Sheldon Cooper and Erwin were arguing about the cause of the Wildfire virus in the world. Erwin, being a brilliant scientist, was convinced that it was a mutation of a preexisting virus, while Sheldon, a conspiracy theorist, believed it was caused by the government experimenting with chemical weapons.
Sheldon shook his head, unconvinced by the words of the man in front of him. "Erwin, your conspiracy theories have no foundation. The Wildfire virus is clearly a mutation of a preexisting virus."
Erwin smiled and said, "Oh, come on, Sheldon! I was involved in the first meetings, and you know you can't tell me the government isn't capable of creating a virus of such magnitude! It slipped out of their hands, and when they dumped this job on us, it was already too late."
"I'm sure that if someone had stolen a slice of pizza they would have closed the borders, but nobody bothered to do it, and now we have the dead looking at us like we're a slice of pizza in the streets all over the world." Sheldon did not lift his head from what he was doing.
"Hahaha, on that you're right. If they had only closed the borders… We lacked time. With that time we would have known more about the virus and maybe the government wouldn't have collapsed. The government was capable of anything, especially when it comes to turning viruses into weapons." Erwin knew many things, so no one could refute his words.
Sheldon rolled his eyes and pointed out, "A chemical weapon? It's not improbable, but it's not possible either. No weapon could create a virus so lethal that it would wipe out all human life on the planet. Most likely the Wildfire virus is a mutation of a preexisting virus or simply a virus that came into our hands with very little preparation."
"But it's curious. With all the technology we had, nobody was able to stop a few infected… Damn it, even I've killed several walkers when I was outside, it's nothing surprising. Now then, what the hell were the military doing when there were walkers in the streets? It's pathetic…"
When Sheldon said these words, he was not entirely wrong. Even if there had been a more powerful army, the result would have been the same, because that is what history says. That was something even Jason could not change, so he immediately focused on how to progress after the world was filled with walkers.
After a few seconds of silence, Sheldon added, "Erwin, although everything may be possible now considering the world went to hell, the government is not capable of creating a virus that turns people into walkers."
Erwin nodded. He knew much more about the virus than anyone else, and now it was not really important to know where the virus came from, even though he already had a vague idea in his head.
"Don't worry, I'll find a cure when I dedicate myself 100% to it. Since you haven't been able to do it, with my brilliant mind we'll find a cure." Sheldon looked at Erwin with a calm expression.
"Hahaha, I hope so…" Erwin was indifferent to Sheldon's somewhat peculiar behavior; he did not really care.
...
Sheldon was a brilliant scientist who had achieved many advances in his career. He had worked in fields such as theoretical physics and engineering, but he had never ventured into the world of virology. So when news of a rabies virus outbreak reached him, he saw it as an opportunity to demonstrate his true intelligence.
During his survival journey alongside his friends and companions, he studied a great deal about certain fields of virology in order to find a cure himself. He did not trust the scientists who called themselves the fathers of humanity, since their work and efficiency had not shown any kind of progress.
The days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. Sheldon had been working day and night, but he had not made any significant progress. He had tried every experiment he could think of, but nothing seemed to work. Sheldon was frustrated and exhausted, but he refused to give up.
One day, while sitting in his laboratory feeling defeated, his stomach growled. He realized that he had been so focused on finding a cure that he had forgotten to eat. He walked to the small kitchen in his lab and opened the refrigerator. It was almost empty, and all he could find were some bottles of water and energy bars.
Since he arrived at the central base, his doctorates were enough for Jason to assign him a personal laboratory. Although his work was more focused on redesigning weapons, he liked to spend part of his time personally searching for a cure.
As he opened the energy bar, Sheldon began thinking about the virus. He wondered how the virus could turn people practically into the living dead. He remembered reading about how viruses can mutate and change their behavior. Perhaps, he thought, the virus had mutated and become more dangerous as it evolved due to human factors.
He quickly finished eating and returned to his laboratory. He began studying the virus at a molecular level. He analyzed the genetic composition of the virus and compared it with other viruses. He discovered that the virus had indeed mutated and had become more aggressive in the new samples of regular walkers compared to the first ones that had appeared.
He did not know whether this could influence finding a cure, but it was definitely something he had not found before, and perhaps it could mean a future cure.
...
Before long, a week passed...
He was sitting in his laboratory, staring at the wall when his stomach growled again. He realized that he had not eaten anything. He stood up and walked to the kitchen once more. This time he found a jar of peanut butter and some slices of bread.
While preparing his sandwich, Sheldon thought about the virus again. He remembered reading about how some viruses could be treated with antiviral drugs. Perhaps, he thought, he could use an antiviral drug to cure the Wildfire virus.
He quickly finished his sandwich and returned to his laboratory. He began testing different antiviral drugs against the virus, but once again, he reached a dead end.
Sheldon was becoming frustrated. He had been working for weeks to find a cure and had not made any significant progress. He had tried everything he could think of, but nothing seemed to work.
He was sitting in his laboratory, feeling defeated, when he heard a knock on the door. It was an old man named Dale, who often came to see his work on weapons.
"Sheldon, I made these enchiladas for you. You haven't been eating well, and I thought you could use some homemade food," Dale said with a smile.
Sheldon thanked him and took the plate of enchiladas. While eating, he began thinking about the virus again. He remembered reading about how some viruses can be cured with vaccines. Perhaps, he thought, he could create a vaccine to cure the zombie virus.
He quickly finished his enchiladas and returned to his laboratory. He began working on creating a vaccine. He tested different combinations of antigens and adjuvants, but once again, he reached a dead end.
"Well, I suppose I should move forward with the weapons issue now…"
"Mark 1 Lancer Assault Rifle. This weapon is designed for combat against Class 1 and 2 walkers. It would not work against larger walkers, but this weapon will be fundamental for the army."
This weapon was an assault rifle with an integrated knife bayonet. Although this weapon could be better than any conventional one, Sheldon was not satisfied with the result, so he began with the next design.
"A Mark 2 Lancer that instead of a bayonet has an integrated chainsaw, greater magazine capacity, and reduced recoil… Hahaha, this is wonderful. When the technicians arrive, these results will be well received."
Sheldon was more convinced by the Mark 2 Lancer weapon, but the cost of making it and creating an engine powerful enough, and at the same time the battery to make it work, was complicated.
The Lancer offers an almost perfect mix of power, accuracy, and range, in addition to a melee attack chainsaw, which makes it the best option in multiple situations. Although there was a possibility of using conventional fuel, that would leave his titles as a technician in the trash, so Sheldon refreshed his mind with this work.