Apocalypse Atlanta (26 page)

“–CDC is reporting outbreaks all across the country.  While there are reports that even the smallest of communities have seen citizens come down with the disease, locales with the greatest population density seem to be suffering the worst.  Schools and universities seem to have been hit especially hard, rough estimates put it at as many as two-thirds of the country’s student population having fallen ill.”

Jessica drew a deep breath, thinking of Joey and Sandra again, as she listened to the news anchor and his admirably calm and even voice.  The graphic on the screen disappeared, replaced by the set of the ABC national newscast.  Charlie Jennings’s suit was as sharp as ever, but his expression was touched, just a little, with an extra measure of graveness.  His eyes seemed troubled, despite his professional demeanor as he faced the camera.

“We’d like to turn now to one of those experts, Doctor Peter Davidson, board certified in infectious diseases and internal medicine at John Hopkins.  Doctor Davidson has consulted with the CDC and the World Health Organization numerous times over the past fifteen years, and is currently the lead researcher on a long term study into avian flu.”

The camera pulled back and panned a little to reveal a middle aged man in a suit sitting next to Jennings.  His tie was knotted crookedly at his collar, and Jessica thought he looked rather tired.  He didn’t smile as Jennings turned to him, only nodded as he waited for the first question.  “Doctor Davidson, you’ve been in contact with colleagues around the country this afternoon, including some at the CDC.  What can you tell us about the medical situation.”

Davidson hitched himself forward in his chair, frowning slightly as he opened his mouth.  “I can say this is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.  There are still virulent and deadly diseases in the world, but we’ve never encountered one quite like this.”

“How does it differ?” Jennings prompted.

“Well, it’s an irrelevant argument which aspect of this disease is ‘worse’.” Davidson made little quote marks with his fingers, “But the fact that it seems to strike without any visible symptoms or signs before a victim is identified, combined with the unchecked aggression they thereafter exhibit, are among the most complicating factors for us as we try to get a handle on it.”

“Let’s talk a little about what symptoms there are once someone has become a victim.” Jennings asked, his voice still sounding professionally grave.

Davidson grimaced.  “Aside from aggression, which is a very troubling symptom, victims seem to lose most of their motor coordination and become almost completely unresponsive to either verbal or physical stimuli.  Additionally, their bodies seem to go into some form of hibernation or low metabolic state, similar to what we typically see in drowning victims pulled out of freezing water.  Furt–”

“Let’s stay with that a moment.” Jennings said abruptly, clearly listening to his producer in his ear piece.  “Because we’re seeing a number of reports from medical personnel around the country that victims seem to have no detectable signs of life.”

Davidson frowned slightly.  “Well, clearly that’s impossible.”

“Why?” Jennings asked.

“Because if victims had no life signs, they would be dead.” Davidson said after a moment that he seemed to spend finding the right tone of voice that wouldn’t come out as too insulting.  “And victims of this disease are clearly not dead.”

“Doctor Davidson, we have confirmed reports of, and in some cases have had copies of the monitor records faxed or emailed to us here at ABC News, of victims showing no activity on heart or brain monitors, that they are showing no lung function to indicate breathing.”

Jessica’s hand flew to her mouth in shock, and she was grateful Candice wasn’t in the room.  Without the need to censor her reactions for her daughter’s benefit, she was free to vent the dismayed horror she felt at those words.  Two of her children were victims, and even though the thought had occurred to her that they might well die of this, she hadn’t really faced that prospect head on yet.  It left her feeling even more helpless than she already was.

“I wouldn’t be in a position to directly refute any results that I’ve not had a chance to review.” Davidson said on the television, his polite veneer slipping a bit as his annoyance, or maybe his impatience, with this line of questioning began to show.  “But I can only say I’ve been in touch with a number of colleagues around the world, and I know they’re being overwhelmed with the size and scale of today’s outbreaks.  Mistakes happen when a hospital becomes swamped with more patients than it’s designed to handle.”

“So you’re saying these reports must be errors?”

“They have to be.” Davidson said with a not quite sniff.  “Without a heartbeat, without at least autonomic brain function, the human body ceases to operate; and the victims of this disease are clearly functioning.  At least on some level.  It’s simply going to take time to learn more about what this is, what causes it, and then ultimately how to treat it and beat it.”

“So you’re confident a treatment can be found?” Jennings asked.

“Well confident is a rather arrogant word for something as widespread and devastating as this outbreak, and only hours after we became aware of its existence.  But I can’t imagine anything less than a near total application of our available resources being put to work on the problem.  There shouldn’t be any of the usual delays of meetings and politics, both governmental and within the medical community, to prevent us from diving right in on the problem.  I’m sure if our total resources are applied that we’ll be able to get some sort of a grip on this and work towards a treatment, and then a cure.”

Jessica had lowered her hands to the arms of the recliner, and was clenching her fingers tightly enough into the thick overstuffed cushioning to feel the hard wood frame beneath.  She sent up a silent prayer as she hoped with all her being the expert was right.  Jennings’ next question, therefore, did not please her at all.

“But with diseases such as AIDS, SARS, cancer, Alzheimer’s, to name but a few, still going unsolved, how can you be so sure?”

“Bastard.” Jessica whispered, hating the newsman for throwing water on the flicker of hope she was trying to keep kindled.

Davidson seemed to echo her sentiment, for now he openly scowled.  “Charlie, I think we have to have hope a cure can be found.  And I can only emphasize my faith in the ability of the worldwide community of medical professionals to accomplish miracles when the funding is made available, and when the normal barricades and roadblocks that often get in the way of important research are removed.”

