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"I'd try 150 mg IV QID for starters. That might arrest the synergistic bacteria in operation with the retrovirus's cellular division.." Steve said. Kel nodded his head, remembering something. "I have some already here. One of my senior paramedics had an unknown Asian Virus last year and I still had some viable doses available. I included them in that field bag you advised me to pack." "You know these injections will be stop gag at best.." Jamie said. Dr. Brackett washed his hands in the kitchen sink and dried them in a sterile towel. "I know.. But until we learn the animal who's the principle carrier from which to isolate an anti-viral serum, slowing down Marco's deterioration that way's the only hope we've got.." Suddenly, Chet's face peered through the kitchen door. His eyes got real big when he saw that the two microbiologist physicians were out of their containment suits. He shoved aside the door and said. "Hey, Dr. Brackett. You'd better get in here.. Marco was conscious for bit and talking.. Roy says he's still that way and only dozing.." "There's our chance to find out more clues about that carrier. Marco must have seen something down there that was new in his house animal wise.." Kel said, grabbing his HT for a reply from the outside. The news story delivering the image of Marco's germ to the whole state began to air. And Roy kept his promise by freaking out the reporters by leaning and waving from the station bunk house doorway so that his family and kids could see him. "Anyone wanna take bets on how quick the CDC will call on our answer?" Dr. Brackett said, gathering his gear and moving back to Marco's side. "No bets.." Steven said.. Chet was only puzzled when he overheard that little exchange. Then he started laughing when the camera man jumped back two feet when Roy pretended a fake sneeze into his direction. --------------------------------------- |
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Dr. Brackett and Drs. Taylor and MacPherson all crowded around Marco's bed. Gil and Brice both backed out of the way. Craig said. "Ah, progress.. The quarantine's been lifted.." Gil looked at him as if he sprung a third eyeball. Brice merely tugged on his own sleeve to show his unbeliever that Jamie and Steven were now out of their biosuits completely. Gil caught on to that fact readily and accepted it eagerly. He knelt by Kel, telling him how long Marco had been conscious and how coherent he had been during those brief moments. Kel noticed Lopez was indeed, sleeping. He gently shook his shoulders. "Marco. Marco Lopez. It's Dr. Brackett. I need to ask you some questions about your family's home in Mexico.. Marco.. Can you hear me?" Cap jolted awake in his chair but then fell to listening when he realized an important discussion was about to take place. Chet joined him, crouching at his side. Marco's face finally animated and screwed up into an immediate liquidy cough that he barely managed to clear away in between breaths under his oxygen mask. His eyes opened fuzzily. "Brack--? Am I out yet??" "Not yet. Marco. Listen. This is very very critical that you hear me and answer as best at you can.." As he spoke, Marco's head sagged again into a half state. "Marco!! Front and center!!" Cap shouted. "Whaa? Inspection day already? Yessir!!" Lopez blurted out in sudden reaction. He started to give a mock salute but he couldn't lift his arm up all the way.. but his eyes snapped into a brighter wakefulness. Cap grinned and added more. "Just listen carefully Lopez. This is not an inspection but a Q and A test. Reply to the doctors here as best you can." "A-all right. I'll get 100 %. I- I..don't want.. latrine detail agai---.... ohhh.." "Marco. Concentrate.." Kel urged. " t.......ryingggggg.." he sighed. Jamie leaned in close to Marco's ear. "Mr. Lopez.. When you arrived to your family villa in Mexico. Were there any new pets the kids were playing with?.. Anything strange or new?" "Pets? B- Bernado te gusta jovan gatos y..." "En Inglez,.. Marco.." Cap said. "Oh...hhhh uh, Bernardo likes kittens. Always new ones from the vineyards..." Jamie and Steven shook their heads. "Marco. Marco. How about something from the hills.. Something not domesticated. A mammal of some kind.." "Mama senora,.. ella es loco que se manana con el Diablos Rojos en la cielo noche porque ellos come en su flores..!" Marco wailed in his fever, still not very coherent.. "What?" Taylor exclaimed at the apparent spanish gibberish.. Chet said, straining to understand. "Wait a minute. Wait a minute.. I think I understand a bit.. Marco and I have a bet running that I can learn enough spanish to impress his mama by fall to win a complete, homecooked--" "Chet! Now's not the time..!" Cap roared. "Ok, ok, ok... Uh.. I think he said that the Donya Arana or the head woman in his household was going crazy that morning because of "red devils" from the night sky eating in her garden.." "Red devils from the sky?" Jamie frowned. Then Taylor clinched it.. "Bats.. Can't be anything else.. Specifically, Flying foxes!! They are all over Mexico. There's our sentinel anim---" he leaped up for the phone to reach his superiors in triumph.. |
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Jamie leaned in to Marco as her colleague rapidly got into action with their team in Atlanta and those outside the station house. "Tell me more about the Red Devils.." "Que? No comprendo....." Marco sighed as he fever tossed on his pillow. Jamie threw up her hands in frustration. Chet coughed and in very bad Spanish asked, "Hablas mas pero Diablos Rojos. Nosotros tenemos muchas preguntas. Es muy importante Marco.." Cap even knew what that meant. "I'll say we have many important questions.. Lopez.. Stay with us!" Marco began to shout, delirious. "Todos muerte! No vive no mas en la noche. Bernardo traes uno a mi Tija.. Soy Triste.!!! Bernardo!!" Lopez repeated his moaning words. Over and over.. Chet blinked in stress as he translated shakily.. "He keeps saying they're all dead. That they were no longer alive by nightfall. That the boy gave a bat to his Aunt after it had died to show her? Now, he's blaming himself.." Marco's tirades continued until Dr. Brackett finally sedated him and turned him onto his side to rest. Jamie MacPherson started up on the Idouroxidine injection into his IV after Kel had gone on to examine Gage's status. Roy returned from his tormenting the reporters and said. "Man, I wonder who gave them that germ photo? Doctor... did you--?" |
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