Rust - Chapter 114



Only Krnovel

RUST -114

University of British Columbia Marine Biology Laboratory

Professor Michael Hicks looked up from his microscope. His expression was serious as he magnified the image taken through the microscope.

The enlarged life form on the screen looked very similar to a barnacle larva, but upon closer inspection, there were some distinct differences. The root-like structures growing finely on the barnacle’s footplate were clearly visible. This meant that the sample barnacle larva was not simply attached.

Common barnacle larvae adhere to surfaces using an adhesive substance called phosphoprotein, a complex protein in which phosphate is covalently bonded to protein.

Rather than simply sticking, they acted to increase their adhesiveness. They treated the surface to which they were to stick by creating oil droplets that removed water from the surface to which they were to stick. Since this fact was discovered, barnacles have been used as subjects of various studies.

The first place it was used was in the field of bioadhesives. It was a hemostatic agent made from a bioadhesive that imitated the phosphoprotein component of barnacles. Research was also being conducted in various other fields.

“Who brought this?”

“The Coast Guard sent this.”

“Are these all the samples?”

“Yes.”

“There aren’t enough samples. If there were live samples. Or at least a lot of them. We could extract DNA and check.”

“Shall we request the assistance of the Coast Guard?”

Professor Michael Hicks quietly calculated. Would it be possible to simply ask for help in the name of the professor? It would be difficult. However, he was reluctant to disclose such a sample. It was a living organism that would cause a stir in the academic world if properly studied and published.

First, I needed to meet with the person who sent me this sample. He must have wanted something, so he sent me a few samples here. Should I ask for money? How much should I give him? Maybe $50,000? Maybe up to $100,000?

If he didn’t know anything, he would have sent the samples in bulk. He must have had some idea of ​​the value of this mutant snail. He might have sent them here and there. If so, it was a race against time. The first one to catch it would be the owner.

Fortunately, the Coast Guard brought it in. They said it was near Vancouver.

“Ask to meet the person who gave you this sample.”

“Okay. When should we meet?”

“As soon as possible. Check to see if there are any additional samples.”

“Yes. I will check and let you know right away.”

[Professor Michael Hicks of Marine Biology. We have a call from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.]

“The Department of Homeland Security? Why there?”

[They said they would talk to me directly because it is a security-related matter?]

“Really? I’ll pick up the phone now. Tell them to call you.”

[All right.]

‘What the heck is going on? Suddenly, the US Department of Homeland Security.’

As soon as Professor Michael turned on his cell phone, a call came in.

“This is Professor Michael Hicks of the Department of Marine Biology.”

[This is Jeremy Royen, Director of the Department of Homeland Security. This is a security-related situation, so please understand. The samples you received from the Coast Guard have been confirmed to be subject to transfer to the Department of Homeland Security in accordance with the U.S.-Canada Security Agreement. Therefore, I would appreciate it if you could transfer the samples to a Department of Homeland Security officer.]

“What?”

Professor Michael Hicks’s eyes wavered. Hand over the entire sample? It’s related to security? The person who sent the sample also sent a sample to the United States. As soon as the Americans saw this, they thought they could make a hemostatic agent that could be used in the field.

[In accordance with the security agreement, the samples in question are subject to a full recall as they are deemed to have a potential impact on the security of the United States and Canada. Thank you for your understanding.]

Understand? You damn Americans. You’re just doing this because you think it’ll make you money?

Professor Michael Hicks’ research team was currently developing a bioadhesive that could be used in implant surgery. The sample’s unique properties came to mind.

What if something that sprouted like a root had not only adhesive power but also support power? If we were successful in analyzing and commercializing it, it would certainly open up a new horizon for implants.

The implant market was changing. Bioadhesive obtained from a mutant barnacle larva was applied to the tooth extraction site and a denture was attached. Afterwards, roots grew out of the adhesive and firmly fixed the denture. How groundbreaking is this? You want to eat this raw?

