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    White Out
    White Out
    White Out
    Ebook146 pages2 hours

    White Out

    By Michael Ferguson

    ()

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    About this ebook

    In the unforgiving wilderness of Alaska, former Navy SEAL Liv Gates is hired to oversee a top-secret operation at Polaris Pharmaceuticals' remote research station. The goal? To finalize a groundbreaking serum that promises to cure a rare genetic disease. But as a deadly snowstorm isolates the station from the rest of the world, something far more sinister begins to unfold.

    A virus, rapidly spreading among the crew, transforms the mission into a deadly fight for survival. The virus isn't a natural mutation—it's the result of a sabotage that someone in the group deliberately unleashed. As paranoia and mistrust threaten to tear the team apart, Liv must navigate the treacherous environment, battle against time, and uncover the truth behind the sabotage before it consumes them all.

    With limited resources, frigid temperatures, and no contact with the outside world, the team's once-promising discovery turns into a nightmare. As alliances fracture and bodies fall, Liv faces not only the harsh elements but the horrifying realization that the virus was no accident—it was part of a larger, deadly conspiracy. And now, someone is ensuring that no one leaves the station alive.

    But the terror doesn't end there. As Liv uncovers the truth, she learns that the virus has evolved far beyond its original form—and it's no longer confined to the isolated research station. The world is about to face the same nightmare, and Liv is the only one who knows how close humanity is to destruction.

    In this high-stakes thriller filled with pulse-pounding action, psychological suspense, and shocking betrayals, Whiteout will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Will Liv uncover the truth before it's too late? Or will she—and the rest of humanity—fall victim to the cold, calculating menace that lurks within

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMichael Ferguson
    Release dateOct 5, 2024
    ISBN9798227355027
    White Out

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      Book preview

      White Out - Michael Ferguson

      Chapter 1: Arrival

      The hum of the helicopter blades whirred loudly in Liv Gates’ ears as she peered through the frost-covered window. The Alaskan wilderness stretched endlessly below, a vast expanse of white broken only by jagged mountain peaks and the occasional black crevice of a glacier. The sight was breathtaking and harsh, a reminder of just how far she was from civilization.

      How much longer? Liv’s voice cut through the drone of the rotors, steady despite the icy wind that penetrated the aircraft’s interior.

      Another ten minutes, the pilot called back, his voice crackling over the headset. The research station’s just over that ridge.

      Liv nodded, her gloved hand brushing across the security badge clipped to her jacket. She wasn’t here for the scenery. Polaris Pharmaceuticals had hired her to oversee a high-stakes operation—one that required more than just a typical security consultant. It wasn’t every day a former Navy SEAL was called in to babysit a group of scientists and executives, but the paycheck had been substantial enough to get her attention. More than that, something about the assignment had piqued her curiosity.

      The brief she’d been given was vague. Polaris was close to developing a serum that could cure a rare genetic disease, a discovery that could make them billions. But the secrecy surrounding the operation had put the company on edge, and her presence was meant to ensure that things stayed quiet—and secure. Liv had learned long ago that when corporations got nervous, it usually meant there was more going on than they let on.

      The helicopter dipped slightly, and the research station came into view, perched on the edge of a towering ice shelf. The station was sleek and modern, a series of connected modules that looked as if they had been dropped from space onto the barren landscape. A plume of smoke rose from one of the chimneys, and the snow around the base was churned up from vehicles and equipment. It was a stark contrast to the frozen wasteland that surrounded it.

      Liv adjusted her jacket, feeling the weight of her concealed firearm under her arm. As the helicopter touched down, she braced herself for the cold. The door slid open, and the biting wind hit her like a wall. She stepped out into the snow, her boots sinking into the ice-crusted surface.

      Dr. Miriam Huxley, the station’s lead scientist, was waiting for her. She was a tall woman with sharp features, wrapped in a thick parka, her breath visible in the freezing air. Huxley gave Liv a once-over, her eyes calculating.

      Ms. Gates, she said, her voice clipped and professional. I trust your flight was smooth.

      Smooth enough, Liv replied, glancing around the station. You’ve got quite the setup here.

      Huxley smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. It’s necessary. The work we’re doing is groundbreaking.

      Liv nodded, following Huxley toward the main entrance. The wind howled around them, the cold seeping through Liv’s gloves as she gripped her bag. It was always like this with places on the edge of the world—isolated, hostile, but somehow alive with the tension that came from pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

      As they stepped inside the main building, the warmth hit Liv immediately. The interior of the station was modern and sterile, with white walls and floors that gleamed under the fluorescent lights. The air smelled faintly of disinfectant.

      You’ll be meeting the rest of the team shortly, Huxley said as they walked. We’re on the verge of something truly extraordinary here, Ms. Gates. The serum we’re developing has the potential to revolutionize medicine.

      I’m here to make sure that happens, Liv replied, her eyes scanning the hallway. Security cameras were discreetly placed at intervals, but Liv had already noted a few blind spots. She’d have to address that later.

      Huxley led her into a conference room where two other people were waiting. Richard Sloan, the CEO of Polaris Pharmaceuticals, stood as they entered. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a commanding presence, his dark hair neatly combed and his suit crisp, despite the remote location. His smile was practiced, the kind that never quite met the eyes.

