Mission #3

Place: Newscast seen over the global news network, and Resistance HQ

Subject: Mission Three Briefing
 
 

"And the world sits in shocked wonder today at the ever increasing ferocity of Jonathan Doors and his so-called "Liberation" Movement. Behind me sit the remains of what was a promising human-Taelon venture. The Companion's Bombay Medical facility was one of the first facilities to search out cures for many diseases that had horrified mankind. It was here that the cure to rabies was found. It was this facility that ended the nightmare of ebola. Now the world watches as if in some terrible dream, as the remains of last nights bombing are scoured for survivors...."

Those in Resistance HQ stared at the screen in shock. No one said a word. The newscast continued, "....this is the fourth confirmed bombing of Companion facilities in recent months. The first such bombing was that of the Comtech labs in the United States, where two Companion doctors were kidnapped. Several smaller bombings have occurred since then, but this is by far the most deadly. Over three hundred people have been confirmed dead, and the number is expected to climb dramatically...."

At this, a horrified gasp that rose echoed throughout the room, as each Liberation member stole accusing glances at one another as if trying to ferret out the guilty. Slowly all eyes turned to Jonathan Doors, who stood solemnly watching the screen--no emotion visible at all on his chiseled features. The faces in the control room pleaded with him to deny any involvement in the bombing. Only those who looked into his eyes witnessed his white-hot anger as he turned on his heel and left the room.

"....The Synod leader, Zo'or, has pledged all Companion resources to ferret out the terrorists responsible for this outrage. He has assigned Companion Security to investigate the bombing and to bring the culprits to justice. Zo'or also called for every human to join the efforts to capture Doors and shut down his organization. Zo'or has increased the reward offered for Door's capture to five million dollars..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

END
 

Author: Uriel
Date: December 3
Place: Na'ar's office, Taelon Mothership
Time: During the mission 3 news broadcast
        (FYI: Some time after meeting Tara in the shuttle)
Subject: Na'ar prepares for a new workload

        There seemed to be about 30 different transmissions playing simultaneously, as projected by Na'ar's three-tier holographic array.  Taelon linguists have done him the favor of translating them to Eunoia, a language so well made, Na'ar could listen to a hundred broadcasts and not lose any information.
        But as the case usually was, it took much effort to watch any more than a third of that limit.
        Na'ar's chair was reclined, and he was leaning back into it, taking in the sounds of human culture as portrayed so marvelously by television.  And then one stream of voice caught him off guard.
        A thought, and a wave of the hand; suddenly there was only -that- broadcast, so amazingly important.  There was no doubt that he would be called off to work on this new mission.  Na'ar was sure of it.

Na'ar
Level 3
Head of Taelon-human counterintelligence
 

Date: December 4
Author: Esti
Place: Human-Taelon Medical Facility, Washington, D.C.
Time: Present, around the time of Mission 3 Briefing
Title: Left Waiting

Dr. Rosemary Schultz had a problem.

Actually, she had several problems, but this one was most pressing, or at least she wasn't allowed away from it. She sighed at the swarming of security personnel around the laboratory, assuring herself that there would be far less at some point. She'd be happy if they'd totally leave, but that wasn't going to happen, it seemed.

"Have they discovered anything?" someone asked from behind her. Rosemary turned around to find her boss, Doctor Julianne Belman, standing with her arms crossed. ~Well, at least she isn't happy either....~

"If they are, they aren't telling me," Rosemary said, watching the techs scan for a DNA sample. "Of course, I'm still not their favorite person, although they did get a break from dealing with me."

The older woman placed a hand on Rosemary's shoulder. "Someday, you'll learn to deal with them."

"I hope so," Rosemary replied. "I'm getting sick of them, they're getting sick of me, and if these thefts keep occuring, certain members are going to want to start throttling me. I wish I knew who's been stealing from this place. I mean, the Resistance is the best guess, but how could they sneak someone in here? Much less anyone who could steal an Implanting probe with a CVI in it."

The older woman was silent for a moment. "I don't know, but I'd like it to stop," she said tiredly. "I'm going to go back to my office. Do you think I can deal with them?"

"I think so," Rosemary replied. "If I need to, I can get one of the interns like Adam or John to watch over things for me. But I doubt I will. I just hope they get through *soon* - I'd like to get to bed sometime in the near future."

The older woman smiled, and patted her on the shoulder, before going off in another direction. Rosemary sighed, and turned back to watching the crime scene techs. ~At least there's been a news blackout regarding this. Last thing I need to hear about is how dangerous this place is to work at.~

--
Dr. Rosemary Schultz
CVI Specialist, level 6
US Taelon Division
 

DATE:  12/6/98
AUTHOR:  David McCorkell
PLACE:  Remains of Kentfield Industries.
TIME:  Present
SUBJECT:  The bombing less taken.

He wasn't tall, particularly.  Neither was he unusually short.  Neither weight nor appearance distingushed him dramatically from most other human males.  Where he did stand out was in his income (very large), and his politics (vehemently libertarian).  Also, he knew Donovan.

Neither rich nor conservative, Donovan had nonetheless forged a serviceable friendship with him back in high school.  It was on the basis of that friendship that Donovan had come.  "John, what are you up to?  Still oppressing the masses?"

"Read your Rand, Don.  What I do actually helps the little guy."

"Logic'll take you wherever you want to go.  Doesn't prove anything. Anyway, I'd love to talk shop later, but I've got a job to do."

"Right, if you can do anything to help the Taelons stop these bombings it would be great.  I mean, you know how much good joint Taelon/Human ventures are for the economy.  I can't have my place of business blowing up."

"Yeah, didn't exactly do your janitor any good either."

"Hospital sais he might pull through."

"You bothered to check?  See, I told you you'd grow a heart some day."

"You wanted to investigate.  Come on in.  You won't find anything though.  Taelon security already looked it over."

For the first couple of hours, he assumed that John would be right.  He managed to spot the obvious clues--stuff Taelon security had no doubt noted and deemed irrelevant.  Which they probably were.  `What am I doing here?'  Donovan had chosen Kentfield in large part because his old friend had the authority to get him special access there, but even more because it wasn't Bombay Medical.  The sight of the first bombing had certainly been gone over with a fine-toothed comb.  Bombay was a major hit, and would be exhaustively investigated.  Kentfield was relatively minor and had been one more bombing amid several.  Here, he had hoped, he might come across something the authorities had missed.

`As if I'm going to come up with something police experts haven't.  For all I know, they had an implant look over the spot.  I'm not qualified for this junk.  Shouldn't have hired me in the first place.  Just `cuz the editor's a friend from SI . . .'

Donovan hadn't fought in the SI war.  He'd reported on it.  It was his single claim to fame.  He could still remember the smells of the war. The sights.  The elite 77th.

Donovan's brow wrinkled.  "John, you fought in the SI war.  What do you know about the 77th?"

"Super-efficient.  Trained on their own.  Came up with their own methods.  Got the job done.  Why?"

"Ever seen their work?"

"No."

"I have.  And this job looks like thier work.  Well one of them anyway."

"I didn't think any of them were involved with the resistance."

"Oh, as if anyone knows who's really in the resistance and who isn't. `Sides a lot of them are mercenaries.  Although I don't know why the resistance would bother hiring mercs.  Can I borrow your security tapes?"

"You can have a look at them.  Do you really think your onto something."

"I don't know.  Don't know."

Donovan Grant
Level 1
Reporter
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: 12-8-98
Author: Amy
Place:  Da'an's private chambers
Time: Shortly after the Mission Three Briefing
Title:
 

        Pa'el quietly entered Da'an's personal chambers, he was expected.  Some things were not discussed through the commonality, it was too risky.
        "Greetings Da'an."
        "Pa'el."  Da'an acknowledged him with a gentle nod of his head and the ritual Taelon greeting.  Noting that Pa'el was in his `human' form he gestured toward a chair, "Please be seated.  I understand you have a potential solution to our concern about Zo'or and the recent events in Bombay."
         "Perhaps."  Pa'el hesitated before continuing with an explanation.  He explained his proposal to Da'an, leaving his concern until the end.  "I know that we must determine the true source of the bombings, but I hesitate to put another at risk with no possibility of protection.  Especially when I am uncertain of her ability to succeed, and I believe she is unaware of the potential danger.   Before I propose Agent Morgan as a solution, I would like some assurance that she  is not completely . . . exposed if she is discovered. Others in the Synod have proven less open to these possibilities, their solution to their fear has often proven quite draconian and . . .  rather final."
        "Then perhaps you should speak to Ra'el."
        "Can he offer a solution to this dilemma?"
        "Perhaps."
 

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

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: December 9
Time: Very late night (same day as Resemblance & Confusion)
Place: Augur's . . . warehouse??
Subject: Clipped (Continuation of Resemblance & Confusion)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
NRPG:  You'll see a lot more of this topic, just under different names (or else this would be 'Resemblance and Confusion part 56 after awhile!)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

   Wally walked into Auger's *warehouse* and coughed.  Gosh it was dusty! He walked into the little 'hut' in the middle of the warehouse and was greeted by swearing.
   "Whoa buddy!  Take it easy!"
   "Well how would you like it if the Pentagon just denied your access code??  Hummm?"
   "Whatever.  Anyway, I've got a job for you."
   "That involves . . ."
   "That's the tricky part.  I keep finding mysterious newspaper articles everywhere!  Someone got into my office, which requires authorization of Admin. personnel, which is only Doors, and myself.  Also someone has gotten into my house!  There was NOTHING on my security records!"
   "I'll see what I can do."
   "Here are my security records for the past 5 hours.  Call me the minute you get anything."
   "Will do."
   "It's nice to have friends in devious places."
   "I'll take that as a compliment," Auger said paranoid.
   "You should!"  Wally chuckled, turned, and left.

Dr. Walter 'Wally' Van Eato
Liberation Agent, Taelon Organic Matter Specialist
Level 1
US Taelon Division
 

Location: Liberation HQ
Author: Heretic
Time: Some point before the rescue team embarks
Date: December 10, 1998
Title: Prep Time

John had two of the rifles in a large duffel bag, along with his toolkit, a grappling line, water, rations, a small quantity of explosives, a flaregun, a change of clothes and a thick blanket.

"This should be all set."  he said to Doors.  "What about the equipment for the other members of the team?"

"I've told them to switch ammunition loads to this variety."  Doors said, holding up an M-16 bullet.  "No lead quantity at all."

"What's in it, then?"  Smith asked.

"It's a poly-carbon alloy jacket, with a spent uranium core submerged in a mercury pool for the standard rounds.  The armour piercers have a teflon coating and a sharponed industrial diamond tip.

"I thought that we were going to try to do this without killing anybody." Smith said to him.  "That is not a wounding caliber."

"We are."  Doors replied.  "However, if somebody has to take a shot, I want it to be effective.  You can always choose to not shoot them, you might not have an opportunity to shoot them twice."

"I've tested all of my equipment on Virtual Glass configured what these these guns are designed to induce."  Smith said.  "It works.  Make sure that the rest of the team does a test, and then we'll do a full test with one of the extra ray-guns to make sure that this is going to work."

"'Ray gun?'"  Doors asked.

"Can you think of a better name?"  Smith replied.

Doors shook his head.

"And to think, I'm funding this..."  he muttered under his breath.
 

John Smith
Thief/Specialist
Rank 2
US Taelon Division
 

Date:  December 10
Author:  Jen LeMaire
Place: US Taelon Research Facility, Comtech
Time: Present
Subject:  How can I go?

"Ra'el" Jennifer spoke in hushed tones, "I don't think I can do this!"

The Taelon looked thoughtfully at his assistant for a few minutes before replying.  "We have no other option, Jennifer." He said quietly.

The doctor turned her head quickly to the wall, her breathing hard as she tried to keep from crying.  She couldn't even find words to describe the turmoil going on insider her.  Instead, she reached towards the Taelon and held her hand up to him, palm first.

Ra'el glided across the room and touched the offered palm.  A whirlwind of emotions surged through his being_.guilt, anger, pity, sadness, confusion, fear_.the torment surged through his mind like a tidal wave.  It was all he could do to stand up.  Finally, Jennifer broke off contact, tears evident on her face.  Ra'el glowed a brilliant blue.  No trace of his façade could be seen.

After a gripping silence, he regained his voice. "Jennifer, I have felt your pain.  However, you must try to  understand. This assignment is the only way to stop the atrocities at Rrra-Shaui." ~We have no options.  You must go and do what you can to help the people imprisoned there.  Gather the information that we need to stop Zo'or's experimentation, or your entire race will suffer the same fate as those you visit there.~

~And what of the experiments I must do there?~ her mind cried.

The colors swirled through Ra'el much like the thoughts in his soul.   ~And if that is the only way to save your people?~

For that question, Jennifer had no reply.
 
 

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

EFC Division
Date: December, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Bombay, India
Time: Early morning, GMT 01:38 (07:08 Zulu)
Subject: First Impressions

 James Christian surveyed the carnage and damage of the scene around him. As the first light of the sun peeked over the edges of the city of Bombay, the true extent of the tragedy became painfully apparent.  Whoever had placed the bomb had set it to go off with the most casualties in mind; early in the morning as the supplicants for the Taelon medical care would be lining up for the day's examinations and treatment.
 James turned to his partner, the lithe implant Tara Carmichael and said, "Whomever did this needs to go down."
 Tara turned her woeful gaze onto the body of a small child, it's small hand lifelessly clutching its mother's severed hand.  She responded, "That's the understatement of the day, bub."  She wandered around, the surgical mask clutched to her face to keep the stench and flies from her as she surveyed the blast zone.  Her British lilt seemed to softly contrast with the harshness of the reality surrounding her.
 "Why were we sent here, anyway?  We're Companion Protector's, not investigators."
 James sighed.  "Because it was a medical facility and I'm Ra'el's Protector.  He wants me to ascertain the potential threat to State's side facilities and see if there's any light I can shed here with my demolitions experience back from the SEALs."   He crouched down and sifted through some rubble, examining the blast pattern and scorch marks from the fireball.
"Judging from the crater's location, this was a fairly compact device."
 "How can you tell?"
 He stood and gestured over to where the concavity was located.  "It's located where the sidewalk used to be, right in the middle of where the crowd was shaping up.  There's no way it could be a car bomb and anything larger than a briefcase would've instantly set off warnings to security." He stood up and carefully walked across the debris, avoiding the bodies and the rescue workers as they strived to locate survivors buried beneath the remains of the clinic's corpse.  He hated to get in the way like this, but it was unavoidable.  The more the workers moved and excavated the rubble to find survivors and bodies, the more the scene became disturbed, further weakening the likelihood of finding evidence and clues.
 James looked back at Tara and saw that she seemed transfixed by the same child's body from earlier.  James came up behind her and placed his hand upon her shoulder.
 "Carmichael, are you all right?" he asked.
 She nodded quickly, looking around the site in an effort to hide her red, watery eyes.  She turned a hesitant smile up to her companion and responded,
"Yes, I'm fine.  Just got something blown in my eye, s'all."
 The big implant grinned and reassuringly squeezed her shoulder.
 "Liar."
 Tara punched him lightly, her smile broadening as she let him know that she was going to survive.  ~I had a great teacher_~
 James grimaced and replied, ~I resemble that remark.~
 Tara grinned, her mood improving with the banter.  She inhaled deeply and immediately regretted doing so as she gagged on the foul air.  She returned the mask to her face and queried, "So what do we do now?"
 James stuffed his hands in his fatigue pants and pressed his lips firmly together, his brow knit in concentration.  He turned to Tara, a wicked grin plastered across his chiseled features.
"We rattle some cages, dear.  Hard."
He pulled his hands from his pockets, his Global nestled in his massive grip.  Pulling it open, he punched in the code for Ranjit Punjib, the Companion Protector to the Indian Companion.  As he did, a shuttle burst from Interdimensional, the muted "boom" rolling out across the bustling city. James looked into the screen of the Global as the shuttle maneuvered into the lot next door, making a wobbly landing on the scattered pieces of building that had been blown there from the explosion.  He smiled down at the face displayed there and asked, "Ratchet, is that you making such a
grand entrance?" The handsome Indian man smiled out from the Global, perfect white teeth gleaming from an open, friendly face.  "Why, yes Sahib.  It is I.  I see you remember my nickname."
James chuckled.  "How could I forget the first and only Indian national to complete BUD training?  Christian out."
James snapped the Global closed, still chuckling as he watched the same man exit the shuttle across the street, waving a greeting as he moved towards them.
Tara folded her arms across her chest, sardonically raising an eyebrow at the exchange.  "Friend of yours?" she asked.
James was still smiling.  "Ratchet and I were buddies in BUD school.  We were on the same team.  Nobody could pronounce Ranjit worth a flip, so he got stuck with 'Ratchet' instead."
She tilted her head the opposite direction.  "And the Sahib part?"
James laughed.  "What did you think I'd get called being the only Occidental in the unit paired with an Indian sidekick?"
She sighed. "Point taken."
To Be Continued_

NRPG:  sorry.  It's very late and I have other responsibilities tomorrow_..
Commander James Christian
Level 4
US Taelon Division

Date: December 12
Author: Esti
Place: US Taelon Medical Facility (Comtech Building) Washington D.C.
Time: Present, after "Left Waiting"
Title: Take Two and Call Me In The Morning

"Hey, Doc, tough night?"

"You could say that," Rosemary Schultz said, gathering up her things. "I'm getting pretty sick of Companion Security, and I think they're about the same with me."

Adam grinned. "You just gotta learn to get along with them."

Rosemary made a face at her intern. "Like that's going to happen, really."

Adam shrugged. "Hey, nothing's impossible."

"Except for people stealing probes," Rosemary grumbled. She was probably making security much more unhappy with her, but it wasn't as if Adam didn't know.

"Hey, Companion Security found you..."

"I would like to think that I'm a bit easier to find than a CVI probe. I'm just worried about the resistance getting their hands on that probe. Or someone else, who wants to recreate our virus problem. Thank goodness that I don't have a CVI."

"Yeah, considering what's going on... I think all of us are."

"I suspect that I'll be seeing more of them tomorrow. And John didn't show up for shift today, so I don't look forward to answering about him, either..."

"Go home and get some rest, Doc. You're going to need it."

"Yes, I am," Rosemary said, and with one more sigh, she departed.

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

Date: 12-13-98
Author: Amy
Place: Taelon Shuttle heading for Bombay
Time: Shortly after the Mission Three Briefing
Title: Halfway to Bombay

        Kathy stared out the front of the shuttle, watching as they entered interdimensional.  Under any other circumstance she would have appreciated the sensation, but her mind was elsewhere.  Within just a few short minutes, they would arrive in Bombay, the site of the most recent bombing.   ~I wonder if they'll send Ethan or Caleb to Bombay too?~  Her mind refocused on the meeting that occurred a few short hours ago.
        She had been summoned to Da'an's office.  Upon entering, she discovered Pa'el staring out the virtual glass window and Da'an sitting in his chair.  She paused, acknowledging them in the ritual Taelon greeting.  Uncertain why she was summoned, she focused her attention on Da'an.
        "You were briefed on the recent events in Bombay?"
        "Yes, Da'an, another bombing . . . with tragic results."  Kathy wondered again, as she had during the briefing, what kind of coward murdered in this fashion.
        "Can you tell me if Jonathan Doors is behind these attacks?"
        Surprised, Kathy's glance slid to Pa'el, who still stood staring out the window.  Puzzled, she returned her attention to Da'an, "I do not believe that Jonathan Doors is behind the first attack."  ~When in doubt, keep it simple.~
        Da'an studied her for a moment, "And the others?"
        "It is impossible to tell at this time.  The most recent bombings use a substantially different method of operation.  But, since the kidnapers were killed, the person or persons behind the first bombing may have hired others. That would explain the change in method.  It might also explain the change in lethality." ~Interesting that he isn't asking why I ruled out Doors for the first bombing.~
        Da'an seemed to ponder her answer before continuing.  "So Agent Morgan, in your expert opinion, are the bombings related?"
        "Da'an, I don't have enough information to form an expert opinion." Something strange was going on here.  Her last conversation with Pa'el came to mind. ~Maybe Pa'el's been talking with Da'an.~  That thought did not make her happy.  Only after speaking with Pa'el in the hospital did it occur to her that this ability she seemed to have - or rather that Pa'el thought she had - might be a problem in the eyes of the Taelon Synod.
        Da'an paused, seeming to study her for a moment.  Then he glanced toward the window.  Kathy wondered if he was communicating with Pa'el.  After a long moment, he responded, but in an unexpected manner.  "Agent Morgan, the teams that we have working on the bombing in Bombay are under a great deal of stress due to the very lethality of the crisis."
        "That's understandable, and normal under the circumstances."  She wondered what led to the change in conversation.
        "Yes, but I believe you are particularly equipped to help them deal with the situation, are you not?"
        "I do have a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, but I haven't practiced on my own. And there are plenty of civilians specializing in this type of trauma that are better equipped to deal with the needs of the teams working at the site."
        "Perhaps, but I would like you to go to Bombay with the others, Agent Morgan. We have provided support staff to help the non-implants in particular deal with the horror of this event.  But I believe that all the agents would feel more comfortable approaching a fellow security officer.  Therefore, the first part of your assignment is to help them deal with the emotional stress of this situation."
        "And the second?" ~Why do I know I'm not going to like this?~
        "To find the answer to my question, Agent Morgan.  I want to know if the resistance is behind these attacks.  You will report to Pa'el.  I believe you have worked with each other before."
        Kathy glanced toward Pa'el, and was taken aback to find him staring back at her.  They stared at each other for a moment before she returned her attention to Da'an.  "With all due respect Da'an, it seems to me that every member of the security team is looking for that answer.  Why am I needed?"
        "Others will certainly be seeking the perpetrator, but Pa'el has chosen to work with you.  You will be the only one working directly and continually with Pa'el.  And I believe that the reasoning behind his decision is sound."
        ~A non-answer if I've ever heard one.~  "And that reasoning is . . . ?"
        "Something you will have to discuss with him."
        "I see."  ~Yep, clear as mud.~  "Is there anything else?"
        "No, you may direct any questions you may have to Pa'el."  And with a brief Taelon gesture, she was dismissed.  Pa'el left the office with her.

