CHAPTER 4

  I can't help but blush when we entered the board room and everyone inside looks in our direction. Some of them shared a knowing look, some smiled knowingly, and those young doctors who have a crush on the chairman raise their brows.

  Sean walks to the platform in the middle of the room and I follow, as per his instruction on our way here. I'll be in charge of the announcement of the list. Everything is ready, as always with the help of our high-tech and advanced equipments.

  Everything is in voice command and with just a word, data will flash virtually in front of everyone. Unlike before when in voice command is still not yet available for everyone, they use projectors for their presentation and to project info. They also use folders and papers to distribute copies, now, those things could be done either through virtual computers or through their IPads.

  Over the years, Science and technology have been improved and helped a lot to make works easier and faster, making the workers do more than they used to do. There are also newly invented equipments to make a better living, and it is not just the technology that has been improved.

  With the help of Science, there are now new medicines that can amend illnesses faster than they use to do before. Thirty years ago, there is no cure for some serious illnesses such as cancer, aneurysm, epilepsy, and some coronary problems. But now, they've found cures for those illnesses, and they are still improving those medicines to their finest.

  The meeting starts, and all of us listens attentively to Sean. Even I who have already the report about the virus listens to him.

  It's still the same. Neither of the medical teams in the world has found how the virus exactly works, what type of virus is it, and how it is being passed from person to person. So the main goal of the mission is to find those things out as soon as possible, study the virus sample inside the body of a victim who volunteers himself to be studied.

  And after we study the virus and find everything we need to know about it, we will proceed to find the cure for it. The virus cases are still increasing fastly and all the hospitals around the world could not handle all the patients. Families of those other infected who did not manage to be admitted to the hospital were forced to leave their homes for their safety as their family members who are infected are too aggressive to the point that they could kill.

  "The families who are forced to leave their homes are now in quarantine facilities. World Leaders had their online conference and agreed that each country would provide a space, a quarantine facility for the people who are not yet infected. Aside from quarantine facilities, the governments of each country around the world will provide a budget to meet the people's need in the quarantine facilities such as food, medical needs, and others."

  Next, he explained what will happen to those who are chosen to participate in the mission, before he reveals the list.

  "So, for those names that will be included in the list, you need to prepare yourselves because this will be tough. Your mental healths will be at risk, the chances of getting depressed through the mission are high. Nowadays, leaving and being away from your family is not something we should worry about because of the improved technology as well as the security of our communities, but that's not how it works in this situation. The strong and improved security that the government worked hard for cannot be trusted now that we are facing infected people that seems to be out of their minds and are too aggressive enough to kill."

  "You have to sacrifice and leave your family, and the improved technology cannot help you that much. You can call them, yes, but not from time to time. Your time for communicating from the outside of the facility is limited. Once we are in Australia, we will give our full focus on the research mission."

  One of our co-doctors raised his hand to voice his concern.

  "Chairman, if ever, can those chosen doctors still back out if they don't want to be part of the mission?"

  "Oh, yes, of course, they can. But, as a doctor, you should be proud to be part of this mission. Somehow, the world's safety and future will be at your hands."

  Another doctor voiced a concern. "Chairman, what could be the possible benefit that each participant could get?"

  His demeanor changes with that question, and I bite my lip. I know that Sean does not like it when you do something just for the benefit. He's dedicated to his works. When his eyes look in my direction, I secretly signaled him to calm down because it is just natural for people to ask something in exchange when they do something. That's how it works, after all, nothing is free in this world. He sighs and calls for me to explain the possible benefits that each doctor could get by participating, and he takes me by surprise.

  Reluctantly, I stand and walk to the podium where he is standing and I start explaining. It is a good thing that I take his advice to read and study the mission's copy on my IPad, otherwise, I don't know what I am going to say.

  Nowadays, neurologists earn up to $350,000 annually. For those who will participate in the mission, they will have separate income from World Health Organization, and if the mission will be successful, another reward will be given plus advance privileges once they retired. If ever they die during the mission, the hospital and the World Health Organization will provide enough budget for the family of the doctor who died that they can use to start again. The world's recognition of gratification will be also rewarded for all the participants if we succeed in the mission.

  Hearing that, the look on their faces changed and I hear Sean who's standing behind me scoff and murmurs that of course, it is about the financial reward and fame. I closed my speech about the possible benefits they could get before I walk back and sit beside Georgina who's smiling with pride.

  Sean then proceeds to the list of the doctors who will participate in the mission. Aside from the Medical Team's Head which is him and his assistant which is me, the list consists of thirty Neurologists for the virus attacks mainly the nervous system, fifteen Psychiatrists, thirty Pathologists, thirty Nuclear Medicine Physicians, twenty Allergists and Immunologists, and twenty Pediatricians for there are also children who are infected with the virus.

  All in all, there are 147 participants including us. We will be escorted by the US Armed Forces throughout the mission to ensure our security. On the copy that was provided on my IPad, there is also the list of the soldiers who will go with us to Australia but he did not announce the list anymore for according to him, it is not necessary.

