Ruby Jansen: Patient Zero

"People - and the emotion that drives them - is what will change the world, gentlemen."

The General lead the group of military personnel dressed in various uniforms of blue and green down a grey, dimly lit corridor. The concrete walls were unadorned save for the occasional writing in yellow paint which, to the casual viewer, would be merely a random series of numbers and letters. A few feet ahead of them a rectangle of bright white light glowed from one wall; a window into a laboratory. The General stopped in front of this and continued his speech.

"If you use a weapon to attack the enemy, then you become the enemy of the people who support them. However, if you can alter the emotions of those same people then you can withdraw that support and isolate those in command. "

"How so?" one of the older gentlemen in the crowd asked.

"Well, imagine if the leader is giving a bold, impassioned speech to ignite the nationalist pride of the common people. Now, imagine if we could alter their emotions so that everything the leader said, instead of inspiring them, threw them into a rage..."

Inside the laboratory, oblivious to the strangers outside, Ruby Jansen pressed her eye to the microscope and observed the activity beneath her. She was dressed - as the other dozen virologists were - in white boots, a formless white lab suit that covered her from the neck down, a pair of blue latex gloves, a medical mask and a hairnet. Beneath that she even wore lab-issue plastic underwear. It would be impossible for the casual viewer to see that she was a curvy, slightly chubby woman in her mid-twenties with a mane of gloriously red hair. The mask hid her freckles and luscious red lips, too. She was one of only two women in the lab, the other being the fussy grey-haired Dr. Onovich.

"...so you see, gentlemen," The General finished "What we are researching here are non-lethal viruses that can be used to change the world for the better by altering inhibitions, by altering perceptions; in short, by opening people's eyes to the dictators who govern them and allowing them to act. Now, if you'll follow me I'll be happy to show you some of our test results..."

"Phew, they're gone." James muttered.

Ruby looked up. "What's that?"

"The top brass we were warned about. They've gone."

"Oh."

"You don't sound too concerned."

Ruby shrugged. "Well, the most they can do is watch us. I can't say I'm too bothered about it."

"No? Well I was so nervous I felt like-"

There was a smash. The two of them turned around to see one of the other virologists standing in the middle of the room, staring down in horror at a pile of broken glass on the floor. So did everybody else. Only Dr. Onovich reacted; she moved to hit a red button installed beside the entrance doors. They slammed shut with a hiss.

A robotic voice spoke over the tannoy system. "Area Quarantined."

"Oh god..." Ruby muttered.

"Okay everyvon," Dr. Onovich shouted, clapping her hands. "Do not panic. Remember zat we are not creating veapons of war here. We are perfectly safe."

She hurriedly moved over towards the shocked virologist who had dropped the glass and began questioning him as to which samples had been dropped.

"Wh-what do we do now?" Ruby asked.

"Just relax, I guess." James said, leaning against a counter.

"Relax? At a time like this?"

"Oh right, I forgot. You're fresh out of University aren't you? Is this your first quarantine then?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry about it." James assured her. "Like the Doc said, we're not creating anything dangerous here. Just keep your protective gear on and if you feel anything unusual then report it to either me or her. We'll be locked in here for the next half hour to see if there are any side affects, and if not we'll go take chemical showers and head home early."

He went back to writing some notes. Much to her relief, Ruby noticed that the other staff were carrying on pretty much as normal. If they weren't concerned, she rationalised, then she had no reason to be.

As she returned to her microscope, however, something began to bother her. In a way, it had always bothered her; the protective clothing she had to wear. It had always felt so... artificial and uncomfortable against her skin. She'd gotten used to it. However, as she tried to focus on her job, it suddenly felt unbearable. It felt so tight and constrictive.

"It's just the claustrophobic situation." she rationalised.

She tried to focus on the bacteria beneath her microscope, but her attention kept returning to her wrist. The latex glove had a little rib on the end which helped you get them on. It was too tight, however; she could feel it cutting off circulation to her hand. Despite this, however, she had no problem hooking her thumb into the rib and easing the glove off. The other glove came off just as easily. Feeling much better, she breathed a sigh of relief...

...except that her mask made it feel hot and oppressive. She eased the elastic bands holding it in place over her ears and slipped it off. "There," she thought as she took a deep breath. "I can breath easily."

While taking it off, however, she'd also knocked the hairnet ever so slightly. It was too much hassle to re-adjust it, so she slipped it off and shook out her long, flowing red hair.

"Hey Ruby." James said.

Ruby turned towards him reluctantly. He was second in command, and she just knew he was going to chew her out for removing her safety gear.

"Yeah?" Ruby asked.

"Can you pass me those papers, please? Thanks."

Ruby blinked, a little astonished that he hadn't said anything. A moment later Dr. Onovich arrived at his desk, and although she clearly looked at Ruby she made no comment about her lack of safety gear. The two entered a quiet conversation that Ruby strained - and failed - to overhear. After a moment they moved over to another desk and began to examine paperwork.

A little confused, but feeling a lot better, Ruby returned to the microscope.