Thunderbirds and The Tracy Family are the creation of Sylvia and Gerry Anderson
Chapter 78
"Ah…Captain Conley. I was just trying to tell the Lieutenant here he is interrupting a vitally important interview…which I have not yet finished….so I would ask you both to leave us to get on with it," Major Bauer demanded, as he looked Cass defiantly in the eye. So obsessed was he with his own power of authority he was still determined to get his information despite what Cass had seen.
"Noooooo," came another pitiful, agonising cry from the bed.
Immediately Sarah Conley was alarmed and concerned. The cry tore at her very heart but she couldn't see her patient for her view was well obstructed by Captain Decker and the Major, who had positioned himself in front of the bed.
"No Major….this interview is at an end," she told him most determinedly. "Now just what is going on here? Cass!" Sarah asked, looking to the man she trusted more than most.
"I believe, Ma'am….Major Bauer is torturing our patient," Cass informed her, while eyeing the Major with distain.
The Major let out a laugh. "Really, Lieutenant….torture! Like I said…I don't know what you think you saw….," he replied, continuing to brazen it out.
"I know what I saw Major….and torture is what it is," Cass responded angrily.
Captain Conley was shocked at what she was hearing but she would take Cass's word any day over the Major's, she trusted his judgement implicitly and coupled with the groans that came from Lt Tracy's bed she knew what she believed. "Lieutenant! Lieutenant Tracy….can you hear me?" Sarah called, as she tried to see past her obstructers but all she got was a soulful groan in response.
She made straight for the bed to see her patient but Captain Decker put a restraining hand on her arm, preventing her from going any further. "Take your hand off me, Captain," she demanded, for she didn't like this man anymore than the Major. Although she wasn't quite sure what part he had in this she was sure he hadn't lifted a finger to help the young Lieutenant.
In an instant Cass was at her side in a protective manner and, without saying a word, he clamped his hand onto Captain Decker's wrist. With a piercing stare from his wolf-like eyes Cass locked gazes with Captain Decker and pushed his thumb into the pressure point on Decker's wrist, forcing him to release his grip on Captain Conley. Still holding Decker by the wrist Cass continued to stare him out, making the Captain break out in a sweat and, indeed, he had every reason to for, in the next moment, Cassidy Grey Wolf pronounced his judgement on him too.
"A'nah - tanak - ta'way…..Ka'ney - tanak - ta'way," Cass said clear and deliberately into his face, causing Captain Decker to break out in even more of a sweat. Cass released his grip on Decker's wrist.
"Wha…what did you say?" Captain Decker asked worriedly.
Cass gave him a cold, hard look. "You, too, have chosen your own fate, Captain. Since you chose to turn a blind eye to your Major's actions….then so shall it be," Cass replied with a cool calm. "Oh…and eh…that you would wither up and shrivel…..like the weak little man you are," he added, almost as an afterthought with a raise of his eyebrows, as he looked down to a certain part of Decker's anatomy. "Know what I mean!" he further added with a wink and a grin.
"Eh…Major!" Captain Decker whined nervously, looking to his superior officer.
"For goodness sake, Decker….pull yourself together. I told you….it's just mumbo, jumbo," Major Bauer replied in exasperation. He turned then to sneer a smile at Cass. "But what we do have here is a court-martial offence…..you put your hands on a superior officer…boy," he sneered with relish.
"I think not, Major. Lieutenant Grey Wolf was coming to the aid of his Captain….and that is what it will say in my report…..among a good many other things," Captain Conley stated firmly. She crossed to the comm.-link by the door.
"And just what do you think you're doing…Captain Conley?" the Major asked menacingly.
"I'm calling up security, Major….I'm having you both removed under armed guard to Colonel Adams office," she stated, trying very hard to hold her distain for these men under control.
Captain Decker made to move to stop her but Cass blocked his way, fixing him with such a piercing stare he hesitated. Major Bauer put out a hand as well and just gave him a slight shake of his head.
"It's all right, Decker….Captain Conley has yet to realise who welds the real power here," the Major said with chilling self-assurance.
Sarah accessed security. "This is Captain Conley. I need an armed guard to escort two officers to Colonel Adams office…..and I need them up here right away…Ward 5A, Lt Tracy's room," Sarah ordered with calm efficiency to which they replied, 'Yes Ma'am'.
