Lockdown Nation

by Lim, Candice

  “What sort of information have you got?”

  “Have you checked the Cranax database recently?”

  “You got the virus sequence from Peyton.”

  “You should crunch the numbers.” Mandy whipped out her tablet. We stood in a circle and the hologram of the Cranax database appeared in the middle. She moved about in the air and pulled out Hershey and Peyton’s sequences. She snapped her fingers to highlight the matching regions on both strands.

  ‘99.9% match,’ the fine print read above.

  “What are you trying to say?” asked Sam.

  Mandy added another sequence to the hologram and highlighted the different regions. “This is a standard Infected’s sequence compared to Peyton and Hershey’s. Vaxine and Axon said Hershey’s antidote gene is targeted on these regions of the standard Infected sequence. These are the genes that control aggression in an Infected.” She pointed at the standard Infected gene.

  Mandy’s face became serious. She pointed at Hershey and Peyton’s sequences. “They speculated the expression of these genes in the standard Infected is controlled by these genes in Hershey and Peyton’s sequence.”

  My head pounded with confusion when Botty perked. “Remember the twins’ experiment? This was the part Quillon overlooked when he performed gene therapy. He gave them each a different strain and the one who got the dominant virus killed the other.”

  The chill picked up in the air, shrill silence fell upon us. The gravity of the situation dawned on me, the puzzle pieces falling into place. Project Hive Mind. A dominant strain of Cranax controlling the others. It was a mass mind control scheme.

  With my shaky fingers, I whipped out my phone to check the Cranax statistics. The total reported Cranax cases had reached 1,200,039. Not including those not reported. It wouldn’t be long until they got everyone.

  The blood froze in my veins. “You’re right, Mandy. We have to report to the coalition. They need to know exactly what’s going on in here.”

  Mandy shook her head. “That would be ideal but only Ronin had access to the coalition. We can’t even hack his laptop. It’s burnt. Peyton must’ve known what we’re doing.”

  “Screw the laptop. Let’s do this the conventional way.” I looked at everybody. “We’ve got Assunta’s number. We’ll have to get to her before Peyton does.”

  “What about Robert? We need to get to him before his brain rots away. We don’t know how much time we’ve got.”

  “There are four of you here. Can’t you split?” said Botty.

  We traded looks. Our expressions hinted at our reluctance. We wouldn’t know if this would be the last time we saw each other. But we lacked choices.

  “Sam and I will go for Robert.”

  Mandy took a hard stare at me and pulled me into a chest bump. “We’ll take care of Assunta then. We’ll contact you by phone. Remember to pick up yours.”

  “Looks like it’s us again.” Carlisa smiled.

  14

  VAXINE

  Another bone-crushing thud rang through the four stark walls in the interrogation room. The ATP’s fist connected with Axon’s face. Vaxine pinched her eyes closed and turned away. She winced but the handcuffs that bound her to the chair kept her still.

  Her rage scorched through her veins, but she could only grit her teeth and glare at the interrogator who happened to be an ATP. Another pair of them flanked the metal door.

  “I’m going to ask you one more time,” said the muffled voice behind the mask. He hovered over Vaxine and pointed at Axon strapped to the chair in front of her. “Look, your little boyfriend here won’t be able to take it any longer so I reckon you tell us the information we want, and I shall spare his suffering.”

  Vaxine clenched her teeth. Her eyes passed between Axon and the interrogator.

  “No…” Axon muttered through his swollen bleeding lips. Bruise marks dotted on his face. His hair matted on the sides of his bloodied cheeks. He spat on the floor and glared at the man next to Vaxine. “Don’t tell him shit.”

  The interrogator snarled and swung his arm. His knuckles connected to Axon’s cheekbones once more, ripping a grunt off his throat.

  “Stop!” shouted Vaxine. Her knuckles turned white from clenching. If it weren’t for the bindings on her wrists, these fists would’ve met the interrogator’s face in no time.

  Axon hung his head back gasping for air. The interrogator turned to Vaxine. His fingers raked across Axon’s scalp and tugged at his hair. His eyes rolled back in his skull and he looked in a daze.

  Vaxine winced at the sight and glared at the interrogator.

  “Are you going to tell me something now?”

  “Yes,” said Vaxine. “Go fuck yourself.”

  With a snarl, the interrogator let go of Axon and slapped Vaxine across her face. She tasted blood. The scorching pain spread across her whole cheek. She groaned. With a smirk, she looked up and spat, “I bet your mom would’ve slapped you harder if she knew what you’re doing.”

  Another disgruntled snarl, the ATP struck Vaxine on the face. “Keep talking, bitch. Let’s see how long you two can play this game. I bet all these times in grad school will come in handy.”

  A stream of blood trickled from the corner of Vaxine’s lips.

  The door suddenly flung open. The familiar clinking of stilettos echoed throughout the room, turning heads in the direction of the silhouette at the door. The interrogator bowed at the newcomer. “In reason we trust, Dr. Cash.”

  “Blot my gel! Why haven’t you died, bitch?” spat Axon with his ragged breath.

