Extinction Level Event (25 page)

"Though, lets really think this through- EWK-1
spreads at an unprecedented rated, dries up the worms from the
inside, torturing them shortly before killing them quickly, and has
incredible transmissibility, even it is a given that fluid
exchange, particulates, and physical contact is quite rampant
amongst earthworms. Now I ask you- what is the probability that
this is a natural mutation- as opposed to a deliberate, artificial
killer of worms?" "You don't think this is natural?" "I think it
has been engineered. In a lab. By humans, with motive. No virus in
the world would target earthworms, all major species, so
discriminately." Krishnan sighs deeply, reflecting on Konovalov's
words. The thought had crossed his mind as well, but the theory of
natural selection would have been far easier to explain that the
theory of deliberate engineering. "Anything besides your hunch to
back up this hypothesis of yours?", he asks his friend
genuinely.

"Yes." Konovalov sits down at his computer terminal
and pulls up an image of the EWK-1 DNA gene sequence. The
multi-colored digitally projected double helix stares back at
Krishnan, until Konovalov splits it into individual Guanines,
Cytosines, Adenines, and Thymines. A sequence is isolated from the
main strand and brought up to full view. "The Start codon located
here encodes for attachment to earthworm red cells. The viral
genetic code also calls for rapid replication in those cells,
specifically earthworm red cells which are different, if not
radically so, from human ones. The virus also thrives in the fluid
environment provided by the worm mucus and body temperature, and
fluid viscosity. EWK-1 has thrived in culture of 25-30 degrees
Celsius, but does less well in culture of say, 30 degrees or above
34 degrees Celsius. EWK-1 is entirely immune to the antibacterial
properties of
Eisenia Fetida
hemolytic fluid. Also,
antiviral properties of coelomic fluid in the
Lumbricus
Terrestris
species has no effect on EWK-1. Anti-IgA and
Anti-IgB, immunoglobins present in coelomic fluid, did not present
any effective immuno-response even in samples with higher than
normal concentration."

"30 degrees Celsius. So at least it shouldn't be
harmful to humans. The CDC will truly appreciate that information.
So EWK virus binds to earthworm blood cells, kills them, spreads.
Yes, if it wasn't that good at replicating itself we wouldn't be
having this problem." "It's in its very genes. Genetically
programmed." "What about the other symptoms? We have documented a
complete breakdown of the worms' nervous system. The entire ganglia
throughout all the body segments stops working. And you say there
is no encephalopathy, or anything related to Creuzfeldt-Jakob
disease." "I never mentioned Creuzfeldt-Jakob. Besides, CJD is a
human disease; caused by prions. Yes, a strain of mad cow. But not
related. No, EWK-1 is an immunological disease. One designed to
inhabit the worm and kill in the perfect time- fast enough to be
lethal, yet slow enough to have plenty of time to incubate itself
and propagate enough to infect the next victim with a lethal
dosage. It is a perfect worm killer."

"Let's assume for a moment that it was designed by
someone", reasons Krishnan, "What purpose is there to this? Who
would make this disease?" ,he asks his friend. "I can't fathom
whom, there are so many possibilities when you think about it,"
answers Konovalov distantly, "but think of the effects this has
wrought all across this coastline. I think someone with a distinct
knowledge of agricultural ecosystems, strong skill in virology.
This is a strike at the ecological heart." "No terrorist would
create such a disease. You yourself stated that it won't survive in
humans- so we have to rule out that possibility. Terrorists try to
kill people, cause large amounts of physical and psychological
damage, and maybe hurt the economy. Still assuming your scenario is
correct.", assures Krishnan. Then he catches himself, realizing his
own statement to its full extent. "
It causes huge amounts of
damage
.", he breathes slowly. "Yes", explains Konovalov coolly,
"it is just a theory, but I wouldn't simply brush it away. And I am
telling you this strain won't be found in nature just like that-
not even by accident. But if you haven't noticed yet, all of the
agricultural output is expected to fall by up to 50% within the
coming months, numerous other species that feed on and rely on
worms have had their lifestyles completely disrupted or have
retreated, and some are speculating that even the carbon recycling
of trees has been affected. Not by much, but affected nonetheless.
I would certainly say economically we will have as much damage as
ecologically."

