Debate of the Dead

By Pro Se Press

What begins as a simple animal rights demonstration leads to a stolen experiment and a conspiracy that may not only bring down the US Government but destroy civilization as we know it!

“Mr. President? We have... a situation.”

With that simple statement, the President and his advisors found themselves whisked away to a secure location. Their goal: To find a solution to a biological outbreak that could overtake the country. And to do so without anyone knowing how close humanity has come to the brink.

But what about the citizens they are trying to protect? Those who would be most affected because they were kept in the dark? These are their stories. The stories of the common man, the unwitting doctor, and the shady organization trying to clean up a mess they didn’t know they were creating...

This is... The Debate of the Dead. The game made popular at conventions by its creators, lostgamers productions, is now a collection of riveting tales from Pro Se Productions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pro Se Press
• Release date: Jan 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310694462

Pro Se Press

Based in Batesville, Arkansas, Pro Se Productions has become a leader on the cutting edge of New Pulp Fiction in a very short time.Pulp Fiction, known by many names and identified as being action/adventure, fast paced, hero versus villain, over the top characters and tight, yet extravagant plots, is experiencing a resurgence like never before. And Pro Se Press is a major part of the revival, one of the reasons that New Pulp is growing by leaps and bounds.

Book preview

DEBATE OF THE DEAD

Published by Pro Se Press

This book is a work of fiction. All of the characters in this publication are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. No part or whole of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing of the publisher.

Copyright © 2016, lostgamers productions. All stories are property of lgp.

All rights reserved.

Contents

THE INCIDENT

by

Tico Brown

THE NIGHT IN QUESTION

by

C. Brandon Olmstead

IF YOU’RE READING THIS

by

Nick Brinker

SOMETIMES YOU JUST NEED A BAGEL

by

Amy Olmstead

TERMINAL

by

Douglas Gray

THE ESCAPE PLAN

by

Amy Olmstead

STORAGE

by

Douglas Gray

THE LGPN PRE-GAME SHOW

by

C. Brandon Olmstead

ALREADY DEAD

by

Duane P. Craig

FRANKIE

by

C. Brandon Olmstead

PARENTING AT THE END OF THE WORLD

by

Amy Olmstead

17

by

Paisley Gray

DRUG DEALER

by

Amy Olmstead

EPILOGUE

by

C. Brandon Olmstead

About the Authors

THE INCIDENT

by

Tico Brown

—

A warm breeze whipped through the unmown field, lightly stirring the knee-high grass. The moon and stars above provided very little illumination in the night sky. The only disturbance was the two figures moving through the field. One pair of feet was heavier than the other, pounding the earth. He wanted to run full out but the smaller form was shackled, its movements hindered.

Come on! They’ll know we’re gone any second now, he shouted, trying to encourage the smaller one to move faster.

The sirens disrupted the quiet of the night. Search lights speared the dark. Men with guns and dogs appeared at the edges of the field and began chasing after the escapees. Only instinct, despite the fear in their minds and hearts, kept them running.

There was a high fence up ahead separating them from the dense forest that was their immediate goal. The chain link rose up at least ten feet tall and was topped with razor wire. The larger figure ran ahead to the fence. He put his hands together.

Quick! Go!

She didn’t hesitate as she approached, immediately placing her foot in the cradle of his hands. She scrambled over the top without a thought to the wiring biting into her arms and legs.

Hurry! They’re right behind you, she yelled, as her feet hit the ground.

He reached the top of his frantic climb. Go, just go.

I’m not leaving you. Not after everything you’ve done for me. Now hurry!

He landed at her side, smiling. Grabbing each other’s hand, they ran. The dogs were the first to reach the fence. They barked furiously as their prey ran off into the darkness. Two guards reached the fence next and looked at the top skeptically. They were followed by a man in a white lab coat and another in a black suit.

What are you doing? Is it your coffee break? Follow them, said the suit. He gestured to the fence and the two retreating figures.

What? No way! That wire will cut us to ribbons, countered one guard.

Get on that radio and tell your people to get after them. I want this place locked down. No one is to do or say anything without my permission. His voice was calm, but severe as he looked into the eyes of the insubordinate guard.

The guard stood there in a trance, too afraid to move. The suit looked around, noting the same look of fear on the others who joined them at the fence. Even the dogs seemed stunned.

Now would be good. Snapping out of their fear, they moved back towards the compound. One guard relayed orders over the radio.

The suit turned to the man in the lab coat. How did this happen, Dr. Craig? How did he get to her?

They started back across the field. It was the break-in. It happened right in the middle of his transfer from the testing grounds. She was being brought to me for her supplement. We thought he had given up any plans for escape after the consequences they both suffered from his last attempt.

Apparently, we were too lenient last time. Don’t make the same mistake twice. His eyes reflected an intensity completely missing from his voice.

