Page 123 of Viral Justice

“A cytokine storm. An overreaction of the body’s own immune system to the presence of the virus in the lung tissue.”

Akbar stepped away from the body and faced Max. “How infectious is the disease?”

“Why are you asking me questions to which you already know the answers?”

“One never knows how an infection is going to behave once it’s out in the world. Twice now, my weapons have not performed the way I would have liked. What is it you Americans say? Third time’s the charm?”

“What do you want from me, other than a pathologist’s report?”

“Where is your field lab?”

Max had never wanted to kill another human being, until now. Whatever had happened to Akbar when his family died had destroyed the human in him and left only an animal. A cunning animal. One he had to treat with extreme caution, because he still didn’t know what Akbar really wanted from him.

“This way.” Max indicated that they had to leave the room, and walked out first. His lab wasn’t far, just a short walk down the hallway and into the operating room he’d taken over.

Akbar stepped through the doorway, looked around slowly, then released Ali, shoving her at one of the armed men with them.

He examined the workspace Max had set up, taking his time, but touching nothing. When he got to the package they’d received only hours before, he asked, “What’s this?”

“Supplies.”

Akbar glanced at Max, then walked over and calmly slapped Ali hard enough to knock her to the floor.

Stay down, stay down.

Akbar stood over her like he was preparing to do more harm. “Don’t make me ask again.”

Shit.

“Syringes, stabilizing agent, and the current influenza vaccines for North America and Asia.”

“You believe the current vaccine provides some protection?”

“I don’t know. The man who died had been vaccinated, but he’s the only one so far. None of the people in this village had been vaccinated, so I felt it was worth trying.”

“You wanted to vaccinate the local people?”

“Yes.”

“When did you do this?”

“I haven’t yet. I’d sent out Stone and a local woman to find healthy people who were willing to be vaccinated.”

“Test subjects, Max?” Akbar asked with a raised eyebrow. “I thought you condemned such actions?”

“Not test subjects like when you tested your anthrax on that unknowing village in Afghanistan,” Max said with some heat. “These people will be fully informed and I’ll only vaccinate those who agree to it.”

Akbar watched him as if he were a bug he wanted to step on. “They will not be vaccinated at all.”

Son of a bitch.“What do you plan on doing with them?”

“Nothing.” Akbar sounded like a benevolent leader. “Since so many people here have died, I’m sending some to a nearby town and others to the city.”

His plan was so simple, it would probably work. “You want them to spread the disease.”

Akbar’s response was a sneer. “Disease has always been part of the human condition. I’m simply allowing it to purge the weak from the strong.”

“Is that what you say to the militants who’ve been helping you? Funding you?”

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