Thrive in Catastrophe Chapter 85

"There is no time to play around Lauren. Do you know what projects this lab heads?"

"The combat simulation and the x-2 virus! Will I be partic.i.p.ating in these studies?"

"Yes. Today we are collecting data for the simulation system. This is a dangerous process." Xiao Yan leaned against the lab bench and looked over at Lauren with a malevolent grin. The young a.s.sistant was suddenly at a loss.

"All breakthroughs mean a certain amount of risk. Many scholars have been killed throughout history in efforts to bear fruit from their work." Lauren took a deep breath and met Xiao's eyes with determination.

"Okay, let's go." Xiao Yan grabbed a large case and walked out the door.

"Where?"

"Training room. I have invited Major Winn, Major Ling and Captain Liv."

"G.o.d! They are all elites in special missions!"

Lauren was clearly excited.

When they reached the training room, Liv, Winn and Ling were already waiting for them.

Winn clapped a hand on Xiao's shoulders and looked down at Lauren with a mocking brow.

"Ah, Xiao Yan you seem to have a little tail behind you."

Lauren stood mouth agape as his eyes wide to saucers. He sighed and his words came out in one breath. "You are so beautiful!"

Winn let out a groan and the jovial expression vanished from his face. His features set in ferocious lines and his muscles tensed in anger.

Liv and Xiao quickly moved in front of him and pulled him away. They both frantically attempted to stop Winn from advancing on Lauren.

"Hey! He is just a kid!"

"He was trying to compliment your looks! He just got his words mixed up!"

Instinctively sensing danger, Lauren began to back away from the angry Winn, step by step.

Winn started to relax and instantly recovered a lighter expression. He walked up to Lauren and pointed his finger. He continued toward him until he was touching the tip of Lauren's nose. Obviously the movement was a nothing gesture to Winn, but as Lauren moved back he felt his nose cracking. As the pain pulsed through his head, he realized that no matter how harmless Winn might look, he is a Special Forces soldier; he could easily kill him.

"Let it go Winn. He is Xiao's a.s.sistant." Liv stepped up and removed Winn's wrist away.

"Alright. Alright." Winn dropped his hand and turned around. "I'll have plenty of time to adjust his att.i.tude anyway."

Lauren shuddered and Xiao Yan held his arm as he quietly appreciated the expression on the little guy's face.

He recalled when he first met Heine. He also had been unable to stop staring at him, even as Liv warned him he was about to lose his eyeb.a.l.l.s.

The first time... he saw him?

Xiao's lips curled upward in a small smile. It seems no matter what happens to his brain, if it involves Heine, he is not likely to forget it.

Ling motioned with his chin. "Stop wasting time. I have a mission this afternoon."

Xiao grabbed Lauren by the collar and dragged him to the observation room. He opened the box he brought with him and revealed a gun!

"Gun...what do we need with the gun?" Lauren's expression was so horrified he looked ridiculous.

'What? Do you want to personally install the sensing device into the variants?"

Xiao removed the barrel and energy converter, easily a.s.sembling the pieces. His smooth movements caught the beam in Lauren's eyes.

Winn and Liv walked onto the training area and Ling stayed behind with Xiao Yan. If there were any problems he could easily intervene and lend a.s.sistance to Winn and liv.

Xiao Yan's observation room is five meters above and he is separated from the area with a thick layer of high density t.i.tanium metal gla.s.s. Xiao pressed the b.u.t.ton and the gla.s.s plate lowered. Xiao stabilized his gun and took aim.

"Do you need me to come and fire it?" Ling asked.

"Yea! Let Major Ling do it!" Lauren was quite agitated. He knows that if Xiao Yan doesn't manage to hit the zombie quickly enough they won't have time to lift the gla.s.s and the mutant could easily jump into the room with them.

"This gun was designed and manufactured by me. I think I know how to work it better than Major Ling."

Although Xiao's tone was calm and confident, Lauren was still high strung. He looked at Major Ling with a pitifully pleading expression, clearly doubting Xiao's shooting abilities.

Ignoring Lauren's desperation, Ling started the count down., "three...

two...

one!"

The variant was released, despite its size and speed, neither Liv or Winn flinched. They both stood calmly and waited.

The trigger depressed with an audible click and the sensor hit the back of the zombie, smoothly piercing through its muscles. The zombie instantly changed the direction of its attack and rushed toward Xiao Yan.

Its features twisted into a gruesome snarl, revealing yellowed gnashing fangs.

