Chapter 112: Before the Investigation

Adrian visited Seo-yeon in the medbay where she was being taken care of by the doctors and nurses, checking her overall health status.

She looked up to him as she noticed him entering the room.

"Sir Adrian."

"Just drop the Marcus, you are older than me," Adrian said.

The edge of her lips twitched slightly at the mention of being called older, but she didn’t push back.

"...Then Adrian," she said, settling back against the bed.

A nurse stepped aside, giving him space while still keeping an eye on the monitors.

"She’s stable," the doctor said. "No signs of infection. Vitals are normal, just mild exhaustion and dehydration."

Adrian nodded.

"Good."

He stepped closer, pulling a chair and sitting beside her.

"You’ll be transferred to a secured facility after this," he said. "This is just initial screening."

Seo-yeon glanced at the IV line on her arm, then back at him.

"I expected that," she replied. "How long before I can start working?"

The question came too fast.

"You just got here," he said. "Rest first."

She shook her head slightly.

"Time matters," she said. "If what I think is happening is correct, then every hour counts."

Ryan, who had been leaning by the door, let out a quiet breath.

"She’s already in work mode," he muttered.

Adrian ignored him.

"What do you need first?" he asked.

Seo-yeon didn’t hesitate.

"Samples," she said. "Zombies."

"Oh we have plenty of that, here. What else?"

"Just the infected for now. You told me your equipment will take time to set up. I want to see the zombies up close."

Adrian held her gaze for a second, weighing it.

"Up close means controlled exposure," he said. "Very well."

Seo-yeon gave a small nod.

"I’m not asking to walk into a horde," she replied. "I need to observe movement, tissue condition, response to stimuli. Even basic things will tell me a lot."

Then moments later.

A chef in a clean white uniform pushed a small cart into the room, stopping beside Adrian.

On top of it sat a covered plate under a clear dome, with a tall glass beside it.

Seo-yeon blinked.

That alone already felt out of place.

Adrian glanced at the chef and gave a short nod.

"Leave it," he said.

"Yes, sir."

The chef stepped back and quietly exited, closing the door behind him.

Adrian reached forward and lifted the dome.

Steam rose immediately.

A freshly cooked steak.

Golden fries on the side.

And beside it, a cold glass of mango shake, condensation forming along the surface.

"This is for you. I specifically made a request from the chef to cook you something fresh, as a token of our appreciation for you coming here to understand the virus we are facing."

Seo-yeon didn’t answer right away.

She just looked at the plate.

At the steam.

At the way the glass caught the light.

"...You didn’t have to," she said quietly.

Adrian leaned back in his chair.

"I did," he replied. "You’re not a prisoner here. You’re a partner."

Ryan raised a brow from the door but didn’t comment.

Seo-yeon reached for the utensils slowly, like she was still adjusting to the idea.

"Most places would’ve locked me in a room and handed me rations," she said.

"They still might," Ryan muttered. "Depends how useful you are."

Adrian ignored him again.

She cut into the steak.

Paused.

Then took a bite.

For a brief second, her expression stayed neutral, then softened just a little.

"...It’s been a while," she admitted.

"Since you had something like that?" Adrian asked.

She nodded.

"Before everything collapsed, I barely noticed food," she said. "Now it feels... different."

Ryan crossed his arms.

"Yeah," he said. "Funny how things work."

Seo-yeon took another bite, slower this time.

Then a sip of the mango shake.

She exhaled lightly.

"...You’re right," she said.

Adrian looked at her.

"About what?"

"This isn’t just survival," she said. "You’re maintaining something close to normal."

Adrian nodded once.

"As much as we can."

She looked at him again.

"And you expect me to help keep it that way."

"I expect you to tell us the truth," Adrian replied. "Whatever you find."

She held his gaze for a moment.

Then nodded.

"You’ll get it," she said. "Even if it’s not what you want to hear."

"That’s fine," Adrian said.

Ryan pushed off the wall slightly.

"When do we move her?" he asked.

"After her rest," Adrian replied. "Then straight to containment viewing. Which means you are going to catch some zombies."

"That’s an easy job sir," Ryan said.

***

Ryan didn’t waste time.

"Shadow Team, gear up," he said as he stepped out of the medbay. "Non-lethal capture. Aim for mobility, not kills."

"Copy," one of the operators replied.

Within minutes, they were outside the perimeter, riding in two armored vehicles moving past the outer defenses of Basa Air Base. The gates opened just enough to let them through, then sealed shut behind them.

The environment shifted fast.

"Eyes up," Ryan said, scanning the roadside. "They’re fast. Don’t get complacent."

They didn’t have to wait long.

A figure sprinted across the road ahead.

Then another.

Too fast to be human.

"Contact front!" one of the men called.

The infected turned toward them instantly, reacting to the sound.

Then they charged.

"Dismount!" Ryan ordered.

The team stepped out in a controlled line, weapons raised.

"Legs only!" Ryan shouted.

The first infected closed distance fast, erratic and aggressive.

"Fire!"

Shots cracked in quick succession.

Rounds struck the legs—knees, thighs—tearing through muscle. The infected stumbled mid-sprint, momentum sending it crashing hard onto the asphalt.

It didn’t stop.

It crawled.

"Second one!" another operator called.

The next infected lunged.

"Left side!"

More shots.

Legs shredded.

It dropped instantly, body twisting as it tried to drag itself forward.

"Move in!" Ryan ordered.

Two operators stepped forward with restraint gear, heavy-duty bindings and reinforced cuffs. They pinned the first infected down, forcing its arms behind its back as it snapped and thrashed violently.

"Hold it—hold it!"

"Got it!"

The second one fought harder, kicking with what was left of its legs.

"Careful!" Ryan warned.

A third operator stepped in, pressing it down while another secured its arms.

"Bag the head!"

A hood went over its face, muffling the snarls.

Within seconds, both were contained.

Breathing hard, Ryan stepped back and looked over them.

"...Yeah," he muttered. "These are the ones she needs."

He keyed his radio.

"We got zombies."