Z-Minus (Book 4) by Perrin Briar Read Free Book Online Page A

it.”
    “How would us getting hold of the virus help, exactly?” Jacob said.
    “With the recent outbreak of Ebola, the powers that be have decided the military ought to be trained to deal with such an incident,” Major Edwards said. “If there was ever an outbreak in a hostile region, they would send in the military to recon and get hold of the virus. They would then use digital sequencers to upload it to the internet. Scientists all over the world would have access to the virus’s genetic code. They would work to create an antidote before it can spread. All they would have to do then is hold the infected back long enough to facilitate creating the cure on an industrial scale.”
    John raised his hand.
    “Sorry,” he said. “Maybe I missed the geek fest, but what exactly is a ‘sequencer’?”
    Major Edwards pressed a button and the image of a DNA sequencer came up on the screen. It was a fairly large machine, about the size of a complex coffee making unit.
    “In 2001, the human genome was sequenced,” Major Edwards said. “The entire genetic map of a single man was revealed to the world. The essence of what makes you and every other living thing. We are, essentially, a program, and not a particularly well designed one at that. As we evolve, our code gets copied, overwritten, deleted, and transferred. We have bugs, like any other computer program.
    “Some bright sparks decided to start sequencing other living things. Plants, animals, viruses. We discovered things about creatures no one had ever even considered before. The fact the hippo and whale are very close relatives. The fact horses and cows are further disparaged than you might think. Now we can sequence just about anything, and extremely quickly too. The US military has begun funding programs to create a global network of sequencing centers. Most recently, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
    “This is why your mission is so important. You will get that virus so it might be sequenced and uploaded to the world for scientists in labs everywhere. By the time the virus arrives, we would already be inoculated against it. We could stop the infection in its tracks. We’re at the forefront of a whole new breed of war.”
    There was a moment of awed silence.
    “And you want us to go into an enemy base to recover this virus?” Mark said. “How do you even know they would have it?”
    “That would be classified information and based on reliable intel,” Major Edwards said. “But we’d believe they do. Before I forget, there’s a note on the procedure of this exercise. If you’re tagged by one of us, you’re out of the game. You’ll be a danger to the rest of your team and their mission. Send them to find a patrol. They’ll get picked up and brought back to HQ.”
    “What would happen to the infected person in the field?” Mark said.
    “In the field, you will dispose of them,” Major Edwards said.
    Wary glances all round.
    “Dispose of?” Mark said. “How?”
    “Any way necessary,” Major Edwards said. “Scientists suggest a double tap or fire. Anything that does not risk spreading the virus further.”
    The reality of the situation settled deep into their bones.
    “Now, if there aren’t more questions, you should contact whoever you need to, then get some rec,” Major Edwards said. “We’re pushing out in one hour.”
    “No rest for the wicked,” John said.
    “In which case we must have been the baddest motherfuckers in history,” Jacob said.
    “To hear such words in your sweet voice…” John said.
    Jacob punched John on the arm.
    Mark looked at his cell. Five missed calls, all from Tabitha. He typed a message:
    IN BRIEFING ROOM. NO TIME TO CALL. TRAINING MISSION. BACK IN A FEW DAYS.
    He hit send, and then tucked the cell back in his pocket.

14:35pm
     
    The phone was like a child’s toy in John’s giant hands. He had to hold it between his thumb and forefinger and dial with his pinky. The phone on the other end rang and rang. John