Part 30 The General Is Still The General - Revised

We followed Blackstone into a corridor about two persons wide. He turned left and began walking down the hall. I noticed immediately that it was circular but how wide the circumference remained to be seen. Without asking Frank started volunteering information about the site. “The entire complex is several stories underground. We utilized the presence of a natural cave and expanded and built from there. Naturally this place being top-secret, naturalists and other special interest groups wouldn't know about it and there's no natural opening to the cavern to begin with.” He turned to me knowing that I was associated with those in the latter. “We checked before hand on the surface and cut one open for ventilation in several places in a rough semi-circle. We then had artisans among the crew that built the place, mostly by Army Corps of Engineers and a host of private contractors sworn to secrecy. Each of them building on portions at different times so there's no recognition should they happen to meet on a civilian project.

“It's all natural and blends with the surrounding surface terrain very nicely. In fact we just let the vegetation grow back over it when we were done. It's all so natural, that animals have been known to hibernate and dwell within the vents. Which of course adds to the illusion that there is “nothing there”. As we walked I mulled all this over and I'd had to say that I was impressed, though I didn't say it out loud. Being that it may I still pondered about the possibility of an undiscovered natural entrance. Missourian caves tend to go for miles underground with some passages narrowing out so thin that most humans wouldn't be able to fit. Most humans I thought to myself. My attention turned back to Frank, as he continued his narrative of the facility.

“Now, as I've said this place is several stories underground, and I mean several levels which radiate out from the central core. Some of the levels are roughly a half mile in diameter and others narrower, which also gives it strength. We're already several hundred feet below the ground at the level we came in at what with the quarry and all.” At that I had to admit it was a marvel in engineering and design. Part of me wondered how well it would do against a bunker buster of today's capabilities, considering this place was built probably back by the time I was born. I looked at Maggie's father as I walked behind him. It's been a while. A long time to keep a secret. Made me wonder how much more he was keeping. I didn't have reason not to trust him, but knowing how some things like Top Secret and Eyes Only kinda stuff can get. I refocused on what he was talking about.

“The first level,” as Frank continued “... is primarily entry, storage and processing. Where we are now is administrative and orientation”. I took a start from that. “We're in a lower level right now? I don't recall an elevator.” I tried to keep my voice neutral with a touch of light hearted tones, as if I was glad to be there. Frank glanced over his shoulder at me with a grin before turning eyes front again. “The elevators, both passenger and service start at this level. Here every thing from the entry cavern is brought and loaded for distribution. You wouldn't notice a ramp because it's built that way. Through each set of doors that we went through for decontamination the floor dropped by a few inches on a gradual incline. You don't see the changes because you keep going through some doors.

“There's another tunnel that runs along side and this is where freight gets moved down without any doors except for two locks. Primarily to seal off from the outside should any contaminants break free. The air-vents that provide circulation has a series of even more severe decontamination from getting in or out. So whatever is wiping out what's going on up there won't reach down here. Once you get on the elevators to the living section you'll notice the change in the air. It's as equal to or extremely close to the air that ancient cro-magnon man breathed.” We kept walking as he began on the power plant.

“It was argued at first whether or not to put a small nuclear reactor to generate power for this facility but considering that we have an underground river not too far from the entrance level we would be able to tap into it and create a means to prevent a melt down because there'll always be water as the river hasn't stopped flowing for the last ten or twelve thousand years. There's a lot more geology and hydrological explanation but that's over my head. John, I'll introduce you to the resident expert and you can learn more if you're interested.” I was but not at the moment.

Meanwhile Maggie kept on signing to her son. Part of me wondered if she wasn't just interpreting what Frank was saying. There was that moment where James and I were left alone back at the hotel, so that the two of them could talk. Right now, as ultra modern this place must've been remodeled to I'd be damned hesitant to talk with her about it. For now, learning as much as I could about where we'd be staying for ... who knows how long. From time to time I was able to peer beyond Frank and spied what I presume was a split in the wall to our left. As we approached it, I could see the wall separating it's self from the ceiling and getting lower. The sides kept getting wider, meaning that it was part of the ramp for the materials that must be brought down continuously. Either for the sustaining the life that goes on below or storage to ensure that it does.

