The Perfect Pathogen (29 page)

The Trisomy Gift

As with all creatures, great or
small, the human race randomly experiences genetic variation. Some humans are short,
others tall. The skin of some is brown, others nearly black. Some are smart,
others less so. There are beautiful blue eyes and beautiful brown eyes.

Some humans are born with what some
describe as abnormalities. These sometimes negative variations number in the
hundreds and many of the differences from “normal” have names. For example, in
1866 Dr. John Langdon Down was one of the first experts to thoroughly describe
the “genetic disorder” caused by an extra chromosome with the 21
^st
human chromosome. This trisomy condition would later be named after him -Down syndrome,
or DS for short.

For the majority of experts, a
“normal” human being is someone possessing in each and every cell of his or her
body a full set of 23 pairs of chromosomes, numbered 1-23. The DS variation
occurs when an individual is born with an extra 21
^st
chromosome,
either as a complete or partial copy. In turn, these people possess physical
characteristics somewhat different than other “normal” humans: smaller stature,
an upward slant to the eyes, perhaps a slightly larger tongue or a single deep
crease across the center of the palm of the hand, etc. Having Down syndrome is
not something people generally prefer or value. In fact, the modern view is
that pregnancies known to involve DS could be terminated, and many are.

Down syndrome is the most common
“birth defect” or chromosomal abnormality in human beings. About one out of
every 800 births of all races and cultures world-wide has DS. In comparison to the
rest of the history of mankind, people born with DS in the early 21
^th
century have the best opportunities ever for a healthy and successful life. For
starters, they have the best chance to even be born. Many parents willingly
take on the challenges they know a DS child will bring. Quality medical care, education
and social support is more likely to be available for them. Moreover, DS people
generally have the right to freely develop personal relationships and, in some
cases, to get married.

As DS people have a normal sexual
drive, most societies have always been careful to make sure Down syndrome
couples receive “education” in the area of relationships and sexuality. It is
emphasized again and again in the medical and social literature how important
this is, all presumably with a view to preventing further “unwanted”
pregnancies.

The upshot of all this is that
very, very few Down syndrome couples are allowed to marry, let alone have
offspring. Of those who are able to pair up, many couples decide willingly or
unwillingly simply not to have children. There are many reasons for this, but one
of the main ones is that ‘normal’ humans say so. In most cultures it is believed
that the offspring of Down syndrome parents would invariably involve great
responsibility and much work. Indeed, in those rare instances then when DS
couples are able to have a child, there is a very high chance the child would
inherit the syndrome. Many pregnancies end in miscarriage. A great number are
deliberately aborted, sometimes without the consent of the parents.

But there are very rare instances,
uniformly unknown to society at large, where the birth of a “normal” child has
happened. It seemed as if Mother Nature has determined that the human race should
evolve in a new direction in spite of everything thrown into the way.

Whether in more open societies in some
of the remotest corners of the globe or in an institution for “special needs”
people, a few precious children from these very special parents have survived. In
the history of humankind, these exceptionally rare offspring of DS parents
would now become very special people indeed.

CHAPTER 49

Ben and Natalya returned
from the Sakha region with little to show except a bag of soil and plant
samples. Over the following week, the lab at the Russian Ministry of Health ran
a battery of tests on the findings from the mammoth site, but nothing new was revealed.

Rob was a futurist in the survival area. He was
already planning for the interruption of the food chain, the loss of the
internet, communications, and electricity. He turned his Independent Living
Center into a self-sufficient enclave. His reputation grew, and similar
facilities started to pop up in other places. The pods were all finished and he
already had over seventy-five students and employees living in the housing
units. The only requirement for a space was that the individual had to be
negative for SDX. There were no age restrictions, so young children from the
neighboring communities arrived and many of Rob’s former students had returned
to claim their spot.

Three months later a firm link between Mad Cow
disease and SDX was established by the Pandemic Task Force at Johns Hopkins.
With this revelation, the scientific community knew that the odds of finding a
cure were now near zero, but that wouldn’t stop them from trying. In early
January, Dr. Brian White, still on his endless quest for a cure, was found
slumped over his desk at the university. His dedication and persistence
inspired the remainder of the Task Force to redouble their efforts to find a
cure. About a quarter of the planet’s human population had perished and there
were mass graves around every major city in the world.

Among the new arrivals was Beauregard Wilbur
Walters IV, the great grandson of an old friend. The kids called him Will in
memory of his great grandfather. The granddaughter of Will the First’s had been
true to her word and supplied the funds necessary to improve the facilities at
the Center so that the inhabitants would have the best chance at survival for
many years to come. At Thanksgiving, Rob held a grand party at the Center to
thank everyone who had helped make it a success over the years. As part of the
celebration, and as a show of affection to Will, Rob christened the new
facility the B. W. Walters Living Center.

Rob and Katie had buried their parents the
preceding month. They all died within three weeks of each other. Katie resigned
from the CDC, knowing her work was done and that she too only had a few months
to live without a cure. Time had become meaningless and precious at the same
time. She clung on to her remaining days, her remaining hours, with a steady
grip. No longer having a need for the wristwatch her mother had given to her
when she graduated from college, she gave it to Hope. Hope would be able to use
it for many years to come.

Authorities marveled at how long civilization
still held out. There was some increase in crime, but most of the day-to-day
work keeping society going was in the hands of younger workers anyway. The
younger generation, those in their twenties and thirties, still had hope. As a
result, they were still going to work and the basic infrastructure of the
country continued to operate. “Sneezy,” one of Dr. White’s youngest geniuses,
kept doggedly at his research at Johns Hopkins.

