True to his word, Whyte dispatched a couple of dozen hardened, grizzled men and women. All of them were armed to the teeth, with so many grenades, guns, and gear that Mark thought they might explode by merely coughing. He pegged the newcomers as soldiers, but Finster corrected him. “They’re PMCs. Or mercenaries, if you prefer.” That was all he’d say on the issue.
As production of the disease went into effect, Rooke demonstrated its capabilities to Whyte and to everyone else. He showed a video of a test subject receiving a dosage, with the onset of symptoms in just a few hours. Mark squirmed as Rooke sped up the video, showing the rapid progression of the symptoms and commenting on aspects of the disease. “Within two days, the subject is dead,” Rooke explained. However, the video ended before that could happen, showing the cure being administered, and the person recovering to full health from the brink of death.
He bowed when Whyte congratulated him. “Splendid! I must say that is very potent. You’re becoming quite the natural at this.”
“Thank you,” Rooke said. “Like I told you, people will be beating down the door to get a cure.” He retrieved a vial of the cure from his pocket and twirled it between his fingers.
The pace of work picked up over the next couple of weeks. Rooke’s factories couldn’t pump out the SN91 fast enough. He built canisters twice as large as the originals to hold the SN91 and distributed them all over town, planting them in offices, clinics, restaurants, and emergency service buildings, under the guise of government monitoring equipment. The merchants were told that the equipment was meant to check for any radiation that may have spread from an accident outside of town. A few refused, in which case Rooke’s men set up the canisters elsewhere. Most of the proprietors bought the story, agreeing to accept the temporary equipment for peace of mind. Mark simply did as he was ordered, helping set up the canisters in what appeared to be skeleton designs of upside-down satellite dishes wired to the canisters directly. Then he helped deliver them to their designated locations. He learned that when they were finished, the canisters would all be activated at the same time, unleashing the disease across the city. Thanks to the mercenaries’ help for the past two weeks, the canisters had been scheduled to release the SN91 tomorrow.
“So, we’ll be safe?” Mark asked as he watched Heather and Finster spar in the gym. They had found little downtime over the weeks to train, and they took advantage of every opportunity to relax. Mark would’ve preferred to have some downtime with some snacks and video games in place of training.
“Should be,” Finster said. “Right before the canisters go off, we’ll all withdraw to the office. Rooke told me that he’ll have the building on lockdown. They have airproof shielding on every door and window. With all the stuff they’re handling in there on a daily basis, it’s a safeguard. Helps to keep things on the inside in and things on the outside out.”
“I don’t buy any of this,” Heather said, stopping for a breather. “He’s been far too eager for this. It isn’t like him. He was even more receptive when I asked about my own cure.”
“Oh? What did he say?” Mark asked.
“That I shouldn’t worry and that it would be finished soon,” Heather said. “Last time I checked, he told me he wasn’t anywhere close to completing it. Now he tells me he’s almost through.”
“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,” Finster said.
“I’m not. I’m being cautious.” She gulped down a sports drink.
“He’s been working hard,” Finster said. “Told me that the strength thing is just about done, too. Another day or two tops. Said he plans to test it on himself first once it’s finished. ‘Bite the bullet’ and ‘really throw himself into his work,’ he said. Then he’ll demonstrate it to Whyte.”
“So he’ll be indestructible?” Heather asked.
“Would you rather be tested and put your life in his hands?” Finster asked. Mark shuddered at this suggestion. It wasn’t an experience he would care to relive.
“Maybe his plan is to stand up to Whyte,” she said. Finster shrugged and mopped off his brow with a towel. She wiped the sweat from her forehead. “That’s enough for today. It’s getting late and we have a lot to do tomorrow night.”
“Where are we going?” Mark asked, hopping off the bench.
“To the factory. You know, the one we took you to before. They’re making the last batch and we’re overseeing its delivery. Sleep as much as you can in the morning. Rooke wants it unloaded and set up as soon as it enters the city so the test can go off without a hitch.” She shook her head. “Like I said, he’s way too eager for this.”