The Reporter I:
The large tourist crowd in front of the circular research facility made it easy for Kate to get pass the distracted security. Flashlight in hand, she climbed through an open window, she landed somewhat gracefully on the blue marble floor.
“Alright.” She whispered, shining the light in the dark room. Carefully she peeked outside the door, the halls were empty. The crowd and press outside required the full attention of security.
The DOBW was her only lead. This story could shed light to the public even if slightly. To prepare them whenever terrorists decide to unleash another bio weapon. Kate still recalled the news she heard about Spring city. It was safely handled by the P.A.L, but the suddenness of the outbreak meant it could happen again.
Kate navigated the maze like facility, expertly she hid behind the corners when she saw the rotating cameras. The door at the end of the fluorescent hall was labeled “Records Room.” She held beck a smile, but the excitement was written all over her brown eyes.
The door was unlocked to her surprise, leaving her entrance uninterrupted. The large room seemed cramped with the mountains of papers, with a dimly lit computer in the middle of it all. When she touched the keyboard, her eyes narrowed.
It was warm. Whoever was previously using it couldn’t have been far. Not wasting another second, Kate went through the open computers files. Specifically she looked for any recent activity linked to the Spring City incident.
Multiple images appeared, including the appearance of the infected. Kate winced, she scrolled past it, looking to the more peculiar information. Just days prior to the incident, the P.A.L intercepted an Arms deal, succeeding in capturing a POI. The rest of the information she was unable to access.
Kate reached in the pocket of her leather jacket, taking out the USB she prepped for her missions. The information uploaded to the small piece, the percentage ticked up at snails pace.
12..13…14…15..
A shuffle in the room tore her attention away from the screen. One hand had her flashlight held up to uncover the source, while the other reached for the gun on her hip.
A shadow with a human shape came into her field of vision, prompting her to shine the light on it. It leaped from its hiding place behind the stack of papers. Kate, completely startled stumbled back into the desk. Her gun raised to the assailant, who froze at the sight.
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Within the beacon of her flashlight, she saw the attacker much more clearly now. A man, above average height, tanned skin and parted hair. He was wearing a suit, though it wasn’t very sophisticated. The tie was loose, as was the jacket, and she could see coffee stains on the shirt underneath. His hands were raised in a peaceful gesture.
“Easy..easy.” He said, his voice thick with a Mexican accent.
“Who the hell are you, and why are you being in here!?” Kate questioned through gritted teeth. Her gun didn’t lower, her suspicions only raised.
Several moments of hesitation on the strangers part, it served only to frustrate Kate further. She had half a mind to pull the trigger but a gut feeling told her he’d be useful. Even for just a while.
“I’m Detective Luis Vera..I’ve come to warn the P.A.L about something terrible happening in Mexico. Monstrous things.” The man blurted out, his hands shook as he spoke. Like the thought of these “monstrous things” terrified him even in Nevada, over a thousand miles away. Still she didn’t trust him.
“Yeah? What kind of things? And why are you here and not at P.A.L warning them?” She punctuated each word with a wave of the gun.
“Things that make the spring city outbreak look like child’s play. I’m here to get some real proof, to find anything that’ll convince them.” Luis backed inches away each time she waved the gun.
The thought of something that much worse than the infected in spring city gave Kate pause. She’d have to hear him out.
“Alright, I’ll take you there personally. You won’t need any proof from this place anyway. I can get you an audience with them.” She began lowering her gun, not quite putting it away though.
Confusion etched Luis’s face.
“How would you be able to do that?”
Kate grinned at the question, she loved playing this card. She held her hand out to him.
“Kate Moore. My brother is Chris Moore, Head captain of the P.A.L.”
Luis’s jaw dropped, he seemed to forget he was still at gunpoint. He took her hand, leaning down to seemingly kiss it. Kate retracted her hand.
“That’s a..new reaction..” Her brow furrowed.
“You don’t understand señorita, it seems you and I were destined to meet. You may have just saved so many people.” His tone and the look in eyes held admiration, she almost thought he’d get on one knee.
“Thanks..I think. Listen I’ll get you an audience but if I find out you’re playing me, I’ll kick your ass. Got it?” Kate gave a small glare, to communicate she wasn’t kidding.
Luis nodded in affirmation, still he kept the charming smile.
“Of course.”
The computer sounded behind her. Kate carefully turned to check on it. A grin etched her face when she saw the screen.
99…100%.