Boston, Massachusetts

’The cover story involves H1N1’’ says Broyles. ‘’However, our

sources report we are dealing with something far more insidious’’
he turns to Walter Bishop. ‘’Doctor Bishop, your task will be to
determine what are we dealing with.’’

‘’What are the Russians doing about it?’’ asks Peter Bishop.
‘’Ukraine is one thing but with the Big Brother watching our every
move…’’

‘’The Russians are the ones who requested our assistance’’ replies
Broyles and points at a wall. ‘’This is their message.’’

A live feed shows a man inside one of Lviv’s undermanned medical

centers.

‘’As you can see, this is not a typical virus, not even H1N1. The
H1N1 virus is farce, but this is something else. We believe it to be
some type of pneumonic plague. If this is not stopped, we are
going to be faced with a 1918-style pandemic very soon. Do not
trust the world health organization – they are spreading
disinformation to justify their various questionable policies.’’

‘’That’s a blunt statement’’ says Olivia Dunham.

‘’I’ve never seen anything like it’’ says Walter Bishop. ‘’This is
unprecedented. The Russian bear requesting our help…Peter,
time to pack the bags!’’

‘’That won’t be necessary’’ says Broyles. ‘’You’re gonna get your

hazmat suits ready. Then, you’re gonna be teleported to Lviv.
Everything’s been arranged.’’

‘’How?’’ asks Dunham. ‘’I didn’t know there were any safe
teleportation devices around.’’

‘’Thank Massive Dynamic’’ replies Broyles. ‘’Remember how our

old friend got here. The device was perfected – as were the suits.’’
‘’The black death’’ mutters doctor Bishop. ‘’This is worse than I
thought…1370…Europe’s population nearly eradicated, people
whipping themselves to appease God…’’

‘’I doubt anyone’s gonna be whipping themselves over this one’’

remarks Peter Bishop.

Fifteen minutes later

‘’Ukraine’’ says Walter. ‘’The land of Chernobyl and screwage!’’

‘’What?’’ asks Peter Bishop.

‘’Oh, nothing’’ answers Walter. ‘’When I was younger, I would

import certain mutated fetuses from the area…and I also
remember when I taught one of my Ukrainian friends some
English!’’

‘’And how did that go?’’ asks Peter Bishop.

‘’Oh, it was amazing!’’ says Walter while inspecting his hazmat

suit. ‘’I took this screw and placed it next to female genitalia…to
explain some more…metaphoric meanings…’’

‘’Those were the days, Walter’’ says Peter.

Thirty minutes later

‘’They’re right’’ says Peter Bishop, looking at a body. ‘’This

individual’s lung structure collapsed! This is definitely not H1N1.’’

‘’Is it contagious?’’ asks an individual representing the Ukrainian

side.

‘’This is a potentially catastrophic event. I mean globally

catastrophic, as viruses aren’t exactly interested in our
geopolitical delineations. You will see…oh Peter, this isn’t
right…’’

‘’What isn’t?’’ asks Walter’s son.

‘’Viruses like these, they…they just don’t exist in nature, this is an
artificial creation! Someone’s playing us like a violin here!’’

‘’The pattern?’’ asks Dunham. ‘’Could it be another event?’’

‘’Whoever’s orchestrating this, they display the traits immanent in

pre-cognitive intelligence!’’ Walter Bishop exclaims.

‘’Pre-cognitive intelligence, what the hell is that?’’ asks one of the

local medical officers.

‘’There was a case in Utah where a wide spectrum of unexplained

phenomena occurred…and the most exhilarating part was that…
that when they wanted to record something, their cameras just
stopped working, after scrutinizing the nature of the phenomenon
it was clear the force basically played chess! Unified field array, all
was utilized!’’

‘’What?’’ the individual asks. ‘’What’s the meaning of all this?

Perhaps I don’t understand because English isn’t my first language,
but…’’

‘’This has nothing to do with your English’’ Peter Bishop joins the
exchange. ‘’I can barely understand him most of the time. What I
think he means here is this - when the researchers attempted to
record a particular event, the phenomenon shifted to another
location. They witnessed pretty much every single anomalous
phenomenon on record, from inter-dimensional portals opening
in front of their eyes to alien abductions and subsequent human
mutilations.’’

‘’That’s why they refer to it as pre-cognitive intelligence’’ adds

doctor Bishop. ‘’It knows what you want before you even manage
to think of it!’’

Olivia smiles at the local.

‘’Happens all the time.’’

‘’A virus is a life form’’ Walter Bishop continues his analysis. ‘’It
contains a message…and what does a life form do when it feels
threatened?’’

‘’It defends itself’’ Peter Bishop states matter-of-factly.

‘’Exactly, son! I believe this virus has attained sentience and is

somehow coordinating its defense – and we are perceived as
potential aggressors!’’

‘’I’ll leave you for now’’ says the Russian. ‘’This is too abstract for
my taste.’’

‘’Tell me about it…’’ answers Peter Bishop. ‘’Walter, this is even

crazier than usual.’’

‘’This is the truth!’’ Walter Bishop gesticulates passionately. ‘’Your

little minds still can’t fathom the enormity of our existence! How
can you all be so insipid! I’d shoot myself if I’d to live with such a
minuscule thought pattern field!’’

‘’Do you think the WHO is involved?’’ Dunham touches Walter’s

hand to calm him down.

‘’If they released this on purpose’’ answers Walter Bishop. ‘’They

better make sure they have got an antidote.’’

‘’Could that L.A. standoff case be more complex than we thought?’’

Peter Bishop looks at Olivia. ‘’You know, Joseph Moshe. The man
turned into a terrorist nutcase by the media, but I’m beginning to
wonder who’s the real nutcase here. Us – or people out there who
take mainstream interpretations of the world for granted.’’