rludlum-shelby.thecassandracompact-第40章

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He　was　then　able　to　open　it　up　so　that　it　would　be　receptive　to　even　further　growth。　But　Bauer　had　been　constrained　by　earth's　gravity；　Reed　was　not。
　The　genesis　of　Bauer's　work　could　be　traced　back　to　one　of　the　first　shuttle　missions。　Astronauts　had　discovered　a　two…day…old　bag　of　sandwiches　that　they　had　forgotten　to　eat。　The　food　was　stored　in　a　sealed　plastic　bag　that　was　floating　like　a　beach　ball。　Opening　the　bag；　the　crew　thought　the　sandwiches　would　be　fine…　until　one　member　pointed　out　that　the　only　way　the　bag　could　float　was　because　the　bacteria　in　the　food　had　produced　enough　gas　to　make　the　bag　puff　up。
　This　impromptu　observation　gave　scientists　incontrovertible　proof　that　bacteria　grow　faster　and　bigger　in　a　microgravity　environment。
　When　Karl　Bauer　read　the　NASA　report　on　the　phenomenon；　he　immediately　concluded　that　what　was　true　for　bacteria　might　also　apply　to　viruses。　The　initial　research　proved　heady；　but　hampered　by　gravity；　Bauer　was　unable　to　reach　a　definitive　conclusion。　Years　would　pass　until　he　found　Reed　and　a　way　to　conduct　the　final　experiments　in　space。
　Now　what　Reed　observed　was　a　variola　ten　times　as　large　and　potent　as　anything　on　earth。　Its　protein　bubbles；　which　on　earth　would　burst　at　a　certain　size；　retained　their　integrity　and　lethal　capacity。　As　a　battlefield　weapon；　this　strain　would　have　no　equal。　Reed　shuddered　when　he　imagined　how　quickly　entire　populations　would　be　decimated　if　this　variant　was　released　through　an　air…burst　bomb。　The　variola　would　speed　its　way　from　the　respiratory　tract　to　the　lymph　nodes；　then　spread　to　the　spleen；　bone　marrow；　and　other　lymphatic　organs。　Eventually　it　would　make　its　way　to　the　small　blood　vessels　in　the　skin。　With　a　normal　strain　of　smallpox；　such　a　process　would　take　five　to　ten　days。　Reed　estimated　that　the　incubation　and　infection　period　would　now　be　measured　in　minutes。　The　body　would　simply　have　no　chance　to　rally　any　defense。
　Reed　withdrew　his　hands　from　the　Glovebox；　wiped　them；　and　took　a　moment　to　pose　himself。　Then　he　activated　his　throat　mike。
　〃Hey；　folks。　I'm　just　about　done　here。　Is　it　dinnertime　yet？〃
　〃We　were　just　about　to　call　you；〃　Stone　replied。　〃Everyone's　ordered　steak　and　eggs。〃
　Reed　managed　to　laugh。　〃Wait　until　you　see　what　it　looks　like。〃　He　paused。　〃I'd　like　everybody　in　the　mess　so　I　can　go　over　the　schedule。〃
　〃Roger　that。　We'll　save　you　some　of　that　steak。　See　you　in　a　little　while。〃
　Reed　closed　his　eyes　and　willed　himself　to　stay　calm。　He　switched　off　his　mike　but　not　his　earpiece。　He　did　not　want　to　hear　the　next　sounds　the　crew　would　make。　They　would　be　nothing　human。　But　to　gauge　how　fast　the　variola　acted；　he　had　no　choice　but　to　listen。
　Returning　to　the　Biorack；　he　once　again　donned　the　rubber　gloves　and　carefully　filled　the　small　tube　with　the　altered　variola。　Securing　the　tube；　he　removed　it　from　the　Glovebox　through　a　small　air　lock　and　placed　it　in　the　freezer。
　Using　the　footholds；　he　moved　to　the　back　of　the　lab　and　opened　a　locker。　Inside　was　a　fully　contained　extravehicular　mobility　unit；　or　EMU；　the　suit　used　on　space　walks。　After　slipping　inside　it；　Reed　was　reaching　for　his　helmet　when　he　caught　his　reflection　in　the　visor。　He　hesitated　as　the　faces　of　his　fellow　crew　members　floated　in　the　coated　Plexiglas；　people　he　had　worked　and　trained　with　for　months；　even　years；　people　whom　he　genuinely　liked。　But　not　enough　to　show　them　passion　or　mercy。
