The Tribes: Chapter 4

Sandoval stood with his hands behind his back. His posture was stoic. He was surprised that he felt apprehension and fear. These emotions were usually totally foreign to him especially in the presence of the Taelons, any Taelons. He immediately tried to deal with these feelings by adopting the arrogant tone that had almost become his calling card. "An impressive light show Ka'el. But such theatrics and duplicity just to speak with me? I had no idea I was so important an individual."

"You are a difficult person to reach on numerous levels Ronald Sandoval. It was felt that this ruse was necessary to make you.....open..... to a discussion with us."

Sandoval said nothing in response to Ka'el. The sheer amount of effort it took to bring him to this place at this time confused him. Ka'el was right. He was curious to discover all he could and instinctually knew he could no longer hide all his secrets. It only increases his annoyance with the whole situation.

"You are confused. We understand that. If you will give me some time I will explain further."

Looking around him Sandoval replied with sarcasm. "I appear to have nowhere else to go."

A smile crossed Ka'al's face. A gesture that surprised Sandoval with its overtness.

"We are the 21 - and we are the future of the Taelon race. For the longest time we have be seduced down one path and our group felt that we had to adopt a more... radical tact if we were to save the Human and the Taelon races." Ka'el put his hand on Sandoval's arm and guided him towards an open area away from the main crowd.

"For reasons that must be clear to you by now we cannot risk discovery by the Taelon Commonality. I have followed your career with interest for years now Ronald Sandoval. You have many skills and capabilities that we wish to employ in our cause. I am here to offer you a choice and a chance to glimpse the future. Be a part of it in a way that Zo'or would never allow. I am also here to give you the means to protect yourself from the coming holocaust. Are you interested?"

Sandoval scanned his surroundings. Yes, he still was on Mount Kilimanjaro, unless this too was an illusion somehow created by these Taelons in the same way that they created the illusion of the underground complex and the attack by the resistance forces. But it felt different. This felt real.

"Haven't you ever wondered why among all the CVI's on the planet that you were chosen to protect the leader of the Synod?" asked Ka'el.

"Zo'or was not the leader of the Synod when I was made his protector. Quo'on was."

"Zo'or has always wanted to lead the Synod. He always saw the Synod as the true source of power in the Commonality. How limited his vision is. Long before we ever came to Earth he felt insecurity from being the last of our kind born in a millennia. Control is the way he compensates. And with the shifting loyalties and ideas within the Taelon Commonality we knew it was only a matter of time before Zo'or had enough support and was powerful enough to implement his own agenda at the expense of both our races. It is a noble cause - the preservation of the Taelon race. However his methods are flawed and antiquated and are no longer acceptable to us"

"Then why not challenge Zo'or in the Synod? Like Da'an does. Add your voices to the chorus against him?" Sandoval surprised himself. He had never spoken this way about Zo'or before. His motivational imperative would never have allowed it. What was happening here?

"A hundred yelling into a hurricane will never be heard."

"Until the hurricane is finished speaking....yes I have heard that Taelon expression before. But what does it mean in this situation?"

"It means that now is Zo'or's time. We need him occupied on his own projects while we prepare to defend against the future; a future where the machinations and petty manipulations of Zo'or will pale next to the true horrors humanity has yet to face. We must leave with the Other (authors note: Ka'el is making reference to Joyce Belman). It is why we sought you out. Someone must fight with the Kimera on the front lines...delay the inevitable long enough and we may all yet save this planet together."

"But why the elaborate ruse? Why not approach me directly, or have your Protector, Moneo do it?" asked Sandoval as his CVI frantically processed and analysed all he was hearing.

"We could not be assured that your motivational imperative had begun to break down. Unfortunately, human brain chemistry is not an exact science." Ka'el appeared annoyed, another emotion that seemed so foreign to Sandoval having lived with Taelons for most of the past three years. But he listened as Ka'el continued his explanation.

