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Sunday June 4 10:30 Pm
Hasbro Children’s Hospital
Providence RI.

Dr. Roosevelt Grant rushed into the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). He looked over at the nurses’ station and found Dr. Greg Khin waiting for him. “I got your page, from my service and got here as fast as I could. What’s the big emergency?” Grant asked.

“Your patient in room three, the McCoy kid from South Boston…”

“The car accident kid?”

“Yes that’s one. His condition has…changed.” Khin said with a concerned look on his coffee colored face. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I thought you should go in and see for yourself.”

“What do you mean changed?”

“I…I don’t really don’t know how to explain it. It would be easier if you just saw for yourself.”

Pulling his fellow doctor with him into the room by the arm, Grant said “Show me what your talking about.”

As Kihn walked over to the patients bed, Roosevelt noticed a couple problems right away. The boy was sweating profusely and his coloring was pail as the sheets he lies upon. The boy’s lack of response to their presence concerned him also. Turning back to Dr. Khin, he asked “When did this start? Have you checked the incision for infection?”

“His fever started about two this afternoon. The sweating and shivering, we initially assumed was just a by product of the increased body temperature. As time went on he developed a hacking cough and began vomiting quite a bit. The shift doctor gave him the standard meds for his symptoms and according to his report they seemed to help to some extent at first.

Unfortunately, it was only a short term solution; eventually his temperature spiked and began to climb again. The nursing staff has been monitoring his condition all day long. Sadly as time has passed he’s become increasingly unresponsive to stimuli. I’d say his chances of making it aren’t very good if he continues to deteriorate at this pace.”

“He’s been going down hill all day long and you waited until now to call me?” Grant asked irritatedly. “I’m his attending; you should have informed me about this hours ago!”

“Hey, I only came on a while ago. It was Dr. Green that’s been here all day.” Khin said defensively. “I was doing my rounds when Wendy came to me and insisted I look in on the boy. She was in to checking on him a little while ago and noticed that his chest looked strange. I took a peek in to see what had her so upset and that’s when I had you paged. I only got the back story by reading Green’s notes as I was waiting for you.” Khin explained as he opened the patient’s shirt.

Dr. Grant opened his mouth to respond but the site before him temporarily robbed him of his voice. Doing a double take, he stepped closer to make sure his eyes weren’t deceiving him. He reached his hand out to feel the small lumps and was surprised to find them supple instead of hard like a tumor would have been. “Are…are those breasts?” he asked disbelievingly as he quickly pulled his hand back feeling slightly embarrassed for having groped at the boy like he did.

Khin nodded. “That’s what they appear to be.”

Dr. Grant stood and stared at his patient for several minutes, trying to figure out how a boy could be growing breasts. He mentally ticked off the few possibilities, such as steroid and hormone use, but disregarded then as he scanned over the boys chart. Perplexed he asked “Do we know if there been any other physical changes?”

“We…umm…thought it would be best if you were here before we gave him a thorough physical.”

“I can understand that.” Grant said still marveling. “Let’s get to it shall we?”

The two doctors proceeded to check the boy over from head to toe. Breaking out a tape measure they noted the he was approximately two inches shorter than his admission chart had him listed as had been and his hair was growing at such an incredible rate that you could see it lengthen if you watched long enough. They noticed several other changes including the odd shape on his hips and the small size of his penis. The nurse that was in the room with them cataloged on all the physical discrepancies they found on the boy’s chart.

“What do you think?” Khin asked as they finished up the exam.

“I don’t have the slightest clue what to make of it. These changes should be impossible as far as I know. Stay here and keep an eye on him for me please. I want to do some research in the exotic disease catalog. See if there’s anything there like this.”

“Rosey, don’t you think the we would have heard of anything, no matter how obscure that could do this to someone?”

“I don’t think I’ll find anything either. But if I don’t at least look, we’ll never know for sure.”

Grant went to the hospitals medical library’s computer and began to search the data base for any disease with similar symptoms. After two hours of fruitless research he threw his hands in the air in disgust. Even though he hadn’t expected to find the answer, he was still disappointed. Out of local options and patients, he turned to the internet.

His first thought was to access the Boston area hospitals computer ring to see if there were any others with similar symptoms as the boy’s. He found four that seemed close, but no information was available as to the cause of their affliction. He made some calls to the hospitals on the list but their doctors had no more of a clue what was up that he did.

After hanging up with the last of them, he decided to extend his search further. Dr Grant posted the list of symptoms on a nation wide site design for the sharing of medical information. Much to his surprise lees than five minutes after he posted it, the site notified him of an emailed response.

Exiting the site, he opened up his email and located the message. He found it had come from a William Batson, Director of City Hospital in the San Francisco Bay area. The message was quite lengthy and fill with claims the frankly astounded him. When he finished he let out a deep sigh in an attempt to ward off the chill that was working its way up his spine. He shook his head and picked up the phone and called up to the ICU.

“Wendy? This is Dr. Grant; I need you to inform everyone to stay out of the McCoy kid’s room right away. Unless he goes into arrest absolutely no one is to go in there until I get up back there. Understand? Good. I’ll be there as soon as possible but I need to make a call.”

With that accomplished he hung up and dialed the phone number in the message. Shortly after connecting, he was talking to Director Batson. For the better part of and hour they talked as Batson gave Grant the entire story of the virus. At first Grant refused to believe what he was hearing but the longer the two me talked the more Grant became convinced the impossible tale was true.

“I’m going to email you all the information we have on this, including the formula for the newest test that’s been developed. According to the data I’ve it’s easy to administer and all but fool proof. Once your lab prepares it, you should know whether you’ve got a case or not very quickly.”

“That’s good news. We need to know what’s going on as soon as possible. Thank you for all your help Dr. Batson. I don’t know what we would have done with out it and I’ll be looking for that email.”

“Well good luck and let me know what you’ve got out there.”

“I will.”

After hanging up Grant took a few moments to get him self composed and process what he had just learned as he waited for Batson’s email to arrive. It didn’t seem possible for a virus to physically transform a person. All his education and medical training screamed that there was just no way. However the evidence of his eyes showed it was.

The ding of his computers email notification brought him back to reality. He scanned the information and quickly forwarded it to the director’s office with a brief summery of his conversation with Batson and instructions to have the lab get working on formulating the test.

Getting up from his desk, he left his office and headed for the elevators, still trying to come to terms with the truth. As he waited he caught his pale reflection in the shiny steel like elevator doors. He stared vacantly at it, lost in thought until they opened.

Reaching the ICU floor, Grant headed in the direction the nurse’s desk. Khin and a couple duty nurses of were standing around it having an animated conversation. Their discussion ceased as they saw Grant coming down the hallway.

While Grant was still several feet away, Dr Khin asked “What did you find out?”

“We got a major problem. We need to keep him away from everyone, especially the men in the hospital.”

“Why what’s did you find out?”

