Carrion Virus (Book 2): The Athena Protocol Read Online Free Page B

cacophonous sound echoing through the vault-like room. A research workstation dominated the centre of the room, with flashing computer terminals, cameras monitoring every square inch, and steel surgical implements lined up and arranged by types in boxes. It was state-of-the-art. Unlike his previous workplace, instead of one huge containment tank to hold the infected, there were ten separate holding cells. And each contained one infected. They stood in confinement, hands pressed against the glass, their bodies shuddering in constant motion.
    Armed guards stood watch around the clock, observing every move made by the infected and the research staff. Such a measure would have been beneficial in his previous work place, when he was framed for the security breach, a witness to prove his innocence.
    Few medical staff worked with Holden. Doctors appeared and disappeared. Specialists and nurses did the same. For all he knew, this was one of many research stations located on the complex. He had no real way of finding out. Everything was kept hushed.
    Holden took his usual seat, and flicked through the pages of waiting reports detailing data gathered on the endurance levels of the infected.
    “Ah, Doctor Holden.”
    Hyde, the manager of the facility, walked his way followed by two females. Holden swivelled in his chair to face the new arrivals. Hyde flashed a rare smile, one that did little to comfort Holden.
    “I’d like you to meet Doctor Helen Benoit,” he said. “An expert in viral infections.”
    Dr. Helen Benoit was the older of the two women. A pair of thick-set glasses balanced on her nose, her greying hair pulled back into a bun.
    “And this is Jane,” said Hyde. “I’m sorry, dear, I seem to have forgotten your surname.”
    “Appleby,” she provided.
    “Of course. Jane, Jane Appleby,” Hyde introduced again. “Jane is a theatre nurse with extensive experience in tissue viability and trauma. They are now on your team, and I’m sure both ladies will prove invaluable to your research.”
    Hyde stepped away and spoke to one of the armed guards. Dr. Benoit shook Holden’s hand in a weak fashion. “It’s a pleasure to meet you in person. I’ve attended several of your lectures in London and read much of your research.”
    “Well, thank you, Helen.”
    “I’ll set up over there, shall I?” She pointed to the workstation.
    “Certainly. And you, Jane?”
    The new theatre nurse watched the containment tanks with a peculiar focus. Fear? Surely this scene was not new to her?
    “Your quite safe, my dear. Won’t you sit down?”
    “Are there only ten of them?”
    “For the moment, yes.”
    Jane was a pretty thing with dark hair combed back behind her ears, shining blue eyes and pale skin too pure to be blemished by make-up.
    “What kind of work are we doing here?”
    “You’ve not been told?”
    She shook her head.
    “We’ll get to that,” said Holden. “I’d like to know a little more about you, if I could? You’ve experience with the infected.”
    “Is it that obvious?”
    Holden touched her shoulder. “Yes.”
    “I was in Aberdeen. I worked in the hospital. I was on a bank shift when the outbreak hit. The hospital was overrun. We would have been, too, but a policeman, Nick, he held us together, barricaded the ward and we held out. We were rescued by Black Aquila. Nick, he didn’t make it. Not many of us did.” She spoke the policeman’s name with a touch a love.
    “I’m sorry for your loss, Jane.”
    “I was offered this job. If I refused I’d have to stay in a displacement centre. So here I am.”
    “You’re safe here, Jane. I promise you that.” Holden leaned closer. “Do you know where we are?”
    “You don’t know?”
    “No. Like you, I have little choice.”
    “We’re still in the north-east but I don’t know exactly where. When I asked, they told me never to ask again. And I won’t. Everything has been a whirlwind. The NHS won’t allow me into the city to care for the