Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, it belongs to Bandai, Sotsu and associated parties. I just borrow the guys from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I do own the plot and any other characters, especially the equines, that you will find in this fic. Please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.
Pairing: 2x1x2, 3x4, 13x6, H+C
Warnings: Yaoi, lemon, sap, angst, vet themes, AU
Rating: NC 17
Betaed by Karina *snugs*
Summary: Set 2 years after Equus and Heero is doing so well in his own business that he's taken June on as a working pupil. The qualifying shows for the International teams are well underway and it looks like it will be a good year for Heero, his pupils and horses... until Mother Nature steps in.
AN: This fic, although a complete work of fiction is based partially on fact. I will add notes at the end of chapters where necessary to clarify events and provide links where needed.
Dedication: To Leslie and Karina. Leslie for giving me the original idea for Equinity and encouraging and supporting me through the writing of all the fics thus far in the arc. And Karina for not just taking over as my much needed beta, (poor woman needs a medal!), but for also poking and prodding Fred until he went on strike, refusing to work on anything at all until I let him start this. Needless to say, we managed to come to a compromise... Fred gets to write a chapter of this one week... the next week he has to write a chapter of 'Bound'... Did I ever tell you all I hate my muse? :-)
Fic 5 in the Equine Intervention Arc.
Commenced December 2013 – ShenLong
"Rival Riders"
Chapter 37
"Treize speaking."
"Treize, it's Zechs."
"Ah, I thought I recognized the sound of that lovely voice. I take it you have the results from Romeo's tests?"
"Yes, I do. Treize, I'm afraid it's not good news. The results confirm that Romeo has the Equine Influenza virus."
"I see. Where do we go from here?"
"Your stables are officially under quarantine. No horse is allowed to leave or enter the property until further notice. The department of Agriculture has been notified and they are sending out supplies to Duo's practice along with instructions. Once I have them I'll bring the necessary stuff around and let you know what the procedure will be from there. I've also sent samples of Romeo's blood through to the department so they can confirm the diagnosis. I'm sure they will also be in contact with you to let you know their intentions. In the meantime, all I can do is treat the symptoms Romeo is showing."
Treize thought on Zechs' words for a moment. "I understand, but surely there is an antibiotic or something along those lines you can give Romeo to help him? What about a vaccine for the other horses?"
"Being as this is a virus, no antibiotic is going to do anything for it. Yes, I can use some antibiotics to help with some of the symptoms, but that will only be if the infections have a bacterial element to them. At this point we need to keep up with the fluids, give him lots of electrolytes in his water along with cough medicine for the cough he will most likely develop. Cleaning his nose out regularly and rubbing Vicks on his throat and chest will also help a bit. As for a vaccine... There isn't one available at all that I'm aware of here in Australia. I will check with Duo and see if he has any information on one," Zechs replied.
"Okay. I'll wait to hear from you or the department then."
"I'd better get back to work. I'll call round later this evening."
"Thanks, Zechs, for all you've done. I'll see you later on."
Zechs hung up the phone, a grim smile on his face. He just wished there was more he could do.
# # #
Wandering back down to the stables, Duo found his husband and June topping up the sawdust in the boxes. Spotting his lover walking into the stables, Heero emptied out the load he had in the wheelbarrow and stepped out to meet his partner. June looked up and realizing Duo was there, she leaned the rake against the stable wall and joined Heero in the breezeway.
"Did you speak with the Department?" Heero asked.
"Yes, I did." Duo reached for the upturned water bucket out front of Shini's stable and sat on it. June and Heero grabbed a couple of other water buckets and joined him.
"What did they say?" June asked.
Duo gave a sigh. "I've sent off samples to the Department as they need to confirm my diagnosis and also which strain of EI Orion and Nataku have."
"You mean there's more than one?" Heero asked.
"Apparently there is. Look, I'll try to explain this as best I can." Duo went on to let the pair know what Eric had told him. "So the Department is certain the Japanese horse brought the virus into Australia and as it came in with several other horses and not just the jumping team, the disease could be anywhere in Australia by now."
"What's the procedure from here?' June asked.
