The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Walker, Texas Ranger". The characters belong to CBS Productions, Top Kick Productions, etc., but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
"Quarantined" Chapter 2
by Lorrie
"Ranger Trivette, this just arrived for you and Ranger Walker." A courier handed Trivette a videotape.
"Thanks." Trivette said as he looked for a return address. "Do you know who it's from?"
"No sir, there was no return address." The courier left after Trivette signed his clipboard.
Trivette popped the tape in the VCR and sat back down at his desk as he watched the tape in disbelief.
"Rangers, we are OBAW - Organization Banning All Biological Weapons. We are responsible for the break-in at Camden Labs.
Two of your Rangers are currently in lockdown at Camden Laboratories. They have been exposed to a deadly biological agent called 'Tazzy 2210'. We have the antidote and will turn it over to you in time to save your Rangers, if our demands are met.
First we want a signed decree of State Law from the Governor of Texas stating that not only Camden Laboratories, but all other facilities in the state of Texas engaged in any type of manufacturing or creation of biological weapons for the U.S. Government are to immediately cease such production. If they do not comply within 24 hours, they will be destroyed.
Second, we want a private jet at DFW fueled and cleared for immediate take off at 06:00 hours tomorrow morning.
You will note the clock on the wall behind me shows the current time at 10:00 hours. Your Rangers were locked down 1 hour ago, which means they have until 09:00 tomorrow morning before they'll die. This is providing that the biological agent reacts on humans the same way it preformed in the lab tests.
We do not in any way apologize for the situation your Rangers are in; however, this is not a personal attack on the Texas Rangers. We are an organization against biological weapons and the destruction they bring to innocent women and children in war zones. We needed an example to send our message to the world and your Rangers provided themselves. Our methods may seem harsh, but our end is just.
You will receive a phone call later today to see if the Governor is willing to meet our demands, if not, the antidote will be destroyed."
Trivette picked up the phone and dialed Alex's cell number.
"Hello."
"Alex, it's Trivette. I need to speak to Walker."
"Honey, it's Trivette. He sounds upset." Alex handed the phone to Walker as she playfully held Angela.
"What is it Trivette?"
"You're not going to believe this." Trivette explained the videotape to Walker.
"Have you heard anything from Gage and Sydney?"
"No."
"Call Camden Labs and see if the information in the tape is true. If it is, we need to find out all we can about this 'Tazzy 2210'. I'll see you in a little while."
Alex looked at Walker as he handed her the cell phone. "What is it? Are Sydney and Gage OK?"
"I don't know yet. It looks like there was some trouble at Camden Labs. I had Sydney and Gage check out a silent alarm there this morning." Walker stared out into the waiting room.
"What is it?"
"I had a bad feeling about this Alex. This morning when I asked them to check it out, I just got a real bad feeling that something was going to go wrong."
"Go on." Alex smiled at Walker. "I know you need to go."
"Thanks Alex." He bent down and kissed her and then kissed Angela on the cheek. "You be good for the doctor, little one."
********
Sydney and Gage sat down on the floor of the lab. "I wonder how long it'll take for this to hit us?" Sydney asked.
Gage wrapped his arms around her. "I don't know."
"Do you think they really let Walker and Trivette know what's going on?"
"Probably. They have an agenda and they're trying to use us to get what they want."
"Walker will never go for that." Sydney replied.
"Don't be too sure." He'll at least let them think they're getting what they want, but I can't believe for one minute that he'd just leave us here to die. Not if there's anything he can do to prevent it.
Sydney smiled a little. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
*******
Walker entered Ranger Headquarters and was met by both Trivette and the Lt. Governor of Texas. "Ranger Walker."
"Lt. Governor." Walker met his outstretched hand with his own.
"Governor Perry is in Florida this week. I've called him, but we've been advised to not bring him back into Texas until this mess is taken care of."
"Trivette, let's see the tape."
Trivette ran the tape for Walker and the Lt. Governor."
After viewing the tape. The Lt. Governor turned to Walker. "I can tell you right now, there's not a snowball's chance in hell that any State document can be signed that will stop a Federal Governmental contract with a laboratory for defense weapons."
"I thought as much." Walker responded. "But obviously OBAW doesn't know that."