"Oh G.o.d!" Lauren was so frightened that he plopped feebly onto the ground.

Xiao slammed down the gla.s.s part.i.tion and the zombie's body collided loudly against the divider.

"Hey kid, you p.i.s.s yourself?" Xiao Yan snorted and grinned evilly.

"You...You're the one p.i.s.sing themselves." Lauren spurted indignantly.

Lauren's legs are limp. He recalls the tide attack in the Shire. He had been sitting in cla.s.s when an odd buzzing sound drifted in from the hall. The professor wasn't concerned until the screams began. Then it was all too late. A zombie rushed into the room and bit the professor's neck. The students shouted in horror and fled the room. The zombie continued to feast on the professor, his empty eyes locked onto the students with excitement. Lauren had found himself completely stupefied by the whole scene. He had stood rooted in place unable to move a muscle. If not for the intervention of the Special Forces, he would be dead.

The zombies rushing toward the observation room were significantly more horrible than the one he had previously encountered.

"Hey what are you doing? Pay attention to the data."

As Xiao's berating and mocking tone interrupted his thoughts, Lauren discovered that Xiao was staring at him with a strange look on his face. He shakily activated the holographic display. The movements of the zombies were transmitted directly to the system to be downloaded and a.n.a.lyzed

Throughout the process, Winn stood along the sidelines as the zombies circled. It took only a couple of minutes, for Liv had already broken one of the mutant's arms, its head was soon trampled beneath her feet.

"Really... too powerful!" Lauren exclaimed.

Xiao Yan opened the gla.s.s again.

When Ling pressed the b.u.t.ton, the second zombie rushed out wildly.

Lauren's heart jumped to his throat. Xiao wasn't startled in the slightest. He lined up the shot and hit the variant directly in the chest.

Perfect hit.

Lauren was shocked. "I thought your brains were the only useful thing about you."

Ling, who had been standing silent this whole time, was not surprised by Xiao's ability. "All the condenser guns used by the military have all been developed and calibrated by Major Xiao Yan. His shooting ability rivals our best snipers."

Lauren looked at Xiao with new eyes, suddenly realizing that Xiao had to have had some extraordinary experience.

"Hey do you find me handsome now?" Xiao swung the barrel over his shoulder and his lips tilted in a provoking grin. The unexpected image strangled Lauren's breath.

"What are you talking about? I will surpa.s.s you in two years time!"

Xiao laughed heartily and ruffled Lauren's hair roughly. "Are you sure you can last for two years?"

"Let go!" Lauren tried to duck away from Xiao's hand, but found that the warmth of his palm on his scalp was unexpectedly relaxing.

Below them, Liv released the first zombie and the other two began to work together. Although Winn's strength was immense it took a full five minutes to bring them down.

Xiao narrowed his eyes as he pondered the situation.

Dealing with one variant was troublesome but their increased intelligence meant that more than one posed a new threat. Faced with their combined strength, the Special Forces had to learn to block their attacks.

Throughout the morning, they gathered the data. Xiao changed up the scenarios. He included cityscapes, bases, forests etc. Later Ling joined Winn and Liv and he was able to gather even more complicated kinetic data.

When they were finished, Winn and Liv were exhausted. There were no more variants left in the training room to practice on.

Xiao packed up his equipment and walked out of the room and into the hall. Lauren followed him through the pa.s.sage, curious how the simulation system worked.

When Xiao pulled up the original program, Lauren was shocked.

"This imitates reality too closely! Even the feeling of being killed is too clear! Did you really design this program for your own training?"

Xiao ruffled his hair. "Stop playing around. We have one month to perfect the program and ensure the Special Forces can use it to train. If we fail then they will doubt your ability as my a.s.sistant and it is back to boring cla.s.ses for you, sitting all day with long winded professors."

"Oh - G.o.d - that's h.e.l.l!"

Lauren quickly jumped into action. Xiao begins to import the data they collected. Lauren showed remarkable ability, well beyond his years. He thinks about the project carefully. With his aid, the task is far less arduous than before.

The simulation system was tested on Heine's troops first. After a week of training, they are able to perform their mission with far more efficiency. They triumphantly head back to the Shire. This success reinforces the Academy's faith in Xiao Yan's abilities.

Now that the simulation system is no longer an issue, he must concentrate on taking care of the x-virus in his body. He turns the combat simulation program over to Lauren, though it is clear he is uncomfortable dealing with the Special Forces.

"That... I really have to go back to the Special Forces to collect the data?"

