Last Man Standing Box Set [Books 1-3]

by Taylor, Keith

  Warren lowers his voice. “You heard...?” He leaves the sentence hanging in mid air.

  “About the attacks? Yeah, I heard.” Lewis lowers his head. “We have radios. I guess I left it too late.”

  We all ponder this for a moment. It seems amazing that there could be a cure to this thing right there in the next building over. I can hardly believe that we might be able to save the rest of the country. That we might be able to actually survive this, if only we could–

  “Wait a minute,” I say, prodding at the idea like a loose tooth. “What’s the point of a vaccine when these things are going to die off anyway? They’ll just starve eventually, right? They’re not immortal. Why can’t we just hole up in a bunker with some MREs and a barrel of water and wait for them all to drop dead?”

  Lewis turns pale as he shakes his head. “You don’t understand,” he says quietly. “We can’t just wait this thing out. When those things out there die it’s only the beginning. Remember back when I first dropped you at Newark?” I nod, but I barely remember. It feels like a lifetime ago now. “You asked me how this could possibly get worse, and I warned you not to tempt fate.” He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose between his fingers.

  “Well, it’s about to get a lot worse.”

  ΅

  The following documents have been classified Top Secret 1.4(b), with the exception of fig. 1.

  Note A: fig. 1 comprises an image released into the public domain by NASA JPL against the strongest objections of concerned parties. Recommend we revisit the JPL security issue soonest.

  Agent comment: Guys, this has gone beyond a joke. Administrator Franks needs to have his leash tugged a little harder if he keeps doing this. Eventually the wrong people are going to join the dots, and do we really want this kind of info available in Pyongyang? Moscow? Damascus? We need some semblance of oversight here. Can we get on this ASAFP? – PA

  Figure 1: Satellite image of Bangkok region, 2018

  Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech

  Document 1: Comment (Armitage, R) :

  The attached image of Bangkok, surrounding regions and the Northern coast of the Gulf of Thailand was taken remotely from the International Space Station, May 17, 2018. While appearing unremarkable at first glance, the cloud formations in the leftmost quadrant were later analyzed using NIR-red spectroscopy, and though the formations themselves revealed no aberrant data it was found that the surrounding haze was indeed largely comprised of the spore plume we feared.

  Concentrations within the plume were relatively low, with peaks of just 4,000 spores/m(3) at its core. For comparison, benign fungal spore plumes in the US during summer months have been measured at peaks of over 200,000 spores/m(3). Furthermore, the meteorological parameters of the region present ideal conditions for the formation of plumes, given the high humidity, strong winds and lack of rainfall in recent weeks. It is to be hoped that such plumes would not ordinarily be able to form elsewhere.

  I would, however, caution against premature celebration. There are several factors I believe should be taken into account:

  a) We are as yet in the dark about the concentrations necessary for infection, and have been unable to study live subjects nor obtain spore samples directly. If a single spore is sufficient for colonization we’re facing a potentially disastrous situation.

  b) The subsequent silver iodide cloud seeding procedure performed by the Thai authorities to disperse the plume no doubt introduced spores into the Chao Praya River, either directly or indirectly. We do not know the survival requirements of Cordyceps bangkokii, though examination of related benign fungal species suggests it would be capable of surviving for prolonged periods in water. In any event it’s clear that cloud seeding alone would be an unwise strategy in the event of a US outbreak.

  c) While the May 28 firebombing of Bangkok was, in my belief, the best possible course of action it unfortunately left us unable to procure further data on spore production, and it should be noted that the number of infected present in the city before that time was low, perhaps only in the thousands, following the fire that swept Silom and surrounding areas. In the case of a full blown outbreak unhampered by external influences, the increased spore production may result in plumes considerably larger and denser that those observed in the skies above Bangkok. If this were the case it’s possible we could be facing a potential extinction level event.

