Thanks to all those who reviewed the first chapter.
Sorry about the errors on the page but the story has been written on two computers using two different programmes, I'm hoping to have caught most errors this time.
Chapter 2 Beginning of the terror.
Virgil arrived at Kathleen's apartment dead on nine, he knocked on the door and waited when she answered the door she was dressed in jeans and a blue tee shirt.
"Like a coffee before we go?"She asked. Virgil smiled,
"Yes please,"He said and followed her into the kitchen, noting as he passed the many items still in packing cases in the small living room."Not been hear long then?"
"No, just a couple of weeks,"She poured out the coffee."Sugar?"
"No thanks,"
"Sweet enough already,"She said with a smile and then handed him the drink.
"So,"He said."What's the errand all about?"
"Indeed to go up to my father's old lab," she said to him"after the quake last night I think I should check the equipment he installed,"
"I thought Tri Core handled all the monitoring,"Kathleen snorted.
"Trusting the firm that made it and made millions from the system and still do, to make sure that the thing is still safe,"Virgil could see her point.
"Dad agreed with your father on that score,"He said
"I know,"She said sadly."He was grateful for the support he gave him, even when no one else believed him,"
Virgil quickly drank down his coffee and they set off, Kathleen guided him to a remote cabin, not that far from where Scott had dropped him off the day before. She opened the door and Virgil was surprised to see the place full of hi tech equipment, he gave a whistle as he looked around.
"Dad spent most of his money on all this,"She sat down at one of the consoles and tapped in a password and all the other terminals sprang into life, then started a programme running. Virgil had picked up a folder of press clippings, looking through them he saw most were about Tri Core, but was surprised to see some about IR. Kathleen came over to him a few minutes later holding a data cube in her hand and a thoughtful look on her face, she realised what he was looking at and said.
"You realise that Tri Core moved its head quarters out of California last year?"Virgil shook his head."And none of its directors or top scientist lives here now?"
"People can live where they want;"Virgil pointed out, though the information did trouble him.
"Granted,"She said."But all moves took place with in six months of this equipment showing some activity," This troubled him more, she was right it didn't seam right, but he also had to know,
"Why the interest in International rescue?"Had Kathleen's father worked out exactly who was behind the organisation, more importantly had he told his daughter?
"I'm not sure,"She said, Virgil could tell she was telling the truth."I think he was going to go to them when he had proof that his theory was right," She sighed." I think he hoped the governor would believe them when he wouldn't believe him," She looked down at the data cube in her hand, he could tell that something was wrong.
"What is it?"Virgil asked concerned, she looked at him a tear showing in her eyes,
"Dad taught me everything about how to work the machines and how to retrieve the data,"She sighed"taught me everything but how to interpret the results,"Virgil moved forward, he didn't want to offer help, he wanted it to come from her."Dad trusted your father;"again she looked at the data cube in her hand then back at him a show of determination on her face."Doses your Fathers Company have anyone whom might be able to help?"Virgil gave an inward sigh of relief.
"Yes!"He said softly"we do have someone,"She again looked at the cube in her hand, then gave it to him.
"It also gives all the passwords so they will able to access the sensors and get up to date readings, just in case something happens to this place," Again Virgil nodded though the in case something happens here put him slightly on edge. He didn't think she was talking about earthquakes.
"I'll be back in few minutes;"leaving Kathleen he went outside to the car and activated the COM link to his father.
Jeff Tracy sat behind his desk writing up some paperwork. Outside he could hear Tin-Tin and Alan playing around in the pool. Scott and Gordon were in the room with him playing chess, when the eyes on Virgil's portrait began to glow also hearing the signal Scott and Gordon closed in to hear what was being said concern on both their faces.
"Go-ahead son," Jeff said, suddenly the picture was replaced with Virgil sitting behind the steering wheel of the car.
