McPherson gazed meaningfully around the table and added, "Doc and I are working on reducing the size of the power modules so they can be fitted into smaller devices. For example, I envision a wristwatch sized heat ray capable of melting a hole through half an inch of solid steel from 10 feet away."
"The real problem we have is generating the amount of power necessary to charge the core of the modules. It took 10 days and the amount of electricity required to power the City of Denver to charge the module for the flashlight," Heinbaum explained. "We must duplicate the main power source of the flying saucer to have sufficient resources to quickly and continuously charge and recharge our modules. I believe the saucer power source is a fusion reactor. Further, I believe my breakthrough discovery of the substance used in the construction of the power modules is fundamental to duplicating the fusion reactor core. The substance is a perfect radiation shield."
"What's your time frame for a working fusion reactor, Dr. Heinbaum?" Jim Blunt queried.
"I'm afraid the answer is years, not months. The underlying mathematical theories and equations for a sustained fusion reaction haven't been conceived yet. I dare not attempt to open a working fusion reactor without a complete understanding of its fundamental principles."
The sobering response brought everyone back to reality. Tom LeBlanc was dead, and although they could duplicate the alien power modules, they couldn't charge the things in any meaningful quantity.
General Collier knew it was time to change directions so he looked over at Dr. Diane Hoffman and said, "Dr. Hoffman, please report on your progress with the DNA sampling."
Diane glanced at Collier and nodded. She had decided to wear her blonde hair down over her shoulders instead of in a bun of tight curls at the top of her head. She wasn't wearing any lipstick or nail polish, and her dress was a gray color matching her mood. It was plain to everyone the death of Tom LeBlanc and the unexpected violence during the Carlisle trip had taken its toll on her. Even so, she peered over the top of her oval shaped glasses and began her report.
"I have all the DNA samples I need to begin my work. The mental and physical strengths I hoped to find have been verified and collected directly from willing donors with the help of Jim, I mean Major Blunt, and Dr. Smith and Lt. Jenson."
Looking across the table at Lucy and Mike, Diane nodded to them and said, "Thank you both for all your help. I hope the trip to Germany wasn't too onerous."
Lucy smiled back at her and peering at Mike, seated closely beside her, replied coyly, "Oh, we just had a wonderful time together. Even had a little spare time for some sightseeing."
Mike moved his left hand from his lap and surreptitiously laid it gently on Lucy's right thigh, looked at her with bright eyes and said, "Yes, they have some spectacular sights that are really one of a kind."
As Lucy's smile widened further, General Collier cleared his throat loudly and said with a wry smile, "Yes, we can see the trip was not all drudgery. Glad you had some time to unwind. Dr. Hoffman, please continue."
"My laboratory equipment at Johns Hopkins has been inventoried and upgraded where necessary, and I'm ready to begin my genetic analysis. My plan is to prepare an activated virus to splice my recombinant DNA into a live test subject. The genetic changes in the test subject will be closely monitored and tested to determine the efficacy of my genetic engineering. If my live recombinant test is successful, then I will prepare a dormant virus to carry the new genetic codes into the general population. I anticipate my research and experimentation will take several years, perhaps up to a decade. Fortunately, if Major Blunt's information from Whatsit is correct, we have more than enough time to do the necessary research, test and implement the results."
Clasping her hands in front of her on the tabletop, Diane narrowed her eyes and a slight frown creased her forehead. After a brief moment of silence, she looked at General Collier and said, "I haven't been able to think of a good way to administer my dormant virus into the general population. I remember our first major conference after we found out about the Chrysallamans."
Nodding toward Mike Jenson, Diane pulled a folded piece of paper from her pocket and glancing at it, continued, "I remember what Mike said at the meeting. In fact, I wrote it down. He said the only explanation the government can give about an alien invasion will not be believed. People will feel betrayed and scared if they think the government has dosed them with a drug that alters their bodies. They'll think the government has either poisoned them or turned them into monsters. People may take up arms and kill every government employee. There will be insurrection. Remember your description, Mike?"
Jenson nodded his head.
Diane continued, "So it has come time for us to decide how to administer my upgrades to the general population without making Mike's prediction come true. Any ideas?"
Lucy Smith decided to chime in. "My expertise is in Xenobiology. All my training and research proves there is one bedrock principle when dealing with humans, let's say a universal truth about human psychology. The normal human instinct for survival is very strong. When faced with a threat, a human will take extraordinary measures to protect itself and its loved ones. Humans want to remain alive even in the face of certain death."
Letting her words sink in for a moment, she continued, "It is my opinion a biological threat must be used as the catalyst to drive everyone to the inescapable conclusion that to avoid the threat, they must be treated with a preventative medicine. Diane's dormant virus will be the medicine."
Jim Blunt instantly cut in. "I don't think a deadly disease is a good way of threatening the general population. You don't want widespread panic."
Mike Jenson carried Blunt's logic a step further, "I agree with Major Blunt. The threat needs to be something causing an extreme debilitation but not necessarily death. It needs to be something which prevents people from enjoying their lives with just a remote possibility of death in extreme cases. Any ideas?"