        She waited until they reached the privacy of her office before asking any questions.   When they were finally alone, she said, "Why me?"
        He must have been expecting the question; he did not even pause with his answer.  Turning his head slightly to the side, he studied her as he said, "Because we need to determine whether Mr. Doors is actually behind these events."
        Kathy was not impressed.  "Every security officer over there is searching for the answer to that question, so again, why me?"
        He paused, staring off in the distance for a moment.  In Da'an's office she was under too much pressure to be sure, but this time there was no doubt - Pa'el was communing with another Taelon.  The pause was only brief, and then he continued, "you seem to have a knack for understanding when it comes to Taelons, more so than most humans."
        "I know.  You've said this before.  I'm still not sure I buy it, but I'm curious, how many Taelons know of your opinion?"
        "Why do you think I have mentioned it at all?"
        "Other than Da'an's comments?  Are you denying you communed with another just moments ago?"
        Pa'el studied her for a long moment, "No.  But only a few know of this.  I cannot answer your question further.  Will you go to Bombay?"
        "I go where I'm ordered to go."  Kathy paused, she was still annoyed, and could not shake the feeling that more was going on than she had been told. "But if I'm going to be responsible for helping the security people deal with this, then I need to know more about the CVI.  I have no clue whether the implants will react differently, or  at all, to the trauma of searching that site for clues." ~And for bodies.~ She did not say it, but the quality of the silence told her he understood.
        "I know of a human expert in this field who would speak to you.  I will arrange for you to speak with her, but she will be not be able to answer all of your questions.  Much of the information regarding CVI's is classified above your clearance level.  But she will tell you what she can.  I will arrange for you to speak to Dr. Christian."

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

Date: December 14, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Augur's Home
Time: Sey Just After US Taelon Division Mission Briefing #3
Title: Road to Freedom

    "Grace, wake up."
    Grace stared up into Augur's face, just inches away from hers. For the past 6 months they had been searching through Taelon records, trying to locate her husband Arthur. Arthur had been a Companion employed research doctor and had disappeared 3 years ago. He straightened up as she moved to sit up.
    "What is it, Augur?" Grace asked.
    "I think I found something." he said.
    He returned to his computers and waited for Grace to joined him. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes as she moved to get some coffee.
    "What time is it anyway?" she asked.
    "Oh, about 4:17 A.M. give or take a minute."
    Grace groaned and she joined him, sipping the hot coffee carefully.
    "What have you got?" she asked.
    Augur looked over into the direction where his computer avatar version of Lili Marquette was. For once Grace thought that the hologram respectfully represented the Marine pilot. She smiled as thought about for the millionth time why Augur wasn't dead from Lili's viewing of the avatar.
    "Call up the information regarding the Taelon research facility on the continent of Antarctica." Augur instructed the hologram. Grace's eyes widened.
    "Antarctica? What are they doing in Antarctica?" she asked.
    "Information ready." the hologram announced.
    "Display information on this monitor." Augur replied. He pointed the monitor out to Grace. Grace began reading the information.
    "Increase display speed to 25% times its normal rate." Grace instructed and the information started to flash before her eyes. "Increase again by 25%." she said. "Stop. Back up to page 596 and highlight paragraph 26."

Subject:
Arthur David Whitney
Age: 35
Occupation: Human Medical Doctor- Research

    Grace closed her eyes.
    "We've found him at last." she whispered.
    "Yes, we have." Augur said gently.
    Without thinking Grace hugged Augur, and then pulled back suddenly.
    "I don't mean to burst your bubble, but how are we going to get your husband free from the Taelons?" Augur asked.
 

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

Date: December 14, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: Liberation HQ
Time: Set the Next Day Following "Road to Freedom"

    "Absolutely not! We're not going to risk this movement for one man's life." Doors said. His tone of voice said to her and all present in the room that the subject was not opened for discussion.
    "Jonathan, it's not right that they're kept Arthur prisoner these past three years. And God only knows what they've been doing to him." Grace said.

    "And how the !@#$ do you know that they've done anything to your husband except kept him prisoner?" Doors shot back coldly.
    "Does the name Captain Lucas Johnson ring a bell? Jonathan, this was the facility they took McIntyre's men to for the initial stages of the interdimensional tests. Oh, the Taelons have done something to him all right." Grace replied. The look Doors locked on Grace was deadly.
    "We should free him." a voice came to her rescue suddenly. Grace turned to look at Liam and felt her gratitude well up. Liam moved to where he was standing the closest to Doors and he straightened himself to his full height. Doors and Liam definitely had no great love for one another. In many ways, Liam reminded Grace of both Ronald Sandoval and Siobhan Beckett. Before Doors could open his mouth again, Lili spoke up.
    "I agree with Grace, Jonathan. We have to free her husband from that living hell that the Taelons have placed him in. If Johnson was any indication, then there's no telling what they've done to him in the past 3 years." she said. Instead of speaking, Doors looked to Dr. Belman and she nodded.
    "All right. If you can form a plan that minimizes the risk to our movement to free your husband, we'll consider it." Doors said.
    "All right. But before we go any further I believe that there is someone that should be here." Grace said.
    "Who?"
    "Tara Carmichael. I think that she'd want to help Arthur and I."
    "I'll contact her. Maybe my talking to her won't arouse Sandoval's suspicions." Lili said.
    "All right."

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

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: December 15
Time: A day after 'Clipped'
Place: Mostly in Auger's 'Warehouse'
Subject: Clipped part 2

   [Beep . . . Beep] "Yes,"  Wally said into his Global.
   "I've found something," said the blank screen staring back at him.
   "I'll be right over."

***25 minutes later***

   "What's up?"
   With a straight face Auger replied, "Someone rewrote your security files."    "&#*@!  How?"
   "It's extremely hard since yours are all on a computer, tapes and all, not just movement logged by the computer.  Too bad you're not as lucky as Grace."
   "Grace Whitney?"  Wally looked stunned.
   "The one and only."
   "So it's not just me,"  Wally replied and walked out the door, with a good idea as to who was behind the bombings, who had placed the articles everywhere, and who had killed Cal and rewrote the security files.  It was all fitting into place.  He just needed to talk to Agent Whitney to confirm one detail.

------------------------------------------------

Dr. Walter 'Wally' Van Eato
Liberation Agent, Taelon Organic Matter Specialist
Level 1
US Taelon Division
 
 

Author(s): Grant & Rilei
Date: December 15
Time: Day after 'Clipped part 2'
Place: Wally's small, but cozy, office
Subject: Interview with Grace

   "Welcome Agent Whitney. Thank you for coming on such short notice," Wally said as he nodded his head and greeted Agent Whitney. He also noticed that she looked a bit distressed, but happy.  Grace returned the nod and took the seat opposite from him.

   "I would like to talk to you regarding the murder of Cal MacPherson," Wally asked a little uneasy.

   "I assume you've got security clearance for that?"

   "From the mouth of the one and only Zo'or," Wally chuckled.

   Inwardly Grace shuddered at the mention of the Taelon's name. She stared at him.  "How can I help you then, doctor?" she asked.

   "First of all, at about what time was Mr. MacPherson murdered?"

   "About 3:27 Am was the estimate."

   "And the murder weapon?"

   "It was a common knife you'd find anywhere in a kitchen. The murderer was an uncaring man."

   Wally shuddered. ~What a way to die~. Getting his composure back, he asked, "Was there any apparent motive?"

   "We've been trying to piece together MacPherson's life. It's possible he was a member of the Liberation movement. We also believe he may have been there at the White House that night to negotiate some sort of deal with Chung's boss." she answered.

   ~MacPherson, I don't think he's Liberation, but I'll remember to check~. "And may I ask, who gave the order to Companion security to investigate this crime. Why wouldn't the NYPD take it over. As you and I both know, this has no evidence pointed toward defiance of the Taelons."

   "It was the Synod itself that gave the order. Zo'or himself assigned me to work on this case." Grace replied.

   ~Just as I thought. Zo'or.~ "And also, Agent Whitney, do you know how the Synod received this information?"

   ~This guy is getting too nosy~  "Look, doctor, the Taelons watch the news like the rest of us. Who could ignore such a terrible murder that happened in front of the White House?"

   "Ah, but Agent Whitney, if the murder happened at 3 a.m., and you investigated it at around, 6 maybe, then the news wouldn't have show yet would it?" ~Caught at her own game~

  "Perhaps. Look, doctor, you're bordering on implying that the Synod had something to do with this murder so I'd watch my step if I were you."

   "Perhaps. But how would you know?" ~Two can play at this game~

   ~He is incredible or either he's stupid.~  "Doctor, there are even somethings I am not cleared to tell you. The Synod do not inform their implants of everything."

   ~Well, maybe they should~ "I understand you have a limited knowledge, but I will try to avoid those questions. Now, moving right along, Agent Whitney, how would you describe your relation with Agent Sandoval?"

  If Grace were not an implant she would be staring at this man with her mouth wide open. ~The nerve of this guy!~  "Why, pray tell, are you interested in that, doctor?"

   "Just answer the question Agent Whitney," Wally replied.

   "Well, Agent Sandoval and I are servants to the Companions. Our personal feelings are irrelevant." Grace replied soothingly, trying to keep her emotions in check.

   "And one last thing, what made you personally enter the service of the Companions?" ~Gosh, she probably thinks I'm crazy!~

   ~Where is he going with this interview?~  "I believe that Companions are going to make humanity's future brighter and more prosperous. I wanted to help them accomplish this so I entered their service when Da'an approached me several months ago." Grace said. ~What a bunch of bull!~

   "Thank you Agent Whitney. That will be all. I trust you can find your way out?"

   "Yes, thank you, doctor."

   ~Yes, you're very welcome.  Just as I suspected.~ Wally grinned.

-------------------------------------
 

Date: 12/16
Author: Ken Schmit
Place: U.S. Taelon Headquarters, office of Ethan Miles
Time: Day after Mission 3 Briefing
Subject: Sympathy for the Devil
 

It was some time now since Will Boone's death.  Enough time for Agent Miles to have considered the Taelons' hand in his death, but not enough to discern their agenda.  Ethan, having been involved in the search for Ha'gel and present as part of the "inadequate afterthought of a security force" (his words) at Boone's funeral where Quo'on was killed by the Jaridian probe, now knew that the Taelon agenda, whatever it was, had changed.
  Ethan had faced permanent demotion after the incident with the kidnappers, and would have elected to resign if not for Zo'or (of all Taelons). Instead, Ethan served a one-month field suspension in which time he was put to work by Zo'or, sifting through the little data they had on Doors and the Liberation.  Or, at least, what data he was privileged to see.
  The bombing in India shook him especially hard.  After having investigated several bombings firsthand, he knew that this one would be messy.  Having researched the Liberation for the past month, he also knew that they were not responsible.  Any doubts were erased for good with this bombing, of the facility which had produced so much good for humankind.  No, to have done this would have gone against everything the Liberation stood

  There was no reason to try and explain this to Zo'or.  It might get himself in trouble (or more trouble than he was already in), or even killed for all he knew.  The last thing Ethan wanted was to wind up "missing".
  At Sandoval's request, Ethan turned from researching the Liberation to investigating the data from the bombing.  Reports had come in from Carmichael and Christian, sporting gruesome pictures and descriptions of the terrorist act.  As much as it pained him, he realized how used to it he had grown.  He half wished he was there now, sifting through the rubble and digging to rescue the trapped survivors which were surely still buried under there, if only to spare others the horrors of having to endure it themselves.
 

"Enhance...grid 9A...zoom, no, go back, damn it..."
  Ethan had lost all patience with his computer's vocal interface.
Apparently the software did not take too kindly to his cursing, and would occasionally close the program with which he was working without warning. As perfected as the software had been in recent years, he much preferred the tactile feedback from his ergonomic mouse.
  "Trouble, Agent Miles?" asked Agent Lassiter, quietly sauntering into the room.
  "Can't get the damn...thing...to work right.  What are you up to?"
  "Just got the latest on the Bombay situation.  517 confirmed dead.  Can you imagine?  I mean, what kind of person does it take to do something like that?"
  "Takes all kinds," thought Ethan aloud, appreciative for Lassiter's take on the situation.  ~How lucky you are to be here, just having to look at pictures.  I wonder how quickly you'd self-destruct if you were actually there...~
  "Do you think the Liberation's behind it?" asked Lasiter.
  "Honestly, no.  That's not my official stance, though.  Mind you, I'd like to be there to collect on that $5 million once I've put Doors behind bars," chuckled Ethan.
  "Man...$5 million for one man that hasn't even been linked to a single murder.  I'm surprised that someone from his own ranks hasn't turned on him yet.  He's either got some ultra-loyal patriots, or he's paying them a bit more than minimum wage."
  "Maybe they don't actually believe they'll get the money, but that they'll wind up in a cell or a plot next to Doors.  Five mill is worth zip when you're dead."
  Just then, Ethan's computer screen went blank, replaced by the image he obtained from Caleb Richardson, recovered from the Atlantis disk given to him by Kitty Jenson.
  "Nice screen saver," noted Lassiter.  "Interesting picture."
  "Thanks...it's symbolic.  It keeps me focused on my job and reminds me what the human race is capable of.  Also reminds me that nothing lasts forever."
  Agent Lassiter turned to leave, as Ethan moved his mouse a bit to clear the Atlantis image from his screen.  He brought up his research journal, opened to Doors.
  "Jonathan Doors.  Business tycoon, martyr.  Gave up his life to go underground and...do what?  Blow up buildings?  Doesn't make sense.  He's too cautious to draw attention to himself like that.  If anything, the Bombay blast turned popular support against him."
  Ethan shuddered.  He still hadn't ruled out Taelon involvement in the bombing either, despite the media's conviction of Doors and regardless of Zo'or's emphatic proclamations to the contrary.  He knew the Taelons were involved in at least the first bombing he had investigated.  If the Taelons did this, Ethan decided, their role would have to be revealed, lest Zo'or's Ahab-esque fervor to find Doors leaves many more coffins floating in the sea.

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

Date:  December 16, 1998
Author:  Sheila Blanton
Place:  One of U.S. residences of Selena Orseau
Time:  During newscast--Mission 3 Briefing
Subject:  Revelations

Selena had come to dread the daily onslaught of international newscasts. It wasn't always the case.  Once she had actually come to embrace the news of the world.  When the Taelons first arrived, the majority of Earth's peoples were optomistic with the hope for a brand new world and way of life, courtesy of their otherworldly benefactors.  The way Selena saw it, the Taelons freely gave their gifts, asking for nothing in return, except perhaps for the opportunity to exist in close proximity with man and direct him in his quest for evolutionary perfection.  For the first time in Earth's history there was no need for military interventions.  Diseases that had once plagued the world were actually a thing of a past longing to be forgotten.  Spirituality was renewed in the hearts of man.  For many, the Taelons were something tangible to believe in, beings to demonstrate their faith in, models to aspire to.

Selena shook her head in sadness as she listened to the news of the Taelon facility bombings.  Zo'or had fueled human greed with his exorbitant reward offer.  This Taelon will achieve results from his action, but a true form of justice and truth could never come from this. Many innocents will fall under a scrutinous gaze...many, most assuredly, will meet their demise.  The almighty Dollar was still the supreme God in this world, controlling the destinies of all.

Selena was almost ashamed to be a member of humankind.  As usual, the world had digested the best thing that  served to aid mankind, took their presence for granted, and continued its "business as usual" operations.  How long would it take for mankind to reject all the works the Taelons had brought?  How long before humankind strays from the path the Taelons have blazed for them?

The newscast faded in the background of Selena's mind having triggered an array of visions manifesting themselves to her.  It was all too clear that the bias of the news report was leading in the wrong direction--but one didn't have to be a visionary to know that.

The next visionary wave was more distressing, more clarifying.  Selena frowned.  All was not as it seemed.

Selena turned off the television, but the power remained on.  From the entertainment storage center, she retrieved a lapsize flat plate made of an undiscernable material.  Selena remembered when the device had been presented to her, in confidence, by a Taelon representative.  She did not question the device or its composition.  She was honored to have been given the means to communicate with the Taelons in the most natural, not to mention, efficient and confidential method.  Using her innate metaphysical abilities in conjuction with the device, such communication was the next best thing to actually touching the Commonality.

...Or so was implied to her.  She had never actually used the device before.  She had almost considered it sacred.  So it was with great reverence that Selena prepared the plate for its first use.  With the mechanism lying lightly on her lap, Selena placed both palms on the plate's surface.  A stray thought played through her mind--of Ouija boards and contact with spiritual guides.  The parallel was most obviously striking.  The otherworldly being _she_ sought to contact was akin to such a guide.  Whether or not he knew it, Da'an was her mentor and object of her devotion.  He had become her reason for being and her inspiration for attaining spiritual perfection.  She began to have a recollection of a passionate conversation she had shared just before she had joined the Taelon service and her life was changed forever.  That was another time...and quite another story.

With a moment's concentration on Selena's desired contact, Da'an's image projected on the screen of the television's console.  Stripped away from his human facade it was almost as if his soul were laid bear to her. Selena gasped discreetly. Never had she seen such spiritial beauty.  In the presence of such perfection, all would surely pale before him.  This is the perfection she strived to attain.  She wondeed how he must view her, as a physical being or spiritual essence.  Selena gave silent thanks for being allowed to commune with the Taelons in such an honest and direct fashion.  There was no need for vocalization.  Selena gave her thoughts to Da'an.

"I have received a revelation concerning the destruction of the Taelon facilities.  It is my belief that Jonathan Doors has nothing to do with the incidents of late.  I'll wager that he is just as perplexed as we as to who is masterminding these operations."

"If I have your permission, I wish to investigate the Companion kidnapping incident in conjunction with these episodes.  The facts that I unearth in this case are coming up strangely contradictory."

Selena hesitated before she gave her next thought; she didn't quite know how to approach the subject.

"I have no _physical_ evidence to support my belief, but I feel that the Taelon kidnapping was just a smokescreen to divert everyone from another agenda.  I submit the point that the crime, as it was presented to us, did not actually occur."

"I have an eerie feeling about this, and as you well know, my intuition is seldom faulty."

Da'an emotes his opinions in the same telepathic fashion.  His subtle expressions denote his concern at her thoughts.

"You may proceed with your investigation,"   Daan projects his thoughts to me.  "This is indeed a sensitive matter.  I ask that you approach this issue with discretion and caution.  In view of the implications that may arise, I wish you to share your findings with me solely...."

