A/N: Don't own anyone but the usual suspects...
No excuses for the overdue update.
Guantanamo Bay...One year prior...
The Major eased into the seat, feeling the back top part of her head throbbing still. Doc Rios cautioned giving her any more too soon. He decided spacing out her visits was best in dispensing Imitrex as it was a potent migraine medication with no more than 200 milligrams every 24 hours. And that was IF she had a headache.
Her fingers massaged her achy temples, waiting for the magic touch of the drug to kick the pain out. She knew what day it was, where she was, and everyone's names and ranks present in the room. Well, except for Tex, who was the lone civy on board.
"Major, we need your help."
The Major blinked absently at the Captain who continued. She took a drink of coffee, silently beseeching the caffeine to accelerate the looming silence.
"Dr. Tophet was supposed to take you and Dr. Scott across the bay to the Vyerni. We're going to do just that."
"Wait a second," the coffee nearly sprayed across the table as she had to refrain from shaking her head instead waving her hands in a frantic gesture. "Did I hear you right? You want to deliver us to him!? After telling him to piss off so nicely back in the cantina?!"
Had Quincy slammed the butt of the gun harder than she or Doc Rios suspected!? Just what in the HELL was going on?!
"We need to provide a distraction." He continued, waiting for her to collect her composure.
"Oh," still, she was confused; slightly but it was gradual in clearing from the fog that was her mind.
"Since Ruskov set mines in the harbor, we have to find another way out." Slattery chimed in.
"I see," the Major smiled humorlessly. "Send in the grunt to do a sea bees' job. Sound like the Air Force and Marines."
Tex chuckled but no one else was finding the humor in her words.
"The idea is to send three people as originally planned but with something extra."
"So, stall the Vyerni while the James sneaks away into the night." Tex finished the Captain's words.
"Precisely," the Captain nodded. "The boat will have timed explosives which will be set once a certain point is reached. It's all about timing."
"So the Major here has been drafted to play on the team." Tex couldn't help himself.
"Exactly Tex," Chandler acquiesced. "But the RHIB will pick them up once we see the Vyerni light up."
"So who else will be joining me on this three hour tour?" The Major felt the dull throbbing slowly subside which made the brightness in the room less painful to her eyes. "And does the doc know about this? Considering he made it rather clear I can't do lab work let alone the idea of playing Battleship with the Russians."
"XO Slattery explained to Doc Rios what our plan is. While he wasn't thrilled at the idea, he said he would reexamine you before departure to determine if you are able to play 'Battleship' as you put it." Green had to suppress a smirk at the reference. For being on board for less than 72 hours, the Major was quite a firecracker.
"Well knowing the Major here, she would do it regardless of what the doc says. I mean she did go Rambo back in the warehouse on Gitmo without a second thought." Tex offered support for his comrade.
"Thanks Tex," she pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "That was supportive but unnecessary."
"Anytime Chief!" He slapped her shoulder a couple of times. She was going to have to sit him down for a nice chat after they got out of Cuba.
"Major, you will head down to see Doc Rios and get checked out. He'll let me know what the verdict is." Chandler went for another round of coffee. It was going to be a long night based on the atmosphere settling into the room. The Major and his XO had exchanged a few daggers but were discreet in their actions.
"So how do I fit into this Commodore?"
Gator rolled out the topographical maps of the island, specifically the bay and harbor. Where the main entrance to the harbor was sat several large hand drawn X's. "Ruskov has the mouth of the harbor lined with mines. But," his finger went to another location, one that was smaller and much more narrow. "There is this old channel where they run cargo ships and smaller vessels in."
"No, no they stopped dredging that channel a while back. Coral grew back up." Tex shot the idea down in a dejected tone.
"But we can send a couple of torpedoes and blow it back open. Smith and Bertram didn't die in vain."
"Yeah but shooting torpedoes aren't exactly subtle or quiet." Tex shook his head.
