Ta to u too...

Waking was never a problem for me.
Without an alarm too I should add.
I stretched out as usual,
Turning over then wallop!

'Why am I upon the floor?'
I shook my head in deep puzzlement
before noting the weird angle of things.
Even the sofa looked bigger.

I closed my eyes and puzzled.
When I opened them again
I gazed down and noticed the
furry paws.

Four of them.
'Eh...What’s going on?'
I sat upon my haunches and
heard myself meow in shock.

I saw Christine’s bowels to
my right and padded over.
‘Wonder what Whiska’s taste like?’
I crunched away and licked my lips.

‘Hmm...Not bad you know.’
I scratched at my furry ear and padded over
to the laptop.
Despite my paws I nearly managed to turn it on.

‘This just ain’t right.’
I noticed the door was ajar
and padded up to it.
Using my nose I edged it open.

‘Christine,’ I meowed plaintively.
She appeared from the music room
and gazed at this strange apparition.
“Who the hell are you?”

I shook my head.
‘It’s daddy,’ I meowed.
She trotted up and sniffed away.
“Don’t smell like him.”

‘Cat or no cat you do know me.’
Christine was not so sure.
“What did you buy me for my birthday?”
I thought back frantically.

‘Eh...A tunnel of course.’
She smiled.
“You look silly like that daddy.”
I meowed back.

‘We really have to raise the alarm sweetheart.’
“Could be tricky daddy. Paws are really
not designed for mobiles you know.”
I rolled my eyes.

‘Follow me then and no mounting.’
As we trotted into the lounge I
spotted the mobile upon the coffee table.
‘This should be easy.’

I pounced and scanned the keys.
As I meowed away, my paws pressed
down hard until the keys lit up.
‘Now it gets a little tricky.’

I pressed hard until the three
numbers appeared and heard
the dial tone clearly.
‘Won’t be long now darling.’

“Hello."
I heard the operator and meowed loudly.
The phone went dead.
We had been cut off.

‘Charming,’ I meowed.
“See what I mean daddy?”
I nodded.
‘There must be a way to reverse this?'

“Eh...I don’t think so.”
I just looked at her.
‘You better not be right sweetheart.’
We stood and meowed together.

After an hour of this silliness I
finally remembered something.
A late night play with a wooden rod.
I gazed around and saw it.

“Where are you going?”
‘Don’t worry dear, I’ll soon sort this out.'
I pounced onto the high table and
took the rod between my sharp teeth.

Waiving my head frantically I
suddenly switched back.
Kneeling like a fool upon the table.
Christine meowed happily.

After clambering off, I smiled at her.
“Don’t say a word about this.”
She shook her fluffy head and trotted off.
As for the wand, well. I burnt the ruddy thing!

Ta..Have just edited..Must have been tired when checked..Let myself down really..

Ta to you both...

“Where are you two off to?” Cheryl asked.

“Just off to catch some fish,” Mandy replied.

Cheryl nodded and took the kids toward the cow shed.

“Come on you two. We have mucking out to do.”

“Are we taking the camper?” Proctor asked.

“Why not. They won’t need it.”

She gunned the motor and they headed off to the nearby wilds. They tried to talk, but the night’s events had left a dark stain upon their consciounces.

“The track should be just along here,” Mandy muttered as they drove down the road.

“Ah here we are.”

She turned the wheel left and followed the dirt track until she slammed on the brakes.

“Something doesent feel right,” she muttered.

“I’ll get the M3’s,” Proctor replied reaching into the rear.

As they stepped out with fingers poised over the triggers, she nodded toward the empty car.

“You go right. Remember doctor, shoot first.”

“Don’t you worry. We all learned a lesson.”

As they approached the vehicle, Mandy saw the open driver’s door and what lay beside it.

“Oh no,” she gasped.

Proctor looked and saw what was left of two mutilated bodies. He pointed to the marks upon the dirt.

“Dogs must have got them.”

Mandy lowered the muzzle and gazed around.

“Perhaps we should forget this for today,” Proctor suggested.

“We came here for fish and damn it, that is what we shall have.”

She ventured back to the camper with him and pulled out the net. With their weapons put away, they carried the drag net to the river bank.

“It won’t take long anyhow,” Mandy said.

She sorted the net out and holding an end, tossed it into the stream.

“I had quite forgotten about muts,” Proctor muttered.

“I ain’t seen many around either. The pack must be scavenging.”

“When we get back to the farm, new rules will have to be applied.”

She looked at him.

“We are five miles away. Are you suggesting they could find us?”

“Packs can travel for miles you know. How is that net?”

She gave it a tug.

“Nearly there. I can roach in here.”

As the wind turned a strange sound reached their ears.

“That’s odd,” Mandy muttered.

“I can hear it too dear. Hurry up would you.”

She turned again and hauled on the net.

“It’s coming out. Get the box from the van eh?”

He soon found the large plastic container and hurried it over. As
she began putting the fish into it he saw something dark and menacing.

“We have company Mandy.”

She glanced up and saw the dog snarling from the nearby bushes.

“Just grab the fish and the net,” he hissed.

As he moved between her and the snarling animal, she made a rush for the van. As she reached it the dog pounced.

“Proctor!”

She saw the large heavy paws drive him down as teeth slashed at his exposed cheek. Another howl indicated the arrival of the hungry pack.

“Get him off!”

Mandy grabbed the weapon and fired at the pack. As they scattered in panic she aimed at the attacker and shot it dead. She scrambled forward and helped him up.

“I was damn lucky,” he muttered as they reached the van.

As they hurtled off she said, “That is the last time that we go there doc. Apart from your cheek are you okay?”

“My left arm has been bitten but it’ll heal. It wasent your fault.”

When they reached the farm, he sat upon the kitchen chair as she bathed the new wounds.

“What happened to him?” Cheryl asked.

“Dog attack. We found human remains too,” Mandy explained explained.

She applied a plaster to the cheek and a bandage to the injured left arm.

“Thanks for patching me up again.”

She smiled.

“Seems to be a habit now eh?”
...
As the merry days passed and summer grew hotter, his mood seemed to change. On the tenth day came the incident the women would always remember.

Mandy had been working on the van when Proctor walked passed.

“You couldn't give me another hand?”

He turned savagely.

“Go to blazes. I’m not your ruddy skivvy!”

She was so shocked by this out of character outburst that she kept it to herself.

The following morning, eleven days after the attack, he started complaining.

“The damn cheek seems painful today.”

“You want me to take a look?”

“Would you Mandy?”

He sat down as she removed the bandage. After a few prods and careful examination she gave her opinion.

“It’s healing nicely my sweet.”

“No swelling?”

“None that I can see.”

“Probably just annoying me then.”

At the following breakfast, Mandy came down alone.

“Where is Proctor?”

“He is terribly tired today. I’ll take up the eggs and orange juice.”

After boiling them slowly, she returned to their room.

“You should be honoured dear. Breakfast in bed.”

As she approached he lashed out an arm. As the tray went flying he hissed, “I don’t want that!”

She backed out of the room slowly and dashed to the kitchen.

“Something is terribly wrong Cheryl. He damn well nearly attacked me.”

“In a bad mood is he?”

“A dark one I'd say.”

“Then let him calm down and try again later.”

During that night, the good doctor started complaining of thirst and swallowing spasm he could not explain.

“Just sit tight and I’ll fetch it.”

As she reached the door he said, “Sorry about breakfast. I don’t understand what came over me.”

She smiled back and said, “We all need a dark day once in a while. Even you.”

She soon returned with the glass but as she approached the bed he suddenly went into a violent spasm. As the body bucked, thick white foam spewed from his mouth.

Mandy stopped dead and rushed to the next bedroom.

“Out of bed Cheryl right now!”

“What’s the matter?” the woman yawned.

When she got outside, Mandy dropped her voice.

“It’s Proctor. I’m damn sure he has rabies.”

Cheryl’s face dropped suddenly.

“How can you tell?”

Mandy grabbed her arm and led her inside the bedroom.

The cop stared at the writhing figure.

“Oh drat!”

Proctor was moaning loudly and spitting the foam in all directions.

“You better lock the door.”

When they left, Mandy turned the key.

“See what I mean?”

“He has it. Must have been that dog attack. So what do we know about this?”

Mandy thought back to her medical school days.

“The victim is highly infectious and can become deranged. After that they die off.”

Cheryl nodded.

“Whatever you do don’t go inside unless you are armed.”

“I’ll sleep with you tonight then.”

By dawn the doctor was quite lucid but still complaining of discomfort.

“I can get you some painkillers but...”

He nodded.

“I seem to know why. Even I recognise these symptoms.”

“If only we had not gone.”

He shook his head and smiled.

“Seems as though my nine lives are quite done now.”

Within the hour he was banging upon the door like a madman. White foam spewing like thick lather.

“Let me out of here *****!”

The woman remained outside the room as the kids tended to the pigs.
After many hours they heard him collapse and dashed inside.

“He’s passed out,” the cop muttered.

“Help me to get him in bed,” Mandy muttered.

Working together they managed it and hurried out. When the sun rose
once more he was awake but terribly weak.

“Can I come in now?”

“Of course Mandy,” the voice croaked.

She entered with a bowl and sponge intending to clean up.

“Get out with that!” he howled.

She dashed out and locked the door.

By noon he was sleeping much deeper than usual. After a cursory exam she told Cheryl.

“He’s in a coma so I cleaned up. It won’t be long now.”

“What will you do with the bedding?” Cheryl asked.

“Burn it of course. Along with him.”

Doctor Proctor died at seven that night. As the moon rose a pyre began to consume his mortal remains.

It was ten next morning when the sad camper left the farm. As it drove through a silent countryside little was said.

“Where are we going?” Leslie asked.

“A little place I know,” Mandy said softly. “It’s called Gaspe Peninsula.”

The cop had not heard of that place.

“At least you know where we are going I suppose.”

“It’s not far from the St Lawrence river and overlooks the gulf too. “There is an island there called Anticosti.”

“It seems to remind me of my Cuban idea.”

Mandy smiled.

“Let’s just take a look at it.”

After several hours driving they finally arrived at the coast and saw the great river mouth to their left. Just ahead lay the rather small island.

