Ellie was getting frustrated the scans said something was going on with the tweak she just made but the results were not positive. She unconsciously rubbed her shin which Frost had slammed the tray into it. Frost had tried to escape again. Boy Dad was right. She is dangerous. How she managed to slip the manacles once again was beyond her. Perhaps she was getting help? But who could it be…? Ellie brought up the recordings in her cell. Only her trusted aide Sue was ever in there. Sue…? Could she be a substitute too? Ellie contacted her Father which sent the disarm command to her computer. From there it was broadcasted all over Castle.
Ellie heard the alarm for lockdown. Oh no what now? Ellie thought as she stepped out of her lab. There were people down everywhere. Ellie touch their necks. No pulse they were dead. Another strange thing was it looked like only she and the two prisoners were alive. Luckily they were still tranked from the last test. Ellie moved to the main computer to scan outside Castle. At this point Orion appeared.
"Eleanor, I saw the lockdown in Castle had occurred what is going on?" Orion said looking at all the slumpt over bodies.
"Dad I can not get the over ride to work. Castle has a contagion which has rendered the facility unusable. I'm not sure what happened. I seem to be still healthy and so are Volkoff and Frost. Everyone else had died even in the containment room." Ellie said.
"That is strange…Did you notice anything unusual before the lockdown occurred?" Orion asked.
"No I had just sent your shut down code into the mainframe and this occurred. Do you think your code triggered something in Castle's mainframe?" Ellie asked.
"That I do not know Daughter Charles designed that I will have to consult with him and get back to you…In the mean time a strike team will keep Castle secure from the outside as if this was an attempt to break out Alexi." Orion said. "It may take awhile why don't you find out what killed all these people?"
"Right Dad keep busy and ignore the fact I am cut off from food or water. Those in here have to be suspected of being adulterated somehow." Ellie lamented.
"Keep up your spirits Eleanor we will be working on it from this side." Orion said as he disappeared.
"Keep your spirits up? Dad how is that possible?" Ellie said to the empty Castle.
Ellie was not a trained Pathologist but she managed to get tissue samples and started the analysis it was not too long before the results were in.
What this can not be right. They died of Asphyxiation? It was evident each air way was blocked as if they all had an allergic reaction.
"Allergies…That has to be it." Ellie said brightly.
She searched the personnel database and found they were all allergic to peanuts. She did an environmental testing and found Peanut oil everywhere. This troubled Ellie. How could a major facility be staffed with people all allergic to Peanuts? Some thing was not right.
Orion reappeared.
"Dad it was peanuts!" Ellie said.
"What do you mean Eleanor? I spoke at length with Charles and he said that LARA did not detect anything wrong until it did. However, he did say that there was a trigger in the code to release these canisters which were just installed a few weeks ago. It was also the time of the Personnel shift. It was after the first lockdown that these orders were given to exchange personnel." Orion said.
"Dad… Who gave the actual exchange personnel orders? It had to be someone in the Manpower dept. I suspect pretty high up too." Ellie said.
"Not only Manpower…Eleanor People staffing building and facility maintenance too." Orion said. "They approved the modification of inserting these canisters filled with Peanut oil that was aerosoled through out Castle."
"Yeah Dad…That makes sense..." Ellie said.
"Eleanor that also means there is a substitute in and among the dead. Go look for the silver bag over the head." Orion said as he disappeared and reappeared in several places in Castle.
Finally he found what he had been looking.
"Eleanor over there in the staff lounge will be what we are searching." Orion said appearing in front of her.
He then disappeared and reappeared in the Staff Lounge. Ellie moved to the person that was substituted. She removed the bag then rolled the woman over. Ellie gasped it was her aide Sue.
"Dad you knew didn't you?" Ellie said looking down at her dead aide.
"Eleanor I suspected she was a plant. This is bad. Alexi had setup Castle. I think what he just did not anticipate was you my Daughter and Charles' AI. I guess you were the wild cards. If you did not go into lockdown the known associates of Volkoff would have been able to walk right in and take them both." Orion said. "With the strike team outside, they can not follow their plans. I suggest you isolate yourself Eleanor."
"Why Dad…?" Ellie asked.
"Because there might be more traps." Orion stated.
\\\\\
Chuck was waiting in the Van outside Vivian MacArthur's estate. Each team member was nervous. Vivian had returned to her Estate about 4 the next afternoon. It seemed like elves had been on her estate since her office was pristine she moved her fingers over places she saw being shot up from the sniper fire. There was no trace of any damage. Then she entered the stables and found only one mistake. Wilfred and Winfred were reversed. The horses sure looked alike being twins but only she knew by their eyes and how they stood in the stalls.
The horses were led out one at a time. She brushed down Winfred then led her out to the exercise yard. She saw that the night's activity did not cause any of them injury. Vivian was relieved that was the only thing which occupied her mind. Meeting the bad guy lawyer was not even a blip on her radar for things to worry. After the workout and another good brushing Winfred was placed in her stall. The horse seemed very grateful to Vivian. As she was exercising Wilfred her personal secretary Stacy came up to her and whispered in her ear.
