The television showed seated journalists facing a podium in front of a blue backdrop crested with an official-looking emblem. Jag turned up the volume just as a skinny man in a suit walked on stage. He adjusted the mic, then addressed the journalists. “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. The Secretary of Agriculture will be with us in a moment. He will make a brief statement and take questions afterward.”
He then strode off stage and was replaced by a man thrice his size who took to the podium. The newcomer greeted the journalists, then said, “As you know, the nation has been hit by large-scale crop losses. Although isolated reports of these events began coming in three to four months ago, the situation has escalated over the past two weeks.
“While we have been unable to identify the source of the crop damage as of yet, I give you my complete assurance that we have the best people from various agencies working to identify, isolate and neutralize this phenomenon—this scourge.
“We are also working with the United Nations and the governments of several countries who have been affected by this outbreak. The Secretary of State has been in close contact with the leaders of China, India, Australia, Canada, and our friends in Europe, South America and Africa. I too have been in contact with my counterparts in the aforementioned countries and regions. Working with them and the UN, we are trying to ascertain the state of global grain reserves.
“I would like to assure our citizens that we are doing everything we can to contain the effects that this phenomenon may have on U.S. agriculture production. We are, at present, taking all necessary measures to ensure sufficient grain supplies are available in areas hit hardest by the shortage.
“I am also asking the public, especially farmers and folks involved in supporting the farming industry, to report immediately by calling the number at the bottom of the screen if they notice anything suspicious or out of the ordinary occurring in their areas.
“With regards to the incidences of unrest reported in several cities across the country, I call on those involved to immediately cease these unlawful activities. Adherence to the rule of law is crucial at times like this.
“Furthermore, I have been instructed by the Secretary of Homeland Security to remind you that looting will be not be tolerated. Law enforcement agencies around the country have been advised to take all necessary steps to maintain order.
“Once again, let me state that the government is doing everything possible to resolve this pressing situation and we ask for your full cooperation and support. Thank you. I’ll now be taking a few questions.”
Several reporters stood up and began shouting questions. An off-screen voice could be heard calling for one question at a time and the reporters quieted. A microphone was passed to a pretty, petite African-American woman in the front row. “Mr. Secretary, Naomi Shakur from CNN. You stated that you first heard about this disease about four months ago. What has your department done since then and how did things get so far out of control to reach this crisis point?”
“When the first reports came in they were, as I said, isolated,” the Secretary replied. “We immediately dispatched teams to affected areas. Based on the findings at that time, there was no direct evidence of a connection between those regions. Since that time there has clearly been a significant increase in both the size and severity of the outbreak and I will admit that the rapid spread caught us by surprise.”
The microphone was then passed to a balding, mustachioed man. “Good afternoon—Linden Sullivan, New York Times. There is all kind of speculation going around. Is this a disease or some kind of a bio-terror attack on our nation?”
“The results of our tests remain inconclusive,” the Secretary said. “We have yet to discover the source, be it biological, chemical or some other cause. I am advised that no credible information exists to suggest this is part of a terror plot aimed at our nation and, in fact, the effects seem to be global in nature. Our view at this point is that no known terrorist group would have the capacity to mount an attack on this scale.”
The next journalist, a youngish fellow with a prominent jaw, spoke. “Trevor Romanov with Fox News. With all due respect, sir, your call for calm is not going to be sufficient for the growing number of individuals and families across the country who wake up in the morning wondering if they will have enough food on the table for the day. My question is, does the United States have sufficient grain reserves, or have we depleted it since the implementation of the 1996 Freedom to Farm Act? And if so, how does the government plan to prevent mass starvation?”
“Whoa, easy, Trevor,” the Secretary told him, stifling a chuckle. “You have three questions there, the last one rather hyperbolic but I’ll address it anyway. To answer your first question, the United States used to stockpile grain but that practice was indeed discontinued after 1996. However, and let me be clear on this, supplies are being brought in from other nations with surplus grain, as global grain is largely a freely-traded commodity. As we speak, arrangements are being made with our neighbors to the north in Canada, as well as Russia, to create a supply line. So let’s take this a notch down and go easy on the doomsday scenarios.”