“Much wildlife there?” Cheryl asked.

“Brown bears you mean?”

The cop shivered.

“That is what I was thinking about.”

“You won’t see them this far south my dear. See that other larger island?”

“I know what that is,” Cheryl boasted. “Newfoundland.”

“You got it in one.”

Mundy pointed to the beach and said, “That’s a rowing boat.”

“You have good eyes,” the cop said.

“I’m wondering if my parent’s farm was a bad idea.”

Cheryl shook her head.

“We have many weapons there now and have proved that it can be defended.”

“You don’t think this island is rather better then?”

The cop shook her head.

“A rowing boat could reach it quite easily my dear. Another thing. When your damn winter arrives, we would be totally cut off. That sounds like a death trap to me.”

“Suppose you are right. I wonder if my net would be useful here?”

Cheryl pointed to the great river.

“We live not too far from Montreal my dear. Why not fish from the river nearby. It’s a lot less wide there.”

Mandy thought it over.

“I’ll have a think about that. After our last trip there, it’s a place to be avoided.”

“Come on kids,” the cop said. “Time to head back now.”

The camper moved off at a leisurely pace, heading back towards the farm. When they arrived, the pyre had burnt itself out at last.

To..be..continued...

I found myself here today,
gazing down at the cold stone.
The snow had almost buried it.
Hidden from curious eyes.

I turned and gazed back at the
ancient church.
Or what remained of it.
Glass shattered by the hand of time.

Even the old wall had been breached.
I peeked inside after walking
over the snow covered grass.
Saw the broken pews.

The shattered cross above the
high alter.
I turned back and walked back to
that cold, heartless stone.

I shook my poor uncovered head.
“What a ruddy waste this.”
I knelt as you do,
scraping the snow away.

Then I saw something that
I already knew.
My own name chiselled
by an expert.

I laughed out loud then,
I grinned from ear to ear.
“At least he got my name right.”
Then I stood and walked away.

The snow continued to fall
as I faded from view.
Just a memory now of course.
So distant in time.

If time has any real meaning.
When summer arrived kids
played among the stones.
A happy dog cocked its leg.

Upon me of course.
I watched with a grin.
“Sums me up completely I suppose.”
Embarrassed woman hustled it away.

I faded once more as another arrived.
An elderly woman this.
Dark hair turned ashen grey.
I returned and watched.

She was different somehow.
Her thin hands holding the
roses that shook gently.
I watched as she struggled down.

She placed them upon me
spoke my name even.
“Goodbye Colin.”
She struggled up and turned.

Then she too froze.
Her elderly, yellow rimmed iris
seemingly able to see me.
“Thanks,” I whispered.

She shook her head in disbelief.
She hobbled out as I gazed
at the woman I used to love.
At my own memory perhaps?

Autumn again I see.
Leaves cover the cold stone
as I stand looking.
Even the church looks worse for wear.

The gentle rain drizzles down
but I don’t care now.
I’m just a ghost after all.
A sad and lonely one at that.

No place to go now.
No one to see.
Even my memory had gone.
Buried somewhere else.

As the rain stopped a
dazzling light appeared upon
that cold, heartless stone.
I wondered.

A face appeared.
Then the shoulders.
Finally the waist and legs.
Flowing dark hair.

“You took long enough.”
She just smiled.
“Ta for the flowers too.”
She smiled again.

A hand went out that I
gripped tightly.
Then I was gone.
Forever this time.

The stone remains however.
Neglected.
Forgotten.
Sculpted name gone.

Rain, sleet, snow,
saw to that.
Old and grey now.
Buried under brambles.

Away from human vision.
I still see it once in a while.
Not too often now.
I’m happy.

Proctor and Mandy lay in bed that night as he explained what he knew about viruses.

“Even though the firepox is still out there my dear, we may still have a chance. You see, in order to thrive it needs human hosts. In a normal society shall we say, human transmission is readily available but take that away, and it dies out.”

“So what did you see when you were at this base?”

The doctor thought back.

“I used uncontaminated blood from the pilot and watched as amplification took place.”

Mandy looked puzzled.

“You will have to explain that one.”

He smiled.

“It simply means the virus multiplies my dear.”

An owl hooted outside and he had a thought.

“Do you have fish in your diet?”

Mandy nodded.

“There is a stream not far from here. Every so often, I throw a net across it. I try not to take too many though. Conservation of supply.”

“Good idea. Look, I’m just going to pop out for a moment. Stretch my legs.”

The rain had stopped by now and as he stood in the yard, he gazed up at the bright moon.

“Looks rather lovely. Who would think a calamity had befallen us?”

A sudden motor engine drew his attention and the appearance of two headlights sparked a terrible memory.

“That’s the damn camper!”

He dashed inside and slammed the door.

“Everyone up now!”

As they appeared, he called up.

“Get the kids to lie upon the bedroom floor. The guys who fired the copter have turned up.”

As the kids were made safe, Proctor and Mandy reached for the M3’s.
The woman grinned.

“Thankfully that gun shop had a few spare.”

Cheryl dashed back with her handgun drawn.

“How many do you think there are?”

“I really don’t know,” Proctor replied. “A camper could easily have two in the front and six in the rear.”

As they waited nervously, the gent’s voice called out.

“We know that you are in there and only want to chat.”

They glanced at each other, recognising the earlier voice.

“What about your sick friend?” Cheryl asked.

“He died I’m afraid. Your fault really.”

Proctor shook his head and whispered, “Don’t believe him. That was obviously a ruse.”

“We told you before,” Mandy shouted. “We can’t risk contact.”

“We just need to chat. There is no harm in that.”

“We are talking,” the doctor reminded him.

“I don’t like talking to a door mate,” the voice said.

“How many of you are there?” Cheryl asked.

There was a short pause.

“About a dozen I’d say.”

Proctor shook his head.

“I only saw the camper out there. He’s bluffing.”

“I’ll give you five minutes then we will just have to persuade you lot further.”

“What the hell do we do?” Mandy asked.

“Is the rear door locked?” Cheryl asked.

“Bolted too,” Mandy replied.

“This is what we will do then,” the cop said. Proctor takes the
kitchen area whilst we defend the lounge.”

“Okay then,” the doctor said dashing off.

“Time up ladies. Open the door.”

Cheryl put her hand on Mandy’s arm and whispered, “When they open up let me listen for a moment. Then we fire toward the flashes.”

Mandy nodded as shots rang through the air.

“Single shots,” Cheryl smiled. “We have the advantage.”

A series of shots blew out the window and the women crawled over.

“Just wait a moment,” the cop said.

From the kitchen, gunfire was heard and Cheryl yelled,” Conserve your ammo!”

“It’s not me!”

A volley struck the thick door and the woman returned the fire. As Cheryl watched, a gunman ran from a bush. She opened up and ducked down quickly.

“At least we got one.”

As the injured man groaned, the heavy rattle of Proctor’s M3 rent the air.

“Any luck?” Mandy called.

“Don’t think so.”

Cheryl glanced up as more lead smashed the wall.

“We should take the fight to them,” Mandy suggested.

The cop shook her head.

“We have a firm defensive position here. We can hold out. Just stay here a bit.”

“Where are you off to?”

Cheryl dashed for the stairs and into the front bedroom. Crouching at the window, she gazed down.

“Perfect view from here.”

She saw four gunmen lying flat and the outline of the waiting camper.

“We have to get our hands on that.”

She heard the rattle of automatic fire and the response. Cheryl suddenly stood and smashed the glass. A volley of bullets lashed out toward the bushes and a few screams was heard.

She waited for the reply but it did not come.

“What they playing at?”

She glanced down and saw that the remaining two appeared to be
edging toward the rear.

“So that’s their game.”

She dashed downstairs and grabbed Mandy.

“Follow me.”

When they reached the kitchen, the doctor was pinned down.

“We managed to take three out front but two more are coming your way.”

“I see Cheryl,” he replied.

They heard shouts as more bullets smacked the rear wall, followed by running.

“We got them,” the cop said lurching up and spraying wildly.

Yells and screams of anguish came in rapid succession as the cop cheered.

“Got the sods. Outside now.”

After unbolting the door, they dashed out to check injured.

“These three are dead,” Proctor whispered.

When they reached the front, they found the earlier visitor alive and groaning softly.

“He’s badly wounded,” the doctor said.

Cheryl gave him a kick.

“Why attack us?”

The gent shook his head weakly.

“He needs a hospital,” Mandy said.

“We don’t have one,” he replied.

Cheryl gazed down and simply blew his brains out.

“We should bury them somewhere,” she muttered. “The kids can’t see this.”

Her friends nodded and helped remove them to a patch of earth at the edge of the farm. After digging a hole, the bodies were simply tossed inside.

“I’m off to check the camper,” the cop said as the others looked on.

“Quite ruthless isn’t she,” Mandy whispered.

“I guess in this world you have to be.”

When Cheryl reached the cab, she saw the keys in the dash. Within the living area, she found cans of food and an arsenal of weaponry. Smiling to herself, she gunned the engine and brought it to the rear of the building.

As she entered the lounge, she showed them the keys.

“We have more than enough weapons now she said. We should store them
in here. Just in case others fancy having a go.”

“Who were they?” Mandy asked.

Cheryl shook her head.

“Who cares anyway?”
...
Within the CDC itself, Ned and Jenkins had waited for a call from the Raleigh government facility. When it never came, they checked.

“That doctor never arrived,” Ned muttered.

“You think something happened?”

“Seems like it. At least we taped his call. We had better review it.”

After listening to the doctor’s voice, they gazed at each other.

“I think we should repeat his experiment,” Jenkins suggested. “We
have mice here and you could use my blood.”

“Sounds good to me,” Ned replied.

After taking a sample, they returned to the lab once more. As they plodded within their suits Ned said, “We could well be onto a
breakthrough with this.”

“That’s what I hope,” Jenkins replied. “Just a damn pity the doc was not here.”

After preparing tissue, they infected it with their super virus and then watched the rapid amplification.

“Now to add two drops of your blood.”

He did so and watched for a moment. Then his face fell.

“The damn thing destroyed the host cells again.”

A thought struck his colleague.

“The doc was dealing with the original virus right?”