"Good question," Duo replied. "The stables are all under strict quarantine as you already know. No horse is allowed to leave or enter the property until further notice. Also, you need to wash your hands in betadine before and after you handle a horse. Footwear also needs to be washed in betadine. I'd suggest you both wear a pair of wellingtons around the stables and set up a sort of foot-bath, a flattish container with a couple of liters of water and betadine should suffice. Keep it at the entry to the yard and make sure you step in and out of it before entering or leaving the property. You can always slip off your shoes, put the wellies on, step through the bath and then do what you need to and do the reverse when you're finished for the day."
Heero agreed that would be a good idea and hopefully help to minimize the spread of the disease.
"The Department is also sending out a contamination kit. I'm not sure what will be in it, but I'm betting it will be things like extra heavy duty masks, gloves and disinfectant for the practice to use in an attempt to halt this virus," Duo supplied.
"So what do we do in regards to the sick horses and those that are still virus free?" Heero asked.
"For now we simply treat the sick horses, be vigilant with keeping everything as sterile as possible to try and stop the spread of the virus and keep a close eye on the rest of the horses."
"Is there a vaccine we can give the horses that aren't sick, or is there any other form of treatment we can apply to Orion and Nataku?" June asked.
"No, not that I'm aware of. As for treatment, as I said before, it's viral so antibiotics won't do any good. If any of their symptoms become bacterial based then yes, I can use antibiotics to treat those symptoms. For now we just keep up with the current treatment."
"What about Romeo?" Heero asked.
"Zechs brought back samples from him and unfortunately he's also got the virus," Duo replied. "Oh, that reminds me, have you contacted Wufei yet in regards to Nataku?"
"No, I haven't. I was going to call him once you'd been in touch with the Department, just in case there could have been any further information," Heero replied. "I'll call him now and let him know."
"I'd suggest you also ring Frank and Carl, although their horses aren't showing any symptoms of the virus at this stage, that doesn't mean they won't get it. As much as I hate to say it, Heero, I think all the horses here will end up catching it."
"If that's going to be the case maybe we should bring Orion and Nataku back here, that way your surgery stables will be freed up should you need them to treat any horses that should come in, regardless of whether they are there for the virus or other illness," June said.
"That's a good idea, June, but I think we should wait and see if any of the others come down with the virus first. If and when they do, then we can move Nataku and Orion back," Duo stated.
"Might as well lay in some more supplies of Vicks, cough medicines and those wipes for their noses; if they're all likely to catch it we're going to need quite a lot," Heero said with a sigh.
"Good idea. I'd better get back up to the surgery, the Department is going to contact me back with the results as soon as they have them and I don't want to miss the call, plus I have a couple of surgical cases booked in for this afternoon. I'll catch up with you later. Good luck with the calls, Heero." Duo stood and returned the water bucket to its place and left the stables. June and Heero remained seated for a few minutes, each digesting the information Duo had passed on.
Rubbing his hand across his face, Heero sighed. "I guess I should make those phone calls."
"I'll go look around and see if I can find something to use as that foot bath Duo suggested we set up," June said as she rose to her feet.
"Try looking in the sheds to the side of the barn where the hay is stored. There's quite a lot of old stuff in there that came with the farm when I bought it. I haven't a clue exactly what's in there, but there's a lot of it," Heero suggested with a grin.
"Okay, I'll see what I can find. If I'm not back in an hour, send out the search party."
"Just be aware of spiders and other creepy crawlies," Heero teased.
"Pfft, spiders and shit don't scare me," June huffed. "As long as they stay out of my way I'll leave them alone; but if they do try anything I'll just step on them."
"Oh, you cruel, evil woman," Heero continued to tease.
June rolled her eyes.
# # #
"Thanks." Cornes took the package from the delivery boy and closed the door. He scanned the information written on the back as he walked towards the lab. "Package for you, Doctor Benson," he said as he stepped inside the lab.
"Thanks." Benson took the offered package.
"It's from a Doctor Maxwell," Cornes informed.
"Ah, these will be the samples Eric said he'd asked the vet with the reported EI cases to send through."
"Want me to set up the microscopes and fetch the chemicals for the tests?"
