Virus-72 Hours to Live (7 page)

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"Everyone, please be seated," President
Patterson said as he entered the morning briefing. "What do we have
to cover today, and if we can be fast I've got some important phone
calls to make?"

"Yes sir, we have three items which should
take only a couple of minutes."

"Good and thanks for picking up the
pace."

"Sir the situation in the Indian Ocean is
continuing to deteriorate. All of the ships in the Eastern Alliance
fleet have left their ports and they are sailing towards their
rendezvous point. We expect them to combine into a full offensive
fleet by later today. The admiral in charge is Admiral Wu. This
will be the first time he is responsible for a fleet this size.
Admiral Quiang, who would normally be conducting these types of
operations, dropped out of the picture in the last 24 hours. We
suspect there might have been a leadership change and Wu came out
on top. The bad news is, he is aggressive, nationalistic and we
fear he is looking to make a name for himself."

"Mr. President, Nancy and I have a draft
communique we've put together with assurances we won't interfere,
but we are maintaining a presence in the area," Roberto added.

"Great Roberto, Nancy, go ahead and send it
out."

"The second item is a quick update on the
First Lady's movement. She arrived on schedule this morning at 5AM
local. Her staff reports that her and your children slept well on
the flight and they had breakfast in their room. She met with the
French welcoming staff at 8:00 and reviewed her itinerary. Your son
and daughter went with the nanny to their zoo the Parc Zoologique
de Paris. It's pretty nice from what I heard and they should have a
good time."

"Great, thanks for the update and please
keep me informed as their trip progresses."

"Yes, Sir. The last item is something
unusual. There has been a viral outbreak of suspicious origins in
the Caucasus. Very preliminary reports say it has been 100% fatal.
Of course, we're trying to verify that and get some reports from
the scene. We wanted to mention it because it will hit the news
this morning. I'm having the people from CDC work up a
briefing."

"Why are you saying it has suspicious
origins?"

"Well sir, because it isn't following a
typical viral contamination. Reports say large portions of the
population came down with the illness at the same time. We've also
heard rumors it broke out spontaneously in multiple areas. Of
course, we're trying to verify because it is highly unusual and
could mean a chemical attack or even a biological attack. We're
doing what we can, to see if there are any local terrorist groups
claiming the credit. Or, if one of the political power centers has
an agenda and means to pull off something like this. If we find out
anything specific, we'll let you know immediately."

"Get the CDC online and tell them I want a
briefing this afternoon, Judy set something up."

"Yes, sir Mr. President."

"Is that all you have for me today?"

"Yes, sir."

"Thank you," the president said as Eddy
hustled the president back to his office to make the calls to some
of his favorite congressmen.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The first lady's speeches were over and the
meal picked at. Regardless of what the fancy French name was for
the meal; rubber chicken is rubber chicken. After the dinner was
the important time. The delegates met and talked after the speeches
and meal were over. The real deals were made during that time, the
alliances were struck, the favors called in and the 'you help me
and I'll help' you agreements. It was the point in the conference
where the first lady of the United States would make the most
impact and get promises for those issues, which were important to
her.

Towards the end of the 'parking lot'
meetings as they were called. Evette, who was Abby Patterson's
personal assistant, knew it was time for her to pull the first lady
from the clutches of the attendees. It was up to her to know who
the important people were and when Abby had spoken with them. It
was also her job to pull her away before the less important ones,
who wanted to talk and get their pictures taken, cornered her.
"Mrs. President your motorcade is ready, whenever you're ready to
leave."

"Thanks, Evette. I have to say goodbye to
the conference director and two others."

"Yes, mam. Just give me a nod and I'll have
your cars come to the hotel front door.

"I need to talk with the English Relief
Director and the German Director of Children's Relief, and then
please marshal me over to the conference director so I can make my
departure thanks."

"Yes, mam. Two minutes per person?"

"Sounds about right.