“He was.”

“We have samples of that here. Let’s repeat it.”

As Ned prepared another culture, his colleague was placing the scalpel inside the washer. As he did this, his fingers slipped.

“Oh sod it!”

Jenkins turned.

“What’s the matter?”

“I cut my glove that’s all. No harm done really.”

As he turned the washer on, a strange burning sensation struck. He
reeled and started coughing violently. Jenkins dropped what he was doing and scrambled over.

“You have it!”

As his friend collapsed, Jenkins cradled him. He watched as his super virus turned the face black, before it crumpled into ash.
Jenkins stood silently. Glancing around the lab, he saw the red light flashing.

“Oh that is just marvellous,” he hissed. “The ruddy virus is free and I’m sealed inside.”

This was a normal emergency system of course, but it meant one thing. Jenkins was going nowhere.

He felt his air supply being cut off by the computer, to prevent his exhalation getting beyond the lab.

“Oh sod this.”

He waited until his suit supply ran out before pulling the helmet off. As he breathed in, he too felt the first effects.

“What a damn way to go.”

He saw his skin produce the red blotches and the violent pain of the interior burning. As white smoke poured from his face, he collapsed upon the floor.

Outside that chamber, a pleasant electronic voice stated to no human listener, “Bio level Six sealed.”

The night wore on until the sun rose again.

That day would see yet another miscalculation.

The car had driven through the night and the young couple watched, as the pleasant countryside whisked past.

“Should be lovely today,” she said.

“As long as the rain stays off eh?”

They followed the track towards the stream and stopped.

“I think we should rest here for a while,” he whispered.

“That’s lovely Yardley.”

He gazed upon his young companion Zara. He had found her inside an
old train, just one of ten. She had come along happily of course. He was so charming after all.

“Fancy a quickie?” she asked grinning.

“What’s so exciting about a quickie may I ask?”

“We reach the plateau faster of course.”

He smiled as she plonked her rear upon his thighs.

“At least allow me to get him out first.”

She giggled loudly and opened the driver’s door.

“We need some fresh air.”

He managed to remove himself and tried to think of something interesting.

“I know what you need,” she whispered.

She reached down and started rubbing him across the crotch less region.

“This always works.”

He just looked and remained silent.

“Had many girlfriends?”

“About six I think. Only one of them was serious though.”

She squeezed gently and he groaned as entry was achieved.

“There my boy. You just relax and let me do all the work.”

She adjusted herself before doing what comes natural. As they groaned sweetly, the pack approached the stationary vehicle.

“I’m nearly there,” she gasped.

He was about to reply when a loud growl made them both turn and look.

“Oh crikey!” he yelled as the dogs leapt at the open car door.

Savage teeth gripped and tore as the couple fought for their young lives. One of the dogs tore his manhood off, as others sank their teeth and dragged them outside.

As arms and legs flailed helplessly, the pack tore them asunder before settling down to feast at their leisure...Continues Wed...

ta...

It was 2010 when I saved my daddy.
Mummy sat in bed two texting to
her secret lover as daddy lay sleeping.
He was ill that day.

As I watched from the headrest,
I saw his face turn blue as he stopped breathing.
I dashed to the sofa and clawed his head.
There was no response.

Just a terrifying silence.
I ran through the open lounge door,
my paws scrambling over the carpet.
Then I saw the bedroom door was closed.

“Mommy,” I squealed.
When no reply came I clawed the door.
After a few moments mommy opened it.
“What’s wrong with you?”

I pointed my nose.
“Daddy’s gone!”
I dashed back toward the lounge.
Then stopped and stared at her.

“Come on mummy!”
She looked funny and followed.
Then she saw daddy. Cold and blue.
She simply looked.

I watched as she turned daddy’s head.
As she waited for the breath of life
to start again.
When it did, she went back again to
her secret texting.

Daddy woke soon after and mummy told him
of what I’d done.
“You saved me sweetheart?”
I purred and nodded.

“Oh, that deserves two treats.”
Daddy was so pleased as I ate them.
Unaware of what mummy was up to.
Really aware that I had saved him.

I love my daddy...

“What the hell happened here?” Proctor exclaimed as they drew up after the two day drive south.

Dashing inside the hotel, he was rather relieved to see Cheryl and the kids.

“We had a spot of bother. Where’s French?”

Proctor shook his head as Mandy entered.

“Mandy has kindly offered to let us stay at her Canadian farm. I think we should accept it. We have to take care of ourselves now.”

Cheryl nodded.

“How about the squad car?”

“Leave it behind of course,” Proctor replied.

It took three days to get back, and when the kids saw the farm, their eyes brightened.

“I keep some cows, sheep and of course pigs,” Mandy explained.

“She is also a damn good nurse,” the doctor added.

As they entered the lounge, Mandy said helpfully, “I’ll show you the bed arrangements.”

She took them to the second floor.

“The kids can sleep here. Cheryl will have the next room, whilst I and Proctor share the end.”

“Fine by me,” Cheryl said.

After an impromptu meal, Cheryl took everyone out to the farmstead. Entering the cowshed, she pointed.

“The stalls may look cruel but it makes feeding much easier. As you see here, there are three milk and three meat cattle. Let me show you the pigsty.”

Across the yard the pigs played happily within the fenced off box.

“I rear these for meat mainly. Now the sheep are over here.”

Within another large barn, the sheep sat and fed upon the fresh hay.

“I do this again for convenience you understand. As for the rota, the kids can help feed the animals whilst myself and Proctor attend to running repairs."

“What repairs?” the doctor asked.

“I want to open up the field but the tractor does not go you see. Could you look it over?”

“I’ll try. Though fuel might be a problem.”

Mandy shook her head.

“I have forty gallons in situ. We can always pilfer new supplies.”

“You seem to have worked everything out,” Cheryl said.

“Alone like myself? You have to.”

As the kids helped Cheryl with the animal feed, Proctor had a go at the tractor.

“Have you a steel brush?”

When she found one, he thanked her.

“The spark plugs need a brush up,” he explained slowly removing them.

After the clinker was removed, he put them back carefully.

“Now try it.”

Mandy turned the key and yelped as the engine fired.

“You damn well did it.”

“I’ll eh clean up. Do you intend to open the field today?”

She gazed at the fading light.

“It’ll wait till sun up I think. We have all done well today.”

As the sun set, they sat within the lounge and Mandy produced yet another French red.

“I keep a well stocked cellar.”

When the tired kids were put to bed, the adults discussed things.

“What do you think will happen now?” Cheryl asked the doctor.

“A gradual slide backwards I should think. The days of television
and computers are truly over.”

“You really think that?” Mandy asked.

“My new virus could have saved our species but those damn fools saw to that. The CDC is in a bind, and central government has apparently ceased. I can see no other future.”

“What of our chances?” Cheryl asked.

The doctor looked grim.

“At the station, I found that the firepox virus is as lethal as ever. None of us has protection you see. As long as we remain isolated of course, we should be quite safe.”

“No more field trips then,” Mandy commented.

“Unless we have to,” Proctor muttered.

Cheryl yawned rather loudly.

“I’m off to bed then.”
...
An hour had passed and Proctor was fast asleep. A sudden thought passed through the mind of Mandy.

“I forgot about that.”

She crept to the wardrobe and selected a light blue baby doll nightdress. Creeping to Cheryl’s room, she knocked gently.

“Sorry to disturb but I brought this.”

Cheryl had been sitting upon the bed thinking.

“This was my father’s room you see.”

“Thanks for bringing it.”

As the officer undressed, the host sat upon the bed chatting.

“Do you really think it will be as bleak as Proctor thinks?”

Cheryl nodded.

“He’s a realist...Oh my...”

“What’s up?”

“This doesn’t really cover me.”

Mandy laughed softly and stood.

“Turn around and do a twirl.”

As she did so, Mandy tapped her buttocks playfully.

“You look better out of uniform.”

“You think so?”

Mandy smiled.

“I’ll get you proper farm clothes in the morning. After all, the cop
days are gone.”

Cheryl thought for a moment.

“Is the M3 still in the boot?”

“Of course it is.”

“I want it out tomorrow then. We need weapons like that.”

Mandy sat upon the bed again and the officer joined her.

“How much ammo have you got?”

“Only one clip I’m afraid.”

“We have a gun shop in Montreal that may help there. It’s only two
miles away.”

“I’ll come with you then,” Cheryl suggested.

“Would be glad of the company.”

Cheryl tried adjusting the short gown.

“Damn thing exposes bits that I don’t want to be on view.”

Mandy laughed and cuddled her warmly.

“They are meant to be on view my girl.”

Their breasts crushed together as Cheryl detected a strong scent.

“What’s that you are wearing?”

Mandy released her.

“It’s musk, want to smell?”

Before the officer could decline, the young woman pulled her bed
gown off and lifted a naked breast.

“I think it is lovely.”

Cheryl sniffed at the exposed gland as Mandy simply beamed.

“It is certainly distinctive.”

Mandy lifted the front of Cheryl’s dress and sniffed at her stomach.

“I love that natural odour don’t you?”

Cheryl was rather confused.

“What is actually happening here?”

Mandy became serious as she gazed into the officer’s eyes.

“Something that we both need I think.”

She gently pushed Cheryl to the bed and rolled over. Separating the
thighs, she pushed her head in between.

Cheryl closed her eyes as an expert tongue worked upon her. Strong but warm fingers moulded the naked breasts gently, as the mouth worked slowly.

“Oh no...”

“Oh yes...” Mandy hissed.

Cheryl suddenly felt herself go as Mandy held the bucking hips down.
When it was finished, the minx slid up and took one of the officer’s hands.

Cheryl allowed it to glide between the thighs, and to that secret place. Mandy held it there as the cop stroked slowly.

“Oh my word...” the minx hissed.

Cheryl increased the pace until Mandy took the hand firmly and pressed it a little lower.

“I need it inside...”

As the fingers penetrated, the young woman groaned loudly before
collapsing onto her.
...
The day after the Montreal trip Cheryl and the kids had gone to muck out the cowshed when they saw one of the three cattle sitting upon collapsed rear haunches.

“Go get Mandy,” the officer urged.

