Alien Virus (3 page)

“No – not a word.” They all nodded in
reverence to Frank. Gareth lifted his glass.

“To Frank.” We all lifted our glasses and
toasted their departed friend. Then Tony continued.

“The virus. We don’t know exactly when or
where it landed, but we know it arrived on Earth around ten
thousand years ago…”

“Ten thousand years!” I exclaimed. Fucking
hell, I thought.

“It’s wiped out complete civilizations. Have
you ever wondered about what happened to the Atlanteans?” I shook
my head. To be honest, I’d never given it a thought. Atlantis was
nothing more than a myth in my book. “The virus feeds off its
hosts, and can spread quickly. It has been active throughout recent
history – from the European plagues of the thirteen hundreds, to
the killer flu outbreak of the First World War Now it’s threatening
to wipe mankind off the face of this planet.” If Tony wanted my
full attention, now he had it. He paused to take a sip from his
whisky, giving me time to ask a burning question.

“Why? I mean, what does it gain by
destroying us?”

“It’s a parasite. It lives off its host for
as long as it can feed itself. When it finally kills the host, it
moves on to another. You’ve got to remember this isn’t an
Earth–bound virus, Kevin, it’s cosmic, it can travel across
universes. Frank believed that it colonized and wiped out other
races, in other parts of the Universe, before it came to Earth.
It’s got no soul, no sense of right or wrong – it’s just a matter
of survival – procreation, and survival.” Tony picked up his whisky
again. His glass was nearly empty and Audrey gave him a refill.
This gave Katie the chance to speak.

“We know that the virus divides and grows
very rapidly. It’s tiny, but deadly – and multiplying in numbers as
we speak.”

“When you say ‘tiny’, what scale are we on?”
I asked. “Is it the size of a molecule – or as small as a prion. Or
something in between – the size of a blood cell, say?”

“Do you know much about Leukemia, Kevin?” I
should do – our magazine had written an article about it a few
months earlier – and I did some of the research.

“Sure – it’s cancer of the blood. It occurs
when the body produces too many white blood cells. Massive numbers
of rogue white cells take over the bone marrow and then spill out
into the blood stream. If untreated, it’s almost always fatal. They
say the name Leukemia comes from the Greek for white blood. What
has this got to do with the virus?”

“Kevin, the white blood cells
are
the
virus.”

I was stunned – speechless. How could this
be? The white cells are our defences – our antibodies – everyone
knew that. Without them we’d all die. No question. These people
must be mistaken – well meaning, but mistaken. Tony could see the
disbelief written in my face.

“Didn’t you ever think it was odd that cells
which are meant to be your antibodies, your
defence
against infection and diseases, are also the
cause of cancer? You would think that the greater your
defences
, the healthier you’d become. But according
to the medical theories, the more antibodies you have, the more
chance you have of disease.”

“But that’s only because of cell mutation,”
I countered. “Carcinogens such as tobacco smoke cause some cells to
mutate – and instead of being part of our
defences
, they become rogue operators, attacking the
body, breaking it down.”

“And others commit suicide and sort of
‘throw themselves out of the body’,” Kate added.

The more I thought about it, the more
ridiculous it seemed. And then I realized that I was just quoting
things I’d seen it one or more of the many magazine articles I’d
read. I’d never thought the whole thing out for myself. I paused
for a moment then said, “Are you saying that the virus takes over
the white blood cells? Leukemia and some cancers are the direct
result of the alien virus?”

Tony finished his drink and smiled . “That’s
exactly what we’re saying Kevin.” I was stunned… but it all made
sense now. “You’ve had a lot to take in already, my friend, and
we’ve all had quite a day. I suggest we go and relax now. They’ll
be more time to talk tomorrow – if you’re still here?”

“I have to go back on the sleeper tomorrow
night – but that leaves me the whole day here.”

“Good – we’ll have time to chat then.”

“One more thing though,” I added as I stood
up to go. “I guess the blood test was to find out if I was infected
with the virus. What if I had been?”

Audrey, who had been collecting our glasses,
stopped and said, “Oh, then we would have killed you. Anyone for
more coffee?”

