Chapter 179: Consequences Part 4

As per Arias's instructions, at exactly 8:00 AM the following day, an Ark Academies spokesperson revealed in an official statement that the cure to the HS virus had been found and a vaccine to prevent future infections was near completion.

This news struck the panicking world with great shock, especially the meta-gene population, who had begun to fear that their end was near. Hope finally returned after a fearful week. However, at exactly 12:00 PM the same day, Ark Academies released another statement, revealing their incapacity to mass-produce the cure, along with their intention to sell the formula.

For those who were part of the Academies, this news didn't affect them, as the Academies' population was covered, along with their families. However, the rest of the world was in greater panic now. 

What if their nation didn't buy the formula? What if it was delivered too late? Such thoughts were inevitable when considering the fact that the disease could kill within three days of developing symptoms.

Of course, the desire to sell the formula was met with incredible disapproval from the public, with many calling Ark Academies greedy and selfish. There were other points of criticism, but this was the primary focus. In response, Ark Academies claimed they were simply trying to recover their losses.

Whether people bought it or not mattered little. Even while other nations were slow to negotiate with them, they weren't the target. With only about a day left, the President of the U.S. didn't have much time to save his daughter.

With such little time left, the President made a bold move and chose to invite Doctor October to the White House once again. This time, though, it couldn't be ignored by various media outlets. With his daughter being sick, it wasn't hard for them to put two and two together. Headlines were soon beaming with rumors that the U.S. intended to buy the formula in a closed-door deal.

Such a situation didn't appeal to other nations or private organizations that felt they could make an immense profit from it. Naturally, Mercy's contact was flooded with calls and emails, most of them bids, with many already saying they'd match whatever the U.S. was offering and more.

However, she ignored them all, even the good deals, because money wasn't the issue in the first place. They did, however, make it public that numerous offers had begun coming in and mentioned some potential buyers.

Around the time this news was circulating, Doctor October was already seated comfortably within the Oval Office, with the President and his closest aides—minus a few. Many of them knew that the President intended to purchase the formula using money from the national treasury. Under normal circumstances, this couldn't be done without a Senate vote, but the state of emergency allowed it.

However, the President needed to be careful how he went about this, as he could still be held accountable after the emergency was over. Thus, his aides were present to ensure negotiations went smoothly.

To open the floor, the President started small. "Can't the Academies sell just a few batches of the cure? To give to those on their last legs while we properly negotiate the price of the formula?"

This was the President's first plan—to see if he could buy a few batches of the cure. If the number was right, he could use his own funds and make the cure free, bettering his cracked image. But there was no way Arias wouldn't see through such a blatant attempt.

Doctor October could only crack a smile and shake her head, inwardly sighing at how predictable the President was at this vulnerable moment.

"I'm sorry, Mr. President, but such matters don't fall to me. As you may understand, with many structures, us scientists are never far up the chain of command. Your question had already been considered when the higher-ups were deciding how to distribute the cure. They found this method unreliable, as we lack the resources at this point in time, hence the decision to outright sell the formula."

"Think about it—if the organization really wanted to turn a profit, they would've waited for this disease to claim more lives or spread even further. But they simply want to cover their losses. If you want my opinion, I suggest you make a reasonable bid. Ark Academies are based in this country; no way they wouldn't consider this during negotiations." She advised, acting as if she had the President's best interests in mind.

Even if what she was saying wasn't entirely true, her words carried facts that couldn't be ignored. Plus, with other nations now aggressively bidding, the situation had grown even more difficult.

Although it was easier to explain his actions if other nations were bidding, the President still felt a sour taste in his mouth from the entire affair. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't have faltered, but his daughter's life was on the line. And with his term already coming to an end, he felt her life was far more important than re-election.

The President sat in silence for a few minutes, as if assessing all his possibilities. But in the end, he could only lower his head, sigh, and shake it.

"Fine, tell your people we will match their demands," he revealed in a tone of resignation, as if all hope of another solution had completely vanished.

Doctor October simply stood up and shook her head. "You misunderstand my position once again, Mr. President. If you wish to negotiate, then you must contact the higher-ups personally. I simply came to share an inward perspective of the entire situation, given my past history with the government. Now, if you'll excuse me."

The Doctor was escorted out on that note, and after avoiding the ravenous press outside, she was once again on a private jet heading back to Gotham. Just like before, she contacted Arias, reporting, "It's done."

**[Good. I appreciate your cooperation, Doctor. Your part in this ends here. You may continue to go about your research as you have been.]**

"I had initially thought this was a meticulous scheme to gain money and benefits, but the more I know, the more I'm left wondering what the true end goal is here, Mr. Markovic."

**[Be patient, and you'll eventually see it. Be loyal, and you'll live long enough to be a part of it.]**

"It would take a lot to drive my interest away from this organization you've built. I think our cooperation is only just beginning."

**[Time will tell.]**

Without saying anything more, Arias cut the call. He was in a conference-like room within his estate, standing around a glass oval table with Harley, Diana, and Cheshire seated around it. Rose had already begun her investigation into various students, so she wasn't present.

After ending the call, Arias turned his attention to the three present and revealed, "I don't think the U.S. government will try to cause problems for me anytime soon, so our need to keep a low profile is no longer necessary. We can begin to operate towards dealing with a more reasonable threat."

Harley was quick to raise her hand and suggest, "Ooh, I know! Penguins!"

"No," Arias flatly refused, not bothering to inquire where she even came up with that idea. "My focus is the Justice League and its members. They aren't going to let what I've done slide, but neither am I."