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The Hot Zone

Richard Preston
Random House; 3rd Edition edition
ASIN: B001GUQVAG

This oo! des"ries e#ents et$een 1%&' and 1%%3( The in"uation )eriod o* the
#iruses in this oo! is +ess than t$ent,-*our da,s( No one $ho su**ered *rom an, o* the
#iruses or $ho $as in "onta"t $ith an,one su**erin. *rom them "an "at"h or s)read the
#iruses outside o* the in"uation )eriod( None o* the +i#in. )eo)+e re*erred to in this
oo! su**er *rom a "onta.ious disease( The #iruses "annot sur#i#e inde)endent+, *or
more than ten da,s un+ess the #iruses are )reser#ed and *ro/en $ith s)e"ia+ )ro"edures
and +aorator, e0ui)ment( Thus none o* the +o"ations in Reston or
the1ashin.ton23(4(area des"ried in this oo! is in*e"ti#e or dan.erous(

The se"ond an.e+ )oured his o$+ into the sea2 and it e"ame +i!e the +ood o* a dead
man(

-A564A785SE

5ART 6NE

THE SHA361 69:6UNT E7G6N

S6:ETHING IN THE96REST

1%;0 NE1 8EAR<S 3A8

4HAR7ES :6NET $as a +oner( He $as a 9ren"hman $ho +i#ed , himse+* in a +itt+e
$ooden un.a+o$ on the )ri#ate +ands o* N/oia Su.ar 9a"tor,2 a )+antation in
$estern=en,a$hat s)read a+on. theN/oiaRi#er$ithin si.ht o*:ount E+.on2 a hu.e2
so+itar, e>tin"t #o+"ano that rises to a hei.ht o* *ourteen thousand *eet near the ed.e o*
the Ri*t Va++e,( :onet<s histor, is a +itt+e os"ure( As $ith so man, e>)atriates $ho end
u) inA*ri"a2 it is not "+ear $hat rou.ht him there( 5erha)s he had een in some !ind o*
trou+e in9ran"e2 or )erha)s he had een dra$n to=en,a, the eaut, o* the "ountr,( He
$as an amateur natura+ist2 *ond o* irds and anima+s ut not o* humanit, in .enera+( He
$as *i*t,-si> ,ears o+d2 o* medium hei.ht and medium ui+d2 $ith smooth2 strai.ht
ro$n hair2 a .ood-+oo!in. man(

It seems that his on+, "+ose *riends $ere $omen $ho +i#ed in to$ns around the
mountain2 ,et e#en the, "ou+d not re"a++ mu"h aout him *or the do"tors $ho
in#esti.ated his death( His ?o $as to ta!e "are o* the su.ar *a"tor,<s $ater-)um)in.
ma"hiner,2 $hi"h dre$ $ater *rom theN/oiaRi#erand de+i#ered it to man, mi+es o*
su.ar-"ane *ie+ds( The, sa, that he s)ent most o* his da, inside the )um) house , the
ri#er2 as i* it )+eased him to $at"h and +isten to ma"hines doin. their $or!(

So o*ten in a "ase +i!e this2 it<s hard to )in do$n the detai+s( The do"tors rememer the
"+ini"a+ si.ns2 e"ause no one $ho has seen the e**e"ts o* a Biosa*et, 7e#e+ @ hot a.ent
on a human ein. "an e#er *or.et them2 ut the e**e"ts )i+e u)2 one a*ter the other2 unti+
the, o+iterate the )erson eneath them( The "ase o* 4har+es :onet emer.es in a "o+d
.eometr, o* "+ini"a+ *a"t mi>ed $ith *+ashes o* horror so ri++iant and disturin. that $e
dra$ a"! and +in!2 as i* $e are starin. into a dis"o+ored a+ien sun(

:onet "ame into the "ountr, in the summer o* 1%'%2 around the time that human
immunode*i"ien", #irus2 or HIV2 $hi"h "auses AI3S2 made a *ina+ rea!out *rom the
rain *orest o* "entra+A*ri"aand e.an its +on. urn throu.h the human ra"e( AI3S had
a+read, *a++en +i!e a shado$ o#er the )o)u+ation2 a+thou.h no one ,et !ne$ it e>isted( It
had een s)readin. 0uiet+, a+on. the=inshasa Hi.h$a,2 a trans"ontinenta+ road that
$anders a"rossA*ri"a*rom east to $est and )asses a+on. the shores o*7a!e
Vi"toria$ithin si.ht o*:ount E+.on( HIV is a hi.h+, +etha+ ut not #er, in*e"ti#e
Biosa*et, 7e#e+ A a.ent( It does not tra#e+ easi+, *rom )erson to )erson2 and it does not
tra#e+ throu.h the air( 8ou don<t need to $ear a io+o.i"a+ suit $hi+e hand+in. +ood
in*e"ted $ith HIV(

:onet $or!ed hard in the )um) house durin. the $ee!2 and on his $ee!ends and
ho+ida,s he $ou+d #isit *orested areas near the su.ar *a"tor,( He $ou+d rin. *ood $ith
him2 and he $ou+d s"atter it around and $at"h $hi+e irds and anima+s ate it( He "ou+d
sit in )er*e"t sti++ness $hi+e he oser#ed an anima+( 5eo)+e $ho !ne$ him re"a++ed that
he $as a**e"tionate $ith $i+d mon!e,s2 that he had a s)e"ia+ $a, $ith them( The, said
that he $ou+d sit ho+din. a )ie"e o* *ood $hi+e a mon!e, a))roa"hed him2 and the
anima+ $ou+d eat *rom his hand(

6n the e#enin.s2 he !e)t to himse+* in his un.a+o$( He had a house!ee)er2 a $oman
named Bohnnie2 $ho "+eaned u) and )re)ared his mea+s(

He $as tea"hin. himse+* ho$ to identi*, A*ri"an irds( A "o+on, o* $ea#erirds +i#ed in
a tree near his house2 and he s)ent time $at"hin. them ui+d and maintain their a.+i!e
nests( The, sa, that one da, near 4hristmas he "arried a si"! ird into his house2 $here
it died2 )erha)s in his hands( The ird ma, ha#e een a $ea#erird--no one !no$s--and
it ma, ha#e died o* a 7e#e+ @ #irus--no one !no$s( He a+so had a *riendshi) $ith a "ro$(
It $as a )ied "ro$2 a +a"!-and-$hite ird that )eo)+e inA*ri"asometimes ma!e into a
)et( This "ro$ $as a *riend+,2 inte++i.ent ird that +i!ed to )ee! on the roo* o* :onet<s
un.a+o$ and $at"h his "omin.s and .oin.s( 1hen the "ro$ $as hun.r,2 it $ou+d +and
on the #eranda and $a+! indoors2 and :onet $ou+d *eed it s"ra)s o* *ood *rom his ta+e(

He $a+!ed to $or! e#er, mornin. throu.h the "ane *ie+ds2 a ?ourne, o* t$o mi+es( That
4hristmas season2 the $or!ers had een urnin. the *ie+ds2 and so the *ie+ds $ere
s"or"hed and +a"!( To the north a"ross the "harred +ands"a)e2 t$ent,-*i#e mi+es a$a,2
he "ou+d see:ount E+.on(

The mountain dis)+a,ed a "onstant+, "han.in. *a"e o* $eather and shado$2 rain and
sun2 a s)e"ta"+e o* A*ri"an +i.ht( At da$n2:ount E+.ona))eared as a s+um)ed )i+e o*
.ra, rid.es re"edin. into ha/e2 "u+minatin. in a summit $ith t$o )ea!s2 $hi"h are
o))osed +i)s o* the eroded "one( As the sun "ame u)2 the mountain turned si+#er, .reen2
the "o+or o* the:ount E+.onrain *orest2 and as the da, )ro.ressed "+ouds a))eared and
hid the mountain *rom #ie$( 7ate in the a*ternoon2 near sunset2 the "+ouds thi"!ened and
oi+ed u) into an an#i+ thunderhead that *+i"!ered $ith si+ent +i.htnin.( The ottom o*
the "+oud $as the "o+or o* "har"oa+2 and the to) o* the "+oud *eathered out a.ainst the
u))er air and .+o$ed a du++ oran.e2 i++uminated , the settin. sun2 and ao#e the "+oud
the s!, $as dee) +ue and .+eamed $ith a *e$ tro)i"a+ stars(

He had a numer o* $omen *riends $ho +i#ed in the to$n o*E+doret2 to the southeast o*
the mountain2 $here the )eo)+e are )oor and +i#e in sha"!s made o* oards and meta+(
He .a#e mone, to his $omen *riends2 and the,2 in return2 $ere ha)), to +o#e him( 1hen
his 4hristmas #a"ation arri#ed2 he *ormed a )+an to .o "am)in. on:ount E+.on2 and he
in#ited one o* the $omen *rom E+doret to a""om)an, him( No one seems to rememer
her name(

:onet and his *riend dro#e in a 7and Ro#er u) the +on.2 strai.ht red-dirt road that +eads
to Endeess B+u**2 a )rominent "+i** on the eastern side the #o+"ano( The road $as
#o+"ani" dust2 as red as dried +ood( The, "+imed onto the +o$er s!irts o* the #o+"ano
and $ent throu.h "orn*ie+ds and "o**ee )+antations2 $hi"h .a#e $a, to .ra/in. +and2 and
the road )assed o+d2 ha+*-ruined En.+ish "o+onia+ *arms hidden ehind +ines o* +ue-.um
trees( The air .re$ "oo+ as the, $ent hi.her2 and "rested ea.+es *+a))ed out o* "edar
trees( Not man, tourists #isit:ount E+.on2 so :onet and his *riend $ere )roa+, the
on+, #ehi"+e on the road2 a+thou.h there $ou+d ha#e een "ro$ds o* )eo)+e $a+!in. on
*oot2 #i++a.ers $ho "u+ti#ate sma++ *arms on the +o$er s+o)es o* the mountain( The,
a))roa"hed the *ra,ed outer ed.e o* the:ount E+.onrain *orest2 )assin. , *in.ers and
is+ands o* trees2 and the, )assed the :ount E+.on 7od.e2 an En.+ish inn ui+t in the
ear+ier )art o* "entur,2 no$ *a++in. into disre)air2 its $a++s "ra"!ed and its )aint )ee+in.
o** in the sun and rain(

:ount E+.onstradd+es the order et$eenU.andaand=en,aand is not *ar *romSudan(
The mountain is a io+o.i"a+ is+and o* rain *orest in the "enter o*A*ri"a2 an iso+ated
$or+d risin. ao#e dr, )+ains2 *i*t, mi+es a"ross2 +an!eted $ith trees2 amoo2 and
a+)ine moor( It is a !no in the a"!one o* "entra+A*ri"a( The #o+"ano .re$ u)se#en to
tenmi++ion ,ears a.o2 )rodu"in. *ier"e eru)tions and e>)+osions o* ash2 $hi"h re)eated+,
$i)ed out the *orests that .re$ on its s+o)es2 unti+ it attained a tremendous hei.ht(
Be*ore:ount E+.on$as eroded do$n2 it ma, ha#e een the hi.hest mountain inA*ri"a2
hi.her than =i+man?aro is toda,(

It is sti++ the $idest( 1hen the sun rises2 it thro$s the shado$ o* :ount E+.on $est$ard
and dee) into U.anda2 and $hen the sun sets2 the shado$ rea"hes east$ard a"ross
=en,a( 1ithin the shado$ o*:ount E+.on+ie #i++a.es and "ities inhaited , #arious
tria+ .rou)s2 in"+udin. the E+.on :asai2 a )astora+ )eo)+e $ho "ame *rom the north and
sett+ed around the mountain some "enturies a.o2 and $ho raise "att+e( The +o$er s+o)es
o* the mountain are $ashed $ith .ent+e rains2 and the air remains "oo+ and *resh a++ ,ear2
and the #o+"ani" soi+ )rodu"es ri"h "ro)s o* "orn( The #i++a.es *orm a rin. o* human
sett+ement around the #o+"ano2 and the rin. is steadi+, "+osin. around the *orest on its
s+o)es2 a noose that is tan.+in. the $i+d haitat o* the mountain( The *orest is ein.
"+eared a$a,2 the trees are ein. "ut do$n *or *ire$ood or to ma!e room *or .ra/in.
+and2 and the e+e)hant are #anishin.(

A sma++ )art o*:ount E+.onis a nationa+ )ar!( :onet and his *riend sto))ed at the )ar!
.ate to )a, their entran"e *ees( A mon!e, or )erha)s a aoon--no one seems to
rememer--used to han. out around the .ate2 +oo!in. *or handouts2 and :onet enti"ed
the anima+ to sit on his shou+der , o**erin. it a anana( His *riend +au.hed2 ut the,
sta,ed )er*e"t+, sti++ $hi+e the anima+ ate( The, dro#e a short $a, u) the mountain and
)it"hed their tent in a "+earin. o* moist .reen .rass that s+o)ed do$n to a stream( The
stream .ur.+ed out o* the rain *orest2 and it $as a stran.e "o+or2 mi+!, $ith #o+"ani"
dust( The .rass $as !e)t short , 4a)e u**a+o .ra/in. it2 and $as s)otted $ith their
dun.(

The E+.on *orest to$ered around their "am)site2 a $e o* .nar+ed A*ri"an o+i#e trees
hun. $ith moss and "ree)ers and dotted $ith a +a"! o+i#e that is )oisonous to humans(
The, heard a s"u**+e o* mon!e,s *eedin. in the trees2 a hum o* inse"ts2 an o""asiona+
+o$ huh-huh "a++ o* a mon!e,( The, $ere "o+ous mon!e,s2 and sometimes one $ou+d
"ome do$n *rom a tree and s"utt+e a"ross the meado$ near the tent2 $at"hin. them $ith
a+ert2 inte++i.ent e,es( 9+o"!s o* o+i#e )i.eons urst *rom the trees on s$i*t do$n$ard
s+ants2 *+,in. at terri*i" s)eed2 $hi"h is their strate., to es"a)e *rom harrier ha$!s that
"an di#e on them and ri) them a)art on the $in.( There $ere "am)hor trees and tea!s
and A*ri"an "edars and red stin!$ood trees2 and here and there a dar! .reen "+oud o*
+ea#es mushroomed ao#e the *orest "ano),( These $ere the "ro$ns o* )odo"ar)us
trees2 or )odos2 the +ar.est trees inA*ri"a2 near+, as +ar.e as4a+i*orniase0uoias(
Thousands o* e+e)hants +i#ed on the mountain then2 and the, "ou+d e heard mo#in.
throu.h *orest2 ma!in. "ra"!in. sounds as the, )ee+ed ar! and ro!e +ims *rom trees(

In the a*ternoon2 it $ou+d ha#e rained2 as it usua++, does on:ount E+.on2 and so :onet
and his *riend $ou+d ha#e sta,ed in their tent2 and )erha)s the, made +o#e $hi+e a
thunderstorm hammered the "an#as( It .re$ dar!; the rain ta)ered o**( The, ui+t a *ire
and "oo!ed a mea+( It $as Ne$ 8ear<s E#e( 5erha)s the, "e+erated2 drin!in.
"ham)a.ne( The "+ouds $ou+d ha#e "+eared o** in a *e$ hours2 as the, usua++, do2 and
the #o+"ano $ou+d ha#e emer.ed as a +a"! shado$ under the :i+!, 1a,( 5erha)s
:onet stood on the .rass at the stro!e o*midni.htand +oo!ed at the stars--ne"! ent
a"!$ard2 unstead, on his *eet *rom the "ham)a.ne(

6n Ne$ 8ear<s mornin.2 sometime a*ter rea!*ast--a "o+d mornin.2 air tem)erature in
the *orties2 the .rass $et and "o+d--the, dro#e u) the mountain a+on. a mudd, tra"! and
)ar!ed in a sma++ #a++e, e+o$=itum4a#e( The, ush$ha"!ed u) the #a++e,2 *o++o$in.
e+e)hant trai+s that meandered esides a +itt+e stream that ran throu.h stands o* o+i#e
trees and .rass, meado$s( The, !e)t an e,e out *or 4a)e u**a+o2 a dan.erous anima+ to
en"ounter in the *orest( The "a#e o)ened at the head o* the #a++e,2 and the stream
"as"aded o#er its mouth( The e+e)hant trai+s ?oined at the entran"e and headed inside(
:onet and his *riend s)ent the $ho+e o* Ne$ 8ear<s 3a, there( It )roa+, rained2 and
so the, $ou+d ha#e sat in the entran"e *or hours $hi+e the +itt+e stream )oured do$n in a
#ei+( 7oo!in. a"ross the #a++e,2 the, $at"hed *or e+e)hants2 and the, sa$ ro"! h,ra>es--
*urr, anima+s the si/e o* .roundho.s--runnin. u) and do$n the ou+ders near the mouth
o* the "a#e(

Herds o* e+e)hants .o inside=itum4a#eat ni.ht to otain minera+s and sa+ts( 6n the
)+ains2 it is eas, *or e+e)hants to *ind sa+t in hard)ans and dr, $ater ho+es2 ut in the rain
*orest sa+t is )re"ious thin.( The "a#e is +ar.e enou.h to ho+d as man, as se#ent,
e+e)hant at a time( The, s)end the ni.ht inside the "a#e2 do/in. on their *eet or minin.
the ro"! $ith their tus!s( The, )r, and .ou.e ro"!s o** the $a++s2 and "he$ them to
*ra.ments et$een their teeth2 and s$a++o$ the ro!en its o* ro"!( E+e)hant dun.
around the "a#e is *u++ o* "rum+ed ro"!(

:onet and his *riend had a *+ash+i.ht2 and the, $a+!ed a"! into the "a#e to see $here
it $ent( The mouth o* the "a#e is hu.e--*i*t,-*i#e ,ards $ide--and it o)ens out e#en
$ider e,ond the entran"e( The, "rossed a )+at*orm "o#ered $ith )o$der, dr, e+e)hant
dun.2 their *eet !i"!in. u) )u**s o* dust as the, ad#an"ed( The +i.ht .re$ dim2 and the
*+oor o* the "a#e rose u)$ard in a series o* she+#es "oated $ith .reen s+ime( The s+ime
$as at .uano2 di.ested #e.eta+e matter that had een e>"reted , a "o+on, o* *ruit ats
on the "ei+in.(

Bats $hirred out o* ho+es and *+i"!ed throu.h their *+ash+i.ht eams2 dod.in. around
their heads2 ma!in. hi.h-)it"hed "ries( Their *+ash+i.hts distured the ats2 and more
ats $o!e u)( Hundreds o* at e,es2 +i!e red ?e$e+s2 +oo!ed do$n on them *rom the
"ei+in. o* the "a#e( 1a#es o* at sound ri))+ed a"ross the "ei+in. and e"hoed a"! and
*orth2 a dr,2 s0uea!, sound2 +i!e man, sma++ doors ein. o)ened on dr, hin.es( Then
the, sa$ the most $onder*u+ thin. aout=itum4a#e( The "a#e is )etri*ied rain *orest(
:inera+i/ed +o.s stu"! out o* the $a++s and "ei+in.( The, $ere trun!s o* rain-*orest trees
turned to stone--tea!s2 )odo trees2 e#er.reens( An eru)tion o*:ount E+.onaout se#en
mi++ion ,ears a.o had uried the rain *orest in ash2 and the +o.s had een tran*ormed into
o)a+ and "hert( The +o.s $ere surrounded , "r,sta+s2 $hite need+es o* minera+s that had
.ro$n out o* the ro"!( The "r,sta+s $ere as shar) as h,)odermi" s,rin.es2 and the,
.+ittered in the eams o* the *+ash+i.hts(

:onet and his *riend $andered throu.h the "a#e2 shinin. their +i.hts on the )etri*ied
rain *orest( 3id he run his hands o#er the stone trees and )ri"! his *in.er on a "r,sta+C
The, *ound )etri*ied ones o* an"ient hi))os and an"estors o* e+e)hants( There $ere
s)iders han.in. in $es amon. the +o.s( The s)iders $ere eatin. moths and inse"ts(

The, "ame to a .ent+e rise2 $here the main "hamer $idened to more than a hundred
,ards a"ross--$ider than the +en.th o* a *oota++ *ie+d(

The, *ound a "re#i"e and shined their +i.hts do$n to the ottom( There $as somethin.
stran.e do$n there--a mass o* .ra, and ro$nish materia+(

It $as the mummi*ied "or)ses o* a, e+e)hants( 1hen e+e)hants $a+! throu.h the
"a#e at ni.ht2 the, na#i.ate , their sense o* tou"h2 )roin. the *+oor ahead o* them $ith
the ti)s o* their trun!s( The aies sometimes *a++ into the "re#i"e(

:onet and his *riend "ontinued dee)er into the "a#e2 des"endin. a s+o)e2 unti+ the,
"ame to a )i++ar that seemed to su))ort the roo*( The )i++ar $as s"ored $ith hat"h mar!s
and .roo#es2 the mar!s o* e+e)hant tus!s( I* the e+e)hants "ontinued to di. a$a, at the
ase o* the )i++ar2 it mi.ht e#entua++, "o++a)se2 rin.in. do$n the roo* o*=itum4a#e$ith
it( At the a"! o* the "a#e2 the, *ound another )i++ar( This one $as ro!en( 6#er it hun.
a #e+#et, mass o* ats2 $hi"h had *ou+ed the )i++ar $ith +a"! .uano--a di**erent !ind o*
.uano *rom the .reen s+ime near the mouth o* the "a#e( These ats $ere inse"t eaters2
and the .uano $as an oo/e o* di.ested inse"ts( 3id :onet )ut his hand in the oo/eC

:onet<s *riend dro))ed out o* si.ht *or se#era+ ,ears a*ter that tri) to:ount E+.on(
Then2 une>)e"ted+,2 she sur*a"ed in a ar in:omasa2 $here she $as $or!in. as a
)rostitute( A =en,an do"tor $ho had in#esti.ated the :onet "ase ha))ened to e
drin!in. a eer in the ar2 and he stru"! u) an id+e "on#ersation $ith her and mentioned
:onet<s name( He $as stunned $hen she said2 DI !no$ aout that( I "ome *rom
$estern=en,a(

I $as the $oman $ith 4har+es :onet(D He didn<t e+ie#e her2 ut she to+d him the stor,
in enou.h detai+ that he e"ame "on#in"ed she $as te++in. the truth( She #anished a*ter
that meetin. in the ar2 +ost in the $arrens o*:omasa2 and , no$ she has )roa+,
died o* AI3S(

4har+es :onet returned to his ?o at the )um) house at the su.ar *a"tor,( He $a+!ed to
$or! ea"h da, a"ross the urned "ane *ie+ds2 no dout admirin. the #ie$ o*:ount
E+.on2 and $hen the mountain $as uried in "+ouds2 )erha)s he "ou+d sti++ *ee+ its )u++2
+i!e the .ra#it, o* an in#isi+e )+anet( :ean$hi+e2 somethin. $as ma!in. "o)ies o* itse+*
inside :onet( A +i*e *orm had a"0uired 4har+es :onet as a host2 and it $as re)+i"atin.(

THE HEA3A4HE BEGINS2 t,)i"a++,2 on the se#enth da, a*ter e>)osure to the a.ent(
6n the se#enth da, a*ter his Ne$ 8ear<s #isit to=itum4a#e--Banuar, ;2 1%;0--:onet *e+t
a throin. )ain ehind his e,ea++s(

He de"ided to sta, home *rom $or! and $ent to ed in his un.a+o$( The heada"he
.re$ $orse( His e,ea++s a"hed2 and then his tem)+es e.an to a"he2 the )ain seemin. to
"ir"+e around inside his head( It $ou+d not .o a$a, $ith as)irin2 and then he .ot a se#ere
a"!a"he( His house!ee)er2 Bohnnie2 $as sti++ on her 4hristmas #a"ation2 and he had
re"ent+, hired a tem)orar, house!ee)er( She tried to ta!e "are o* him2 ut she rea++, did
not !no$ $hat to do( Then2 on the third da, a*ter his heada"he started2 he e"ame
nauseated2 s)i!ed a *e#er2 and e.an to #omit( His #omitin. .re$ intense and turned into
dr, hea#es( At the same time2 he e"ame stran.e+, )assi#e( His *a"e +ost a++ a))earan"e
o* +i*e and set itse+* into an e>)ression+ess mas!2 $ith the e,ea++s *i>ed2 )ara+,ti"2 and
starin.( The e,e+ids $ere s+i.ht+, droo),2 $hi"h .a#e him a )e"u+iar a))earan"e2 as i*
his e,es $ere )o))in. out o* his head and ha+*-"+osed at the same time( The e,ea++s
themse+#es seemed a+most *ro/en in their so"!ets2 and the, turned ri.ht red( The s!in
o* his *a"e turned ,e++o$ish2 $ith ri++iant star+i!e red s)e"!+es( He e.an to +oo! +i!e a
/omie( His a))earan"e *ri.htened the tem)orar, house!ee)er( She didn<t understand the
trans*ormation in this man( His )ersona+it, "han.ed( He e"ame su++en2 resent*u+2 an.r,2
and his memor, seemed to e +o$n a$a,(

He $as not de+irious( He "ou+d ans$er 0uestions2 a+thou.h he didn<t seem to !no$
e>a"t+, $here he $as(

1hen :onet *ai+ed to sho$ u) *or $or!2 his "o++ea.ues e.an to $onder aout him2
and e#entua++, the, $ent to his un.a+o$ to see i* he $as a++ ri.ht( The +a"!-and-$hite
"ro$ sat on the roo* and $at"hed them as the, $ent inside( The, +oo!ed at :onet and
de"ided that he needed to .et to a hos)ita+( Sin"e he $as #er, un$e++ and no +on.er a+e
to dri#e a "ar2 one o* his "o-$or!ers dro#e him to a )ri#ate hos)ita+ in the "it,
o*=isumu2 on theshoreo*7a!e Vi"toria( The do"tors at the hos)ita+ e>amined :onet2 and
"ou+d not "ome u) $ith an, e>)+anation *or $hat he mi.ht ha#e some !ind o* a"teria+
in*e"tion2 the, .a#e him in?e"tions o* antiioti"s2 ut the antiioti"s had no e**e"t on his
i++ness(

The do"tors thou.ht he shou+d .o toNairoiHos)ita+2 $hi"h is the est )ri#ate hos)ita+
inEast A*ri"a( The te+e)hone s,stem hard+, $or!ed2 and it did not seem $orth the e**ort
to "a++ an, do"tors to te++ them that he $as "omin.( He "ou+d sti++ $a+!2 and he had to .et
toNairoi( The, )ut him in a ta>i to the air)ort2 and he oarded a =en,a Air$a,s *+i.ht(

A hot #irus *rom the rain *orest +i#es $ithin a t$ent,-*our-hour )+an *+i.ht *rom e#er,
"it, on earth( A++ o* the earth<s "ities are "onne"ted , a $e o* air+ine routes( The $e is
a net$or!( 6n"e a #irus hits the net2 it "an shoot an,$here in a da,-5aris2To!,o2Ne$
8or!27os An.e+es2 $here#er )+anes *+,( 4har+es :onet and the +i*e *orm inside him had
entered the net(

The )+ane $as a 9o!!er 9riendshi) $ith )ro)e++ers2 a "ommuter air"ra*t that seats
thirt,-*i#e )eo)+e( It started its en.ines and too! o** o#er7a!e Vi"toria2 +ue and
s)ar!+in.2 dotted $ith du.out "anoes o* *ishermen( The 9riendshi) turned and an!ed
east$ard2 "+imin. o#er .reen hi++s 0ui+ted $ith tea )+antations and sma++ *arms( The
"ommuter *+i.hts hat drone a"rossA*ri"aare o*ten ?ammed $ith )eo)+e2 and this *+i.ht
$as )roa+, *u++( The )+ane "+imed o#er e+ts o* *orest and "+usters o* round huts and
#i++a.es $ith tin roo*s( The +and sudden+, dro))ed a$a,2 .oin. do$n in she+#es and
ra#ines2 and "han.ed in "o+or *rom .reen to ro$n( The )+ane $as "rossin. the Eastern
Ri*t Va++e,( The )assen.ers +oo!ed out the $indo$s at the )+a"e $here the human
s)e"ies $as orn(

The, sa$ s)e"!s o* huts "+ustered inside "ir"+es o* thornush2 $ith "att+e trai+s radiatin.
*rom the huts( The )ro)e++ers moaned2 and the 9riendshi) )assed throu.h "+oud streets2
+ines o* )u**, Ri*t "+ouds2 and e.an to oun"e and s$a,( :onet e"ame airsi"!(

The seats are narro$ and ?ammed to.ether on these "ommuter air)+anes2 and ,ou noti"e
e#er,thin. that is ha))enin. inside the "ain( The "ain is ti.ht+, "+osed2 and the air
re"ir"u+ates( I* there are an, sme++s in the air2 ,ou )er"ei#e them( 8ou $ou+d not ha#e
een a+e to i.nore the man $ho $as .ettin. si"!( He hun"hes o#er in his seat( There is
somethin. $ron. $ith him2 ut ,ou "an<t te++ e>a"t+, $hat is ha))enin.(

He is ho+din. an airsi"!ness a. o#er his mouth( He "ou.hs a dee) "ou.h and
re.ur.itates somethin. into the a.( The a. s$e++s u)(

5erha)s he .+an"es around2 and then ,ou see that his +i)s are smeared $ith somethin.
s+i))er, and red2 mi>ed $ith +a"! s)e"!s2 as i* he has een "he$in. "o**ee .rounds(
His e,es are the "o+or o* ruies2 and his *a"e is an e>)ression+ess mass o* ruises( The
red s)ots2 $hi"h a *e$ da,s e*ore had started out as star+i!e s)e"!+es2 e>)anded and
mer.ed into hu.e2 s)ontaneous )ur)+e shado$s; his $ho+e head is turnin. +a"!-and-
+ue( The mus"+es o* his *a"e droo)( The "onne"ti#e tissue in his *a"e is disso+#in.2 and
his *a"e a))ears to han. *rom under+,in. one2 as i* the *a"e is deta"hin. itse+* *rom the
s!u++( He o)ens his mouth and .as)s into the a.2 and the #omitin. .oes on end+ess+,( It
$i++ not sto)2 and he !ee)s rin.in. u) +i0uid2 +on. a*ter his stoma"h shou+d ha#e een
em)t,( The airsi"!ness a. *i++s u) to the rim $ith a sustan"e !no$n as #omit ne.ro2
or the +a"! #omit( The +a"! #omit is not rea++, +a"!; it is a s)e"!+ed +i0uid o* t$o
"o+ors2 +a"! and red2 a ste$ o* tarr, .ranu+es mi>ed $ith *resh red arteria+ +ood( It is
hemorrha.e2 and it sme++s +i!e a s+au.hterhouse( The +a"! #omit is +oaded $ith #irus( It
is hi.h+, in*e"ti#e2 +etha++, hot2 a +i0uid that sme++ o* the #omit ne.ro *i++s the )assen.er
"ain( The airsi"!ness a. is rimmin. $ith +a"! #omit2 so :onet "+oses the a. and
ro++s u) the to)( The a. u+.in. and so*tenin.2 threatenin. to +ea!2 and he hands it to a
*+i.ht attendant(

1hen a hot #irus mu+ti)+ies in a host2 it "an saturate the od, $ith #irus )arti"+es2 *rom
the rain to the s!in( The mi+itar, e>)erts then sa, that the #irus has under.one De>treme
am)+i*i"ationD( This is not somethin. +i!e the "ommon "o+d( B, the time an e>treme
am)+i*i"ation )ea!s out2 an e,edro))er o* the #i"tim<s +ood ma, "ontain a hundred
mi++ion )arti"+es o* #irus( 3urin. this )ro"ess2 the od, is )art+, trans*ormed into #irus
)arti"+es( In other $ords2 the host is )ossessed , a +i*e *orm that is attem)tin. to
"on#ert the host into itse+*( The trans*ormation is not entire+, su""ess*u+2 ho$e#er2 and
the end resu+t is a .reat dea+ o* +i0ue*,in. *+esh mi>ed $ith #irus2 a !ind o* io+o.i"a+
a""ident( E>treme am)+i*i"ation has o""urred in :onet2 and the si.n o* it is the +a"!
#omit(

He a))ears to e ho+din. himse+* ri.id2 as i* an, mo#ement $ou+d ru)ture somethin.
inside him( His +ood is "+ottin. u)-his +oodstream is thro$in. "+ots2 and the "+ots are
+od.in. e#er,$here( His +i#er2 !idne,s2 +un.s2 hands2 *eet2 and head are e"omin.
?ammed $ith +ood "+ots( In e**e"t2 he is ha#in. a stro!e throu.h the $ho+e od,( 4+ots
are a""umu+atin. in his intestina+ mus"+es2 "uttin. o** the +ood su))+, to his intestines(
The intestina+ mus"+es are e.innin. to die2 and the intestines are startin. to .o s+a"!( He
doesn<t seem to e *u++, a$are o* )ain an, +on.er e"ause the +ood "+ots +od.ed in his
rain are "uttin. o** +ood *+o$( His )ersona+it, is ein. $i)ed a$a, , rain dama.e(

This is "a++ed de)ersona+i/ation2 in $hi"h the +i#e+iness and detai+s o* "hara"ter seem to
#anish( He is e"omin. an automaton( Tin, s)ots in his rain are +i0ue*,in.( The hi.her
*un"tions o* "ons"iousness are $in!in. out *irst2 +ea#in. the dee)er )arts o* the rain
stem Ethe )rimiti#e rat rain2 the +i/ard rainF sti++ a+i#e and *un"tionin.( It "ou+d e said
that the $ho o* 4har+es :ont has a+read, died $hi+e the $hat o* 4har+es :onet
"ontinues to +i#e(

The #omitin. atta"! a))ears to ha#e ro!en some +ood #esse+s in his nose-he .ets a
nose+eed( The +ood "omes *rom oth nostri+s2 a shinin.2 "+oud+ess2 arteria+ +i0uid that
dri)s o#er his teeth and "hin( This +ood !ee)s runnin.2 e"ause the "+ottin. *a"tors ha#e
een used u)( A *+i.ht attendant .i#es him some )a)er to$e+s2 $hi"h he uses to sto) u)
his nose2 ut the +ood sti++ $on<t "oa.u+ate2 and the to$e+s soa! throu.h(

1hen a man is i++ in an air+ine seat ne>t to ,ou2 ,ou ma, not $ant to emarrass him ,
"a++in. attention to the )ro+em( 8ou sa, to ,ourse+* that this man $i++ e a++ ri.ht(
:a,e he doesn<t tra#e+ $e++ in air)+anes( He is airsi"!2 the )oor man2 and )eo)+e do .et
nose+eeds in air)+anes2 the air is so dr, and thin ((( and ,ou as! him2 $ea!+,2 i* there is
an,thin. ,ou "an do to he+)( He does not ans$er2 or he mum+es $ords ,ou "an<t
understand2 so ,ou tr, to i.nore it2 ut the *+i.ht seems to .o on *ore#er( 5erha)s the
*+i.ht attendants o**er to he+) him( But #i"tims o* this t,)e o* hot #irus ha#e "han.es in
eha#ior that "an render them in"a)a+e o* res)ondin. to an o**er o* he+)( The, e"ome
hosti+e2 and don<t $ant to e tou"hed( The, don<t $ant to s)ea!( The, ans$er 0uestions
$ith .runts or monos,++a+es( The, "an<t seem to *ind $ords(

The, "an te++ ,ou their name2 ut the, "an<t te++ ,ou the da, o* the $ee! or e>)+ain $hat
has ha))ened to them(

The 9riendshi) drones throu.h the "+ouds2 *o++o$in. the +en.th o* the Ri*t Va++e,2 and
:onet s+um)s a"! in the seat2 and no$ he seems to e do/in. ((( 5erha)s some o* the
)assen.ers $onder i* he is dead( No2 no2 he is not dead( He is mo#in.( His red e,es are
o)en and mo#in. around a +itt+e it(

It is +ate a*ternoon2 and the sun is *a++in. do$n into the hi++s to the $est o* the Ri*t
Va++e,2 thro$in. +ades o* +i.ht in a++ dire"tions2 as i* the sun is "ra"!in. u) on the
e0uator( The 9riendshi) ma!es a .ent+e turn and "rosses the eastern s"ar) o* the Ri*t(
The +and rises hi.her and "han.es in "o+or *rom ro$n to .reen( The N.on. Hi++s a))ear
under the ri.ht $in.2 and the )+ane2 no$ des"endin.2 )asses o#er )ar!+and dotted $ith
/era and .ira**es( A minute +ater2 it +ands atBomo=en,attaInternationa+Air)ort( :onet
stirs himse+*( He is sti++ a+e to $a+!(

He stands u)2 dri))in.( He stum+es do$n the .an.$a, onto the tarma"(

His shirt is a red mess( He "arries no +u..a.e( His on+, +u..a.e is interna+2 and it is a
+oad o* am)+i*ied #irus( :onet has en trans*ormed into a human #irus om( He $a+!s
s+o$+, into the air)ort termina+ and throu.h the ui+din. and out to a "ur#in. road $here
ta>is are a+$a,s )ar!ed( The ta>i dri#ers surround him--DTa>iCD DTa>iCD

DNairoi((( Hos)ita+2D he mum+es(

6ne o* them he+)s him into a "ar(Nairoita>i dri#ers +i!e to "hat $ith their *ares2 and
this one )roa+, as!s i* he is si"!( The ans$er shou+d e o#ious( :onet<s stoma"h
*ee+s a +itt+e etter no$( It is hea#,2 du++2 and +oated2 as i* he has eaten a mea+2 rather
than em)t, and torn and on *ire(

The ta>i )u++s onto theUhuru Hi.h$a,and heads intoNairoi( It .oes throu.h .rass+and
studded $ith hone,-a"a"ia trees2 and it .oes )ast *a"tories2 and then it "omes to a rotar,
and enters the ust+in. street +i*e o*Nairoi( 4ro$ds are mi++in. on the shou+ders o* the
road2 $omen $a+!in. on eaten dirt )ath$a,s2 men +oiterin.2 "hi+dren ridin. i","+es2 a
man re)airin. shoes , the side o* the road2 a tra"tor )u++in. a $a.on+oad o* "har"oa+(
The ta>i turns +e*t onto the N.on. Road and .oes )ast a "it, )ar! and u) a hi++2 )ast +ines
o* ta++ +ue-.um trees2 and it turns u) a narro$ road and .oes )ast a .uard .ate and
enters the .rounds o* Nairoi Hos)ita+( It )ar!s at a ta>i stand eside a *+o$er !ios!( A
si.n , a .+ass door sa,s 4ASUA7T8 3E5T( :onet hands the dri#er some mone, and
.ets out o* the ta> and o)ens the .+ass door and .oes o#er to the re"e)tion $indo$ and
indi"ates that he is #er, i++( He has di**i"u+t, s)ea!in.(

The man is +eedin.2 and the, $i++ admit him in ?ust a moment( He must $ait unti+ a
do"tor "an e "a++ed2 ut the do"tor $i++ see him immediate+,2 not to $orr,( He sits do$n
in the $aitin. room(

It is a sma++ room +ined $ith )added en"hes( The "+ear2 stron. an"ient +i.ht o*East
A*ri"a)ours throu.h a ro$ o* $indo$ and *a++s a"ross a ta+e hea)ed $ith soi+ed
ma.a/ines2 and ma!es re"tan.+es on a )e+ed .ra, *+oor that has a drain in the "enter(
The room sme++s #a.ue+, o* $oodsmo!e and s$eat2 and it is ?ammed $ith +ear,-e,ed
)eo)+e2 A*ri"ans and Euro)eans sittin. shou+der to shou+der( There is a+$a,s someone in
4asua+t, $ho has a "ut and is $aitin. *or stit"hes( 5eo)+e $ait )atient+,2 ho+din. a
$ash"+oth a.ainst the s"a+)2 ho+din. a anda.e )ressed around a *in.er2 and ,ou ma, see
a s)ot o* +ood on the "+oth( So 4har+es :onet is sittin. on a en"h in "asua+t,2 and he
does not +oo! #er, mu"h di**erent *rom someone e+se in the room2 e>"e)t *or his
ruised2 e>)ression+ess *a"e and his red e,es( A si.n on the $a++ $arns )atients to $at"h
out *or )urse thie#es2 and another si.n sa,s:

57EASE :AINTAIN SI7EN4E

86UR 4665ERATI6N 1I77 BE A55RE4IATE3(

N6TE: THIS IS A 4ASUA7T8 3E5ART:ENT(

E:ERGEN48 4ASES 1I77 BE TA=EN IN 5RI6RIT8(

86U :A8 BE REQUIRE3 T6 1AIT 96R SU4H 4ASES

BE96RE RE4EIVING ATTENTI6N

:onet maintains si+en"e2 $aitin. to re"ei#e attention( Sudden+, he .oes into the +ast
)hase( The human #irus om e>)+odes( :i+itar, ioha/ard s)e"ia+ists ha#e $a,s o*
des"riin. this o""urren"e( The, sa, that the #i"tim has D"rashed and +ed outD( 6r more
)o+ite+, the, sa, that the #i"tim has D.one do$nD(

He e"omes di//, and utter+, $ea!2 and his s)ine .oes +im) and ner#e+ess and he +oses
a++ sense o* a+an"e( The room is turnin. around and around( He is .oin. into sho"!( He
+eans o#er2 head on his !nees2 and rin.s u) an in"redi+e 0uantit, o* +ood *rom his
stoma"h and s)i++s it onto the *+oor $ith a .as)in. .roan( He +oses "ons"iousness and
)it"hes *or$ard onto the *+oor( The on+, sound is a "ho!in. in his throat as he "ontinues
to #omit $hi+e un"ons"ious( Then "ome a sound +i!e edside ein. torn in ha+*2 $hi"h is
the sound o* his o$e+s o)enin. and #entin. +ood *rom s+ou.hed his .ut( The +inin.s o*
his intestines ha#e "ome o** and are ein. e>)e++ed a+on. $ith hu.e amount o* +ood(
:onet has "rashed and is +eedin. out(

The other )atients in the $aitin. room stand u) and mo#e a$a, *rom the man on the
*+oor2 "a++in. *or a do"tor( 5oo+s o* +ood s)read out around him2 en+ar.in. ra)id+,(
Ha#in. destro,ed its host2 the a.ent is no$ "omin. out o* e#er, ori*i"e2 and is Dtr,in.D
to *ind a ne$ host(

BU:5ER

1%;0 BANUAR8 1G

NURSES AN3 AI3ES "ame runnin.2 )ushin. a .urne, a+on. $ith them2 and the,
+i*ted 4har+es :onet onto the .urne, and $hee+ed him into the intensi#e "are unit
atNairoiHos)ita+( A "a++ *or a do"tor $ent out o#er the +ouds)ea!ers: a )atient $as
+eedin. in the I4U( A ,oun. do"tor named Shem :uso!e ran to the s"ene( 3r( :uso!e
$as $ide+, "onsidered to e one o* the est ,oun. )h,si"ians at the hos)ita+2 an
ener.eti" man $ith a $arm sense o* humor2 $ho $or!ed +on. hours and had a .ood *ee+
*or emer.en"ies(

He *ound :onet +,in. on the .urne,( He has no idea $hat $as $ron. $ith the man2
e>"e)t that he $as o#ious+, ha#in. some !ind o* massi#e hemorrha.e( There $as no
time to tr, to *i.ure out $hat has "aused it(

He $as ha#in. di**i"u+t, reathin.-and then his reathin. sto))ed( He had inha+ed
+ood and had a reathin. arrest(

3r( :uso!e *e+t *or a )u+se( It $as $ea! and s+u..ish( A nurse ran and *et"hed a
+ar,n.os"o)e2 a tue that "an e used to o)en a )erson<s air$a,( 3r( :uso!e ri))ed o)en
:onet<s shirt so that he "ou+d oser#e an, rise and *a++ o* the "hest2 and he stood at the
head o* the .urne, and ent o#er :onet<s *a"e unti+ he $as +oo!in. dire"t+, into his
e,es2 u)side do$n(

:onet stared red+, at 3r( :uso!e2 ut there $as no mo#ement in the e,ea++s2 and the
)u)i+s $ere di+ated( Brain dama.e: nood, home( His nose $as +ood, and his mouth
$as +ood,( 3r( :uso!e ti+ted the )atient<s head a"! to o)en the air$a, so that he "ou+d
insert the +ar,n.os"o)e( He $as not $earin. ruer .+o#es( He ran his *in.er around the
)atient<s ton.ue to "+ear the mouth o* deris2 s$ee)in. out mu"us and +ood( His hands
e"ame .reas, $ith +a"! "urd( The )atient sme++ed o* #omit and +ood2 ut this $as
nothin. ne$ to 3r( :uso!e2 and he "on"entrated on his $or!( He +eaned do$n unti+ his
*a"e $as a *e$ in"hes a$a, *rom :onet<s *a"e2 and he +oo!ed into :onet<s mouth in
order to ?ud.e the )osition o* the s"o)e( Then he s+id the s"o)e o#er :onet<s ton.ue and
)ushed the ton.ue out o* the $a, so that he "ou+d see do$n the air$a, )ast the
e)i.+ottis2 a dar! ho+e +eadin. in$ard to the +un.s( He )ushed the s"o)e into the ho+e2
)eerin. into the instrument( :onet sudden+, ?er!ed and thrashed(

:onet #omited(

The +a"! #omit +e$ u) around the s"o)e and out o* :onet<s mouth(

B+a"!-and-red *+uid s)e$ed into the air2 sho$erin. do$n o#er 3r( :uso!e(

It stru"! him in the e,es( It s)+attered o#er his $hite "oat and do$n his "hest2 mar!in.
him $ith strin.s o* red s+ime da))+ed $ith dar! *+e"!s( It +anded in his mouth(

He re)ositioned his )atient<s head and s$e)t the +ood out o* the )atient<s mouth $ith
his *in.ers( The +ood had "o#ered 3r( :uso!e<s hands2 $rists and *orearms( It had .one
e#er,$here-a++ o#er the .urne,2 a++ o#er 3r( :uso!e2 a++ o#er the *+oor( The nurses in the
intensi#e "are unit "ou+dn<t e+ie#e their e,es2 and the, ho#ered in the a"!.round2 not
!no$in. 0uite $hat to do( 3r( :uso!e )eered do$n into the air$a, and )ushed the
s"o)e dee)er into the +un.s( He sa$ that the air$a,s $ere +ood,(

Air ras)ed into the man<s +un.s( The )atient had e.an to reathe a.ain(

The )atient $as a))arent+, in sho"! *rom +oss o* +ood( He had +ost so mu"h +ood that
he $as e"omin. deh,drated( The +ood had "ome out o* )ra"ti"a++, e#er, o)enin. in
his od,( There $asn<t enou.h +ood +e*t to maintain "ir"u+ation2 so his hearteat $as
#er, s+u..ish2 and +ood )ressure $as dro))in. to$ard /ero( He needed a +ood
trans*usion(

A nurse rou.ht a a. o* $ho+e +ood( 3r( :uso!e hoo!ed the a. on a stand an
inserted the need+ed into the )atient<s arm( There $as somethin. $ron. $ith the )atient<s
#eins; his +ood )oured out around the need+e(

3r( :uso!e tried a.ain2 )uttin. the need+e into another )+a"e in the )atient<s arm and
)roin. *or the #ein( 9ai+ure( :ore +ood )oured out(

At e#er, )+a"e in the )atient<s arm $here he stu"! the need+e2 the #ein ro!e a)art +i!e
"oo!ed ma"aroni and s)i++ed +ood2 and the +ood ran *rom the )un"tures do$n the
)atient<s arm and $ou+dn<t "oa.u+ate( 3r( :uso!e aandoned his e**orts to .i#e his
)atient a +ood trans*usion *or *ear that the )atient $ou+d +eed to death out o* the sma++
ho+e in his arm(

The )atient "ontinued to +eed *rom the o$e+s2 and these hemorrha.es $ere no$ as
+a"! as )it"h(

:onet<s "oma dee)ened2 and he ne#er re.ained "ons"iousness( He died in the intensi#e
"are unit in the ear+, hours o* the mornin.( 3r( :uso!e sta,ed , his edside the $ho+e
time(

The, has no idea $hat had !i++ed him( It $as une>)+ained death(

The, o)ened him u) *or an auto)s, and *ound that his !idne,s $ere destro,ed and that
his +i#er $as dead( His +i#er had "eased *un"tionin. se#era+ da,s e*ore he died( It $as
,e++o$2 and )arts o* it had +i0ue*ied-it +oo!ed +i!e the +i#er o* a three-da,-o+d "ada#er( It
$as as i* :onet had e"ome a "or)se e*ore his death( S+ou.hin. o* the .ut2 in $hi"h
the intestina+ +in. "omes o**2 is another e**e"t that is ordinari+, seen in a "or)se that is
da,s o+d( 1hat2 e>a"t+,2 $as the "ause o* deathC

It $as im)ossi+e to sa, e"ause there $ere too man, )ossi+e "auses(

E#er,thin. had .one $ron. inside this man2 aso+ute+, e#er,thin.2 an, one o* $hi"h
"ou+d ha#e een *ata+: the "+ottin.2 the massi#e hemorrha.es2 the +i#er turned into
)uddin.2 the intestines *u++ o* +ood( 7a"!in. $ords2 "ate.ories2 or +an.ua.e to des"rie
$hat had ha))ened2 the, "a++ed it2 *ina++,2 a "ase o* D*u+minatin. +i#er *ai+ureD( His
remain $ere )+a"ed in a $ater)roo* a. and2 a""ordin. to one a""ount2 uried +o"a++,(
1hen I #isitedNairoi2 ,ears +ater2 no one rememered $here the .ra#e $as(

1%;0 BANUAR8 A@

NINE 3A8S A9TER the )atient #omited into 3r( Shem :uso!e<s e,es and mouth2
:uso!e de#e+o)ed an a"hin. sensation in his a"!( He $as not )rone to a"!a"hes-
rea++,2 he had ne#er had a serious a"!a"he2 ut he $as a))roa"hin. thirt,2 and it
o""urred to him that he $as .ettin. into the time o* +i*e $hen some men e.in to .et ad
a"!s( He had een dri#in. himse+* hard these )ast *e$ $ee!s( He had een u) a++ ni.ht
$ith a )atient $ho had heart )ro+ems2 and then2 the *o++o$in. ni.ht2 he had een u)
most o* the ni.ht $ith that 9ren"hman $ith hemorrha.es $ho ha "ome *rom some$here
u)"ountr,( So he had een .oin. nonsto) *or da,s $ithout s+ee)(

He hadn<t thou.ht mu"h aout the #omitin. in"ident2 and $hen the a"he e.an to s)read
throu.h his od,2 he sti++ didn<t thin! aout it( Then2 $hen he +oo!ed in a mirror2 he
noti"ed that his e,es $ere turnin. red(

Red e,es-he e.an to $onder i* he had ma+aria( He had a *e#er no$2 so "ertain+, he had
some !ind o* in*e"tion( The a"!a"he had s)read unti+ a++ the mus"+es in his od, a"hed
ad+,( He started ta!in. ma+aria )i++s2 ut the, didn<t do an, .ood2 so he as!ed one o* the
nurses to .i#e him an in?e"tion o* an antima+aria+ dru.(

The nurse .a#e it to him in the mus"+e o* his arm( The )ain o* the in?e"tion $as #er,2
#er, ad( He had ne#er *e+t su"h )ain *rom a shot; it $as anorma+ and memora+e( He
$ondered $h, a sim)+e shot $ou+d .i#e him this !ind o* )ain( Then he de#e+o)ed
adomina+ )ain2 and that made him thin! that he mi.ht ha#e t,)hoid *e#er2 so he .a#e
himse+* a "ourse o* antiioti" )i++s2 ut that had no e**e"t on his i++ness( :ean$hi+e2 his
)atients needed him2 and he "ontinued to $or! at the hos)ita+( The )ain in his stoma"h
and in his mus"+es .re$ uneara+e2 and he de#e+o)ed ?aundi"e(

Una+e to dia.nose himse+*2 in se#ere )ain2 and una+e to "ontinue $ith his $or!2 he
)resented himse+* to 3r( Antonia Ba.sha$e2 a )h,si"ian atNairoiHos)ita+( She
e>amined him2 oser#ed his *e#er2 his red e,es2 his ?aundi"e2 his adomina+ )ain2 and
"ame u) $ith nothin. de*inite2 ut $ondered i* he had .a++stones or a +i#er as"ess( A
.a++-+adder atta"! or a +i#er as"ess "ou+d "ause *e#er and ?aundi"e and adomina+
)ain-the red e,es she "ou+d not e>)+ain-and she ordered an u+trasound e>amination o*
his +i#er( She studied the ima.es o* his +i#er and sa$ that it $as en+ar.ed2 ut2 other than
that2 she "ou+d see nothin. unusua+( B, this time2 he $as #er, si"!2 and the, )ut him in a
)ri#ate room $ith nurses attendin. him around the "+o"!( His *a"e set itse+* into an
e>)ression+ess mas!(

This )ossi+e .a++stone atta"! "ou+d e *ata+( 3r( Ba.sha$e re"ommended that 3r(
:uso!e ha#e e>)+orator, sur.er,( He $as o)ened u) in the main o)eratin. theater
atNairoiHos)ita+, a team o* sur.eons headed , 3r( Imre 7o*+er( The, made an
in"ision o#er his +i#er and )u++ed a"! the adomina+ mus"+es( 1hat the, *ound inside
:uso!e $as eerie and disturin.2 and the, "ou+d not e>)+ain it( His +i#er $as s$o++en
and red and did not +oo! hea+th,2 ut the, "ou+d not *ind an, si.n o* .a++stones(
:ean$hi+e2 he $ou+d not sto) +eedin.( An, sur.i"a+ )ro"edure $i++ "ut throu.h +ood
#esse+s2 and the "ut #esse+s $i++ oo/e *or a $hi+e and then "+ot u)2 or i* the oo/in.
"ontinues2 the sur.eon $i++ )ut das o* .e+ *oam on them to sto) the +eedin.( :uso!e<s
+ood #esse+s $ou+d not sto) oo/in.-his +ood $ou+d not "+ot( It $as as i* he had
e"ome a hemo)hi+ia"( The, daed .e+ *oam a++ o#er his +i#er2 and the +ood "am
throu.h the *oam( He +ea!ed +ood +i!e a s)on.e( The, had to su"tion o** a +ot o* +ood2
ut as the, )um)ed it out2 the in"ision *i++ed u) a.ain( It $as +i!e di..in. a ho+e e+o$
the $ater ta+e; it *i++s u) as *ast as ,ou )um) it out( 6ne o* the sur.eons $ou+d +ater te++
)eo)+e that the team had een Du) to the e+o$s in +oodD( The, "ut a $ed.e out o* his
+i#er-a +i#er io)s,-and dro))ed the $ed.e into a ott+e o* )i"!+in. *+uid and "+osed u)
:uso!e as 0ui"!+, as the, "ou+d(

He deteriorated ra)id+, a*ter the sur.er,2 and his !idne,s e.an to *ai+( He a))eared to
e d,in.( At that time2 Antonia Ba.sha$e2 his )h,si"ian2 had to tra#e+ aroad2 and he
"ame under the "are o* a do"tor named 3a#id Si+#erstein( The )ros)e"t o* !idne, *ai+ure
and dia+,sis *or 3r( :uso!e "reated a "+imate o* emer.en", at the hos)ita+-he $as $e++
+i!ed , his "o++ea.ues2 and the, didn<t $ant to +ose him( Si+#erstein e.an to sus)e"t
that :uso!e $as su**erin. *rom an unusua+ #irus( He "o++e"ted some +ood *rom his
)atient and dre$ o** the serum2 $hi"h is a "+ear2 .o+den-"o+ored +i0uid that remains
$hen the red "e++s are remo#ed *rom the +ood( He sent some tues o* *ro/en serum to
+aoratories *or testin.-to the Nationa+ Institute o* Viro+o., inSandrin.ham2South
A*ri"a2 and to the 4enters *or 3isease 4ontro+ inAt+anta2Geor.ia2U(S(A(

Then he $aited *or resu+ts(

3IAGN6SIS

3AVI3 SI7VERSTEIN 7IVES IN Nairoi2 ut he o$ns a house
near1ashin.ton23(4(6ne da, in the summer re"ent+,2 $hen he $as #isitin. theUnited
Statesto tend to some usiness2 I met him in a "o**ee sho) in a sho))in. ma++ not *ar
*rom his home( 1e sat at a sma++ ta+e2 and he to+d me aout :onet and :uso!e "ases(
Si+#erstein is a s+ender2 short man in his +ate *orties2 $ith a musta"he and .+asses2 and he
has an a+ert2 0ui"! .a/e(

A+thou.h he is an Ameri"an2 his #oi"e "arries a hint o* S$ahi+i a""ent(

6n the da, that I met him2 he $as dressed in a denim ?a"!et and +ue ?eans2 and he $as
ni"e+, tanned2 +oo!in. *it and re+a>ed( He is a )i+ot2 and he *+ies his o$n )+ane( He has
the +ar.est )ri#ate medi"a+ )ra"ti"e inEast A*ri"a2 and it has made him a *amous *i.ure
inNairoi( He is the )ersona+ )h,si"ian o* 3anie+ ara) :oi2 the )resident o*=en,a2 he
tra#e+s $ith 5resident :oi $hen :oi .oes aroad( He treats a++ the im)ortant )eo)+e
inEast A*ri"a: the "orru)t )o+iti"ians2 the a"tors and a"tresses $ho .et si"! on sa*ari2 the
de"a,ed En.+ish-A*ri"an noi+it,( He tra#e+ed at the side o* 3iana2 7ad, 3e+amere2 as
her )ersona+ )h,si"ian $hen she $as .ro$in. o+d2 to monitor her +ood )ressure and
hearteat Eshe $anted to "arr, on $ith her e+o#ed s)ort o* dee)-sea *ishin. o**
the=en,a"oast2 a+thou.h she had a heart "onditionF2 and he $as a+so Ber,+ :ar!ham<s
do"tor( :ar!ham2 the author o* 1est $ith the Ni.ht2 a memoir o* her ,ears as an a#iator
inEast A*ri"a2 used to han. out at the Nairoi Aero 4+u2 $here she had a re)utation *or
ein. a s+am-an.2 t$o-*isted drin!er( EDShe $as a $e++-)i"!+ed o+d +ad, , the time I
"ame to her(DF

His )atient 3r( :uso!e has himse+* e"ome a "e+erit,2 in the anna+s o* disease( DI $as
treatin. 3r( :uso!e $ith su))orti#e "areD Si+#erstein said to me( DThat $as a++ I "ou+d
do( I tried to .i#e him nutrition2 and I tried to +o$er his *e#ers $hen the, $ere hi.h( I
$as asi"a++, ta!in. "are o* someod, $ithout a .ame )+an(D

6ne ni.ht2 at t$o o<"+o"! in the mornin.2 Si+#erstein<s te+e)hone ran. at his home in
Nairoi( It $as an Ameri"an resear"her stationed in =en,a "a++in. him to re)ort that the
South A*ri"ans had *ound somethin. #er, 0ueer in :uso!e<s +ood: DHe<s )ositi#e *or
:arur. #irus( This is rea++, serious( 1e don<t !no$ mu"h aout :arur.(D

Si+#erstein had ne#er heard o* :arur. #irus( DA*ter the )hone "a++2 I "ou+d not .et a"!
to s+ee)2D he said to me( DI had !ind o* $a!in. dream aout it2 $onderin. $hat :arur.
$as(D He +a, in ed2 thin!in. aout the su**erin.s o* his *riend and "o++ea.ue 3r(
:uso!e2 *ear*u+ o* $hat sort o* or.anism had .otten +oose amon. the medi"a+ sta** at the
hos)ita+( He !e)t hearin. the #oi"e sa,in.2 D1e don<t !no$ mu"h aout:arur.(D
Una+e to s+ee)2 he *ina++, .ot dressed and dro#e to the hos)ita+2 arri#in. at his o**i"e
e*ore da$n( He *ound a medi"a+ te>too! and +oo!ed u):arur.#irus(

The entr, $as rie*(:arur.is an A*ri"an or.anism2 ut it has a German name( Viruses
are named *or the )+a"e $here the, are *irst dis"o#ered(:arur.is an o+d "it, in
"entra+German,2 surrounded , *orests and meado$s2 $here *a"tories nest+e in .reen
#a++e,s( The #irus eru)ted there in 1%&'2 in a *a"tor, "a++ed the Behrin. 1or!s2 $hi"h
)rodu"ed #a""ines usin. !idne, "e++s *rom A*ri"an .reen mon!e,s( The Behrin. 1or!s
re.u+ar+, im)orted mon!e,s *romU.anda( The #irus "ame toGerman,hidden some$here
in a series o* air shi)ment o* mon!e,s tota+in. *i#e or si> hundred anima+s( As *e$ as
t$o or three o* the anima+s $ere in"uatin. the #irus( The, $ere )roa+, not e#en
#isi+, si"!( At an, rate2 short+, a*ter the, arri#ed at the Behrin. 1or!s2 the #irus e.an
to s)read amon. them2 and a *e$ o* them "rashed and +ed out( Soon a*ter$ard2
the:arur.a.ent ?um)ed s)e"ies and sudden+, emer.ed in human )o)u+ation o* the "it,(
This is an e>am)+e o* #irus am)+i*i"ation(

The *irst )erson !no$n to e in*e"ted $ith:arur.a.ent $as a man "a++ed =+aus 9(2 an
em)+o,ee at Behrin. 1or!s #a""ine *a"tor, $ho *ed the mon!e,s and $ashed their
"a.es( He ro!e $ith the #irus on Au.ust ;2

1%&'2 and died t$o $ee!s +ater( So +itt+e is !no$n aout the:arur.a.ent that on+, one
oo! has een )u+ished aout it2 a "o++e"tion o* )a)ers )resented at a s,m)osium on
#irus2 he+d at theUni#ersit,o*:arur.in 1%'0( In the oo!2 $e +earn that

The mon!e,-!ee)er HEINRI4H 5( "ame a"! *rom his ho+ida, on Au.ust

13th 1%&' and did his ?o o* !i++in. mon!e,s *rom 1@th-A3rd( The *irst s,m)toms
a))eared on Au.ust A1st( The +aorator, assistant RENATE 7( ro!e a test-tue that $as
to e steri+i/ed2 $hi"h had "ontained in*e"ted materia+2 on Au.ust A;th2 and *e++ i++ on
Se)temer @th 1%&'(

And so on( The #i"tims de#e+o)ed heada"hes at aout da, se#en a*ter their e>)osure
and $ent do$nhi++ *rom there2 $ith ra.in. *e#ers2 "+ottin.2 s)urts o* +ood2 and termina+
sho"!( 9or a *e$ da,s in:arur.2 do"tors in the "it, thou.ht the $or+d $as "omin. to an
end( Thirt, one )eo)+e e#entua++, "au.ht the #irus; se#en died in )oo+s o* +ood( The !i++
rate o* :arur. turned out to e aout one in *our2 $hi"h ma!es :arur. an e>treme+,
+etha+ a.ent: e#en in the est modern hos)ita+s2 $here the )atients are hoo!ed u) to +i*e-
su))ort ma"hines2 :arur. !i++s a 0uarter o* the )atients $ho are in*e"ted $ith it( B,
"ontrast2 ,e++o$ *e#er2 $hi"h is "onsidered a hi.h+, +etha+ #irus2 !i++s on+, aout one in
t$ent, )atients on"e the, rea"h hos)ita+(

:arur.is one o* a *ami+, o* #iruses !no$n as the *i+o#iruses(

:arur.$as the *irst *i+o#irus to e dis"o#ered( The $ord *i+o#irus is 7atin and means
Dthread #irusD( The *i+o#iruses +oo! a+i!e2 as i* the, are sisters2 and the, resem+e no
other #irus on earth( 1hi+e most #iruses are a++-sha)ed )arti"+es that +oo! +i!e
)e))er"orns2 the thread #iruses ha#e een "om)ared to strands o* tan.+ed ro)e2 to hair2
to $orms2 to sna!es( 1hen the, a))ear in a .reat *+oodin. mess2 as the, so o*ten do
$hen the, ha#e destro,ed a #i"tim2 the, +oo! +i!e a tu o* s)a.hetti that has een
dum)ed on the *+oor(:arur.)arti"+es sometimes ro++ u) into +oo)s( The +oo)s resem+e
4heerios(:arur.is the on+, rin.-sha)ed #irus !no$n(

InGerman,2 the e**e"ts o*:arur.#irus on the train $ere )arti"u+ar+, *ri.htenin.2 and
resem+ed the e**e"ts o* raies: the #irus someho$ dama.ed the "entra+ ner#ous s,stem
and "ou+d destro, the rain2 as does raies( The:arur.)arti"+es a+so +oo!ed rather +i!e
raies )arti"+es( The raies-#irus )arti"+e is sha)ed +i!e a u++et( I* ,ou stret"h out a
u++et2 it e.ins to +oo! +i!e a +en.th o* ro)e2 and i* ,ou "oi+ the ro)e into a +oo)2 it
e"omes a rin.2 +i!e:arur.( Thin!in. that:arur.mi.ht e re+ated to raies2 the,
"a++ed it stret"hed raies(

7ater it e"ame "+ear that:arur.e+on.s to its o$n *ami+,(

Not +on. a*ter 4har+es :onet died2 it $as esta+ished that the *ami+, o* *i+o#iruses
"om)rised:arur.a+on. $ith t$o t,)es o* #irus "a++ed Eo+a( The Eo+as $ere named
Eo+aHaireand Eo+aSudan(:arur.$as the mi+dest o* the three *i+o#irus sisters( The
$orst o* them $as Eo+aHaire( The !i++ rate in humans in*e"ted $ith Eo+aHaireis nine
out o* ten( Ninet, )er"ent o* the )eo)+e $ho "ome do$n $ith Eo+aHairedie o* it(
Eo+aHaireis a s+ate $i)er in humans(

:arur.#irus Ethe .ent+e sisterF a**e"ts humans some$hat +i!e nu"+ear radiation2
dama.in. #irtua++, a++ o* the tissues in their odies(

It atta"!s $ith )arti"u+ar *ero"it, the interna+ or.ans2 "onne"ti#e tissue2 intestines2 and
s!in( InGerman,2 a++ the sur#i#ors +ost their hair-the, $ent a+d or )art+, a+d( Their hair
died at the roots and *e++out in "+um)s2 as i* the, had re"ei#ed radiation urns(
Hemorrha.e o""urred *rom a++ ori*i"es o* the od,( I ha#e seen a )hoto.ra)h o* one o*
the men $ho died o*:arur.2 ta!en in the hours e*ore his death( He is +,in. in ed
$ithout an, "+othin. on his u))er od,( His *a"e is e>)ression+ess( His "hest2 arms2 and
*a"e are s)e"!+ed $ith +ot"hes and ruises2 and dro)+ets o* +ood stand on his ni))+es(

3urin. the sur#i#ors< re"o#er, )eriod2 the s!in )ee+ed o** their *a"es2 hands2 *eet2 and
.enita+s( Some o* the men su**ered *rom +o$n u)2 semirotten testi"+es( 6ne o* the $orst
"ases o* this a))eared in a mor.ue attendant $ho had hand+ed :arur.-in*e"ted odies(
The #irus a+so +in.ered in the *+uid inside the e,ea++s o* some #i"tims *or man, months(

No one !no$s $h,:arur.has a s)e"ia+ a**init, *or the testi"+es and the e,es( 6ne man
in*e"ted his $i*e $ith:arur.throu.h se>ua+ inter"ourse(

3o"tors noti"ed that the:arur.a.ent had a stran.e e**e"t on the rain( D:ost o* the
)atients sho$ed a su++en2 s+i.ht a..ressi#e2 or ne.ati#isti" eha#ior2D a""ordin. to the
oo!( DT$o )atients EhadF a *ee+in. as i* the, $ere +,in. on "rums(D 6ne )atient
e"ame )s,"hoti"2 a))arent+, as a resu+t o* rain dama.e( The )atient named Hans 6(-V(
sho$ed no si.ns o* menta+ deran.ement2 and his *e#er "oo+ed2 and he seemed to e
stai+i/in.2 ut then sudden+,2 $ithout $arnin.2 he had an a"ute *a++ in +ood )ressure-he
$as "rashin.-and he died( The, )er*ormed an auto)s, on him2 and $hen the, o)ened his
s!u++2 the, *ound a massi#e2 *ata+ hemorrha.e at the "enter o* the rain( He had +ed out
into his rain(

Internationa+ hea+th authorities $ere ur.ent+, "on"erned to *ind the e>a"t sour"e o* the
mon!e,s2 in order to )in do$n $here in nature the:arur.#irus +i#ed( It seemed )rett,
"+ear that the:arur.#irus did not natura++, "ir"u+ate in mon!e,s2 e"ause it !i++ed them
so *ast it "ou+d not su""ess*u++, esta+ish itse+* in them as a use*u+ host(

There*ore2:arur.+i#ed in some other !in o* host-an inse"tC a ratC a s)iderC a re)ti+eC
1here2 e>a"t+,2 had the mon!e,s een tra))edC That )+a"e $ou+d e the hidin. )+a"e o*
the #irus( Soon a*ter the outrea! inGerman,2 a team o* in#esti.ators under the aus)i"es
o* the 1or+d Hea+th 6r.ani/ation *+e$ toU.anda( The team "ou+dn<t dis"o#er the e>a"t
sour"e o* the #irus(

There the m,ster, +in.ered *or man, ,ears( Then2 in 1%;A2 an En.+ish #eterinarian "ame
*or$ard $ith ne$ e,e$itness in*ormation aout the:arur.mon!e,s( I $i++ "a++ this
man :r( Bones Etoda,2 he )re*ers to remain anon,mousF( 3urin. the summer o* 1%&'2
$hen the #irus eru)ted inGerman,2 :r( Bones $as $or!in. at a tem)orar, ?o ins)e"tin.
mon!e,s at the e>)ort *a"i+it, inEntee*rom $hi"h the si"!:arur.mon!e,s had een
shi))ed2 $hi+e re.u+ar #eterinar, ins)e"tor $as on +ea#e( This mon!e, house2 $hi"h
$as run , a ri"h mon!e, trader EDa sort o* +o#a+e ro.ue2D a""ordin. to :r( BonesF $as
e>)ortin. aout thirteen thousand mon!e,s a ,ear toEuro)e( This $as a #er, +ar.e
numer o* mon!e,s2 and it .enerated i. mone,( The in*e"ted shi)ment $as +oaded onto
an o#erni.ht *+i.ht to7ondon2 and *rom there it $as *+o$n toGerman,-$here the #irus
ro!e out o* the mon!e,s and Dattem)tedD to esta+ish itse+* in the human )o)u+ation(

A*ter ma!in. a numer o* te+e)hone "a++s2 I *ina++, +o"ated :r(

Bones in a to$n inEn.+and2 $here toda, he is $or!in. as a #eterinar, "onsu+tant( He
said to me: DA++ that anima+s .ot2 e*ore the, $ere shi))ed o**2 $as a #isua+ ins)e"tion(D

DB, $homCD I as!ed(

DB, me2D he said( DI ins)e"ted them to see that the, a))eared norma+( 6n o""asion2 $ith
some o* these shi)ments2 one or t$o anima+s $ere in?ured or had s!in +eisons(D His
method $as to )i"! out the si"!-+oo!in. ones2 $hi"h $ere remo#ed *rom the shi)ment
and )resuma+, !i++ed e*ore the remainin. hea+th,-+oo!in. anima+s $ere +oaded onto
the )+ane( 1hen2 a *e$ $ee!s +ater2 the mon!e,s started the outrea! inGerman,2 :r(
Bones *e+t terri+e( DI $as a))a++ed2 e"ause I had si.ned the e>)ort "erti*i"ate2D he said
to me( DI *ee+ no$ that I ha#e the deaths o* these )eo)+e on m, hands( But that *ee+in.
su..ests I "ou+d ha#e done somethin. aout it( There $as no $a, I "ou+d ha#e !no$n(D
He is ri.ht aout that: the #irus $as then un!no$n to s"ien"e2 and as *e$ as t$o or three
not-#isi+,-si"! anima+s "ou+d ha#e started the outrea!(

6ne "on"+udes that the man shou+d not e +amed *or an,thin.(

The stor, e"omes more disturin.( He $ent on: DThe si"! ones $ere ein. !i++ed2 or so
I thou.ht(D But +ater he +earned that the, $eren<t ein. !i++ed( The oss o* the "om)an,
$as ha#in. the si"! mon!e,s )ut in o>es and shi))ed out to a sma++ is+and in7a!e
Vi"toria2 $here the, $ere re+eased( 1ith so man, si"! mon!e,s runnin. around it2 the
is+and "ou+d ha#e e"ome a *o"us *or mon!e, #iruses( It "ou+d ha#e een a hot is+and2 an
is+e o* )+a.ues( DThen2 i* this .u, $as a it short o* mon!e,s2 he $ent out to the is+and
and "au.ht a *e$2 un!no$n to me(D :r(

Bones thin!s it is )ossi+e that the:arur.a.ent had esta+ished itse+* on the hot is+and2
and $as "ir"u+atin. amon. the mon!e,s there2 an that some o* the mon!e,s $hi"h
ended u) inGerman,had a"tua++, "ome *rom that is+and( But $hen the 1H6 team "ame
+ater to in#esti.ate2 DI $as to+d , m, oss to sa, nothin. un+ess as!ed(D As it turned out2
no one as!ed :r(

Bones an, 0uestions-he sa,s he ne#er met the 1H6 team( The *a"t that the team
a))arent+, ne#er s)o!e $ith him2 the mon!e, ins)e"tor2 D$as ad e)idemio+o., ut
.ood )o+iti"s2D he remar!ed to me( I* it had een re#ea+ed that the mon!e, trader $as
shi))ed o** sus)e"t mon!e,s "o++e"ted on a sus)e"t is+and2 he "ou+d ha#e een )ut out o*
usiness2 andU.anda$ou+d ha#e +ost a sour"e o* #a+ua+e *orei.n "ash(

Short+, a*ter the:arur.outrea!2 :r( Bones re"a++ed a *a"t that e.an to seem
im)ortant to him( Bet$een 1%&A and 1%&G he had een stationed in easternU.anda2 on
the s+o)es o*:ount E+.on2 ins)e"tin. "att+e *or disease( At some time durin. that )eriod2
+o"a+ "hie*s to+d him that the )eo)+e $ho +i#ed on the north side o* the #o+"ano2 a+on.
theGree!Ri#er2 $ere su**erin. *rom a disease that "aused +eedin.2 death2 and Da
)arti"u+ar s!in rashD-and that mon!e,s in the area $ere d,in. o* a simi+ar disease( :r(
Bones did not )ursue the rumors2 and $as ne#er a+e to "on*irm the nature o* the disease(
But it seems )ossi+e that in the ,ears )re"edin. the outrea! o*:arur.#irus
inGerman,2 a hidden outrea! o* the #irus o""urred on the s+o)es o*:ount E+.on(

:R( B6NES<S 5ERS6NA7 VISI6N o* the:arur.outrea! reminds me o* a *+ash+i.ht
)ointed do$n a dar! ho+e( It .i#es a narro$ ut start+in. #ie$ o* the +ar.er )henomenon
o* the ori.in and s)read o* tro)i"a+ #iruses( He to+d me that some o*
the:arur.mon!e,s $ere tra))ed in a .rou) o* is+ands in7a!e Vi"toria!no$n as
theSeseIs+ands( The Senses are a +o$-+,in. *orested ar"hi)e+a.o in the north$estern )art
o*7a!e Vi"toria2 an eas, oat ride *romEntee( The is+e o* )+a.ues ma, ha#e een
situated amon. the Senses or near them( :r( Bones does not re"a++ the name o* the hot
is+and( He sa,s it is "+ose toEntee( At an, rate2 :r(

Bones<s then-oss2 theEnteemon!e, trader2 had arran.ed a dea+ $ith #i++a.ers in
theSeseIs+andsto u, mon!e,s *rom them( The, re.arded the mon!e,s as )ests and $ere
ha)), to .et rid o* them2 es)e"ia++, *or mone,(

So the trader $as otainin. $i+d mon!e,s *romSeseIs+ands2 and i* the anima+s )ro#ed
to e si"!2 he $as re+easin. them on another is+and some$here nearEntee( And some
mon!e,s *rom the is+e o* )+a.ues seemed to e endin. u) inEuro)e(

In )a),rus reeds and deso+ate *+at+ands on the $esternshoreo*7a!e Vi"toria*a"in.
theSeseIs+ands2 there is a *ishin. #i++a.e "a++ed =asensero( 8ou "an see
theSeseIs+ands*rom the #i++a.e( =asensero $as one o* the *irst )+a"es in the $or+d $here
AI3S a))eared( E)idemio+o.ists ha#e sin"e dis"o#ered that the
north$esternshoreo*7a!e Vi"toria$as one o* the initia+ e)i"enters o* AI3S( It is
.enera++, e+ie#ed that AI3S "ame ori.ina++, *rom A*ri"an )rimates2 *rom mon!e,s and
a)es2 and that it someho$ ?um)ed out o* these anima+s into the human ra"e( It is thou.ht
that the #irus $ent throu.h a series o* #er, ra)id mutations at the time o* its ?um) *rom
)rimates to humans2 $hi"h ena+ed it to esta+ish itse+* su""ess*u++, in )eo)+e( In the
,ears sin"e AI3S #irus emer.ed2 the#i++a.eo*=asenserohas een de#astated( The #irus
has !i++ed a +ar.e )ortion o* the inhaitants( It is said that other #i++a.es a+on. the shores
o*7a!e Vi"toriaha#e een essentia++, $i)ed o** the ma)(

The #i++a.ers o* =asensero are *ishmen $ho $ere2 and are2 *amous as smu..+ers( In
their $ooden oats and motori/ed "anoes the, *erried i++e.a+ .oods a"! and *orth
a"ross the +a!e2 usin. theSeseIs+andsas hidin. )+a"es( 6ne "an .uess that i* a mon!e,
trader $ere mo#in. mon!e,s around7a!e Vi"toria2 he mi.ht "a++ on the =asensero
smu..+ers or on their nei.hors(

6ne .enera+ theor, *or the ori.in o* AI3S .oes that2 durin. the +ate nineteen-si>ties2 a
ne$ and +u"rati#e usiness .re$ u) inA*ri"a2 the e>)ort o* )rimates to industria+i/ed
"ountries *or use in medi"a+ resear"h(U.anda$as one o* the i..est sour"es o* these
anima+s( As the mon!e, trade $as esta+ished throu.hout "entra+A*ri"a2 the nati#e
$or!ers in the s,stem2 the mon!e, tra))ers and hand+ers2 $ere e>)osed to +ar.e
numers o* $ide mon!e,s2 some o* $hi"h $ere "arr,in. unusua+ #iruses(

These anima+s2 in turn2 $ere ein. ?ammed to.ether in "a.es2 e>)osed to one another2
)assin. #iruses a"! and *orth( *urthermore2 di**erent s)e"ies o* mon!e,s $ere mi>ed
to.ether( It $as a )er*e"t setu) *or an outrea! o* a #irus that "ou+d ?um) s)e"ies( It $as
a+so a natura+ +aorator, *or ra)id #irus e#o+ution2 and )ossi+, it +ed to the "reation o*
HIV( 3id HIV "rash into the human ra"e as a resu+t o* the mon!e, tradeC 3id AI3S
"ome *rom an is+and in7a!e Vi"toriaC A hot is+andC 1ho !no$s( 1hen ,ou e.in
)roin. into the ori.ins o* AI3S and:arur.2 the +i.ht *ai+s and thin.s .o dar!2 ut ,ou
sense hidden "onne"tions( Both #iruses seem )art o* a )attern(

1HEN HE 7EARNE3 $hat:arur.#irus does to human ein.2 3r( 3a#id Si+#erstein
)ersuaded the =en,an hea+th authorities to shut do$nNairoiHos)ita+( 9or a $ee!2
)atients $ho arri#ed at the doors $ere turned a$a,2 $hi+e si>t, se#en )eo)+e $ere
0uarantined inside the hos)ita+2 most medi"a+ sta**( The, in"+uded the do"tor $ho had
done auto)s, on :onet2 nurses $ho had attended :onet or 3r( :uso!e2 the sur.eons
$ho had o)erated on :uso!e2 and aides and te"hni"ians $ho had hand+ed an, se"retions
*rom either :onet or :uso!e( It turned out that a +ar.e )art o* the hos)ita+<s sta** had
dire"t "onta"t $ith either :onet or :uso!e or $ith +ood sam)+es and *+uids that "ame
*rom the t$o )atients( The sur.eons $ho had o)erated on :uso!e2 rememerin. on+,
too $e++ that the, had een Du) to the e+o$s in +oodD2 s$eated in 0uarantine *or t$o
$ee!s $hi+e the, $ondered i* the, $ere .oin. to rea! $ith :arur.( A sin.+e human
#irus om had $a+!ed into the 4asua+t, $aitin. room and e>)+oded there2 and the
e#ent had )ut the hos)ita+ out o* usiness( 4har+es :onet had een an E>o"et missi+e
that stu"! the hos)ita+ e+o$ the $ater +ine(

3r( Shem :uso!e sur#i#ed his en"ounter $ith a hot a.ent( Ten da,s a*ter he *e++ si"!2
the do"tors noti"ed a "han.e *or the etter( Instead o* mere+, +,in. in ed in a )assi#e
state2 he e"ame disoriented and an.r, and re*used to ta!e medi"ine( 6ne da,2 a nurse
$as tr,in. to turn him o#er in ed2 and he $a#ed his *ist at her and "ried2 DI ha#e a sti"!2
and I $i++ eat ,ou(D It $as around that time that he e.an to .et etter2 and a*ter man,
da,s his *e#er susided and his e,es "+eared; his mind and )ersona+it, "ame a"!2 and he
re"o#ered s+o$+, ut "om)+ete+,( Toda, he is one o* the +eadin. )h,si"ians
atNairoiHos)ita+2 $here he )ra"ti"es as a memer o* 3a#id Si+#erstein<s .rou)( 6ne
da, I inter#ie$ed him2 and he said to me that he has a+most no memor, o* the $ee!s he
$as in*e"ted in:arur.( DI on+, rememer its and )ie"es2D he said( DI rememer ha#in.
ma?or "on*usion( I rememer2 e*ore m, sur.er,2 that I $a+!ed out o* m, room $ith m,
IV dri) han.in. out o* me( I don<t rememer mu"h o* the )ain( The on+, )ain I "an ta+!
aout is the mus"+e a"he and the +o$er-a"! a"he( And I rememer him thro$in. u) on
me(D Nood, e+se at the hos)ita+ de#e+o)ed a )ro#en "ase o* :arur.-#irus disease(

