Chapter 14: Arctic - August 2014
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Teylor felt his hands shake as he stood in line, waiting for his turn in the radio room, Captain Chandler's words ringing in his ears.
"I have news from home."
Captain Chandler paused, clearing his throat, before continuing.
"It isn't good."
Given that the Nathan James had just been attacked by a Russian helicopter, nobody was expecting good news, but nothing could prepare the crew for what was coming next.
"Over the past four months, a virus has spread across the globe. This virus is deadly and there is currently no cure. The President died two months ago, the Vice President immediately after. Millions of Americans are dead, millions more quarantined in safe zones. The world as we know it is no more."
Gasps of shock, of horror and disbelief, followed by a flurry of questions as a dozen voices broke rank. The Captain lifted his hand, and silence fell again.
"I know that you all have questions. I know that you are wondering why we were only now learning of this plague. I have spoken with the current President, the former speaker of the house, and I have an answer to that question. The reason we are here, the reason why we were kept in the dark, is because our mission was not to test a new weapons system and Doctor Scott was not here to follow the migration of birds."
All eyes swung to the woman standing on the far side of the deck, her face stoic.
"Our mission here was to find the primordial strain of the virus. The key to developing a cure."
Captain Chandler's eyes swung across the deck and Teylor could have sworn that he saw tears glittering in the man's eyes.
"Our mission was, and is, one of desperation. But also one of hope. Hope that this virus can be stopped. Hope not just for America, but for the human race."
"Petty Officer Cruz?" Lieutenant Granderson's soft voice brought Teylor back to the present. "It's your turn."
Following the woman into the small room, he handed her the piece of paper he held, one containing a dozen numbers, both of them remaining silent as the phone buzzed again and again.
His parents. No answer.
His brother Mas. No answer.
His brother Oz. No answer.
His sister Maria. At least that time he was able to leave a message, telling her that he loved her and would get there to help with the boys as soon as he could.
"I'm sorry." Lieutenant Granderson spoke softly and Teylor wondered how many of these calls she had made today. How many times she had spoken those words. Teylor passed over a piece of paper with the last number he wanted to try, neither one of them mentioning the trembling of his hands.
Lieutenant Granderson looked down, and when she glanced back up her gaze was too understanding. "Lieutenant Green tried this number earlier. We weren't able to get through."
Teylor nodded. There was a line behind him, but they would understand the need to try again. The hope that this time the number might work. And it could happen, one of the young ensigns reached his mother on the second try, everyone waiting patiently while they talked for almost ten minutes until the line dropped. "Could you, would you please try again, ma'am?"
"Of course." Lieutenant Granderson began operating the switches and, once again, Teylor listened to the ringing.
No answer.