Da'an tilted his head slightly as if he had an afterthought.

"...and perhaps one other;  a Taelon who may find this investigation of major interest."

Da'an closed his eyes slowly, ending his contribution to our conversation.

"I am on the task, Da'an," Selena's thoughts took on a determined aire as Da'an's vision faded from her view.  She sat in silence for a moment feeling an unmistakable void in Da'an's absence.  Despite the emptiness she was still able to savor the unique nature of their contact.

How could anyone wish to sabotage the works of such divine beings?  Once she would have justified the actions solely on the negative nature of man.  The alternative was forced upon her and not one she wished to consider.

Selena Orseau
Meraphysician/Specialist
Level 1
US Taelon Division
 

EFC Division
Date: December, 98
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Bombay, India
Time: Following "First Impressions"
Subject: "First Impressions, Part 2"

        Ranjit approached his two associates and smiled broadly, his white teeth glistening in the sunlight, each one perfect and straight.  His black hair was stylishly prepared and his suit was Savile Row, impeccably pressed and tailored to accommodate his skrill, which was peeking from underneath the sleeve.  He grasped James' hand and shook it firmly, all the while staring next to him at a thoroughly bemused Tara Carmichael.
        "Why James, who is this vision of loveliness?" He asked, releasing James' hand to take up Tara's instead.  He bent over it gallantly, lips lightly brushing the backs of her knuckles.
        Tara looked over at James,  her expression nearly pushing him over the edge of humor into hilarity.  As Ranjit straightened, she smiled prettily and said, "Charmed."
        James, still chuckling, said, "Ranjit, meet Tara Carmichael, Chief of Security to Zo'or and a damned fine agent."
        Ranjit smiled faintly.  "Oh, I most assuredly agree with the 'fine' part."  He turned to James, once again strictly business.  "I am most appreciative of your assistance in this matter.  Our Prime Minister is most disturbed at the recent attack.  She is concerned that other attacks may follow at one of the other facilities in either New Delhi or Calcutta."
        "Well, it's the least I could do, especially considering the fact
we're under orders anyway."
        The Indian nodded gravely.  "Yes, it was with much joy I received the news of your assignment.  There is none finer in the field of terrorist bombing investigations."  He turned and took in the blast zone with a sweep of his arm.  "What you see here is a terrible, terrible tragedy.  We must insure that nothing of this kind ever happens to a Taelon."
        James' eyes narrowed at that.  He had temporarily forgotten that Ranjit was operating with a fully implanted CVI/MI, and as such would place human concerns behind those of the Taelons.  He realized, with regret, that his former SEAL buddy would one day be overcome by that same MI and die, just as Beckett did.
        "Yes," he replied.  "That is of paramount importance."  He turned to Tara and said, "Don't you agree, Agent Carmichael?"
        Tara started.  She had not been paying the slightest attention to the exchange and was surprised at hearing her name.  "Oh, yes, absolutely," she said, "I couldn't agree more."
        She had been lost in a memory intrusion, reliving the day her grandfather had told her some of his war stories, recounting the bloodshed and terror he had felt that day in Viet Nam, so long ago.  ~Um, James, what did I just agree to?~
        ~I'll explain later,~ he thought back.  ~You caught yourself great...~
        "....Ohhhhh..."
        James frowned.  He could have sworn he had just heard someone nearby moan.  He cocked his head to the side and tuned his hearing up to a higher level.
        ".....ugh....."
        There!  Again, the sound came, this time obviously from only yards away.  He began to cast about to his right and discovered an alley directly across from the remains of the clinic.  As he looked into the alley, he caught motion in the shadows, feeble and weak.
        "Hello, is anyone there?"
        ".....help m....."
        The sound reached his mind the same instant the figure in the shadows registered through his eyes.  Sharply, he inhaled the fetid air of the alley, his mind and gut sickened at the sight he was seeing.  There, hanging against the wall with his arms and legs pinned at wrists and ankles was an emaciated man.  Though obviously Indian, he was dressed and made up to appear Taelon, his head shaved and skin powdered a bluish white.
        As James moved into the shadows for a closer look, he realized that the man was literally pinned, nailed to the wall as though crucified.  Above his head, a painted phrase waited expectantly:  "Not the Saviors of Mankind!"
        Ranjit rounded the corner as James was attempting to support the man's weight and enable him to breathe easier, as the actual killer in crucifixion was asphyxiation. Ranjit gasped.  "I know this man!  He is our Companion's assistant, Sharna Matikha!  He's been missing for weeks." Fighting to keep his control was difficult, but James managed.  He cast a surreptitious glance over at Tara, who was standing at  the alley's entrance, Global in hand, calling for a shuttle MedEvac.  The look he gave said much.

~No, James.  The Liberation had nothing to do with this.~
~I hope not, Tara.  For your sake, you'd better hope not too.~

Commander James Christian
Level 4
US Taelon Division
 

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: December 18
Time: Shortly after 'Interview with Grace'
Place: Liberation HQ
Subject: Shocked

   Wally entered his office at HQ and logged into the HQ's Intranet.  He went to "Member Search" and queried 'Cal MacPherson'.

   Cal MacPherson (Deceased)

            Was a peanut vendor in front of the White House . . .

~Blah, blah, blah~  He scrolled down a bit further:

            Click here to view members with associations to 'Cal MacPherson'.

~Ah hah!  Just what I needed~  He clicked there and was amazed who he saw at the top of the list.  Agent Grace Whitney.  ~It seams that Grace is a little more interesting the I was lead to believe~, and with that, he left for the night.

Dr. Walter 'Wally' Van Eato
Liberation Agent, Taelon Organic Matter Specialist
Level 1
US Taelon Division
 

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: December 18
Time: Day after 'Shocked'
Place: Various settings
Subject: Bomber strikes again

   Wally had downloaded all information that he was able to access on Cal MacPherson, Grace Whitnet, and Zo'or into his Global.  MacPherson was turning out to be a pretty boring person.  But he knew why he was murdered.  ~It's dangerous to know too much these days.  But of course, I'm walking on that line myself.  One little slip . . .~  He walked back to his office and found a message on his voice mail.  Audio only.  ~Some people were so paranoid~.  It said, "We know who you are, we know where you live, we know what you know."  ~Gosh, what jerks.  Probably some school kids~.  He left for the night.  It was about 11:00 p.m. so he slipped into bed and nodded off to sleep.  His alarm clock sounded at 6:00 a.m. and as he opened his eyes, there was a flash of light, a loud sound, he hurt all over.  Then, all was dark.

*** 3 days later ***

Wally slowly opened his eyes.  ~Gosh this hurts!~  "Doctor, he's waking up," he heard a faint voice say not to far away.
   "Where am I?" Wally managed to whisper.
   "You're at the hospitial.  Everything is going to be okay," a smooth, melodic voice told him.  "Just relax."  Soon after, everything was dark once again.

*** One day later ***

   "I fell a little better."
   "Could you try to sit up?"  a nurse asked near by.
   ~Groan.  This hurts.~
   "Very good!"
   "Nurse, could you please tell me what happened to me?  Why am I here.  Last I remember, it was six o'clock and I was waking up to go to work."
   "Sir, three days ago, a bomb went off in your house."
   "D#@$!  A BOMB!" ~They know where I live, they know who I am, they know what I know . . .~
   "Nurse, I'd like to speak with Da'an or another Taelon as soon as possible."
   "Yes doctor, but please get some rest now.  You have a lot of recovering to do."
   ~And a lot of questions to answer.~

Dr. Walter 'Wally' Van Eato
 
 

Date: December 20, 1998
Author: Brian R. Boyko
Place: New Jersey State College
Time: Flashback to 6 years ago (2 B.C.)
Title:  "Prelude to an SI"
 

_________________________________

        "God DAMN IT!"  Caleb walked into his dorm room and quickly started punching the wall, simultaneously waking his roommate Joel out of a dead sleep, and also leaving a small dent that would be filled with toothpaste in the near future."
        "What is it, Caleb?"
        "I got the damn 'Greetings' letter, man.  I've been drafted... as soon as I graduate, I'm dead! What the hell was I working this hard for.  Getting all this useless *stuff* put in my head, for what!  So that some asshole is gonna put a bullet in it?  DAMN IT!"
        "Well, what are you gonna do about it?"
        "I don't know man, I'm only 12 credits away from graduation... I take any less next semester and I'm not a full time student, and I'm in the same fix only a semester earlier."
        "Maybe you could get arrested or something... they don't take criminals."
        "Great.  Let's try to think of a better option though... a reliable source has told me that jail isn't that good."
        "What about moving to Canada?"
        "That would be great, but my family will never speak to me again if I don't find a LEGAL way out of this... Dad was in all four Gulf wars, Grandpa was in Vietnam..."
        "Dude, maybe you should just fail all your finals?"
        "No, I'm on scholarship."
        "You're running out of options, man.  Just screw your family, take your van, and go up to Canada."
        "You mean the van that says 'I had sex with the Prime Minister' in French on the side?"
        "What?"
        "Sorry, I respond to stress with humor."
        "Well, what if there was an illegal way, you couldn't get caught, and your parents didn't need to know about it?"
        "No.  No, definitely no."
        Caleb then looked at the letter in his hand...
        "Well, maybe.  It depends."

        Two days later.

        "Gunther, I'd like you to meet my friend, Caleb."
        "Guten tag, Caleb.  Wie Geht's?
        "Well, I've been drafted.  I have only until I graduate, and that's next semester.  I can't delay the graduation in any way.  Joel said that you could... help."
        Joel translated for him.
        Caleb took Joel aside.  "I don't know about this."
        "What's there not to know about?  Your options are few.  Your conscience is clear, and I'm sure that your request isn't that hard for a guy with Gunther's skills.  Besides, he's taking all the risk here. You're just losing a little bit of money."
        "Ziel und Zweck?"
        "New Jersey Zustandhochschule, Sätze und Ausrichtung" Joel responded.

        15 minutes later.

        "Ich bin in. Was wünschen Sie mich tun?"
        "Ändern Sie Major Caleb Richardson zur Informatik."
        "What's he doing?" Caleb asked.
        "He's changing your major to computer science, retroactive 12 months.  That way, you don't have the credits to graduate for another two and a half years."
        "Oh, I see."
        "Ich registriere Sie auch für deutsche Kategorien."
        "What was that?"
        "He's registering you for German classes."
        "Wait, what?"
        "It's something that he does."
        "But I'm really bad at languages!  I failed Latin I.  Twice!"
        "Well, you're going to have to get good."
        "What the hell have you gotten me into?"
        "I'm giving you your freedom back."
 
 
 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Caleb Richardson
Specialist: Computer Hacker
Level 2
US Taelon Division
boyko2@cyberwar.com
 

Date: December 21, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: The Cemetary Where the Boones are buried
Time: Present
Title: Visitation

With great care and even love, flowers were laid onto the grave of Commander William Boone. It had been several months since her dear friend had joined the void and yet to Grace it seemed that no time had passed at all. She remained on her knees awhile, just staring at his gravemarker_
    "Will," she began speaking slowly, "I wish you were here right now to help me celebrate. You were right that if I didn't give or despair I'd find Arthur. You were right, Will. I have found him. Augur and I have been searching relentlessly for these last several months since your- anyway we finally found something. Now, it's all a matter of getting him freed from the Taelons. You and Kate, whenever you are, wish me luck in getting him free. A lot of us are risking a lot on this mission, me included.
    I know if you were here with me right now, you'd would be going with us to Antarctica?" Grace paused here and laughed. "He's there in Antarctica, can you believe that? Anyway, I know you'd be eager to go in with us too.
    We're making the final plans and preparations for this mission. It was like pulling teeth with Jonathan to get this to agree to this, but I know I don't have to tell you that, do I?" Suddenly Grace's global sounded off and Grace answered it. Ken Grayson was at the other end.
   "Everyone is ready and waiting for the discussion." he said.
   "I'll be there soon." she said and shut the link. She reached out and

touched the stone marker. "I'll let you know how things turn out. Until then give my love to Kate." Grace said. With a sigh she stood up and brushed off her skirt. Then without looking back she left the silent graveyard where William and Kate Boone had been laid to rest side by side_.

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

Date: 12-22-98
Author: Amy and Jen
Place: Taelon Shuttle heading for Bombay
Time: Shortly after the Mission Three Briefing
Title: Getting There is Half the Battle

[NRPG: Thanks to Jen for answering in character as Dr. Christian a list of questions that I e-mailed her regarding the CVI.  I have quoted those answers here verbatim in almost every case.]

       The shuttle bumped gently, bringing her attention back to the present. "How long until we arrive?" she asked the pilot.
        "Just a few more minutes, ma'am."
        ~Interdimensional flight is just amazing,~ she thought with a shake of her head.  With a sigh, Kathy returned to her silent reflections.
        Pa'el had made arrangements quickly.  So quickly, in fact, that she suspected her request had been anticipated.  Within an hour he escorted her into Comtech, the U.S.-Taelon Research facility.  There, up on one of the top floors, he introduced her to Dr. Christian.  " . . . and I believe you have already met Ra'el."
        Kathy smiled at the Taelon in question, "yes."  At the look of surprise that crossed Dr. Christian's face, she added, "Ra'el and I met shortly after you were kidnaped Dr. Christian."  Dr. Christian apparently had not been told of the meeting.  "It's good to see you again, Ra'el, but we seem to meet under unfortunate circumstances."  Ra'el's head dipped slightly, acknowledging the truth of her statement.  "Dr. Christian, I'm happy to see you seem to have recovered from your recent ordeal."
        "It's good to be back, Agent Morgan.  I want to thank you for your efforts to rescue both Dr. Schultz and me."
        Kathy shook her head, "I just wish we could have prevented the entire incident."
        Dr. Christian nodded her understanding.  She glanced around the lounge, seeing several others nearby she said, "Do you have time for a tour of the facility before we chat?"
        "Yes, and I'd love it."
        Pa'el declined the offer of a tour, indicating that he had several things to discuss with Ra'el in private.  They left the Taelons in a private office, near the lounge where they had met.
        The tour started on some of the lower levels of the building gradually moving on to the higher levels.  Some twenty minutes into the tour, Dr. Christian led her through a maze of corridors and into another area of the uppermost floor that was far more Taelon in appearance.  She finally led her through one door, marked private, and into a small room with rounded bluish tinted walls, apparently the Taelon version of a sitting room.  A doorway at the back of the room led to a larger office, with a virtual glass window looking out onto a fountain in the courtyard below.
        Kathy glanced at Dr. Christian inquiringly.
        "This is Ra'el's office suite.  We can talk here without being . . ." she
paused and glanced at the walls, before meeting Kathy's eyes pointedly, ".without being disturbed."
        Startled, Kathy nodded her understanding. ~I don't know why I'm surprised, not after that meeting with Ra'el.  He's not the typical Taelon,~ and after a moment, ~he reminds me a lot of Pa'el.~
        "I understand you have some questions for me about the CVI."
        "Yes, but first let me explain the context, the reason behind my questions. I've been assigned to go to Bombay.  They want me to help the investigators and rescue workers deal with the trauma they'll face in working at that site, in addition to helping with the investigation"  Kathy shook her head in understated dismay, "I have a degree in clinical psychology, and they hope that being a security officer, as well as a clinician, will encourage people to reach out to me if they need help, but it's no easy task to which they've set me."  She paused for a moment, contemplating the enormity of the task, before she continued, "I don't know how much you know about the kind of trauma involved in this type of work, Dr. Christian . . .?"
        "It's not my area of specialty, Agent Morgan."
        Kathy nodded, "Okay, so let me give you a quick run-down.  Generally we see people, normal under any other circumstance, begin to exhibit any number of physical symptoms including: insomnia, nightmares, hyperactivity, nervous energy, changes in appetite, neck or back pain, headaches, heart palpitations or chest pain, and even dizzy spells.
        Those are just the physical symptoms.  The emotional reactions can involve flashbacks, excessive jumpiness or becoming easily startled, irritability, anger, guilt, and feelings of helplessness or anxiety.  This type of trauma can also inhibit concentration which may lead to increased errors, memory lapses, and even an increased chance of overworking."  Kathy paused, "So you can see its a real problem over in Bombay."
        Dr. Christian nodded, "Yes, that *would* inhibit the investigation. . . but what has that to do with your questions involving the CVI?"
        "Well, that's just it, doctor, I know how the *normal* human would react in this situation, but the implants may no longer react normally.  If their reactions have changed because of this implant, I need to know it.
Otherwise we could have problems with our top security people and not even know it."
        "I see."  Dr. Christian nodded her understanding.  "I'll tell you whatever I can.  Do you have particular questions?"
        "Yes, I do.  Could you tell me, exactly what *is* a CVI?"
        Dr. Christian smiled, glanced away for a moment and looked back at Kathy. "A CVI is a combination of Taelon and human components that is designed to enhance the human brain.  Early research on the CVI was done in hopes of correcting certain problems and diseases originating in the brain.  Once all the benefits were seen, it came to be considered a great asset.  After a while, the decision was made to have it used in Companion Protectors . . . and select others."
        ~Hmmmm, I wander whom she means by `select others.'~  Something in Dr. Christian's demeanor made Kathy hesitate to ask that question.  Instead she asked, "What affect does it have on the human implant?"
        Dr. Christian paused for a moment, before cautiously replying.  "The Cyber-Viral Implant accentuates the human mind.  It boosts usage up from the normal 10-12% to approximately 50% capacity.  The implanted person has complete access to all their memories.  They also have greatly increased control over their metabolism and all of their body's systems function much more efficiently."
        Kathy paused in surprise, she had seen the implant's affect on some of the security agents, but she had not expected the results to be that dramatic. "That's very impressive, Dr.  Christian.  You must be very pleased.  Have you discovered any side-effects from implantation?"
        Dr. Christian cocked her head to the side, considering the question.  A distant look crossed her face, and a full minute passed before she answered. "The initial implantation procedure can be a slight overload on the brain at first.  It can take up to twelve hours for the person to be completely ready for duty."  She paused for another long moment. "The first generation of CVI's had rather strong programming and were introduced into the section of the brain controlling the primary emotions.  In a few test subjects, this eventually caused an . . . overload.  The second generation CVI's in use now have corrected this problem and we have had no incidences of that in those models.  The only notable side effects of interest are recurrent flashbacks of various scenes that relate to something at hand.  These are called "memory intrusions" and generally do not cause much concern, as the implant learns to control them in a short amount of time."
        "I see, so how does the CVI effect their ability to deal with stress and strong emotions?  Does it prevent the emotional reaction, does it repress those emotions, or does it have no effect at all?
        Dr. Christian nodded.  "The first generation CVI's actually repressed the emotions, thus the overload I mentioned a few minutes ago.  The second generation CVI allows the emotion, but is programmed to help the implant deal with the situation without detracting from their duties at hand.  I believe that the CVI helps immensely with stress, because it allows the implant to remain in control of his or her body's response to the stress."
        "So for instance, if the implant were having trouble emotionally, would the CVI affect whether they would seek professional help?" ~How in the world am I going to tell if the implants are in trouble?~
        "That would entirely depend on the implant's personality.  The CVI gives the implant a great deal of control over their mind and body, and if the particular implant in question saw his or her difficulty as a weakness to be scorned . . ." she paused for just a moment, "then they would have the ability to cover it up far longer than they should.  Although, the internal circuitry in the second generation CVI's has a built-in detector for severe problems that would allow emotional difficulties to show up on a high-level scan."
        ~Well, so if worst comes to worse, I can get everyone in for a high level scan, whatever that is.~ If the implants would take an order from her, that is.  But she still was hoping for a more ordinary way, like observation, to recognize an implant having trouble.  Perhaps she just needed to probe more deeply.  "How has the CVI affected their ability to socialize and empathize with other implants and non-implants?"
        Dr. Christian frowned at that one.  Choosing her words with obvious care, she said, "Once again, this question comes down to the implant's basic personality *before* they received the CVI.  The components of the CVI tend to highlight certain points of an implant's personality.  Strong points will tend to stick out.  If a person was a loner before they received an implant, the increased abilities that person now has will probably remove most of the need for human companionship."  Dr. Christian paused, looking pained, as if she was hesitating to continue.  "If the person was overly duty-conscious . . . well, Sandoval is a good picture of that."  She shook her head.  "But, if a person was outgoing and friendly, they will be highly sociable after implantation. They'll never forget a name or face, so they're great to bring to parties." Dr. Christian laughed, "James, my husband, has a friend from India who's also an implant.  He has got to be one of the nicest guys I've ever me, and the implant did nothing to take away from his personality.  James is also pretty much the same too."  Dr. Christian smiled, as if remembering something, and then a distant look passed across her face.
        "Sounds like it's quite an edge for a security officer.  I assume that's why the Companion Protectors were given the implants . . . Dr. Christian?"  Dr. Christian still had that distant look on her face . . . she was definitely focused on something else.  "Dr. Christian?"
        With a visible start, she focused back on Kathy.  "I'm sorry, I was just distracted for a moment."
        Kathy nodded her understanding, she's had a rough time recently.~.  "Have any of the implants had any complaints about the implant, either real or perceived problems?"
        Dr. Christian touched the side of her face in thought, "hmmmm . . . ," she said.  "I can't say that I've heard of too many complaints.  A few of the implants take a while to learn to control the memory intrusions, but with a small amount of training by the experienced Protectors, that problem usually disappears within a week or two."
        Kathy nodded, expecting her to go on.
        "Do you have any *other* questions?"  Kathy frowned, a bit startled at the abrupt turn in the conversation, and wondering if she imagined the undercurrent of tension behind the question.  ~ Perhaps I've stumbled upon something classified.~
        Not wanting to put Dr. Christian in an uncomfortable position, and since her major questions had been answered, she said, "No, none that I can think of at the moment."
        Dr. Christian nodded.  "Well, if you unexpectedly find yourself in need of more information . . ."  She paused and gave Kathy a speaking look, "don't hesitate to contact me."
        Kathy blinked.  "Of course, thank you very much."  She recalled the meeting with Ra'el, with all its complex revelations.  ~Perhaps Dr. Christian works with Ra'el in more ways than the obvious.~  Either way, she sensed that Dr. Christian had more that she would like to say.
        They headed for the door to Ra'el's office.  Just before they exited, Dr. Christian paused, "Ummm Agent Morgan, some of what I told you is . . . not generally known . . . ."
        "Classified?"  Kathy suggested delicately.
        "Well, yes . . . and I'd appreciate your discretion in not repeating it . . . to anyone."
        "I understand . . . and you can count on my discretion in this matter."
        "Thank you, now, let me finish that tour."  A small somewhat secretive smile crossed Dr. Christian's face.  "I skipped the skrill lab earlier, but I think it might be worth a bit of your time to see that as well.  You never know when a little information might come in handy."

