Elliott couldn’t have agreed with Roger more, these times should be written down. But he was uneasy about their new friends. The guy every one called Jake, seemed okay in the ‘couldn’t harm a blade of grass’ way. But that zombie…
Max, seemed to function like a human but there could be no doubt she was a zombie. Elliott didn’t know how she was functioning and he didn’t know if she was safe to be around. But Higgins and McNabb seemed disinclined to leave her and Jake behind.
Shavian, on the other hand, seemed entirely inclined to do just that, as quickly as possible.
“I am not going anywhere with her -it!” she exclaimed loudly, pointing at Max. Everyone had gathered round to discuss the plan of action. Shavian stood opposite Max, as far from her as she could get. Shavian strangely enough wasn’t referring to her as a demon or even a zombie. She was addressing her like a human, if a very distasteful one.
Elliott, while secretly skeptical, said reasonably, “Shavian, didn’t you say a zom-er, person like Max saved your life in the labs? That you wouldn’t have escaped without his help?”
Max’s head swiveled towards Elliott and he quailed under her too-intense stare. It switched quickly to Shavian however and even she couldn’t keep her brave face under that look and unconsciously took a step back.
“I get the feeling the Baron doesn’t help anyone without an agenda,” Max said. “I wouldn’t read too much philanthropy into his actions.”
Elliott closed his eyes for a moment to gather himself. “You realize you’re arguing against yourself?” he pointed out to Max.
The reporter shrugged and it reminded Elliott more of a tiger preparing to pounce than a non-committal gesture. “I seem to be having a problem being deceitful lately,” she said. “Doesn’t suit my new nature. Besides, who says I want to come with you?”
Roger jerked his head towards Shavian. “Hey, Red here didn’t have a choice in the matter, what makes you so bloody special?” He took a sip of his beer to hide his smile. The beer was mostly full. Where the hell was he getting them from.. and why wasn’t he sharing?
“You’re not staying here,” McNabb said harshly. “I need to clean up this outbreak in the labs and once I do I’m not keeping anything on this base that might cause it again.”
“I’m not going to let anything bad happen to Max,” Jake said, and everyone looked surprised. Uncharitably, Elliott wondered if that was because he spoke up or because they’d all completely forgotten he was there. He looked equally surprised to suddenly have everyone’s attention on him.
“Where she goes, I go,” he added. Max gave him an unreadable look but nodded.
“He is my cameraman,” she said.
Elliott turned to McNabb. “General, can you get us a vehicle, something we can use to get out of here?”
General McNabb had an internal debate, one hand moved unconsciously towards the stripes pinned to his uniform though he stopped himself before he reached it.
Just then, a loud screeching noise echoed over the whole complex. Elliott frowned. Billions of dollars in weaponry and technology all around them and they still couldn’t rid the world of feedback on a public announcement system?
A cold, dry voice filled the base. “Attention all personnel. Please be on the lookout for a female hostile, five foot ten, brunette, blue eyes. She is dangerous and should be handled with extreme caution. If you find her, please subdue with extreme prejudice and return to the lab facility.
Shavian’s eyes went wide. “That’s Dr. Irons,” she hissed.
“Also,” the intercom went on, “be on the lookout for second dangerous female, five foot seven, long red hair, and brown eyes, subdue and return to lab facility. General McNabb, please report to your office immediately.”
Shavian was trying to reach for the intercom as Max rolled her eyes as though it was an everyday occurrence for an entire military base to be put on alert because of her.
General McNabb’s lip curled into a snarl, and he made a decision. “The garages are this way. Follow me.”