One Deadly Night

Sixteen

***And now – the Conclusion of One Deadly Night!***

Colonel Arnie Stoll leaned his athletic stature against steel railing, gazing out on the vast gray-blue ocean.

He was completely engrossed with his thoughts and didn't hear Drew approach from behind.

"Colonel?"

Arnie jerked his head and saw his friend of fifteen years.

"You'll never learn how not to sneak up on a soldier, eh?" He mused turning his eyes back to the large swells of water.

"What's the verdict, Drew?"

"Not good, sir. He's tested positive for the virus."

Arnie bowed his head.

"Damn those aliens." Arnie muttered. "How much time you reckon he has?"

The medical officer shrugged.

"Hard to say. He's not progressing like the others. His body is trying to fight it, but unfortunately it'll be a losing battle."

"Answer the question."

"Best guess? Eight to ten days."

Several moments of silence hung in the air between them.

"Off the record – I'm impressed." Drew said a bit absently. "Putting together a hog-podged crew from all US military branches including British and Canadian military units under a short time was nothing short of a miracle."

"We're all that remained of the world's military, Drew. And it's no miracle we were able to escape undetected with so few civilian survivors with them hell-bent on destroying us." Arnie paused to looked to the sky. "I can't shake this feeling that we're nothing more than lab rats for their sick amusement."

"Well, the structure of this virus is nothing I've ever seen before. I mean, it's practically rewriting Jon's DNA."

"That warship still docked offshore?"

"Yes, I believe it is."

"I'm not ready to give up on my brother just yet, Morton. I've been told there's a scientist on Croony Island that may be able to help him."

"The secret island off Australia?" Drew shook his head. "She's nothing but a crack pot."

"While we're gone, I want you to keep a close eye on the girl." Arnie ignored his friend's last statement.

"She has a clear bill of health. No further observation is warranted."

"The girl means something to my brother so make sure nothing happens to her. Got it?"

"Loud and clear, sir."

"Colonel Stoll?" A voice reverberated through Arnie's earpiece.

He touched it with his index finger. "Yes, Major?"

"The entire eastern seaboard just went dark, sir."

"Acknowledged."

Arnie let out a nervous breath.

"Well, Morton. We're on our own now."

End of Book One