"What are you thinking Walker?" Trivette asked.
"Trivette, get in touch with Camden Labs and see if you can locate the scientists responsible for creating 'Tazzy 2210'. We need to see if there's a possibility that OBAW has their facts wrong. If they don't, we need to see if more antidote can be created in time to save Gage and Sydney."
"I'm on it."
"What can I do Ranger Walker?" The Lt. Governor asked.
"Can you get me a document that looks real enough to fool these guys?"
"I think so."
"Good. We also need to get in touch with all of the labs in Texas. See which ones have military contracts and have those shut down for a day or two."
"So you want to give the illusion that we've complied with OBAW's demands? The state of Texas will not give in to terrorists, Ranger Walker."
"I'm not asking you to give into them. I'm trying to buy my Rangers a little more time until we can get the antidote." Walker stressed.
*****
"Syd?" Gage felt Sydney go limp in his arms.
"Sydney?" He shook her gently and she opened her eyes.
"Gage, my head is spinning." Sydney reached for her throbbing temples.
Gage cradled her in his strong arms and stroked her hair. "It's OK sweetie. It's gonna be OK. Does your stomach hurt too?"
"A little." Sydney replied weakly.
Gage gently rocked her back and forth. "Shh. You're gonna be fine."
*****
Walker, I have the names of the 2 scientists who invented 'Tazzy 22-10', they're still at the lab.
"Have the CDC and HazMat been called?"
Trivette nodded his head. "CDC said they should be here by early afternoon and they don't want HazMat to unseal the doors until they've assessed the situation."
"Let's get over to Camden Labs, I need to know what's going on with Sydney and Gage."
*****
Walker and Trivette arrived at Camden's main gate where a security guard stopped them. "I'm sorry, you can't go in there."
Walker flashed his badge. "I have two Rangers in there and I need to know their situation better if I'm going to help them." Walker stepped on the gas and parked outside of Camden's main building.
Upon entering, Walker and Trivette were stopped by the security guard at the main desk. "Rangers, we're in a Code Red lockdown, you can't be here."
Walker stared at the guard. "I'm getting tired of explaining this. Two of my best Rangers are in that lab. I need to know their situation first hand if I'm going to help them. Now, you can either voluntarily stand aside, or I will move you out of my way, but either way we are going back to that lab and I will talk to my Rangers, understood?"
The guard moved aside as Walker and Trivette quickly headed to Lab B - Section 22.
Outside of the outer security door of the lab, Walker approached a uniformed officer. "I'm Ranger Walker, who's in charge here?" The man pointed to Dallas Police Chief Martin Gray.
"Walker." Chief Gray said as he saw him approaching.
"Martin." Walker acknowledged. "What can you tell me?"
"Not much I'm afraid. I don't think we will know too much until CDC and HazMat get here."
"Do you know if they're alive?" Walker said quietly.
"I'm sorry, I don't."
Walker looked at one of the scientists standing close by. "Is there any communication link between here and the inner lab?"
"Yes. There's an intercom."
"Show me." The scientist led Walker to the communications system.
"Gage, Sydney? Can you hear me?"
Gage eased Sydney down from his arms to the floor and went over to the intercom. He pushed the 'Talk' button. "Man, it is so good to hear your voice."
"Are you two OK?"
"No. I guess you know by now that we've been exposed to some sort of biological weapon. Sydney's already running a high fever, she's having chills, she's dizzy and she's beginning to break out in red splotches."
Walker took a deep breath and turned to Trivette before talking to Gage again. "Find those two guys responsible for making this stuff NOW!"
"Gage, do you have any water or anything to help cool Sydney down?"
"No. I've looked, there's nothing. It's really getting warm in here too, the air conditioning was cut off when the security doors locked down."
"How are you holding up?" Walker asked.
"So far, I feel fine. I just wish there was more I could do for Syd."
"Hang in there. We're working on getting you guys out."
"Have you called the CDC yet?"
They should be here early afternoon." Walker replied. "Gage, I'm going to help Trivette find a couple of people who should be able to help us. If you need anything, ask for . . ." Walker cupped his hand and asked the woman standing next to him for her name.
"Alice." She replied.
"Ask for Alice."