“I can neither understand nor accept it. How dare you say that it is not safe. It is necessary to conduct research, but it is an outrage to take away research samples that are of noteworthy importance in the medical field for the absurd reason of not being safe.”

[I understand what you are saying, but I don’t think I can go into more detail since it is a matter directly related to security. The sample in question is currently classified as a bioterrorism risk, so I hope you make a wise choice.]

“What? Biological terrorism? You just said that dead barnacle larvae samples are classified as bioterrorism risk? This is Canada, not the United States! No matter how much of a security agreement we have with the United States, how can we possibly tolerate such acts that suppress academic freedom?”

While Dr. Michael and Chief Jeremy were arguing, Homeland Security agents stormed into the doctor’s lab and seized the samples.

“Don’t you see those bastards? Tell them to eat dog food!”

Dr. Michael drove to the Vancouver Harbor where the Coast Guard station was located.

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[All samples have been recovered.]

“Thank you for your hard work. How’s the Stanford Marine Biology Lab going?”

[They are currently retrieving the samples. It has been confirmed that some of the samples have been leaked to pharmaceutical companies and venture companies.]

“It spread like that in less than a day after receiving the sample? Was the sample that large?”

[The sample quantity was small, but it seems that some of it was sent to the research institute to increase research funds.]

“That’s really fast. Now that the sample part is sorted out, contact Virginia and tell her to stop. There’s nothing you can do if you try to meddle in it.”

[The atmosphere in Virginia is not good these days either.]

“Are we in a good mood hahahoho?”

[······.]

“If information is leaked to China again this time, all involved should be considered as if they were all involved and take security measures properly.”

[All right.]

“Then hurry up and finish it up. I’ll give you what Jab wants, but I can’t give you Canadian citizenship. I can give you American citizenship, a safe house, and money, but the Canadian citizenship process is complicated.”

[I will push forward with that.]

Jeremy Royen reached out with his eyes closed. He could feel the paperwork against his fingertips. He could picture the black ink on the smooth paper.

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A white catamaran was anchored in Vancouver Harbor. It looked no less impressive than the other luxury yachts, but upon closer inspection, rough scratches could be seen here and there.

“Damn DHS. How did they know?”

“It is very likely that Jabb stabbed you directly.”

“Damn. You’re so perceptive.”

“What would you like to do?”

“What are we going to do? What are we going to do? Get behind the kids. We have to take this. We have to take care of it before the DHS guys come.”

“Are you ready for what Jep requested?”

“Japan has been reduced to ashes, so you would want to live here. But why did you ask for Canadian citizenship?”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

“Anyway, we have an advantage over the Department of Homeland Security in creating Canadian citizenship.”

Virginia was a place where citizenship, necessary for overseas operations, could be quickly obtained. It was especially easier in neighboring countries such as Canada and Mexico, where there were already established statuses.

“Tsk- okay. I thought it would be easy, but then that tough guy shoved a fork in there.”

“Then I will connect you right away.”

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Ki-soon, holding the communicator, clenched his fist and uppercut the air.

“Yes. I-yes!!! This is it!”

The shouted Ki-soon threw down the communicator and danced. The tug-of-war between the university, Virginia, and the Department of Homeland Security had a good result.

The Canadian Coast Guard immediately invited a marine biology professor from the University of British Columbia to meet with them, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security made a conditional offer for negotiations.

And finally, the most demanding Virginia decided to accept all the conditions. Ki-soon jumped up when he received a call asking him to send his ID documents by email.

“Enough! Fucking hell! Enough!”

“Did it go well? Did you succeed?”

“It can’t get any better than this. Now I can catch my breath.”

“Are you sure? Virginia is a bit like that. After you handed over the sample, it’s not the Matiz angle, right?”

At Maru’s ominous words, Ki-soon made a face as if to say, ‘Why are you saying such negative things?’

“Don’t talk nonsense. I have to make some paperwork for Ms. Kim and the nurse, so tell them both to come. I’ll take care of yours and mine.”

