chapter847

"We just hope you like them."

That evening, Lydia grabbed dinner in the cafeteria with Fiona and Monica. Instead of heading back to the dorm after eating, she went straight to the lab.

Grandpa Kevin was already there waiting for her. He said there was a breakthrough with the P-K55 mutant strain.

He looked more serious than usual, and Lydia could immediately tell something was up.

"My dear, this is the research report from the Medical Research Institute. Take a look at it."

Lydia took the report and read through it, fast but careful.

P-K55 was an RNA virus. Unlike DNA viruses, RNA viruses had a habit of making mistakes when they copied themselves. Their RNA polymerase didn't have a way to double-check for errors. It was like having a scribe who copied pages without ever looking back to catch mistakes.

That meant the virus messed up a lot during replication, changing its genetic code and mutating. Since P-K55 infected so many hosts and spread so fast, every round of replication just made it more likely for new mutations to pop up.

"Now, new strains have already shown up in the border areas. If we can create an antidote fast enough, we can keep everyone in the country safe. But if the virus spreads inside our borders..."

Kevin looked deeply worried.

Lydia understood exactly what he meant. The virus was frighteningly contagious, spread quickly, and could hide out in people during an incubation period. If it got in, it would sweep across the whole country in no time.

"To keep people from panicking, the news has been kept quiet. No one knows this virus even exists. You need to go to the institute and lead the research. We have to come up with a cure as soon as possible, or the consequences could be disastrous."

Lydia thought for a moment, then nodded. I don't need to go to the institute. Tell them to send a few people over here to help me. Most of the equipment you have here is better than what they've got anyway."

Kevin realized that made a lot of sense, and he nodded right away. "Alright, we'll do it your way."

Lydia nodded again. Okay.

She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about this virus. had appeared so suddenly and aggressively. Was it natural of man-made? They needed to find out.

Kevin stayed to work with Lydia on solutions. By eleven that night, Lydia was still full of energy, not even a little bit tired.

"My dear, let's stop here for tonight. Go get some rest. Staying up late isn't good for your health."

Lydia, still in her sterile suit, glanced up at him. "You go ahead. I want to stay a little longer."

Kevin knew Lydia well enough to understand that if she was getting results, she'd work all night without stopping.

But he was getting old, and he just couldn't keep up with that kind of pace anymore.

"Alright, I admit it, I'm not as young

as I use

to be. But don't overdo it.

An hour at most, then you need to

head back okay?" content

Lydia nodded. "Okay."

Kevin had just stepped out of the lab building when he ran into Yara, who was leaving another lab at the same time.

"Wow, Mr. Moore is just now leaving the lab?" Tina, who was with her, sounded surprised.

They'd been doing experiments for

their new classes, trying to build up their medical skills. Neither of them expected Mt. Moore, at his age

be working so late to

Yara looked up at the lit windows. "There's still someone upstairs.

Tina spoke up right away. "Could it be the same girl who was with Mr. Moore last time?"

She suddenly got a wild idea.

"Yara, do you think... do you think Mr. Moore might be... hiding something?"