A Nervous Gecko: Origin 2 of 2 (Being Rewritten)

A Nervous Gecko Part 4

I bolted out of the lab and down the corridor where Dr. Smith was last known to be. I didn't really pay attention to any of the rooms on the way as I was hyper focused on getting to him.

I made it 100 or so feet past the elevators when I noticed there was a containment bulkhead blocking my path ahead.

"Damn it!"

I yelled out loud when I reached the bulkhead, smacking it with my hand. I looked around until I found the panel for the bulkhead. I placed my badge upon it and.... denied!

"Shit!!"

I looked through the porthole and I couldn't really see anything extraordinary, just an empty corridor painted in flashing red lights. It was pretty much just the same as the side I was on. I whirled around a few times trying to think of what I could do.

"Think, Johan! Think! I need a badge with higher authority! .....Security!"

That's the answer! I bet security has access to open the bulkhead. I need to get to the security room by the elevators.

I started back in the direction of the elevators and just before I could reach them, I heard the typical ding sound. I immediately stopped in my tracks and as soon as the doors opened, several people in hazmat suits came flooding out.

"T-t-the Bean Team is here already!?"

They all immediately turned and looked at me and I reflexively covered my mouth. One of the ran right up to me and grabbed me by the shoulders. I quickly noticed the name tag on the hazmat suit, "R. Beckett".

(Rene: "Johan! What happened? We just got word a few minutes ago!")

It's Rene! Holy cow! I haven't seen her since she graduated. I knew she was working for Blackwood Laboratories, but I had no idea she was on the Bean Team!

"R-r-r-rene!!"

Rene just stared at me a moment and then bursts out laughing. And when I say laughing, I don't mean just a chuckle, I mean she was slapping her knees and everything.... Really Rene? At a time like this? Come on! I swear, some people never change!

After her laughter finally subsided, she stood back up and patted me on the back.

(Rene, still catching her breath: "Oh, Johan! I've missed you so much! I'm glad you haven't changed a bit!")

That comment made me glare at her. This is just like her, she's always been the big sister type ever since we met in university, 2 years my senior. Like me, she looks up to both Kaida and Maniak.

"Dr. Smith!"

My shout seemed to startle Rene and the other Bean Team members and I noticed at least 2 of them were missing.

(Rene: "what was that Johan? What about Dr. Smith?")

"He...he....he's locked in on the other side of the containment bulkhead!"

I pointed in the direction of the storage area where the bulkhead lay. If anyone has access, it's Rene!

(Rene: "Simon! Lily! You two with me, lets get down there and see if we can rescue Dr. Smith and contain the outbreak.")

(Simon & Lily, in unison: "Yes Sir!")

Rene started to move forward and met my gaze.

(Rene: "Johan, you need to go back to the lab. Sam and Toby should already be there.")

"But Rene! I ha.."

Before I could finish, Rene interrupted by stepping toward me and placing her hand on my shoulder, looking me right in the eyes with steel resolve.

(Rene: "Trust me, Johan, I'll take care of him.")

With that, she flashed a toothy smile and whirled toward the bulkhead. The three of them headed down the corridor as I watched by the elevators.

"PROFESSOR SMITH WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU OTHERWISE!!!"

I yelled out in their direction and I could see Rene raise a fist in the air like a super hero. At that moment I felt it in my gut. I knew Dr. Smith would be okay, and I knew everything was going to be fine. I couldn't help but mumble out a thought.

"Some people never change."