As Sarah walked back and made another attempt to go to Scott she suddenly found herself confronted by Major Bauer. "That was a very futile thing to do…Captain," the Major leered menacingly. "You really have no idea."
"Well it made me feel a whole lot better…Major," she responded coolly. Another groan from her patient tore at her heart and filled her with anger towards this man. It also reminded her of the increasing urgency of the situation and she hoped the guard would arrive pretty soon. "You disgust me, Major…do you know that. You're not worthy to wear that uniform….you're…you're a disgrace to every decent and honorable man and woman serving in this Force. How could you even think of torturing this man….after what he's been through…and for what! For some worthless piece of information! You wouldn't know the first thing about bravery, courage, honor and decency, Major…..because….because you're nothing more than a coward and a bully," Sarah added, now feeling in full flow and not afraid to let him have it. In fact, she wished right at that moment she were a man because she would let the Major have it right in his sanctimonious kisser. Now that she was in full flow she rounded on Captain Decker as well. "And as for you….you pathetic excuse for a human being….I hope you're able to live with yourself. And as for what Cass told you….well that goes double for me….and I hope it drops off," Sarah continued, feeling now satisfied she'd got that off her chest and bringing an admiring grin for his spunky Captain from Cass.
"Bravo…Captain Conley….such a nice little speech," Major Bauer sneered with contempt, giving her a slow hand clap. "But you people make me sick….because you have absolutely no idea what it takes to defend this country of ours. You need people like me," Bauer continued to sneer and, somehow, in his sick mind, I actually think he believed that.
"God forbid. People like you are the last thing our country needs, Major," Sarah Conley responded, horrified at the idea. "If I could I would take you out and shoot you myself," she added, letting him know exactly what she thought.
"My people had more…interesting ways…of dealing with an enemy, Ma'am," Cass added, with a gleam in his eye and just a hint that it might have involved a little suffering, causing Major Bauer to snort contemptuously, although Cass did catch his mouth twitch just a little and Captain Decker gulped hard and tried to pretend he wasn't thinking about things he had seen in the movies.
"I'm sure they did, Cass…and right now that would be infinitely more appealing," Captain Conley responded, wanting them to get a taste of their own medicine and willing to set aside her Hippocratic oath just for a few moments. "No, Major….what our country needs are the brave young men and women who are willing to give their all, who hurt and bleed and have died….yes, Major…have died for their country because they believe in honor, decency and moral virtue. Young men, like Lieutenant Tracy, who put others first….who are willing to risk everything to save their comrades….who give everything of themselves until they have no more left to give….and then they get right back up again and keep on giving because they won't give in to evil….because they know the meaning of self-sacrifice and loyalty. Those… Major….are the young men and women our country needs….and you…are not even fit enough to be in the same room as this young man…let alone breath the same air," she sounded, by the end of which she let out a huge breath, having quite astounded herself at her passionate, patriotic fervor and leaving everyone around her momentarily stunned.
It was timed to perfection for at that moment two Air Force Security Officers arrived to escort the unwelcome interrogators.
Major Bauer couldn't resist one last remark and not looking in the least bit worried about having to be escorted anywhere. "Let me tell you about our honorable little hero here," he sneered delightedly at Captain Conley as he nodded down to Scott. "It's people like me who have made him the cold-blooded little killer that he is."
Is that what he was? Is that what he had become? His mind was in such turmoil and his body wracked with so much pain he couldn't think straight. But what if it was true? Scott let out a soulful and agonising, 'Noooooooo'.
Righteous anger flamed in Cass at that moment, as he took in the self-satisfied, smirking face of Major Bauer and he saw red. Before he knew he had drawn back his fist and swung it hard, catching the Major right in the kisser, much to the delight, it had to be said, of Captain Sarah Conley.
Major Bauer reeled from the blow but soon straightened himself up again. He drew the back of his hand over his mouth and looked almost pleased that blood had been drawn. He licked his lip, tasting the blood as he rubbed at his jaw. "Well….I think we all saw that," he smirked with sadistic pleasure, looking around at everyone. "That is…a court-martial offence….boy. You just struck a superior officer…..in fact…I'm going to see you wind up in Leavenworth for the next twenty years," he stated, feeling more than pleased with himself that now he had Cass right where he wanted him.
