The Ark of Alliance

By Scott Kotrous

One of the few who prepared for this eventuality, John Angelite used his considerable resources to build the Ark, a shelter for his family and anyone else he could save. The Ark is all but impregnable—a trait John would normally appreciate.

Trouble is, John’s not in the Ark. Instead, he and a small group of survivors are barricaded in a nearby house, hunted by both the US military and the bloodthirsty Infected. On the other side of the blast doors, one man has the power to save John and his companions—or bring the entire Ark crashing down around them.

The Ark of Alliance, the third book in The Ark Series, continues the saga begun in The Ark of Asylum and The Ark of Attrition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scott Kotrous
• Release date: Mar 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781521784044

Scott Kotrous

Scott Kotrous is a resident of Denver, Colorado, where he spends his time writing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and composing music.

Book preview

Chapter 1

John frantically rubs his eyes in an attempt to regain his vision, but every time he tries to look around the room, all he sees are silhouettes moving about the Havoc’s cabin. The sound of hysteria ignites his adrenaline as his eyesight slowly starts to come back, and he can soon see that everyone is in a panic, solidifying the cacophony of noise bombarding his senses. He finally recognizes a voice when Maggie rushes over and attempts to help him up.

Uncle John, Uncle John! Are you okay?

He hesitates answering because he’s honestly not sure. What—what happened, Maggie? Is everyone okay?

I think so. She gives a reassuring smile after looking over her shoulder. And I’m not sure what happened. All I know is we lost power, but I don’t think anyone knows why.

John can finally see clearly and can now make out numerous faces looking at him. What was that flash of light? Did you see it? It came from the sky. He looks up at the hatch.

Maggie looks up and stretches her head to look out, then looks back down at John. What flash? I didn’t see a flash. All I see out there is a massive storm cloud, which would imply that you probably saw lightning. It most likely hit us, and that’s why we lost power . . . or maybe you hit your head or something?

He feels the back of his head, unsure if he hit it or not, but doesn’t think so. No, it— He shakes his head and then squeezes his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. I saw a flash of light right before the Havoc shut down and I never heard any thunder, so I don’t think it was a lightning strike. But the cause is irrelevant, and we need to make sure everyone’s okay. Do you know if anyone’s hurt?

She looks around the room, obviously unsure of the answer. I don’t think so, but I’m not a hundred percent sure. Just as she finishes speaking, both Kelly and Peter join her.

Peter reaches out his arm and helps John get to his feet. I just caught the last of your conversation, and Kelly and I just got through checking mostly everyone and they seem okay. He looks to Kelly and receives a reassuring nod, then looks at Maggie. Don’t worry, Maggie, your friend Kristie is still in stable condition. Her boyfriend hasn’t left her side the entire time. I’m not sure if he’s just in shock or what, but he seems a little inconsolable and hasn’t said much. Your other friend, Jen, might possibly be losing it, ’cause she just keeps going on about not being able to bury her boyfriend, along with something about leaving him to rot in your freezer.

Maggie closes her eyes and drops her head while shaking it ever so slightly. Neither of them are taking any of this very well, but I can’t say I’m surprised. Nate could lose his girlfriend, who is also my best friend, so I know exactly where he’s coming from. She looks up just a tiny bit, trying to hide her lip biting and the tears welling up in her eyes. Jen wanted to bury Mike before we left, but we just didn’t have a chance, so we left his body in the deep freeze in the basement. She looks at the ground.

Kelly hesitates before reaching out her arm and gently pulling Maggie into a hug. It’s okay, sweetheart. Kristie’s going to be okay. We’ve arrived safely and she can soon get the medical attention she needs. And hopefully Jen will soon realize there’s nothing she can do about Mike and that it’s time to help others. She slowly turns her head toward John, while slightly loosening her hug. So what’s the plan, John? How do we get into this bunker of yours?

John instantly comes to life after the question. Right—the Ark . . . we need to move everyone into the Ark. He abruptly turns and makes his way to the front of the cabin with the three of them following close behind, but stops once he gets to the drivers.

John has a conversation with the drivers and, after a while, he thanks the two men and then turns around to address the entire cabin standing behind him eagerly anticipating some answers.

Alright everyone, listen up. The engineers think we've experienced what appears to be an EMP, and it’s fried the electronics.

Chatter erupts within the cabin.

People, people. Please settle down. Now, it would take too long for the engineers to try and re-solder everything in an attempt to get power back, so we'll need to depart the Havoc and make our way into town, where we can find an evacuation point in one of the houses and use the tunnels to get back to the Ark.

The chatter quickly quiets, followed by someone asking why they don't just go straight for the blast doors.