Just past the ramp were the elevator doors. As we approached, I noticed the opposite wall seem to give way to an alcove of sorts. Almost twice as wide as two sets of elevator doors side by side. Presumably for vehicles to have a place to turn around after dropping off their load(s). I imagined that that particular spot was very busy for a short time in the past few months. Places like these would be an Aladdin's cave to a scavenger like myself. Or did I just elevate my current status? All of us were survivors, and that part will never change. But I had gone from scavenger (hunter-gatherer?) to ... well gee, group member, to now occupant of a modern cave society. Any children born there-after will be 1st generation descendants of the human race again.

We reached the elevators and Captain Blackstone pressed one of several buttons on the wall and then punched in a code in a 10 key-pad set above the call button. I found that curious and asked, “Captain, why push the call button before entering the code?” He turned and actually grinned, in a way making me mentally draw back as if he suddenly bared sharpened fangs. It was something that I immediately didn't like but I bit my tongue. “Psychologist who were studying the type of people that would best suit this type of base, recommended the order of buttons be arranged thus. If we have trouble and someone wanting to break in or... basically they would do so, not thinking about having to push the code. It's out of habit that folks will press an elevator call button repeatedly instead of using a code, which actually calls the elevator. The call button is more of a,” he paused for a brief moment, “... power-switch.” I kept waiting for the hairs on the back of my head to rise. There were tiny little red-flags popping in my head, they kept increasing the further we went into this place. The Captain's grin faded as the doors to the passenger elevator opened silently as the breeze. All that rock was an excellent sound buffer if not sound proof. It reminded me of where I worked, only with ours the doors were still old enough to have to open by hand. As we entered, I took a quick assessment. “This car is pretty new.” It wasn't a question. “Blackthorn hit a floor button and answered over his shoulder. “We just had everything upgraded about a year ago. Have done so every 10 years. The cables are changed out as well with stronger alloys and tensile strength. Sometimes the loads can be pretty heavy, as they're not always for passengers.”

The doors shut just as silently and one could barely perceive downward movement, and the stop at the end of a very quick ride down one floor. Faster than average. The doors opened and the sight amazed me.

Instead of another corridor trending left and right or even straight ahead, the doors opened up into a large room. As we stepped out of the car, we could see that the room was circular with a domed type ceiling. In the center was a large column with yet another set of elevator doors. The room was filled with crates and rows of shelves. But the storage wasn't so tall that one could not see the far side. In fact most of the stacks and shelves were at roughly waist high, as evident from the several workers moving in and out of the rows of supplies. The workers were in one piece coveralls of a light blue color. Around their waist were work belts with various tools and other devices hanging from them. Without thinking I looked hard for gun holsters. They had 'em alright. As we walked towards the column I counted roughly a dozen workers as I could see. All of them busily either moving items around to one place or another using motorized pallet jacks, or using what I could see, electronic tablets wired to wands with a small head attached to the end, that read bar-codes as to count inventory.

All the workers, moved stiffly about which I found kind of odd until I managed to get a good look at them. I had to stop and stare. Maggie took another step ahead of me before noticing that I had stopped and turned her gaze to what I was looking at. Her hand rose to her mouth to stifle a gasp. Frank and the Captain likewise stopped. James ever sensitive to his mother's actions, facial expressions and probably her feelings stopped as quickly as she did and stared. Frank didn't seem that surprised to see them. In fact his comment took all of us by surprise, all except James of course as he didn't see that his grandfather had spoken.

“I see you found some improved models.” he stated to Blackstone. The Captain was almost proud as he acknowledged his escort. “Oh yes sir, these were put in four years ago. We've contracted them out from a Japanese country that has been developing robotics for the U.S. Government. These of course,” he said looking at me in particular, “are top-secret, eyes only. For obvious reasons.

