Central City – 2015

"Gideon."

"Good evening, Dr. Wells."

"Are we alone?"

"The perimeter sensors have not detected movement by any primary subject within the past twenty-four hours."

"Wonderful – initiate tracking protocols on primary subjects 0001, 0053, 0055, and 0064, would you?"

"Tracking protocols initiated on primary subjects. Shall I display the results, Dr. Wells?"

"Keep them to yourself for now, Gideon. Let me know if anything changes."

"Of course, Dr. Wells. Is there anything else that I can do for you this evening?"

"Our side project, Gideon. The big one. How's it coming along?"

"The inquiry into which sequences within subject 0064's genetic code are primary determinants of her current condition remains inconclusive."

"…damn."

"However, in your absence, I have taken the liberty of pursuing a related line of inquiry, one that I believe will prove itself as a successful alternative to achieving to you goal."

"Conducting research behind my back, Gideon?"

"Indeed."

"You know I'm not a fan of dramatic pauses. If you have something to tell me, now would be the time."

"In the five years leading up to her coma, subject 0064 reached out to several research facilities conducting similar projects to her own. Out of the eleven she contacted, six responded to her questions."

"They were studying psychrophiles as well."

"Yes. And in the last ten years, only four of those facilities that responded to subject 0064 published research regarding psychrophilic bacteria in a peer-reviewed journal."

"I assume you've already located these research facilities, Gideon? For my convenience?"

"Of course."

"And our options for trials?"

"I am in the process of compiling a list of subjects whose responses are likely to have a high probability of generalizability. It will not take more than five minutes."

"Well, then. Shall we get to work?"

Hey everyone,

Hope you're all keeping safe and healthy in these scary times! Keep in mind that the only way we can stop the virus from spreading is by staying home and out of contact with people, no matter how well you feel.

Anyway, it's been a while I posted a chapter for this particular work, but I thought it was time to get those pesky plot points I keep forgetting about moving. Stay tuned for more chapters, and remember, comments, reviews, and questions are always welcome.

Thanks for reading!