by Joe Nobody
Agreement came quickly, followed by chairs pushing back, papers stuffed into attachés, and ties being straightened as the meeting was adjourned. As Reese made for the door, the British Ambassador stepped close. “A word, Madam… in private?”
Nodding, the two made their way down the hall, quickly entering the U.S. suite of offices and then an empty conference room.
“Thank you for sparing me a moment, Madam Secretary. I just wanted to communicate something we concluded right before the meeting began.”
“Mr. Ambassador, you know my door is always open to our British friends. Please, proceed.”
“Our intelligence community has determined that North Korea, Pakistan, Iran, and a handful of other countries have already made the decision not to join, no matter the determination of the United Nations. Korea is understandable and anticipated. The other nations, especially Pakistan, are more troubling. From what we’ve been able to gather, they actually want the pandemic to sweep the globe.”
Reese’s brow knotted at the ambassador’s words. “We expected some of the bad actors would resist, but didn’t delve in too deeply since our own government is completely against surrendering.”
The older man smiled warmly, “As are we. However, I think our friends in Washington should know that all three of the countries I mentioned are preparing their nuclear arsenals.”
“Can you shed any light on why?”
“No. Our local assets and capabilities are limited. But rest assured, we are convinced that this information is quite accurate.”
Secretary Reese nodded her understanding. “Thank you, Mr. Ambassador. I’ll pass this intelligence on. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to try and establish a rapport with a madman… and a very pissed madman at that.”
Eight hours after receiving the serum, Captain Norse felt like a new man. With Doctor Herald at his side, the young officer sat and enjoyed his first food in three days, a saltine cracker.
“This tastes better than the hundred-dollar steak my dad bought me after graduating from West Point,” he informed the physician as he nibbled away. “I thought I’d never eat again.”
“Take it easy there, trooper. Just one for now. If you hold that down, I’ll see about some mashed potatoes… or at least what was called mashed potatoes in one of the government shipments.”
Norse swallowed the last bite, licking his lips for every last crumb. “I wonder how much weight I lost?” he asked.
“I think you’ll find not all that much. Maybe 10 pounds or so. You’ll put it back on quickly.”
“So I’m cured?”
“Yes, at least for Ebola-B. You’ll need a booster shot in about a year, but other than that, you should be okay.”
“A booster shot? I thought the serum was a vaccine?”
“It is, but like tetanus and some other vaccines, we believe a booster will be required,” Elissa said.
“So, this will end the quarantine… this will all be over,” Norse stated, motioning around the room with a sweep of his eyes.
The doctor looked away, choosing not to answer the question.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“No. No, you didn’t,” she replied. “There are things going on that you don’t know about, Shane. Several fast moving events have begun to unfold while you’ve been ill. For right now, you should concentrate on recovery. I’ll catch you up as soon as you’re feeling better.”
Colonel Taylor glanced at his watch and then nodded at the HAM operator. Word had reached Jack just an hour ago, the anticipated request for additional communications being broadcast from outside the wall. It seemed the president of the United States wanted to have a word.
The Houston City Council chambers had been destroyed by riot and fire shortly after the Q. The board now held its meetings in the city’s tunnel system just beneath a skyscraper belonging to one of the world’s largest banks. There was an atrium, waterfall, and plenty of natural light. There were also massive flood doors, installed throughout the underground complex after a tropical storm had submerged much of the Bayou City’s subterranean infrastructure years ago.
Weighing several tons each, and looking like they belonged on a bank vault, the city had installed the thick, steel barriers to prevent widespread flooding. The survivors of Ebola-B had quickly discovered they served another purpose – securing sections of the tunnel system from looters and fire.
Now, with the board gathered around a salvaged conference table, the radio operator pushed one last button.
“This is the president of the United States,” came the voice over the radio’s speaker. “With whom am I speaking, please?”
At least he’s being polite, Jack thought before replying. “The ruling body of the Gulf Republic is present. We call our leadership the Board of Citizens. I am Colonel Jack Taylor, chairman.”
“As I’m sure you can imagine, your broadcast yesterday has caused quite a stir in the international community, as well as here in Washington. Is it still your intent for the entire planet to surrender before you’ll provide the cure for Ebola-B?”
“It is,” Taylor said firmly.
There was a long pause, as if the people listening on the other end were waiting for the colonel to elaborate. Finally, the president spoke, “I see. Just for clarification, on the extremely small chance that we would entertain such an action, how do we know you actually have a cure?”
“You don’t,” Jack said without hesitation.
“You really hate us that badly? You really want to kill tens of millions of your fellow Americans? I don’t feel like I’m negotiating with a rational governance.”
Jack scanned the room, making eye contact with the gathered leaders in the tunnel. To the colonel, they all seemed to share the same look of disgust painted on their faces. “Really, Mr. President? We seem irrational? From our perspective, we are offering you far more mercy than what was ever offered to us. But in truth, that issue doesn’t matter. We made our terms clear – surrender or suffer the consequences.”
