Mission #2
 Written by the US Taelon Division of the
 United Liberated Sim Group

DATE: August 18, 1998
PLACE: Washington D.C.
TIME: Present, simultaneous with "Red Tape"
AUTHOR: Brian R. Boyko
SUBJECT: Human frailties

        "Please take a seat, and someone will be with you shortly, Mr. Richardson."
        "Sure.  Do I need to fill out any forms?"
        To Caleb's puzzlement, she simply stated, "All necessary forms will be filled out by the doctor."
        If he wasn't so tired, he might have been able to figure out what was coming up.
     It wasn't long before the escort arrived to take him to the medical facility.  During the physical, he got his first glimpse of a Taelon up close.  He knew that he would be working with them, but somehow, he didn't expect his first meeting would be when he was in his underwear. Fortunately, the Taelon was very tactful, and said absolutely nothing while he did his work.  Caleb wouldn't have been able to carry on any sort of conversation.  Even "Hello." would have been awkward.
        After it was over, he was escorted to his office near the computer center of the building.  While it was nicely decorated, he went straight to the computer system in the center of the room.
        "Mr. Richardson," said the escort.  "You're wired into the Embassy's Ethernet, at 10KM Base TRX.  You will soon find that your computer will be adequate for your tasks here.  And you have a selection of laptops in your work closet that will be adequate to your tasks on the road."
        "Closet?"  Caleb asked.  Then he saw the button on the wall.  He pressed it, and it brought out a retinal and fingerprint scanner.  He accessed the panel, and the wall slid open to reveal twelve laptops and accessories. Each one was neatly labeled according to OS and processor.  It was enough to make him salivate.
        "You'll be given a short time to get accustomed to your surroundings. You'll be contacted with your first assignment shortly."
           "Thanks."
 
 
 
 
 

NRPG: Due to a goof-up on my end, the header on the post "Mission #2:
Briefing" is a bit incomplete. the "Time:" listing should have read "Time:
Present, after the events of the episode 'The Joining'". I apologize for
any inconvenience.
--

Date: August 21
Author: Esti
Time: Present, after "Meetings"
Place: Human-Taelon Medical Facility, Washington, D.C.
Title: Unexpected Friend, Unexpected Warning

 Rosemary was lugging some things in to her office when Mark swung by. "Hey, Doc, how was your trip?"
 She grinned. "It was great. Took a flight up to New York and the portals out to Los Angeles, visited my family, and then came back pretty much the same way. If you ever have to go to Los Angeles, the portals are the way to go."
 "I'll keep that in mind," Mark said, grinning. "Welcome back."
 "Thanks," Rosemary responded. She continued to arrange her new stuff, and then noticed, to her dismay, that she was about to be late to her interview with Ra'el, the Taelon scientist who had taken Ne'eg's place. She dropped what she was working on and hurried on over to where she was supposed to meet Ra'el.
 Taking a deep breath, she walked into the room, studying Ra'el as she did so. Ne'eg had always been a bit quiet, not making much of a splash. Ra'el, though... Ra'el seemed delighted to be there, and not afraid to hide it. She had a feeling that she'd get along with him very well.
 "Ra'el," she greeted him, with her hands set in the Taelon greeting.
 Turning his head slightly to the side, Ra'el regarded Rosemary with what appeared to be a smile.  In a melodious voice, he returned her greeting, "Dr. Schultz, it is my utmost pleasure to make your acquaintance."
 "As I am pleased to make yours," Rosemary returned. She found herself smiling, immediately put at ease by the Taelon's greetings. "I look forward to working with you. Jen has told me much of your research together. I am honored to have you here."
 "As it gives me pleasure to be here," the Taelon researcher told her. "How is your work progressing?"
 "While my medical duties keep me rather occupied, especially in the aftermath of the viruses, I have been investigating ways to prevent something like the CVI virus from ever occurring again. However, the only sure-fire way I've seen so far to even *slow* the blasted virus is by eliminating the MI."
 The Taelon seemed to consider that for a moment.  Turning his head to the side, he regarded her cautiously for several long and awkward seconds before asking, "What has brought you to this conclusion?"
 Rosemary tried to relax and give her report in a semi-professional matter. Ra'el's abrupt reaction had thrown her off. "The original CVI virus was designed to attack the portion of the CVI where the MI was lodged. When I examined the virus model later, it seemed that all the incarnations attacked in that same spot. It's sort of like the anti-CVI that Dr. Belman created so that the CVI could be destroyed and then replaced. When I ran a model with the original version of the virus, as well as some of the mutations, I found that this virus got a bit... confused when the CVI lacked the MI."
 A few more awkward seconds passed before Ra'el spoke again. "We will have to discuss this issue further.  In the meantime, kindly discuss your findings with no one.  Consider this matter--and our conversation.....confidential."  Turning away to look out the window, he whispered, "It is for your own safety that I say this.  There are those amongst my fellows who would......seek to end your research in this arena."
 She blinked. ~Discuss this with no one? My safety?~ Rosemary thought, trying to get the concepts in. Why would a Taelon disapprove of work to prevent their trusted aides from being destroyed by malicious Resistance viruses. Still, Ra'el seemed sincere, and no doubt even the Taelons had problems. "I understand, Ra'el," she said, hoping that she was making the right decision. "Thank you."

--
Dr. Rosemary Schultz
Implant Specialist, level 20
(Esti: smccrory@mindspring.com)
 

Date: August 24
Author: Esti
Place: Taelon Embassy, Washington D.C. (Da'an's audience chamber)
Time: Present
Title: Mission #2: Briefing

 Sitting on his chair in the Embassy, Da'an opened a stream, showing one of the national broadcasts. Before him, several Implants waited for his instructions. Oblivious to his audience, the news anchor continued his broadcast.
 "Atlantis: is it really fact? An independent team of marine archaeologists has found what might be the long lost city and island of Atlantis. Kim Beinart joins us from Faro, Portugal, where the find has been announced."
 "Thank you, Jim," the reporter said. "Several hours ago, independent marine archaeologist Robert MacMuro, working for the American organization called NASC, or the Nautical Archaeological Society of Chicago, announced that they had found an island off the coast of Portugal, north and west of the island of Madeira. They were looking for an American ship, the _Jane Pearson_, but instead discovered the island, which had been underwater for quite some time. According to Mr. MacMuro, the island bears a distinctive reseblance to Plato's descriptions of the Island Civilisation of Atlantis. While the actual origins of the story of the destruction of Atlantis have long been traced to the actual events of a volcanic eruption on the island of Thera-"
 Da'an shut the stream off with a wave of his hand and faced the gathered Implants. "This island that these archaeologists have uncovered was the basis of another civilization that had come to Earth. At the time that we sent Ma'el to Earth, we also removed this civilization, so that they would not cause harm to your people. You are being sent to recover anything Ma'el may have left there, as his early reports indicated that he spent much time on the island, attempting to ascertain the influence that civilization had upon the primitive peoples of your world. I am also sending Captain Marquette, as she was a part of the mission to recover previous research of Ma'el's. Please complete this mission with all speed."
 
 
 
 

Date: August 25
Author: KVS
Place: Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, North Carolina
Time: The not too distant past
Subject: In The Course of Human Events

 Thoughout history, through all the battles and all the wars, through all matters of law enforcement, the bravest, yet most unsung, hero has always been the pointman: the first soul to land upon enemy shores, first to cross the line in the sand, first to kick down the door.
 The song of the pointman played loud and clear today.  It played for a very courageous and heroic woman, Angela Moore.  The Chorus of the Choir of Angels above, the Melodious eulogy of the Taelon, and the Harmony of the presence of the Humans and Companions, melded into a symphonic composition which filled the hearts of everyone present with its song.
 Today that song took the form of Taps.
 "Sheeeah zzzorrr kaelaaaa shaanaadaaa.  Today we mourn the loss of our friend and guardian, Captain Angela Moore, as she travels to that beyond which we might comprehend.  Hoooraaa maaannnnshhhaa shharramaaa.  May Angela remain in our presence as she passes into the void."
 Although Angela would remain in his mind for a great long time to come, Ethan would not, and could not, mourn for her now.  With a strange sense of irony, he found himself in Angela's former position, standing where she would be standing, watching what she would be watching.  Twice now he found himself looking around for her, and in that split second of surreality, wondered why she wasn't at her post.  But reality came back to him with a cruel slap.
 The whole production had been running late.  Angela didn't even get to her initial security sweep until just before the scheduled starting time. She never saw it coming.
 For Special Security Agent Ethan Miles, it would take quite a while for him to accept the death of his superior and friend.  It would take even longer before he would be able to accept how she died.  "The act of a coward," was how CNN reported it.  He never quite understood that phrase. Before, he thought that terrorists could be some of the bravest, albeit fanatical, soldiers of their chosen war.  But it didn't take a lot of courage to create a bomb.  It didn't take a lot of bravery to be hundreds, or thousands, of miles away when it went off.
 The timer.  That's what killed Angela.  The bomb was simple and could have easily been diffused, if she had found it in time.
 Recruited out of Northwestern Law School by the FBI, Ethan had worked his way up through the ranks by utilizing his special powers of observation.  He once saved the life of a prominent politician and cracked a case involving a Secret Security Agent on the take.  He received several merits and promotions, and within ten years was transferred to the Internal Affaris department of the FBI.
 Removed from field duty for over three years, he found himself returning to his roots of service after joining the U.S. Taelon Division.  Working under Angela Moore for nearly three months, he was able to gain insight into the Taelons--as well as those who would wish to harm or kill them. The Taelons provided much fresh fodder for the fanatics of the world.
 And Angela got caught in the collateral damage.
 Ethan would have to decide whether it was worth it.  He grew up believing that the greatest good was to give ones life in defense of his country and fellow man.  Fellow Human.
 Perhaps getting a CVI was the answer.  No, not after what it did to Ronald Sandoval.  He had known Ron at the Bureau, and saw firsthand the changes he had incurred.
 Accepting this job only required him to perform actions, not change his beliefs.  But Ethan, like Angela, would have to learn how to separate the two.
-------
Special Security Agent Ethan Miles
Level One
U.S. Taelon Division
 
 
 

Date: August 26
Author: James LeMaire
Time: During "Briefing"
Place: Da'ans Chambers
Subject: Getting Wet Again...

 James Christian stood in astounded amazement.  The words that Da'an had just spoke reverbrated through his mind, bouncing back and forth crazily like a raquetball gone mad.  It wasn't so much the mission objective, which would be dangerous enough.  Da'an had just asked that the Implant group go to a remote island and recover some lost artifacts.  Not a very big deal, unless you consider that the island in question was the lost city Atlantis and the artifacts were Ma'els.
 No, the thing in question that made James' head spin was memories of his SEAL training and the knowledge that even though the newest member of the implant group, he was by far the most qualified to lead the mission due to his SEAL background.  Looking for lost artifacts under the sea while possibly being hounded or attacked by Resistance members made him remember his days out on San Clemente Island, evading the assaults of his instructors while hunting for and then defusing ordnance of every stripe.
 "Ooh, this is going to be fun...", he muttered, not even conscious that he had spoken aloud, nor even aware of the big grin creasing his visage.
 "Yes, Commander?"
 Da'an had stopped in mid sentence, speaking to the visiting dignitary from Vladivostok.  He turned to his Security Chief and queried, "Did you have something to add?"
 James was caught in the cookie jar of his memories, flatfooted and abashed.
 "No, Da'an, my deepest apologies.  I was meditating on my past and did not intend to speak aloud."
 Da'an raised an exquisitely formed eyebrow, then turned back to the emmisary.
 James smiled.  <Yes, this would be fun...>

James LeMaire
aka Cmdr. James Christian
US Taelon Division Level One
 
 

Date: August 26
Author: Esti
Place: NASC Headquarters, Faro, Portugal
Time: Present, some time after "Briefing"
Title: Game Faces

 Gillian Rogers came into the room to find her boss as gruff as usual.
 "What's up, Boss?" she asked.
 He waved at the only other chair in the room. "Sit down, Jill. Might as well do your relaxing right now - we got another bunch of bureaus coming."

 Gillian made a face. "Who is it this time? Is there any International, National, or Local people who have missed us?"
 "Our Companion friends have taken an interest in our little project," he replied. "They're sending out some kind of team. I don't want them as everyone else here, but since they're important, we might as well act nice and cheery to them while showing them the home movies."
 "Got it, Boss," Gillian said. "Cheery. This is going to be a long day."
 "Don't I know," her Boss murmured.
--
Esti (smccrory@mindspring.com)
 
 

Date: August 26
Author: KVS
Place: NASC Field Operations, Faro, Portugal
Time: Just after "Game Faces"
Title: The Rising Tide

 "Coming out of interdimensional."
 Although Ethan Miles had never been afraid to fly, he would never get used to this shuttle.  He understood the forces which kept an airplane in the sky: thrust, lift, drag, weight; the physical, human, forces which governed everything he knew (at least, what he knew up until about four years ago).  But this thing just positively defied...well, gravity and just about every other law he ever knew.
 "Boy, that's quite a jolt!" said Ethan as the shuttle bounded back into the real world.
 The shuttle descended from high over the Atlantic Ocean.  Ethan could just make out Gibraltar to the east.  The pilot maneuvered the bug-like craft into position for landing at Faro, as two figures came out to meet them.
 A man stepped forward and offered his hand as Ethan stepped out of the shuttle.
 "Robert MacMuro, and this is my assistant, Gillian Rogers."
 "Ethan Miles, Special Security.  Good to meet you."
 Gillian took his hand, briefly, and flashed a mechanical smile.
 ~Well, not too good, apparently,~ thought Ethan.
 "I thought more of you were coming," said MacMuro, peering into the shuttle as though more people would be popping out at any time, like some kind of circus clown car.
 "Just myself and my pilot for now," said Ethan, as motioned to the shuttle.  "This is Captain Muldoon.  We'd like to get started right away, going over the security in place for the excavation."
 "You're a Cubs fan, eh?" said Ethan, noticing Gillian's coffee mug, which bore the red-and-blue emblem of the Chicago Cubs.
 Gillian glanced over at Ethan and nodded acknowledgement of her beverage container.
 "I'm a Sox fan myself.  Grew up on the south side."
 "No kidding?  Ever been to the Field Museum?"
 "Yeah, couple of times, when I was young."  Ethan smiled, finally connecting with her.  "I remember seeing a dinosaur exhibit.  Actually, it was an exhibit on life before dinosaurs."
 "My father worked at that museum..." said Gillian, turning towards Ethan, "which is how I got into this work.  Actually, the Field Museum funded part of our expedition to search for the Jane Pearson.  Now we're hoping that what we find there we can sell to the museum..."
 Ethan could feel her testing him, but understanding what her work as a scientist meant to her.
 "I'm sure you'll be able to," Ethan said.  But he knew that it was his duty to see that all of the recovered alien artifacts were brought back to the Companions.  He knew how he'd react if the Resistance tried to get in the way, or if anyone else did for that matter.  But he hoped it wouldn't come to that.
========================
Special Security Agent Ethan Miles
Level One
U.S. Taelon Division
 
 

Date:  August 27
Author:  Sheila Blanton
Place:  Taelon Embassy, Washington, D.C.  (Da'an's audience chamber)
Time:  Present
Title:  Mission #2:  Briefing

 Selena could hardly contain the deep satisfaction of being chosen for this particular mission.  The quest for Ma'el's artifacts at the Atlantis site seemed tailor-made for her expertise.  The discovery of what Ma'el had left behind would not only benefit the Taelon's research, but her own as well.  Perhaps in conjunction with finds of the world of Atlantis, Selena could continue in Ma'el's footsteps.   However, Da'an's words troubled her.  It was unsettling to think that the Taelons would find it imperative to "remove" such a spiritually and technologically advanced civilization as the Atlantians.  More disturbing still that the Atlantians could have possibly meant harm to Earth's ancient peoples.  The peoples of Atlantis were the models that the hearts of humankind aspired to emulate, at least, according to _her_ research.  Surely, the Atlantians, as  a seemingly superior race would not find a need for such a rash action against mankind.
 Other rationales attempted to creep into her mind, but she pushed them aside.  Selena gazed at Da'an.  There was no reason for her to doubt his words or the Taelon's motives for their past deeds at Atlantis.
 Selena realized that the newfound discovery of Atlantis would result in more of a challenge to retrieve Da'an's legacy than would appear on the surface.
 "If I may speak...", Selena began, "it will be a great privilege to serve on this mission.  My experience and insights in this type of work will bring us to the accomplishment of our goal in an expedient manner. In addition, the recovery of relics from the Atlantis civilization joined with Ma'el's findings will be beneficial in our continuing the research where Ma'el left off."
 Selena addressed the others.  "Da'an is correct in stating that we must begin our mission post-haste.  We are not the only ones with a mission. The Resistance has eyes and ears everywhere, it would seem.  I have no doubt that they too will be at the site looking for the very things we are in their attempts to discredit the Companions.  Furthermore, we must find Ma'el's artifacts and work before the NASC has the opportunity to uncover anything.  There will also be a danger of encounters with unsavory characters looking to plunder the land for these rare treasures.  They will stop at nothing to achieve gain.  The island will be crawling with those who would take great pleasure in thwarting our mission."

Selena Orseau
Metaphysical Specialist--Level 1
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date:   August 27
Author: Heretic
Time:   Present
Place:  Flat Planet Cafe
Title:  Ground Rules

 "Nice of you to make it."  The woman said sarcastically.
 John Smith closed the door as he entered the private room.  He locked it, and then double-checked the lock before turning to the woman who had spoken.
 She had short, blond hair that was moderately stylish but didn't get in the way.  She stood a bit over five and a half feet in height and sported an athletic build.  Something about her suggested ex-military, but he didn't care enough to ask.  She was in her mid twenties, wearing jeans, sneakers and a tee shirt.  The jacket that she wore almost completely concealed her pistol, but John's eyes were sharp enough to notice the slight bulge.
 He, by contrast, stood an inch and a half below the woman with short, brown hair and a smooth face (~I probably have less facial hair than she does~ he thought wryly to himself, but wisely kept the comment to himself).  He wasn't very big for a guy, and it made him look even younger than his fifteen years.  He wore a similar outfit to hers, with the main exception being that he didn't carry any sort of weapon under his jacket.  Being smaller than average for his age had taught him long ago that any situation that he couldn't run from was almost certainly a situation that he couldn't solve with violence.  While extremely agile, he lacked hitting power, and he was completely aware that if he got into a fight, his opponent would eventually connect.  As a result, he avoided most fights and tended to lose the rest.
 It occasionally bothered him, but he generally preferred to get by on his brains rather than his brawn (or lack thereof).  That, of course, was the most likely reason that he'd been "recruited" by the Liberation.
 He didn't really consider himself a member, although he had, for all intents and purposes, joined up with them.  He liked to think of himself as a separate individual who would work with them.
 ~I just agree with their motivations, their goals and their tactics, and I've repeatedly made contact with them and am about to directly assist them, but I'm not a member, really I'm not!~ he thought sarcastically.
 "I was followed."  He told the woman.  "I had to lose the clown and make it look unintentional while I did it."
 "Companion Agents?"
 "I'm assuming that.  For all I know, it could have been a cop, a fed, or even one of your fellow 'Liberators', or whatever you call yourselves."

 "It wasn't us."
 "Fine.  I don't really care, except that if it was one of yours, I'd suggest you move them to something they can handle more easily, like maybe picking up Door's dry cleaning."
 "Are you sure that nobody else followed you?"
 "I'm as sure as I can be.  If it was somebody who's better at following me than I am at spotting tails, then I obviously didn't notice them."
 "And if that DID happen?"
 "If it's a Companion toady, I'll tell him that I rented both you and this room for half an hour, and that I evaded the tail because I really didn't want to share my choice of entertainment with the world."
 "Not exactly flattering to me, but that's okay." the woman acknowledged.
 John shrugged.  He couldn't have cared less if the woman was offended or not.
 "Do you have anything resembling a plan?"  The woman asked him.
 "Yeah."  John replied.  "I'll go there, behave myself and learn about the building.  I'll find out what security systems are employed, and how they work. From that point I'll figure how to beat those systems.  At the same time, I'll learn which of the locked doors have the stuff that they don't want you Liberation folks finding out about behind them, and then I'll unlock those doors and find that stuff."
 "Don't take any unnecessary risks."  The woman warned him.
 "Lady, please don't assume that I'm as stupid as you are."  John snapped.  "I don't tell you how to sneak around in the dark and kill people, you really don't need to tell me how to infiltrate a building's security net, even if it IS an alien building.  I'd make a really lousy soldier, but I'm an excellent thief."
 "Fine."  The woman said, making a quick decision not to shatter his jaw.  "Your contact is a woman by the name of Elizabeth Grace Whitney.  She will contact you.  You will not contact her.  You've already been briefed on your method of signaling a meeting, so I won't bother going into that.  Your direct superior among the Companion stooges, if all goes as planned, will be a woman named Doctor Rosemary Shultz.  If that doesn't pan out, don't worry about it too much since you'll at least be working in the building."
 "Fine."  John said to her.  "Is there anything else?"
 "There's just one last thing:  we're fighting for the future of the human race here.  If you sell us out to the Taelons, I will personally see to it that you die.  Not only will I not regret it, I'll enjoy it, especially if I have the time to do it properly.  Good luck at your new job."
 John would have been put off by the comment, but he had to admit that he pretty much felt the same way.
 

Date: August 27, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Central Park, New York City
       Da'an's Audience Chamber, Taelon Embassy Washington DC
Time: Set just prior before "Mission #2 Briefing"
Title: Changes That Come and the Lost City of Atlantis

 It had been nearly a month since Boone's passing and the change of so many things. Grace had made a fast friendship with Tara Carmichael while at the same time recruiting her into the Liberation Movement. The two had spent time up in Toronto at Grace's in-laws home, healing from the losses they had both suffered. Now the two implants strolled during their lunch hour in Central park.
 "How have you been?" Grace asked as they walked slowly.
 "Fine. The pain of Ta'al's and Boone's passing has started to ease somewhat. It still hurts and I miss them both a great deal." Tara answered.
 "I know what you mean. I look for Will to be there every time Da'an summons me to Washington. I miss his friendship more than anything else. He was so vital to my adjusting to this life I'm in now." Grace said.
 Suddenly Grace's global bleeped. She took it off her belt.
 "Here's hoping that it's not Sandoval." she said.
 But when she opened it, it was Sandoval.
 "Agent Whitney, report to Da'an's office immediately."
 "Yes, sir." Grace said, shutting the global. "Well, I'm going to have to shorten our stroll it seems. You take care now." Grace said to Tara.
 "I will and try not to have too much fun." Tara said with a smile.
 "Right." Grace replied wearily.

 Grace felt complete shock at what they had just learned from Da'an. ~Another alien race had once lived on Earth? They were the lost civilization known as Atlantis? Doors would have a hay day with this one!~
 Grace knew that the truth HAD to be uncovered now....the truth about the reason Ma'el had been here and why the Taelons had destroyed the lost city of Atlantis!
 She followed her fellow implants out and onto Atlantis...
 
 
 
 
 

Date:  August 27
Author: Uriel Klieger
Place: Taelon Embassy, Da'an's chamber
Time: During and after Mission 2 briefing
Subject: Unexpected Happenings.
 Na'ar Stood behind Da'an during the news broadcast.  Never had he thought they would actually find Atlantis.  It had been hidden well enought these thousands of years.  Although there were a few who would dedicate their life to the search, most were total disbelievers, or had doubt enough to stray from the subject.
 But to stumble upon it by accident?  This will not be beneficial to our Taelon agenda.  Knowlege of the Atlantis race was never supposed to leak. Never.
 After everyone had left the room, Na'ar stepped out of the shadows and over to Da'an.
 "This was . . . unexpected," Na'ar began.
 "Yes, Na'ar.  However, I trust my implants will be to competently handle the situation --" Da'an was cut off.
 "Compenently, they will.  But the resistance knows, they always do.  And they will stop at nothing to obtain Ma'el's information before we do."
 "What do you suppose we do to prevent this?"
 "Therein lies the problem: it is too late to prevent it.  Humanity was supposed to work by theory for decades more, searching for Atlantis, trying to debunk others.  The archaeologic community was supposed to be delayed by their human egos.  But they found it.  All we can do is trust our shuttles will be faster than humans' boats, and that the Resistance was not warned in advance."
 "Therefore?"
 "Therefore we must be patient," Na'ar concluded, "I will keep you advised, but be sure there is no delay in your implants' mission.  You know just as I that the Synod cannot allow humans to know that we have used massively destructive measures on their planet before."
 And with that, Na'ar stepped out of the chamber, as Da'an waved his hand in the air and re-watched the previous newscast.
 Somewhere in his energy pathways, Na'ar suspected an incoherence, something awry in the Embassy.  A resistance spy, perhaps?  I will continue to observe.
  Na'ar spent much of the day watching newscasts, assuring that although Atlantis was found, it's prior inhabitants were not.

Na'ar
Head of Taelon-Human Counterintelligence, Level One.
 
 

Date: August 28, 1998
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: Zo'or's Chamber
Time: Present, after "Changes that come and the Lost city of Atlantis"
Subject: Ancient Beckoning
 

 As Tara stood before Zo'or, she was silent, waiting for his orders. Obviously something big was going on and she had a feeling that it had to do with the same thing that Grace had been called away on.
 "It has come to my attention that you have a Bachelors Degree in Ancient Civilizations with a minor in Archeology," he said.
 "Yes," she replied, not seeing the relevance, "During my time in the Athens Police Department, I also continued my education."
 "The Island of Atlantis has been found off of Portugal," he began, "And with your background, you are to join the other Implants there. It is believed that they will find some of Ma'el's work there."
 Tara's curiosity was peaked. "So there really was another Atlantis," she replied.
 "If you find anything you are to report it to me at once," he replied, as if he wanted to examine anything she found first. Before Da'an or anyone could see it.
 Something big was going on. They Taelons were trying to hide something. At least this Taelon was. He knew something about what was hidden there. Perhaps all Taelons knew . . . Maybe it was something at Zo'or thought he could use to his advantage . . . So many possibilities went through her mind.
 "So when do I leave?" she asked.
 "I believe Mr. MacLeod is ready for you now."
 "Very well," she replied. "I'll be on my way then . . ."

  *Okay, so it's not very long. At least it's a beginning! :) *
    Krystina/Tara
 

DATE: 28 August
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: rented motorboat, somewhere in the Medditerranian
TIME: present
SUBJECT: Water, Water Everywhere

 Kitty looked dreamily at the cloudless blue sky, once again glad that she'd decided to go on a REAL vacation. Out in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but tropical blue waters, a few seagulls, and the fishes for company. It was a nice place to just go think, even if getting the plane tickets set her back a few months on a full systems overhaul. Better to keep one's priorities straight.
 The thundering boom of a Taelon shuttle coming out of interdimensional interrupted her train of thought, causing her to tip off her somewhat precarious position on the front railing of the boat and fall into the warm water.
 "Ack! What the--?!" Kitty spluttered, quickly regaining her composture as she watched the shuttle settle into a hover over a point farther out into the ocean. She could barely make out the large grey bulk of an aircraft carrier, probably one of the ones that had been taken from active duty and given to the Taelons as floating research stations.
 A smooth, grey thing rubbed against her leg, and Kitty looked down to see a pod of dolphins entering the area from the direction of the aircraft carrier. A couple dolphins surfaced, one of which was holding an odd-looking necklace in its mouth.
 "Whatcha got there, little fella?" Kitty said in her most soothing voice, reaching out slowly for the strange artifact. She didn't know of any dolphin artisans, which meant that the necklace must've come from a shipwreck or some other sunken human construct. The dolphin whisteled and gleefully handed the necklace over, which Kitty slipped around her neck before climbing back up into the boat.
 The necklace was unlike anything she'd ever seen before, made of strands of metallic material that were as flexible as any cloth but seemed to have all the other properties of a real metal. It was silvery in color, with a single gold strand braided through the middle.
 "Amazing..." Kitty breathed, shaking her head. Whatever was under that old aircraft carrier, it was definately beyond anything that had come from a shipwreck before.
 ~Gee, I wonder if those old Atlantis myths aren't really myths at all...~

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Computer Hacker, level two
US Taelon Division
kahiki@hotmail.com
 
 

Date: August 28
Author: Esti
Place: US Taelon Medical Facility, Washingon, D.C.
Time: Present, after "Briefing"
Title: Blushing Schoolgirl

 Rosemary ran her fingers through her hair. A request had just come up on her screen. It seemed like Companion Security was nabbing part of the facility for their own use without specifying why. The only upside to that was that Agent Lassiter was coming to talk to her about it.
 She blushed as she thought of the ribbing Mark would give her upon hearing about her meeting with Lassiter. ~Sheesh, just because I think the guy is handsome...~ she thought. She hoped that she wouldn't start blushing when she and Lassiter were actually meeting. It would be embarrassing. Heads of medical divisions didn't blush like schoolgirls.
 Especially heads of medical divisions who had way too much to do. With three new employees coming in next week, and stuff to be cleared up as a result of the two viruses, she was never running short of work. Even her research into the CVI virus had to take a back seat. She wished she could hand that to someone else to help her research that, but she was heeding Ra'el's words.
 She sighed, and acknowledged the message.
--
Dr. Rosemary Schultz
Implant Specialist, level 20
(Esti: smccrory@mindspring.com)
 

Date: August 28
Author: KVS
Location: Madeira Island, Atlantic Ocean
Time: Present, after "The Rising Tide"
Title: Ethan's Initial Report

-------------------------------------------------------
NRPG:  Apparently, from my last post someone thought that I wrote that I
was the only person that was going to investigate Atlantis!  Sorry about
the confusion, I hope this post clears everything up.
RPG:  According to the briefings, the Atlantis site is in the Atlantic
Ocean, isn't it?
-------------------------------------------------------

 ~Oh great.~
 It finally happened.
 Ethan Miles knew it was only a matter of time before this would happen.
 ~Caught with my pants down.  Literally.~
 The metallic chirp of the global sounded again.  He knew it was Sandoval, and that meant he HAD to answer it.
 Ethan tilted the device slightly back before he opened it.
 "Miles here," he said into it.
 "Miles, how are things progressing on your end?"
 "Oh, just fine, Ron...uh...Agent Sandoval."  Ethan still had to get used to calling him "Agent" Sandoval.  Or even "Sandoval".  At the Bureau, he knew him as just "Ron".
 "The location is secure," Ethan continued.  "We have air support from the Aircraft Carrier Intrepid if needed, and the Portugese are lending us some small water craft to set up a perimeter.  We've got satellite coverage as well.  Sonar readings show depths between 1000 meters and 2500 meters for what seems to be the main part of the island.  I've moved my base of operations to Madeira Island, the closest point of land to the site.  Most of the rest of our team has arrived, and are beginning salvage operations as we speak."
 "Very good.  Keep me posted."
 Ethan ended the transmission and extended the global to its maximum width.  He punched up the sonar maps on the data pad and examined the readings.  He thought back to geography class, and remembered how the Mediterranean sea basin was once above sea level a long, long time ago.  It had eventually filled with water as the ice caps melted after the last ice age, causing the sea level to rise.
 But this "Atlantis" was in the Atlantic Ocean, and according to the depth chart, would never have been above sea level.  That is, unless it HAD been above sea level at one point, and something (or someone) had sunk it.
 ~Good thing for Taelon technology.  Without it, we wouldn't be able to operate at those depths.  Of course, without it we wouldn't have found Atlantis in the first place.  Interesting...~
 Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
 "Hey, you almost done in there?"
 "Yeah, just a minute John."  Ethan slapped the global closed.  He almost forgot he was sharing the room, until he looked at the towels.
 ~Casa Das Videiras.  Must mean 'House of the Expensive Towels.'~
 Ethan pulled the handle behind him and was greeted with a pleasant "whoosh". He was glad he wouldn't be one of the ones doing the diving.  This was as close as he wanted to get to the water.
---------
Ethan Miles
Special Security Agent

Date: August 29, 1998
Author: Uriel
Place: Taelon Moon Base
Time: During the events in "Water, water, everywhere."
Subject: Na'ar prepares for a hard time in Atlantis.

 Na'ar had just left from a meeting with his superior, a Taelon one 'rank' ,as it were, below Quo'on.  The discussion involved none other than the Atlantis situation.  More specifically, it was about what could be done to cease the flow of information.
 Humanity, Na'ar knew, would be up in arms against the taelons if they covered up Atlantis, something they searched centuries to find.  However, they would be just as angered, if not more, to learn what -really- happened there.

                [In Na'ar's Moonbase Office:]

 Na'ar sat in a chair not unlike Da'an's in the center of a circular room. However, this room was considerably smaller, and had no windows.  (And also, to the untrained eye, no doors.)
 From the cieling hung a three tiered ring of purple Taelon image transmitters --  twenty one of them (Compared to the Embassy's six), and each playing a stream of newsfeed from elsewhere in the world, already translated to Eunoia.
 Na'ar sat motionless, listening.  In Eunoia, words are not what they are in english.  Things are considerably more complex, and single words become vessels for a deluge of emotional response.  The spoken tongue, it's vibrato rolling, it's sing-song whisper, are not percieved by humans with even a quarter the depth as a Taelon.
 So for Na'ar, the twenty one  disparate newsfeeds became a single stream, a direct link from every major area of earthly population, to himself.  It was most efficient to gain knowledge this way.
 Na'ar suddenly sat up.
 Waving a hand, the twenty one streams merged into a large, 360 degree, 3-D projection of the ocean above atlantis.  Na'ar's chair spun to his will, showing, from every angle, a swarm of newsmedia, researchers, and Taelon-run carriers.  Too many people for the good of the mission.  Too many.
 Na'ar walked out of the room through a wall which retracted ad he passed. Behind him, the projection vanished.
 Na'ar stepped into a room full of shuttles.  Climbing into one, he sat down in the Pilot's chair, waved his arms, and the shuttle was away, intersimensional.
 Next stop, Atlantis.

Na'ar
Head of Taelon-Human Counterintelligence, Level one
 
 
 
 
 

Date:   August 29
Author: Heretic
Time:   Present
Place:  Resistance HQ
Title:  Interlude

 "So what will his background check reveal?"
 "Whatever we want it to reveal.  Augur erased his records a year ago in exchange for some passwords that he wanted."
 "So, electronically...?"
 "So, electronically, the little snot didn't even exist until we gave him his new identity.  No birth, no social security number, NOTHING.  It's not like they're going to find out anything by digging deeper into their records, which is the biggest risk of these whitewashing jobs.  In this case, the whitewash is all there is.  They can dig as deeply as they want, and they'll wind up thinking that their initial check was sufficient."
 "I'm surprised that you risked telling him about Whitney."
 "It's not all that much of a risk.  The Taelons are unlikely to believe the word of a fifteen-year-old boy over the word of one of their precious Implants, who are unable to lie to them in the first place.  Besides, if they work together, he doesn't have her restrictions.  He can claim that he was on a date and forgot to bring his Global with him if they wonder why they couldn't get in touch with him for an extended period of time.  He can claim that a friend of his was in an accident and he wants to visit them at the hospital if we need him elsewhere.  Most importantly, if something comes up that we need to make public, then he can acquire it and take the heat and we'll still have an inside agent."
 "So he's our expendable mole."
 "Exactly."
 "Of course, if he's as intelligent as you seem to think he is, won't he realize this and resent it?"
 "No.  He enjoys this sort of thing.  He needs an angle to play, or else the game's no fun for him.  Take a look at his profile some time.  He could make a fortune legally, and yet he's a homeless thief.  He doesn't do this for the money, he does it for the rush.  Now, putting him in the middle of a shadow war that's going to decide the fate of mankind forever, he's in the ultimate game, and he's having the time of his life."
 "He gets what he wants out of life, you get what you want out of life..."
 "...And everybody's happy.  Exactly."
 "So, do you plan on sending him to Atlantis?"
 "I'll let Whitney make that call.  On the one hand, it might be good to be able to get ahold of some of the artifacts before the Implants return.  On the other hand, we might be better off having him find out how to bypass security and grab it after it's returned and the implants are off doing other things.  I'm not going to micro-manage her if I can possibly avoid it.  Afterall, if I didn't think that she could make competent decisions without my help, I wouldn't have recruited her in the first place."
 "What's he doing now?"
 "Right now, he's trying to devise a means to bypass the security system in the Taelon building."
 "We've been trying to gain a solid knowledge of the building and it's systems for over a year now, with little success.  How much time is he going to waste trying to comprehend Taelon technology, much less bypass it?"
 "He said to give him thirty six hours, and bet me a hundred bucks that he could pull it off."
 "Did you take him up on it?"
 "Of course.  If he can do it, then the hundred is chump change, are well worth the results that it's going to bring.  If he can't, then he can certainly use the ego-reduction."
 "So either way, you win, right?"
 "Of course.  Human history will never say that I lost."
 "Awfully cocky there, Mister Doors."
 "Bull, Captain.  Either we're going to win this war, in which case human history will show that I accomplished my goals, or we're going to lose.  If we lose, there won't BE any human history around to say that I lost."

John Smith, Level 2
Thief
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: August 30
Author: Uriel
Place: Somewhere on the Atlantic
Time: After "Prelude to Counterbalance"
Subject: Na'ar Begins to Disinform

 Na'ar's private shuttle pulled out of interdimensional somewhere over the atlantic.  A small boat passed under the shuttle, with a lone person on it. Another visitor, Na'ar assumes.
 Ahead, several large research vessels and ex-military vessels (Most of which Taelon-run),  sat adrift, bobbing up and down in the usual deep-ocean swells.
 Na'ar landed on the main Taelon Carrier, only to be swarmed by a flock of People from the news.  How they manage to get here so quickly, Na'ar wonders, is probably one of Humanity's greatest enigmae.
 Knowing for sure that no [true] employee of the Taelons would reveal, honestly, why they have such interest in the site, Na'ar was free to do his job.  Hence, make something up.
 Is some strange, Taelon way, Na'ar loved this part of his job.

 "Can you tell us what the Taelons are doing here?" Came a voice from a crowd of cameras and digital recording devices.
 "Do you know why unmanned submarines malfunction near the site?" Questioned another voice.
 Na'ar fought for a brief second the urge to reply in Eunoia, then answered, deftly, "We are here to observe and assist.  We Taelons deeply understand your need to gain knowlege about your past.  Also, we are aware of slight disturbances in the magnetism of your planet in this general area which, although unnoticable on the surface, are strong near the bottom of the Atlantic."
 Of course no such 'disturbances' exist.  Something is disrutping the machines, yes, but not of -this- world.
 "We have technology which allows us to send vessels in to the deep water," Na'ar continued, and with a raising hand, said, "but they are complex, and will require certain qualifications if a human is to use one."  This being, of course, a CVI, but they don't need to know.  "Until we can bring in the appropriate assistance, however, only we Taelons can use the equipment."
 Na'ar glared into the crowd.  They seemed, in the usual media fashion, unsatisfied.
 "If you will leave me to my work, I will report back to you about new discovery. If not, we may stand here and discuss for eternity.   But nothing will be done."
 They reluctantly allowed the Taelon through.  Na'ar walked into a small elevator, and decended into the ship, where he would await the arrival of Da'an's implants, as well as the horde of others who would likely follow.

        Somewhere on the ocean floor, the submersible Jason VIII sparked and died. Again.

Na'ar
Head of Taelon-Human Counterintelligence, Level one
 
 

Date: August 31, 1998
Author: Amy
Place: Taelon Embassy
Time: After the Mission Briefing, but before "Na'ar begins to Disinform . . ."
Title:           A Beginning . . .

 Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan sat at her desk, ignoring the garden view and staring at the computer in front of her.  She was monitoring embassy security cameras.  She was curious to notice the activity among the humans implants.  There had been a big meeting a day or so ago.
 She had not been invited.
 That is when she first realized that there was more than the obvious difference between the humans at the embassy on assignment, and those there on a more . . . permanent basis.  The implants were definitely being trusted with significantly more information.  She would have assumed it was a seniority thing except that Agent Lassiter had not been invited to the meeting either. Only the implants were at that meeting, and they had been running around ever since.  She would not call their attitude desperate, not quite, but they were definitely . . . concerned.
 She knew that implants had a mental edge over the average human.  She had been given that information as part of her assignment in D.C. two years ago. While the information was not classified, it was not exactly talked about either.  No, the mental edge alone did not account for the preference.  It just did not add up.  When she had tried to chat with one of the implants, to get a feel for what was happening, the woman had shut-up like the proverbial clam.  Not a single word on the subject, and the lady left shortly afterward. Kathy had the distinct impression that she had transgressed in some way.
 Curious, considering that most of the agents in charge of security were FBI. The place did not work like any office to which she had been assigned.  She had agreed to the embassy assignment because she thought she could be useful, and she might learn something along the way.  Being tied to a desk and working in the dark, as she had been since reassignment, hardly utilized her talents. Did they just not trust her?  Why would they trust the implants and not the ordinary human?  She knew that the implants were incredibly dedicated to the Taelons, but why would they inherently trust an implant before an ordinary human?  Two years ago she had been privy to the latest government theories on this sort of thing, but not anymore.  At the moment she seemed to be out of touch with her government contacts, and mistrusted by her so-called Taelon friends.  They wanted her kept in the dark.
 ~We'll see about that!  What they don't tell you directly, can sometimes be deduced.~
 She accessed the shuttle locations, noting several unusual departures, she cross-referenced to the information and news databases.  It did not take long to find an answer.  It seemed the industrious implants were all converging on one location, a place in the Atlantic, off the coast of Portugal.  A location in fact, where some scientists claimed they had just discovered Atlantis.  Or so the media claimed.
 She requested information on Atlantis from the Taelon database.  She skimmed through the mythology, slowed a bit through the more scientific and historical information, and stopped when she discovered files she could not access.  She did not have clearance.
 ~Huh!  I wonder what that's all about.  I think I'll continue this little investigation at home, where it's less likely to be noticed.~

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan
Level One
U.S. Taelon Division
 
 

Date: September 2
Author: Jen LeMaire
Time: Present
Place: Washington DC
Subject: The end of a very long week_

 Dr. Jennifer Christian sat at her desk in the Research area of the US Taelon Medical facility. Things had been moving like mad. First, the implants' meeting with Da'an over -of all things_Atlantis! Then, her husband James gets to go running off on the "recovery" mission. To top it all off, all the new people coming to the Facility and "requesting" parts of the compound_it was enough to drive a doctor crazy!
 In her mind, Jennifer felt the warm presence of the Companion, her Companion, Ra'el. ~I really don't think I could make it without you.~ she said to him.
 A contented peace filled her mind as he responded, ~I am only the vessel that has brought you to the goodness of a common union.~
 Smiling despite herself, Jennifer answered ~Yes, my friend, but without the bonding and "gifts" you have given us, I do not know how I could stand having my husband being an implant.~
 Sadness echoed through their link as he contemplated her words. Finally, he spoke ~I wish that I could have been in a position to aid more families. I am grateful to have been able to spare your husband the abomination of the Motivational Imperative.~
 Now it was Jennifer's turn to encourage Ra'el ~That gift was an incredible blessing, Ra'el, but the greatest gift was the bond you gave us with each other_and with you.~
 The surge of emotion that flowed to Jennifer at that moment made her wonder wryly if anyone was in the room with Ra'el to see him "blush". After a few long seconds, Ra'el responded, ~I am honored that our bond means so much to you. My ancestor Ma'el was correct in granting your species the ability to touch the Commonality. Humanity has much to offer us in the arena of personal commitment and this thing you call "love".~
 Sighing deeply, Jennifer let the conversation evolve beyond words and into a much deeper exchange. It was a needed respite from the week's chaos. Many minutes later, a quiet knock at the doorframe ended her communion.
 Dr. Rosemary Schultz was standing at the door staring quite strangely at Jennifer, whom she found sitting very still staring at a wall_
 "Uh, Jennifer." She said. "Is everything all right?"
 With a jump, Jennifer laughed and said, "Hi Rosemary, I was um__just thinking."
 A very confused Rosemary said, "Yeah, that's what Ra'el said a little while ago when I caught him doing the same thing."
 Jennifer failed her attempt to stifle a laugh, but she managed to cover it up as a cough_barely. After a few seconds, she told Dr. Schultz, "Seriously though, things have been rather stressful around here lately. I guess I'm just adjusting to our new location_and lifestyle."
 An understanding look passed across Rosemary's face as she replied, "I think you are doing quite a good job, my friend. Many marriages have fallen apart once a spouse has gotten an implant." She continued, "Uh, it's about lunchtime_for me at least, and almost time for you to get off. Would you like to join me for a meal?"
 Jennifer wasted no time getting up out of her chair, "I think that would be a * great * idea." She said.
 So the two ladies gathered their things and set off for a local eatery_

END

Jen LeMaire
a.k.a. Dr. Jennifer Christian, CVI Specialist
 
 

DATE: 2 September
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: The Catspaw, somewhere in the Mediterranian
TIME: present
SUBJECT: Off the Deep End

 Kitty surveyed the deck of her newly-acquired ship with approval, absentmindedly twisting the mysterious neckalce she'd gotten from a local pod of dolphins around in her fingers as she did so.
 The strange upsurge in local Companion-related activity and her necklace both indicated that something hugely messy was going on, something that the Taelons didn't want anyone to know about. The news claimed that some crazy scientists had discovered Atlantis-- and judging by the still-unidentified substance in her necklace, Kitty was willing to bet that if it WASN'T Atlantis, it was the city that inspired the myth.
 Altantis was something that she had dreamed about... Advanced tech that could put even some of the Taelon systems to shame provided that one could get it working again... And the very mystique of the place was something that had always attracted Kitty personally. As was the story of its fall from grace-- The people thought themselves to be gods, so Posideon made the island sink in a firey cataclysm as punishment for such egotism. A good lesson to remember in the hacker's world, where too much bravado can land your systems if not you in a firey cataclysm of the information kind.
 Since she was set on staying a while, Kitty had made sure to cancel her flight back to New York and actually invested in a REAL ship. It wasn't a big affair, in fact it was an old houseboat some retiring fisherman was selling off 'cause he needed the extra money, but it was enough for someone used to spending days at a time cooped up in a room barely the size of an office cubicle in poor lighting surrounded by buzzing computer equipment.
 Splashing interrupted Kitty's train of thought, and she looked towards the bow to see a pod of dolphins that looked to her untrained eye to be the same she'd encountered before. Grinning, Kitty trailed a hand in the water, brushing against the smooth, rubbery skin of a particularly social dolphin.
 "Hey, you guys wouldn't happen to have an underwater camera handy, would ya?" Kitty said half-seriously. Earlier in the day she'd hacked into the data feed from the latest JASON probe in the area, but the transmission was cut due to systems failure before any images of the area supposedly containing Atlantis could be seen. The dolphins, however, weren't JASON probes... Suddenly, she snapped her fingers.
 "I could probably rig up some sort of critter cam thing and put it on a dolphin, who could then just swim to Atlantis!" she said, jumping up a bit and slipping on her landing to fall on her rear. The dolphins seemed to find her lack of grace amusing and clicked quite energetically.
 "That's right... I'd have to still be able to punch through that little anti-technology field..." Kitty muttered, frowning. Settling into think-mode, Kitty stared at the dolphins playing around her boat and tried to think of at least SOME solution to this latest problem...