"Hence the distraction," XO Slattery grinned. The Major wasn't sure if it was because she could be sent out into the danger zone or if he wanted to see the Vyerni light up or both. She suspected all three knowing what she little she did know of him.
"Anything else I need to be aware of Captain?" The Major was now standing at the coffee maker, helping herself to some of the watered down shit that was supposed to pass as coffee. She made a note to talk to Tex about seeking the real stuff when they did another stop or supply run. This was worse than horse piss.
"Once the the rest of the team is assembled and Doc Rios makes his decision, you'll be notified. For now, you're dismissed."
"Thank you," she took the mug with her as she departed, heading down to medical to see the doc. Yep, it was going to be a long night indeed.
Doc Rios carried out his series of exams, starting with the annoying light in the eyes trick.
"I'm starting to hate that pen light Doc," the Major complained as he swept the minuscule beam from left to right then right to left.
"Sorry to inconvenience you Major," he quipped but lacked any bite in his retort.
"I know, I know, it's your job. Believe me when I say 'I know'."
"Considering you were injured in South America by cartel hitmen I won't discount it." The doc took a deep breath then retracted the light and clicked it off. "Good news, depending on how you look at it: Your pupils were fine which means the head injury wasn't as severe as initially thought. However, you're still not out of the woods yet."
"So, will I be setting sail or be confined to dry land?"
Doc Rios sat there, studying the Major.
"How's your head feeling?" He scribbled some notes in a file.
"Better. It's nice not feeling like someone's personal drum. I've had migraines that were worse." Her hand reached up and fingers lightly dabbed at the handful of stitches. It felt out of place, the small exposed patch, but that was minute compared to the scope of their situation. "I want to do this Doc. I can do this. Jumping feet first into water won't hurt my head and frankly, I feel it should be me and not one of the ship's crew."
"Admirable," Doc nodded.
"But you're gonna say no."
"Actually," Doc wrapped up his observations and flipped the file over. His eyes widened before he took a long deep breath. "I'm going to release you for this."
The Major raised an eyebrow. Really?!
"But, once you're back on board, you're coming straight here for observation." His voice bordered between authoritative and parental.
"Yes Sir," she was inwardly relieved but held her poker face. No need to be overexcited. Her pulse quickened as she turned and proceeded topside.
"So the Warden's letting you out?"
Tex watched as the Major climbed into the speedboat. Now, the skies were inky, concealing the identities of its crew.
"Yeah for a little bit. You know, stretch my legs." She watched as several crew members loaded explosives and confirmed the timing mechanism was ready.
"Once you reach the first designated point, give the signal," Chandler reiterated the plan. "Then once the second point is reached, send the second. Remember, do not deviate. Ruskov will be watching."
"Aye, Sir," Green nodded as Foster eased alongside the Major. She noted the younger lieutenant was in civilian attire with hair down, similar to Rachel's style. Hopefully, the Russians didn't know what they looked like or else they may be sunk before even leaving.
"Let's rock," the Major muttered as the boat was lowered smoothly along the side until it touched down onto the still seas. Both women nestled high power rifles across their laps.
I can knock the nipples off a chicken at 100 yards
The younger lieutenant's response to the Commander's question had made her smirk behind the latter's back. Who would've guessed chickens had nipples? Then again, she was from a more urban landscape versus Foster's agricultural upbringing.
The bow sliced the glassy surface with ease as Green steered the vessel towards the Vyerni. The Major could make out parts of the Kirov, particularly the deck. They were watching their approach. She shivered though Foster and Green didn't catch the unease that reverberated across her body. It was unusually warm for the time of year but then again, warnings of the climate heating up had been screamed across the scientific world for years. The same uptick in temperature which allowed for the Ramses strain to return.
Green gave the initial signal.
The tiny flip of fingers and metal alerted the James they were halfway there.
