The Undead | Day 25 [The Heat]

by Haywood, RR

  They then said the private jet was waiting and the secondment would be for an expected duration of three months, but that it could be extended at their discretion, as per the terms and conditions, which I was not allowed to see.

  ‘Gentlemen, I think there has been some mistake,’ I said, feeling rather confused and somewhat alarmed too. ‘May I see some identification, please.’ I wanted to verify they were from the United Nations and was almost at the point of calling security.

  ‘Dr Barrett. Five hundred thousand pounds has already been paid into your personal bank account.’

  That made me even more alarmed, and I immediately suspected bribery or blackmail.

  ‘Is this bribery or blackmail?’ I asked, although, I did wonder why anyone would want to bribe or blackmail a statistician.

  They told me to check my bank account. There was something about those two men and such was the situation that I pulled my phone from my pocket and accessed my online banking. And there it was. A single payment paid into my account by, and I quote, THE UNITED NATIONS.

  The United Nations had paid me half a million pounds.

  ‘The second payment of five hundred thousand will be paid on completion of the project, Dr Barrett,’ one of them said.

  ‘What project?’ I asked.

  They shared a look again before the first one leaned over the table towards me. ‘There is a project, Dr Barrett. It is highly classified, but your expertise is required. Really, we cannot say anything further.’

  One million pounds. Even as a leading statistician I was on less than seventy thousand a year, which in London means I am practically destitute.

  Not that I would sell out. God no. I have far more integrity than that.

  I signed immediately and said they could have my kidneys if they wished. They didn’t laugh, but then they did not strike me as the laughing types.

  ‘Check your phone again, Dr Barrett,’ one of them said. I frowned and wondered why, having just used it to check my bank account. The thing was dead.

  ‘There will be no communication with the outside world until the project is complete. Your employer will inform any family, friends, colleagues and associates that you are seconded on a confidential research trip for the foreseeable future. Please come with us.’

  The director was waiting outside the room. That being the director of the entire company. (I’ve only ever met him once before.) He shook my hand and assured me it was sanctioned and safe.

  I’ll admit I did need those words of assurance, especially when the two men escorted me through the building and out to a big executive car with blacked out windows parked right outside the door. And trust me, that is no small feat in London.

  I was driven to an airfield - I’m not even sure where it was – and escorted on board an otherwise empty executive jet, save for the pilot of course, and flown to a destination unknown.

  My guess is that I am in central Europe, due to the flight time and the mountains I saw when I transferred from the jet to a helipad and a waiting chopper.

  The chopper landed on another helipad next to a sheer rock-face where an armed guard ushered me from the chopper to a door set within the face of the cliff.

  We went through into a long corridor hewn from the rock. I asked where we were, but the chap said he could not tell me.

  We reached a wide doorway flanked by two more soldiers and went through into what I can only describe as the lobby of a grand hotel. The floor was laid to marble with potted plants, leather chairs and coffee tables all over the place with polished wooden panelling on the walls to cover the natural rock-face. Doors leading off to meeting rooms, offices and a large restaurant too from which the most heavenly scents of freshly baked bread wafted out.

  It was a remarkable transition and truly, one would never know this place was inside a mountain, apart from the lack of windows of course.

  There was a crowd of people in the lobby, all talking with a hubbub of noise. I was led around to a reception desk behind which stood a very attractive woman.

  ‘Dr Barrett, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Camilla. Let’s get you booked in shall we.’

  Camilla issued me with a swipe card for my room and proceeded to tell me about the restaurant, swimming pool, health suite, offices and IT system. She said the bar was open during the evenings, but drunken behaviour would not be tolerated. I was informed the IT system was restricted to incoming data only, and that any attempts to contact any person outside of the facility would result in immediate detention within a secure unit until completion of the project, at which point the funds paid would be taken back.’

  I was just to ask what the project was about when we were interrupted by a loud Scottish brogue shouting across the lobby.

  ‘BARRETT! WHO LET THE BLOODY BEAN COUNTER IN HERE?’

  The voice belonged to Professor Donegal, a loud, uncouth, and shockingly outspoken man, but also a good associate of mine. And truth be told, I was rather glad to see a friendly face.

  I saw others too. Professors and doctors from all over the world, and all of them looked the same as I did; confused and clueless.

  Camilla then showed me the facilities and took me down to the health suite, and said she hoped to see me in there working a sweat up. I blushed and stuttered like a teenage boy at that point. I’ve never really been that confident around women, especially ones that look like Camilla. She was very professional though with a lovely friendly manner.

  Camilla then took me back to the lobby where I mingled and chatted with the other scientists. Nobody had a clue what was going on. Various suggestions and proposals were put forward. But none of us actually knew anything.

  Then, without warning, a middle-aged man in a dark suit walked into the lobby while clapping his hands loudly to draw attention.

