Human Extinction Level Loss (Book 2): Substation (The Last Stand of Gary Sykes) Read Free Page A

just a moment ago, a zombie like state.  What you are seeing here is the disease in its early stages.  This is some of the first footage of the contagion we have, but it appears that as the disease takes hold of its victim, it turns them from these slow moving wanderers to… to what we just witnessed moments ago…”
     
    As the newscaster fell silent and the video played, Beverly approached.
    “I still can’t get through to the police.  I—”
    Jason Johnson looked over at Beverly as the words caught in her throat.
    “I know.  It's unbelievable.  Like something from the movies,” he said.
    Beverly stared at the screen.
    “Those people… they have the same look as the woman I hit with my car,” she said.
    All eyes turned to look at Beverly.  On the television, the scene cut back to the anchor who stared blankly into the camera.
     
    We are now confirming… that is to say… to our viewing audience… what has happened in Colorado and surrounding regions… appears to have reached our very doorstep.  The footage we are about to show you is from downtown Woodford.  I will tell you, this footage is raw and uncut, so those of delicate nature might very well want to look away.”
     
    All eyes turned back to the television as an elevated camera angle showed images of slack jawed, wide-eyed people moving in the street below.  In the background could be seen Liberty Bell Stadium.

Two
     
    “Everybody just calm down!” Jason Johnson shouted as he stared into four sets of panicked eyes.
    “There is some crazy stuff happening and you all want to get home to be with your families, I get it, but right now the authorities are out there trying to get a handle on all of this and that’s going to be a lot harder if the lights go off.  We’re not your average business enterprise, people.  We’re the electric company and while I’m not asking you to put that before your loved ones, I am asking that you help me make sure that whatever happens out there doesn’t affect what happens in here.”
    Johnson took a breath, feeling somewhat more confident that he had forestalled a complete mutiny, at least momentarily.
    “Okay, now, we can’t leave the station unattended,” he continued.  Panic again flared in the eyes of Mack and Reggie.  Jason Johnson saw it and stayed their protests.
    “I’ll stay,” he said. 
    Mack and Reggie immediately calmed down.
    “All I ask is that you help me get this place turning and burning at full capacity.  Mack and Reggie, Number Two generator needs to be back on-line.  I know you guys like to work by the hour, but how long ‘till you can get it up and running, no bullshit?” Johnson said.
    Reggie and Mack shifted their feet and looked sheepishly at each other, then Reggie looked at Johnson.
    “I think we can get the new parts in and have it running in a couple of hours,” he said.
    Johnson nodded and looked to Gary and Beverly.  “Gary, I’ve got to do the Nightly Safety Report, make sure there is nothing that could cause a power failure, but that means walking this whole facility.  I need you to man your station until I get back, okay?”
    Gary nodded.  Johnson looked at Beverly. 
    “Beverly, honestly, I don’t see much need for updating old files tonight, so you’re free to go,” he said.
    Beverly breathed a sigh of relief and started to gather up her things.  Johnson picked up the phone and dialed the extension for the guard shack.  Receiving no answer, he grabbed a walkie.
    “Carl, you there, pick up,” Johnson said.  He waited several seconds, then tried again.
    “Carl, this is Johnson!  I need you to pick up!  I need you to do a security sweep of the facility!  This place needs to be on lockdown!  Carl!”
    Johnson tossed the walkie onto his desk and muttered to himself.
    “Old coot.”
    He looked up as Beverly was headed for the door.
    “Hold on a second, Bev.  I may need you to stay,” he said.
    Beverly was about to protest, but Johnson was