Captured earth, p.13
Captured Earth, page 13
He cursed under his breath. He couldn’t afford to put the sailors offside, especially not her. He took one last look at the beach, then made his way up the gangway. It was closed immediately, and the landing craft left the inlet.
No one slept. Everyone watched the shore or the sky, waiting for the second strike that would end them. At least it would be instant.
Xavier put his hand on Josh’s thigh and lifted an eyebrow.
Josh shook his head. There was no privacy, and he had nothing to say. They were fucked. They wouldn’t be able to make the trip. They were going to die of dehydration, of starvation. The hopelessness chewed at him.
He’d lost three men tonight.
It didn’t matter what uniform they did or didn’t wear. He was in charge, and it fell at his feet to keep everyone safe. And he’d failed. Again.
Chapter Six
By the time the boat pulled up to the beach in Georgetown, Josh had a thumping headache from too much sun and not enough water. His stomach had given up growling and was now a sullen ache. That, he could live with and had many times before.
Even as a kid, he’d learned not to complain if there wasn’t anything for dinner. His stepbrother had often been out, leaving Josh to fend for himself after school and also for dinner, which had usually meant endless bowls of cereal as there was nothing else in the house to eat. By the time he was old enough to get a casual job, he’d spent most of what he’d earned on food.
The white sand of the beach stretched away in both directions. They were exposed. An ugly gray pimple on the pristine sand. Marsh was going to look at the other boats, to see if there was something faster, that offered better amenities. There must be an abandoned luxury yacht begging to be taken.
And if there were Geckos in town?
They’d soon find out.
From the beach, everything looked perfect. To the north and south of the beach were mangroves. In front of them, small red cliffs topped with more scrub. Stairs clung to the side of the cliff.
Marsh lowered the gangway. “This area can get big tides…” She glanced behind her to the ocean. “I have no idea what the tidal situation is at the moment.”
“Guess we’ll find out when you get the maps,” Josh said. His tongue felt thick. The first thing he wanted to find was something to drink. “We move out together, get some tourist maps from the first hotel we find, raid their fridges for water, then we’ll split up.”
Xavier was going to slow them down, but he wasn’t leaving anyone on the boat. The boat was too much of a target. And if the tide did a dramatic shift, the boat might be swept away. The medics would carry their kit and help Xavier.
With only two rifles between them, they were screwed if there were aliens waiting. They made their way across the beach, up the stairs, and to the road. There were what appeared to be several hotels along the beach front. He led the group toward the first one, hoping that the lobby was filled with tourist maps along with something more useful.
Despite the fear nipping at his heels, they made it into the lobby without incident. As he shoved open the door, he expected a blast of cool air, but if anything, it was just as hot and humid as outside with the added bonus of being stale. He was already behind the counter and rummaging through the staff only areas by the time Xavier and the medics made it inside.
Fallon started handing out warm water bottles. Josh cracked open the lid and took a long drink, knowing that it would be gone too soon but needing to dislodge the headache.
“Look at the queue. Can’t you show these people to their room faster?” Xavier grinned.
Josh lifted one finger in a tiny salute as he finished his drink.
“I’ve got something about camel rides, boat tours, and crocodiles.” Clarence held up some brightly colored brochures.
“If they don’t have a map of the town on them, I don’t care. Got it.” He pulled out a pile of maps for walking tours. He opened one, spread it on the counter, and noted the important locations—not the tourist ones. Hospital, supermarket, petrol station, and chemist. There was no gun shop listed.
The crocodile farm would have guns, but it was farther than he wanted to travel.
“Right, grab your buddy and a map. You know what you need to take. If you need to borrow a car for transport, go for it.” He looked at the sailor and civvie in charge of water. They were going to be heading out with the two on food duty. “Nothing that needs a fridge. The supermarket will stink of rotten food, and there may be wildlife. Try to take undamaged, shelf stable stock.”
They had been given a list. Lentils, rice, pasta, tinned items such as tuna, fruit, and vegetables along with high calorie things like peanut butter and chocolate. They were taking one rifle. The other one was staying in his hands.
He watched them leave.
“Chemist or hospital?”
“Hospital is closer,” Bird said. “They’ll have everything I need.”
Josh nodded. There’d be dead in the hospital. When the power had gone out, the generator would’ve kicked in. But it would’ve switched off by now. Would the aliens have taken the sick and dying or left them? He didn’t want to think about it.
A tiny part of him had been hoping to find Georgetown forgotten and thriving. That there’d be someone in the hotel greeting them with a gun and a grin.
Xavier grabbed his hand as he was walking out. “I feel useless, waiting here for you all to come back.”
Josh didn’t like leaving him either. He’d be much happier if there was another rifle to leave with Xavier.
“Go through the kitchens and see what you can find.”
Xavier dropped Josh’s hand like it had stung him. “What did you think I was going to do, have a nap? I’m injured, not stupid.”
“I know that, but…” He glanced at Xavier’s leg. “I can’t send you out into the field, and I can’t give you my gun.”
