Devoured World: Volume One Read online

  “I haven’t been beasted since basic. I’m sure I can keep my stuff ironed and stowed properly.”

  “Is there anything else we can get you before we go?”

  “You’re leaving me?”

  “We need to fill in our reports for the spawning, but if you need us for any reason, just push that button,” Tom explained. “We’re only in the next building.”

  “And we do mean anything,” Eric continued. “If you’re feeling unwell, call us. If you start to feel confused, call us. If you just want to chat…”

  “Call you?” Andy finished.

  “Exactly.”

  “I was hoping you could fill me in about my previous life. Clear up some of the flashbacks and memories I’m getting.”

  The medics looked at each other. “It can be counterproductive. The trauma that can occur with the rapid recollection of past life events has been known to induce the same kind of catatonia that poor Paul suffered from in the mess hall. The higher ups generally like the subjects to slowly reveal their memories over the course of a few days.”

  “Look, guys, I’m strong enough to handle it. It’s the not knowing that is causing me the most stress.”

  Eric and Tom exchanged another look of uncertainty.

  “Please?”

  “I can take care of the report,” Tom offered with a sigh. “Stay with him a while.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, but you’re completing the next one.”

  “Done.”

  As Tom bade them farewell, Andy and Eric sat down. The mattress was pliant and springy, nothing like the cheap, hard beds he could vaguely remember from his previous military career. The majority of his fellow troops had waved off their team and lay sprawled on top of the soft duvet, staring at the ceiling in quiet contemplation. Zip glanced over and smiled warmly. It was a look that said; ‘We’re in this together’.

  “Where do you want to begin?” Eric asked.

  “At the beginning. What were the names of my wife and daughters?”

  “Your wife was called Beverly, and your daughters were Grace and Tara.”

  Andy mulled the information as neurons within his brain made a connection. “I remember now.”

  “Beverly was thirty-two years old and a high school maths teacher. Grace was ten and Tara was eight.”

  A lump formed in his throat. Choking out the question, Andy asked, “How did they…”

  “Pass?” Eric offered diplomatically.

  “Yes.”

  “It may be cold comfort, but they were victims of the first wave of nuclear strikes. Your home town was under siege and the top brass ordered its destruction. They wouldn’t have felt a thing.”

  Visibly relieved, Andy’s shoulders slumped, and he let out a gasping sob. “That helps more than you know. Thank you.”

  “It’s always the first question on people’s lips. Not everyone receives the same answer unfortunately,” Eric replied, sadly.

  “How did I die?”

  “To answer that I need to go back to your origins in the British Army.”

  “Ok.”

  “You may not remember fully yet, but you were a highly experienced SBS operative.”

  Another flash of recollection bloomed in his mind. “I was in Z squadron!”

  “That’s right. You and your men were based in Dorset, England.”

  “I can’t remember my team, though.”

  “You will in time. You’d served tours in Afghanistan during your earlier years, and then when the civil war broke out you were part of a breakaway faction under the command of Admiral Bransfield.”

  Andy was gobsmacked at the news. “Wait! I was part of a resistance movement?”

  “Indeed, you were. The leaders of the New World Order tried to quell the uprising by turning their military power against their own people. Admiral Bransfield was the first woman to refuse the order to kill innocent protesters and instead went after the government. Within a month, most of the other commanders were aligning themselves with her. It took a further six months of intense fighting to finally crush the fascists and their supporters. The remaining soldiers were fanatical to the cause and fought to the bitter end. It was a dark period of our history.”

  “What a fucking waste.”

  “It’s what happens when you concentrate too much power in the hands of an untouchable elite. How does the saying go?” Eric scowled, trying to remember.

  Andy knew the phrase he was searching for. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

  “That’s it!”

  “If that’s the case, how do you explain Empress Verena?”

  “You mean all that power in a single person’s hands?”

  Andy nodded.

  “It’s not like that. After the trials, the leaders of the different factions chose her to rule because of her unflinching detestation of the New World Order. She’d been imprisoned during the first days of the new regime for questioning the appalling treatment of the population. She’s pure and benevolent in every way, which in this world may seem hard to believe.”

  “And she’s over a hundred and fifty years old?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I guess she must be on the side of the people if she’s still battling after all that time.”

  “I’ve no doubt in my mind. She’s an inspiration to us all. Besides, it’s hard to fight among ourselves when insatiable cannibals lurk just outside our walls ready to tear us limb from limb. Imminent destruction has a way of focusing the mind.”

  “Do you think that’s it?”

  “Not at all, she’s the real deal. A living saint, a miracle come to us in our darkest hour. Like Mother Teresa and Mary Poppins all rolled into one.”

  “Who’re they?”

  “One is a real person who helped the poor and needy, and the other…”

  “I’m fucking with you. As soon as you said their names I could picture them. Mother Teresa is the one with the umbrella, right?”

  “Shut up!” Eric chuckled. “Anyway, where was I?”

  “Empress Verena.”