Jag slapped his forehead. “If only they knew that this
will
lead to a doomsday scenario.”
Another correspondent spoke up. “There have been reports of food riots in China and India, and rumors of mobilization of their armed forces along the borders. In light of the fact that Russia appears to be the only country mostly unaffected by this phenomenon, there is speculation in certain quarters that the Russians are behind this. Do you have any information on that?”
“To your second question regarding alleged Russian involvement, that is simply a rogue theory and one I obviously have no information about. Specific questions about how other nations are responding to their own issues are better directed to the State Department, and you will have plenty of opportunities to do just that in the coming days.”
Kody took the remote from Jag and muted the television. “So what do you think?”
“Lots of crazies out there but it looks like the guy from Fox had it right,” Jag said, shaking his head. “If this thing isn’t stopped, we’re looking at starvation. Not for just the nation, but the entire world.”
Mariah pulled up the collar of her shirt and gnawed at it, a murky expression stitched on her face. “We’re the only ones who know what’s really going on. That’s kind of frightening.”
Jag gently rubbed her back. “Keep at it, guys. We’ll figure this out. I know we will—and we’re not alone in this quest.”
* * *
Aari, Tegan and Marshall had gotten into a small car after touching down in California. Marshall, seeming to know exactly where he needed to go, drove through the streets of Goleta. He then exited the town and drove until they reached a suburb with single-story bungalows on large plots of land. A few minutes later they arrived at the gates of a ranch-style home.
The Sentry picked up his phone. “And here we are. I just need to give him a call, and—”
Before he could finish his sentence, the gates opened. Aari saw Marshall glance at the security camera to the side of the gate and give it a thumbs-up. They parked along the side of the house and, as they got out, were greeted by a neighing to their left. A striking silver horse was staring at them from a large paddock.
Aari felt Tegan tugging on his arm excitedly. “Look at it!” she whispered. “It’s so handsome!”
“Too bad Mariah’s not here,” Aari said.
Marshall led the way to the back of the house with the teenagers in tow. A sliding door to a deck opened and a tall, slim man wearing a light-colored polo shirt stepped out. His hair was slightly grayed at the sides but there was a boyish charm about him. “Marshall!” he called out.
“Josh!” Marshall hurried up the steps and grabbed the other man in a warm hug. “It’s good to see you again!” He turned to the teens. “Aari, Tegan, this is Dr. Joshua Ferguson.”
“Pleasure meeting you, Dr. Ferguson,” Aari said, eagerly pumping the man’s hand.
“Just call me Josh.” From the bright light in the man’s eyes and the crispness in his enunciation, Aari knew he was going to enjoy getting to know the scientist.
Josh extended a hand to his side, inviting the three of them inside. “I understand this is an urgent matter, Marshall. Katherine has prepared lunch for all of us, so let’s have a quick bite.”
Inside the cozy dining room, two small dogs barked in welcome but were kindly hushed by Josh as his guests took their seats. He also mentioned a cat that was probably wandering around the property. Katherine Ferguson, her short straw-colored hair up in a ponytail, came out of the kitchen and smiled genially at the teens and the Sentry. Marshall got up to greet her and offered to help with lunch, but she declined and kissed his cheek before retreating.
The Sentry seemed exceptionally fond of Josh and Katherine, and Aari noticed that they reciprocated that affection as though Marshall was family.
Wonder what history he has with them
, Aari thought. It hit him then that the five knew next to nothing about most of Marshall’s life outside of his Sentry duties and his time with the Marines. He made a mental note to enquire about it at the next opportunity.
Josh served the first portion of their lunch, which consisted of artichokes, something Aari had never eaten before but found himself enjoying. They were served freshly baked swordfish next; Aari’s and Tegan’s jaws dropped.
