He scratched his head and tripped over something on the smooth white tile. “Damage to the frontal cortex, I suspect. Scans show a decrease in activity but no physical abnormalities. Emotional changes and lack of empathy are the biggest indicators.”
Nora lifted her head. “Did either of the students exhibit sociopathic tendencies before being infected?”
“Not that we’ve found,” Lynne answered tersely. “We’re just starting to get a handle on this, and I’ve even been studying up on the oxytocin receptor gene, even though it deals with aggressive behavior more so than empathy.”
“Huh.” Nora glanced into a pristine lab with advanced security measures. A red Biohazard Level 4 designation was displayed above one window. “I can’t believe I’m being allowed to play in Lynne Harmony’s lab.”
“Just don’t break anything,” Lynne retorted.
A tech wearing a pristine white lab coat dodged around the opposite corner, blond hair swinging. “Dr. Harmony, here are the newest results.” She handed over a stack of papers.
“Hi,” Zach said.
“Bobbi, Zach,” Lynne said absently.
Zach gave what could only be described as a half bow to the blue-eyed blonde smiling at him.
Nora bit back a grin. He was a dork, but a handsome one.
Bobbi batted long eyelashes. “Zach Barter? I read your dissertation for one of my advanced classes last year.”
Zach’s chest puffed out. “Just once?”
“No,” the young woman scoffed, “about ten times.”
Zach grinned.
Lynne cleared her throat. “Back to work, everybody.” She turned and swiped a key card.
“See you later, Zach,” Bobbi called out as they entered the first secured area.
“Romeo,” Nora muttered, throwing him an elbow.
“Let’s suit up.” He grinned. “I don’t usually get to say that.”
Nora turned to make sure she had his attention. “You’re not accustomed to lab work, but you’re excellent, so we need you. Be careful, and if you have any qualms, don’t do it.”
He nodded.
Thirty minutes later, after suiting up in protective gear and checking each other’s suits for rips or tears, they finally entered the lab. Machinery lined the outside counters, and the far wall held cages full of mice. Pipes hissed, and electrical machinery hummed. Nora settled into the familiar sounds.
Lynne maneuvered to a small fridge and pulled out a series of vials. “I’ve tried treating Scorpius with all known antibiotics.”
“It’s resistant,” Nora murmured.
“Yep. The outer protein shell is incredibly strong and resilient. So far, we haven’t been able to completely breach it.” Lynne set the vials on the counter and pointed to one with a clear, blue liquid. “I’ve tried everything from adding genetic material to adding chemicals to just yelling at the damn stuff.”
Nora smiled. “That’s a pretty blue color.”
“Yes. I bombarded a sample with radiation and damaged its DNA. Well, I altered its DNA, and then I treated it with a combination of zinc and B12 by incorporating a catalyst of titanium oxide,” Lynne said.
Nora hummed. “Interesting. A mineral and vitamin known to deal with brain function. Lynne, that’s brilliant.”
“Only if it works. So far, this just looks pretty. I’m hopeful we’ll figure out something useful in it, and I’m very hopeful with the vitamin B.” Lynne pointed to a dark green vial. “Now this one, this one is scary as hell. Another radiated sample combined withStaph, injected with a cocktail of catalysts, and it could be lethal within minutes.” She stepped closer to a keyboard and brought up a computer simulation. “This is how the green interacts with human tissue.”
She showed the bacterium at a minute level, increasing exponentially and shooting green across healthy cells, creating deadly toxins.
“What the heck?” Zach breathed, stepping closer.