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

Date: 12/23/98
Author: Auger Randle
Place: Cairo, Egypt
Time:  directly after the incident at Dr. Walter Van Eato's house.
Subject: Desperate Measures

Slight humming noises emanated from the computer console. With it's limited power and insufficient memory it was hardly up to the task it was performing and had spent the last three hours re-calibrating his new invention. Downloading all the information he had collected from his hideout in Egypt, including but not limited to viruses, programs and applications he needed to keep. This was only a test of the A-5 unit, and the test was best performed in the base of operations that had the least of his machines in and if lost would be easy to replace. Connected to his base of operations in Washington.

"Anything else need to be programmed into the A-5." The computer questioned.

"The unit, besides containing the information for an avatar system, and connections to all computers for which you can obtain a password, is programmable. It's like a computer that is a glove.  It also can divert energy into an EM burst, much like a skrill, however that's not what its used for, and the blast can only be used twice with a full battery."

"So you don't want anything else programmed in."

"No I don't _ " a loud rumbling sound is heard in the distance, and three more close behind it, each on louder than the one before it. " _ actually, program my system breakers into the unit "

"Why, can't you do that yourself?"

"Your not programmed to question me, just do it, I'll explain later."

"What ever you say_ Done. Anything else? "

"No, I have a very bad feeling_. Something's not right. "

"You always have a bad feeling. "

"But this time its different _ something's not right. "

As if on cue, soldiers arm with outdated and cheap weapons bursts through the downstairs door. They made their way throughout the old apartment building as Airik watched. Grabbing the A-5 and made a dash for his emergency exit. Now with the proverbial switch thrown a holographic image of the ground, and him lying there appeared halfway between the third and fourth floors. As he makes the jump from the seventh floor, he lands in a Dumpster, filled with an air balloon. The hologram dissipates in three minutes, giving him enough time to get away. Or so he thinks. As he exits the Dumpster he is faced with four armed guards.

        "Just great_. " Airik puts his hand behind his head, and with maximum forced is handcuffed and thrown into a military hum-v. He is then taken by plane.

        "Anyone mind telling me why I have been arrested? " Airik asks

        "Nikon, if you don't mind me calling you by your real name, hows bussiness going? "

        Shocked at the use of his first name, Airik shifted his gaze elsewhere " as well as it could be... "

        " we need you to cover up somthing.... somthing big. "

        " nothings to big for me if you don't know that you don't know me very well... what is it. "

        " when you get there all will become clear to you.... "

        " fine, then were are we going?"

        turning to look out the window the man says one word. " bombay."
 

Level 1
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: December 23, 1998
Author: Rilei
Place: The Cemetery Where the Boones are Buried
Time: Set Immediately Following "Visitation"
Title: Run In

    Grace slowly left the cemetery where her friend was buried. As she neared the entrance, she saw a young woman coming in carrying a bouquet of flowers in her arms. As they passed each other, Grace looked into her eyes and her CVI brought to her memory who this girl.
    "Julie? Julie Payton?" she said out loud and the young woman stopped. She turned to look at Grace.
    "Yes? Do I know you?" she asked.
    "No, you don't but we had a mutual friend."
    "Who?"
    "William Boone." Grace answered.
    Julie looked away for a second and Grace realized that her pain was still fresh. Grace came near her and laid a hand on Julie's arm.
    "I'm sorry I didn't realize that you're still hurting." she said gently. Tears ran down Julie's face.
    "It's just that I keep losing everyone and everything I love. Will was my only friend, at least the only friend I had left I knew who cared about me-- really cared I mean." she replied. She shifted the flowers around and wiped her face.
   Grace offered to help Julie.
    "Are you going to Will's grave?" she asked.
   Julie nodded.
   "I'll go with you to help you with these."
   Grace took some of the flowers.
   "Thank you, Ms...."
   "Grace Whitney." Grace said extending her hand to Julie. Julie took it with her one free hand. It was then she saw Grace's skrill.
   "You work for the Companions too." she said.
   "Yes, I do. That's how I know Will in fact, he recruited me to work for Da'an." Grace said. They began walking in the direction of Will's grave slowly. As they walked, Grace watched Julie and she decided then to offer the young woman her friendship.
    "I know you miss Will, but I want to offer you to be your friend. I think we both could benefit from it." Grace said.
    "If you were Will's friend, then I'd already like to consider you a friend." she said. As they neared their friend's grave, Grace stopped.
    "I'll give you sometime alone. How about afterwards we have lunch together?" Grace said.
    "Thanks and all right."
 
 

Date: 12-29-98
Author: Amy
Place:  Bombay
Time: Kathy's temporary office in Bombay
Title: Complications

        Kathy was not having an easy time of it.  The bombing had done horrible damage.  A number of people had already approached her to discuss it, and their reaction to it, privately.  It was not easy.  She was left investigating during the day, and listening to her colleagues very real problems in the evenings.  She had only been here a few days and the emotional drain was already taking its toll.
        Kathy had not seen Ethan for a while.  She assumed he had been assigned to another case in Taelon security.  She had made a few inquiries after reaching Bombay, only to discover that he had been suspended for the actions leading up to, and including the rescue of Dr. Schultz.  No one had bothered to tell her.
        That's when she got mad.
        It made no sense whatsoever.  Sandoval was up to something.  It was the only thing that justified Ethan's suspension.  But Sandoval was a hard character to predict, and there was no telling his motivations anymore.
        She remembered when she had met him for the first time, during US government and Taelon treaty negotiations.  He had been less experienced, but just as ambitious.  At the time she had found him somewhat predictable, at least as much as any coworker could be.  He was definitely a by-the-book kind of guy. Yet now, with the CVI . . . she had been told that he had changed, of course. But understanding the change, and the reality of the change, were two entirely different things.  Admittedly, she had not had much contact with him since her transfer to the Taelon Embassy, but she never imagined that he would suspend Ethan.  Yes, perhaps there had been a *technical* violation of procedure, but it had been justified under the circumstances.  She just could not imagine what was motivating Sandoval.  He was playing a very deep game, of that she was sure.   ~I wonder if he pulled anything with Caleb, then.~
        She tried to call Ethan, to offer consolations, but he was not at home, or else not taking her calls.
        Fortunately she did reach Caleb.  "Hi Caleb, I just heard about Ethan's suspension.  Are you in hot water too?"
        Caleb shrugged, and then answered, "They are considering transferring me. But everything is still up in the air.  The Synod hasn't made any decisions yet."  He paused and then said, "Sandoval said that you and Ethan violated FBI procedure when you rescued Dr. Schultz."
        Kathy raised her eyebrows in undisguised surprise.  She managed to contain her comments to a surprised, "Really."
        Caleb noticed her response.  "He hasn't mentioned this to you?" At the shake of Kathy's head he added, "He said you'd been transferred as part of disciplinary measures; they didn't want it to look like anyone was being punished."
        ~Oh really, gee I wonder why?~ "I see."
        "Is it true? Did you violate procedure?"
        Kathy paused, wondering how to respond.  Finally, she smiled slightly and said rather vaguely, "It's possible that Sandoval has a somewhat narrow interpretation of FBI procedure, Caleb.  But don't *you* worry about it, Caleb.  It wasn't your decision."
        Caleb nodded, "Yes that's what Agent Sandoval said, too."
        ~Oh really.~ Today was just filled with surprises.  "Listen, Caleb, I've got
to get back.  Keep me informed, okay?"
        "Sure."
        Kathy leaned back in her office chair, considering the facts that Caleb had offered.  She definitely needed to speak to Pa'el about this.  It was time for her first report anyway.

Special Agent Katherine A. Morgan, Ph.D.
 
 
 

Authors: Grant and Selma
Date: December 31
Time: A couple of days after "Bomber Strikes Again"
Place: Companion Medical Facilities
Subject: Friendly Visit

The nurse propped Wally up in his bed. "Mr. Van Eato, a Dr. Schultz is here to see you."

Wally's face brightened. "Send her in!"

"Hey, there!" Rosemary Schultz said, smiling as she carried in a bunch of flowers. "How are you?"

"Doing better. I guess you heard what happened?"

"Yeah, I did. Well, at least I'm not the only bombing victim now..."

Wally smiled. It hurt. "Well, it was nice of you to drop by. What brings you to this side of Companion Medical Facilities?"

"I work on this side of Companion Medical Facilities, silly," the Doctor replied. "This is *my* native environment you're in."

"Oh really. Well, maybe I should be blown up more often," he grinned.

"At the rate I run into you, maybe you should," Rosemary teased. "Hey, at least you were still on the scene when everyone came... I spent a lot of time sitting in a stupid room and nobody knew where *I* was..."

"True, true. But did you hurt this bad," he joked. "I never recall pain this bad. Even though I feel just a little far out."

"Nah, they were careful with me," Rosemary said, although her expression briefly dropped into something quite sad. "They weren't trying to blow me up, but sometimes I wish I knew why I was kidnapped... and why they needed to blow up my car!"

"But," she continued, "I came here to cheer you up... not to start getting moody."

"And I appreciate it. It's good to have friends like you," Wally smiled.

"Hey, that's what I'm here for... well, that and you happened to be in *my* building for once...."

"Gosh. It's always bad luck to see each other! If you're in my building, then Zo'or is close by, and if I'm here, well . . ."

"What does Zo'or have to do with anything, other than the Resistance not liking him overly much?" Rosemary asked, looking confused.

"Sorry, I just cringe when I see him. Something about him . . ." Wally sighed.

"Ah. I've seen him once or twice, but research is not my division, and Dr. Belman deals with him more than I do. In fact, I don't deal with him at all."

Wally sighed and then said, "Well, having the most boring job in the world, I don't see him quite to often, but when I do, sheesh! Wally do this, Wally do that! Knowing him, he'll probably come in here and interrogate me on WHY someone would do such a thing!"

"Does that mean I have to come back and cheer you up again?" Rosemary asked lightly.

"Well, come to think of it. That would be nice." Wally smiled.

Rosemary grinned. "I'd come around anyway, but you kept me cheered through forty zillion rounds of 'I don't know', I figure that at the very least I could return the favor...."

"And I greatly appreciate it. You know, I think we need to vote on getting this place redecorated. First off, way to much purple, second, it's so gloomy." Wally joked.

"I'll talk to the decorating committee," Rosemary joked back. Then she sighed. "I gotta get back to work, but I'll be back."

"Don't take too long. No one comes to visit. I get pretty lonely in this place. See ya round?"

"Yep. Wouldn't want you to die of boredom..."

Wally laughed as Rosemary walked away. He then waved goodbye as the nurse positioned him back down into a laying down position and was shortly engulfed by the black nothingness of sleep.

---
 

Date:  12-31-98 (hey, my last post of the year!)
Author: Jen
Place: Rrra-Shauai Taelon Facility, Antarctica
Time: Present
Subject: A long way from home

Dr. Jennifer Christian looked around her new room.  It wasn't the largest bedroom she'd ever had, but seeing as how it would be her home for the next several weeks, it would just have to do.  Her eyes took in the bluish, grey walls, and she absentmindedly noted the Taelon influence in the architecture.  With a deep sigh and a shake of her head, Jennifer walked over to the closet and got out her lab coat.

She sat at her desk, which exactly mirrored the one in her temporary office down below, and pulled out the files for the first few "residents" she would be dealing with.

Name: Subject 5
Sex: Male
Age:  18 Earth-months
Status: Undetermined
Residency: To Be Decided
Race: Hybrid
Comments: None

~Subject 5?!?~ Jennifer thought to herself. ~This is a *child*.  And I get to determine this child's fate? ~  A sick feeling welled up in her stomach as the reality of her assignment threatened to overwhelm her again.  In the back of her mind, Jennifer could feel the comforting presence of her husband and that of their Companion, Ra'el.  She shook away the tears that threatened to overwhelm her and got back to her reading for the day's work.

Name:  Gertrude Langley
Sex: Female
Age: 45 Earth-years
Status: Terminal
Residency: Permanent
Race: Human
Comments:  Consideration as to the subjects continued usefulness should be made.  Subject became a permanent resident following complications from portal project involvement.  Subject has participated in five experiments to date.  Further usefulness should be determined.

Jennifer got up in disgust.  She walked over to the file cabinet and kicked it with all of her strength.  She grimaced at the loud "clang" it made, but the act helped relieve her stress.  ~Why did Zo'or have to choose *me* to play God with these people???~ She wondered.  Even as she thought it, however, the answer was there.  Ra'el's tone was solemn. ~He realizes that a fully functional CVI hampers creativity and effectiveness.  He wishes to have a more "thoughtful" assessment of the residents here.  This is also a test of your loyalties.  Should you fail to perform as he wishes, he will order your implantation so that his project is not exposed. ~  A chill that had nothing to do with the temperature ran through Jennifer then.  The thought of full implantation at Zo'or's hands was the material that nightmares were made of.

Fighting despair, the doctor sat back at her desk and began her review again. She looked up and wished for a window to stare out of to give wings to her thoughts.  Instead, the cold blue walls locked her inside the prison of her assignment, and the tendrils of grief withdrew behind the walls of survival.

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

Date:  January 4
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: R.S. Taelon Facility, Antarctica
Time: Present
Subject:  Subject Five

Somehow Jennifer wasn't expecting Subject Five to look so old.  He appeared to be about 18 earth-years instead of earth-months.  The sight of the boy, clad in the traditional black and silver garb frequently seen on the Mothership was very unsettling to the doctor.  She glanced through his chart again, and noted that he had not been able to pass the tests required for security work on the Mothership.  Although many of his peers were now dutifully serving the Taelons in that capacity, this "subject" was unable to muster the violent tendencies necessary for that job.

~Hm.~ Jennifer thought to herself.  ~I wonder what he *is* capable of.~

At this, the boy flinched, as if he had been able to hear her thoughts. "That's strange." she said aloud.  She scoured the file before her for any reference to telepathic testing, and noted that most of the hybrid children had some telepathic ability.  She also noted, with some confusion, that "Subject Five" had not shown any of this ability when he had been tested. Aloud, she said, "There's more to you than meets the eye, isn't there?"

The boy simply stared at her as if he had not heard.  Jennifer let her mind roam, hoping an idea would come to her.  This was one of her favorite ways to brainstorm, and it usually proved effective.  Unbidden, images began to flow through her mind's eye.  Images of family and friends.  Images of a home. Images that by all means this particular child should not have.  Yet she sensed that they did indeed emanate from the boy in front of her.  She looked around and noticed that the security teams remained out of view, as they usually were, and she decided to take a chance.

Reaching out her hand, she gripped the palm of the boy in front of her.  The strength of his mind was shocking!  Instantly, she knew that he was deliberately failing the tests for purposes of his own.  In her mind, he spoke clearly and said, ~My name is Michael.  That is what my mother called me before I was taken from her.~  Jennifer broke contact and stumbled back into the desk.  The only hybrids Jennifer had ever come in contact with were the security teams on the Mothership, and they were nothing like the boy in front of her!

When Jennifer tried to clear her head, Michael stood up and grabbed her hand.  ~I must know.~ he said to her mind.  ~Tell me how it is that you can understand me!~

She shook from the force behind his words.  He was obviously untrained in controlling his mind, yet the intensity of his thoughts still threatened to overwhelm her.  Suddenly, another voice entered the exchange.  It was Ra'el. ~Michael.  Sunueee-shovahh!~  The child jerked as if he had been slapped. His eyes betrayed intense fear and he looked around the room seeking the source of the command.  Seeing none, his gaze rested back upon Jennifer, and a look of understanding began to enter his features.  For several minutes, Ra'el communed with the boy using Jennifer as a way to link with his mind.

After it was over, Ra'el told Jennifer the things to write in his chart, and they sent him back to his cell with a promise of release.  ~I must join your work in Antarctica.  The child has opened up an entirely new area for us to study.  If we can train him in the proper use of his talents, he would be a great asset to our cause.~

Jennifer didn't know what to say.  She was drained, mentally and emotionally from the encounter.  Choosing not to reply to Ra'el, she simply sighed heavily and walked out of the lab.  After stopping briefly in her room to store her lab coat and files, she silently made her way to the cafeteria and sat down to supper.  Two patients!  That was all she had been able to see today!  ~At this rate, I'll never get to go home_~ she thought disgustedly. "And just think!" she said to the uncaring walls.  "This is only one portion of my assignment."  The walls tactfully decided to ignore her.

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

Date: January 4
Author: Esti
Place: Human-Taelon Medical Facility, Washington D.C.
Time: Present, after "Friendly Visit"
Title: Afternoon Tea

"Hey, Doc," Mark teased as he stopped by Rosemary's door.

"Hi, Mark. Want some tea?" Rosemary teased back at him, glancing up from what she was reading. "I made some especially for you."

The security guard's nose crinkled a little, and Rosemary had to prevent herself from laughing out loud. Well, it wasn't her fault that her friend had never been introduced to the niceties of tea. "Ah, no, thanks, but I like my caffiene a bit stronger."

Rosemary did laugh then. "You've never had some really strong tea, then. I gotta introduce you to that so you can drop the mud that you drink."

"Ya know, it's good to hear you laugh again."

She sighed. "I know. So much has happened, and it feels like something else is going to come crashing down. It may just be the bombings - what happened in the parking lot rushes over me every time the Resistance does another bombing."

"It'll be okay, Doc. Everybody's watching over you, and I know that Dr. Christian is being very much protected, wherever she is. We won't let that happen again."

Mark looked so solemn that Rosemary could only nod. If only he and the others could protect her from her memories. "I know you won't, Mark."

"So, what are you up to, 'sides your tea?"

"Well, don't have any sunlight to walk in right now," Rosemary quipped. Her shift had been wandering back to the daytime, but today's shift was the late one that she was used to. "So I'm occupying my mind with something other than bombings, stolen components, wounded friends, and a general sense of doom."

