Pandemic: Level 6: A Post Apocalyptic Medical Thriller Fiction Series (The Pandemic Series Book 3)

by Bobby Akart

  “Giorgio Tsoukalos is a self-proclaimed ancient alien theorist, but throughout your research and television appearances, you’ve brought attention to the concept of a modern mass extinction. Would you care to expand on your theories?”

  Tsoukalos wore his signature brown suit and his hair was teased to the max. He wasn’t going to allow the apocalypse to change his persona. “Reza, of all species that have existed on our fair planet, 99.9% are extinct. These extinction-level events have been proven through scientific study of fossils dating back four hundred forty-four million years ago.” Tsoukalos paused to drink some water out of a CNN coffee cup.

  “What caused the first event?” asked Azlan.

  “We don’t know, although scientists believe sixty to seventy percent of all species died as a result. My theory is a supervolcano eruption was most likely responsible. Most of us agree that the second and third mass-extinction events occurred for similar reasons. Eruptions of a massive scale spew ash, methane gas, and debris into the atmosphere, which then circles the planet. This causes climate change on an unimaginable scale, wiping out many forms of plant and animal life that require a delicate balance to survive.”

  Azlan reviewed his notes. “Let me move on to one of our other guests, David Childress. I am aware you and Giorgio share similar views on this topic, but you’ve undertaken additional research concerning Earth during the most recent extinction-level event, the Cretaceous event.”

  “First, let me thank CNN for ferrying me over here from Chicago. The most recent ELE was most likely by the Chicxulub asteroid crashing into what is now the Gulf of Mexico. The crater is located just off the Yucatan Peninsula. As the asteroid crashed through Earth’s atmosphere and collided with the surface, the consequences were catastrophic. There were long-term geochemical and climactic disruptions that destroyed the ecology of our planet, resulting in the deaths of most organisms.”

  Azlan looked to another guest, a member of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. “Ma’am, you have acknowledged two things. First, your group has already determined the Doomsday Clock should be set to midnight. What exactly does that mean?”

  Dr. Kerry Benedict nodded and looked into the camera. “Since 1947 when the Doomsday Clock was established, it’s been reset twenty-two times. Well, now, make that twenty-three. The Doomsday Clock was established to inform the public about how close we were to destroying the world with dangerous technologies of our own making. Unlike the five extinction-level events identified by the other guests, which were naturally occurring, we focused on the dangers to humanity from things like nuclear weapons and, most recently, possible catastrophic disruptions caused by man-made global warming.”

  “Prior to now, when was the Doomsday Clock the closest to midnight?” asked Azlan.

  “That would be in 1953 when both the United States and the Soviet Union tested thermonuclear weapons within six months of each other.”

  “If the Doomsday Clock is designed to warn us about man-made threats, why did the pandemic trigger the midnight designation?” asked Azlan.

  “It’s similar to our reasoning for including man-made global warming. We believe the responsibility for warming of our atmosphere rests squarely on the shoulders of mankind. Likewise, the failure of world leaders to provide the necessary funding for scientific research related to vaccines and a cure for the plague is a failure of man. Therefore, whether man-created or man-neglected, the clock ticked closer to midnight.”

  “Okay, Dr. Benedict, you’ve made some controversial statements in recent weeks as it relates to this pandemic. For one thing, your organization refuses to publically acknowledge that the plague pandemic is an extinction-level event, am I correct?”

  Dr. Benedict looked at the other panelists and then back to the camera. “That’s correct. One is from a scientific perspective and the other is, well—” She hesitated and closed her eyes briefly, much longer than a wink. She let out a deep breath and continued.

  “First, let me explain the scientific point of view. Each of the prior ELEs have resulted in a massive die-off of all forms of life from human to animal to microbial. Although the pandemic we are experiencing will be devastating to human life on this planet, it is not our opinion that it will give rise to an extinction-level event simply because the species will not experience a total elimination.”

  “I can see how you might argue that point,” said Azlan. “But your group goes further than polite disagreement between scientific and philosophical opinions like the ones represented at this roundtable discussion. You, and other members of your organization, have been pressed by the media for an explanation. Would you care to provide the worldwide viewers of CNN one today?”

  Dr. Benedict squirmed in her chair and looked to the other members of the panel, who returned her glance with unemotional gazes. She gulped and continued. “In the scientific world, the phrase extinction-level event has a well-defined meaning, as we’ve outlined during this program. However, in the world of politics and international relations, the term triggers a more dire consequence.”

  “Dr. Benedict, I’m afraid you’ve lost me,” interrupted Azlan. “What do you mean exactly?”

  “Reza, there is a secretive agreement, a resolution, adopted by the major world powers of China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and of course the United States. It was signed and approved by the UN Secretariat. If it is determined by the UN Security Council that an extinction-level event is under way, impacting the human population, then the member nations will deploy a Level 6 eradication protocol.”

  “Wait. Dr. Benedict, I’ve never heard of this. What does this mean?” asked Azlan over the mumbling chatter between the other guests. All eyes were on the atomic scientist.

  She avoided their eyes and stared directly into the camera. “The UN has issued a directive to eliminate the plague pandemic by terminating the life of any person who has contracted the plague or who has been deemed exposed to the plague.”

