Chapter 330


    Dr. Garcia was a man of medicine, his life dedicated to the healing arts, so when he was visibly


    distressed and wracked with pain, it was clear the side effects of the new drug were no trivial matter.


    "The dosage is too high. While it kills the virus, it also wreaks havoc on the liver and lungs. Patients


    will endure severe pain, and organ recovery will take much longer. Their immune systems will be


    stronger, but at the risk of irreversible damage," he exined with a heavy heart.


    But this was just a prognosis; clinical trials were still needed.


    "I''ll do it," offered Collin, his voice ragged with coughs. "I''ve been on meds for days with no


    improvement. Continuing as is would just waste resources. Let''s give the concentrated pill a shot."


    If he could survive the ordeal, the medication could be fast-tracked to those in need. If not, well,


    they would have to find another way. Either way, time was life.


    One bore a mission; the other steeled himself to face the trial of medication. Theb''s atmosphere


    was somber, tinged with nobility.


    The knowledge Ste had gained from the esteemed mentors, especially the approachable Dr.


    Garcia, was practical and beyond any textbook''s confines. She suggested apromise, "The pill''s


    potency is too high. How about we halve the dose and administer it in two stages? If that fails, then


    we consider the direct approach."


    The suggestion meant more work—preparing the medicine in two stages required more resources


    than a single, concentrated dose.


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    The supply of medicinal ingredients was already spread thin. Survivors from cities far and wide,


    from Griffith to Swan Hill, from Phoenix Bay to Lincoln, were all waiting.


    Swan Hill Research Institute had the most promising form, but should the antidote be perfected,


    it would need to be shared with other struggling cities.


    Griffith, in particr, was a thorn in the side. Coaked in the guise of charitable donations, they


    stationed people at the institute''s gates, ready to whisk away any sessful concoctions.


    Not wanting to see Dr. Garcia bear such a heavy moral burden at his age, Ste suggested, "Dr.


    Garcia, let''s prepare both methods and let the officials decide. Perhaps they''ll be prompted to


    search for more ingredients themselves."


    Her words were a wake-up call. Collin, supportive of the idea, added, "The key ingredients are


    scarce, but there have been significant donations. Maybe there''s another way to procure what we


    need?"


    After some deliberation, they decided to proceed with both methods.


    As a student of medicine, Ste wasn''t about to miss out on the production process, staying close to


    learn each step.


    Medicine is a double-edged sword, the dosage critical. Like arsenic, a small amount could cure, but


    too much could kill.


    After three grueling days, even Dr. Garcia couldn''t keep his eyes open and sumbed to sleep.


    Jasper brewed some tea and left it by his side, making sure to cover him with a coat.


    Despite damaged equipment, the team used traditional methods to create the potent pills following


    Dr. Garcia''s form.


    Collin, without hesitation, swallowed one. Within half an hour, his liver and lungs were in agony, as if


    countless insects were gnawing at his insides.


    Determined not to rm his mentor, he bit down on a handkerchief, rolling on the floor in pain.


    After two excruciating hours, sweat-soaked and pale as a ghost, Collin was finally still. Cold drafts


    were to be avoided at all costs, so Ste covered him with a military coat, "Dr. Collin, don''t catch a


    chill."


    His symptoms eased, but his vitality was sapped. After resting for half a day and still too weak to


    walk, Jasper had to carry him back to his quarters.


    The mess hall''s offerings were meager, nourishment an afterthought. Even with Ste''s


    contributions, a couple of slices of bacon per meal was a luxury.


    Ste prepared him soy milk and crafted a hearty casserole rice with smoked vors and eggs


    nestled within.


    One portion for him, and one for Dr. Garcia. As for Hugh, with Lindsay to care for him, Ste kept


    her distance. Bentley''s jinx seemed too potent to risk proximity.


    "Dr. Collin, you need to eat well these days. Replenish your strength, because in three days, you


    have to take the second dose."


    Ste took it upon herself to manage his meals, with Jasper dutifully delivering them.


    Eating, sleeping, and foot-soaking became his routine for the next three days. Collin''s condition


    improved; the fever subsided, the dizziness and breathlessness lessened, and his cough eased


    significantly.


    Under Ste''s watchful care, both his spirit and body were on the mend.


    Then came the second pill. Painful, yes, but this time he didn''t writhe on the ground. It was more of


    a tremble.


    "Drink plenty of hot water and sleep as much as you can after a warm foot soak," Ste advised.


    Collin''s recovery was swift. In three days, his cough ceased, and while he remained weak, the other


    symptoms vanished. Stairs left him breathless, but he was confident the aftereffects would fade in


    time.


    The single-dose concentrated pill was also under trial. Given Collin''s severe reaction, the institute


    dared not administer it to critical patients, opting instead for those with milder symptoms but who


    were still on the brink, clinging to life by sheer willpower.


    Ste thought the patient looked familiar, as if from a past encounter.


    "It''s you?" he said, surprised.


    With a sheepish smile, Ste replied, "Yes, that''s me."


    He jogged her memory, "Remember the tsunami? You brought in a wounded soldier."


    Now she remembered—he was the person who had taken the injured soldier under his wing. "That


    young soldier, is he doing well?" Ste asked, genuinely interested.


    "Thanks to the medicine you provided, he pulled through and was transferred elsewhere," he told


    her.


    After a brief exchange, Steid bare the potential side effects, "We''re in the testing phase. You


    have the right to choose whether to proceed or not. It''s your decision."


    He didn''t hesitate, "I''ll try." He knew the stakes: if those like him couldn''t endure it, what hope did the


    others have?


    Predictably, the reaction was intense. Despite his resolve, his body convulsed in agony, sweat


    pouring down his face. Then, he copsed, a gush of blood spilling from his mouth, lung tissue


    mixed within.


    Fearing he might choke on his own blood, Ste quickly repositioned him on his side while the


    medical staff sanitized the area to prevent infection.


    Three hours had passed, and his symptoms had subsided, but it felt like every ounce of strength


    had been drained from his body. If it weren''t for his formidable willpower, he seriously doubted he


    would have made it through the night.


    By the next day, he was slightly better, but still visibly weak. With no nutrient IV drips avable, the


    medical staff took pity on him and secretly slipped an extra couple slices of smoked bacon and a


    small piece of smoked salmon into his meals.


    Theparison results came in quickly. Collin, who had taken the medication in two separate


    doses, was older and didn''t have the physical vitality of a younger man. However, his recovery post-


    treatment was more favorable.


    The soldier who volunteered for the drug trial, on the other hand, exhibited more pronounced side


    effects and his body took much longer to recuperate.