Free Web NovelChapter 272: Chapter 271 - Get The Tank
The tank opened its mouth and roared.
Marybeth stopped near the edge of the Throgs Neck Bridge and looked down.
Below them, near the waterfront parking lot by the SUNY Maritime side, the dark water broke apart. The tank pulled itself over the edge, its hands slamming onto the wet pavement as water poured from its shoulders and arms. It dragged one leg up, then the other, and stood in the open lot with its head turned toward the bridge.
Even from above, it looked enormous.
The big man stopped grinning. He looked past Marybeth toward the parking lot, and for the first time since she had pointed a gun at him, his face showed real fear.
"What the fuck is that?"
Marybeth kept her eyes on the tank. "You tell us. That came from the lab."
The tank started toward the bridge approach.
Its wet feet struck the pavement in heavy steps. Each one brought it closer to the ramp, closer to the place they needed to pass before they could reach SUNY Maritime. If it reached the approach first, they would be trapped on the bridge with nowhere clean to run.
"Fuck," Lance said. "It’s still hunting us."
Marybeth looked at him. "Don’t sound so happy about that."
Lance swallowed and faced toward the fort lights. "It might be the only hope we’ve got to open the place."
Aljun stepped back from the edge. "Then we better not be standing here when it gets to the bridge."
The radio in Arnulf’s hand crackled.
"Bridge watch, report."
The big man looked at the radio, then at the tank below. His grin tried to come back. It failed.
Arnulf crouched in front of him and pulled the cloth from his mouth. "Answer."
The man swallowed. "They’ll know."
Marybeth aimed at his face. "Then make them not know."
The radio crackled again. "Bridge watch, report."
Arnulf pressed the radio near the big man’s mouth.
The man breathed hard. "Bridge watch clear. Noise near the water. We’re checking it."
Static answered.
Then another voice cut in. "All posts, hold position. Lab reports possible reinforcements for the intruder. Do not abandon watch."
The big man’s eyes went back to the tank.
"Copy."
Arnulf pulled the radio away.
The big man gave a thin laugh. "You’re dead either way."
Marybeth shoved the cloth back into his mouth. "So are you if you keep talking."
Chanse and Archie dragged both guards behind the stacked tires.
"Move," Arnulf said.
They ran along the bridge.
The wind hit hard over the open water. Their shoes scraped over old concrete, loose metal, and broken glass. Marybeth kept one hand on Lance’s arm and pushed him forward every time his steps shortened. Aljun stayed on his other side, muttering curses under his breath while he kept Lance moving.
Behind them, the tank kept advancing through the parking lot.
Then gunfire cracked from the land below.
Marybeth looked down.
Muzzle flashes burst near the SUNY Maritime perimeter. Guards had seen the tank crossing the waterfront lot. Bullets hit its chest and shoulders from the side. The tank turned its head toward the shots.
The radio in Arnulf’s hand exploded with voices.
"South perimeter, contact!"
"What contact?"
"Large infected inside the outer lot!"
Another voice cut in. "What do you mean? We’re on alert for intruders."
"No," the guard shouted. "Tank! It’s a tank! Big ass undead just came out of the water!"
The gunfire doubled.
Aljun grinned despite his pale face. "Let’s see them survive that one."
Marybeth kept running. "You’re enjoying this too much."
Lance gave a breathless laugh beside her.
Arnulf looked ahead. "Their guns are on it now. This is our chance."
The bridge approach widened near the SUNY Maritime side. Below the broken rail, a lower service building sat close enough for the rope ladder to reach its roof. From there, they could drop to the next ledge, then to the ground near the campus side.
Arnulf stopped at the edge and grabbed the rope. "Here. Down fast."
Harry looked toward the parking lot. The tank had turned toward the guards, but it was still moving closer to the bridge approach.
"If it reaches the ramp, we’re cut off," Harry said.
"Then move," Arnulf said.
Chanse hooked the rope around a torn metal support while Archie tested the knot with his good hand. Harry and Bert went first, climbing down fast. Harry dropped to the roof, rolled, and came up with his rifle raised. Bert landed beside him and fired toward the parking lot.
The guards below kept shooting at the tank.
Chanse went next, then Tilly. She clung to the rope with both hands as the wind shoved her against the concrete. Chanse caught her when she reached the roof. Archie followed with his injured hand tucked close, jaw clenched through every movement.
Marybeth looked down.
The rope hung more than a meter above the roof.
Aljun leaned over beside her. "Goddamn."
Marybeth glared at him. "Helpful."
"Ladies first?"
"Say that again and I’ll throw you."
She climbed over the edge and found the first knot with her boot. The rope swung hard. Her stomach dropped, but she forced herself down one knot at a time.
Halfway down, a guard ran across the road below.
Marybeth froze.
If he looked up, he would see her hanging from the bridge.
The guard shouted toward the parking lot and kept running.
Marybeth looked up.
Lance and Aljun were both motioning for her to jump.
Assholes.
She let go.
She hit the roof wrong. Pain snapped through her ankle, and she dropped to one knee with a soundless scream locked in her throat.
Lance came down after her and landed hard but upright. He grabbed her arm at once.
"Can you walk?"
Marybeth grimaced. "Do I have a choice?"
He pulled her up. Her ankle screamed under her weight, but she stayed standing.
