Paths of Divergence

Dark Veil

Chapter 49
-Dark Veil

     "I'm sorry Akari but with our limited supplies it's practically impossible to get any info from your specimens. We just don't have the facilities to run a full analysis," Qwakuse says defeatedly, "Unless we can get these somewhere with more tools im afraid we can't gather much here."

     Akari, one hand on her chin, twirls her black hair with her other hand in thought. She taps her foot on the ground, thinking of possible solutions to their current dilemma. Finally a bright idea hits her. "What if we took what we have to a nearby village such as the Sand? Wouldn't they have the capabilities to run a full analysis?"

     Qwakuse fumbles with his glasses, pondering in thought, "Yes that would be ideal... their scientists would certainly be able to provide a full work up. The problem is transportation. These specimens, while being exactly what we need, are breaking down at an alarming rate. Inferring from your personal anecdote and with what little info we have to go off of, whatever this is, kills quickly and breaks down on a molecular level just as fast. Within time we won't have any specimen to work with... or at the very least one that won't provide much information."

     "Shit. Do we have anything that can prolong the life of the samples?" Akari asks.

     "Hmm... I could probably manage to rig together some sort of temperature controlled transport case. If we can keep them under low temperatures that'll certainly halt any breakdown from happening. At least enough to transport them across the country," Qwakuse says.

"That'll be our best bet then. Since the Sand are our allies we'll take it there. Qwakuse, I hate to ask more of you but could you please get that transport case done as soon as possible?" Akari respectively pleads.

The green haired man gives a thumbs up, nodding his head,"I know time is of the essence. I'll get my assistants here to help. We'll have it done in no time!"

Akari smiles before bowing, "You're a life saver, Qwakuse."

Suddenly the door flies open, slamming into the wall. In walks Azumi, white as a ghost whilst clutching a crumpled report in her hand. She approaches Akari and Qwakuse with haste, planting the report on the table.

"Azumi! What is it?" Akari asks.

"I just received a report from one of our scouts... things are getting worse by the minute. Long story short - a sort of rogue cult has formed as a result of this plague. I have a feeling they're like those weird people we ran into. They're trying to 'spread the word' of their goddess who will birth the world anew," Azumi shakily explains.

     Qwakuse's eyes go wide before motioning to his assistants. "We really are short on time. If there's people out there who can utilize this stuff, the world is in danger," he says.

     Akari grits her teeth, looking over to the man, "I'm counting on you. Meanwhile I'm going to put together an escort team. Azumi, come with me."

     The green haired ninja scientist gathers his assistants around, promptly going to work on their invention. Akari and Azumi exit the lab, leaving them to their work. As they walk the streets, Akari plants a hand on her chin in thought.

     "A team? What for?" Azumi asks.

     "We need to transport our samples to the sand village. The leaf currently doesn't have the tools to analyze our samples. Not to mention the contents have a short life expectancy. Qwakuse is going to build us a temperature controlled cooler before we make a trek to the sand village," she explains to her friend and colleague.

      "Damn it. Of all the times for this to happen... right when our village is at its weakest," Azumi replies in dismay.

      Akari rests a hand on her shoulder, putting Azumi at ease, "Remember our training. We need to keep calm. We take this one step at a time. Soon enough we'll figure out how to stop this thing before it becomes a dire threat."