Chapter-6 Arctic Waters, 64° 40′ 12″ N, 19° 11′ 22″ W Hantaa Ship 01

Doctor Akiko had examined the entire body of Object X. That was she named the more-than-a-century-old woman in front of her. She had nothing on her except a thin, chip-like plate the size of a fingernail in the pocket of her cryo-membrane shirt.

Neither Captain Shinji, Yoshido, nor the ship's IT technician knew what it was. They didn't know how to read it either. Doctor Akiko realized. Hantaa 01 was a whaling ship, not a purely scientific research vessel. They didn't have adequate equipment for these kinds of things. Maybe when they make it back to Japan later.

Object X's body temperature stabilized. Her heart rate was also normal. Doctor Akiko was only waiting for one thing now, for Object X to wake up and tell what really had happened. Cryonic projects have been conducted so far, although they had not shown much success. But this woman was over a century old which meant this project was successful at least a century ago. Amazing!

Meanwhile, the burial ceremony of the sailors had been somberly carried out. The bodies of the two crew members were properly released into the sea where they had put their lives for so long.

The diver who was injured by a shark had been treated and was out and about conducting his duties. The real duty of this diver was to shoot a harpoon while they were hunting whale. But since hunting was no longer possible, this diver was tasked with helping Yoshido on the bridge to monitor radio frequencies.

Because it took continuous monitoring to seek help. Day and night.

Captain Shinji had been in contact with his company's headquarters in Tokyo regarding the latest situation of Hantaa 01. They had another fleet not too far away. About 150 Nautical Mile from Hantaa 01 position.

That made Captain Shinji breathe a sigh of relief. At least the crew of the ship would be saved first. Because the chance of salvaging Hantaa 01 really depends on many unpredictable factors. Moreover, the Arctic sea often had unexpected weather anomalies.

One thing that was still on Captain Shinji's mind was the existence of Object X on his ship. The highly experienced captain was not a scientist. But his intuition told him that the situation could pose a danger to everyone on board. He couldn't give any rational reason for his feeling and he couldn't explain it even to himself.

It was impossible for him to make the decision to dispose the extra passenger who was clearly a living, breathing human being. It would be an act against the principles of humanity. Life in the ocean was hard. Moreover, he was the captain of a whale-hunting ship, something that was opposed by many people. For Captain Shinji, life was a choice and he chose to become a sailor. And the sea chose him to be a whale hunter. But still, humanity must be above all.

"Captain, there's bad news," Yoshido whispered in his ear. Captain Shinji looked around. If Yoshido said something in a whisper it meant he only wanted Captain Shinji to know. There were several crews on the bridge.

It would turn to panic should everyone found out what was supposed to be a secret.

Captain Shinji gestured for Yoshido to write down the news on his tablet. Yoshido nodded slowly.

Yoshido wrote, "The injured diver ® strange symptoms. In treatment room ® Doctor Akiko".

Captain Shinji drew a circle on the word symptomps and put a question mark,

Yoshido wrote, "Could be an infection. Body temperature is high and it turned blue."

Captain Shinji circled the word "blue" and wrote, "Bruises?"

Yoshido wrote, "No", and underlined the words "turned blue".

Captain Shinji stared at Yoshido. As if to say that his fears were proven.

What did Doctor Akiko say? He asked in a low voice.

"It wasn't any kind of diseases she had ever studied. But according to her initial diagnose, it was an indication of viral infection."

"Kami-sama….isolate him." The Captain ordered.

"Very well, Captain."

Yoshido left. Leaving Captain Shinji in a whirlwind of his own thoughts.

Doctor Akiko checked the diver's pulse, it was beating very fast. His body temperature was close to 41 degrees Celsius. His body shivered and the skin turned into deep blue color. The doctor was accompanied by the nurse named Asuka.

Yoshido brought this diver to see her for treatment then told everyone to leave after Doctor Akiko whispered that it might be a contagious infection. Especially when he saw, Doctor Akiko was rushing to put on a hazmat suit and Asuka followed.

Doctor Akiko had no other space for additional isolation room, so she put the diver in the same room with Object X. There was no other choice.

Once again Doctor Akiko examined the wound on the diver's arm that was bitten by shark. The wound was not very large and had been stitched properly. In addition, antibiotics have been given to prevent infection. But yet it occurred.

In her mind, Doctor Akiko traced the sequence of events when the diver boarded the ship after evacuating Object X and received immediate medical attention from her at that time.

Evacuation? Yes, this diver, who felt that his injuries were not serious, helped lifted Object X onto the ship from the surface of the sea. Doctor Akiko remembered well that there were 2 people lifting the body of Object X. This diver and the other one who was uninjured.

Once onboard, Object X was put on a stretcher and carried by the security team to the isolation room. Doctor Akiko was able to make sure the security team didn't touch Object X at all.

So, only one diver who needed to be examined to prove the theory that was running through her head.

Doctor Akiko was about to press the intercom to contact Yoshido when she saw the number 2 leader on this ship waved his hand from behind the glass door asking to meet.

"What a coincidence that Yoshido san is here. I need to check on the other diver who helped lift Object X out of the sea. Can you help Yoshido san?"

Yoshido bowed and immediately left the clinic.

Not long after, Yoshido was back accompanied by a muscular young man. He looked confused especially seeing Doctor Akiko wearing a hazmat when she started examining him.

After telling the young diver to leave. Doctor Akiko made notes in her book. The young man did not display any of the same symptoms as the infected diver. He was healthy and fine.

Hmm, it means the wound is the entry for the disease. Again, Doctor Akiko made notes.

There was a small scream from the isolation room.

Yoshido and Doctor Akiko hurriedly ran to the isolation room. Asuka was covering her mouths with both hands holding back a scream. Her hands were busy fixing her mask which seemed to have been thorned.

The diver was experiencing severe seizure. Doctors Akiko and Yoshido held his hands that were stiffly raised in the air, so he wouldn't fall off the bed. In less than 30 seconds, the stiff body suddenly relaxed by itself. The vital signs on the monitor sounded flat. The diver let go his last breath.

Doctor Akiko checked his vital signs from his neck and wrist. She couldn't feel anything. The diver was dead.

Doctor Akiko took a deep breath. Something bothered her. This diver must had died from an unusual virus. One thing that she needed was to be sure off how the virus being transmitted. They were on a ship without an engine adrift in the middle of nowhere.

The exhausted looking doctor turned to Asuka.

"Are you okay?"

Asuka shook her head while holding back the stinging pain on her cheek scratched by the diver's fingernails that had spasmed violently earlier. At that time, she tried to hold the diver's hands so he would not continue the strange act.

She saw the diver was trying to strangle his own neck during the violent convulsion earlier.