  Tsoukalos interrupted. “This is impossible. No humanitarian organization would stand for such a concept. Dr. Benedict, I’m sorry, we barely know each other, but how can you make such a statement without having actual knowledge of such a heinous concept.”

  Dr. Benedict reached down and lifted a briefcase from the floor. She pulled out several copies of the same email received by Mac a week ago. She handed it to the others.

  Azlan read the email aloud, finishing with the last paragraph. “Therefore, the United Nations has declared a Level 6 eradication. Govern yourselves accordingly.”

  “Okay, okay,” started Azlan, who was flabbergasted by the development. He resisted going to commercial break as demanded by his producers through his earpiece. “This says nothing about killing off sick people. I mean—”

  Azlan stopped talking as Dr. Benedict produced another piece of paper that was titled United Nations Security Council Resolution. She handed a copy to everyone; then she summarized the document.

  “The highlighted provisions of the resolution give member-states carte blanche to undertake whatever means necessary, including, you’ll note, execution of anyone infected with an incurable, highly contagious disease. It specifically adds, and I’ll quote, for the preservation of the human race. That’s why the email directive references Level 6 eradication. The governments of the world, to protect uninfected citizens, will now have the authority to kill the infected.”

  Azlan set the paper down and looked directly into the camera, adding, “And those who are suspected of being infected.”

  A producer ran onto the set, throwing his headset to the floor in the process. He waved his arms to get Azlan’s attention. He then made the universal sign for cut across his throat.

  Azlan, rarely at a loss for words or an opinion, simply looked at the camera and said, “We’ll be right back.”

  The program never returned to the air.

  Chapter 20

  Day Fifty-Six

  Qandil Mountains at the Iran-Iraq Border

&n
bsp; “One can always count on CNN to provide us better intelligence than we can obtain for ourselves,” said Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the almost fifty-year-old leader of the Islamic State. He continued to chuckle. “I will say this is very good news for us, brothers.”

  Al-Baghdadi, anointed the caliph Ibrahim and nicknamed The Ghost by world intelligence agencies, had held the position as the chief Muslim religious leader of the Islamic State since its formation in June 2014. Today, he was in good spirits after being reunited with his three wives and his son, who was just turning sixteen.

  As the final jihad was set in motion, al-Baghdadi was moving from one hiding place to another in the desert outside of Mosul. He had narrowly escaped a massive Russian bomb strike by just a few hours, which hastened his trip into the mountains of Iraq. Over the last several weeks, al-Baghdadi brought together his most trusted advisors, who were also reunited with their families for the first time in years.

  Gathered in a deep canyon north of Rawandiz, a city in Iraqi Kurdistan, the leadership council of ISIS followed the news reports and received intelligence via satellite linkup. The public’s perception of ISIS and its fighters was far from accurate when it applied to their intelligence apparatus.

  ISIS was cash rich and able to buy the best information and communications technology. Some of their sources for increasing their technological capability came through newfound partners.

  The leadership of ISIS had maintained arm’s-length alliances with loyalists to Saddam Hussein and members of the Baath Party. The Baath party ruled Iraq until the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. Remnants were scattered throughout the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

  Many wealthy Arabs on the Saudi peninsula opposed newly crowned King Mohammed bin Salman and the royal family’s loyalty to the United States. Vehemently opposed to the Westernization of their culture, the rich made an unholy pact with the Baath Party loyalists by providing them money and access to like-minded world leaders.

  Adhering to the ancient proverb that states the enemy of my enemy is my friend, the Baath Party members aligned with the ISIS leadership council to fight a common foe—the Great Satan.

  Thousands of ISIS fighters were at the ready, hiding in safety, far from the plague pandemic. Their network of military affiliates was located in a dozen countries around the world. In addition to Northern Africa and the Middle East, other nearby nations contained thousands of loyalists, including Pakistan, Lebanon, and Jordan.

  The Far East, the Philippines, Indonesia, and even Australia contained vast numbers of terror cells who’d gone into hiding, waiting for their orders to descend upon the West and America.

  Finally, Latin America had become the biggest accomplishment of al-Baghdadi and his trusted friend Abu Ali Hassan, head of the ISIS Fighter’s Council and father of Abu Hassan, the mastermind of the plague pandemic plot.

  Under Hassan’s watchful eye, and with their vast financial resources, ISIS had acquired aircraft together with airfields where they were based. Ships were at the ready, sailing under a variety of flags. ISIS fighters were strategically planted across the globe. They were waiting for their orders.

  Hassan slapped al-Baghdadi on the shoulder and smiled. He was one of the few men on earth who could show affection to the caliph. The men had cheated death together many times, including saving one another’s life.

  “Yes, my brother, good news indeed,” started Hassan. “We will allow the infidels to kill their own. When they’ve become comfortable and come out of hiding in their mountains, we will send them to their God as well.”