Unfortunately, we can’t go straight for the blast doors because they'll most likely be closed from the EMP, which would leave us stranded outside. At least this way we’ll have the tunnels and houses to fall back to, if need be.

He attempts to answer as many questions as he can, including the possibility that maybe the military following them could have caused the EMP, but he doesn’t think so, because the ceasefire probably means they were affected by the EMP as well.

John goes on to explain that, along with losing power, they’ve also lost all radio contact and can’t get ahold of the Ark or other Havocs. Once it gets dark, they will send people to the other Havocs to let them know the plan. He adds that as soon as the other vehicles are ready, they will be departing in the middle of the night. He hopes that the military will be so preoccupied with trying to get their vehicles up and running that they won’t be concerned with them, especially with the amount of Infected heading their way.

As night falls, the messengers are dispatched and, while everyone in the cabin waits, nervousness grows on most faces. Anxiety quickly fills John’s empty stomach, with butterflies fluttering amongst the knots. He can only imagine how scared most must be. Not only do they not know where they’re going, but the uncertainty of if the military will fire on them is what’s most terrifying. And when the main topic of conversation is about just that, John reassures them that they have a large supply of smoke grenades that can be used if needed and only when needed; they don’t want to draw attention. The reassuring words do little to calm everyone and John knows it, even if no one says it.

Each messenger eventually returns. Both confirm reaching their targets, and one of them reassures everyone that the military is working on erecting some kind of fence around their position and shows little interest in them. The other messenger quickly adds that they most likely still have eyes on the vehicles and that everyone should still be cautious once they've departed the Havocs.

Once the crew is ready and the sick and wounded are prepped for transport, the messengers are again dispatched and soon return with the go ahead to proceed.

Everyone willing and able is armed with a rifle and extra magazines, and the rest tend to the sick and wounded or carry supplies.

They move to the back hatch and John looks at Peter. I’ll point you in the direction to go, but I need you to lead this group. Can you do that?

Peter nods his head and pulls the slide back on his rifle. Absolutely. I got this.

The back hatch opens with a gust of cold air straight up the nostrils that instantly ignites John’s senses as he expels the smoky looking breath while he gives the thumbs up to Peter.

Peter leads a small group out first to set up a perimeter and determine if the military could be a threat. He soon confirms that, between the sounds and light bursts from blowtorches, and the lack of visible troops pointing weapons their way, it should be safe to move out.

John’s stomach knots tighten and his heart races once they get out into the open. Anything could alert the military of their presence, and he’s unsure how they'll react. He hopes they won’t fire upon a group of civilians, but doesn’t know if the military is even aware that they are just civilians, especially since they fired upon them earlier. He’s eager to find out from the other Havoc’s crew how it all started, but knows that now is not the time or place.

As soon as they get everyone out of the Havocs, they take a brief moment to discuss any last precautionary measures that must be taken in order for this to be successful, which includes not using flashlights or any other types of illumination, and only relying on the moon to light their way.

John looks around, uncertain of where they are. Hold on one second . . . just need to get my bearings.

Peter looks around where John looks. Take your time . . . ’cause I can’t differentiate any of the terrain whatsoever. Everything just looks like the same snowy white glow.

He points up the sloping gradient. I’m pretty sure it’s that way.

He looks at John and waits a second for him to look around some more. Pretty sure?

John takes a second and then points to the left. Well, we know the military’s that way, and the Havocs are pointing toward the Ark. He points to the right. So that means that’s south. He points straight ahead. Which is where the houses are . . . so I’m sure, not pretty sure. Let’s roll.

Alright, then . . . let’s roll. Peter returns the sharp acknowledging nod and then leads the way through the snow.

Once they get going, John soon feels grateful for the snow giving them silence, but can’t help thinking of how painful it’ll soon be for Peter to trudge through that wet and heavy ‘Sierra cement.’

Chapter 2

Simon fidgets in his seat, trying his best to see out the gun ports to get an idea of what’s going on outside, as do Jason and Dave. No one has come for them since the crew manning their Humvee departed right after they lost power and the gunfire stopped. Both Simon and Jason continue to look out the gun ports, and Dave appears to be sleeping.

Simon sits back in his seat and then looks at Jason. Can you see anything? He looks back out the gun port.

They’re still building the fence and working on the vehicles. Jason sits back and looks at Simon. That Ark thing must have some kind of EMP capability that fried all the military’s electronics.

Does it look like they’re almost done building the fence? Here, switch seats with me, I want to see. Simon smacks Jason’s leg for him to move and Jason gets irritated.

Just calm the fuck down, Simon. They’ll be along for us shortly, so just chill.

Simon sits back and pulls at his beard. We won’t have much time to escape if we wait too long. Once they get that fence completed our chance to escape will become that much harder.