  “Oh yeah. She’s got the weight of humanity’s survival on her shoulders. I’ve seen footage of her justifying the decision to use the full nuclear capabilities of the world. She was utterly broken even though there was no other alternative if we were to survive the outbreak.”

  “I can’t imagine what a choice like that does to a person.”

  “Hopefully we’ll never need to find out.”

  “Ok, I’ll place my faith in her too.”

  “You won’t regret it. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

  “Did I have any other family? Parents, brothers, sisters?”

  Eric looked away for a brief moment, but he couldn’t hide the anxiety in his eyes.

  “I need to know.”

  “You were an only child. Your parents were Linda and Patrick Burton, resident in London, England.”

  “What happened to them?”

  “This is where I can’t be anything other than honest with what happened to you and your folks. They were both doctors and died in the first days of the outbreak trying to help people.”

  “Oh.”

  “I’m sorry you had to find out this way. They died as heroes, refusing to leave the wounded.”

  “And me?”

  “Your old squadron had been amalgamated with special forces regiments from across the globe. You were part of a battalion sent to secure a key road from the city while a wall was erected in an attempt to seal the infected inside.”

  “We failed?”

  “Yes, but not before you killed tens of thousands of the bastards. It was like King Canute trying to hold back the tide; nothing was going to stop them.”

  “So mutant-me could be wandering around out there?”

  “It’s possible. I don’t have access to the files of your previous lives.”

  “There may be more than one mutant-me out there?”

  “For all I know th
ere could be ten. Or twenty.”

  “That’s an unsettling thought. I wonder if I’d be able to pull the trigger on myself.”

  “Trust me, when one of those things wants to take a bite out of you the last thing you’ll do is hesitate.”

  “Thank you for filling me in.”

  “You’re welcome, Andy. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

  “Not right now. I’m going to try and process this craziness before we get put through our paces tomorrow.”

  “Ok. Well, holler if you need me.”

  As Eric went to stand, Andy grabbed him by the arm. “There is one thing. I don’t know if you’ll be able to do it, though.”

  “If it’s in my power, consider it done.”

  “Is there any way to get pictures of my family? I know our photos are probably dust, but you know… maybe there’s a way?”

  “I’ll get images pulled from our database and bring them back within the hour.”

  “Thank you,” whispered Andy through the raw emotions constricting his voice again.

  Squeezing him on the shoulder, Eric smiled, stood up and made to leave. Whirling around with a click of his fingers, he said, “I almost forgot, you’ve got a briefing pack in your locker. You need to read it cover to cover as soon as you’re feeling up to it.”

  “Consider it done.”

  With another wave, he was gone. Zip caught his eye from her bed and mouthed, ‘Want to talk?’ Shaking his head, he thanked her for the offer and laid his reeling head on the foam pillow.

  Chapter 4

  “How do you think they took the news, General?” asked Empress Verena.

  “Apart from some understandable scepticism, very well. They appear to be the strongest spawnling group that we’ve ever had,” replied Ashdown.

  “They’ll need to be for what’s coming. I’ll be sure to pass my congratulations on to Dr Ennis at the Initiative.”

  “How can I help you, Empress? I’m assuming this isn’t a social call.”

  “Sadly not. I’ve been feeling… anxious for the past few days.”

  Ashdown stopped pacing. Sitting down at her desk, she looked at the drawn figure of their leader. Like a human divining rod, instead of seeking water she sought out catastrophe. “What do you think has caused it?”

  “I don’t know. It may be nothing,” she said, trying to dismiss the unsettling feeling.

  “With all due respect, ma’am, your hunches have been correct far more times than they’ve been wrong. Can you narrow it down at all?”

  “I’ve tried, believe me. It feels like something big is coming, as if we’re stuck on the tracks and a freight train is hurtling towards us, out of control.”

  “Is it them?”

  “No. Maybe. I’m not sure.”

  “We’re nowhere near ready,” Ashdown grumbled. If the undeniably advanced extra-terrestrial species arrived now they wouldn’t stand a chance. It was only by Empress Verena’s psychic sensitivity that they’d survived so far against the marauding infected hordes.

  “I’m sorry to burden you without being able to give you a firm answer.”

  “It’s ok, your highness. I’ll double guard rosters across every outpost and city just in case.”

  “I think that would be a good idea. Can I ask about the progress on the satellite system?”

  “It’s not good news, I’m afraid. We’ve lost contact with each one we’ve launched as soon as it breaks through the exosphere. The radioactive isotopes of the nuclear war haven’t dispersed as had been forecast. They continue to circulate and mask the signals.”

  “Damn. We’re still blind then?”

  “They could be monitoring us from the edge of our atmosphere and we’d never know.”

  “That’s a worrying thought. I suppose the viability of a manned launch is still out of the question?”

  “It is. The ratio of successful atmosphere breaches is less than one in twenty because those bloody creatures are always watching and waiting to intercept. At present, the required material to craft enough vessels is far more valuable in the creation of the Dreadhulks.”

  “I understand, General. Home defence is a priority.”

