Chapter 3
Operation Restore Part II
It's been about 16 hours since Granderson sent Jung's notes on the antidote for the Green Mist. They finally have a clear channel to the Enterprise as Tom keys in the code for the Comms Center and opens the door a petty officer sees him calls attention on deck with a quick "at ease" as he closes the door everyone resumes their work.
"Sir I have the CO of the Enterprise on the network video link and he has Dr. Scott standing by to be debrief by you"
"Thank you LT" as he take a seat and puts on a head set. As he looks at the screen he sees Rachel for the first time in months he see the signs of stress from her current ordeal. As someone coughs he remembers that they are not alone.
"Tom glad to see your ugly face in one piece" Captain Richard "Rich" Howard says that conveys a long term friendship.
"Rich still better looking than your mug" he counters with a grunt. "What is your current situation?"
"Currently we are about 500 miles off the coast of California since the arrival of the package over 48 hours ago. As soon as we had them onboard we headed out further as per standing orders from you."
"Good, what of Castillo the western regional leader has he contacted you?"
"Yes we have, received orders from him directing us to pulling into San Diego and report to a General Bradley of California United Forces. I informed him that we are currently in the bearing seas and we have picked up a Japanese refugees who show signs of the mutate virus cannot take chances with it will remain out to seas until the doctors give the all clear."
"Smart move, I am pretty sure you have the situation well in hand on his movements, strength and weakness. Keep me inform in any changes we will rendezvous in about 10-11 days barring any problems."
"Yes sir, will keep you inform if there are any changes and we will be ready to provide additional support for the operation. Now I believe you wish to hear Dr. Scott's report." As he gives moves out of frame and Rachel sits in his place.
For a moment that just look at one another until the both began to speak at the same time breaking the awkward silence. Tom gestures that she has the floor.
"Hello Tom" as she exhales those two words which makes him smile and acknowledges with "Rachel."
"Rachel, I'm sorry that I wasn't there for you"
"This is not your fault nor was the shooting I am okay we are all safe. You did protect me you gave me escape plans I'm fine" as she gives him a half smile.
"I am supposed to keep you safe" he says defensively.
"Captain Chandler" she only uses his title when she is annoyed with him
"Very well, I have questions for you. First is the antidote formula for Green Mist does it worked?"
"Yes it does work and the prototype we develop on here has worked well on the blood samples we have. The antidote targets the compound specifically and breaks it down allowing the cure to work it is a protein enzyme that works on both the organic and synthetic Dr. Jung kept it simple and the protein is readily available in the region"
"Tom it might be too late for Takehaya and his wife but it will save others. Did you destroy all of Dr. Jung's research on the Green Mist and the materials?"
"Yes we did Rachel the man gave his life to get the antidote into our hands. I not sure if Peng only targeted Asia or if he had counter parts in other parts of the world do you have enough supplies to manufacture the antidote on board on a massive scale if needed?"
"Yes, the lab has already begun manufacture the antidote since it was proven a success."
"Tell me about Colonel Howard what made you suspicious of her?"
"She knew about the Green Mist and kept asking about our progress on an antidote and her questioning me about my time on the James. She slowly made changes in security and personnel were replace which I knew only you could authorize. Then I saw her in the lab trying to access my network computer and so I initiate the escape protocols."
"My god Rachel I wanted to keep you safe and protected" he states wearily. "When this over and you no longer need to hide we need to have a talk about us" he said softly
"Tom, I think it best if we have that discussion without an audience" she replies
"As you wish doctor how are they treating on board the ship?"
"I being well looked after the Captain offer me the admiral's quarters but I decline it so that your father and the children would be together. It's not the James but I am okay."
"How are you doing Tom?"
"I have been better but knowing y'all are safe helps" he admits. "Granderson signal him indicating he has five minutes before they go radio silence. "I will see when I see you"
And she replies "I will see you when I see you" before they are disconnected.
Rachel slowly stands and thanks the captain and exits the room. She heads back towards the labs when she bumps into Ashley.
"Sorry" Ashley mumbles without looking up
"Ashley what is wrong" looking into her tear stain face.
"Dr. Scott I didn't know it was you" she replies
"Please tell me why you are crying what is wrong?" the young girl shakes her head no. "How about we go to the ward room and have some tea and see what the cook has something to eat alright?"
"Okay" she replies half heartily as she is led down the p-way towards the wardroom.
Rachel finds the cook on duty and asks her if it would be too much trouble to have some sandwiches made for an impromptu tea with her friend the cook looks out and see a sad looking Ashley and the cook replies "No problem"
"Thank you" Rachel replies. She goes and sits with Ashley she reaches out and touches her hand and Ashley looks at her with tears in her eyes.
"I don't understand what is going on I want to know if my dad is safe? Ever since dad went to China and Uncle Mike and his crew were taken hostage I am afraid that he won't make it back this time" she cries.
At the moment the cook brings the sandwiches and some cookies to them "here you go let me know if you need anything else just asked for Cookie" she said.
"Thank you" Rachel replies. "Ashley I can tell you this father and Captain Slattery are safe on board the James"
"How do you know this did you talk to my dad?"