"Kathleen's given me the latest data from her fathers monitoring devices," Virgil said."Also the passwords and locations of the sensors so Brains can access them whenever he needs to,"
"Okay son hook it up and send it to us,"Virgil did as he was told and almost instantly the console next to Jeff sprang into life, he leaned across and sent it on to Brains lab,"Brains?"He said into a COM link next to him" here is the latest readings and remote access to the sensors,".
"Th thank you mmr Tracey,"A voice answered back. Jeff turned back to his son.
"Got it safe and sound Virgil,"He saw his son nod."Getting the passwords was good work,"
"She volunteered those,"He said."She said it was best in case anything happened to this place," Scott had heard that tone from his brother before.
"She not talking about earthquakes damaging area is she?"Scott said concerned.
"No I don't think she is,"Virgil said,"I'm getting concerned about the so-called accident she had two years ago,"
"Don't you think you could be reading more into that what exists?" Gordon said. Virgil shrugged.
"May be, "He said."But I don't think so,"
"I'll look into it,"Jeff told his son."Now get back to relaxing,"
"I will do dad,"He said with a smile, and he thought I will enjoy it more in Kathleen's company,"Virgil out,"
The screen was replaced with the portrait.
"The thing is,"Scott said with concern for his brother,"Is if the device is failing how much warning are we going to get?"
"That's what Brains is working on Scott,"He said calmly, but he to would feel better when Virgil was back home, knowing that if something happened to him while there his eldest son would blame his self for it. He sighed that was the problem he thought the idea of IR had been sound, but in all the years they had been operational he still could not get used to sending his sons on the dangerous missions, all of them had had close calls. Both Scott and Virgil had been shot out of the skies; indeed Virgil had been lucky only to get cuts and bruises on their very first mission. Still they carried on regardless of the dangers totally dedicated to the work they were doing. So much so like now he had to order Virgil of the island to have a break, the same line that he had to use on all of them, sighing he returned to his paperwork.
Virgil returned to Kathleen after he broke the connection to his father,
"Have you finished here now?"He asked her, she looked up at him and gave a wane smile.
"Yes"She said."There's nothing I can do here," The lost look came over her face made Virgil walk up to her and pull her into his arms. For a moment he thought that she would pull away from him but after a second she relaxed into that embrace, seeming to get strength from him,
"We'll sort it out,"Virgil promised her.
"It's just the thought of all the people that could die if no warning is given;"He squeezed her to him and lightly kissed her forehead,
"With luck,"He said softly."We'll be able to evacuate on time;"She pulled away and looked up at him.
"You think so?"He nodded, he bent his head down and covered her mouth with his own, with a small moan she gave in to his kiss and her body melted against him. Dear gods he thought she tasted as good as she looked, but he knew that he had to stop this before it went any further, he pulled away from her,
"Let's get back into town," He said hoarsely. Trying to bring his self back under control, Kathleen nodded, her own body protesting at the kiss being finished, her mind was reeling, partly thankful that he had stopped. Knowing that if he had continued she wouldn't have been able to stop him and partly wishing he hadn't and to hell with the consequences. They rode back to LA in silence; it was only when they reached LA that Virgil spoke.
"Shall we eat now,"He said with a smile."Or show me the sights first," She gave a quick grin.
"Eat I think,"She answered.
"That's a relief,"He said with such a comical turn that she burst out laughing. They choose a small restaurant on a little back street not far from the hospital where she said she was due to start work the following week.
"How did you find this place?"Virgil asked as he started to eat his meal.
"Got lost on my second day here,"She told him."Called into get directions,"Virgil raised his eyebrows,
"And I trust you to show me the sights,"Kathleen grinned at him.
"You'll just have to live dangerously for a few days then,"She began to wonder if she had said something wrong when his eyes hardened slightly at her words but only for a few seconds.
"Do I have a choice?"He said with a quick grin. They had just finished their meal, when the ominous rumble began under their feet.
"Oh no!"Kathleen gasped her face paling"not again,"
This time the shaking was more violent than before and pieces of plaster and some of the light fittings fell from the ceiling.
