STERILE: My Bottom Is A Zombie

Chapter 6: (STERILE: Fail)

Leony's getting busy. He's working even harder than before. Together with Professor Hartman and other scientists, they looked for ingredients in nature to make antidotes. Actually the change of ingredients of these drugs is not easily accepted. Every action has its pros and cons. That is why there is a division among scientists. Some of them sanctioned that this idea would work, some of whom laughed instead.

Because of the split, the scientists who had been solid one by one resigned. They assume humans who become zombies cannot be cured and should be destroyed. Of the 233 professors it shrank to 105; 13,500 staff left only 9,570 people including scientists and staff. Professor Hartman just stared at their departure in disappointment. With the reduced number of members in the STERIL mission, the heavier their work becomes.

Divisions did not only occur inside Atlantis, but outside. News of the failure of STERIL research was heard to the ears of state officials. To explain this, Professor Hartman went with Leony to the center.

"So the STERIL mission failed?" ask one of the oldest men among the top brass of the country.

"We must admit that this study is disappointing, but we will find other ways to find an antidote. We've found plant and animal-derived materials for medicine" Professor Hartman replied.

"Using materials that have been developed only have no results, how is it possible that materials from plants and animals can heal? That means you're failing" someone chimed in.

"Yes. Our money and time are wasted just for the sake of this ridiculous research."

"Zombies are very dangerous for the survival of healthy humans. Then destroy them to the root. Don't let them risk our lives including the zombies that have entered Atlantis."

"Yes. Is correct. Destroy them!"

The meeting hall is raucous. The higher-ups began to doubt their mission. In his seat, Leony began to fret. He saw Professor Hartman shut up. I don't know what that guy was thinking.

"Just dissolve the STERILE mission!"

When these words were thrown out, Leony absolutely could not stay silent.

"DON'T!"

Leony stood up from where he was sitting and shouted. He could not stand all the scorn. His research will begin. He was not willing if the quarantined zombies had to be annihilated, let alone see Atlantis closed. He walked to the center of the podium and asked permission to speak. He no longer cared about the scornful eyes.

"I'm sorry if I interrupt. I'm the one who had the idea and forced the professor to change the material." Leony ignored the stitches from the state officials.

"I've researched the profiles of a wide variety of plants as well as animals. The vitamins contained in it are more diverse and varied. We can add or combine them with existing ingredients. I guarantee this time will not fail," Leony pointed out the book he brought and said confidently.

"Where do you know it works if the material is replaced?" ask the other state officials.

"Don't know. My feeling says so. In addition-we are assisted by professors and scientists who still believe there is hope. We will do our best to do this research. Please give us a year to prove it."

"You're still a new kid. It's so presumptuous of you to stand there and say as if what you're saying is going to work, and you're just guessing." This man stood up and laughed. "Is this a joke? He's playing us!"

"I'm not playing around." Leony was eager to throw the man in his shoes.

Seeing Leony stick to his stance, Professor Hartman began to sweat.

"Please, give us some time! I will try my best! Please!" Leony close both hands in hopes of approval from the top brass. He's very hopeful.

"Hm, stop! This room's getting rowdy because of you. Well, we'll give you some time, but not a year. That's too long. I'll give you five months to prove it. If in that time there is no change, then Atlantis must be closed!" replied the other man mediating.

"We will use our time as best we can and will not disappoint. We will prove it within the allotted time! Thank you for the opportunity. Thank you." Thank you."

Leony bowed as respect. One by one the higher-ups of Beltran Guido stood up and left the room, but Leony still continued to bow repeatedly while saying 'thank you'. He was eager for the research to continue. He would not accept the decision of Atlantis being closed just like that and let the hard work of the scientists end in vain. He realized, Professor Hartman must be mad at him for being presumptuous. Leonard was even afraid to see the man.

"How dare you, Leo?!"

Leony's heart was beating rapidly. Correctly guessed. The professor must be angry. He ventured to make a sound. "Professor, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be presumptuous. I just want Atlantis to stand. All possibilities must exist, want to fail or succeed - we will not know the results before trying. Besides, I want to believe that there's still hope as big as a corn."

"You are my stubborn student, but you are the best student I have ever had. Haha. I'm surprised to see you dare to talk to the higher-ups, but you're right. We can't just give up. Come on, we're gonna be busy right now."

"Good, Professor."

Leony walked behind Professor Hartman. There was a relief of getting into the tribe the moment he heard the man he respected so much was excited again. But the relief became a question mark as his eyes glanced at a man standing on the top of the podium. The man had been present since the beginning of the meeting and had not left yet. As soon as their eyes collided with each other, he nodded steadily and Leony did the same in response. Leony smiled silently. He was happy because Mr. Altar also heard the results of the decision just now.

