Home » The Archives » Chapter 9 » Regrouping and Recouperation
| Re: Regrouping and Recouperation [message #124 is a reply to message #123] |
Sun, 22 July 2012 18:55   |
artisticrainey
Messages: 1228
Registered: July 2012
Location: Northern Ireland
Karma:
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Field Commander
Switzerland |
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Sunday, August 5, 2068, 8:30 p.m., local time, Los Angeles (Monday, August 6, 3:30 p.m., Tracy Island)
"John, dear, would you get that?" a weary Emily asked. "It must be room service."
John nodded, and got up from the sofa in their multi-bedroom suite. He was concerned for his grandmother; the flight to Los Angeles had been physically taxing on her. He knew that the emotional fallout had yet to come. She wanted to see Dianne; she wanted to see the children, but there was just no time, not then. Besides, the security issues at the hospital precluded her from getting inside. Virgil and John had toyed with the idea of trying to get in by wearing their uniforms, but a quick consultation with Jeff had shot down the idea.
"You have no idea what's going on around here," Jeff had told them. "The hospital is surrounded by crowds, and more IR members would worsen the situation. We'll figure out a way to get everyone in as soon as possible, but for now, it's better that you stay away."
John opened the door, expecting a cart and liveried hotel personnel. "Lady Penelope!" he cried.
"Hullo, John. May we come in?" Lady Penelope smiled. She looked her sleek and stylish self, and Parker, dressed in his gray chauffeur livery, hovered in behind her.
"Of course, of course!" John stepped back to allow the pair entrance. "Grandma, Lady Penelope's here."
"I'm not deaf, John," Emily said testily. She rose and took both of Penny's outstretched hands. "It's good to see you, Penelope." They sat together on the smaller sofa. "But what brings you here?"
"Why Dianne and Jeff, of course," Penny replied. The door chime sounded again. "Parker."
"Yus, milady." Parker went off to answer the door, just as if he were home at Foxleyheath, returning with the cart from room service and the hotel staff who were there to set the small table and serve the food.
"Please excuse us, Lady Penelope, for eating in your presence," Emily said as Virgil guided her to the table.
"Of course, Mrs. Tracy," Penny said. "I have already supped, and I believe Parker has done the same."
The staff departed, and Parker made sure the door was closed and locked behind them. Parker moved one of the wing chairs close to the table so that they could continue their discussion as the Tracys ate.
"I was able to gain access to the hospital through the auspices of our physician-agent," Penelope said. "I wished to see security measures for myself, and of course, visit briefly with Jeff and Dianne."
"How is she?" Emily asked.
"She is not in pain; the medications they are giving her are working well. However, they make her drowsy. Dr. Carmichael is of the opinion she will fully recover, given time and rest."
"Can we get in to see her?" Virgil asked.
"Not at the moment, I fear," Penelope replied regretfully. "However, we are working on a plan to allow for visits without compromising security."
"How did you get in?" John asked, frowning.
Penelope smiled slightly. "I was allowed into the hospital building in disguise, wearing a dark wig."
"Wanda Lamour?" Virgil asked, smiling a little.
Penelope nodded. "Yes, or much like her. Then I changed into my uniform..."
"Uniform?" Both John and Virgil were stunned at this news. "Since when?" John asked.
"Jeff thought it prudent for me to have a version of the uniform if I ever needed to appear in an official manner," Penelope replied. She took the cup of coffee that was offered to her with a murmured, "Thank you", and continued. "Of course, I am to always disguise myself further, with a different hair color and perhaps a beauty mark that would draw attention to itself -- and that I myself do not have." She took a sip of coffee and added, "The trim is a light pink, of course. And I wore a skirt for the occasion."
"Wow." Virgil shook his head. "The things Dad does that he doesn't tell us about."
"I am under the impression that my uniform was an afterthought," Penelope said. "No matter. I was able to see the security measures for myself, and later, discussed the option of moving Dianne from hospital temporarily, then returning her to it as herself. Dr. Carmichael seemed to think it was a feasible plan, as long as the move was temporary. We will have it appear that 'Doc' has been discharged to another facility, and that Dianne Tracy, auto accident victim, has been admitted to hospital to be under the care of her uncle." She sipped her coffee again. "He was gratified to hear the plan; hospital administration is less than pleased about the extra security expense."
"I'm sure that Jeff will make it worth their while financially," Emily said tartly. "You'd think they'd be considering more than the bottom line on a few guards to keep people away from her room."
"Oh, no, Mrs. Tracy. The internal security is not the issue." Penelope hastened to explain. "They are quite used to having celebrities of all stripes visiting and using the secure wing. The external security is the problem. No one foresaw the crowds that have gathered."
