VESPERA - "The Beginning Of The End"

The city smelled like smoke and fear… Zeyra ran down the splintered tar, her backpack bouncing with every hurried step. Behind her a rough scream echoed off the shattered Research Centre. She didn’t looked back – She couldn’t... She had no idea where to go. Each step brought a new fear and survival was the only rule that mattered. The whole city felt frightening. Red and grey clouds warped overhead, and the growl of thunder vibrated the streets.

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We were a group of six in the World’s biggest Atlas Containment and Bio-Research Center. And none of us knew that the virus we were studying would soon turn the world outside these walls into a nightmare. The lab was filled with cold and soft aroma of machines and schemes. The virus on which we were working was called “Vespera”. It was unlike everything the world has ever seen. Vespera didn’t just attack the host’s body—it reprogrammed it, it was created in the deepest, most secret quarter of the Containment and Bio-Research Centre. Scientists had been experimenting with neural regeneration and pathogen engineering, trying to create a virus that could repair damaged neural tissue in humans. The virus was designed to selectively rewrite cells, strengthening them, increasing survival rates, and enhancing cognitive pathways. “It was the perfect tool to heal the human body”. But the virus just rewrite its own theory. It did not just damaged cells but healthy ones, enhancing aggression, heightening instincts, and overriding social behavior. Each host became a living laboratory, generating new strains in real time. Despite repeated warnings, some scientists pushed forward, fascinated by the potential. They built containment protocols, security layers, and emergency kill-switches. But every test report show stronger, and unpredictable results every time. Vespera was never meant to kill instantly. Its creators had wanted control, but control was never part of its design. It was made to reshape life. They put it inside a special protein shell to protect it and added something that could change brain cells, hoping it could fix damaged nerves and make people’s brains work better. At first, they only tested it on small lab samples, but the virus started to change on its own. It made its hosts aggressive, fast, and smarter than expected. Vespera could now change human cells and minds, turning normal people into something dangerous. It wasn’t just a virus anymore; it was the start of a nightmare that could destroy the world. Vespera wasn’t stored like a normal sample. Only two scientists at a time could access it, and every move was recorded. Inside the main container, the virus was sealed in another small capsule. Even in the lab, you couldn’t get near Vespera without special permission. It was made to be untouchable…

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It all started on 4 March 2010, when we, the group of six went to the research Centre like any other day. But Something Wasn’t Right there. The quarter was not as silent like any other day, everyone rushing here and there. We didn’t know what was happening. Aylin quickly walked towards Professor Levent Kaya, who looked tense and worried.

“Professor, what’s happening?” she asked nervously.

“The danger of Vespera is rising rapidly,” Professor Levent kaya said seriously. “So we have decided to send it out of the country to the Orion Global Pathogen Research Institute, a much larger research Centre with higher security. The transfer is scheduled for today. Prof. Levent Kaya’s words made the room fall silent. For a moment, no one spoke.

“Today?” Arman asked, surprised. “Isn’t that too sudden?”

“We don’t have a choice,” Prof. Kaya replied firmly. “Vespera is becoming more unstable every hour. If we keep it here any longer, the risk will only grow.”

A heavy metal case was brought into the room. Inside it was a smaller sealed container that held the virus. The case was surrounded by locks, sensors, and cooling systems to keep the sample stable during transport. The capsule contained a special sterilizing gas that would activate automatically if the container was damaged or opened incorrectly. If even the smallest leak or change was detected, the container would immediately seal itself and send an emergency signal. The container would be placed inside a shock-proof compartment so that even sudden movements or accidents could not damage it. Twenty- eight guards and two security vehicles will take it to the airport, where a special cargo aircraft will transport it to the Orion Global Pathogen Research Institute.

“The danger is rising every second. We never thought a single experiment would turn into such a huge mistake,” said Prof. Levent Kaya, his voice filled with worry. He looked at the heavy container holding Vespera and sighed. “We can only hope the security is strong enough to keep it safe.” The guards, the virus, and the vehicles were ready to travel. Everyone looked nervous. The heavy container holding Vespera was carefully lifted and placed into the armored vehicle. The door was locked with several security codes, and the engines slowly started. One security vehicle drove in front while another followed behind to guard the transport. The vehicles rolled forward onto the road, heading toward the airport where the special cargo aircraft was waiting to take Vespera to the Orion Global Pathogen Research Institute.

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We all gather in the corner of the lab. Aylin ran a hand through her hair. “I can’t believe how fast everything went today. How could a single experiment create so much chaos?” What if the guards can’t control it?” Arman shook his head. There’s nothing we can do from here… yet.” Lina’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the monitors. “We should at least check the lab systems. Make sure nothing else is unstable.” Taylan crossed his arms. The room was silent for a moment, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Seven hours passed slowly. The sky had already turned dark when we finally saw the security vehicles heading back toward the center. All of us stood near the entrance, hoping that everything had gone safely. The vehicles approached the large gates of the Atlas Containment and Bio-Research Center. The gates opened, the engines slowed as the vehicles rolled into the main parking area of the facility and finally stopped. The guards finally stepped out of the vehicles. Their uniforms were dusty from the long journey, but they looked calm. One of them walked toward us and nodded.

“Everything went safely,” he said. “The virus has been successfully delivered to the Orion Global Pathogen Research Institute.” For a moment, we all felt relief. Aylin let out a small breath, and Arman relaxed his shoulders.

“But…” the guard continued, his expression suddenly serious, “…there was a small problem during the trip.” Zeyra stepped forward. “What kind of problem?”

The guard glanced back at the armored vehicle. “One of the security sensors on the container stopped working for a few minutes while we were on the road. It started working again later, but we’re not completely sure why it failed.”

Emir frowned. “Are you saying the container might have been damaged?”

The guard shook his head slowly. “We don’t think so… but the technicians inside the center will need to check the vehicle and the transport system just to be sure.” Days passed, and everything seemed to be normal again. The lab returned to its usual routine, and people slowly stopped talking about the transfer of Vespera. But something still didn’t feel right. One of the guards, Mr. Serkan Demur, hadn’t come to the center since the day of the transport. After noticing his absence for several days, Prof. Levent Kaya grew concerned. He called Arman and Taylan into his office. “Mr. Serkan Demur hasn’t reported to work for days,” the professor said, his voice serious. “He never misses his duties without informing us. I want you two to go to his house and check if he’s alright.” “You mean… right now?” Taylan asked.

“Yes,” Prof. Kaya replied firmly. “It’s probably nothing, but I want to be sure. Go and see if everything is okay.” Arman and Taylan soon arrived at Mr. Demur’s house. The small house looked quiet, and the curtains were half closed. Arman knocked on the door, and after a few seconds it slowly opened. A woman stood there looking tired and worried. She was Mr. Demur’s sister, Elif. “Good evening,” Arman said politely. “We are from the Atlas Containment and Bio-Research Center. We’re looking for Mr. Serkan Demur. He hasn’t come to work for several days, so we came to check if he’s alright.” Elif’s face immediately grew more serious. “My brother isn’t here,” she said softly. “He became very sick a few days ago. His fever was very high, and he started acting strangely. We had to take him to the hospital. He’s still admitted there.”

“Acting strangely?” Taylan asked carefully.

Elif nodded slowly. “Yes… he was sweating, shaking, and saying things that didn’t make sense. The doctors are still trying to figure out what’s wrong with him.”