Pauline’s study, this was the optimum time to collect samples. For a brief period of a few weeks, the females would be sedentary, docile and incapable of flying because at this stage they were lactating. This was the time to manually extract samples of the virus.
“Okay, let’s start.” Juan’s static voice came over his radio.
They each switched on their night vision and waited again for their senses to adjust before proceeding.
“Be mindful of sinkholes,” Juan said. “Stay close to formations you can grab if the ground beneath you gives way.”
Fiona released a small scream as a lone bat darted by squeaking.
“Just a male checking us out,” Juan said.
“Stay calm, everyone,” Sutsoff said.
Colin sensed the cave floor was actually soft like padded carpet.
“Kind of cushy,” he said.
“Bat droppings,” Sutsoff said.
“Eww,” Fiona said.
“Stop, everyone,” Sutsoff said. “Fiona, behave as a professional scientist or withdraw now.”
“Sorry, Doctor.”
As they progressed, about a dozen more male bats strafed them, brushing against their helmets and suits.
“The gear has been tested,” Sutsoff said. “Stay calm. It will protect you.”
Fiona muted her disgust.
“Careful, a steep step down,” Juan said.
After a few hundred feet, they came to a mammoth chamber that was dwarfed by a magnificent cathedral with groves of stalactites, stalagmites and dozens of pillars.
It took a moment to realize that the structures were trembling with life—clusters upon clusters of roosting bats.
My beauties. Sutsoff was awed. My glorious beauties.
“Let’s get started.” She set out her kit. “You know the procedure.”
Sutsoff demonstrated by plucking a roosting female from a cluster and turning its docile rat-faced head toward her. Using a dentist’s pick, she pried the tiny mouth open, inserted a small cotton tip past its fangs, swabbed the oral cavity, then put the specimen in a bottle of diluent.
“Like that,” she said. “We need as much as we can get.”
While male bats flitted about, nicking and bumping into the scientists, the team worked smoothly.
They had been at it for more than thirty minutes, collecting specimens, when they were distracted by an odd sound.
Click-tap.
“What’s that?” Colin asked.
They looked toward the mouth of the cave.
Nothing but darkness.
Click-tap. Click-tap.
Then a muffled cry.
That’s not human.
“What is that?” Fiona asked.
They followed a furious thrashing and kicking as if some violent force were charging toward them.
“I have to see!” Fiona switched on her white light.
“Fiona, no,” Juan called out too late.
A misshapen deer had staggered into the cave, rearing and swaying its neck. The group quickly realized it was not deformed but instead trapped within the writhing coils of a massive python. The snake’s jaws were extended over the deer’s muzzle in a hideous death hold.
Pauline screamed and switched on her white light. “I want out!”
A cloud of bats enveloped the deer, which dropped to its knees. Another cloud swarmed the scientists, pinging and nicking at their suits. The air filled with squeaks.
“Everyone keep calm,” Sutsoff said. “Get those lights off now! Use night vision and pack up. Juan, take us out. Let’s go!”
As the deer and snake thrashed, the team made its way to the mouth of the cave.
“Christ!” Colin shouted. “I’m getting hit harder.”
The plunk-plunk of bats strafing the team intensified.
“Keep moving!” Sutsoff said. “We’re almost out.”
Daylight painted the air as the group hurried from the cave.
There was a collective sigh of relief as they cleared the cave and retreated toward the field station.
“That was a nightmare,” Fiona said.
“Incredible!” Colin said. “Absolutely incredible!”
Juan started to take off his suit.
“Why don’t you wait until we get to the station?” Colin asked.
“I’m just so hot,” Juan said, tugging at his hood.
He had unzipped his foiled outer layer and was working on his lime-yellow layer by the time the group arrived at the field station.
Once Sutsoff placed all the samples in a protective case, the locals began helping her and the others out of their gear. Their faces were moist with sweat and the glow of accomplishing a deadly challenge.
“I need some DEET,” Juan said, “got a mosquito bite.”
Juan slapped the back of his neck but felt something larger than an insect.
It was furry.
On his fingertips was a bleeding bat.
“Juan!” Pauline’s voice filled with fear. “Oh, God!”
“Oh, Jesus, no! I’ve been bitten!”
One of the local men pointed at a small tear at the back of Juan’s suit.
Blood dripped down Juan’s neck.
He stared at the quivering bat in his hand.
“In here, Juan!” Sutsoff held out a plastic container. “Drop it in here!”
She snapped it shut, then observed Juan as he spasmed.
“Help him!” Fiona screamed at Sutsoff.
Juan collapsed, writhing in agony.
Colin held him. Sutsoff rushed to get something