It’s the brink of the first Sarian Altissian war and trouble is brewing within the Altissian cabinet about the surplus of troops and the overall standard of living. Scientist Schwaz Ruben, an intern, watches closely as peace is being discussed in the meeting room. The lights shine down on the central table emitting a dimmer light onto surrounding tables. The Altissian banner looked bland and without much color. Tension fills the room and sweat falls down their brows. “The communists have flanked Helion and mercenaries are flooding the streets with hot air balloons” Fruuta breaks the silence and loses his natural color in shock. “How many balloons? should we be worried about the current state of our residential districts?” Prime Minister Caldwell asks as his legs tremble unsure of how severe the threat could be. “Prime Minister, we’ve estimated thousands of care packages flying over our Noculan border. All of which are filled with Joquer gas” Fruuta clarifies and addresses the fatal issue. Economist Fruuta glares at Schwaz waiting for an opening for evaluation. Schwaz makes eye contact, sighs and nods waiting for Caldwell to respond. Schwaz clears his throat offering input “Prime Minister if I may evaluate Joquer i’d like to do so now” “Proceed Mr. Ruben” Schwaz resumes but now has the whole cabinet’s eyes on him. “These Sarian care packages have been identified to have weapons of mass hysteria, those of which can alter brainwaves at rapid rates making the innocent go on killing sprees filled with laughter.” Schwaz waits to continue, the whole room is staring intensely into his eyes making it difficult to get words out. Schwaz stutters in the office and many are on the edge of their seats. “The attack is psychological and has long lasting effects” Schwaz pauses to clear his throat once more before returning, sweat is dripping and the underarms of his coat are getting darker. “So we need to act fast, whether that means an antidote or fortification attempts near the border to lock down infrastructure” Caldwell’s legs start shaking under the table and puts his elbows on the table darting eyes at Schwaz trying to keep things professional “Mr. Ruben, we don’t have time to fortify the region and we can’t risk any more casualties, an antidote needs to be done and fast.” Caldwell dismisses Schwaz from the cabinet to investigate deeper. “The academic flight has been mobilized, you’ll be on your way.” Schwaz feels a sense of release exiting the main conference room and sits down in the waiting room for a few seconds to get back up, sweat slowing down but still tense he carries on. Schwaz peers down the escalator into a fluorescent corridor containing glass chambers holding Joquer victims within. He can only hear faint footsteps walking, not fast but not slow either, just a basic cadence. His hand tightens on the rail before releasing his hand softly leaving some sweat on the cold metal he was once holding sanity with. He knows there's no turning back now, either they live or die trying. An awaiting scientist presses a neutralize button to restrain the affected individual in place for better research and testing. Schwaz’s chest tightens, the test feels inhumane but it's necessary for survival. Schwaz puts his hand on the scientist’s shoulder before he turns around to find the white nametag reading “Crisis Response Coordinator” Schwaz wasn’t bothered to look at the name, he favored professionalism especially in a time like this. “What a pleasant surprise, Caldwell said we’d be expecting you”. The scientist had a somewhat blank look on his face and just said it to say it expecting more. “What’s the current synopsis of the victim?” The Coordinator swallowed hard knowing he’d get the response he wasn’t hoping for “The system is adapting to the gas, it would seem its… outrunning us” Schwaz pushes harder for answers “Show me all files containing these tests including corrupted and archived files” Schwaz looks in disbelief but doesn’t fully reject the information given. The coordinator’s fingertips hover over the file cartridges almost pressing against file truth. Schwaz doesn't blink. “Unseal them”. Schwaz
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