"Yes please." Benson began to open the package while Cornes went to fetch the things they would need.
Grabbing a couple of files, Cornes clipped the appropriate paperwork to them, dropping them by the microscopes, leaving them there whilst he fetched the rest of the items they would need. "All set for you."
Benson picked up the phials of blood and approached the microscope bench. Cornes grabbed the first clipboard and pen. Setting two phials down on the bench, Benson turned the third over in his hand.
"Ready?" he asked his assistant, Cornes nodded, pen poised. "Right, sample one: taken from a horse by the name of Orion..."
Cornes wrote all the necessary information down on the form as Benson smeared a couple of drops of blood from the phial onto the slide. Chemicals were added and the slide slipped into place. Benson peered down the eye sights as the microscopic world was revealed to him.
"The diagnosis of Equine Influenza made by Doctor Maxwell of the Maxwell Veterinary Practice in Salsbury in regards to the horse known as Orion is confirmed as being correct." Benson paused for a moment and picked up another bottle of chemical. Carefully he added a couple of drops to the slide and waited for a moment before looking down the eye sights once more. He twisted the focus knobs a couple of times, refining the image.
"The virus is also confirmed as being the subtype H3N8." Benson leaned back in his chair. "You get all that?"
"Yep, all written down. Ready for the next one?" Cornes asked, passing the clipboard over for Benson to sign.
"Yeah, we'll get them all done and then I can notify Eric of our findings." Benson handed the clipboard back and removed the slide, passing it across to Cornes who took it to the small sink ready to be washed and then sterilized.
Once more the sample was placed on a slide, chemicals added and Benson confirming that Nataku also had the virus and it was the subtype H3N8.
"One more for you," Cornes said.
"I thought there were only two reported cases?" Benson replied.
"There were up until a while ago. Another vet rang in to report a suspect case; vet works at the same practice and the horse he's treating was also a member of the Nations Cup team," Cornes informed his boss.
"I see. Best we test that sample too." Benson reached for the offered phial and another slide. Cornes filled out the paperwork with Romeo's name.
"Another confirmed case of EI, subtype H3N8," he stated a couple of minutes later.
Cornes added the information to the paperwork, passed it over to Benson to sign and then removed the paper to place it with the others. "You want me to take these through to Eric?"
"No, thanks. I'll take them as there's a couple of things I need to discuss with him."
"Okay. I'll clean up here then."
"Won't be long." Picking up the paperwork, Benson left the labs and headed for Eric Shaw's office.
# # #
"Chang Palace, how may I help you?"
"Meiran? It's Heero Yuy calling."
"Good afternoon, Heero. What can I do for you?" Meiran replied.
"Would it be possible to speak with Wufei at all? I have something very important to discuss with him," Heero said.
Meiran felt a shiver run down her spine. "There's nothing wrong with Nataku, is there?" she asked, voice almost a whisper. If anything had happened to the mare Meiran knew her husband would be devastated.
"Ah, yes and no," Heero replied cryptically. "Look, I don't wish to alarm you, but Nataku is sick and I really need to talk to you both in regards to her treatment."
"Hold the line for a moment and I'll go fetch him."
"Thanks." The phone was placed on the counter and Heero could hear the sounds of Meiran's retreating footsteps. It wasn't long before he heard two sets of footfalls returning and the phone was picked up again.
"Mr. Yuy, Chang Wufei here, Meiran said you wish to speak with me about Nataku, something about the horse being ill?"
"Yes, Wufei."
"Do you mind if I put the phone on speaker? That way Meiran can also listen in on the conversation," Wufei requested.
"Not at all. What I need to tell you will concern both of you so that's a good idea," Heero replied.
"One moment." Wufei sat the phone down and pressed the speaker function. "Can you hear me, Mr. Yuy?"
"Crystal clear, Wufei. Can you hear me alright?"
"Perfectly, Mr. Yuy. Now, what is wrong with Nataku?"
Heero took a deep breath and began his explanation, starting with his believing Nataku had just come down with a cold to Duo's subsequent findings of the EI virus. "The department of Agriculture has been notified and Duo is awaiting further instruction from them as to where we go from here."