Suddenly, the darkness was silenced with the flood of light trained on the approaching craft. Green held up the empty case, showing the Russians he had "the samples." The hat Quincy had been wearing earlier was fitted firmly on his head, which shaded his face from anyone who may be using binoculars.
"No turning back now," the Major hollered as she drummed her fingers along the side of her weapon. Foster had armed the weapon seconds before the blinding greeting the Russians continued to bestow upon them.
"Green, what the HELL are you doing?!"
The speed started to slack as Green backed off the throttle.
"They're gonna know something's up! Are you trying to get us killed!?"
He shut her berating words out and turned to Foster who was staring in bewilderment.
"Something's happened." Slattery noticed the sky had not lit up like Chicago on the 4th. He clenched his fists and kept his watch. Ruskov had found them out!
"Wait for it," Chandler calmly asserted his command. He wasn't one to give up so quickly. While he remained cool to anyone who looked, inside, he was growing uneasy. The Vyerni should've been burning bright by now.
"Captain, we're approaching the channel. Do we fire?" Gator forced himself to breathe. The last time he had conducted a successful dead reckoning was in training. And that was a simulation! This was real time, real world, and real coral. No errors.
"Wait," Chandler kept the phone clutched firmly in hand.
"Damn it Green!" The Major wasn't sure if he was crazy or trying to play fucking hero. Maybe it was both.
"Jump!"
As if a snake had bitten her on the ass, the Major pivoted then leaped into the bay in one hard fast act. The firearm was still in her grip but it was an afterthought. Her mind swirling as water rushed around her in a fury of foam and water. The boat's roar faded overhead until she heard the muffled boom of the explosives. She looked up through the glassy water, seeing the moon illuminating the way up.
"THERE!" Slattery excitedly hollered at the orange yellow glow that cast over the hills and jungles.
"Fire! Fire! I repeat! Fire torpedoes!" Chandler was on it the instant his XO spotted the explosion. He knew they would persevere. His faith in the trio didn't waver though he did secretly admit to himself he was nervous. But his anxieties about navigating the narrow berth was another story altogether. He resorted to closing his eyes and taking a few deep long breaths until word of the James clearing or rather slipping through the coral hurdle came across.
The second deep roar from the right caused Foster, Green, and the Major to snap their heads in unison. The air was thick with billowing plumes of smoke which obstructed the impact site on the starboard side. A hint of fuel, acrid smoke, and a few unidentifiable sources polluted the otherwise fresh night.
"Sounds like they got the message," Green spat the warm saline water from his mouth. The Major turned and glared at the younger officer. Through the night, he sensed her rising displeasure. He was ready for whatever she hurled at him. She could bring it.
"What in the HELL were you thinking?! You realize you damn near jeopardized everything!"
"I was thinking, Ma'am, that I was offering Lieutenant Foster and you the chance to jump ship before impact."
He was a shitty liar.
She shook her head and continued treading, waiting for the arrival of the RHIB. Officers nowadays...
The outburst of applause, whistles, and calls of celebration greeted everyone upon their return. All the Major wanted was to strip, shower, and sleep. Her mind was taxed and body sore. The clothing she had been wearing now clung heavily to her body, saturated and dripping furiously along the hems and cuffs. She was pretty sure her skin was flared where it smacked the water after their escape, making her think of when her brother's stomach would be deep tomato or strawberry colored after one of his famous belly flops. He always bitched it stung.
After making it through the walk of shoulder claps and back slaps, the Major trudged towards the nearest bulk head door. Before her hand could jerk the handle to the side, voices halted her movements.
"We're not...We're not supposed to be together!"
That was Green. And she had caught the end of a conversation not for her ears.
"Look, Kara, I love you. But stay away from me."
That explains the slowing down. He wanted her to jump off sooner. Yeah, Romeo he is not when it comes to words. Not my circus, not my monkeys. Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Shaking her head, the Major retreated below deck. Doc Rios was waiting.