“I just got off the phone with A Bill Batson. He’s the director of City Hospital in the San Francisco bay area. His hospital was one of the first to deal with the Acidalia virus…”

“The one the President was talking about the other night?” Khin asked.

“Yes, that’s the one.”

“I thought it was contained on the west coast.”

“Well that was what everyone believed until now. Director Batson emailed me the instructions for making the newest test for the virus. He said it’s easy enough to mix up and according to what he’s been told it’s extremely accurate. I sent the instructions off with the memo to Roger.

Until we know for sure if he has the virus, we need keep him isolated and only allow women into the room. I also asked for someone get a hold of Jenny Fisk and see if she would be willing to come and be the one to go into the room with him to administer and over see the test.”

“Is it safe for her?”

“According to what’s known about the virus so far, it only affects men so she’ll be safer than either of us. Plus there isn’t anyone more qualified to deal with this type of thing.”

*******************

DR Jennifer Fisk, the foremost expert in the New England region on childhood viral infections, was on her way home to Boston when her cell phone rang. She grimaced as she looked to see it was the hospital calling her. She had just finished a long day of working between Hasbro and Boston Children’s hospitals and was looking forward to a quick meal and some serious time with her pillow.

She momentarily considered letting the voice mail get it, but her sense of responsibility to her patients wouldn’t allow it. Letting out a deep sigh she answered “Dr. Fisk speaking.”

“Jennifer? It’s Frank Rogers.”

“Oh hey Frank, what’s up?” she asked suddenly very concerned. If the director of the hospital was up and calling at three in the morning, what ever was wrong had to be very bad indeed.

“We have a situation here and need you to come back if you can.”

“Roger, I just got off of a double shift and I’m beat, can’t what ever it is wait til later this morning?”

“I’m afraid not Jen, this problem is right up your alley. Dr. Grant believes we may have a young man in the ICU that’s been infected with the Acidalia virus and requests your help in testing the boy.”

“Acidalia? Here? How?”

“We don’t know. We’re not even sure if it is Acidalia. We’ve just received instructions on the testing method, but in the mean time we need to keep the boy quarantined. That means if you agree to help you may be stuck here for a while.”

“I’m on I95 right now. I’ll spin around at the next exit and head back that way. Give me about half an hour ok?”

“Whatever it takes Jen. Thank you.”

“I’ll see you then.” She said as she disconnected. Ever since the presidents speech she had been dreading the first appearance of the virus in this area. She had spent as much time as she could over the last several days reading what little information there was on the disease. Seeing an exit coming up she turned off the highway and started heading south towards Providence, as a cold knot of fear began to tighten in her stomach.

***********

Grayson Labs:

The phone was ringing off the hook in Colonel Jordon’s office. Pulling himself off the couch, he shuffled across the room towards his desk trying to rub the sleep out of his eyes. As he took a seat Jordon glanced at the clock. ‘Midnight? This can’t be good news if they’re calling at this time.’ He thought darkly as he reached for the lamp on the desk. He grimaced as the light stung his eyes.

“Jordon here.” He answered a bit more gruffly than he had intended.

“Colonel? This is Bill Batson.” The Director said sounding a bit edgy.

‘Wonderful!’ Jordon thought as he heard the name.

Things had been strained between the two of them since Batson had closed his hospital to Acidalia patients on Saturday in protest of not having viral containment suits for his doctors. For several tense hours the boycott had gone on. At one point the president was ready to order him to take the hospital by force. However military action was avoided when Tyler managed to locate a supply of the suits in the late afternoon. By Saturday night the situation had resolved its self when the promised suits were delivered shortly after seven. Things between the two men had been strained since as the Colonel resented having been put on the spot in that manor.

Rolling his eyes and biting his tongue Jordon replied “Yes Director, what can I do for you?”

“Colonel I just got off the phone with a Dr. Grant from Providence RI. He believes that they have an Acidalia case at they’re hospital.”

“Director, we’ve had small pockets of cases reported from other parts of the country. Why does this particular case warrant a midnight wake up call?”

“Because Dr. Grant works at Hasbro Children’s Hospital.”

“A Children’s hospital?” Jordon repeated. “Oh God.” Visions of irate parents and an even more pissed off President danced through his head as he asked “What kind of containment have they implemented?”

“They have only minimal containment available, but they’ve quarantined the floor that the patient is on. The disturbing part is that the boy was brought in by ambulance two nights ago. He was in a serious car accident. So he has not only exposed the people on the floor he is staying on, but the ambulance crew, anyone that was in the emergency room, the surgeon and operating room staff, and the recovery room. I don’t even want to think about how many rubberneckers and gawkers were around the accident site. Never mind where he contracted it in the first place.”

Jordon tried say something, anything, but found his vocal cords unwilling to cooperate. After several moments ticked silently by, Batson said “Colonel?”

“Yes…I’m sorry director, I was considering our options. Has the patient been tested and confirmed for the virus?”

“Not yet. I sent them over the information on Dr. Ryan’s new test new and Dr. Grant said he would get back to me as soon as they new for sure what they had.”

“Okay as soon as you hear call me. In the mean time I’ll get a hold of the Presidents office and let them know we have a potential disaster looming back east.”

With that agreed on the two men hung up their respective phones.

Jordon took a moment to collect his thoughts. He scribbled a few notes and names down onto a piece of paper. Then with great trepidation he lifted the direct line to the White house and passed on the report.

************************

Providence RI. Monday June 5 4:40am EDT

Dr’s Jennifer Fisk and Roosevelt Grant looked over the results of the Acidalia test with a mix of fear and resignation.

“This is bad.” Grant said miserably. “We need to tell Director Rogers.”
“
We need to get everyone else up here tested too.” DR. Fisk agreed. “We need to figure out how to protect any of those on this floor that aren’t infected too.”

Dr. Grant nodded his head in agreement. He sighed deeply as he scanned the sheet of paper containing the results again. “I think we should tell them first.” He said pointing in the general direction of the rest of the waiting staff.

“I agree. They have the right to know first.” Fisk agreed.

They both headed out of the sick boys room and called the others to gather around the nurse’s station.

“We have the results and the boy is positive.” Roosevelt announced without fanfare as soon as everyone was present. The gathered medical workers faces sank simultaneously as the news was presented.

A couple of the nurses began to cry. The lead nurse, Wendy Drake moved over to offer them some comfort as she asked “What now?”

“First thing we need to do is test everyone one the floor. I know they say that it doesn’t infect women, but I don’t want to take any chances. We also need to let the rest of the hospital know what’s going on up here, so they get testing everyone else” Dr. Fisk the gathering.

“There are also a considerable amount of patients on this floor that will need to be attended and we’re going to be the only ones that can do that. There isn’t going to be a relief shift coming on at six. So we need to get an idea of what we need to do for them.” Dr. Khin added.

