Mass Extinction Event: The Complete Fourth Series (Days 54 to 61) by Amy Cross Read Free Book Online Page A

let you in there,” he replies. “I have strict orders to -” He pauses, as if he caught himself just in time. Checking his watch, he seems uncomfortable for a moment. “You can trust Doctor Kennedy,” he continues. “She'll take good care of Rachel, and I'm sure the kid will be fine. Speaking of which... I need you to come with me.”
    “Can't someone go in and comfort her?” I ask, as Rachel continues to cry.
    “This isn't a world where people get comforted so much,” he replies. “Not anymore. I hate to say this, but maybe it's better if she learns that sooner rather than later. However, there's one thing I need to show you that I think might bring a little relief. You'll be surprised to learn, Ms. Marter, that sometimes miracles do happen.”
     
    ***
     
    “This is the central command post for the entire base,” Patterson says a few minutes later as he leads me through another door. He waits for me to catch up, while holding the door open. “The brain of the whole place, or at least what's left of it.”
    “But you can communicate with other people, right?” I ask, stopping and leaning against the wall. I feel breathless and my right foot is starting to hurt, but I don't want to show any sign of weakness. “I spoke to some guy on the radio yesterday. There are definitely survivors. He said he was by Lake Erie, on the western edge of the southern shore, and he said there were other people.”
    “We'll keep that in mind in case we have a chance to go looking that far north,” he replies, “but to be honest, we don't have the resources to go searching far and wide just yet. We're focusing on the immediate area at the moment. We have a few power plants up and running on the east coast, but not nearly enough.”
    “But you managed to come barging into the farmhouse so you could grab me,” I point out, watching as a couple of technicians work at a computer terminal.
    “That's different,” Patterson says, a little evasively.
    “How is -”
    “Ready for a sweep!” the nearest technician calls out.
    “Let's see what's out there,” Patterson replies. “I hope we actually find something this time.”
    I watch as the technicians activate some kind of computer program. On a nearby monitor, a map of the area comes up, and a moment later a red line passes across the screen. One of the technicians mutters something, before pressing some more buttons and bringing the red line back. He does the same thing a third time, before sitting back and sighing.
    “Nothing,” the other technician says, turning to Patterson. “Sir, there are no unidentified signals being generated within two hundred miles in any direction. We'd pick them up, even if they were just hobbyists.”
    “Try again in twenty-four hours,” Patterson replies, “and keep working to broaden the range. I want to be able to contact some of the other bases. We desperately need to start coordinating our efforts.”
    “How many bases are there?” I ask.
    “As far as we can tell, at least three are operational, including this one.”
    “Then there's hope!”
    “It's not much,” he says, “but... Sure, I guess you could -”
    Before he can finish, a radio starts crackling on his belt. He grabs it and raises it to the side of his face.
    “Patterson,” he mutters, before listening to someone on the other end. “Yes, Sir, she's right here. Yes, she knows the basics.” He listens for a few more seconds. “Absolutely, Sir, I don't think there's really a right or a wrong time. We've just carried out another sweep, but -” He pauses. “Okay, Sir. That sounds good. See you soon.” Lowering the radio, he turns to me. “He's on his way. He'll be here any minute.”
    “Who?” I ask, struggling to understand what's happening.
    “Who do you think?”
    “Toad?”
    “I'm sorry, no. It's not him.” He pauses for a moment. “Do you think this is all random, Elizabeth? The fact that we found you and brought you to the nearest base? The fact that