"Thanks Walker." Gage walked back over to Sydney unbuttoning his shirt in an attempt to cool off. He scooped her up in his arms again and held her close.
"Hey Syd, can you hear me?"
"Um?"
"Walker and Trivette are here. They're working on getting us out. You're going to be fine. Do you understand me? You're going to be fine."
*****
Walker stepped into the conference room where Trivette had herded a shocked, Dr. Thomas Marzetti and Dr. Alan Tazzy.
"Walker, they've both been in another part of the facility all morning. They hadn't heard about the lockdown until now."
"Doctors. Now that you know about the lockdown, maybe you'd like to tell us about 'Tazzy2210'."
"What's that?" Dr. Marzetti looked at Dr. Tazzy.
"Look, two of my best Rangers are in that lab and have been exposed to this deadly biological agent. I want to know if it's possible to create more of the antidote in time to save them?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Dr. Tazzy started.
Walker grabbed him by his white lab coat collar. "You had better start remembering. You're trying to tell me that you don't know anything about a substance that bears your name?"
Dr. Tazzy looked at Walker over the tops of his glasses. "OK, OK. You don't understand, the government swore me to secrecy."
"I don't think you understand. If you don't start talking, I'm going to make you wish you had." Walker put the man back on the floor.
Dr. Tazzy sat down at the table and slowly began to explain 'Tazzy 2210'. "It was created for silent destruction of the inhabitants of areas of high profitability. It can kill all living creatures within a 50-mile radius of its drop point. It reacts within twenty-four to forty-eight hours on its victims. The symptoms are dizziness, nausea, high fever, red painful sores, delirium, blindness, shortness of breath and eventually death."
Walker looked at Dr. Tazzy in disgust. "Two of my best Rangers, not to mention best friends are in that lab and have been purposely exposed to this stuff. How do we treat them?"
"There's an antidote, it's in the lab." Dr. Marzetti started.
"It was taken by the terrorist group when they broke in." Trivette reported.
"Is there time to make more?" Walker asked.
"I honestly don't know." Dr. Marzetti replied.
"Get on it, just in case we don't recover the stolen antidote."
Chief Gray knocked on the door. "Ranger Walker, the CDC is here."
"Thanks Martin."
End Chapter 2
"Quarantined" Chapter 2
by Lorrie
"Ranger Trivette, this just arrived for you and Ranger Walker." A courier handed Trivette a videotape.
"Thanks." Trivette said as he looked for a return address. "Do you know who it's from?"
"No sir, there was no return address." The courier left after Trivette signed his clipboard.
Trivette popped the tape in the VCR and sat back down at his desk as he watched the tape in disbelief.
"Rangers, we are OBAW - Organization Banning All Biological Weapons. We are responsible for the break-in at Camden Labs.
Two of your Rangers are currently in lockdown at Camden Laboratories. They have been exposed to a deadly biological agent called 'Tazzy 2210'. We have the antidote and will turn it over to you in time to save your Rangers, if our demands are met.
First we want a signed decree of State Law from the Governor of Texas stating that not only Camden Laboratories, but all other facilities in the state of Texas engaged in any type of manufacturing or creation of biological weapons for the U.S. Government are to immediately cease such production. If they do not comply within 24 hours, they will be destroyed.
Second, we want a private jet at DFW fueled and cleared for immediate take off at 06:00 hours tomorrow morning.
You will note the clock on the wall behind me shows the current time at 10:00 hours. Your Rangers were locked down 1 hour ago, which means they have until 09:00 tomorrow morning before they'll die. This is providing that the biological agent reacts on humans the same way it preformed in the lab tests.
We do not in any way apologize for the situation your Rangers are in; however, this is not a personal attack on the Texas Rangers. We are an organization against biological weapons and the destruction they bring to innocent women and children in war zones. We needed an example to send our message to the world and your Rangers provided themselves. Our methods may seem harsh, but our end is just.
You will receive a phone call later today to see if the Governor is willing to meet our demands, if not, the antidote will be destroyed."
Trivette picked up the phone and dialed Alex's cell number.
"Hello."
"Alex, it's Trivette. I need to speak to Walker."
"Honey, it's Trivette. He sounds upset." Alex handed the phone to Walker as she playfully held Angela.
"What is it Trivette?"