Jason looks at him. Ahh . . . we still haven’t determined if we’re definitely goin’ to try and escape, right? Because I still think our best chance of getting to Pete will be to wait for an opportunity only if the military, at the very least, gets in the front gate. So unless that happens, we don't have a play. Jason crosses his arms and sits back in his seat.

Simon scratches at his beard and then sits up on the edge of his seat and cracks his neck. I need to get to my son, plain and simple. So we need to come up with a plan, and soon, or it’s going to be too late.

Simon, I realize you think the military believes Pete is some kind of super soldier and that’s the real reason why they want him . . . and not for the reason that he may very well hold the key to an antidote for a cure. So I’m still just a little hesitant to jump to conclusions and act irrationally. Jason shows his palms to Simon and then looks at his brother. Any thoughts there, Navy Seal?

Dave stares at his brother for a moment as he bites his lip and shakes his head before loudly exhaling and turning his attention to Simon. You know I’ll do anything to help you or Peter . . . I owe both of you my life. He takes a second before continuing. But if we’re going to do this, we have to act fast—

Jason cuts him off mid sentence. So then get on with it and tell us what’s goin’ on inside that junky brain of yours.

Man, fuck you! You don’t know anything about me, brother! So don’t even—

Fuck me? Fuck me?! No, fuck you, you fuckin’ piece of shit! Don’t you ever—

Simon interrupts. Guys, guys, get your shit together! We’re running out of time, so please put your differences aside and focus on the task at hand. Please!

Dave just shakes his head at his brother, but then turns to Simon. The only way we’re getting out of here is to use what we have to our advantage . . . which unfortunately isn’t much.

Okay? Which is?

Trust. All we have going for us is that we, mainly Jason, have hopefully established a little trust with the Major, and so we need to exploit it.

And how do you suggest we do that?

By offering to help. If we remind him that we are all ex-military and have been fighting Infected for the last six months, so we know what we’re doing, that may give us the opportunity we need. And if we can convince him to give us weapons, well, then, we’ll just need a small window of opportunity and a whole lot of luck to escape.

Jason just shakes his head. That’s it? That’s your plan? Hoping they give us guns and winging it? Great plan, dipshit.

I don’t hear any ideas coming from you, fuck face. At least I came up with something.

Before Dave has a chance to respond, Simon speaks up. He’s right; it’s our only play. We need to get outta this Hummer and get our hands on some weapons, and we need to do it fast. Jason, you’re going to have to lead the way on this one because the Major trusts you the most, so this needs to be spearheaded by you.

I’m not even sure how you plan on getting them to give us arms, so I’m probably not the best person to lead this operation . . . but I’ll give it a shot.

Suddenly, the sound of rifle fire is heard, followed by shouts of commands. Simon looks out the gun ports and sees soldiers moving toward the fence line that’s facing the way they came. Infected. He turns his head and looks at Jason. Looks like we just got the break we needed.

Without hesitation, Jason begins to bang on the door and then shouts out the window in an attempt to get someone’s attention. He finally gets the attention of one of the soldiers near the Humvee, who walks up and looks in.

What’s going on in there? Keep it down, the soldier says.

You need to go get the Major; we need to speak with him, Jason tells him.

The Major is busy at the moment. Just sit tight. He starts to walk away.

Listen, we can help! We’re all ex-military and by the sound of it, you’ve got a whole lot of Infected out there, so you’re going to need all the help you can get. Just please run it by the Major and see what he says.

The soldier looks toward the gunfire because now it has increased, along with the shouting. He looks back into the gun port. Sit tight. Let me see if I can find him. He takes off in the opposite direction.

A few minutes later, the soldier returns with the Major, and he opens the door. So, you gentlemen would like to help. Well, as much as I appreciate the offer, I think my men have the situation under control. But thanks anyway. He tries to close the door but Jason stops him.

Major, you’re going to need all the help you can get, so I implore you to utilize us in any way possible. We can even help build the fence. Hell, you can put an armed guard on us if you don’t trust us. Jason lets go of the door and sits back.

The Major looks at all three men, then over at the gunfire that’s steadily increasing, and then to the opposite side of the fence that has very little manpower still building it. He thinks for a few seconds and then turns to the soldier next to him. Private, I want you to escort these men to help complete the fence. You are to keep an eye on them and if they do anything stupid, you are authorized to use lethal force.

The soldier salutes the Major right before he walks off. He then directs his attention toward them and motions for them to get out. You heard the man. You are to help with the fence and nothing more. If you do anything stupid, don’t think for a second that I won’t put a bullet in your head. Now let’s go.

