Age of Apocalypse

Virus?

Global panic across the world spreads as the ongoing threat of a biological virus classed as NCC-1701, or Enterprise Flu, enters North America, where millions of innocent citizens are now put in quarantine. If you feel any symptoms leading to Enterprise Flu, immediately call the number on the screen below.

Oliver turned off the TV and lifted his mask. He looked outside his house and saw hundreds of people herded by a squad of police officers wearing hazmat suits. Oliver grabbed his jacket and went outside.

"Officer?" asked Oliver. "What's happening to these people?"

"Careful there, guy," said one officer. "These people are infected. Better put that mask of yours on there."

Oliver put on his mask. "Have you found out who's responsible for the Enterprise Flu?"

"Nah, but we're working on it. Say, aren't you that Oliver King man? That, eh, bio-whats-its specialist?"

"Yes," Oliver replied. "And I'm trying as best I can to make a cure for this virus."

"We all are," said the officer. "Believe me."

"Best take these people to a safe spot," said Oliver. "I have to get to the lab."

"Aye, take care."

Oliver hurried along the streets to the laboratory where he worked, King Labs. He flashed his ID card at the security officer at the entrance and entered the main lab where he conducted all his work.

"Higgs, any progress?" asked Oliver to a worker.

"Negative, Oliver," said Peter Higgins. "The NCC-1701 always seems to counteract any medication we test. But we did find something out."

"And that is?"

"Come over here," said Peter, leading him to a holographic display. "Here we have a close-up shot of an NCC-1701 molecule. And here..." Peter pressed a few buttons on his iPad,"This is a close-up shot of a molecule of our latest medication."

"Okay."

"Now watch what happens to the molecule of the medication."

Peter pressed a button on his iPad. A video played on the display. The NCC-1701 appeared to have opened a jaw and devoured the medication.

"As you can see, the NCC-1701 seems to have characteristics of a sort of symbiote or an animal. It may not be a virus at all-"

"But a classifiable living creature." said Oliver. "But then-"

He was interrupted by the sound of glass breaking behind him. One of his scientists doubled over and started coughing up blood. He took one of the Applied Sciences Division's Microscopic View Glasses and put them on. He saw just on a sliver of exposed skin the NCC-1701 biting away at the scientist until it made a hole in the skin and entered it.

"Get everyone out," said Oliver. "And quarantine the room. Peter, with me, my office."

Oliver hurried to his office, Peter trailing behind him.

"The Enterprise Flu," said Oliver panting as he opened his office door. "It enters the body a single molecule at a time. That's how it spreads. The first molecule makes a tiny hole invisible to the naked eye while the rest wait somewhere far away."

"So that means they're intelligent?" asked Peter.

"It may be a new form of life, yes," said Oliver. "But what if it's not. Remember, the Enterprise Flu arrived about the same time as the explosion a few months ago. Maybe..."

"You're saying it's an alien invasion?"

"Exactly. Remember what was in the rubble of the explosion? A tiny rock, except it wasn't really a rock, was it?"

An alarm started to sound. Peter and Oliver rushed out of the building to see people lying on the ground dead at the entrance.

"It's spreading fast in this building. Hurry, Peter! We need to stop by my place. I know where we need to go."