“We found that having robots working the lower storage facility with little or no human supervision is practical and they're far more efficient. The items and crates are stamped above ground with bar code identification before they're sent down to this level. They are received by the robots, scanned and moved to their appropriate location for storage until use. Inventory count has never been off and so we know exactly how much food and other supplies for the amount of people we have.” He held out his hand, almost impatient. “This way please” and continued walking after Frank nodded. We fell in step behind them. Maggie had to give James' sleeve a small tug as the boy was fascinated. So was I for several reasons. The movement was nearly human if not for it's stiffness, not to mentioned that they were armed, which tossed up the biggest red flag of them all.

We arrived at the column and the Captain started following the left wall without a pause, we stayed behind him best as we could. Finally circling around the column we saw how the shelves and storage were set up like spokes in a wheel. Radiating outward for the robots to work their way in and out of their assigned rows. There were gaps along the rows spaced every 20 feet, so that one wouldn't have to go all the way down one and back around the other side. The captain stopped at one of the rows and started walking down it. At the far end I could see a doorway along the wall, hopefully the “general” will be behind it.

At one point a robot was in the middle of the aisle that we were walking down. The Captain kept on walking towards it, even though there was not room for us to pass comfortably. The robot stopped what it was doing when we were a few feet away and looked at us. A red-light shone brightly from it's eyes then faded. The robot moved to the center of the aisle and walked backwards until it reached one of the gaps and turned left until it was out of our way then stood stock still. As we passed it I managed to get a closer look. It was a throughly modernized version of the robots I've seen being tested by Japanese makers of robotics. The head wasn't so clunky like previous prototype models, the humanized proportions were better as well. The legs still were bent backwards like a bird or a lizard.

Obviously they haven't figured out how to teach the robots where their center of gravity is. By having the knee joint bend backwards the robot is better able to balance itself as it moves up and down on it's axis. Soon, we were past the gap and the robot simply moved back into the aisle it was working in and resumed it's duties, it didn't even give us a backwards glance, as if we didn't exist in it's own little world anymore. I turned back around and saw we were at the doors and the Captain used his thumb to press on a dark box located outside the frame. There was a barely audible click and the doors slid apart allowing us access.

In the room beyond, in front of us was a long table, with chairs on our side facing a wall which appeared blank. The room was dark at first but then gradually lit up enough for us to see that beyond the table the room was empty. The doors closed behind us silently with that same “click”. Basically we were trapped but that was just only me who felt that way. Weaponless I didn't like being here.

“Mr Handle you've no cause to be concerned, you're quite safe in this facility. No harm will fall to you or your companions.” A voice spoke from nowhere and everywhere in the room. Both Frank and Maggie were likewise surprised to hear the voice. “Bob?” Frank called out, “is that you? Where are you?”

From one corner of the room appeared a man in fatigues. As he approached I could see the stars on his shirt collar. He looked to be about as old as or older than Frank. He walked with an easy gait of someone who kept themselves in shape for their age. He was grinning broadly and was making a bee-line to Frank holding out his hand.
The two men shook hands. “Yes, it's me Frank, so good to see you again. Good to see Maggie and James too. That boy has grown indeed. Maggie, you're just as lovely as ever. I'm so glad you all have survived this terrible plague.” His eyes focused on me. “I'm glad that Mr. Handle was so beneficial to the success of your survival. He's just as welcomed and I look forward to getting to know you better sir.” Frank was just as happy to see his old friend. He pointed at the general's collar, “I see you're an MG now, how long has that been going on?” indicating the two stars on the collar, which advanced the rank to Major General from Brigadier.

All of us were for a loss of words at that point. James stood there staring, his face impassive and he had that look about him that he was ready for almost anything. The general turned to James, “my boy, you've certainly have grown since I last saw you”. Bob turned to face all of us. “Now, please have a seat. I've got a lot of explaining to do.” His voice was passive, and reassuring. We started to take our seats, except the Captain moved to the general, “Sir, with your permission I have other duties to attend to.” The man nodded, “Carry on Captain, and thank you.” Blackstone nodded and turned on his heel and walked back to the door we came in. It slid open when he was about five feet away from it, opening just enough to let him out, then closed behind him. “Please, have a seat,” Bob encouraged. We all sat down, I made it a point not to put my arms on the arm-rests. Maybe I was being paranoid but somehow things were not as cozy as I would've liked.

