When Pigs Flu…
by
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When Pigs Flu... Jake McKenzie
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When a U.S. research lab erroneously ships pathogenic H2N2 influenza samples worldwide*, a perfect storm of pandemic risk builds as some vials remain unaccounted for. Simultaneously, jihadists seek to genetically engineer a bio-weapon, while virulent strains continue to evolve in nature.
This fictional tale is the quest of heroine, Sgt. Maria Alvarez, USMC, to recover the missing vials. Maria, like her brother Juan, uses military service to escape the poverty of their Navajo reservation. Her career is progressing when she's unexpectedly sent on `mission impossible' -- recover missing pathogens before disease outbreak, or they fall into the wrong hands!
Unbeknownst to Maria or her compatriots from the U.S. Embassy Jakarta she enlists in the search, the missing samples never made it to the Navy's medical research lab there. Instead, a local lad, Ali, simply trying to survive, exchanges his lucky find of the sample vials for a few coins. The purloined pathogens enter a clandestine network; to Hong Kong, then across some of the world's most remote terrain at the epicenter of terrorism, finally arriving in the holy city, Qom, site of Iran's super-secret Institute of Biological Research (--the size and configuration of which is not consistent with peaceful applications.)
Although thwarted in her search, Maria must determine how she can yet complete her critical mission. Her travels include an unanticipated overnight in Amman, Jordan, where she finds herself at the `wrong place at the wrong time.' Terrorists kidnap her new friend, Talal al Zanki, recently returned from doctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University, for his expertise in virology for their nefarious efforts to weaponize the virus. Talal, a Christian Arab and pro-American, refuses their demands despite extreme rendition.
Fortuitously, Jordanian police have the jihadists' hideout under surveillance, but police plans are scuttled by a stealth U.S. military anti-terrorism unit, of which Maria's brother, Juan is a member. Employing the latest hi-tech gear, Juan and his unit are hell-bent on hostage rescue.
Back in the U.S, the Commander-in-Chief faces a tough re-election campaign and Washington's power brokers realize votes are theirs for the taking in casting Juan as the next, `great America hero.' With rising media hype, Juan and Maria are both assigned temporary duty in Washington where paparazzi clamor for coverage. Although Maria mostly salutes and opens doors for dignitaries, this provides her time to reflect on her feelings for Talal, who is still recovering in Amman. Although now worlds apart, will Maria's and Talal's shared experiences be enough to maintain friendship, or spark romance?
Looking for a new line of work, Talal announces after an intelligence debriefing, his plan to return to his beloved scientific research. It's his best and likely only chance of reuniting with Maria.
Assigned to the protocol detail, Maria is off on the President's trip to Hong Kong, but on the return flight, several sick passengers infect everyone aboard Air Force One. While the disease originated overseas, it's in the homeland within hours and doctor's house calls began at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Could this be the start of the long-feared pandemic?
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* April 20, 2005, The last missing samples of a deadly flu virus mistakenly sent abroad by a US institute have been found at Beirut airport.
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About the Book
Based on an actual event --the inadvertent shipping of pathogenic H2N2 strains world-wide, this thriller is the suspenseful tale of missing samples falling into the wrong hands. Despite her best efforts, heroine, SGT Maria Alvarez, USMC, is thwarted by all too common government bungling that dooms her mission impossible. Once Pandora's box has been opened, can the pathogens ever be returned? Despite the concerted efforts of the military, international police, and medical experts, the risk of pandemic surprisingly comes from a most unexpected source
About the Author
As a former military health officer and intelligence analyst, with years working overseas, the author penned this "what if" suspense from first hand experience. He carefully develops diverse characters -not as invincible superheroes who invariably win against all odds but as everyday people using wits and determination to survive but prevail. Set against a real world alert for pandemic influenza and terrorists plotting attacks in the homeland, this page-turner reads eerily close to the evening news.