234 Entering the Lab, Karlenes Story and a Sudden Burst of Desire (1/2)
Day 36 – 6:01 AM – Port of Real Settlement, Barangay Ungos, Real, Quezon
It was very early in the morning and the sun had barely left the horizon but the military section in the Port of Real Settlement was already bustling with activity. With Karlene losing sanity and breaking out of the laboratory once more during in the middle of her laboratory examinations, the alarm was sounded and the soldiers were gathered to catch her.
This was not the first time it happened. The current situation had been repeatedly happening since two weeks after the outbreak commenced and this was the third time it happened just this recent week. Every time this happened, there would be people injured and precious property damaged. It was the worst during the first time where two scientists and a dozen soldiers were severely injured and the outer wall separating the settlement from the mainland was broken by her.
However, even if the damage was done by her, she should not be killed due to her being the daughter of a Major and a very important subject of research.
The current situation in the Port right now however was unprecedented. An unfamiliar person stopped Karlene in her mindless rampage and was obviously tamed by him. She was crying like a child on his embrace even though it more looked like a demon possessed woman was being appeased by this man.
”Mark… What? How?”
It was not only the soldiers in the area were in a stupor but even the father of the woman in question. He could not even think of what to say or ask correctly in this situation.
While everyone was watching the strange and surprising scene, a group of scientists came out of the laboratory and a minute later, several vehicles came into the area. After the people from the vehicle alighted, everyone around saluted to the man in a formal military uniform that came out of the vehicle.Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.
”General!”
The soldiers around the vehicles shouted with their salute.
”What is the situation? Why is everything quiet? Don't tell me that Karlene managed to escape?”
The General asked with a frown. After all, they received the report of Karlene breaking out of the laboratory once more but what he saw here was his soldiers standing blankly around something.
”Sir! It is not what you think.”
The soldier the general asked replied in a panic.
”General, look there first. That man is really something isn't he?”
Jones tapped the General's shoulder and pointed at a certain direction. The general had a height of an average Filipino so his view was obstructed by most of the soldiers but Jones being a foreigner had a taller height. He could see more from their position.
The General and his entourage waved through the encirclement of the soldiers and onlookers and saw the situation. Of course, he was also surprised to see Mark who was one of the subjects of their adjourned meeting and Karlene who was in her berserk state on his embrace.
”General!” A scientist in his white lab coat stained with a bit of blood approached the General Faustino. ”Who is that person? I don't think I saw him here before?”
”That person…” General Faustino massaged the bridge of his nose once more. It should have been several times already just in the span of this morning. ”Let's talk about him later. Do you know what is happening, Professor Suzuki?”
”That's the HUGE question here general!” Professor Suzuki answered with an exaggerated action of his arms. ”No one knows what is happening. I already asked the soldiers that were here to catch Karlene. Their answers were clear but none exactly explains it. We can only ask that man there. Look, even Alfonso is at a loss.”
”This is not the place to talk. Her examinations today are not over yet, right?”
”That is the case General.”
”Alright.” General Faustino then turned to Jones and Captain Garcia that came with him. ”Jones, invite Mark to the lab. Since it looks like she had control over Karlene, we should ask him for cooperation. Garcia, do the clean up here. If needed, give the injured some of the medicine.”
”Yes Boss.””Yes Sir!”
Jones replied with a lax and lazy manner while Captain Garcia promptly replied.
With the general's order, everyone started to disperse while Jones approached Joash and Major Bautista who was in front of Mark and Karlene. It looked like there was also a situation between the four since Karlene was hiding behind Mark like a scared child from her concerned father and friend. Just who was Karlene's real family here and friends here?
***
Being invited to meet with the General and get a tour of the Military Laboratory, Mark really had no reason to refuse. Rather, it was one of the things he wanted to do the most this time.
At the entrance of the laboratory building, Mark was met with an old man wearing his formal military uniform who was unnecessarily surrounded by armed soldiers and a number of white coated scientists. Since the old man's insignia was open for him to see, Mark knew that he should be the general in charge of this settlement.
”I'm Zackaria Faustino, the Officer-in-Charge of this settlement. Mark, right? I heard a lot about you.”