Medical Investigation
The Love The Hate The Unstoppable
Chapter One
Steven and Natalie rushed into the conference room where Miles, Eva and Frank were patiently waiting for them.
"We got a bad one on our hands" explained Steven
"How bad?" asked Eva pulling out her chair to sit down.
"Don't bother sitting" said Steven "We leave for Belconnen Australia in ten minuets"
"Ive never herd of it" said Frank
"It's a small town two hours from Sydney" explained Natalie
"And getting smaller" added Steven "Three people already dead, twelve more presenting"
"What are the symptoms?" asked Miles
"It's a rapid onset of fever, headaches and chills" replied Natalie
"Sounds like something viral" said Frank
"Could be" agreed Steven "But for now lets keep our options open"
"What about toxin?" asked Miles "An exposure to carbon-monoxide?"
"Not likely" replied Natalie "That wouldn't produce fever, chills and shaking"
"Bacterial?" asked Eva
"Perhaps" replied Natalie
"What did the local doctor say?" asked Miles
"Unfortunately he was the third to die" explained Natalie
"Who called N.I.H?" queried Eva
"The local police" answered Steven
"How far has this thing spread?" asked Frank
"Well Belconnen is isolated from other communities so hopefully it's contained there" explain Natalie
"Keyword hopefully" said Miles
"I want everyone to take a prophylactic dose of antibiotics and anti-viral" began Steven "Load up the SUV's with antibiotics, IV solutions, cultural materials and protective gear"
"Sounds like we are going into battle" said Frank
"We are" replied Steven "We just don't know what we are heading into"
"Doctor McLeod, we just lost another one" explained the head nurse of the Belconnen hospital "How soon will the N.I.H be here?"
"They will land within the next hour" replied John McLeod
"Do you think they will be able to help?" asked the nurse
"I hope so" said John McLeod as he walked out from behind his desk. "Where is Doctor Parkinson?"
"Im not entirely sure" replied the nurse
"Go and find her" demanded Doctor McLeod "I want an update on the progression of the patients"
The nurse turned and left the room and returned ten minuets later with the Doctor Parkinson.
"You asked for me?" asked Doctor Parkinson
"Yes" replied Doctor McLeod "What is the status of our patients"
"Well Mrs. Davis hasn't progressed" began Doctor Parkinson "In fact the only two that have progressed are Mr Smith and Miss Cooper"
"And they are stable?" asked Doctor McLeod
"Yes" replied Doctor Parkinson "Im not sure for how long though, Mr Smith has just begun shaking, that is the last stage of this disease before it kills"
"How much longer has he got left?" asked Doctor McLeod?
"It's hard to say" explained Doctor Parkinson "Two days maybe, Sir with all due respect I don't think this disease is fightable, I've tried everything!"
"You're a good doctor Jess Parkinson" began Doctor McLeod "You have saved more lives than anyone in this hospital, I know you can find a cure to this thing"
"If you truly believed that you wouldn't have called in the N.I.H" said Doctor Parkinson
"Jess" sighed Doctor McLeod "The N.I.H have far better resources than us, they will be able to help"
"I know" said Jess looking at her feet, as she looked back up the phone began ringing. Doctor McLeod picked up the phone.
"John McLeod" answered Doctor McLeod "Ok; I'll be down there in a minuet"
He hung the phone up and looked at Jess.
"Who was it?" she asked
"Admin" replied John
"What did they want?" asked Jess
"The N.I.H team has arrived, im going down to the foyer to greet them" replied John "Can you do me a favor?"
"I guess" replied Jess
"Go down to the donut shop and get us a few boxes" said John "The guys from ward 17 wiped out the boxes I brought this morning"
"Ok" replied Jess "Ive just got to check on the patients and then ill go"