  Recommendations: in the event of a US outbreak it’s my professional opinion that the best course of action is, quite simply, extreme prejudice. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, and we should try to accustom ourselves to the idea that it may be necessary to sacrifice large population centers in the protection of the population at large.

  Sincerely,

  Major Ronald Armitage, Deputy Director, DARPA

  ΅

  Document 2: Audio transcript of Cordyceps bangkokii fruiting event*, Bangkok, date unknown

  *Audio has been translated into English from the original Thai. Words for which there is no direct translation have been highlighted in italics (approximate translation provided in parentheses).

  Participants:

  1: Dr. Methee Sukonramuk (male), Director of Epidemiology, Bumrungrad Hospital (Hua Hin secondment)

  2: Dr. Kanniga Natthanicha (female), Head of Research, PK Group

  3: Unidentified male, referred to as Decha (military)

  Decha (D): (Engine sounds) Now entering Asok junction from north. Please advise. (Radio chatter, unintelligible). OK, doctors, we’re cleared for approach. Remember your instructions, and follow my orders to the letter.

  Dr. Sukonramuk (S): Understood. Kai, are you OK?

  Dr Natthanicha (N): I’m OK, I’m just embarrassed. Please don’t tell anyone I puked in my suit.

  S: I’ve told you not to worry about it, Khun (respectful term of address) Kai. Anyone would feel ill after seeing that. There’s no need to be embarrassed. Now, do you think you’re OK to go on? Can you see well enough through the visor?

  N: Ka (may mean yes or OK). I want to take a look at that one over there.

  D: (Further garbled radio transmission) Doctor, they’re asking that you point your camera towards anything you describe. Can you please show them the body?

  N turns headset camera towards Asok junction. Multiple corpses are visible in various states of decomposition across the wide roadway, but in the center of the image lies an apparently fresh body that nevertheless appears to be in an advanced state of decomposition, with gases bloating the stomach of the thin, almost skeletal cadaver to the point that the skin has begun to tear and slough away.

  N: Can’t be more than a few hours gone. What do you think is causing it?

  S: Autolysis, maybe? I don’t know, but it’s all I can think of. You have your instruments?

  N: Uh huh. Decha, shout if you see anything approach. (Speaks to S) Come on, let’s get this over with.

  Camera shakes and blurs as N climbs from the vehicle and approaches the corpse. Heavy breathing sounds from within environmental isolation suit. Camera stabilizes as N reaches corpse, and pans slowly from feet to head.

  S: You see the lack of decomposition of the subcutaneal fat? (S crouches in shot and points out a deep, clean wound in the cheek) I’d swear this was inflicted recently if I didn’t know better. No putrefaction. No signs of infection. It’s as if foreign bacteria haven’t been able to gain a (unknown Thai word, possibly translates as ‘toehold’). I’m going to take a sample.

  N holds camera steady as S cuts a small section of flesh from the cheek with a scalpel.

  S: It feels almost desiccated. See how there’s no interstitial fluid at the incision? If he wasn’t infected I’d suggest this man died of dehydration. He’s just... well, he’s drained. I think we should take a brain biopsy. (sounds of retching from N) I’m sorry, would you like to turn away?

  N: (Heavy breathing) No, doctor, go ahead. I’ll be OK.

  S produces a small electric drill from his kit and sets about bori
ng a hole in the skull of the corpse. Camera pans around quickly as N checks surroundings before returning to corpse.

  S: (Drill pierces skull and sinks deep into cavity) Oops, that was a little far. Doesn’t seem to be much resistance there. Oh well, it’s not like he’ll be needing this brain any longer.

  S removes drill bit with difficulty, then drops it to the ground in surprise.

  S: Yet mae! (closest translation is ‘motherfucker’) What the hell is that?

  Sounds of D approaching from rear.

  D: What is it, doctor? Are you OK?

  S: It’s... Look. Khun Kai, come, come. We should record this.