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Computer Hacker, level 2
 

Author: Uriel
Date: Sept. 2
Place: Taelon-Run Carrier, over Atlantis
Time: The present
Subject: Launch of Taelon Probe 1

 Na'ar watched as the purple sphere decended into the darkness of the Atlantic.  A team of Taelon scientists stood watch over numerous data feeds from the probe.
 "Probe is approaching the city," A scientist remarked.
 "Is Probe being affected by the interference?" Questioned another.
 "Not currently," came the reply.
 Na'ar stepped out of the room for a moment, into a large hangar bay.  Three unusual taelon vehicles were being modified for resistance to jamming and, on Na'ar's request, protocols to protect errant data transmissions.  Now Na'ar only had to trust they knew what they were doing.
 "Da'an's implants should be arriving in little time.  Be finished," Na'ar urged.
 "We are applying the final modifications now."
 Na'ar moved back into the Probe control room.  He felt a strong mental presence; the Synod was
watching.
 "Are the countermeasures active?" Na'ar asked, referring to anti-hacking protocols.
 "They are," A Taelon said.
 "How good are they?"
 "The best we have," was the reply, something which, unbeknowst to Na'ar and other Taelons, is not very good, though there are very, very few people that can break it.
 There was a shrill alarm.  Taelons bustles around the room, reading and interpreting data.
 An image came onto the screen:  Atlantis.
 But it was not atlantis as Plato had written, as literature predicted.  It was silent, cold.  Effects borne of Taelon weaponry.
 The humans must never know, Na'ar thought.
 The probe located several emissions of energy and moved to them.  Artifacts, buried beneath the rubble.  Machines from a long-forgotten past, in working order.
 "We must wait for the implants," Na'ar advised, staring at the image.
 

Na'ar
Head of Taelon-Human Counterintelligence
 
 

Name: Heretic
Date: Present
Location: Dr. Shultz's apartment building
Title: B and E

 ~Expensive security setup.~  John thought, putting his screwdriver back into place in his tool pouch and walking by the (now inactive) alarm system. ~Almost completely useless, but expensive.~
 It was almost a shame that he couldn't allow his presence here to be detected. If this was a normal B and E, he'd have stolen the alarm system as well.
 Next to the alarm system was the memory core for the building's optical scanner.  John took out a smaller screwdriver and opened the box up.  He attached his data transfer device to the memory core, turned it on.  Two minutes later, the upload was complete.
 John carefully put the transfer device in his pouch and then pulled out a hammer.  Carefully following the wires that lead from the back of the optical scanner to the wall, he used the hammer to break open the plaster, exposing the wiring.
 A small, extrememly sharp knife and some extra wiring was all that he needed for the next step.  As carefully as he could, he spliced into the data line used to connect the memory core to the optical scanners located at the doors to the apartment building.  In the hole that he had made, he placed his own memory core attached to the newly spliced wire in place.  He then took two video cameras out of his backpack.  On both the memory core and the cameras there were small readouts showing the time.  He synchronized all three of them and then, after putting the cameras back, pulled some plaster and paint out of the pouch.
 He had broken in the night before in order to look at the color of the walls, and had selected his plaster and paint accordingly.  Sealing the wall up properly was the longest task of the job, but was over in a few minutes.
 He left the basement of the building through the same window that he had entered.  The pressure switch on the window, designed pop up (and set off an alarm) if the window was open, was glued into place.  Normally, John wouldn't have bothered going through the frustratingly slow process of locating the disabling a the pressure sensor on a window, he would have simply cut out the glass and climbed through the window without actually opening it.  This job, however, was the second of three break ins that he had to accomplish without leaving being detected, so that wasn't an option.  He'd apply some solvent to the glue when he left for the third time.
 After leaving the building, he quickly ran across the street and scaled a second building to get to the roof.  From there, he set up one of the two cameras and focused it on the front door to the apartment building.  Concealing the camera as well as he could, he climbed back to the ground and went around behind the building he had broken into.  See the building that he had decided upon a few hours before, he climbed to it's roof and set the second camera up to watch the back door of the apartment building.
 He then climbed to the ground and walked home.  Once he got home, he assembled his masterpiece.
 He really wasn't all that cocky, he liked to think (although most people would probably be inclined to disagree with that statement).  Sure, if somebody asked if he was a good thief, he'd tell them the truth: that of course he was. Be he never claimed that he could do something that he didn't know he could do, and he generally kept his mouth closed.  Loose words had a tendency to reach the ears of police, Feds, and other folks that might not like his choice of work all that much.  The equipment that he designed for his job was good, and that was simply a fact.  When he finished making a tool that worked the way he wanted, he usually took some pride in it, but rarely gave much thought to it afterwards.  His masterpiece was the exception.  Each time he looked at it, it brightened his day that much more.
 It had taken nearly a year to create, most of that year consisting of twelve hour days of constant work and adjustment, with the occassional B and E job to keep the bills up to date or to acquire parts that weren't normally sold (legally, at least) to teenagers.  Hours of cursing and frustration, hours of painstaking work, hours of fine-tuning and troubleshooting.  When he took a look at his masterpiece, he realized that it had been worth every second that it took to create it.
 His masterpiece was one part hardwired graphics interpreter, one part interchangable memory core, one part diagnostic port (capable of being hooked up to a computer), one part miniature monitor and three button keypad, one part power source, one part class orb, and one part holographic projector.  The projector was human technology, borrowing concepts provided by the Taelons. The holographic field was tiny, a oval field that at it's widest point was just under an inch in diameter.  The clarity of the projection required the best wiring that he could buy and steal.
  If he could have patented it, he could probably make a fortune.  He never would, however, because this was his masterpiece, and he'd never sell it, or the blueprints to it (he made sure that the plans were exact, so that reproducing his masterpiece could be done relatively quickly).
 His roof had an optical scanner hooked up to a red light and a green light instead of any sort of alarm.  It was the same kind of scanner that most government agencies used (it should have been, he had stolen it from a government building) and the same that, he hoped, would be in the Taelon building.  He downloaded the data that he had taken from the apartment building's memory into the optical scanners core.  He also downloaded the same data into the labtop computer that he had.
 Calling the data up on the computer, he saw several files, all of then binary interpretations of retinal patterns.  Their default names were simply "Pattern1", "Pattern2", and so on, and he saw no reason to change that, since he couldn't identify the individual patterns.  He'd be able to identify one of them at a later point, however.
 He then downloaded the same data into his masterpiece and turned on the monitor.  On the monitor attached to his masterpiece, the same list of files appeared, although the screen could only show three at a time due to it's miniscule size.  John looked at the list for a moment, and then chose the third name on the list at random.  He held his masterpiece up to the optical scanner and pressed the projection button.
 He held his breath as always, while he waited for the results.  After a moment, the green light flashed as it accepted the projected retinal pattern as valid.
 "Cool."  John said quietly to himself.
 He packed all of his equipment into a strongbox that he had next to his bed. The box was the most secure device that he could make.  Opening it incorrectly would earn somebody a face full of regurgitant gas (he didn't want to risk poison gas, and tear gas was too boring).  Attempting to either move the box or force the door would cause it to emit an electrical discharge.  It would be enough to kill anybody, but it had an effect similar to the stun prods that were used in the more secure prisons.  It had only taken the box going off accidentally on him twice to ensure that he maintained it on regular occassions.
 Before he got ready to go to sleep, he made sure that all of his equipment was in the strongbox.  There was no telling what kind of unscrupulous people were out there these days.
 
 

Name: Brian R. Boyko
Date: Present
Location: Caleb's Apartment.
Title: Plug & Prey

 It was Saturday night, and Caleb was at his computer at home, checking his Email.
 <TO: CALEB@RIC.NET>
 <FROM: Toro@Carmugyou>
 <SUBJECT: Moose teem tone.>

 This one... looked interesting. 48M Key encryption, and the subject line, anagram for "someone to meet" was intriguing.  And, of course, it was addressed from "root@augury.com"  And of course, Augur was one of the top hackers.  If Augur wanted a meeting, then it was very important that Caleb attend.
 After the unencryption, the message seemed to be a bunch of anagrams, three words each.
 <Swoon teams note, ....>
 The message, when unscrambled, read like this: "Someone wants to. meet you at. my place lots. of money for. large job buyer. says important September. tenth at one. ante meridian involves. taelons and implants. could be biggest. job of your. life so dont. disappoint me or. youll regret it."
 September 10, 1 AM.  Seven days from now...
____

DATE: 3 September
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: Kitty's ship, the Catspaw, somewhere in the Medditerranean
TIME: Shortly after "Taelon Probe 1"
SUBJECT: Lessons Well Learned

 Kitty doublechecked the local weather reports before setting herself up on a lawnchair with her laptop, intent on enjoying some of the lovely semi-tropical sun. The laptop was connected to a portable satelite linkup that she'd gotten with part of the spoils of her big Taelon job, which in theory would give her computer access to any computer anywhere on the planet-- provided of course that she could get by the security countermeasures.
 Thinking logically, if Kitty decided that if she could manage to weasel her way into at least the human-run components of the Companion systems, she ought to be able to find out SOME sort of intelligence on the Atlantis thing and go on from there. The ship just visible on the horizon- being the closest computer as well as the one likely to know the most about what was going on- was her first target. However, she quickly discovered that whoever had designed the security for that system had encoded everything in Euonia.
 Frowning, Kitty paused before going any farther than the very outskirts of the system. If the thing was Taelon-run, she could get into some serious trouble if she was caught... However, she also informally worked for Da'an, which might lend her a bit of political immunity in an "all-else-fails" sort of situation. She'd been paying close attention when she and the rest of a small fivesome of hackers had gone into the DC embassy's computer system two, maybe three years ago; she could definately maneuver the binary if she was forced to... And Kitty HAD managed to develop a lot of extra little "worm" programs in between then and her current problem...
 ~Descisions, descisions... On one hand, if I go in there's a good chance that I'll get caught. On the other, if I don't go in my chances of finding out what's REALLY going on around here are somewhere in the negatives. And of course, it's not really as if someone's going to be able to catch me, if they trace the computer I can always dump it overboard and move somewhere else before they try...~
 Dumping the computer was the last thing Kitty wanted to do, but having that option open finally decided her.
 ~Look out Taelon computer, the Kittykat is back!~

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Computer Hacker, level 2
US Taelon Division

DATE: September 3
AUTHOR: Brian R. Boyko
PLACE: Caleb's Apartment, Washington D.C.
TIME: Immediately after "Lessons Well Learned", September 4, 4AM
SUBJECT: Crashes to crashes, rust to rust.

 <BEEZT!  BEEZT!  BEEZT!  BEEZT!>
 ~no. no. need to sleep.~
 <BEEZT!  BEEZT!  BEEZT!  BEEZT!>
 ~oh god, what time is it.~
 <BEEZT!  BEEZT!  BEEZT!  BEEZT!>
 Caleb struggled to hit his alarm clock snooze button.  But for some reason, when he hit it, it simply would not stop beeping.  Finally he was awake enough to figure out that it was coming from his computer.
 <BEEZT!  BEEZT!  BEEZT!  BEEZT!>
 ~what the hell?~
 He got up from his bed, and stumbled over to his desk.  There was a warning on his computer.  An unauthorized break-in.
 This was big.
 He ran a packet tracer.  It was coming from Georgetown University, no, wait, it was only routed through the GWU/GU/AU satellite system. Specifically the TELSTAR 3 satellite... that meant a computer with a pretty powerful satellite dish, from the Eastern Hemisphere somewhere.  Probably from the Mediterranean area, although it could be anywhere from Reykjavik to Kiev.
 Finally, the computer stopped beeping.  He tried to find a record of what happened, but there was none to be found.
 Except he was up in the middle of the night.  And he wasn't going to get any sleep another night.
 ~If this is Augur's doing, when I see him, I'm going to punch him in the mouth.~
 He quickly did some counter-hacking of his own.  Time was of the essence. He didn't even notify Sandoval.
 He would, eventually, but he wanted to have a name to go with the transgression.
 The TELSTAR 3 did notice a login... in fact, a still active login, from the Mediterranean.  From the MIDDLE of the Mediterranean.
 That meant a boat.
 He did a quick listing of hackers with boats in his head.  He only knew of Gunther Ebert and Kitty Jenson.  Jenson, of course, was known as the first hacker to successfully break into a Taelon system.  Which made him suspect Ebert immediately.
 After all, no hacker was stupid enough to make the same mistake twice.

 <CALEB.DE: Hallo. Wo sind Sie Gunther?
 SCHOKOLADE.DE: Warum sollte ich Ihnen erklären?
 CALEB.DE: Ich überwache aktuell einen aktiven LOGON von TELSTAR3. Verboten, selbstverständlich.
 SCHOKOLADE.DE: Was ist dieses? Warum würde ich ein unzuverlässiges sattelite für solch einen empfindlichen zerhackenden Job benutzen, wenn ich die Sicherheit der mehrfachen Wege auf Land habe? Ich bin nicht dumm.>
 ~Gunther was right about that.  He wasn't an idiot.~
 <CALEB.DE: Weil Sie ein Boot haben.
 SCHOKOLADE.DE: Sie sind geisteskrank. Wenn der Job wichtiger der war, würde ich warten, bis ich ein Team von Auslesehackers zusammengebaut und meine Spuren bedeckt hatte.
 CALEB.DE: Sie haben Recht. Ich habe Sie nie gekannt, um zu versuchen, ein System durch stealth zu nehmen. Nur durch Energie.
 SCHOKOLADE.DE: Verfluchtes Gerades! Lassen Sie mich jetzt allein, esse ich das Mittagessen, und es erhält Kälte! >
 While Gunther was going on at the mouth about his cold lunch, Caleb did a quick connection check.  He couldn't get an exact location, but he knew Gunther hadn't left Bonn.
 <CALEB.DE: Traurig, Sie zu stören. >
 So, it wasn't Gunther.  That left Jenson.  Now he could call Sandoval....
 He was just about to connect when some force inside him stopped him cold. Three out of five of those hackers that had broken in died mysteriously afterwards.
 Call it a question of ethics, but for some reason, he didn't think capital punishment was deserved for a unsuccessful hack.  And Jenson would get no mercy, of course.
 He hacked back into TELSTAR3, and gave it the kill-signal.  Hopefully, it would look like interference to Jenson.  He checked his watch.  9 hours until the next satellite powerful enough for Jenson's needs, the QUALCOMM4, would be accessible to the Mediterranean.
 It was going to be close. Good thing that he had received tomorrow off for his labor day visit to his family up in Jersey... a visit he was going to have to postpone.
___________________
Caleb Richardson
Specialist-Hacker Level 1
US Taelon Division
boyko2@tcnj.edu
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: September 3
Place: Taelon-Run Carrier, Atlantis.
Time: The last leg of Probe 1's dive.
Subject: They never give up.

 "Na'ar," another taelon called as he walked into the room, "a problem has arisen, and you are required on the main level."
 Na'ar nodded, and followed up several flights of cramped, military stairway to the Carrier's flight deck.  Who else should be the 'problem' but the usual horde of reporters, each hoping to get the story broken first.
 One voice was louder than the rest, "Our sonar recently detected your ship launching some kind of submersible!  What do you have to say about this?"
 They try too hard, Na'ar thought.  No use letting them down.
 "You are correct.  We have launched an unmanned probe to survey the ocean floor."
 "What did you find down there?"
 "Rubble."  On the other hand, no use letting them know the whole truth, either.
 "Was your ship harmed by the magnetic disturbance?"
 ~No, of course not.  But you don't need to know.~   "Not harmed, as some of your submersibles have been.  However, its transmission was very poor.  It took much analyzing to determine that only ruins remain."
 "Did you run a thorough search?"
 ~Yes we did.~  "No, the interference prevented our sensors from probing underneath the rubble.  We are continuing to search, and will be launching many such probes.  We hope to use their combined power to more efficiently search the area."
 "Can we tap into the Probe's data stream?"
 Na'ar answered this one truthfully: "Unfortunately, no.  Your computer systems would be unable to decode the massive amounts of data our probe transmits.  Especially because most of it is in our own language.  But we will keep you informed.  Until then, do not be alarmed at further launchings."
  And with that, Na'ar walked back to the control room.

 Meanwhile, in the large room, Taelon scienists were attaching an 'appendage' to on of the manned submersibles.  It will be the one which attempts to retrieve the ancient artifact.
 
 

Date: September 3, 1998
Author: James LeMaire
Time:
Place: Off Portugal
Subject: Last Call_

 ~Things have certainly changed~
 Cmdr. James Christian looked at the Taelon engineered rebreathing unit he held in his tanned, weathered hands.  It looked like a cross between Mako and one of those things in that old movie "Aliens" that would attach to your face and implant you.
 Shuddering at the mental imagery that that evoked, James put it down and checked the rest of his gear.  As he worked, he noted the other implants as they checked their own equipment.  Some of them looked at ease with the whole thing while others appeared very nervous.
 He understood completely.
 Most of them had never been diving before much less out to sea in water so deep that you could stack both of the World Trade Center buildings end to end three times with room to spare.  The world record for deep water diving was just shy of 14,500 feet, sans diving bell.  The prior record of 7,700+ from 1999 was broken during the SI War by SEALs in Team Six during a demolition and hostage retrieval mission.  The old first generation divers from the mid 1900's suffered neurological damage late in their lives as a result of their deep water dives, and those dives were a lot less than 8,000 feet.  During the War, though, technological developments in dive suits and rebreathers had advanced to the point where the only limitation on depth was the human skeleton.  The bones would splinter instead of adapting to the pressure changes below 15,000.  Below that depth, a diving bell or other facility was required.  Realistically, the Implants would not have to actually enter the watery world at that depth themselves.  Which suited James just fine.
 "OK, everyone.  This is how this is going to work.  When we arrive on the scene, we will don our dive suits and rebreathers and free dive to the sub-surface rendezvous craft.  From there we will be taken down to the city itself and function in the SDV-Ss.  Any questions?"
 "Commander?  Have the SDVs been actually tested at the depth we'll be working at?"
 The question came from Tara Carmichael, Zo'or's Chief of Security.  Her role in this mission was to be assessment of all artifacts and any accompanying inscriptions that may be on them.  As the resident expert in archeology and ancient civilizations, she was the most qualified for the task.
 James smiled and replied, "Yes, they have.  Isn't that right, Sandoval?"
 Sandoval gave a half smile that quickly faltered as he gazed out towards the horizon.  He turned to the other Implants and said, "Of course."
 No one else was able to see the fleeting look on his face except for Carmichael and Christian.  They exchanged meaningful glances with each other and set about the final preparations of the gear.  Zero hour was fast approaching.

END
James LeMaire
*aka Cmdr. James Christian, Companion Security
US Taelon Division, Level One
 
 

Author: Uriel
Time: September 4
Location: Taelon-Run Carriuer, Atlantis
Time: Recent past.
Subject: Preparations and plots.

 Not -just- a double-blind terminal, no.  A -Taelon- double-blind terminal. As if there was enough security in the former.
 No, this was a special little machine, something that taelons had used since they arrived on earth, which they left open for view, and yet, no hacker (and there were many) was ever aware it existed.  Anti-intrusion methods like the Earth had never seen, much more superior to that of the Probe Array. Unfortunately, there was no time to rig the array with such a sophisicated device.  A shame.
 Na'ar was in a room at the deepest area of the ship, alone.  Even a fly buzzing through any of five decks above him would set off an alarm.
 This little operation could not be revealed.
 Na'ar commanded the machine to open a communications link, text only.  On the other end, a highly-reccomended team of crooked FBI agents, high ranking, with much experience in covert ops.
 Na'ar described a small mission they would be required to take part in, and a large amount of money they would be paid.
 A mission which was of vital importance.  A mission which will become painfully clear in little time.
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: September 4.
Place:  Taelon-Run Carrier, Atlantis.
Time: Right after "Preparations and Plots"
Subject: Na'ar prepares his departure on the Implant's arrival.

 It worked.  The FBI Agents were on his side now, and would await the signal to begin the mission.
 Now Na'ar had something else to attend to.
 Walking to a more cluttered area of the ship, he went into a taelon- communication-equipped room, and blushed.
 With a wave of his hand, Da'an and Quo'on appeared in separate data streams. The conversation continued In Eunoian:
 "I have come to believe that the security of the operation is not completely safe," Na'ar reported, "And we cannot risk a leak of information from the massive data the whole Probe array will bring to us.  Therefore, I propose that the probe data should be sent directly to the moon-base, where it can be properly decoded and analyzed."
 Quo'on was next to speak up.  "What measures will you take to assure the safety of such a transmission?"
 "We will modify the encryption of the data stream to our most complex systems.  Even if a human exists who can decode it, it would take decades. And their computers do not have the hardware required to read these types of data streams.  This will be the most thorough search we will make.  The manned operations will rely on only the data which we choose to give the implants."
 Da'an broke in. "Do you not feel that the implants are capable of handling the whole of the information?"
 "They probably could," Na'ar replied, "but this matter is too important to trust any non-taelons."
 "What will happen to the probe array when this scan is completed?" Quo'on asked.
 "All information which would show the exact purposes of every scanner on the probe has been modified.  No one but those who know it by heart will be able to determine the functions of the probe.  This branch of Taelon machinery is new to this world."
 There was a pause as the Synod contemplated the information.  After which, Quo'on announced, "We trust in your assumptions, and will be ready to accept your data transmission as soon as you are ready."
 Quo'on's image vanished, but Da'an remained.
 "Is the other operation you have been planning ready for inception?" he questioned.
 "It is, and it will proceed as scheduled."
 "I hope the results are that which we expect."
 "As do I."
 With that, Da'an vanished.  Na'ar assumed a human form, and walked to the Probe control room to prepare the launch of the full Probe Array.  They will have completed their scan before the implants arrive.  However, only the Taelons will have access to the truths this scan will undoubtedly reveal.

Na'ar
Level One.
 

Date: September 5
Author: Esti
Place: Human-Taelon medical facility, parking garage
Time: Present
Title: Unhelpful Hands

 Rosemary shifted her purse more securely on her shoulders as she accompanied her coworker Jennifer from the elevators. She was blushing. "Do you really think I should ask him out? He is Companion Security, after all...."
 Whatever her friend might have said was lost in a great something. A great noise, as Rosemary would think of it later. She lost her balance and collided with something, a car or a pillar. No doubt, she was concussed. She struggled to right herself, to see what had happened.
 "My car," she gasped, as she pushed up on a nearby minivan's bumper. The whole place was a shambles. She couldn't see her car at all in the smoke and the blaze. "Gotta get out of here...."
 Someone grasped her arm, tried to guide her away. She allowed herself to be led away. She couldn't see them.
 Something was wrong, she could tell. But she had no energy left.
--
Dr. Rosemary Schultz
Implant Specialist, level 20
(Esti: smccrory@mindspring.com)
 

Date: September 5, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Atlantic Ocean, off of Portugal
Time: Set just prior to "Taelon Probe 1" and "Last Call"
Title: Artists and Ancient Arts
Note(s): [] Around certain text denotes that the Taelon language of
Eunoia is being spoken.

 Va'ar stepped onto the Taelon ran aircraft carrier and then turned to help his human Companion step down from the shuttle. The Atlantic Ocean was by any standards, breathtaking. Va'ar and Dana Veropps shared a secret smile. Their secret thoughts however were soon interrupted by the approach of another Taelon from across the deck.
 [Sinuai Euhura, Na'ar] Va'ar spoke extending his hands in the Taelon greeting. Na'ar briefly returned it.
 [Explain your presence on this ship.] he said.
 [I am here at the Synod's mandate to study any ancient arts you may recover from the ocean's floor.]
 [What of the woman?]
 [She is here with the same purpose.]
 [She should not be.]
 [The Synod has approved it.]
 Na'ar didn't say another word.
 Va'ar reached out to take Dana's hand.
 At that moment Grace came walking by, carrying scuba gear in her arms. Upon seeing Va'ar she dropped it to speak to him.
 "It is agreeable to you again, Agent Whitney." he said.
 "Thank you, Va'ar."
 "Grace!" Tara called from across the deck.
 "Excuse me, Va'ar, Ms. Veropps. I'm needed." she said and picked up her gear again, and hurried across the deck...
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: September 6
Place: Taelon-Run Carrier, Atlantis
Subject: Launch of the Probe Array.
Time: After Na'ar's discussion with the Synod.

 Na'ar had gone back to his private little alcove in the carrier, and rigged the transmitter for a final, single message:

 "It is time.  Commence Phase Two."
---------------------------
Time: Three hours before the arrival of the implants.

 Na'ar stood one deck above the probe lauch tubes.  This area of the ship was modified to contain a large underwater window.  The taelons believed that the ocean had qualities worth observing firsthand, rather than through a hologram datastream.
 Behind him, a red light spun around as three klaxons blew.
 Underneath the window, four small doors opened, and each released four probes:
 The probes are spherical, purple objects, covered in a skin-like material, much like the walls of Taelon buildings.  Spaced around them are ribs of a hard blue Taelon substance, embedded into which are lights, scanners, and other devices.
 The sixteen probes rushed out into the dim water, each flailing a bright conical beam of light before it as they spun into formation.  Were you to connect them with lines, the sixteen probes would be orbiting an imaginary sphere in the center of the formation.
 After a short period of this, a moment of testing and last-minute calibration, final orders were programmed into the Probe, and radio contact with them was lost.
 Only the Taelons on the Moon base can see what they see.
 Each probe activated another two beams.  It looked almost divine: 48 beams of light spiraling out of a spherical area in the ocean.  Then, the lights all aimed downward as the formation quickly made their way to the ocean floor.
 In a moment, they were gone.  The ocean was dark now, except for a trail of faint blue phosphorescent algae spinning in the wake of a faint white light, far, far below.
 Na'ar blushed as the commonality was given it's first look at the massive amounts of data retrieved:
 On the ocean floor, the probes spread out, systematically scanning every millimeter of rubble to a mile deep.
 Two and a half hours later, the data feed was complete.  Each of the probes sent an overload into their sensors, removing their ability to scan at such detail ever again.  Meanwhile, on the carrier and everywhere on earth, all records of this Taelon scanner were being silently, automatically removed from databanks, as a pre-programmed algorythm ran it's course, and then made sure no traces remained of it's own deletion.

 The probes, substancially weaker but still greater than any Human device, assumed equally spaced places over the ruins, essentially providing a full coverage scanning bed.
 Control of the probes was rerouted to the manned shuttles.

 Na'ar exited to the main deck, where a group of shuttles were landing.  Na'ar told the implants that the probes were now at their disposal, and he stressed the importance of secrecy and efficiency on this mission.
 Making a final statement to the reporters, Na'ar told them to ask all their questions to the team of implants.
 Na'ar then stepped into his own shuttle, and vanished, interdimensional.
 His destination: Washington DC, where there would soon be important things to handle.

Na'ar,
Head of Taelon-Human Counterintelligence, Level one.
 
 

Date: September 6
Author: Jen LeMaire
Time: Present
Place: Parking area, US Taelon Research Facility
Subject: Lights Out

 A loud rumble filled the room as the world seemed to be shaken apart.  Just a few short seconds ago, Dr. Jennifer Christian and Dr. Rosemary Schultz were heading out for a nice dinner_then the elevators opened and everything got turned upside down.  Jennifer found herself thrown violently against the floor, shards of metal shredding her lab coat.  The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth and her mind was transported to another scene:
 ~Mortar shells exploding.  The screams of the dead and dying all around. Knife in hand, searching for the target___~
 ~What?~ she thought weakly ~Whose memories are those???~ Then she realized that they must be her husband's_.
 Hands were upon her, roughly turning her over_picking her up_. Low cursing at the blood covering her clothes_..a dark hood was placed over her head, but unconsciousness overtook Jennifer and made it quite unnecessary__

 Two men dressed in dark coveralls with masks loaded their "merchandise" into the van waiting just outside the blast area.  The leader turned to the others cursing at the premature explosion of the bomb.  Rosemary moaned beneath her hood and was rewarded with a nice dose of medication that ensured she would not remember anything about the rest of the ride_
 Another of the abductors began to examine Jennifer's wounds.  After determining that she was not seriously harmed, he administered the medication to her as well.  The two women needed to be kept quiet and under wraps until their employer could be reached for further instructions_.

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jen LeMaire
*aka Dr.Jennifer Christian, CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division, Level Eight
 
 

Date:  September 6, 1998
Author:  Sheila Blanton
Place:  Present--Launch of Taelon Probe, around time of "Na'ar
Disinforms"
Subject:  Ancient New World

 Selena stood on a small hill on the shore of the coast of Faro.  The topography of the land elevated gradually and continued to rise at the spot where she had chosen to view the flurry of activity a short distance away.  The newly arrived and the already stationed explorers and inquisitors participated in a sort of organized chaos.
 The Taelon advance team had made the unsuccessful attempt in diverting attention from the arrival of the vessel that held the implants.  The press had descended upon every new arrival with all the enthusiasm of hungry barracudas.
 It was because of this insanity that Selena had requested to be deposited ashore near the site for the time being.  She needed the time apart from the others so that she might sort out the confusion in her mind.  Her metaphysical abilities would serve as a magnet drawing her to finds--a talent she would be happy to exploit for the Taelons.  She had isolated herself for the moment to create a "blank canvas" to work upon in order to perform with optimal efficiency.
 However, she discovered that there was no need for her to send out a mental exploratory probe in search of excavation sites.  No, Selena's mind was already flooded by the eminations of relics from a civilation long past.  ...And there was a power here, an unmistakably immense power.
 There was a wealth of artifacts at the Taelon Probe site...and the chosen stations of the other explorers.  _Everyone_ here would come away with a treasure trove.  It reminded Selena of a specific pilgrimage she had made to Turkey.  She had walked the land of an old civilization, and so rich was the culture, so respected the land, Selena had to take care that she did not, literally, kick the relics lying along her path.
 The implants would not need a "special" assist from her on this mission after all.  Their CVIs would guide them to the less obvious discoveries they seek.
 Selena was gratified for this opportunity to discover and explore Atlantis, a destination that she held as sacred.  Yet, a certain melancholy was upon her because of the evident disrespect for this find--the circus mentality--the pillage and plunder.  She was grateful for her association with the Taelons who recognized the importance of this "unearthing".
 Selena walked a distance away from the coast where the land still continued to rise.  A brief moment of meditation would be all she needed to help clear her mind.  Then she would rejoin the others.
 Regretably,  there was to be no solace in this place.  Selena had seated herself in a quasi-lotus position, her knees meeting in front of her. Her solitary thoughts were invaded by thoughts of a different sort. They actually seemed to have an origin close by.  Puzzled, Selena outstretched her hands as if she could touch what she could not see, but definitely sense.
 Then the visions came.

 FLASH--A civilization fleeing their domain in great haste.

 FLASH--The same city lying in ruin, buried under the sea.

 FLASH--Machines from a long forgotten past in perfect working order.

 FLASH--A flourishing utopian society.

 The visions ended abruptly.  If Selena was to believe what her mind relayed to her she had just scratched the surface as to what happened to Atlantis.  The inhabitants knew of their impending fate.  They had abandoned their domain, leaving most everything behind, departing just before disaster struck.  Somehow, they has managed to start over, to rebuild their city-state to its former glory.
 Selena had sensed a power at the site of the first Taelon probe.  She felt the same power here--magnified!  There was something here warranting her exploration of this land.  She didn't know what she was looking for, but she was thankful for the opportunity to explore without interference from the maddening throng.
 There was no time for delay.  Selena began the "outreach" to guide her in the right direction.

 FLASH--A series of stone circles on the land.

 Armed with the information of the landmarks to locate, Selena now knew where to begin.  She allowed her instincts to guide her in the proper direction.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Selena Orseau
Metaphysical Specialist--Level 1
US Taelon Division
 
 
 

DATE: 6 September
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: The Catspaw, in the Medditerranean
TIME: during and after "Crashes to Crashes"
SUBJECT: Down, but not Out
 "Huh?! What the heck am I doing in Washington?!" Kitty yelped, then scowled. The satelite connection must've hit a crossed wire. Her target was the bloody BOAT, not some stupid office half a world away. Kitty knew that she'd have to work fast. Rumor had it that there was some new kid with some good tricks working as computer security for the Taelons' Washington HQ. Caleb something-or-other. And since she'd crossed a wire, chances were very, very good that he'd detected her hack.
 "First I fix this," Kitty growled at her satelite link-up, "Then YOU go overboard!"
 It would take time for this Caleb character to figure out it was her in the system, after all, not many hackers were dumb enough to try the same thing twice. Which was precisely the reason why she'd made the attempt. Kitty had maybe two, three hours before the next powerful satelite came up on the horizon, undoubtedly bringing the gift of kill-codes and viruses that would screw up her portable system for days on end.
 First thing was first, and that was to kill her connection with Washington without anyone noticing. If she could mosey out of the system before the satelite came up, the data would automatically re-route back to sender, which would undoubtedly put a crimp in her current adversary's hair. Grinning nastily, Kitty placed a little "care package" of a worm in with her linkup disguise, which would not only place any interesting data on the Atlantis mission in her mailbox, but the faked linkup would fool the Washinton systems into thinking she was where she wasn't.
 That done, she logged out, using the same backdoor she had when she'd done her first hack into the system, which was thankfully still there. This Caleb kid would NOT in a million years expect her to use her old routes, which ought to cover her tracks and allow the linkup disguise to keep him occupied.
 Finally, with five minutes left on the clock, she did a full systems shutdown after dutifully remembering to save. Breathing a sigh of relief, Kitty sat back in her lawnchair to plot her next move.
 SOMETHING was totally blocking her access to the carrier, which meant better countermeasures than her last foray into Taelon systems. Of course, there was always a direct linkup to whatever they would undoubtedly send down to investigate... but that could take forever and a decade to translate into lingo she could understand.
 "They must've hired counterintelligence recently," Kitty muttered. Splashing distracted her, and she was pleased to see the exact same pod of dolphins that had been follwing her around happily churning up the water near the bow. "It'll be a while before I can venture out again... but then again, if that kid's good enough to get out of this little mess I cooked up for him, there's a chance he's good enough to help me get by that counterintel.. But would he buy into Atlantis?"

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Computer Hacker, level 2
US Taelon Division
kahiki@hotmail.com
 

Date: September 6
Author: KVS
Place: Taelon research carrier
Time: After "Last Call"
Title: A Lack of Information

 Ethan wasn't used to receiving calls directly from Da'an, but while Sandoval and his team were exploring Atlantis, he was responsible for handling security matters _above_ sea level.  He shielded the Global from the sun as he spoke.
 "Yes, Da'an?"
 "Agent Miles, is Agent Sandoval present?"
 "He and the rest of the security team has just begun their dive down to Atlantis."  Ethan thought about all the implants who dove into the water and their strange-looking breathing devices.  The image was kind of funny, actually.  "Is there something I can help you with, Da'an?"
 "We appear to have a security breach," said Da'an.  "Someone has attempted to break into the Taelon system.  We have traced the signal to an area close to your present location."
 "Do you believe this is related to the Atlantis operation?"  As he spoke, another Taelon probe splashed into the ocean behind him.
 "This is something that needs to be determined.  Their transmission was terminated before they were able to access any information, but we feel they may try another attempt.  Please investigate this immediately."
 "Yes, Da'an."  With that, Ethan ended the transmission and opened a new one to Caleb Richardson, computer specialist at the U.S. Taelon Division.
 "Caleb, Ethan Miles.  We've caught someone hacking into the Taleon system, and I'll need your help to find them."
 "What have you determined so far?"
 "We've tracked the source to somewhere near Portugal."  Ethan extended his Global to examine the data stream coming in, containing additional details of the infiltration.  "The transmission was relayed through a satellite, but the connection was cut off before they could access anything."
 "Let me check it out.  Hold on."  Caleb turned to a computer terminal. "I've tracked the logon to TELSTAR 3.  If they do try again, they'll probably use the QUALCOMM 4 sat which will be over the Mediterranean in about...6 hours."
 "Good.  Keep a trace on it and let me know as soon as they try again. Once you pinpoint their signal, I'll go and pick them up."
 "No.  In order to get a precise lock on their location, I'll need to come out there and triangulate their exact position."
 Ethan wasn't exactly sure that was true, but had no reason to doubt him.  In any case, he was sure the fresh air and sunny skies would do this tekkie good.
 "Okay, I'll send my shuttle to get you."

 The sunny skies over the Atlantic quickly gave way to ominous clouds. Ethan watched from the Taelon research carrier as the cumulonimbus front rolled in overhead.  Before long, the sky broke loose with earsplitting thunder and pounding rain.  The static electricity in the air caused Ethan's thin brown hair to nearly stand up on end.
 Ethan braced as another thunderstrike began, but this one turned out to be the exit of a Taelon shuttle from interdimensional.  The lightning-strewn clouds made an impressive backdrop as the shuttle wended its way down to land on the carrier.
 Earlier that day, Ethan had watched as Na'ar and some associates made their way to the probe control room, an area which was off limits to him. The only information he would be able to get on Atlantis would come from Sandoval's team.  As close as he was to Sandoval, however, he had the distinct impression that he would be kept out of the loop on this one.  But perhaps there was another way to find out what all of this was really about.
 Two figures emerged from the shuttle.  The wind had picked up, and visibility was near zero in the driving rain.  Captain Muldoon secured the shuttle as Caleb Richardson made his way over to Ethan.
 "Good to see you again, Caleb.  Let's get out of this rain," shouted Ethan.  He showed him to one of the carrier's control rooms.
 "The radar doesn't look good," said Ethan.  "Storm's going to last quite a while.  Is that going to affect your operations?"
 "We should plan on moving out of the storm when zero hour approaches. I'll need a clear line of sight to the satellite to prevent any interference."
 Ethan watched out a window as a Taelon stood outside, taking some sort of readings with a strange-looking instrument.  "That's okay, we'll take the shuttle to Portugal.  The weather should be clear there by the time the satellite is in range."
 "So what the hell is going on here, anyway?"
 "Wish I could tell you."  ~Wish I knew myself, actually,~ thought Ethan. "But when you get a bunch of implants together, it can't be good."
 "I hear you."
-----------
Special Security Agent Ethan Miles
U.S. Taleon Division
Level One
 

Date: 9-7-98
Author: Amy
Place: The Taelon Embassy
Time: "Right after Lights Out" and "Unhelpful Hands"
Title: A Long Evening

 With the implants all out in the Atlantic, Special Agent Kathy Morgan was working late.  She had made a few phone calls last night, old friends who had connections in the right places, or so she hoped.  They were looking into this thin in the Atlantic.  Now she could only wait and work.  Never the most patient person, she worked to keep her mind off her curiosity.
 She studied the data stream in front of her.  There had been several recent threats against the embassy.  They had come from different locations, but Kathy suspected the same source.  She pulled out a notepad and began listing the similarities, trying to pinpoint the source of her suspicion.
 It was some time later that she noticed the sound of the fountain.  She closed the data stream with a sigh, she needed a break anyway.  It was funny the way she always seemed to hear that fountain just when she was ready for a break.  She shook her head  ~I'm probably imagining the sound - on second thought, I guess I'm not that crazy . . . yet.~   She stifled a grin.  She was not usually prone to flights of fancy, but with the Taelons, all bets were off.
 She passed through the virtual glass and headed for the fountain.  The sound of the trickling fountain always relaxed her.  "Do all of the humans working security work so late, Agent Morgan?"  Came a Taelon voice behind her.
 She turned even as she felt a rush of pleasure, "Pa'el," She raised her hands in the ritual Taelon greeting.  "I didn't realize you were assigned to the U.S. Embassy."  She had met Pa'el during Taelon-Human negotiations the first months after the Taelon arrival.  She had been evaluating the effect of the Taelon arrival on humanity, among other things.  She had worked with Pa'el to learn something of the Taelon culture.
 She suspected that they both had worked with dual agendas in those first months.  But they had formed a friendship anyway, one based on respect, and an affinity that they both recognized, but had avoided openly acknowledging. Serendipity really, now that she thought of it; if they had not formed such a bond, the negotiations might have become hostile.  It was soon after she met Pa'el that she realized her knack for understanding the Taelons.  That affinity had only reluctantly been acknowledged by the human negotiators, but in the end it had made a difference.  She had often wondered if her understanding came in part from this affinity with Pa'el.  She knew that he felt it as well.  She just was not sure how she knew.
 She had not seen him in two years.
 "I am pleased that you accepted the assignment to the Taelon Embassy."
   Kathy studied him curiously, "Don't tell me, you're behind this assignment?"
 Pa'el gave a gentle nod.  "I don't know why I didn't think of that sooner," she added with a shake of her head.
 "Perhaps you allowed yourself to be led away from the path you were meant to travel?"
 She paused, inviting him to explain, but he remained silent.  "So what have you been doing since the negotiations?"  She turned back in the direction she had come, he followed, and they headed for her office.
 "I have been extensively researching human history.  I am curious about human evolution.  It has kept me occupied for some time.  Humanity can be enigmatic, I wish to understand you."
 Never shy at an obvious opening, Kathy decided to test the waters, "So you're involved in this thing in the Atlantic then?"
 "In a manner of speaking." It was not the answer for which she was hoping.
 They passed through the virtual glass and into her office.  "Do you like this office?"
 "I love it.  But then, I love gardens, so this is perfect."  She noticed that he had changed the subject.
 "I remembered that you like plants and suggested this office, since it was available.  I thought perhaps it would . . . .  Agent Morgan, is something wrong?"
 Kathy was pacing slowly across the floor.  Yes, something was wrong.  She felt like someone had just walked over her grave, or at least someone's grave. "I'm just a little edgy, Pa'el.  You don't mind if I run a security check?"
 "Not at all."  She barely noticed the silence as she ordered a security check of the embassy.  It took only moments to receive the all-clear response.  She ordered a check of nearby Taelon facilities.  That took a bit more time, but she received the all-clear, except . . . the U.S. Taelon Research Facility was not responding.  She reached for her global, and punched up security for that facility.  Long moments passed, with no response.  She cut it off, and contacted Agent Lassiter, "Yes, Agent Morgan?"
 "The U.S. Taelon Research facility is not responding to a security check. I'm going to check it out."
 Agent Lassiter nodded, "I'll order back-up for you."
 "Thanks, I'll meet them there."  With a flick of her wrist, she shut down the global.
 "Pa'el, I have to go check this out.  We'll talk again?"
 "Of course."
 She barely heard his response, she was running out the door.

 It seemed to take forever to reach the facility.  In reality it probably took ten minutes, but her worst fears seemed to be crystallizing before her eyes. A roadblock stopped her just outside the facility.  "I'm sorry ma'am, the facility is temporarily closed . . . ."
 She flashed her identification. "Agent Morgan, Taelon security, what happened here?"
 "An explosion, in the parking garage.  Park your car here, you'll have to walk to the site."  The man waived her through the blockade.
 It was several minutes before she got to the scene.  An explosion, just outside the parking garage elevator.  They had created a police barricade, but only just.  She walked passed it, flashing her badge at those who questioned her.  "How many were injured," she asked a passing security guard as she noticed blood on the floor.  For an explosion, there had not been a great deal of damage to the building structure.
 "None that we've been able to locate."
 "What?"  She glanced around, seeing cameras on the ceiling, she said, "I want to see the video footage."
 "Yes, ma'am, as soon as we can.  All the electronics are down for some reason."
 Kathy's stomach turned over unpleasantly.  She had a nasty feeling about this.  Pulling out her global she got through to Agent Lassiter.  "Yes, Agent Morgan, what is the situation?"
 "An explosion in the parking garage."
 "Was anyone hurt, did it cause much damage?"
 "We're not sure, but it appears some people were hurt; they haven't yet been located. The explosion itself didn't cause much damage.  I think the explosion might have been a distraction, I need the computer security data to be sure, but the computers aren't working.  I need a computer expert over here A.S.A.P."
 "I'll send someone over right away."  Her global screen went blank.
 Kathy sighed, it was going to be a long night.

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan, Ph.D.
U.S. Taelon Division
Level One
 

Date: 9-7-98
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Place: Portugal, Washington
Time: Right after "Lights Out" and "Lack of Information"
Title: JetLag
 "Ma'am, What do you mean, I'm going to have to go back to Washington?  I just got here in Portugal, working on the first security breach." Caleb said, not believing his ears, looking over Ethan Miles shoulder into his Global.
 "There's been an explosion in the embassy parking lot.  We know that someone was wounded, but we can't find the body. We really need that information from the security computers."
 Caleb thought for a second.
 "Did you try rebooting?"
 "Be serious, Caleb, people's lives might be in danger."
 "I know.  That's why I'm just going over the basics with you now.  The bomb could be to distract us from finding the hacker..."
 "Or the hack might have been to get you away from the bomb site.  Or they might not be related at all."
 "What does Da'an think?"
 Ethan interrupted "Da'an can't be contacted.  Even if he could, we shouldn't.  With two security breaches in the same night, he's been moved to a safe house, incommunicado."
 "Well, if I don't catch the hacker in..." Caleb looked at his watch. "3 and a half hours, then we're just opening ourselves to attack again.  Unless you want to disable QUALCOMM4, and black out communications everywhere from Cape Hope to Lagos. The only reason I was able to disable TELSTAR was because I was able to route most of the information from it into alternate sattelites. We don't have that option with QUALCOMM.  But I see your point, the sooner we have that information from the security computer, the sooner we catch the bomber."
 ~Would Jenson jeapardize a human life for a hack?  He didn't know her that well.  Just her M/O on a sheet published by 2600.  Probably not, but, you never know... if she got paid enough.~
 "Alright. I'm coming back.  Whoever it is can try again in 3 hours... I'm just going to have to get this hacker the hard way.  From the office.  But we'll be on the defensive.  And she knows about our countermearsures."
 "She?" Ethan asked.
 ~Uh, oh.~
 "Yeah.  She.  Or he.  Or it.  Whatever, I'm not picky, I was just thinking about my sister, and whomever I think about, I usually color pronouns that way.  Idiosyncracies, we all have them."
 Caleb hoped Ethan bought it.
______________________________
Specialist Caleb Richardson, Hacker
U.S. Taleon Division
Level One
 

Author: Heretic
Time: A night after "B and E"
Location: John Smith's Motel Room
Name: Snag

 "What the hell?!"  John shouted, checking through both video recordings once again.  It was the third time he had checked them and, for the third time, there was no sign of Dr. Schultz on either of them.
 He was going to have to set up the whole thing again, he realized, cursing aloud.  He got over it quickly, however, and decided to do what he could now. He compared the retinal patterns that he had collected with those loaded into his Masterpiece, and removed them, leaving a relative handful behind.  There were too many for him to try them out in the Taelon facility, but there were a lot fewer possibilities than before.  Afterwards, he decided to scout out the his new "job", which would be starting in a week or so.
 ~I should have checked to see whether or not she was seeing somebody.~  he decided as he began to jog to the Taelon Medical Center.
 When he got there, he cursed again under his breath and kept jogging, not wishing to attract attention to himself.
 He hadn't been able to see much, but it appeared that a bomb had gone off near the building.
 ~Well, THAT could explain why the doctor hadn't gotten home~  he thought as he jogged away.  He hoped that he was wrong, and that she had a boyfriend (or girlfriend, for he knew) that she had spent the night with instead.
 There was one way to find more, he realized.  He returned to his mote and then, approximately an hour later, he disabled the alarm on Dr. Schultz's apartment and broke in.

