[Chapter Nine]

She floated and bobbed up and down within the confines of the liquid. A tube strapped tightly to her mouth and nose, the old man had reasonably taken the mouth-guard with his gloved hand. He had also taken the initiative to burn his personal protective equipment in the furnace after and request new ones. There was also a strict general cleaning in the facility they, were not going to take any chances of allowing these zombies to proliferate their place. The two had cleaned the place despite no one else knowing of the matter yet. The specimen was truly unique and very rare to be found.

“Has anyone talked with the research director?” Someone from the crowd, of people wearing the same uniformed personal protective wear, murmured. They were just suddenly called by the office to gather in their cafeteria while they were in the middle of their work.

Doctor Aberly went out of the equipment room after getting approval for his request. Quickly, he downed his laboratory coat, mask, and surgical gloves. By now, every staff is chattering about the reason why they were called in, looked in his direction before continuing their conversation.

“Doc. Aberly!” Lucy called anxiously from the crowd, a couple of co-workers came with her when she moved towards Aberly’s direction. “I have informed the director, he wanted to call a meeting about it”, Lucy kindly informed the old man who was looking confusedly at the sheer amount of people crowding the area. She added more emphasis on the word it, hinting to the old doctor about the package that the person she calls as lieutenant barf left for them. They were not even authorized to perform any study on the phenomena of the decaying and aggressive walking dead people. They are a genetic and psychology research facility, not a facility that handles diseases. The two, and even the director, had no idea why they were made to house such a creature in their facility.

Beep

“Director Avillido”, a voice from the other line grumbled. “I see that they decided to leave it to you.”

“Director Felitchs. I, on behalf of my researchers, cannot fathom why it is so.” Director Avillido, Edmund was unsure what the higher-ups were thinking of sending this infected child to their facility. Wouldn’t it be better if it was sent to this arrogant person’s facility instead? He didn’t want to place an unnecessary burden on his employees, he was even worried that they wouldn’t be able to handle this thing inside their facility.

“Is that so”, the person on the other side spoke without an ounce of emotion. “I’ve called to inform you that we’re sending people there, by their order.” There was a long pause after that, it seemed like both sides were waiting for any reaction from each other.

“I’ll arrange for their lodgings”, Director Avillido finally broke the silence. The atmosphere is littered with the heaviness of oppression. Five years ago, Director Felitchs was but ahead of the largest research facility. He was headstrong stubborn and very much cold. His daughter Ana had a child, who, later died very young. This director then made decisions that ended with the greatest failure he had to face. His daughter could not take what he did, decided to rebel against him and forever shutting the project down. The phone call ended like how it began, professionally with only needed words uttered between the two. He sighed tiredly, massaging from his forehead going down to the bridge of his nose. He felt like a headache would be coming around the corner.

“The director is here”, one of the researchers near the door announced to the rest who are busy chattering about their subjects. The place which was full of murmuring quietened down, the air became much more solemn. “Director”, everyone said in acknowledgment.

“Everybody is here, good.” He said after confirming with his secretary that, everyone was accounted for. He needed to inform them first of their situation. “Most of you might not know it yet”, he began after letting out a suppressed cough. “It is of great relevance that everyone must know about the situation we are thrust in. Today, I would like everyone to remember that what happens inside remains in this facility.” Everyone nodded in acceptance of what he said despite the clear look of dissatisfaction and curiosity. “A package has just arrived, Doctor Aberly has taken care of the content but I would like to ask all of you to proceed to the furnace room and burn your personal protective equipment. The higher-ups will provide us new ones.” He looked at the expression of his employees.

“I will not hide this away from you all, this matter is quite delicate and we have no way of refusing this. The army group that was sent out to collect information on these zombies have returned and successfully brought in a living specimen.” They became more and more dissatisfied as others paled due to fear.

“This can’t be!”

“Don’t they know we specify in living humans?”

“If they want us gone then we’ll comply! Why send a harbinger of death to us?”

Director Avillido knew the concerns of the people working for him but he can’t refuse this, they did not give them anyway out of this situation. “This is why I would like to impose stricter regulation. We cannot afford to be infected. I would want only a small number of doctors, researchers, and essential personnel near the specimen. No one comes near the room where the tube number 89347 is located, it will be a restricted area.” He does not want to deal with this specimen at all, there was too much risk in keeping it with them.

“New personnel will be seen, they will be solely involved with this specimen. They will require assistance from us in regards to the equipment and the facility, so I would be expecting you all to get along with them well.” He left after, the employees would be talking amongst themselves and he could not afford to keep all of them there either. There is still work needed to be done. As he and his secretary walked back to his office, they chatted about preparations on the way to not lose time. There will be a meeting in two days' time for the directors of every research institute. It might be about this matter, he thought. He shrugged it off at the back of his mind and focused on the currently brewing issues.

The people left behind went on talking amongst themselves, discussing this shocking news. They are not happy with it; the director also seems at a loss for the answers. They simply just couldn't go back with their work with the threat that was being housed in their workplace looming over their minds.