Technosis: The Kensington Virus Read Online Free PDF Page A

there more cases among men or women?”
    “Statistically they’re the same.”
    “What’s the oldest case?” he asked.
    “Let me check,” she said, and typed in a request for data.
    A second passed. “According to our records we have not had a case over the age of fifty-five.”
    “And the youngest?”
    “Just a moment. Twenty, the youngest we have had is twenty. “
    “So we have a data virus that hits the vital age ranges. It does not hit the very young or the very old.”
    “And?”
    “Most communicable diseases hit the immuno-compromised; the oldest and the youngest. The middle range – young adults to older adults – have more effective immune systems; they get sick but tend to survive. Whatever this thing is, it goes after the one group that should have survivors. What happened to the two from the original Kensington outbreak?”
    “The two?”
    “The two that survived the fight.”
    “They survived the fight, but they turned within twenty-four hours. They received messages, as did the responding officers and emergency service personnel.”
    Jamie was silent.
    “We only have one survivor that we know of who has been exposed to this virus directly and repeatedly.”
    “Who?”
    “You.” She passed over a set of tags for him.
    “What are these?” he asked, looking at the multi-colored plates on a chain.
    “Your security clearance, access badges and assignment designator. From now on you are military property and assigned to our division.”
    Jamie put on the chain of tags, “What now?”
    “Now we have an appointment at the fort.”

CHAPTER 4
    FORT MEAD, MARYLAND, DATE CLASSIFED
    F our Star General Thomas Talbot was in a foul mood when Commander Halle arrived with Jamie at the Cyber Warfare Base in Fort Mead, Maryland.
    “It’s 1400. I expected you two hours ago,” General Talbot barked.
    “Yes sir, sorry sir. We had to wait for the CDC to finish labs to get clearance to travel,” Commander Halle said.
    “Those damn civilians are chewing my ass on this one,” the general said and sat down. “So is this our golden boy?”
    “He is. This is Dr. Jamie Baxter,” she informed him.
    Jamie didn’t know whether to salute or offer his hand. Since he was being spoken of as a non-entity he decided to stand still.
    “Any military back ground? Training?”
    “File shows none,” Commander Halle confirmed.
    “You ever been in a fight?” General Talbot asked.
    “Not that I can recall.” Jamie answered.
    “Never? Even in school? No bullies that you knocked on their ass or kicked your ass?” the general asked.
    “We had the Behavior Amplification Displacers in our schools.” Jamie said.
    “B.A.D. was a damn stupid idea,” the general said. “Bunch of wannabe thugs beating themselves. It bred out the survival instinct. We need bullies, they keep us strong and our reflexes sharp.”
    Jamie couldn’t disagree with the general more, but B.A.D. also helped to suppress dissent. So all he could do was stand mute.
    “Married?” the general asked.
    “Divorced, sir.”
    “There might be hope for you yet,” the general asserted. “In life Jamie there are always conflicts. What decides victory is the little things. I’m telling you this because the way you test someone comes down to a very simple proposition.”
    “And that is, sir?” Jamie asked.
    “Sink or swim.”
    Jamie’s world went black as strong hands seized him and a hood was forced down over his head.
    ∞
    “General, I must protest,” Commander Halle said as they stood in the observation bay platform.
    “Duly noted,” the general remarked.
    “He’s our best chance…”
    “He’s a useless exception if we can’t do anything with him. The blood tests are negative. Genetic profile is unremarkable. So whatever it is that keeps him from getting the virus isn’t something we can copy, bottle or distribute. That means we need to find out if he is the real deal.”
    “Dr. Baxter,” the general’s voice boomed as he spoke