Novel Island X- Chapter 5

Island X, South China Sea, September 2016 (five years ago)

“See those people over there? They sure make us nervous, don’t they?”

A female staffer glanced at her male colleague standing beside her. They were now on the terrace of Block One, watching a large group of people gathered in the sandy area in front of the building.

“They’re not just rich people, they’re a bunch of really rich folks from different countries around the South China Sea. Some of them are big shots in the pharmaceutical world.”

“Are those big shots the ones who own this island?” the male staffer asked, still chewing on a snack.

“No, but they got permission to build this prison here. Given the number of government guests, it makes sense they got the green light.”

The female staffer took a breath before continuing, “They say we’re here because they’re going to house international criminals that no country wants, along with problematic immigrants trying to sneak into nearby countries.”

“I knew about that, but… why are there so many fancy labs in the building behind the prison? It’s not like a regular medical lab, more like a research facility.”

“What’s with that?”

“They could be trying to create a virus that could later become a pandemic and test it on the prisoners or immigrants here, right?”

The man looked very serious as he said it. But a few seconds later, he burst out laughing at his own words.

“Perhaps I’ve seen too many apocalypse movies,” he chuckled. “There are plenty of officials and organizations keeping an eye on things. They wouldn’t allow any shady research here, especially not with people as test subjects. And anyway, we’re getting paid well to work on this island.”

The woman next to him gave a brief smile and turned back to face ahead. “See the old man who cut the ribbon at the prison’s opening? He’s from Indonesia, named *Suga Poernama. Heard he and his kid are the big shots in property back in Indonesia.”

“Hmmh? I knew Bali was in Indonesia, but their currency isn’t worth much. Even if they’re loaded, how rich can folks there get? Isn’t it just a developing country with low education levels?”

“Are you serious?!” exclaimed the female staffer. “Indonesia is one of the largest countries globally, with over 17 thousand islands. Their natural resources are abundant, including various energy sources. However, wealth distribution there is extremely uneven. But when it comes to the wealth of the affluent, I’m certain they’re extremely wealthy, like Suga Poernama. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s the primary benefactor on this island.”

“Ah, so that’s why there are so many staff members here for this event wearing uniforms with the Poernama Group logo? Did he finance this prison?”

The female staffer nodded. “Considering the prominent tycoons present earlier from China, America, and other Southeast Asian countries, it’s highly probable that this prison is collectively funded.”

“Well, the group photo session is coming up soon. If you want to be part of this island’s history, you should step forward,” she said, giving her male colleague’s shoulder a reassuring pat. With that, she swiftly jogged towards the sandy area in front of Block One, leaving him behind.

Up ahead, an elderly man in a luxurious brown suit scanned the surroundings with a curious gaze. Just as he arrived at Island X, he turned as he heard footsteps approaching from the foliage along the beach in front of the prison building.

“Suga Poernama?” he exclaimed, breaking into a wide smile upon spotting the familiar figure coming towards him. “Are you the one financing all of this?”

Suga, the tall elderly man from Indonesia, didn’t immediately reply. He simply extended his hand towards the man in the brown suit, who appeared to be of a similar age, and stood beside him.

“If I knew it would be this hot here, I wouldn’t have dressed so formally and ended up looking ridiculous,” remarked the man in the brown suit again, wiping his sweat. “As far as I’m aware, your son, Bagas, recently opened a hotel in Indonesia a few months ago… what’s it called?”

“Hotel Poernama,” Suga responded in his deep, hoarse voice. “He built it for his daughter and her friends, who are aspiring equestrian athletes.”

“Ah yes, your granddaughter shares your passion for horseback riding,” remarked the man, glancing around. “I don’t see Bagas here. Once again, your son isn’t aware of your clandestine dealings with people in the pharmaceutical industry?”

“This isn’t a secret, Holden. Bagas is in London because his daughter is studying there now,” replied Suga. He then gestured towards a young man who also seemed to be standing alone under a nearby tree. “His son is here, *Yoga.”

Spotting Suga’s grandson, Holden Huang, the man in the luxurious suit, immediately broke into a broad smile. Without hesitation, he called out to Suga’s grandson, who towered over his own grandfather, with a hearty voice.

“Yoga, so you’re here too!” greeted Holden, an American-Chinese man, beaming at Suga’s grandson before him. “They said you have graduated from college and returned to Indonesia. How’s it going? Are you enjoying this incredibly beautiful island funded by your grandfather?”

