34
"I agree" Toshiko nodded "We can create antibodies."
"But how do we isolate it?" Owen asked, "No lab."
"What do you suggest?" Jack asked.
"Herd immunity?" Owen then supplied "Only their kind can go out and gather things, no one vulnerable can. Those that go out must cleanse themselves in the outer area before re-entering camp and that way we keep a little bubble of protection here."
"I was thinking the elderly and the very young might be most vulnerable, so only adults that are strong… so if they catch a mild dose … they can shake it off further crating immunity" Toshiko agreed "Maybe… a handful that live in an outer camp. They go out, forage, do their thing… a mutual spot between the camps where food it left, messages and things… minimal contact until we know for sure this is over?"
"Young, strong and single. We don't want someone sneaking back in to visit their preggers wife or something" Jack agreed. "We will pass the word and see who wants to come forward. Hopefully we will get enough people to form an outer bubble of protection and strength. As this develops we will be more likely to get marauders knocking at the door too."
"God, diabolical but not unheard of. After all, releasing a bio-engineered killing virus is a 'clean hands' approach as it is hard to pinpoint each point of origin. By the time you realize you are sick it has spread." Toshiko tapped a finger to her lips "you know… there is no guarantee they will be releasing the same variant. Like all things, time created mutations. Could be the strain you are immune to is different to the one of now. You might still get infected."
"Toshiko is right. We need to act like we are all at risk because really... we are. We also need to contact the other village and let them know about this before they let people traipse in and infect them" Gwen said, then frowned as she looked around "You know… we still don't know HOW they did it either. Is it something in the air? Food? Water? Contactable? Of airborne?"
"Good point" Owen agreed "I think we lock ourselves down like intended and sit this out. No more wandering, one last hunt and then… what we have is what we live on for the next few months."
"Agreed" Jack rose "Time to call a meeting and lay out our thoughts."
.
.
"So… how many of you had these dreams?" Ianto called out and saw several hands go up. He was more alarmed by those did didn't. This was not missed by Jack who rose to look over the sea of alarm.
"Chances are… not all of your ancestors were exposed in the first place. Remember… colonies were attacked… so… a couple of generations later one meets one from another colony not affected and… well… 50/50 chance of who they throw to right? This further pushes home the idea that we might not be immune anyway. This is a warning system you have… not a gentle reminder. I think we need to all act like we are not immune, we ARE at risk and act accordingly."
"Those agreed" Ianto called out and every hand rose.
"Right. We will do one last hunt for meat, then we will shut our walls and those outside will fend for themselves, harsh as that sounds. Thos of us here must have a chance, our children must have a chance.. and that means we do not risk ourselves." Jack said with authority "Volunteers for one last round up before we shut down can meet up over at the rally point."
.
.
Twenty. A good number. Rhys amongst them with his rifle resting on his shoulder, pointing the barrel to the sky as he talked with another man who had two large dogs tethered beside him.
"Hey" Ianto called out.
"Hey, got my heading dogs, great at flushing out the bushes. Maybe get a few pheasants to change up the meat situation. Thinking some chickens must have been free-range and wandering about now their humans are not there to watch them. Maybe if we can catch some to add to our flock… fresh eggs as well as meat." The man yelled and Ianto recognised him as one of the locals.
"Thanks Brent, good idea" he called back "But… we have dogs."
Brent went to reply and caught up to himself, roaring with mirth as he waved a hand at him "Ah, no… I mean… to get under the briar patches and such, smaller than you lot!"
"Ah" Ianto grinned "sounds good."
Owen slid the folded piece of paper into Ianto's hand and Ianto nodded, slipping it into his pocket. If he found any of the things on the list along their way… he would bring them back.
A lab was not such a bad idea ya know… for Owen.