"I'll wake Dr. Rivera. We'll be right there."
At six a.m. Stoker and Rivera were sitting in the lab director's office. "These cultures have grown three times as fast as a normal Campylobacter culture," he explained. "We've confirmed your samples are indeed Campylobacter jejuni through our other assays. Now, we've even taken pictures through an electron microscope. The problem here is the way they're acting. Using genetic manipulation, someone has, without a doubt, created a weaponized version."
"So, what you're saying," Stoker said, “those super bacteria were weaponized to create a much higher incidence of Guillain-Barre syndrome, exactly like we saw in Mexico."
"It's obvious what is going on here,” Rivera declared. “This is intended for the United States of America."
Z chimed in. "I'm running some numbers in my head. This is horrific in any scenario."
"There's no other reason why it was weaponized," Rivera continued. "People will get the diarrhea, but the antibodies will not attack much more than the Campylobacter jejuni to kill the bacteria. This is sinister—these same antibodies will maliciously attack the myelin sheath on its victims' nervous systems at a much higher rate."
"Therefore, the Guillain-Barre syndrome symptoms will appear at least a few days sooner," Stoker said.
"Campylobacter jejuni is a unique pathogen because it hits a few people twice," Rivera said. He was explaining to Z who lacked the clinical background of Stoker, Rivera, and the lab director. "The first time it gets you with an inconvenient case of diarrhea. If you're unlucky enough to get it a second time, the same bacteria that caused the diarrhea will stimulate the antibodies to cause the Guillain-Barre syndrome. After that, it's paralysis, ICU, and—."
"They end up on a ventilator," Z finished Rivera's thought.
"Exactly," Stoker said.
"I understand this atrocity,” Z said. “Hospitals will overflow with hundreds of thousands of people, on ventilators breathing."
"The only redeeming factor is, with physical support, these people can survive," Stoker said. "Think of it this way. It reminds me of streptococcus infections that initially cause strep throat," Stoker said. "But, when a small minority of cases progresses on to rheumatic fever, patients experience heart valve damage."
Stoker turned to the lab director and asked, "Do you have any idea how many people could develop Guillain-Barre syndrome?" Then he stepped up to a microscope and looked at some of the samples from Mexico while he listened for an answer.
Rivera reframed Stoker's question. "What proportion of people infected with this strain the Campylobacter bacteria will develop Guillain-Barre?"
"I really have no idea," replied the lab director. "Until we find a cluster of people infected in the United States, we can only speculate. We just need to be ready to treat the symptoms aggressively until the body heals itself over a long period of time."
"Remarkable," Stoker said as he examined the bacteria cultures. I cannot believe the multiplication rate of this culture. It's grown so aggressively."
"That's not all," the lab director said. "We also performed agglutination on these cultures."
"To test for antibodies?" Stoker asked. "What did the titer look like?"
"It's about ten times higher than we would expect with Campylobacter."
"So, this strain of Campylobacter jejuni has an incredibly high antigen level."
"We need to do a little more testing on some lab animals," the lab director said. "But, I'm apprehensive about this new version of an old germ—one somebody manipulated to amp up the antigens."
Z interjected a thought. "If I understand correctly, does all of your science speak about agglutination, titers, and more antigens equates to a more intense immune system response?"
"Possibly," replied the director. "Our animal tests will play your theory out. If you are correct, the animals' immune systems will mount a strong response."
"What you're saying is, this particular strain of the bacteria would be more likely to trigger Guillain-Barre syndrome," Z said.
"That's our working theory," the lab director responded. "We'll know when we see if the test animals develop Guillain-Barre syndrome. But, I'll go out on a limb here. I think a talented geneticist manipulated Campylobacter jejuni. Some scientist made if more virulent as well as more likely to cause Guillain-Barre syndrome. This is man-made."
"This is weaponized bacteria," Stoker said. “A brilliant, evil weapon. Part of the brilliance is the choice of Campylobacter jejuni. It can incubate quickly. It's contagious through food and ingestion. I can imagine dozen—no hundreds—of foods that can deliver the Campylobacter bacteria right into victims’ stomachs and intestines. That's the dangerous part. It's so easy to deliver, in significant dosages, to millions of people. And, somebody from the Middle East is testing it out in Mexico."
