Page 6 of Ice Princess

Chapter 4 ~Blade

“Charlie, you have news for me?” Blade says rubbing his hands over his face as he swings his legs over the bed. The clock by the bed says 2 am.

“We found the terrorist.” Charlie’s voice is serious.

“I take it from your tone there is no sign of the virus?”

“No, we found that too. Our officer got the drop on the terrorist. They started shooting our agent was wounded but not before he was able to shoot one of the terrorists dead. The other was seriously wounded but able to inject himself with the virus before he passed out. They are at a hospital in Phoenix. We have it locked down.”

“How many were exposed?”

“The FBI agent checked the man’s pulse and had a blood transfer. Fifteen hospital staff are exposed. We have the ER and surgical floor on lockdown.”

“How long since the patient was admitted?”

“It’s been about 12 hours. It took a while for the surgeon to be warned and tests to be administered.”

“If there are any infected, they should start showing symptoms soon.”

“Word is the originally infected man is starting to show symptoms. They have him sedated for now.”

“I will gather the team and be on the next flight out. Our supplies are ready, and I will make the order to have them loaded. We should be wheels up within the hour.”

“I will let the President as well as the other powers that be know. Good luck and be careful.”

Blade hangs up and reaches for his jeans and go bag. This needed to be contained if Kraken was to get out and infect the general population there would be mass panic. Someone bleeding from all of their orifices after they fall down dead in the street would be a hell of a visual.

Blade picks up the phone and starts barking orders as he walks out of the house and gets into the car. His team is ready for this, he just hopes that he doesn’t lose any of them.

*****

Welcome to Phoenix General, Master Chief Benson.” A man in a suit greets me at the door to the hospital.

“I am Shawn Finch, the director of the hospital.”

“It is good to meet you. Have all the possible infected been quarantined?”

“Yes, they are all up on the surgical floor.”

“Is anyone showing symptoms?” Blade asks as they walk down the hall to a staff lounge where the team will dress in Personal protective equipment.

“Just patient zero at this point. What precautions do we need to take in regard to staff?”

“They will need full suits from the neck down, N95 masks, goggles, and hoods. It isn’t an airborne infection as it happens when there is contact with bodily fluids so full respirator suits will not be needed. We have brought extra PPE for the staff to use.”

“Thank you. We appreciate your assistance in this matter.” Blade nods and heads into the lounge with his crew to suit up. The hospital director follows them in. This part of the job is hardest for Blade as people have trouble relinquishing their authority. Blade turns and gives him a professional smile.

“Mr. Finch, we appreciate your help, but this hospital is now under my direction. Every order will be followed to the letter. Do I make myself clear?”

Blade watches the myriad of emotions cross his face, anger, fear, and others that he can’t name. Blade has learned it is best to be blunt and tell them upfront how it will be.

“Yes, that is fine for the duration of the emergency.”

“As soon as we know the virus is no longer affecting your hospital, it will be returned to you. Now if you will excuse me, I would like to get up to the surgical floor and talk with the surgeon in charge.”

“As to that, Dr. Raven Ballenger is her name. She can be a bit difficult to work with, but she is an excellent surgeon.”

“She will not be difficult for me or she will be contained to an isolation room for the duration of the outbreak situation.” His voice is hard and brooks no argument. This is not a situation where a pissing match is appropriate. If this would be to get out, it would kill millions of Americans if allowed to spread and weaken our country opening the U.S. up to an attack.

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