Evolution: Day Soldiers Book Four

By Brandon Hale

Book 4 of the Day Soldiers series.

The war against the vampires has been over for sixteen years. Humans control the American continents. Werewolves control the forests. Vampires control the rest of the world.

A new president has risen to power in Topia and the Day Soldiers must decide if he’s a friend or an enemy. If he’s a friend, great. Peace will continue. But if he’s an enemy, fighting him won’t be easy. He’s not just commanding an army. He’s the leader of a vampire world.

Everything has changed. The old rules no longer apply. The Day Soldiers know they have two choices: They can die... or they can evolve.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brandon Hale
• Release date: Dec 6, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310725838

Brandon Hale

"I write the books I want to read. It's really that simple.As an author, I try my best to make every story a roller coaster ride through a world that is both mysterious and familiar. I hope my books leave readers satisfied, but wanting more. I try to make my books thought-provoking, but not preachy. At its core, a good book should be fun, and I try my very best to deliver that to my readers.But mostly, I just write the book I want to read." - Brandon Hale

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Topia

Day Soldiers Book Three

Brandon Hale

Published by Brandon Hale at Smashwords

Copyright © 2013 by Brandon Hale

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is dedicated to the fans of the Day Soldiers series. You are the reason this book exists. Thank you for your support.

Chapter 1

The Vampire Outbreak in Colorado

He’s coming.

I know he’s coming, Susan Martin said to the empty room. I can hear him walking up the stairs.

Do it fast, Susan. Don’t give yourself time to back out. If it’s not done before the Day Soldiers get there, the plan is ruined.

Susan nodded. Don’t worry, she said. I got this.

Do you remember what to say to the soldiers when they get there?

Yes, Susan said with a sigh. You know, you’re very annoying for an inner voice.

Am not.

"Who are you? Really. Most of my inner voices are female and they never ask me to do things like this."

That’s because I’m not really an inner voice. We covered this already.

The bedroom door opened and Susan’s husband stepped inside. Dan Martin was a handsome man of forty years. He had a certain nerdy quality to him, but it only added to his good looks. In one hand, he held a wooden stake. In the other, he held a baseball-sized balloon. He offered the balloon to Susan.

Here, he said. It’s full of holy water. It won’t kill them but it’ll burn the hell out of em. Hopefully, it’ll make them run.

You said they can’t come in the house, Susan said, her voice trembling with pretend fear. You said we were safe.

"I said they won’t come in the house, Dan said. That’s not the same thing as can’t. Some of them might overcome it. The grenade is just… insurance."

I’d rather have the stake, Susan said.

Dan shook his head. You’re not trained in combat. The stake would be useless to you.

Dan, Susan said, you’re not exactly a warrior yourself.

I’m a Day Soldier, Susan.

You’re a computer technician.

We get combat training.

You had combat training like five years ago, Susan said.

Just take the damn grenade! Dan snapped. I don’t have time to argue with you. You’re safer with the grenade.

No, Susan said. I won’t feel safe unless I have something that can kill them.

Dan sighed and handed her the stake. Whatever, he said. Long as you stay in this room, it’s unlikely you’ll have to fight one anyway.

Did you reach your friends?

Dan nodded. HQ is sending a team. Should be here within the hour. We’re lucky. A group of soldiers from Virginia were already nearby, investigating some vamp sightings in the mountains. Probably the bastards outside.

Susan walked to the window and looked at the chaos on the street below. Vampires were everywhere. Some were feeding on the unlucky humans who weren’t able to get to safety in time. Others were standing outside the windows of various houses.

I don’t understand what’s happening, Dan, Susan whispered.

Yes you do.

It’s just a group of survivors from the war, Dan said.

The war’s been over for fifteen years, Susan said. Where did these things come from?

I sent them.

Sixteen years, actually, Dan said. My guess… they’ve been surviving in the mountains. These are the old guys, from before the Purge. They’re probably starving. I bet they don’t even know the war’s over.

What an idiot. They were living underground, hiding because of the Purge. I contacted them and sent them there. Told them the war was back on. I promised them a place in the new order. Poor dumb, bald bastards.

Hush, Susan said.

Dan stared at his wife for a few seconds then said, Did you just tell me to hush?

Do it.

No, Susan said to her husband. I wasn’t talking to you.

Dan cocked an eyebrow. Susan, have you been taking your medication?

Kill him now!

Susan stood silently, staring at her husband. She tightened her grip on the stake.

Dan spoke slowly and deliberately. Honey, are you hearing voices again?

No, Susan said. She could tell by the look in Dan’s eyes that he knew she was lying.

