Chapter 1: A Prophecy
Day (1)
The bacteria was fast. Insanely fast.
Even when U-1196 ripped off two of the Streptococcus Pneumoniae's tendrils, the bacteria still managed to use its remaining appendages to propel itself forward inside the enclosed corridors of the bronchiole capillaries.
Like most bacteria stalking the lungs, this one had a spindly thin frame with a dozen taloned appendages situated on his. His arms and legs were chitinous, which both ended up into claws he could use for swiping or grappling. Contrast this bacteria's physique with U-1196's attire, which consisted of her wearing the ashen-grey white blood cell cap, an unbuttoned uniform fastened only with a belt, fatigue pants, and military boots. She wore no shirt under her uniform, which exposed much of her pale chest and cleavage.
"Primary target spotted," the veteran neutrophil muttered to her headset, her voice calm and regulated as she sprinted. "In pursuit now at bronchiole sector LC675."
Alarms blared all across the corridor, with the lights darkening to a red dimmed glow.
"Copy, Onee-sama," the voice from her headset responded. "Can you contain the target?"
"I'll try," she replied. "Target too fast, requesting to lock sectors LC676, 674 and-"
The bacteria turned mid-run and hurled a fist-size capsule directly at her before resuming his escape. U-1196's eye zeroed in on the approaching projectile and, with a swift slash of her katana, sliced the capsule in two. The splinters ricocheted behind her before they exploded.
The bacteria threw three more capsules at her, and she cut them all with three accurate strikes.
Her opponent curled his black lips into a snarl. Exposing sharp lupine fangs.
"You don't understand, heathen," the Streptococcus Pneumoniae screeched, each syllable coated with resentment. "My end accomplishes nothing!"
This time, the bacteria launched his tendrils towards the walls, the ceiling, and the floor in front of him. He sprinted past them a couple of micrometers more, before turning once again, and using his tendrils as makeshift bungee cords.
The Streptococcus Pneumoniae flew straight towards the pursuing veteran neutrophil, mouth wide, open with uncontained fury.
Blade met claws with a sharp clang. U-1196 could see that despite the spindly limbs of the bacteria, his strength was immense. He used a couple of his tendrils to wrap around his arms to boost their power, while a couple more shot out to the walls and floor to give him a steady bearing. The last batch of his appendages he used to help deflect the slashes and swings of her katana.
Despite the stiff resistance, the veteran neutrophil didn't relent with her attack. She whirled and struck from different positions, seeking to outflank and remain a step ahead of her opponent.
The bacteria, for his part, was forced to shift his footing. He had to detach and reposition his tendrils, which kept him steady, every time the veteran neutrophil attempted to attack from his side.
U-1196 continued to run in circles around the Streptococcus Pneumoniae. She slashed, deflected, and evaded the bacteria's attacks while delivering her own. This continued for a couple more rounds until finally, one of her opponent's tendrils failed to secure its talons onto the ceiling, which caused the bacteria to lose his balance for a fraction of a second.
That sliver of time was all the veteran neutrophil needed, and she swung her katana at her opponent's side, and a couple of exposed appendages fell to the ground still squirming.
The bacteria screamed. He staggered back, his swipes turning more frantic and erratic. In his anger and confusion, U-1196 easily evaded his attacks. She then continued severing more of his tendrils until finally, the bacteria dropped to the floor, writhing in pain.
U-1196 stood in front of the wounded Streptococcus Pneumoniae, her blade a molecule's edge from his throat.
"My death means nothing," the spindly bacteria forced himself to utter. U-1196 could see him raising his head slightly, so he could glare his slitted pupils at her full of hatred. "I die now, but there is something far more horrifying that is to come."
The veteran neutrophil stopped. She stared back into the bacteria's eyes, searching for any falsehoods, and surprisingly found none. She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued up.
"Something is coming?"
The Streptococcus Pneumoniae smiled. He coughed out biles of black ichor, and he made a gurgling sound that almost sounded a labored laugh.
"Behold! The seventh plague comes!" he proclaimed, his voice strained but didn't think of stopping. "You heathens did not heed the warnings, and so judgment shall befall upon you all!"
U-1196, for her part, didn't respond. She didn't even move at all, choosing to loom menacingly over her opponent in silence.
"Repent! The seventh plague comes!" The Streptococcus Pneumoniae continued, his expression turning manic and hysterical. "The winds of death shall befall upon this world, and everyone shall cry out in silent screams!"
The veteran neutrophil narrowed her eyes. She didn't like what she was hearing.
"I have foreseen this!" The bacteria was now laughing, his slitted pupils turning into tiny pinpricks. "The end is nigh! You heathens shall pay dearly for all of your si-"
His words died unspoken on his lips, forever unuttered, as his head tumbled off from his neck.
With a swift slice of her katana, the deranged Streptococcus Pneumoniae was no more. Cytoplasm burst out from the neck of the headless corpse, drenching her pale skin and grey uniform with the color crimson. Some of his severed tendrils twitched for a couple of seconds before finally laying still.