"Do you have any suspects?", Krishnan asks, hoping to
coax as much information from Konovalov as possible.
I have to
tell LaJoy this and see what he would do. . . or maybe even
Onassis
. "I'm not part of Homeland Security, I hardly have a
clue. Anyone with the proper equipment should be able to
manufacture this. But I have to say, this is laboratory grade. It
was not engineered by some flunked Masters student or aspiring
Islamist. It is a military grade weapon, something that both the
old US and Soviet Cold War weapons specialists would have been
proud of." "So its Russian?" "I didn't say that.", snaps back
Konovalov, "If this was in the fifties or sixties I would have said
yes, absolutely; without a doubt. But we live in a much more
complex and unpredictable world these days." Krishnan ponders over
the validity of Konovalov's game changing theory. "So it may be
from a biological weapon? Could it be from some old Soviet
stockpile?" "Possibly. I don't know. I can't determine the origin."
"You know that this theory of yours changes the entire nature of
the game? Before, it was thought to be anything from freak virus to
industrial negligence. Now people will say it was intentional."
"It's still just a theory." "A theory by the world's leading
geneticist. People will take it seriously." "As they should."

"I have to start making calls". "Yes, you do."
Krishnan walks out of lab 204 and starts having many thoughts race
through his head.
Imagine if some radical had dug this up in
Vladivostok or somewhere! A relic of the Cold War?
Then a more
disquieting thought.
What if it happens to be from a US facility
and not a Soviet one?
Krishnan dismisses the thought. Ever
since the 1975 Biological Weapons Convention most states around the
world had agreed not to develop the world's most dangerous weapons.
The Convention prohibited the research and development of all
biological and chemical weapons, as well as the stockpiling of
significant quantities that have no justifiable purpose. As a
previous member of the NBACC Oversight Commission, Krishnan had
read the Convention word for word to familiarize himself with the
context of worldwide treatises on such weapons. However, simply
because of the Convention's existence was not reason to prevent the
continued undercover and secretive research into areas of the
biological sciences best left alone. Even recently during the
1980s, the Soviet Union had experimented with a covert program
codenamed
"Ecology”
, which was designed to exterminate
domesticated cattle via Foot-and-mouth disease and African swine
fever. At Fort Detrick's NBACC, Krishnan had personally seen the
laboratories of all bio-safety levels, which range from 1-4, and
see firsthand the biodefense measures being undertaken there. No
paper, document, official had ever mentioned offensive bioresearch
in the US since 1969, when the US signed and ratified the BWC. The
Soviet program ended with the dissolution of the USSR.

Still, the next steps would be important. As Krishnan
walks into his makeshift office, he picks up the phone. LaJoy
answers immediately. "We have a problem.", is all Krishnan can
begin with. "Alright, Apollo, what is it?", replies LaJoy
sardonically. "Konovalov is . . . hypothesizing that EWK-1 is
engineered. He states that belief due to the unusual combination of
the virus's biological and behavioral properties. Pace of spread,
rate of infection, and the fact that it not only survives, but
apparently thrives in the earthworm circulatory and lymphatic
systems." "That doesn't mean that it is man-made. Every indication
so far has pointed that it originated somewhere in around
Bakersfield, likely due to transmutation with Foot-and-mouth."
"Viktor. . ", Krishnan stops himself, "Dr. Konovalov disagrees. Yes
there are traits of foot-and-mouth, but no protein admixture
suggesting recent swapping of DNA. Also, foot-and-mouth is prion
originated while EWK-1 is a virus. He's sending you his findings on
the subject as we speak." "Fine, I'll look at it and get back to
you."

