Sally's Secret

Chapter 21

Scott helped Virgil unload the rescue capsule at Vektor Institute. Dozens of shiny red P4 biohazard suits ran around, barking orders in Russian at each other. Brains must have filled them in on what was happening because no one asked Scott or Virgil anything. Even with all the movement around her, Maria didn't wake up during the transfer. The vitals scanner said she was still alive, so that was something.

When they got the capsule to a stark white biocontainment room, the red-clad Russians used hand gestures and guttural expressions to shoo the blue-suited International Rescue personnel away. Upon leaving the biocontainment room, they were doused with some kind of decontamination spray and then they exited through a sort of airlock. In the hall, they unzipped their hoods and freed their heads from the plastic.

"You go on home," Virgil said. "I'm staying. She has no other next-of-kin." It was obvious Scott had no chance in talking him out of it, but it was also obvious that he shouldn't try. Virgil would not be able to concentrate on anything else right now. Didn't he once say that people had limits? Well, Virgil was past his limit and it was time he got some support.

Scott laid a hand on his brother's shoulder. "I'll stay with you."

Virgil shook his head. "It's just going to be a lot of waiting. Nothing either of us can do."

"So I'll tell John to put me back on call. I can scramble Thunderbird 1 from here just as easily as anywhere else."

"I don't feel like I could do any good out there right now," Virgil said. His voice had notes of sadness, frustration, and fatigue in it. He was over the limit in just about every category.

"Which is why you're on leave. If anyone needs Thunderbird 2, Alan can take it." It was unlikely that Thunderbird 2 and 3 would both be needed at the same time. If that happened, they'd have to improvise, but this was a good plan for now.

Virgil nodded numbly.

Scott's comms beeped and Kayo's image hovered in front on him. She was back in her civilian clothes at home. "Scott, you really should see this," she said.

"What have we got?" He started mentally preparing to take on a new mission even though he had not yet told John he was available.

"The Alchemist recorded his interrogation of Maria. I uploaded a copy of the file before I handed the memory chip off to Detective Jim. It's not easy to watch, but you should, when you get a chance."

"I want to see it," Virgil interjected.

"Maybe you should wait, Virgil. It's pretty bad," she warned.

"No. I want to see what he did to her. Scott will be here to make sure I don't go off the rails."

Scott regarded his brother. Usually, you're the one holding me back from going off the rails. I guess it's about time I returned the favor. "Okay, we watch together. But if I have to leave on a mission, you wait for me. Deal?"

"Deal," Virgil agreed.

Scott returned attention to his comms. "Kayo, Thunderbird 1 is on call from here. Alan can take Thunderbird 2, if necessary. Virgil is on leave until further notice. Update Thunderbird 5, would you?"

"F.A.B." Kayo winked out.

Scott and Virgil found what appeared to be the waiting area. Hard to tell with all the signs in Cyrillic script. They could have tried scanning and asking John for translation, but Scott decided they'd just sit there until someone made them leave. The room and halls were empty, not to mention, anyone milling about wouldn't be too likely to speak English.