Decrease

Wednesday - September 22

Even if a cure is possible within the next forty hours, what kind of world will be left for humans to survive in, or to even begin a new start? Nothing has been produced, let alone shipped, to any destination in the world. The world has literally come to an economic halt, and for that reason, how can it possibly restart for humanity to continue? Are there enough resources for humankind to begin again? Will there be enough humans to even begin again? God, I hope so.

A guard at the CDC stands at his post, and while he takes a much needed stretch, he notices a reflection in the distance. Unsure as to what it is, he grabs his walkie-talkie and calls his commanding officer to report what he sees. The commanding officer tells him to stand by and to continue his watch. The guard lays his walkie-talkie down, grabs his binoculars to get a better view, and within seconds he sees the reflection and focuses his binoculars as best he can to see exactly what's reflecting. After adjusting his binoculars, the guard sees something. He chuckles to himself, then grabs the walkie-talkie to inform the commanding officer that the reflection is melting ice on a skyscraper, and the Sun's reflecting its rays upon it. The commanding officer says, "Roger that," and signs off. The guard resumes his watch. In the meantime, within the walls of the Center for Disease Control, so much more is happening.

"Where are we going, Ted?" I ask, as we continue to walk down the long mysterious hallway.

"We're almost there, John. Are you doing okay?" Ted asks, as if I'm tired or something.

"I think so. Why? Why do you ask?"

"Well, with everything you've just learned, I mean, are you okay?"

As I walk with Ted, I think about his question. Finally, I reply, "I don't know, Ted. The world's coming to an end; I've lost Claire; you're some kind of mad scientist, or something; the president... well, she sure is hopeful; and that Aunt Ruth... just when you think you know someone."

"John, I'm sorry for all of the confusion, but we can't go back, we must move forward." Ted stops and grabs my arm. "John, if we don't do this right now, all of this, everything, will be gone. Everything humans have done since their existence will be gone. We will be extinct like the dinosaurs. Do you want that, John? Do you honestly want that?"

I think about it and say, "No, I guess not. No, Ted, I don't want that. So, what can I do, if anything?"

"Just follow me, and John, trust me. You must trust me."

Looking into Ted's eyes, I'm unsure about trusting him, but I can see that he's sincere, and more importantly, he's worried. I nod my head and say, "Yes, Ted, I trust you."

Ted smiles and says, "Come on, we're running out of time."

After walking ten more minutes, Ted comes to a door that I never knew existed. Actually, we're on a floor that I never knew existed until now. I watch Ted punch a code into the security pad, and when he enters the last sequence, the door opens into a white room, completely empty. I give Ted a curious look, when he says, "Don't worry, John. Follow me. We walk to the wall, and as I stare at it wondering why we're here, Ted removes his cell from his coat pocket, punches some numbers, and then the wall immediately begins to open. I jump back, and Ted grabs my arm and says, "It's okay, buddy. Follow me." I swallow a big gulp and follow Ted.

"Huh!" I exclaim.

"John, this is where Operation Scrooge has been in effect for nearly forty years. John, this is the place where your rebirth occurred, where you were made anew. Here, in this lab, is where humanity will begin again," explains Ted.

The lab is the most elaborate lab I've ever seen. I look around and I'm in total disbelief. The equipment is so advanced, that I never saw the CDC use anything like it in my entire career. I walk to a window where there is an enclosed room behind it. I notice Dr. Querish standing over a body lying within a cryogenic chamber. I look over my shoulder at Ted, and he says, "Watch John, and be amazed."