BioKill Read Free

stalwart bastion of our language, describes bioterrorism as, quote, the use of infectious agents or other harmful biological or biochemical substances as weapons of terrorism, end of quote. Let us be clear — a bioterrorist event is first and foremost a terrorist attack.”
    Evangeline paused for effect, and looked around the lecture theatre. A large grandiose room with a high ceiling, rows of maroon cloth-covered seats that folded back when not in use rose incrementally higher the further back they went. A mezzanine floor with further seating was accessed by stairs either side of the room. While the professor had been introducing her, Evangeline gazed up at the Roman column-like structures behind the lectern area, rising majestically to the towering ceiling above; she always admired them. Out of the corner of her eye, as she was about to continue speaking, Evangeline noticed a tall man, obviously not a student, discreetly making his way up the stairs to the mezzanine seating.
    Matt Lilburn seated himself down in the center front row. Glancing at his watch, adjusted for daylight-saving time in England, the American leaned forward, resting his elbows on the English beech wooden writing platform, which spanned the length of each row of seats. Unaccustomed to varsity lecture rooms, he felt uneasy. Looking down at the speaker, he realised for the first time how beautiful the subject of his hurried trip was — and allowed himself a small smile. Better than I thought!
    “So, now we explore the world of the ‘poor man’s nuke’,” Evangeline continued. “I would like to provide you with some history of bioterrorism and the use of biological weapons. Here is a question for you — just shout out an answer if you know, I won’t put you through the indignity of raising your hand… after all, I might think you wish to use the WC.” An amused mixture of giggles and laughter rose from the students. “Right, who knows when bioterrorism was first deployed? Anyone?”
    “In 1995, the sarin nerve gas attack in Tokyo.” A lone voice from the middle seats.
    “No. Good try though, much earlier than that. Anyone else?”
    “Early nineties — my little brother used to gas me all the time.” The theatre roared with laughter. A student from a row above leaned forward to the young man below who had called out and gave him a friendly cuff about the ears.
    Evangeline smiled. “I see nothing has changed. My goodness, I hope there were no long-term effects?” More hearty laughter.
    “Any more guesses? No? Right then, let me blow your minds.” Two male students sitting side by side quickly looked at each other and raised their eyebrows; both had exactly the same thought, but it wasn’t their minds she was blowing.
    “Biological warfare has been in use for centuries. In the mid-1700s, during the French and Indian war, the English general Sir Jeffrey Amherst gave smallpox-laced blankets and handkerchiefs to Native Americans loyal to the French, which led to a later successful British attack on a French fort. And even before that, in 1710 Russian troops hurled plague-infected corpses over the city walls of Reval during the war with Sweden. But wait, there’s more! In 1347, plague-infected corpses were used in a similar way during the siege of Caffa in Crimea by the Tartars. So bio-warfare and the use of biological weapons certainly aren’t new…”
    Evangeline paused for a sip of the bottled water thoughtfully provided.
    “So, now we come to the why and when. Why has biological warfare slash terrorism been used in the history of mankind and when will it be used again?” Evangeline paused again, this time for effect. “The short answer is we don’t know. Confucius famously said: ‘Study the past, if you would divine the future.’ In plain English, it will happen again.”
    Professor Jennian-Jones boomed from his seat to the left of center stage, “Well said, Dr. Crawston, well said indeed.” Turning to the students he