Listen to me very carefully, Dan said. "You’re having an episode, but it could be more. It’s like we’ve discussed. People with schizophrenia are very vulnerable to being telepathically controlled by vampires. If you hear a voice right now, it could be one of the creatures outside. Susan, you have to resist whatever it’s telling you."

He’s half right. I’m a vampire, but I’m not outside. I’m hundreds of miles away.

Dan, Susan said, I can’t take it anymore. He can make the voices stop. He can end the paranoia.

Dan’s voice hinted of panic. No, he said. He’s lying to you. Stay strong. You can resist him. When the Day Soldiers get here, we’ll get you to safety. Where are your pills?

This is your only window. If you don’t do it now, you won’t have another opportunity. You’ll have to live with your condition for the rest of your miserable life.

Susan wanted to resist. She wanted to tell the voice to go to hell. Somewhere deep inside, she knew her husband was right.

But there was something powerful about the strange voice in her head. It was damn near irresistible.

No. Not damn near. It was irresistible.

Susan, Dan said, give me the stake.

Go ahead, Susan. Give him the stake.

Susan moved fast. Too fast for her husband to react. She drove the stake into his chest.

The stake was military-issue. Its metal core allowed it to break through Dan’s ribcage with very little effort.

Dan fell to the ground.

As Susan watched her husband die, she saw no fear in his eyes. She saw no hate.

She saw only sadness.

She reached down to pull the stake from his chest.

No.

Why not?

The Day Soldiers have to think you’re hysterical. I think it would be best if they find him with the stake in his heart. Go downstairs. It’ll look like you staked him and ran away in a panic.

I don’t feel sad, Susan said. I only feel excited at the idea of being cured. I should feel sad.

You’ve been tormented for most of your life. I think you’ve lost the ability to feel compassion. Torture will do that to a person.

"Who are you?" Susan asked again.

I’m a vampire. I’m trapped in a tomb in southwest Virginia. I’ve been searching for you for sixteen years.

Why me?

Because you’re special. I needed someone who was connected to the Day Soldiers. I also needed someone who was… receptive to telepathic communication.

You mean you needed someone who was crazy.

Pretty much, yeah.

What’s your name?

You can call me Master. I’ve always wanted a crazy human who’ll call me that. It’d also be cool if you ate bugs.

This isn’t a game, Susan said. Tell me your name or I’m not going through with this.

Everything’s a game.

Well, this particular game will be over if you don’t give me your name.

Fine. It’s not like a big secret or anything. It’s just that I’m kind of famous and I didn’t want to deal with you being all star-struck and shit.

I think I can handle it, Susan said. So tell me. What’s your name?

The voice didn’t answer.

I’m serious, Susan said. Without a name, this ends now.

I was pausing for dramatic effect!

I don’t care about drama. What’s your name?

Travis.

Doesn’t ring a bell.

Liar.

Susan walked downstairs and looked out the living room window. The vampires were still in the street, but none of them seemed to have noticed her house yet. Are you going to call off your pets so we can get out of here alive?

No way. This has to look absolutely real. I’ve told them to kill anybody they see. That includes you, so you probably should get another stake. But not the one in your husband’s heart.

You’re kind of a jerk, Susan said.

You have no idea.

Before Susan could reply, a bright light burst onto the street in front of her house.

***

It took Susan a moment to realize the light was coming from a vehicle. A heavily armored van. The van slid to a stop in the center of the street. The vampires immediately circled it.

A door on the side of the van flew open and several Day Soldiers stepped onto the road. Each soldier carried a crossbow. Without hesitation, they opened fire.

Susan almost felt sorry for the vampires as they fell. The slaughter was bloody but mercifully fast. Within a few seconds, most of the vampires were dead. The creatures that weren’t killed darted back to the shadows.

One of the Day Soldiers – a male – started to go after the fleeing vamps but was stopped by a woman who was obviously his commanding officer. She looked young but battle-hardened. Her dark brown hair was parted down the middle and hung to her shoulders. She wore the standard black Day Soldiers uniform, with one small addition: she had an eye patch on her left eye.

The young woman looked around the town for a few seconds, then pointed directly at Susan’s house.

Showtime.

I’m ready, Susan said.

Let’s put that to the test.

What do you—

The living room door flew open and two vampires ran inside.

Susan backed against the far wall, screaming, You’re not invited!

I… pushed them.

The creatures slowly crept toward her.

Travis, call them off!

No. If they kill you, I’ll know you weren’t worth the effort in the first place. Now’s probably a good time to yell for help.

Susan decided the advice was sound. Help! Somebody please help!