***

Four

The next day I awoke with so much on my
mind. Mainly questions. How did the virus get into the body? What
exactly did it do when it was there? And why weren’t Tony and the
others affected by it? Was it because of salt?

I met the group for lunch at Henderson’s
Restaurant in Hanover Street. I was warmly greeted by Kate, who was
the first to arrive. She looked more beautiful than ever, and I
thought I was falling in love.

“How did you sleep last night, Kevin? No
nightmares I hope?”

“No – but lots of questions.”

“That’s normal.” I was suddenly aware of
people around us. I glanced around the restaurant then turned back
to Kate.

“Is it safe to talk here?”

“Yes – it’s fine. The owner, Jim, is one of
us, and no–one pays any attention to anyone else here. If he sees
anyone dodgy coming in, Jim usually warns us.” I nodded and smiled
at her. Where had she been all my life.

“Tell me, how did you get started in all
this Kate?”

She drew a breath. “Oh, it’s a long story.
It was through my mother really.” Then she changed the subject.
“Have you ordered yet?”

“No – I was waiting for you.”

Just then, Tony and Gareth walked in.

“Hi Kevin – don’t get up. Audrey sends her
apologies – her sister’s ill and she gone to Musselborough to see
her. Anyone for food? I’m starving.”

“Me too,” added Gareth. We all sat down with
our meal and ate without talking for a few minutes. Then I
said,

“Y’know, I really want to do something to
help. If this is all true – and I have no other explanation for
what’s been happening recently – then I’m on your side, and I’ll do
anything I can to help stop this virus.” They all nodded their
thanks.

“That means a lot Kevin,” acknowledged Tony.
“When we lost Frank, we really thought we were up against it. Frank
was a great motivator and really put himself around in London. We
need someone like you to help get the message out – particularly
with your media background.” In the back of my mind I had a
worrying thought. If the virus was contained within the white blood
cells, then couldn’t we all get infected – to one degree or another
– sooner or later? I guess that was what Frank Peters had said.
Okay, salt was some sort of neutralizer. But how did we contract
the virus in the first place?” Tony gave me the answer.

“It’s through the food chain – or rather,
the animal food chain. We eat infected animals, or their produce,
and we become infected. Plant life is unaffected by the virus, as
are salt water fish. So any fish from the sea is safe.” The salt
angle again.

“But how do animals get infected?” I asked.
That’s the trouble with us journalists, always having another
question to ask.

“At one time, they became infected by being
fed parts of other animals. But how animals originally became
infected, we don’t really know. We’re talking about ten thousand
years ago, remember.”

“Possibly through the fresh water supply?” I
ventured. “If the virus arrived from outer space, it would have to
land somewhere.”

“Yes, possibly,” replied Kate. “Or it could
have just landed on the animals themselves and burrowed through
their skin to their blood supply. That’s common with many
earthbound parasites.” I couldn’t help thinking how much I’d like
to burrow into Kate’s skin. She was everything I could ever want in
a woman. But Tony snapped me out of my fantasies.

“This virus is extremely cunning. We believe
that it’s able to modify Man’s thought patterns to protect itself.
Salt, as Frank told you, neutralizes the affects of the virus. So
the virus implants the idea in Man’s brain that salt is inherently
bad for us. Now the government has declared a war on salt – ‘the
new tobacco’, as they’re calling it.

I sat back in my chair and took a deep
breath. This was like finding out about sex for the first time: a
whole new awakening that was going to change my life forever. I
sipped my tea thoughtfully.

After lunch, Tony had to go off on business,
so Kate and Gareth showed me around the City. It was a long time
since I’d been to Edinburgh and a few things had changed. I was
glad of their company (particularly Kate’s of course) and wished I
could stay longer. It was such a pleasant change not to be the
cranky one in a sea of conventionality.

When it was time to go, they both gave me a
hug and told me – actually instructed me – to stay in touch. Kate
gave me her email address and phone number. I promised I stay in
contact, and thanked them both for everything. They waved me off on
the sleeper to Euston, and I left feeling that somehow we’d meet up
again very soon.

