Thirst No. 4 by Christopher Pike Read Free Book Online

T-11.”
    “But the shot seemed to stop the virus dead in its track,” Matt says. “All of us got better at first, and Teri and I continue to feel fine. It’s only Seymour and Shanti who are showing signs of a relapse.”
    “You have a few black blisters,” Charlie says to Seymour and Shanti. “But you two feel okay, don’t you?”
    “I feel fine,” Shanti says. “Except my face itches where I had plastic surgery.”
    “My hands itch like crazy,” Seymour replies.
    “Do you feel better since I gave you another shot this morning?” Charlie asks.
    “I do,” Shanti says.
    “I’m not sure,” Seymour says, doubtful.
    Charlie continues to pace. “Your case is unusual. I gave you guys the vaccine just a few minutes after you got infected with the virus. The two compounds overlapped in your bodies in ways we won’t see in the general population.” Charlie pauses when he realizes what he’s saying. “That is, if we’re lucky enough to duplicate the vaccine and get it out to the world in time.”
    “A big if,” Seymour grumbles.
    Matt holds up his hand. “Let’s not go there yet. I want to know if the vaccine works, period. If it doesn’t, then there’s no point in trying to get help to spread it globally.”
    “T-11 is definitely effective on Telar,” Charlie says. “It was designed with them in mind. After personally vaccinating five hundred Telar with T-11, I exposed them to the virus and nothing happened. They were immune.”
    “So Telar and vampires like me are safe,” I say. “What about the other seven billion people on the planet?”
    Charlie stops pacing and shrugs. “It must work to some extent on humans. Otherwise, Seymour and Shanti wouldbe dead. It just has to be tweaked to accommodate a mortal immune system.”
    “That’s the bottom line,” Matt says to Charlie. “Can you alter it to protect everyone?”
    Charlie hesitates. “Yes.”
    “But . . . ,” Seymour says, letting the word hang.
    “But I’ll need a state-of-the-art laboratory and time,” Charlie says. “A few brilliant chemists and microbiologists helping out wouldn’t hurt.”
    “Can you make up a list of human scientists that can help you?” Matt asks.
    Charlie considers. “I have Telar friends that would be more helpful.”
    Matt’s face darkens. “Who can you trust?”
    “Those close to me. They’re not fans of Haru or anyone connected with the Source,” Charlie says.
    I recall that Numbria, the Telar woman I interrogated and murdered, referred to the Telar high command as the Source. I got the impression there were only a dozen or so people on their high council.
    “But they still fear the Source,” Matt says.
    “Of course,” Charlie says. “We all fear them.”
    “I want to stick with human scientists for now,” Matt says. “It will be safer. Later, if you’re not making progress, we can consider contacting your Telar friends.”
    “How do we approach these scientists?” Seymour asks.“We can’t run around saying the world is ending. We need proof that the Telar exist and we need proof that they intend to release X6X6.”
    “The contagious effects of the virus are easy to demonstrate,” Charlie says.
    “In a lab, sure,” Seymour says. “But how are we going to get these brilliant men and women into your lab?” He turns to Matt. “You’ve been kicking around forever. You must have contacts in the government.”
    “I know important people in this country and across Europe. They’ll take my calls if I contact them. But the moment I do, the Telar will know about it and they’ll come after me and whoever I talk to.”
    “Then we’re screwed,” Seymour says.
    Matt gives him a hard look. “That’s helpful. Give up at the start.”
    “I’m just being pragmatic,” Seymour says. “Charlie’s told us that he and his Telar buddies have been working on the X6X6 virus for over twenty years. Do you seriously think he’s going to be able to modify it in two weeks so that it works on