The Z Contingency

By W.I. Eganson

What if one of the world's top virologists predicts that a deadly virus will mutate into a highly contagious form causing people to turn into zombies? What if he creates the virus with intentions of making a cure, only to have it stolen before he can finish his work? Enter an agent working for a secret government agency whose mission is to protect U.S. interests. But when terrorists threaten his family, will revenge cause him to stray from his primary mission? Will the fate of the U.S. lie in the hands of a network of Zombie Apocalypse preparedness groups whose loyalties are not always clear?

Gary Ecks, a world-renowned scientist with an uncanny knack for predicting outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers has a terrifying realization that one of these viruses will soon mutate into something that seemingly kills its victims, but actually brings them to a near death state, allowing them to move about and further spread the virus. He foresaw the arrival of a virus that could start the zombie apocalypse.

In an attempt to prevent the start of a zombie apocalypse, Gary believes he needs to create a vaccine before the virus naturally appears, so he needs the help of a colleague at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Natalie Wyler, to help create the very virus he predicted. She had pioneered a method to create viruses with specific genetic sequences.

Something convinces Natalie to help him in spite of every fiber in her being screaming out against it, but the two scientists are prevented from starting work on the vaccine.
Little do they know that their activity at the CDC has also been flagged by a secretive shadow government organization. But what is their true agenda? Will they help stop a zombie virus outbreak, or act on a hidden agenda?

Further complications arise as the lab goes on furlough, separating Gary and Natalie while they each return to their hometowns, leaving the lab and the virus samples unattended.

A series of events leads Gary on a mission to find Natalie, and the goal to develop a vaccine becomes one to hunt for a cure.

• Language: English
• Publisher: W.I. Eganson
• Release date: Jan 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311075536

Book preview

Prologue

What the hell is this?

What are you talking about, and why are you shouting at me?

This article that just came out, ‘Zombie Apocalypse: CDC Denies Existence Of Zombies Despite Cannibal Incidents.’ Sorry about the shouting. I’m just so frustrated. We have to prepare the public for that eventuality.

And what eventuality is that, exactly?

Zombification.

I’m sorry. Did you just say zombification?

Yeah, I know how it sounds. What I’m getting at is the public needs to prepare for zombies. Think about it for a minute. Consider how these hemorrhagic viruses have been mutating. What if something like background radiation caused one of these viruses to mutate in such a way that, instead of causing the death of the victim, it takes the victim to a near death state, where the brain and nervous system are reduced to activity levels just sufficient to sustain motor control, but still keeps the victim alive. Consider how any pathogen that kills its host reduces the chance it can spread and further propagate its genetic material. A virus that mutates in the way I suggest would have a greater chance of spreading those genes. People would be walking around like... well, like zombies. We have to warn the public.

Yes. I’m familiar with viral evolution, and we did warn them. We got the CDC to launch the public awareness campaign on preparing for the zombie apocalypse. All the material is staying on the site. That won’t be taken down.

But that article says we’re denying it all. What about that statement, ‘CDC does not know of a virus or condition that would reanimate the dead.’

They had to deny the existence of a zombie apocalypse, what with all these bizarre attacks, and people eating people. The public was getting panicky.

But now they won’t take this seriously. They’ll stop preparing. They...

Nonsense. We couched the initiative as a tongue-in-cheek campaign to educate the public on preparing for disasters using the popularity of zombies. Remember, we stated the rationale, ‘if you’re equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse you’ll be prepared for a hurricane, pandemic, earthquake, or terrorist attack’?

Yes, but…

Look, do we know of any virus that would reanimate the dead?

Well, no... but my model predicts that Marburg or Ebola will mutate toward that state, and that it will likely only take a few mutations to get there. The first mutation will keep the infected person alive so that he or she can continue to incubate the virus. Further mutations will allow them to ambulate and spread the virus.

Okay, but that’s your model. Does any virus exist today that would reanimate the dead.

Not yet….

