The Mutation Wave

Chapter 6: Marianne's Past

Electronic lights flickered and computer fans whirred quietly in the dimly lit room while a flurry of clicking permeated the oppressive silence. A man hunched over a computer keyboard, his eyebrows furrowing as he furiously typed away. A loud creaking sound echoed around the room as a door opened, interrupting the rhythmic clicking of the mechanical keys.

"Do you think yourself a mad scientist? Or do you just enjoy ignoring the benefits that I'm providing you with?"

"O- oh sorry Firdaus, I didn't-" The man flinched as light flooded the room with a loud click of a switch. A slow but steady rhythm of clacking of boots resounded as the intruder walked towards the man.

"What's the problem?"

"I found another transmitter. It's on the move from Sector 161's naval base."

"Where is it now?"

"It appears to be on the water. Maybe the sector official is still carrying it...?"

Firdaus stared at the man with cold, unblinking eyes. "Tell me, Zacharias. Do you think a zombie can swim? Or would you like to find out for yourself?"

Zacharias reeled back in fear. "N- no! Silly me. Somebody must have taken it! It must have been Dietrich. Or maybe it's the Red Clover! Or... or-"

"Keep tracking the device and set up a comms link with Alexei in five minutes," Firdaus interrupted him coldly. "Intercept it as soon as possible. We already lost one in that asylum; this is our chance to continue our research on its amplification capabilities." He turned swiftly on his heel and walked out of the room.

"Oh, and unless you want to spend the rest of your life in darkness, I suggest you appreciate the light I am providing you with."

Zacharias gulped and nodded his head meekly. He turned back to the digital map on his computer screen and looked at the blinking red dot, tracing its projected trajectory leading to a large body of land. His eyes narrowed as he zoomed in on its name.

Sector 162.

~ ~ ~

Calm waves lapped against the boat, rocking it gently like a caring mother lulling her baby to sleep. The pale moonlight bounced off the turquoise sea, dimly reflecting the contorted face of a man.

"Blargh! Oof..." William opened his mouth, but he had nothing left to throw up. He pushed himself away from the side of the yacht and slumped down on the deck. He raised his hand weakly and blobs of water started to condense out of the air. They floated down towards his pale lips, joining the multiple streams of water into one as William slowly lapped up the water. He closed his eyes, clutching his stomach and breathing heavily.

"Sucks to be seasick, huh." Marianne looked through the window from the comfort of the rest area as she slowly sorted out the contents of her bag. Masako lazed on the sofa, munching on a packet of army rations gifted to them by the soldiers.

"The waves are pretty calm though," she laughed. "Ironic how badly affected he is, considering his power."

"Hey, what's that?" Masako pointed at a small cylindrical object that slightly resembled a speaker.

"Dunno. Probably just some junk I swept in my bag while packing-"

"That looks like some sort of communication device." William staggered down the steps into the room, his legs trembling as he held onto the railings for support.

"I can feel electromagnetic waves transmitting from it," Masako whispered.

"Transmitting to where?" Marianne examined the object.