Operation Hell Gate - Marc Cerasini [62]
This time Dr. Fife waited patiently for the applause to fade.
"As many of us know, the worst outbreak of Type A influenza in history was the 1918 pandemic that killed more than twenty million people worldwide. Striking America just as the nation was gearing up for the First World War, the disease ultimately killed more soldiers than combat in that conflict. If that same influenza strain were to return today, up to a hundred million Americans would die for one reason — because there is still no effective vaccine in existence, or under development."
Dr. Fife glanced at his notes before continuing.
"In 1918, the Type A strain of influenza, which seemed no different from the Type B and C strains of previous years, suddenly and inexplicably turned lethal, killing its victims within hours of the first signs of infection. The virus induced in its victims an uncontrollable hemorrhaging that filled the lungs, and the victims drowned in their own body fluids.
"This strain was so virulent, the normal age distribution for flu mortality was reversed — instead of children, the old, and infirm, in the 1918 pandemic the vast majority of the infected were young healthy adults. Thus society's very infrastructure was ravaged as the bulk of those responsible for civilization's dayto-day maintenance perished of the disease. Those who survived believed the social order was breaking down — it very nearly did."
Dr. Fife paused. "So you see why Paxton Pharmaceuticals' breakthrough experiments are so important. With our new techniques in vaccine development and production, we at Paxton are optimistic that using the 1918 influenza cultures the CDC is providing, our researchers will be able to develop the first wide-spectrum Type A influenza vaccine ever developed."
Dr. Fife looked up from his notes. He did not need them for the next part of his talk.
"Think of it, ladies and gentlemen. Imagine a time when, like polio or typhus, influenza might be eradicated completely. Within a decade influenza will pass from one of humanity's greatest threats to a minor health problem solved by the proper vaccinations."
No longer able to hold back, a young woman in a business suit stood up in the second row. "But Dr. Fife," she began, "is it not terribly dangerous to move these cultures?"
Dr. Fife seemed unfazed by the outburst. "Of course, if these cultures were to be released into the general population, the nightmare scenario I just described could be repeated. That is why every possible precaution has been taken."
"But are those precautions enough?" the woman demanded in an urgent tone.
Dr. Fife nodded, acknowledging her concerns. "You tell me if our precautions are adequate," he countered.
"For instance, hazardous material and biological contamination specialists will be present to facilitate the movement of the cultures at every step of the transfer, from the time they leave the CDC labs until they reach Paxton's research facilities in Manhattan.
"There will be a team at the Atlanta airport, another at JFK to meet the aircraft when it arrives. And a third biohazard team will be aboard the aircraft, riding with the cultures in full hazard gear. The FBI will be notified of the flight, and will send out alerts to all pertinent local and federal law enforcement agencies."
Dr. Fife offered the woman his most benign smile. "When those influenza cultures are placed aboard a chartered 727 jet in just a few hours, you may rest assured that all steps have been taken to assure safety, and that absolutely nothing has been left to chance."
* * *
8:09:12 A.M. EDT
Court Street and Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
In a state of stunned bewilderment, Liam watched the three-story brownstone on the southeast corner of Clinton and Atlantic — his destination — collapse in a rolling rumble of brick, plaster, wood, and glass.
"Jesus, Mary, and Joseph..."
Well over an hour