"I see." Wufei thought long and hard on Heero's words. "Would it be possible for us to come and visit Nataku?"
"At this point in time I'd have to say no. The stables are under quarantine which means only those people directly involved can enter or leave. It's nothing personal, but given how easily this virus spreads, the Department doesn't want to take any chances. Once I hear more from Duo in regards to what's going on I'll let you know. I'm sorry, Wufei."
"I quite understand, Mr. Yuy and whilst I may not be happy with that decision, I do realize that it is in the best of interests that it has been made. I will keep in contact with you as to Nataku's state of health and if there is anything we can do, please let us know."
"Thanks, Wufei and I am sorry you can't visit right now. I will call you and keep you updated and of course, as soon as you're allowed back onto the property I will be sure to let you know."
"I would appreciate that. Thank you for the call. Good bye, Mr. Yuy."
"My pleasure. Bye, Wufei." Heero hung up the phone, a mix of emotions running through him. At least Wufei had been calm and understanding. Now to call Frank and Carl...
# # #
"You're absolutely sure it's the same subtype?" Eric asked when Benson presented him with the paperwork from the tests he'd done.
"Positive," Benson replied.
Eric scrubbed at his face. "Thanks. I'll get onto Wayne and make sure he sends out a 'hazard' kit to this vet's practice today. I'll also let Coleman know the results."
"Any further reported cases?" Benson asked.
"I'm not sure, I haven't checked in with reception yet. They were going to take any reports for me as I've got my hands full with the rest of this stuff. Oh, I'll be out of the office for a few hours, got a meeting with Coleman and hopefully the prime minister."
Benson raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, we've got a press statement ready to go but we need to speak with the government first, bring them up to speed and let them know what we plan to do. I'll keep you in the loop."
"Thanks, Eric."
"No problem."
"Oh, do you know if Ron's had much success with his vaccine? I know he was asking about getting more blood to make some and now we have three confirmed cases of the same subtype I can always contact this Doctor Maxwell and see if we can get some blood from the infected horses."
"That's a great idea, Benson. I'll leave that one with you as I'm flat out."
"No worries. I'll talk to you later."
"Thanks."
#
"Enter," Ron said to the knock on his door.
Benson opened the door and stepped into the Lab where Ron was busily at work surrounded by petri dishes, droppers, test tubes and the like. "How's it coming?" Benson asked.
"Slowly," Ron huffed out and swiped his hair back from his forehead.
"I might be able to help you out," Benson said.
"Really? How?" Ron paused in his work and leaned back in the chair he was sitting in.
"That vet from down south with the cases of EI?" Ron nodded. "We had the samples come through from him along with a third sample from another horse. All three have tested positive for EI and the same subtype as the deceased horse. I'll give the vet a call in a minute and see if the owners of those horses would be willing to allow blood to be taken from them to assist in making up that vaccine."
"Kevin, you're a life saver," Ron sighed. "If you can get them to agree then I can get a viable vaccine much faster and who knows how many horses we will be able to help prevent getting this disease."
"I'll get onto it now and let you know the result."
"Thanks, Kevin."
"Don't thank me yet," Benson replied with a grin and left to make the call.
# # #
"All done," Duo said as he tied off the last stitch.
"Very neat job," Catherine appraised and applied a dusting of penicillin powder before placing a strip of gauze over the wound site.
"Hopefully it won't come back again," Duo replied and picked up the kidney dish which contained the lump he'd just removed from the dog's front leg. "I'm pretty sure it's benign, but I'll check it in a moment."
"I can bandage him up if you like?"
"Would you mind?"
"Of course not. You go play with the microscopic world, I'll be done here in a moment."
"Thanks, Catherine." Duo moved to the side of the theater and placed a sliver of the tumor on a slide. Moments later he was peering into the world of cells. "That's a relief," he muttered. "Definitely benign," he told Catherine.
"Good." Catherine had finished bandaging up the wound site and was lifting the dog down to the floor and the warm blanket that awaited him when the phone rang.
"I'll get it," Duo said and reached across for the receiver. "Maxwell Veterinary Practice, Doctor Maxwell speaking..."
