When Dr. Isaac Gilmore tweaks the genetic code of a captured alien virus in 2041, he accidentally creates an unspeakably destructive shapeshifting plague—dubbed the Xeno-5 Strand. What begins as an isolated lab outbreak in a futuristic Tokyo research institute soon erupts into a full-scale global disaster.

Just years after the world beat back the original Xeno-3 epidemic, this new mutant “protean” strain proves even deadlier, triggering chilling bodily transformations. In hours, the entire metro area becomes engulfed by a biological tidal wave turning millions into ravenous beasts acting as one.

With apocalyptic annihilation looming, special operative Jiro Yamada ventures into the hotzone’s shifting landscape of alien tissue, nightmarish architecture and strange psychic phenomena to rescue Dr. Gilmore and secure research needed to formulate a cure. However, shadowy political interests have other plans for deploying the lab-grown viral payload that Jiro is determined to stop at all costs.

He bands together with the doctor’s gifted young daughter and a squad of misfit scavengers caught behind enemy lines. But can their makeshift alliance adapt fast enough to withstand the nightmare bubbling up from secret military Crypt labs seeded across the city? Hope hangs in the balance on whether Jiro’s team can uncover a counteragent before a key zero hour when Protean will enter an unstoppable final stage.

Protean Relapse 2041

Dr. Jiang wheeled the cart down the bright laboratory corridor, glancing over his shoulder nervously. 


…..The vials and Petri dishes clinked softly, belying the lethal power contained within. He punched codes into the heavy locked door and it slid open with a hiss. 


"There you are! We were starting to worry the cleaners might have to scrub you off the floor," 


Dr. Alyssa Turner quipped as Jiang entered. 


She leaned casually against the lab table, spinning a pen over long, elegant fingers. 


….Jiang threw her a scowl. Still, his heart lurched in secret thrill hearing Alyssa joke so boldly with him. 


 Beneath her breezy postgrad exterior hid razor wits and radiant ambition that intoxicated him. 


"Save the weak humor. I'm risking my neck fetching these classified samples," Jiang grumbled, locking down the storage freezer. 


….He began running the test prep systems, keenly aware of Alyssa’s warm shoulder nearly brushing his. 


Dyford corporation