Apache Dawn: Book I of the Wildfire Saga (85 page)

Okay, so we’re going to ambush the flu.

But…

What if…(you knew
that
was coming) some bad guys—like, I don’t know, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, Iran, or maybe North Korea (
ahem
)—found out how these scientists created this uber-flu? (By the way, the guy in charge of this experiment wanted to publish his findings in an international medical journal.)

Common sense says the bad guys would weaponize it as fast as possible.

And thus, the story you just read was born.

As for the Department of Defense Directive in
Chapter 28
, it’s
real
.

Do a Google look-up on
Directive No. 3025.18
and prepare to be amazed.

Sometimes, the truth really
is
stranger than fiction.

Marcus Richardson

August 22, 2014

Acknowledgements

NO MAN IS an island, or so the saying goes.

I would like to thank so many people that helped bring this book into existence, I fear I would need to write another volume just for the acknowledgements.

So here’s the abridged version:

Without the love and support—and some good-natured joshing—of my wonderful wife, I wouldn’t have even attempted to write this book.

Whenever I slowed down or ran out of a momentum, she was there to give me a shove in the back.

Nothing says ‘love’ like “Stop screwing around and get back to work!”

All kidding aside, my wife is
awesome
.

I’d also like to express my gratitude to Kerre for her medical knowledge and advice, without which, the nurses in this book would have fared far worse (and I would likely never be able to have any future hospital visit without risking an unfortunate “complication”)!

Thank you!

My sincere thanks also to (in no particular order) the following for reminding me to keep feeding the MOAR monster:
NeverReady, kokosmom2, MountainMan, ConradCa, SheWoff, 2medicine woman, bagpiper, irishmafia, real wowwee, DarkLight, HellsScoutAct , topdoc, and RunAndGun.

Thank you all for your encouragement (and patience)!

I need now make special mention of a certain shady character that goes by the handle “Rotag”.

He volunteered to be my primary beta reader (and editor), so if you find any stupid mistakes in this book, it’s
his
fault.

Just kidding—he’s a great guy and really went out of his way to help me make this book as polished as possible.

I assure you, any mistakes in this book are purely my own.

As for the rest of my family and friends—you know who you are—I hope I have expressed how very much I value your continued support and encouragement for my writing.

THANK YOU.

A
BOUT
THE
A
UTHOR

MARCUS GRADUATED FROM the University of Delaware and later earned his J.D. at the age of 26.

Since then, he has at times been employed (or not) as: a highly over-qualified stock boy, cashier, department manager at a home furnishings store, assistant manager with a national arts and crafts chain, an acting store manager with the same chain, an unemployed handyman, husband, cook, groundskeeper, spider-killer extraordinaire, stay-at-home-dad, and writer.

He currently lives with his wife, children, and one cheeky vizsla in Wisconsin—and he couldn’t be happier you’re taking the time to read this.

Discover more about Marcus on the
FAQ page
of his website.

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[Books by Marcus Richardson]

THE FUTURE HISTORY
OF
AMERICA

Book I:
Alea Jacta Est

Book II:
Sic Semper Tyrannis

Book III:
Dux Bellorum

THE WILDFIRE SAGA

Book I:
Apache Dawn