Читать книгу The Immune - Doc Lucky Meisenheimer - Страница 9

Dubbed the airwar crisis, the media fanned the flames of fear to the point widespread hoarding began and worldwide riots broke out in large cities. Congress immediately held an emergency session and passed a forty billion-dollar airwar crisis funding bill, eighteen billion directed at the airwar crisis, and twenty-two billion for special earmarks.

The entire world craved more information. An endless stream of airwar experts peppered the airwaves speculating on the etiology of airwars. Every social-political cause tried to lay claim to the airwar crisis. From greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, and deforestation to oil drilling and laboratory animal testing, every group tried to make the connection with their fund-raising efforts and the airwar crisis.

General scientific consensus was airwars were a genetically engineered species. Scientists weren’t sure if this was intentional or accidental, but a worldwide search was underway to find the person or persons responsible.

In John’s condominium, he and Cassandra watched the crisis unfold on television with undivided attention. Cassandra finally took a break to make sandwiches in the kitchen. John shouted new statistics to her as they appeared on the news.

“The Secretary of State just reported the fifth airwar sighting, and the death toll is now seventy-eight.”

“I thought she said earlier the death toll was twenty-five thousand,” said Cassandra.

“No, not from airwars. That’s the number killed in the riots. Matter of fact, I’m feeling the urge to go rioting right now. Sounds like a good solution to the problem to me,” said John facetiously.

Cassandra walked back in the room with a plate of sandwiches. ”Well, you’ll have to riot by yourself. I think I’ll take my chances with the airwars. The odds are better.”

“Not if airwars keep reproducing,” retorted John.

The destruction of the five airwars resulted in the same outcome as the first. Torn air sacs, which were now known to be filled with hydrogen, released thousands of young into the sky. One of the airwars, shredded by incendiaries from a fighter jet, ignited with images reminiscent of the Hindenburg’s fiery collapse. It was spectacular, but even with many juvenile airwars perishing in the fireball, scores escaped.

John and Cassandra stayed up late following breaking news reports. Around midnight, a female senator from Massachusetts, accompanied by other politicians and scientists, conducted a press conference. John and Cassandra watched the senator speak to the press.

“We believe, earnestly, that personal attacks on airwars must end immediately. Furthermore, the United Nations is obligated to create a multinational crisis team to address this epic disaster that—”

“John,” interrupted Cassandra, “it’s late. Let’s do some end-of-world lovemaking.”

“I knew there had to be a silver lining to this airwar crisis,” said John. He clicked the television off.

On the second day of the airwar crisis, military sightings confirmed hundreds of full-size airwars. Sightings appeared limited to Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, and northern Venezuela. No new information was forthcoming on the source of the airwars. The human death toll from attacks elevated to the thousands. Confirmed destruction of seventy-five airwars was reported, but release of thousands of juveniles resulted. World leaders and scientists, who initially appealed for restraints, now demanded attacks on airwars surcease and recommended penalties for violators.

On the third day, John spent most of the morning watching the United Nations emergency session on television. Cassandra had gone shopping.

The U.N. president addressed the assembly, “The number of airwar sightings is now in the thousands. The death toll from direct airwar attacks is above forty-thousand. We have an unprecedented world crisis, and world leaders demand an immediate United Nations response. Although we haven’t found the source for the original airwars, it’s clear they only reproduce by destruction of an adult form. Therefore, we have no choice but to call for a worldwide ban on attacks on airwars.”

A representative from Jamaica began throwing papers and files. He had to be escorted from the room by guards. Several other countries with confirmed airwars inside their borders also dissented.

Cassandra came in with a frazzled look. “The traffic is unbelievable for a Sunday. I’ve been sitting on I-4 the whole time. Stores are overrun. Everyone is hoarding. If I can’t get coffee, there’ll be a Cassandra crisis making the airwar crisis look like small potatoes.” She smiled at John. “Anything new on the airwars?”

John looked up from the television, “Yeah, the United Nations has formed an emergency council to disseminate world policy to all governments.”

“Can the United Nations do that?” asked Cassandra with uneasiness in her voice.

“They just did. Someone selected a bunch of scientists, politicians, and military to run this Airwar Scientific Council.”

“Who decided who gets on this Council?”

“I don’t know, but not everyone is happy,” said John and he pointed toward the television.

The ambassador from Lichtenstein was pounding his desktop as he was yelling. Scattered around the U.N. chamber, several other ambassadors were standing and yelling as well.

“Well, I’m sure it’ll take weeks for them to get organized and make recommendations,” said Cassandra, “Plenty of time to add anyone worthy who’s been overlooked.”

“I’m not too sure about that,” said John. “For a new political organization, it seems pretty structured, and based on the rhetoric I’m hearing, it appears the Airwar Scientific Council is a closed club. Plus, the council has already voted on one action that, frankly, I’m a bit uncomfortable with.”

“What’s that?”

John tapped the keyboard of his computer tablet and said, “Look at this logo.”

On the screen was a red square with the letters ASC in white in the center.

“This is the Airwar Scientific Council logo,” John said with a frown. “Its now required on every press release dealing with airwars. ASC determined there’s too much misinformation about airwars. It decided, as a matter of world security, press reporting on airwars must be limited to ASC-approved reports.”

“Sounds like a violation of the first amendment to me,” said Cassandra.

John shook his head, “This is the U.N. talking, not the United States. America, Canada, Britain, Australia, Japan, and a few other free press countries are having a cow, but the rest of the world press are marginalizing this opposition.”

John stopped speaking and pointed to the television.

The lady senator from Massachusetts, who was now apparently an ASC member, was addressing the press. “I can assure you that everyone has complete freedom of the press. You just must report factually. I am sure none of you have a problem with reporting the truth.”

