Project 2115

Chapter 21: We are here

The rhythmic beeping of Morse code echoed through Jacky's workstation as the group entered. Jacky's pencil danced over the paper, rapidly translating the incoming message:

-.-. --- -. - .-.. . -. --. . / . .- .--. .-.. . / ... ..- ... - . .-. . -. --- ..-. -.-.-- / .-- --- ..-. .-.. . / - .... . / -- .- -.-. --. .. -.-. -.-.-- / .-- --- ..-. .-.. . / ..- ... . -.-.-- / .. -. .. -. --- .-.. - .... . .-. . -. --- ..-. / - .... .- -. -.-.-- / -- --- -- . -. -.-. --- .. -. --. / - .... . / -- --- -- . .-. . / - .... . / .--. .- .-. .. --. -.-.-- / .-. .. .--. ..- ... . .-. / - .... . / ..-. --- --- - / .. -. --. .. -.-.-- / - --- .--. ..- .-. ... . / .-. .. .--. ..- ... . .-. / .-. .. .--. ..- ... . .-. / - .... . / --. ..- -.-. -.-.-- / --- ...- . .-. / ---.. / - .... . / - --- / .--. ..-. .-. --- .-. .-.-.-

She glanced up, signaling for patience as her focus stayed on the paper. When the message ended, she double-checked her translation, then sent a quick response:

-- . ... ... .- --. . -.. / .-. . . ... -.-. . ... . -. -.-. . / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / -.-. --- -. -.-. .. -.-. .- -.-. - .. --- -. - / -.-- --- ..- .-. ... / -... .- -.-. -.- / .. -. / ..--- / .... --- ..- .-. ... / .-.. --- .-.. -.-.--

A swift reply followed:

-.-. --- -. ..-. .-. --- -- . -..

"Confirmed," Jacky sighed, stretching and rubbing her hand which was now cramped from the fast writing. She then looked at the group and began to decode the Morse code.

Jane, having already recognized a few phrases due to her survival training, narrowed her eyes. "A rescue operation?"

Jacky, still working her way through the translation, finally lifted her paper and read the full message: "Calling Encore survivor group. Operation successful, WBZ news crew extracted. Report your status. Personnel count, equipment inventory, food and water supplies. Provide intel on zombie movement. Additional information needed for mission planning and potential rescue operation. Over."

"Macky!" Jane suddenly shouted, causing Kai to jump and cover his ears in surprise. But he couldn't help but look at Jane with a mixture of astonishment and amusement. "Wow! That was incredible! How did you do that?"

The room filled with Jane's boisterous laughter. "You're quite the character, kid. I needed that. You've done well, Anne. He's a bright spark in this mess."

Anne smiled, watching her son who was still reeling from the surprise. "Yeah, he's turned out okay."

At that moment, a flustered Macky burst into the room. "What? What happened?" he panted, clutching his knees. Jane managed to compose herself and replied, "Macky, fetch Charles, Willison, Mitch, and Sally for me, will you?"

"Wait! Jane, you shouted for me like I'm some sort of summonable beast. I heard you from outside the building and sprinted here full tilt, and I find you laughing. Am I a dog now? What the hell's going on?" Macky managed to gasp out between breaths.

"Well.. yes, let's go with 'I summoned you' and voila! Here you are!" Jane laughed again. "We got a message from the guard, Macky. I need you and the others to help with something. Understand?"