Thrive in Catastrophe Chapter 90

In front of him is the indomitable Heine Burton. No matter the catastrophe, nothing in the world seems to shake the will of this man.

Xiao chuckled and turned his face toward the back of the sofa.

"You surpa.s.sed my expectations. This is the first time that someone has managed to trap Heine Burton."

Xia's praise did not elicit any pride in Xiao. He responded coldly. " General I gave him a trap he could break free from at any point. Against an actual enemy, my method would be useless."

"How long have you been training? Do you expect to reach the sky immediately?" Xia shook his head and smiled at him gently. "Xiao Yan, there a three things that are worthy of praise this time. First, you remembered what I said to you, that the point of the bait is to make it irresistible to your opponent. This tactic exploits their desire to believe it and cements them deeper into that reality. You gave Colonel Burton a dream. If I were not here to look after you, I suspect Colonel Burton would have never returned to the real world. The reason that he was willing to sink into that world is because of how special you are to him. Your strategy was sound and effective."

"The second point?"

"The construction of your illusion is the most complicated and detailed that I have ever seen. You included people that you had never met before. That was an extremely risky choice that could dismantle the ruse at any time. But you went about it smartly and lifted the image of the president from Heine's memory. You used it to construct the hall and guide Heine inside. That was quite clever."

"And lastly?"

"That point may best be explained by Colonel Burton." General Xia gestured toward Heine.

For a moment Heine did not speak and a cold air wrapped around Xiao's nerves as though their thoughts were still connected by the terminal.

"...Your patience in the ambush. When you were overtaken by my thoughts, you were not overly eager to resist. You catered to my desires to lure me back into 'reality' and introduce me to your constructed world. You created a regular day...the research, the suits, the dinner... Details to make me think we were back in reality. Even at the dinner, you were not too anxious. You used Lily to compromise my reason and force me into your trap."

"But truthfully...even before the dance you already knew it was all an illusion didn't you?" Xiao Yan asked hesitantly.

"Yes."

At Heine's confirmation of his suspicion, Xiao closed his eyes and pressed a hand against his head in frustration.

"so where did I make a mistake? The setting? The people...or..."

"When I kissed your finger in the hall, I knew that I was still in your mind."

Xiao Yan is completely stunned, "...wh--?"

"You told me that you believed no one could deceive you with my kiss. Similarly, you don't know what I feel every time I touch you."

Xiao Yan looked at Heine dazedly. After a long time he looked down and laughed.

"It turns out...the whole time...

This guy is too much. Why not come to him directly!

The General Xia coughs uncomfortably. "Well no matter...the lesson has served its purpose. Xiao Yan you know the skills and strategy for success and where the pitfalls are. I cannot continue to directly guide you. Killing another person in the mind will cause irreversible damage to the other's neurons. But I believe that after today, if the enemy is trapped in your mind you will know how to defeat them. Remember, don't sympathize with your enemy and don't hesitate, timing is crucial. You will only have a moment.".

"I am very grateful for all that you have taught me. Goodbye General." Xiao expressed his grat.i.tude and stood to salute Xia.

"I will see you again. I hope that next time you come for a simple cup of afternoon tea with me."

"As you wish."

Xiao Yan and Heine left Xia's office.

The two walked silently down the hall, behind them trailed a whole special forces task squad.

"Tell me. Am I back in reality or did you trap me in your subconscious?" Xiao suddenly stopped and turned toward the cold faced man beside him.

Heine lowered his head toward Xiao and roughly pressed his mouth against him. He reached behind his neck and pushed his face closer, immobilizing him. Heine vigorously plundered Xiao's mouth, his tongue sweeping through and entangling with Xiao's. He ended the short but heavy kiss with no emotion stirring his gaze. "What do you think, major?"

Xiao grinned and continued walking, stretching his back and limbs as he moved. "I don't even care. It you are a trap, it is a sweet illusion."

The anniversary dinner is approaching. Not only the military, but everyone in the shire prepares for the celebration.