"Hhmm…superior officer…that's debateable," Sarah Conley thought to herself. "Actually Major….that's not the way I saw it happen at all. I seem to recall you walked into the door-frame and split your lip….and that's what it will say in my report," Captain Conley said adamantly.
"Then I'll have you up on a charge of purgery…Captain Conley….and it will be my great pleasure to see you stripped of your rank," Major Bauer sneered viciously in her face. There now seemed no stopping the man, he was on an ego power trip of gigantic proportions. Something about 'power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely' somehow springs to mind! "And you, Decker…you saw what happened…didn't you?" he added, turning to his lapdog and asking with more than a hint of threat.
"Yes Sir…of course, Major," Captain Decker responded obediently.
Now why didn't that surprise anyone? The Major smiled insidiously and turned to the two waiting Security Officers. "I want this man put under arrest….like now," he ordered.
Sarah Conley shot a worried look to Cass. With serene calmness he smiled, believing now that his career was over. "Don't worry about me, Ma'am…..if I had it to do all over again…I would do the same….no
….actually..I think I would have hit him harder," he grinned, making her wince a smile. "It has been a great honor and my pleasure to serve under you, Ma'am….and my only regret is leaving you all," he added, beaming her his great big friendly smile.
"Oh Cass," she smiled weakly, having to put her hand to her mouth to hide her quivering lip and thinking all was now lost but then, you just never know from where help is going to come.
"Oh please….spare me the 'hearts and flowers' routine," Bauer snorted with utter contempt. "Now will you two just do your gawd damn duty and take this man out of here," he again ordered, looking at the two officers.
Sarah Conley looked pleadingly at the two Security Officers. The two Security Officers looked at each other and then took a look at Scott lying groaning in pain, with his face and throat marked.
"Well….what are you waiting for? Put this man under arrest," Major Bauer snapped impatiently at the two officers.
They looked once more at each other and nodded. "Would you come with us please….Major….Captain," one of the guards insisted strongly.
Bauer frowned heavily, annoyed at not having his orders carried out immediately. "What do you mean….I ordered you to put this man under arrest….you saw him strike me."
The two Security Officers looked at each other again, shrugged their shoulders and shook their heads as if they didn't know what he was talking about. "I'm sorry, Major….but we saw it the same way as Captain Conley…you walked into the door-frame and split your lip….nasty," one of the officers stated quite clearly.
The other Security Officer leaned close to Major Bauer. "It's like this, Major. Everyone here on the Base likes and respects Lieutenant Tracy…..and we don't like how he's looking right now. In fact….if word got out…well I just think you would be safer coming with us, Sirs," he advised with cool efficiency.
"Yeah….and besides…we don't like the way you spoke to Captain Conley either," the 1st officer cut in again. The Major hesitated, fuming that his plans had been thwarted. The two Air Force security guards automatically put their hands on their service weapons, prepared to draw and use them if necessary.
"I'll have you all arrested for this," Bauer threatened
"Of course you will, Major. But then you would have to arrest the whole Base….cus there isn't a man or woman here who wouldn't stand by Lieutenant Tracy…especially after what he's been through out there. And like I said…if word got out about how he looks now….well I don't think your life would be worth j..k s..t…but then that's just my opinion….so…I really think you would be safer coming with us….Major…
Captain!" the 2nd officer stated concisely and advised.
Sarah Conley drew a deep breath, grateful that her silent prayers had been answered. "Please…just get this trash off my Ward and out of this hospital….I don't want him near any patient ever again," she stated, trying to remain composed and dignified.
"Ma'am…..it'll be our pleasure," the two Security Officers replied and saluted and with that Major Bauer and Captain Decker were escorted from the room and from the hospital, though it had to be said the Major didn't look all that worried, just more, ticked off he hadn't got his own way.
The relief felt in the room once they had gone was palpable, as though an evil presence had left. Sarah and Cass both heaved a grateful sigh of relief. The soulful groan from the bed, however, served to remind them of the Major's persuasive methods and sent them hurrying to Scott's side, where Sarah was visibly moved by what she saw.
What she saw was a young man barely able to take breaths, his breathing rapid and shallow, his eyes rolling with the pain that was consuming him and who knew what was going on in his tortured mind. As well as that his face was reddened and swollen and she could only assume he'd been hit about the face; the bruising on his throat Cass had informed her likely came from the end of his stick. What she saw was a young man on the verge of unconsciousness.
