Chapter 5

The Bear's bellow could be heard throughout the maze of bunkers and tunnels that made up Sky Hammer. Some furs wondered of they herd it in the war department 40 feet above They had operatives in five continents. Scuttlebutt wondered how many of _them_had picked up on the General's outburst.

"Is this some kind of _ Joke _ captain?" The bear raged, shoving his desk out of his way as if it were made of matchsticks it crashed into the wall.

"No Sir. our operative in the area reports an outbreak of BX, Sir" Captain Mullans reported.

"Dispatch a strike team out to Site 64, immediately. I want that damn research data those morons _ ' forgot ' _to secure before sealing it up!" the Brigadier General demanded. The weasel flinched.

"The Captain respectfully reports Site 64 is off the grid, Sir. it has been expatriated to the civilian sector and Mefit construction is clearing the site in preparation for a new subdivision, Sir"

If looks could kill, he would be a red splatter on the far wall of the bunker. this was =not= going well.

"You are just full of good news, aren't you Corporal. Get me all the intel on this =Now= And I want reports from the midland network as well as the Southland Operatives on my desk within the hour, unless you prefer the rank of SARGENT! Dismissed" the big Ursine stormed out of his office heading for the target range. He was going to kill himself a few dozen Southeys to take the edge off his rage.

#

"Sir, Sir, you can't go in there sir." the Badger fem nurse said trying to prevent the panicky Skunk from going to the critical care unit.

"My_ Wife _ is in there! I've got to see her!" Rafe Johnson declared.

"I'm sorry sir, you can not enter the C C U. Please wait over there, Sir" She said , indicating a waiting room.

"But you don't understand, This is our wedding night! We were married this afternoon. I cant leave her. She collapsed on her way to our bed. I've _ got _ to be with her. I can't lose..." Rafe couldn't say it, it was too terrible to even contemplate.. that she could... That she... He felt numb. The nurse guided the Skunk into the waiting room and seating him in a chair. patting him on the paw she turned to go. Rafe's paw shot out grabbing the badger's wrist getting her _ full _attention.

"Please! Tell Me She Won't _ DIE! _" the Skunk pleaded. This was never easy she thought.

"Sir, she's getting the best care we have here... The doctors know what they are doing. There is nothing you can do to help her besides pray." She said softly, the Skunk went completely limp as the seriousness of the situation settled around his shoulders.

#

Ron sat in his office, still not believing exactly what Sheri had asked for. he picked up his phone...

"Chief of procurement, Gloria speaking." the Fem on the other end said.

"Glory-gal, It's Ron. Do we still have the syntha-fur, we use for prosthetics in stock?"

"Big HaCoona! I believe so, let me check...." Ron could hear the clicking of clawtips on keyboard

"Yeah, we are stocked, What's the project, and how much will you need" she asked.

"Hmm, I'm not sure on that, this will be a completely new area for R & D. Perhaps you should come up to the office and we can discuss it in more detail before I call a department meeting." Ron hedged.

"Uh, Okay... be right up." she said.

"Great, Oh could you bring up sample swatches of the furs we have in stock if you please. as well as your order book." Ron said wondering what else he could think of.

"Sure thing, boss, What _ Exactly _ is this project, Ron?" Gloria asked, sounding hesitant.

"It's a new prosthetics program and we'll need to crank out at least three different models. Don't worry, I'll explain it all when you get here." Ron said replacing the pawset in it's cradle. This could work, he thought.

#

Brigadier General Duncan Woodland was _ Not _ a happy fur. The stacks of papers, reports, satellite photos, information from his 'army' of covert operative on all five continents. Fortunately there has been =no= reports of BX in the pandarn country or his own ursine homeland. He had to make the call, one he was trying to find any options than having to use his ace in the hole.

#

Rafe shook himself out of his introspective circle jerk and stood up... the world shifted, he swayed on his feet making his way to the door hobbling like a geriatric old fogie. His head felt like it was about to explode, as if his body aches weren't bad enough... Gah! the hallway was so bright! why do they have to make everything so bright? trying to focus his eyes through the squint he saw a blurry blob in a white uniform the fur coloring looked like the badger nurse.

"Excuse me, Nurse, Uh, is there any word on my...Wife?" he asked. the Badger saw the Skunk hobbling towards the nurses station,he didn't look too good, it was more than just trauma shock. she signaled a pair of burly timber wolf orderlies to help the slow moving Skunk

"Mr. Johnson... " She asked as the orderlies flanked her.

"Got to get... To m-my wife..." he said before collapsing to the floor.

"Get him into the C.C.U, he's burning up" the badger ordered after placing a paw on his forehead.

#

End of Chapter 5