by Colin Owen
"Must be bad to make the news," Steve said, "I wonder what kind of factory it was?"
"Don't know," Clare replied, "but it doesn't look good. There are mass evacuations taking place." Steve just caught the end of the item.
'Sabotage cannot be ruled out,' came the voice from the TV.
"Well, at least it's not nuclear," Chris piped up, "remember the last time?"
"Yes, that's good," Clare, said, "the last one caused a lot of suffering."
Steve left for work as usual. He had no idea what would be waiting for him on his arrival, and his mind was racing with thoughts of being arrested for breaking and entering, with squad cars and blue and red lights everywhere. He needn't have bothered though, everything was just like any other day. There was no sign that anything had happened during the night.
'This can't be right,' Steve thought as he entered the building. 'Vink must be going out of his mind by now seeing his precious data erased.' There was nothing. All was calm.
"Hi Jimmy," Steve called out, on seeing him, "anything happening yet?" he asked, knowing that Jimmy would know if anyone did.
"Nope, not yet," Jimmy replied, "just another boring day!"
"It should be anything but boring," Steve said, under his breath, whilst heading for his Lab.
It was lunchtime before Steve had a chance to quiz anyone else, but his opportunity came when he bumped into Janice in the canteen.
"Hi there," he greeted her, "how's uncle Vink' today?"
"Well, funny you should ask Steve, but he's not here. I haven't seen him all day and his office is not locked."
"Doesn't that strike you as odd?" Steve said, "do you think we should take a look, just in case?"
"I don't really know," Janice, replied, "it is very unusual."
"Come on," Steve said, taking her arm, "let's go and check, this is a top secret organisation after all."
They ran to Vinkle's office, and sure enough the door wasn't locked. They went in and couldn't believe what they saw. Everything was a mess.
"Wow," Steve said, "someone sure did a number on this place, call security."
"Right," Janice said, looking for the phone. "The files are all gone," she said seeing the empty cabinet.
"Computer's gone too," Steve, said, "this is not good."
Security arrived and took over, there were procedures in place for just such an event. The whole building was put in lockdown, all doors locked and all personnel taken to a secure waiting room.
"I hope we're on overtime," Jimmy said, grinning.
"I wonder what happened to Vinkle?" Kay asked, "I do hope he's all right."
Jimmy looked with disbelief at that last remark. "I hope who ever took him is all right," he laughed. The laughter stopped abruptly as Carter walked in.
"I want to see each of you in the office," he said gruffly, but Steve had a feeling he wasn't as mad as he was making himself out to be.
"Guess this will be the third degree," Jimmy said to no one in particular.
"Could be Jimmy," Steve said, "we'll soon find out."
Steve arrived home a little early that day. "Hey, you're early," Clare called out to him as he entered.
"We need to talk," Steve said, greeting her in the kitchen. They went to Steve's study and closed the door.
"Uh oh," Chris said, to Shelley, "this looks serious."
"Well, whatever it was, you shouldn't have done it!" Shelley responded.
"But I didn't do anything!" Chris protested, putting the TV on.
"So, Vink' has gone missing," Clare said.
"Yes, and all his files and computer too, the place was a real mess. Carter conducted the interviews himself, but it seemed that he was not really interested, I think he knew all about it and was just covering his tracks."
"So what now Hun, what's the next move?"
"I don't know Sweetie, I wasn't expecting this."
They came out of the study to hear the newsreader on the TV say:
"the outbreak is localised to the surrounding regions. The Russian government has issued a statement claiming that there is no link to yesterdays explosion, and that all necessary precautions are being taken to minimise the risk of further cases of the mystery virus."
"What was that about guys?" Steve asked the kids.
"There's some kind of sickness broken out in Russia, near where that explosion was, and no one seems to know what it is."
"Has anyone died from it?" Clare asked expecting the answer.
"Yes, mummy," Shelley said, "more than a hundred so far."
"A hundred dead in less than twenty-four hours," Steve said, looking knowingly at Clare. "It's a cover up," he said, "it's got to be. No known virus can kill a hundred people in that amount of time, I've got a really bad feeling about this."
"Steve," Clare said slowly, "you don't suppose this is anything to do with MBA do you? Carter is in the army..." Her voice trailed off as she heard,
"missing scientist," on the TV.
"Coincidence?" Steve asked.
"I certainly hope so," Clare said, "cos if you're thinking what I'm thinking, we're all in a lot of trouble."
The next day the news was worse, the TV news stated:
"There have been several hundred more deaths in the region around the recent explosion in Russia. World experts are flying out to see if they can help with this tragedy. The Russian people are distraught at this loss of life in such a short period of time. World health organisations are rushing aid and emergency supplies to the region.
"Another VIP is missing. General George Carter, the chief of staff and advisor to the government has gone missing. His home was ransacked in the early hours of this morning. His aid discovered the disappearance when he called for the General to take him to a NATO conference. There is still no news of Dr. Henry Vinkle, the missing scientist. A representative for Star Labs said, 'we are unaware of Dr. Vinkle's whereabouts'. When asked as to the nature of Dr. Vinkle's work, they made no comment."
