Genetic Flux (Phase One Book 1)

by Eckrich,Jeremiah P.

  “Bangor?” Austin brushed some lint off his shirt sleeve.

  “Just look at this Austin, things are going to get out of control real quick.” She held out a paper for him to see. It was a paper from America that had a picture of a stylist cutting the hair of a woman. Most of her hair had been shaved, but you could see from what was left, was about an inch of an afro, the disturbing part was what was hanging from the afro; the woman had long blonde straight hair! The article explained she was the wife of a man who was a high-ranking member in the KKK. A quote from a clergyman stated, “This is God’s way of dealing with our bigotry.”

  “Look at this one.” She held up another paper featuring a French Canadian whose eyes changed to having an epicanthic fold. He held a sign saying “Virus Made by Chinese to Destroy Democracy.”

  “They will try to find someone to blame for this.” Austin shrugged. Guilt was pushing Austin to his limit. “When the religious fanatics and racial nuts start to make trouble it’s time for us to do something.”

  “I want you to have a meeting with a member of the United Nations. I have set up an appointment for ten tomorrow morning.”

  “Okay Irene, but I’m not sure what they will be able to do.”

  “Let’s just give them the details that we have and see what they might suggest.”

  “Tomorrow at ten.” Austin nodded as he reached for the door.

  “Let me know how it goes.”

  “I will.”

  ***

  The next morning after brief introductions Mister Tanaka, who was with the United Nations, and Austin went into a room to discuss what was happening. Austin started the conversation.

  “Sir, we have made some headway on the virus. We know that everyone with the initial infection went through the Bangor International Airport on the same day and at approximately the same time. Also, the virus mutates with each person to their own genetic makeup then passed to another and a person can be re-infected”

  “What exactly are you saying, Austin?” Mister Tanaka leaned back uneasily.

  “When one is first infected, the virus may be for the genetic disposition of lactose tolerance/intolerance.” Austin put each of his hands out in a gesture of showing opposites as he spoke. “This is then passed on to the one they are infecting. While with the new host the virus mutates. That person will then pass on the gene for something different, like a prominent jaw or even if one would be obese or thin. This initial infection changes that gene of the infected person. But, there is no way of telling what the virus will mutate into. The virus spreads exponentially and changes with each person being infected.”

  “Is there any way of stopping it or even a way of manipulating how it mutates?”

  “Not yet.”

  Mister Tanaka sat for moment in silence. “You’re saying that with each person this, this virus, changes and will pass on who knows what to the next person?”

  “Yes, that is exactly what happens. We are trying to find a cure as quickly as possible and have found ground zero.”

  “Everyone infected was at the same site?”

  “Those first infected, who are known to have passed on the virus to others, went through the Bangor International Airport the same day and time. From there who knows at this point.” After a pause Austin continued, “We feel it was one person trying to infect many people at the same time. That is why they picked an international airport.” Austin tried to find a more comfortable position in his chair, but knew his discomfort wasn’t from how he was sitting. It was from the guilt he felt.

  “You mean someone infected a large group of people and you don’t even know who?” Mister Tanaka demanded as he sat forward in his chair.

  “Sir, there were many people who left that airport infected that we now know of. It is reasonable to wonder how many left not knowing that they have a virus they are passing on to others. There may even be some who know, but are too scared to say something. It would be a mistake to think we could find every person infected. It’s not easy.”

  “I don’t care how hard it is for you Austin. I expect you to find a cure so I can tell the world we have one. I don’t care what you have to do to get it done, I just want it now!” As Mister Tanaka spoke his voice began to rise. “People are starting to demand we do something about this.”

  “I know, sir, but there’s only so much we can accomplish and only so fast. We’re doing all we can.”

  “Yes, I know how you Americans are. You think you’re the smartest! Maybe we need to put more of our resources somewhere else.”

  “You can do whatever you feel you need to do, but,” Austin rose from his chair, “you’ll not find out anything faster than we are. That’s all the information I have for you.”

  He dropped his report on the table with no more time to waste on bigotry. “I’ll leave you to deal with the masses as you see fit.”

  ***

  Hearing a knock at her door jarred Irene from her thoughts. “Come in.”

  She laid her glasses on her desk as Austin entered her office. “How did the meeting go?”

  “I don’t think the UN is going to be of much help.”

  “Why not?”

  “They seem to be more interested in making themselves look good. We should be sure that America does all we can to keep safe. This is going to get very nasty, Irene.”

  “Okay Austin. I’ll take care of it.”

  Austin closed the door behind him as he left the office. Irene sat for a moment to collect her thoughts then dialed the phone.

  “Sir, this is Irene Phillips.”

  “Yes, what is it?”

  “Sir, I believe with what we know thus far it would be prudent to make the arrangements.”

  “How bad will it get, Irene?”

