The White Death (18 page)

Chapter 35

Thomas could feel himself dozing off, and it felt wonderful to have an hour or two of sleep. After an argument that bordered on insubordination with Gail, he had agreed to retire to his bedroom. It was quiet and warm, insulated against the business of the White House. He had a situation meeting with Section 51 at seven a.m. Getting to bed at four was pushing his ability to go without much sleep to the limit.

“The world will not benefit from a tired president high on caffeine,” she shouted earlier. He knew there wasn’t much to be done at the minute, and there was a good team to manage things. Sleeping had never been a strong point of his character. He found it a waste of time. Now, though, tiredness was winning the fight.

The door flung open, Gail appearing.

He groggily sat up.

“Mr. President, sir.”

“What’s happened?” he said, his senses returning in a flash.

She thrust an e-pad into his hand, and he blinked several times, standing up.

“
Chicago National
?”

“Everything was uploaded—the article, pictures, videos of advanced equipment that Dr. Roberts must have been carrying. Everything.”

“Gail, I gave clear instructions I did not want this to happen,” said Thomas, seething.

She closed the bedroom door, not wanting even the Secret Service personnel to hear.

“And those orders were being carried out by the FBI,” said Gail. “Their Chicago branch acted immediately, but when they got to the
Chicago National
, Donna Parker had left. The files were uploaded from a mobile laptop.”

“Well, take the website down,” he shouted, firing the pad on the super-sized bed.

“That won’t do anything now, except make the government look worse,” said Gail. “Parker uploaded it to God knows how many other news networks. Our telephone switchboard is jammed, and world leaders are queuing up to speak to you.”

Thomas said nothing, taking his glasses off to clean them. He lifted the e-pad and read it more clearly. Even his tired eyes couldn’t lie to him now. Each headline felt like a death sentence.

EUGENICS VIRUS CREATED BY ALIENS

PRO-EVOLUTION LOBBY VINDICATED

U.S. GOVERNMENT COVER UP

ALIENS TO STERILIZE EVERY HUMAN NOT GENETICALLY PERFECT—99% OF THE POPULATION

INFECTED
CANNOT
BE SAVED

“Give me a moment,” said Thomas, hurrying into his bathroom. The grumbling in his stomach was not innocent, and he just made it to the bowl before vomiting. How could he hope to maintain any sense of order in the country now? Even the army would be up in arms. Using mouthwash, he looked at his reflection in the mirror, and what stared back frightened him. He took the plunge and headed back out to Gail and the presidency.

“What’s the response so far?”

“Not good,” she said.

He could see the updates coming through hot and heavy to her as they spoke.

“Reports of intense rioting in New York and a dozen more cities. It’s spreading like wildfire.”

“I read earlier that Donna Parker had said in an interview she wanted to be remembered,” said Thomas. “She will be now.”

“Sir, I’ve told staff to refuse all calls until we come up with some kind of response to this,” said Gail. “Our primary focus must still be containment of the virus and rescuing who we can.”

“I agree,” said Thomas. “We mustn’t lose sight of that.”

Gail turned on the television, and video of Roberts speaking was being shown live.

“Fucking hell,” cursed Thomas, watching the exchange. “Like … really?”

“Freedom of the press,” said Gail.

“It’s acting against your country,” snapped Thomas. “This article will cost lives—thousands. I want Parker’s head on a platter, next to the editor’s!”

“Well, we can’t do anything to either of them now,” said Gail.

“Damn it.” He pulled off the tie he’d been trying to knot.

“We need to put this behind us,” said Gail.

“And move forward,” said Thomas. He was silently furious. How could anyone print this, knowing the damage it would cause to the country? Watching Gail walk to the window, he knew what was coming next. “This changes everything.”

“So what do we do now?” she asked.

Thomas walked to his wardrobe, about to remove a new set of cufflinks, when he turned to look at her.

“We tell the truth,” he said.

“Really?” said Gail

“Yes. We tell Congress and the people, in a joint televised address. We can’t stop this war, Gail, but we can choose our battles. I’d rather attack first.”

“I’ll set it up—noon today?” said Gail. “That’ll give us a few hours to prepare.”

“Agreed,” said Thomas. He turned back to the mirror, fixing his diamond cufflinks. “What time are we on?”

“6:50 A.M.”

“Let’s hope Section 51 can pull a rabbit out of the hat.”

“The cabinet is already assembled in the situation room for the meeting. We need to keep them involved from now on.”

“Quite right,” said Thomas. He gave himself a quick look in the mirror. It was important to appear neat and in control. A disheveled, untidy president would project the wrong kind of image. They marched out of his bedroom toward the crisis center, Secret Service agents following him—never far and always watching. The corridors were packed with staff, coordinating with departments to keep everything together. A few minutes later, after a quick call with his official spokesperson, he entered the crisis center.

