Confrontation in the Director-General's Office / Saria's Disappointment
"Doctor, don't laugh at me. You know perfectly well what's going on." Sakura replied helplessly to Mobius's words.
Although Sakura doesn't have a problem with not telling or disdaining to lie, she has indeed never been very good at lying. The long speech she just gave to Saria was all prepared in advance.
'Alright, this phase of the plan is complete. Next, Sakura will quietly guide Saria in investigating the [Diablo Project].'
"Hmm. By the way, Doctor, do you need me to pick up the volunteers for this afternoon's experiment?" Sakura asked, as if suddenly remembering something.
"I was just about to tell you about this. Sakura, could you please take that little white mouse to the place I've prepared outside? As for what to be careful about, I think you already know."
'Okay, I understand.'
Knowing that time was of the essence, Sakura immediately set about carrying out the task after accepting it from Mobius.
Mobius Laboratory--
After realizing that Sakura had already set off, Mobius began making final preparations in the laboratory.
Because this clinical trial was not being conducted in her lab, she could only prepare in advance and pack the necessary items to take with her.
As for why it's not conducted in a laboratory, that brings up the issue of volunteer compliance.
The infected volunteers in this clinical trial were not recruited by Mobius through formal procedures in the name of Rhine Lab, but rather suitable candidates she found privately.
There are two reasons why Mobius didn't follow the proper procedures. First, it's too slow... By the time Rhine Lab completes its procedures, it will be too late.
The second reason is that if she were to follow the proper procedures, she would need to record the experimental process and write reports. She doesn't want to expose her research or the extent of her work for the time being.
Therefore, after careful consideration, Mobius abandoned the formal procedures and opted for a private transaction.
Although she loathed that old goat Ahrens Parvis, she had to admit one thing: money could indeed easily attract a large number of poor "volunteers."
However, it is precisely in such situations that the differences between people become more apparent...
P. S.: Time for bed. I'll be fully recharged tomorrow and back to double updates, I mean it! If I don't update twice soon, I'll really let down this recommendation...
Chapter 101 The Standoff at the Headquarters Office
While Sakura was leaving Rhine Lab to complete the task assigned by Mobius, Saria successfully found Ahrens Parvis, who had just finished bandaging his wounds.
"Why are you looking at me with such a terrifying gaze, Director Saria? Is something the matter?"
Seeing that Saria's appearance was clearly hostile, Ahrens gently adjusted his glasses and asked with a smile.
"The current treatment plan for Ifrit is to be halted! I, as the head of the Security Department, request the Structural Department to adjust the treatment plan and resubmit it to the Security Department for reassessment."
Facing Ahrens, who was smiling and had a kind expression, Saria frowned and said in a serious tone.
"Director Saria, are you trying to illegally interfere with other departments' projects? I protest! Your request is unreasonable!"
Although he knew that Saria's visit was not well-intentioned, Ahrens clearly did not expect the person in front of him to be so disrespectful from the start, and his expression immediately turned sour.
"Ifrit's Originium Arts strength has far exceeded previous assessments. Continuing this will only lead to a repeat of the tragedy at Hayden's Laboratory!"
"Moreover, because of this treatment, Ifrit's physical condition has deteriorated rapidly!"
After hearing Ahrens' words, Saria, who was already furious, spoke with a hint of sternness.
"I am very sorry about this. But the more this happens, the more treatment cannot be stopped."
"Or is it that once Ifrit lost her investigative value, her life or death became unimportant to Director Saria?"
Seeing the defiant Saria in front of him, Ahrens's face darkened completely, and his tone became firm as he retorted, word by word.
After a brief moment of firmness, Ahrens' tone suddenly softened, and he said:
"Assessing the strength of Originium Arts is the responsibility of the Structural Department. Before this, I always thought that this matter was under their control, but... I never expected such an unexpected turn of events."
"Instead of blaming me here, Director Saria should investigate properly and find out who secretly injected Ifrit with the mysterious drug... After all, that's the only variable in this experiment."
Upon hearing this, Saria was taken aback, but she quickly recovered and replied, "Of course, I will investigate this matter thoroughly."
"However, if the Structural Department is no longer able to take responsibility for the safety of the patient and Rhine Lab, then the Security Department will arrange for Ifrit to be transferred to a more suitable treatment facility."
"..."
Hearing Saria's words, Ahrens narrowed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then continued, "Director Saria, I expressed from the beginning of the treatment that this was a risk, which is why I specifically applied to the Commander-in-Chief for permission to conduct experimental treatment."
"However, if your intervention prevents the Structural Department from proceeding with the treatment according to the established plan, the Structural Department will no longer be able to bear all the consequences alone, so this needs to be reported to the headquarters for approval."
"If you insist on this, then let us let her decide."
"Clang--"
Upon hearing such a reply and the familiar address from Ahrens Parvis, Saria clenched her fists involuntarily.
"All right..."
"Then let's not delay, please."
After saying that, Ahrens didn't linger and turned to walk outside.
Saria followed with a stiff expression, and the two then took the elevator together to the headquarters office.
Standing in the elevator, Saria couldn't help but recall the time when she and Kristen Wright had just begun to make a name for themselves in Columbia's scientific community...
At that time, both she and Kristen Wright were just recent graduates, newcomers to the scientific community, full of dreams and expectations for the future.
Kristen Wright wanted to create Rhine Lab because of her dreams and aspirations, and Saria made a promise with her because of her recognition and support, and they worked together.
But now...
Out of trust and affection, Saria didn't want to think too deeply, much less admit... she didn't want to admit that her best friend Kristen Wright, had, without her noticing, begun to slowly stray from her initial intentions...
