To: Randall Spilker
From: Ladena Lichliter
Subject: Unbelievable
I know you’ve been sick, but the reports are flying in now. Have you seen any of them? These aren’t rumors anymore, Randall. They have at least 27 confirmed sightings of infected groups. The virus didn’t kill them! None of the doctors or scientists can nail down what’s gone wrong. But most of the people living at Ground Zero locations are completely insane, like animals. They’re monsters!
But that’s not even the worst part. What has the Coalition terrified is that victims even had time to escape from the remote camps. The Coalition thought the incubation period and onset of death would be much faster. And there are reports of symptoms in citizens outside the hot zones. Everywhere.
Randall, we have a major, major crisis on our hands. They should’ve listened to us. They should’ve listened!
God help us.
—LL
To: John Michael
From: Katie McVoy
Subject: Some last words
John,
There’s no way we can stop this. You’re right. I hate to admit it, but it’s true. Every effort we made to prevent the spread was pointless. The virus is jumping bodies every second. We can only hope that the rumors of the presence of Immunes are true. They might be the only chance we’ve got for survival.
A cure. I can’t think of any other possible solution. Somehow, we have to find a cure.
Did you hear what the media has taken to calling it? The Flare. I’m sure it’ll stick.
I have it. I know I do. I’m leaving. I don’t want to infect anyone.
You were a true friend in this madness.
Goodbye, John.
—Katie
Post-Flares Coalition Memorandum, Date 220.05.01, Time 11:23
TO: All board members
FROM: Chancellor John Michael
RE: Another solution
The killzone. That’s their word for the brain now. Where the Flare does its damage and slowly kills you with lunacy. And they already have a nickname for the Immunes, too. The Munies. What utter ridiculousness.
But jargon matters not. What matters is how it all connects. The killzone. The Flare. The Immunes. A world that’s in complete catastrophe. We need to find a cure. There is no other way to go forward.
We will meet tomorrow, 0800.
I have an idea.