"I sure hope that virus doesn't come here," Chris said, looking at his parents.
"Don't worry son," Steve said, "I won't let anything happen to you...to any of you." He looked at each one in turn with a reassuring smile. The phone rang.
"Hi, Steve Forester here."
"Don't come in to the Lab today Steve," it was Janice's voice, and she sounded distressed. "They're closing everything down, all the labs are being stripped and all the computers have gone."
"Thanks Janice, you've been a real friend, say farewell to anyone you can for me, and tell them to remember my mobile number, they may need it before too long."
"I will," she said, and hung up.
"Right!" Steve shouted. "Everyone listen, I want you to pack a case each, just one, we're leaving in fifteen minutes. GO!" He cried at the top of his voice.
Foresters scattered in all directions, and all was turmoil from then on. Cases, kids, and dog were flung into the car.
"Where are we going Hun?" Clare asked jumping in and fastening her seat belt.
"I don't know," Steve answered, "but we need to be away from here, anywhere where we are not known will do. Every-body ready?" he asked, turning to the kids. He could see that they were scared. "Everything is going to be all right," he reassured them, "just treat this like an adventure holiday, Ok?"
"OK daddy," came their reply. Steve started the engine and they were off.
They had just reached the end of the road, when Steve saw the van arrive at their house in the rear view mirror. He saw the soldiers jumping out as he rounded the corner and was gone.
Chapter Four
Chapter 4.
Hide and Seek
"Where are we going daddy?" A plaintive little voice asked, from the back seat of the car.
"I'm not sure yet," Steve answered, without turning his head. He looked to Clare. "Where's the best place to hide?" he asked.
"Well, you hide a tree in a forest..."
"I've got it!" Steve said, turning the car around, "we'll hide where
they've already looked."
"Not the house Steve, they'll be watching there," Clare said.
"No, not the house," he smiled, "Star Labs. There's a little hotel right across the street from it. They'll never think to look for us there."
The hotel could be approached from Star Labs' blind side, so they were able to arrive unseen. Steve drove around the back to the rear car park.
"All out," he said, "we're here." They all piled out of the car and into the rear entrance of the hotel.
"Good day folks," came a welcoming voice, "welcome to Stieners Hotel, the best in the neighbourhood."
"Thanks," Steve said, "we need your biggest room."
"Sure thing sir, how long will you be staying?"
"Not really sure yet, but a couple of days, maybe a week."
"That will be fine sir," the desk clerk told them, "your room is number two-seventy-one. It's at the top of the hotel, but it's the biggest room we have."
"That will do nicely," Clare said, trying to hang on to Rufus, "where are the lifts?"
A bell was rung, and a boy came to escort them to their room. It was quite a trek to get there, but when they arrived the room was perfect. It faced directly towards Star Labs.
"Excellent," Steve said to Clare whilst pointing to the view.
"I see what you mean," she replied.
Rufus had had enough of this being carried lark, and wriggled out of Clare's arms and jumped down onto one of the beds.
"Smart thinking Hun," Clare said, stroking his hair, "Not just a pretty face, are you?"
"Not compared to you Sweetie," he answered.
"Ugh, I think I'm going to throw up." Chris said, who couldn't stand all the romantic stuff.
"Yap!" barked Rufus.
Shelley laughed, Steve and Clare laughed, and eventually, Chris laughed too.
"I'm not sure what we're laughing about," Clare struggled to say, "the army and a nutty professor are out to get us, and there's an unknown virus on the rampage."
That had reminded them, "Turn on the TV Chris," Steve said.
"OK dad," Chris replied still laughing.
The TV crackled into life.
"Please stand by for a news flash."
All their laughing ceased.
"Samples taken from the victims of the mystery virus have been sent to all the world's major laboratories for analysis. We have to report, that almost five thousand people have now died, and an epidemic warning has been issued. A leaked document has been printed in a Russian newspaper, claiming that the factory that was blown up, was in fact, being used to develop biological weapons. The Russian president has strongly denied this, claiming that all such experiments ceased in 2010. World leaders, however, remain unconvinced and have accused Russia of violating the world treaty of 2011, banning all such weapons."
"If it is a biological weapon that has escaped," Steve said, "I hope they've got an antidote, cos if they haven't, at the rate it kills, we're in serious trouble."
"Who's hungry?" Clare broke in, sensing the heaviness descending on the children. All hands went up. "Right," she said, "Shelley take down the orders, and don't forget Rufus. Chris, get on to room-service, let's eat!"
"Well done Sweetie," Steve whispered into Clare's ear. "Sorry I got a bit carried away there with the doom and gloom stuff."
"That's all right Hun," she said, "but we must watch out for the kids, this could get rough."
Room-service lived up to expectations, and all hunger was well satisfied, even Rufus was lying down after eating so much. "You get them ready for bed," Steve said a while later, "I'll take first watch."
"Do you think that's necessary?" Clare asked.
"I don't know, but better safe than sorry. I'll keep an eye on Star Labs just in case they come back."
"OK Hun, call me when you need to sleep."