  The camera moves closer to the head of the corpse, where a spongy white mass has emerged from the bore hole. It extends vertically from the hole at a slow but noticeable rate, protruding until it becomes a long, firm shaft.

  N: (horrified, retching) What is it?

  S: (crouches to corpse and pokes shaft with glove) It appears to be some kind of... some kind of stroma. Umm... the, err, the fungus we spoke about. This looks like the shaft of a flowering body. I’m sorry, I’m not sure if those are the right words. This isn’t my area of expertise.

  S and N step back quickly as two more stromae emerge from the eyes of the corpse, squeezing the orbs against the cheek as they expand, and N makes a panicked sound as the torso of the corpse begins to split, exposing a white mass beneath its torn, ragged clothing.

  D: Doctors, I think it would be wise to leave right away. Right now, doctors.

  N: Yes, can we please go? Methee, please?

  S: (Shaking head) Not yet. We need a sample of this for the lab. Just a few more minutes, please.

  D: Doctor, I have to insist. We shouldn’t be near this thing.

  N’s camera focuses on the first stroma as its growth slows. In less than 30 seconds it grows to approximately four inches in length and two in girth, its pressure expanding the bore hole in the skull of the corpse as it grows. S lowers himself towards the stroma as a small bulge quickly forms on its tip, and as he peers at it the bulge suddenly splits open, sending S jumping back in surprise. The light catches a small cloud of fine particles as they emerge from the bulge.

  N: (Panicked) What was that?

  D: (Speaking over N, angry) We need to leave now, that’s an order!

  S: I don’t know what it is. Some kind of powder. Oh shit, it’s on my visor.

  The camera pans around quickly and blurs the image as further stromae begin to erupt on the body, enveloping the group in an expanding cloud.

  D: Now, doctors! Don’t make me force you.

  N turns back towards the vehicle and runs until she reaches the door. Behind her D and S approach quickly, climbing into the vehicle as the white mass quickly produces dozens of thick stromae that each let off another puff as they reach their full extent.

  Superfluous segment removed for brevity. Please refer to extended notes for unexpurgated account.

  D: (Speaking into radio) Approaching blockade. Please prepare decontamination showers and advise on protocols.

  30 seconds pass without reply.

  D: (Into radio) (Thai military designation for ‘home’ or ‘base’) Repeat, please advise. We have the blockade in sight.

  Further 30 seconds without communication.

  N: Is there a problem, Decha?

  D: No... No, Khun Kai, it’s just I can’t reach them on the radio. It’s OK, we’re almost there.

  N’s camera shows indistinct image of a large military roadblock approximately one hundred yards ahead of the vehicle. Flashes of gunfire are visible, and the camera moves quickly to point to the rear passenger foot well. The camera mic captures the sound of continuous gunfire and breaking glass, and the feed cuts out abruptly with a loud crashing noise.

  End of transcript.

  ΅

  Document 3: Fragment of internal memorandum sent from Phan To (Lieutenant Colonel) Prasert Maneephet to Phon Ek (General) Dusit Kantawat, National Council for Peace and Order. Intercepted 05/25/18

  (fragment not recovered) ... far beyond the security perimeter. We now believe that at least some of the later incidents may have been the result of the introduction of spores into the water system, most notably the infection of the village of Na Kluea close to Khlong Sapphasamit, a tributary of the Chao Praya River. It should be noted that Na Kluea took from the local khlong both its communal water supply and water for irrigation purposes, all of which was treated upriver before consumption. Na Kluea lay 15km outside the Bangkok security perimeter, and no attacks were reported to officials ahead of the outbreak.

  The remote location of the village has so far allowed us to keep news of its destruction from public knowledge, but on a personal note I’d like you to know that several members of my wife’s family were among the 2,300 residents destroyed in the aftermath, along with my mia noi (Note: ‘minor wife’ or mistress).