1hen a #irus is tr,in.2 so to s)ea!2 to "rash into the human s)e"ies2 the $arnin. si.n
ma, e a s)atterin. o* rea!s at di**erent times and )+a"es( These are mi"rorea!s( 1hat
had ha))ened atNairoiHos)ita+$as an iso+ated emer.en"e2 a mi"rorea! o* a rain-*orest
#irus $ith un!no$n )otentia+ to start an e>)+osi#e "hain o* +etha+ transmission in the
human ra"e(

Tuese o* 3r( :uso!e<s +ood $ent to +aoratories around the $or+d so that the, "ou+d
ha#e sam)+es o* +i#in.:arur.*or their "o++e"tions o* +i*e *orms( The:arur.in his
+ood had "ome *rom 4har+es :onet<s +a"! #omit and )erha)s ori.ina++,
*rom=itum4a#e( Toda, this )arti"u+ar strain o*:arur.#irus is !no$n as :uso!e strain(
Some o* it ended in .+ass #ia+s in *ree/ers o$ned , the United States Arm,2 $here it
$as !e)t immorta+ in a /oo o* hot a.ents(

A 16:AN AN3 A S673IER

1%;3 SE5TE:BER AG2 1;00 H6URS

THUR:6NT2:AR87AN32 near+, *our ,ears a*ter the death o* 4har+es :onet(

E#enin.2 A t,)i"a+ Ameri"an to$n( 6n4ato"tin:ountain2 a rid.e o*
theA))a+a"hiansthat runs north to south throu.h the $estern )art o* the state2 the trees
$ere ri.htenin. into so*t ,e++o$s and .o+ds( Teena.ers dro#e their )i"!u) tru"!s s+o$+,
a+on. the streets o* the to$n2 +oo!in. *or somethin. to ha))en2 $ishin. that the summer
had not ended( 9aint sme++s o* autumn tou"hed the air2 the s"ent o* ri)enin. a))+es2 a
soreness o* dead +ea#es2 "ornsta+!s dr,in. in the *ie+ds( In the a))+e .ro#es at the ed.e o*
to$n2 *+o"!s o* .ra"!+es sett+ed into the ran"hes *or the ni.ht2 s0ua$!in.( Head+i.hts
streamed north on theGett,sur.road(

In the !it"hen o* a Vi"torian house near the "enter o* to$n2 :a?or Nan", Baa>2 a
#eterinarian in the United States Arm,2 stood at a "ounter ma!in. dinner *or her
"hi+dren( She s+id a )+ate into the mi"ro$a#e o#en and )ushed a utton( Time to nu!e u)
some "hi"!en *or the !ids( Nan", Baa> $ore s$eat)ants and a T-shirt2 and she $as
are*oot( Her *eet had "a++uses on them2 the resu+t o* martia+-arts trainin.( She had $a,
auurn hair2 $hi"h $as "ut ao#e the shou+ders2 and .reenish e,es( Her e,es $ere
a"tua++, t$o "o+ors2 .reen $ith an inner rim around the iris $as amer(

She $as a *ormer home"omin. 0ueen *rom =ansas-:iss A.ri"u+ture2=ansasState( She
had a s+ender2 ath+eti" ui+d2 and she dis)+a,ed 0ui"! motions2 *+i"!er, .estures2 $ith her
arms and hands( Her "hi+dren $ere rest+ess and tired2 and she $or!ed as *ast as she "ou+d
to *i> the dinner(

Baime2 $ho $as *i#e2 hun. onNan",<s +e.( She .raed the +e. o*Nan",<s s$eat)ants
and )u++ed2 andNan",+ur"hed side$a,s2 and then Baime )u++ed the other $a,2
andNan",+ur"hed to the other side( Baime $as short *or her a.e had .reenish e,es2 +i!e
her mother(Nan",<s son2 Bason2 $ho $as se#en2 $as $at"hin. te+e#ision in the +i#in.
room( He $as rai+ thin and 0uiet2 and $hen he .re$ u) he $ou+d )roa+, e ta++2 +i!e
his *ather(

Nan",<s husand2 :a?or Gera+d Baa>2 $hom e#er,one "a++ed Berr,2 $as a+so a
#eterinarian( He $as aTe>asat a trainin. "+ass2 andNan",$as a+one $ith the "hi+dren(
Berr, had te+e)honed to sa, that it $as hot as he++ inTe>as2 and he missed her ad+, and
$ished he $as home( She missed him2 too( The, had not een a)art *or more than a *e$
da,s at a time e#er sin"e the, had *irst started datin.2 in "o++e.e(

Nan", and Berr, Baa>-the name is )ronoun"ed BA4=S-$ere oth memers o* the Arm,
Veterinar, 4or)s2 a tin, "or)s o* Ddo.., do"torsD(

The, ta!e "are o* Arm,<s .uard do.s2 as $e++ as Arm, horses2 Arm, "o$2 Arm, shee)s2
Arm, )i.s2 Arm, mu+es2 Arm, raits2 Arm, mi"e2 and Arm, mon!e,s( The, a+so
ins)e"t the Arm,<s *ood(

Nan", and Berr, had ou.ht the Vi"torian house not +on. a*ter the, had een assi.ned
to9ort3etri"!2 $hi"h $as near,2 $ithin eas, "ommutin. distan"e( The !it"hen $as
sma++2 and at the moment ,ou "ou+d see )+umin. and $ires han.in. out o* the $a++s(
Not *ar *rom the !it"hen2 the +i#in. room had a a, $indo$ $ith a "o++e"tion o* tro)i"a+
)+ants and *erns in it2 and there $as a "a.e amon. the )+ants that he+d an Ama/on )arrot
named Her!,( The )arrot urst into a son.:

Hei.h-ho2 hei.h-ho2 it<s home *rom $or! $e .oI

D:omI :omID he "ried e>"ited+,( His #oi"e sounded +i!e Bason<s(

D1hatCDNan",said( Then she rea+i/ed it $as the )arrot( DNerd rain2D she muttered(

The )arrot $anted to sit onNan",<s shou+der( D:omI :omI Berr,I

BaimeI BasonID the )arrot shouted2 "a++in. e#er,one in the *ami+,( 1hen he didn<t .et
an, res)onse2 he $hist+ed the D4o+one+ Bo.e, :ar"hD *rom The Brid.e on the Ri#er
=$ai( And then: D1hatC 1hatC :omI :omID(

Nan",did not $ant to ta!e Her!, out o* his "a.e( She $or!ed 0ui"!+,2 )uttin. )+ates
and si+#er$are out on the "ounter( Some o* the o**i"ers at 9ort 3etri"! had noti"ed a
"ertain aru)t 0ua+it, in her hand motions and had a""used her o* ha#in. hands that
$ere Dtoo 0ui"!D to hand+e de+i"ate $or! in dan.erous situations(Nan",had e.un
martia+-arts trainin. )art+, e"ause she ho)ed to ma!e her .estures "oo+ and smooth and
)o$er*u+2 and a+so e"ause he had *e+t the *rustrations o* a $oman o**i"er tr,in. to
ad#an"e her "areer in the Arm,( She $as *i#e *eet *our in"hes ta++( She +i!ed to s)ar $ith
si>-*oot ma+e so+ders2 i. .u,s( She en?o,ed !no"!in. them around a +itt+e it; it .a#e
her a "ertain satis*a"tion to e a+e to !i"! hi.her than the .u,<s head( She used her *eet
more than her hands $hen she s)arred $ith an o))onent2 e"ause her hands $ere
de+i"ate( She "ou+d rea! *our oards $ith a s)innin. a"! !i"!( She had rea"hed the
)oint $here she "ou+d !i++ a man $ith her are *eet2 an idea that did not in itse+* .i#e her
mu"h satis*a"tion( 6n o""asion2 she had "ome home *rom her "+ass $ith a ro!en toe2 a
+ood, nose2 or a +a"! e,e( Berr, $ou+d ?ust sha!e his head:

Nan", $ith another shiner(

:a?or Nan", Baa> did a++ the house$or!( She "ou+d not stand house$or!( S"ruin.
.ra)e ?e++, out o* ru.s didn<t .i#e her a *ee+in. o* re$ard2 and in an, "ase she did not
ha#e time *or it( 6""asiona++, she $ou+d .o into a )aro>,sm o* "+eanin.2 and she $ou+d
ra"e around the house *or an hour2 thro$in. thin.s into "+osets( She a+so did a++ the
"oo!in. *or her *ami+,( Berr, $as use+ess in the !it"hen( Another )oint o* "ontention $as
his tenden", to u, thin.s im)u+si#e+,-a motor","+e2 a sai+oat( Berr, had ou.ht a
sai+oat $hen the, $ere stationed at 9ort Ri+e, in =ansas( And then there $as that .od-
a$*u+ diese+ 4adi++a" $ith a red +eather interior( She and Berr, had "ommuted to $or!
to.ether in it2 ut the "ar had started to +a, smo!e a++ o#er the road e#en e*ore the
)a,ments $ere *inished( 6ne da,2 she had *ina++, said to Berr,2 D8ou "an sit in the
dri#e$a, in those red +eather seats a++ ,ou $ant2 ut I<m not .ettin. in there $ith ,ou(D
So the, so+d the 4adi++a" and ou.ht a Honda A""ord(

The Baa>es< house $as the +ar.est Vi"torian house in to$n2 a )i+e o* turreted ri"! $ith a
s+ate roo* and ta++ $indo$s and a "u)o+a and $ooden )ane+in. made o* .o+den Ameri"an
"hestnut( It stood on a street "orner near the amu+an"e station( The sirens $o!e them u)
at ni.ht(

The, had ou.ht the house "hea)( It had sat on the mar!et a +on. time2 and a stor, had
een .oin. around to$n that the )re#ious o$ner had han.ed himse+* in the asement(
A*ter the Baa>es ou.ht it2 the dead man<s $ido$ sho$ed u) at the door one da,( She
$as a $i/ened o+d +ad,2 "ome to ha#e a +oo! around her o+d )+a"e2 and she *i>ed a +ue
e,e on Nan", and said2

D7itt+e .ir+2 ,ou are .oin. to hate this house( I did(D

There $ere other anima+s in the house esides the )arrot( In a $ire "a.e in the +i#in.
room +i#ed a ),thon named Sam)son( He $ou+d o""asiona++, es"a)e *rom his "a.e2
$ander around the house2 and e#entua++, "+im u) inside the ho++o$ "enter )ost o* the
dinin. room ta+e and .o to s+ee)( There he $ou+d sta, *or a *e$ da,s( It .a#e Nan", a
"ree), *ee+in. to thin! that there $as a ),thon as+ee) inside the dinin. ta+e(

8ou $ondered $hether the sna!e $as .oin. to $a!e u) $hi+e ,ou $ere eatin. dinner(
Nan", had a stud, in the "u)o+a at the to) o* the house( The sna!e had on"e es"a)ed
*rom his "a.e and disa))eared *or a *e$ da,s( The, )ounded and !no"!ed on the dinin.
room ta+e to tr, to *+ush him out2 ut he $asn<t there( 7ate one ni.ht $hen Nan", $as
in her stud,2 the sna!e oo/ed out o* the ra*ters and hun. in *ront o* her *a"e2 starin. at
her $ith +id+ess e,es2 and she s"reamed( The *ami+, a+so had an Irish setter and an
Aire+a+e terrier( 1hene#er the Baa>es $ere assi.ned to a di**erent Arm, )ost2 the anima+s
mo#ed $ith them in o>es and "a.es2 a )orta+e e"os,stem o* the Baa> *ami+,(

Nan", +o#ed Berr,( He $as ta++ and *ine +oo!in.2 a handsome man $ith )remature+,
.ra, hair( She thou.ht o* his hair as si+#er2 to .o a+on. $ith his si+#er ton.ue2 $hi"h he
used tr,in. to ta+! her into u, diese+ 4adi++a"s $ith red-+eather interiors( He had shar)
ro$n e,es and a sha)e nose2 +i!e a ha$!<s2 and he understood her etter than an,one
e+se on earth( Nan", and Berr, Baa> had #er, +itt+e so"ia+ +i*e outside o* their marria.e(
The, had .ro$n u) on *arms in =ansas2 t$ent, mi+es a)art as the "ro$ *+ies2 ut had not
!no$n ea"h other as "hi+dren( The, met in #eterinar, s"hoo+ at =ansas State Uni#ersit,
had .otten en.a.ed a *e$ $ee!s +ater2 and the, $ere married $hen Nan", $as t$ent,(
B, the time the, .raduated2 the, $ere ro!e and in det2 $ith no mone, to set u) a
)ra"ti"e as #eterinarians2 and so the, had en+isted in the Arm, to.ether(

Sin"e Nan", didn<t ha#e time to "oo! durin. the $ee!2 she $ou+d s)end her Saturda,s
"oo!in.( She $ou+d ma!e u) a ee* ste$ in a 4ro"!-5ot2 or she $ou+d roi+ se#era+
"hi"!ens( Then she $ou+d *ree/e the *ood in a.s( 6n $ee!da, ni.hts2 she $ou+d ta!e a
a. out o* the *ree/er and heat it in the mi"ro$a#e( Toni.ht2 $hi+e she tha$ed "hi"!en2
she "onsidered the 0uestion o* #e.eta+es( Ho$ aout "anned .reen eansC The "hi+dren
+i!ed that( Nan", o)ened a "ainet and )u++ed do$n a "an o* 7i,<s .reen eans(

She sear"hed throu.h one or t$o dra$ers2 +oo!in. *or a "an o)ener(

4ou+dn<t *ind it( She turned to the main ?un! dra$er2 $hi"h he+d a++ the utensi+s2 the
stirrin. s)oons and #e.eta+e )ee+ers( It $as a ?am-)a"!ed ni.htmare(

The he++ $ith the "an o)ener( She )u++ed a ut"her !ni*e out o* the dra$er( Her *ather
had a+$a,s $arned her not to use a !ni*e to o)en a "an2 ut Nan", Baa> had ne#er mae a
)oint o* +istenin. to her *ather<s ad#i"e( She ?aed the ut"her !ni*e into the "an2 and
the )oint stu"! in the meta+( She hit the hand+e $ith the hee+ o* the ri.ht hand( A++ o* a
sudden her hand s+i))ed do$n the hand+e2 stru"! the tan. o* the +ade2 and s+id do$n the
+ade( She *e+t the ed.e it dee)(

The ut"her !ni*e "+attered to the *+oor2 an i. dro)s o* +ood *e++ on the "ounter( DSon
o* a it"hID she said( The !ni*e had s+i"ed throu.h the midd+e o* her ri.ht hand2 on the
)a+m( It $as a dee) "ut(

She )ut )ressure on the "ut to stan"h the +eedin. and $ent o#er to the sin!2 turned on
the *au"et2 and thrust her hand under the stream o* $ater(

The sin! turned red( She $i..+ed her *in.ers( The, $or!ed; so she had not s+i"ed a
tendon( This $as not su"h a ad "ut( Ho+din. her hand o#er her head2 she $ent into the
athroom and *ound a Band-Aid( She $aited *or the +ood to "oa.u+ate2 and then she
)ressed the Band-aid o#er the "ut2 dra$in. the sides o* the "ut to.ether to sea+ the
$ound( She hated the si.ht o* +ood2 e#en i* it $as her o$n +ood( She had a thin. aout
+ood( She !ne$ $hat some +ood "ou+d "ontain(

Nan", s!i))ed the "hi+dren<s aths e"ause o* the "ut on her hand and .a#e them their
usua+ snu..+e in ed( That ni.ht2 Baime s+e)t in ed $ith her( Nan", didn<t mind2
es)e"ia++, e"ause Berr, $as out o* to$n2 and it made her *ee+ "+ose to her "hi+dren(
Baime seemed to need the reassuran"e( Baime $as a+$a,s a +itt+e ed., $hen Berr, $as
out o* to$n(

5R6BE4T EB67A

1%;3 SE5TE:BER A&

THE NEJT :6RNING2 Nan", Baa> $o!e u) at *our o<"+o"!( She .ot out o* ed
0uiet+, so as not to $a!e Baime and sho$ered and )ut on her uni*orm( She $ore .reen
Arm, s+a"!s $ith a +a"! stri)e do$n the +e.2 a .reen Arm, shirt2 an in the "o+d e*ore
sunrise she )ut on a +a"! mi+itar, s$eater(

The s$eater dis)+a,ed the shou+der ars o* a ma?or2 $ith .o+d oa! +ea#es(

She dran! a 3iet 4o!e to $a!e herse+* u)2 and $a+!ed u)stairs to her stud, in the
"u)o+a o* the house(

Toda, she mi.ht )ut on a ioha/ard s)a"e suit( She $as in trainin. *or #eterinar,
)atho+o.,2 the stud, o* disease in anima+s( Her s)e"ia+t, $as turnin. out to e the e**e"ts
Biosa*et, 7e#e+ @ hot a.ents2 and in the )resen"e o* those !inds o* a.ents ,ou need to
$ear a s)a"e unit( She $as a+so stud,in. *or her )atho+o.,-oard e>ams2 $hi"h $ere
"omin. u) in a $ee!( As the sun rose that mornin. o#er the a))+e or"hards and *ie+ds to
the east o* to$n2 she o)ened her oo!s and hun"hed o#er them( Gra"!+es e.an "roa!in.
in the trees2 and tru"!s e.an to mo#e a+on. the streets o* Thurmont2 e+o$ her $indo$(
The )a+m o* her ri.ht hand sti++ throed(

At se#en o<"+o"!2 she $ent do$n t the master edroom and $o!e Baime2 $ho $as "ur+ed
u) in the ed( She $ent into Bason<s room( Bason $as harder to $a!e2 and Nan", had to
sha!e him se#era+ times( Then the a,sitter arri#ed2 an o+der $oman named :rs(
Tra)ane2 $ho .ot Baime and Bason dressed and .a#e them their rea!*asts $hi+e Nan",
"+imed a"! u) to the "u)o+a and returned to her oo!s( :rs( Tra)ane $ou+d see Bason
o** to the s"hoo+ us and $ou+d $at"h Baime at home unti+ Nan", "ame a"! *rom $or!
that e#enin.(

At se#en-thirt,2 Nan", "+osed her oo!s and !issed her "hi+dren .ood,e( She thou.ht
to herse+*2 Ha#e to rememer to sto) at the an! and .et some mone, to )a, :rs(
Tra)ane( She dro#e the Honda a+one to $or!2 headin. south on the Gett,sur. road2
a+on. the *oot o* 4ato"tin :ountain(

As she a))roa"hed 9ort 3etri"!2 in the "it, o* 9rederi"!2 the tra**i" thi"!ened and
s+o$ed( She turned o** the hi.h$a, and arri#ed at the main .ate o* the ase( A .uard
$a#ed her throu.h( She turned ri.ht2 dro#e )ast the )arade .rounds $ith its *+a.)o+e2
and )ar!ed her "ar near a massi#e2 a+most $indo$+ess ui+din. made o* "on"rete and
,e++o$ ri"!s that "o#ered a+most ten a"res o* .round( Ta++ #ent )i)es on the roo*
dis"har.ed *i+tered e>haust air that $as ein. )um)ed out o* sea+ed io+o.i"a+
+aoratories inside the ui+din.( This $as the United States Arm, :edi"a+ Resear"h
Institute o* In*e"tious 3iseases2 or USA:RII3(

:i+itar, )eo)+e o*ten "a++ USA:RII3 the Institute( 1hen the, "a++ the )+a"e
USA:RII32 the, dra$+ the $ord in a mi+itar, $a,2 ma!in. it sound +i!e D,ou Sam rid2D
$hi"h .i#es it some han. time in the air( The mission o* USA:RII3 is medi"a+ de*ense(
The Institute "ondu"ts resear"h into $a,s to )rote"t so+diers a.ain io+o.i"a+ $ea)ons
and natura+ in*e"tious diseases( It s)e"ia+i/es in dru.s2 #a""ines2 and io"ontainment( At
the Institute2 there are a+$a,s a numer o* )ro.rams .oin. on simu+taneous+,-resear"h
into #a""ines *or #arious !ind o* a"teria2 su"h as anthra> and otu+ism2 resear"h into the
"hara"teristi"s o* #iruses that mi.ht in*e"t Ameri"an troo)s2 either natura++, or in the
*orm o* a att+e*ie+d $ea)on( Be.innin. $ith the Se"ond 1or+d 1ar2 Arm, +as at 9ort
3etri"! )er*ormed resear"h into o**ensi#e io+o.i"a+ $ea)ons-the Arm, $as de#e+o)in.
strains o* +etha+ a"teria and #iruses that "ou+d e +oaded into oms and dro))ed on an
enem,( In 1%&%2 5resident Ri"hard :( Ni>on si.ned an e>e"uti#e order that out+a$ed the
de#e+o)ment o* o**ensi#e io+o.i"a+ $ea)ons in the United States( 9rom then on2 the
Arm, +as $ere "on#erted to )ea"e*u+ uses2 and USA:RII3 $as *ounded( It de#oted
itse+* to de#e+o)in. )rote"ti#e #a""ines2 and it "on"entrated on asi" resear"h into $a,s
to "ontro+ +etha+ mi"ro-or.anisms( The Institute !no$s $a,s to sto) a monster #irus
e*ore it i.nites an e>)+osi#e "hain o* +etha+ transmission in the human ra"e(

:a?or Nan", Baa> entered the ui+din. throu.h the a"! entran"e an sho$ed her
se"urit, ad.e to a .uard ehind a des!2 $ho nodded and smi+ed at her( She headed into
the main +o"! o* "ontainment /ones2 tra#e+in. throu.h a ma/e o* "orridors( There $ere
so+diers e#er,$here2 dressed in *ati.ues2 and there $ere "i#i+ian s"ientists and
te"hni"ians $earin. I3 ad.es( 5eo)+e seemed #er, us,2 and rare+, did an,one sto) to
"hat $ith someone e+se in the "orridors(

Nan", $anted to see $hat had ha))ened to the Eo+a mon!e,s durin. the ni.ht( She
$a+!ed a+on. a Biosa*et, 7e#e+ 0 "orridor2 headin. *or a 7e#e+ @ io"ontainment area
!no$n as AA-G2 or the Eo+a suite( The +e#e+s are numered 02 A2 3 and *ina++, @2 the
hi.hest( E9or some reason2 there is no 7e#e+ 1(F A++ the "ontainment +e#e+s at the
Institute2 *rom 7e#e+ A to 7e#e+ @2 are !e)t under ne.ati#e air )ressure2 so that i* a +ea!
de#e+o)s2 air $i++ *+o$ into the /ones rather than out$ard to the norma+ $or+d( The suite
!no$n as AA-G $as a .rou) o* ne.ati#e-)ressure io"ontainment rooms that had een
set u) as a resear"h +a *or Eo+a #irus , a "i#i+ian Arm, s"ientist named Eu.ene
Bohnson( He $as an e>)ert in Eo+a and its sister2 :arur.( He had in*e"ted se#era+
mon!e,s $ith Eo+a #irus2 and he had een .i#in. them #arious dru.s to see i* the,
$ou+d sto) the Eo+a in*e"tion( In re"ent da,s2 the mon!e,s had e.un to die( Nan",
had ?oined Bohnson<s Eo+a )ro?e"t as the )atho+o.ist( It $as her ?o to determine the
"ause o* death in the mon!e,s(

She "ame to a $indo$ in a $a++( The $indo$ $as made o* hea#, .+ass2 +i!e that in an
a0uarium2 and it +oo!ed dire"t+, into the Eo+a suite2 dire"t+, into 7e#e+ @( 8ou "ou+d not
see the mon!e,s throu.h this $indo$( E#er, mornin.2 a "i#i+ian anima+ "areta!er )ut on
a s)a"e unit and $ent inside to *eed the mon!e,s and "+ean their "a.es and "he"! on
their )h,si"a+ "ondition( This mornin. there $as a )ie"e o* )a)er ta)ed to the inside o*
the .+ass2 $ith hand$ritten +etterin. on it( It had een +e*t there , a "areta!er( The note
said that durin. the ni.ht t$o o* the anima+s had D.one do$nD( This is2 the, had "rashed
and +ed out(

1hen she sa$ the note2 she !ne$ that she $ou+d e )uttin. on a s)a"e suit and .oin. in
to disse"t the mon!e,s( Eo+a #irus destro,ed an anima+<s interna+ or.ans2 and the
"ar"ass deteriorated aru)t+, a*ter death( It so*tened2 and the tissue turned into ?e++,2
e#en i* ,ou )ut it in a re*ri.erator to !ee) it "o+d( 8ou $anted to disse"t the anima+s
0ui"!+,2 e*ore the s)ontaneous +i0ue*a"tion e.an2 e"ause ,ou "an<t disse"t .umo(

1HEN NAN48 BAAJ *irst a))+ied to ?oin the )atho+o., .rou) at the Institute2 the
"o+one+ in "har.e it didn<t $ant to a""e)t her( Nan", thou.ht it $as e"ause she $as a
$oman( He said to her2 DThis $or! is not *or a married *ema+e( 8ou "an either .oin. to
ne.+e"t ,our $or! or ne.+e"t ,our *ami+,(D 6ne da,2 she rou.ht her resume into his
o**i"e2 ho)in. to )ersuade him to a""e)t her( He said2 DI "an ha#e an,od, I $ant in m,
.rou)D-im)+,in. that he didn<t $ant her e"ause she $asn<t .ood enou.h-and he
mentioned the .reat Thorou.hred sta++ion Se"retariat( DI* I $ant to ha#e Se"retariat in
m, .rou)2D he said2 DI "an .et Se"retariat(D

D1e++2 sir2 I am no )+o$ horseID she roared at him2 and s+ammed her resume on his des!(
He re"onsidered the matter and a++o$ed her to ?oin the .rou)(

1hen ,ou e.in $or!in. $ith io+o.i"a+ a.ents2 the Arm, starts ,ou in Biosa*et, 7e#e+
A2 and then ,ou mo#e u) to 7e#e+ 3( 8ou don<t .o into 7e#e+ @ unti+ ,ou ha#e a +ot o*
e>)erien"e2 and the Arm, ma, ne#er a++o$ ,ou to $or! there( In order to $or! in the
+o$er +e#e+s2 ,ou must ha#e a numer o* #a""inations( Nan", had #a""inations *or
,e++o$ *e#er2 Q *e#er2 Ri*t Va++e, *e#er2 the VEE2 EEE2 and 1EE "om)+e> Erain #iruses
that +i#e in horsesF2 and tu+aremia2 anthra> and otu+ism( And2 o* "ourse2 she had a
serious o* shots *or raies2 sin"e she $as a #eterinarian( Her immune s,stem rea"ted
ad+, to a++ the shots; the, made her si"!( The Arm, there*ore ,an!ed her out o* the
#a""ination )ro.ram( At this )oint2 Nan", Baa> $as essentia++, $ashed u)( She "ou+dn<t
)ro"eed $ith an, !ind o* $or! $ith 7e#e+ 3 a.ents2 e"ause she "ou+dn<t to+erate the
#a""inations(

There $as on+, one $a, she "ou+d "ontinue $or!in. $ith dan.erous in*e"tious a.ents(
She had to .et her assi.ned to $or! in a s)a"e suit in 7e#e+ @ areas( There aren<t an,
#a""ines *or 7e#e+ @ hot a.ents( A 7e#e+

@ hot a.ent is a +etha+ #irus *or $hi"h there is no #a""ine and no "ure(

EB67A VIRUS IS named *or the Eo+a Ri#er2 $hi"h is the headstream o* the :on.a+a
Ri#er2 a triutar, o* the 4on.o2 or Haire2 Ri#er( The Eo+a Ri#er em)ties tra"ts o* rain
*orest2 $indin. )ast s"attered #i++a.es( The *irst !no$n emer.en"e o* Eo+a Haire-the
hottest t,)e o* Eo+a #irus-o""urred Se)temer 1%'&2 $hen it eru)ted simu+taneous+, in
*i*t,-*i#e #i++a.es near the head$aters o* the Eo+a Ri#er( It seemed to "ome out o*
no$here2 and !i++ed nine out o* ten )eo)+e it in*e"ted( Eo+a Haire is the most *eared
a.ent at the Institute( The .enera+ *ee+in. around USA:RII3 has a+$a,s een DThose
)eo)+e $ho $or! $ith Eo+a are "ra/,(D to mess around $ith Eo+a is an eas, $a, to
die( Better to $or! $ith somethin. sa*er2 su"h as anthra>(

Eu.ene Bohnson2 the "i#i+ian ioha/ard e>)ert $ho $as runnin. the Eo+a resear"h
)ro.ram at the Institute2 had a re)utation *or ein. a +itt+e it $i+d( He is somethin. o* a
+e.end to the hand*u+ o* )eo)+e in the $or+d $ho rea++, !no$ aout hot a.ents and ho$
to hand+e them( He s one o* the $or+d<s +eadin. Eo+a hunters( Gene Bohnson is a +ar.e
man2 not to sa, massi#e2 $ith a road2 hea#, *a"e and +oose-*+,in. dishe#e+ed ro$n
hair and ush, ro$n eard and a .ut that han.s o#er his e+t2 and .+arin.2 dee) e,es( I*
Gene Bohnson $ere to )ut on a +a"! +eather ?a"!er2 he "ou+d )ass *or a roadie $ith
Grate*u+ 3ead( He does not +oo! at a++ +i!e a man $ho $or!s *or the Arm,( He has a
re)utation *or ein. a to)-not"h *ie+d e)idemio+o.ist Ea )erson $ho studies #ira+ diseases
in the $i+dF2 ut *or some reason he does not o*ten .et around to )u+ishin. his $or!(
That e>)+ains his some$hat m,sterious re)utation( 1hen )eo)+e $ho !no$ Bohnson<s
$or! ta+! aout him2 ,ou hear thin.s +i!e DGene Bohnson did this2 Gene Bohnson did
that2D and it a++ sounds "+e#er and ima.inati#e(

He is a rather sh, man2 some$hat sus)i"ious o* )eo)+e2 dee)+, sus)i"ious o* #iruses2 I
thin! I ha#e ne#er met someone $ho is more a*raid o* #iruses than Gene Bohnson2 and
$hat ma!es his *ear im)ressi#e is the *a"t that it is a dee) inte++e"tua+ res)e"t2 rooted in
!no$+ed.e( He s)ent ,ears tra#e+in. a"ross "entra+ A*ri"a in sear"h o* the reser#oirs o*
Eo+a and :arur. #iruses( He had #irtua++, ransa"!ed A*ri"a +oo!in. *or these +i*e
*orms2 ut des)ite his sear"hes he had ne#er *ound them in their natura+ hidin. )+a"es(
No one !ne$ $here an, o* the *i+o#iruses "ame *rom; no one !ne$ $here the, +i#ed in
nature( The trai+ had )etered out in the *orests and sa#annas o* "entra+ A*ri"a( to *ind the
hidden reser#oir o* Eo+a $as one o* Bohnson<s .reat amitions(

No one around the Institute $anted to .et in#o+#ed $ith his Eo+a )ro?e"t( Eo+a2 the
s+ate $i)er2 did thin.s to )eo)+e that ,ou did not $ant to thin! aout( The or.anism $as
too *ri.htenin. to hand+e2 e#en *or those $ho $ere "om*orta+e and ade)t in s)a"e suits(
The, did not "are to do resear"h on Eo+a e"ause the, did not Eo+a to do resear"h on
them(

The, didn<t !no$ $hat !ind o* host the #irus +i#ed in-$hether it $as a *+, or a at or a
ti"! or a s)ider or a s"or)ion or some !ind o* re)ti+e2 or an am)hiian2 su"h as a .ro. or
a ne$t( 6r ma,e it +i#ed in +eo)ards or e+e)hants( And the, didn<t !no$ e>a"t+, ho$
#irus s)read2 ho$ it ?um)ed *rom host to host(

Gene Bohnson had su**ered re"urrent ni.htmares aout Eo+a #irus e#er sin"e he e.an
to $or! $ith it( He $ou+d $a!e u) in a "o+d s$eat(

His dreams $ent more or +ess the same $a,( He $ou+d e $earin. his s)a"e unit $hi+e
ho+din. Eo+a in his .+o#ed hand2 ho+din. some !ind o* +i0uid tainted $ith Eo+a(
Sudden+, the +i0uid $ou+d e runnin. a++ o#er his .+o#e2 and then he $ou+d rea+i/e that
his .+o#e $as *u++ o* )inho+es2 and the +i0uid $as dri+in. o#er his are hand and
runnin. inside his s)a"e suit( He $ou+d "ome a$a!e $ith a start2 sa,in. to himse+*2 :,
God2 there<s een an e>)osure( And then he $ou+d *ind himse+* in his edroom2 $ith his
$i*e s+ee)in. eside him(

In rea+it,2 Eo+a had not ,et made a de"isi#e2 irre#ersi+e rea!throu.h into the human
ra"e2 ut seemed "+ose to doin. that( It had een emer.in. in mi"rorea!s here and there
in A*ri"a( The $orr, $as that a mi"rorea! $ou+d de#e+o) into an unsto))a+e tida+
$a#e( I* the #irus !i++ed nine o* ten )eo)+e it in*e"ted and there $as no #a""ine or "ure
*or it2 ,ou "ou+d see the )ossii+ities( The )ossii+ities $ere .+oa+(

Bohnson +i!ed to sa, to )eo)+e that $e don<t rea++, !no$ $hat Eo+a has done in the
)ast2 and $e don<t !no$ $hat it mi.ht do in the *uture( Eo+a $as un)redi"ta+e( An
airorne strain o* Eo+a "ou+d emer.e and "ir"+e around the $or!ed in aout si> $ee!s2
+i!e the *+u2 !i++in. +ar.e numers o* )eo)+e2 or it mi.ht *ore#er remain a se"ret *eeder at
the mar.ins2 ta!in. do$n humans a *e$ at a time(

Eo+a is a rather sim)+e #irus-as sim)+e as a *irestorm( It !i++s humans $hi"h s$i*t
e**i"ien", and $ith a de#astatin. ran.e o* e**e"ts(

Eo+a is distant+, re+ated to meas+es2 mum)s2 and raies( It is a+so re+ated to "ertain
)neumonia #iruses: to the )arain*+uen/a #irus2 $hi"h "auses "o+ds in "hi+dren2 and to the
res)irator, s,n",tia+ #irus2 $hi"h "an "ause *ata+ )neumonia in a )erson $ho has AI3S(
In its o$n e#o+ution throu.h un!no$n hosts and hidden )ath$a,s in the rain *orest2
Eo+a seems to ha#e de#e+o)ed the $orst e+ements o* a++ the ao#e #iruses( 7i!e
meas+es2 it tri..ers a rash a++ o#er the od,( some o* its e**e"ts resem+e raies-
)s,"hosis2 madness( 6ther o* its e**e"ts +oo! eeri+, +i!e a ad "o+d(

The Eo+a #irus )arti"+e "ontains on+, se#en di**erent )roteins-se#en +ar.e mo+e"u+es(
Three o* these )roteins are #a.ue+, understood2 and *our o* the )roteins are "om)+ete+,
un!no$n-their stru"ture and their *un"tion is a m,ster,( 1hate#er these Eo+a )roteins
do2 the, seem to tar.et the immune s,stem *or s)e"ia+ atta"!( In this the, are +i!e HIV2
$hi"h a+so destro,s the immune s,stem2 ut un+i!e the onset o* HIV2 the atta"! o* Eo+a
is e>)+osi#e( As Eo+a s$ee)s throu.h ,ou2 ,ou immune s,stem *ai+s2 and ,ou seem to
+ose ,our ai+it, to res)ond to #ira+ atta"!( 8our od, e"omes a "it, under sei/e2 $ith
its .ates thro$n o)en and hosti+e armies )ourin. in2 ma!in. "am) in the )u+i" s0uares
and settin. e#er,thin. on *ire; and *rom the moment Eo+a enters ,our +ood stream2 the
$are is a+read, +ost; ,ou are a+most "ertain+, doomed( 8ou "an<t *i.ht o** Eo+a the $a,
,ou *i.ht o** a "o+d( Eo+a does in ten da,s $hat it ta!es AI3S ten ,ears to a""om)+ish(

It is not rea++, !no$n ho$ Eo+a is transmitted *rom )erson to )erson( Arm, resear"hers
e+ie#ed that Eo+a #irus tra#e+ed throu.h dire"t "onta"t $ith +ood and odi+, *+uids Ein
the same $a, the AI3S #irus tra#e+sF( Eo+a seemed to ha#e other routes o* tra#e+ as
$e++(

:an, o* the )eo)+e in A*ri"a $ho "ame do$n $ith Eo+a had hand+ed Eo+a-in*e"ted
"ada#ers( It seems that one o* Eo+a<s )aths .oes *rom the dead to the +i#in.2 $indin. in
tri"!+es o* un"oa.u+ated +ood and s+imes that "ome out o* the dead od,( In Haire
durin. the 1%'& outrea!2 .rie#in. re+ati#es !issed and emra"ed the dead or )re)ared
the od, *or uria+2 and then2 three to *ourteen da,s +ater2 the, ro!e $ith Eo+a(

Gene Bohnson<s Eo+a e>)eriment $as sim)+e( He $ou+d in*e"t a *e$ mon!e,s $ith the
#irus2 and then he $ou+d treat them $ith dru.s in the ho)e that the, $ou+d .et etter(
That $a,2 he mi.ht dis"o#er a dru. that $ou+d *+i.ht Eo+a #irus or )ossi+, "ure it(

:on!e,s are near+, identi"a+ to human ein.s in a io+o.i"a+ sense2 $hi"h is $h, the,
are used in medi"a+ e>)eriments( Humans and mon!e,s are oth )rimates2 and Eo+a
*eeds on )rimates in same $a, that a )redator "onsumes "ertain !inds o* *+esh( Eo+a
"an<t te++ the di**eren"e et$een a human ein. and a mon!e,( The #irus ?um)s easi+,
a"! and *orth et$een them(

NAN48 BAAJ V67UNTEERE3 to $or! as the )atho+o.ist on Bohnson<s Eo+a
)ro?e"t( It $as 7e#e+ @ $or!2 $hi"h she $as 0ua+i*ied to do2 e"ause she didn<t need to
e #a""inated( She $as ea.er to )ro#e herse+* and ea.er to "ontinue $or!in. $ith +etha+
#iruses( Ho$e#er2 some )eo)+e around the Institute $ere s!e)ti"a+ o* her ai+it, to $or!
in a s)a"e suit in 7e#e+

@( She $as a Dmarried *ema+eD-she mi.ht )ani"( The, "+aimed that her hands +oo!ed
ner#ous or "+ums,2 not .ood *or $or! $ith 7e#e+ @ hot a.ents(

5eo)+e *e+t that she mi.ht "ut herse+* or sti"! herse+* $ith a "ontaminated need+e-or
sti"! someone e+se( Her hands e"ame a sa*et, issue(

Her immediate su)erior $as 7ieutenant 4o+one+ Anthon, Bohnson Ehe is not re+ated to
Gene Bohnson2 the "i#i+ian $ho $as the head o* the Eo+a )ro?e"tF( Ton, Bohnson is a
so*t-s)o!en man and a "oo+ "ustomer( No$ he had to de"ide $hether to a++o$ her to .o
into Biosa*et, 7e#e+ @( 1antin. to e sure he understood the situation2 he sent $ord
around the Institute:

1ho !no$s Nan", Baa>C 1ho "an "omment on her stren.ths and $ea!nessC

:a?or Berr, Baa>2 Nan",<s husand2 sho$ed u) in 7ieutenant 4o+one+ Bohnson<s o**i"e(
Berr, $as a.ainst the idea o* his $i*e )uttin. on a s)a"e suit( He ar.ued stron.+, a.ainst
it( He said that there had een

D*ami+, dis"ussionsD aout Nan", $or!in. $ith Eo+a #irus( D9ami+, dis"ussionD Berr,
had said to Nan",2 D8ou<re the on+, $i*e I<#e .ot(D He did not $ear a io+o.i"a+ s)a"e
suit himse+* at $or!2 and he did not $ant his $i*e to $ear one either( His i..est
"on"ern $as that she $ou+d e hand+in. Eo+a( He "ou+d not stand the idea that his $i*e2
the $oman he +o#ed2 the mother o* their "hi+dren2 and $ou+d ho+d in her hands a
monstrous +i*e *orm that is +etha+ and in"ura+e(

7ieutenant 4o+one+ Ton, Bohnson +istened to $hat :a?or Berr, Baa> had to sa,2 and
+istened to $hat other )eo)+e had t sa,2 and then he *e+t he shou+d s)ea! $ith Nan",
himse+*2 and so he "a++ed her into his o**i"e(

He "ou+d see that she $as tense( He $at"hed her hands as she ta+!ed(

The, +oo!ed *ine to him2 not "+ums,2 and not too 0ui"!2 either( He de"ided that the
rumors he had een hearin. aout her hands $ere un*ounded( She said to him2 DI don<t
$ant an, s)e"ia+ *a#ors(D 1e++2 she $as not .oin. to .et an, s)e"ia+ *a#ors( DI<m .oin. to
)ut ,ou in the Eo+a )ro.ram2D he said( He to+d her that he $ou+d a++o$ her to )ut on a
s)a"e suit and .o int the Eo+a area2 and that he $ou+d a""om)an, her on the *irst *e$
tri)s2 to tea"h her ho$ to do it and to oser#e her hands at $or!( He $ou+d $at"h her
+i!e a ha$!( He e+ie#ed that she $as read, *or tota+ immersion in a hot /one(

As he s)o!e2 she ro!e do$n an "ried in *ront o* him-Dhad a *e$ tears2D as he $ou+d
+ater re"a++( The, $ere tears o* ha))iness( At that moment2 to ho+d Eo+a #irus in her
hands $as $hat she $anted more than an,thin. e+se in the $or+d(

1300 H6URS

NAN48 S5ENT the mornin. doin. )a)er$or! in her o**i"e( A*ter +un"h2 she remo#ed
her diamond en.a.ement rin. and her $eddin. and and +o"!ed them in her des!
dra$er( She dro))ed , Ton, Bohnson<s o**i"e and as!ed him i* he $as read, to .o in(
The, $ent do$nstairs and a+on. a "orridor to the Eo+a suite( There $as on+, one +o"!er
room +eadin. into it( Ton, Bohnson insisted that Nan", Baa> .o in *irst2 to .et "han.ed(
He $ou+d *o++o$(

The room $as sma++ and "ontained a *e$ +o"!ers a+on. one $a++2 some she+#es2 and a
mirror o#er a sin!( She undressed2 remo#in. a++ o* her "+othin.2 in"+udin. her
under$ear2 and )ut e#er,thin. in her +o"!er(

She +e*t the Band-Aid stu"! to her hand( 9rom a she+*2 she too! u) a steri+e sur.i"a+
s"ru suit-.reen )ants and a .reen shirt2 the "+othin. that a sur.eon $ears in an o)eratin.
room-and she dra..ed on the )ants and tied the dra$strin. at the $aist2 and sna))ed the
shirt<s sna)s( 8ou $ere not a++o$ed to $ear an,thin. under the s"ru suit2 no under$ear(
She )u++ed a "+oth sur.i"a+ "a) o#er her head and tu"!ed her hair u) into the "a) $hi+e
+oo!in. in the mirror( She did not a))ear ner#ous2 ut she $as startin. to *ee+ a +itt+e it
ner#ous( This $as on+, her se"ond tri) into a hot area(

Standin. in her are *eet2 she turned a$a, *rom the mirror and *a"ed a door +eadin. into
7e#e+ A( A dee) +ue +i.ht streamed throu.h a $indo$ in the door-u+tra#io+et +i.ht(
Viruses *a++ a)art under u+tra#io+et +i.ht2 $hi"h smashes their .eneti" materia+ and ma!es
them una+e to re)+i"ate(

As she o)ened the door and entered 7e#e+ A2 she *e+t the door sti"! a.ainst her )u++2
su"!ed in , a di**eren"e o* air )ressure2 and a .ent+e dra. o* air $his)ered around her
shou+ders and tra#e+ed in$ard2 to$ard the hot /one( This $as ne.ati#e air )ressure2
desi.ned to !ee) hot a.ents *rom dri*tin. out$ard( The door "+osed ehind her2 and she
$as in 7e#e+ A( The +ue +i.ht athed her *a"e( She $a+!ed throu.h a $ater-sho$er sta++
that "ontained an u+tra#io+et +i.ht2 a ar o* soa)2 and some ordinar, sham)oo( The
sho$er sta++ +ed into a athroom2 $here there $as a she+* that he+d some "+ean $hite
so"!s( She )ut on a )air o* so"!s and )ushed throu.h another door2 into 7e#e+ 3(

This $as a room !no$n as the sta.in. area( It "ontained a des! $ith a te+e)hone and a
sin!( A ",+indri"a+ $a>ed "ardoard o> sat on the *+oor eside the des!( It $as a
ioha/ard "ontainer !no$n as a Dhato>2D or Di"e-"ream "ontainer(D A hato> is +a/ed
$ith io-ha/ard s,mo+s2 $hi"h are red2 s)i!, three-)eta+ed *+o$ers2 and it is used *or
storin. and trans)ortin. in*e"tious $aste( This hato> $as em)t,( It $as on+, a
ma!eshi*t "hair(

She *ound a o> o* +ate> ruer sur.i"a+ .+o#es and a )+asti" sha!er *u++ o* a,
)o$der( She shoo! a, )o$der onto her hands and )u++ed on the .+o#es( Then she
*ound a ro++ o* sti"!, ta)e2 and she tore o** se#era+ stri)s o* ta)e and hun. them in a ro$
on the ed.e o* the des!(

Then she ta)ed herse+*( Ta!in. u) one stri) at a time2 she ta)ed the "u**s o* her .+o#es
to the s+ee#es o* her s"ru shirt2 runnin. the ta)e around the "u** to ma!e a sea+( She
then ta))ed her so"!s to her trousers( No$ she $ore one +a,er o* )rote"tion et$een
herse+* and the re)+i"ati#e 6ther(

7ieutenant 4o+one+ Bohnson "ame in throu.h 7e#e+ A $earin. a sur.i"a+ s"ru suit( He
)ut on ruer .+o#es and e.an ta)in. them to his s+ee#es2 and he ta)ed his so"!s to his
)ants(

Nan", turned to the ri.ht2 into an ante"hamer2 and *ound her s)a"e suit han.in. on a
ra"!( It $as 4hemturion io+o.i"a+ s)a"e suit2 and it $as mar!ed in +etters a"ross the
"hest: BAAJ( A 4hemturion is a+so !no$n as a +ue suit that meets .o#ernment
s)e"i*i"ations *or $or! $ith airorne hot a.ents(

She o)ened u) the s)a"e suit and +aid it do$n on the "on"rete *+oor and ste))ed into it2
*eet *irst( She )u++ed it u) to her arm)its and s+id her arms into the s+ee#es unti+ her
*in.ers entered the .+o#es(

The suit had ro$n ruer .+o#es that $ere atta"hed , .as!ets at the "u**s( These $ere
the s)a"e suit<s main .+o#es2 and the, $ere made o* hea#, ruer( The, $ere the most
im)ortant arrier et$een her and Eo+a(

The hands $ere the $ea! )oint2 the most #u+nera+e )art o* the suit2 e"ause o* $hat
the, hand+ed( The, hand+ed need+es2 !ni#es2 and shar) )ie"es o* one( 8ou are
res)onsi+e *or maintainin. ,ou s)a"e unit in the same $a, that a )aratroo)er is
res)onsi+e *or )a"!in. and maintainin. his o$n )ara"hute( 5erha)s Nan", $as in a it
o* a hurr, and did not ins)e"t her s)a"e suit as "+ose+, as she shou+d ha#e(

7ieutenant 4o+one+ Bohnson .a#e her a short rie*in. on )ro"edures and then he+)ed her
+o$er the he+met o#er her head( The he+met $as made o* so*t2 *+e>i+e )+asti"( Bohnson
+oo!ed at her *a"e2 #isi+e throu.h the "+ear *a"e)+ate2 to see ho$ she $as doin.(

She "+osed an oi+ed Hi)+o" /i))er a"ross the suit<s "hest( The /i))er made a )o))in.
sound as it sna))ed shut2 )o)2 )o)2 )o)( The moment the s)a"e suit $as "+osed2 her
*a"e)+ate *o..ed u)( She rea"hed o#er to a $a++ and )u++ed do$n a "oi+ed ,e++o$ air
hose and )+u..ed it into her suit( Then "ame a roar o* *+o$in. air2 and her suit +oated
u)2 *at and hard2 and a $hi** o* dr, air "+ear a$a, some tin, eads o* s$eat that had
"o++e"ted inside her *a"e)+ate(

Around the Institute2 the, sa, that ,ou "an<t )redi"t $ho $i++ )ani" inside a io+o.i"a+
s)a"e unit( It ha))ens no$ and then2 main+, to ine>)erien"ed )eo)+e( The moment the
he+met does o#er their *a"es2 their e,es e.in to .+itter $ith *ear2 the, s$eat2 turn )ur)+e2
"+a$ at the suit2 tr, to tear it o)en to .et some *resh air2 +ose their a+an"e and *a++ do$n
on the *+oor2 and the, "an start s"reamin. or moanin. inside the suit2 $hi"h ma!es them
sound as i* the, are su**o"atin. in a "+oset(

A*ter he had he+)ed Nan", Baa> )ut on her s)a"e suit2 and had +oo!ed into her e,es *or
si.ns o* )ani"2 Ton, Bohnson )ut on his o$n suit2 and $hen he $as "+osed u) and read,2
he handed her a )a"! o* disse"tion too+s( He seemed "a+m and "o++e"ted( The, turned
and *a"ed the stain+ess-stee+ door to.ether( The door +ead into an air +o"! and 7e#e+

@( The door $as )+astered $ith ioha/ard s,mo+ and $arnin.:

4AUTI6N

BI6HAHAR3

36 N6T ENTER

1ITH6UT 1EARING VENTI7ATE3 SUIT

The internationa+ s,mo+ *or ioha/ard2 $hi"h is )asted on doors at USA:RII3
$hene#er the, o)en throu.h a ma?or transition o* /ones2 is a red tre*oi+ that reminds me
o* a red tri++ium2 or toadshade(

The 7e#e+ @ air +o"! is a .ra, area2 a )+a"e $here t$o $or+ds meet2 $here the hot /one
tou"hes the norma+ $or+d( The .ra, area is neither hot nor "o+d( A )+a"e that is neither
)ro#a+, steri+e nor !no$n to e in*e"ti#e( At USA:RII32 toadshades +oom in the
.ra, /ones( Nan", too! a reath and .athered her thou.hts into sti++ness2 usin. her
martia+-arts trainin. to .et her reathin. under "ontro+( 5eo)+e )er*ormed a++ !inds o*
+itt+e ritua+s e*ore the, $a+!ed throu.h that stee+ door( some )eo)+e "rossed themse+#es(
6thers "arried amu+ets or "harms inside their s)a"e suits2 e#en thou.h it $as te"hni"a++,
a.ainst the ru+es to rin. an,thin. inside the suit e>"e)t ,our od, and the sur.i"a+
s"rus( The, ho)ed the amu+ets mi.ht he+) $ard o** the hot a.ent i* there $as a ma?or
rea! in their suit(

She un)+u..ed her air hose and un+at"hed the stee+ door and entered an air +o"!2 and
Ton, Bohnson *o++o$ed her( The air +o"! $as made entire+, o* stain+ess stee+2 and it $as
+ined $ith no//+es *or s)ra,in. $ater and "hemi"a+s( This $as the de"on sho$er( 3e"on
means

Dde"ontamination(D The door "+osed ehind them( Nan", o)ened the *ar door o* the air
+o"!2 and the, "rossed o#er to the hot side(

T6TA7 I::ERSI6N

1%;3 SE5TE:BER A&2 1330 H6URS

THE8 1ERE STAN3ING in a narro$ "inder-+o"! "orridor( Various rooms o)ened on
either side( The hot /one $as a ma/e( 9rom the $a++s dan.+ed ,e++o$ ar hoses( There
$as an a+arm stroe +i.ht on the "ei+in. that $ou+d e tri..ered i* the air s,stem *ai+ed(
The $a++s $ere )ainted $ith thi"!2 .o, e)o>, )aint2 and a++ the e+e"tri"a+ out+ets $ere
)+u..ed around the ed.es $ith a .ooe, materia+( This $as to sea+ an, "ra"!s and ho+es2
so that a hot a.ent "ou+d not es"a)e , dri*tin. throu.h ho++o$ e+e"tri"a+ "onduits(
Nan", rea"hed *or an air hose and )+u..ed it into her suit( She "ou+d not hear an,thin.
e>"e)t the roar o* air in her he+met( The air rum+ed so +oud+, in their suits that the, did
not tr, to s)ea! to ea"h other(

She o)ened a meta+ "ainet( B+ue +i.ht streamed out o* it2 and she remo#ed a )air o*
,e++o$ ruer oots( The, reminded her o* arn oots( She s+id the so*t *eet o* her s)a"e
suit into the oots and .+an"ed at Bohnson and "au.ht his e,e( Read, *or a"tion2 oss(

The, un)+u..ed their air hoses and )ro"eeded do$n the ha++$a, and entered the
mon!e, room( It "ontained t$o an!s o* "a.es2 )ositioned *a"in. ea"h other a+on.
o))osite $a++s o* the room( Baa> and Bohnson re)+u..ed their hoses and )eered into the
"a.es( 6ne an! o* "a.es "ontained t$o iso+ated mon!e,s( The, $ere the so-"a++ed
"ontro+ mon!e,s(

The, had not een in*e"ted $ith Eo+a #irus2 and the, $ere hea+th,(

As soon as the t$o Arm, o**i"ers a))eared in s)a"e suits2 the hea+th, mon!e,s $ent
nuts( The, ratt+ed their "a.es and +ea)ed around(

Humans in s)a"e suits ma!e mon!e,s ner#ous( The, hooted and .runted -

D6ooI 6ooI Ha$2 $ah2 ha$ID And the, uttered a hi.h-)it"hed s0uea+: DEe!ID(

The mon!e,s mo#ed to the *ront o* their "a.es and shoo! the doors or +ea)ed a"! and
*orth2 $hum)2 $hum)2 $hum)2 $at"hin. Baa> and Bohnson the $ho+e time2 *o++o$in.
them $ith their e,es2 a+ert to e#er,thin.( The "a.es had e+aorated o+ts on the doors to
)re#ent *idd+in. , )rimate *in.ers( These mon!e,s $ere "reati#e +itt+e oo.ers2 she
thou.ht2 and the, $ere ored(

The other an! o* "a.es $as most+, 0uiet( This $as the an! o* Eo+a "a.es( A++ the
mon!e,s in these "a.es $ere in*e"ted $ith Eo+a #irus2 and most o* them $ere si+ent2
)assi#e and $ithdra$n2 a+thou.h one or t$o o* them seemed 0ueer+, deran.ed( Their
immune s,stems had *ai+ed or .one ha,$ire( :ost o* the anima+s did not +oo! #er, si"!
,et2 ut the, did not dis)+a, the a+ertness2 the usua+ mon!e,s ener.,2 the +ea)in. and the
"a.e ratt+in. that ,ou see in hea+th, mon!e,s2 and most o* them had not eaten their
mornin. is"uits( The, sat a+most motion+ess in their "a.es2 $at"hin. the t$o o**i"ers
$ith e>)ression+ess *a"es(

The, had een in?e"ted $ith the hottest strain o* Eo+a !no$n to the $or+d( It $as the
:a,in.a strain o* Eo+a Haire( This strain had "ome *rom a ,oun. $oman named
:a,in.a N(2 $ho died o* the #irus on 6"toer

1%2 1%'&( She $as a nurse at a hos)ita+ in Haire2 and she had ta!en "are o* a Roman
4atho+i" nun $ho died o* Eo+a( The nun had +ed to death a++ o#er Nurse :a,in.a2 and
then2 a *e$ da,s +ater2 Nurse :a,in.a had ro!en $ith Eo+a and died( Some o* Nurse
:a,in.a<s +ood had ended u) in the United States2 and the strain o* #irus that had on"e
+i#ed in Nurse :a,in.a<s +ood no$ +i#ed in sma++ .+ass #ia+s !e)t in su)er*ree/ers at
the Institute2 $hi"h $ere maintained at minus one hundred and si>t, de.rees 9ahrenheit(
The *ree/ers $ere *itted $ith )ad+o"!s and a+arms and $ere )+astered $ith ioha/ard
*+o$ers and sea+ed $ith ands o* sti"!, ta)e2 e"ause it sea+s "ra"!s( It "ou+d e said that
$ithout sti"!, ta)e there $ou+d e no su"h thin. as io"ontainment(

Gene Bohnson2 the "i#i+ian s"ientist2 had tha$ed a +itt+e it o* Nurse :a,in.a<s *ro/ened
+ood and had in?e"ted it into the mon!e,s(

Then2 as the mon!e,s e"ame si+!2 he had treated them $ith a dru. in ho)e that it
$ou+d he+) them *+i.ht o** the #irus( The dru. did not seem to e $or!in.(

Nan", Baa> and Ton, Bohnson ins)e"ted the mon!e,s2 mo#in. *rom "a.e to "a.e2 unti+
the, *ound the t$o mon!e,s that had "rashed and +ed out( Those anima+s $ere hun"hed
u)2 ea"h in its o$n "a.e( The, had +ood, noses2 and their e,es $ere ha+*-o)en2 .+ass,2
and ri++iant red2 $ith di+ated )u)i+s( The mon!e,s sho$ed no *a"ia+ e>)ression2 not
e#en )ain or a.on,( The "onne"ti#e tissue under the s!in had een destro,ed , the
#irus2 "ausin. a sut+e distortion o* the *a"e( Another reason *or the stran.e *a"es $as
that the )arts o* the rain that "ontro+ *a"ia+ e>)ression had a+so een destro,ed( The
mas!+i!e *a"e2 the red e,es2 and the +ood, nose $ere "+assi" si.ns o* Eo+a that a))ear
in a++ )rimates in*e"ted $ith the #irus2 oth mon!e,s and humans( It hinted at a #i"ious
"omination o* rain dama.e and so*t-tissue destru"tion under the s!in(

The "+assi" Eo+a *a"e made the mon!e,s +oo! as i* the, had seem somethin. e,ond
"om)rehensi#e( It $as not a #ision o* hea#en(

Nan", Baa> *e+t a $a#e o* unease( She $as distressed , the si.ht o* the dead and
su**erin. mon!e,s( As a #eterinarian2 she e+ie#ed that it $as her dut, to hea+ anima+s
and re+ie#e their su**erin.( As a s"ientist2 she e+ie#ed that it $as her o+i.ation to
)er*orm medi"a+ resear"h that $ou+d he+) a++e#iate human su**erin.( E#en thou.h she
had .ro$n u) on a *arm2 $here her *ather had raised +i#ersto"! *or *ood2 she had ne#er
een a+e to ear easi+, the death o* an anima+( As a .ir+2 she had "ried $hen her *ather
had ta!en her @-H 4+u )ri/e steer to the ut"her( She +i!ed anima+s etter than man,
)eo)+e( In ta!in. the #eterinarian<s oath2 she had )+ed.ed herse+* to a "ode o* honor that
ound her to the "are o* anima+s ut a+so ound her to the sa#in. o* human +i#es throu.h
medi"ine( At times in her $or!2 those t$o idea+s "+ashed( She to+d herse+* that this
resear"h $as ein. done to he+) *ind a "ure *or Eo+a2 that t $as medi"a+ resear"h that
$ou+d he+) sa#e human +i#es and mi.ht )ossi+, a#ert a tra.ed, *or the human s)e"ies(
That he+)ed redu"e her *ee+in. o* unease2 ut not "om)+ete+,2 and she !e)t her emotions
o** to one side(

Bohnson $at"hed Baa> "are*u++, as she e.an the remo#a+ )ro"edure(

Hand+in. an un"ons"ious mon!e, in 7e#e+ @ is tri"!, o)eration2 e"ause mon!e,s "an
$a!e u)2 and the, ha#e teeth and a )o$er*u+ it2 and the, are remar!a+, stron. and
a.i+e( The mon!e,s that are used in +aoratories are not or.an-.rinder mon!e,s( The,
are +ar.e2 $i+d anima+s *rom the rain *orest( A ite , an Eo+a-in*e"ted mon!e, $ou+d
a+most "ertain+, e *ata+(

9irst Nan", ins)e"ted the mon!e,2 +oo!in. throu.h the ars( It $as a +ar.e ma+e2 and he
+oo!ed as i* he $as rea++, dead( She sa$ that he sti++ had his "anine *an.s2 and that made
her ner#ous( 6rdinari+, the mon!e, $ou+d ha#e had its *an.s *i+ed do$n *or sa*et,( 9or
some reason2 this one had enormous natura+ *an.s( She stu"! her .+o#ed *in.ers throu.h
the ars and )in"hed the mon!e,<s toe $hi+e she $at"hed *or an e,e mo#ement( The
e,es remained *i>ed and starin.(

DG6 AHEA3 AN3 UN764= THE 4AGE2D 7ieutenant 4o+one+ Bohnson said(

He had to shout to e heard ao#e the roar o* air in their s)a"e suits(

She un+o"!ed the door and s+id it u) unti+ the "a.e .a)ed $ide o)en( She ins)e"ted the
mon!e, a.ain( No mus"+e t$it"hes( The mon!e, $as de*inite+, do$n(

DA77 RIGHT2 G6 AHEA3 AN3 :6VE HI: 6UT2D Bohnson said(

She rea"hed inside and "au.ht the mon!e, , the u))er arms and rotated him so that he
$as *a"in. a$a, *rom her2 so that he "ou+dn<t it her i* he $o!e u)( She )u++ed his arms
a"! and he+d them immoi+e2 and she +i*ted the mon!e, out o* the "a.e(

Bohnson too! the mon!e,<s *eet2 and to.ether the, "arried him o#er to a hato>2 a
ioha/ard "ontainer2 and the, s+id the mon!e, into it(

Then the, "arried the hato> to ne"ro)s, room2 shu**+in. s+o$+, in their suits( The,
$ere t$o human )rimates "arr,in. another )rimate( 6ne $as the master o* the earth2 or
at +east e+ie#ed himse+* to e2 and the other $as a nim+e d$e++er in trees2 a "ousin o*
the master o* the earth( Both s)e"ies2 the human and the mon!e,2 $ere in the )resen"e o*
another +i*e *orm2 $hi"h $as o+der and more )o$er*u+ than either o* them2 and $as a
d$e++er in +ood(

Baa> and Bohnson mo#ed s+o$+, out o* the room2 "arr,in. the mon!e,2 and turned +e*t
and then turned +e*t a.ain2 and entered the ne"ro)s, room2 and +aid the mon!e, do$n on
a stain+ess-stee+ ta+e( The mon!e,<s s!in $as rash+, and "o#ered $ith red +ot"hes2
#isi+e throu.h his s)arse hair(

DG76VE U52D Bohnson said(

The, )ut on +ate> ruer .+o#es2 )u++in. them o#er the s)a"e suit .+o#es( The, no$
$ore three +a,ers o* .+o#es: the inner-+inin. .+o#e2 the s)a"e suit .+o#e2 and the outer
.+o#e( Bohnson said2 D1E<77 36 THE 4HE4=

7IST( S4ISS6RS2 HE:6STATS(D He +aid the too+s in a ro$ at the head o* the ta+e(
Ea"h too+ $as numered2 so he "a++ed the numers out +oud(

The, $ent to $or!( Usin. +unt-ended s"issors2 Bohnson o)ened the mon!e, $hi+e Baa>
assisted $ith the )ro"edure( The, $or!ed s+o$+, and $ith e>0uisite "are( The, did not
use an, shar) +ades2 e"ause a +ade is a dead+, o?e"t in a hot /one( A s"a+)e+ "an ni"!
,our .+o#es and "ut ,our *in.ers2 and e*ore ,ou e#en *ee+ a sensation o* )ain2 the a.ent
has a+read, entered ,our +ood stream(

Nan", handed too+s to him2 and she rea"hed her *in.ers inside the mon!e, to tie o**
+ood #esse+s and mo) u) e>"ess +ood $ith sma++ s)on.es( The anima+<s od, "a#it,
$as a +a!e o* +ood( It $as Eo+a +ood2 and it had run e#er,$here inside the anima+:
there had een a +ot o* interna+ hemorrha.in.( The +i#er $as s$o++en2 and she noti"ed
some +ood in the intestines(

She had to te++ herse+* to s+o$ her hands do$n( 5erha)s her hands $ere mo#in. too
0ui"!+,( She ta+!ed herse+* throu.h the )ro"edure2 !ee)in. herse+* a+ert and "entered(
=ee) it "+ean2 !ee) it "+ean2 she thou.ht( 6!a,2 )i"! u) the hemostat( 4+am) that arter,
<"ause it<s +ea!in. +ood( Brea! o** and rinse .+o#es( She "ou+d *ee+ the Eo+a +ood
throu.h her .+o#es; it *e+t $et and s+i))er,2 e#en throu.h her hands $ere "+ean and dr,
and dusted $ith a, )o$der(

She $ithdre$ her hands *rom the "ar"ass and rinsed them in a )an o* disin*e"tant "a++ed
En#iro4hem2 $hi"h sat in a sin!( the +i0uid $as )a+e .reen2 the "o+or o* Ba)anese .reen
tea( It destro,s #iruses( As she rinsed her .+o#es in it2 the +i0uid turned ro$n $ith
mon!e, +ood( A++ she "ou+d hear $as the noise o* the air +o$in. inside her suit( It
*i++ed her suit $ith a roar +i!e a su$a, train "omin. throu.h a tunne+(

A VIRUS IS a sma++ "a)su+e made o* memranes and )roteins( The "a)su+e "ontains
one or more strands o* 3NA or RNA2 $hi"h are +on. mo+e"u+es that "ontain the
so*t$are )ro.ram *or ma!in. a "o), o* #irus( Some io+o.ists "+assi*, #iruses as D+i*e
*orms2D e"ause the, are not stri"!, !no$n to e a+i#e( Viruses are ami.uous+, a+i#e2
neither a+i#e nor dead( The, "arr, on their e>isten"e in the order+ands et$een +i*e and
non+i*e( The, are dead( The, "an e#en *orm "r,sta+s( Virus )arti"+es that +ie around in
+ood or mu"us ma, seem dead2 ut the )arti"+es are $aitin. *or somethin. to "ome
a+on.( The, ha#e a sti"!, sur*a"e( I* a "e++ "omes a+on. and tou"hes the #irus and the
sti"!iness o* the #irus mat"hes the sti"!iness o* the "e++2 then the #irus "+in.s to the "e++(
The "e++ *ee+s the #irus sti"!in. to it and en*o+ds the #irus and dra.s it inside( 6n"e the
#irus enters the "e++2 it e"omes a Tro?an horse( It s$it"hes on and e.ins to re)+i"ate(

A #irus is a )arasite( It "an<t +i#e on its o$n( It "an on+, ma!e "o)ies o* itse+* inside a
"e++ usin. the "e++<s materia+s and ma"hiner, to .et the ?o done( A++ +i#in. thin.s "arr,
#iruses in their "e++s( E#en *un.i and a"teria are inhaited , #iruses and are
o""asiona++, destro,ed , them( That is2 disease ha#e their o$n disease(

A #irus ma!es "o)ies o* itse+* inside a "e++ unti+ e#entua++, the "e++ .ets )i..ed $ith
#irus and )o)s2 and the #iruses s)i++ out o* the ro!en "e++( 6r #iruses "an ud throu.h a
"e++ $a++2 +i!e dri)s "omin. out o* a *au"et-dri)2 dri)2 dri)2 dri)2 "o),2 "o),2 "o),2 "o),-
that<s the $a, the AI3S #irus $or!s( The *au"et runs and runs unti+ the "e++ is e>hausted2
"onsumed2 and destro,ed( I* enou.h "e++s are destro,ed2 the host dies( A #irus does not
D$antD to !i++ its host( That is not in the est interest o* #irus2 e"ause then the #irus ma,
a+so die2 un+ess it "an ?um) *ast enou.h out o* the d,in. host into a ne$ host(

The .eneti" "ode inside Eo+a is a sin.+e strand o* RNA( This t,)e o* mo+e"u+e is
thou.ht to e the o+dest and most D)rimiteD "odin. me"hanism *or +i*e( The earth<s
)rimordia+ o"ean2 $hi"h "ame into e>isten"e not +on. a*ter the earth $as *ormed2 aout
*our and a ha+* i++ion ,ears a.o2 ma, $e++ ha#e "ontained mi"ros"o)i" +i*e *orms ased
on RNA( This su..ested that Eo+a is an an"ient !ind o* +i*e2 )erha)s near+, as o+d as
the earth itse+*( Another hint that Eo+a is e>treme+, an"ient is the $a, in $hi"h it "an
seem neither 0uite a+i#e nor 0uite una+i#e(

Viruses ma, seem a+i#e $hen the, mu+ti)+,2 ut in another sense the, are o#ious+,
dead2 are on+, ma"hines2 sut+e ones to e sure2 ut stri"t+, me"hani"a+2 no more a+i#e
than a ?a"!hammer( Viruses are mo+e"u+ar shar!s2 a moti#e $ithout a mind( 4om)a"t2
hard2 +o.i"a+2 tota++, se+*ish2 the #irus is dedi"ated to ma!in. "o)ies o* itse+*-$hi"h it "an
do on o""asion $ith radiant s)eed( The )rime dire"ti#e is to re)+i"ate(

Viruses are too sma++ to e seen( Here is a $a, to ima.ine the si/e o* a #irus( 4onsider
the is+and o* :anhattan shrun! to this si/e: K(

This :anhattan "ou+d easi+, ho+d nine mi++ion #iruses( I* ,ou "ou+d ma.ni*, this
:anhattan and i* it $ere *u++, o* #iruses2 ,ou $ou+d see +itt+e *i.ures "+ustered +i!e the
+un"h "ro$d on 9i*th A#enue( A hundred mi++ion "r,sta++i/ed )o+io #iruses "ou+d "o#er
the )eriod at the end o* this senten"e( There "ou+d e t$o hundred and *i*t, 1oodsto"!
9esti#a+s o* #iruses sittin. on that )eriod-the "omined )o)u+ations o* Great Britain and
9ran"e-and ,ou $ou+d ne#er !no$ it(

=EE5 IT 47EAN2 Nan", thou.ht( No +ood( No +ood( I don<t +i!e +ood(

E#er, time I see a dro) o* +ood2 I see a i++ion #iruses( Brea! o** and rinse( Brea! o**
and rinse( S+o$ ,ourse+*( 7oo! at Ton,<s suit( 4he"! him(

8ou $at"hed ,our )artner<s suit *or an, si.n o* a ho+e or a rea!(

It $as !ind o* +i!e ein. a mother and $at"hin. ,our !id-a "onstant a"!.round "he"!
to see i* e#er,thin. is o!a,(

:ean$hi+e2 Bohnson $as "he"!in. her( He oser#ed her *or an, !ind o* mista!e2 an,
?er!iness $ith the too+s( He $ondered i* he $ou+d see her dro) somethin.(

DR6NGEUR2D he said(

D1HATCD she as!ed(

He )ointed at her air hose to su..est that she "rim) it so that she "ou+d hear him etter(
She .raed the hose and *o+ded it( The air sto))ed *+o$in.2 her suit de*+ated around her2
and the noise died a$a,(

He )ut his he+met "+ose to hers and s)o!e the $or! ron.eur a.ain2 and she re+eased her
hose( She handed him a )air o* )+iers "a++ed the ron.eur(

The $ord is 9ren"h and means D.na$er(D It is used *or o)enin. s!u++s(

Gettin. into a s!u++ is a+$a,s a it"h in 7e#e+ @( A )rimate s!u++ is hard and tou.h2 and
the one )+ates are !nitted to.ether(

6rdinari+, ,ou $ou+d $hi) throu.h a s!u++ $ith an e+e"tri" one sa$2 ut ,ou "an<t use
a one sa$ in 7e#e+ @( It $ou+d thro$ a mist o* one )arti"+es and +ood dro)+ets into
the air2 and ,ou do not $ant to "reate an, !ind o* in*e"ti#e mist in a hot area2 e#en i* ,ou
are $earin. a s)a"e suit; it is ?ust too dan.erous(

The, )o))ed the s!u++ $ith the )+iers( It made a +oud "ra"!in. sound( The, remo#ed the
rain2 e,es2 and s)ina+ "ord and dro))ed them into a ?ar o* )reser#ati#e(

Bohnson $as handin. her a tue "ontainin. a sam)+e $hen he sto))ed and +oo!ed at her
.+o#ed hands( He )ointed to her ri.ht .+o#e(

She .+an"ed do$n( Her .+o#e( It $as dren"hed in +ood2 ut no$ she sa$ the ho+e( It
$as ri) a"ross the )a+m o* the outer .+o#e on her ri.ht hand(

Nan", tore o** the .+o#e( No$ her main suit .+o#e $as "o#ered $ith +ood( It s)idered
do$n the outer s+ee#e o* her s)a"e suit( Great2 ?ust .reat-Eo+a +ood a++ o#er m, suit(
She rinsed her .+o#e and arm in the disin*e"tant2 and the, "ame u) "+ean and shin, $et(
Then she noti"ed that her hand2 inside the t$o remainin. .+o#es2 *e+t "o+d and "+amm,(

There $as somethin. $et inside her s)a"e suit .+o#e( She $ondered i* that .+o#e $as a
+ea!er2 too( She $ondered i* she had sustained a rea"h in her ri.ht main .+o#e( She
ins)e"ted that .+o#e "are*u++,( Then she sa$ it( It $as a "ra"! in the $rist( She had a
rea"h in her s)a"e suit(

Her hand *e+t $et( She $ondered i* there mi.ht e Eo+a +ood inside her s)a"e suit2
some$here "+ose to that "ut on the )a+m o* her hand( She )ointed to her .+o#e and said2
DH67E(D Bohnson ent o#er and ins)e"ted her .+o#e( He sa$ the "ra"! in the $rist( She
sa$ his *a"e eru)t in sur)rise2 and then he +oo!ed into her e,es( She sa$ he $as a*raid(

That terri*ied her( She ?er!ed her thum to$ard the e>it( DI<:

6UTTA HERE2 :AN( 4AN 86U 9INISHCD

He re)+ied2 DI 1ANT 86U T6 7EAVE I::E3IATE78( I<77 SE4URE THE

AREA AN3 967761 86U 6UT(D

Usin. on+, her +e*t hand2 her .ood hand2 she un)+u..ed her suit *rom the air hose( She
)ra"ti"a++, ran do$n the "orridor to the air +o"!2 her ri.ht arm han.in. ri.id+, at her
side( She did not $ant to mo#e that hand e"ause e#er, time she mo#ed it she *e+t
somethin. s0uishin. around in there2 inside the .+o#e( 9ear threatened to o#er$he+m her(
Ho$ $as she .oin. to remo#e her oots $ithout usin. her ad handC She !i"!ed them
o**( The, $ent *+,in. do$n the "orridor( She thre$ o)en the air-+o"! door and ste))ed
inside and s+ammed the door ehind her(

She )u++ed a "hain that hun. the "ei+in. o* air +o"!( That started the de"on sho$er( The
de"on sho$er ta!es se#en minutes2 and ,ou are not )ermitted to +ea#e durin. that )eriod2
e"ause the sho$er needs time to $or! on #iruses( 9irst "ame a +ast o* $ater ?ets2
$hi"h $ashed tra"es o* +ood *rom her s)a"e suit( The $ater ?ets sto))ed( then "ame a
s)ra, o* En#iro4hem2 "omin. out o* no//+es a++ u) and do$n the sides o* the air +o"!2
$hi"h de"onned her s)a"e suit( 6* "ourse2 i* somethin. +i#ed inside her .+o#e2 the
"hemi"a+ sho$er $ou+d not rea"h it(

There $ere no +i.hts in the air +o"!; it $as dim2 a+most dar!(

The )+a"e $as +itera++, a .ra, /one( She $ished it had a "+o"!( Then ,ou $ou+d !no$
ho$ +on. ,ou $ou+d ha#e to $ait( 9i#e minutes to .oC *our minutesC 4hemi"a+ mist
dri//+ed do$n her *a"e)+ate( It $as +i!e dri#in. a "ar in the rain $hen the $indshie+d
$i)ers are ro!en; ,ou "an<t see a thin.( Shit2 shit2 shit2 she thou.ht(

At the Institute2 there is a 7e#e+ @ io"ontainment hos)ita+ "a++ed the S+ammer2 $here a
)atient "an e treated , do"tors and nurses $earin. s)a"e suits( I* ,ou are e>)osed to a
hot a.ent and ,ou .o into the S+ammer and *ai+ to "ome out a+i#e2 then ,ou od, is ta!en
to a near, 7e#e+ @ io"ontainment mor.ue2 !no$n as the Sumarine( The so+diers
around the Institute "a++ the mor.ue the Sumarine e"ause its main door is made o*
hea#, stee+ and +oo!s +i!e a )ressure door in a sumarine(

Son o* it"hI she thou.ht( A$2 *u"!I The,<++ )ut me into the S+ammer( And Ton, $i++ e
*i++in. out a""ident re)orts $hi+e I<m rea!in. $ith Eo+a( And a $ee! +ater2 I<++ e in the
Sumarine( ShitI Berr,<s in Te>as( And I didn<t .o to the an! toda,( There<s no mone, in
the house( The !ids are home $ith :rs( Tra)ane2 and she needs to e )aid( I didn<t .o to
the mar!et toda,( There<s no *ood in the house( Ho$ are the !ids .oin. to eat i* I<m in
the S+ammerC 1ho<s .oin. to sta, $ith them toni.htC Shit2 shit2 shitI

The sho$er sto))ed( She o)ened the door and *+un. herse+* into the sta.in. area( She
"ame out o* the s)a"e suit *ast( She shu"!ed it(

She +ea)ed out o* it( The s)a"e suit s+a))ed to the "on"rete *+oor2 $et2 dri))in. $ith
$ater(

As her ri.ht arm "ame out o* the suit2 she sa$ that the s+ee#e o* her s"ru suit $as dar!
$et and her inner .+o#e $as red(

That s)a"e suit .+o#e had een a +ea!er( Eo+a +ood had run o#er her innermost .+o#e(
It had smeared do$n on the +ate>2 ri.ht a.ainst her s!in2 ri.ht a.ainst the Band-Aid( Her
+ast .+o#e $as thin and trans+u"ent2 and she "ou+d see the Band-Aid throu.h it2 dire"t+,
under the Eo+a +ood( Her heart )ounded2 and she a+most thre$ u)-her stoma"h
"ontra"ted and turned o#er2 and she *e+t a .a. re*+e> in her throat( The )u!e *a"tor( It is a
sudden ur.e to thro$ u) $hen ,ou *ind ,ourse+* un)rote"ted in the )resen"e o* a
Biosa*et, 7e#e+ @ or.anism( Her mind ra"ed: 6h2 shit( 1hat no$C I<#e .ot an
unde"onned .+o#e-Eo+a +ood in here( 6h2 Besus( 1hat<s the )ro"edure hereC 1hat do I
ha#e to do no$C

Ton, Bohnson<s +ue *i.ure mo#ed in the air +o"!2 and she heard the no//+es e.in to
hiss( He had e.un the de"on ","+e( It $ou+d e se#en minutes e*ore he "ou+d ans$er
an, 0uestions(

The main 0uestion $as $hether an, +ood had )enetrated the +ast .+o#e to the "ut( 9i#e
or ten Eo+a-#irus )arti"+es sus)ended in a dro)+et o* +ood "ou+d easi+, s+i) throu.h a
)inho+e in a sur.i"a+ .+o#e2 and that mi.ht e enou.h to start an e>)+osi#e in*e"tion( This
stu** "ou+d am)+i*, itse+*( A )inho+e in a .+o#e mi.ht not e #isi+e to the e,e( She $ent
o#er to the sin! and )ut her hand under the *au"et to rinse o** the +ood and he+d there
*or a $hi+e( The $ater "arried the +ood do$n the drain2 $here the $aste $ater $ou+d e
"oo!ed in heated tan!s(

Then she )u++ed o** the +ast .+o#e2 ho+din. it de+i"ate+, , the "u**( Her ri.ht hand "ame
out "a!ed $ith a, )o$der2 her *in.ernai+s short2 no nai+ )o+ish2 no rin.2 !nu"!+es
s"arred , a ite *orm a .oat that had ni))ed her $hen she $as "hi+d2 and a Band-Aid on
the )a+m(

She sa$ +ood mi>ed $ith the a, )o$der(

5+ease2 )+ease2 ma!e it m, +ood(

8es-it $as her o$n +ood( She had +ed around the ed.es o* the Band-Aid( She did not
see an, mon!e, on her hand(

She )ut the +ast .+o#e under the *au"et( The $ater $as runnin. and it *i++ed u) the .+o#e(
The .+o#e s$e++ed u) +i!e a $ater a++oon(

She dreaded the sudden a))earan"e o* a thread o* $ater s0uirtin. *rom the .+o#e2 the
te++ta+e o* a +ea!2 a si.n that her +i*e $as o#er( The .+o#e *attened and he+d( No +ea!s(

Sudden+, her +e.s "o++a)sed( She *e++ a.ainst the "inder-+o"! $a++ and s+id do$n it2
*ee+in. as i* she had een )un"hed in the stoma"h(

She "ame to rest on the hato>2 the ioha/ard o> that someone had een usin. as a
"hair( Her +e.s !i"!ed out2 and she $ent +im) and +eaned a"! a.ainst the $a++( That $as
ho$ Ton, Bohnson *ound her $hen he emer.ed *rom the air +o"!(

THE A44I3ENT RE56RT "on"+uded that :a?or N( Baa> had not een e>)osed to
Eo+a #irus( Her +ast .+o#e had remained inta"t2 and sin"e e#er,one e+ie#ed that the
a.ent $as transmitted throu.h dire"t "onta"t $ith +ood and odi+, *+uids2 there did not
seem to e an, $a, *or it to ha#e entered her +oodstream2 e#en thou.h it had rea"hed
her s)a"e suit( She dro#e home that ni.ht ha#in. es"a)ed the S+ammer , the s!in o* her
+ast .+o#e(

She had a+most "au.ht Eo+a *rom a dead mon!e,2 $ho had "au.ht t *rom a ,oun.
$oman named :a,in.a2 $ho had "au.ht it *rom a nun $ho had "rashed and +ed out in
the ?un.+es o* Haire in ,ears .one ,(

