S-2878 • L7 Uneluna • D02 Silenli
"Uneluna unites sky and earth in a new thread. Silenli kindles the glow of a living beginning. The tide draws a map in delicate silver. The story continues clear, in gentle steps."
As I prepared to leave, Takashi entered my office. I leaned back in my chair, trying to rest my mind. I had been coweaving CogniSynth for cycles, and the work remained exhausting.
"Doctor Scarlett Wilson is on the line."
I immediately shook off my exhaustion and nodded. Finally.
"Hello, Akiko. How are you? How can I help?"
I nibbled my nails. "I'd like to know how the NB-Mend research is going."
A sigh followed a brief silence. "Why hide it? After all, you helped us so much. We're uncertain of the reasons. Our patients developed horrific symptoms. Less than a seluna into treatment, they died."
The air seemed to escape my lungs. "Died?"
"Yes… in horrific ways." Her words echoed in my mind like a muffled gong.
"What symptoms?"
"They vary from person to person, but they have one in common: the nanites entered the bloodstream, formed a barrier, and clogged the blood vessels, rupturing them."
I swallowed.
"As though they were creating a new circulatory system, a parallel nanosystem that suffocated the body from within. A few died of strokes. Most died of blood implosions in the lungs."
Damn it. If that was true, the situation was worse than I'd imagined. I pressed my fingers into my palm, trying to control my unease. "That's terrible. Have you made any progress with prevention or treatment?"
"We cured two patients. We reversed the symptoms with Metaline and stabilized the implants in the bones. We increased the survival rate. It varies. The reason for their recovery is unclear, so we replicated the treatment. But the other patients died. The odds are uncertain."
I needed time to understand all of this. To avoid prolonging the conversation, I said goodbye. "I'm sorry. Please, if you need anything, you can count on me."
"Thank you. You're very kind, as always. Medicine needs more professionals like you. Take care."
The call ended, but the information kept reverberating in my mind. Now I knew a little more about NB-Mend, though the knowledge was far from reassuring. I had given Maia a good supply of Metaline. Enough to last five solar cycles. What else could I do?
"Takashi."
"Yes?"
"Research NB-Mend. Blood implosions, blockages, ruptured blood vessels, symptoms, effects, treatments," I asked, keeping my voice steady.
"Alright."
"Research everything." I met his brown eyes. "Every detail. Use every access available. If you encounter any obstacles on the network, let me know. I'll contact Hideaki."
"Do you think something might be hidden?"
My jaw tightened. "I think I want to find out the right way."
I went home, avoiding the subject. Death surrounded me, and I… all I could think about was what I would do with Maia at the Festival of Souls.
Speaking of which, what were we going to do? Crap. I hadn't planned anything. Ah, how embarrassing. I let my head fall into my hands. "Akiko Akiyama, renowned doctor, yet incapable of planning a decent date." I sighed.
What would she think of me? I had invited her without knowing what to do. Fortunately, São Paulo was brimming with Festival of Souls events. There were street festivals, parties, club nights, and tours of haunted places. The outdoor Cauim Festival would also be taking place in Centrália. Hmm… a possibility. Millions of options. The problem was choosing. Or worse… what if I chose the wrong one?
"Ah, we'll figure it out tomorrow. My Enchantress is far too tired for this." I yawned and fell asleep.