"So, how did you enjoy your little swim?"
"It was simply refreshing Doc," the Major smiled tiredly. "Nothing like the sight and smell of a Russian Kirov being impacted by explosives to make a woman feel better."
"Well then," he chuckled in turn. "Sounds like you are feeling better. Doesn't mean you're off the hook."
"I know," she spied the bottom bunk in the adjacent room. "I already have my reservations for one."
Chandler made his way down to medical bay. He wanted to talk to the Major and find out what happened out there. He missed the opportunity as she had went straight to her bunk, showered, then proceeded to see Doc Rios.
"Doc," he made the familiar turn on the right. Doc Rios came from the back room.
"Captain," he greeted his superior. "What can I do for you?"
"I'd like to speak to Major Koch." His hand twisted the band on his left ring finger as he leaned into the doorway..
"Let's see if she's awake. I gave her something as she said her head was starting to hurt again."
The Captain glanced back at the sleeping form on the bottom bunk. She was clad in sweats and yellow Navy shirt. Her hair still damp from showering. She looked peaceful; on account her mouth wasn't running or clashing with his XO. But, she did save his ass and for that she had his eternal gratitude.
"She's out cold. Perhaps tomorrow."
"Yeah, she needs to rest. She had a rather active 48 hours." So much for that.
"When she's awake I'll let you know." Doc Rios reassured the Captain before he turned and left the Hospital Corpsman to his duties.
Chandler had made it 20 feet from the door when he heard the blood curdling scream. His feet instantly pivoted the rest of his body around, sprinting back to medical.
"Major! Major Koch!" Doc Rios had her arms clamped down to the mattress as the Major had started thrashing wildly about. Her eyes remained firmly shut as she remained unresponsive to the Doc's calls.
"Doc what's going on!?" Chandler rushed through the door.
"It's the Major. She started screaming then kicking and punching. She's not waking up!"
The wails and shrieks raged on, causing some of the passing crewmen to pause and wonder what was going on. A couple of nurses hurried out, ushering the curious enlisted men away.
"Doc, what can I do?"
"Hold her arms for me and talk to her; see if she'll wake up."
Doc and Chandler swapped places, with the Captain restraining the Major's arms tightly to the bedding with Doc Rios pressing her legs down to prevent limb and metal from colliding.
"Major Koch! Major Alexandra Koch! You need to wake up! It's NOT real!" He had never had to bring anyone down from something like this. Sure Sam and Ashley would have the occasional nightmare but this, this was on a completely different scale.
"NOOOOOOO! PLEASE! I NEED TO SEE HIM! PLEASE!"
"Major, Major WAKE UP!" Chandler continued to reach out, hoping she would just wake up.
"HE NEEDS ME! DAMN IT WHY WON'T YOU LET ME IN!?"
"Damn it Major! You have to wake up NOW!" He felt frustration attempting to settle in as the Major continued pleading with the unseen person or persons.
"What's wrong with her Doc!?" His eyes begging the man to give him something, anything that would explain this. "Is-Is this a nightmare?! A break down what?!"
"I don't know for sure. But if I had to guess, I would say night terror."
"Night terror?!"
"Yeah, it's a nightmare on steroids."
"Jesus..."
Before he could attempt to try and wake her up a third time, the Major went deathly silent. Chandler and Doc Rios felt their hearts stop at the sudden abatement in screams or movement. Doc sprang into action, leaving over the Major's still form with fingers pressed firmly upon her neck. Beads of sweat greeting his touch as he nodded in confirmation.
"She has a pulse, but it's rapid."
"Is there anything you can do?"
"No, there's not. Unless it begins to impeded on her sleep and work, then maybe I have something but if I remember correctly, the episodes have to be waited out. It's not something that a pill can resolve. It's 90% psychological 10% medical."
