Decrease

Monday - September 13

"I understand completely, Madame President," I reply, nodding my head in obedience.

The outer lab door opens, and all of us look through the window and see the two Secret Service agents bringing back Dr. Stewart and Dr. Jensen. I go to the intercom, press the talk button and say, "Hello, Monica and Ted. Good to see you both."

Ted pushes the intercom button in the anteroom, and being pissed off, growls, "John, what the hell! I'm in my office talking to Dr. Martin at the Mayo Institute, when all of a sudden these two goons come in and literally drag me out of my office! Tell me what's going on, John!"

I push the intercom button, replying, "Ted and Monica, as soon as you are both ready to enter the lab, all of your questions will be answered. I'm sorry for the unexpected interruption, but once you're in here, you'll understand why."

"I sure as hell hope so, John!" Ted yells.

The president, Julie, and I wait patiently and silently for Ted and Monica to be fully suited. When the lab door opens, Ted stomps in, and with his arms raised, demands, "Okay, John, we're here. What is so damn important that you had to drag me away from my conversation with Dr. Martin?" Suddenly, everyone hears a small gasp. I turn around and notice Monica as she stares at our new friends.

I walk to table one to join Monica, grab her arm and say, "This is why you're here. I need the both of you to help with this dilemma. Ted, can you come here, please?"

Ted, still steaming, walks to table one to join us and sees the reason for Monica's gasp. His demeanor instantly changes to silence. Monica continues to gape at the victims; Ted looks at me, and then notices the president. Unsure about the protocol when the Commander in Chief is present, Ted nervously spatters out, "John, is that who I think it is?"

"Ted and Monica, please, I would like to introduce the President of the United States, Madame Aaquilah Mansoor. Madame President, I present Dr. Monica Stewart and Dr. Ted Jensen."

With her hand extended, Madame President touches their gloved hands, and graciously says, "Dr. Stewart, Dr. Jensen, my pleasure to meet you both. I apologize for tearing you away from your work, but as you can see, we have an emergency on our hands, and Dr. Bennett has requested that you both assist him in finding answers to many questions."

Gazing upon the three cadavers, Dr. Stewart looks to me asking, "John, what is this?" as she points to table one. "Or should I ask, who is this?"

With a deep breath, I give Ted and Monica what little information I have. Walking around the tables, and looking at the monitor, I point out the possibilities of what could have happened; and also, explain why they have been called to come aboard. Even through their helmets, I could see the puzzling look upon their faces. They, too, are found to be in utter disbelief as to what they're seeing, just as much as I am.

I turn to look at the clock and notice its fifteen minutes past eleven. Regretfully, I turn to Ted and Monica saying, "You both need to call your spouses. It's going to be a late night for all of us."

Ted and Monica look at each other when the president says, "We don't know what this is, or how it happened. What is important is to find out the cause, and hope that others aren't infected."

"Where were these three cadavers found, Madame President?" I ask.

The president says nothing for a few seconds. She then replies, "They were found in the Washington, DC area. We don't know whether they resided there, but they were found there when this happened to them."

"And no identification cards were located on the bodies?"

"Everything about the victims' and their lives lies before you, Dr. Bennett," informs the president.