The vampires were hideous. They looked nothing like the Topians Susan had seen on the news. These creatures were hairless monstrosities straight out of a nightmare.

And amazingly, the creatures looked absolutely terrified.

Where is your back door? one of the vampires hissed.

I’m sorry? Susan asked.

Your back door! the other vampire screamed. Where is it?

Susan pointed toward the hallway directly behind her. Back there.

Get out of our—

The vampire’s eyes widened as a slim shaft of wood burst from its chest. Beside it, the exact same thing happened to its companion. Both vampires fell to the floor, dead.

Two Day Soldiers stood behind the now dead vampires. Susan immediately recognized one as the young lady from the street. The girl with the eye patch.

An older man stood beside the girl. He looked to be around forty. He reminded Susan of her now-dead husband. His hair was short and graying on the temples. He wore small, round glasses.

We’re looking for Daniel Martin, the older man said. He’s a Day Soldier. Our information said he lives in this house.

Don’t blow this, Susan. If you blow this, I’ll kill you. I swear, I’ll kill you.

He’s upstairs, Susan said. Tears began to rim her eyes. He’s dead. I… I staked him. Her voice trembled with every word. "He tried to kill me. I begged him to just leave. I begged him, but he didn’t care."

The girl with the eye patch shook her head. I’m so sorry. Did you know him?

I’m his wife.

Damn, the girl said.

The man took a step forward. I know this is hard, but we have to leave. Now. More vampires might be coming.

I don’t understand what’s going on, Susan said. This is New America. The war’s over. Why is this happening?

Most likely, the older man said, it’s just a group of survivors from the war. I saw the same thing happen a few years ago in Alabama. These creatures are hiding all over the country. In caves, in mountains. Sometimes, the hunger is too much and they just attack the nearest town. In Alabama, we had to—

Dad, the girl interrupted, can we save the history lesson for later? We need to get these people to safety.

Right, the man said. He looked at Susan and said, My name’s Carl, by the way. This is my daughter, Ellie. We’re gonna get you out of here.

I’m Susan. Thank you for coming.

There’s a Day Soldiers recruiting station about five miles outside of town, the girl – Ellie – said. You should be safe there.

Can’t let that happen, Susan. They have to take you to Virginia. It’s time for the big lie.

I just don’t understand why he was so obsessed with Lily Baxter, Susan said, trying her best to sound confused. She’s been dead for years.

Beautiful.

The older man – Carl – stopped midstride and turned around. What did you say?

One of the vampires, Susan lied, wasn’t like the others. He looked more… human. Like the Topians on TV. He held us prisoner upstairs and kept demanding information about Lily Baxter. He was convinced she’s alive and hiding somewhere.

What did your husband tell him? Ellie asked.

Nothing, Susan said. What could he tell him? Lily Baxter is dead. But this vampire didn’t believe him. He kept saying he knows she’s alive.

Virginia. You forgot to mention Virginia.

For some reason, Susan added hastily, he was convinced she’s hiding somewhere in Virginia.

Carl and Ellie exchanged worried looks.

I think that’s why he turned Dan into a vampire, Susan went on. So he would tell them everything. Once he realized Dan didn’t know anything, he left. That’s when Dan attacked me.

Carl put a hand on Susan’s shoulder. I’m very sorry you had to endure that, Susan, he said, but I think it’ll be best if you come back with us to Virginia.

I love you, Susan. You’re the best!

Why? Susan asked.

There are people there, Ellie said, who need to hear what you just told us. They’ll have more questions.

We have another vehicle at the edge of town, Carl said. We always keep an extra vehicle just outside the hot zone, in case things go bad. Our troops can finish up here. I think we need to get you out of here as soon as possible.

This is all happening so fast, Susan said.

I know, Ellie replied. It’s a lot to take in. But we have to find out why they’re looking for Lily.

They obviously have bad information, Susan said.

Yeah, Carl said. But that just raises more questions. Why do they care? Where did they get this information? Why did they attack a town in Colorado if they think she’s in Virginia? And why did they come for your husband? According to our information, he didn’t even join the Day Soldiers until a few years ago. None of it makes sense.

I’ve always liked Carl. He’s a thinker. It’ll be nice to talk to him again. I can’t wait to tell him this is all just a bunch of bullshit I made up.

Okay, Susan said, trying her best to ignore the voice in her head. She desperately wanted to tell him to shut up so she could concentrate, but she knew that would raise suspicions. About her sanity, if nothing else. There’s nothing for me here.

Carl turned to Ellie. Is your second-in-command capable of finishing up here?