"If not, how else will you get it?"

"They can send me the data through the terminal!"

"Don't you know the lab is on an independent system?"

Lauren bowed his head sheepishly. "And if Major Winn kills me?"

Xiao realized that Lauren is still ruminating on his last encounter with Winn. Clearly their interaction has frightened him.

"Well you should know that the military requires all researchers to train like the armed forces. All the instructors are special forces. Major Winn was the one who trained me. Should I have him train you as well?"

"...I would rather be eaten by a zombie."

"Trust me, it is better to be trained by Winn than eaten by zombies. It is good to take advantage of such an opportunity. Not only can you collect the data but it will enable you to foster a good relationship with Major Winn. He can protect you and you are a little guy."

Xiao narrowed his eyes at Lauren whose face was looking particularly sour. Xiao's serious stare seemed to say 'I know what is good for you.'

"Okay...Fine..." Lauren left the lab frustrated. Xiao's eyes were cold as he watched him leave.

He knows that no one else can partic.i.p.ate in his x-virus studies, not even his own a.s.sistant.

Xiao hooked to the terminal and sifted through his x-2 progress. This includes his a.n.a.lysis of the original comet virus in the Antarctic, and Heine's blood samples. As the data gains a crisper clarity in his mind, his thoughts become increasingly less muddled and focused. He took samples of his blood and observed the activity of the virus in his body. From there he began to formulate an x-2 serum for himself. This is quite an arduous process. He must have patience. He will not obtain results overnight.

Lauren arrived at the lounge and stood looking at Heine's troops. He hesitated for a long time and then finally gritted his teeth and scanned his prints to enter. Once his ident.i.ty was verified, the door slid open and although Lauren was not a particularly spiritual person, he shot a quick prayer upward. Winn stood in the entryway, a black combat uniform hugged his powerful frame. He propped a hand up on the door frame and looked at Lauren with a mischievous grin.

"Hey! a.s.sistant, do you need something?"

The instant that Lauren looked up at Winn, he was rooted in place.

Winn's shoulder length hair was cut closely to his head and Lauren's eyes widened. Unexpectedly his eyes reddened slightly.

"You... your hair?"

"I cut it. I am not Maya, I find that it gets in the way. So I cut it off."

"Is it because I said you were beautiful?" Lauren's formally terrified expression became instantly serious.

"Yes! What man likes to be called beautiful?" Winn snorted.

"But the hairstyle is too ugly now!" Lauren screamed. "Do you have any sense of style?!"

Winn shot a fierce glare toward Lauren, who immediately backed up several steps. Then Winn grabbed ahold of his collar.

"Who are you saying has no sense of style? Hm?" Winn spit the words out through gritted teeth.

"I—I-I'm sorry..." Lauren stuttered.

Liv sighed and decided to intervene. "Major, why don't you just be honest with Lauren? When you were on a mission today, your hair was soaked by zombie fluid. Since you felt so disgusting you couldn't wait to cut your hair."

Winn's face darkened and Lauren's eyes spit fire, his expression clearly indignant at being tricked.

Winn snorted and released Lauren. "Are you here to collect the data?"

"Yes..." Lauren was still afraid of Winn so he instinctively moved toward Liv. Unfortunately she couldn't rescue him as Winn grabbed him and threw him over his shoulders.

"Hey, hand over the data collectors on you! Hurry up! This kid gets more terrified by the second. If he is scared then we will be investigated by the Central Academy of Sciences."

Everyone took off their sensors and placed it on the table. Winn moved back to the sofa and sat down. He closed his eyes tiredly and was quiet. His brows drew together and shadowed his face in murderous hues.

Lauren quickly gathered all the sensors and frantically rushed out of the lounge. He ran to the door and in his haste tripped, dropping everything on the ground. He quickly squatted to gather the data sensors all but ran out the room.

The minute the doors closed, Winn burst out laughing.

Liv rolled her eyes, not saying a word.

*************
A few days later Xiao finally developed an X-2 strain for himself.

He rolled the vial between his fingers and pondered. Although his simulations were consistent, Xiao knew the biggest variable was injecting it into his body.

"Hey, Major you have been fiddling with that bottle of medicine all morning!"

Xiao smiled and patted Lauren's head. "How is the upgraded simulation system going?"

"Good...Perfect!" Lauren was angry at the obvious redirect. "What secret research are you up to? I tried to look over your results and couldn't even log in!"

"When you are capable enough to crack my pa.s.scode, then you can join my research!"