“Alright, now I imagine that you're wondering why all the security precautions.” He paused for a moment then pressed a button on the table that was part of an array in front of him. A moment later a panel in front of where James was sitting rose up at an angle. Curious I leaned over to see. It was a small monitor with a plain white screen. James looked at it then at the general, his shoulders went up in a “uh, whuzzat?” motion. Bob grinned, pointing at the screen, “read it and tell me if you like what you see.” James did and smiled. From what I could see whatever Bob said would appear on the screen in front of James.

Frank who was sitting directly next to James also looked and smiled. “I see that they improved the “interpreter”. The general nodded, “they have indeed.” He looked at me, “it was thought that foreign dignitaries may visit or end up as guests here so instead of having a bunch of interpreters around the desk translates my words into the appropriate language. For James it's simple english but it has over 60 different languages programmed into it. Likewise when the “guests” speak in their own language, the microphones, which are under the table of course, will translate to english to me on my own screen if I bring it up.” He eyed James who was smiling, obviously appreciative of the gesture that he be included in the conversation without relying upon his family. “Unfortunately I don't think the machine would be able to translate sign language to me very well.” he chuckled. “We don't get a lot of hearing impaired visitors here.”

I noted that everyone's words were subtitled on the screen whenever someone spoke, so it saved the trouble of Maggie interpreting for James. I must've missed something because the general, likewise shook his head sadly. “I know Frank, and I'm sorry but it was a matter of security clearance. Which you have now by the way, same with you Maggie. As far as Mr. Handle and James, well as civilians, they'll be trusted not to reveal the secrets that this facility holds.”

I spoke up then, “And just how will you guarantee that, General?” Bob's eyes turned to me and he smiled. It wasn't menacing or condescending, but of calm assurance. “Well basically that's where trust comes in. But as of right now, the way things are on the surface, matters of National Security are moot points.

“The world's population has been decimated by this plague and estimates are anywhere between 1 to 10% for survivors. By the end of this year nearly half of that number will be gone due to lack of survival training and the infrastructure collapsing all over the country. Quite a few will either starve or freeze to death in the coming winter. Others will be lost to surviving criminal elements scattered throughout. The laws of the land still exists but without enforcement, crime will run rampant. Then there are going to be minor accidents that will end up being fatal because of the lack of medical attention required to save lives. Suicides are already on the rise as people are falling into despair and depression as they watched their families succumb to this plague. So there's not a whole lot of people of consequence that you can tell about this place. Just as we wouldn't really be able to stop you.”

I nodded, thinking it over, then “Well, you're right about that. From what I've seen some folks would want to find their way here as a place of safety from the zombies or whatever you want to call them. Would they be welcomed or is this place a limited space available?” Bob's response was immediate, I had to remember that I was talking to a commander who would be able to think faster than the average person. “If that were the case then you, Maggie and James would not have been permitted past the gates along the highway. Only Frank here, despite his retirement status, had actual clearance to this facility.

“However,” he held up a hand, “Frank could've invoked the family charter clause and then only Maggie and James would've been admitted with him.” Maggie spoke up next. “What if I said that John was my husband?” I looked at her for a moment and suppressed a grin. Husband indeed, we just met lady. “We would've had records that would show contrary to that statement, and he still would've been denied entry. But as you can see I allowed it, which is one of the benefits of a “free-running program. My authority here is absolute. The guards on the surface received my authorization to allow all of you entry.”

That sounded too ominous in my opinion but I kept my mouth shut. Instead I asked, “General?”

“Yes?”

“You say that you have access to all areas of the facilities?”

“Yes, to a majority of the base.”

“By majority you mean ...” I left it hanging.

The General smiled that ambiguous smile of his. “All except personal living quarters. There is a degree of privacy expected here. We're Americans, not Communists, Mr. Handle, or may I call you John?”

I nodded without saying anything. “Good,” he replied. “I like being too formal with our guests.”

“Sir?” Maggie piped up with a question of her own.

“Yes Maggie?”

“As guests does this mean we have freedom to leave whenever we like?”

