78146354 alice in deadland mainak dhar

7/31/2019 78146354 Alice in Deadland Mainak Dhar

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AliceinDeadlandMainakDharUnknown(2011)Rating:

ProductDescriptionCivilizationasweknowitendedmorethanfifteenyearsago,leavingasit'slegacybarrenwastelandscalledtheDeadlandandanewterrorforthehumanswhosurvivedhordesofundeadBiters.Fifteenyear-oldAlicehasspentherentirelifeintheDeadland,hereducationconsistingofhowbesttousegunsandknivesintheongoingwarforsurvivalagainsttheBiters.Oneday,AlicespotsaBiterdisappearingintoaholeinthegroundandfollowsit,insearchoffabledundergroundBiterbases.WhatAlicediscoverstherepropelsherintoanaction-packedadventurethatchangesherlifeandthatofallhumansintheDeadlandforever.Anadventurewhereshelearnstheterribleconspiracybehindtheruinofhumanity,thetruthbehindtheoriginoftheBiters,andtheprophecythemysteriousBiterQueenbelievesAliceisdestinedtofulfill.


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AprophecybasedonthecharredremainsofthelastbookintheDeadland-abookcalledAliceinWonderland.


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AliceinDeadlandMainakDhar,2012http://www.mainakdhar.comThisnovelisaworkoffiction,andallcharactersandincidentsdepictedinitarepurelytheresultoftheauthor'simagination,orhavebeenusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetorealpeopleorincidentsispurelycoincidental.


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Asalways,forPuja&Aadi


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TABLEOFCONTENTSAliceinDeadlandAbouttheAuthor


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ONEAlicewasbeginningtogetverytiredofsittingbyhersisteronthehill,andofhavingnoBiterstoshoot.Onceortwiceshepeepedthroughhersniperrifle'sscope,butcouldseenotargets.'Whatistheuseofanambush',thoughtAlice,'withoutanyBiterstoshootinthehead?'Alicewasfifteen,andhadbeenbornjustthreemonthsafterTheRising.Heroldersisterandparentssometimestalkedofhowtheworldhadbeenbefore.Theytalkedofgoingtothemovies,ofwatchingTV,oftakinglongdrivesinthecountryside,ofschool.Alicecouldrelatetononeofthat.TheonlylifeshehadknownwasoneofhidingfromtheBiters.Theonlyeducationthatsheknewtobeusefulconsistedofthreesimplelessons-ifaBiterbitesyou,youwillbecomeoneofthem;ifaBiterbitessomeoneyouknow,itdoesn'tmatterwhetherthatpersonwasyourbestfriend,theywerenowaBiterandwouldripyourthroatoutinaheartbeat;andifyoucouldtakeonlyoneshot,aimforthehead.Onlythehead.NothingelsewouldputaBiterdownforgood.Sohereshewas,lyingonasmallhillock,herrifleathershoulder,waitingtopickoffanystragglerswhoescapedthemainforce.Thefirstfewyearsofherlifehadbeenoneofhiding,andofsurvivingfromonedaytoanother.Butthen


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thehumanshadbeguntoregroupandfightback,andtheworldhadbeenengulfedinanever-endingwarbetweenthelivingandtheundead.Alice'sparentswerepartofthemainassaultforcethatwasnowsweepingthroughagroupofBitersthathadbeenspottedneartheirsettlement.Shecouldheartheoccasionalpopofgunsfiring,butsofarnoBitershadcometheirway.Hersisterwaslyingquietly,asalwaysobedientandsomber.Alicecouldnotimaginejustlyinghere,gettingboredwhentheactionwaselsewhere,soshecrawledawaytotheedgeofthesmallhilltheywereonandpeeredthroughherscope,tryingtogetaglimpseoftheaction.That'swhenshesawhim.TheBiterwaswearingpinkbunnyearsofallthings.ThatinitselfdidnotstrikeAliceasstrange.Whensomeonewasbittenandjoinedtheundead,theyjustcontinuedtowearwhattheyhadbeenwearingwhentheywereturned.Perhapsthisonehadbeenatapartywhenhehadbeenbitten.ThefirstBitershehadshothadbeenwearingatatteredSantaClaussuit.UnlikekidsbeforeTheRising,shehadnotneededherparentstogentlybreakthenewsthatSantaClauswasnotreal.WhatwastrulypeculiaraboutthisBiterwasthathewasnotmeanderingaboutmindlesslybutseemedtobelookingforsomething.TheBitersweresupposedtobemindlesscreatures,possessedofnointelligenceotherthananoverpoweringhungertobitetheliving.Shebracedherself,centeringthecrosshairsofherscopeontheBiter'shead.Hewasagoodtwohundredmetersawayandmovingfast,


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soitwashardlygoingtobeaneasyshot.That'swhentheBiterwiththebunnyearsdroppedstraightintotheground.Alicelookedon,transfixed,andthenwithoutthinkingofwhatshewasgettinginto,rantowardsthepointwheretheBiterhadseeminglybeenswallowedupbytheground.Herheartwaspoundingasshecamecloser.FormonthstherehadbeenrumorsthattheBitershadcreatedhuge,undergroundbaseswheretheyhidandfromwhichtheyemergedtowreakhavoc.TherewerestoriesofentirehumanarmiesbeingdestroyedbyBiterswhosuddenlymaterializedoutfromthegroundandthendisappeared.However,nobodyhadyetfoundsuchabaseandthesestorieswerelargelydismissedasbeinglittlemorethanfancifulfairytales.HadAlicemanagedtofindsuchabase?Herexcitementgotthebetterofhercaution,andsheranonalone.Sheshouldhavealertedhersister,sheshouldhavecalledforreinforcements,sheshouldhavedonealotofthings.Butatthatmoment,allsherememberedwaswheretheBiterhaddroppedintothegroundandofwhatwouldhappenifshehadtrulyfoundanundergroundBiterbase.Shewasanexcellentshot,farbetterthanmostoftheadultsinthesettlement,andshewasfast.Iftherewasonethingshehadbeentoldbyallherteacherssinceshestartedtraining,itwasthatshewasabornfighter.Shecouldputamantwicehersizeonthematinthewinkofaneye,and


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shehadshownhermettleinnumerousskirmishesagainsttheBiters.Yet,shewasnotallowedtoleadraidsfarfromthesettlement.Thathadalwaysgrated,butwithherfatherbeingoneoftheleadersofthesettlement,shewasunabletodoanythingtochangethat.Heclaimedthatherexcellentshootingandscoutingskillswerebetterusedindefensiverolesclosetotheirsettlement,andhadpromisedherthatwhenshewasolderhewouldreconsider,butsheknewthatwasanervousfatherspeaking,nottheleaderoftheirsettlement.Thiscouldchangeallthat.Suddenlyshefeltthegroundgivewayunderherandshefeltherselffalling.Shemanagedtoholdontoherrifle,butfoundherselfslidingdownasmooth,steepandcurvingslope.Thereseemedtobenohandholdsorfootholdsforhertoslowherdescentortotryandclimbbackup.Shelookeduptoseetheholethroughwhichlightwasstreamingindisappearasthetunnelshewasfallingdowncurvedandtwisted.Alicescreamedasshecontinuedfallinginutterdarkness.***IttookAliceafewminutestogetherbearings,asshewastotallydisorientedinthedarkandalsowindedbyherfall.Shesawthatherfallhadbeenbrokenbyathickcushioning


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ofbranchesandleaves.ShehadheardwhispersthattheBiterswerenotthemindlessdronesthatmanyadultsdismissedthemtobe,butthoseaccountshadbeendismissedbymostpeopleasfancifultales.Shewonderediftherewassometruthtothoserumorsafterall.Ashereyesadjustedtothedarknessshesawasliveroflighttoherrightandcrawledtowardsit.Asshewentdeeperintothetunnel,whileshestillcouldnotseemuch,thesmellwasunmistakable.Therottenstenchthatsheknewcamefromonlyonepossiblesource-thedecayedbodiesoftheundead.EventhoughshehadseentheaftermathofmanyaskirmishwiththeBiters,andwasnostrangertothestench,shefoundherselfgagging.Asshecameclosertothelight,shesawthatthetunnelopenedintoasmallroomthatwaslitbycrudelyfashionedtorcheshungonthewalls.Shecouldhearsomevoicesandasshepeepedaroundthecorner,shesawthattherabbit-earedBitershehadfolloweddownwasinanimatedconversationwithtwoothers.Oneofthemwas,orratherhadbeeninlife,perhapsastrikingyoungwoman.Nowherskinwasyellowinganddecayedandhunginloosepatchesonherface.Herclothesweretatteredandbloodied.TheotherBiterwithherwasaplump,shortmanwhoseemedtohavethebetterpartofhisleftsidetornoff,perhapsbyamineoragrenade.Alicehadbeenaroundweaponsforaslongasshecouldremember,andwhileallhumansnowneededtobeabletodefendthemselves,Alicehadshownaspecialtalentforfighting,perhapsonehermotherdidnotalways


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approveof.HermotherhadwantedAlicetodoastheotheryoungpeopledidandstandonguarddutyclosetothesettlements,butAlicehadalwayswantedtobeintheforefront,tofeelthethrillthatcamewithit.Now,Alicethought,shehadperhapsgotmorethrillsthanshehadeverbargainedfor.ShewastrappedinanundergroundBiterbase,withnoapparentwayout.TheBitersweretalkinginamixtureofgrowlsandmoans,buttheyseemedtobecommunicatingwitheachother.Nowthatshegotacloserlookattherabbit-earedBitershehadfollowedin,sherealizedthathehadbeeninlifenotmucholderthanher.Perhapshehadbeenonhiswaytoacostumepartywhenhehadbeenbitten.Asheturnedhishead,Alicesawwhatmayhaveoncebeenasmilenowreplacedbyaferalgrinthatrevealedbloodiedteeth.Alice'sheartstoppedasBunnyEarslookedstraightather.Forasecondshehopedthathehadnotseenher,buthebaredhisteethandemittedascreechinghowlthatsentashiverupherspine.AsallthreeBitersturnedtolookather,sheexplodedintoaction.Alice'sgraspofthealphabetmayhavebeentenuousdespitehermother'smanyfailedattemptstoteachherthelanguagesofyore.ButafterTheRising,Alicesawnouseforthem-therewerenobookstoread,andnotimetoreadthemeveniftheyhadremained.ButwhatAliceexcelledinschoolat,andcoulddoalmostwithoutconsciousthought,


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washowtothumbthesafetyoffherhandgunandbringituptoatwohandedholdwithinthreeseconds.ThefirstshottookthefatBitersquarelyintheforeheadandhewentdownwithanunceremoniousflop.Asthetwoothersboredownonherintheslightloping,lumberinggaittheBiterswereknownfor,shefiredagainandagain,theshotsfromhergunechoingintheundergroundcavern.ShehitthefemaleBiteratleasttwiceinthechestandthenknockedherflatwithaheadshot.BunnyEarswasnowbarelyafewfeetawaywhenAlice'shandgunclickedempty.Shecursedunderherbreathatherhorribleaim,realizingjusthowmucheasieritwastoshootattargetsinpracticeorsnipefromhundredsofmetersawaycomparedtobeingsoclosetoBitersoutforherblood,andwithherhearthammeringsofastshecouldbarelykeepherhandsstraight,letaloneaim.Aliceheardfootstepsandhowlsbehindher,andrealizedwithastabofpanicthatshewasnowwellandtrulytrappedbetweenBunnyEarsandotherswhomayhavecomebehindherdownthehole.Shelookedaroundfranticallyandsawasmallopeninginthewalltoherright.SherantowardsBunnyEars,divingdownatthelastminutebeneathhisoutstretchedfingersthatwerecrustedoverwithdriedblood.Alicestoodonlyaboutfivefeettall,andwaslean,butshehadbeentopofherclassinunarmedcombat.ShesweptherlegsundertheBiter,comingupinoneseamlessmotionasBunnyEarsfelldowninaheap.Sherantowardstheholeinthewalland


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turnedaroundtoseeatleastfourmoreBiterscomingbehindher.Alicefumbledatherbeltandtooktheloneflashbanggrenadeshehadslungthere.Assheranintotheholeshepulledthepinandrolleditonthegroundbehindher,andthencontinuedtorunatfullspeedintothedarknessofthehole.Sheheardthethumpofthegrenadeafewsecondslater,hopingthattheintenseflashoflightitemittedwouldslowdownherpursuersforafewsecondsandbuyhersometime.Withthathopecameasoberingthought.Timetodowhat?ShewasstuckdeepinsidewhatseemedtobeaBiterbase,andwasrunningeverdeeperintoitsrecesses.Shewaswellandtrulytrapped.***Alicerantillshewasoutofbreathandstopped,goingdownonherknees,moretiredandscaredthanshehadeverbeen.Thedarknessandnarrownessofthepassageshewasindidnothelp,asitmadeherfeeldisorientedandclaustrophobic.Atleastshecouldnolongerhearfootstepsbehindher.Thatdidnotsurpriseher.WhiletheflashbangwouldnotstoptheBiters,sheknewtheyhatedverybrightlight,anditwouldcertainlyhaveslowedthemdown.Also,shewasaveryfityounggirlwhocouldoutrunmostofthepeopleintheirsettlement,whereastheBiterspursuingher,


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whilefearedfortheirferalviolence,movedwiththeircharacteristicstiff,lopinggait,whichmeantshewouldbeabletooutruntheminanyflatoutrace.Theproblemwasthatshewastrappedintheirbase,andalltheyhadtodowastotireherout.Whenshethoughtshehearddistantfootstepsbehindher,herfeargaveherasecondwindandshestartedrunningagain,clutchingherside,whichhadbeguntohurtfromtheexertion.Sheranintoawall,andfellbackhardonherback,realizingthatthetunnelturnedaheadofher.Asshelookedpasttheturning,shesawwhatappearedtobeadoorframedbylightcomingfrombehindit.Sherantowardsit,andasshecamecloser,shewasstunnedtoseeafamiliarfiguredrawnonthedoor.Itwasasealshowinganeagleframedbylettersthatwerebarelyvisibleinthelightcomingfrombehindit.ShestartedtryingtoreadthelettersandgotpasttheU,NandIbeforesherealizedshedidnotneedtotaxherlimitedreadingskillstounderstandwhatitshowed.Shehadseenasimilarsealinoldpapersherfatherkeptlockedawayinadustybox.OncehehadtoldhersomethingabouthimhavingworkedintheUnitedStatesEmbassyinNewDelhibeforeTheRising.Shehadunderstoodlittleofwhathehadmeant,thoughotherkidsaroundthesettlementhadtoldherthatherfatherhadbeensomesortofimportantmaninthegovernmentsoftheOldWorld.TheyhadtoldherthatsheandherfamilyhadcomefromanotherlandcalledAmerica,whichwaswhyherblondhairandfairskinlookedsodifferentfromherbrownfriends.


