Fatal Cargo

Admiral Nelson had asked Chief Sharkey and his team to

check the last of the cargo from the Institute for when it

comes to medical, engineering and most of all for the Reactor

room.

Nelson and the Institute had held off for at least two weeks just

after the Christmas and New Year's holiday.

He needed his crew to relax with so much going on recently. This

included Captain Lee Crane after the incident with his vehicle

losing his breaks and just about having done him in.

Even his own wife started to crack the whip in order to keep her

husband safe, and hurting himself once more. And mostly for the

sake of Admiral Nelson and his nerves.

He had enough to worry about with the up and coming mission to

Alaska to drop off valuable cargo for the Naval base, for which is only

to take a few days at best to check out the cargo being returned back.

Medical specialists working for the Naval department hadn't listed

exactly just what type of cargo it's going to be. Which is quite strange

even for the Institute's standards.

Dr. Adams Bernstein had been working for the CDC in conjunction with

the Naval department for the last seven years. He and his partner Dr.

Susan Randolph mostly had been working on a new of strain of viruses

and vaccines up in Alaska.

And Dr. Bernstein was extremely glad to hear that the Institute's Seaview

and Nelson will be arriving soon, in order to bring them back and the

cargo the Naval and other military organizations seek to use during mock

attacks against any enemy either on Earth or from outer space.

This all stems from the recent alliance with Darien and the possible attacks,

from those seeking to destroy Earth and those surrounding planets

in the solar system, including costing the U.S. Government a fortune and

other key governments to process and store the viruses and vaccines

inside the freezing storage units.

Because God forbid, if ever the virus is ever released! Dr. Bernstein and Dr.

Randolph didn't have any idea as to the type of side effects. It might have

on the human nervous system or brain stem.

Dr. Bernstein came in from the storage unit to take a break when he ran into

Susan coming from her quarters.

"Hey! Why are you in such a rush Susan?" He asked with his dark blue

puppy dog eyes.

She turned to face him for a quick minute before heading to have her meeting

for a conference with General Addison Conway of the Alaska Naval base.

"Conference update with the General and his constantly complaining about the

freezing cold and recent snow storm", she chuckled for a moment waiting for

Dr. Bernstein to respond.

"He always is complaining about the weather. I just know don't why he decided

to be transferred here in the first place." He said with a sneer in his tone of voice.

"And it's irrelevant to the fact he has a job that needs to be done now. With the

Institute's Seaview going to be here soon to pick up the cargo."

Dr. Randolph was silent for a brief moment in order to respond to his comment.

"I will agree Adams. I just hope to God that all goes well with the transfer to the

submarine. Listen, I have to go before they start looking for me." She said

quickly before moving off past him with a perplexed look on his face.

Silently he said 'bye to her while he left himself for that break of his. And his

stomach started to grumble all of a sudden before moving off himself.

Meanwhile inside of the Communications center of the Naval Base. Sonar/radar

and other satellite equipment, were picking up something slightly from the bottom

of the ocean floor some 200 hundred miles away.

As of yet for those working inside of the center they hadn't been able to determine

just what it might be for the moment, even though it could be tremors along the

main fault line underneath.

General Addison Conway ordered his crew to keep an close on eye on it for any

changes just in case the fault line started to break apart. It would be complementary

to the fact that it could cause a total melt down for this region and for the Blue-Star

Naval base.

Especially when his doctors here on site were currently with something very

dangerous, that may well be able to be set loose something from the tremors.

He'd tried to change the Naval department decision to bring this particular

project here to the base just in case of something like this having to be

showing up on the screen this far away. Shouldn't have been placed here any

rate and the possible dangers to those working on the base. He was insistent

with his plea for months until he was told to do his job or he would be removed from

the project entirely. So instead he went with his orders and kept his mouth shut.

Meanwhile, he asked the crew-members working the stations inside about whether

or not the problem with the fault poised any problems for the moment for the base.

None of his men were able to have the comparison's, since it's never had

happened before in this area of Alaska. So he basically went with his decision to

just basically keep a close eye on it for now.

Chapter Two

Admiral Nelson had arrived on board the Seaview moments ago, after speaking

with the Naval department from his office of the Institute. He wasn't all too pleased

with the fact that the base up in Alaska had spotted some type of a problem with

the fault line in that sector.

The Seaview is scheduled to leave home port in a few hours. Once the last of

the crew-members were due to report back from a short liberty. Even though Chief

Sharkey, Captain Crane, Chip Morton and others are already on board making sure

all was in standing order with leaving and the cargo.

He had gone to the aft missile room in order to check-in with Sharkey, after he heard

him grumbling about something to Patterson and Kowalski with the hatchway door

slightly ajar to hear.

So he slowly walked inside asking the chief whether everything was fine with him,

while shaking his head coming over to the threesome in the middle of the missile

room.

It had seem that Sharkey was exasperated with trying to get things done quickly.

But for when it comes to Patterson and Kowalski after years of being on the

Seaview,he knew better to argue with them, since they always were able to have

their work done within the proper time period.