She "a++ed Berr, that ni.ht in Te>as( DGuess $hatC I had this +itt+e )ro+em toda,( I had a
near-Eo+a e>)erien"e(D She to+d him $hat had ha))ened(

He $as a))a++ed( DGod-damn it2 Nan",I I to+d ,ou not to .et in#o+#ed $ith that Eo+a
#irusI That *u"!in. Eo+aID And he $ent into a ten-minute diatrie aout the dan.ers o*
doin. hot $or! in a s)a"e suit2 es)e"ia++, $ith Eo+a(

She remained "a+m and did not ar.ue $ith him( She rea+i/ed he $asn<t an.r, $ith her2
?ust s"ared( She +et Berr, run on2 and $hen he had .otten it a++ out o* his s,stem and $as
startin. to ta)er o**2 she to+d him that she *e+t "on*ident that e#er,thin. $as .oin. to e
a++ ri.ht(

:ean$hi+e2 he $as sur)rised at ho$ "a+m his $i*e seemed( He $ou+d ha#e *+o$n home
that ni.ht i* he had )er"ei#ed an, in!+in. o* distress in her(

THE EB67A EJ5ERI:ENTS $ere not a su""ess in the sense that the dru.s had no
e**e"t on the #irus( A++ o* Gene Bohnson<s in*e"ted mon!e,s died no matter $hat dru.s
the, $ere .i#en( The, a++ died( The #irus aso+ute+, nu!ed the mon!e,s( It $as a
"om)+ete s+ate $i)er( The on+, sur#i#ors o* the e>)eriment $ere the t$o "ontro+
mon!e,s-the hea+th,2 unin*e"ted mon!e,s that +i#ed in "a.es a"ross the room *rom the
si"! mon!e,s( The "ontro+ mon!e,s had not een in*e"ted $ith Eo+a2 and so2 as
e>)e"ted2 the, had not e"ome si"!(

Then2 t$o $ee!s a*ter the in"ident $ith the +ood, .+o#e2 somethin. *ri.htenin.
ha))ened in the Eo+a rooms( The t$o hea+th, mon!e,s de#e+o)ed red e,es and +ood
noses2 and the, "rashed and +ed out(

The, had ne#er een de+ierate+, in*e"ted $ith Eo+a #irus2 and the, had not "ome near
the si"! mon!e,s( The, $ere se)arated *rom the si"! mon!e,s , o)en *+oor(

I* a hea+th, )erson $ere )+a"ed on the other side o* a room *rom a )erson $ho $as si"!
$ith AI3S2 the AI3S #irus $ou+d not e a+e to dri*t a"ross the room throu.h the air and
in*e"t the hea+th, )erson( But Eo+a had dri*ted a"ross a room( It had mo#ed 0ui"!+,2
de"isi#e+,2 and , an un!no$n route( :ost +i!e+, the "ontro+ mon!e,s inha+ed it into
their +un.s( DIt .ot there someho$2D Nan", Baa> $ou+d sa, to me as she to+d me the stor,
some ,ears +ater( D:on!e,s s)it and thro$ stu**( And $hen the "areta!ers $ash the
"a.es do$n $ith $ater hoses2 that "an "reate an aeroso+ o* dro)+ets( It )roa+, tra#e+ed
throu.h the air in aeroso+i/ed se"retion( That $as $hen I !ne$ that Eo+a "an tra#e+
throu.h the air(D

EB67A RIVER

1%'& SU::ER - AUTU:N

6NE BU78 &2 1%'&2 *i#e hundred mi+es north$est o* :ount E+.on2 in southern Sudan2
near the *in.ered ed.e o* the "entra+-A*ri"an rain *orest2 a man $ho is !no$n to Eo+a
hunters as 8u( G( $ent into sho"! and died $ith +ood runnin. *rom the ori*i"es o* his
od,( He is re*erred to on+, , his initia+s( :r( 8u( G( $as the *irst identi*ied "ase2 the
inde> "ase2 in an outrea! o* an un!no$n #irus(

:r( 8u( G( $as a store!ee)er in a "otton *a"tor, in the to$n o* N/ara( The )o)u+ation o*
N/ara had .ro$n in re"ent ,ears-the to$n had e>)erien"ed2 in its o$n $a,2 the human
)o)u+ation e>)+osion that is o""urrin. throu.h the e0uatoria+ re.ions o* the earth( The
)eo)+e o* that area in southern Sudan are the Hande2 a +ar.e trie( The "ountr, o* the
Hande is sa#anna mi>ed $ith ri#erine *orest2 eauti*u+ "ountr,2 $here a"a"ia trees "+uster
a+on. the an!s o* seasona+ ri#ers( A*ri"an do#es )er"h in the trees and "a++ their dra$n-
out "a++s( The +and et$een the ri#ers is a sea o* e+e)hant .rass2 $hi"h "an .ro$ ten *eet
hei.ht( As ,ou head south2 to$ard Haire2 the +and rises and *orms hi++s2 and the *orest
e.ins to s)read a$a, *rom the ri#ers and thi"!ens into a "+osed "ano),2 and ,ou enter
the rain *orest( The +and around the to$n o* N/ara he+d ri"h )+anations o* tea! and *ruit
trees and "otton( 5eo)+e $ere )oor2 ut the, $or!ed hard and raised +ar.e *ami+ies and
!e)t to their tria+ traditions(

:r( 8u( G( $as a sa+aried man( He $or!ed at a des! in a room )i+ed $ith "otton "+oth at
the a"! o* the *a"tor,( Bats roosted in the "ei+in. o* the room near his des!( I* the ats
$ere in*e"ted $ith Eo+a2 no one has een a+e to )ro#e it( The #irus ma, ha#e entered
the "otton *a"tor, , some un!no$n route-)erha)s in inse"ts tra))ed in the "otton
*iers2 *or e>am)+e2 or in rats that +i#ed in the *a"tor,( 6r2 )ossi+,2 the #irus had nothin.
to do $ith the "otton *a"tor,2 and :r( 8u( G( $as in*e"ted some$here e+se( He did not .o
to a hos)ita+2 and died on a "ot in his *ami+, "om)ound( His *ami+, .a#e him a
traditiona+ Hande *unera+ and +e*t his od, under a mound o* stones in a "+earin. o*
e+e)hant .rass(

His .ra#e has een #isited more than on"e , do"tors *rom Euro)e and Ameri"a2 $ho
$ant to see it and re*+e"t on its meanin.2 and )a, their res)e"ts to the inde> "ase o* $hat
+ater e"ame !no$n as Eo+a Sudan(

He is rememered toda, as a D0uiet2 unremar!a+e man(D No )hoto.ra)h $as ta!en o*
him durin. his +i*etime2 and no one seems to rememer $hat he +oo!ed +i!e( He $asn<t
$e++ !no$n2 e#en in his hometo$n(

The, sa, that his rother $as ta++ and s+ender2 so )erha)s2 he $as2 too(

He )assed throu.h the .ates o* +i*e unnoti"ed , an,one e>"e)t his *ami+, and a *e$ o*
his "o-$or!ers( He mi.ht ha#e made no di**eren"e e>"e)t *or the *a"t $hat he $as a
host(

His i++ness e.an to "o), itse+*( A *e$ da,s a*ter he died2 t$o other sa+aried men $ho
$or!ed at des!s near him in the same room ro!e $ith +eedin.2 $ent into sho"!2 and
died $ith massi#e hemorrha.es *rom the natura+ o)enin.s o* the od,( 6ne o* the dead
men $as a )o)u+ar *e++o$ !no$n as 5(G( Un+i!e the 0uiet :r( 8u( G(2 he had a $ide
"ir"+e o* *riends2 in"+udin. se#era+ mistresses( He s)read the a.ent *ar and $ide in the
to$n( The a.ent ?um)ed easi+, *rom )erson to )erson2 a))arent+, throu.h tou"hin. and
se>ua+ "onta"t( It $as a *ast s)reader2 and it "ou+d +i#e easi+, in )eo)+e( It )assed throu.h
as man, as si>teen .enerations o* in*e"tion as it ?um)ed *rom )erson to )erson in Sudan(
It a+so !i++ed man, o* its hosts( 1hi+e this is not ne"essari+, in the est interest o* the
#irus2 i* the #irus is hi.h+, "onta.ious2 and "an ?um) *ast enou.h *rom host to host2 then
it does not matter2 rea++,2 $hat ha))ens to the )re#ious host2 e"ause #irus "an am)+i*,
itse+* *or 0uite a $hi+e2 at +east unti+ it !i++s o** mu"h o* the )o)u+ation o* hosts( :ost o*
the *ata+ "ases o* Eo+a Sudan "an e tra"ed a"! throu.h "hains o* in*e"tion to the 0uiet
:r( 8u( G( A hot strain radiated out o* him and near+, de#astated the human )o)u+ation
o* southern Sudan( The strain urned throu.h the to$n o* N/ara and rea"hed east$ard to
the to$n o* :aridi2 $here there $as a hos)ita+(

It hit the hos)ita+ +i!e a om( It sa#a.ed )atients and sna!ed +i!e "hain +i.htnin. out
*rom the hos)ita+ throu.h )atients< *ami+ies(

A))arent+, the medi"a+ sta** had een .i#in. )atients in?e"tions $ith dirt, need+es( The
#irus ?um)ed 0ui"!+, throu.h the hos)ita+ #ia the need+es2 and then it hit the medi"a+
sta**( A "hara"teristi" o* a +etha+2 "onta.ious2 and in"ura+e #irus is that it 0ui"!+, .ets
into the medi"a+ )eo)+e( In some "ases2 the medi"a+ s,stem ma, intensi*, the outrea!2
+i!e a +ens that *o"uses sun+i.ht on a hea) o* tinder(

The #irus tran*ormed the hos)ita+ at :aridi into a mor.ue( As it ?um)ed *rom ed to
ed2 !i++in. )atients +e*t and ri.ht2 do"tors e.an to noti"e si.ns o* menta+ deran.ement2
)s,"hosis2 de)ersona+i/ation2 /omie-+i!e eha#ior( Some o* the d,in. stri))ed o** their
"+othes and ran out o* the hos)ita+2 na!ed and +eedin.2 and $andered throu.h the streets
o* the to$n2 see!in. their homes2 not seemin. to !no$ $hat had ha))ened or ho$ the,
had .otten into this "ondition( There is no dout that Eo+a dama.es the rain and
"auses )s,"hoti" dementia( It is not eas,2 ho$e#er2 to se)arate rain dama.e *rom the
e**e"ts o* *ear( I* ,ou $ere tra))ed in a hos)ita+ $here )eo)+e disso+#in. in their eds2
,ou mi.ht tr, to es"a)e2 and i* ,ou $ere a +eeder and *ri.htened2 ,ou mi.ht ta!e o**
,our "+othes2 and )eo)+e mi.ht thin! ,ou had .one mad(

The sudan strain $as more than t$i"e as +etha+ as :arur. #irus-its "ase-*ata+it, rate
$as G0 )er"ent( That is2 *u++, ha+* o* the )eo)+e $ho "ame do$n $ith it ended u) d,in.2
and 0ui"!+,( This $as the same !ind o* *ata+it, rate as $as seen $ith the +a"! )+a.ue
durin. the :idd+e A.es( I* the Eo+a Sudan #irus had mana.ed to s)read out o* "entra+
A*ri"a2 it mi.ht ha#e entered =hartoum in a *e$ $ee!s2 )enetrated 4airo a *e$ $ee!s
a*ter that2 and *rom there it $ou+d ha#e ho))ed to Athens2 Ne$ 8or!2 5aris2 7ondon2
Sin.a)ore-it $ou+d ha#e .one e#er,$here on the )+anet( 8et that ne#er ha))ened2 and
the "risis in Sudan )assed a$a, unnoti"ed , the $or+d at +ar.e( 1hat ha))ened in
Sudan "ou+d e "om)ared to the se"ret detonation o* an atomi" om( I* the human ra"e
"ame "+ose to a ma?or io+o.i"a+ a""ident2 $e ne#er !ne$ it(

9or reasons that are not "+ear2 the outrea! susided2 and the #irus #anished( The
hos)ita+ at :aridi had een the e)i"enter o* emer.en"e( As the #irus ra#a.ed the
hos)ita+2 the sur#i#in. medi"a+ sta** )ani"!ed and ran o** into the ush( It $as )roa+,
the $isest thin. to do and the est thin. that "ou+d ha#e ha))ened2 e"ause it sto))ed
the use o* dirt, need+es and em)tied the hos)ita+2 $hi"h he+)ed to rea! the "hain o*
in*e"tion(

There $as another )ossi+e reason $h, the Eo+a Sudan #irus #anished( It $as
e>"eedin.+, hot( It !i++ed )eo)+e so *ast that the, didn<t ha#e mu"h time to in*e"t other
)eo)+e e*ore the, died(

9urthermore2 the #irus $as not airorne( It $as not 0uite "onta.ious enou.h to start a
*u++-s"a+e disaster( It tra#e+ed in +ood2 and the +eedin. #i"tim did not tou"h #er, man,
other )eo)+e e*ore d,in.2 and so the #irus did not ha#e man, "han"es to ?um) to a ne$
host( Had )eo)+e een "ou.hin. the #irus into the air ((( it $ou+d ha#e een a di**erent
stor,( In an, "ase2 the Eo+a Sudan #irus destro,ed a *e$ hundred )eo)+e in "entra+
A*ri"a the $a, a *ire "onsumes a )i+e o* stra$-unti+ the +a/e urns out at the "enter and
ends in a hea) o* ash-rather than smo+derin. around the )+anet2 as AI3S has done2 +i!e a
*ire in a "oa+ mine2 im)ossi+e to )ut out( The Eo+a #irus2 in its Sudan in"arnation2
retreated to the heart o* the ush2 $here undouted+, it +i#es to this da,2 ","+in. and
","+in. in some un!no$n host2 a+e to shi*t its sha)e2 a+e to mutate and e"ome a ne$
thin.2 $ith the )otentia+ to enter the human s)e"ies in a ne$ *orm(

T16 :6NTHS A9TER the start o* the Sudan emer.en"e-the time $as ear+,
Se)temer 1%'&-an e#en more +etha+ *i+o#irus emer.ed *i#e hundred mi+es to the $est2
in a distri"t o* northern Haire "a++ed Buma Hone2 an ahead o* tro)i"a+ rain *orest
)o)u+ated , s"attered #i++a.es and drained , the Eo+a Ri#er( The Eo+a Haire strain
$as near+, t$i"e as +etha+ as Eo+a Sudan( It seemed to emer.e out o* the sti++ness o* an
im)+a"a+e *or"e roodin. on an ins"ruta+e intention( To this da,2 the *irst human "ase
o* Eo+a Haire has ne#er een identi*ied(

In the *irst da,s o* Se)temer2 some un!no$n )erson $ho )roa+, +i#ed some$here to
the south o* Eo+a Ri#er )erha)s tou"hed somethin. +ood,( It mi.ht ha#e een mon!e,
meat-)eo)+e in that area hunt mon!e,s *or *ood- or it mi.ht ha#e een the meat o* some
other anima+2 su"h as an e+e)hant or a at( 6r )erha)s the )erson tou"hed a "rushed
inse"t2 or )erha)s he or she $as itten , a s)ider( 1hate#er the ori.ina+ host o* the
#irus2 it seems that a +ood-to-+ood "onta"t in the rain *orest ena+ed the #irus to mo#e
into the human $or+d( The )orta+ into the human ra"e ma, $e++ ha#e een a "ut on this
un!no$n )erson<s hand(

The #irus sur*a"ed in the 8amu!u :ission Hos)ita+2 an u)"ountr, "+ini" run ,
Be+.ian nuns( The hos)ita+ $as a "o++e"tion o* "orru.ated tin roo*s and $hite$ashed
"on"rete $a++s sittin. esides a "hur"h in the *orest2 $here e++s ran. and ,ou heard a
sound o* h,mns and the $ords o* the hi.h mass s)o!en in Bantu( Ne>t door2 )eo)+e
stood in +ine at the "+ini" and shi#ered $ith ma+aria $hi+e the, $aited *or a nun to .i#e
them an in?e"tion o* medi"ine that mi.ht ma!e them *ee+ etter(

The mission in 8amu!u a+so ran a s"hoo+ *or "hi+dren( In +ater Au.ust2 a tea"her *rom
the s"hoo+ and some *riends $ent on a #a"ation tri) to the northern )art o* Haire( The,
orro$ed a 7and Ro#er *rom the mission to ma!e their ?ourne,2 and the, e>)+ored the
"ountr, as the, headed north$ard2 mo#in. s+o$+, a+on. rutted tra"!s2 no dout .ettin.
stu"! in the mud *rom time to time2 $hi"h is the $a, thin.s .o $hen ,ou tr, to dri#e
throu.h Haire( The tra"! $as most+, a *oot)ath en"+osed , a "ano), o* trees2 and it $as
a+$a,s in shado$2 as i* the, $ere dri#in. throu.h Haire( The tra"! $as most+, a *oot)ath
en"+osed , a "ano), o* trees2 and it $as a+$a,s in shado$2 as i* the, $ere dri#in.
throu.h a tunne+( E#entua++, the, "ame to the Eo+a Ri#er and "rossed it on a *err, ar.e
and "ontinued north$ard( Near the 6an.ui Ri#er2 the, sto))ed at a roadside mar!et2
$here the s"hoo+tea"her ou.ht some *resh ante+o)e meat(

6ne o* his *riends ou.ht a *resh+, !i++ed mon!e, and )ut it in the a"! o* the 7and
Ro#er( An, o* the *riends "ou+d ha#e hand+ed the mon!e, or the ante+o)e meat $hi+e
the, $ere oun"in. around in the 7and Ro#er(

The, turned a"!2 and $hen the s"hoo+tea"her arri#ed home2 his $i*e ste$ed the
ante+o)e meat2 and e#er,one in the *ami+, ate it( The *o++o$in. mornin. he *e+t un$e++2
and so e*ore he re)orted to his tea"hin. ?o at the s"hoo+2 he sto))ed o** at the
8amu!u Hos)ita+2 on the other side o* the "hur"h2 to .et an in?e"tion o* medi"ine *rom
the nuns(

At the e.innin. o* ea"h da,2 the nuns at 8amu!u Hos)ita+ $ou+d +a, out *i#e
h,)odermi" s,rin.es on a ta+e2 and the, $ou+d use them to .i#e shots to )atients a++
da, +on.( The, $ere usin. *i#e need+es a da, to .i#e in?e"tions to hundreds o* )eo)+e in
the hos)ita+<s out)atient and maternit, "+ini"s( The nuns and sta** o""asiona++, rinsed the
need+es in a )an o* $arm $ater a*ter an in?e"tion2 to .et the +ood o** the need+e2 ut
more o*ten the, )ro"eeded *rom shot to shot $ithout rinsin. the need+e2 mo#in. *rom
arm to arm2 mi>in. +ood $ith +ood( Sin"e Eo+a #irus is hi.h+, in*e"ti#e and sin"e as
*e$ as *i#e or ten )arti"+es o* the #irus in a +ood-orne "onta"t "an start an e>treme
am)+i*i"ation in a ne$ host2 there $ou+d ha#e een e>"e++ent o))ortunit, *or the a.ent to
s)read(

A *e$ da,s a*ter s"hoo+tea"her re"ei#ed his in?e"tion2 he ro!e $ith Eo+a Haire( He
$as the *irst !no$n "ase o* Eo+a Haire2 ut he ma, $e++ ha#e "ontra"ted the #irus *rom
a dirt, need+e durin. his in?e"tion at the hos)ita+2 $hi"h means that someone e+se mi.ht
ha#e )re#ious+, #isited the hos)ita+ $hi+e si"! $ith Eo+a #irus and ear+ier in the da,
re"ei#ed an in?e"tion *rom the same need+e that $as then used on the s"hoo+tea"her(

That un!no$n )erson )roa+, stood in +ine *or an in?e"tion ?ust ahead o* the
s"hoo+tea"her( That )erson $ou+d ha#e started the Eo+a outrea! in Haire( As in Sudan2
the emer.en"e o* a +i*e *orm that "ou+d in theor, ha#e .one around the earth e.an $ith
one in*e"ted )erson(

The #irus eru)ted simu+taneous+, in *i*t,-*i#e #i++a.es surroundin. the hos)ita+( 9irst it
!i++ed )eo)+e $ho had re"ei#ed in?e"tions2 and then it mo#ed throu.h *ami+ies2 !i++in.
*ami+, memers2 )arti"u+ar+, $omen2 $ho in A*ri"a )re)are the dead *or uria+( It s$e)t
throu.h the 8amu!u Hos)ita+<s nursin. sta**2 !i++in. most o* the nurses2 and then it hit
the Be+.ian nuns( The *irst nun to rea! $ith Eo+a $as a mid$i*e $ho had de+i#ered a
sti++orn "hi+d( The mother $as d,in. o* Eo+a and had .i#en the #irus to her unorn
a,( The *etus had e#ident+, "rashed and +ed out inside the mother<s $om( The
$oman then aorted s)ontaneous+,2 and the nun $ho assisted at this .rotes0ue de+i#er,
"ame a$a, *rom the e>)erien"e $ith +ood on her hands( The +ood o* the mother and
*etus $as radiant+, hot2 and the nun must ha#e had a sma++ rea! or "ut on the s!in o*
her hands( She de#e+o)ed an e>)+osi#e in*e"tion and $as dead in *i#e da,s(

There $as a nun at the 8amu!u Hos)ita+ $ho is !no$n toda, as Sister :(E( She
e"ame .ra#e+, i++ $ith +<e)idemie2 or Dthe e)idemi"2D as the, had e.un to "a++ it( A
)riest at 8amu!u de"ided to tr, to ta!e her to the "it, o* =inshasa2 the "a)ita+ o* Haire2
in order to .et her etter medi"a+ treatment( He and another nun2 named Sister E(R(2
dro#e Sister :(E( in a 7and Ro#er to the to$n o* Buma2 a s)ra$+ o* "inder +o"!s and
$ooden sha"!s that hudd+es eside the 4on.o Ri#er( The, $ent to the air*ie+d at Buma
and hired a sma++ )+ane to *+, to =inshasa2 an $hen the, rea"hed the "it,2 the, too!
Sister :(E( to N.a+iema Hos)ita+2 a )ri#ate hos)ita+ run , S$edish nurses2 $here she
$as .i#en a room o* her o$n(

There she endured her a.ona+s and "ommitted her sou+ to 4hrist(

EB67A HAIRE ATTA4=S e#er, or.an and tissue in the human od, e>"e)t s!e+eta+
mus"+e and one( It is a )er*e"t )arasite e"ause it trans*orms #irtua++, e#er, )art o* the
od, into a di.ested s+ime o* #irus )arti"+es(

The se#en m,sterious )roteins that2 assem+ed to.ether2 ma!e u) the Eo+a-#irus
)arti"+e2 $or! as a re+ent+ess ma"hine2 a mo+e"u+ar shar!2 and the, "onsume the od, as
the #irus ma!es "o)ies o* itse+*( Sma++ +ood "+ots e.in to a))ear in the +oodstream2
and the +ood thi"!ens and s+o$s2 and the "+ots e.in to sti"! to the $a++s o* +ood
#esse+s( This is !no$n as )a#ementin.2 e"ause the "+ots *it to.ether in a mosai"( The
mosai" thi"!ens and thro$s more "+ots2 and the "+ots dri*t throu.h the +oodstream into
the sma++ "a)i++aries2 $here the, .et stu"!( This shuts o** the +ood su))+, to #arious
)art o* the od,2 "ausin. dead s)ots to a))ear in the rain2 +i#er2 !idne,s2 +un.s2
intestines2 testi"+es2 reast tissue Eo* men as $e++ as $omenF2 and a++ throu.h the s!in(
The s!in de#e+o)s red s)ots2 "a++ed )ete"hiae2 $hi"h are hemorrha.es under the s!in(
Eo+a atta"!s "onne"ti#e tissue $ith )arti"u+ar *ero"it,; it mu+ti)+ies in "o++a.en2 the
"hie* "onstituent )rotein o* the tissue that ho+ds the or.ans to.ether( EThe se#en Eo+a
)roteins someho$ "he$ u) the od,<s stru"tura+ )roteins(F In this $a,2 "o++a.en in the
od, turns to mush2 and the under+a,ers o* the s!in die and +i0ue*,( The s!in u+es u)
into a sea o* tin, $hite +isters mi>ed $ith red s)ots !no$n as a ma"u+o)a)u+ar rash(
The rash has een +i!ened to ta)io"a )uddin.( s)ontaneous ri)s a))ear in the s!in2 and
hemorrha.i" +ood )ours *rom the ri)s( The red s)ots on the s!in .ro$ and s)read and
mer.e to e"ome hu.e2 s)ontaneous ruises2 and he s!in .oes so*t and )u+),2 and "an
tear o** i* it is tou"hed $ith an, !ind o* )ressure( 8ou mouth +eeds2 and ,ou +eed
around ,our teeth2 and ,ou ma, ha#e hemorrha.es *rom the sa+i#ar, .+ands-+itera++,
e#er, o)enin. in the od, +eeds2 no matter ho$ sma++(

The sur*a"e o* the ton.ue turns ri++iant red and then s+ou.hs o**2 and is s$a++o$ed or
s)at out( It is said to e e>traordinari+, )ain*u+ to +ose the sur*a"e o* one<s ton.ue( The
ton.ue<s s!in ma, e torn o** durin. rushes o* the +a"! #omit( The a"! o* the throat
and the +inin. o* the $ind)i)e ma, a+so s+ou.h o**2 and the dead tissue s+ides do$n the
$ind)i)e into the +un.s or is "ou.hed u) $ith s)utum( 8our heart +eeds into itse+*; the
heart mus"+e so*tens and has hemorrha.es into its "hamers2 and +ood s0uee/es out o*
the heart mus"+e as the heart eats2 and it *+oods the "hest "a#it,( The rain e"omes
"+o..ed $ith dead +ood "e++s2 a "ondition !no$n as s+ud.in. o* the rain( Eo+a atta"!s
the +inin. o* the e,ea++2 and the e,ea++s ma, *i++ u) $ith +ood: ,ou ma, .o +ind(

3ro)+ets o* +ood stand out on the e,e+ids: ,ou ma, $ee) +ood( The +ood runs *rom
,our e,es do$n ,our "hee!s and re*uses to "oa.u+ate( 8ou ma, ha#e a hemis)heri"a+
stro!e2 in $hi"h one $ho+e side o* the od, is )ara+,/ed2 $hi"h is in#aria+, *ata+ in a
"ase o* Eo+a( E#en $hi+e the od,<s interna+ or.ans are e"omin. )+u..ed $ith
"oa.u+ated +ood2 the +ood that streams out o* the od, "annot "+ot; it resem+es $hen
ein. s0uee/ed out o* "urds( The +ood has een stri))ed o* its "+ottin. *a"tors( I* ,ou
)ut the runn, Eo+a +ood in a test tue and +oo! at it2 ,ou see that the +ood is
destro,ed( Its red "e++s are ro!en and dead(

The +ood +oo!s as i* it has een u//ed in an e+e"tri" +ender(

Eo+a !i++s a .reat dea+ o* tissue $hi+e the host is sti++ a+i#e(

It tri..ers a "ree)in.2 s)ott, ne"rosis that s)reads throu.h a++ the interna+ or.ans( The
+i#er u+.es u) and turns ,e++o$2 e.ins to +i0ue*,2 and then it "ra"!s a)art( The "ra"!s
run a"ross the +i#er and dee) inside it2 and the +i#er "om)+ete+, dies and .oes )utrid( The
!idne,s e"ome ?ammed $ith +ood "+ots and dead "e++s2 and "ease *un"tionin.( As the
!idne,s *ai+2 the +ood e"omes to>i" $ith urine( The s)+een turns into a sin.+e hu.e2
hard +ood "+ot the si/e o* a asea++( The intestines ma, *i++ u) "om)+ete+, $ith +ood(
The +inin. o* the .ut dies and s+ou.hs o** into the o$e+s and is de*e"ated a+on. $ith
+ar.e amounts o* +ood( In men2 the testi"+es +oat u) and turn +a"!-and-+ue2 the semen
.oes hot $ith Eo+a2 and the ni))+es ma, +eed( In $omen2 the +aia turn +ue2 +i#id2 and
)rotrusi#e2 and there ma, e massi#e #a.ina+ +eedin.( The #irus is a "atastro)he *or a
)re.nant $oman: the "hi+d is aorted s)ontaneous+, and is usua++, in*e"ted $ith Eo+a
#irus2 orn $ith red e,es and a +ood, nose(

Eo+a destro,s the rain more thorou.h+, than does :arur.2 and Eo+a #i"tims o*ten
.o into e)i+e)ti" "on#u+sions durin. the *ina+ sta.e(

The "on#u+sions are .enera+i/ed .rand ma+ sei/ures-the $ho+e od, t$it"hes and
sha!es2 the arms and +e.s thrash around2 and the e,es2 sometimes +ood,2 ro++ u) into the
head( The tremors and "on#u+sions o* the )atient ma, smear or s)+atter +ood around(
5ossi+, this e)i+e)ti" s)+ashin. o* +ood is one o* Eo+a<s strate.ies *or su""ess-it
ma!es the #i"tim .o into a *+urr, o* sei/ures as he dies2 s)readin. +ood a++ o#er the
)+a"e2 thus .i#in. the #irus a "han"e to ?um) to a ne$ host-a !ind o* transmission
throu.h smearin.(

Eo+a Eand :arur.F mu+ti)+ies so ra)id+, and )o$er*u++, that the od,<s in*e"ted "e++s
e"ome "r,sta+-+i!e +o"!s o* )a"!ed #irus )arti"+es( These "r,sta+s are roods o* #irus
.ettin. read, to hat"h *rom the "e++( The, are !no$n as ri"!s( The ri"!s2 or "r,sta+s2
*irst a))ear near the "enter o* the "e++ and then mi.rate to$ard the sur*a"e(

As a "r,sta+ rea"hes a "e++ $a++2 it disinte.rates into hundreds o* indi#idua+ #irus
)arti"+es2 and the +ood+in.s )ush throu.h the "e++ $a++ +i!e hair and *+oat a$a, in the
+oodstream o* the host( The hat"hed Eo+a )arti"+es "+in. to "e++s e#er,$here in the
od,2 and .et inside them2 and "ontinue to mu+ti)+,( It !ee)s on mu+ti)+,in. unti+ areas
o* tissue a++ throu.h the od, are *i++ed $ith "r,sta++oids2 $hi"h hat"h2 and more Eo+a
)arti"+es dri*t into the +oodstream2 and the am)+i*i"ation "ontinues ine>ora+, unti+ a
dro)+et o* host<s +ood "an "ontain a hundred mi++ion indi#idua+ #irus )arti"+es(

A*ter death2 the "ada#er sudden+, deteriorates: the interna+ or.ans2 ha#in. een dead or
)artia++, dead *or da,s2 ha#e a+read, e.un to disso+#e2 and a sort o* sho"!-re+ated
me+tdo$n o""urs( The "or)se<s "onne"ti#e tissue2 s!in2 and or.ans2 a+read, )e))ered
$ith dead s)ots2 heated , *e#er2 and dama.ed , sho"!2 e.in to +i0ue*,2 and the *+uids
that +ea! *rom the "ada#er are saturated $ith Eo+a-#irus )arti"+es(

1HEN IT 1AS a++ o#er2 the *+oor2 "hair2 and $a++s in Sister :(E<s hos)ita+ room $ere
stained $ith +ood( Someone $ho sa$ the room to+d me that a*ter the, too! her od,
a$a, *or uria+ E$ra))ed in man, sheetsF2 no one at the hos)ita+ "ou+d ear to .o into
the room to "+ean it u)( The nurses and do"tors didn<t $ant to tou"h the +ood on the
$a++s and $ere *ran!+, *ear*u+ o* reathin. the air in the room2 too( So the room $as
"+osed and +o"!ed2 and remained that $a, *or da,s( The a))earan"e o* the nun<s hos)ita+
room a*ter her death ma, ha#e raised in some minds one or t$o 0uestion aout the
nature o* the Su)reme Bein.2 or2 *or )ersons not in"+ined to theo+o.,2 the +ood on the
$a++s ma, ha#e ser#ed as a reminder o* the nature o* Nature(

No one !ne$ $hat had !i++ed the nun2 ut "+ear+, it $as a re)+i"atin. a.ent2 and the
si.ns and s,m)toms o* the disease $ere not eas, to "onsider $ith a "a+m mind( 1hat
a+so did not +ead to "a+m thou.hts $ere rumors "omin. out o* the ?un.+e to the e**e"t
that the a.ent $as $i)in. out $ho+e #i++a.es u)ri#er on the 4on.o( These rumors $ere
not true( The #irus $as hittin. *ami+ies se+e"ti#e+,2 ut no one understood this e"ause
the *+o$ o* ne$s "omin. *rom u)ri#er $as ein. "ho!ed o**(

3o"tors at the hos)ita+ in =inshasa e>amined the nun<s "ase and e.an to sus)e"t that
she mi.ht ha#e died o* :arur. or a :arur.-+i!e a.ent(

Then Sister E(R(2 the nun $ho had tra#e+ed $ith Sister :(E( durin. the dri#e to Buma
and the )+ane *+i.ht to =inshasa2 ro!e $ith +<eoudenue2 The, )ut her in a )ri#ate room
at the hos)ita+2 $here she e.an to die $ith the same si.ns and s,m)toms that had
)re"eded Sister :(E(<s death(

There $as a ,oun. nurse at the N.a+iema Hos)ita+ named :a,in.a N(

EHer *irst name $as :a,in.a and her +ast name is .i#en as N(F Nurse :a,in.a had een
"arin. *or Sister :(E( $hen the nun had died in the +oodstained room( She ma, ha#e
een s)+attered $ith the nun<s +ood or $ith +a"! #omit( At an, rate2 Nurse :a,in.a
de#e+o)ed a heada"he and *ati.ue( she !ne$ she $as e"omin. si"!2 ut she did not
$ant to admit to herse+* $hat it $as( She "ame *rom a )oor ut amitious *ami+,2 and
she had re"ei#ed a s"ho+arshi) to .o to "o++e.e in Euro)e( 1hat $orried her $as the
)ossii+it, that i* she e"ame i++2 she $ou+d not e a++o$ed to tra#e+ aroad( 1hen the
heada"he "ame u)on her2 she +e*t her ?o at the hos)ita+ and disa))eared( She dro))ed
out o* si.ht *or t$o da,s( 3urin. that time2 she $ent into the "it,2 ho)in. to .et her
tra#e+ )ermits arran.ed e*ore she e"ame #isi+, si"!( 6n the *irst da, o* her
disa))earan"e-the date $as 6"toer 1A2 1%'&-she s)ent a da, $aitin. in +ines at the
o**i"es o* the Hairean *orei.n ministr,2 tr,in. to .et her )a)ers strai.ht(

The ne>t da,2 6"toer 132 she *e+t $orse2 ut instead o* re)ortin. to $or!2 a.ain she
$ent into the "it,( This time2 she too! a ta>i to the +ar.est hos)ita+ in =inshasa2 the
:ama 8emo Hos)ita+( B, no$2 as her heada"he e"ame +indin. and her stoma"h )ain
in"reased2 she must ha#e een terri+, *ri.htened( 1h, didn<t she .o to the N.a+iema
Hos)ita+ to see! treatment $here she $or!ed and $here the do"tors $ou+d ha#e ta!en
"are o* herC It must ha#e een a "ase o* )s,"ho+o.i"a+ denia+( She did not $ant to admit2
e#en to herse+*2 that she had een in*e"ted( 5erha)s she had a tou"h o* ma+aria2 she
ho)ed( So she $ent to :ama 8emo Hos)ita+2 the hos)ita+ o* +ast resort *or the "it,<s
)oor2 and s)ent hours $aitin. in a "asua+t, $ard ?ammed $ith ra..ed )eo)+e and
"hi+dren(

I "an see her in m, mind<s e,e-Nurse :a,in.a2 the sour"e o* the #irus in the United
States Arm,<s *ree/ers( She $as a )+easant2 0uiet2 eauti*u+ ,oun. A*ri"an $oman2 aout
t$ent, ,ears o+d2 in the )rime o* her +i*e2 $ith a *uture and dreams2 ho)in. someho$
that $hat $as ha))enin. to her "ou+d not e ha))enin.( The, sa, that her )arents +o#ed
her dear+,2 that she $as the a))+e o* their e,e( No$ she is sittin. in the "asua+t, $ard at
:ama 8emo amon. the "ases o* ma+aria2 amon. the +ar.e-e++ied "hi+dren in ra.s2 and
no one is )a,in. an, attention to her e"ause a++ she has is a heada"he and red e,es(
5erha)s the *a"t that she is "r,in. has made her e,es red( A do"tor .i#es her a shot *or
ma+aria and te++s her that she shou+d e in 0uarantine *or her i++ness( But there is no room
in the 0uarantine $ard at :ama 8emo Hos)ita+; so she +ea#es the hos)ita+ and hai+s
another ta>i( She te++s the dri#er to ta!e her to another hos)ita+2 to Uni#ersit, Hos)ita+2
$here )erha)s the do"tors "an treat her( But $hen she arri#es at Uni#ersit, Hos)ita+2 the
do"tors "an<t seem to *ind an,thin. $ron. $ith her2 e>"e)t *or )ossi+, some si.n o*
ma+aria( Her heada"he is .ettin. $orse( She is sittin. in the $aitin. room o* this
hos)ita+2 and as I tr, to ima.ine her there2 I am a+most "ertain she is "r,in.( 9ina++, she
does the on+, thin. +e*t *or her to do( She returns to N.a+iema Hos)ita+ and as!s to e
admitted as a )atient( The, )ut her in a )ri#ate room2 and there she *a++s into +ethar.,2
and her *a"e *ree/es into a mas!(

Ne$s o* the #irus and $hat it did to )eo)+e had een tri"!+in. out o* the *orest2 and no$
a rumor that a si"! nurse had $andered around =inshasa *or t$o da,s2 ha#in. *a"e-to-
*a"e "onta"t $ith man, )eo)+e in "ro$ded rooms and )u+i" )+a"es2 "aused a )ani" in
the "it,( The ne$s s)read *irst a+on. the mission .ra)e#ine and throu.h .o#ernment
em)+o,ees and amon. the di)+omats at "o"!tai+ )arties2 and *ina++, the rumors e.an to
rea"h Euro)e( 1hen the stor, rea"hed the o**i"es o* the 1or+d Hea+th 6r.ani/ation in
Gene#a2 the )+a"e $ent into a *u++-s"a+e a+ert( 5eo)+e $ho $ere there at the time said that
,ou "ou+d *ee+ *ear in the ha++$a,s2 and the dire"tor +oo!ed +i!e a #isi+, sha!en man(
Nurse :a,in.a seemed to e a #e"tor *or an e>)+osi#e "+aim o* +etha+ transmission in a
"ro$ded third-$or+d "it, $ith a )o)u+ation o* t$o mi++ion )eo)+e( 6**i"ia+s at the 1H6
e.an to *ear that Nurse :a,in.a $ou+d e"ome the #e"tor *or a $or+d-$ide )+a.ue(
Euro)ean .o#ernments "ontem)+ated +o"!in. *+i.hts *rom =inshasa( The *a"t that one
in*e"ted )erson had $andered around the "it, *or t$o da,s $hen she shou+d ha#e een
iso+ated in a hos)ita+ room e.an to +oo! +i!e a s)e"ies-threatenin. e#ent(

5resident :outu Sese Se!o2 the ma>imum +eader o* Haire2 sent his arm, into a"tion(
He stationed so+diers around N.a+iema Hos)ita+ $ith orders to +et no one enter or +ea#e
e>"e)t do"tors( :u"h o* the medi"a+ sta** $as no under 0uarantine inside the hos)ita+2
ut the so+diers made sure that the 0uarantine $as en*or"ed( 5resident :outu a+so
ordered arm, units to sea+ o** Buma Hone $ith road+o"!s and to shoot an,one tr,in.
to "ome out( Buma<s main +in! $ith the outside $or+d $as the 4on.o Ri#er(

4a)tains o* ri#eroats had heard aout the #irus , this time2 and the, re*used to sto)
their oats an,$here a+on. the +en.th o* the ri#er in Buma2 e#en thou.h )eo)+e
esee"hed them *rom the an!s( Then a++ radio "onta"t $ith Buma $as +ost( No one
!ne$ $hat $as ha))enin. u)ri#er2 $ho $as d,in.2 $hat the #irus $as doin.( Buma
had dro))ed o** the *a"e o* the earth into the si+ent heart o* dar!ness(

AS THE 9IRST nun at N.a+iema Hos)ita+2 Sister :(E(2 +a, d,in.2 her do"tors had
de"ided to .i#e her a so-"a++ed a.ona+ io)s,( This is a ra)id sam)+in. o* tissue2 done
"+ose to the moment o* death instead o* a *u++ auto)s,( She $as a memer o* a re+i.ious
order that )rohiited auto)sies2 ut the do"tors #er, mu"h $anted to !no$ $hat $as
re)+i"atin. inside her(

As the termina+ sho"! and "on#u+sions "ame o#er her2 the, inserted a need+e into her
u))er adomen and su"!ed out a 0uantit, o* +i#er( Her +i#er had e.un to +i0ue*,2 and
the need+e $as +ar.e( A *air amount o* the nun<s +i#er tra#e+ed u) the need+e and *i++ed a
io)s, s,rin.e(

5ossi+, it $as durin. this a.ona+ io)s, that her +ood s0uirted on the $a++s( The
do"tors a+so too! some sam)+es o* +ood *rom her arm and )ut it in .+ass tues( The
nun<s +ood $as )re"ious e,ond measure2 sin"e it "ontained the un!no$n hot a.ent(

The +ood $as *+o$n to a nationa+ +aorator, in Be+.ium and to the En.+and natura+
+aorator,2 the :i"roio+o.i"a+ Resear"h Esta+ishment at 5orton 3o$n2 in 1i+tshire(
S"ientists at oth +as e.an ra"in. to identi*, the a.ent( :ean$hi+e2 at the 4enters *or
3isease 4ontro+ in At+anta2 Geor.ia-the 4(3(4(-s"ientists $ere *ee+in. +e*t out2 and $ere
sti++ s"ram+in. to .et their hands on a +itt+e it o* the nun<s +ood2 ma!in. te+e)hone
"a++s to A*ri"a and Euro)e2 )+eadin. *or the sam)+es(

There is a ran"h o* the 4(3(4( that dea+s $ith un!no$n emer.in. #iruses( It<s "a++ed
the S)e"ia+ 5atho.ens Bran"h( In 1%'&2 at the time o* the Haire outrea!2 the ran"h $as
ein. run , a do"tor named =ar+ :(

Bohnson2 a #irus hunter $hose home terrain had een the rain *orests o* 4entra+ and
South Ameri"a( EHe is not re+ated to Gene Bohnson2 the "i#i+ian #irus hunter2 or to
7ieutenant 4o+one+ Ton, Bohnson2 the )atho+o.ist(F =ar+ Bohnson and his 4(3(4(
"o++ea.ues had heard a+most nothin. aout the o""urren"es u)ri#er in Haire-a++ the,
!ne$ $as that )eo)+e in Haire $ere d,in. o* a D*e#erD that had D.enera+i/ed s,m)tomsD-
no detai+s had "ome in *rom the ush or *rom the hos)ita+ $here the nun had ?ust died(
8et it sounded +i!e a ad one( Bohnson te+e)honed a *riend o* his at the En.+ish +a2 in
5orton 3o$n2 and re)orted+, said to him2 DI* ,ou<#e .ot an, +itt+e dre.s to s)are o* that
nun<s +ood2 $e<d +i!e to ha#e a +oo! at it(D The En.+ishman a.reed to send it to him2 and
$hat he re"ei#ed $as +itera++, dre.s(

The nun<s +ood arri#ed at 4(3(4( in .+ass tues in a o> +ined $ith dr, i"e( The tues
had "ra"!ed and ro!en durin. shi)ment2 and ra$2 rotten +ood had run around inside
the o>( A 4(3(4( #iro+o.ist named 5atri"ia 1e-$ho $as then married to Bohnson-
o)ened the o>( She *ound that the )a"!a.e $as sti"!, $ith +ood( The +ood +oo!ed
+i!e tar( It $as +a"! and .ooe,2 +i!e Tur!ish "o**ee( She )ut on ruer .+o#es2 ut other
than that2 she did not ta!e an, s)e"ia+ )re"autions in hand+in. the +ood( Usin. some
"otton a++s2 she mana.ed to da u) some o* the +a"! stu**2 and then , s0uee/in. the
"otton et$een her *in.erti)s2 she "o++e"ted a *e$ dro)+ets o* it2 ?ust enou.h to e.in
testin. it *or #iruses(

5atri"a 1e )ut some o* the +a"! +ood dro)+ets into *+as!s o* mon!e, "e++s2 and
)rett, soon the "e++s .ot si"! and e.an to die-the, urst( The un!no$n a.ent "ou+d
in*e"t mon!e, "e++s and )o) them(

Another 4(3(4( do"tor $ho $or!ed on the un!no$n #irus $as 9rederi"! A( :ur)h,2 a
#iro+o.ist $ho had he+)ed to identi*, :arur. #irus( He $as and is one o* the $or+d<s
+eadin. e+e"tron-mi"ros"o)e )hoto.ra)hers o* #iruses( EHis )hoto.ra)hs o* #iruses ha#e
een e>hiited in art museums(F :ur)h, $anted to ta!e a "+ose +oo! at those d,in. "e++s
to see i* he "ou+d )hoto.ra)h a #irus in them( 6n 6"toer 13-the same da, Nurse
:a,in.a $as sittin. in the $aitin. rooms o* hos)ita+s in =inshasa-he )+a"ed a dro)+et o*
*+uid *rom the "e++s on a sma++ s"reen and +et it dr,2 and he )ut it in his e+e"tron
mi"ros"o)e to see $hat he "ou+d see(

He "ou+dn<t e+ie#e his e,es( The sam)+e $as ?ammed $ith #irus )arti"+es( The dried
*+uid $as shot throu.h $ith somethin. that +oo!ed +i!e strin.( His reath sto))ed in his
throat( He thou.ht2 :arur.( He e+ie#ed he $as +oo!in. at :arur. #irus(

:ur)h, stood u) aru)t+,2 *ee+in. stran.e( The +a $here he had )re)ared these
sam)+es-that +a $as hot( The +a $as as hot as he++( He $ent out o* the mi"ros"o)e
room2 "+osin. the door ehind him2 and hurried do$n a ha++$a, to the +aorator, $here
he had $or!ed $ith the materia+(

He .ot a ott+e o* 4+oro> +ea"h and s"rued the room *rom to) to ottom2 $ashin.
"ounterto)s and sin!s2 e#er,thin.2 $ith +ea"h( He rea++, s"oured the )+a"e( A*ter he had
*inished2 he *ound 5atri"ia 1e and to+d her $hat he had seen in his mi"ros"o)e( She
te+e)honed her husand and said to him2 D=ar+2 ,ou<d etter "ome 0ui"! to the +a( 9red
has +oo!ed at a s)e"imen2 and he<s .ot $orms(D

Starin. at the $orms2 the, tried to "+assi*, the sha)es( The, sa$ sna!es2 )i.tai+s2
ran"h,2 *or!ed thin.s that +oo!ed +i!e the +etter 82 and the, noti"ed s0ui..+es +i!e a
sma++ .2 and ends +i!e the +etter U2 and +oo), &s( The, a+so noti"ed a "+assi" sha)e2
$hi"h the, e.an "a++in. the she)herd<s "roo!( 6ther Eo+a e>)erts ha#e ta!en to "a++in.
this +oo) the e,eo+t2 a*ter a o+t o* the same name that "an e *ound in a hard$are store(
It "ou+d a+so e des"ried as a 4heerio $ith a +on. tai+(

The ne>t da,2 5atri"a 1e ran some tests on the #irus and *ound that it did not rea"t to
an, o* the tests *or :arur. or an, other !no$n #irus( There*ore2 it $as an un!no$n
a.ent2 a ne$ #irus( She and her "o++ea.ues had iso+ated the strain and sho$n that it $as
somethin. ne$(

The, had earned the ri.ht to name the or.anism( =ar+ Bohnson named it Eo+a(

=ar+ Bohnson has sin"e +e*t the 4(3(4(2 and he no$ s)ends a .reat dea+ o* his time *+,-
*ishin. *or trout in :ontana( He does "onsu+tin. $or! on #arious matters2 in"+udin. the
desi.n o* )ressuri/ed hot /ones( I +earned that he "ou+d e rea"hed at a *a> numer in
Bi. S!,2 :ontana2 so I sent him a *a>( In it2 I said that I $as *as"inated , Eo+a #irus(
:, *a> $as re"ei#ed2 ut there $as no re)+,( So I $aited a da, and then sent him
another *a>( It *e++ a$a, into si+en"e( The man must ha#e een too us, *ishin. to other
to ans$er( A*ter I had .i#en u) ho)e2 m, *a> ma"hine sudden+, emitted this re)+,:

:r( 5reston:

Un+ess ,ou in"+ude the *ee+in. .enerated , .a/in. into the e,es o* a $a#in.
"on*rontationa+ "ora2 D*as"inationD is not $hat I *ee+ aout Eo+a( Ho$ aout shit
s"aredCD

T$o da,s a*ter he and his "o++ea.ues iso+ated Eo+a #irus *or the *irst time2 =ar+
Bohnson headed *or A*ri"a in the "om)an, o* t$o other 4(3(4( do"tors2 a+on. $ith
se#enteen o>es o* .ear2 to tr, to or.ani/e an e**ort to sto) the #irus in Haire and Sudan
Ethe outrea! in Sudan $as sti++ .oin. onF( The, *+e$ *irst to Gene#a2 to ma!e "onta"t
$ith the 1or+d Hea+th 6r.ani/ation2 $here the, *ound that the 1H6 !ne$ #er, +itt+e
aout the outrea!s( So the 4(3(4( do"tors or.ani/ed their e0ui)ment and )a"!ed more
o>es2 .ettin. read, to .o to the Gene#a air)ort2 *rom $here the, $ou+d *+, to A*ri"a(
But then2 at the +ast )ossi+e moment2 one o* 4(3(4( do"tors )ani"!ed( It is said he $as
the do"tor assi.ned to .o to Sudan2 and it is said he $as a*raid to )ro"eed an, *arther( It
$as not an unusua+ situation( As =ar+ Bohnson e>)+ained to me2 DI<#e seen ,oun.
)h,si"ians run *rom these hemorrha.i" #iruses2 +itera++,( The,<re una+e to $or! in the
midd+e o* an outrea!( The, re*use to .et o** the )+ane(D

Bohnson2 one o* the dis"o#erers o* Eo+a #irus2 )re*erred to ta+! aout these e#ents
$hi+e *+,-*ishin.( ED1e<#e .ot to !ee) our )riorities strai.ht2D he e>)+ained to me(F So I
*+e$ to :ontana and s)ent a "ou)+e o* da,s $ith him *ishin. *or ro$n trout ont the
Bi.horn Ri#er( It $as 6"toer2 the $eather had turned "+ear and $arm2 and the
"otton$ood trees a+on. the an!s $ere ,e++o$ and ratt+ed in a south $ind( Standin.
$aist-dee) in a muta+e s+i"! o* the ri#er2 $earin. sun.+asses2 $ith a "i.arette han.in.
*rom the "orner o* his mouth and a *+, rod in his hand2 Bohnson ri))ed his +ine o** the
$ater and +aid a "ast u)stream( He $as a +ean2 earded man2 $ith a so*t #oi"e that one
had to +isten *or in the $ind( He is a .reat *i.ure in the histor, o* #irus huntin.2 ha#in.
dis"o#ered and named some o* the most dan.erous +i*e *orms on the )+anet(

DI<m so .+ad nature is not eni.n2D he remar!ed( He studied the $ater2 too! a ste)
do$nstream2 and )+a"ed anther "ast( DBut on a da, +i!e toda,2 $e "an )retend nature is
eni.n( A++ monsters and easts ha#e their eni.n moments(D

D1hat ha))ened in HaireCD I as!ed(

D1hen $e .ot to =inshasa2 the )+a"e $as an aso+ute mad house2D he said( DThere $as
no ne$s "omin. out o* Buma2 no radio "onta"t( 1e !ne$ it $as ad in there2 and $e
!ne$ $e $ere dea+in. $ith somethin. ne$( 1e didn<t !no$ i* the #irus "ou+d e s)read
, dro)+ets in the air2 somethin. +i!e in*+uen/a( I* Eo+a had s)read easi+, throu.h the
air2 the $or+d $ou+d e a #er, di**erent )+a"e toda,(D

DHo$ soCD

DThere $ou+d e a +ot *e$er o* us( It $ou+d ha#e een e>"eedin.+, di**i"u+t to "on*irm
that #irus i* it had an, ma?or res)irator, "om)onent(

I did *i.ure that i* Eo+a $as the Andromeda strain-in"redi+, +etha+ and s)read ,
dro)+et in*e"tion-there $asn<t .oin. to e an, sa*e )+a"e in the $or+d an,$a,( It $as
etter to e $or!in. at the e)i"enter than to .et the in*e"tion at the 7ondon o)era(D

DAre ,ou $orried aout a s)e"ies-threatenin. e#entCD

He stared at me2 D1hat the he++ do ,ou mean , thatCD

DI mean a #irus that $i)es us out(D

D1e++2 I thin! it "ou+d ha))en( 4ertain+, it hasn<t ha))ened ,et(

I<m not $orried( :ore +i!e+, it $ou+d e a #irus that redu"es us , ninet, )er"ent(D

DNine out o* ten human !i++edC And ,ou<re not othered(D

A +oo! o* m,sterious amusement "rossed his *a"e( DA #irus "an e use*u+ to a s)e"ies ,
thinnin. it out2D he said(

A s"ream "ut the air( It sound nonhuman(

He too! his e,es o** the $ater and +oo!ed around( DHear that )heasantC That<s $hat I
+i!e aout the Bi.horn Ri#er2D he said(

D3o ,ou *ind #iruses eauti*u+CD

D6h2 ,eah2D he said so*t+,( DIsn<t true that i* ,ou stare into the e,es o* a "ora2 the *ear
has another side to itC The *ear is +essened as ,ou e.in to see the essen"e o* the eaut,(
7oo!in. at Eo+a under an e+e"tron mi"ros"o)e is +oo!in. at a .or.eous+, $rou.ht i"e
"ast+e( The thin. is "o+d( So tota++, )ure(D

=ar+ Bohnson e"ame the "hie* o* an internationa+ 1H6 team that .athered in =inshasa(

THE 6THER 4(3(4( do"tor2 Boe+ Breman2 $ho had *+o$n $ith Bohnson to Haire2
e"ame a memer o* a *ie+d e>)+oration team that oarded an air"ra*t ound *or the
interior to see $hat $as .oin. on in Buma( The air)+ane $as a 4-130 Bu**a+o troo)-
trans)ort2 an Ameri"an-made mi+itar, air"ra*t that e+on.ed to the Hairmen Air 9or"e( It
ha))ened to e 5resident :outu<s )ri#ate )+ane2 e0ui))ed $ith +eo)ard-s!in seats2
*o+din. eds2 and a $et ar2 a sort o* *+,in. )residentia+ )a+a"e that ordinari+, too! the
)resident and his *ami+, on #a"ations to S$it/er+and2 ut no$ it "arried the 1H6 team
into the hot /one2 *o++o$in. the 4on.o Ri#er north , east(

The, sat on the +eo)ard-s!in seats and stared out the $indo$s at end+ess tra"ts o* rain
*orest and ro$n ri#er2 a *eature+ess +an!et ro!en , the o""asiona+ .+eam o* an
o>o$ +a!e or a "+uster o* round huts strun. +i!e eads on a are+, #isi+e road or
*oot)ath( As he +eaned a.ainst the $indo$ and $at"hed the terrain un*o+d into the heart
o* A*ri"a2 Breman e"ame terri*ied o* "omin. to earth( It $as sa*e in the air2 hi.h ao#e
the immeasura+e *orest2 ut do$n there ((( It e.an to da$n on him that he $as .oin. to
Burma to die( He had re"ent+, een assi.ned to :i"hi.an as a state e)idemio+o.ist2 and
sudden+, he had een "a++ed to A*ri"a( He ha +e*t his $i*e a"! home in :i"ha.an $ith
their t$o "hi+dren2 and he e.an to sus)e"t that he $ou+d ne#er see them a.ain( He had
rou.ht an o#erni.ht a. $ith a toothrush2 and he had mana.ed to )a"! a *e$ )a)er
sur.i"a+ mas!s and some .o$ns and ruer .+o#es into the a.( He did not ha#e )ro)er
e0ui)ment *or hand+in. a hot a.ent( The Bu**a+o des"ended2 and the to$n o* Buma
a))eared2 a rottin. tro)i"a+ )ort s)read out a+on. the 4on.o Ri#er(

The Bu**a+o +anded at an airstri) outside the to$n( The )+ane<s Hairmen "re$ $as
terri*ied2 a*raid to reathe the air2 and the, +e*t the )ro)e++ers id+in. $hi+e the, sho$ed
the do"tors do$n the .an.$a, and hea#ed their a.s out a*ter them( The do"tors *ound
themse+#es standin. in the a"!$ash o* the Bu**a+o as it a""e+erated to ta!e o**(

In the to$n2 the, met $ith the .o#ernor o* Buma Hone( He $as a +o"a+ )o+iti"ian2 0uite
distrau.ht( He had *ound himse+* in dee) $aters2 in o#er his head( D1e are in a ad
$a,2D he to+d the do"tors( D1e ha#e not een a+e to .et sa+t or su.ar(D His #oi"e
trem+ed on the ed.e o* $ee)in. as he added2 D1e ha#e not e#en een a+e to .et eer(D

A Be+.ian do"tor on the team !ne$ ho$ to hand+e this situation(

1ith a dramati" *+ourish2 he )+a"ed a +a"! air+ine )i+ot<s a. on the ta+e( Then he
turned the a. u)side do$n2 and $ads o* "urren", s+a))ed out2 ma!in. an im)ressi#e
hea)( DGo#ernor2 )erha)s this $i++ ma!e thin.s a +itt+e etter(D he said(

D1hat are ,ou doin.CD Breman said to the Be+.ian(

The Be+.ian shru..ed( D7oo!2 this is the $a, thin.s are done here(D

The .o#ernor s"oo)ed u) the mone, and )+ed.ed his *u++ "oo)eration to.ether $ith a++
the e>tensi#e resour"es o* .o#ernment at his dis)osa+-and he +oaned them t$o 7and
Ro#ers(

The, )ushed north to$ard the Eo+a Ri#er(

It $as the rain, season2 and the DroadD $as a strin. o* mudho+es "ut , runnin. streams(
En.ines ho$+in.2 $hee+s s)innin.2 the, )ro"eeded throu.h the *orest at the )a"e o* a
$a++2 in "ontinua+ rain and o))ressi#e heat( 6""asiona++, the, "ame to #i++a.es2 and at
ea"h #i++a.e the, en"ountered a road+o"! o* *a++en trees( Ha#in. had "enturies o*
e>)erien"e $ith the sma++)o> #irus2 the #i++a.e e+ders had instituted their o$n methods
*or "ontro++in. the #irus2 a""ordin. to their re"ei#ed $isdom2 $hi"h $as to "ut their
#i++a.es o** *rom the $or+d2 to )rote"t their )eo)+e *rom a ra.in. )+a.ue( It $as re#erse
0uarantine2 an an"ient )ra"ti"e in A*ri"a2 $here a #i++a.e ars itse+* *rom stran.ers
durin. a time o* disease2 and dri#es a$a, outside $ho a))ear(

D1ho are ,ouC 1hat are ,ou doin.CD the, shouted to the 7and Ro#ers *rom ehind a
arrier o* trees(

D1e are do"torsI 1e are "omin. to he+)ID

E#entua++, the )eo)+e $ou+d "+ear a$a, the trees2 and the team $ou+d )ro"eed dee)er
into the *orest( In a +on. and des)erate da, o* tra#e+2 the, )enetrated *i*t, mi+es a$a,
*rom the 4on.o Ri#er2 and *ina++,2 to$ard e#enin.2 the, "ame to a ro$ o* round2 hat"hed
A*ri"an houses( Be,ond the houses stood a $hite "hur"h in the midd+e o* the *orest(
Around the "hur"h2 there $ere t$o so""er *ie+ds2 and in the midd+e o* one *ie+d the,
noti"ed a hea) o* urned mattresses( T$o hundred ,ards *arther on2 the, "ame to the
8amu!u :ission Hos)ita+2 a "om)+e> o* +o$2 $hite$ashed ui+din.s made o* "on"rete2
$ith "orru.ated tin roo*s(

The )+a"e $as as si+ent as a tom and a))eared to e deserted(

The eds $ere iron or $ooden *rames $ithout mattresses-the +ood-soa!ed mattresses
had een urned in the so""er *ie+d-and the *+oors $ere "+ean2 s)ot+ess2 rinsed( The team
dis"o#ered three sur#i#in. nuns and one )riest2 a+on. $ith a *e$ de#oted A*ri"an nurses(
The, had "+eaned u) the mess a*ter the #irus had $i)ed out e#er,one e+se2 and no$ the,
$ere us, *o..in. the rooms $ith inse"ti"ide2 in the ho)e that it mi.ht someho$
dis)erse the #irus( 6ne room in the hos)ita+ had not een "+eaned u)( No one2 not e#en
the nuns2 had the "oura.e to enter the ostetri" $ard( 1hen Boe+ Breman and the team
$ent in2 the, *ound asins o* *ou+ $ater standin. amon. dis"arded2 +oodstained
s,rin.es( The room had een aandoned in the midd+e o* "hi+dirths2 $ere d,in.
mothers had aorted *etuses in*e"ted $ith Eo+a( The team had dis"o#ered the red
"hamer o* #irus 0ueen at the end o* the earth2 $here the +i*e *orm had am)+i*ied
throu.h mothers and their unorn "hi+dren(

The rains "ontinued a++ da, and ni.ht( Around the hos)ita+ and the "hur"h stood the
eauti*u+ *ero"ious trees2 a "om)+e> o* "am)hors and tea!s( Their "ro$ns ent$ined and
"riss"rossed and $his)ered $ith rain2 and o$ed and shi*ted as troo)s o* mon!e,s
)assed throu.h them +i!e "urrents o* $ind2 +ea)in. *rom "ro$n to "ro$n2 "r,in. their
untrans+ata+e "ries( The ne>t da,2 the do"tors set out dee)er into the *orest in their 7and
Ro#ers2 and the, made "onta"t $ith in*e"ted #i++a.es2 $here the, *ound )eo)+e d,in. in
huts( Some o* the #i"tims had een )ut into iso+ation huts on the ed.e o* the #i++a.e-an
o+d A*ri"an te"hni0ue *or dea+in. $ith sma++)o>( Some o* the huts $here )eo)+e had
died had een urned do$n( A+read, the #irus seemed to e )eterin. out2 and most o*
the )eo)+e $ho $ere .oin. to die $ere a+read, dead2 the #irus ha#in. e"hoed so s$i*t+,
throu.h Buma( A $a#e o* emotion ro+ed o#er Boe+ Breman as he rea+i/ed2 $ith the
"+arit, o* a do"tor $ho sudden+, sees into the heart o* thin.s2 that the #i"tims had
re"ei#ed the in*e"tion *rom the hos)ita+(

The #irus had ta!en root $ith the nuns and had done its $or! amon. those $ho had
sou.ht he+) *rom them( In one #i++a.e2 he e>amined a man d,in. o* Eo+a( The man sat
in a "hair2 ho+din. his stoma"h and +eanin. *or$ard $ith )ain2 and +ood streamed
around his teeth(

The, tried to rea"h =inshasa , radio2 to te++ =ar+ Bohnson and the others that the
e)idemi" had a+read, )ea!ed( A $ee! +ater2 the, $ere sti++ tr,in. to ma!e radio "onta"t2
ut the, "ou+d not .et throu.h( The, tra#e+ed a"! to the to$n o* Buma and $aited ,
the ri#er( 6ne da, an air)+ane droned o#erhead( It "ir"+ed the to$n on"e and tou"hed
do$n2 and the, ran *or it(

AT THE NGA7IE:A H6S5ITA7 in =inshasa2 Nurse :a,in.a had een )ut into a
)ri#ate room2 $hi"h $as a""essi+e throu.h a !ind o* em)t, room2 a .ra, /one2 $here
the nurses and sta** $ere su))osed to )ut on io)rote"ti#e .ear e*ore the, entered(
:a,in.a $as "ared , a South A*ri"an do"tor named :ar.aretha Isaa"son2 $ho at *irst
$ore a mi+itar, .as mas!2 ut it e"ame in"reasi+, un"om*orta+e in the tro)i"a+ heat(
She thou.ht to herse+*2 I "an<t ear it( I<++ e sur)rised i* I "ome out o* this a+i#e an,$a,(
That made her thin! aout her o$n "hi+dren( She thou.ht2 :, "hi+dren are .ro$n u)2
the, are no .reat res)onsii+it,( And she remo#ed her mas! and treated the d,in. .ir+
*a"e-to *a"e(

3r( Isaa"son did e#er,thin. she "ou+d to sa#e :a,in.a2 ut she $as as he+)+ess e*ore
the a.ent as medie#a+ do"tors had een in the *a"e o* the +a"! )+a.ue( EDThis $as not
+i!e AI3S2D she $ou+d +ater re"a++( DAI3S is a "hi+d<s )+a, "om)ared $ith this(DF She
.a#e Nurse :a,in.a i"e "ues to su"! on2 $hi"h he+)ed to ease the )ain in her throat2
and she .a#e her Va+ium to tr, to sta#e o** her a))rehension o* $hat +a, ahead(

DI !no$ I am d,in.2D :a,in.a said to her(

DThat<s nonsense( 8ou ar not .oin. to die(D 3r( Isaa"son re)+ied(

1hen :a,in.a<s +eedin. e.an2 it "ame *rom her mouth and nose(

It ne#er "ame in a rush2 ut the +ood dri))ed and ran and $ou+d not sto) and $ou+d not
"+ot( It $as a hemorrha.i" nose +eed2 the !ind that does not sto) unti+ the heart sto)s
eatin.( E#entua++, 3r( Isaa"son .a#e her three trans*usions o* $ho+e +ood to re)+a"e
$hat she +ost in nose+eeds(

:a,in.a remained "ons"ious and des)ondent unti+ the end( In the *ina+ sta.e2 her heart
de#e+o)ed a .a++o)in. eat( Eo+a had entered her heart(

:a,in.a "ou+d *ee+ her heart .oin. +uer, inside her "hest2 and it *ri.htened her
uns)ea!a+,( That ni.ht2 she died o* a heart atta"!(

Her room $as "ontaminated $ith +ood2 and there $as a+so the 0uestion o* the t$o
nuns< rooms2 oth o* $hi"h $ere sti++ +o"!ed and +oodstrained( R( Isaa"son said to the
sta**2 DI $on<t e o* mu"h use to ,ou no$2D and she .ot a u"!et and mo) and $ash the
rooms(

:edi"a+ teams *anned out into =inshasa and mana.ed to +o"ate thirt,-se#en )eo)+e $ho
had *a"e-to-*a"e "onta"t $ith :a,in.a durin. the time $hen she had $andered around
the "it,( The, set u) t$o io"ontainment )a#i+ions at the hos)ita+ and shut the )eo)+e u)
*or a "ou)+e o* $ee!s( The, $ra))ed +i!e "ada#ers o* the nuns an Nurse :a,in.a in
sheets soa!ed in "hemi"a+s2 then dou+e-a..ed the mummies in )+asti" and )ut ea"h
one in an airti.ht "o**in $hi"h a s"re$-do$n +id2 and he+d the *unera+ ser#i"es at the
hos)ita+2 under the $at"h o* do"tors(

=ar+ Bohnson2 ha#in. heard nothin. *rom the team o* do"tors u)ri#er in Buma2
$ondered i* the, $ere dead2 and assumed that the #irus $as aout to .o on a urn
throu.h the "it,( He or.ani/ed a *+oatin. hos)ita+ shi) and had it moored in the 4on.o
Ri#er( It $as an iso+ation shi) *or do"tors( The "it, $ou+d e the hot /one2 and the
*+oatin. shi) $ou+d e the .ra, area2 the )+a"e o* re*u.e *or the do"tors(

A))ro>imate+, a thousand Ameri"ans $ere +i#in. in Haire at the time( In the United
States2 the Am,<s Ei.ht,-se"ond Airorne 3i#ision $ent on a+ert and )re)ared to
e#a"uate the Ameri"ans , air as soon as the *irst Eo+a "ases started )o))in. u) in the
"it,( But to the stran.e and $onder*u+ re+ie* o* Haire and the $or+d2 the #irus ne#er $ent
on a urn throu.h the "it,( It susides on the head$aters o* the Eo+a Ri#er and $ent
a"! to its hidin. )+a"e in the *orest( The Eo+a a.ent seemed not to e "onta.ious in
*a"e-to-*a"e "onta"ts( It did not seem to e a+e to tra#e+ throu.h the air( No one "au.ht
the #irus *rom Nurse :a,in.a2 e#en thou.h she had een in "+ose "onta"t $ith at +east
thirt,-se#en )eo)+e( She had shared a ott+e soda )o) $ith someone2 and not e#en that
)erson e"ame i++( The "risis )assed(

4AR3INA7

1%;' SE5TE:BER

AS 1ITH EB67A2 the se"ret hidin. )+a"e o* the :arur. a.ent $as un!no$n(

A*ter eru)tin. in 4har+es :onet and 3r( Shem :uso!e2 :arur. dro))ed out o* si.ht2
and no one "ou+d sa, $here it had .one( It seemed to #anish o** the *a"e o* the earth2 ut
#iruses ne#er .o a$a,2 the, on+, hide2 and :arur. "ontinued to ","+e in some reser#oir
o* anima+s or inse"ts in A*ri"a(

6n the se"ond o* da, o* Se)temer 1%;'2 around su))ertime2 Eu.ene Bohnson2 the
"i#i+ian ioha/ard e>)ert atta"hed to USA:RII32 stood in a )assen.er-arri#a+ area
outside the "ustoms .ates at 3u++es Internationa+ Air)ort2 near 1ashin.ton( He $as
$aitin. *or a =7: *+i.ht *rom Amsterdam2 $hi"h "arried a )assen.er $ho had "ome
*rom =en,a( A man $ith a du**+e a. )assed throu.h "ustoms2 and he and Bohnson
nodded to ea"h other(

EDI<m .oin. to +ea#e this )erson<s name out o* it( 7et<s ?ust sa, he $as someone I !ne$2
someone I trust(D Bohnson e>)+ained to meF( The man +aid do$n the du**+e a. at
Bohnson<s *eet2 un/i))ed it2 and )u++ed out a $ad o* ath to$e+s $ra))ed around
somethin.( 5u++in. o** the to$e+s2 he re#ea+ed an unmar!ed "ardoard o> $ound $ith
ta)e( He handed the o> to Bohnson( The, had +itt+e to sa, to ea"h other( Bohnson "arried
the o> out o* the termina+ ui+din.2 )ut it in the trun! o* his "ar2 and dro#e to the
Institute( The o> he+d +ood serum *rom a ten-,ear-o+d 3anish o, $ho $i++ e "a++ed
5eter 4ardina+( He had died a da, or so ear+ier at Nairoi Hos)ita+ $ith a "omination o*
e>treme s,m)toms that su..ested an unidenti*ied 7e#e+ @ #irus(

As he dro#e to the Institute2 Bohnson $ondered ?ust $hat he $as .oin. to do $ith the
o>( He $as in"+ined to steri+i/e its "ontents in an o#en and then in"inerate it( Bust "oo!
it and urn it2 and *or.et it(

:ost o* the sam)+es that "ame into the Institute-and sam)+es o* +ood and tissue arri#ed
"onstant+, *rom a++ )arts o* the $or+d-"ontained nothin. unusua+2 no interestin. #iruses(
In other $ords2 most o* the sam)+es $ere *a+se a+arms( Bohnson $asn<t sure he $anted to
ta!e the time to ana+,/e this o,<s +ood serum2 i*2 in a++ )roai+it,2 nothin. $ou+d e
*ound in it( B, the time he )u++ed into the .ates o* 9or! 3etri"!2 he had de"ided to .o
ahead( He !ne$ the $or! $ou+d !ee) him u) most o* the ni.ht2 ut it had to e done
immediate+,2 e*ore the +ood serum deriorated(

Bohnson )ut on a sur.i"a+ s"ru suit and ruer .+o#es2 and "arried the o> into the
7e#e+ 3 sta.in. area o* the Eo+a suite2 $here he o)ened the o>2 re#ea+in. a mass o*
*oam )eanuts( 6ut o* the )eanuts he *ished a meta+ ",+inder sea+ed $ith ta)e and mar!ed
$ith a ioha/ard s,mo+( A+on. the $a++ o* the sta.in. area $as a ro$ o* stain+ess-stee+
"ainets $ith ruer .+o#es )rotrudin. into them( The, $ere Biosa*et, 7e#e+ @ "ainets(
The, "ou+d e sea+ed o** *rom the outside $or+d $hi+e ,ou hand+ed a hot a.ent inside
them $ith the ruer .+o#es( These "ainets $ere simi+ar in desi.n to the sa*et, "ainets
that are used to hand+in. nu"+ear-om )arts( Here the "ainets $ere desi.ned to !ee)
human ein.s *rom "omin. into dire"t "onta"t $ith Nature( Bohnson uns"re$ed some
$in.nuts and o)ened a door in the "ainets2 and )+a"ed the meta+ ",+inder inside( He
"+osed and ti.htened the door(

Ne>t2 he )ut his hands into the .+o#es2 )i"!ed u) the ",+inder and2 +oo!in. throu.h a
$indo$ to see $hat he $as doin.2 )ee+ed the ta)e o** the ",+inder( The ta)e stu"! to his
ruer .+o#es2 and he "ou+dn<t .et it o**( 3amnI he s$ore to himse+*( It $as no$ ei.ht
o<"+o"! at ni.ht2 and he $ou+d ne#er .et home( 9ina++, he .ot the ",+inder o)en(

Inside it $as a $ad o* )a)er to$e+ soa!ed in +ea"h( He )u++ed a)art the $ad and *ound
a Hi)+o" a.( It "ontained a "ou)+e o* )+asti" tues $ith s"re$ to)s( He uns"re$ed them
and shoo! out t$o #er, sma++ )+asti" #ia+s "ontainin. .o+den +i0uid: 5eter 4ardina+<s
+ood serum(

The o,<s mother and *ather $or!ed *or a 3anish re+ie* or.ani/ation =en,a2 and +i#ed in
a house in the to$n o* =isumu2 on 7a!e Vi"toria( 5eter had een a student at a oardin.
s"hoo+ in 3enmar!( That Au.ust2 a *e$ $ee!s e*ore he died2 he had .one to A*ri"a to
#isit his )arents and his o+der sister( She $as a student at a )ri#ate s"hoo+ in Nairoi( She
and 5eter $ere #er, "+ose2 and $hi+e 5eter $as #isitin. his *ami+, in =en,a2 the t$o
,oun. )eo)+e s)ent most o* their time to.ether-rother and sister2 est *riends(

The 4ardina+ *ami+, $ent on #a"ation a*ter 5eter<s arri#a+2 and tra#e+ed , "ar throu.h
=en,a-his mother and *ather $anted to sho$ him the eaut, and s$eetness o* A*ri"a(
The, $ere #isitin. :omasa2 sta,in. in a hote+ , the sea2 $hen 5eter de#e+o)ed red
e,es( His )arents too! him to the hos)ita+2 $here the do"tors e>amined him an
"on"+uded that he had "ome do$n $ith ma+aria( His mother did not e+ie#e it $as
ma+aria( She e.an to )er"ei#e that her son. $as d,in.2 and she e"ame *ranti"( She
insisted that he e ta!en to Nairoi *or treatment( The 9+,in. 3o"tors2 an air-amu+an"e
ser#i"e2 )i"!ed him u)2 and he $as rushed to Nairori Hos)ita+2 $here he "ame under
"are o* 3r( 3a#id Si+#erstein2 $ho had a+so ta!en "are o* 3r( :uso!e a*ter 4har+es
:onet had s)e$ed the +a"! #omit into :uso!e<s e,es(

D5ETER 4AR3INA7 1AS a +ond-haired2 +ue-e,ed .u,2 a ta++2 thin .u,2 a *it-+oo!in.
ten-,ear-o+d2D 3r( Si+#erstein re"a++ed as $e dran! "o**ee and tea at a ta+e in the
sho))in. ma++ near his house outside 1ashin.ton( A sma++ .ir+ sittin. urst into $ai+s2
and her mother hushed her( 4ro$ds o* sho))ers )assed , our ta+e( I !e)t m, e,es on
3r( Si+#erstein<s *a"e-stee+-rimmed .+asses2 musta"he2 e,es that .a/ed into s)a"e-as he
re"a++ed the unusua+ death he had seen2 $hi"h he s)o!e o* a matter-o*-*a"e $a,( D1hen
5eter "ame to me2 he $as *eri+e2 ut he $as #er, $ith it2 #er, a+ert and "ommuni"ati#e(
1e .a#e him an J-ra,( His +un.s $ere *+u**,(D

A !ind o* $ater, mu"us had e.un to "o++e"t in the o,<s +on.s2 $hi"h "aused him
di**i"u+t, in reathin.( DIt $as a t,)i"a+ AR3S )i"ture-a"ute res)irator, distress
s,ndrome-+i!e ear+, )neumonia2D 3r( Si+#erstein said(

DShort+, a*ter$ard2 he started turnin. +uish on it( He had +ue in his *in.erti)s( A+so2 he
had +itt+e red s)ots( I had e#er,od, .+o#e u) e*ore the, hand+ed him( 1e sus)e"ted he
had :arur.2 ut $e didn<t ha#e the )aranoia $e had $ith 3r( :uso!e( 1e ?ust too!
)re"autions( In t$ent,-*our hours2 he $as on a res)irator( 1e noted that he +ed easi+,
*rom )un"ture sites2 and he had deran.ed +i#er *un"tions( The sma++ red s)ots e"ame
+ar.e2 s)ontaneous ruises( He turned +a"!-and-+ue( Then his )u)i+s di+ated u) on us(
That $as a si.n o* rain death( He $as +eedin. around the rain(D

He s$e++ed u)2 and his *i++ed $ith )o"!ets o* +ood( In some )+a"es2 the s!in a+most
se)arated *rom the under+,in. tissue( This ha))ened durin. the +ast )hase2 $hi+e he $as
on a res)irator( It is "a++ed third s)a"in.( I* ,ou +eed into the *irst s)a"e2 ,ou +eed into
,ou +un.s( I* ,ou +eed into the se"ond s)a"e2 ,ou +eed into ,our stoma"h and
intestines( I* ,ou +eed into the third s)a"e2 ,ou +eed into the s)a"e et$een the s!in
and the *+esh( The s!in )u**s u) and se)arates *rom the *+esh +i!e a a.( 5eter 4ardina+
had +ed out under his s!in(

THE :6RE 6NE "ontem)+ates the hot #iruses2 the +ess the, +oo! +i!e )arasites and the
more the, e.in to +oo! +i!e )redators( It is a "hara"teristi" o* a )redator to e"ome
in#isi+e to its )re, durin. the 0uiet and sometimes +en.th, sta+! that )re"edes an
e>)+osi#e atta"!( The sa#anna .rass ri))+es on the )+ains2 and the on+, sound in the air is
the sound o* A*ri"an do#es "a++in. *rom a"a"ia trees2 a )u+se that .oes on throu.h the
heat o* the da, and ne#er s+o$s and ne#er ends( In the distan"e2 in the *+i"!erin. heat2 in
the immense distan"e2 a herd o* /eras .a/e( Sudden+, *rom the .rass "omes a strea! o*
mo#ement2 and a +ion is amon. them and han.s on a /era<s throat( The /era .i#es out
a ar!in. "r,2 "ho!ed o**2 and the t$o inter+o"!ed ein.s2 the )redator and the )re,2 s)in
around in a dan"e2 unti+ ,ou +ose si.ht o* the a"tion in a i++o$ o* dust2 and the ne>t da,
the ones ha#e a sur*a"e o* *+ies( Some o* the )redators that *eed on humans ha#e +i#ed
on the earth *or a +on. time2 *ar +on.er than the human ra"e2 and their ori.ins .o a"!2 it
seems2 a+most to the *ormation o* the )+anet( 1hen a human ein. is *ed u)on and
"onsumed , one o* them2 es)e"ia++, in A*ri"a2 the e#ent is te+es"o)ed a.ainst hori/ons
o* s)a"e and time2 and ta!es on a *ee+in. o* immense anti0uit,(

5eter 4ardina+<s )arents and sister $ere stunned as the, $at"hed him ein. s+o$in. torn
a)art , an in#isi+e )redator( The, "ou+d not "om)rehend his su**erin. or rea"h him to
.i#e him "om*ort( As the +ood )oured into his third s)a"e2 his e,es remained o)en and
di+ated2 starin.2 +ood,2 dee)2 dar!2 and ottom+ess( The, didn<t !no$ i* he "ou+d see
them2 and the, "ou+dn<t te++ $hat he sa$ or thou.ht or *e+t ehind the o)en e,es( The
ma"hines hoo!ed u) to his s"a+) $ere sho$in. *+at+ines in his rain( There $as +itt+e
e+e"tri"a+ a"ti#it, in his rain2 ut no$ and then the *+at+ines .a#e a s)oo!, t$it"h2 as i*
somethin. "ontinued to stru..+e inside the o,2 some destro,ed *ra.ment o* his sou+(

The, had to ma!e a de"ision aout $hether to turn o** the res)irator( 3r( Si+#erstein said
to them2 D1e<re mu"h etter o** not +ettin. him sur#i#e2 e"ause o* rain death(D

DI* the, had on+, rou.ht him in sooner *rom :omasa2D the mother said(

DI<m sorr,2 ut that $ou+d not ha#e he+)ed( There $as nothin. that an,one "ou+d ha#e
done2D Si+#erstein re)+ied to her( DHe $as doomed *rom the e.innin.(D

16R=ING 1ITH HIS hands in the ruer .+o#es )rotrudin. into the "ainets2 Gene
Bohnson too! a +itt+e it o* the o,<s +ood serum and dro))ed it into *+as!s that
"ontained +i#in. "e++s *rom a mon!e,( I* an,thin. +i#ed in 5eter 4ardina+<s +ood2 it
mi.ht e.in to re)+i"ate in the mon!e, "e++s( Then Bohnson $ent home to .et some
s+ee)( The )ro"edure had ta!en him unti+ three o<"+o"! in the mornin. to *inish(