      Ms. Gates, welcome, Sloan said, extending a hand. I’m glad you could join us on such short notice.

      Liv shook his hand, noting the firm grip. I’m here to make sure everything runs smoothly.

      That’s exactly what we need, Sloan replied. This project is... delicate. There’s a lot riding on it.

      The third person in the room was a wiry man in his early forties, dressed in a lab coat. His name tag read Dr. William Russo, and he had the nervous energy of someone who spent too much time in front of a computer screen. He nodded to Liv but said nothing, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

      Dr. Russo is one of our lead researchers, Huxley explained. He’s been instrumental in developing the serum.

      Nice to meet you, Liv said, though Russo barely acknowledged her. His eyes darted between Sloan and Huxley, and there was a tension in his posture that set Liv on edge.

      Now that you’re here, Sloan said, gesturing for them to sit, we can focus on the final stages of the project. The serum is nearly complete, but we’ve encountered a few... challenges.

      Challenges? Liv asked, raising an eyebrow.

      Huxley cleared her throat. Nothing out of the ordinary for this kind of research. The conditions here are difficult, and the team has been under a lot of pressure.

      Which is why your presence is so important, Sloan added. We need to ensure that nothing disrupts the work. Our investors are anxious for results.

      Liv leaned back in her chair, studying the two of them. I’m not here to babysit, she said flatly. If there’s something going on, I need to know about it.

      Huxley and Sloan exchanged a glance, but it was Sloan who spoke. There have been some... disagreements among the team. Nothing major, just the usual friction that comes with a high-pressure environment.

      Liv wasn’t convinced. She’d seen enough corporate politics to know when there was more beneath the surface. But for now, she let it slide. I’ll need a full security briefing, access to all the station’s protocols, and a chance to walk the perimeter.

      Of course, Huxley said, standing. I’ll have our head of security meet with you after dinner.

      Good, Liv replied. Because if there’s one thing I know, it’s that out here, you don’t want to be caught unprepared.

      As she followed Huxley out of the room, Liv’s instincts were already on high alert. There was something off about this place, something beyond the cold and the isolation. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she hadn’t been told everything—and that whatever was lurking beneath the surface was far more dangerous than the brutal Alaskan wilderness.

      The moment Liv stepped out of the makeshift mess hall and back into the dimly lit corridor, she felt the familiar prickle of instinct. The kind she had honed during her years in the Navy SEALs, where every movement, every subtle glance, could be a precursor to something far more dangerous than idle tension. At Polaris, the tension was more than palpable—it was thick, humming just beneath the surface. It made her skin itch.

      The narrow, sterile corridors of the research station were designed for efficiency, not comfort. The walls were an off-putting shade of gray, cold and impersonal, like the concrete she had seen in military bunkers. Everything felt too confined, too quiet, with only the occasional clinking of metal echoing down the halls. The research station might have been state-of-the-art in its equipment and scientific innovations, but to Liv, it was little more than a prison dressed up as a facility.

      Dr. Huxley had assured her the station’s security systems were top-notch, but Liv wasn’t convinced. From her brief survey earlier, she had already noted a few concerning flaws. There were far too many access points for a facility this remote. Not only did that leave them vulnerable to external threats, but it also made internal sabotage all too easy.

      She replayed the dinner scene in her mind. The tension among the team members had been palpable, especially when the conversation had veered toward data discrepancies in their research. Dr. Miriam Huxley, usually composed, had become tight-lipped, deflecting the conversation back to more neutral topics. Richard Sloan, on the other hand, had tried to laugh it off, but Liv had caught the flicker of concern in his eyes. A man like him didn’t worry easily. He was used to control, to steering situations in his favor, but something here was slipping from his grasp.

      Then there were the scientists. Alan Chen had barely spoken, keeping his head down, only interjecting when directly addressed. Liv couldn’t help but notice how uncomfortable he looked, like someone with a heavy secret weighing on his shoulders. And then there was Dr. Eva Sokolov, who had been the most outspoken about the discrepancies. Her frustration had boiled over during the meal, her words sharp and pointed, especially toward Sloan.

      Something was wrong. Liv knew that much. She had been in enough high-stakes operations to recognize the signs—paranoia, mistrust, and an undercurrent of fear that seemed to ripple through the group. But what puzzled her most was the unease in a place that should have been on the brink of a historic scientific breakthrough. For a team about to cure a genetic disease, they were acting like something—or someone—was threatening to unravel everything.

      Liv’s footsteps were muffled by the rubber soles of her boots as she made her way toward the security room. She needed to go over the facility’s systems again, to make sure everything was in place before the storm hit. Her mind was racing, playing through potential scenarios that could explain the strange atmosphere. Was it simply the pressure of the research? The fear of failure? Or was there something darker lurking beneath the surface?

      She turned the corner and entered the security room, which was lined with monitors displaying feeds from cameras positioned around the station. A lone security guard, Viktor, sat at the console. He glanced up as she entered, nodding in acknowledgment.

      Everything quiet? Liv asked, stepping closer to the monitors.

      Too quiet, Viktor replied in his thick Russian accent. Feels like calm before storm.

      Liv nodded. He wasn’t wrong. The storm was due to hit in a few hours,

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