Dr’s Fisk and Khin began to assign the rest of the small staff various duties as Dr. Grant went off to call the director.

Rogers took the news hard. To him his staff was an extension of his own family. Grant and Fisk were especially close to his heart. Both had been to his house for social gatherings many times. He found himself fighting back tears as he asked “What do you need?”

“Well first off we need to find away to get food and meds up here without risking the virus escaping. Then we need to get everyone tested, so we’ll need more test kits.”

“Ok. We’ll get them sent up right away. What meds do you need for the kids?”

“Jen and Greg are having the nurses gather all that info as we speak. I’ll have a list for you within the hour.”

“OK. Keep me informed. And Rosey?”

“Yes?”

“Take care of yourself.”

“We will.” Grant replied as he hung the phone up. After taking a moment to locate the number, Dr. Grant placed a call back to Director Batson informing him of the tests’ outcome. They spoke for several minutes as Batson informed him of what to expect. Dr. Grant took meticulous notes, asking the director a few times to repeat something or for a clarification of a specific point.

As the conversation was wrapping up, Batson told Grant “Doctor, I would suggest that you make sure every hospital in you region gets the information ii sent you. If Acidalia spreads as quickly out there as it has here, you may all find yourselves overwhelmed very soon.”

“My director has already taken care of sharing your email. How many cases do you have?”

“Not including yours, I believe the last region wide count I saw was somewhere around 700-750. That’s in just over two weeks since the initial break out. And those are only the one’s we know about. I’m sure there have to more out there somewhere.”

“Jesus! 750 in two weeks?”

“I’m afraid so.”

“Al…alright, well thank you again for all your help.”

“Good luck doctor. I hope it stops with just this one case out there. Cause if it’s already got a foot hold…God help us all.”

*******

The White House Washington D.C. 5:35 am:

The phone in his private bed room rang for what seemed like forever. At first it seemed like part of his dream, but strategically placed elbow from Cassy made him realize it wasn’t. He popped his eyes open and looked at the annoying devise, teetering on the edge of sleep.

Reaching over, he lifted the receiver and mumbled “Lo?”

“Mr. President, it’s Reinhardt sir. Colonel Jordon just called. According to his information the problem in Rhode Island is genuine, sir. He’s awaiting your instructions.”

Shaking his head as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, Fuller said “Rhode Island?”

“The children’s hospital sir.” Reinhardt reminded him.

“Yes. Yes Of course. What are our options?”

“Well sir, we can allow the hospital to conduct its own quarantine or there is the Newport Navel base nearby. We can have a contingent of MP’s there in less than two hours to help with security.” Reinhardt advised.

Fuller considered his options for a couple minutes before saying “Get a hold of Newport. Tell the base commander to get as many of his security people over there as he can afford to send. I want that place locked down tight. No one gets in or out. Make sure they understand that I mean absolutely no one!”

“Yes sir. I’ll take care of it.”

“And Bill?”

“Yes Mr. President.”

“We’re going to need a cover story for the media. I don’t want a panic up there.”

“I’ll get our people on it sir.”

“Good.”

******

San Francisco 7:00 am PDT:

THUMP!!!!!

Ellie awoke with a start. She bolted upright and looked around her for the source of the sound. Even in the shade darkened, gloomy half light of the rain soaked day the minimal illumination provided by the clock on her microwave oven, everything seemed to be in its place. She was just about to chalk it up to her imagination when she heard it again.

‘Nicole!’ she thought as she bolted up and ran into her bed room.

Ever since late Friday night Roger had been asleep, more like in a comma actually. Ellie had been watching over him constantly as his transformation progressed. Watching the process gave her a new appreciation of what had happened to her. She thanked God several times for the unconscious state that had spared Roger the intense pain that she had experienced during her transition.

As she entered the room she flicked on the light. To her dismay, Roger hung half off the bed. From that position, his, or her, long hair locks touched the floor and her now ample top lay bare for the whole world to see. Ellie couldn’t help but admire the changes in her friend’s body. She knew that Roger would be ecstatic when she awoke.

Ellie stepped over to the bed and struggled to lift the new woman’s limp form back onto the bed. ‘Jeesh Nicole, you may look skinny now, but you still weigh a ton.’ She thought to herself. As if in reply to her friend’s unspoken comment, Nicole groaned.

Stifling a surprised gasp, Ellie finished getting her friend back into place. Placing the pillow under Nicole’s head, Ellie noticed her eyes flutter open momentarily.

Trying to control a wave of excitement washing over her, Ellie whispered “Nicole? Are you awake sweetie?”

Nicole groaned again, her eyes fluttering a bit more. Ellie waited patiently for a sign as to whether her friend was waking up or just grumbling in her sleep. With building anticipation, Ellie said a silent prayer for her friends’ recovery.

“Lord, if it is your will, please let her be ok. She’s a good, faithful person and has agreed to help me in your sacred mission. Amen”

Nicole’s head shifted on the pillow as she let out another low groan. Ellie stepped closer and noticed that her eyes were now open. She leaned down and touched Nicole’s cheek. “Sweetie?” she said questioningly.

Though her eyes remained unfocused Nicole replied with a soft “Hmm?”

A delighted smile sprang across Ellie’s face as she prodded some more “Nicole? Are you there sweetie?”

Once again Nicole responded with a grunt. Ellie took a seat on the bed and picked up her now slim hand. She held it, stroking the top of the palm as she waited for Nicole to finish her assent form oblivion. After several starts and stutters on the way back to the land of the living during the following hour Nicole looked up at her and whispered “El? Am…am I alive?”

Tears of joy poured from her eyes as Ellie reached down and hugged Nicole. “Sweetie, you are most definitely still alive! As a matter of fact, I think you’re going to be most pleased with how alive you are!”

“Di…did I change?”

“Oh yes. Yes you did.”

“Can…can I…I see?”

“Wait just a minute, I’ll fetch you a mirror.” Ellie said excitedly as she hopped off the bed and bolted out of the room.

Nicole tried to lift her head as she waited for Ellie’s return but found she lacked the strength. She rolled her eyes downward and glimpsed her thin hands and long fingers that rested on top of the blankets covering a new found swell on her chest. A small smile creased the corners of her mouth as the truth of her new situation began to dawn on her.

Seconds later Ellie bound back into the room carrying the largest she could reasonably handle. As she approached she placed the mirror down on next to the bed.

“What are you doing?” Nicole asked, her smile growing bigger as she heard her new higher pitched voice for the first time.

Teasingly Ellie replied “I just wanted to fix you up a bit, so you didn’t scare yourself when you look.” She moved in and began to fluff out Nicole’s beautiful long hair.

“Aw, come on El…”

“Don’t come on El, me young lady. Your one serious mess here and I don’t want you thinking you’ve been transformed into some kind of hag.” She told her as she finished her preening. “Ok that looks much…well a little better anyhow.

