The Pandemic Sequence (Book 1): The Tilian Virus Read Online Free PDF Page B

out with Michelle and the others. The camp can’t afford to have you run off to play hero without protection,” the ranger replied. “And don’t give me that bullshit that the guys going with you are protection. You and I both know they’re green. They haven’t seen action beyond securing the camp.”
    Mike knew he was right, though he hated to admit it. With the lieutenant and his men gone, what security force remained was compromised of refugees that, while skilled with firearms, had not seen the same kind of fighting that seasoned the camp’s main security.
    “I need someone to run the camp,” Mike said, quickly turning to his second reason for Paul to stay behind.
    “I thought that was Derrick’s job.”
    After the loss of Jenni, Mike and his second in command had likewise disagreed with Derrick’s ability to perform his duties. Paul had seen the toll the loss had taken on the boy just as Mike had. Stubbornly, and perhaps incorrectly, Mike refused to ask him to step down. In truth, his own doubts about Derrick had played a part in his telling Paul to stay behind.
    Mike knew Paul well enough to understand that once the ranger’s mind was set on a course of action it would take a herculean effort to deter him. In many ways, he knew that the ongoing debate of the last two days was fruitless and that Paul would win out in the end. Mike gave him credit though; Paul had never debated him on the point in public. He believed too strongly in the chain of command to question Mike’s leadership where other ears could be listening. With a nod of consent, the two made their way to the center of camp and joined the four others that waited to begin the journey.
    The security and foraging teams had begun their own journey eleven days earlier. They were now four days overdue from their scheduled return. The buzz of worry swept through the camp quickly. Mike did his best to avert the obvious tension that was building among the refugees. But, like dust on the wind, the anxiety had spread beyond the point of containment. Two days ago he addressed the camp, informing them of his plans to lead a search party. The intervening time was spent gathering food, water, and medical supplies. Mike had been tempted to have the doctor join them in case one of the missing was injured, but had quickly rejected the idea. The doctor’s lack of fitness would only serve as a hindrance, and his skills might be needed in the camp.
    Following the same trail the others had used, it would take two days to get off the mountain, and, if they could find a working vehicle, a third to reach their destination. It was just after dawn as the group set out. With somber goodwill, several of the refugees wished the party safety on their journey. Mike had hoped that Derrick would see them off, but as his eyes drifted to the isolated tent at the other end of the camp he knew those hopes were empty.
    The trails leading down the mountain had been cleared by the lieutenant’s scouts, thus making the journey for his team less perilous. By the time they stopped for lunch, he was pleased to see that they had covered more ground than expected. As with the first hours of the hike, the group remained in relative silence as they ate. He knew the thoughts of his companions without asking, for Mike’s mind raced with the same concerns. The team that the lieutenant and Michelle had led totaled thirteen refugees, eight of which were skilled fighters. What could they have encountered to delay such a large group?
    Andrew Weyland, the youngest of his team at eighteen years old, was the first to notice the dark storm clouds pushing in from the West. Not wanting to squander the ground they had gained, Mike ordered the party to pack up and resume the hike. They managed to buy four more hours before the first of the rain began to sting their faces. Though the trail rapidly began to turn to mud, they trudged on until the sucking at their boots forced them to make camp for the night.