When she and Proctor returned, she recognised the symptoms at once.

“The feed must be contaminated.”

“What’s wrong with it?” Leslie asked.

“BSE love. Go take the kids indoors and bring your gun out Cheryl.”

When she returned, the farmer put the animal out of its misery.

“I better unlock the rear and bring the tractor over. I’ll need a hand from you two.”

Fitting the scoop was a bit complicated, but within twenty minutes the tractor appeared.

“Stand behind her and shove,” Mandy urged.

As the scoop slid under the body, her friends and lovers pushed hard. The scoop lifted, and the corpse was deposited upon the lower field.

“What happens now?” Proctor asked.

A sudden roar answered that question as thick black smoke rose skyward. Mandy was just returning when she saw the gent walking into the drive.

“Damn it!”

She pointed the handgun menacingly and shouted, “Stop right there mister!”

“I just need your help that’s all.”

Keeping their distance Proctor asked, “What seems to be the problem?”

“One of my party has a high fever. I reckon he has appendicitis.”

“Sorry can’t help,” Mandy said sharply.

“We dare not risk it,” the doctor explained.

The gent’s eyes fell.

“You mean that you won’t.”

“If you like,” the nurse replied. “We have kids here you see. We must protect them now.”

The visitor nodded and left quietly, as the party breathed a sigh of relief.

“We still have mucking out to do,” Mandy reminded them.

When the kids returned, they helped with this as Mandy took the tractor to open up the promised field. Attaching the plough, she was soon cutting the surface open. As the skies darkened however, she stopped.

“Looks like rain coming,” she muttered.

As she reached her party, the heavens truly opened up. They were all
laughing as they raced indoors.

“No more work for today,” Mundy said happily.

“Call this the pleasures of farming?” Proctor muttered.

“This place has kept me going. We should be all right.

All thoughts of the strange visitor had gone now, as the storm raged on. A mile distant, the gent sat inside the camper smiling.

“Only three adults there. We can take them tonight.”..Continues Friday.

ta...

“So what do we have here eh? A looting cop.”

“We were trying to escape you two,” Cheryl said coldly.

“Take the kids to our pad Konrad.”

“Okay Wolfie.”

As he grabbed them, Cheryl pushed him back.

“Keep your hands off them.”

Wolfie pushed the muzzle toward her.

“He’s going to take good care of them.”

As they were led out, the youth looked her over.

“What you doing here anyway?”

“Trying to get a big shot to the CDC.”

Wolfie glanced around.

“I don’t see him here.”

“He went north with the military. Should be back shortly.”

Wolfie sneered.

“You must think that I was born yesterday mam. Turn around slowly.”

She pivoted and felt the cuffs being removed.

“Hands behind your back now and remember, any funny business and...”

He left the threat open as she complied. When the cuffs locked, he seemed to relax.

“Get over by the wall.”

He pushed her roughly until her face was pressed against it.

“What do you intend doing with me?”

“You’ll find out.”

He put the weapon down and unzipped the trousers. As she protested,
they were pulled to her ankles.

“You don’t need to do this.”

“Always fancied humping a cop mam. No hard feelings eh?”

As her undergarment was lowered, he readied himself.

“Now lean your *** toward me.”

She did so slowly and felt him push inside.

“Just don’t climax...”

“So ruddy tight as well,” he moaned.

As he pushed hard and slow against her, Cheryl stood bent and silent.

“Oh lovely...”

“Enjoying it are we?” she hissed.

“Best for year’s mam. Oh yes...Here it comes now...”

She felt the organ ripple within her, and the warm fluid flowing freely.”

“Now you’ve done it mate.”

He slid out and stepped back a moment.

“I sure have my dear.”

Her eyes saw him bending to do himself up again. As he did so, she sidestepped and a foot lashed out. Wolfie yelped and went down hard.

Cheryl gave him no time to react. She turned on him, a left foot smashing upon his exposed throat. As she stamped down, a faint crack was heard. Wolfie’s head fell sideways as he stared toward the ceiling.

“Now to get my ruddy cuffs off.”

Cheryl raised her hands and freed the keys. After dropping them, she knelt and took them into her mouth. Then she lowered and after a bit of hassle, stepped through.

Bringing the hands up again, she inserted the key and turned. The cuffs clicked open and she took the key from her mouth.

“So long sucker.”

Cheryl pulled her clothes together and grabbed the weapon, as well as the M3.

“So let’s go find this pad then.”

At the warehouse door, she peeked out calmly.

“I suppose that it could be the store.”

After checking carefully, she dashed across the street and stopped
by the front wall. Glancing inside she spotted the second assailant and winced.

“The damn kids are too close.”

She thought for a moment and said, “I know what.”

Raising the muzzle, she fired off a few rounds and waited. A moment later the surprised youth came gunning through the door.

“Freeze your ***.”

He stopped dead.

“For pity sake don’t shoot.”

Cheryl pressed the muzzle to his back and whispered, “Just walk.”

Once inside the warehouse, Konrad spotted his friend’s smashed body.

“Oh no...”

“Oh yes...Now kneel.”

He did so and the weapon butt smashed him unconscious.

Cheryl dashed back to the store and took the frightened kids quickly out again.

“Come on you two, we have to find replace that tyre.”

When it was done, they returned to the hotel where the cop bolted the doors.

“When will they be back?” Leslie asked.

“I really don’t know,” she replied. “The sooner the better eh?”

The hours slowly ticked by...

Proctor had worked for eleven solid hours splicing and dicing until he was ready for the test.

“Just add a splodge of untainted blood, then a dash of my new virus and...”

He watched for signs of multiplication but none came. He smiled before dashing into the rest area.

“We have done it mate. I need to talk to the damn CDC.”

The pilot smiled.

“We can radio from here to Northern Command. It’s a hardened bunker and should still be functioning.”

When they reached the radio room, an astonished officer asked, “How did you get up there?”

“Never you mind,” French said impatiently. “I need a patch through to the CDC.”

After a moment, they came through. The doctor came on the line.

“Look, I’ve managed to create a benign virus that turns the protein receptors off. I need to have it mass-produced. Are there any government labs still operating?”

“I’ll just check.”

There was a pregnant pause and after five minutes, the reply came.

“We have a fermentation site at Raleigh. It’s a secure unit and should be okay.”

“Are you sure there are people there?” the doctor asked.

“I’ll put a call through. Stay on the line.”

Another minute passed.

“They are ready and waiting doctor.”

“So how do I find this building?”

“Just go south five miles and you’ll see the department of defence sign. It’s an underground complex.”

“That’s great news, out.”

He turned to the pilot.

“We can go now. We have this ruddy thing beat. Did you refuel?”

“Hours ago mate.”

As the copter rose, another arctic storm rolled toward the dead base.

“Can we go straight there?” Proctor asked.

The pilot shook his head.

“We have to stop at that airbase again for fuel. Unless of course you fancy flying home.”

The doctor grinned as the copter hurtled on.

“There she is,” French muttered.

“It looks just as quiet,” Proctor commented.

As they landed safely beside the fuel pumps, French climbed out.

“Won’t take too long now.”

He opened the tank and inserted the nozzle before pressing the lever hard. As fuel spewed out, the doctor decided to stretch his stiff legs.

“I’m just off for a stroll now.”

He slowly walked away from the copter toward the nearby military hanger.

“I wonder what’s in there?”

He was just about to reach it when the pilot shouted.

“We have company!”

Proctor turned and saw a camper van hurtling across the tarmac.

“Who the hell are they?”

The camper window rolled down and seconds later, gunfire raked the copter and its pilot.

The doctor watched in horror, as both were enveloped within an expanding ball of flame.

“Ruddy fools!”

He glared as the camper swung around and a burst struck his right arm.

As he collapsed in agony, the camper moved off toward more mayhem.

Proctor lay writhing as the copter burned brightly.

He did not know how long he lay there. It seemed like hours. He heard a vehicle engine and saw it rolling toward him. A young woman climbed out and ran over. Despite the injury He did notice the long black hair and the pleasant green eyes of the twenty-five year old.

“Are you okay? I saw the fire and decided to check it out.”

“They got my arm.”

She helped him sit up.

“I was a nurse by the way. Can you stand?”

“I’ll damn well try.”

She helped him toward the small car and lowered him inside gently.

As it took off she asked, “You part of the military?”

Proctor shook his head.

“Just a civilian doctor who was carrying our last hope. Those crazies wrecked that.”

She glanced at him.

“You had a vaccine?”

He nodded painfully.

“The only one we have. It took me eleven damn hours.”

“What a shame. You were lucky not to be in that copter.”

The doctor shook his head sadly.

“The pilot bought it.”

“Oh I am sorry. Here we are.”

The car pulled onto a small farm and she helped the doctor out. As she sat him down in the kitchen, she introduced herself.

“I’m Mandy by the way.”

“Doctor Proctor.”

She helped remove the bloodstained top and felt around the wound.

“You have a round in there. Feel free to scream.”

“I’ll try not to.”

She returned with tweezers and after a short dig managed to remove the bullet.

“Looks like an automatic got you. I’ll clean this up for you.”

As she washed and dressed the wound Proctor asked, “Any family.”

“All dead I’m afraid. Long before the plague. You?”

“None that I know off. There is a cop and two kids in Raleigh that I have to get to.”

“We can move out in two days if you want.”

“That would be lovely.”

“This cure...Can’t you make some more?”

“That’s all I had I’m afraid. The samples that helped create it are in the Arctic.”

“When was the last time you washed?”

“Can’t remember.”

“I’ll run the bath for you. Just don’t get that bandage wet.”

As he hobbled after her, she filled the small tub.

“I’ll help with these,” she muttered undoing his trousers.

“Can’t I help?”

She grinned.

“I’m a nurse. Nothing shocks me anymore.”

As he stepped in, she had a change of mind.

“You better not sit down eh? I’ll wash you standing up.”

She lathered the soap and began scrubbing his back.

“You are the first person that I have seen in a month.”

“Glad you stayed. Is this your place?”

“It was my parent’s originally.”

The soap reached his full buttocks and she washed and kneaded carefully.

“I’ll bring your friends back here if you want?”

Proctor smiled as she washed his legs.

