Chapter 178: Consequences Part 3

While Arias watched the news in his room, the rest of the world was in panic over what was occurring. Hospitals, clinics, and other medical centers were quickly swarmed with people looking to get tested, while at the same time, governments were desperately trying to enforce emergency measures. 

Given the origin of the virus, the government treated it as a biological weapon and declared a state of emergency. At the same time, other nations also began to take similar actions.

However, things only got worse after the first day. Thousands of deaths began to be recorded with each passing day, as the virus spread at an astronomically high rate, killing all it infected.

With such a terrifying viral outbreak, the world began to panic. News broke of some nations choosing to arrest and imprison anyone who possessed the meta-gene, while others were directly executed. 

Many felt this was horrific and uncalled for until even larger nations began to adopt a similar strategy, only they called it "Mandatory Quarantine." This was done because, despite some of the best minds working on a cure and vaccine, almost no progress was made. It was estimated that scientists would need at least a few months to understand the virus, but given the rapid rate of infection and death, many couldn't risk waiting.

While the world continued to panic and despair, Arias spent most of his days lounging in his room or office, waiting for the trigger that would instigate the third phase. 

During his time monitoring the various losses the world was suffering, Arias's monitor flashed as an emergency alert appeared. 

A smirk appeared on his face as he read the headline: **[Breaking News: U.S. President Ross's 7-year-old daughter admitted after being diagnosed with the HS virus.]**

Arias couldn't help but lean back into his chair and sigh. "Finally. I, too, was beginning to lose some very talented children," he muttered to himself.

For the sake of appearances, Arias had allowed the virus to spread among the population in his institutions, taking the lives of hundreds of children. A loss, yes, but a necessary and mild one in his eyes.

Upon hearing the news regarding the president's daughter, Arias made a very important call.

…

At the same time, within the White House's private conference room, the president and his closest aides were gathered. The president himself looked especially frantic and uneasy.

"So? Billions of dollars are funneled into our biological research programs, and you're telling me we have nothing?! Not even a drug to fight this disease's symptoms?!" His voice was raised, and his expression was vexed. Understandably so—many of the people gathered had at least two or three family members suffering from the disease.

They could only shake their heads and sigh before turning their attention to a woman wearing a lab coat over a dark, full-fitting dress that ran to her knees. She had neatly cut black hair, with a portion of it white, despite looking to be in her mid to late thirties. Her stature was slim, and she carried an air of arrogance, sitting cross-legged with a cane on her lap.

"Doctor October, you mentioned your team at the Ark Academies made a discovery. Care to share?" the advisor sitting next to the president quickly asked, drawing attention to the woman, who now curled her lips into a smile.

"We have indeed, though I wouldn't say it changes much. If anything, it will make for a more complicated scenario," she warned cryptically.

Doctor October was a former member of A.R.G.U.S., a budding secret organization under the U.S. government that aimed to create an answer to combat the rising superhuman threats. She was the most brilliant in the field of biology, medical science, and genetics, having been personally scouted by the late Amanda Waller. 

Unfortunately, due to the lack of funding and attention to her work at A.R.G.U.S., Doctor October was quick to leave the moment the Ark Academies began to recruit gifted minds. 

Now she worked there, but she was contacted due to her expertise in the field, which was now recognized thanks to many articles she published during her short time at the Ark Academies, revealing her to be among the world's best in her field. With the Ark Academies having recorded many deaths as well, they had no reason not to trust her because, in their minds, they wanted the same thing.

Despite her newly risen reputation, especially during this crisis where someone like her who specialized in multiple fields was in demand, the president was short on time and not in the mood for her attitude.

"Just say what it is your team needs, and you'll have it. But I want a guarantee that you can do something!"

Many present knew the president's request was selfish and impossible, but they, too, as parents, could understand what he was feeling and why.

At this time, Doctor October sighed and shook her head. "I'm sorry to tell you, but I cannot promise you such guarantees, Mr. President. We are at an experimental stage, still trying to understand the complexity behind the virus. Normally, if enough people were working on it, we would have made a breakthrough, but this virus is especially tricky because it dies without a host. Our studies have been limited to the few live patients who volunteered."

She continued, "Furthermore, this virus was designed to kill, plain and simple. Although capable of being contracted through blood, it lacks many of the infectious characteristics we'd expect. My team believes this virus has been lying dormant for some time within its hosts. What we don't know is how the Human Supremacy Group infected such a large population. It could have been through air, water, food—we don't know. But chances are, this virus is still being spread and—"

Before Doctor October could explain further, her phone suddenly rang. She quickly answered without wasting time, "Yes? Doctor October speaking."

From the other side, she heard the distinct and familiar voice of none other than her employer, Arias. **[You're clear to proceed to the third phase, Doctor.]**

Hearing this, Doctor October put on a front. "What?! Are you sure? I'll be there immediately. Begin working on that data!" 

Judging from her tone, Arias could tell she wasn't in a position to respond, so he simply cut the call. Relaying the order to begin was enough.

As for the others in the room, her words ignited their curiosity, not even bothering to care who was on the call but why. The president's advisor soon asked, "Is something wrong, Doctor?"

Doctor October smiled and shook her head. "No, quite the opposite. My team says stolen Human Supremacy data has been uploaded into our private servers. It's encrypted, but that shouldn't be a problem. They think the biological data surrounding the virus could be within. I must leave immediately!"

Without wasting time, Doctor October stood up, her frantic actions fooling everyone present.

Hearing her words, hope sparked within the president. "Wait, how? Who? Does this mean you can formulate a cure?"

Doctor October smiled widely at the question. "If the data regarding the virus is present, then yes. After all, no scientist, no matter how mad, would release a virus without formulating a cure. As for who sent this, our servers have cybersecurity that rivals even the government's. I can only imagine it's someone with foundational access, and I'm sure you know who that is."

"Arias Markovic…" the president trailed off, muttering the name under his breath.

One of the military officials present frowned upon hearing that name. "What's his angle?"

Doctor October laughed. "Angle? Surely you jest. The Human Supremacy Group released a virus that was destroying what he worked so hard to build. Quite frankly, I would've been disappointed if he didn't act. Now, if you'll excuse me, my presence is needed. The sooner, the better, for everyone."

Doctor October's detached character made them believe her words. Her profile stated clearly that her loyalty was to her work and nothing else. Upon arriving, she had even stated that if the government could prepare a better workspace and resources than what she had at the Ark Academies, she would gladly take it once her contract with Ark Academies ended.

With such a solid front, they went as far as to give her a presidential-level escort, ensuring she returned to the Ark Academies as soon as possible.

Once on a private Boeing jet belonging to the Academies, Doctor October contacted Arias, her tone the same, even with him. "They've bought the story, and the cure has long been ready. How do you want us to proceed, sir?"

**[Go silent for one day, and then announce tomorrow at noon that you've discovered a cure and how. However, you lack resources to mass-produce it, so your focus is only on providing for the Ark Academy population, their extended families, and staff. As for the cure… announce that its formula is for sale and will go to the highest bidder.]**