Chapter 5: Quarantine Time

Upon our arrival, we were almost immediately sent to the quarantine bay. Unlike the other base, which was mostly underground, this one had a few Levels upstairs, but still some of them were underground. As for the quarantine bay, it wasn't any different. Probably to guarantee the security of the soldiers in the base, knowing that, by doing it underneath the base, the possibility of infecting anyone was minimal. Something was intriguing me, since when we got inside of the quarantine bay, me and Alya were provided with some clothes, which could protect us even from radioactive components. Either way, now that they weren't trying to test me by force, I wouldn't have to worry about being anesthetized. The doctor was now a sympathetic, young man, instead of an old, creepy guy. He also had an assistant, a nurse to be precise, which was a youthful girl, which looked like a teenager. Having these young people working in important roles in a military force was astonishing, knowing that the beasts took over the world too quickly. And by taking that in consideration, it would be nearly impossible for anyone to become a doctor or any kind of professional.

''You look uncomfortable'', the nurse casually asked me, after noticing that I was unsure if they'd let me skip the blood process, ''Would you like to take some time?''

Such a youthful and kind nurse was now in front of me, confronting me about my notable tension, since I couldn't think of an excuse. What could I say? Asking directly wouldn't work at all, due to medical's protocols. Perhaps if I found some way to ignore these guidelines... After pondering a while, I recalled some traditions which I read in some books which didn't allow their people to donate or give blood samples for analysis. Wonderful, now I could try and find a way out. If they said that there's no other way for me to test the infection, my best bet was to ask for some privacy, so I could escape just like I had done before.

''Look, I know that for this exam, you need to examine my blood, but...'', to add up into my attempt of pretending these traditions, I made a slight pause before continuing, ''The traditions from where I came from forbid extracting my blood. Is there any other way for me to make the exam?''

''Well, I will ask the doctor, and see if there's anything we can do, okay?'', her kind tone was sort of reassuring, now that I could have a window of opportunity

Through analyzing the room from where I was, sitting on a stretcher, surrounded by white curtains, I noticed a power breaker, and a ventilation up high. Unlike the other base, there weren't any pipes or floors made out of metal. It was a quite comfortable quarantine bay, which looked like a real hospital room. These guys were really friendlier than the others soldiers, and even their work environment demonstrated that. I very much doubt that they'd allow me to escape without resistance, though. In case if I escaped, they could take that as a sign of aggression, so, as a safety protocol, they would persecute me.

Uncertainty filled me when I heard the nurse's footsteps. The odds were completely not on my favor, but I had to try. If I was unlucky enough, I would have to cut my way through, literally. Now, the nurse came back, and her gentle smile indicated that I could possibly receive some good news, and that I wouldn't have to be desperate to escape. As expected, the nurse was wearing a gas mask, and her hair was also tied back and covered, to keep the infection from affecting her. The rest of her body was protected by the medical clothes and a pair of gloves in her hands.

''I am sorry for keeping you waiting'', I must claim that, by her tone and manners, she is the kindest person I've ever seen, ''The doctor said that there's another procedure that we can do. Would you like to know more?''

''Yes, please'', although my posture isn't the kindest, I tried my best to be as sympathetic as possible

''Through analysis from your salive, we can determine if you're infected or not. And the best part is that it's even faster than the blood process'', her good news were delivered with a smile of her own, which was really reassuring

''That's perfect for me'', after all this tense process, I let go a sigh of relief, ''Could you please tell the doctor that I'd like that process?''

''There's no need for that'', she took a bench from under the stretcher and approached it a little, carefully, until she sat down on it, ''I can take the sample myself and take it to the doctor. Of course, if you're comfortable with this''

Was it really okay to do so? Most samples need to be analyzed almost at the same time they are extracted. It was then that I noticed that her kindness distracted me. Maybe I've put a lot of trust on this nurse, judging by how kind she was acting. My analysis and actions had to be quick now, since she could use this kindness to hide her true nature away. Still, I nodded towards her, indicating that I was comfortable. Now that she turned her back to get the materials for extraction, I took a deep breath, and made sure that, whatever happens now, I wouldn't lower my guard, not even if for a second. That was when she turned back to myself, to begin the extraction.

