Mission of Mercy
Mission of Mercy was an interesting story to write as it gave me a chance to develop some history between Virginia and Ed. This was the first of several short stories that help explain events mentioned in “Soul Mates.”
The story opens up explaining what Virginia had been doing in the early days of SHADO. As you can see she spends most of her time in the States but is responsible for the entire research and development arm of SHADO.
When the phone rings we see that Colonel Lake and Miss Ealand are on a first name basis, due to the fact that they are always in communications about research projects and deadlines. As soon as Janice gives her the bad news, she decides to handle this errand herself knowing Straker’s wishes for privacy.
Ginny shows her quick decision making ability by choosing someone on her staff who is a native to the area and has the means to get her to the airport on time. At the hospital she wastes no time, she gets the medication and gets to the airport. Her ability to size up a situation quickly, will be one of the reasons Straker promotes her.
Back at HQ, we see Ed going through pure hell, worried for his son, second guessing himself, and anguishing over the fact that his ex-wife is married to another man. Straker tries to hide it when Alec walks in, but he knows something is wrong.
Ginny calls HQ to let Ed know she is in the air and that he need not be concerned for his privacy. Straker knows that Virginia has integrity to spare and his words fall short of the gratitude he feels. At this point in time, Straker and Lake are more than colleagues but not quite yet friends.
During the flight, Ginny has time for reflection, thinking about the similarities between her failed marriage and the Commander’s. We get to see some of the complex aspects of Virginia’s personality in her thoughts. We also see that she finds Straker enticing; the beginnings of her intense attraction, to Ed, are shown here. She is torn when she finds out that the transporter has been diverted.
Ed’s worst nightmare is upon him when he realizes that Alec has diverted the transporter. His unshakable sense of duty will not allow him to override the decision. On the plane Ginny checks with the pilot to see how soon they can be back in the air, balancing the safety of the flight with the urgency of her mission.
At the hospital Mary has been allowed in to see John as time is running out. She allowed herself to believe Ed would not let them down again, not knowing how really high the stakes are.
Once the plane is down, Virginia wastes no time getting to the hospital. She grabs the medication and runs into the ward, handing over the package without bothering with pleasantries. Knowing Straker is on his way she waits for him in the lobby. I keep her out of sight to keep with the events of the original episode.
Virginia is devastated when she sees the Commander come in just as his ex-wife walking out of the ward crying uncontrollably supported by her husband. Ginny assumes correctly, that John didn't make it. Mary’s harsh words to Ed, also cut Virginia deeply as well.
Ed finally sees Virginia standing there; he shows his gratitude by personally giving her, a ride to HQ. Ginny surmises that Ed wants the company; which he does, but he also asks her, to keep the truth from Alec. And most important Ed honors her with the admission of friendship. At that point in time it was the greatest gift he could give her.
At the funeral we see Ed in a rare display of emotion crying at his son’s grave after Mary’s family has left. Out of sight, Virginia had watched the funeral but respecting Ed’s privacy she waits in her car. After he leaves, she stands at John’s grave trying to make sense of the loss. We see Ginny’s feelings for Ed start to surface as she cries for both him and his son.
The story opens up explaining what Virginia had been doing in the early days of SHADO. As you can see she spends most of her time in the States but is responsible for the entire research and development arm of SHADO.
When the phone rings we see that Colonel Lake and Miss Ealand are on a first name basis, due to the fact that they are always in communications about research projects and deadlines. As soon as Janice gives her the bad news, she decides to handle this errand herself knowing Straker’s wishes for privacy.
Ginny shows her quick decision making ability by choosing someone on her staff who is a native to the area and has the means to get her to the airport on time. At the hospital she wastes no time, she gets the medication and gets to the airport. Her ability to size up a situation quickly, will be one of the reasons Straker promotes her.
Back at HQ, we see Ed going through pure hell, worried for his son, second guessing himself, and anguishing over the fact that his ex-wife is married to another man. Straker tries to hide it when Alec walks in, but he knows something is wrong.
Ginny calls HQ to let Ed know she is in the air and that he need not be concerned for his privacy. Straker knows that Virginia has integrity to spare and his words fall short of the gratitude he feels. At this point in time, Straker and Lake are more than colleagues but not quite yet friends.
During the flight, Ginny has time for reflection, thinking about the similarities between her failed marriage and the Commander’s. We get to see some of the complex aspects of Virginia’s personality in her thoughts. We also see that she finds Straker enticing; the beginnings of her intense attraction, to Ed, are shown here. She is torn when she finds out that the transporter has been diverted.
Ed’s worst nightmare is upon him when he realizes that Alec has diverted the transporter. His unshakable sense of duty will not allow him to override the decision. On the plane Ginny checks with the pilot to see how soon they can be back in the air, balancing the safety of the flight with the urgency of her mission.
At the hospital Mary has been allowed in to see John as time is running out. She allowed herself to believe Ed would not let them down again, not knowing how really high the stakes are.
Once the plane is down, Virginia wastes no time getting to the hospital. She grabs the medication and runs into the ward, handing over the package without bothering with pleasantries. Knowing Straker is on his way she waits for him in the lobby. I keep her out of sight to keep with the events of the original episode.
Virginia is devastated when she sees the Commander come in just as his ex-wife walking out of the ward crying uncontrollably supported by her husband. Ginny assumes correctly, that John didn't make it. Mary’s harsh words to Ed, also cut Virginia deeply as well.
Ed finally sees Virginia standing there; he shows his gratitude by personally giving her, a ride to HQ. Ginny surmises that Ed wants the company; which he does, but he also asks her, to keep the truth from Alec. And most important Ed honors her with the admission of friendship. At that point in time it was the greatest gift he could give her.
At the funeral we see Ed in a rare display of emotion crying at his son’s grave after Mary’s family has left. Out of sight, Virginia had watched the funeral but respecting Ed’s privacy she waits in her car. After he leaves, she stands at John’s grave trying to make sense of the loss. We see Ginny’s feelings for Ed start to surface as she cries for both him and his son.