Chapter 62 Moscow, 55° 45′ 21″ N, 37° 37′ 2″ E Sheremetyevo Airport

Akiko and Cecilia were capable doctors. But dealing with a gunshot wound to the chest on a plane without proper equipment made them panic. Especially Akiko.

Seeing Andalas's pale face and rapid loss of blood pressure made her hysterical. Cecilia was working hard trying to save Andalas's life. While crying, Akiko kept pressing on his wound to stop the bleeding.

For Akiko, the Grozny-Moscow journey was like a trip to hell. The man in front of her had become a part of an important plan for her. But his weak and cold body made all her plans turned into a plan of death. Akiko couldn't take it anymore. She whined briefly and rolled over unconscious.

Doctor Cecilia just let Akiko faint. She only requested that Captain Shinji and First mate Yoshido put Akiko's body on a chair and cover her with a blanket to keep her warm. Akiko was in shock and was hit hard. She needed to rest.

As planned, the plane would be landing in Moscow. The substitute pilot, had contacted Sheremetyevo Airport and reported that several passengers were injured and needed an ambulance and emergency equipment at the airport. Airport authority agreed. They had been informed of the Grozny incident by the Russian security forces. Fire engines and several ambulances were on standby near the end of the runway. All flights were suspended.

Cecilia had a chance to get a flash of news from Cathy.

The invading forces were brought down at Grozny Airport by the Russian troops. Dozens of them died, some were injured, and the rest fled. According to undisclosed sources, the injured people ended their lives by ingesting cyanide pills which upon examination turned out to be what everyone had. No one could be questioned. But according to my sources, they are confirmed to be OWC militants.

It wasn't a pleasant news for Cecilia. Worse, it was followed by a message from Doctor Aslan.

I'm concerned about the hijacking. I hope Andalas is okay. I've put my people on standby at Sheremetyevo Airport to take care of everything there. Soon I will have a hearing in front of the member states. Specifically discussing their no-confidence motion on me.

Cecilia didn't have time to reply to the messages. She was busy watching Andalas. His vital signs continued to decline. Cecilia desperately hoped they would land in Sheremetyevo soon.

The flight attendants were slightly injured, so there was nothing to worry about them.

The only one fighting for life was Andalas. Cecilia's estimation was the bullet missed his heart just a little bit. That kept him alive. But because the shot was from such a close distance, the wound became severe. If the bullet was not removed soon, Andalas had little hope of survival. Cecilia took a deep breath. This man meant a lot to MS-BA-30. It meant more to Akiko who was still unconscious.

The plane landed smoothly at Sheremetyevo Airport. The pilot stopped the plane right at the taxiway intersection to make it easier for the rescue teams to take immediate actions.

The plane door opened. None of the passengers got off until Andalas was evacuated by the medical team. His body was put on the life support in the ambulance that sped away from the airport to reach a nearby hospital. They couldn't waste time. This man needed surgery, stat. Cecilia, who wanted to get into the ambulance, was stopped by the medics. She should be checked first.

Cecilia didn't insist. She was relieved to be told that Andalas would be taken to the Botkin Hospital downtown. After all, there was no way she would leave Akiko who had regain consciousness but was still weak. The woman had to be carried on a stretcher to get off the plane. Andalas's condition had smashed her strength.

While waiting for Akiko who was being treated at the airport infirmary, Cecilia contacted Cathy and Doctor Aslan.

Andalas has been taken to the hospital for surgery. Akiko was still hit hard and wasn't doing well at all. Captain Shinji and Yoshido are fine. I'm waiting for Akiko to recover a bit and we'll go to Botkin Hospital to see how Andalas's condition progresses. Once he is okay, we will go to Geneva to see Doctor Aslan. Captain Shinji and Yoshido agreed to assist in Geneva until everything settled.

There was no reply from either Cathy or Doctor Aslan. Cecilia didn't have any preconceived notions. She then turned her attention to Akiko who seemed to be slowly rediscovering.

On their way to Botkin Hospital, Cecilia received shocking answers on her device.

From Doctor Aslan;

I was officially removed from my position at WHO. Now I'm awaiting for an ethical trial due to what I've been hiding on Pandora. I was under house arrest in Geneva. You must stay strong. I'm preparing everything.

From Cathy;

We're under attack! In full force! Pandora was seized by an invading army that came from nowhere. Doctor Booth is dead! We are now on the run on a small boat with some CIA and MI6 agents, Professor Sato, Professor Mbutu and Professor Rodriguez. We only had time to save the results and samples for MB and BA drugs. I've contacted Doctor Aslan but no answer yet. I'll call you as soon as we are in a safe place.

Poor Willy! Cecilia slumped back in her chair after receiving an onslaught of bad news. She grabbed and held Akiko's hand tightly. Akiko was able to sit up. Cecilia was the one who needed extra strength now.

Another big blow happened when several people appeared and identified themselves as the Interpol. They handcuffed Cecilia and Akiko while giving shocking news.

You were under arrest for causing havoc in various parts of the world and suspected in the murder cases in London, Pointe Noire, and aboard British Air and Swiss Air flights.

Akiko, who was back in shock, screamed as she was led out of the airport to the Interpol office. She demanded to be allowed to go to Botkin Hospital before being flown to Lyon for detention at the Interpol Headquarters.

Cecilia managed to persuade the Interpol officers to swing by the Botkin Hospital, which was not far from the Interpol Moscow headquarters.

While continuing to be handcuffed and escorted by several Interpol officers, Cecilia and Akiko headed to the registration to ask where Andalas was treated.

The final blow for the two doctors, who had been desperately trying to save the world from this terrible pandemic, when the hospital staff responded.

"We have two patients here from the incident at the Swiss Air. Both are flight attendants. None of them is named Andalas."

Akiko was unconscious on the way to the Interpol's headquarters in Moscow.