Lobo Malo

Chapter 12 - The Poison King

Jefferson Plaza, Southwest Sector
0932 EST

"ISAC, I need the high level brief provided by the National Security Council on DC-62," said Ryckmen as the team approached Jefferson Plaza.

"Full brief will require two hours to provide," intoned ISAC.

"Give me the summary."

"DC-62 is a sulfonylurea derivative compound, intended to inactivate the RNA polymerase enzymes found in variola virions. Due to its chemical structure, it can be used as a contact agent for contaminated surfaces, or incorporated with inactive ingredients to form the basis for a pharmaceutical prophylactic or treatment regimen."

"Is it classified as an organic or inorganic chemical compound?" Gregory asked.

"DC-62 is classified as an organic compound."

"Then somebody screwed up by the numbers."

"How so?" asked Ryckmen.

"Sulfonylureas, being organic, are more likely to react in warm conditions. But everything I've heard so far about the stuff is that it somehow changed, chemically speaking, when the temperature dropped. I'm not a chemist, especially not an organic chemist, but something went horribly wrong here."

Ryckmen nodded. "ISAC, has there been any analysis of DC-62 after its initial applications in the District?"

"Chemical analyses have not been undertaken for DC-62 samples after application."

"All right. What is the pathology of individuals who have been exposed to DC-62 which has been subjected to cold temperatures?"

"Rapid and violent hemorrhaging in the lungs, eyes, and brain within two minutes of exposure."

The team looked at each other and shuddered noticeably. "Christ, it's like they inhaled atomized rat poison," Bundmeister murmured.

"Probably not a bad comparison," said Tarvey, nodding in agreement. "And Peace's comment about how organic compounds react to heat makes me think it's worse once it actually gets into your lungs or mucus membranes. Just because you warm the stuff up doesn't mean it automatically reverts to its original formula. If anything, the internal temperature of the human body probably turbocharges the reaction with the altered version."

Ryckmen sighed softly, hating the possibility that Tarvey might be right. "Current decontamination protocol?"

"DC-62 breaks down under prolonged exposure to short-wave ultraviolet light in the 150 to 250 nanometer range. Recommended decontamination ratio is one minute for every fifteen minutes exposed to DC-62."

Gregory winced. "Which means any areas which have significant DC-62 contamination are pretty much going to stay that way until somebody puts on a hazmat suit and paints buildings with a short-wave UV floodlight for the next couple of centuries."

Nodding somberly, Ryckmen came to a stop just outside of Jefferson Plaza. He tapped the watch a couple times, establishing a connection to the Theater. "Broadway, this is SHD Peacemaker. Advise the Director we will need a decon team and tanning bed goggles standing by at the front door. Inform her we're going to need short-wave UV lights between 150 and 250 nanometers. Something a little more intense than the lights currently in place. Probably have to use hand lights."

"Copy that, Peacemaker. We'll be standing by. Broadway, out."

The team gathered at the entrance to a subway station next to the Plaza. Thanks to maps provided by ISAC and a few judicious queries from Tarvey, their infiltration plan had been developed with an eye to cause as much havoc as possible. The possibility of the True Sons using the subway lines, even with the power turned off, as a logistical conduit was simply too good to pass up. And if sealing the line also ensured nobody would be getting weaponized DC-62 out anytime soon, so much the better. Tarvey went on point, his MP5 at the ready, followed by Bundmeister, Ryckmen, and Gregory at the rear. Their movements were careful and quiet. A part of Gregory's mind noted the lack of chatter between them, but the rest of him didn't seem to care.