Page 98 (1/2)

“The next question is, why?” Juan said “They used the virus or a derivative to kill everyone aboard the Golden Dawn What do they plan to do with it now?” He overrode whatever answer Eric was going to give and added, “I know they see overpopulation as the worst crisis facing the planet, but unleashing a virus that kills off humanity, or even a majority of it, would leave the world in such a state of chaos that civilization would never recover This thing is a doomsday weapon”

“What if they don’t care?” Eric said “What I mean is, what if they want civilization to collapse? I’ve read up on these people They’re not rational Nowhere in their literature do they espouse going back to the Dark Ages, but it could be that that’s exactly what they want—the end of industrialization and the return to hurarian roots”

“Why attack cruise ships?” Juan asked “Why not just release the virus in every major city in the world and be done with it?”

Eric made to reply and then closed his mouth He had no answer

Juan pressed hiuys I really appreciate all the work you’ve done, and I know this will help figure out the Responsivists’ end ga to fall asleep right here Have you briefed Eddie about all of this?”

“Sure have,” Julia said

“Okay, ask him to call Overholt and tell him the entire story At this point, I don’t knohat he can do, but I want the CIA in the loop Are Mark and Linda scheduled to report in anytime soon?”

Eric said, “They didn’t bring a satellite phone, so they have to use the Golden Sky’s ship-to-shore telephone Linda said they would check in again”—he looked at his watch—“in another three hours”

“You tell Linda that I want the two of them off that ship even if they have to steal a lifeboat or jump off the damned rail”

“Yes, sir”

IT SEEMED THAT JUAN had just put his head on his pillohen the phone rang

“Cabrillo” His tongue was ceh the curtains was like the glare of an arc lamp

“Chairman, it’s Hali I think you had better come down to the Op Center to see this”

“What is it?” He swung his legs off the bed, cradling the phone to his ear with his neck and shoulder so he could reach for his prosthesis

“I think we’re being hailed on the ELF band”