Making Slow Progress
His gaze remained focused on the table before him, even as his ears moved about.
Partially in concentration, partially to the dragging sound coming from behind him. A white light beamed down on the table he was standing before. There was a very, very low hum of electricity. He had a face mask on, and gloves. Not wanting to contaminate anything, while also needing to study. He only scrunched his nose a moment at the odor that reached him, but he relaxed before long. A groaning came, even as a panting voice came to him, "If you want this fucking thing, you help me get it onto that fucking table."
Yeosang sighed, gently setting his pen down. He turned around to face Wooyoung. Dragging a heavily incapacitated zombie behind him. It's almost toxic bloody trail leading back to where Wooyoung had come from. It had taken extraordinary effort for the pack of two to reach Anyang. And find a decent medical facility where Yeosang could start his hands-on experience with the hybrid body. Even if it was a now dead zombified corpse. He wasn't sure when he'd get a non-zombified version. But he wasn't in a rush. Besides, he felt it was more integral to get zombies. Couldn't make a cure without analyzing the dead thoroughly first. And he would have asked Wooyoung for help with the non-zombified version, but he couldn't. He loved Wooyoung, he wasn't sacrificing him for answers.
Yeosang sighed, before he pulled his current gloves off. And then took up the gloves that were already covered in a small layer of zombie blood. He approached without a word, and came to the zombie's dragged arm limbs. He spoke softly, "Of course. I see this one didn't suffer much brain damage."
Wooyoung scowled at him a moment, before he replied, "You step outside in the ass freezing snowing winter, and see if you need to take out the zombies with more than just a swing or two. The cold's getting to them."
Yeosang hummed, nodding. As they lifted the corpse onto the examination table that also saw remnants of zombie blood, Yeosang replied, "This is true. For the time we're in, Wooyoung. You and I both know they will change. Winter may slow them for a time. But eventually, it may not matter. We can only hope we have a way to combat it. Or find a way to live, without them making it into any newly built zombie free and fortified location."
Wooyoung nodded, even as he pulled his scarf down from his face. He rubbed his hands together, trying to get heat back in them. Yeosang watched a moment, blinking. After a moment, he took the zombie gloves off and took Wooyoung's hands between his. Letting his alpha warmth warm them for his omega. He felt how cold they were. How dry, too. Yeosang offered him a soft smile, "I can never thank you enough for helping me with this, Woo. Without you, it could take me exponentially longer to try and find a possible cure."
Wooyoung sighed, shoulders sagging, "You think it's already inside us?"
Yeosang shrugged, "May just be. But without a living wolf to take out and try it on, we'll never know. And no, I am not asking you to die for this cause. Not yet. You're my pack. You promised. Don't break it now just for my insane ambition in making a cure."
Wooyoung smiled softly, "I won't." He gestured to the table, "What have you got, thus far?"
Yeosang spoke, "With what few instruments of research I have, that zombie blood is chemically different. We've been fairly wise to not get into much contact with it. I also wonder about locations close to nuclear power plants. They may be more toxic." He gently let Wooyoung's now warmed hands go, before turning back to their fresh zombie kill. He spoke as he put the zombie gloves back on, "It's currently very acidic."
Wooyoung nodded, even as he pulled back and pulled his jacket and other winter gear off, "So, would contact with its fluids change you into one?"
Yeosang shrugged, "Hard to say. I really would hate to be like a psychotic wolf bringing in bait, but we may have few options."
Wooyoung blinked, watching him. After a few, he inquired as he shrugged, "I think we'll be fine for the time being. We're in the northern half of Korea. We're bound to have random wolves stumble upon your little lab. The question is, are we willing to go down such a dark path?"
Yeosang smirked behind his mask, even as he got to work getting his hands into the zombie's body, "We may just have to. I wouldn't want to risk it unless necessary. Maybe, we can try on rats. Not ethical either, but our options are limited. For now, I just need a decent understanding of their physiology. I may not have need of a fresh normal kill to understand the inner workings of the body."
Wooyoung hummed, before he turned to wander off, "Whatever. You do you. I'm gonna go and get a nap."
Yeosang smirked, but didn't reply.
//
"Say 'ah'."
Yeosang more or less did, without tearing his eyes from what he was working on. As he did, chopstick ends entered his mouth. And warm ramen noodles as well. As he munched, he finally tore his gaze from what he was doing. He looked to Wooyoung, holding a bowl of some ramen soup. Wooyoung smirked, "If you're going to try and play chemical hero, you need to eat. And I guess that means I feed your ass."
Yeosang smirked, even as he swallowed, "Thank you, Woo. I just-." He sighed, "I want to succeed so badly."