　In　that　reflection；　Reed　also　saw　the　faces　of　his　two　brothers；　killed　during　a　terrorist　attack　on　the　U。S。　embassy　in　Nairobi；　and　that　of　his　sister；　a　Peace　Corps　volunteer；　abducted；　tortured　and　finally　murdered　in　the　Sudan。　What　Reed　was　doing　was　not　for　the　greater　glory　of　science；　and　certainly　not　for　public　recognition　or　acclaim。　This　new　strain　would　never　see　the　light　of　day…　unless　circumstances　dictated　that　it　be　unleashed。　General　Richardson　and　Anthony　Price　were　the　kind　of　men　who　did　not　tolerate　the　kind　of　losses　Reed　had　suffered。　To　them；　payback　wasn't　just　a　few　cruise　missiles　lobbed　into　some　tents　or　bunkers；　but　a　swift　and　total　devastation　by　an　invisible；　unstoppable　army。　By　helping　build　this　army；　Reed　believed　he　was　laying　a　marker　at　the　graves　of　his　kin；　keeping　a　promise　made　long　ago　that　their　sacrifices　would　never　be　forgotten。
　Securing　his　helmet；　Reed　made　his　way　back　to　the　Biorack。　He　plugged　his　air…supply　hose　into　an　independent　feed　that　crew　members　used　during　space　walks。　Calmly　and　deliberately　he　broke　the　seal　on　the　Glovebox。　Within　seconds；　the　dried　variola　particles　in　the　dish　began　forming　spores　as　tiny　as　dust　particles。　Inexorably　they　found　their　way　to　the　rent　on　the　Glovebox　seals　and　outside。　Reed　stared　in　fascination　as　spores　seemed　to　hang　there。　For　an　instant；　he　was　seized　by　the　irrational　thought　that　they　might　attack　him。　Instead；　the　circulation　stream　caught　them　and　they　swirled　like　a　minuscule　et　into　the　connecting　tube　linking　the　Spacelab　to　the　main　body　of　the　orbiter。
　
　〃Are　you　ing；　Megan？〃　Carter　asked　as　the　two　of　them　pleted　their　report　to　mission　control。
　Maneuvering　past　the　sleep　stations；　Megan　called　over　her　shoulder；　〃Yup。　I'm　starving。〃
　At　that　moment；　both　crew　members　heard　a　squawk　over　their　headsets。　〃Discovery；　this　is　mission　control。　We　understand　you're　looking　to　break　for　dinner？〃
　〃That's　affirmative；　mission　control；〃　Carter　replied。
　〃Discovery；　our　instruments　show　a　possible　pressure　leak　in　the　air　lock　on　the　lower　deck。　Be　much　obliged　if　someone　could　check　it　out。〃
　Stone's　voice　came　over　the　sets：　〃Megan；　Carter；　you're　the　closest。〃
　Carter　looked　at　Megan　with　puppy…dog　eyes。　〃I'm　really　hungry！〃
　Reaching　into　one　of　the　sleep　stations；　Megan　pulled　out　a　deck　of　cards　from　under　a　strapped…down　pillow。　She　tore　away　the　cellophane；　shuffled　carefully　so　that　no　cards　would　slip　out；　and　held　the　deck　out　to　Carter。
　〃Cut。　High　card　wins。〃
　Carter　rolled　his　eyes；　reached　for　the　deck　and　turned　over　a　ten。　Megan　came　up　with　a　seven。
　Carter　laughed　and　propelled　himself　toward　the　food　station。　〃I'll　save　you　some　Oreos！〃　he　called　back。
　〃Sure；　thanks。〃
　〃You　okay　to　do　it；　Megan？〃　Stone　asked。
　She　sighed。　〃I'm　fine。　Just　make　sure　that　Carter　doesn't　hog　the　veal　cutlets　or　whatever。〃
　〃Roger　that。　See　you　in　a　bit。〃
　Megan　knew　that　〃a　bit〃　meant　at　least　an　hour。　Checking　out　an　air　lock　meant　getting　into　an　EMU。
　Gripping　the　handles；　she　descended　the　ladder　to　the　lower　deck。　Tucked　behind　the　cargo　and　the　equipment　that　the　shuttle　carried　was　the　air　lock。　The　red　light　over　its　door　was　blinking；　indicating　a　possible　malfunction。
　〃Damn　wire　is　all　it　is；〃　Megan　muttered　and　pushed　off。
　
　
　〃Watch　this。〃
　Carter　tore　open　a　packet　of　orange　juice；　held　it　up；　and　squeezed　out　some　of　the　liquid。　Forming　a　rough　sphere；　the　juice　floated　in　front　of　Carter；　who　pierced　it　with　a　straw　and　began　to　sip。　In　seconds；　the　solid　that　was　a　liquid　had　disappeared。
　〃Very　nice；〃　Stone　said。　〃You　can　e　do　magic　tricks　at　my　kid's　next　birthday。〃
　〃Uh…oh；　the　sauce　is　loose；〃　Randall　Wallace　called　out。
　Stone　turned　to　find　that　while　he　had　been　talking　to　Carter；　the　shrimp…cocktail　sauce　had　lost　contact　with　his　spoon。　He　picked　up　a　tortilla　and　made　a　swiping　motion　to　catch　it。
　〃Wonder　what's　keeping　Dylan；〃　Carter　said　through　a　mouthful　of　chicken　with　gravy；　which　he　was　eating　out　of　a　plastic　baggie。