Xiao continued to torture Lauren with new tasks in his lab. He showed him every error he overlooked and forced him to double his efforts a.n.a.lyzing the data. Xiao found that he especially enjoyed watching Lauren's forlorn expression after his pride took a hit when his mistakes were pointed out.

Once the day's research was finished, Lauren stretched lazily but lingered in the lab.

"Aren't you going back?"

"If I don't correct my mistakes I won't be able to sleep." Lauren waved him away dismissively.

Xiao found his dedication adorable. Just as he was about to close down the terminal, a communication popped up.

"I apologize for interrupting your work, Major. The Academy of Sciences is holding an emergency meeting in conference room 201, please report immediately."

Xiao sighed, he just wanted to have a nice dinner and then lay in bed and listen to music.

As he exited his lab, he saw a man standing next to the special forces waiting outside of his door. His arms were folded in front of him and it seemed that he had been waiting there for some time. His gaze suddenly shifted over to Xiao Yan, Xiao felt as if a strange force and reached in and electrified him.

His heart leapt wildly and his breath became heated and chaotic. His blood boiled and simmered, blurring through his mind.

Such an incredible dominance swept over him and his illusory memories of Heine overlapped the moment, his reaction to the sight surprised him. It seems even constructed memories were incredibly powerful.

This man steadily possessed him, memories from the terminal interface moved in tandem with reality.

Without thinking he reached to steady himself by leaning on the wall. He felt silly for his sudden and intense response? Why was his heart beating so erratically? It is not his first time seeing Heine.

He has always had to steel his nerves to stand under the oppressive presence of Heine Burton...yet at the same time he was incredibly drawn to him.

Like now. Heine's sharply cold features carve deeply into Xiao's gaze. He watched the steady movements of his chest as he breathes. Looking directly at Heine... Xiao feels dazed.

"I have a meeting." His calm tone belied the chaos raging inside.

"I'll wait for you."
Heine did not follow him. He remained in place as the Special Forces escorted Xiao Yan.

As they pa.s.sed through a lab, Xiao Yan was met with a distraught face.

"This is interrupting my time with my crush from the military office...ah...probably all over a meeting about changing the lunch soup." Ritz lamented.

Loch swept past him and added snidely, "If your crush is caught by you then her future is soup."

"Hey...no need to make fun of me. Get a good night's sleep you crazy man." Ritz went to lift his foot to kick Loch but he was already walking away.

The three of them made their way to the conference room where many of the researchers and majors were already gathered.

Everyone is talking over each other attempting to guess why they have all been a.s.sembled.
"Do you think it is about the dinner tomorrow?"

"What about? Don't we just need to wear a suit and show up?'
"So who called the meeting? General Ervel?"
Xiao nudged Ritz with his elbow. "Hey...is General Ervel ever late?"

"Never." Ritz pulled out a chair and plopped down with a loud yawn.

After the last Colonel entered the room, the sliding door slid closed and the whole room was locked down.

Xiao suddenly felt that something was not right. He hurried over to the front sliding door to find that it did not recognize his identification.

"I am Major Xiao Yan, ID1665, activate identification system."

Xiao kept repeating his instructions but still nothing happened.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Ritz came to Xiao Yan.
"The door lock isn't responding. The whole room is locked down."

Ritz sighed and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Well since it is such a secret meeting maybe..."

"A secret meeting where the host doesn't show up?" Xiao raised his brows and Ritz suddenly felt a similar bad feeling wash over him.

Everyone began to nervously talk.

Xiao looked around and said sternly. "Almost all research heads are trapped here. If someone were to aerosolize a poison and feed it through the ventilation system we would all die and the entire Academy of sciences would...Ah..."

Xiao's voice grew very low and somber and Ritz's face shifted expression dramatically at the prospect.

Suddenly a large holographic image popped up but it was not General Ervel on the display. Instead it was a man who was a stranger to everyone in the room other than Xiao Yan. His demeanor is elegant and aristocratic, his fine sense of style distinctive. His mellow voice sounds through the system like a smooth red wine.

"Good evening research elites of Shire. You should be leisurely getting ready to enjoy your dinner at this time. I am afraid that you will have to express your regret in missing the festivities."

