Read Extermination Day for Free Online Page B

on that. So far we haven’t been able to find anything that will kill the virus without killing the host. Keep in mind too, gentlemen, that this is a process that would normally take months or years with a full staff of over a hundred researchers and lab technicians.” Bellany turned to look at the room behind him before he added, “With just four people, I can’t even guess how long it will take.”
    “Doctor, let me ask you this,” Paulson said. “Based on your computer modeling, how many dead are we talking here, hundreds of thousands? Millions?”
    “Billions, Mr. President,” Bellany said with conviction. “The level of saturation in the air, its virulent targeting of human DNA and rapid reproduction, and its apparent ability to survive in a dormant stage for long periods make this virus essentially a species killer.”

Chapter 4
     
    1 am EST, 11:00 pm local time, January 16, 2038
    Proj ect Chronos, Lechuguilla Cave, Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA
     
    Congressman Jeff Madison had been sitting in the control tower at Project Chronos for several hours, watching the feeds streaming in from all over the world. He saw Vice President Paulson sworn in as president. Slowly though, the streams started to fall silent, portables dropped to the ground showing the floor or empty sky. News agencies went off the air as reporters died, leaving no one to cover the growing planet-wide horror.
    Jeff also watched the scientists work on the imposing dome device. Several of them had left, overcome with grief. But eventually each returned, sometimes supported by a fellow griever. Jeff was surprised anyone could stay focused on their work in a time of such crisis. But he guessed that work, meaningful work, might be all that most had left when so much else had been taken away.
    Reports came in from other levels of the base, showing that anyone not deep underground had become infected and died. Dr. Chen assured everyone that they were safe as long as the elevator doors remained sealed. They had enough air and food to last many months if they needed it to.
    Jeff still hadn’t been able to determine what it was they were working on, and Dr. Chen was no help at all. He was too busy working and coordinating various aspects of the project. There were too many unanswered questions. What were they building here deep underground that could save everyone? A cure? A weapon? Who were they even fighting? Who was behind the attack and why? Yes, too many questions and not one helpful answer.
    Maybe someone in the government, if there was anyone left, could shed light on what was happening.
    He turned to one of his Secret Service companions. They’d been whispering on and off for an hour.
    “You wired in to all other agents?”
    “Yes, sir, I have direct contact with all other agents at all times.”
    “Well, what’ve you learned?”
    “At this time I can only reach the five agents on board Air Force One. There is no response from any others anywhere.” The agent maintained a neutral voice and was trying to stay cool, but Jeff had seen the man fingering his service pistol. Both agents had been compulsively checking out the room and the large space at the base of the tower.
    “What’s your name?” Jeff asked.
    “ Victor Mullins, sir.”
    “Agent Mullins, can you put me in touch with President Paulson?”
    “Yes, sir. Give me just a second.”
    Agent Mullins pulled out his portable and quickly found a patch to one of the agents with the president. Jeff was speaking to Paulson moments later.
    “Mr. President, this is Congressman Jeffrey Madison. I was contacted by a member of your staff to take your place during the State of the Union address as you had the memorial service at the University of Georgia to attend. I’m currently located underground at a base near Carlsbad, New Mexico. Do you have any idea what’s happening? What type of attack this is?” Jeff had met Paulson once before, but he doubted Paulson would