“That would be nice. I just hope they are okay.”

“All done...Turn around.”

“Eh, not such a good idea really.”

She gripped him tightly and gently turned the misbehaving patient.
The poor man blushed a brilliant red.

Mandy saw the reason for his embarrassment.

“My oh my doctor. I seem to have turned you on.”

“Sorry about this Mandy.”

“Never mind, we shall just have to get rid of that.”

He was rather astonished as she took a firm hold and began jerking quickly.

“Do you have to?”

“Just stand and enjoy it. Then I’ll finish the wash.”

He tried to think of something cold like ice cream, but the sensations mounted toward the inevitable conclusion.

“Right now,” the nurse said brightly. “Shall we resume?”

After washing his chest and lower regions, she helped him out again before drying the tanned skin.

“I’ll help you dress now.”

When it was over, she helped him into the well-kept lounge.

“Sit down and I’ll find us a bite to eat.”

The actual meal was a cold one of course. Pork taken from the farm followed up by freshly baked bread and strawberry jam.

“Fancy a wine?”

The doctor nodded.

“You seem well suited to the solitary life,” he muttered.

“I should be doctor. I’ve never married you see.”

She returned with a full bottle and two glasses.

“I hope you love a French red?”

The doctor winced at the name but nodded anyway.

They drank slowly and her story came out in dribs and drabs.

“When it began I was at the local infirmary. Just before the troops sealed it off though, I was sent out to help the sick inside their homes.”

“You were lucky then. I was sealed inside mine.”

“Well, after a week things fell apart and when I went back, everyone inside the infirmary was dead. So I came on here.”

“Things are quieter now,” the doctor muttered. “I wonder where that gunman came from?”

Mandy shrugged her shoulders.

“An outsider I would think. No one around here is armed.”

“There are survivors here?”

“Over a thousand I’d say doctor. We are not quite extinct yet you know.”

The sun slowly set and the bottle was nearly empty.

“Where do you want me to put my head?”

Mandy smiled.

“You are sleeping with me mate. After all, you have a favour to
return. One armed or not.”

The night passed and a new day dawned...

Post just after midnight British Summer Time...

Ta...Mond refers to BST..

I hate myself for doing this but...1/10.

You really need to put in more information..Like your interests, what you are looking for here, a tit bit about your likes and dislikes, and perhaps a little info on what you are doing today..

Try writing it in comedy style..That would certainly help...

Cheryl grabbed hold of the two kids as the voice stepped into view from the inner corridor. He was tall, six foot, and very slim. His kind face glanced down at the shotgun.

“Hey man,” Proctor said. “We are just looking for a place to bed down.”

“Where you from?”

Cheryl looked him over, noting the military style boots.

“Came down from Washington. Look, I’m a real cop.”

“You seem tame enough.”

He suddenly became rather awkward and lowered the threatening barrel.

“Sorry about the hardware. Had some trouble.”

He walked over to the bar and stepped behind it. They watched him take a glass and fill it with bourbon.

“I’m Cheryl and this here is Doctor Proctor.”

The chap took a long swig.

“A doctor eh? Where were you when this lot went down?”

“Trapped inside a hospital. I do like to know whom I’m addressing.”

The chap smiled.

“USN pilot French at your service.”

“How long have you been here?” Cheryl asked.

“About seven weeks I suppose. Hell, I have the copter out rear.”

“You just flew off?” Proctor asked.

“Course I did. The world was going to hell man. You see, I was there at the start.”

The doctor glanced at the cop.

“I think you have a story to tell.”

The pilot swigged and smiled.

“I took a team to Arctic One to check on them. When we got there though, everyone was dead. So we came away and left it to the CDC to run their investigation.”

The doctor sighed loudly.

“So that is where it came from.”

“Sure did. My co-pilot coughed you see. He was heading back to Washington to start his holiday.”

“We had the first outbreak in Washington.”

“Damn right you did. The CDC abandoned going to Arctic One in order
to concentrate upon that.”

The doctor suddenly brightened.

“I don’t need to go to the CDC after all then.”

“You were heading there?” French asked.

“I wanted to check something. Now my plan has changed drastically.”

Cheryl suddenly realised what he meant.

“You are not thinking about going there I hope.”

“Don’t you see,” Proctor said. “The original virus will be there.
What we are dealing with is a mutation. Eh...Its offspring if you like.”

“What would be the point?” French asked.

The doctor took a swig of his drink and carried on.

“I’m no virologist but I know how things work you see. Most viruses
have protein receptors that link to our own. A kind of key if you like. Once inside, they hijack the cell and it produces duplicates.”

“I can follow that,” French grinned.

“Ah but wait and hear this. The RNA makes mistakes. Each new virus particle is different from its mom so to speak.”

“So how does that help us?” Cheryl asked.

“The progenitor could hold the key to defeating this contagion.”

The pilot laughed.

“A little late don’t you think?”

“Better late than never my mom used to say.”

“You’ll never make it there,” Cheryl protested.

Proctor tapped the pilot’s arm.

“He can take me.”

“Now hold on mate. I don’t know how I survived this, and you want me to stick my head inside the lion’s den a second time?”

The doctor shook his head.

“Everyone alive so far is a freak. In any disease outbreak, certain genetic markers protect certain individuals. It’s a kind of insurance against extinction.”

“So you are telling me that this thing can’t cook me?”

“Yes French. That’s precisely what I’m saying.”

The pilot thought it over as Cheryl glanced between them.

“Wait a second. The kids can’t go.”

“You will have to stay behind and protect them here,” Proctor said. “When I finish at this base we will head back for you.”

“I have enough fuel to reach the Canadian border. We can pick up more at the airbase outside Montreal.”

“How about getting back?” Cheryl asked.

“The arctic base has its own supply. That’s not really a problem.”

The doctor toasted him as Mundy yawned.

“Can we go to bed now?”

French smiled.

“Upstairs and first on left. We can leave around eleven mate.”

As the glasses clinked, the tired cop took the kids to their sleeping quarters.

The pilot glanced at Proctor.

“This had better be worth it doc.”

The kid’s waived farewell as the military copter took to the air.

“No need to look nervous doc. I did this for a living.”

“That’s what worries me.”

The flight to Montreal was long and rather boring. When they refuelled at the abandoned airbase, they headed north once more.

As they crossed the frozen tundra, the pilot said rather absentmindedly, “I forgot to say mate. We found one of the snowmobiles gone. Seems as though one of the team perished in the snow.”

“You didn’t try and find him?”

The pilot shook his head.

“Not my call.”

After many hours, the copter settled down on the icy pad and they dashed into the brightly lit but lifeless base.

“Where do you want to go?” the pilot asked.

“Preferably the lab.”

“This way then mate.”

Proctor followed the pilot deeper inside the base until they entered the lab room. The doctor saw the smelly goo upon the table and shook his head.

“This must have been the original sample. Far too decomposed now though.”

“How about this scope?” French suggested.

The doctor wandered over and gazed into the viewer.

“It’s been preserved. This scientist knew what he was doing alright.”

French coughed.

“It was a she by the way.”

“Never mind that. Hmm...”

He gazed down, trying to remember his med school days.

“Anything interesting doc?”

“This is certainly the mom alright. It’s the craziest virus that
I’ve seen though.”

“I don’t quite follow.”

The doc looked up.

“It’s built like all RNA viruses but with a crucial difference.”

“Which is?”

“The damn thing uses DNA.”

“Like what we have got?” French asked.

“Exactly I’m afraid. The double helix is undeniable.”

The pilot saw the look upon his face.

“That’s bad news right?”

“It damn well is mate. We need a bio weapon to deal with this sob.”

He stepped back and placed his hand to his quivering mouth.

“What could kill it?”

“Well French...Ultra violet or extreme radiation is deadly to DNA
organisms. Problem is, we can’t use that solution. Even if we could.”

“So how about those protein receptors you told us about.”

“They are all there. Exactly like an RNA virus particle. Our problem now is how to fit a different lock.”

The pilot knew a little about protection and made a suggestion.

“We produce antibodies right?”

“Spot on. When the body identifies a threat it creates them.”

“So these antibodies are taken from blood and used to produce vaccines,” French continued.

“That’s correct. We use eggs to grow it.”

The pilot smiled.

“What’s so funny?”

“The solution has been staring us in the face all along then. We must have those antibodies.”

Sadly, the doctor knew better.

“I examined blood from those who had been exposed, and saw no sign of them. Sorry to blow such a great idea to bits.”

“Which means this thing simply hasn’t gotten to us yet then.”

“That is what I think. Now doctor, how do we create a bio weapon here?”

He gazed around at the lab and scratched his head in puzzlement.

“What do we need?” the pilot asked.

“A few more samples would certainly help.”

He spotted the freezer and opened the door.

“Good girl...We got some here. I’ll start making up slides. You had better roll your arm down.”

“You want my blood?”

Proctor glanced at him.

“Just a drop will do. Hope that you are not squeamish.”

Proctor put on a facemask, and the airman winced as the sample was taken. He watched as three drops were placed upon the waiting slide.

“Now let’s see.”

As Proctor watched, the virus rapidly multiplied within the sample.

“We are certainly not immune.”

He stepped back again.

“I still need something to turn the receptor off though.”

He gazed back toward the freezer and walked towards it once more.

As he looked inside, he spotted some mouse samples. Returning them to the table, he extracted some material and added the virus. He watched with fascination as it destroyed the host.

“Pretty quick worker I see. Now what would happen if...”

He added a sample of the unpolluted blood and watched the result.

“Now that is rather interesting.”

“What’s it doing?” the pilot asked.

“Not a lot mate. I need to splice some genes to create a new variant. Hmm...”

He looked around the lab and saw the device he needed. Smiling
happily, he took his slides over.

“This will take about twelve hours of hard work, so just take a nap eh?”

The airman wandered off, as Doctor Proctor set to work slowly.
...
After telling the kids a few stories, Cheryl had a sudden thought.

“Look kids we need to get fuel or else our trip to Cuba is off.”

“We were told to stay here,” Leslie reminded her.

“It won’t be far. What we need is an old-fashioned crank pump. In this backwater they just may have one.”

