Verge of Extinction (Apex Predator Book 3) Read Online Free

black.  The center of the small circle seemed to glow white on a map covered in subdued colors.
    The Bishop waved a hand at several folding metal chairs along the wall.  “Have a seat,” he ordered.  They did as they were told.  A small woman entered the room.  The tray she carried contained several varieties of soda.  Jen could see the water beading on the side of the cans.  She realized they were cold.  She hadn’t had a real cold drink in what seemed like forever.  The woman never spoke as she offered the drinks to the new arrivals.  After the last person, Sam, removed his can from the tray she turned and left without a word.
    “Welcome to the Island,” the Bishop said with a smile.  “I‘ll cut to the chase.  I’ve asked you guys here because you have specific skills that we need here.”  He waved his soda in the direction of Jen and Indira.  “You ladies both have medical training. As you’ve no doubt noticed in your travels, people have a bad habit of getting injured in the brave new world.”
    He took a long drink from the red can.  “Right now I have two paramedics and three military guys with basic first-aid training.  You ladies are a God’s send.  I’m going to assign you two to the dispensary.  You can keep or relieve any of the current employees you wish.  I just ask that you keep the dispensary open 24 hours.”  Again, Jen was sure that he was not asking, but demanding.
    Without waiting for them to answer, he turned to the soldiers.  “Staff Sergeant Brown, you are now my top soldier.  I have three other trained soldiers on this base.  They are now yours.  I also have a fairly robust volunteer force.  Most of them know how to handle themselves.  They wouldn’t be here if they didn’t.  I want you to organize and train them.  Keep in mind that their main mission is foraging on the mainland.”  He handed the big NCO a sheet of paper.  There were about twenty names on it.  Jackson, Sgt Procell, and his names were smack dab on the top.  He also saw Theresa and Kerry on the list.
    Again, the Bishop didn’t wait for a response.  He turned to Sam.  “You and your firemen are the only people I have who know the first thing about water, pumps, plumbing, anything like that.  I have a water purification unit here.  Your people are going to get it running.  I want fresh water in the dining hall, and I want showers.”
    Sam was beside himself.  He was fireman, not a damned plumber.  What the hell did he know about water purification?  “Sir, with all due respect…”  The Bishop stood, leaning over his desk cutting Sam short.  “Look, Captain,” he began, “you and your men have been given a job.  If you can’t handle it, I can always make sure your names find their way onto Sergeant Brown’s list.  Maybe your people will be better at dodging the dead than fixing the water.”
    The message was clear:  Do as I tell you, or go with the foragers to collect batteries and toilet paper.  “Yes, sir,” he stoically replied.
    “Jerry!” he bellowed.  The younger man from earlier, burst through the door.  “Take these people to their quarters.  Then you can take them on the tour.”  He motioned for them to follow.
    An hour later, SSgt Brown was sitting on a cot that would serve as his bed.  The tour they had been given was actually pretty informative.  The base really did appear to be secure.  The bridge had been blocked with several overturned 18-wheelers.  It was close enough to the mainland and far enough away from the island that the local undead didn’t pay it any mind.  There were two men sitting on top of the trailer.  Each had a sword on his belt and a spear close enough for him to grab.  They also had rifles slung over their backs.  Jerry had told them that the guards had not fired a single round in two weeks.
    The rest of the base was laid out in a big circle.  There were a few warehouse-like buildings near the waterfront.  Several