"Only a hundred miles from the border with the United States," Rivera said turning directly to the lab director. "Obviously you're sending this data to the CDC?"
"Yes. As we speak, it's being done. I'm also sharing it with the Military Health System's Epidemiology and Analysis section. But, let me show you one more thing. We also did a separate culture of the Campylobacter, this time with minimal nutrients and with lower temperatures. These conditions resulted in the trophozoic phase of the bacteria. It's kind of like the cells curling up in a sort of protective shell."
"Like an armadillo curling up when it feels threatened," Stoker interjected.
"Yes. But, in this case, the cold and the absence of nutrition are the enemies. And these weaponized bacteria withstood incredible temperature variations with this hardened coating around it."
"And then, we put this Campylobacter jejuni in a culture that was good for growth. The bacteria grew faster than any previous Campylobacter jejuni culture has ever grown before."
"Okay, let me get this straight," Stoker said. "Number one, it's coating is even stronger in the trophozoic stage when the conditions are not ideal. Second, when the conditions are ideal, it grows much faster than any Campylobacter jejuni strain we know of. And third, it produces a stronger immune response and hence the possibility of Guillain-Barre syndrome skyrockets."
"So now, it can really attack the myelin sheath in a much more aggressive manner," Z said. Then he followed up with a question. "How complex is all of this genetic manipulation?"
"It's easier than you think," the lab directors said. "It's too easy. There are hundreds of scientists, around the world, with the skills to do this in a properly equipped laboratory."
"Can you provide us with a digital copy of all of the data you've shared with us?" Rivera asked.
"Certainly. Give me about three minutes," the lab director said. "But, promise me you'll work around our idiotic chief of infectious disease."
"Don't worry," Stoker said. "We'll go above his head. Then we'll explain how he opted out of participating in any of the discovery or analysis. Like I said, he was not at his post. In my judgment, he committed desertion as well as dereliction of duty."
Three minutes later Stoker, Rivera, and Z were leaving the hospital lab with a USB drive in Rivera's pocket containing all the different bacterial assays, for safe keeping. They drove to a small office building at Fort Sam Houston where Rivera sent an encrypted email to Director Steele at the CDC.
"Your medical school girlfriend Susan Taggert and that Director Steele may have to wake up and get serious when they see this data,” Rivera said as he stood up from the computer. “I attached all the lab data. I'll be damned if this Guillain-Barre syndrome isn't more prevalent and virulent. But, how are dozens of people, in a Mexican community of eight hundred thousand people getting it? In a city the size of Chihuahua, there should be perhaps one or two cases at any given time. That's in the whole city. We counted more than a dozen people with the disease right there in that single hospital."
"And that’s only one of the ten hospitals in Chihuahua," Stoker said. "I bet there are more cases—and more serious cases, thanks to the increased viru
lence. Also, we would typically expect to see less than twenty percent of the patients on a vent. But, we've got most of these patients on ventilators. It's like Guillain-Barre syndrome on steroids."
"You're right. And, we can't get the CDC to open their eyes."
Stoker stroked his chin in serious thought. "Hey Rivera, let's think about the big picture for a minute. On the one hand, we have a potential superbug brewing. On the other hand, we've got Iranian terrorists who'll be crossing the border any day and secretly entering America. We need to do an end-run around the CDC and get some people to start listening to us."
"I see where you're going," Rivera said. "You want to return to Mexico. We need to be there to watch the Iranians. And, we don't need to be in America to orchestrate an end run around the CDC about the weaponized Campylobacter jejuni."
"Yes,” Stoker replied. “We can juggle both conundrums better from Mexico. Those Shiites are going to cross into the United States soon, and we need to be right there tracking them." Stoker furrowed his forehead. "Z, we need you to set up some cutting-edge surveillance on the Iranians. And, Rivera and I can contact each of the hospitals to see if there are even more patients suffering from Guillain-Barre right now."
Rivera looked Stoker in the eye. "Mexico, here we come."
"Let me call Allie and update her on our plans," Stoker said as he picked up his phone and dialed his wife."