The squad car came to life and drew out of the hotel car park slowly. As they headed south, she quickly spotted a useful garage.

She pulled in and found the old-fashioned pump. It took roughly ten minutes to fill the tank, but it was certainly worthwhile.

“Already to head back are we?”

“Yes mam,” the kids replied.

Cheryl swung the car around and drove slowly toward the hotel. At a junction, two shots rang out and the car slewed.

“Everyone out now!”

She threw open the doors and the kids leapt out. As she arrived, she pushed their heads down.

“Why is someone shooting at us?” Mundy asked.

“They damn well took the front tyre out,” the cop hissed drawing the weapon.

Another shot rang out and the rear window shattered.

“We cannot stay here like stool pigeons,” she muttered.

She gazed around to their rear and saw a large warehouse opposite.

“See over there,” she pointed.

“Yes we can.”

“When I say, run for it and go inside.”

Cheryl counted three and leaping up unleashed a barrage of covering fire.

“Run for it!”

She joined the kids as they ran, her hail of bullets throwing the attackers off guard. As they shut the warehouse door, bullets smashed into it.

“We must look for a rear exit,” she hissed.

She grabbed their hands and ran toward the rear. As she gazed at the solid wall, Leslie whimpered, “There is no way out Cheryl. We are trapped.”

They swung around as the front door was kicked in, and two youths dashed inside armed with M3 automatic weapons. The trained cop knew that the game was well and truly up.

“We surrender!”

The youths looked at their catch and lowered the muzzles...Continues Mond...

Washington was silent now. It had been twelve terrible weeks since the tragedy at Arctic One, and much had happened since. The very fabric of society had been torn asunder by the firepox virus, but some had been luckier than others.

When the sunlight woke him up at last, Doctor Proctor yawned rather loudly. For a moment, he could not quite figure out where he was. Then he glanced around at the deserted candy shop.

“Another hellish day.”

He climbed from the sleeping bag he had freed and rolled it up before tucking it away in his backpack. He ignored the confectionary and stepped into the bright glare.

His eyes at once fell upon the deserted cars that littered the streets. They were not quite empty though. The rotten remains of the victims lay within.

As he passed a school bus, he glanced away. Even his medical curiosity lay dormant now. He had seen far too much since escaping the hospital.

As each patient and staff member had perished, he had finally locked himself in the morgue. After a week of famine, he had stepped out to find a sea of rotting corpses.

Even the military blockade had gone. Only bits of flesh and black ash blowing in the gentle breeze. He had called out but there was no response.

Now he shook his head and walked toward the southern edge of that once great city.

“What the hell do I do now?”

A sudden gunshot forced him to dive behind an old Buick.

“Could be remnants of the military I suppose.”

He peeked out at the street and waited. Then a second shot rang out.

“Sounds as though it’s coming from that YMCA place. Better check this out.”

He dashed across the street and hurtled into the foyer. It was empty. Even the stairs to the upper floor were silent.

“Who’s there?”

He waited with thumping heart for a human reply. In his fevered mind, any voice would do.

“I heard the two shots.”

A pleasant female voice shouted down.

“Come up here where I can see you.”

He took a breath before climbing the steps. As he reached the open door, a handgun was shoved in his face.

He relaxed as he saw the police uniform.

“I’m unarmed. Thought you lot had copped it.”

She shook her head.

“There is still a few of us around. I’m Cheryl by the way.”

The doctor introduced himself and told his sad story.

“So what you doing here?” he asked.

“Just clearing up that’s all.”

He glanced around at the doss house, the silent beds.

“Shooting rats?”

She shook her head.

“Last two blokes here had the illness. I was just delivering mercy.”

He understood of course but had a bigger question.

“Have you heard anything concerning the CDC?”

“Not a peep doc. Even the White House went quiet.”

“Damn shame. I was counting on those guys to come up with a solution.”

The cop laughed.

“To stop this you mean? The whole ruddy world went under. A couple of docs working in bio labs would not have helped.”

“They must have been trying.”

“Yeah...Like they tried in to eliminate H5N1...The birds still died.”

“So where will you go now?”

Cheryl looked him over.

“I have this crackpot idea of heading to Cuba via the Florida panhandle.”

He smiled.

“Sounds perfectly sane to me. Mind if I tag along?”

She put the weapon safely inside her holster and muttered, “Please yourself.”

When they got outside, she walked over to a food store and collected just enough tins to keep them going. At the medicine counter, she took painkillers that the doc recommended.

“Getting a car should be no problem,” he commented.

She smiled.

“My station ain’t that far. We can borrow one of theirs. Technically
I’m still on duty.”

The station was only three blocks down and finding the keys proved easy enough. As the engine revved he glanced at the full tank.

“At least we can get there.”

The car pulled out and headed south towards Richmond, Virginia.
...
Deep within the CDC, two virologists entered the bio level six containment area dressed in regulation space suits. A long cord provided a safe supply of air as they walked toward the specimen cage.

“This is the latest batch of the super toxin,” Jenkins said calmly. “It should work within seconds.”

His gloved hands removed the needle, and his colleague opened the mouse cage.

“Now just stay still,” Jenkins muttered as the injection was made.

They placed the animal back inside its cage, and closed it quickly. As they watched, the white mouse started gasping before keeling over. Red blotches rapidly appeared before the white fur turned black. Moments later the animal lay still.

Jenkins prodded with his glass tube and the body disintegrated completely.

“Turned to ash I see.”

His colleague Ned was rightly impressed.

“Let’s hope this version does not escape from here then.”

Jenkins smiled.

“No chance of that mate. By creating this super version, we could yet defeat this thing. Then the problems really start.”

“How to deliver it?”

“Quite right. The medical profession has been smashed. Don’t worry though, we will find a way.”

They stepped outside before disengaging the cord. Returning to a washer, their suits were thoroughly cleaned before they reached the changing room.

It took twenty minutes, but they were soon back in their everyday clothes. Above this level, everyone else was dead. Only these two forgotten virologists stood between man, and the jaws of extinction.

A heavy rain descended as sunset arrived.

“Richmond is less than a mile,” Cheryl said happily.

“Did you notice the quiet around here? There should be some survivors at least.”

“You are too much of an optimist doc. This thing is a cold killer.”

Proctor shook his head.

“I was locked inside a wretched hospital and I walked out.”

“Just damn lucky that’s all. Everyone in my station died. Those other cops I mentioned were just passing through to the north. Heading for Canada I think.”

“Look out!”

She swung the wheel as two kids ran into view.

“What the hell are you doing?” she demanded stepping onto the wet road.

The two kids were around eleven and twelve and wore crazy clothes for their age.

“We need your help,” Mundy said.

Proctor knelt and asked, “What’s the matter?”

Leslie pointed to a nearby caravan.

“Mummy and daddy went to sleep and we cannot wake them.”

He stood slowly.

“You watch the kids whilst I check this out.”

He walked over to the van and stepped inside.

Just before the cab, he saw the two adults lying inside the folded down bed.

“You two okay?”

When they did not respond, he gingerly moved closer. Only then did he notice the empty pill tubes.

He shook them both violently before the cold, clammy skin told him to stop.

“Damn stupid.”

He left and rejoined the party.

“No use I’m afraid. Suicide. We’ll have to take them along.”

Cheryl nodded.

“Would you like to visit Cuba?”

The two kids glanced at each other before nodding.

When the car set off once more, Proctor opened the glove box and pulled out a roadmap.

“You won’t need that,” the cop sniggered.

“I want to see how we get to the CDC Cheryl.”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“It’s on our way if you really want to have a look.”

“I’m a doctor. I have to see for myself.”

“See what?” the kids asked.

Proctor turned around and said, “If we have any chance.”

“I need to take a nap,” Cheryl admitted.

The doctor scanned the map and smiled.

“We should head for Raleigh, Carolina, and stay there for a day. There is really no rush. By the way, if you really want to reach Cuba, we will definitely need a boat.”

She glanced at him.

“I hope you can pilot it then, cause I’ve no idea how to.”

The doctor pulled a face.

“Now you tell me.”
...
High above the blue planet, the ISS continued its orbit unaware that its creator was in deep mire. When the crisis erupted, the three Americans had been ordered home.

When the Russians made the same suggestion to Moscow, the answer had been firm.

“Stay on and we’ll supply you.”

Now the weeks had passed and the food was long gone.

Gorgi was much weaker now. His two patriots had died days before of malnutrition, and now he sat at the controls scanning for a signal.
Any signal.

“Nothing as usual. Even the Americans have gone quiet.”

He shook his head and noted the bright light.

“At least the damn power still works.”

He floated through to the rear area where the escape capsule sat waiting. Designed for three, he would be the only passenger.

“It’s a calculated risk,” he muttered. “Either I perish here for sure, or splash down and drown in the Pacific.”

He thought it over carefully. His weak frame told him that it was already too late.

“Oh damn it!”

He floated inside the capsule and sealed the hatch firmly.

“Now try to remember Gorgi. First, set guidance system. Check.”

He drew a breath.

“Check auto release mechanism. Check.”

He felt himself becoming giddy.

“Check the parachute deployment pyrotechnics...Check.”

He tried to focus as he settled back and pressed release.

A short bang was followed by a sickly falling sensation, as the escape capsule plummeted toward Earth.

“So far so good.”

As it hit the upper atmosphere, the heat shield began to redden. As he glanced through the small porthole, he saw that he was surrounded by super heated gases.

“So far normal. Peak heating phase...”

A red light suddenly flashed and he tried to focus upon the problem.

“The attitude control seems to have malfunctioned. Pitch is on negative gain...”

He grabbed the manual control lever and tried to correct.

“The damn thing is tumbling. Pull back and left...”

He tried his very best but only seconds remained.

“Oh crikey!”

His capsule became a small fireball that night. It streaked high above the ground until nothing remained of the brave Gorgi.
...
The police car finally reached Raleigh and the kids pointed to a small, but dark hotel.

“Think that it’s safe?” the doctor asked.

“Only one way to find out eh?”

She drew into the deserted car park and stepped out. The doctor took the kids hands as she checked the main door.

“It’s open.”

“We’ll wait here then.”

She drew the weapon and gingerly entered. Moments later, her head peeked through.