"Oh Cass…how could anyone do this….let alone a senior officer. It's just beyond me," she said, moved by pity for the young man, as both she and Cass began to tend to him. "It's all right, Lieutenant Tracy…we're here now….you're safe. I won't let anyone in here again unless there's someone with you, I promise. We're going to try to make you comfortable and I'll get you something for the pain," she added with a pained smile, feeling somewhat guilty that she'd ever let those two in here in the first place. She turned her attention to Cass. "We're going to need to find out if he's got any other injuries we don't know about." Cass nodded his agreement.
"Ribs……br..bro…ken," Scott managed to grit out.
Sarah Conley winced. "We'll need to check those out, Cass….I'll get the portable scanner and pain relief. In the meantime put the oxygen mask on him," she instructed to which Cass nodded. "Talk to him, Cass, I'll be back in a moment."
Cass could see Scott was making an attempt to talk to him and it pained him to see his efforts. "Don't try to talk, Chey'nah…..just…you stay….with me," he encouraged Scott, giving him a weak smile. Cass was the most pleasant, easy-going and friendly guy you could ever hope to meet. He had a serene and calm aura about him that seemed to draw people to him, now he was anything but calm and serene; his blood boiled with righteous indignation.
"Wan…want..ed…to…know…wh..what…it…was…like…to…kill. Did…I…feel…any…any…thing. Wou..ldn't…tell…him," Scott gasped out between his painful breaths. Cass urged him not to say anymore, not to torture himself. "Di..didn't…feel. Sh..should…should've…felt…some…thing…..shou….shouldn't I?" he admitted to Cass, as he relived those moments in his mind.
It was pitiful and heartbreaking to listen to and Cass felt tears well up in his eyes when Scott reached out a trembling hand for him to grasp to help him ride out another wave of pain that was engulfing him. "Naaggghhh," and he felt Scott's hand automatically spasm around his own.
Scott watched now as Cass slipped the mask over his face, giving him vital oxygen; he longed to take in deep breaths, his rapid breathing exhausting him even more but his injury made that physically impossible. He kept his eyes firmly fixed on Cass as he gently wiped his face and body, drenched with sweat, as though he needed a focal point to concentrate on.
Within moments Captain Conley was back. Laying the scanner to the side for the moment she quickly upended the small bottle, inserting a needle and drawing off what was needed.
"No…no….mor…morphine," Scott breathed out.
"No…no morphine, Lieutenant Tracy," she smiled weakly. "But it's something equally as strong….it will help," she promised. Scott watched as she inserted the needle straight into his arm in order to get it into his system quickly and with that done Sarah checked his vital signs, concerned that all this extra trauma might be too stressful for his heart.
Something was bothering Sarah Conley, though. She guessed that his heart rate would be high and after checking it out it was confirmed and had probably been that way for some time, yet why had the alarm not gone off at the Nurse's Station, alerting them to the problem. They would have been in here a lot sooner. She was even more puzzled on looking up to the monitor panel and saw that his heart rate was reading steady; that just couldn't be, there was something seriously wrong. Perhaps their equipment was faulty but that didn't seem likely, they had the best high-tech equipment available and a fault would have come up as an alarm; then she spotted it.
"Cass! What is that? Up there on the monitor panel. It's not part of our equipment, I'm sure of that," she asked, her face set in a concerned frown.
Cass looked up to the panel and was puzzled too at seeing his heart rate reading normal when he knew it was anything but and he noticed what she was referring to. He released his grip from Scott's hand and went to the panel, examining closely, with concern, the device to try and determine what it was. "You're right, Ma'am….this isn't part of our equipment. I've never seen anything like this before."
It was Scott who gave them the answer. "Sup…presses…the…heart…rate….reading," he bravely gasped out.
Both Sarah and Cass looked at each other, unsure of just what he was saying. Well, there was only one way to find out. Cass tentatively put his fingers around the device, which was a small round object that fitted easily into the palm of your hand. He pulled it off and it came away easily, having only been held by some sort of magnetism. At once the reading on the panel shot up, registering Scott's true heartbeat and in the next instance the duty nurse from the Nurse's Station came hurrying in, concerned at the sudden rise on her monitors but she was assured they had everything in hand. Cass and Sarah looked at each with grave concern and were filled with even more anger, if that were possible, as the cold realisation sank in of just how callous and well-prepared Major Bauer had been. If he had such a device with him then it was obvious he had every intention of torturing this young man if he did not get what he wanted and he didn't want to be disturbed, allowing himself as much persuasion time as he wanted.
