A Dime a Dozen

Infected

Gideon chuckles as he takes another sip from his mug. "Though the circumstances aren't that pleasant, I'm glad we've had this chance to catch up."

I smile at him. "When I first heard that we were going to be stuck in your fortress I contemplated risking it out there," I joke.

He laughs. "So, you've managed to keep your sense of humor, Malachi. A lot of people lose it out there," he says motioning towards the far wall, to the outside.

"Well, I may not have had the same favorable conditions that you had, but I refused to forfeit my humor. Much to the annoyance of many of my officers."

Gideon looks up at something. I glance back to see Jordan, Doctor Jerome's second.

"Jordan," he calls out. Jordan looks over and waves. Gideon waves him over.

"Just a second," he calls back. He picks up a cup and pours coffee into it.

"You people here sure like your coffee," I note.

"Danielle disapproves, but that's just her doctor side speaking. She's practical enough to know not to challenge anyone on it," he tells me. "But yes, we do. The good doctor has gone so far as to call us all coffee addicts."

"How nice."

Jordan walks up to the table, drinking from his cup. He stops. "What can I do for you, Commander Hotchner? Hello again, Commander Scott."

I nod my greeting to him.

"Did Danielle finally let you take a coffee break?" Gideon asks. "I was sure she'd keep you as long as it took to get all of Commander Brink's men processed."

"We're just waiting on the results to come back, and actually, it was her suggestion that I get some coffee," Jordan replies.

Gideon scoffs. "Was it now? Tell her I said she's a hypocrite when you get back to the infirmary."

"Will do, if I remember. My tax is going to shipping to put in another order request. Which will be absolute hell considering how crazy shipping is right now trying to get even more supplies sent in," Jordan comments.

Gideon's face becomes puzzled. "What on earth could she have run out of in a day that's so important she can't wait until things calm down to put in a shipping request?" Gideon goes back to drinking his coffee.

"The answer is. . .," Jordan digs into his pocket and pulls out a folded-up piece of paper. He puts his cup down so he can unfold it. His eyes scan over the paper and his face goes white.

"Jordan?" I ask.

Jordan's hands start shaking. Gideon looks at him. His eyes narrow in concern as he stands.

"Jordan. Speak," Gideon orders.

Jordan shoves the paper toward Gideon. "Danielle didn't give me a shipping request. It's a request to put the infirmary on lockdown."

Gideon grabs the paper from his hands and scans the letter. "I thought you said you were still waiting for the results."

"That's what she told me before she gave me that and told me to go get some coffee." Jordan's hand flies to his forehead as his eyes widen. "Commander Brink was in her office. They were talking when I walked in. That's when she- oh hell- I left her alone."

I look between Gideon and Jordan. "What's going on?" I ask.

Gideon looks at me. "Commander Brink and all of his men are infected. Brink is at stage five, along with his assisting staff and a few of his soldiers. There's no way he didn't know. That any of them didn't know." He yanks his phone off his belt. He presses a button and holds it to his ear. "Lieutenant Nevil. I need all able soldiers to the med bay now. I need it put on lockdown stat. No one goes in, no one comes out. . . No. Do not shut and lock the doors without my order. Don't make it obvious until I get there. . . Good." He shoves the phone back into his pocket. "Jordan stay here," he orders.