CHAPTER TWO

The World Summit On Disease Control - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:

The chatter of many languages converged in the gathering of nations. All were concerned for the new epidemics that were emerging daily, as quickly as the prior threats were contained. Civilization was under constant attack by an allusive enemy and decisive action was needed.

Brazil tried to keep its own problems out of scrutiny's grasp. In a pact with the four neighboring countries that bordered Brazil's Amazon Jungle, every inch of the connecting land was shut off by barricades, heavily guarded by militia. Anything trying to get out or in, for that matter, would be killed without question.

In the jungle, the horrific wailing of the animals and the sickening stench that came from within made the armed guards nervous. Very nervous. It was suggested that nuking the entire jungle would be a possibility, however, it would be disastrous to the ecology of the entire planet.


Finally, the sound of a gavel echoed throughout the conference hall from the platform at the foremost part of the room, silencing the bickering. The director of the World Commission on Disease Control stood up from the table to help calm the hyped-up group in the midst of the gossip that had surfaced about what was happening in Brazil. He spoke to them in English being that it was the most universal language at the moment.

"Listen everyone. We have someone who can elaborate on the situation in the Amazon. Let us give him our undivided attention please." the Director demanded.

The translators repeated his words, but most already understood and they sat down to listen as another man rushed onto the platform. Rather than take a seat at the table, he walked to the edge of the platform where he could be more effective. the director calmly nodded at him with approval.

It was Dr. Marcos Cortes, a Brazilian animal pathologist; young and rugged, but darkly handsome. His sweat-blotted shirt clung to his chest as if he'd just ran a marathon -- he very well could have. It was his strong appearance that lulled everyone to quietly hear what he had to say.

He cleared his throat and bowed his head as if he was praying, or he could have simply been searching for the right way to break the news to the anxious crowd. His voice crackled with his first words.

"I know you have all come to show your solidarity for curing this disease ravaged world, but there is..." He stalled, his breath abated with the thought of rejection. "...there is a problem in the Amazon that will soon become a worldwide epidemic."

The room was so quiet that Dr. Cortes could here the stomach growl of someone at the back of the room. He had there attention, so he continued. "The animals have gotten worse... in fact, I believe most of the species besides the birds, had died." Before he could say another word, the first of the objections came, and steadily more until he was unable to continue.

Another gavel brought peace once again. And just then, another objection came, this time it was Dr. Ross, the well-known virologist from the United States. Dr. Cortes welcome it; she was much prettier than the others.

"I'm sure I do not stand alone in question as to what this has to do with the outbreaks spreading from China to Europe? We all love animals, but our first concern is the human population." she insisted.

"If we don't do something about the situation in the Amazon Jungle, there won't be a human problem... we'll be dead." he replied and left the stage, meeting with the revival of rejection from the multitude.

As Dr. Cortes made his way out of the conference hall, someone called out to him, "Wait." It was Dr. Michelle Ross.

"Listen, I don't know what you were trying to do in there, but coming here to talk about animals was not on the agenda." she huffed.

Dr. Cortes returned a thoughtful stare. "If you would join me for dinner, I can explain why it all matters." he said with a stern smirk.

"Dinner, huh?" she questioned, doubting his sincerity.

"Nothing more." he insisted.