The Shift: Book II of the Wildfire Saga Read Online Free Page A

governors that we've been able to contact.   That doesn't account for Texas, Florida, and a few of the New England states.   We haven't heard anything from them since the beginning of the satellite issues."
    "And if this thing should happen to have an antigen shift—"
    "Stop right there, Sharon,"   said the President to the image of the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services.   “Do we have any evidence of that happening?"
    "No, Mr. President, at this time we do not," interjected Gen. Vidua.
    “Based on the death toll, it seems likely it has.   We need to be prepared to—” began Assistant Sosa.
    The President raised his hand for silence.   "Are we doing everything in our power—right now—to help those who are infected and contain the spread of the virus?"
    "Yes, sir, I believe we are.   Homeland Security has sent out as much information as they can to the governors for distribution to the general population.   We've asked for bans on public gatherings, strongly suggested people stay in their homes, encouraged people to avoid traveling…"
    "So basically we’re just re-instituting everything we tried during the Great Pandemic?" asked the President.
    "Yes, sir.   At this point, what we did in the later stages of The Pandemic is probably the best course of action.   We think shutting down public gatherings and keeping people in their homes stopped the spread of the flu ten years ago—"
    "I know it was too-little, too-late back then, but this time we're ready for it and we have everything in place," added Director Mills.  
    "Except the vaccine," grumbled Gen. Vidua.   "Funny how the CDC is suddenly out of commission right when we need them the most."
    "What are you suggesting, General?" asked Assistant Sosa.
    The President clenched his jaw to keep from gasping in shock.   Atlanta.   The nuclear strike from the rogue sub.   The North Koreans—Reginald—had used his authorization codes to hack into the submarine’s command center and launch a nuclear strike.   Over a million Americans had died.   The greatest catastrophe—man-made or natural—in American history and his bloody fingerprints were all over it.
    “I think it’s clear," the President said in an effort to redirect the conversation, “that we’re doing everything possible to combat the flu.   That said, I believe the North Korean problem should be our highest priority right now.”
    "Thank you, sir," said Gen. Vidua.   "Now, if you'd like, I have some recommendations—"
    Jayne cleared her throat and the room fell silent.   All eyes shifted to her.   A rising wave of irritation struggled to burst forth from the President, but he clamped down on it—he hoped—without revealing his inner turmoil.  
    He was the President of the United States.   Someone making a simple sound such as clearing her throat should not bring a heated debate between high-level Cabinet members to a screeching halt.   He glanced at Jayne and saw the delicate painted nails pressed to her lips as if she were genuinely surprised that everyone had fallen silent.  
    At her command.
    "I don't mean to interrupt," she said sweetly, “but it just seems to me that while the flu is a pressing matter and the Koreans are a problem, we can't lose sight of what's going on throughout the rest of the country."
    "Madam Chief of Staff," began Adm. Price, “if you're referring to your martial law request—"
    "I am, my dear Admiral, indeed I am.   I tasked you gentlemen with creating action plans.   I’d like to know if you followed through on my request?"
    The President arched an eyebrow at Jayne.   She merely smiled.
    "I've had my people do some looking into your requests," said the Secretary Brooks.   He pulled a paper from his briefcase and slid it across to the President.   "As you can see, sir, the legality of using American troops to enforce martial law is at best questionable.   At worst, it's a gross violation of the Constitution—"
    "Oh,"