  “We will avenge the death of your brother and son in the process, my brother,” added al-Baghdadi. He turned to the rest of the men sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of him. The cave they used for meetings was located in the side of a mountain, undetectable by drones or the prying eyes and ears of the NSA. “Members of the council, our schedule has changed. Continue to monitor the events. Learn from their news reports. They will be focused on the executions. Their military may be able to reunite, but their politics will once again divide them. It always does. Then we will complete the final jihad. Praise Allah.”

  “Allahu Akbar!”

  PART TWO

  WEEK NINE

  Chapter 21

  Day Fifty-Seven

  Quandary Peak

  Everyone in the group avoided discussing the amount of time that had passed since the day Janie and Mac had walked into that village in the Guatemalan jungle. So much had transpired in the last eight weeks. Life-changing events caused turmoil for every American. Some, who were infected, waited for their final day—hopeless and in despair. Others lifted themselves up from the doldrums and fear, creating a second wind of sorts, as they found ways to survive.

  For Hunter and his group, responsibilities were divided and everyone was anxious to contribute. It was determined that Mac should concentrate on her work. Other than their health and safety, nothing was more important.

  The process of working with the amino acids to create a linear chain, or polypeptide, required analysis, concentration, and patience. The chemical properties and order of the amino acids were the keys to indenturing the structure and function of the polypeptides. Molecular biology was governed by the laws of physics and chemistry. Mac was trying to break those laws in order to save mankind.

  Janie continued to assist Barb in canning and food preparation. Although the solar panels at the house provided more than enough energy to run their appliances, there was always the concern their solar array might incur damage due to unusual weather conditions. In the post-collapse world, parts or repairmen were not available.

  Canning would allow them to preserve their frozen meats and vegetables at room temperature. On one of Hunter’s trips to Costco, he’d purchased a dozen cases of Ball jars with additional lids and rings made by Tattler. During the day, when Janie was not on patrol, she’d assist Barb in the kitchen. The pressure cooker ran nonstop, it seemed.

  Starting their tenth day together, Tommy’s and Hunter’s routines revolved around their strengths—security and food production. They handled security patrols together with Hunter, often taking double shifts at night. Mac grumbled about the schedule but understood. Hunter was a soldier and seasoned operative who’d conducted missions under a variety of conditions. If anyone attempted to slip up on them in the darkness, they’d be in for a rude awakening.

  Hunter wanted them to use their best efforts to avoid eating the stored foods. During the mild weather, he wanted to hunt and fish not only to generate their daily meals, but also for canning purposes. The winter weather would be brutal at Quandary Peak’s elevation. Feeding five mouths would require more food than he’d purchased.

  Hunter and Tommy were equally adept at the two outdoor sports. As the Hagans had moved from post to post during Barb’s career, Tommy would scope out the gun and tackle shops on day one of their arrival. One of their reasons for choosing Quandary Peak for their vacation home was to provide him an abundance of opportunities to enjoy his hobbies.

  Hunter, an only child, grew up on the lake at his home in Virginia. Fishing was a form of relaxation for him growing up. For security reasons due to his father’s stature in the defense industry, Hunter was isolated from other kids. He’d spend most afternoons after school exploring the woods and fishing the banks of Lake Barcroft.

  Hunting was prohibited in the area near his home, but it was the time he got to spend with his father the most. His father would frequently entertain congressmen at Rose Hill Game Preserve and Orapax Plantation. These bird-hunting destinations became a biannual event in which Hunter was invited to participate.

  In his late teens and early college years, his father’s outings expanded to other parts of the country. As a reward for graduating magna cum laude, his father invited him on a hunting trip to the fifty-thousand-acre Armstrong Ranch in Texas with the Vice President of the United States.

  It was a real honor to meet the Vice President and his entourage. The
day ended suddenly, however, when the Vice President accidentally shot another member of the hunting party. The scramble to get everyone’s story straight about what “actually happened” was Hunter’s first glimpse into the behind-the-scenes management of a political crisis.

  “I love fishing up here, Hunter,” said Tommy. “With the world coming to an end, it’ll be even better. Blue Lakes is located at the beginning of the trailhead, as you know. There are a lot of hikers who drive to the end of the road and begin their day with a hike up to the peak. At the end of the day, they’d hang around the lake, partying and carousing. We won’t have that problem anymore.”

  “I grew up on a lake,” added Hunter. “The crappie and bass would jump on the hook. Sometimes, when I was little, I’d hang my legs over the edge of the dock and fish for bluegill. I’d kick my shoes off, roll up my jeans, and chew on a weed. My mom would say I looked like little Opie Cunningham.”

  “You mean Opie Taylor, from The Andy Griffith Show, right?” asked Tommy.

  “Sort of. Mom would get confused between Ron Howard’s character as a young Opie Taylor and his later character as Richie Cunningham on Happy Days. So she compromised with little Opie Cunningham.”

  Tommy started laughing. “That’s hilarious. I’d like her. She sounded like a real jokester.”

  Hunter kicked at some rocks as they walked along the edge of the lake, reminiscent of Opie Taylor on a black-and-white television set. He still missed his parents.

  Tommy noticed the silence. “Hey, man, I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t—”

  “Not at all, Tommy. Seriously. It’s still hard for me to accept,” said Hunter as he shook off the sadness. “Tell me. What are we gonna catch today?”