John reads a news article about a farm that has injected several animals with the cure and vaccines to produce endless livestock. However, their “oldest” sheep got sick, and the farmers took her to the vet and left her for observation. By the next morning, the veterinarian had died of an extreme illness. This is revealed to be the start of the sheep flu, which has killed 100 million Americans and 500 million people worldwide. Experts speculate that the virus causing it is so intense because of the improved antibiotics used for cured animals, which allow for long-term incubation. The farmers carry significant guilt for their role in the viral spread but also do not believe that the animals are culpable.

John and Ernie get a request from the Department of Containment to kill an insurgent who was responsible for making and setting off a bomb that killed five people. They travel in an armored vehicle to the compound where he is staying, discussing world events such as the national gasoline shortage. Unhoused people try to break into their vehicle, but the heavy protective surfaces make it impossible to penetrate.

They arrive at the target’s house.