We hurry through the tunnels, able to move swiftly now that we’re not part of a major assault force. Josh discusses tactics with Dr. Oystein and Master Zhang as we run. He doesn’t think there are enough of us to ensure victory if we manage to track down Mr. Dowling.
“He’ll have surrounded himself with scores of his best people,” Josh pants. “Maybe he’ll use another army of zombies as a shield. How are we going to break through when there are only a few dozen of us?”
“I do not think that we will encounter such an obstacle,” Dr. Oystein says. “This is personal. Albrecht will want to face us openly, on an equal footing. He knows that the moment of destiny has arrived. It is not in his nature to stack the odds against us in an effort to cheat fate.”
“I wish I shared your belief,” Josh says glumly.
Dr. Oystein smiles thinly. “Trust me. I know my brother. He’ll want to defeat us, but in his own way, on his own terms.”
Josh shakes his head and starts to ask another question. He’s cut short by Owl Man, who suddenly stops and raises a hand.
“What is it?” Master Zhang asks, drawing to a halt beside the tall freak.
“I thought I saw…” Owl Man murmurs.
“… a puddy tat?” Rage smirks.
“No,” Owl Man says seriously. “A baby with a hole in its head.”
A mutant drops from a hidden niche in the ceiling and lashes out at one of the soldiers. Ashtat is close by. She karate-chops the mutant’s throat and he falls to the floor, choking. There are no other movements or sounds.
Then I spot the baby peering round a corner. There’s no mistaking that hole in its skull.
“Holy Moly,” I whisper.
The baby’s face lights up and it steps forward. A soldier raises his rifle.
“At ease,” Owl Man says softly but firmly. He takes a step towards the baby. Sakarias advances with him.
“big doggy mummy,” Holy Moly squeaks. “woof woof.”
I smile shakily. “Be careful. This doggy bites.”
“holy moly bites too,” the baby giggles, showing its tiny fangs.
“Tell it to–” Owl Man starts to say to me.
“Run, Holy Moly!” I shout before Owl Man can complete his order. “Run now!”
“No!” Owl Man roars. “Tell it to come back!”
My lips instantly start to move. “Come–” I begin, but to my relief I see that I’m too late. The baby obeyed the instant I yelled, and took off like a startled rabbit.
Owl Man curses and hurries after the fleeing infant. The others follow and I’m dragged along with them, smiling at my small act of rebellion, hoping it will be enough to wreck their plans, but knowing that’s a slim hope. Slimmer than an ice cube’s hope in Hell.