Chandler took a deep breath and found the nearest seat. He brushed a hand across his face, letting his mind absorb what the doc was relaying to him. Great, one Army Major with possible psychological problems. This was going to add another level of difficulty in finding a cure, let alone a vaccine.
"Look, she's stable now. But the staff will be briefed about this and if it happens again-"
"Happens again!?" The Captain's eyes flew open.
"They can happen like nightmares. No rhyme or reason in when they occur. But you mentioned she was on Guantanamo for some time. Anything else?"
"She was part of a team that was under fire in South America. Didn't go to great lengths about what other than an outbreak in what turned out to be a cartel labor camp."
"It's possible she was in combat elsewhere. Given her age and rank, I suspect she did and it affected her."
"You mean, PTSD?" His brow furrowed in deep concern.
"Possibly yes," the doc shrugged. "Or it could be nothing more than the night terrors and that's it. May not be enough to raise the alarm yet. But, it may be a good idea to keep watch and look for the signs."
"I'll talk to Dr. Scott." Chandler stood and turned to leave, knowing there was nothing more he could do. It was all in Doc's very capable hands.
"If anything changes, you will be one of the first to know, Sir."
"Thank you, Doc," he offered the man a short smile before leaving him alone with one sweat drenched but soundly sleeping, major.
First, it was light that summoned her. The overpowering brightness of fluorescent tubes.
Second, it was sound. The sounds of men and women fading in and out.
Third, it was smell. Sterile and latex intertwining with chemical or cleaner.
The Major groaned as she stirred in the bunk. Her fingers brushed over the damp sheet and blanket.
Why are these wet?!
The drug still traversed her veins, dulling her motor skills as seen with the sluggish sweep of her arm across the saturated shirt.
"W-w-w-w-w-what..." Her tongue thick and disobedient.
"Good morning, Major," Doc Rios pulled up the chair adjacent to her. She blinked several times, hoping her vision would focus.
"W-w-w-w-w-why a-a-a-a-am I wet?" Damn she wished her limbs would work.
"You had a night terror Major."
"I what?" She felt her arm slap her face in an attempt of her fingers to pinch the bridge of her nose. Ouch, that hurt.
"You were sleeping one moment then in the next you were thrashing and screaming. Captain Chandler and I restrained you so you wouldn't hit your arms or legs on the metal posts. He tried to get you to snap out of it but it didn't work. Had to let it pass. It's all you can do with one."
"I-I don't remember it."
"I did some reading up on them and when adults have them, it's rare for them to remember any part of one."
"Guess it's a good thing then. Must've been pretty bad."
"It was rough but it stopped as fast as it started."
"Sorry, I know I wasn't in control but still, I'm sorry for scaring either one of you if I did." She took a deep slow breath. "The last thing you need is me having freak outs in my sleep."
"Major," Doc Rios relaxed in the chair despite it being unforgiving to his posture. "You can't control them. They happen, they happen. Now if they disrupt your sleep and work then we have a problem. For now, I think you need to rest another day."
"And cue the unhappy Captain," the Major exhaled loudly. "I know he's anxious for a cure or at the very least a vaccine. I don't think he understands how the process works. We can't throw everything in a blender, hit the button, and get a vaccine. It's microbiology not bartending."
"Nice analogy," Doc chuckled.
"Thanks," she shifted to her side, finding that moving was on par with moving a ton of bricks.
"Jesus, what did you give me again?! I feel like a sloth!"
"Your headache and body don't hurt right?" He arched an eyebrow with a hint of sarcasm.
"Point taken," the Major huffed.
"So, how's Sleeping Beauty?" Slattery couldn't help himself as he took another cup of coffee.
"Out cold last I heard. She had a rough night." Chandler was vague about the night terror. "Considering everything that transpired."
Breakfast was intimate as the rest of the officers had either taken their meals and reported for duty or had not arrived yet.
"What did Doc Rios say? When can she get to work?"
"I know you're not her biggest fan Mike but what she knows about the virus is vital. She mentioned something disturbing."