“Be seated,” he ordered. The room was packed and, even with the air conditioning, was warm and stuffy. With over two dozen people packed in, representing all critical areas of government, he knew conversation would be rife. Everyone would have read each word of the news article and examined every picture and video. As he took his seat at the head of the conference table, the lights dimmed, and monitors turned on.

“Mr. President,” began Richards, “I have taken the liberty of briefing those assembled in regards to the news article printed this hour. They are up to speed in the key areas.”

“Thank you, General.” He didn’t want to waste valuable time stoking people’s questions of the article. They could spend years discussing and debating it. Television screens, showing violence across the country and Europe, couldn’t be missed. Decisive action would need to be taken now.

“First, reports,” said Thomas. “Secretary of State.”

“The Russian government is furious,” said Vanessa Kramer. Thomas was surprised how old and tired she looked. “If they were not dealing with the Eugenics Virus in their border cities, war would be very likely.”

“Nuclear weapons?” said Thomas.

“My fear,” said Kramer, “is this. If the Russian government breaks down, as governments tend to do under this amount of pressure, then some trigger-happy idiot with an axe to grind with the United States may very well launch a nuclear strike against one of our cities.”

The room went quiet, all eyes turning to Thomas.

“What’s the current status of Russian nuclear weapons?” he asked.

“Most are obsolete,” said the Defense Secretary. Jacqui continued, “But they do retain international strike capability. The Pentagon is more concerned about a new scorched earth policy being created by the Kremlin.”

“The State Department is in agreement,” said Kramer. “As infection creeps closer to Moscow, they may get cold feet and begin nuking their own cities.”

“Try and obliterate the virus,” said Thomas.

“And cause irreversible damage to the environment and atmosphere,” said Kramer.

“Nuking their own cities?” said Arthur Bell, Treasury Secretary. “Surely not.”

Thomas looked at the Treasury Secretary. Normally he wouldn’t be at this kind of military meeting, but with the nation’s economy on its knees and global trade at zero, he had to be involved.

“An infected city is a lost city and a danger to every other city not infected,” said Richards. “Russian thinking will be to protect their remaining cities at all costs.”

“Vanessa, do whatever we can to calm Russian nerves. We don’t want them to attack us. India?” said Thomas. They had no protection against a nuclear strike from Russia, and he hoped the Russian government would have too much to worry about now.

“Official communication with the Indian government ceased thirty-five minutes ago,” said Kramer, checking her watch. “They have gone completely silent. The virus swept through New Delhi around the same time. We’re tracking an Indian aircraft carrier group off the Horn of Africa, but they seem to be stationary.”

“Talk to the British,” said Thomas. “If they allow it, send the Indian carrier group a message to head for British waters.”

“Mr. President, is that wise?” asked Jacqui Kilmoran.

Thomas gritted his teeth. His Defense Secretary was more than capable, but he was tiring of the constant questioning. “I’d rather not have a rogue carrier fleet loose on the seas,” said Thomas.

“They’ll most likely go along with it,” said Kramer, “but I doubt they’ll let them dock.”

“Fine, fine,” waved Thomas. “But get them into British waters, extend the hand of friendship. Britain and Europe?”

“The more westward this virus goes, the quicker it spreads,” explained Kramer. “Europe is technologically advanced and still moderately wealthy compared to Asia and the Middle East. People have a lot more access to cars, planes, boats. It’s spreading the virus quicker than we’ve seen in China and Russia. Infection has been confirmed in Spain, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, and all eastern states. It will reach France soon, and then that’s Europe gone.”

The room was silent as Kramer read the death warrant for over 540 million people.

“Border controls?” asked Richards.

“Nonexistent,” said Kramer. “Part of the European ideal—move across the continent freely and without check.”

“Doesn’t help them now,” said Kilmoran.

“And Britain?” asked Thomas. He had close affiliation with the country, having many friends from there in the past.

“If they are able to maintain isolation, then they might be the only country left in Europe,” said Vanessa.

“But sir,” said Richards. “Being an island does not guarantee 100 percent protection. Look at Australia.” Richards flipped open another pad. “Infection in four cities now.”

“Do we know the cause yet?” said Thomas.

“A ship ran aground on their northern coastline, and infection began,” said Richards. “The English channel is tiny in comparison between Britain and Europe.”

“So Australia will fall, too?”

“Yes,” confirmed Richards. “There are so few countries left now. This virus spreads like fire among foliage.”

“And Homeland Security?” Thomas looked now to Dennis Blanchard, a distinguished man who always donned a three-piece gray suit. He had decades of political experience in Washington, dealing with the tough issues. Placing him in charge of Homeland Security was a no-brainer.

