Today We Die (The Killing Sands Book 1)

by Daniel Wilde

  “So, USCAN kind of snuck up on us, eh?” asked Dr. Manford Stevens, a bacteriologist from Leduc, Alberta, Canada.

  “Well, it snuck up on us—as in the United States; not on you, ya Hoser.” This got laughs all around. Even Dr. Stevens. Of course, by now, he was used to the ribbing as the only Canadian in the group.

  “Anyway, Americans, from the U.S., and then later, people all over the world, finally realized, beginning in about 2031, that USCAN’s real purpose wasn’t to maintain security and traffic flow, but to watch people and track their comings and goings. By 2035 or so, in every major American city and most smaller cities, a person walking along one city block could be photographed by as many as five or six cameras. Any person could be monitored and tracked at nearly any time except when in his or her own home and a few private businesses.

  “This violation of privacy finally led to massive conflicts in the streets between police forces and demonstrators. By 2037, the United States Supreme Court ruled that USCAN was an unconstitutional invasion of privacy and that it had to be shut down. It was, we’re told. And in order to prevent terrorists and hackers from using the system to do bad things, all connections, which were fully wireless at that time, were disconnected, leaving the cameras in place without function. Similar events occurred all over the world, leaving very few systems operational.”

  “How do you know all of this?” John asked.

  “I read, man. I read it weeks ago when I started trying to get in.”

  “Oh, reading; that’s smart.” John was grinning and others joined him.

  “Are you finished . . . ? Okay. In 2068, 20 years after the IWO was created, a different form of USCAN was brought back on line for use in broadcasting news bulletins and information directly from the IWO. You’ve all seen it, on all the streets where those big Holos broadcast the news and show the game. The IWO preferred this method of broadcasting over the internet because it wasn’t subject to transmission interference by the broad usage of the bandwidth by the masses of people connected to the internet.

  “USCAN’s cameras were connected to central holographic displays. The reason you can be in one city and see one news program delivered from the IWO, and someone else can be in another city at the same time, seeing a different story is because the cameras’ and the Holos’ connectivity to satellite placement applications determine what news might be most important to any particular region and then broadcast news tailored to those individual locations.

  “Now, 25 years later, I, and maybe others if they’re as awesome as me, have figured out a way to use the cameras as they were originally intended—to watch the people.” The fake evil grin on his face, and the menacing laugh, like an evil mad scientist, brought the group to laughter again. It really was a different kind of meeting.

  “So, what’s it good for then?” Shift asked.

  “We’re able to see, with a few virtual swipes, almost any place in the United States or around the world! I can use USCAN right now, and see, on the Holo, exactly what is happening in Rome, or Calcutta, or Jamaica, or even Leduc, Canada, if I felt like it.” Dr. Stevens laughed with the rest—a pretty good-natured fellow really.

  April 20, 2093—Shift

  After our staff meeting today, Mike and I, and a few others who were scheduled for breaks, walked down the long hall from the conference room to the computer lab. The lab was full of Holos. But it also had older computer monitors and old computer terminals that took up whole sections of the space under desks. They were all dark. Instead, Mike was using newer computer terminals that sat nicely on one square inch of a desk, only two inches high. Mike had also furnished “his” space, as he called it, with a couch and a matching loveseat from the break room. I’ve never asked him what he used those for. I seriously doubt he watches movies or plays the virtgames in here.

  What we saw on the Holos was a little shocking. Each one depicted a three-dimensional scene from somewhere in the world—live.

  “How long has this been going on?” I asked. We expected there would be riots and vandalism after the conspiracy theories that had been circulating for days now. It was bound to occur. But we never expected to see the violence that was now displayed before us. Through the security camera linkups, we saw whole cities and towns around the world in flames, although mostly in Europe and Australia. That makes sense. There were a lot more people alive in those places when the conspiracy first began its terrible circulation. Dead people don’t start fires.

  “Several days I guess.” Mike’s reply was a little too nonchalant.

  But the violence and chaos wasn’t restricted to those continents.

  “Look at that one,” Dr. Steve Porter said, pointing to a holo just off to the left of the center of Mike’s command chair. “That’s just over in Boston, right?”

  On that monitor, we could see part of Boston and an adjacent suburb, less than 100 miles outside our bunker. It looked like looting and rioting were fairly widespread at one point, but probably died off a few days ago since so many people were sick or already dead.

  “Yeah, I know,” Mike replied. “I’ve been watching that one pretty closely. It makes me nervous.” Mike was clearly more concerned with what was happening close to home than he was with the majority of the violence and destruction in front of us.

  Even though only a few buildings were on fire in Boston, particularly in the government section of the city, large portions of the city were littered with broken windows and blowing trash, rotting food, broken electronics, and even clothes.

  “It’s kind-of surprising to see people still walking in the streets,” I remarked. “They don’t look so good though, do they?”

  “Nah,” Mike replied. “It’s like they have nowhere to go and nothing to do, but they can’t just lie down and die.”

