CHAPTER 18
Explanations & Summations
Dr. David Douglas Peters sat patiently while waiting to give final his report on the Keck Virus that had caused so much trouble in New Mexico. He yawned and fought to keep his eyes open as the military officials continued their reports on the success of the containment procedures. To him it all sounded like typical Washington bullshit. There were lots of numbers and percentages based on a host of fancy computer estimates and simulations, but it still felt like bullshit.
The president looked almost as bored as Dr. Peters felt, as he listened.
Everyone at the table noted the president's gradually more pronounced volume and frequency of his tapping pen on the pad of paper in front of him.
General Whittaker had been speaking nonstop for almost an hour and started to repeat himself, as he explained how the incident was effectively one hundred percent contained and no further problems related to the Albuquerque Incident, as it was being designated, were foreseen.
Dr. Peters looked at the president to see how he reacted to the counter intuitive logic of claiming one hundred percent containment corresponded with the general's earlier announcement of having assembled a designated elite special response team stationed in Albuquerque for the next thirty days, with a possibility of a longer stay if needed.
The antique mantel clock chimed and the president stood up at the end of the conference table.
“Enough,” the president said, interrupting the general as he started on another issue regarding the Albuquerque Incident. “Thank you, general, but this is supposed to be a briefing and your reports have been anything but brief. While I appreciate your desire to be as detailed and thorough as possible regarding this tragedy, my time is valuable as I'm sure you all know.”
General Whittaker wasn't sure if he should sit down or not while being addressed by the commander in chief, so he stood uncertainly as his face flushed a light pink color.
“I only want clarification on three issues today, gentlemen, and once that's done this briefing is concluded. Issue one: Was containment completely effective? Did anyone infected by the virus escape the area? Issue two: Has a counter drug been developed for this damn thing. And lastly, what is the status of the survivors?” The president sat back down when he finished speaking and looked at the assembled group of experts from the CDC, Homeland Security, ICE, The Pentagon and a host of other federal agencies.
General Whittaker started to speak again while looking through some papers, “Well, um-”
“Please sit down, general. I'd like to see if anyone else present can give a somewhat less long winded explanation,” the president interrupted.
The general sat down quickly and his face turned an almost crimson hue as everyone else looked around the table at each other, uncertain what protocol called for.
“Oh, for God's sake,” the president said, clearly irritated. “You there,” he said pointing. “You are Dr. Peters, of the Centers for Disease Control, correct?”
Peters stood up nervously and looked at the president. “Yes sir. I'm Dr. David Peters.”
“Can you address any of the issues I just asked about?” The president asked, looking at his watch and frowning gravely.
“Yes sir, and I will try to be brief.”
“Hallelujah!” The president shouted with a smile as everyone present chuckled, including General Whittaker.
“I'd like to address your last question first, Mr. President.
The survivors were in quarantine for four weeks in one of our remote facilities in Montana. And I'm pleased to say none of them have shown any indications of viral exposure. They were released after their legal status was clarified for them, in no uncertain terms. So, basically, they are a non issue regarding the incident at this point.
They are of course being monitored regarding possible leaks to the media. However, they all seem extremely reasonable and I foresee no problem with them,” Peters said and lifted up a folder.
“I would now like to address your question regarding a treatment for the Keck Virus.” He coughed, opened the folder and looked around the table before continuing. “This particular virus has been exhaustively studied since its discovery. It supplants or replaces, if you will, a significant amount of the DNA of anyone exposed to it. The resultant DNA alterations account for the many disturbing physical and psychological changes that we've seen.” He paused to sip some water, referred to his notes and continued. “Typically, various diseases are the result of the introduction of some type of virus. When attacking a host or victim their original cells are altered by the addition of the viral genes. A successful alteration results in a viably infected cell. A viable or sustainable cell will continue to replicate or copy itself until it is defeated by antibodies or overwhelms the host.”
A few whispers from around the table momentarily distracted Dr. Peters. He nodded and elaborated. “This is not an uncommon phenomenon at all, gentlemen, so relax. Numerous such viruses have existed before, like the common cold or Rhino virus, Ebola, and even Human Immunodeficiency Virus which leads to AIDS.
