by Chewy Walrus
Elsewhere, Dr. Charles Walker sank low in his chair, a metallic orb floating about a foot away from his head. His eyes were fixated on a holographic image of a bizarre pathogen.
"So... what exactly am I looking at, I.G.O.R.?" Walker asked, looking up at the hovering sphere.
"Well, Doctor, we've obtained a sample of this pathogen from an acquired potential metahuman candidate. It has incredibly... odd tendencies."
"For example?" Walker asked, peering curiously at the germ, which oscillated before him.
"The specimen we procured had blackened eyes and went basically raving mad. A slight empathic goad by Agent Owens revealed that a raging blood lust was the pinnacle of his thoughts and emotions."
"Interesting." Walker smiled, stroking his chin and pushing his glasses up on his nose. "So, basically, all brain centers are controlled by this one pathogen?"
"At least the primary ones, yes; enough to give the virus enough control over the individual."
"I see. Any effect on the physical spectrum at all?"
"None that we can see. However, they are incredibly resilient and almost impervious to pain."
"Fascinating, really," Walker said, removing his spectacles from his nose, wiping the lenses on his shirt. "So, why are you showing me this?"
"Well, Doctor, it appears that this 'contagion' has effected many normal humans in the city of Chicago."
"And what do you want me to about it?" Walker asked, placing his glasses back on his nose.
"A large mass of the attacking 'zombies,' as they're being called by the papers, have been spotted heading for the Zoo."
"The... metahuman Zoo?" Walker said, looking up at the sphere. "Damn," he whispered under his breath, turning his attention back to the holo-emitted germ. "If that thing hits those metas, that blood lust will probably result in the destruction of over half the city."
"Actually, the projected damage figures project that..."
"Never mind, I.G.O.R.," Walker said, holding up his hand. "I wanted to wait until I'd heard back from our contact to go into the field, but it looks like we need to get out there."
"Doctor? May I ask why? This does not fit into mission parameters."
"Understood, I.G.O.R. However, you know the Zoo. They not only have large amounts of metas, but huge databases that contain all their various kinds of powers and metagene enhancements. We'll need those for our records."
"Understood, Doctor. However, why not just enable me to hack their system and--?"
"Consider it combat training, Eeg," Walker interrupted, sharply putting up one finger to the front of the sphere's face. "We've never operated as a team before, capice? This is as opportune a time as any. Now, call Agents Tweed, Owens, Reynolds, and Doe to the dispatch room."
A moment of silence hung in the air before I.G.O.R. responded with: "Agreed."
Two minutes later, five figures stepped into a large room, filled with giant freestanding doorways. In the center of the room sat a slightly elevated control panel. Walker put on his headset and pulled his microphone into position.
"I.G.O.R., are we online?" he asked.
"Yes, Doctor," the robotic voice came back as the other EPS agents placed their own headsets on.
"Good, then," Walker said, standing before one of the doorways. "Activate doorway from Sector One to the Zoo. Dispatch."
"Dispatching now, Doctor Walker," the voice came as a shimmering pool of aquatic-looking energy began rippling in the doorway.
"All right, EPS," Walker said, turning to his team and gesturing toward the door, "our ride's here. Next stop, the Zoo."