  “Well sir, I believe in a few weeks most will have had the virus at least once if not more. What turns the virus will have in store for us at that point is unknown. At that time we could be at the point of collapse.”

  “That bad?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Keep me informed.”

  “Yes, Mister President.” Irene answered just before she heard the click from the disconnection. She took a deep breath knowing she had just put into motion some very serious changes for the United States of America. The President would now make the final decision. She hoped he would make the right one.

  Later in the day, after Austin’s meeting with Mister Tanaka, the UN announced they would address the world populace concerning the virus the next day. The whole world prepared to watch or listen. Towns and cities canceled school. Businesses brought in TV’s for the workers and put up signs saying they were closed until after the speech. The police and firehouses put everyone on duty, but set up video and audio for them. The closer in time to the speech the more empty the streets became.

  All around the world streets became empty. In larger cities like London and New York, people parked their cars in the street to watch the tickers relate what the UN was saying. The road became a parking lot. The eerie silence seemed inconsistent with all the people. It was as if the world was frozen in time. This virus was known to everyone, so all eyes and ears were focused on the UN and the advice they were about to give.

  ***

  “Daniel, should we have told the government I started it all?”

  “No! Austin is working on it Emily. If anyone can fix this, it’ll be him. He was right when he said they would take you away and make a guinea pig out of you. They could even refuse to let us see each other again.”

  Daniel could see the effects of his actions plastered all over his wife’s face. She never went back to work after their talk with Austin and looked tired and drawn. “It wasn’t your fault anyway, it was mine. Mine and mine alone. I should have never taken the virus. If there was a way to go back I would make sure I never gave such a thing a second thought.”

  An announcer on TV introduced Mister Tanaka, the person speaking on behalf of the UN. “Let’s see what he has to say
.” Daniel finished.

  A Japanese man stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. “We find ourselves engulfed in a fight for our physical differences. Adversity has always made one strong, but diversity in our physical appearance has helped make us each whom we are. To deprive one because of their ethnic background is wrong, but to be proud of whom our ancestors are is part of each one of us. So when our hair or eye color changes or we get an epicanthic fold, it changes how we perceive our self. I want to make it clear that our best scientists are working on this. They are working across the world in labs designed to give them the very best up-to-date information and work materials. They are dedicated to finding not just how this was started but a cure!”

  Applause erupted and he paused. After a few minutes he put his hands up to quiet the room. “We,” he gestured to everyone, “the human race, must pull together. We must stand with one another, not against. If we are to prevail each of us must do our part in keeping to our normal routines in life and to keep our senses about us. There is nothing to fear. “

  A smaller scattering of applause made him stop for a moment. “Let me explain a little about this non-lethal virus.”

  A murmur passed through the crowd while he continued, “Yes, it is a virus that is passed from one person to another, but there have been no serious complications yet. It takes the DNA from the host and passes it on to the victim. This person then passes on their DNA to another, and, it seems we can be re-infected many times.”

  Again, a murmur passed through the audience. “We must give those working on a cure time. Thank you.”

  Mister Tanaka left the podium amongst the crowd yelling questions.

  “Sir, sir,” One voice boomed over the noise. “Sir, are you saying this may get worse?”

  The stern Asian kept walking, ignoring the question.

  ***

  All news outlets were inundated with the changes after the UN speech. The man in Canada was still sitting on his lawn, but many others began to join him, all with the same change. They all had a French ancestry but their eyes had changed to have the epicanthic fold. Now, they also shared other physical traits.

  The larger the group became, the more heated their emotions were. Most blamed God or another country, but a small growing number began to put the blame elsewhere. Within the growing group were signs with sayings like ‘Science is at fault’, ‘Scientists are to blame’, and ‘Science is changing our DNA’ among many others. All military personnel at the secured labs were put on high alert to make sure the scientists could work without the fear of being attacked.

  News media’s were filled with updates. Ann Miner, a reporter for Global TV, managed to get a prime spot for a live broadcast taking place outside of Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. She hastily gave herself a fresh coat of lipstick as her cameraman counted down the time.

  “This in Ann Miner for Global TV. I am outside Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri waiting for an update concerning the Davis family. They are members of the family neighbors had called local authorities on because of the screaming coming from inside their home. When the police responded, a young boy answered the door and told them that his two sisters and his parents were upstairs wreathing in pain. The officers went upstairs to check on them and called an ambulance. We don’t know yet if they are suffering from the virus or if something more sinister has happened to them. We’re waiting for the family spokesperson to give us an update.”

  As she was speaking a middle-aged man with dark hair in a grey suit came out and stood in front of the press podium. “The family has authorized a statement.”