"You're not going to believe this." Trivette explained the videotape to Walker.
"Have you heard anything from Gage and Sydney?"
"No."
"Call Camden Labs and see if the information in the tape is true. If it is, we need to find out all we can about this 'Tazzy 2210'. I'll see you in a little while."
Alex looked at Walker as he handed her the cell phone. "What is it? Are Sydney and Gage OK?"
"I don't know yet. It looks like there was some trouble at Camden Labs. I had Sydney and Gage check out a silent alarm there this morning." Walker stared out into the waiting room.
"What is it?"
"I had a bad feeling about this Alex. This morning when I asked them to check it out, I just got a real bad feeling that something was going to go wrong."
"Go on." Alex smiled at Walker. "I know you need to go."
"Thanks Alex." He bent down and kissed her and then kissed Angela on the cheek. "You be good for the doctor, little one."
********
Sydney and Gage sat down on the floor of the lab. "I wonder how long it'll take for this to hit us?" Sydney asked.
Gage wrapped his arms around her. "I don't know."
"Do you think they really let Walker and Trivette know what's going on?"
"Probably. They have an agenda and they're trying to use us to get what they want."
"Walker will never go for that." Sydney replied.
"Don't be too sure." He'll at least let them think they're getting what they want, but I can't believe for one minute that he'd just leave us here to die. Not if there's anything he can do to prevent it.
Sydney smiled a little. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
*******
Walker entered Ranger Headquarters and was met by both Trivette and the Lt. Governor of Texas. "Ranger Walker."
"Lt. Governor." Walker met his outstretched hand with his own.
"Governor Perry is in Florida this week. I've called him, but we've been advised to not bring him back into Texas until this mess is taken care of."
"Trivette, let's see the tape."
Trivette ran the tape for Walker and the Lt. Governor."
After viewing the tape. The Lt. Governor turned to Walker. "I can tell you right now, there's not a snowball's chance in hell that any State document can be signed that will stop a Federal Governmental contract with a laboratory for defense weapons."
"I thought as much." Walker responded. "But obviously OBAW doesn't know that."
"What are you thinking Walker?" Trivette asked.
"Trivette, get in touch with Camden Labs and see if you can locate the scientists responsible for creating 'Tazzy 2210'. We need to see if there's a possibility that OBAW has their facts wrong. If they don't, we need to see if more antidote can be created in time to save Gage and Sydney."
"I'm on it."
"What can I do Ranger Walker?" The Lt. Governor asked.
"Can you get me a document that looks real enough to fool these guys?"
"I think so."
"Good. We also need to get in touch with all of the labs in Texas. See which ones have military contracts and have those shut down for a day or two."
"So you want to give the illusion that we've complied with OBAW's demands? The state of Texas will not give in to terrorists, Ranger Walker."
"I'm not asking you to give into them. I'm trying to buy my Rangers a little more time until we can get the antidote." Walker stressed.
*****
"Syd?" Gage felt Sydney go limp in his arms.
"Sydney?" He shook her gently and she opened her eyes.
"Gage, my head is spinning." Sydney reached for her throbbing temples.
Gage cradled her in his strong arms and stroked her hair. "It's OK sweetie. It's gonna be OK. Does your stomach hurt too?"
"A little." Sydney replied weakly.
Gage gently rocked her back and forth. "Shh. You're gonna be fine."
*****
Walker, I have the names of the 2 scientists who invented 'Tazzy 22-10', they're still at the lab.
"Have the CDC and HazMat been called?"
Trivette nodded his head. "CDC said they should be here by early afternoon and they don't want HazMat to unseal the doors until they've assessed the situation."
"Let's get over to Camden Labs, I need to know what's going on with Sydney and Gage."
*****
Walker and Trivette arrived at Camden's main gate where a security guard stopped them. "I'm sorry, you can't go in there."
Walker flashed his badge. "I have two Rangers in there and I need to know their situation better if I'm going to help them." Walker stepped on the gas and parked outside of Camden's main building.
Upon entering, Walker and Trivette were stopped by the security guard at the main desk. "Rangers, we're in a Code Red lockdown, you can't be here."
Walker stared at the guard. "I'm getting tired of explaining this. Two of my best Rangers are in that lab. I need to know their situation first hand if I'm going to help them. Now, you can either voluntarily stand aside, or I will move you out of my way, but either way we are going back to that lab and I will talk to my Rangers, understood?"