Otherwise, she wouldn't have protected Kristen Wright and her life's work, [Rhine Lab], for so many years.
However, this time, the incident involving Ifrit and Haydn Laboratory was like a heavy punch to Saria's face, shattering the last glimmer of hope in her heart... and even causing a crack in her trust in her best friend.
"Bite--"
As the elevator arrived, Saria quickly gathered her thoughts and, together with Ahrens Parvis, stepped into the office where she hadn't seen anyone for some time.
"Commander, we've arrived."
Unlike Saria, who remained silent, Ahrens adjusted his glasses and spoke first to greet her.
Upon hearing Ahrens' words, the blonde woman standing at the desk with her back to the two quickly turned around. Seeing Saria, she slowly smiled, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes, and said, "Saria, it's been a long time. How have you been?"
"Thank you for your care, Commander."
Noticing her best friend's expression, a complex look flashed in Saria's eyes, then she said coldly.
"..."
Saria's distant address successfully transformed Kristen, who had been smiling, into the icy figure others perceived her to be.
She gave Saria a deep look, then slowly sat back in her office chair, closed her eyes, and asked in a calm tone, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
"The situation is like this..."
After Kristen asked the question, Ahrens Parvis, who was standing next to him, began to recount what had happened in the Structural Department.
"I understand."
After listening to Ahrens Parvis's entire account, Kristen stopped twirling her pen and asked, "Director Saria, do you have any objections to Director Parvis's account?"
"No."
When confronted with the question, Saria met his gaze and gave her answer.
Although she didn't narrate the events herself, the account Ahrens gave was largely accurate and unbiased.
"Is that so...?"
Upon hearing this, Kristen rested her chin on her hand, thought for a moment, and then told Saria her judgment word by word.
"Therefore, I believe the treatment does not need to be stopped."
P. S.: Although Saria's "ex-wife" is a bad woman, but... but they're really a great couple. I prefer this one to the senior (Serena) x junior (Hyper) pairing.
Chapter 102 Saria's Disappointment
"Therefore, I believe the treatment does not need to be stopped."
Upon hearing Kristen's words, Saria frowned and quickly explained, "I'm not asking for the treatment to stop completely, but rather that the treatment plan should be re-evaluated and restructured with safety in mind."
"Really? Then let me confirm again. Before the patient was injected with that mysterious drug, Director Parvis said that the patient's condition had definitely improved. Do you have any objections to that?"
Upon hearing this, Kristen raised her eyes to look at Saria and asked in a calm tone.
"No."
Saria answered honestly once again when questioned this time.
"..."
After hearing Saria's answer, Kristen rested her chin on her hand, closed her eyes, and fell into a brief silence.
After a moment, she stood up, supporting herself on the table, and said to the person in front of her:
"Saria, the reason we are gathered here is because we have all denounced the stagnation of the Columbia scientific community and we despise those corrupt individuals who hold the power of discourse yet prevent others from moving forward."
"You haven't forgotten, have you?"
After saying that, Kristen opened her eyes and confronted the person in front of her.
At this moment, Saria, without flinching, looked directly into her best friend's eyes and replied seriously, "The spirit of science requires the courage to boldly pursue the truth, but also a rigorous process of argumentation."
"You haven't forgotten, have you?"
Saria raised her voice for the last sentence, causing Kristen's expression to darken for a moment.
Then, disregarding her close friend's expression, Saria continued, "Moreover, there is now evidence indicating that the accident at Haydn Pharmaceuticals' Laboratory 1 was caused by Ifrit."
"This matter concerns the lives and safety of all employees of Ifrit and Rhine Lab, so of course we must proceed with extreme caution!"
"Saria ..."
After listening to Saria's words again, Kristen's expression softened, and she said calmly, "I remember you always said that we shouldn't let emotions cloud our rational judgment."
"My judgment is based on reason." Saria retorted directly to Kristen, who brought up the past.
"..."
Looking at Saria, who was clearly suppressing her anger but feigning calm, Kristen gently stroked her chin, then changed the subject and asked:
"Really? Is there any evidence that Ifrit's loss of control in Haydn Laboratory was caused by experimental behavioral stimuli?"
"What if her loss of control was caused by a worsening of Originium infection? Then isn't Director Parvis's treatment precisely reducing the probability of her losing control... Besides, there were unplanned factors in this experiment, weren't there?"
"That's just your guess!"
Upon hearing Saria's rebuttal, Kristen's lips curled slightly, and she said:
"That's right, they're all speculations, which is why we need to keep verifying them. Besides, the patient's condition probably isn't good right now, which is why the treatment should continue."
"Furthermore, you personally participated in the design of the headquarters' security system, and with you here in charge, even if Ifrit's Originium Arts were to experience a large-scale breakdown, you would definitely be able to handle it..."
"Right?"
Looking at the smiling Kristen in front of her, Saria frowned deeply and raised her voice.
"Of course! But we can't gamble with the lives of our patients and staff!"
"That situation should never have happened!"
However, before Kristen could speak again, Ahrens, who had been standing quietly to the side, spoke first, "Director Saria, please believe me, we are not entirely unprepared for this."
Upon hearing Ahrens's convenient words, Kristen again addressed Saria, saying, "As for Director Parvis's complaint that Director Saria wanted to overstep her authority and interfere in internal Structural Department projects..."
"..."
Saria watched the two people in front of her, who were about to resolve the matter in a coordinated manner, and fell silent. At the same time, she slowly lowered her eyes to hide the fleeting disappointment in them.
She no longer had any desire to watch this farce unfold. After all, given the current situation, her presence wouldn't have any influence on Kristen Wright's decision or the final outcome.
However, just as Saria was about to turn and leave, Kristen finished speaking and his gaze fell on her again.