"You are not a child...But ten years is not enough time. It is not enough time to finish your research, not enough time to fall in love, not even enough time to figure out what you want in life."
"What do you care?"
Xiao Yan doesn't know why keeps pressing him with questions, he feels that if he doesn't take this opportunity then this man, who has mastered the art of controlling his emotions, will slip away from him.
Heine looked at him but doesn't say a word.
The grip on his collar loosens, and Heine backs up. His expression settles back into its typical lines, no trace of emotion ripples across it.
This is the expression Xiao didn't want to see.
"I didn't give myself the X virus."
Heine halted his retreat and looked at Xiao Yan closely. He was silent but something deep within him seemed to be disturbed. The silent waves, rushing and cresting, threatened to release and destroy at any moment.
"It's x-2."
Xiao swallowed, not knowing if he should continue. Casey has been working on x-2 with no progress. And Xiao Yan, with no rank, has managed it.
Would anyone believe such a thing?
However, Heine looks at him without any doubt of his accomplishment.
"But...it wasn't completely successful. It is only effective for a short period of time.
"You are experimenting on yourself."
Hine's voice lowered into a dangerous register.
Viruses are always changing and ferocious. One bit of negligence and the virus he was cultivating could end up far worse than the original strain. The line between harmless and fatal was impossibly thin.
"I had to verify its effectiveness. The human body is the final test. I can't have others bear the results of my experiment. I must do it myself. And I am confident that it will react the way I anticipate. I have studied x-2 so that I can leave the Shire and one day get out of the aircraft.
"Promise me two things." Heine suddenly spoke.
"what?"
"First, absolutely no one can know that you have synthesized x-2"
"......Yes."
Xiao Yan understands Heine's concerns. If it his known by the Surge then he will become their absolute and only target. On more than one occasion he has been afraid of his brain being removed and stored in a nutrient dish, connected to a terminal and forced to think until no activity is left. This point of Heine's requires 100% compliance.
"Second, you can only conduct similar experiments under my supervision."
"Yes!"
Xiao Yan smiled glad for a Special Forces soldier's assistance. If the virus had failed, and Xiao had not been able to take out the zombies...it would have been quite dangerous.
Heine's stipulations meant that he understood the importance and the risks of what Xiao has done. This study will be a secret between him and Heine. This point of common interest makes Xiao feel that the distance between them is closing.
_________________________--
It is his graduation test and Xiao Yan was waiting in the training room he had been practicing in.
The zombies are about to be released from the door and dozens of special forces are ready and watching. Mark had even made a bet with the other soldiers. Even the researchers had stopped their training to observe from the sidelines.
"Xiao Yan!" "Come on." Casey cheerfully waved a fist toward Xiao.
This guy has still not graduated after six months of physical training. After so much time, he is obviously stronger, and bulkier. His eyes sparkle with energy.
Major General Gordon walked up to Xiao Yan and smiled. "Are you ready? If not we can postpone the test."
"I'm ready, Major General."
Xiao Yan has killed zombies here many times. He knows he can do it.
"The fact that you want to move forward is very good. Regardless of the results you have already made it halfway there."
When General Gordon pressed the button, a zombie quickly rushed out.
It was captured no more than 3 days ago and was still active. It has seen few live people and so the instant that it spots so many humans, it becomes maddened and frenzied, its blood shot eyes widen excitedly.
It moves in close for its first attack.
Its mouth lunged for General Gordon's shoulders. Gordon stood motionless. Everyone is unsure if Xiao could take it down in time.
Then Xiao's palm slammed against its forehead, pushing it away from the General. The zombie lumbered sideways along Xiao, who knocked his knee against its spine until a sickening crack echoed.
A few soldiers anxiously shouted at him. "Move fast, otherwise it will heal."
Xiao crouches slightly, the minute the zombie turned toward him, he clipped it with an uppercut to its chin. The zombie's voice vibrated hoarsely and its expression twisted. Xiao circled around then moved to swiftly twist its neck around.
Xiao stepped back and looked at the zombie, it stumbled and fell, once it hit the floor it was and motionless.
Major Gordon checked the tome." 26s is 6s faster than your training. Not bad."
There was silence and then the audience clapped, including Gordon.
Xiao Yan let out a relieved breath. Although he had successfully passed his assessment, he still wanted more.
"Xiao Yan, you did a good job. As a reward, I decided..."
Xiao Yan's brows knitted. He knew this guy wouldn't give him leave or a day off. His last experience had taught him that.