When she answered, her voice was gloomy. "Hey, Troy."
"Allie. What's going on? You sound sick."
"I feel horrible. I'm stuck here in my Chicago hotel room with a monstrous stomachache. I'm not talking about the garden variety stomachache. This is the kind that feels like a perpetual cramp in your intestines, along with plenty of diarrhea."
It couldn't be possible, Stoker thought as he replied to his wife. "Allie, I'm really sorry. I was about to return to Mexico with Rivera. But, I'm going to jump on the next plane to Chicago and come take care of you."
"No. Don't come. By the time you get here, I bet I'll be feeling much better."
"Okay. You’ll never catch me second guessing you—especially when you tell me not to take care of you." It was true. There were some occasions when Allie accepted his care. But, there were other times when she just needed her space while she recovered. It was a trait from her stoic Norwegian heritage. "I'll be heading back down to Mexico. But, when did this discomfort start?"
"I felt the first stomach cramps late yesterday. I thought I might just be slightly premenstrual."
"No. That's not it. You would be about two weeks early."
"Troy, darling. You know, almost as well as I, about my unpredictable cycle. Early or late by four days. That's just my norm. And, it's become worse—"
Stoker finished her thought. "Since you've been training harder."
Exactly.
"That's common for women runners who train as hard as you do," Stoker said. "What are your other symptoms?"
"I have a bit of a headache and a slight fever. I wonder if I have food poisoning?"
"What did you have to eat last night?"
"I didn't want to go out. I just wasn't hungry enough for a full meal. Instead, I ate a couple granola bars and an apple. Then I fell asleep."
"To me, it sounds like your basic viral gastroenteritis," Stoker said. Continue to rest and drink plenty of liquids. See if Room Service has Gatorade on their menu," he suggested. "Or Pepto-Bismol."
"That I can look into. Or, I'm sure the concierge or bell staff will fetch me some, in anticipation of a generous tip."
"If you were in Chihuahua, Mexico right now, I would be concerned that you have a bug called Campylobacter jejuni."
"What's that?"
"It's an extremely common bacterium all over the world. We stumbled upon a high concentration down there recently. I'll tell you the story back at home."
"Does this campy germ also exist in the United States?"
"Yes. It's responsible for a large percentage of gastroenteritis cases in the United States. It's a common bug that's been around for thousands of years.
"That's comforting," Allie said sarcastically. "And, it's ironic. You're the one spending all this time in Mexico, and I get Montezuma's Revenge."
"Trust me," Stoker said. "You don't want the bacteria they have going on in Mexico. It has been causing a lot more than diarrhea. It's also attacking their nervous system."
"Wow. That sounds serious. Does it kill people?"
"Not usually. We manage the patients' symptoms—some profound misery—for a few weeks. Then they come around and experience a slow recuperation."
"Speaking of coming around," Allie said in a foreboding tone, "I had better get off the phone in case Montezuma comes back around."
"Okay, Allie," Stoker said. "Can I make one more request?"
"Sure. What's that?"
"Here's the situation. Go to the closest emergency room and have a culture. Let's go find out what is causing this infection. On the off chance you have this Campylobacter jejuni, it would be better to treat this bacterium aggressively now. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Troy. You wouldn't ask if it wasn't even a possibility that I had the bug. The chances are small, but the consequences are huge. Do I just ask for a Campylobacter jejuni culture?"
"No. Just tell me which ER you're going to, and I'll call in the order. They'll take it from there."
Allie checked her phone to find the closest hospital. "How about I go to Northwestern Memorial?"
"Great," Stoker said. "They're a highly reputable academic medical center. They'll have a great lab."
"I'm on my way," Allie said.
"Hey, Allie. Thank you for doing this for me. I love you, and I know you're tough as nails."
"Thanks for caring enough to be a little worried. I love you, too Troy."
When the phone call ended, Stoker called the Northwestern Memorial emergency department and left orders with the triage team. Then he called the concierge at Allie’s hotel. He gave the concierge a credit card number and asked him to arrange for Gatorade, Pepto-Bismol, and a new pair of pajamas in Allie's size to be delivered to her room. "If you can get it done in two hours, you can also charge a $100 tip on that card."