Mark wandered over and looked at the book. "You're doing that Esperanto stuff again."

"Having to think about what I'm reading helps keep my mind off the stuff I shouldn't be letting stress me out," Rosemary said. "Between the word order and the vocabulary, I keep busy. Sometimes I can't remember that something like 'Nian panon Cxiutagan' is the sentence object, even though it's in the beginning of the sentence, and it takes work to get my brain around it. And if my brain's getting around that, it can't be worrying about bombings and such."

Mark's eyes were glazing over a bit, and Rosemary couldn't blame him. "Anyway, now that I'm not deciphering Esperanto-language Science Fiction stories, any news on the thefts?"

"Wish there was," the security guard replied. "If there is, they're not telling me about it. All we can figure is that it's an inside job, and we're still running through personnel. I mean, we nearly let one thief into the building, that one that was posing as your intern. Who knows how many others there are?"

"Ah, yes, my other John," Rosemary said, thinking of what she'd been told. "The intern I would have met had I not been a bit kidnapped at the time."

"I don't think you missed much," Mark observed. "Anyway, I'll let you know if I find out anything."

"Thanks, Mark," Rosemary said. The guard gave a brief smile and continued his patrol.

--
Dr. Rosemary Schultz
CVI specialist, Level 6
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: January 2
Author: Carl West
Place: Chicago
Time: A few days after the Bombay incident
Title:  The Convention

The traffic here was even worse.  31st street took three minutes to drive down, and Main took even longer. Why did they have to put the archeological convention in such a large city?  Edward was already half an hour late, and his presentation was in 15 minutes.

He kept his eyes on the road (the part he could see), avoiding looking at people.  Ever since the "event" at the dig of Ma'el's tomb, strange things had happened.  He could "see" things about people, symbols floating in the air That represented something or another.  Crowds drove him crazy.  After finally finding the proper building, he stepped inside the elevator.  It was packed; Edward was almost driven insane by all the symbols in his head.
The elevator stopped at the third story.  Edward got off, even though his
room was on the fourth floor.  He took the stairs instead.

Edward barged into room 486 at the nick of time.  The people were applauding a recent expedition at Maccu Pichu.

"Now," said the man at the head of the table, "we welcome Edward Mason, head of the recent uncovering the tomb of an ancient Taelon named Ma'el."

More applause.  Edward completed his presentation nicely, keeping his eyes on the slides instead of the small audience.

"...although I did not spend much time in the tomb itself..." ~Liar, I spent too much time down there.  If I didn't have that festering curiosity, I wouldn't have my problem.~ "I uncovered many things from the outer chamber, which are now on display at the Smithsonian in Washington..."

The presentation ended two minutes later.  "Now, I have an El to catch now, so I've got to go," he told the group.  ~No!  You drove here!~ he thought.

He opened the door, leaving behind the applause and those blasted symbols. He entered the elevator.  It was, thankfully, empty.  He pressed the "L" button to travel to the lobby, but then decided to cancel that and go to the second floor, where the restrooms were.  He got off at floor two. Not long after the door closed, a booming sound came from the elevator.  Had that bomb been intended for him, or someone else, coming later?  Had he activated it on accident?  Before asking himself anymore questions, he went the security desk immediately.

Edward Mason
Archeologist
Level One
U.S. Taelon Division.
 
 

EFC Division
Date: January, 99
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Bombay
Time: A few hours after "First Impression, Part 2"
Subject: "I hate hospitals_"

 "I hate hospitals."
 James Christian fidgeted from foot to foot, his nose wrinkling at the antiseptic smell that assailed his senses, mingling with the smells of the dead and dying. Up and down the hallways, people lined the walls on cots, beds and the floors, moaning and crying out.
 The Emergency Unit at the Bombay Regional Medical Center was packed to capacity, the wounded and dying from the bomb blast still choking its resources and exhausting its personnel.  Harried doctors and nurses scurried hither and yon, carrying samples, tests, parts to be reattached and the weight of people's lives.
 James and Tara stood in front of a locked room.  Both were wearing side arms in visible shoulder holsters at the request of Ranjit.  He had informed them that many of the general populace still didn't know what a skryll was and that the weapon carried no significance to them.  A gun carried more importance.  In fact, several citizens had already attempted to get into the room by going around them, totally and blissfully ignorant of the skrylls in immediate evidence.  It wasn't until the Companion Protectors turned and showed the pistols that they realized that these people were not just loitering there.
 Inside the room, Ranjit was questioning Sharna Matikha, the man found crucified at the clinic the day of the bombing.  He had refused to speak with James and Tara in the room, so they had agreed to wait outside and stand guard, relieving the Companion Agents that had been stationed there. Their presence didn't seem to cause as much consternation as the helmeted and flak vest wearing Security team did.
 Tara looked at James and asked, a hard edge to her soft British lilt, "What did you mean when you said 'For your sake, you'd better hope not too'?"
 James glanced around the ER and muttered, "This isn't the time or the place, Tara_"
 She moved to stand in front of him and looked up into his face, hands defiantly placed on her hips and mouth locked into a fierce grimace.  "Then
when is the time Mr. Boss, Sir?" she snapped.
 ~Look, it wasn't a threat.  I was just angry and snapped.~
 ~And to think I thought you actually trusted me_~
 James inhaled and exhaled hard.  He looked at Tara and began to speak.
 "Look, I do trust you.  If I didn't, then why haven't I reported you yet for being a double agent?"
 Her expression softened, but only slightly.  "You know you're an incredible *** sometimes, right?"
 James grinned.  "Yeah, I get that a lot."  He "sent" a mental picture of him giving her a reassuring hug, which she returned in kind.  Along with the image of the time she kicked him in the groin.
 He grimaced and winced.  "Ouch.  I remember that well enough, thank you very much."
 She grinned, then turned to watch the proceedings through the glass in the door.  She then backed away from the door as it swung inward and open.
 Ranjit Punjib stepped through, looking tired and contemplative as he closed the door behind him.
 "Well, how is he, Ratchet?"
 Ranjit "Ratchet" Punjib looked up, the surprised look on his face quickly giving way to understanding as he registered the pair before him.
 "Who?  Oh, Matikha.  He's dead."  He then proceeded to walk away, headed towards the ER exit.
 James and Tara looked at each other in shocked surprise, then moved to follow him.
 ~James, how can he be so_?~
 ~Don't forget he has a full MI, Tara.~
 ~My God, then thank God we don't~
 ~Every day, Tara.  Every day.~

To Be Continued_..

Commander James Christian
Level 4
US Taelon Division
 
 

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: January 6, 1999
Time: A couple more days after "Friendly Visit"
Place: None other than Companion Medical Facilities
Subject: A somewhat unwanted visitor

      Wally was feeling much better, but he still could not get up.  He was propped up in bed, reading an old book he enjoyed as a kid, The Wheel of Time.  From the window of his room into the hallway, he saw a nurse slowly round the corner and behind her was Da'an.  They slowly entered the room, and Da'an gave the usual Taelon greeting, which Wally returned.
   "I trust you have received good care, doctor?  The Synod grieves at your misfortune."
~Oh yeah, I'm suuure they do~
   "They still won't let me out of bed, and I'm still sore, but I'm managing."  Wally grinned.  The nurse was still standing in the corner. Da'an asked the nurse, "May the doctor and I be alone for awhile?"
   "Yes Da'an," she replied, and walked off.
   "You requested to see me, doctor?"
   "Yes Da'an.  I have a few questions for you,"  Wally said.
   "I will try to answer your questions to the best of my ability," Da'an stated.
   "This is blunt, but I have to know."
   "You will not offend me.  Please ask."
   Wally looked very stern, then asked, "Are the Taelons responsible for the bombings?"  he asked in a monotone voice, much like Jonathan's voice.
   There was a long pause.
   "The Taelons were responsible for the Bombay incident."
   "And mine?" Wally asked thoroughly aggravated.
   "No.  The Taelons would never harm a Companion Agent."
   "Then first of all, who did, and *why* would you bomb Bombay?" Wally asked.
   "I fear that the person who bombed you was for more personal reasons.  As for the Bombay incident, I fear I may not reveal that information at this time," Da'an paused once again, "Doctor, you seem like one to question us. Your keen since of mind, shows in your work too.  Now, it is my turn to ask the questions, *why* are you in the service of the Companions?"
   "As you would say, I cannot reveal that information at this time.  As you noted yourself, I can see through all lies, and you know it.  You also know, that one day, the Taelons will suffer from people like me, and others, such as Jonathan Doors himself.  You know this to be true."
   Da'an looked thoroughly startled.  There was a short pause, then he regained his composure.
   "You see much in the minds eye Dr. Van Eato.  May your ability serve you well."
   And with that, he turned and left, with Wally staring in the empty space, where Da'an once stood.

------------------------------------
 
 

Date: January 4 (I'm on a roll today!) ;-)
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: R.S. Taelon Facility, Antarctica
Time: Present, set the morning after "Subject Five"
Subject: Discoveries

The morning presented itself incredibly early, as it did every day. Jennifer dearly missed the sunlight that would shine through her window back home as the new day greeted her with its warmth.  Instead, cold blue walls stared at her without a trace of acceptance.  Of all the assignments the doctor had ever done for the Taelons, this was by far the most bleak.

After an unappealing breakfast, Dr. Christian went to her office and began going through her files.

? Assignment Part One: Evaluate select patients at R.S. facility. ? Assignment Part Two:  Review records of subjects altered through Portal Project and determine status

No matter how many times Jennifer looked over the assignment overview, it never failed to strike her how routine and insignificant it appeared on paper.  In reality, however, it was an incredible task--one that, for certain patients, meant life or death.

Desiring a change from yesterday's unsettling encounter, Jennifer began going through the lists of people altered during the short-lived Portal Project of Zo'or's.  She was astounded at the sheer number of people who had been implanted in various ways to suit the Taelon's needs.  Page after page scrolled by, and the doctor realized that she'd have to sort the entries by sub-category.  With a heavy sigh, she typed the command to sort entries by profession.

With a heavy heart and a grim expression, she decided to review the physicians who had received Taelon "augmentation".  ~I might as well see check and see what they've done to my peers first.~ she thought.  As the list came up, Jennifer noted which ones had been given "status change", meaning that they were chosen for projects requiring full implantation.  A cold rage welled up in her as she realized that in only 18 months over 65% of the doctors who had been partially implanted chose to become fully implanted to "further their careers".  ~So much for the original implants being inactive.~ she said with disgust.  After a few quick swipes at the keyboard, Jennifer took a closer look at the doctors who had not yet opted for full implantation.

Scanning the names, Jennifer absentmindedly called the surnames out loud. "Adams, Andrews_Connely, Crane_Graham, Grant, Harley_.Lanier, Lemaire, Lemoine_ Parker, Purvis_Randal, Richard, Roland_Samuels, Schuller, OH MY GOD!!!" All the air seemed to vacate the room, and an invisible hand seemed to crush Jennifer's chest.  Tiny, unnoticed sobs began to fill the room as the weight of imagined responsibility began to overwhelm her spirit. Completely unable to come to terms with her discovery, Jennifer simply cried herself into oblivion.

A half-hour later, a guard showed up to check on the doctor, who was now late for her morning rounds.  Somehow, Dr. Christian managed a half-believable explanation for her tardiness.  The rest of the day passed in a blur, as Jennifer sought release from her grief in her work.
END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Dr. Jennifer Christian
CVI Specialist
US Taelon Division
Level Five
 
 

EFC Division
Date: January, 99
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Bombay
Time: Immediately following "I hate hospitals"
Subject: Something and nothing

 Tara and James looked at each other in shock behind Ranjit's back.  Both were shocked at his callous response to Matikha's death, but both had also forgotten that he had a fully functional MI.
 James, the first to recover, asked, "What were you able to learn before he died?"
 Ranjit pushed open the door to the outside, and headed to where his shuttle was located, never breaking stride.  "He was very terrified of your occidental faces.  He said that the people who kidnapped him and tortured him were occidentals and not Indians."  He motioned to his pilot to begin pre-flight.  "He also said that a group named 'PETH' was claiming to have committed the bombings.  I'm going to research this lead now."
 The pair of agents from the United States stopped at the shuttle as Ranjit stepped inside.  "So what do we do?" Tara asked.
 Ranjit was busy placing himself into his seat restraints, but replied, "Continue your bomb research and leave the bomber tracing to me.  You do not know my country and will be slowed down from a hot trail."  He spoke something in his native tongue to his pilot and the shuttle engines began to rev.  "I'll keep in touch_." he called, as the shuttle began to lift into  the sky.
 James and Tara moved back from the shuttle and watched it go.  Tara watched it until it went interdimensional, then turned to find James already striding back to their own shuttle, Ryan waiting in the pilot's seat.
 Tara ran to catch up, the sweltering heat of the city threatening to suffocate her with its presence.  As she caught up with her partner, she noticed something that made her very uneasy.  James was thinking. "James, you have that look on your face."
The tall Agent was nearly back to the shuttle before he answered.  "Tara, what do you know about PETH?"
Tara gazed vaguely off into space as she allowed her CVI to search her mind for the information.  "Well, they're an activist group that is claiming to be a splinter group of the Liberation, although Jonathan has said that they're a bunch of cracked pots in a world full of pans and will have nothing to do with them.  They've claimed responsibility for several acts of vandalism to Taelon facilities, especially medical ones.  Their name stands for 'People for the Ethical Treatment of Humans' and has been the cause of several bad jokes around the Embassy..."
  James interrupted, a quizzical frown on his face.  "Bad jokes?"
Tara grinned.  "Yeah, most people don't think of joking with you because of how you are, you know.  You need to lighten up around the embassy."
  James snorted.  "Does Sandoval joke?"
A pained expression flitted across Tara's face.  "Oh, yeah.  MI's do kind of ruin that, don't they?"
"Precisely.  Since I'm supposed to have one, that kind of rules that out."
"Of course."
James climbed into the shuttle and told Ryan, "D.C., Ryan."
The pilot began to work his way through the warm up sequence for the shuttle as his passengers strapped in.  "Commander Christian, I thought we would be staying here?" Ryan asked.
James sighed and rested his chin on his fist.  "No, Ryan, we've gotten all we can here, I think."  He shifted in his seat and continued, "In spite of what Ranjit says, I think our best option is looking into this 'PETH' thing."
  Ryan grinned.  "Ok, boss, whatever you say.  I wouldn't want to PETH you off_"
James rolled his eyes and groaned.  "Don't tell me.  This is one of those jokes."
Tara smiled and continued.  "Their leader is a woman by the name of Kate Ashton, a D.C. socialite and debutante with more money than brains.  Our last report, dated 9/30, shows that she's dumping nearly two million dollars per annum into this bunch.  The FBI is trying to get a mole into the group but hasn't met with any success yet.  Apparently, they can get the best background checks that money can buy."
  James pondered this.  "When we get back, look into finding a hacker that can beat that.  I know of one by the name of Jenson.  Convince her that it would be in her best interest to assist in this."
"Alright."
"While you're at it, get her to run a trace on their money.  Find out where it's going and to whom."
"Can do."
Ryan turned his head and announced, "Two minutes to D.C., folks."
James turned his head and replied, "Thank you, Ryan."
That said, he turned back to Tara and asked, "Anything else?"
The British agent nodded.  "One last thing.  Ashton's money has also been buying the best lawyers that money can buy.  Out of the last twelve attempts by the FBI to pin racketeering charges on them, precisely zero have stuck. Apparently, even though she isn't the brightest light on the Christmas tree, she has a star somewhere that is."
"I follow you."
With a booming rumble, the shuttle exited the interdimensional realm that it traveled in and returned the Agents to the skies of Washington.

Commander James Christian
Level 4
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: January 7, 1999
Author: Krystina Stressman
Time: Just after "Something and Nothing"
Place: US Taelon Embassy
Subject: Getting the Ball Rolling

As soon as Tara entered her office, where she'd have a little privacy, she retrieved her global from an accessible pocket and contacted Kitty Jenson.
    "Hello, Kitty," she greeted  with a smile.
    "Tara! What an unexpected surprise. How is everything? Is that journal working out for you?"
    "The Journal is great! I can't thank you enough . . . but," she continued, her tone turning slight serious. "This call is actually official. I assume you've heard about the bombing in Bombay?"
    "Yeah, who hasn't?"
    "Well, we have reason to believe PETH is behind it . . . People for the -"
    "Ethical Treatment of Humans. I've heard of them, too . . ." Kitty replied. "What do you need?" she asked.
    "Can I convince you to do a little hacking?"
    A smirk crossed Jenson's face. After all, she was a hacker . . .
    "I need you to possibly plant a phony background . . . It has to be flawless, because the check on it will be intense . . ."
    "Who's the person and what's the background?"
    "Well, get to that in a moment . . . I would like to know where PETH's funds are going," Tara explained.
    "Anything else?"
    "Not that comes to mind . . ."
    "When do you need it," Kitty asked.
    "Yesterday," Tara replied, the images from the bombing site flashing through her mind.
 
 
 

Date: Sometime in year 2005
Author: Amy G.
Place: Tasse Cafe(in Washington,DC)
Time: Mid-afternoon
Subject: Discussing the bombings

    With music playing in the background and the smell of brewing coffee this was the perfect place to meet up with Claude and catch up with Liberation news.  I really had been away from home base too long.
    "Claude it is so good to see you " I said to him while smothering him with hugs.  "Celia give me a chance to breath."  After setting down to a table we started to talk.
    It turns (of course) alot had happened while I was overseas.  The bombings were the big news of the day.  "Really, how can those Taelons actually try to pin the bombings on the Resistance movement " Claude said. " I mean why would we destroy our own."  "Claude," I replied " You do know that there are many factions within the Liberation some more radical than others. Someone connected with one of factions probably had something to do with it."
    It did make me wonder, why would they bomb medical centers.  We have make progress some how and give and take is involved.  Progress had to be made and the Taelons helped.  I'm grateful for the help but at what cost are we getting that help.
    " Celia, I would have rather the Taelon never come at all.  Sure all this technology is swell, but we would have figured it out eventually," Claude replied.  "Come on Claude, I see your point but everyone has to work together towards a common goal.  Some just have a different way to get there.  Every little bit of help,helps.
    Just then I got a call on my global to report back to Resistance headquarters.  Wonder what this is about.  "Bye Claude, See you later! " I cried running out the cafe's door to catch a cab to HQ.

Celia Wade
Level One
Liberation Computer Specialist/ Intelligence Operative
US Taelon Division
 

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: January 8
Time: Day after 'A somewhat unwanted visitor'
Place: I'm getting sick of typing Companion Medical Facilities
Subject: What the heck?