  ‘Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. May I have your attention please. My name is Alexander. I am your point of contact for this project and you are in what we call the facility. The only information I can tell you at this stage is that the United Nations are funding this research, but it does not exist. It is not happening. We are deniable, as per the terms and conditions. Any attempts to make contact with the outside world will see you removed from the project and placed in secure holding with your payments taken back. My apologies for beginning with such a stern warning, but it is good to be clear from the outset. Now, we are ready to seal the door, but before we do, I must ask if any person wishes to leave. Once the door is sealed it will not open again until the project is complete. Does anyone wish to leave?’

  When none did, Alexander gestured to the armed guards who proceeded to seal the door with much clanging of metal on metal.

  ‘Done!’ Alexander called out. ‘We are now committed until the project is finished.’

  ‘What is the bloody project!?’ Professor Donegal shouted with a good natured and well-timed quip that earned a nice round of laughs.

  ‘Of course,’ Alexander said. ‘The door is now sealed, and so, without further ceremony, please allow me to inform that you have each received a briefing pack detailing all of the information you need for us to begin.’ He paused at that point with a faint smile. ‘They’re in your rooms now,’ he added.

  Cue an exodus of scientists all rushing off to their rooms to finally establish just what we were all here for. I was one of them and almost jogged with splendid anticipation back to my room. But alas, there was no briefing pack. I thought to contact reception when there was a knock at my door. I opened it to find Camilla smiling at me.

  ‘I have your briefing pack, Dr Barrett,’ she said, holding a thick folder.

  I stammered a thanks and went to take the folder as she stepped forward to hand it over, which meant I stepped too close and almost walked into her. We both apologised and laughed at our stupidity. Or rather, I did while she smiled with what I took to be gentle pity.

  ‘Here,’ she said, holding it out. ‘Anything you need, please do ask me personally.’

  ‘O
h gosh, well that is very nice of you,’ I said in reply. I think I said that anyway. I may have said I like licking cricket bats for all I know.

  ‘You’re very welcome, Dr Barrett.’

  ‘Neal,’ I blurted, rather too quickly, then blushed again.

  She left at that point. I don’t blame her. I would have run off too.

  But yes. There we are. This day has already proven to be a truly unforgettable experience and I haven’t even read the folder yet. I needed to calm myself before delving into serious study, and I do find penning my thoughts in this way is very soothing.

  It did just occur to me that I might not even be allowed to keep this diary. That said. I’m not communicating with the outside world, and it is only a private and personal account.

  Signing off.

  NB

  *I’ve just read the folder. Good grief it’s not what I thought at all. No wonder they needed me.

  October 2nd

  I think this is perhaps the longest I have been without making a diary entry. The last two or so weeks have just been an incredible experience. I have never been so happy in my life. We truly are in a magical place.

  The briefing packs stated the project is table-top exercise to examine the effects of a hypothetical global event, and what would happen in three distinct situations.

  The hypothetical global event is thus:

  A contagion has been developed that can spread from person to person by the tiniest microscopic drop of any bodily fluid.

  That contagion, if left in its pure state, is a Panacea that can cure all known diseases.

  Every human on the planet can (hypothetically) be cured of every disease. Not only that, but medical administration is not required as the simple transference of any bodily fluid from one person to another will guarantee infection.

  This contagion can also be genetically tweaked to scour, identify and fix specific diseases or other infections. For instance, it can be used to treat only Malaria.

  This hypothetical contagion can also be genetically altered to energise the host body into an exceptionally violent predator intent only on finding more hosts. (We’re told to think of the zombie movies) (which did make me laugh...I mean zombies? Seriously?)

  However. We were also told that 1-2% of the global population will be immune to the tweaked violent version.

  The project, and the reason we are here, is to understand what would happen if:

  The Panacea was released into a standing global population of over seven billion people.

  What would happen if one of the tweaked versions of the Panacea were released to target the deadliest diseases (Malaria, Diphtheria etc)

  The violent version was released.

  And that, I am proud to say, is why my recruitment was so vital, because no one can theorise and predict global events like a statistician.

  This is what I do! I am the only one here that can take ALL data from ALL fields of study and correlate the lot into a digestible and understandable globally relevant format.

  I have no clue about viruses, bacteria, genomes, DNA strands, pathogens, R-rates, or any of those things, but what I can do is extrapolate data from many different events to understand, and accurately predict how fast a thing will spread, and the reactions to world populations.

  Most of us do suspect that given the secret nature of the project - and the sheer scale of the funding being thrown at it during such a time of global austerity - that the panacea is real.

  You wouldn’t offer a million pounds, or dollar equivalent, to so many people and then house them in such luxury with unprecedented access to data for a hypothetical table-top exercise.

  No.

  This is either real, or they are close to finding a real Panacea. Either way, this is an incredibly exciting thing.

