Jason certainly wasn't going to roll up his sleeves and jump into the research himself. Although he had picked up some knowledge over the past few months, he knew his limits; his scientific aptitude was trash compared to the brilliant doctors and professors on board.
However, he was Genetically Enhanced.
He intended to rely on his modified physiology and potent immunity to fight the Martian virus.
If the scientists needed to find specific white blood cells to synthesize a therapeutic serum, then fine, he would provide them from his own body. During the long voyage through space, he had almost forgotten that he was different from the others. But now, the realization hit him, sparking a desperate idea.
Jason recalled that he hadn't been sick since childhood, not even a cold. This suggested that an Enhanced immune system operated on a level far superior to a baseline human. Dealing with the Martian virus should be within his capabilities.
Of course, this was just optimistic speculation. He didn't know what the final outcome would be. Perhaps the Martian pathogen was ferocious enough to bring even an Enhanced human to their knees.
Entering the Mars Base for biochemical experimentation was a one-way street. Victory was the only option. He wasn't just a super-soldier; he was the Captain of The Noah, the leader of fifty thousand souls. If something happened to him, who would take the Leadership?
The question of succession weighed heavily on him. If he died, what would happen to the civilization behind him? There had to be a leader.
Austin was a pure soldier, too rigid for governance. Professor Sean was a scholar; he lacked the necessary grit and prestige. Could they rely on Felix or Professor Hao Yu? No, they were scientists, not congressmen.
Jason found himself in a dilemma he had never faced before. He wasn't afraid of death, but if he died, humanity's last hope might die with him.
"Code Red! Patient Number 7 is showing symptoms of respiratory organ failure! Requesting immediate resuscitation!" a nurse's anxious voice crackled over the PA system.
"It's Johnny, one of the first infected. Get the stimulants, stat!" A doctor's voice followed, rushing into the ward.
The first wave of patients was running out of time.
Even the high-temperature therapy was failing to protect them.
No, I can't wait any longer, Jason decided. There was no perfect solution, only a gamble. He was a Superhuman, and that gave him a fighting chance.
Jason dialed Austin's secure line. His voice was grave. "Austin, I'm leaving everything in your hands. From this moment on, enforce strict martial law within The Noah. If any issues arise, you have full authority to handle them. I trust your judgment."
Austin sounded confused. "Captain, what are you planning?"
Jason kept his voice calm, bluffing smoothly. "The scientists' research is nearly complete. They need an Enhanced immune system for the final phase of testing. Once they extract the specific antibodies from me, they can rapidly synthesize a cure. I'm the only donor available."
Austin, sensing the subtext, wasn't buying it. "What are you really doing? Aren't they still running gene sequencing? What does that have to do with being Enhanced? You are the leader of fifty thousand people; you can't just act recklessly on a whim."
Jason cut him off, his tone serious. "Old friend, listen to me. I have a gut feeling that humanity will win this war, but the cost will be high. Don't call me superstitious; my intuition has kept us alive this long."
"We can't afford to lose any more scientists. We would be severely weakened. I'm Enhanced Human ; what's a little virus to me? Now, listen: You are in charge of The Noah. Maintain discipline and keep my location classified. No news reports. That is a direct order!"
Austin sighed, his voice heavy with resignation. "Alright, alright. Always with the orders... damn it."
"Austin, I foresee victory. Trust me. Has my gut ever been wrong?"
Only Austin, with his seniority and history, could speak so freely to the Captain. "Another one of your 'premonitions.' Fine... If you're going, then get moving."
After ending the call, Jason exhaled a long breath. He felt lighter. He took a step forward, but his assistant cried out, "Captain, where are you going? That's the quarantine zone! You can't go in there!"
"You don't need to follow me. I'm going to visit the patients!" Jason roared. Ignoring protocol, he breached the seal and rushed inside.
Four hours later.
Jason felt dizzy and muddled; he had never experienced such discomfort. It felt as if his brain had been packed in cotton wool, his thoughts firing sluggishly. It was like swapping a modern Core i9 processor for an intel 80286 chip, everything was lagging.
"How is it? Is... is there a result?" Jason asked, his words slurring slightly.
A researcher was monitoring his vitals, drawing a fresh vial of blood and checking his temperature.
The scientist's eyes held a hint of fanaticism. "Temperature is 37.8 degrees Celsius. Still within acceptable limits... Captain, your physiology is truly incredible. You're still resisting despite a viral load that would have already put a normal man into a coma."
"I believe it now," the researcher muttered excitedly. "We can really do something with your immune system."
Initially, the scientists had been horrified by Jason's intrusion. If the leader of The Noah fell on their watch, the chaos would be unimaginable. They would be sinners in the eyes of history.
But since the deed was done, there was no turning back. They had to go all-in.
Scientists are adaptable creatures. Since Jason was already infected, regret was useless. He was immediately designated as a Priority Alpha patient, quarantined, and subjected to a battery of experiments.
The inclusion of a Superhuman subject changed the game.
He was fundamentally different from a normal human. In just a few hours, he demonstrated astonishing antiviral capabilities. Jason even began to wonder if he could just stand there and shrug off the infection entirely.
Ironically, this made the scientists anxious. They had hoped to observe his immune response, but repeated tests showed no significant spikes.
Some speculated that Jason's body was producing antibodies, but the efficiency was so high that the concentration remained too low to isolate. His blood was neutralizing small amounts of the virus instantly.
This realization sent the lab into a frenzy. They saw the dawn of victory.
Initially cautious, they now threw safety to the wind. The experiments became bold, bordering on reckless. They had to save their people, and they had to do it now.
"Jason, your immune system is too efficient. Small viral loads are wiped out the moment they enter your system, so we can't track which white blood cells are doing the work. We need to... escalate," a medical expert in a white coat said, hesitating slightly.
"We need to inject a concentrated viral culture directly into your bloodstream to force a massive immune response."
It was incredibly dangerous. A normal person injected with such a viral load would likely die of immediate shock.
But Jason didn't hesitate. He had come here to be a tool for their survival. He immediately nodded. "Okay. Do what you see fit."
The injection was administered.
Now, hours later, the massive influx of the virus was taking its toll. The dizziness and confusion were overwhelming.
"The dizziness is caused by the Martian Filovirus," a young nurse explained, her voice tinged with indignation at the severity of the procedure. "It produces a potent neurotoxin with strong paralyzing effects. At this concentration, it can be lethal. They went too far injecting you with so much!"
But Jason could no longer hear her.
His mind was a chaotic mess, unable to form a coherent thought. His vision went black, and finally, the Captain of The Noah collapsed.