And when Admiral Nelson asked in whether everything was fine. Chief Sharkey

mostly just nodded in order to let the two continue on with placing all of the cargo

components away for the trip to Alaska.

Despite having a number of reasons in not wanting to for the moment, and to have

both Patterson and Kowalski on these details always gives him the willies. even

though both of his men always seem to get the job done.

"All right Chief, thanks. I will be turning in for the evening," while Nelson's expressive

eyes would always be of wonder for when it came to the Seaview and his crew.

As he glanced up to see Patterson and Kowalski continue on with the detail chatting

away like Jay birds like always, Nelson would be silently chuckling while Sharkey was

mostly shaking his salt & pepper head with the duo.

Three days later.

Meanwhile...

The Blue Thunder Naval base was having a bit of trouble with the recent weather pattern

changing to more snow and ice to be coming there way, included with the fact the area

was being hit with slight tremors from the recent change with the shift of the fault line.

And General Addison Conway was worried about the cargo that was supposed to be

going onto the Seaview due in eight hours.

He'd checked with the two doctors on whether the containment area was safe enough

in order to protect the virus and vaccine from either getting loose or destroyed.

This was the one single factor he was mostly worried about for the moment. And the

safely of his personnel on the base having to be a dilemma on his part.

Meanwhile_

Over near the containment sector on the other side of the base, Dr. Bernstein had to

be alone for the moment checking the readings inside, when all of a sudden he felt a

tremor from underneath him to shake him to the core.

Along with two of the virus vials to break inside of the Containment, having seen the

vials break open, Dr. Bernstein knew he was in trouble. He tried to reach the red-alert

button for where his lungs were being filled up with the virus infesting the entire

containment.

Even though without realizing it, he was able to manage to set it off and let everyone

know on the base something was wrong. He wasn't able to breath with his lungs

trying to cry out from the pain of the virus killing him, including having his eyes bulge

out from the side effect of the virus, while he was able to take his final breath before

falling to the cement floor.

However what wasn't known was the fact that the Virus only had a life span of a few

moments, even though instantly killing those around at the time of being infested.

And no matter how anyone is able to see it at the time. The virus is still very deadly once

released. It was just too bad he wasn't able to get a hold of the vaccine at the moment it

was released, having fallen from the tremor of the fault line.

Chapter Three

Moments later_

When Susan heard of the alarm coming from the containment, she dropped

everything into its placed to go running. And when she reached the area, it

was already too late for Dr. Bernstein. She was able to look inside with a

horrified look on her face. Then the others from the base came running with

a full detail, including General Conway requesting a full report on what exactly

killed the doctor.

Though some time later by checking the video feed inside, it'd shown the vials

falling from the tremor, and instantly killing the doctor in it's wake.

Hopefully it won't happen again. Once the Seaview arrives very soon.

Susan was upset when the General came over to speak with her about the vials

on whether or not it was safe enough to transport and be placed on board the

submarine and bring back to the Institute.

Standing in the corner of the containment room, she would be shaky for the

moment. In order for her to gather her thoughts before she's able to say

something to the General she took a few deep breaths.

"I will give you an honest answer. If I was Admiral Nelson, his submarine needs to be

very careful with the cargo, or else he will have more deaths on his hands depending

on where they place the vials. Otherwise I need to be on that submarine in order to

keep a close eye on the vials," she said without having to accuse anyone for the

blame of what happened.

"Very well Dr., I get your point at this time. I will see what I can do about getting you

to go along for the ride. As soon as the submarine arrives, I will speak with Admiral

Nelson in regard to your request for my permission."

"Thank you, General, but for now we need to have Dr. Bernstein's body taken out for

an autopsy until we know that it's safe enough to go inside the containment room,"

she said with irritation being shown on her face and most of all her body language.

"That's fine Dr. Are there any other recommendations that need to be made by

you?"

"At the moment, no," as she walked away with pools of droplets falling down onto

her face having lost a friend dear to her.

It was executive officer Stu Riley for the over night watch. He was able to advise

Admiral Nelson and Captain Lee Crane of two things when he woke them. First

off the Seaview had arrived at the proper coordinates for the Naval base, and

second a message from General Conway telling the Admiral about the tremor and

the death of Dr. Bernstein from the broken vial, caused by the latest tremor from

inside of the bottom fault line for the region.

When Admiral Nelson had heard about it from Riley, he wasn't all too pleased about

it. Nor was his counterpart with Captain Crane.

And they needed to know the circumstances of his death, or whether it would be safe

enough to bring on board the vials and vaccine, even though knowing Dr. Jamieson

with his smug look will need every single piece of information he can get on the

project.

Nelson had spoken with Riley. He needed to speak with General Conway to confer

with his notes before he makes a drastic decision and endangers the entire cruise

and most of all the crew. Including having to start a panic among the newer members

of the crew.

For now at this time of the night, there was nothing more to be done accept wait until

the morning watch comes on to begin with the unloading of their cargo for the Blue

Star Naval Base, even though the investigation into the death of Dr. Bernstein had

begun.