Chapter One

Quietly she crept into position in the underbrush. Inch by inch, easing closer and closer to her goal, taking care not to create any disturbance that might alert her prey. She tested each carefully placed step before setting her weight down. Knowing, even though they may be engrossed in their own activities, the slightest sound or movement that seemed out of the ordinary would cause alarm. The surroundings were filled with a chorus, mostly from the many birds that abounded in the jungle; she recognized the songs of several of the abundant species of larks, thrushes, and warblers serenading from the dark jungle canopy above. Mist swirled through the moss covered vines, while moisture gathered on the layers of fallen leaves adding to a mugginess that bordered on the oppressive.

Not wanting to lose the element of surprise and risk wasting all those days of careful planning, the poacher made her way through a dense forested part of the park, toward a large clearing she previously located on the map. It was known to be home to a particularly large family of chimpanzees.

She heard her quarry long before seeing them, and took advantage of the chattering to home in on the first target. Her eyes were still adjusting from being in the dark jungle for so long. Listening closely to the noises the chimps were making, she realized that in addition to the typical chattering sounds of routine chimpanzee behavior, there were also soothing, cooing sounds, like mothers would make to calm their sick children.

Over a thousand Euros a pound for the meat; those Europeans are crazy! Still, it lets me pay my bills, and puts food on my table, so who am I to judge? She shook her head in quiet resignation and slowly reassembled the rifle she had smuggled into the Park. It had taken quite a number of days to get all the pieces in without being noticed. First the stock, then the butt. A trigger assembly.... Finally the rifled barrel, which she dared not leave exposed to the elements for any length of time for fear that any resulting oxidation would reduce the range and accuracy she had come to expect from her tool of choice. She lovingly fitted together the two blued steel segments she had hidden under baggy cargo pants, one strapped to each thigh.

She brought the carbon fiber stock up to her shoulder and took aim at one of the closer chimps. He was a large, imposing specimen, but not the dominant male. She knew this because he was by himself, a bit away from the others, but mainly because he was not near any of the females.

Shifting her weight just a bit to steady herself, a twig lodged partly under her boot snapped. Suddenly the cooing became screaming, cursing, shrieks, all directed at her. She quickly squeezed the trigger, nearly missing her shot, as a piece of half-eaten fruit hit her in the face. These chimps were attacking her! I can’t leave my kill here. I have to get it home, but they’re starting to come down from the trees. She knew she had to get away before they descended and engaged her directly. She would have no chance if that happened; they were much stronger and faster than she was – it was a fight she would not win. She remembered what had happened to that other poacher who had gotten too close to a chimpanzee family group, and shuddered. Barely able to see, she beat a hasty retreat while being pelted by fruit, grimacing as she wiped fruit juice from her stinging eyes. I’ll come back later to gather my prize.

Chapter Two

Gary Ecks glanced over at the clock on his nightstand. 1:28AM. He was tired, and desperately wanted to go to sleep, but instead, he was up late talking with his colleague, Natalie Wyler. Again. They had been engaging in more and more late night conversations recently. Something was clearly bothering Natalie, but Gary hadn’t a clue as to what. All he knew was that she seemed to be more agitated this past year.

Occasionally, they talked about work, as they had two nights ago when they discussed his theories on viral evolution into the wee hours of the morning. Gary had done most of the talking that night. She had listened politely, and only interjected rarely. Sometimes it didn’t seem like Natalie took him seriously, but Gary chose not to notice, and he did enjoy spending time with her, even if it was only on the phone, and even if it meant losing sleep.

This evening, she had complained about the number of telemarketing calls she had been receiving. So, one of my sorority sisters called earlier this evening out of the blue. Sally Peterson - do you remember her? She was part of the welcoming program at Freshman Orientation Week. You were there, right? Natalie asked.

Yes, we met on the second day of Orientation, remember? Gary managed, while stifling a yawn.

We did? Natalie paused. I’m sorry, I really don’t remember you much from Harvard. Anyway, Sally said she was calling to catch up on old times. So she’s telling me about everything she’s been doing, and asking me what I’ve been up to, and then, she suddenly drops this on me. She says ‘Oh by the way, I’m on the fundraising committee now, and I was wondering how much you would like to pledge.’ Natalie paused, waiting for Gary to react with the same indignation she was feeling.

