Thirty minutes later we had secured the main area and also found our subject hiding in a small corridor that was not on the floor plans, as Ross removed the subject I came across a small lab burrowed away in a dark room, it was covered in old chemical bottles and storage containers that dated back to the 1920's. I looked through them all and bagged ones that could lead us to find out what agent the other team has been exposed too. I heard the crews setting up the equipment in the corridor and I headed through to them to grab some gear from the technicians so I could start testing. I double knocked on the door and called over the radio to Brian, the leader of Team four.
"Brian, its Mac – I need you to open the door and then stand back alright!"
"Copy" called a loud voice.
I walked through the open door and saw everyone sitting around the table covered in white powder but looking seemingly unharmed, minus Brian who had been slashed across the arm. He was my first target as I verbally checked with everyone else. I washed the wound out and wrapped it up in a secure bandage, taking care to remove all traces of blood and used dressings.
"Alright guys, I know swimming lessons are old school but this is a little extreme to get out of them!" I said lightening the mood.
They all chuckled and as Ross came back into the room, we got started on drawing blood from everyone and taking samples of the white powder for analysis. We let them know the updated SOP and what was happening next due to the Hazmat and Decon showers being readied for their arrival; I moved Brian first and then one by one they were hosed down and transported by secure units to the hospital containment ward.
"Alright, we have enough samples and it's time for the teams to come in and scrub the area, we need to get these to the lab outside and get started on its analysis," I said grabbing all the samples and following Ross out the basement.
I kept tabs on the team as they were transported and as I stood in the huge showers outside on the pavement I got a call over my radio from Parker and the rest of the team.
"Hey, love the outfit Mackenzie! Which tellytubby are you?"
I looked at Ross who was laughing in response and I grinned considering these suits were pressurised and contained our oxygen supply too, I clicked on my radio and as I walked out the showers I waved to them on the other side of the pavement – they all waved back and were taking photos!
"Guys, your meant to be a highly skilled team of combat technicians – do you want me to get my team ready for early physicals?" I said laughing.
"Aw that threat doesn't work with us anymore, Spike told us what a big softy you are with him and he would be the first to run!" Wordy replied laughing.
"You do realise all I have to do is point to you over there and yell 'contain!'"
That shut them up and I saw them put away their phones and look about the place innocently; I laughed and headed to the technicians who helped me unzip the suit and relieve me of the tank strapped to my back. I passed the containers with the samples to the lab technician who was ready for them and told him I would be ready in a moment after I gave an update, I ran over to the cordon line and stopped them crossing the secondary barrier.
"Team Four are looking good for the moment and Brian is being treated for his injury on route to St Mike's Hospital, subject contained and he has been transported for processing in that truck over there – the Federals are dealing with him for the moment due to the nature of the chemicals found. I'm heading to start tests with Dr Garver and Dr Kelli of Hazmat and Decon; I'm on the radio if you need me or contact the hospital if i don't answer."
"Copy that Mac – you really didn't want to start the DIY did you?" Spike asked.
I looked up at him and grinned.
"That's man's work Spike, that's why Wordy was coming across and we were having a bbq tonight!" I replied.
I saw Wordy lean over the Spike and heard him whisper 'busted!'
"Guys I need to go alright, see you at the barn when this is finished with!"
I ran off to the mobile lab truck and we headed off to the hospital.
It was the back of six at night when I got out of the hospital, it was a crazy day that started at eight and finished an hour ago after finding out the results of the tests we were performing; I had gone into the containment unit with Ross and gave them the good news:
"Please tell us its good news?" asked Tony and John.
"Talcum powder mixed with corn starch and a strain of the common cold." I replied handing them the test results.
Everyone just looked at me as I handed them the results I printed out.
"The device you tripped released the powder that had been contaminated with the virus, it was kept alive by a moisture strip and sugar; we went over the results three times to check – worst thing to happen to you is a runny nose and a headache. You are being kept overnight just in case and I have bags from home for each of you and as long as there is no lasting effects, you can be home for lunch tomorrow!" I continued.
"Talcum powder and the common cold, that's what we tripped?" Brian said disbelieving.
"I know it doesn't make sense to me either, but we've run the tests multiple times and it's the same findings. Think you managed to get a lucky break!"
I was surrounded by a very happy team and Ross passed everyone their bags as I left them to chill out, I headed up to the main reference lab and handed over copies of the results to the investigators and Federal researchers who were on standby; ten minutes later I was dropped off at Dundas and George and picked up my car from the uniform on standby.
"That's good work today Officer, shows the SRU are cross trained!" came a voice from behind the car.
I turned around and saw another uniform come down the small pathway, he was in full uniform and I wasn't aware of any ceremonies today but he looked striking in full regalia.
"Doing the job Officer, award ceremony?" I replied.
