Don't own Chuck
Sarah grabbed a coat off one of the doctors then took the belt off of Greg to hold it shut. There was a gurney on the floor so a couple of the doctors helped her by putting the body on it then they covered it with a sheet. Sarah pocketed both the Glock and the remote before she went for Sam. When she took her out she tried to herd her towards the elevator but there was confusion on the floor as cart after cart of whole blood was being rushed up.
"I don't want to go I want to see Chuck," said Sam as she tried to pull free. "It's not fair and you promised me I could see him. I've got his lunch to give him," she said as she held it up with the other hand.
"Sweetie I'm sorry but something has happened and you can't. I'm sorry I know it's not fair but nothing can be done so please don't act up and try to understand."
"I'm five I don't have to understand," said Sam as she pulled away from Sarah then ran back down to the quarantine zone. Sarah ran after her but Sam was quicker she didn't have high heels. The first thing Sam noticed was the catsup mess on the floor someone had spelt. She was careful not to run in it or she would've slipped. She ran up to the glass and pounded on it until she got Chuck's attention. Sarah caught her after her second pound.
"Let me at least give him his lunch," she said as Sarah grabbed her. Chuck turned and saw the two of them. Sarah just shrugged her shoulder. He motioned to the intercom.
"Can you pass me that chair please," said Sarah. One of the doctors pushed a chair over so Sam could stand in it and talk on the intercom.
"Sam you shouldn't be here," said Chuck. "I've got to take care of all these sick people who include your Aunt Ellie." Sam looked over and saw her on the bed.
"I can help if you let me in," said Sam. "I can take her temperature and watch over her. I know how to do that. I did it for Morgan."
"I know you can but this bug is in the air in here and if you walk in you'll get sick like everyone else. It's not bothering me because I've already had it so I'm immune. That means it can't hurt me but it can hurt you."
"Is Aunt Ellie going to die," asked Sam as she stared at her. Chuck was a little shocked by her question but played it off then Sam explained. "I know that's what happens to people when they get really really old."
"Not if I can help it. Sam I really don't have time to talk to you I have to set up blood transfusions for everyone then I'm going to try and cure them."
"I... we brought you lunch. You need to eat and there are two double chocolate macadamia cookies to keep your strength up. I love you Daddy please save Aunt Ellie. Devon and Clara will be sad if she dies."
"I'll do my best now go with your mother. You can put the food in with the blood they're sending me. Any idea how long it will be before they get their hazmat suits back I could use some help in here?"
"I don't know but everyone is running around out here trying to get things together. You should have some relief soon. Are you sure you're immune?"
"It seems that way I should've had my first outbreak by now but so far nothing. I remember before it started off with a headache and I don't have that. Actually I'm too busy trying to keep all this blood flowing to think about being sick. Any idea yet why that idiot did this?"
"I haven't had any time to do an investigation. I'm like you alone everyone else is onboard the love boat having a good time including the General. I'll call the acting director for assistance."
"Sam come on I need to get you some place where someone can watch you while I do some work. How about I leave with the nice nurses at their station on the first floor?"
"Okay," said Sam as she nodded then she turned to the glass and kissed it. "Daddy, I love you please be safe and come home to us."
"Of course Sweet Pea I love you too," said Chuck as he put his hand on the glass and Sarah put hers on his."
"That goes ditto for me," said Sarah. She helped Sam down then they put Chuck's lunch with the whole blood that was sent inside. He held it up to them as he received the blood. Then he munched on a cookie as he hooked up blood bags. Once he got everything flowing he had a few minutes to better review Dr. McCoy's notes.
"It seems pretty straight forward," he said as he sat between Dr. McCoy and Ellie looking over the Doctor's writings. "Crap Doc, how much of the serum do I give?"
Suddenly the machine hooked to Ellie started going off. Chuck looked at her and flashed. She was going into cardiac shock her organs were about to shut down because of internal hemorrhaging caused by the lack of blood. He knew he had to do something so he did the only thing he could do he went got the jet injector and loaded it up the serum.
