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"This floor is our medical and research facility. We have a 20 bed hospital complete with surgical units and teams and specialists. We also have a number of scientists conducting various experiments and studies. Some in particular are studying the plague while in this base." On the opposite wall of the column we were walking around, were various rooms that we could see thanks to the large glass windows. Inside we could see doctors, nurses attending to a few patients and in another room a few studying whatever they had under their microscopes. It all looked like state of the art equipment. The next room was an area that caused all of us to stop in shock. Behind that particular window was a room which housed another glass window that spanned ceiling to floor. There were a few people in white lab coats and making notations in electronic notebooks, which were all the rage prior to the plague, of their subjects behind the wall. It was what was behind the walls that froze us in our tracks.

Zombies.

By my count at least 7 of them. Some were dressed in civilian clothing and others in military garb. All of them trying hard to get through the glass at the researchers on the other side. We stared at the horror of it. They actually had zombies down here. I was dumbfounded at the stupidity of it all. Before any of us could protest, the lieutenant spoke up. The test subjects are behind 1 inch thick bullet-proof glass which extend six inches into the floor and ceiling. The doors are hardened steel with bolts  mounted into the ceiling and floor and the side frames. Those dead people have been here since the beginning of the plague and have never been known to escape. All of you, and the rest of the staff and guests are perfectly safe. Please don't be alarmed or bothered by their presence. They're being studied to see if they could find a cause and possibly a cure. We have some of the best microbiologists and medical minds in the world working. And as you can see there are several armed guards at all times inside. Not to mention several safe-guards should the containment cells ever be breached. If you wish to know more about it you can ask at a later time. My first duty is to see you to your quarters. So if you please." She held out her hand, pointing down the hall where another set of elevators stood waiting. Frank caught our mood and he wasn't too happy either.

He curtly dismissed the lieutenant to wait by the elevators, she did so, grudgingly while the four of us talked it out. General consensus was to get the hell out of there. Having zombies around was just plain asking for trouble. Yet, we still needed to be sure that we were safe and that we would get the rest we all sorely needed. I voiced a doubt that any of us would be able to sleep knowing that there were zombies on the base, yet I knew that we were all very tired from our journey. I kept looking at the containment cell where the zombies attacked the glass everytime a tech or researcher walked by. Those people seemed totally at ease at being in such close proximity to death in a literal sense, even if it were behind nearly impenetrable glass.

Too tired to argue I voted that we would stay, until we recuperated enough to formulate a plan for our future. The rest agreed as well and I was glad to see just as much reluctance in each of them. "C'mon then" Frank said, "lets get settled in for a little while and get some rest.  Maggie reached out and touched her father's arm gently. James nodded even though none of it was signed for him. The kid was bright enough to get a grasp on what was going on.

Maggie held her hand out to me and I took it, she wrapped her other arm over James' shoulder and kissed him on the head. He responded by leaning into his mother. We walked towards the lieutenant who stood waiting and possibly fuming impatiently but not daring to show it. Apparently she wasn't used to having people throw her hospitality routine aside, like how we did. Well, I thought to myself, wasn't that just too bad. I for one was looking for a quick stay and getting as far away from here as possible.

How little did I know.

Part 31
Comfortable Stay?

We went down another floor on the elevator. When the doors opened, what lay beyond took us all by surprise. The lieutenant had a smile on her face as she stepped out and held out her hand to the area behind her. "This is the living quarters. I trust you will find them adequate and comfortable. The dining area is located on this floor, as well as the PX." We all stepped out in what looked like a lobby in a fancy hotel that could be found in Vegas. Carpeted floors of a olive color, lush potted floor plants  complimented by over-hanging plants here and there, lighted ceiling fans, scattered clusters of padded chairs and tables for groups up to four or six people. Several were occupied with groups of people looking relaxed and occupied either in conversation, dining, card playing or whatever. Several children ran here and there freely, laughing and chasing one another. It was as if the horrors one floor above and on the surface didn't exist and they were settled in for a relaxing stay at an exclusive resort.

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