John Smith
Thief
Level 2
US Taelon Division
 

Author: Heretic
Time: A night after "B and E"
Location: John Smith's Motel Room
Name: Snag, pt. 2

 It was eerie, he decided, trying to get a feel for somebody by looking through their home.  He had never bothered trying something like this, so he wasn't sure exactly where to begin.  He finally decided on the bathroom.  He checked the cabinets, mainly looking for any kind of birth control methods or pregnancy tests.  It wouldn't be conclusive, but it would help him get a better gauge of her.
 She was using birth control pills, he saw, but that really didn't mean anything.  He realized that a lot of women were on the pill simply to keep their cycles relatively stable (John found it amusing that he was using the word "stable" in the same breath as anything that involved women and PMS).
 He checked her bedroom next.  After looking for any form of birth control or protection, he checked her dresser drawers.  He started with her underwear drawer, since that was the most likely to reveal anything.  He took each piece out as carefully as he could, setting it on the bed in the same order as he took it from the dresser.
 Her tastes, he decided, ran mild to moderately mild when it came to underwear, although there were one or two relatively interesting pieces at the bottom of the drawer.  In all likelihood, he concluded, she either wasn't in a relationship or had gotten very far along in one.
 He felt extremely strange doing this.  It was certainly a violation of her privacy, and he wasn't proud of that.  On the other hand, from looking around objectively, he was starting to get a pretty good idea of her general personality type.
 He replaced her lingerie and checked through the rest of her clothes, finding nothing further of value to him other than getting a general taste for her style.  She went for tasteful, moderately conservative outfits.  Nothing outrageous, nothing vulgar, nothing sleazy.
 He looked at some of the photographs on top of the dresser, trying to figure out which one was her (he should have gotten a photo ID from the Liberation, he concluded).  He checked the photos and compared the women who most often appeared in them against the size and style of clothes that he had searched through, finally deciding on which one was most likely his target.  He checked briefly for photographs of a possible boyfriend but didn't find anything conclusive.  The only photograph of her with a man was near the back, so it probably wasn't a current boyfriend, if he ever had been.
 Her file cabinet was locked, but it was a standard mechanical one, and it took him just under four seconds to pick it, which reminded him that he needed to stay in practice with his basic locksmithing skills: he was starting to slow down.
 He glanced through her records, taking note of her diplomas, medical papers and finances while looking for personal correspondences (unlikely in this age of electronic communication, but possible) and then replaced the contents, locking the file cabinet up again.  Other than a recipe for cherry brownies that looked really good, there wasn't anything there that he thought was of much value.
 Next her her couch, he found her most recent mail delivery.  He took a brief poke through two catalogs, one for mystery books an the other for technogadgets.  He briefly debated going into the technogadget business himself, which he did on occassion after looking at the prices of some of the listed items.
 ~Why don't I start inventing some of these things?~  he asked himself.
 ~Because none of the ones that are any fun are legal to make or own.~  he answered himself.  Having brought the debate to a successful conclusion, he got back to work.
 There was an alumni magazine from her alma mater that he ignored.  He did likewise for the herb grower and foriegn-language magazines that were in the pile.  There were two pieces of personal mail as well.  John put a pot of water on the heater and continued his search while he waited for the water to begin to steam.

John Smith
Thief
US Taelon Division, Level 2
 
 

NRPG: Part 2 should have a location of "Dr. Schultz's Apartment".  Sorry for
any confusion that this error may have caused...

Author: Heretic
Time: A night after "B and E"
Location: Dr. Schultz's Apartment
Name: Snag, pt. 3

 John finally struck paydirt with Dr. Schult's computer.  It had a retinal scanner on it.
 Grinning like a jackel, John pulled out his Masterpiece and tried the rest of his possibilities until he came across the right pattern.  Unlike most security systems that utilized retinal scanners, the ones in computers were extremely simple devices that either allowed the computer to be turned on or didn't.  He was glad that Dr. Schultz wasn't paranoid enough to have her computer lock up after a certain number of tries.  The security system also didn't note the number of failed attempts to get in.
 John checked through her computerized files.  He had brought a hardwire connector and a spare memory core with him, and used them to download everything that looked useful.  If nothing else, the Liberation might benefit from the files.
 He finally checked her refridgerator and cuboards, trying to get a gauge on her dietary habits.  She was definately a dairy person, he noted.  Plenty of milk, plenty of cheese.  No coffee, but lots of tea.
 There was plenty of steam rising from the pot now, so John steamed open the two letters and read them.  One of them was from another Doctor, Anne Frost, but it largely concerned Anne's fiance.  There was a little more information regarding some professional issues that John didn't even pretend to understand in any amount of detail.  He considered typing it into a file and putting it onto the memory core, but decided that it wasn't worth the effort.  The second letter was from somebody named Rebecca Williamson, apparently Rosemary's sister. There was nothing official in the letter, but there was an apology for "the wig incident" (John made a mental note to find out what that was all about) and some talk about the writer's husband and daughter.  There was also a little talk about herbs, and some less-than-flattering opinions of the Taelons.
 Once he was finished, he made sure that everything was replaced exactly as he had found it, and that the alarm was reset.
 Playing detective had gotten him what he had first been after, Dr. Schultz's retinal pattern, but it had led to a new problem: he was now worried about Rosemary Schultz.  Having spent (he glanced at his watch) a couple of hours immersed in her private life, he thought that perhaps he had gotten to know her a little.  He rationalized that if she was dead, then he'd have to find somebody else's retinal pattern to use in the Taelon building but the truth of the matter (and it annoyed him to no small end) was that he'd feel really bad if she was dead.
 ~Well, if I'm going to be an idiot, I'm going to do it properly!~  he decided. He returned to his motel, changed into a more appropriate outfit, and returned to the Taelon Medical Facility.  His luck was holding, he realized when he got there: there was plenty of security there, but the guards looked like basic rent-a-cops and the receptionist appeared relatively friendly.
 "Hi, I'm sorry to bother you right now,"  John said to the receptionist, "But I need to set up an appointment to meet with Doctor. Rosemary Schultz."
 He decided against flashing a big, bright smile.  Not only was he not in a smiling kind of mood, but somebody had once told him that when he smiled it made him look like a chickenhawk talking to a twelve-year-old runaway.  He didn't want the receptionist to think to think that he was trying to charm her.
 "I'm sorry, but Doctor Schultz is currently unavailable."  the receptionist replied, looking somewhat flustered, as if she wasn't sure what to say.  John decided to go for broke.
 "Was she killed in whatever happened before?"  he asked.  "Look, I'm sorry if I'm putting you on the spot here, but I'm a new intern who's going to start next week, and I figured that I should meet with her beforehand in order to find out exactly what I'm going to be doing."

 It was the best that he could do.  He wasn't being rude, impatient, or overly-patient with her because he didn't want to get offended and refuse to help him in any way, shape or form.
 "I'm sorry, I just haven't been told what happened."  she said to him.
 John swore quietly under his breath and then nodded.
 "Okay, thanks.  I'm sorry to bother you."  he replied.  "Try to have a good day."
 "You too, I'm sorry that I couldn't be of more help."  the receptionist replied.
 "Don't worry about it."
 Once he left, he had lunch and then paged Augur.

DATE: 10 September
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: The Catspaw
TIME: After "Jet Lag"
SUBJECT: News and Gambles

 Kitty stared at her computer screen, her mouth somewhere in the vicinity of her knees as the message on the device finally began to sink through her thick skull. The ComTech clinic in Washington had been bombed, at about the same time she'd been trying to get back out of the DC computer banks.
 ~What could've sparked off an attack like that? The way the world's been blubbering about the Taelons and the fact that there were certainly Liberation agents working on important projects there makes an anti-companion attack that much less likely..~ Collecting her jaw and frowning, Kitty perched on her lawn chair, thinking and letting the waves rock the boat about.
 The DC hacker who was now working security would probably have the brains to connect the two events, although SHE certainly wouldn't go as far as blowing up an entire building to cover up a failed hack. Give the entire computer system a highly annoying virus, YES, but why blow up a building? And because she was working alone the hack CERTAINLY couldn't have been engineered to cover up a bomb... unless someone had access to her PORTABLE system and knew the exact time she was in the Taelon computers, and timed accordingly. But no one could get into her portable system, as her Orcin Man program would detect any forgien codes the minute they entered the system and alert her.
     ~It's definately time to call Caleb in on this, if only to clear up the bomb stuff. Besides, if he could detect me, he's got to have somewhere near the skills I had when I was starting out, which if I remember were fairly considerable... and apprenticing has always sounded like an interesting job. It's not like they teach this stuff in school...~
 With that thought, Kitty switched her computer back on and this time got into the internet, calling up her e-mail account as she looked up Caleb's address...

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Computer Hacker, level 2

Author: Uriel
Date: September 10
Time: Late night, the date of the car bombing.
Place: A building.  Somewhere.
Subject: Scolds and other mental smacking.

 A tall man sat in front of a computer screen, reading the typed messages of someone he'd been in contact with for some time.  This was a secure chat, as his employer did not want to be identified.   He was an FBI agent, by trade.  But fir a variety of reasons, the job wasn't as exciting as it used to be.  So he formed a small, freelance, mercanary team.  FBI trained, special ops.  The best thing money shouldn't be able to buy.  But it can, and it did.
 Typing from the other end: "As agreed, the money has been delivered to the planned account."
 The FBI agent replied: "Excellent."
 "However, there is something we must discuss."
 "Oh?  What's that?"
 "When I gave you your mission, I thought I was clear.  They were not to be harmed.  The bomb was an unnecessary addition."
 "It was absolutely necessary.  It isn't my fault it went off too soon."
 "What do you mean?"
 "It was supposed to clear the evidence after we'd gotten what we came for. There was a wiring fault in the car.  Something taelon we didn't expect.  The bomb went off early."
 "Were they harmed?"
 "Yeah.  Looks like a concussion.  It's weird, though.  They're telling us how to treat the wounds.  Doctors."
 "Make sure they stay whole.  About the bomb, I imagine that was out of your control.  But you -will- be more careful next time."
 "Of course."
 "Sleep with one eye open.  Everyone is up in arms about that bomb, and they'll to everything they can to get those two back."
 And his employer logged off.  The FBI man swiveled his chair around.  His teammates were placing cold compresses on the heads of two very important women.  ~This~, he thought, ~This is the best mission i've ever had.~
  And he turned back around to double-check his account.  The money -was- there.  He laughed.
 
 

Location: Zo'or's office
Subject: Awakenings

 The Taelon smiled.  If you could call it that.  Either way, he seemed please. And though he didn't know why yet, Julius was glad he could please him.  He stood their smiling like a schoolboy who'd just recieved an A from his favorite teacher, until Zo'or broke the silence.  "I take it the surgery went well."
 "With out a hitch, Zo'or," he replied, still grinning like an idiot.  What was wrong with him?
 "Is something troubling you?" Zo'or sensed his confusion.
 "No... yes... well, sort of.  It's hard to explain.  I just feel... odd."  His own voice sounded strange to him somehow.
 "No doubt you are still adjusting to you're heightened intelligence."
 Maybe Zo'or was right.  Of course Zo'or was right.  He was a Taelon, after all, and Taelon's are always right.  No, wait.  He shook the feeling off. "No, that's not it.  It's something else.  Before I went under, I was thinking about all the money and power I could gather with this new implant.  I kept repeating: Julius Khazar, Cyber God over and over in my head.  Now, I could care less."
 "Ah yes.  I neglected to mention that, in addition to heightening your intelligence and memory, it has a subcommand that alters you're priorities. You now live to serve the Companions."
 "Of course, that would explain it," he responded, still smiling.  But why did his voice still sound so unfamiliar?  "You tricked me, didn't you."
 Zo'or nodded acknowledgement.
 "You didn't lie, exactly.  You'll still give me everything you promised, but you know I'll only use it to serve you.  Before I would have been upset, no doubt, but now I can only congratulate you on a clever move."
 Zo'or smiled again.  "Thank you.  Now, for some last minute orders.  You are to bend you're efforts to finding the Resistance.  But, in order to avoid arousing suspicion, you must continue to act as if nothing has hapened.  And that means resuming the accent."
 Of course!  That's why his voice sounded so odd.  The implant had caused him to stop caring about maintaining his facade.  Why, he'd even begun to think of himself as... he shook it off.  He'd have to resume his life as Julius Khazar if he was to serve effectively.  English accent back in place he said, "Anything else, Zo'or."
 "Yes.  You are to tell know one about this.  Not even those who serve.  Not even other Taelons."
 "But surely the synod..."
 "No one.  There are those who would oppose what I've done.  For the good of the whole, you're mission must remain secret.  Do you understand?"
 "You're will, Zo'or."  With that, he turned and walked out.

Julius Khazar
Secret Companion Operative
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: September, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Off Coast of Portugal
Time: Before the Kidnapping
Subject: Forebodings...

 James grimaced.  Up ahead and slightly to the right of himself was the moving form of Ronald Sandoval.  He didn't like Sandoval much. Rather, he didn't like the methods and mindset of the man, and that led to an overall dislike.
 The ex-SEAL's training and indoctrination caused him to evaluate Sandoval both as a friend and a foe.  He found, oddly enough, that he couldn't bring himself to look upon Sandoval as a friend.  His MI caused so much focused dedication to the Taelons that Sandoval couldn't look at a friendship in any other way except as means to the end of serving the Taelons.  Even more disconcerting, James could also see how easily Sandoval could become an enemy if he felt that someone were a threat to the alien species.
 There was a bright spot, though. Sandoval gave him an exemplary model of how he should act.  His lack of appropriate behavior due to the missing MI would be a glaring give away to some one with one.  Observing Sandoval's reactions on other occasions was teaching him how a fully-operational CVI functioned.  Thus, he was able to adjust his actions accordingly.  The draw back to it was that Sandoval was often VERY aggressive in the Taelon's service and was inclined to act hastily.
 Like now.  Cmdr. Christian had told him that a more thorough sweep of the area was advisable before they went EVA, but Sandoval insisted that the mission was urgent and had begun the shuttle lock to cycling.  A brief, heated argument ensued and a compromise was reached.  They would go now, but Sandoval would take point.  So they went.
 James glanced behind himself to the forms of the other implants. Both seemed calm and in control of their emotions; one glancing about the blue depths with wariness and unease, one with wide-eyed wonder. Carmichael seemed the most relaxed, after himself, of course.  Next was Sandoval, pressing onward into the city.
 The city.  It was a marvel to see.  None of the Taelon scientists were very forthcoming with information about it and there was much speculation as to how it ended up under water.  The most amazing thing so far was that it appeared to be seated at the bottom of a perfectly round crater.  The crater measured approximately five kilometers across, edge to edge, yet was only two hundred meters deep, more resembling a giant saucer than a bowl.  The city itself was about three kilometers across and seemed to be in a remarkably preserved state.  This area of the world is tectonically stable, and the city was far enough below the waves to be safe from the worst the North Atlantic had to offer.
 ~"So why does it look like it was shaken apart?"~, James mused. ~"And why is Na'ar so keen on..."~
 Pain, white hot and immediate flashed from his belly as the SDV he was being towed by slammed into his abdomen.  He let go and allowed the dead man's trigger to kill the power to the engine, pushing off and backpedaling furiously.  As he glanced down, he caught a flash of white movement from the edge of his vision as an eight-foot Great White shark shot back in at him for a second try.
 Reaction and training took over as his hand shot down to his calf for the Akula dive knife strapped there.  He wasn't fast enough. The shark lanced in on him and he was barely able to twist out of the way of the killer's jaws.  The Great White hammered him with the impact and he immediately tasted blood in his mouth, salty and metallic.
 <<rising from the water and running across a hot zone...hand to hand combat...searching for a lethal enemy...knife in hand...pain...>>
 The CVI intrusion flashed across his consciousness, momentarily disorienting him and distracting his concentration.  When the episode passed, he looked about, shaking his head and trying to clear his morass of thoughts following the shark impact and intrusion.  He saw Whitney, eyes darting about, searching for the predator.  Carmichael and Sandoval were both looking at him, concern in her eyes, an unreadable expression in his.  Sandoval began to speak into his mask microphone when Carmichael abruptly cut him off by grabbing his arm and pointing.  Both implants eyes widened and Sandoval raised his arm and pointed his closed fist at Christian.  Before he could act, a building whine cut through the water, immediately ending in a loud "CRACK".
 Grace Whitney had seen the shark swimming up from behind and had fired her skrill.  James looked where she was looking and only saw a growing cloud of murky detritus where there had once been a shark.  She looked to the other implants and smiled.  "You were right.  They will fire underwater," she said.
 Sandoval swam over to where James was still shaking his head. He looked at him and said, "Are you alright, Commander?"  He studied Christian's face, assessing his eyes and demeanor for signs or causes of concern.
 "No, I'm ok.  I'm just a little winded from the first impact. Give me a sec..."
 "Do you need to go back into the shuttle, Commander?"  James suddenly received a burst of insight.  The look Sandoval had given him was the same one that he was giving him now.  Appraisal.  Assessment. Calculating his intrinsic value to the situation.
 James grimaced.  ~"The MI..."~
 He shook off Sandoval and growled, "I'm alright.  That's not the first shark attack I've survived, remember?  That's how Mako got her name..."
 Sandoval never took his eyes off of James', but he did slowly nod an affirmative.  "Good work, Agent Whitney," he commented.  "Nice shooting."
 "Thank you, Agent Sandoval."  Grace looked pleased with the compliment and nodded her head in appreciation.
 James took a deep breath from his rebreather and said, "Ok, ladies, there will be more showing up when they smell the chum from this one.  Let's get busy before they get here."  With that, he turned and retrieved his SDV and entered the city gate...

James LeMaire, aka sithspit@usa.net
Cmdr. James Christian
US Taelon Division, Level One
 

Author: Uriel
Date: September 11
Place:  Na'ar's office, the Moon
Time: a few days after Na'ar left the Carrier
Subject: Analysis of the Synod Collected Data.

 The twenty-one projectors created a solid blanket of light around Na'ar's chair.  His office, essentially a small room with a large chair (much like Da'an's) and a holo-projector array, was a very important place to him.
 Da'an has five projectors, in a small purple ring above his chair.  Na'ar has twenty-one, in a large three-ringed assembly sprawled across the cieling like the web of something very evil, and very purple.
 Na'ar's hand hovered over a small circle engraved in the arm of the chair. It served as a control.  Using the organs and energy pathways in the hand, Na'ar could control the image(s) being projected.
 Currently, it was Atlantis.  Atlantis as the probe array had tranmitted it to the Synod.  And it was amazing.
 Luckily, there were no life signs -- the taelon weapons had taken care of that.  But there were machines.  Computers, robots, and what looked like an intersellar drive.  Primitive compared to interdimensional, and much slower, but were humans to find that -- they're not ready for it.  It will come in its own time.
 Na'ar's interest in culture surfaced, and he wondered what the race was like in their prime on this planet.  Why the Taelons had to destroy them.
 Surely they didn't leave weapons behind?  I'd rather give them interdimensional flight than any weapon that civilization could have produced. The sheer consequences.  The possibilities!

 Na'ar opened a comlink to the Carrier, asking for James.  This was urgent.
 James was disrupted in donning his gear.
 "Yes, Na'ar?"
 "We have analyzed some of the probe data, and have found some very startling artifacts.  These cannot be left behind.  Mostly, these are technological items.  Find them -all-.  Search the ruins repeatedly if you must."
 "What do I tell the other researchers and news agents?"
 "Tell them the working machines are emitting a strange interference.  Find some metal scraps and show it to them if they insist on seeing something."
 "Yes, sir."
 "Remember, this is very, very important to both our races."
 "I will."
 "Proceed.  Contact me if you must."
 "Yes, sir."
 James' face vanished from the projection.
 
 

Date: September 11, 1998
Author: Rilei
Time: Set just after "Orders to Return Homeward"
Place: A Safehouse Somewhere in Alexandra, Virginia
Title: First Watch

 It was only five hours difference and yet Grace discovered that her internal clock was all messed up. It was 11 P.M. at night when Sandoval had sent her and Ken back to the United States to guard Sandoval and yet when they reached the States, it was only 6 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.
 The first thing Ken did was make a run to get a supply of hot, black coffee from a nearby convenience store down the street from the safehouse. That left Grace alone with Da'an (well except for the guards outside). For the longest the two of them sat regarding one another with mild curiosity.
 "You seem to have the desire to speak." Da'an said.   Grace turned her eyes at his words. She stood up and walked to a window that was allowing the moonlight to spill in. She pulled the curtain back, looking our at the blackness.
 "I admit that there are questions that I have always desired to ask of the Companions." Grace said carefully.
 "Even with your gift of the CVI?" Da'an asked.
 "Commander Boone, when I was first recruited and implanted, took me under his wing and he taught me a great deal. But one of the most important things he taught me was to always seek knowledge above everything else. He, in a way, gave me his desire to learn about the Companions. He wants....wanted our people to form a between our two cultures so that we could live in peace and prosperity." Grace explained. Da'an smiled faintly at her words.
 "You knew Boone well. Perhaps ever more than I could have ever have hoped to." he said faintly. "You may have even perhaps won his friendship."
 Grace turned to face Da'an.
 "Do you believe that it is possible for an implant to have emotional ties such as friendship?" Grace asked.
 "I believe that all things are possible." Da'an answered.
 At that moment, Ken returned with the coffee and Grace took hers and went to sit by the window to keep watch. All through the night she felt Da'an's passive gaze on her, but she was left to her thoughts in solitude to ponder his cryptic words. Ever since she had started working for the Companions, for Da'an, she had had a desire to befriend the Taleon, but especially after the loss of Boone.
 There was Tara Carmichael, Grace knew, and the two had become steadfast friends. And then there was the unexpected friendship she had formed with Augur in the last several months as he had help her to search for her husband, Arthur. But still Grace felt as though something were missing....
   When Grace looked at Da'an she saw a being who was alone and yet he was not. It was evident to her that Da'an and Boone were friends before Boone passed away...Grace smiled as she thought of what Will had told her about the lessons he had shared with Da'an to learn Eunoia, the Taelon language.
 ~Da'an is a very giving, patient being. A very good teacher I might add as well. I can tell that he is proud at my accomplishment to become the first implant to read and speak Eunoia....~
 Grace shook herself out of the CVI enhanced memory and continued to stare of the window and into the still darkness of night....
 

Date: September 11
Author: Esti
Place: Human-Taelon Medical Facility, Washington, D.C.
Time: Sometime after "A Long Evening", after power is restored.
Title: A brief, friendly chat

 Adam Wilson was, as usual, a bit harried. Being an intern was a tiring thing at the best of times, and it wasn't helped when the power had temporarily gone out. Worse than that, his boss hadn't returned from lunch.
 "Hey, Adam," came a voice behind him. It was Mark, one of the security guards. They both considered themselves friends of Adam's boss, and got along fine themselves. "How are you doing?"
 Adam stopped and turned to face the guard. "Fine, I guess. The usual."
 The security guard nodded. "Long night. And before you ask, no, we haven't heard from Dr. Schultz, either."

 Adam surpressed a sigh. "It isn't like her-"
 "I know," Mark answered. "But it isn't impossible for her to be out of touch either, with all the bombings going on. The fact that she's not answering her global means nothing. She's already had one broken on her during her time here."
 "I hope she gets in touch soon," Adam said. The rest remained unspoken.
 "Yeah, but don't worry, Adam. If worst comes to worst, we'll have the aid of Companion Security as well. Rank hath its priveledges. They've got a lot of manpower out there right now."
 Adam nodded, and the security guard went on his way. He turned to resume his own duties.
--
(Dr. Rosemary Schultz)
(Implant Specialist, level 20)
(Esti: smccrory@mindspring.com)
 
 
 
 

Date: September 11
Author: Jen LeMaire
Time: Present
Place: Unknown location
Subject: Lullabies and Giggles

 The incessant throbbing of her temples woke Dr. Jennifer Christian from what was a most unusual slumber. ~What strange dreams I'm having_~ she thought to herself.  Then, the reality of the situation hit her head-on.  She'd been kidnapped!  Kidnapped and drugged to boot, ~so this is what a hangover feels like.~ She thought to herself.
 Suddenly, a strong presence filled her mind.  Ra'el, Companion scientist and the Christians' bond-mate, flooded her with an intense presence. ~You must remain calm.  Do NOT panic.  I regret that intense fear is one emotion that we cannot project to the Commonality.  If you panic, we will be found out.~
 A cold sinking filled her heart. ~Great~ she thought back. ~I've been kidnapped and drugged and I'm supposed to remain calm?~  Sighing deeply, she asked, ~Ra'el, can you help me calm my emotions?~
 A warm peace began to envelop her.  Despite herself, she began to giggle.  A soothing song flowed through her mind, ~euhura_.sachraveeeee, euhura_.somandoooo, euhura_sachraveeeee~ The tune was otherworldly and Jennifer found herself completely calm.
 ~Ra'el~ she asked. ~What is this?~
 Amusement flowed through their link as he replied, ~A Taelon lullaby~

******************

 A strange humming woke Dr. Rosemary Schultz from her fitful rest.  Feeling her way around the darkened room(?) where she was held, she made her way to the source of the sound.  It was Dr. Christian!
 "Uh, Jennifer__are you OK?" she asked. Concern filled her when Jennifer replied with not much more than a giggle.

 Between laughs, Dr. Christian responded, "Um, yes, Rosemary.  I'm ok."
 "Would you care to tell me what's so funny?" Dr. Schultz countered.  "I could use a lift myself."
 With a little bit more seriousness, Jennifer answered, "It's_..nothing really.  I've just been__meditating_to keep my calm, that's all."
 Rosemary muttered, "You must have a worse concussion than I thought."
 This sent Jennifer into peals of laughter. Shaking her head, Dr. Schultz wondered if Jennifer had been given the same drug that she had been given. Rosemary knew that her hangover was horrible_perhaps the drugs were still in Jennifer's system_  She was shaken out of her musing by Jennifer's whispering.  She sounded like she was talking to_Ra'el.  How could this be? "Jennifer," she said.  "I still feel horrible.  I'm going back to sleep_do you think you could keep it down?"
 "Uh huh."  Dr. Christian replied.
 All Rosemary could say was, "At least this is going to be interesting."

END

Date: September 11, 1998
Author: Rilei
Time: Set after "Jetlag"
Place: Taelon Aircraft Carrier, off the coast of Portugal
Title: Orders To Return Homeward

 Grace had never felt more exhausted in her life. They had been below the Atlantic Ocean's surface all day, exploring Atlantis. Grace marvelled that they HAD ACTUALLY found the lost continent of Atlantis!
 ~Arthur would have loved this!~ she thought pulling off her wet suite and reaching for her robe. She was headed for the showers, and then maybe for a bite to eat, and the definitely she was off to bed.Suddenly Sandoval entered the room without so much as a knock to warn her.
 "Agent Sandoval, can I help you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.
 "Agent Whitney, where's your pilot?" he asked, just barely noting that she was in her bathrobe.
    "He's in bed by now I would imagine." she replied.
 "Wake him. I'm sending you both back to Washington to protect Da'an." Sandoval said.
 "What?"
 "There was an explosion at the Washington ComTech facilities and someone has been trying to hack into the embassy's computers. I want an implant with Da'an at ALL times." Sandoval replied.
 "Very well. After I am dressed my pilot and I will headed back to Washington DC. Where is Da'an right now?" she asked.
 "In a safe house. When you return to Washington, Agent Lassiter will meet with you and tell you where to proceed." he said and left her alone.
 ~So much for a goodnight's sleep.~ she thought wearily. She opened her global.
 "Agent Grayson." she said into it. She waited approximately about three seconds before a dishevelled Ken appeared on the screen.
 "Huh?" he asked.
 "Ken, I am sorry to do this but Sandoval is ordering us to return to Washington DC. The Comtech Labs were bombed and someone is trying to hack into the embassy's computers. Meet me at the shuttle in 15 minutes." Grace said.
 "Right. Grayson out."
 ~Poor, Ken!~ she thought. Non-implants needed more sleep than the implants themselves. ~Will, my friend, how blessed you are to not have to deal with this any more.~ she thought. She wearily then began to pull on a suite that was both dressy and casual at the same time.With a heavy sigh, she pulled her hair back into a ponytail and packed her remaining clothes into a suite case.
 Tara Carmichael entered just as she was about to leave.
 "What's going on?" she asked. She too looked worn out and had just been to the showers apparently as she was dressed in a bathrobe and nightgown.
 "Sandoval has ordered Ken and me to return to Washington. There's been a bombing at the ComTech Labs and someone has been trying to hack into the Taelon Embassy's computers. I'm going back as a guard for Da'an."
 "Good luck. And get some rest as soon as you can." Tara advised.
 "Thanks and I'm planning to, believe me."

 On the trip back to Washington DC, Grace was lost in her thoughts. ~Augur, if it's you behind these attempted hacks, I'm going to kill you.~ she thought wearily in her eccentric friend's direction. ~And if you're behind this, Jonathan, you WILL definitely be getting a piece of my mind.~
 "Coming out of interdimensional." Ken announced.
 The Taleon embassy looked empty and almost forlorned as they flew into its shuttlebay. Lassiter stood there waiting for them.
 "Agent Lassiter, I was told that you would have further instructions as to where Agent Grayson and I are to proceed to." Grace said. Lassiter nodded.
 "If you'll follow me, I'll take you to Da'an." he said.
 "Lead on..."

Agent Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Us Taelon Division Level 6
Undercover Liberation Agent and Implant to Da'an
 

Date: September 12, 1998
Author: Amy
Place: The Taelon Embassy
Time: A few hours after the bombing
Title: A Very Long Night

 Kathy leaned back in her chair and took another sip of her coffee.  She grimaced ~ugh, I hate coffee!~ But she was going into her sixteenth hour on the job, she needed caffeine; coffee was the fastest way to do it.  She normally avoided the stuff like the plague, ~but when a car bomb goes off almost literally under your nose~ she sighed.  All the Taelons were evacuated hours ago.  Agent Lassiter had pulled in extra people to insure their safety. For the moment, he was with the Taelons, and she stayed for the investigation. It made sense, he had more security experience.  She on the other hand, had more experience tracking down criminals.
 The embassy seemed empty without the Taelon presence.  Pa'el had left a message, he would be in touch.
 She was waiting for three preliminary reports: the list of people taking credit for the bomb, the report tracking down employees from the facility, and the preliminary report on the bomb itself.  The first was hampered by the fact that terrorists could phone in a threat to anyone, not just the police.  The second by the computer problem at the facility.  Fortunately, they had located Agent Sandoval's copies of the background investigations for employees of the facility at the embassy, and she was expecting a report on that soon.  The third report was hindered by the nature of the investigation: a painstaking, backbreaking . . . slow search of the debris for evidence.  Fortunately, the damage to the building appeared to be minor, at least compared to what could have happened.  Structural engineers were checking the building even now.  As debris was meticulously examined and removed for further tests, they might discover further damage.  She hoped their first assessment proved accurate, if they had to evacuate, the whole bomb investigation would come to a standstill.
 Her global beeped, she pulled out the screen, "Agent Morgan, I wanted to let you know that your computer expert will be back from Portugal as soon as possible.  He's tracking down a computer breach, it may be related to this, we're not sure, yet."
 "Thank you."
 "Since reports of the bombing have gone out, we've had several groups try to take credit.  I'm downloading the information we have to you now.  There was a delay because most of the messages were sent to journalists."
 Kathy sighed in exasperation, "Why is it there's never a shortage of idiots willing to take credit for this stuff?"  She shook her head in disgust.  "I know I told you this before, but make sure there are no leaks about possible missing persons, and nothing about the computers either.  As far as we know, no one has been injured, no one is dead, nothing else unusual, other than the bombing.  Am I clear?  For all we know, this may be way off base.  We could just be dealing with a messed up bombing.  And if we get a real call, that information may help us authenticate it."  The agent nodded.  "What about the road blocks?" Kathy asked.
 "We haven't yet found anything suspicious.  But we don't know what we're looking for yet, and as you know, the facility is near several major highways. By the time the roadblocks were in place, they could have been anywhere."
 "I assume you're keeping records of everything stopped, so we can reexamine them once we have a better idea of what we're looking for."
 "That is standard procedure . . . ."
 "I understand . . . do you have anything else?"
 "No, ma'am."
 "Thank you, get back to me as soon as you have more information."  Kathy shut down her global.
 One report down.  Kathy studied the list of groups or people taking credit for the bombing.  It was smaller than usual, probably due to the ongoing Taelon popularity.  Few people, outside of the resistance, would want to do this.  That left the resistance, the hard core professionals, and the nut cases.  She was putting her money on the resistance or the pros.  Not many nut cases would create a bomb as sophisticated as this one appeared to be.  And if the bomb was designed to knock out the computers, then there would be no question.
 She compared the calls to the estimated time of the bombing.  That eliminated several.  Real terrorists wanting to take credit for a terrorist act made sure the call came in *before* the explosion.  That way police had no doubt about the legitimacy of the call.  Chances were, they eventually would eliminate everyone on the list.
 She activated her terminal and logged into the FBI antiterrorist database. They kept lists of people who like to bomb things, and of people who like to take credit for bombings.  ~Hopefully, that will eliminate a few more from the list.~   She called up the FBI list, cross-referenced it, and then pulled up all relevant profiles.
 Her global beeped again. "Yes?"
 "We've managed to track down all but five of the employees at the research facility using security files at the embassy.  No injuries so far.  Most had gone home before the bombing.  Our information indicates that most of those remaining planned to go out for the evening.  They are harder to locate."
 "Who are they, anyone who might be a target?"
 "Possibly, two support personnel and three doctors."
 "Send me the complete report."  Report number two down.
 Shutting down her global, she grimaced as she took another sip of her coffee. The night was just beginning.  The preliminary report on the bombing was hours away.
 She went back to studying the profiles.

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan, Ph.D.
U.S. Taelon Division
Level One
Aikerd@aol.com
 
 

NRPG:  Because I could not find the correct symbol to do so, words enclosed by
carats, ^like this^ are spoken in Eunoia.  I feel this will be a useful, time
saving notation in the future of the RPG, and hope no one minds my addition of
this little rule.
----------------
RPG:
Author: Uriel
Date: September 12
Place: Na'ar's office, The Moon
Time: Shortly after "Synod's Atlantis"
Subject: Useful Taelon Inventions

 Na'ar had always found that gaining knowledge was useful.  It was the cause of this office; the idea to use so many data stream emitters to create a 3D holographic view of a place, or to feed tens of different broadcasts to one person, it was Na'ar's idea, and something Taelon scientists believed was worthy of constucting.
 It was on the carrier, not long ago, Na'ar had another idea.  Staring out from the window at the spinning probes -- their depth of structure... Then going inside and watching their view from a screen.  It all seemed so ... flat.
 Even the 3D projection in his office didn't seem to have the effect that being there did.  It still felt like his office.  His chair, but in the ocean. It didn't feel...wet enough...Dark enough.
 Na'ar looked down at the energy pathways in his hand, watched them pulsate, light moving up his arm and around his body.  And he had an idea.
 And just now, it was finally realized.  A Taelon scientist entered Na'ar's office and gave the usual greeting gesture.
 ^Yes, To'al?^
 ^Na'ar, we have completed the interface, and need to install it.  If you would be so kind as to step out for a small while?^
 ^Of course.^   Na'ar stood up off the chair.  ^Alert me when you are finished.^
 ^We will.^
 Na'ar walked out of the office, and several other taelons walked in afterward, carrying some tools and something Na'ar had never seen before.
 Some time later, Na'ar was informed they were done, and returned to his office. He sat down into his chair.  It was different.  On the right armrest, there was the circle, as before, but on the left -- it looked like the outline of a hand.
 Na'ar blushed and placed his hands onto the appropriate shapes.  The right side bagan to glow, and a virtual sphere appeared; Na'ar used this to control the view of the 3D projection.  His left hand was suddenly covered by a purple mass that came out from the armrest.  Na'ar could feel it -- it was giving off energy -- into the pathways of his hand, his body.  His vision began to bend into strange shapes as thess foreign discharges wound through his body.
 Suddenly, Na'ar was in the ocean.  Wet.  But he was no longer Na'ar.  He was something different.
 And somewhere above Atlantis, a single probe broke formation and decended into the night.
 
 

Date: September 12, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: A Safehouse Somewhere In Alexandra, Virginia
Time: Set just after "First Watch"
Title: A Future Event Foretold...Or Is It?
Note To Readers: * * around text denotes that this part of the story is
a dream sequence....

 Grace walked quietly past Da'an's resting chamber and went to awaken Ken for his duty shift. She paused momentarily at the door where Da'an laid in an energy stream, absorbing what was to Taelons what food was to humans. Quietly she continued onto the room where Ken laid snoring rather loudly on a couch that was too short for him.
 "Ken, Ken, wake up." she whispered. He continued to snore loudly and Grace had to shake him awake.
 "Huh? Just five more minutes, Mom." he said.
 Grace stifled a giggle and shook him again.
 "I'm not your mother, Ken. It's Grace."
 "Huh? Oh, yeah! It's my turn to guard Da'an?" he asked, sitting up and yawning.
 "I'm afraid so."
 He stood up and stretched, clearing the couch for Grace.
 "Where's Da'an?" he asked.
 "He's resting."
 "Gotcha. Pleasant dreams....oh, and where's the coffee?"
 "There's a whole pot of it in the kitchenette. Help yourself."
 "See you in a few hours."
 Grace watched him go before she closed her eyes. She pulled the blanket up on her after she sat up and kicked off her shoes. She laid back again and tried to get comfortable. She soon drifted off to sleep....

 *Grace found herself walking in a spring time field filled with dandelions and violets. She inhaled deeply and felt so content at that moment.
 "Grace?"
 Grace looked up to see the familiar form of her friend and lost comrade, William Boone, approaching her. In the distance she saw a woman watching them both and Grace almost immediately recognized that woman as Kate Boone. She smiled at him as he neared and she then found herself pulled into a hug.
 "Will, what am I doing here? Am I dead?" she asked.
 "No, you're not dead. Just accept this dream as a special gift." he said. They began to walk through the field and Grace glanced back towards Kate Boone. But before she could speak her question, he asked her a question.
 "How is Da'an?"
 Grace blinked at him.
 "He's....I'm not sure, Will. There were a lot of people hurt by your death, and I dare say that Da'an is among them." she answered.
 "There was a reason that I died when I did. It was my time, Grace." he said.
 "I know. But still it hurt a lot of people. You touched a lot of lives, you know." Grace said. She felt as though she were near tears as she spoke. Will suddenly became very serious.
 "Grace, the reason why you're here with me now is because in a little ways down the road of your life, a very significant event is going to happen. You're going to find someone that you thought was lost to you forever again and then a great tragedy will occur. You'll then have to make a difficult choice that will not only change your life's course but that of others. Choose wisely." he said. Suddenly she watched him turn around and start to walk back towards Kate...
 "Will, don't go yet! Will...."*

 Grace's eyes snapped open and she sat up on the couch. She glanced at the clock and discovered that she had been asleep for nearly four hours. She stretched and put her shoes back on and then made her way in the kitchenette's direction...
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: September 14
Place: Na'ar's Office / Atlantis
Time: Immediately after "Technology advances"
Subject: Virtual reality to the limit.

 Na'ar sat motionless in his chair, blushed.  All the energy in his body was flowing brightly in and out of his left hand.  The area of his eyes was brightly clouded over.  To the universe, Na'ar was meditating in his office. But to him...
 ...Na'ar was an underwater probe; free to move and spin in any concievable direction.  As far as he could tell, he -was- the probe.  It was a wonderful experience.
 
 
 
 
 

Date: September 15
Author: Esti
Place: Unknown
Time: Sometime after "Lullabies and Giggles"
Title: Annoying the Neighbors

 "Travel 'cross the seven seas for you, pasion and desire will see me through...." Rosemary crooned, hoping she was loud enough to be heard by her captors. She'd started singing a while ago, and at some point Jennifer had plugged her ears.
 Finishing her current rendition of a 1990's pop song, she went back to the corner where Jennifer was defending her ears against the onslaught, and sat down. Her friend was looking at her, and she smiled and shrugged.
 Jennifer unplugged her ears. "Are you done?" she asked, sounding resigned.
 "For the moment," Rosemary said. "I still have a couple that I'm saving up for a rainy day."
 Her companion groaned, and Rosemary was helpless to prevent a grin spreading across her fingers. "Face it, there's some really irritating music out there."
 Jennifer leaned back onto one of the small pallets that their captors had provided to them. "I know."
 "You have your ways of keeping sanity, I have mine," Rosemary said, grinning. She leaned against the wall. "Of course, I could always use whatever Ra'el taught you in terms of relaxation techniques."
 Her friend finally gave a small smile. "I'm sure he'd love to teach you."
 "I'd love to be taught. Ra'el's very special, isn't he? Or do I really have to ask?"
 Jennifer made a small, agreeable sound. Rosemary continued. "Ra'el seems so different from any Taelon, Scientist or Diplomat, that I've ever met. And you... it seems like you have this wonderful connection to him. I've seen you two together. It's like... well, I really can't describe it."
 She watched Jennifer, who had closed her eyes and smiled beatifically. "I know," Jennifer answered.
 Rosemary nodded, and waited for Jennifer to say more.
--
NRPG: The lyrics that Rosemary sings are from the Ace of Base song "Perfect World", off of their "The Bridge" album (Arista). No, Rosemary *can't* sing, or at least doesn't do well with pop music...
--
Dr. Rosemary Schultz
Implant Specialist, level 20
(US Taelon Division)
(Esti: smccrory@mindspring.com)
 

Date: 9-15-98
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Place: Washington ComTech Building, Security office
Time: After Jet Lag
Title: Always wear an analog watch.

 Although time was of the essence, Caleb took a good fifteen minutes staring at the bombed out computer before he started working on it... because thematter ahead would be delicate.
 Removing the hard drive and repairing it to get partial data recovery wasno problem, he had already handed it to someone to bring to a data recoverylab...  Removing the RAM, however was.  Like George Costanza's Frogger, power had to continuously flow through the ram otherwise all the one's and zero's would clear.  And while the hard drive might be able to provide partial data, (that would require weeks of retooling and repairing just to get it passable,) the RAM probably contained perfect data of the last 300 - 600 seconds before the bomb went off.
 Wearing rubber gloves and using metal tipped tools, Caleb preformed delicate surgery on the motherboard surrounding the ram... getting a battery backup spliced into the hair-thin power line...
 ~Wait, is that another bomb? No, no, take it easy Caleb, it's only your digital watch.~
 ...then severing it, then hooking up all the data wires in the ram to a male serial port adapter, then plugging in and dumping the ram onto the hard drive of the Mac G8 laptop.
 Finally, a clear picture of the last five minutes before the bomb was unfolding on the 12.1 inch display.
 He'd show it to the security people as soon as they could get down there. Meanwhile, QUALCOMM4 slowly lifted over the horizon... He hoped that his AI agents would be able to counter whatever Jenson had, at least for a little while.  But he sadly knew it wasn't true.
______________________________
Specialist Caleb Richardson, Hacker
U.S. Taleon Division
Level One
 

Date: September 15, 1998
Location: Augur's "Office"
Time: One hour after "Snag"
Name: Decisions and Considerations

 "Why should the we care?"  Augur asked as he continued his work, not bothering to look away from his screens.  John, while not being at all surpised by the response, wasn't particularly pleased by it either.
 "Does this mean that the Liberation planted that bomb?"
 "No, but it doesn't mean that we DIDN'T plant the bomb, either.  It means that the Liberation has no particular reason to care whether or not Doctor Schultz is alive or dead."
 "If she's alive and in hiding, you might have recruitment material."  John pointed out.
 "That IS true."  Augur conceded.  "Of course, it could also be a trap."
 "How likely is it that the Taelons bombed one of their own buildings simply to lay a trap for the Liberation that the Liberation might not even go for?"
 "It wouldn't be the first time."  Augur told him.  "Besides, with the lovely Mrs. Whitney in our employ, we have access to any material that Doctor Schultz could provide us with.  In short, she's not worth the risk and resources ncessary to locate her, on the off chance that this was her way of trying to defect.  And if she's a loyal Taelon supporter who's been kidnapped, then we certainly have no reason to risk anything in a search and rescue attempt."
 "So, she's not worth risking any of your indispensable resources on, is that it?"  John asked.
 "Got it in one."  Augur smirked.  He scowled again as he looked at his screen. "No, THAT'S not it..."  he muttered to himself, closing a window and opening a new one.
 "Just out of curiosity,"  John said, putting his initial questions aside for the moment, "What are you trying to do here?"
 "I'm trying to figure out how Jonathon Doors is tapping Door's International for money..."  he said.  "I have yet to discover how..."
 "Maybe you should just admit that Doors is smarter than you and leave it be." John suggested, putting on his most innocent smile.
 Augur's head spun slowly around until he met John's eyes.
 "Don't insult me."  he told the young thief, turning back to his screens.
 "So, if you're this sure that the Liberation won't risk any of the vital resources, how about one of their more expendable ones?"
 "Who do you have in mind?"
 "With a little information, myself, actually."  John told him.
 "So, John Smith, the pubescent cat burglar, is going to find and rescue the damsel in distress?"  Augur said.  "To coin a phrase: aren't you a little short for a storm trooper?"
 "This is a minimal risk for the Liberation, with the potential to have another mole among the Taelons."  John pointed out.
 "That is certainly true."  Augur agreed.  "So, what 'little information' do you need?"
 "The Liberation maintains surveillance and as many Taelon buildings as they can, right?"  John asked.
 "Yes."  Augur confirmed.
 "So, unless Doctor Schultz is still within the medical facility, which is highly unlikely, she must have left, probably concealed in a vehicle, right?"
 "Right..."
 "So, in all likelihood, the resistance took a photo of that vehicle, even if the photographers aren't aware of it."
 "In all likelihood, yes."
 "So, let me see the surveillance photos taken that day."
 "A moment..."  Augur replied, holding up a finger and turning to another monitor.  He pressed several buttons, and a few moments later they were staring at the face of Jonathon Doors.