The face of the General fell for a moment then resumed it's smile. “Yes, but considering everything that is going on outside on the surface, why would you want to?” Maggie didn't answer. Frank spoke up quickly before the issue could be pressed. “Bob, I'd like to know if our personal effects will be made available to us. Particularly Mr. Han, err, John's items. I imagine that this is not quite what he expected and I'm sure we wouldn't want him to feel, inconvenienced in anyway.”

The General nodded on the screen. “Indeed we wouldn't. All items with the exception of weaponry will be placed in your assigned dormitories. I've taken the liberty of preparing two living quarters. All of them have been redesigned to resemble small apartments. For you, Frank you'll be given a one bedroom and Maggie will be given a two bedroom. I'm in question as to if John wants his own private quarters or will be sharing one with Maggie and James?” Maggie spoke up before I could. “I think John, James and I will be alright with a two bedroom.” She looked at her son, who turned his head and saw his mother asking for approval. It seemed that she still wasn't sure about how he completely felt about me. James shrugged and signed something briefly. Maggie signed back “Thank you” and gave the I love you sign to him. “That will be fine General, our thanks, sir.”

“Maggie, just between the five of us... you, and James, can still call me Uncle Bob when it's just us. I've missed you both. I'm so glad that all of you have survived this terrible plague... and you too Mr. Handle, err John. You've done quite well for yourself to have gone through everything you've experienced and survived. There are some people who would be interested in talking with you, when you can spare the time. Scientists studying the disease and behavior of the dead.”

That took me by surprise actually, as I mentioned earlier there was no real expert on the walkers that I was aware of, I didn't consider myself an expert by any stretch. I wondered where he got that idea from. I just happened to glance over at Frank who gave me a small nod and a quick wink on the side of the face where the general couldn't see. Made me wonder also if the chairs weren't wired to measure out our heart-rates and respiration as a quasi-lie-detector. It'd make sense to see who were potential trouble makers which invariably turn out to be the biggest liars in an attempt to cover up their true intentions.

The general stood up, prompting Frank and Maggie by protocol habit to stand as well, James and I were a step behind. “Well, I'm sure you are all very tired and are seeking a quiet, comfortable place to sleep. Your quarters have been prepared for you during this interview. Your personal items, sans weapons, which have been stored on the ground level, will be already delivered to your rooms. There is a lieutenant outside the door who will guide you to where you'll be living. She will answer any other questions you may have. I'll be available to speak to you at anytime, you'll be briefed on how and where to contact me.”

At that Frank and Maggie stood up and saluted. As their years of military training taught them to know when they were being dismissed. James and I stood up as well the General left the room. We all looked at each other, not knowing what to say or think. Frank signed quickly to Maggie and gave me a hard look which I took to be as “shut up until we get to where we can talk privately”. The door we entered slid open and true to his/it's word there stood a woman dressed in fatigues. She Frank as we approached. “Colonel, I am lieutenant Jensen, I am your liaison officer. I've been assigned to help you and your party acclimate to the base and protocols. It is my job to ensure that you will be made familiar to the base layout, operations and to make your stay comfortable as possible. If you please this way to your quarters” then turned smartly on her heel and guided us back to the column in the middle of the storage area, where the robots continued to work, oblivious to our presence.

We entered the elevator and the lieutenant pressed a code which shut the doors and then pressed a floor button. “Will we be given the codes to operate the elevators and any other access areas?” Frank asked. The woman turned to him, “Yes sir, according to your clearance. All codes and other necessary information will be found in your rooms.”

“What about those of us who don't have clearance?” I asked.

The woman looked at me, blinking for a moment as if the question was moot. “You all have been given clearance to any unrestricted part of the base you desire to visit.”

Maggie put her hands on James' shoulders, “even my son?”

The woman nodded. “Yes, that is if he understands that there will be certain areas that are restricted and that, he will be escorted to his quarters if found near unauthorized areas, where his parents will be expected to discipline him, as they see fit.” She quickly added, “made to understand not because he's deaf but because boys his age are naturally curious and we wouldn't want him to get into any trouble.” She gave James a quick smile.

“What about adults, civilians?” I asked.

