Thrive in Catastrophe - Chap 40
This was the beginning of his project, it was the first statement Xiao directed at Jane.
“Because they are the same.”
“But how do they distinguish that amongst each other? We all know that their brains have shrunk to the point where there is no cognitive thought. So how do they differentiate who is a zombie and who isn’t?” Xiao asked Jane again.
He merely arched a brow at him before speaking.
“This is outside my wheelhouse. Isn’t this your area of expertise?”
“What is the commonality among the zombies?”
“They were human once.”
“What else?” Jane’s movements suddenly halted and he stared at Xiao enraptured. Right now, Xiao’s gaze held an aggressive passion he had not seen before in him. Jane brushed off his own lazy thinking and attempted to think about what Xiao was asking.
“There were all infected by the comet virus.”
“Which requires a host. The only way to spread the virus is through a bite. Since that is the only way the virus can spread , assuming our conjectures are correct, there must be something present in the virus that allows it to identify other hosts.”
Jane nodded, “I don’t really understand virology but that seems a reasonable assumption.”
“But the zombies will attack the special forces.”
“Yes.”
“But the x-virus was taken from the comet virus.”
“Yes…so why would they attack us?” Jane found he was also curious.
“It means that what we are looking for is within the comet virus but absent from the x-virus. I just need to look at where they overlap and exclude that portion. Then study what is left. It is in there. That part is how they identify other hosts. That means I just need to identify that section. I can find it. I will find it.”
Xiao Yan set down his fork and stood to leave the restaurant.
“Hey, you haven’t even eaten yet!”
Jane yelled at him then stood as well, shrugging to himself he followed behind Xiao.
Xiao walked back into the institute. Since he had ruled out the overlap between the comet and x-virus, he went through all previous projects conducted on the x-virus and then eliminated all known sequences. Xiao Yan is certain there is something hidden within the virus’s genome. They key to being overlooked by the zombies.
One afternoon Xiao Yan drifted off at the terminal. He stayed connected as his thinking slowed and he could no longer keep up with the flow of data. Eventually he fell asleep.
Darkness surrounds him and he sinks slowly into it.
When he opens his eyes, he is surrounded by the warm sea in the sky.
Ah, it has been a long time since I have been so lazy that I have drifted off on the terminal, he thought, as he drifted through the soothing blue ripples.
A figure cut through the water, golden brown hair flows and seemingly extends to become a part of the infinite waters. He first recognizes the grace in his movements, as he gently approaches him.
Heine…
His eyes seem one with the water, the surreal effect further blurring reality and illusion.
Xiao Yan stared at the man in front of him. It had been awhile since he had seen him. He didn’t know exactly when, but this man had become a natural and comfortable presence in his life. His heart filled with a swelling desire.
Come a little closer to me!
He stretched his arm out, splaying his fingers as far as he could in an effort to touch Heine, even if it was just the tip of one strand of hair. Xiao doesn’t fully understand it, but he feels increasingly anxious. He needs to move closer to him. Heine must never be far away from him.
“Why do you want to approach me?”
That typical emotionless voice was back and Xiao wanted to tear through the rigid indifference and peer inside the deepest part of his heart.
He could not answer the question, because he didn’t know the answer.
Xiao Yan threw off Jane’s hands and glared sharply and hatefully as Jane.
“Colonel Wallace, that joke is not funny at all.”
“Angry?” Jane watched as Xiao Yan stood up, his eyes never leaving him.
“At this point neither of us feels like continuing the research.” Xiao Yan’s expression is cold.
He files and stores his research data closes the terminal and walks out of the research room.
“Where are we going for dinner?”
It doesn’t matter where I eat, you are going to be there. That’s the problem.
Xiao Yan didn’t bother to answer Jane, he simply yelled internally in shock.
Why this guy? Why did you fall asleep?
Why did you have such an erotic dream?
Why when you woke up did Jane Wallace have to be standing right there?
Ah, he was there the whole time. He must have cramps from laughing so hard.
As they passed by the other labs, Xiao Yan sped up and attempted to shake Jane off, even though he knew the effort was futile
Ah forget it. No big deal, just let the guy have a good laugh at his life.
Just as they passed another research room, the siren suddenly pierced the air.
Xiao Yan’s shoulders immediately tensed as memories of the last alarm washed into his mind. The stabbing pain in his abdomen runs like a current through his body and deep into his brain.
The researchers in the hallway begin to run with confused expressions
“Hurry up What did you do? How could you get the dose wrong?”
What?
What does it mean?
“Oh God No! It’s running out!”
As Xio Yan stood paralyzed a large figure suddenly moved in front of him.
“Don’t leave my side.”
Jane Wallis.
The teasing tone was gone, his voice was cold and alert.
“What happened?” Jane grabbed the arm of one of the frantic researchers. He noticed his uniform and let an audible sigh of relief
“One of the zombies in the anatomy lab broke through its shackles.”
“What?”
Suddenly keening sounds of panic resounded down the channel and several researchers ran from around the corner. The zombie’s chin had partially fallen and flapped up and down as he ran, His bloodshot eyes seemed unfocused. His arms waved around wildly.
“Help! Help!”
“What are you guys doing?” Jane scowled, picked up Xiao Yan and entered an empty research room, neatly locked the door.
Other researchers pounded at the door and cried to let them in.
“Open the door! The zombies are coming! Open the door!” Jane crossed his arms and a sinister smiled spread his lips, the gesture halted at his eyes which were cruel and chilling.
Xiao Yan regained his senses.
“What are you doing! Let them in!”
“Why? This zombie is out of control because of their mistakes, so they should take responsibility.” Jane said with a lazy expression. He was grinning and seemingly ready to enjoy the show. The more scared and panicked the researchers were, the happier Jane was.
The zombies were getting closer to the researchers and they were shivering with fear.
“For you, dealing with that zombie is a breeze!”
“So I should do it for them? Everyone has to reconcile for their own mistakes. Plus, the zombie’s attack ability is compromised, they can take care of it without it getting too bloody. Xiao Yan … you have to know how to appreciate the now. Everything may seem cruel, but it reminds you who you are—never put hope on others. This is not only the law of the battlefield, but also the law of the land.”