It's the year 2038 and a deadly virus has consumed the world for more than 14 years.
In Denmark, an unknown politician took it upon himself to create a safe space from the infected. As long as you abide by the 8 Obligations, you are allowed to live...
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I've always known someone would eventually see the brilliance of my medical trial. The possibilities. This pandemic has come as a godsend. Now, I am going to be the one that saves the human race. And the people who didn't believe in me - who called me mad - will have to take back every word!
I snicker for myself as the plane begins to take off. I'm officially on route to a new beginning. A new world. A world designed by my hands.
"привет сэр, вам удобно или есть что-нибудь, что вам нужно?"
"Uhm... sorry, I don't understand?" I look at the flight attendant standing next to my seat in the private plane.
"I'm sorry sir." Her Russian accent is thick as she speaks. "I asked if you were comfortable, or if there is anything you need."
"Everything is perfect. Thank you."
She smiles at me and returns to the front of the plane. I have a feeling I could have asked for anything, and gotten it, but I am also well aware of who I'm going to meet. And it's better to give a good first impression with this man. The way to do that, is to not take advantage of him and his possessions. Besides, now that someone wants to finance my medical trial so I can move on to human trials, I have everything I need. I don't care if it's in another country. At least the Russians are more open to an experimental drug. They just want to beat this global pandemic. Make sure their nation survives, even if the others fall.
"Hello Dr Hastings. Welcome on board." A tv screen in the front of the plane lights up and my benefactor appears.
"Hello sir. Thank you for this opportunity..." He raises his hand to stop my flow of speech. Clearly, he doesn't care that I'm thankful. He only cares that my medical trial is a positive opportunity for him and his nation.
"When you arrive at the airstrip, a few of my men will be waiting there for you. They will take you to private research institute, where you will be given a loyal staff and fonds to test you drug quickly. Time is at the essence Dr Hastings."
"I understand sir. I appreciate..." once again he raises his hand, and I shut up.
"Enjoy the flight. Get some sleep. You will have a long day ahead of you when you arrive." He turns to someone standing behind the camera and mutters something in Russian. Then the screen goes dark. I guess there is nothing more to say.
I sigh and scoot around in my seat, making myself comfortable as the flight attendant appears with a blanket and a pillow. I thank her as I take the things she is handing me.
While I'm trying to fall asleep one single word keeps going through my head. The only Russian word I heard before he stopped the call. Durak... I wonder what it means...?
In the end I fall asleep.
****
Months has gone by, and we are finally able to see some development. The first time we used the drug on humans, the side effects were much worse than with the rats. Every single human who was injected turned mad. They instantly began shaking, they foamed at their mouths and when they finally opened their eyes, it was like looking into a dark abyss. They screeched and clattered their teeth at us. Trying to get to us. Biting at our flesh anytime we came near. Their language was gone, and so was their sanity.
Eventually, we had to put them down.
But something good came from it. We examined their bodies and used the information's we gathered from the autopsy to guide us in the right direction.
And now we have finally found made a drug that works, with a lower percentage experiencing sideeffects.
We are down to approximately 12 percent.
"This looks good, Dr Hastings." Our boss has turned on the intercom as he has watched from the gallery. "Now we are ready to distribute."
"Uhm sir..." I walk closer to the glass that separates him from us. "A lot of the subjects still experience side effects. Some of them rather violently."
"Do they still have covid, yes?"
"No... the disease is gone from their system, but they change... they are barely human."
"But no covid?"
"No, but..."
"No covid in any of the subjects? With or without side effects."
"No..."
"Then it's good, yes?"
"Sir, if I could just get a little more time, I'm sure I can eliminate the side effects all together."
"No. No time, Doctor. We need vaccine now."
"But..."
"No!" He glares at me. "Make the vaccine. We distribute now. If people get side effects, we keep them in solitary." He turns around to leave the gallery. "Oh, just one more thing..." he turns back and stares at me through the glass. "Remember contract. You have signed a confidentiality agreement."
I sigh, then nod.
"Good. Now smile. I have made you very rich man. You can have a good life now. You and your beautiful daughter."
Then he leaves.
For a little while I stare at the place where he was standing just moments before. He is right. I have everything I ever wanted. And when you start something, you finish it. When you say A, you have to say B.