"Yes, I had spoken with your father and please call me Rachel" she replies
"Everything was okay before he left, Rachel why did the SEAL teams take us out of St. Louis and bring us here?"
"It was part of a plan your father developed in case something happen and I was to notified CMDR Green and she would send them to evacuate me but he also had another plan in place that included the Kara's and your family if I felt we could be harmed"
The door to the ward room opens and it is Sammy and her grandfather "Ashley we been looking for you" her grandfather say
"Did you get lost again?" Sammy asked.
"Mr. Chandler I bumped into Ashley in the p-way and ask her to join me for tea and sandwiches I am sorry I should have informed you" Rachel says.
"It's alright Dr. Scott it just the Enterprise is bigger than the James and I was worried" Jed said.
"Ashley talked to your grandfather he can help you" as she stands to leave the room.
"Please stay doctor don't leave I have questions which maybe you can answer for us if you don't mind."
"Of course but only if you answer mine" she replied with a smile.
As they settle in for a long discussion general quarters alarm is sound for unknown aircraft approaching the ship.
"I believe our discussion will have to wait kids let head back to our quarters"
"Rachel will you come with us" Ashley asked her.
"Ashley I would" but she stops as she looks at the fear in Ashley's eyes "just let me inform them where I am if they need me alright"
Mean while Captain Howard makes his way to the bridge and takes the deck from the OOD.
"Status of air craft" he asked
"Pilot has not answered any of our hail on any frequency IFF shows it is a USAF F-16 fighter" OOD states.
He picks up the phones and tells the Air Boss to launch two fighters along with the SAR helo. To check out the plane and the condition of the pilot
"Damn it, knew this ruse was too good to last."
"Sir Air Boss said birds are in the air along with the SAR helo" OOD said.
"Very well he, how long before the plane is in visual of our birds?"
"Five mikes sir" the OOD replies
"Alright OOD you have the con I am heading to CIC" he said
Captain Howard rushes to CIC to have real time up dates from the pilots. He enters the darkly room only light source are the radars and red lights.
"Report" he says as he steps into the room.
His XO Captain Kelly House replies "Currently the pilot has ignored all hailing attempts. LT Michaels is going to contact the pilot using Morse code" XO replies.
Michaels' voice fills the void "Enterprise this is Whiskey-1 over"
TAO replies "Report Whiskey-1 over"
"The plane is pretty is riddle with bullets and I don't think the pilot will make it to the Enterprise with his bird."
"Have the pilot to eject and we will have the Sierra-1helo pick him up. Whiskey 1&2 remain on over watch until the helo returns to the ship" CO says. "Also have the pilot helmet and vest ditched over the side.
"Understood Whiskey 1&2 has over watch until Sierra-1 returns to the Enterprise" Michaels replied.
"As soon as all aircraft are back onboard set a course for open water and let's put miles between us and the California coast. I don't want any more surprises. I want that pilot isolate and under guard until we rendezvous with the James" he states.
"Understood sir, I will personally handle his debrief." XO replies
"Why are we ditching the pilot's life vest?" she asked?
"Haven't you ever wondered how the rescue of Dr. Scott and the CNO off the Vernyi was accomplished?" he questioned. GPS tracker in the life jacket smart move on the Captain Slattery part at the time he played Ruskov" he simply replies
"Sir the Sierra-1 has landed pilot is being taken to medical" OOD said.
"Helm set a course for open water at half flank speed" OOD orders
Setting a course for open water at half flank speed aye" Helm repeats the order.
"Let go greet our newest guest and see if we can get current intelligence report on China Lake weapons station and Edwards base if Castillo has gotten hold of the ordnance and aircrafts from those two bases it going take more than a carrier and destroyer to take back the southwestern region" CO states.
"OOD secure from general quarters and you have the con we will be in sick bay" XO says as she and the skipper leave the bridge heading towards medical.
"Aye Aye ma'am" the OOD replies.
As they enter medical the senior medical officer Captain Eric Chapman greets them and gives them a quick rundown on his condition.
"Pilot is LT Michael Wyatt US Air Force he is in pretty bad shape I don't think he will make the next 24 hours will tell. Currently he is refusing treatment until he can talk to you"
"Very well let's see what he has to say, lead the way doctor" CO replies.
As they step into the triage area and take in the control chaos of medical personnel treating the LT wounds.
Captain Moore steps up to the side of the gurney "LT I hear you want to speak to me before you go into surgery" he says.
"Yes sir," he replies with a weak voice.
"Alright tell me what so important that you risking your life"
"The regional leader has" he starts his report when all of sudden he flat lines the CO steps out the way and watches as medical personnel fight to save his life. They have him stable and rush him into the operating room.
"Now all we can do is wait and see how he does after surgery" the doctor says.
"Keep me inform on his prognosis either way" CO said. "I need to inform the CNO of our current situation XO station extra lookouts. I have feeling we will be seeing more aircrafts."
"Aye sir" she replied "I think I will also say a little prayer" she said softly to no one.
Author Note: On aircraft carriers most of the department heads are captains.
Thank you all for the reviews I do appreciate them very much