The voice coming over the speaker actually chuckled. “Seriously? It’s that black and white to you? Humor me for just a moment, Colonel. What exactly would you do with the entire world if it did surrender to you?”
“Our plan is quite simple, Mr. President. Every nation on the planet will be required to implement the U.S. Bill of Rights for a period of one year. We don’t care what form of government exists, what type of elections, laws, or other type of activity exists. But, those 10 amendments must be strictly enforced, world-wide. No exceptions.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s all we demand,” Taylor replied.
Background static filled the air for several moments before the president spoke again. “Colonel Taylor, I have to ask… what would keep… say North Korea or any other nation from agreeing with your terms, receiving the cure, and then just going on about its business as usual?”
It was the colonel’s turn to laugh, “The vaccine requires a booster shot of sorts. If we discover our terms have been violated in any way, we will deny the formula. In addition, we’ll control the U.S. military. If some world leader decides to get clever, we will use the full might and force of our armed services without hesitation.”
The response from Washington was harsh. “It seems as though you’ve got this all thought out, Colonel. I’m afraid, however, it is all for naught. Surely you must realize there’s no way in hell every government on the planet is going to agree with your demands.”
“If that is their choice, then so be it, sir. In reality, our lives would be much simpler if we just let the rest of the planet die off, and we started anew. Despite what’s been done to us… regardless of what we were forced to endure, we are human beings and thus have offered this option. If the rest of humanity is so stupid as to ignore it, then that’s just the way it will have to end.”
“And there’s no chance for negotiation?”
Taylor replied immediately. “None. Zero. After the year h
as passed, we will hold elections in the U.S. for a new government. The people of the Gulf Republic will decide at that time whether or not to rejoin the union. As far as the rest of the world, they can do whatever they please after that first year. They can change everything back to the way it was or choose a different route. We don’t care.”
The Commander in Chief’s next question sounded almost desperate. “Why are you doing this, Colonel? What do you hope to accomplish?”
“When people suffer the atrocities we have endured, there is a change to their core values. We want every single person on this planet to understand what we have learned through tremendous sacrifice and loss. Freedom has a new meaning in the Gulf Republic, sir. Personal choice and liberty have achieved a new priority. We want the rest of humanity to share in our discovery, yet we know well and good that the vast majority of the population would never be given the chance unless their leaders were forced into a corner. We believed that was the only way we can save others from suffering the same fate as the city of Houston. We are certain this is the surest method to stop something like this quarantine from ever happening again.”
“I see, Colonel. Noble words… as high minded a speech as I’ve heard in years. But in reality, it doesn’t work that way. Nations and kings are independent, free-thinking creatures. Governments are an image of human nature – unpredictable, contrary, and not always logical. The United Nations has no hope of 100% inclusion, and I think you knew that before you broadcasted your terms.”
Taylor smiled at the radio’s speaker, as if he thought the man on the other end could see his reaction. “We’ll see, Mr. President. In about 48 hours, every leader on the planet will gain an entirely new perspective on reality. Good day, sir.”
It was only the third time the President of the United States had visited the United Nations in New York. As his convoy of armored SUVs and limousines rolled through the nation’s largest city, the chief executive couldn’t help but notice he was passing through a ghost town.
Businesses were closed, the streets empty of cabs and cars. Random sheets of blown newspaper were the only pedestrians meandering down the normally-packed sidewalks. People were afraid to come out of their apartments and homes.
New York’s mayor had greeted the president as Marine One had landed. The local politician practically demanding the president’s ear. The staffers of both leaders hurriedly agreed to have the mayor join the Commander in Chief during the ride to the UN.
“Here in the Big Apple, the true impact of Ebola-B is more prevalent than practically anywhere else, Sir,” the mayor stated. “Wall Street, the financial engine of the free world, is closed. So are the huge international banks, currency exchanges, investment firms, and insurance giants. The economic losses are piling up, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. My first responders are calling in sick at unprecedented levels, sir. Food is running low.”
It was the same all over the world. In Chicago, the commodities exchange was shut down. Stock markets worldwide had locked their doors – some due to lack of traders on the floor, others ordered closed by their governments to avoid free-falling prices. The situation was dire, even outside the cities. The interstates were empty - truckers weren’t hauling goods, partly because there weren’t any workers at the factories to produce cargo, partly because Ebola-B paranoia was keeping them at home.
London, Paris, Hong Kong, and Tokyo were all experiencing the same effect. The world’s supply chain was beyond a few broken links – it had simply evaporated into thin, virus-slandered air.
As his unattended parade snaked through the streets, the president noticed one of the city’s mega-hospitals through the thick, bullet-proof glass. The parking lot was nearly empty.
“How are the sick receiving care?” the president asked.
“They’re not, for the most part. One of my few city health officials still on the job told me this morning that our medical facilities have turned into torture chambers. He reported patients lying in their own waste, empty IV bags, and abandoned nurse’s stations. Doctors and staff aren’t reporting for work, those that have honored their oaths and stayed at their posts are overwhelmed. The storerooms are nearly out of food and medications. Death rates are skyrocketing.”