In the *o++o$in. da,s2 Bohnson $at"hed the *+as!s to see i* there $ere an, "han.es in
the mon!e, "e++s( He sa$ that the, $ere urstin. and d,in.( The, $ere in*e"ted $ith
somethin.( The 4ardina+ strain $as de*inite+, a hot a.ent-it !i++ed the "e++s in #ast
numers2 and it !i++ed them *ast(

No$ *or the ne>t sta.e o* the #irus iso+ation( He dre$ o** a +itt+e it o* *+uid *rom the
*+as!s and in?e"ted it into three rhesus mon!e,s2 to in*e"t them $ith the 4ardina+ a.ent(
T$o o* the mon!e,s died and the third anima+ $ent into order+ine sho"!2 ut someho$
)u++ed throu.h and sur#i#ed( So the 4ardina+ a.ent $as #i"ious+, hot2 a *ast re)+i"ator2
and it "ou+d !i++ mon!e,s( DI !ne$ .od-damned $e++ $e had :arur.2D Bohnson $ou+d
+ater sa, to me(

He too! some o* the 4ardina+ strain and in?e"ted it into .uinea )i.s to see i* it $ou+d
in*e"t them( It !i++ed them +i!e *+ies( Not on+, that2 the testi"+es o* the ma+es s$e++ed u)
to the si/e o* .o+* a++s and turned )ur)+e( The 4ardina+ strain $as a so)histi"ated
or.anism that !ne$ $hat the, $anted( It "ou+d mu+ti)+, in man, di**erent !inds o* meat(
It $as an in#asi#e +i*e *orm2 de#astatin. and )romis"uous( It sho$ed a !ind o* os"enit,
,ou see on+, in nature2 an os"enit, so e>treme that it disso+#es im)er"e)ti+, into
eaut,( It made a +i#in. some$here in A*ri"a( 1hat made it )arti"u+ar+, interestin. $as
that it mu+ti)+ied easi+, in #arious s)e"ies2 in mon!e,s2 humans2 .uinea )i.s( It $as
e>treme+, +etha+ in these s)e"ies2 $hi"h meant that its ori.ina+ host $as )roa+, not
mon!e,s2 humans or .uinea )i.s ut some other anima+ or inse"t that it did not !i++( A
#irus does not .enera++, !i++ its natura+ host( The :arur. #irus $as a tra#e+er: it "ou+d
?um) s)e"ies; it "ou+d rea! throu.h the +ines that se)arate one s)e"ies *rom another2
and $hen it ?um)ed into another s)e"ies2 it "ou+d de#astate the s)e"ies( It did not !no$
oundaries( It did not !no$ $hat humans are; or )erha)s ,ou "ou+d sa, that it !ne$ on+,
too $e++ $hat humans are: it !ne$ that humans are meat(

As soon as he iso+ated the 4ardina+ strain and "on*irmed that it $as :arur.2 Bohnson
turned his attention to the 0uestion o* $here and ho$ 5eter 4ardina+ ni.ht ha#e e"ome
in*e"ted( 1here had that !id eenC 1hat had he een doin. to .et himse+* in*e"tedC
E>a"t+, $here had he tra#e+edC

These 0uestions haunted Bohnson( He had een tr,in. to *ind the se"ret reser#oirs o* the
thread #iruses *or ,ears(

He te+e)honed a *riend and "o++ea.ue in =en,a named 3r( 5eter Tur!ei2 $ho $as a
s"ientist at the =en,a :edi"a+ Resear"h Institute in Nairoi( D1e !no$ this is :arur.2D
Gene said to him( D4an ,ou .et a histor, o* the !idC 9ind out $here he $as and $hat he
didCD

3r( Tu!ei said he $ou+d +o"ate the )arents and inter#ie$ them(

A $ee! +ate2 Gene<s te+e)hone ran.( It $as 3r( Tu!ei on the +ine(

D8ou !no$ $here that !id $asCD he said( DHe $as in =itum 4a#e on :ount E+.on(D

Gene *e+t a )ri"!+in. sensation on his s"a+)( The )aths o* 4har+es :onet and 5eter
4ardina+ had "rossed at on+, one )+a"e on earth2 and that $as inside =itum 4a#e( 1hat
had the, done in the "a#eC 1hat had the, *ound in thereC 1hat had the, tou"hedC 1hat
had the, reathedC

1hat +i#ed in =itum 4a#eC

G6ING 3EE5

EUGENE B6HNS6N SAT at a )i"ni" ta+e at 9ort 3etri"! near a du"! )ond2 +eanin.
*or$ard and .a/in. at me( It $as hot da, in the midd+e o* summer(

He $as $earin. sun.+asses( He )+a"ed his +ar.e e+o$s on the ta+e2 too! o** his
sun.+asses2 and rued his e,es( He $as si> *oot t$o2 ma,e t$o hundred and *i*t,
)ounds( His e,es $ere ro$n and set dee) in his earded *a"e2 and there $ere dar!
"ir"+es under the +o$er +ids( He +oo!ed tired(

DSo 5eter Tu!ei .ot on the )hone to te++ me that the o, had #isited =itum 4a#e2D
Bohnson said( DI sti++ .et "hi++s $hen I thin! aout it( A *e$ $ee!s +ater2 I *+e$ to
Nairoi2 and I ta+!ed $ith 3a#id Si+#erstein2 the !id<s do"tor( 5eter Tu!ei $as $ith me(
Then $e $ent e#er,)+a"e in =en,a the !id $ent2 e#en to his house( His )arents had a
ni"e house in =isumu2 near 7a!e Vi"toria( It $as a stu""o house $ith a $a++ around it2
and there $as a "oo! and .rounds!ee)ers and a dri#er( The house $as "+ean and neat2
o)en and $hite$ashed( 1e sa$ that there $as a ro"! h,ra> +i#in. on the roo*( It $as a
)et2 and it +i#ed in the .utters(

There $ere a "ou)+e o* stor!s2 and there $ere raits and .oats and a++ !inds o* irds( I
didn<t see an, ats around this house(D

He )aused2 thin!in.( No one e+se $as around( A *e$ du"!s s$am in the )ond( DI $as
rea++, ner#ous aout ta+!in. $ith the )arents2D he said(

DSee2 I am a *ie+d )erson( :, $i*e and I don<t ha#e "hi+dren( I<m not the !ind o* a .u,
$ho "an "onso+e a mother2 )+us I $or! in the U(S( mi+itar,( I had no idea ho$ to ta+! to
them( I tried to )ut m,se+* in their )+a"e2 and I rememered ho$ I *e+t $hen m, *ather
died( I +et them ta+! aout their son2 5eter 4ardina+ and his sister had een inse)ara+e
*rom the moment he arri#ed in =en,a( The !ids had s)ent the $ho+e time to.ether2 doin.
e#er,thin. to.ether( So $hat $as the di**eren"e in eha#iorC 1h, did 5eter 4ardina+ .et
the #irus ut not his sisterC There $as one di**eren"e in their eha#ior( The )arents to+d
me a stor, aout the ro"!s in the "a#e( The, to+d me their !id $as an amateur .eo+o.ist(

There $as this issue: did he "ut his hand on an, "r,sta+s in the "a#eC 1e $ent o#er that
)ossii+it, $ith the )arents2 5eter had said to them that he $anted to "o++e"t some o* the
"r,sta+s in =itum 4a#e( So he eat on the $a++s o* the "a#e $ith a hammer and "o++e"ted
some ro"!s $ith "r,sta+s in them( The ro"!s $ere ro!en u) , the dri#er and $ashed
, the "oo!(

1e tested their +ood2 and the, $ere not )ositi#e *or :arur.(D

It seems )ossi+e that the )oint o* "onta"t had een the o,<s hands2 that the #irus had
entered 4ardina+<s +oodstream throu.h a tin, "ut( 5ossi+, he had )ri"!ed his *in.er on
a "r,sta+ that had een "ontaminated $ith urine *rom some anima+ or the remains o* a
"rushed inse"t( But e#en i* he had )ri"!ed his *in.er on a "r,sta+2 that didn<t te++ $here
the #irus +i#ed in nature; it didn<t identi*, the #irus<s natura+ host(

D1e $ent to +oo! at the "a#e2D he said( D1e had to )rote"t ourse+#es $hen $e $ent
inside( 1e !ne$ that :arur. is transmitted , the aeroso+ route(D

In 1%;&-the ,ear e*ore 5eter 4ardina+ died-Gene Bohnson had done an e>)eriment that
sho$ed that :arur. and Eo+a "an indeed tra#e+ throu.h the air( He in*e"ted mon!e,s
$ith :arur. and Eo+a , +ettin. them reathe it into their +un.s2 and he dis"o#ered
that a #er, sma++ dose o* airorne :arur. or Eo+a "ou+d start an e>)+osi#e in*e"tion in
a mon!e,(

There*ore2 Bohnson $anted the memers o* e>)edition to $ear reathin. a))aratus
inside the "a#e(

DI rou.ht $ith me these mi+itar, .as mas!s $ith *i+ters( 1e needed some !ind o*
"o#erin. to )ut o#er our heads2 too2 or $e<d .et at shit in our hair( 1e ou.ht
)i++o$"ases at a +o"a+ store( The, $ere $hite2 $ith i. *+o$ers( So the *irst time $e $ent
into the "a#e2 it $as a un"h o* =en,ans and me $earin. these mi+itar, .as mas!s and
these *+o$ered )i++o$"ases on our heads2 and the =en,ans are ?ust "ra"!in. u)(D

The, e>)+ored the "a#e and made a ma) o* it( A*ter this s"outin. tri)2 Gene Bohnson
)ersuaded the Arm, to s)onsor a ma?or e>)edition to =itum 4a#e( Ha+* a ,ear a*ter
5eter 4ardina+ died2 in the s)rin. o* 1%;;2 Gene sho$ed u) in Nairoi $ith t$ent,
shi))in. "rates *u++ o* ioha/ard .ear and s"ienti*i" e0ui)ment( It in"+uded se#era+
mi+itar, od, a.s2 *or ho+din. human "ada#ers2 and the memers o* his team had a
serious dis"ussion amon. themse+#es aout ho$ to hand+e their o$n remains i* one o*
them died o* :arur.( This time2 Gene *e+t that he $as "+osin. in on the #irus( He !ne$
it $ou+d e hard to *ind e#en i* it +i#ed inside =itum 4a#e2 ut he *e+t he $as .ettin. too
"+ose to *ai+ in his 0uest( The monster +i#ed in a "a#e2 and he $as .oin. in there to *ind
it(

The =en,an .o#ernment a.reed to "+ose =itum 4a#e to tourists $hi+e the ?oint =en,a-
U(S( e>)edition sear"hed it *or #iruses( The head o* the e>)edition $as 3r( 5eter Tu!ei
o* =en,a :edi"a+ Resear"h Institute( Gene Bohnson "on"ei#ed the idea and .athered the
e0ui)ment and *ound the mone, to )a, *or t( There $ere thirt,-*i#e team memers2 and
most o* them $ere =en,ans2 in"+udin. $i+d+i*e natura+ists2 s"ientists2 do"tors2 and
+aorers( The, rou.ht a+on. a +ar.e numer o* .uinea )i.s2 tra#e+in. in o>es2 and
se#enteen mon!e,s in "a.es2 in"+udin. aoons2 S,!es< mon!e,s2 and A*ri"an .reen
mon!e,s( The mon!e,s and .uinea )i.s $ere sentine+ anima+s2 +i!e "anaries in a "oa+
mine: the, $ou+d e )+a"ed in "a.es inside and near =itum 4a#e in the ho)e that some
o* them $ou+d rea! $ith :arur. #irus( There are no instruments that "an dete"t a
#irus( The est $a, to *ind a #irus in the $i+d2 at the )resent time2 is to )+a"e a sentine+
anima+ at the sus)e"ted +o"ation o* the #irus and ho)e the anima+ .ets si"!( Bohnson
*i.ured that i* an, o* his mon!e,s or .uinea )i.s "rashed2 he $ou+d e a+e to iso+ate the
#irus *rom the si"! anima+s and $ou+d )erha)s e a+e to dis"o#er ho$ the anima+s had
"au.ht it(

1%;; S5RING

THE =UTU: 4AVE e>)edition set u) head0uarters in the :ount E+.on 7od.e2 a
de"a,ed resort datin. *rom the nineteen t$enties2 $hen the En.+ish had ru+ed East
A*ri"a( The +od.e had een ui+t *or s)ortin. )eo)+e and trout *ishermen( It sat on a
)romontor, o#er+oo!in. the red-dirt road that $ound u) the mountain to =itum 4a#e( It
had on"e een surrounded , En.+ish .ardens2 $hi"h had )art+, "o++a)sed into "+a, and
A*ri"an $eeds(

Indoors there $ere hard$ood *+oors2 $a>ed dai+, to )er*e"t .+eam( The +od.e had
turrets $ith round rooms and medie#a+ doors2 hand-"ar#ed *rom A*ri"an o+i#e $ood2 and
the +i#in. room oasted an immense *ire)+a"e $ith a "ar#ed mante+)ie"e( The sta**
s)o!e #er, +itt+e En.+ish2 ut the, $ere intent on maintainin. En.+ish hos)ita+it, *or the
rare .uest $ho mi.ht ha))en to sho$ u)( The :ount E+.on 7od.e $as a monument to
the in"om)+ete *ai+ure o* the British Em)ire2 $hi"h "arried on automati"a++,2 +i!e an
un"ontro++a+e ti"2 in the )ro#in"ia+ a"!$aters o* A*ri"a +on. a*ter it had died at the
"ore( In the e#enin.s2 as the *rost-tin.ed ni.ht "ame on2 the sta** ui+t *ires o* E+.on
o+i#e +o.s in the *ire)+a"es2 and the *ood in the dinin. room $as horri+e2 in the est
En.+ish tradition( There $as2 ho$e#er2 a s)+endid ar( It $as a 0uaint hidea$a, in a
round "hamer2 sto"!ed $ith shinin. ro$s o* Tus!er-eer ott+es and 9ren"h a)eriti*s
and os"ure A*ri"an randies( The men "ou+d sit at the ar and drin! Tus!ers or +ean on
the .reat mante+ , the *ire and te++ stories a*ter a hard da, in the "a#e $earin. a s)a"e
suit( A si.n on the $a++ , the "on"ier.e<s des! mentioned the de+i"ate matter o* mone,(
It announ"ed that sin"e :ount E+.on 7od.e<s su))+iers had "ut o** a++ "redit to the +od.e2
the +od.e $as un*ortunate+, una+e to e>tend an, "redit to its .uests(

The, mo#ed the anima+s u) the mountain in sta.es2 to +et them .et used to the "+imate(
1hen the, .ot to the #a++e, that +eads to the "a#e2 the, "+eared a$a, some underrush
and )ut u) +ue tar)au+ins( The "a#e itse+* $as "onsidered to e a 7e#e+ @ hot /one( The
tar) "+osest to the "a#e "o#ered a .ra, area2 a )+a"e $here the $or+ds met( The men too!
"hemi"a+ sho$ers under the .ra,-area tar)2 to de"on their s)a"e suits a*ter a #isit to the
"a#e( Another tar) "o#ered a 7e#e+ 3 sta.in. area2 $here the men "han.ed in and out o*
their s)a"e suits( Another tar) "o#ered a 7e#e+ @ ne"ro)s, area( Under that tar)2 $earin.
s)a"e suits2 the, disse"ted an, sma++ anima+s that the, had tra))ed2 +oo!in. *or si.ns o*
:arur. #irus(

D1e $ere .oin. $here no one had .one e*ore2D Bohnson said to me(

D1e rou.ht the Biosa*et, 7e#e+ @ )hi+oso)h, to the ?un.+e(D

The, $ore oran.e Ra"a+ s)a"e suits inside the "a#e( A Ra"a+ suit is a )orta+e2 )ositi#e-
)ressure s)a"e suit $ith a atter,-)o$ered air su))+,( It is *or use in *ie+d$or! $ith
e>treme ioha/ards that are e+ie#ed to e airorne( A Ra"a+ suit is a+so !no$n as an
oran.e suit e"ause it is ri.ht oran.e( It is +i.hter than a 4hemturion2 and un+i!e a
4hemturion2 it is *u++, )orta+e2 $ith a se+*-"ontained reathin. a))aratus( The main
od, o* the suit Ea)art *rom he+met and the +o$ersF is dis)osa+e2 so that ,ou "an urn
it a*ter usin. it on"e or t$i"e(

1earin. their Ra"a+ s)a"e units2 the, +aid out a trai+ that $ound into =itum 4a#e2
mar!in. the trai+ $ith a#a+an"he )o+es so that )eo)+e $ou+d not .et +ost( A+on. the trai+2
the, )+a"ed "a.es ho+din. the mon!e,s and .uinea )i.s( The, surrounded the "a.es $ith
e+e"tri*ied $ire2 )o$ered , a atter,2 to dis"oura.e +eo)ards *rom tr,in. to eat the
mon!e,s( The, )+a"ed some o* the mon!e,s dire"t+, underneath at "o+onies in the roo*
o* the "a#e2 ho)in. that somethin. $ou+d dro) on a mon!e, that $ou+d "ause the anima+
to rea! $ith :arur.(

The, "o++e"ted some$here et$een thirt, thousand and se#ent, thousand itin. inse"ts
inside the "a#e-the "a#e is *u++ o* u.s( D1e )ut sti"!um )a)er o#er "ra"!s in the "a#e2
to "at"h "ra$+in. u.s2D Bohnson said to me( D1e hun. +i.ht tra)s inside the "a#e to
"o++e"t *+,in. inse"ts( The +i.ht tra)s $ere atter, )o$ered( 8ou !no$ ho$ to "o++e"t
ti"!sC The, "ome out o* the .round $hen the, sme++ "aron dio>ide *rom ,our reath(
The, sme++ it and "ome u) and ite ,our ass( So $e rou.ht these hu.e tan!s o* "aron
dio>ide2 and $e used it to attra"t ti"!s( 1e tra))ed a++ the rodents that $ent into the
"a#e( 1e used Ha#ahart tra)s(

1a, at the a"! o* the "a#e2 , a )oo+ o* $ater2 $e *ound sand *+ies(

These are itin. *+ies( 1e sa$ +eo)ard tra"!s a++ o#er the )+a"e2 and 4a)e-u**a+o tra"!s(
1e didn<t ta!e an, *ood sam)+es *rom +ar.e anima+s2 nothin. *rom +eo)ards or u**a+o(
Nothin. *rom the ante+o)es(D

D4ou+d :arur. +i#e in +ar.e A*ri"an "atsCD I as!ed( D4ou+d it e a +eo)ard #irusCD

D:a,e( 1e ?ust didn<t ha#e )ermits to tra) +eo)ards( 1e did "o++e"t .enet "ats2 and it
$asn<t there(D

D4ou+d it +i#e in e+e)hantsCD

D3id ,ou e#er tr, to dra$ +ood *rom a $i+d e+e)hantC 1e didn<t(D

The =en,an natura+ists tra))ed and netted hundreds o* irds2 rodents2 h,a>es2 and ats(
In the hot ne"ro)s, /one2 under the tar)2 the, sa"ri*i"ed the anima+s and disse"ted them
$hi+e $earin. Ra"a+ suits2 ta!in. sam)+es o* +ood and tissue2 $hi"h the, *ro/e in ?ars
o* +i0uid nitro.en( Some +o"a+ )eo)+e-the, $ere E+.on :asai-had +i#ed inside some o*
the "a#es on :ount E+.on and had !e)t their "att+e in the "a#es( The =en,an do"tors
dre$ +ood *rom their "att+e( None o* the +o"a+ )eo)+e or the "att+e tested )ositi#e *or
:arur. antiodies-i* the, had tested )ositi#e2 it $ou+d ha#e sho$n that the, had een
e>)osed to :arur.(

3es)ite the *a"t that nood, sho$ed si.ns o* ha#in. een in*e"ted2 the E+.on :asai
"ou+d te++ stories o* ho$ a *ami+, memer2 a "hi+d or a ,oun. $i*e2 had died +eedin. in
someone<s arms( The, had seen *ami+, memers "rash and +eed out2 ut $hether their
i++nesses $ere "aused , :arur. or some other #irus-$ho "ou+d te++C 5erha)s the +o"a+
:asa )eo)+e !ne$ the :arur. a.ent in their o$n $a,( I* so2 the, had ne#er .i#en it a
name(

None o* the sentine+ mon!e,s e"ame si"!( The, remained hea+th, and ored2 ha#in.
sat in their "a.es in the "a#e *or $ee!s( The e>)eriment re0uired that the, e sa"ri*i"ed
at the end o* the time so that the resear"hers "ou+d ta!e tissue sam)+es and oser#e their
odies *or an, si.ns o* in*e"tion( At this )oint2 the hard )art o* )rimate resear"h e.an to
torment Gene Bohnson( He "ou+d not ein. himse+* to euthani/e the mon!e,s( He
"ou+dn<t stand the idea o* !i++in. them and "ou+dn<t .o into the "a#e to *inish the ?o( He
$aited outside in the *orest $hi+e another memer o* the team )ut on a s)a"e suit and
$ent inside and .a#e the mon!e,s massi#e shots o* sedati#e2 $hi"h )ut them to s+ee)
*ore#er(

DI don<t +i!e !i++in. anima+s2D he said to me( DThat $as a ma?or issue *or me( A*ter
,ou<#e *ed <em ananas( That $as terri+e( It su"!ed(D He )ut on his oran.e Ra"a+ s)a"e
suit and o)ened u) the mon!e,s under ne"ro)s, tent2 *ee+in. *rustrated and sad2
es)e"ia++, $hen a++ the mon!e,s turned out to e hea+th,(

The e>)edition $as a dr, ho+e( A++ the sentine+ anima+s remained hea+th,2 and the +ood
and tissue sam)+es *rom the other anima+s2 inse"ts2 irds2 :asai )eo)+e2 and their "att+e
sho$ed no si.n o* :arur. #irus( It must ha#e een a itter disa))ointment *or Gene
Bohnson2 so disheartenin. that he $as ne#er a+e to rin. himse+* to )u+ish an a""ount
o* the e>)edition and its *indin.s( There seemed to e no )oint in )u+ishin. the *a"t that
he hadn<t *ound an,thin. in =itum 4a#e( A++ that he "ou+d sa, *or sure is that :arur.
+i#es in the shado$ o* :ount E+.on(

1hat Bohnson did not !no$ at the time2 ut $hat he sensed a+most instin"ti#e+, a*ter
the *ai+ure o* the =itum 4a#e e>)edition2 $as that the !no$+ed.e and e>)erien"e he
.ained inside a "o#er in A*ri"a2 and the s)a"e suits and ioha/ard .ear he "arried a"!
$ith him to the Institute2 mi.ht ser#e him $e++ at another time and in another )+a"e( He
!e)t his A*ri"an .ear hidden a$a, at the Institute2 )i+ed in o+i#e-dra mi+itar, trun!s in
stora.e rooms and in tra"tor trai+ers )ar!ed ehind ui+din.s and )ad+o"!ed2 e"ause he
did not $ant an,one e+se to tou"h his .ear or use it or ta!e it a$a, *rom him( He $anted
to e read, to +oad it on an air)+ane at a moment<s noti"e2 in "ase :arur. or Eo+a
"ame to the sur*a"e a.ain in A*ri"a( And sometimes he thou.ht o* a *a#orite sa,in.2 a
remar! , 7ouis 5asteur2 D4han"e *a#ors the )re)ared mind(D 5asteur de#e+o)ed
#a""ines *or anthra> and raies(

1%;% SU::ER

THE AR:8 HA3 a+$a,s had a hard time *i.urin. out $hat to do $ith Nan", and Berr,
Baa>( The, $ere married o**i"ers at the same ran! in a sma++ "or)s2 the #eterinar, 4or)s(
1hat do ,ou do $ith a married )air o* do.., do"tors $ho need to e )romotedC 1hat i*
one o* them Ethe $i*eF is trained in the use o* s)a"e suitsC 1here do ,ou send themC The
Arm, assi.ned the Baa>es to the Institute o* 4hemi"a+ 3e*ense2 near Aerdeen2
:ar,+and( The, so+d their Vi"torian house and mo#ed2 rin. their irds and anima+s
$ith them(

Nan", $as not sorr, to +ea#e the house in Thurmont( The, mo#ed into a tra"t house2
$hi"h $as more to her +i!in.2 and there the, e.an to raise *ish in tan!s2 as a ho,2 and
Nan", $ent to $or! in an Arm, )ro.ram to stud, the e**e"ts o* ner#e .as on rat rains(
Her ?o $as to o)en u) the rat<s head and *i.ure out $hat the ner#e .as has done to the
rain( This $as sa*er and more )+easant than $or!in. $ith Eo+a2 ut it $as a +itt+e du++(
E#entua++, she and Berr, oth re"ei#ed )romotions to +ieutenant "o+one+ and $ore si+#er
oa! +ea#es on their shou+ders( Baime and Bason $ere .ro$in. u)( Baime e"ame a su)er
.,mnast2 short and $ir, +i!e Nan",2 and Nan", and Berr, had ho)es *or her in the
nationa+s2 i* not the 6+,m)i"s( Bason .re$ into a ta++2 0uiet !id( Her!,2 their )arrot2 did
not "han.e( 5arrots +i#e *or man, ,ears( He $ent on shoutin. D:omI :omID and
$hist+in. the mar"h *rom The Brid.e on The Ri#er =$ai(

4o+one+ Ton, Bohnson2 Nan",<s "ommandin. o**i"er $hen she had $or!ed at
USA:RII32 rememered her "om)eten"e in a s)a"e suit and $anted to .et her a"!( He
*e+t she e+on.ed at the Institute( He $as e#entua++, a))ointed head o* )atho+o., at
1a+ter Reed Arm, :edi"a+ 4enter2 and $hen that ha))ened2 his o+d ?o "ame o)en2 the
?o o* "hie* o* )atho+o., at the Institute( He ur.ed the Arm, to a))oint Nan", Baa> to
the )osition2 and the Arm, +istened( The, a.reed that she ou.ht to e doin. hot
io+o.i"a+ $or!2 and she .ot the ?o in the summer o* 1%;%( At the same time2 the Arm,
a))ointed Berr, Baa> head o* the #eterinar, di#ision at the Institute( So the Baa> e"ame
im)ortant and rather )o$er*u+ *i.ures( Nan", $ent a"! to io+o.i"a+ $or! in s)a"e
suits(

Berr, sti++ didn<t +i!e it2 ut he had +earned to +i#e $ith it(

1ith these )romotions2 the Baa> so+d their house in Aerdeen and mo#ed a"! to
Thurmont2 in Au.ust 1%;%( This time2 Nan", to+d Berr, it $as not .oin. to e a
Vi"torian( The, ou.ht a "ontem)orar, 4a)e house $ith dormer $indo$s2 $ith a +ot o*
+and around it2 meado$ and *orest2 $here the do.s "ou+d run and the "hi+dren "ou+d )+a,(
Their house stood on the +o$er s+o)e o* 4ato"tin :ountain2 o#er+oo!in. the to$n2 ao#e
a sea o* a))+e or"hards( 9rom their !it"hen $indo$2 the, "ou+d +oo! into the distan"e
o#er ro++in. *arm+and $here armies had mar"hed durin. the 4i#i+ 1ar( 4entra+ :ar,+and
stret"hed a$a, to the hori/on in *o+ds and ho++o$s2 in ands o* trees and rum)+ed *ie+d2
studded , si+os that mar!ed the )resen"e o* *ami+, *arms( Hi.h o#er the eauti*u+
"ountr,side2 )assen.er ?ets "riss"rossed the s!,2 +ea#in. $hite "ontrai+s ehind them(

CC

5ART T16

THE :6N=E8 H6USE

REST6N

1%;% 64T6BER @2 1E3NES3A8

THE 4IT8 69 Reston2 Vir.inia2 is a )ros)erous "ommunit, aout ten mi+es $est o*
1ashin.ton2 3(4(2 ?ust e,ond the Be+t$a,( 6n a *a++ da,2 $hen a $estern $ind "+ears
the air2 *rom the u))er *+oors o* the o**i"e ui+din.s in Reston ,ou "an see the "ream,
s)i!e o* 1ashin.ton :onument2 sittin. in the midd+e o* the :a++2 and e,ond it the
4a)ito+ dome( The )o)u+ation o* Reston has .ro$n in re"ent ,ears2 and hi.h-te"hno+o.,
usiness and +ue-"hi) "onsu+tin. *irms ha#e mo#ed into o**i"e )ar!s there2 $here .+ass
ui+din.s .re$ u) durin. the nineteen-ei.hties +i!e "r,sta+s( Be*ore the "r,sta+s
a))eared2 Reston $as surrounded , *arm+and2 and it sti++ "ontains meado$s( In s)rin.2
the meado$s urst into .a+a>ies o* ,e++o$-mustard *+o$ers2 and roins and thrashers
sin. in stands o* tu++i) tresses and $hite ash( The to$n o**ers handsome residentia+
nei.horhoods2 .ood s"hoo+s2 )ar!s2 .o+* "ourses2 e>"e++ent da, "are *or "hi+dren( There
are +a!es in Reston named Ameri"an natura+ists E+i!e Thoreau2 7a!e AuduonF2
surrounded , e>)ensi#e $ater-*ront homes( Reston is situated $ithin eas, "ommutin.
distan"e o* do$nto$n 1ashin.ton( A+on. 7eesur. 5i!e2 $hi"h *unne+s tra**i" into the
"it,2 there are de#e+o)ments o* e>e"uti#e homes $ith :er"edes-Ben/es )ar!ed in
"res"ent-sha)ed dri#e$a,s( Reston $as on"e a "ountr, to$n2 and its histor, sti++ *+i.hts
o+iteration2 +i!e a nai+ that $on<t sta, hammered do$n( Amon. the u)s"a+e houses2 ,ou
see the o""asiona++, un.a+o$ $ith "ardoard stu**ed in a ro!en $indo$ and a )i"!u)
tru"! )ar!ed in the side ,ard( In the autumn2 #e.eta+e stands a+on. 7eeur. 5i!e se++
)um)!ins and utternut s0uash(

Not *ar *rom 7eesur. 5i!e there is a sma++ o**i"e )ar!( It $as ui+t in nineteen-si>ties2
and is not as .+ass, or as *ashiona+e as the ne$er o**i"e )ar!s2 ut it is "+ean and neat2
and it has een there +on. enou.h *or s,"amores and s$eet-.um trees to .ro$ u) around
it and thro$ shade o#er the +a$ns( A"ross the street2 a :"3ona+d<s is ?ammed at +un"h
hour $ith o**i"e $or!ers( In the autumn o* 1%;%2 a "om)an, "a++ed Ha/+eton Resear"h
5rodu"ts $as usin. a one-stor, ui+din. in the o**i"e )ar! as a mon!e, house( Ha/+eton
Resear"h 5rodu"ts is a di#ision o* 4ornin.2 In"( 4ornin.<s Ha/+eton unit is in#o+#ed $ith
the im)ortation an sa+e o* +aorator, anima+s( The Ha/+eton mon!e, house $as !no$n
as the Reston 5rimate Quarantine Unit(

Ea"h ,ear2 aout si>teen thousand $i+d mon!e,s are im)orted into the United States
*rom the tro)i"a+ re.ions o* the earth( Im)orted mon!e,s must e he+d in 0uarantine *or
a month e*ore the, are shi))ed an,$here e+se in the United States( This is )re#ent the
s)read o* in*e"tious diseases that "ou+d !i++ other )rimates2 in"+udin. humans(

3an 3a+.ard2 a do"tor o* #eterinar, medi"ine2 $as the "onsu+tin. #eterinarian at the
Reston 5rimate Quarantine Unit( He $as on "a++ to ta!e "are o* the mon!e,s i* the,
e"ame si"! or needed medi"a+ attention(

He $as a"tua++, a )rin"i)a+ s"ientist at another "om)an, o$ned , 4ornin.2 "a++ed
Ha/+eton 1ashin.ton( This "om)an, has its head0uarters on 7eesur. 5i!e not *ar *rom
the mon!e, house2 and so 3a+.ard "ou+d easi+, dri#e his "ar o#er to Reston to "he"! on
the mon!e,s i* he $as needed there(

3a+.ard $as a ta++ man in his *i*ties2 $ith meta+-*ramed .+asses2 )a+e +ue e,es2 and a
so*t dra$+ that he had )i"!ed u) in Tedas at #eterinar, s"hoo+( Genera++, he $ore a .ra,
usiness suit i* he $as $or!in. in his o**i"e2 or a $hite +a "oat i* he $as $or!in. $ith
anima+s( He had an internationa+ re)utation as !no$+ed.ea+e and s!i++ed #eterinarian
$ho s)e"ia+i/ed in )rimate husandr,( He $as a "a+m e#en-tem)ered man( 6n e#enin.s
and $ee!ends2 he re)aired anti0ue "+o"!s as a ho,( He +i!ed to *i> thin.s $ith his
hands; it made him *ee+ )ea"e*u+ and "a+m2 and he $as )atient $ith a ?ammed "+o"!( He
sometimes had +on.in.s to +ea#e #eterinar, medi"ine and de#ote himse+* *u++-time to
"+o"!s(

6n 1ednesda,2 6"toer @2 1%;%2 Ha/+eton Resear"h 5rodu"ts a""e)ted a shi)ment o* a
hundred $i+d mon!e,s *rom the 5hi+i))ines( The shi)ment ori.inated at 9er+ite 9arms2 a
mon!e, $ho+esa+e *a"i+it, +o"ated not *ar *rom :ani+a( The mon!e,s themse+#es "ame
*rom "oasta+ rain *orests on the is+and o* :indanao( The mon!e,s had een shi))ed ,
oat to 9er+ite 9arms2 $here the, $ere .rou)ed to.ether in +ar.e "a.es !no$n as .an.
"a.es( The mon!e,s $ere then )ut into $ooden "rates and *+o$n to Amsterdam on a
s)e"ia++, *itted "ar.o air)+ane2 and *rom Amersdam the, $ere *+o$n to Ne$ 8or! 4it,(
The, arri#ed at B9= Internationa+ Air)ort and $ere dri#en , tru"! do$n the eastern
seaoard o* the United Sates to Reston mon!e, house(

The mon!e,s $ere "ra-eatin. mon!e,s2 a s)e"ies that +i#es a+on. ri#ers and in
man.ro#e s$am)s in Southeast Asia( 4ra eaters are used as +aorator, anima+s e"ause
the, are "ommon2 "hea)2 and easi+, otained(

The, ha#e +on.2 ar"hin.2 $hi)+i!e tai+s2 $hitish *ur on the "hest2 and "ream-"o+or *ur on
the a"!( The "ra eater is a t,)e o* ma"a0ue E)ronoun"ed ma-=A4=F( It is sometimes
"a++ed a +on.-tai+ed ma"a0ue( The mon!e, has a )rotrusi#e2 do.+i!e snout $ith *+arin.
nostri+s and shar) "anine teeth( The s!in is )in!ish .ra,2 "+ose to the "o+or o* a $hite
)erson( The hand +oo!s 0uite human2 $ith a thum and de+i"ate *in.ers $ith *in.ernai+s(
The *ema+es ha#e t$o reasts on the u))er "hest that +oo! start+in.+, human2 $ith )a+e
ni))+es(

4ra eaters do not +i!e humans( The, ha#e a "om)etiti#e re+ationshi) $ith )eo)+e $ho
+i#e in the rain *orest( The, +i!e #e.eta+es2 es)e"ia++, e..)+ants2 and the, +i!e to raid
*armers< "ro)s(

4ra-eatin. mon!e,s tra#e+ in a troo)2 ma!in. tum+in. ?um)s throu.h the trees2
s"reamin.2 D=raI =raID( The, !no$ )er*e"t+, $e++ that a*ter the, ha#e )u++ed o** an
e..)+ant rad the, are +i!e+, to ha#e a #isit *rom a *armer2 $ho $i++ "ome around +oo!in.
*or them $ith a shot.un2 and so the, ha#e to e read, to mo#e out and head dee) into
the *orest at a moment<s noti"e( The si.ht o* a .un $i++ set o** their a+arm "ries: D=raI
=raI

=raID( in some )arts o* the $or+d2 these mon!e,s are "a++ed !ras2 e"ause o* the sound
the, ma!e2 and man, )eo)+e $ho +i#e in Asian rain *orests "onsider them to e
ono>ious )ests( At the "+ose o* da,2 $hen ni.ht "omes2 the troo) .oes to s+ee) in a
dead2 +ea*+ess tree( This is the troo)<s home tree( The mon!e,s )re*er to s+ee) in a dead
tree so that the, "an see in a++ dire"tions2 !ee)in. $at"h *or humans and other )redators(
The mon!e, tree usua++, han.s out o#er a ri#er2 so that the, "an re+ie#e themse+#es *rom
the ran"hes $ithout +itterin. the .round(

At sunrise2 the mon!e,s stir and $a!e u)2 and ,ou hear their "ries as the, .reet the sun(
The mothers .ather their "hi+dren and herd them a+on. the ran"hes2 and the troo)
mo#es out2 +ea)in. throu.h trees2 sear"hin. *or *ruit( The, +i!e to eat a++ !inds o* thin.s(
In addition to #e.eta+es and *ruits2 the, eat inse"ts2 .rass2 roots2 and sma++ )ie"es o*
"+a,2 $hi"h the, "he$ and s$a++o$2 )erha)s to .et sa+t and minera+s(

The, +ust a*ter "ras( 1hen the ur.e *or "ras "omes u)on them2 the troo) $i++ head *or
a man.ro#e s$am) to ha#e a *eedin. out( The, des"end *rom the trees and ta!e u)
)ositions in the $ater eside "ra ho+es( A "ra "omes out o* its ho+e2 and the mon!e,
snat"hes it out o* the $ater( The mon!e, has a $a, to dea+ $ith the "ra<s "+a$s( He
.ras the "ra *rom ehind as it emer.es *rom its ho+e and ri)s o** the "+a$s and thro$s
them a$a, and then de#ours the rest o* the "ra( Sometimes a mon!e, isn<t 0ui"!
enou.h $ith the "+a$s2 and the "ra +at"hes onto the mon!e,<s *in.ers2 and the mon!e,
+ets out a shrie! and sha!es its hand2 tr,in. to .et the "ra o**2 and ?um)s around in the
$ater( 8ou "an a+$a,s te++ $hen "ra eaters are ha#in. a *eedin. out on "ras e"ause
,ou hear an o""asiona++, strin. o* shrie!s "omin. out o* the s$am) as a resu+t o*
di**i"u+t, $ith a "ra(

The troo) has a stri"t hierar"h,( It is +ed , a dominant ma+e2 the +ar.est2 most
a..ressi#e mon!e,( He maintains "ontro+ o#er the troo) , starin.( He stares do$n
suordinates i* the, "ha++en.e him( I* a human stares at a dominant ma+e mon!e, in a
"a.e2 the mon!e, $i++ rush to the *ront o* the "a.e2 starin. a"!2 and $i++ e"ome
e>"eedin.+, an.r,2 s+ammin. a.ainst the ars2 tr,in. to atta"! the )erson( He $i++ $ant
to !i++ the human $ho stared at him: he "an<t a**ord to sho$ *ear $hen his authorit, is
"ha++en.ed , another )rimate( I* t$o dominant ma+e mon!e,s are )+a"ed in the same
"a.e2 on+, one mon!e, $i++ +ea#e the "a.e a+i#e(

The "ra-eatin. mon!e,s at the Reston mon!e, house $ere )+a"ed ea"h in its o$n "a.e2
under arti*i"ia+ +i.hts2 and $ere *ed mon!e, is"uits and *ruit( There $ere t$e+#e
mon!e, rooms in the mon!e, house2 and the, $ere desi.nated , the +etters A throu.h
7( T$o o* the mon!e,s that arri#ed on 6"toer @ $ere dead in their "rates( That $as not
unusua+2 sin"e mon!e,s die durin. shi)ments( But in the ne>t three $ee!s2 an unusua+
numer o* mon!e,s e.an to die at the Reston mon!e, house(

6N 64T6BER @2 the same da, the shi)ment o* mon!e,s rea"hed the Reston mon!e,
house2 somethin. ha))ened that $ou+d "han.e Berr, Baa><s +i*e *ore#er( Berr, had a
rother named Bohn2 $ho +i#ed in =ansas 4it, $ith his $i*e and t$o sma++ "hi+dren(
Bohn Baa> $as a )rominent usinessman and a an!er2 and he $as a )artner in a
manu*a"turin. "om)an, that made )+asti" *or "redit "ards( He $as a "ou)+e o* ,ears
,oun.er than Berr,2 and the t$o men $ere as "+ose as rothers "an e( The, had .ro$n
u) to.ether on a *arm in =ansas and had oth .one to "o++e.e at =ansas State(

The, +oo!ed #er, mu"h a+i!e: ta++2 $ith )remature+, .ra, hair2 a ea! nose2 shar) e,es2
a "a+m manner; and their #oi"es sounded a+i!e( The, on+, di**eren"e in a))earan"e
et$een them $as Bohn $ore a musta"he and Berr, did not(

Bohn Baa> and his $i*e )+anned to attend a )arent-tea"hers< meetin. on the e#enin. o*
6"toer @ at their "hi+dren<s s"hoo+( Near the end o* the da,2 Bohn te+e)honed his $i*e
*rom his o**i"e at the manu*a"turin. )+ant to te++ her that he $ou+d e $or!in. +ate( She
ha))ened to e out o* house $hen he "a++ed2 so he +e*t a messa.e on the ans$erin.
ma"hine2 e>)+ainin. that he $ou+d .o dire"t+, *rom the o**i"e to the meetin.2 and he
$ou+d see her there( 1hen he did not sho$ u)2 she e"ame $orried( She dro#e o#er to
the *a"tor,(

The )+a"e $as deserted2 the ma"hines si+ent( She $a+!ed the +en.th o* the *a"tor, *+oor
to a stair"ase( Bohn<s o**i"e o#er+oo!ed the *a"tor, *+oor *rom a a+"on, at the to) o* the
stair"ase( She "+imed the stairs( The door to his o**i"e $as standin. o)en a "ra"!2 and
she $ent inside( Bohn had een shot man, times2 and there $as +ood a++ o#er the room(
It $as a #io+ent !i++in.(

The )o+i"e o**i"er $ho too! the "ase at =ansas 4it, Homi"ide $as named Reed Buente(
He has !no$ Bohn )ersona++, and had admired him2 ha#in. $or!ed *or him as a se"urit,
.uard at the Ban! o* =ansas 4it, $hen Bohn $as )resident o* the an!( 6**i"er Buente
$as determined to so+#e the "ase and rin. the !i++er or !i++ers to tria+( But as time $ent
, and no rea!s "ame a+on.2 the in#esti.ator e"ame dis"oura.ed( Bohn Baa> had een
ha#in. di**i"u+ties $ith his )artner in the )+asti" usiness2 a man named Bohn 1ea#er2
and =ansas 4it, homi"ide +oo!ed at the )artner as a sus)e"t( E1hen I "a++ed 6**i"er
Buente re"ent+,2 he "on*irmed this(

1ea#er has sin"e died o* a heart atta"!2 and the "ase remains o)en2 sin"e unso+#ed
murder "ases are ne#er "+osed(F There $ere *e$ )h,si"a+ "+ues2 and 1ea#er2 as it turned
out2 had an a+ii( The in#esti.ator ran into more and more di**i"u+ties $ith the "ase( At
one )oint2 he said to Berr,2

D8ou "an ha#e someone !i++ed )rett, eas,( And it<s "hea)( 8ou "an ha#e someone !i++ed
*or $hat ,ou $ou+d )a, *or a des!(D

The murder o* Bohn Baa> thre$ Berr, into a )ara+,sis o* .rie*(

Time is su))osed to hea+ a++ thin.s2 ut time o)ened an emotiona+ .an.rene in Berr,(
Nan", e.an to thin! that he $as in a "+ini"a+ de)ression(

DI *ee+ +i!e m, +i*e is o#er2D he said to her( DIt<s ?ust not the same an,more( :, +i*e $i++
ne#er e the same( It<s ?ust in"on"ei#a+e that Bohnn, "ou+d ha#e had an enem,(D At the
*unera+ in =ansas 4it,2 Nan", and Berr,<s "hi+dren2 Baime and Bason2 +oo!ed into "o**in
and said to their *ather2 DGee2 3ad2 he +oo!s +i!e ,ou +,in. there(D

He "a++ed =ansas 4it, Homi"ide near+, e#er, da, durin. 6"toer and No#emer( The
in#esti.ator ?ust "ou+dn<t rea! the "ase( Berr, e.an to thin! aout .ettin. a .un and
.oin. out to =ansas 4it, to !i++ Bohn<s usiness )artner( He thou.ht( I* I do it2 I<++ e in
?ai+2 and $hat aout m, "hi+drenC An $hat i* Bohn<s )artner hadn<t een ehind the
murderC Then I<++ ha#e !i++ed an inno"ent man(

N6VE:BER 12 1E3NES3A8

THE 4676N8 :ANGER at the Reston mon!e, house $i++ e "a++ed Bi++ Vo+t( As he
$at"hed his mon!e,s die2 Vo+t e"ame "on"erned( 6n No#emer 12 a +itt+e +ess than a
month a*ter the shi)ment o* mon!e,s had arri#ed2 he )ut in a te+e)hone "a++ to 3an
3a+.ard2 te++in. him that the mon!e,s that had re"ent+, arri#ed *rom the 5hi+i))ines
$ere d,in. in unusua++, +ar.e numers( He had "ounted t$ent,-nine deaths out o* a
shi)ment o* a hundred mon!e,s( That is2 near+, a third o* the mon!e,s had died( At the
same time2 a )ro+em had de#e+o)ed $ith the ui+din.<s heatin. and air-hand+in. s,stem(
The thermostat had *ai+ed2 and the heat $ou+d not .o o**( The heaters dum)ed heat at
*u++ +ast into the ui+din.2 and the air-"onditionin. s,stem $ou+d not !i"! in( It had
e"ome a$*u++, hot inside the ui+din.( Vo+t $ondered i* the heat mi.ht e )uttin. stress
on the mon!e,s( He had noti"ed that most o* the deaths had ta!en )+a"e in one room2
Room 92 $hi"h $as +o"ated on a +on. ha++$a, at the a"! o* the ui+din.(

3a+.ard a.reed to dri#e o#er to the mon!e, house and ha#e a +oo!2 ut he e"ame us,
$ith other thin. and did not .et there unti+ the *o++o$in. $ee!( 1hen he arri#ed2 Bi++
Vo+t too! him to Room 92 the *o"us o* the deaths2 so that 3a+.ard "ou+d ins)e"t the
mon!e,s( The, )ut on $hite "oats and sur.i"a+ mas!s2 and the t$o men $a+!ed do$n a
+on. "inder-+o"! "orridor +ined on oth sides $ith stee+ doors +eadin. to mon!e, rooms(
The "orridor $as #er, $arm2 and the, e.an to s$eat(

Throu.h $indo$s in the doors2 the, "ou+d see hundreds o* mon!e, e,es +oo!in. at
them as the, )assed( The mon!e,s $ere e>0uisite+, sensiti#e to the )resen"e o* humans(

Room 9 "ontained on+, "ra-eatin. mon!e,s *rom the 6"toer shi)ment *rom 9er+ite
9arms in the 5hi+i))ines( Ea"h mon!e, sat on its o$n "a.e( The mon!e,s $ere sudued(
A *e$ $ee!s a.o2 the, had een s$in.in. in the trees2 and the, didn<t +i!e $hat had
ha))ened to them(

3a+.ard $ent *rom "a.e to "a.e2 .+an"in. at the anima+s( He "ou+d te++ a +ot aout a
mon!e, *rom the +oo! in its e,es( He "ou+d a+so read its od, +an.ua.e( He sear"hed *or
anima+s that seemed )assi#e or in )ain(

3a+.ard<s starin. into their e,es dro#e them erser!( 1hen he )assed a dominant ma+e
and +oo!ed "are*u++, at it2 it rushed him2 $antin. to ta!e him out( He *ound a mon!e,
$hose e,es had a du++ a))earan"e2 not shin, and ri.ht ut .+a/ed and some$hat
ina"ti#e( The e,e+ids $ere do$n2 s+i.ht+, s0uinted( Norma++, the +ids $ou+d e retra"ted
so that "ou+d see the entire iris( A hea+th, mon!e,<s e,es $ou+d e +i!e t$o ri.ht "ir"+es
in the mon!e,<s *a"e( This anima+<s e,e+ids had "+osed do$n s+i.ht+,2 and the, dro))ed2
so that the iris had e"ome a s0uintin. o#a+(

He )ut on +eather .aunt+et .+o#es2 o)ened the door o* the "a.e2 rea"hed inside2 and
)inned the mon!e, do$n( He s+i))ed one hand out o* a .+o#e and 0ui"!+, *e+t the
mon!e,<s stoma"h( 8es-the anima+ *e+t $arm to the tou"h( It had a *e#er( And it had a
runn, nose( He +et .o o* the mon!e, and shut the door( He didn<t thin! that the anima+
$as su**erin. *rom )neumonia or a "o+d( 5erha)s the anima+ $as a**e"ted , heat stress(

It $as #er, $arm in this room( He ad#ised Bi++ Vo+t to )ut some )ressure on the
+and+ord to .et the heatin. s,stem *i>ed( He *ound a se"ond anima+ that a+so had droo),
e,e+ids2 $ith that "ertain s0uint in the e,es( This one a+so *e+t hot to the tou"h2 *e#erish(
So there $ere t$o si"! mon!e,s in Room 9(

B6TH :6N=E8S 3IE3 durin. the ni.ht( Bi++ Vo+t *ound them in the mornin.2
hun"hed u) in their "a.es2 starin. $ith .+ass,2 ha+*-o)en e,es( This .reat+, "on"erned
Vo+t2 and he de"ided to disse"t the anima+s2 to tr, to see $hat had !i++ed them( He "arried
the t$o de"eased mon!e,s into an e>amination room do$n the ha++$a, and shut the
door a*ter him2 out o* si.ht o* the other mon!e,s( E8ou "an<t "ut u) a dead mon!e, in
*ront o* other mon!e,s-it $i++ "ause a riot(F He o)ened the mon!e,s $ith a s"a+)e+ and
e.an his ins)e"tion( He did not +i!e $hat he sa$2 and did not understand it2 so he "a++ed
3a+.ard on the te+e)hone and said2 DI $onder i* ,ou "ou+d "ome o#er here and ha#e a
+oo! at these mon!e,s(D

3a+.ard dro#e o#er to the mon!e, house immediate+,( His hands2 $hi"h $ere so
"on*ident and s!i++*u+ at ta!in. a)art "+o"!s2 )roed the mon!e,s( 1hat he sa$ inside
the anima+s )u//+ed him( The, a))eared to ha#e died o* heat stress2 rou.ht on2 he
sus)e"ted2 , the )ro+ems $ith the heatin. s,stem in the ui+din.-ut their s)+eens
$ere $eird+, en+ar.ed( Heat stress $ou+dn<t +o$ u) the s)+een2 $ou+d itC He noti"ed
somethin. e+se that .a#e him )ause( Both anima+s had sma++ amounts o* +ood in their
intestines( 1hat "ou+d do thatC

7ater that same da,2 another +ar.e shi)ment o* "ra-eatin. mon!e,s arri#ed *rom 9er+ite
9arms( Bi++ Vo+t )ut the ne$ mon!e,s in Room H2 t$o doors do$n the ha++ *rom Room
9(

3an 3a+.ard e"ame #er, $orried aout the mon!e,s in Room 9( He $ondered i* there
$as some !ind o* in*e"tious a.ent .oin. around the room(

The +ood in the .ut +oo!ed +i!e the e**e"ts o* a mon!e, #irus "a++ed simian
hemorrha.i" *e#er2 or SH9( This #irus is dead+, to mon!e,s2 a+thou.h it is harm+ess to
)eo)+e( EIt "an<t +i#e in humans(F Simian *e#er "an s)read ra)id+, throu.h a mon!e,
"o+on, and $i++ .enera++, $i)e it out(

It $as no$ 9rida,2 No#emer 10( 3a+.ard )+anned to s)end the $ee!end *i>in. his
"+o"!s in the *ami+, room o* his house( But as he +aid out his too+s and the )ie"es o* an
anti0ue "+o"! that needed *i>in.2 he "ou+d not sto) thin!in. aout the mon!e,s( He $as
$orried aout them(

9ina++, he to+d his $i*e that he had to .o out on "om)an, usiness2 and he )ut on his
"oat and dro#e o#er to the mon!e, house and )ar!ed in *ront o* the ui+din. and $ent in
throu.h the *ront door( It $as a .+ass door2 and as he o)ened it2 he *e+t the unnatura+ heat
in the ui+din. $ash o#er him2 and he heard the *ami+iar s"ree"hes o* mon!e,s( He $ent
into Room 9(

D=raI =raID the mon!e,s "ried at him in a+arm( There $ere three more dead mon!e,s(
The, $ere "ur+ed u) in their "a.es2 their e,es o)en2 e>)ression+ess( This $as not .ood(
He "arried the dead mon!e,s into the e>amination room and s+it the anima+s o)en2 and
+oo!ed inside(

S66N A9TER1AR32 3A7GAR3 e.an to !ee) a diar,( He !e)t it on a )ersona+
"om)uter2 and he $ou+d t,)e in a *e$ $ords ea"h da,( 1or!in. 0ui"!+, and $ithout
mu"h thou.ht2 he .a#e his diar, a tit+e2 "a++in. it2 D4hrono+o., o* E#entsD( It $as no$
.ettin. "+ose to the midd+e o* No#emer2 and as the sun $ent do$n in the a*ternoon and
tra**i" ?ams ui+t u) on 7eesur. 5i!e near his o**i"e2 3a+.ard $or!ed on his diar,(
Ta))in. at the !e,s2 he "ou+d re"a++ in his mind<s e,e $hat he had seen inside the
mon!e,s(

The +esions , this time $ere sho$in. a )attern o* mar!ed s)+enome.a+, Es$o++en
s)+eenF-stri!in.+, dr, on "ut sur*a"e2 en+ar.ed !idne,s2 and s)oradi" o""urren"es o*
hemorrha.e in a #ariet, o* or.ans ((( 4+ini"a++,2 the anima+s sho$ed aru)t anore>ia
E+oss o* a))etiteF2 and +ethar.,( 1hen an anima+ e.an sho$in. si.ns o* anore>ia2 its
"ondition deteriorated ra)id+,( Re"ta+ tem)eratures ta!en on mon!e,s ein. sa"ri*i"ed
$ere not e+e#ated( Nasa+ dis"har.e2 e)ista>is E+ood noseF or +ood, stoo+s $ere not
e#ident((( :an, o* the anima+s $ere in )rime "ondition and had more od, *at than is
"ustomar, *or anima+s arri#in. *rom the $i+d(

There $as nothin. mu"h $ron. $ith the dead anima+s2 nothin. that he "ou+d )ut his
*in.er on( The, sim)+, sto))ed eatin. and died( The, died $ith their e,es o)en2 and
$ith starin. e>)ressions on their *a"es(

1hate#er this disease $as2 the "ause o* death $as not o#ious( 1as it heart atta"!C a
*e#erC 1hatC

L The s)+een $as ine>)+i"a+, $eird( The s)+een is a !ind o* a. that *i+ters the
+ood2 and it )+a,s a ro+e in the immune s,stem( A norma+ s)+een is a so*t sa"! $ith a
dri)), red "enter2 $hi"h reminded 3a+.ard o* a ?err, dou.hnut( 1hen ,ou "ut into a
norma+ s)+een $ith a s"a+)e+2 it .i#es aout as mu"h resistan"e to the !ni*e as a ?e++,
dou.hnut2 and it dri)s a +ot o* +ood( But these s)+eens had s$e++ed u) and turned as
hard as a ro"!( A norma+ mon!e, s)+een $ou+d e aout the si/e o* a $a+nut( These
s)+eens $ere the si/e o* a tan.erine and $ere +eather,( The, reminded him o* a )ie"e o*
sa+ami-meat,2 tou.h2 dr,( His s"a+)e+ )ra"ti"a++, oun"ed o** them( He "ou+d a"tua++, ta)
the +ade o* the s"a+)e+ on the s)+een2 an the +ade $ou+dn<t di. in #er, mu"h( 1hat he
didn<t rea+i/e-$hat he "ou+dn<t see e"ause it $as a+most in"on"ei#a+e-$as that the
entire s)+een had e"ome a so+id "+ot o* +ood(

He $as ta))in. his s"a+)e+ on a +ood "+ot the si/e o* a tan.erine(

6n Sunda,2 No#emer 1A2 3a+.ard )utted around the house in the mornin.2 *i>in.
thin.s2 doin. +itt+e errands( A*ter +un"h2 he on"e a.ain returned to the mon!e, house(
There $as a m,ster, de#e+o)in. in the Reston 5rimate Quarantine Unit( He *ound three
more dead mon!e,s in Room 9( The, $ere d,in. steadi+,2 a hand*u+ e#er, ni.ht(

6ne o* the dead anima+s had een .i#en the name 6G3( 3a+.ard "arried the "ar"ass o*
:on!e, 6G3 int the e>amination room and o)ened it u) and +oo!ed inside the od,
"a#it,( 1ith a s"a+)e+2 he remo#ed a )ie"e o* :on!e, 6G3<s s)+een( It $as hu.e2 hard2
and dr,( He too! a Q-ti) and rued it in the mon!e,<s throat2 "o++e"tin. a +itt+e it o*
mu"us2 a throat $ash( Then he s$ir+ed the Q-Ti) in a test tue *u++ o* disti++ed $ater and
"a))ed the tue( An,thin. a+i#e in the mu"us $ou+d e )reser#ed tem)orari+,(

INT6 7EVE7 3

1%;% N6VE:BER 132 :6N3A8

B8 :6N3A8 :6RNING-the da, a*ter he disse"ted :on!e, 6G3-3an 3a+.ard had
de"ided to rin. the )ro+em $ith his mon!e,s to the attention o* USA:RII32 at 9ort
3etri"!( He had heard that the )+a"e had e>)erts $ho "ou+d identi*, mon!e, diseases2
and he $anted to .et a )ositi#e identi*i"ation o* the si"!ness( 9ort 3etri"! $as aout an
hour<s dri#e north$est o* Reston2 on the other side o* the 5otoma" Ri#er(

3a+.ard ended u) ta+!in. , )hone $ith a "i#i+ian #iro+o.ist named 5eter Bahr+in.2
Bahr+in. had a re)utation *or !no$in. somethin. aout mon!e, #iruses( The, had ne#er
ta+!ed e*ore( 3a+.ard said to Bahr+in.2

DI thin! $e<#e .ot some SH9 Esimian hemorrha.i" *e#erF in our mon!e,s(

The s)+een +oo!s +i!e a )ie"e o* sa+ami $hen ,ou s+i"e it(D 3a+.ard as!ed Bahr+in. i* he
$ou+d +oo! at some sam)+es and .i#e a dia.nosis2 and Bahr+in. a.reed to he+)( The
)ro+em attra"ted 5eter Bahr+in.<s "uriosit,(

Bahr+in. had $or!ed at the Institute *or most o* his "areer2 a*ter an ear+, )eriod in $hi"h
he had +i#ed in 4entra+ Ameri"a and hunted *or #iruses in the rain *orest Ehe had
dis"o#ered se#era+ )re#ious+, !no$n strainsF( He had +ond hair2 e.innin. to .o .ra,2
stee+-rimmed .+asses2 a )+easant2 moi+e *a"e2 and a dr, sense o* humor( He $as ,
nature a "autious2 "are*u+ )erson( 5eter Bahr+in. s)ent +ar.e amounts o* time in a
4hemturion io+o.i"a+ s)a"e suit( He )er*ormed resear"h on de*enses a.ainst hot
#iruses-#a""ines2 dru. treatments-and he did asi" medi"a+ resear"h on rain-*orest
#iruses( The !i++ers and the un!no$ns $ere his s)e"ia+t,( He de+ierate+, !e)t his mind
o** the e**e"ts o* hot a.ents(

He to+d himse+*2 I* ,ou did thin! aout it2 ,ou mi.ht de"ide to ma!e a +i#in. another
$a,(

Bahr+in.2 his $i*e2 and their three "hi+dren +i#ed in Thurmont2 not *ar *rom Nan", and
Berr, Baa>2 in a ri"! ran"h house $ith a $hite )i"!et *en"e out *ront( The *en"e
surrounded a tree+ess ,ard2 and there $as a +ar.e ro$n "ar )ar!ed in the .ara.e(
A+thou.h the, +i#ed near ea"h other2 the Bahr+in.s did not so"ia+i/e $ith Baa>2 sin"e their
"hi+dren $ere o* di**erent a.es and sin"e the *ami+ies had di**erent st,+es(

5ete Bahr+in. mo$ed his +a$n re.u+ar+, to !ee) the .rass neat2 so that his nei.hors
$ou+dn<t thin! he $as a s+o( E>terna++, he +i#ed a near+, *eature+ess +i*e amon.
suuran nei.hors2 and #er, *e$ o* them !ne$ that $hen he "+imed into his mud-
"o+ored "ar he $as headed *or $or! in a hot /one2 a+thou.h the +i"ense )+ate on the "ar
$as a #anit, )+ate that said 7ASSA( 7assa is a 7e#e+ @ #irus *rom 1est A*ri"a2 and it
$as one o* 5eter Bahr+in.<s *a#orite +i*e *orms-he thou.ht it $as *as"inatin. and
eauti*u+2 in "ertain $a,s( He had he+d in his .+o#ed hands #irtua++, e#er, hot a.ent
!no$n2 e>"e)t *or Eo+a and :arur.( 1hen )eo)+e as!ed him $h, he didn<t $or! $ith
them2 he re)+ied2 DI don<t )arti"u+ar+, *ee+ +i!e d,in.(D

A9TER HIS TE7E5H6NE "on#ersation $ith 3an 3a+.ard2 5eter Bahr+in. $as
sur)rised and anno,ed $hen2 the ne>t da,2 a *e$ its o* *ro/en meat *rom :on!e, 6G3
arri#ed at the Institute2 rou.ht , "ourier( 1hat anno,ed him $as the *a"t that the its
o* meat $ere $ra))ed in a+uminum *oi+2 +i!e )ie"es o* +e*to#er hot do.(

The hot-do.-+i!e meat $as mon!e, s)+een2 and the i"e around it $as tin.ed $ith red
and had e.un to me+t and dri)( The sam)+es a+so in"+uded the tue "ontainin. the throat
$ash and some +ood serum *rom the mon!e,(

Bahr+in. "arried the sam)+es into a 7e#e+ 3 +aorator,( 7e#e+ 3 is !e)t under ne.ati#e air
)ressure2 to )re#ent thin.s *rom +ea!in. out2 ut ,ou don<t need to $ear a s)a"e suit
there( 5eo)+e $ho $or! in 7e#e+ 3 dress +i!e sur.eons in an o)eratin. room( Bahr+in.
$ore a )a)er sur.i"a+ mas!2 a sur.i"a+ s"ru suit2 and ruer .+o#es( He )ee+ed o** the
tin *oi+( A )atho+o.ist he+)ed him do it2 standin. ne>t to him( The it o* s)+een ro++ed
aout the tin *oi+ as the, )o!ed it-a hard +itt+e )in! )ie"e o* meat2 ?ust as 3a+.ard had
des"ried it( He thou.ht2 7i!e the !ind o* m,ster, meat ,ou .et in a s"hoo+ +un"hroom(
Bahr+in. turned to the other man and remar!ed2 DGood thin. this ain<t :arur.D and the,
"hu"!+ed(

7ater that da,2 he "a++ed 3a+.ard on the te+e)hone and said to him somethin. +i!e2 D7et
me te++ ,ou ho$ to send a sam)+e to us( 5eo)+e around here ma, e s+i.ht+, )aranoid2
ut the, .et a +itt+e u)set $hen ,ou send a sam)+e and it dri)s on the "ar)et(D

6NE 1A8 T6 identi*, a #irus is to ma!e it .ro$ inside +i#in. "e++s in a *+as! o* $ater(
8ou dro) a sam)+e o* the #irus into the *+as!2 and the #irus s)reads throu.h the "e++s( I*
the #irus +i!es the "e++s2 it $i++ mu+ti)+,( 6ne or t$o #iruses "an e"ome a i++ion #iruses
in a *e$ da,s-a 4hina o* #iruses in a ott+e the si/e o* one<s thum(

A "i#i+ian te"hni"ian named Boan Rhoderi"! "u+tured the un!no$n a.ent *rom :on!e,
6G3( She .round u) a it o* the mon!e,<s s)+een $ith a mortar and )est+e( That made
sort o* +ood, mush( She dro))ed the mush into *+as!s that "ontained +i#in. "e++s *rom
the !idne, o* a mon!e,( She a+so too! some o* the throat mu"us *rom :on!e, 6G3 and
)ut it into a *+as!2 and she too! some o* the mon!e,<s +ood serum and )ut it into another
*+as!( E#entua++, she had a $ho+e ra"! o* *+as!s( She )ut them into a $armer-an
in"uator2 he+d at od, tem)erature-and ho)ed that somethin. $ou+d .ro$( Gro$in. u)
a #irus in "u+ture is a +ot +i!e ma!in. eer( 8ou *o++o$ the re"i)e2 and ,ou !ee) the re$
ni"e and $arm unti+ somethin. ha))ens(

3AN 3A7GAR3 3I3 not #isit the mon!e, house the ne>t da,2 ut he te+e)honed Bi++
Vo+t2 the mana.er2 to *ind out ho$ thin.s $ere .oin.( Vo+t re)orted that a++ anima+s
+oo!ed .ood( None o* them had died durin. the ni.ht(

The i++ness seemed to e *adin. a$a, natura++,( It +oo!ed +i!e thin.s $ere 0uietin.
do$n in Reston2 and 3a+.ard *e+t re+ie#ed that his "om)an, ha dod.ed a u++et(

But $hat $ere those Arm, )eo)+e doin. $ith the sam)+es o* mon!e,C

He "a++ed Bahr+in. and +earned that it $as too soon to !no$ an,thin.( It ta!es se#era+
da,s to .ro$ u) a #irus(

A da, +ater2 Bi++ Vo+t "a++ed 3a+.ard $ith ad ne$s( Ei.ht mon!e,s in Room 9 had
sto))ed eatin.( Ei.ht mon!e,s $ere .ettin. read, to die( The thin. had "ome a"!(

3a+.ard hurried o#er to the mon!e, house2 $here he *ound that the situation had
deteriorated sudden+,( There $ere man, more anima+s $ith s0uintin.2 .+a/ed2 o#a+-
sha)ed e,es( 1hate#er the thin. $as2 it $as steadi+, $or!in. its $a, throu.h Room 9(
B, no$2 *u++, ha+* the anima+s in the room had died( It $as .oin. to !i++ the entire room
i* nothin. $as done to sto) it( 3a+.ard e"ame e>treme+, an>ious *or some ne$s *rom
5eter Bahr+in.(

Thursda,2 No#emer 1&2 arri#ed2 and $ith it "ame ne$s that mon!e,s had e.un to die
in rooms do$n the ha++$a, *rom Room 9( 7ate in the mornin.2 3an 3a+.ard re"ei#ed a
te+e)hone "a++ *rom 5eter Bahr+in.( A )atho+o.ist at the Institute had ins)e"ted the meat
#er, "are*u++, and had .i#en it a tentati#e dia.nosis o* simian hemorrha.i" *e#er-
harm+ess to humans2 +etha+ to mon!e,s(

3a+.ard no$ !ne$ that he had to mo#e *ast to "ontain the outrea! e*ore the #irus
s)read throu.h the mon!e, house( Simian hemorrha.i" *e#er is hi.h+, "onta.ious in
mon!e,s( That a*ternoon2 he dro#e u) 7eesur. 5i!e to the o**i"e )ar! in Reston( At *i#e
o<"+o"! on a .ra,2 rain, e#enin. on the ed.e o* $inter2 as "ommuters streamed home
*rom 1ashin.ton2 he and another Ha/+eton #eterinarian in?e"ted a++ the mon!e,s in
Room 9 $ith +etha+ doses o* anestheti"( It $as a++ o#er 0ui"!+,( The mon!e,s died in
minutes(

3a+.ard o)ened u) ei.ht hea+th,-+oo!in. "ar"asses to see i* he "ou+d *ind an, si.ns o*
simian *e#er inside them( He $as sur)rised to see that there didn<t seem to e an,thin.
$ron. $ith them( This .reat+, trou+ed him( Sa"ri*i"in. the mon!e,s had een a
di**i"u+t2 dis.ustin.2 and disheartenin. tas!( He !ne$ there $as a disease in this room2
and ,et these mon!e,s $ere eauti*u+2 hea+th, anima+s2 and he had ?ust !i++ed them( The
si"!ness had een entren"hed in the ui+din. sin"e ear+, 6"toer2 and it $as no$ the
midd+e o* No#emer( The Arm, had .i#en him a tentati#e dia.nosis2 )roa+, the est
dia.nosis he $ou+d e#er .et2 and he had een +e*t $ith the un)+easant tas! o* tr,in. to
sa+#a.e the +i#es o* the remainin. anima+s( He $ent home that e#enin. *ee+in. that he
had a #er, ad da,( 7ater he $ou+d $rite in his diar,:

There $as a nota+e asen"e o* an, hemorrha.i" "om)onent( In .enera+2 the anima+s
$ere unusua++, $e++ *+eshed Euttera++sF2 ,oun. E+ess than G ,earsF2 and in )rime
"ondition(

Be*ore he +e*t the mon!e, house2 he and the other #eterinarian )+a"ed the dead mon!e,s
in "+ear )+asti" a.s and "arried some o* them a"ross the ha++ to a "hest *ree/er( A *ree/er
"an e as hot as he++(

1hen a )+a"e is io+o.i"a++, hot2 no sensors2 no a+arms2 no instruments "an te++ the
stor,( A++ instruments are si+ent and re.ister nothin.( The mon!e,s< odies $ere #isi+e
in the "+ear a.s( The, *ro/e into "ontorted sha)es2 $ith their "hest "a#ities s)read $ide
and their intestines han.in. out and dri))in. red i"i"+es( Their hands $ere "+en"hed into
*ists or o)en +i!e "+a$s2 as i* the, $ere .ras)in. at somethin.2 and their *a"es $ere
e>)ression+ess mas!s2 their e,es .+a/ed $ith *rost2 starin. at nothin.(

EJ56SURE

N6VE:BER 1'2 9RI3A8

TH6:AS GEISBERT 1AS an intern at the Institute2 a !ind o* trainee( He $as t$ent,-
se#en ,ears o+d2 a ta++ man $ith dar! +ue e,es and +on.ish ro$n hair )arted in the
midd+e and han.in. o#er his *orehead( Geisert $as a s!i++ed *isherman and a "ra"! shot
$ith a ri*+e2 and he s)ent a +ot o* time in the $oods( He $ore +ue ?eans and "o$o,
oots2 and tended to i.nore authorit,( He $as a +o"a+ o, $ho had .ro$n u) near 9ort
3etri"!(

His *ather $as the "hie* ui+din. en.ineer at the Institute2 the man $ho re)aired and
o)erated the hot /ones( 1hen Tom Geisert $as a o,2 his *ather had ta!en him to #isit
the Institute2 and Tom had stared throu.h the hea#, .+ass $indo$s at )eo)+e in s)a"e
suits2 thin!in. it $ou+d e "oo+ to do that( No$ he $as doin. it2 and it made him ha)),(

The Institute hired him to o)erate its e+e"tron mi"ros"o)e2 $hi"h uses a eam o*
e+e"trons to ma!e ima.es o* sma++ o?e"ts2 su"h as #iruses(

It is an essentia+ too+ to ha#e around a #irus +a e"ause ,ou "an use it to ma!e a
)hoto.ra)h o* a tin, )ie"e o* meat and *ind #iruses in the meat(

9or Geisert2 identi*,in. hot strains and "+assi*,in. the tries o* #iruses $as +i!e sortin.
utter*+ies or "o++e"tin. *+o$ers( He +i!ed the +one+iness o* inner s)a"e2 the sense o*
ein. *or.otten , the $or+d( He *e+t 0uiet and at )ea"e $ith himse+* $hen he $as
)addin. around a hot /one "arr,in. a ra"! o* test tues that he+d an un!no$n a.ent( He
+i!ed to .o into the 7e#e+ @ suites a+one2 rather than $ith a udd,2 es)e"ia++, in the
midd+e o* the ni.ht2 ut his tenden", to s)end +ar.e amounts o* time at his $or! had
e.un to a**e"t his )ersona+ +i*e2 and his marria.e $as rea!in. u)( He and his $i*e had
se)arated in Se)temer( His trou+es at home on+, rein*or"ed his tenden", to ur,
himse+* in 7e#e+ @(

6ne o* Geisert<s .reatest ha))iness in +i*e2 a)art *rom his $or!2 "ame *rom ein. in the
outdoors2 *ishin. *or +a"! ass and huntin. *or deer( He hunted *or meat-he .a#e the
#enison to memers o* his *ami+,-and then2 $hen he had .ot the meat he needed2 he
hunted *or tro)hies( E#er, ,ear around Than!s.i#in.2 he $ent huntin. in 1est Vir.inia2
$here he and some uddies rented a house *or the o)enin. o* deer season( His *riends
did not !no$ mu"h aout $hat he did *or a +i#in.2 and he made no e**ort to te++ them
aout it(

Geisert tried to +oo! at man, sam)+es o* #irus as a $a, o* shar)enin. his s!i++s $ith an
e+e"tron mi"ros"o)e( He $as +earnin. ho$ to identi*, hot a.ents , e,e2 , +oo!in. at
)hoto.ra)hs o* the )arti"+es(

1hen the sam)+es o* the 4ardina+ o, had arri#ed *rom A*ri"a2 Geisert s)ent da,s
.a/in. at them( The, attra"ted him( The 4ardina+ strain $as a tan.+ed mass o* &s2 Us2 .s2
8s2 sna!es2 and 4heerios mi>ed u) $ith )art+, +i0ue*ied human *+esh( Geisert s)ent so
mu"h time starin. at the #irus2 one o* the true horrors o* nature2 that the sha)es e"ame
im)+anted in his mind(

T6: GEISBERT HA3 HEAR3 aout the si"! mon!e,s in Vir.inia2 and he $anted to
ta!e )hoto.ra)hs o* the meat to see i* he "ou+d identi*, an, simian-*e#er-#irus )arti"+es
in it( 6n 9rida, mornin.2 No#emer 1'2 the da, a*ter 3an 3a+.ard had !i++ed a++ the
anima+s in Room 92 Geisert de"ided to ta!e a +oo! at the *+as!s o* mon!e, "e++ that
$ere ri)enin.(

He $anted to e>amine them $ith a +i.ht mi"ros"o)e e*ore he $ent on his
Than!s.i#in. hunt2 to see i* he "ou+d oser#e an, "han.es( A +i.ht mi"ros"o)e is a
standard mi"ros"o)e that uses +ens to *o"us +i.ht(

At nine o<"+o"! on that 9rida, mornin.2 he )ut on a sur.i"a+ s"ru suit and a )a)er mas!
and $ent into the 7e#e+ 3 +a $here the *+as!s $ere ein. !e)t $arm( There he met Boan
Rhoderi"!2 the te"hni"ian $ho had started the Reston "u+ture( She $as starin. throu.h
the ino"u+ar e,e)ie"es o* the mi"ros"o)e at a sma++ *+as!( The *+as! "ontained "e++s that
had een in*e"ted $ith the simian-*e#er-#irus that "ame *rom :on!e, 6G3(

She turned to Geisert( DThere<s somethin. *+a!, .oin. on in this *+as!2D she said(

The *+as! $as a t,)i"a+ #irus *+as!( It $as aout the si/e o* a )erson<s thum and $as
made o* "+ear )+asti" so that ,ou "ou+d )+a"e it in a mi"ros"o)e and +oo! into the *+as!( It
had a +a"! s"re$ "a)(

Geisert stared throu.h the e,e)ie"es o* the mi"ros"o)e( He sa$ a "om)+i"ated $or+d in
the *+as!( As a+$a,s in io+o.,2 the )ro+em $as to !no$ $hat ,ou $ere +oo!in. at( The
)atterns o* nature are !ee) and "om)+e>2 "onstant+, "han.in.( He sa$ "e++s a++ o#er the
)+a"e( The, $ere tin, a.s2 ea"h "ontainin. a nu"+eus2 $hi"h $as a dar!er +o near the
"enter( The "e++s +oo!ed a +itt+e it +i!e *ried e..s2 sunn,-side u)(

The e.. ,o+! $ou+d e the "e++<s nu"+eus(

7i#in. "e++s ordinari+, sti"! to the ottom o* a *+as! to *orm a +i#in. "ar)et-"e++s )re*er
to "+in. to somethin. $hen the, .ro$( This "ar)et had een eaten , moths( The "e++s
had died and dri*ted a$a,2 +ea#in. ho+es in the "ar)et(

Geisert "he"!ed a++ the *+as!s2 and most o* them +oo!ed the same $a,2 +i!e moth-eaten
"ar)et( The, +oo!ed rea+ ad2 the, +oo!ed si"!(

Somethin. $as !i++in. these "e++s( The, $ere s$o++en and )u**,2 *at +oo!in.2 as i* the,
$ere )re.nant( Tom "ou+d see that the, "ontained .ranu+es or s)e"!s( The s)e"!s +oo!ed
+i!e )e))er( As i* someone had sha!en )e))er o#er *ried e..s( He ma, ha#e seen
re*+e"tion o* +i.ht in the )e))er2 as i* +i.ht $as .+eamin. throu.h "r,sta+s( 4r,sta+sC
These "e++s $ere unre"o.ni/a+, si"!( And the, $ere #er, si"!2 e"ause the *+uid $as
mi+!, and "+ouded $ith dead "e++s2 "e++s that had e>)+oded(

The, de"ided that their oss2 5eter Bahr+in.2 shou+d ha#e a +oo!(

Geisert $ent to *ind Bahr+in.( He e>ited 7e#e+ 3-remo#ed his s"ru suit and too! a
$ater sho$er and dressed in "i#i+ian "+othes-and $ent to Bahr+in.<s o**i"e( Then he and
Bahr+in. returned to the 7e#e+ 3 +a( It too! a *e$ minutes *or oth o* them to "han.e in
the +o"!er room and )ut on s"ru suits( 1hen the, $ere read, to .o in-dressed +i!e
sur.eons-the, entered and sat do$n at the e,e)ie"es o* the mi"ros"o)e( Geisert said to
him2 DThere<s somethin. #er, stran.e .oin. on in that *+as!2 ut I<m not sure $hat it is(
This isn<t +i!e SH9(D

Bahr+in. +oo!ed( He sa$ that the *+as! had turned mi+!,2 as i* it had .one rotten( DThis is
"ontaminated2D he said( DThese "e++s are +o$n a$a,( The,<re "rud(D The "e++s $ere
e>)+oded and dead( DThe,<re o** the )+asti"2D he remar!ed( B, o** the )+asti" he meant
that the dead "e++s had deta"hed *rom the sur*a"e o* the *+as!2 and had *+oated a$a, in
the roth( He thou.ht that a $i+d strain o* a"teria had in#aded the "e++ "u+ture( This is
an anno,in. and "ommon o""urren"e $hen ,ou are tr,in. to .ro$ #irus2 and it $i)es
out the *+as!( The $i+d a"teria "onsume the "e++ "u+ture2 eat it u)2 and ma!e a #ariet, o*
di**erent sme++s in the air $hi+e the,<re .ro$in.2 $hereas #iruses !i++ "e++s $ithout
re+easin. an odor( Bahr+in. .uessed that the *+as! had een $i)ed out , a "ommon soi+
a"terium "a++ed )seudomonas( It +i#es in dirt( It +i#es in e#er,one<s a"!,ard and under
*in.ernai+s( It is one o* the most "ommon *orms o* +i*e on the )+anet2 and it o*ten .ets
into "e++ "u+tures and $re"!s them(

Bahr+in. uns"re$ed the +itt+e +a"! "a) and $a#ed his hand o#er the *+as! to rin. the
s"ent to his nose2 and then he too! a $hi**( Hm(

9unn,( No sme++(

He said to Tom Geisert2 DHa#e ,ou e#er sme++ed )seudomonasCD

DNo2D Tom re)+ied(

DIt sme++s +i!e 1e+"h<s .ra)e ?ui"e( Here-D He o**ered the *+as! to Tom(

Tom sni**ed it( There $as no sme++(

Bahr+in. too! a"! the *+as! and $hi**ed it a.ain( His nose re.istered nothin.( But the
*+as! $as mi+!,2 and the "e++s $ere +o$n a$a,( He $as )u//+ed( He handed the *+as!
a"! to Tom and said2 D5ut it in the eam2 and +et<s +oo! at it(D B, )ut it in the eam2 he
meant D+oo! at it usin. the e+e"tron mi"ros"o)e2D $hi"h is mu"h more )o$er*u+ than a
+i.ht mi"ros"o)e2 and "an see dee)er into the uni#erse $ithin(

GEISBERT 56URE3 S6:E o* the mi+!, *+uid out o* the *+as! into a test tue and then
s)un it in a "entri*u.e ma"hine( A utton .ra,ish oo/e "o++e"ted at the ottom o* the test
tue-a tin, )i++ o* dead and d,in. "e++s( The )i++ $as the si/e o* a )inhead2 and it had a
)a+e ro$nish "o+or(

Geisert thou.ht it +oo!ed +i!e a da o* mashed )otato( He +i*ted out the utton $ith a
$ooden sti"! and soa!ed the utton in )+asti" resin to )reser#e it( But no$2 $hat $as on
his mind $as the huntin. season( 7ater that a*ternoon-9rida,-he $ent home to .et
)a"!ed( He had een )+annin. to dri#e his 9ord Bron"o2 ut it had ro!en do$n; so one
o* his huntin. uddies met him in a )i"!u) tru"! and the, +oaded Geisert<s du**e+ a.
and .un "ase into it and set o** on his huntin. tri)( 1hen a *i+o#irus e.ins to am)+i*,
itse+* in a human ein.2 the in"uation )eriod is *rom three to ei.hteen da,s2 $hi+e the
numer o* #irus )arti"+es "+ims steadi+, in the +oodstream( Then "omes the heada"he(

