“The parasite. I spoke with the Boss and, apparently, all with the same infection died. But he told me, in his own words, I was lucky. Why didn’t it?”
“Ah… so it would have been lethal, then? That’s very interesting. Maybe there’s something to your physiology that kept it at bay? A blood type or maybe even an ancient family curse? I’m kind of just spit-balling here… does it bother you, Dr Flug?”
“If i’m being honest, Carlos, I’m bothered by the fact that I lived through it. What’s that mean in the long run? What’s going to happen next? It’s fascinating but, anxiety inducing.”
“Well… in my experience living through something is a good thing. It certainly puts things in perspective and switches around your priorities. Have you started running analysis on yourself to see what might be different from before? That’s where I’d start…”
“Now that I’m feeling stronger, search I shall.” Flug answered. “No use standing around asking questions when I have the resources for the answers. It will just take some trial and error on my part.”
“As is the nature of doing science,” Carlos replied with a nod. “Lemme know if there’s anything I can assist with. Sometimes two minds are better than one.”
“Thanks Carlos, but given the nature of what I’m researching, I’m going to need to find a subject willing to take on the infection.” he thought about that for a few moments. “I’m going to have to inject someone with my blood, see what it does to them.”
“A whole person?” Carlos asked. He was making a little face at the idea. “Why not start small? Like, insects or mice? Non-sapient, of course – gotta make sure of that where I’m from. What if the reaction poses a danger to yourself, is what I’m saying.”
“People have quicker results. I rarely have time for little things. Especially when I need answers.”
“Uh…?” Carlos asked intelligently. “But it’s dangerous if you start large. Didn’t you have a violent reaction to it at first? It’s why you nearly died, right? If anything, I think now is the time to be cautious.”
The Perfect Scientist 