“You will not be able to access restricted areas without the proper codes. Any attempt to do so, you will be met by our MP's and be asked to leave the area. This is for everyone's safety. There are biological and other hazardous areas located on this base. Only authorized personnel will be granted access.” She spoke in a relatively informal manner but it was apparent that she took her job seriously. I was curious as to just how much “clearance” I had here. Something told me that Frank embellished my credentials while speaking to whomever on the radio as we drove in. I would have to wait to find out just how embellished and why later when we had privacy... if there truly was such a thing in a place like this. It all remained to be seen.

The elevator came to a smooth stop and the doors opened. The lieutenant stepped out leading the way and explained as we walked. “All floors have their own set of elevators which are limited to two floors each. This is to minimize stress upon the cables, even though they can withstand much more than we require of them. So to move from one level to another one will have to ride up two floors and move to a different elevator bank. This arrangement is also for security reasons should the base ever be breached by enemy forces, they will only be able to access a few floors at a time, which give the security teams, located on each floor time to arrange a proper welcoming committee.” We continued to walk around the column but I could see that we were on a floor which housed medical and research laboratories.

“This floor is our medical and research facility. We have a 20 bed hospital complete with surgical units and teams and specialists. We also have a number of scientists conducting various experiments and studies. Some in particular are studying the plague while in this base.” On the opposite wall of the column we were walking around, were various rooms that we could see thanks to the large glass windows. Inside we could see doctors, nurses attending to a few patients and in another room a few studying whatever they had under their microscopes. It all looked like state of the art equipment. The next room was an area that caused all of us to stop in shock. Behind that particular window was a room which housed another glass window that spanned ceiling to floor. There were a few people in white lab coats and making notations in electronic notebooks, which were all the rage prior to the plague, of their subjects behind the wall. It was what was behind the walls that froze us in our tracks.

Zombies.

By my count at least 7 of them. Some were dressed in civilian clothing and others in military garb. All of them trying hard to get through the glass at the researchers on the other side. We stared at the horror of it. They actually had zombies down here. I was dumbfounded at the stupidity of it all. Before any of us could protest, the lieutenant spoke up. The test subjects are behind 1 inch thick bullet-proof glass which extend six inches into the floor and ceiling. The doors are hardened steel with bolts mounted into the ceiling and floor and the side frames. Those dead people have been here since the beginning of the plague and have never been known to escape. All of you, and the rest of the staff and guests are perfectly safe. Please don't be alarmed or bothered by their presence. They're being studied to see if they could find a cause and possibly a cure. We have some of the best microbiologists and medical minds in the world working. And as you can see there are several armed guards at all times inside. Not to mention several safe-guards should the containment cells ever be breached. If you wish to know more about it you can ask at a later time. My first duty is to see you to your quarters. So if you please.” She held out her hand, pointing down the hall where another set of elevators stood waiting. Frank caught our mood and he wasn't too happy either.

He curtly dismissed the lieutenant to wait by the elevators, she did so, grudgingly while the four of us talked it out. General consensus was to get the hell out of there. Having zombies around was just plain asking for trouble. Yet, we still needed to be sure that we were safe and that we would get the rest we all sorely needed. I voiced a doubt that any of us would be able to sleep knowing that there were zombies on the base, yet I knew that we were all very tired from our journey. I kept looking at the containment cell where the zombies attacked the glass everytime a tech or researcher walked by. Those people seemed totally at ease at being in such close proximity to death in a literal sense, even if it were behind nearly impenetrable glass.

Too tired to argue I voted that we would stay, until we recuperated enough to formulate a plan for our future. The rest agreed as well and I was glad to see just as much reluctance in each of them. “C'mon then” Frank said, “lets get settled in for a little while and get some rest. Maggie reached out and touched her father's arm gently. James nodded even though none of it was signed for him. The kid was bright enough to get a grasp on what was going on.

Maggie held her hand out to me and I took it, she wrapped her other arm over James' shoulder and kissed him on the head. He responded by leaning into his mother. We walked towards the lieutenant who stood waiting and possibly fuming impatiently but not daring to show it. Apparently she wasn't used to having people throw her hospitality routine aside, like how we did. Well, I thought to myself, wasn't that just too bad. I for one was looking for a quick stay and getting as far away from here as possible.

How little did I know.