"On behalf of the Central Academy of Sciences. Ervel officially announced that you have graduated with honors. The military department has officially ranked you Lieutenant."
Gordon came to Xiao, his expression serious and his finger brushed over his brow. "I hope you will always retain your enthusiasm. We will continue to advance your area of work to build a strong backing for our task force."
Gordon watched Xiao Yan, he knows that he has had to endure unbearable strife. He watches as he looks around with slumped shoulders and a drifting mind.
Xiao is no longer a reserve tech soldier, he now has advanced research skills and the fighting ability he has hoped for.
The special soldiers, watching from the sidelines, salute him with solemnity, as though they were armed with their blades and their unyielding determination.
Major Winn gave him an approving nod. He had spent a lot of time working with Xiao Yan.
Mark winked and yelled. "You are the kid!!" Liv smiles, proud of him as well.
At Gordon's side is Heine Burton.
His eyes seem to look over a great distance, but the end of his eye line is always Xiao Yan.
This man, who was so tough that he seemed inhuman, stretches his hand over his forehead. Through his salute, there is no ripple of emotion cracking his ice cold countenance, but Xiao Yan knew that this gesture means he has gained his approval.
When Gordon finally lowered his salute Mark rushed over to Xiao Yan and lifted him onto his shoulders.
"Boy you really did it!"
"Why aren't you calling me rookie?"
"Haha, you are still a rookie, but you are not as stupid as before!"
"Go! Head to the restaurant to celebrate! I have already ordered 10 liters of beer!" Liv raised her hand, usheringg him out.
"Ten liters?" Xiao Yan's jaw drops and his eyes glitter eagerly.
"Hey! Of course. How many times can we do this? You are the first tech to be trained by the Special Missions, your name will go down in history!" Liv laughed.
Although it isn't an exaggeration, Xiao's success is also the success of the special forces that have spent so much time training the techs. This celebration is for them as well.
As they entered the restaurant, Casey ran up to him and clung tightly to his waist. "You were awesome! Finally we technicians can gain some acknowledgement from the special forces. You won't believe what my instructor said to me?!"
"What did he say?" Xiao Yan pinched Casey's cheeks.
"He says that I have to remain for more physical training..." Casey slumped as he whined.
"Haha! I agree. I think you need more too." Xiao grins as he provokes Casey.
"Xiao Yan! You are dead!"
Casey went to grab onto Xiao's shoulder, but unexpectedly Xiao twisted his wrist around before he could get a grip. He smirked and then kissed Casey's face with a loud smooch. "I'm not the same as before. I won't be so easily bullied by you!"
"You are dead! You are dead!"
Casey struggled earnestly to break his grip and Xiao found his blushing face fatally adorable.
"I'm here waiting for you to kill me!" He continued to mock Casey's futile efforts.
Xiao Yan deliberately put his nose in front of Casey, who could only angrily glare at him.
Suddenly Xiao had an odd feeling. He didn't know if it was his imagination, but he felt the heavy weight of eyes pressing down on him. The closer he got to Casey, the more intense the feeling was.
He turned around to see Heine Burton leaning against the wall. He was talking with Winn, as his eyes shifted over to him Xiao quickly averted his gaze.
So close......
Mark pushed a beer in front of him. "Hey, that guy is a Lt. Colonel. Be careful, he can really get you in trouble"
Xiao Yan looked at him stunned, realizing that he guy he was talking about was Casey.
"Will you get me in trouble?" Xiao Yan feigned a serious and concerned expression as he asked Casey.
"You just wait and see!"
Several researchers came up and gave their congratulations to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan thanked them one by one, and then scanned the rest of the crowd. He didn't see Heine Burton. He had left. Of course such a gathering wasn't Heine Burton's scene.
Xiao Yan's impression of Heine is that he always remains coldly sober and vigilant, avoiding any and all temptation-- including alcohol.
When all the beer was consumed everyone left. Xiao sat alone at the table. He was not drunk, just enjoying the tranquility of the moment.
Mark patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Hey, get out of here, brother!"
Xiao Yan slowly got up and Mark escorted him back to his room.
"Oh I hear that starting tomorrow you have to stay in the research room doing...things that I don't understand." Mark scratched his head. "It will be lonely without you."
"That means when you have a mission you can't forget to find a reason to bring me along."
"Of course!"
His training is finally over.
