624 Observations, The Revenger and the Researcher (2/2)
”I better warn that thing to stay away from his base. He will surely not feel happy being spied by those visitors.”
And with that, the girl vanished like a ghost. She was heading towards that invisible unidentified flying object that was flying towards the direction of General Nakar, Quezon.
***
Day 144 - 12:49 AM - Unknown space
”The infected are evolving fast. It is very unprecedented. No, not only the infected. Even humans.”
The Greyling Professor muttered, looking at the data of his research since the start of the outbreak. Several translucent data windows floated around him, filled with letters, symbols, and even pictures.
This alien was no other than Professor Alphfa Alston. The alien professor who was observing the infected in the containment zone, aka Atlantic City.
”It is strange. The other instances did not evolve that fast.”
He murmured as he waved around his hands, shuffling the data windows around.
Looking at the data windows, surprisingly, it was not only about Earth. The other data windows contained information about other planets, living or not, that was affected by what they called Universal Cataclysmic Pathogen, Infector.
Of course, it was the name that it went by in generalization. In terms of subtypes, it was called differently. Mutagenic Pathogen, Mutagen, was only one of those subtypes.
Each planet was affected differently by the Infector.
Planet L345-4-3313. Suffered under an Infector subtype called Ragen. An airborne pathogen causing rage, and at later stages, muscle mutation.
Star System 218743. Enveloped by Infector subtype called VarSyn. One of the strangest pathogens due to being controllable by songs of certain individuals.
Experimental Planet Eriellis. Affected by the PsyPathogen, turning creatures into mindless infected psychics and some immune people gained psychic powers. Unfortunately, no specimen was recovered as the whole planet exploded more than a thousand years ago.
These were just three among hundreds and thousands of planets and star systems that were conquered by Infector.
And now, Earth. And strange enough, Mutagen was something that behaved differently on every individual depending on their mindset, emotions, lifestyle, and genes. Among the types of Infector, it was the hardest to predict.
”Is it because of the stagnant evolution state of creatures on Earth?”
Stagnant Evolution State. It was the state where the creatures of a planet reached the peak state and could not evolve any further. Was it something all genetic? Unfortunately, no. As the ease of life developed, it became more and more unnecessary for humans to find the need to evolve.
However, when the apocalypse came, that ease and peaceful life vanished in an instant. As there was danger in every corner, humans found a strong reason to evolve. To grow stronger. And strangely enough, Mutagen complemented that need. Unfortunately, not only on humans but also the infected and other creatures on Earth.
Reading the data windows, Professor Alston slumped on his chair.
”I was tasked to analyze what pathogen will appear on Earth. But how am I going to do it? The pathogen on Earth is divided further into countless subtypes. Are they going to tell me to examine all the existing creatures and infected on Earth?”
”Let's put this for later.”
Professor Alston waved his hand outward, causing all the data windows to pile up before vanishing. Then, he pulled another data window out of nowhere.
”Well then, what are we going to do with this?”
He said, looking at the image of a huge red glowing tree in the mountains in South East Asia.
At this moment, a small prompt appeared to his side, blinking with a red light.
”Hmm?”
His beady eyes blinked as he lightly touched the prompt.
”Professor.”
A voice echoed in his mind.
”What is it now? Betha. Your group is supposed to investigate that tree, isn't it?”
”Professor. We have an issue regarding the investigation. We are stopped from investigating by one of this planet's guardians.”
Hearing that, Professor Altson rubbed his hairless head.
”Then abort it.” The Professor sighed. ”We are only here to investigate. If we are stopped by the guardians, we can only retreat. It's not worth it to provoke them.”
”By your orders, Professor,” Betha confirmed. ”By the way, I found something odd.”
”What is it?”
”Do you remember the energy fluctuation in Camden in New Jersey some time ago? That one with your acquaitance?”
”What suddenly brought that topic?”
Professor asked, intrigued.
”The Human DNA signatures of some people in the nearby school at that time appeared here for some reason. They were in the human settlement exactly under the investigation target. I believe you know these DNA signatures.”
At that, several data windows appeared in front of Professor Alston. Sure enough, it surprised him.
”Professor? Is something wrong?”
Betha's voice echoed as the Professor went silent.
”No, it's nothing. I'll check on these DNA signatures. For the meantime, I need you to investigate something else. I'll send you the location coordinates.”
”I received it, Professor. We will head out right away. This country is being covered by as right now because of a volcanic eruption. It might be bad to our reactors.”
”Alright, I'll cut it off. I still have a lot of work to do.”
”Yes, Professor.”
And there, the conversation ended. Professor Alston, however, was now staring at the data windows in front of him. It was the data windows of several survivors from Bally's Casino that escaped.
”Is that tree connected to that strange creature, somehow?”
Professor Alston could not help but mutter.