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 3
by Lorrie
Walker and Chief Gray approached the CDC team. "Who's in charge here?" Walker asked.
"That would be me. I'm Dr. Charlotte Hathaway and you are?"
"Ranger Cordell Walker. Have you been briefed?"
"Somewhat. We had Camden Labs send us the chemical and genetic formulas for
'Tazzy 2210'. We've been able to assess that it's made up of strains of small pox, scarlet fever and German measles, not to mention that it also has its own unique characteristics."
"If it's made up of already known diseases, why can't you combine the vaccines for small pox, scarlet fever and German measles?"
"Small pox has been pretty much eradicated world-wide so there's not much serum left in the world." Dr. Hathaway explained. "Plus there are the unique characteristics to consider."
"I see." Walker was beginning to show the stress he was under.
"Ranger Walker, we're going to go in. We're going to check them both out completely. I want blood samples, especially since Ranger Gage doesn't seem to be showing any symptoms yet. Once we have the blood samples, I'll run tests and we'll go from there."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Find the antidote." Dr. Hathaway replied. "I promise, I'll let you know if there's any change."
Walker nodded and he and Trivette left the lab.
*****
Back at Ranger Headquarters, another Ranger approached Walker and Trivette as they entered the office. "Ranger Walker, you have a message from OBAW."
"Thank you." Walker read the note, then picked up the phone and called the Lt. Governor.
"Yes, I'll hold." Walker responded to the voice on the other end of the line.
"Lt. Governor, it's Ranger Walker. What have you found out?" Walker jotted down a few notes. "Yes, I understand."
When Walker hung up the phone, Trivette stared at him. "So, what did he say?"
"There are four labs in Texas currently working under Federal Governmental contracts. Three of them have agreed to work with us. One won't hear of it."
"Which one?"
"Camden Labs." Walker replied.
"You're kidding."
"I wish I were."
"Who did the Lt. Governor speak with?"
"A Dr. Andrew Addison. It appears that Camden Labs is working on three separate Governmental jobs, including the 'Tazzy 2210' project."
"Do you know who's in charge of them?"
"No, but we're going to find out. I need to call the head of OBAW back."
Walker picked up the phone again.
"I have been expecting your call Ranger Walker. It's not wise to keep me waiting."
"I had to get in touch with the Governor's office to see if he had been able to push through the paperwork." Walker replied.
"And?"
"It's a go."
"It had better be, Ranger Walker. I would hate to have to see those two young Rangers die such a horrible death."
"Where will you deliver the antidote?"
"You'll get it tomorrow morning after we board the plane. I'll leave instructions as to where to find it."
*****
Dr. Hathaway hit the intercom button. "Ranger Gage, this is Dr. Charlotte Hathaway with the CDC. Myself and a group of five others will be coming in shortly to check you and Ranger Cooke over and to take some blood samples. OK?"
"OK. Could you bring some drinking water in with you?" Gage asked.
"Sure. I'll take care of it. By the way, we will all be wearing ugly yellow space suits, so please don't think you're delirious when you see us."
"No problem." Gage smiled.
He went back to Sydney, who was using his discarded, bawled up shirt for a pillow. "Hey Syd, can you hear me? The CDC is here and they'll be coming in in a few minutes to take a few blood samples. Are you up for that?" Sydney nodded weakly.
Gage was sweating profusely, but he wasn't feverish. The temperature in the lab had soared to 92 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soon Dr. Hathaway and her five assistants entered the lab in their ugly yellow space suits as promised. Dr. Hathaway carried a large jug of ice water. Upon entering the lab, she knew that the temperature was almost unbearable for Gage and Sydney. "Michael, see about getting some air in here." She instructed.
"You must be Ranger Gage. I'm Dr. Charlotte Hathaway."
"Hi."
"Here, you look like you could use this." She handed him a cup of cold water.
"Thank you." He drank the water in one gulp and asked for another.
"Here you go." Dr. Hathaway handed him another cup of water. Gage looked over at Sydney. One of Dr. Hathaway's assistants was giving her an exam. "Dr., her BP is 160/93. Respiration is shallow. Temperature is 103F and she's covered in red splotches."
"Thanks Tanya. Go ahead and draw four vials."
"Four vials of blood?" Gage asked, somewhat nervously.
"Now don't tell me that a big, strong guy like yourself is afraid of a little bitty needle."
"I really hate needles. I had enough shots before I went overseas."
Dr. Hathaway turned serious. "Where overseas?"
"I was in 'Desert Storm'."
"What branch of the service?"
"Marines."
"So you were inoculated before you were shipped out?"
"We were given a whole series of inoculations."