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ButnoneofthatmatteredmuchtoAlice,ortoanyoneelseanymore.Theoldgovernmentsandcountrieswerelonggone.Nowallpeople,irrespectiveoftheiroldcountries,religionsorpoliticswereboundtogetherinbutoneoverridingcompact-theneedtosurviveinthefaceoftheBiterhordes.Shehadheardtalesofhowhumannationshadwagedwarsagainsteachother,drivenbytheGodstheyworshipped,orthedesiretograboil.Alicerememberedlaughingwhenherteacheratthemakeshiftschoolinthesettlementhadtoldherclassaboutthosedays.Shehadthoughtherteacherwastellingthemsometalltales.Whatwasittheoldfolkscalledthem?Theoneswhohadreadthebooksbeforetheundeadroseandtheworldburned.Yes,fairytales.WhenAliceheardfootstepsbehindher,shewassnappedbacktoreality,andshestruggledwiththedoorinfrontofher,tryingdesperatelytoopenit.Shefoundahandleandpulleditwithallherstrength,andfinallyfoundthedoorbudging.Thedoorwasmadeofheavymetal,anditsappedallherstrengthtoopenitenoughforhertoslipthrough.Shelookedbackthroughtheopendoorandheardtheroarsbeforeshesawshadowsappearinthetunnel.Shepulledthedoorshut,hopingthatwhatshehadheardaboutBitersbeingstupidwasright.ThatoldjokeabouthowmanyBitersittooktoopenadoor.


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Shetookalookaroundtheroomshewasinandsawthatitwaslitbyasinglesmallkerosenelampontheceiling,andwasfilledwithpapersandfilesthatcrammedtheshelvesliningthewalls.Therewasasmalldeskinacornerandwhenshewalkedtoit,shesawsomeoldnewspapersonit.Shehadneverseenanewspaperinherlife,andwasfascinatedbythepicturesandwordsshesaw.Shedidn'tneedtoreadthewordstoknowwhattheyshowed.TheywererelicsofthelastdaysduringTheRisinganditsaftermath.Thereweregrainypicturesofthefirstappearancesoftheundead,whichsheimaginedforthosewhohadneverseenbeforethemmusthavebeenquiteasight.ThentherewerepicturesofburntandcharredcitiestheremainsoftheGreatFirethatthehumangovernmentshadunleashedonsomanycitieswhenitseemedlikeallwaslost.Thatwasthebarren,bleaklandscapethatAlicehadknownashome-thewastelandsoutsideNewDelhi,wheremillionshaddiedintheBiteroutbreakandthenmillionsmoreasgovernmentstriedtocontaintheoutbreakbyusingnuclearweaponsonthekeyoutbreakcenters.Manhadproventobethemostjealousoflovers,preferringtodestroytheEarthratherthangiveherup.Butithadnotbeenenough,andinthefiresofthatapocalypsewasbornarenewedstruggleforsurvivalbetweenhumansandtheundeadinthewastelandthatwasnowknownsimplyastheDeadland.Alicehadbeensotransfixedbywhatshesawthatshehadforgottenallaboutsecuringtheotherdoorstotheroom,


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andshescreamedinagonywhensherealizedthattherewasanotherdoor,partiallyobscuredbyachair,whichwasajar.Sheheardfootstepsbehindit,andrealizedthatwhatshewastakenforescapewasinfactnothingmorethanadeathtrap.Shetookoutherhandgunfromherbeltandasshefeltforthesafety,rememberedwithdismaythatinallthechaosshehadforgottentoreload.Asshesawshadowsenterthedoor,sherealizedshehadnotimeforthatanymore.Sheunslungthesniperriflefromhershoulders.Assuchclosequarters,therewasnohopeofherputtingittomuchuseasalongrangeweapon,buttherewereotherwaystomakeitcount.Asachild,Alicehadforeverbeengettingintoscrapes,andherparentswouldnevertireoftellinghertobackdownonceinawhile,insteadofwadingintoeveryfight.ButonceaftershehadshottwoBitersduringanight-timeraid,herfatherhadgotquitedrunktocelebrateandtoldherthathelovedherspiritandthatnomatterwhattheodds,sheshouldnevergiveintofear.Tobeafraidinthefaceoftheundeadwastodie,orworse,tobecomeoneofthem.AsAlicerememberedherfather'swords,shefeltherfearslipaway.SheknewthattheBiterstriedtobiteandturneveryhumantheyfound,butalsothatthehumanswhofoughtbackthehardestsometimesenragedthemsomuchthattheyrippedthemapart,killingtheminsteadofturning


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themintotheundead.Betterdeadthanundead.Thathadbeenthemottooftheschoolwheretheyhadbeentaughtsurvivalandcombatskills.WhereaslittlegirlsbeforeTheRisingmayhavebeenplayingwiththeirtoysorwatchingTV,Alicehadgrownupplayingwithguns,explosivesandlearningthebestwaytodestroytheundead.Andshehadbeenthebestinherclass.Shewasnowswingingtherifleinfrontofherlikeastaff,movingitaroundherfingerssoitcutsharpcirclesthroughtheair.ThreeBiterscamein,andasthefirstreachedforher,shecrackedhimacrosstheforeheadandleanedtowardhim,sweepinghislegsunderhimashewentdown.Thenextupwasasquatwomanwearingthetattered,bloodyremainsofasaree,andincongruouslyenough,ahugediamondsolitaireearringonherleftear.Therightearwasmissing.AlicedeliveredaroundhousekickthatsentMs.Solitairestumblingbackandthenreversedthesniperrifleinherhand,firingasingleshotthatdisintegratedtheBiter'shead.ThethirdBiter,atallmanwithhisjawmissing,wasalmostuponherwhenshehithimhardinthefacewiththebuttofherrifle.Bitersmightfeelnopain,butitunbalancedhimenoughforAlicetojumpbackafewstepsandputanotherroundintohischest.OnlyaheadshotwouldputdownaBiterforgood,butahighpoweredsniperriflebulletdidimpressiveenoughdamageandslowedone


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downnomatterwhereithit.AgapingholeopenedintheBiter'schestasheslumpedback.Aliceknewhe'dbeatherthroatsoonenoughsoshetriedtochamberanotherroundinherrifle.Thatwaswhenshefeltherrightarmcaughtinacold,clammygripthatwassostrongshescreamedanddroppedherrifle.BunnyEarswasbackandhewasbringinghisfacebacktobiteherarm.Alicekickedhimintheshin,buthedidnotevenwinceashecameclosertodeliveringthebitethatwouldbethelastthingAlicefeltbeforeshebecameoneofthem.Alicedidthelastthingheperhapsexpected.Sheheadbuttedhimandashestaggeredbackandloosenedhisgriponherarm,shevaultedoverthedeskandstoodwithherbacktothewall.TherewerenownolessthansixBitersgatheredinfrontofher,andAlicesuppressedthewellingpanicwithinassheunsheathedthecurvedhuntingknifethatwasalwaysbyherside.BunnyEarssnarledandscreamedinrage,ahellishconcertothatwassoontakenupbyalltheBitersintheroom.Alicehadheardofthisritualbefore.ItmeanttheBitersweregoingtoripsomehumanapartinsteadoftryingtoconvertthem.Alicereversedtheknifeinherrighthandandstoodwithherlegsslightlyspreadapart,justasshehadmasteredincountlesshoursofunarmedcombatpractice.Herteachertherehadbeensomesortofelitecommandointhearmiesoftheoldgovernments,andhehadtoldhershewashisbeststudent.


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Sheslowedherbreathing,focusingonthecreaturesinfrontofher,tryingtoblockoutherfear,tryingtostillhermind.AsBunnyEarssteppedtowardher,shegrippedtheknifehandletightandreadiedherself.Betterdeadthanundead.***


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TWOWhenBunnyEarslungedather,hewasmetwithasharpkickthathadhimrockingonhisheelsandthenAlicedeliveredaknifethrusttohischest.HejustlookedupandsnarledthroughbloodiedteethbeforeAlicekickedhimagain,sendinghimdownononeknee.Aliceknewitwasalosingbattle.ShewashopelesslyoutnumberedandevenifbysomemiracleshemanagedtodrivetheknifethroughoneoftheBiter'sbrains,thatwouldstillleaveseveralofthemtoripherapart.Bethatasitmay,shewasnotabouttogodownwithoutafight.ABiterwithhalfhisfacetornoffreachedtowardsherwithahandthathadseveralfingersmissing.Aliceputallherstrengthintoitanddrovetheknifethroughhisskull.TheBiterfellbackanddidnotgetbackup.Nowshehadnoweapontodefendherselfwith.AstwomoreBitersreachedtowardsher,Aliceoverturnedthedeskinfrontofher,sendingbothofthemsprawling,butsheknewthatatbestshewasmerelydelayingtheinevitable.ShefeltapainfulblowtothesideofherheadasBunnyEarshitherandshefelloverhardagainstthewall.Asshescrambledtogetup,shefeltcoldhandsgripherlegsandsharpnailsdigintoherjeans.Shegrabbedonto


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thebookshelfbyhersideandittoppledoverwithacrash,scatteringpapersandfilesallaroundher.Shewasnowbeingdraggedalongtheground,andcouldheartheBitersscreechinginanticipationofthekill,likeapackofwilddogsaroundtheirprey.AlicelookeduptoseeBunnyEarsloomingoverher,hiseyesyellowedandwide,hisskinpeelingoffinplacesandhisstenchunbearableashebentoverher.Thenhesuddenlystopped.AcoupleoftheotherBiterstriedtogettoher,buthestoppedthemwithanauthoritativeroar.Alicecringedashegrabbedherhair,butinsteadofattackingher,heseemedtobeexaminingit,turningitaroundinhisfingers.Alicewasnearlyparalyzedwithfear,wonderingwhattorturehehadinmindforher,halfwishingthathewouldjustgetitoverwithandgrantheraquickdeath.AsfarasshehadeverimaginedBiterscapableofemotions,shesawaflickerofdoubtcrossBunnyEar'sface,andsomethinghadclearlycausedhimtoputhisbloodlustonhold.WhateverthatwasseemedtobesomethingrightbehindAlicesinceheseemedtobelookingbeyondheratthewallwherethebookshelfhadbeensecondsearlier.HereachedoutwithatornandcallusedfingerandAlicecringed,onlytofindthathewasreachingforthewallbehindher.TheotherBiterswerenowgatheredaroundhim,lookingather.Afewofthemwerejostlingandpushing,


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eagertogetather,buthesnarledagain,andtheyheldback.ClearlyBunnyEarswasinchargehere.WhetherthatwasagoodthingornotwassomethingAlicereckonedshewouldfindoutverysoon.Hegrabbedherhairagain,thistimealmostyankingthemoutfromtheroots,andAliceshouted.Thatgothimfocusedonheragain,andhebroughthisfaceclosetohers.Alicetriedhardnottothrowupasshesmelthisstenchandsawhistornanddecayedfaceupclose.Hewasbutafewinchesawayfromherfacewhentohershockhesaidoneword.'A...a......lisssssssss.'Alicethoughtshehadimagineditbutwhenherepeatedhimself,sherecoiledinhorror.Notonlydidthiscreaturespeakbutitwascallingouthername.Shehadnotsaidanything,butherreactionmusthavegivenheraway.BunnyEarsleaptback,asifhehadbeenelectrocuted,andtheotherBitersalltookastepback.Shewasalone,unarmedandutterlyattheirmercy,butthetableshadsomehowbeenturnedinaninstant.Theyseemedtobeterrifiedofher.No,asAlicestudiedthemalmostbowingdownbeforeherandheardafewmoreofthemgrowling,tryingtoutterhername,sherealizeditwasnotjustfear.Theywereinaweofher.Alicescrambledtoherfeet,unsureofwhatwasgoingon,whenBunnyEarspointedtothewallbehindher.NowthatshehadgotherfirstcloselookatBitersoutsideoftheheatofbattlewhenallthatmatteredwaskillingthemorbeing


