Point Zero One

Here is an overview followed by some sample chapters.

Chapter 3

Well aware those already there have been waiting for him, A-Mark takes a silent seat at a desk within a makeshift substation at UCLA.
A man enters in silence and stands before everyone. He proceeds to loosen his necktie. “Ladies and gentlemen I want to thank you for coming, and especially on short notice. My name is Lawrence Haggerty and I am with the Food and Drug Administration. All of you will get to know me so, if you prefer you can call me Larry. I think after what I tell you today you may find yourselves inclined to dispose of a number of formalities,” he says, looking about.
Two others begin dispersing manila envelopes, placing one with each in attendance. All look about as they become aware each has their name on it, typed neatly onto a label.
They are very prepared for this, A-Mark concludes with silent intrigue. There is even facial recognition by the couriers, perfect strangers. The determination offers strong implications. How could they have so many names organized already? He wonders.
“What is this about?” another inspector asks.
“We are getting to that,” Larry replies, proceeding. “Let me inform you we are working hand in hand with Homeland Security to resolve this problem. The FBI is involved, as well as the CIA, and the CDC, among others. Rest assured every detail would be subject to scrutiny to produce determinations necessary to address this issue. We ask each of you to perform your tasks with your highest level of professionalism, and remain vigilant about accomplishing our collective objective,” he says, once again pausing and looking about the room, studying their faces. “Ladies and gentlemen, we have reason to believe the United States is once again under attack,” Larry says, letting the words settle into disbelieving ears.
“What are you talking about?” a woman asks, as a reflex. Others begin with questions. The room explodes with inquiries.
Larry holds up his hands, settling them. “By definition it is Agro terrorism, or Bioterrorism. Categorically, it is by every legal definition both,” he says before growing once again silent. None speaks for an extended moment.
“Given your profession, each of you realizes after 9/11 the United States initiated a varied perspective toward our resources. We adopted a posture of defense, which includes anticipation. Among our extensive list of concern is food. A significant change came about where we redefined our food safety program to become a food defense initiative. Despite our efforts to intervene, security has been breached and our nation’s meats, fruits and vegetables have been tainted, compromised and now contain bacterial, chemical and viral contaminates. Pharmaceuticals have been likewise sabotaged, and many are being removed from store shelves, or halted in production as we speak.”
A-Mark considers the implications. The odds, he concludes are simple; “If what you are describing is actually occurring, I calculate the destruction as 9/11 times 100, minimum.”
The insightful comment draws an understanding glance from Larry.
“Oh my god!” one woman blurts. She immediately opens her cell phone, excuses herself and dials home. “Johnny, don’t you or your sister eat anything until I get there. I mean it, not a bite of anything,” she says. “I will explain later. I can’t talk right now,” she adds before snapping her phone shut and apologizing for the interruption.
“That’s alright, I understand,” Larry says. “I would suggest all of you do that, and as soon as you can. Once we are through discussing it, you will have a more clear understanding. For that reason, it might behoove you wait. The fact is, people all over the country are this moment getting sick, and in some cases dying,” he says. “Right now people with comparable credentials as each of you possesses are being similarly briefed. We have to assemble a task force that can arrive at conclusions, and in a prompt manner. There is a considerable variety of duties to perform. Some inspectors will interview victims, and ask them to do their best to document what they ate as far back as ten days before they became ill. I don’t know about you people but I have to focus to recall what I had for lunch two days ago, and I may not necessarily arrive at a definitive answer. Other individuals will perform random but thorough testing of our foods still in the field, or on the farm. Additionally, our existing surplus requires examination. Special agents from the FDA have assignments that include thorough inspection of our nation’s food production facilities. All international shipments will be held pending confirmation of their compliance of our food defense initiative. This is extensive, and many of these products are perishable. These imported items will henceforth be subject to an expanded level of chemical detection devices. Any foods suspected of contamination will remain under quarantine while the process of determining their safety is completed. Translated, that means much of the imported foods may rot in holding containers pending evaluation. The financial and political challenges of this are nearly impossible to calculate. Some governments may deem this a victory for the terrorist organizations, whoever they are.”