“And civil unrest?”
“Not so much yet. Everyone is afraid to come outside. But that will change when food begins to run out. Most people in this city only keep three or four days of groceries in their apartments. We found that out during one of the blackouts years ago. When their stomachs are empty, they’ll hit the streets in droves – virus or not.”
The chief executive nodded his understanding. He’d received similar reports from all over the nation… all over the globe. Even the military was beginning to feel the impact.
Before leaving for New York, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs had placed an emergency call to the oval office. “Sir, our Carrier Strike Force moored in San Diego will be unable to depart as scheduled. The civilian dockworkers aren’t reporting for work, and we can’t load our ships with the necessary provisions. In addition, the units maintaining the Houston barricade are down to less than five days’ worth of fuel and supplies. Our situation globally is becoming critical.”
The mayor interrupted his thoughts. “I need to hear it from your own lips, Mr. President. I need to know you are going to agree to Houston’s terms and surrender.”
The president hadn’t expected such a blunt assault, his head snapping away from the window to face the now hostile passenger. “I have no intention of doing anything of the sort, Mr. Mayor. The greatest nation on earth doesn’t surrender to terrorists… we don’t heed to crazed individuals holding weapons of mass destruction, no matter how dire the consequences.”
The response came in the harsh voice of a native New Yorker. “Consequences? Dire? Let me make it absolutely clear, Mr. President. In less than a week, there won’t be any nation left. The term ‘most powerful’ won’t mean shit. And while I can’t speak for every American, I’m sure most of them would prefer to be conquered by Texans than to be dead.”
Fighting off his initial instinct to put the mayor in his place, the president decided to defuse the situation. “Mr. Mayor, I understand what you’re saying. I see your point of view. Even if I did make the call to give up, it won’t make any difference. Houston’s terms were absolutely clear, and there’s no way we are going to get every government on the planet to play along. It’s just not going to happen.”
“Then go kick the holdouts’s asses, sir. If Iran… or North Korea… or even fucking Disneyland doesn’t want to join the effort to save the planet, then the rest of the world should roll in and wipe them out. Not to throw your own words in your face, but didn’t you say, ‘The good of the many outweighs the needs of the few,’ just a few months ago when you announced the quarantine?”
The chief executive nodded, acknowledging the quote. Before he could respond, that morning’s call from the Pentagon filled his thoughts. Sighing, he looked the mayor in the eye and said, “It may be too late for that. I’m not sure our military will be functional in a few days.”
“It’s that bad?”
“Yes, it’s that bad. With budget battles, the national debt and ongoing pressure from the other side of the aisle, the federal government has been running thin. We’re in the same shape as the civilian segment of the country – without significant reserves of fuel, food, or medicine.”
“So what’s going to happen?”
“Our people in Washington are doing their best, preparing to simply ride it out. Houston survived, albeit with significant causalities. The world leaders I’m getting ready to meet all share the same basic mindset – ride out the storm and then rebuild from the ashes.”
The mayor shook his head in disgust. “Billions and billions will die. Why? It all seems such a waste.”
“Tomorrow, you’ll receive a plan from Homeland Security. It will basically instruct you and a few hundred of your key personnel to hunker do
wn, set up a Fort Apache of sorts, and wait until the pandemic burns itself out. Unless someone comes up with a better plan, that’s about all we’re going to be able to do.”
“You mean you want me to abandon the citizens and just let them die by the millions?”
A grimace crossed the president’s face. He merely nodded.
“That could take several months,” the mayor muttered, his empty gaze turning back to the window and the city he served. “God help us all.”
Chapter 6
After a full day of bickering, political arm-twisting, and overt threats of hostilities, the diplomats at the United Nations began to lose hope. The usual bad actors wouldn’t even consider the Gulf Republic’s offer, their reasoning as varied as the different languages spoken by the members.
North Korea, as expected, was unmoved by the projected causalities worldwide. Without couching words, the isolated dictatorship made it clear they were happy that karma was finally circling around to repay the decadent West for the years of abuse directed at their small nation.
Iran was slightly more subtle, basing its refusal to join the world community for religious reasons. It seems that a significant portion of that country’s leadership was interpreting the pandemic as fulfillment of ancient prophecy, a forbearer to the return of Imam Mahdi. The Iranian ambassador even appeared to celebrate the outbreak, telling anyone who would listen that Mahdi, a descendent of the prophet who vanished 1,000 years ago, would soon reappear and establish global Islamic rule before the end of the world.
Some nations tried to sell their acceptance of Taylor’s terms, hinting strongly that they would agree in exchange for billions in foreign aid or other perks.
China, already practicing one of the harshest birth control programs ever devised, almost seemed relieved at the prospect of having to bury 70% of its people.
By mid-afternoon, it became clear that agreement was impossible. This realization motivated several governments to the point of desperation.
