The Ebola Wall (12 page)

“Mr. Ambassador, no reasonable leader is going to nuke any city, especially within its own borders. Your previous recommendation wasn’t realistic, and everyone sitting at this table knows that. Regardless, wouldn’t our limited time be more reasonably utilized trying to agree upon a course of action rather than rehash historical events?” Reese stated calmly.

“The People’s Republic of China will not surrender,” chimed in the representative of the world’s most populous country. “We will not submit to any foreign power, epidemic or not.”

“Nor will France,” sounded another voice, the English thick with a Gallic accent. “Our people would prefer to die rather than hand over our sovereignty to some unknown lunatic. The virus may annihilate our ranks, but France will survive this scourge just as we have every other challenge throughout the ages.”

The British representative shook his head. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that, sir. Our scientists believe that the virus will mutate several more times if it is provided six billion hosts. Ebola-B may leave 30% of our citizens alive, but what about Ebola-C, and D, and so forth. Our experts believe the odds are quite high that immunity to one variant won’t protect an individual against later strains. We believe this could be an extinction event.”

The Englishman’s words were sobering, a tense silence enveloping the chamber. India, occupying the one rotating seat on the council, spoke next, “I wonder what they would do with the world if we all surrendered?”

“That’s an excellent question,” Secretary Reese responded. “I’ve pondered that more than once myself.”

The General Secretary tilted his head, “Has anybody asked?”

Again, a hush fell over the chamber, each representative seeming to gather his thoughts.

Peering over the top of his glasses, the distinguished British envoy scanned the seated powers. “Perhaps we should find out,” he said. “I admit, like most of you, our leadership has assumed some heinous desire to grab power and achieve world domination. It’s a bit embarrassing really. Those of us who swim in diplomatic waters should know better than to assume anything.”

The statement initiated a sudden flush of conversation, many of the seated dignitaries turning to their aides seated behind them and whispering questions or comments. Other ambassadors chose to hold private, hushed exchanges with a neighboring member. The General Secretary let it go, hoping something positive would come from the free-flowing communications.

It was Secretary of State Reese who raised her voice a few minutes later. “Since Houston is within our borders, I propose we adjourn so that my government can make an honest attempt to clarify this point.”

Agreement came quickly, followed by chairs pushing back, papers stuffed into attachés, and ties being straightened as the meeting was adjourned. As Reese made for the door, the British Ambassador stepped close. “A word, Madam… in private?”

Nodding, the two made their way down the hall, quickly entering the U.S. suite of offices and then an empty conference room.

“Thank you for sparing me a moment, Madam Secretary. I just wanted to communicate something we concluded right before the meeting began.”

“Mr. Ambassador, you know my door is always open to our British friends. Please, proceed.”

“Our intelligence community has determined that North Korea, Pakistan, Iran, and a handful of other countries have already made the decision not to join, no matter the determination of the United Nations. Korea is understandable and anticipated. The other nations, especially Pakistan, are more troubling. From what we’ve been able to gather, they actually want the pandemic to sweep the globe.”

Reese’s brow knotted at the ambassador’s words. “We expected some of the bad actors would resist, but didn’t delve in too deeply since our own government is completely against surrendering.”

The older man smiled warmly, “As are we. However, I think our friends in Washington should know that all three of the countries I mentioned are preparing their nuclear arsenals.”

“Can you shed any light on why?”

“No. Our local assets and capabilities are limited. But rest assured, we are convinced that this information is quite accurate.”

Secretary Reese nodded her understanding. “Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. I’ll pass this intelligence on. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to try and establish a rapport with a madman… and a very pissed madman at that.”

Eight hours after receiving the serum, Captain Norse felt like a new man. With Doctor Herald at his side, the young officer sat and enjoyed his first food in three days, a saltine cracker.

“This tastes better than the hundred-dollar steak my dad bought me after graduating from West Point,” he informed the physician as he nibbled away. “I thought I’d never eat again.”

“Take it easy there, trooper. Just one for now. If you hold that down, I’ll see about some mashed potatoes… or at least what was called mashed potatoes in one of the government shipments.”

Norse swallowed the last bite, licking his lips for every last crumb. “I wonder how much weight I lost?” he asked.

“I think you’ll find not all that much. Maybe 10 pounds or so. You’ll put it back on quickly.”

“So I’m cured?”

“Yes, at least for Ebola-B. You’ll need a booster shot in about a year, but other than that, you should be okay.”

“A booster shot? I thought the serum was a vaccine?”

“It is, but like tetanus and some other vaccines, we believe a booster will be required,” Elissa said.

“So, this will end the quarantine… this will all be over,” Norse stated, motioning around the room with a sweep of his eyes.

The doctor looked away, choosing not to answer the question.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“No. No, you didn’t,” she replied. “There are things going on that you don’t know about, Shane. Several fast moving events have begun to unfold while you’ve been ill. For right now, you should concentrate on recovery. I’ll catch you up as soon as you’re feeling better.”

