Edited by: Kuro and Lille.
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While getting settled in MI Base, Adam 1 learned about the disappearance of Dr. Linus. No one knew where he went. According to Morgan's satellites, there were no other living creatures in the capital, aka the Black Zone.
The military had been searching through the base as well as the surrounding area but no one had seen Dr. Linus.
'Strange… Did this happen in the original plot?' The Host couldn't help but ask System 225.
[From what I can see, no. Dr. Linus was quite happy to know that Adam 1 came to MI Base, so it's strange he's nowhere to be seen…]
'If we can't find him then how do we track him? Should I go find him myself?'
[He may show up when he hears of your arrival, no?]
'I hope that's the case…'
Where the hell was Dr. Linus?
*****
Dr. Linus was hiding in the basement of the research building. He had the help of his closest companion, Dr. Langley, to make sure he was able to stay hidden in the basement. There wasn't much light down there so the other scientists weren't very fond of going in there.
Dr. Langley was a scrawny young man who looked as though he had never stepped outside. He had shaggy blonde hair and green eyes, but he looked more like a zombie than some zombies out there…
He was Dr. Linus' mentee during his Ph.D. years. He looked up to Dr. Linus very much so he also followed him to do artificial human research. Even after the apocalypse, he still stayed by Dr. Linus' side.
"Dr. Linus… Here's your food. How long do you want to stay hidden?"
"For as long as possible… I need to create the most powerful serum so that we can make even humans powerful enough to fight these damn zombies!"
Dr. Linus knew that Dr. Langley would not approve of his actual plans as well as how he was going to execute them.
After being reborn, he remembered all of Adam 1's data, so there was no point in looking for him. He could do everything from memory, creating a serum that would make him so powerful, Adam 1 would have to submit to him.
He was a genius, but he was also selfish and wanted to stand at the top of the world. He wanted to look down on people, tell them what to do, and get everything his way. As for why? He wasn't sure, but it was a feeling that he always had. Everyone was worse than him, so when he created Adam 1, he believed that Adam 1 would listen to him.
That belief was discarded when Adam 1 killed him in their past life. This time, he would be powerful enough to keep Adam 1 under his control.
He was the master, he was the creator. He could not have his creation go against him.
"Dr. Langley, don't worry. I will do everything I can to save humanity, but people won't understand what I'm doing. They will make me out to be the bad guy, thinking I am trying to destroy humanity instead of saving it."
"Don't worry, Dr. Linus! I understand your intentions. I will be on your side and help you out!"
"Thank you… I'm really glad to have you on my side, Dr. Langley."
The only reason he decided to keep Dr. Langley around was that he needed someone to make sure he would stay hidden. There was no other reason, he didn't even feel the slightest amount of friendship towards him.
Especially because Dr. Langley was the one who let Adam 1 escape in their previous life. Because of him, they all died.
This time, he was going to milk Dr. Langley dry of his worth and then kill him just like how he let Adam 1 free and that led to his death.
*****
Dr. Linus was nowhere to be seen, but that didn't matter. Adam 1 was able to meet the other scientists and showed them the vaccine he was able to make. It could also work as an emergency treatment for those who had just been bitten or scratched by a zombie.
As long as they administer the shot within 12 hours, the person could be saved. However, if they couldn't get the vaccine within 12 hours, the person was a lost cause.
The researchers were excited. They came together to get the vaccine produced with the equipment they had. They had to test the vaccine though.
Adam 1 asked Morgan to help him find people who had been bitten or scratched recently.
.
.
.
.
.
"Adam 1!" Morgan brought him into a hug and took some deep breaths. After meeting Adam 1, he didn't want to be away for even a second, which was why he rushed over as soon as he was able to find some unfortunate victims.
"Did you find some people who have been bitten or scratched?" Adam 1 asked, patting Morgan's back.
"I did. I came back as soon as I found them. It took some time though because the guards were a bit concerned as to why we needed infected people. They were about to get killed."
"It's good you made it in time. Please bring me to the patients so we can start treatment right away."
The sooner they started treatment, the better the outcome.
Adam 1 had to make sure this treatment was perfect. It would also allow him to finish his side missions. Once the side mission was done, all he needed to do was the Main Mission.
Morgan escorted Adam 1 to a room provided by the other researchers. Adam 1 handed a vile to one of the men there and then took out another one.
The man, who was once a soldier, was sitting on the ground, crouching in the corner because his body was undergoing changes. His senses had heightened, making it unbearable to even see a bit of light.
Any noise made him distressed, especially the footsteps in the hallways. He didn't understand why he wasn't immediately killed like his other comrades. Why did he have to suffer through the changes and even be locked in a room?
Adam 1 knew sounds were too much for the crouching man, so he used telepathy instead.
'Hello, my name is Adam 1. I understand you may be confused, but I am here to answer your questions. But first, can you tell me your name?' His voice resounded through the man's head. It was strange at first, but as Adam 1 kept talking, he even found a sense of comfort.
"My name is Keith. What did I do to deserve this?" Keith didn't move from his spot because the hallway light coming in from the window was blinding him.
Adam 1 made a note to find rooms with no windows or light.
'This isn't torture. I wanted to ask you. Would you like to participate in a trial for a medicine that could possibly save you? We have a sample ready, but we need to test it to make sure it can be used. If the treatment is successful, you do not have to worry about anyone turning into a zombie any longer. If you don't want to do this, I will end your misery right here.'
Keith was shocked. It was the first time he had heard of them doing experiments, so it probably just started. Was he the first one to be tested on? If so...
"Yeah, please use me! I… I got bit so my only thoughts were that I am going to die. But if it's possible to live longer..." He started to cry. "Please… please help me." The man, even when the light was giving him pain, turned to look at Adam 1.
Adam 1 could see a youthful man looking like he came straight out of university. He had short, dark brown hair and eyes, and his neck had a huge chunk missing. He wore a simple black shirt and cargo pants. It looked like it had been worn every single day.
'I can't promise you anything. If it doesn't work, I will be the one to kill you.'
"That's fine! I will grab any chance that I can." He wanted to grab onto Adam 1's leg but then realized that would be rude so his hands were stopped midair for a moment.
'Okay, I am going to inject you with this. I will be observing you from behind the glass, okay?'
"Understood. Thank you so much. Thank you." He politely bowed a few times before he got himself comfortable on the floor.
Adam 1 took a needle from his pocket and brought out an extra sample of his medicine for the Z-Virus. It was a blue liquid, completely different from what his blood looked like. But it contained antibodies that could help fight against the virus. It was a good thing that this doubled as a vaccine and cure.
He quickly injected the vaccine into the man's arm. It was a swift motion, leaving Keith no time to even process the pain of the needle.
After a bit, he felt his body heating up and sweat coming out from every pore in his body. The pain was so excruciating, his vision went white and he felt his body fall forward.
He couldn't remember anything after that.