Cass slipped it into the pocket of his tunic, not sure what he was going to do with it but one thing was sure, he was not going to hand it over to Intelligence for it to go, conveniently, missing. He was suspicious enough to wonder, though, that if this Major Bauer was from a section within a section then, perhaps, even Intelligence didn't know it existed, making a chill run down his spine at how sinister and shadowy all this was. Sarah nodded, as though in silent agreement, at his pocketing the device and if the Major came looking for it, well, they didn't know what he was talking about for, after all, he was hardly likely to admit such a device existed. Even if he did they would just say it was passed on; they were only nursing staff and had nothing to do with his dark world of sinister intrigue.
Right now they had more pressing matters to attend to, such as tending this brave young man who had fallen foul of the insidious Major and his ruthless torture. Sarah passed the scanner over Scott's ribs, winced and swallowed back her emotion, as his own diagnosis proved correct, two of his ribs were now broken.
"We can at least be thankful they're not out of place, Cass…he's not going to need surgery," Sarah sighed with some relief. "Cass…we're going to have to lift him upright….I'm going to have to take a look at his wound…who knows what that….man…has been doing," she told him, having noticed the dressing lying discarded on the floor and wincing at the thought of causing him more pain but they couldn't roll him to the side now with his ribs. She told Scott what they needed to do and he knew he would have to brace himself for more discomfort but he was fast getting to the point of no longer caring.
"Chey'nah…..I will try to be gentle," Cass promised him as Scott held his gaze. Sitting on the side of the bed, as close as he could, Cass put Scott's left arm over his right shoulder and carefully supported Scott's left shoulder with his hand. Hooking his left hand under Scott's right arm he prepared to pull him forward off the pillows.
"Naaagggghhhhhh," Scott cried out at the discomfort of being moved. Once upright he felt himself supported against Cass's chest and, exhausted, his head slumped down onto Cass's shoulder.
Sarah closed her eyes briefly and put her hand to her mouth when she saw the damage that had been done. The vertical incision that had been made to repair the initial muscle damage from the bullet lay open and raw and it appeared the circular entry wound of the bullet had been probed, probably with some sort of needle, though on looking round she couldn't see anything and had to assume the Major had taken it with him. On top of that, angry red welts lay horizontal across the wound and his back, which she guessed must have been caused by that vicious swagger stick. She felt sick at the thought of what that man had done and at the indescribable pain Scott must have been in. She knew he must have cried out but it hadn't escaped her notice that he had, what appeared to be, finger marks to one side of his mouth, telling her that ruthless man had clamped his mouth to muffle any sound. The pillow where he had lain was stained with blood. She shook her head a little at Cass, letting him know it wasn't pretty. Taking a fresh dressing from a nearby drawer she tore open the sterile pack and held it gently to his back, telling Cass she was going to have to get a Suture Pack to close his wound. She left Cass to gently hold the dressing against his back.
He was drifting now but Scott was sure he could hear soft and rhythmic chanting; it was soothing. "You…chan…chant…ing…on…me Cass," he asked with a weak laugh.
Cass choked back his emotion, remembering his earlier sarcasm when Cass had given him his name. "Yeah….Chey'nah….I'm chanting on you. It is a….prayer of my people….for you to be strong," Cass smiled weakly.
"Thou…thought…that…was…fro…frowned…on…in…the…For…Force," Scott gasped out, his breathing still pained.
Cass winced a smile at his brave young patient's attempted dry wit. "Yeah…well…so's torture but it doesn't seem to stop some….so to hell with what's frowned on in the Force……if I want to chant….I'll damn well chant," he said defiantly and with a passion.
Scott couldn't help but find that funny, his face contorting in agony at his involuntary laugh. "Did…I…just….hear…you….swe…swear Cass!"
Cass beamed a pained grin. "Yes…Chey'nah….you heard me swear. Told you…you white men were no different from us," he replied. He became concerned when he felt Scott convulse a little and then go limp. He could feel him becoming weaker. "Chey'nah! Chey'nah! Stay with me, Chey'nah," Cass coaxed him gently, afraid that he was starting to give up.
"I…I…can…can't…do…this…any…any…more…Cass….too….hard," Scott groaned pitifully.
