Wednesday Morning
Jack had fell asleep holding Irina's hand. He was awakened when Dr. Lidell and three nurses entered the room.
"Good morning Mr. Bristow. Today's the big day." Lidell said crossing the room and checking Irina's vitals.
"After you perform the cesarean what will you do about the radiation." Jack asked.
"I'm going to start her on a intense regimen that should drastically reduce the levels."
"And if that doesn't work."
"Then we will go from there."
Jack nodded and left the room as they prepared Irina for surgery. They wheeled her out moment later. He followed them to the operating room.
In the operating room
"Jack you can get closer if you want." Lidell teased.
"No, I'm good." Jack said turning an alarming shade of green.
A moment passed by in silence then an infant's cry was heard in the operating room. Jack turned his eyes lighting up when he saw the nurse's cleaning off his baby girl.
He walked over and they let him cut the umbilical cord. He stroked the palm of her hand and smiled when she gripped his finger. He was taken back to a time years ago when he had done the same thing with Sydney.
"She's perfectly healthy Jack." Lidell said.
Lidell closed Irina up and they were preparing to leave the operating room when the door burst open and in walked Servejo Derevko and Bristow Sr.
"Well, son. We meet again." Bristow Sr. said.
"What do you want dad?" Jack said his eyes turning dark.
"We want your child."
"Why?"
"She's the answer to eternal life. For us anyway."
"What do you mean?"
"Months ago. After we were resurrected we found a Rambaldi manuscript. It told of a child who would be the key to both life and death. The child would be born of those of improper age, and of a woman at death's door."
"You won't touch Miranda." Jack said his voice dangerous.
Bristow Sr. blanched.
"Does the name strike a cord with you dad. Does it bring back memories that you wish you could forget."
"Don't talk to me like that boy."
Serevjo took a step towards the baby.
"Take one more step and I'll kill you."
"Johnny please, don't make this difficult."
Bristow Sr. lunged at Jack. He ducked and punched his father in the face sending him sprawling. Serevjo grabbed him around the throat and put him in a sleeper hold.
"I told you Johnny, you can never beat your old man."
"Good job you two." Sloane said entering the room.
"Arvin, I should have known." Jack said his voice menacing.
Sloane just smiled menacingly.
Bristow Sr. turned and lifted Miranda into his arms. She reached out and touched his face with her hands. A look of happiness then terror crossed his face. He laid her back down and turned to Servjo.
"We have made a terrible mistake." he said his voice distant.
"What? Why?"
"The child born of those of improper age will hold the key to the allocation of days. For days are numbered just as they should be. The promise of eternal life on earth a mortal should not see." Bristow Sr. said before collapsing on the ground dead.
Servjo let go of Jack and turned to Arvin.
"What is he talking about?" he said.
"Nothing. Get the girl."
Servjo turned to see Jack holding his daughter.
"Arvin, why do you want to kill my daughter." Jack asked.
"Because. As long as she is alive the fluid within the horizon will not work."
"That's what all of this was about. That stupid red ball full of Rambaldi's gift of eternal life."
"Yes. That baby assures that everything in the world is as it should be. No manipulation can succeed."
"So she assures a perfect world."
"Not perfect, but one free of the influence from the supernatural, and we cant have that." Arvin took a step towards Jack and he held her closer.
She cooed softly and Servjo howled in pain. He collapsed onto the floor holding his head. She giggled and his body arched upward in an intense spasm before he fell back to the floor lifeless.
"NO!" Arvin yelled pulling a gun on Jack.
A shot rang out and Jack looked over his body looking for a bullet wound. When he didn't see one he looked up at Arvin. There was blood coming out of his mouth. He collapsed onto the floor a bullet in his back. Jack looked to the doorway and saw Sark standing there holding a gun.
"Are you and Miranda ok?" he asked.
"Yeah. Thanks." Jack said.
Sark nodded.
