Disclaimers:  See part 1

A M B I G U I T Y  (4/8)
byMissy
missy@lexicon.net

TRAVELLING TO FBI REGIONAL OFFICES
3.09 P.M.


Mulder drove the car back at the speed limit for a change, allowing
Scully to be able to have access to the copies of the notes which Dr.
Gunter had provided.  

"Dr. Gunter's notes show that the dog was exhibiting all the signs for
having suffered intensive radiation poisoning.  There were signs of high
fever, diarrhoea, dehydration, ataxia and loss of consciousness not to
mention the opacities of the lens' of the eyes.    The treatment he gave
was to try and establish a balance in the electrolytes and replenish the
fluids being lost.  There was not much else he could do  until he had the
results of the blood tests which didn't arrive until just before we did."

Scully looked across at Mulder to gauge his reaction to the notes.  He
nodded in acknowledgment indicating for her to continue.  

"Well, the toxilogical reports you have seen showed that the dog was
suffering from septicemia, toxaemia and a disturbance in the balance of
the electrolytes and fluid balances together with the damage to the
haemopoietic cells which I had mentioned earlier.   All of these symptoms
indicate that the dog had been in contact with a massive dose of
radioactive material.   The two facts that negate this theory are the fact
that there is no external signs of radiation sickness and secondly, where
would a dog come in contact with a massive dose of irradiation in a city
without there being others affected."  Scully's voice had taken on the
firmness of her belief that there was something more to this than met the
eye especially considering what she had found in the autopsy.

"So, what is your theory Scully?"  Mulder asked quietly.

"I don't have a theory Mulder, only the facts and those facts are
contrary to each other at this stage yet they may be connected."

"You definitely have been working with me too long!" Mulder said
blandly wanting to dissipate the psychological chill which was starting
to invade the warm confines of the car. 

"Well, listen to the inital results from the autopsy and see what you
think.   Damage was found to the heart, lungs and kidneys which could
be attributed to the  septicemia and toxaemia.  The liver showed massive
hepatic necrosis."  Scully flicked back down the page, her face vexed as
she pondered the findings.  

"Mulder, this sort of damage to the liver  is amazing.  The organ has a
massive reserve capacity and power of regeneration and it would require
the injury to be severe and for damage to occur to all the hepatic tissue.  
 Dr. Gunter could not explain what would cause this either.  In humans it
is a rare complication of viral hepatitis and on occasion can be due to a
drug overdose or the ingestion of hepatotoxic substances."  She shook
her head slowly.    "Yet there is not explanation."

"The blood samples we took were difficult to get due to the massive
exsanguination that had taken place."

"Exsanguination?" Mulder's eyes opened wide as his mind began racing.

Scully stopped him short.  "Mulder, it is *not* alien abduction or 'dog
mutilation'.    Exsanguination is another of the symptoms exhibited by a
sufferer of haemopoietic radiation sickness. "

"Yet this type of exhibition of radiation sickness has not been seen
before has it?"

"Not that I can recall from my medical journals.   But anyway, I haven't
finished yet.  The blood chemistry is really what has me intrigued
though until I have the results from the labs I won't know what it
means."

"What do you think it is Scully?"  Mulder quizzed knowing from her look
that she definitely had an idea of what the blood contained.

"Mulder, I really would prefer to wait until I get the results but it
reminds me of the retrovirus that you were infected with."  Scully was
not happy at having to voice this concern.  The matter they were dealing
with was becoming more complicated as they went along with no threads
to tie all the pieces together.


FBI REGIONAL OFFICE - ITHACA
BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY
3.43 P.M.


Scully and Mulder appended their identification cards to their suits as
they entered the FBI building in New York.  Scully carried her briefcase
which contained the specimens and notes on the case.  After what had
happened that morning, she was not taking any risk with leaving any
details which could be taken.   They asked at the desk to see Agent Jason
Reid in the Forensic Science Department.  Mulder had contacted Danny to
obtain a reliable and efficient laboratory technician at the regional
office.

After taking the elevator to the third floor, they wove through the
fluorescent-lit passages following the directions given to them at
reception to the cramped offices of Agent Jason Reid.  They knocked on
the door and entered without waiting for a response.  

A rake-thin man in a lab coat was on his hands and knees underneath the
wooden desk, his hands checking the connections to the back of his
computer terminal all the while muttering verbal abuse at the
inadequacies of modern technology, and in particular, computers.  

Scully grinned to herself as she remembered various times when she had
entered their basement office to find Mulder muttering to himself the
very same string of words she was hearing uttered.

Mulder cleared his throat unobtrusively, realising that Agent Reid had
not heard their knock.  Agent Reid, becoming aware of their presence,
came out from his position a little too quickly,  his head collecting the
edge of the desk as he came out.  Wincing and rubbing the back of his
short cropped red haired head, the 6'6" tall agent apologised to the
Scully and Mulder for not acknowledging their presence sooner.