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bitten,sherealizedthatwhiletheycertainlylookedhideousandwerecapableofsavageviolence,theywerealsocapableofsomelevelofrationalaction.Shehopedthatifshedidastheywanted,shehadatleastsomechanceofappealingtothatpartofthemandgettingoutalive.Assheturnedtowardsthewall,itfeltasiftheworldhadstoppedaroundher.Onthewallwasadrawing,withsmudgedlinesandcrudelyfilledcolors,asifithadbeenmadebyasmallchild.Butwhatitshowedwasclearenough.Itshowedablondegirljumpingdownahole.Infrontofherwasacreaturethatwaswearingsomesortofcoatbuthadtheunmistakableearsandwhiskersofarabbit.Justabovethedrawingwasetchedinachildishscrawl.'Alice.'Alice'sreadingskillsmaynothavebeengreatbutonethingshedidknowwellwashowherownnamewasspelt.Shesatdownontheground,oblivioustothebloodthirstyBitersjustfeetawayfromher.Whatwasgoingon?Shefeltstronghandsgrabherbyhershouldersandpullherupright.TheBiterswerenowinastateofconsiderableagitationandbetweengruntsandscreeches,BunnyEarswastryingtotellthemsomething.Whateveritwas,theyseemedtoagreeonitsoonenough,andAlicewaspushed


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outoftheroomandintoanothertunnel.Shewastooshell-shockedtoresistorevenaskwheretheyweretakingher.AndsoAlicewasbundledoffevendeeperintotheBiterbase.***Theycontinuedindarknessandtotalsilenceformanyminutes,andtheonlyconsolationAlicehadwasthatiftheBitershadwantedtokillhertheywouldhavedonesolongago.Theyclearlywantedheralive,buttowhatendshehadnoidea.TheysoonbeganasteepclimbandwhiletheBitersseemedaccustomedtoboththedarknessandtheareatheyweregoingthrough,Alicefoundherselfstumblingandfallingmorethanonce.Finallytheyroundedaturnandshefelthandsholdingherbackasifaskinghertowait.Shesawasliveroflightopenupahead,graduallygrowingasthedooroutofthetunnelwaspushedopen.Asshecamecloser,shesawthatitwasnotmuchofadoorbutbranchesandtwigsgatheredtogether,whichwerenowbeingpushedbackintoplaceastheirgroupcameoutofthetunnel.ThebrightsunlighthurthereyesafterhavingbeeninthedarkforsolongandasAlicesquintedandlookedaround,shesawthattheywerenowverymuchintheheartofwhathadoncebeenthebustlingcityofNewDelhi.Nowallthatremainedwasrubble,butsherecognizedthebrokenedificeofwhathadoncebeensomemonumentcalledIndia


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Gate.Shehadonlyheardaboutitfromtheadults,sincethiswasanareathatwasfirmlyunderthecontroloftheBiters,andwasavoidedbyhumans.Allaroundher,shesawevidenceofthat.ThereweresmallgroupsofBiterslumberingaround,andwhenoneortwoofthemsawher,theysnarledandwereabouttolaunchthemselvesather.BunnyEarsswattedoneofthemaway,andgrowledawarningtotheothers.Whateverhesaid,sherealizedthathernamehadbeenmentionedmorethanonce,andtheeffectontheBiterswasimmediate.Theyallbackedaway,asiffearfulofher,andshecontinuedwiththegroupthatwasnowherdingheralongtotheirunknowndestination.Alicesubconsciouslytriednottobreathetoodeeply.WhiletheGreatFireshadtakenplaceyearsago,nobodyreallyknewhowmuchradiationstilllingered.WhenAlicehadfirstheardoftheGreatFiresandtheterribleweaponsthathadbeenunleashed,shehadwonderedaloudhowmuchoftheBiters'hideousnaturewastheresultoftheradioactivefalloutandhowmuchwasduetowhateverhadcausedTheRisinginthefirstplace.Nobodyseemedtohavemuchbywayofanswers.Mostofthenuclearblastshadsupposedlybeenair-burstsdesignedtoincineratetheBitersbutkeepthegroundasfreefromradiationaspossible,butnobodycouldreallybesurewhattheirlegacyhadbeen.HerfatherhadbyallaccountsbeensomeoneseniorintheEmbassy,butthingshadmovedsofastthatevenhehadnorealideaofwhathadbeentheexactchainofeventsduringthelastdays.


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Alicesawthattheywereheadedtowardswhatseemedtobeanopeningintheground.Clearlytherumorsabouttheundergroundbaseshadbeenanunderstatement.Farfrombeinganisolatedbasethatshehadstumbledupon,itseemedliketheBitershadafairlysophisticatednetworkofundergroundtunnelsandbases.Shefiledawayallthedetailsshecouldspotsothatshemightbeabletohelpotherswhenshegotback.Thatkeptherthinkingpositivelythatshewouldindeedsomehowmakeitbackandalsotookhermindoffthegrowingfearaboutjustwhereshewasbeingtaken.Sheheardadullwhirringsoundcomingfromtheskyaboveandshefroze.Shehadheardsimilarsoundsbefore,andinthepasttheyhadalwaysbeenanunwelcomeomen.Today,theysignaledhopeforherliberation.BunnyEarspushedherbehindthewallsofsomeruinsandtheyhidasthethreeblackhelicopterscameintoview.Astheycameclosertotheground,AlicecouldseethatmostoftheBitershadtakencover.Most,butnotall.TwoBiterswererunningaroundfrantically,asifinastateofpanic,tryingtofindsafety.Adoorslidopeninoneofthehelicoptersandtwomenleanedoutwithsniperriflesattheirshoulders.TwoshotsrangoutandbothBiterswentdown,theirheadssplitopenbyhighvelocityrounds.AlicelookedaroundherattheBiterscoweringbehindtheruinsandshesawtheminatotallynewlight.Shehad


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grownupthinkingofthemasrabid,viciouscreatureswhohadtobedestroyedbecausetheironlyreasonforbeingwastodestroyhumans.NowasshelookedatBunnyEarsandtheothers,sherealizedthattheywereabsolutelyterrified.Theycertainlydidnotdisplaymuchbywayofevolvedintelligence,buttheyseemedmorelikeapackofterrifiedanimalsbeinghuntedbyhumansthanabandofevil,ferociouskillers.Shesawseveralofthemshakeinterrorasthehelicopterscameclosertotheground.Shesawthegoldentridentandlightningboltdrawnontheirside,anddidnotneedtoreadtheletterstoknowwhichgrouptheserepresented.Zeus.ShehadsometimesoverheardherfathertalkaboutPrivateMilitaryContractors,andhowmuchpowertheyhadbeguntowieldinthechaotictimesbeforeTheRising.Shedidnotunderstandmuchofwhathadbeentalkedamongtheadults,butknewthatZeuswasthemostpowerfulofthosearmies,andit'spowerhadonlyincreasedafterTheRisingandhumangovernmentshadceasedtofunction.Nobodyknewwhoreallycontrolledthem,buttheyweretheonlyvisiblyorganized,andcertainlybestarmed,humanarmyaround.Everyfewmonths,theywouldvisittheindependentsettlementsliketheonewhereAlicelivedandtryandaskforvolunteerstojointhem,ortryandcoercethesettlementstoaccepttheruleoftheCentralCommittee.ItwasunknownwhomadeupthisCentralCommittee,butthisgroupcontrolledZeusanditwascommonknowledgeinthe


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Deadland,astheareawhereAlicelivedhadcometobeknown,thatonceyouacceptedtheirrule,yousignedawayyourfreedom.AlicehadbeenluckytobeborninasettlementthathadbeenbegunbyherfatherandtheremainingcontingentofUSMarinesguardingtheUSEmbassyinNewDelhi.TheyhadthenlinkedupwithagroupofIndianArmyofficersandtheirfamilies.So,unlikemostothersettlementsintheDeadlandthathadprovedeasypreybothforhumanlootersandBitersinthechaosthatprevailedintheearlydays,theirsettlementhadbeenabletorepeltheassaults,andquicklyestablishedareputationofbeingagroupnottobemessedwitheasily.Eventhen,whenevertheZeussoldiershadcometovisit,Alicehadfeltastaboffearattheirsight.Themenshehadgrownupwithweremostlyprofessionalsoldiers,ormenlikeherfather,fightingtosavetheirfamilies.TheZeustroopersincontrast,weregunsforhire,anddisplayedlittlecompassionorsympathyforthoseintheDeadland.Ifyoudidn'tjointhem,theywouldturntheirbackevenwhenyouwereunderassaultbyBiters.Assnipersonthehelicoptersprovidedcover,mendressedallinblackrappelleddownfromthehelicoptersandbeganfanningout.AlicewasonlytooconsciousofthereputationZeushad,butrightnowbetweenbeingherdedtoanunknownfateasaprisoneroftheBiters,andgettingachanceofgoingbackhome,evenifitmeanttrustingtheZeustroopers,shewouldchoosethelatterinaheartbeat.


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ShewaitedfortheZeustrooperstocomecloser,sincesheknewthatifshetriedtoattracttheirattentiontooearly,BunnyEarsandhisfriendswouldsurelykillher.Shekeptwaitingfortherightmoment,butthenwithoutherhavingtodoanything,adistractionpresenteditself.AfemaleBiternearAlicelosthernerveandranintotheopen,screechingwildly.TwoZeustrooperskneltandfiredtheirweaponsonfullautomaticather,thecriss-crossinglinesoffireturningtheBiteraroundlikeapuppetonastring,beforeshewasthrowntotheground.Whenshetriedtogetup,asniperonahelicoptershotherheadoffwithasinglebullet.AnotherBiterrantowardsoneofthedoorsleadingtoanundergroundbasewhenseveralshotssenthimdown,andonceagainasniperdeliveredthecoupdegrace.Alicewatched,realizingthatthiswasnobattle.Thiswasamassacre.ShesawBunnyEarsandtheotherswithherhuddling,asifdecidingwhattodo,whenshedecidedtomakehermove.Shesteppedoutfrombehindcover,hopingthattheZeustrooperswouldnotshoother,andscreamedatthetopofhervoice.'Helpme!I'mhuman!'***Alice'seyeswidenedinfearwheninsteadofcomingtoher


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assistanceoneoftheZeustrooperskneltdownandaimedhisrifleather.Shewaspushedtoonesideasthebulletstorethroughtheairwhereshehadstoodscantsecondsbefore.ShelookeduptoseeBunnyEarsglaringatherbeforehegrabbedherbyherarmanddraggedherbehindcover.TheZeustroopersseemedtocomprehendwhatwasgoingon,andthefactthatayounghumangirlseemedtobehelpcaptivebythishordeofBitersgalvanizedthemintoaction.MoretroopersrappelledoutofthehelicoptersandtheybeganadvancingtowardsthewallbehindwhichAlicewasnowhidden.BunnyEarswhistled,anearpiercingsoundthatmadeAliceinvoluntarilycoverherears.Whenshepeekedoutthesideofthewall,shesawwhathissignalhadmeant.AllaroundtheZeustroopers,Bitersgatheredamongtheruinsandadvanceduponthem.ThetroopersopenedfireandAlicesawseveraloftheBitersfall,buttheotherswerenowadvancingatspeed.ThesnipersonthehelicopterstookoutafewmoreBiterswithcarefullyaimedheadshots.Alicelookedoninfascination.ShehaddirectlyparticipatedinmorethanadozenskirmisheswiththeBitersandwitnessedadozenormoreasaspotterorduringhertraining.Atthattime,ithadbeenbutnaturaltothinkoftheBitersastheferocious,formidableadversarieseveryonesaidtheywere,andshehadnoteventhoughttwicebefore


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emptyingherclipintotheundeadSanta'sheadwhenhehadblunderedintotheirpathduringapatrol.Now,sittingamongtheBitersandgettingaglimpseofwhatbattleagainsthumanslookedlikefromtheirperspective,shebegantoseethingsabitdifferently.Sure,upclosetheywereformidable,withtheirstrength,seemingimmunitytopain,andtheirsingle-mindeddedicationtobitinghumanflesh.Butintheopenlikethis,againsttrainedsoldiers,theywerecannonfodder.Theycouldnotuseanyweapons,movedslowerthanhumans,anddidnotseemtohaveenoughintelligenceforanythingmorethanthemostrudimentarytactics.ThedozenorsoZeussoldierswerenowtightlypackedwiththeirbackstoeachother,likeaphalanx,andweremovingsteadilytowardsherposition.Theywerestillpickingofftargetsatwill,anddozensofBiterslitteredthegroundaroundthem.ButtheBiterskeptcoming,andAlicesawthatatleasttwoholeshadopenedupintheground,andBiterswerepouringthroughthem,tryingtogetcloseenoughtothesoldierstobringtheirteethandnailstobear.Itwasamassacre,andAlicewonderedwhattheBitersweretryingtoachievebywalkingstraightintocertainannihilation,orweretheyjustsuchmindlessdronesthattheykeptgoing,drivenbyinstinctorbloodlust,regardlessoftheoddsthatfacedthem?Shefeltatugatherarm,andBunnyEarspulledherupand


