RESURGENCE

CHAPTER 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

2 A.M. 

June 16, 2034

Ellington, California.

Four hours later, the doctor walked into General Kurt Penn’s office. The general was everything a new recruit looked up to and aspired to be. He had a distinguished career to boast of and was actively involved in shaping the country’s defense policies, working as an advisor to the Pentagon. The general was one of the few men in country who commanded absolute respect from all quarters of society.

“Steve Wills, defense scientist, reporting for duty,” said the doctor.

“General Kurt Penn,” said the strongly built tall man with squinting green eyes. “Happy to have you on the team doctor.”

The doctor looked around and noticed the pale colored carpeted floor, the high ceiling, and large windows—the room looked more like a classroom than an office. The general stood behind a dark brown rectangular desk. On his right was a large white board with California’s map on it, and on his left was a comfortable looking light green couch. About twenty chairs were scattered all across the room’s floor. 

“Please excuse me for the makeshift office,” said the general.

“It’s spacious for sure,” said the doctor with a wry smile.

“It used to be a dance studio,” said the general.

“How long do you have it for before the next class?”

“Unfortunately, as long as the problem persists.”

“What’s the problem? Lance said it was an emergency.”

“Emergency it is,” said the General. “Let me give you a quick overview.”

The general pointed at the map hanging from the white board. 

“See the area circled in red. It’s about five thousand square miles—half on the water and half on land. Sometime yesterday evening, several people all over the country reported getting disturbing phone calls originating in this area. The San Francisco Police Department tried to contact Hamilton PD and could not get through to any officer. The chief of police of San Francisco sent in five patrol cars to find out what was going on in the area. Every officer that went into the area stopped communicating upon entering it. Soon after, there was a private plane crash in Hamilton. The San Francisco Fire Department entered the zone to attempt a rescue but went unresponsive. The cause of this phenomenon is up for debate. It could be a poisonous gas release due to a natural phenomenon or a covert terrorist bio-weapon attack. In either case, we need to fix it.”

“So you think that anyone who enters the area dies?”

“I hope not, but then there is no way to contact anyone inside that zone. The phone lines are working and the power is up, but no one is answering their phone. I don’t know what we’re up against and that’s why you are here—to help me figure out who the enemy is. As of now, the whole area has been cut off from the world by the army. We’re treating it as a contaminated zone.”

“I’ll start by examining air samples for traces of poisonous gases and radiation levels. I’ll have someone take thermal satellite images immediately.”

“The sooner I have eyes in the zone, the better it is.”

“You can still send some men into the zone. All they need is protective space suits so that no radiation or gas can get to them.”

“Sounds like a plan. Arrange those suits and we’ll send in some men first thing in the morning.”

“I’m on it,” said the Doctor hastily walking towards the door.