The Last Dawn
Chapter 2. Moral Conflict

COVID-2193? Never heard of that before, he thought.

He left Dr. Grey’s office with a sense of intrigue. The day had taken an interesting turn. Logan knew that working at BioCorp meant being at the forefront of scientific discovery, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was on the cusp of something far bigger and more complex than he had ever imagined.

Logan made his way back to his workstation, his mind still on the brief glimpse of the ‘COVID-2193 Project’ title he had seen in Dr. Grey’s office. The name echoed in his head, unfamiliar and intriguing. He tried to push it out of his mind, focusing on the task at hand.

As he was setting up for the afternoon trials, Logan overheard a conversation from a nearby lab that caught his attention. He paused, pretending to organize his equipment while listening.

Scientist 1 asked in a hushed tone “Have you heard about this COVID-2193 thing? I overheard the virology team discussing it. Sounds intense.”

“Yeah, I caught bits and pieces. It’s some new strain they’re studying, highly contagious and makes you looks your mind and shit. Beyond our pay grade, though.” Scientist 2 replied apprehensively.

“Like cognitive functions? That’s... that’s kind of scary. You think it’s safe?”

“Oh I’m sure it is, who knows but I was told its highly classified so don’t talk too much about it.”

Their conversation was interrupted as someone else walked by, and the two scientists quickly changed the subject. Logan stood there, a mixture of curiosity and concern brewing inside him. ‘COVID-2193’ was not just a random project name. It was something serious, potentially dangerous.

A virus that messes with your mind? Must be a pretty bad virus he thought.

He knew he shouldn’t pry into matters above his clearance, but the scientist in him couldn’t help but be intrigued. There was something about COVID-2193 that didn’t sit right with him, a puzzle piece that begged to be explored. He wanted to know more, mainly because for the most part all day he looks at the flu or other common daily viruses. I think the most dangerous virus had to have been the rabies virus he thought.

As he resumed his work, setting up for the trials with a mechanical efficiency, his thoughts were elsewhere, tangled in the mystery of COVID-2193. Unbeknownst to Logan, his discovery of the project was the first thread in a web of secrets that would soon envelop his world.

After completing the setup for the trials, Logan found a quiet corner in the break room, his mind racing with thoughts about COVID-2193. He sipped his coffee absentmindedly, the warmth of the cup barely registering in his hands.

COVID-2193... alters cognitive functions, highly contagious. Sounds like it’s a variant of COVID-19 from twelve years ago but that virus had been cured and the symptoms are different. He thought.

He remembered the strict security measures and the secretive nature of some projects at BioCorp. It wasn’t uncommon for different teams to work in silos, unaware of the full picture. But this felt different, bigger.

Should I dig deeper? Or should I mind my own damn business? He thought.

The scientist in him was intrigued, eager to learn more about this mysterious project. However, the rational part of his mind urged caution. He was well aware of the confidentiality agreements he had signed when he joined BioCorp.

Alright, alright. Just focus on what we are doing now. He thought to himself.

He stood up, disposing of his coffee cup, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling. As he walked back to his workstation, he resolved to keep an eye out for any more information on COVID-2193, albeit discreetly.

Just keep your ears open, no harm in listening right? He thought.

Back at his desk, Logan tried to immerse himself in his work, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the overheard conversation and the brief glimpse of the document in Dr. Grey’s office. A part of him knew that this was more than just idle curiosity it was a nagging sense that something significant was unfolding, something that might well be beyond the realm of routine scientific research.

Logan sat alone at a small table in the BioCorp cafeteria, a half-eaten sandwich in front of him. His gaze was distant, lost in thought, as the hum of lunchtime conversations filled the room. He replayed the morning’s events in his head, the snippets of conversation about COVID-2193, and the fleeting glimpse of the project file.

There’s something about this COVID-2193 project. It’s not just another routine assignment. But what’s my role in this? Should I even have a role? Maybe he wanted me to see the document?

He considered the implications of prying into something potentially above his clearance level. The risks were significant it could mean reprimand, or worse, losing his job. But the potential dangers of a project like COVID-2193, if not properly managed, weighed heavily on his conscience.

He took a sip of water, his mind wrestling with the dilemma. On one hand, he felt a duty to understand what he might be contributing to. On the other, he was bound by his role and the confidentiality agreements he had signed.

Finishing his lunch quickly, Logan stood up, clearing his tray. As he returned to the lab, he felt a mix of apprehension and determination. He was going to stay alert, gather information passively. He wasn’t going to interfere , just observe. It was a fine line, but for now, it was the only line he felt safe walking.

Just focus on your work, Logan. Keep your eyes and ears open, but don’t step out of line. He thought. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Little did he know, his quiet resolve to stay informed would soon propel him into the heart of a crisis far beyond the ordinary scope of his work at BioCorp.

