Chapter 33: Lose Ends Continued...
Detention Cell: Major Rollins...Medical personnel were doing chest compression's on Major Rollins. Their attempt at resuscitating her was not working. Colonel Edwards made a frantic call for medical assistance after she fell to the floor. Jennifer started convulsing violently inside her cell. Once the door opened the medics went to work. The lead medic, Lt Royer, called the time of death at 0909hrs. Major Rollins joined her grandfather in the after life.
0902hrs: Integrations Room 3..."I wonder what the holdup is. The marines should have been her by now with Major Rollins." Col. Maybourne asked out loud. River was wondering the same thing. She had closed her mind off this morning. River sometimes got overwhelmed with other people's thoughts. "Col. Maybourne, may I have permission to go find out?" she asked crisply. "That's an excellent idea. I'll join you specialist." He replied with a sigh. Harry was bored just sitting around. He needed action both physical and mental. That's why he loved doing interrogations. It was always a challenge to break a person's will to resist.
The two walked down the hallway to the cell block. River went to a dead run leaving a perplexed colonel behind. He followed shortly calling out. "Hey, where's the fire at?" River did not respond as she kept running. River felt Major Rollins slipping away mentally. The major was radiating pain. River knew she couldn't help but needed to be there. Specialist Tam arrived blocked by two Airmen guarding the entrance. Harry caught up to her finally bending over catching his breath. "What the hell is going on Tam." He asked standing up to lean on the wall. "Major Rollins is dying colonel. I believe she was poisoned." She answered not a bit out of breath. 'Show off' Harry thought to himself causing River to smile.
"Sergeant Neal, what's going on in there?" Harry asked the young man gruffly. Standing tall he belted out "The prisoner started convulsing Sir. Colonel Edward then called for medics. I have no further information for you Sir." Sergeant Neal replied almost yelling the last part. "Damn the luck! We should have interrogated her right away. We have to find the NID mole." The colonel spit out. "Where's Colonel Edwards at Sergeant?" Maybourne asked without taking a breath. "He's still inside Sir." Replied the sergeant promptly. Harry looked to River for confirmation. She nodded affirming the marine statement. "Colonel Maybourne, the major has passed on." River informed Harry causing like a sailor.
1105hrs: Mars Base Little Field...Lt. Col. Gibson was sitting at his station monitoring earths space activity. He was there with Corporal Hooper and Private 1st class Leny. The other three were on lunch break having on the coin toss. Warning beeps came from the console indicating a very large ship about to exit hyperspace. "Corporal, can you identify the ship?" asked his commanding officer. "Yes sir, it's an Asgard Dreadnought Battleship. The one we've been told to expect Hooper." The corporal answered then continued. "The SFF codes match (Space Friend/Foe). Captain Grimnir is awaiting for your approval to exit hyperspace Sir." The corporal responded with excitement. He saw the video of Thor's ship. It looked both serene and dangerous at the same time. The dreadnought might be death incarnate for earth's enemies. "Have the captain cloak before exiting hyperspace. Have Grimnir land at secondary LZ Delta." (LZ usually reserved for captured goa-uld mother ships.) "Mars Base Littlefield actual to Captain Grimnir, cloak your ship and land at the provided coördinates over."he spoke into the mike. "Understood Mars Base Littlefield. O'Neill II will go ahead as requested." Grimnir replied like a seasoned space warrior. The two techs were disappointed at not seeing the warship gifted to them. Maybe they'd get to see it in person instead. "Pvt. Leny, inform Stargate Command that earths 2nd newest ship has arrived." The Lt. Colonel ordered with a smile. The goa-uld had better watch out. Their oppressive rule was about to come to a devastating end. Lt. Colonel Gibson didn't know how right he was. The universe as a whole would be shocked at earth's powerful emergence into space.
1021hrs: General Hammond's office..."Colonel Maybourne, please tell you know what the HELL happened? I don't like it when high value witnesses end up dead!" the general boomed almost making his office glass rattle. Both Harry and River stepped back mentally. They weren't at fault for the majors' death. The two just happen to be the unfortunate messengers. "Colonel Edwards was more than willing to talk Sir. He denied replacing the Advil with cyanide." River informed an enraged general. George just leaned forward with clasped hands. His forehead creased and eyes penetrated the pair. Harry was most definitely scared. His cousin and Teal'c had nothing on the general. "He did however confess to having a physical relationship with Major Rollins Sir." The colonel replied only to be yelled at in response. "I probed his mind Sir. They would have been together a year next week. Colonel Edwards didn't poison Major Rollins. The only thing I sensed was despair and shock at her sudden death." She explained bracing for more yelling.