Colonel Taylor glanced at his watch and then nodded at the HAM operator. Word had reached Jack just an hour ago, the anticipated request for additional communications being broadcast from outside the wall. It seemed the president of the United States wanted to have a word.

The Houston City Council chambers had been destroyed by riot and fire shortly after the Q. The board now held its meetings in the city’s tunnel system just beneath a skyscraper belonging to one of the world’s largest banks. There was an atrium, waterfall, and plenty of natural light. There were also massive flood doors, installed throughout the underground complex after a tropical storm had submerged much of the Bayou City’s subterranean infrastructure years ago.

Weighing several tons each, and looking like they belonged on a bank vault, the city had installed the thick, steel barriers to prevent widespread flooding. The survivors of Ebola-B had quickly discovered they served another purpose – securing sections of the tunnel system from looters and fire.

Now, with the board gathered around a salvaged conference table, the radio operator pushed one last button.

“This is the president of the United States,” came the voice over the radio’s speaker. “With whom am I speaking, please?”

At least he’s being polite, Jack thought before replying. “The ruling body of the Gulf Republic is present. We call our leadership the Board of Citizens. I am Colonel Jack Taylor, chairman.”

“As I’m sure you can imagine, your broadcast yesterday has caused quite a stir in the international community, as well as here in Washington. Is it still your intent for the entire planet to surrender before you’ll provide the cure for Ebola-B?”

“It is,” Taylor said firmly.

There was a long pause, as if the people listening on the other end were waiting for the colonel to elaborate. Finally, the president spoke, “I see. Just for clarification, on the extremely small chance that we would entertain such an action, how do we know you actually have a cure?”

“You don’t,” Jack said without hesitation.

“You really hate us that badly? You really want to kill tens of millions of your fellow Americans? I don’t feel like I’m negotiating with a rational governance.”

Jack scanned the room, making eye contact with the gathered leaders in the tunnel. To the colonel, they all seemed to share the same look of disgust painted on their faces. “Really, Mr. President?
We
seem irrational? From our perspective, we are offering you far more mercy than what was ever offered to us. But in truth, that issue doesn’t matter. We made our terms clear – surrender or suffer the consequences.”

The voice coming over the speaker actually chuckled. “Seriously? It’s that black and white to you? Humor me for just a moment, Colonel. What exactly would you do with the entire world if it did surrender to you?”

“Our plan is quite simple, Mr. President. Every nation on the planet will be required to implement the U.S. Bill of Rights for a period of one year. We don’t care what form of government exists, what type of elections, laws, or other type of activity exists. But, those 10 amendments must be strictly enforced, world-wide. No exceptions.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s all we demand,” Taylor replied.

Background static filled the air for several moments before the president spoke again. “Colonel Taylor, I have to ask… what would keep… say North Korea or any other nation from agreeing with your terms, receiving the cure, and then just going on about its business as usual?”

It was the colonel’s turn to laugh, “The vaccine requires a booster shot of sorts. If we discover our terms have been violated in any way, we will deny the formula. In addition, we’ll control the U.S. military. If some world leader decides to get clever, we will use the full might and force of our armed services without hesitation.”

The response from Washington was harsh. “It seems as though you’ve got this all thought out, Colonel. I’m afraid, however, it is all for naught. Surely you must realize there’s no way in hell every government on the planet is going to agree with your demands.”

“If that is their choice, then so be it, sir. In reality, our lives would be much simpler if we just let the rest of the planet die off, and we started anew. Despite what’s been done to us… regardless of what we were forced to endure, we are human beings and thus have offered this option. If the rest of humanity is so stupid as to ignore it, then that’s just the way it will have to end.”

“And there’s no chance for negotiation?”

Taylor replied immediately. “None. Zero. After the year has passed, we will hold elections in the U.S. for a new government. The people of the Gulf Republic will decide at that time whether or not to rejoin the union. As far as the rest of the world, they can do whatever they please after that first year. They can change everything back to the way it was or choose a different route. We don’t care.”

The Commander in Chief’s next question sounded almost desperate. “Why are you doing this, Colonel? What do you hope to accomplish?”

“When people suffer the atrocities we have endured, there is a change to their core values. We want every single person on this planet to understand what we have learned through tremendous sacrifice and loss. Freedom has a new meaning in the Gulf Republic, sir. Personal choice and liberty have achieved a new priority. We want the rest of humanity to share in our discovery, yet we know well and good that the vast majority of the population would never be given the chance unless their leaders were forced into a corner. We believed that was the only way we can save others from suffering the same fate as the city of Houston. We are certain this is the surest method to stop something like this quarantine from ever happening again.”

“I see, Colonel. Noble words… as high minded a speech as I’ve heard in years. But in reality, it doesn’t work that way. Nations and kings are independent, free-thinking creatures. Governments are an image of human nature – unpredictable, contrary, and not always logical. The United Nations has no hope of 100% inclusion, and I think you knew that before you broadcasted your terms.”

Taylor smiled at the radio’s speaker, as if he thought the man on the other end could see his reaction. “We’ll see, Mr. President. In about 48 hours, every leader on the planet will gain an entirely new perspective on reality. Good day, sir.”