The voices of the researchers grew louder and overlapped in nervous confusion.

"Who is this? Is it someone Ervel had to replace him?"

"But he wasn't wearing a military uniform!"

Xiao Yan face was completely dull and blank.
Ritz glanced over and noticed his sh.e.l.l shocked expression. "Xiao Yan. Who is this guy?"

The man's gaze is fixed in Xiao's direction. His expression is openly provocative as though he has met an old friend.

"Ah...Xiao Yan you have already made major! Should I congratulate you, or no? With your talent, a rank of major seems rather demeaning."

"Xiao Yan, this guy knows you?" Ritz's voice lowers and a deeper meaning filters through.

"He...is Valentine..."

"Who?" Ritz is a mid level ranked researcher at the Academy. He has not heard of Valentin.

"The leader of the surge organization."

Xiao's final words fell like a bomb in the center of the conference room, immediately everyone fell into a frightened silence.

Valentin smiled widely, clearly relishing everyone's reaction.

"If I were to shut down the O2 to this room, all of you would suffocate within the hour."

His face is perfectly sculpted and stone cold like a statue. His features are beautiful but hold a deadly gloom.

At this moment everyone realized their destiny lay in the hands of Valentin.

With the system compromised they couldn't press the alarm and alert the troops. They were not even sure how much control Valentin had over the Academy's system.

"But don't worry. If I stop the O2 to the room, them my favorite little major would die. That is not my intended goal."

"What do you want to do?" Xiao tried to keep himself calm. There must be a terminal that he could use in the room. If he could just connect , even if he cannot open the room, he could at least alert someone to the problem.

"Wow what else is there to say?! You have six hours until the anniversary dinner. I really think that you should celebrate it. There is still a half an hour before my aircraft transporting the zombies docks with the Academy. By that time, 30 of my variants will be locked in the research library. Once I open the door, they will hungrily crash through your facility. Major Xiao Yan, your research data is really spectacular. I only regret that your Sharon virus doesn't permanently adapt. Good luck to you all."

Xiao Yan's pupil suddenly constricted violently. "Why are you doing this?"

"For the entertainment of course. Let all of the Shire get a look at the elite Academy of Sciences and their performance in a heroic zombie battle."

Suddenly the connection terminates and the display disappears.

Xiao Yan quickly rushed to the terminal in the room, but Valentin's interference is too much. The terminal was unresponsive. Xiao Yan surmised that all the terminals in the Academy have been shut down. Valentin has eliminated any possibility of them reaching the outside.

The researchers give Xiao a blank look. They are overwhelmed and confused by everything that has transpired. Xiao Yan doesn't have the time to entertain their questions.

Valentin is clearly insane! His pursuit for eternal life has granted him over 200 years of experience and rendered him an almost supernatural foe.

"Everyone listen up! The Academy master system has been invaded by the leader of the Surge organization, Valentin. I don't think the communication issue affects only this room, the entire inst.i.tute has been cut off!" Xiao Yan looks down at his wrist com. The time is 6:15. "We still have 15 minutes before their aircraft docks with the sample library. The Surge plans to release these zombies into the building."

The expression on the researchers faces have altered completely. They are only academics, still they are much calmer than Xiao would have imagined.

As scholars they are always afraid of the unknown, but since they are aware of what they are facing they are better able to cope.

"My research room!...it is a closed system separate from the rest of the Academy. If we can get in then we can lock the zombies outside and wait for rescue. If we cannot get out of the building then there is only one way this can end."

Become prey for the mutant zombies.

Xiao's lab also has his storage of Sharon-3 samples. If they can get ahold of these, then they can make it past the zombie attacks.

"Are you sure that your lab will even be online?" A major raised this question.

"This is our only course of action if we cannot leave. Another good thing is that there are 2 special forces soldiers outside of this room and Colonel Heine Burton is also in the building."

Although Heine is waiting in his lab...

Xiao really regrets not bringing him.

At the sound of Heine Burton's name everyone's eyes shone with hope.

Xiao Yan smile inwardly. Heine is not only the heart and soul of the special forces, he is a beacon of hope for the entire Shire. He represents omnipotence even though no one in this world is so powerful.