“Whoever they are?” the same woman asks. ”Do you mean you don’t know? No one has assumed responsibility for this?”
“So far, none has done so, but we will find them. Now, this can become an international public relations nightmare we may never recover from, and one that may adversely affect our own export relations. The projected expenses of such an occurrence as this are astronomical. The worst-case scenario appears to have become reality, and can potentially cripple the United States economically and consequently many other nations as well. This very moment, world leaders are meeting, and discussing this event. Until this situation is ratified, we expect some of our exports will make it no further than the docks of the receiving nations, if they even leave our country at all.” Larry pauses once again to allow sufficient time for consideration. After a moment, he resumes. “In your envelopes are various testing devices. Most of you may already know what pulsed-field gel electrophoresis tests are, essentially genetic fingerprinting. If you are unsure how to use this instrument, there are people at your disposal to train you. We need to arrive at accurate conclusions, so if you are at all uncertain please, request assistance. Within your packet, you will also find your own designated targets of interest. In order to ensure thorough examination it is important that each of you remain focused on your specified facilities.
The contact information of each is within the envelope. Also within your packet is a cell phone.
It may ring at any time, night or day. We urge you to use it to call as needed, for any reason if you suspect anything out of the ordinary that potentially warrants an inquiry. We ask that you leave it on always, even while recharging. The final ingredient,” Larry says, clearing his throat. “The last, perhaps most important item within the contents of your packet are a variety of antibiotics. There are also antidotes to the most common poisons and neurotoxins. This last one is as a precaution. Keep your own safety in mind first, and foremost. I know many of you are prior military. I want there to be no mistake: This is war. Act accordingly, as necessary. Tracking down individuals with this deteriorated level of moral character may result in retaliation if confronted. You will be issued a firearm for defense. If you are not familiar with it, shooting safety courses and a practice range with a qualified instructor will be made available to you for as long as may be required. You may find yourselves targets of citizens holding you responsible for this incursion. I recommend carrying the weapon, and keeping it loaded at all times,” Larry says, pausing and searching the faces about the room. “Last, but not least is if any of you are uncomfortable with this, decidedly varied assignment now is the time to speak up. If you find yourself feeling this way later we will, of course allow you to walk away, and with your career and dignity intact. We do ask, however that each of you at least try, as a civic duty. The many citizens victimized by this bioterrorism epidemic are counting on both your courage and your expertise. It is you people, our nation’s food safety inspectors, working hand in hand with other agencies involved that are our best front line of defense,” Larry says, pausing to allow for reflection. “Any questions?” he asks.
“Yes,” A-Mark begins, commanding his voice over every other. The gesture gains the attention of everyone present. “I can see you accessing our files, written information about our careers, etcetera all plotted out on paper, computer, whatever. I want to know how those handing us these envelopes physically recognized us, individually. The labels are names -- text, not photographs.”
“Like you people, they are trained professionals,” Larry says, then pausing briefly.
A-Mark concludes the brevity of Larry’s reply indicates volumes of information. The very best are involved, and even at this level of the investigative hierarchy.
“Any further questions?” Larry asks.
There are indeed.

