Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

The Qixi Virus
The Qixi Virus
The Qixi Virus
Ebook185 pages2 hours

The Qixi Virus

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars

()

Read preview

About this ebook

This novel is Book Two of The Fall of the Americas series. THE QIXI VIRUS, thought to be the destroyer of the Neanderthal species 40,000 years ago, has been discovered inside an ice cave in far northeast China. The virus is destined to become a biological weapon of mass destruction. When North Korean agents shoot down a top secret mission to test the specimens on live citizens of Canada, a battle between commando teams from the United States/Canada, Japan, China, and North Korea to capture the specimens begins at the crash site in the Nahanni National Forest in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The situation is critical. Whoever controls the virus, will control the world.
The Fall of the Americas series is a story about a nation and a family’s efforts to overcome catastrophic natural disaster and world economic collapse of a size unlike any the modern world has ever experienced. The story also is about political agendas and ambition turning into madness and disaster for the American culture and its existence.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherBen Boyd, Jr
Release dateAug 31, 2015
ISBN9781310998478
The Qixi Virus
Author

Ben Boyd, Jr

Hello, my name is Ben Boyd, Jr. I am a freelance author and a screen writer. I write science fiction/fantasy novels, short stories, and flash fiction. I also am developing screenplays for each book in the series. Currently, I have written and published AZ2016 NEO and The Qixi Virus, books one and two in The Fall of the Americas series. The rest of the series is being edited and will be published at regular intervals throughout this year and next. A tentative schedule and title of each novel is listed for your convenience at the end of each published novel. My website is www.benboydjr.comI live, with my wife, on a horse farm in Tennessee near The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Our farm is named Rooster-Cat Ridge Farm, after our first competition registered quarter horse. When I am not writing or editing, with my wife's help, I grow vegetables, make and bottle fruit wine from our orchard, and grow hay for the horses. I appreciate your comments on my novels if you have the time to spare.

Read more from Ben Boyd, Jr

Related to The Qixi Virus

Related ebooks

Science Fiction For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for The Qixi Virus

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings

0 ratings0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    The Qixi Virus - Ben Boyd, Jr

    THE QIXI VIRUS

    Ben Boyd, Jr.

    Copyright 2015 by Ben Boyd, Jr.

    This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    Editors: Dr. Tiffany Ellen Boyd-Hodgson, PhD

    D.M. Hammett, Chief Technical Officer

    Susan Adair Harris, English Professor,

    Trinidad Community College

    Formatting by Marti Dobkins

    Cover design by BBJ Publishing and Canva

    See www.benboydjr.com

    Acknowledgements

    A humble thank you to all those who read AZ2016 NEO, book one of this series. Your interest and support made it possible for book two to be published for your reading pleasure.

    A huge thank you goes to my friend and mentor, Professor Susan Adair Harris, author of Death Lost Dominion, and former screen writer, for holding my feet to the literary structure fires.

    My continued appreciation goes to Donna, my wife, for her patience and help in moving the story along the next step

    Again, another first thank you goes to Dr. Tiffany Boyd-Hodgson, PhD, my publicist and professional editor.

    Next, thanks goes to my beta readers Michele Morgan, Don Grissom, and Charlotte Hunt Doyle and to all those that sent comments after reading AZ2016 NEO.

    Thank you again to the Knoxville Writers Guild, Writer’s Workshop of Maryville, and the Stage 32 Knoxville Screenwriters and Film Makers Group for their advice and support.

    Book Three, The Fires of Fear, will be available in October 2015.

    Ben Boyd, Jr., Author

    Dedication

    For Tiff, Tad, and Mia

    My wonderful children.

    Preface

    This novel is Book Two of The Fall of the Americas series. THE QIXI VIRUS, thought to be the destroyer of the Neanderthal species 40,000 years ago, has been discovered inside an ice cave in far northeast China. The virus is destined to become a biological weapon of mass destruction. When North Korean agents shoot down a top secret mission to test the specimens on live citizens of Canada, a battle between commando teams from the United States/Canada, Japan, China, and North Korea to capture the specimens begins at the crash site in the Nahanni National Forest in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The situation is critical. Whoever controls the virus, will control the world.

    The Fall of the Americas series is a story about a nation and a family’s efforts to overcome catastrophic natural disaster and world economic collapse of a size unlike any the modern world has ever experienced. The story also is about political agendas and ambition turning into madness and disaster for the American culture and its existence.