"Ellie, I won't stand by and let you go without trying everything. You took care of me now it's time I man up and take care of you. Crap," he said as he eyeballed the dosage. He wasn't sure he'd done the right thing or not but to do nothing would've meant watching her die and that he refused to do. Now he just had to wait and see. The only other time he'd felt this helpless was when he watched Sarah walk away but that wasn't going to happen here if he had anything to do with it. He took her hand and stood next to her.
"Ellie I don't know if you can hear me. I'm sorry I got you in trouble for breaking mom's necklace. Please don't leave me I still need my big sister."
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Casey, Alex and Morgan all met up in the common room before going to the Green Valley Restaurant. Casey gave Alex the once over and smiled telling her she reminded him of her mother. Alex appreciated the compliment but she was still waiting for Morgan to tell her something. But he was busy looking out the door making sure the triad wasn't setting up some sort of trap to jump him when he left the room.
"Morgan, I'm waiting what do you think? Dad says I look a lot like Mom at my age do you agree or disagree with him? Do I have to tell you what answer I'm hoping for?"
"How would I know I didn't know Kathleen back then? If Casey says you do then you do. He's the expert in all things Kathleen after all."
"I can tell you you're not the expert in everything Alex," she said more than a little angry. "Why do you keep looking out the door? If they wanted to take you out they'd just wait with a shotgun for you to peek out then blow your head off."
"Whack-a-troll that's what I'd do," said John. "Down, dead, done no hassles just smooth sailing a tad bit messy but they've got a cleaning crew onboard that seems to do a good job with messes."
"Yikes, I never thought about it," said Morgan. But he couldn't resist opening the door just a little almost a jar to look down the passageway.
"That's not the only thing you haven't thought about," said Alex as she picked up her bag and checked her Beretta cougar.
"Boo," yelled as he walked up behind Morgan. He jumped falling through the door out into the passageway in front of other guests who walked over the top of him.
"Geez John, you want to give me a heart attack," said Morgan. He picked himself up as the General and the Consul walked by with Hamid and her Major following up behind.
"You see this is why we don't permit drinking," said the Consul, "adult men making a fool out of themselves in public. It's quite embarrassing don't you think?"
"Without a doubt, Major check on that man and make sure he's okay," said the General as she gave Morgan a look. Hamid kept up with the two as the Major stayed behind.
"I don't need any help," said Morgan as he put on some righteous indignation. "Ettore La Barba is fine. John good job," said Morgan loud enough to be heard. "We spar that's how I keep him sharp," he said as he punched John in the stomach. His fist mad a dull thud and his eyes got big as saucers.
"Mr. La Barba you should make sure your fiancée is ready," said Casey. Morgan went in and put his hand in an ice bucket. "Thank you but as you can see we've got this under control." Casey shook the Major's hand palming him the ID card and the SIM he taped to the back.
"My boss was just concerned and wanted to help out. We hope to see you down in the dining room in a few," said the Major but instead of going down to the dining room he hightailed it back to their suite. There he called Langley.
"I need for you to run a name for me," said the Major. "The name is Jaspar Al-Ramadi. He works or worked at the Iraqi consulate here in L.A. I'll hold." As he was waiting he put the SIM in a reader then inserted it in a tablet where he accessed all the data on it. In particular he downloaded the contact list, all the messages, and the last numbers called as well as received then sent it to the cloud.
"I've got him down as the Cultural Affairs Officer," said the Watch Officer. "I called his office asking for him but I was informed he's out of the office on your cruise."
"Somehow I don't believe so or at least not anymore. I think he decided to walk home."
[In the Green Valley Dining Room]
Morgan walked in with Alex on his arm and Casey bringing up the rear. Morgan looked around as he walked in. It felt like everyone turned to look at him. He just smiled and nodded politely to everyone as one of the waiters came up to him and asked him his name.
"Signore Ettore La Barba," said Morgan. "You should know that if you were worth your salt. I hope for your sake I like my table or we're going to have a problem. I usually solve my problems with a bag of cement and a midnight swim if you get my drift."
"Yes Sir, I'm sure you're going to like it," said the waiter nervously. "Please follow me," he said then he led Morgan and the rest of his party through the crowd of thugs.
"What are you looking at," said Morgan. He thought the man sitting at the table was staring a little too hard at Alex and Ettore didn't like it. "My fiancée isn't a piece of meat hanging in the butcher's shop or are you looking at me either way I don't like it."