“Elijah!” Nicole said in a demanding tone as she felt her strength begin to return.

With a mock tone of indignation Ellie said “First of all, it Ellie not Elijah. Secondly,” she picked up the mirror and turned it towards Nicole, “here.”

Nicole gasped as she saw her new face. Gone were the square jaw, the old acne scars and the constant five-o-clock shadow. They were replaced by high cheeks, full lips and a cute little nose. Nicole smile goofily as she studied her new face. She noticed her eyes had changed from dark brown to an almost emerald green. To her absolute delight her hair was no longer its former jet black, it had also changed to a dazzling red that seemed to compliment her eyes perfectly.

“Oh my god… El, is this real?” she as, her voice full of wonderment and tears welling up in her eyes.

With tears of joy streaming down her cheeks as well, Ellie replied “Yes sweetie, it’s real. God has truly blessed us both.”

Putting the mirror down Ellie walked over, helped Nicole with her arms and the two women hugged and cried for several minutes. When the embrace was over and they cries of joy had abated enough to allow them both to speak clearly, Ellie kneeled next to the bed and led Nicole in a long prayer of thanks to God for his blessing.

Once that was finished Ellie asked “Is there anything I can get you? A drink? Something to eat?”

“Food?” Nicole asked as her stomach suddenly rumbled at the mention of the word.

Smiling Ellie said “Food it is then. Anything in particular you’d like?”

“At this point I’ll take anything you have. I’m suddenly so hungry I could eat a horse.”

“Well sweetie, I think we’ll start you off with something a bit lighter that that. You don’t want to loose that lovely figure of your on the first day do you?” Ellie teased as she disappeared through the doorway.

A short time later Ellie reappeared carrying a large serving tray, stacked high with all sorts of breakfast items. Setting it down on the chest of draws, she walked over and helped Nicole into a sitting position. With that accomplished, she placed a small tray with legs on the bed over Nicole’s lower half. Turning back to the waiting tray of food, Ellie picked it up and brought it over to the bad, placing on the tray there.

The smell of the food made Nicole’s mouth water and stomach rumble loudly. Never in her entire life had she been so hungry or weak for that matter. It was an effort to lift her arm and pick up her fork. The complete lack of strength frightened Nicole.

Seeing her friends distress and understanding its source from Ellie said reassuringly “Don’t worry, one you get some food in you, you’ll feel a lot better.”

Nicole gave her a quick embarrassed smile and tried to lift the food filled fork to her mouth. Her hand shook so badly that its contents spilled over her chest before it could be placed in her mouth.

“Wow, you really are wasted.” Ellie remarked in surprise. “Here, lie back and let me help you.” Putting down her toast, Ellie picked up the fork and help her weakened friend eat, while they watched the news.

“Good morning San Francisco this is KLTR news. Our top story this morning is the announcement by home Land Security director Harris Skellington apprehension of Dr. Carla Ryson by FBI agents in the Bay area. Dr. Ryson along with several others has been wanted for questioning in connection with the release of the Acidalia virus. While he wouldn’t come right out and say it, Director Skellington intimated that Dr. Ryson may be the person most directly responsible for this growing problem.

While he couldn’t elaborate on what or how many different charges would be leveled against the suspect, Skellington did promise that the investigation into those believed to be coconspirators with Dr. Ryson would continue. “The investigation will not end with the arrest of a single person. There are still suspects at large including known domestic terrorist Warren Quinlan, that are believed to have been involved with Dr. Rysons’ horrific scheme.” the Director was quoted as saying during his early morning press briefing.

In other news local CDC official Mia Blue’s office released a statement denying the wide spread internet rumors about wide spread mass infections of the dreaded virus. The statement specifically rebuked the speculation that many area doctors were being infected as they sought to treat the virus’ victims.

“There is absolutely no truth to these reports and all local hospitals have been given biocontainment suits for their medical staff to use while attending the infected. As of this time the CDC has received not a single confirmed report of a doctor becoming infected with
Acidalia as a result of treating its victims.” the statement is quoted as saying.

The statement also made mention of a new procedure for testing for the Acidalia virus that was released over the weekend. This quicker method has, according to all available information has actually caused a slight reduction in the number of new confirmed cases.

In International news. Another country has joined the growing number of what the White House is terming; irresponsible states that have issued no land orders of any flight inbound from the US. Japan has now joined China, The European Union and several other smaller countries in what President Fuller describes as a blatant violation of international protocol. Sources in close to the Presidents advisors have confirmed reports of trade injunctions being instituted against all the countries involved in the flight boycott.”

********

City hospital, Director Batson’s office:

All morning long Bill and Mia blue had been going over the results of the first round of testing using Dr. Ryan’s method. To say the results were unsettling would be a gross understatement. Out of the two hundred men tested in the last three hours one hundred and seventy nine of them had tested positive.

“Are we sure these results are accurate?” Mia asked disbelievingly.

“I had the same question, so I ordered all the positive’s retested and with the exception of…let me see…I got the numbers here somewhere…ah here they are. With the exception of one case all retested positive the second time. I’ve also been in touch with most of the rest of the hospitals in the area and they’re all reporting a similar spike in positive results.”

Mia let out a small sigh of resignation. “How are you doing for bed space? Are you going to be able to handle the spike in at least the short term?”

“With the sudden jump from this morning we’re at capacity plus I’d say at least a hundred and we still have a lot more to test. I’ve had the maintenance crew busy on the seventh floor putting beds everywhere there is space for them but to be honest we’re overwhelmed.”

“I was afraid of that. We’ll just have to double up on the transfers to Dillon and Reynolds for now. The colonel told me that they expect to have the new quarantine center their building at Edwards completed by weeks end, so the will give us some relief.”

“How big is that one going to be?”

It’s supposed to be pretty big…somewhere in the neighborhood of twelve hundred person capacity.”

“No offence…but I think you better tell him to make it bigger.”

Mia let out another sigh. This one however was one of agreement.

*************

Providence RI. 4:30 Pm EDT:

“WRPO news room.”

“Is this the line people call to report breaking news?”

“Yep this is the one. What you got?”

“I work over at Hasbro hospital…”

“The one for kids?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Anyway we got a case of that Aci…Aciwhatever they call it virus over here.”

Sarcastically he said “You guys got a case of Acidalia. In your hospital?”

“That’s what I just said ain’t it?”

“How do I know you’re not just some crack pot yankin my chain?”

“Look we got a case of what ever the friggen name of it is over here. Send one of you crews and check it out. They even sent a big ol’ group of MP’s from Newport to guard the place. Ya know to make sure none of us tries to leave until they give us the test.”

“MP’s too? Okay now you really got my attention. What’s your name and what do you do over there?”

“My name? Oh…duh…My name is…”

From the background “Hey! What are you doing over there?”

“Oh shit they found me…I…I got to…”

Click

*********

Reynolds:

For what seemed like the hundredth time, Thomas pushed the medical call button on the wall near the hatch and for the hundredth time, it went unanswered.