The first lady walked towards the English
Relief Director. Barney Harold Thomalson was a senior English
aristocratic gentleman. He spoke slowly and his stories tended to
draw on way too long. Abby had to make the concession and spend a
few moments with him, he was important for her to get additional
funding committed for childhood vaccinations.

"Mr. Thomalson, I'm so pleased to have a
moment to speak with you. Your support for childhood vaccinations
has been instrumental in making progress."

"Mrs. Patterson. I'm so glad to have the
opportunity to speak with you. I'm happy to support your plans; I
wish we had spoken before my last trip to Africa. I saw some
glaring examples of ..." and the story continued.

After the two minutes, Evette softly said,
"I'm sorry to disturb you Mrs. Patterson, but we have another
appointment."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Thomalson, but I really have
to say some other goodbyes then I must get back to the hotel to
check on my children.

"Thank you for your time," said the English
Gentlemen as he bowed gently.

Abby Patterson shook his hand and moved
casually towards Karsten Hurbst. "Mr. Hurbst, Guten Abend. Wie geht
es Ihnen? I'm so glad we could spend a moment talking before I have
to leave."

"Mrs. Patterson. Good evening to you also,
and yes I am fine, thank-you. I'm pleased to speak with you." The
tall, balding man bowed slightly as he welcomed her.

”Have you heard about this viral outbreak in
the Russian Caucasus's?"

"No, Director. I haven't heard about that.
What can you tell me?"

"I know very little, except it's getting
everyone's attention and concern. It may turn out to be just
another unfounded panic, but I suppose we should wait to hear the
details before overreacting."

"Yes director, I hope you're right and it
becomes a non-issue. Before I have to leave, I'd like your
commitment supporting our initiative to increase funding for
childhood vaccinations?"

"Absolutely, and I'd like to get your
opinion on supporting our goal of increased research in
communicable diseases in developing countries."

"Yes, Director I agree and I'll put it in my
next speech later this week."

"Thank you so much."

"Mrs. Patterson, I'm sorry, but we're
falling behind schedule," reminded Evette.

"I'm sorry Director but I've got to go. Auf
Wiedersehen."

A slight bow from Mr. Hurbst and she moved
away towards her next and hopefully last goodbye of the night.

"Aadab, As salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah wa
barakatuhu." I'm glad we can speak for a moment. I enjoyed the
meeting today and I think we made a lot of progress."

"Mrs. Patterson, your language skills, are
impressive. Yes, we have made a lot of progress and we were so
fortunate to have you as our guest speaker."

"It was my pleasure. My degree in languages
and international studies has come in handy. I've found it
exciting, interesting and very informative to attend these
international conferences. I've enjoyed each time you have invited
me. I'd like to invite you to attend our National Conference coming
up in Washington this fall. I hope you'll be able to attend."

"I'm sure I'll be able to. Mrs. Patterson, I
was wondering if you've heard anything about this outbreak in
southern Russia? I've heard it is serious."

"To be honest I haven't heard anything
official. I actually just heard of it a few moments ago, from the
German director, Mr. Hurbst. I'll check with my husband when I get
a chance, and see what he has been told. I'll pass the information
back to you."

"Thank you so much and I hope the remainder
of your stay is pleasant. Fi Amanullah."

"Thank-you. May Allah also protect you."

"Mrs. Patterson, I'm sorry but we must
leave," pointed out Evette.

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Abby, Evette, and the two secret service
men, walked through the lobby into the elevator without saying a
word. The ride from the conference was only a few minutes and they
went through the typical scheduling issues and passed tidbits of
information each had heard. Beyond necessary business, the ride was
quiet. It had been a long day and they were all looking forward to
some downtime. Jet lag followed by an aggressive schedule always
took its toll.

