Although he would use drones to dispense the mutated Nebula virus, he still needed to be close to the enemy's territory. Moreover, introducing genetic triggers still required the same proximity using another sort of dispensing method that remotely triggers the mutation of the virus infecting hosts.
How it worked was inexplicable. In a nutshell, the genetic triggers served as a switch to conduct mutations to the dispensed virus depending on how he modified the mother virus genome later on. Scientifically, nanocarriers brought the genomic triggers to the dispensed viruses and would inherit the new genetic modifications.
The satellite that connected his death tab module enabled him to monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of his dispensed virus. The death tab would determine the number of deaths, the number of infected, and where the virus had spread. However, the progress of the symptoms could not be determined through Satlink protocols.
Brigham City, an essential Bugmen center of operations, was considered to be his first target. The outer military bases of the same City presented viable targets. Infecting them and killing the aliens that hold the military arsenal would certainly give a smile to Major George.
Luke glanced at his watch. 1100 H. Noon almost scorched the land and the raiding party gave a biting thrill to the welcome party. Nica said that they would be back before lunch. Luke anticipated the Major's promise, to deliver him blood samples from the slain Bugmen for his mutation gene points.
"Monday, show Nebula's status," Luke asked.
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[Virus Name] Nebula Virus
[Virus Type] Pycorniavirus
Lethal level: 5/100
Infectivity level: 30/100
Severe level: 20/100
Stability: 80
Mutation genes: 40/200
Capabilities: Aerosol Vector + Synapse chain
Mutated Symptoms: Mild Colds, Sneezing, Bronchitis
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Luke released a sigh. He achieved success in his first mutation and all dissipating doubts. All parameters increased, especially the infectivity level augmented by 10 points. Even though stability had decreased, not to a level of disconcertment. Looking at the mutated symptoms, mild colds and sneezing were expected. However, bronchitis symptoms developed haphazardly, as expected viruses tend to mutate symptoms.
As planned, unwanted symptom mutation should be eliminated. Bronchitis was a form of inflammation of the bronchioles - air tubes of the lungs, causing the patient to cough. Defeating the purpose of stealth.
Bronchitis was categorized as a medium risk, easily notable in the eyes of the cure evolver. Hence, the aliens would suspect a biological weapon's at play, raising suspicion and drive to investigate. If confirmed earlier, expectedly, a cure would evolve at the onset of virus infection. In other words, it would be a total failure on Luke's part.
His virus should be clandestine, creeping and infecting the whole population. By doing this, he needed to suppress the severity of the virus simultaneously increasing the infectivity level.
"Monday, I want to eliminate bronchitis as a symptom," Luke said.
"That's odd, Luke. Jameson never eliminated symptoms. He was even happy about any unwanted symptom mutations. I can't understand your request," Monday responded.
"That's why he failed," Luke sneered.
"Why?" Monday asked.
"If the symptoms are severe, the aliens would suspect that a biological weapon has been dispersed. The cure evolver would come in to investigate and would develop a cure earlier. We don't want that Monday."
"Logical, Luke. Is this new technique taught back in the camp?"
"Nope. It's because it is risky to dispose of the symptom. Hence, it is not advisable. It means that I will extract a part of the virus genome inside the tank, specifically removing cells capable of inducing bronchitis and disposing of them. The extracted virus cells can be tricky. That's the reason why I requested another glass tank, Monday. I will transfer bronchitis symptoms to the Nox virus."
"You are going to mutate the Nox virus?"
"I am going to make it a weapon too. The cure evolver won't expect it. Two viruses will be dispensed to the population."
"That's hard to pull off, Luke."
"It's hard but it's doable, Monday."
The sound of trucks pierced through his lab. And the guffaws emerged within the confines of the camp. However, the welcoming noise was not exuberant which made him worry.
Luke nimbly exited toward the door after establishing a series of safety protocols in the lab - sealing potential contaminations, locking the Satlink systems by biosecurity, and decontamination by misting, removing viral residues in the lab. The EMD engineers did quite a job that enabled a beaten and dilapidated room into a sophisticated virus laboratory.
Three out of five trucks halted on the clearing. People gathered, exchanging ominous murmurs. Others opted to be silent. Somnolent soldiers disembarking their vehicles. The gathered soldiers seemed to be despondent about a terrifying thought. A billowing worry slowly emerging within the group. Luke could feel it. Kristo startled him from behind.
"Forty died in the attack," he said softly.
"What about Nica?"
"Don't worry, she's fine. I saw her."
Emerging from the heaving crowd was Nica with her unkempt hair, bloody face, and torn shirt ambling in a dejected way. Apparently, she had close encounters with the Bugmen.
"Nica?" Luke said, her eyes held a despairing look. Her droopy eyes welled of suppressed tears, a beautiful face smudged in soot, hands smeared of reddish paint. A noticeable shivering appeared on the edges of her lips.
"You should succeed, Luke. I can't stand our comrades dying in combat," her face close to his.
Luke held his stare, unable to utter a sensible word.
"What happened?" Kristo asked.
"At first it was a success. We bombed portions of the base. As planned, it went well. We killed a lot of Bugmen in a firefight. Managed to collect blood samples, too. We escaped the base as the situation was out of hand. Of course, we anticipated close to five thousand soldiers may be in the camp. I am sure the bombs killed a lot of them. But what we had not anticipated was their aerial defense predators. They managed to hunt us down as the convoy escaped."
Two trucks comprised of forty men gone in a petty alien retaliation. How much more if the enemy anticipated their arrival. Luke felt sad imagining the death of his comrades. Not that he knew them all, it's because they fought in the side of humanity. They fought for others to live.
Heroes.
"The Major wanted to see you in his office. He has your blood collection. Be careful, he is not in the mood," she said.