   Wally was still it total dismay over what he had heard the day before. The Taelons.  ~Why would they do such a thing?~  The nurse came about noon for his lunch, then shortly after, there was a visitor.  It was Da'an. Again.
   "Dr. Van Eato, please forgive my tardiness is my visit to see you."
   Wally looked totally perplexed.  "Da'an, you were just here yesterday."
   "I was on the mothership all day yesterday.  How could I have been here?" Da'an demanded.
   "Well, I don't know, but you were."
   "And what did I tell you, when I was . . . here?"
   "Well, to put it quite frankly, you told me the Taelons were behind the bombing at Bombay."
   Da'an looked as frightened as a Taelon could express.  "I assure you doctor, the Taelons would never do such a thing.  We would never put innocent lives at risk, for any reason.  The Synod would have to pass it, and I would never allow it."
   "Which is just as Zo'or knows.  *You* would never allow it.  So, he has the power, why would he make it go through you?"
   "But how could I have been here?  Tell me that, doctor."
   "Remember when Pike came and shot you.  Or your hologram for that matter?"
   "Yes."
   "Bingo."
   "I will have to look into this.  And you must remember doctor.  The Taelons are not behind the bombings.  I assure you."
   And with that, he left.
   ~So much to wonder~

--------------------------
 
 

Date: January 6, 1999
Author: Carl West
Place: Chicago
Time: A few minutes after "Convention"
Subject: Two "Paths"

"Now, Mr. Mason, the important thing is that you stay calm," the security guard said soothingly. Edward's sanity totally snapped at that.
"Stay calm?!? Someone just tried to blow me to the stratosphere!"
"Mr. Mason, that's highly unlikely. These bombers are usually psychopaths who don't care who dies."
Edward had trouble believing that the woman had said both `psychopath' and `dies' while still smiling like that. He had recently avoided being in a bombed elevator through pure chance, for heaven's sake! And all this trained professional could say is "Stay calm".
The guard apparently led an unexciting life, since there was only one small symbol floating next to her head- a flower of some sort. "It's highly likely that the bomb was triggered by something on the lobby floor. The car blew up there. It's fortunate for you that you pressed the two button when you did_"
Edward hadn't listened to a word of this, however. He was wondering who was the target, if there was a target at all. No one would want to kill Mr. Martin, the head of the Archeological Board, or anyone else in that room for that matter. There was nothing else happening in the building at that time.
That left two things: A psychopath or a person who really didn't like archeology. Unless someone knew about Edward's strange gift_ but that was impossible. He had never told anyone about that. He wouldn't have told his wife if he had one. He left the building at that point.
"_ It's amazing what these bombings are doing to society," the guard continued, unaware of Edward's absence. "Mr. Mason? Are you there? Oh, shoot." Edward didn't care about much at that point. Wondering about the bomb and his `Gift' occupied his mind. He kept on asking the same question in his mind over and over: ~Is he really just a psychopath? Or is he a telepath?_~

Edward Mason
Level One
U.S. Taelon Division
 

Date:1-8-99
Author: Amy
Place:  Bombay
Time: Kathy's temporary office in Bombay
Title: Reporting to Pa'el
 

        She walked into the Taelon Human Relations Office in Bombay, where Pa'el had
taken up temporary residence.  His office was in the back of the building. As she entered, she spotted him standing at the side of his office, next to the virtual glass wall.  Pausing as she neared him, she offered the Taelon gesture of greeting.
        "Agent Morgan, thank you for coming.  What do you have to report?"
        "We've established a temporary laboratory at the parking lot near the building.  Our experts a combing through the rubble, they haven't found many pieces of the bomb . . . not yet."
        "And what of the pieces you *have* found?"
        Kathy paused, "The pieces are tiny metal shards and explosive residue. Unlike the bombing in DC, the parts we have found suggest that this bomb used ordinary . . . or perhaps I should say wholly human technology.  The bomb was hardly ordinary.  It utilized a military grade explosive. It's very volatile unless certain precautions are taken, but more potent than most other explosives.  Were attempting to trace it back to the original purchase now. One thing is certain, whoever created the bomb was no amateur."
        Pa'el tilted his head to the side and studied her for a moment.  "And your analysis?"
        Kathy shook her head, "I think we're dealing with something new here.  The people in DC went out of there way to avoid hurting people.  This one . . . I think they wanted to inflict as much damage as possible."
        "So, you think that the perpetrators are different?"
        "I do.  This bombing seems more . . . personal.  The calculation and hatred that someone went through to plant this bomb . . . .  The DC bombing was almost . . . considerate in comparison.  The only similarity is the connection to the Taelons."
        "Is that significant?"
        "Perhaps.  The DC bombing might have triggered something.  As strange as it seems, it may be that the DC bombing gave someone an idea.  Something like this, if I'm right about the connection, we call it a copy cat crime.  But this bombing seems to have a slightly different motivation than the typical copy cat.  The extensive damage is slowing the investigation.  We may not catch these people before they strike again.  We should know more in the next few days."
        "And your other assignment?"
        "Most of the investigators are staying at one hotel.  It's convenient, and easier to provide security.  We can't rule out the possibility that they might be a target.  I've asked that they be placed in suites, so that they will have separate rooms, but one common living room, where they will have at least one, or in some cases two other investigators to offer support in the evenings, if they need it.  It will encourage them to talk, if that's what they need.  So far everyone seems to be holding up as well as can be expected.  It helps that they have a structured schedule.  We're trying to eliminate any other concerns that they might have, to eliminate as much outside stress as possible."
        "Excellent."  Pa'el studied her for a moment.  "There is something else?"
        "Yes."  Kathy paused, knowing she probably should skip this one, but knowing that she could not, she continued, "I just discovered that Agent Miles was suspended for a month for the procedures we used during Dr. Schultz's rescue."
        "Yes, I believe that is correct."
        "Why?"
        Pa'el paused, seeming to choose his words with care.  "Members of the Synod expressed concern about the decisions made during the rescue.  They wished to make certain that Agent Miles was . . . properly motivated when he made those decisions, before he achieved greater responsibility in the Taelon security forces."
        "And Mr. Richardson?"
        "Mr. Richardson may face other options."
        ~Hmmmm, no particular clarity there.~
        "And me?"
        "Agent Sandoval vouched for you."
        Kathy suppressed a start of surprise.  "He did?"
        "And so did I."
        Kathy slowly exhaled.  Her face must have conveyed her confusion.
        "I have worked with you on a number of occasions, Agent Morgan.  Your performance was exceptional during the treaty negotiations between your government and the Taelons.  I am aware of your efforts to maintain calm during the negotiations, to keep certain elements of your security forces from . . . panicking at our arrival."
        She felt a bit like a deer in headlights.  "How do you know about that?" That part of the process had occurred prior to negotiations, when the government was searching for a negotiations strategy, and also behind closed doors late in the evenings, when negotiations were over.
        Pa'el did not seem inclined to answer.
        "And Agent Sandoval?"
        "Perhaps the answer to your first question lies within the second."
        ~Typical Taelon answer.~
        Her global beeped.  "Excuse me, Pa'el."  Opening the screen, she recognized a
fellow security agent.  He skipped the preliminaries.
        "We've found the missing Taelon personnel.  He's pretty beat up.  He's en route to the Hospital, they have a Taelon medical section.  Commander Christian thought you should meet us there."
        Kathy frowned, "Did he say why?"
        "He said something about makeup and mutilation; I think he believes there's a
possible connection to the bombing."
        "I'll be right there."
 
 

Time: Present
Location: NYU Medical Center, New York City
Author: Heretic
Subject: Bodies of Evidence

This was the fourth hospital that they had tried, but they finally struck paydirt.  NYU had a body that matched him for height, weight and (rarest of all for somebody with his size) gender.  The plan was ready to be executed at last.

"Okay, let me get this straight,"  Marquette had said.  "You need a driver to take you to New York City and back who can lift at least two hundred pounds, a van, a pager, a cellphone, two large trunks, a medium sized plastic cooler, two large, plastic, wheeled trash barrels, twenty pounds of meat and a hundred pounds of ice?"

"And a bottle of air freshiner."  John reminded her, smiling.

"Of course."  Marquette said, smiling sarcastically in return.

"Given the rest of the expeditures involved with this mission, his request isn't all that bad."  Doors told Marquette.  "Make the arrangements."

Two hours later, John Smith was on his way to New York with a van, two chests full of ice, and a cooler containing twenty pounds of meat, that John had thrown under a heater in order to guarantee that it rotted.  Behind his seat he had a duffel bag containing several different colors and varieties of janitor uniforms. Unfortunately, but not suprisingly, none of the uniforms in his bag matched the ones that the real janitors wore, so he had been forced to spend half an hour stealing two from the hospital.

On a brighter note, he reflected, doctors everywhere pretty much wore the uniform, so the one that he brought with him would suffice, saving him the trouble of stealing one.

It took another hour and a half for him to finish applying his makeup.  It was time well spent, however, since it made him look a full thirty years older.

There was another stroke of good fortune:  One of Door's people knew somebody that had had interned at NYU's Medical Hospital, and  remembered how medical student cadavers were accounted for.  She even gave a detailed description of the form.  In his janitor's uniform, he wasn't questioned when he walked into the medical college.  He simply waited for an appropriate time and then snatched a copy of the proper form when nobody was looking his way.

Back at the hotel, he filled out the form, requesting the transfer of two of the cadavers.  Since he was left-handed, he used his right and to fill out the paperwork, virtually guaranteeing that it couldn't be read without someone devoting their full attention to it.  He signed it with the name of one of the doctors who's nametag he had seen in the other side of the hospital and didn't appear to have anything to do with the cadavers.

The drove off to the hospital the next day with janitors' outfits under their doctors' uniforms.  John put the cooler with the rotting meat in the bottom of the pair of large trash barrels.  He then pushed the barrels to an elevator bank and took the meat out of the cooler.

Reasonably certain that nobody was going to touch the barrels until they got got back, John and the driver got into elevator and handed in the paper work for the two bodies.  The man at the desk glanced over the paperwork and gave his approval, having been unable to read a word of it and relying on John's word for what it said.  As he got up to show them where to get the bodies, John grabbed the paperwork from where the man had filed it, and stuffed it in his pocket.

Taking the two bodies on gurneys, they walked back to the elevators and squeezed into one.  Between the two of them and the bodies (and jokes that they made while they waited for the elevator, nobody got on with them.

Pressing the Stop button as the elevator began to move, they quickly stripped off their doctor's uniforms, stuffing them under the sheet with one of the cadavers.

When they got to the floor where he left the barrels, and he out of the elevator and pulled them in while the driver held the door.  Stopping the elevator again the moment it began to move.  They put the meat back in the cooler and pulled one of the barrels out of the other.  Quickly stuffing a body into each barrel and then covering the barrels with garbage bags, they continued their elevator ride.  Reaching the floor that they wanted, they got out, John taking the barrels while the driver pushed one gurney and pulled another.  Leaving the two gurney's against a wall, he took one of the barrels the two of them walked out to the van.

They loaded the bodies into the van and then drove away.  Parking a few minutes later, they loaded a body into each of the two trunks, and then made their way back to Liberation HQ with the two corpses.

John Smith
Thief, Level 2
US Taelon Division
 
 

Date: Jan. 10, 1999
Author: Carl West
Time: Sometime after Bombay incident
Place: Edward's house in Washington, DC
Subject: Liars and Taelons and Bombs- oh my!

Edward closed the door to his small home and locked it securely. That bomber, whoever it was, wasn't going to get him here. He booted up his computer, poured some coffee and picked up the newspaper. "50 STILL MISSING IN BOMBAY BOMBING" the headline said. ~Well,~ Edward thought, ~At least I'm a little better off then other people. But if I was a target of a single bombing, wouldn't there be other victims, too?~ His internet service bleeped on at that point. With a few clicks of the mouse, he was at the Associated Press news archive. ~Bombings, I need to find bombings.~ He typed it in the search field. There were twenty articles of Bombay, but he saw one out of the corner of his eye: "D.C. bombing injures one". He opened the article.
"WASHINGTON - Walter Van Eato, a Taelon specialist, suffered third degree burns when his home was destroyed by a bomb yesterday_ bomb squads have discovered no connections between this and the bombings in Bombay_ Walter is under care in the Taelon Medical Center in Washington_"
That was all Edward needed to see. If this Van Eato knew anything, he could probably get some help. With that, the phone rang. Edward punched the button to accept the call. He heard audio, but there was nothing on the videoscreen.
"Hello, Edward," came the feminine voice over the phone.
"Who are you?" Edward asked.
"I'm not telling." she said. "You'll have to figure that out yourself."
"What do you want?
"We need you, Edward. Join us."
"Who ARE you?"
"Figure it out."
"I'm going to hang up now_"
"You can't hide from us, Edward. You can't hide from the Taelons or the Liberation, either."
"Goodbye!"
"You can run but you can_"
After that all the woman on the other line heard was a dial tone.
"I'll get him. I'll get him soon," she said.
 

Date: January 11, 1999
Author: Rilei
Place:  Liberation HQ
Time: Set Right After  "Bodies of Evidence"
Title:

  Grace's nose wrinkled not five feet into the Liberation's headquarters. She looked to Jonathan as he moved out of an isolation section of the underground.
  "Jonathan, what in the world is that smell?" she asked. Just then John Smith joined them.
  "That is two very dead bodies." Jonathan replied, nodding to Smith. "Our resident thief is the one who stole them so thank him." he said. Grace frowned at Smith.
  "Got them a little ripe, didn't you?" she said with a touch of sarcasm.
  "That was the point wasn't it, Agent Whitney?" he replied with a sarcastic tint in his voice. But before Grace could reply, Lili came into the underground as well.
  "Now I know why you wanted meat." she muttered before looking to Jonathan. "Are you
trying to gag us all, Jonathan?" she asked, her hand going up to her mouth.
  "What do you mean?" he asked, almost innocently.
  "I mean close the vents going from the lab to the rest of this place before people still
getting sick from the stench of smelling fresh, ripe, and quite dead corpses!" she replied.
  Grace hid a smile, as Doors signaled to someone to seal off the lab_.
 
 

Date: January 11
Author: Esti
Place: Human-Taelon Medical Center (Comtech)
Time: Day after "Afternoon Tea"
Title: To Trust

Rosemary continued her rounds, consulting her notes as she went through her day. Fortunately, not much had requred her attention, which was good as she'd changed shifts and therefore not gotten very much sleep that night. Okay, maybe nothing except the ever-present paperwork and the occasional call from the irked folks at Companion Security.

She was vaguely aware at times of the security personnel following her around. With all the bombings, they were afraid that someone might get the idea that kidnapping her again might be a good idea. She knew Mark was worried. This was probably his idea.

Rosemary wished Jen was there to talk to, but her friend was still on assignment for Zo'or, and there hadn't been a peep out of her since she'd left. Jen was the one who understood what it had been like to spend days on end in that room, with nothing more to interrupt it than the kidnappers bringing food in. Mark couldn't possibly understand, Adam couldn't understand, nobody could understand.

And right now she couldn't trust anyone. After all, someone had managed to get into a supposedly secure area and steal an implanting probe complete with CVI. She shuddered as she thought of a second, undefeatable CVI virus. Good thing she didn't have a CVI, or she'd be even more frightened. She wondered who of her people was responsible.

Trust. What a fragile thing. A few months ago, she trusted the Taelons completely, before someone had objected to her research and sent someone to kill her as she was being rescued from her kidnappers. One of her would-be interns broke into her lab while she was being kidnapped. And someone kidnapped her from the parking garage of this very building. Good thing she hadn't gotten in her car. She wouldn't be here now.

Criminals relied on that trust, among other things, to pull off their crimes. The trust that you weren't going to be kidnapped, that your co-workers were not theives, that your home was safe... they knew how to exploit that. Painfully.

She needed to talk to someone... she remembered the woman that had helped rescue her. Agent Morgan? Yes, that was right. But Agent Morgan was apparently running around Bombay. Rosemary resolved to talk to her when she got back. Right now, maybe she should talk to someone who understood being bombed. Her friend Wally.

Rosemary decided now was a good time to take a break.

--
 

Author: Grant and Carl
Date: January 11
Time: Two days after 'What the heck?'
Place: You guessed it, Companion Medical Facilities
Subject: Yet another unwanted visitor

   The nurse walked in once again.  Breakfast.  Erg.  Wally had only been there a little less than two weeks, but he was already sick of the food. She had some news though.
   "Doctor, a Mr. Mason is here to see you."
   "Why?"
   "He did not say."
   "Send him in."
   A tall man with a medium build walked in.
   "Mr. Mason," Wally addressed him, "Why, may I ask, are you here, for we have never met?"
   "I understand you know something about a bombing."  Edward was puzzled will all the strange symbols around the doctor's head.  There was a bomb, a purple block, a heart, a calendar with many days circled, and an iron fist.
   "Well Mr. Mason, why else would I be here, in this condition," Wally grinned.
   "Well doctor, have you heard about the Chicago bombing?  An empty elevator car blew up."
   "Yes, it was on the news, as was my incident.  I just found it funny that you asked a question with an obvious answer."
   "Well, I have the strangest notion that that bomb was intended for me."
   "And why do you say that?"
   "Lots of circumstances.  But I'm here for another reason.  Do you know who is behind the bombings."
   "Well, if I knew, they'd be in jail right now.  However, I do have a suspicion.  I have evidence pointing to PETH, People for the Ethical Treatment of Humans.  As you should too.  They know about you digging up Ma'el's tomb, and I'm a Companion Agent.  What better targets?  I've also been looking at all the known information on them I could access.  May I ask, why do you want to know?"
   "I'm curious."
   "Well, you know, curiosity killed the cat." ~Well, I'm one to talk~.
   "PETH, I thought they were also a splinter of the Liberation."
   "We would never consider them part of the Liberation."
   Edward thought about that last remark.  ~We?~
   "Is there anything else I could help you with Mr. Mason?"
   "Yes.  What do you know about Ma'el's tomb?
   "Well, as you and I both know, that's not my field of expertise.  After all, you were the one that dug him up."
   "Then that will be all."
   "Have a nice day!" ~And don't let the door hit you on the way out!~ Wally grinned.

------------------------------
 

Date:  January 11, 1999
Author:  Sheila Blanton
Place:  Selena Orseau's quarters; Taelon Embassy
Time"  After "Revelations" and "The Convention"
Subject:  Do You See What I See?

News travels quickly when one has access to superior information systems.  Okay, perhaps a black scrying mirror is not the most conventional means of information retrieval, but combined with Taelon technology and her enhanced abilities, Selena was privy to newsbreaking events past, present and future.

Selena's concern was rooted in the present while she viewed yet another bombing, this time the sight of a hotel.  She shook her head.  This event stood apart from the pattern that had previously established itself.

The original design of the madness was apparent to all who could reason. There was no geographical mapping to be concerned with.  It was obvious that the catastrophies were centered upon Taelon medical facilities.  It was rather simple to speculate upon the motives involved in such a focus.  Someone or some faction resented the Taelon intervention into Human medicine and physiology.  This someone considers the Taelon's aid in this capacity threatening.

There were many reasons to consider.  Implanting Humans was always objectionable to the Resistance movement.  It built upon the mistrust that was already levied upon the Taelons by that group.  The fact that the first implants had begun to "fail" added fuel to the flames.  The second wave of implants were received with equal enthusiasm.

Suspicion of Human enslavement to the Companions burst from the Underground spreading like a virus.  It saddened Selena that people had come no further than characters in a "B" movie where the "little green men in their flying saucers" arrive on Earth with only one thing in mind--conquest, with another stepping-stone towards world domination. If the majority of the peoples of Earth knew of the Taelon experimentations with more advanced biochemical engineering techniques, Selena wondered how many Taelon supporters would flock in droves to the Resistance.

Where Selena could see the merit and actively supported the Taelon agenda for this type of enhancement, she always made a point to suggest metaphysical methods to aid in mankind's journey to evolutionary perfection.  That goal had been her life's work even before the Taelons has appeared upon the face of the planet.

Selena's fascination and eventual, dare she say, friendship with Da'an only served to inspire her to pursue her work with an even more impassioned zeal.  Da'an and she would conference in long sessions on the possibilities of how Humankind could benefit from the application of metaphysical methods.  They had "touched" and all that is Da'an became known to her.  She had seen into the darkest depths of his soul and knew of his triumph over the monster that had, at one time, defined him.  His transformation from a creature Da'an considered most vile to a truly celestial essence was nothing less than a transcendental joining with his higher sense of being.  Anyone who had ever encountered Da'an would testify that he graced all with his presence.  Even the most jaded adversary could not help but be affected.  Many would aspire to be as Da'an.

Selena was not delusional; she did not fancy him as a God, but his divine attributes empowered him as the world's next best thing and Earth's hope for salvation.

Da'an's personal goal for evolutionary perfection was achieved through spiritual awareness and the knowledge that there is more to Taelon exsistence than enslavement to an abominable nature and a weakness of the flesh.  The advent of the Commonality, the oneness of minds and spiritual energies, had delivered the Taelons from their destructive path.  It was only logical to Selena that Man could benefit from the Taelon experience.

These converstions with Da'an were always bittersweet.  Where it was evident that Da'an supported her views and methodology, he never made a formal proposal to the Synod on the issue.  Selena wasn't offended.  She understood the Taelon politics at hand.  The Synod was well aware of Da'an's position as Human advocate; he set the precedence.  However, with Zo'or's rise to power and position in the Synod, it wa inreasingly difficult to present any new project concerning Humans without a subtle cold battle ensuing.  Da'an and Zo'or stood at opposite poles, especially when it had to do with the Human factor.

Selena snapped her mind back to attention.  It was unlike her to allow her focus to wander.  The scenes brought about by her reverie were only now beginning to vanish from the mirror's eye.

With the shift in focal point from medical facilities to a hotel, the connection must be reformulated.  Selena summoned the mirror to reveal anything that could have been a contributing factor and link to the previous incidents.

