Altered Genes: Genesis by Mark Kelly

Author:Mark Kelly [Kelly, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-9947405-2-6
Publisher: barking dog productions

21

Confused

April 5th, 11h50 GMT : Fort Detrick, Maryland

He spotted Colonel Young sitting alone at a table on the far side of the hall. Even at this early hour, the mess was busy with hungry soldiers and their trays full of food. He jostled his way through the crowd and reached the colonel’s table.

Young looked up, a fork full of food half-way to his mouth. “Morning, have a seat, Professor,” he said and motioned to a chair. “Do you want breakfast?”

Simmons shook his head and sat. “I’ll grab a piece of toast before I head into the lab.” He pushed the salt and pepper shakers out of his way and leaned in towards the colonel. “I didn’t know my access on and off the base was restricted. What’s that all about?”

“I’m sorry,” Young said, seeing the pinched expression on his face. “I should have told you but I honestly didn’t think you’d try and leave. We can’t afford to have anything happen to you and the other researchers.”

“What do you mean?” He spoke a little too loudly and the soldiers next to them glanced over. Young glared at them and they quickly looked away. No one wanted the colonel riding their ass.

“What’s really going on, Colonel?”

Young spoke quietly. “Let’s go to my office. We can talk there.” He pushed back his unfinished breakfast and stood. Simmons followed him out.

“Grab a seat, Professor,” Young said when they arrived at his office. He closed the door, walked to his desk and sat with his hands folded on the desktop in front of him.

“You know that I met with Dr. Mayer and John Raine last night?”

Simmons nodded tentatively. Maybe now he’ll tell me why.

“Dr. Mayer was concerned the project would suffer a major setback if we lost any of the researchers—you in particular. She feels we’ve made good progress in the last few days. You’ve been a critical part of that.”

Kind words but untrue, Simmons thought. It’s been a team effort and we still have a long way to go.

“Things outside are getting worse,” Young continued. “A couple of days ago, base security requested that I approve a lockdown. I argued it was too early but recent developments and Dr. Mayer’s comments changed my mind.”

“What developments?”

Young’s forehead wrinkled as he paused and then began to explain. “You would have heard about it in tomorrow’s briefing, but the President has declared martial law in most of the country. It’s not too bad here in Frederick yet but the bigger cities are a mess. We’ve started to move supplies inside the base where they can be better protected.”

Simmons tensed. “How bad is it, Colonel?”

Young spoke, carefully choosing his words. “I fear for our nation, Professor. We’re on day sixteen of the pandemic and the civil authorities are struggling to keep order. Curfews are in effect across most of the entire country. Grocery stores are running low on food and the restocking effort is haphazard. Even if a vaccine was available tomorrow, it would take months to regain order.

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