That’s awful. What did you tell her? Gary replied, this time unable to keep from yawning.

I told her… Natalie began. You’re tired, Gary. I’ve kept you up too late. Thanks for listening. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

Good night, Natalie. I’ll see you in the morning. Gary hung up the phone with a sigh of relief. Finally, he could sleep.

☣ ☣ ☣

The ringing of Gary’s phone startled him awake. It seemed like he had only dropped off to sleep a few minutes ago.

Gary couldn’t believe it, and at the same time it was beginning to be all too familiar. "What time is it?" his mind slowly wondered as he rubbed the sleep from his tired eyes. 2:36AM. That would be… 9:36AM in Uganda. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention team from Atlanta was to be greeted at the airport in Entebbe by a special envoy of the Ministry of Health who would escort them directly to the quarantine wing of the hospital where the patient was being treated. This was the third trip in six months, the second after which the Ministry allowed them to set-up a CDC run lab so they could immediately start collecting samples and data on the outbreaks. The Ministry of Health was generous and even pitched in for equipment to ensure Biosafety Level 4, the highest level of precaution, but necessary to work with the types of pathogens and exotic agents that were part of day-to-day life for Gary and his team at the CDC Viral Special Pathogens Branch in Atlanta.

His team couldn’t have been at the hospital for long. "What are they already seeing?" Gary wondered as he reached for his ringing cell. Tomorrow is going to be brutal. A venti, triple shot kind of day…. Hello? he managed groggily.

Gary? It’s Jack. Get to your computer... you’re going to want to see this.

Jack? I thought I was getting a call from someone on my team. I wasn’t expecting you.

Dr. Jack Mugasa, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at CDC’s Uganda branch, who was normally courteous, was abrupt, and didn’t even apologize for the late hour of the call. The fact that Jack was calling Gary meant there was something serious, especially seeing as the team from Atlanta was surely already there.

Give me a second. I’ll put you on speaker. Gary hit the speakerphone button and managed to roll out of bed and find his way to his desk where he left his laptop. He had not bothered to turn it off last night after typing up his latest research notes on the mutations he had observed in the Bas Congo virus that had been discovered years earlier.

He had flown to Uganda himself after that first outbreak. It had taken a full day of flying, followed by a four day trek by Land Rover to the Bas Congo region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It seemed like it was only yesterday that Jack had called him in the middle of the night to report the first case of Bas Congo Virus - BASV, a virus in the same family as rabies, but much more deadly. A child in a rural village had suddenly fallen ill and started bleeding from his eyes and vomiting blood. Within three days, he had died from a hemorrhagic fever. A few days later, a schoolmate of the child also started showing the same symptoms, including death within three days. A third patient, who was previously thought to be the last in this outbreak, was the nurse who had attended to the first two patients. Luckily, the severity of the illness was now quickly recognized, and after an aggressive treatment, he recovered after several days. Some years later, several dozen bodies were discovered at an illegal mine deep in the jungle. Forensic analysis ruled out foul play, and had placed the time of death around the same time as the first two victims of the Bas Congo virus. Tissue samples confirmed the presence of the same strain of BASV that had infected the other three victims. Since then, other outbreaks had occurred, with each of the viruses exhibiting slightly different mutations in their genetic sequences.

After the third outbreak of BASV, Gary had gotten a temporary assignment in Uganda to study the BASV mutations, and the results of his studies were the basis of his still-unfinished paper. Unfortunately, he had to return home before his research had gotten very far due to budget concerns. He still wanted to finish that paper, even though, as news, it was now rather stale. Still as the subject of a scholarly article, it would get published, and likely in a top journal. The Lancet would almost certainly accept it or Infectious Diseases if he submitted, but if nothing else, he could always get in the EID, the CDC’s own journal, Emerging Infectious Diseases.

It was the first time one of the rabies viruses had been linked to hemorrhagic fever. Gary’s paper was on the proliferation of deadly viral outbreaks; how they were increasing in frequency and severity; how new deadly viruses were being discovered with increasing regularity; how it was related to human activity. More importantly, there was a tie-in to his theory about viral evolution that he wanted to share with the scientific community.