  “That being said, if your hunch points to an attack from space, we’ll just have to accept the dangers and divert the resources. Not knowing is driving me to distraction.”

  “As soon as I can tell you more I will. I just pray it’s something homegrown that we can deal with.”

  “As do I. Is there anything else I can help you with, Empress?”

  “I’d like to travel to your family’s research facility and see the progress on the new weaponry if you can accommodate me. I need to get out of here and stretch my legs a little.”

  “Certainly. We’ve made encouraging progress on our laser technology. We’re close to rolling out the next stage of the Mechanised battle platforms as well.”

  “We’re indebted to your ingenuity, General. Shall we say four days?”

  “I look forward to it.”

  “Until then,” replied Verena, before signing off.

  Alone once more, Ashdown tapped at the desk, troubling thoughts swirling through her mind. Frustration at their predicament grew day by day. The time and energy used to stay one step ahead of the mutants was sorely needed to prepare for the real war. They needed to break this infuriating deadlock, but how?

  Chapter 5

  “Are you ok?” Zip asked tentatively.

  Andy opened his eyes to see her gingerly approaching his bunk. “I’m fine. Please, come and sit down.”

  “Are you sure? I know you wanted to be alone for a while.”

  Flipping his legs from the edge, he smoothed out the sheet and patted it to indicate she should sit. “I’m sure. I’ve come to terms with the situation, as fucked up as it is. You?”

  “Me too. A few tears and I was right as rain. How’s that right?”

  “I can only guess it’s part of our new bodies. Either that or we’ve heard the news so many times we’ve become inured to it.”

  “You’re talking about the bits of soul or whatever Eric was talking about?”

  “Yeah. I can still sense whispers of my past lives, not full-blown memories, just echoes. His explanation may mean we’ve been distraught so many times that it just washes over us now.”

  “We’ve built up a resilience to the grief?”

  “Pretty much. It still crushes me to think of my wife and daughters, but I can shut it off like flipping a switch. I feel like such a shit, like I’m dishonouring their memory.”

  “I know what you mean. I had a boyfriend, nothing serious, you understand. Hell, I can barely even remember his name. It’s my folks I miss the most. My mum and dad were the most amazing, loving people you could wish to meet.”

  “If they had a kid like you I’m sure they were amazing.”

  Blushing at the praise, Zip looked away.

  “Do you remember anything else about your service?”

  “I was in the USMC.”

  “You were a jarhead?”

  “Oorah.”

  “But you’re Irish…”

  “We moved to the States when I was a teenager. I joined the MC after graduating from high school.”

  “Semper Fi, marine!” called Bob from across the room.

  “You too?” Zip asked.

  “Yup, it just flashed into my head when you said oorah. I was First Marine Division out of Pendleton.”

  “Second Division out of Lejeune. Infantry.”

  “You must’ve been among the first female recruits to serve on the frontlines,” Bob remarked.

  “Times were changing,” Zip replied defensively.

  “Hey, you won’t get an argument from me,” he protested. “You gals scared the shit outta me on the training grounds with how intensely you took it. I could barely keep up at times.”

  “And don’t you forget it!” Zip replied with a wink.

  “Do you remember much about the end?”


  “Not really. I get flashes of gunfire and explosions, but I can’t remember the exact details of when I died.”

  “I guess that’s a good thing in some ways.”

  “Maybe.”

  Interrupting their conversation, Master Sergeant Hardie marched into the billet. “Attention!”

  The troops were already scrambling to stand by their bunks before the order had been shouted. Eyes fixed firmly ahead, they waited while he strode up and down the lines.

  “I hope you’ve had a chance to digest some of the information you’ve been burdened with today. I know from experience that it can be a minefield of confusion and disbelief. If they haven’t already told you, your handlers are also expert psychologists who can assist with the transition. We’re going to run the first of the preliminary tests on you all now, which’ll take a couple of hours. I hope you all enjoy getting poked and prodded.”

  Chapter 6

  A shrill whistle burst through the sleeping quarters. Most of the recruits were already awake, contemplating the future and what it held for them.

  “Wakey, wakey, rise and shine!” yelled Hardie. “Get changed into your PT uniform and form up outside in two minutes.”

  The room chimed with a multitude of; yes, sirs. Leaving them to it, Hardie marched from the room with his subordinates.

  “It’ll be good to get the blood pumping,” Andy said, throwing on the sweatshirt.

  “I know what you mean,” replied Loco. “I’ve got so much energy, it’s scary. Either I’m hyperactive or that food had some good stuff in it.”

  “I feel the same,” Zip confirmed and several other partly dressed soldiers agreed.

  “What it lacks in flavour, it makes up for in stimulation,” added Bob. “I can live with that.”

  Fully dressed in grey uniforms, they hurried from the room and met the instructors on the training ground. Hardie and Smith were accompanied by a team of observers who all carried small tablets to record the findings.

  “Hold out your left arms, please. You’re going to be fitted with a microchip which will be used to monitor your vital signs and also track your whereabouts at all times.”