THAN=SGIVING

N6VE:BER A0-AG

96R NAN48 AN3 Berr, Baa>2 it $as the $orst Than!s.i#in. o* their +i#es(

6n 1ednesda,2 No#emer AA2 the, )ut their "hi+dren in the *ami+, #an and dro#e
strai.ht throu.h the ni.ht to =ansas( Baime $as no t$e+#e2 and Bason $as thirteen( The,
$ere used to +on. dri#es to =ansas2 and the, s+e)t )ea"e*u++,( Berr, had a+most +ost his
ai+it, to s+ee) sin"e the murder o* his rother2 and Nan", sta,ed a$a!e $ith him2
tradin. )+a"es ehind the steerin. $hee+( The, arri#ed in 1i"hita on Than!s.i#in. 3a,
and ate a mea+ o* tur!e, $ith Nan",<s *ather2 4urtis 3unn2 $ho $as +i#in. $ith Nan",<s
rother(

Nan",<s *ather $as d,in. o* "an"er( He had .one throu.h +i*e *earin. that he mi.ht
"ome do$n $ith "an"er-he on"e too! to his ed *or ei.ht months $hi+e "+aimin. he had
"an"er $hen2 in *a"t2 he did not-and no$ he had "ome do$n $ith rea+ "an"er( He had
+ost a +ot o* $ei.ht that *a++( He $as +i!e a human s!e+eton2 do$n to +ess than a hundred
)ounds2 ut he $as sti++ a re+ati#e+, ,oun. man2 and his hair $as +a"! and "ur+, and
oi+ed $ith Vita+is( He +oo!ed so terri+e that the "hi+dren $ere a*raid o* him( He did his
est to sho$ s,m)ath, *or Berr,( DHo$ a$*u+ it $as2 $hat ha))ened to ,ou Baa>es2D he
said to Berr,( Berr, did not $ant to ta+! aout it(

Nan",<s *ather sat and s+e)t in a re"+inin. "hair most o* the da,(

At ni.ht2 he "ou+dn<t s+ee) on a""ount o* the )ain2 and he $ou+d $a!e u) at three
o<"+o"! in the mornin.2 and .et out o* ed2 and rumma.e around the house2 +oo!in. *or
somethin.( He smo!ed "i.arettes "ontinua++,2 and "om)+ained that he "ou+dn<t taste his
*ood2 that he had +ost his a))etite(

Nan", *e+t sorr, *or him2 ut she *e+t a distan"e *rom him that she "ou+d not o#er"ome(
He $as man o* stron. o)inions2 and +ate+,2 *rom the $a, he had een ta+!in. $hi+e he
$andered aout the house at ni.ht2 it seemed that he $as .oin. to tr, to se++ the *ami+,
*arm in =ansas and use the mone, to .et himse+* to :e>i"o *or a "ure in#o+#in. )ea"h
)its( Nan", $as an.r, $ith him *or ha#in. su"h ideas2 and that an.er $as mi>ed $ith
)it, *or him in his i++ness(

A*ter the, had *inished their tur!e, $ith Nan",<s *ather2 the, dro#e out to Anda+e2
=ansas2 a to$n north$est o* 1i"hita2 and ate another dinner2 $ith Berr,<s mother2 Ada2
and the rest o* the Baa> *ami+, in Ada<s house on he ed.e o* to$n2 near the .rain
e+e#ator( Ada $as a $ido$ $ho +i#ed a+one in a ran"h house that +oo!ed out a"ross
eauti*u+ $heat *ie+ds( The *ie+ds $ere are and )+anted $ith $inter $heat2 and Ada sat
in her "hair in the +i#in. room and stared outdoors( She "ou+d not $at"h te+e#ision
e"ause she $as a*raid she $ou+d see a .un( The, sat around the +i#in. room and ta+!ed2
te++in. stories aout the o+d da,s on Ada<s *arm2 +au.hin. and ?o!in. and tr,in. to ha#e a
.ood time2 and sudden+, Bohn<s name $ou+d "ome u)( The "on#ersation $ou+d *+a. into
si+en"e2 and e#er,one $ou+d +oo! at the *+oor2 not !no$in. $hat to sa,2 and someone
$ou+d start "r,in.2 and then the, $ou+d see tears runnin. do$n Ada<s *a"e(

She had a+$a,s een a stron. $oman2 and none o* her "hi+dren had e#er seen her "r,(
1hen she *e+t she "ou+d not sto) it2 she $ou+d .et u) and +ea#e the room2 and .o into her
edroom and "+ose the door(

The, set u) ta+es in the !it"hen and ser#ed roast ee*-the Baa>es did not +i!e tur!e,(
A*ter a $hi+e2 )eo)+e dri*ted into the +i#in. room $ith )+ates in their hands and $at"hed
a *oota++ .ame( The $omen2 in"+udin. Nan",2 "+eaned u) around the !it"hen and
he+)ed $ith the "hi+dren( A*ter$ard2 Nan", and Berr, sta,ed on in 1i"hita *or a *e$
da,s to he+) Nan",<s *ather .et to the hos)ita+ *or his "an"er treatments(

Then the, dro#e a"! to :ar,+and in the #an $ith their "hi+dren(

3AN 3A7GAR3 S5ENT an uneas, Than!s.i#in. $ee!( 6n :onda,2 he "a++ed 5eter
Bahr+in. at the Institute to *ind out i* Bahr+in. had an, *urther ne$s aout $hat had een
!i++in. the mon!e,s at Reston( Bahr+in. no$ had a tentati#e dia.nosis( It +oo!ed +i!e the,
rea++, did ha#e SH9( Bad *or mon!e,s2 no )ro+em *or humans( He said to 3a+.ard that
he *e+t stron.+, that it $as simian *e#er2 ut he $as re+u"tant to sa, so "ate.ori"a++,(

He $anted to )+a, it "are*u++, unti+ the *ina+ tests $ere *inished(

3a+.ard hun. u) the )hone e+ie#in. that his de"ision to sa"ri*i"e the mon!e,s in Room
9 had een "orre"t( Those mon!e,s had een in*+e"ted $ith simian *e#er and $ou+d ha#e
died an,$a,( 1hat no$ $orried 3a+.ard $as the )ossii+it, that the #irus had someho$
es"a)ed *rom Room 9( It mi.ht e 0uiet+, $or!in. his $a, throu.h the ui+din.2 in
$hi"h "ase mon!e,s mi.ht start d,in. in other rooms( And then the #irus $ou+d e #er,
hard to "ontro+(

6n Than!s.i#in. mornin.2 3an and his $i*e dro#e to 5ittsur.h2 to e $ith 3an<s
$i*e<s )arents( The, dro#e a"! to Vir.inia on 9rida,2 and 3an headed o#er to the
mon!e, house to see i* there had een an, "han.es(

He $as sho"!ed , $hat he *ound( 6#er Than!s.i#in.2 *i#e mon!e,s had died in Room
H2 t$o doors do$n the ha++ *rom Room 9( So the #irus $as mo#in.2 and $hat $as
$orse2 it $as s!i))in. rooms as it mo#ed( Ho$ "ou+d it do thatC 9i#e dead mon!e,s in
one room durin. the ni.ht ((( He *e+t #er, uneas,(

:E3USA

N6VE:BER A'2 0'00 H6URS2 :6N3A8

EAR78 6N :6N3A8 mornin. o* the $ee! *o++o$in. Than!s.i#in.2 Tom Geisert
$ent to $or! at the Institute $earin. +ue ?eans2 a *+anne+ shirt2 and "o$o, oots2 as a
!ind o* memento o* his time in the $oods( He $as an>ious to "he"! u) on the utton o*
dead mon!e, "e++s that he had har#ested *rom the +itt+e *+as! ?ust e*ore he had .one
huntin.( He $anted to +oo! at the "e++s in his e+e"tron mi"ros"o)e to tr, to *ind some
#isua+ e#iden"e that the, $ere in*+e"ted $ith simian *e#er(

The utton $as a dot the si/e o* toast "rum2 emedded in a tin, )+u. o* ,e++o$ )+asti"(
He un+o"!ed a *i+in. "ainet and remo#ed his diamond !ni*e( A diamond !ni*e is a meta+
o?e"t no +ar.er than a sma++ )o"!et-si/e )en"i+ shar)ener-aout an in"h +on.( It "osts
aout *our thousand do++ars( It has a diamond ed.e-a +ar.e2 *+a$+ess )rism-shar)
diamond2 a .em-0ua+it, stone(

He "arried the diamond !ni*e and the )+u. o* )+asti" "ontainin. the toast "rum o* "e++s
into the "uttin. room( He sat do$n at a ta+e2 *a"in. the "uttin. ma"hine2 and *itted his
diamond !ni*e into it2 ta!in. e>treme "are not to +et his *in.ers tou"h the ed.e o* the
!ni*e( 6ne tou"h o* a *in.erti) $ou+d destro, it( The diamond $ou+d a+so "ut ,our
*in.erti)2 )erha)s ad+,( The !ni*e is e>traordinari+, shar)( It has the shar)est "uttin.
ed.e o* an, too+ on earth( It is shar) enou.h to s)+it a #irus "+ean+, in ha+*2 +i!e a ra/or
+ade .oin. throu.h a )eanut( I* ,ou "onsider the idea that a hundred mi++ion #iruses
"ou+d "o#er the dot on this i2 then ,ou .et an idea o* the shar)ness o* a diamond !ni*e( I*
,ou ha))ened to "ut ,ourse+* $ith it2 it $ou+d .o throu.h ,ou s!in $ithout resistan"e2 as
i* ,our s!in $ere air-and it $ou+d s)+it indi#idua+ +ood "e++s as it $ent throu.h ,our
*in.er( And then the !ni*e ed.e $ou+d e "o#ered $ith s!in oi+ and +ood "e++s2 and
$ou+d e ruined(

Tom +oo!ed into the e,e)ie"es o* a mi"ros"o)e that $as atta"hed to the "uttin.
ma"hine( No$ he "ou+d see the toast "rum "+ear+,( He thre$ a s$it"h2 and the ma"hine
hummed2 and the sam)+e e.an to mo#e a"! and *orth2 the toast "rum s+idin. a"ross
the ed.e o* the diamond !ni*e( The "uttin. ma"hine $or!ed +i!e a de+i s+i"er2 )ee+in. o**
s+i"es aout this si/e:

(

The s+i"es *e++ onto a dro)+et o* $ater2 and rested on the sur*a"e( Ea"h "ontained as
man, as ten thousand "e++s2 and the "e++s themse+#es $ere s)+it , the !ni*e( The +ade
)ee+ed o** s+i"e a*ter s+i"e( The, s)read out +i!e +i+, )ads(

He too! his e,es a$a, *rom the mi"ros"o)e and +oo!ed around the ta+e unti+ he *ound
a $ooden sti"! that had a human e,e+ash .+ued to it $ith a dro)+et o* nai+ )o+ish( It $as a
de#i"e *or hand+in. the s+i"es(

The e,e+ash had "ome *rom one o* the $omen in the +a-it $as .enera++, e+ie#ed that
she had su)erior e,e+ashes *or this !ind o* $or!2 not too thi"! and not too thin2 ta)ered2
endin. in *ine )oints( He )o!ed the e,e+ash into the $ater dro)+et and stirred it2
se)aratin. the s+i"es *rom one another( 1ith the ti) o* the e,e+ash2 he then +i*ted a *e$
dama.ed s+i"es out o* the $ater and $i)ed them on a )ie"e o* tissue )a)er to .et rid o*
them(

Ne>t2 usin. a )air o* t$ee/ers2 he )i"!ed u) a sma++ meta+ .rid(

The .rid $as this si/e-M-and it $as made o* "o))er( Ho+din. the .rid $ith his t$ee/ers2
he di))ed it into the $ater and rou.ht it u) s+o$+, underneath a *+oatin. s+i"e2 +i!e a
*isherman +i*tin. u) a di) net( The s+i"e $as no$ stu"! to the .rid( Sti++ ho+din. the .rid
$ith his t$ee/ers2 he )ut it into a tin, o>( He "arried the o> do$n the ha++ to a
dar!ened room( In the midd+e o* the room stood a meta+ to$er ta++er than a )erson( This
$as his e+e"tron mi"ros"o)e( :, s"o)e2 he thou.ht; he $as #er, *ond o* it( He o)ened
the tin, o>2 +i*ted out the .rid $ith t$ee/ers2 and *itted it into a stee+ rod the si/e o* a
tire iron-the sam)+e ho+der2 as it $as "a++ed(

He s+id the rod into the mi"ros"o)e unti+ it "+an!ed2 +o"!ed in )+a"e(

No$ the s+i"e2 sittin. on the .rid2 $hi"h $as he+d in )+a"e , the tire iron2 $as
)ositioned in the mi"ros"o)e2 "entered in the eam o* e+e"trons(

He s$it"hed o** the +i.hts in the room and sat do$n at a "onso+e that $as "o#ered $ith
dia+s and di.ita+ readouts( In the midd+e o* the "onso+e there $as a #ie$in. s"reen( The
room had e"ome the "ommand de"! o* a starshi)2 and the #ie$in. s"reen $as a
$indo$ that +oo!ed do$n into the in*init, $ithin(

He hit a s$it"h2 hun"hed do$n in his "hair2 and )ut his head "+ose to the #ie$in.
s"reen( His *a"e .+o$ed .reenish in the +i.ht o* the s"reen2 and $as re*+e"ted in the
.+ass: +on. hair2 serious e>)ression2 dee)-set e,es that s"anned the terrain( He $as
+oo!in. into a "orner o* one "e++( It $as +i!e +oo!in. at a +ands"a)e *rom hi.h a+titude( It
$as a "e++s"a)e( 1hat +oomed e*ore his e,es $as a hu.e "om)+i"ated #ista2 "ro$ded
$ith more detai+ than the mind "ou+d asor( 8ou "ou+d s)end da,s s"annin. "e++s2
+oo!in. *or a #irus( In one s+i"e2 there mi.ht e thousands o* "e++s that needed to e
sear"hed-and ,ou sti++ mi.ht not *ind $hat ,ou $ere +oo!in. *or( The in"redi+e thin.
aout +i#in. s,stems is that no matter ho$ sma++ the #ie$2 it is ?ust as "om)+i"ated as
e#er( He "ou+d see *orms and sha)es that resem+ed ri#ers and streams and o>o$ +a!es2
and he "ou+d see s)e"!s that mi.ht e to$ns2 and he "ou+d see e+ts o* *orest( It $as an
aeria+ #ie$ o* rain *orest( The "e++ $as a $or+d do$n there2 and some$here in that
?un.+e hid a #irus(

He turned a !no2 and the "e++s"a)e dri*ted a"ross his *ie+d o* #ie$2 and he $andered
throu.h it( He /oomed in( The s"ene rushed u) to$ard him(

His reath sto))ed( 1ait a minute-there $as somethin. $ron. $ith this "e++( This "e++
$as a mess( It $asn<t ?ust dead-it had een destro,ed( It $as +o$n a)art( And it $as
"ra$+in. $ith $orms( The "e++ $a++-to-$a++ $ith $orms( Some )arts o* the "e++ $ere so
thi"! $ith #irus the, +oo!ed +i!e u"!ets o* ro)e( There $as on+, one !ind o* #irus that
+oo!ed +i!e ro)e( A *i+o#irus(

He thou.h2 :arur.( This stu** +oo!s +i!e :arur.( He hun"hed o#er the s"reen( His
stoma"h s"re$ed u) into a !not and turned o#er2 and he *e+t an un)+easant sensation( The
)u!e *a"tor( He a+most )ani"!ed2 a+most ran out o* the room shoutin.2 D:arur.I 1e<#e
.ot :arur.ID He thou.ht2 Is this rea++, ha))enin.C He su"!ed in his reath( He didn<t
!no$ i* this thin. $as :arur.2 ut it sure as he++ +oo!ed +i!e a *i+o#irus2 a thread #irus(
Then an ima.e "ame into his mind-an ima.e o* 5eter 4ardina+<s +i#er "e++s e>)+oded and
*+ooded $ith sna!es( He rou.ht the ima.e into menta+ *o"us and "om)ared it $ith $hat
he sa$ on the s"reen( He !ne$ e>a"t+, $hat the 4ardina+ strain +oo!ed +i!e e"ause he
had memori/ed its "ur+i"ues and 4heerio sha)es( 1hat the #irus did to that o, ((( the
de#astatin. e**e"t on that o,<s tissue ((( oh2 manI-oh2 manI-5eter and I sme++ed this
stu**( 5eter and I ha#e een hand+in. this stu**2 and this is a Biosa*et, 7e#e+ a.ent2
:arur. ((( oh2 man ((( A *ou+ *ee+in. $ashed o#er him2 a sudden a$areness o* ma+e
re)rodu"ti#e .+ands han.in. on the e>terior o* the od, et$een the +e.s ((( testi"+es the
si/e o* )ears2 +a"! and )utrid2 the s!in )ee+in. o** them(

He e.an sna))in. )hoto.ra)hs $ith his mi"ros"o)e( Se#era+ ne.ati#es "ame out o* the
ma"hine( He "arried them into a dar! room and s$it"hed out the +i.hts and e.an
de#e+o)in. them( In )it"h-dar!ness2 he had time to thin!( He "ounted the da,s a"! to
the date o* his e>)osure(

7et<s see2 he had sni**ed that *+as! on the 9rida, e*ore he $ent huntin.(

That $ou+d ha#e een ((( ten da,s a.o( 1hat<s the in"uation )eriod *or :arur.C He
didn<t !no$ o**hand( 7et<s see-mon!e,s that inha+ed :arur. #irus too! a +on. time to
de#e+o) the disease2 *rom si> to ei.hteen da,s(

He $as on da, ten(

I am in the $indo$ to e si"!( I am in )rime time to e dro))in. o#erI 3id I ha#e a
heada"he ,esterda,C 3o I ha#e a heada"he no$C 3o I ha#e a *e#erC He )+a"ed his hand
on his *orehead( 9ee+s o!a,( Bust e"ause I don<t .et a heada"he on da, ten doesn<t mean
I $on<t .et a heada"he on da, t$e+#e( Ho$ dee) did I reathe $hen I sni**ed that *+as!C

3id I sna) the "a)C That $ou+d s)ra, stu** around( I "an<t rememer(

3id I ru m, e,e $ith m, *in.er a*ter$ardC I "an<t rememer( 3id I tou"h m, mouth
$ith m, *in.erC I mi.ht ha#e2 I don<t !no$(

He $ondered i* he had made a mista!e( :a,e this $asn<t :arur.(

He $as on+, an intern; he $as ?ust +earnin. this stu**( 9indin. ma?or Biosa*et, 7e#e+ @
a.ents on the outs!ins o* 1ashin.ton2 3(4(2 is not the !ind o* thin.s interns do
e#er,da,( :a,e this isn<t a *i+o#irus( Ho$ sure am IC I* ,ou .o and te++ ,ou oss that
,ou<#e *ound :arur. an ,ou are $ron.2 ,our "areer .oes do$n the tues( I* ,ou ma!e a
ad "a++2 then *irst o* a++ ,ou start a )ani"( Se"ond2 ,ou e"ome a +au.hin.sto"!(

He s$it"hed on the dar!room +i.ht and )u++ed the ne.ati#es out o* the ath and he+d
them u) to the +i.ht(

He sa$ #irus )arti"+es sha)ed +i!e sna!es2 in ne.ati#e ima.es(

The, $ere $hite "oras tan.+ed amon. themse+#es2 +i!e the hair o* :edusa(

The, $ere *a"e o* Nature herse+*2 the os"ene .oddess re#ea+ed na!ed(

This thin. $as reathta!in.+, eauti*u+( As he stared at it2 he *ound himse+* ein.
)u++ed out o* the human $or+d into a $or+d $here mora+ oundaries +ur and *ina++,
disso+#e "om)+ete+,( He $as +ost in $onder and admiration2 e#en thou.h he !ne$ that he
$as the )re,( Too ad he "ou+dn<t rin. it do$n $ith a "+ean shot *rom a ri*+e(

He sa$ somethin. e+se in the )i"tures that +e*t him *ri.htened and *i++ed $ith a$e( The
#irus had a+tered the stru"ture o* the "e++ a+most e,ond re"o.nition( It had trans*ormed
the "e++ into somethin. that resem+ed a "ho"o+ate-"hi) "oo!ie that $as most+, "ho"o+ate
"hi)s( The

D"hi)sD $ere "r,sta+-+i!e +o"!s o* )ure #irus( He !ne$ them as

Din"+usion odies(D

The, $ere roods o* #irus .ettin. read, to hat"h( As the #irus .ro$s inside a "e++2
"r,sta++oids2 or ri"!s2 a))ear at the "enter( Then the, mo#e out$ard2 to$ard the sur*a"e
o* the "e++( 1hen a ri"! tou"hes the inner sur*a"e o* the "e++ $a++2 it rea!s a)art into
hundred o* indi#idua+ #iruses( The #iruses are sha)ed +i!e threads( The threads )ush
throu.h the "e++ $a++ and .ro$ out o* the "e++2 +i!e .rass risin. *rom seeded +oam( As the
ri"!s a))ear and mo#e out$ard2 the, distort the "e++2 "ausin. it to u+.e and "han.e
sha)e2 and *ina++, the "e++ )o)s-it ursts and dies( The threads rea! a$a, *rom the "e++
and dri*t into the +oodstream o* the host2 mu+ti)+,in. and ta!in. o#er more "e++s and
*ormin. ri"!s and urstin. the "e++s(

As he +oo!ed at the ri"!s2 he rea+i/ed that $hat he had thou.ht $as D)e))erD $hen he
had +oo!ed at the "e++s in the *+as! ten da,s a.o-those s)e"!s in the "e++s-$ere rea++,
in"+usion odies( That $as a+so $h, the "e++s had +oo!ed s$o++en and *at( Be"ause the,
$ere )re.nant and ?ammed $ith ri"!s o* #irus( Be"ause the, $ere .ettin. read, to
urst(

THE 9IRST ANGE7

N6VE:BER A'2 1000 H6URS2 :6N3A8

T6:E GEISBERT 5RINTE3 the ne.ati#es on ei.ht-,-ten .+oss, )a)er2 and headed
*or the o**i"e o* his oss2 5eter Bahr+in.( He "arried his )hoto.ra)hs do$n a +on.
ha++$a,2 $ent do$nstairs2 and throu.h a se"urit, door2 s$i)in. his I3 "ard a"ross a
sensor2 and entered a $arren o* rooms(

He nodded to a so+ider-there $ere so+diers e#er,$here2 .oin. aout their usiness-and
$ent u) another *+i.ht o* stairs and )ast a "on*eren"e room that dis)+a,ed a ma) o* the
$or+d on the $a++( In this room2 Arm, )eo)+e dis"ussed outrea!s o* #irus( A meetin.
$as in )ro.ress in the room(

Be,ond it2 he "ame to a "+uster o* o**i"es( 6ne o* them $as an a$e-ins)irin. mess2
)a)ers e#er,$here( It e+on.ed to Gene Bohnson2 the ioha/ard e>)ert $ho had +ed the
e>)edition to =itum 4a#e( A"ross the $a, $as 5eter Bahr+in.<s o**i"e( It $as neat+, !e)t
and sma++2 ut it had a $indo$( Bahr+in. had )+a"ed his des! under the $indo$ to .et
some e>tra +i.ht( 6n the $a++s he had hun. dra$in.s done , his "hi+dren( There $as a
dra$in. , his dau.hter that sho$ed a rait under a shinin. ,e++o$ sun(

A she+* he+d an A*ri"an s"u+)ture o* a human hand ho+din. an e.. on the ti)s o* its
*in.ers2 as i* the e.. "ontained somethin. interestin. aout to hat"h(

D1hat<s u)2 TomCD Bahr+in. as!ed(

D1e ha#e a i. )ro+em here(D Geisert )+a"ed the )hoto.ra)hs in a ro$ on Bahr+in.<s
des!( It $as a .ra, No#emer da,2 and the +i.ht *rom the $indo$ *e++ .ent+, on the
ima.es o* :edusa( DThis "ame *rom the Reston mon!e,s2D Geisert said2 DI thin! it<s a
*i+o#irus2 and there ma, e a .ood "han"e it<s :arur.(D

Bahr+in. rememered sni**in. the *+as! and said2 D8ou<re )+a,in. a ?o!e on me( This isn<t
*unn,(D

DThis is no ?o!e2 5eter(D

DAre ,ou sureCD Bahr+in. as!ed(

Geisert said he *e+t #er, sure(

Bahr+in. +oo!ed "are*u++, at the )hoto.ra)hs( 8es2 he "ou+d see $orms( 8es2 he and
Geisert mi.ht ha#e reathed it into their +un.s(

1e++2 the, didn<t ha#e heada"hes ,et( He rememered remar!in. to the )atho+o.ist2 as
he "ut u) the +itt+e )in! "hun! o* m,ster, meat in the tine *oi+2 DGood thin. this ain<t
:arur.(D 8eah2 ri.ht(

DIs this stu** the ri.ht si/eCD Bahr+in. as!ed( He .ot a ru+er and measured the )arti"+es(

DIt +oo!s a +itt+e +on. to e :arur.2D Geisert said( :arur. )arti"+es *orm +oo)s +i!e
4heerios( This stu** $as more +i!e s)a.hetti(

The, o)ened a te>too! and "om)ared Geisert<s )i"tures $ith the te>too! )i"tures(

DIt +oo!s .ood to me2D Bahr+in. said( DI<m .oin. to sho$ it to 4(B( 5eters(D

BAHR7ING2 A 4IVI7IAN2 had de"ided to noti*, the mi+itar, "hain o* "ommand(

It started $ith 4o+one+ 4+aren"e Bames 5eter2 :3( He $as the "hie* o* the disease-
assessment di#ision at the Institute2 the do"tor $ho dea+t $ith the dan.erous un!no$ns(
EDThe interestin. stu**2D as he "a++ed it(F

5eters had ui+t u) this di#ision a+most sin.+ehanded+,2 and he ran it sin.+ehanded+,( He
$as a stran.e sort o* mi+itar, man2 eas,.oin. and "asua++, ri++iant( He had $ire-
rimmed .+asses2 a round2 rudd,2 )+easant *a"e $ith musta"he2 a +i.ht Te>as dra$+( He
$as not a +ar.e man2 ut he +i!ed to eat2 and he e+ie#ed himse+* to e o#er$ei.ht( He
s)o!e *+uent S)anish2 $hi"h he had +earned durin. his ,ears in the ?un.+es o* 4entra+ and
South Ameri"a2 huntin. *or hot a.ents( He $as re0uired , Arm, re.u+ations to sho$ u)
*or $or! at ei.ht o<"+o"! in the mornin.2 ut he usua++, dri*ted in around ten o<"+o"!( He
dis+i!ed $earin. a uni*orm(

Usua++, he $ore *aded +ue ?eans $ith a *+amin. Ha$aiian shirt2 a+on. $ith sanda+s and
d$eeish $hite so"!s2 +oo!in. +i!e he had ?ust s)ent the ni.ht in a :e>i"an hote+( His
e>"use *or his +a"! o* uni*orm $as that he su**ered *rom ath+ete<s *oot2 an in"ura+e
tro)i"a+ strain that he had )i"!ed u) in 4entra+ Ameri"a and "ou+d ne#er 0uite .et rid o*2
and so he had to $ear so"!s $ith sanda+s in order to !ee) air "ir"u+atin. around his toes2
and the ?eans and *+amin. shirt $ere )art o* the )a"!a.e( 5eters $or!ed t$e+#e-hour
da,s and +e*t $or! at ni.ht2 o*ten +on. a*ter e#er,one e+se had .one home(

4(B( 5eters "ou+d s$im throu.h a ureau"ra", +i!e a shar!( He ins)ired .reat +o,a+t, in
his sta**2 and he made enemies easi+, and de+ierate+,2 $hen it suited him( He dro#e a
red To,ota that had seen etter da,s( 6n his tra#e+s in rain *orests and tro)i"a+ sa#annas2
he ate $ith )+easure $hate#er the +o"a+s $ere eatin.( He had "onsumed *ro.s2 sna!es2
/era meat2 ?e++,*ish2 +i/ards2 and toads "oo!ed $ho+e in their s!in2 ut he thou.ht he
had ne#er eaten sa+amanders2 at +east none that he had een a+e to identi*, in a sou)( He
had eaten oi+ed mon!e, thi.h2 and he had drun! anana eer *ermented $ith human
sa+i#a( In "entra+ Ameri"a2 $hi+e +eadin. an e>)edition in sear"h o* Eo+a #irus2 he had
*ound himse+* in termite "ountr, durin. s$armin. season2 and he had $aited , termite
nest and "o++e"ted the termites as the, s$armed out and had eaten them ra$( He thou.ht
the, had a ni"e sort o* nutt, taste( He +i!ed termites so mu"h that he re*ri.erated them
$ith his +ood sam)+es2 to !ee) the termites *resh a++ da, so that he "ou+d sna"! on them
+i!e )eanuts $ith his e#enin. .in as the sun $ent do$n o#er the A*ri"an )+ains( He $as
*ond o* su**o"ated .uinea )i. a!ed in its o$n +ood and #is"era( The .uinea )i. is s)+it
o)en +i!e a oo!2 o**erin. treasures2 and he en?o,ed )i"!in. out and eatin. the .uinea
)i.<s +un.s2 adrena+ .+ands2 and rain(

And then2 ine#ita+,2 he $ou+d )a, a )ri"e( DI a+$a,s .et si"!2 ut it<s $orth it2D he on"e
said to me( He $as a .reat e+ie#er in ma)s2 and his o**i"es a+$a,s "ontained man,
ma)s hun. on the $a++s2 sho$in. +o"ations o* outrea!s o* #irus(

Bahr+in. )ut Geisert<s )hoto.ra)hs in a *o+der( He didn<t $ant an,one to see them( He
*ound 5eters at a meetin. in the "on*eren"e room that he+d the ma) o* the $or+d(
Bahr+in. ta))ed him on the shou+der( DI don<t !no$ $hat ,ou are doin. ri.ht no$2 4(B(2
ut I<#e .ot somethin. more im)ortant(D

D1hat is itCD

Bahr+in. he+d the *o+der "+osed( DIt<s a +itt+e sensiti#e( I rea++, don<t $ant to *+ash it here(D

D1hat<s so sensiti#eCD

Bahr+in. o)ened the *o+der s+i.ht+,2 ?ust enou.h to .i#e 4(B( a .+im)se o* s)a.hetti2 and
sna))ed it shut(

The "o+one+<s *a"e too! on a +oo! o* sur)rise( He stood u)2 and $ithout a $ord to the
others2 $ithout e#en e>"usin. himse+*2 he $a+!ed out o* the room $ith Bahr+in.( The,
$ent a"! to Bahr+in.<s o**i"e and "+osed the door ehind them( Geisert $as there2
$aitin. *or them(

Bahr+in. s)read the )hoto.ra)hs on his des!( DTa!e a +oo! at these2 4(B(D

The "o+one+ *+i))ed throu.h the )hoto.ra)hs( D1hat<s this *rom2 an,$a,CD he as!ed(

DIt<s *rom those mon!e,s in Reston( It doesn<t +oo! .ood to me(

Tom thin!s it<s :arur.(D

D1e<#e een *oo+ed e*ore2D 4(B( said( DA +ot o* thin.s +oo! +i!e $orms(D He stared at
the )hoto.ra)hs( The $orms $ere unmista!a+e-and there $ere the "r,sta++oids-the
ri"!s( It +oo!ed rea+( It *e+t rea+(

He e>)erien"ed $hat he $ou+d +ater des"rie as a ma?or )u"!er *a"tor settin. in( He
thou.ht2 This is .oin. to e an a$*u+ )ro+em *or that to$n in Vir.inia and these )eo)+e
there( DThe *irst 0uestion2D he $ent on2

Dis $hat are the "han"es o* +aorator, "ontaminationCD The stu** "ou+d e the Arm,<s
o$n 4ardina+ strain-it mi.ht ha#e someho$ +ea!ed out o* a *ree/er and .otten into those
*+as!s( But that seemed im)ossi+e( And the more the, )ondered2 the more im)ossi+e it
seemed( The 4ardina+ strain $as !e)t in a di**erent area o* the ui+din.2 ehind se#era+
$a++s o* io"ontainment2 a +on. distan"e *rom the mon!e, *+as!s( There $ere mu+ti)+e
sa*e.uards to )re#ent the a""identa+ re+ease o* a #irus +i!e :arur. 4ardina+( That ?ust
$asn<t )ossi+e( It "ou+d not e a "ontamination( But it mi.ht e somethin. other than a
#irus( It mi.ht e a *a+se a+arm(

D5eo)+e around here see somethin. +on. and strin.,2 and the, thin! the,<#e .ot a
*i+o#irus2D 4(B( 5eters said( DI<m s!e)ti"a+( A +ot o* thin.s +oo! +i!e :arur.(D

DI a.ree2D Bahr+in. re)+ied( DIt "ou+d e nothin.( It "ou+d e ?ust another 7o"h Ness
monster(D

D1hat are ,ou doin. to "on*irm itCD the "o+one+ as!ed him(

Bahr+in. e>)+ained that he $as )+annin. to test the "e++s $ith human +ood sam)+es that
$ou+d ma!e them .+o$ i* the, $ere in*e"ted , :arur.(

D6!a,2 ,ou<re testin. *or :arur.2D 4(B( said( DAre ,ou .oin. to in"+ude a test *or
Eo+aCD

DSure2 I a+read, thou.ht o* that(D

D1hen $i++ ,our tests e doneC Be"ause i* those :on!e,s ha#e :arur.2 $e ha#e to
*i.ure out $hat to do(D

3an 3a+.ard2 *or e>am)+e2 $as a )rime "andidate *or "omin. do$n $ith :arur.2
e"ause he had disse"ted that mon!e,(

DI<++ ha#e a de*inite ,es or no on :arur. , tomorro$2D Bahr+in. said(

4(B( 5eters turned to Tom Grisert and said that he $anted more )roo*-he $anted
)i"tures o* the a.ent a"tua++, .ro$in. in mon!e, +i#er *rom a mon!e, that had died in
the mon!e, house( That $ou+d )ro#e that it +i#ed in the mon!e,s(

4(B( "ou+d see that a mi+itar, and )o+iti"a+ "risis $as re$in.(

I* the )u+i" *ound out $hat :arur. does2 there "ou+d e )ani"( He stood u) $ith a
)hoto.ra)h o* sna!es in his hand and said2 DI* $e are .oin. to announ"e that :arur.
has ro!en out near 1ashin.ton2 $e had etter e damned sure $e are ri.ht(D Then he
dro))ed the )hoto.ra)h on Bahr+in.<s des! and returned to his meetin. under the ma) o*
the $or+d(

A9TER 4(B( 5ETERS +e*t Bahr+in.<s o**i"e2 a de+i"ate "on#ersation o""urred et$een
5eter Bahr+in. and Tom Geisert( The, shut the door and ta+!ed 0uiet+, aout the
$hi**in. in"ident( It $as somethin. the, had etter .et strai.ht et$een them( Neither o*
them had mentioned to 4o+one+ 4(B(

5eters that the, had $hi**ed that *+as!(

The, "ounted the da,s a"! to their e>)osure( Ten da,s had )assed sin"e the, had
un"a))ed the *+as! and $hi**ed $hat "ou+d e eau de :arur.( Tomorro$ $ou+d e da,
e+e#en( The "+o"! $as ti"!in.( The, $ere in the in"uation )eriod( 1hat $ere the,
.oin. to doC 1hat aout their *ami+iesC

The, $ondered $hat 4o+one+ 5eters $ou+d do i* he *ound out $hat the, had done( He
mi.ht order them into the S+ammer-the 7e#e+ @ io"ontainment hos)ita+( The, "ou+d end
u) in the S+ammer ehind air +o"!s and dou+e stee+ doors2 tended , nurses and do"tors
$earin. s)a"e suits( A month in the S+ammer $hi+e the do"tors ho#ered o#er ,ou in
s)a"e suits dra$in. sam)+es o* ,our +ood ?ust $aitin. *or ,ou to "rash(

The doors o* the S+ammer are !e)t +o"!ed2 the air is !e)t under ne.ati#e )ressure2 and
,our te+e)hone "a++s are monitored-e"ause )eo)+e ha#e emotiona+ rea!do$ns in the
S+ammer and tr, to es"a)e( The, start *+a!in. out , the se"ond $ee!( The, e"ome
"+ini"a++, de)ressed(

Non"ommuni"ati#e( The, stare at the $a++s2 s)ee"h+ess2 )assi#e2 $on<t e#en $at"h
te+e#ision( Some o* them e"ome a.itated and *ear*u+( Some o* them need to ha#e a
"ontinua+ dri) o* Va+ium in the arm to !ee) them *rom )oundin. on the $a++s2 smashin.
the #ie$in. $indo$s2 tearin. u) the medi"a+ e0ui)ment( The, sit on death ro$ in
so+itar, "on*inement2 $aitin. *or the s)i!in. *e#ers2 horri+e )ain in the interna+ or.ans2
rain stro!es2 and *ina++, the end.ame2 $ith its sudden2 sur)risin.2 un"ontro++a+e .ushes
o* +ood( :ost o* them "+aim +oud+, that the, ha#e not e e>)osed to an,thin.( The,
den, that an,thin. "ou+d .o $ron. $ith them2 and ordinari+, nothin. does .o $ron.
$ith them2 )h,si"a++,2 in the S+ammer2 and the, "ome out hea+th,( Their minds are
another stor,( In the S+ammer2 the, e"ome )aranoid2 "on#in"ed that the Arm,
ureau"ra", has *or.otten aout them2 has +e*t them to rot( 1hen the, "ome out2 the,
are disoriented( The, emer.e throu.h the air-+o"! door2 )a+e2 sha!en2 tentati#e2
trem+in.2 an.r, $ith the Arm,2 an.r, $ith themse+#es( The nurses2 tr,in. to "heer them
u)2 .i#e them a "a!e studded $ith the numer o* "and+es e0ua+ to the numer o* da,s
the,<#e een +i#in. in the S+ammer(

The, +in! in "on*usion and terror at a mass o* *+amin. "and+es on their S+ammer "a!e2
)erha)s more "and+es than the,<#e e#er seen on one o* their o$n irthda, "a!es( 6ne
.u, $as +o"!ed in the S+ammer *or *ort,-t$o da,s(

9ort,-t$o "and+es on his S+ammer "a!e(

:an, )eo)+e $ho ha#e een iso+ated in the S+ammer "hoose to "ut do$n on their $or!
in 7e#e+ @2 e.in to *ind a++ !inds o* e>"uses *or $h, the, rea++, "an<t )ut on a s)a"e suit
toda, or tomorro$ or the da, a*ter that( :an, o* the )eo)+e $ho ha#e een in the
S+ammer end u) 0uittin. their ?os and +ea#in. the Institute a+to.ether(

5eter Bahr+in. *e+t that2 on the $ho+e2 he $as not at mu"h ris! o* "ontra"tin. #irus 2 nor
$as Tom( I* he did "ontra"t it2 he $ou+d !no$ soon enou.h( His +ood $est test )ositi#e2
or he $ou+d .et a heada"he that $ou+dn<t .o a$a,( In an, "ase2 he e+ie#ed #er, stron.+,
that :arur. $asn<t eas, to "at"h2 and he didn<t thin! there $as an, dan.er to his *ami+,
or to an,one e+se around to$n(

But thin! aout 3an 3a+.ard "uttin. into mon!e,s( Bendin. o#er and reathin.
mon!e, $hen he o)ened their adomens( He $as endin. o#er their intestines2 o#er a
)oo+ o* :arur. +ood( So then2 $h, isn<t 3a+.ard deadC 1e++2 he reasoned2 nothin.<s
ha))ened to him2 so ma,e nothin. $i++ ha))en to us(

1here had it "ome *romC 1as it a ne$ strainC 1hat $as it "a)a+e o* doin. to humanC
The dis"o#erer o* a ne$ strain o* #irus .ets to name it( Bahr+in. thou.ht aout that2 too(
I* he and Tom $ere +o"!ed u) in the S+ammer2 the, $ou+d not e a+e to "arr, out an,
resear"h on this #irus( The, $ere on the #er.e o* a ma?or dis"o#er,2 and the .+or, o* it
)erha)s tanta+i/ed them( To *ind a *i+o#irus near 1ashin.ton $as the dis"o#er, o* a
+i*etime(

9or a++ these reasons2 the, de"ided to !ee) their mouths shut(

The, de"ided to test their +ood *or the #irus( Bahr+in. said somethin. to Geisert +i!e2
D1e are .oin. to .et +ood sam)+es dra$n *rom ourse+#es +i!e ri.ht no$(D I* their +ood
$ent )ositi#e2 the, "ou+d immediate+, re)ort to the S+ammer( I* their +ood remained
ne.ati#e and the, didn<t de#e+o) other s,m)toms2 then there are +itt+e "han"e the, "ou+d
in*e"t an,one e+se(

6#ious+, the, did not $ant to .o to the re.u+ar "+ini" to ha#e an Arm, nurse ta!e their
+ood( So the, *ound a *riend+, "i#i+ian te"hni"ian and he t$isted a ruer and around
their arms2 and the, $at"hed $hi+e he *i++ed some tues $ith their +ood( He understood
$hat had ha))ened2 and he said he $ou+d !ee) his mouth shut( Bahr+in. then )ut on a
s)a"e suit and "arried his o$n +ood into his 7e#e+ @ hot +a( He a+so too! $ith him
Geisert<s +ood and the *+as!s o* mi+!, stu**( It $as #er, stran.e2 hand+in. ,our o$n
+ood $hi+e $earin. a s)a"e suit( It seemed2 ho$e#er2 0uite ris!, to +et his +ood +ie
around $here someone mi.ht e a""identa++, e>)osed to it( His +ood had to e
io"ontained in a hot /one( I* it $as in*e"ted $ith :arur.2 he didn<t $ant to e
res)onsi+e *or it !i++in. an,one( He said to himse+*2 Gi#en that this $as a )ie"e o*
m,ster, meat sni**ed out o* a mon!e, "ar"ass2 I shou+d ha#e een a +itt+e more "are*u+(((

Tom Geisert $ent o** to "o++e"t some )i"!+ed mon!e, +i#er that he "ou+d )hoto.ra)h
*or #iruses2 ho)in. to )ro#e that the :arur.-+i!e a.ent +i#ed in the mon!e,s( He *ound
a )+asti" ?u. that "ontained steri+i/ed )ie"es o* +i#er *rom :on!e, 6G3( He *ished some
+i#er out o* the ?u.2 "+i))ed a *e$ its o* it2 and *i>ed the it in )+asti"( This $as a s+o$
?o and too! man, hours to *inish( He +e*t the )+asti" to "ure o#erni.ht and $ent home
*or a "ou)+e o* hours to tr, to .et some s+ee)(

THE SE46N3 ANGE7

N6VE:BER A;2 TUES3A8

T6: GEISBERT 7IVE3 in a sma++ to$n in 1est Vir.inia2 a"ross the 5otoma" Ri#er(
A*ter his se)aration *rom his $i*e2 his t$o "hi+dren had sta,ed $ith her *or a time2 and
no$ the, $ere sta,in. $ith him2 or rather2 the, $ere sta,in. $ith his )arents in their
house do$n the road( Both his "hi+dren $ere todd+ers(

He .ot u) at *our o<"+o"! in the mornin.2 dran! a "u) o* "o**ee2 and s!i))ed rea!*ast(
He dro#e his Bron"o in )it"h dar!ness a"ross the 5otoma" Ri#er and throu.h Antietam
Nationa+ Batt+e*ie+d2 a road rid.e o* "orn*ie+ds and *arm+and s"attered $ith stone
monuments to the dead( He )assed throu.h the *ront .ate o* 9ort 3etri"!2 )ar!ed2 and
$ent )ast the se"urit, des! and into his mi"ros"o)e area(

The da$n "ame .ra,2 .ust,2 and $arm( As +i.ht the "o+or o* o+d a+uminum .+immered
around the Institute2 Tom s+i"ed )ie"es o* mon!e, +i#er $ith his diamond !ni*e and )ut
them into the e+e"tron mi"ros"o)e( A *e$ minutes +ater2 he too! a )hoto.ra)h o* #irus
)arti"+es uddin. dire"t+, out o* "e++s in the +i#er o* :on!e, 6G3( The anima+<s +i#er $as
*u++ o* sna!es( These )hoto.ra)hs $ere de*inite )roo* that the #irus $as mu+ti)+,in. the
Reston mon!e,s-that it $as not a +aorator, "ontamination(

He a+so *ound in"+usion odies inside the mon!e,<s +i#er "e++s( The anima+<s +i#er $as
ein. trans*ormed into "r,sta+ ri"!s(

He "arried his ne$ )hoto.ra)hs to 5eter Bahr+in.<s o**i"e( Then the, oth $ent to see
4o+one+ 4(B( 5eters( The "o+one+ stared at the )hoto.ra)hs( 6!a,-he $as "on#in"ed2 too(
The a.ent $as .ro$in. in those mon!e,s( No$ the, $ou+d ha#e to $ait *or Bahr+in.<s
test resu+ts2 e"ause that $ou+d e the *ina+ "on*irmation that it $as indeed :arur.(

Bahr+in. $anted to nai+ do$n this :arur. as *ast as he "ou+d( He s)ent most o* the da,
in a s)a"e suit2 $or!in. in his hot +a2 )uttin. to.ether his tests( In the midd+e o* the da,2
he de"ided that he had to "a++ 3an 3a+.ard( He "ou+dn<t $ait an, +on.er2 e#en $ithout
test resu+ts(

He $anted to $arn 3a+.ard o* the dan.er2 ,et he $anted to de+i#er the $arnin.
"are*u++,2 so as not to "ause a )ani" in the mon!e, house( D8ou de*inite+, ha#e SH9 in
the mon!e, house2D he said( D1e ha#e de*inite+, "on*irmed that( Ho$e#er2 there is a+so
the )ossii+it, o* a se"ond a.ent in at +east some o* the anima+s(D

D1hat a.entC 4an ,ou te++ me $hat a.entCD 3a+.ard as!ed(

DI don<t $ant to identi*, the a.ent ri.ht no$2D Bahr+in. said2

De"ause I don<t $ant to start a )ani"( But there are serious )otentia+ )u+i" hea+th
ha/ards asso"iated $ith it2 i*2 in *a"t2 $e are dea+in. $ith this )arti"u+ar a.ent(D

Someho$2 the $a, Bahr+in. used the $ords )ani" and )arti"u+ar made 3a+.ard thin! o*
:arur. #irus( E#er,one $ho hand+ed mon!e,s !ne$ aout :arur.( It $as a #irus that
"ou+d easi+, ma!e )eo)+e )ani"(

DIs it :arur. or some simi+ar a.entCD 3a+.ard as!ed(

D8es2 somethin. +i!e that2D Bahr+in. said( D1e<++ ha#e "on*irmation +ater in the da,( I<m
$or!in. on the tests no$( I *ee+ it<s un+i!e+, the resu+ts $i++ e )ositi#e *or this se"ond
a.ent( But ,ou shou+d ta!e )re"autions not to do an, ne"ro)sies on an, anima+s unti+
$e<#e "om)+eted the tests( 7oo!2 I don<t $ant to set o** too man, $hist+es and e++s2 ut I
don<t $ant ,ou and ,our em)+o,ees $a+!in. into that room unne"essari+,(D

DHo$ soon "an ,ou .et a"! to me $ith de*inite ,es or no aout this se"ond a.entC 1e
need to !no$ as soon as )ossi+e(D

DI<++ "a++ ,ou a"! toda,( I )romise2D Bahr+in. said(

3a+.ard hun. u) the )hone hi.h+, distured2 ut he maintained his usua+ "a+m manner(
A se"ond a.ent2 and it sounded as i* it $as :arur.(

The )eo)+e $ho had died in German,2 he !ne$2 had een hand+in. ra$2 +ood mon!e,
meat( The meat $as *u++ o* #irus2 and the, .ot it on their hands2 or the, rued it on their
e,e+ids( He and other )eo)+e at the "om)an, had een "uttin. into si"! mon!e,s sin"e
6"toer-and ,et no one had e"ome si"!( E#er,one had $orn ruer .+o#es( He $asn<t
a*raid *or himse+*-he *e+t *ine-ut he e.an to $orr, aout the others( He thou.ht2 E#en
i* the #irus is :arur.2 the situation is sti++ no di**erent *rom e*ore( 1e<re sti++ stu"! in a
)ot( The 0uestion is ho$ to .et ourse+#es out o* this )ot( He "a++ed Bi++ Vo+t and ordered
him not to "ut into an, more mon!e,s( Then he sat in his o**i"e2 .ettin. more and more
anno,ed as the da, dar!ened and 5eter Bahr+in. did not "a++ him a"!( He $ondered i*
an, o* the men had "ut themse+#es $ith a s"a+)e+ $hi+e )er*ormin. a disse"tion o*
diseased mon!e,( 4han"es $ere the, $ou+dn<t *i+e an a""ident re)ort(

He !ne$ *or sure that he had not "ut himse+*( But he had )er*ormed a mass sa"ri*i"e o*
a))ro>imate+, *i*t, anima+s( He had een in "onta"t $ith *i*t, anima+s( Ho$ +on. had it
een sin"e thenC He shou+d e sho$in. some s,m)toms , no$( B+ood, nose2 *e#er2
somethin. +i!e that(

At *i#e-thirt,2 he "a++ed Bahr+in.<s o**i"e and .ot a so+dier on the )hone2 $ho ans$ered
, sa,in.2 DHo$ "an I he+) ,ou2 sir or ma<amC (((

I<m sorr,2 sir2 3r( Bahr+in. is not in his o**i"e ((( No sir2 I don<t !no$ $here he is2 sir (((
No2 he has not +e*t $or!( :a, I ta!e a messa.e2 sirCD 3a+.ard +e*t a messa.e *or Bahr+in.
to "a++ him at home( He $as *e++in. steadi+, more anno,ed(

1G00 H6URS

BAHR7ING 1AS IN his s)a"e suit( He $or!ed steadi+, a++ a*ternoon in his o$n +a2
hot /one AA-@2 at the "enter o* the ui+din.2 $here he *idd+ed $ith the *+as!s o* #irus
"u+ture *rom the mon!e, house( It $as a s+o$2 irritatin. ?o( His tests in#o+#ed ma!in.
sam)+es .+o$ under u+tra#io+et +i.ht( I* he "ou+d ma!e the sam)+es .+o$2 then he !ne$
he had the #irus(

In order to do this2 he needed to use +ood serum *rom human #i"tims( The +ood serum
$ou+d rea"t to #iruses( He $ent to the *ree/ers2 and .ot out #ia+s o* *ro/en +ood serum
*rom three )eo)+e( T$o o* the )eo)+e had died; and one had sur#i#ed( The, $ere:

1( :uso!e - A test *or :arur.( Serum *rom the +ood o* 3r(

Shem :uso!e2 a sur#i#or( E5resuma+, rea"ti#e a.ainst the =itum 4a#e strain2 $hi"h
had started $ith 4har+es :onet and ?um)ed into 3r( :uso!e<s e,es in the +a"! #omit(F

A( Boni*a"e - A test *or Eo+a Sudan( 9rom a man named Boni*a"e $ho died in
Sudan(

3( :a,in.a - A test *or Eo+a Haire( Nurse :a,in.a<s +ood serum(

The test $as de+i"ate2 and too! hours to "om)+ete( It $as not made easier , the *a"t
that he $as shu**+in. around in his s)a"e suit the $ho+e time(

9irst he )ut dro)+ets o* "e++s *rom the mon!e, "u+ture onto .+ass s+ides2 and +et them
dr,2 and treated them $ith "hemi"a+s( Then he )ut dro)s o* the +ood serum on the
s+ides( The, $ou+d .+o$ in the )resen"e o* tar.et #irus(

No$ it $as time to +oo!( This had to e done in tota+ dar!ness2 e"ause the .+o$ $ou+d
e *aint( He shu**+ed o#er to a stora.e "+oset2 and $ent inside it2 and "+osed the door
ehind him( A mi"ros"o)e sat on a ta+e in the "+oset2 and there $as a "hair2 and *rom the
$a++ hun. an air hose( He )+u..ed the hose into his s)a"e suit and )ut the s+ides into the
mi"ros"o)e( Then he turned out the +i.hts( He *e+t around in the dar!ness *or the "hair2
and sat do$n( This $as not a *un )+a"e to e i* ,ou ha))ened to ha#e a tou"h o*
"+austro)hoia-sittin. in a )it"h-+a"! 7e#e+ @ "+oset $hi+e $earin. a s)a"e suit( 5eter
Bahr+in. had made his )ea"e $ith su**o"ation and dar!ness a +on. time a.o( He $aited
*or a minute to .i#e his e,e time to ada)t to the dar!2 and the +itt+e s)ar!+es o* +i.ht in his
e,es as the, ad?usted to the dar!ness e#entua++, *aded a$a,2 $hi+e "oo+2 dr, air roared
around his *a"e and $hi**+ed the hair on his *orehead( Then he +oo!ed throu.h the
ino"u+ar e,e)ie"es o* the mi"ros"o)e( He $ore his e,e.+asses inside his s)a"e suit2 and
that made it )arti"u+ar+, di**i"u+t to see( He )ressed the *a"e)+ate a.ainst his nose and
s0uinted( He mo#ed his *a"e *rom side to side( His nose +e*t a .reas, strea! inside his
*a"e)+ate( He t$isted his he+met unit it $as turned near+, side$a,s( 9ina++, he sa$
throu.h the e,e)ie"es(

T$o "ir"+es dri*ted into his si.ht2 and he *o"used his e,es2 rin.in. the "ir"+es to.ether(
He $as +oo!in. do$n into #ast terrain( He sa$ "e++s dim+, out+ined in a *aint .+o$( It
$as +i!e *+,in. o#er a "ountr, at ni.ht2 o#er thin+, )o)u+ated +ands( It $as norma+ to see
a *aint .+o$( He $as +oo!in. *or a ri.ht .+o$( He $as +oo!in. *or a "it,(

He s"anned the s+ides $ith his e,es2 a"! and *orth2 a"! and *orth2 mo#in. a"ross the
mi"ros"o)i" $or+d2 +oo!in. *or a te++ta+e .reenish .+o$(

The :uso!e did not .+o$(

The Boni*a"e .+o$ed $ea!+,(

To his horror2 the :a,in.a .+o$ed ri.ht+,(

He ?er!ed his head a"!( A$2 noI He ad?usted his he+met and +oo!ed a.ain( The
:a,in.a +ood serum $as sti++ .+o$in.( The dead $oman<s +ood $as rea"tin. to the
#irus in the mon!e, house( He .ot an u.+, *ee+in. in the )it o* his stoma"h( Those
mon!e,s didn<t ha#e :arur.( The, had Eo+a( Those anima+s $ere d,in. o* Eo+a
Haire( His stoma"h +ur"hed and turned o#er2 and he sat *ro/en in the dar! "+oset2 $ith
on+, the sound o* his air and the thud o* his heart(

4HAIN 69 46::AN3

1&00 H6URS2 TUES3A8

THIS 4AN<T BE Eo+a Haire2 5eter Bahr+in. thou.ht( Someod, must ha#e s$it"hed
the sam)+es , a""ident( He +oo!ed a.ain( 8eah2 the :a,in.a +ood serum $as
de*inite+, .+o$in.( It meant he and Tom "ou+d e in*e"ted $ith Eo+a Haire2 $hi"h !i++s
nine out o* ten #i"tims( He de"ided that he had made a mista!e in his e>)eriment( He
must ha#e a""identa++, s$it"hed around his sam)+es or .otten somethin. mi>ed u)(

He de"ided to do the test a.ain( He turned on the +i.hts in the "+oset and s"u**+ed out
into his +a2 this time !ee)in. "are*u+ tra"! o* his #ia+s2 ott+es2 and s+ides to ma!e sure
that nothin. .ot mi>ed u)(

Then he "arried the ne$ sam)+es a"! into the "+oset and turned out the +i.hts and
+oo!ed a.ain into the his mi"ros"o)e(

6n"e a.ain2 the :a,in.a +ood .+o$ed(

So ma,e it rea++, $as Eo+a Haire or somethin. "+ose+, re+ated to it-the dead $oman<s
+ood D!ne$D this #irus2 and rea"ted to it( Good thin. this ain<t :arur.-$e++2 .uess
$hat2 it ain<t :arur.( This is the hon!er *rom Haire2 or ma,e its t$in sister( Eo+a had
ne#er seen outside A*ri"a( 1hat $as it doin. near 1ashin.tonC Ho$ in the he++ had it
.otten hereC 1hat $ou+d it doC He thou.ht2 I<m onto somethin. rea++, hot(

He $as $earin. his s)a"e suit2 ut he didn<t $ant to ta!e the time to de"on out throu.h
the air +o"!( There $as an emer.en", te+e)hone on the $a++ in his +a( He dis"onne"ted
his air hose to e>tin.uish the roar o* air so that he "ou+d hear throu.h the re"ei#er2 and
he )un"hed 4(B(

5eters< )hone numer(

D4(?(ID he shouted throu.h his he+met( DIT<S 5ETER BAHR7ING(

IT<S REA72 AN3 IT<S EB67A(D

DNa$ID 4(B( re)+ied(

D8EAH(D

DEo+aC It<s .otta e a "ontamination2D 4(B( said(

Dno2 IT ISN<T A 46NTA:INATI6N(D

D4ou+d ,ou ha#e .otten the sam)+es mi>ed u)CD

D8EAH2 I =N61-:8 9IRST TH6UGHT 1AS THAT S6:EB638 HA3
S1IT4HE3 THE

SA:57ES( BUT THE8 1EREN<T S1IT4HE32 4(B(-BE4AUSE I 3I3 THE TEST
T1I4E(D

DT$i"eCD

DEB67A HAIRE B6TH TI:ES( I<VE G6T THE RESU7TS RIGHT HERE( I 4AN

5ASS THE: T6 86U( TA=E A 766= 96R 86URSE79(D

DI<m "omin. do$n there2D 4(B( said( He hun. u) the )hone and hurried do$nstairs to
Bahr+in.<s hot +a(

Bahr+in.2 mean$hi+e2 )i"!ed u) a sheet o* $ater)roo* )a)er on $hi"h he had $ritten the
resu+ts o* his tests( He s+id the )a)er into a tan! *u++ o* En#iro4hem( The tan! $ent
throu.h the $a++ to a 7e#e+ 0 "orridor outside the hot /one( The tan! $or!ed on the same
)rin"i)+e as a s+idin. "ash dra$er in a te++er<s $indo$( 8ou "ou+d )ass an o?e"t *rom the
hot /one throu.h a tan! into the norma+ $or+d( It $ou+d e disin*e"ted on its $a,
throu.h the tan!(

4(B( stood at a thi"! .+ass $indo$ on the other side2 +oo!in. in at Bahr+in.( The, $aited
*or se#era+ minutes $hi+e the "hemi"a+s )enetrated the )a)er and steri+i/ed it( Then 4(B(
o)ened the tan! *rom his side and remo#ed the )a)er2 dri))in. $ith "hemi"a+s2 and he+d
it in his hands( He motioned to Bahr+in. throu.h the $indo$: Go a"! to the )hone(

Bahr+in. shu**+ed a"! to the emer.en", te+e)hone and $aited *or it to rin.( It ran.2 and
there $as 4(B(<s #oi"e on the +ine: DGet out o* there2 and +et<s .o see the "ommanderID

It $as time to mo#e this thin. u) the "hain o* "ommand(

Bahr+in. de"onned out throu.h the air +o"!2 .ot dressed in his street "+othes2 and hurried
to 4(B( 5eters<s o**i"e2 and the, oth $ent to the o**i"e o* the "ommander o*
USA:RII32 a "o+one+ named 3a#id Hu>so++(

The, rushed )ast his se"retar,-to+d her it $as an emer.en",-and sat do$n at a
"on*eren"e ta+e in his o**i"e(

DGuess $hatCD 4(B( said( DIt +oo!s +i!e $e<#e *ound a *i+o#irus in a un"h o* mon!e,s
outside 1ashin.ton( 1e<#e re"o#ered $hat $e thin! is Eo+a(D

4o+one+ 3a#id Hu>so++ $as an e>)ert in ioha/ards2 and this $as the sort o* situation he
thou.ht the Institute $as )re)ared to hand+e(

1ithin minutes2 he te+e)honed :a?or Genera+ 5hi+i) =( Russe++2 :32 $ho $as the
"ommander o* the United States Arm, :edi"a+ Resear"h and 3e#e+o)ment 4ommand2
$hi"h has authorit, o#er USA:RII32 and had set u) a meetin. in Russe++<s o**i"e in
another ui+din. at 9ort 3etri"!(

Hu>so++ and 4(B( 5eters s)ent a *e$ moments ta+!in. aout $ho e+se shou+d e rou.ht
in( The, hit u)on 7ieutenant 4o+one+ Nan", Baa>2 the Institute<s "hie* o* )atho+o.,( She
"ou+d identi*, the si.ns o* Eo+a in a mon!e,( Hu>so++ )i"!ed u) his )hone( DNan",2 it<s
3a#id Hu>so++( 4an ,ou .et o#er to 5hi+ Russe++<s o**i"e ri.ht no$C It<s damned
im)ortant(D

DIt $as a dar! No#emer e#enin.2 and the ase $as e.innin. to 0uiet do$n *or the
ni.ht( At the moment o* sundo$n that da,2 there $as no sun #isi+e2 on+, a d,in. o* the
+i.ht ehind "+ouds that *+o$ed o** 4ato"tin :ountain( Baa> met Bahr+in. and the t$o
"o+one+s on their $a, a"ross the )arade .round eside the Institute( A detai+ o* mar"hin.
so+diers sto))ed e*ore the *+a.)o+e( The .rou) o* )eo)+e *rom the Institute a+so sto))ed(
9rom a +ouds)ea!er "ame a roar o* a "annon and then the u.+e musi" o* DRetreat2D
"ra"!+ish and "hea)-soundin. in the air2 and the so+diers +o$ered the *+a. $hi+e the
o**i"ers "ame to attention and sa+uted( 4(B( 5eters *e+t oth emarrassed and odd+,
mo#ed(

DRetreatD ended2 and the so+diers *o+ded u) the *+a.2 and the Institute )eo)+e "ontinued
on their $a,(

Genera+ Russe++<s o**i"e o""u)ied a "orner o* a +o$-s+un. Se"ond 1or+d 1ar arra"!s
that had een re"ent+, )+astered $ith stu""o into a ho)e+ess e**ort to ma!e it +oo! ne$( It
had a #ie$ o* the +e.s o* 9ort 3etri"!<s $ater to$er( 4onse0uent+,2 the .enera+ ne#er
o)ened his "urtains( The #isitors sat on a "ou"h and hairs2 and the .enera+ sett+ed ehind
his des!( He $as a medi"a+ do"tor $ho had hunted #iruses in Southeast Asia( He $as in
his +ate *i*ties2 a ta++ man $ith hair thinnin. on to) and .ra, at the tem)+es2 +ined "hee!s2
a +on. ?a$2 )a+e +ue e,es that .a#e him a +oo! o* intensit,2 and a oomin.2 dee) #oi"e(

4(B( 5eters handed the .enera+ a *o+der "ontainin. the )hoto.ra)hs o* the +i*e *orm in the
mon!e, house(

Genera+ Russe++ stared2 DHo+, shit2D he said( He dre$ a reath(

D:an( That<s *i+o#irus( 1ho the he++ too! this )i"tureCD He *+i))ed to the ne>t one(

DThese $ere done , m, mi"ros"o)ist2 Tom Geisert2D Bahr+in. said(

DIt "ou+d e Eo+a( The tests are sho$in. )ositi#e *or Eo+a Hair(D

4(B( then .a#e an o#er#ie$ o* the situation2 te++in. the .enera+ aout the mon!e,s in
Reston2 and *inishin. $ith these $ords: DI<d sa, $e ha#e a ma?or )u"!er *a"tor aout the
#irus in those mon!e,s(D

D1e++2 ho$ "ertain are ,ou that it<s Eo+aCD Genera+ Russe++ as!ed( DI<m $onderin. i*
this "ou+d e :arur.(D

Bahr+in. e>)+ained $h, he didn<t thin! it $as :arur.( He had done his test t$i"e2 he
said2 and oth times the sam)+es $ere )ositi#e to the :a,in.a strain o* Eo+a Haire( As
he s)o!e to the .enera+2 he $as #er, "are*u+ to sa, that test did not in itse+* )ro#e that the
#irus $as Eo+a Haire( It sho$ed on+, that is $as "+ose+, re+ated to Eo+a Haire(

It mi.ht e Eo+a2 or it mi.ht e somethin. e+se-somethin. ne$ and di**erent(

4(B( said2 D1e ha#e to e #er, "on"erned and #er, )u"!ered i* it is o* the same i+! as
Eo+a(D

The, had to e #er, )u"!ered2 Russe++ a.reed( D1e ha#e a natura+ emer.en", on our
hands2D he said( DThis is an in*e"tious threat o* ma?or "onse0uen"es(D He remar!ed that
this t,)e o* #irus had ne#er een seen e*ore in the United States2 and it $as ri.ht
outside 1ashin.ton( D1hat the he++ are $e .oin. to do aout itCD he said( Then he as!ed
them i* there $as an, e#iden"e that the #irus "ou+d tra#e+ throu.h air( That $as a "ru"ia+
0uestion(

There $as e#iden"e2 horri*,in. ut in"om)+ete2 that Eo+a "ou+d tra#e+ throu.h the air(
Nan", Baa> des"ried the in"ident in $hi"h her t$o hea+th, mon!e,s had died o*
)resuma+, airorne Eo+a in the $ee!s a*ter the +ood,-.+o#e in"ident2 in 1%;3( There
$as more e#iden"e2 and she des"ried that2 too( In 1%;&2 Gene Bohnson had in*e"ted
mon!e,s $ith Eo+a and :arur. , +ettin. them reathe it into their +un.s2 and she had
een the )atho+o.ist *or that e>)eriment( A++ o* the mon!e,s e>)osed to airorne #irus
had died e>"e)t *or one mon!e,2 $hi"h mana.ed to sur#i#e :arur.( The #irus2
there*ore2 "ou+d in*e"t the +un.s on "onta"t(

9urthermore2 the +etha+ dose $as *air+, sma++: as sma++ as *i#e hundred in*e"tious #irus
)arti"+es( That man, )arti"+es o* airorne Eo+a "ou+d easi+, hat"h out o* a sin.+e "e++( A
tin, amount o* airorne Eo+a "ou+d nu!e a ui+din. *u++ o* )eo)+e i* it .ot into the
air"onditionin. s,stem(

The stu** "ou+d e +i!e )+utonium( The stu** "ou+d e $orse than )+utonium e"ause it
"ou+d re)+i"ate(

4(B( said2 D1e !no$ it<s in*e"tious , air2 ut $e don<t !no$ ho$ in*e"tious(D

Russe++ turned to Baa> and as!ed2 DHas this een )u+ishedC 3id ,ou )u+ish itCD

DNo2 sir2D she said(

He .+ared at her( She "ou+d see him thin!in.2 1e++2 Baa>2 $h, the he++ hasn<t it een
)u+ishedC

There $ere )+ent, o* reasons2 ut she didn<t *ee+ +i!e .i#in. them ?ust no$( She e+ie#ed
that Gene Bohnson2 her "o++aorator2 had di**i"u+t, $ritin. )a)ers( And2 $e++2 the, ?ust
had not .otten around to )u+ishin. it2 that $as a++( It ha))ens( 5eo)+e sometimes ?ust
don<t .et around to )u+ishin. )a)ers(

Hearin. the dis"ussion2 5eter Bahr+in. "hose not to mention to the .enera+ that he mi.ht
ha#e sni**ed ?ust a +itt+e it o* it( An,$a,2 he hadn<t sni**ed it2 he had on+, $hi**ed it( He
had !ind o* +i!e $a#ed his hand o#er it2 ?ust to rin. the s"ent to his nose( He hadn<t
inha+ed it(

He hadn<t +i!e ?ammed the *+as! u) in his nostri+ and snorted it or an,thin. +i!e that( 8et
he had a *ee+in. he !ne$ $hat the .enera+ mi.ht do i* he *ound out aout it-the .enera+
$ou+d eru)t in enou.h )ro*anit, to +i*t Bahr+in. o** his *eet and dro) him into the
S+ammer(

Then there $as the additiona+ *ri.htenin. )ossii+it, that this #irus near 1ashin.ton
$as not Eo+a Haire( That it $as somethin. e+se(

Another hot strain *rom the rain *orest( An un!no$n emer.er( And $ho "ou+d sa, ho$ it
mo#ed or $hat it "ou+d do to humansC Genera+ Russe++ e.an to thin! out +oud( D1e
"ou+d e in *or a he++a"ious e#ent2D he said( DGi#en that $e ha#e an a.ent $ith a
)otentia+ to "ause se#ere human disease2 and .i#en that it a))ears to e un"ontro++ed in
the mon!e, house2 $hat do $e doC 1e need to do the ri.ht thin.2 and $e need to do it
*ast(

Ho$ i. is this su"!erC And are )eo)+e .oin. to dieCD He turned to 4o+one+ 4(B( 5eters
and as!ed2 DSo $hat are our o)tion hereCD

4(B( had een thin!in. aout this a+read,( There are three $a,s to sto) a #irus-#a""ines2
dru.s and io"ontainment( 9or Eo+a2 there $as on+, one $a, to sto) it( There $as no
#a""ine *or Eo+a( There $as no dru. treatment *or Eo+a( That +e*t on+,
io"ontainment(

But ho$ to a"hie#e io"ontainmentC That $as tri"!,( As *ar as 4(B( "ou+d see2 there
$ere on+, t$o o)tions( The *irst o)tion $as to sea+ o** the mon!e, "o+on, and $at"h the
mon!e, die-and a+so !ee) a "+ose $at"h on the )eo)+e $ho had hand+ed the mon!e,s
and )ossi+, )ut them into 0uarantine as $e++( The se"ond o)tion $as to .o into the
ui+din. and steri+i/e the $ho+e )+a"e( =i++ the mon!e,s-.i#e them +etha+ in?e"tions-urn
their "ar"asses2 and dren"h the entire ui+din. $ith "hemi"a+s and *umes-a ma?or
ioha/ard o)eration(

Genera+ Russe++ +istened and sad2 DSo o)tion one is to "ut the mon!e,s o** *rom the rest
o* the $or+d and +et the #irus run its "ourse in them( And o)tion t$o is to $i)e them out(
There aren<t an, more o)tions(D

E#er,one a.reed that there $ere no other o)tions(

Nan", Baa> $as thin!in.( It ma, e in the mon!e, house no$2 ut it ain<t .oin. to sta,
there #er, damn +on.( She had ne#er seen a mon!e, sur#i#e Eo+a( And Eo+a is a
s)e"ies ?um)er( A++ o* those mon!e,s $ere .oin. to die2 and the, $ere .oin. to die in a
$a, that $as a+most unima.ina+e( Ver, *e$ )eo)+e on earth had seen Eo+a do its $or!
on a )rimate2 ut she !ne$ e>a"t+, $hat it "ou+d do( She did not see ho$ the #irus "ou+d
e "ontained un+ess the mon!e, house $as set u) *or 0uarantine $ith an inde)endent+,
*i+tered air su))+,( She said2 DHo$ ethi"a+ is it to +et these anima+s .o a +on. time e*ore
the, dieC And ho$ do $e assure the sa*et, o* )eo)+e in the meantimeC I<#e $at"hed
these .u,s die o* Eo+a2 and it<s not a *un $a, to .o-the,<re si"!2 si"!2 si"! anima+s(D

She said that she $anted to .o into the mon!e, house to +oo! at the mon!e,s( DThe
+esions are eas, to miss un+ess ,ou !no$ $hat ,ou are +oo!in. *or2D she said2 Dand then
it<s as )+ain as the nose on ,ou *a"e(D

She a+so $anted to .o there to +oo! at )ie"es o* tissue under a mi"ros"o)e( She $anted
to +oo! *or "r,sta++oids2 or Din"+usion odiesD

Bri"!s( I* she "ou+d *ind them in the mon!e, meat2 that $ou+d e another "on*irmation
that the mon!e,s $ere hot(

:ean$hi+e2 there $as the +ar.er 0uestion o* )o+iti"s( Shou+d the Arm, e"ome
in#o+#edC The Arm, has a mission2 $hi"h is to de*end the "ountr, a.ainst mi+itar,
threats( 1as this #irus a mi+itar, threatC The sense o* the meetin. ran +i!e this: mi+itar,
threat or not2 i* $e are .oin. to sto) this a.ent2 $e<#e .ot to thro$ e#er,thin. at it that
$e<#e .ot(

That $ou+d "reate a sma++ )o+iti"a+ )ro+em( A"tua++, it $ou+d "reate a +ar.e )o+iti"a+
)ro+em( The )ro+em had to do $ith the 4enters *or 3isease 4ontro+ in At+anta2
Geor.ia( The 4(3(4( is the *edera+ a.en", that dea+s $ith emer.in. diseases( It has a
mandate *rom 4on.ress to "ontro+ human disease( This is the 4(3(4(<s +a$*u+ ?o( The
Arm, does not e>a"t+, ha#e a mandate to *+i.ht #iruses on Ameri"an soi+( 8et the Arm,
has the "a)ai+it, and the e>)ertise to do it( E#er,one in the room "ou+d see that a
"on*rontation mi.ht oi+ u) $ith the 4(3(4( i* the Arm, de"ided to mo#e in on the
mon!e, house( There $ere )eo)+e at 4(3(4( $ho "ou+d e ?ea+ous o* their tur*( DThe
Arm, doesn<t ha#e the statutor, res)onsii+it, to ta!e "are o* this situation2D Genera+
Russe++ )ointed out2 Dut the Arm, has the "a)ai+it,( The 4(3(4( doesn<t ha#e the
"a)ai+it,( 1e ha#e the mus"+e ut not the authorit,( The 4(3(4( has the authorit, ut
not the mus"+e( And there<s .oin. to e a )issin. "ontest(D

In the o)inion o* Genera+ Russe++2 this $as a ?o *or so+diers o)eratin. under a "hain o*
"ommand( There $ou+d e a need *or )eo)+e trained in ioha/ard $or!( The, $ou+d
ha#e to e ,oun.2 $ithout *ami+ies2 $i++in. to ris! their +i#es( The, $ou+d ha#e to !no$
ea"h other and e a+e to $or! in teams( The, had to e read, to die(

In *a"t2 the Arm, had ne#er e*ore or.ani/ed a ma?or *ie+d o)eration a.ainst a hot #irus(
The $ho+e thin. $ou+d ha#e to e )ut to.ether *rom s"rat"h(

6#ious+, there $ere +e.a+ 0uestions here( 7a$,ers $ere .oin. to ha#e to e "onsu+ted(
1as this +e.a+C 4ou+d the Arm, sim)+, )ut to.ether a ioha/ard S1AT team and mo#e
in on the mon!e, houseC Genera+ Russe++ $as a*raid the Arm,<s +a$,ers $ou+d te++ him
that it "ou+d not2 and shou+d not2 e done2 so he ans$ered the +e.a+ douts $ith these
$ords: DA )o+i", o* mo#in. out and doin. it2 an as!in. *or.i#eness a*ter$ard2 is mu"h
etter than a )o+i", o* as!in. )ermission and ha#in. it denied( 8ou ne#er as! a +a$,er
*or )ermission to do somethin.( 1e are .oin. to do the need*u+2 and the +a$,ers are
.oin. to te++ us $h, it<s +e.a+(D

B, this time2 the )eo)+e in the room $ere shoutin. and interru)tin. one another(
Genera+ Russe++2 sti++ thin!in. out +oud2 oomed2 DSo the ne>t 0uestion is2 1ho the *u"!
is .oin. to )a, *or itCD

Be*ore an,one had a "han"e to s)ea!2 he ans$ered the 0uestion himse+*(

DI<++ .et the mone,( I<++ eat it out o* someod,(D

:ore shoutin.(

The .enera+<s #oi"e rose ao#e the noise( DThis is a i. one "omin.2 so +et<s not s"re$ it
u)2 *e++as2D he said( D7et<s $rite the ri.ht .ame )+an and then e>e"ute it(D In the Arm,2 an
im)ortant ?o is "a++ed a mission2 and a mission is a+$a,s "arried out , a team2 and
e#er, team has a +eader( D1e ha#e to a.ree on $ho is .oin. to e in "har.e o* this
o)eration2D the .enera+ "ontinued( D4(B( 5eters has .ot this a"tion here(

He<s in "har.e o* the o)eration( He<s the desi.nated team +eader( 6!a,C

E#er,od, a.reed on thatC

E#er,od, a.reed(

D4(B(2 $hat $e need is a meetin.2D the .enera+ said( DTomorro$ $e<re .oin. to ha#e a
meetin.( 1e ha#e to "a++ e#er,od,(D

He +oo!ed at the "+o"! on the $a++( It $as *i#e-thirt,2 rush hour( 5eo)+e $ere +ea#in.
$or!2 and mon!e,s $ere d,in. in Reston2 and the #irus $as on the mo#e( D1e<#e .ot to
)u++ the "hain on this $ho+e thin.2< the .enera+ said( D1e<++ ha#e to in*orm e#er,od,
simu+taneous+,2 as soon as )ossi+e( I $ant to start $ith 9red :ur)h, at the 4(3(4( I
don<t $ant him to e sanda..ed , this(D

9rederi"! A( :ur)h, $as one o* the ori.ina+ dis"o#ers o* Eo+a #irus2 the $i/ard $ith
an e+e"tron mi"ros"o)e $ho had *irst )hoto.ra)hed the #irus and $hose $or! had hun.
in art museums( He $as an o+d *riend o* Genera+ Russe++<s( He $as a+so an im)ortant
o**i"ia+ at 4(3(4(2 the dire"tor o* the Nationa+ 4enter *or In*e"tious 3iseases(

Russe++s )ut his hand on the te+e)hone on his des!( He stared around the room( D6ne
+ast time: are ,ou sure ,ou<#e .ot $hat ,ou thin! ,ou<#e .otC Be"ause I<m .onna to ma!e
this )hone "a++( I* ,ou don<t ha#e a *i+o#irus2 $e $i++ +oo! +i!e rea+ assho+es(D

Around the room2 one , one2 the, to+d him the, $ere "on#in"ed it $as a thread #irus(

DA++ ri.ht( Then I<m satis*ied $e<#e .ot it(D

He dia+ed :ur)h,<s numer in At+anta(

DSorr,-3r( :ur)h, has .one home *or the da,(D

He )u++ed out his +a"! oo! and *ound :ur)h,<s home )hone numer(

He rea"hed :ur)h, in his !it"hen2 $here he $as "hattin. $ith his $i*e(

D9red2 It<s 5hi+ Russe++ ((( Great2 ho$ aout ,ourse+*C ((( 9red2 $e<#e iso+ated an Eo+a-
+i!e a.ent outside 1ashin.ton ((( 8eah( 6utside 1ashin.ton(D

A .rin s)read o#er Russe++<s *a"e2 and he he+d the )hone a$a, *rom his ear and +oo!ed
around the room( E#ident+, :ur)h, $as ha#in. some !ind o* a nois, rea"tion( Then
Genera+ Russe++ said into the re"ei#er2 DNo2 9red2 $e<re not smo!in. do)e( 1e<#e .ot an
Eo+a-+i!e #irus( 1e<#e seen it ((( 8eah2 $e ha#e )i"tures(D There $as a )ause2 and he )ut
his hand o#er the mouth)ie"e and said to the room2 DHe thin!s $e<#e .ot "rud in our
s"o)e(D

:ur)h, $anted to !no$ $ho too! the )i"tures and $ho ana+,/ed them(

DIt $as a !id $ho too! the )i"tures( 8oun. .u, named-$hat<s his nameC-Geisert( And
$e<re +oo!in. at them ri.ht here(D

:ur)h, said he $ou+d *+, u) to 9ort 3etri"! tomorro$ mornin. to +oo! at the )i"tures
and re#ie$ the e#iden"e( He too! it e>treme+, serious+,(

1;30 H6URS2 TUES3A8

3AN 3A7GAR3 HA3 to "a++ed2 and the, had to noti*, Vir.inia state hea+th
authorities( DI<m not e#en sure $ho the state authorities are2D Russe++ said( DAnd $e<#e
.ot to .et them on the )hone ri.ht no$(D 5eo)+e $ere +ea#in. $or!( D1e<++ ha#e to "a++
)eo)+e at home( It<s .oin. to e a un"h o* )hone "a++s(D 1hat "ount, $as that mon!e,
house +o"ated inC

9air*a> 4ount,2 Vir.inia( :,2 oh m,2 a ni"e )+a"e to +i#e( 9air*a> 4ount,-eauti*u+
nei.horhoods2 +a!es2 .o+* "ourse2 e>)ensi#e homes2 .ood s"hoo+s2 and Eo+a( D1e<++
ha#e to "a++ the "ount, hea+th de)artment2D the .enera+ said( The, $ou+d a+so ha#e to
"a++ the U(S( 3e)artment o* A.ri"u+ture2 $hi"h has "ontro+ o#er im)orted mon!e,s(
The, $ou+d ha#e to "a++ the En#ironmenta+ 5rote"tion A.en",2 $hi"h has ?urisdi"tion in
"ases o* en#ironmenta+ "ontamination , an e>treme ioha/ard( Genera+ Russe++ a+so
de"ided to "a++ an assistant se"retar, o* de*ense2 ?ust to .et the 5enta.on noti"ed(

5eo)+e +e*t the room and *anned out a+on. the ha++$a,s2 .oin. into em)t, o**i"es and
ma!in. the "a++s( 4(B( 5eters2 no$ the team +eader2 $ent into another o**i"e do$n the ha++
and "a++ed 3an 3a+.ard<s o**i"e2 $ith 5eter Bahr+in. on an e>tension +ine( 3a+.ard had
.one home( The, "a++ed 3a+.ard<s home2 and 3a+.ard<s $i*e to+d him that 3an hadn<t
arri#ed ,et( At aout ha+* )ast si>2 the, "a++ed 3a+.ard<s house a.ain2 and this time the,
.ot him( DThis is 4o+one+ 4(B( 5eters2 u) at USA:RII3( I<m the "hie* o* the disease-
assessment di#ision ((( Ho$ do ,ou doC ((( An,$a,2 I<m "a++in. to re)ort that the se"ond
a.ent is a))arent+, not :arur.(

The se"ond a.ent is Eo+a #irus(D

D1hat is Eo+aCD 3a+.ard as!ed( He had ne#er heard o* Eo+a( The $ord had no
meanin. *or him(