U-1196 closed her eyes and breathed a heavy sigh. For a moment, she pondered on the cryptic warning the bacteria spouted before shaking her head to clear it off.
"Nice job Onee-sama," a voice from behind congratulated her.
With the threat contained, the alarms became silent once again, and the lights within the corridors returned to their white illumination.
U-1196 turned and saw a young neutrophil with long pink hair tied into a pair of twin-tails. Like her, she too had pale skin and wore the same white blood cell cap, but her uniform was a long grey hoodie that reached to her thighs fastened with a belt and long white boots with stockings held up by a pair of garter belts. She also wore an armband that denoted her division and name.
"J-1178," U-1196 tipped her cap in salute. "This area is now secured."
The younger neutrophil nodded back. "What was that bacteria all spouting about?"
The veteran neutrophil gave a side glance to the headless corpse of her opponent. "Bacteria nonsense. Nothing more."
"He said something about a seventh plague?" J-1178 asked further. "What does that mean?"
U-1196 didn't respond. The deranged Streptococcus Pneumoniae's wordscould mean anything. It could be nonsense babble or a genuine warning of an impending catastrophe. Another upheaval like organ failure, a resurgence of cancer, or an infection could mean the death knell for this world.
For a long time now, the world was at peace. The intake of alcohol had stopped, and smoking had become an infrequent occurrence now timed in weeks instead of every hour.
The Consciousness had mended its ways and was now genuinely taking care of this world.
Unfortunately, despite the reforms enacted, the immune system still remained weak. There were too few neutrophils as of late, and they had to do double time shifts just so they could manage their patrols. She surmised it was because of this world being ancient as it had existed for many circadian years. Over time, certain functions in multiple systems of the world, including the immune system, were starting to break down.
It was the natural state of affairs she supposed. Now, more than any period was the world at its most vulnerable.
That was why, if the bacteria was correct about an incoming plague, it could possibly be the final one.
"In any case," U-1196 started. "Even if a plague does come, it doesn't change anything. Our duty is still to protect this world no matter that cost. Nothing more, nothing less."
Just then, they saw a group of red blood cells walking towards them. With the threat eliminated, the erythrocytes could now continue with their carbon dioxide exchange in the Alveoli.
"Oh, Nee-san, Nanahachi-chan," one of the red blood cells called out to them. This particular erythrocyte wore glasses and don a scrawny brown hair. He wore the classic red blood cell uniform, which consisted of an unbuttoned red jacket, black shirt, jeans, sneakers, and a red cap. He appeared unremarkable and nonchalant in his getup, and yet, he was the only one in his group who was friends with a neutrophil, much less two.
"Hello, Rookie," U-1196 greeted him with a warm smile.
"I said, don't address me with chan!" J-1178 protested. "I'm not young anymore. And why call me Nanahachi?"
"Aren't those the last numbers of your code?" AA-2153 gave the twin-tailed neutrophil a quizzical look. "I thought you'd be ok with it."
"Well, it's not that I don't like it or anything," J-1178 crossed her arms as she pouted her cheeks. "It's… Oh, nevermind, you can call me anything. Idiot."
"Oh… kay…" The four-eyed erythrocyte replied, unsure what to think of J-1178's confusing answer.
He then turned his attention to U-1196. "It's good to see you again, Nee-san."
The veteran neutrophil placed a hand on the tip of her cap in salute. "Same here, Rookie. We haven't been bumping with each other for a while now."
"Yeah, everything is still hectic and all," AA-2153 scratched his cheek. "But at least this world is improving for the better."
"Hey, is she the Cool White Blood Cell Onee-san you're always telling us about?" One of the bespectacled erythrocyte's friends chimed it.
The one who spoke wrapped an arm around AA-2153's neck. The veteran neutrophil could see him wearing the same uniform as his bespectacled friend, but his cheeks were unusually red.
Three more red blood cells also joined them, and U-1196 could see they didn't have much experience with talking with her kind.
"Oh, by the way, Nee-san, here are my friends," AA-2153 waved a hand to introduce each of his fellow erythrocytes. "This punk here is NC-8429 or Blush, he's from the old world like us."
"Hello," Blush gave the neutrophil a big smile, which further accentuated the blushing on his cheeks.
"Here is BD-7599 or Burns, also from the old world."
"Nice to meet ya," as his nickname suggests, he donned some awesome sideburns, which actually made him look older. However, he probably was of the same batch with AA-2153.
"And here we have Sharp," the bespectacled red blood cell introduced his friend who also wore the same uniform, but unlike the first three, his jacket was buttoned up, and he carried a sling bag. "He's from this world."
Sharp didn't speak, but he bowed his head in respect to both neutrophils. His sharp eyes also made him appear stoic and serious, especially with his short uptight hair.
"And lastly, here we have Freckles,"
"Hello, it is an honor to finally meet you, Onee-san," Freckles gave a cheerful smile, which also highlighted her freckles. She was the only female erythrocyte in the group, though she does appear boyish with her long golden hair tied up into a ponytail and generic uniform the same as with Sharp. "Glasses here speak so highly of you."
