Tammy and Ringo by N.C. Reed Page A

looked at Hiram, eyebrow raised. Hiram just shrugged.
    “What is your name, young man?” she asked kindly.
    “Ringo, ma’am,” he replied. She waited a few heartbeats.
    “Just Ringo?” she asked finally.
    “‘Fraid so, ma’am,” he nodded.
    “Well Ringo, you’re very brave to do this,” Baxter told him. “I’m sure the Colonel has explained how dangerous this will be.”
    “I pretty well figured that out for myself, ma’am,” Ringo assured her.
    “I imagine you have if you’ve been out there,” Baxter nodded. “Believe it or not, the virus hasn’t spread everywhere as of yet. There are still a few areas that aren’t affected at all, but not many. And I don’t expect that to last.”
    “I wouldn’t either,” Ringo nodded.
    “What I need are specimens to work with,” Baxter got to the point. “I need tissue samples, blood samples and some video of their behavior. The Colonel can provide you with the containers for the samples but I cannot stress enough how careful you must be. Use gloves and glasses at all times to avoid any type of fluid contact.”
    “All right,” Ringo nodded.
    “Otherwise, just be observant. Write down anything you see that seems important.”
    “How will I know what that might be?” Ringo asked, frowning.
    “Well, do they act in a group or pack, or do they act individually? How do they respond to stimuli? Does sound attract them? Movement? Do they all respond at once, like a herd mentality, or do they seem to follow the leader? Things like that.”
    “Okay,” Ringo nodded. He could probably do that.
    “We also need at least one intact head,” Baxter added, her face sorrowful. “That will require you to dismember the. . . .”
    “I’ve already been there and done that, Doctor,” Ringo raised a hand. “Won’t be a problem.”
                 
    “Well,” Baxter almost frowned. “It’s a problem for some people. There’s a lot of people in the government insisting that the infected are simply sick and must be treated humanely. At least that’s what they’re saying in public,” she added.
    “Ma’am, I’ve seen the infected close up and personal,” Ringo said flatly. “There’s no humanity left there. And I mean none.”
    “I know,” Baxter nodded slowly. “Unfortunately, many, many people are buying into the theory, and that’s just adding to the problem. You’ll have to be careful that you don’t run afoul of any of them. Even some peace officers are coming down on that side of the argument.”             
    “I’ll mind it,” Ringo promised. “Anything else?”
    “Yes,” Baxter nodded. “If you can see any of them around water, I’d like video of their behavior there. This is supposed to be a rare strain of African rabies. Rabies is the common name for hydrophobia, which is--”
    “Fear of water,” Ringo nodded. “Already thought about that.”
    “You are a very intelligent young man, Just Ringo,” Baxter smiled after a minute. “And I really appreciate this. We don’t have many people willing to do this kind of work, and without samples to work with we’re helpless.”
    “How many are there?” Ringo asked. “Besides me, I mean?”
    “Five,” Baxter replied evenly. “That’s all we could get that we can reach by helicopter. You make six. Hopefully it will be enough.”
    “I’ll get what I can for you, ma’am,” Ringo promised.
    “Thank you. Again,” she added. “Colonel Wilkins will finish your briefing. Please be careful.” With that the screen went blank.
    “Colonel Wilkins,” Ringo tried out the name. “You know, I don’t think I’d heard your last name until just now.”
    “It’s not my last name,” Hiram assured him. “There’s no way I’m telling her or anyone else who I am. Or where I am, either,” he added.
    “Then why let me tell her who I am?” Ringo demanded.
    “I’ve never heard you use anything but Ringo,” Hiram shrugged. “How hard will it be to find