"Really and what are you going to do about it," said the man as he add something about Morgan's family tree in Basque. However, one of the people sitting next to the man grabbed him and whispered something in his ear.
"That's right tell him who I am," said Morgan. "Ettore La Barba in the flesh now tell your friend who he's messing with. I'd hate to start carving pig before our meal is served but if he keeps it up I'll carve off a couple of pounds of bacon right here. You can translate that too."
"I'm sorry," said the man. "I didn't know who you were. I apologize Miss I didn't mean anything I was just admiring your dress."
"Good now we have a seamstress among us," said Morgan. The man's face turned gray. "You got something you want to say?" The man shook his head. "I didn't think so…"
"Come on Mr. La Barba," said Casey as he pulled him away. "Okay you got your point across just pipe down and let's try to get through this meal in one piece. The General is at the head table with the Consul and next to her is that guy from the brow that had us shown to our cabin."
"This is your table," said the waiter. "I hope this is to your liking Signore La Barba. If not I can get you moved to anywhere on the floor you want."
"No, this will be fine, thank you. John, my good man, can you tip him I've seemed to have left my wallet in the room," said Morgan.
"I'm sure you did," said Casey as he pulled out a twenty. But Morgan reached into his wallet and pulled out a fifty.
"Never let it be said that Ettore La Barba is a cheapskate," said Morgan as he handed the man a fifty. "I'd like some bubbly bring us a bottle of champagne one of your… Ouch!" said Morgan as Casey kicked him under the table.
"Just bring us a bottle of wine, a good rosé will go with anything and a beer for me. Whatever's on tap will be fine," said Casey then he started to send the waiter away. "Wait who's that man sitting with the General at the head table?"
"Well there's the Ship's Captain, Captain Bligh don't laugh and the Consul then…," said the waiter. But Casey cut him off.
"No the other man on the other side of the General," said Casey. "The well-dressed man in the Armani tuxedo."
"Oh that's Mr. Hamid Al-Hussein, he's the one who organized this event for the consulate with the Friends of Iraq. Now if you'll excuse me I'll bring your wine and beer then take your orders."
"Why'd you do that for," said Morgan as he rubbed his leg under the table after the waiter left. "We need to get our menus first how are we supposed to know what we want?"
"Idiot it's a fixed menu," said Casey as he tossed Morgan the menu from the middle of the table. "You just have to tell him when he comes back if you want fish or meat? But in your case you might want to a side order of brains."
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Sarah took Sam down in the elevator to the first floor there she was met by Barbara, the Hospital Administrator and the head of security both wanted to know what was going on. Sarah left Sam with the Head Nurse then took them to Barbara's office. Sarah got them inside then closed the door behind.
"There's been an incident in the quarantine ward. This man," said Sarah as she showed them his picture she'd taken with her phone. "He released a canister of VHF agent inside the hot zone infecting the doctors there. I've got a team coming in but do you know who he was and why he might do this?" Sarah could tell by the look on their face that they knew something.
"This doesn't make sense," said the head of security. "That's Dr. Smyth but everyone call him Dr. Greg. He's the staff neurologist but this can't be right. I don't know why he'd do something like this."
"Barbara, you're being awfully quiet. Do I have to remind you that I can have this hospital closed down and put in lockdown until further notice? I think your trustees might not like that too well."
"Well that doctor had a run in with your sister-in-law. Ellie came to me and told me he was showing too much interest in the quarantine ward and what was going on there. She also said he was poking around in her research. Your General came and threatened to cut off our funding so I came down hard on him. You don't think I came down too hard do you?"
"The man was obviously mentally unstable to begin with so anything could've set. I'm going to need your office for a little while to make some telephone calls in private."
"Sure go ahead I'm going to go back out front and see if there is anything I can do. How bad is it up there?"
"It's bad. He forced Ellie inside before he released the gas so with what you're telling me it looks like she was his target and everyone else was just collateral. Now if you can leave me alone for a few minutes I'd appreciate it. I'll give you your office back in a moment."
Barbara left but the head of security hung behind then closed the door after Barbara left turning back to Sarah.
