Chapter 198 -- LFN Storyboard 2

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Date Posted: 03:20:52 03/08/09 Sun
Author: taurus
Author Host/IP: CPE-124-188-6-70.nsw.bigpond.net.au / 124.188.6.70
Subject: Chapter 198
In reply to: taurus2124 's message, "The Rising Dragons continued ...." on 03:15:01 03/08/09 Sun

Chapter 198

Dr Johnson gave Walter a solemn look weighing up if he should confide in the two men or not then quickly averted his eyes before Walter put two and two together. The doctor knew that the munitions expert was a savvy operative and that Walter had honed in on what he had failed to say. However, some things about Michael�s medical condition were confidential and he was ethically bound by his Hippocratic Oath not to disclose anything about patient confidentiality. He was not at liberty to reveal the details or suspicions about Michael�s status although it was true � he wasn�t telling them everything. But how could he tell them that they all thought that it was highly probable that Michael wouldn�t pull through. Dr Khan had viewed the x-rays and knew that the operation would be touch and go. The bullet was precariously close to Michael�s heart and any mistake would be disastrous. Dr Khan too was under no illusion that if the medical team failed ... the surgeons would all be in abeyance before they left the operating theatre. Nevertheless, no mater what happened with their patient, the team would perform to their optimum � they had to � their lives were at risk if they did not.

Noticing his reticence Walter spoke candidly hoping that Dr Johnson would let slip what was troubling him. �Is there anything we can do? Anything at all � just name it.�

Despite the trepidation that Walter picked up on, Dr Johnson was confident that Michael would survive the surgery. However, it was his post operative care that may be precarious ... and it was he who was responsible for Michael�s intensive care. Knowing that he could not tell Walter everything he decided to be somewhat evasive but at the same time give him enough information that would let Walter figure out what he needed to know.

�Look Walter � I know how concerned you are but ... we�ll do everything humanly possible to get the result we want.�

�Is Michael out of danger then?� Birkoff asked hopefully.

�We won�t know until he returns from surgery.�

�When will that be?�

�Some time yet. The operation Dr Khan and the team are performing is more dangerous than first thought. The bullet shattered bone and lodged near a vital organ.�

�Oh, boy...� they sighed, thinking of what may have happened if Michael had not had emergency surgery.

�So will Michael be okay?�

�Only time will tell. He�ll need post operative care and if we have adequate blood supplies for him � he should be fine.�

Both Walter and Birkoff jumped in before the doctor had finished speaking. �No worries � we�ll donate Doc � just take what you want.�

Dr Johnson�s words were measured. �It�s not as � easy � as that I�m afraid.�

Perplexed Birkoff responded, �Why?�

His next words only confirmed in Walter�s mind that they were not compatible donors which meant that Michael must have some rare blood type. If that was true then the Intel was probably classified.

�Michael donated his own blood for emergencies such as this but his units are low at the moment.�

�I see � that�s not so good.�

�No, it�s not. The situation isn�t critical yet as we have enough units for the time being. It really all depends of how Michael pulls through the operation. The next 48 hours will tell us if we need donors or not.�

Reading between the lines Walter was sure that Dr Johnson was concerned about Michael�s low blood supplies. Did he know who were the compatible donors? Did he even know Michael�s blood type? Walter shared a looked with Birkoff. Classified Intel was hard to access but it could be done. His mind was already thinking of possible ways to find out what the Doctor required. Birkoff could find a way around it.

Dr Johnson noticed that Walter was thinking about what he had said and what he�d left unsaid. However, he didn�t want to place Walter or Birkoff in any danger if they foolishly went in search of Michael�s Intel. He tried to appease his words. �Despite this small set back, I�m sure he�ll bounce back in no time. Michael�s in relatively good health considering what he�s been through.�

�Yeah �. I�m sure you�re right.�

Nevertheless a sombre expression crossed Walter�s face. He was worried. So too was Birkoff. Should they find out the Intel Dr Johnson needed about Michael ASAP just to be on the safe side? he thought, as Birkoff asked the question, �What if Michael deteriorates overnight and things turn bad? What then?�

�I�ll contact you should things worsen with either Michael or Nikita.�

�Thanks Doc.�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

So it was true � the doc needed help. Michael�s Intel was classified and no one had access except Madeline and Operation he suspected. That would make it a little more difficult, but where there was a will there was a way. He and Birkoff would need to be careful. It would be dangerous and they�d all be put in abeyance if Operations and Madeline suspected anything untoward. But after being on this retrieval mission nothing was impossible. Walter felt a new surge of adrenalin waft through his body. He was up for the challenge �. but first he would need to convince Birkoff. The doc had said 48 hours. He would check in tomorrow to see where the patient stood to see if they needed to proceed with plans to access Michael�s personal file.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In two minds at what the doctor had said but at the same time convinced that he and Birkoff could find out the Intel needed about Michael, Walter then asked about his other patient. �So how is Nikita doing?�

�She is under sedation and resting at the moment. We were a little concerned about her condition as well.�

�Should we be worried?�

�Not really. Nikita�s lost conditioning and strength but the torture she was subjected to may have something to do with that. We took blood tests ... just as a precaution.�

�Oh?�

�Nikita is anaemic and as a result had been fading in and out of consciousness, but we've put her through every conceivable test we can.�

�Were her tests okay?�

�They were clear.� Seeing the relief on their faces Dr Johnson added, �All test results were negative.�

�That�s good.�

�Can we see her?�

�Sorry but no visitors tonight. She needs complete rest. Michael and Nikita will both be monitored overnight, then we will know more in the morning.�

�Okay.�

Taking pity on the two friends who were reluctant to leave Dr Johnson added, �There is nothing you can do tonight. Get some rest yourself and come back tomorrow.�

Even though they were slightly relieved about this news, Walter couldn�t help but say, �Okay � but make sure you keep on top of it, won�t you?�

�Sure � we�re doing everything we can and more. They�re in safe hands. Now go ... I think it best that you both leave. There is nothing you can do here. You need to rest too. You can see them tomorrow night. We will know more in the next 24 hours.�

�Let's hope so. Okay ... but I�ll be back! You can count on that,� Walter added succinctly.

Dr Johnson laughed. �Get out of here. Michael will be returning from surgery shortly. I have work to do.�

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

He watched the retreating backs of the two men leave Medical. His mirth however, quickly turned to another emotion as he thought of what would be unfolding in the operating room. Dr Khan had been summoned to the observatory prior to the operation by Madeline and Operations and he knew that Sections� leaders would expect the impossible of their skills in surgery. Michael Samuelle was one patient they couldn�t afford to lose on the operating table but he knew the surgical team were more than highly competent ... they would need to be to avoid abeyance if ... God forbid ... Michael died.

Dr Johnson checked the blood supplies � thankfully Medical still had enough units for 48 hours. They would have nothing to worry about unless more blood was needed for transfusions. He hurried away to complete his tasks for the arriving ICU patient as everything would have to be ready and waiting. Specialized Medical staff was on standby tonight and he had every confidence that they would perform well. Hopefully everything would go smoothly. However, if the situation became grim and there were any problems with Michael�s condition he just may need to make that call to Walter. The next few hours were critical.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After the operation, the head surgeon returned to inform Madeline and Operations of Michael�s condition. Removing his surgical mask he wiped the perspiration from his brow and gathered his resolve. The Section leaders glanced his way and although they could see the exhaustion on his face their sentiments lay elsewhere.

�Well? What do you have to report?�

Dr Khan nervously scrunched his mask in his hands to wipe away the cold bead of sweat that had suddenly moistened his palms. He relayed the outcome of the delicate operation knowing that had the team not been successful, they would all be facing their extinction. �We thought Michael was not going to make it. It was touch and go there for a while. Luckily the bullet was a couple of millimetres above his heart ... any lower and we would have lost him for sure. Michael is one very lucky man.�

�But he�ll recover fully?�

�Yes ... I don�t see any problem. He�s anaemic at the moment, but once he�s transfused we should see some major recovery start. Michael is a fit young man.�

�So how long do you think it will take before he�s back up on his feet?�

�It�s hard to say ... but if all goes well ... a couple of days ... maybe a week. He will need some recuperation time but Michael should be back to normal in no time.�

�Thank you doctor ... you may go.�

Nodding his head in compliance, Dr Khan made his exit from the observation room to scrub down after what had been a gruelling operation in more ways than one.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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