Something didn't feel right with this guy and I was backing off slightly, I clocked another three uniforms on the pavements moving in my direction and I knew instantly that this was trouble; I stopped and reached into my bag to get my car keys, the man flinched slightly and I wrapped my hand around my firearm and pretended to search in my bag. A flash of someone moving and I dropped my bag as I ducked behind the car when the first shot rang out.
'Aww for the love of…'
The other uniform had dropped beside me and stayed down, I crawled across to him and felt his pulse, He was dead, bullet through the neck; the sound of the gunfire and the cordons around the area had kept people out the danger and I peeked over the bonnet of the car and ducked as another shot rang out and hit the side of my car. I ducked again and then took aim and shot the first attacker at close range, he wasn't getting up again. I checked with the reflections in the buildings and had seen one of the other uniforms had made a run for it and the main one was still getting closer to me through the pillars in the plaza; I could hear the sirens that were about ten blocks away and I knew it was my team. I took another look and after getting shot at again I fired and heard the man yelp in pain.
"You can't hide from us Fraser, my employer wants you badly and he is prepared to do anything to get you! Why don't you just come out and save the pain you put your friends through on a daily basis?" he shouted.
"Go to hell and take Toth with you! I never want to see him again after what he put me through, what purpose does he have with wanting me huh?" I yelled back.
I was checking the reflections again and I bounced up and aimed at the figure hiding behind the last pillar, he was wounded and unstable on his feet. I knew that could be a trick and I wasn't wearing a vest, so I kept behind my car and shouted over to him.
"Looks like I scored you a sore one, how about surrendering and it can get seen too?" I shouted over the sirens now blazing a block away.
"I have a message from Nathan Toth. He said for you to be ready."
It was silence for a moment and then I smelt it, a strong smell of almonds being roasted; my brain clicked immediately and I ran to the car and pulled a scarf out and wrapped it around my face tightly and pulled on some latex gloves that I kept in the car. I took aim and slowly headed over to where I could now see a dead body lying across a small garden box, by the colour of him he was past all help I could get him. I kicked away his gun and then turned back the way I came at a run as the smell of almonds was too strong. I ran up the path coughing and headed smack into a couple of cops who immediately drew their weapons on me.
"DROP YOUR WEAPON OR WE WILL OPEN FIRE!" they shouted.
"My name is Mackenzie Fraser of the SRU, badge number 1314; I have been attacked by these men and defended myself!" I yelled over the sirens.
'Great, so it wasn't SRU sirens!' I thought to myself.
"GET ON YOUR KNEES, HANDS BEHIND YOU BACK!" They yelled.
I had unclipped my magazine from the weapon and kicked them over to the officers who must be unfamiliar with SRU personnel; they kept their weapons trained on me and within seconds I was lying flat on the ground handcuffed and getting dragged up onto my feet.
'Fantastic, they think I am a cop killer!'
"Officer, I am a member of the Strategic Response Unit and I was attacked in broad daylight after attending a Biohazard threat this morning, I defended myself and want you to contact my Sergeant!"
"SHUT UP!" he yelled at me.
I was moved to where my car was and pushed down onto the pavement with a little too much force for procedure, I stretched my shoulders out and waited on the Calvary coming to my rescue; the other officer found my car keys but not my bag that contained my shield and ID which could be problematic for ID purposes. I heard a second set of sirens coming around the corner and I was moved into the back of the squad car and driven to the main station to be processed.
Two hours later I was dropped off at the barn with full apologises from the officers who arrested me, it didn't help that they had contaminated the evidence for the SIU investigators but I was hoping the incident was caught on security footage so we could get a lead on who started this crappy day! I walked through the backdoor entrance and headed up to desk to get blank report files so I could do the paperwork before anything else happened to me!
"Mackenzie just had a call from Metro – they contacted Ed and he is on the way in with the rest of the team after apologising to him about earlier and the lack of respect given to a fellow sister!" Winnie called a while later.
'Aww double crap with crunchy bits!'
"Sorry Mac, they contacted him because of SIU!" she apologised.
"S'okay Winnie, saves the briefing!" I replied.
I knew they would be here within twenty minutes due to traffic so I headed off to get a coffee and file my records with Winnie – as if right on cue, by the time that had been done they all came running in.
"Hey guys – really need to stop this before it becomes a habit!" I joked.
They all looked like they were about to blow several gaskets.
"What the hell happened – we thought you were in the hospital until we got a call from Ross saying you had cleared them and left hours earlier?" asked Spike.
"Well I got back to my car at Dundas, spotted something wrong and then all hell broke loose. Two subjects went down by my weapon, officer from 14th was KIA. Third subject killed himself with Cyanide capsule; that's when I was arrested and moved to Metro for processing by some dumb ass rookies! How was your day hunny?" I replied looking at him.
"Are you alright – did you come in contact with the cyanide?" Spike demanded.
"Nope, smelt it quickly enough and took precautions; also alerted the crew of the dead body and it was a biohazard threat – that didn't get taken very well and I was further arrested for terrorism threats!"
