Read Online Vampire Apocalypse: Fallout (Book 3) by Derek Gunn - Free Book Online

itself as huge
support for Harris and his team so he had chosen a time when their
arrival would have the most impact on the people already in the
community.
    Harris had been aware of the
grumblings about having to share their meagre resources with these
new arrivals, but his argument had always been that once the serum
killed the rest of humanity, there would be nobody else left alive
on the planet so they had to act now. Could no one else see that?
These new arrivals should be seen as an important and essential
addition to their growing community, not a threat to their
survival.
    The rest of the committee
members began to climb onto the platform and Harris sighed with
some relief. At least now they would see where Phelps was going
with this and maybe he would finally be able to respond.
    “Ah, our illustrious leader is
here,” Phelps announced, and one look at Phil Regan’s face
convinced Harris that he was as confused as Harris was as to
Phelps’ intentions. That did not bode well. Patricia Lohan arrived
with Regan, and she cast an angry glare at Phelps which the man
missed as he turned back to the crowd, but Harris saw it and so too
did Father Reilly. The two men questioned each other with their
eyes but neither saw anything in the other’s expression to feel any
more confident.
    “What’s the meaning of this?”
Regan blustered as he strode across the platform.
    “It is time, dear Leader,”
Phelps answered, “to stop this man’s single-minded crusade to get
us all killed.”
    “That is a matter for the
committee in a closed room session and you know it, Ian,” Regan had
to shout over the roars of approval from the crowd, and Harris
raised his opinion of Phil Regan by a few notches. He might not
like the man, he might have ideas well above his own abilities, but
at least he stood up for his committee members.
    “I’m afraid we’ve gone beyond
that, dear Leader,” Phelps’ words oozed sarcasm as he again licked
his lips before continuing cutting off any reply Regan might have
made. “We have stood quietly till now and shared everything we have
all worked hard to produce. We have shared our last crumbs with the
poor refugees that have been thrust upon us and we have supported
the gallant work of our colleagues as they continued their
relentless campaign against all the advice, and indeed, wishes of
the committee and general populace.” Father Reilly was about to
speak but Harris grabbed his hand and shook his head; they would
have to let this play out. Interrupting now would only inflame the
crowd. Phelps had, after all, only spoken the truth. Harris had
disobeyed many of the committee’s orders.
    “But when it comes to telling
the vampires where we live and endangering our wives’ and our
children’s lives then I, reluctantly, have to step forward and say
no.” The crowd cheered. “If no one else will speak out for the
children then I will do so.” The crowd cheered louder.
    “This is not the forum for this,
we will address this in council and we will ensure the safety of
this community,” Regan insisted and made to leave.
    “No,” Phelps said simply but the
word was like a brick wall to Regan, who stopped halfway across the
platform.
    “What did you say?” Regan turned
slowly toward his Lieutenant.
    “The time has come and gone when
a simple slap on the wrist will suffice.” Phelps turned from Regan
and addressed the crowd instead. “Harris has ignored every order
this council has made and gone out and continued to increase the
number of people in this community. While this is laudable to some
extent, we simply cannot feed any more people without starving
ourselves.” The crowd shouted their agreement but there were some
in the crowd who did not agree. “Maybe next year, after the spring
harvest, we can then go out and bring more people in. For now, we
must think of our own survival.”
    “You know as well as I do that
next year will be too late,” Father Reilly stepped