    Table of Contents

    Prologue

    Chapter One: Crash Site Researchers

    Chapter Two: The Valentine’s Day Hunt

    Chapter Three: North Korean Commando Search

    Chapter Four: North Korean Ambush

    Chapter Five: Japanese Camp Massacre

    Chapter Six: American Caution

    Chapter Seven: Japanese Strategy

    Chapter Eight: Convergence

    Chapter Nine: Hostages Taken

    Chapter Ten: A Traitor Found

    Chapter Eleven: Captor to Captive

    Chapter Twelve: Chinese Intervention

    Chapter Thirteen: A Last Search

    Chapter Fourteen: Chinese Attack

    Chapter Fifteen: Chinese Pursuit

    Chapter Sixteen: Mounties and Rangers

    Chapter Seventeen: The Rescuers

    Chapter Eighteen: Mission Mysteries

    Chapter Nineteen: Park Escape

    Epilogue

    Preview of The Fires of Fear, Book Three

    About the Author

    Also by Ben Boyd, Jr.

    Prologue

    February 14, 2015

    9:20 AM

    Oval Office

    The President’s Executive Administrative Director, Ms. Charlena Hunt, entered his office quietly to remind him of a 9:30 AM teleconference appointment with the President of Mexico. She was surprised to find he was not sitting behind his desk as usual. She was puzzled. Moving a few more paces into the room, she heard a very faint sound almost a whisper, Oh God, oh God, oh good God!

    How odd. Where is that noise coming from and where is the President, she thought to herself. Where has he gone? He had better not be out smoking in the halls again. He has to be here! And what the hell is that noise?

    She called out. Mr. President, I don’t see you so you must be in your privy. Sorry to disturb you, but you have a 9:30 call today with President Valerie Espinosa in Mexico City.

    Charlena put her hand to her ear to listen for the confirmation. A noticeable bumping noise came from behind the door that read PRIVATE in gold capital lettering. Still no answer came. She went to the door and knocked lightly. She heard an almost inaudible, "Goddamit! Can’t she wait two minutes?’ She frowned and hurried quickly back to her office.

    The restroom door opened slowly and the President’s head began to appear. He whispered softly, Okay, Ms. Clayton, she’s gone. You can come out now. You know the way, and happy Valentine’s Day to you too.

    "Oh yes, Art., shall I come back tonight… say around 11?

    Yes. That would be fine. Till then, good-bye.

    Now I know what they mean by being a two a day man, he thought to himself and laughed out loud. I wonder if that other guy had it this easy.

    The phone on his desk buzzed loudly. He walked over and casually picked it up. It was Ms. Hunt right on time.

    Good morning, Mr. President. I have President Espinosa on the line, she said with icicles in her voice.

    Thank you, Ms. Hunt and that will be all.

    Madam President, I hope I am not calling at an inconvenient time on this lovely Valentine’s Day. Thank you for your call yesterday. May I say, this is the first chance for me to return your call? How may I be of service to you today? United States President Arthur Ruben Thomas, read his well-written greeting to Miss Valerie Juanita Dona Espinosa, the first female President of Mexico, without a fumble. He easily remembered she was, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful women in the world. Only ten short years ago, she had been Mexico’s representative in the Miss Universe beauty pageant.

    President Thomas knew he had to be careful whenever he talked to any foreign dignitary, but especially to one so powerful and beautiful. His telephone line was constantly monitored and all conversations were recorded. He hated to admit it, but his White House office leaked like an old rubber glove.

    "Buenos Dias, good morning, Mr. President. Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule for me. I sincerely hope you are well. Please call me Val since we are getting into bed with each other on this Feed the Hungry project of yours. She waited to let the effect of her suggestive reply sink in, then said, Figuratively speaking, of course". She laughed teasingly.

    I wager the National Security Agency boys will love that getting in bed with each other line. Thomas thought.

    He had a moment of fantasy thinking about her suggestive comment, but only a moment. He remembered their first meeting four years ago. How could he forget? He had embarrassed himself when a picture of him staring at President Espinosa’s ample cleavage made the Washington Digest newspaper. He had definitely been caught peeking. His mood changed immediately.

    Yes, of course, he answered and cleared his throat quietly.

    Thank you. Please call me Aaron or Art. All of my close friends usually call me Art. You know, my initials spell a name. Now, what can I do for you, Val? Is it about the Fort Hood tank relocation plan?

    No, Art. It is about a mysterious killer virus the Chinese have discovered. My foreign intelligence service tells me the Chinese have a barbaric plan to test a killer virus on a remote tribal people in South America. Thomas just said, Um-humm.

