“Simple logistics. Think about it. The virus is highly contagious. They wouldn’t need a large amount to spread it. Maybe a few hundred or thousand doses stragetically placed around the world. Aralsk-7 could easily manufacture and transport enough viral material to seed the outbreak. But manufacturing the cure, and shipping it around the world… that’s a task on a completely different scale. We’re talking about billions of doses. Sea freight is the only thing that makes sense. It’s the cheapest way to transport bulk goods, and it allows them to reach any port in the world within a short amount of time.” He nodded. “It’s the Isle. This is their manufacturing center, I’m sure of it. It might even be their HQ.”

“Wait,” Charlotte said. “Why did they make all the shipments over the years to SARA? No one is sick there.”

William shook his head. “I don’t know. I still don’t understand how you and SARA fit in. It’s almost like the shipments were unrelated to the pandemic. Maybe we obtained the wrong file at Aralsk-7. I’m sorry we involved you in this, Charlotte.”

“I’m not. If SARA is somehow connected to the Citium—if they used us somehow—I want to know why. And what they did to my people.”

“I don’t blame you.” William turned to the group. “Look, we need to move quickly. I believe we should assume that somewhere on the Isle is a list of the warehouse locations.”

“Okay,” Desmond said. “But you said this place would be very well guarded. So what are you thinking? Can we contact the US military somehow and get them to send in Special Forces to raid the island?”

“We’ll need to go with them.” William motioned to Avery. “At least, Avery and I will need to. I know the island layout, and she has familiarity with the computer systems. We’ll go in covertly; a head-on assault would be doomed.”

Desmond spoke quickly. “No way I’m sitting this one out.”

“That goes for me too,” Peyton said.

“No, Peyton. You’re too sick. I know you’ve been trying to hide it.”

She stared into his eyes. “I’m not a hundred percent, but I’m close enough. They killed a lot of my people, and they’re killing a lot more people I’ve dedicated my life to protecting.”

William focused on Peyton. “It’s simply too dangerous—”

“Dad, going into dangerous situations is part of my job. I’m all grown up now, and I make my own decisions.” She glanced back and forth between Desmond and her father. “I’m going.”

“And I’m going as well,” Charlotte said.

Desmond shook his head. “Charlotte—”