He had tried, he had really tried but he felt he just couldn't fight anymore; it was taking too much out of him, exhausting him, he had to concentrate on every breath. He was tired fighting and now he just longed for some peace, some respite and, perhaps, it was better like this; if what the Major had said was right, if he had become a cold-blooded killer. At least this way, maybe his family wouldn't think of him too harshly, they could think of the good thing he did in rescuing his friend. If he lived they would always look at him differently, always wonder would he kill again. He couldn't bear for his brothers to look at him with fear in their eyes, to be afraid of him, so it would be better this way; they could have their hero as a memory and he could have his eternal peace.
Concerned, Cass looked up to the monitor panel; he could feel Scott was fading. Whereas earlier his heart rate reading was high it had now dropped quite considerably. Cass moved the fingers of his right hand in under Scott's chin as his head rested on his shoulder and onto Scott's carotid pulse; he felt for some moments, becoming concerned at how weak it was when he eventually found it.
"Chey'nah! You can do this, Chey'nah. Stay with me. You are wolf…remember. The wolf is strong….he fights to survive….he survives because he is strong….he survives because he fights. You are wolf……Chey'nah…as I am wolf. We share our strength…..feel my strength….Chey'nah….use it," Cass encouraged him with heartfelt pleas.
"I…I…am…a….damn…..wolf…..aren't…..I?" Scott painfully responded.
Cass choked back a smile, as he cradled the back of his head, willing him to fight. "Yes…Chey'nah…you are a damn wolf. The wolf is strong for his family….his family need him…..your family needs you, Chey'nah…..you must fight," Cass urged him.
It was all Sarah Conley could do to stop her tears flowing for she had caught the conversation as she came back into the room. She crossed quickly to the bed and was also concerned to see his lowered heart rate.
"He is becoming weaker, Ma'am. He has lost blood," Cass said, having observed the blood stained pillow.
Sarah set about checking his vitals again after changing the blood stained pillow for the fresh one she had brought back and nodded her agreement with his assessment. After checking his medical records for his blood group she accessed the Haematology Unit to order up a supply and was alarmed when told they didn't it in storage, having used their supply for him during his surgery. What followed then was both remarkable and truly touching, a testament and mark of the great respect and high esteem that Lt Scott Tracy was held in.
A call went out over the Base, which has to be said is a vast complex, for anyone with his blood group and failing that O Negative would do in the interim until some could be flown in. Every man and woman at Da Nang Air Base turned out to give their blood and, as it turned out, a few were found to be suitable. But that was going to take time and he needed blood now.
"Take mine Captain Conley….we can get it processed quickly until we get enough sent up from the Unit…and in the meantime we can go with blood substitute…..it's all right….we are the same," Cass assured her, after he had asked her what she needed and what she needed was AB Positive type blood. He smiled at her slightly bemused expression that he wasn't as surprised by the fact they were the same as she was. You know, out of all the blood groups and all the people that could have been tending him you just happen to have the right group! "I told you, Ma'am….the ways of the Great Spirit are a mystery. Even those whose lives we touch…we do not touch by chance….but we meet for a time and for a purpose," he told her with his beaming smile, almost as if he had known.
"Are you sure about this, Cass?" Sarah asked, though she knew he wouldn't have offered if he wasn't.
"Chey'nah needs it, Ma'am….take it," Cass responded without any hesitation.
Sarah immediately got on the comm-link to the Haematology Unit and ordered the blood substitute to be brought up to Ward 5A as a matter of urgency and when it was known it was for Lieutenant Tracy it was given the utmost priority, arriving within a short space of time.
Sarah Conley nodded and in the meantime made preparation to set up the line for his donation. She had asked him if he wanted someone else to take over holding him so that he could lie down while donating but he refused, insisting that Chey'nah needed to draw his wolf strength from him. She didn't quite understand it all but she didn't argue for there was something about Cass that seemed to make things happen when conventional medicine and science had reached their limits.
Once his line was in and his native blood began to flow Cass couldn't resist a comment. "Now…we will be blood brothers, Chey'nah," he whispered, with a pained smile.
"Do..does…this…mean…I'm…gon…gonna…start…ch…chan…ting!" Scott responded weakly, unable to resist the sarky but good-natured comment.
Both Sarah and Cass had to smile. "Who knows, Chey'nah….you will have my blood running through your veins. If you open your heart and listen….perhaps you will hear the drum beat of your soul," Cass told him, trying to keep him awake and focused.
