by P. R. Garcia
QUARANTINE
The young college grad student looked out the helicopter’s window at the sight below. He hoped the scenery changing from miles of open ocean to miles of white snow and ice would calm his queasy stomach. But it didn’t. He could feel his morning meal churning in his stomach, trying to come back up.
“You doing okay over there, Jimmy?” Professor Graves asked. “You look a little green.”
“I should have taken my Dramamine a little sooner,” Jimmie replied, covering his mouth to hide a sour burp that made its way to the surface. “Definitely should have passed on that second helping of biscuits and gravy.”
Professor Graves laughed. In his thirty years as a professor, there was always at least one student who got airsick. This trip it looked like it would be Jimmy. He chuckled to himself as he mentally went over all the excursions he had been on in his career as a Paleontologist. “These old Air Force planes can be a bit rough.” He handed the student a bag. “Here, try these. They’re gingersnaps. Ginger can usually calm an upset stomach.”
“Thanks, Professor,” Jimmy replied, reaching inside and removing several cookies.
“Oooo, James, you don’t look too good,” said a young female with spiked brown hair and a purple streak down the middle. She took the seat in front of the professor and Jimmy. “Maybe you should have stayed behind at Berkeley.”
“And miss this opportunity? No way,” Jimmy replied, trying to hide another burp. “I’d endure a thousand upset stomachs to have a chance to dissect a semi-frozen Stevosaurus.”
“Do you really think it could be a Stevosaurus?” Kathy asked, a look of both wonder and hope in her eyes as she looked at the professor. “And that it’s a complete body with skin, organs and blood?”
“That’s what Professor Stevens’ message said,” Professor Graves replied. “He stated it appeared to be a match to the specimen he found a few years back. Except this one is a body, not just a skeleton. Since he is the only expert on the Stevosaurus, I have no reason to doubt his hypothesis.”
Jimmy closed his eyes and leaned his head back on the seat’s headrest. The gingersnaps were starting to work. “A body. What a lovely word. Imagine, one with real skin, hair, flesh and organs.” He quickly sat up, a look of anticipation on his face as he forgot about his upset stomach. “Think what else could be inside that body? Maybe preserved bodies of other dinosaurs that she ate. Or a batch of unlaid eggs.”
“What makes you think it’s a female?” Professor Graves asked. “It might be a male.”
“Or it could be unisex,” Kathy added. “We have no way of knowing how these creatures reproduced. Maybe they didn’t need male and females.”
“A possibility we may get an answer to,” the Professor added.
“Do you think there might be more dinosaur bodies out there waiting to be discovered?” Kathy asked.
“That TOO is a possibility,” the Professor smiled, his eyes now alive with excitement. “Global warming has exposed huge chunks of Antarctica. Who knows what could now be exposed and waiting to be discovered. I even heard that Dr. Schultz from Stockholm is planning an expedition into the interior to hunt for the lost pyramids rumored to exist in Antarctica.”
“Professor, how do you think the Stevosaurus came to be preserved like it is?” Kathy inquired. “Sixty-five million years ago, Antarctica was still connected to Australia and had a tropical climate. Tropical conditions should have made the Stevosaurus degrade rapidly. Ice wouldn’t cover the continent for another thirty million years.”
“That may be one of the greatest mysteries about this find,” Professor Graves replied. “What preserved the Stevosaurus for thirty million years until the ice covered it? That will be a question for the geologists to solve.”
“Perhaps the asteroid had something to do with it,” Jimmy suggested. “The Earth was plunged into a nuclear winter when the asteroid hit, dramatically dropping the temperature. Maybe the Stevosaurus was somehow buried in so much ash its body remained cold enough not to decay.” He stifled another sour burp. His stomach wasn’t ready to totally calm down yet. “Professor, remind me not to eat the next time we fly.”
“Will do,” Professor Graves chuckled.
“But if that were true, we’d find preserved bodies around the world” Kath interjected. “And that hasn’t happened. So whatever happened down there had to be instantaneous and unique.”