Dr. Heinbaum suggested leprosy, but Lucy told them only 5% of the world's population was susceptible to catching it. McPherson wondered about tuberculosis, but it was finally agreed to rule out TB because if untreated, 50% of people died from exposure. The death ratio was too high. The group finally settled on polio. The disease appeared to meet all of their specifications. It was a worldwide threat. Of those infected, approximately 5% died, but around 50% were left with mild to disabling paralysis and deformity. Even President Roosevelt had contracted polio so it was a relatively well known debilitating malady.
"Are you suggesting," rumbled General Collier, "I go to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and advise them that for National Security Act purposes, the United States Government must purposefully infect its own citizens with a debilitating and perhaps deadly disease? I don't think any of us would be around long if I did!"
Lucy Smith raised her palm outwards toward Collier and said, "I don't think you understand the current status of polio in the United States, General. The incidents of polio infecting infants and children are becoming widespread. The medical community has already recognized the disease as a growing threat to the general population. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine has recently hired a guy named Salk to study the disease and try to develop a vaccine for it."
McPherson signaled he wanted to comment, and Lucy nodded at him to go ahead. "I don't want to sound like a fella with no college education, but why couldn't we piggyback Dr. Hoffman's dormant virus onto the vaccine for polio?"
"Brilliant!" Lucy gushed with a big smile and even Dr. John Heinbaum looked at McPherson with a modicum of respect.
Hoffman considered the idea for a moment and nodded her head, "With the cooperation of the vaccine manufacturer, the piggyback idea could work."
General Collier was more calculating. He said in a serious tone, "I'll take steps to find out what drug manufacturers are selected to work with the University in Pittsburgh. I suspect the United States Government will take a keen interest in funding special research projects with those
companies so when the time comes, there will be sufficient financial impetus for company management to adopt special government safety requirements in the manufacture of any vaccine."
"Very clever, General," complimented Heinbaum with a smirk. "Using the vast resources of the government to model behavior. If I didn't know any better, I would say you've done that before."
Staring pointedly at the man, Collier replied evenly, "You might say that, Doctor. But if you ever repeat those thoughts again, let me assure you there is a radiation suit just your size waiting for you at Los Alamos."
All the blood seemed to drain out of the scientist's face, and he quickly broke eye contact with Collier.
Grinning broadly at the discomfort of Heinbaum, Lt. McPherson said loudly, “Doc, don't worry. The weather is always warm and sunny in the desert! It'll be like a constant vacation."
A general murmur went around the table signaling most everyone considered the meeting over and were making plans to leave. Dr. Heinbaum nervously shuffled some papers around in a folder lying on the table before him and pushed back from the table.
Hoffman sat back in her chair with her arms crossed and said loudly, "I have one more critical matter that must be decided before I can begin my work on the recombinant sequences."
Everyone at the table stopped moving and turned their heads toward her. Collier replied, "All right, Doctor, you have our attention."
"I need to know how my dormant virus will be activated."
Seeing puzzled looks on the others' faces, Hoffman explained, "Please understand my dormant virus will be just that, dormant. It will not know when to activate itself. It will not know when the alien invasion occurs. The virus will require an outside agent to switch it from dormant to active. Kind of an 'on' switch."
Jim Blunt recognized the problem immediately and said, "I hadn't thought about that. She's right. So we work the deal to inoculate a large portion of the population with Diane's DNA retrofit. Even with her time frame for development, the virus will have to remain dormant for say 50 to 60 years and through at least two generations. How do we get it to work when it's needed?"
Dr. Heinbaum snorted with disgust and declared over loudly, "It's very simple. I'm frankly surprised there even needs to be any discussion about it. We simply spray an activating chemical into the air that when breathed will be absorbed by the body and activate the virus." Looking around the table with smug smile, awed by his own genius, he continued, "The chemical can be applied by crop dusting airplanes and by tanker trucks spraying the chemical like a fog as they do to control mosquitoes in India."
Jenson and Smith spoke at the same time, "Won't work."
Mike looked at Lucy with a smile and nodded his head politely, acknowledging she should take the lead in rebuttal. Directing her gaze at Heinbaum, Lucy explained. "Your gas idea won't work for several reasons," and she ticked off on her fingers as she listed them. "The quantity of gas needed for a nationwide, or even worldwide, aerial campaign would be so large as to be impractical. Most people would hide from the spray in buildings just like they do now when the mosquito sprayers go through their neighborhoods. Everyone will think the spray is a poison. The logistics of gathering enough airplanes to effectively spray all population centers would be virtually impossible to organize. It would take too much time for the spray equipment to be retrofitted onto the airplanes and tanker trucks."
Heinbaum realized his gas idea was not going to be accepted, and the bitterness of rejection clung to him like a wet, cold blanket. Scowling at Smith and Jenson, he directed his ire at Lucy Smith and muttered childishly, "Ok, Miss Smarty Pants, what's your brilliant idea?"
Shrugging her shoulders, she stared back at him levelly and answered, "I don't have one yet. It's a hard nut to crack. All I do know is the solution must have a widespread application. It needs to be something everyone is exposed to, and it can't be perceived as a poison."