Jennings nodded, but he turned away from the doctor and faced the camera directly.  “As we warned you at the top of the hour, the President is addressing the nation tonight.  Our White House reporter has just told us the President is entering the White House Press Room now.”

As Jennings spoke, his image was replaced by a handsome wood podium bearing the Presidential Seal, with a pair of American flags behind it, and a layered blue background that had the oval White House emblem prominently positioned.  A man with glasses who she only faintly recognized as maybe being the White House press secretary was talking, but the sound was still tuned to the ABC studio so the audience could hear Jennings.  That changed after a moment, however, as the feed switched over.

“–stions on a limited basis, because most of the likely questions are better addressed by others we have standing by to answer them.” the man was saying.  Jessica thought he looked a little harried, which she didn’t think was a good sign for someone who arguably had the preeminent job in the field of public relations.  “And now, the President of the United States.”

There was no applause, and the press secretary didn’t even try to lead any, which Jessica thought was an even better sign of how serious things were.  The familiar figure of the President stepped behind the podium, his appearance and face as poised and sharp as ever.

“Good evening.” the President said as he gripped the podium with both hands and gazed out across the room.  “The events of today have thrust us into the midst of a crisis unlike any I think we’ve ever faced as a nation.  From my meetings throughout the afternoon with my advisors, and with various state and federal government officials and agencies, I think it’s safe to say we are facing a crisis.

“So, first of all, I want to assure all Americans that your government is aware of the problem.  Our full resources are being marshaled to deal with the events of today.  Those resources will remain dedicated to the managing and resolution of this issue for as long as necessary until we can achieve that goal.  I will not allow partisan divisions or politics as usual to divide us in this time of crisis.  To put it simply, you are either part of the solution or part of the problem.

“We have seen today that an estimated ten to fifteen percent of our citizens have been afflicted by a strange and terrifying disease, in a matter of hours.  Were this something we might call a normal disease, if such a thing exists, that would be already be a grave circumstance in itself.  But those who are being stricken by this illness are causing problems far beyond their own sickness, through no fault of their own.  Their actions are complicating our ability to respond effectively, and are creating additional aspects to the crisis beyond the purely medical issues.

“So, as your President, I urge you, I urge all of our citizens, to help us help you.  If you have training or experience in emergency response, if you’re a medical professional current or past, if you’re someone with military service and still able in mind and body, then I urge you to contact your local authorities now.  Find out where they can use your skills and your abilities to best help your community.  This may be a widespread crisis, but resolving it starts with each of us, and begins at the local level.

“If you’re not in a position to join the crisis responders in some capacity, then I urge you to stay home.  We are still seeing new victims appear, and I am told that, right now, we don’t ultimately know how many will be affected.  And because of this disease’s unique nature, once someone becomes sick they lash out at anyone near them.

“Some confirmed victims were driving upon the onset of their symptoms, and that has contributed to a number of terrible accidents that have claimed the lives of thousands, injured thousands more, and created obstructions on our streets and highways that is further hampering our ability to reach and render aid to those who needed it.

“So, again, stay home.  If you become a victim, you will be safe in your home; safe from harming others, and safer from causing yourself harm.  You won’t be behind the wheel of a vehicle and risk injuring or killing yourself when you lose control of that vehicle.  You won’t be outside to begin wandering around where you can act out against your neighbors and friends, or where you might risk endangering yourself by walking into a hazardous situation.

“If someone in your home becomes sick, the best thing you can do is to confine them somewhere in your home, behind a closed door, and stay away.  Contact your local authorities immediately so they can be taken for treatment.  I encourage people to create a schedule of regular communication with their family and friends, by telephone or email, or even just opening a window and calling across the back fence.  Human contact can be comforting in times of crisis, and will permit your loved ones to alert authorities if you become sick.”

The President cleared his throat quietly, and shifted his stance behind the podium.  “Now, this order has already gone out to the states by way of the governors, and to the individual units through the Department of Defense’s established chain of command, but I know things are confused in many communities in America tonight.  So I would like to take this moment to repeat the announcement personally.”

He looked directly in to the cameras as he continued speaking.  “As of six pm, Eastern Standard Time, all members and units of the National Guard are ordered to mobilize for duty.  Unless otherwise directed by your chain of command, starting with myself and the Joint Chiefs, all units and unit commanders should contact your state authorities for assignment.  If your local commanders cannot provide you with an assignment and area, check with your superiors in your regular chain of command for orders.

“But in the absence of any orders from either of those two sources, then I am personally directing, as your Commander-in-Chief, that all members of the American military, active or reserve, get out into your communities and help however you can.  Your nation needs you, now more than ever.

“Orders and plans are being drawn up now for the deployment of regular military units on similar missions of aid and assistance.  Again, since what’s been happening today has created so much confusion, I am repeating what is already being communicated through the normal channels and procedures in place.  All military personnel should report immediately for duty.  If you are a member of the military who is traveling or otherwise away from your assigned unit, then you should report immediately to the nearest available military unit or base for orders.”

The President paused again, seeming to study the assembled reporters in the press room, then smiled reassuringly.  “The events of today seem shocking, and they are.  But the most important thing everyone can do is to not panic.  America is a country founded by ordinary citizens that came together in pursuit of a shared ideal, and today should be considered nothing more than the latest in a long series of tests of that same beginning.  We are strong when we act as one, when we come together as one, and I would ask everyone to remember that.