Free The Emerald Virus by Patrick Shea Page A

engine block if need be after mixing them with
water. You’ll probably use chemical toilets and shower infrequently to save
water. The air will be filtered and re-filtered. The lights will be kept as low
as possible to save power and you will have little interaction with anyone
outside of the bunker.
        
Secretary Kemper, Jack and I will make the final selections from the group of
volunteers. There will be no discussion about the final decision. One more
thing, whether you volunteer or not I would like to know if there are any
members you feel must be on the bunker team.”
        
A.J. looked around the room and saw some very mixed emotions. She thought she
saw hope on one or two faces and she knew that was not the emotion that would
lead to the best decisions. She decided to give the team leaders more
information.
        
“I want all of you to think about one last fact before you make your decisions.
These bunkers were built to survive a nuclear explosion. The filtering systems
were built to defend against nuclear winter. There are no promises that these
filtering systems will work against the Emerald Virus. Remember, virus
particles are amazingly small, up to 100 times smaller than bacteria. If the
bunker filters aren’t up to this task, you will be exposed to the virus while
in an isolated location with no hope of getting close to your family before the
end.’
        
“One last note, we will probably be given space in one of the military bunkers.
Since this crisis is not due to war, the military bunkers will not be staffed
to their fullest. We asked for room so that this team could to continue to work
with survivors and the President has agreed. Only the number of spots available
is still open to discussion. Use email to send Jack your answers by tomorrow
morning. He and I will meet at eight o’clock. Use email to send recommendations
on who you think must be on the team to me. Thank you, I know this will be a
tough decision for all of you, and Jack and I will support whatever decision
you make.”
     
     
     
    Sunday:
Washington D.C.
     
        
Jack sat in A.J.’s office at eight o’clock the next morning. He had with him
the emails from his team leads and he was surprised that of the 120 people
working on this project only fourteen had volunteered. From that group he
didn’t think there were ten he could recommend.
        
A.J. looked up and said, “I’ve received emails from all of the team leaders and
there is only one person they all think should be on the team. All of them said
you were the critical piece.”
        
Jack looked surprised and said, “Are you sure that wasn’t Tom? I would think
that his technical expertise is the most important skill of all.”
        
“Jack, you know the importance of leadership. Your folks know the same thing,
and they recognize that you’re the best leader most of them have known.
        
“By the way, I can’t seem to find your email giving me your decision; do you
think it’s lost in the email system?”
        
Jack laughed and said, “No, I don’t think the email system failed. I haven’t
yet sent it. I wanted to talk to my staff first and I just finished those
talks.”
        
A.J. looked at Jack with a questioning look but didn’t say a word. She was
really anxious for Jack to agree to volunteer but she was going to wait for him
to decide.
     
   Jack finally said, “This is against my better judgment but I’m going to
agree to volunteer.”
        
A.J. breathed a sigh of relieve and said, “Jack, what I haven’t told you is
that I’ve received emails from five team leaders saying that either they or a
senior team member would volunteer but only if you led the team. Thankfully we
now have an expanded list to review.”
        
Thirty minutes later they had a tentative list of ten team members with two
alternates. Surprisingly the only real discussion concerned Irene. A.J. wasn’t
sure Irene was seasoned