Xiao Yan's lips thinned into a narrow line. His pursuit of strength is not over. He will continue to improve the x-2 virus and make it last longer and longer, util one day he can stand at the same height as Heine Burton.
**********************************************
Late that night Casey is lying in bed, feeling bored he opens his contact and sends out a message.
Hey, when are you coming back to the Shire? Your beloved little pet is getting away.
In less than two seconds, a response popped up: Soon.
In the dark of his room, Casey's lips curve into a smile
****************************************************************************
Xiao Yan is fully invested in his second round of experiments, he has completed another solution of X-2
However, he doesn't see the progress he wants. He doesn't know if the replication inhibition is affecting the effectiveness of the virus.
Around noon, he walks into the restaurant to see an exhausted Casey sitting at the table. His face is almost falling into his plate.
Xiao Yan sat beside him and flicked his arm. Casey closed his eyes tiredly and said.
"When I get my energy back you better watch out!"
"Oh I will be right here waiting and watching!"
Casey's face immediately became defeated and indignant at the same time. With a wronged expression, he falls into Xiao Yan's arms. "I don't want to train anymore. I want to go back to my research room."
Xiao looked down to see bruises around his eyes. He had finally passed his physical training and entered into combat skills. However, after his first day he has been wrung dry.
Xiao Yan's fingers rubbed Casey's head.
"What have you been doing?" Casey's leaned his forehead on Xiao Yan, showing a pitiful expression.
Xiao nearly opens his mouth to tell Casey of his achievement. Then he remembered the promise to Heine. He sighs to himself. Oh well, if Casey knew that he had also synthesized the X-2, he would be doubly frustrated.
"I'm trying to synthesize a virus, but it is not coming out the way I want."
"What do you want to achieve?" Casey looked curious.
Xiao Yan smirked, "Is to increase the intensity in that area!"
"What kind of intensity?" Casey reveals a completely puzzled expression.
Xiao Yan's palm ran down Casey's waist and patted him on his hip. "What do you think?" he says lasciviously.
Casey looked at him angrily but had no strength to retaliate.
" Are you that bored? If you don't want to tell me then fine."
Xiao Yan deliberately revealed a hurt look. "
I think such research has a place!"
Casey smirked at him with lewd intent, and propped his upper body up. Looking up at Xiao Yan through trembling lashes, his turquoise eyes shine and sparkle attractively.
"Even without such a virus I have such ability...Do you want to give it a go?"
"What?"
Before Xiao could process what Casey had said, he fell back onto Xiao's lap like a lazy kitten.
Casey snorted softly and closed his eyes in fatigue, he murmured to him softly. "All viruses are like a sealed box. Within that box are various mutations. Some can cause cancer, some can enhance abilities such as the x virus and some can turn people into zombies like the comet virus. It all depends on the path the virus takes. Once the box opens to reveal the mutations it then makes changes to the human body. In addition to the mutations, the important thing is whether it is suitable for the human body."
Xiao Yan froze at his words. He lowered his head for a long time and then snapped up and exclaimed loudly. "Casey! No wonder everyone calls you a genius!"
Casey clung onto Xiao's waist. "Don't talk anymore, let me sleep. Just for a little bit."
Xiao Yan rubbed his head and whispered, "You are so smart. I couldn't do anything without you."
"Hm."
That very afternoon Xiao returned to his lab and altered the direction of his research. In a half a month he is holding the new virus.
His fingers squeeze around the transparent container. He blinked his eyes and watched as the light reflected off the glass. Finally he loaded the injection gun.
He took a deep breath and opened his contact.
"Hello, Colonel."
The man on the holographic screen was sitting in bed. His slender legs were wrapped over the other. This is the first time Xiao has seen him out of uniform. He was wearing casual white clothes. His collar is open, revealing the lines of his neck, and his hands lay on his lower abdomen. He sits calmly, his usual sharp readiness is absent but the pressure of his presence saturates his display image, stretching through into Xiao's mind.
"I will meet you in the 002 training room in five minutes."
Xiao Yan hasn't said anything yet Heine instantly knows.
002 training room?
To Xiao's knowledge all zero level training rooms are for special forces of high ranking.
Xiao Yan had to pass three security doors before he found the training room.
When he walked through the door, he is surprised to see that the room is twice as large as the others, the ceiling filters artificial sunlight through, it beamed atop his head. As he stepped on the floor, it seemed to push back with distinct force.