“Why did they even bother to put this friggen thing in here?” she said disgustedly to no one in particular.

On the bed at the back end of the cell, the man they had brought in on Friday let out another ear piercing howl. Thomas looked over at the poor soul and cursed the fate that had kept him conscious during his transition. To her the luckiest of them were the ones that lost consciousness as they changed.

Though it had been several day’s since his arrival, the now changing man had yet to say a single coherent word to any of them, so his name remained a mystery. For all of Friday night and most of the day Saturday he had stayed on the bed they put him of, curled up in a ball with a far away look in his eyes, sucking on his thumb. That was, until the virus took hold and started rearranging his DNA. Again he loudly vocalized his discomfort.

“Jesus Christ!” yelped Renee. “Did they answer you this time?”

“No! They still didn’t answer!” Thomas said bitterly as she smacked the button again in frustration.

“What are we going to do about him then?” Jo asked.

“Do? What do you suggest we do? We’re going to have to try to help him get through this somehow, that’s what we’re going to do.” Thomas replied as the man moaned some more.

“How are we supposed to do that?” Jo asked sarcastically.

Thomas glared at her short rotund cellmate but bit her tongue instead of replying and escalating the argument any further. She knew Jo was only venting her frustration at the lack of medical response. They were all frustrated. The cries of pain had kept them up for almost thirty six hours straight and their nerves were starting to fray a bit.

‘A bit frayed? How bout a whole lot friggen frayed!’ Thomas though as she walked over to her bed and plopped down on it. Closing her eyes for a moment she tried to picture her family, God how she missed them. She attempted to say a silent prayer for their safety but the howls started up again from the back of the room, destroying her concentration. In complete desperation she pulled her pillow over her head in an attempt to shut out the cries as the reached new heights.

“Shut the fuck up!!!!” Mona screamed back as she bolted over to the call button and began to hit it repeatedly. “Answer you fucks! Answer! God damn it! Why won’t they answer?” she sobbed futilely as she pounded the hated button again and again.

*****
From the computer in his office, Major Brady watched the entire scene over the security monitor and smiled contentedly. This was working out better than he could have hopped. At first when he found out that his people had put Parker in Logan’s cell he had been furious. But Parker’s continued conscious and the effect on Logan and the rest was proving to be endlessly entertaining.

The sound of knocking on his door made him look up. He considered not acknowledging it for a moment, but thought better of it. “Enter.” He called as he reluctantly shut the feed off.

“Major.” Sergeant Major Hutchinson said as she saluted her superior officer.

“Yes?” Brady said as he returned the salute.

“Sir the new arrivals should be here in about forty five minutes or so and we still don’t have their cell assignments yet.”

‘Shit1’ Brady thought. ‘Slacking off, spending too much time watching the Logan show and not enough on my duties. Gonna have to knock that shit off’ Focusing back on Hutchinson, he inquired “How many in this load?”

Loren pulled out her clip board that held the roster sheet on it. After a brief calculation she reported “Only thirty five in this one sir. But I just got a cal informing me that we have a second load coming in at ten thirty tonight and that one is slightly over a hundred. I guess someone’s decided to double us up today.”

“I’d say. How are we looking of space?”

“Well the first through the third levels are at capacity but the other three have plenty of beds still available. If we spread these two loads over them, everyone should remain reasonably comfortable.”

“Hmm. Let me see that sheet.” He asked.

Hutchison walked to the desk and put it in his hand. Their fingers touched momentarily during the exchange. She stepped back and stood there uncomfortably trying to fight the urge to wipe her hand on her fatigue pants.

She watched as the Major looked over the list for the next several minutes. Every few moments would mark the sheet with a felt pen and snicker. When he was done he handed the clipboard back to her.

“There you go.” He said.

Loren looked over what he had marked on the list. “Sir?” she said questioningly.

“Yes?”

“Sir, are you sure about these assignments?”

“Is there a problem Sergeant Major?”

“Well sir you have twenty of the new arrivals going into cell number 4552.”

“And?” he asked mockingly.

“Well sir that cell already has five people in it and it only has a total of twenty beds.”

“I am aware of what the bed counts are.”

“But sir, we have plenty of room in other cells…”

“Sergeant Major Hutchinson are you questioning my orders?”

“No…no sir it’s just that…”

“Then we have nothing left to discuss. Dismissed.”

“But sir I…”

“I said dismissed!” Brady said sternly.

“Yes Sir!” Loren said dejectedly as she gave the Major a salute. She waited patiently for a few moments for Brady to return her salute. Finally he seemed to realize what she was waiting for and returned it. With a loud sigh of disgust, Hutchinson turned and walked quickly out of the office. ‘What the hell is he doing?’ she wondered as she closed the door behind her.

Brady sat back down at his desk after Hutchinson left. He turned the computers monitor back on and brought up the security monitoring program again. After punching in his clearance code, the machine produced a list of cells to monitor. Clicking his mouse on the link for cell 4552, he waited patiently for the feed to load.

An impish grin grew on his face as the video and audio feeds showed Thomas Logan and the dark haired one tending to Parker, while the fat one pounded on the call button. He giggled with delight as the memory of having ordered that cells call system deactivated. ‘Bloody stoke of genius.’ he thought, congratulating himself.

***********

Providence RI. 9:45am EDT:

“How’s the testing going?” Dr. Fisk asked.

“Not good I’m afraid.” Grant replied.

“How many of us are infected?”

“It would be easier to tell you who isn’t at this point, I’m afraid.” Grant admitted.

“That bad huh?”

“Fraid so. Seems the only male that doesn’t have to look forward to buying a new wardrobe is Dr. Khin. So far anyhow. And I’ll bet you that he shows up positive sometime soon too.”

“The kids too?”

“All the boys anyhow.” He replied with obvious distress.

“Oh Rosey, I’m so sorry.” Fisk said with genuine sympathy as she moved in and hugged him tightly. After the moment passed, she continued “Have you told everyone yet?”

“As the results have come in, I’ve been informing them individually.”

“Any word from Rogers on how the testing is going for the rest of the hospital?”

“No not yet. At this point I’ll take that as a good sign though.”

***********

The main lobby:

The MP’s from Newport had set up a security post back from the main entrance near the elevators in an attempt to stay unnoticed. Just a single soldier stood near the admissions desk to keep an eye on the side walk in front of the building. The rest of the force and the hospitals small security staff were spread out covering the rest of the entrances to the Hospital. Their main objective was simply to keep every on the ICU floor away from everyone else. So far things had gone smoothly, until the radio chirped.

“Sir we’ve got a situation here.”

“What is it Corporal?” Sergeant Carter Hall asked.

“Reporters Sergeant.” The corporal replied.

“Shit. Stay there. I’ll be right over.” Hall grabbed a couple of additional men and hurried over the entrance.