Lt. McPherson decided he would weigh in on the problem and said, "What about food? Everyone has to eat. All we have to do is provide a yummy food impregnated with the activating chemical. People eat the food and presto, the virus is activated."
Mike Jenson responded this time. "Hate to continue to be a naysayer but the food idea has some of the same problems as the gas idea. The activating chemical would have to be stockpiled at all food manufacturers since a variety of foods would have to be dosed to insure everyone's virus was activated. Even kosher foods would have to be dosed which brings into the mix a host of religious complications. Then there is the time problem. Let's say we have three month's warning of the impending alien fleet arriving in Earth orbit. The selected foods would have to be treated and delivered for consumption to the general public. Right now, the normal delivery pipeline for food from the time it is harvested, goes through manufacturing, is delivered to stores for distribution, sold to the public and then consumed is probably 6 months."
Shrugging his shoulders, Jenson said, "We run out of time to activate the virus."
Jim Blunt didn't like the direction the conversation was taking, but he admitted silently to himself the activation of the virus was a thorny problem. Muttering to himself, he said, "I guess the same arguments against using food apply to using water as the delivery mode for the activator."
Diane Hoffman had been leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed, listening to the roundtable discussion, a frown etched across her forehead and her lips forming a grim line. When Blunt mentioned water, her face brightened and she leaned into the table, slapping her hands palms down on the tabletop with a loud smack. "Water! Everyone drinks water every day. Everyone uses water to cook with, swim in, bath in, wash their hands. Water is piped into virtually every building in the United States. And virtually 100% of it is treated with chemicals to make it safe to drink!"
Dr. Heinbaum's smug appearance telegraphed his comment. "You have the same chemical problem as with the food. Storage of the chemical at every utility company. Dumping of the chemical into the water supply by willing plant operators who won't be scared the stuff is poisonous. And here is something no one has thought of yet, the shelf life of the activating chemical. How often is the unused chemical going to have to be replaced over the years to keep it effective?"
A murmur of agreement swept around the table as Heinbaum finished speaking, but Hoffman was on a roll and she didn't back down. "Who said anything about some special chemical being needed as the activator? I say we use an existing chemical widely used for water treatment."
General Collier asked the obvious question. "You mean you can engineer the virus to activate in the presence of anything?"
"The short answer is yes. The longer one is the choice of activating chemical has to be both selective and thoughtful. The activator needs to be relatively odorless and tasteless. We don't want people to refuse the activator because it makes things smell or taste bad. It has to be something people are not generally exposed to in large quantities. For example, the activator can't be something generally available to the public in large doses like vitamins. We don't want the virus prematurely activated although some early activations may be inevitable. After all, we can't see the future," she paused briefly, "at least not yet."
Jim Blunt settled back into his chair and steepled his fingers as he considered the options his committee had. He hated to admit to himself he didn't have the education or experience to be of much help, but facts were facts. Shifting his eyes to Diane, he marveled at her enthusiasm for finding solutions to a problem he couldn't begin to solve with his military background. It suddenly occurred to him he liked being with her, liked the way she frequently pushed a stray blonde hair away from her face and the way she peered over the top of her glasses when she wanted to make a point.
His train of thought was suddenly interrupted as Dr. Heinbaum said, "Chlorine is the commonly used chemical in water purification, so what about it?"
Lucy had an instant response to his suggestion. Crossing her arms and leaning back in her chair, she replie
d, "I don't think chlorine is the way to go. Have you ever gone to a swimming pool overdosed with chlorine by a pool attendant? You can smell the stuff in the air. It's awful!"
Peering at her with his beady eyes, Heinbaum declared with a self-satisfied smile curling his lips, "I have never put one toe in a swimming pool. Everyone knows they're nothing but a public urinal!"
Frowning with displeasure at Heinbaum's boorish attitude, Jim Blunt leaned forward and staring the weasel in the eyes said, "I have to agree with Dr. Smith. When my group entered the pool building in Carlisle, the chlorine smell was quite strong. If I understand Dr. Hoffman correctly, the activating chemical needs to be something commonly used but odorless and tasteless even when the dosage is increased enough to activate her virus."
Heinbaum's response was a snort. Looking disdainfully around the table, he declared, "Then we're back to square one. The only other chemicals used in drinking water are pH modifiers. Lowering or raising pH will either make the water more acidic or more alkaline, neither of which is safe or palatable to humans."
Lucy Smith suddenly uncrossed her arms and sat up in her chair, a sly smile curling up her lips. Her sudden movement caught everyone's attention, and all heads turned toward her. Her smile broadened across her face as she declared, "It just occurred to me we have a new candidate!"
Making sure everyone was paying attention, she continued, "The National Institute of Health published some studies several years ago about the beneficial effect of adding fluoride to drinking water. The chemical has the effect of reducing tooth decay. It is odorless and colorless. As I recall, the study indicated one milligram per liter of water was an effective level."
Hoffman responded thoughtfully, "I could craft a virus with fluoride as the activator, but the chemical has to be widely used in the Nation's water supply, or we're just spinning our wheels."
The Origin of F.O.R.C.E. Page 16
