“In return, we ask only that steps are taken to ensure a similar global catastrophe never occurs again, and that other threats to humanity are removed. We seek a world with no militaries, no borders, no discrimination, and where every human is treated with decency and fairness. We are committed to this world; in fact, we demand it.

“In return for doses of X1-Mandera antivirals, we require that you take the following actions. Your congress or parliament will pass a law that places all government agencies and functions under the direction of an international oversight board called the Looking Glass Commission. The law will also place the power grid and internet under the commission’s control. You will use the Rook Quantum Sciences application to allow your population to vote directly on the law, referendum, or constitutional amendment—whatever your system of government requires. It will be your job to persuade your population to approve and ratify the law.

“If you enact the Looking Glass laws, our first task will be to distribute the cure.

“Some governments may reject our help. Others will join us in creating the world humanity deserves. If you or your population deny our help, millions will die needlessly. We don’t want that. We hope you join us. We look forward to working with you to create a better world for all of us.”

The recording ended, and Stevens stood. “This group, the Citium, doesn’t explicitly take credit for releasing the virus, but we all know antivirals take longer than a week to develop—and even longer to mass-produce.”

Millen spoke: “How did the White House respond?”

“They asked for a sample of the cure. That request was denied.”

“They assume we might try to reverse engineer it.”

“Correct,” Stevens said. “The White House then insisted they wouldn’t agree to the terms without a demonstration of the cure’s effectiveness. I’m told that demonstration is to occur within the hour.”

That shocked Millen. “So they’re going to agree to the terms? Hand over the government, military, internet, power grid—everything to these terrorists?”

“No. We’re going to fight. The White House is hoping to glean clues about the cure and possibly where it’s being stored. The demonstration is an intelligence-gathering opportunity.”

Another shift supervisor spoke—a slim black woman with graying hair who had worked in the EOC since before Millen joined EIS. “What are other governments doing?”

“The UK, Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Russia have all committed to fight the Citium to the very end. France and Greece have made no comment. We believe both nations have already surrendered.”

The conference room fell silent. Millen felt that the entire situation had changed now. War? On top of the pandemic? It was unthinkable. He wondered what would be left of the human race when this was over. And what kind of world they would inherit.