Tegan took the first bite and wriggled in delight. “This is probably the best fish I’ve ever had. Kody is really missing out.”
Aari took a picture of their meal with his phone and sent it to Kody, who immediately replied with incoherent capitalized typing and crying emoticons. “Our boy’s in a fit now,” Aari told Tegan with a grin. She snickered.
Katherine brought out dessert once they had finished their meal, then excused herself. “I need find that cat before it gets too late,” she said with a sigh.
When she was out of the door, Marshall turned to Josh apologetically. “I’m sorry to take your time on a Sunday, Josh.”
The older man patted the Sentry’s arm. “Don’t be. It’s such a joy for Katherine and me to see you again after so long. Besides, I know you wouldn’t have come here in such a hurry if it wasn’t about something important.” He pushed his dessert bowl aside. “Now, what is it I can do for you?”
Marshall pinched the edge of the table between his fingers. “Best if I start from the top. These two are with me on this, by the way. Their friends are in Kansas working on another aspect of this situation.”
Josh laced his fingers over the table. “I am all ears.”
Aari watched the man’s reaction as Marshall explained everything concerning their hunch about the crop failures, leaving out how the five had met him and their powers. When he finished, Josh let out a whistle. “So you’re saying that the outbreak happening right now is
intentional?
Someone’s actually behind this? None of the agencies investigating the crop failure so far have mentioned anything to indicate that this is deliberate. What’s with that?”
Aari answered before Marshall could. “It’s a question of paradigm.”
“What makes you say that?”
“The government is working on an assumption based on past experience and training, which means they’re instinctively looking for a biological or chemical cause. They’re searching for the source in the obvious places, like soil, water, the crops, fertilizer, pesticides—anything else that the farmers may have used in the process.” Aari made a square with his thumbs and index fingers. “They’re locked in this box because that’s where the source has traditionally been for crop failure.”
Josh looked at Marshall, clearly impressed. The Sentry lightly thumped Aari’s shoulder. “Probably should have introduced him to you as our mini Einstein.”
“Probably,” Josh said affably. “So what you’re saying, then, Aari, is that they’re looking at the ground when the destruction is actually . . . ”
“ . . .descending from the sky, literally.”
Josh absorbed this with round eyes. “That’s unbelievable! Alright, how can I be of help?”
“We need to find a way to destroy the nanomites—at least, that’s what we believe they are,” Marshall answered. “Doubt it could be anything else, really. Basically, we need to figure out what it’s made of, what makes it work, and how we can eliminate it.”
“We managed to catch three of them,” Tegan added. “They’re in my bag.”
Josh was dubious. “You
caught
them? How? How could you possibly catch them?”
Tegan gave a sheepish smile and looked to Aari for help, but he had no idea what to say either. Marshall came to their rescue. “Let’s just say they lucked out,” he told Josh simply.
Josh looked from Marshall to Aari and Tegan but smartly decided not to push the subject. “You mentioned that they come in the shape of a large bird at night?”
“I suspect that they travel fair distances from their source, wherever that is, and the form of a bird is the most efficient means of travel,” Aari said. “There’s definitely a significant level of programming involved here that allows these—I guess synthetic organisms?—to merge, dissolve and then remerge.”
As he spoke, Tegan picked up her knapsack and brought out the three spice containers with the bits of wheat stalk inside. Josh picked one up and put on his glasses to get a better look. “Hmm . . . I’ll need some serious magnification to figure out if we have a nanomite after all.”
Marshall picked up the other two containers and held them up. “Precisely. Which is why we came looking for your help.”
“I’ll take them down to my lab tomorrow,” Josh assured them. “I have all the equipment I need there to study it and run some tests. Why don’t you guys drop by tomorrow afternoon? Marshall, you know where I work.”
Marshall nodded at Aari and Tegan. “That sounds good.”
Josh was still looking at the container in his hand when Katherine walked back inside, obviously worried. “Josh, have you seen the cat?”
Josh removed his glasses and sat straight. “Isn’t she outside?”