"That may be why 'Tazzy 2210' hasn't had any effect on you."
"What do you mean? Am I immune to it?"
"Possibly; to part of it at least."
"I'm not sure I follow you."
"We've found out that 'Tazzy 2210' is made up of several known diseases; small pox, German measles and scarlet fever, plus some of its own little special characteristics. I imagine you were inoculated against all three of the diseases that we know are in 'Tazzy 2210' and your body is probably holding off the other effects on its own, at least for now."
"If I'm immune, why can't you draw on my immunity for Syd?" Gage asked.
"Are you and Ranger Cooke the same blood type?"
"No. I'm AB negative, she's B positive."
"That's why." Dr. Hathaway put the third vial down and started with the fourth. Gage swayed a little as she touched the needle. "Are you alright?"
"Just a little lightheaded."
"What have you eaten today?"
"Nothing."
"That's why you're lightheaded. An empty stomach and drawing blood don't usually mix. Do you remember what exactly you were inoculated against?"
"No. That was ten years ago. The series was about ten or twelve shots. You could probably pull my military files and find out."
"I was thinking the same thing." She replied as she removed the needle. "OK, that's all for now. Why don't you try to get some rest? I've had the guys bring in a couple of cots, which I'm sure will be more comfortable than the floor. You look like you could use some sleep."
"Thanks Doctor."
"Your welcome. I'll see you in about an hour."
Gage sat on the edge of Sydney's cot and stroked her cheek. "Syd, are you awake?" She didn't answer. "I need you Syd."
*****
"Yes, Dr. Hathaway, I'll get right on it." Trivette said as he hung up the phone.
"What's wrong?" Walker asked.
"Nothing. Dr. Hathaway just found out that Gage served in 'Desert Storm' and had a series of inoculations before going overseas. She thinks that might have something to do with why he's not sick and Sydney is."
"What does she need from us?"
"Gage's military file."
"That may not be too easy to pull."
"Why?"
"Gage was in 'Special Operations'."
"Really? How did you know that?"
"He told me. Let me see if I can pull a few strings." Walker picked up the phone and called in a few favors from his military buddies. After half an hour on the phone, Walker turned to Trivette.
"You should be receiving the files you need by e-mail in a few minutes."
"Great. I'll get them right over to Dr. Hathaway."
End Chapter 3
"Quarantined" Chapter 3
by Lorrie
Walker and Chief Gray approached the CDC team. "Who's in charge here?" Walker asked.
"That would be me. I'm Dr. Charlotte Hathaway and you are?"
"Ranger Cordell Walker. Have you been briefed?"
"Somewhat. We had Camden Labs send us the chemical and genetic formulas for
'Tazzy 2210'. We've been able to assess that it's made up of strains of small pox, scarlet fever and German measles, not to mention that it also has its own unique characteristics."
"If it's made up of already known diseases, why can't you combine the vaccines for small pox, scarlet fever and German measles?"
"Small pox has been pretty much eradicated world-wide so there's not much serum left in the world." Dr. Hathaway explained. "Plus there are the unique characteristics to consider."
"I see." Walker was beginning to show the stress he was under.
"Ranger Walker, we're going to go in. We're going to check them both out completely. I want blood samples, especially since Ranger Gage doesn't seem to be showing any symptoms yet. Once we have the blood samples, I'll run tests and we'll go from there."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Find the antidote." Dr. Hathaway replied. "I promise, I'll let you know if there's any change."
Walker nodded and he and Trivette left the lab.
*****
Back at Ranger Headquarters, another Ranger approached Walker and Trivette as they entered the office. "Ranger Walker, you have a message from OBAW."
"Thank you." Walker read the note, then picked up the phone and called the Lt. Governor.
"Yes, I'll hold." Walker responded to the voice on the other end of the line.
"Lt. Governor, it's Ranger Walker. What have you found out?" Walker jotted down a few notes. "Yes, I understand."
When Walker hung up the phone, Trivette stared at him. "So, what did he say?"
"There are four labs in Texas currently working under Federal Governmental contracts. Three of them have agreed to work with us. One won't hear of it."
"Which one?"
"Camden Labs." Walker replied.
"You're kidding."
"I wish I were."
"Who did the Lt. Governor speak with?"
"A Dr. Andrew Addison. It appears that Camden Labs is working on three separate Governmental jobs, including the 'Tazzy 2210' project."
"Do you know who's in charge of them?"
"No, but we're going to find out. I need to call the head of OBAW back."
Walker picked up the phone again.
"I have been expecting your call Ranger Walker. It's not wise to keep me waiting."
"I had to get in touch with the Governor's office to see if he had been able to push through the paperwork." Walker replied.