Chapter Four

Dr. Susan Randolph had to be inside of the Naval's base autopsy bay working on Dr.

Bernstein. She was having quite a hard time in trying to finish up after what had

happened.

She tried to gather herself for the most part on trying to be too emotional for when it

came to finding the exact cause. That was obvious since it was the virus strain having

killed him directly hitting his lungs and brain through the skin, since it was mostly

airborne.

She needed to finish up in order to report to the General, since he was directly involved

with the arrival of the Seaview and their cargo.

Otherwise, she was done and needed to clean up the area before she'd be able to

make the report, and then afterwards head for the pool for a quick few laps to relax her

somewhat.

She would be thinking to herself as to why the government didn't realize that this particular

virus strain was very deadly. Especially for when it comes directly in contact with the

human body through the pores.

She needed those reports. Even though when she and Dr. Bernstein had worked on

the project months back, it was mostly reported that the virus some-how had changed

its properties without anyone realizing it at the time.

Unless some one in the military involved with the project wished to use this virus for

their own purposes in order to destroy their enemy whom ever that may be at the time.

And if this was the case, she will need to be extremely careful for when it came to her

movements from here on out. But for now she needed to ready herself with her report

and then to the pool.

Some time later_

After making her report to General Conway in his office, while Admiral Nelson and

Captain Lee Crane were in his office as well discussing the cargo transfer to the base.

She was able to at least go into full detail on what killed Dr. Bernstein before leaving

to let the three finish up their chat. Afterwards she headed to the other side of the base

taking a transport vehicle, dressed in cold weather gear with the temperatures having

dropped with more snow predicted within the coming hours.

When she had opened the metal door to the pool area, everyone that was inside had

told her to close the door with the wind whipping up for the moment. Stopping on the side

with parking the jeep, she was able to get out quickly after closing up the top part to

protect it from the elements, before moving quickly inside. While catching her breath

from the cold air and swirling wind from being outside.

On board the Seaview.

CPO Chief Sharkey was making sure all was in order with removing the last of the

cargo to the base, while the workers helping out from the base were able to store the

components into the proper spot.

Otherwise Sharkey was trying not to eavesdrop. Since the three from the Blue Star

base were talking about the death of Dr. Bernstein, it'd sounded as if they were all

scared to death as if the entire base was infested, even though no other deaths

had been reported.

Sharkey had asked on whether they were all right. "What's wrong with all of you?"

He said with his comments having to be guarded for the moment, in order to stop

them from starting up a panic.

The younger worker of the three spoke up first. "Look at the way Dr. Bernstein had

died. I just hope to God it doesn't happen again on your submarine. Since it was the

tremor from the fault-line that had knocked the vials and opened into the air of the

containment room."

"Probably so young man. But Admiral Nelson and Captain Crane no doubt are doing

their best to steer clear of problems like that, once the shipment is brought abroad

the Seaview."

"I just hope so for your submarine and the crew." He said before finishing up the last

of the work to head on back to his quarters on the base. Sharkey could see that he was

scared as with the other two walking away from the area with there equipment in tow.

But for now Chief Sharkey needed to report back to Commander Morton inside of the

Control Room letting him know that the cargo from the Institute had been removed

from the submarine.

Otherwise with the Blue Star Naval Base had a bit of a dilemma going on with whether

or not the vials and vaccine should be brought over to the Seaview. However, the

decision would be made very soon from all those involved.

Chapter Four

However the decision was basically made any rate for when Admiral Nelson and General

Conway decided for the vials to be placed inside a specially made concealer and a

vacuum chamber in order to protect the crew-members from being killed from the virus,

just in case of an attack for different reasons. One being hit with shock wave tremors.

It was left up to Dr. Jamieson having been ordered to work with Dr. Susan Randolph.

Even though not as yet advised of the orders.

And no doubt she would find this ok, even though she would no doubt protest a little

once she's able to fully understand as to why she was taking the chances in the first place.

It all stemmed from politics and money mostly. Especially when a fortune had already

been spent on the project.

The Next Day Finale

There were no further delays. Captain Crane had advised all crew-members on board

the Seaview. They were heading back to Santa Barbara, California with one passenger

Dr. Randolph and her project were stored properly.

Admiral Nelson was somewhat cautious for the rest of the trip back home. Since there

were no further incidents when it came to the virus.

He didn't have any trepidation for when it came to his and the general's decision to

continue with bringing back the virus and the vaccine for the Naval department.

But for Dr. Susan Randolph, she will need to mourn her friend after what happened.

She will no doubt take a leave of absence from her position for a few weeks

afterwards and let the Naval department decide otherwise for when it comes to the

virus.

However, for now things needed to calm down somewhat for herself and mostly for

the Seaview, for which Nelson and his Institute will continue on with their next mission

coming up in a few weeks

No doubt mostly observation into the fault lines as to why the tremors have been

happening in the first place.

The End

Fatal Cargo