Forty five minutes later LaJoy calls back. "I'm still
somewhat skeptical, but I have to take your friend seriously. I'm
getting Secretary Onassis on the line so we can talk this through."
"We don't have much information to talk through, though", replies
Krishnan, "I myself am not sure where to start. Assuming his
hypothesis is correct, now what? It could have come from anywhere
had someone chose to manufacture it. It requires a somewhat
educated virologist and a sophisticated lab, but there are plenty
of people with millions to finance such a project." "If it is
man-made, its most likely of Soviet origin.", states LaJoy, "But it
could have come from anywhere in Asia, or even Africa." "I'm going
to tell Jackson Medina at NBACC about this and see what they say."
"Fine. I'll get back after informing the Secretary." Krishnan hangs
up and opens a video conference to NBACC on his PC. After waiting
ten minutes for the other side of the line to pick up, Krishnan
finally gets an "on-line" status from the other side. Medina's
tanned and slightly swarthy face appears on screen. "Ahh, Dr.
Krishnan. I was hoping to hear back from you soon." "Dr. Medina. I
need you to give me an accurate analysis- how easily can someone
engineer EWK-1 in a lab?" "Eh, it should be fairly easy here at
NBACC. A couple of weeks perhaps." "What about a more rudimentary
lab, the cost of less than a million dollars worth of equipment?"
"Possible for sure", answers Medina. Then, curiosity etched on his
face, he asks, "why?" "Some of us feel that we may be dealing with
an artificial virus. Nothing substantial on that just yet." "An
artificial virus? You think we are dealing with a terrorist
attack?", asks Medina, suddenly more alert. "Maybe. We just don't
have enough information yet." "Anything we can do to help?" "Get me
every bit of research on bio-weapons that affect agriculture. See
if you can recreate a similar virus- and keep it contained." "That
will require permission from the Sec. of Defense", replies Medina.
"I'll get it. And, I may be flying over there soon." "For what?"
"Getting another tour of the facility!", replies Krishnan
sarcastically, suddenly tired of Medina's open-ended questions.
This man is supposed to be a liaison, not such a questioning
thorn.
"Keep in touch", he finishes the short talk before
turning off the link.
I may have to go to NBACC myself. Who
knows what they are capable of in those labs. Besides, I want to
see them manufacture an identical virus themselves. With the aid of
high technology and without- that should prove the limitations of
creating EWK-1 by lawless denizens.
With these thoughts in
mind, Krishnan walks out of the office and heads across campus to
resume working on decoding the earthworms' species' genome.

Los Angeles

The climate of Los Angeles is a generic humid
Mediterranean, so even in December the average temperature hover
around 10 Celsius, leading to the popularity of winter hoodies,
light jackets, and t-shirts. Donning a pair of sunglasses even in
wintertime, is not out of the question, at least for McCarthy, who
figures lower California receives generously more sunlight than
Stockton on any given day.

Taking four hours to organize his new office space in
the City Hall Building, McCarthy is rapidly changed assignments by
the USDA- FEMA- LA City joint authority set up to handle the
distribution of food packets amongst the population. Figuring that
he will be here a while, he also hopped off on a short shopping
spree to buy a few new dress shirts, pants, and a sports jacket.
That done, he returned the items to the office and headed out, with
sunglasses, towards' Rodriguez's parked red Grand Cherokee, which
he would borrow for the tour. Entering the SUV, he turns the key
and revs up the engine.

It takes a thirty minute drive on the 101 Hollywood
Freeway to arrive at Center Panorama, located near North Hollywood
in Panorama City, a large exurb about 20 kilometers northwest of
downtown. Manjak pulls into the parking lot of a local government
building that is being used as the center. Parked right outside the
squarish, non-descript building are over a dozen trucks,
requisitioned by the State government to bring in the shipments
from the Midwest. McCarthy parks the SUV next to the building
itself and gets out. A line of people stretches around the block,
waiting patiently in line for their turn to receive a coupon number
and their share of supplies. Some haggardly looking, some plain
dressed yet presentable. Many tired, but few energetic.

Several stores and a supermarket lie across the
two-way street. Through the glass of the supermarket, McCarthy sees
its shelves empty, devoid of produce for sale. The expanding food
shortage has left supermarkets across the continent without items
from bagels to Frito's. There was a decreasing amount of essential
foodstuffs that could be devoted to non-necessary items such as
buns, potato chips, pies and pastries. Chocolates were becoming a
rarity as cocoa production in Ecuador, Brazil, and Indonesia was
shelved in half. Orange juice was at a premium since the orange
crop was nearly entirely destroyed- the crops from California and
Florida were totally wasted, as farmers complained of small lumps
growing on the plants instead of full grown fruit. When the US then
switched to importing oranges, Brazil's orange crops were similarly
affected. With the world's two largest orange producers not
producing any more oranges, supermarket's were hard pressed to keep
up demand for the popular fruit.