A bald reporter wearing wire-rimmed glasses and a bow tie stood. “Who decides what’s the truth?”

“ASC does, of course,” replied the senator, with a slight roll of her eyes. “ASC is a highly qualified group of world scientists and leaders who are more than capable of discerning the truth.”

Several other reporters stood and shouted questions, but the senator waved them off and walked off stage.

John looked at Cassandra and said, “Somehow I feel we’re being required to ask the fox how the chickens are doing.”

“Well, at least someone is doing something; that’s somewhat reassuring,” said Cassandra.

“Doing something and doing the right thing are frequently unrelated,” retorted John.

By the fourth day, airwars had appeared in Europe, Asia, and Australia. ASC, backed by mounting scientific evidence, unanimously passed the Airwar Act. Any non-U.N./ASC attack or contact with airwars was determined to be an act of terrorism and punishable by death. There were a few weak protests from the United States press. Later that evening, ASC verified the presence of airwars in southern Florida, and the press capitulated.

On day five, virtually all countries had confirmed airwar sightings. World count of full-sized airwars reached ten thousand. Global citizen pressure demanded ASC try weapons of mass destruction on airwars.

A tall handsome man in his fifties named Otis Glavin appeared on television. His dark hair with some gray in the temples along with his steel blue eyes and deep voice conferred an air of authority. He was the spokesperson for ASC. Glavin read a one-sentence press release on the early morning news. “Due to the congregation of airwars near inhabited areas, it’s unrealistic for ASC to support the use of large destructive weapons on airwars.”

In response to the ASC position, early afternoon riots began breaking out in capital cities around the world. Spokesperson Glavin reappeared on the early evening news.

“ASC has reconsidered, with trepidation, to proceed with an experimental destruction of an airwar tonight.”

Less than an hour later a thermobaric bomb obliterated an airwar hovering over Lake Cobly in the southern United States. Not a single juvenile was seen following the blast, nor were any of the citizens of the small nearby town, which was also annihilated by the explosion.

The media leveled criticisms that only cryptic warnings were given to residents before the blast, but Glavin responded that warnings were given and went unheeded.

Later the same night, a small nuclear blast outside Tel Aviv of undetermined origin destroyed three airwars, but a change in winds pushed the radioactive cloud into the city, making it uninhabitable.

Glavin read a final press release late that evening. “Due to extreme collateral damage, ASC has passed Airwar Resolution III. Weapons of mass destruction are to be placed under ’observational control’ by ASC officials and are heretofore banned from further use on airwars.”

Besides the criticisms leveled at the thermobaric bomb test, the media continued to create other problems for ASC with non-approved sensationalized headlines such as “Psychics detect telepathic communication among airwars. Scientist warns: alien super intelligent species bent on destroying mankind. Airwars: angels of God sent to punish sinners.” Each new story caused greater panic and demands for more action by ASC.

On the morning of day six ASC began railing against media-produced misinformation. Glavin gave a seven a.m. statement.

“Half-truths, lies, speculation, and debate are clearly dangerous in times of crisis. Only ASC is qualified to provide accurate information. Therefore, ASC is now demanding worldwide passage of the Airwar Sedition Bill.”

The Airwar Sedition Bill essentially said non-ASC approved mention of airwars on radio or television would result in the revocation of the station’s FCC license to broadcast. Printed columns regarding airwars without the ASC logo resulted in the jailing of the managing editor of the newspaper.

That evening, while watching the news, John became livid as he saw the sedition bill pass Congress with an override of a presidential veto. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing, Cassandra.”

“John, people are afraid.”

“It’s not right—makes me want to join a militia—and down a few airwars with them.”

“Don’t think of saying that in public,” said Cassandra with concern, “Militias release thousands of juveniles every time they attack an airwar. That’s why ASC is demanding global gun confiscation.”

John pounded his fist into his hand, “That’s a bunch of crapola too.”

“Well, the press is hailing it as a step in the right direction,” said Cassandra. She walked over and started massaging John’s shoulders.

John pulled away. “Our press should be reviewing our Constitution. They sometimes forget it’s a linked chain that restrains the beast of government. You let even one link break and the beast goes berserk.”

“Currently,” said Cassandra, “I’m more afraid of airwars than the government. Complain all you want to me, but keep in mind members of the press have voiced your opinion and are now in jail.”

The evening news continued with much fanfare. ASC demonstrated that regions with the least resistance to ASC directives had fewer airwar-related fatalities. This was followed by the approval of the “Save the Village” initiative. Although defending one’s self might temporarily rescue an individual or family, the subsequent release of thousands of juveniles was worse for society as a whole.

Spokesman Glavin explained the “Save the Village” law in a press conference as John watched fuming. “I’m pleased to report anyone seen acting in personal self-interest will be detained and searched by local authorities. If deemed in the best interest of society, these terrorists will be immediately sacrificed to an airwar. A trial isn’t needed; only the approval of an ASC official. This new policy can only help in our battle against airwars,” he said with a smile.

A reporter stood and shouted, “Mr. Glavin, what about the fourth and sixth amendments of our bill of rights?”

Glavin pointed at the man and three young men wearing grey arm bands escorted the reporter roughly from the press conference.

Glavin looked at the shocked reporters and said, “Oh, it’s another amendment whine. Like every fine whine, it needs cooling. Fortunately, we have a nice whine cellar for these whines called the federal penitentiary. This whine will be joining the others directly.” He pointed at the reporter being dragged out the exit. “In closing, I’d like to finish with fabulous news of our first major victory against the airwars. ASC studies show the rate of increase in worldwide deaths from airwars is decreasing. Excellent! Most excellent.”

Cassandra looked at John and said, “Doesn’t that mean the death rate is still in creasing?”

John answered by clicking the news off.