"I understand what you're saying about Dr. Woodcomb being the primary target but that doesn't explain how a klutz like Dr. Greg got a hold of the virus or how he had the smarts to make a remote triggering device to deliver the agent."
"No it doesn't and that question is what I intend to find out. But I'd appreciate it if you kept that on the down low at least for now. I need to make these phone calls now if you don't mind. Have your men secure the quarantine floor until my people can get here. No one except the CDC people in or out."
Sarah called their downtown office for assistance asking them to round up as many hazmat suits they could find tapping the military in the area. That phone call was easy in comparison to the one she needed to make afterwards. She looked at her phone then reluctantly placed the call.
"Devon, this is Sarah. … Chuck is fine but I need for you to sit down and listen. There's no easy way to tell you this except just to tell you. There's been an incident in the quarantine ward… Ellie's been infected. Devon, are you still there. Devon, can you hear me? Listen, Chuck is doing everything he can do to save her. Devon, Devon," said Sarah as the line dropped.
"Kiddo it's times like this I miss not being able to drink," said Sarah as she talked to baby Walnut. Her phone rang and she answered. "Agent Montgomery, you want to know what's going on. This is the story," said Sarah. Then she explained what happened and what she knew.
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The General was sitting at the head table with the Consul and the Ship's Captain. The Consul explained that the food was all rigorously halal with the expectation of the alcohol that the guests ordered. However, the consul suggested to the General that she try the Sunich peach nectar. As he was pouring the nectar her Aide came back and whispered in her ear then sat down.
"I'm sorry but my Major was telling me there was a problem back in L.A.," said the General as she sampled her nectar. "Mumm, this is very good."
"General, I hope everything is all right back in town," said Hamid. This had to be Dr. Greg, he thought. Now he needed to find out more. "Should we be worried?"
"Things are evolving is all I can tell you and my people are on scene. But I should have a better idea about what's going on soon. Mr. Hamid, did you lay all this out on your own? I might have to ask the Consul if he can lend you to me the next time I have to organize an event. This is pretty impressive."
"Thank you but I can't take all the credit. I didn't do all this by myself I had help from Mr. Al-Ramadi, our Cultural Affairs Officer. He was great assistance."
"Speaking of Jaspar," said the Consul as he looked around. "Where is he? It's not like him to miss a free meal." Everyone started laughing.
"He told me he got a call from the office and he had to run back to the office. He didn't make it back before we had to shove off and the Captain didn't want to wait."
"It was a question of tides," said the Captain. "If we'd waited we wouldn't have been able to sail the course we'd planned..." The Captain's explanation was interrupted by the First Mate who came up and whispered in his ear.
"Are you sure," said the Captain. The First Mate nodded his head. "Go and I'll be right with you. I'm sorry but something urgent just came up. If you'll excuse me..."
"I just hope it's not an iceberg," said Hamid as he took a bite of his fish. Everyone turned and gave him a look. "I was just joking."
"Mr. Hamid you should come with me. The problem has to do with one of our guests," said the Captain as he followed his napkin and placed it on the table.
"With our guests you said. Then I should come too," said the Consul as he started to get up but Hamid got up first.
"No Sir, let me handle this," said Hamid. "There's no reason to get you involved. If I need you I'll come and get you but for now leave this to me."
The General looked over at her Aide then over at Morgan and everyone at his table. She was alarmed when she saw the First Mate and some men from the ship's security force surround them then escort them off quietly.
"I don't like this," said the General to her Aide. "Go see if you can find out what's going on." Then she turned back to the Consul. "Do you mind pouring me some more of that peach nectar? It's very good and where does it come from?"
"Iran actually," said the Consul as he poured it. "You have to remember we're a part of the Fertile Crescent, the land of milk and honey."
"I don't know about that but this is good. I wonder what all that was about anyway. I wouldn't want to be you if something goes wrong here. I mean after the museum disaster and the Commandant now who knows what this is. But I'm sure your man Hamid will tell you after all he told you about your Cultural Affairs Officer missing the boat... Oh I'm sorry he didn't, did he. Well I'm sure this time will be different."
"Excuse me General but I'll be right back," said the Consul as he got up. Her Major was circulating around the dining room gathering intel. The General signaled for him to follow the Consul. Finally with everyone gone she dug into her steak, rare just the way she liked it.