“Yeah. Is it really okay?”

“Oh. Please. Since we’ve even involved the Department of Homeland Security, if we die, the Department of Homeland Security will find fault with it and try to get us out of here. And do you think we’ll just die? If we cause trouble at the Port of Vancouver, Canada, Virginia will be screwed too. Don’t worry, Virginia doesn’t know that much. Tell Ms. Kim and the nurse to get the paperwork over. If we’re going to end it, let’s end it today.”

“Hey. Good work.”

Miss Kim, who was hiding in a corner of the third floor of the catamaran, looked around.

The infrared scope showed figures dressed in black, strutting around in the distance. What should I do with them? They were so far away that it was unclear whether they were coming this way or going somewhere else.

‘If you’re coming, come quickly.’

As he was concentrating with his finger on the trigger, the floor suddenly rose up. Kim Yang, who was startled and almost pulled the trigger, protested to the floor.

“Hey, surprise. Make some noise. Hey.”

“Kyu? What kind of tone is that?”

“I’m not nitpicking. Please, hold back. I hope you don’t suddenly blurt things out like that.”

“You can speak however you want, but is that the concept?”

As Maru laughed, Kim Yang shivered inside the optical hiding robe.

“Be quiet. There are some guys wearing black over there.”

“What? Are you sure? Are you the enemy?”

“I don’t know yet. Ah- are you falling behind?”

Ms. Kim moved the scope around and looked around.

“All the kids around me disappeared.”

“Wow, it really was a sea of ​​blood.”

Maru spoke in a tone that showed that he wasn’t worried at all. Kim Yang snorted inwardly. If you use a knife, of course it’ll be a sea of ​​blood.

“Wait a minute. Vehicle approaching at 4 o’clock.”

“······.”

“A Canadian Coast Guard vehicle and a regular sedan are approaching.”

“Coast Guard vehicle? Why here?”

“It’s definitely a Coast Guard vehicle.”

“I’ll take a look first, so go down. You and the nurse should fill out the paperwork and email it to Ki-soon.”

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One of the coast guard members frowned.

“So you’re saying there are illegally smuggled creatures on that ship?”

“exactly.”

The other agents tilted their heads.

“Isn’t that the ship that sent the samples to Dr. Bae’s lab? But what kind of illegally smuggled organisms are you talking about?”

“Ah- Ahem. So you’re saying that the sample was from a rare species? Then isn’t that illegal?”

Before the Department of Homeland Security could get its hands on it, it had to be seized. In order to officially receive the seized items, there had to be a government-level conversation. That would increase the chances of getting a sample for research purposes.

‘I just won’t let it be taken away.’

“What brings you here?”

Maru put his hand on his waist and smiled brightly. When he heard that the Coast Guard had arrived, Ki-sun came out of the cockpit, looked at Maru, and shook his head. Maru took his hand off his waist after seeing Ki-sun’s signal.

“I received a tip that there are illegally smuggled creatures here. I would appreciate your cooperation.”

“Illegal smuggling?”

Ki-sun cut off Maru’s question and spoke.

“Everything on this ship belongs to the U.S. government. Did you know that?”

“Yes? A U.S. government agency?”

Suddenly, at the mention of Virginia, the Coast Guardsmen looked at Dr. Michael.

“The smugglers are using the excuse of American intelligence agencies. Once we seize it, we’ll know if it’s real or fake. Let’s just seize it.”

Dr. Michael took the lead and got on board. Ki-soon stopped Maru from trying to stop him. It would have been more painful if it had become a noisy situation with violence.

“Over there. Security guard. Come over here and answer the phone.”

Ki-sun quickly contacted the Virginia representative and connected the call. In the meantime, the doctor, who had pushed his way into the cockpit, caught sight of several metal storage boxes. He could tell right away. They were storage boxes mainly used in laboratories.

The doctor’s hand touched the storage box.