught up to her and grabbed her hand. “Isn’t it great? We’re not the only people left alive and we’re being rescued.”
Grace forced a smile. “Yes, wonderful.” She squeezed Megan’s hand then released it. “Do me a favor—make sure John is taken back to his bunk and that someone stays with him, then get another cadet and come help me please.” Megan changed directions and ran back in a slow jog displaying the endless energy of a fifteen-year-old. Grace watched her then breathed a sigh of relief.
She needed a few moments alone to adjust to this new reality. She’d been in charge of the shelter for so long. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Gunnery Sergeant Dan Perryman and his men invading her territory. On the one hand she felt relieved they were there to guide and protect the cadets, but on the other hand she resented his sudden appearance and ‘I’m in charge now’ attitude.
She wanted to make it clear to him that she and the cadets were the proprietors of the shelter, but her instincts were telling her to use caution. Dan knew too much about the campus and the shelter and she felt as if she didn’t know enough now. He’d called it a bunker rather than a shelter. That more than anything answered the questions she’d wondered about for so long. Mr. Manning had built a bunker for when the SHTF. Now, she wanted to know who had ordered and financed its construction.