Chapter 37 - The Serum

---A Few Days Later---

Getting up for breakfast, the first thing I did was get some coffee. After a night of watching cameras, and then love making I was partially tired. Fortunately I wasn't that far from completion on the ship, and it wouldn't be too long before we were on our way to China. Renka had already on informed her mother of our timeline so she could get her disciples to the docks as we arrived. She had also told her about me, and our relationship which she approved of just to annoy her husband. He will still coming to terms with it, but seemed to be coming around slowly. If his wife didn't constant call just to harass him I think we'd be further along the process of acceptance...on the other hand I enjoy annoying.

"So when do you think we will be able to move on?". Kikyo asked me as she handed me a plate of food.

"A day or two, I am finishing the electrical and heating today. Tomorrow I will do some testing, and then we are good to pack up to leave.", I answer, "If things pan out we could leave tomorrow right after the testing."

"Finally!", several people sighed.

A lot of people were getting antsy staying in the walls, but they also didn't want to go out till a serum was made to prevent the worms from taking over people. Enjoying my breakfast in peace I was going to speak with Mikoto and Rika about the training progress with firearms when the Black Label team came barreling out of their lab.

"We have done it!!", they shouted, "We have a serum to block the worm's control of humans!! It won't work on those already under their control, but it will stop the initial infection!! Long few nights and lots of coffee has given birth to this miracle of science!!"

Looking to Yuko for confirmation, she told me that the testing they had done had shown that the worms died in people that had taken the serum. Supposedly it triggered the human body to produce chemicals that would kill off the worms naturally. Looking at the serum they were using with my system, I wanted to see if there were any drawbacks. I knew they had likely used adults for it, but I wanted to ensure that children could take it.

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Zombie Resistance Serum (Ver.7)

Effect: Neutralize Devil Worm takeover, and provide minor immune system boost.

Side Effect: Due to the chemical components used to make the body natural immune, individuals under 12 will die. Serum will deplete crucial nutrients necessary for healthy growth, and users will die from the effects of malnutrition.

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'Seven!? Who was the guinea pig for versions 1 through 6!?', I thought.

"Something wrong?", Kikyo asked me with a concerned look.

"Well something about this gives me cause for concern. I wouldn't use it on children.", I stated.

"What!?", the lead scientist snapped, "We have spent countless hours testing this formula, I can assure you that it is-"

"No one under twelve is permitted to take it.", I said putting my foot down, "If you have an issue with that, HR will be happy to listen."

"I agree with Victor.", Shizuka giggled.

"How would you know just by looking at a vial!", he shouted snatching it out of my hand.

Grumbling to himself, he took his team back inside their lab. I knew they had worked hard to make it, but I wasn't about to watch a child die in their parents arms. Most likely the serum effected people that were or had gone through puberty, and he just didn't take that into consideration.

"Something not sitting well with you?", Yoko asked me.

"It would have to be self-replenishing, right? Well wouldn't that cause problem for growing children?", I inquired.

"It would.", Shizuka said, "Depending on what chemical components...it could stunt growth or cause the children to experience the effects of malnutrition."

"Should I let Saito take the shot?", Kikyo questioned.

"No, same goes for anyone else 12 or younger. I want them to confirm there are no side effects to children before a single child gets a shot. Last thing I want is for a mother or father to bury their child.", I told her.

Giving me a thankful look, she said she would listen to my suggestion.

---After Breakfast, Yuko POV---

Walking into the lab, I found the scientist gathered around the serum looking at it with a grim expression. Asking the team what the issue was, the head scientist just looked at the serum while his assistant spoke up. It was evident that something had been found based on Victor's statement.

"It would appear that Victor's judgment was correct.", the assistant said.

"Is there something wrong?", I asked wanting more details.

"A child 12 years or younger would burn through nutrients too quickly to replenish them with eating. We didn't realize it till Victor said something, and made us explore it further. All our tests were done on adults...our bodies make chemicals that children don't, and that is why we don't burn through nutrients like them.", the lead scientist stated, "I...I almost injected my daughter with it. We were so sure that it would cover everyone, and I would have been responsible for their deaths. A painful death of malnutrition...Yuko I would have to watch my daughter shrivel up to nothing..."

'I thought he was being overly cautious, he knew just by looking at it.', Yuko thought, "Alright, well everyone that is going out on missions is over 12. Not only that, we can still use it on everyone over 12. It will protect them, and we can all watch of the young children."

"I know...", he admitted, "It is just exhausting that we spent sleepless nights on this, and he took one look and knew it was dangerous to children. Not only that, I was careless in not considering using tests for children's side effects."

"Maybe we should ask Victor to come, and see if he can improve it?", Sayo asked coming into the room with a pot of coffee, "He has medical knowledge."