In his smoothest Te>as #oi"e2 4(B( 5eters said2 DIt<s a rather rare #ira+ disease that has
een res)onsi+e *or human *ata+ities in outrea!s in Haire and Sudan $ithin the )ast ten
or t$e+#e ,ears(D

3a+.ard $as startin. to *ee+ re+ie#ed-.ood thin. it isn<t :arur.(

D1hat is the nature o* Eo+a #irusCD he as!ed(

4(B( des"ried the #irus in #a.ue terms( DIt is re+ated to :arur.( It is transmitted the
same $a,2 throu.h "onta"t $ith in*e"ted tissue and +ood2 and the si.ns and s,m)toms
are mu"h the same(D

DHo$ ad is itCD

DThe "ase-*ata+it, rate is *i*t, to ninet, )er"ent(D

3a+.ard understood e>a"t+, $hat that meant( The #irus $as mu"h $orse than :arur.(

4(B( "ontinued2 D1ith the in*ormation $e ha#e2 $e are .oin. to noti*, state and nationa+
)u+i" hea+th o**i"ia+s(D

3a+.ard s)o!e "are*u++,2 D1ou+d ,ou2 ahem2 $ou+d ,ou )+ease $ait unti+ se#en )(m(2 to
a++o$ me to a))rise m, "or)orate head-0uarters o* re"ent de#e+o)mentCD

4(B( a.reed to $ait e*ore )u++in. the tri..er2 throu.h in *a"t Genera+ Russe++ had
a+read, "a++ed the 4(3(4( No$ 4(B( had a *a#or to as! o* 3a+.ard( 1ou+d it e a++ ri.ht i*
he sent someone do$n to Reston tomorro$ to ha#e a +oo! at some sam)+e o* dead
mon!e,sC

3a+.ard resisted( He had sent a +itt+e it o* +ood and tissue to the Arm, *or dia.nosis-
and +oo! $hat $as ha))enin.( This thin. "ou+d .o $a, out o* "ontro+( He sensed that
4o+one+ 5eters $as not te++in. him a++ there $as to !no$ aout this #irus "a++ed Eo+a(
3a+.ard *eared he "ou+d +ose "ontro+ o* the situation in a hurr, i* he +et the Arm, .et its
*oot in the door( D1h, don<t $e meet , )hone ear+, tomorro$ and dis"uss this
a))roa"hCD 3a+.ard re)+ied(

A*ter the )hone "a++2 4(B( 5eters *ound Nan", Baa> and as!ed her i* she $ou+d "ome
$ith him to meet 3a+.ard the ne>t da, and +oo! at some mon!e, tissue( He assumed
3a+.ard $ou+d .i#e )ermission( She a.reed to .o $ith him(

NAN48 BAAJ 1A7=E3 a"ross the )arade .round a"! to the Institute and *ound
Berr, in his o**i"e( He +oo!ed u) at her $ith a )ained e>)ression on his *a"e( He had
een starin. out the $indo$ and thin!in. aout his rother(

It $as dar!; there $as nothin. to see out there e>"e)t a +an! $a++(

She "+osed the door( DI<#e .ot somethin. *or ,ou( This is "+ose ho+d( This is hush-hush(
8ou are not .oin. to e+ie#e this( There<s Eo+a #irus in a mon!e, "o+on, in Vir.inia(D

The, dro#e home2 ta+!in. aout it2 tra#e+in. north on the road that +ed to Thurmont
a+on. the *oot o* 4ato"tin :ountain(

DThis is !i++in. me-I<++ ne#er .et a$a, *rom this u.2D she said to him(

It seemed "+ear that the, oth $ere .oin. to e in#o+#ed in the Arm, a"tion( It $asn<t
"+ear $hat !ind o* an a"tion it $ou+d e2 ut "ertain+, somethin. i. $as .oin. to .o
do$n( She to+d Berr, that tomorro$ she $ou+d )roa+, #isit the mon!e, house $ith
4(B( and that she $ou+d e +oo!in. at mon!e, tissues *or si.ns o* Eo+a(

Berr, $as )ro*ound+, sur)rised: so this $as $hat Nan",<s $or! $ith Eo+a had "ome to(
He $as im)ressed $ith his $i*e and emused , the situation( I* he $as $orried aout
her2 he didn<t sho$ it(

The, turned u) a .ent+e s$in. o* road that ran a+on. the side o* the mountain2 and
)assed throu.h a))+e or"hards2 and turned into their dri#e$a,( It $as ei.ht o<"+o"!2 and
Bason $as home( Baime had .one o** to her .,mnasti" )ra"ti"e( The !ids $ere +at"h!e,
"hi+dren no$(

Bason $as doin. his home$or!( He had made himse+* a mi"ro$a#e dinner o* God
!no$s $hat( Their son $as a se+*-starter2 a +itt+e it o* a +oner2 and #er, se+*-su**i"ient(
A++ he needed $as *ood and mone,2 and he ran , himse+*(

The t$o "o+one+s "han.ed out o* their uni*orms into s$eat "+othes2 and Nan", )ut a
*ro/en "hun! o* her homemade ste$ into the mi"ro$a#e and tha$ed it( 1hen the ste$
$as $arm2 she )oured it into a Thermos ?ar( She )ut the do. and the Thermos into a "ar2
and she dro#e out to .et Baime at her .,mnasti"s )ra"ti"e( The .,m $as a ha+* hour<s
dri#e *rom Thurmont(

Nan", )i"!ed u) Baime and .a#e her the ste$ to eat in the "ar( Baime $as an ath+eti"
.ir+2 short2 dar! haired2 sometimes in"+ined to $orr, aout thin.s-and she $as e>hausted
*rom her $or!out( She ate the ste$ and *e++ as+ee) on the a"! seat $hi+e Nan", dro#e
her home(

The 4o+one+ Baa>es had a $ater ed2 $here the, s)ent a +ot o* time( Baime .ot into her
)a?ama and "ur+ed u) on the $ater ed ne>t to Nan", and *e++ as+ee) a.ain(

Nan", and Berr, read oo!s in ed *or a $hi+e( The edroom had red $a++)a)er and a
a+"on, that o#er+oo!ed the to$n( The, ta+!ed aout the mon!e, house2 and then Nan",
)i"!ed u) Baime and "arried her into her o$n edroom and tu"!ed her into her ed(
Around midni.ht2 Nan", *e++ as+ee)(

Berr, "ontinued to read( He +i!ed to read mi+itar, histor,( Some o* the most ruta+
"omat in histor, had o""urred in the ro++in. "ountr, around 4ato"tin :ountain: at the
"orn*ie+d at Antietam2 $here e#er, indi#idua+ sta+! o* "orn had een s+ashed a$a, ,
u++ets2 and $here the odies had +ain so thi"! a )erson "ou+d $a+! on them *rom one
end o* the "orn*ie+d to the other( He "ou+d +oo! out his edroom $indo$ and ima.ine
the +ue and .ra, armies "ra$+in. a"ross the +and( That ni.ht he ha))ened to e readin.
The =i++er An.e+s2 a no#e+ , :i"hae+ Shaara aout the Batt+e o* Gett,sur.:

Then 7ee said s+o$+,2 DSo+dierin. has one .reat tra)(D

7on.street turned to see his *a"e( 7ee $as ridin. s+o$+, ahead2 $ithout e>)ression( He
s)o!e in that same s+o$ #oi"e(

DTo e a .ood so+dier ,ou must +o#e the arm,( But to e a .ood o**i"er ,ou must e
$i++in. to order the death o* the thin. ,ou +o#e( That is ((( a #er, hard thin. to do( No
other )ro*ession re0uires it( That is one reason $h, there are so *e$ #er, .ood o**i"ers(
A+thou.h there are man, .ood men(D

He s$it"hed out the +i.ht2 ut he "ou+d not s+ee)( He ro++ed o#er2 and the $ater ed
.ur.+ed( E#er, time he "+osed his e,es2 he thou.ht aout his rother2 Bohn2 and he sa$ in
his mind<s e,e an o**i"e s)+attered $ith +ood( E#entua++, it $as t$o o<"+o"! in the
mornin. and he $as sti++ a$a!e2 thin!in. to himse+*2 I<m ?ust +a,in. here in the dar!2 and
nothin.<s ha))enin.(

GARBAGE BAGS

N6VE:BER A%2 1E3NES3A8

3AN 3A7GAR3 S7E5T )ea"e*u++, that ni.ht2 as he a+$a,s did( He had ne#er heard
o* Eo+a #irus2 ut the rie* "on#ersation $ith 4o+one+ 4(B( 5eters had .i#en him the
asi" )i"ture( He had een around mon!e,s and mon!e, diseases *or a +on. time2 and he
$as not )arti"u+ar+, *ri.htened( :an, da,s had )assed durin. $hi"h he had een
e>)osed to in*e"ted +ood2 and he "ertain+, had not e"ome si"! ,et(

Ear+, in the mornin.2 his te+e)hone ran. at home( It $as 4o+one+ 5eters "a++in.( A.ain
5eters as!ed him i* he "ou+d send some )eo)+e do$n to +oo! at s)e"imens o* tissue *rom
the mon!e,s( 3a+.ard said that $ou+d e a++ ri.ht( 5eters then re)eated his re0uest to see
the mon!e, house(

3a+.ard turned a$a, the 0uestion and $ou+dn<t ans$er it( He didn<t !no$ 5eters2 and he
$asn<t .oin. to o)en an, doors to him unti+ he had met the man and had a "han"e to si/e
him u)(

He dro#e do$n 7eesur. 5i!e to $or!2 turned throu.h a .ate2 )ar!ed his "ar2 and $ent
into the main ui+din. o* Ha/+eton 1ashin.ton( His o**i"e $as a tin, "ui"+e $ith a
.+ass $a++ that +oo!ed a"ross the +a$n; his door +oo!ed a"! to a se"retaria+ )oo+2 a
"ram)ed area $here ,ou "ou+d hard+, mo#e around $ith um)in. into )eo)+e( There
$as no )ri#a", in 3a+.ard<s o**i"e2 it $as a *isho$+( He tended to s)end a +ot o* time
+oo!in. out the $indo$( Toda, he eha#ed $ith de+ierate "a+m( No one in the o**i"e
dete"ted an, unusua+ emotion2 an, *ear(

He "a++ed Bi++ Vo+t2 the mana.er o* the mon!e, house( Vo+t .a#e him a sho"!in. )ie"e
o* ne$s( 6ne o* the anima+ "areta!ers $as #er, si"!2 mi.ht e d,in.( 3urin. the ni.ht2
the man had a heart atta"! and had een ta!en to 7ondon Hos)ita+2 not *ar a$a,( There<s
no *urther in*ormation2 Vo+t said2 and $e<re sti++ tr,in. to *ind out $hat ha))ened( He<s in
the "ardia"-"are unit2 and no one "an ta+! to him( EThe man<s name $i++ e .i#en here as
Bar#is 5urd,( He $as one o* *our $or!ers in the mon!e, house2 not in"+udin. Vo+t(F

3a+.ard $as e>treme+, disma,ed and "ou+dn<t ru+e out the )ossii+it, that the man $as
rea!in. $ith Eo+a( A heart atta"! is usua++, "aused , a +ood "+ot in the heart mus"+e(
Had he thro$n a "+otC

1as Bar#is 5urd, "+ottin. u)C Sudden+, 3a+.ard *e+t as i* he $as +osin. "ontro+ o* the
situation(

He to+d Bi++ Vo+t that he $as to sus)end a++ unne"essar, a"ti#it, in the mon!e, rooms(
As he +ater re"orded in his diar,:

A++ o)erations other than *eedin.2 oser#ation and "+eanin. $ere to e sus)ended(
An,one enterin. the rooms $as to ha#e *u++ )rota"tion-T,#e! suit2 res)irator2 and
.+o#es( 3ead anima+s $ere to e dou+e-a..ed and )+a"ed in a re*ri.erator(

He a+so mentioned to Vo+t that the ne$s media $ere a+most "ertain+, .oin. to .et onto
this stor,( He to+d Vo+t that he didn<t $ant an, em)+o,ees to .o outside the ui+din.
$earin. their ioha/ard .ear( I* )i"tures o* Ha/+eton $or!ers $earin. *a"e mas!s and
$hite suits $ound u) on the e#enin. ne$s2 it "ou+d "ause )ani"(

3a+.ard "a++ed the hos)ita+ and rea"hed 5urd,<s do"tor( The do"tor said that 5urd,<s
"ondition $as .uarded ut sta+e( 3a+.ard to+d the do"tor that i* an, as)e"t o* 5urd,<s
heart atta"! $asn<t t,)i"a+2 he shou+d )+ease "a++ 4o+one+ 4(B( 5eters at 9ort 3etri"!( He
$as "are*u+ not to mention the $ord Eo+a(

7ATER THAT :6RNING2 4(B( 5eters and Nan", Baa> headed out *rom 9ort 3etri"!
*or Vir.inia2 and Gene Bohnson "ame $ith them( The o**i"ers $ore their uni*orms2 ut
the, dro#e in "i#i+ian "ars so as not to attra"t attention( The tra**i" mo#ed s+o$+,( It $as
a "+ear2 "o+d2 $ind, da,(

The .rass a+on. the road $as $et and .reen2 sti++ .ro$in.2 untou"hed , *rost( The,
turned o** 7eesur. 5i!e at the Ha/+eton o**i"es( 3a+.ard met them in the +o, and
es"orted them to another ui+din.2 $hi"h $as a +aorator,( There a )atho+o.ist had
)re)ared a set o* s+ides *or Nan", to +oo! at( The s+ides "ontained s+i"es o* +i#er *rom
mon!e,s that had died in the mon!e, house(

She sat do$n at a mi"ros"o)e2 ad?usted the e,e)ie"es2 and e.an to e>)+ore the terrain(
She /oomed around and )aused( The terrain $as a mess( Somethin. had ra#a.ed these
"e++s( The, $ere +it/ed and )o"!-mar!ed2 as i* the +i#er had een "ar)et omed( Then
she sa$ the dar! +os in the "e++s-the shado$s that did not e+on. there( The, $ere
"r,sta++oids( And the, $ere hu.e(

This $as e>treme am)+i*i"ation(

D6h2 *u"!2D she said in a +o$ #oi"e(

The ri"!s did not +oo! +i!e "r,sta+s( Eo+a ri"!s "ome in a++ !inds o* sha)es-
horsehoes2 +os2 +um)s2 e#en rin.s( Some o* the "e++s "onsisted o* a sin.+e ri"!2 a hu.e
mother o* a ri"!2 a ri"! that had .ro$n so *at that the $ho+e "e++ had )+um)ed u)(
Shed sa$ rotten )o"!ets $here a++ the "e++s had )o))ed and died2 *ormin. a +i0ue*ied
s)ot that $as )a"!ed $ith $a++-to-$a++ ri"!s(

1hi+e she +oo!ed at the s+ides2 4(B( 5eters and Gene Bohnson too! 3an 3a+.ard aside
and 0uestioned him "+ose+, aout the use o* need+es at the mon!e, house( The Eo+a
#irus had s)read in Haire throu.h dirt, need+es( Had the "om)an, en .i#in. mon!e,s
shots $ith dirt, need+esC

3a+.ard $as not sure( The "om)an, had an o**i"ia+ )o+i", o* a+$a,s usin. "+ean
need+es( D6ur )o+i", is to "han.e need+es a*ter e#er, in?e"tion2D he said( D1hether it is
done re+i.ious+, is an,od,<s .uess(D

Nan", "o++e"ted some )ie"es o* steri+i/ed +i#er and s)+een that $ere emedded in $a>
+o"!s2 and she )ut the +o"!s in a St,ro+-*oam "u) to ta!e a"! to 9ort 3etri"! *or
ana+,sis( These sam)+es $ere e>"eedin.+, #a+ua+e to her and to the Arm,( 1hat $ou+d
e e#en more #a+ua+e $ou+d e a sam)+e "ontainin. +i#e #irus(

4(B( 5eters as!ed 3a+.ard a.ain i* the, "ou+d a++ .o see the mon!e, house(

D1e++-+et<s not .o there no$2D 3a+.ard re)+ied( He made it "+ear to the o**i"ers that the
ui+din. $as a )ri#ate )ro)ert,(

D1hat aout some sam)+es o* mon!e,C 4an $e .et some sam)+esCD the, as!ed(

DSure2D 3a+.ard said( He to+d them to dri#e out 7eesur. 5i!e in the dire"tion o* the
mon!e, house( There $as an Amo"o .as station on the )i!e2 he said2 and the "o+one+s
$ere to )ar! their "ars there and $ait( DA .u, is .oin. to "ome and meet ,ou( He<++ rin.
some sam)+es $ith him(

And he "an ans$er ,our 0uestions2D he said(

DThe sam)+es ou.ht to e $ra))ed in )+asti" and )ut in o>es *or sa*et,2D 4(B( said to
3a+.ard( DI $ant ,ou to do that(D

3a+.ard a.reed to $ra) the sam)+es in )+asti"(

Then 4(B(2 Nan", and Gene dro#e out to the .as station2 $here the, )ar!ed in a "u+-de-
sa" , the hi.h$a,2 near some )a, te+e)hones( B, no$ it $as ear+, a*ternoon2 and the,
$ere hun.r,-the, had missed +un"h( Nan", $ent into the .as station and ou.ht 3iet
4o!es *or e#er,one and a )a"! o* "heddar-"heese "ra"!ers *or herse+*2 and she ou.ht
4(B( some )eanut-utter "ra"!ers( The Arm, )eo)+e sat in their t$o "ars2 eatin. ?un!
*ood2 *ee+in. "o+d2 and ho)in. that someone $ou+d sho$ u) soon $ith sam)+es o*
mon!e,(

4(B( 5eters oser#ed the "omin.s and .oin.s at the .as station(

It .a#e him a sense o* +i*e and time )assin.2 and he en?o,ed the )+easant norma+it, o*
the s"ene( Tru"!ers sto))ed *or diese+ and 4o!es2 and usiness)eo)+e sto))ed *or
"i.arettes( He noti"ed an attra"ti#e $oman )ar! her "ar and .o o#er to one o* the )a,
te+e)hones2 $here she s)o!e at +en.th to someone( He $hi+ed a$a, the time ima.inin.
that she $as a house$i*e ta+!in. to a o,*riend( 1hat $ou+d these )eo)+e thin! i* the,
!ne$ $hat had in#aded their to$nC He had e.un to thin! that the Arm, mi.ht ha#e to
a"t de"isi#e+, to )ut out this *ire( He had een in Bo+i#ia $hen a hot a.ent "a++ed
:a"hu)o had ro!en out2 and he had seen a ,oun. $oman die2 "o#ered $ith +ood(
North Ameri"a had not ,et seen an emer.en"e o* an a.ent that turned )eo)+e into
+eeders( North Ameri"a $as not read, *or that2 not ,et( But the )ossii+ities *or a hu.e
rea! o* Eo+a around 1ashin.ton $ere im)ressi#e $hen ,ou thou.ht aout it(

He $ondered aout AI3S( 1hat $ou+d ha#e ha))ened i* someone had noti"ed AI3S
$hen it *irst e.an to s)readC It had a))eared $ithout $arnin.2 se"ret+,2 and , the time
$e noti"ed it2 it $as too +ate( I* on+, $e had the ri.ht !ind o* resear"h station in "entra+
A*ri"a durin. the nineteen-se#enties ((( $e mi.ht ha#e seen it hat"hin. *rom the *orest(

I* on+, $e had seen it "omin. ((( $e mi.ht ha#e een ae to sto) it2 or at +east s+o$ it
do$n; ((( $e mi.ht ha#e een a+e to sa#e at +east a hundred mi++ion +i#es( At +east(
Be"ause the AI3S #irus<s )enetration o* the human s)e"ies $as sti++ in its ear+, sta.es2
and the )enetration $as ha))enin. ine>ora+,( 5eo)+e didn<t rea+i/e that the AI3S thin.
had on+, ?ust e.an( No one "ou+d )redi"t ho$ man, )eo)+e $ere .oin. to die o* AI3S2
ut he e+ie#ed that the death to++2 in the end2 "ou+d hit hundreds o* mi++ions-and that
)ossii+it, had not sun! in $ith the .enera+ )u+i"(

6n the other hand2 su))ose AI3S had een noti"edC An, Drea+isti"D re#ie$ o* the AI3S
#irus $hen it $as *irst a))earin. in A*ri"a $ou+d )roa+, ha#e +ed e>)erts and
.o#ernment o**i"ia+s to "on"+ude that the #irus $as o* +itt+e si.ni*i"an"e *or human
hea+th and that s"ar"e resear"h *unds shou+d not e a++o"ated to it-a*ter a++2 it $as ?ust a
#irus that in*e"ted a hand*u+ o* A*ri"ans2 and a++ it did $as su))ress their immune
s,stems(

So $hatC And then the a.ent had .one on a tremendous am)+i*i"ation a++ o#er the
)+anet2 and it $as sti++ e>)andin. its urn2 $ith no end in si.ht(

1e didn<t rea++, !no$ $hat Eo+a #irus "ou+d do( 1e didn<t !no$ i* the a.ent in the
mon!e, house $as2 in *a"t2 eo+a Haire or it $as somethin. e+se2 some ne$ strain o*
Eo+a( An a.ent that "ou+d tra#e+ in a "ou.hC 5roa+, not2 ut $ho "ou+d te++C The
more he thou.ht aout it2 the more he $ondered2 1ho is .oin. to ta!e out those
mon!e,sC Be"ause someone is .oin. to ha#e to .o in there and ta!e them out( 1e "an<t
?ust $a+! a$a, *rom that ui+din. and +et it se+*-destru"t( This is a human-+etha+ #irus(
1ho is .oin. to sa"! the mon!e,sC The .u,s $ho $or! *or the "om)an,C

He ha e.un to $onder $hether the Arm, shou+d mo#e in $ith a mi+itar, ioha/ard
S1AT team( His o$n term *or this t,)e o* a"tion $as NU=E( To nu!e a )+a"e means to
steri+i/e it2 to render it +i*e+ess( I* the hosts are )eo)+e2 ,ou e#a"uate them and )ut them
in the S+ammer( I* the hosts are anima+s2 ,ou !i++ them and in"inerate the "ar"asses( Then
,ou dren"h the )+a"e $ith "hemi"a+s and *umes( He $ondered i* the Arm, $ou+d ha#e to
nu!e the mon!e, house(

Gene Bohnson sat in the )assen.er seat ne>t to 4(B( 5eters( His mind $as some$here
e+se( His mind $as in A*ri"a( He $as thin!in. aout =itum 4a#e(

Gene $as #er, $orried aout this situation2 not to sa, shit s"ared( He thou.ht to
himse+*2 I don<t !no$ ho$ $e are .oin. to .et out o* this one $ithout )eo)+e d,in.( His
$orr, $as .ro$in. a++ the time2 e#er, minute( The U(S( mi+itar,2 he thou.ht2 is ste))in.
into a "risis that is a+read, *u++-+o$n2 and i* somethin. .oes $ron. and )eo)+e die2 the
mi+itar, $i++ e +amed(

Sudden+, he turned to 4(B( and s)o!e his mind( He said2 DIt +oo!s ine#ita+e that $e<re
.oin. to ha#e to ta!e out a++ the mon!e,s( A 7e#e+

@ outrea! is not a .ame( I $ant to $arn ,ou aout ?ust ho$ detai+ed and ma?or an e**ort
this is .oin. to e( It<s .oin. to e #er, "om)+e>2 it<s .oin. to ta!e some time2 and $e
ha#e to e #er, *u"!in. "are*u+ to do it ri.ht( I* $e are .oin. to do it ri.ht2 the .ist o*
$hat I<m sa,in.2 4(B(2 is that $e "annot ha#e amateurs in !e, )ositions( 1e need to ha#e
e>)erien"ed )eo)+e $ho !no$s $hat the, are doin.( 3o ,ou understand $hat<s .oin. to
ha))en i* somethin. .oes $ron.CD And he $as thin!in.:

5eters-5eters-he<s ne#er een in an outrea! this "om)+i"ated-none o* us has-the on+,
thin. +i!e it $as =itum 4a#e( And 5eters $asn<t there(

4(B( 5eters +istened to Gene Bohnson in si+en"e2 and didn<t re)+,(

He *e+t that it $as sort o* irritatin. to .et this !ind o* ad#i"e *rom Gene-$hen he<s
te++in. ,ou the o#ious2 te++in. ,ou $hat ,ou a+read, !no$(

4(B( 5eters and Gene Bohnson had a stress*u+2 "om)+i"ated re+ationshi)( The, had
?ourne,ed to.ether in a tru"! e>)edition a"ross "entra+ A*ri"a2 +oo!in. *or Eo+a #irus2
and a +ot o* tension had ui+t u) et$een the t$o men , the end o* the tri)( The
tra#e+in. had een ruta+2 as hard as an, on earth-roads didn<t e>ists2 rid.es $ere .one2
the ma)s must ha#e een dra$n , a +ind mon!2 the )eo)+e s)o!e +an.ua.es not e#en
the nati#e trans+ators "ou+d understand2 and the e>)edition had not een a+e to *ind
enou.h *ood and $ater( 1orst o* a++2 the, ran into di**i"u+t, *indin. human "ases o*
Eo+a-the, $ere not a+e to dis"o#er the #irus in a natura+ host or in )eo)+e(

It $as durin. that tri)2 )erha)s as a resu+t o* the "hroni" *ood shorta.e2 that 4(B( had
ta!en to eatin. termites( The ones that s$armed out o* their nests( The, had $in.s(
Gene2 $ho $as more *astidious than 4(B(2 had not een 0uite so ea.er to tr, them(
5o))in. termites in his mouth2 4(B( $ou+d ma!e remar!s +i!e2 Dthe, ha#e this
e>tra(((mmm(((2D and he $ou+d sma"! his +i)s2 sma"!2 sma"!2 and ,ou<d hear a mouth*u+
o* termites "run"hin. et$een his teeth2 and he<d s)it out the $in.s2 )ah2 )tah( The
A*ri"an memers o* e>)edition2 $ho +i!ed termites2 had )ushed Gene to tr, them2 too2
and *ina++, he did( He )+a"ed a hand*u+ o* them in his mouth2 and $as sur)rised to *ind
that the, tasted +i!e $a+nuts( 4(B( had s)o!en +on.in.+, o* *indin. the A*ri"an termite
0ueen2 the .+istenin. $hite sa" that $as ha+* a *oot +on. and as thi"! as rat$urst2
urstin. $ith e..s and "ream, inse"t *at2 the 0ueen ,ou ate a+i#e and $ho+e2 and she $as
said to t$it"h as she $ent do$n ,our throat( A+thou.h sna"!in. on termites had amused
them2 the, had ar.ued $ith ea"h other aout ho$ to do the s"ien"e2 ho$ to sear"h *or the
#irus( In A*ri"a2 Gene had *e+t that 4(B( $as tr,in. to run the sho$2 and it irritated Gene
to no end(

SU33EN78 A B7UE2 $indo$+ess2 unmar!ed #an turned o** the road and )u++ed
throu.h the .as station and )ar!ed ne>t to them( The #an )ar!ed in su"h a $a, that no
one on the road or at the .as station "ou+d see $hat $ent on et$een the t$o #ehi"+es( A
man s$un. hea#i+, out o* the dri#er<s seat(

It $as Bi++ Vo+t( He $a+!ed o#er to the Arm, )eo)+e2 and the, .ot out o* their "ars(

DI<#e .ot<em ri.ht a"! here2D he said2 and he thre$ o)en the side door o* the #an(

The, sa$ se#en +a"! )+asti" .ara.e a.s sittin. on the *+oor o* the #an( The, "ou+d
see the out+ines o* +ims and heads in the a.s(

4(B( said to himse+*2 1hat is thisC

Nan", .ritted her teeth and si+ent+, )u++ed in a reath( She "ou+d see ho$ the a.s
u+.ed in )+a"es2 as i* +i0uid had )oo+ed inside them( She ho)ed it $asn<t +ood( D1hat
on earth is a++ o* thatCD she e>"+aimed(

DThe, died +ast ni.ht2D Vo+t said( DThe,<re in dou+e a.s(D

Nan", $as .ettin. a nast, *ee+in. in the )it o* her stoma"h( DHas an,od, "ut himse+*
*oo+in. around $ith these mon!e,sCD she as!ed(

DNo2D Vo+t re)+ied(

Then Nan", noti"ed that 4(B( $as +oo!in. side$a,s at her( It $as a si.ni*i"ant +oo!( The
messa.e $as2 So $ho<s .oin. to dri#e the dead mon!e,s a"! to 9ort 3etri"!C

Nan", stared a"! at 4(B( He $as )ushin. her2 and she !ne$ it(

The, $ere oth di#ision "hie*s at the Institute( He outran!ed her2 ut he $as not her
oss( He "an )ush me ?ust so *ar2 and I "an )ush him ri.ht a"!( DI<m not )uttin. that shit
in the trun! o* m, "ar2 4(B(2D she said(

DAs a #eterinarian2 I ha#e "ertain res)onsii+ities $ith re.ard to the trans)ortation o*
dead anima+s2 sir( I "an<t ?ust !no$in.+, shi) a dead anima+ $ith an in*e"tious disease
a"ross state +ines(D

3ead si+en"e( A .rin s)read o#er 4(B(<s *a"e(

DI a.ree that it needs to e done2D Nan", $ent on( D8ou<re a do"(

8ou "an .et a$a, $ith this(D She nodded at his shou+der oards( DThis is $h, ,ou )ut
on those i. ea.+es(D

The, urst into ner#ous +au.hter(

Time $as s+i))in. a$a, $hi+e the #irus $as am)+i*,in. inside the mon!e, house( 4(B(
ins)e"ted the a.s-it $as a re+ie* to see that the mon!e,s $ere dou+e-a..ed or tri)+e-
a..ed-and he de"ided to ta!e them a"! to 9ort 3etri"! and $orr, aout hea+th +a$s
a*ter$ard( His reasonin.2 as he e>)+ained to me +ater2 $ent +i!e this: DI* the .u, dro#e
them a"! to the Reston mon!e, *a"i+it,2 I *e+t there $ou+d e a "ertain added ris! to the
)o)u+ation ?ust *rom his dri#in. them around in the #an2 and there $ou+d e a de+a, in
dia.nosin. them( 1e *e+t that $e "ou+d 0ui"!+, .et a de*inite dia.nosis o* Eo+a it
$ou+d e in e#er,one<s *a#or(D Sure+, some smart Arm, +a$,ers "ou+d *i.ure out $h,
the a"t o* "arr,in. Eo+a-ridden dead mon!e,s a"ross state +ines in the trun! o* a )ri#ate
automoi+e $as so "om)+ete+, +e.a+ that there had ne#er e#er een an, 0uestion aout it(

His read To,ota $as not in the est o* sha)e2 and he had +ost an, interest in its resa+e
#a+ue( He )o))ed the trun!( It $as +ined $ith "ar)et2 and he didn<t see an, shar) ed.es
an,$here that mi.ht )un"ture a )+asti" a.(

The, didn<t ha#e ruer .+o#es( So the, $ou+d do the +i*tin. are-handed( Nan",2
!ee)in. her *a"e $e++ a$a, *rom the en"+osed air o* the #an2 ins)e"ted the outside o* the
a.s *or an, dro)+ets o* +ood(

DHa#e the e>teriors o* the a.s een disin*e"tedCD she as!ed Vo+t(

Vo+t said he<d $ashed the outsides o* the a.s $ith 4+oro> +ea"h(

She he+d her reath2 *i.htin. the )u!e *a"tor2 and )i"!ed u) a a.( The mon!e, !ind o*
s+id around inside it( The, )i+ed the a.s one , one .ent+, in the To,ota<s trun!( Ea"h
mon!e, $ei.hed et$een *i#e and t$e+#e )ounds( The tota+ $ei.ht "ame to around *i*t,
)ounds o* Bioha/ard 7e#e+ @ +i0ue*,in. )rimate( It de)ressed the rear end o* the To,ota(

4(B( "+osed the trun!(

Nan", $as an>ious to disse"t the mon!e,s ri.ht a$a,( I* ,ou +e*t an Eo+a mon!e,
inside a )+asti" a. *or a da,2 ,ou<d end u) $ith a a. o* sou)(

D9o++o$ ehind me2 and $at"h *or dri)s2D 4(B( ?o!ed(

S5A4E 1A7=

1@00 H6URS2 1E3NES3A8

THE8 ARRIVE3 AT the Institute in mida*ternoon( 4(B( 5eters )ar!ed eside a +oadin.
do"! on the side o* the ui+din. and *ound some so+diers to he+) him "arr, the .ara.e
a.s to a su))+, air +o"! that +ed to the Eo+a suite( Nan", $ent to the o**i"e o* a
memer o* her sta**2 a +ieutenant "o+one+ named Ron Trotter2 and to+d him to suit u) and
.o in; and she $ou+d *o++o$( The, $ou+d e uddies in the hot /one(

As she a+$a,s did e*ore .oin. into 7e#e+ @2 she too! o** her en.a.ement rin. and her
$eddin. and2 and +o"!ed them a$a, in her des!(

She and Trotter $a+!ed do$n the ha++ to.ether2 and he $ent *irst into the sma++ +o"!er
room that +ed to AA-G $hi+e she $aited in the "orridor( A +i.ht $ent on2 te++in. her that
he had .one on to the ne>t +e#e+2 and she s$i)ed her se"urit, "ard a"ross a sensor2 $hi"h
o)ened the door into the +o"!er room( She too! o** a++ o* her "+othes2 )ut on a +on.-
s+ee#ed s"ru suit2 and stood e*ore the door that +ed in$ard2 +ue +i.ht *a++in. on her
*a"e( Beside the door there $as another se"urit, sensor( This one $as a numeri"a+ !e,
)ad( 8ou "an<t rin. ,our se"urit, "ard $ith ,ou into the hi.her +e#e+s( A se"urit, "ard
$ou+d e me+ted or ruined , "hemi"a+s durin. the de"ontamination )ro"ess( There*ore
,ou memori/e ,our se"urit, "ode( She )un"hed a strin. o* numers on the !e, )ad2 and
the ui+din.<s "entra+ "om)uter noti"ed that BAAJ2 NAN482 $as attem)tin. entr,(
9indin. that she $as 47EARE3 T6 ENTER AA-G2 the "om)uter un+o"!ed the door and
ee)ed to +et her !no$ that she "ou+d )ro"eed in$ard $ithout settin. o** a+arms( She
$a+!ed throu.h the sho$er sta++ into the athroom2 )ut on $hite so"!s2 and "ontinued
in$ard2 o)enin. a door that +ed to the 7e#e+ 3 sta.in. area(

There she met 7ieutenant 4o+one+ Trotter2 a sto"!,2 dar! haired man $hom Nan", had
$or!ed $ith *or man, ,ears( The, )ut on their inner .+o#es and ta)ed the "u**s( Nan",
)ut a )air o* hearin. )rote"tors o#er her ears( She had started $earin. them a $hi+e
a"!2 $hen )eo)+e had e.un to sus)e"t that the roar o* air in ,ou suit mi.ht e +oud
enou.h to dama.e ,our hearin.( The, ed.ed around ea"h other as the, *idd+ed $ith their
suits( 5eo)+e $earin. ioha/ard s)a"e suits tend to ste) around on another +i!e t$o
$rest+ers at the e.innin. o* a mat"h2 $at"hin. the other )erson<s e#er, mo#e2
es)e"ia++, $at"hin. the hands to ma!e sure the, don<t ho+d a shar) o?e"t( This "rin.in.
e"omes instin"ti#e(

The, "+osed u) their suits and +umered a"ross the sta.in. area to a +ar.er air-+o"! door(
This $as a su))+, air +o"!( It did not +ead into the hot /one( It +ed to the outside $or+d(
The, o)ened it( 6n the *+oor o* the air +o"! sat the se#en .ara.e a.s(

DTA=E AS :AN8 AS 86U 4AN 4ARR82D she sad to 7ieutenant 4o+one+ Trotter(

He )i"!ed u) a *e$ a.s2 and so did she( The, shu**+ed a"! a"ross the sta.in. area to
the air-+o"! door that +ed to 7e#e+ @( She )i"!ed u) a meta+ )an "ontainin. too+s( She
$as .ettin. $arm2 and her *a"e)+ate *o..ed u)( The, o)ened air-+o"! door and ste))ed
in to.ether(

Nan", too! a reath and .athered her thou.hts( She ima.ined that )assin. throu.h the
.ra,-/one door into 7e#e+ @ $as +i!e a s)a"e $a+!2 e>"e)t that instead o* .oin. into
outer s)a"e2 ,ou $ent into inner s)a"e2 $hi"h $as *u++ o* )ressure o* +i*e tr,in. to .et
inside ,ou suit( 5eo)+e $ent into 7e#e+ @ areas a++ the time at the Institute2 )arti"u+ar+,
the "i#i+ian anima+ "areta!ers( But .oin. into a "ontainment /one to )er*orm a ne"ro)s,
on an anima+ that had died o* an am)+i*ied un!no$n hot a.ent $as somethin. a +itt+e
di**erent( This $as hi.h-ha/ard $or!(

Nan", "entered herse+* and rou.ht her reathin. under "ontro+(

She o)ened the *ar door and $ent throu.h to the hot side( Then she rea"hed a"! inside
the air +o"! and )u++ed the "hain in the "hemi"a+ sho$er( That started a de"on ","+e
runnin. in the air +o"! that $ou+d e+iminate an, hot a.ents that mi.ht ha#e +ea!ed into
the air +o"! as the, $ere .oin. throu.h(

The, )ut on their oots and headed do$n the "inder-+o"! ha++$a,2 +u..in. the
mon!e,s( Their air $as .oin. sta+e inside their s)a"e suits2 and the, needed to )+u. in
ri.ht a$a,(

The, "ame to a re*ri.erator room2 and )ut a++ the a.s in the re*ri.erator e>"e)t *or one(
This a. the, "arried into the ne"ro)s, room( Ste))in. around ea"h other "autious+,2
the, )+u..ed in their air hose2 and dr, air "+eared their *a"e)+ates( The air thundered
distant+, e,ond Nan",<s hearin. )rote"tors( The, .+o#ed u)2 )u++in. sur.i"a+ .+o#es
o#er their s)a"e-suit .+o#es( She +aid her too+s and s)e"imen "ontainer at the head o* the
ta+e2 "ountin. them o** one , one(

Trotter unt$isted some ties on the .ara.e a. and o)ened it2 and the hot /one inside
the a. mer.ed $ith the hot /one o* the room( He and Nan", to.ether +i*ted the mon!e,
out and +aid it on the disse"tion ta+e(

She s$it"hed on a sur.i"a+ +am)(

Un"+ouded ro$n e,es stared at her( The e,es +oo!ed norma+( The, $ere not red( The
$hites $ere $hite2 and the )u)i+s $ere "+ear and +a"!2 dar! as ni.ht( She "ou+d see a
re*+e"tion o* the +am) in the )u)i+s(

Inside the e,es2 ehind the e,es2 there $as nothin.( No mind2 no e>isten"e( The "e++s
had sto))ed $or!in.(

6n"e the "e++s in a io+o.i"a+ ma"hine sto) $or!in.2 it "an ne#er e started a.ain( It
.oes into a "as"ade o* de"a,2 *a++in. to$ard disorder and randomness( E>"e)t in the "ase
o* #iruses( The, "an turn o** and .o dead( Then2 i* the, "ome in "onta"t $ith a +i#in.
s,stem2 the, s$it"h on and mu+ti)+,( The on+, thin. that D+i#edD inside this mon!e, $as
the un!no$n a.ent2 and it $as dead2 *or the time ein.( It $as not mu+ti)+,in. or doin.
an,thin.2 sin"e the mon!e,<s "e++s $ere dead( But i* the a.ent tou"hed +i#in. "e++s2
Nan",<s "e++s2 it $ou+d "ome a+i#e and e.in to am)+i*, itse+*( In theor,2 it "ou+d am)+i*,
itse+* around the $or+d in the human s)e"ies(

She too! u) a s"a+)e+ and s+it the mon!e,<s adomen2 ma!in. a s+o$ and .ent+e "ut2
!ee)in. the +ade $e++ a$a, *rom her .+o#ed *in.ers( The s)+een $as )u**ed u) and
tou.h2 +eather,2 +i!e a .+o o* smo!e sa+ami(

She did not see an, +ood, +eisons inside this mon!e,( She had e>)e"ted that the
mon!e,<s interior $ou+d e a +a!e o* +ood2 ut no2 this mon!e, +oo!ed a++ ri.ht2 it had
not +ed into itse+*( I* the anima+ had died o* Eo+a2 this $as not a "+ear "ase( She o)ened
u) the intestine( There $as no +ood inside it( The .ut +oo!ed o!a,( Then she e>amined
the stoma"h(

There she *ound a rin. o* +eedin. s)ots at the ?un"tion et$een the stoma"h and the
sma++ intestine( This "ou+d e a si.n o* Eo+a2 ut it $as not a "+ear si.n( It "ou+d a+so e
a si.n o* simian *e#er2 not Eo+a #irus in this anima+ ased on a #isua+ ins)e"tion o*
interna+ or.ans durin. ne"ro)s,(

Usin. a )air o* +unt s"issors2 she "+i))ed $ed.es out o* the +i#er and )ressed them on
.+ass s+ides( S+ides and +ood tues $ere the on+, .+ass o?e"ts a++o$ed in a hot /one2
e"ause o* the dan.er o* .+ass s)+inters i* somethin. ro!e( A++ +aorator, ea!ers in the
room $ere made o* )+asti"(

She $or!ed s+o$+,2 !ee)in. her hands out o* the od, "a#it,2 a$a, *rom +ood as mu"h
as )ossi+e2 rinsin. her .+o#es a.ain and a.ain in a )an o* En#iro4hem( She "han.ed her
.+o#es *re0uent+,(

Trotter .+an"ed at her on"e in a $hi+e( He he+d the od, o)en *or her and "+am)ed +ood
#esse+2 handin. her too+s $hen she as!ed *or them(

The, "ou+d read ea"h other<s +i)s(

D96R4E5S2D she mouthed si+ent+,2 )ointin. to it( He nodded and handed her a *or"e)s(
The, did not ta+!( She $as a+one $ith the sound o* her air(

She $as e.innin. to thin! that this mon!e, did not ha#e Eo+a #irus( In io+o.,2
nothin. is "+ear2 e#er,thin. is too "om)+i"ated2 e#er,thin. is a mess2 and ?ust $hen ,ou
thin! ,ou understand somethin.2 ,ou )ee+ o** a +a,er and *ind dee)er "om)+i"ations
eneath( Nature is an,thin. ut sim)+e( This emer.in. #irus $as +i!e a at "rossin. the
s!, at e#enin.( Bust $hen ,ou thou.ht ,ou sa$ it *+i"!er throu.h ,our *ie+d o* #ie$2 it
$as .one(

SH66T-6UT

1@00 H6UR2 1E3NES3A8

1HI7E NAN48 BAAJ $as $or!in. on the mon!e,s2 4(B( 5eters $as in the
"on*eren"e room at 9ort 3etri"!<s head0uarters ui+din.( 4areers $ere at sta!e in this
room( A+most a++ o* the )eo)+e in the $or+d $ho understood the meanin. o* Eo+a #irus
$ere sittin. around a +on. ta+e( Genera+ Russe++ sat at the head o* the ta+e2 a ta++2
tou.h-+oo!in. *i.ure in uni*orm; he "haired the meetin.( He did not $ant the meetin. to
turn into a )o$er stru..+e et$een the 4enters *or 3isease 4ontro+ and the Arm,( He
a+so did not $ant to +et the 4(3(4( ta!e o#er this thin.(

3an 3a+.ard $as there2 $earin. a dar! suit2 seemin. reser#ed and "oo+; in *a"t2 he
"hurned $ith ner#ousness( Gene Bohnson .+o$ered o#er the ta+e2 earded and si+ent(
There $ere o**i"ia+s *rom the Vir.inia 3e)artment o* Hea+th and *rom 9air*a> 4ount,(
9red :ur)h,-the "odis"o#erer o* Eo+a #irus2 the 4(3(4( o**i"ia+ $hom Genera+ Russe++
ha "a++ed-sat at the ta+e eside another o**i"ia+ *rom 4(3(4(2 3r( Bose)h B(

:"4ormi"!(

Boe :"4ormi"! $as the "hie* o* the S)e"ia+ 5atho.ens Bran"h o* the 4(3(4(2 the
ran"h that had een run , =ar+ Bohnson2 another "odis"o#erer o* Eo+a( Boe
:"4ormi"! $as the su""essor to =ar+ Bohnson-he had een a))ointed to the ?o $hen
Bohnson retired( He had +i#ed and $or!ed in A*ri"a( He $as a handsome2 so)histi"ated
medi"a+ do"tor $ith "ur+, dar! hair and round 9ioru""i s)e"ta"+es2 a ri++iant2 amitious
man2 "harmin. and )ersuasi#e2 $ith a 0ui"!2 *+arin. tem)er2 $ho had done e>traordinar,
thin.s in his "areer( He had )u+ished ma?or resear"h arti"+es on Eo+a(

Un+i!e an,one e+se in the room2 he had seen and treated human "ases o* Eo+a #irus(

It ha))ened that Boe :"4ormi"! and 4(B( 5eters "ou+dn<t stand ea"h other( There $as
ad +ood et$een these t$o do"tors that $ent a"! man, ,ears( The, had oth ri*+ed
the dar!est "orners o* A*ri"a sear"hin. *or Eo+a2 and neither o* them had *ound its
natura+ hidin. )+a"e( 7i!e 5eters2 Boe :"4ormi"! e#ident+, *e+t that no$2 *ina++,2 he $as
"+osin. in on the #irus and .ettin. read, to ma!e a s)e"ta"u+ar !i++(

THE :EETING BEGAN $ith 5eter Bahr+in.2 the "odis"o#erer o* the strain that urned
in the mon!e,s( Bahr+in. stood u) and s)o!e2 usin. "harts and )hoto.ra)hs( Then he sat
do$n(

No$ it $as 3a+.ard<s turn to s)ea!( He $as e>"eedin.+, ner#ous(

He des"ried the "+ini"a+ si.ns o* disease that he had seen at the mon!e, house2 and ,
the end he *e+t that no one had noti"ed his ner#ousness(

Immediate+, a*ter$ard2 Boe :"4ormi"! .ot u) and s)o!e( 1hat he said remains a
matter o* "ontro#ers,( There s an Arm, #ersion and there is another #ersion( A""ordin.
to Arm, )eo)+e2 he turned to 5eter Bahr+in. and said $ords to this e**e"t: Than!s #er,
mu"h2 5eter( Than!s *or a+ertin. us( The i. o,s are here no$( 8ou "an ?ust turn this
thin. o#er to us e*ore ,ou hurt ,ourse+#es( 1e<#e .ot e>"e++ent "ontainment *a"i+ities in
At+anta( 1e<++ ?ust ta!e a++ ,our materia+s and ,our sam)+es o* #irus( 1e<++ ta!e "are o* it
*rom here(

In other $ords2 the Arm, )eo)+e thou.ht :"4ormi"! tried to )resent himse+* as the
on+, rea+ e>)ert on Eo+a( The, thou.ht to e tried to ta!e o#er the mana.ement o* the
outrea! and .ra the Arm,<s sam)+es o* #irus(

4(B( 5eters *umed2 +istenin. to :"4ormi"!( He heard the s)ee"h $ith a .ro$in. sense
o* outra.e2 and thou.ht it $as D#er, arro.ant and insu+tin.(D

:"4ormi"! rememers somethin. di**erent( DI<m sure I o**ered some he+) or assistan"e
$ith the anima+ situation at Reston2D he re"a++ed2 $hen I te+e)honed him( DI don<t !no$
that there $as an, "on*+i"t( I* there $as an, animosit,2 it "ame *rom their side2 not ours2
*or reasons the, !no$ etter than I( 6ur attitude $as2 He, .u,s2 .ood $or!(D

In the )ast2 :":ormi"! had )u+i"+, "riti"i/ed Gene Bohnson2 the Arm,<s Eo+a e>)ert2
*or s)endin. a +ot o* mone, to e>)+ore =itum 4a#e and then not )u+ishin. his *indin.s(
:"4ormi"! e>)ressed his *ee+in.s to me this $a,: DThe, $ant to te++ ,ou aout their
e>)eriments2 ut the $a, to te++ )eo)+e aout them is to )u+ish them( That<s not an
unreasona+e "riti"ism( The,<re s)endin. ta>)a,ers< mone,(D And esides2 DNone o*
them had s)ent as mu"h time in the *ie+d as I had( I $as the one o* those $ho had dea+t
$ith human "ase o* Eo+a( No one e+se there had done that(D

1hat :"4ormi"! had done $as this( In 1%'%2 re)orts rea"hed the 4(3(4( that Eo+a
had "ome out o* hidin. and $as urnin. on"e a.ain in southern Sudan2 in the same
)+a"es $here it had *irst a))eared2 in 1%'&(

The situation $as dan.erous2 not on+, e"ause o* the #irus ut e"ause a "i#i+ $ar $as
.oin. on in Sudan at the time-the areas $here Eo+a ra.ed $as a+so a $ar /one(
:"4ormi"! #o+unteered to tr, to "o++e"t some human +ood and rin. strain a"! a+i#e
to At+anta( No one e+se $anted to .o to Sudan $ith him2 so he $ent there a+one( EIt $i++
e re"a++ed that in 1%'&

Sudan outrea!2 three ,ears ear+ier2 a 4(3(4( do"tor had a++e.ed+, e"ome too
*ri.htened to .et on the )+ane to Sudan(F :"4ormi"! arri#ed in southern Sudan in a +i.ht
)+ane *+o$n , to$ terri*ied ush )i+ots(

Around sunset2 the, +anded at an airstri) near a Hande #i++a.e( The )i+ots $ere too
s"ared to .et out o* the )+ane( It $as .ettin. dar!2 and the )i+ots de"ided to s)end the
ni.ht in the "o"!)it2 sittin. on the airstri)( The, $arned :"4ormi"! the, $ou+d +ea#e
the ne>t mornin. at sunrise( He had unti+ da$n to *ind the #irus(

:"4ormi"! shou+dered his a"!)a"! and $a+!ed into the #i++a.e2 +oo!in. *or Eo+a( He
arri#ed at a mud hut( Vi++a.ers stood around the hut2 ut the, $ou+dn<t .o inside( He
heard sounds o* human a.on,( A dar! door$a, +ed inside( He "ou+dn<t see into the hunt2
ut he !no$ that Eo+a $as in there( He rumma.ed in his a"!)a"! and *ound his
*+ash+i.ht2 ut it $as dead2 and he rea+i/ed that he had *or.otten to rin. atteries( He
as!ed the "ro$d i* an,one had a +i.ht2 and someone rou.ht him a +antern(

Ho+din. the +antern in *ront o* him2 he entered the hut(

He $ou+d ne#er *or.et the si.ht( The *irst thin. he sa$ $as a numer o* red e,es starin.
at him( The air inside the hut ree!ed o* +ood( 5eo)+e +a, on stra$ mats on the *+oor(
some $ere ha#in. "on#u+sion-the *ina+ )hase2 as death sets in-their odies ri.id and
?er!in.2 their e,es ro++ed u) into the head2 +ood streamin. out o* the nose and *+oodin.
*rom the re"tum( 6thers had .one into termina "omas2 and $ere motion+ess and +eedin.
out( The hut $as a hot /one(

He o)ened his a"!)a"! and *ished out ruer .+o#es2 a )a)er .o$n2 a )a)er sur.i"a+
mas!2 and )a)er oots to "o#er his shoes2 to !ee) them *rom e"omin. $et $ith +ood(
A*ter he had dressed himse+*2 he +aid out his +ood tues and s,rin.es on a mat( Then he
e.an dra$in. +ood *rom )eo)+e( He $or!ed a++ ni.ht in the hut on his !nees2
"o++e"tin. +ood sam)+es and ta!in. "are o* the )atients as est he "ou+d(

Sometime durin. the ni.ht2 he $as dra$in. +ood *rom an o+d $oman(

Sudden+, she ?er!ed and thrashed2 ha#in. a sei/ure( Here arm +ashed around2 and the
+ood, need+e "am out o* her arm and ?aed into his thum( Uh2 oh2 he thou.ht( That
$ou+d e enou.h to do it( The a.ent had entered his +oodstream(

At da$n2 he .athered u) his tues o* +ood serum and ran to the air)+ane and handed the
sam)+es to the )i+ots( The 0uestion $as $hat to do $ith himse+*2 no$ that he had een
)ri"!ed $ith a +ood, need+e( That $as a massi#e e>)osure to Eo+a #irus( He )roa+,
had three to *our da,s e*ore he ro!e $ith Eo+a( Shou+d he +ea#e Sudan no$2 .et
himse+* to a hos)ita+C He had to ma!e a de"ision-$hether to +ea#e $ith the )i+ots or sta,
$ith the #irus( It seemed o#ious that the )i+ots $ou+d not "ome a"! +ater to )i"! him
u)( I* he )+anned to +ea#e and medi"a+ he+) *or himse+*2 the time to do it $as no$( There
$as an additiona+ *a"tor( He $as a )h,si"ian2 and those )eo)+e in the hut $ere his
)atients(

He returned to the #i++a.e( He thou.ht he mi.ht e in*e"ted $ith Eo+a #irus2 ut he
$anted to .et more sam)+es2 and he *i.ured that i* he de#e+o)ed a heada"he2 he "ou+d
radio *or he+)2 and )erha)s a )+ane $ou+d "ome and .et him( He rested that da, in a hut2
and .a#e himse+* a trans*usion o* t$o a.s o* +ood serum that su))osed+, "ontained
antiodies that mi.ht )rote"t him *rom Eo+a #irus-he had "arried the a.s $ith him2
"hi++ed on i"e2 and no$ he ho)ed the, $ou+d sa#e his +i*e( That ni.ht he "ou+d not s+ee)2
thin!in. aout the need+e ?ain. his thum2 thin!in. aout the a.ent e.innin. its
massi#e re)+i"ation in his +oodstream( He dran! ha+* a ott+e o* s"ot"h $his!, to )ut
himse+* to s+ee)(

He $or!ed $ith Eo+a )atients *or the ne>t *our da,s inside the hut2 and sti++ he did not
ha#e a heada"he( :ean$hi+e2 he $at"hed the o+d +ad, +i!e a ha$! to see $hat ha))ened
to her( 6n the *ourth da,2 to his sur)rise2 the o+d +ad, re"o#ered( She had not had Eo+a(
She had )roa+, een su**erin. *rom ma+aria( She had not een ha#in. an Eo+a sei/ure
ut2 rather2 had een shi#erin. *rom a *e#er( He had $a+!ed a$a, *rom a *irin. s0uad(

No$2 at the meetin. at 9ort 3etri"!2 Boe :"4ormi"! o* the 4(3(4( $as "on#in"ed that
Eo+a #irus does not tra#e+ easi+,2 es)e"ia++, not throu.h the air( He had not e"ome
si"!2 e#en thou.h he had reathed the air inside an Eo+a-ridden hut *or da,s and ni.hts
on end( He *e+t stron.+, that Eo+a is a disease that is not eas, to "at"h( There*ore2 in his
#ie$2 it $as not as dan.erous as )erha)s the Arm, )eo)+e e+ie#ed(

3an 3a+.ard as!ed a 0uestion o* the assem+ed e>)erts( He said2

DHo$ soon a*ter $e .i#e ,ou sam)+es "an ,ou te++ us $hether the, ha#e #irus in themCD

4(B( 5eters re)+ied2 DIt ma, ta!e a $ee!( This is a++ $e !no$(D

Boe :"4ormi"! s)o!e u)( 1ait a minute2 he said-he had a ne$2 *ast )roe test *or Eo+a
#irus that $ou+d $or! in t$e+#e hours( He ar.ued that the 4(3(4( shou+d ha#e the #irus
and the sam)+es(

4(B( 5eters turned and stared at :"4ormi"!( 4(B( $as *urious( He didn<t e+ie#e
:"4ormi"! had an, 0ui"! test *or Eo+a( He thou.ht it $as Boe :"4ormi"! +o$in.
smo!e2 tr,in. to .et his hands on the #irus( He thou.ht it $as a )o!er +u** in a hi.h-
sta!es .ame *or "ontro+ o* the #irus( It $as a de+i"ate situation2 e"ause ho$ "ou+d he
sa, in *ront o* a++ these state hea+th o**i"ia+s2 DBoe2 I ?ust don<t e+ie#e ,ouCD He raised
his #oi"e and said2 DAn on.oin. e)idemi" is not the time to tr, to *ie+d-test a ne$
te"hni0ue(D He ar.ued that 9ort 3etri"! $as "+oser to the outrea! than $as the 4(3(4(2
in At+anta2 and there*ore it $as a))ro)riate *or the Arm, to ha#e the sam)+es and tr, to
iso+ate the #irus(

1hat he did not sa,-no reason to ru it in-$as that se#en dead mon!e,s $ere at that
#er, moment ein. e>amined , Nan", Baa>( E#en as the, ar.ued2 she $as e>)+orin.
the mon!e,s( 1hat<s more2 the Arm, $as .ro$in. the #irus in "u+tures( 5ossession is
nine tenths o* the +a$2 and the Arm, had the meat and the a.ent(

9red :ur)h,2 the other 4(3(4( man2 $as sittin. ne>t to :"4ormi"!(

He e.an to rea+i/e that the 4(3(4( $as not in a .ood )osition to ar.ue the matter( He
+eaned o#er and $his)ered2 DBoeI 4a+m ,ou ?ets( Sti*+e it2 Boe( 1e<re outnumered here(D

Genera+ 5hi+i) Russe++ had een sittin. a"!2 $at"hin. the ar.ument2 sa,in. nothin.(
No$ he ste))ed in( In a "a+m ut a+most dea*enin.+, +oud #oi"e he su..ested that the,
$or! out a "om)romise( He su..ested that the, s)+it the mana.ement o* the outrea!(

A "om)romise seemed to e the est so+ution( The .enera+ and 9red :ur)h, 0ui"!+,
$or!ed out the dea+2 $hi+e :"4ormi"! and 5eters stared at ea"h other $ith +itt+e to sa,(
It $as a.reed that the 4(3(4( $ou+d mana.e the human-hea+th as)e"ts o* the outrea!
and $ou+d dire"t the "ar o* an, human )atients( The Arm, $ou+d hand+e the mon!e,s
and the mon!e, house2 $hi"h $as the nest o* the outrea!(

THE :ISSI6N

1&30 H6URS2 1E3NES3A8

4676NE7 4( B( 5ETERS no$ *e+t that he had )ermission to .et the a"tion under $a,(
As soon as the meetin. ro!e u)2 he e.an to +ine u) his du"!s( the *irst thin. he needed
$as *ie+d o**i"er $ho "ou+d +ead a team o* so+diers and "i#i+ians into the mon!e, house(
He needed to *orm a mi+itar,-a"tion unit(

He had a+read, de"ided $ho $as .oin. to +ead the mission( It $as .oin. to e 4o+one+
Berr, Baa>2 Nan",<s husand( Berr, had ne#er $orn a s)a"e suit2 ut he $as the "hie* o*
the #eterinar, di#ision at the Institute2 and he understood mon!e,s( His )eo)+e2 oth
so+diers and "i#i+ians2 $ere "ertain+, .oin. to e needed( No one e+se had the trainin. to
hand+e mon!e,s(

He *ound Berr, in his o**i"e2 starin. out the $indo$ and "he$in. on a ruer and( 4(B(
said2 DBerr,2 I e+ie#e $e ha#e a situation do$n in Reston(D A situation( 4ode *or a hot
a.ent( DIt +oo!s +i!e $e<re .oin. to ha#e to .o do$n and ta!e those mon!e,s out2 and
$e<re .oin. to do it in Biosa*et, 7e#e+ @ "onditions(D He as!ed Berr, to assem+e teams
o* so+diers and "i#i+ian em)+o,ees to e read, to mo#e out $ith s)a"e suits in t$ent,-
*our hours(

Berr, $a+!ed o#er to Gene Bohnson<s o**i"e and to+d him that he<d een )ut in "har.e o*
the mission( The o**i"e $as a mess( He $ondered ho$ Gene2 as +ar.e a man as he $as2
"ou+d e#en *it himse+* in amon. the sta"!s o* )a)er(

Berr, and Gene immediate+, e.an to )+an a ioha/ard o)eration(

There had een a .enera+ de"ision to ta!e out one room o* mon!e,s2 and see ho$ that
$or!ed2 see ho$ thin.s $ent-see i* the #irus $as s)readin.( The, set u) their )riorities(

5riorit, 6ne - Sa*et, o* the human )o)u+ation(

5riorit, T$o - Euthanasia o* the anima+s $ith a minimum o* su**erin.(

5riorit, Three - Gatherin. o* s"ienti*i" sam)+es( 5ur)ose: to identi*, the strain and
determine ho$ it tra#e+s(

Gene *e+t that i* the team did its ?o )ro)er+,2 the human )o)u+ation o* 1ashin.ton
$ou+d e sa*e( He )ut on his .+asses and hun"hed o#er and *ished throu.h his )a)ers2 his
eard "rushed on his "hest( He !ne$ a+read, that he $as not .oin. to .o inside that
ui+din.( No $a, in he++( He had seen mon!e,s die too man, times2 and he "ou+d not
ear it an,more( In an, "ase2 his ?o $as to .ather e0ui)ment and )eo)+e and mo#e them
into the ui+din.2 and then to e>tra"t the )eo)+e and e0ui)ment and dead anima+s sa*e+,(

He had sa#ed +ists2 +on. +ists o* a++ the .ear he had rou.ht to =itum 4a#e( He )a$ed
throu.h his )a)ers2 s$earin. .ent+,( He had +itera++, tons o* A*ri"an .ear( He had
s0uirre+ed it a$a, in a++ !inds o* hidin. )+a"es at the Institute2 $here other )eo)+e
"ou+dn<t *ind it and ri) it o**(

Gene $as terri+, e>"ited2 and a+so a*raid( His ni.htmares aout Eo+a #irus2 the ad
dreams o* +i0uid runnin. throu.h )inho+es into his s)a"e suit2 had ne#er rea++, .one
a$a,( He $ou+d sti++ $a!e u) thin!in.2 :, .od2 there<s een an e>)osure( He had s)ent
a+most ten ,ears huntin. Eo+a and :arur. in A*ri"a2 $ith +itt+e su""ess2 and sudden+,
one o* the astards had reared its head in 1ashin.ton( His *a#orite sa,in. "ame a"! to
him: D4han"e *a#ors the )re)ared mind(D 1e++2 the "han"e had "ome( I* a )ie"e o* .ear
had een hand, in =itum 4a#e2 it $ou+d e hand, in the mon!e, house( As Gene
thou.ht aout it2 he rea+i/ed that the ui+din. $as #er, mu"h +i!e =itum 4a#e( It $as an
en"+osed air s)a"e( 3ead air(

Air-hand+in. s,stem ro!en2 *ai+ed( 3urin. a++ o#er the )+a"e( :on!e, urine in )oo+s( A
hot "a#e near 1ashin.ton( And there $ere )eo)+e $ho had een inside the "a#e $ho
mi.ht e in*e"ted $ith #irus , no$( Ho$ $ou+d ,ou mo#e ,our teams in and out o* the
"a#eC 8ou $ou+d ha#e to set u) a sta.in. area( 8ou $ou+d ha#e to ha#e a .ra, area-an
air +o"! $ith a "hemi"a+ sho$er o* some !ind( Some$here inside that ui+din. +i#ed a
7e#e+ @ +i*e *orm2 and it $as .ro$in.2 mu+ti)+,in.2 "oo!in. inside hosts(

The hosts $ere mon!e,s and2 )erha)s2 )eo)+e(

A000 H6URS2 1E3NES3A8

3AN 3A7GAR3 7E9T USA:RII3 and dro#e a"! to his o**i"e on 7eesur. 5i!e2
arri#in. there around ei.ht o<"+o"!( The o**i"e $as deserted; e#er,one had .one home(
He strai.htened u) his des!2 shut do$n his "om)uter2 and remo#ed a *+o)), dis! that
"ontained his diar,2 his D4hrono+o., o* E#ents(D He )ut the dis! into his rie* "ase( He
said .ood ni.ht to a se"urit, .uard at the *ront des! and dro#e home( 6n the road2 he
rea+i/ed that he had *or.otten to "a++ his $i*e to te++ her that he $ou+d e +ate(

He sto))ed at a Giant 9ood su)ermar!et and ou.ht her a un"h o* "ut *+o$ers2
"arnations and mums( 1hen he arri#ed home2 he reheated his dinner in the mi"ro$a#e
and ?oined his $i*e in the *ami+, room2 $here he ate sittin. in a re"+iner "hair( He $as
e>hausted( He )ut another +o. into the $ood sto#e and sat do$n at his )ersona+
"om)uter2 $hi"h $as +o"ated ne>t to his "+o"!-re)air en"h( He inserted the *+o)), dis!
and e.an t,)in.( He $as rin.in. his diar, u) to date(

So mu"h had ha))ened that he had di**i"u+t, !ee)in. it a++ strai.ht in his mind( In the
mornin.2 he had +earned that the mon!e, "areta!er named Bar#is 5urd, $as in the
hos)ita+2 re)orted+, $ith a heart atta"!( Bar#is $as restin. "om*orta+,2 and there had
een no re)orts that his "ondition $as .ettin. $orse( Shou+d I ha#e noti*ied the hos)ita+
that Bar#is mi.ht e in*e"ted $ith Eo+aC I* he does ha#e Eo+a2 and it s)reads $ithin the
hos)ita+2 am I +ia+eC BesusI I<d etter .et someone to .o o#er to the hos)ita+ *irst thin.
tomorro$ and te++ Bar#is $hat<s .oin. on( I* he hears on the ne$s *irst2 he<s +ia+e to ha#e
another heart atta"!I

He had .otten a++ the other mon!e, "areta!ers *itted $ith res)irators2 and he had rie*ed
them on $hat $as !no$n aout the transmission o* Eo+a and :arur. to humans2 and
he had sus)ended a++ dai+, o)erations in the ui+din. other than *eedin. on"e a da,2
oser#ation2 and "+eanin. o* the anima+ rooms( He had rie*ed the sta** in the +aorator,
on 7eesur. 5i!e-$hi"h had een hand+in. mon!e, +ood and tissue sam)+es-aout the
need to hand+e these s)e"imens as i* the, $ere in*e"ted $ith the AI3S #irus(

I must rememer to in*orm +as that ha#e re"ei#ed anima+ shi)ments *rom us to noti*,
the 4(3(4( i* an, unusua+ anima+ deaths o""ur( 1hat aout the e>)osure to those )eo)+e
$ho had een $or!in. on the air-hand+in. s,stemC 1hat aout the +aundr, ser#i"eC
1asn<t there a te+e)hone re)airman in re"ent+,C 5erha)s +ast $ee!-I "an<t rememer ?ust
$hen that $as( Ho+, 4hristI Ha#e I missed an,thin.C

1hi+e he $as u)datin. the da,<s e#ents on the "om)uter2 the te+e)hone ran.( It $as
Nan", Baa> on the +ine( She sounded tired( She to+d him that her *indin.s $ere
"onsistent $ith either SH9 or Eo+a( She said it "ou+d e either one or oth( Her resu+ts
$ere ami.uous(

RE46NNAISSAN4E

N6VE:BER 302 THURS3A8

B8 THE TI:E 3an 3a+.ard $o!e u) the ne>t mornin.-it $as no$ Thursda,2 e>a"t+, a
$ee! a*ter Than!s.i#in. 3a,-he had made u) his mind to in#ite the Arm, in to "+ean u)
one room2 Room H2 $here the outrea! no$ seemed to e "entered( He te+e)honed 4(B(
5eters and .a#e the Arm, )ermission to enter the mon!e, house( The ne$s that the, had
the .reen +i.ht *or a ioha/ard o)eration s)read instant+, throu.h USA:RII3(

4o+one+ Berr, Baa> "a++ed a meetin. o* a++ the "ommissioned o**i"ers on his sta**2 a+on.
$ith t$o ser.eants( The, $ere :a?or Nathanie+ ENateF 5o$e++2 4a)tain :ar! Haines2
4a)tain Ste#en 3enn,2 Ser.eant 4urtis =+a.es2 and Ser.eant Thomas Amen2 and he
in#ited a "i#i+ian anima+ "areta!er named :erh+ Gison to attend( These )eo)+e $ere the
"ore o* his team( He )ut it "asua++, to them: D3o ,ou $ant to .o to RestonC D Some o*
them had not heard o* Reston( He e>)+ained $hat $as .oin. on2 sa,in.2 DThere are some
mon!e,s that need to e euthani/ed(

1e<d +i!e *or ,ou to )+a,( 3o ,ou $ant inC 3o ,ou $ant to .oCD The, a++ said the,
$anted to )+a,( He a+so *i.ured that Nan", $as .oin. to )+a,(

That meant that he and Nan", $ou+d e inside the ui+din. at the same time( The
"hi+dren $ou+d e on their o$n tomorro$(

The, $ere .oin. to ma!e an insertion into the mon!e, house2 .o into one room2 !i++ the
mon!e,s in that room2 and ta!e sam)+es o* tissue a"! to the Institute *or ana+,sis( The,
$ere .oin. to do the ?o in s)a"e suits2 under "ondition o* 7e#e+ @ io"ontainment( The
team $ou+d mo#e out at 0G00 hours tomorro$ mornin.( The, had +ess than t$ent,-*our
hours to .et read,( Gene Bohnson $as .atherin. his ioha/ard e0ui)ment ri.ht no$(

GENE 3R6VE 361N to Vir.inia and arri#ed at the mon!e, house in midmornin. *or
a re"onnaissan"e2 to .et a sense o* the +a,out o* the ui+din. and to *i.ure out $here to
)ut the air +o"! and .ra, /one2 and ho$ to insert the team into the ui+din.( He $ent
$ith Ser.eant =+a.es2 $ho $as $earin. *ati.ues( As the, turned into the )ar!in. +ot2
the, sa$ a te+e#ision #an )ar!ed in *ront o* the mon!e, house2 the ne$s"aster and his
"re$ drin!in. "o**ee and $aitin. *or somethin. to ha))en( It made Gene ner#ous( The
ne$s media had e.un to "ir"+e around the stor, ear+, one2 ut the, "ou+dn<t seem to .et
a hand+e on it2 and USA:RII3 $as tr,in. to !ee) it that $a,(

Gene and ser.eant )ar!ed under a s$eet-.um tree , the +o$ ri"! ui+din. and $ent in
throu.h the *ront door( As the, o)ened the door2 the sme++ o* mon!e, a+most !no"!ed
them o#er( 1hoa2 Ser.eant =+a.es thou.ht2 1hoa-$e shou+dn<t e#en e in here $ithout
a s)a"e suit( The ui+din. stan! o* mon!e,( somethin. u.+, $as ha))enin. here( The
$ho+e .od-damned )+a"e "ou+d e hot; e#er, sur*a"e "ou+d e hot( The mon!e, $or!ers
had sto))ed "+eanin. the "a.es2 e"ause the, did not $ant to .o into the mon!e, rooms(

The, *ound Bi++ Vo+t and to+d him the, $anted to s"out the ui+din. to determine the
est $a, *or the teams to enter tomorro$( Vo+t o**ered them a "hair in his o**i"e $hi+e
the, ta+!ed( The, didn<t $ant to sit do$n2 didn<t $ant to tou"h an, sur*a"es in his o**i"e
$ith their are hands( The, noti"ed that Vo+t had a "and, hait( He o**ered them a o>
*u++ o* 7i*e Sa#ers2 Bit-6-Hone,s2 and Sni"!ers ars-DHe+) ,ourse+#es2D he said(
Ser.eant =+an.es stared at the "and, $ith horror and mum+ed2 DNo2 than! ,ou(D He
$as a*raid to tou"h it(

Gene $anted to .o into the mon!e, area and see Room H2 the hot s)ot( It $as at the
a"! o* the ui+din.( He did not $ant to $a+! throu.h the ui+din. to .et to that room(
He did not $ant to reathe too mu"h o* the ui+din.<s air( 5o!in. around2 he dis"o#ered
another route to the a"! o* the ui+din.( The o**i"e s)a"e ne>t door $as em)t, and had
een #a"ated some time a.o; the e+e"tri" )o$er $as "ut o**2 and "ei+in. )ane+s $ere
*a++in. do$n( He .ot a *+ash+i.ht and "ir"+ed around throu.h these dar! rooms( This is
+i!e a omed-out area2 he thou.ht(

He *ound a door +eadin. a"! into the mon!e, house( It +ed to a storeroom2 and there
$as a "+osed "orridor that headed dee)er into the mon!e, house( No$ he "ou+d see it a++
in his mind<s e,e( The "+osed "orridor $ou+d e the air +o"!( The storeroom $ou+d e the
sta.in. area(

The team "ou+d )ut their s)a"e suits in this storeroom2 out o* si.ht o* the te+e#ision
"ameras( He dre$ a ma) on a sheet o* )a)er(

1hen he understood the +a,out o* the ui+din.2 he "ir"+ed to the *ront and to+d the
mon!e, $or!ers that he $anted the a"! areas o* the ui+din. "om)+ete+, sea+ed o**-
airti.ht( He didn<t $ant an a.ent *rom Room H to dri*t to the *ront o* the ui+din. and
.et into the o**i"es( He $anted to +o$er the amount o* "ontaminated air *+o$in. into
those o**i"es(

There $as a door that +ed to the a"! mon!e, rooms( The, ta)ed it shut $ith mi+itar,
ro$n sti"!, ta)e: the *irst +ine o* de*ense a.ainst a hot a.ent( 9rom no$ on2 as Gene
e>)+ained to the mon!e, $or!ers2 no one $as to rea! the sti"!, ta)e2 no one $as to .o
inside those a"! rooms e>"e)t Arm, )eo)+e unti+ Room H had een "+eaned out( 1hat
Gene did not rea+i/e $as that there $as another $a, into the a"! rooms( 8ou "ou+d .et
there $ithout rea!in. the sti"!, ta)e on the door(

AT E7EVEN-THIRT8 in the mornin.2 7eutenant 4o+one+ Nan", Baa> and 4o+one+ 4(B(
5eters arri#ed at the "or)orate o**i"es o* Ha/+eton 1ashin.ton on 7eesur. 5i!e to meet
$ith 3an 3a+.ard and to s)ea! to a .rou) o* Ha/+eton +a $or!ers $ho had een
e>)osed to tissues and +ood *rom si"! mon!e,s(

Sin"e 4(3(4( no$ had "har.e o* the human as)e"ts o* the Eo+a outrea!2 Boe
:"4ormi"! a+so arri#ed at the Ha/+eton o**i"es at the same time as Baa> and 5eters(

The +a em)+o,ees had een hand+in. tissue and +ood *rom the mon!e,s2 runnin. tests
on the materia+( The, $ere main+, $omen2 and some o* them $ere e>treme+,
*ri.htened2 near+, in a )ani"( That mornin.2 there had een radio re)orts durin. rush
hour2 as the $omen $ere "omin. to $or!2 that Eo+a #irus had !i++ed hundred o*
thousand o* )eo)+e in A*ri"a( This $as a $i+d e>a..eration( But the radio ne$s"asters
had no idea $hat $as .oin. on2 and no$ the $omen thou.ht the, $ere .oin. to die(
D1e<#e een hearin. aout this on the radio2D the, said to Baa> and :"4ormi"!(

Nan", Baa> "+aims that Boe :"4ormi"! did his est to "a+m them do$n2 ut that as he
ta+!ed to the $omen aout his e>)erien"es $ith Eo+a in A*ri"a2 the, seemed to e"ome
more and more *ri.htened(

A $oman .ot u) and said2 D1e don<t "are i* he<s een to A*ri"a(

1e $ant to !no$ i* $e<re .oin. to .et si"!ID

:"4ormi"! doesn<t ha#e an, re"o++e"tion o* s)ea!in. to the $omen(

He said to me2 DI ne#er ta+!ed to them( Nan", Baa> ta+!ed to them aout Eo+a(D

Nan", thin!s that the, e.an to "a+m do$n $hen the, sa$ a *ema+e Arm, "o+one+ in a
uni*orm( She as!ed the $omen2 D3id an, o* ,ou rea! a test tueC 3o $e ha#e an,one
here $ho stu"! himse+* $ith a need+e or "ut himse+*CD

No one raised a hand(

DThen ,ou<++ e a++ ri.ht2D she said to them(

A *e$ minutes a*ter$ard2 3an 3a+.ard turned to 4(B( 5eters and said somethin. +i!e2
D1h, don<t ,ou "ome o#er to the )rimate *a"i+it, $ith me to +oo! at the mon!e,sCD

No$ the, $ou+d *ina++, .et a "han"e to see the ui+din.(

The, dro#e to the mon!e, house( B, this time2 Gene Bohnson had "+osed o** the a"!
rooms and sea+ed the main entr, door $ith sti"!, ta)e(

Nan", and 4(B(2 a+on. $ith 3an 3a+.ard2 "ir"+ed around to the a"! o* the ui+din.2 )ut
on ruer .+o#es and )a)er sur.i"a+ mas!s2 and $ent into Room H to +oo! at the si"!
mon!e,s( Nan", and 4(B( noti"ed $ith some "on"ern that the mon!e, $or!ers around
the ui+din. $ere not $earin. res)irators2 des)ite 3a+.ard<s order( No one o**ered a
res)irator to Nan", or 4(B( either( This made them oth ner#ous2 ut the, did not sa,
an,thin.( 1hen in a mon!e, house2 do as the mon!e, $or!ers do( The, did not $ant to
.i#e o**ense , as!in. *or reathin. e0ui)ment2 no at this de+i"ate moment2 not $hen
the, had *ina++, .otten their *irst "han"e to +oo! at the ui+din.(

In Room H2 3a+.ard )i"!ed out the si"! anima+s2 )ointin. to them(

DThis one is si"!2 this one +oo!s si"!2 this one o#er here +oo!s si"!2D he said( The
mon!e,s $ere 0uiet and sudued2 ut the, ratt+ed their "a.es no$ and then( Nan", stood
$e++ a"! *rom the "a.es and too! sha++o$ reaths2 not $antin. to +et the sme++ o*
mon!e, .et too dee) into her +un.s( A numer o* anima+s had a+read, died-there $ere
man, em)t, "a.es in the room-and man, o* the other anima+s $ere o#ious+, si"!( The,
sat at the a"!s o* their "a.es2 )assi#e and +an! *a"ed( The, $ere not eatin. their
mon!e, is"uits( She sa$ that some had runn, noses( She a#erted her e,es and eha#ed
res)e"t*u++, around the mon!e,s2 e"ause she did not $ant a mon!e, to .et a notion in
its head to s)it at her( The, ha#e .ood aim $hen the, s)it2 and the, aim *or ,our *a"e(
She $orried more aout her e,es than an,thin. e+se( Eo+a has a s)e"ia+ +i!in. *or the
e,es( 9our or *i#e #irus )arti"+es on the e,e+id $ou+d )roa+, do it(

She noti"ed somethin. e+se that made her *ear*u+( These mon!e,s had their "anine teeth(
The "om)an, had not *i+ed do$n the mon!e,s< *an.s( The "anines on these hummers
$ere as i. as the "anines on an, .uard do. ,ou<++ e#er see2 and that $as a rude
a$a!enin.( A mon!e, "an run ama/in.+, *ast2 t "an ?um) +on. distan"es2 and it uses its
tai+ as a .ri))er or a hoo!( It a+so has a mind( Nan", thou.ht2 An an.r, mon!e, is +i!e a
*+,in. )it u++ terrier $ith *i#e )rehensi+e +ims-these "ritters "an do a ?o on ,ou( A
mon!e, dire"ts its atta"!s to$ard the *a"e and head( It $i++ .ra ,ou , the head2 usin.
a++ *our +ims2 and then it $i++ $ra) its tai+ around ,our ne"! to .et a .ood .ri)2 and it
$i++ ma!e s+ashin. atta"!s a++ o#er ,our *a"e $ith its teeth2 aimin. es)e"ia++, *or the
e,es( This is not a .ood situation i* the mon!e, ha))ens to e in*e"ted $ith Eo+a #irus(
A si>-*oot-ta++ man and a ten-)ound mon!e, are )rett, e#en+, mat"hed in a stand-u)
*i.ht( The mon!e, $i++ e a++ o#er the man( B, the end o* the *i.ht2 the man ma, need
hundreds o* stit"hes2 and "ou+d e +inded( Berr, and his team $ou+d ha#e to e
e>0uisite+, "are*u+ $ith these mon!e,s(

THAT EVENING2 BERR8 dro#e home a+one( Nan", had )ut on a s)a"e suit and .one
a"! into her +a to "ontinue ana+,/in. the mon!e, sam)+es2 and he had no idea $hen
she $ou+d *inish( He "han.ed out o* his uni*orm2 and the te+e)hone ran.( It $as Nan",<s
rother on the +ine2 "a++in. *rom =ansas2 sa,in. that Nan",<s *ather $as s+i))in.2 and
that it +oo!ed as i* the end $as near( Nan", mi.ht e "a++ed home at an, time *or her
*ather<s *unera+( Berr, said that he $ou+d )ass the $ord a+on. to Nan",2 and e>)+ained
that she $as $or!in. +ate(

Then he and Bason dro#e *or ha+* an hour in the dire"tion o* 1ashin.ton and )i"!ed u)
Baime at her .,m( The, de"ided to ha#e su))er at :"3ona+d<s( The Baa> *ami+,2 minus
the mother2 sat at a ta+e2 and $hi+e the, ate2 Berr, e>)+ained to the "hi+dren $h, :om
$as $or!in. +ate( He said2 DTomorro$ mornin.2 $e<re .oin. to e .oin. do$n to a
"i#i+ian )+a"e in s)a"e suits( There<s an im)ortant thin. .oin. on there( There are some
mon!e,s that are si"!( The situation has !ind o* emer.en", *ee+ to it( 1e<++ e .one rea+
ear+,2 and $e ma, not .et a"! unti+ rea+ +ate(

8ou !ids $i++ e on ,our o$n(D The, didn<t rea"t mu"h to $hat he said(

Berr, $ent on2 DIt<s )ossi+e that humans "ou+d .et si"! *rom the mon!e,s(D

D$e++2 there<s not rea++, an, dan.er2D Baime said2 "he$in. her "hi"!en nu..ets(

D1e++2 no2 it<s not rea++, dan.erous2D he said( DIt<s more e>"itin. than dan.erous( And
an,$a,2 it<s ?ust $hat ,our mom and I are doin. ri.ht no$(D