"Then who the Hell did? Do either of you have an idea?" George asked getting up starting pace like a predator. Swallowing hard Harry continued... "We questioned Lance Corporal Burns. He told us that upon arriving that both officers were holding hands intimately confirming their relationship. Upon further questioning we cleared him. The marine did not tamper with the meal." He informed the general then continued before more yelling happened. "Lance Corporal Burns dropped by the infirmary by order of Dr. Chase. Major Rollins was complaining about a headache apparently. We believe that Doctor Chase is the one that provided the cyanide disguised as Advil." He informed the general. George had stopped at that bit of information. He turned looking at the two people in front of him. River read the generals mind seeing more rage building up.
"Colonel Maybourne and I along with some SF's tried to find the doctor. We turned the search over to Col. Hans Amsel & Major Henri Gruber of SG-39 (SG-39 Search & Destroy team). Then we immediately came to meet with you sir. The two offered to help us in the search along with SG-25." The specialist explained. "I see, when did you start this search colonel?" George asked sitting down finally. "We started immediately after the lance corporal informed us of Doctor Chase's involvement. That was roughly 30 minutes ago." Harry replied still on edge. "That means the doctor had about an hour to disappear then." The general surmised. "Yes Sir, the good news is that he hasn't left through the base entrance. The guards told us that they haven't seen him." River explained sensing Georges rage abating.
General Hammond picked up his phone getting hold of Walter. "Please page both Colonel Amsel and Lt. Colonel Reynolds. Have them double their search with all available teams. I want a complete search of the base." He ordered then hung up. George sighed running his hand over his bald head in exasperation. "I apologize Colonel Maybourne and Specialist Tam. I didn't mean to take my anger out on you. This whole weekend has been very stressful. There have been very few bright spots since Col. O'Neill was shot. While you're here Col. Maybourne I have some good news for you. Thor has a place for you on a Protected Planet. He's going to be here for an awhile. That should give you plenty of time to your affairs in order." George informed the man before him. "Thank you very much Sir. It won't take long to get everything taken care of." Harry said already making plans.
1015HRS: The Search...Sgt. Cobb and Airman Jones was searching in a seldom used Storage area. "Sergeant, you sure you haven't been in this area before." Airman Jones asked his search partner. "What, don't you believe me Jones?" He sniped back hoping cut off the discussion. To be perfectly honest Sofia and he came down here from time to time. "You just seem to know your way around is all?" Jones replied inspecting a dark corner with the light from his MP5. "Once you've seen one storage area you've seen them all."Jayne answered sweeping the opposite corner with an M4 carbine named 'Carrie'. "This area is clear Sergeant Cobb." Jones announced as they had ended up where they had started. "Damn, I was hoping to get some pay back for all those damn needless he used." Jayne replied back with disappointment. The airman just gave him a weird look as if he had grown another head. "Stop your gawking, the sooner we find this guy is the sooner I can finish Lethal Weapon 2." He said brushing past Jones to the next room.
In another part of the base Major Gruber was searching the garbage disposal room. He posted the airman that was with him at the door. Gruber didn't want his friend to be in this room. If he was Henri hoped would try slipping by him without confrontation. Henri didn't really want to kill his friend. If Justin was caught he most certainly would talk. The doctor's weakness was his daughter. Tonya's safety was always foremost on his mind. That's what kept most NID operatives in line, family. Fortunately he didn't have any children.
The major swept one area after another until he came across a partially open air vent. Major Gruber pointed his H&K USP45 at the vent using his free hand to move it. He was tackled from the side falling over losing his pistol. Doctor Chase picked it up as he went by. Before he made a run for it Justin fired 5 shots at the unknown person then ran for the door. Henri had moved enough for the bullets to harmlessly impact some trash bins. The doctor believing the person was alone ran right into the airman at the door. Having heard the gunfire Airman Neal waited with his MP5. Justin aimed the gun firing a couple of shots both missing. Neal fired two 3 round bursts killing Doctor Chase instantly. Henri walked up looking at his now dead friend. "Es tut mir leid es hatte, auf diese weise mein freund zu beenden." (I'm sorry it had to end this way my friend.) The major said picking up his pistol placing it back in the leg holster. "Make the call airman. The general is going to love this as you Americans say."
A/N: My apologizes for not posting here lately. I move recently and have misplaced my hot spot. My smart phone
isn't working properly as a HSpot either. I'm relying on McDonald for the time being. I also have some revisions to do when my internet is corrected. I've been informed that Pete's arrest by IA is wrong. That'll be corrected. The German translations aren't entirely correct either. They'll be fixed at the same time. Thanks you for your patience.
LWO