 "What is it?"  Doors snapped, scowling at them both.
 "Your intrepid young thief here wishes to look at the surveillance photos of the Taelon facility from yesterday."  Augur replied.
 "Why?"  Doors asked.
 "I'm trying to track down Doctor Schultz."  Smith said to Doors.
 "Did you suddenly decide to take up Missing Persons Cases as a hobby, or do you actually have an intelligent reason for wanting to do this?"  Doors asked him.
 "We might be able to recruit her, but it's not worth risking any vital resources on that chance."  Smith replied.  "As result, I'm going to try to find her myself."
 "We weren't aware that she was even missing."  Doors told him.  "How did you find out?"
 "She didn't arrive at her apartment last night, and I found no evidence to indicate that she had a boyfriend that she was spending the night with, so I concluded that she's vanished.  Since Augur didn't tell me that her body was found in the blast area, it's more or less confirmed."
 "And, no doubt, the Taelons are actively searching for her.  What makes you think that you can possibly find her before them?"
 "Because I don't have to even pretend to go about doing things in a legal or ethical manner."
 "Fine.  Augur, show him the stored images  of the surveillance photos." Doors said.  "And Mister Smith...?"
 "Yes, Mister Doors?"
 "Try not to do anything TOO stupid, alright?"
 "You got it."
 The screen went blank.
 "Charming to a fault, isn't he?"  John remarked.
 "He's rich, he doesn't have to be nice."  Augur replied.
 "His dating life must not be too active with that kind of attitude."
 "He's rich, he doesn't have to be nice."  Augur replied again.
 ~Sad but true.~  John thought to himself.
 Augur brought up the photographs, as well as opening up a second window with information about each vehicle.  John began to scroll through them.
 "So tell me."  Augur asked him.  "Why are you really doing this?"
 "I'm worried about her."  John replied.  "Since I searched her apartment, it's as if I've come to know her and admire her.  "I don't wish to see her come to harm."
 "So in other words, you're playing Lancelot because you feel guilty about digging through her underwear drawer."  Augur concluded.
 "That too."  John nodded.
 "So, did she have anything interesting in there?"  Augur asked.
 "Nothing that I'd want to see YOU in."  John replied, as he continued his search through the vehicle photographs.
 For each vehicle, he checked the background information, dismissing the ones that belonged to people who worked there.  It was relatively tedious work, but within an hour he struck what he hoped would be paydirt.
 "This doesn't belong to anybody associated with the Taelons."  he said.  "What the hell was it doing entering and leaving the facility right around the time of the explosion?"
 "We haven't checked up on that, yet."  Augur told him.

 "So how long before you can get me a report on it?"
 "You don't ask for much, do you?"
 "If you can't do it, just let me know and I'll find some other way."  John toldhim.  He saw Augur bristle for a moment.
 "'Tomorrow, maybe tonight'?"  John suggested, smiling brightly.
 "Tonight, maybe this afternoon."  Augur replied, returning the smirk.
 ~"Clash of the Egos."~  John thought silently.

John Smith
Thief
US Taelon Division, Level 2

Date: 9/15/98
Place: Julius Khazar's "Citadel"
Time: The exact same time as "Decisions and Considerations"
Name: Revelations

 One by one Julius tore through Door's defense programs.  It was almost too easy.  In fact, it was too easy, Julius noted with only a vague hint of disappointment.  He had other things to worry about than challenging himself.
 It had taken him a couple days to figure out the all-to-obvious course of action.  It was his own fault for trying to find a witty and clever solution to his problems.  Now, it was just an old-fashioned hack into the Doors International database, and hopefully he'd find a money trail that would lead him to the Liberation.
 One by one he blew through the blocks and defense mechanisms, the things seemed almost pathetic now that he had the CVI.  The Taelon mind-computer link meant he didn't even have to take the time to use the keyboard, instead he simply thought and his machine responded.  Then he hit the wall.
 It was the most complex trap he had ever seen, and he had nearly run right into it.  His computer would have locked up, Doors would have known exactly who was looking for him, and he might have even suffered brain damage due to his cerebral hookup.  Poking and prodding, he searched for some way around Doors's program.  He looked for any way around the trap, for he knew it concealed something important, it was the key.  The trap seemed flawless, but then Julius noticed something.  He wasn't the only one here.
 Hacks were distictive, like fingerprints.  Everyone had a definite style, and he recognized this one almost immediately.  It was his old rival, and the second best hacker in the business.  "Auger, old boy, what's you're angle in this?"

Julius Khazar
Secret Taelon Operative
Level 1
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: September 15, 1998]
Author: Rilei
Time: Set just after "A Future Event Foretold....Or Is It?"
Place: A Safehouse Somewhere in Alexandra, Virginia
Title: Wondering Thoughts
Note to Players: [] surrounding text denotes here that the Taelon native
tongue of Eunoia is being spoken...

 Through the course of the next day, Grace could not shake the dream she had had from her mind, even as she stood watch over Da'an as he conducted his business with the Synod that day via datastream as if nothing were amiss.
 Grace's thoughts turned towards Atlantis and she wondered what was happening there in the Lost City. Her thoughts were also upon the bombing at ComTech, and also the attempted hackings to break into the embassy's computers. She had to investigate...But that was impossible so as long as she was to guard Da'an.
 [Come to the homeship.] Quo'on said.
 Da'an nodded.
 [I will arrive momentarily.]
 He waved the datastream off and turned to Grace.
 "Agent Whitney." he said, causing her to come out of her thoughts.
 "Yes, Da'an?"
 "The Synod has summoned me to their presence on board our homeship. I will require the use of your pilot for my journey to the homeship."Da'an said.
 "Will I be accompanying you, Da'an?" Grace asked.
 "No."
 "Da'an, with your permission I'd like Agent Grayson to return after he has taken you to the homeship. I will require his services." Grace said.
 "What is your reason?"
 "I would like your permission to try and trace the hacker or hackers who attempted to breach the security of the Taelons'' embassy." Grace said.
 "Very well. You have my permission to do so, Agent Whitney."
 "Thank you, Da'an. Now, if you'll excuse me, I will go inform Agent Grayson of our plans."
 
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: September 16
Place: Na'ar's Office, The Moon
Time: Shortly following "The Morning After"
Subject: The Synod Informs Na'ar of Ra'el

 Somewhere near Atlantis, an errant probe stopped moving.
 In Na'ar's office, Quo'on had just walked in.  ^Na'ar,^ he whispered, ^you are needed.^
 The message reached Na'ar, even in his out-of-body state, and his body took control of itself once more.  The left armrest of his chair stopped sending out it's strange energy, and Na'ar was whole.  the glow faded from his eyes as he sat up.
 ^Greetings, Quo'on.  What do you need?^
 ^We were just visited by Ra'el.^
 ^I have met him once; we are assigned to the same area.^
 ^Correct.^
 ^What was the purpose of Ra'el's visitation?^
 ^He was curious as to what befell of his assistant, Dr. Christian.^
 Na'ar had no reply.  Naturally, Ra'el would be concerned for his colleagues, but to travel to the moon and face the Synod with the question?  Intriguing. Unfortunately, Na'ar could currently think of nothing which would cause such a response besides what may be an interesting love of humans.
 ^It seems Ra'el has formed a close friendship with the human.^
 ^We had theorized this as well.  This is most interesting.^
 ^But not unexpected;  Da'an and several others in his position all over the Earth have also made close ties with some of their fellow humans.^
 ^That is true.  Perhaps our concern is overrated.^
 ^Perhaps.  But I feel it may be wise to keep an eye on him.^
 ^Do so, but we must finish the task at hand first.^
 Na'ar nodded.  ^Have you prepared plans for rescue?^
 ^No.  It is not the time.^

Na'ar
Head of Taelon-Human Counterintelligence
Level One
 

Author: Uriel
Date:September 16
Place: A building.  Somewhere.
Time: During and immediately after "Annoying the Neighbors"
Subject: You did your job.

 From behind a locked door came an odd sound.
 "Is that the song I think it is?" Wondered one of the three as they listened.
 "Yeah, I think so.  A horrible rendidtion, though."
 "Wow, I haven't heard this song since Brian used to play it from his office!"
 They all laughed at their old friend.
 There was a pause as the "singing", as it were, continued.  They seemed slightly cheesed.
 "This is starting to annoy me.  Is she doing that on purpose?"
 "I'd say so."
 One nodded to another, who rose out of his chair and started walking to the room where the women were held.  But on his way, the music stopped as inexplicably as it had started.  He shrugged, and turned around.
 
 

Date: September 16, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Augur's Abode
Time: Set just after "Wondering Thoughts"
Title: Dead End

 "Augur!"
 Grace was exasperated with him.
 "What? I'm sorry but Doors would kill me if I tell you what I know." Augur said.
 "So the Liberation WAS involved!" Grace replied.
 "I didn't say that. Don't put words into my mouth."
 "Look, can you just give me some sort of idea who was trying to break into the embassy's computers?"
 "I can't tell you nada."
 Grace sighed, frustrated and she stood up to leave.
 "Thanks for your help. I guess I'll go talk to Doors and see what he'll tell me." she said and slipped on her jacket.
 

Date: September 16
Author: Jen LeMaire
Time: Present
Place: Taelon Homeship
Subject: The Morning After

NRPG: all conversation in < > indicates words spoken in eunoia
============================================== =====

 Quietly, intently, the Taelon Ra'el glided down the hall of the Taelon homeship.  He was on his way to the Synod in an attempt to help his human companion.  Approaching the chamber door, Ra'el hesitated slightly.  He could not let the Synod know that he was aware that his human had been
kidnapped, for they would surely wish him to reveal his source of knowledge. If they found out that he had bonded with the human and her mate, dire consequences would surely follow.  Summoning up courage, he entered.
 <Greetings Ra'el> Quo'on said.
 <Greetings Quo'on, and Synod.> he replied.
 <Why is it that you venture into our domain at this hour?> This was spoken by Zo'or, who along with Da'an had been summoned to the Mothership to discuss the current North American situation.
 <I am concerned for my human assistant, Dr. Christian.  She has not reported to me for her morning briefing, and was last seen in the area of the explosion.  Has she been accounted for?> Ra'el inquired.
 Silence met Ra'el's words.  No one spoke.  It was as if_almost as if they were withholding something from him.  After several tense minutes, Da'an broke the silence. <My friend, I regret to inform you that information concerning your assistant is_.unavailable.>
 Ra'el was not surprised at this, but Da'an's hesitation made him wonder exactly what they were hiding. He asked, <Have the security cameras been checked?>
 <They have> Quo'on answered.
 Ra'el was beginning to get frustrated. <And did they reveal anything?> He said.
 <The humans are decoding the video footage now, although Taelon systems experts have completely reviewed the information already.> Zo'or sneered.
 <It appears that Dr. Christian and Dr. Schultz have been abducted.> Quo'on cut in.  <We shall assign Companion Security the task of finding them.>
 <What of the Atlantis mission?> Ra'el queried.
 <It will continue as planned, with only a few minor personnel changes.> Quo'on answered.
 <We shall see if the humans are up to the task of accomplishing two things at once.  They will need to be_versatile_if they are to fulfill our expectations of them.>  Zo'or commented slyly.
 <Yes, we shall see.> Ra'el murmured.  Taking his leave, he put his hand to his midsection and extended the other in traditional Taelon style.  Quo'on nodded his approval, and returned the gesture.  And Ra'el left the room.
 Walking back to his quarters, he reached out to reassure his companions. ~Help is on the way, Jennifer.~ he sent through their link.  To James he projected ~Official word should come soon, my friend.  Remember to uphold the ruse when it does.~  And to himself, Ra'el could only wonder if they would all come out of this at all_
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
END

Jen LeMaire
aka Dr. Jennifer Christian, CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division, Level Eight
 
 

Date: 9/17
Author: KVS
Place: Atlantis Site, Taelon Research Carrier
Time: Past, Shortly after "Forebodings..."
Title: The Two-Way Street

 "Caleb, give me a hand over here!" shouted Ethan Miles over the din of the ocean and the passing storm.  As the waves of the mighty Atlantic crashed against the sides of the behemoth vessel, the crew aboard the Taelon research craft helped the recently resurfaced implant posse aboard the carrier.
 "Commander Christian is hurt.  We need a medic over here."  It was good to see Agent Sandoval caring about a non-Taelon for a chance, even if it was just another implant.  The medic rushed over with a medical kit.
 A large dark maroon welt was apparent on James' abdomen, as well as several gaping wounds.  Ethan assisted the medic as they applied pressure bandages to the bleeding areas.
 "I'll be okay, just a little bruised," said Christian, not even wincing through the trauma.
 ~I wonder if the CVI suppresses the pain, or if it allows you to better withstand it,~ thought Ethan.  ~Either way, this guy should be unconsious.~
 Ethan took Sandoval aside as the other implants gathered their equipment and headed towards the crew quarters off of the mid-deck hangar.
 "We came up faster than we normally would have," said Sandoval. "Fortunately, our CVIs helped to counteract the effects of the nitrogen narcosis.  Apparently, it buffers the nitrogen gas until it can dissipate from the system.  If you had gone down there with us, Ethan, you'd be in a hyperbaric chamber right now with the bends."
 Sandoval gave a smug smile.  Ethan returned with his "yeah, you're better than me, so what" look that he had grown accustom to giving him each time Sandoval chose to reveal another feature of the implant.
 ~As if that were the only reason I didn't go with you,~ Ethan thought.

 <flashback to two months previous>
 It was a sunny day (Sandoval's disposition not withstanding), shortly after the funeral of Angela Moore, Ethan's superior who had died in a terrorist bombing.
 "Ethan, have you reconsidered getting the cyber-viral implant?"
 It had come up before, but Ethan always evaded and avoided the issue. Getting implanted was not something which appealed to him, but Sandoval was getting forceful on the issue (especially after the death of William Boone).
 "I don't know, Ron.  No offense, but aren't you worried in the least about what that thing in your head might be capable of, or what it might do to you?"
 "You just don't understand, Ethan.  It really is a gift.  It opens your mind, makes your memories as real as the here-and-now.  It has proven an invaluable aid to my investigations."
 "I guess I'm just too conservative.  I never buy the newest car model. I don't try to fix something that isn't broken.  It's my philosophy, and it seems to work okay for me."
 Ethan wanted to ask questions about the CVI, about Sandoval's motivations, and about his wife (whom Ethan had met during their years at the FBI), but he couldn't formulate the words.  The questions just couldn't find their way past his lips.  But what he did know, with certainty, was that the CVI had changed this man, and Ethan would have nothing to do with it.
 "I'm sorry to tell you, Ethan, that unless you get the implant, you won't advance very far within Taelon security."
 "I knew that when I signed on.  But tell me, is it because you think I don't have the mental abilities, or because you can't trust my loyalties?"
 Ethan asked a lot in that question, and wasn't surprised by the answer.
 "Trust is a two-way street, my friend."
 

 Ethan turned his mind away from the dive, and the past, to focus on the important matters of the day.  Time to deliver the news.
 "While you were underwater, there was an explosion in the parking garage at the Taelon research facility in Washington."
 Sandoval went flush.
 "My God, is Da'an safe?"
 "He's fine.  He's been moved to a safe-house for the time being.  So far, we don't know much about what happened.  The computers are down.  We think there may have been one person, maybe two, who were caught in the blast.  Agent Morgan has begun an investigation."
 Sandoval turned away in disgust.  Ethan could almost feel the anger welling up within him.
 "That's not all," Ethan continued.  "We've been tracking someone trying to hack into the Taelon system."
 "Any leads?"
 "They hacked in through a satellite, but they were cut off before they were able to access anything.  The next satellite will be in range in...less than three hours.  I tracked the hacker to Portugal, but I came back here after I learned of the explosion.  We're not sure if the two attacks are related."
 "Return to Washington immediately.  I'll send the other agents as well."
 "One more thing, Agent Sandoval.  I think Caleb Richardson might know more about the Taelon system attack than he's letting on to."
 "He's proven himself loyal to the Companions...but keep a close eye on him, Ethan."
 "Two-way street, Ron?"
 Ethan watched as Sandoval scanned his gray Rolodex.  Sandoval then flashed recognition, with chagrin.
 He then turned and left.
-----------
Special Security Agent Ethan Miles
U.S. Taleon Division
Level One
 

Date: September, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Taelon Base ship, Atlantic Ocean
Time: After "Two Faces"?
Subject: Showdown....

 Tara Carmichael looked at James Christian and simply shook her head in amazement.  The man had been attacked by a Great White shark only an hour before and here he was, pacing the deck and arguing with Sandoval, not even noticeably wincing with his injuries.  Tara pulled her long trench around herself, a London Fog she had acquired while vacationing in Londonderry.  It was incredibly warm and kept her from getting chilled in the gale force wind.  ~That's another thing,~  she frowned.  ~How can he stand this wind in just a flannel shirt?~  She shook her head again and listened to the growing argument, trying to appear to not listen, all the while tuning her CVI enhanced hearing to it's fullest to scoop the argument....
 "No, Christian, this is impossible!  How can you continue to lead this team after this attack?  You're injured, man!  I'm notifying Da'an and requesting that he transfer command over to me, at once!"
 James audibly growled, a trick he had learned in the SEALs and had learned to enhance with his CVI.  It came out about an octave and a half lower than his usual voice and carried a menace that could be felt as well as heard.  Sandoval started, then realized the source of the sound and composed himself, but the distraction was all James needed.
 "Sandoval, you Bureau stuffed shirts all have the same thing in common:  Your egos run your brains."
 Sandoval's face darkened and he began to quiver with rage.  He fought to regain control of his anger, fully realizing that James was using yet another tactic from his "Jedi" days to throw him off balance.
 "Commander Christian, the same could be said for you Team Six hotheads.  How many of your people have botched missions due to a "Man of Steel" mentality?"
 James smiled broadly.  "None," he snickered, smugly smiling and crossing his arms across his bruised and lacerated chest.  "How about you Bureau guys?  Oh, let me see,  where can I START counting...."
 Sandoval balled his hands into hard fists, shaking with the urge to choke the most infuriating man he'd ever met.  Since William Boone, that is.  ~Maybe it's a Special Forces thing,~ he exasperatedly grated.
 "Fine, Christian.  Have it your way.  We'll let the Synod handle this."
 "Oh, by all means, Sandy."
 Sandoval had spun on his heel to leave, but stiffened into rigidity at the diminution of his name.  He turned, hand and finger pointed to say something, then he rolled his eyes skyward and threw his hands up to join them.  "Bahhhh!"  Sandoval grated, storming off to the inside of the ship.
 James turned to the railing, a huge smile on his tired, drawn face, only to see the disapproving glare from Tara.
 "Was that really necessary?" she queried, aggravation obvious in her tone.
 James seemed to consider, all of the earlier anger and taunting behavior gone from his visage.  Tara then realized the truth.
  "You're hurting more than you're letting on, aren't you."
 James smiled wanly.  "Is it that obvious?"
 Tara looked concernedly at her boss, worry written all over her face.  "Jennifer would shoot you if someone didn't look out for you.  In fact, I know she would shoot the both of us."
 James laughed, then winced with the movement.  "Yeah, you definitely have her pegged there."   He looked out at the ocean, pitching and rolling the ship, slamming the sides with millions of tons of watery fury, impotent to destroy the mighty vessel.  He inhaled deeply, feeling the salty spray sting his face and burn his nose and eyes, savoring the sensations of the sea that he loved.
 "The fact is, Tara,  I trust Sandoval for urban work, but that's it.  That's what he's trained for.  But THIS is what I'm trained for, and even in my condition I know I can do a better job.  I'm trained specifically to work and keep working until I break, but SEALs don't break.  Now, with a CVI, I'm even stronger.  I just can't make non-SEALs understand that."  He turned and looked darkly in the direction of Agent Sandoval's departure.  "Especially ex-Bureau stuffed shirts."
 He and Tara grinned at each other, then looked back out at the ocean....

James LeMaire, aka sithspit@usa.net
Cmdr. James Christian
US Taelon Division, Level One
 

Date: September, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Taelon Carrier, North Atlantic
Time: Minutes after "Showdown"
Subject: Breaking news...

 James and Tara were still chuckling over the incident with Sandoval when they heard Sandoval's voice over the ship intercom system. "Commander Christian, report to the Operations Comm. Center at once! This is urgent.  I repeat, Commander Christian..."
 James turned and twisted his head in an excellent imitation of a Taelon gesture, one usually indicative of strong emotion.  He drew a deep breath and muttered, "I just bet I know what that's all about."
 Tara placed a hand on his forearm and looked him in the eyes. "Don't do something you'll regret, James.  Sandoval's not worth it." Tara watched him as he turned to walk inside.  She thought she saw him smirk, but in the howling wind she could not be certain.
 Just before he entered the quarters, he turned back and said, "Don't worry.  My CVI wouldn't allow me to do anything contrary to the Taelon's wishes.  That would include breaking one of their lead implants in half, I believe."  With that, he was gone.
 Tara shook her head and pulled her coat more tightly about herself.  ~What an exasperating man.~ she thought.  ~How does Dr. Christian deal with him?~

********************************************************************************
 Sandoval was waiting in the Comm. Center as Christian approached.  James maintained a passive and serene expression rooted on his face, neither giving nor indicating any clues to his true feelings. Sandoval, on the other hand, actually looked...concerned.  ~He looks worried~ James thought, alarm beginning to creep into his own soul.  If Sandoval was worried, something was definitely wrong.
 "What's up, Sandy?"
 Sandoval didn't even seem to notice the jibe, instead distractedly handing over a hard copy communiqué.  James scanned it with his eyes, taking in the pertinent details, then incredulously re-reading it to make certain he wasn't mistaken.
 "A bomb? Sandoval, what in blazes is going on?  Have you spoken with Da'an?  Is he still safe?"  He scanned the document, looking for information within the information.
 Sandoval nodded.  "Yes, he was when I spoke to him.  I've sent Agent Whitney and her pilot Ken to him.  They'll be taking him to a safehouse for the time being."  He hesitated, and James caught the hesitation, finding the hint he was looking for.
 "What else Sandoval?  What aren't you telling me?"
 Sandoval looked James in the eyes and said, "Drs. Schultz and Christian are missing."
 "What do you mean 'missing'?  Doesn't anybody know where they are?"
 James asked these questions of Sandoval, all the while shouting in his mind, <JENNIFER!  JEN!  CAN YOU HEAR ME?  WHERE ARE YOU?  RA'EL, WHERE'S JEN?  CAN YOU HEAR HER?>  Strangely, all he received was silence in return.  Then, quietly and tentatively, he heard Ra'el.   <I do not know Jennifer's whereabouts.  You must do your assigned task. You best aide in her recovery in this fashion.>  With that, his voice left Christian.  James came away from the contact, distantly staring into the wall on the other side of the room.  He then noticed that Sandoval was looking at him.
 James snarled, "What?"
 Sandoval asked, "Are you all right, Commander?"  He regarded James in a pensive fashion, considering him as one would regard a bug pinned to a lab study board.
 James' eyes narrowed.  He struggled to appear non-chalant and collected as his feelings roiled within him.  He knew that this could give himself away, and everything would be over as quickly as it began.  He would either end up with an MI, or he would disappear if he made even one slip up.  ~Think James, how would Sandoval react?~
 He took a deep breath and smiled, "Sorry.  A strong memory intrusion." He re-read the document and said, "So.  Is this all we know?  Have Grace and Ken reported in yet?"
 "No, they haven't."  Sandoval consulted the heavy pocket watch that he affected and responded, "We should be hearing from her soon.  Rather, I will be.  I'm going back to Washington to head up the investigation."
 "Wait a minute, Sandoval.  I'm the Chief of Security, or have you forgotten that?  I should be the one to go."
 Sandoval smiled and said, "Da'an feels differently.  He concurs with your earlier assessment as to the leadership qualities needed for this mission.  You are to stay here and continue the research with Agent Carmichael and await further instructions.  His wishes are also those of the Synod's."
 James felt trapped.  Nothing meant more to him than the women he had chosen to spend the rest of his days with.  What's more, he'd never found one that could stand the personality quirks he had acquired in the SEALs and then on the streets as a medic.  Until her.  <<bright sunlight---laughing and rolling in the clover in Lafreniere Park---intimate moments together---his tears on her shoulder----her tears on his>>
 James blinked away the intrusion.  He looked at Sandoval and knew what he had to do.  Using every bit of control he had learned as a SEAL and using his CVI to depress his testosterone levels, he spoke, "Of course. The Synod's wishes are paramount and supersede my own.  Go to Washington.  Report back regularly or as new developments occur.  Also, feed misinformation as to Da'ans whereabouts.  Maybe we'll flush out the culprit or culprits."  He turned and continued speaking, as though he were thinking and planning as he went.  "I think this is something even a Bureau stuffed shirt can handle, eh?"
 Sandoval scowled.  With a "snap" he closed his watch and stalked out of the room.  After he was gone, James went  to his quarters and knelt in the darkness, calling out to his God in silence, begging for his hearts greatest desire...

James LeMaire, aka sithspit@usa.net
Cmdr. James Christian
US Taelon Division, Level One
 

Date: 9-19-98
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Place: Caleb's Information Management Office
Time: 9am, (Qualcomm has been online for 2 hours.)
Title: Null value returns a pointer.

 He had been up for 52 or so hours.  Hackers were known for long nights without sleep, yes, but there was a limit to that.  Another 5 hours or so, and he'd be walking into walls, and not even feeling it.
 But he had to stay up a little while longer... just long enough to keep anyone... that is, Jenson... from breaking into the security system.
 ~DAMN IT!  WHY WON'T SHE JUST BREAK IN AND BE DONE WITH IT!~
 The wait, of course, was killing him.
 Thank goodness that the repair job didn't take nearly as long as he thought... by some lucky coincidence, all the connectors were clean...
 ~say that to yourself again, Caleb~ a voice from his subconscious whispered.
 All the connectors were clean.  No residue.  No chemical residue, no accelerant.  No accellerant, no catalyst. No catalyst, no explosive.... What the hell is a bomb without an explosive?
 He thought back to his C++ classes.... there was a phrase when missing input resulted in an output... it was "Null Value Returns Pointer."
 He was about to fire off an email to Ethan, when he got an incoming message.
 <J@2045.4948.39.389>
 ~Just great.~
____________________________________
Specialist Caleb Richardsion
U.S. Taelon Division, Level One
boyko@tcnj.edu
 

Author:  Uriel
Date: September 19
Place:  A building.  Somewhere.
Time: Present
Subject: The mission and other musings.

 Dr. Schultz and Dr. Christian were sleeping.  Outside their locked door, two men sat playing cards.  A third was resting on a nearby couch. And without warning, the computer made several loud beeps.
 The man on the couch jumped up and ran to the computer, typing in a string of authentication codes and passwords.  The screen went black as the words appeared; seems their employer wants to talk again.
 "Good evening."
 "Evening?  It's the middle of the night!"
 "Yes, it is."
 "What do you want?"
 "I am making sure you are doing what you were told."
 "We are, we are.  The women are fine, the house is secure."
 "Excellent.  Now, we have a small problem to deal with."
 The man on the computer called over his partners as the message came across the screen.
 "They have decoded the surveilance tape from the damaged computer systems."
 The three men looked at eachother, thinking the same: Damn.
 "Have you gotten hold of the tape?"
 "No.  But I believe your vehicle is in it."
 "Well, that's okay, it wasn't our license plate.  We stole it from someone in another state.  We keep a collection."
 "A useful tactic."
 "I'll sell you the rights."
 "Of course." -- a pause -- "Right now I need to be affirmed you were meticulate about what evidence you left behind."
 "I left what you asked: enough so that they know the women were kidnapped, but not enough to find them.  My team did the same."
 "How can I be sure?"
 "Go watch the tape."
 "I will."

 The connection ended.

 One man looked to the other.  "Think they'll find us?"
 "No, they won't."
 "Maybe we should just leave the women here with food, turn on the auto-defence, and skip town?"
 "Because we're men of our word."
 "Funny.  I thought we were mercenaries."
 
 

Date: 9-19-98
Author: Amy
Place: Kathy's Condo
Time: Early the next morning (@ 3 a.m.) Following the car bomb
Title: The Night May Never End

 Kathy was just about to climb into bed.  She had never once, in all her years of schooling, pulled an "all nighter."  She sighed,~Nope that only happens to me in the real world.~  Necessity aside, there were limits to human endurance, and she had just about reached hers.  Much longer without sleep and she would be a burden to the investigation.  Funny how she had not felt her exhaustion until she left work.
 Her global beeped.  She sighed and through herself down on the bed.  Reaching over to the night stand she grabbed her global and yanked open the screen. "Yes?"
 "Kathy," said a familiar voice.  "It's good to see you, errr . . . what I can see of you, anyway.  Why is it so dark there?"
 "Maybe because it's 4 A.M.?"  She suggested.
 "Well, yes.  But I thought you might like to have the information on what's going on in the Atlantic.  Are you still interested?"
 Kathy sat up in bed, "Very."
 Earlier she had wasted an hour trying to gain more information about that project.  Now more than ever she needed to know what was going on.  It might have instigated the bombing.  It would be different if some of the implants were back and handling the investigation; they were briefed on the project. But from what she had learned, they were all completely unavailable for the near future, whatever that meant.  So she had no way of determining its potential relevancy. ~I hate politics.~  Especially when it inhibited an investigation.
 "I don't want to meet at your residence," said the man.
 Forty-five long minutes later, certain she was not followed, or at least as certain as she could be, she arrived at the all-night coffeehouse.  Unlike a few of her colleagues at the bureau, when she met with a contact, she tried to avoid empty warehouses and unlit streets.  If you were spotted, it was hard to explain your actions.  But a coffeehouse?  Everyone had insomnia at some point.  And if you make a new friend, well, all the better.

 Joshua spent the better part of a half hour briefing her on the little that they knew about the Atlantis Project.  She was not impressed.
 "So what's the big secret?"
 "Good question.  The fact that they won't tell you anything suggests that they have something to hide.  Aside from the fact that . . . ."
 "Yes?"
 There was a long pregnant pause. "Don't start holding out now!  What is it?"
 "You don't understand.  This relates to national security."
 Kathy had not expected this.  "You know my clearance level on anything to do with the Taelons."
 "I know what it used to be," he corrected quietly.  "But your status is less clear now that you are working for the Taleons."  He studied her, waiting for a reaction, knowing he had to spark one.
 Kathy sighed.  She did not have enough sleep to be handling this conversation.  "Look, do you trust my judgment?"
 "We trusted Sandoval's judgment, before he got his implant . . . ."
 "I'm sorry, did I get an implant when I wasn't looking?"
 "No, but . . . ."
 "Think of it like this, Joshua.  At the moment, I'm your best chance of getting information if it really relates to national security."  Kathy tried to control her anger.  She had expected caution, but not open distrust.  They were the ones that suggested she might work for them, if the opportunity arose.  They were the ones that pointed out she worked best with people, instead of in theory.  They were the ones that encouraged her to leave the team, hoping the Taelons might recruit her.  Now they wanted to leave her hanging?
 She felt her anger coalesce into a slow burn.
 Joshua hesitated for a long moment.  He could see her anger, though she was trying to hide it.  He felt his own anger spark.  He did not like being put in this position.  He warned them of this when they came to him eighteen months ago.  Even assuming they could get her in, she had no undercover experience. Now they asked him to decide if she was still loyal?  He knew the problem. ~When you first send someone undercover, you reach doubt begins to form~ Their doubt had reached a critical point quickly.   ~And now they want me to decide, will she hold up . . . or will she crack~   But they did not have a choice, not really.  They needed her talents where they could use them most, working with the Taelons.
 Kathy would have to handle it, whether she was ready or not.
 And they were going to have to trust her.  ~It's not as if we're out to get the Taelons, we just want the truth~  And Joshua had a feeling Kathy was one of their best chances to get it.  He hesitated for one more long moment.
 "All right, but be cautious about using this information, I can't emphasize that enough."  He waited for Kathy to nod.  "All right then, right before . . . ."

 Kathy went home and got ready for bed, again.  She was too tired to trust her first impression of Joshua's  revelation.  It seemed relatively insignificant, not worth the caution Joshua utilized.  Not that she was in any condition to make judge, exhaustion described the moment.  She would worry about all of it tomorrow, or at least later today.  She still had time to get a few hours sleep before work, and she needed it.

[Later that morning]

 "I finally got the security system working," said Caleb, as Agent Morgan came into the room.  They had met earlier that morning.  Kathy was impressed with his dedication; his reputation preceded him, and he had just lived up to it.
 "Great, let's see the footage."

 An hour later, after going over the video and enhancing it as much as they could on short notice, the agents left Caleb to finish up.  They now knew for certain that two doctors had been kidnaped.  That was not a real surprise. They had been looking for them for the better part of twelve hours.  Now the search would be expanded.  They had a license plate, and a description - progress.  Only time would tell if it would be enough.
 "Let me know if you find anything else, Caleb."
 Kathy had requested the missing doctors files, she wanted to question their colleagues.  She wanted a motive for the kidnaping, especially since there was no ransom note.
 She was surprised to see a Taelon name high on one list.  Dr. Jennifer Christian.   ~Hmmmm . . . I wonder if Ra'el will talk to me?~   She reached for her global, she knew how to contact him, and it never hurt to ask.

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan, Ph.D.
U.S. Taelon Division
Level One
Aikerd@aol.com
 
 

Date: September 20
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: Taelon homeship
Time: Present, just before noon the day after the bombing
Subject:  Face Off

 Ra'el quietly walked the corridors of the homeship.  It was a quiet time. He was hoping to get a few moments alone with his friend Da'an before his scheduled departure for Earth in a few hours.  Ra'el glowed brightly for a few seconds, in what could be called a Taelon "sigh".  The last day had been rather draining and stressful for him.  He was forced to withdraw slightly from his link to his human companions.  The intensity of the situation threatened to betray their bonding with one another.  Ra'el was certain that there were those in the Synod who would not approve._
 Just then, Zo'or stepped around the corner.  With a malicious grin, he gestured for Ra'el to follow him into a nearby "conference" room.  Ra'el cringed inwardly.  Of all the Taelons to desire to speak privately with him! Shaking his head, he reluctantly followed Zo'or.
 The Synod member greeted Ra'el in eunoia. <I have a few questions for you> He said.
 Anger began to rise in Ra'el.  ~Just who does he think he is?~ To Zo'or he replied <Ask them>
 <Why is it that you consider these humans so important that you came to the homeship to ask assistance?>  Seeing Ra'el stiffen, he pressed ahead. <Or is it something else?  Perhaps not the "humans" but perhaps I should say, "human".  Namely Dr. Christian?>
 Ra'el was caught in a difficult position.  If he expressed too much concern for Jennifer, Zo'or would suspect something was up.  If he denied concern, Zo'or would surely know that he had something to hide. ~I need to find an excuse that he will accept on his terms~ Ra'el thought.  ~But can I have something acceptable to someone I despise?~ he wondered.  Faint whisperings of human origin hovered in his mind.  He would have to "con" him, as Commander Christian put it.
 Looking slightly to either side of Zo'or, as if making sure they were not being watched, Ra'el began his spiel. <You are correct in assuming that my concern was for Dr. Christian.  She has aided the Companions in several projects, and her capture be enemy forces could prove disastrous.>
 Sneering, Zo'or retorted <She is ONLY a human, Ra'el.  How could she be *that* important.>
 Now it was Ra'el's turn to be malicious.  He decided to turn past events to his advantage. <I would think that YOU would be most concerned about her abduction, Zo'or_especially considering her roll in one of your recent projects.>
 Zo'or was speechless for a moment.  He did not realize that Dr. Christian had worked on any of *his* projects_. Unless_.
 Ra'el was rewarded with the sight of Zo'or losing all of his façade. With a malicious grin, Ra'el continued <Ah,  I see you remember now, don't you? Dr. Christian was the key researcher of the CVI's used in your recent portal project_I think you understand why she must be recovered.  She does work on many of our "sensitive" projects_>
 White hot anger flared through Zo'or at that moment.  He angrily spat <Doesn't she have a CVI???  All humans working on the portal project were required to be implanted to avoid such a disaster!>
 ~Now it's time for the con~ Ra'el thought.  <I deemed a CVI unnecessary at that time_> he began, but Zo'or cut him off before he could finish.
 <Under  *who's* authority did you "deem it unnecessary"?> The Synod member demanded. ~I hope he believes this~ These words went through Ra'el's mind just before he spoke. <Dr. Christian was, and is, currently a subject in a project that I am undertaking to test other methods of controlling humans without requiring an implant.  Giving my subject a CVI would have negated all effects of my project.>
 For the first time, Zo'or actually appraised Ra'el.  Still slightly suspicious, he stated <I did not think you would embark upon such_worthy_pursuits.>
 Ra'el took a moment to steady himself before answering.  Finally, he said <There is much about me that would surprise you, Zo'or> ~And that's the truth!~ he silently added to himself.
 Looking towards the door, Zo'or snorted <What does your friend Da'an think of all this?>
 Ra'el decided that it would be best to keep Da'an out of this.  <He knows nothing_and it *should* remain that way> He said.
 Zo'or's stare took on an almost_approving tone.  Then he answered <That is wise.  Let us not discuss our conversation with anyone. I must go.>  And with that, he simply walked out of the room.
 Slightly shaken from the encounter, Ra'el silently requested that his companions forgive him for telling Zo'or that they were "experiments".  ~On the other hand~ he thought to himself.  ~That may very well have bought them some safety_~
 Walking out of the conference room, Ra'el slowly made his way to the shuttle area.  He had several appointments to keep this afternoon, and it would probably be another long day_
 

DATE: 21 September
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: The Catspaw, near Greece
TIME: a few hours after "Null Value Returns Pointer"
SUBJECT: And Now a Little Vacation

 Kitty had never been one to like waiting, yet waiting was something she did every day both as a hacker and as a normal human being trying to survive in a heavily screwed-up world. However, the sun was shining, the weather was wonderful, and she expected Caleb to at least catch a couple hours' sleep before replying to her admittedly hard-to-swallow e-mail. After all, from all reports the Taelon carrier wasn't going anywhere anytime soon, and it would take weeks if not months just to get the stuff out of there, to say nothing of actually conducting a full archealogical expedition.
 Kitty had seen an archeaological dig once in Egpypt, during a brief stint as a computer security agent. The pyramids at Giza had been gone over with a fine-toothed comb for decades, and yet there were still archeaologists with ever-more-advanced toys still puttering around inside. And then there was the Sphynx, which to date had STILL not been thoroughly explored. Oh no, a place like Atlantis ought to keep the scientific community chasing its tail at LEAST well into the next century. Provided nothing untowards happened to befall the planet in the meantime.
 Shaking her head ruefully, Kitty turned her attention back to navigating her somewhat shabby little houseboat towards the ancient shores of Greece, which she could just barely make out on the horizon. Not only did Kitty have to resupply and talk to a few people reachable only by contact with the rest of civilization, but moving around a little after the botched attempt to break into the carrier's systems was a good idea even if the old "honor among thieves" thing had played out and Caleb HAD kept her name out of it.
     Kitty really didn't see the point of it, however. Her name was, after all, listed in the DC Headquarter's employee records in a somewhat unobtrusive spot, hence the reason Tara Carmicheal had been able to track her down. She didn't know if it was some sort of last-ditch safeguard to keep her out of trouble from Da'an or a records-keeping snafu, and at the moment Kitty felt no reason to change the listing.
 The dolphins, who had been following her around ever since she'd started on the Atlantic mystery, remained near the carrier, and Kitty had frequently spotted dorsal fins within the perimiter in which human-made probes failed. Somehow those critters were able to circumvent whatever gizmo was keeping humanity from learning about the fabled lost city, a gizmo that the Taelons were obviously able to circumvent themselves. Which just got Kitty to wondering what was to damn important.
 ~There you go again... Just can't leave it alone, can you?~ The cynical, practical mind chimed in. ~I'm rich enough, what with the syphoning and a few odd jobs now and again, and I don't really have much to keep me busy nowadays. Well, except for needling Augur about managing to bypass his "ingenious" security systems... Speaking of which, I wonder what the Liberation knows of all this?~

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Computer Hacker, level two
US Taelon Division
kahiki@hotmail.com
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: September 21
Place: Na'ar's shuttle, en route to Washington.
Time: After "Breaking News"
Subject: Na'ar sends a message to James

 The shuttle was on autopilot.  Na'ar was waiting for someone on the atlantis Carrier to find James Christian.  After a few minutes, James came on the screen; he looked tired, but just faintly.
 Na'ar, in the usual Taelon fashion, drolled out his words without emotion.
 "I am . . .sorry," an unusual english word with no taelon equivalent; but it tends to work with humans, "about your recent string of bad events."
 "Thank you, Na'ar," James replied -- not in a way that actually made him seem thankful, but more as the usual response to an expressed sympathy; the correct tone for an implant.
 Hm.  The correct tone.  Na'ar was pleased.

 "Are you well, James?  Are your injuries severe?"
 "No."
 What was it humans have to do in cases like this?  "You need to rest, James. Heal," Na'ar half-suggested and half-ordered.
 "I have rested, and I feel that I should continue leading the underwater missions."
 "You shall.  You expertise is invaluable in this mission, and the Synod requires that me mission be completed with utmost speed."
 "Then I may return to the ocean?"
 "If the ship's doctor believes you are physically and emotionally ready, yes."
 "Emotionally?" James questioned.  There was a very brief pause, and then, "The shark attack was not that bad.  I have had worse."

 Unusual.  To be told of emotional pain after learning his wife was kidnapped, and then to act as if he did not understand?  Perhaps Na'ar needed to press the matter.
 "How do you feel about your wife, James?"
 James blinked but remained straight-faced.  "I am sure the companions and their implants will retrieve her."
 "But how do you -feel-?"
 A pause.  "It holds little concern for me.  I am positive she will be found, and at the moment, I have important work to do for the companions."

 Very good, James.  Very good.
 Na'ar nodded, saluted, and cut the link.
 Perhaps we were wrong about you?
 

-Na'ar
 

Date: September 21, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Liberation HQ
Time: Set just after "Dead End"
Title: Another Dead End

 Jonathan Doors looked up as Grace entered the Liberation's underground facility and he frowned. Grace spotted him and walked over to where he was standing.
 "What the !@#$ are you doing here?" he asked.
 "I came to ask a few questions, since Da'an has given me leave while he's on board the Taelon homeship." she replied.
 "Well?" he replied.
 "I want to know WHO is responsible for trying to hack into the Taelons' systems. Sandoval has come back to Washington to head up the investigation." Grace said.
 "Believe it or not, our people were neither involved in the bombing or attempted hacking." he replied.
 "Then how come Augur won't tell me what he knows."
 "You know he knows things that he doesn't tell anyone, including myself and frankly, I don't care so as long as he doesn't use his knowledge to harm our movement." Doors reply.
 Grace sighed.
 "I guess I'll have to wait and see what Sandoval turns up in this investigation." Grace said.
 "Let him handle it. You just try to get back to Atlantis and find out what the Taelons are doing there."
 Grace nodded and turned to leave pulling out her global link to call Ken...
 
 

Date: September 21, 1998
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: Atlantis Project on ship
Time: Present, just after "The Two-Way Street"
Title: Staying Put
 

  Tara was just drying off from her quick shower when she heard the door to her cabin open. Quickly, she wrapped the towel around her body as she sound Sandoval enter.
  "Don't you ever knock?" she asked with irritation.
  He gave her scantily clad body only a moment's glance before turning his gaze her her face. "There has been a bombing at the Taelon Embassy. We are returning to investigate."
  "Well, just give me a moment to through on -"
  Suddenly her global beeped. Sighing, she reached for it. As she opened it, the face she least liked to see appeared. It was Zo'or. What timing, she thought to herself. The two individuals on her least likable list were bothering her while she was almost completely naked.
   "Yes, Zo'or?" she asked.
  "No doubt you have heard about the bombing at the Embassy," he replied.
  "Yes, as a matter of fact, Sandoval wants me to return to help with the investigation."
  "I am contacting you to tell you that my wish is for you to stay. The work on Atlantis is a priority, and must be taken care of before the human journalists manage to get to the ruins."
  She nodded, remembering all the technology they had found and had taken tot he ship, trying to avoid any photographers with zoom lenses. Of course, if the storm didn't subside by morning, there would be little chance for another dive in the morning. The ocean currents would make the dive too treacherous.
 "Very well, Zo'or," she replied. "I understand."
 And the link closed, she looked to Sandoval.
 "I suppose I won't be going back with you after all . . ."

  *Had a problem with the Listbot. Didn't send me any posts, so I got them from Rilei.
My life has settled a little so I am hoping to start posting a little more frequently
again. Thank you all for your patience!*
 
 

Date: September 21, 1998
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Taelon Carrier
Time: Moments after "Sympathy"
Subject: "Preparations"

 James closed his Global after the connection with Na'ar was broken and inhaled deeply.  Several times.  He then very calmly and gently set the Global down and picked up his escrima sticks.  Set up in the corner of his quarters was the hand to hand combat uke that he had transported to where ever he was stationed, all over the world.  In the past few years it had seen better days and was in fact quite ragged. All of the seams were relatively new: In fact, they were less than a year old.  The cloth was a coarse canvas that had ceased abrading his hands, feet, joints, and head some years ago.  Mostly this was due to the calluses that had formed on his limbs, but it also stemmed from the fact that he had worn the cloth smooth since it's last (fifth?) refit.
 As he approached the bag, he gripped the sticks in hands that were hard as stone and as fluidly fast as mercury.  Remotely, in some corner of his consciousness, he realized that he was coldly detached. This was good.  SEALs learned very early on that hot anger led to impulsive and impetuous behavior, which was bad.  Cold, emotionless, and focused was the preferred modus operandi of the nations top warriors and killers.  Much like the shark that had tried to kill him earlier, the best predators were the ones that didn't let emotion interfere with their pursuit of the prey.  After that, it fell to whomever was the best trained, most prepared, and least distracted.  Equipment didn't really matter.  Point of fact, James Christian had killed more people with his bare hands or some other CQB weapon than anything else.  Decidedly low tech.
 Beginning with a simple J-pattern, he began working the uke. Sticks slammed into the bag with ever increasing speed, striking what would be vital nerve points and breakable bones and joints in a human with terrifying force and velocity.  After a ten minute warm-up, he moved into the more advanced and complex Kenpo fighting methods of stick fighting.  So absorbed was he in his assault on the bag, he didn'tnotice the lone figure steal into his quarters and quietly assume a watchful perch just inside the doorway.
 The uke, which was shaped like a man approximately six feet tall, complete with limbs, was suspended from the ceiling by a length of rubber cord, allowing it to swing freely and bounce up and down, simulating the ducking and weaving of an actual opponent.  True to Kenpo principles, however, the uke was made to go where ever Christian dictated it should go, entirely by strikes and blows.
 After working the uke in this fashion for nearly thirty minutes, he abruptly dropped the sticks and began working it with his hands, feet, knees, elbows, head, and forearms-in short, every part of his body became a weapon with obviously lethal intent and effectiveness.
 Sweat ran from every pore, rivulets and streams coursing over his chiseled torso and soaking the gi that he wore.  Still, after nearly an hour of working the uke he showed no signs of stopping.  From underneath the gi, the black uniform began to show darker blotches, slowly spreading out from the abdomen and upper legs.  The drops of fluid on the hard deck began to take on a pinkish tint as the wounds from the shark attack began to bleed again, opening under the Taelon medic's bandages and sutures.
 Ironically, the uke showed signs of similar damage.  Stuffing was beginning to pop out of ruptured seams and one arm was hanging half off.  Multiple rips were showing in the canvas and they were increasing in size with every barrage of blows, dropping more stuffing material out and onto the floor and in ever increasing amounts.
 With a final kiai, a piercing scream of pent-up rage and frustration, he drew back fired a final strike at the uke's head. Canvas ripped and the head flew from the hapless body, trailing a stuffing spine behind it as it bounced off of the wall and fell to the floor, where it came to a rest at Christian's feet.  He dropped to his knees, panting heavily, and picked up the head, looking at it in a way that made Tara Carmichael's blood run Kelvin cold.
 The last words she heard as she eased out of the door was, "Paybacks are hell, folks.  Welcome to Hell."  And he laughed...