  “They look like zombies! All drooling and bumping into things.” Every one of us in the room turned to look at Dr. Angel Robertson, who had just come in. She was literally bouncing on the balls of her feet, with apparent excitement. She looked and sounded like an evil villain who couldn’t wait to get her hands on all of those people and turn them to the dark side.

  “Dude,” John said, “you’re a little sick, you know.” Dr. Robertson didn’t acknowledge the rebuke. There was a gleam in her eyes, but she didn’t say anything else.

  Mike was right, it was a bit inappropriate. But Angel was right too. The people were just wandering around, like zombies, although we knew they weren’t. They were just sick.

  There were also bodies on the ground, thousands of them, all apparently dead.

  “Man, the stink out there must be awful with all those dead bodies,” Dr. Porter said, with wonder. “I wonder what they’re all doing outside instead of in their homes—the dead ones and the live ones.”

  “Strange,” I replied. “Maybe the conspiracy theories from last week brought them out. Perhaps they thought they could get some free stuff from the mall. But they were already sick, or soon became sick, so they had no strength to return home.”

  Mike zoomed in on a few of the bodies. One of them had a bullet hole in his forehead!

  “Holy Crap! That dude was shot!” I don’t know who said it. I was staring at the monitor in horror, like everybody else. Murders are so foreign nowadays that something like that would have made headline news all around the globe.

  “Yeah, I’ve seen a few others like him too. It’s crazy,” Mike replied.

  “Look at that one!” Dr. Steve Porter said, pointing to a spot on the screen about 50 feet farther up the street from the murder victim. “Look how he’s all sprawled out.”

  Mike zoomed in on the person in question and several people gasped.

  “It’s a she and she looks like she’s been beaten . . .” said someone in the group.

  “And molested!” said another.

  Mike became sullen and quickly changed the zoom, turning the camera to focus on another street.

  “I’ve seen enough,” Dr. Porter said as he turned to le
ave. Then he turned back to the group.

  “It really is remarkable,” Dr. Porter said. “While death is at our very door, from something we can’t control, even more carnage is raining down upon those not dead from Anthrax E—from their fellow humans. Are people really being shot and mutilated by strangers?”

  “Why?” I asked, to nobody in particular. “They can’t be fighting over food or clothes. Maybe it’s just insanity caused by the fear of death.”

  “Who knows?” Mike said. “But I’m glad I’m in here.” Several others nodded their heads and mumbled agreement.

  As the group slowly dispersed in silence, I thought, again, about our world. My heart ached looking at the death of so many people out there, especially the apparent murder and molestation. Just thinking about what it must have been like out there, or what it is probably still like, makes my skin crawl. And it’s world-wide! Several of the people who just left this room, who had held their heads high and laughed at the jokes in our meeting only a few minutes ago, had tears streaming down their faces as they walked away in silence. I’m having a hard time myself.

  I believe I’m a good person, but how would I act in the same situation? I sit here in safety, watching my fellow beings destroy each other, and it’s easy for me to judge them harshly. But would I really be different?

  It’s probably only hours or days, at most, before Anthrax E destroys those people out there anyway. Perhaps, for some, death by human hands is, or would be more welcome than the four or five days of suffering and pain that awaits them if they survive their neighbors in the street. It’s a crazy, messed-up world.

  April 20, 2093—Shift

  I’m not a religious nut, nor am I as faithful as I should be. I guess I’m somewhere in the middle—good but not great. But I went to a Christian church-like meeting this afternoon with some of the others, held in the conference room. I wanted a little peace and solace after what we saw on Mike’s holos this morning.

  I’ve been to these meetings before, but this one was different. Instead of a bland speech or lecture by someone in the group, quoting scripture that warns us to repent of our sins and pray more, several people read short selections of recent speeches given by Christian leaders around the world.

  Each person who contributed to the meeting read something from a Christian leader who had influenced his or her own life. It was quite good. There was definitely a spirit of camaraderie and hope in the room. As I understand it, leaders of most of the major religions have already made, or are now making declarations to their followers.

  Since this was a Christian service, I didn’t get to hear what non-Christian leaders were saying. I’m sure those speeches exist too.

  There were a few that inspired me.

  Dr. Juan Gamez, a viral neurologist from Mexico City played a portion of a speech by Pope Andrew II dated yesterday, April 19. Of course, since the Pope is from Honduras, his speech was in Spanish. Dr. Gamez translated for us after we watched the Pope’s holographic image kneel before a crucifix and cross himself before speaking.

  My fellow beings under God, with a lack of alacrity or clarity, yet a desire to inspire, I speak to you from my humble sanctuary under St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

  The Bible has warned of this time and we are now seeing a fulfillment of prophecy, which is both wonderful and frightening to behold. These times are considerable based upon the depth and breadth of the current calamity which disrupts and destroys our society. Of course, we recognize that this time is one of great sorrow and anguish for all, but that it need be necessarily more sorrowful for those who are wicked and are, and will, die in their sin. Conversely, upon leaving this life, great joy and peace may be had by those who have no sin to hide from God.