They entered the elevator and Evette pushed
the button for the top floor, which had been reserved for the first
lady, her staff and security detail. Once the elevator door closed,
Abby let her guard down and started to relax. She was looking
forward to seeing Dave and Beth. She was sure they'd have some fun
stories about the zoo. Dave surely forgot his reluctance once he
got there. He would have great stories about the animals, he had a
real connection with creatures. Abby secretly hoped that he would
get his grades up and go into medicine or science. Beth was too
young for a mother to envision her life. She would talk about the
pretty birds, balloons and fancy decorations around the zoo;
perhaps she would be an artist or musician. Abby smiled as she
thought of her children's futures.

For the first time in her day, Abby was able
to take a deep breath and suddenly she felt a little tireder than
normal from the jet lag. She had a little wheeze starting and
perhaps a little flushed. Oh well, a good night's sleep and I will
be all set for tomorrow, she thought.

The doors finally opened and the secret
service detail stuck their heads out of the elevator to check up
and down the hall. Before waiting for their all-clear, Abby strode
out of the elevator and headed towards her suite. Evette opened the
door and Abby was surprised to find the entry quiet. She put her
purse on the small table by the door and Janice approached her.

"Have the kids gone to bed?" Abby asked the
children's nanny.

"Yes, after we got back from the zoo they
were feeling very tired so I put them to bed. Do you want me to
wake them so you can say good night?"

"No. I'm not feeling all that great. I think
I'll call it a night too." Abby turned to Evette and said, "I think
that's all for the night. Let's meet for breakfast and go over
tomorrow's schedule."

"7:00 AM. Here?"

"That will be good. Good night."

"Good night," Evette said as she turned to
leave. "I'm not feeling all that great so I'm glad we're quitting
early. Maybe we got some bad food somewhere."

"Don't say that too loud or we'll have an
international incident. I hope not, this trip is important. Let's
see what a good night's sleep does for us. See you tomorrow."

"Good night," Evette said as she closed the
door to the First Lady's suite.

"Janice you can also go. I'll be ok, I'm
going to go over my speech for tomorrow and check in on the kids,
then call it a night. Thanks."

"Good night, I'll see you tomorrow."

Abby felt miserable while she tried to get
something done. The evening dragged on and at 9:15 local she had
enough. I quit, she thought to herself. She walked across the
living room and checked in on Beth. She seemed Ok although her
breathing sounded a little too deep, "Maybe she is just bone
tired," she said to herself as she crossed the hall to check on
David. She found the same response and thought, boy jet lag is
really hitting all of us, time for bed.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Admiral Lester Monson was sound asleep in
his quarters when his comm unit woke him. Reacting partly due to
shock and instinct, he found the unit and accepted the call.

"This is Monson."

The voice of his chief medical officer broke
the silence, "Sir, this is Commander Pearl. I thought you'd want to
know that 40% of the crewmen due for the morning shift have turned
up sick at first bell."

The Admiral glanced at his watch, he worked
to focus on the face and it showed 04:40 AM.

"40 %?"

"Yes, sir. They're showing similar
respiratory distress and none of them are fit for duty. Sir, the
symptoms are similar to what popped up in the Russian Caucasus
yesterday."

The admiral sat for a moment processing the
thought. Then his eyes exploded open. "Say that again Commander
Pearl."

"Sir, they are showing the same symptoms as
the virus that is occurring in the Russian Caucasus." By the time,
the commander had finished the sentence the admiral was already
moving and getting dressed. "Commander meet me on the flag bridge
in five."

"Yes, sir."

The hatch almost broke off its hinges when
the Admiral exploded into the flag bridge. Commander Pearl and
Captain Mann were standing there waiting for him.

"Commander, what's happening?"

"Sir, I've spoken with each of the
infirmaries in the Task Force and they're all reporting similar
results. Large numbers of sailors are reporting for morning call
sick and unfit for duty. What we're seeing are symptoms very
similar to what we heard about happening in the Russian Caucuses.
They're showing respiratory distress and their condition is
deteriorating rapidly."

"All of them?"

"Yes, sir."

The admiral turned away and walked in a
circle for a moment, then yelled, "Mann, lock down the fleet. We're
going into Biohazard operation."