James LeMaire, aka sithspit@usa.net
Cmdr. James Christian
US Taelon Division, Level One
 
 

Date: September 21
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: Unknown
Time: Present_set after "Preparations"
Subject: Small Comforts

 Jennifer Christian trailed off from her conversation with Rosemary Schultz.They had been discussing the differences between Taelons and why some were trustworthy and others not.  Jennifer had not felt comfortable sharing deeply about her relationship with Ra'el, due to the fact that she was unsure if the room was monitored or not_~Why risk exposure?~ she thought.
 Suddenly, a wall of pent-up rage and frustration threatened to knock her to the floor.  The "wave" was released from her husband, Commander James Christian., Jennifer knew she needed to contact James immediately, and felt that there was no time to explain anything to Rosemary just yet.  Reaching out through their link, Jennifer sought her husband.
 ~James, James~ she said.  ~I'm all right.  Really.  Are *you* ok?~ she thought.
 A turbulent but controlled mind spoke back ~I am having to act COMPLETELY unconcerned for you.  THIS IS KILLING ME!~ he nearly shouted.
 Jennifer flinched from the force of the thoughts, but she held their link and said, ~I understand, Boo.  I really do_but you are doing the right thing, you know.  Please, hold on.~
 Concern filled their communication as James' tone changed ~How are they treating you?~ He asked.
 Jennifer attempted to project a cheery image and replied ~Quite well, actually. Our "hosts" have pretty much seen to our needs and left us alone_it's Rosemary's singing that's about to kill me_.~
 Unexpected laughter bubbled through the link as Jennifer sent James a mental "video" of the event_
 ~Ah Boo,~ he said at last.  ~You've always known how to diffuse me.  I wish I could DO something_~
 ~Just love me~ she said.
 ~Always~ he answered.  Then sadly he said ~I've got to go.  I need to keep up "appearances"~
 ~I understand_take care~ she replied.
 With that, he was gone, and Jennifer found herself staring into the face of a very confused, rather concerned Dr. Schultz.  "Uh oh" she said aloud to her friend.  "I guess I've got some explaining to do_"

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~`
Jen LeMaire
aka Dr. Jennifer Christian, CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division, Level Eight
 
 

Date: September 22
Author: Heretic
Time: A few hours after "Actions and Motives"
Place: Augur's Lab
Subject: Loose Thread

 "This IS interesting..."  Augur said, motioning to his screen.  John took a look at it.
 "I have to agree with you on this one."  he admitted.
 "Of course you do, because I'm right."  Augur replied.  "As always."
 "Well, the plate was reported stolen, which I expected."  John said.  "But it doesn't match the van.  This could be very good news."
 "How so?"
 "Whoever pulled this kidnapping off was stupid on several counts."  They could have far more easily hit the doctors at their homes, or on their way home.  It would have required two seperate hits instead of one, but neither would be taking place under the Taelon's roof.  Secondly, they seem to have just taken a license plate and not the whole vehicle.  Possibly, they're using the same vehicle.  If that's the case, then I bet that they didn't steal the registration sticker off the car..."
 "So they might have the original one on the van!"  Augur finished.
 "Precisely."  John told him.  "Can you get me a closeup on the van from whatwe have?"
 "Unfortunately, no."  Augur told him.  "None of our photographs show a clear enough view of the van's registration sticker for us to get an ID."
 "Do you think that the cameras at the Taelon building could give me a zoom shot like that?"  John asked.
 "It's quite possible."  Augur replied.  "Should I have Whitney arrange to have a look at it?"
 "Please."  John told him.  "If she can't, then I'll go inside and find out for myself."

John Smith
Specialist: Thief
Level 2
US Taelon Division
 

Date: September 22, 1998
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: Atlantis
Time: Present. Following day after "Breaking News"
Title: The Cradle of Civilization
 

 As the Dawn had broke across the sky, Tara and James met in the galley. They ate a quick breakfast and discussed where their dive would take them today. It would takethem deeper into the ruins of Atlantis. So far, they had only skirted the edges of thesunken city. Today they were going to delve into it's heart, if they had enough time.However, Tara was concerned. She knew what had happened. By now, everyone aboard theship knew that James's wife had been abducted. She wanted to give him some kind ofcomfort, but she couldn't. And though he couldn't show it, she could feel the depth of his pain. Having gone through enough of it herself, she was tuned into other's suffering. But because they were Implants, they had to act as if everything was normal. That nothing mattered, except seeing to the Taelons' wishes. Sometimes she still wished that she could just go into her head and rip the CVI out and be done with the whole thing . . . But no . . . Ta'al had had something in mind for her. She had a special purpose, and because of her love for him, she would find out what it was and fulfill it.
 Before long, they were on deck, in their dive suits, slipping into the necessary gear. She stole a look at James, before he pulled on his helmet. Would he be all right? she wondered. Of course he would, she admonished herself. He was a trained Navy SEAL! But she was worried for him. Emotional ties could hamper ones judgment. She knew that all too well from personal experience. But without another hesitation, they were jumping into the cold waters and making their way to the city of legend.
 Most of their dive was spent in silence. He seemed determined to get to their destination quickly. He was trying to stay focused, she realized. But as she saw the immense structures looming ahead, she finally spoke.
 "How are you holding up?" she asked.
 "Fine," James replied.
 Obviously he didn't want to talk about it, she sighed. But as they drew closer to the ruins, something caught her eye. It was a structure she hadn't seen on their earlier dive. Swiftly she swam to it. They were about a mile into the city. As she drew closer, she was awed. It was three stories high, at least, and that was a guess. She hadn't seen anything like it since she had gone to Egypt four years ago. This thing looked exactly like an Egyptian obelisk!
 "James! Look at this!" she called as she got even closer. "It's magnificent!"
 As she came right up to it, she could just make out writing on it. She ran her fingers over the symbols and gasped.
 "What is it?" he asked.
 "Look at the writing! It looks like Egyptian Hieroglyphics!"
 He took a closer look, but didn't know what to say. "I wouldn't know," he replied. "I was trained as a SEAL not as an Egyptologist."
 "But I had a few semesters of Ancient Civilizations. We covered Egypt extensively, and this looks exactly like what I saw in Egypt, right down to the Hieroglyphics!"
 "But can you read it?"
 Slowly, her CVI brought forth memories of her Ancient Civilization classes . . . the ones focusing on Egypt. Words and symbols began to take shape in her mind.
 "To Akenhotep, God-King, in his regnal year 27 . . . The rest is . . . hazy . . ."
 "Akenhotep?" James asked.
 "My God . . . do you know what this means? This is the cradle of civilization! This is where the culture of Egypt sprang from . . .! And that means that this wasn't an old Taelon base on Earth forgot millennia before Ma'el arrived. This was either built by ancient humans, or . . . there was another alien race here at one time . . . And if another alien race was here, what happened to them? I mean, this whole thing is making the Taelons rather jumpy, don't you think?"
 The impact of the discovery was immense, as they just stopped and looked at one another. Suddenly, with new eyes, they looked around at the ruins. There was a strange mixture of technology and ancient structures that looked like Egyptian temples. In the murky distance, they could even make out a structure that looked like a pyramid.
 What had they stumbled onto?
 
 

Date: September, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Time: During "Cradle of Civ"
Place: Atlantis
Subject: "Another View"

 James shook his head in disbelief.  While his education had introduced him to ancient civilizations (briefly!), he only had an inkling of what Tara was talking about.  He knew what hieroglyphics were, but telling the difference between Egyptian glyphs and, say, Sumerian cuneiform was beyond him.  But if it were true!
 James activated the communicator and spoke with Sha'Rhee, the Taelon that was monitoring their dive.  "Sha'Rhee, send down the SDVs.  We found some interesting items that will take longer to assess than we anticipated."  The former SEAL closed the open link and kicked forward to rejoin Tara in their perusal of the ruins.  As he moved, he could feel the pulling in his abdomen from his injuries.  He hadn't allowed the medic that treated him to say so, but his spleen was badly bruised from the shark's impact with the SDV.  Besides that, the ligamentum teres that divides the human liver had come very close to doing precisely that, making a small nick in the surface lining of the organ to which it was attached.  Only half a centimeter more and he could've sustained lethal internal bleeding.  ~Take it easy, idiot.~, he chided himself, ~These pressures down here won't forgive easily.~
 Tara looked up at him, childlike wonder shining in her eyes quickly turning to concern.  "James, you're white as a sheet.  Are you ok for the rest of this dive?"
 Christian nodded curtly, angling around his compatriot to look at the writing on the wall.  "I'm fine, Carmichael.  I didn't survive the SI War to have a swimming mouth with a pea-brain do me in."  He clicked off his communicator and reached out and did the same thing to hers.  Once he was sure that the units were powerless, he stared Tara in the face and said, "Ok, what were you doing in my room watching me?"
 

To Be Continued
James LeMaire
*aka Cmdr. James Christian, Companion Security
US Taelon Division, Level One
 
 
 

Date: 9-24-98
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Place: Caleb's Information Management Office
Time: Present, Pretty soon after "Null Value" and concurrent with "Staying Put"
Title: If something's too good to be true, it probably is.

        "Ethan, I think you should see this."
        Caleb turned his monitor so that Ethan could see it easily.

<<<<
From: <J@2045.4948.39.389>
to: CALEB@RICHARDSON.NET
Subject: The hack this morning.

        As you have probably guessed by now, I was responsible for the hack on the Taelon Washington computer this morning. However, I had absolutely nothing to do with the bombing.
        In fact, I was not even trying to hack into the Washington computer when I did.  My target was a boat located off the coast of Portugal, which looked suspiciously out of place.  Somehow the computers must have crossed wires in the TELSTAR satellite.
>>>>

        Here Caleb interrupted.  "That sounds like the boat we were on just a while ago.  The computer systems there were dummy terminals, and they were actually running off the servers in Washington.  So when she tried to hack into the boat's computer system, she was automatically re-routed back here, as any command that would be issued from the dummy terminal would be.  But I could see how she could think it was a crossed wires.  Telstar's been up there since the early 90's, it's beginning to show signs of wear."

<<<<
        Normally I wouldn't try such a risky hack, but something is not what it seems on that boat.  In fact, if you would like, I'll share with you the information that I received.  We may have a common enemy.  Contact me through the usual channels.

        Kittykat.
>>>>

        "Too bad we can't prove any of it," Caleb said.
        "What do you mean?"
        "Well, this email came from an anonymous server, as a ASCII email.  Anyone could have written it."
        "So you think this isn't the culprit?"
        "No, I'm sure that Jenson... that's her last name... did it.  And I'm sure she wrote this letter.  We just can't prove it.  That's why we needed to catch her in Portugal waters.  But, unfortunately, she's going to get away with it.  I thought it was her ever since I ruled out Gunther Ebert... very few hackers have access to boats in the Mediterranean.  I'm sorry I couldn't tell you. But, I was afraid that you might shoot too high if you knew who the hacker was... she'd say that we'd need a warrant, need to go before a grand jury, whatever it took.  Hacker's that can't use the law to wriggle out of the law's grasp don't make it very far.  Furthermore, it could have been Ebert, and if we went after Jenson too quickly, it would have given him a chance to escape."
        "I see."
        "Oh, and another thing... about the bombing..."
        "Yes?"
        "There was no explosive residue on the computer connectors.  Meaning no explosive.  Get what I'm saying?"
____________________________________
Specialist Caleb Richardsion
U.S. Taelon Division, Level One
boyko@tcnj.edu
 
 
 
 

Date: September 24
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: Unknown Location
Time: Present
Subject: A little theory_

 Jennifer Christian stared at Rosemary Schultz.  The two Companion research doctors had been locked up in this room for probably a day or more_it was hard to tell, because there were no windows and only artificial lighting. They had been drugged before their arrival here, so they really had no idea how long they'd been here.  Jennifer knew that Rosemary had been trying to distract the kidnappers by singing awful 90's tunes_.and that didn't manage to do anything but cause Jennifer's head to hurt.
 Their last conversation, held after Jennifer had been in telepathic conversation with her husband, did not go well.  Jennifer did a horrible job of covering up what went on, and Rosemary was getting suspicious that something strange was afoot.  What could she do?
 Then, a crazy idea hit her_
 It just might work_~If the kidnappers had wanted us hurt, they wouldn't have treated our wounds.~ Jennifer mused.  ~I bet they have orders not to hurt us.  There's only one way to find out.~
 Very methodically, Jennifer stood up on her bed.  It was a small bed, twin size, not really much to it at all.  But_it was large enough to begin jumping.  And jump she did!  Rosemary told her to stop, but to no avail.  A wildly giggling Jennifer just jumped higher and faster.
 Rosemary was beginning to get very concerned.  Jennifer had been acting strangely since the bombing.  At times, Jennifer was completely lucid. Then, for apparently no reason whatsoever, she'd begin staring out into space.  The second staring spell had gone on for nearly three minutes, and was followed up by--of all things--jumping on the bed?
 Rosemary considered calling to their captors for help, but then Jennifer achieved her objective: she latched on to the air-conditioner grating on the ceiling.  For a brief second, it looked like the grating would come down and bring Jennifer with it.  But, much to Dr. Christian's obvious chagrin, it held to the ceiling.
 Rosemary thought for a brief moment that the look on Jennifer's face much resembled the look a dog gets when it chases a car and the car stops.  Quite the "Uh, ok_what do I do NOW?" look_
 With a deep sigh, Jennifer realized that she was not going to exit by that route, so she put into effect Plan A.  By rocking her body back and forth, she created a swinging motion.  With an apparent total disregard for the surroundings, Jennifer began to sing_"swing high, swing low_swinging every way you go_"
 It was at this point that Rosemary realized that Jennifer needed medical attention_and fast!
 Dropping to the bed in unfeigned exhaustion, Jennifer thought ~I just hope Rosemary buys it and my theory is correct_~

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~`
Jen LeMaire
aka Dr. Jennifer Christian, CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division, Level Eight
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: September 25
Place: A building... Somewhere.
Time: During "A Little Theory"
Subject: What was that?

        Two of the team were just lying down on their usual couches.  The third had tonight's watch.
        A strange noise came from the cieling.
        "What was that?!" Excalimed the one awake, as he looked around the house, and at the computer screen for any possible intrusion.  But everything seemed okay.
        One of the sleeping men opened one eye.  "You're just nervous.  Go read a magazine or something."
        "But..."
        "Do I bother you when you're trying to sleep?"
        "Well, no."
        Another small creak echoed in the cieling.
        The sleeping man laughed.  "It's gotta be that damn cat again."
        "Yeah, you're probably right.  Go to sleep."
        They did.  But the awake man stood up and decided to do a check around the house to be sure.
 
 

Date: September 25, 1998
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: Atlantis
Time: Present, continuation from "Another View"
Title: Compassion rising
 

 Tara was dumbfounded and was struck silent for a moment. "I . . . wasn't in your room," she replied. "I was just outside the door . . . It was slightly ajar. I wanted to ask you something about the dive today, but . . . after I saw you . . . well, it didn't seem that important . . . I . . . I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude upon your privacy . . ."
 "After you saw me?" he asked, with cautious concern.
 "Well . . . I . . . felt you were in a great deal of  . . . pain," she replied, as she could see him stiffen in the dark waters around them. "I . . . have gone through great pain myself . . . I suppose I can sense it in others . . . Again . . . I'm sorry, I had no wish to disturb you . . ."
 

Date:  September 25
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: Unknown
Time: Present, set immediately after "A little theory"
Subject: Faking It

 Jennifer stretched herself out on the small bed and forced herself to relax. Her muscles were screaming after her little "demonstration", but it was a necessary display.  If Rosemary wasn't convinced that Jennifer was injured, the kidnappers wouldn't believe it either_
 With her mind, Jennifer called out to Ra'el. ~Are you busy, my friend?~
 She was rewarded with a flood of emotion as her Companion answered ~I am here.  How are you?~
 ~Exhausted.~ she replied. ~I am currently attempting to convince Dr. Schultz and my "hosts" that I am in need of medical attention.~
 Concern and confusion radiated from Ra'el. ~Why would you want to do that?~ He queried.
 ~Well, I am afraid that Rosemary and I may be monitored.  I have been failing to adequately explain the reasons for my "staring spells" and I don't want anyone to suspect that I'm in contact with you and James.~
 Still troubled, Ra'el asked ~How will your simulation of injury resolve this issue?~
 Jennifer answered, ~My hopes are that anyone watching us will consider my behavior a result of the injuries.~
 ~I see.~ was Ra'el's response.  After a seemingly long pause, he reached out through their link and initiated a deeper encounter.  Several long minutes later, he withdrew, finally understanding Jennifer's reasoning and methods. With a bemused tone he ended their conversation with ~I think I'm beginning to like the human concept of "faking it"~

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~`
Jen LeMaire
aka Dr. Jennifer Christian, CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division
 

--
Author: Uriel
Date: September 25
Place: Probe Grid, atlantis
Time: Between dives
Subject: A small cleansing.

        The mission was too important to have nature screw it up.
        The sixteen probes, under command of the Taelon Carrier, formed a line and spun over the ruins, searching for sharks.  After the delay caused by the last attack, the Synod decided to take anti-shark measures.
        A new tool emerged from the probes: a laser drill.
        And as they traversed over atlantis, the drills bored into every large non-human biological object which could be a shark.
        And then they took up an orbit around the area, in order to make sure no new sharks would get in.
        The mission must succeed.
 
 

Date: September, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Time: Seconds after "Compassion Rising"
Place: Atlantis
Subject: Suspicions_

 Christian looked at Carmichael, distrust and suspicion evident in his eyes. He released the hold he had on her upper arms and looked about the area, eyes searching for the xenon light of any approaching probes.  His face was strangely troubled; his forehead was furrowed and he actually looked worried.  Satisfied that they were alone and free from prying Taelon eyes, he shut off his interpersonal communicator and leaned in close, touching heads with Tara and letting bone conduction relay his words.
 "Look, Tara, I don't know your story and this isn't the place to be having Kodak moments, so I'll get straight to the point."  He took a deep breath and continued.  "I don't want or need any 'compassion' from you or anyone else right now.  Maybe you just mean well.  Fine.  Thank you.  But there're some things going on right now that you wouldn't understand and are really none of your business.  You're a good kid and I don't want to see you get hurt by getting caught up in my problems, so don't get involved."
 James opened his mouth to continue, but Tara had other ideas.  She reached up and placed one finger across where her commander's lips were located under the Taelon rebreather, making the Earth-wide recognized sign to shut up.
 "Listen up, tough guy, I'm only going to say this once."  She did her best to glare at him and stare him down, which was amusing to James, considering their size difference.  The act reminded him of Jennifer, which caused a twinge of pain to sweep through him.
 "You don't trust me and you don't know what to make of me.  Good, because I feel the same way about you.  So this is how it is.  If we're going to work together we have to have some kind of trust and it has to start somewhere. So I'll go first.  One, It is my belief that there is something going on with your MI.  Like, maybe it doesn't work or you don't have one.  Either way, it doesn't matter to me because you're the boss this time around. Second, I can sense that this is probably why you're reacting so strongly to your feelings when you think no one is around."  She glanced over his shoulder and saw the distant gleam of an approaching probe, probably the one bringing the SDVs.
 "There's a probe coming so I'll make this quick."  She made certain that she had his full attention and stared him straight in the eyes and said, "Now, here's a little secret about me."
 And she inhaled, deeply and long_.

END
James LeMaire
*aka Cmdr. James Christian, Companion Security
US Taelon Division, Level One
 
 

Date: 9/25
Author: KVS
Place: Washington, D.C.
Time: present, after "too good to be true"
Title: The Rock

 ~Time to call in a few favors.~
    After speaking with Caleb Richardson about the explosion, and learning the true nature of the bomb (or the lack thereof), Ethan headed over to the FBI crime lab to visit an old friend, Sol McElroy.  Sol was the best explosives expert in the business.  He had investigated (and solved) the bombing that had killed Ethan's former superior.  Ethan was hoping he could do the same for the explosion at the Taelon Research Facility.  He entered Sol's work area, located in the basement of the J. Edgar Hoover building.
    "Well, who the hell let you in the building?" said Sol, with a look of disgust.
    "Persona non grata, eh, padre?"
    "That alien badge don't mean crap around here."  Sol stared sternly at Ethan for a few seconds, then flashed a big smile.  "Ethan, it's been too long.  What brings you by?"
    "Oh, this and that."  Ethan tossed a golf ball-sized chunk of cement onto Sol's workbench.  The rock was blacked on one side, where it had been exposed to the explosion.  "So, tell me what you think of this."
    "Bomb frag?  Taelon center?"
    "Yeah.  Seems we can't finger the explosive involved."
    Sol held the rock under a halogen lamp, smelled it, measured it, then took the rock and began to break it up into smaller pieces with a hammer. He ground up some of the rock into a fine powder and examined it under a microscope.
    "So tell me Ethan, why is it that the bureau isn't investigating this?"
    "You should know that.  The bombing technically occurred on Taelon soil. Taelon security has claimed jurisdiction."
    "TAELON soil?  Sheesh...friggin' aliens."
 "Preaching to the choir, pal.  By the way, want to see the explosion?"
 "Sure."
 Ethan cued up the optical video disk, then watched the horrific scene for the 13th time.  A bright flash and a giant plume of fire and smoke emanated from a car close to the clinic entrance, as two people were caught in the blast.  Sol rewound the recording to see a person moving away from the bomb a few moments before it went off.
 "We found no signs of any kind of detonator, and no explosive residue whatsoever."
 "No explosive?  Yeah, that's possible.  Could be an explosive gas.  But you'd need a lot of it, and a large container to hold it.  I know the guys at Langley are working on a solid explosive material which completely dissipates into a gas from the heat of the explosion.  As for the detonator, well, you should always be able to find the remnants of some kind of device.  Let's take a look at your rock."
 For the next half hour, Sol ran a full battery of tests on the cement rock as Ethan looked on.

 "I've run a g/c, spectrophotometer, mass spec, you name it.  Nothing. No compound matching any known explosive.  However..."
 Sol glanced at his notes.
 "...as for the non-explosive compounds...Cement.  Sand, limestone, water.  Soot from the blast.  Flecks of metal, possibly from the explosive container or re-bar.  But here's the kicker...organometallic compounds."
 "Organo what?"
 "Organometallics.  Unusual ones, too.  I'd have to do a more detailed analysis to determine the exact structure, but it appears to be a relatively complex organic backbone with an Actinide conjugate.  And another blip that I can't identify, here."  Sol pointed to a printout of a graph which Ethan could make neither heads nor tails of.  "Really strange. I've got a friend, an organic chemist, that would love to get a sample of this."
 "Uh, let's just keep this to ourselves."
 "You got it, chief.  Oh, and by the way, the rock is slightly radioactive.  Not too hot, but enough to register.  Probably absorbed some kind of radioactive material from the blast.  And take a look at this..."
 Sol walked Ethan over to a large shielded container with a robotic arm inside.  As Sol worked the controls, the robot arm picked up a small crucible containing a fine powder, and moved it over to a black canister.
 "The crucible has a temperature probe attached to it.  Watch as I expose the organometallic-containing powder to the black box, which contains a bit of radioactive uranium."
 A small lid lifted off the container, and the temperature reading of the crucible rose slightly.
 "Now, when I move it away, the temperature drops."
 ~Thank you Mr. Wizard.  Get to the point.~
 "Anyway, when exposed to a certain minimum level of radioactivity, the organometallic compound will slowly heat up and will get quite hot, even just the tiny sample we have here.  More importantly, the rate of heat increase is directly proportional to the amounts of radiation exposure and organometallic compound.  You could conceivably predict the exact length of time it would take for it to reach a certain temperature.  It's like an organic timer."
 Ethan was lost.  "So what are we looking at here, Sol?"
 Sol looked Ethan sqarely in the face.
 "The detonator."
-----------
Special Security Agent Ethan Miles
U.S. Taleon Division
Level One
 
 

Author: Heretic
Time: Present
Place: US Special Forces Base
Subject: Killing time

 John rechecked his equipment again, and then got to work.
 The initial climb was fairly tough, but fun.  He realized that he had gotten a little behind in his excersize regimen (a necessary part of life for someone who routinely scaled vertical walls) and made a mental note to get back into practice.
 There was still no word from Agent Whitney, and he wasn't going to wait for a reply in Augur's lab.  He and Augur had a mutual respect for each other's skills, (although Augur loved to point out that he made more money, and did far less work, than Smith could ever dream of) but they couldn't stand each other for very long.  John felt that Augur was insufferably arrogant, while Augur felt the same way about John.  Most people would have agreed with both assessments.
 Special Forces buildings were the kind of job that he didn't do for profit. The only profit that could be made from breaking into one of these facilities, afterall, would be by killing the soldiers who were there.  While Smith didn't have all that many scruples, he stuck by the ones that he did have fiercely. He would not kill for money alone.
 He got to the roof of the building and took a look around.  He hadn't been here for over a year, and this had been his last non-profit job before retiring to create his Masterpiece.  He had two and a half grand that night, betting five people a hundred dollars a piece (five to one odds against him) that he could pull the stunt off.
 He got to the roof of the building and looked around.  the markings had been claned off quite some time ago, he noted, and shrugged.  They were having parachute jumps the next day, so it would be seen.
 Along with his usual gear, he had brought with him a paint gun and a large supply of red paint.  He hooked the painting gear up and drew a ring on the roof.  He then made a smaller ring inside the first, and then a second, and finished it off with a solid circle.
 Another bullseye on the roof of the bases HQ.  John shook his head sadly.  He regretted not living closer to SEAL base, since he was curious if they were any harder to do this to.  Their egos were certainly more inflated...
 It was done, but he was still feeling frustrated and restless.  All he wanted was that damn registration code, but he still hadn't gotten word from Whitney!
 Once again, he wondered why he even cared about this doctor, or why he thought that he could actually make a difference.  He couldn't answer either question yet, and began to wonder if he ever would.

 He muttered a curse under his breath as he looked over the base.  A malevolent idea entered his head, and he went to implement it.
 By the time dawn approached, he was on his way home, and there was a bullseye on every single building in the complex, including the porto-toilets (he refused to call them "johns" for rather obvious reasons).
 Someone was going to have an ulcer when this was discovered, he realized...
 ...It still didn't make him feel any better.

John Smith
US Taelon Division
Level 2
 
 
 
 

DATE: 28 September
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: The Catspaw, a few miles out from the Atlantis dig
TIME: after "Sharks-Vanquished"
SUBJECT: Feeding Frenzy

 Kitty watched in morbid fascination as the local shark population turned on its own kind, making the normally crystal-blue Medditerranian waters froth with the blood of a being who's forbearers were around even before the dinosuars. In a way, it was almost like an eerie trip back through time, when Kitty's imagined population of Atlantis hunted the sharks for their fins much as people in the orient still did in the present day, despite the protests of envirommentalists. The shark, deprived of it's main rudder, couldn't swim and maintain the flow of water past its gills, slowly sufflocating as its brethren, driven mad by the smell of blood in the water, consumed it alive. The aloof, forgien presence of the Taelon-run carrier added to the half-imagined setting, an almost present-day Atlantis, with its secrets hidden under the veil of high technology rather than miles of water.
 Shivering, Kitty turned away from the shark frenzy, wondering in the back of her mind what had killed so many of the predetors. According to half-forgotten biology notes, sharks were the top predators in their ecosystems, with only humans and the occassional teed-off whale hunting them. But people in this region of the world considered the creatures good for ecotourism, and certainly wouldn't kill off such a tempting source of revunue. Which left Atlantis as the only real suspect, since by the looks of things and a conveinient current map, the dead sharks could've only come from that area. Which only made Kitty worry for the safety of "her" dolphins.
 The dolphins who had first led her to her own discovery of the ancient sunken city decided that human hackers were wonderful company and spent much of their non-hunting time playing around the Catspaw. Bored with the fact that she had to "lay low" communications-wise until the crossed-wire incident blew over, Kitty had taken to naming the dolphins, since they all seemed to respond to "Hey you" fairly well.
 "Squeaker! Quit rocking the boat!" Kitty yelped, as one of the friendlier critters- the one who had given her the first real Atlantis artifact- headbutted the bow of the ship, causing it to rock in all sorts of nauseating directions. It was certainly a good thing Kitty had been raised in the upper Chesapeak Bay region, where her father had owned a mid-sized fishing boat and insisted on taking his daughter fishing every weekend that the weather was nice.
 ~Thank God manuevering on a boat is like riding a bike, or I'd be washed overboard a thousand times over.~ Kitty thought with a shake of her head. "Squeaker" slammed into the boat again, harder this time, which prompted Kitty to go see what was the matter.
 Squeaker had a pretty nasty-looking burn on one side of his dorsal fin, which looked as though it had been caused by a laser-like device. Held daintily in his mouth, however, was a small, glowing ball just about the size of a softball and certainly NOT of natural origin. Another Atlantis artifact.
 "Tell you what, I'll treat the burn if YOU give ME the glowing thing. Deal?" Kitty said out loud, reaching for the strange device. Squeaker chirped and tossed it to her, then swam expectantly near the side of the boat while Kitty fetched the first-aid kit.
     ~I swear, dolphins are much more intelligent than people give them credit for... Heck, maybe the reason why no one's found a hint of dolphin culture is because it's tied up in places like Atlantis...~
 

Date: September 28, 1998
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Time: a few hours after "If it's too good."
Place: Caleb's Office
Subject: I saw it on Pop-Up-Video, so it must be true!

        The guy looked over the list again.
        "Ok.  50Kg Al, 25Kg Mg, 10Kg Ti... you sure you want that much titanium? This must be one hell of a golf set."
        Caleb said, "Actually, it's for a project a little bigger than that."
        "Alright... 10Kg Ti.  That it?"
        "Well, do you know where I could get about 500g of LDPE?"
        "Don't you want to go with PETE?  It's more recyclable, and it's sturdier"
        Caleb checked his laptop.  "No, the molecular structure is too polar."
        "What the hell you got on there, son?"
      He turned the laptop to show the man at the counter.  "I saw something on Nova when I was a kid.  But it was a government project, and it was underfunded. I think I can duplicate the results."
        "That looks like... some sort of insect?  What is it supposed to do?"
        "It is a bug.  A very smart bug.  And it..., actually, they, are going to find a van for me."
       "If this thing works, I think I know where I can find a company interested in buying your patent."
     Caleb countered, "If this thing doesn't work, there are two people that might die.  How soon can you get what I need."
        "Three hours.  That's the best I can do, with the shipping."
        "What if we pick it up?"
        "What? From San Francisco?"
        "Yeah.  We can pick it right up at the warehouse."
        "Well, in that case, as soon as the credit goes through."
        Caleb walked up to the retinal scanner.
    "Caleb Richardson authorizing transfer, company account, Taelon Embassy, located in the United States of America."
        <CREDIT APPROVED.  THANK YOU MR. RICHARDSON. HAVE A NICE DAY.>
        "Where's the address of that warehouse?"
__________________________
Caleb Richardson
Level 1
Computer Specialist
US Taelon Division
 
 
 
 
 
 

Date: September 29, 1998
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: Atlantis
Time: Present, set seconds after "Suspicions . . ."
Subject: A Time for Truth

 As she inhaled, she look another glance at the approaching probe. She still had a couple of minutes, guess by it's rate of speed. "Now, I'm taking a big chance telling you this . . . But I don't have an IM . . . I never did . . . Ta'al had made sure of that. And it was your wife that covered this fact up for me when I almost died from that virus injection . . . I'm guessing that since she covered up my lack of an IM, that you do not have one either. If that's that case, then I suppose we have more in common than you'd like to believe . . . Now whether you trust me or not, I have just put my life in your hands, so I have no alternative but to trust you . . . I hope I can . . " she replied, gazing seriously into his eyes.
 Just then, the probe came near. Too near for them to safely talk. But by the look on James' face, this conversation was far from over . . . As they turned to the probe to retrieve the SDVs, Tara gave the probe a thumbs up sign, and started to move farther into the ruins, and away from the probe. James followed suit swiftly. But now, Tara's mind was filled with possibilities . . . Had she made a grave error in judgment by revealing herself. Only undercover Liberation agents, and one Dr. Jennifer Christian knew that she had no Motivational Imperative. But could she trust James Christian? Her intuition told her she was right about him, but like the pessimist she had become, there was always that nagging doubt until she knew for certain. She only hoped that they would find time to talk alone again on this day as they searched the  ancient city ruins under the ocean . . . Hopefully, without prying Taelons watching their every move.

Tara Carmichael
Level 5

Author: Uriel
Date: September 29
Place: Na'ar's office, The Moon
Time: during "suspicions" and "A time for truth".
Subject: Remote investigations

        As it seemed, Na'ar was in his chair, unmoving.  Except for an unnatural glow that filled his body, he seemed perfectly normal.  But things aren't always as they seem; Na'ar wasn't really there.  At least, he didn't think so.
        Na'ar had been using his Telepresence Device for a little while now, acting as the probe 'selected' to do various jobs, such as equipment delivery from the carrier to the divers.
        But mainly, it gave Na'ar the chance to personally scan the area for unwelcome visitors, and to check up on the Taelon's own employees.  One can never be too sure.
        James and Tara were waiting for the latest SDV delivery.  Na'ar watched them as he approached; they were talking.
        Na'ar attempted to tune the sonar membranes of the probe to the frequency of human voice.  But he was too far away.  Listening intently, focusing, he couldn't make it out.
        And when he finally got close enough to hear -- they stopped and turned to watch the probe close in.
        Na'ar breathed a mental sigh.  Even an MI can't remove a human's desire for privacy.  Maybe there wasn't enough inherent trust in humans?  Or maybe this wasn't his place to be after all.
        Na'ar dislocated himself from the probe as his blush faded to skin tone. There was something important to do on earth.
        Na'ar waved a hand, and a datastream appared.  It was Da'an.
        ^Yes, Na'ar?^
        ^Da'an, are we ready to proceed?^
        ^We are ready.^
        ^I will be leaving shortly.^
        Da'an nodded, and the connection closed.
        Na'ar stood up and walked to his shuttle.

Na'ar
Level 2
Head of Taelon-Human Counterintelligence
US Taelon Embassy.
 
 

Date:   9-29-98
Author: Amy
Place: Taelon Embassy
Time: Just after "The Rock"
Title: Pieces of the Puzzle
 

        Kathy sighed in frustration; Ra'el was on the mothership.  She left a message asking him to contact her.  With that, she headed back to the embassy to examine the preliminary bomb report.

[In her office, at the embassy.]

        Kathy sighed, ~Riddle me this~ What kind of terrorist kidnaped people, left no ransom note, and used a bomb that would not cause structural damage to the building? ~What's the point?~  The bomb effectively hid the kidnaping for twelve, maybe fifteen hours, tops, and then only because the bomb had somehow interfered with the security system.   ~After that, you send the ransom note.~ Unless the goal is the person, not money or terror.  ~Of course, it could also indicate dumb terrorists, or dumb luck.~
     The van's license plate was a dead end, it was stolen months ago.  Caleb was investigating enhancing the videotape, but that took time.  The bomb, on the other hand, was very interesting.  It appeared to be part human and part Taelon technology.  Not really surprising, just interesting.  People were getting quite creative about using Taelon technology, maybe too creative.  The bomb exploded in the middle of the garage, near one elevator, in an area with no strategic value.  ~Here's something interesting~   they could not find any pieces of the trigger, and the bomb did not appear to be strategically placed. The expert's conclusion - the bomb went off prematurely. Kathy frowned, ~So if a trigger didn't explode the bomb, what did?~   Taelon technology, said the expert somewhat hesitantly, detailing the analysis of the bomb and theorizing an unexpected interaction between the bomb and organic Taelon technology that had probably . . . possibly . . . caused a premature explosion.  They were not sure, though, because before this bombing, no one had ever considered the possibility.  Special Agent Ethan Miles was checking into the theory.  It would take time, by now a familiar mantra.
 So, a premature explosion.  Maybe the bomb exploded in the non-strategic location because they did not have time to place it.  She called up blueprints for the garage, superimposed the location of the explosion. ~If I were a bomber, what would I bomb?~  She highlighted areas of strategic importance. What were they near?  The building's main structural support was located near the explosion, so was the security access panel.
  Kathy leaned back in her chair, studying the information with care.  With a few keystrokes she asked the computer to simulate the explosion as if it had occurred at the weakest point on the structural support - whatever that was. The margin of error was more than she would like, but without the final bomb report, it would have to do.  She tapped a finger impatiently as the computer analyzed.  A moment later, she had her answer, or at least part of it.  The bomb had insufficient strength to harm the facility structure, no matter how vulnerable the location. ~Assuming the bomb actually falls within the theorized parameters,~ she reminded herself.    Perhaps they used the bomb only as a distraction.  Kathy altered the simulation parameters.  What if the bomb were placed on the security access panel?  The computer seemed to pause as it considered the new scenario.  Moments later, Kathy studied the results, and felt a chill go up her spine.  Given the known parameters for the bomb, if placed directly on the security access panel, it would have wiped out security for the entire garage.  Caleb, no matter how talented, could not have retrieved anything from charred remains.
        But that was not the most intriguing part of the analysis.
     Hiding at the end, sneaking up unexpectedly, and then waiting to ambush, was the most intriguing part of all; according to simulation results, the bomb, placed on the security access panel, would have remained contained to the security system, no other system harmed.   Her eyes narrowed, ~Awfully considerate for terrorists,~ she thought with surprise and dismay.
        She set that discovery aside, and pulled up the data retrieved from the security system.  They had to be missing something.  Why bother going this far to destroy the data unless it was dangerous?  She ordered the computer to put the video into a continuous loop.  She leaned back in her chair studying the video from the slightly increased distance.  Something would come to her, it was only a matter of time.
        Her global beeped.  Reaching across her desk, she picked it up and opened the screen in one smooth motion.  She smiled as she recognized her caller, "Ethan! Anything new to share?"
 Ethan nodded, "I just talked to Caleb, he says that the security equipment at
the parking garage had no bomb residue."  He paused for a moment to let that
one sink in.
        "Hmmmmm, that's a new one on me.  What kind of bomb does that?"
      "Well, that's the kicker, we can't identify the material.  At least not immediately.  Maybe with a little work, my friend can identify it all, but that takes time.  He does think he's identified the trigger, though.  The explosive material reacts to radiation.  So the initial theory of an early explosion may still be accurate, if the bombers encountered an unexpected radioactive source."
           "Yes, perhaps, but that doesn't make me feel any better."
        Ethan frowned at this comment, "Have you found anything?"
 Kathy sighed, "I think so, at least if our preliminary report on the bomb parameters holds up . . . ."  Her global made a sudden chirp.  Kathy knew of only one call she was expecting, "Ethan can you wait a moment?  I'm expecting a call from a Companion regarding one of the missing doctors."
        "No problem."
 Kathy switched channels, and as she hoped, a Taelon appeared on her screen. "Agent, Morgan?"
        "Yes?"
        "Greetings.  I am Ra'el.  I understand you wish to speak to me?"
        "Yes, Ra'el, if you have the time, I would like to speak to you about Dr. Christian, at your convenience, of course!"
        The Taelon tilted his head to the side and forward slightly, "I am available now, if you can come?"
        "Yes, I'll be there in just a few minutes."
        "I await your arrival."
     Ending the call, Kathy switched the channel back to Ethan.  "Ethan, I am heading out now for a meeting with Ra'el.  I think we should meet to discuss this together, and I think Caleb should come too.  Maybe if we all sit down and go over this together, something will break."  ~After all three heads are better than one.~

[End]

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan, Ph.D.
Level One, U.S. Taelon Division
Security
Taelon Embassy, D.C.
 

Date: September 29
Author: Esti
Place: Unknown
Time: Present, after "A Little Theory"
Title: A cry for help

 Rosemary frantically pounded on the only door to the small room where she and Jennifer were being kept. Jennifer's behaviour had been odd, to say the least, and Rosemary had kicked herself for not noticing the symptoms earlier.
 "What is it?" a gruff male voice answered from the other side of the door.
 "Jennifer is injured, with a concussion. She needs medical treatment, and not just from me. You've got to get her medical attention!"
 Rosemary jumped as someone unlocked the door. She was hoping that they were taking her plea seriously. She wondered if her 'entertainment' had possibly hurt any possibility of Jennifer getting the attention she needed.
 The men were taking no chances. The door opened, but they were clearly on their guard, fully armed, and certainly quietly letting her know that they weren't letting her get away with anything. As she watched, Jennifer groaned as one of the men went over to examine her.
 Rosemary hoped that the men would send for help soon.

Date: 9/29
Author: KVS
Place: Outside of FBI headquarters, Washington, D.C.
Time: Shortly after "The Rock"
Subject: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

 Ethan left FBI headquarters in a daze.  He could not report this to Sandoval.
 A sickness began to well up inside of him.  He wanted to throw up, thinking that would make him feel better, somehow.
 Ethan extended his Global and punched up Caleb Richardson.
 "Looks like you were right, Caleb."
 "What did you find out?"
 "My source here was able to confirm the Taleon component of the bomb, which means that if the FBI had investigated the bombing, they would have discovered the Taelon connection and very likely gone public with it."
 "Which explains why the kidnappers snagged them at the Taelon facility. With the implants investigating, they'd probably cover up anything they found."
 Ethan thought about that for a moment.  The Taelons were involved with the kidnapping, either directly or indirectly.  But what would they want with Christian and Schultz?  Were both their target, or were they just after one of them?  They needed to ascertain exactly how the Taelons are involved and why, but first things first...
 "So how goes the search for the kidnappers?"
 "I've got a few ideas.  I'll need to use your shuttle."
 "I'm on my way."
-----------
Special Security Agent Ethan Miles
U.S. Taleon Division
Level One
 
 

Date: October, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Atlantis
Time: After "A Time For Truth"
Subject: Turmoil

 James watched in shocked silence as Tara Carmichael pushed off on her SDV. "Turmoil" was a good term to describe his thoughts and emotions as they roiled and writhed in his spirit.  Too many things had been dropped in his lap in the last 12 hours and he was on the edge of "going postal", losing it beyond recapture.
 The one thing that had him most disturbed was the fact that his own darling wife KNEW about Tara's missing MI and never breathed a single clue or hint of her knowledge.  James didn't know whether to be hacked off or grin with admiration at her deception.  Most importantly, should he trust her judgment in regards to the secrecy?
 ~Is Carmichael a threat?~, he wondered.  ~What if whoever has Jennifer gets this info from her and it leaks?  Will this put Jen in danger?~  His head began to ache from the possibilities.  Or was it after effects from his injuries?
 As he followed Tara's lithe form into the city, he decided to trust Jen and Tara.  ~Why disturb the status quo?  In other words, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it",~ he reasoned.
 Satisfied with his solution, he caught up with Tara and gave her what he hoped was a believable thumbs-up.  Whatever her motivation, she was safer as a potential ally than as an immediate enemy.
 Tara looked at James as he gave her an uncharacteristic thumbs-up.  Wary and suspicious, the thought had crossed her mind that if she had made a mistake in trusting this man she might never see Ryan again.  She knew from reading his dossier that he wouldn't hesitate to kill her if he perceived her to be a threat to either himself or the mission.  However, her sense in such matters was usually unerring and accurate, to a fault.  Making her mind up she, she drew her finger across her face in a downward, and then an upward curving motion, She was pleased to see his eyes light up in recognition of her "smile" gesture. Perhaps she had made the right choice, after all.
 Behind them, the probe hovered, a silent sentinel from another world_
 

Commander James Christian
Level 3
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: October 1
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: Unknown location
Time: Present, set during "A cry for help"
Subject: Meditations

 Jennifer let her mind wander through the strange expanse that was on the edge of the Taelon Commonality.  She did not wish to intrude, for fear of being discovered, but her curiosity caused her to roam close.  Vaguely, she was aware that Rosemary was calling for help.  Her plan was working!  Now, if the kidnappers -were- under orders to keep them safe, as Jennifer had suspected, things should really start to get interesting.
 Letting incoherent sounds escape her lips, Dr. Christian forced herself to relax into the meditative state that Ra'el had taught her.  It was necessary for humans to meditate and learn the control that was required to function in the higher mental realms.  Fortunately for Jennifer, it gave the appearance of being nearly unconscious_~Rather like killing two birds with one stone.~ She thought.  ~I get to practice my meditation and I get to feign injury.~
 She was forced to abandon her musings when her "hosts" entered the room and began to examine her.  It would require all of her concentration to remain in the meditative state.  She briefly sent out a request to Ra'el for help. He had been able to adjust her physical body through their mental link before.  Perhaps he could lend an assist now_

****************************************************************************

 Several long minutes later, the agents left the room in silence.  Their leader was muttering profanities under his breath.  *Someone* was going to have to contact their employer_this he did NOT look forward to_

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Jennifer Christian
CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division
Level Five
 
 
 
 
 

Date: October 3, 1998
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Time: a few hours after "I saw it on Pop-Up-Video, so it must be true!"
Place: Caleb's Office
Subject: "I miss the cold war. I really do."

