Mutation: Parables From The Apocalypse - Dystopian Fiction by Norman Christof

them.  You play poker, Colonel?"
    "No, sir, never found the time for it.  Don't like the idea of losing money in a game."
    "Life's just one big game, Colonel.  I'm surprised you haven't learned that by now.  Maybe you should have played poker.  Might have taught you a few things.  Right now, I can tell you that the science teams down below are buzzing like bees.  I've never seen them so excited.  They're working nonstop.  When I was down there this morning, I caught a few sleeping at their desks.  By the time I finished talking with Dr. Montgomery, they were back on their feet and working again.  They've got to be close to a breakthrough."
    "And Christa, did you see her?  When will we be able to see her? It's been days."
    "Be patient, Colonel.  I haven't actually seen her, but from what Dr. Montgomery tells me, she's been very helpful.  The key to everything ... of course, you already knew that.  Dr. Montgomery believes that her mutation has matured.  She was just waiting for blood-test results.  From there, synthesis of the cure is relatively simple."
    "So, then we'll get to see her again, once they have the cure?"
     
    The general paused and walked around the room, closer to Chaz. He took a few moments to collect his thoughts.
     
    "You realize, Colonel, that she's the enemy, don't you?"
    Chaz remained silent, and looked across the room.
    "Colonel, I know you've spent a lot of time with her.  And I know you wouldn't be alive without her help.  But it's her kind that are the reason we're in this big mess to start with.  We can't let these wars continue.  Our entire race is on the verge of extinction.  You, and I, and everyone we've ever known or loved are at risk here.  That's what we're fighting for.  She's just a freak.  Remember that."
    The colonel remained silent, staring at the general.  The general looked away before continuing. 
    "Colonel, you need to know, she's changed.  She's not the same as when you brought her here.  I'm not so sure you really want to see her now.  It might be better if you just forgot about her and moved on.  We have a lot of work for you here.  Why don't we just focus on that?"
     
     

A Time For Action
    Chaz sat down in the cafeteria with Alex.  "Things aren't getting any better out there, Colonel.  The number of zombies coming onto the property just keeps increasing.  We can't wait much longer. We need to get Christa, and get the hell out of here."
    "Yes, I know. I've seen them.  I've seen a few other things as well.  I went to the security room the other day, when the general was inside.  He was just working at the table, and had the security screens on.  I noticed one of the monitors was displaying an area I hadn't seen before.  It looked like the medical level, but not the one you were on."
    "You think it was the second, lower medical level?"
    "I'm pretty sure it was."
    "I thought only the science staff had access to that area."
    "Yeah, me too.  But it appears the general likes to keep an eye on everything going on around here.  Even the things he's not supposed to.  He flipped the monitor off just after I arrived, so I didn't get a good look.  But I thought I saw someone small being pushed in a wheelchair."
    "Christa!  Was it her?"
    "Keep your voice down, son.  Who knows where else he's got cameras.  I can't be sure, it was only for a few seconds, and the camera angle didn't show her face.  It was someone her size, and it looked like her hair.  We're going to have to get down there to find out for sure."
    "We need to move soon, Colonel.  We can't wait much longer with the mob growing outside these walls.  Have they told you anything about her?"
    "Some, but not much.  The general said her mutation has matured, and she's changed."
    "Changed? Changed how?"
    "He didn't go into a lot of detail.  He thinks she's just one of those damn freaks, but his perspective is twisted.  He's been locked inside this place for far too long.  I think all