During the initial infection stages, the Keck Virus replicates alarmingly fast to moderately fast dependent of the unique physiology of the host or victim. Moderate growth rate is the slowest range we've seen so far. That being, a growth rate of hundreds of thousands of cells within ten minutes. Alarmingly fast growth rate has been confirmed at hundreds of millions within the same space of time.”
There was an audible gasp and more intense whispers when he finished his last statement.
“Yes, it is perhaps the nastiest virus yet discovered but in many ways we've been incredibly lucky. Had this outbreak occurred in a major population area the fatalities could easily have been in the hundreds of thousands, maybe much higher.
We've had unprecedented cooperation from the Beaumont Bio-Chemical Industries top management regarding tracing the virus's origin. And have isolated the virus itself of course, but at this point no cure has been discovered to counteract the mortal phase of infection.
The Keck Virus is shockingly fast acting. It has no carrier state that we've been able to determine. After a human is infected, I'm afraid the virus can be spread in a host of ways. In addition to blood or bodily secretions it's hypothesized that it could easily be inhaled, but since no type animal has been shown susceptible to the virus, other than man, we've had no way to test that theory without a human volunteer; which understandably have been nonexistent to date.
Although certain people feel criminals on death row might be encouraged to participate in such a study, nothing has yet to be decided regarding that,” Dr Peters said, and paused to sip some more water.
“You propose purposely infecting prisoners?” The president interrupted, leaning forward.
“Well sir, it’s more of a test to see if inhalation from an infected person during the mortal or living phase can be spread through shared air.
“How many infected people are there? I've been given two different numbers. It's very confusing to me. So, how many are there precisely?” The president asked.
“The number of living infected people is twelve. I believe the confusion lies in the classification of the victims,” Dr Peters said and cleared his throat.
“The mortal phase relates to those people that are clinically still alive. Like I said earlier, there are precisely twelve. They are at the Montana facility being studied and treated under level four bio-hazard protocols.
Of course, there is nothing that can be done in the cases of those individuals whose metabolic processes have ceased, yet continue to-” he paused, then said, “live.” He uttered the last word with a disturbed expression on his face.
“What is that last part supposed to mean? Is that why I have two sets of numbers regarding the infected?” The president asked in confusion.
“Put bluntly, Mr. President, once an infected person dies they reanimate as a... um... a zombie. At that point there is nothing that can be done other than destroy the brai
n. In my opinion, I'm afraid in those cases a bullet to the head is the only humane and certain cure. But there has been disagreement regarding what to do with them.” He looked as if he expected someone to laugh, but no one around the table was even smiling.
While many laughed when they initially heard the word zombie used, none were even close to smirking after they had all viewed the top secret video footage of the reanimated bodies.
“But in summation to your question, regarding a cure for infection, at this time the answer is no. No cure or anti-virus has been found although the search does continue,” Dr. Peters said, sitting down.
The president slowly shook his head and lit a cigarette. After nearly a minute of smoking in silence, he looked at General Whittaker who was placed in command of cleaning up the Albuquerque Incident. “That is how to give a brief and concise report, General Whittaker. I'm going to ask you to address my first concern again. And all I want to hear is a yes or no. Is the Albuquerque Incident contained and done with?”
The general appeared uncomfortable as he stood and looked at the president. “Yes sir. It is contained and done with.”
“Good. That's very good. Now if you gentlemen will excuse me I'm running late for a golf game,” the president said, quickly rising and walking out of the conference room.
As the meeting broke up, Dr. Peters cornered General Whittaker. “General, I think you just lied to the President of the United States of America. If containment was successful why do you have specially trained elite troops on standby in Albuquerque?”
“Dr. Peters, those units will be on standby for the next four to six weeks. If everything remains as it is now, they will be returned to regular duty at that time. As to why they are there, I have one word for you; Contingencies,” he grunted the last word before turning and storming out of the conference room.