  A sneer cocked her signature glossy red lips. Her snigger punctuated the steady tapping of her heels. She moved to the center of the room where her face lit up in the dim light. Dr. Adenine Cash still wore the same fiery pixie cut and had a beige fur coat draped over her shoulders.

  She clicked her tongue. Her gaze fell on Axon. “Poor boy. What have they done to your handsome face?”

  “Kinda wish homeboy here would gouge out my eyeballs so I didn’t have to see your ugly face,” said Axon.

  “Wish granted!” The ATP stopped when Cash raised her hand.

  “Not so soon. There is precious information I could get out of these two.” Cash smiled and whipped out a syringe filled with amber liquid.

  Vaxine rolled her eyes and muttered a cuss at the familiar sight.

  “Well, children. I believe we have a problem that can be easily resolved with cooperation from you two.” Cash strutted towards Vaxine and brushed her knuckles across her cheek. The undiluted fragrance of her perfume slid down her throat like poison. Vaxine turned away with a huff. “You’d better tell me who else is with you before I stick this in your little boyfriend, Vaxine.”

  Vaxine glared at Cash. The only feeling she had for her was contempt and disgust. “There are only us.”

  Cash clicked her tongue and cupped Vaxine’s face, forcing her to look into her eyes. “I like you better when you were an Infected. You were more obedient and intelligent but now you can’t even lie.”

  Vaxine jerked away forcefully. Though Cash had moved away for Axon, her perfume still lingered like a phantom.

  Axon feigned composure though he was breaking out in cold sweat.

  “Let’s see if you’re more cooperative than your partner-in-crime here.” Cash flicked the syringe.

  He pursed his lips and clenched his teeth at Cash hovering over him. When she stabbed him with the syringe, Axon threw his head back and let out a horrendous roar. She pushed the piston halfway through and withdrew it.

  “Axon!” Vaxine shouted and shook violently in her chair. Her anger exploded into wrath at how little she could do.

  Axon’s glassy red eyes glared at Cash. He clenched and unclenched his fists. The black veins crawled over his skin. He vibrated in his chair. His muscles tensed and twitched as the virus took over his system. His face contorted with agony and fury, fighting with his last breath to stop himself from fal
ling victim to Cranax.

  “Now, Axon, will you give me some names?” Cash checked her nails.

  Axon trembled violently like he got the chills. He chewed his lip, drawing blood to stop himself from talking. “I…I…am not…telling you shit…bitch.”

  Cash sighed. “I thought a small dose would suffice but you’re stronger than I think.”

  Cash stabbed him again. Axon let out another tormented roar. This time, she emptied the last drop into him. He hung his head low, drool rolling down his neck.

  “No! Axon! Cash, you’re killing him!” Vaxine stomped her feet on the ground in frustration.

  Cash grabbed hold of Axon’s hair and tilted his chin up. The black veins consumed the whole of his face and his blind gaze interlocked with Cash. With a wicked smile, Cash cupped his face. “My dear Axon, have I convinced you to talk now? Tell me, who else was there with you?”

  Vaxine had muttered every profanity under her breath. A hollow hole burned in her stomach.

  “Man—Mandy Berger. S—she was the d—designated driver.” Axon squeezed his eyes shut and winced, fighting for control over his brain.

  “No…” Vaxine shook her head. “No, Axon! Stop talking! Please look at me!” Her call went unheard. Axon’s chest heaved and fell rapidly with his increased breathing. He kicked his feet in the air. The trembling intensified, knocking his chair over on his side with a loud thump.

  Cash smirked at the ATP.

  “And the Cranax coalition, it’s back online,” muttered Axon through his gritted teeth. He slammed his head repeatedly on the ground trying to knock the virus out of his head or punishing himself for spilling the beans.

  Cash shot a wary look at the interrogator. He reached for his earpiece whispering urgently. She sucked in a breath. “And how long has this been?”

  “Less than 24 hours ago.”

  “Oh, Axon! Just shut up already!” Vaxine got angrier at her own incompetence than Axon.

  Cash’s face took on a brief concerned look. Then, she smiled at Vaxine and Axon in turn. “I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned your junior’s name yet.”

  “Roxy has left us with her boyfriend, Sam,” said Vaxine.

  Cash snorted. “Typical. I knew she wouldn’t amount to much anyway. Like her useless peasant parents. Anyway, I’ve more pressing matters at hand. We shall speak again.” She clapped her hands once and breezed towards the door with the interrogator. She turned around with a smirk. “If you’re still alive then.”

  The metal door slammed closed, sealing the two in the small room. Vaxine’s attention diverted to Axon groveling and grunting on the ground. His drool formed a puddle on the ground near his mouth.

  The chill trickled down her spine. Her mind spun with frightening thoughts of what could happen. “Axon? Hey, Axon? Are you alright? Axon!”

  The animalistic glare of Axon’s crimson eyes set on her face.

