Read Reset: A Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Fantasy (Contaminant Series Book 1) for Free Online Page A

her before turning to Jenna and said,
    “Michael just connected with his counterpart and was filling me in on the conversation.”
     Everyone looked at Michael, even Anna who halfway turned around to do so.
    He nodded and began, looking at Jenna, “Well… uh, I was a Presidential aide in the White house before it was overrun by a mob.  I was able to get in touch with my counterpart, Christine.”
    He turned to the rest of the group, “She had finished organizing the receipt and distribution of food shipments.  And, we can expect a shipment here in about….” Michael checked his watch, “Four to 6 hours, so anywhere from eleven to one.”
    “She would do that for you?” Jenna’s head was cocked to one side.
    Michael cleared his throat, “No, actually.  It’s for you.  All of you.  Heavily populated cities and research facilities get priority.  We need all we’ve got to try and get the food shortage under control.
    Anna looked at Jenna then back at Michael, “What else did you tell them?” Her voice practically accused him.
    “Nothing.”
    Anna gave him a doubtful look.
    Michael sat back in his chair, “Nothing!  Look, I know you think I don’t know anything.  But I know something.  I know how the top officials think.  I know how the White House works.”
    Jenna said softly, “What good does that do us?  The White House is gone.  You said it yourself.”
    Michael looked from the face of Peter, to Jenna… to Anna, “The White House isn’t dead .  We have a military, and a President.  And believe it or not, that is enough .”
    “We get it.  You’re saying that there is nothing they won’t do to stay on top.” Anna snorted.
    “That’s not it… That’s not entirely it.  I’m just saying that I can be of use.  I’m not some goody-twos, buying into patriotic propaganda.  I’m saying that I want to help.  I could… maybe, I could help get you some resources so that you can figure this thing out. I can be of use to you .”  Michael punctuated the last few words.
    Anna spoke with a softer voice that Michael had never heard before, “Here’s the deal.  I think you could be of use to us, but not as a presidential aide.  What you need to understand is that the information we’ve uncovered… if put in the wrong hands, could get a lot of people killed.  Not enemies, but people...  Not overseas… but here.  Right here.  People get scared and when they get scared, they get stupid.”
    Michael pouted his lips letting the words sink in… but then he opened his mouth, “We saw first-hand what scared people do.  I know the risks associated with this information, okay?  I do.”
    Peter finally spoke up, “I know that as much as you do Michael.  But, I think that we would all feel safer if you discontinued communication with your counterpart or anything government related.  It’s that, or we can find another way for you to be of use.”
    Michael again looked each of them in the face and in the eye.  With a breath, he took his phone out of his jacket pocket and placed it on the table. 
    Anna reached for it, “Now that that’s out of the way, allow us to get you up to speed.   Our original facility was second to none.  We had more scientists than room to work, so we branched off and came to the university.  Its biology department could have rivaled our own.  John Gordman…”
    “The millionaire.  He recently died, I read it in the paper.” Michael interrupted.
    “Newspaper.” Anna scoffed.
    Jenna shot Anna a disapproving look and jumped in, “He was more than just a millionaire.  And, he didn’t just do peace stuff.  He pumped millions into biology departments nationwide.  This school received a lot of that funding and so, we set up shop here to branch out and use the equipment.  So far, it’s been more than adequate.”
    Anna shot Jenna a look, “Back to the point.  There are a few other groups at work here: food preparation, farming, trash removal,