Raziel

He'd infected nearly 100 fertilized embryos with the AS virus. Of the initial batch, only 50% of them survived the infection. They were maturing far more quickly than any normal human embryos ever would. Already they displayed the characteristics of 8-week-old fetuses. Small nodes for the hands and feet were clearly visible. Some were making initial minute movements while others had small hallows where eyes would eventually develop, should they live that long. The embryos had been infected and fertilized only a mere 48 hours ago. Their development was unprecedented, however there were no standards for growing a mutated child that Raziel knew of. He could only infer the AS virus was speeding up the artificial gestation process. Before him the fetus tank stood. He'd opted to move his experiment to the labs provided in the containment wards. Should an unspeakable atrocity be created, there would be measure to prevent it from spreading to the rest of the compound.

Humans born with the AS virus as part of their genetic code-they would be unnatural to say the least. It was literally in their genes. Raziel expected them-those few fetuses before him who would survive-to be short lived. If their life processes were anything like their gestation period thus far. Their blood however, would contain the antigens necessary viral immunities for the thousands not so lucky to be born as they were. This was the buffer needed to soften the AS virus for normal humans. As it was, the chances of survival for any number of the remaining embryos were beginning to look grim. The infection had gone awry in ten of the fifty remaining embryos, as displayed by their already misshapen figures. He suspected the misshapen embryos were not long for this world.

"What are you doing?" a voice made Raziel pause in his ponderings. Turning he saw it was the human-the man, Mike-he had shared the laboratory with. His beard was scraggling and a distinct, offending odor wafted from him. How had this man tracked him to his lab?

"An experiment," Raziel replied evenly, readying himself for a barrage of questions. Raziel had already observed Mike's tenacious appetite for understanding the mysteries about him. The matter wouldn't be settled with the human until his curiosity was satisfied.

"Really? Look whatever it is, it's setting off my electrometric readers from here," Mike said. He held up a small electronic box with small bulbs lighting up on it. "Something that can put out that much electric current has to be incredible. Most humans generate less than a half a voltage of electricity, but whatever you have over there is generating nearly 15 ohms. Would you mind if I took a quick peek at-"

"If you must," Raziel said with a breath. "Though I hardly think you'll find a peek enough to satisfy your exceptional curiosity." Mike chuckled as he approached.

"You sound like a character out of a video game."

"Beg pardon?" Raziel raised an eyebrow. "I seldom have the time for modern entertainment."

"Ah, I mean you're well spoken," Mike retorted, scratching his chin. He leaned over, his face nearly pressing against the fetus tank's glass wall. His face gave away to puzzlement. "Are these…are these embryos? How far along are they?" Mike rubbing his chin again; his thick fingers stroked the scraggly beard. "I haven't had a biology class since high school."

"Who can say?" Raziel responded. "It is an experiment after all."

"Whoa, wait a minute, you're experimenting on human embryos," Mike said surprised. He took a step backwards. "Does Hunnigan know what you are doing?"

"Your understanding of biology seems understated," Raziel sighed. "I did not say they were human embryos but yes, Ms. Hunnigan knows. I was commissioned by the government of the United States of a America to create a vaccination against weaponized diseases," Raziel paused, frowning at the developing embryos. "These embryos will contain necessary genetic anomalies from which immunities can be extracted. They are a necessary existence."

"If people find out they were saved through genetically altered humans, they'll be picketing from here to Sunday," Mike exclaimed.

"I understand the moral and social mores I have treaded upon," Raziel began.

"You didn't just tread on them, you took your scientific boot and beat them in ass," Mike interrupted. "They'll crucify your career if this reaches the light of day."

"Do you think those who have lost a precious one to the infection would object to a cure?" Raziel said patiently. "Are you going to make it your crusade to expose the evils of the government?"

"Hey man," Mike raised his hands in mock defeat. "I am one of the evils of the government. I don't care what you do, but…"

"But?"

"Would it be possible to collaborate?" A nervous grin was barely visible beneath Mike's bushy mustache.

"How so?" Raziel was cautious but not suspicious. Mike would not be the down fall of this experiment. He already knew this. As an angel it was one of the Truths afforded to him.