Marge was incredible. Showing great courage, she
willingly took on her role as the leader and mentor for the Center. Dr. Dee
made frequent visits to the Center. With the pending crisis in view, he created
a training program that would help the survivors live on successfully.

Shortly before Christmas, Ben and Natalya moved to
the United States with the girls, for they feared that air traffic would be
interrupted by the lack of airport staff around the world. When they arrived,
Ben united his family with Katie and her family, and they all visited the
Center together. Hope and Nadya hit it off from the start. Hope knew Nadya
would survive the epidemic with her and the others at the Center. She gave her
word to her mom and Natalya that she would be Nadya’s big sister and take good
care of her. It had been decided that when the time came, Brett, Sam and
Natasha would join their sisters at the Center for their final days.

Almost daily, craftsmen who had worked on the pods
at the Center came by to check on the mechanical systems and to teach some of
the students how to do basic preventive and corrective maintenance. Marge was
impressed by the willingness of her charges to learn and their ability to
comprehend what they were going to face. Over the past three months, she had
received donations of over 1,000 self-help books to add to the Center’s growing
library. She had taught several of the students how to categorize and shelve
these books so they could be found when needed: and she knew the books would
survive the coming collapse of the digital age.

Working with one of the local schools, Hope set up
one of the classrooms at the Center to be used to teach the basic curriculum
for elementary and middle school. In January, she started classes for the young
and shared teaching responsibilities with Marge.

Dr. Dee, and especially his Physician Assistant
John Martinez, spent a great deal of time at the Center, teaching the staff and
students basic first aid, medicines, treatments, nursing skills and they even
established a small well-stocked clinic there. Everyone’s vaccinations were
updated too.

Of everyone, Dr. Dee and Mr. Martinez seemed the
most worried about the Center’s future prospects, but they were helpless to do
much more.

In February, the population in the United States
had diminished to less than 150 million people and the population of the Center
had reached one-hundred and fifty. The supply chain was starting to suffer
interruptions because of a lack of available workers and unusually cold winter.
But thanks to preplanning by the state and local governments, along with the
National Guard, supplemented by the active duty military, there was plenty of
food to feed the hungry. All were now especially appreciative of soldiers who
were 18 years old.

Hopelessness could be seen in the eyes of the
middle-aged now, but their sense of responsibility for their children lived on.
The major TV stations were still broadcasting, but most programming now were
reruns, sports and news. A major snow storm in New England resulted in the loss
of electrical power for three weeks and 100,000 people froze to death. In
Canada it was even worse, especially in Alberta.

Things for the McMann’s took a turn for the worse
in February. Both Katie and Rob died within a week of each other, with
Valentine’s Day right between them. The power outages were more frequent and
there were major rural sections of the United States now without power. TV
coverage became less consistent, however the radio made up for the loss with
expanded news coverage. There continued to be shortages of food and other
supplies, but the National Guard was able to maintain order and keep the living
from starving. By the end of April the U.S. population was reported at 75
million.

The last of Snow White’s team, Dr. Nathan “Sneezy”
Smith, passed away in early May still vainly searching for a cure.

With the loss of Rob and Katie, Marge would often
sit staring out across the river, contemplating the future. She wondered if
this was God’s plan, that this unique group of survivors would establish a new
world order, ready or not. Had they been destined to end up at this place at
this appointed time? Or, was this a result of mankind’s arrogance and lack of
vision?

By the end of May, the weather was slowly starting
to improve. As the month progressed, Marge realized they had fewer and fewer
visitors. She planned a big party for the fourth of July. She drove into town
to see what was still available in the stores. She hadn’t been to town in
several weeks. The streets were empty and most of the doors to the stores were
open. And just as she thought, most store shelves were bare. She was able to
find some rice, flower and sugar, but the meat in the cold cases was all
spoiled due to the frequent power outages and most other items had been horded
by those fearing they would run out.

Thankfully, Marge had saved some hot dogs and
hamburgers for this occasion, but it would probably be the last time they would
enjoy processed meat.

The fourth of July came and they had a big
celebration with games and a bonfire by the river. Everyone sang songs and told
stories. A good time was had by all, despite the circumstances. They even shot
off some fireworks they had found.

The following day Brett fell ill. He passed within
several hours. This was their first death at the Center. Two of the residents
who had learned how to operate the Bobcat dug a grave by the road and Marge
held a graveside service. That same day, the radio station they were listening
to suddenly stopped broadcasting.

Just one month later, Sam died and after this Hope
fell into a deep depression. She didn’t know how she was going to survive
without her family. She was the last McMann. Nadya made every effort now to
cheer her “sister” up. The only thing that kept Hope going on was the promise
she had made to her mom and Natalya to take care of Nadya. The watch her mother
gave her ceased to function, but Hope didn’t notice for several weeks. She kept
wearing it though for its sentimental value. Anyway, time didn’t matter
anymore, for going forward time would be counted now by events, not days,
hours, and minutes.

On the morning of September 1, 2016, Marge went
into Natasha’s room to rouse her for breakfast, but she couldn’t wake her.
Natasha died three hours later. She was the last of the “normal” ones at the
Center. After the funeral, Marge walked down to the river’s edge and looked in
every direction. As far as she could see, the countryside was still, except for
the sound of ripples in the water caused by a light breeze and a lone osprey
fishing. The smoke no longer issued from the power plant towers upstream. The
contrails across the sky had disappeared months before.

They were all alone.