“A subject for great debate.” The professor looked out the window at the mountain range to the southwest, wondering if the answer was out there somewhere. Or would it remain a mystery, like so much of Paleontology? “The Ser Ponderas Mountains. At the foot of that mountain range is the Polar Station. And twelve miles to the west is the excavation site.”
“How long before we get there?” Kathy asked.
“About thirty-three minutes,” came the voice of one of the crew as he approached them. “Professor, Captain Willis would like a word with you in the cabin.”
“Anything wrong?” the professor asked.
“Not to my knowledge,” the soldier replied. “If you would follow me.”
Without another word, the professor unhooked his lap belt and followed the young soldier to the cockpit, leaving Jimmy to his upset stomach and Kathy to her imagination.
“You wanted to see me?” Professor Graves asked as he entered the cockpit.
“We will be arriving at your destination soon,” the Captain replied. “Am I not correct that the group already at the Station is expecting you and your team today?”
“Yes. Professors Stevens and Dilbert were wired our itinerary four days ago,” Professor Graves stated.
“It may be nothing, but we are not receiving any signal from the Station,” the Captain announced. “And all attempts to communicate with them have gone unanswered.”
“I do believe the range of the radio at the Station is very limited,” the professor offered as a reason.
“Even if that is the case, we are now close enough to pick up their signal. And they should have no problem hearing our hail. Perhaps that storm last week damaged their antenna. I’m going to fly over the Station first and see if we see anything. If I see no signs of life, I will consider returning you and your group to the ship.”
“Captain, we can’t return to the ship,” Professor Graves objected. “I must get down there and begin my research.”
“Antarctica is a very hostile place,” the Captain stated. “Your safety is my top priority. If I sense any danger, I will abort this mission.”
“I’m sure it’s as you said, just a downed antenna,” Professor Graves said, trying to calm his own worries.
“We’ll keep trying to reach them,” the Captain stated. “Perhaps the radio operator just stepped away from the console for a moment. Please return to your seat.”
“If you have no objections, I’d like to stand here,” the professor replied, staring out the large window before him. He thought for a moment. “Captain, you might want to swing by the excavation site before landing. I’m sure the professors and some of their team will be working on their find even if we are coming today. It will calm your fears that something is wrong. Its location is only twelve miles from the Station, due west.”
“A sound idea,” the Captain replied, steering the plan slightly to the left and altering their course.
It only took a few extra minutes to reach the dig site. But what they saw quenched none of their fears. There was no snowcat at the location to testify that people were present. Of the three tents that should be standing, only one of the small ones was partially standing. The other small tent was flattened and laid flapping in the wind, mounds of snow half burying it. There was no sign of the specimen tent.
“What’s happened?” Professor Graves asked. “Where’s the tent that should be housing the specimen? And where’s the Stevosaurus?”
“Could the professors have taken the dinosaur back to the Station?” the Captain asked.
“No, not before I got here,” P
rofessor Graves answered. “Plus, it’s too soon in the examination process to move the body.”
“Maybe that storm did something to the site making it necessary to change plans,” the co-pilot suggested.
“A possibility,” Professor Graves said, although he didn’t believe it. Professor Stevens was a seasoned paleontologist. He would not compromise the find by moving the body. “Take me to the Station, Captain.”
The Captain altered course once more and headed towards the Polar Station. As they approached, they saw the snowcat sitting beside the building. There were no signs of life. When they flew over the building, the three noticed an enormous yellow flag flapping from the flag post. There were smaller yellow flags tied to the snowcat, the shed and the doors to the Station.
“Quarantine flags,” the Captain announced upon seeing the warnings. “Maybe that’s why no one is answering our calls.”
“No, you were right, Captain,” the professor shouted, pointing to the Station roof. “Look, the antenna is broken. They can’t get a message out. They’re probably not even receiving your hails.”
“That may be,” the Captain said. “But I can’t land with those flags being displayed. We’ll have to return to base and get further instructions.”
