Chapter 15: The Vaccine
Jesse's world had become a delicate balance between control and chaos. The power of NZT-48 was undeniable—his mind worked faster, sharper, and more effectively than anyone could imagine. But with the drug came the dangerous side effects—the crashes, the paranoia, the sleepless nights that pushed him to the edge. He couldn't afford to let that happen. Not now.
So, after weeks of research, careful calculation, and countless experiments, Jesse finally found a solution—a way to keep the brilliance of NZT-48 without the debilitating side effects. What he needed wasn't just the drug—it was the ability to use the drug without paying the price. And that's when it hit him.
He needed a vaccine.
The Formula
Jesse spent days locked in the lab, obsessively working on his formula. He knew that if he was going to keep using NZT-48, he needed a way to neutralize the effects it had on his body. The injections, the crashing highs and lows—they all had to stop. He wasn't about to let some drug take over his life. No. He was in control.
After trial and error, he finally perfected a serum. The vaccine would allow his body to process NZT-48 without triggering the negative side effects. It was a simple concept, really. He wasn't creating a new version of the drug—he was just training his body to accept it without the chaos. The vaccine would act like an immune system booster, preventing the neurotoxins and neurotoxic buildup that caused the paranoia and mental instability.
He'd inject it once a month—one shot—and it would last the entire month. It would allow him to take NZT-48 as needed without any of the fallout. It would make him the perfect machine, operating at full capacity without ever burning out.
The First Test
The first time Jesse injected himself with the vaccine, he felt an odd sense of relief. His body was still working at peak performance, but now there were no shakes, no dizziness, no mental fog. His mind didn't race as wildly as before, but it was still sharp—just enough to keep him focused. He felt like he could take on anything.
Jesse immediately followed up with a dose of the NZT-48. For the first time, it felt perfect. His mind surged with clarity, ideas connected seamlessly, and his thoughts flowed without interruption. But this time, there was no crash. No paranoia creeping in. No deep, dark lows after the high. He wasn't just using NZT-48—he was controlling it.
A New Rhythm
The days passed, and Jesse continued with his routine. He'd take the vaccine once a month, and then use NZT-48 when he needed it. The world moved in slow motion compared to his lightning-fast mind. He could predict what people were going to say before they said it. He could solve complex problems in seconds. The business was running like clockwork, and even the mounting pressure from the IRS, Gus, and the cartel felt like distant worries. They seemed small, insignificant, compared to the brilliance he now wielded.
But Jesse wasn't blind. He knew that with great power came great danger. The world wasn't built to accommodate someone like him—someone who could think three steps ahead of everyone else. And he had to keep his secret close. If anyone found out about the vaccine, or worse, the NZT-48 itself, it would be over. The cartel would kill for it. Gus would see him as a threat. The IRS would tie him to every illegal operation in the country.
Jesse didn't let himself get cocky. He continued working in the shadows, taking control without revealing just how far ahead he was. The more power he gained, the more isolated he became.
The Strain of Perfection
Despite the success of the vaccine and the continued use of NZT-48, there were moments when Jesse couldn't shake the sense that he was too perfect. His mind was always working, always calculating. And while that made him incredibly efficient, it also made him distant from everything around him. Emotions seemed like a faraway concept. He couldn't remember the last time he felt something as simple as joy or anger—everything was a series of logical steps and outcomes.
He could understand people's motivations, anticipate their reactions, but he couldn't connect with them anymore. Even with the occasional visit from Badger or Skinny Pete, Jesse found it harder to relate. They were caught in a world of drugs and crime, but Jesse had transcended that. He had grown beyond the typical limits of their reality. And as much as he missed the simplicity of their friendship, he knew it wasn't enough for him anymore.
Jesse felt a growing emptiness, a quiet ache deep inside that he couldn't quite explain. Sure, he had the power, the clarity, the intelligence, but it all felt a little hollow.
Gus's Suspicion
It didn't take long for Gus to start noticing the subtle changes in Jesse. At first, it was small—a shift in how Jesse handled things, a slight coldness in his demeanor. Gus, always meticulous, watched Jesse closely, analyzing every action. Something was off, and Gus wasn't one to ignore details.
One day, while they were in the lab, Gus spoke up.
"Jesse," he began, his voice calm, but sharp. "You've been acting differently lately. More... composed. Your work is better than ever. But I can see something's changed. What is it?"
Jesse's heart raced, but he kept his face neutral. The vaccine kept him calm, but there was always a lingering sense of danger when Gus was involved.
"Just been working out more," Jesse said, his voice steady. "Focused. Got my shit together."
Gus didn't respond immediately, but Jesse could feel the weight of his gaze. He knew Gus didn't believe him, but for the moment, he wasn't pressing further. The tension between them simmered, but it was clear that Gus wasn't going to drop it entirely.
A Dangerous Balance
The reality of Jesse's situation was starting to sink in. He was walking a tightrope. The NZT-48, combined with the vaccine, had given him god-like clarity, but it also made him a potential target. If Gus found out about the injection, or worse, if the cartel discovered the truth, he would be no better than the meth kingpin he had always despised.
Jesse was more dangerous than ever, but the cost of that power was starting to feel heavier. The isolation, the detachment, and the constant threat of exposure weighed on him.
Still, he pushed forward, one step ahead of everyone else, using his genius to navigate the increasingly complex world of criminal empires and law enforcement. But deep down, he knew that sooner or later, someone was going to catch on—and when that happened, Jesse would need to be ready.