  15

  ROXY

  Sam Maximoff and I entered the double glass door of the co-lab. “Congratulations on taking the first step of realizing your startup dreams,” greeted the disembodied voice. We stood in the nucleus of the rustic two-story high lobby.

  The bleak white wall ahead hand-printed in blocks: ‘EXPERIMENT. FAIL. LEARN. REPEAT.’ At 8.30 a.m. the facility had only opened for a half-hour, it already hummed with activities. A couple of men and women lounged in beanbags beavering away on their laptops in the common area next to the floor-to-ceiling glass walls. A digital nomad paradise.

  On the left side at the cozy little café where the coffee perfumed the air, the tapestry behind the counter read in cursive ‘Live, Lab, Love.’ The coffee machine and clinking of cutleries punctuated the lo-fi indie music playing in the air. The chalkboard sign in front of the café read, ‘Take a break while saving the world. Enjoy our wide variety of plant-based, cruelty-free menu.’

  The tension uncoiled from my chest and my shoulders slumped in relief. I forgot where I was. This had to be the most carefree and chill lab I’d set foot in, a stark difference from the ones I frequented.

  Sam and I made for the information kiosk when a lab coat-clad woman in her twenties emerged from behind the main wall. Her face lit up when she noticed us.

  I took a double-take at her. Her bright pink cornrows pulled back into a ponytail. She had piercings on her brows and rings on her nose and lip. When she reached out for a handshake, her full sleeve peeked out. Though I thought she looked cool, she would’ve broken all the dress code rules in ANNUS.

  “Hey, guys! Welcome to our co-lab! I’m Tameera. What can I help you with?” She laced her fingers and smiled at Sam and I in turn.

  Caught off guard, I was lost for words for a second. “Uh, we’re actually…um…gonna do some PCR.”

  Tameera clapped her hands once. “Excellent! You’ve come to the right place! Our goal is to provide a safe environment for indie scientists and biohackers alike to carry out their own experiments without judgment. We aim to make science casual and for everybody. So when I graduated with my PhD, I came up with this open-source co-lab so even folks who aren’t able to make it into the Community can come and explore their scientific side.”

  “That—that’s beautiful.” I didn’t know what else to say. I’d come here expecting to be like ANNUS, but it had been the complete opposite.

  “Anyone who comes and works at our co-lab is eligible for a free coffee of their choice. If there are no questions, come through!” I whipped out my ID to show her when she already spun around and waved for us to follow her.

  “Right.” I pocketed my ID and whispered to Sam. “I like the vibes in here.”

  Behind the white wall, the double glass door opened to the wet lab resembling a hangar. The two-story high room stretched at least the size of a football field. Lab benches arranged in neat rows and columns, each decked with different equipment—some already preoccupied.

  “Since you’re doing PCR, should you need any reagents or primers, feel free to use the vending machines at the back,” said Tameera. “Just a heads-up, guys. Like all co-labs, any experiments you carry out should be limited to biosafety-level 1 only. And oh, as much as we want to make the environment fun, PPE is to be worn at all times in the lab.”

  Sam and I nodded in understanding.

  “Alright, I’ll be in the lobby if you need anything. Happy exploring, guys.” Tameera winked at us and disappeared around the corner.

  Sam and I traded looks. I pulled out the lab coats from my backpack and handed out one to Sam. We slid into the lab coat and made for the back of the lab. With my tablet in hand, I scanned through the stretch of vending machines. Each for different PCR types.

  We walked past reverse transcriptase, multiplex, nested, real-time, and finally stopped at the standard PCR machine. I looked at Sam, about to ask him the same question I would ask Armani every time before I started the machine. Then I realized. Sam wouldn’t know the answer. Armani was long gone. I was all by myself now.

  So I sucked in a breath and tapped on the touchscreen menu. I scrolled through the photos of the reagents and ticked the ones I needed. Checking the protocol Vaxine sent me twice, I sucked in a breath and tapped ‘Place Order’.

  “Please provide a sequence for primers,” said a disembodied voice. Two blank columns popped up.

  I typed in the sequences and passed the tablet to Sam. “Can you please double-check?”

  Sam and I swapped places. He returned the tablet a minute later. I tapped ‘Confirm Order’ and scanned my phone when the payment message popped up.

  “Please wait for your items to be dispensed.” The hourglass animation appeared.

  Five minutes later, the machine whirred and thunked. I bent over and looked at the pickup box. The reagents sat neatly on the freezing plate. The machine hissed out a cloud of cold mist. I reached in and picked up my order.

  A strip of paper on the standard PCR protocol was dispensed next to the pickup box. “Thank you for your
purchase. Remember to sanitize your workbench before starting. Bye!”

  I sucked in a breath and looked at Sam. “Alright, let’s do this!”

  Sam and I went to the empty bench with a PCR machine. I placed my reagents aside and my tablet on the stand. Snapping on the gloves, I disinfected the bench and every pipette on the carousel. I placed the reagents in front of me, retrieved the vial from my backpack, and sucked in a deep breath.

  I picked up a pipette when a wave of fear swept over me. My thought went to Cash and the fire blazed in my veins. I winced.