"Under the table quick," Virgil ordered they both got under the table; he was pleased to note that the other customers where doing the same. Again he used his own body to protect Kathleen, the sound of breaking glass and cracking wood reached them barely heard over the rumbling sound and the frightened cries of people. After a few minutes it finally stopped, Virgil helped Kathleen to her feet.
"That was worse than yesterdays,"He said sombrely, looking at the devastation in this one place alone, Kathleen's face took on a professional look.
"Any one hurt?"She asked quickly.
"Over here,"A child's voice said"my mummies not moving,"She rushed across with Virgil at her side, she bent down and checked for a pulse.
"It's there,"She said casting a glance at the woman told her all she needed to know"She's had a bang on the head,"She pointed to a long gash on the woman's head,"I'm going to need an ambulance,"Virgil got out his phone and dialled,
"Will she be all right?" The frightened little girl asked. Kathleen looked at her with a warm smile.
"Yes," She said" She's just bumped her head that's all," It took half an hour before the ambulance turned up, and by which time the woman had regained consciousness. Virgil watched as Kathleen work, making her way around the injured telling them when they needed proper medical treatment and advising who needed the hospital, when everyone seen Virgil went up to her.
"I think we should go and get cleaned up,"Kathleen looked down at herself and realised he was right, they were both covered in dust and her blue top also had marks of blood on it. For some reason the sight of the blood un-nerved him. The drive back took some time as some roads were blocked, at last they arrived and went up to her door, Virgil realised that the door wasn't shut properly he reached out and grabbed Kathleen and stopped her from going in.
"I'll go first, "He said, carefully he pushed open the door and went inside, he saw the mess immediately, packing cases had been tipped up and their contents was all over the floor, he knew that the earthquake didn't do all this. Kathleen came, in when he had shouted it was safe, her shoulders dropped when she saw the mess,
"They must be getting desperate for my fathers notes,"Virgil knew that there was no point in disagreeing over the culprits as all her other belongings that normal burglars went for were all still there,
"I should call the police,"He said. Kathleen looked at him sadly.
"There no point,"She said bending down and picking up some papers off the floor."There'll be some explanation which has no link to Tri Core again," Virgil looked at her and realised that she also thought a drunk driver did not cause her accident either. Once again he felt the tingling at his wrist and knew that his father was worried and trying to get in touch.
"Can I use the bathroom?"He asked, Kathleen nodded,
"Second door on the left,"
"Thanks," Retreating into the bathroom he activated the COM link,
"Thank god," His fathers voice sounded slightly tinny on the small device,"Are you all right son,"
"I'm fine dad, "He said."Just dusty that's all,"His father nodded
"Brains said that it was stronger than the last one,"Virgil nodded.
"A few injuries this time,"He told his father."We were in a restaurant when it hit,"
"We?" He could clearly hear Scott's voice in the back ground although he could not see him. Virgil gave a grin.
"I took Kathleen there after we got back,"but his grin quickly faded."But when we got back someone had broken in to her apartment,"
"You informed the police?"Jeff asked his son. He shook his head.
"Kathleen dose not seam to have much faith in the police,"Jeff nodded.
"Looking into the reports on her accident I can't say that I blame her,"
"Has Brains come up with anything yet?" Virgil asked.
"A few bits but not much to go on yet,"Jeff looked at his son concern clearly on his face,"I can get Scott to come and pick you up if you want,"
"No,"Virgil said, he didn't want to leave yet, being honest with himself he knew that he didn't want to leave Kathleen yet,"I'll be fine for now," His father nodded.
"If you change your mind let us know,"
"I will,"
"Okay, stay in touch,"Jeff said"and be careful,"
"I will,"His father broke the connection. He returned to where Kathleen was cleaning up the main room,
"I'll sort some of this why don't you get a shower,"
"Thanks," she said gratefully, she disappeared, Virgil bent down and picked up some of the papers from the floor sighing he realised they were some of the original press clipping from when her father first voiced his fears over the earth quake device, most of them were highly insulting. He also realised that all of this took place when he and Kathleen were at college together, he had just finished when she came back in the room, he looked up at her,
"I don't suppose Melissa and crew made any of this any easier for you did they?"He asked.