U-1196 gave a good look at the gathered red blood cells, who were all staring at her with awe. It almost made her embarrassed that she instinctively covered her unbuttoned uniform with her hand.
Then she looked back at the glass-wearing erythrocyte as she gave him a satisfied smile. "I'm glad that you found new friends here, Rookie. Now I can see you're definitely adjusting your life here in this new world."
Like AA-2153, his two companions, Blush and Burns, she too came from another world along with a couple of her old squadmates. It was after their previous world survived a critical 'Code Black' incident that reforms were implemented, which turned their world for the better. However, U-1198 and her fellow outsiders were unable to appreciate much of their world's improvement when they were taken away and injected into this world through Granulocyte Therapy to fight off a new set of enemies.
For a time, everything was a living nightmare for them as they once again had to experience all the horrors of an unhealthy world. However, just like their old world, this one finally decided to reform and live a healthy life.
For now, everything was at peace. Since this world was already ancient, it was expected that not all systems would function optimally. However, compared to before, there was no comparison on which point was better.
"I have adjusted," concurred the bespectacled erythrocyte. "I admit, it was indeed a challenge at first, but just like our old world, this one saw sense."
U-1196 nodded then she looked back at AA-2153's friends before bowing. "Thank you all for being good friends to Rookie. I am at ease to know he is now in good hands."
"Quit it, Nee-san, you're embarrassing me," the bespectacled erythrocyte quickly placed a hand in front of his mouth to cover his blushing face.
"Don't worry, Onee-san," the red blood cell named Blush gave the veteran neutrophil a thumbs up.
"You can count on us!" Burns immediately added.
Sharp said nothing but nodded his assurance.
"Actually, Glasses here inspired all of us to do our best," quipped Freckles. She made a quick side glance towards AA-2153 before looking back toward the veteran neutrophil. "When we almost lost hope, he reminded us to remain strong and persevere no matter the cost."
"Aye," concurred U-1196. "Rookie does have that effe-"
"Pardon, Onee-sama," J-1178 interrupted. She covered a hand over her left ear as she strained to listen to her headset. "I'm getting something from our comm, but there's too much static."
The veteran neutrophil furrowed her brows and did the same, covering her headset with her hand as she listened in.
She narrowed her eyes. There was too much interference in her headset. Yet, amidst the static, she could faintly hear the crackling sound of a voice.
"I hear something, but I don't understand it," she replied.
"Wait… I hear it." The twin-tailed neutrophil closed her eyes as she concentrated into deciphering the signal from the noise.
As for the gathered red blood cells, they exchanged concerned glances at each other. Blush opened his mouth to speak, but Burns hushed him to remain silent.
Then, J-1178 opened her eyes.
"Viruses," she straightened up and turned to look at the veteran neutrophil, her face full of concern. "Incoming viru-"
But before she could finish her sentence, the Klaxons inside the capillary corridor went red and blaring out their screaming wails.
A/N:
And we're finally starting inside the world of Code Black. For those who don't know, there are now 4 volumes of Cells at Work Code Black available in Comixology with the 5th volume underway. The scanlations that I saw only go so far as to the first chapter of volume 3, so there are some characters here not yet shown.
For example, the red blood cells, Sharp and Freckles, only show up at the last part of volume 3, and I still haven't seen any mention of their Code Names. That is why I'll continue to call them by their nicknames.
Also, J-1178 appears in volume 3 in the first chapters. In volume 4, she finally admitted she looks up to U-1196 as her 'Big Sis'. Fun fact, I always intended to call U-1196 as the 'Cool Big Sis' to the red blood cell gang. I assumed J-1178 would do the same, and that's why I let her call the veteran neutrophil as 'Onee-sama'. It was only in the last part of volume 4 did I see her literally calling her 'Big Sis' and acknowledging her as their White Blood Cell leader. This only shows how accurate the character portrayal of U-1196 is that you could already know she's indeed a 'Cool Big Sis' just by looking at her.
Interesting Tidbits:
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
These pesky buggers love to dwell in the dark environment of our lungs. They are the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia. With a healthy immune system, these bacteria are kept in control and do not cause any illness.
However, when the immune system becomes weakened due to, say, viral infection, these opportunistic bacteria would start to wreak havoc on a patient's lungs, therefore complicating an already complicated circumstance.
This is why it is important to monitor and prevent escalation of pneumonia on Covid-19 patients by giving them antibiotics like Levofloxacin, as stated on Wikipedia, and confirmed by my neighbor, who is a doctor. XD
Now, this is just my observation, but from what I've researched, it would appear the virus SARS-COVID-2 can be handled with a strong immune system. If an immune system of a patient is weak, it will take a longer time for the patient's immune system to defeat the virus. The longer the time, the higher the possibility of other illnesses to the body to occur like a bacterial resurgence of Streptococcus Pneumoniae.
That's all the tidbits for now. Please do follow/favorite/comment if you like this story. Thanks.
Stay safe, everyone!
References:
Wikipedia - Streptococcus Pneumoniae
wiki/Streptococcus_Pneumoniae
Revision History:
- Originally published on May 7, 2020
