Follow the Winning Plan |Day 3 After Virus Release|

Anneka

“Are you really intent on not killing any of these zombies?” I ask Lex, having second thoughts as we walk carefully off onto the dock from our seaplane. We are mindful of how the water could splash on us and get inside of our bloodstream.

“This is for the best. After everything is done, they can be turned back into humans. We need to believe that killing them would be the same as killing a human being. We cannot break the defined moral absolutes.”

I sigh. “Ok, I follow your reasoning; it's just easier for you to say that because you are not the one that has to fight them.” I said while dodging and luring two zombies into a room on the dock and locking the door on them quickly. “I guess this is manageable right now, but it is only going to get worse. This section of the dock is clear.” We start unloading our equipment and refueling the plane. When the tank is filled, we stand near the water to see off Yama and the other pilot.

“I may not believe in either of you, but it would be a pain if you get yourselves killed.” He pauses and grows sad and sober. “This could be the last time we ever talk and so I will act properly just this once. In truth, I would like nothing more than for the both of you to prove me wrong and succeed.”

“The same thing applies to you. Don’t you dare die until we save the world.” Next to me, Lex speaks also.

“I’m going to miss your company. Thanks for taking us all the way here. Keep Dr. Aline safe!” I wave to them.

“Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll make a safe haven for our community around Texas.”

After they take off, we pack only our necessities of food and water from our supplies, and we find a tall building to break into and climb up 15 floors. We do not encounter more than one zombie inside, which I barricade inside a room. “This is weird, Lex. Where are all the zombies that should be in this populated and lively city?”

“I would guess that most of them are marching inland. That must be how the virus follows the survival rule of always infecting more humans to keep on replicating.”

“Still, shouldn’t there be more zombies inside of buildings trapped and unable to leave?”

“I think this means that we can assume that they are capable enough to leave and enter unlocked buildings and even traverse floors. How disturbing. We need to take that into consideration at all times.”

“Have you ever seen Seattle before the virus? I certainly haven’t.”

“I’m in the same party, but from this vantage point, I sincerely know that the state of the city shouldn’t be like this.”

Our clear afternoon view features a few zombies roaming around the walkways in chaos from sporadic car parking, jamming up the use of streets and highways. There is no chance using ground vehicles would work. We see a few broken into stores and businesses, but none of the buildings have collapsed. It is weird to see the vast majority of the highrise city to be dark, lacking power and quiet. We pull out a map.

“We should set up a lab in the middle of the city because we need to collect samples from all around the city.”

“Agreed.”

With a pencil and pen, we mark a couple of locations nearby. A hardware store for fortification supplies and maybe a backup generator. Some residential buildings that may have food and water and a nearby research facility.

My binoculars are handy up here. “It seems like the last place here is totally swarmed, Anneka.”

“Hand those over. Hmmm. It would be nice to get into the research facility so that we could get more incubators to speed up the process of observing, storing, and preparing cells, but we do have enough right now. It is definitely not worth getting either one of us infected when we have everything we need already. I’ll always choose to minimize risk almost on par with creating this virus.”

“I agree and now that we know the landscape, let’s go over what we need to do to make this work. First, we’ll set up our base of operations with fortifications and equipment. Second, we will need to collect samples from various zombies in different locations throughout the city. Third, we will need to cultivate and observe the genomes to determine the weaknesses of these strains. Fourth, we will be modifying the antivirus, which will cut apart viral DNA, leaving Fion’s virus non-functional. That should allow humans to regain consciousness and control. Fifth, we will need to test the antivirus to make sure it does so and modify it as necessary to help it spread all over Earth. If done properly, this should result in our victory. Throughout, we will have to manage our food, water, weapons, and fuel supplies. Fuel that is going to be fed to our generator. The largest issue is the given time limit of one year.”

“Why didn’t we bring something renewable to power our systems like solar panels?”

“It could be too inconsistent with this cloudy weather, and it is very heavy considering we have to carry batteries and do everything on foot.”

“Alright, out of everything I see, let’s go to this central high-rise building. I think it is base material. We can see from far away on any of the higher floors, and the bottom is sturdy enough if we fortify it to keep us safe.”

I imagine the defensive situation and potential attack routes. “True enough. The real threat is any of the other countless buildings we may be forced to stay in once we expedition out into the city.”

“The sun is going down. Let’s call it here tonight after some food.”

I analyze the entrances of the room and work and craft the two of them to be barred shut with physical obstructions.

After everything is secure, we take out and “enjoy” some cold rations.

“I’ll take all the watches. Lex, you can sleep till morning.”

“What, that's not fair or right. I’ll take the second one.”

“No, you need to be in top shape to access your abilities if we want to make this antivirus. I’m used to not receiving deep sleep. I’ll doze.”

“I can’t agree with this.”

“Want me to help you go to sleep then? I know exactly how to use your own body to put you to sleep. I know where each of your arteries are. I’m not going to be delicate.”

“Hmmm.” I turn away into my sleeping bag. I guess this is her way of shutting me up. As I’m lying, I wonder if we even need a watch. I tested the doors myself and found them well poised against force. I guess Anneka is going to be 100% cautious. Against her judgment, I wake up mid-way through the night and, despite the dark, see Anneka lying upright against the wall with my staff against the wall, propping her up. She looks half asleep, or is it half awake?