Five months!

Can you imagine how short that time was for a big study? Everything must be thought through. The medicine made must be in accordance with medical standards. So also with all the composition and mixture of ingredients must fit so that the drug can work properly. Leony and several other scientists checked the reactions of a mixture of plant and animal extracts every hour. That's why their sleep patterns become irregular.

Day after day passed quickly. The drug is made already, although it was doubtful because they have never tried it on any zombie patient. The chances of succeeding and failing are 50-50. It could be more towards one of them. The chairman of Atlantis Hospital and Professor Hartman designate the zombie Throne as the initial target of a guinea pig from a new drug and serum.

The first stage they injected plant extracts caused bleeding around the nose an hour later. Two hours passed the bleeding was still visible, but this time it was a deep red and somewhat lumpy.

Hideo comes to Atlantis after handing over the zombie catch as usual. It has become a habit lately Hideo will stay longer in Atlantis. None other than to meet his beloved, the Throne. Hearing the Throne bleed made Hideo panic. The young man continued to wait for his best friend to come out of the examination room.

"Leo!" call Hideo when he sees his best friend.

"The video? What are you doing here?"

"How is the Throne?"

"Because she's my lover."

Leony rolled his eyes bored. "Alright, if you want to know ... The throne is bleeding and we are still trying to save it. You know what that means?"

Hideo was silent for a moment. Of course he knows the risks of having a zombie lover. Ever since he decided to choose the Throne, Hideo has been preparing his heart for bad things, including loss. But somehow his little heart was speechless - this was the long-awaited miracle after so long battling the undead.

May there be light for Beltran Guido.

"I knew. But I'm sure your research will work."

"Listen, Hideo. I'm ...." The new Leony will open his mouth. He wanted to tell Hideo to look for a human to be a lover, but seeing the confidence emanating from Hideo's two eyes made Leony say the opposite.

"We pray that the medicine and serum work well, but you must also be prepared for whatever happens."

"I'm always ready" Hideo said with confidence.

****

"Doctor, is this real?" ask one of the nurses to Leony.

The two men stared in disbelief at the zombie in front of him. After a night they stayed up late to monitor the development of the Throne and had to go back and forth to clean the blood, now the zombie did not show any signs of perishing, even running as usual. Like normal humans, the Throne has passed through a critical period. Zombie Throne is now wandering again on the 3rd floor of the Atlantis building, as if nothing happened last night.

"Pulse. Um," he murmured slowly and continued to walk in an uncertain direction, ignoring the two people who had been following him since.

"Am I the only one who saw the wounds on his cheeks and feet dry up?" monologue the nurse.

"No. The wound was drying out" replied Leony who was also dumbfounded before he finally regained consciousness. "What are you doing? Quickly note!"

"Ah, yes. Sorry, Doctor." The nurse gasped and hurriedly recorded the progress of the Throne before Leony grumbled.

A few days ago, the body of the Throne was still as pale as a corpse was also somewhat blue. His wounds looked wet. If you approach you will be able to smell a foul rancid smell, but this time the smell is not smelled. Leony and a nurse were currently examining the Throne and still could not believe what they were seeing.

The initial stage worked.

"Is the throne much better after yesterday's bleeding? Could it be that yesterday the body of the Throne was excreting poison, Doctor?"

"The check has not come out yet. Too soon to draw conclusions."

The young doctor and male nurse were now observing the Throne from a distance of three meters. They write everything, as detailed and specific as possible, as a military approaches.

"Rul."

Hideo again. This time he brought a flower plucked from the indoor garden of Atlantis. He's a commander. Atlantis gave special access for the owner of high military positions in order to enter Atlantis up to the seventh floor of the building.

"The video? Don't you have any other job but to riot here?" Leony looked bored at his best friend. Hideo looks like a labile ABG in love, plus flowers in hand. This is Atlantis, the rehabilitation center is not the place for dating.

"I want to see my girlfriend. What harm?"

"Mistake-because from last night you kept calling and bothering me with the question 'how is the Throne?' Then today you show up with flowers?"

"I came to look and bring this flower to the Throne. Why are you protesting? Are you her mother?"

"Ish, look out for you, okay?! I'll shut down your access so you can't get into Atlantis at will!"

Hideo prepares to fend off Leony's attack that will hit with the book, but suddenly the Throne passes. The zombie stopped right beside Hideo, then tilted its head as if it was researching something.

"Pulse. Um."

"Hey, are you watching me?"

The throne did not answer. The zombie walked over again and ignored Hideo.

"Yes, go as you please, baby."

"Foolish basis" said Leony in response to Hideo's affectionate call to the Throne which he claimed to be his lover.

...May the light always envelop Beltran Guido...

****

Seriate