“It’s safe. Not even charred remains.”

Proctor sighed deeply as the kids ran inside.

“Hey you two,” Cheryl said. “If you want grub don’t stray.”

The kids rushed back as she removed the backpack. When the tinned meat was opened, they all tucked into a welcome meal.

The good doctor stared at the empty bar.

“Fancy a night cap?”

Cheryl smiled.

“I could really do with one thanks.”

Proctor went behind the bar and poured two generous brandies. He even opened a pop for the kids.

“We move on Saturday,” he said. “A good day’s rest will cheer us up.”

She slowly drank as the kids slurped away.

“What do you expect to find at the CDC, apart from the miracle cure?”

The doctor winced.

“I need to find out if anyone is left alive there. It’ll decide our fate after all.”

She was about to reply when a dark voice shouted, “Just hold it right there.”...Continues Frid...

Six cold weeks had passed since the virus had been discovered. In Washington, a desperate mother had watched her daughter deteriorate and an ambulance was now on its way.

“Just hold on love.”

The child groaned as the red blotches began to appear all over her stricken body. A frantic knock made her run.

“Thanks that you are here. She’s in the bedroom.”

“We have another one mate,” Wallace said.

“What do you mean by that?”

“No worries mam. We have to get your daughter into isolation at once.”

“I thought it was just an allergy.”

Wallace shook his head.

“Help me put her on the stretcher mate.”

The paramedics placed her gently into position and rushed from the loving home. As the siren screeched, Wallace checked her temperature.

“One hundred twenty, respiration low, blotches dominant.”

“What has she got then?” the mother asked.

“We call it firepox mam. Don’t you worry though.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

“Neither had we until a few weeks back. Seems we are here.”

The ambulance drew into the grounds where many more were heading out. As they rushed her inside, the hard-pressed receptionist was none too pleased.

“Take her straight to isolation.”

When they reached it, Doctor Proctor did a quick examination.

“She’s definitely into stage two. Nurse.”

When she arrived the doctor said, “Have we any space left?”

“No doctor.”

“Then evacuate ward three and we will use that. We need to contain this.”

The frantic mom just stared.

“How bad is it?”

“We have two hundred cases here, and from what I’m told, it’s the same all over.”

The evacuation went quite smoothly, and the latest patient was wheeled into the new isolation unit.

“How bad is it going to get?” the nurse asked.

“You tell me.”

As the mom sat beside her ill child, she smelt something unusual. She wiped her nose and coughed.

“You alright babe?”

A nurse smelt it too and tried to usher the parent out.

“I’m not leaving.”

“It really is advisable mam.”

As she tried to drag her out, the girl began to shake violently and white smoke rose from the bed.

“What’s happening?” the mom screamed.

A security guard rushed in and dragged the horrified woman out.

“It’s happened again,” the nurse said. “That new child case.”

Doctor Proctor nodded.

“Where is the mother?”

“We took her to isolation ward six.”

“That may work I suppose. We can’t treat the poor devils.”

The nurse dropped her voice.

“Is it true the president will declare a state of emergency?”

“I really don’t know nurse. Reports I see say we have at least a
million cases nationwide. As for fatalities well...They seem to be running at fifty percent.”

The overtaxed medic thought for a moment.

“I need to speak to the receptionist again.”

When he got there, he picked up the phone.

“Operator. Get me the governor.”

Within isolation, three more victims’ self-combusted as the medic spoke to the man in charge of the crisis.

Governor O’Malley could trace his ancestry all the way back to a simple Irish farm. A no nonsense individual, he prided himself on his crusade against crime.

Now he was seated with his staff, discussing the latest developments.

“All our hospitals are full sir. We have no place left to send them.”

“Then they stay at home sir. Within the hour, it won’t much matter either way. The president is to declare a national emergency.”

“What powers will that give us?”

The governor stared at him.

“I’ve been told Condine One will be activated.”

“That’s monstrous. We can’t have troops sealing off the hospitals to leave those inside to die.”

“The president feels we have no choice. As for powers well. The National Guard will reinforce our police...”

“Not many of them left anyway.”

“Perhaps not,” the governor replied. “Any protesters, any looters will be shot on sight.”

“We are actually going to do this?”

The governor was firm.

“Law and order must be maintained at all costs.”

His number two coughed.

“You alright?”

“Just hay fever governor. What about ambulances?”

“When the troops move in those will be used to pick up the dead only. We need to start burning them.”

“With no ambulances the sick will simply die.”

“It may sound cruel but it will have to die. I’ve issued
instructions to our police to keep away from the ill for obvious reasons. I’m not ordering their shooting.”

“Well that’s a relief. Any latest news?”

“Doctor Proctor reports he has opened a sixth isolation unit. It won’t do him much good now.”

A secretary entered with some bad news.

“Sorry governor. I have Mr Chapman’s lawyer on the line. Asking for clemency.”

The governor glanced at the clock.

“Tell him no deal. His client has no right to an appeal.”

“Sir. He says that Mr Chapman has the illness.”

The governor smiled.

“Then frying should cure it. Just tell that sob no deal.”

As she left to say just that, Mr Chapman was waiting in his quiet death cell.
...
Convicted fifteen years earlier for rape and murder, the new governor’s arrival had doomed his plan for survival. The death penalty had been reintroduced, and now it was his turn.

“Time to go Chapman.”

He looked up at the six guards.

“No appeal then?”

“None I’m afraid.”

Chapman had felt unwell for a day or two. Even as his wrists and legs were manacled together, blotches were starting to appear.

“I’m an ill man you know.”

A guard laughed.

“You certainly will be ill soon. Come on now.”

He walked slowly down the short hall and into the death chamber. Sitting quietly, the lockdown team set to work.

The straps took moments to secure and as the prison warden entered, the witness screen was drawn back.

“Anything to say Chapman?”

He gazed at the family of the victim and shook his head. The death shroud was placed over his face, as the jaw strap was firmly tightened.

As the warden stepped back to avoid electrocution, Chapmen began to fit as white smoke rose around him. The horrified witnesses watched, as his body quite literally fell apart before them. The lever had not been pulled.

Doctor Proctor was almost asleep with exhaustion as a nurse rushed up.

“You have to see this sir.”

She led him to the front entrance where armed troops were busy barricading them inside.

“What are they up to?”

“I heard the radio. All medical facilities are in quarantine.
Something about Condine One.”

The doctor had never heard of it. He spotted a junior doctor walking past and grabbed him.

“Go outside and tell those idiots that we need ambulance access.”

The young man smiled and pulled the door open. A rapid burst of fire cut him down. A gruff voice hollered, “Try that again, and we will use shells.”

Doctor Proctor gazed in horror at the bleeding body.

“Come on nurse. Nothing we can do for him.”
...
After the national address, President Wilma Harris sat quietly at her desk reading the latest reports. Across both hemispheres, the virus had taken a firm hold.

In Russia and China, those showing symptoms were being shot on sight. She was determined this would not happen here.

The door suddenly burst open and two CIA men rushed in.

“I hope you have an explanation?”

“Sorry mam but it’s time to leave.”

Wilma shook her head.

“My place is here, working to halt this crisis.”

“Sorry mam. We have been ordered by Admiral Kimmel to get you to Pearl ASAP.”

She recognised the name of course. Head of Pacific Command. He had threatened to resign, when she ordered that all sub activity around the Mariana Trench should cease at once. Only the promise of future promotion had kept him in situ. It seemed that her former boss was trying to upstage her.

“You tell the admiral to go and take a hike.”

The embarrassed agents were somewhat dumbfounded.

“You don’t seem to realise mam that the report is out of date. Things have moved on.”

She shuffled the papers and sat back.

“So how grave is it really pray tell?”

“The latest info is on Air force One mam. Now please come with us.”

She stood at last and said, “Once we reach Andrews contact the USS Virginia for me.”

“The admiral has already done that mam. Captain Vanderhofen is waiting at Pearl.”

Wilma smiled and said, “Should be nice seeing an old friend again.”

She saw the E 4-B waiting for her at Andrews, and was quickly hustled aboard. As it hurtled into the air, she found herself alone in the briefing room.

The actual aircraft was in fact a mobile command post, fitted with the latest tech for defeating jamming etc. It could also communicate with satellites and other hardened command posts.

As the senior general entered, she pointed at the empty seats.

“Where is everyone?”

He grimaced and handed over the latest situation report.

“Where for instance is the defence secretary?”

“Dead mam.”

“I take it that the VP is at Colorado then.”

He shook his head.

“He died at Norton mam. At home.”

“How bad have we been hit soldier?”

He sat down sadly.

“Congress and the senate have been wiped out mam. You are the last senior exec to survive.”

Wilma was deeply shocked.

“What of the armed forces?”

“At the last count we had sixty percent losses mam.”

Wilma shook her head. As she opened the report and read, her mood became even grimmer.

In a nutshell, the virus was now out of control. Government was failing across the country and the world. The CDC was unable at this time, to find an antidote for the firepox outbreak.

She put the report down.

“The last line predicts extinction within six months.”

“That is why you need to be on that sub mam. It seems those crews are safe at present.”

She understood.

“How long until we land at Pearl?”

“Approximately six hour’s mam. I strongly suggest that you sleep.”

She nodded and walked toward the rest area at the aircraft’s rear. She would sleep fitfully, as the world fell apart around her.
...
In Washington that day, a group of protesters had decided to march upon governor’s house. A line of heavily armed National Guard’s men blocked their way.

“Go back to your homes,” the commander warned.

The crowd were in no mood to listen and surged forward. When the bullets struck home, only three managed to escape with their lives.
...
“We have arrived mam.”

Wilma woke with a sudden start.

“How are things?”

“A little worse mam. The emergency broadcast system is starting to crumble.”

“You mean we are losing control?”

He nodded grimly.

Wilma stepped onto the tarmac and into the waiting jeep. When she arrived at the quayside, an old friend was waiting.

“Evening madam president.”

“Less of that captain. A simple mam shall suffice.”

She turned toward the following agents.

“No need to go any further now. Return to the plane and await further orders.”

“Shall we go aboard?”

“Of course mam.”

As they strolled toward the gangplank Vanderhofen asked, “Why did you remove our missiles mam?”