Lauren has not had any blocker training. If the Surge were to invade, they could easily mine the information from his brain.

Xiao opened the door and Lauren's eyes followed him curiously. "Hey! Where are you going?"

"I am going to see the person I trust the most."

Lauren face was suddenly crestfallen. "As your a.s.sistant I should be the one you trust the most."

Xiao walked outside the lab and raised his gaze. He took a deep and steadying breath. He remembered the last time he went to Heine's room he had been quite intoxicated.

Closing his eyes the memory sifted through his cells and he recalled his drunken self walking through the pa.s.sageway as Heine patiently followed behind him.

Xiao stopped in front of his door. He knew that his fingerprints could not open the door.

"h.e.l.lo, Colonel Burton, It's me, Xiao Yan."

The door opened.

Heine was not wearing his typical combat uniform or military wear. Since it was his day off he only had a simple white t shirt and slacks. Even the loose casual wear couldn't hid the powerful lines of his body.

Xiao looked at the man in front of him. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came.

He remembers that this is Heine Burton. Seeing him so laid back reminded Xiao that Heine had his own life outside of his endless military missions.

Heine's palm cups the back of Xiao's head and he pushed him into his arms. The Special Forces standing outside were blocked by the closing of the door. Before Xiao realized it he was already inside Heine's room.

The layout is the same as his own. Heine moves back to sit on his bed, a book is lying neglected on his pillow.

Xiao can't tear his eyes from Heine. He is more attractive than any of the male models presented on the holographic displays in the square. He doesn't need to do anything other than exist and he exudes a gravity that hooks Xiao's gaze to him.

Heine patted the s.p.a.ce next to him, gesturing for him to sit down.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but subconsciously back up a step. This is Heine Burton's bed, the implication is clear.

"I know what you are afraid of. That I will go to you until one of us no longer exists. If you find being with me the most intolerable thing in the world, if you really don't want to be with me...Stop, don't come close to me again."

Heine's expression is always coldly controlled, but even this just adds to his attractiveness.

At this moment Xiao feels like a tiny stream of water has converged into a tsunami in his blood. His heart beats uncontrollably at the memory of Heine inside him. As though he is being pulled by force, he steadily steps toward Heine. All he wants at this moment is to be near him. Heine's mood cannot halt the magnetic memories drifting through him.

He felt as though he were born to be close to this man. That it was his destiny.

Xiao reached his side and lay down. He laid his head on Heine's shoulders and shifted his whole body onto the bed, the smell of Heine saturated the air.

In sharp contrast to his oppressive embrace, Xiao feels an unexpected calmness wash over him.

"I developed an x-2 for myself. I was going to inject myself but I don't know if I will survive it or if I will accept it according to my simulations. I can't do it at the Academy because I can't risk Valentin invading while I am in the process of adapting to it....if I don't wake up..." Xiao trailed off but the end of his sentence hung in the air.

"You will wake up. I will be here." Heine's voice was cold and unyielding as though speaking an absolute truth.

"The accelerator in my body made the two viruses replicate far more rapidly. Your risk should not be as high. You will wake up."

Xiao Yan closed her eyes and smiled. He knows that this man will always have an almost blind faith in himself.

"This virus is only suitable for me. No one can do this experiment besides myself." Xiao took a slow breath and loaded it into the injection gun. "I hope that when I wake up I will see you as before."

"Are you sure you won't try to avoid me like you did last time?"

"Is it possible to avoid you?" Xiao Yan smiled slightly, and the injection gun pierced his thigh.
His heart immediately began to beat out of control and his vision darkened and blurred. He looked up at Heine's chin.

***Sorry for the long wait. If you follow you already know that Grandma has been very sick. She is in the hospital right now (again) with heart/lung issues. She has had pretty constant panic attacks from this for a while now and I have been sticking close so I couldn't go borrow a computer to finish the chapter.

Also, I know that some of you mentioned that you were unable to donate to the Gofundme and I didn't notice that I had not set it up correctly. It is now so....If you want/can it is appreciated. I still have every intentions of finishing it regardless. Right now I just don't have much computer access. I don't have the link either right now and I don't have time to look it up. Honestly, I can't even think straight at the moment. I hope that this chapter is decipherable.

Hopefully Grandma feels much better soon, perhaps she can read this chapter while in the hospital. I know she likes the story a lot.

Anyway I am sorry if this chapter is a mess. I am a mess. I'm worried and scared and my mind is all over the place right now. Again, I apologize for the long wait. *********