Ringo Snippets

River Of Night - Snippet 31 CHAPTER 8 Eva didn't like meetings. She'd say this for the head of the Gleaners, though. Harlan Green kept things short and sharp. Around the table Harlan's immediate coterie was uncharacteristically attentive. In contrast, Eva's attitude seemed negligent, one leg propped over the arm rest of her chair, but her notes were comprehensive. The Virginia state correctional facility that had housed the second set of Gleaner recruits included a womens' wing. A fair proportion of prisoners had improved their education for...

River Of Night - Snippet 30 There were nods around the table. He looked up towards the head chair. Joanna smiled warmly at him. "Ah – we moved to the local pharmacy next," Rune said, hurrying to consult his notes. "It was already looted, but we recovered several kilos of drugs for evaluation and possible retention. I couldn't be sure, but it appeared that their compounding facility had been modified for vaccine production. Some of the equipment as well as the remains in the refrigeration units were consistent with an ad hoc vaccine lab."...

River Of Night - Snippet 29 Risky knew that as their world fell ever deeper under the assault of the virus Tom would continue to honor his word. He would put his promise to his former employer foremost, even if there was no more bank left to rescue. Risky knew, knew deep inside, that saving something that didn't really exist any longer wasn't the answer. Maybe there was an alternative, something that else that Smith could consider worthy of his oath. Maybe. Outside, the ruined countryside flowed past, a repeating loop of fire blackened...

River Of Night - Snippet 28 Almost ten percent of the people who contracted H7D3 pulled all the way through without turning.  Mrs. Johnson had been one of the few older people in nearby Spring City who had weathered the virus' flu symptoms.  Many of her extended family had lived as well, but as mindless carnivores who prowled the edges of the wall formed by shipping containers that Stantz's crew has emplaced during the early, desperate days of the Fall. Behind the barrier sheltered a small oasis on the edge of Spring City. Extending...

River Of Night - Snippet 27 Loki continued to watch as Green studied the map and traced several roads eastward. After a bit Green spoke over his shoulder. "Now, be a good man and pick us out one for after dessert," Green said, his eyes never leaving the object of his study. "Maybe the one with the lovely eyes. Drug your choice well. I don't feel like wrestling." Loki grinned at his boss' shoulders. The job did have some satisfying perks. ### Reaching for the easily visible carrion floating just out of reach, the zombie lost its footing on the...

River Of Night - Snippet 26 CHAPTER 7  "Tell me again," Harlan Green said patiently. "How many people did you see, exactly?" "I only saw a few!" stuttered Freddo. His strategy of staying firmly in the middle of the Gleaner pack had been intended to keep him from being noticed too often. During their disastrous fight earlier in the day that strategy had only ensured that he survived to be interrogated by Green, which was terrifying all by itself. "Maybe five people with guns? Three cars, one crashed." "Yes, you've said that already,"...

River Of Night - Snippet 25 "Ralph, grab the radio," Tom ordered. "Tell Kap we got a crash, we're stopping. Worf, I need cover fire right away. Once I stop, organize a firing line and deny the road to anyone that shows up." "Check." Sergeant Copley said. His tone was all business. "O-okay." Fat Ralph stuttered as the abused transmission clunked back into drive. Moments later Tom drew abreast of the crash. He ran to the ruined vehicle. The acrid scent of coolant was distinctive as the radiator fluid from a smashed radiator splashed across the...

River Of Night - Snippet 24 Fat Ralph gaped at the body of his friend, but ducked lower, demonstrating somewhat better tactical judgment. ### Tom felt the bullet impact on his chestplate in a sort of clinical way. He continued to raise his rifle but someone grabbed the carry handle on the back of his plate carrier and violently tugged him backwards. Reflexively he reacted by pushing with his legs in the same direction, jackknifing in the direction of the pull. As though he were in slow motion, he could hear individual rounds impacting against...