Catherine checked on Spot, the dog still asleep from the anesthetic before starting the task of cleaning up the theater. Spot was starting to come around by the time she'd finished and Duo was hanging up the phone. Glancing across at her boss, Catherine noted the thoughtful look on Duo's face. "Nothing wrong is there?" she asked, crouching down to check on Spot.
"No, nothing wrong. That was the Ag Department. They're sending out the hazard kit, should arrive tomorrow."
"There's more though?" Catherine prompted when she observed the still thoughtful expression on Duo's face.
"Ah, yeah. Seems there isn't a vaccine for this EI virus as yet. The Department's technical lab are working on one right now, but they're hampered by a lack of the virus cells they need to cultivate in order to make the vaccine; and at the rate they're going along, it could be a few weeks before they even have enough just to vaccinate the equine population in the Sydney central district."
"That isn't good," Catherine replied.
"No, it's not. They've asked me if I would approach the owners of the horses here that have EI if I can take blood from them and send it through to the department so they can culture more of the virus and therefore speed up the process and amount of vaccine they can make."
"I don't think June or Wufei would object, not if it will benefit other horses and maybe stop the infection before it reaches epidemic proportions." Catherine was well aware of the Equine Influenza virus, Duo having told her and Hilde all about it earlier.
"I don't think they will either, but at the end of the day, it's their call. I'd better find June and run it by her. I'll let Heero know too and get him to contact Wufei."
"You get going then, I'll take care of Spot for you."
"Thanks, Catherine."
# # #
"Are you absolutely sure about this?"
"Yes, Prime Minister," Coleman replied. "Sir, with all due respect, we need to do something to stop the spread of this disease and do it now. I have my team working around the clock to come up with a viable vaccine, but that will take time and time is something we don't have a lot of. This virus is already spreading rapidly through the equine population and reports of more infected horses are coming in all the time."
"What do you suggest we do in the meantime?" asked the Prime Minister.
"Sir, the only way to stop the spread of this virus that I can see is to put a complete ban on the movement of any and all horses within the State until further notice."
There was complete silence down the line for a minute.
"Sir? Are you still there, sir?"
"Yes, I'm still here. Did I hear you correctly, Coleman? You want to bring the movement of all horses to a complete stop?"
"Yes, sir. All horses, regardless of where they are currently residing are not allowed to leave the property. I mean a complete standstill, no horse can be moved on or off a property until further notice."
"But is that completely necessary? I mean, just think of what it will do to the racing industry. We have some big races coming up soon, including the Melbourne Cup and I know there are a couple of horses from New South Wales entered in it."
"I'm afraid so, sir. If we don't put a complete ban on moving horses then we won't have a racing industry at all. This virus is capable of wiping out the entire industry if we don't stop it now and this is the only way."
There was a pregnant pause before the Prime Minister spoke again. "Okay. I suggest you call a press conference and get the message out to the public. As of nine o'clock this evening no horse will be allowed to move on or off the property it's currently on. I trust you have the resources to get the word out?"
"Yes, sir."
"I'll call a cabinet meeting immediately and discuss this with the rest of the government. I'll also speak with the minister for police and give the police the authority to impose fines on anyone who breeches the ban."
"Thank you, sir. I'll get right onto it and be back in touch soon."
"Coleman, you'd better keep me updated and do your best to stop this thing."
"Trust me sir, we're giving it everything we've got."
# # #
"Come on, Shini," Heero called from the gray's paddock gate. "Time for your dinner."
Shini raised his head from his grazing at his master's call. Slowly he began to walk towards the paddock gate.
Heero frowned as he watched the gray. Shini was usually a little more enthusiastic when it came to dinner time. Most evenings he was waiting impatiently at the gate for Heero to bring him in. Tonight though he was still grazing and didn't seem to be in any hurry to come in.
As the gray drew closer the small knot of dread began to build in Heero's stomach. When Shini was a few feet away, that dread began to overflow.
The gray didn't look as lively as usual and there was a slow discharge coming from his nose.
"Ah, shit," Heero groaned.
tbc...