 Back in the late eighties, the cold war was winding to a close.  But as Billy Joel and Billy Crystal were performing in Russia, and the famous Russian Tserk (circus) was coming to America, the old enemies were still playing spy games.
 By the mid nineties, when Caleb was a teenager, much of that information had been declassified, and released to the public via PBS.  One of the shows was about robot bugs that looked and acted like real bugs... but they were never practical because they could never fly with the heavy audio or video equipment that would make a bug... well, a bug.
 At the end of the cold war, the plans were scrapped.  However, technology of miniaturization advanced over the years.
 Caleb had to sacrifice an old 8x4x16 CD/RW, but it was turning out nicely. The laser was already beginning to carve the fine etchings needed in the glass mold.  Soon, he'd be able to fill the mold with the metal alloy, and create a few high tech bugs.
 Although it wasn't exactly in his job description, Caleb felt that he had to do everything in his power to try to get those two people back safely.
 He had walked into that garage only 3 hours before the bomb went off.  It very easily could have been him.  And he'd like to know that they would be doing everything they could for him, if he was in the situation of the two doctors.
 Soon he'd have 5 bugs, wingspan of about 4 inches, each one capable of carrying a 30g load (not including the 10g battery and radio equipment), and flying at about 30Km/h for 30 minutes.
 He'd already decided to name them.  Seinfeld, Carry, Allen, Poundstone, and Carvey.
 After all, if you can't have a sense of humor during a crisis...
 <Incoming Call>
 It was Ethan.
 "Hi Ethan.  Thanks for the lift."
 "Agent Morgan still wants to meet us both.  Is everything ready over there?"
 "Oh, yes.  I'm sorry to keep you both waiting, It's just that this is going to take about an hour and a half, and I figured that if I could get it started before the meeting, the computer would still be able to work with them during the meeting.  Save time that way.  At any rate, I'm heading upstairs now."
__________________________
Caleb Richardson
Level 1
Computer Specialist
US Taelon Division
 
 
 
 

Date: October 6, 1998
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: Atlantis
Time: Present, after "Turmoil"
Subject: Entering the realm of the gods
 

  As Tara and James journeyed further into Atlantis, the ruins became more and more reminicent of ancient Egypt. Yet there was also something different about them as well. Suddenly, something caught Tara's eye. Many of the structures looked almost intact, which was strange, considering the deluge it had suffered.
 She maneuvered the SDV to head for what appeared to be an entrance. They had seen many entrances, but there was something about this structure that seemed to draw all of her attention, as if it were beckoning her.
 "Tara, what are you doing?" James asked, with concern apparent in his voice.
 "We're suppose to retrieve any technology we find, right? Well, we need to look everywhere. In fact, it's probably more likely for us to find technology inside these structures, rather than outside," she explained, "Of course, I also want to get a look inside one of these buildings."
 "That's dangerous," he replied, "The whole thing could come right down on you, and then you'd be trapped."
 "Well, she replied, "Life isn't fun without a little adventure! Besides, the Great Pyramids are still standing."
 "They're also standing in a desert, not under the ocean."
 "I'm going inside," she replied with calm conviction, "You can either join me or not." There was no attitude in her voice. She was simply stating facts. With that, she disappeared into the dark entrance.
 "Damn!" he replied, following her in.

 Tara manuevered the light on the SDV around the chamber as she entered. The walls were carved with beautiful heiroglyphs in gold, accented by what appeared to be ivory, tourqios, azula and onyx. She couldn't make out the words, but she knew she'd remember the glyphs later, if she chose to translate them.
 As she slowly spun the light around, it rested in a large structure that looked like a type of console. It was made from a type of rosy colored quartz that she'd never seen before. Suddenly James was beside her.
 "What is that?" he asked.
 "I don't know . . ." she replied, mystified.
 They both swam up to it to investigate. On the console were carved more heiroglyphs.
 "Enter the  realm of the gods . . . I believe that's what it says," she stated, looking at the handprint that had been carved on the console. It looked very human.
 Tara made a quick decision and reached out, placing her hand in the carved indentation. Suddenly, a door slid down where the entryway had been, and another door slid open. They had mistaken the door that had just opened as a wall.
 "Good going, Carmichael. Any other brilliant ideas?"
  She knew she deserved his sarcasm, but she was ready to press on."Well . . . let's see what's on the other side of that door, shall we?"
 As soon as they made their way through this new opening, they stopped in their tracks. There, standing in the water was an image of a man, who looked very much like an Egyptian Pharoah. Only his hair was a striking sandy blond and his eyes were a bright, clear green. His tunic was a crisp white and he wore fine gem-encrusted gold jewelry.
 He gazed at both of them, then spoke . . .
 ~Why have you come to seek the gods?~ asked the voice.
 It took them a moment to realize that this man was a holographic image of some type and that they were being contacted telepathically in their own language. Whoever had designed this program was far more advanced that the human race was. Perhaps they were even more advanced than the Taelons . . . Tara played with the idea for a moment. The first order of business what to find out who these gods were.
 "We have come seeking knowledge," Tara replied, not knowing whatelse to say.

Tara Carmichael
Level 5
Assistant Head of Security for Zo'or
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: October 6, 1998
Author: Heretic
Location: Flat Planet Cafe
Time: One Night After "Killing Time"
Subject: Restraint

 "Don't be an idiot." the woman told John Smith.
 "I'm not being an idiot."  John snapped.  "Has Doors even TOLD Whitney to get a close-up of the van's registration sticker?!"
 "Look, kid,"  the woman snapped.  "The Taelons have made the kidnapping public, which means that they're pursuing it themselves.  Now, believe it or not, there is the slightest chance that the Taelon's investigators might, POSSIBLY, be able to do their jobs better than you can do their jobs for them.  We appreciate your early warning about the kidnappings, but there's nothing that you, personally, can do right now.  If nobody has thought to get a shot of the van's registration yet, Agent Whitney will suggest it.  Now: _LET_IT_GO!_"
 She saw his face fall, and her expression and voice softened.
 "Look, I know you're worried about that doctor, and I think that it's really sweet that you care about somebody you've never met,"  she said, "But you've got to have some faith in the people looking for her.  I know it stinks to have to sit and wait for somebody else to come up with a solution, but it's the best thing you can do right now.  Save your skills for when they'll truly be an asset."
 They faced off for a moment, and then John backed off.
 "Fine."  he sighed.  "I don't like it, but you're right.  Can somebody at least keep me posted?"
 "I'll do the best I can."  she promised.

John Smith
Thief
Level 2
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: October 9
Author: Esti
Place: Unknown
Time: Present, during "Unexpected Happenings"
Title: A Silver Lining

 She was alone.
 They'd responded to her call and taken Jennifer out of there, presumably to get her medical treatment. Probably didn't want either one of them to be able to ID the doctor that they were getting. They were obviously panicked, if she was guessing right. Whoever held them was obviously concerned about their safety. Probably not the Liberation, then, although if you believed Doors' people then this was entirely in line for them.
 Already she was worried about Jennifer. Her coworker hadn't shown any signs of being sick- well, not really. Unless you counted some stuff she was muttering, which kind of made Rosemary wonder if Jennifer had been showing any abilities in the psychic realm. Oh, well.
 She had to stay sane. She had to, until they came back with Jennifer. But what to do? What to do?
 Something occured to her and she smiled, a smile that might have scared even her captors. She began to sing. "Why are there so many songs  about rainbows..."
--
NRPG: The song is "The Rainbow Connection", out of "The Muppet Movie". I
hope to be back up to speed with everything soon, folks!
--
Dr. Rosemary Schultz
Level 6
CVI specialist
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: 10-9-98
Author: Amy
Place: Ra'el's Private Living Quarters, U.S Taelon Research Facility
Time: Just After "Pieces of the Puzzle"
Title: Unexpected Advice

 Kathy followed the technician as he escorted her to Ra'el's private living area.  She was surprised, she had assumed the meeting would be at his office. She did not know much about him, except that he worked at the Research facility researching CVI's.  She had considered calling Pa'el, to ask for information, but that was a very human thing, she was not sure that a Taelon would care to provide information about another without the other's consent. She decided to reconsider contacting him after she spoke to Ra'el.
 Ra'el . . . Pa'el  ~I wonder if the similarity of name means something?~  Not much was known about Taelon relationships, perhaps they were `family' in some way.  She made a mental note to ask Pa'el the next time they spoke.
        Arriving at Ra'el's living quarters, the technician departed quietly.  Before she could discover the appropriate means of announcing her arrival, the door opened.  Beyond the exterior human-like doorway, lay an organic based Taelon living area.  In the doorway stood a Taelon.
 "Ra'el?" she asked quietly.
 "Yes. And you must be Agent Morgan.  Please, come in."  Kathy stepped through the doorway, glancing around her curiously.  "I am told you wanted to ask me about Dr. Christian?"
 "Yes, I assume you've been briefed on the situation?"
 "Yes, I was briefed on the mothership, the security film is quite clear."
 Kathy paused, "I see."  She hesitated for a moment, "Ra'el, do you know of any reason why Dr. Christian might have been kidnapped?"
 "With regard to her research?"
 "Yes."
 "Dr. Christian works on sensitive research involving the CVI, the Cyber-Viral Implant.  Some humans would consider this work . . . controversial."
 "I understand.  But there has been no ransom note, and in fact I believe that the terrorists went out of their way to not damage the building itself."
 "Then there is hope that they will not wish to harm the doctors."
 "Perhaps.  It's not often that terrorists are so considerate."  Some of the sarcasm she was feeling must have entered her voice, because Ra'el seemed to react to the emotions behind the statement.
 "You have a theory then."  It was not a question.
 Kathy studied him cautiously.  She had not meant to give so much away.  "The bomb had a least one component of Taelon, technology, not unusual in itself, but the bomb- well, we believe it detonated prematurely, before it was correctly positioned."  She paused before stating, "Placed at the most strategic location, it would not have damaged the building, but it would have completely destroyed the security system."
 Ra'el absorbed this information in silence.  "I see.  You have a difficult job, locating criminals, is it dangerous, too?"
 Kathy studied him for a moment, wondering at the seeming change of topic. "It can be, especially if I'm being kept in the dark about something," she said somewhat pointedly.  That certainly applied to the Atlantis Project, and her gut told her it applied to the kidnaping as well.
 Ra'el tilted his head and studied her, "Why might a superior keep you `in the dark'?"
 Kathy forced herself to slow down.  For some reason she could not seem to keep her mouth shut around Ra'el; clearly he understood her more than the average Taelon.  "Of course there are all kinds of reasons, many of them quite legitimate."
 Ra'el studied her for a very long moment, and nodded his head, "And of course there are at least as many improper ones."
 Kathy blinked, and took a quiet, deep breath ~how am I supposed to respond to that?~
 "As an experienced FBI agent, I am certain that you are aware of all these possibilities," he paused, and very pointedly made eye contact, "and I am certain you take every precaution."
 Kathy blinked, wondering vaguely if her jaw was hanging open.  "Of course," she finally managed.
 Ra'el continued to stare at her intently, "In such a situation, one would chose one's allies with great care, and work to assure that one did not delve into the investigation farther than is prudent."
 Kathy's brain finally kicked in, and took her in an unexpected direction, "When were you on the mothership?"  Two could change the subject just as easily as one.
 "Early this morning, I returned to Earth at approximately 11:00 A.M..  Why?"
 Kathy considered whether to go on, but she had failed to use caution during this interview  ~Why start now?~
 "Caleb didn't retrieve the security information for us until almost noon."
 There was another long pause, "I spoke to Pa'el before you arrived.  He indicated that you were perceptive . . .  and discrete."  He tilted his head to one side, "So you see, I do not believe that you are Don Quixote - you are not `tilting at windmills.'"
 Kathy laughed at the image - even more that a Taelon had drawn it.
 "I trust that I may rely on your . . . discretion in this matter?"
 "Completely," she responded.

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan, Ph.D.
Level One, U.S. Taelon Division
FBI/Specialist
Taelon Embassy, D.C.
 
 
 

Date: 10/9
Author: KVS
Place: Caleb Richardson's office
Time: present, after "I miss the cold war"
Subject: The game is afoot

 It was getting dark, and they still hadn't reached an agreement on the matter.
 "I'm telling you, we have to keep this under wraps until we find them."
 Ethan paced furiously back and forth, well on his way to wearing a hole in the floor.  He replayed the Taelon news briefing several times, and each time he watched it, it incensed him even more.
 He KNEW the Taelons were involved, somehow.
 "I disagree.  If the Taleons ARE involved, we need to expose them.  Now."
 Ethan was surprised at Caleb's response to the situation.
 "All in due time, Caleb.  If this gets out, they might just panic and kill them."
 Caleb sat at the conference table, looking at a different monitor.  This one showed the explosion at the garage.  Actually, it showed an extreme close-up of the van taken from the Taelon digital security cameras atop the embassy building.  The 14-picometer passive particle scanning technology was something Sony could never have dreamed of.
 They could just make out enough of the digits of the registration number of the van.  Enough to match the van with a name.
 Ethan turned to Agent Morgan.
 "Well, Kate, you just talked to Ra'el.  Did you get any impressions from him?"
 Kate stood and circled the table as she spoke.
 "I believe the Taelons are genuinely concerned for Drs. Christian and Schultz.  I'm certain Ra'el doesn't know anything about the situation, and Da'an is very distraught.  Besides, it was Da'an that provided us with this footage from the digital cameras."
 "That's right," said Ethan.  "They installed the cameras not long after I started here.  I don't think anyone else knew about them, other than Da'an and embassy security."
 Ethan looked at the security camera footage, and began to think aloud.
 "The kidnappers must not have known about the digital cameras.  Their bomb was intended to completely knock out the security system in the garage.  They went through painstaking measures to make sure that it looked like some terrorist bombing, rather than a kidnapping."
 "They made some mistakes, though," Caleb pointed out.
 "I don't think they did," continued Ethan.  "I mean, they had no control over the bomb going off early.  They had no reason to know about the digital security cameras.  They obviously aren't experts when it comes to Taelon technology, but no one is.  But no ransom note, no demands?  This adds up to a very bad situation."
 Just then, Ethan's global went off.
 "Ethan, what's your status?"  It was Agent Whitney.
 "We're just about to get our teams together."
 "Good.  I'll inform Agent Sandoval."
 Ethan closed the global.
 "So Ethan, if they made no mistakes, then how come we are about to find them?"
 "Didn't you ever watch Star Trek?"
 Caleb and Kathy looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
 "It's possible to make no mistakes, and still lose the game."
----------------
Special Agent Ethan Miles
U.S. Taleon Division
Level 1
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: October 10
Place: A building.  Somewhere.
Time: After Dr. Christian's release
Subject: Fear.

 The three sat, heads down, around a table.  Off to one side of that table, a television replayed the recording of the Taelon's press release.  On the other side, a computer, like a sentinel, maintained a strict watch on all surrounding areas of the building.
 "There has to be more to it than that.  They've gotta be hiding something."
 "How much more -is- there?  We were pretty thorough."
 "But the bomb blew up too soon."
 "A minor problem; we made up for it."
 "The Taelons mentioned their cameras...Didn't we disable them?"
 "We disabled the human ones; there must have been others."
 A voice came from the nearby room; singing.  One man growled and stood up. Another stopped him, "Don't bother.  She'll wear herself out eventually.  And besides, the music keeps this eerie silence away."
 "It's all in your head."
 "Maybe, but it never hurts to be careful."
 A pause.
 "You know they'll be after us ASAP."
 "Yeah, that's probably right."
 "What does the boss say?"
 The head of the group spun his chair around and typed something into the computer.  There was no reply.  Scared, he checked his bank account.  The money was still in it.  Luckily.
 "No boss.  Not there."
 "Crud.  So what do we do now?"
 "Wait, I'd imagine."
 "For what, the army of taelon soldiers?"
 "Maybe we should just leave her here and run."
 "Run?  That's not like you?"
 "Sorry, man.  It's just that I'm not used to an enemy who can get from here to the other side of the world faster than I can get to the bathroom."
 "Death from above."
 "Yeah, something like that."
 "Well, think, maybe they'll just give us a call and ask for her."
 "Ha.  I'd say our best hope is that they don't want her hurt any more than we do."
 They sighed.
 In the background, the news casters drolled out their version of the story...
 
 

Date: October 12, 1998
Author: Heretic (heretic@capital.net)
Location: Taelon Embassy
Time: 03:20, present date.
Subject: Jumping the gun...

 ~There has GOT to be a better way than this!~ John thought as he hung upside down from the wall of the Embassy, taking some screws out of a security camera.  When the last screw came out, he opened the back of the camera up and looked inside.  He checked the internal wires, compared them to the wires that he had brought with him, and quickly got to work.
 He cut a length of wire equal to one of the ones in the camera.  The two were the same brand, their only difference being that the one that John carried no longer worked properly.  He quickly yanked the first wire out and replaced it with his own before putting the panel back on the camera.
 Twisting himself upright, he hopped to the ground and went to the entranceway, holding his Masterpiece up to the optical scanner.  A holographic image of Dr. Schutz's retina was picked up by the scanner, and the door opened.
 John stepped inside immediately headed for a stairwell.  Stepping in, he ran up two flights of stairs and then stepped into the corridor.
 He was in luck.  The corridor not only didn't have a surveillance camera, it  looked like it contained offices with button locks instead of optical scanners  (~it makes sense,~ he thought, ~These are a lot cheaper, and everybody has to  get by the optical scanners in order to even be in here~).  Fortunately, they were easy to bypass, and he was.
 The office had a computer.  While this one DID have a scanner, he had privacy and time, so he simply opened up the computer and bypassed the security lock. taking the time to load the computer owner's retinal pattern into his Masterpiece's memory while he was at it.
 Turning on the computer, he called up a schematic of the building, searching for the security and medical divisions.  With luck, he thought, he should be able to get the information he wanted without being seen.
 As long as he walked normally, it was unlikely that anybody would take notice of him, he realized.  Unfortunately for him, he had already been spotted, although it was nobody who would set off the Taelon's alarms.

                                 **************

 In the Headquarters of the liberation, a call came in.
 "Mister Doors?"  somebody called out.
 "What?"  Doors answered.
 "Do you remember how you told that baby thief not to do anything too stupid...?"
 "Wait."  Doors said in completely even tones.  "Before you continue, you are going to wait until I fix myself an extremely stiff drink..."

                                 **************

 He went to the medical division first.  The security would be lighter, and he would have access to Dr. Shultz's computer from there.  Hopefully, he'd be able to get to the camera data afterwards.  With luck, he might find something on her computer that would help him do this.  If not, he'd just have to break something important and hope it provided enough of a distraction for him to get
the camera data.
 The medical facility was empty this time of night, which suited him fine.  Just in case, he had worn coveralls and carried a toolbox, intending to explain that one of the computers was reported to be broken, and fully prepared to break it in order to demonstrate the problem.  Fortunately, that didn't prove necessary and he went into Dr. Schultz's office unmolested.  Sitting down at her computer, he began to call up her files, glancing through them for a hint of a clue as to why someone would kidnap her while he tried to think of how to get into the security division's systems (he reflected that, perhaps, he should have put a bit more though into this caper before breaking in).
 There wasn't much that interested him in the files.  Medical files were extremely boring to read, in his opinion, so he simply glanced through them in order to get a general idea of what she was talking about.  He considered downloading the files just in case the doctor was found dead, since they'd probably clean the files out if she was.  He rejected the idea, considering it too ghoulish.
 A file about the CVI's caught his attention.  He had heard a lot of talk about Implants and the "Cybervirus" that they had in their brains.  Curious as to what the big deal was, he read through.  The file, he quickly saw, was a user-friendly summary of the CVI and how it worked.  He skimmed over the text that talked about neural pathways and full-sensory recall, having enough understanding of what was being said to get the general idea and having no interest in figuring out the exact details.
 He had just started to get bored when he reached a section entitled "Motivation Imperitives".  He took a glance at it, and whispered a curse.  He went back to the top of the section, and reread it, slowly, taking note of every single word.
 His mission was scrubbed, and was about to be blown, he realized.  It didn't matter.  The Liberation had to be told.  Had to be warned.
 The computer had an FTP program on it, which he started up.  He connected to a sight that he often used when he did data theft jobs.  The Taelons would be able to trace the data to the site, but they wouldn't know who downloaded it from that site, especially if Augur was the one who retrieved the data.
 He moved all the most necessary files to a folder and got ready to start the upload.  Going to the window, he opened it and took a small satchel out of his backpack.  Pressing a switch on the satchel, he flung it out the window, aiming it towards the an area of the building that he was reasonably sure was uninhabited.
 He then went do the entrance of the medical lab and booby-trapped the door.  He used a small amount of explosive, with one of his home-made flash bombs behind the charge.  The charge was little more than an industrial strength firecracker.  It would make a lot of noise, and anybody near it when it went off would have their ear's ringing for a day or so, and would probably see spots in front of their eyes for an hour from the flash bomb, but shouldn't suffer from any long-term effects.  On the other hand, in the short-term, anybody caught in the blast would be blind, deaf, inclined to walk into doorways rather than through them, and disinclined to shoot at half-pint thieves with any degree of accuracy.
 Closing the window, he dialed Augur's contact number, leaving the number to his own Global, along with several "911" codes, in the message.
 "C'mon... c'mon... c'mon..."  he though impatiently as a minute ticked by.  He called a second time.  A minute later he called again.
 "Answer the Global!"  he whispered, wanting to punch the desk in frustration but not wishing to make any more noise than necessary.
 A minute later, he paged aurgur again.  A few seconds afterwards, as various stages of panic began to manifest, his Global beeped.  He snapped it open and saw Augur's face on the screen.
 "What took you so long?!"  John demanded.
 "I was using the bathroom."  Augur replied.  "I'd left my Global on the table. What seems to be the problem."
 "The Liberation is compromised."  John said immediately.  "Grace Whitney is a triple-agent, and her final loyalties will to the Taelons.  I'm dumping the data with the necessary details at the following site: 204.97.182.250,23..."
 "WAIT...!"  Augur began to say when John's Global started beeping.  Someone within the building was tracing the signal.  He had little doubt that Augur protected himself from such scrying attempts, but he knew that they'd be able to trace his signal easily.  He immediately shut his global off, cutting off Augur was Augur began to say something about Whitney's loyalties."
 He started the upload and then reached into his pocket.
 The satchel charge that he had thrown out the window had been intended as a action of last resort, a way to guarantee that the Taelon security division would be looking elsewhere.  He hadn't wanted to use it unless he had gotten desperate, but he decided that the situation applied here.
 He kept a close eye on the screen, his finger on the satchel charge's detonator, while he hooked a descent line up by the window.
 Once the line was secure, he told the computer to start the upload, and then
went out the window
 The Taelons didn't hire idiots, he realized.  It was only a matter of time, minutes at the most, before one of their computer security people detected the upload and traced it back here.  He wanted to be long gone before that happened.

                                 **************

 Doors looked at Augur's screen as Augur briefed him on the current situation. Augur was grateful for his skin tone: Door's language would have made most marine's blush.
 "Perhaps we should have given him more information to begin with."  Augur suggested.
 "Go away."  Doors replied, resisting the urge to have another drink.

John Smith
Thief
Level 2
US Taelon Division
 

DATE: 12 October
AUTHOR: Kittykat
TIME: present
PLACE: in the water just off the Catspaw
SUBJECT: Ancient History

 Moving slowly along the coral reef, Kitty carefully brushed the silt away from a strange-looking portrusion in the sand. Happily, she was rewarded with yet another fragment of what seemed to be some sort of document carved in black marble that was strangely new for something
that had been buried under the sea for thousands of years.
 Twining over the surface of the tablet Kitty had previously uncovered were what she could only identify as dragons- some of the typical Western type and others that snaked along as only Oriental dragons could. Near the dragon pictures was writing of some sort that looked quite close to and Egyptian script called demotic.
 Placing the fragment into a small net bag she was carrying, Kitty grabbed the nearest dolphin fin and let the whale bring her back to the surface for some air. She'd been puttering around in the silt since she'd discovered Squeaker's burned fin, trying to find artifacts that might have been blown to another portion of the Medditerranean when Atlantis sank in the firey cataclysm.

 ~Too bad I still haven't figured out what that stupid ball does.~ Kitty thought, sighing as she carefully placed the bag on the Catspaw's deck. Climbing up after it, she once again checked her mail to see if Caleb had answered her earlier message. Seeing that he hadn't, Kitty dug around in the cabin for the rest of the partially-assembled tablet and the super glue. Resting near the supplies on the table was the strangely glowing silver ball that Squeaker had recovered from the Atlantis site, which was still swarming with Taelon operatives.
 "Well, might as well get back to work and see just what's so important about these bloody dragons..."

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Computer Hacker, level 3
US Taelon Division
kahiki@hotmail.com
 
 

Date: October 12, 1998
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Time: Continuing "The game is afoot"
Place: Caleb's Office
Subject: "Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices?"

 "They made some mistakes, though," Caleb pointed out.
 "I don't think they did," continued Ethan.  "I mean, they had no control over the bomb going off early.  They had no reason to know about the digital security cameras.  They obviously aren't experts when it comes to Taelon technology, but no one is.  But no ransom note, no demands?  This
adds up to a very bad situation."
 Just then, Ethan's global went off.
 "Ethan, what's your status?"  It was Agent Whitney.
 "We're just about to get our teams together."
 "Good.  I'll inform Agent Sandoval."
 Ethan closed the global.
 "So Ethan, if they made no mistakes, then how come we are about to find them?"
 "Didn't you ever watch Star Trek?"
 Caleb and Kathy looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
 "Which one... there were 8 different series you know.  And I hated Berman's writing, so I didn't even see most of them."  Caleb said.
 "The original.  'It's possible to make no mistakes, and still lose the game.'"
 "That also applies to us, though," Caleb replied.
 <DING!> the computer interrupted.  Caleb walked over to the computer.  A nice pop up window had appeared, telling him <Disk Ejection Error: Eject Disk Manually and call Customer Service Immediately>  Caleb ignored the message.  All that meant was that the lazer was finished putting the etchings into the glass.  When you modify a CD-RW source code into that of a scalpel, you're bound to get a few weird messages from time to time.
 Now it was Ethan's turn to look puzzled.  "What is that you have cooking there?"
 As Caleb carefully inserted a square centimeter cube of the Titanium-Magnesium alloy into the mold, he replied.
 "We are going to find where these kidnappers are... or at least where their van is.  Even though they've returned Christian, we know that Shultz is still in danger... she was probably the main target.  I've tried to bring up the files on what she was working on, but it's all encrypted, of course."
 ~Obviously, if even the Sysop can't access the material, it must be big stuff indeed.~
 "So, I'm making these bugs.  In both sense of the word.  Chances are they didn't switch cars... no need to leave DNA evidence.  So the van is probably near the hideout.  Since we now know the van, we'll find the hideout, it'll just take time.  But, as you said, if they see any suspicious cars in the area, they may panic.  These things will let us get a layout of the area, locate exactly where Shultz is, see how the kidnappers are armed, and most importantly, put a face to the kidnappers."
 "How long will it take?" Ethan asked.
 "10 minutes to make them from mold and cool them down, 5 minutes to put them together. About an hour for all.  But we need all five."
 "Why?"
 "Well, these things can only carry a load of 30 grams.  If you put video surveillance with infrared on one, you need another one to put audio surveillance, another one for a tracking device, one for a VERY small holographic projector, and then, just in case, we need one that will latch onto someone's neck and deliver a large jolt of electricity, knocking them unconscious."
 "Why not more than five.  We can knock all the kidnappers unconscious before they know what hit them?"
 "I can only control five at once.  After that, I can't keep formation, and I lose track of them."

Date: October 14, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: A Safe House in Alexandria, Virginia
Time: Present
Title: Revelations

 "Agent Whitney." Da'an called out. Grace looked up at him from where she sat across from his chamber in the safe house. They had returned from the mothership nearly 3 days ago. Grace stood up and walked over to the door.
 "Yes, Da'an?" she asked.
 "Come." Da'an invited her in with a graceful motion of his hand. Grace looked over towards where Ken Grayson stood.
 "Ken, take over for me. I'll only be a few moments." she said. Ken nodded and walked over to take her post as she entered the Taelon's chamber. As she entered the chamber Da'an closed the door with a wave of his hand and motioned to a Taelon style chair near his own.
 "Please, be seated." he said.
 Grace sat down in the alien chair and to Da'an's quiet amusement, looked at the chair strangely. After a few seconds she settled back into the seat and looked up at Da'an.
 "The chair is not comfortable?" he asked.
 "I've always wondered what Taelon chairs feel like. To be honest I think that they were better designed for Taelon comfort considerations than that of human ones." Grace answered.
 "Indeed." he replied. Suddenly the amusement vanished from Da'an's eyes and he leaned closer to Grace. "You are different, Agent Whitney." he said quietly.
 "I don't understand, Da'an." Grace said.
 "You are different. You are not an ordinary implant such as Agent Sandoval but you are an implant was Commander Boone was." he said. Grace opened her mouth to say otherwise and Da'an stopped her with a motion of his hand. "Agent Whitney, I have observed you these last several days in which you appear to be in a state in which I believe human refer to as daydreaming. Clearly your mind has been elsewhere these past few days." Da'an said.
 Grace didn't reply and Da'an leaned closer to her.
 "Do not fear. The Synod shall have no knowledge of this." he said. Grace's eyes widened. How far did she dare trust him? Da'an sat back in his chair.
 "Da'an, do you believe in dreams having prophetic or special meanings?" she asked looking towards the wall.
 "Perhaps."
 "I had a dream not too long ago where I saw Boone. He spoke to me and told me that some sort of decision was in my near future, a decision that will change many lives." Grace said.
 "We will watch for this together." he replied.
 Grace looked at him.
 "Although Boone didn't say, I believe that he wants me to watch out for you." Grace said.
 For a moment she and the Companion stared into one another's eyes.....
 
 

Date: October 15, 1998
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Time: After "Jumping the Gun" - Night, Kidnapping +3 days
Place: Caleb's Office, dream sequence
Subject: "...I've heard them calling my name."
__________________________
NRPG:  As far as I can tell, our briefing takes place the day BEFORE John
Smith breaks in, and JS breaks in at about 3:20 AM.  I know this is kind of
confusing, since we'd be working non-chronologically, but I think I've
figured out a system.  I know that this is not official or approved, but at
least on my posts, under "Time", I'm going to put the main event + or - the
number of days that it occurred... that way we won't get confused.  And
because I don't have any reasonable standard of which to judge how much time
has actually passed since the kidnapping, I'm just going to estimate 3 days.
Of course, none of this really MEANS anything... it's really so that I don't
get confused.... anyway... on with the show.

PS.  This was inspired by Dr. Shultz's odd choice of song.  The line in it
"Have you been half asleep, and have you heard voices, I've heard them
calling my name/ Is this the same voice that calls the young sailors, I
think they are one and the same." is one of the most intriguing lines in
lyrics.
__________________________

 ~Caleb.~
  ~Hello?~
    ~Caleb.~
 ~Hello.  Is anyone there?~
 In his dream Caleb was walking down a hallway. All the doors were locked to him, although he could look through the keyholes.  Through some he saw angelic choirs and seraphim, pleasant visions of the future.
 These were in the minority.
 In one door he saw fires in a jungle, in another he saw the brightness of a thousand stars become one, and a destruction that had not been seen before. Another, he saw people clutching at their chests, breathing, but their hearts unable to beat, yet they would not die.  Still another, he saw only aged and hungry, clawing out their own eyes in the hope that they would not have to see the destruction around them.
 At the end of the hall was one doorway.  He tried it, and it was unlocked. He saw a circus, twisted and malformed by what could only be described as a combination of an evil Dr. Seuss and the dark side of man's own psyche. Animals that could not have been created by any good God.  Elephant size snakes that bit their own tail, and eventually consumed themselves into nothingness.  Floating beasts of all teeth and fangs, they could have bent their bars if they wanted too, but they were obviously tame.
  The ringmaster, a Taelon, the beast tamer, a woman dressed in a toga puerilis, with a purple stripe for nobility.  Everyone else, clowns, walking in chains.
 ~Caleb.~
 ~Who are you?~
 ~Who are you, Caleb?~
 He looked in his hands.  In one hand he held a key, a key he knew could unlock the clown's chains.  In the other hand he held three scepters, one made purely of the richest gold, one of the hardest diamond, and one of the purest pearls.
 Suddenly he was yanked out of the doorway and back into the hall.  He tried the door again... not so much that he wanted to go back, but that he wanted to know that he could.  It was locked.  But he still held the three scepters.
 The hallway opened wider, and the ceiling taller, until suddenly he was in a great hall.  He saw the figure of the voice calling him.
 The voice, unmistakably Taelon, yelled out "How now, you secret, black, and midnight hacker?    What is it you do?"
 Caleb found himself answering against his will, "A deed without a name."
 The Taelon continued. "I conjure you, by that which you profess, however you come to know it, answer me:
 Though you untie the winds and let them fight
 Against the churches, though the yesty waves
 Confound and swallow navigation up,
 Though bladed corn be lodged and trees blown down,
 Though castles topple on their warders' heads,
 Though palaces and pyramids do slope
 Their heads to their foundations, though the treasure
 Of nature's germaines tumble all together
  Even till destruction sicken, ANSWER ME TO WHAT I ASK YOU."
 Caleb now realized that he was standing in front of a cauldron, filled with ones and zeros.  To his left, he found Jenson, dressed in hag robes, wearing a beard.  To his right, he found a dark figure of a man without features, form, nor face.
 "Speak." said the formless one.
 "Demand." said Jenson.
 "We'll answer." said Caleb
 <BEEZT!  BEEZT!>
__________________________
 <BEEZT!  BEEZT!>
 ~oh god, not again. why can't i have a good night's sleep without being interrupted?~
 <BEEZT!  BEEZT!>
 ~this is the last time I read Shakespeare to try to put me to sleep... or drink cocoa... too much sugar.~
 Caleb woke.
 On the computer screen was this message:
 <Unauthorized access from Workstation MEDLAB-Shultz-001>
 Caleb thought quickly.
 <%:>SUDO MEDLAB-Shultz-001
 <%:>%:>MEDLAB-Shultz-001>kill -9 NOW>
 <System jobs are being terminated>
 He called out for security, alerting them to the break-in.  Security wasted no time in tracking a global signal coming from the MEDLAB offices.
 It was going to be another long night.
__________________________
Caleb Richardson
Level 1
Computer Specialist/Hacker
US Taelon Division
boyko2@tcnj.edu
 
 

Date: October 15
Author: Esti
Time: Unknown, Present
Place: Unknown
Title: Renditions and Thoughts

 "There must be someone WHO WILL BUY...."
 I finished off the song on a high note, although I don't suppose my captors would see it that way. Unfortunately, that was the last of the stuff I remembered from "Oliver!" and I was going to have to find something new to sing very soon. Couldn't give them that much of a respite.
 I was saving up "Cats" - I wanted to wait until later to give them a most memorable *rend*ition of "Memory". Although if I was desperate, I could also try "The Star Spangled Banner". There's a very good reason why I don't get asked to sing it.
 I started up "God Save the Queen", intending to follow it up with the Australian and Danish national anthems. I'd learned the Danish national anthem for one school report or another- should drive this bunch nuts to hear me sing that.
 Figuring that I could probably sing "God Save the Queen" while unconscious, ditto for the others, I once again pondered any way out of the room. I was worried about Jennifer and where they'd taken her. It had seemed like forever since they'd taken her, even with filling the room with songs. (Which had cheered me up, hopefully doing the opposite for my captors.) I wanted to see her again, wanted to talk to her again. I wanted to talk  to her more about Ra'el, especially after that warning he gave me.
 I was very worried about my files, given what I knew of Ra'el and the fact that he wouldn't give a frivilous warning. What if those investigating my disappearance uncovered my research into removing the MIs? I didn't want to get back to work and find myself in hot water. I also didn't want to disappear permanently.
 Oh, shoot. I was beginning to sound like I believed all the anti-Companion, pro-Resistance propaganda that my sister insisted on sending me. Next, I'd believe that the Companions were sticking CVIs into people's heads when they went through the portals. What in the heck was I thinking?
 Better just to hope, and pray, and sing, before I lost my morale. My captors couldn't win. I had to believe that.
--

Date: October 15, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: A Safe House In Alexandria, Virginia
Time: Present, Set just after "Revelation"
Title: A Visit..

 When Grace emerged from Da'an's chamber, Ken stood just outside of the door waiting for her. Grace saw the look on his face.
 "What's wrong?" she asked.
 "Sandoval is coming here to see Da'an." Ken answered.
 "What?!! He can't! He'll compromise Da'an's security if he comes here. Did you explain that to him?" Grace asked.
    Ken shrugged.
 "I tried to but since I am not an implant my words do not carry much weight with him." Ken replied. Grace took out her global.
 "How long ago did he call?"
 "About 5 minutes ago."
 "5 minutes....That means that he's not in a shuttle wherever he's coming from. He'll most likely be-"
 "Ma'am!" one of the agents called by a window.
 Grace turned to face him. She quickly joined him by the window and pulled the curtain back to peek out. A car was parked outside and the windows were tinted.
 "Who is it?" Ken asked.
 "I don't know. It could be Sandoval. Go to Da'an's chamber and lock the door. Now. Have your piece drawn." Grace ordered.
 "Yes, ma'am." Ken replied and made his way into Da'an's chamber, pulling out his gun and taking the safety off. A few seconds later the door to Da'an's chamber sealed.
 "Come on, come on. Whoever you are, get out of the car." Grace muttered. Finally the car door opened...Grace tensed and saw the familiar form of her fellow implant step out of the car. She released the breathe she had been holding...
 "Curtis, let Agent Sandoval in while I inform Da'an of his arrival."
 "Yes, ma'am."
 "Also tell Agent Sandoval I want to speak to him after his meeting with Da'an. Also get an agent outside to check his car to see if it's clear of any tracking devices." Grace ordered.
 "Yes, ma'am."
 Grace turned on her heel and walked to Da'an's chamber. Quickly she placed her palm up to the Taelon wall and it unlocked to her. Ken didn't have much cover within the chamber so he was kneeling in the corner with his gun aimed at her. Da'an had remained in his seating, staring at her.
 "False alarm. It's Agent Sandoval." Grace said.
 Ken muttered a curse and Da'an looked over at him. Ken nodded his head in apology.
 "Agent Whitney, please escort Agent Sandoval into my chamber when he is inside." Da'an said.
 "Of course, Da'an." Grace replied and nodded to Ken.
******************************************************************************

 It was 20 minutes later when Sandoval left Da'an's chamber. Grace waved him to the kitchnette and hoped that this room's walls would suffice to shield their conversation from Da'an's ears.
 "What is it that you want?" he asked. Grace had taken a seat at the table and waited a few seconds for him to do the same before she spoke. He didn't but instead he took out his pocketwatch. Grace was at the moment infuriated with him.
 "Why the !@#$ did you come here instead of using the datastream to tell Da'an whatever it was you needed to tell him?" she asked, unable to keep her temper in check. "You may have compromised his security."
 Sandoval glared at her.
 "I'll thank you to keep your temper in check, Agent Whitney. I have not compromised Da'an's security. I have been protecting the Companion longer than you have. Remember that." he said. "Secondly, the datastream is only secure when its transmission originates from the mothership and I did have the time, nor luxury of going to there to contact Da'an. Third, Agent Whitney, a member of the Synod approved my coming here to inform Da'an of the current situation."
 "Who?" Grace asked before she could stop herself.
 "Zo'or." he replied.
 ~Figures.~ she thought sourly.
 He then returned his pocketwatch to its place and shrugged into his coat.
 "Now, if you will excuse me, I am needed elsewhere." Sandoval said. Grace watched him leave in disgust. She quickly got up to talk to Agent Curtis.
 "The car was clean." Curtis reported.
 Grace nodded and motioned to Ken.
 "Get ready to move Da'an in a hurry if needed." she said. He nodded. She watched him begin to make the preparations....

Elizabeth "Grace" Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to the North American Companion, Da'an
US Taelon
Level 5
 
 

Date: October 15, 1998
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Time: After "Jumping the Gun & I've Heard" - Night, Kidnapping +3 days
Place: Caleb's Office, dream sequence
Subject: "The gods must be crazy. The companions ain't playing with a full deck either."
__________________________

 ~My god,~ thought Caleb, ~what the hell was going on here?~
 He looked at the screen at Rosemary's terminal after security dusted for prints and removed the explosive.  The files, the ones even he couldn't access, were open, unencrypted, and uploaded to an unknown site.  Whoever broke in must have had some sort of retinal access. Could these files be the real target of the kidnapping?
 My god, did the thief use Dr. Shultz's actual eye?  He had to alert Ethan, Morgan, Sandoval...   ...eventually.  Right now, what was on the screen was much too intreguing.
 <...MI is installed with the CVI in every implant... nessesary to insure that implants restrain action to that which... case of Ronald P. Sandoval... his wife, D. Sandoval, assumed dead...>
 ~Jesus.  This is weirder than science fiction!~
 Caleb dropped an RF Disk into the slot at the front of the computer.  He copied the files onto it... ~A reasonable precaution.  As soon as this computer is turned off, the files will re-encrypt.  Best copy it now, otherwise, security might not have access to it when it needs it.~
____________________
 He finished copying the rest of Dr. Shultz's account onto removable disk at his office.  That way, he could delete the account completely in case anyone tried to hack in or break in.
 That's when he got the second email from Jenson.

<Caleb:
     Surprising new development in Atlantis. Found out how pyramids were
built. Can't tell you more over e-mail. Can you find me an Egpytologist
who knows the language? Thanks.
                                                   Kitty>

 ~What the hell?~
 Caleb picked up his global.
 "Gunther."
 "Bitte, Caleb. Geben Sie mir eine Minute. Sie weckten mich oben auf. Ich normalerweise wache nicht bis Mittag auf. Es ist 9 Uhr hier, sich erinnert."
 "ich adressiere ein email zu Ihnen um. Es kam nie durch hier, versteht?"
 "was ist die grosse Idee? "
 "Sie sehen."
 He forwared the message while it was still on the server.
 "Sie ist Muttern." Ebert said.
 "Yep."
 He closed the global.
 In the words of Billy Crystal, he had an enormous headache in his eye.
__________________________
Caleb Richardson
Level 1
Computer Specialist/Hacker
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: October 15, 1998
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Time: After "Hurry Up and Wait" - Day, Kidnapping +2 days.
Place: Caleb's Office, dream sequence
Subject: "Intersect"
__________________________

 "What are you doing?"  Caleb was staring over her shoulder.
 "I'm checking the known suspects database to see if we've identified anyone who uses this particular method of operation."
 "I didn't think we had enough information to narrow the selection."  This was from Ethan.
 Kathy shrugged, "We probably don't, but unless you've got a better way to spend the time . . . ?"
 "No . . No, every little bit helps.  Maybe something will pop up."
 "It is a long shot." She acknowledged.  She shook her head, "Sorry Ethan, I didn't mean to snap, it's been a long day."
 "No problem.  We're all tired.  How long will it take?"
 "A while, we'll probably have the VIN data before this.  But it'll  kill the time, and maybe we'll even get lucky, we're certainly due."
 "Wait a minute... you guys at the FBI have a known suspects database?" Caleb suddenly interjected after being deep in thought for a couple of seconds.
 "Doctor, may I?" Caleb said as he motioned for access to his computer.
 He opened up a new command tool in XWindows CDE, and wrote a small shell script.
 "Ethan, how many numbers do we have identified on the van registration?"
 "One.  Digit number three is a one. It's unmistakable because the one looks so different from the other numbers."
 Caleb crossed referenced the output file from the FBI database with the one from van registrations.
 <FILE ~1: 360 ITEMS>
 <FILE ~2: 118604 ITEMS>
 <CROSS REFERENCING via X_cat>
 <.>
 <.>
 <.>
 <.>
 <.>
 <Estimated time left: 120 seconds>
 <.>
 <.>
 <.>
 ~Come on, Come on...~
 <.>
 <.>
 <Estimated time left: 60 seconds>
 <.>
 <.>
 <.>
 <.>
  ~Almost there...~
 <.>
 <Output: Matches: 1>
 <Shall I write to a file? Y/N>
  <Y>
 <File written #Job1.txt#>
 "I think we've found them."
_________________________
Caleb Richardson
Level 1
Computer Specialist/Hacker
US Taelon Division
boyko2@tcnj.edu
 
 
 

Date: October 16, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: A Safe House in Alexandria, Virgina
Time: Present, Set a Few Hours After "A Visit"
Title:

 Grace was startled awake at Ken's touch. She rubbed her eyes as she looked up at him disoriented.
 "Something wrong?" she asked.
 "Come here. There's someone outside the house." Ken said.
 "Show me." Grace said and was up in a flash. She took out her earpiece from her pocket just case there was trouble, just in case Ken was right.
 Together they pulled the curtain back at the window he had observed the movement from. Grace glanced at him.
 "Where did you see it?" Grace asked in a whisper.
 "To the left, near that large oak tree." he replied.
 Grace turned her glance in that direction and she saw a shadow there that she hadn't previously observed before. Instantly, her CVI recalled all the shadows that had been present during her nightly watches and she then knew that there was *someone* just outside of the house.
 "Whitney to all Companion agents. Report in."
 "Agent Curtis, standing by."
 "Agent Johnson..."
 "Agent MacNeal..."
 "Agent Cortez..."
 "Agent Donaldson..."
 "Agent Taylor..."
 "Agent Robinson..."
 "Agent Beckett..."
 "Agent Winters..."
 "Agent Gilbert..."
 "Agent Lindsey..."
 "Agent Tanner..."
 "Agent Kincaid..."
 "Agent Davis..."
 "Agent Cochran..."
 "Agent Cooper..."
 "Agent McIntyre..."
 "Agent John standing by..."
 "All agents, stand by for instructions." Grace and turned to Ken. "If I am guessing right, they've been watching us since just after sunset and they've known about our location since Sandoval's visit early today." she said.
 "Care to take an educated guess as to how many are out there?" Ken asked.
 "Probably more than enough to handle 19 guards and an implant. I swear I could choke Sandoval for coming here." Grace said.
 "Nevermind that. We have got to get ready for whatever they're planning." Ken said.
 "Right. All agents, we are now on full alert. I want an agent guarding every entrance into this house now. Keep your movements as nonchalant as possible. Agent Curtis?"
 "Ma'am?"
 "Am I correct in assuming that they've somehow made our global links disfuctional?" she asked.
 "Yes, ma'am."
 Grace swore softly to herself.
 "Curtis?"
 "Yes, ma'am?"
 "Since you're the communcations expert in this group I want you to work to break through however it is they're jamming us."
 "Yes, ma'am."
 Grace got up.
 "Where are you going?" Ken asked.
 "I'm going to inform Da'an of the situation." she replied. "I'm also going to see if we can't get through to someone on the datastream."
 A few moments later all the agents reported that they were in place and ready to meet the forthcoming assault. Grace had "awakened" and informed Da'an but was unable to use the datastream to contact anyone.
 "We're on our own...."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to the North American Companion, Da'an
US Taelon Division
Level 5
 
 
 

Author: Rilei
Place: Somewhere near Washington DC
Time: Past, Set just before "A Visit"
Title: An Unaware Stool Pigeon

 "Are you sure that this device will work?"
 "It should so as long as he doesn't stop to go to the bathroom along the way to see the Taelon."
 "Good. That means we'll soon have the Taelon's location. Get the team ready. I'll monitor the device. And remember we'll be dealing with at least one implant. Be prepared to kill her if we have to..."
 
 
 
 

Date: October 16,1998
Author: Rilei
Place: A Safe House in Alexandria, Virginia
Time: Present- Set just After "A Forthcoming Assault"
Title: Phase One: The Assault Begins
 "Get a seer probe in there now. I want to see what they are up to in there."
 "Yes, sir."
-------------------------------------------------------
 "What the !@#$ are they doing out there?" Ken muttered as Grace rejoined him. He and the other agents had donned bullet proof vests and he watched as Grace shrugged into one herself. Dove hissed as it sensed her anxiousness.
 "Easy, Ken. I need you above all people to keep his cool. They maybe trying to determine whether or not if we know about them." Grace said. Ken watched for movements on the outside....Suddenly they heard a small thud up on the rooftop, followed by glass breaking.
 "What the-" Ken muttered.
 "Agent Cortez, report."
 "I'm investigating the noise now, ma'am."
 "Keep this channel open, Cortez."
 "Yes, ma'am."
 They waited in silence for Cortez's report. Suddenly Grace heard Cortez swear under his breath in Spanish.
 "What is it?"
 "It's a seer probe."
 "Seer probe? Cortez, get out of there now."
 Suddenly they heard a small explosion, accompanied by Cortez's scream. He was most likely dead.
 "Agent Cortez, respond please." Grace waited. Glass broke again in the background.
 "They're here."

