Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters are copyright 2001-2002 Twentieth Century Fox Studios and James Cameron and Charles Eglee. This original story is copyright 2003 Star24.
Chapter Four
Unknown Location
The two figures in the dark office were shrouded in shadows, making it impossible to tell if they were male or female.
"You're telling me that the operative assigned to the mission did recover the materiel but has since vanished with it? That is completely unacceptable." The voice was low and chilling in its very softness.
"The last communiqué that we received originated from Seattle. He advised that the retrieval had gone as planned and he was in Seattle en route to the rendezvous. He never showed and we have heard nothing since then," the second confirmed.
"Why was there no tracking device implanted on him before he was sent out?"
"It wasn't thought to be necessary, given his tenure and previous service with us."
"Such incredible sloppiness is inexcusable. What is being done to trace the materiel? You do realize what could happen if it falls into the wrong hands."
"We have a team working night and day on it."
"Is it possible the operative was turned and delivered the materiel to another player?"
"We've checked out every major player who might have both the interest and the resources to better our terms. There isn't a whisper that any of them were even aware of the project."
"Have you checked hospitals and morgues? It's possible our man became the victim of one of the scum that populate Seattle these days."
There was a silence. "I don't believe the team has taken that approach so far."
"Given your general incompetence in this entire matter it doesn't surprise me. Have it done immediately and report the results to me. I plan on taking a personal hand in this until it is fully resolved to my satisfaction." The first speaker turned to the window in a clear dismissal of the second.
"As you wish." The second figure opened the door and left the room quietly.
Harbor Lights Hospital, Seattle
Max made her way quietly through the hallways of Harbor Lights Hospital. The dingy halls and harried looking staff were a far cry from the gleaming perfection she had grown used to seeing at Metro Medical Center. She looked around, checking her bearings and turned right down a hallway. When she was halfway down its length, she stopped at a doorway and knocked gently.
"Come in," a female voice answered.
Max pushed open the door and entered a small cluttered office. An attractive, thirtyish woman looked up from behind a desk piled with paperwork. Recognition and surprise quickly crossed her face.
"It's Max, is that right?" she asked.
"That's right." Max answered, looking around curiously. "You got sick of the dead guys and decided to do some cutting on the living?"
Dr. Beverly Shankar laughed. "I still work at the morgue; it's what pays my bills. I do pro bono work here. There's such a shortage of trained medical personnel that they're happy to have even my dubious services."
"Oh right." Max said. She dropped gracefully into the chair in front of the desk.
"What brings you here? Did Logan send you?" Shankar looked at her in inquiry.
"Not exactly. He's out of town and I've been kind of filling in for him- checking his email and all." Max said.
"And you received the one I sent him last night."
"About the case of what looks like radiation poisoning." Max finished for her. "What gives with it? Before I drag Logan back from his vacation I'd like to have some more details for him so he can decide if the Man needs to be involved."
Shankar frowned. "He was brought in several nights ago. The sector cops found him in an alley. They thought he was drunk or OD'd. I got the case. He's never regained consciousness and his symptoms are those of acute radiation poisoning. The strange thing is that there's nothing in Seattle that could have caused it."
"Nothing?" Max said in surprise.
"Nothing that's strong enough to cause as severe a case as I'm looking at. He was exposed to high grade material."
"Think he's gonna come out of it to tell you?"
"I doubt it. He's terminal. The chances of him coming out of it are getting less and less. What worries me is that whatever he was exposed to may be out there on the streets. We could be looking at a major disaster."
"I think I need to get to Logan with this information." Max said.
Shankar gave her a relieved smile. "Thanks, Max. Logan can get in touch with his boss and maybe he'll have some ideas on what to do. I've been losing sleep over it worrying about the implications."
"I'll get right on it. Expect to hear back from me or Logan in the next day. At least if I have any say in it."
Max rose and left the office without another word, leaving Dr. Shankar gazing thoughtfully after her.
End of Chapter Four