"I am willing to work with him if we can make this so it can work on the children.", the lead scientist stated.

"I will go see if he can come look.", I said.

Walking out of the lab, I saw Victor heading to the ship. Running over to him, I told him that they confirmed the danger to children. Asking if he could come look at it to make something to help the children, he nodded his head and said he would be happy to help. Following me back into the lab, Sayo showed him the formula the team came up with. Reading it for only a few moments, Victor pulled out a pen and started adjusting the formula like he knew what would work.

Looking over his shoulder, I watched him work. He was planning to use the body's immune system to stop the spread of the chemicals the worms used. Effectively he wanted to use dead influenza virus cells to introduce the chemical signatures as if it was a disease. Doing it this way would allow the body to adapt to them, and neutralize them. It was actually quite ingenious.

"This would stop them from taking over the host or prevent people from being taken over in the early stages, how would you get rid of the worms?", I asked.

"Treat them like any other parasite, are you saying they are resistant to those treatments?", he remarked, "The worms use those chemicals to hijack the hosts body, and alter their bodies to suit their needs. They are effectively a parasite if you block their chemicals so normal treatments to remove parasites should be sufficient to kill and remove them."

"No...they aren't immune...we tested that.", the lead scientist stated as he took a look at the delivery method, "Interesting...we would have to give a booster shot every 6 months, but that is doable for us to manage. This method ensures that we don't need to worry about internal harm to the body from overworking the kidneys and liver either."

"It shouldn't take more than a few hours to do.", the team agreed as they were eager to begin.

"Before you do that, I am ordering you to take a 2 hour nap.", Victor stated, "All of this is for naught if you keel over from overwork."

Leaving with just that, he headed back to the ship to finish to changes.

---Victor POV---

Laughing in my mind, I was amazed they hadn't considered that. I knew that it was common to use dead virus to introduce things you wanted your body to make antibodies for. Getting to work on the electrical system, I had to listen to Midna snickering in my shadow. She was reading the Kenichi manga, and was laughing at Kenichi's suffering and antics.

"How come you aren't hitting on his mother?", Midna asked after a while of snickering, "His sister is twelve so I understand that one, but why not his mother?"

"One, I am laying the ground work for that by being Saito's father figure. Kikyo and Saori are really close, most likely due to have young children. From what I have observed, Kikyo is selling the idea to Saori without even realizing it. Second, I have been noticing that she has been watching me even though she is doing it stealthily.", I said with a smirk, "Saito is also following my example haha, he's got Aoi, Alice, and Honoka around him all the time. In a few years who knows, he could have a group of ladies like me."

"Your bad habits are infecting the poor boy.", she snickered.

"Whatever.", I remarked.

Working through lunch to have things ready to test for tomorrow, I came out for dinner with things finished. Bringing me water and towel, Renka asked if things were done which I confirmed. Giving me an excited look, she asked me to teach her to operate the cannons on the ship. Wearing a big grin on her face, she wanted to blow stuff up...I blamed Oriha for influencing her.

Using C4 and dynamite Oriha had been fishing off the docks. I had tried to make her stop, but I couldn't argue with the daily protein it brought it. That said, I made it clear she couldn't use it when we were out on the open ocean. It was too dangerous, and could potentially hit an underwater mine which might sink the ship.

"You get your shot?", I asked her.

"Yep, you promised I could go out there once I did!", she reminded me with a playful smile.

"Haha, I knew you were going to bring that up. We will go at first light, we need a lot of supplies from for this journey.", I stated.

"Heck yes!!", she laughed, "You hear that Maya, we are going to get some action tomorrow morning!!"

"Renka...you may want to reconsider your phrasing.", Maya sighed looked at Kensei who was pouring tea on himself.

"I meant getting to go fight those things!", Renka shouted at him, "Why is your mind going to that first!!"

"You seriously asking him that?", Kenichi and Souichiro said wanting to call her an idiot.

Putting that aside for now, I turned to Kohta who had been working with our marksmen group. Asking him if they would be ready for tomorrow, he said that all of them were proficient enough to do what was needed of them.

"Yuriko, how are the trucks looking?", I asked, "They good for the trip?"

"You got it, Saya and I test all of them to make sure they weren't rigged.", she told me.

"Learning to drive a stick was harder than I thought.", Saya admitted.

Hearing several snickers from the men, she turned around and started calling them idiots and perverts...a badge many of them probably cherished. Sitting down to eat, I listened to updates from various groups. Confirming with the lab team that they had successfully followed my changes and taken a much needed rest, they stated that almost everyone was inoculated. It would take a few days for the body to adapt completely, but it would do for now.

