THE TROUBLE WITH DECEIT

Part 9 The Year 2118

Since the official announcement that the pollen flue was now classified as a pandemic, and that all of the BTP's had been closed down and the portals dismantled, things hadn't gone to expectations. The new eagerly awaited vaccine hadn't materialized. Biologists around the world were working around the clock on it. However, everything that normally worked, hadn't in this instance. The virus was much more virulent than had been at first thought. Alarmingly a death rate of 20% of everyone infected was being recorded. Hardly anyone didn't know someone who had been killed by it. People were terrified, wearing masks when they went out and staying off work and not leaving their homes more than was essential.

At New Oxford Research Center a hastily convened group of eminent scientists were wracking their combined brains for solutions. The very eminent professor Arnold had been addressing the meeting and telling them that his team also had made no headway. "Please gentlemen," he said, "if any one of you have anything different to report then now is a good time to tell us." One of the younger ones, a professor of biochemistry raised his hand, a bit of a whisper rippled around the assembly, as this would be the first time he would be speaking. The Chair nodded to him. He cleared his throat nervously, "I don't think we are going to find a vaccine that will work against PF, I believe that our own medical advances have become incorporated into this virus, which in itself is a descendant of the very dangerous bird flue virus. Years of the emergence of new vaccines and of new antibiotics have meant that not only we have advanced but we have caused the enemy, this new family of super viruses to have unprecedented acquired immunity to all of our drugs." There was immediate uproar around the table as several venerable scientists were trying to address him at the same time. the Chair intervened, signaling silence, and pointing to the very distinguished professor Arnold, who then rose to his feet and addressed the young professor Howard, saying, "Sir, it is imperative for the very survival of the human race that you are wrong in what you say. But humor me for a moment and let's suppose that what you say is correct, then do you have an alternative plan in mind?" Rising to his feet again and looking extremely nervous Peter Howard replied, "Sir, my brother Derek is a lecturer at the Grange high school. he and a number of his pupils were selected to be one of the last BTP's, and in fact, his group is one of those stranded in the past. Now, this has got me thinking, maybe if we could collect some bloods from a people that don't have a one hundred year germ warfare map built into their DNA, then we could use it to produce an entirely new type of vaccine. One that there is no way that this present day virus can have acquired an immunity to."

Professor Arnold addressed Peter Howard directly. "Sir it is possible that your theory might work! in fact, I believe it will and I move that we set up a team immediately to explore this new avenue. Furthermore, I propose that professor Howard works directly with me on this new project." Once again there was an uproar from the assembly and the Chair pointed to another of the many experts. Standing he said, "Mr. Chair, distinguished gentlemen, are we forgetting that all of the portals have been dismantled, and for a very good reason too." Professor Arnold rose to his feet again. "I move that we rebuild the portal that dispatched the team in question and establish contact with them." Once again there was unrest and then, one of the most senior stood, everyone gave him their full attention. "Gentlemen, one mistake here and the whole of civilization will simply blink out of existence. Believe me, it will! and probably without any warning. Mankind will be extinct! this course of action is foolhardy and the risks it carries are definitely not worth the unknown chances of it succeeding. I vote that we accept our losses and concentrate on making sure that enough survive this pandemic to rebuild in time. I propose a vote on this!" Holding high both hands to quieten the uproar the Chair said, "Very well, a vote then, not next week, or tomorrow, but right now. All those in favor of the plan to rebuild the portal raise your hands, please. And all those against, please." After both of the counts had been conducted the Chair announced, "by a large majority it is decided. The portals will not be rebuilt, not any of them. We will pursue the safer option of rebuilding our world after this terrible virus has run its course and naturally burnt itself out. There will be no further discussions on this matter. Thank you, gentlemen, and we are done here now. I bid you all goodbye and I wish all of us good luck!"

As they all exited the huge conference room Peter felt a tug on his sleeve. To his astonishment, it was the eminent professor Arnold, who had earlier challenged him in the room. "I would like a word in your ear, Sir," he whispered. Please allow me to buy you a drink in a little public-house that I am familiar with." Bemusedly, Peter allowed himself to be led to the pub in question, where, true to his word Professor Arnold did indeed buy him a pint. "What's going on?" he asked. "Young man, I think that your solution is right, and furthermore, I think that we should do something about it, you and I."