Despite Peter Craig’s worries, he pushed on. Shouldn’t we warn the public about this? They are extremely dangerous.

How long do you suppose it will take? An hour? Perhaps two?

Dr. Craig consulted his clipboard. More like eight to ten, he answered, handing over the papers he was reviewing.

The suit pushed the clipboard away. I was referring to how long it would take them to reach town. He turned and stared back into the forest before walking away.

* * *

Just inside the tree line, the escapees sat in the bush watching the activities on the other side of the fence.

We need to keep moving, Jules the man said, getting up and brushing himself off.

She followed his lead, walking carefully to avoid fallen tree branches and large rocks.

Why did you do this, Alex? Why did you come for me? Why not the others?

They’re dead. All of them, Alex said, choosing to only answer her last question.

In the distance, they could hear engines starting and dogs barking.

Come on. The river is this way. It’ll be light soon. We need to find shelter. Soon the dogs won’t be the only animals around here that will be after us.

They stopped by the water’s edge, so they could clean up. He examined the wounds she’d received from the razor wire, while she used a rock to remove the chain linking the shackles.

You’re not bleeding anymore. I guess that’s good.

I’m probably just out of blood, Jules joked.

They looked at each other very seriously for a moment, Alex noting how very pale she looked. She smiled and laughed out loud. He tore pieces of his shirt into strips to wrap the inside of her shackles and some of the more severe wire cuts.

Should I start a fire? he asked.

With an annoyed glance she glowered, Why? It’s not like we need one.

He ignored the look. Let’s get some sleep. We’ll figure a way out of this in the morning.

What about all the wild animals out here? Or the bugs? I hate bugs. For the first time since this hellish nightmare began, he thought he heard fear in her voice.

I’ll stay up and look out for you.

I don’t need sleep either, you know.

I just thought you’d like to rest.

Just like you I don’t need rest, she said, obviously irritated.

I didn’t mean anything by it. Calm down. You don’t want to get excited.

I’m fine. Come on. She stood up and started walking. We weren’t going to sleep so we should keep moving.

Alex pushed off the tree he was leaning against, leaving the bark stained with blood and followed her.

* * *

Zavier Kingsley felt very much in his element standing in front of the reporters and their accompanying cameras. He straightened his tie and buttoned the jacket of his black suit before speaking. A translator stood to his right, speaking directly into the microphone so the Mexican locals could understand what they were being told.

The two escapees are to be considered armed and very dangerous. They are not to be approached. The police have instructions to shoot on sight. Of the two, the female is most dangerous. She is quick-tempered, smart and very resourceful. She is not to be trusted. Do not let them near—

Why did our governments have these violent criminals here in the first place? interrupted one reporter. She spoke in perfect English, despite her heavy accent. Why would you need convicts? How many are in there?

If it wasn’t for the public relations nightmare that would be created, Kingsley would have pulled his weapon and put two between her eyes. Insufferable as the media was, he had to play the game.

Those answers are a matter of national security, miss.

Yes, but the people want to know why any American research facility—even one here on Mexican soil—is home to nine, now seven, death-row inmates.

A sly grin crept over his lips. And where, might I ask, do you get your information?

A Texas prison sent nine prisoners to your facility, yet there is no transfer paperwork filed. The warden now says they haven’t transferred anyone into your custody.

And the warden is correct, miss. We’ve never received prisoners.

Then where did the two escapees you are referring to come from?

Hell, miss. Hell.

* * *

Just outside of town, Alex and Jules peered at a small family home from the shadows of the woods. The backyard was empty except for clothes hanging on the line and toys scattered through the grass.

We can get different clothes and hopefully some food. Come on. As she moved into the sunlight, her skin appeared translucent.

The man stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide. Food? Are you hungry? he tried to ask casually.

She looked back and gave him a small grin. Not really, but it seemed the normal thing to say. Let’s just change clothes and get out of here.

They rushed into the backyard and quickly changed. She threw glances at the house windows, noting the hints of a warm, loving home. He found jeans, a t-shirt and a cap on the bench seat. She put on a nice garden dress that was two sizes too big. He tried to bury their old clothes in the bottom of the trash can. His shirt was covered in blood. If he’d had time he would have burned them.

Cautiously, they walked out onto the street heading into town, trying not to draw any undue attention.

Meanwhile, there were officers on every corner trying to match the photos of the two escapees. They checked every person they could get their hands on. Alex and Jules moved through town avoiding check points. They passed by children playing, a jogger, a man mowing his yard, even a mail carrier. Finally, they reached the middle of town and saw a cop on every corner.

Through the alley. He nudged her with his hip to the right. A dog jumped out from behind a car on the other side of the fence and barked furiously.

"What’s that?