Jason gets out first, followed by Simon, and then Dave. They take a second to survey the situation before following the soldier to where they will be working. They are handed gloves, shovels, and various other tools, along with water, and told to start digging post holes and assisting the other soldiers with whatever they need. After about an hour of working on the fence, more and more soldiers are pulled off and ordered to defensive positions around the fence line. The gunfire is intense throughout the entire camp, but mainly concentrated toward the way they came, but hasn’t encompassed the entire fence.

But for how long, no one knows.

Once the last soldier’s pulled off the fence, and only the guard remains, Simon knows this is the chance they’ve been waiting for. He goes over to where Jason and Dave are working and crouches down next to them.

It’s go time . . . just continue to work on the fence, but be ready.

Jason stops what he’s doing. Wait, what?

Simon moves next to the fence and tries to block himself from the soldier’s view, and then very discreetly slices his arm on the concertina wire, sending blood running down his arm.

He yells out in pain. Ah, mother fucker! I sliced my arm open. Fuck! He walks toward the soldier clutching his arm, while Jason and Dave pretend to be struggling with the fence.

Oh, man, you gotta help me. I really fucked myself up! He continues to walk toward the soldier, who starts to back up and then unslings his rifle.

Stand down, sir. Take a step back and I’ll get you some help. He puts up his hand while holding his rifle with the other.

The soldier looks around and then turns to motion to someone to come over. Just as he fully turns, Simon lunges at the soldier and does a football-style tackle around his waist, slamming him to the ground. The soldier struggles, but Simon manages to hold him down just long enough for Jason and Dave to run over and help. They eventually wrestle his rifle away from him and take his handgun as well, before tying his hands behind his back.

Simon looks up and sees multiple soldiers running toward them. We gotta go! We gotta go now! Grab anything you can off him and let’s move out.

Both Jason and Dave remove as much gear off the soldier as they can and then look up to see what Simon sees. They turn back to see Simon already working on the fence, followed by him lifting a small section. He pulls the fence back as far as it will go and both Jason and Dave quickly crawl through the opening. Simon immediately turns toward the opening but then hears a rather close range crack of a gunshot, followed by something hitting his thigh that sends a searing pain through his body. He lets go of the fence and collapses to the ground, grabbing his leg. He hears Jason and Dave right behind him, attempting to pull him through the fence, but Simon doesn’t budge.

He slides the rifle under the fence and then grabs his leg with both hands. Get the fuck outta here, both of you!

We’re not leaving you behind, Simon, so suck it up and move your ass! Jason tries to pull the fence back, but Simon won’t let him.

I’m not asking, I’m telling you. Get the fuck outta here! You’re my son’s only chance now. Find a way to get inside this place and warn him that the military is after him. I have a bullet lodged in my leg so I wouldn’t make it far anyway. So go, dammit!

Right when Jason picks the rifle up off the ground, shots ring out in their direction. He ducks down and motions to Dave to get moving, then turns back to Simon. I won’t let you down, Simon; you have my word . . . I’ll find Pete and protect him the best I can as long as he’s still breathing. You have my word.

I know you’ll find him. Now get the fuck outta here before we both get shot and then no one can help him. Now go!

Jason reaches through the fence and places his hand on Simon’s shoulder. Thank you for everything you’ve done for my family. We’ll meet again, friend. He doesn’t wait for a response before turning and running as bullets fly overhead.

Simon slides over just enough to block the opening he created in the fence. Moments later, multiple soldiers move in with rifles trained on him.

Face down on the ground, now! Hands behind your back!

I’m injured and can’t move. Simon puts up his hands and is greeted with a rifle butt to the head and then lights out.

Chapter 3

Kate rushes into the control room, desperately searching for Adam. She asks around, but doesn’t get a clear answer. Seconds later, Adam comes walking up with little concern in his eyes, she notices. Adam, what’s going on? Is my husband outside?!

Adam waves his hands up and down in a very patronizing manner. Just calm down, Kate. Everything’s under control.

Calm down? You’re seriously telling me to calm down! How dare you? Now tell me what’s going on, or else.

Adam just shakes his head, grabs her by the waist, and escorts her toward his office. She immediately hesitates, not appreciating the way he’s treating her.

Take your fucking hands off of me right now, Adam, before my foot meets your testicles. Now, tell me what’s going on right now.

Just—in my office . . . please! He removes his hands from her waist and motions toward his office.

She looks at him with fire in her eyes, but then relaxes and walks into his office. Okay, Adam. Now can you please explain what’s going on?

Adam sits at his desk and motions to the chair for her to sit. He waits for a second but Kate doesn’t move and just stands there with her arms crossed, looking like she’s about to follow through with her threat.

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