Sally's Secret

Chapter 22

Getting the information was slow because of the language barrier, but it was better than being left clueless and ignored. The Russian woman was patient with the process, speaking small bits at a time and then pausing for EOS. "Her body's defenses will be better than any medicine, since we have no idea what the virus will do. Her immune system will be stronger if she stays sedated."

"For how long?" Virgil asked and EOS translated.

The woman shook her head. "We do not know. As long as it takes to be rid of the virus. Her other wounds are not very bad."

Virgil wanted to argue with that statement, but it was simply too hard to do it through language barriers and translators. The burns, rope abrasions, and bruises might be minor in a comparative medical sense, but they were absolutely 'very bad' in his mind because they had been purposely inflicted by a sadistic madman for no reason but to cause her pain.

Something on his face must have communicated his sentiments because she amended herself. It was translated to: "I mean the wounds will heal quickly and not require a large expenditure of immunological reserves. She will need a strong immune system to fight this virus. That is of most concern right now."

"Can I see her?"

She pointed down through the window. EOS translated: "You see her. We will save bedside visit until she is no longer sedated, yes?"

"Da," Virgil said. "Thank you," from Virgil was translated to "spah-si-bah". He repeated EOS's translation himself, both to express it personally and to try to learn the word.

She nodded and turned to go.

"Wait! What is your name?" Virgil asked and EOS translated.

"Doktor Olga Petrova."

"Virgil Tracy. Pleased to meet you." He was thankful she had given him information and led him here, where at least he could see Maria.

Petrova nodded and walked out. She didn't seem to care that he stayed behind, alone.

Virgil decided to call Grandma with the update, which he knew wasn't much new information, but he would have wanted her to call if their positions had been reversed.

"They're keeping her sedated and I can't be with her until they decide to let her wake up," he said with a little more frustration in his voice than he intended.

Brains popped in next to Grandma, "Virgil, I have b-been in conference with the virologists at the CDC. Atlanta will be sending some of their t-top doctors to Russia, along with a translator. Scott will be t-transporting them in Thunderbird 1 as soon as he finishes his p-present mission."

"That's good news, Brains," Virgil said.

Grandma spoke next. "Virgil, why don't you come home with Scott after he drops off the doctors? Maria would want you to come eat that pulled pork she made and get some sleep."

"The t-team leader from the CDC, Dr. Harrison, has p-promised to keep us updated," Brains added. "Scott will give him one of our c-communicators so we can keep in touch."

"I'll decide after I talk to this doctor myself. If he can assure me it really won't matter, I'll come home with Scott."

"F.A.B." Grandma said before closing the connection.

Virgil was able to see when the American team arrived because their biohazard suits were yellow, contrasting vividly with the Russians' red ones. He also heard English and saw a translator working busily with all the researchers to exchange information. Virgil left the observation deck to look for Scott, whom he found back in the waiting room.