Back in the lab, Logan tried to immerse himself in his work, focusing on the meticulous details of the experiments and trials he was overseeing. The lab was a hive of activity, with researchers moving about, equipment whirring, and data screens flashing with new information.

“You’re really dialed in today.” Josh another intern laughed.

Logan snapped out of it and smiled, “Yeah, just concentrating on these trials. You know how it is.”

As he calibrated equipment and checked the trial parameters, his mind occasionally drifted back to COVID-2193. He couldn’t help but look around, wondering if any of his colleagues were involved in the project, if they knew more than he did.

While reviewing data on his computer, Logan intermittently scanned email subject lines and overheard snippets of conversations, hoping for any mention or clue about the project. Yet, everything seemed routine, nothing out of the ordinary.

Despite his efforts to focus, a part of him remained on edge, alert for any unusual activity or mention of COVID-2193. The normalcy of the afternoon felt oddly juxtaposed with the turmoil in his thoughts.

As the day progressed, his initial intense curiosity gradually melded into a background sense of unease. He maintained a veneer of normality, engaging in occasional small talk and responding to routine queries from colleagues.

The day was drawing to a close, and Logan had managed to complete all his tasks efficiently, despite the distractions. As he shut down his workstation, the unresolved curiosity about COVID-2193 lingered in his mind.

Logan felt a mixture of relief and frustration. He had kept his focus, but the unanswered questions about COVID-2193 remained, a puzzle piece out of place in the orderly world of his routine life.

The clock on the wall, a quick reminder the day was coming to an end. The lab was quieter now, with many of the other interns already having left, their conversations and the day’s bustle fading into a hushed stillness.

As he powered down his computer, Logan’s thoughts returned to the COVID-2193 project. The curiosity that had consumed him earlier in the day had now settled into a quiet concern.

Logan, still thinking about the little information knows. I’ve got to know more, he thought. But I cant just snoop around. Can I?

He grabbed his backpack, slipping his notebook and pen inside. As he walked down the now nearly empty corridors of BioCorp, the weight of his discovery felt heavier. He knew that what he had stumbled upon was potentially significant, and the implications were troubling.

Just observe, he thought to himself. Peaking around to see if anyone else was around.

Passing by Dr. Grey’s office, he saw the light was still on, the silhouette of Dr. Grey visible through the frosted glass. He considered stopping by, asking about COVID-2193, but he dismissed the thought almost as quickly as it came.

Exiting the building, Logan felt a sense of relief as he stepped into the cool evening air. The familiar sights and sounds of the city offered a comforting contrast to the day’s uncertainties.

As he made his way home, his mind was a mix of thoughts and emotions. The intrigue of COVID-2193, the sense of duty to his job, and the ethical implications of what he might uncover wrestled within him.

Unknowingly to him, his decision to keep his discovery to himself and observe was the first step on a path that would lead him into the heart of a mystery that would change his life and the world around him.

The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows on the streets as Logan made his way back to his apartment. The evening air was cool and refreshing, a welcome change from the controlled atmosphere of the BioCorp lab. The city around him was alive with the usual sounds of traffic and people heading home from work, a normalcy that felt increasingly distant to Logan

He walked with a contemplative pace, his mind replaying the day’s events. The brief glimpse of the COVID-2193 document, the overheard conversation, and his subsequent internal debate all swirled in his head.

What did I really see today? A new project, or something more? And why the secrecy? He thought.

As he reached his apartment building, he greeted the doorman with a nod and a forced smile. The doorman, used to Logan’s quiet demeanor, returned the gesture without much conversation.

Inside his apartment, Logan felt the solitude envelop him. The orderliness of his space was a sharp contrast to the turmoil in his thoughts. He dropped his backpack by the door and headed straight to the kitchen to make himself a simple dinner.

While eating, Logan’s gaze settled on the cityscape visible from his window. The twinkling lights, the moving cars, the distant figures on the streets — all seemed so ordinary, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that something extraordinary was unfolding, hidden just beneath the surface.

After dinner, he sat on his couch, trying to lose himself in a book, but the words blurred before his eyes. His thoughts were elsewhere, caught in a loop of speculation and concern about COVID-2193.

He set the book aside and stood up, walking over to the window. Looking out, he felt a sense of disconnection from the world outside, a world that was moving on, oblivious to the potential danger lurking in the shadows.

He eventually retired to bed, but sleep didn’t come easily. His mind was restless, filled with unanswered questions and the nagging feeling that his life, and perhaps many others, was on the brink of change. As he finally drifted off to sleep, the events of the day replayed in his dreams, the mystery of COVID-2193 weaving its way into the fabric of his subconscious.

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