Totally, Ellie said. She’s every bit the soldier I am, but I don’t see why I have to leave—

Get her on the communicator, Carl interrupted. Her orders are to stay here until the town is clean. Completely clean. Tell her we want one prisoner. No more, no less. Every other vamp dies. Got it?

Dad, Ellie said, I really think—

I don’t give a damn what you think, Carl said. "At least not when it comes to this. We’re leaving. Now. He looked at Susan. You ready?"

Susan gave him a single, silent nod.

Okay, Carl said. Let’s move.

Ellie looked out the front door and said, I’m sure there are quite a few vamps hiding out there. The soldiers have spread out to various parts of town by now. Want me to call them back for escort?

Susan was impressed the girl hadn’t argued more about staying. Once the decision was made, she apparently accepted it and moved on.

Do you think we need an escort? Carl asked.

Ellie grinned. Oh, hell no. She pulled a small handgun from the holster on her hip. I’m eager to test out the newest John Grung exclusive.

You’re going to shoot them with guns? Susan asked.

You bet, Ellie said. After a pause, she added, I winked, by the way. You just couldn’t see it because of the eye patch.

"So you’re not going to shoot them with guns? Susan asked. I’m confused by the wink."

Sorry, Ellie said. The wink was supposed to demonstrate that I’m confident and cool. We’re totally gonna shoot them with guns.

Oh, Susan said. Bullets kill vampires?

Wooden bullets do, Ellie said as she pulled the magazine from the gun, examined its contents, then snapped it back into the gun’s grip.

More specifically, Carl added, they’re wooden bullets coated by a thin layer of silver. The silver absorbs just enough heat to keep the wood intact as it exits the barrel and the heat from the shot melts the silver. By the time the bullet reaches a vamp, it’s all wood.

My dad has a talent for boring people with details, Ellie said.

The details are never boring, Carl said.

The details are always boring, Ellie’s said.

Alright, Patch, Carl said. Let’s get out of here.

***

Ellie stepped onto the street, gun in hand. Her adoptive father stood behind her. Susan stood behind Carl.

With her free hand, Ellie pulled a small canteen from her belt and opened the lid. She turned the canteen upside down, pouring a dark red liquid onto the ground.

Wouldn’t it be easier to just try and make it to the car? Carl asked.

No, Ellie said. It’ll be easier to get to the car when we know all the vamps in the area are dead.

Okay, Carl said. It’s your show.

Then lock and load, Pop, Ellie said. Now, we just wait for them to come to us.

Susan was impressed by the way these two interacted. There was no competition. There was very little debate. Carl was in charge of the greater strategic decisions, but Ellie was the leader in the field. It seemed to work well for them.

If you guys are from Virginia, Susan asked, what are you doing in Colorado?

You’re asking too many questions. Stop it. You’re supposed to be grieving for the loss of your husband.

It’s really just luck that we were in the area when the call came in, Carl explained.

It’s not luck, by the way. I originally planned to contact you months ago, but I found out they were coming here, so I waited.

I’m transferring to Colorado for a while, Ellie said. These mountains are full of escaped vamps from the war. We’ve been getting reports of them for years. We suspect there’s a large nest here somewhere. I’m leading a team that’s gonna hunt them down. We were here scouting for locations for our new base when your husband called in the emergency.

When we heard the report, Carl added, we decided to tag along with the local unit. We had five other Day Soldiers with us, so we figured they could use the help. Which is lucky for us as well. If there’s a pretty vamp commanding these guys, things just got a helluva lot more serious.

Drop, Ellie said.

Without hesitation, Carl dropped to one knee as Ellie popped off a quick shot. The bullet flew over Carl’s head and hit a charging vampire in the heart. The creature immediately fell to the ground.

The assault was fast. Vampires poured from the shadows, charging the trio in the street. Not one made it to them. Every shot fired pierced the heart of a different vampire. Carl stayed on one knee while Ellie stood beside him, legs spread just enough to give her stability.

Susan was stunned by the accuracy of each shot. These two were trained well. Seeing their skill, she found herself worrying that she might not be able to take them down when the moment came.

You’ll do fine. Don’t worry.

Within a minute, the mini-battle was over. All the vamps were dead.

Okay, Ellie said. I like Grung’s guns.

Me too, Carl said with a grin.

Now, don’t you feel better about the trip to the car?

Don’t get cocky, Carl said.

As they jogged toward the end of the small town, Susan said, The one thing I don’t get is why the blood drew them out like that. If they find blood that irresistible, how do humans and vampires live together in Topia?

The vampires in Topia are a different sub-species, Carl explained. "They have far more control. These guys