7. 7 #2
“Okay,” I said, giving in. “You’re right.
” It was a seriously impractical weapon, I couldn’t argue that.
I only wished we had a rifle or something with a little more stopping power.
If this person was recently infected, she might be a little easier to take out.
Dr. Fassi had a day or two for the virus to mutate before we took him down, and this woman seemed to still be recognizable as her only symptom was being “ill.”
His face softened, but he was still in agent mode. “I finished taking photos of those documents and translating them. You should go read them,” he said. “I skimmed through, but you definitely need to see them. I’ll get the Doctor and I’ll meet you there.”
“I can do that.” I nodded my head, reaching for the handle.
“Cassie, get the gun. Don’t forget.”
“I’ll get the damn gun,” I snapped. “Calm down.”
“Every ounce of calm has left my body,” he insisted. “It will not return until we’re in. . . I don’t know. Where do you want to go? Greece? I’ll calm down when I’m wasted in Greece.”
“Greece would be fine.”
He closed his eyes, sighing dreamily to make his point. “Okay, go to your happy place. Imagine Cassie in Greece,” he said to himself. “Little mini skirt. . .”
“That’s enough,” I said, interrupting his fantasy before he inevitably took it too far. “I’m going now. Go get the doctor.”
I left before he could respond, but he jetted into action behind me when I opened the door.
Half jogging, I hurried to our room, shutting the door carefully behind me. I made sure that the privacy curtain on the window was in place before finding the gun Elias was so intent on me carrying. It wasn’t hidden. Not in the slightest. A holster for it was right there in the case, too.
Gun attached to my hip, I moved to the desk and found the computer logged in, file folder open and waiting for me. I started at the beginning, double-clicking the first document. I skimmed, unsure how much time I had before Elias would be back.
The infection of host cells begins quickly, within thirty minutes of initial injection.
While the virus replicates slowly, the breakdown of the cell membrane is near immediate, and is rapidly replaced by a metallic, lattice-like structure.
Corrosives may slow down the replication, but pathogen is often unable to be completely destroyed unless caught within twelve hours of initial exposure.
By that time, neurological symptoms are severe, and recipient often resorts to violence against others and themselves.
Full development of the pathogen is rare, and host needs to be surveilled to ensure virus is allowed sufficient time to transform the subject, often taking upwards of 3-5 days.
The report wasn’t signed. I moved on to another.
Preliminary success achieved with NT02. Combined with other pathogens, namely NT01, it reduces irritability in host, allowing a more pliable subject, capable of being influenced and willing to follow commands.
NT01 significantly impairs motor function, but the structural improvements made by NT02 offset many of the losses caused by NT01.
Future testing will determine the order of which to infect the subjects, and the necessary time allotted between infections.
NT01? I hadn’t seen it represented in other photos, or even samples of it in the lab. I clicked the next report.
SUMMATION AND FINDINGS OF AUTOPSY PERFORMED ON 09347
Cause of death: Cardiac Arrest
NT02 transforms skin, muscles, and bones of subject, but other organs remain soft and pliable.
Targeted mutation has yet to be discovered, but initial findings prove promising.
Metabolism increases significantly in subjects, moderate regeneration observed, but heart appears unable to adapt.
Heart rate increases, but is unable to be sustained long term.
Death is the result in 100% of subjects, varying between 5 and 7 days after initial infection.
The door opened behind me, and I nearly jumped out of my chair at the noise. My head whipped around to find Elias entering the room, Dr. Novikov behind him. The remnant of a smile lingered on his face. I stood to face them.
“I don’t think you’ve been very forthcoming with me, Dr. Novikov,” I said.
His eerie smile grew. “I do not think you have either.” His eyes roamed around the room, pausing on the lone bunk Elias and I shared, and again at the equipment on the desk behind me.
I ignored his implications. “You left out some vital information about this virus. This is more of an emergency than you led us to believe, judging by the files you gave me.”
“I want to stop what I’ve started. I need you here,” he said. “If I was honest, they would not have allowed you to come.”
“No shit,” I sneered. “They want me alive.”
“So they send a spy,” he said, shaking his head.
“He’s here because of my contract,” I argued. “I’m sure you’re aware of this. I don’t get shipped off to a foreign country without the bodyguard. I’m sorry if that offends you.”
Dr. Novikov nodded toward the desk. “You are saying he is not reporting information back to the United States? Is the computer for games?”
“The computer is helping me translate the stack of documents you’ve given me, and I have to say, I’m concerned with what I’ve read so far,” I said. “Do you think that if I was here on my own I wouldn’t be communicating with anyone back in the United States? Are you that naive?”
“Just hopeful.”
Elias stood by, silently observing the conversation between Dr. Novikov and I. His eyes moved between us like he was watching a tennis match.
“Dr. Novikov.” I crossed the room, stopping only a few feet from him. “I think it’s time we are honest with each other, and I think it’s time that you take me to see this infected woman.”
“Her name is Dr. Petrova.”