Elizabeth Grace Whitney

DATE: 16 October
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: The Catspaw
TIME: Some time after "Ancient History"
SUBJECT: Throwing Towels

 The sphere was being impossible.
 Kitty had tried every precious trick in every book, and a few she'd thought up on the fly, and still the ancient artifact refused to give up its secrets. At the moment, she had it hooked up to her recently-backuped laptop with a fiber optic cable, trying to goad the shining silver ball into doing something. Just small enough to fit comfortably in a human hand, the sphere had a tendancy to glow in the presence of what few other Atlantis artifacts Kitty had managed to unearth as far as she was from the actual site, but other than that tantalizing detail she was still basically at ground zero as far as understanding the device's purpose.
 Sighing, Kitty turned the little computer off, disconnecting the fiber optic cable as she went. However, as she was doing so, her necklace- which had first sparked her interest in the Atlantis Project- happened to brush up against the little piece of forgien tech. Like a flower opening after a spring rain, the silver device gracefully allowed its outer casing to fall away, revealing what looked very much like a modern data disk.
 With a well-deserved double take, Kitty took in the new development and then snatched up the disk. Holding her breath, she rebooted the laptop and slipped the disk into the input port.
 Biting her lower lip, she typed [read D: drive].
 [processing.... please wait.]
 Kitty knew from experience how finicky computers could be when it came to reading forgien disks. With some models one could manage to get a good three-quarters of the information contained, and in other cases not only could the computer not read the data, but it also screwed up the disk so no OTHER computers could ever read it anyway.
 [processing complete. drive D: contains 35778 files, 32 subdirectories. total space used: 977.658 megabytes, 234.92 megabytes remaining. copy files to local disk?]
 "My God! Not even the Taelon data compressors could cram that much data in a disk that size using the latest microtechnology!" Kitty breathed. Her laptop probably could only safely process half the information contained without dangerously depleting her free RAM. Taking a deep breath, Kitty typed, [dir/p].
 A string of directories paraded accross the screen until it was full, all of it in phonetically-spelled Egyptian.
 "Geeze, and to think that I was going to throw in the towel! Now I know how they built the Great Pyramids, at any rate. I wonder where I can find an Egyptologist who knows the spoken language?" Kitty said with a lopsided grin.
 Ejecting the disk and stowing it safely back in its resting place for thousands of years, Kitty entered her e-mail program and clicked on her address book for Caleb.

[Caleb:
     Surprising new development in Atlantis. Found out how pyramids were
built. Can't tell you more over e-mail. Can you find me an Egpytologist who knows the language? Thanks.
                                                   Kitty]

 Clicking "send", Kitty hoped the Caleb would find someone reliable. SHE certainly couldn't look for her own specialist, otherwise she'd run the risk of getting noticed by some overzealous Taelon-allied bureaucrat and have her admittedly distant link to the Atlantis Project discovered. Which could in turn blow open her little "job" working for Da'an. Which would end up with the Taelon facing some very tough questions, which would eventually end up with even MORE trouble on her doorstep.
 ~Bah, too many 'which's...~

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Computer Hacker, level 3
US Taelon Division
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: Octiber 17
Place: Na'ar's Shuttle, en route.
Time: During "Phase one: The assault begins"
Subject: Felt through the synod

 The synod was startled, and Na'ar startled with it.  A message from Da'an; no, a thought, a feeling.
 Something unclear: an attack?  Unsafe?
 Na'ar waved his hand, and Da'an did not appear.  He waved it again, and Quo'on did.
 "Did you feel that, Quo'on?"
 "I did.  I feel something may be awry in Da'an's safe house."
 "I have to bring our own plan to a halt -- "
 "Yes.  If anything happens to Da'an, we will take care of it."
 "Very well."
 The datastream vanished.

Na'ar
Level 2
Head of Taelon-Human Counterintelligence
 
 

Date: October, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Atlantis
Time: After "Entering the Realm of the Gods"
Subject: Not quite the deal we expected_.

  The holographic image peered at Tara, seeming to stare into her eyes in a predatory search for her soul.  No one present in the room liked that piercing gaze.  Those green eyes spoke of intelligence and a knowledge that was far more than just a comprehension of the current state of affairs. Somehow, in some way, this image knew them.  They also realized that it recognized something about them that was making it progressively hostile. The face was darkening with rage and the green orbs fairly blazed with fury.
 ~Who dares enter this temple with the unholy devices of my mortal foes?~, it thundered, hands clutched in trembling claws.  It peered more closely at them and they were amazed to see the white-hot fury give way to profound sorrow.  The shoulders that had begun to take on a warrior's posture slumped into dejected defeat.
 It simply said, ~You are not like them.~
 Carmichael and Christian simply floated and stared, open mouthed in awe and a stupefied condition.  At roughly the same instant, they both realized that they had forgotten to breath and that they were about to gulp water.
 ~Smart, Christian.  Try breathing air next time_~, James berated himself, gathering his wits about him.  He groped for Tara's arm, never taking his eyes off of the pitiful image before them.  It had slumped to a seated position and was simply staring into the floor, seemingly oblivious to their
presence.
 "Ok, Carmichael.  What does your Egyptology have to say about this?"
 Tara was still making faces like a fish; Eyes bugged and mouth open, mouth closed.  Mouth open, mouth closed.
 James jabbed her in the rib cage and snapped, "Come on, Tara.  I'm waiting for some advice here."
 Tara shook her head and breathed, "I have no @!#* idea_"
 "Great."
James looked at the figure, which had not changed it's position since its original outburst.  He decided to take a plunge.
 ~Here goes nothing_~, he thought.  ~Uh, we come in peace.  We only wish to speak with you.~
 The figure looked up at them with a sad smile.  It shook its head and spoke.
 ~It's too late.  You are already enslaved to them.  Your minds and bodies are not your own anymore.  Look and see!  You already have their unholy creations controlling your minds and bodies_~ The hologram trailed off, the revulsion evident on its tanned and lined face.  It raised its head and inhaled deeply. ~Are you not here to finish what your Master's began so many thousands of years ago?~
 ~No, we're just here for an artifact search.  We had no idea we would even find you.  Whatever you are.~  James finished his sentence to himself, reeling with the implications of what he was hearing.  Finished what was started?  Thousands of years ago?  He didn't like what he was hearing: Not one bit. ~Um, this is Tara Carmichael and I am_~
 ~DOOMED!~ it snapped.  ~You are doomed, as we were so many aeons ago.~  It raised itself to its full height, an impressive two and a half meters tall. The image turned and walked over to a panel, ignoring the two Companion Protectors where they floated.  As it began to manipulate the controls, both implants noticed an increasing vibration in the water.  The building began to quake, objects falling off of the shelving and off of the altar at the opposite end of the room.
 Tara and James looked at each other, realization smacking them both with a hard dose of reality.  The image turned back and said, ~Leave!  There is nothing left for you here, as there was nothing left for my people so long ago.  I only hope that you escape as some of my people did.~  As he turned back to the panel, he intoned two chilling words:
 <Sinaui euhura>
 The hairs on the back of James' neck stood on end as a shiver raced his blood for the nearest exit, neither finding what was sought.
 "Move it, Carmichael!  Out!"
 James shoved her towards the exit, looking back for one last glance at the hologram.  His blood turned ice cold at the sheer hopelessness expressed there.  As the ceiling came crashing down, it raised one hand in a gesture of farewell and was gone.
 Carmichael was already powering up her SDV as James exited the quivering building, kicking as hard and as fast as he could.  He glanced around and grimly noted that the entire city seemed to be coming apart from within, towers and arches crumbling and falling in slow motion to the ocean floor. He kicked his SDV into motion, and they arrowed on towards the arch covering the entrance to the courtyard that they were in.  As they approached it, it developed cracks, splitting unevenly from the vibrations that were tearing the ruined city into rubble.
 Tara shot through the opening just as the rubble began to fall.  She cleared the courtyard archway with only centimeters to spare as falling debris began kicking up clouds of silty mud from the sea bed.  Looking back, she saw James enter the arch and then disappear in a cloud of silt. The SDV idled out of the cloud on a tangent of its original course, riderless and battered_..

Commander James Christian
Level 3
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: 10-17-98
Author: Amy
Place: Cafeteria in US Taelon Research Facility
Time: After the interview with Ra'el
Title: The End in Sight?

 Kathy sat drinking coffee in the cafeteria of the U.S. Taelon Research Facility, not unusual, except that she hated coffee.  At the moment, however, the coffee might as well have been water; drinking it was something to do while she absorbed the impact of her meeting with Ra'el.
 She was now certain that the Taelons were involved in the kidnaping. ~Not that I can prove it, not yet, anyway.~  After all, they had that security footage hours before Caleb managed to salvage the conventional systems.  And they did not turn it over, at least, not until Da'an got hold of it.  The kidnapers now had a whole day head start.  This whole thing could have ended within hours with that digital recording.  So why the kidnaping, and why the delay? ~It's as if they wanted to keep us occupied.~
 And then she understood.  The scope of the thing was shear genius.  The headlines yesterday read "Atlantis Discovered!"  Today, the media abandoned Atlantis in favor of a less scientific, but more captivating story, "Taelon Researcher's Kidnaped!" And what did the Taelons do?  They pulled all the non- implants off the Atlantis project to deal with the kidnaping.
 ~It's called killing two birds with one stone,~ thought Kathy dryly.
 And she had an important decision to make, did she share the full extent of her discovery with Ethan and Caleb?   ~I can't actually prove anything.~
 And what about Ra'el's warning?  Should she pass it along?  It is not as if she wished Ethan of Caleb ill, quite the opposite in fact.  She would warn them, without passing on the specifics of the conversation.   Ra'el was not the only one who could be subtle, or so she hoped.
 He global beeped.   Pulling it from her jacket, she opened the screen. "Ethan, ready for that meeting?"
 "Caleb's running a little late.  But he'll be ready soon.  Where are we meeting, the Embassy?"
 Not a good idea, at least not after what she just learned from Ra'el.  "How about Caleb's office, we can meet him there."  She figured there was less chance of hidden digital recorders in Caleb's office than in the embassy.

***********
[some time later, in Caleb's office]

 "Well, Kate, you just talked to Ra'el.  Did you get any impressions from him?"  This was the question Kathy had been dreading.  But she had made her decision.  She would not risk Ra'el's life, especially to reveal information that would provide no useful purpose.  Caleb's determination to go public had to be nipped in the bud, for his own safety - for everyone's safety.  In her mind, Jonathan Doors had already proven the folly of going public,  ~He's a fugitive for heaven's sake.~  They needed Caleb's talents here.  ~We need him more than Doors, and after all, I'm not running a recruitment campaign for the resistance, there are more important things to worry about.~   Like getting the truth.  So, they needed to buy time, to keep it under wraps until common sense prevailed.  They could reevaluate their options , and the evidence, later.
 So, what could she say?  She paused, stood, and circled the table.  "I believe the Taelons are genuinely concerned for Drs. Christian and Schultz. I'm certain that Ra'el doesn't know about the situation, and Da'an is very distraught.  Besides, it was Da'an that provided us with this footage from the digital cameras."  Not exactly the whole truth, but few things in life are.
 "That's right," said Ethan.  "They installed the cameras not long after I started here.  I don't think anyone else knew about them, other than Da'an and embassy security."
 Caleb and Ethan continued the conversation, while Kathy's attention was caught by the security footage.  She could not shake the feeling of familiarity the security footage seemed to stir within her.

[end]

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan, Ph.D.
Level One, U.S. Taelon Division
FBI/Specialist
Taelon Embassy, D.C.
 
 
 

Date: October 21, 1998
Author: Heretic
Time: Right after Jumping The Gun
Location: Taelon Embassy
Title: Escape

 He was halfway down the side of the building when he heard the concussioncharge and flashbomb detonate.
 ~They couldn't have waited another thirty seconds~ he thought sourly.  His descent line slowed his fall as he reached the bottom.  Landing, he unhooked the pulley, not wishing to lose it, and made a run for the fence.
 The fence was ahead of him, but it's height didn't bother him at all. Afterall, some security-deficient nature-lover had left a tree on this side of the fence.
 As he started to climb the tree, he indulged himself and thought ~I think I might be able to pull this off~.  An instant later, a bullet went through the side of his waist.
 John screamed, but managed to control himself enough to reach reach into his backpack.  he knew that the sniper was adjusting his aim even as he pulled a flashbomb out of his backpack.  If the sniper was using an infared sight rather than a starlight scope, he was dead.
 His fingers wrapped around the neck of the bottle, and he smashed it into the tree trunk, closing his eyes and looking away as he did so.
 The bottle was an old soda bottle filled with white phosphorous and magensium. It produced a flash similar to staring at the sun for thirty seconds.
 Even with his eyes shut tightly and his head facing away, John still saw a red flash through his eyelids.  Since the sniper didn't put a bullet through his spine, he assumed that the scope had been a starlight rather than an infared.
 "...Hope he burned his retina's out, little S.O.B..."  he whispered, trying to ignore pain that really didn't want to be ignored.
 He jumped, trying to clear the fence, but fell short.  Grabbing on with his arms, he used the last of his strength to pull himself over.  No longer strong enough to clamber down, he settled for letting go and falling onto the pavement, angling himself so that he would land on his side rather than his head.  He hit, slamming his right arm into the pavement, and his head, despite his best efforts, followed shortly afterwards.
 He tried to get up and run, but his body was perfectly content to stay where it was on the pavement, and didn't listen to him.  He heard footfalls approaching him, and he struggled to keep from passing out.  He felt himself get picked up and moved, and heard a door slide shut and tires squeel.
 ~Van, I'm in a van~ he thought as a hand lifted his shirt up and began to touch near his wound.  He tried to think clearly, but couldn't.  He began to hyperventilate, and couldn't seem to draw enough air.
 "It's just a light flesh wound, but he's going into shock."  he heard a woman's voice say as a needle went into his arm and the pain began to fade.  "Radio ahead and have a bed ready when we arrive.  As soon as he's off-loaded, find a nice, isolated area and burn the van."
 "Which... side you on...?"  John whispered.
 "You're going to be alright, John, we're Liberation."
 "Oh, good."  he managed to say before passing out.
 

Date: October 21, 1998
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: Atlantis
Time: Seconds after "Not the Deal We Expected . . ."
Subject: Tests and Anomalies

 "James!" Tara screamed, "JAMES!" She felt her voice reverberate through her helmet and head, causing a mild headache, but panic had also found a strong foothold within her as her heart pounded and her body shook. "This can't be happening!" she cried to herself, swimming back toward the billowing silt. Headless of the danger, she swam into the murky cloud. She had to find him! "James!" she called out again.
 The water was filled with the muck tossed up by the falling ruins and she could barely see her hand in her face. But she had to keep going. Suddenly, she was face to face with a statue of one of the alien beings that had toppled over onto a wall, which was still standing. But the image had appeared out of the watery dust cloud out of nowhere causing her to halt her swimming for a moment. She had to be near to the bottom again, she surmised.
 "James!" she called out again.
 This time, she was greeted by what sounded like a mild groan.
 "James!" She called again.
 Suddenly, she felt a presence beside her. She knew the feeling well. It was Ta'al. He was there to help her! Instantly, her heart stopped beating so rapidly and her breathing slowed to normal. She was no longer in danger of hyperventilating.
 ~Go north from the wall~ she heard through her mind.
 Taking another deep breath, she started north, skimming toward the bottom of the ocean floor.
 ~Do not worry~ she heard Ta'al soothe her mind. ~You will find him and all will be well . . .~
 She nodded. Suddenly, as the silt cloud began to disperse, she finally saw him. He was trapped under a large, fallen column, carved with hundreds of hieroglyphs.
 "James!" she cried, swimming to him.
 His eyes seemed to finally open. It occurred to her that he might have been knocked unconscious.
 "James, can you move?" she asked, with worry.
 "I . .  don't think so. I'm pinned in here pretty good . . ."
 Her mind raced. If he was pinned . . .  Swiftly, she tried to push against the column, but it was no use. Though it was mush lighter in the later than on land, it was still too heavy for her to budge on her own.
 "Tara, get out of here. Go back to the ship . . . You can bring back help," he said.
 She shook her head. "You and I both know you'd be dead before I could return. That's not a option I'm willing to live with. I've already lost too many people in my life. I refuse to lose another."
 "What are you going to do?" he asked. "Stay and die with me?'
 She could feel tears threaten to fall from her eyes. "I don't know, but I'm not leaving you behind . . . I can't . . . I won't . . ."
 They exchanged a deep look filled with emotions that neither one could verbalize. Besides, she would never be able to forgive herself if he died . . .
even if Jennifer did . . . She pushed all her weight against the column again, but again, it held firmly to its place.
 "Tara . . . You've got to go . . . Leave now! That's an order!"
 Tara's green eyes flickered with determination. "You might be in Command of this mission, but that is one order I will not obey . . . even if the Synod demanded it . . . You can fire me when we get back to the ship . . ."
 Suddenly, everything melted away. James was no longer pinned under the fallen column, the city was still intact, and they were back inside the temple staring at the holo-image of the ancient Atlantean who wore a smile upon his face.
 "So you have found a way to outsmart the Taelons . . . Humans are a very clever race, filled with contractions, but capable of so much . . ." he said.
 James and Tara exchanged puzzled looks, still recovering from the experience they had just thought they had gone through.
 "I don't understand," Tara replied. "What just happened?" She looked over at james once more as if convincing herself that he was really okay.
 "As soon as you entered this temple, you were scanned. A very slight anomaly appeared in the Taelon device you have implanted in your brain. I suspected that it was altered from the way my people have seen used. To prove this, I put both of you through a test of sorts, and I must say that you have surprised me . . ."
 James and Tara grew concerned. They were both thinking the same thing. "The anomaly in our CVIs aren't suppose to be detected . . ." James explained. "If they can be detected that puts us in danger from the Taelons . . ."
 "No need to worry," the Atlantean replied. The anomaly could pass as anything, and would hardly be worth the investigation by the Taelons . . . But I am curious, Tara Carmichael . . . Who is Ta'al?"
 Her eyes opened wide. "He . . . he was the Taelon I use to work for. He had my implant modified . . . He was unlike other Taelons . . . He passed into the great Void and yet he's always near by heart. He guides me in times of trouble . . ."
 "So this Taelon was unlike the conquerors my people have known . . ."
 She nodded.
 "And what about you? Have you had such a relationship with a Taelon?" He asked, looking to James.

Tara Carmichael
Level 5
Assistant Head of Security for Zo'or
 
 

date:10/23/98 ~i think
author: tabs
time: 10/22/98
place: O's apartment
subject: the rebirth of the death of a world

 "YEEP....sheesh" she really didn't think the appearance of numerous black clad beings was supposed to send the veiwer yelping.~this from a person who isn't afraid to use a gun, break the law, or even jump out of trees. (about 30 minutes later: shes at one of numerous computer screens, going over news clips, the reports, and some info that was gained by means that could be considered hacking) "hmm"  she tapped her pen idily on the notebook she always carried. "double hmm"  she watched as the images of a funeral flickered across the screen, the reflections on her eyes turning the deep blue to red, then green. the footage ended, and she gave a start at what came up next.
 scrolling through the extended report, one line caught her attention.
 she gave a low whistle.  things were a bit more complex than the public could imagin.  but this new turn of events also left more openings in the defense of all parties involved.
 she realized she was staring at her screen saver.  with a sly smile, she got up, and turned back on the vcr.

O
level~1
third sider
us taelon div
 
 

Division: US Taelon
Date:  October 24
Author:  Jen LeMaire
Place:  Washington DC, Taelon Medical Facilities (Comtech Labs)
Time: Present
Subject:

 "IF YOU DON'T GET OUT OF MY FACE I AM GOING TO DO BODILY HARM TO YOU!!!!! DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME????"
 "Dr. Christian, calm yourself."  The Companion scientist Ra'el said as he entered the room.  "The men are just attempting to get as much information as they can."
 Something unspoken passed between the Taelon and his assistant then, and Dr. Jennifer Christian took a deep breath before continuing.  "Ra'el. I apologize for my outburst.  I am having a most difficult time convincing these men that I have absolutely NO information on my kidnappers. They seem to expect that which I cannot give...."
 She was cut off before she could go any further as an unexpected presence joined the room.  Zo'or strode into the office where Jennifer was being questioned and began a rather angry tirade.  "Just WHO are you, and which department do you work for?"  he spat at the unfamiliar man.  "You have NO clearance to be here AT ALL."
 The agent was taken completely off-guard; Zo'or's presence rattled him and he was obviously troubled at the direction this inquiry had suddenly gone in.  "Um, I'm Agent Brandtly, with the FBI.  I'm...I'm working with the special detail President Thompson created to investigate the kidnapping..."
 Zo'or interrupted his answer saying, "Your *special detail* has absolutely NO authority to operate inside *Taelon* facilities, and you have no business interrogating one of our scientists before she has properly recovered from the recent events."

 "But sir!"  The agent said.
 "You will leave this facility now.  I will call for an escort if necessary."
 The agent shook his head in disbelief.  ~Just what is going on here?~ he thought.
 As the man headed for the door, Zo'or spoke to him one last time.  With a tone of mock sweetness, the Taelon said, "And Agent Brandtly..."
 "Yes, Zo'or?"
 "You had best think twice before you cause such upset in one of my scientists again.  I will not have my people treated that way.  Do you understand?"
 The menace in the Companion's voice sent an icy shiver running down the FBI agent's back.  "Yes sir."  He said as he bolted through the door.  ~I am SO GLAD to be getting out of here!~ he said to himself.

************************************************

 Relief evident on her face, Jennifer turned to thank Zo'or.  ~What a strange source for relief!~  she thought to herself.  Without thinking, she reached towards Ra'el and brushed her hand across his.
 "Zo'or, you have my deepest thanks.  I..."
 "No thanks are necessary.  I acted as I deemed appropriate in the situation."  he replied, watching her closely.  After a few awkward seconds, he smiled a grand smile and turned to Ra'el.  "We have a few  things to discuss after you have debriefed your assistant.  I will be waiting at your quarters when you return."  And with that, he simply left the room.
 Jennifer turned to Ra'el herself and said, "Something strange is going on here....Zo'or is NEVER nice like that and I cannot believe that he had benevolent motives."
 Turning his head to the side in a Taelon gesture of thought, Ra'el was silent for a minute before speaking.  He looked at Jennifer with a look that she could not quite understand, then he said, "I believe that you humans have a phrase that would be most appropriate in this situation...."
 "And that would be?"  the human inquired.
 "There must be a catch..."
*fine*

Jen LeMaire
Dr. Jennifer Christian, CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division, Level Five
 
 

Date:   10-24-98
Author: Amy
Place: Caleb's Office
Time: Just after "The End in Sight"
Title: "Hurry Up and Wait"

 Kathy stared at the terminal in front of her in frustration.  The VIN number on the van was taking longer than expected to track down.  And she still could not shake the idea that those kidnappers, or at least something about them, was familiar.
 On a hunch, she logged into the FBI known suspect database.  The computer asked her for parameters.
 ~What do we know? Let's see . . . .~
 She typed:
 Number of Perpetrators: three
 Type of Crime: kidnaping
                Ransom: None
                Goal: Unknown
                Victims: Unharmed
 Status: professional
 Location: Washington, D.C.
 Method of Escape: stolen vehicle
                Altered Plates: Yes
 Destruction of Evidence at Scene: Yes
                Method: Bomb
                Success: Partial
                Suggestive: Detailed knowledge of security at site
 Bomb Quality: Cutting edge
                Particular Type: Taelon
                Significance: Access to Taelon technology
                Blackmarket Available: Unknown
 Database selection: All Available

 "What are you doing?"  Caleb was staring over her shoulder.
 "I'm checking the known suspects database to see if we've identified anyone who uses this particular method of operation."
 "I didn't think we had enough information to narrow the selection."  This was from Ethan.
 Kathy shrugged, "We probably don't, but unless you've got a better way to spend the time . . . ?"
 "No . . No, every little bit helps.  Maybe something will pop up."
 "It is a long shot." She acknowledged.  She shook her head, "Sorry Ethan, I didn't mean to snap, it's been a long day."
 "No problem.  We're all tired.  How long will it take?"
 "A while, we'll probably have the VIN data before this.  But it'll  kill the time, and maybe we'll even get lucky, we're certainly due."

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan, Ph.D.
Level One, U.S. Taelon Division
FBI/Specialist
Taelon Embassy, D.C.
 

Date: October, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Atlantis
Time: Seconds after "Tests and Anomalies"
Subject:  A Time of Reckoning

 James paused.  It was obvious to him that this Atlantean program was highly interactive and even capable of reading and interpreting data from a subject's mind.  His only question was just how much.
 As he paused to consider his reply, the image began to flicker at random intervals, dimming and brightening with intermittent static.  The dim flickering light caused by this snapped him from his introspection, bringing him back to the here and now.  Drawing in a deep breath, (and checking the
life expectancy of his re-breather), he replied.
 "Yes.  Whoever you are, the answer is yes:  I have a relationship such as that."  James folded his arms across his chest and eyed the image speculatively, assessing it's status as the flickering became more pronounced.  "Is your core breaking down or are you losing power?"
 The image cast it's eyes down to the sea bed, and turned it's head in a very Taelon-esque manner, much like James had seen Da'an do on many occasions.  It looked back to him and spoke, "You are correct, Cmdr. Christian.  My essence is suffering from both of the conditions that you speak of.  The ravages of time and this harsh environment have taken their toll over the millennia, slowly undermining the systems that give me life." The image paused, deep in thought.  At least, that's how it appeared.  "The Taelons enslaved my people far back into your ancient past.  We were a star-faring species, much like the Taelons.  We came to your world seeking restoration and found our destruction instead, subjugated and enslaved by the Taelons.  But we resisted them.  In our resistance, we discovered a means of destroying our tormentors and ending their reign once and for all. Tragically, our plans were discovered and we were destroyed for our impertinence."
 Tara and James looked at each other, terrified to learn more and yet unwilling to leave, torn between self-preservation and reckless curiosity. If the Taelons learned what they were now learning....
 James looked away from Tara, wondering what she thought of his revelation.  ~She has to know I meant Ra'el.~  he thought.  ~What is she going to do?~
 The image interrupted by saying, "James Christian and Tara Carmichael!  Heed the warning of Lil'ra!  Your knowledge of each others secrets can be your strength or your doom."  He turned and looked at Tara. "You, Tara, are caught between two loyalties, the love of a being whose species is your enemy, and your service to their enemies, your own species." He turned to James and continued, "You, James, are also caught between two worlds.  You truly believe in the good that the Taelons have done your world and the desire to see the best in them come to pass.  Yet, you also question the motives and intent of the Taelons as a species and distrust the majority."
 Lil'ra angled his gaze to include the both of them and spoke for the last time.  "You will find the answers you seek in a place that you did not look, by someone you do not know, in a time that is not of your choosing. You must trust your enemy and doubt your ally.  All is not as it seems...."
        With that, Lil'ra faded out of existence.  James and Tara floated there in the depths, gaping open mouthed at the space formerly occupied by the hologram.  Slowly, as a new realization began to form in his mind, James turned to Tara and said, "You're a double agent, aren't you?"
 

Date: October 25, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Da'an's Safehouse in Alexandria, Virginia
Time: Present, set just after "Phase One: The Assault Begins"
Title: Phase Two: Greater Concerns

 For minutes after Cortez was wounded or killed there was a great silence and it stand to reason that their attacker were analyzing whatever little data they had obtained by the seer probe. Grace took out her global and called up a schematic of the "house" in which they were located in.
 "Well at least we're not completely cut off from the outside." Ken said. "What's this schematic?" he asked.
 "This is the designs for this "house". I am about to let you in on a secret, Ken, one until now the Companions deemed necessary to keep secret. This "house" is just isn't some old Victorian house they decided should be rennovated in order to be use for this kind of purposes.
 Half of this "house" is made up of one of the Taelons own buildings." she finished.
 "Then why does this place look Victorian on the outside?" he asked.
 "The Taelons, through the help of Boone, learned how to redefine their holographic technology. They're now using it to disguise everything. That's why Da'an's chamber is a Taelon chamber, complete with a datastream and an engery stream." Grace explained.
 "Boone helped them refine the technology? !@#$! Anyway, what does this have to do with "our" friends outside?" he asked.
 "They maybe well able to damage the building so much that the generators will stop functioning and then they'll begin the brunt of the assault on that side of the building." she answered.
 "And that's where Da'an is." he finished.
 "Right."
 Ken swore again as finally they heard gunshots ring out in the air, breaking the silence. Ken looked to Grace.
 "You'd better get to Da'an. With your skrill you only have a limited number of shots without it draining you too much and you'll need all your strength to protect him." he said.
 Grace picked up an assault rifle.
 "I already have 5 agents in with Da'an and the door is sealed. I'm staying here."
 "You're should to be protetcing Da'an." he reminded her.
 "I *am*! But as an implant I have to decide what is the best way to protect him and I have decided that it is remaining out here with all of the Companion's agents rather than being sealed in a room with him."
 "But-"
 Just the glass in a window of the room they were guarding shattered and Grace nodded to Ken. They both hid themselves as best they could and waited for whomever it was to come on in.....
 

Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to Da'an
Level 5
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: October 25, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Da'an's Safehouse in Alexandria, Virginia
Time: Set just After "Phase Two: Greater Concerns"
Title: Further Preparations
 Grace and Ken waited for what seemed like an eternity but was only for a few seconds when they saw a foot come through the window, followed by the lower part of the intruder's body. Grace nodded to Ken and mouthed
"On the count of 3..."
 Right at that moment one of the agents, Kara Beckett, came into the room. Grace started to warn her to get down, but it was too late. The intruder turned his gun on her and fired several rounds before Beckett could evern respond. The bullets cut through her like a hot knife through butter and she fell over. They had armor penetrating bullets! Grace shot the intruder from where she was hidden. By the time she had examined him to see if he was still alive, Ken was
checking Kara for any signs of life. There was anger in his eyes as he looked to Grace.
 "She's dead." he said, quietly.
 "So is he."
 "She was so young."
 "Ken, we'll mourn her later. Right now we have got a job to do." Grace replied, pushing her feelings aside.
 "What do we do about the bodies?" he asked.
 "Leave them where they are for right now. We'll find something to cover them up later. They don't bother you do they?" Grace asked.
 "No, I saw worse in the SI War, remember?"
 Grace blinked at him, forgetting just for a split second that he was a veteran of that terrible war and that he was several years older than her. Just then they both heard movement just outside of the window... Neither one of them had time to get back to their cover. Grace aimed her weapon at the window...
 Instead of another intruder making his way in, something came flying into the room. Ken was closest to where it landed and he began coughing.
 "It's tear gas." he said blinking rapidly.
 "Out." Grace ordered.
 "We're leaving them access to this room."
 "Agents Johnson and Kincaid, move to our location and have your gas masks on." Grace said into her earphone as soon as she was out of the room. She and Ken then heard movement again within the room. Suddenly Grace heard someone swear loudly and say the name of their dead comrade: Sanders.
 The two masked agents joined them at the door. Grace accepted the gas mask from Johnson and slipped it on quickly.
 "Be careful. They have armor penetrating bullets." Grace whispered. "On 3....1...2...3."
 They burst back into the room and one of the intruders managed to shoot Kincaid before he himself fell as Johnson shot him. Again Ken checked their agent while Grace and Johnson checked theirs.
 "Kincaid is dead too."
 Grace nodded and looked to Johnson.
 "This one is wounded but alive." he said.
 "Understood. Johnson, get up to that window and guard it. Agents Donaldson and John report to out location."
 "Yes, ma'am."
 "That leaves the west side of the house unguarded."
Ken said.
 "I know. But that's the location of the Taelon part of the "house". Our *friends* out there won't be able to breaking the virtual glass shielding, no matter how hard they try. All agents, prepare for an assault near Da'an's quarters."
 
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: October 25

NRPG: The reference to "slave humans" comes from episode #203, in which humans
walk around the mothership, with certain details I will not reveal that make
them seem like slaves.  (Since they have no useful porpose in the episode, I
deemed spoiler space unneeded.)

---------------------------------------
Place: Na'ar's shuttle, interdimensional
Time: Just prior to "A time of Reckoning"
Subject: Energy Long Forgotten

 Na'ar waved his hand across a panel that really wasn't there, like reaching into the colors of interdimensional space itself.  A circle of light appeared around his hand, at the top of a 90 degree arc.  Na'ar moved his hand down, and right, and the circle followed.  The shuttle banked as his hand moved further downward, and righted itself when he removed his hand.  Na'ar's other hand touched the shuttle panel; a circle at the middle of a vertical column moved upward with his hand as the shuttle accelerated.
 Suddenly, a distinctly Taelon alarm sound shrilled above the soft hum of the engines, and one of the Synod members appeared.
 ^Na'ar, you are needed on the mothership at once.^
 ^Why?^
 A window appeared on the shuttle's panel, and data scrolled by.
 Na'ar's eyes widened, and his skin became just slightly bluer.
 ^I will be there at once.^

----------
Place: Synod Chamber, Mothership
Time: Several minutes later.

 All but Zo'or, Da'an, and Ra'el, who were currently busying themselves on Earth, were present.  Datastreams poured from emitters high in the ceiling, scrolling data: energy signatures, pictures, numerous compex Taelon scans...
 From Atlantis.
 ^Could it -be-?^
 ^The evidence is there, surely.^
 ^Have we been able to find the source?^
 ^No, we have been unable to find an entrance into the main chamber; an earthquake of a sort has sealed it.^
 A trio of slave humans, clad in black and silver, came into the room carrying a dark, circular purple console with three evenly spaced glowing blue spheres on its surface.
 ^I recognize this device,^ Na'ar announced.
 ^You should.  It's yours.^
 ^Na'ar, if you will join us?  We have to find an entrance.^
 Two Taelons walked over to the console and placed their left hands on the sphere.  They blushed into blue, but a green pulse waved through their bodies. Na'ar did the same, and...
 ...They were underwater, placidly orbiting the ruins as part of a small ring of probes doing the same.
 Two probes broke from the group and began to spin randomly for a while, but soon regained their control.  A third probe, whom Na'ar was currently embodying, moved smoothly from the circle to the other two.
 On each of the probes, one of three instrument rings spun.  A laser welder of some sort emerged in the front, and other complex appendages that seemed to be scanners came from the sides and rear.
 The probes descended, methodically searching for some possible crack that prior scans showed may have connections to one of the island's underground chambers.  They split apart to cover more area.
 One probe came over a fallen column into a small stairway, which led to a pile of rubble at it's base -- like the entrance to what was once a building. At the foot of the way was a small sphere.  It sat lifeless in the dark water.
 The probe's instrument ring spun around to put the scanner first, and scanned the rubble.
 The sphere began to undulate all of a sudden.  A hexagonal tessalation apeared over it's surface, outlined in a glowing red.  Each hexagonal plate was lifted off the surface of the sphere by some machinery underneath it.
 A plate spun, and a red beam of light emerged and struck the probe.  It reeled back, leaking purple fluid into the water.
 Another plate spun, and another, each time firing a beam at the probe. Damage was severe, and then too severe for the probe to retreat.  An explosion shook the side of the probe as the red shots contimued to pummel, and the rest of the probe followed in the fire.
 The other probes was close enough to sense the explosion, and one moved to run it's own scan.
 It met a similar, and equally swift fate.
 The third probe did not approach, and spun back onto it's previous course, scanning; this time careful for anyhting that wasn't stone.

 Meanwhile, on the mothership, the green suddenly vanished from the blue, and two taelons snapped their hands of the spheres, no longer glowing, and stepped back.  It took time to regain composure.
 The two disabled spheres on the console searched quickly for another probe linkup, and began to glow again.
 The two taelons who's probe link was abruptly severed told their findings to the others.
 ^It is as we thought.^
 ^This is horrible.  Unbelievable.^
 ^Unfortunately, no.  Our worst fear about this planet has come about; They have awakened.^
 ^It seems we were not effective last time.^
 ^Prepare.^
 ^Of course.^
 Na'ar, however, stood motionless, hand on the console.  Despite his presence on the ship, he was actually far, far away, a presence in another shell.
 
 

Date: October 26, 1998
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: Atlantis
Time: Seconds after "A Time of Reckoning"
Subject: Atlantis . . . gone

 "Yes," she replied without hesitation, "Yes I am . . . But I wasn't always. Not until Ta'al and Boone's death . . ." For a moment, she was lost in a CVI memory intrusion. She recalled holding the gun to her head. She had been so close to ending it all . .
 Though her memory intrusions were once again coming under control, she was still occasionally bombarded by them. As she came back to reality, she realized James was gazing at her and she became aware of her furrowed brow and the tears misting her eyes. He looked . . . concerned.
 "I'm all right, Commander," she assured him, trying to force a smile. "Since both of my friends passing I have gone through several memory intrusions . . . I'm sure you're also wondering why I joined the Resistance, given my relationship with Ta'al . . ."
 "The thought had crossed my mind," he replied.
 "Well . . . after Zo'or informed me that the Synod had ordered Ta'al's death, I became . . . distraught . . . I was also angry and in more pain than I could possibly endure alone . . . It was a good thing that we had that week off," she replied with an ironic smile. "But if it hadn't been for a member of the Liberation Movement, I wouldn't be here," she replied. Her green eyes fixed on him with intense seriousness. "You can't imagine what I almost did."
 The memory intruded again.
 He seemed to understand as he appeared to nod. "But how can you be so sure the Synod ordered Ta'al's death?" he asked.
 "All I know is what Zo'or told me, which I suppose really doesn't mean much . . . But I believed him at first. However, now that I know there are other Taelons out there like Ta'al, I'm not so sure what to think now . . ."She grew quiet and turned around in the temple, staring at the walls. "I still miss Ta'al's presence. There are times I feel him near me. I don't think we'll ever lose that connection, but I miss being in his physical presence . . . He was . . . my family . . ."
 She didn't turn around to look at James for fear of him seeing the depth of her feelings, though she knew now that he had an idea.
 "And I think it's wonderful that you have that kind of relationship with Ra'el. It's a very special connection . . ." her voice broke a bit as her heart longed for her Companion.
 "Do you know anything about the kidnapping?" he asked, grasping at straws.
 She shook her head. "No, but I wish I did . . . I I had known anything about that, I would have warned her. Your wife is a very special woman. She kept me from being turned into one of the Taelons automatons . . . and I owe her a debt of gratitude for that . . ."
 Suddenly, two things caught their attention. The door they had entered through had slid open once more, and a panel on the far side of the chamber began to glow. Tara gazed at the glowing images. She swam a bit closer to get a better look. Suddenly, she turned to James.
 "We've got to get out of here. The ruins are going to be destroyed!"
 "What?"
 "See that glowing console?" she asked. Instantly, she was hit by a blue beam. It filtered through her suit and entered her mind. She had no way of knowing if James had also been hit by this force. She was rendered immobile. Then she could see her mind filled with images and information. It was as if her mind had turned into a computer and many files were being downloaded into her. But it was too much, too fast. There was so much data . . . It wasn't long before everything grew dark.

 As Tara's consciousness returned to her, she immediately opened her eyes and looked for James. He was next to her, gazing at her.
 "Are you all right?" he asked.
 "I don't know what happened . . ." she replied, but she could still see the console glowing. "But we have to leave now!"
 Taking her word for it, he followed her out of the temple.
 Tara just hoped that their DVSs would get them out of the area before the whole place blew. Just as they reached the boundary of the ruins, they heard a deep rumbling at barely penetrated the water. But as they turned to look, they could see the ruins disintegrating in some kind of shock wave. Without hesitation they continued away from the ruins and towards the ship.

Tara Carmichael
Level 5
Assistant Head of Security for Zo'or
 
 
 

Author: Uriel
Date: October 26
Place: Taelon Motherhship
Time: During "Atlantis...Gone"
Subject: The shockwave.

 Three taelons, Na'ar included, stood over the console, glowing both green and blue, their essence somewhere else.
 Atlantis; it stood a silent ruin for millenia.  A testament to the destructive power of the taelons and to mankind's evolution through the ages. What secrets did the structure hold?
 The Taelons knew its secrets, once, and had them all destroyed.  But as scans have recently revealed, all was not lost so long ago.
 Of sixteen probes, only nine were left.  The others were fried by beam weapons, crushed by rock slides, or trapped in suddenly sealed rooms.  They were searching for an entrance, or something that could be modified into one.
 But each time a probe got close enough to a possibility, it was destroyed, or the building shifted.  It looked like a collapsed ceiling, but one would swear the ruins themselves were alive, trying desperately to keep the Taelons out.
 Which wouldn't be a surprise.  They did destroy the city, after all.
 And then there was a sudden shift in energy.  Subtle, almost natural.  But it wasn't, and the taelons knew it.  But what was it?
 Things that looked like rocks were no longer rocks.  They were glowing, an eerie, ephemeral blue just barely visible.  Then stretching, rising, just barely above the ocean floor.  Then bending, like they were made entirely of liquid, into the center of the city.
 Parts of the liquid rocks bubbled off and were immediately pulled toward the center of the city, where a shape was forming; a deep, dark blue -- a sphere.
 The probes began to feel its force.
 ^Get out!^ Shouted the probe embodied by Na'ar, as it spun away and tried to leave.  But the current held it still.
 Shafts of blue light came from random points on the ground and connected themselves for a moment to the sphere, then vanished.  Where they hit, the dark blue was replaced by a cloudy blue-white, glowing brightly.
 Suddenly, the white light flashed and the ground shook.  The bright light shattered off the surface of the sphere, and exploded outward.
 It passed, and shattered every stone into dust, every artifact into nothingness.  The probes disintegrated into useless particles.  The ground was torn from the earth and churned into the water.  Red magma spilled from broken scars on the ground, and cooled quickly into obsidian.
 Na'ar and the two others tore themselves from the console.  It searched for another probe to connect to, but there were none, and it disabled itself, awaiting manual instructions.
 ^What happened?^ A synod member asked.
 ^The ruins have completed themselves the destruction we began.^
 ^Excellent.^

 ...Meanwhile, James and Tara, who had blacked out and been unaware of what happened, fired up their SDV's and swam as fast as they could from the ruins.
 Behind them, the dark sphere began to expand, slowly moving over the ground and clearing the ocean floor.   It was sand.  All sand.  No one would ever find Atlantis again.
 A great city, reduced to clouds of dust, drifted away in the current.

Na'ar
Level 2

Date: October 26
Author: Esti
Place: Unknown
Time: Present, Unknown
Title: Crazy ideas and preperations

 There is a time when you run out of songs.
 I've really lost track of how long I've been here. I'd guess a couple of days, but my sleeping schedule is a bit wierd and it's not like I have a window. I'm missing Jennifer's presence- there's only so much one can do by oneself.
 And I'm sick of singing. These people must be being paid *extremely* well, for the most I've seen of a reaction from my captors was a grimace when one of them came in with my latest meal about half an hour ago. I was still singing then.
 I've never been really that good at boredom, I must confess. I was always the one who had to have something to do. A puzzle, a game, reading, whatever I could think of. But I don't have books here, or even paper, or writing implements. My captors don't want me to commit suicide, I guess.
 I just wish I knew why Jen and I were kidnapped. I mean, if my files were that dangerous, I'd be dead by now, not sitting here trying to drive my captors nuts with my singing. I'd tried everything - show tunes, country western, bad 90's pop, campfire songs... there were only a few songs that I had left, and I was saving those up for a particularly annoying time. Kinda like saving for a rainy day.
 Was it raining outside? The room was always a bland temperature, no doubt to keep Jennifer and I from identifying where we were. I'd tried to study the insect life that has come into the room, but I was never really any good with insects. Besides, what could I do if I knew? I'm no fighter. I've never really been into rearranging peoples' faces with my bare fists. I suppose I could use some of the self-defense training if I ever get a chance, but I'd prefer not to get shot.
 That's the main thing. When one of the gentlemen comes with the food, there's always another one with a gun, and I generally like to give wide berth to those with the guns. Maybe I've made a mistake.
 Maybe I should get myself shot. There are risks of course- they could shoot me dead (although from the care they've been taking, I doubt it), they could have just killed Jennifer, although I doubt that too. And, of course, they could know a thing or two about binding wounds. You have to report accidents involving gunshot wounds to the police.
 But it's worth a shot.

--
Dr. Rosemary Schultz
Level 6
CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division
 
 
 
 
 

DATE: 27 October
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: The Catspaw
TIME: During and After "Atlantis... lost"
SUBJECT: Culture Shock

 Kitty plodded her way slowly through the translation, having not heard back from Caleb yet on a suitable Egyptologist. Luckily, she'd found a key on the internet and was able to make some headway at guessing what the words on her laptop's screen meant.
 The file folders covered a variety of subjects, although most of what was there was cultural data. Not too surprising, considering that the Atlantians probably knew their time was short with the advanced technology in their posession, and the rarest of data archaeologists were ever able to find was that on the nuts-and-bolts of a particular culture. However, there was a tantalizing folder labeled "Soundforce" and another that Kitty had translated as "subspace diver". Since she was still attempting to translate the file folders and had enough sense not to just jump in blindly at the middle of such a huge data archive, Kitty decided to complete her translations of the archive's directory and check the translations before moving forward.
 ~I'm just glad that marching patterns of one's and zero's are a universally accepted language...~ Kitty thought ruefully, barely noticing a sudden intensity in the rocking of the boat. Having grown up in the upper Chesapeak Bay region, Kitty had quickly re-discovered her sea legs after nearly six years on dry land. However, the dolphins were quite stirred up by the activity, so Kitty stowed her laptop and the translation key to see what the fuss was about.
 The dolphin she'd christened "Squeaker" was leaping up and over the boat, whistling madly as a strange bluish light seemed to come up from the Atlantis site. Shockwaves rippeled through the water as the light suddenly brightened and then faded just as quickly.
 "What in the galaxy..." Kitty murmured, turning a purloined Taelon scanner that she'd "upgraded" on the general area of Atlantis.
 According to the device, the entire site had been reduced to a pile of galss and sand, and the electromagnetic interfearence was gone, which suggested that whatever it had been designed to hide had been destroyed along with the rest of the once-glorious city.
 "Oh my God..." Kitty breathed, realizing that for the time being she was the only living being to have any sort of detailed knowledge of exactly what was up with Atlantis. And considering the strange aura of security that had been surrounding the dig, she didn't want to be in any sort of traceable location when the news was broken...

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Computer Hacker, level 3
DATE: 16/1/05
AUTHOR: Grant Van Eaton
PLACE: Liberation/Taelon HQ and my house
TIME: Present, about mid-day
SUBJECT: It's alive!!