  Alexander has been asked countless times if this is real, but he refuses to be drawn. And for his part, he’s made it clear he is here to facilitate the project but not to influence or shape our findings.

  ‘I am here to facilitate, not to tell you how to do your jobs.’

  It is a fascinating project, not just the subject but the setting too. Being able to work, without distraction, alongside some of the most gifted minds on the planet is truly exceptional. The isolation from distraction is a brilliant idea, so yes, I am extremely pleased I was recruited.

  I have started a fitness regime too and have been going to the gym every day. The first visit was a bit awkward as I didn’t even know how to get the treadmill working, but one of maintenance guys was also in the gym and seemed to take pity on me.

  Albert is ex-military and knows a lot about fitness. (I think that’s how he got the maintenance contract for this place.)

  I did think he would work security, but then he is an older chap, maybe late fifties? Very funny man though.

  Camilla also likes the gym and seems to go at the same time as me, which is both great and awful. She is lovely be around and seems to take pleasure in talking to me, despite me being a terrible sweaty mess.

  Signing off.

  NB

  October 22nd

  The research is continuing and a much greater picture of what will happen if A (the complete Panacea) is released into the population.

  It really is fascinating stuff, but the results are not what one may immediately think, and again I can understand why my presence here is so vital.

  The Panacea cures everything.

  Releasing it means that, barring incident or accident, a person can expect to live a healthy life from birth to death. Not only that, but life expectancy will increase exponentially. (A huge number of elderly deaths are caused by weakened immune systems.)

  That seems fantastic doesn’t it? Everyone can lead very long, healthy lives. Wonderful!

  Not so, unfortunately. Which is where my knowledge and experience comes in, and which is causing some upset.

  Think of the explosion of population within one generation if A, or even B, were released because within a decade, we could easily double or even triple the number of people on the planet.

  Everyone would be cured of everything, only to starve to death or die of thirst because there isn’t enough food, water, shelter or infrastructure.

  Some of the global medicinal and pharmaceutical companies have GDP’s greater than some countries. Their profits and stock values would be wiped out overnight.

  The same with every provider of private healthcare, and all the various subsidiary companies such as insurance, equipment and medical service industries.

  They would all cease to function almost immediately.

  That would cause mass unemployment, and a shift of those companies redirecting their energies into something that does provide profit. (Weapons, recreational drugs, alcohol, war, people trafficking, prostitution etc.)

  Many of those conglomerates have politicians and ruling classes on their payroll, but suddenly they are not needed, and therefore their influence will be gone, which in turn, creates power vacuums and instability.

  The black-market for medicines will also vanish and again those profits will be sought from other avenues. (Criminal.)

  The use of recreational drugs will soar as the risks linked to life-style diseases will be gone. The same with alcohol.

  Oppressed populations kept in check by the ever-present fear of change, will rise up and overthrow governments. Reactions will be swift and brutal which will escalate world tensions and land-grabs as nations realise they will very soon be needing more fuel, crops and landmass, which in turn leads to global war and the use of WMD’s. (This is a very brief outline but then this is my diary and not a report paper.)

  As I said, this data is not what most of the scientists wanted to hear. They are truly gifted academics that are highly skilled in their areas, but for the most part they live in bubbles and are incredibly naïve. Some are also (bizarrely) very religious.

  I am still having a blast though. I have never felt so needed. I am the expert for once.

/>   Camilla is lovely. We talk every day in the gym, and she invited me to share the jacuzzi with her yesterday.

  ‘Come on, it’ll relax you,’ she said when I started to stutter and blush. ‘I like talking to you.’

  I did go and may I say, respectfully of course, that Camilla looks delightful in a two-piece swimsuit.

  Signing off.

  NB

  November 3rd

  Professor Hussein is an awful, loud, obstructive, bullying brute of a man, and I am not the only one glad of Professor Donegal being here to stand up to him.

  After presenting my findings on the results of releasing A (the Panacea) I was tasked to move straight on to C (the violent version).

  I was rather glad of this because the spectrum of research for evaluating B (the effects of reducing global rates of specific diseases) was simply too broad.

  So yes, I was rather relieved, and I duly paid my focus to the version marked as C. The zombie version! (I’m still embarrassed to call it that.)

  The main thrust of C is that those infected will be driven by a relentless, insatiable, and incredibly violent urge to seek new hosts.

  We were told that a person infected with C would feel no pain. They would need less water and they would be incredibly strong too.

  Don’t forget, C is still the Panacea. It still cures them of everything else. But this version of the virus turns them into rabid beasts.

  My predictions for C, based on our population densities, the global travel infrastructure coupled with the aggression & desire etc, determine that it would spread across the planet within a week. Probably less.

  We know, from previous pandemics, that the spread of any disease is nearly impossible to prevent without immediate and very strong actions being taken. And that is only when governments are functioning. Something as violent as this could not be contained. It would wipe humanity out within a few days.