Chapter 47

“What’s next, apple pie?” A-Mark asks as he and Larry begin into the vendors section at Dodger Stadium.
“Don’t say that,” Larry returns. “Don’t even joke.”
“Who’s joking?”
“Well, let’s get to work. They want this place open tomorrow night, and that doesn’t give us a ton of time,” Larry says.
“Who is performing?” Markson asks.
“Ozzy Ozborne, according to the sign out front.”
“Oh! We probably don’t want to disappoint that audience,” A-Mark says with a grin.
“I’ll start with the coolers, if you want to test the kitchen area,” Larry says, ignoring A-Marks comment.
“Works for me.”
An hour later, after thoroughly testing the food, the packaging, the griddle and popcorn machine Markson moves on to the serving area. “I’m not finding anything,” he says at last. “I’ve run every test, and other than the usual grunginess found in so many of these kitchens there seems to be no bacterial or chemical contamination. I am going to check the serving area.”
“Well, there are other kitchens. Maybe this one is clean and others will demonstrate contamination. We’ll see,” Larry says.
“None of this makes any sense,” A-Mark begins. “They have a limited menu and everything they serve is prepared fresh and sells quickly. The employees all work in close quarters and none of them could sabotage anything without others seeing them do it, and
everybody is watching everyone else right now.”
“Well, just keep testing. It had to come from somewhere,” Larry says as he makes his way toward the condiment section. He proceeds with his examination.
“Never mind,” Markson says after a few moments, discovering a positive result. “I found something here, at the cashier area.”
“Over here, too,” Larry says. “The condiment section is moderately infested,” he says while finding yet another section with a positive reading.
“They wipe these areas down pretty good after hours,” A-Mark says.
“Yeah, they do, I know.”
“If we are finding residual now, after they’ve been sanitized this place must have been crawling with contagion while serving. Nevertheless, this is unlikely the only section contaminated. I doubt eleven hundred victims ate at one vending area,” Markson says, looking up and over at Larry.
“Then where else?” Larry asks.
The two make their way toward the spectator’s area.
“The seats?” A-Mark asks, vexed at the prospect.
Larry shakes his head. “I doubt anyone would have time for that, and no one person could discreetly get away with it. They would be caught, and there are just too damn many seats.”
“Maybe it isn’t all of them, only random sections,” Markson suggests.
The two look at the thousands of seats.
“We could be here a while,” Larry says, sighing.
“You know, most people that go to a ball game have a dog and a beer. Beer leads you to…”
“The rest rooms,” Larry says.
The two proceed to nearby rest rooms and, once there swab the entryway.
“There is some on the door, but nothing more than residual,” Larry says.
A-Mark stares at the door, and shakes his head. “Not the outside of the door,” he says, pushing one open and entering, “the inside.”
“Of course,” Larry says, considering. “Hands get contaminated after they wash them. That means anyone using a restroom can return to their seat and contribute to further contamination, man, woman or child. Sneaky bastards!”
“I don’t know who these guys are, but they have tediously planned these attacks. Their tactics are very effective,” A-Mark says, removing his neoprene gloves. “It wouldn’t surprise me if some involved in this excursion are prior military, and my guess would be biological weapons specialists. I think the FBI should review files of personnel, both prior service, and those currently serving,” A-Mark says, further considering. “Their investigations might also conclude the men from my old unit.” And one individual in particular, A-Mark considers, but does not say. “I’ll make a few phone calls, and say hello to the boys. It could lead to something, although I prefer to remember none of them as willing participants to any of this. The FBI can contact the rest.”
“That would actually be quite a short list compared to the massive investigation bogging them down due to running background checks on virtually everybody,” Larry says, nodding.
“Yep, and focus on those notoriously disgruntled, dishonorable discharges, the politically opposed, things of that nature. That can establish motive,” A-Mark says.
“This could be done by anyone understanding biological warfare. This is a cluster fuck,” Larry says, wiping his brow. “I’ll inform the bureau.”
“If you think about it, this maneuver is brilliant. Many restrooms these days have no paper towels. The tree huggers, God bless em want the use of paper restricted to save trees. That leaves air-drying machines, which leaves only toilet paper to protect hands that grab the door handles to leave the restroom, and I don’t see that happening. These people are as brilliant as they are evil,” he says, shaking his head. He sighs heavily. “We will probably find more if we keep looking, but I think you will agree we don’t need to. Our work is done here,” A-Mark says as he approaches Larry.
“Given the trend of Americans that have had their lives turned upside down, lost their house and their job and cannot find work and blame the government for sending our economy overseas, this could be anyone. Far too many harbor deeply seated animosity, which means it could be people from all occupations banded together in desperation, and in some cases, starvation. Accumulatively, that amounts to millions. This is crazy!” Larry says.
“This is a David and Goliath story. For almost no money, an unknown, unseen enemy brings to its knees the multi-trillion dollar conglomeration known as America. If word of points of public contact got out, everything would stop immediately. People will not ride the transit system, bus or train in any city. Airlines could have planes idle on the tarmac. Many people would then not go to sporting events, or even allow their children to go to school. Hell, attendance at church will diminish, if not cease. Not to sound religious, but this is a kind of Armageddon,” A-Mark says, shaking his head.
“You’re a smart guy, A-Mark. Tell me. How do we protect against this? Are we gonna shoot every kid touching the seats with one hand and a hot dog in his other, or just strip search their parents? People leave the bathroom and later find they are poisoned. What a false sense of security, appalling, really. They wash their hands and think it is all good, and then touch the door handle to leave, and wind up victimized by an invisible contaminant. Jeez! How do we fight these guys?”
“I don’t know,” Markson begins. “They’re going to have to sanitize this, and probably every public place after each event, or I think they will find ticket sales will drop. Spectators won’t attend any function knowing they may become infected.”
“I think the players unions might have a little something to say about it,” Larry says.
“These guys have to be stopped, and now,” Markson says, rubbing his forehead with his palm. “We have to communicate with our leaders, and demand the end,” A-Mark says, pausing and contemplating the last three words. He resumes. “I am trying to imagine how many handrails, public restrooms and points of hand contact there are at all the train stations, civic centers and public auditoriums in this country. I wonder how many people go through the New York City subway system every day, or take a piss at the local civic center. Pardon the pathetic pun, Larry but I think the terrorists just hit a grand slam right here at Dodger Stadium.”
“This is a hand job to faith,” Larry begins. “And it is becoming increasingly evident these people are systematically dismantling our society. It is enough to be fearful of every food purchase, and suspicious of individuals handling it, and other people or points of contact. But if, in addition we all become apprehensive about public events, estranged from one another then…” Larry pauses, his considerations drifting.
A-Mark looks at the multitude of seats. He envisions them filled, and then one by one
disappearing as food poisoning claims one after another. Soon, there remains a stadium attended only by cobwebs. “We can never let history finish that sentence.”


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