"Agents Scully and Mulder I presume.  I'm Agent Jason Reid."  

Mulder and Scully exchanged glances afraid that their reputations had
preceded them.  

Agent Reid allayed their fears.  "Danny rang me to advise me on what you
would be requiring so that I would be ready for when you arrived.  I
understand that there is a degree of urgency in this matter."

Scully expanded on the explanation of what they needed.  "We have the
standard tissue samples and trace evidence for testing which I can do if
you will direct me to the labs.  I need you to test the blood samples for
any bacteria, viruses, and in particular, any retrovirus.  You also need
to do DNA, RNA and chromosomal testing for any abnormalities."

"That is a tall order on short notice but I will do my best."  Agent Reid
took the samples that Scully passed to him.  "Come this way,  you will be
able to use the lab connected to the one I will be using.  

As they walked down the corridor, Mulder could not resist asking "How
did you manage to get into the FBI being so tall?"

"I'm sure Agent Scully can answer that question for you Agent Mulder" 
he replied sardonically.

Mulder looked down at Scully who just raised her eyebrows. They
entered the inner sanctum of the FBI laboratories filled with interesting
gadgetry and instruments utilised in the examination of evidence
retrieved from the scene of a crime or the victim itself.

Mulder decided he would go fetch some coffee and return when Scully
would have completed some of the more tedious work in the lab.  

                        - o O o O o O o -

Mulder returned twenty minutes later with two steaming cups of coffee
for Scully and Agent Reid as well as a complimentary jelly doughnut
each.  He had already devoured his own giving both of them time to
complete the more gruesome and time consuming aspects of the testing.

Scully sat on a high rollered chair with her back to the lab door before a
powerful electron microscope making notes on the ruled A4 pad beside
her.  She heard the door open and turned to see if it was Mulder
returning.  

"Good, I have some results which you may be interested in."  Scully
advised him.

"Any *good* news?" 

"Depends what you call *good*.  The cross-section of the heart, lung and
kidney all showed damage caused by the blood poisoning due to the
blood transversing through the organs."  

Scully took the polystyrene cup Mulder pro-offered her and the
doughnut back placing both down on the desktop, taking a sip of coffee
before continuing.  "However, the liver is interesting.  It shows massive
hepatic necrosis as I mentioned before but the cross-section is showing
an abnormality in appearance which may be the causation of the
necrosis."

What is it Scully?"

Scully looked down at her hands before gazing straight into Mulder's
hazel eyes "The damage appears to be as a result of a viral infection."  

"Retrovirus?" he half asked yet also stated.  

"Yes but I would like to see Agent Reid's results to know for sure.  That
is why I had the extra testing done to ensure that we know what we are
dealing with here."

"I've got this cup of coffee and doughnut for him.  Why don't we go
through and see what results he has so far."

Scully took another sip of her coffee before following Mulder through
the door to where Agent Reid was working.  

"How are you going, Jason?"  Scully asked.  He pulled his tall frame to its
full height  from where he had been bent over the electron microscope
suddenly dwarfing Scully as she stood beside him.

Mulder raised his eyebrows at Scully upon hearing her use of Agent
Reid's first name. 

"Dana, I've only got some early results of the blood testing.  The DNA,
RNA & genome will take at least another few hours before they come
through.  You were correct with the diagnosis of septicemia which is the
cause of the massive destruction of the immune system.  But have a look
at this slide and tell me what you see."

Scully sat at the stool and lent over the electron microscope peering
down at the small silicon disc magnified below.  Scully's jaw tightened
and she brought her head up blinked and then looked again down at the
silicon disc.

"What is it Scully?"  Mulder asked picking up on 

"Mulder, it's definitely a retrovirus." Scully stated as she looked up
once again.  "But it would appear to have the ability through its reverse
transcriptase to replicate itself into a triple-stranded DNA helix.  It is
nothing like I have ever seen before."

"There was no faults in the assessment procedure?"  Mulder directed
this question at Agent Reid.

A look of indignation came over the young Agent's face which told Mulder
as much as his words "I used the procedure of Polymerase Chain
Reaction Method which is a common technique used in diagnosis of DNA. 
It has been widely used over the past eight years and the FBI has access
to the newest technology created in the form of a silicon PCR chip which
is what you are looking at now."

Scully interrupted the ruffling of feathers than her partner had once
again unerringly caused before it got out of hand.

"Mulder, I think we need to go back to the motel and compile our notes on
this case."  Turning to Agent Reid "Call me once you get the results of
the other tests.  Here's my cell number."  Scully handed him her FBI
issue card.


BLUE LAKE MOTEL
4.34 P.M.


Mulder sat on the edge of Scully's bed as he went through the copies of
the toxicological reports which they had received from the vet mulling
over the inconsistencies between the external and internal examinations. 

Scully was at her computer typing up the autopsy report with what
details she had so far, stopping her tape recorder when needed to enable
an accurate transcription of her notes.  Once typed it, she began
inserting the results of the completed toxicology tests.
  