She smiled pleasantly.

“Let’s just say that I’m scheming something.”

As they reached the command area, she took him to one side.

“We are losing captain. This virus has us beat. I have to hope that the chaps at the CDC can come up with a solution in time to save our species.”

He nodded grimly.

“Where to?”

Wilma turned to the helmsman.

“Take us out of port, fifty miles due north and go to five hundred.”

“Yes mam.”

She gazed around at the familiar faces.

“Miss me captain?”

Vanderhofen smiled.

“Nice to have you back mam.”

Ta...

"What do you mean by a body?” Cougar demanded.

He listened to the crackly radio message from the drill site as Keith looked on.

“Look, just stay there. I’ll bring Michelle with me.”

He shook his head at the operator.

“They must be hallucinating. No ruddy corpses can be found in at the North Pole.”

“They wouldn’t just make it up,” Keith said.

“Wait till Michelle hears this,” Cougar muttered before marching off to the research area.

He found the grey haired fifty-year-old scientist peering into her microscope as he entered.

“We seem to have a problem.”

The short woman glanced up.

“How can that be? Simon and Gerry are only supposed to measure the rate of methane release.”

“I know Michelle. They claim to have a body out there.”

She laughed.

“They on that brandy again?”

“Here we are,” Cougar said. “Standing inside an arctic station that costs a million dollars a year to run and they discover an anomaly.”

“I know how you feel. You want me to come with you?”

He nodded.

“Remember to wrap up warm first. It’s minus seventy out there.”
...
When they climbed onto the snowmobile, the freezing air hit them at once. Their goggles prevented snow blindness but reduced their ability to see properly.

“We should be there in fifteen minutes,” Cougar said. “It’s only a half mile distant.”

The transport slid easily across the frozen landscape as snow flurries drove into their unprotected cheeks. In the distance, thick grey clouds rolled towards them at ground level.

“That’s a damn storm,” Michelle pointed out.

“We should outrun it,” Cougar said reassuringly.

When they reached the drill site, the team members were waiting for them.

“Glad you could make it,” Simon said.

“What’s the flow rate?” Michelle asked.

“About ten pounds per hour,” Gerry replied.

“That’s much higher than was feared,” she said. “It’ll sure push the temperature up.”

“Where did you find the body?” Cougar asked.

“Over here,” Simon replied.

Cougar and Michelle followed to the drill head. The actual drill stood at the side of the short borehole.

“See for yourself,” Gerry said.

Cougar peered down at the obvious arm amid a pile of dark material.

“How old do you think it is?” Michelle asked.

“At this depth about ten thousand years,” Simon replied.

Cougar turned to the scientist.

“What do you want to do Michelle?”

“Dig it up and bring it back to the station of course.”

Cougar shrugged his shoulders.

“Everyone grab a shovel then, and start digging before the storm hits us.”

It was a long dig, but the unusual specimen was finally retrieved and placed on the vehicle. Before departing, Cougar pointed towards the rolling clouds.

“You two had better call it a day.”

When they arrived back, the ice block was placed upon the examination table as Michelle just stared.

“For something that should not be here it’s pretty solid.”

Cougar smiled.

“Suppose you’ll take samples and run them under that microscope?”

“Of course I will. I’m pretty eager to find out how he died.”

Cougar pointed to the arm.

“Perhaps an animal got him?”

“That would explain it.”
...
After careful defrosting, Michelle donned the obligatory facemask and began a battery of tests. Scooping up the dark material, she prepared a slide and gazed into the viewer.

“It looks like ash. Better turn the magnification up.”

She did so promptly and looked again.

“That settles it then. No sign of wood remains though.”

She used a small probe to sift the sample as she watched.

“Definite signs of body fat here. Now that is peculiar.”

She had a thought and carefully removed a sample from the undamaged arm. As she looked at a higher magnification, she gasped.

“That shouldn’t be there.”

She raised the magnification again and peered.

“I really don’t like the looks of that.”

She pulled back and wandered across to the com. As she did so, Michelle suddenly sneezed.

“Cougar, I need you in my lab.”

When he arrived, she looked worried.

“What’s the problem?”

She pointed to the microscope.

“Have a look yourself.”

Cougar was no biologist but he recognised cells when he saw them.

“You took a body sample?”

“Yes I did. What else do you see?”

“The DNA strand is pretty pronounced.”

“That is what I thought.”

“You sound rather concerned.”

As he pulled away, she let her thoughts be known.

“What you are looking at is a virus.”

Cougar shook his head.

“We all know that viruses use RNA not DNA. You must be mistaken.”

She shook her head.

“Today’s viruses use RNA that’s true. Fortunately for us though, it makes mistakes during replication.”

“Whereas DNA does not,” Cougar reminded her.

“This one matches that,” she said softly.

“How is that possible?” he asked.

“I think that we are dealing with a completely new viral strain. An advanced type if you like.”

“What? From ten thousand BC?”

“We would never have found it had we not been sent here to check for escaping methane levels.”

“I know that,” he replied. “Did this kill the bloke?”

“For a start the arm is female and yes, I think it did. That dark material is really ash.”

“She died in a fire out here?”

Michelle looked grim.

“Yes she did but not a conventional one. I believe that she was a victim of spontaneous human combustion. Perhaps we have accidentally found the original progenitor of this rare event.”

Cougar was sceptical.

“I have never believed in those stories.”

“Even when we have proof here?”

“So explain how a virus could cause the body to immolate itself.”

She had already considered that.

“By driving up the temperature rapidly, whilst shutting down the sweat response. At a certain point, the fat tissue would self ignite.”

“Pretty good theory Michelle, but how many viruses do you know can do that?”

“None of course.”

“Exactly. What I really want to know is how she got here.”

“Perhaps she came from Alaska or Russia and somehow got lost.”

“Rather unlikely don’t you think. We are at the top of the world my
dear. Could there be a settlement nearby?”

“Even ten thousand years ago the pole was deep frozen. A settlement should not exist.”

“That’s my whole point. She is an anomaly. I’ll think it over and say what conclusion I’ve come to later.”

As he left, she returned to the curious artefact.

“Where did you come from?”
...
Cougar looked around the mess hall at his team of experts.

“Where has Michelle got to?”

“She is not too well,” Keith replied.

“Very well then. You all deserve to know what I think about the
find. As we all know, there have been many expeditions out here. Especially during the late nineteenth, early twentieth century’s. I think that one of them brought the ash and arm.”

“You mean a hoax?” Gerry asked.

“That is the most likely explanation.”

“Michelle will not like that,” Simon said.

“Probably not but that is what my report will say.”

Cougar wandered off then to her quarters and knocked politely. A weak voice tried to reply.

“Come...”

When he entered, he got quite a shock. Michelle was breathing with a loud rasping noise and large pink blotches covered her face, neck and hands.”

“You don’t look that well.”

She tried to shake her head.

“I’ll have you evacuated to Alaska by copter.”

“You can’t,” she croaked.

“What do you mean by that?”

“It must be that virus Cougar. When I defrosted that block, it must have woken up.”

“I just cannot buy that,” he said. “Not after ten thousand years.”

“We must isolate ourselves,” she croaked. “We must all be infected by now.”

Cougar shook his head.

“Thankfully you are the only one so far. You are being taken out of here.”

As he left, he sneezed.

Entering the mess hall, he called Keith over.

“Contact Northern Command. Tell them that we need Michelle taken out.”

“I’ll try to but this storm will have to subside first.”

The rolling clouds had indeed reached the base. As the blizzard intensified, even the radio signal was badly disrupted.

As the day wore on, Cougar became quite ill himself.

“I’m heading for my quarters Keith. I’ll check on Michelle first though.”

When he stepped through her door, he saw that she was at least sleeping. As he tiptoed over though, he noted the scorched sheets.
When he pulled them back, he reeled.

Apart from the head, the rest of her had been reduced to a fine, black ash. He staggered toward the radio room, coughing violently.

“We need a total evacuation now,” he croaked. “Michelle is dead.”
Keith shook his head.

“Not in this storm. All signals are blocked.”

“Just keep trying. I’m going to bed for an hour. Send Simon to wake me.”
...
The storm raged on and an hour later Simon did indeed try to wake their leader. He quickly rushed out again, coughing violently.

As he entered the mess hall he said, “He’s dead too. Burned out.”

“What the hell are we dealing with?” Gerry asked.

“Michelle thought it was an ancient virus but Cougar did not accept that,” Simon replied.

“No virus could do that surely?” Keith asked.

“Certainly not one we are familiar with,” Keith said.

Simon suddenly keeled over. As the three colleagues rushed forward, they saw the red blotches.

“He’s got it too,” Gerry said. “I’m not sticking around for it to catch me.”

“You won’t last an hour out there,” Keith warned him.

“I really don’t care man.”

Gerry threw on the heavy wool protection and found his way to the snow mobile. As he tried to fight through the raging blizzard, he coughed twice.

“Not me too,” he croaked.

The storm raged on as silence descended.

A week had passed without a signal and the copter was rapidly heading toward the base to check out why.

“You are off home to Washington tomorrow I hear,” the pilot said.

“Glad to go mate. My six-week tour is over. I can see the base.”

Arctic One remained silent despite attempts at radio communication so they landed nearby. As the six-man team climbed onto the wasteland, they quickly entered the base.

“One of the vehicles has gone,” the medic reported.

“Everyone fan out. Let’s see what happened here.”

They found one of Keith’s legs under the table of the radio room, lying beside a mound of ash.

“What the hell happened to him?” the pilot asked.

When they entered the mess hall, the burned out remains of Simon lay upon the floor where he had fallen. The rescue team became even more puzzled.

They found Michelle and Cougar dead within their quarters. Back in the short corridor, the medic shook his head.

“I really cannot explain this one.”

“I’ll radio in,” the pilot said.

When he reached the radio room, his message was simple.

“Arctic team dead. One missing. Will return to base.”

As the copter took off, the co-pilot coughed.

“I hate colds,” he muttered.

The pilot just smiled.

“Enjoy the holiday mate.”

The doctor had decided that for safety reasons, the remains should be left behind. Whilst a special medic unit from the CDC would investigate the cause.