    First of all, any plan like that is purely evil from the start. Next, Mexico is much closer to South America than the United States. I am told the virus is believed to have no cure. That is why they want to test it on human subjects. Again, Um-humm.

    If these reports are true, Art, I have good reason to be alarmed. You should think about all the daily traffic moving back and forth across our common borders. Your intelligence service is the best in the world. Can you tell me anything that might make me feel a little less threatened, please?"

    Thomas was astounded. How these secrets get out to the world so fast, I will never understand, he thought."

    Val, I can’t tell you about things that are classified. He knew the test was going to be in Canada instead of the Amazon jungle in a remote part of Brazil.

    I can tell you we’re on top of it. I know your government has the Center for Research and National Security. Who is running that office for you?

    Interior Secretary Donna Lynette Anderessa runs that department for me, Art. She is excellent.

    I will arrange for my Secretary of State, Ms. Wanda Peterman, to contact Ms. Anderessa with details about what we know and what is being done. Is that sufficient, Val?

    Of course Art, but for me it would be nice to know immediately if something is being done.

    Please rest assured Madame President, we are working on this issue, as we speak. I promise you. He frowned.

    February 14, 2015

    Rooster-Cat Ridge Farm

    Happy Valentine’s Day, Shug! Hap handed his wife, Marilyn, a fresh cup of Café Bustelo, espresso grind, Mexican coffee. He often commented to anyone standing nearby, Bustelo was the best coffee in North America. The wind was blowing cold outside already and the hot coffee was working its magic.

    Happy Valentine’s Day, Hon, she answered and gave him a little peck on the cheek. Hap had been up for a couple of hours doing the horse chores, making the coffee, and signing her Valentine’s card. Her card was almost always placed in plain sight next to a bottle of cabernet sauvignon and a small box of Ghirardelli chocolates.

    I should have gotten her some roses, he thought. Oh well. Too late now.

    She didn’t see the newspaper he usually studied this time of day, but asked anyway.

    Anything going on in the world I should know about?

    Not today. Hap had not seen the morning news but added,

    We should check on our Apple stock to see if it is going through the roof with this new Apple Watch gadget they just offered for sale. Good Lord. I can’t see anybody spending $399 for a watch that has no gold or diamonds. Can you?

    Yeah, I got you one for Valentine’s Day, Shug replied as she stepped back to see his expression. For a moment, Hap actually believed her. The look on his face was total shock.

    Really? For me? he stammered.

    No, Hon, I didn’t! Really! she answered and laughed so hard she had to grab her sides as she ran for the bathroom.

    I should have known better, he countered. Come outta there and give me some sugar, you little devil.

    Emerging slowly from the bathroom, she walked up to him, took his hand, and led him back into the bedroom.

    The newer look on his reddening face was beyond priceless. Life had its sweet little moments as it followed the path of change. Their life changes were destined to soon move in a not-so-sweet direction. Tragically, this change would be forever.

    Aboard a ‘Japanese’ Fishing Vessel

    Yakutat Bay, Alaska

    Star Gazer, this is Open Door. Star Gazer, Open Door. Over. He waited a long moment then remembered he was using a secure channel. The cold wind was stinging. He keyed the mic again.

    Lieutenant Sung. This is Captain Yang. Urgent. Please respond. Over.

    Captain Yang tried patiently for ten more minutes to reach the special agent stationed on Kodiak Island, Alaska, as he also watched the worrisome chunks of ice floating in the bay. His duty was to relay critical position information about the crash location of the Chinese Xian H-6X aircraft. He was following orders, but was very eager to leave his exposed position in the bay for safer waters outside the international boundary of the United States. The sooner he moved off the Alaskan coast, the safer he would feel. Yang grew agitated and afraid. He could not leave until he made his report and waiting for the report was wearing heavily on his nerves. Yang knew if his boat were boarded by the U.S. or Canadian Coast Guard, he could end up spending the rest of his life in a military prison. The longer he waited, the shorter his temper grew. Every second he spent guessing when the call would come grated on his nerves.

    Only a few moments passed before he received a reply. Captain Yang. This is Lieutenant Sung. I am ready for your report. Over.

    Lieutenant Sung had been searching for the code key. Yang immediately blurted the information in code and when he was finished asked, Will you send the message now, please? Sung had no reason to delay.

    Yes, Captain. I have a secure satellite phone and the message will go out immediately, in code, of course. Is that all, Captain?

    Yang thanked her

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1