“No, you can’t do that,” the professor shouted. “It could just be a case of the measles or chicken pox. I have to get down there and see for myself. Drop me off. Take my team back to the ship.”
“I am responsible for your safety, Professor,” the Captain replied. “I can’t allow you down there. Besides, I don’t think a simple case of measles or chicken pox would keep everyone inside.”
“At least let me take them a radio so we can communicate,” the professor begged. “We can't just abandon them. They need our help.” The Captain said nothing. “I need to know that they are alive so we can make proper arrangements. If something is going on down there, your commanders are going to want to know.”
The Captain realized the truth to the professor’s statement. “Very well. You can take a hand-held radio to the door. But you are NOT to enter the building. Do you understand? If you do, I will leave you behind.”
“Agreed,” the professor said.
While the pilot landed the helicopter a safe distance from the Station, the professor quickly climbed into his snow gear. When they landed, the soldier met him at the side door and handed him a portable radio.
“The Captain wanted me to remind you not to go inside,” the soldier stated as he slid the side door open. “Knock on the door and try to get someone's attention. When you do, show them the radio, then place it beside the door and return to the chopper.”
“And if no one answers the door?” the professor asked.
“Follow the same procedure,” he replied. “Leave the radio and return here.”
With radio in hand, the professor jumped down from the helicopter and headed towards the Station. He had only gone twenty yards when he heard a gunshot. Bits of snow flew into the air before him as a bullet hit the surface.
“No further,” came a haunting voice. Professor Graves looked around and saw a man standing in the doorway with a shotgun aimed at him. It was Professor Stevens.
“Alex, are you mad?” Professor Graves shouted out.
“I can’t allow you to come any closer, Sebastien,” Professor Stevens yelled back.
“What’s happened? Why didn’t you answer our calls? Why the Quarantine Flags?”
“Our radio is out,” the professor explained. “I couldn’t warn you to stay away from here.”
“Why, Alex?”
A haunting look came over Professor Stephens’ face. Even from where he was, Professor Graves could see it. “The storm knocked out our field generators. The Stevosaurus started to thaw out. Gas built up inside it, and she burst open, releasing some unknown pathogens. Sebastien, the Stevosaurus contains a virus over sixty-five million years old, a virus we have no immunity to.” He stopped and stared into the eyes of his colleague. “It killed Cindy within twenty minutes. Paul lasted a whole two hours.”
“Twenty minutes?” a horrified professor asked. “Alex, nothing works that fast.”
“This does,” Professor Stephens said.
“We’ll get a medical team down here right away,” Professor Graves shouted.
“NO,” screamed Professor Stevens. “No one must come down here. If this gets out, the entire population of the Earth could be wiped out in a matter of weeks.”
“But what about the rest of your students?”
“Only Sam is still alive, but I don’t think he’ll be for long.”
“What about Gayle?”
“So far, she’s the only one not infected.”
“The only one? That means that you.”
“I started showing symptoms this morning,” Professor Stevens stated, his voice void of emotions, too numbed by the death of his students.
“There must be something we can do.”
“Keep it contained. Quarantine the entire continent. Allow no one to come down here. If there’s one body, there could be more emerging from the ground. Do not try to retrieve our bodies. I don’t know if this pathogen is airborne, so I strongly recommend you not burn the corpse or our bodies. Leave them frozen for eternity. Now go, before I forget you are my friend and shoot you.”
Professor Graves saw he had no choice. He raised the portable radio into the air. “I brought you a radio. I’ll leave it at the front door. You can retrieve it after I leave.”
“No, put it on the front seat of the cat,” Professor Stevens shouted. “The area outside the door is not safe. Be sure you put it on the front seat of the first section. Don’t go near the second section. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Professor Graves replied. “On the front seat. It doesn't have a long range, but you should be able to reach the Australian Station at Enderby Land. Use channel eight. I’ll get the pilot to take me there. Call me at nineteen hundred. Okay?” There was no answer. “Alex, did you understand what I said?”
