Fischer and Professor Derr were in their usual lab, but the normally bustling energy that day had been replaced by a hushed, tense silence as soon as Major Fischer hung up the phone.
He cast a gloomy glance toward his friend and work colleague, the oddball but brilliant Professor Derr Xilion, and a grim expression was etched into his face.
"Any news?" Professor Derr inquired, his erudite demeanor belying the fact that he was following the developing situation outside with intense interest.
Fischer responded with a resounding "Yes," his tone heavy with a mixture of apprehension and concern.
"It would appear that the infected people we confined are more resilient than anticipated. They have escaped prison and can now be found roaming the streets.
Professor Derr's brow furrowed, "The military has to do something!"
Fischer gave a little shake of the head and said, "Unfortunately, we don't have enough people to go around. Most of our troops are currently preparing for the impending assault on the parasite's nest.
In addition, after the defeat of the first army and the number of casualties caused by the parasite attack, we do not have many people stationed here. In contrast, the horde is enormous, and their numbers are much greater than ours. Should they join forces, our soldiers may be overpowered."
"What about the people living here?" Derr prodded. "Are they attempting to be of assistance? After all, they can fight!"
Once more, Fischer was the one to deliver the unpalatable truth, this time stating, "The mutations induced by the parasite significantly increased the infected strengths." Most citizens cannot do much; at best, they should try to avoid becoming infected by the parasite."
"Are we doomed then?" Derr inquired while his face turned white out of fear.
"No," Fischer said, attempting to instill some measure of optimism. "The army is rerouting some men back to the city. They should be enough to manage the situation and help the citizens exterminate the mutants. But it will take two weeks for them to arrive. We just need to hold out until then..."
At this, Professor Derr slammed his fist onto the table, his exasperation bubbling over. "This is preposterous! Why would they leave the city almost defenseless, knowing the impending threat?! We've warned them time and again! We told them we couldn't produce the serum for everyone and that the parasite would spread inside the city! Wasn't it at this point better to execute the infected? Why leave them alive?!"
Fischer nodded. "You are right. In my opinion, Becker and his men were too worried about keeping their power. They didn't kill the infected to keep up the facade. They could heal them and took most of the soldiers away to destroy the Heniate's nest and gain consensus. That's what I think, at least."
He paused for a second. "However, we have to be honest, too; both you and I underestimated how significantly the parasite would improve the capabilities of those infected. Though, I heard that the citizens are doing the best they can, and the police and the soldiers that are still left in the city are cooperating and trying to manage the situation. Still, it is not easy to find those who are infected. "
"If the citizens are pitching in to help, why is the parasite continuing to spread? Shouldn't they be making containing it their top priority?
"Are you under the impression this is simple? On the battlefield, anything can happen at any time. Damn, even some students are fighting!"
Derr was caught off guard by this information. He made an impression of a curious dog by cocking his head. "Who? When?"
The exhausted Major relaxed his shoulders and leaned back, his expression revealing a fleeting trace of admiration. The scuffle broke out right in front of the town hall. Students from the Red Palace were successful in putting an end to approximately 1,000 mutants. But the real surprise is that Amber Joyce, acting alone, was responsible for eliminating more than 450 of them."
Derr gave a miserable expression and asked, "Caiden Joyce's daughter? I was told she was still in her first year at the Red Palace."
"Yes, but she had shown an uncanny talent for fighting and managed to go up to the squire rank before the first year ended," Fischer responded, his tone becoming slightly warmer.
"If even students are so good as to kill them, why is the situation worsening?" Derr's eyes widened as he asked.
Fischer gave a condescending shake of the head and explained, "Because the students attacked low-ranking creatures."
During the assault on the city, the parasite had not only infected children but also their parents, members of the military, and medical personnel as they fought in front of the city walls or while they entered the city. The ones parasitized outside then returned and parasitized their children. There are very dangerous infected individuals present within the city at present."
The expression on Professor Derr's face was one of mounting exasperation and bewilderment. He questioned his companion, "Tell me the truth, James, are we fucked?"
"It's impossible for the parasites to spread if the people are careful. In that case, we should be able to kill them; the problem is coordination. Kids, the elderly, and people with disabilities are getting infected left and right. We need coordination more than anything, but no one inside the city can do something like this at present. As I said, between the war, the attack on the parasite's nest… We are short on men."
"You've got to be kidding me! I've never seen a country that was so haphazardly run!" Derr yelled while slamming his fist again on the table and shaking the scattered documents. His temper flared, manifesting in his explosive outburst.
"I can't deny it..." Fischer started to respond, but then he heard an odd noise that immediately diverted his attention. He paused, putting pressure on his ears. He asked, his brows knitted together in an expression of intense concentration, "Did you hear that?"
This content is taken from (f)reewe(b)novel.𝗰𝗼𝐦