When the blood arrived Sarah quickly set about inserting Scott's transfusion line and was about to start work on his back when a thought flashed through her mind. Brothers! Family! The two words Cass had used now brought a cold realisation to her; that sudden moment when you just remember there was something you should have done but had forgotten all about.
"Cass….I just remembered. Mr Tracy is waiting to be put through…..I'd forgotten all about him. He's going to be worried….what will I tell him? We can't let him see his son like this," she whispered, not wanting to cause Scott any upset.
"We tell him the truth, Captain. It is his right as family to seek retribution." Cass told her honestly and without hesitation. "If Chey'nah were my son….I would want to know," he added on a personal note to make it easier for her.
Of course Cass was right. She couldn't keep this from him. The priority, though, was to get this wound closed again and dressed so she called in another nurse to begin while she spoke to Mr Tracy on the monitor.
Scott groaned and his body involuntarily jerked when the temporary dressing was removed but now that Cass had this hand free he cradled his head gently and began again his soft chanting, which Scott found himself focusing on and, once again found soothing, as a child listening to its mother's lullabies.
Captain Conley pulled out and across from the wall the flat screen communications monitor on its extendable arm. Every bed had access to one and could be used in a variety of ways, anything from tuning in to satellite television, watching the latest films on compact disc and listening to music to having a doctor conduct his diagnosis without having to be at your bedside and the purpose she was now going to use it, re-routing a vid-phone call; in essence, it would be just like Jeff Tracy were here, face to face with his son.
She angled it away from the bed so Scott could not be seen at this point for she needed to prepare him. Sarah drew a deep breath, feeling that knot in her stomach and wondering how on earth she was going to start. I mean, how do you tell a father whose son is already seriously injured that he has just been tortured and by his own people. She punched in a code and in a few moments the screen flickered to life.
Already Jeff Tracy was looking none too pleased about being kept waiting, his face stern and yet gravely anxious, hoping that the reason was not because of some emergency. "Mr Tracy….I am sorry about keeping you waiting. I'm Captain Sarah Conley and I've been over-seeing the care of your son," she began, with the courtesies of apology and introduction.
Jeff was a shrewd man; he could see that the Captain was slightly uneasy and hesitant, after all, he'd had plenty of practice with trying to draw information out of Steve Ryder but none the less he was polite. "Captain. I just want to talk with my son. Is there some reason I've been kept waiting?"
"Mr Tracy…I do understand you're anxious to talk to your son….and I know this must be hard for you being so far away….but this just isn't a good time. We're working with your son right now," she said, hoping that he just might be willing to call another time but, in truth, she didn't believe he would be put off so easily.
"What do you mean…working with him? And why is this not a good time? Captain…something has happened to my son and I want to know what you're keeping from me. Is my son critical….is he…?" Jeff Tracy insisted strongly, not able to bring himself to say it and imagining them to be trying to revive his heart. Was he destined never to see his eldest son alive again! That cold hand gripped his heart as he silently prayed that was not the case.
It suddenly dawned on her what the poor man must have been thinking and she sought to quickly reassure him, although from the way Scott was looking he wasn't far off it. "Oh no, Mr Tracy…it's not like that. Your son is alive…I promise you. It's just….well I really don't know how to tell you this….and I can only apologise that I let it happen on my ward," she began, hedging about as you do when you don't know how to begin.
"Well try, Captain. I want to know what's going on…..and I want to talk to my son," Jeff continued to insist. He was beginning to feel more than a little frustrated, knowing that just behind that monitor was his son and he so desperately wanted to see him and all he could see was a picture of his room and the Captain.
Sarah shot a quick glance to Cass who gave her a nod of encouragement. She drew another deep breath. "Mr Tracy….two officers…a Major and a Captain…came to see your son earlier this evening. They said they were from Intelligence…they wouldn't say exactly….just that it was a section within a section," she began to explain.
Jeff listened intently, his face set in a heavy frown of consternation; he was beginning not to like where this was going. "Go on," he encouraged, for of course he had to know.
There was no easy way to say it but with all the kindness and compassion she could Sarah Conley told him. "Mr Tracy….those men….those officers…..they…..interrogated him…and when he apparently didn't give them what they wanted…Mr. Tracy….your son was tortured."