Clare took the kids to the bathroom to explain what was happening. "From now on," she said softly, "life is going to change quite drastically. No work for mummy and daddy, and no school for you two."
Chris' face lit up at the thought of no school, and especially, no school play, but it was short lived, he knew that something must be very wrong for all this to be happening.
"Are we in trouble mommy?" Shelley asked innocently.
"No sweetheart, not for anything we've done at least, but there are some bad people out there who want to hurt mummy and daddy, so we have to make sure they don't find us. Daddy has been very clever and brought us here very near to where he used to work."
"They'll never find us here mom," Chris jumped in, "they won't think to look for us here, right under their noses."
"No, they won't son, that's why we're here. Now get ready for bed, we need all our strength for tomorrow."
The young Foresters duly obeyed and went to bed. Rufus curled up at Chris' feet, and for once, Chris was glad he was there. Somehow, it made him feel safer.
"Night sis," he said softly.
"Night bruv'," she replied.
"Night Rufus," they both said, in unison.
Morning came. "Are you awake Steve?" Clare asked.
"Sure Sweetie, did anything happen?"
"No, not much. There were some soldiers hanging around the main entrance, but they didn't do much. Star Labs looks empty, do you think they've abandoned the building?"
"Probably," Steve replied, "my guess is that they are heading for a secret location somewhere."
"Any idea where?"
"None that I can think of at this moment, but then, it is six am!" Clare slipped into Steve's bed and they slept for another couple of hours.
The TV awakened them. "What time is it?" Clare called out to whom ever it was who was up.
"It's eight thirty mummy," came Shelley's reply.
"Be a good girl and make mommy some coffee would you,"
"OK," she said, gleefully, running off to the corner table where all the drinks items were kept.
"Any news yet?" Steve said groggily.
Clare was at the TV flicking through the channels.
"Ah, here's something." She answered.
"There have been outbreaks of the mystery virus in France, Belgium and Holland. As no one is yet sure how the infection is transmitted, all access to the various laboratories where samples have been sent, has been restricted. The president has been on Television imploring people to remain calm. 'As yet,' he stated, 'there is no sign of the virus in the United States, and we will take every precaution to make sure it stays that way'. The death toll has reached fifty thousand, and world leaders are calling on the Russian president to make a statement as to the origin of this virus. Most now believe that it is indeed a biological weapon that is the cause, and are calling for the Russians to release the antidote. Further, there is now some evidence to support the sabotage theory that has been circulating on the Internet. Several religious cults have claimed that it is the end of the world."
"Heavy stuff," Clare commented. "What if they don't have an antidote Hun? It may be that the virus was an old one being kept in storage. There may not be an antidote for it."
"Doesn't bear thinking about," Steve answered. "If there's no antidote already in stock, an awful lot of people are going to die out there. We need to think seriously about what we're going to do Sweetie, just in case."
"We could head to the mountains." Clare suggested.
"Yes, we could, but almost everyone else will think of that, and it only takes one person to carry the bug..."
"I see what you mean, what should we do then?"
"I know this will sound daft Sweetie, but the only place that's safe might be a very long way away." He pointed up as he said this.
"You mean?"
"Yes, I do," he said, "the Moon."
Clare laughed, even Shelley laughed, but Chris looked at his dad and said, "Whoa..."
❧
"Hey! Something's happening at Star Labs," Chris said, excitedly. Steve and Clare ran to the window to see what it was. A large black limousine had pulled up at
the main entrance, and a very important looking man got out. He talked for a few minutes with the soldiers who were posted there, then got back into his car and was driven away. About ten minutes later, Steve's mobile phone rang. The sound made everyone freeze where they were. "Don't answer it daddy," Shelley begged.
"It might be one of the people who worked at Star Labs," Steve said, picking it up. "Hello," Steve said, into the phone. He was holding it away from his ear so that Clare could listen in.
"Please don't hang up Mr. Forester," came the stranger's voice. "My name is General Hammond, and I've been looking for you for the past few days."
"Were they your men I saw arriving at my house General?" Steve asked.
"No Mr. Forester, they were Carter's men, I'm glad you were smart enough to evade them, I have them in custody even as we speak."
"And what about Carter and Vinkle?" Steve quizzed.
"Hmm, I was rather hoping you could help me out there. They've both disappeared and I have no idea where they are."
"Try the launch-pad General, they're heading for the ship."
"Are you sure about that Mr. Forester?"
"Count on it General, I know what they're up to."
The caller was silent for a moment and then said, "Mr. Forester, I realise that this may be difficult for you, but I need to speak with you about a private matter, it's not something I can discuss over the phone, will you meet me somewhere?"
Clare looked anxious, "It could be a trap she whispered."
"I don't think so Sweetie," Steve said, following his gut instinct. "Sure General, I'll meet up with you."
"Where and when?" General Hammond asked. "Let's say Star Labs in fifteen minutes."
"Good, and thank you Mr. Forester."
The phone went dead.
"Oh well, we'll know just what's going on in a little while." Steve announced.
"Do be careful daddy." Shelley insisted as she hugged him tightly.
