He isn’t the only one who has been drinking. Many of the other resort staff members have been downing their fair share since news of Dominic’s sacrifice spread. Many of the former guests of the resort, especially those who were thinking about returning to the mainland, sit around the bar stunned. Some have drinks in front of them, but most are sober.
Everyone knows if it wasn’t for Dominic’s selfless act, they would have all probably died. There is no talk of going back to the US now. They all realize that setting foot off Isabella Island means death. If Robert’s mind were a little clearer, he would note that Dominic’s actions not only saved everyone, but also brought the survivors closer together.
On the television above the bar, the classic movie channel they have been watching is still going strong. It’s playing the old David Niven film, Around the World in Eighty Days. Phileas Fogg and Passepartout are on a train in the Wild West of the United States.
Robert barely registers it. The sound of the train, the dialogue, the music are all background noise. The sudden cessation of this noise, though, causes him to look up.
The train is gone. The West is gone. Phileas and Passepartout are gone.
In their place is a man in an image that most definitely was not shot in the 1950s. He is perhaps in his late forties, and stands in front of a gray wall. Hung on the wall is a flag — a field of blue with the white outlined globe of Earth in the center.
The flag of the United Nations.
Several others in the bar seem to notice, too. They move in behind Robert, their gaze fixed on the television.
For several seconds, the man simply stares straight out of the screen. Then he opens his mouth to speak.
The first question Brandon and Josie have as they reenter the Bunker is about their father. When Matt tells them he’s awake, they break into a run, not stopping until they reach Captain Ash’s room.
He is propped up in bed, his arm raised so that Dr. Gardiner can check the progress of his recovery. The second he sees his kids, he tries to swing his legs off the bed. His strength still leaves something to be desired, though, so it isn’t difficult for the doctor to stop him.
It doesn’t matter. The kids are at his side, hugging him. When he asks where they’ve been, they start to tell him, but their words collide with each other in a rush, so he asks them to slow down.
Chloe enters the room with Matt and says, “Well, look who’s up.”
Ash’s smile broadens. He holds out his hand to her. “Chloe.”
She takes it, gives it a squeeze, and lets go.
When he looks back at his kids, he says, “Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like this story?”
“What story?” Matt asks.
“Where we’ve been,” Brandon says.
“Doesn’t matter where they’ve been,” Chloe says. “They’re here now. So at least you know the story has a happy ending.”
The smirk on Ash’s face is skeptical. “If that was supposed to make me feel better, it didn’t.”
A phone rings in the outer area beyond Ash’s room. Lily Franklin picks up the call, listens for a moment, then yells, “Turn on the television!”
Chloe grabs the remote from the nightstand and flips on the TV.
As they listen to the man speak while standing in front of the UN flag, the tension in the room spikes. They know he’s lying. They know he’s not who he says he is. They know what his message really means.
When he finishes, the first one to speak is Matt.
“Oh, shit.”
The message was prepared in every conceivable language that Project Eden thought necessary. Versions exist for both television and radio, and text versions have been posted on the Internet for those who might still have access.
The plan to broadcast the message around the world at the same time began years earlier, the work paying off nearly flawlessly as the code to execute is entered. There are a few minor glitches here and there, but these will be rectified presently.
The words unspool on a loop that will repeat for the next several weeks. Principal Director Perez has been assured that by the time it finishes, it will lead to at least ninety percent of those still alive being identified.
At that point, it will merely be a decision of who fits in the Project’s plans for the future, and who does not.
“My name is Gustavo Di Sarsina. I am the newly appointed secretary general of the United Nations. You are all aware that our planet has been undergoing a catastrophe beyond anything we have ever experienced. The deaths from the Sage Flu are…incalculable. Billions have already died, and many more continue to do so. Friends, family, loved ones. In the span of ten days, the human race has gone from our normal, everyday existence to a desperate race for survival. If you are hearing this, it means you are one of the lucky ones.
“The good news is, help is now available. A vaccine has been developed, and we are in the process of producing it in large enough quantities so that all those who have survived can receive it. To that end, we need to determine exactly how many of us are left and where everyone is located.
“The problem we now face is one of communication. Many of the world’s telecom systems have begun to shut down, and we fear the same is starting to happen with power grids worldwide. In an effort to work around this problem, we have set up various means by which you can reach us — Internet, shortwave radio, and even a phone number those of you still with service can try. And if none of those are available to you, we are setting up dozens of what we are calling survival stations throughout the world. These might require a difficult trip, but they are an option. Those of you watching television will see the information scrolling across the bottom of the screen. If you’re listening on a radio, I will give you the numbers and addresses at the end of this message.
“This is the most important part. Whatever you have been doing to survive, continue to do so. The virus is still out there and contractible. Until you have been vaccinated, you must avoid contact with it at all costs. If you need to travel to one of the survival stations, wear protective clothing and stop for no one.
“While we at the UN have also been hit, we are still here. Our only goal now is to save everyone we can. As soon as the vaccine is ready, we will get it to you. After that, we will rise above the ashes of this horrible tragedy and ensure that this is not the end of the human race.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am constantly amazed by the response to the Project Eden series, and am very thankful to all the readers who have let me know how much they enjoy it! Thank you, thank you.
A couple mentions for the extra help on this one. First, Christine Buckhout, wine expert extraordinaire. Thank you for the info and the friendship. And with gratitude I can never fully express, my huge thanks to my editor and friend, Elyse Dinh-McCrillis. I wish I had more words to describe my appreciation for your help.
And, of course, to my kids — Ronan, Fiona, and Keira. Continue to be awesome.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brett Battles is the Barry Award-winning author of fifteen novels, including the Jonathan Quinn series, the Logan Harper series, and the Project Eden series. You can learn more at his website: brettbattles.com