The Wuhan Mission

SARS-CoV-2 was a dangerous virus, but the new vaccine would work against it in healthy patients. It wasn’t a ‘world killer’ but it would cull the weak parts of the population, people no longer capable of working. The Yellow Virus would inevitably spread to the rest of the world through tourism, particularly those horrible germ incubators: ‘cruise ships’. The problem for the rest of the world was that they did not have a vaccine ready and they did not have the data necessary to create a vaccine any time soon. This indeed was the Chairman’s intention, and it occurred to Dr. Wu that the Chairman may very well order his death to ensure that no vaccine could become available to the West through him. His death would also ensure that the secret of the origin of the virus would not be told. The Ministry of Propaganda would ensure that the report to the world would be about people eating and handling infected bats.

‘He’s going to kill me!’ thought Dr. Wu as his fingers paused motionless above the keyboard. He stayed like that for what seemed like a full minute before he continued his work as his panicky thoughts raced through ideas of escape, defection, going to the States and murdering the CIA officer who was responsible for his daughter’s death. For certain, though, he had to get out of China soon, before the virus took hold of Wuhan and he was ‘disappeared.’

He realized that the CIA would no longer be expecting a special virus from him as they had nothing on him anymore but something in the back of his mind told him that he wasn’t out of danger from the CIA. It was possible that they had a spy in the lab. He doubted it, though as he had vetted every single one of the workers. Still, he had felt like someone was watching him lately, and there was that man from the parking garage who was in the back seat of his car with a pistol a few years ago. Hopefully he wasn’t still around.

Dr. Wu thought for a moment about the Red Virus which if unleashed could bring down national economies. The vaccine and the antidote would only work on the Red Virus for a very limited number of mutations, maybe just one mutation. His vaccine would be effective for a year at most. Dr. Wu reached into the bio-hazard safe and retrieved the Red Virus, and gently installed it in the second pelican case marked SARS-CoV-X and stashed it under the bench in a large unused drawer.

He continued his work, storing the antidote that was colored bright green that he had already administered to himself. The vial went into the pelican case marked “SARS-CoV-2 Antidote.”

Then he gently lifted the vial with the Vaccine from the safe. It was clear in color. He placed it in the Pelican case marked ‘SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine.’

*

The three scientists had grown to like Dr. Wu. The truth was that they all feared for their lives. None of them trusted the Chairman, and it was highly likely that each of them would become collateral damage in the process of the Government covering up the Virus plot.

Every time they visited Dr. Wu in his laboratory they would finish with a drink. Each occasion saw an increase in the amount they drank. Dr. Wu had replenished his supply with a few bottles of the best “Bai Jou” he could find. Better quality equalled less hangover, and he had had enough hangovers recently.

The men stood together at the work bench as Dr. Wu opened the pelican case marked “SARS-CoV-2.”

“This” he said, “is the Yellow Virus that the Chairman is waiting for. The vaccine will work against this virus.

The antidote is colored green and will protect anyone from the contracting the virus and will cure most people already infected. And to that end, may I present each of you with a gift.”

Dr. Wu reached under the bench and brought up a stainless steel tray with four syringes of green liquid, next to four full shot glasses.

The three scientists gasped genuinely. Dr. Wu gestured to the men to take an antidote syringe each, passing them each a packet with a sterile swab in it. Dr. Wu took the last syringe and said: “Gan Bei!” and plunged the needle into his forearm, pressing the plunger. The three men followed suit each saying: “Gan Bei!” meaning “Dry your glass.” It made them laugh as it was a saying reserved for drinking.

“Well, whatever happens to us, we can be sure that we will not die from SARS-CoV-2!” said one of the scientists. They all nodded and laughed loudly, nervously loudly.

Dr. Wu looked wistfully sad for a moment and gazed into space, his eyes moist.

“Drink?” suggested Dr. Wu. snapping out of it.

The four men proceeded to finish a bottle.

Chapter 30 Extra Tools