Outside the news crew was hopping out of the newly arrived van. The small group was rushing around and appeared to be quickly getting themselves set up for a live shot.

“Shit!” Hall cursed again as he hurried toward the door with this men in tow. “You can’t set that stuff up here.” He hollered at the reporters as he burst onto the sidewalk.

Location reporter Doreen Baxter turned to her camera man Fred McNeil pointing and saying “Fred, the military guy.”

Understanding the implied instruction, Fred turned towards Hall and flipped the camera on. They two of them moved towards the approaching solders. As the groups met, Doreen shove the microphone into Halls face and quickly asked “Sir would you like to comment on the rumor of an Acidalia infectees’ presence in the hospital and what that could mean for the rest of the patients in the building?”

Momentarily taken aback Hall hesitated before ordering “Shut that camera off and get that out of my face. This is a restricted area. You people need to leave here right now!”

“So you’re confirming the presence of the Acidalia virus?” Doreen asked.

“I said get the mic out of my face!” Hall once again demanded as he swiped at the offending piece of equipment knocking it out of the reporter’s hand.

“What the hell?” Doreen howled indignantly as she bent over to pick up the microphone.

“Now take your van and get out of here! And shut the fucken camera off!” Hall demanded. He signaled the solders behind him to remove the news crew. The three MP’s stepped forward with their hands moving towards the side arms they each carried. Before they could get close enough to do anything, Frank put the camera on his hip and said “Ok. Ok we get the message. No need to get physical.”

“Frank!” Doreen shouted.

Ignoring the young woman’s cry, Frank grabbed her arm and began to lead her back toward the van. She struggled to free herself and complained about her lack of success the entire way back. Frank smartly paid her no mind and continued back. Once they were behind the van he pushed her in.

“Drive.” he told the vans control board technician Bill Richards.

Richard complied and hopped into the driver’s seat as Doreen hollered “What the fuck do you think your doing? Don’t you ever put you greasy mitts on me ag…”

“Will you shut the fuck up?” he exclaimed interrupting her. “I got the entire thing on tape!”

“You what?”

“I got it all. Everything from your questions to the big guy knocking the mic out of your hand to those solders coming at us!”

A large smile spouted on Doreen’s pretty face. “You’re the best!” she told him excitedly as she gave him a big hug.

“Flattery will get you everywhere.” He joked. Looking out the windshield he spotted the place he wanted. “Pull over next to that building Bill.” He instructed.

Once parked he and Doreen hopped out of the van. To her, Frank said “Ok get yourself straightened up and we’ll…hey wait a minute! Don’t straighten yourself up. As a matter of fact” he said as he bent down and scraped some sand and dirt off the side walk “close your eyes.”

Doreen did as instructed. Frank sprinkled the handful on grime over her head and smeared a bit on her face.

“There that’s perfect.” He said stepping back and looking over his work. “Now rumple you outfit a bit.” Doreen complied. “Perfect! Are you ready?” he said as he lifted the camera to his shoulder.

Doreen picked up her microphone and nodded her head as she set an outraged look on her face. The light came on and the show began.

“You can call it Acidalia or you can call it by its west coast nick name double X, but what every name you choose, call it close to home. This is Doreen Baxter reporting from outside Hasbro Children’s hospital here in Providence, where there have been unconfirmed reports of an outbreak of this fearsome virus. Hospital officials were unavailable for comment; however the presence of Military Police guarding the facility lends credence to the rumor.

When channel 12 reporters approached the hospital in search of comment, they were threatened with forcible removal from the premises by military personnel. One unnamed solder even went as far as nearly assaulting one of our crew as we attempted to question him as this video will confirm.”

The carefully edited video of the supposed assault, including a spliced in shot of Doreen picking herself up off the ground, showed for the next thirty seconds. Then Doreen’s voice came back in.

“Internet rumors of wide spread infection along with the military’s behavior and the continued silence from hospital officials serve to only heighten the concerns of a frightened public. Even if this isn’t an outbreak of the dreaded disease this situation certainly calls into question the judgment of those controlling the release of information. This is Doreen Baxter reporting for channel 12 news.”

*****

“Is that what you call controlling the flow of information?” President Fuller asked angrily as he hit the power off button for the television. “What the fuck is going on there Bill? You told me you would handle the dissemination the cover story. Is this what you call covering it?”

Bill Reinhardt looked at the President miserably. Though the reporters had arrived faster than anticipated and certainly faster than he felt he could have gotten anyone on the ground to deflect the story, the situation was still colossally screwed up and the blame was his to bear.

In the hours since the story first aired, in defiance of all logic the front of the hospital and the surrounding area had become over run. Every single sociology expert in the area was dumb founded by the gathering. According to them, everyone should be fleeing the area not flocking to the infections source. And yet people from all over southern New England, from as far away as New Haven and Boston, were flocking to the city. Some were concerned parents, other were there to protest the military’s involvement, most however seemed to be there just to see the show and antagonize the police.

The group of MP’s found they’re numbers to be insufficient for the job of crowd control and had been forced to call on the local police to assist. The man power needed to contain the size of the ever growing sea of humanity had left the city police force seriously depleted. Rhode Island State Police had been called in to help also but were unable to get through the over run streets around the hospital. So they were instead working with the Providence police dept, patrolling the city.

“Well?” Fuller asked impatiently, pulling Reinhardt out of his reverie.

“Well sir, we’ve released our cover story to one of the competing stations and they went to air with it about fifteen minutes ago.”

“And that story is?”

“We’ve put out that the military is practicing their antiterrorism tactics at the hospital with the full cooperation of the administration.”

Fuller rolled his eyes. “Is that the best you could come up with? Cause, I’d say that your story sure as hell isn’t having any effect on the city’s population. All these highly paid people, supposed experts in media manipulation and antiterrorism practice is the best we can come up with?”

Reinhardt shrugged his shoulders. He knew better than to try to defend the idea as it would only infuriate the President more so he simply said “We’re doing everything we can to contain the situation from here on out.”

“Well that’s certainly good to hear. You’ve done a hell of a job handling it so far!”

*******************

Hasbro:

“Dr Grant, Director Rogers is on the phone looking for you.”

“Thanks Wendy, I’ll take it in here.” Grant put down the latest in a long series of positive test results and reached for the phone.

“Hey Frank, what’s up?”

“Rosey, how are your test results coming out up there?”

Grant sighed “It’s not good Frank. I’ve finished with the last of the tests and we’ve got only two negatives. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. I find it hard to believe that all of us are infected this quickly.”

“I understand what you mean. We’ve been busy testing everyone in the building and we’ve come up with an astounding amount of positive results too. Over eighty percent of those tested are infected if the results are to be believed.”

“That many? How is that possible?”

“I don’t know.”

“Roger, is there any chance we mixed the chemical agents incorrectly?”

