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Darren Reid had always had both a talent and a passion for music. His band, Velociraptor had taken the world by storm. Hard driving guitar, classic 80s rock riffs, lyrics that told a story like a short novel, they had all the elements of success, including charisma and good looks. Darren himself did partake in the sex and rock and roll part of the rock star lifestyle. Beyond the occasional drink and maybe some aspirin, he kept his system clean of recreational substances. Not for any puritanical ideal, just because he believed it screwed with his creative process in song writing.
When the Black Widow virus hit, the band was taking a break in his home city, Perth. He served his musical "apprenticeship" here; playing in grubby pubs and small venues until fame and fortune came to the band like a tidal wave. They all agreed to take regular breaks to prevent burnout.
It was their saxophone player, Gerry Cantorelli that first contracted the Black Widow virus. Little had he known that buying some fast food would prove fatal to everyone in the band but Darren. Another customer at the burger joint sneezed near him, thus exposing him to the virus. Within 12 hours, all of them had severe flu-like symptoms. So severe that all five of them were ferried by ambulance to Fiona Stanley hospital.
Darren vaguely remembered something about cryo stasis being explained to him. When asked about his band mates, nobody could offer a straight answer. "They're all in the ICU. You've only partially recovered, so we're putting you in cryo stasis soon"
"As in, put me in the freezer? Isn't that a little drastic, even for a flu virus?"
"You have a virus that earned the nickname Black Widow. We've discovered that this virus is lethal to males, so yes, we consider it necessary. We're trying to save as many males as we can."
Darren awoke in a clean hospital bed, and a room so white it was hard for him to even discern the dimensions of the room initially. A curvy blue eyed blonde walked into the room. "You're awake, excellent. How do you feel?"
"My head is aching, but I'm just trying to get my bearings. Where am I?"
"You're in an isolation ward of Fiona Stanley Hospital. The date is June 3rd, 2030."
"Wait, I've been out for 7 YEARS?"
"I'm sorry, but it was necessary. You're one of only .001% of the male population that has survived the Black Widow virus."
"My band mates?"
"I'm sorry, but you were the only survivor of the band. We checked to see if you had any male relatives left. I'm so sorry, the answer is no. Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime?"
"All I had left of my family before this was my father. Everyone else were friends. While the band is well known, I'm usually a very private person. The band, for all practical purposes WERE my family. I don't want to hold you up if you have other duties, so if you need to-"
"I should clarify Mr. Reid. I am Rachel Curtis, and I have been assigned to you as part of a support team. Collectively we're known as Team R.O.C.K. There's me, your nurse and medical consultant. There's Ophelia, your psychologist, Casey, your physical therapist and Katie, your general assistant. Every male counts right now. If we are to survive as a species globally, we need all surviving males to help in rebuilding the population. In other words, you're expected to impregnate women."
"Whoa! You mean I'm a sperm donor?"
"In a sense, but there's a side effect to the Black Widow virus.
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