I was standing there in the middle of the meeting room and I just started to laugh at the priceless looks on their faces, one by one they all started to laugh along with me and within moments we were sitting around the table howling with laughter – Winnie and Team two must have thought we had lost it!
"Seriously, this week has been unreal – what the hell is going on?" I said drying my face off with a towel.
Parker appeared at the door and took a look at us, we were all red faced and drying our eyes on anything we could find; he walked in and just looked at Ed who was cooling his face off with a wet cloth.
"You guys been eating the mushrooms outside?" he asked.
We all burst out laughing again and I went over to hug Parker and drag him to the library for some privacy from the lunatics in the meeting room. He looked at me and I patted the seat opposite me so we could talk.
"Are you alright – why didn't you call for back up?"
"Didn't have time as it happened so fast and I had to take cover; it was Nathan Toth's crew, he sent them as a message to me to be ready – I don't know what that means but it's obviously a threat of some kind." I replied.
I was pacing again, sorting out the information in my head and getting information in order to go over the details; it was really annoying trying to do so when my heart was beating too fast and I was exhausted. I sat back down on the chair and looked at him.
"I tell you what, tonight I can start a basic profile on the guy, get all the details up on the system and make a few phone calls to find out more information about what could be going on. I've got contacts in Interpol, Mossad and the US State – maybe they can answer some questions!"
He kept on looking at me, staring into my eyes in the way he profiles you; it always made it impossible to lie to him once he knew your tell.
"Greg, I did not bring this on myself and I am dealing with the fallout of everything pretty well, I don't want to scream or shout, run away or do something stupid – I just want to go home, shower and have some food."
He kept looking at me and I sighed, I got up and headed to the door with a wave – he called to me softly and I turned back around.
"You break my heart every time you walk away – why can't you just tell us what is going on in your life?"
I looked at him and walked forward, did I just hear him right?
"What?" I whispered surprised.
"Every time you have walked out on a conversation you take me apart; you are a daughter to me and I need to know how you are handling these events in your life? Why can't you just tell us?"
"I am being honest with you, I have just said I am going to do a profile pack for you tonight and hand it in; where you even listening to what I said?"
"You are not fine are you?" he asked, taking my face in his hands.
"No I'm not fine, I am terrified of these bastards coming after you guys, I am terrified of waking up each morning and maybe finding Spike dead beside me! Or hearing of a mass murder in a police station on my day off – there is a lot of things that I am not fine about but I do my best with what I have left! It's not easy boss, I am 28 years old and I have been blown up several times, shot, nearly turned into a roman candle and had to deal with a personal death toll of 500 people I had to pronounce in a single week. I can't sleep some nights because I'm too scared to close my eyes. In other nights I crawl into bed and am thankful for being able to survive one more day and that everyone I love is alive and safe!" I yelled back at him.
He grabs me tighter and I clasp his wrists, something is wrong with him and I don't know if it's the stress or he is actually going to freak out on me?
"So you are afraid! According to the police report you stood up undefended and took two subjects down, the third committed suicide after delivering a message to you." He replied.
"Yeah, and I told everyone that earlier on – what's your point?" I demanded.
I was getting annoyed now, I was sore and tired and had to deal with SIU while at the station downtown due to the incident – I wanted home for a bath and comfort food but apparently I now had to have a serious chat with boss.
"Your being reckless with your own life, and you don't even know you're doing it!" he replied.
I actually took a step back at his words, I never asked for any of this crap to happen to me or anyone else and I sure as hell didn't want it to continue anymore!
"You are so out of line!" I said shocked.
I turned back around and walked out the room; I grabbed my bag and jacket and called on Spike who met me at the desk with a grin and a cuddle.
"Ready to go home?" he asked smoothing my fringe.
"More than you know!" I replied looking at Parker.
He looked towards Parker and then back at me, he instantly saw there was hostility and turned to the boss, Parker looked at him and I tried to tug Spike away so we could leave.
"What's going on guys?" he hissed.
"Nothing, difference of opinion on recent events – come on, I want to go home!" I replied pulling him towards the exit.
"Mac, stop and listen to me!" Parker pleaded.
I turned around at Spike's touch and faced him, I was seriously pissed and just wanted to go home, and he guessed we argued in the library but he wanted to find out why!
"Please be careful, talk to us and let us help!" he pleaded again.
"Se sostenete me come tua figlia, impara ad avere fiducia il mio giudizio e stop trattare me come fragile vetro - sarà sbagliare, ma io sono spaventato e voglio a tutti di sicuro" I called to him.
Spike would be the only other person who would understand what I had just said, it was personal and I was hurting; Spike jumped on the sentence and looked at us both since we were both red eyed.
"Mac – what the hell is going on between you too?" he demanded.
I looked up at him and wiped tears away.
"I just got grounded!" I hissed and walked out the SRU.