“I thought of that. So I called the lab and had them make a new batch, but the results are pretty much the same. The only thing I can come up with is either this virus is much more contagious than anyone realizes or the test is bad.”

“Batson swore by the test and he didn’t seem like the given to hyperbole.”

“I just…I guess I don’t want the results to be right.”

“I hear you on that one Frankie. Believe me I hear you.”

The Main Lobby:

Through the reinforced plexiglass front windows Sergeant Hall worriedly watched the sea of people outside continue to grow and grow. The extra help the Providence police had sent was welcome but hardly enough to handle this many people if the got out of hand. What they needed was a full military presence; unfortunately they had been unable to communicate that need to Newport because all the phone lines were jammed with incoming calls from concerned parents and news people. Even the cell phones were useless.

*********************

San Francisco:

As the day progressed into night Nicole’s strength returned. By late after she was able to get out of bed and had, after a stop in the bath room during which she was able to familiarize herself with the new pluming, moved to the couch in the living room. The trip though exceedingly short had exhilarated and exhausted Nicole so pretty much as soon as she was settled in the living room she was ready for a nap. Ellie let her sleep the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening.

When the new woman had awoken again at a bit after seven, her ravenous hunger had returned. Ellie had fixed her another prodigious meal, smiling as she recalled eating an entire box of Heresy bars during a particularly bad fit of hunger the night after completing her transformation. Finishing the preparation she looked over the copious amount of food and said a quick prayer of thanks to God for the high powered metabolism that seemed to be part of their new bodies.

Ellie brought the tray full of food into the living room and set it down near where Nicole lay. Some how managing to not get her hand bitten off as Nicole attacked the tray, Ellie took a small portion for herself. The two friends sat in relative silence as they ate. The only real noise coming from Nicole as she occasionally grunted with pleasure while she ate.

Finishing long before Nicole, Ellie turned the news. The two women watched the broadcast with great interest as the discussed the latest nation wide developments with the Acidalia virus. The station described a riot in Detroit resulting from the false belief that the newest testing method was actually a vaccination for the virus. According to the report, the Marines had to be called in to finally restore order in the city.

The next item was about a small outbreak at a hospital on the east coast and the amazing crowd that had gathered outside of it virtually shutting down the city’s heart. The aerial shots of the tremendous crowd surrounding the Rhode Island medical center were impressive, even if the accompanying voice over, describing it as a prayer vigil smelled of complete horse shit. The report ended saying that Providence Mayor Vincent Lambogani was calling up the local National Guard to help the city and state police with crowd control.

Eventually having seen enough, Ellie shut the set off and sighed disgustedly.

“What’s the sigh for?” asked the satiated Nicole.

“The news…the way they talked about the riot and the problem in Rhode Island…it’s like they’re trying too hard to put the best possible spin on things.”

Nicole nodded her head in agreement as she took a long swig of water. “You think that maybe the government is trying to cover things up?”

“Yes I do. It’s like they want to pretend that everything is fine and normal, even though the edges are starting to fray on society. I saw this afternoon on the internet a report that said this new test, has resulted in hundreds of new cases being discovered in just a short time. And that because of all of these newly infected people, the quarantine centers are going to be overflowing by months end. Now how come there was about that on the news?”

Nicole sat and thought about what had just been said. After several silence filled minutes of contemplation, she shrugged her shoulders, deciding that she was still way to fuzzy headed to fully grasp the implications of what Ell’s statements.

Deciding to change the subject she asked “So what’s your plan for carrying out this mission God has given us?”

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and praying on that subject while you were sleeping. God has told me to gather those like us and help them with they’re transitions, so I think our first order of business is to find a safe, clean out of the way place to set up operations.”

“My family still owns all those warehouses down on the southern side of the city. They’re in a fairly secluded area and as far as I know they’re pretty much empty too.” Nicole offered.

“Sweetie that sounds perfect!” Ellie exclaimed. “But how do we get access to any of them? I mean they must be locked up.”

“I think I got that covered too. Just before my dear old father got completely disgusted with my…desires and threw me out of the house, he gave me a key to the one on the eastern most edge of the property, so I could store some stuff there for him. I never gave him the key back after I left so if he didn’t change the lock…”

“Where is the key now?”

“It’s back in my apartment.”

“Ok then as soon as you’ve got the strength, we’ll take a ride over there and grab it. Ellie said and then added “after we get you some clothes that will fit that is.”

“Shopping?” Nicole asked with a joyful gleam in her eye.

Ellie smiled “Of course silly. We’ve got to get you some new clothes, unless that is you want to walk around naked everywhere.”

With a mischievous grin Nicole responded “Well this new body of mine does look good…”

Ellie giggled and threw a pillow at her.

*******************

Reynolds:

Mona, Renee, Thomas pulled Jo off the floor. With tremendous care they put their injured friend onto Mona’s bed and looked over her injuries. To Thomas’ untrained eye they looked superficial, perhaps a broken nose, but nothing that wouldn’t heal.

Several feet away the Blonde haired cause of Jo’s injuries glad handed and slapped five with some of the other new arrivals. Her compatriots congratulated her and slapped her on the back all the while eyeing Renee’s’ bunk. The victorious new girl strutted over to her newly won bed and with exaggerated glee laid down on it.

Their once spacious cell was now suddenly a very crowded one. Just half an hour ago a group of about twenty new comers had arrived, leaving the cell five beds short. Almost as soon as she had arrived, Karen had begun to pick fights with Thomas and the rest girls that had been in the cell before her arrival. Jo had become the first one to actually fight her, when Jen had decided it was her bed she desired. Jo did her best but wound up loosing badly.

Thomas glared at Karen, her anger building with every snide comment that emitted from victors mouth. However before anything could be done about the situation Mona pulled at Thomas’s arm and pointed at a group encircling the finally sleeping man.

“Get away from him!” Thomas hollered. The group ignored her and continued to poke at the poor transitioner.

Getting up Thomas shouted “I said, get away from him!”

From behind she heard Karen challenge “What are you gonna do if they don’t?”

This time it was Thomas’ turn to ignore. She walked over and pushed her way past the women surrounding the bed. “This bed is for him. Go find another one.” She told them defiantly.

Getting off her newly won prize, Karen sauntered over saying “And what if I decide that I want that one instead of the one I got? Huh? What are you gonna do then?”

Thomas glared at her new rival. “I’ve said all that I have to say on this subject. This bed is his and that’s all there is too it.”

Karen stepped right up to Thomas’s face, poked her in the chest and said “I sat that the bed belongs to Rita over there!”

Without so much as a word Thomas cut loose with a punch to Karen’s jaw that sent the blonde to the floor. She then followed it up with a couple swift kicks to the new comer’s midsection. Karen doubled over and gasped for air. Looking around at the rest of the room Thomas asked “Anyone else want to take this bed?”

To no one’s surprise there were no volunteers.