Heine's senses have been finely honed through countless battles, with Heine's level of alertness perhaps he will sense that something is wrong in the Academy. Maybe when those doors slide open, Heine will be there guarding them.

However...with 30 mutants can he safely evacuate everyone relying on two special forces and Heine? Besides the problem of if his lab is still operating, he has no idea how Lauren is. He said that he was going to stay behind.

Xiao continually glanced at the time. There was only five minute before the door opens. What would he face?

The researchers vigilantly wait and Ritz hovers behind Xiao Yan.

"Hey do you have to stick to me so tightly?"

"I know that you have the x-2 virus. Out of all the supervisors here, only you have any combat ability." Ritz looked pointedly at Xiao Yan with a completely natural expression.

Lock moved to squeeze tightly behind Xiao Yan as well.

These guys!

"I want to head to the front of the room, do you want to go?" Xiao raised his brows, his expression completely serious. Even his eyes grew cold.

"Hah? Are you crazy?" Ritz has always been called the most beautiful man in the Academy, but at this moment Xiao wants nothing more than to smash his head open.

"The closer you are to the door the greater your chance of getting overrun by the zombies. However it is also our greatest chance at getting out of here. So many people are inside that the zombies will go for, when they squeeze into this small s.p.a.ce, I can fight them.

After speaking, Xiao Yan reached the door and pressed himself against the wall. This allows him to see what would normally be a blind spot. Ritz wasn't certain how Xiao knew where to look.

Suddenly the door opened and Xiao Yan rushed out. Ritz reached out for him.

"Wait for me—"

Wait for you...h.e.l.l no!

Blue veins pulsed strained Xiao's forehead. A zombie rushed in, the Special Forces at the door struggled to fight them off.

"Major - hurry get out of here!"

A zombie rushed toward Xiao Yan, who was the closest. Ritz grabbed onto Xiao and looked at everything happening in front of him.

Xiao Yan's hand grab onto the zombies shoulders and he slams his elbow into it hard. Suddenly he turned and threw the zombie down. The zombie struggled to bite Xiao's arm as he held it down.

"Oh...hey..."
The zombie's eyes lock onto Ritz and its bloodshot eyes nearly burst from excited hunger.

"Xiao Yan!" Ritz is quite loyal, he even moves to help Xiao subdue the zombie.

"What the h.e.l.l are you doing? Go away! Wait for the other zombie to reach the room. You can't go anywhere, I will deal with this one."

Xiao Yan pitched his voice in a low and commanding tone. Ritz saw the flash of military discipline light up Xiao's eyes. He said nothing more and quickly followed Xiao's orders. The others struggle to keep up.

The Special Forces are wrangling four zombies at the other end of the hall. They cannot deal with another.

"where are we going!"

Several supervisors behind Ritz were deeply traumatized. They had no idea what awaited them at the end of the bright empty hall.

"Xiao Yan's research room!"

"Even if we make it to his room, we can't get in the door."

"His research a.s.sistant is still inside!" At this moment Ritz's voice grew strong and firm, a sharp departure from his typical lazy tone. He was worried about Xiao Yan and he knew that Xiao had stayed to block the zombie so that they could have this chance. He must not disappoint Xiao Yan after such a sacrifice.

At that moment Xiao twisted around the zombie and his arm tightened around the zombie's neck. The zombie seemed to know how to counter his attack and constantly maneuvered his body to avoid the hold on its neck. Gritting his teeth, Xiao turned his body and crushed the zombie's head.

Xiao Yan quickly got up and smashed its skull, then rushed out to see the special forces embroiled in a fierce battle.

"Major! Immediately evacuate!"

Two zombies jumped forward and slammed into the special forces. They were unable to knock them to the ground.

One of the zombies rushed toward Xiao Yan.

***********Sorry that this took so long to get out. I have been very very stressed. Thank you to the people that tipped last chapter. Honestly that was the only reason I released the chapter this week (otherwise I would have been much later). I am so sorry for the errors (I am sure there are many). I will do better next time.********