"Riley is here." Stacy said then withdrew.
"Show him to my office…I'll be in shortly" Vivian replied.
"Ok Vivian Bryce is just a few feet away. Don't worry we are here for you" Chuck said in her earwig.
"Oh I'm not worried at all" Vivian replied straightening her vest as she walked into the manor house.
"Ok Bryce you know what to do". Chuck said as one of the bad guy's body guard was tranked then Chuck mapped his features on to Bryce. Sarah and Barker took care of the body guard while Bryce slipped in. As been pre arranged Bryce stood behind Riley and gave Vivian the sign. As they walked up together Riley placed his hand out which Vivian ignored.
"Ah Ms. MacArthur I am Erick Riley…It is good of you to make time to see me" Riley said.
"Well Mr. Riley my Personal Secretary tells me that it is somewhat urgent? So Mr. Riley what is so urgent?" Vivian asked sitting behind her desk.
Riley was put off by Vivian's manners but then he remembered this was Alexi Volkoff's Daughter after all. He should not expect her to behave any different than him.
"Yes I am Erick Riley Esq. I am the Barrister for your Late Father's estate. Alexi Volkoff." Riley said.
Riley looked for any emotion but saw none nor were their any quizzical features. That worried him.
Chuck spoke in Vivian's ear.
"This is perfect you have him very concerned. Now tell him you know about your late Father since you have done research on him. Go ahead and open your file on your desk." Chuck said.
"Mr. Riley do not be so concerned…I know who my late Father is…My Mother told me before I had her killed. He is Alexi Volkoff born in the Ural Mountains the only survivor of a terrible mishap that the Russian authorities tried to keep quiet. He was a Col in the ex KGB and then when glasnost happened he branched into Capitalism selling third rate guns to Arabs. From that humble beginning he now controls the most powerful collection of Murderers, Thugs and supplies about 58% of all weapons world wide. He is also responsible for many deaths too. Yes Mr. Riley I know who Alexi Volkoff my late Father is indeed." Vivian said fingering the coin Orion gave her.
"I see well then as a duly representative of Volkoff Industries I invite you to Moscow to visit his headquarters and assume your rightful place, the head of Volkoff Industries." Riley said as the pen he offered her to sign the papers gave her a pin prick.
"Oh don't be alarmed it is only a sedative and a fast acting one…When you wake up you will be in Moscow. Just close your eyes and sleep." Riley said.
Chuck in her ear spoke.
"Vivian you've been drugged but don't fight it. We have you covered. Bryce will be the one to carry you. Don't worry." Chuck soothed.
Vivian slumpt over as Bryce picked her up and placed her in the car for the ride to the airport.
"Wheels up folks we are heading to Moscow" Chuck said to the team.
The team assembled at the hanger. Their jet now had the insignia of the Russian Federation. Sarah and Casey had changed into Major and Captain Uniforms of the Russian Air Force. Chuck, Carina, Barker all loaded into the Plane. The flight was quick and had beat Alexi's plane carrying Bryce and Vivian plus 5 other bad guys by several hours. The Team was met by Morgan who had procured their base and weapons needed for an all out assault if needed. He had been send ahead and met them outside the Russian Military base. Sarah had to go to the Base Commander to report in. The passengers all loaded the equipment in a hanger without prying eyes. The transfer complete Casey also was recalled to the Base commander's office.
Morgan drove a few miles the entered a warehouse. Stopping he welcomed everyone to Moscow.
"I know it is not much but you can see Volkoff's headquarters down the road and it is in range for our tech" Morgan said "plus the price was right only 150,000 rubles…I mean what a steal huh?"
Chuck looked around the decrepit building and smiled.
"Yes Morgan you did well! This I can work with set up the anti spying equipment we only have a few hours before Bryce and Vivian arrive." Chuck said.
Casey waited in the stiff chair trying not to squirm. He hated wearing this uniform but he had to play his part. The door opened and Sarah's laughter could be heard.
"Why Michel you are such a naughty boy! I'm sure after my next flight I would love to see your dacha." Sarah said. "But now just sign my leave papers and those of Captain Vickovich. It has been a cold winter and I need to get warm."
Sarah exited the room with the signed papers. Then her demeanor changed immediately and barked her orders at Captain Vickovich to follow her.
Casey stood and followed her out.
"Great Walker Chuck has made contacted with Morgan. We are to meet him outside the gates in 3 mins." Casey said.
"Well then Captain I suggest we hurry then." Sarah said stiffly.
Morgan was waiting in the car outside the gate as Sarah and Casey emerged. They quickly got in and Casey just glared at the bearded gnome to not say a word.
Morgan stepped on the gas then took them to their temporary headquarters.