The guard moved aside as Walker and Trivette quickly headed to Lab B - Section 22.
Outside of the outer security door of the lab, Walker approached a uniformed officer. "I'm Ranger Walker, who's in charge here?" The man pointed to Dallas Police Chief Martin Gray.
"Walker." Chief Gray said as he saw him approaching.
"Martin." Walker acknowledged. "What can you tell me?"
"Not much I'm afraid. I don't think we will know too much until CDC and HazMat get here."
"Do you know if they're alive?" Walker said quietly.
"I'm sorry, I don't."
Walker looked at one of the scientists standing close by. "Is there any communication link between here and the inner lab?"
"Yes. There's an intercom."
"Show me." The scientist led Walker to the communications system.
"Gage, Sydney? Can you hear me?"
Gage eased Sydney down from his arms to the floor and went over to the intercom. He pushed the 'Talk' button. "Man, it is so good to hear your voice."
"Are you two OK?"
"No. I guess you know by now that we've been exposed to some sort of biological weapon. Sydney's already running a high fever, she's having chills, she's dizzy and she's beginning to break out in red splotches."
Walker took a deep breath and turned to Trivette before talking to Gage again. "Find those two guys responsible for making this stuff NOW!"
"Gage, do you have any water or anything to help cool Sydney down?"
"No. I've looked, there's nothing. It's really getting warm in here too, the air conditioning was cut off when the security doors locked down."
"How are you holding up?" Walker asked.
"So far, I feel fine. I just wish there was more I could do for Syd."
"Hang in there. We're working on getting you guys out."
"Have you called the CDC yet?"
They should be here early afternoon." Walker replied. "Gage, I'm going to help Trivette find a couple of people who should be able to help us. If you need anything, ask for . . ." Walker cupped his hand and asked the woman standing next to him for her name.
"Alice." She replied.
"Ask for Alice."
"Thanks Walker." Gage walked back over to Sydney unbuttoning his shirt in an attempt to cool off. He scooped her up in his arms again and held her close.
"Hey Syd, can you hear me?"
"Um?"
"Walker and Trivette are here. They're working on getting us out. You're going to be fine. Do you understand me? You're going to be fine."
*****
Walker stepped into the conference room where Trivette had herded a shocked, Dr. Thomas Marzetti and Dr. Alan Tazzy.
"Walker, they've both been in another part of the facility all morning. They hadn't heard about the lockdown until now."
"Doctors. Now that you know about the lockdown, maybe you'd like to tell us about 'Tazzy2210'."
"What's that?" Dr. Marzetti looked at Dr. Tazzy.
"Look, two of my best Rangers are in that lab and have been exposed to this deadly biological agent. I want to know if it's possible to create more of the antidote in time to save them?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." Dr. Tazzy started.
Walker grabbed him by his white lab coat collar. "You had better start remembering. You're trying to tell me that you don't know anything about a substance that bears your name?"
Dr. Tazzy looked at Walker over the tops of his glasses. "OK, OK. You don't understand, the government swore me to secrecy."
"I don't think you understand. If you don't start talking, I'm going to make you wish you had." Walker put the man back on the floor.
Dr. Tazzy sat down at the table and slowly began to explain 'Tazzy 2210'. "It was created for silent destruction of the inhabitants of areas of high profitability. It can kill all living creatures within a 50-mile radius of its drop point. It reacts within twenty-four to forty-eight hours on its victims. The symptoms are dizziness, nausea, high fever, red painful sores, delirium, blindness, shortness of breath and eventually death."
Walker looked at Dr. Tazzy in disgust. "Two of my best Rangers, not to mention best friends are in that lab and have been purposely exposed to this stuff. How do we treat them?"
"There's an antidote, it's in the lab." Dr. Marzetti started.
"It was taken by the terrorist group when they broke in." Trivette reported.
"Is there time to make more?" Walker asked.
"I honestly don't know." Dr. Marzetti replied.
"Get on it, just in case we don't recover the stolen antidote."
Chief Gray knocked on the door. "Ranger Walker, the CDC is here."
"Thanks Martin."
End Chapter 2