"No not really," she sighed. "I was never one of in crowd this was just another way for her to make me feel small,"She sat on a chair," I never exactly been attractive and I never really mixed well,"
"You want the real truth of it?" Virgil said slightly annoyed that she put herself down so much,"You are in fact one hell of lot more beautiful than she could of ever be both inside and out,"
"Then how come she was the most popular and prom queen at the end of the year?"She said with a sad little smile.
"Because she was the schemer and most people went along with her so that she wouldn't target them," He grinned at her;" Thank god I found that out before it was to late, "He glanced down at his watch." I suppose I'd better go back to my hotel and shower, will you be all right on your own for an hour or so?" He asked concerned. She nodded,
"I've been managing on my own for longer than I care to remember,"She said sadly, she saw him to the door. As he walked back down to his car he really wished he could assure her that she wouldn't have managed alone again, but knew he couldn't do that. At that thought he knew that he was falling in love with her but he also knew that it could never be and that made him determined to make the most of the time he had with her.
He arrived back an hour later and was glad to see she was still okay, she let him back in with a smile,
"I thought we could have a picnic on the beach,"He said "If you would like?"
"Yes," She said with a warm smile," That would be great," She was interrupted by the phone ringing," Hang on a sec," She went over to the phone and answered it." Hello Dr Murray," She listened for a moment." Of course its no problem at all," Virgil watched her for a moment," I'll see you then, goodbye," She hung up the phone and turned to face him." They want me to start earlier than agreed,"
"How much earlier?"He asked. His heart sinking.
"In two days,"She said, He sighed with relief that at least it wasn't the next day.
Walking on the beach they both enjoyed, the picnic Virgil had got the hotel to organise he carried with them it seamed like the prefect evening that they hoped nothing would spoil. When Virgil dropped her of at home, she invited him back in,
"If you're sure,"He said.
"Never been more sure of anything,"He followed her back into her apartment, she was shaking with nerves,
"I really don't have much experience;"Virgil silenced her with a finger and pulled her up against him,
"Kathleen I can't promise any thing,"then it was her turn to silence him,
"I know," She said softly," So I'll take what I can now," With a low moan he picked her up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom. By the end of the evening Virgil knew full well that he did love her and despite every thing she loved him to.
He had fallen asleep with Kathleen wrapped in his arms, he was woken up by the watch tingling against his wrist, carefully he moved away from her trying not to wake her, he slipped out of the bed and went into the main living area and activated the com link,
"Virgil," His father said, Virgil thought he looked tired," I'm sorry to disturb you son,"
"What is it dad?"Though a sixth sense warned him what it could be.
"I'm sorry son,"He sighed."But your needed back here,"
"What's happened?"
"Brains has managed to interpret some of the readings," Virgil felt his heart sink.
"It's going to fail isn't it?"He asked with a sense of dread,
"We're still not totally sure but Brains thinks it may,"
"How long until we know for sure?" He asked determined that if it were soon Kathleen would be coming with him if dad liked it or not.
"Brains thinks about a week to ten days," Jeff said." We need to plan for it,"Virgil nodded,"Scott will pick you up at the same place he dropped you in three hours,"
"Okay," Virgil broke the link, he moved back into the bedroom wondering whether or not to wake Kathleen, but as he looked at her asleep in the bed he decide that he would rather remember her lying there asleep. He found some paper and wrote her a note; he then dressed and left it on the pillow at her side. He reached over and lightly kissed her, then he fixed every feature of her face into his memory, then turned and left.
Scott arrived at the pick up point on time and found his brother was already there waiting, he climbed up into TB1 and settled himself down in one of the passenger seat and placing on the safety straps, Scott could tell that something was bothering his brother. Out of all his brothers he was closer to Virgil and knew that something wasn't right but he also knew that right now he didn't want to talk about it. Virgil looked out the window down at the city below him, knowing that he had left the woman he loved alone down there and also knowing that in two weeks time that city may not even be there.