The Healer

"Yeah," Alina shrugged her shoulders. "Don't wise people always say: Steps, meetings, marriages, and death are already arranged by God?"

"Yeah," said Yu slightly weakly. Of course, Yu had and often heard of this.

However, those words were usually only spoken by lower-middle-class people. It would sound strange if this was said by someone like Alina who came from the elite.

Or, do elite people also believe in God's destiny?

"You're a good man, Yu," said Alina later. "You are honest with yourself. It's just that, if I had to do what you wanted—and believe me, I'm quite impressed with you, it would hurt a lot, Yu. My parents, my fiancé…"

"Yeah, for sure!" Yu exhaled such a heavy breath. "Speaking of the elite," said Yu who tried to change the subject just to comfort the disappointment in his heart. "Is it true, that you guys have magic serum?"

"You probably meant the Healer serum."

"Yeah, that one! The Healer," said Yu. "Is the serum magical? I mean, can cure all kinds of diseases? Well, at least, that's what's circulating among the commoners."

Alina smiled faintly at the man's words and she could feel that he was feeling disappointed in his heart for what he wanted.

"No," said Alina. "That's not how the serum works. Indeed, the goal is the same, to prevent various types of disease. However, the serum does not work as a direct drug but is injected into the body to strengthen the immune system. In other words, it would take at least a hundred days for the serum to properly fuse and become part of the human immune system."

"Hmm, there's also other news about the serum circulating in the community."

"Oh, really?" said Alina. "And what is that?"

"They say that serum makes a man stronger in bed."

Alina giggled hearing this. "So, that's the issue that's been circulating between you guys, huh?"

"Well, that's how it is," Yu smiled to himself. "Wouldn't that be amazing if it was true?"

"What kind of medicine do you think the serum is, Yu?" asked Alina. "A viagra potion, is that what you think?"

"I don't know," said Yu. "But, many people believe that the serum is the same as the viagra. A top quality one."

"Oh my…" Alina shook her head. "Now I know why The Healer serum is a bone of contention among the lower classes even though the price is very, very expensive."

"Yeah, that's how it is. That's why I thought the same thing."

"Ridiculous," Alina giggled again.

"But it's possible, isn't it?" Yu said. "Didn't you use the serum yourself, if my guess was right?"

"Well, you're not wrong. I did use the serum," said Alina. "Just like all the elites."

"Yeah, I thought so."

"But, I don't know if the serum can make someone crazy in bed," continued the beautiful doctor. "After all, I'm a girl, Yu. Not a boy."

Yu laughed softly at that. "I think the serum is magical because it can cure various diseases."

"Well, that's exactly what the serum was created for."

"Tell me," said Yu. "Did all the crew on The Ark get a shot of The Healer's serum?"

"Of course," Alina smiled, shaking her head. "They are prepared as people who will build a new human civilization on an alien planet. They need it, Yu. To prevent the various microorganisms that might have existed on their destination planet from infecting them."

"Some kind of initial shield, I see?"

"Yeah, you could say that."

***

Yu ended his simulation session earlier than the previous days and immediately continued with the session at the pool, supervised by a male doctor who was around the same age as him.

After all, Alina went straight home when the first session was over. However, she had advised Yu that the man should visit the online library owned by Akimura Tech, to learn more about anything related to his mission later.

"You're getting better at keeping your composure, Yu," said the male doctor.

"Thank you," said Yu as he exited the pool.

"All right, Yu," said the doctor. "Just drink the neutralizing liquid immediately, will you? You haven't drunk it, right?"

"Yeah, I know."

"See you tomorrow, Yu."

"See you tomorrow, Doc."

Here the man was now, in the large and very clean bathroom. Daydreaming as ever, under the pouring water from the faucet above his head.

Yu finished his meal quickly. Also, a glass of serum neutralizing liquid that he had previously used during the simulation session with Alina. And after that, Yu went to another special room where there was a computer set with a big screen.

From his explorations in cyberspace, Yu got some additional information about The Healer serum.

The serum was first created 20 years ago for the ambition of the elite to avoid a bad death, at least in their eyes. Well, death is due to viruses, bacteria, or other germs. A word that sounded noble from their mouths to cover their true desire: Eternal life.

Ridiculous! Yu thought.

Doesn't every living thing die in the end? Then, what kind of arrogance are those elites trying to achieve?

Yu couldn't find an answer to the question that popped into his head. There was only one word that crossed his mind: Sky-piercing arrogance. Well, that's more than a word.

Yu laughed alone while looking at the computer screen in front of him.

Yes, the serum, which is named The Healer, was developed in conjunction with the year the Ark-01 crew's departure to Planet Kepler-22b.

"Hmm, does that mean the crew of the Ark-01 has also received injections of the serum?" Yu nodded slightly. "Yeah, that's for sure. After all, they are the pioneers who will build a new civilization."

Oh, forget it! thought Yu. No matter how tempting the serum was for him to get, it won't happen. The price of the serum was too high for someone like Yu.

Yu also took the time to read things related to the Black Hole which scientists gave the nickname The Black Eye.

He was quite fascinated to see the pictures and video recordings about the Black Hole on his computer screen. The shape of the Black Hole is indeed exactly like an eye, located at one point in the Norma Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. The collection of cosmic clouds and dust that surrounds the Black Hole is what forms the celestial body like an eye.

"Will I be okay when I enter that Black Hole later?" he muttered to himself, and then he smiled. "It doesn't matter though. If I'm not going okay, I will still enjoy it. I will meet my mom and dad."

Yu also took the time to look around the various types of galaxies that have been identified by scientists. After observing for a while the Milky Way Galaxy, Yu focused on the Andromeda Galaxy which is the closest galaxy to the Milky Way.

"So we're neighbors, huh?"

Yu chuckled to himself. The reason is simple, The Ark-02 which ten years ago left Earth, left this Solar System and even left the Milky Way Galaxy to go to the Andromeda.

"Have they arrived yet?" he thought. "Two and a half million light-years… My God, how really far the between of two?"

Or, could they be dead? He thought again. Maybe lost? Or, could they run out of food and drink?

Yu juxtaposed images of the Andromeda Galaxy with the Milky Way Galaxy.

"Looks almost the same to me," he muttered. "Only… the Milky Way looks brighter."

Well, of course, the man thought then. Given the distance, it is certain that the Andromeda Galaxy can only be observed and photographed from afar-far away. Maybe there is much more beautiful than the Milky Way.

Who can tell the truth?

***