Mulder pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number very familiar to
him.  

"The Lone Gunmen."  Langly answered languidly with the phone jammed
haphazardly between his ear and shoulder.

"Turn the tape off."

For once in his life Langly did as he was asked knowing full well the
reason for the call.  "We received your package.  Very nice Mulder.  All I
can say is I hope you didn't slip with the needle."

"What is it?"

Byers came onto the phone.  "Mulder, do you remember the computer
enhancement of Dana's branched DNA cells we had on screen last year."

"Go on" Mulder answered gruffly not wishing to remember the
catastrophic damage which had been caused to his partner's immune
system.

"Well the residue which we tested in the syringe appear to be a an
irradiated retrovirus."

"What?"

"It's kind of hard to explain but basically the retrovirus instead of
replicating the DNA as a double-helix will actually form a triple-helix."

"Scully found that out earlier, so what does it do."

"Our sources indicate that it is similar to the HIV virus in that it also
decimates the immune system however it also carries the ability to
replicate the internal symptoms of radiation sickness."

"That supports the clinical results we have seen.  Any ideas on where
the technology was developed?"

"Mulder, if we had been aware of this sort of development we would have
responded immediately.  Can you imagine the power anybody has with
this kind of technology."

"That's the problem, guys, I can.  Thanks."  Mulder cut the connection.

"So, what was their opinion on the case, Mulder? Scully asked slipping
her glasses off her nose and turning to talk to him.

"I Fed-Exed them the syringe I picked up from Kevin's room.  The
analysis showed a retrovirus which would appear to be identical with the
one you found in the dog.  Except they have results one step ahead of
*your* Agent Reid "  Mulder could not resist having a dig at Scully's
calling the young Agent by his first name.  "They have discovered that
this particular retrovirus is a strain which induced the physical ailments
of radiation sickness."

"Mulder, how would they have been able to obtain that type of scientific
data when we have direct access to the most well-equipped laboratory in
the State?"  The last part of her question fizzled out as she realised that
she did not want to know the answer.  Scully was not quite finished. 
"Even so, retroviruses are not known to actually cause the disease but
create a deficiency in the immune system creating an environment in
which disease can spread."

"Scully, by now you should be aware that they have access to
information through many varied sources and that so far, that
information has been correct.  Even to the extent of the diagnosis of the
branched DNA left in your system."  

At that comment Scully stood up angrily and walked to stand looking out
of the window with her back to Mulder, arms crossed tightly,
defensively, across her body.

Mulder knew he should not have brought up that subject but sometimes
he became so frustrated when Scully questioned every bit of evidence
placed before her especially when so much had been proven to an extent. 
He did not require her to believe in extra-terrestrial life but he did
expect her to accept that there was a government conspiracy to cover up
various undercover experiments *and some not so anonymous*.

Scully took a deep breath and slowly exhaled calming herself enough to
be able to rationally discuss this case.  Something suddenly struck her. 
"When did you Fed-Ex the syringe, Mulder?"  

"When I went out to get the coffee and croissants this morning."

"But that was before we had even been ransacked." Scully turned
around to face him.

"Let's just say that even the slightest hint that this case was connected
with Aricebo cautioned me."  Mulder said softly.

Scully's anger dissolved as she looked at the sorrow in her partner's
hazel eyes.  She knew he had not meant to bring up the issue of her
abduction - in fact he avoided so at all costs.  Yet this case had pushed
his resolve in his efforts to have her believe that the government was
not innocent but implicated in various testing from alien spacecraft
through to genetic manipulation.

Before Scully had a chance to say anything, Mulder's cellular rang. 

"Mulder."

Scully watched Mulder trying to gauge the context of the conversation
from  the one end she was hearing together with Mulder's facial
expression.  She was not able to pick up the gist of it other than
whatever it was, was not good news and that they would be therein
fifteen minutes.

"Who was it?" Scully asked as soon as Mulder completed the call.

"That was Sheriff Davidson.  They have just retrieved a body from a
ravine near here." Mulder's voice was filled with emotion and guilt.

"Dr. Subanzki?"

"No.  Damn.  I  should have known this would happen."

"Mulder, who was it?!" Scully said forcefully bringing Mulder out of his
self-loathing.

"Marissa Jordan.  Her car went over the edge of a mountain range in
Montmorency." 

"How did he know that she was connected with this case?" Scully asked,
puzzled that the Sheriff had made the connection.

"My card.  They found it in her purse."  Mulder closed the file shuffling
the toxicological reports back inside.  "Scully, make sure you've got
everything with you."

Mulder's comments were not necessary because Scully had already saved
her notes to a floppy disk, shut down her computer disconnecting it from
the telephone jack and was neatly collecting her notes placing them in
her briefcase.  They both bundled themselves into their coats and
hurried towards the car.

End Part 4/8