  In Revelations, the Lord declared that the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and the liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death; but Matthew declared, gloriously, that the righteous shall have life eternal! Oh then, how great need have we to repent and turn to God that we may have eternal life!

  Let us, His church, not fear God’s wrath. Let us look forward to His eternal glory. Be at peace, but be mindful of your sins. The end is nigh for many of God’s children.

  Dr. Manford Stevens, from Leduc, played a few words from a recorded speech by Bernard Q. Jorgensen, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, dated April 13, 2093:

  Brothers and sisters, more than ever before in the history of our marvelous world, we are experiencing the sorrow and despair that have, at times, consumed mankind. Likewise, more than ever before, we have need of the loving and tender mercies of our Heavenly Father, who wants nothing more than for us to return to His presence following our sojourn on this Earth.

  Through this time of terrible tribulation, when many around us, even ourselves, are sick and dying, let us cleave unto the Word of God and our knowledge of the eternal blessings that await the righteous in the next world. Let us repent of our wrongdoings. Let us come unto Christ through service, love, peace, kindness, and in all other respects, a Christ-like attitude.

  We may yet have opportunities before us to love and serve our families and neighbors. The pandemic which now infests and floods all the corners of this Earth, like the waters at the time of Noah, may be too strong for our modern medicine and science to hinder; but it is not so great as to destroy our faith, our spirits, or our ability to give of ourselves for the common good. Remember that while our physical bodies will surely die, through the suffering and death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we may all receive eternal life!

  I plead with you, my brothers and sisters, to turn to God, and to lead your families toward His throne. In your last hours of mortality, pray, read the scriptures, follow the words of Christ as revealed by his prophets, both modern and ancient, and spend your remaining time here on Earth teaching your children the principles of salvation.

  Be of good cheer. Your Heavenly Father loves you! He knows the desires of your heart. Have faith, repent if you need to, and endure to the end. Let us be as the Savior who, when faced with impending death, had a sure knowledge that He had performed the work for which He had been sent to Earth. Let us continue with faith to finish our earthly work, so that when we are called home, we will be welcomed by our Heavenly Father, His son Jesus Christ, and our loved ones who have already passed beyond the veil. May the Lord bless us all.

  Finally, Dr. Nelise Fabrisio, an astronomical physicist from California, quoted from a speech by Charles Parham Lightfoot, a popular American Evangelist, dated April 18, 2093. He was interesting to listen to as he mimicked a southern accent while reading:

  The words of God through the prophet Joel are now being fulfilled, when he foretold of the last days saying: ‘I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

  Without doubt, the Lord has begun to show his strength and to show the world that He is, and that He rules from on high. The moon has, although figuratively, turned to blood with the descent of the plague therefrom. To the Christian, you need not fear, for Jesus will welcome you home! You have believed in Him, even through your trials. You are saved through your belief in Him! To the unbeliever, we pray for your soul. It is now too late to call upon your God and beg for His mercy. The hour has passed.

  The Rapture is nigh! Many of those who believe have already been taken up to Jesus and spared this time of great trial which remains for those left on Earth. Many others will continue to be spared; But woe unto you who do not believe, for death and hell await you for an everlasting torment.

  Okay, the last part of that one was less inspiring—a little creepy really; but the messages were all similar. This life is not the end. We continue to live, alt
hough without our disease-ridden bodies, after this life. “Church” was good today. I’m feeling better, although I’m sure it will be short lived. Maybe I’ll go again, and get Anta to go with me.

  April 24, 2093—Shift

  “We’re exhausted Shift,” John said, stifling a yawn. “We’ve all been working around the clock for days. I’ve hardly slept since we got the animals.”

  It was true. Nobody had slept much since the animals arrived because the animals can’t shut it. But Yurgi and his crew really had been working, with very little sleep, since Street and Lucky brought in the animals for testing.

  “Are you getting close?” I asked. “I mean, are there any positive results?”

  “Yeah, Yurgi said he’s going to announce his test results tomorrow at the meeting,” John said.

  “That’s great, I hope. Why aren’t you excited? Is it bad?” I asked, nervously.

  “Actually, I don’t know the results,” he replied. “I haven’t been part of that phase of testing. So I don’t know either. So what’s up with Anta’s family?” John asked, changing subject abruptly.

  “Actually, her parents both died a couple of days ago, but Anta didn’t even tell me until today.”

  “That’s kinda weird, isn’t it?” John asked.

  “Well, maybe. She’s pretty private about her family. I’ve been so worried about her, but I wasn’t going to ask. Maybe I should have, but it tore her up when she first learned they were sick. I hoped that it wouldn’t be so bad for her when they actually died.”

  “Haven’t you talked to her? I thought you liked this girl.”

  “Uh, yeah, I do, but . . . anyway, I haven’t seen her much lately. She hasn’t come to talk to me, but I haven’t seen her moping around either. She told me today that she’s sad, and that was about the end of the discussion.”