Bason said that he had seen somethin. on te+e#ision aout it( It $as on the ne$s(

DI thin! $hat ,our mom does is somethin. )rett, unusua+2D Berr, said to his son( And he
thou.ht2 I<++ ne#er "on#in"e him o* that(

The, returned home around nine-thirt,2 and Berr, had trou+e ma!in. the !ids .o to ed(
5erha)s the, $ere a*raid o* $hat $as ha))enin. ut didn<t !no$ ho$ to e>)ress it; he
$asn<t sure( :ore +i!e+,2 the, sensed an o))ortunit, to ha#e their o$n $a, $hen their
mother $asn<t around( The, said the, $anted to $ait u) *or her( He thou.ht he $ou+d
$ait u) *or her2 too( He made them )ut on their )a?amas2 and he rou.ht them into ed
$ith him2 and the, "ur+ed u) on Nan",<s side o* the $ater ed( There $as a te+e#ision in
the room2 and he $at"hed the e+e#en-o<"+o"! ne$s( A ne$s"aster $as standin. in *ront
o* the mon!e, house2 and he $as ta+!in. aout )eo)+e d,in. in A*ri"a( B, this time2 the
"hi+dren had *a++en as+ee)( He thou.ht aout Bohn *or a $hi+e2 and then he )i"!ed u) a
oo! to tr, to read(

He $as sti++ a$a!e $hen Nan", arri#ed home at one o<"+o"! in the mornin.2 +oo!in.
*resh and "+ean2 ha#in. ta!en a sho$er and sham)ooed her hair on her $a, out o* 7e#e+
@(

As she +oo!ed around the house to see $hat needed to e done2 she sa$ that Berr, had
not tended to the anima+s( She )ut out *ood *or the "ats and do.s2 and "han.ed their
$ater( She "he"!ed on Her!,2 the )arrot2 to see ho$ he $as doin.( He started ma!in.
noise the moment he )er"ei#ed that the "ats $ere ein. *ed( He $anted some attention2
too(

D:omI :omID Her!, hun. u)side do$n and +au.hed +i!e a mania"2 and "ried2 DBad
irdI Bad irdID She too! him out o* his "a.e and stro!ed him on the head( He mo#ed
onto her shou+der and she )reened his *eathers(

U)stairs in the edroom2 she *ound the "hi+dren as+ee) ne>t to Berr,( She )i"!ed u)
Baime and "arried her into her o$n edroom and tu"!ed her into ed( Berr, )i"!ed u)
Bason and "arried him to his ed-he $as .ettin. too i. *or Nan", to hau+ around(

Nan", sett+ed into ed $ith Berr,( She said to him2 DI ha#e a .ut *ee+in. the,<re not
.oin. to e a+e to "ontain the #irus in that one room(D She to+d him she $as $orried
that it "ou+d e s)readin. into other rooms throu.h the air( That #irus $as ?ust so
damned in*e"ti#e she didn<t see ho$ it $ou+d sta, in one room( Somethin. that Gene
Bohnson had on"e said to her "ame into her mind: D1e don<t rea++, !no$ $hat Eo+a has
done in the )ast2 and $e don<t !no$ $hat it mi.ht do in the *uture(D

Then Berr, ro!e the ne$s to her aout her *ather( Nan", $as e.innin. to *ee+
e>treme+, .ui+t, aout not .oin. home to e $ith him as he +a, d,in.( She *e+t the tu. o*
her +ast o+i.ation to him( She $ondered i* she shou+d a. this mon!e, thin. and *+, to
=ansas( But she *e+t that it $as her dut, to .o throu.h $ith the o)eration( She de"ided to
ta!e a "han"e that her *ather $ou+d +i#e a$hi+e +on.er(

CC

5ART THREE

S:ASH361N

INSERTI6N

3E4E:BER 12 9RI3A8

THE A7AR: 1ENT o** at *our-thirt,( Berr, Baa> .ot u)2 sha#ed2 rushed his teeth2
thre$ on "+othes2 and $as out o* there( The teams $ere .oin. to $ear "i#i+ian "+othes(
No one $anted to attra"t attention( So+diers in uni*orm and "amou*+a.e2 )uttin. on s)a"e
suits ((( it "ou+d set o** a )ani"(

It $as *i#e o<"+o"! , the time he arri#ed at the Institute(

There $as no si.n o* da$n in the s!,( A "ro$d o* )eo)+e had a+read, .athered , a
+oadin. do"! on the side o* the ui+din.2 under *+ood-+i.hts( There had een a hard
*ree/e durin. the ni.ht2 and their reath steamed in the air( Gene Bohnson2 the A?a> o*
this io+o.i"a+ $ar2 )a"ed a"! and *orth a"ross the +oadin. do"! amon. a )i+e o*
"amou*+a.ed mi+itar, trun!s-his sto"!)i+e o* .ear *rom =itum 4a#e( The trun!s
"ontained *ie+d s)a"e suits2 atter, )a"!s2 ruer .+o#es2 sur.i"a+ s"ru suits2 s,rin.es2
need+es2 dru.s2 disse"tion too+s2 *+ash+i.hts2 one or t$o human sur.er, )a"!s2 +unt
s"issors2 sam)+e a.s2 )+asti" ott+es2 )i"!+in. )reser#ati#es2 ioha/ard a.s mar!ed
$ith red *+o$ers2 and hand-)um)ed .arden s)ra,ers *or s)ra,in. ea"h on s)a"e suits
and o?e"ts that needed to e de"ontaminated( Ho+din. a "u) o* "o**ee in his *ist2 Gene
.rinned at the so+diers and rum+ed2 D3on<t tou"h m, trun!s(D

A $hite unmar!ed su))+, #an sho$ed u)( Gene +oaded his trun!s into the #an ,
himse+* and set o** *or Reston( He $as the *irst $a#e(

B, no$2 "o)ies o* The 1ashin.ton 5ost $ere hittin. dri#e$a,s a++ o#er the re.ion( It
"ontained a *ront-)a.e stor, aout the mon!e, house:

3EA378 EB67A VIRUS 96UN3 IN VA(

7AB6RAT6R8 :6N=E8

6ne o* the dead+iest !no$n human #iruses has turned u) *or the *irst time in the United
States2 in a shi)ment o* mon!e,s im)orted *rom the 5hi+i))ines , a resear"h +aorator,
in Reston(

A tas! *or"e o* to)-+e#e+ o* ,esterda, de#isin. a detai+ed )ro.ram to tra"e the )ath o*
the rare Eo+a #irus and $ho mi.ht ha#e een e>)osed to it( That in"+udes inter#ie$s
$ith the *our or *i#e +aorator, $or!ers $ho "ared *or the anima+s2 $hi"h ha#e sin"e
een destro,ed as a )re"aution2 and an, other )eo)+e $ho $ere near the mon!e,s(

9edera+ and state hea+th o**i"ia+s )+a,ed do$n the )ossii+it, that an, )eo)+e had
"ontra"ted the #irus2 $hi"h has a G0 to %0 )er"ent morta+it, rate and "an e hi.h+,
"onta.ious to those "omin. into dire"t "onta"t $ith its #i"tims( There is no !no$n
#a""ine( DThere<s a+$a,s a +e#e+ o* "on"ern2 ut I don<t thin! an,od,<s )ani"!ed2D
said 4o+( 4(B( 5eters2 a )h,si"ian and e>)ert on the #irus(

4(B( !ne$ that i* )eo)+e +earned $hat this #irus "ou+d do2 there $ou+d e tra**i" ?ams
headin. out o* Reston2 $ith mothers s"reamin. at te+e#ision "ameras2 D1here are m,
"hi+drenCD 1hen he ta+!ed to the 1ashin.ton 5ost re)orters2 he $as "are*u+ not to
dis"uss the more dramati" as)e"ts o* the o)eration( EDI thou.ht it $ou+d not e a .ood
idea to ta+! aout s)a"e suits2D he e>)+ained to me mu"h +ater(F He $as "are*u+ not to use
s"ar, mi+itar, terms su"h as am)+i*i"ation2 +etha+ "hain o* transmission2 "rash and +eed2
or ma?or )u"!er *a"tor( A mi+itar, ioha/ard o)eration $as aout to .o do$n in a suur
o* 1ashin.ton2 and he sure as he++ didn<t $ant the 5ost to *ind out aout it(

Ha+* o* this io"ontainment o)eration $as .oin. to e ne$s "ontainment( 4(B( 5eter<s
"omments to The 1ashin.ton 5ost $ere desi.ned to "reate an im)ression the situation
$as under "ontro+2 sa*e2 and not a++ that interestin.( 4(B( $as understatin. the .ra#it, o*
the situation(

But he "ou+d e #er, smooth $hen he $anted2 and he used his *riend+iest #oi"e $ith the
re)orters2 assurin. them o#er the te+e)hone that there rea++, $as no )ro+em2 ?ust !ind o*
a routine te"hni"a+ situation(

Someho$ the re)orters "on"+uded that the si"! mon!e,s had een Ddestro,ed as a
)re"autionD $hen in *a"t the ni.htmare2 and the reason *or troo)s2 $as that the anima+s
hadn<t een destro,ed(

As to $hether the o)eration $as sa*e2 the on+, $a, to !no$ $as to tr, it( 5eters *e+t that
the +ar.er dan.er "ou+d "ome *rom sittin. a"! and $at"hin. the #irus urn throu.h the
mon!e,s( There $ere *i#e hundred mon!e,s inside that ui+din.( That $as aout three
tons o* mon!e, meat-a io+o.i"a+ nu"+ear rea"tor ha#in. a "ore me+tdo$n( As the "ore
o* mon!e,s urned2 the a.ent $ou+d am)+i*, itse+* tremendous+,(

4(B( ARRIVE3 AT the +oadin. do"! o* the Institute at *i#e o<"+o"! in the mornin.( He
$ou+d a""om)an, the .rou) do$n to the mon!e, house to see Berr,<s team inserted2 and
then he $ou+d dri#e a"! to the Institute to dea+ $ith the ne$s media and .o#ernment
a.en"ies(

At si>-thirt,2 he .a#e an order to mo#e out2 and the "o+umn o* #ehi"+es +e*t 9ort
3etri"!<s main .ate and headed south2 to$ard the 5otoma" Ri#er( It "onsisted o* a +ine o*
ordinar, automoi+es-the o**i"er<s *ami+, "ars2 $ith the o**i"ers inside $earin. "i#i+ian
"+othes2 +oo!in. +i!e "ommuters( The +ine o* "ars *o++o$ed ehind t$o unmar!ed
mi+itar, #ehi"+es( 6ne $as a sno$-$hite amu+an"e and the other $as a su))+, #an( It
$as an unmar!ed 7e#e+ @ io"ontainment amu+an"e( Inside it there $ere an Arm,
medi"a+-e#a"uation team and a io"ontainment )od !no$n as a u+e stret"her( This
$as a "omat medi"a+ stret"her en"+osed , a io"ontainment u+e made o* "+ear
)+asti"( I* someone $as itten , a mon!e,2 he $ou+d .o into the u+e2 and *rom there
he $ou+d e trans*erred to the S+ammer2 and )erha)s *rom there he $ou+d .o to the
Sumarine2 the 7e#e+ @ mor.ue( The su))+, #an $as a $hite unmar!ed re*ri.erator
tru"!( This $as to ho+d dead mon!e,s and tues o* +ood(

There $as not a uni*orm in the .rou)2 a+thou.h a *e$ memers o* amu+an"e team $ore
"amou*+a.e *ati.ues( The "ara#an "rossed the 5otoma" Ri#er at 5oint o* Ro"!s and hit
7eesur. 5i!e ?ust as rush hour e.an(

The tra**i" e"ame um)er to um)er2 and the o**i"ers e.an to .et *rustrated( It too!
them t$o hours to rea"h the mon!e, house2 "ontendin. the $ho+e $a, $ith i++-tem)ered
"ommuters( 9ina++, the "o+umn turned into the o**i"e )ar!2 $hi"h , that time $as
*i++in. u) $ith $or!ers( The su))+, #an and the amu+an"e $ere dri#en a+on. the side o*
the mon!e, house2 u) onto a +a$n2 and $ere )ar!ed ehind the ui+din.2 to .et them out
o* si.ht( The a"! o* the ui+din. )resented a ri"! *a"e2 some narro$ $indo$s2 and a
.+ass door( The door $as the insertion )oint( The, )ar!ed the su))+, #an u) "+ose to the
door(

At the ed.e o* the +a$n2 ehind the ui+din.2 there $as a +ine o* underrush and trees
s+o)in. do$n a hi++side( Be,ond that2 there $as a )+a,.round ne>t to a da,-"are "enter(
The, "ou+d hear shouts o* "hi+dren in the air2 and $hen the, +oo!ed throu.h the
underrush2 the, "ou+d see und+ed-u) *our-,ears-o+ds s$in.in. on s$in.s and ra"in.
around a )+a,house( The o)eration $ou+d e "arried out near "hi+dren(

Berr, Baa> studied a ma) o* the ui+din.( He and Gene Bohnson had de"ided to ha#e a++
the team memers )ut on their s)a"e suits inside the ui+din. rather than out on the +a$n
so that i* an, te+e#ision "re$s arri#ed there $ou+d e nothin. to *i+m( The men $ent
throu.h the insertion door and *ound themse+#es in an em)t, stora.e room( It $as the
sta.in. room( The, "ou+d hear *aint "ries o* mon!e,s e,ond a "inder-+o"! $a++( There
$as no si.n o* an, human ein. in the mon!e, house(

Berr, Baa> $as .oin. to e the *irst man in2 the )oint man( He had de"ided to ta!e $ith
him one o* his o**i"ers2 4a)tain :ar! Haines2 a *ormer Green Berets< s"ua-di#in.
s"hoo+( He had ?um)ed out o* air)+anes at ni.ht into the o)en sea2 $earin. s"ua .ear(
EDI<++ te++ ,ou one thin.2D Haines on"e said to me( DI don<t do s"ua di#in. as a "i#i+ian(

The ma?orit, o* m, di#in. has een in the :idd+e East(DF 4a)tain Haines $as not a man
$ho $ou+d .et "+austro)hoia and .o into a )ani" in a s)a"e suit( 9urthermore2 4a)tain
Haines $as a #eterinarian( He understood mon!e,s(

Baa> and Haines "+imed into the su))+, #an and )u++ed a )+asti" sheet a"ross the #an<s
a"! door *or )ri#a",2 and stri))ed na!ed2 shi#erin. in the "o+d( The, )ut on sur.i"a+
s"ru suits and then $a+!ed a"ross the +a$n2 o)ened the .+ass door2 and $ent into the
stora.e room2 the sta.in. area2 $here an Arm, su))ort team-the amu+an"e team2 +ed ,
a "a)tain named E+i/aeth Hi++-he+)ed them into their s)a"e suits( Berr, !ne$ nothin.
aout *ie+d io+o.i"a+ suits2 and neither did 4a)tain Haines(

The suits $ere oran.e Ra"a+ suits2 desi.ned *or *ie+d use $ith airorne io+o.i"a+
a.ents2 and the, $ere the same t,)e o* suit that had een used in =itum 4a#e-in *a"t2
some o* them had "ome a"! *rom A*ri"a in Gene Bohnson<s trun!s( The suit has a "+ear2
so*t )+asti" u+e *or a he+met( The suit is )ressuri/ed( Air )ressure is su))+ied , an
e+e"tri" motor that su"!s air *rom outside and )asses it throu.h #irus *i+ters and then
in?e"ts it into the suit( This !ee)s the suit under )ositi#e )ressure2 so that an, airorne
#irus )arti"+es $i++ ha#e a hard time *+o$in. into it( A Ra"a+ suit )er*orms the same ?o
as a hea#,-dut, 4hemturion s)a"e suit( It )rote"ts the entire od, *rom a hot a.ent2
surrounds the od, $ith su)er*i+tered air( Arm, )eo)+e .enera++, don<t re*er to Ra"a+s as
s)a"e suits( The, "a++ them Ra"a+s or *ie+d io+o.i"a+ suits; ut the, are2 in *a"t2
io+o.i"a+ s)a"e suits(

Baa> and Haines )ut on ruer .+o#es2 and the su))ort team ta)ed the .+o#es to the
s+ee#es o* the suits $hi+e the, he+d their arms out strai.ht( 6n their *eet2 the, $ore
snea!ers2 and o#er the snea!ers the, )u++ed ri.ht ,e++o$ ruer oots( The su))ort
team ta)ed the oots to the +e.s o* the suits to ma!e an airti.ht sea+ ao#e the an!+e(

Berr, $as terri+, !e,ed u)( In the )ast he had +e"tured Nan", on the dan.ers o*
$or!in. $ith Eo+a in a s)a"e suit2 and no$ he as +eadin. a team into an Eo+a he++( At
the moment2 he didn<t "are $hat ha))ened to himse+*2 )ersona++,( He $as e>)enda+e2
and he !ne$ it( 5erha)s he "ou+d *or.et aout Bohn *or a $hi+e in there( He s$it"hed on
his e+e"tri" +o$er2 and his suit )u**ed u) around him( It didn<t *ee+ too ad2 ut it made
him s$eat )ro*use+,( The door $as strai.ht ahead( He he+d the ma) o* the mon!e, house
in his hand and nodded to 4a)tain Haines( Haines $as read,( Berr, o)ened the door2 and
the, ste))ed inside( The sound o* the mon!e,s e"ame +ouder( The, $ere standin. in a
$indo$+ess2 +i.ht+ess2 "inder-+o"! "orridor that had doors had either end: this $as the
ma!eshi*t air +o"!2 the .ra, /one( The ru+e inside the air +o"! $as that the t$o doors2 the
*ar door and the near door2 "ou+d ne#er e o)en at the same time( This $as to )re#ent a
a"!*+o$ o* "ontaminated air *rom "omin. into the sta.in. room( The door "+osed
ehind them2 and the "orridor $ent dar!( It $ent )it"h-dar!( A$2 son o* it"h( 1e *or.ot
to rin. *+ash+i.hts( Too +ate no$( The, )ro"eeded *or$ard2 *ee+in. their $a, do$n the
$a++s to the door at the *ar end(

NAN48 BAAJ 16=E u) her "hi+dren at se#en-thirt,( She had to sha!e Bason2 as
a+$a,s2 to .et him out o* ed( It didn<t $or!2 so she turned one o* the do.s +oose on him(
He hit the ed *+,in. and "+imed a++ o#er Bason(

She )ut on s$eat)ants and a s$eat shirt and $ent do$nstairs to the !it"hen and *+i))ed
on the radio and turned it to a ro"!-and-ro++ station and )o))ed a 3iet 4o!e( The musi"
*ired u) the )arrot( Her!, e.an to s"ream a+on. $ith Bohn 4ou.ar :e++en"am)( 5arrots
rea++, res)ond to e+e"tri" .uitar2 she thou.ht(

The "hi+dren sat at the !it"hen ta+e2 eatin. instant oatmea+(

She to+d them that she $ou+d e $or!in. +ate2 so the, $ou+d e on their o$n at
su))ertime( She +oo!ed in the *ree/er and *ound a ste$( It $ou+d do *ine *or !ids( The,
"ou+d de*rost it in the mi"ro$a#e( She $at"hed *rom the !it"hen $indo$ as the, $a+!ed
do$n the dri#e$a, to the ottom o* the hi++ to $ait *or the s"hoo+ us ((( DThis $or! is
not *or a married *ema+e( 8ou are either .oin. to ne.+e"t ,our $or! or ne.+e"t ,our
*ami+,D $ere the $ords o* a su)erior o**i"er +on. a.o(

She "ut a a.e+ *or herse+*2 and rou.ht a+on. an a))+e2 and ate them in the "ar on the
$a, to Reston( B, the time she arri#ed at the mon!e, house2 Berr, had a+read, suited u)
and .one inside(

The sta.in. room $as "ro$ded2 $arm2 +oud2 "on*used( The e>)erts on the use o* s)a"e
suits $ere .i#in. ad#i"e to team memers as the, suited u)( Nan", herse+* had ne#er
$orn a Ra"a+ *ie+d suit2 ut the )rin"i)+es are the same as $ith a hea#,-dut, 4hemturion(
The main )rin"i)+e is that the interior o* the s)a"e suit is a "o"oon housin. the norma+
$or+d2 $hi"h ,ou rin. $ith ,ou into the hot area( I* there $ere a rea! in the suit2 the
norma+ $or+d $ou+d #anish2 mer.in. $ith the hot $or+d2 and ,ou $ou+d e e>)osed(
She s)o!e to the so+diers as the, suited u)( D8our suits are under )ressure2D she said( DI*
,ou .et a ri) in ,our suit2 ,ou ha#e to ta)e it shut ri.ht a$a,2 or ,ou<++ +ose ,our
)ressure2 and "ontaminated air "ou+d *+o$ inside the suit(D She he+d u) a ro++ o* ro$n
sti"!, ta)e( DBe*ore I .o in2 I $ra) e>tra ta)e around m, an!+e2 +i!e this(D She
demonstrated ho$ to do it: she $ound the ro++ around her an!+e se#era+ times2 the $a,
,ou ta)e u) a s)rained an!+e( D8ou "an tear o** a +en.th o* ta)e *rom ,ou an!+e and use
it to )at"h a ho+e in ,our suit2D she said( DA hundred "han", thin.s "an ha))en to ri)
,our suit(D

She to+d them aout Eo+a in mon!e,s( DI* these mon!e, are in*e"ted $ith Eo+a2 then
the, are so *u++ o* #irus that a it *rom one o* them $ou+d e a de#astatin. e>)osure2D
she said( DAnima+s that are "+ini"a++, i++ $ith Eo+a shed a +ot o* #irus( :on!e,s mo#e
rea+ 0ui"!(

A ite $ou+d e a death $arrant( Be e>0uisite+, "are*u+( =no$ $here ,our hands and
od, are at a++ the times( I* ,ou .et +ood on ,our suit2 sto) $hat ,ou are doin. and
"+ean it o** ri.ht a$a,( 3on<t +et +ood sta, on ,our .+o#es( Rinse them o** ri.ht a$a,(
1ith +ood, .+o#es2 ,ou "an<t see a ho+e in the .+o#e( A+so2 one other thin.( 8ou rea++,
don<t $ant to drin! a +ot o* "o**ee or +i0uids e*ore .oin. in( 8ou $i++ e in ,our s)a"e
suit *or a +on. time(D

The atteries that )ressuri/ed the suit had a +i*e s)an o* si> hours( 5eo)+e $ou+d ha#e to
+ea#e the hot area and e de"onned out e*ore their atteries *ai+ed2 or the, $ou+d e in
trou+e(

BERR8 BAAJ AN3 4a)tain :ar! Haines *e+t their $a, do$n the dar! "orridor2 to$ard
the door that +ed into the hot /one( The, o)ened it and *ound themse+#es standin. at the
?un"tion o* t$o "orridors2 athed in a "a"o)hon, o* mon!e, "ries( The air-hand+in.
e0ui)ment sti++ $asn<t $or!in.2 and the tem)erature in the )+a"e seemed as i* it $as
ao#e ninet, de.rees( Berr,<s head u+e *o..ed u)( He )ushed the u+e a.ainst his
*a"e to ru the moisture o** the *a"e)+ate2 and no$ he "ou+d see( The $a++s $ere .ra,
"inder +o"!2 and the *+oor $as )ainted "on"rete(

Bust then2 he noti"ed a +ur o* motion on his +e*t2 and he turned and sa$ t$o Ha/+eton
$or!ers $a+!in. to$ards him( The, $eren<t su))osed to e in hereI The area $as
su))osed to e sea+ed o**2 ut the, had "ome in , another route that +ed throu.h a
storeroom( The, $ore res)irators2 ut nothin. "o#ered their e,es( 1hen the, sa$ the
t$o men in s)a"e suits2 the, *ro/e2 s)ee"h+ess( Berr, "ou+d not see their mouths2 ut he
"ou+d see their e,es2 $ide $ith astonishment( It $as as i* the, had sudden+, dis"o#ered
that the, $ere standin. on the moon(

Berr, didn<t !no$ $hat to sa,( 9ina++, he said2 D1HI4H 1A8 T6

R66: HCD-shoutin. to e heard o#er his +o$ers(

The $or!ers +ed him do$n the "orridor to the in*e"ted room( It $as at the *ar end o* the
ha++( Then the, retreated to the *ront o* the ui+din. and *ound 3an 3a+.ard2 $ho had
een sittin. in an o**i"e2 $aitin. *or the Arm, to "ome in( He sho$ed u) at Room H
moments +ater2 $earin. a res)irator2 to *ind out $hat $as .oin. on( Berr, +oo!ed at him
as i* he $as insane( It $as as i* ,ou $ent to a meetin. $ith someone2 and the )erson
sho$ed u) na!ed(

3a+.ard $as not ha)), $ith the s)a"e suits( A))arent+, he had not rea+i/ed ho$ the
Arm, $ou+d e out*itted( 3a+.ard .a#e them a tour o* Room H2 *ee+in. e>"e)tiona++,
ner#ous( D7oo!s +i!e $e ha#e some si"! mon!e,s in here2D he said( Some o* the
mon!e,s $ent erser! $hen the, sa$ the s)a"e suits( The, s)un in "ir"+es in their "a.es
or "o$ered in the "orners( 6thers stared at the humans $ith *i>ed e>)ressions on their
*a"es(

D8ou see the "+ini"a+ si.ns2D 3a+.ard said2 )ointin. to a mon!e,(

DI *ee+ )rett, "on*ident I "an te++ $hen a mon!e, is .ettin. si"!( The, .ot a +itt+e it
de)ressed2 the, .o o** their *eed2 and in a da, or t$o the, are dead(D

Berr, $anted to +oo! at a++ the mon!e,s in the mon!e, house( He and 4a)tain Haines
$ent a"! out into the "orridor and $ent *rom room to room throu.h the entire ui+din.(
The, *ound other mon!e,s that seemed de)ressed2 $ith the same .+a/ed e>)ression on
their *a"es( Baa> and Haines2 oth o* $hom !ne$ a +ot aout mon!e,s2 didn<t +i!e the
*ee+ o* this $ho+e ui+din.( Somethin. +i#ed in here other than mon!e,s and )eo)+e(

NAN48 BAAJ G6T read, to .o inside( She "han.ed into a s"ru suit in the #an2 ran
a"ross the +a$n2 and entered the sta.in. area( The su))ort team he+)ed her suit u)( She
.athered se#era+ o>es o* s,rin.es and $ent in $ith 4a)tain Ste#en 3enn,( The, $a+!ed
do$n the air-+o"! "orridor and "ame to the *ar door( She o)ened the door and *ound
herse+* in the +on. "orridor( It $as em)t,( E#er,one $as do$n the ha++ in Room H( Berr,
thou.ht his $i*e +oo!ed +i!e the 5i++sur, dou.h o,( Her suit $as too +ar.e *or her2 and
it i++o$ed around her $hen she $a+!ed(

Nan", noti"ed mu"us and s+ime on the noses o* some o* the mon!e,s(

That s"ared her2 e"ause it seemed so mu"h +i!e the *+u or a "o+d2 $hen it $asn<t( 3an
3a+.ard2 $earin. a res)irator and a ?um)suit2 se+e"ted *our si"! mon!e,s *or sa"ri*i"e2
the ones he thou.ht +oo!ed the si"!est(

He rea"hed into the "a.es and .a#e the mon!e,s their shots( 1hen the, "rum)+ed and
*e++ as+ee)2 he .a#e them a se"ond round o* shots2 and that sto))ed their hearts(

The room $as ?ammed $ith )eo)+e in s)a"e suits( The, !e)t "omin. in )airs2 and the,
mi++ed around $ith nothin. to do( 6ne o* them $as Ser.eant 4urtis =+a.es( He turned to
someone and said2 D1E772 THIS IS A

BIG 4HAR7IE 96JTR6T(D That<s "ode *or 492 $hi"h means D"+uster *u"!D(

This is an Arm, o)eration that $inds u) in "on*usion2 $ith )eo)+e um)in. into one
another and demandin. to !no$ $hat<s .oin. on(

Nan", ha))ened to .+an"e at the ser.eant2 "he"!in. his suit instin"ti#e+,2 and she sa$
that he had a tear a"ross hi)( She tou"hed the ser.eant<s arm and )ointed( She rea"hed
do$n to her an!+e2 $here she !e)t her e>tra ta)e2 and ta)ed the ho+e *or him(

She remo#ed the *our dead mon!e,s *rom their "a.es2 ho+din. them , the a"!s o* the
arms2 and +oaded them into )+asti" ioha/ard a.s(

She "arried the a.s to the entr, door2 $here someone had +e*t a .arden s)ra,er *u++ o*
4+oro> +ea"h a+on. $ith more a.s( She dou+e-a..ed the mon!e,s2 s)ra,in. ea"h
a. $ith +ea"h2 and then she +oaded the a.s into "ardoard ioha/ard "ontainers-
hato>es-and s)ra,ed them to de"on them(

9ina++, she +oaded ea"h hato> into a third )+asti" a. and s)ra, it( She )ounded on the
door( DIT<S NAN48 BAAJ( I<: 46:ING 6UT(D The door $as o)ened , a ser.eant
standin. on the other side2 a memer o* the de"on team( He $as $earin. a Ra"a+ suit2
and he had a )um) s)ra,er *i++ed $ith +ea"h( She $ent into the air +o"!2 )ushin. the
hato>es ahead o* her(

In the dar!ness and in the $hine o* their +o$ers2 he shouted to her2 DSTAN3 1ITH
86UR AR:S 6UT2 AN3 TURN AR6UN3 S76178(D He s)ra,ed her *or *i#e
minutes2 unti+ the air +o"! stan! o* +ea"h( It *e+t $onder*u++, "oo+2 ut the sme++ +ea!ed
throu.h her *i+ters and made her throat stin.(

He a+so s)ra,ed the a.s( Then he o)ened the door to the sta.in. area2 and she +in!ed
at the +i.ht and "ame out2 )ushin. the a.s ahead o* her(

The su))ort team )ee+ed o** her suit( She $as dren"hed $ith s$eat( Her s"rus $ere
soa!ed( No$ it $as *ree/in. "o+d( She ran a"ross the +a$n and "han.ed into her "i#i+ian
"+othes in the a"! o* the #an(

:ean$hi+e2 )eo)+e +oaded the a.s into o>es2 and +oaded the o>es into the
re*ri.erator tru"!2 and Nan", and a dri#er headed o** *or 9ort 3etri"!( She $anted to .et
those mon!e,s into 7e#e+ @ and o)ened u) as *ast as )ossi+e(

BEER8 BAAJ 46UNTE3 si>t,-*i#e anima+s in the room2 a*ter the *our that Nan", had
remo#ed( Gene Bohnson had rou.ht a s)e"ia+ in?e"tor a"! *rom A*ri"a( Berr, used this
de#i"e to .i#e shots to the mon!e,s( It $as a )o+e that had a so"!et on one end( 8ou
*itted a s,rin.e into the so"!et2 and ,ou s+id the )o+e into the "a.e and .a#e the mon!e,
a shot( 8ou a+so needed a too+ to )in the mon!e, do$n2 e"ause mon!e,s don<t +i!e
need+es "omin. at them( The, used a mo) hand+e $ith a so*t U-sha)ed )ad on the end(
4a)tain Haines he+d the mo) hand+e a.ainst the mon!e, to immoi+i/e it2 and Berr, ran
the )o+e into the "a.e and hit the mon!e,<s thi.h $ith a dou+e dose o* !etamine2 a
.enera+ anestheti"( The, $ent throu.h the room *rom "a.e to "a.e2 hittin. a++ the
mon!e,s $ith the dru.( 5rett, soon the mon!e,s e.an to "o++a)se in their "a.es( 6n"e
a mon!e, $as do$n2 Berr, .a#e it a shot o* a sedati#e "a++ed Rom)un2 $hi"h )ut it into
a dee) s+ee)(

1hen a++ the mon!e,s $ere do$n and as+ee)2 the, set u) a "ou)+e o* stain+ess-stee+
ta+es2 and then2 one mon!e, at a time2 the, too! +ood sam)+es *rom the un"ons"ious
mon!e,s and .a#e them a third in?e"tion2 this time o* a +etha+ dru. "a++ed T-&12 $hi"h is
a euthanasia a.ent( A*ter a mon!e, $as "+ini"a++, dead2 it $as o)ened , 4a)tain Ste#e
3enn,( He too! sam)+es o* +i#er and s)+een2 usin. s"issors2 and he dro))ed the sam)+es
into the )+asti" ott+es( The, a..ed the dead mon!e,s2 +oaded them into hato>es2 and
)i+ed the hato>es a+on. the "orridor( 3an 3a+.ard2 mean$hi+e2 +e*t the room and
remained in an o**i"e at the *ront o* the ui+din. *or the rest o* the da,(

B, +ate a*ternoon2 a++ the mon!e,s in Room H had een )ut to death( Behind the
ui+din.2 throu.h the trees and do$n the hi++2 "hi+dren ran in "ir"+es around their
)+a,house( Their shouts "arried *ar in the 3e"emer air( The mothers and *athers arri#ed
in "ars and )i"!ed them u)(

The team e>ited *rom the hot /one in )airs2 and stood around on the .rass in their
"i#i+ian "+othes2 +oo!in. )a+e2 $ea!2 and thou.ht*u+( In the distan"e2 *+ood+i.hts e.an to
+i.ht u) the monuments and ui+din.s o* 1ashin.ton( It $as the 9rida, e#enin. at the
end o* the $ee! *o++o$in. Than!s.i#in.2 the start o* a 0uiet $ee!end that )re"edes the
4hristmas season( The $ind stren.thened and +e$ )a)er "u)s and em)t, "i.arette
)a"!s in eddies around the )ar!in. +ots( In a hos)ita+ not *ar *rom there2 Bar#is 5urd,2 the
mon!e, $or!er $ho had a heart atta"!2 rested "om*orta+,2 his "ondition sta+e(

BA4= AT THE Institute2 Nan", Baa> a.ain sta,ed u) unti+ one o<"+o"! in the mornin.2
disse"tin. mon!e,s $ith her hot-/one udd,2 Ron Trotter( 1hen the, had suited u) and
.one in2 there had een *i#e mon!e, "ar"asses $aitin. *or them in the air +o"!(

This time2 the si.ns o* Eo+a $ere o#ious( Nan", sa$ $hat she des"ried as
Dhorrendous .ut +esionsD in some o* the anima+s2 "aused s+ou.hin. o* the intestina+
+inin.( That s+ou.hin. o* the .ut $as a "+ass si.n( The intestine $as +it/ed2 "om)+ete+,
*u++ o* un"oa.u+ated2 runn, +ood2 and at the same time the mon!e, had massi#e +ood
"+ottin. in the intestina+ mus"+es( The "+ottin. had shut o** +ood "ir"u+ation to the .ut2
and the "e++s in the .ut suse0uent+, died-that is2 the intestines had died-and then the .ut
had *i++ed u) $ith +ood( 3ead intestine-this is the !ind o* thin. ,ou sa$ in a de"a,ed
"ar"ass( In her $ords2 DIt +oo!ed +i!e the anima+s had een dead *or three or *our da,s(D
8et the, had een dead on+, *or hours( Some o* the mon!e,s $ere so ad+, +i0ue*ied
that she and Trotter didn<t e#en other to do a ne"ro)s,2 the, ?ust ,an!ed sam)+es o*
+i#er and s)+een *rom the dead anima+( Some o* the mon!e,s that $ere d,in. in Room H
had e"ome essentia++, a hea) o* mush and ones in a s!in a.2 mi>ed $ith hu.e
amounts o* am)+i*ied #irus(

3E4E:BER @2 0'30 H6URS2 :6N3A8

:6N3A8 ARRIVE3 4673 and ra$2 $ith a risin. $ind that rou.ht a sme++ o* sno$
*rom a s!, the "o+or o* )+ain "aron stee+( In the sho))in. ma++s around 1ashin.ton2
4hristmas +i.hts had een hun.( The )ar!in. +ots $ere em)t,2 ut +ater in the da, the,
$ou+d *i++ u) $ith "ars2 and the ma++s $ou+d *i++ u) $ith )arents and "hi+dren2 and the
"hi+dren $ou+d +ine u) to see Santa 4+auses( 3an 3a+.ard dro#e to the )rimate ui+din.2
one more "ommuter in a sea o* mornin. tra**i"(

He turned into the )ar!in. +ot( As he .ot "+oser to the ui+din.2 he sa$ a man $as
standin. , the *ront door near the s$eet-.um tree2 $earin. a $hite T,#e! ?um)suit( It
$as one o* the mon!e, "areta!ers(

3a+.ard $as *urious( He had instru"ted them not to "ome out o* the ui+din. $earin. a
mas! or a )rote"ti#e suit( He ?um)ed out o* his "ar2 s+ammed the door2 and hurried
a"ross the )ar!in. +ot( As he .ot "+oser2 he re"o.ni/ed the man as someone $ho $i++ e
"a++ed :i+ton 9ranti.(

9ranti. $as standin. ent o#er $ith his hands on his !nees( He didn<t seem to noti"e
3a+.ard-he $as starin. at the .rass( Sudden+, 9ranti.<s od, "on#u+sed2 and +i0uid
s)e$ed out o* his mouth( He #omited a.ain and a.ain2 and the sound o* his ret"hin.
"arried a"ross the )ar!in. +ot(

A :AN 361N

AS 3AN 3A7GAR3 $at"hed the man s)i++ his stoma"h out onto the +a$n2 he *e+t2 in
his $ords2 Ds"ared shit+essD( No$2 )erha)s *or the *irst time2 the aso+ute horror o* the
"risis at the )rimate ui+din. $ashed o#er him(

:i+ton 9ranti. $as dou+ed o#er2 .as)in. and "ho!in.( 1hen his #omitin. susides2
3a+.ard he+)ed him to his *eet2 too! him indoors2 and made him +ie do$n on a "ou"h(
T$o em)+o,ees $ere no$ si"!-Bar#is 5urd, $as sti++ in the hos)ita+2 re"o#erin. *rom a
heart atta"!( :i+ton 9ranti. $as *i*t, ,ears o+d( He had a "honi"2 ha"!in. "ou.h2
a+thou.h he didn<t smo!e( He had een $or!in. $ith mon!e,s and $ith 3a+.ard at
Ha/+eton *or more than t$ent,-*i#e ,ears( 3a+.ard !ne$ the man $e++ and +i!ed him(
3a+.ard *e+t sha!en2 si"! $ith *ear and .ui+t( :a,e I shou+d ha#e e#a"uated the
ui+din. +ast $ee!( 3id I )ut the interests o* the mon!e,s ahead o* the interest o* the
human ein.sC

:i+ton 9ranti. $as )a+e and sha!,2 and *e+t *aint( He de#e+o)ed the dr, hea#es( 3a+.ard
*ound a )+asti" u"!et *or him( Bet$een hea#es2 interru)ted , "ou.hin. s)ee+s2 9ranti.
a)o+o.i/ed *or +ea#in. the ui+din. $hi+e $earin. a ?um) suit( He said he had ?ust een
)uttin. on his res)irator to .o inside a mon!e, room $hen he e.an to *ee+ si"! to his
stoma"h( 5erha)s the ad sme++ in the ui+din. had nauseated him2 e"ause the mon!e,
room $eren<t "+eaned as re.u+ar+, as usua+( He "ou+d *ee+ he $as aout to #omit2 and he
"ou+dn<t *ind a u"!et or an,thin. to thro$ u) into2 and it $as "omin. on so *ast that he
"ou+dn<t .et to the rest room2 so he had run outdoors(

3a+.ard $anted to ta!e 9ranti.<s tem)erature2 ut nood, "ou+d *ind a thermometer that
hadn<t een used re"ta++, on mon!e,s( He sent Bi++ Vo+t to a dru.store to u, one( 1hen
he returned2 the, dis"o#ered that 9ranti. had a *e#er o* a hundred and one( Bi++ Vo+t
ho#ered in the room2 a+most sha!in. $ith *ear( Vo+t $as not doin. $e++-Da+most s)asti"
in his terror2D 3a+.ard $ou+d +ater re"a++2 ut it $asn<t an, di**erent *rom the $a,
3a+.ard *e+t(

:i+ton 9ranti. remained the "a+mest )erson in the room( Un+i!e 3a+.ard and Vo+t2 he
did not seem a*raid( He $as a de#out 4hristian2 "om*orta+e $ith te++in. )eo)+e that he
had een sa#ed( I* the +ord sa$ *it to ta!e him home $ith a mon!e, disease2 he $as
read,( He )ra,ed a +itt+e2 rememerin. his *a#orite )assa.es in the Bi+e2 and his dr,
hea#es susided( Soon he $as restin. 0uiet+, on the "ou"h and said he *e+t a +itt+e etter(

DI $ant ,ou to sta, $here ,ou are2D 3a+.ard said to him( D3on<t +ea#e the ui+din.(D He
.ot into his "ar and dro#e as *ast as he "ou+d to the Ha/+eton 1ashin.ton o**i"es on
7eesur. 5i!e( The dri#e didn<t ta!e +on.2 and , the time he .ot there2 he had made u)
his mind: the mon!e, *a"i+it, had to e e#a"uated( Immediate+,(

There had een *our $or!ers em)+o,ed in the ui+din.2 and t$o o* them $ere no$
.oin. to e in the hos)ita+( 6ne man had heart )ro+ems2 and no$ the other had a *e#er
$ith #omitin.( 9rom $hat 3a+.ard !ne$ aout Eo+a #irus2 either o* these i++nesses
"ou+d e si.ns o* in*e"tion( The, had sho))ed at ma++s and #isited *riends and eaten in
restaurants(

3a+.ard thou.ht the, $ere )roa+, ha#in. se>ua+ inter"ourse $ith their $i#es( He
didn<t e#en $ant to thin! aout the "onse0uen"es(

1hen he arri#ed at Ha/+eton 1ashin.ton2 he $ent dire"t+, to the o**i"e o* the .enera+
mana.er( He intended to rie* him aout the situation and .et his a))ro#a+ to e#a"uate
the mon!e, house( D1e<#e .ot t$o .u,s $ho are si"!2D 3a+.ard said to him( He e.an to
des"rie $hat had ha))ened2 and he started "r,in.( He "ou+dn<t "ontro+ it( He ro!e
do$n and $e)t( Tr,in. to )u++ himse+* to.ether2 he said2 DI re"ommend that-the entire
o)eration-$e "+ose it do$n and turn it o#er to the Arm,(

1e<#e had this .od-damned disease sin"e 6"toer2 $e ha#en<t .otten in?ured2 and a++ o*
a sudden $e<#e .ot t$o .u,s si"!2 one in the hos)ita+2 one $ho<s .oin. there( I !e)t on
thin!in. that i* there $as a rea+ human ris!2 $e $ou+d ha#e seen somethin. , no$(
1e<#e )+a,ed $ith *ire *or too +on.(D

The .enera+ mana.er s,m)athi/ed $ith 3a+.ard and a.reed $ith him that the mon!e,
*a"i+it, ou.ht to e e#a"uated and shut do$n( Then2 ho+din. a"! his tears2 3a+.ard
hurried to his o$n o**i"e2 $here he *ound a .rou) o* o**i"ia+s *rom 4(3(4( $aitin. *or
him( He *e+t as i* the )ressure $ou+d ne#er +et u)( The 4(3(4( )eo)+e had arri#ed at
Ha/+eton to e.in sur#ei++an"e o* a++ em)+o,ees $ho had een e>)osed to the #irus(

3a+.ard to+d them $hat had ?ust ha))ened at the mon!e, house2 that a man had .one
do$n $ith #omitin.( He said2 DI ha#e re"ommended that the *a"i+it, e e#a"uated( I *ee+
that the ui+din. and the mon!e,s shou+d e turned o#er to the )eo)+e *rom USA:RII32
$ho ha#e the e0ui)ment and )ersonne+ to hand+e it sa*e+,(D

The 4(3(4( )eo)+e +istened and did not disa.ree(

Then there $as the 0uestion o* $hat to do $ith :i+ton 9ranti.2 $ho $as sti++ +,in. on
the "ou"h under orders *rom 3a+.ard not to mo#e( Sin"e the 4(3(4( $as in "har.e o* the
human as)e"ts o* the outrea!2 the 4(3(4( $as in "har.e o* 9ranti.-and the 4(3(4(
$anted him ta!en to 9air*a> Hos)ita+2 inside the 1ashin.ton Be+t$a,(

It $as no$ nine-t$ent, in the mornin.( 3a+.ard sat in his o**i"e and s$eated it out2
mana.in. the "risis , te+e)hone( He "a++ed 4(B(

5eters at 9ort 3etri"! and to+d him that he had a mon!e, "areta!er $ho $as si"!( In his
dr,2 "a+m #oi"e2 no$ $ithout an, hint that he had re"ent+, een $ee)in.2 he said to
5eters2 D8ou ha#e )ermission to "onsider the *a"i+it, and a++ the anima+s to e the
res)onsii+it, o* USA:RII3(D

4o+one+ 4(B( 5eters $as a +itt+e distrust*u+ o* the )hrase Dthe res)onsii+it, o*
USA:RII3(D It im)+ied that i* an,thin. $ent $ron. and )eo)+e died2 the Arm, "ou+d
e he+d res)onsi+e and "ou+d e sued( He $anted to ta!e "ontro+ o* the ui+din. and
nu!e it2 ut he didn<t $ant +a$suits( So he said to 3a+.ard that the sa*et, o* his )eo)+e
and the sa*et, o* the .enera+ )u+i" $ere the most im)ortant thin.s to him ut that he
$ou+d ha#e to "+ear this $ith his "ommand( He said he $ou+d .et a"! to 3a+.ard as
soon as )ossi+e(

Then the, ta+!ed aout the si"! man2 and 4(B( +earned that he $as ein. ta!en to 9air*a>
Hos)ita+( That distured him .reat+,( He *e+t that it shou+d e assumed that the .u, $as
rea!in. $ith Eo+a-and do ,ou rea++, $ant to rin. a .u, +i!e that into a "ommunit,
hos)ita+C 7oo! at $hat Eo+a had done in hos)ita+s in A*ri"a( 4(B( thou.ht the man
e+on.ed in the S+ammer at the Institute(

As soon as he .ot o** the +ine $ith 3a+.ard2 4(B( 5eters te+e)honed Boe :"4ormi"!2
$ho $as in "har.e o* the 4(3(4( e**ort( He said to :""ormi"! somethin. +i!e2 DI !no$
,ou ha#e this idea that a sur.i"a+ mas! and .o$n are a++ ,ou need to hand+e an Eo+a
)atient2 ut I thin! ,ou need to use a hi.her +e#e+ o* "ontainment2D and he o**ered to )i"!
u) the si"! man in an Arm, amu+an"e-)ut him in an Arm, io"ontainment )od-and
"arr, the )od to the Arm,<s *a"i+ities at the Institute( 5ut him in the S+ammer(

4(B( 5eters re"a++s that :"4ormi"! said to him somethin. +i!e2 DI $ant the .u, at
9air*a> Hos)ita+(D 4(B( re)+ied2 DA++ ri.ht2 I e+ie#e this2 Boe2 and ,ou e+ie#e that2 and
$e don<t a.ree( Re.ard+ess-$hat is .oin. to ha))en to the medi"a+ )ersonne+ at 9air*a>
Hos)ita+ or to ,ou(

Boe2 i* Eo+a #irus .ets into that hos)ita+CD

:"4ormi"! $ou+d not ud.e on his de"ision: he had een *a"e-to-*a"e $ith Eo+a in
A*ri"a2 and he hadn<t .otten si"!( He had $or!ed *or da,s inside a mud hut that $as
smeared $ith Eo+a +ood2 on his !nees amon. )eo)+e $ho $ere "rashin. on and
+eedin. out( 8ou didn<t need a s)a"e suit to hand+e an Eo+a )atient( The, "ou+d e
hand+ed , s!i++ed nurses in a .ood hos)ita+( The .u, $as .oin. to 9air*a> Hos)ita+( 4(B(

5eters2 in s)ite o* his stron. dis+i!e *or :"4ormi"!2 *ound himse+* admirin. him *or
ma!in. stron. de"isions in a #er, di**i"u+t situation(

A TE7EVISI6N-NE1S VAN arri#ed at the mon!e, house *rom 4hanne+ @ in
1ashin.ton( The $or!ers )eered throu.h "urtains at the #an2 and $hen the re)orter
"ame to the door and )ushed the u//er2 no one ans$ered( 3a+.ard had made it "+ear to
them that no one $as to ta+! to the media( Bust then2 an amu+an"e *rom 9air*a> Hos)ita+
arri#ed to ta!e 9ranti. a$a,(

4hanne+ @<s timin. "ou+d not ha#e een etter( The ne$s team turned on their +i.hts and
started *i+min. the a"tion( The door o* the mon!e, house s$un. o)en and :i+ton
9ranti. stum+ed out2 sti++ $earin. his T,#e! suit2 +oo!in. emarrassed( He $a+!ed o#er
to the amu+an"e2 the medi"a+ team o)ened the a"! doors o* the #ehi"+e2 and 9ranti.
"+imed in , himse+* and +a, do$n on the .urne,( The, s+ammed the doors and too! o**
$ith 4hanne+ @ *o++o$in. them( A *e$ minutes +ater2 the amu+an"e and 4hanne+

@ )u++ed into 9air*a> Hos)ita+( 9ranti. $as )ut in an iso+ation room2 $ith a""ess
restri"ted to do"tors and nurses $earin. ruer .+o#es2 .o$ns2 and sur.i"a+ mas!s( He
said he *e+t etter( He )ra,ed to the 7ord and $at"hed a +itt+e te+e#ision(

Ba"! at the mon!e, house2 the situation had e"ome uneara+e *or the remainin.
$or!ers( The, had seen )eo)+e in s)a"e suits2 the, had seen their "o++ea.ue )u!in. the
.rass2 the, had seen 4hanne+ @ "hasin. the amu+an"e( The, +e*t the ui+din. in a rea+
hurr,2 +o"!in. it a*ter themse+#es(

There $ere *our hundred and *i*t, mon!e,s a+i#e in the ui+din.2 and their hoots and
"ries sounded in the em)t, ha++$a,s( It $as e+e#en o<"+o"! in the mornin.( A sno$ *+urr,
"ame and $ent( The $eather $as turnin. "o+der( In the mon!e, house2 the air-hand+in.
e0ui)ment had *ai+ed *or .ood( The air tem)erature in the ui+din. had soared e,ond
ninet, de.rees2 and the )+a"e had turned steam,2 odorous2 a+i#e $ith mon!e, "a++s( The
anima+s $ere hun.r, no$2 e"ause the, had not een *ed their mornin. is"uits( Here
and there2 in rooms a++ o#er the ui+din.2 some o* the anima+s stared *rom .+a/ed e,es in
mas!+i!e *a"es2 and some o* them had +ood runnin. *rom their ori*i"es( It +anded on
meta+ tra,s under their "a.es ((( )in.2 )in.2 )in.(

%1-TANG6S

1030 H6URS2 :6N3A8

THE 4RISIS 1AS .ettin. $orse at Reston( 3an 3a+.ard *e+t he $as +osin. "ontro+ o*
e#er,thin.( He set u) a "on*eren"e "a++ $ith a++ the senior mana.ers in his "om)an, and
in*ormed them o* the situation-t$o em)+o,ees $ere do$n2 and the se"ond man "ou+d e
rea!in. $ith Eo+a-and he to+d the mana.ers that had o**ered to turn the mon!e, house
o#er to the Arm,( The, a))ro#ed his a"tion2 ut the, said the, $anted the ora+
a.reement $ith the Arm, to e )ut in $ritin.( 9urthermore2 the, $anted the Arm, to
a.ree to ta!e +e.a+ res)onsii+it, *or the ui+din.(

3a+.ard then "a++ed 4(B( 5eters and as!ed that the Arm, assume res)onsii+it, *or an,
+iai+it, that $ou+d arise a*ter the Arm, too! o#er( 4(B( *+at+, re?e"ted that )ro)osa+( He
sa$ a need *or "+arit,2 s)eed2 and no +a$,ers( He *e+t that the outrea! had a++ooned to
the )oint $here a de"ision had to e made( 3a+.ard a.reed to *a> him a sim)+e +etter
turnin. the mon!e, o#er to the Arm,( The, $or!ed u) some +an.ua.e2 and 4(B( "arried
the +etter , hand to the o**i"e o* Genera+ 5hi+i) Russe++( He and the .enera+ )ored o#er
the +etter2 ut the, did not "hoose to sho$ it an, Arm, +a$,ers( Russe++ said2 D1e ha#e
to "on#in"e the +a$,ers o* the )ath o* ri.hteousness(D The, si.ned the +etter2 *a>ed it
a"! to 3a+.ard2 and the mon!e, house *e++ into the hands o* the Arm,(

Berr, Baa> $ou+d ha#e to +ead a mu"h +ar.er ioha/ard team a"! into the mon!e,
house( The numer o* anima+s that needed to e dea+t $ith $as sta..erin.( His troo)s
$ere untested2 and he himse+* had ne#er een in "omat( He didn<t !no$2 "ou+dn<t !no$2
ho$ he or his )eo)+e $ou+d )er*orm a "haoti" situation in#o+#in. intense *ear o* an
un)+easant death(

Berr, $as the "ommandin. o**i"er o* the %1-Tan.os at the Institute( The Arm,<s anima+-
"are te"hni"ians are "+assi*ied %1-T2 $hi"h in Arm, ?ar.on e"omes %1-Tan.o( The
,oun.er %1-Tan.os are ei.hteen ,ears o+d and )ri#ates( 1hi+e the amu+an"e $as ta!in.
:i+ton 9ranti. to the hos)ita+2 Berr, "a++ed a meetin. o* his %1-Tan.os and "i#i+ian sta**
in a "on*eren"e room in the Institute( A+thou.h most o* the so+diers $ere ,oun. and had
#er, +itt+e or no e>)erien"e in s)a"e suits2 the "i#i+ians $ere o+d men2 and some $ere
7e#e+ @ s)e"ia+ists $ho had $orn 4hemturions on a dai+, asis( The room $as ?ammed2
and )eo)+e sat on the *+oor(

DThe #irus is Eo+a or Eo+a-+i!e a.ent2D he said to them( D1e are .oin. to e hand+in.
+ar.e amount o* +ood( And $e $i++ e hand+in. shar) instruments( 1e are .oin. to use
the dis)osa+e io"ontainment suits(D

The room $as si+ent $hi+e he s)o!e( He didn<t mention that a man $as do$n2 e"ause
he didn<t !no$ aout it-4(B( 5eters hadn<t to+d him aout that( 9or the time ein.2 5eters
$as sta,in. 0uiet aout the de#e+o)ment(

Berr, said to his )eo)+e2 D1e are +oo!in. *or #o+unteers( Is there an,one in this room
$ho does not $ant to .oC 1e "an<t ma!e ,ou .o(D

1hen no one a"!ed out2 Berr, +oo!ed around the room and )i"!ed his )eo)+e: D8e)2
he<s .oin.( She<s .oin.2 and2 ,e)2 ,ou<re .oin.(D In the "ro$d2 there $as a ser.eant
named S$iders!i2 and Berr, de"ided that she "ou+d not .o e"ause she $as )re.nant(
Eo+a has )arti"u+ar+, nast, e**e"ts on )re.nant $omen(

No "omat unit in the Arm, "ou+d hand+e this $or!( There $ou+d e no ha/ard )a,2 as
there is in a $ar /one( The Arm, has a theor, re.ardin. io+o.i"a+ s)a"e suits( The
theor, is that $or! inside a s)a"e suit is not ha/ardous2 e"ause ,ou are $earin. a s)a"e
suit( He++2 i* ,ou hand+ed hot a.ents $ithout a s)a"e suit2 that $ou+d e ha/ardous $or!(
The )ri#ates $ou+d .et their usua+ )a,: se#en do++ars an hour( Berr, to+d them that the,
$ere not to dis"uss the o)eration $ith an,one2 not e#en memers o* their *ami+ies( DI*
,ou ha#e an, tenden", to "+austro)hoia2 "onsider it no$2D he said( He to+d them to
$ear "i#i+ian "+othes and to sho$ u) at the Institute<s +oadin. do"! at 0G00 hours the
ne>t mornin.(

3E4E:BER @-G2 :6N3A8-TUES3A8

THE S673IERS 3I3N<T s+ee) mu"h that ni.ht2 and neither did Gene Bohnson(

He $as terri*ied *or the D!idsD2 as he "a++ed them( He had *air share o* s"ares $ith hot
a.ents( 6n"e in Haire2 he had stu"! himse+* $ith a +ood, need+e $hi+e ta!in. +ood
*rom a mouse( There $as reason to e+ie#e the mouse $as hot2 and so the, had air+i*ted
him to the Institute and )ut him in the S+ammer *or thirt, da,s( DThat $as not a *un tri)2D
as he )ut it(

DThe, treated me as i* I $ou+d die( The, $ou+dn<t .i#e me s"issors to "ut m, eard
e"ause the, thou.ht I $ou+d e sui"ida+( And the, +o"!ed me in at ni.ht(D At =itum
4a#e2 $hi+e $earin. a s)a"e suit and disse"tin. anima+s2 he had een ni"!ed three times
$ith +ood, too+s( Three times his s)a"e suit had een )un"tured and his s!in ro!en
and "ut smeared $ith anima+ +ood( He re.arded himse+* as +u"!, not to ha#e )i"!ed u)
:arur. or somethin. e+se at =itum 4a#e( Ha#in. had some "+ose "a++s2 he $as dee)+,
a*raid o* $hat had in#aded the mon!e, house(

Bohnson +i#ed in a ram+in. house on the side o* 4ato"tin :ountain( He sat in his stud,
most o* the ni.ht2 thin!in. aout )ro"edures( E#er, mo#ement o* the od, in a hot area
has to e "ontro++ed and )+anned( He said to himse+*2 1here<s this #irus .oin. to .et
,ouC

It<s .oin. to .et ,ou throu.h the hands( The hands are the $ea! )oint(

Ao#e a++2 the hands must e under "ontro+(

He sat in an eas, "hair and he+d u) one hand and studied it( 9our *in.ers and an a))osed
thum( E>a"t+, +i!e a mon!e,<s hand( E>"e)t that it $as $ired to a human mind( And it
"ou+d e en"+osed and shie+ded , te"hno+o.,( The thin. that se)arated the human hand
*rom Nature $as the s)a"e suit(

He stood u) and $ent throu.h motions in the air $ith his hands(

No$ he $as .i#in. a mon!e, an in?e"tion( No$ he $as "arr,in. the mon!e, to a ta+e(
He $as )uttin. the mon!e, on the ta+e( He $as in a hot /one( He $as o)enin. the
mon!e, u)2 and no$ he $as )uttin. his hands into a +ood, +a!e o* am)+i*ied hot a.ent(
His hands $ere "o#ered $ith three +a,ers o* ruer and then smeared $ith +ood and hot
a.ent(

He )aused and ?otted notes on )a)er( Then he turned a"! to his ima.inar, hot /one( He
inserted a )air o* s"issors into the mone, and "+i))ed out )art o* the s)+een( He handed it
to someone( 1here $ou+d that )erson e standin.C Behind himC No$ he ima.ined
himse+* ho+din. a need+e in his hand( 6!a,2 I ha#e a need+e in m, hand( It<s +etha+ o?e"t(
I<m ho+din. it in m, ri.ht hand i* I<m ri.ht-handed( There*ore2 m, udd, shou+d stand to
m, +e*t2 a$a, *rom the need+e( No$ m, udd,<s hands( 1hat $i++ m, udd,<s hands e
doin.C 1hat $i++ e#er,one<s hands e doin.C B, ear+, in the mornin.2 he had $ritten
man, )a.es o* notes(

It $as a s"ri)t *or a ioha/ard o)eration(

BEER8 BAAJ 7E9T home at *our o<"+o"! in the mornin.2 $hi+e Nan", $as sti++ as+ee)(
He met Gene Bohnson at the +oadin. do"!2 $here the, $ent o#er Gene<s s"ri)t( Berr,
memori/ed it2 and mean$hi+e the team memers e.an to sho$ u)2 so+diers in Berr,<s
unit( :an, o* them arri#ed on *oot2 ha#in. $a+!ed o#er *rom their arra"!s( The, stood
around2 $aitin. *or their orders( It $as )it"h-dar!2 and on+, the *+ood+i.hts i++uminated
the s"ene( Berr, had de"ided to use a udd, s,stem inside the ui+din.2 and he e.an
de"idin. $ho $ou+d e )aired $ith $hom( 6n a )ie"e o* )a)er2 he dre$ u) a roster o*
uddies2 and he $rote do$n the order o* entr,2 the se0uen"e in $hi"h the, $ou+d e
inserted into the ui+din.( He stood e*ore them and read the roster2 and the, .ot into
their #ehi"+es-a $hite re*ri.erator tru"!2 a "ou)+e o* unmar!ed )assen.er #ans2 an
unmar!ed )i"!u) tru"!2 the $hite amu+an"e "ontainin. the u+e stret"her2 and a
numer o* "i#i+ian "ars-and headed *or Reston( The, e"ame tra))ed in rush-hour tra**i"
a.ain2 surrounded , ha+*-as+ee) ,u))ies in suits $ho $ere su"!in. "o**ee *rom *oam
"u)s and +istenin. to tra**i" re)orts and eas, ro"! and ro++(

1HEN A77 THE #ehi"+es had arri#ed at the a"! o* the mon!e, house2 the teams
assem+ed on the +a$n2 and Gene Bohnson as!ed *or their attention(

His e,es $ere sun!en and dar!2 su..estin. he had not s+e)t in da,s( D1e are not )+a,in.
.ames here2D he said( DThis is the rea+ thin.( A io+o.i"a+ 7e#e+ @ outrea! is not a
trainin. session( There<s een a de#e+o)ment I $ant ,ou a++ to !no$ aout( There is a
)ossii+it, that transmission o* this #irus to human has ta!en )+a"e( There are t$o )eo)+e
$ho are i++ and are hos)ita+i/ed( Both o* them are anima+ "areta!ers $ho $or!ed in this
ui+din.( There is one .u, $e are es)e"ia++, $orried aout( 8esterda, mornin.2 he
e"ame si"!( He #omited and s)i!ed a *e#er(

He is no$ in the hos)ita+( 1e don<t !no$ i* he is rea!in. $ith Eo+a(

The thin. I $ant ,ou to understand is that he $as not itten , an anima+ and he did not
"ut himse+* or sti"! himse+* $ith a need+e( So i* he has Eo+a2 there is a )ossii+it, he .ot
it throu.h airorne transmission(D

Berr, Baa> +istened to the s)ee"h $ith a risin. sense o* horror(

He hadn<t !no$n aout this man .ettin. si"!I Nood, had to+d him aout thisI No$ he
had a *ee+in. that there $ere .oin. to e "asua+ties(

It $as an i",2 .ra, da,( The trees ehind the mon!e, house had +ost their +ea#es2 and
dead +ea#es rust+ed a"ross the +a$n( At the da,-"are "enter do$n the hi++2 )arents had
een dro))in. o** their "hi+dren2 and the "hi+dren $ere )+a,in. on s$in.s( Gene Bohnson
"ontinued his s)ee"h( DE#er,one is to )ro"eed on the assum)tion ris!s2 and ,ou are
e>)erien"edD-and his e,es rested on a )ri#ate *irst "+ass named Ni"o+e Ber!e( She $as
0uite eauti*u+2 +on. +ond hair2 ei.hteen ,ears o+d-and he thou.ht2 1ho is sheC I<#e
ne#er seen her e*ore( :ust e one o* Berr,<s )eo)+e( The,<re ?ust !ids2 the, don<t !no$
$hat the,<re u) a.ainst( D8ou must *o++o$ the )ro"edures e>a"t+,2D he $ent on( DI* ,ou
ha#e an, 0uestions2 ,ou must as!(D

Berr, .ot u) and said to them2 DNo 0uestion is too stu)id( I* ,ou ha#e a 0uestion2 as!(D

5ri#ate Ni"o+e Ber!e $as $onderin. i* she $ou+d .et a "han"e to .o into the ui+din.(
DHo$ +on. are $e .oin. to e doin. this2 sirCD she as!ed him(

DUnti+ the mon!e,s are dead2D he re)+ied( DThere are *our hundred and *i*t, mon!e,s in
there(D

6h2 God2 she thou.ht2 *our hundred *i*t, mon!e,s-this is .oin. to ta!e *ore#er(

The 0uestions $ere *e$( 5eo)+e $ere tense2 si+ent2 turned in$ard(

Berr, Baa> entered the sta.in. room2 and the su))ort team he+)ed him )ut on his Ra"a+
Suit( The, *itted the u+e o#er his head2 and his +o$ers started to roar( He to+d the
teams he<d see them inside2 and he and his udd,2 Ser.eant Thomas Amen2 entered the
air +o"!( The door "+osed ehind them2 and the, stood in dar!ness( The, *e+t their $a,
do$n the dar! air-+o"! "orridor2 o)ened the *ar door2 and "rossed o#er to the hot side(

The area $as trashed( It had not een "+eaned in man, da,s( The $or!ers had +e*t in a
i. hurr,( There $ere mon!e, is"uits s"attered a++ o#er the *+oor2 and )a)ers $ere
s"attered e#er,$here2 an there $ere o#erturned "hairs in the o**i"es( It +oo!ed as i* the
humans had *+ed *rom here( Berr, and the ser.eant e.an e>)+orin. the ui+din.( The,
mo#ed s+o$+, and "are*u++, in their suits2 as i* the, $ere $re"! di#ers o)eratin. in dee)
$ater( Berr, *ound himse+* in a sma++ "orridor that o)ened into more mon!e, rooms( He
sa$ a room *u++ o* mon!e,s2 and e#er, one o* the anima+s $as +oo!in. at him( Se#ent,
)airs o* mon!e, e,es *i>ed on a )air o* human e,es in a s)a"e suit-and the anima+s $ent
nuts( The, $ere hun.r, and $ere ho)in. to e *ed( The, had trashed their room( E#en
+o"!ed inside "a.es2 mon!e, "ou+d rea++, do a ?o on a room( The, had een thro$in.
their is"uits a++ o#er the )+a"e2 and the, had een *in.er-)aintin. the $a++s $ith dun.(
The $a++ $ere s"ri+ed a++ the $a, u) to the "ei+in. $ith mon!e, $ritin.( It $as a
"r,)ti" messa.e to the human ra"e that "ame out o* the )rimate sou+(

Berr, and the ser.eant *ound some a.s o* mon!e, is"uits and $ent into ea"h room in
the ui+din.2 and *ed the mon!e,s( The anima+s $ere .oin. to die soon2 ut Berr, didn<t
$ant them to su**er more than the, had to( 1hi+e he *ed them2 he ins)e"ted them *or
si.ns o* Eo+a( In man, o* the rooms2 he *ound anima+s that seemed du++-e,ed and
+ist+ess( Some o* them had runn, noses2 or there $as a !ind o* +ood-s)attered .reen
"rust "a!ed around the nostri+s( He sa$ )udd+es o* +ood in some o* the )ans under their
"a.es( These si.hts distured him dee)+, e"ause the, to+d him that the a.ent had .one
a++ throu.h the ui+din.( He "ou+d see some o* the anima+s "ou.hin. and snee/in.2 as i*
the, had the *+u( He $ondered i* he $as seein. a mutant *orm o* Eo+a-a !ind o*
airorne Eo+a *+u( He shran! *rom the idea and tried to turn his mind a$a, *rom it2 *or
it $as too a$*u+ to "ontem)+ate( 8ou "ou+d no more ima.ine it than ,ou "ou+d ima.ine a
nu"+ear $ar( A +a,er o* s$eat ui+t u) inside his )+asti" head u+e2 ma!in. it di**i"u+t
*or hm to see the mon!e,s "+ear+,( But he "ou+d hear them2 shrie!in. and "a++in.
distant+, e,ond the sound o* his +o$ers( So *ar2 he had not *e+t an, "+austro)hoia or
)ani"( He $asn<t .oin. to +ose it in here(

SEVERA7 :E:BERS 69 the team s)ent the ne>t ha+* hour in sta.in. room(

The, $ere shu"!in. s,rin.es2 remo#in. them *rom a steri+e en#e+o)e2 and *ittin. ea"h
s,rin.e $ith a need+e( No$ the s,rin.es $ere read, to e *i++ed $ith dru.s(

A *e$ *eet *rom the so+diers2 4a)tain :ar! Haines e.an to suit u)( 1hi+e the su))ort
team .ot him dressed2 he .a#e a s)ee"h( He $anted the so+diers to !ee) "ertain thin.s in
mind as the, *o++o$ed him in( He said2 D8ou are .oin. to euthani/e a $ho+e ui+din. *u++
o* anima+s( This is not a *un o)eration( 3on<t .et atta"hed to the anima+s( The, are .oin.
to die an,$a,( The,<re a++ .oin. to ha#e to .o2 e#er, +ast one o* them( 3on<t thin! o* it as
!i++in. somethin.( Thin! o* it as sto))in. the #irus here $ithout +ettin. it .et an,$here
e+se( 3on<t )+a, $ith the mon!e,s( I don<t $ant to hear +au.hin. and ?o!in. around the
anima+s( I "an e hard( Rememer the #eterinarian<s "reed: ,ou ha#e a res)onsii+it, to
anima+s2 and ,ou ha#e a res)onsii+it, to s"ien"e( These anima+s .a#e their +i#es to
s"ien"e( The, $ere "au.ht u) in this thin.2 and it<s not their *au+t( The, had nothin. to
do $ith it( =ee) an e,e on ,ou udd,(

Ne#er hand a used need+e to another )erson( I* a need+e "omes out o* its "a)2 it .oes
strai.ht into an anima+( 5ut the used s,rin.e into a shar)s "ontainer( I* ,ou .et tired2 te++
,our su)er#isor2 and $e<++ de"on ,ou out(D He turned a$a, *rom them and $ent in $ith
his udd,(

D1ho<s ne>tCD Gene Bohnson said2 readin. the roster2 DGod$inI

8ou<re ne>t(D

A )ri#ate *irst "+ass named 4har+otte God$in hurried outdoors to the #an and "+imed
inside2 and too! o** a++ her "+othes2 and )ut on a sur.i"a+ s"ru suite2 so"!s2 snea!ers2 and
a hair "a)( It $as ruta++, "o+d in the #an( She *e+t emarrassed and #u+nera+e(

In the sta.in. room the, e.an to suit her u)( Someone said to her2 D8ou<re !ind o*
sma++( 1e<#e .ot a s)e"ia+ suit *or ,ou(D It $asn<t s)e"ia+( It $as a +ar.e suit2 si/ed *or a
i. man2 and she $as *i#e *eet ta++( It hun. around her +i!e a a.( The su))er team $as
ta)in. her no$2 runnin. ro$n sti"!, ta)e around her an!+es and $rists2 and her +o$ers
"ame on(

An Arm, )hoto.ra)her too! some )hoto.ra)hs *or the a"tion *i+e2 and as the *+ash $ent
o** she thou.ht2 God2 I $ou+d e s$earin. a hair "a)( It<s a "+o$n "a)( It<s a Bo/o hat(
8ou $on<t see m, hair in the )i"ture2 and m, s)a"e suit is too +ar.e *or me( :a!es me
+oo! *at( Bust m, +u"! to e the one +oo!in. +i!e a dor! in the a"tion )hoto.ra)hs(

She sta..ered into the .ra, /one2 "arr,in. o>es o* su))+ies2 and *e+t a s$ee)in.
adrena+ rush2 and thou.ht( I<m too ,oun. to e .oin. throu.h this( She $as ei.hteen(
Then she noti"ed the sme++( A rea++, ad sme++ $as "ree)in. throu.h her *i+ters( Her
udd, )ounded on the *ar door2 and the, entered( Ri))+es in the *a"e)+ate o* her head
u+e distorted the #ie$2 as i* she $as in a house o* mirrors( The sme++ o* mon!e, $as
o#er)o$erin. inside her s)a"e suit( It $as a+so too 0uiet2 and mon!e, houses are not
0uiet )+a"es( The 0uiet othered her e#en more than the sme++ or the heat(

A door s$un. o)en2 and 4o+one+ Baa> a))eared( He said2 DSTART

76A3ING S8RINGES( 36UB7E 36SES 69 =ETA:INE(D

D8ES2 SIR2D she re)+ied(

DTHE SERGEANT AN3 I 1I77 BE =N64=ING 361N :6N=E8S IN HERE2D he
said(

4har+otte started *i++in. s,rin.es $ith !etamine2 the anestheti"(

Berr, Baa> "arried a +oaded s,rin.e into the mon!e, room and *itted it to the so"!et o* a
)o+e s,rin.e( The ser.eant *ished his mo) hand+e into a "a.e and )inned a mon!e,( Then
Berr, o)ened the door o* the "a.e(

1at"hin. the mon!e, "are*u++, to ma!e sure it didn<t tr, to rush at him2 he s+id the )o+e
s,rin.e throu.h the o)en door and .a#e the mon!e, an in?e"tion o* anestheti"2 and then
)u++ed out the s,rin.e2 and s+ammed the door shut( It $as the most dan.erous ?o
e"ause o* the o)en door( The anima+ "ou+d atta"! or tr, to es"a)e( Berr, and the
ser.eant $ent *rom "a.e to "a.e2 and the mon!e,s e.an to .o to s+ee) under the
anesthesia(

The rooms "ontained dou+e an!s o* mon!e, "a.es( The +o$er an! $as near the *+oor
and $as dar!( Berr, had to .et do$n on his !nees to )eer inside( He "ou+d hard+, see
an,thin. throu.h his head u+e( His !nees $ere !i++in. him( He $ou+d o)en a "a.e
door2 and the ser.eant $ou+d s+ide the mo) hand+e into the "a.e( The mon!e, $ou+d
s"ra+e around2 tr, to es"a)e2 and the ser.eant $ou+d sa,2 D6=A82 I G6T HI:( HE<S
5INNE3(D

Berr, $ou+d s+ide the )o+e s,rin.e to$ard the mon!e,2 aimin. the need+e *or the thi.h(
There $ou+d e s"ree"hes and a $i+d "ommotion2 the mon!e, shrie!in. D=raI =raID and
the need+e $ou+d sin! in( This $as turnin. out to e one o* the hardest thin.s he<d e#er
done in his "areer as a #eterinarian(

:ore team memers "ame into the ui+din.2 Berr, assem+ed them in the ha++$a, and
said to them: DST65 EVER8 9IVE 6R TEN :INUTES AN3 4HE4=

86UR NEIGHB6R<S SUIT 96R RI5S( BE VER8 4ARE9U7( :A=E SURE 86U
TA=E REST

BREA=S( I 1ANT 86U T6 REST 96R TEN :INUTES EVER8 H6UR( 1HEN
86U GET

TIRE32 86U GET 4ARE7ESS(D E#er, time he +oo!ed into a mon!e, room2 he sa$ a
room *u++ o* e,es +oo!in. a"! at him( Some o* the mon!e,s ratt+ed their "a.es2 and the
$a#e o* noise s$e)t u) and do$n the room(

Berr, de"ided to set u) a +eed area in a sma++ room near the *ront o* the ui+din.2 ri.ht
ne>t to the o**i"es( In the +eed area there $as a sho$er $ith a drain ho+e in the *+oor(
The, $ou+d need to use the drain ho+e *or $ashin. do$n +ood and *or rinsin. do$n
o?e"ts $ith +ea"h( E#er, time +ood $ent do$n the drain2 the, $ou+d )our +ea"h a*ter
it-the, didn<t $ant this thin. .ettin. into Reston se$a.e s,stem(

The, *ound a meta+ e>amination ta+e on $hee+s and ro++ed it into the +eed area( Berr,
di#ided the )eo)+e into suteams: a +eed team Eto $or! at the +eed ta+eF2 a euthanasia
team Eto )ut mon!e,s to deathF2 and a ne"ro)s, team Eto o)en u) the mon!e,s and ta!e
sam)+es and a. the "ar"asses in ioha/ard a.sF(

The, .ot an assem+, +ine .oin.( E#er, *i#e minutes or so2 Berr, Baa> $ou+d "arr, an
un"ons"ious mon!e, out o* a room and do$n the "orridors to the +eed area2 ho+din. the
anima+ $ith its arms )inned ehind its a"!( He $ou+d +a, it do$n on the +eed ta+e2
and then 4a)tain Haines2 the Green Beret2 $ou+d insert a need+e into the anima+<s thi.h
and dra$ o** a +ot o* +ood into #arious tues( Then he<d hand the un"ons"ious anima+ to
:a?or Nate 5o$e++2 and he $ou+d .i#e it an in?e"tion o* T-&12 the euthanasia a.ent( He<d
)ut the need+e ri.ht into the heart(

1hen the anima+ $as "+ear+, dead2 he $ou+d hand it to 4a)tain Ste#e 3enn,2 $ho did
the ne"ro)s,( 4a)tain 3enn, o)ened the anima+ $ith s"issors and sni))ed out )arts o*
the +i#er and s)+een( The +i#ers o* these anima+s $ere .ra,2 eroded2 nast, +oo!in.(

5ri#ate 4har+otte God$in stood eside 4a)tain 3enn, and handed him too+s( She
thou.ht he +oo!ed ner#ous2 ?um),2 inside his s)a"e suit( He )u++ed a s)+een out o* a
mon!e,( It $as s)e"!+ed $ith $hite s)ots2 as hard as a ro"!2 a io+o.i"a+ om ti"!in.
$ith hot a.ent( A*ter a $hi+e2 he handed the s"issors to her and .a#e her a "han"e to
o)en u) a mon!e,(

It *ri.htened her and .a#e her a i. rush( She $as doin. a hot ne"ro)s, in 7e#e+ @2
)erha)s the most dan.erous $or! in a s)a"e suit( This $as a ro"!et ride2 and it thri++ed
her( Her hands $or!ed $ithin a memrane<s thi"!ness o* a death $orse than an, death in
"omat( She *ound herse+* ra"in. to *inish the ?o( She noti"ed that the mon!e,<s e,es
$ere o)en(

It $as as i* the mon!e, $as +oo!in. at her $hi+e she $or!ed( She $anted to rea"h out
and "+ose the mon!e,<s e,es( She thou.ht2 Is m, *a"e the +ast thin. the, seeC

INSI3E

EAR78 EVENING2 TUES3A8

THE 3ATE 16RE 6N2 and )eo)+e e.an usin. u) their atteries( The, "ou+d see that
the da,+i.ht $as startin. to .o2 e"ause some $indo$s at the ends o* the ha++$a,s $ere
.ettin. dar!( Berr, Baa> made )eo)+e rest e#er, no$ and then( The, sat on the *+oor $ith
+an! +oo!s on their *a"es2 e>hausted2 or the, +oaded s,rin.es $ith dru.s( :ean$hi+e2
Berr, $ent *rom )erson to )erson2 tr,in. to .au.e the +e#e+ o* e>haustion( DH61 ARE
86U

36INGC ARE 86U TIRE3C 36 86U 1ANT T6 G6 6UTCD

Nood, $anted to .o out(

The team inside the ui+din. maintained radio "onta"t $ith Gene Bohnson outside the
ui+din.( He had su))+ied them $ith hand-he+d short-$a#e radios that o)erated on a
mi+itar, and( He hadn<t .i#en them ordinar, $a+!ie-ta+!ies e"ause he didn<t $ant
an,od, +istenin. to the ta+!2 es)e"ia++, the ne$s media2 $ho mi.ht ma!e a ta)e
re"ordin. o* the "hatter( It seemed +ess +i!e+, that an,one $ou+d +isten to these radios(

Somethin. $ent $ron. $ith one o* the so+diers< suits( She $as a s)e"ia+ist named
Rhonda 1i++iams( Her +o$er "ut o**2 and her suit e.an to .o +im) unti+ it stu"! to her
s$eat, s"ru suit2 and she *e+t "ontaminated air "ree)in. around her( D:8 AIR<S
G6ING 6992D she shouted(

She !e)ted $or!in.( She "ou+dn<t +ea#e her )ost( Her atter, $as *ai+in.( She
dis"o#ered that she did not ha#e a s)are atter, on her e+t( A++ the others had used their
s)are atteries(

1hen Rhonda announ"ed that her air $as shuttin. do$n2 it "aused a "ommotion( Berr,
$anted to e#a"uate her *rom the ui+din.( He ran do$n the ha++ to the air-+o"! door2
$here a so+dier $as stationed $ith a short-$a#e radio( Berr, .raed the radio2 and
"a++ed Gene Bohnson2 shoutin. throu.h his he+met2 D1E<VE G6T A 7A38 1H6<S
76SING HER BATTER8(D

Gene ans$ered2 D1e need to .et a atter, and send it in $ith someone( 4an ,ou $aitCD

DN62 SHE<S 46:ING 6UT( SHE<S 76SING HER AIR2D Berr, said(

Aru)t+,2 the so+dier , the door to+d Berr, that he had an e>tra atter,( Berr, said o#er
the radio: D1AIT-1E HAVE AN EJTRA 6NE(D

The so+dier ran do$n the ha++$a, to Rhonda2 .rinned at her2 and said2 D86UR
BATTER8 IS HERE(D

5eo)+e started +au.hin.( He "+i))ed it to Rhonda<s e+t(

She thou.ht2 6h2 m, God2 the,<re .on. to un+o"! m, o+d atter,2 it<s .oin. to sto) m,
+o$ers( She said2 D1AIT A :INUTEI :8 AIR<S G6ING

T6 G6 699ID

D36N<T 16RR8( IT<S BUST 96R A SE46N3 1HI7E 1E S1IT4H 86U 6VER2D
he said( Rhonda $as ratt+ed and $as read, to +ea#e( She $as $onderin. i* she had
"au.ht the #irus durin. the moments $hen her air )ressure had een +ost( Berr, de"ided
to send her out $ith 4har+otte God$in2 $ho seemed to e .ettin. tired( 6n the radio2 he
said to Gene2 DI HAVE T16 46:ING 6UT(D

6n Gene<s side2 a near )ani" $as o""urrin.( A te+e#ision #an had ?ust sho$ed u)( Gene
$as a))a++ed( He didn<t $ant the "ameras to start ro++in. ?ust as t$o $omen in s)a"e
suits $ere e>tra"ted *rom the ui+din.(

He said to Berr,2 D1e<re ?ammed( 1e "an<t mo#e them out( 1e<#e .ot TV "ameras out
here(D