"So what dangers should we expect?", Bob asked me.

"First, keep an eye out for drones of any kind. They are our top priority at the moment, they kite the hordes to where ever Umbrella wants. Second, don't fall for the sounds of children crying. I have encountered mutants that sound like children crying to lure victims close, and then when they are in strike range they let out a deafening scream and call a horde in.", I stated, "The giants we saw our first day haven't made a reappearance so I am assuming we are safe from them for the time being. Remember to aim for the glowing spots, that is their weak points."

"Whose staying back to defend?", Kikyo and Kyoko inquired.

"I have having the Masters and several combat groups behind. The noise we cause should bring any zombies too us so you will be safer here than out there.", I chuckled, "Hayato will lead the groups defending our base."

"Don't you worry about a thing, we will be here when you get back.", he assured us.

---Next Morning---

Up before most of the team, I was watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee in my hand. The sky was a brilliant red color today which suggested a storm was brewing.

"Red in the morning, sailors warning. Red at night, sailors delight.", I muttered, "Hope it won't be too severe...I don't want too much hassle with the ship."

My peace was shattered by some in-fighting going on in camp. Turning around, I saw Miu and Saori getting into a heated argument. Saori wanted Kenichi to stay back, and help defend while Miu was fighting to have Kenichi go with the main group. She had somehow convinced Hayato to let her go, and now she was trying to get Kenichi to go. I knew he had tried talking to his mother, but she was petrified he would die like his father. Admittedly he wouldn't be that much help out there as he was still not that good with martial arts. The Masters and Miu were all helping him train and it wasn't like he was slacking, the problem was he really struggled to make progress.

"He should stay here where it is safe, and where he can be of the most use.", Saori argued.

"We need everyone we can to load up supplies, Kenichi is a good martial artist and won't die that easily.", Miu refuted.

"Good...I wouldn't call it that.", Souichiro whispered to Bob, "Kid still isn't grasping how to use Ki."

"Says the man that used to cheat when he was outclassed.", Bob sniped.

Watching Souichiro stumble from the insult I shook my head, those two were really like brothers. Seeing that the women weren't going to back down, I interjected. Assuring Saori that Kenichi would come back, I promised on my name that he wouldn't come to any harm. Reluctantly accepting my commitment on that, she consented to her son going out.

"You stay close to the group, and listen to Victor.", she told him.

"Mom...Victor and I are the same age.", Kenichi sighed, "I promise to listen."

Nodding her head, she went to help the cooking team prepare breakfast. Once his mother was out of ear shot, Kenichi thanked me for talking her down. He didn't have the heart to fight her given everything they had gone through. Acknowledging that, I said he was a good son for not forcing the subject himself. After breakfast we got ready to deploy on our resource gathering.

Taking Kohta, Takashi, and my team out as security the remaining members of our group were responsible for driving the trucks and loading the trucks. The three teams would pull security to protect them while they worked. Leading the group out of the camp, I made sure that the upgrades to the suit were all online. For this trip I purchased the jet boot function, the shielding, and adjusted the HUD to match my system's view so I could track things easier.

"Your welcome.", Midna snickered, "You can praise me for my effort in making the HUD."

"All you did was merge it...", I sighed, "Thank you though."

"Was that so hard?", she laughed.

"With you sometimes it is.", I sniped.

"Oh fuck you!", she spat.

"I am sure you want too.", I retorted.

"What has your panties in such a bunch?", she asked.

"Judging by the mini map, my dad is hell bent on making sure we don't leave Okinawa.", I stated looking at the group of over ten thousand collecting on the northern end of the island, "This is getting annoying as hell."

"Well you are the biggest threat to his position. No one can argue he is taking it easy on you, but he isn't killing you. Your China adventure will net you some beauties, but more importantly there are some Umbrella staff hiding among the pupils Renka's mother has and among Daiyu's group.", Midna informed me, "They are allies...just so I don't take a dip in the ocean again, your father is going to push the envelope if you escape the island."

Thanking her for the warning, I focused on our immediate situation. Monitoring the area around us, I kept tabs with the groups with my radio in my helmet. As we passed the charred remains of the city I looked on the map to see if there were any survivors that we could rescue.

"See something?", Yuko asked me over the radio.

"No, I am just looking for any heat signatures.", I replied, "Looks like they were the only group here, not seeing undead either."

"How far is the next city?", Takashi asked.

"We should be there in about ten minutes.", I stated, "I am going to pick up the pace."

Acknowledging that, I picked up the speed to 60 mph. As the next city came into view, it was in much better shape than the last one. The buildings were mostly intact, but it was only a small village. My mini map showed there were a few supply trucks with unspoiled supplies that we could hit, and that was our first target.