The Restoration Project

1.10 - Merrick

Merrick wiped away the nervous sweat collecting on his brow. "Four hours. It's been four hours." He checked the digital readout on the dash to confirm the time. He could have been quicker if he didn't have to change the tires. Stupid Perry and Diamond.

He found the vial in Anita's pocket shortly after she fainted. It didn't take long to realize what happened and he injected her with the Protein Implanter immediately. They had twelve vials of it, a standard issue item for all Cleaners, although some preferred to call it Liquid Gold due to the amount they could sell it for to people on the outside. Merrick had his issues with it in the past, but now he was just focused on Anita. The injection itself would not stop the nanobots from taking over—it was too late for that—but it did slow their reproductive rate. He could safely inject her once every 6 hours. The twelve vials wouldn't buy much time, but he didn't need it—they were approaching their destination.

The city of New Philadelphia loomed in front of them, its skyscrapers with rooftop gardens poking above the horizon. The checkpoint sat directly in front, less than a mile away. He adjusted the rear view mirror so he could see the couch behind him. Anita was lying on it, unconscious and clammy, covered in a blanket. Rusty sat on the floor beside her. Whining. Constantly whining.

"Rusty, quiet now," Merrick said. Rusty's ears perked up, but he didn't stop.

Merrick pressed on the gas a little harder, slowing only as he neared the checkpoint and flicked the high beams three times. This was part of the protocol, established by anyone that worked for the city and was in constant contact with the checkpoints. One flash meant you were returning from a scout, two meant you were low on gas, (the Restoration Project had constructed a small refinery on the waterfront and managed to produce a limited supply of gasoline, given they had enough oil) and three flashes meant there was an emergency. After the third flash, three soldiers emerged from the station.

He stopped the RV fifty feet in front of them. The man in the middle was Sergeant Robert Trike. Whether he earned that tile or not was up for debate, but he was quite prickly when people didn't address him appropriately. Some of the Cleaners had taken to calling him Captain Bob, he hoped none of those people decided to visit him today. He needed Sergeant Trike in as good a mood as possible.

"Hey hun, we're here," Merrick said, unbuckling himself and joining Anita in the back. He tested Anita's forehead with the back of his hand. Her temperature was slightly elevated. Not quite feverish, but warm. It was a common trait during the second stage as the nanobots spread and the body's immune system fought it. Not that it was a battle that could be won.

"Where's here?" she asked, pushing her eyes open. She tried to sit up, found herself too weak, and laid back down.

"The checkpoint. We're gonna get you better," Merrick said. He scooped her into his arms before she could object, although the sudden movement caused Rusty to bark. "Be quiet, boy," Merrick ordered, stepping around the dog.

He pushed the side door open and stepped down. Rusty tried to follow. "Stay," Merrick commanded, his voice deep and low. Rusty lowered his tail and sat down, guarding the door.

"Merrick?" Captain Trike's voice was low and raspy, sounding like he smoked a couple packs of cigarettes a day.

"Yeah. I need help," Merrick said, setting Anita down and guiding her to the soldiers.

Captain Trike stepped back as he registered Anita: the paleness and sheen to her skin, her half lidded eyes, her erratic steps. "So you came here?"

"I'll need an advance but we almost have enough credits. I need to get her into the Project," Merrick said. Anita's temperature was rising; he could feel her warmth permeate her clothes.