Free Hunt for Jade Dragon by Richard Paul Evans Page B

into conflict. We’ll start with the small countries and, like the wars in Korea and Vietnam, these conflicts will draw bigger countries in behind them until we have World War Three. Hundreds of millions will die.
    â€œBut war is only the first horseman; next comes famine. War has always produced scarcity, but we shall add to it. We will shut down power to those producing food and to those who distribute it. There will be food riots and starvation and the human population will decrease still more.
    â€œThen comes the third horseman—plagues. Our laboratories will release the plagues we have created—viruses that do not affect our electric species. Our GPs will be our carriers. We will infect them, then let them out into the world, and they will spread their diseases in public places. The death toll will dwarf the black plague of the fourteenth century.
    â€œThen, when all is in commotion, and we have created a race of our superior electrical beings in sufficient number, we will unleash the wild beasts, our electric rats, to destroy and feast on what is left of the humans.
    â€œOur scientists have just perfected the ER46, a strain of electric rat that will breed quickly and spread throughout cities, but that has been genetically disposed to survive for just three generations and then reproduce no more. The plague of beasts will last six years. The only thing that will be left in their wake will be the cities the Nonels have built, still intact.” Hatch looked around the table. “Any other questions?”
    Seven began clapping, soon followed by the others.
    â€œVery well,” Hatch said. “I’m off to Switzerland, then Taiwan. This meeting is adjourned.”



Beverly Hills Mall
    Beverly Grove, Los Angeles, California
    â€œD ude, we’ve got to go,” Quentin shouted at Bryan, loud enough to be heard over the sounds of the video arcade.
    â€œJust a minute,” Bryan said. His eyes were glued to his game, as Quentin and Torstyn watched from behind. “I’m not done yet.”
    â€œYes, you are,” Quentin said. He raised his hand and the video game popped loudly and its screen went black.
    â€œDude, I was up to level eighteen! Turn it back on.”
    â€œYeah, right.” Quentin said. “I fried the circuitry. No one’s ever turning that game back on.”
    â€œThanks a lot,” Bryan said, standing.
    â€œIt’s time to go,” Torstyn said. “We’re meeting the girls for dinner at the food court before Tara and I have to leave.”
    Torstyn and Tara were scheduled to fly out from Beverly Hills to Switzerland at midnight, while Quentin, Kylee, and Bryan wouldfly directly to Taiwan the next morning, which was why they had decided to make one last trip to the mall.
    â€œYou didn’t have to destroy the game,” Bryan grumbled.
    â€œYou like that?” Quentin said as they walked out of the arcade. “Watch this.” He raised his hand and pulsed. The entire arcade went dark. There was a moment of stunned silence; then everyone started shouting. Quentin grinned. “Do you have any idea how much it will cost them to fix that mess?”
    Tara and Kylee were already in the food court when the boys arrived. They were leaning against a wall near the entrance, comparing their clothing purchases.
    â€œHey, beautifuls,” Quentin said to the girls.
    â€œIt’s about time you guys got here,” Tara said. “We’re starving.”
    â€œWe had to drag Bryan away from Grand Theft Auto. Where do you want to eat? They’ve got sushi, Chinese, Mexican, Italian . . .”
    â€œI’m getting Chinese,” Bryan said. “I gotta have tofu.”
    â€œYou’ve got tofu for brains,” Torstyn said. “You’re going to be eating nothing but Chinese food for the next month.”
    â€œI’m getting a calzone,” Quentin said.
    â€œSounds good to me,” Torstyn