Aljun dropped next, rolled across the roof, and came up cursing. "I hate this bridge. I hate that thing. I hate all of you."
Lance gave him a weak look. "You’re alive."
"That’s why I’m still complaining."
Arnulf came last. The moment his boots hit the roof, he pulled the rope loose and pointed to the lower ledge.
"Down again."
Harry and Bert fired from the roof edge, drawing the tank’s head toward them whenever it shifted back toward the bridge. The guards below kept unloading into it, and the whole parking lot flashed with gunfire.
That bought them seconds.
Only seconds.
They used them.
Marybeth limped with Lance’s arm around her waist. The second drop was shorter, but her ankle nearly folded when she landed on the ledge. Lance caught her before she hit the wall.
They dropped to the ground one by one.
The tank roared from the parking lot.
The sound rolled across SUNY Maritime and shook through the road.
Arnulf looked back once.
The tank had almost reached the bridge approach.
"Fast," he said. "Before it gets here."
They moved low along the SUNY Maritime side, keeping to the trees, walls, and parked vehicles near the outer road. Marybeth’s ankle burned with every step, but Lance held her up and pulled her forward when her foot dragged. Aljun stayed on Lance’s other side, breathing hard as he kept looking back toward the parking lot.
Harry and Bert broke away to the direction of the tank.
They reached the tree line outside the fort gate. The gate remained closed, heavy and dark under the red security lights. Guards moved around the perimeter, most of them looking toward the tank now, their rifles raised toward the parking lot. None of them had seen Marybeth’s group yet.
Arnulf lifted his hand.
Everyone dropped.
Two guards stood beside the outer gate post. One shouted into his radio while the other fired toward the parking lot. A third guard ran from the side path, trying to reach the gatehouse.
Marybeth pushed away from Lance and limped toward the second guard. Her ankle screamed under her, but she kept the pistol steady. The guard turned when he heard the grass shift.
She fired.
The bullet hit his side and drove him into the gate post. He tried to raise his rifle. Arnulf was faster as he shot him.
The third guard saw the movement.
His mouth opened.
Archie shot him before he shouted.
The radio on Arnulf’s belt crackled.
"South perimeter, report. Tank is heading toward the lab side. Advise."
Another voice answered fast. "Get rid of it."
"We’re trying. It’s not going down. Officers down near the outer lot."
Marybeth crouched behind the tree and looked toward the parking lot.
Harry and Bert came into view between two campus buildings.
They were running hard now. Harry’s face was tight, and Bert was half stumbling, half sprinting as he fired over his shoulder. The tank followed them through the gunfire like the guards were only noise around it. Bullets struck its side. One shot hit its face and snapped its head back.
It turned right back to Harry and Bert.
Its eyes narrowed.
Marybeth swallowed. "It wants them."
Lance’s voice went thin. "Then they better run faster."
The tank reached down and tore loose a chunk of concrete from the edge of the parking lot. Harry saw the movement and grabbed Bert by the back of his shirt.
"Fuck!" Harry shouted.
They split.
The concrete flew between them and smashed into the road near the gate. The impact sent broken stone across the pavement. Marybeth ducked as pieces hit the tree trunk beside her.
The gate shook from the hit, but it held.
Harry and Bert kept running toward them, using the road as a line, keeping the gate behind their backs. The tank followed, dragging every rifle in the area toward it. Guards shouted from the outer road. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
"Keep firing!"
"It’s still moving!"
"Fall back to the gate!"
"No, hold position!"
Another radio voice cut through the noise. "Do not open the gate. Repeat, do not open the gate. Fort dock remains sealed."
Marybeth looked at the locked metal.
Fine.
If they would not open it, the tank would.
Chanse dragged another dead guard behind the trees. Tilly stayed low beside him, both hands clamped over the ammunition box. Archie crouched near the wall, breathing hard through his teeth. Arnulf took a rifle from one of the dead guards and handed it to Lance.
Harry and Bert reached the last stretch before the gate. Bert nearly fell when his boot caught broken pavement. Harry grabbed him and hauled him forward without slowing.
The tank reached for a broken metal barrier.
"Down!" Marybeth shouted.
Harry and Bert dove at the same time.
The barrier flew over them and slammed into the gate.
Metal screamed.
One hinge bent inward. The chain snapped on one side and whipped against the post. The whole gate shifted, but it still did not open.
Arnulf cursed under his breath. "One more."
The guards near the parking lot fired harder. The tank did not turn. It stepped over the broken road, eyes fixed on Harry and Bert as they crawled up and ran again.
Marybeth’s grip tightened around the pistol.
Harry’s rifle hung empty at his side now. Bert had one hand pressed against his ribs as he ran. Both of them were slowing.
"Come on," Lance whispered.
The tank reached the road outside the gate.
For a second, it stopped.
Marybeth froze with everyone behind the trees.
Harry and Bert stumbled to a halt near the gate, both of them gasping. Harry looked back once and shoved Bert toward the side.
The tank stared at them.
The guards kept shooting from behind it. Bullets hit its back, shoulders, and legs. It did not care. Its eyes stayed on Harry and Bert.
Marybeth looked at Aljun and Lance beside her. "Why’d she pause?"
Aljun shook his head.
Lance shook his head too, but his face had gone white.
The tank crouched a bit.
Marybeth’s stomach dropped.
"She’s coming."
