Chapter 6, True Believers Summary

Two research doctors, Maggie and Steve, are developing a tissue-eating, Ebola-like organism created from using genetically-engineered technology to graft colon-cancer genes into the host organism. Thus created, the organism is robust and impervious to UV and other environmental elements. Maggie names their product the Shiva virus.

Out in Montana's Bitterroot Mountains, Mark, a bio-chemist is visiting Foster, a retired geologist. Foster is a rugged fellow who now hunts and fishes in the land he purchased with his retirement package from Exxon. Foster is suspected of killing a fish and game cop, though there is no proof. Foster's retirement was spurred on by his observation of the "brown smudge" he could see from his many flights around the world. Foster believes to his great consternation that the smudge is ruining the atmosphere. The land he purchased is sitting on a...