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draggedheralong.Shetriedtoresist,buthisgriponherarmwassotightthatshecouldnotshakehimoff.Whenshekickedoutathim,sendinghimstaggeringback,henonchalantlyslappedheracrosstheface.TheblowwassoharditknockedherdownandshefeltthegroundspinningaroundherasBunnyEarspickedherupandslungheracrosshisshoulders.Hescreechedloudly,andinapparentresponse,adozenormoreBiterssteppedbetweenthemandtheadvancingZeustroopers.ItbecameinstantlycleartoAlicethattherewasamethodtowhattheBitersweredoing.TheywerebuyingBunnyEarssometimesohecouldgetheraway.Whytheywantedhersobadly,andwhatthedrawingonthewallhadmeantwerebeyondher,butwhatwascertainwasthatherhopesofarescuewerebeingdashed.ShecouldnowseetheZeustroopersfalterandstarttowithdrawinfaceofthesheerstrengthofnumbersoftheBiters.BeforeBunnyEarsduckedintosomeruins,shesawthefirstZeustrooperfallunderagroupofclawingandslashingBiters.Theyweresomeplacedark,andBunnyEarswasrunningthroughwhatappearedtobelongcorridorsofsomeofficialbuilding.Thereweredoorsliningthecorridor,andAlicesawBitershidingbehindmorethanoneofthem.EvenifanyoftheZeustroopersgotthisfar,intheconfinedanddarkenvironment,theywouldbeeasypickingsforthehiddenBiters.ShebegantoreassesstheBitersbasedonwhatshehadjustseen.Yes,theywereclearlynotas


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intelligentashumans,buttheyweredisplayingsomesortofplanningandforethought.Butthebigquestionstillremained-whatthehelldidtheywantwithher?BunnyEarsduckedlowunderacollapsedbeamandfinallystopped,unceremoniouslydumpingAliceontheground.Shesworewiththechoicestofobscenitiesshehadlearntfromyearsspentinthecompanyofsoldiersandglaredathim,buthejustlookedatherwithnoexpressioninhisyellowing,vacanteyes.Hepointedtoaholeinthewallthathemotionedforhertowalkthrough.Whenshehesitated,heslappedher,sendinghercrashingtothegroundagain.'Whatthehellisitwithyou?StophittingmeandImaylisten!'Again,herwordsseemedtohavenoeffectonBunnyEarsandsoAlice,realizingshehadnorealoptionsandnoapparentmeansofescape,walkedinthroughthehole,andbeganasteepdescentunderground.Justafewminutesago,shehadgotherfirstglimpseofhumansforthefirsttimesinceshehadbeenfoolhardyenoughtofollowBunnyEarsdownthehole,andhadbeguntoentertainhopesofrescue.However,nowshewasagainfirmlyintheclutchesoftheBiters,andheadedbackintooneoftheirundergroundstrongholds.Theywalkedforwhatseemedtobeatleastanhourintotaldarkness,andBunnyEarsfinallystoppedinanopening


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thatwaslitbyasingletorch.Alicegrabbedhersides,withbarelyenoughstrengthlefttostaystanding,letalonefollowhimanydeeper.'Ineedwater,ok?Iamnotlikeyou.Ineedtodrinkandeat.'Helookedather,withnoexpressiononhisface,andshemadedrinkingmotionswithherhands,hopingthathewouldgettheidea.Whenhemovedhisrightarm,Aliceflinched,wonderingifhewouldhitheragain.Instead,heheldoutherbackpack,whichhehadtakenfromherafterthefightintheEmbassy.Sheopeneditandtookoutherwaterbottle,drainingitasshedrankeverylastdropthere.Whensheputitbackinside,shefeltinsidethebagforasecond.Shehadherfirstaidkid,andonesignalflare.Whileshehadnoweaponsleftonher,thatflaremightcomeinhandy.WhenBunnyEarsgrowled,shehandedthebackpacktohim,thankfulthathewasintelligentenoughtounderstandwhatshewanted,butnotquitesmartenoughtocheckthebag.Shefollowedhimdeeperintotheabyss,goingthroughseveralmoredescendingturnsbeforetheyarrivedatadoor.WhenBunnyEarspusheditopen,Alicesawthattheyhadenteredsomesortofshelterthatmusthaveoncebeendesignedforusebyhumans.Metalbunkbedslinedtheroom,inwhichdozensofBitersweresprawled.Someofthemhissedandmovedinherdirection,butaseriesofgrowlsfromBunnyEarssentthemscamperingback.


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themgobackup.Iwashopingthattheywouldhaveamoreopenmind.It'sprobablyallforthebetter-thesetwoarepartoftheunitthatkilledallthelittleonesafortnightago.'Thescreechingnowgavewaytoablood-curdlingroar,andAlicerealizedwithastartthattheBiterbeingtalkedtodidunderstandwhatwasbeingsaidtoit.ThenextwordsfromthefemalevoicemadeAlice'seyesopenwidewithfear.'Takethem,andoffwiththeirheads.'Aliceheardthemenbeggingandpleadingastheyweredraggedaway,andthenBunnyEarsbegantopushherintotheroom.Shepushedhimback,nowinastateofpanic,wonderingifshewasbeingpreparedforthesamefateashadbefallenthecapturedZeustroopers.'Letmego!Goddammit,letgoofmyhand!'Suddenlysheheardthefemalevoiceinsidetheroomcallouttoherinasoothingtone.'It'squiteallright,dear.Isuspectyouhavenothingtofearfromme.Comeonin.''Whothehellareyou?'Thevoicetut-tutted,likeadisapprovingschoolteacher.


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'Younglady,Ihadhopedforbettermannersfromsomeonefromoneofthesettlements.YouarenotoneofthewildhumansroamingandscavengingintheDeadland.Comeonin,andwecantalklikecivilizedpeople.AsforwhoIam,thesefellowsdownherethinkI'mtheirQueen.'Andso,shiveringwithfear,AlicewaspushedintotheroomforheraudiencewiththeQueenoftheBiters.***


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THREEWhenAliceenteredtheroom,shefoundherselfinwhatresembledanofficeofsomesort,withalargecouchatoneend,andadeskwithahigh-backedchairattheother.TheQueenwassittinginthechair,buthadherbackturnedtothedoor,soAlicecouldseelittlemoreofherthanaglovedarmrestingonthechair'sside.BunnyEarswasstandingbehindher,andmakingvaguelythreateninggrowlingnoises.Alicehadnoideahowtheycommunicated,butshethoughtafairattemptattranslationwouldindicatethathewasremindinghernottotryanythingsincehewasrightbehindher.ThatsuitedAlicejustfine,sinceshewassoterrifiedthatanyactofbravadowasthelastthingonhermind.'Dear,pleasesitdown,anddon'tmindRabbitthere.He'sjustveryprotectivebutisotherwisequitegentle.'AlicefounditimpossibletocontainadismissivesnortassheconsideredhowanyonecouldthinkofaviciousBiterasgentle.TheQueenseemednottonotice,oratanyrate,takeanyoffense,andsoAlicesatdownonthecouchandwaited.Whenthechairswiveledaround,Alice'scuriositywasinoverdriveandshewasleaningsofarforwardthatshewasonthevergeoffallingoffthecouch.ThenshegotherfirstglimpseoftheQueen,andtosaythatshewaslet


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downwouldbequitetheunderstatementofthecentury.TheQueenoftheBiterslookedlikeafriendlylibrarianatthelocallibrary,completewithhergreyhairtiedinaneatbun,anddarktintedglassesperchedontheedgeofhernose,framinganaging,tired,butkindface.Ofcourse,Alicehadneverbeentoalibrary,andhadneverseenalibrarian,butthefigureshesawinfrontofherwasthefarthestthingpossiblefromthefearsomeBiterleadershehadhalf-expectedtosee.AstheQueengotup,AlicesawthatshewasmostcertainlynotaBiter,withherfaceunblemished,andthatshewasevidentlyIndian,forsheworeasareethathunglooselyaroundherthinframe.'AreyoutheQueen?'Theoldladysmiled,asshecameclosertoAlice.'MynamewasProtima,thoughnobodyhascalledmebythatnameinaverylongtime.Inourworld,IguessIamconsideredtheQueen,thoughwhatIruleoverissomethingImyselfamnotverysureof.Now,younglady,letmetakealookatyouandseeifwhathasgotthesefellowssoexcitedhasanybasisinfactornot.'WhentheQueencamecloserandtookoffherglasses,Alicegaspedandshrankback.TheQueen'sfacemayhavelookedasunblemishedasthat


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ofanyhealthyhuman,buthereyeswerered,dilatedandlifeless,theeyesoftheundead.Whenshegrinned,Alicesawcrustedbloodonherlipsandaroundthecornersofhermouth.Alicebegantoscream,butaglovedhandwasclampedoverhermouth.'Shh,dear.There'snothingtobesoterrifiedof.Yet.'Withthat,theQueengrabbedalockofAlice'shairandpulledonithardenoughtomakeAlicegrimace.'Well,itisrealblondhair.WhenthesefoolscameinblabberingaboutablondhairedAlice,Iwassuretheyhadgotitwrong.WhowouldhaveexpectedayoungblondgirlinthemiddleofwhatwasonceDelhi?'Alicewassittingfrozeninplace.Somehow,thecombinationofherunblemishedfaceandherabilitytospeaksoarticulatelymadetheQueenevenmorefearsomethanthemostoutwardlybloodthirstyandfearsomeBitersAlicehadeverencountered.Finally,shemusteredupthecouragetospeak.'Areyouoneof...'ShenevergotachancetocompleteherquestionastheQueensnappedback.'Oneoftheundead?OneoftheBiters?Whatotherhateful


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labelwereyouplanningtouse?That'salwaysbeentheproblemwithhumans.Youtakeanythingyoufearandcannotunderstandandmakeitanobjectofhate.Somucheasiertohateanddestroythantoseektounderstand.'Actually,Alicehadbeenabouttojustsay'them',butshewastooscaredtointerrupttheQueen'srant,soshejustsatinsilenceandwaitedforwhatwastocomenext.TheQueensatdownnexttoAliceandtookoffhergloves.Alicesawthatunderneaththegloveswerenotthehandsofahealthyhuman,butyellowed,decayedandbloodcrustedhandscriss-crossedwithopenwoundsandbitemarks.WhentheQueenlaidacold,hardhandonAlice'swrist,sheinvoluntarilyflinched,butthevicelikegriponherwristpreventedherfrommoving.Inabriefmomentofpanic,Alicecontemplatedstrikingout,butalowgrowlbehindherwarnedherthatBunnyEarswasrightthere,watchinghereverymove.'Dear,youmustbewonderingwhatallthefussisabout,right?'AlicenoticedthattheQueen'sfacewastwitchingandwhileherlifelesseyesbetrayednoemotion,sheseemedexcitedlikealittlegirlatatoyshop.'ItistheprophecyIhadmade.Itisfinallycomingtrue,andthatmeansthatourdaysofsufferingwillcometoanend.'


