Chapter 16 - THE HIDDEN VIRUS
"Captain Ross, respond immediately!" the radio voice barked frantically.
Ethan grabbed his shoulder radio. "This is Ross. Go ahead."
"The server logs extracted from Miller's tablet show a secondary deployment protocol!"
"What are you talking about?" Ethan demanded, his jaw tightening.
"The bio-weapon wasn't meant to be sold on the black market... it was already released inside the hospital triage center two hours ago!"
Clara gasped, horror washing over her like a tidal wave.
"The patients in the main clinic... they were exposed to the airborne pathogen!" Clara shouted.
"How long until the symptoms manifest?" Ethan asked into the mic.
"Less than four hours. If we don't deploy the broad-spectrum airborne neutralizer, the entire sector will be infected."
"Where is the neutralizer stored?" Ethan demanded.
"It's locked inside the central vault beneath the main cathedral roof tower," the radio voice replied.
"Which is currently occupied by Miller's remnant rogue squad."
Clara stood up, wrapping the thermal blanket tightly around herself.
"I know the layout of the cathedral tower structure," Clara stated firmly.
"I can get us into the vault without triggering the security lock system."
Ethan looked at her with deep respect and concern.
"You've already been through hell tonight, Clara. You don't have to do this."
"I took an oath to save lives, Captain," Clara said, staring directly into his eyes.
May you like
"And I'm not letting those people die in that clinic."
