Outbreak

This Shouldn't Take Long...

Day 41

Sabre's P.O.V.

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My arms are sore from sweeping, and my pants stained from redstone dust, but at last the room is clean.  Not wasting any time, I rush up the stairs, ready to grab the vial and go.

I hesitate, however, when I see Green.  He's sitting by the window, blocking my way to the chest where the vial is kept.  His gaze doesn't move from the glass, even as I come in.  He looks almost... sad.

"Uh, you okay, bud?"  I ask.  "The Professor didn't scare you, right?  I know he can be a lot, but-"

"Look!"  He points, and I peer out to see an Orange Steve walking down the street, waving to the guards on either side.  "There are so many steves here!  I used to think I'd never see another Green Steve again, but there are dozens here.  I've seen Yellow Steves, and Pinkish Steves and Dark Purple Steves and Fire-y Steves and Orange Steves-"  I hide a soft chuckle.  I remember when I first entered this world, and was also surprised by just how many steves live here.  I guess Green's still getting used to it, even if he can't name them all correctly.  "Woah, what kind of steve is he?"

I follow his gaze, only to see the Violet Leader.  The guards to either side salute respectfully as he walks by.  To anyone who doesn't know him, however, he hardly looks like a Violet Steve at all.

"He's a Violet Steve, like those other pink steves you mentioned."  I begin.  "Actually, he's the Violet Leader, in charge of this whole kingdom.  He just looks pale because he got his energy removed.  He wanted to be safe when he went to visit the infected steves."

"Oh.  That's pretty brave."

"Yeah, I guess he is."  I stay for a moment, watching the Violet Leader retreat, before jolting to my senses.  I still need to grab that vial of sickness.  Reaching around my cloaked friend, I swipe the bottle out of its chest, careful not to break it.  "Sorry, Green, I'd better catch up to him."  I apologize even as I rush down the stairs.  "Will you be okay on your own?"

Green just nods, returning his gaze to the window.

I dart out into the street, waving to the guards as I go.  It doesn't take me long to catch up with the Violet Leader, tapping him lightly on the shoulder.

"Violet Leader?"  He casts me a questioning look.  "The Green Steve group probably just went home for the day, but I need them right now.  Do you know how to round them up?"  The royal frowns in response.

"How urgent is it?  I don't want them being overworked."

"Extremely."  I say quickly.  There's a second of silence before Violet Leader gestures the guards closer.

"Go look in the Green Sector for the Green Research Group."  he commands.  "And please hurry."

I breathe a sigh of relief.  This shouldn't take long at all.

I'm sitting at the building we do meetings in, watching as more steves file in.  The Colorless Guard managed to bring almost the entire team here.

The Green Steves look at me expectantly, eyeing the vial in my hand with curiosity.

As the Head Doctor takes his seat around the table, he performs a quick head count, then nods.

"That should be everyone.  Sabre, why don't you tell us why you had us brought over?  Something about an emergency?  What did you find?" he prompts.