A gathering of people in a convention hall manifested itself to Selena's view.  The topic of importance concerned itself with an uncovering of archaeological finds.  A vision of a Taelon comes into view--it was hazy at best--could it be Ma'el?

With this vision Selena's suspicions were confirmed.  Every action taken in relation to the bombings was part of an elaborate cover-up attempt. Someone is trying to conceal or destroy something of a vital importance with connection to the Taelons.

Selena had already ruled out Resistance involvement.  The Liberation was always hungry for any information that would link the Taelon's to covert practices.  Destroying evidence was not their style--they would exploit it!

Selena immediately conjectured that Ma'el held the key to this puzzle that someone was attempting to obliterate; knowledge that could be essential to the true Taelon agenda.  The fact that Ma'el was mentor to Da'an caused her concern for her Taelon friend.  A sense of foreboding increased her anxiety.

An unexpected vision of Zo'or flashed upon the crystalline surface with amazing clarity.  A shiver coursed over her body making for an uneasy observation.  It was almost as if Zo'or was scrutinizing _her_!!

Although Selena has asked Da'an's blessing to investigate the Companion doctors kidnapping, this revelation took precedence in her probe for what she felt was the _Ultimate_ truth.  Selena's first priority was for Da'an's safety.  She would do _anything_ to preserve his well-being.

Selena covered the black glass with a lapis-blue veil, sending all of the visions into obscurity.  She ignored the subtle throbbing in her temples.  She could not  ignore the haunting vision of Zo'or.

Selena's first priority...another audience with Da'an.

Date: 1/12
Author: Ken Schmit
Place: Office of Ethan Miles, Taelon Embassy, Washington, D.C.
Time: Present
Subject: Insecurity
 

Ethan sipped the too-hot coffee in the too-early morning, wondering what the bombing du jour would be.  He read over the list of bombing reports for a third time, sure that they had to be related somehow - some way other than shear coincidence.
  He heard a muffled metallic chirp, and realized that his global was buried under a stack of unread magazines.  He dug out the device and extended the display.
  "Hi Ethan, you look...disheveled," said Agent Kathy Morgan.  Ethan could see the ruins of the former Bombay medical facility behind her and didn't have to ask where she was.
  "Kathy, long-time no-see.  I take it you're back on the job."
  "Yeah, I'm doing some damage control here.  The mental anguish takes its toll even on the CVI-enhanced.  The investigators need someone to talk to. But I actually called to find out how you are doing.  I hear that you were suspended for a while."
  "It was a one-month field suspension.  Zo'or put me at a desk and had me pile through all the data we have on the Liberation.  I think it was more of a test than a punishment...I get the feeling that they think I might be Liberation.  They play by different rules here than at the Bureau.  But I'm sure you know that."
  Agent Morgan nodded, her brow furrowed.
  "So Ethan, do you have any leads on the bombings yet?"
  "I've been going over your data, and I agree that this bombing is unrelated to the D.C. bombing.  I've also ruled out the Liberation by virtue of incredulity.  I've also been getting reports of possible involvement by PETH, but it makes less sense for them to have done it.  They are extremely radical, but this bombing was ultra-reactionary.  I haven't seen anything like this since the bombing of the Murrah building in Oklahoma City back in the 90's.  I also haven't ruled out Taelon involvement.  This wouldn't be the first time they have used violence to flush out the Resistance.  But I think it will mostly wind up being the work of either a splinter group or some anti-Companion militia group operating off the radar scope.  But you're the psycologist.  What do you think?"
  "I think I'd better get back to work.  I'm going to try and trace the source of the explosive used in the bombing.  I'll keep in touch."
  "Okay.  Talk to you later, Kathy."  Ethan slapped his global closed and returned to his work.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In light of the recent bombings, Ethan reported to the Comtech facilities in order to perform a security sweep and to familiarize new recruits with the building layout and security measures.  It felt good to be in the field again, after riding an uncomfortable office chair for over a month.
  Ethan moved his head close to the retinal scanner, pleased with the return of his security clearance.  He headed down the hallway towards the human-taelon combined technology research wing.  He passed a security trainee along the way, who scruitinized Ethan as he walked by.  The only weapons allowed in this part of the facility were ones which couldn't be removed...namely, skrills.
  The last time Ethan had been in this area, this building, was after the bombing in the parking facility, after someone had broken in and accessed Dr. Rosemary Schultz's research on CVI experimentation.  Ethan had been able to scan the information, reading enough of it to generate many more questions than answers.  He hoped that Dr. Schultz could, and would be willing to, answer some of them.
  He turned the corner into her lab.  The door was open and Dr. Schultz was facing away from him, putting on her jacket.
  "Dr. Schultz?"
  Rosemary jumped a bit, then turned and saw him.
  "Oh, hi, Agent Miles, isn't it?"
  "I was wondering if you had a few minutes?"
  She rolled her eyes and gave him a "not this again" type look.
  "Well, I was just on my way out, but what did you need?"
  "I'm in charge of beefing up security at this facility, and I have a few questions about the night you were kidnapped.  Someone broke into your lab and accessed your research?"
  "Yes, and I still don't know who it was, or how or why they did it."
  "During the investigation, I read through your research in order to gain some insight into who might have stolen it.  I must admit, I read some rather disturbing reports on human CVI experimentation."
  "With all due respect Agent Miles, if you read through my research to find my kidnappers, I don't understand what possible purpose it serves for you to ask me about it now."
  Ethan knew the question might come up, but hoped he could avoid it.
  "I feel that the bombing of the Bombay medical facility was, in short, a protest against human-taelon experimentation.  As Zo'or is having me gather research on all groups that might be responsible for it, I felt that a good place to start would be to find out who gained access to your research."
  Ethan felt that he might have her swayed, and thought it would be a good time for a bluff...
  "From what I can recollect from your notes, doctor, the Bombay facility was a primary site of experimentation."
  "Yes, we performed advanced implantation procedures there."
  "CVI's?"
  "And others."
  ~Others?~
 
 

Date: January 13
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place:  RS Facility, Antarctica
Time: Present
Subject: Visitation

The booming crack of the shuttle coming out of interdimensional shook the office Dr. Christian was in.  She had managed to find a resource room that was *above* ground!  Getting the permission to study there so that she could see the outdoors had turned out to be a more difficult task than any she'd encountered so far.  Jennifer looked out the window and saw the white expanse that was the usual view for this room, and noted with delight that she could actually see the shuttle preparing to land.  ~What a long way I've come,~ she thought, ~that the sight of a shuttle is exicting_~  Shaking her head at her silent musings, Jennifer sought gently with her mind for the presence of her Companion, Ra'el.  Almost immediately, she felt her mind being pushed away, and the doctor stared out the window in amazement.  ~Why would Ra'el refuse to commune with me?~ she wondered.

Walking over to the window, Jennifer put her hand to the double pane and peered down at the shuttle.  From this vantagepoint, she could barely see the passengers as they embarked from the vehicle.  The sight that lay before her chilled the room far better than the outside air could have done.  Zo'or had decided to visit her at the facility!   Barely restrained panic flooded her mind and body.  Why would Zo'or show up here unless he had decided to implant her despite Ra'el's objections?  The doctor forced herself into a chair and began the meditation and breathing exercises that helped her control her mind.

Fifteen minutes later, a much calmer Dr. Christian went down to her office below ground and prepared a summary of her work on the project to date.  She steeled herself for the encounter by remembering her purpose and the real reason she was in Antarctica.  ~Da'an felt that I could effectively thwart some of Zo'or's scheming by being here, and Ra'el agreed.  Hold on to this, Jennifer.~ she silently encouraged herself.

When the two Taelons entered her office, Jennifer greeted them with a smile and waited for the inevitable questioning to begin.  Surprisingly, Zo'or simply asked her how the project was coming along.  After a brief report, the Taelon nodded and turned to Ra'el.  ~Something strange is going on here_~ she thought.  Ra'el was fidgeting, which was not usual for him.  His body language told Jennifer that he had something to say and was not sure how she was going to react.

Finally, he spoke, "I wish to commend you on the excellent job you have done here so far.  Many of your recommendations shall be implemented, and the Synod is most pleased at the prospect of being able to use the hybrid children in capacities other than they are currently assigned to.  This is a great achievement for us_"

Zo'or cut into Ra'el's speech. "Dr. Christian, there is another problem that has recently come to our attention and that will require your skills and research."  Jennifer could not help but grimace at the prospect of spending any more time at RS than she absolutely had to.  Zo'or misread the look on
her face, and seemed pleased at her "eager" reaction to his words.  "I can see that you are interested in this new project, doctor.  However, the work here at RS must be completed before you may embark on your next assignment. We are considering expanding our research into the usage of the cyber-viral implant, and with the recent bombing of our primary facility in Bombay_" the Synod leader trailed off, anger obvious on his smooth face.  "_.we are finding ourselves short of an appropriate facility."

Jennifer didn't know what to say.  She had no idea where Zo'or was going with this, but the look on Ra'el's face made her very uneasy for some reason.  The physician didn't realize that her mind had wandered until Zo'or changed his tone of voice.  "_.several locations are being considered for the construction of the new facility."  ~New facility?~ Jennifer thought, ~Why don't I like the sound of that???~

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
 
 

Author: Aen (Formerly Known As Rilei)
Place:  Liberation HQ
Time: Present
Title: Last Minute Attention To Detail

  Grace entered the small circle that had gathered in Doors' office. She looked around and discovered that there was only one face she did not recognize. She chose a seat be Lili as Ken sat beside the stranger.
  "Has anyone heard from Tara yet ?"
  "At the moment she hasn't been released from her duties from Zo'or." Lili said.
  "Hmmm, it shouldn't be too much longer before he releases her. But it most likely won't be until after I've arrested our conspirator." Grace said. "Have you found someone we can trust yet?"
  Lili nodded.
  "Grace Whitney, meet Second Lieutenant Mark Maxwell of the Green Berets." Lili introduced the stranger. Grace reached out her hand to him. With some reluctance Maxwell took it.
  "Former Second Lieutenant Mark Maxwell." he said.Grace's CVI kicked in as she shook his hand.
  "You were one of Major McIntyre's officers." Grace said. Maxwell glared at her. "Sorry." She released his hand as Lili cleared her throat.
  "We'd better go over the plan one more time." she said. Grace nodded although she had every detail memorized. They went through the plan.   "We're adding one detail. While we're in there Maxwell here wants to try and locate any of  the remaining of McIntyre's men that are still alive in there." Lili said.
  "What are the chances that any of them are still alive and are located there?" Ken asked.
  "I don't know but Augur and I did come across Johnson's records for the RS facility while he was there. There's a chance that maybe some of them are still located there." Grace said.
  "Exactly, I owe it to them to try and find them. I owe it to Lucas." Maxwell said.
  "How many rescues are we talking here? Because it means we'll have to up our 'body' count in order to make things appear feasible to Sandoval and the Taelons." Grace asked.
  "There were six men of our unit volunteered for the Interdimensional Space Flight Program. Since we know Johnson is dead, I'd safe to say we need 5 bodies." Maxwell answered.
  "Five additional to the two we have now. Well, that should be no problem for our thief." Doors said.
  "Wait a second, Jonathan. I want to get Augur to hack back into their mainframe and see if we can't confirm just who is alive and who is dead before we call on Smith's services again." Grace said.
  "Why?"
  "Because I don't want to explain to the Synod why their are more remains than there were prisoners." Grace replied.
  "Alright, have Augur get right on it."
  Grace stood.
  "If you'll excuse me_.Augur is at home, correct?" Grace asked. Doors nodded. "Come on, Ken."
 
 

Datte: January 15, 1999
Author: Aen (Formerly known as Rilei)
Place: Taelon Embassy
Time: Present
Title: It Begins_

  It was in the middle of the night when the middle of the night when the rescue plan was set into motion. Da'an's agents had captured a man whom they believed to be conspiring against the Taelons.
  Da'an waved the datastream on after a moment of staring at his prisoner in the eyes. There was a clear hatred there in the man's eyes and that hatred was directed towards Da'an because of who he was.
  A Taelon_.
  Grace when she appeared on the datastream had the appearance of having just been in
bed and she appeared half asleep.
  "Agent Whitney?" Da'an began.
  "Yes, Da'an."
  "I have a prisoner here at the embassy who is to be taken to the Rrra-shaui Taelon facility in Antarctica immediately for interrogation and most likely long term incarceration, by order of the Synod Leader." Da'an said, showing no emotion.
  "Very well, Da'an." Grace said.
  "Agent Carmichael has been assigned by Zo'or to accompany you to the facility. She will join you here at the embassy."
  "Understood. Agent Grayson and I will join you in 6 minutes." Grace replied. Da'an severed the transmission before looking back to Maxwell.
  Maxwell did nothing but glare back at Da'an_
 
 

Date: January 16, 1999
Author: Aen (Formerly Known As Rilei)
Place: Interdimensional
Time: Set Moments Following, "It Begins"
Title: Innocence and Remembrance
NRPG: The majority of this is written out in the form of Grace's memories of the murder trial of Rho-Ha. Forgive me if it's not an exact quote from "Law and Order" ****************************************************

  "Has the jury reached a verdict?"
  "We have, Your Honor."
  Time seemed suspended as both sides on this trial waited to hear what the jury had decided. Grace held her breath and hoped for the best for Rho-Ha.
  "How do you find?"
  "We find the defendant, Rho-Ha, guilty of murder." the lady foreman replied. The crowd
murmured in response to the verdict. The judge pounded her gavel.
  "Order! I said order!"
  The court quieted.
  "And we sentence the defendant to the maximum penalty. Death."
****************************************************

  Grace shuddered as another memory took hold.
****************************************************
  "Your Honor, the defense moves that the court set aside the death sentence." Boone said. The court gasped at this as did the judge. Grace smiled.
  ~Maybe not all hope is lost for Rho-Ha yet. Go, Will.~ Grace thought.
  "Your Honor, with all due respect it would be unconscionable to frustrate the will of a jury that has so clearly spoken." Joshua Doors quickly spoke up, lest his case be lost.
  "I'm not inclined to quash a good faith request made by the defense to prevent arguments. I'll hear counsel tomorrow on this issue."

                 * * *

  "Mister Boone_"
  "Your Honor, classic death penalty arguments are irrelevant in this case, because I concede that much of the world agrees that capitol punishment is an appropriate punishment. So I'm not here to argue for or against capitol punishment. However, it is the defense's position that in this case only the death sentence is against public policy. Why here? Because we're talking about putting an alien being to death, not a human being. If we choose to put a member of our own species to death, so be it. The majority has ruled. But an alien being, one that we've only known for three years? Are we so arrogant as a species, as human beings, to presume we know the impact of killing a member of an alien species, even if that species has given us the right to do it? I hope not. I really hope not. Thank you, Your Honor."
 

  "Grace?"
  Grace snapped out of the memory and looked at Ken.
  "You okay? We're about to come out of interdimensional." he said.
  "Yeah, I'm okay. Just remembering Rho-Ha trial. I can't help but remember with all this talk of Johnson and McIntyre." she said, putting her head in hands. After a moment she straightened up and looked at Ken. "Did you ever meet either one of them?"
she asked. Ken turned back around to his controls.
  "Yeah, I did. I was one of the ones who went with Doors to try and negotiate for Da'an's release. I didn't see much of Captain Johnson but McIntyre was another story." Ken said.
  "What were your impressions of him?"
  Ken shrugged.
  "Oh your usual military type. But the thing I sensed mainly from him believe it or  not was guilt. I don't know if it was because of what happened to his men, Johnson, or even what they were having to do to Da'an. Somehow I believe it was still in his mind that throughout all that situation, Da'an was an innocent. Johnson sensed it as well I suppose because he and Da'an shared a bond afterwards_.they shared it up until Johnson's death." Ken said. Just then his monitor beeped.
  "Coming out of interdimensional."
  As they came out, Grace stared at the Washington Monument and cleared her mind, preparing to assume full implant mode_.
 
 
 

Date: 1/9/98
Author: Auger Randle
Place: Cairo, Egypt
Time:  directly after desperate measures.
Subject: Double Cross

         As he was made to tread carefully through grass in the dark he made out some very interesting sounds. Majority where people talking either about where to hit next, or who should do what. No names where mentioned, but in this business the less you know the better off you are. The temperature and odor changed, they had entered some building, and something scampered around hurriedly underfoot. Rats, or cockroaches, neither one more desirable than the other, but one was easier to kill, or easier to ignore. Sitting in the middle
of the room at a desk, he noticed a figure hit a switch and the rooms computers lit up one by one. He now sat in the midst of a most likely stolen arsenal of cyber machines.

" What big computers you have grandma."  Airik looked around  " and you would like me to do what?"

" We need you to create to false identities for these two men." Handing him pictures Airik stares wide eyed at the leader of the expedition.

" Well here is the problem. Mainly these two are wanted felons. They're faces have been everywhere, and its hard to accept that people want to be look-alike for mass murders. "

" That's why we need you.  they finish what they where planning to do."

" why did you get me for this anyway? Weren't there any other hackers who are at least college graduates?"

" Yes, but they have a computer background computer grades, prime suspects. You on the other hand, did terrible in school purposely then dropped off the face of the earth in your senior year. Expected for people with no ambition."

 " Alright, that's all true. But you had better be paying me a lot for this."

" We need you to stay and work for us. Full time. Without pay."

" And with those words the magic of this place just been forsaken. I'll be going now." Airik arose to depart.

" But you can't leave, sit. Work. Now. " With that he forcibly shoved Airik down.

" Look you can't expect me to work for free. This involves hacking and altering companion and FBI, and CIA files. That and the two you want me to change have killed more people than cancer.  Come on now."

Surrounded by shadows in the a dark abandoned building, somewhere in the middle of Bombay, Airik suddenly felt a lot less sure of himself. He knows that he may have to send and SOS but to whom?  There aren't a lot of people he can trust, and that is most important. So its has to be the Resistance. The only ones who may decide to help. The companions wouldn't let him disappear again as easily. As they leave him to work, he does as they asked, and inputs a little bonus. Tonight will be a long night.
 
 

Date: 1-16-99
Author: Amy
Place:  Bombay Hospital
Time: Soon after Mr. Matikha was found
Title: It's the details that give you clues

        Kathy arrived at the hospital within minutes of getting the message. According to the files, Mr. Matikha was kidnaped several weeks ago. Security had mentioned that Commander Christian felt the kidnaping was related to the bombing.  She glanced through the file on her global.  The man had gone missing within two days of the bombing and kidnaping of Drs. Schultz and Christian.  Until now, security had no leads. ~At least now I know a bit about what I'm getting into.~
        She checked at information, flashing he security badge when they questioned her, which happened frequently.  Apparently security had setup check points at every access point to the 15th floor.  She suspected that Commander Christian was responsible for security here.  She had checked his records, he was clearly an expert on security, and if his file was anything to go by, he wouldn't worry about stepping on toes to get the job done.
        She passed through two more check points before reaching her destination, one at the entrance to the elevators, and one at the exit on the 15th floor. She hurried through the hospital, which, because of the bombing, was filled beyond capacity.  She passed injured people laying on cots in the hallway.  It was a sad reminder of how little they knew about the bombing so far.
        Upon exiting the elevator, and passing through a security checkpoint, she was met by a Taelon security officer in full armor, but holding his helmet. ~Probably removed it for the introduction, it's so hard to meet someone when they can't see your face.~
        "Agent Morgan?"  At her nod he grasped her shook her hand firmly and continued, "Peter Nelson, with Taelon security."
        "Good to meet you Agent Nelson.  I wish the circumstances were better."
        He nodded.  "Yes, ma'am."
        "What did they do to him?"
        "I'm not at liberty to say.  Commander Christian wants an objective first impression.  I've been instructed to say nothing."
        "I understand."

        A few moments later she was finally meeting Commander Christian and Tara Carmichael.  Agent Nelson made the introductions.  Kathy noticed that they both had skrylls and both had a gun as well.
        "It's good to meet you, Agent Morgan," said Agent Carmichael.  "We need to speak privately, there's a room down the hall."  She indicated a room several doors down.  "Agent Nelson, I'd like you and your partner," nodding to the woman approaching from farther down the corridor, "to guard this doorway until we get back.  No one gets in without Companion Security approval."