“We’ll call you tonight at nineteen hundred,” Professor Dilbert said as she stepped into the door.
“Gayle, I’m so sorry,” Professor Graves said.
“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Professor Dilbert said, smiling at her fellow colleague. “Leave the radio as Alex asked. We don’t know how this thing spreads, so it’s too dangerous for anyone to even approach the building. I’ll be sure we get it once I see you’re gone.”
“Is there anything you need?” Professor Graves asked.
“Prayers.” Then she was gone.
Seeing he had no options, Professor Graves walked over to the cat. He opened the front door, raised the radio in the air for the Professor to see, and placed it on the seat. He then closed the door noting his friend never lowered his weapon the entire time. Would Alex actually kill him if he approached?
He debated about attempting to reach the front door until he heard the Professor shout “Get out of here, Sebastien. This is your last warning.” In disbelief, he saw Professor Stevens pull back the lock, preparing to fire. Begrudgingly, he returned to the waiting helicopter. As soon as the side door closed, the captain lifted them into the air.
“I need you to drop me off at the Australian Station,” Professor Graves informed the pilot.
“Did he say what was wrong?” the Captain asked.
“The Stevosaurus body they found contains an ancient pathogen that is lethal.”
“Lethal?” A very concerned Captain asked. “Have any of his team died?”
“Five,” Professor Graves replied, unable to believe his own words. “Five of the students are dead. He doesn’t expect the last student to make it either. And he himself is ill.”
“Lieutenant Smith, set a course for the ship,” the Captain ordered upon hearing the news.
“No, I have to go to the Australian Station,” Professor Graves yelled. “They are going to contact me there tonight.” He grabbed at the controls. “I have to get t
o that Station.”
The soldier who was standing quietly behind him grabbed the professor, pulling him away from the pilot. As they struggled, the lieutenant was able to deliver a right cross to his chin, knocking him unconscious. The soldier dragged him back to his seat and strapped him in for his journey back to the ship.
A MISSING STEVOSAURUS
Six hours later, Professor Graves woke up to find himself aboard the U.S.S. Barack Obama. Although a military vessel, the ship was built for scientific exploration. It was also the ship that had brought him and his two students to Antarctica.
He sat up and quickly lowered his head as the room spun. “Here, Professor, have some water,” he heard Kathy say. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Kathy and Jimmy sitting across from him. Kathy held a glass of water in her hand.
“How long have I been out?” Professor Graves asked, taking the glass from Kathy and taking a sip. She was right. He did feel better.
“A little over six hours,” Jimmy answered.
“How long have we been on the ship?”
“Close to four.”
“I take it we didn’t stop at the Australian Station.”
“No, Professor. Captain Willis flew us straight here.”
“He stopped by about an hour ago,” Kathy added. “He asked that you join them in the Admiral’s meeting room when you awakened. They are trying to figure out what to do.”
“I’m not too sure they want to hear what I will tell them to do,” the Professor stated, drinking the rest of the water. Slowly, he stood, allowing his surroundings to come into focus. Once he was sure his footing was steady, he proceeded through the door and into the hallway where a sailor waited.
“Professor Graves, I am to escort you to the Admiral,” the sailor stated. “Your students may remain here.”
“I would like them to come with me,” the professor replied.
“Very well. Follow me.” The three followed the sailor down the hallway and up two flights of stairs, down another long hallway and into a rather impressive room. It was a large stateroom, with white walls and oak trim. Windows adorned the side wall, allowing those inside an excellent view of the ocean. There was a long oblong oak table in the middle of the room, surrounded by blue upholstered chairs. Around the table were various military personnel in their white uniforms, including their pilot, and one nonuniformed individual. He was unfamiliar to Professor Graves. He had a rugged look, in his mid-thirties, with scruffy blondish-brown hair that needed to be cut. He wore a cover of beard growth several days old. His khaki clothes were rumpled, looking as if he might have been in them for several days.