Wooyoung hummed, looking down to Yeosang's notes and research. Then back up to his alpha packmate, "I know. But don't neglect yourself. You'll be no good to anyone starving yourself. I also found a few rats. Trapped them for you. But, you sure this virus will work the same on them?"
Yeosang sighed softly, "Not really. Rats and Hybrids are two entirely different species."
Wooyoung watched him. Eyes darting, trying to truly read and understand Yeosang.
He spoke softly, even as he offered Yeosang another bite of soup, "We can still take a few straggling survivors. I know what you're thinking. We'd be no better, than psychotic wolves. But I beg to differ. Those assholes would kill for fun. For power and control. To put the fear into the hearts of others. You wouldn't. You'd make sure they went out peacefully. And, you'd be doing it for the greater good. You're trying to find a fucking cure. They would not. They will not whole up in a long abandoned research and medical facility, to try and find a cure. They would lure as many victims in as possible, and snuff them out. Make them bait, and turn them into zombie chow. We would not. That's the difference. And if you tell the straggling survivor what you are trying to do, they may be okay with it. Knowing it is for the greater good."
Yeosang hummed, slightly unconvinced, "Maybe. But, we're not exactly seeing them this winter. It's bad. Worst I'd seen my entire life. I know, it's because the last three seasons saw a significant drop in air pollution and cars. And besides, I'm not risking you in any fashion. And on top of that, it will still take me time to even figure out this virus."
Wooyoung hummed, still watching him. Even as he blew on the spoon of broth, before offering it to him, "Yet, you've asked me to stop bringing the zombies in already. You have all you need. So many samples. You've studied all you can about the inner workings of the body. And these zombies. You need to start figuring out if it's just transferable, or activated by bite and or death." He then spoke, "Look, most viral infections are detected in the blood stream. You don't need me ending my own life to offer you a blood sample. I may hate needles, but as long as you distract me I should be okay. Use my blood. And your own. Study them. If you see the virus in our blood stream, then it's activated through bite and death."
Yeosang smirked, "I suppose you make fair point on that. But I would really like to not test my possible cures on you, until I am certain they work."
Wooyoung shrugged, "Then wait until you've started that process, before asking what straggling survivors we get to be your test subjects."
Yeosang sighed, "Maybe. Just, one day at a time."
Wooyoung nodded, even as he continued to feed Yeosang. The alpha was grateful to Wooyoung. And the soup was good. It helped refuel him. And helped him garner better focus. And he did do as Wooyoung suggested. Took samples of their blood for study. They were both relatively healthy individuals. While having been in slight contact with the zombies, everyone had. So there would be no point in trying to find a wolf that hadn't in any fashion. With a step in the right direction, Yeosang continued to analyze and do what he could to figure out the puzzle.
He would find a cure, no matter what.
//
He hummed low and long.
His eyes in the microscope, looking at the blood samples he had.
According to Wooyoung, there were some survivors that had stumbled into Anyang. And he was trying to determine how to get them to come, and be Yeosang's guinea pigs. While he wanted to convince them it was for the greater good, self-preservation had become a major thing in the last three seasons. Yeosang had requested Wooyoung take his time. When an incident occurred between Wooyoung, a survivor, and a zombie. Seeing his chance, Wooyoung had taken the other individual out. Hauling him back, and becoming essentially a prisoner. Though, a well taken care of prisoner. Wooyoung fed the poor bastard. And was slowly wearing him down to the cause Yeosang had.
For now, they only needed his blood sample. But eventually, they'd need him for a test run of a possible cure. Yeosang himself, had met with the survivor. Letting him know that he wanted to first see if it was in all of them, or not. He wasn't a hundred precent certain at the time. Now, Yeosang was. Wooyoung's nosy nature had secured Yeosang some samples of blood from before the break out. Yeosang was quick to determine, that this virus was fairly new. Uncertain of it's origins, Yeosang had to dig about for that. First, he had had to isolate what virus strains he could. And then dissect them. And no one fucking said dissecting an invisible to the naked eye virus, was fucking easy.
But Yeosang was persistent.
And despite knowing it was from nature, Yeosang determined it was from air molecules. And, experimentation. So, everyone had them from the air they breathed. He couldn't quite tell what exactly it was from aside from that, but he had some theories. All of which he didn't need to explore at this time. Maybe later on in a very safe and secure safe zone. With new equipment to better research. Only then, would Yeosang dive deep into it's origins. Huh. He'd always wanted to be a doctor. A wolf performing life saving surgeries. Now, Yeosang was a full blown medical professional and scientist. How the tables turned.