DI<77 SEN3ING THE: 6UT2D Berr, said(

DA++ ri.ht( Send them out2D Gene said( D1e<++ .i#e the "ameras a sho$(D

Berr, )ounded on the door o* the .ra, area2 and the de"on man o)ened it( He $as a
ser.eant( He $ore a s)a"e suit( He he+d a )um) s)ra,er *i++ed $ith +ea"h2 and a
*+ash+i.ht( Rhonda and 4har+otte $a+!ed into the .ra, area2 and the ser.eant to+d them to
ho+d their arms strai.ht out at their sides( He )+a,ed the *+ash+i.ht o#er their s)a"e suits2
"he"!in. *or dama.e or +ea!s(

Rhonda noti"ed that he had a stran.e +oo! on his *a"e(

D86U HAVE A H67E IN 86UR SUIT2D he said(

I !ne$ this $as .oin. to ha))en2 she thou.ht(

D1HERE 3I3 86U GET ITCD he as!ed(

DI 36N<T =N61ID

He s+a))ed a )ie"e o* ta)e o#er the ho+e( Then he $ashed the t$o so+diers do$n $ith
+ea"h2 s)ra,in. it a++ o#er them2 and )ounded on the door that +ed to the sta.in. room(
Someone o)ened it2 and the, $ent out(

Immediate+, the su))ort team o)ened their head u+es and )ee+ed o** their suits(
Their s"ru suits2 underneath2 $ere soa!ed $ith s$eat( The, e.an to shi#er(

DThere<s a te+e#ision-ne$s #an out *ront2D Gene said(

DI had a ho+e in m, suit2D Rhonda said to him( D3id I .et the #irusCD

DNo( 8ou had enou.h )ressure in ,our suit to )rote"t ,ou the $ho+e time(D He hurried
them outdoors( DGet into the #an and +ie do$n2D he said( DI* an,od, as!ed ,ou an,
0uestions2 !ee) ,ou mouths shut(D

The, "ou+dn<t *ind their "+othes in the #an( The, ro++ed themse+#es u) in some o#er"oats
to !ee) $arm and +a, do$n on the seats2 out o* si.ht(

The te+e#ision "re$ )ar!ed their #an near the *ront door o* the mon!e, house2 and the
re)orter e.an to )o!e around2 *o++o$ed , a "ameraman( The re)orter !no"!ed on the
*ront door and ran. the u//er-no ans$er( He )eered in the *ront $indo$s-the "urtains
$ere dra$n2 and he "ou+dn<t see an,thin.( 1e++2 nothin. $as ha))enin. in there( This
)+a"e $as deserted( He and the "ameraman didn<t noti"e the $hite #ehi"+es )ar!ed
ehind the ui+din.2 or i* the, noti"ed them it didn<t seem interestin.( There $as nothin.
.oin. on here(

The te+e#ision men returned to their #an and sat in it *or a $hi+e2 ho)in. that someone
$ou+d ha))en or that someone $ou+d sho$ u) so that the, "ou+d .et some sound ites
*or the e#enin. ne$s2 ut this $as .ettin. to e orin.2 it $as an a$*u++, "o+d da,2 and
the +i.ht $as *adin.( It did not o""ur to them to .o around the side o* the ui+din. and
)oint their #ideo "amera to$ard a $indo$( I* the, had done that2 the, $ou+d ha#e .otten
enou.h *oota.e to *i++ the entire e#enin. ne$s2 $ith somethin. +e*t o#er *or 4BS<s &0
minutes( The, $ou+d ha#e .otten *oota.e o* so+diers in s)a"e suits smeared $ith Eo+a
+ood2 en.a.ed in the *irst ma?or ioha/ard mission the $or+d e#er !ne$2 and the,
$ou+d ha#e .otten shots o* ioha/ard uddies "omin. out into the sta.in. area in )airs
and ein. stri))ed o* their suits , the su))ortin. team( But the ne$s "re$ didn<t $a+!
around the ui+din.2 and so *ar as I !no$2 there is no #ideo *oota.e o* the Reston a"tion(

:ean$hi+e2 the t$o $omen +a, on their a"! in the #an *or man, minutes( Sudden+, the
te+e#ision "re$ +e*t( Gene Bohnson2 )o!in. his head around the "orner o* the ui+din.2
re)orted that the "oast $as "+ear(

The $omen .ot dressed and then hurried o** to re+ie#e themse+#es in the $ooded area
ehind the ui+din.( That $as $here the, *ound the need+es-t$o used h,)odermi"
s,rin.es $ith need+es atta"hed to them( The need+es $ere un"a))ed and are2 o#ious+,
used( It $as im)ossi+e to te++ ho$ +on. the, had een +,in. in the .rass( Some o* the
sa*et, )eo)+e )ut on .+o#es and )i"!ed u) the need+es2 and as the, sear"hed the area2
the, *ound more need+es in the .rass(

The +ast )erson to "ome out $as Berr, Baa>( He emer.ed around si> in the e#enin.2
ha#in. +ost et$een *i#e and ten )ounds o* $ei.ht( It $as *+uid +oss *rom s$eatin.2 and
his *a"e $as ashen( His hair2 instead o* +oo! si+#er2 +oo!ed $hite(

There $as no *ood *or the so+diers2 and the, $ere hun.r, and thirst,( The so+diers too!
a #ote on $here to eat2 and it "ame out in *a#or o* Ta"o Be++( Gene Bohnson said to them2
D3on<t te++ an,one $h, are here( 3on<t ans$er an, 0uestion(D

The "ara#an started u)2 en.ines roarin. in the "o+d2 and headed *or Ta"o Be++( The
so+diers ordered so*t ta"os $ith man,2 man, ?umo 4o!es to re)+a"e the s$eat the,<d
+ost inside their s)a"e suits( The, a+so ordered a #ast numer o* "innamon t$ists-
e#er,thin. to do-,eah2 )ut it in o>es2 and hurr,2 )+ease( The em)+o,ees $ere starin. at
them( The so+diers +oo!ed +i!e so+diers2 e#en in ?eans and s$eat shirts-the men $ere
u+!ed u) and hard-+oo!in.2 $ith "re$ "uts and meta+-*ramed mi+itar, e,e.+asses and a
*e$ /its *rom too mu"h Arm, *ood2 and the $omen +i!ed as i* the, "ou+d do *i*t, )ush-
u)s and rea! do$n a $ea)on( A man "ame u) to Ser.eant =+a.es $hi+e he $as $aitin.
*or his *ood and said2 D1here $ere ,ou doin. o#er thereC I sa$ those #ans(D Ser.eant
=+a.es turned his a"! on the man $ithout sa,in. a $ord(

A9TER :I3NIGHT 6N the $ater ed in the master edroom o* Baa> house on the
s+o)es o* 4ato"tin :ountain2 Nan", and Berr, Baa> "au.ht u) on the ne$s $hi+e their
dau.hter2 Baime2 s+e)t eside them( Berr, to+d her that the da,<s o)eration had .one
reasona+, $e++ and that no one had stu"! himse+* or herse+* $ith a need+e( He to+d her
he hadn<t rea+i/ed ho$ +one+, it is inside ioha/ard suit(

Nan", $ra))ed herse+* around him and rested her head a.ainst his ne"! in the $a, the,
had he+d ea"h other sin"e "o++e.e( She thou.ht he +oo!ed shrun!en and thin( He $as
)h,si"a++, more e>hausted than she had seen him in ,ears( She )i"!ed u) Baime and
"arried her to ed2 then returned and *o+ded herse+* around her husand( The, *e++ as+ee)
ho+din. ea"h other(

A BA3 3A8

3E4E:BER &2 1E3NES3A8

96R THE 5AST se#era+ da,s and ni.hts2 an Arm, s"ientist named Thomas =sia/e! had
een $or!in. in his s)a"e suit in a 7e#e+ @ +a tr,in. to de#e+o) a ra)id test *or Eo+a
#irus in +ood and tissue( He .ot the test to $or!( It $as "a++ed a ra)id E+isa test2 and it
$as sensiti#e and eas, to )er*orm( He tested urine and +ood sam)+es *rom :i+ton
9ranti.2 the man $ho had #omited on the +a$n and $ho $as no$ in an iso+ation room at
9air*a> Hos)ita+( 9ranti. "ame u) "+ean( His urine and +ood did not rea"t to the Eo+a
test( It +oo!ed as i* he had the *+u( This $as a m,ster,( 1h, $eren<t those .u,s rea!in.
$ith Eo+aC

The $eather $armed u) and turned sunn,2 and the $ind shi*ted around unti+ it +e$
*rom the south( 6n the se"ond da, o* the massi#e nu!in.-1ednesda,-the Arm, "ara#an
*+o$ed $ith "ommuter tra**i" to Reston and de)+o,ed ehind the mon!e, house( Thin.s
$ent more smooth+,( B, ei.ht o<"+o"! in the mornin.2 the teams had e.un their
insertions( Gene Bohnson rou.ht a *+ood+i.ht2 and the, set it u) in the .ra, "orridor(

Berr, Baa> $ent in *irst and *ed the mon!e,s( He made his rounds $ith Ser.eant Amen2
"he"!in. ea"h room2 and here and there the, *ound mon!e,s dead or in termina+ sho"!(
In a +oun.e2 the, *ound some "hairs2 and dra..ed them into a ha++$a, and arran.ed them
in a semi"ir"+e so that the so+diers "ou+d sit on them $hi+e the, too! their rest rea!s and
*i++ed u) s,rin.es( As the da, $ore on2 ,ou "ou+d see e>hausted so+diers and "i#i+ians in
oran.e s)a"e suits2 men and $omen2 their head u+es "+ouded $ith "ondensation2
sittin. on the "hairs2 in the ha++$a,2 +oadin. s,rin.es $ith T-&1 and sortin. o>es *u++ o*
+ood tues( Some ta+!ed $ith ea"h other , shoutin.2 and others ?ust stared at the $a++s(

At midmornin.2 Berr, Baa> $as $or!in. in Room 4( He de"ided to ta!e a rea! to rest
and "he"! u) on his )eo)+e( He +e*t the room in "har.e o* Ser.eants Amen and =+a.es
$hi+e he $ent out into the ha++$a,(

Sudden+, there $as a "ommotion in Room 42 and the mon!e,s in that room urst out in
$i+d s"ree"hes( Berr, ran a"! to the room2 $here he *ound the ser.eants outside the
door2 +oo!in. in2 in a state o* a+arm(

D1HAT HA55ENE3CD

DA :6N=E8 ES4A5E32 SIR(D

DA12 SHITID Baa> roared(

The anima+ had o+ted )ast Ser.eant Amen as he o)ened the "a.e2 and the ser.eants had
immediate+, run out o* the room and shut the door ehind them(

A +oose mon!e,-this $as $hat Berr, had *eared the most( The, "an +ea) +on. distan"es(
He had een itten , mon!e,s himse+*2 and he !ne$ $hat that *e+t +i!e( Those teeth
$ent in dee)(

The, +oo!ed into the room throu.h the $indo$ in the door( The $ho+e room had
e>)+oded in a"ti#it,2 mon!e,s $hir+in. in their "a.es and sha!in. them #io+ent+,2 .i#in.
o** hi.h2 e>"ited $hoo)s( There $ere aout a hundred s"reamin. mon!e,s in that room(
But $here $as the +oose mon!e,C

The, "ou+dn<t see it(

The, *ound a "at"hin. net2 a )o+e $ith a a.+i!e net at the end(

The, o)ened the door and ed.ed into the room(

The e#ents that *o++o$ed ha#e a dream+i!e 0ua+it, in )eo)+e<s memories2 and the
memories are "ontradi"tor,( S)e"ia+ist Rhonda 1i++iams has a "+ear memor, that the
mon!e, es"a)ed *rom the room( She sa,s she $as sittin. on a "hair $hen it ha))ened2
that she heard a +ot o* shoutin. and sudden+, the anima+ a))eared and ran under her *eet(
She *ro/e in terror2 and then urst out +au.hin.-ner#ous2 near-h,steri"a+ +au.hter(

The anima+ $as a sma++2 determined ma+e2 and he $as not .oin. to +et these )eo)+e .et
near him $ith a net(

Berr, Baa> insists that the mon!e, ne#er .ot out o* the room( It is )ossi+e that the
mon!e, ran under S)e"ia+ist 1i++iams<s *eet and then $as "hased a"! into the room
a.ain(

The +oose mon!e, $as #er, *ri.htened and the so+diers $ere #er, *ri.htened( He sta,ed
in the room *or a $hi+e2 runnin. a"! and *orth a"ross the "a.es( The other mon!e,s
a))arent+, .re$ an.r, at this and it at the mon!e,<s toes( The mon!e,<s *eet e.an to
+eed2 and )rett, soon it had tra"!ed +ood a++ o#er the room( Berr, .ot on the radio and
re)orted that a mon!e, $as +oose and +eedin.( Gene Bohnson to+d him to do $hate#er
had to e done( Ho$ aout shootin. the mon!e,C Brin. in a hand.un2 +i!e an Arm, (@G(
Berr, didn<t +i!e that idea( 7oo!in. into the room2 he noti"ed that the +oose mon!e, $as
s)endin. most o* its time hidin. ehind the "a.es( I* ,ou tried to shoot the mon!e,2
,ou<d e *irin. into the "a.es2 and the u++et "ou+d hit a "a.e or a $a++ and mi.ht ri"o"het
inside the room( Gettin. a .unshot $ound in this ui+din. mi.ht e *ata+( He de"ided
that the sa*est )ro"edure $ou+d e to .o into the room and "a)ture the mon!e, $ith the
net( He too! Ser.eant Amen $ith him(

As the, entered the room2 the, "ou+d not see the mon!e,( Berr, )ro"eeded *or$ard
s+o$+,2 ho+din. the net u)2 read, to s$i)e it at the mon!e,( But $here $as itC He "ou+d
not see #er, $e++( His *a"e)+ate $as "o#ered $ith s$eat2 and the +i.ht $as dim in the
room( He mi.ht as $e++ ha#e een s$immin. under$ater( He ed.ed s+o$+, *or$ard2
!ee)in. his od, a$a, *rom the "a.es on either side2 $hi"h $ere *i++ed $ith h,steri"a+2
s"reamin.2 +ea)in.2 ar-ratt+in. mon!e,s( The sound o* mon!e,s raisin. he++ $as
dea*enin.( He $as a*raid o* ein. itten , a mon!e, i* he "ame too "+ose to a "a.e( So
he sta,ed in the midd+e o* the room as he $ent *or$ard2 $hi+e Ser.eant Amen *o++o$ed
him2 ho+din. a s,rin.e *u++ o* dru.s on a )o+e(

DBE 4ARE9U72 SERGEANT2D he said( D36N<T GET BITTEN( STA8 BA4=

9R6: THE 4AGES(D

He ed.ed his $a, *rom "a.e to "a.e2 +oo!in. into ea"h one2 tr,in. to see throu.h it
to$ard the shado$, $a++ ehind( Sudden+, he sa$ a *+i"!er o* mo#ement out o* the
"orner o* his e,e2 and he turned $ith the net2 and the mon!e, $ent soarin. throu.h the
air o#er him2 ma!in. a t$e+#e-*oot ?um) *rom one side o* the room to the other(

DGET HI:I HE<S 6VER HEREID he said( He $a#ed the net2 s+ammed it around o#er
the "a.es2 ut the mon!e, $as .one(

He $a+!ed throu.h the room a.ain2 s+o$+,( The mon!e, +ea)ed a"ross the room2 a hu.e2
tai+-s$in. +ea)( This anima+ $as airorne $hene#er it mo#ed( Berr, $a#ed his net and
missed( DS6N 69 A BIT4HID he shouted( The mon!e, $as too *ast *or him( He $ou+d
s)end ten or *i*teen minutes sear"hin. the room2 s0uintin. )ast the "a.es( I* he *ound the
mon!e,2 the mon!e, $ou+d +ea) to the order side o* the room( It $as a sma++ mon!e,2
ui+t *or +i*e in the trees( He thou.ht( This en#ironment *a#ors the mon!e, o#er us( 1e
don<t ha#e the too+s to hand+e this situation( 1e are not in "ontro+ here-$e are a+on. *or
the ride(

6UTSI3E THE BUI73ING2 4o+one+ 4(B( 5eters sto))ed , to oser#e the o)eration(
He $as dressed in 7e#i<s and a s$eater2 a+on. $ith sanda+s and so"!s2 e#en thou.ht it
$as a "o+d da,( 1ith his sanda+s and musta"he2 he a))eared to e a si>ties t,)e or some
sort o* a +o$-.rade em)+o,ee2 ma, e a ?anitor( He noti"ed a stran.er han.in. around
the *ront o* the ui+din.( 1ho $as itC Then the man started to "ome around the side o*
the ui+din.( He $as o#ious+, a*ter somethin.2 and he $as .ettin. too "+ose to the
a"tion( 4(B( hurried *or$ard and sto))ed the man and as!ed him $hat he $as doin.(

He $as a re)orter *rom The 1ashin.ton 5ost( D1hat<s ha))enin. around hereCD he
as!ed 4(B(

D1e++-a$-nothin. mu"h is ha))enin.2D 4(B( re)+ied( He $as sudden+, #er, .+ad he had
not $orn his "o+one+<s uni*orm toda,-*or on"e2 his ad haits had )aid o**( He did not
en"oura.e the re)orter to "ome around to the side o* the ui+din. and ha#e a +oo! in
throu.h the $indo$(

The re)orter +e*t short+, a*ter$ard2 ha#in. seen and heard nothin. o* interest( The
1ashin.ton 5ost sus)e"ted that somethin. *unn, $as ha))enin. at the mon!e, house
ut the re)orters and editors $ho $or!ed on the stor, "ou+dn<t 0uite .et to the ottom o*
it(

DTHIS :6N=E8 =N61S NETS2D Berr, shouted to the ser.eant( The mon!e, $as not
.oin. to +et himse+* e "au.ht , some *oo+ o* a human $earin. a )+asti" a.( The,
de"ided to +ea#e him in the room o#erni.ht( :ean$hi+e2 the sur#i#in. mon!e,s $ere
e"omin. in"reasin.+, a.itated( The teams !i++ed most o* the mon!e,s this da,2 $or!in.
strai.ht throu.h unti+ a*ter dar!( Some o* the so+diers e.an to "om)+ain that the, $ere
not ein. .i#en enou.h res)onsii+it,2 and so Berr, +et them ta!e o#er more o* the
ha/ardous $or! *rom the o**i"ers( He assi.ned S)e"ia+ist Rhonda 1i++iams to dut, at the
euthanasia ta+e $ith :a?or Nate 5o$e++( The ma?or had a dru..ed mon!e, on the ta+e2
ho+din. its arms ehind its a"! in "ase it $o!e u)2 $hi+e Rhonda un"a))ed a s,rin.e
and .a#e the mon!e, a heart sti"!-)+un.ed the need+e into the "hest et$een the ris2
aimin. *or the heart( She )ushed the )+un.er2 sendin. a +oad o* dru.s into the heart2
$hi"h !i++ed the mon!e, instant+,( She )u++ed the need+e out2 and a +ot o* +ood s0uirted
out o* the )un"ture $ound( That $as a .ood si.n; it meant she had )un"tured the heart(
I* she .ot +ood on her .+o#es2 she rinsed them in a )an o* +ea"h2 and i* she .ot +ood
on her s)a"e suit2 she $i)ed it do$n $ith a s)on.e soa!ed in +ea"h(

It $as a$*u+ $hen she missed the heart( She )ushed the )+un.er2 the )oison *+ooded the
anima+s<s "hest around the heart2 and the mon!e, ?um)ed( It dou+ed u)2 its e,es mo#ed2
and it seemed to stru..+e( This $as on+, a death re*+e>2 ut she .as)ed and her o$n
heart ?um)ed(

Then 4o+one+ Baa> )ut her to $or! at the +eed ta+e $ith 4a)tain Haines2 and )resent+,
she e.an dra$in. +ood *rom un"ons"ious mon!e,s(

She inserted a need+e into the anima+s< +e. #ein and dre$ the +ood(

Their e,es $ere o)en( She didn<t +i!e that( She *e+t the, $ere starin. at her(

She $as +eedin. a mon!e, $hen sudden+, she thou.ht its e,es mo#ed2 and it seemed
to e tr,in. to sit u)( It $as a$a!e( It +oo!ed at her in a da/e and rea"hed out and
.raed her , the hand2 the one that $as ho+din. the s,rin.e( The mon!e, $as #er,
stron.( The need+e "ame out o* its thi.h2 and +ood s)urted out( Then the anima+ started
)u++in. her hand to$ards its mouthI It $as tr,in. to it her handI She s"reamed:

DGRAB HI:2 S6:EB6382 57EASEI HE<S GETTING U5ID 4a)tain Haines "au.ht
the mon!e,<s arms and )inned it to the ta+e2 shoutin.2 D1E HAVE 6NE THAT<S

A1A=EI NEE3 =ETA:INEID

The need+e2 in "omin. out o* the mon!e,2 had "ut the mon!e,<s +e. #ein( Immediate+, a
a++ o* +ood the si/e o* a asea++ *ormed in the mon!e,<s +e.( It ?ust .ot i..er and
i..er2 the +ood )ourin. under the s!in2 and Rhonda a+most urst into tears( She
)ressed her hands on the +ood a++ to sto) the interna+ +eedin.( Throu.h her .+o#es2
she "ou+d *ee+ the +ood s$e++in.( A a++ o* Eo+a +ood(

A so+dier hurried o#er and hit the mon!e, $ith a dou+e +oad o* !etamine2 and the
mon!e, $ent +im)(

3URING THE 4RISIS2 5eter Bahr+in. s)ent e#er, da, $earin. a s)a"e suit in his +a2
runnin. tests on mon!e, sam)+es2 tr,in. to determine $here and ho$ the #irus
s)readin.2 and tr,in. to .et a )ure sam)+e o* the #irus iso+ated( :ean$hi+e2 Tom
Geisert )u++ed a++-ni.hters2 starin. at the "e++s"a)es throu.h his mi"ros"o)e(

6""assion++, the, met ea"h other in an o**i"e2 and "+osed the door(

DHo$ are ,ou *ee+in.CD

DTired2 ut other$ise I<m o!a,(D

DNo heada"heCD

DNo)e( Ho$ are ,ou *ee+in.CD

D9ine(D

The, $ere the dis"o#erers o* the strain2 and it seemed that the, $ou+d ha#e the "han"e
to .i#e it a name2 )ro#ided the, "ou+d iso+ate it2 and )ro#ided it didn<t iso+ate them *irst(

Bahr+in. $ent home *or dinner $ith his *ami+,2 ut +ater he had read his "hi+dren their
stories and )ut them to ed2 he returned to the Institute and $or!ed unti+ +ate( The $ho+e
Institute $as +it u) $ith a"ti#it,2 a++ the hot +as *u++ o* )eo)+e and o)eratin. around the
"+o"!(

Soon he had stri))ed nude in the +o"!er room2 and he $as )uttin. on his s"rus2 and
then he $as $earin. his s)a"e suit2 *ee+in. s+ee),2 $arm2 and *u++ o* dinner2 as he *a"ed
the stee+ door +a//ed $ith the red *+o$er2 re+u"tant to ta!e another ste) *or$ard( He
o)ened the door and $ent throu.h to the hot side(

He had een testin. his and Geisert<s +ood a++ a+on.2 and he $ondered i* the #irus
$ou+d sudden+, sho$ u) in it( He didn<t thin! it $as +i!e+,( I didn<t sti"! the *+as! "+ose
to m, nose( I !ind o* ?ust $a#ed m, hand o#er it( The, used to do that a++ the time in
hos)ita+ +as $ith a"teria( It used to e standard )ro"edure to sni** "u+tures in a +a-that
$as ho$ ,ou +earned $hat a"teria sme++ed +i!e2 ho$ ,ou +earned that some !inds sme++
+i!e 1e+"h<s .ra)e ?ui"e( The 0uestion o* $hether he2 5eter Bahr+in.2 $as in*e"ted $ith
Eo+a had e"ome some$hat more )ressin. sin"e the anima+ "areta!er had )u!ed on the
+a$n( That .u, had not "ut himse+* or stu"! himse+* $ith a need+e( There*ore2 i* that .u,
$as rea!in. $ith Eo+a2 he mi.ht ha#e "au.ht it , reathin. it in the air(

Bahr+in. "arried some s+ides "ontainin. s)ots o* his o$n +ood serum into his "+oset2
shut the door2 turned out the +i.ht( He +et his e,es ad?ust to the dar!ness2 and had the
usua+ stru..+e to see an,thin. in the mi"ros"o)e throu.h his *a"e)+ate( Then the
)anorama s$am into #ie$(

It $as the o"ean o* his +ood2 stret"hin. in a++ dire"tions2 .rain, and m,sterious2 *aint+,
.+o$in. $ith .reen( This $as a norma+ .+o$2 nothin. to .et e>"ited aout2 that *aint
.reen( I* the .reen ri.htened into a hotter .+o$2 that $ou+d si.ni*, that his +ood $as
inhaited , Eo+a(

And $hat i* his +ood .+o$edC Ho$ $ou+d he ?ud.e i* it $as rea++, .+o$in.C Ho$
.reen is .reenC Ho$ mu"h do I trust m, too+s and m, )er"e)tionsC And i* I<m "o#in"ed
m, +ood is .+o$in.2 ho$ am I .oin. to re)ort the resu+tsC I<++ need to te++ 4(B( :a, e I
$on<t ha#e to .o to the S+ammer( I "ou+d e i"ontained ri.ht here in m, o$n +a( I<m in
Biosa*et, 7e#e+ @ ri.ht no$( I<m a+read, in iso+ation( 1ho "an I in*e"t here in m, +aC
Nood,( I "ou+d +i#e and $or! in here i* I .o )ositi#e *or Eo+a(

Nothin. .+o$ed( Nothin. rea"ted to his +ood( His +ood $as norma+( Same $ith Tom
Geisert<s +ood( As to $hether their +ood $ou+d .+o$ tomorro$ or the ne>t da, or the
da, a*ter that2 on+, time $ou+d te++2 ut he and Geisert $ere "+imin. out o* the
in"uation )eriod(

At e+e#en o<"+o"! at ni.ht2 he de"ided it $as time to .o home2 and he entered the air
+o"! and )u++ed the "hain to start the de"on ","+e( He $as standin. in .ra, +i.ht in the
.ra, /one2 a+one $ith his thou.hts( He "ou+dn<t see mu"h o* an,thin. in here2 in the
"hemi"a+ mist( He had to $ait se#en minutes *or the ","+e to "om)+ete itse+*( His +e.s
$ere !i++in. him( He $as so tired he "ou+dn<t stand u)( He rea"hed u) $ith his hands and
.raed the )i)es that *ed "hemi"a+s into the sho$er2 to ho+d himse+* u)( The $arm
+i0uid ran o#er his s)a"e suit( He *e+t "om*orta+e and sa*e in here2 surrounded , the
s+oshin. noises o* #irus-!i++in. +i0uids and the hiss o* air and the ru**+in. sensation
a"ross his a"! as the "hemi"a+ )+a,ed o#er his suit( He *e++ as+ee)(

He ?er!ed a$a!e $hen the *ina+ +ast o* $ater ?ets hit him2 and he *ound himse+*
s+um)ed a.ainst the $a++ o* the air +o"!2 his hands sti++ .ri))ed around the )i)es( I* it
hadn<t een *or that +ast ?et o* $ater2 he $ou+d not ha#e $o!en u)( He $ou+d ha#e s+id
do$n the $a++ and "ur+ed u) in the "orner o* the air +o"!2 and )roa+, $ou+d ha#e
sta,ed there a++ ni.ht2 sound as+ee)2 $hi+e the "oo+2 steri+e air *+o$ed throu.h his suit and
athed his od,2 nude inside its "o"oon2 at the heart o* the Institute(

S5E4IA7IST RH6N3A 1I77IA:S $as standin. in the main "orridor o* the mon!e,
house2 a*raid she $ou+d end u) in the S+ammer( There $as no sound e>"e)t the roar o*
air in her he+met( The "orridor stret"hed in oth dire"tions to in*init,2 stre$n $ith
"ardoard o>es and trash and mon!e, is"uits(

1here $ere the o**i"ersC 1here $as 4o+one+ Baa>C 1here $as e#er,od,C

She sa$ the doors +eadin. to the mon!e, rooms( :a,e the o**i"ers $ere in there(

Somethin. $as "omin. do$n the "orridor( It $as the +oose mon!e,(

He $as runnin. to$ard her( His e,es $ere starin. at her( Somethin. .+ittered in his
hand-he $as ho+din. a s,rin.e( He $a#ed it at her $ith .esture that "on#e,ed )assionate
re#en.e( He $anted to .i#e her an in?e"tion( The s,rin.e $as hot $ith an un!no$n
a.ent( She started to run( Her s)a"e suit s+o$ed her do$n( She !e)t runnin.2 ut the
ha++$a, stret"hed on *ore#er2 and she "ou+dn<t rea"h the end( 1here $as the door out o*
hereC There $as no doorI There $as no $a, outI The mon!e, ounded to$ard her2 its
terri+e e,es *i>ed on her-and the need+e *+ashed and $ent into her suit ((( She $o!e u) in
her arra"!s room(

3E46N

3E4E:BER '2 THURS3A8

NAN48 BAAJ A16=E at *our o<"+o"! in the mornin. to the sound o* the te+e)hone
rin.in.( It $as her rother2 "a++in. *rom a )a, te+e)hone at the hos)ita+ in 1i"hita( He
said that their *ather $as d,in.( DHe<s #er,2 #er, ad2 and he<s not .oin. to ma!e it2D he
said( Their *ather $as in "ardia" *ai+ure2 and the do"tor had een as!in. i* the *ami+,
$anted him to underta!e e>treme +i*esa#in. measures( Nan", thou.ht on+, rie*+, aout
this and to+d her rother not to do it( Her *ather $as do$n to ninet, )ounds2 ?ust s!in and
ones2 and he $as in )ain and misera+e(

She $o!e u) Berr, and to+d him that her *ather $ou+d )roa+, die toda,( She !ne$ she
$ou+d ha#e to .o home2 ut shou+d she tr, home toda,C

She "ou+d arri#e in 1i"hita , a*ternoon2 and he mi.ht sti++ e a+i#e(

She mi.ht e a+e to ha#e a +ast *are$e++ $ith him( She de"ided not to *+, home( She
*e+t that she "ou+dn<t +ea#e her ?o in the midd+e o* Reston "risis2 that it $ou+d e a
dere+i"tion o* her )ost(

The te+e)hone ran. a.ain( It $as Nan",<s *ather "a++in. *rom his hos)ita+ room( DAre
,ou "omin. home2 Nan",CD he as!ed( He sounded $hee/, and *aint(

DI ?ust "an<t .et a$a, ri.ht no$2 3ad( It<s m, $or!( I<m in the midd+e o* a serious
outrea! o* disease(D

DI understand2D he said(

DI<++ see ,ou at 4hristmas2 3ad(D

DI don<t thin! I<++ ma!e it that +on.2 ut $e++2 ,ou ne#er !no$(D

DI<m sure ,ou $i++ ma!e it(D

DI +o#e ,ou2 Nan",(D

DI +o#e ,ou2 too(D

In the +a"!ness e*ore da$n2 she and Berr, .ot dressed2 she in her uni*orm2 he in
"i#i+ian "+othes2 and he headed o** *or the mon!e, house( Nan", sta,ed at home unti+
a*ter the "hi+dren had a$a!en u)2 and she *i>ed them some "erea+( She sent the "hi+dren
o** on the s"hoo+ us and dro#e to $or!( She $ent to 4o+one+ 4(B( 5eters and to+d him
that her *ather $as )roa+, .oin. to die toda,(

DGo home2 Nan",2D he said(

DI<m not .oin. to do that2D she re)+ied(

The dead mon!e,s e.an "omin. in a*ter +un"h( A tru"! $ou+d rin. them t$i"e a da,
*rom Reston2 and the *irst shi)ment $ou+d end u) in Nan",<s air +o"! $hi+e she $as
suitin. u)( Usua++, there $ou+d e ten or t$e+#e mon!e,s in hato>es(

The rest o* the mon!e,s that "ame out o* the mon!e, house-the #ast ma?orit, o* them2
t$o or three tons< $orth-$ere )+a"ed in tri)+e ioha/ard a.s2 and the a.s $ere
de"ontaminated2 ta!en out o* the ui+din.2 and )+a"ed in stee+ .ara.e "ans( Ha/+eton
em)+o,ees then dro#e them to an in"inerator o$ned , the "om)an,2 $here the mon!e,s
$ere urned at a hi.h tem)erature2 hi.h enou.h to .uarantee the destru"tion o* Eo+a
or.anisms(

Some o* the mon!e,s had to e e>amined2 ho$e#er2 to see i* and $here the #irus $as
s)readin. inside the ui+din.( Nan", $ou+d "arr, the hato>es into suite AA-G and $or!
on the mon!e,s unti+ a*ter midni.ht $ith her )artner and a "i#i+ian assistant( The,
hard+, s)o!e to one another2 e>"e)t to )oint to a too+ or a si.n o* disease in a mon!e,(

Thou.hts aout her *ather and her "hi+dhood "ame to Nan", that da,( 8ears ear+ier2 as a
.ir+2 she had he+)ed him durin. )+o$in. season2 dri#in. his tra"tor *rom a*ternoon unti+
+ate at ni.ht( :o#in. at a )a"e not mu"h *aster than a mu+e2 it )+o$ed *urro$s a+on. a
stri) o* +and a ha+* a mi+e +on.( She $ore "uto** shorts and sanda+s( It $as +oud and hot
on the tra"tor2 and in the em)tiness o* =ansas she thou.ht aout nothin.2 dro$ned in the
roar o* the en.ine as the sun ed.ed do$n to the hori/on and the +and .re$ dar! and the
moon a))eared and "+imed hi.h( At ten o<"+o"! her *ather $ou+d ta!e o#er and )+o$ *or
the rest o* the ni.ht2 and she $ou+d .o to ed( At sunrise2 he $ou+d $a!e her u)2 and she
$ou+d .et a"! on the tra"tor and !ee) on )+o$in.(

DS56NGE2D she mouthed to her udd,(

He mo))ed u) some +ood *rom the mon!e,2 and Nan", rinsed her .+o#es in the )an o*
.reen En#iro4hem(

Her *ather died that da,2 $hi+e Nan", $or!ed in the hot suite(

She *+e$ home to =ansas and arri#ed , ta>i on Saturda, mornin. at her *ami+,<s )+ot at
a .ra#e,ard in 1i"hita ?ust as the *unera+ ser#i"e e.an(

It $as a "o+d2 rain, da,2 and a tin, !not o* )eo)+e ho+din. umre++as hudd+ed around a
)rea"her , a stone $a++ and a ho+e in the earth(

7ieutenant 4o+one+ Nan", Baa> mo#ed *or$ard to see more "+ear+,2 and here e,es rested
on somethin. that she had not 0uite anti"i)ated( It $as a *+a. dra)ed o#er the "as!et( He
had een a #eteran2 a*ter a++( The si.ht ro!e her do$n2 and she urst into tears(

AT 96UR 6<4764= in the a*ternoon2 Thursda,2 3e"emer '2 the +ast mon!e, $as
!i++ed and a..ed2 and )eo)+e e.an de"onnin. out( The, had a ad time tr,in. to "at"h
the +itt+e mon!e, that had es"a)ed; it too! hours(

Berr, Baa> had entered the room $ere it $as hidin. and s)ent t$o or three hours "hasin.
it in "ir"+es $ith a net( 9ina++, the mon!e, .ot itse+* ?ammed do$n in a "ra"! ehind a
"a.e $ith its tai+ sti"!in. out2 and Ser.eant Amen hit the tai+ $ith a massi#e dose o*
anestheti"( In aout *i*teen minutes2 the mon!e, e"ame sti++2 and the, dra..ed it out2
and it $ent the $a, o* the other mon!e,s2 "arried a+on. in the *+o$ o* materia+(

The, radioed Gene Bohnson to te++ him that the +ast mon!e, $as dead( He to+d Ser.eant
=+a.es to e>)+ore the ui+din.2 to ma!e sure that there $ere no more +i#e mon!e,s in
an, rooms( =+a.es dis"o#ered a "hest *ree/er in a stora.e room( It +oo!ed sinister2 and
he radioed to Bohnson:

DGENE2 I<VE G6T A 9REEHER HERE(D

D4he"! it out2D Bohnson re)+ied(

Ser.eant =+a.es +i*ted the +id( He *ound himse+* starin. into the e,es o* *ro/en
mon!e,s( The, $ere sittin. in "+ear )+asti" a.s( Their odies streamed $ith +ood
i"i"+es( The, $ere mon!e,s *rom Room 92 the ori.ina+ hot s)ot o* the outrea!2 some o*
mon!e,s that had een sa"ri*i"ed , 3an 3a+.ard( He shut the +id and "a++ed Bohnson on
the radio:

DGENE2 86U<RE N6T G6ING T6 BE7IEVE 1HAT I<VE 96UN3 IN THIS

9REEHER( I<VE G6T TEN 6R 9I9TEEN :6N=E8S(D

DA$2 shit2 =+a.esID

D1HAT SH6U73 I 36 1ITH THE:CD

DI don<t $ant an, more )ro+ems $ith mon!e,sC No more sam)+esI

3e"on themID

DI A7S6 96UN3 S6:E VIA7S 69 SE3ATIVE(D

D3e"on it2 a,I 8ou don<t !no$ i* an, dirt, need+es ha#e een stu"! in those ott+es(
E#er,thin. "omes out o* this ui+din.I

E#er,thin. "omes outID

Ser.eant =+a.es and a "i#i+ian2 :erh+ Gison2 dra..ed the a.s out o* the *ree/er( The,
tried to "ram the mon!e,s into the hato>es ut the, didn<t *it( The, $ere t$isted into
i/arre sha)es( The, +e*t them in the ha++$a, to tha$( The de"on teams $ou+d dea+ $ith
them tomorro$(

The %1-Tan.os shu**+ed out throu.h the air-+o"! "orridor2 t$o , t$o2 num and tired
e,ond *ee+in.2 soa!ed $ith s$eat and "ontinua+ *ear(

The, had "o++e"ted a tota+ o* thirt,-*i#e hundred "+ini"a+ sam)+es( The, didn<t $ant to
ta+! aout the o)eration $ith ea"h other or $ith their o**i"ers(

1hen the team memers +e*t 9ort 3etri"!2 the, noti"ed that Gene Bohnson $as sittin.
on the .rass under the tree in *ront o* the ui+din.(

He didn<t $ant ta+! to an,one2 and the, $ere a*raid to ta+! to him( He +oo!ed terri+e(
His mind $as a mi++ion mi+es a$a,2 in the de#astated /one inside the ui+din.( He !e)t
.oin. o#er and o#er $hat the !ids had done( I* the .u, has the need+e in his ri.ht hand2
,ou stand on his +e*t(

8ou )in the mon!e,<s arms ehind so it "an<t turn around and ite ,ou(

3id an,one "ut a *in.erC So *ar2 it +oo!ed as i* a++ the !ids had made it(

The de"on team suited u) immediate+, $hi+e the so+diers $ere "omin. out o* the
ui+din.( It $as no$ a*ter dar!2 ut Gene Bohnson *eared Eo+a so mu"h that he did not
$ant to +et the ui+din. sit untou"hed o#erni.ht(

The de"on team $as +ed , :erh+ Gison( He )ut on a s)a"e suit and e>)+ored the
ui+din. to .et a sense o* $hat needed to e done( The rooms and ha++s $ere
+oodstained and ste$n $ith medi"a+ )a"!a.in.(

:on!e, is"uits +a, e#er,$here and "run"hed under*oot( :on!e, *e"es +a, in +oo)s on
the *+oor and $as s0ui..+ed in +ines a"ross the $a++s and )rinted in the sha)es o* sma++
hands( He had a rush and a u"!et o* +ea"h2 and he tried to s"ru a $a++(

Then he "a++ed Gene on the radio2 DGENE2 THE SHIT IN HERE IS 7I=E

4E:ENT2 IT 16N<T 46:E 699(D

D8ou do $hat<s est( 6ur orders are to "+ean this )+a"e u)(D

D1E<77 TR8 T6 4HI5 IT 6992D Gison sad(

The ne>t da,2 the, $ent to a hard$are store and ou.ht )utt, !ni#es and stee+ s)atu+as2
and the de"on team $ent to $or! "hi))in. the $a++s and *+oor( The, a+most su**o"ated
*rom the heat inside their suits(

:i+ton 9ranti.2 the man $ho had thro$n u) on the +a$n2 had no$ een !e)t in iso+ation
at 9air*a> Hos)ita+ *or se#era+ da,s( He $as *ee+in. mu"h etter2 his *e#er had #anished2
he had not de#e+o)ed an, nose+eeds2 and he $as .ettin. rest+ess( A))arent+, he did not
ha#e Eo+a( At an, rate2 it did not sho$ u) in his +ood tests( A))arent+, he had a mi+d
"ase o* *+u( The 4(3(4( e#entua++, to+d him he "ou+d .o home(

B8 3A8 NINETEEN a*ter the $hi**in. in"ident2 $hen the, hadn<t had an, +ood,
noses2 5eter Bahr+in. and Tom Geisert e.an to re.ard themse+#es as de*inite sur#i#ors(
The *a"t that 3an 3a+.ard and the mon!e, $or!ers had so *ar sho$n no si.ns o*
rea!in. $ith Eo+a a+so reassured them2 a+thou.h it $as #er, )u//+in.( 1hat on earth
$as .oin. on $ith this #irusC It !i++ed mon!e,s +i!e *+ies2 the, $ere dri))in. #irus *rom
e#er, )ore2 ,et no human ein. had "rashed( I* the #irus $asn<t Eo+a Haire2 $hat $as
itC And $here had it "ome *romC Bahr+in. e+ie#ed that it must ha#e "ome *rom A*ri"a(
A*ter a++2 Nurse :a,in.a<s +ood rea"ted to it(

There*ore2 it must e "+ose+, re+ated to Eo+a Haire( It $as eha#in. +i!e the *i"tiona+
Andromeda strain( Bust $hen $e thou.ht the $or+d $as "omin. to an end2 the #irus
s+i))ed a$a,2 and $e sur#i#ed(

The 4enters *or 3isease 4ontro+ *o"used its e**orts on tr,in. to tra"e the sour"e o* the
#irus2 and the trai+ e#entua++, +ed a"! to the 9er+ite 9arms mon!e,-stora.e *a"i+it, near
:ani+a( A++ o* the Reston mon!e,s had "ome *rom there( The )+a"e $as a $a, station on
their tri) *rom the *orests o* :indanao to 1ashin.ton( In#esti.ators *ound that mon!e,s
had een d,in. in +ar.e numers there2 too( But it +oo!ed as thou.h no 5hi+i))ine
mon!e, $or!ers had e"ome si"! either( I* it $as an A*ri"an #irus2 $hat $as it doin. in
the 5hi+i))inesC And $h, $eren<t mon!e, hand+ers d,in.C 8et the #irus $as a+e to
destro, a mon!e,(

Somethin. #er, stran.e $as .oin. on here( Nature had seemed to e "+osin. in on us
*or a !i++2 $hen she sudden+, turned her *a"e a$a, and smi+ed(

It $as a :ona 7isa smi+e2 the meanin. o* $hi"h no one "ou+d *i.ure out(

3E4E:BER 1;2 :6N3A8

THE 3E46N TEA: s"rued the ui+din. $ith +ea"h unti+ the, too! the )aint o** the
"on"rete *+oors2 and sti++ the, !e)t s"ruin.( 1hen the, $ere satis*ied that a++ the
ui+din.<s inside sur*a"es had een s"oured2 the, mo#e on to the *ina+ sta.e2 the .as( The
de"on team ta)ed the e>terior doors2 $indo$s2 and #ents o* the ui+din. $ith si+#er du"t
ta)e( The, ta)ed sheets o* )+asti" o#er the e>terior o)enin.s o* the #enti+ation s,stem(
The, made the ui+din. airti.ht( At #arious )+a"es inside the mon!e, house2 the, set out
)at"hes o* )a)er saturated $ith s)ores o* a harm+ess a"terium !no$n as Ba"i++us
Suti+is Ni.er $i++ !i++ a+most an,thin.(

The de"on team rou.ht thirt,-nine Suneam e+e"tri" *r,in. )ans to the mon!e, house(
Suneam e+e"tri" *r,in. )ans are the Arm,<s too+ o* "hoi"e *or a de"on ?o( The team
+aid an e+e"tri" "a+e a+on. the *+oor throu.hout the ui+din.2 strun. $ith out+ets2 +i!e a
"ord *or 4hristmas-tree +i.hts( At )oints a+on. the "a+e2 the, )+u..ed in the Suneam
*r,in. )ans( The, $ired the "a+e to a master s$it"h( Into ea"h Suneam *r,in. )an the,
dro))ed a hand*u+ o* disin*e"tin. "r,sta+s( The "r,sta+s $ere $hite and resem+ed sa+t(
The, dia+ed the )ans to hi.h( At

1;00 hours on 3e"emer 1;2 someone thre$ the master s$it"h2 and the Suneams
e.an to "oo!( The "r,sta+s oi+ed a$a,2 re+easin. *orma+deh,de .as( Sin"e the
ui+din.<s doors2 $indo$s2 and #ents $ere ta)ed shut2 the .as had no$here to .o2 and it
sta,ed inside the ui+din. *or three da,s(

The .as )enetrated the air du"ts2 soa!ed the o**i"es2 .ot into dra$ers in the des!s2 and
.ot inside )en"i+ shar)eners in the dra$ers( It in*i+trated Jero> ma"hines and $or!ed its
$a, inside )ersona+ "om)uters and inside the "ushions o* "hairs and *in.ered do$n into
the *+oor drains unti+ it tou"hed )oo+s o* +in.erin. +ea"h in the $ater tra)s( 9ina++, the
de"on team2 sti++ $earin. s)a"e suits2 $ent a"! inside the ui+din. and "o++e"t the s)ore
sam)+es( The Suneam treatment had !i++ed the Ni.er(

There is an o+d )ie"e o* $isdom in ioha/ard $or! that .oes +i!e this: ,ou "an ne#er
!no$ $hen +i*e is e>terminated( 7i*e $i++ sur#i#e a+most an, +it/( Tota+2 une0ui#o"a+
steri+i/ation is e>treme+, di**i"u+t to a"hie#e in )ra"ti"e and is a+most im)ossi+e to
#eri*, a*ter$ard(

Ho$e#er2 a Suneam "oo!out that +asts *or three da,s and e>terminates a++ sam)+es o*
Ni.er im)+ies su""ess( The mon!e, house had een steri+i/ed(

Eo+a had met o))osition( 9or a short $hi+e2 unti+ +i*e "ou+d re-esta+ish itse+* there2 the
Reston 5rimate Quarantine Unit $as the on+, ui+din. in the $or+d $here nothin. +i#ed2
nothin. at a++(

THE :6ST 3ANGER6US STRAIN

1%%0 BANUAR8

THE STRAIN 69 Eo+a #irus that had eru)ted near 1ashin.ton $ent into hidin.
some$here in the rain *orest( The ","+in. $ent on( The ","+in. must a+$a,s .o on i* the
#irus is to maintain its e>istan"e( The Arm,2 ha#in. "erti*ied that the mon!e, house had
een nu!ed2 returned to the )ossession o* Ha/+eton Resra"h 5rodu"ts( Ha/+eton e.an
u,in. more mon!e,s *rom the 5hi+i))ines2 *rom the same mon!e, house near :ani+a2
and resto"!ed the ui+din. $ith "ra-eatin. mon!e,s that had een tra))ed in the rain
*orests o* :indanao( 7ess than a month +ater2 in the midd+e o* Banuar,2 some o* the
mon!e,s in Room 4 e.an d,in. $ith +ood, noses( 3an 3a+.ard "a++ed 5eter Bahr+in.(
D7oo!s +i!e $e<re a**e"ted a.ain2D he said(

The #irus $as Eo+a( It had "ome *rom the 5hi+i))ines( This time2 sin"e there had een
no human "asua+ties durin. the *irst outrea!2 the Arm,2 the 4(3(4(2 and Ha/+eton
?oint+, de"ided to iso+ate the mon!e,s-+ea#e them a+one and +et the #irus urn( 3an
3a+.ard ho)ed to sa#e at +east some o* the mon!e,s2 and his "om)an, did not $ant the
Arm, to "ome a"! $ith s)a"e suits(

1hat haa)ened in that ui+din. $as a !ind o* e>)eriment( No$ the, $ou+d see $hat
Eo+a "ou+d do natura++, in a )o)u+ation o* mon!e,s +i#in. in a "on*ined air s)a"e2 in a
!ind o* "it,2 as it $ere( The Eo+a Reston #irus ?um)ed 0ui"!+, *rom room to room2 and
as it +ossomed in the mon!e,s2 it seemed to mutate s)ontaneous+, into somethin. that
+oo!ed 0uite a +ot +i!e the "ommon "o+d( But it $as an Eo+a "o+d( The mon!e,s died
$ith .reat 0uantities o* "+ear mu"us and .reen mu"us runnin. *rom their nose2 mi>ed
$ith +ood that $ou+d not "+ot( Their +un.s $ere destro,ed2 rotten and s$immin. $ith
E+oa #irus( The, had )neumonia(

1hen a sin.+e anima+ $ith a nose+eed sho$ed u) in a room2 .enera++, ;0 )er"ent o*
the anima+s died in that room short+, a*ter$ard( The #irus $as e>traordinari+, in*e"ti#e
in mon!e,s( The Institute s"ientists sus)e"ted that the, $ere seein. a mutant strain o*
Eo+a2 somethin. ne$ and a +itt+e di**erent *rom $hat the, had seen ?ust a month e*ore2
in 3e"emer2 $hen the Arm, had nu!ed the mon!e, house( It $as *ri.htenin.-it $as as
i* Eo+a "ou+d "han.e its "hara"ter *ast( As i* a di**erent strain "ou+d a))ear in a month<s
time( The "+ini"a+ s,m)toms o* the disease ser#ed as a reminder o* the *a"t that Eo+a is
re+ated to "ertain !ind o* "o+ds seen in human "hi+dren( It seemed that the #irus "ou+d
ada)t 0ui"!+, to ne$ host2 and that it "ou+d "han.e its "hara"ter ra)id+, as it entered a
ne$ )o)u+ation( o+a a))arent+, dri*ted throu.h the ui+din.<s air-hand+in. du"ts(

B, Banuar, A@2 it had entered Room B2 and mon!e,s in that room started .oin. into
sho"! and d,in. $ith runn, noses2 red e,es2 and mas!+i!e e>)ressions on their *a"es( In
the *o++o$in. $ee!s2 the in*e"tion entered Room I292E2 and 32 and the anima+s in these
rooms #irtua++, a++ died(

Then2 in mid-9eruar,2 a Ha/+eton anima+ "areta!er $ho $i++ e "a++ed Bohn 4o+eus $as
)er*ormin. a ne"ro)s, on a dead mon!e, $hen he "ut his thum $ith a s"a+)e+( He had
een s+i"in. a)art the +i#er2 one o* the *a#orite nestin. sites o* Eo+a( The s"a+)e+ +ade2
smeared $ith +i#er "e++s and +ood2 $ent dee) into this thum( He had had a ma?or
e>)osure to Eo+a(

The +i#er that he had een "utin. $as rushed to USA:RII3 *or ana+,sis( Tom Geisert
+oo!ed at a )ie"e o* it under his mi"ros"o)e and2 to his disma,2 *ound that it $as
Din"redi+, hot-I mean2 $a++ to $a++ $ith #irus(D E#er,one at the Institute thou.ht Bohn
4o+eus $as .oin. to die(

DAround her2D 5eter Bahr+in. to+d me2 D$e $ere *ran!+, *ear*u+ that this .u, had ou.ht
the *arm(D The 4(3(4( de"ided not to )ut him into iso+ation( So 4o+eus #isited ars and
dran! eer $ith his *riends(

DHere at the Institute2D 5eter Bahr+in. said2 D$e $ere aso+ute+, a))a++ed $hen that .u,
$ent out to ars2 drin!in.( 4+ear+, the 4(3(4( shou+d not ha#e +et that ha))en( This $as
a serious #irus and a serious situation( 1e don<t !no$ a $ho+e +ot aout the #irus( It
"ou+d e +i!e the "ommon "o+d-it "ou+d ha#e a +aten", )eriod $hen ,ou are sheddin.
#irus e*ore ,ou de#e+o) s,m)toms-and , the time ,ou !no$ ,ou are si"!2 ,ou mi.ht
ha#e in*e"ted si>teen )eo)+e( There<s an a$*u+ +ot $e don<t !no$ aout this #irus( 1e
don<t !no$ $here it "ame *rom2 and $e don<t !no$ $hat *orm it $i++ ta!e $hen it
a))ears ne>t time(D

Bohn 4o+eus had a minor medi"a+ "ondition that re0uired sur.er,(

3o"tors )er*ormed the o)eration $hi+e he $as in the in"uation )eriod a*ter his
e>)osure to Eo+a( There is no re"ord indi"atin. that he +ed e>"essi#e+, durin. the
sur.er,( He "ame throu.h *ine2 and he is a+i#e toda,2 $ith no i++ e**e"ts *rom his
e>)osure(

AS 96R THE :6N=E8 H6USE2 the entire ui+din. died( The Arm, didn<t ha#e to
nu!e it( It $as nu!ed , the Eo+a Reston #irus( 6n"e a.ain2 there $ere no human
"asua+ties( Ho$e#er2 somethin. eerie and )erha)s sinister o""urred( A tota+ o* *our men
had $or!ed as "areta!ers in the mon!e, house: Bar#is 5urd,2 $ho had a heart; :i+ton
9ranti.2 $ho had thro$n u) on the +a$n; Bohn 4o+eus2 $ho had "ut his thum; and a
*ourth man( A++ *our men e#entua++, tested )ositi#e *or Eo+a Reston #irus( The, had a++
een in*e"ted $ith the a.ent( The #irus had entered their +oodstreams and mu+ti)+ied in
their "e++s( Eo+a )ro+i*erated in their odies( It ","+ed in them( It "arried on its +i*e
inside the mon!e, $or!ers( But it did not ma!e them si"!2 e#en $hi+e it mu+ti)+ied
inside them( I* the, had heada"hes or *e+t i++2 none o* them "ou+d re"a++ it( E#entua++, the
#irus "+eared *rom their s,stems natura++,2 disa))eared *rom the +ood2 and as o* this
$ritin. none o* the men $as a**e"ted , it( The are amon. the #er,2 #er, *e$ human
sur#i#ors o* Eo+a #irus( Bohn 4o+eus "ertain+, "au.ht the #irus $hen he "ut himse+*
$ith a +ood, s"a+)e+2 no 0uestion aout that( 1hat is more $orrisome is that the others
had not "ut themse+#es2 ,et the #irus entered their +oodstreams( It .ot there someho$(
:ost +i!e+, it entered their +ood thou.ht "onta"t $ith the +un.s( It in*e"ted them
throu.h the air( 1hen it e"ame a))arent to the Arm, resear"hers that three o* the *our
men $ho e"ame in*e"ted had not "ut themse+#es2 ?ust aout e#er,one at USA:RII3
"on"+uded that Eo+a "an s)read throu.h the air(

3r( 5hi+i) Russe++-the .enera+ $ho made the de"ision to send in the Arm, to sto) the
#irus-re"ent+, said to me that a+thou.h he had een

Ds"ared to deathD aout Eo+a at the time2 it $asn<t unti+ a*ter$ard2 $hen he understood
that the #irus $as s)readin. in the air amon. the mon!e,s2 that the true )otentia+ *or
disaster san! in *or him( DI $as more *ri.htened in retros)e"t2D he said( D1hen I sa$ the
res)irator, e#iden"e "omin. *rom those mon!e,s2 I said to m,se+*2 :, God2 $ith "ertain
!inds o* sma++ "han.es2 this #irus "ou+d e"ome one that tra#e+s in ra)id res)irator,
transmission throu.h humans( I<m ta+!in. aout the B+a"! 3eath( Ima.ine a #irus $ith
the in*e"tiousness o* in*+uen/a and the morta+it, rate o* +a"! )+a.ue in the :idd+e
A.es-that<s $hat $e<re ta+!in. aout(D

The $or!ers at Reston had s,m)tom+ess Eo+a #irus( 1h, didn<t it !i++ themC To this
da,2 no one !no$s the ans$er to that 0uestion(

S,m)tom+ess Eo+a-the men had een in*e"ted $ith somethin. +i!e an Eo+a "o+d( A
tin, di**eren"e in the #irus<s .eneti" "ode2 )roa+, resu+tin. in a sma++ stru"tura+ "han.e
in the sha)e o* one o* the se#en m,sterious )roteins in the #irus )arti"+e2 had a))arent+,
"han.ed its e**e"t tremendous+, in humans2 renderin. it mi+d or harm+ess e#en thou.h it
had destro,ed the mon!e,s( This strain o* Eo+a !ne$ the di**eren"e et$een a mon!e,
and a )erson( And i* it shou+d mutate in some other dire"tion(((

6NE 3A8 IN s)rin.2 I $ent to #isit 4o+one+ Nan", Baa>2 to inter#ie$ her aout her
$or! durin. the Reston e#ent( 1e ta+!ed in her o**i"e( She $ore a +a"! mi+itar, s$eater
$ith si+#er ea.+es on the shou+der oards-she had re"ent+, made *u++ "o+one+( A a,
)arrot s+e)t in a o> in the "orner( The )arrot $o!e u) and s0uea!ed(

DAre ,ou hun.r,CD she as!ed it( D8eah2 ,eah2 I !no$(D She )u++ed a tur!e, aster out o*
a a. and +oaded it $ith )arrot mush( She stu"! the aster into the )arrot<s ea! and
s0uee/ed the aster u+2 and the )arrot "+osed it e,es $ith satis*a"tion(

She $a#ed her hand at some *i+in. "ainets( D1ant to +oo! at some Eo+aC Ta!e ,our
)i"!(D

D8ou sho$ me(D

She sear"hed throu.h a "ainet and remo#ed a hand*u+ o* .+ass s+ides2 and "arried them
into another room2 $here a mi"ros"o)e sat on a ta+e( It had t$o sets o* e,e)ie"es so that
t$o )eo)+e "ou+d +oo! into it at the same time(

I sat do$n and stared in the mi"ros"o)e2 into $hite nothin.ness(

D6!a,2 here<s a .ood one2D she said2 and )+a"ed a s+ide under the +ens(

I sa$ a *ie+d o* "e++s( Here and there2 )o"!ets o* "e++s had urst and +i0ue*ied(

DThat<s ma+e re)rodu"ti#e tissue2D she said( DIt<s hea#i+, in*e"ted( This is Eo+a Haire in
a mon!e, that $e e>)osed throu.h the +un.s in 1%;&2 in the stud, that Gene Bohnson
and I did(D

7oo!in. at the s+i"e o* mon!e, testi"+e2 I .ot an un)+easant sensation( D8ou mean2 it .ot
into the mon!e,<s +un.s and mo#ed to its-CD

D8eah( it<s )rett, ,u"!,2D she said( DNo$ I<m .oin. to ma!e ,ou di//,( I<m .oin. to
sho$ ,ou the +un.(D

The s"ene shi*ted2 and $e $ere +oo!in. at rotted )in! Be+.ian +a"e(

DThis is a s+i"e o* +un. tissue( A mon!e, that $as e>)osed throu.h the +un.s( See ho$
the #irus u+es u) in the +un.C It<s Eo+a Haire(D

I "ou+d see indi#idua+ "e++s2 and some o* them $ere s$o++en $ith dar! s)e"!s(

D1e<++ .o to hi.her ma.ni*i"ation(D

The "e++s .ot i..er( The dar! s)e"!s e"ame an.u+ar2 shado$, +os( The +os $ere
urstin. out o* the "e++s2 +i!e somethin. hat"hin.(

DThose are i.2 *at ri"!s2D she said(

The, $ere Eo+a "r,sta++oids urstin. out o* the +un.s( The +un.s $ere )o))in. Eo+a
dire"t+, into the air( :, s"a+) "ra$+ed and I *e+t sudden+, +i!e a "i#i+ian $ho had seen
somethin. that ma,e "i#i+ians shou+d not see(

DThese +un.s are #er, hot2D she said in a matter-o*-*a"e #oi"e(

D8ou see those ri"!s uddin. dire"t+, into the air s)a"es o* the +un.C

1hen ,ou "ou.h2 this stu** "omes u) ,our throat in ,our s)utum( That<s $h, ,ou don<t
$ant someone $ho has Eo+a "ou.hin. in ,our *a"e(D

D:, God2 it !no$s a++ aout +un.s2 doesn<t itCD

D:a,e not( It mi.ht +i#e in an inse"t2 and inse"ts don<t ha#e +un.s( But ,ou see here
ho$ Eo+a has ada)ted to this +un.( It<s uddin. out o* the +un.2 ri.ht strai.ht into the
air(D

D1e<re +oo!in. at a hi.h+, so)histi"ated or.anism2 aren<t $eCD

D8ou<re aso+ute+, ri.ht( This hummer has an esta+ished +i*e ","+e( 8ou .et into $hat-
i*C .ame( 1hat i* it .ot into human +un.sC I* it mutates2 it "ou+d e a )ro+em( A i.
)ro+em(D

IN :AR4H 1%%02 $hi+e the se"ond outrea! at Reston $as ha))enin.2 the 4(3(4(
s+a))ed a hea#, set o* restri"tions on mon!e, im)orters2 ti.htenin. the testin. and
0uarantine )ro"edures( The 4(3(4( a+so tem)orari+, re#o!ed the +i"ense o* three
"om)anies2 Ha/+eton Resear"h 5rodu"ts2 the 4har+es Ri#er 5rimates 4or)oration2 and
1or+d$ide 5rimates2 "har.in. these "om)anies $ith #io+ations o* 0uarantine ru+es(
ETheir +i"enses $ere +ater reinstated( The 4(3(4(<s a"tion e**e"ti#e+, sto))ed the
im)ortation o* mon!e,s into the United States *or se#era+ months( The tota+ +oss to
Ha/+eton ran into the mi++ions o* do++ars( :on!e,s are $orth mone,(

3es)ite the 4(3(4(<s a"tion a.ainst Ha/+eton2 s"ientists at USA:RII32 and e#en some
at the 4(3(4(2 .a#e 3a+.ard and his "om)an, hi.h )raise *or ma!in. the de"ision to
hand o#er the mon!e, *a"i+it, to the Arm,( DIt $as hard *or Ha/+eton2 ut the, did the
ri.ht thin.2D 5eter Bahr+in. said to me2 summin. u) the .enera+ o)inion o* the e>)erts(

Ha/+eton had een rentin. the mon!e, house *rom a "ommer"ia+ +and+ord( Not
sur)risin.+,2 re+ations et$een the +and+ord and Ha/+eton did not *+ourish ha))i+, durin.
the Arm, o)eration and the se"ond Eo+a outrea!( The "om)an, #a"ated the ui+din.
a*ter$ard2 and to this da, it stands em)t,(

5eter Bahr+in.2 a $hi**er o* Eo+a $ho +i#ed to te++ aout it2 is no$ the )rin"i)a+ s"ientist
at USA:RII3( He and Tom Geisert2 *o++o$in. tradition in the namin. o* ne$ #iruses2
named the strain the, had dis"o#ered Reston2 a*ter the )+a"e $here it $as *irst noti"ed(
In "on#ersation2 the, sometimes re*er to it "asua++, as Eo+a Reston( 6ne da, in his
o**i"e2 Bahr+in. sho$ed me a )hoto.ra)h o* some Eo+a-#irus )arti"+es( The, resem+ed
nodd+es that had een "oo!ed a+ dente( D7oo! at this hon!er( 7oo! at this +on. su"!er
here2D Bahr+in. said2 his *in.er tra"in. a +oo)( DIt<s Reston-oh2 I $as aout to sa, it<s
Reston2 ut it isn<t-it<s Haire( The )oint is2 ,ou "an<t easi+, te++ the di**eren"e et$een the
t$o strains , +oo!in.( It rin.s ,ou a"! to a )hi+oso)hi"a+ 0uestion: 1h, is the Haire
su**er hot *or humansC 1h, isn<t Reston hot *or humans2 $hen the strains are so "+ose to
ea"h otherC The Eo+a Reston #irus is a+most "ertain+, transmitted , some airorne
route( Those Ha/+eton $or!ers $ho had the #irus-I<m )rett, sure the, .ot it throu.h the
air(D

D3id $e dod.e a u++etCD

DI don<t thin! $e did2D Bahr+in. said( DThe u++et hit us( 1e $ere ?ust +u"!, that the
u++et $e too! $as a ruer u++et *rom a t$ent,-t$o rather than a dumdum u++et *rom
a *ort,-*i#e( :, "on"ern is that )eo)+e are sa,in.2 D1he$2 $e dod.ed a u++et(< And the
ne>t time the, see Eo+a in a mi"ros"o)e2 the,<++ sa,2 <A$2 it<s ?ust Reston2< and the,<++
ta!e it outside a "ontainment *a"i+it,( And $e<++ .et $ha"!ed in the *orehead $hen the
stu** turns out not to e Reston ut its i. sister(D

4(B( 5ETERS EVENTUA778 +e*t the Arm, to e"ome the "hie* o* the S)e"ia+
5atho.en Bran"h at the 4enters *or 3isease 4ontro+( 7oo!in. a"! on the Reston e#ent2
he said to me one da, that $as )rett, sure Eo+a had s)read throu.h the air2 DI thin! the
)attern o* s)read that $e sa$2 and the *a"t that it s)read to ne$ rooms2 su..est that
Eo+a aeroso+s $ere ein. .enerated and $ere )resent in the ui+din.2D he said( DI* ,ou
+oo! at )i"tures o* +un.s *rom a mon!e, $ith Eo+a Haire2 ,ou see that the +un.s are
*o..ed $ith Eo+a( Ha#e ,ou seen those )i"turesCD

D8es2 Nan", Baa> sho$ed them to me(D

DThen ,ou !no$( 8ou "an see Eo+a )arti"+es "+ear+, in the air s)a"es o* the +un.(D

D3id ,ou e#er tr, to see i* ,ou "ou+d )ut Eo+a Reston into the air and s)read it amon.
mon!e,s that $a,CD I as!ed(

DNo2D he re)+ied *irm+,( DI ?ust didn<t thin! that $as a .ood idea( I* an,od, had *ound
out that the Arm, $as doin. e>)eriments to see i* the Eo+a #irus had ada)ted to
s)readin. in the res)irator, tra"t2 $e $ou+d ha#e een a""used o* doin. o**ensi#e
io+o.i"a+ $ar*are-tr,in. to "reate a doomsda, .erm( So $e e+e"ted not to *o++o$ it u)(D

DThat means ,ou don<t rea++, !no$ i* Eo+a s)reads in the air(D

DThat<s ri.ht( 1e don<t !no$( 8ou ha#e to $onder i* Eo+a #irus "an do that or not( I* it
"an2 that<s aout the $orst thin. ,ou "an ima.ine(D

S6 THE THREE sisters-:arur.2 Eo+a Sudan2 and Eo+a Haire-ha#e een ?oined , a
*ourth sister2 Reston( A .rou) o* resear"hers at the S)e"ia+ 5atho.ens Bran"h o* the
4(3(4(-)rin"i)a++, Anton, San"he/ and Hein/ 9e+dmann-ha#e )i"!ed a)art the .enes o*
a++ the *i+o#iruses( The, dis"o#ered that Haire and Reston ar so mu"h a+i!e that it<s hard
to sa, ho$ the, are di**erent( 1hen I met Anthon, San"he/ and as!ed him aout it2 he
said to me2 DI "a++ them !issin. "ousins( But I "an<t )ut m, *in.er on $h, Reston
a))arent+, doesn<t ma!e us si"!( 5ersona++,2 I $ou+dn<t *ee+ "om*orta+e hand+in. it
$ithout a suit and ma>imum "ontainment )ro"edures(D Ea"h #irus "ontains se#en
)roteins2 *our o* $hi"h are "om)+ete+, un!no$n( Somethin. s+i.ht+, di**erent aout one
o* the Reston )roteins is a )roa+, the reason the #irus didn<t .o o** in 1ashin.ton +i!e
a on*ire( The Arm, and 4(3(4 ha#e ne#er do$n.raded the sa*et, satus o* Reston #irus(
It seems "+assi*ied as a 7e#e+ @ hot a.ent2 and i* ,ou $ant to sha!e hands $ith it2 ,ou
had etter $earin. a s)a"e suit( Sa*et, e>)erts *ee+ that there is not enou.h e#iden"e2
,et2 to sho$ that the Reston strain is not an e>treme+, dan.erous #irus( It ma, e2 in
*a"t2 the most dan.erous o* a++ the *i+o#irus sisters2 e"ause o* its seemin. ai+it, to
tra#e+ rather easi+, throu.h the air2 )erha)s more easi+, than the others( A tin, "han.e in
its .eneti" "ode2 and it mi.ht turn into a "ou.h and ta!e out the human ra"e(

1h, is the Reston #irus so mu"h +i!e Eo+a Haire2 $hen Reston su))osed+, "omes *rom
AsiaC I* the strains "ome *rom di**erent "ontinents2 the, shou+d e 0uite di**erent *rom
ea"h other( 6ne )ossii+it, is that the Reston strain ori.inated in A*ri"a and *+e$ to the
5hi+i))ines on an air)+ane not +on. a.o( In other $ords2 Eo+a has a+read, entered the
net and has een tra#e+in. +ate+,( The e>)erts do not dout that a #irus "an ho) around
the $or+d in a matters o* da,s( 5erha)s Eo+a "ame out o* A*ri"a and +anded in Asia a
*e$ ,ears a"!(

5erha)s-this is on+, a .uess-Eo+a tra#e+ed to Asia inside $i+d A*ri"an anima+s( There
ha#e een rumors that rain *orest ha#e een im)ortin. A*ri"an anima+s i++e.a++,2
re+easin. them into the 5hi+i))ine ?un.+e2 and huntin. them( I* Eo+a +i#es in A*ri"an
.ame anima+s-in +eo)ards or +ions or in 4a)e u**a+o-it mi.ht ha#e tra#e+ed to
5hi+i))ines that $a,( This is on+, a .uess( 7i!e a++ the other thread #irus2 Eo+a Reston
hides in a se"ret )+a"e( It seems 0uite +i!e+,2 ho$e#er2 that the enter Reston outrea!
started $ith a sin.+e mon!e, in the 5hi+i))ines( 6ne si"! mon!e,( That mon!e, $as the
un!no$n inde> "ase( 6ne mon!e, started the $ho+e thin.( That mon!e, )erha)s )i"!ed
u) *our or *i#e )arti"+es o* Eo+a that "ame *rom(((an,one<s .uess(

CC

5ART 96UR

=ITU: 4AVE

Hi.h$a,

1%%3 Au.ust (((

4am) (((

THE E:ERGEN4E 69 AI3S2 Eo+a2 and an, numer o* other rain*orest a.ents
a))ears to e a natura+ "onse0uen"e o* the ruin o* tro)i"a+ ios)here(

The emer.in. #iruses are sur*a"in. *rom e"o+o.i"a++, dama.ed )arts o* the earth( :an,
o* them "ome *rom tatered ed.es o* tro)i"a+ rain *orest2 or the, "ome *rom tro)i"a+
sa#anna that is ein. sett+ed ra)id+, , )eo)+e(

The tro)i"a+ rain *orests are the dee) reser#oirs o* +i*e on the )+anet2 "ontainin. most o*
the $or+d<s )+ant and anima+ s)e"ies( The rain *orests are a+so its +ar.est reser#oirs o*
#iruses2 sin"e a++ +i#in. thins "arr, #iruses( 1hen #iruses "ome out o* an e"os,stem2
the, tend to s)read in $a#e throu.h the human )o)u+ation2 +i!e e"hoes *rom the d,in.
ios)here(

Here are the names o* some emer.in. #iruses: 7assa( Ri*t Va++e,(

6ro)ou"he( Ro"io( 0( Guanarito( VEE( :on!e,)o>( 3en.ue( 4hi!un.un,a( The
hanta#iruses( :a"hu)o( Bunin( The raies+i!e strains :o!o+a and 3u#enha.e(

7e3ante"( The =,asnur 9orst rain #irus( HIV-$hi"h is #er, mu"h an emer.in. #irus2
e"ause its )enetration o* the human s)e"ies is in"reasin. rea)id+,2 $ith no end in si.ht(
The Sem+i!e 9orst a.ent( Grimean-4on.o(

Sinis( 6<n,on.n,on.( Name+ess Sao 5au+o( :arur,( Eo+a Sudan( Eo+a Haire( Eo+a
Reston(

In a sense2 the earth is mountin. an immune res)onse a.ainst the human s)e"ies( It is
e.innin. to rea"t to the human )arasite2 the *+oodin. in*e"tion o* )eo)+e2 the dead s)ots
o* "on"rete a++ o#er the )+anet2 the "an"erous rot-outs in Euro)e2 Ba)an and the United
States2 thi"! $ith re)+i"atin. )rimates2 the "o+onies en+ar.in. and s)readin. and
threatenin. to sho"! the ios)here $ith mass e>tin"tions( 5erha)s the ios)here does not
<+i!e< the idea o* *i#e i++ion humans( 6r it "ou+d a+so e said that the e>treme
am)+i*i"ation o* human ra"e2 $hi"h has o""urred on+, in the )ast hundred ,ears or so2
has sudden+, )rodu"ed a #er, +ar.e 0uantit, o* meat2 $hi"h is sittin. e#er,$here in the
ios)here and ma, not e a+e to de*end itse+* a.ainst a +i*e *orm that mi.ht $ant to
"onsume it( Nature has interestin. $a,s o* a+an"e itse+*( The rain *orest has its o$n
de*enses( The earth<s immune s,stem2 so to s)ea!2 has re"o.ni/ed the )resen"e o* the
human s)e"ies and is startin. to !i"! in(

The earth is attem)tin. to rid itse+* o* an in*e"tion , human )arasite(

5erha)s AI3S is the *irst ste) in a natura+ )ro"ess o* "+earan"e(

AI3S IS ARGUAB78 the most en#ironmenta+ disaster o* the t$entieth "entur,(

The AI3S #irus ma, $e++ ha#e ?um)ed into the human ra"e *rom A*ri"an )rimates2
*rom mon!e,s and anthro)oid a)es( 9or e>am)+e2 HIV-A Eone o* the t$o ma?or strains o*
HIVF ma, e a mutant #irus that ?um)ed into us *rom an A*ri"an mon!e, !no$n as the
soot, man.ae,2 )erha)s $hen mon!e, hunters or tra))ers tou"hed +ood, tissue( HIV-
1 Ethe other strainF ma, ha#e ?um)ed into us *rom "him)an/ees-)erha)s $hen hunters
ut"hered "him)an/ees( A strain o* simian AI3S #irus $as re"ent+, iso+ated *rom a
"him)an/ee in Gaon2 in 1est A*ri"a2 $hi"h is2 so *ar2 the "+osest thin. to HIV-1 that
an,one has ,et *ound in the anima+ !in.dom(

The AI3S #irus $as *irst noti"ed in 1%;0 in 7os An.e+es , a do"tor $ho rea+i/ed that
his .a, ma+e )atients $ere d,in. o* an in*e"tious a.ent( I* an,one at the time su..ested
that this un!no$n disease in .a, men in southern 4a+i*ornia "ame *rom $i+d
"him)an/ees in A*ri"a2 the medi"a+ "ommunit, $ou+d ha#e "o++e"ti#e+, urst out
+au.hin.( No one is +au.hin. no$( I *ind it e>treme+, interestin. to "onsider the idea that
the "him)an/ee is an endan.ered rain-*orest anima+ and then to "ontem)+ate the idea that
a #irus that mo#ed *rom "him)s is sudden+, not endan.ered at a++( 8ou "ou+d sa, that
rain-*orest #iruses are e>treme+, .ood at +oo!in. a*ter their o$n interests(

The AI3S #irus is a *ast mutator; it "han.es "onstant+,( It is a h,)ermutant2 a sha)e
shi*ter2 s)ontaneous+, a+terin. its "hara"ter as it mo#es throu.h )o)u+ations and throu.h
indi#idua+s( It mutates e#en in the "ourse o* one in?e"tion2 and a )erson $ho dies o* HIV
is usua++, in*e"ted $ith mu+ti)+e strains2 $hi"h ha#e a++ arisen s)ontaneous+, in the
od,(

The *a"t that the #irus mutates ra)id+, means that #a""ines *or it $i++ e #er, di**i"u+t to
de#e+o)( In a +ar.er sense2 it means that the AI3S #irus is a natura+ sur#i#or o* "han.es
in e"os,stems( The AI3S #irus and other emer.in. #iruses are sur#i#in. the $re"! o*
the tro)i"a+ ios)here e"ause the, "an mutate *aster than an, "han.es ta!in. )+a"e in
their e"os,stems( The, must e .ood at es"a)in. trou+e2 i* some o* them ha#e een
around *or as +on. as *our i++ion ,ears( I tend to thin! o* rat +ea#in. a shi)(

I sus)e"t the AI3S mi.ht not e Nature<s )reeminent dis)+a, o* )o$er( 1hether the
human ra"e "an a"tua++, maintain a )o)u+ation o* *i#e i++ion or more $ithout a "rash
$ith a hot #irus remains an o)en 0uestion(

Unans$ered( The ans$er +ies hidden in the +a,rinth o* tro)i"a+ e"os,stems( AI3S is
the re#en.e o* the rain *orest( It is on+, the *irst a"t o* the re#en.e(

No )ro+em2 I thou.ht( 6* "ourse2 I<++ e a++ ri.ht( 1e<++ e a+ ri.ht( No )ro+em at a++(
E#er,thin. $i++ e a++ ri.ht( 5+ent, o* )eo)+e ha#e .one inside =itum 4a#e $ithout
e"omin. si"!( Three to ei.hteen da,s( As the am)+i*i"ation e.ins2 ,ou *ee+ nothin.( It
made me thin! o* Boe :"4ormi"!2 the 4(3(4( o**i"ia+ $ho had "+ashed $ith the Arm,
o#er the mana.ement o* the Eo+a Reston outrea!( I rememered the stor, o* him in
Sudan2 huntin. Eo+a #irus( At the end o* a )+ane *+i.ht into dee) ush2 he had "ome
*a"e to *a"e $ith Eo+a in a hut *u++ o* d,in. )atients2 had )ri"!ed his thum $ith a
+ood, need+e2 and .ot +u"!,2 and had sur#i#ed the e>)erien"e( In the end2 Boe
:"4ormi"! had een ri.ht aout the Eo+a Reston #irus: it had not )ro#ed to e hi.h+,
in*e"tious in )eo)+e( Then I thou.ht aout another Boe :"4ormi"! dis"o#er,2 one o* the
*e$ rea!throu.hs in the treatment o* Eo+a #irus( In Sudan2 thin!in. he $as .oin. to
die o* Eo+a2 he had dis"o#ered that a ott+e o* S"ot"h is the on+, .ood treatment *or
e>)osure to *i+o#irus(

I 3R6VE T6 the aandoned mon!e, house one da, in autumn2 to see $hat had
e"ome o* it( It $as a $arm da, in Indian summer( A ro$n ha/e hun. o#er 1ashin.ton(
I turned o** the Be+t$a, and a))roa"hed the ui+din. dis"reet+,( The )+a"e $as deserted
and as 0uiet as a tom( 6ut *ront2 a s$eet-.um tree dro))ed an o""asiona+ +ea*( 9or
7EASE si.ns sat in *ront o* man, o* the o**i"es around the )ar!in. +ot( I sensed the
)resen"e not o* a #irus ut o* *inan"ia+ i++ness-"+ini"a+ si.ns o* the ei.hties2 +i!e ,our
s!in )ee+in. o** a*ter a ad *e#er( I $a+!ed a"ross the .rass, area ehind the ui+din.
unti+ I rea"hed the insertion )oint2 a .+ass door( It $as +o"!ed( Shreds o* si+#er du"t ta)e
dan.+ed *rom the door<s ed.es( I +oo!ed inside and sa$ a *+oor mott+ed $ith reddish
ro$n stains( A si.n on the $a++ said 47EAN U5 86UR 61N :ESS( Ne>t to it2 I
dis"erned the air-+o"! "orridor2 the .ra, /one throu.h $hi"h the so+diers had )assed into
the hot /one( It had .ra, "inder-+o"! $a++s: the idea+ .ra, /one(

:, *eet rust+ed throu.h shred o* )+asti" in the .rass( I *ound e+dererries ri)enin.
around a rusted air-hand+in. ma"hine( I heard a a++ oun"e2 and sa$ a o, dri+in. as
as!eta++ on a )+a,.round( The a++ "ast ruer, e"hoes o** the *ormer mon!e, house(
4hi+dren<s shouts "ame *rom the da,-"are "enter throu.h the trees( E>)+orin. the a"! o*
the ui+din.2 I "ame to a $indo$ and +oo!ed in( 4+imin. #ines had .ro$n u) inside the
room and had )ressed a.ainst the .+ass o* the $indo$s2 see!in. $armth and +i.ht(
1here had those #ines *ound $ater inside the ui+din.C The #ine $as Tartarian
hone,su"!+e2 a $eed that .ro$s in $aste )+a"es and on aandoned .round( The *+o$ers
o* Tartarian hone,su"!+e ha#e no sme++( That is2 the, sme++ +i!e a #irus; and the, *+ourish
in ruined haitats( Tartarian hone,su"!+e reminded me o* Tartarus2 the +and o* the dead
in Vir.i+<s Aeneid2 the under$or+d2 $here the shades o* dead $his)ered in the shado$s(

I "ou+dn<t see throu.h the tan.+ed #ines into the *ormer hot /one(

It $as +i!e +oo!in. into a ?un.+e( I $a+!ed around to the side o* the ui+din. and *ound
another .+ass door erioned $ith ta)e( I )ressed m, nose a.ainst the .+ass and "u))ed
m, hands around m, e,es to sto) re*+e"tions2 and sa$ a u"!et smeared $ith a dr,
ro$n "rust( The "rust +oo!ed +i!e dried mon!e, e>"rement( 1hate#er it $as2 I .uessed
it had een stirred u) $ith 4+oro> +ea"h( A s)ider had strun. a $e et$een a $a++ and
the u"!et o* $aste( 6n the *+oor under the $e2 the s)ider had dro))ed hus!s o* *+ies
and ,e++o$ ?a"!ets( The time o* ein. autumn2 the s)ider had +e*t e.. "ases in its $e2
)re)arin. *or its o$n ","+e o* re)+i"ation( 7i*e had esta+ished itse+* in the mon!e,
house( Eo+a had risen in these rooms2 *+ashed its "o+or2 *ed2 and susided into the *orest(
It $i++ e a"!(

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