“I know. Doesn’t mean I like it.”
“Neither do I.”
“You and your shit plans.” Xavier shook his head and glanced away.
Josh drew in a breath. “You want to take a stab at running this show?”
For a moment, Josh thought Xavier was going to say yes. He shook his head. “I’ll check us into some rooms. I’m sure everyone would like a wash and a good night’s sleep.”
Josh’s body ached for comfort. He wanted to agree and say that it would be good for morale. But they weren’t safe here. They weren’t safe anywhere.
Still, if they were all going to die tomorrow, why not enjoy a little luxury? “Sure, I want a king-sized bed.”
“Baby, we’re getting the fanciest suite there is.” Xavier grinned.
And hope swelled in Josh’s chest that everything was going to be all right. Maybe it would be. “I’ll be back soon.”
For half a second, he was tempted to lean in and kiss Xavier, but there were too many people with nothing better to do than watch. That they’d overheard caused a squirm of discomfort in his belly.
Xavier looked at him and rocked back. He didn’t shake his head or sigh, but Josh still saw the flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He wanted some of Xavier’s don’t give a fuck courage.
While no one said anything as they walked the empty streets, Josh knew they were looking at him, judging him. He was used to the looks and assumptions. He’d grown up with that after his parents were killed. All the teachers at school would watch and asked how he was every other day. How did they think he was?
What exactly were they expecting him to say?
At least with his brother, they didn’t talk about the crash that had killed their parents. They hadn’t talked about much at all. All they had to do was deal with the shitty circumstances that pushed them together as housemates.
As he’d gotten older, he’d became aware of other looks and snide comments and had done his best to make sure he was never on the receiving end of them. He’d buried that part of himself for years. All he’d wanted was to be ordinary. Invisible.
All he wanted was Xavier.
Why was that so hard to admit, out loud, when they could all be dead with in hours?
What if Marsh was right and their relationship was a distraction? But was it distracting because he was spending so much time trying to hide it?
He risked a glance at the others with him. They weren’t staring at him or whispering. Maybe they didn’t care as long as they got to live.
A snake rested in the middle of the road outside the primary school. When it heard them coming, it startled and slithered away. Even though Josh didn’t like snakes, he liked that there was life here. There were birds in the trees and mosquitoes. No doubt, they were glad food had arrived. “You got insect repellant on your list?”
Bird nodded. “Yup.”
The air was already hot and heavy, and scented with frangipani, even though it wasn’t noon yet. As they walked, Josh scanned the empty cars. Some had been left with their door hanging open like the owner was coming back in a moment. It was like the town was waiting to inhale so life could begin again.
But if he looked closely, he saw the signs of death. There were scorch marks on buildings. Blistered asphalt. Old bloodstains on pale concrete footpaths.
It was the silence that was the worst. He’d been in places where there was no human life for miles, and they’d had the same feel—like he was an intruder. That he was interrupting the business of the animals.
The empty windows watched their progress. Their footsteps echoed. Even their breathing seemed loud.
The silence was deep and all-encompassing like it wanted to consume him next. No place he’d ever served had been as still as a photo. This was like moving through an image and didn’t seem quite real. If not for the occasional whine of insects or rustle of leaves, it could have all been fake.
They stopped at the hospital. Josh went in first, pushing open the glass door, expecting the worst. He wasn’t disappointed. The air was hot and stuffy and rank with decay.
He glanced at Bird. “Where will everything be kept? The drugs?”
“Give me a moment.” Bird looked around as if waiting for someone to appear and point him in the right direction. Josh made his way deeper into the hospital. With no lights, the shadows thickened fast.
Something clicked. He wrinkled his nose. He knew that smell, but he couldn’t place it. As much as he wanted to call out to see if anyone was alive, he kept his mouth shut. He paused to peer through the windows of closed doors but saw nothing. Behind him, the other three followed. Bird and Clarence, who was his helper, and Scott, the man who’d do the weapons run with Josh once they’d gotten Bird sorted.
Ahead, something moved. Josh froze.
Behind him, the others were talking in whispers that grated over his skin. That sound, like a fat drop of water, and something else, a discordant tapping. The smell was stronger back here. What was it?
And in the next heartbeat, he knew, as the memory of the farm filled his senses.
“Fall back.” The thing on the floor was a larva. And where there was one, there were hundreds.
Clarence didn’t need to be told twice; he was already halfway to the door.
“What?” Bird turned as though confused.
“We aren’t shopping here.” Josh grabbed him by the arm. “Everyone out.”
“Why?”
Josh swallowed. He looked at the civvies, the ones who’d been captured. “Remember what they served us for breakfast?”
He used the rifle to point up the hallway. There were three of the larvae now, humping their way determinedly over the linoleum floor toward dinner.
“Out now.”
This time, Bird and Scott listened.
He shut the hospital doors, slamming the sliding door shut. The little fuckers moved fast, and they’d brought all their friends. Their thick cream bodies hit the glass.
“What the hell are they? Are they giant maggots?” Bird stepped back, his face white.
