Chapter 10

A couple of hours later Colonel White was sat at his desk in central command, when he was interrupted by a very agitated and angry Doctor Gold

"We need to contact the lab and find out what the hell it was they were working on" he spat as he paced back and forth in front of the Colonel's desk

"What's going on?" he asked, confused by the doctor's sudden outburst

"The test results" Gold thrust a small computer pad into the Colonel's hand. White looked at it but he was none the wiser

"I'm sorry Mason, I don't understand..." he began to ask as the doctor interrupted his question

"Whatever it is they were working on in that lab is killing Scarlet and I want to know how, why and if there is anything that can be done to stop it" the doctor demanded

"Lieutenant Green, get me Doctor Raymond Bishop at DragonTech. Now!"

"S.I.G Colonel" Green replied as she swiftly snapped to action, fulfilling White's command. Moments later she added "Patching him through to you now sir"

On the small screen in front of the Colonel, the face of Doctor Bishop appeared, filing it.

"Colonel what an unexpected surprise" the Doctor stopped, the look on the Colonel's face had him concerned "Is everything alright Colonel? Are Captains' Scarlet and Blue doing okay?"

"Doctor Bishop, I have Doctor Gold here with me" as he spoke, Doctor Gold walked around the desk to stand behind Colonel White so that he could see the video screen

"We need to know precisely what it was you were working on for Spectrum Doctor" Gold stated bluntly

"But I need permission..." Bishop stuttered, shocked by Gold's demand

"I'm well aware that you haven't been given clearance to go into detail Doctor, but a man's life depends on it". Confusion crossed Raymond Bishop's face

"I don't understand. I don't see how knowing about our research could possibly help with what is happening here"

Frustrated, the Colonel typed in a command to the control panel in front of him. When he was done he returned his full attention back to Doctor Bishop.

"I have sent you Captain Scarlet's test results. As you can see..." White let his words hang in the air as he saw the doctor's attention turn away from him for the moment as an alert could be heard in the background, indicating that the doctor had in fact received the file the Colonel had just forwarded to him.

A look of horror and confusion crossed Bishops face "This isn't possible Colonel" he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Doctor, I'm sending a hummingbird to collect you and bring you to Skybase"

"But..." Bishop started to protest at the Colonel's words

"Doctor" Gold interrupted "We need you to help us to understand what is going on here and it will be easier to do that face to face. Besides you need to be here to tell us everything"

"But I've told you already, I'm not authorised..." he tried protesting again

"Believe me Doctor, by the time you arrive at Skybase, you will be authorised. And as Doctor Gold says it would be better to do this face to face than over the comm. Wouldn't you agree?" Reluctantly the doctor admitted defeat.

"Very well Colonel, my wife and I will come to your Skybase and see if there is anything we can do to help"

"Thank you Doctor. We appreciate your co-operation in this matter. You will receive further instructions shortly. I suggest you get yourself ready. Skybase out" With that Colonel White ended the communication.

"Lieutenant Green I want Captain Magenta to take a hummingbird back to DragonTech as soon as possible to pick up the Bishops and bring them back to Skybase asap. Is that clear Lieutenant?" White ordered abruptly

"Yes Sir" Green replied. Under normal circumstances, she would have probably felt a little hurt at the Colonel's tone. But she understood perfectly how important this situation was; as well as how worried the Colonel was about Scarlet even though he may not admit it to anyone under his command.

"I better return to my patient Colonel" Gold said before making his way towards the lift which would take him to the medical bay. The Colonel watched as his friend left central control. He certainly did not envy his friend for the burden he was so obviously carrying. He knew that the Doctor would do everything he could to save Scarlet's life until he could do no more. In comparison, White- despite being the commanding officer on Skybase-had pretty much done all that he could for his part. All except..

"Lieutenant, put me through to the office of the World President"

Now he had a fight on his hands to find out the exact reason why one of his men was dying.