“Good.” Looking down at Karen’s prone form she announced “That bed over there belongs to Jo. Go find yourself another one. Understand?”

Karen groaned in acknowledgement.

Thomas turned and walked back to Mona’s bed “How’s she doing?”

With obvious admiration Mona replied “She’ll live.”

“Good. Let’s get her onto her own bed.”

As the three women hefted Jo off Mona’s bed and began to move her back to her own Renee said “That was some punch!”

Thomas looked at her friend and simply said “Yes it was.”

After getting Jo settled, Thomas went back to Parkers bed and took a seat. As she sat she absently stroked the transitioning man’s rapidly growing hair. ‘What’s happened to me? Even when I was a man, I could never have laid anyone out with just one punch. Karen was right in front of me, ready to fight and she acted like she didn’t even see it coming. What’s going on?’ she wondered silently.

*****************

Providence Tuesday June 6 early morning:

As the night turned into day the Mp’s got their first good look at how much the crowd surrounding them had grown. From the now empty forth floor, Hall had established a look out post. From this height it was possible to see the edges of the great sea of humanity that fill the blocks surround the hospital.

Over night there had been several arrests on the outer edges as various individuals had tried to instigate violence in one form or another. The hospital it’s self was still physically cut off from the rest of the world by the surrounding masses. Communications had been restored overnight however and the MP’s had been reinforced with a group of Army Rangers that had been dropped on the roof by helicopter.

Inside the building the situation had changed also. The overwhelming number of positive test results had cause the abandonment of the fifth floor quarantine idea. Instead the hospital had been divided into two zones. The fifth trough eighth floors now housed all those confirmed to have Acidalia. The third and second contained the few that had been negative, with the forth acting as a buffer zone between the two groups. The lobby was now strictly off limits to anyone other than military personnel.

Having gawked at the people outside enough, Hall decided to head to the lobby to check on his men stationed there. As the elevator descended, Hall found himself wondering how long his group would be stuck here. He reminded himself to ask that very question later when he contacted his superiors for the morning situation briefing.

Entering the lobby he toured his men, stopping to briefly speak to each one. Eventually he wound his way to the reception desk, where the view of the side walked look remarkable similar to the way it had before the sun went down last night. He turned from looking at the crowd to the Corporal manning the desk station. Just as he was about to open his mouth a tremendous roar erupted from be hind him. He turned back to see a young man standing at the front of the gathering. He was just inside the police barricades. The officers’ manning the lines seemed to be trying to get to him but were unable as he would move back into the crowd every time they came near him.

Though he couldn’t hear the man’s words, his body language and the response from the gathered on lookers left his propose unquestioned. He watched as a police man dove towards the instigator, only to find himself rebuffed by those surrounding him.

‘Those cop’s are gonna get themselves killed out there!’

“God damn it!” He turned back to his troops. “Everyone, outside now. Get that kid and shut him up before he starts a god damned riot! Move!”

The group of Mp’s and Rangers ran towards the doors, readying their weapons as they went. They burst onto the side walk and headed directly towards the trouble maker. As they got close enough to hear his words, their mouths went dry. He had the crowd whipped into a frenzy.

“You there!” Hall yelled to the instigator.

The young man looked over at the approaching solders and smiled. “You see? What did I tell you? These men are the ones preventing you from keeping your families safe! They’re protecting the infected ones inside! Allowing the virus to grow! So that it can spread out and infect you all your loved ones!”

“That’s enough out of you!” Hall yelled as he grabbed the slender rabble-rouser. The boy tried to resist, forcing Hall to wrestle him to the ground. A minor skirmish ensued between the two of them. Because of his superior training, Hall subdued the agitator, breaking his nose in the process and almost as soon as it had begun the fight was over.

Hall pulled the man to his feet. One of the men near the front of the police lines saw the young instigators blood soaked face and screamed “You bastards! Let him go!”

As the group of solders began to encircle the trouble maker another joined the first voice yelling out “Leave him alone! Let him speak!”

The hairs on the back of Hall’s neck began to stand up as he heard the entire mob chant “LET HIM GO! LET HIM GO! LET HIM GO!” over and over again.

Realizing how close to loosing control of the situation they were Hall turned to his men and hollered “Grab him and get back inside!”

Without hesitation the men grabbed the prisoner and began to drag him into the hospital as the crows chant grew louder. As they went, the troop found themselves pelted with trash and stones. Hall kept them moving towards the door however, telling them to ignore the debris. One of his men got hit in the middle of his back with a large stone. The poor solder fell to his knees in pain. Hall stopped to help him up and the solder screamed in pain.

Hall looked down on his injured man and pleaded “Come on. Just get inside and we’ll have one of the doc’s fix you up.

Taking a deep breath and gritting his teeth the solder managed to get to his feet. Hall helped him along and began to believe they were actually going to make until they were less than twenty five feet short of the door the crowd turned into a mob and charged the barricades. The police in the front line were trampled and overwhelmed in an instant. The MP’s let their prisoner go and turned they’re weapons on the approaching wave of humanity. They were overrun before a single shot could be fired.

From his office window Director Rogers saw the entire scene play out in surreal slow motion. His jaw hit the floor as he watched first the police then the solders washed away by the on rush of people. He stumbled back towards his desk as though the sudden forward movement below had created a wall of air in front of it that forced everything back.

Grabbing the phone and hitting the line to the security room he yelled “Close the security gates close the security gates, before the mob gets into the building!”

“Sir?” the answering guard said into the phone as he looked up at the monitor showing the front entrance. “Oh shit!” He exclaimed as he dove towards the button that activated the steel security gate system.

The entire group in the room held their breath as the gates descended, hoping they would reach the locking mechanisms in the floor before the mob got to them. The roof monitors showed the group of Rangers stationed there open fire with tear gas canisters on the crowd below. That acted to only infuriate the mob even more. Yet somehow the gas managed to delay the assault just long enough for the locks engage.

Those inside the building with access to either security monitors or windows, shivered as they watched the mob throw it’s self at the steel gates time and time again. The fury of the assemblage was an almost palpable thing. More tear gas rained down from the roof. Army helicopters began to buzz the mob in an attempt to disburse it. Fire trucks on the outside edges opened their hoses on the assemblage while the State Police and National Guard began to form a wedge and move into the crowd. Confusion reigned.

A large contingent broke off from the assault on the hospital and began to attack the ground troops, quickly overwhelming them. From there they attacked the fire trucks. A large group grabbed a hold of one of the engine and somehow managed roll it onto it’s side.

With the rear guard no longer an obstacle the mob moved into the city, destroying anything that got in their way. As the day wore on they looted, fought, destroyed property and lit fires everywhere they went. The authorities tried everything they could to restore order. Nothing worked.

That night the city of Providence burned like a signal fire announcing the commencement of the eastern epidemic.

Confirmed cases: 2047

Actual cases: 1433

End part IV

To be continued in part 5