Chapter 79: Injecting the S1.
October 31st – Afternoon
Raccoon City Police Department, Conference Room
"You're telling me you've developed a virus with only a one-in-a-thousand chance of mutation after infection?"
Jill stood up in disbelief. "Are you serious, Malrick?"
She wasn't the only one.
The entire room reacted. People pushed out of their chairs, jaws slack, stunned eyes fixed on Malrick and Tony seated at the head of the table.
A virus that had crippled global science… and these two? They cracked it in two days.
At this point, if someone shouted that Stark was a god, most would just nod.
"No need to be so shocked," Tony said, brushing Malrick aside and rising with theatrical flair. "I know what you're all thinking: Did God prank me when I woke up this morning?"
He extended his arms like he was embracing the whole world.
"But it's real. I swear on the name of Iron Man: the end of the world ends today!"
He paused dramatically.
...No response.
Tony blinked, glanced around, and awkwardly waved his fingers. "Uh, guys? This is the part where you cheer, scream, maybe break out into a spontaneous dance?"
The conference room finally caught on, erupting with applause. People rushed forward, hoisting Tony into the air and chanting "Iron Man! Iron Man!" over and over.
Malrick quietly stepped back, leaning against the wall and shaking his head at the ridiculous scene.
"Quite the showman, isn't he?"
Ada appeared beside him, amused.
"That's Tony," Malrick said with a faint smile. "Always had a need to perform."
"That's not what I meant." Ada curled a finger around Malrick's palm playfully. "He's loud and flashy. You're more the quiet type—wait for the right moment, then drop the bomb. The kind of guy who lets results do the talking."
Malrick raised an eyebrow. "Thanks for helping me realize I do share a common trait with my brother."
Ada grinned. "Anytime, boss."
"They'll throw a party again tonight," she added, brushing her fingers against his.
"The usual spot."
"Copy that. See you there."
---
But Tony's dream party never happened.
In a post-apocalyptic world, no one wanted to waste resources—not when hope had just been handed back to them.
Instead of celebration, people poured into work. They burned with purpose. Everyone was desperate to get the newly developed virus and fight to reclaim their homes.
Volunteers for the trial were recruited on the spot.
When asked, no one hesitated. Not even for a second.
They weren't afraid of dying in the lab—they were afraid of not being chosen. This was their chance.
The civil servants Jill had gathered were warriors in spirit—ready to risk everything.
They drew lots to determine the order.
The first to go: Malrick S. Kennedy—the new officer who'd earned the nickname "Three Lights" from Malrick at a recent cocktail party.
---
Thirty Minutes Later – Underground Lab
Crowds pressed against the reinforced glass outside the containment lab.
Inside, Kennedy was strapped to the operating table. Dozens of nutrient tubes were embedded in his arms. Malrick, suited up in protective gear, carefully injected the final form of the S virus into Kennedy's bloodstream.
Golden fluid coursed into his veins.
"Come on, Three Lights, hang in there!"
"You've got this! Mr. Malrick chose you—don't waste the title!"
Just days ago, Kennedy had nervously asked Malrick for a nickname. After pretending to ponder seriously, Malrick declared him a blend of brightness, optimism, and energy. Hence: "Three Lights."
Kennedy had embraced the name ever since—his pride obvious. The nickname sparked envy throughout the department.
Now, that pride was being put to the test.
The reaction was immediate.
Veins bulged. Muscles swelled. Kennedy screamed—a long, ragged, almost inhuman sound.
His body writhed against the restraints, metal groaning under the pressure.
Malrick didn't flinch. Calm and focused, he placed a hand on Kennedy's chest, keeping him down as he continued monitoring vitals.
For seven long minutes, Kennedy screamed.
And for seven minutes, everyone outside held their breath.
Eventually, Kennedy went still. Panting. Alive.
Malrick scanned his body with enhanced vision, tested muscle response, and nodded.
"It worked. No mutations. Virus enhancement successful."
He carried the now-heavy Kennedy to a cot outside the lab.
Cheers erupted.
---
The next volunteers moved quickly.
Thanks to Kennedy's precedent, everyone was mentally prepared. Marvin. Elliot. Carlos. Even "Fatty" from Logistics—they all took their turn.
Every single enhancement succeeded.
No mutations.
In fact, the newly enhanced volunteers even began assisting Malrick, speeding up the process.
By nightfall, all members of the temporary Colorado Republic's administration had received the S virus.
Out of more than 1,700 individuals, only one experienced mutation. But even he was stabilized after receiving the antiviral serum.
For that one unlucky soul, Malrick had only this to offer: sympathy.
Because the antiviral serum created permanent immunity—which meant he could never receive enhancement again.
In a world where everyone else was evolving, he'd be left behind.
A harsh twist of fate. But no one could blame Malrick—or Tony—or even science.
If anyone was to blame, it was the mysterious force behind everything: the world consciousness.
---
All newly enhanced subjects were placed under observation.
Malrick returned to the lab with Ada, Jill, and Sherry.
This time, he injected them with the SS2 Serum—a superior version that included traits from the Extremis virus.
The results were stunning.
All three gained super-regeneration.
Sherry, still a teenager, had her own limitations due to growth.
But Ada and Jill?
They became powerhouses—able to lift over 40 tons, with reaction times nearing supersonic speeds.
And their bodies would only continue improving.
But what surprised Malrick most… was their attitude.
When he explained the world consciousness's demand for more adaptable viruses, none of them protested.
In fact, they agreed.
They believed evolution should never be capped.
Malrick was left questioning himself. Maybe he'd misjudged the world consciousness. Maybe... it wasn't a villain at all.
---
In the Days That Followed
With no side effects in any of the enhanced citizens, Jill gave the green light.
The final version of the S virus was made available to the entire city.
Everyone willing to undergo enhancement would receive full support.
The public trusted the temporary government.
The moment the announcement was made, people flooded the registration booths.
Some began calling Jill the "Goddess of Victory"—a title earned through months of standing on the frontlines, shielding others from harm.
She'd done what every leader dreamed of: earning the love of the people.
---
Meanwhile...
While enhancement surged through Raccoon City, Malrick and Tony were preparing for the final step.
The SS3 serum was complete.
And soon... they'd inject it themselves.
---