  He waited for the reporters to quiet down then went on, “Four of the five Davis family members, who are little people, have been infected with the virus that causes genetic fluctuations. The DNA passed onto them poses a great threat to them because it is of a tall person. Their DNA has been changed to that of a tall person and their bodies are trying to incorporate this new gene. This is causing a great deal of pain as you could well imagine. Their bones, muscles and cartilage are beginning to grow or stretch. This is putting a great strain on their joints, ligaments and even their skin. Their hospital stay will continue until they stop growing. We’ll be able to monitor them and keep them more comfortable. Thank you.” He turned and went back into the hospital.

  The cameraman panned from the spokesperson back to Ann Miner. “This is very disturbing. We have all seen instances such as our hair and eyes changing colors. We have even seen changes in our facial features where we had a slight amount of pain, but to have this family in such agony where neighbors thought someone was dying a painful death is frightening. Scott pan around.”

  The camera slowly passed over the crowd of people gathered at the hospital. “Look at everyone. We can see that hair color is becoming an ever changing cycle. You can see how most of the population has two colors of hair. Most will eventually dye it, but you can see how part of the hair is one color and, depending on how long ago the change was, the roots are another. Now it seems the changes have a new twist for us and it won’t be as easy to go through as some of the other changes were. I have next to me a neighbor of the Davis family.”

  An older woman smiled as the camera moved to take both of them into view. “Hi, Miss Brown.”

  “Hi, Ann.”

  “Please tell me what you know about the Davis family.”

  “Well Ann, they’re a very nice family, good neighbors. Most of them are a little over four feet tall, except the boy, he’s pretty tall.”

  “Why did you call the police?”

  “Well, a few days ago I heard yelling coming from the Davis house. It seemed strange because they are not like that.” Ann nodded as Miss Brown continued, “The yelling was on and off at first and I only heard one person, but then, I heard more voices and they were screaming in pain. I went over and the boy answered the door. I asked if there was something I could do to help and the boy said ‘no’ and shut the door.”

  “Did you try again to go in to see them?”

  “No. I let them be. I must admit it was brutal to hear them from outside so when the door opened the screaming was horrendous. It was one of our other neighbors who called the police. They must not have been able to take the screaming anymore. It was unbearable to listen to. I just didn’t want to get them in trouble.”

  “Understandable,” Ann stated. “At least now they’ll be more comfortable. I’m Ann Miner with news you can use.”

  “Will they live through the change?” The cameraman asked Ann when they were off the air.

  “I would think so, but it will be very painful. Can you imagine stretching a person over a foot and a half? That has to hurt. We need to keep a watch for others who are going through changes like this. I bet there are some real rating getters just waiting for us.”

  Chapter Six

  Immunity

  “Austin, I need to talk to you.”

  “Sure Ronald, what do you need?”

  “My skin color has changed.”

  Austin looked at the younger man. They had met less than two weeks earlier and Austin hadn’t really paid a lot of attention to the man’s features. “How has it changed?”

  “I’m tan. I’ve never been tan. I don’t get out in the sun much.”

  “Do you think it’s because of the virus?”

  “Yes. But no one has said they’ve had changes since being here.”

  “Let’s talk to Irene.” Austin turned towards the door. “If others are changing, she’ll know about it.”

  The two men went to Irene’s office and checked in with her receptionist. “We’re scientists working on level eight. We need to talk to Irene.”

  The receptionist picked up the phone and pushed a button. “Ma’am, there’s two scientists from level eight to see you.” There was a brief pause before she continued, “Yes, ma’am.”

  As Austin waited for the receptionist to say something Irene opened her door. “Austin! Come in. Hi, Ronald.�
�� As she motioned for them to sit she added, “What can I do for you?”

  “Well, Irene,” Austin began, “Ronald believes he’s been infected by the changes.”

  “What is your change?”

  “My skin color.”

  “Have there been others?” Austin stared intently at her.

  Irene looked at both men. She saw no changes in them that she could detect. It frightened her that she couldn’t see what was happening right in front of her eyes. “Yes. It seems many in this facility have noticed some type of change.”

  “What are we going to do about it?” Ronald asked.

  “Until we find a cure or a way to stop it from spreading there isn’t anything we can do.” Irene divulged.

  ***

  The scientists now had firsthand information. Some of them wondered just how much help this knowledge would be. As the days passed, more changes became known. Just as in the outside world, the small group that was to be safe from infection began to change. There seemed to be no way of stopping the genetic fluctuations and the outside world seemed to be taking a step closer to pandemonium.

  As he and a little group of other scientists sat and discussed the ramifications of the infection, Austin had a morbid inclination to laugh. He knew it was wrong, but for some strange reason he thought it funny; that he knew the answer they were looking for, but could not give it up. To say what he knew would be disastrous for not only himself but for Emily. The game had to be played out. The ironic thing of it was, even though he knew patient zero and the virus intimately, it made no difference. With all his knowledge, Austin had not found a way to control the virus or cure it.

  At lunch one day, Austin noticed a young woman around twenty-five years of age. As what had become their custom, he and Ronald took their breaks and lunch at the same time.