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AlicehadnoideawhattheQueenwastalkingabout,soshejustwaitedforhertocontinue.'Don'tyousee?Youmustbetheonethebooktoldmeabout.''Whatbook?'TheQueengotup,andAlicesawthatshewasvirtuallyhoppinginexcitement.Atthatpoint,Alicerealizedthathumanorundead,onethingwasforsure.TheQueenwastotallyunhinged.TheQueenwalkedbacktoherdeskandfishedinthedrawersforafewsecondsbeforebringingoutsomethingcoveredinacoarsecloth.Assoonassheraisedthepackageinherhands,AlicesawthatBunnyEarshadgonedownonhisknees.Severalthoughtswerebuzzingthroughhermind.SincewhendidmindlessBitersgetreligious?Howthehellwasthisso-calledQueenpartlyhumanandpartlyBiter?HowwasitatallpossiblethatsheofallpeoplehadanythingtodowithanyprophecythiscrazedoldQueenclaimedtohavemade?TheQueenwasnowinfrontofAliceandholdingthepackageinfrontofher.'Doyourealizewhatthisis?'OfcourseAlicehadnowayofknowing,butshewasyoungenoughtonotknowarhetoricalquestion,sosheshookher


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head.AnyresponseonherpartwaslargelyunnecessarybecausetheQueenwasinatrancelikestate,talkingwithoutapause.'Whenthemadhumangovernmentsrainedfire,Ihidintheundergroundchambersthattheyhadmadeasbombsheltersandoldsewers,movingfromonetunneltoanother.DoyouknowhowlongIwasdownthere?'Anotherrhetoricalquestion,andthentheQueencontinued.'IkeptmyphonerunningaslongasIcould,turningitonforafewsecondseverydaytoseethetimeanddate.WhenIlostit,ithadbeenthreemonths.Ihadbeenbittenseventimes.'TheQueenputthepackageonthesofanexttoAliceandraisedhersleeves,showingabloody,mangledmessonherhands.AlicewonderedagainhowthiswomanhadretainedsomehumanfacultiesdespitesoobviouslyhavingbeenbittenbyBiters.Also,sheshudderedtothinkjusthowhorribleitmusthavebeentowanderaloneinthedarktunnels,surroundedbycrazedBitersinutterdarkness,withnoeasyaccesstofoodorwater.Anybodywouldhavelosttheirmindinsuchcircumstances.TheQueencontinued.'IwouldhavegivenupandkilledmyselfifIhadbeenjustahuman,butasyoucansee,Iwasbecomingsomethingmore.Ididnothavemuchtoeat,soIscroungedaroundfor


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herbsandleaves.Andoneday,Ifoundthis.'Shemotionedtothepackage.'Atthetime,Ididn'tknowwhattomakeofit,butwhenIcamebacktothesurfaceandsawwhattheworldhadbeenreducedto,IrealizeditwasperhapsthelastbookleftintheDeadland.'TheQueentookabreakandwentbacktoherdesk,bringingoutabunchofgreenleavesthatsheproceededtochewraw.AlicecouldhearBunnyEarsgrowlinginanticipationandtheQueenthrewhimacoupleofleavesthathegobbleddown.Alicerecognizedtheleavesasganjaleavesandrememberedthewarningsfromtheadultsaboutnevereatingthem.Ifthiswoman,orBiter,orwhatevertheQueenwas,hadbeenlivingonganjaleavesformonths,nowonderhermindwasabitmessedupwithallthehallucinationsitmusthavecaused.ThatfeelingwascementedinhermindwhentheQueentookoutwhatwasinthepackageandhelditbeforeAlice.'BeholdtheprophecyIwasgivenbythelastbookleftintheDeadland.Avisionofyoucomingtoleadustovictory.'AlicesawwhattheQueenwasholdingandsawaslightlycharredbookcover.Itshowedablondegirljumpingintoaholeafterarabbit,andAlicesuddenlyrealizedthatitmusthaveinspiredthedrawingshehadseenandalsoexplained


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whytheyhadbeensoexcitedtoseeher.Shecouldnotimmediatelymakeoutallthewords,butsawhernameontop.TheQueenseemedabitdisappointedatthelackofrecognitionfromAlice,butthenshedidnotknowthatAlicehadnotreadasinglebookinherlife,anddidnotrecognizethetitleonthecover.AliceinWonderland.***Theremusthavebeenhundreds,ifnotmoreBiterscrowdingthelargeundergroundhallinfrontoftheQueen,alldownontheirknees.TheykeptupaconstantcrescendoofhowlingandscreechingthatmadeAlicewanttoputherhandsoverherears.ButherhandswerepinnedbehindherbyBunnyEarsandtheQueenwasnowaddressinghertroops.'Lookather!Theprophecyistrue!Shewillleadustovictoryandwewillthrowofftheoppressionandsavageryofthoseevilhumansforever.Theydidnotwanttocoexistwithusbutnowwewillhaveachancetomakethemunderstand,toacceptus,andletussurvivesidebysidewithmen.Otherwise,wewillwageourfinalwarforsurvivalandmakethemunderstandthatwecanandwillbecomethedominantspeciesonthisplanet.'TheBitersseemedincapableofspeakinginanyhuman


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tonguebuttheyseemedtounderstandtheQueenjustfine,andsoontheyhadworkedthemselvesintoafrenzy.ThemoreAlicesawthem,themoretheyresembledwildanimals,andtheQueenendedherexhortationbyaskingthemtopreparefortheirmissionsthatnight.Alicewasherdedbacktothesmallroomthatwaseffectivelyhercell.ShehadnoideaofhowtheQueenexpectedhertoleadherforcestovictory.Whatcouldoneyounggirlcontribute?Moreover,AlicehadnointentionwhatsoeverofplayingoutwhateverroletheQueenhadimaginedforherinherdelusionalprophecy.Shewasjustbidinghertime,waitingforwhenshecouldescape,andso,fornowshedecidedthatplayingalongwiththeQueenwasherbeststrategy.HerchancecamesoonerthanshehadexpectedwhenlaterthateveningtheQueensentforher.'Alice,theylooktometobetheirleader,butIwasanoldwomanevenbeforeItransformed,andwhileIhadmyskills,beingabletofightandleadinbattlewasnotoneofthem.Youaretheonewhomusttakeonmymantleandcontinueourstruggle.'Alicecouldtakeitnolongerandblurtedout.'Whatstruggle?Whydon'tyoujustleavehumansalone?Whatharmhavewedonetoyouthatyouleadthesecreaturestoattackus?'


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TheQueensatdown,andwhileasmileplayedatheedgesofherlips,hereyeswereaslifelessasever.'Idon'tblameyouforbelievingwhatyoudo.You'vegrownuphearingonlyonesideofthestory,andfrommyoldlifeIknowjusthowgoodthepowersthatbeareatpropaganda.'ShesawtheskepticallookonAlice'sfaceandcontinued.'Iwon'ttryandconvinceyoubecausemywordswouldbeofnovaluetoyou.SoIwillletyouseethroughyourowneyes.'ShenoddedandBunnyEarsgrabbedAlicebyherarmandledherout.Shewasdraggedmorethanledupaseriesofwindingtunnelsandthensuddenlyshefoundherselfoutsideagain.Itwasgettingdarkoutsideandshewasinathicklywoodedarea.Shesawabrokensignandsherecognizedthesymbolsfromsomeofhertrainingwhentheyhadbeenfamiliarizedwiththesurroundinglandscape.TheywereneartheYamunaRiver,orratherwhatusedtobetheriver,butnowwasadrieduptrickleafterthenuclearfirestormsandsubsequentbattleshaddestroyedthedamsandreservoirsfeedingit.ShesensedmovementaroundherandshesawthattherewereatleastadozenmoreBitershidingamongthetrees.Aftermorethananhourofwaiting,sheturnedtoBunnyEars,askinghimwhatitwashehadbroughtherheretosee,buthemerelygruntedinreply,asiftellinghertoshut


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upandwait.Thenasshewatched,somethingstrangehappened.ShesawalargegroupofBitersemergefromthetrees,perhapsahundredormoreofthem.Theywereallwalkinginsinglefile,whichwastotallycontrarytotheimageAlicehadgrownupwithofthembeingsavage,mindlessbrutesincapableofanyactofco-ordinationorreason.ButwhattotallytookherbreathawaywasthefactthattheBiterswerenotjustarandomgroupouttoinflictviolence,butseemedtobeasocialgroupingofsomesort.Therewereahandfulofwomen,manyofthemcarryingsmallchildren.Thechildrenthemselveslookedlikesomethingoutofanightmare,withtheiryellowedskin,andmanycutsandbruisesontheirbloodcoveredbodies,butallthesame,theywerechildren.AlicehadnoideaifthesewerefamiliesformedandbornaftertheadultshadbeentransformedtoBitersofifthesewerefamiliesthathadretainedsomeoftheiroldbondsevenaftertheyceasedtobehuman.Eitherway,yetagainirrevocableproofwasinfrontofhereyesthattherewasmuchmoretotheBitersthanshehadbeenbroughtuptobelieve.Asthecolumncamecloser,Alicegotabetterlookatthem.Withtheirbowedbacksandtrundlingalongslowlyinsinglefile,theylookedmorelikeagroupofrefugeesthanabandofmaraudingmonsters.SheheardBunnyEarsscreechbehindher,andtwoBitersinthegroupaheadrespondedinkind.WhatwastheQueentryingtoshowherbysendingherhere?True,thereseemedtobemuchmoretotheBitersthanwhatshehadgrownupbelieving,butsofarshe


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hadseennothingthatwouldchangehermindaboutjoiningtheQueenorfulfillingsomederangedprophecyofhers.No,iftherewasonethingAlicewassureof,itwasthefactthatshewouldfindtheearliestpossibleopportunitytoescape.Justthen,theconvoyinfrontofherstoppedinitstracks,manyoftheadultslookingupattheskies.Severalofchildrenbeganhowling,theirinhumancriesmakingAlice'shairstanduponend.Shedidn'tknowwhathadsuddenlybroughtaboutthechangeintheirbehavior,butwithinafewseconds,thegrouptransformedfromanorderlyconvoytoatotallypanic-strickenmob.TheBiterswerenowscreamingandrunninginsuchapanicthatshesawmorethanonerunintotreesandfalldown.BunnyEarshadnowemergedandwashowling,anear-splittingnoisethatwastakenupbytheotherswhohadbeenhidinginthetreeswithhim.ItalmostlookedlikeheandtheothershadbeensentbytheQueentoshepherdthegrouptosafetythroughthewoods,butnowtherewasnomoresemblanceoforder.TheBiterswererunningaroundscreaminglikewildanimalsthathavecaughtascentofhuntersandoneofthem,awomanwithabloodiedandmangledchildinherarms,camewithinafewfeetofAlice.SheglaredatAlicewithhate-filledeyes,andbaringbloodiedteeth,seemedreadytopouncewhenBunnyEarsknockedheroffherfeetwithablowtothebackofherhead.Alicestilldidn'tknowwhathadcausedsuchbedlamwhensheheardafamiliarsound.Thewhirringrotorsof


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approachinghelicopters.Shelookeduptoseeseveralblackhelicoptersapproachtheclearing.Zeushadarrived.***ThefemaleBiterwhohadbeenknockedoverbyBunnyEarswasgettingupunsteadilyononekneewhenherheadexplodedinasprayofblood.Alicescreamedanddoveforcoverbehindatreeasmoresnipersaboardtheoncominghelicoptersopenedfire.ShewatchthreemoreBiterscaughtintheopenfall,theirheadssplitopenbyhighpoweredsniperrifles,beforetheothersscatteredamongthetrees.ThechildtheBiterhadbeencarryingwasnowfeetawayfromAlice,andlookingatitshideousform,withit'smangledfaceandbloodyskin,itwashardtofeelanyemotionthewayonefelttowardshumanchildren.Alicewasabouttocrawlawayunderthebushesnearbyandtryandescape,butsomethingheldherback.Shelookedbackatthechildagain,andthistimehiseyesmethers.Therewasnoinnocence,nolove,justtheblank,hate-filledexpressionthatwascharacteristicofBitersandwhilehecouldnotevenwalk,hebegantocrawltowardsher,baringahandfulofhalf-formedteeth.TherationalpartofAlice'smindtoldhertorun,butshewastransfixedatthesightofthislittlechildwhowouldnodoubtbiteAliceandtransformherintoaBiterlikehimgivenhalfachance,yetwhowaslittlemorethanachild.Ahelplesschild.Justthen,ahugeBitereasilystandingmorethansixanda


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halffeettallranoverinfrontofher.Hewaswearingafloppyhatandmuchoftheleftsideofhisfacewasmissing.HepickedupthechildandrantowardsthenearbytreesasAliceheardafreshburstoffiring.Thistimeitwasnotthedistinctivepopsofsniperrifles,butthestaccatoburstsofautomaticweaponfire.ThatcouldmeanonlyonethingZeustrooperswerenowontheground.Alicelookedtoherleftandsawsomethingwaswhichnolessthanamiracle-herbackpack,whichBunnyEarsmusthavedroppedthereinthechaos.Sherememberedthesignalflarethathadbeenthereandcrawledtowardsthebackpack,grabbingitbeforesheagainretreatedbehindcover.Sheunzippedit,andbreathedasighofreliefasshesawthesignalflarewasstillthere.ShelookedaroundandsawthatBunnyEarswasnowheretobeseen.Nowwasherchance.Shepoppedtheflareandsoonaredlightshotupinthesky.ShewatcheditsailabovethetreelineandhopedthatitwouldgettheattentionoftheZeustroopersandsomeonewouldcometogether.Shedidsucceedinattractingattentionallright,butofentirelytheunwantedvarietywhenshesawtwoBitershominginonher.Theywerescreamingandcomingatherwiththeirteethbared.Alicerealizedwithashudderthatoneofthemmusthaveclaimedavictiminthefightingnowgoingonallaroundhersincehismouthwascoveredwithfreshbloodthatwasdrippingontohismuddyandtornshirt.Therewasnotimeandnoplacetorun,soAlicegotready


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tofaceherattackers.Thefirsttoreachherwasthemanwiththebloodyface,athinmanwhowasmissinghisleftarmbelowtheelbowandseemedtohavehalfhishairburntoff.AshescreamedandleapttowardsAlice,shewentdownonaknee,sweepinghimoffhisfeet.Shehadnoweaponswithher,butshebroughtherfootdownonthebiter'swindpipeinacrushingkick.Itwouldhavekilledagrownman,buttheBiterscreamedandbegantogetupagain.ThesecondBiter,atallmanwearingabloodstainedvestandshortswasnowalmostuponher.Alicerantowardshimdodginghisoutstretchedarmsandthenturnedaroundonherheelstokickhisfootfromunderhimbehindhisknee.Itshatteredhisleg,butasAlicewellknew,thatwouldhardlybeenoughtostopaBiterontherampage.Hegotupunsteadilyononeleg,asAlicetriedtorunonlytocomestraightinthepathofthefirstBiter,whosenecknowhungatanawkwardangle,buthismouthwasopenandhelungedather.Aliceclosedhereyes,bracingherselffortheattackthatnevercame.SheheardaloudpopandwhensheopenedhereyesshesawtheBiter'sheadlessbodylyingjustacoupleoffeetfromher.ThesecondBiter,nowlimpingtowardshermetasimilarfateasanotherroundslammedintohishead.Shelookedintothetreesaheadandsawablackcladmankneeling,arifleathisshoulder.HeworetheblackbattledressoftheZeustroopers,butunliketheothersshehad