"What do you mean?" The eggs were fluffy fresh and melted like butter along his tongue.
"Back at the docks, she said they weren't the only ones. I'm not sure what that meant but I want to find out."
The phone rang behind them and Chandler leaped up, banging his knee on the underside of the solid oak. His face darkened into a deep grimace as he snagged the receiver off the hook.
"Yeah," he fought to maintain a balanced tone.
"It's Doc Rios, Sir. Major Koch is awake."
"Thanks for the update." He hung up the phone and felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.
"Doc Rios says Major Koch is coherent."
"Joy," Mike continued eating, refusing to let any thoughts of the snarky officer ruin his appetite. Bacon's cooking was simply divine. The things he can do with food were mind blowing and one of the few good things left in this world. He wondered when the next time dinner would be Chicken Alfredo.
"I don't remember the last time I was able to eat this well."
The Major dropped back on the mattress, letting the delicious essences of eggs, bacon, and OJ appease the anger in her stomach. Now a hot shower and some time in the lab would top off her day.
"Major Koch."
And that shower would have to wait.
She lifted her upper body up and off, letting her elbow prop her up. The invisible weight which earlier dragged her down was alleviated some.
"Captain Chandler," she greeted the man as he pulled up a chair alongside her. He caught the damp tresses flattened to her neck and forehead. Her eyes were lidded but alert as the oversized shirt and pants fluttered around her arms and legs, making her appear smaller and fragile; a stark contrast to the professional soldier he had greeted at Gitmo.
"You had a rough night Major. How are you feeling this morning?" Her ears picked up a bit of concern in his tone but shook it off as simple professionalism and proper conduct.
"As if I had just completed the Boston Marathon, Sir. But ready to get back in the lab." Chandler kept his face stoic but couldn't help to take in the entire sight of their newest house guest as she remained stretched out on the narrow bedding. Where Dr. Scott was passive in the face of Mike and his undermining, Major Koch didn't hesitate to go round and round with his XO. She wasn't arrogant like some officers he had known but did tread that fine line between them which was on display back on the bridge. Her eyes always observing, studying, taking in her surroundings. However, she was willing to put her ass on the line for him despite having met him minutes before with a gun pointed at her and she did kill an Al Qaeda asshole with her bare hands. Clearly she held no reservations about getting her hands dirty. It was clear her superiors saw something great in her if she possessed such a rank. Perhaps he would be privy, along with the rest of the crew, to catch a glimpse of those hidden qualities.
But aside from those observations, the Captain was unsure of what to make of the Army officer.
"Well, I can see you're anxious to get to work."
"Anxious would be an understatement."
The Major shifted more onto her side, allowing for a better vantage to speak. She couldn't but help to notice how handsome the Captain was. Broad shoulders cloaked in the Naval uniform. A bit of a tan crept around his neck and face with a commanding gaze encased in light ice and steel. The term Silver Fox shot up in her mind and it was fitting. He was collective and calm, unlike his XO who was an ass. Still, he didn't make XO without some merit but it didn't justify his inquisition.
"When you're up, I'd like to have a word with you before you proceed to the lab."
"Of course," she was caught off guard. She wondered what could the Captain possibly want to speak to her about. They already had their little council with Slattery and she played along with his interrogation.
"It has nothing to do with anyone but something you mentioned on the docks after we took out the terrorists. You said you and Dr. Scott weren't the only ones."
"Yes," she nodded. "I said I would tell you and I intend to."
"First, get better then we'll talk."
"Of course, Captain," she leaned back on the pillow, letting her lungs push the air that had been trapped within them. Maybe he had answers or knew something that would help in finding out what in the Hell happened between the time she left Guiana and was picked up at Gitmo.
She had the sinking sensation she wouldn't get to see the lab anytime too soon.
Hopefully Rachel had not touched any of her work or found out what was she doing.