Previously on MN1314

"Hey, wait! It's about the virus, isn't it? What did you get? Tell me now." The young doctor's hand was on the door handle, but he stopped to face the injured man on the bed.

"Yes, it is. However I still have other things to do, I will tell you at the meeting later. Good morning, Mello." With that he proceeded to open the door, leaving the impatient man alone.

"Damn it!" The chocoholic sighed loudly, infuriated to the core. That damn bastard had the time to "touch" him earlier (changed the bandage heh) but no time for telling such an important information to the blond man.

There was no way Mello could rest again.

August 3, 7:37 a.m. – Near's Private Lab in New York City

A voice, distant, far away, calling to him. The more Matt got closer, the louder it sounded.

"Matt... "

Hmm. He thought that this voice was familiar to him, very familiar...

Then suddenly he felt hands grabbed his body and shook him violently. He tried to fight it but the hands were stronger.

"Matt! Matt! Wake up, you bastard!" The redhead finally woke up with a loud gasp and sat quickly that made him instantly dizzy.

"Shit!" The hacker rubbed his temple, looking to his side to find his blond mate was already beside him. Despite the fact that he was still wearing a patient gown with a half of his angelic face bandaged and a pair of crutches he brought that must have assisted him to walk here, the older man somehow looked enraged and ready to murder someone. Or probably him.

"Dude, can you wake me up like a goddamned normal person? You freak the hell out of me." The redhead complained, still rubbing his temple.

"Tell me what Near has been doing during my coma! He said that there will be a meeting today. Why didn't you tell me yesterday, Matt?!"

The hacker stopped rubbing his temple, getting reminded of what he was supposed to do. He needed to get ready before the meeting.

"Ahh shit, yes the meeting! What time is it, Mel?" Despite asking a question, the redhead checked the clock on the wall by himself. "7:41!? Damn it I'm late!" He got out of bed abruptly, walking to the closet to grab a towel and clean clothes, ignoring the blond's question.

"Matt! Where are you going?! Come back here! I want answers!" The chocoholic barked at him, but Matt left him anyway.

"Sorry Mel! Gotta hurry! I'll be back." Again his question was left unanswered. As much as he wanted to, the blond couldn't run after his friend because he was still too weak for that.

Before the leader went to Matt's room, he also asked others about the previous meeting but all of them said that they had no idea about it because Near only talked to Matt about the plan.

God knew how long it would take until Matt came back again. Mello sighed, he had no choice but to wait until the meeting started.

August 3, 8:57 a.m. – Conference Room

After the redhead left him in the room, the chocoholic went to the courtyard. He was too pissed off by not knowing what was going on so he decided to clear his mind alone there.

Now Mello was walking to the doors to the Conference Room. As he opened them slowly, all eyes were on him especially those grey intense orbs that belonged to the man who already sat at the head of the table.

"Welcome Captain Mihael Keehl."

All seats were occupied. It seemed like he was the only one who hadn't been present earlier. Matt and Matsuda approached him immediately and helped the blond to walk to the front seat.

"Dude! Where were you earlier? I thought you waited in my room. We were all looking for you!" The hacker whispered in his ear as he assisted his friend.

"Sweet. Just start the meeting already." Mello rolled his eyes, sitting on the chair beside the hacker's then sent an icy glare to the young Doctor.

Near was not bothered by the look the blond gave him.

"Since everyone is here, let us get started."

The white haired man began to explain about the situation of the city then finally the topic went about the virus.

"After the Delta Team successfully tracked down one of BB's Labs. I conclude that all of New York City's suffering began with the release of a biological weapon known as the T-Virus. Those infected by this virus seem to become literal zombies. It appears to be communicable via several avenues, outlined below..." Near pressed the button to start the slide show.

"1. Bite from an infected individual, allowing the mixing of bodily fluids

2. Contact with crows which have eaten infected carrion

3. Due to the strength of the virus, airborne infection cannot be discounted

It should be noted that those who survived the incident have not yet developed symptoms..."

Almost all of people in the room gasped at hearing this information. Except Mello, while being alone in the courtyard he also wrote a note indicating about the virus. His thoughts were pretty much the same as Near's. Then Matsuda raised his hand to ask a question.

"I was one of the people who joined the mission during the outbreak, so I can turn into a zombie any time?!" His voice was filled with concern and fear.

"No. I am still investigating whether the virus has a long incubation period or people who had been involved in the previous missions happened to be resistant to the infection. However I expect all of you ought to remain calm and vigilant, even after this investigation period ends. Does this answer your question?" The young Doctor answered professionally.

"O-ohh okay. Yes, Sir." The Japanese agent nodded, barely understood but he didn't dare to ask again.

"Very well. Now I will explain about the LA mission." The white haired man started talking about the details of the plan. The objective was to track down another one of BB's labs to find the cure of the T-Virus. The blond had no complaint until one significant part.

"Wait, so you mean Matt will go all alone to that hotel?" Mello spoke at the microphone, catching everyone's attention.

"Yes. Is there a problem?" Near twirled his hair and looked at the blond.

"Of course there is! Have you forgotten that I was chased by Nemesis before that explosion?" The blond raised his voice now.

Some people whispered to each other, they likely had no idea what this 'Nemesis' was. So the blond decided to elaborate it by himself before the young Doctor could explain.

"Looking at all your reactions. Let me tell you something that your lead researcher has been keeping to himself. Nemesis is the most dangerous bio-weapon humanity has ever encountered, a huge overpowering monster that could use weapons and intelligently track an individual anywhere. Now, would you all agree for this operative, Matt, went alone there?"

Many people sent hatred glances at Near which made the blond smirked in satisfaction. The young Doctor still remained stoic and elaborated calmly.

"No, I have not forgotten. No, I have not been keeping this to myself. Well it is true that only Mr. Gevanni had been told before. However I was going to tell all researchers about the existence of Nemesis today and..."

Near gestured for Gevanni to take something from the lab closet and put it on the table for every one in the room to see. ", this is the heart sample of Nemesis that chased you before the explosion. We have the rest of its body pieces in my lab and I order all of you researchers to check them now. This meeting is finished." People started leaving the Conference Room except the Alpha Team and a few U.B.C.S. Near started walking towards Mello's seat until he was standing in front of the annoyed blond man.

"So was this dead creature the only thing that Captain Keehl has been concerned about? I assure him that it was very dead."

Mello gritted his teeth, retorting back. "Just because that one was dead, doesn't mean that there will be no more of it."

"Correct. I also want to thank Captain Keehl, because of his bravery and sacrifice in that explosion, we have taken the Nemesis here and finally figured out how to terminate it. Am I correct, Matt?" The blond instantly looked at his bestfriend to see if he lied.

"Yes, Near's right. I used a powerful massive railgun last night and it was completely dead, Mel."

The chocoholic leader had never felt this humiliated before. Just because he put his life in danger didn't mean it was for that arrogant bastard's advantage. He got up, grabbing the young Doctor by his collar.

"Listen, Near! I'm not some tool for you to solve the puzzle of experimentation!" The remaining people in the room watched both of them in shock. To make them even more shocked, instead of fighting back, Near kissed the hand that was grabbing his collar and said casually.

"No, you are not. In fact you are the most amazing partner I ever had. Please work with me, Mello." Now it was Mello who got shocked.

to be continued

Notes:

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