"So we tested you. We created situations and events within your mind in which you had the subtle choice to support a Taelon position or your own and in most cases you challenged most of what you were told. Like you are challenging me now. You hardly realise its happening don't you? Its little things at first. Stray thoughts, fantasies, flashes of anger at Taelon arrogance. Your motivational imperative is breaking down Ronald Sandoval and soon you will have free will. And what you do with that free will is what concerns me now."

"You expect me to openly oppose Zo'or?" asked Sandoval.

"Of course not. If you stop adhering to Taelon policies as a Protector that would surely allow Zo'or to discover that your loyalties to him were wavering. And in that moment he will have no more use for you. You will become a liability to him especially with your knowledge of the entire Taelon operation. How long do you think you could survive a world-wide manhunt, Ronald Sandoval? Where could you run? No Resistance cell in the world would take you in. You would be alone."

"And you are here to prevent my 'loneliness?" mocked Sandoval.

Suddenly Ka'el did something that Sandoval had never seen. He laughed; not an unfamiliar alien laugh but a human laugh, rich and from the belly, sustained and unmistakable. Sandoval could feel a smile creep across his face. He liked this Ka'el and for the first time understood his magnetism. How different and how magnificent he was compared to other Taelons.

Ka'el motioned Sandoval over to a rock where they sat and looked out over the mountain range. A few clouds whisked by for the most part the sky was a brilliant blue. After several moments of silence Ka'el took on a more friendly tone. "Tell me how you figured it out Ronald Sandoval. How did you detect the deception?"

"The actions of certain individuals seemed....off. They had attitudes and actions that I was unfamiliar with. That is what first made me suspicious."

"Ah, Captain Marquette. I was never quite sure we could mimic her perfectly."

Sandoval continued. "She is a complex individual. Where is she now?" Sandoval realized that Marquette, the true Marquette, had never been with him at all during this whole time. They were probably separated before they ever entered the false underground complex.

Ka'el placed his hand on Sandoval's shoulder. "She is safe. In fact she has been undergoing her own...trial...at the same time as you. But be assured she is secure and waiting for your call. I wish I could witness your first conversation. You both have had an interesting day. But please, go on."

Sandoval was relieved that Marquette was well so he stopped thinking about her for a moment. He continued his explanation, amazed at how easy the puzzle was to figure out once several pieces of it were in place.

"There was also the way that the blast footage from Borneo looked staged. I know something of this. If you look closely you can see that only certain equipment was taken, other pieces, like the walking stick, left behind. There was no logic to what was taken when correlated with what I already know of the Resistance and their practices. As I said to Mr. Moneo... faulty intelligence."

"Continue"

"There were exactly 21 Taelons in the complex and 21 human agents, excluding Captain Marquette, Mr. Moneo and myself. A strange numerical coincidence until I assumed each Taelon was responsible to maintain one human along with part of the total illusion. The commonality created by the energy of 21 Taelons would make that easy if one extrapolates further. Little seems beyond the power of the Taelons. Plus the presence of the Resistance attack force. They were identical to the same Resistance group that attacked the jungle lab. Two of the soldiers who attacked the complex were among the casualties in the jungle battle."

Ka'el appeared impressed with Sandoval's logic and detection skills.

"All meant to delay me long enough for....."

"For us to talk....for us to make you understand. However we had other duties to attend to first. We can only exist in this time continuum for a short while. The illusion was meant only to delay you long enough for us to have this meeting but we had another to approach with our offer first. But you discovered our deception early forcing us to speak now. I had hoped to make our first meeting a more pleasant one."

But why the ruse that you had all died?"

"We needed the Taelon Commonality to feel our deaths so they would be fooled into thinking we had truly died. Knowing we are alive would create....problems. Problems with our brethren that we are not yet ready to face. But the day when all Taelons will have to choose a side in this war is rapidly approaching. And with our deaths we knew the appointing of a new African Companion would bring Zo'or and you to Africa."

Sandoval felt nearer to the truth now. "But why am I so important to you?"

"Like Humanity we are striving to develop to our fullest potential. Like humanity the Taelons have many hidden talents they have yet to explore. We will explore them. With our human anchor, Christian, and the help of the Other, we will discover if there is anything in both our races that can be salvaged.

