Chapter 1: Trial and Error

“Commencing Trial #47.”

 

David stared through the microscope at the subject in the petri dish. He poured the fluid into it and watched closely at the interaction. The fluid seemed to flow toward the subject but automatically was repelled once again. David let out a frustrated sigh.

 

“Maybe we should have used more nitrate,” Laura Beckett said. 

 

“I don’t think so. I think we used more nitrate in the other trials.” David stretched his limbs and then stood up. “I can’t think of what else we could try right now. Nothing is interacting with the infected skin cells.”

 

Laura glanced up at the camera that was in the corner of the room with a fearful expression on her face. She stepped close to David. “We need to have something to show today. He’s not going to be happy with us,” She whispered. “Today’s the deadline.”

 

David felt that familiar pit in his stomach as he turned his head and glanced at the camera. There were two of them in the lab and they were always on. “Let’s keep trying. Maybe something would work.”

 

They spent the next three hours working but nothing seemed to have the effect that they wanted with the infected skin cells. They were working on trial #89 when they heard loud footsteps outside of the lab door.

 

There was a loud sound as the door was opened. David and Laura both looked over at the group of soldiers who marched in. They were dressed in black armor and wore crimson oval-shaped helmets. They came to a stop in the room and then made a path for the man who entered. 

 

David could sense that Laura was trembling beside him. His own stomach was in knots and his hands were shaking a little. They both stared at the man as he proceeded toward them. He stopped a few feet in front of them and looked at them with a blank expression. He was tall, about 6’ 7.” He towered over the two pathologists. His body was pure muscle that bulged in the all-black outfit that he wore. He was completely bald. On his hands were red gloves and over the lower part of his face was a red mask. His dark blue eyes peered down at the two pathologists. They were void of every emotion.

 

“What do you have for me today?” His voice boomed through his mask. He crossed his arms and his muscles seemed to ripple. 

 

“We…have been trying…working with the infected skin cells,” David said anxiously. “The A-virus is very complex and we have used various solutions to see what would be able to effectively interact with it.”

 

“And?” The man interrupted. 

 

David and Laura looked at each other. David swallowed hard. “Nothing seems to be working at the moment but we will keep trying, Mr. Nox.”

 

There was a momentary silence as the two pathologists stared at the towering figure. David prayed that he would not be put in the isolation chamber. He had spent many nights in there already and he always felt disoriented when he was released and had to get back to himself. That silence was too much for him.

 

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“So, that is all you have to tell me today?” Nox boomed.

 

Sweat started to fall down David’s face even though the temperature in the laboratory was cold. His hands shook a little more. “As I told you before, Mr. Nox, it would take some time to see what would interact with the infected skin cells. So far, we have discovered that various gases slow down the growth of the A-virus but only momentarily. Liquid nitrogen freezes it for a few seconds before it is active again. Fire completely destroys it.”

 

“I do not care about destroying the virus,” Nox said abruptly. “We need to harness this virus’ capabilities. That is all I care about.”

 

“Yes but I do not see how that could be possible,” David said. “The virus has a mind of its own and nothing so far has been able to get it to do what we want.”

 

Nox laughed. It was a mean laugh that made both David and Laura flinch. “All I hear is excuses. I think you both want to spend some time in the isolation chambers? You must miss it.” 

 

“No!” Laura said quickly. “We just need more time! That is all!”

 

Nox laughed again. “More time? Three months wasn’t enough for two of the so-called ‘best pathologists in the world?’”

 

David took a deep breath. “Three months is not long enough. It might take years to fully comprehend this virus!”

 

Nox leaned over which made David flinch. “Years is not an option. I think you both need some time to reflect on the importance of what you are doing by spending some time in the isolation chambers.”

 

“No, wait!” David shouted. “Just give us some time to keep working!”

 

“Soldiers!” Nox boomed. The soldiers came forth and grabbed both David and Laura forcibly. 

 

“Wait, please!” Laura pleaded.

 

“Nox, listen! We need more time!” David shouted. “Give us more time! We can figure it out!”

 

Nox did not reply but watched as they struggled and cried out against the soldiers as they were dragged out of the lab. There was a sinister smile on his face the entire time. 

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