He was watching the virus he'd isolated, and slowly brought the thin tip of a needle close. He had begun, the process of creating a cure. He knew that the best way to try and combat a virus, was to make weaker samples for the blood to recognize and fight. Amongst other things. Slowly, Yeosang pushed the syringe top. Injecting the virus with his first attempt of a cure. He watched as it reacted. Noting as he did. Quickly setting the syringe down, and taking up his pen and writing his observations.
After a few, the wolf inquired, "So what? You stick me, then feed me to the zombies? Watch me turn?"
Yeosang replied without taking his eyes off his research, nor stopped writing, "That is generally the plan. And before you say much else, do know we will put you out before long. Wooyoung's become very adept at killing zombies. He's had to, for me to make it this far into my research. Are you really to be so selfish, you won't make a sacrifice for the rest of the population? Are you really no better than our failed government? Or those who made this fucking virus? And no, it wasn't just mother nature. She only played a part. I know only a very tiny fraction of this virus' origin. And it was made in a lab. Biological warfare has always been a keen interest for a lot of governments the world over. They were fucking stupid enough to make this damned thing, and not create a virus cure. That we know of. Since we don't know where this thing was made, we do not know if this is true or not. But I'm betting my soul they didn't. They never fucking do."
The other wolf huffed, crossing his arms from where he sat in a well sealed prison cell, "Got a point. So, when you sticking me and sending me out to slaughter?"
Yeosang replied, "Not for a while, I assure. I know the first few so called cures will be failures. That's how these things work. But, I will do so when I have made a significant breakthrough. And that could be some time." He hummed once more, before he finished writing, "But please, do go on about how much of a monster I am. I got a little newsflash for you. So are you. At this point, the zombies are going based off just pure instinct. Hunt and eat. Reproduce the only way they can right now. How many wolves have you let starve by hording what food you found? How many have you failed to save because of self-preservation? Every wolf for themselves."
The other huffed, but didn't argue, "At least I go out knowing I helped save many more. I guess that's a bonus."
Yeosang smirked, "Precisely. Think of the difference between I and my packmate, and the psychotic wolves. They would have killed you for fun. Given you false hopes and promises. Lied to you. And used you as bait. For power and control. Here we are, giving you our food. Ensuring you're warm and safe for the time being. And promising a quick out for you. That you will not remain trapped in a zombie corpse forever. And even beyond that, you'll help many. Do I wish it had to be this way? No. I wish to the gods this never happened. But it is what it is. We're not trying to kill you because we have no empathy. No morals. We're trying to find a fucking cure. I did my studying to be a doctor. But I am also trying to find a cure. They go hand in hand. Someone has to fucking make a cure. Might as well be one of them that tries."
The other hummed, even as Wooyoung finally entered. He spoke softly, "I hope you both can stomach rat. Since you do have a heart, I figured the rats could be eaten." Yeosang smirked, even as Wooyoung set a bowl of soup down for Yeosang. He then approached their prisoner, "Playing nicely, boys?"
Yeosang snorted, "In a sense."
Wooyoung sighed, sitting with the third bowl opposite their prisoner, "So, anything?"
Yeosang answered, "Sort of. I did get a reaction to my first attempt of a cure serum. But it ultimately failed. But, it's a step in the right direction."
Wooyoung inquired, "Think you'll make one by spring?"
Yeosang sighed, shoulders sagging, "I really, really, really hope so Woo. Remember, come spring we're leaving Anyang."
The other hummed, eating what he could of his final meals, "And go where?"
Yeosang replied, "I want better equipment, and a higher chance of a better cure. Including variants for the variants to come. You know those things will evolve. So will the virus. I want to stay on top of it. So, we're heading for Incheon. For now. If I have to, I am fucking going for Seoul."
The other blinked a little, "Brave soul, then." He sighed, "I guess, I just hate being a prisoner and helpless."
Wooyoung inquired, "But would you have agreed if I asked?" He spoke softly, "We really don't want to sacrifice what wolves remain, if we can. Yeosang's had a hard time just accepting the fact we have to start this process. We're not cruel and heartless. But would you really have agreed to sacrifice your life for a possible cure?"
The other sighed, conceding, "Probably not. It's as you said, self-preservation at its peak."
Wooyoung spoke softly, "These are not decisions we make lightly. The fewer we sacrifice in this way, the more lives we can save."
He nodded, agreeing. Yeosang ignored their conversation, even as his jaw clenched. No. He wasn't-. He couldn't be jealous. Wooyoung was not in love with their prisoner. Wooyoung was just trying to bring them all comfort. As any omega would. But, he wasn't sure he liked how close Wooyoung was to the other. His alpha growling, telling him to herd Wooyoung away. To guard his omega. But without that conversation, he couldn't. And, he wasn't brave enough to. Deciding to stow his jealousy, Yeosang went back to his formula he'd made for his hopeful cure serum.
He had all winter to figure it out.