Book Description
Terrorists have developed a biological weapon that is unleashed in Mexico, with the hope of it spreading to the United States. The disease does as it was intended, spreading flu like symptoms throughout Mexico and from there it is carried to the United Sates and around the world. Within weeks, the disease has spread across the globe, and though most nations try to stop the spread, the virus is already out of control in most countries. In the United States the CDC has discovered a possible cure in the Catskill Mountains of New York State, but the combined efforts of the US Government are thwarted a bit when the terrorist forces, taking advantage of man power shortages due to the disease, manage to detonate nuclear weapons in Tel Aviv, Moscow and Washington D.C. With the disease rampant throughout North America, and as the infrastructure begins to collapse, people all across North America begin to head to New York's Catskill Mountains in the hope of attaining the 'cure' for themselves. A small group of Army National Guardsmen, led by Sergeant John Powers, are ordered to move from their host base in central Massachusetts to the Catskills, to assist the small detachment stationed there and maintain order. These men begin the move and enlist the support of people from small towns in their efforts to reach the Catskills. This combined unit soon arrives at the location and discovers the location of the CDC lab, and together with the help of the troops already there, begin to establish order and issue inoculations to the thousands of people arriving as well. In the meantime, convicts escaping from prisons in New York push to get the cure as well, though they have different intentions. Rather than help others, they plan to take the cure for themselves and establish a monarchy with Larry Andrews, one of their own, as King of the area. As the convicts approach the location, they encounter the troops there and soon both sides, the convicts led by Andrews, and the troops, now led by Powers, clash in a battle that will determine the fate of those who have survived. Andrews commands a hard core group of freed criminals, and with the assistance of Mafia elements, has created a well armed and increasingly dangerous force. Powers, supported by a small group of dedicated and hard working companions, have created a council to govern the land by creating a republic, and the discovery of a castle in the town of Liberty where they store the remnants of the CDC personnel and hope to protect the cure for anyone in need, while trying to maintain order and reestablish order. In the end, the convicts break through the territory controlled by Powers and the republic and in an all out effort, attempt to storm the castle, where they have learned the cure is being stored, to take it for themselves. Outnumbered and outgunned, Powers and the council do what they can to protect what they have built. With the stage set, both sides engage in an all out battle for control of the cure, with both sides desperate to control the cure. In the end, desperate people on both sides struggle to control the cure which will decide the fate of millions around the world.