“Sir, confusion has led to rioting in most major cities across the country. The National Guard has been activated in nineteen states to maintain order,” said Blanchard.

“What about basic public services?” asked Thomas, thinking of the hospitals, schools, and fire services first.

“Patchwork,” said Blanchard. “Hospitals are under siege from frightened civilians and overloaded with the number of injured because of rioting. Medical supply shortages are being reported across the board, and states are reluctant to share anything they have a surplus of.”

“Everyone is holding on to what they have,” said Thomas. The thick smell of coffee and sandwiches made him feel queasy. He could still taste the mouthwash.

“I have instructed General Richards and the army to prepare to move in and assist in public order where necessary.”

“New York alone is proving the most volatile hotspot,” said Blanchard. “Over six thousand arrests in two hours. Enormous public gatherings to protest. Parts of the city are considered ‘no-go’ areas by the police and health services.”

“That isn’t acceptable,” said Thomas. “Mob rule will not be tolerated.”

“The army stands ready,” said Richards.

“But the problem here, sir, is we have a real divide in the country appearing,” George Houston, Director of the FBI, said.

“Explain,” said Thomas. He refused coffee from Gail.

“Before that newspaper article, we had pro-life and pro-evolution bickering to deal with, along with a smattering of protests about the virus,” said Houston. “Now, it’s all-out social war between these two groups, and their numbers are swelling. Dr. Roberts discussing how certain groups in society will certainly be sterilized has led to violence against these groups as people seek someone to blame.”

“In other words, if the diseased had not been so selfish, having babies, the aliens would not have had to create a virus in the first place.”

“Yes,” said George.

  The simplicity of their argument perplexed him. Nothing this complicated could be summed up in such a basic statement.

“Antigovernment riots are popping up in every city,” said Blanchard.

“In the past hour, we’ve seen huge increases in attacks against the disabled, diseased and socially different,” said Houston. “I should like no one to be under any doubt about the seriousness of what we face. Society has begun to fracture, and I have real fear for what the next twenty-four hours hold.”

“What are we doing to combat that?” said Thomas, keeping his tone steady. A million-person riot in Paris caught his eye on the television. French police were beaten back with sticks and bricks, until they were in full retreat.

“Homeland Security is working with the FBI to try and thwart organized violence. We’re keeping tabs on current and potential ringleaders.”

“We could always arrest Bloodworth and Hashcroft if things continue to deteriorate,” said Houston. Clarice Bloodworth and Robert Hashcroft led the pro-life and pro-evolution movements.

“Could we find cause?” asked Thomas. “As a last resort, of course.”

“The FBI can always find cause,” said Houston. “If you want it done, it will be. But I’d recommend against it at the moment. We do it now, and it will cause uproar. I’ll keep them under close surveillance.”

“Okay, keep Gail updated,” said Thomas. “I want to make it clear, this government will not deny the published article. I plan to make a full speech to Congress and the nation, clarifying the article and stating the government’s position, along with our intended course of action.”

“Which is?” asked Kramer.

“That the article is true, and we are working closely with the Alien Council in developing a vaccine.”

“You actually plan to announce that?” asked Kilmoran.

“I’m not going to lie anymore,” said Thomas. “They’ve got the truth already, so we might as well get out there and shape the situation before someone else does. If we don’t, then the government will definitely fall.”

Gail handed him a note.

“Yes, of course,” he said to her. Section 51 was now ready to present their own course of action to the cabinet. “Key members of Section 51 will now be joining us for this meeting. Dr. Roberts, head of the CDC, will be one of them. He will answer for his crimes at a later date.”

“Yes sir,” was the general agreement from the room. Although he noticed many sour-faced expressions, he expected his request to be fulfilled. He nodded to Richards, who lifted a phone and said, “Proceed.”

Freda, Christopher, Peter, and Ursula all transported into the room without notice. A few of Thomas’s colleagues jumped from their chairs; others tried to remain impassive.

“Mr. President,” said Freda respectfully. She was as small and well dressed as before. He noticed she seemed to prefer solid block colors—now a full dark navy ensemble.

Everyone took their seats again.

“Freda,” said Thomas. “Freda is the official representative of the Alien Council.”

His team nodded and mumbled, unsure how to approach their first alien, except Richards.

“If you’d like to begin.”

“Thank you, Mr. President. While work continues on the vaccine and progress is being made, we must take more immediate action to save lives,” said Freda. She approached the table. “Dr. Roberts and Professor Barrington have both recommended that attacking the frontlines of viral infection may help hold it back. The aim of this would be to give Europe and Britain those vital few hours’ respite.”