A Race Against Time! (ThomasxNewt) - Completed!

Chapter 9

Morning came too quickly and the group soon found themselves in what looked like a mess hall eating breakfast. The Core Three, Chuck and Newt were sitting at a table waiting for the others when the doors to the right slammed open revealing a frantic Casey. Newt was on his feet quickly wrapping his cousin up in his arms, “Casey, what’s wrong?!”. 

“He…he…” Casey’s panicked look had Gally on his feet and rubbing the youngsters back.

“Is fine” Nick’s voice broke through the conversation. The marksman looked sick and was holding a cloth to his bleeding nose. Turning around, Casey glared at his older brother who had not even ten minutes earlier been unconscious on the floor. Nick ignored them walking into the connected toilets to clean up. Casey just slumped in the builders arms, Gally smirked offering a hug which Casey gladly accepted leaving Newt able to move back over to the table just as Teresa walked into the room with Alby and took a seat beside Minho. 

The young woman looked oddly frustrated as she looked over what looked like a tablet and seemed to be glaring at the screen. 

“Woah Teresa, I don’t know what the screen did to you? But, would you mind glaring somewhere else before you crack another mirror” Nick’s cheeky tone made her look up and glare at him, the marksman didn’t seem bothered as he grabbed himself a piece of fruit and a bottle of water ignoring the stares. 

Thomas shook his head at the Straton brother and decided to act, “What’s the problem?” he asked. Teresa looked up conflicted whether to tell him. With a sigh, “I took the privilege to scan you all as you entered last night out of interest and found some anomalies in your scans. Don’t worry they are not bad with the exception of Newt’s, it seems whatever Niro put in your body. It is slowly moving and seems like it's causing disruptions around your heart. Newt you need surgery immediately and I believe if it's not removed soon. You will die due to the toxin hidden in the device”. Gasps filled the area as all attention turned to the uncomfortable blond, Gally noticed something straight away, “What’s the problem with the surgery?”. 

Teresa looked up in shock that the builder had picked up on her saddened mood, “Well, it seems once the device is removed, the surgeon will only have a certain amount of time before the container spills the toxin and it will affect whoever is in the room with it…” “How long have I got?” Nick interrupted, throwing his half eaten apple in the bin ignoring Jorge’s disapproving stare. 

“I estimate two minutes after it has been removed from the Newt’s body, it will activate. You will need to follow procedure and get it to the weaponise room to dispose of it and we all know its a mission to get to. Alby believes it's the new weapon Niro had been testing out known as Plan XZ” Teresa explained while fiddling with the pen in her hand. Nick only nodded working out the details, “And if he is exposed…?” Chuck butted in with worry. 

“It’s an unknown virus that has only been tested on a small town. According to our research, the town was called ‘Baildon’. It was a peaceful town of farmers, good trade when suddenly all went downhill. Those in charge said it was an accidental spilled chemical weapon when it was actually a test and it killed many individuals. There were very few who actually survived but died years later by the virus or long-term side effects. Only one soul survivor of that place lives and that is Niro Newton'' Alby explained, Teresa nodded showing them all old photos of that place. Casey wore a look of confusion. 

“Casey, what is it?” Frypan asked, noticing the younger Straton brother’s expression. Casey moved over to the screen and zoomed in slightly, “I know that symbol on the building” Casey said, Teresa zoomed in on the symbol and then gasped. It was the same symbol the man who rescued her had on his inner arm. “Alby, it can’t be?” Teresa gasped out, Alby noticed it too and smiled. The snake wrapped around the dagger confused them all yet gave them hope.