“Gecko food. They seem to feed on the dead.” Josh kept his eyes on the larvae as he stepped back from the door. His rifle was useless on them, but there were other ways. He wanted to blow this place up. The tapping intensified. “Does anyone else here that?”
Bird shrugged. “Insects?”
“Yeah,” Scott said. “Like the clicky, crikety, chirping or something?”
It was the ‘or something’ that bothered Josh.
“If they are larvae, then there has to be an adult,” Bird said slowly.
Josh nodded. “Maybe that’s the clicking.”
No one said anything, but their heads tilted and turned as they listened. Nothing moved. Whatever it was, and wherever it was, they couldn’t see it.
Clarence shook his head. “The whole place needs to burn.”
He wasn’t wrong.
“What if there’s someone alive in there?” Bird whispered.
Josh gave Bird a glare. “Really? After how many weeks without power and with those meaty fuckers crawling around, you think someone survived? You want to check? Be my guest, but nothing will convince me to step inside.”
The larvae were piling up against the door as they stood there.
“Where’s the nearest pharmacy from here?” Bird asked.
Did he not read the map and plan a route? Josh sighed. “There’s a vet and then a pharmacy up past the police station.”
“We could drive.”
“Get us a ride then, Scott.” Josh indicated for Scott to lead the way.
He found a four-wheel drive with the door open and the keys in the ignition. It started easily enough. The paint was blistered from heat on one side, and there was an empty baby seat in the back. Josh thanked whatever god still listening that it was empty.
They piled in, and Scott drove through the deserted streets while Josh kept an eye out for something. If not aliens, then survivors. He didn’t expect anyone, but that didn’t stop him from hoping.
Josh said without turning to look at Bird, “Do you want to stop at the vet?”
“No. That’s a last resort.”
Josh kept his mouth closed. This was the last resort…maybe they’d checked in without even realizing.
In silence, they made their way up the block then down a few of the streets. It was the same everywhere. Small houses, lush green gardens, and absolutely deserted. There were a few signs of a fight—broken windows, blood, and burn marks—but no bodies.
Something wasn’t right. There was no way all these dead could have been fed to the larvae in the farm. It was too many. Even though the aliens kept some men alive to fight, that didn’t explain where the rest had gone. Where had the women and children gone? Had they all been tossed into the sea?
When he saw the police station, relief washed through him. Scott parked like it mattered where he stopped the car. Josh got out and walked up to the front door. He pushed, only to find it locked.
That was weird. While he could waste a bullet on the lock, he opted for the more civilized approach first and knocked.
“Are you shitting me?” Scott called from the footpath.
“There might be survivors.” And he didn’t want to piss them off.
Scott’s eyes widened, and Josh glanced back at the doors. A man with a gun stood on the other side. His weapon was not held casually, and his finger was on the trigger. Rude.
Josh smiled and kept his rifle ready. “Sergeant Josh Rayne. Gathering up survivors, we’ve got a boat, and we’re heading to Darwin.”
More mouths to feed. And no doubt they had all the guns too. How many were in there? He didn’t like the idea of an opposing force. It also meant the supplies they were after might have already been taken.
“We don’t need your help.”
“Okay.” Josh took a step back. We meant more than one.
“You don’t want to be out come dusk,” the man said.
“Why?”
“You’ll see.” The man smiled, but it was cold.
“We should help each other,” Josh said.
The man’s smile faded. “Where was the army when we were invaded?”
“We were getting blown up for trying to stop them. Getting captured to check out their base. Losing our friends, the same as you.”
“Why has no one come sooner?”
“I’m here now, and I’m all that’s coming. This is no longer part of Australia.”
“We don’t have long until sunset,” Scott murmured.
“I know.” They needed radios. Some way to communicate with the other teams. “Do you want to come with us?” Josh asked the man.
“Why did you come here?”
“Thought there might be survivors in Georgetown.”
“No, why the police station?”
Josh stared at the man. He could lie, but he couldn’t come up with a decent one. “Weapons. Thought it would be the best place to get a hold of some ammo.”
The man laughed.
Yeah, it was fucking hilarious.
“Okay, I’ll leave you to it.” Josh walked backward, refusing to give the man his back as target. It was always the insane cockroaches that survived.
What did that say about him?
Josh got into the car, pulled out the map, and read the list of places down the side, looking for ideas on where to find weapons.
In the back, Bird and Clarence sat, waiting to be dropped at the chemist.
“That was weird,” Bird said.
Clarence laughed. “I wish that was the weirdest thing I’ve seen.”
“There’s no one here, no cops. We should hit up a bank. Go home rich.”
Josh watched the bank roll by. “Money won’t keep you safe or fed out here. Stop.”
“Why?”
“Because I fucking said.” The car jerked to a halt. “The chemist is down there. Let’s go.”
Scott turned the corner, and they rolled along the empty street. Blank windows stared at them. There was none of that dreadful clicking, but that didn’t stop the dread from swelling in his gut like dough. Thick and sticky and heavy.