Yoga, the young man, only offered a faint smile. “Something so beautiful, often also terrifying.”

Upon hearing this, Holden burst into laughter. He then engaged in a brief conversation with Yoga before Yoga bid him farewell.

“Did you bring Yoga here intentionally to pique my interest in participating on this island?” Holden inquired of Suga afterward. “You know well that I, a firearms businessman, trained Yoga in shooting in US and always said he would become the world’s best shooting athlete.”

Suga smiled. “You also always mentioned that eventually, you’d collaborate with him.”

“But,” Holden muttered, “why do I have a feeling that he and your other family members aren’t aware of the truth about you and your fixation on genetic engineering?”

“Holden, the weapons of future warfare are no longer firearms or atomic bombs,” Suga stated frankly, sidestepping Holden’s question. “The most potent weapon for war is biological. You’re aware that numerous pharmaceutical companies worldwide are involved in this. They’re vying to become clandestine suppliers of biological weapons to many nations.”

“Pharmaceutical companies have always been the most formidable players, and also the most dangerous,” murmured Holden. “Unfortunately, their developments are never immediate. I prefer things to be instant. That’s why I shifted away from the pharmaceutical realm and now focus solely on my firearms business.”

Suga smiled again. “You’re aware that our endeavors at Khliksgen have borne fruit? I’ve uncovered how to activate the gene doping we’ve been working on.”

Hearing this, Holden turned to Suga with a surprised look. “Are you still dabbling in genetic engineering?”

“We’ve been studying elements from animals with the strongest and most unique immune systems,” Suga explained. “Some, like those of ostriches, sharks, and alligators, are highly compatible with the gene doping we developed at Khliksgen.”

“Immune systems?” Holden repeated. “Are you planning to blend our products, with extracts from the immune systems of wild beasts? How do you intend to accomplish that? Khliksgen hasn’t been permitted to produce gene doping again.”

Suga chuckled softly. “But, Holden, haven’t many people already used our gene doping? You and I are prime examples. In the past, we both pondered how to weaponize it for sale to numerous countries. Now, I’ve found a way.”

“But you can’t possibly track down every person who purchased our products and utilized them, let alone request them to become test subjects… can you?”

“What if I don’t need to track them down?” Suga said.

“What do you mean?”

“Holden, the demand for the best immunity or vaccine is always urgent in the face of a new viral pandemic.”

Holden, upon hearing those words, froze. “Is that what you and everyone here are pursuing on this island? Are you attempting to instigate a new viral pandemic to… promote your new vaccine, which will later interact with our gene doping? Is all of this part of a biological warfare initiative?”

“It’s coming back to me now,” Holden continued abruptly. “Earlier, I was perplexed by the excessive military presence here, all to guard a prison on a remote island in the middle of nowhere. But now, things are starting to make sense.”

“Suga, are you… involved in collaboration between Indonesia and the U.S. military in the *NAMRU-2 and *Pacific Partnership projects? They’ve conducted clandestine biological research in Indonesia multiple times, right? Pacific Partnership even occurred in Indonesia just last month, and from what I heard… their covert research entails blood samples from Indonesians and the rabies virus?”

Before Suga could respond to Holden’s inquiry, they were abruptly summoned by someone to join the gathering up front. Reluctantly, they both complied and stepped forward together.

Just minutes later, Holden found his own pressing question fading from his mind. He, Suga, and several other pharmaceutical magnates stood shoulder to shoulder, smiling for the camera as it captured their photo as the founders of Prison X.

___

Two Years After the Discovery of the Covid-19 Virus and Five Minutes After the Announcement of Isolation of Island X

Forest Winslow gazed blankly at the photo of the founders of Prison X, including himself, hanging on the wall of his office. Despite the sounds of chaos outside the Block Two building—shouts and gunfire—he remained unmoved, as though he had anticipated this turn of events.

Though he stayed silent, he eventually turned towards the person who had entered his room fifteen seconds earlier. The 55-year-old, also a military professor, fixed his gaze on a petite Chinese female researcher standing before him.

“Colonel,” the researcher’s voice quivered as she addressed him, having just made an announcement to all the Prison X occupants, “according to Phantom protocol, if the situation inside becomes uncontrollable, we’re supposed to activate the ‘lock island’ system.”

“I’ve already initiated it,” replied the military professor with a solemn tone.

“W—what?”

Instead of answering, Forest asked, “Our logistics ships will arrive today, right?”