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seen,hehadnohelmettocoverhisclose-croppedblackhair,whichwascoveredwithflecksofgrey.Hesawherandgrinnedandbegantoruntowardsher.Alicetookasteptowardshim,herheartracinginanticipationofhercomingrescuewhenthreeBitersjumpedoutofthetreesandinthepathoftheZeustrooperwhowaslessthanahundredmetersfromher.HeshotoneintheheadatpointblankrangebeforeanotherBiterknockedtherifleoutofhishand.Alicehadbeentrainedtofightsinceshewasachild,butshehadneverseenanyonefightliketheZeustrooperinfrontofher.Unfazedbythelossofhisgun,heunsheathedalargeknifeathisbeltandjumpedup,bringingitdownintotheskullofthenearestBiter,whoscreamedandwentdown,nottogetdownagain.ThethirdBiterwasnowalmostuponhim,andherolledoutoftheway,takingouthishandgunandputthreeshotsintotheBiter'shead.TwomoreZeustroopersnowappeared,andjudgingbytheirsalutesandthedeferencetheyshowedthegreyhairedman,itseemedthathewasanofficerofsomesort.Hepointedtoherandthetwoofthembegantojogtowardsher.ThatwaswhenthelargeBiterwiththehatcamecrashingoutofthetrees.Hegrabbedthenearesttrooperandsnappedhisneck,thesickeningcrunchingsoundcarryingtoAlice.Thesecondtroopertriedtobringhisrifletobear,buttheBiterbithimontheneck,andhewentdownspurtingblood.Aliceknewwhatwouldcomenext.The


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trooperspasmedandwentrigid,andwhenhegotupagain,Alicesawthathiseyeswerethevacant,lifelesseyesoftheundead.Hisheadexplodedasthegreyhairedofficerfired,preferringtokillhisownmanversushavinghimturnintooneoftheundead,astheBiterwiththehatreareduptohisfullheightandscreamed.MorethanadozenBitersnowemergedintotheclearingandtheZeusofficerretreatedintothetrees,lookingatAliceonce.Astheireyesmet,hecockedhisarmbackandthrewsomethingatherbeforehedisappearedintothetrees,pursuedbytheBiters.TheobjecthehadthrownlandedacoupleoffeetawayfromAlice,andsherantopickupwhathehadthrownjustasBunnyEarsreappearedwiththreeotherBiters.Hegrabbedherarmtopullherawaybutbeforeheyankedheraway,shelookedatthesmallblinkingobjectinherhand.Itwasaradiobeaconthatwouldgiveawayherpositionaslongasshecarriedit.Therewastobenoescapetoday,butassheslippedthebeaconintoherpockets,shefeltanewsurgeofhope.Helpwouldbeonthewaysoon.***'So,whatdidyoulearnfromyourtrip?'ThequestionhadbeenaskedasiftheQueenwere


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enquiringaboutafieldtriptoamuseuminsteadofherhavingjustbeeninthemiddleofalifeanddeathstruggle,soAlicewasn'tquitesurewhattheQueenhadinmind.ThatbecameclearwhenthegiantBiterwiththehatappearedandutteredaseriesofgutturalgrowls.'Hatterheretellsmethatyoucausedafairbitofinconvenience,butifanythingistobelearntfromtoday'sexperience,dolearnthatwearenotfools.Wedidnotsendyououttoofferyouaneasyandconvenientescaperoute.''Sowhydidyousendmeoutthere?I'veseenenoughbattlesandthere'snothingIsawthatIhaven'tseenbefore.'TheQueenturnedonAlicewithafury,baringherteeth,andforasecondAlicewastrulyfearfulthatshewouldattackher,butthentheQueenseemedtocontrolherselfwithaconsciouseffortofwillandansweredinasoftvoice.'Youjustusedyourusualprejudicestofilteroutwhatyoudidn'twanttosee.Iwantedyoutoseeusasweare-asociety,agroupofsentientbeings.Differentfromhumans,butnolessdeservingoftherighttoexist.Notanimalstobehunteddownandexterminated.'ThatdidringabellwithAlice.True,shehadneverimaginedthatBiterscouldbeorganizedinsomesortofsocialunit,andcertainlyhadneverbargainedforthefactthatshewouldseebabiesandwhatappearedtobetheir


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parentstogether.Still,thatdidnotchangethefundamentalequation.TheangeratallthecrueltyshehadseenBitersvisituponhumansinherlifecamebacktoherassheansweredtheQueenwithabittertingeinhervoice.'IhaveseenenoughinnocenthumansslaughteredbyBiters.IhaveseenbabiesbittenbyBiters.Ihaveseengood,decentpeopleturnintobloodthirstyBitersafterbeingbitten.Soit'snotasifyourpreciousBitersareinnocent,helplessvictims.'TheQueenhissed,thoughAlicesensedmoreregretthanrageinherreaction.'Ihadhopedyouwouldbegintochangeyourmindandembraceyourdestiny,butitlookslikeyourmindisstilltooclosed.Ohwell,Ihopeyoucanreflectonitoverthenextfewdays.'Withthat,thegiantBiterreferredtoasHattergrippedherarmandpushedherroughlyoutoftheroom.Shewasledtoasmall,darkroomandthedoorslammedshutonceshewentin.Alicehuddledaloneinacornerofthecold,darkroom,andtookoutthebeaconfromherpocket.Shewatchedthesmallblinkingredlighttillexhaustionovertookherandshefellintoanuneasyslumber.ShedreamtofaBiterbabyhavingit'sheadshotoff,andshewokeupcoveredinsweat.Therewasnomoresleeptobehadthatnight.


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***


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FOURIftheQueen'sintenthadbeentotortureAliceintosubmission,Alicethoughtshewasdoingaprettygoodjobofit.Forthenexttwodays,shegotnothingtoeatordrinkotherthanasingleglassofdirtywaterthatwasshovedintoherroomonceaday.TheroomwastotallydarkallthetimeandAlicesoonlosttrackoftime.Shescreamedherrageoutforthefirstfewhoursbutthenjustsatinsilenceagainstthewall.Shemayhavebeentrainedasawarriorfromanearlyage,butnobodyhadevertrainedheronwhattodoifshewerecaptured.IthadneveroccurredtoanyonethatsomeonecouldbetakenprisonerbytheBiters.Finally,hungry,thirstyanddisoriented,shewasonthevergeofaskingfortheQueenandagreeingtowhatevercrazyprophecysheseemedtobelievein.Anythingtogetoutoftheroom,anythingtogetabitetoeatoradrinkofcleanwater.ThatwaswhenBunnyEarsopenedthedoorandpulledherout,leadinghertotheQueen'sroom.AlicefoundtheQueensittingatherdesk,chewingganjaleavesandholdingthecharredbookthatseemedsoimportanttoher.WhenAliceenteredtheroom,shecalledoutloudlyforfood,andHattercamein,holdingahunkofnearlystalebread.Asdisgustingasitlooked,itwasthefirstfoodAlicehadseeninalmostthreedaysandshehungrilywolfedit


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down.TheQueenwaitedforhertofinishandthensatdowninfrontofAlice,thebookonherlap.'Alice,Iwaswrong.Inmyanger,Ithoughtthatfrighteningandintimidatingyouwouldbringyoutomyside,butifyouaretofulfilltheprophecy,itcannotbethroughfear.Ithastobebecauseyoubelieveinourcause.'Alice,bitterandangryafterwhatshehadenduredoverthelasttwodays,blurtedout.'Yeah,andlockingmeinadarkroomandstarvingmewillmakemebelieveinyourprophecy?Orwillitbethebloodyganjaleavesyougulpdown?'AlicesawthemusclesontheQueen'sfacetightenandonceagainshesawaglimpseoftherageshewascapableof,butshecontrolledherselfassherespondedtoAlice.'No,youremembertheoldquoteaboutthetruthsettingusfree.'Alicehadneverheardthequote,butlistenedastheQueencontinued.'Tellme,whatdoyouknowaboutwhatyouhumanscallThe


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Rising?'Growingup,Alicehadheardthestorymanytimesfromherparents,andthenithadbeenamplifiedandembellishedbycountlessconversationswithotherkids,sotheanswertoherwasobvious.'Everyoneknowsaboutit.Oneday,somethinghappened,andthedeadstartedcomingtolife.Beforeanyonecoulddoanything,theystartedattackingothers,andthosebittenturnedinto...Biters,Iguess.Theycouldn'tbekilledotherthanthroughashotthroughthehead,andtheysoonoverranmostcities.Thenthegovernmentsgotdesperateandbombedthecitiesafterevacuatingasmanypeopleaspossible....'Shecouldn'tcompletebecausetheQueenhadgotupandscreamed,aninhumanhowlthatshockedAlicesomuchthatshegotupfromherchair,whichclatteredtothegroundbehindher.TheQueenwasnowspeakingfastandwithsuchangerthatspittlewasflyingfromhermouth.'Itdidnotjusthappen.Wemadeithappen.'Alicewasn'tsurewhatshewasreferringtoandaskedwhatshemeant.'Us.Humangovernmentsoratleastsomeelementsinourgovernments.TheUSgovernmenthadbeenexperimenting


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withchemicalandbiologicalagentsthatwouldtransformourtroopsintosuper-soldiers,intobeserkersimmunetopain.Atthesametime,therewasresearchonmodifyingthesetocreateagentsthatwoulddriveenemytroopsinsane,arageviruswhichwouldtransformthemintowildanimalswhowouldkilleachother.Weexperimentedwithrats,withmonkeysand.....withhumans.'Alicefoundthathardtobelieveandgaspedaloud.'No,dear.Wedidallthat.InsecretfacilitiesinAfghanistanandotherplaces.Weweredrunkwithourpower,imaginingwhatwouldhappenifwecoulddroponesinglecanisterofthisagentinthemiddleofanenemyarmydivision.Itwouldtearitselftopieceswithoutusfiringashot.Thenitallcameapart.''Whathappened?''TheChinesefoundoutwhatwewereupto,andtheyknewthatifweperfectedthis,wewouldbeinvincible.Theyinfiltratedourprogram,anddestroyedourkeyresearchlabintheUS.Wecouldn'tproveanything-itlookedlikeanexplosioncausedbyagascylinder,butweknewwhowasbehindit.TheAmericaneconomywasindeeprecession,Chinawasontheascendant,andthiswasourlasthopeinkeepingthemincheck.WehadextrastoresoftheagenttheChinesedidnotknowabout,andwedecidedtoteachthemalesson,toshowthemthatwewerestillthe


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superpower.AcovertmissionwasauthorizedandwedroppedtheagentintoavillageinMongolia.Itwasthefirsttimeithadbeenusedonhumansoutsidecontrolledconditions,andnobodyknewwhattoexpect.Ihadpleadedagainstthedecision,somanyofushad,butwewereoverruled.Thousandsfell,thentensofthousandsasitspread.'AliceknewonlyvaguelyofthepoliticsbetweencountriesoftheOldDays,sincenationalboundariesandtheoldcountriesnowhardlymattered,butshefoundithardtobelievethatpeoplecouldhavedonethistothemselves.'Whathappenedthen?IfyouwereinAmericathenhowdiditspreadthere?'TheQueensatdownagain.'Hundredsofpeoplewereinjuredintheblastatthelabandwereexposedtoallthetoxinsandagentswewereworkingon.Thenextday,theystartedtransformingandbitingallthosearoundthem.'AchillwentupAlice'sspine,yethermindrefusedtobelievewhatshewashearing.'WhyshouldIbelieveyou?'TheQueenwenttoherdeskandfishedoutanidentification


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cardandsomepapers.Alicestruggledtoreadwhatwasonthem,buttheemblemofwhatsheknewtobetheUnitedStatesGovernmentwasthere.'Iwasoneoftheheadresearchersonthisproject.IwasbornhereinIndiabutdidmyDoctorateintheUSandjoinedtheDepartmentofDefense.Ithoughtitwasexciting,tobeabletocomeupwithnewwaysoftreatingourwounded,tomaketheworldsafer,butthenweallgotabitdrunkwithourownpower,andwestartedmeddlingwiththingsweshouldhaveleftalone.WetriedtoplayGod,andwewerenotreadyforwhatweunleashed.WhenthedecisiontoattackChinawasmade,IquitandcamebacktoIndia,butbythen,nowherewassafeanymore.Atfirst,afterbeingbitten,peoplechangedafterafewhours,soyouhadmanycasesofpeoplebeingattackedinairportterminalsandboardingtheirflightsafterwhattheythoughtwereminorcuts.Indays,allairtravelwasbanned,butwhenyouhavetensofmillionstravelingbyaireveryday,itspreadlikewildfire.'Alicestillrefusedtobelievewhatshewashearing,soitwasonlyharderforhertobelievewhatcamenext.'AndtheGreatFires,thattoowasofourmaking,ofourpettyjockeyingforpower.ItbeganwiththeUSandChinausingtacticalnukesoneachother.Ithadnothingtodowithmakingtheworldsecurefromtheso-calledBiters.Itwasmandestroyingtheworldwhenitlookedlikeallthat