Jack knew that Gary would not mind his middle of the night call. Gary was a world-renowned researcher at the CDC, and a leading expert in viral hemorrhagic fevers. Most people in the infectious disease community, and everyone at CDC, knew that Gary wanted to be the first to hear about any new outbreak. If it meant he would be interrupted in the middle of the night, that was a price Gary was more than willing to pay.

Your computer up yet? Jack prompted.

Gary tapped his mouse and winced as the screen lit-up. With a couple of clicks he pulled up the live feed. CDC could stream video from the hospital allowing him to see what they saw. Not a bad alternative to keep his travel costs down, and Gary hated flying anyway, being mildly claustrophobic. Okay… I’m on. I’m not all the way awake yet, so let me record this. What am I looking at? Something different from the last two outbreaks?

Yeah, this one’s a hemorrhagic fever. Your specialty. The patient is a poacher. One of those chimpanzee tour groups found her in the Kibale National Park, near the foothills of the Mountains of the Moon. Must have been collecting ‘bush meat’. Jack found the thought of humans killing and eating their closest relatives to be very disturbing. It wasn’t even out of necessity. He could understand that people would eat anything when facing starvation, but these people were treating chimpanzees as delicacies, a luxury food for the wealthy to flaunt in front of their friends, who pretended to be shocked as they nibbled on those baleful canapés and chortled behind their cocktail napkins. He couldn’t help but conjure in his mind the scene from that old Indiana Jones movie where guests of some Maharaja were being offered a dessert of chilled monkey brains served in the monkeys’ own heads. We’re pretty sure she was there at least fifteen days, from the ticket stubs, receipts, and what-not we found on her. Which is strange… she should be dead by now from the dehydration alone.

Were there any dead or symptomatic chimps around? Jack said she was a poacher... the chimpanzees in the park must have been the hosts of the virus that caused the hemorrhagic fever. Gary was awake now. He always experienced a burst of energy whenever a new viral strain might be discovered. But new viruses also stressed him out, and lately he had been feeling the burden, from the increased workload, from the annual threat of furloughs or a complete government shutdown which were the inevitable result of the now decades-old tradition of stalled budget talks, and what that meant for his research, and from the feeling of unease that had been gnawing at his subconscious since he saw his first case of hemorrhagic fever up close. The patient that first time was a farmer who had come to the hospital in Kenya Gary was visiting when he was still a graduate student. The patient had a high fever and had been complaining of dizziness, body aches and general fatigue. The doctors’ initial reactions had been that it was a severe case of the flu, but Gary knew better, and soon the patient started to bleed from his eyes and ears. Luckily, the patient had come in early. The doctors there were able to administer an aggressive treatment regimen, and the patient recovered before he went into shock and organ failure. Even still, the sight left a deep impression on Gary, who vowed to understand viral hemorrhagic fevers and focus his energies on fighting them.

They did not find any dead or sick chimpanzees nearby. The patient must have wandered away from where she was exposed. Unfortunately, she was found in an area where the territories of three chimpanzee family groups overlap, so it will take some time to determine where she might have been exposed, and identify the host. But Gary, that’s all standard protocol, and not why I chose to wake you.

Gary felt something... a foreboding feeling starting to make his heart race. He tried to sound calm.

Is there a problem, Jack?

The patient is presenting with a number of symptoms that are not typical of hemorrhagic fever. Unusual, but perhaps not unexplainable given our location. There must be something in her background that we’re just not aware of or.... If Jack were speaking to Gary in person, he would have noticed that Gary visibly paled. Gary interrupted Jack, the fear taking over.

Is she... Gary was not sure he wanted to ask this question yet, but then decided to continue. Is she able to move? Jack was puzzled by Gary’s question, and his sudden change in demeanor. His expression was that of someone who had seen a ghost.

Of course she can’t move. She’s bedridden in this phase of the progression. Are you okay Gary? asked Jack, concerned for his colleague.

Oh... thank God. Gary whispered, barely audible.

I’m sorry? What was that Gary? You’ll have to speak up. said Jack.

What? Oh sorry. Gary felt relieved, but also thought it best not to get ahead of himself and share his theories with Jack at this time. Before Jack could say more, Gary decided it was best to try to wrap up the call.