*

The next day, I was back at work, and I
couldn’t wait to see Sandi to tell her all about the weekend. But
she wasn’t there. Then Trevor breezed in, telling me it was good to
see me back
if
I had a good story. And then he broke the
news about Sandi.

“What! When did this happen?”

“Saturday morning. She came in to make up
for lost time – both yours and hers – and then she suddenly
collapsed.”

“Jesus Trevor – why didn’t anyone tell me
this before?” I was on the point of outrage.

“We couldn’t just phone ‘Scotland’ – it’s a
big country.” I hated Trevor when he hid behind his sarcasm.

“I had my mobile.”

“We tried that, but no reply. We left a
message of course.” I pulled out my mobile and checked my messages.
There was a message from Judith, the receptionist, but only asking
me to phone the office. Shit – I should have checked. “Don’t you
check your messages, Kevin?”

“I was tied up at the time. Where did they
take her?”

“
Fulham
General, I
believe. I haven’t had the chance to check this morning to see how
she is, but she was under sedation when I phoned yesterday.”

God – that was where they took Frank Peters
– where Sandi and I had gone last Friday. I just had to go to see
her.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I shouted
to Trevor as I ran down the stairs two at a time. He called after
me,

“Kevin – you can’t just go… we’ve got a
magazine to run.”

*

I took a taxi to the hospital, expecting the
worst. The fuckers will pump her full of the virus – or even kill
her – if they can get away with it. I knew it wasn’t them doing
this – it was the virus acting through them. But I just couldn’t
help thinking it was people plotting against us.

London on a Monday morning is a nightmare.
You can get out of the Capital all right; but just try cutting
across it.

“A tenner says you won’t beat that ambulance
to the hospital,” I challenged the driver, pointing ahead.

“I’d have to break the law to do that, mate.
And the fine would be thirty.” I waved two twenty pound notes in
his face and he immediately took a sharp right, speeding down a
side lane and then down a one way street – the wrong way. After a
hair–raising drive, we screeched to a halt at the main entrance. I
paid him the fare and was about to rush inside, when I realized I’d
need a lift back.

“Twenty quid says you won’t be here when I
get out.”

“You’re on.”

Inside, the mood was subdued, but my mind
was racing.

“Sandi Green please.” The Caribbean
receptionist looked carefully at a chart then turned back to me
without smiling.

“I’m sorry, no visitors – Miss Green is in
intensive care.”

“I’m her colleague and friend – I must see
her.”

“I don’t care if you’re Santa Claus – the
doctor said NO VISITORS, got it?”

“Not even with this?” I produced my
press–card.

“Particularly not with that.”

I turned away and sat down in the waiting
room, wondering what to do next. I was desperate to get to Sandi,
and desperate situations require desperate measures. Noticing a
nurse coming out of a door marked ‘Staff Only’, carrying what
looked like a medical uniform, I got up and walked slowly to the
door. Checking that no–one was looking, I went in. As I had hoped,
the room was full of laundered white coats and nurses’ wear.
Finding a coat that fitted, I left the room, checking that no–one
had noticed me. I thought I looked more like a janitor than a
doctor – but anything to get me into see Sandi would do.

The next problem was finding her. All I
could do was follow the signs, looking for intensive care. I was
regarded with suspicion on a couple of wards, but made a quick exit
–
apologising
as if I’d taken a wrong
turn. Then, on the second floor, I saw the sign: ‘Intensive Care’.
I’ve always believed that if you want to get away with something,
do it positively. In most cases, no–one will question you.

So I grabbed one of the empty wheelchairs at
the entrance to Intensive Care, and wheeled it in, greeting anyone
I encountered with a smile. It didn’t take me long to find Sandi –
she was in a room on her own. I took the chair in and closed the
door behind me, pulling across the blind on the door.

Sandi was out cold, by the looks of things,
with a drip attached to her arm. Without any doubt, this was not a
saline drip. I didn’t have much time – I had to wake her up and get
her out of there. I talked softly but urgently to her.