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matteredtousthen-power,money,oil,werenowgoingtobeworthless.Itwasasifalltheoldrulesandtabooswerebroken.ThenPakistanjoinedtheparty,andIndiaretaliated.IranandIsraelnukeditout.Betweentheattacksandthespreadingofthevirus,theworldbecamewhatitis,andnobodybotheredtodotheonethingthatcouldhavestoppeditall.''Andwhatwasthat?'TheQueenlookedstraightatAlice.'Wehadavaccine,Alice.Wecouldhavecuredthemallifwehadchosentoco-operateandnotturnoneachother.'***Alicebarelysleptthatnight,despitebeingplacedinamuchmorecomfortableroomwithamattressandatablewithcleanwateronit.Shedidn'twanttobelievetheQueen,shedidn'twanttobelievethathumanscouldhavebeensosavage.Allherlife,theBitershadbeentheboogeymen,themonstersofournightmaresthathademergedfromthedeadtoturnonhumans.Hermindfounditimpossibletoprocessthepossibilitythathumanshadbeenresponsibleforstartingitall.Unabletocontainhercuriosity,shewentbacktotheQueen'schambersandfoundhersittingonherchair,


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readingthecharredbookthatsheheldsodear.DidBitersneversleep?ShelookedupasAlicewalkedin.'SoAlice,asthestoryinthisfinebookgoes,haveyoubecomecuriouserandcuriouser?'Alicehadnoideawhatshewastalkingaboutsoshegottothepoint.'Youhavenoproofforanythingyou'vesaid.MaybeyoudidworkintheGovernment,buteverythingelsecouldbeastory.Idon'tknowwhyyouthinkIhaveanythingtodowiththis,orwhyyourfindingthatbookmakesitaprophecy,butthere'snoreasonformetobelieveyou.'TheQueengotupandwenttoherdeskandbroughtoutasmallvialwitharedcapthathadasyringeinit.SheheldoutthevialinfrontofAlice.'Hereisthevaccine.ThelastandonlydoseIknowof.Whentheoutbreakstarted,oneofmycolleaguesintheUSsentmeacoupleofvaccines.TheGovernmenthadlimitedstocksandwasstartingtovaccinatekeyleaders,soitwasareallybigdealforhertotryandsaveme.''Ifthereisavaccine,whydidn'ttheysaveothers?'TheQueenstopped,lookingatthevial.


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'Goodquestion.Manyofusbelievedthattheydidnotwantto.''Whywouldtheydothat?''Therewerealwaysrumors,butnothingmorethanrumorsabouthowsomepowerfulgroupswereactivelymanipulatingeventstocreateaNewWorldOrder.Theybelievedtheworldwasgettingoverpopulatedandwantedtostartover,withaselectgroupofelitesincharge.Powerfulpeople,inGovernment,intheMilitary,inBanksengineeringallthisbehindthescenes.ThetimesbeforeTheRisingwereoneofchaos-manyeconomieswereindeepdecline,andcommonpeoplewerestartingtoriseagainsttheelitewhoseemedtogetricherevenascommonfolkslosttheirjobsandgotpoorer.Therumorssaidthattheseeliteswereseeingtheirgrasponpowerslipawayandsotheyhadalong-termplantowipeoutmuchofthepopulationandstartafresh.That'swherepeoplelikeZeuscomein-theycouldnotrelyontheMilitarytodoalltheirdirtywork,andthat'swhyinthelastfewyearsbeforeTheRising,PrivateMilitaryContractorsweregettingsoprominentandpowerful.'ForAlice,thiswasalltooincredibletobelieve.Secretprivatearmies,humanelitestryingtore-engineertheworldandsoon.Whatshehadgrownupknowingwassomuchsimpler,anditwastemptingtobelievethesimplerversionthanevenconsidersuchapossibility.


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'Ifthatwastheirplan,theysucceeded,right?'TheQueenlookedandAlicesawthehintofasmileonthecornersofherlips.'Wecameintheway.Theyhadneverbargainedforjusthow.....contagiousthisturnedouttobe,orindeedthefactthatsomanyofussurvivedbygoingundergroundintosewersandbombshelters.Theythoughtwewouldbemindlessanimalswhowouldwanderaroundandgetnuked,butIledsomanyofusundergroundandthenweemerged.'Alicenowaskedthequestionthathadbeenonhermindfromthebeginning.'Excuseme,butwhathappenedtoyou?''Asthingsunraveled,andIfoundoutmoreaboutthepossibleconspiracybehindallthis,Igotverydisillusionedandangryandstartedreachingouttopeople.OneofmysourcestoldmethattherewereelitesintheUnitesStateswhowerecolludingwithelementsintheChinesegovernmenttoorchestrateallthis.TheytriedtokillmetwicewiththeZeusthugsandIwentintohiding.ButwhenthechaostookDelhi,Iwasattackedandbitten.Ihadtwodosesofthevaccineonme,andIinjectedmyselfsecondsafterbeingbitten.IwasunconsciousforseveralhoursandI


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wokeupthewayIam.Idon'tunderstanditentirelybutperhapsthecombinationofbeingbittenandthantakingthevaccinewithinsecondsleftmethisway.Manyaspectsofmeweretransformed,butIcouldstillthinklikeahuman,andIwasfuriousatwhatwehaddonetoourselves,andwhatwehadallowedtohappen.''WhatabouttheotherBit...''Isawthemforwhotheyreallyare.Yes,theyareveryunlikethepeopletheywereashumans.Whatthevirusdoes,especiallyasitmutatesovertime,isactivatethemostprimitivepartsofthebrain-soyougetnosensationofpain,hyperaggressivenessandanalmostreflexivedesiretoreproduce-inthiscase,biteotherstoincreasetheirnumbers.'AlicerefusedtothinkoftheBitersasjustinnocentvictims.'Waitaminute,IhaveseensomanyinnocentsettlementsandgroupsmassacredbytheBiters.Theyaren'tjustscaredinnocentanimals.'TheQueensighed,agesturethatmadehersuddenlyseemmuchmorehuman.'Weareallanimals.Weallexperiencefear,andwhenscared,welashout.That'swhatyouandtheotherhumansurvivorshavebeendoing.Ican'tmakethemunderstand


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everythingIknowsincetheirbrainshaveregressedalot,buttheyareinaweofmebecauseIamlikethemyetIcanspeakandcanthinkmorerationally-Ihelpedsavethousandsofthembybringingthemintotheseundergroundshelters.''Whataboutthisprophecyofyours?'TheQueennowhadthebookinherhandsagain.'Ohthatisveryreal.IfoundthebookwhenIhadlostallhope,andinthatfevereddream,Isawyou.Isawusfinallyreclaimingtheworldfromtheevilmenwhomadethishappen.Isawusandhumansstopfightingeachother.''Itwasjustadream.''Everyprophecyisadream,butifwebelieveinsomething,wecanmakeithappen.Thepowersbehindthisconspiracyhaveavestedinterestinkeepingthiswaralive.Haveyouconsideredhowtheykeepthosehelicoptersflying?Howdotheygetthoseweapons,andwhydotheyfocussomuchonbriningmoreandmorehumansettlementsundertheircontrolusingthefearofBitersasanexcuse?Wefightitoutinthesebarrenwastelandswhiletheelitesbehindallofthisareperhapslivinginluxurysomewhere,intheirownsettlementsfromwhichtheyruleoverus,withallthewealthandresourcesoftheworldattheirdisposal.You'veseenonlytheZeustrooperssincetheypatroltheDeadland,butI


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knowtheyarecommandedbyRedGuards,Chineseshocktroops.IhaveseenthemmyselfnearZeusbasesbeyondtheDeadland.HowisittheChinesestillseemtohavesuchanorganizedforce?'SuddenlyabeepingnoisecamefromAlice'spocketsandshefrozeinfear.Shehadforgottenallaboutthebeacon.TheQueenreachedoutandtookoutthesmallspherefromAlice'spocketandrecoiledasshesawthelogoontheside.'Whathaveyoudone?'ThenAlicestartedhearingthedullthudofexplosionsoverhead.***Aliceusedthedistractionoftheexplosionstoboltfromtheroom,narrowlyevadingBunnyEars'outstretchedarms.TheQueenwasscreamingnow,allhumanspeechandcivilityreplacedbythewildscreechingofBiters.Aliceheardfootstepsbehindher,andgiventheragetheQueenhadflowninto,Alicethoughtitmoreprudenttogettosafetyinsteadoftryingtoreasonwithher.ThesoundofexplosionswasnowcloserandAliceranintoacorridorthatseemedtoleadtowardstheexplosions.Overwhelmedbypanicandthehopethatshemightgetbacktoherparents,AliceputasideallthattheQueenhadsaidandfocusedon


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findingwhoeverhadcometorescueher.ShecameacrossagroupoffourBitershuddledinacornerandrealizedjusthowfoolhardyshehadbeeninrunningoutalone.WithouttheQueenorBunnyEarstosaveher,andwiththeattackonthebaseunfoldingoutside,theBiterswouldtearhertoshreds.ThefourofthemtookonelookatAliceandstood,movingtowardsherwiththeirteethbared.Insuchaconfinedspace,theonlysilverliningwasthattheywouldhavetocomeforheronebyone,andsheusedthattoheradvantage.AsthefirstBiter,afatwomanwithherscalphalfshornoffcamewithinreach,Alicekickedherinthechest,puttingallherbodyweightbehindthekick.ThekicksenttheBiterstumblingbackandintothepathoftheonebehindher,andthetwoofthemstumbleddowninanungainlyheap.However,Alicehadlostherfootingandwasnowonthefloor.Sheknewshewasnowinseveredanger.TherewasnowayshecouldfightoffallfourBitersinsuchaconfinedspace,andwithBunnyEarsandotherslikelychasingher,therewasnoquestionofhergoingbackthewayshehadcome.AsthefirstBiterreachedforAlice,hisheadexplodedandhefelltotheside.TheotherBitersturnedtofacethisnewthreatandwithinseconds,allthreeweredown,withtheirheadssplitopenbypreciselyaimedshots.Alicelookeddownthepassagewaytoseethreeblack-cladsoldiers.Sherecognizedoneofthemasthegrey-hairedofficershehadseenintheforest.Hewavedatherwithhisassault


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rifle.'Comeoverhere!'Assherantowardsthem,sheheardhowlingbehindher.Theofficershoutedtohistwomen.'SetupClaymoreshereandlet'swithdraw.'Bothtrooperssettheanti-personnelminesandthenjoinedAliceandtheofficerwhowerealreadyracingupthetunnel.AlicesawsomemovementtoherrightanddovetothegroundjustasaBiterhidinginanopeningjumpedatthem.ThetrooperbehindherwasnotsoluckyasthebigBitergrabbedhimandbithisthroat.Thetrooper'sscreamssoongavewaytogurglingpleasforhelpashefelltotheground,bleedingfromhisthroatandface.Thegrey-hairedofficerwithherkickedtheBiteroffhiscomradeandthenshothimintheheadtwice.Hethenpausedandlookedatthefallensoldier,andAlicesawhimclosehiseyesasheshothiminthehead.Theythencontinuedrunningupthetunnel.Alicecouldnowseethelightaheadfromthetunnel'sopeningastheyheardtheClaymoreminesexplodebehindthem.Astheygotclosertotheopening,shesawmorethanadozenZeustroopers,eachcarryinganassaultrifleandstandingatattention.Theofficershoutedtothem.


