Shadow: Awakening

Shadow: The Contagious Cure

I lie on the table, dumbfounded. Did Gerald just say that he is going to use me to save the world?! "Gerald, if I may, how are you going to obtain the cure?" the same brunette female inquires, "After all, NIDS is extremely contagious..."

"I have long thought on the matter, Sylvia, and I have started to devise a method. I shall explain more later, however, it would be better to wait until curious ears are no longer listening." Does he not trust the scientists? Or is he referring to me? I just can't figure this guy out! My thoughts are rudely interrupted by Gerald continuing his earlier conversation. "Ahem." How inconsiderate. "As I was starting to say earlier, I believe it is time for Shadow to meet Maria. I need to collect a sample of the NIDS disease; which should not prove difficult if I use one of the medical care robots to take a scan of the air and surfaces around her. The only problem will be exposing Shadow to the disease without infecting anyone else aboard with it." Wait, he wants to expose me to a contagious disease?! So THAT'S what he meant when he said he would obtain a cure from me!

"But sir, what if it doesn't work? You know as well as I that NIDS kills anyone exposed to it! It's the most deadly disease known to humankind; it has a 100% fatality rate!" 100% fatality rate?! Is Gerald TRYING to kill me?! Does he want a cure, or just a way to get rid of me?! I regret ever talking back now, that's for sure!

The look on my face must have tipped off Gerald that I was listening, because he glanced at me several times in succession with a worried look on his face. "That is why we need to hurry." He replied in a low voice, "Now, no more on the subject when we're within Shadow's hearing range!" So he DID notice me blanching! Just great, now I won't be able to learn anything more by listening in... So now I'll just have to await my fate in ignorance. Wonderful. Turning to the rest of the room, Gerald raised his voice and said, "Now, I shall be off to smooth out the specifics of the operation." Operation?! On me or someone else?! "I would like to remind you that while you are used to speaking freely of matters in the lab, you will not be able to do so today." He made a vague gesture with his hand in my direction. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir, very clear!" chorused the room.

"Good. I expect reports later on Sha--on you-know-who's activities. Strawson, keep tabs for me." Then he turned on his heel and left the way he came.