"Crowds? What crowds? Why should crowds be there?" Emily asked, looking puzzled.
Virgil hastened to explain. "Grandma, they're there because... well, because of us. Because of what we do. If you could have seen the crowds in Ust'-Uls after the rescue in the Ural Mountains. They lined the streets, cheering as we came back into the city after dealing with the avalanche victims. We are hardly ever in a populated center long enough for people to actually come and say 'Thank you', but when we are, they do. In droves."
"The crowds around the hospital contain more than well-wishers this time, Virgil," Penelope said. She sighed lightly. "There are also protesters..."
"Protesters?" John asked. "What the hell could they be protesting?"
"John! Language!" Emily said sharply.
"Sorry, Grandma," John said in an apologetic tone. "Still, I don't see what they could possibly be protesting."
"Nor can I," Penelope said. "But I am informed that there are some present, and that there have been some altercations between them and IR supporters." She put down her now-empty coffee cup. "Both the hospital and the local police will be pleased when we have withdrawn our presence."
There was a pause, then Virgil said, "Whew! What a mess!" He shook his head. "What do you need us to do?"
"At the moment, to continue with your plans. I shall be in touch with Scott about the arrangements."
"You might want to have Thunderbird Two fly Dianne away," Virgil said. "She's got the sickbay and all. Elise can do the honors."
"An excellent idea, Virgil. We also have considered using a Tracy Industries helijet to bring Dianne back to the hospital."
"Elise would be good for that, too. She's on the payroll as Dad's pilot."
"I hate the fact that we are all stretched so thin," Emily complained. "But there's just no way around it right now."
"Does Dad know about Brandon?" John asked suddenly.
"Brandon?" Penelope looked puzzled. Parker began clearing the small table, moving dishes to the room service cart.
John sighed. "Brandon was called home for a family emergency, Lady Penelope. We flew him here and had Tracy Industries supply a ride to San Diego for him."
"Oh dear," Penelope said, shaking her head. "Jeff may not be aware of it."
"If he isn't, Scott will be sure to tell him," Virgil said. "When will this transfer happen?"
"Dr. Carmichael and I have planned this for Tuesday. He believes Dianne will be up to the move then."
"We'll be returning soon after that," Emily said. "I don't want to spend too long at the farmhouse... or what's left of it."
"You have my deepest sympathies, Mrs. Tracy," Penelope said, putting a soft hand on Emily's arm. "I could not imagine having to sort through the remains of Foxleyheath after such an event."
"Thank you, Penelope," Emily replied. "Most of my keepsakes are on the island, but there are still some things I left to furnish the house. I don't hold out much hope they're salvageable, but we won't know until we get there."
"I hope you will find more than you expect to find," Penelope said. She began to rise, and Parker pulled her chair back for her. "And on that thought, I will take my leave. You will all need a good night's rest to fortify yourselves for the task tomorrow."
"Thank you, Lady Penelope, for coming," Emily replied, smiling a little. "I'm very glad you're here for Jeff and Dianne."
"So am I," Penny responded, giving Emily's hand a squeeze. "I am also happy to make the acquaintance of our newest agents. Dr. Carmichael is an excellent physician and very personable. I am scheduled to meet his wife, and look in on Kyrano, Lisa, and the children in the morning." She smoothed her skirt. "Good night, Mrs. Tracy. Good night, John, Virgil."
"You haven't seen the kids yet?" John asked as he walked her to the door, opening it. Parker wheeled the room service cart out to the corridor.
Penny shook her head. "No, though I have heard they are very anxious to see their mother."
"Thanks. I may give them a call before we leave in the morning. Touch base with them, especially Tyler."
"An excellent idea."
"Good night, Lady Penelope," John said, giving her a small smile. "See you again soon."
"Good night, John."
The door closed behind her and Parker, and John sighed. He returned to the sitting room to find Emily waiting. "Good night, John," she said, reaching up to give him a kiss. "We've got an early start tomorrow."
"I know, Grandma," he replied as he returned the kiss.
"Get some sleep, then. You, too, Virgil." Virgil came over for his own good night kiss. "Don't spend half the night talking."
"We'll sleep, Grandma, I promise," Virgil told her. She nodded, and headed for her bedroom.
John and Virgil glanced at each other as the door closed behind her. Virgil stretched, making a loud groan as he did so. "I'm heading for bed," he said.
"I'll be there soon," John promised. "Just want to check the news."
"Want to see those crowds around the hospital?"
"Yeah." He sat down on the sofa and turned on the televid, beginning to surf the channels.
Virgil sat down beside him. "Then we can watch together."
Post by Tikatu on 10/29/2006
  
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