"And?"
"It's a go."
"It had better be, Ranger Walker. I would hate to have to see those two young Rangers die such a horrible death."
"Where will you deliver the antidote?"
"You'll get it tomorrow morning after we board the plane. I'll leave instructions as to where to find it."
*****
Dr. Hathaway hit the intercom button. "Ranger Gage, this is Dr. Charlotte Hathaway with the CDC. Myself and a group of five others will be coming in shortly to check you and Ranger Cooke over and to take some blood samples. OK?"
"OK. Could you bring some drinking water in with you?" Gage asked.
"Sure. I'll take care of it. By the way, we will all be wearing ugly yellow space suits, so please don't think you're delirious when you see us."
"No problem." Gage smiled.
He went back to Sydney, who was using his discarded, bawled up shirt for a pillow. "Hey Syd, can you hear me? The CDC is here and they'll be coming in in a few minutes to take a few blood samples. Are you up for that?" Sydney nodded weakly.
Gage was sweating profusely, but he wasn't feverish. The temperature in the lab had soared to 92 degrees Fahrenheit.
Soon Dr. Hathaway and her five assistants entered the lab in their ugly yellow space suits as promised. Dr. Hathaway carried a large jug of ice water. Upon entering the lab, she knew that the temperature was almost unbearable for Gage and Sydney. "Michael, see about getting some air in here." She instructed.
"You must be Ranger Gage. I'm Dr. Charlotte Hathaway."
"Hi."
"Here, you look like you could use this." She handed him a cup of cold water.
"Thank you." He drank the water in one gulp and asked for another.
"Here you go." Dr. Hathaway handed him another cup of water. Gage looked over at Sydney. One of Dr. Hathaway's assistants was giving her an exam. "Dr., her BP is 160/93. Respiration is shallow. Temperature is 103F and she's covered in red splotches."
"Thanks Tanya. Go ahead and draw four vials."
"Four vials of blood?" Gage asked, somewhat nervously.
"Now don't tell me that a big, strong guy like yourself is afraid of a little bitty needle."
"I really hate needles. I had enough shots before I went overseas."
Dr. Hathaway turned serious. "Where overseas?"
"I was in 'Desert Storm'."
"What branch of the service?"
"Marines."
"So you were inoculated before you were shipped out?"
"We were given a whole series of inoculations."
"That may be why 'Tazzy 2210' hasn't had any effect on you."
"What do you mean? Am I immune to it?"
"Possibly; to part of it at least."
"I'm not sure I follow you."
"We've found out that 'Tazzy 2210' is made up of several known diseases; small pox, German measles and scarlet fever, plus some of its own little special characteristics. I imagine you were inoculated against all three of the diseases that we know are in 'Tazzy 2210' and your body is probably holding off the other effects on its own, at least for now."
"If I'm immune, why can't you draw on my immunity for Syd?" Gage asked.
"Are you and Ranger Cooke the same blood type?"
"No. I'm AB negative, she's B positive."
"That's why." Dr. Hathaway put the third vial down and started with the fourth. Gage swayed a little as she touched the needle. "Are you alright?"
"Just a little lightheaded."
"What have you eaten today?"
"Nothing."
"That's why you're lightheaded. An empty stomach and drawing blood don't usually mix. Do you remember what exactly you were inoculated against?"
"No. That was ten years ago. The series was about ten or twelve shots. You could probably pull my military files and find out."
"I was thinking the same thing." She replied as she removed the needle. "OK, that's all for now. Why don't you try to get some rest? I've had the guys bring in a couple of cots, which I'm sure will be more comfortable than the floor. You look like you could use some sleep."
"Thanks Doctor."
"Your welcome. I'll see you in about an hour."
Gage sat on the edge of Sydney's cot and stroked her cheek. "Syd, are you awake?" She didn't answer. "I need you Syd."
*****
"Yes, Dr. Hathaway, I'll get right on it." Trivette said as he hung up the phone.
"What's wrong?" Walker asked.
"Nothing. Dr. Hathaway just found out that Gage served in 'Desert Storm' and had a series of inoculations before going overseas. She thinks that might have something to do with why he's not sick and Sydney is."
"What does she need from us?"
"Gage's military file."
"That may not be too easy to pull."
"Why?"
"Gage was in 'Special Operations'."
"Really? How did you know that?"
"He told me. Let me see if I can pull a few strings." Walker picked up the phone and called in a few favors from his military buddies. After half an hour on the phone, Walker turned to Trivette.
"You should be receiving the files you need by e-mail in a few minutes."
"Great. I'll get them right over to Dr. Hathaway."
End Chapter 3