Year Zero (50 page)

Year Zero began as a medical mystery based at Los Alamos…then changed. As my research broadened, I began to see how the old analogy of “religion as a plague” has its counterweight in “plague as a religion.”

In short, the incredible crisscross of science and faith led me away from my original tale. In the early phase of my research, the people I consulted at Los Alamos National Lab heard one story, and
Year Zero
may come as a surprise to them. Chief among them are Dr. Lawrence Deaven, deputy director with the Center for Human Genome Studies at Los Alamos, who generously shared insights into the project’s work, and Todd Hanson of the Public Affairs office, who guided me “behind the fence,” as it was once called. Special thanks go to Cliff Watts and Charles Clark who have patiently tried to educate me on medical matters over the years. I am indebted to Marcia Hamilton for playing tour guide on our excursion through the human brain. It goes without saying that any bad science in this science fiction is my sole responsibility.

Many thanks to my editors, Jason Kaufman, a great young editor from the old school of editing, and Mitchell Ivers, ever calm within the storm.

I am especially grateful to Bill Gross, my manager, friend, and inspiration. If there is such a thing as a muse with
cojones,
he is it.

Finally, Barbara and Helena, thank you for sharing this world of dreams.