"Salvaged from what?"

"From the battle that is yet to come. A battle in which you will be forced to take a side. Even you are not strong enough to fight all sides by yourself forever."

Sandoval turned away. As if looking at Ka'el would expose the lie he was about to tell. " I am loyal to the Taelon cause. I believe they are the best hope to save humanity from the Jaridians"

"You speak the words like you believe them. But we both know the truth. I have watched you for a long time Ronald Sandoval. I bring you here to make a choice."

" A choice about what? And if I make the wrong choice?"

"That is impossible if you make the choice that is truly right for you. We have an opportunity to see what you really care about"

"You speak in riddles Ka'el? Why is my choice so important?

"Because the motivational imperative within your CVI is breaking down. You will soon have your total free will - sooner than Zo'or ever expected it would happen if he suspected it would happen at all. And what you do when that occurs may affect humanity for all time. You are on the front lines. You can no longer run from your responsibilities in this struggle."

"I run from nothing" arrogantly replied Sandoval but once again he turned away from Ka'el.

"No, you believe that serving the Taelons and the whims of Zo'or is all you are capable of. You believe that what you seek is power. It is a waste of your abilities and something that you will never achieve on your own.

"Are my ambitions really so transparent?" asked Sandoval.

"Not for a CVI with a damaged motivational imperative. Frankly I am surprised you have not yet tried to commandeer the Taelon Mother Ship" replied Ka'el.

Is that a joke? thought Sandoval as he was once again overwhelmed by this Ka'el.

"What do you know of the damage to my CVI?" Sandoval continued.

" I know who caused it. A long time ago I built a redundancy into the motivational imperative of all the CVI's we created for use on humanity. I knew that they would all fail at nearly the same time. At once the CVI's would realise how they had been controlled and manipulated by the Taelons.

Sandoval felt horrified at the possibilities this news created. "But when that happens they would understand how they have been used and may be resentful of that fact. I have heard of Taelon manipulations on other races... but your own? You have released a monster that will destroy your own people!"

"Unless you and I destroy that monster first." From Ka'el's tone he was confident that his position was right and just. Surely Sandoval would see it his way.

"You would create an enemy against your own race? Humanity's version of the Jaridians? Enhanced humans not working to protect the Taelons but aiding in their destruction? Are you insane? Why did you create this situation?"

"Because Earth is the last stand of the Taelons. Its here that we die or we create a new understanding within the commonality of the sanctity of all life be it Human, Taelon, Jaridian, Kimera, or any other of the thousands of races the Taelons have influenced. To see the true potential of all our races fulfilled. To find together a new future and build a new reality together."

"And you cannot build without destroying everything that has come before? Again I ask you, why me?"

Your motivational imperative and your CVI failed once. Your MI will totally fail first of all of the Taelon Protectors. That much we are sure of. You are within Zo'or's inner circle. You can continue to fool him and work from the inside for a short time. Soon Zo'or will discover that the CVI's are no longer loyal to the Taelons and they all will become expendable. When this happens they will be hunted down and destroyed. YOU will be hunted down and destroyed. Then Zo'or will create a whole new breed of CVIs, ones who have even less affection for humanity than you do. You have a narrow window of opportunity to prevent that from happening."

"I have many other duties. Couldn't the Taelons just reprogram our CVIs with a new motivational imperative and restore things to the way they were?" asked Sandoval, still hoping there was a way he could avoid responsibility for what he finally understood was going to occur. He knew he was powerless to stop it.

"It is not possible. We have no way to predict when a motivations imperatives within a CVI has broken down until one does. Their actions may be... unpredictable. Once Zo'or sees a pattern the damage may have already been done. You Protectors are a talented and intelligent group. The CVIs would make formidable opponents to the Taelon agenda should you choose to fight on the side of the Resistance. Even worse you may decide to team up together and take over the planet for yourselves. That would tip the scales too far to one side. Either way Zo'or will destroy them all once several of them display any disloyalty to the Taelons. You must get to them before Zo'or discovers their secret and convince them to work for our cause." Ka'el spoke like he was confident that Sandoval had already chooses to work with him.