"I'm getting readings I haven't seen in a while on this," Mike pointed to the multi-meter in his pocket. "I'm guessing those embryos are far from normal."

"They are infected with genetic anomalies that make the weaponized T-Virus, G-Virus, and Uroburos Virus so deadly to the human immune system."

"So they're weird then, right?" Mike scratched his head. Raziel sighed.

"Yes, they're different from normal human embryos."

"Right, so can I take a quick reading every now and again? I'm just going to measure the amount of electrical current running around the embryos. Would it be possible to chart the readings to add to my data?"

"So long as you do not negate the development of the embryos." A huge grin lit up Mike's face.

"Sweet. That's awesome man." Mike was already playing with his multi-meter. "Hmm." The small machine beeped. "I can get the rest of what I need from the electric bill. I'll let you know my findings when I complete them." Raziel nodded his agreement as Mike turned away and slowly crossed the lab, intent on the multi-meter in his hands.

Sarah

Containment Ward

Sarah kicked at the wall with one of her heels. Her head hung over the edge of the small cot, her legs stretched up the wall. She stared blankly at the overhead light before her gaze traveled to the man resting on the gurney on the opposite side of the room. He had only woken up once or twice since he'd been haphazardly pushed into the room with her.

Even upside down the man looked pale. Some nurses had come in and wheeled him away a day ago. He'd returned not more than three hours later with fresh bandages on his neck and an IV baggy hanging over his head. Every couple of hours a nurse would come in and check on the old man.

In all the activity, Sarah had managed to sweet talk one of them into bringing her a Sudoku puzzle and a pencil the size of a toothpick. Both lay on the cot next to her, the puzzle half done. Sarah stared at the old man as he slept. It had been nearly a month since Lor had been outside the window asking what her choice was. Dismissing the thought, she scratched her short and spikey hair. It had only been a month but the cue ball look was already gone. In its place an auburn field of inch long grass had risen. It wasn't long enough to do anything other than be a nuisence.

Sighing, Sarah rolled onto her side and sat up. With a yawn she rose from the cot, making the bed chains rattle quietly. The man's breathing was raspy but even. It filled the room as she tiptoed her way towards him. Sarah leaned over the gurney rail. The man had a little paunch to him, a stomach that made a rise in his bed sheets. He had grey hair and a face lined with hardship wrinkles. They were more severe, perhaps, because of his dormant state.

Both of the man's hands were chained to his gurney rails. She remembered her own wrists had been similarly bound when she'd first been admitted. Scratching her fuzzy head one more time, Sarah leaned over the man. He didn't look like a flesh eating zombie. He didn't even have any bit wounds on him. Unless his neck had been one…

Glancing out to the bare hallway, she inched closer. No way was she going to be trapped in a room with a man who had been bitten. Gently her fingertips brushed the bandaging at his throat. She peeled back at the medical tape. The man stirred, grunting softly. Sarah froze, taking a still breath. When he didn't wake, she continued to slowly peel back the medical tape. When the last of it came free she peeled back the white gauze. It took a lot to keep from recoiling.

On the man's neck a large wound had been stitched up. It was a neck wound. What in the world? The man swallowed hard, coughing gently. Gasping, she looked up to see the dark eyes of the old man watching her. Caught red handed, she froze for a moment before clumsily replacing the gauze at his throat.

"I-I'm sorry. They brought you in here two days ago," she said hastily, backing away from the man. "I just wanted to know if you'd been…um…bitten. I don't want to share with a zomb…um…I'm your cellmate," she finished lamely.

"Where am I?" the man's voice was a raspy shade of pain.

"Underground?" Sarah hazard. "Um…there was an um…thing with diseases? Like the one that happened at Raccoon City, you know? Were you there? In the cities, I mean." The man didn't answer her questions, instead he cleared out his throat. When he spoke next it was obvious that it pained him to speak.

"Is there water?"

"Ah, hang on, I'll try getting a nurse." The man had drifted off to sleep by the time a nurse came in to check on him. Sarah was effectively shut out of the nurse's conversation when they checked him over. Sighing, she returned to her cot, eavesdropping as she pretended to complete the Sudoku puzzle. At least the man wasn't a zombie….yet…