Hey listen Jack, thanks for calling. I’m forwarding a recording of this call to Natalie. She needs to see this. How quickly can you get blood samples back to Atlanta?

I’ll get them out with the next courier.

Thanks, and Jack? Gary continued without waiting for a response. My gut tells me this virus is mutating to spread itself farther and wider than before. Don’t rely on the conventional precautions. Take extra care around this patient.

Gary... always worrying too much. His gut? He’s a respected scientist, for God’s sake! Jack gave a nod and a brief wave before signing off, leaving a now rather alert Gary to his thoughts. Gary went back to lay down in his bed, but sleep eluded him. His mind was racing with thoughts about the ramifications of this discovery. Better get some rest. When Jack’s samples arrive, and if they contain.... Gary did not want to complete that thought. After lying awake for another hour Gary was finally able to fall back into a restless sleep... his final thought before his eyes closed... if he was right, the world will never be the same.

Chapter Three

Minus 80 degrees C. The freezer temperature checks out okay. Update the maintenance log. Fire extinguishers aren’t due for checking for another month. Let’s see.... SEM calibration’s not due until next week. I guess I’m done early for the morning.

Great! Maybe I’ll head over to that arcade. I really want to try out that new video game. Zombie Hunter II. I can hardly wait to blow away some zombies.

Didn’t one of the lab techs mention something about a freezer lock being a bit temperamental? I could go check that out.

But she wasn’t clear about it, and didn’t say which one it was, and I don’t want to spend my free hour searching for it. It’ll keep until next week.

Maybe I could go and ask her to have lunch with me after I get back from the arcade.

But what if she says ‘no’?

She’s friendly and she smiles at me. Plus she even hangs out with that Ecks guy in the cafeteria, and I’m much better than he is.

Remember that time back in tenth grade?

When I tried to ask that cute little red-headed girl out on a date?

She was friendly, and she used to smile at me too.... Until I asked her to go to the dance. I had even gotten all dressed up too. Wore a tie and everything. But she just laughed in my face, and ran off to tell all her friends what a dork I was for thinking I could ask her out.

As though I wasn’t good enough.

And then all her friends laughed at me too. They all whispered and laughed - as if I didn’t know.

Chapter Four

Simon Zaine had just settled in for the morning behind a dull gray metal desk that seemed much too large for his small office in the basement of the U.S. Treasury Annex building in Washington, D.C. "Battleship gray" he thought. He was sure the desk was Korean War surplus.

Simon closed his door - a flashing icon on his screen indicated a secure incoming call was waiting to be connected. After activating the protocol to lock down the private tunnel through the net, Simon was greeted by the shadowy face of one of his counterparts. Simon had met him only once before, many years ago at the orientation session, when he first joined the agency.

I’m sorry we have to be reconnecting under these circumstances. A chill suddenly ran down Simon’s spine. Take a look at this, but brace yourself. I think it’s someone you know, and then off to the side Okay, patch him in.

The display changed over to a poor-quality video that looked like it was being streamed from a phone camera. The scene appeared to be a small village in a mountainous region. The surrounding area was arid. Only a few scraggly trees and bushes could be seen growing in the bare rocky ground. Several squat buildings made from clay bricks were arranged in a circular fashion around a central plaza, looking more like a collection of children’s building blocks than houses.

From the shadows, it appeared to be mid-afternoon. Simon knew he was watching a live feed from the region near the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

As the scene zoomed in on a central plaza, several bodies could be seen strewn in an open area between the buildings, strewn about as if a child had suddenly tired of her dolls and discarded them, but it was clear that these were not dolls but people. It was equally clear that they were no longer among the living.

As the image on his screen filled with the bodies, it became clear to Simon that they were not only dead, but had been tortured to death. Eyes were swollen shut, noses were broken, teeth were missing. Angry red cigarette burns could now be seen marring the victims’ skin as the camera panned over the bodies. Simon thought he heard someone in the background choking back the urge to vomit.

Finally, the camera moved to focus in on one of the corpses. The blood drained from Simon’s face. Even