Even in a timeline Calista had never seen, if a real vaccine were ever successfully developed, it would likely be in Europe, especially in France, where the Wildfire virus originated.
Calista stepped forward, her gaze fixed sharply on Jenner.
"Our priority should be understanding exactly what this vaccine has done to me.
What are the limits of the physical enhancement? How do we control or prevent the side effects? What exactly is that so-called sensing ability, and can it be controlled or used?
This directly affects my survival, and indirectly the stability of Rock Fortress. Have you thought about what happens to the base if something happens to me?"
Her words pulled Jenner's focus away from the distant idea of saving the world and back to something immediate and practical.
Jenner paused, meeting her steady gaze, then slowly nodded.
"You're right. Stability and control come first."
"So," Calista continued, "you want to run experiments on live walkers. Use my blood to see how it affects them."
Jenner picked up a small glass vial from the table. Inside was a clear, pale golden liquid.
"This is derived from your latest blood sample. It's been separated, purified, and stabilized.
We need two relatively fresh walkers. I want to inject this directly and observe the reaction."
"Capture walkers…"
Calista frowned. This was not a trivial task, and she was not about to risk running such an experiment inside the base.
"This is a key step," Jenner said urgently. "We need to know whether your blood suppresses the virus further or triggers new mutations. This affects your future, and possibly everyone else's."
Calista looked at the vial, then at Jenner and Evans.
She understood the risk.
But if she wanted control over her own condition, and to uncover what Silas Norton had left behind, this step could not be avoided.
"Fine."
Her eyes hardened.
"I'll arrange it. Two suitable walkers. But not here. We do this in the Great Smoky Mountains."
She paused, her tone turning cold.
"If anything goes wrong, I end it immediately. The test subjects are destroyed on the spot.
This concerns my condition and the core interests of Rock Fortress. All data stays between us. No one else learns the details of my blood. Understood?"
"Understood," Jenner and Evans replied seriously.
"Good. Be ready. We move within two days."
She turned and left without hesitation.
Saving the world was a distant dream.
First, she would control her own power and eliminate the risks within herself.
Then she would use everything available to survive and build her own order in this world.
As for the cost…
As long as she was not the one paying it, it did not matter.
That was her way of survival.
...
Two days later, in a hidden valley about five kilometers from Rock Fortress.
Calista, Jenner, and Evans waited behind thick bushes, watching an open patch of woodland ahead.
Jenner held a reinforced metal case containing the golden reagent and injection tools.
Evans prepared a rugged tablet and sensors to record data.
They did not wait long.
Rustling leaves and dragging footsteps approached.
Leah appeared first, followed by Mike and Carver.
These were Calista's most trusted operatives. They had been with her at the CDC in Atlanta and knew, at least in part, that she was different.
Mike and Carver were dragging their "subjects" forward with practiced efficiency.
Two walkers. One male, one female.
Their clothes were torn hiking gear. Their bodies were dirty and stained with dried blood, but not yet heavily decomposed. They could still move well.
Their mouths were tightly sealed with heavy-duty tape, reducing their sounds to muffled groans. Their arms were bound behind their backs with multiple layers of nylon rope.
The ropes were held by Mike and Carver like leashes.
"This spot works. Hidden enough," Leah said quietly, glancing briefly at Jenner and Evans.
She did not ask questions. If Calista ordered it, that was enough.
Mike and Carver dragged the walkers into the cleared center of the area.
Carver kicked the male behind the knee, forcing it down, then pinned it with his weight.
Mike restrained the female the same way.
"All set, Calista," Mike said.
Calista nodded.
"Jenner, make it quick. We can't stay long."
Jenner inhaled deeply, steadying himself.
He opened the case, took out the syringe and the faintly glowing golden vial.
Evans stepped in to help, trying to attach sensors to the walkers' exposed skin, but their struggling made it difficult.
"Hold them steady," Jenner said, his voice tight.
Mike and Carver tightened their grip, forcing the bodies still.
Jenner's hand trembled slightly, but he remained precise.
The needle pierced into the muscle at the back of the male walker's neck.
Slowly, he injected the pale golden liquid.
Calista watched the entire process without looking away.
When it was done, everyone pulled back, keeping their distance.
They waited for the reaction.
...
If you'd like to support my work and unlock advanced chapters, you can follow me on p-@-treon.
p-@-treon/GhostParser (40 Chapters Ahead)
You can also follow as a free member to read a few advanced chapters.