　〃Dylan；　do　you　copy？〃　Stone　said　into　his　mike。
　There　was　no　reply。
　〃Probably　in　the　can；〃　Carter　said。　〃He　has　this　thing　for　barbecue　beans。　Maybe　he　smuggled　some　on　board。〃
　Beans；　along　with　broccoli　and　mushrooms；　were　never　on　the　shuttle　menus。　Excess　gas　was　much　more　painful　in　space；　and　flight　physicians　still　weren't　sure　how　gases　behaved　in　microgravity。
　Carter　coughed。
　〃You're　eating　too　fast；〃　Stone　chided　him。
　Carter's　reply　was　drowned　out　by　a　fit　of　hacking。
　〃Hey；　maybe　he's　choking　on　something；〃　Wallace　said。
　As　Stone　moved　toward　him；　Carter　suddenly　grabbed　the　pilot　by　the　shoulders。　Another　paroxysm　swept　through　him　and　he　vomited　blood　up　into　the　air　in　front　of　him。
　〃What　the　hell！〃　Stone　cried。
　His　words　were　cut　off　as　he　clutched　his　chest　and　began　to　claw　at　his　jumpsuit。　His　body　felt　like　it　was　burning　up。　When　he　wiped　his　face；　the　back　of　his　hand　came　away　all　bloody。
　Karol　and　Wallace　watched　in　horror　as　their　shuttle　mates　rolled　over；　their　arms　and　legs　kicking　out　as　though　in　seizure。
　〃Get　up　to　the　flight　deck　and　seal　yourself　in！〃　Karol　roared。
　〃But…〃
　〃Do　it！〃　As　he　shoved　Wallace　toward　the　ladder；　a　voice　from　mission　control　came　over　his　headset。
　〃Discovery；　do　you　have　a　problem？〃
　〃Damn　right　we　do！〃　Karol　shouted。　〃Something's　tearing　Carter　and　Stone　apart…〃
　Karol's　body　spasmed。　〃Oh；　Jesus！〃　As　he　doubled　over；　a　trail　of　blood　swirled　away　from　his　eyes　and　nostrils。　Somewhere　far　away　he　heard　the　urgent　voice　from　mission　control。
　〃Discovery；　do　you　copy？〃
　A　reply　formed　in　his　mind；　but　before　he　could　get　the　words　out；　a　red　haze　descended　across　his　eyes。
　
　Working　inside　the　air　lock　on　the　lower　deck；　Megan　heard　the　cries　and　groans　over　her　headset。　She　jabbed　the　transmit　button　on　her　EMU。
　〃Frank？　Carter？　Wallace？〃
　All　she　heard　now　was　static。　Her　munications　unit　was　malfunctioning。
　Ignoring　the　wiring　she'd　been　checking；　Megan　reached　for　the　lever　to　open　the　air　lock。　To　her　horror；　it　refused　to　budge。
　
　In　the　Spacelab；　Dylan　Reed　clutched　a　stopwatch　in　his　gloved　hand。　The　mutated　variola　was　working　with　frightening　speed。　He　knew　that　he　should　measure　exactly　how　fast　it　was　infecting　and　destroying　the　crew。　Bauer　had　been　adamant　that　human　test　subjects　were　the　only　way　to　gauge　the　lethal　capacity　of　the　new　smallpox。　It　was　also　a　way　to　get　rid　of　any　potential　witnesses。　But　to　do　that　would　have　meant　looking　at　the　stopwatch。　Dylan　Reed　would　have　had　to　open　his　eyes；　something　he　didn't　dare　do　because　then　he'd　surely　see　the　faces　behind　the　screams。
　
　A　world　away；　mission　director　Harry　Landon　was　in　a　cubicle　down　the　hall　from　mission　control；　catching　up　on　some　much…needed　sleep。　A　twenty…year　NASA　veteran；　ten　of　those　years　spent　in　the　pressure　cooker　of　the　Cape；　Landon　had　learned　to　rest　whenever　the　opportunity　presented　itself。　He　was　also　able　to　wake　up　instantly；　alert　and　ready。
　Landon　sensed　the　hand　even　before　he　felt　it　on　his　shoulder。　Rolling　over；　he　found　himself　gazing　into　the　face　of　a　young　technician。
　〃What　is　it？〃　he　demanded。
　〃There's　a　problem　onboard　Discovery；〃　the　tech　replied　nervously。
　Landon　swung　off　the　cot；　grabbed　his　glasses　off　a　filing　cabinet；　and　moved　for　the　door。　〃Mechanical？　Flight？　What？〃
　〃Human。〃
　Landon　didn't　break　stride　as　he　called　back　over　his　shoulder。　〃What　do　you　mean；　‘human'？　〃
　〃It's　the　crew；〃　the　tech　stammered。　〃Something's　wrong。〃
　Something　was　wrong…　terribly　so。　Landon　sensed　it　as　soon　as　he　entered　mission　control。　All　the　techs　were　huddled　over　their　consoles；　talking　urgently　to　Discovery。　From　the　snatches　he　heard　as　he　passed　by；　Landon　realize