Computer, start employee log, date 16/1/05 A.C. Time 22:06 <<You may begin
dictating>>

 It's my birthday.  It was supposed to be a nice, quiet day at home. Little did I know of the events to come!
 I rolled out of bed at 8:30a and slugged into the breakfast area.  Megan had already eaten so I popped in some toast in the toaster and sat down to read the paper.  In doing so, I hear a little series of beeps and recognize it as the sound of me being paged on my Global Link.  I slide it open and to my dismay, Agnt. Sandoval was on screen.  "Van Eato," he said, "we need you down here immeadiatly.  Da'an just started raving.  I called Zo'or in and he said that something in the atmosphere was not right.  Then he started rambling just the same.  We need you here NOW!"  This was my day off!  Why couldn't this wait until tomorrow?  Meg shot a worried glance at me so I knew I better get movin'.  I through on some clothes and drove over to the Embassy.  What I saw even amazed me.  The building was a tealish color and was pulsing!  I ran inside terrified.  Agnt. Sandoval greeted me with a worried and painful look as we hurried to my office.  I pulled up the building monitor and saw that the Co2 and H2Y3Ncol3 levels were just fine but a trace of Boric Acid and an unknown chemical was in the air.  I told Sandoval to send in Dr. Belman immeadiatly.  When Dr. Belman arrived, she did a scan of the compound.  She traced it down to some alien computer with some Taelon elements in it.  Obviously, it wasn't affecting humans, but it sure had a negative affect on Taelons and their technology.  Belman and I decided to send a copy of the readings we got of the compound to the Taelon mothership.  We also tried to remove Da'an and Zo'or out of the building, but it was no use.  They wouldn't budge and just rambled on and on in Taelonish.  Soon after, we received a page from the mothership.  All my years of training would never have prepared me for what I was about to hear. The building was evolving into a more advanced form of life.  I was dismayed.  Apparently, the only way to stop it was to remove the two chemicals from the atmosphere, which wouldn't be easy.  Using top of the line suction tubes, with some advanced technology from the Liberation,  we managed to get every trace of the chemicals out.  Immeadiatly, Zo'or and Da'an were released from their trance and all was quiet.  We had done it. But not without a price.  The buildings levels of Co2 and H2Y3Ncol3 were rapidly decreasing and the "thing" was dying.  After about an hour,  all was back to normal.  Lord, it had been an exciting birthday.  I even received an honorary medal from Da'an.  And, as you could've guessed, Do'ors wanted a full explanation of all that had happened and he interrogated me for all I was worth.  But as Meg and I have discussed, the Taelons must never find out who my REAL employer is.

    Computer, end employee log <<log ended>>

Dr. Walter "Wally" Van Eato
Level 1
Liberation Agent, Taelon Organic Matter Specialist
US Taelon Division
gvaneaton@cvmicrosystems.com

NRPG
As you can see, all of my posts will be in the form of my diary.  I'm
starting on this date and everyday I'll send out my entry of the day.  Hope
you like 'em!  Also, Megan (Meg) is my wife. - Grant
 
 

Date:   October 27, 1998
Author: Heretic
Place:  Liberation HQ
Time:   A few hours after "Escape"
Title:  Recovery

 John Smith opened his eyes to find himself in a white room, with an IV drip in his arm.  He checked quickly to make sure that he wasn't restrained, and then pulled out the needle, seperating it from the plastic tubing as well.  If need  be, he now had a makeshift weapon.
 ~Mistake~ he thought a moment later as the door opened.  Belatedly, he noticed the camera in the corner of the room.  He looked at the doorway and saw someone in a labcoat walk in, followed by Jonathon Doors.
 "Oh, no, I died and went to hell!"  Smith said, looking at Doors.
 "I should be so lucky."  Doors replied as the nurse took the needle out of John's hand and reattached it to the tube of the IV, and stuck it back into his arm, taping it in place.
 "How'd I get here?"  he asked.
 "We had a surveillance team watching the Embassy, and they saw you break in."  Doors explained.  "When you warned Augur about Grace Whitney's Motivational Imperitive, he realized that a massive upload like the one you were planning would be noticed, so he warned me.  I had the team ready to pull your fat out of the fire if need be.  As it turned out, you needed their help.  They had the choice of either leaving you in a gutter to die, or bringing you down here.  Apparently, the coin toss came up heads, since you're not in a gutterright now."
 "Wait, I must be missing something..."  Smith said.  "The Taelons must knowthat the files I sent you guys involved the CVI's, so they have to know thatGrace's cover with you guys is blown.  Why haven't they hit this place yet?"
 "Because Grace doesn't have a Motivational Imperative in her CVI." Doors responded.  "We've known about them almost as long as they've existed, and we've learned how to remove them from CVI's before it's put into an Implant. Grace was one of agents that we managed to give a 'doctored' CVI to."
 "Why wasn't I told this from the start?"  Smith asked.
 "Because, if you had done what you had been told, it wouldn't have been an issue!"  Doors snarled.  "Instead, you go gung-ho on us and break into the Taelon Embassy despite being told to back off, completely blow your cover by warning us about something that we took care of a long time ago, and manage to get yourself shot in the process!"
 Doors waited a moment, and then composed himself again.

 "On the other hand,"  he admitted, "You've demonstrated that you know your craft and, except for possibly Augur, you seem to have a better intuitive understanding of Taelon technological principles than anybody else alive in this organization.  That little toy in your backpack that projects a hologram of an eye is Taelon-based, isn't it?"
 "Yes."  Smith told him.  "I probably could have just stolen a projector from one of those Human-Taelon joint research places, but I wanted to see if I could build one myself and actually understand how it worked."
 "Do you still feel like working for us, then?"  Doors asked.
 "More than ever."  Smith said.
 "Good."  Doors responded.  "The Taelons know you now, but we can definately use you on this end of things."
 "What would I be doing?"
 "Oh, you'll probably like it: breaking into places when we don't want Whitney's presence known about, playing with Taelon technology, figuring out how to break that Taelon Technology, so on and so forth...  Of course, HOPEFULLY, you'll let the Taelon's security pukes handle the rescue of Doctor Shultz from this point on..."
 "Doctor Shultz knew about the Motivational Imperatives."  John said coldly. "She allowed the Taelons to do that to their Implants.  Allowing someone to do that to a fellow human being has got to be one of the most despicable acts that I have ever witnessed.  At this point, i couldn't care less whether she lives or dies, and, on the same token, I wouldn't miss the Taelons if they got wiped out tomorrow, knowing what they've done."
 "I think we'll be able to work together just fine, Mister Smith."  Doors said, nodding his approval.
 
 

Date: October 31
Author: Esti
Place: Unknown
Time: Unknown, Present
Title: Getting oneself shot, part 1

 It seemed like forever until the men came in with her next meal. Rosemary was starting to have doubts about her plan, but it *was* something to do....
 So, when the men came in, she rushed the one with the gun. She saw a brief look of surprise on his face, replaced by something unreadable. Then she heard a clatter as the other man dropped the tray and went after her. She felt him try to grab her, but he missed, and she was able to get a blow into a place where guys really didn't like to be kicked.
 With the food man temporarily out of the way, she went for the man with the gun. Beyond him, she could see the others of the group that had kidnapped her. They probably thought she had gone nuts and was going to try to fight her way out. Yeah, right.
 "I really wouldn't suggest that..." The man in the doorway said.

 Rosemary laughed. "And who's going to stop me? You?"
 She walked forward, a hopefully mananical grin on her face, praying inside that something happened before she did have to fight her way out.
 And then the noise came, and the pain...
-
NRPG: Yes, this is a short post. I had to split it up so that I could get
the information I needed for the next one, which will be out soon.
-
Dr. Rosemary Schultz

Date: 10-31-98
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Place: Caleb's Office.
Time: Continuing Red Herring
Title: Covert
_______________________________

 "Well, we become good Taelon agents, and give everything to Sandoval.  Just because we discover the FBI link, doesn't prove we've discovered the Taelon link.  And then we make sure that copies of everything we have fall into the right hands, accidentally, of course. Unless someone has a better idea - I'm open to suggestions."
 "Wait... one second.  What 'right hands' are you talking about?" Caleb asked, with alarm.  "I mean, I don't like the fact that the Taelons used illegal methods to create a media distraction for the Atlantis discovery, but that doesn't mean that we should compromise security here."
 "I hate Taelon, or any government's, covert operations, but I understand their necessity.  The reason I wanted to expose the Taelon involvement is that I thought that if we exposed them, they'd abort. And, we get Dr. Shultz back.  That's all I'm in this for.  Getting Dr. Shultz back as quickly as possible."
 <DING!> the computer interrupted, again. <CD CREATED SUCCESSFULLY>
 "The bugs are done.  Anyway, the reason why I asked for this job is to help Taelon security... If you guys are talking about what I think you're talking about, then leave me out of it."
_______________________________
Caleb Richardson
Level One, U.S. Taelon Division
Specialist Computer Hacker
Taelon Embassy, D.C.
Brian R. Boyko
 
 
 

DATE: 17/1/05
AUTHOR: Grant Van Eaton
PLACE: My house
TIME: Present, about mid-morning
SUBJECT: Just saying hi (or maybe not!)

Computer, start employee log, 17/1/05 A.C., time 8:54 <<You may begin
dictating>>

 Guten Morgan!  Gosh it's a dreary day.  The rain is miserable.  I've always loved thunder and lightning, but this is going to far.  Good thing it's a Saturday.  Meg and I are all curled up in front of the fire.  I fear that if it gets much colder it will start snowing.  It's already starting to hail a bit.  Oh well, good thing the "building" can hold up in this type of weather.  In fact, it actually benefits from it.  I keep a monitor at home that shows me the building stats and it's actually getting stronger in the rain.  I'm going to look into that more later on.

 <<Incoming call>>
 Who is it?
 <<A Mr. Jonathan Doors>>
 Accept!
 <<Connecting>>
 "What's up?"
 "Be prepared"
 <<Abnormal abortion of log>>

Dr. Walter "Wally" Van Eaton
Level 1
Resistance Agent, Taelon Organic Matter Specialist
US Taelon Division
 

Date: November, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Remains of Atlantis
Time: Immediately after the destruction of Atlantis
Subject: Relief...

 James and Tara were pushing the SDVs for all they were worth. Casting a grim glance behind himself, James saw the blue flash that heralded the end of the once great city.  He observed it implode upon itself, and saw the surrounding water rush in to fill the gap left by the strange force.
 "Tara!"
 Tara Carmichael turned her head to look at James.  One thought echoed crazily in her skull as she glanced at her fellow implant:  ~It's not good when a SEAL looks that worried.~  She followed his glance behind them into the depths and saw the leading edge of the shock wave rushing towards them. Terrified, she swiveled her face back to James, a look of "What now?" etched into her delicate features.
 James pulled himself up onto his SDV and gripped it with his legs, locking his lower limbs around it with his ankles.  He continued to steer with his hips and he motioned for Tara to do the same, fighting hard to control the machine while making all speed to the decompression unit.
 "Tara, do what I do," he shouted into his mouthpiece.
 Tara watched him place his hands over his ears and then begin to shout as loud as he could.  Then it hit her.  Their ears.  ~When that wave hits us we could go deaf from the pressure wave...~  She screamed with all her might, then screamed harder still when the wave hit them.....

****************************************************************************

 And woke up in the carrier infirmary.
 She sat up in her bed and immediately began to dry heave as the sudden motion threw the entire galaxy into a flat spin around her.  Weakly, she fell back into her bed, moaning as she broke into a cold sweat with the vertigo that refused to go away.
 James sat in the wheelchair next to her bed and patted her forehead with a cool, damp cloth.  He raised his eyes to the far wall as his eyes became unfocused and the voice, that sweet voice, softly filled his mind.
 ~How is she, love?~ Jennifer's voice queried.
 ~She'll live.~  He wryly smiled and sent back, ~Right now she just wishes she wouldn't!~
 Tara moaned and muttered something under her breath.
 James frowned and leaned in closer to hear better and asked, "What did you say?"
 "I said, stop talking about me like I'm not here."  She winced with the effort of speaking and groaned, "Oh, my head..."
 James knew what had just happened, yet was unable to complete the thought that accompanied the event.  It took him two tries and Jennifer's help before his brain registered the thought, ~She heard us...!~

James LeMaire, aka sithspit@usa.net
Cmdr. James Christian
US Taelon Division, Level Three
 
 

Date: 11/2
Author: KVS
Place: Caleb's Office
Time: Continuing "Covert"
Subject: I once was lost

 ~Damn.~
 Ethan didn't need this.  Not now.  What the hell did Caleb think he was going to do, take the tapes to CNN or something?
 "Caleb, I've been in this business a long time.  I worked in the Internal Affairs department of the FBI, for God's sake.  You don't go blowing up buildings and kidnapping people to create a _diversion_.  There's a right way and a wrong way to do things, and the Taelons are all wrong.  I'm not talking about kissing Johnathan Doors' ass here, I just think that it's time to let the Taelons know who they are dealing with.  This time it's a kidnapping, next time they'll just kill people outright.  Who knows what else they have going on...mind control experiments, implanted spies everywhere...we need to start keeping them in check.  Joshua Doors can do only so much, but if we tell him about this..."
 Ethan let that one sink in, amazed at his own tirade.  He knew Caleb was right, their job was Taelon _security_, but it felt good to vent the anger.  He looked at Kathy, wondering what her take on it would be...
 <brrz><brrz>
 Ethan grabbed his global.  There was a message from Sandoval.  He read it, and for the first time in a long while, he felt relieved.
 "Looks like it's all academic, guys.  Sandoval's found Schultz's location."
 Caleb and Kathy looked at each other.
 "Might I ask how?"
 "How do you think...the Taelons 'helped' them.  Looks like whatever they needed her for is done."
   ~At least now I won't have to tip my hand to Sandy,~ thought Ethan.

Agent Ethan Miles
Companion Security, U.S. Taelon Division
Level One
 
 

Date: November 2, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Da'an's Safehouse Somewhere In Alexandria, Virginia
Time: Set just after "Further Preparations"
Title: Calm Before The Storm

  It was risky, moving everyone where it was such tight quarters, but Grace was going to trust that the Taelons knew what they were doing when it came to their technology.
 "You do realize that moving everyone back here doesn't give much maneuvering room, don't you?" Ken said quietly to her as the agents positioned themselves. They quietly prepared for the assault that was imminent.  She watched as Lindsey and Cochran set the last of the house's furniture in the narrow passage way so that they could use it as a barrier. Grace took up a position behind a huge couch, the couch where she had taken a nap only a few short days ago. She waved Ken over to her position as she ready a gun.
 "I know we don't have much room but it was just a matter of time anyway before they would pick us off. Besides, I am kind of hoping that either Curtis gets through that jamming or somehow the Commonality will pick up on the situation from Da'an and send us help." Grace said.
 "Here's hoping they will." Ken muttered, readying his gun.

Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to Da'an
Level 5
US Taelon Division
 
 
 

Date: November 2, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Da'an's Safehouse Somewhere In Alexandria, Virginia
Time: Set just after "Calm Before The Storm"
Title:  It Begins

 There was a loud sudden explosion from the west side of the house and the Companion's agents braced themselves for the worst.

*********************************

 "Move in but be cautious."

*********************************

 Grace watched the hall vigilantly, waiting for their attackers to show their faces. Ken nudged her and indicated the darkened room at the end of the hall.
 "They're here." he muttered.
 "Everyone get ready." Grace said.

Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to Da'an
Level 5
US Taelon Division
 
 
 

EFC Division
Date: November, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Taelon Carrier
Time: After Atlantis Destruction
Subject: Killing Fields_Part One

NRPG:  No continuity error.  The time between the events at Atlantis and the
safe house were not directly parallel, so there's no problem.  Tara's
recovery and mine are synched with the assault.  Sorry for taking so long,
but the last week and a half at work was BUUU-SSSSYYY! 8-D

 Tara awakened.  She knew some noise had awakened her, but it didn't repeat itself.  Warily, she looked about her darkened quarters, looking for any sign or indication of what may have caused the sound.
 "BOO!"
 Tara jumped and screamed!  Rolling to her right, she came out of her bed and to a kneeling position, tangled in the sheets and fighting to bring Chiron to bear on_what?
 ~There's nothing there_~  she thought, heart beating a staccato jackhammer in her chest.  She relaxed.  And heard the unmistakable hiss of a skryll beside of her head.
 Spinning, she swung Chiron around but was blocked by what felt like a steel bar, the shock traveling down her arm and into her shoulder, temporarily numbing it with the force.  Desperately, she lashed out with a leg to sweep where her opponent was at, but it was similarly blocked and accompanied with a dry, "Predictable.  Is your head still whacked?"
 James looked at Tara Carmichael as she slumped back against her bunk, sweating profusely and breathing hard.  She glanced at James and asked herself why she had ever asked him to help her train.  He was merciless. ~Does he ever SLEEP?~ she asked herself.
 ~No~, he replied, his voice sounding in her head, ~I don't.~
 Before Tara could reply with a smart comment, James' Global chirped.  It was Ra'el.
 "Commander Christian, your presence is required immediately at the Virginia safehouse.  Da'an and Agent Whitney are under attack.  Do what must be done to expedite your arrival."  James snapped the Global closed.  He looked at Tara and said, "One minute.  Move!"  Wide-eyed she scurried to comply.  James turned and went out the door to give her some privacy as she changed.  Once outside, he used his Global to page the medic.
 "I need a 'Yarkin' Cocktail' delivered to the stern shuttle pad, ASAP."
 "Yes, sir.  Who_?"
 James assumed his drill instructor mode and barked, "Double time, sailor! I see KP in your future_!"
 "SIR, YES SIR!"
 With that, the corpsman was gone.
 Tara stumbled out the door, slinging her gear over her shoulder and still breathing hard.  She took off after James at a dead run and shouted, "What's a 'Yarkin' Cocktail'?", she yelled, struggling to keep up with his long legged pace.
 He laughed.  "A 'Yarkin' Cocktail' is a little something me and some of my SEAL buddies cooked up after the Taelon's arrived.  It'll help with the vertigo and yarking that accompanies it."
 Tara looked confused.  "Yarking?"
 James laughed even harder.  "Yeah, yarking.  Also known as barf, puke, hurl, etc__"  As he rounded the corner of the accommodations, he saw the medic stumbling out of the building in his skivvies, shivering in the cold. He took the hypo-spray injector from the saluting, shivering sailor and threw a salute back to him.
 James rolled up Tara's sleeve as the pilot powered up the shuttle.  Quickly swabbing her left deltoid with an alcohol swab, he pressed it to her arm and triggered it.
 Tara asked, "What's in it?"
 James smiled and said, "Endorphins, promethazine, trace amounts of epinephrine, and the Taelon drug drokarh."  He rubbed the site and tossed the hypo back to the medic. "Dismissed."  He saluted smartly and about-faced, skin puckered in the cold.  James tried not to laugh as the poor man double-timed it back into the quarters.
 She looked around her strangely and said, "Oh, wow_"
 James began to laugh.  "Packs a kick, doesn't it?  It'll stop the effects of the vertigo and basically hype you up like PCP will, but it's non-addictive. The good thing is, it doesn't affect your reasoning or judgment like the PCP.  The bad thing is, you'll feel like you've had a ten day binge of espresso on no sleep when you come down."
 "Great_"
 "Let's go!"
 The shuttle lifted and immediately went ID_.
*****************************************************************
 "Their communications are jammed."
 "Keep trying," James growled, busying himself with his gear.  "How long until we leave ID?"
 The pilot waved a hand over the virtual controls and said, "Two minutes, Commander."
 "Good."
 Tara looked at James, a look of concern clouding her eyes.  He looked_strange. She focused her mind and said, ~Are you ok?~
 James didn't stop his preparations.  He didn't even look at her.  ~Yes.~
 Tara grimaced.  ~James, don't let your anger at Jen's kidnapping cloud your thinking.  Stay focused and cool.~
 Christian turned and looked at Tara, a cold look of murder on his typically boyish features.  Tara drew back, alarmed and chilled at his visage.  James saw Tara's reaction to his face and colored, ashamed of himself.
 ~I'm sorry, Tara.  It's not you.  I've just had so much pent up anger and frustration since the kidnapping that's had nowhere to go_.~  He softened. ~I'll stay focused.~
  Tara smiled.  ~That's the chief I know~
 The pilot spoke, "Coming out of ID now_"

To Be Continued_..

Commander James Christian
Level 3
US Taelon Division
 

EFC Division
Date: November, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Somewhere in Virginia
Time: Immediately after "Killing Fields_Part One"
Subject: Killing Fields_Part Two  Rated (V) for Violence

NRPG:  Sorry if I left y'all hanging with the last one_<BEG>  Be warned.
This is a violent one.

 The pilot spoke, "Coming out of ID now_"
 James unslung his weapon of choice, a heavily modified version of the old Atchisson Assault 12.  This modern model had was much lighter and was capable of handling the new, high power 3-1/4 in magnum rounds.  With a cyclic rate of 700 RPM it was well capable of sawing a man in half.  James preferred the jungle mix rounds for close quarters, an even mix of .30-caliber buckshot and No. 6 birdshot in one shell.  In this instance, he had slugs mixed in as every third round.  This was what was loaded into the massive 30-round drum.  Slung on his web belt were an additional two drums and some concussion grenades.  On his right hip rode his trusty Desert Eagle .50-caliber.  He switched over to it from his old .44 AutoMag when ammo became too hard to come by.  Besides, it actually did more damage.
 James glanced over at Tara as she began to put on night vision goggles.
 "Tara, no."
 "Back here!  We're pinned down back here!"
 Tara came in behind him, white-faced and bug-eyed.  She gulped and stuttered, "I-I get your point, chief."  She swallowed and shivered, horrified at the carnage she had witnessed outside.
 "There's your taste of the SI, Carmichael.  Don't forget it."
 James advanced.  As the confines in the house became more narrow, he collapsed the stock on his weapon and it became the length of a large submachine gun.  He also switched magazines, taking out the drum and putting in one with only jungle mix.
 As he slapped the drum home, an enemy soldier darted across the hallway and fired a burst from his Uzi.  One round caught James in the stomach, but the body armor did it's duty and deflected the slug.  James raised the shotgun to fire, but it was jammed.  Smoothly, he dropped the shotgun and drew his .50 cal and placed one round through the soldiers chest, throwing him against the wall and dropping him in his tracks.
 Tara moved on ahead to point as James checked his weapon and cleared the jam, a deformed shell.  He then resumed point.
 He could hear Tara behind him fire a long, ragged burst down a side hallway, then retch as she saw what she had done.  James grabbed her and pulled her aside, out of the line of fire as more soldiers poured into the building.
 "Tara!  Snap out of it!"
 Tara was shaking, white-faced with revulsion.  "James, I've never had to kill like this before_"
 ~Tara, I understand.  It took me a long time and I still don't like it.~ He leaned over her and threw a concussion grenade down the hallway, covering his ears and opening his mouth as the ear-shattering blast rocked the house. ~But it's necessary.  If you want to live, and if you want me, Grace, and Da'an to live, you've got to snap out of it.  You can philosophize about it later.~
 Tara nodded, mutely shaking her head in the affirmative.
 James placed his hand on her shoulder and smiled.  "Ok, on three."  ~One, two, three_~
 They burst out of their place of concealment and began firing, cutting down the soldiers still standing after the blast and low-power skrylling those that weren't.  Just in case.
 At the end of the hallway, they entered a room with some familiar faces. Unfortunately, they were dead.  Kara Beckett lay over on one side, and another agent whose face he knew but was too mangled to identify was not far from her.  Through the door on the other side, he could hear firing.
 "That must be where the others are," James said.  "Let's go." Tara inhaled deeply, the smell of blood and burnt gunpowder stinging her nostrils as she said, "All right.  What's the plan?"
 "The plan?"  He frowned.  "I thought you had one."
 "James!"
 "Ok, Ok."  His brow furrowed, deep in thought.  "We have to get in there and help Grace and Grayson, but if we tip off the opposition, then it will just make things messier."  He took a deep breath.  "I hate to do this, but they'll thank me later."
 "What are you going to do?" Tara asked, a wary look on her face.
 James hefted the round object that he'd pulled off of his belt. Tara winced.  "Ooh, that's going to hurt."
 James shrugged.  "Beats dying."  With that, he pulled the pin, counted off three, and threw the grenade around the corner.  Half a second later, it exploded.
 James and Tara charged around the corner, weapons blazing with James going high and Tara going low.  He heard her grunt as she was hit, but couldn't stop to check her out.  Half of a drum later, it was over.
 Later, as the medics were carrying out the wounded and the coroner was carrying off the dead, James and Tara were standing and watching Da'an leave on the shuttle.
 "You sure you're ok?"
 "Hmmm?  Oh, yeah, just a flesh wound, really.  I won't be able to wear a bikini for a while."
 James grunted.  He walked over to where Grace was lying.  Grace had been shot no less than three times, once in the torso and puncturing a lung, and the other two in the shoulder and arm.  Though she'd lost a lot of blood, the medics were optomistic.
 She saw him approach and managed a weak smile.  "Hey, you made it." He smiled back and said, "Yeah.  Sorry about the stun grenade.  I figured that the leaders would be in the room and I wanted prisoners as well as you safe.  I couldn't see a safer, faster way."
 "S'ok.  Is Ken alright?"
 James nodded.  "Yes.  He took a hit, but it's minor.  He'll be ok."
 "What's the body count?"
 James grimaced.  "Half of our personnel, all of theirs that didn't escape.
 I took two prisoners.  That makes fifteen of them dead."
 Grace frowned.  "Poor Kara_"
 James nodded in agreement.  "I know.  Tara's upset about that, too." He placed his hand on her shoulder and said to the medic, "Take her off.  Go on, get her out of here." He walked off, tired, beat, but alive.  Jen was waiting for him and all was right with the world_.
 
 

Commander James Christian
Level 3
US Taelon Division
 
 
 
 

Date: November 3
Author: Esti
Time: Unknown, present
Place: Unknown
Title: Getting oneself shot, part 2

 "You're sure she's okay?" asked a rather nervous voice above her.
 "I only Tazed her. Unless the good doctor has a medical condition that we don't know about-" came another voice above her.
 "She'll be fine. She's just having standard reactions-" a third voice said, and someone poked a finger into a sore spot she didn't know she had. She groaned. "See?"
 She opened her eyes to find three of her kidnappers standing above her. She was lying on the floor, shaking, and her head hurt. Probably from the fall. The first two speakers, apparently deciding that she was fine, took one look at her and headed off into the other room. The third one rose to his feet. "I'd thought that people with doctorates would be smarter than that," he commented. "I'm afraid you're food's a bit of a mess, Doctor. Clean it up when you're done."
 Tossing a blanket at her. "After you finish shaking, that is," the man said, and then went through the door, closing it.
 "Well, that went real well," Rosemary muttered, reaching for the blanket and waiting for the shakes to go away.
--
NRPG: Thanks to James LeMaire for medical information on the effects of a
Tazer.
--
Dr. Rosemary Schultz
Level 6
CVI specialist
US Taelon Division
 
 
 
 
 

DATE: 4 November
AUTHOR: Kittykat
PLACE: a plane heading for Kennedy International Airport
TIME: a few days after "Culture Shock"
SUBJECT: Wild Blue Yonder

 Stretching as best she could in the cramped coach seating, Kitty yawned hugely as she watched the azure blue of the Atlantic Ocean speed by under the wingtips. The Catspaw was being shipped back to the states in a seperate plane, and wouldn't be arriving in New York for a week after she arrived. Plenty of time to arrange for a berth.
 ~Too bad I had to leave the dolphins. They were certainly a welcome diversion.~ Kitty thought wistfully, looking at a picture she'd snapped of her favorite, Squeaker, before docking for the last time in Athens. ~Oh well, such is the nature of things. We meet people who change our lives, yet only really stay in contact with them for a fleeting moment compared to the rest of our lives.~
 After Atlantis had gone up, Kitty brought the Catspaw in and arranged for her ticket back home, but spent a few more weeks touring Greece and Egypt. While in Cairo she'd run into a promising linguist who'd been able to confirm her initial translations of the Atlantis files. Since she'd been right with the initials, she was fairly confident she could translate the rest unaided. The Soundforce files were particuarly interesting- if Kitty could figure out how to apply those subliminals to, say, a cheesy office computer game, she could have a convenient backdoor into any system in the world without having to spend precious time hacking her own in and admittedly risking capture.
 ~I may be good, but it is a cocky fool indeed who considers him or her self untouchable.~ As for the diver, perhaps she could sell the specs to some gadget developer who's employer didn't ask questions as to where he came up with his ideas. And then there was the whole distressing mess with the kidnapping and Da'an being placed in the safehouse. Kitty didn't like the thought of the Taelons having even fewer scruples than some of her colleuges when it came to the value of human lives. Such callousness did NOT bode well.
 ~That'll be my next project... Perhaps that "smugglers' alliance" isn't such a bad idea after all. But who in their right mind would agree to join it?~

Kittykat, aka Kitty Jenson
Hacker, level 3
US Taelon Division
kahiki@hotmail.com
 
 

Date: November 4, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Dr. Belman's Private Clinic, Washington DC
Time: Set A Few Hours After "It Begins"
Title: Aftermath

 Ken jumped when someone laid a hand on his shoulder. Ken turned to face Sandoval.
 "How is she?" Sandoval asked indicating Grace. Ken adjusted his shoulder sling and turned back to face the window that allowed doctors to look into Grace's private room.
 "Dr. Belman says she'll recover. The gunshot wounds weren't that serious." Ken replied.
 "How many assailants were there?"
 "We've estimated there were at least 15 assailants. Half of them were either wounded or killed in the initial attack. We also lost half our agents in the attack." Ken said, almost shuddering at the memory of Kara Beckett being cut down.
 "But you kept Da'an safe. Those agents died heroes." Sandoval replied. Ken looked at Sandoval in amazement, but he noted that Sandoval refused to meet his eyes. "Excuse me, Agent Grayson, but I will be going in to see Ms. Whitney before returning to Da'an." he said. Ken nodded and watched as he quietly entered her room.
 Ken turned to head in the direction of his own room, his thoughts lost in remembering the those who had given their lives just hours ago to protect the North American Companion from terrorists.
 "Ken!"
 Ken turned to face Dr. Belman.
 "What are you doing out of bed?" she asked scoldingly.
 "I just went to see about Grace." he replied. He stopped and waited for Belman to reach him. The shorter woman laid a hand on his back.
 "I told you, she's going to recover." she said, gently pushing him back towards his room.
 "I know she is. It's just that I keep thinking about all those people who died. Julieanne, there are 17 people dead from this thing. Pointless bloodshed. That's why I left the military after the SI War because I couldn't stand the pointless killing. And I can't help but wonder if protecting Da'an was worth the deaths of the 17 people." he said.
 "I believe his life is worth the price that was paid tonight. Will would tell you the same thing if he were here." she replied. "Ken, are you feeling guilty over this?" she asked.
 "I was the one who got Kara Beckett posted to Da'an's security detail. Now she is dead, cut down so young in her life." Ken said, tears present in his eyes. "God only knows we would have all died if Tara Carmichael hadn't brought in help when she did. Thank God she and James recovered from their ordeal a few days ago." Ken said.
 Dr. Belman stopped at his room's door and watched Ken as he sat down on the bed.
 "Can I get you anything before I go?" she asked.
 "Is there a way you can stay and talk for awhile?" Ken asked. Julieanne stepped into the room with a smile and sat down in a chair.
 "I'll only stay for a few minutes. You need to rest." she said.
 "Deal."

Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to Da'an
Level 5
US Taelon Division
 
 

 Date: November 4, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Dr. Belman's Private Clinic, Washington DC
Time: Set During "Aftermath"
Title: Maybe the Skrill Just Doesn't Like You, Agent Sandoval

 Sandoval quietly entered the room of the unconscious Grace, he admiration increasing as he thought about everything the woman had suffered to protect Da'an.
 He neared her bed and Dove, her skrill began to glow softly. Sandoval looked at it with curiosity as the skrill began to hiss at him. Without warning, the skrill discharged and the blast sent Sandoval flying backwards and he slammed into the wall opposite of Grace's hospital bed.

================================================

 "What in the world was that?" Dr. Belman muttered as she hurried out of Ken's room to
investigate the loud THUD that had sounded throughout her clinic.
 "It sounded like it came from Grace's room." Ken said. He followed the doctor as she rushed
to Grace's room.
 They entered the room to find Sandoval still stilling on the floor, leaning up against it. Dr.Belman went to him immediately.
 "What the devil are you doing in here? Are you trying to wake the entire floor up?" she asked as she checked him for injury. Sandoval looked at her, clearly irritated.
 "Doctor," he began with a sarcastic tone to her title "Is it possible that Ms. Whitney is conscious?" he asked.
 "No, Agent Sandoval, she is quite unconscious. She has too much medication in her system to be otherwise. Why do you ask?" Dr. Belman asked.
 "Because her skrill discharged at me. That's 'what the devil' I was doing to cause the noise you just heard. Her skrill  discharged and the blast sent into the wall." he replied. Doctor Belman finished examining him for injury and then helped him to get to his feet. He watched her as she went over to Grace's bedside.
 "She is still unconscious. Maybe_just maybe the skrill just doesn't like you, Agent Sandoval." Julieanne said, careful not to look at Ken as she spoke. If she had looked at him right that second they both would have lost it.
 "Don't be ridiculous, doctor. Now if you'll excuse I must go report to Da'an about Agent Whitney's progress." Sandoval said and hurried from the room. As soon as he was gone, Ken and and Julieanne lost it. They both laughed until tears were rolling down their faces.
 "Grace is going to hate she missed that one." Ken said after catching his breathe.
 Julieanne wiped her eyes and motioned him out of the room.
 "Let's get you back to bed."

Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to Da'an
Level 5
US Taelon Division
 
 

EFC Division- US Taelon
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: November 4
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: Washington DC
Time: Present
Subject:  New Friend or Strange Acquaintance? (Part 1)

 Dr. Jennifer Christian looked across the car at the person who had invited her to lunch. The invitation came as a complete surprise--and a treat.  She had been forced to stay in seclusion since the kidnapping because her husband, James was still working on the Atlantis project. Ra'el decided and Zo'or had agreed that it would be best for her to have Companion Security with her at all times until Rosemary was found and the excitement of the kidnapping blew over.  Jennifer could see no reason to give some crazy "copycat" the opportunity to make a name for himself, so she agreed to the added security measures.  It had been several days since she was released, and she stayed completely out of sight since then.  She had not left the Comtech Taelon-Human Research Facility at all since the FBI harassment incident_
 "Why are you so silent?  Do you want to go back to Comtech?" her newfound friend asked.
 Jennifer smiled at herself as she stared at the man across the car.  Never in a million years would she have expected Ronald Sandoval to take her out to lunch!  She gave a slight laugh and replied, "No, no_I was just thinking about all that's happened in the last few days and how good it feels to be getting out again."
 Sandoval returned her smile--briefly, then a clouded look crossed his face. He recovered quickly and said, "I'm glad to be able to do something for you. I felt_horrible that James had to endure being away during the kidnapping." His face fell again, and he wouldn't meet her eyes.  After a moment, he whispered, "I_I know the demands of being a Companion Protector and the cost it exacts on a family_."
 The doctor looked across at the man in the car and saw him in a different light.  Having helped develop the CVI, she knew all too well the cost it exacted.  Quietly, she responded, "For what it's worth Agent Sandoval_I'm sorry that it has taken such a toll on yours."
 He looked up quickly.  Confusion clouded his face and he asked, "Why should you apologize?"
 Now it was Jennifer's turn to not meet his eyes.  She answered, "I'm unsure of exactly how much of my research is in the Taelon databanks, but my research was instrumental in the development of the CVI_"
 "Doctor," he asked.  "What do you mean?  You weren't brought onto the team until a few months after the prototypes were developed."
 An unreadable expression crossed Jennifer's face and she replied, "Yes, but those who created the prototypes did so using my research.  I believe that if I had been allowed on the project from the beginning, some of the less pleasant_'side effects' could have been avoided."
 Sandoval seemed to absorb this information for a few minutes, saying nothing.  Their conversation was postponed by the driver announcing, "We're here, sir."

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~`
Dr. Jennifer Christian
CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division
Level Five
 
 

Date: November 5, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Dr. Belman's Private Clinic, Washington DC
Time: Set two days after "Maybe the Skrill Just Doesn't Like You, Agent Sandoval"
Title: Guilty Conscience, Heavy Burden
 
 

 Grace sat in the meditation garden of Dr. Belman's clinic with her eyes closed, contemplating her decision to join the service of the Companions. What's more, she thought on those 8 lives she had taken just days ago while trying to protect a Taelon's life.
 ~It was all pointless!~ she thought.
 "May I join you?"
 Grace looked up to see Da'an standing before her. She motioned for him to sit down beside her on the bench. When he was seated, she looked around and found Sandoval watching them both from a distance and Grace fought back a small smile of amusement. He was keeping his distance from Dove.
 "You seem distracted." Da'an began.
 Grace looked at him suddenly, turning her back to Sandoval. She looked down at her hands which betrayed her inner turmoil.
 "I am." she admitted.
 "What is it that disturbs you?" Da'an asked.
 "I can't stop thinking about what happened at the safehouse. I assume that there is nothing left of the house?' Grace asked and Da'an replied with a nod.
 "Hardly anything." the Taelon said quietly.
 "That is the least of my worries right now."
 "What troubles you?"
 "I'm troubled by the fact that I had to kill 8 people. 8 people!" Grace said.
 "Now I know you are truly different." Da'an whispered.
 "How do I ease what I am feeling?" Grace asked. "I know I can never forget the faces of those I killed because of this !@#$ CVI that is in my head."
 "I cannot help you. Taelons have not had to deal with this for over a millennia."
 "If you know how to pray, then do. I'm not sure I believe in God but I don't know of anything else that might help me deal with this." Grace said.
 "I shall then."
 "Thank you."

Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to Da'an
Level 5
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: November 5, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place(s): Liberation Headquarters and Augur's Place
Time: Set Sometime Before US Taelon Division Mission #2
Title: Nightly Virtues
 

 Grace entered the Liberation Headquarters with the fury of a thunderstorm. Behind her, Ken Grayson trailed, wisely keeping his silence as she headed straight for the office of Jonathan Doors and entered without knocking_
 Suddenly Ken caught Augur's eye and the hacker gestured for him to come over. Ken walked over to him and leaned over.
 "What's going on? I saw the look on her face." Augur said. Ken shrugged.
 "I'm not sure but I think it has something to do with her husband. She's been that way all morning. Angry with Doors, I mean."
 Suddenly silence fell in the room when shouting was heard from the office of Jonathan Doors. Augur smiled as he heard clearly some of their exchange.
 "She definitely has spirit." he said to Ken.
 "Tell me about it."
 Suddenly the door opened and Grace came out in a huff, looking for Ken. When she saw him she gestured for him to follow. When they were almost to the elevator, Grace turned to look back at Doors.
 "You're just like the Taelon Synod in your honesty, Doors." she said. Before he could say another word, she was to the elevator with Ken right behind her. Augur came over to her.
 "Come to my place tonight. I want to help you." he said simply.
 "Maybe." she replied, trying not to sound hostile.
 "Boone or Lili can tell you where I live." he said.
 Grace nodded and entered the elevator.

================================================

 Grace didn't know why but she did go to Augur's place that night. She was quickly running out of hope of ever seeing Arthur alive again, but maybe Augur really could help her in some way. So she had gotten directions from Boone as to where the eccentric computer hacker genius lived.     Cautiously she entered his abode to find Augur in the midst of all of his computers and she also found Sahjit Jinnah working on a computer. They were locked into deep conversation and neither one saw her enter. Grace cleared her throat. Both turned to face her.
 "Am I interrupting anything important?" she asked. Sahjit smiled.
 "Oh, no. It's nothing that we can't pick up tomorrow at HQ." he said. Grace looked at the screen before he shut it down and saw that what they were working on was data for the Metal Scarecrow. Quickly the young scientist gathered his materials and slipped into his coat.
 "Goodnight, Augur, Grace." he said as he headed out the door.
 "Goodnight, Sahjit. It was good to see you again." Grace said and watched him leave. After he was gone she turned back to Augur.
 "So here I am. What was this you were saying earlier today about helping me?" Grace asked.
 "Can I take your coat?" he asked in reply. She nodded and Augur helped her off with her coat. "Well I know that you want to find your husband again, and I know that the Companions are responsible for his disappearance. I am offering my skills to help you in finding him." Augur said.
 "You're offering to hack into government computer's just to help me?" she asked.
 "Yes."

================================================
 Over the next few months Augur and Grace worked together, she would often spend the night at his place, they each taking turns going through files. Grace found Augur to be the perfect gentleman, never trying anything with her.
 Slowly she even came to consider him a friend. She also got to see a side of him that he never allowed to surface in the Liberation's hideout.
 That's when the rumors started_
================================================
 While they were on en route to Washington DC one morning Ken cleared his throat. Grace looked at him. Up until that moment, she had been looking over something on the datastream.
 "Freeze file. Did you want to say something to me, Ken?" she asked. Ken kept his gaze on his controls.
 "There's...there's some rumors going around about you in the underground." he began.
 "What kind of rumors?"
 "They're not nice." he replied.
 "Tell me what they are."
 "They involve you and Augur. The rumors say that you two are...how can I word this politely..?"
 "Nevermind, Ken, I get the idea. I don't know who started these rumors but they're completely untrue." Grace said.
 "Well half of the underground doesn't believe it." he said.
 "Frankly, I could care less. And in case you're wondering I have been staying at Augur's these last few months. Augur has been helping me to try and find out what happened to Arthur." Grace said.
 "Any luck?" Ken asked.
 "Not yet. But I have hope that we'll find out something soon enough." Grace said.
 "I'll be praying to that effect."
 "Thanks."

Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to Da'an
Level 5
US Taelon Division
 
 
 

Date: November 5, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Liberation Headquarters
Time: Set just after the second season EFC episode, "Atavus" ends
Title: A Touch of Truth and Trust

 Grace's breath caught in her throat as she watched Da'an walk into the Liberation's Headquarters. Beside her Ken stood with his mouth wide open.
 ~ Oh, Will, my friend, if only you'd lived to see this.~ Grace thought.
 The look on the face of Jonathan Doors was absolutely priceless! Da'an in the meantime was looking upon each Liberation member in turn. His gaze fell onto Lili, and she dropped her gaze. Finally Da'an's eyes met Grace's and she held the Taelon's gaze steadily. As she held his gaze Grace felt compelled to go to him and talk with the Taelon. Grace turned to Ken.
 "Excuse me, will you, Ken?" Grace said quietly to him. She didn't wait for him to respond but instead made her way over to where Da'an stood. She held her gaze with him as she moved to occupy the spot that Doors had vacated just seconds before.
 "Now you know why I am different from any other implants." Grace said quietly.
 "Indeed."
 Grace looked around the room and noticed that she and Da'an were the center of attention. Grace held out her hand to Da'an.
 "Please, I want to take you somewhere where we can talk in private. I have somethings that I need to say to you, Da'an." Grace said, stealing a glance at Liam. The young hybrid nodded quite approvingly. He was so protective of Da'an, and she hoped that Liam would trust her enough to allow Da'an out of his sight with her. Again he nodded almost imperceptibly as Da'an took Grace's hand. Grace led Da'an to a part of the underground chambers that had just a short time ago been tunneled out. Grace released Da'an's hand and watched as he circled the darkened room.
 "How long have you been working with Jonathan Doors?" Da'an asked.
 "Since I was recruited by you. Jonathan Doors approached just right before you after Boone-" Grace stopped. The look on Da'an's face told her everything. "You already knew, didn't you?"
 "Yes, I knew he was not a full implant. However I did not realize that his loyalties were to the Liberation Movement." Da'an confirmed. "Please, continue your story."
 "Anyway, Boone talked with Doors first before he made his recommendation to you that I be recruited into the service of the Companions." Grace finished.
 "Why would you choose to serve both sides of this conflict?" Da'an asked.
 "Because my husband, Doctor Arthur Whitney, disappeared nearly 3 years ago. All I know is that the Taelons had something to do with his disappearance. I want to find him and Jonathan Doors has given me his word that the Liberation would seek to locate him." Grace said.
 "What will you do if you find him?" Da'an asked.
 "If I find him and he's alive_.I would want him freed from his prison. Other than that I would continue serving the Liberation by posing as a Companion agent. But, Da'an, I give you my word, you shall never be harmed by me. I'll die before I'd let anything like that happen."
 "I trust and believe you, Agent.."
 "Please, call me Grace."
 "Very well, I trust you, Grace." Da'an said and extended his hand.
 Their friendship had begun in earnest it seemed....

Elizabeth Grace Whitney
Liberation Agent and Implant to Da'an
Level 5
US Taelon Division
 
 
 

Date:   11-5-98
Author: Amy
Place: Caleb's Office
Time: Simultaneous with
Title: "Setting Everyone Straight"
__________________________________________________
NRPG: I'm sorry it took me so long to post this one, I just had my computer
harddrive updated, and getting everything back onto the computer and
functioning took longer than I expected.  But the good news is it looks like I
didn't lose any information!
__________________________________________________

 Kathy stared at Caleb, somewhat taken aback by his reaction. ~What in the world?~
 Ethan reacted first. "Caleb, I've been in this business a long time.  I worked in the Internal Affairs department of the FBI, for God's sake.  You don't go blowing up buildings and kidnapping people to create a _diversion_. There's a right way and a wrong way to do things, and the Taelons are all wrong.  I'm not talking about kissing Johnathan Doors' ass here, I just think that it's time to let the Taelons know who they are dealing with.  This time it's a kidnapping, next time they'll just kill people outright.  Who knows what else they have going on...mind control experiments, implanted spies everywhere...we need to start keeping them in check.  Joshua Doors can do only so much, but if we tell him about this..."   Ethan let that one sink in, amazed at his own tirade.  He knew Caleb was right, their job was Taelon _security_, but it felt good to vent the anger.  He looked at Kathy, wondering what her take on it would be..
 <brrz><brrz>
 Ethan grabbed his global.  There was a message from Sandoval.  He read it, and for the first time in a long while, he felt relieved.
 "Looks like it's all academic, guys.  Sandoval's found Schultz's location."
 Caleb and Kathy looked at each other.
 "Might I ask how?"
 "How do you think...the Taelons 'helped' them.  Looks like whatever they needed her for is done."
 Ethan shut down his global.
 Kathy closed her eyes, relieved that that part of their job was over.  ~But other than the rescue, we still have one important thing to finish.~  She looked at Caleb, who, while distracted by the good news, still did not look happy.  It suddenly hit Kathy, what Caleb must have thought.  "Oh, Caleb, I'm sorry.  It must have seemed like I was about to pull Jonathan Doors out of a closet!"
 Caleb grinned, "Well . . .kind of . . . ."
 "Rest assured, I think Jonathan Doors needs a psychological evaluation, not insider information.  But, having said that, at the very least we're looking at corrupt FBI agents.  We have to make sure that FBI internal affairs knows about this.  We can't allow it to be covered up.  It shouldn't affect Taelon security, and if it will, well, we can reevaluate that decision once we have all the facts."

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan, Ph.D.
Level One, U.S. Taelon Division