“They should, but our network is encountering issues,” the researcher responded. “I haven’t been able to confirm their arrival. They were scheduled to reach us by five this afternoon with supplies and necessities for the island, but given the situation here…”

Her words trailed off, and she appeared even more shaken. “I haven’t had the chance to inform them about what’s happened, let alone that we’ve activated the ‘lock island’ system. Outside, many of our people have already…”

Her voice faltered again, transforming into sobs. “Colonel, I understand that ‘lock island’ is the necessary course of action. But… what if there are still some who could survive and attempt to leave the island? They’re unaware they’ll face instant death if they try to escape.”

“Mei Ling, as you’ve noted, this situation is beyond salvaging,” Forest addressed the 35-year-old woman. “With one individual escaping last night and another following suit, this island will soon descend into chaos.”

“Our troops here total only 115, and many are likely to become infected,” he continued. “It’s merely a matter of time before everything unravels.”

“Phantom…”

“Phantom is in dire straits,” Forest interjected. “Numerous Phantom founders are under investigation in their respective countries for supplying problematic Fasola booster vaccines. Additionally, Suga Poernama is reportedly confined by his own son because he’s become a dangerous predator host. Holden Huang is also still missing. We can’t rely on them anymore, as all that remains in Phantom are their staff.”

“We still have a chance with Foceit’s Zero Project, don’t we?” Xu Mei Ling, the Chinese researcher, asked. Her voice tinged with uncertainty.

“The only researcher left for the Zero Project has fled to Indonesia,” Forest replied. “As a result, Karas Feyrer and his pharmaceutical company laboratory, Foceit Inc, are now under investigation by the FDA and FBI. Everything is at a standstill. We’re left to navigate this based on the SOP provided by Phantom.”

“Are we all going to continue locking ourselves on this second floor?” Mei Ling asked again, wiping her tears. “Are we all… going to die too?”

Forest took a deep breath. “The ‘lock island’ system will only be effective ten hours after it’s activated. Mei Ling, you and the others need to find a way to reach the logistics ship before the ‘lock island’ system becomes effective at eight tonight. The others don’t know much about this island, so you must stay alive as the only person who knows about it.”

“What do you mean? You and I can go to the ship together,” Mei Ling said, her face looking shocked. “Why did you only mention me having to survive?”

“I will take responsibility for everything that happens here,” Forest replied with a grim expression. “Many will try to kill me if I step foot off this island and if all of this gets exposed. So, whether I live or die doesn’t matter anymore to me. Eventually, I will still be known as the worst person in the world.”

Mei Ling shook her head. “But we were only asked to assist in researching immune system extractions from certain animals and their reactions to gene doping. It’s the Phantom founders who abused our research and deliberately created the Covid pandemic to spread vaccines containing another virus. We didn’t create Covid-19 or Fasola!”

“Mei Ling, you were compelled to fulfill your duties, but I… I was involved in activating the predator virus,” Forest admitted. “I’ve been at the forefront of illegal research involving human subjects. Today’s events are a consequence of my mistake in allowing this to happen.”

“How can I live knowing that the Fasola booster vaccine has been administered to countless people worldwide?” he continued bitterly. “That’s why I’ll stay here. This is the only decision I’m certain of making.”

“B—but….”

“Mei Ling, the situation in Block Two will soon become extremely dangerous. You need to save yourself before they realize we’re still on the second floor. I’ll relocate to Block Four after this.”

“B—block Four?” Mei Ling’s body suddenly tensed. “Colonel, are you serious? Block Four isn’t just filled with predators, that place is a prison for the most vicious and dangerous predator hosts.”

“But the security there is also the tightest and for now, it’s still the hardest place to breach,” Forest replied. “Besides, they won’t be able to escape their cells either.”

“You need to prioritize your own safety, Mei Ling. Make your way to the ship before the ‘lock island’ system goes into full effect, and leave this island before it’s too late.. Take those who are proven not infected, especially those who had an incident with their plane last night.”

“Uh, about that… I don’t think I can do that,” Mei Ling suddenly recalled something. “Earlier, in the *NGS room, we analyzed the DNA sequences and gene expressions from their blood samples. We were searching for signs of unnatural genetic manipulation like gene doping. The definitive results won’t be available for another seven days, but…”

“But?” Forest repeated, narrowing his eyes at Mei Ling.

“There’s something strange with the preliminary results of two of them. It’s highly likely that two of them were already infected with the predator virus… even before they officially set foot on this island.”