  The discovery that the infection can be carried downriver obviously presents urgent questions, including that of our continued cloud seeding strategy to disperse spore plumes. These plumes are predicted to grow in both frequency and density as more of the infected succumb, and as of now it is entirely unclear as to whether our strategies are preventing the spread of the spores or simply returning them to be dispersed by other means.

  It is now my belief that it will not be possible to recover Krungthep (Note: local name for Bangkok). The presence of spores in even small concentrations would no doubt put any future residents at risk, and we simply cannot afford to sustain another outbreak. Furthermore, the longer we allow the current situation to persist the greater the risk grows of spore plumes reaching more distant populated areas.

  It is my recommendation that Krungthep be destroyed at the earliest opportunity.

  Song phra charoen ying yuen nan (Note: ‘Long live the King. May his days be without number’)

  Phan To Prasert Maneephet, 25/05/2561 (Note: Buddhist calendar date)

  ΅

  :::5:::

  I GRIP THE ragged scraps of paper like a past due power bill, hoping with each word I read that the next will offer a glimmer of hope, but nothing comes. When I finally finish I hand them back to Lewis, who tucks them back between the pages of his bulging notebook.

  “So...” I mutter, without a clue what to say next.

  Lewis nods. “Yeah.” He slips the notebook into his jacket pocket and sighs. “There’s no escaping this. Not now. Maybe... I don’t know, maybe back when only the east was infected, maybe we could have got lucky. Maybe the air currents would have taken the plumes out to sea or something, but now...” He shakes his head. “This shit’s everywhere. Wherever we go it’ll catch us. Shit, even if the rest of the world is infection free it might not stay that way for long. They say sand from the Sahara can make it all the way to the States on the wind, so when a couple hundred million infected start to produce spores...”

  “How long do we have?” Vee asks, suddenly businesslike.

  Lewis shrugs. “What do you mean? How long until...?”

  “Until the infected start... I don’t know, whatever you call it. Fruiting, or whatever.”

  “Ah, right. Well, I don’t know for sure. I’m just a private, ma’am. I’ve only got high school science, but I spoke a little to Doctor Zlama... damn, I can never pronounce it.” His voice slows as he concentrates. “Doctor Zlamaljelito. She was one of the, umm, what’s the word for, y’know, a fungus scientist?” He frowns for a moment. “Mycologist, that’s it. She was one of the head mycologists working at the camp. I didn’t know what she was talking about half the time, but she said the speed of the reproductive cycle depends on the energy available. It, umm, breaks down fat and muscle for energy, but the... hang on, she gave me some of her notes.” He digs in his pocket for his notebook again, then flips through until he finds the right page. “Here, read this. I only understand about half of it, but maybe you’ll have better luck.”

  I take the notebook and squint to read the small, scrawled handwriti
ng. It looks like it was written in a hurry, and it takes a moment before I can begin to make out the chicken scratch.

  ΅

  Cordyceps bangkokii appears unable to sporulate in an excessively nutrient rich environment, and will instead continue to grow vegetatively into undifferentiated mycelium until such a time as all available nutrients have been exhausted. In order to hasten the arrival of the fruiting phase we found it necessary to deprive infected subjects of nutrients.

  In those subjects for whom we provided an accelerated course of intravenous glucose solution or even solid food (raw meat or equivalent) we found that the infection continued to grow in mass to the point at which the host body could no longer survive, often resulting in spontaneous eruption of the undifferentiated mass from within the host. As this free mass lacked the required energy to progress to the fruiting stage and manifest perithecia it was essentially useless for harvesting, and was immediately incinerated.

  Through a process of trial and error we have determined that subjects deprived of nutrients will rapidly incubate the undifferentiated mycelium until their reserves are spent, at which point they progress to a docile, immobile state before biological functions cease and the fruiting phase begins. In layman’s terms, the reproductive cycle of Cordyceps requires its carriers to starve to death in order to move to the next stage. We theorize that this is the reason the infected refrain from consuming the flesh of many of their victims.