Heine stood in the center of the room, his golden brown hair flowing in soft waves around him. He still wore his white casual clothing and Xiao can see his the strong lines of his collarbone where the material parted. The air around him seemed to gather together into a solid mass, creating impenetrable fields that layered around him like a barrier.
He was like a phantom, there and yet so far away.
"This training room will record everything. You can take the data with you. The data left here will all be automatically encrypted , only I can read it."
Xiao Yan nodded, he understood that this is for his protection. Heine is making sure no data leaks.
"There are no zombies here. Your only opponent is me."
Heine hands fall to the sides of his legs, his leisurely posture somehow makes Xiao Yan even more nervous.
"Let's start."
He raises the injection gun and with a sharp sound, the solution enters his body. Xiao can feel his blood gather and flow through his body, every cell energizing.
Begin Time!
Xiao rushes at Heine, his speed doubled, he throws a punch straight at Heine's face.
He knew he wouldn't make contact, he just wanted to try it. Heine is just as calm as before the fight began.
Heine spins, avoiding Xiao's fight, he turns his body and twists his wrist, pulling Xiao Yan toward him. Xiao attempts to slam his elbow into Heine's back.
As though he expected the move before he made it, Heine slid sideways along the bend of his arm, his other hand grabbing his elbow. He forcefully folded his arm tightly behind him, the motion forces him to bend over, he can barely move his head to look at Heine.
"It was a good try. Sadly, it didn't work."
Heine pushed him away and Xiao rushes to attack again.
This time, he jumps into the air, his elbow angled to hit Heine's shoulder. He knew that Heine would dodge it so before he lands, he retracts his arm and kicks at Heine's waist instead.
Unexpectedly Heine moves toward him, he grabs his waist and Xiao is jerked back roughly.
Shit! His spine!
Ah! He is finished! His cervical spine!
Xiao eyes widen in fear, but Heine's palm cradle his body just as his back was about to slam against the ground.
Heine uses his leg to support his back, he adjusts his hands and carefully sets Xiao down.
"You thought too much before you attacked. Remember no offense can be perfectly planned. To survive, you must learn to make instantaneous judgements."
Heine's palm moves to the back of Xiao's neck and he lifts him up.
Xiao feels Heine's hand slide from his neck, along his spine to rest at his waist. When he releases him, Xiao lets out a pent up breath.
"Again."
Xiao understands now why Heine didn't move with his attack. He was analyzing Xiao's movements and executing his counterattack in the moment.
This time, Xiao walks away from his arm and quickly goes to shove his knee into Heine's abdomen. When Heine grabs his knee his other hand makes a cutting motion toward his carotid, Xiao leans backwards and leaps into the air, he angles a kick at Heine's chin.
Even with such a complicated attack Heine still evades, his elbow moves to smash into Xiao's chest.
At the last moment he suddenly changes direction and reaches his hand out to hold Xiao Yan.
They both fall to the ground.
Xiao's eyes widen in shock ad he stares blankly at the bright light beaming down when Heine's face suddenly pops up in front of him.
"Are you hurt!"
Heine's hands are pressed severely against Xiao's cheeks. Since he couldn't respond, his eyebrows wrinkle up in concern.
Xiao Yan moves his fingers and bends his legs, his knees are between Heine's legs. He wasn't sure if he was imagining it, but Heine's body seems to be trembling.
"I... I'm fine. It seems like the effect of the virus has passed..."
If Heine had completed his attack, that would have been the end of him. His sternum would have crashed through his lungs and penetrated his heart.
But...How did Heine know that the virus's effects had failed at that exact moment?
Heine looked up at the timer, "three minutes and twelve seconds."
Xiao Yan had completely forgotten his own research. He just looked at the brightly lit chin of Heine and the elegant angle of his neck.
Heine kneeled before Xiao and pulled him up.
The data shows that, after the virus was metabolized, the functions of Xiao Yan's body were normal.
Hai Yin looked at the data very seriously. He turned off the hologram when the last set of data showed that the virus did not cause any damage to Xiao's body.
"Go back and rest."
Heine had just reached to the door to the training room, when Xiao grabs onto his wrist.
"Wait, there's more!"
Realizing that his forward behavior may irritate Heine, Xiao quickly releases his hold.
"What's up?"
"Can you teach me how you can predict attacks in such a short time?"
Xiao Yan knew that his request was very abrupt.
******I decided to leave the author's note in this one******
The author has something to say: fat melon: Xiao Yan, you want to teach you what Heyin he will teach it!