The vast US-Mexico border was sealed off by a wall of wire fencing.
More than two hundred thousand National Guard troops and Army Reserve soldiers were stationed behind that wire wall.
This was nearly half the military strength defending the United States mainland, a major deployment rarely seen in recent years.
Large numbers of tanks, armored vehicles, rocket launchers, artillery pieces, and attack helicopters had also been deployed here. Combined with support from air force bases and two carrier battle groups, it was enough to launch a war to destroy Mexico.
Yet at this moment, most of the American soldiers wore grave expressions, as though burdened by an inexplicable pressure.
Quite a few white-clad figures in protective suits moved through the troops in a somewhat incongruous manner, explaining emergency response procedures.
And precisely because of that, they knew what they might be facing.
The roar of helicopter rotors rose as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter swept low over the position. The Hummer suspended beneath it was particularly conspicuous.
It would have been nothing unusual in a position where helicopters frequently took off and landed, but this Black Hawk without military markings still caught the attention of some soldiers.
"That's not ours. Is it another international aid organization?"
"If it was allowed through, it must be authorized. Who knows?"
"True enough. Wonder how many people will come back alive."
"Who even knows how many living people are left over there..."
"Whatever. As long as they don't ask us to rescue anyone."
"I sure as hell won't be going."
"..."
The helicopter crossed the US-Mexico border. In Ciudad Juárez, a major city in northern Mexico, the streets were completely clogged with vehicles, while dense crowds desperately tried to move toward the border.
They were all still alive. No infected had been