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'HoldthemwhileIcallintheairstrike!TheRedGuardjetshouldbeonpatrolnow.'Alicestumbledout,slippingandfallingonthegrassoutsidewhichwasslickwiththedewthatcamewithDelhiwinternightsasthetrooperstookpositionandbeganfiringintothetunnel.Theofficerpulledhertoonesideandaskedhertowaitwhilehereachedintoabackpacklyingnearbyforahandheldradio.'ApacheOnerequestsimmediateairstrikeatlastreportedco-ordinates.We'llbeclearinfive.'Withthat,heorderedhismentoplantafewmoreminesattheentranceandthengetasfarawayfromthetunnelaspossible.ItseemedlikeaneternitysinceAlicehadbeenstandinginfrontoftheQueen,butinrealityithadalltakenlessthanfiveminutes.Alicewasstillinabitofshock,andfollowedmeeklywhentheofficerpulledheralong.ItwasnownearlySunsetandtheskywasbeginningtodarkenastheyjoggedtoanearbyhillandthentheofficerpushedherdown,tellinghertolieflat.Shesawtheothertrooperstakeuppositionnexttothem.Shenowhadaclearlookatthetunnel,fromwhichBiterswereflowingout.Thetroopersallhadtheirriflesattheirshouldersandwerefiringaway.ManyoftheBiterswerehitbyburstsoffullautomaticfireandtwistedandturnedbeforefalling.Aliceknewonlyaheadshotwouldtakethemoutpermanently,butthedamagethebulletsdidwouldmakesuremanyofthem


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neverwalked,asshesawlegstornoffbythelandminesandwitheringfire.Shehadaccuratelyreadtheofficer'smindashebellowedtohismen.'Don'tbotherwithheadshots.Taketheirlegsoffsotheycan'tmoveawayfromthetargetzoneintime.'SuddenlyAlicesawtheentiretunneldisappearbehindagiantcloudofsmokeandasplitsecondlatersheheardthedeafeningboomoftheexplosion.Theshockwavealmostliftedheroffthegroundandasshelookedagain,shesawthatthetunnelhadlargelycavedinandtherewasagapingholeintheground,exposingthewarrenoftunnelsunderneath.ThereweredozensofBiterslitteredaround,theirbodiesburninginthewreckage.Theofficerspokecalmlyintohisradio.'Onemorepass.Aimfortheopening.'AliceheardtheroarofanaircraftflyingoverheadandlookeduptoseeadarkshapesilhouettedagainstthesettingSun.Itturnedtowardsthemanddovedown,andAlicesawasmallcylinderdetachitselffromtheaircraftandtrackdowntowardsthetunnel.Itenteredtheholeopenedbythepreviousexplosion,andonceagaintherewasathunderousexplosionasthebombstruckhome.AlicehadneverwitnessedsuchanawesomedemonstrationoffirepowerandshewasintotalaweofwhatZeusseemedto


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becapableofwhentheofficertoldhertokeepgoing.'Someofthecrittersmusthavegotoutandwillbearoundamongthetrees.Sowecan'taffordtowait.'Theyranthroughtheforest,andAlicewassoonsettingthepacethattheZeustroopersweretryinghardtomatchupto.Whentheofficeryelledforhertostopinaclearing,shesawthathewaspantingabitwhenhecaughtupwithher.'Yousurearefast.WaitherewhileIradiointoconfirmwhereourpickupzoneis.'Thetrooperssetupaperimeterastheofficerradioedin.ItwasnownearlypitchblackandAlicewasbeginningtogetworried.ItwasonethingtobombtheBitersfromthousandsoffeetintheairastheZeusforcesorthesesocalledRedGuardshaddone,butitwasquiteanothertocontendwiththemonthegroundinthedark.Alicehadgrownupinanenvironmentwhereknowinghowtobestsurviveexactlyinsuchcircumstanceswasthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeatheverysingleday.AsshescannedtheZeustroopersaroundherinthedimlightthrownupbytheiremergencylights,sherealizedthatforalltheirheavyweaponryandfancyequipment,theylookedterrified.Onlytheofficerseemedabitcomposed,andashefinishedaskingforthehelicopterstozeroinontheirlights,hesmiledather.'Ineverintroducedmyself.MynameisColonelDewanandI


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'Ceasefiretillyouhaveaconfirmedtarget!'Anothertrooperscreamedasahugeshadowleapedoutandgrabbedhim.Alicenoticedthefloppyhatinthedimlightasthetrooperscreamedwhilebeingdraggedawayintothetrees.Theothertrooperswerenowfiringwildly,andAlicesawthatDewanwasnowscreamingonhisradioforthehelicopterstocomein.Moreshadowsemergedfromthetreesandtwomoretroopersfellwithinseconds.Dewanhadpickedupthelightandshoneittohisright,revealingablood-stainedtrooperwhohadnowcrossedovertotheBitersandwasnowwalkingtowardshimwithhisteethbared.Dewancalmlyraisedhispistolandputtworoundsintheman'sheadasheaskedAlicetopickupaweapontodefendherself.Aliceneedednopromptingandhadarifleinherhandandwasonherknees,waitingastheBitersemergedfromthetrees.TheremainingtrooperswerehuddledinatightcircleandastheBiterscameinsight,Aliceselectedsingleroundmodeandputabulletintoone'shead.Shethensoughtoutanothertargetandbroughthimdown.Dewanwasdoingthesame,andhehadshotthreeBitersinquicksuccession.ThetrooperstookcouragefromDewanandAliceandtheybeganfiringinamoredisciplinedway,coveringeachother,usingoverlappingfieldsoffire.AsAlicekeptsqueezingthetrigger,sherealizedthiswasturningintoaslaughter.ThereweredozensofBitersdownnowandas


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othersemergedfromthetrees,itwasamatterofsecondsbeforetheywerecutdown.Sheheardthesoundofhelicoptersemergingandthentherattleofmachinegunfireasoneofthehelicoptergunshipsopenedfire,scatteringthenearestgroupofBiters,manyofthemcuttoribbonsbytheheavy-caliberfire.Onehelicopterhoveredoverheadandloweredropeswhichthetroopersusedtoclimbonboardasotherhelicoptersprovidedcoveringfire.Alicegrabbedtheropewhenherturncameandthenlookedintotheforestonelasttime.Shethoughtshecaughtaglimpseoftall,pointedearslikearabbitandafraillookingfemaleformnexttohim.ShethenheardtheQueenscreamonelasttime.'Alice,rememberthetruth!Don'tbelievetheirlies!'Asshescrambledontothehelicopter,Dewansatdownnexttoher.'You'resafenow.It'sallgoingtobeokaynow.'Alicesatinsilence,thinkingbacktotheQueenandeverythingshehadtoldher.***


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FIVEItwasthefirsttimeAlicehadtastedchocolateandshelickedthewrapperclean.Foodforherhadconsistedofwhatevercouldbehuntedorscavenged.Oneortwomenintheirsettlementhadharboreddreamsofgrowingtheirownfood,butwhenyou'reconstantlyonalertandmayhavetoabandonyourpositioninminutes,youdon'treallyhavealifestylesuitedforagriculture.DewanhadwalkedinandsatdownnexttoAlice.Hehadshoweredandchangedandwaswearingasimplekhakiuniform.HeseemedtoepitomizeallthewaysinwhichZeuswasdifferentfromthelifeshehadknown.Hewasclean,wearingspotlessclothesandwasnotconstantlylookingoverhisback.Heseemedtobeaboutthesameageasherfather,andheaskedAliceifshewantedtoshowerandchangebeforeshemetanyoneelse.Alicewasinstantlyawareofjusthowshemusthavelookedinthemuddyclothesshehadwornforthelastfewdays.Atthesettlement,hermotherhadgoneonandonabouthowyoungladiesshouldalwaysappearwellgroomed,butwhenyourbigextracurricularactivityissnipingatBitersandyourfavoritetoyisahandgun,meetingsucharchaicstandardswasimpossible.Alice'shairwascroppedshort(sothatnobodycouldgrabitinaclosefight,asherinstructorshadsaid),andherfacewasleanwithhercheekbonesshowing


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prominently.Shewasthin,butcertainlynotweak,sinceshehadthewiryframeandstrengththatcamewithyearsofrunningandcombattrainingeveryday.AftershechangedintosomekhakiclothesDewangaveher,shejoinedhiminwhatappearedtobeacafeteriaofsomesort.Therewerelongbenchesandtableswhichwerefilledwithblack-cladZeustroopers.Mostofthemweremen,thoughAlicedidseeseveralwomen.TheyallgreetedDewanwithdeferenceandheaskedhertositdownandordereddinner.AlicefelthermouthwaterashotsoupandchickenwereputinfrontofherandDewansmiled.'Diginanddon'tworryaboutformalities.Youmustbestarved.'Afterthat,sheneedednomoreencouragementasshepolishedoffherfood.Dewantoldherthathewouldtalkmoretoherthenextmorningandshowedherthewaytoherroom.AsAlicewaswalkingtoit,shesawtwoyoungZeustrooperslookingatherandwhisperingamongthemselves.Oneofthem,ayoung,pimplyIndianboyworkedupthecouragetotalktoher.'AreyoutheonefromtheDeadlandwholivedwiththeBiters?'Alicelookedhimstraightintheeyeandsawhimflinchatherresponse.


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'TheDeadland?''Oh,youknow,thesettlementsoutsideourcentrallyadministeredzoneswherepeopleare....''Free.'Alicecompletedthesentenceforhim.HerfatherhadtoldherabouthowZeustriedtogetmoreandmoresettlementsintotheirfold,promisingprotectioninreturnforthesupplyofyoungmenandwomenfortheirarmyandeffectivecontrolovertheirdefensesandsupplies.Thesettlementswhosignedupgotsecurity,buteffectivelybecamebondedlabour-growingfoodinfarmsforZeusandtheirmasters,givinguptheirrighttobeararmsunlessZeusallowedthemto,andsupplyingyoungmenandwomentoserveinfactoriesandminesthatthosewhocontrolledZeusran.NobodyreallyknewwhotherealmastersbehindZeuswere,buttheQueenhadmentionedChineseRedGuards,andshehadheardherfathersometimesgrumbleabouthowhewouldneversubmittotheRedGuards.Shewalkedbacktoherroom,andlaydownonwhatwasasimplecot,butaluxurycomparedtowhatshehadjustbeenthroughandalsocomparedtotheoldsleepingbagthatwasherbedbackhome.Shewasfastasleepwithinsecondsofhittingthemattress.


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ShewasawakenedbyalighttaponthedoorandshefoundDewanstandingthere,wearingablackuniform.'Yourfatherisonthewayandshouldbehereanytime.IthoughtI'dletyouknow.'AliceranmorethanwalkedtothesmallattachedbathroomtoshowerandchangeandthenjoinedDewaninasmallmeetingroom.Thereweretwomorementherewithhimwearingblackuniformscoveredinmedalsandbadges.OnewaswhiteandotherIndian.Thewhiteman,whowasbaldandbuiltlikeabull,spokefirst.'Goodmorningyounglady.MynameisGeneralJohnAppleseedandIoverseealltheAsianoperationsforZeus.Iflewinlastnightwhenwelearntthatyourextraordinaryordealwascomingtoanend.'TheIndian,wearingthetraditionalSikhturban,spokenext.'IamMajorBalbirSingh.IaminchargeoftheIndiansubcontinent.'Aliceneverthoughtshewouldgetintimidatedbyanyman,butthewaythesemenspokeandthewayDewanshoweddeferencetothemtoldherjusthowbigandorganizedZeuswas.Thatfeelingwasintensifiedwhenherfatherwalkedin.Hewastall,wiryandworefadedjeansandacrumpledshirt.Atfirstsightonemighthaveassumedthathewould


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beawedbythemeninfrontofhim,buthegatheredhissobbingdaughterinhisarmsandlookedthemstraightintheeyeashethankedthem.Ashebegantoleavewithher,GeneralAppleseedspokeupsoftly.'ChiefofMissionGladwell.Itisapleasuretoseeyouafterallwehaveheardofyou.Itisapitythatyouchoosenottojoinyouroldcomradesagain.'AlicefeltherfatherstiffenasheturnedtotalktotheGeneral.Therewasacoldbitetohisvoice,verydifferentfromthegentle,lovingfathershehadknown.'General,IservedtheUnitedStatesofAmericaandwhatshestoodfor-freedom,libertyandequality.Thatnationisdead,butthespiritlivesoninallofuswhorefusetobowtothenewdictatorshipofbigbusinessandhiredgunsandtheChinesetyrantswhopayyou.'TheGeneral'seyeshardenedbuthisvoiceremainedsoft.'HowlongcanyoulastouttherebyyourselvesintheDeadland?''We'vedonewellsofar.'Withthosewords,hewhiskedAliceoutoftheroomand


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walkedherout.Shewantedtotellhimsomuchaboutwhathadhappened,buthejusthushedher,tellingherthattheywouldtalkmorewhentheygotback.Whentheysteppedoutofthebuilding,AlicesawthattherewasasprawlingairbaseoutsideandDewanranupbehindthem.'Yourhelicopteriswaitingthere.Mr.Gladwell,youhaveanincrediblybravedaughter.Goodlucktoyouboth.'Alice'sfatherseemedtosizeDewanupforasecondandthenseeminglylikingwhathesaw,shookhishand,thankinghimagainastheywalkedtowardsthewaitingblackhelicopter.Alicesawfourboyswhomsherecognizedfromthesettlementstandingatafarcorner.TheylookedmiserableandscaredandoneofthemglaredatAliceasshepassedhim.'Dad,whataretheydoinghere?''They'reheretojoinZeusasrecruits.''Butwenever...'Herfatherstoppedher.'That'sthepricewepaidtogetyouback.Fouryoung,untrainedboysforatrainedcombatveteranlikeyou.WeallagreeditwasthebestdecisionwhenZeusdemandedsomethinginreturn.'


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Alicefeltlikeshehadbeenpunchedinthestomachandfeltsickthatfourboyswouldnowhavetoliveawayfromtheirfamilies,inthemurkyworldoftheZeusarmybecauseofher.Astheysatdowninthehelicopter,shelookedatherfather.Helookedoldandtired,asifhehadagedyearsinjustthefewdaysshehadbeengone.Hehadimpliedthattheleadershaddecidedontradingherfortheboys,butsheknewjusthowmuchitmusthavebeengnawingathisownconscience.Shereachedoutandtookhisarm,andhesmiledather.ShesawDewanwavingtothemasthehelicoptertookoffandshesatback,wonderingjustwhatshehadgotherselfintowiththatonefatefuldecisionofjumpingintothatholebehindthebunnyearedBiter.***Alice'smothersmotheredherinhugswhenshelandedandheroldersister,Jane,ruffledherhair.Thatwasasclo

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