  "For those doctors whose names are included in the list, you have until tomorrow to decide whether to back out and go with us and to prepare. First day in the morning the day after tomorrow, we will be pick-up through armored cars by the US Armed Forces."

  Before he finally announces the meeting adjourned, he reminded us that the mission is not just about the fame and financial reward we could get for participating. It is about doing our jobs to save lives for as long as we can, and with all that we have. This thing about him being a very dedicated man makes me fall for him even more. No wonder I am single until now, I was busy with my career and of course, busy admiring him from afar.

  Georgina was all smile when we reach my office and she sat on the visitors' chair. She too admires Sean, well, almost everyone admires him for being such a smart man. His leadership to the hospital is something else too. Since he takes place as the chairman, the hospital continues to be known all over America for its outstanding medical performance and its programs. Soon if not for the sudden virus outbreak, Richforte Memorial Hospital will launch its medical university.

  We were in the middle of our momentum when we heard a knock on my office's door and it opens, revealing Sean. Georgina and I shuffle to stand to greet him and he gives us a nod.

  "Doctor Weltz, good morning. May I borrow your best friend for a while?" he asks, and in a daze, Georgina nodded. "Good. Doctor Hawl, I would like you to go to my office and bring your things with you. We'll start with the preparation for our departure. And doctor Weltz, well, are you going to come to Australia or you are backing out?"

  Oh, right. Georgina is included in the participants' list. And of course, I know she's not backing out on this one. Aside from we don't have to worry about our families because we are both single and still unmarried, we love taking challenges and venturing out for new experiences. Sean smiles in delight before he motions me to follow him immediately before turning on his heels.

  When he's out of the door, Georgina gives me a knowing look. "I smell something fishy."

  "Fishy yourself." I retort before carrying my two duffle bags and waving my hand at her as I open my office's door, "See ya!"

  From the inside, I hear her shout, "Enjoy your time with your long-time crush!"

  Once I'm in his office, he motions me to follow him to the adjacent room. Once there, I saw two duffle bags bigger than mine resting on the bed. The other one is stuffed with his clothes while the other one is still empty.

  "Put your things on that duffle bag. Only the necessary and important ones; underwear, hygiene kit, clothes, your robe, and two pairs of your uniform."

  Wearing a uniform is not necessary for the facility. We are free to wear whatever we want as long as we can move freely and it will not hinder us in our research job. Doing as I am told, I stuffed all the necessary things I will need throughout the mission.

  "There. Good," he utters when I am done. "We will fly through C130, one of the biggest planes that the US Armed Forces use when going to battles. Although it can accommodate up to 100 passengers, we still have to bring only our necessary things. We are not going to Australia for vacation, but a mission."

  "I know that. You don't need to remind me." I retort. Turning to my duffle bags where my other belongings were left, I ask, "Where would I put these?"

  He snatches the duffle bags from me and puts them inside his closet. "There."

  I shrugged after that and follows him to the main of his office. He asks me if I have eaten breakfast which made my brows arch my brows,

  "You pulled me here the moment I wake up, remember?"

  He blinks a couple of times, realizing that I am right. He then sighs and was about to call for food through the intercom when suddenly, his wristwatch lights up. He looks at it and his brows creased before he swipes something on it and he seems like listening to something.

  "What?!" he exclaims. "Okay... okay, emergency broadcasting announcement in a few moments... okay, yes, yes, okay. I'll do that."

  He stands abruptly, making me stand too but he stops me. "No, don't. Stay here. Don't go out, and wait for me here, I just need to do something, do you understand?"

  Without waiting for me to answer, he rushed out of his office, leaving me confused. He looks alarmed. I wanted to get out and follow him but he told me to wait here and do not go out. He sounds strict a while ago so I stand here, contemplating whether to go out or do as I am told.

  But a few more moments and he's back. He still looks alarmed and in rush, without looking at me, he went straight to the adjacent room and when he got out, our duffle bags are strapped on both of his shoulders, and without a word, he pulls me out of the room, taking me in surprise.

  "Wait, what's happening?" I ask as we are hurrying into the elevator.

  "Emergency," he answers.

  "Emergency?"

  "Do not ask any more questions, I will explain everything once we are on the rooftop."

  "What, why rooftop?"

  He was leading me and pulling me. We are about to turn to the hallway but he abruptly stops and cussed before pulling me back to his office's direction and I couldn't take it anymore.

  I take all my strength to halt us and luckily, it did. He turns at me and he looks mad.

  "Will you tell me what the fuck is happening? You keep on pulling me and ignoring me and it is making me damn confused!"

  He lets go of my hand and puffs an air before pulling me again, harder this time, and his grip is stronger.

  "Just follow my lead, okay?! We are in a state of emergency right now and there is no time for damn explanations! We need to go to the rooftop, quick!"

  We reach his office and he pulled me inside, but before the double door finally closes, I manage to see a group of patients running in our direction, and seems like they are the reason for Sean's sudden actions.

  Running in our direction are the aggressive infected and they look determined to reach us. But what's more in their look aside from being aggressive is, they look different and look like they won't hesitate to attack us. They look like,

  "Zombies," I whispered.