Twenty-four hours after Allie visited Northwestern Memorial Medical Center, the lab called Stoker with the results. She was positive for Campylobacter jejuni.
• • •
Over the Labor Day weekend, CoolSolar spent a very productive time spreading disease at the Electric Zoo Festival in New York. They set up the mist machine, but it was not so popular. Labor Day weekend temperatures in New York were not as hot as the temperatures in the Nevada desert at Burning Man. But, as generous corporate sponsors of the event, Cool Solar had the privilege of operating the water bottle refill stations. Thousands of gallons of water laced with Campylobacter jejuni bacteria flowed into the digestive systems of the 85,000 attendees.
Nikolas's biological terror reach was not only limited to the misters and water over this weekend in New York. Little Italy sandwich shops were also a big Electric Zoo sponsor. Throughout the event, they served more than 150,000 sandwiches. Most of the customers ordered mayo and an involuntary dose of Campylobacter jejuni. Nikolas's epidemiology consultant in Iran estimated the mist machine would lead to hundreds of Balamuthia mandrillaris amoeba infections. The water stations and sandwiches would lead to tens of thousands of cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Not bad for a weekend.
Chapter 18
Juarez, Mexico
Secretly crossing the border west of Juarez, Mexico was an arduous endeavor. Ten hours of darkness was about all the time the Iranian terrorists had to sneak up to the border, cross it, and then make enough progress into the United States to avoid detection. Even then, a border crossing was a high-stakes venture. Tonight, Espada Rápida was watching and waiting on both sides of the border—the same thing they had been doing for more than a week since Stoker, Rivera, and Z returned from Brooke Army Medical Center. Thanks to some audio and over
head surveillance, Stoker, Rivera, Z, and the rest of the team were ninety percent sure this was the chosen night for the would-be Shiite terrorists to enter the United States. They would travel on foot, under the guise of being Mexican emigrants. On the Mexico side of the border, Stoker and Z were on a stakeout of sorts. They were monitoring the terrorist compound with high-performance drones.
"You never told me much about your Burning Man experience?" Stoker asked Z. "Did you get to go on any free-spirited benders?"
"Contrary to what you think, most attendees were not frolicking in unrelenting hedonism. Sure, amongst tens of thousands of creative souls expressing their repressed selves, there was plenty of debauchery. But my experience at the wedding was refreshing. Soul cleansing if you will. The rest of it—the sights, sounds, the energy—was fun."
"I'm glad you got to recharge your batteries a bit with something a little different."
"Wow. Listen to me," Z said. "The mighty Espada Rápida warrior and techno-geek, talking about soul cleansing. I guess it's a given when you're stuck doing surveillance with a psychiatrist."
"Definitely an occupational hazard," Stoker joked. "Soon you'll be telling me about your childhood. And, I’ll be hypnotizing you. You won't even know it."
"If you hypnotize me, I'll hack you. And, you’ll absolutely know it."
"You mean, I'll know who to blame when my 401k balance is only four hundred dollars?"
On the American side of the border, Rivera and Jessica waited at an airfield with the Russian gunship. There would be a natural handoff of responsibility at the border from Stoker and Z to Jessica and Rivera.
About an hour before sunset, Stoker and Z watched as a Ford Expedition pulled up to the home. A group of six fighters exited a house they'd been surveilling. The men loaded into an old Ford Expedition. Each carried backpacks. Stoker and Z suspected the packs contained the provisions necessary for their cross-border trip.
Z and Stoker landed the drone, jumped into an old jeep, and drove toward this home they had been watching. As they approached within fifty yards of the home, they pulled over and waited. The Expedition pulled out of the driveway and away from the house. Stoker and Z followed as the fanatics drove southeast, through the streets of the border city of Juarez. For a moment the Expedition slowed to a crawl as it passed an auto repair shop. Moments later a garage opened, and two pickup trucks exited and followed the Expedition. These two automobiles carried men, women, and children riding in the trucks' beds. Between the three vehicles, Stoker and Z counted at least twenty-two people in the convoy.
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