Simple instructions, as I expected, explained me to keep my mouth open during the exam, and I had to hold my breath a little, as well. Just to be extra safe, I kept watching the surroundings, so I wouldn't be fooled during the part where I hold my breath. Luckily, I didn't have to react at all, after the nurse told me to breath normally after taking the sample. The end of this exam indicated that I could relax a little. Even the way she examined was gentle, since I didn't feel anything during the whole process.

''Would you like to see how the process is done?'', after putting the sample in a test tube, she turned back at me, asking with a certain curiosity

Perhaps learning about it could be useful for later, so I indicated my confirmation with a slight nod, while staring the tube carefully. In the same box she took the materials for the exam, she removed other tubes, and some liquids, which were inside some oddly shaped medicine bottles. Apparently, they were chemical fluids, which could be used for that test.

''Firstly, we'll need to mix your saliva with some water'', right before she did that, she gave me a gas mask, ''I am sorry, but you'll need to wear this for a while''

Quickly, I took a look at the mask, and I realized that it was okay, and in perfect shape. I watched her after I put the mask, as she mixed the sample with water. Afterwards, she picked up one of the bottles, which had 'Sodium' written on its side. It was enough to say, that this exam finally made sense to me. Sodium can create a beautiful pink effect on the water, but it can also be very dangerous, due to the creation of hydrogen gas. The mask she gave me was to protect me from inhaling the gas. Admittedly, I suppose I was too tense towards this nurse, and now that I realized she isn't as suspicious as I thought she was, I could relax a little.

''Now, we're gonna add some sodium...'', adding it in the water quickly could be dangerous, so she added it carefully, and slowly, until the pink effect was created, ''As for the last step, we need to cover this tube, and finish mixing all these liquids''

Just like she said, she took a small cover and capped the tube. She held it upside down and began to mix the liquids, carefully stirring them so they didn't come out of the tube. Finally, the tube was completely pink, due to the sodium mix. Surprisingly, the nurse seemed to be shocked by seeing that, however, after a while, she giggled about it.

''I assume that I am impressed'', her tone indicated me that we clearly had some good news, ''You are not infected at all!''

Despite the fact this is good news, I must say that I am not impressed. In case this infection had struck me, I would have probably perished to it. Besides, for as long as I can remember, no disease was able to affect me, so, obviously, due to my careless behavior, without using a gas mask or anything, I could get infected easily. However, I forced a satisfied expression as she gave me the news. According to what she explained me, the infection, while liquid, cannot be mixed with water, but it would be difficult to see in the absence of color that the water has. That's why the sodium is mixed in the water, since the pink color would make it easier to see the presence of the infection.

''Alright, I suppose that's all'', the nurse said that as she put the sample and the extractions tools away, ''You are free to go. But, please, just remove your mask outside of the quarantine bay''

''Understood'', after getting up, I made my way towards the exit, which the nurse had pointed out for me

Alya was still there, since I couldn't hear or see any other nurse to test her. Perhaps I could make a visit later on, but now, that woman from earlier, which she called ''Captain'', was outside the bay, waiting for me. Suffice to say, this was weird, since if she was already waiting for me, it could be that she had hope that I wasn't infected. But I recall Alya saying that I wasn't wearing a mask while rescuing her, and not even on the moment I found her. This woman was sort of weird for keeping her hopes that high, but I dismissed this fact.

''So, I suppose you are not infected'', her tone was overconfident, as expected of someone which had such high expectations

''Fortunately, am I correct?'', my reaction was to go along with whatever she came up with, putting aside her confidence, ''Say, does the captain has so much spare time to wait for her rescued soldier?

''And what does make you think that I am waiting for Alya?'', she stood up from her chair, and approached a little, ''By the way, answering your question, there are not many beasts on the mountains, so we have been living peaceful times''

''Hope that I didn't attract any'', my tone was now sarcastic, since I kept watching our backs, to make sure we wouldn't be followed, ''Still, why did you have expectations of seeing any of us so soon?''

''Didn't I just say that we have some spare time?'', it was only then that I could read her name on badge on her uniform, which said ''Miho'', ''Either way, you look like a pretty interesting survivor, to be honest. Would you mind if we do a tour around the base?''

The captain took interest on me? This is the weirdest woman I've ever seen. Nevertheless, my main priority was to know more about the people of this base, and a tour would be desperately required to do so. My answer was nothing but silence and a slight nod. Miho's enigmatic smile was shown after I accepted her offer, and she made a sign for me to follow her. Unsure of what could happen while trusting this weird woman, I decided to keep an eye over her.