"But why can't you do this job? Obviously the 21 of you and the commonality that you have created; separate and distinct from the regular Taelon Commonality; is capable of remarkable miracles. And that godly representation of all 21 of you could do significant damage if you wanted too. Your reality altering abilities are impressive also."

"You are so short-sighted Ronald Sandoval. Did you think you were the only soldier in this battle? We have much to do in a place where you cannot follow. We must prepare for the future in our own way."

"I will not be able to fool Zo'or for long. I don't think I can do this alone." For some reason Sandoval felt no reluctance is revealing this reality to Ka'el.

"You will not be alone. Seek out the Kimera - He will help you. He has a unique understanding of the universe and has... abilities... you may find useful."

Sandoval contemplated Ka'el's words for a moment, trying to keep all the players straight in his mind. He never noticed Ka'el reaching into his cloak.

"We also have this for you regardless if you make the choice to join us." Ka'el then held out the control panel for the teleporting suit that Sandoval had watched Moneo use earlier. Sandoval grabbed it from Ka'el and it shimmered and pulsed in his hand.

Of course the first thing Sandoval thought about with this weapon in his hand was how he could use it to his own advantage. "I could be invincible with this. I could rule the entire planet. Unite the CVIs against the Resistance and the Taelons. Have you considered that?" inquired Sandoval.

"Or you could be a hero - you could save us all. The choice is yours."

Ka'el deliberately sat silent waiting for Sandoval to react to all he had been told.

"I am not worthy of this." Sandoval passed the control panel back to Ka'el who displayed no interest in taking it back. The action surprised Sandoval. He was not a quitter.

"I told you before, Ronald Sandoval that the time when you were free to run from your responsibilities has ended. Learn how to use our gift wisely...hold back the tide... and wait for our return."

"I am not strong enough to do this alone" confessed Sandoval for the second time. He felt his limitations more acutely than he ever had before.

"Seek out the Kimera...and look within yourself." With those words the conversation ended. Ka'el then stood up and made his way back to the other Taelons who still huddled together with Moneo. Sandoval followed him, his head still filled with questions and the control panel pulsing in his hand.

"What do you expect me to do now?" humbly asked Sandoval.

"I expect you to find your destiny Ronald Sandoval. How you do that is entirely up to you." Sandoval moved a short ways back from the group of Taelons. Like before they moved into a circle and this time Moneo assumed the middle position and found time to smile at Sandoval. Slowly the Taelons began to leak energy into the swirling vortex that started to envelop Moneo. The rapture on his face was unmistakable. Sandoval envied him this experience and lamented that fact that he did not get the opportunity to know Moneo better if he had ever really met him at all. As the energy built up around Moneo he rose slowly off the ground. Soon though he was lost in the vortex and the Taelons had all merged into one magnificent being. It was the same angel that filled Sandoval with wonder and awe a short time before. Then as soon as it had arrived, the Commonality of the 21 was gone and Sandoval was left alone on the windswept slopes of Africa's tallest mountain. He took a second to breath in the cold air and then reached for his global that to his surprise was still at his hip. When he pulled it open he was both pleased and relieved to see Marquette's face on the view screen. She appeared unharmed.

"Captain Marquette. Please take a shuttle and pick me up at these co-ordinates. I am waiting for you." His arrogant tone had returned.

"Would you like to tell me how you got to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro?" joked Lili.

Sandoval revealed no more than he intended but still masked his words in riddles. He felt uncomfortable about trusting Marquette with anything this personal. "I was taking a walk and was forced to take an unexpected path. When can I expect you?"

"Right away. Give me a moment to acquire a shuttle. I am away from the hanger at the moment." was Lili's reply.

"I will be here" Then Sandoval closed his Global and when all had gone silent he was alone with only the wind to fill his ears. He looked far off into the horizon. The sun was coming up and for the first time in a long while he watched the beauty of it. Looking to the pulsing device in his hand he pondered the future. Nothing would ever be the same again.