Chapter 2
Ten minutes later Brains, Jeff and Scott were at Virgil's bedside with Alan and Gordon hovering in the background.
"His body is f-fighting a major infection," concluded Brains.
"But it's come on so fast," frowned Jeff. "He was fine after the rescue yesterday."
"Brains," said Scott, "You know Virgil got an injury during the rescue? It didn't seem too serious and Alan cleaned it up."
"I do know and that is the m-most likely cause," said Brains.
"The thing is, we have no idea what research was being done at that lab." Scott looked worriedly between Brains and his father. "The people on-site weren't saying much but John found some rumours on the 'net that it might have been a place used to manufacture biological weapons."
"That would explain the…er..v-virilent nature of the infection," pondered Brains.
"What's the next step?" asked Jeff, confident in Brains coming up with the right solution.
"Well, Mr T-Tracy. I..er…I think that I should place Virgil in isolation in the medical room straight away and that none of your family should come in c-contact with him until I have ascertained what t-type of infection it is. I also think that all rooms that V-Virgil went into since getting back from the rescue should be decontaminated."
Jeff's eyes widened at this. "Well, that's not many. He pretty much went straight to bed." He took a steadying breath and turned to Scott. "I want you to take Gordon and Alan outside. Wait by the pool until I come and see you."
"Father, no! I want to stay with Virgil."
"If Brains thinks that Virgil needs to be isolated then that's what we do. The three of you are what's left of International Rescue's primary rescue staff. I don't want to risk you getting ill too." He saw his eldest son's hesitation. "That's an order. Get going!"
Scott pursed his lips for a moment, took a last look at Virgil, and then turned to Gordon and Alan. "You heard the man," he said softly and ushered the two out of the room with him.
After they had left, Brains spoke again to Jeff. "You too, Mr. Tracy."
"What?!"
"You are just as important to International R-Rescue as your sons and if Alan treated Virgil he may well be infected too. You may be n-needed on a rescue."
"I'll help you get him to the med. room, at least."
"The hover stretcher is all I need. I want you to make sure M-Mrs Tracy knows to keep clear as an infection could be even more d-dangerous at her age. Tin Tin should be contacted to d-delay her return from the mainland tomorrow. You also need to initiate a disinfection procedure."
Jeff sighed but saw the sense in it. "Okay, Brains. As you like." And Jeff also left Virgil's room.
On his bed, Virgil was shifting uncomfortably and moaning a little. Brains turned back to him.
"It would help me a lot if you would s-stay conscious for the moment, Virgil," said Brains before leaving the room to fetch protective clothing.
TBTBTB
It was a subdued gathering of people who congregated around the table 12 hours later for a late supper. The day had been good and bad. The good news was that blood tests carried out on everyone else on the Island seemed to indicate that no one was carrying an infection and so it appeared to be limited to just Virgil. Gordon and Alan had spent the day in full hazard suits spraying the whole house with a light mist of a solution that Brains had concocted. Scott had nominated himself to do the same with Thunderbird 2, tidying as he went, and had passed the day trying to concentrate on how pleased Virgil would be at the results rather than the chance that Virgil would never sit in the cockpit again.
The bad news had been that Virgil was getting worse and not better. Brains had tried everything he could think of to help Virgil's body fight the infection but nothing had worked so far. Jeff had asked John to explain the situation to the North Korean officials from the rescue in the hope that they would be willing to be more open about what could be invading Virgil's system.
"But he's got nowhere," Jeff related with difficulty over the meal that no one was paying much attention to.
"But they have to, Father, surely? It's the only right thing to do," replied Alan.
"No they don't, son. Their whole lab was destroyed in the fire and you rightly concentrated your efforts on saving people and ensuring the fire did not spread and pollute the countryside. There is no evidence left of what they did and if they don't tell us anything then the whole affair is closed as far as they are concerned."
"But we saved their necks," said Gordon. "We not only saved the people there but made sure that other people off-site were not affected. Why can't they help us?"
"Why should they? North Korea is still very much divided on whether they should have asked for help from us. If we are wiped out that kinda sorts out the problem."
"That's a very cynical way of looking at it, Mr. Tracy." This was said by Tin Tin who had insisted on returning to the Island to nurse Virgil thereby giving Brains more time to come up with a cure.
"If the world were as nice as you, Tin Tin, we wouldn't be in this position." Jeff smiled but his eyes were sad.
Scott pushed his plate of half-eaten food away. "I'm going to check on Virg and then I'm hitting the sack."
"No." Jeff said this quietly but firmly.
"I'll wear protective clothes, like Brains and Tin Tin are doing," replied Scott, equally quietly and firmly.
"You are not going near Virgil until Brains has worked out what's wrong."
"But Father-"
"But nothing. That's my final word and that applies to all of you. Go to bed, Scott."
Scott left the room briskly in the hope that no one would see the hurt and sadness in his eyes.
The party at the table dispersed after that. Tiredly, Jeff walked back to the lounge. He believed in his creation of International Rescue but, at times like this, he couldn't help but doubt whether sending his sons to do the actual rescuing had been the right decision. They had been willing, of course, and it had reduced issues of security but, with Virgil fighting for his life, Jeff couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
He walked over to his desk and sat down. Guilt was a negative emotion and had no place in his day. Was he giving up on Virgil already? Jeff Tracy giving up? He gave himself a mental shake and flicked a switch to contact John in Thunderbird 5.
"How's Virgil, Father?"
"No change. John, I need you to link me up with those officials you've been talking to today. I'm going to speak with them directly."
"FAB." John started into action. A few minutes later he had patched his father through and Jeff began the sound-only conversation.
"Thank you for agreeing to talk with me. I am the head of International Rescue. Firstly, can I ask you if any of your scientists at the laboratory became ill after the fire? I believe you are aware that one of my operatives is fighting a losing battle with a bacterium or virus."
"Yes I am," replied a clipped Korean voice. "It is regrettable that is so. Our scientists were working for the North Korean Government and therefore their health status is classified information."
"I understand," replied Jeff with an inward sigh. Already this was not going well. "I wanted to talk to you about my operative. We seem unable to improve his condition and he is becoming dangerously ill. His doctor does not know the best way to treat him which is why I am asking you to give us a little more information about the kind of work carried out in your laboratory so we can find out what has infected him."
"I have already told your representative that is not possible."
"I know. But this man who is suffering is not a faceless person; he is a much loved son and brother. He works hard for International Rescue, not to be financially rewarded and not to be famous. He does it because he is able to, because he wants to help those who find themselves in desperate situations. He is a good man and I am appealing to your compassion to give us the information which will mean that this young man's life is not wasted."
"I am truly sorry about the man in question but I am sure that you, more than most, understand our position. International Rescue is founded on secrecy and there is very little about your organisation in the public domain. The North Korean government also has classified data. We also do not want to make public our humanitarian research."
Jeff was glad the official could not see his face as he rolled his eyes at the word 'humanitarian'. "How can I make you change your mind?"
"I am afraid that you cannot. Goodbye." The connection was broken and Jeff was left looking at an error message on the screen in front of him. He heaved a weary sigh and sat back in his chair. Things were going from bad to worse.