Read Online Up From the Depths by J. R. Jackson - Free Book Online Page B

to injuries outside of massive head trauma. But, that’s just the beginning.”
    Heller was silent as he thought about what Chambers had just told him as he looked at the data from the memory stick on his laptop.
    “I see it but I don’t believe it,” Heller said shaking his head. “You’re sure about this?” he asked looking up at the research scientist.
    Chambers nodded and pointed to the data. “It’s all right there.” Heller looked back at the information that was scrolling down his screen.
    “This is a lot to take in,” Heller stated as he read the screen.
    “I know,” Chambers said pacing the floor in Heller’s small office. “It’s so fantastical that it reads like bad science fiction. What we're seeing at this stage is not reanimated corpses. Oh no. That is not the case at all. What we're seeing is God knows how many mutations beyond the core virus. You see, each person's immune system is different. The virus reacts and changes and that's where we get mutations. I'm no virologist but I can tell that there have been several generations of mutation. The infected we see now are 6th or 7th, possibly even as far as the 12th generation removed from the initial victims. These 'new' infected are different. From the video that was shot by your drones, they seem to gather together and even problem solve to some extent. They're moving to more of a herd mentality. And then there’s the pregnancy issues.”
    “How can they reproduce? I mean, they’re like rabid animals. How do they…” Heller trailed off and then made a gesture with his fist, pumping horizontally. “You know?” he asked as he looked at the stills taken from the digital video of the drones when they entered the casinos in Vegas.
    “Nature finds a way. It’s rather rudimentary that a species knows how to procreate. And this is what we’re seeing, a new species. I need more tests, more data to be as close to 100% as possible on the results,” Chambers stated.
    “Shit, doc. How positive are you right now?” Heller asked, pausing the data stream and looking up.
    “99.5% positive,” Chambers said as he stopped pacing. Heller looked at him silently for several minutes before leaning back in his chair and letting out a whistle.
    “Sonovabitch. Thanks for breaking it to me gently,” Heller said slowly shaking his head. “So what do we do about it?”
    “Containment comes to mind,” Chambers stated. “By any means possible,” he added.
    “Shit,” the Air Force officer muttered. He removed his glasses and cupped his face in his hands, taking several deep breaths. Taking his hands away, he put his glasses back on.
    “I need to make some calls. This is way beyond my pay grade,” he said trying to inject a little humor.
    “Don’t take too long, this needs to be dealt with as soon as possible,” Chambers said.
    “I know doc, I know,” Heller said.
    “If we continue to allow the infected relatively free roam, they’ll increase their numbers and be able to do God knows what,” Chambers said. “We don’t even know how the virus is passed onto any infants. The placental barrier should stop it but we have no way of knowing if it does. This is already gone beyond anything we know. If these infected are capable of giving birth, live birth, then they can multiply and we’d never know until their numbers swelled to a breaking point. We need to stop this now. By any means possible.” Chambers shook his head. “No one is prepared for this. This is a decision that needs to be made by someone that has the authority to do so.”
    “I got it, doc. I’ll take care of it right now,” Heller stated picking up the phone on his desk. "Hey. One more question. If these infected aren't walking corpses, then why do they smell so bad?"
    "What?" Chambers asked.
    "Lieutenant Willis said they smell real bad. Like a mix between boiled cabbages, open sewer, and spoiled milk."
    Chambers thought about that. He had been in a RACAL suit and hadn't been