Orik took another deep breath and plunged in. “Of those infected and not going symptomatic almost ninety percent of them were either homosexual or not physically distinct as either male or female. Meaning effeminate males or very butch females as reported by their fellow soldiers. Of the rest, all that we’ve tested so far had significant genetic predispositions for cancer or other inheritable conditions.”
Silence greeted that statement as well as some uncomfortable shifting. Then General Falkner leaned forward with a challenging look in her eye and not a polite one. “Lieutenant General Orik, I would question that conclusion. I have often been referred to as ‘butch’ and there have been some questions about my sexuality. Yet I was definitely symptomatic. How do you explain that?”
Orik had known Falkner was going to challenge her statement and so was ready. “General Falkner, we are saying that all of those who did test positive as being infected and did not go symptomatic fit into those categories. Not that everyone in those categories didn’t go symptomatic. We still have no real idea of what the virus was targeting or looking for specifically. These groups are just the first ones that we have been able to put together. And this holds both for the military as well as the civilians we have been able to test, both among family and workers.”
Falkner sat back, still glowering a bit, but Madison picked up again. “Ok, shocking. But until we know more I’m not sure this is quite the controversy you are making it out to be. It’s been accepted for a while that many homosexuals are ‘made’ that way so it make sense that something that affects DNA would have a different effect on them. And having no effect might be considered a validation of who they are, which is…” he faded off when he realized from her expression there was more. “Spill the rest Lieutenant General.”
Orik didn’t even take a breath; just blurted the rest out. “All those who were infected and who did not go symptomatic did have their DNA modified. Specifically those parts dealing with reproduction. They are now, every single one of them, sterile. Males no longer produce sperm and the female’s ovaries killed off all their eggs.”
The room was dead silent. Many of the scientists invited there already knew this. But those who didn’t were struck dumbfounded. It was Admiral Reese who found his voice first, “I guess I picked the wrong day to become an Atheist.”
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