Ken McClure - Resurrection

‘You know very well that I’ve not worked with live viruses for many years and never with that particular one.’

Ferguson, who had now been listening in to the conversation in the unusual silence of the room, smiled wryly and whispered, ‘Another bugger who learned to swim from a book. He’d drown if he ever hit the water.’

‘It’s George and me then. Perhaps you’ll arrange for the suits and decontamination fluid to be ready for us on Level 3 when we get there. Oh, and is the phone line still open to the two inside?’

‘Yes, I have contact.’

‘Maybe you could close your end so that I can speak to the people inside?’

‘Of course.’

‘Who are they by the way?’

‘Simone Clary and Gregor White.’

‘Post doc and third year student. Okay ready when you are.’

The phone went dead and Malloy allowed ten seconds for Hutton to close the other phone link before dialling the Level 3 lab. It was answered first ring by a woman’s voice.’

‘Hello Simone, this is Steve Malloy. What’s your situation?’

‘I don’t think it’s too bad but Gregor …’

‘What about him?’

‘He’s upset.’

Simone had lowered her voice to say it. Malloy guessed it was so that White wouldn’t hear. He became aware of a whimpering noise in the background and sussed the situation.

‘Okay Simone. I have to ask some questions before George and I put on the noddy suits and come and clean you up. Was the spillage contained within a given area?’

‘Yes, one vial broke open on the floor, the other one survived.’

‘So there is a puddle of liquid on the floor in the containment lab?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did either of you come into contact with the liquid?’

‘No, I don’t think so.’

‘Did you see the vial hit the floor?’

‘Not exactly. when I turned round Gregor had knocked over the vials but he made a brave effort to catch them before they hit the floor. He didn’t quite manage it but he did catch one and interrupted the fall of the other so that the impact was lessened.’

‘Good, that probably means there was minimal splashing and aerosol formation. I’m going to ring off now Simone. George and I will be with you soon.’

Malloy put down the phone and turned to Ferguson. ‘You heard?’

Ferguson nodded.

‘What d’you think.’

‘Piece o’ piss. Puddle on the floor, no aerosols. You could deal with that with a mop and some Dettol.’

Malloy smiled. ‘Probably, but we’d better put on a show for the lieges. There is one worrying thing though. Sounds like young White is throwing a wobbly. We don’t want him making a charge for the door as soon as we get in there.’

‘Maybe you could get Simone to keep him out the road till we do the needful?’

Level 3 was almost deserted when Malloy and Ferguson entered from the stair well. Their footsteps didn’t quite echo but were certainly audible as they walked along the corridor to the ante room to the outer door leading to the high level containment facility. Two bio-safety suits had been left outside along with a pressurised container of decontaminating fluid with a hose and steel spray head attached. The corridor phone rang; Ferguson who was nearest picked it up.

‘Put me on to Dr Malloy,’ said Hutton’s voice.

‘Herr Direktor ,’ said Ferguson, passing the phone.

‘Steven, The engineers have decreased the air pressure on Level 3 so there can be no outflow.’

‘Right,’ said Malloy.

‘A comfort,’ whispered Ferguson.

‘Good luck, you two.’

‘Thanks,’ said Malloy.

Ferguson made a face.

Malloy dialled Simone and got an engaged tone. ‘Fuck!’ he said.

‘It’ll be Herr Direktor trotting out sterling British claptrap,’ said Ferguson. ‘We’re all with you Simone, although I’m three floors below heading for a taxi.’

Malloy thought about phoning someone else to tell Hutton to clear the line then decided against it. Instead, he banged on the outside door of the suite, figuring Simone would understand. The phone line cleared.

‘Simone, we’re about ready to come in. Can you make sure you’re both well back from the door?’ He stressed the word, both.

‘Of course.’

The two men suited up in silence and checked each other before closing their hoods and again checking the seals. Malloy sprayed the exterior surface around the door they were entering through and turned the handle.

The slight rush of air into the lab which caused several pieces of paper on a notice board to flutter was taken as a comforting sign. If air was flowing into the lab, nothing was flowing out.

Simone Clary and the student, White were sitting together at the far end of the lab. Simone had her arm round the shoulders of the young man as he sat, round-shouldered, staring at the floor. Simone obviously mentioned the entrance of the newcomers because he looked up and regarded the presence of Malloy and Ferguson like a rabbit seeing an advancing car.

‘Everything’s going to be okay,’ yelled Malloy, trying to overcome the sound deadening of the hood he was wearing. He realised just how difficult it was to persuade someone who wasn’t wearing a space suit like his that this was the case. ‘Just stay still and wait till we clear up the mess.’

Simone’s hands tightened on White’s shoulders to stop him getting up. Ferguson remained in front of the door to block any panic-fuelled rush. White seemed to settle so Ferguson joined Malloy in walking into the BL3 lab where they both saw the wet patch on the floor interspersed with broken glass.

‘No problemo.’ announced Ferguson. He poured concentrated disinfectant into the puddle and then sprayed the surrounding area with the pressurised disinfectant spray. Are we having an encore?’ he asked.

‘Suppose we better,’ replied Malloy.

‘One grenade or two?’

‘Better make it two. Give everyone their money’s worth.’

‘That old yen for show-business, eh?’

Ferguson prepared two disinfectant gas shells and then waited while Malloy finished checking inside the BL3 lab before retreating to the exit and giving Ferguson a nod. Ferguson pulled the toggles on both shells and stepped back smartly to join Malloy as the first spiral of gas escaped. They closed the airlock behind them allowing the gas to fill the interior and destroy any rogue virus particles that might have escaped the decontamination fluid.

‘Shower time folks,’ announced Malloy as they rejoined Simone and Wright. All our clothes stay here for decontamination. We’ll use the surgical smocks in the cabinet to the right of the shower room. You first Simone. Simone appeared reluctant to leave White but Malloy nodded reassurance and she relinquished contact slowly with White and made for the shower.

‘You’ll be next Gregor,’ said Malloy.

‘What’s the point?’ mumbled White. ‘We were exposed to concentrated HIV virus for Christ’s sake!’

‘It didn’t splash on your skin and you’ve no obvious cuts or grazes it could have got in to so what’s the problem? HIV’s a bastard but it’s not that easy to catch in a lab situation. Just thank your lucky stars it wasn’t something like typhoid or plague you were working with.’

‘You’ve got suits on haven’t you?’

‘We like making a drama out of a crisis,’ announced Ferguson, taking his hood and visor off. If you catch AIDS son it’s because of what you’ve been doing with your dick not because of that wee puddle in there.’

The comment forced a wan smile from White.

‘Go have your shower,’ said Ferguson, seeing that Simone had emerged from the shower room, wearing a white surgical smock and nothing else. Her wet, black hair hung round her face making her appear younger and more vulnerable than before.