        A few moments later, they were all settled around a table in a nearby conference room.  "Very well, how can I be of service?"
        "What do you know about this disappearance?"  This came from Agent Carmichael.
        Kathy shook her head, "Not a lot.  Just what I skimmed in the security file on the way over."
        Commander Christian nodded, "He disappeared several days after Drs. Christian and Schultz were kidnaped.  Until today, we did not consider his disappearance to be connected to the Bombay bombing."
        "All right, what makes you think it's related to the Bombay bombing now?"
        Commander Christian, shook his head, "No, Agent Morgan, that's what we want from you."
        Kathy nodded, and spread her arms questioningly. "Based on what?"
        "These pictures."  Agent Carmichael handed her several photographs.
        Kathy studied the pictures for a moment before the shock of what she was seeing sank in.  She sat up straighter, glancing at them both in repressed revulsion.  "They crucified him?" She asked in a hush tone.
        Commander Christian nodded grimly.
        "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that a slow and incredibly painful way to die?  Doesn't the victim slowly die of. . . ."
        "Asphyxiation."  Commander Christian confirmed.
        Kathy laid the pictures out across the table, until she came to the one focusing on the message.  "Not the Saviors of Mankind!"  She said slowly. She leaned back in her chair, studying each of the half dozen pictures in turn.
        "Well, Agent Morgan?"
        She sighed.  "I can't tell you much just based on the photographs.  But I can tell you that the choice of crucifixion is important.  It speaks of an urge to punish and to set an example.  But the punishment is very painful, and has historical connections as you may know.  The writing even refers to it, `Not the Saviors of Mankind'.  The historical reference suggests a charge of blasphemy, someone claiming or doing something that others believe they are not worthy to do."
        "It does target a companion agent, and the crucifixion itself suggests a bitter hatred.  Those are the things that *may* tie it to the Bombay bombing. The bombing also was clearly targeted at humans working with Taelons, but, unlike this incident, it was targeted at as _many_ _people_ as_ possible_. As for the makeup, that could have several meanings."  She nodded, "There could be a connection."
        Commander Christian nodded his understanding, but clearly wanted more.  "A bombing and a crucifixion are two entirely different means to an end, Agent Morgan.  Would they change MO that much?"
        "A good point Commander, and you've pointed out the weak link.  This is just supposition.  We need more evidence to tie the two acts together.  But it's possible they used the bomb to get our attention, and this," she gestured toward the photographs, "to send a message.  Remember we haven't yet had a credible claim of responsibility for the bombing."
        "You don't believe that the resistance was behind the bombing?"  Agent Carmichael's face was carefully impassive.
        Kathy shrugged.  "I haven't ruled them out, not completely.  But I haven't seen any evidence to tie them to it yet either."
        "And this?"  Agent Carmichael gestured toward the photos.
        Kathy shook her head.  "The message is written in English, and the symbolism of crucifixion originates in western culture.  I think the people behind this were from the West, not India.  Based on their choice of crucifixion, I'd say they aren't particular rational in their beliefs, whatever they happen to be. More than that I can't say."
        "So the resistance?"  Commander Christian's voice was tense.
        Kathy shook her head, "I wouldn't rule them out, but this is *way* over the top.  Doors *may* be irrational, but he has always couched his arguments in a logical manner.  This would be out of character for him."
        "And the makeup?"
        Kathy sighed.  "That's a tough one.  It clearly has significance, but whether they really wanted to crucify a Taelon, or whether it was something else . . . I need to know more about Mr. Matikha before I can make any solid guesses about that."
        Agent Carmichael frowned, "Why would knowing more about the victim help here?'
        "In situations like this, that information will help determine why Mr. Matikha was chosen.  That's what we need to know.  Why Mr. Matikha?  Why not you or me, or the guy down the street, or the guard at the front desk.  If we find out *why* they chose him, then it may tell us a bit about why they painted him like a Taelon.  The answer may simply be that Mr. Matikha was as close to a Taelon as they could get, but it may not."
        Commander Christian and Agent Carmichael glanced at each other, and then Commander Christian brought the meeting to a close.  "Thank you, Agent Morgan. I'll ask if we can get you limited access to his schedule for the week prior to his disappearance.  And I'll request that you be given complete access to his personnel file, that will have to do.  We'll contact you later if it's approved."

        Commander Christian and Agent Carmichael followed her out of the room. Walking back to Security Agent Nelson and his partner, Commander Christian relieved the two guards and asked them to escort her passed security.  He and Agent Carmichael would stand guard in their place.
 
 
 

Time: Present
Author: Heretic
Location: Liberation HQ
Title: Change Of Plans

"FIVE?!"  John exclaimed, his jaw hanging open.  "Not one, or two, or three or four, but FIVE additional bodies?"

John Smith and Lili Marquette were in a private room in the Flat Planet Caf,. The decision to possibly rescue the survivors of Major McIntyre's unit was just passed onto the thief.

"This is going to be a problem?"  Capt. Marquette asked.

"I was able to make the disappearance of the first two bodies look like a paper-work error."  John said.  "The guy who I gave the forms to and then stole them back from will wonder where it is, say something like 'I swear those papers were right HERE!', and wonder where the paperwork went to.  His supervisor is going to throw an almighty fit, but assume that somebody somewhere in the hospital is using the bodies for a legitimate, NYU-related purpose and not bring in the cops.  It's going to be nearly impossible to steal five bodies without attracting any attention.  Besides, there's too much that can go wrong, and if I get identified, then they Taelons are going to find out and the entire operation goes down the tubes."

"How so?"  Marquette asked.

"They don't employ too many idiots."  Smith said.  "Someone like Sandoval will take a look at the bodies, and make a connection between them and memorize their features, including, most especially, height and build.  If prisoners from a secret facility with those same builds then 'die' in a shuttle crash, he'll make the connection.  You might lose your mole if that happens, which also means that you'll lose whoever modified the CVI in the first place as well.  If we get really unlucky, they might take Grace alive and give her a fully functional CVI, and we can kiss the Liberation goodbye."

"What do you suggest instead?"

"Well, if we're planning on rescuing more than one person, I don't think the original plan is going to work.  It's impossible to rescue half a dozen prisoners from a max-security facility protected by military-level defenses without killing a lot of people... except maybe if..."

"What?"  Marquette asked.

"That facility uses a ventilation system that must be on most of the time, right?"  Smith asked.

"I believe so."  Marquette replied.

"We'll have to disable their alarm and communications, and then flood the entire facility with knockout gas.  Then, we just walk in, find the people we want, and walk out."

"That's going to raise all sorts of problems when the Taelons investigate the break-out."  Marquette pointed out.

"I know, but the old plan won't work if McIntyre's men are there and we want to rescue them."

"I'll talk to Doors and Grace about it."  Marquette told him.  "I can almost understand why Doors puts up with you."

"Yeah, I like you too."  John replied.
 
 

Date:  1-18-98
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: RS Taelon Facility, Antarctica
Time:  Present
Subject:  Reflections

Dr. Jennifer Christian:
Personal Journal, Handwritten and encrypted with special Taelon interface

I sit this evening completely exhausted from the day's work.  The endless days and confining blue walls are about to completely drive me out of my mind.  I really miss being with my husband.  I would almost give anything just his heartbeat and I be able to sleep on his chest at night.  I cannot allow myself the luxury of thinking to heavily about it, or the loneliness will eat away at my resolve to do the work I came here for.

It was secretly Ra'el and Da'an's hope that I could do some good for these patients--that I could find a way to enable some to escape the confines that their residency offers.  I am grieved that the only "release" I've been able to offer to my patients so far has been the release of a painless death. Far too many of the residents have pleaded with me to end their suffering; they know that their only escape is death.  I've done what I can_

I don't see how soldiers do it.  How can a man kill in cold blood?  It is beyond me.  I couldn't bring myself to kill the patients who begged for death_instead, I assigned them to a "psychological endurance test" in which one of their options was to commit suicide.  Every patient that I assigned to that "test" chose easy and quick termination, as I knew they would.  I deliberately selected patients whose profiles suggested a weakness in the area of self-preservation.  I wonder how I'm ever going to manage to live with myself_my only comfort is that they are now free from Zo'or's merciless grasp.   May they find peace in the Void_
 

I have managed to find other uses for the hybrid children besides security on the Mothership.  Those poor children have lived their entire life in captivity, and have no concept of freedom--well, most of them, anyway.  The ones who "failed" the psychological screening for security duty were assigned here at RS for evaluation and study.  I have begun a program to explore their talents in the areas of science and mathematics.  At least some of these will eventually gain their freedom.

I met a patient today with an iron will--strong even after all the horror he has endured.  He did not fit the profile of an "endurance test" patient.  I got the distinct impression that he will fight to be free until the end. His name was familiar--Whitney.  His records had some conspicuous holes in them--namely how he arrived at RS, and all family information.  It was as if it had been deliberately purged.  I have to wonder if he didn't simply cross an implant the wrong way.  I think there's an implant working for Da'an named Whitney. I shudder to think that this poor man may somehow be related to her.  If so, it would explain his presence here.  Spouses of Companion Protectors tend to disappear.  First it was DeeDee Sandoval.  Then Kate Boone was killed mysteriously.  It doesn't add up to a pretty picture.  It makes me fear for my safety.  If I weren't so valuable to Ra'el--and Zo'or--I could very well face the same fate_.
 

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
 
 

EFC Division
Date: January, 99
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Washington
Time: 2230, EST
Subject: Occam's Razor for Dead Cats

        James Christian sat in his office, fingers steepled and his brow furrowed in thought.  The environmental control system hummed quietly in the background, it's drone quietly attempting to hypnotize the buildings inhabitants and lull them to sleep.
        The ex-SEAL stood up from his desk and wandered over by his uke, recently reconstructed after its destruction at Atlantis.  Absently, he ran his callused hand over its canvas surface, lost in the labyrinth of his CVI. Memories of his past and the emotions associated with them vied with questions regarding the recent bombings for his attention.
        ~Something about this whole thing just doesn't seem right~ he mused. ~Why would PETH suddenly get so militant and destructive?~
        He turned away from the practice dummy and wandered over to the virtual glass window fronting his office to the street below, the purple sheen rippling and coruscating from hidden projectors.  He stepped through to the balcony and let the wind play over his face and through his hair, caressing and sighing in the night.
        A voice from behind him said, "Working late, James?"
        The implant turned to the owner of the voice and grinned ruefully. "Liam, you know our work is never done.  No rest for the wicked, right?"
        Kincaid smiled in return as he stepped through the virtual glass.
        James frowned.  "What can I do for you, Liam?"
        Major Liam Kincaid moved alongside his peer and leaned against the balcony railing, inhaling deeply of the cool night air.  "I think the question is what can I do for you?"
        "What makes you think I need help with anything, Kincaid?" James groused.
        "Well, let's just say I can sense your unsettled mind from miles away."
        James snorted.  "Yeah, right.  I say you're just nosy and over curious.  Remember dead cats, Liam."
        Liam looked puzzled.  "Dead cats?"
        James smiled.  "Yeah, dead cats.  That's what you get when you have too much curiosity."
        Liam stood there and blinked for a second, almost making James wonder if he even got the joke, when a grin suddenly split Kincaid's features and he laughed.
        "That's a good one.  I haven't heard that one before."
        "It's a personal thing I realized back in my military days.  Too much curiosity can get you killed."
        It was Liam's turn to frown.  "Was that a subtle threat and I just missed it?"
        Christian laughed.  "No, no.  Not a threat.  Just a friendly reminder that not all people are as understanding and gentle as me."
        Liam nodded in grave understanding, then did a double take as the realization of what James had just said registered in his mind. "Understanding and gentle?  You??  Ha!  Now THAT is REALLY funny!" he chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.
        "So what is the problem, Commander?"
        "Aah, it's this whole PETH thing.  It doesn't make sense!  Either they just got a whole lot smarter and hired someone to go international and do some dirty work, or they just stayed stupid and did the same thing.  But why?  They've always been known to be relatively dumb, marginally inept, and very ethnocentric in their philosophy.  Why change now?"
        "Maybe they didn't."
        "Wait, what?"
        "Maybe they didn't and we're just meant to think they did."
        "I think I'm following you, but go on."
        "Occam's Razor.  This doesn't fit their profile at all, therefore it's probably not them." James pushed off of the railing and began to pace.  "So if not them, then 'who' becomes the question."  He crossed his left arm across his chest and placed his right elbow on top of it, fingers absently stroking his goatee.
 "Perhaps it's a setup by a third party that's looking for a patsy dumb enough to take the credit when under suspicion."
 "Logically, it's sound.  By Occam's Razor we agree that all things given being equal, the simplest answer is that it's not PETH.  Therefore, it must be someone else.  The rest of the supposition seems to fit that profile."
 Liam stood straight and lightly patted James on the back.  "I think you have some research to do, Jim."  He smiled and walked out.
 James Christian pulled out his Global and tapped in a code.
********************************************************************
<chirp, chirp>
 Tara Carmichael rolled over and grabbed her Global, sleepily rubbing the gremlins from her eyes.  Upon seeing the grinning face in the display, she swore softly and said, "This had better be really good or really bad."
 "Both.  Have you come up with any info on PETH?"
 Tara looked over at the clock at her bedside.  0300.. ~I'd kill him if I could...~   "No," she said aloud, "I haven't.  Everything's been coming up dead ends."
 James' grin became even wider.  "That's because we haven't used Occam's Razor on dead cats."
 Tara silently looked at her friend, pinched herself to insure she was really awake, and then said, "Um, what was that again?  I think we have a bad conneciton."  ~Or you do.  One of the two is true....~
 James laughed.  "Get up, saddle up, and get over here.  We have work to do."
 
 

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: 1.17.99 (My first day of being 13)
Time: Night
Place: Take a wild guess
Subject: Hold me close, 'til the sun don't shine

NRPG: Okay, about 3/4 of this post is a dream sequence, so, for everything that is in a dream, it is surrounded by <D> and </D> (LOL for all you HTML savvy people) and for real life sequences, it is surrounded by <RL> and </RL>.  Thanks.

<RL>  Wally was tossing and turning.  It was back.  The dream.  It wouldn't go away.  All you could here from his mouth, in all the tossing and turning, was a faint, "Lord help me," every now and then.  If the attendants didn't know any better, they'd presumed he'd gone crazy or was having a seizure of some sort.  But they didn't care.  But this dream was unlike others.  It was real.  Tangible.  And worse of all, it was all true.  </RL>

<D>  Wally could see himself getting ready for bed.  He remembered this night.  It was the night before his mother died.  He had just gotten off the phone with his parents.  It was his birthday.  He lied down to sleep, and then the image was gone.  Next, he saw him and his father, in the hospital. The doctors were talking to them.  He couldn't quite make out the words, but their expressions were frightful.<D>

<RL>  A nurse walked in.  She quickly checked his vital signs, then walked out of the room.  </RL>

<D>  He noticed the scene now.  There were workers in the background.  But what were they doing?  There was a body, all wrapped up, being taken out. It was his mother.  One thing caught his eye though.  The IV in the background.  It was still dripping.  Carelessness?  But it was attached to something.  A person.  </D>

<RL>  The nurse made her 3:00 a.m. round.  All vital signs normal.  She did however, increase the IV, so he would sleep a little sounder.  </RL>

<D>  He was in another place now.  His office.  At the Embassy.  He saw himself leaving the office, then climbing into his car.  He was driving home.  The clock of the car read 9:30.  It was rainy that night.  But this memory was not very clear to him.  When was this.  He then saw himself climb out of the car, and walk into his house.  He checked his e-mail, then doze off, with the alarm set for 6:00.  The image faded, but one thing caught his eye, just before the image winked out.  Someone standing in the window. Half covered by bushes.  The next image was frightful.  There was an explosion.  He could see himself, legs burned and all.  There were a few men around him, one holding a diskette.  But they weren't the EMS.  Then, he nearly died.  Someone had broken into his safe.  Who would've known about that safe, and how would they get access to it?  The image was gone.  What
was going on? Who was doing this?  His question was answered.  His mother. </D>
 
 

Date: January 16
Authors: Esti and Grant
Place: Human-Taelon medical facility (Comtech)
Time: Present, shortly after "To Trust"
Title: Getting Together

Rosemary greeted the nurse and the guard before stepping into Wally's hospital room. Forcing a smile, she greeted her friend with a cheerfulness that was not quite felt.

"Hi, Wally, how's the room today?"

"That decorating committie of yours has done a terrible job.  Still the same old grays and purples!"  Wally laughed.

"Well, I'll have to crack the whip on them about that. How are you otherwise?" Rosemary smiled, pulling up a chair and settling herself in it.

"Pretty good.  The doctor says I can start physical therapy tomorrow for the burns on my legs, and then get out of here by mid next week."  Wally sighed.

"You mean I have to go all the way over to the Embassy to get the pleasure of your company?" Rosemary cracked, hoping to bring a smile to his face while she figured a way to broach what she really wanted to talk about.

It worked.  Wally smiled.  "I'm sorry, but yes.  Will it hinder you too much, Rosemary?"

"Ah, well, I don't see enough of Companion Security, anyway," Rosemary sighed. She sat there, trying to bring up what she really didn't want to bring up.

"What?  I thought you wanted to get away from them?  What's up Rosemary?" Wally looked aggrivated and a little frightened.  "I know you're hiding something, I can see it."

"Sorry, Wally. Didn't mean to bring you down. I was just thinking of all the bombings."

"Rosemary, you must promise me.  I'm here for you.  True, I'm in a bad situation myself, but problems of friends come first.  You and I alike don't like to see them.  Why do they bother you so much though?"

"I just remember the explosion. Falling against something and then... well, then my kidnappers grabbed me. I thought they were there to help, but they weren't." Rosemary wiped away a tear, suddenly overcome by the memory.

"Just thank God you don't have a CVI.  I've had nightmares about all of this for the past week.  I think I'd kill myself if I could see every detail.  I remember, waking up, then excruciating pain.  I've never felt pain to that decree before.  No one should have to go through that.  And in some contries, people can't afford the care that I'm getting.  It's destressing, yes, but we can't let it take over us, we've got to move on. I thought the world had ended when my mother died.  I thought I'd never have something that bad happen to me.  My life seemed to be taken away from me that day, and I let it get to me.  I was away from work for months grieving.  We must remember the good times, forget the bad."  Wally looked teary eyed himself.

"You're right, in a way you have had it worse," Rosemary said, trying to watch him closely. Maybe he could be one of the ones she could trust. "Did you have any idea that, well, someone wanted to try to do something to you?"

"That's what makes the nightmares worse.  I can see the person who did it, but I can't make them out.  They're lerking in my thoughts, and it's maddening.  He's right there, I can grasp him with a few steps.  You remember that old song, 'So Close But Yet So Far'?  That's how I feel.  I know someone meant to do it.  There's one thing though that makes me scared to sleep at nights.  No one, only me, my father, and Erik know this.  My mother did not die of an accident.  She was murdered.  Look her up.  Julia Van Eato.  You'll see, cause of death, natural, old age they say.  Check her IV settings before death though, not in that record, but the physical record at Westington Methodist Hospitial.  You'll see they were changed. But by whom.  The Lord only knows.  May God help me, I think those people know to much too.  Just like what my mother knew as a scientist . . ." Wally broke down at that moment.

Rosemary took his hand, hoping to quell her friend's obvious distress. "I know. Sometimes people are afraid of knowledge, or advances in the wrong direction. My kidnapping, the bombings... other things. They're all related. I think."

"Then you and I must find out who did it."  Wally stated.  "Together."
 
 

Date: January 20
Author: Esti
Place: Human-Taelon Medical Facility (Comtech)
Time: Present, shortly after "Insecurity"
Title: Appointment with Pillow

Rosemary swung away from the agent, briefly suppressing a smile as she did so. He'd seemed a bit rattled by her last statement, and she couldn't blame him. She wished she knew exactly what they'd been doing in Bombay, but she never really pried, and it wasn't information anyone had really wanted to give to her.

She privately wondered if she shouldn't have rattled him so much. But she'd been rattled by his admision that he'd read her private files, those going into the CVI virus research. She didn't think that he would have tattled on her about the files, since she had heard that Sandoval wasn't overly happy with him about her rescue, but Companion Security still made her rather nervous.

~Ah, Rosemary, you're just tired, that's all,~ she reminded herself. Getting called back was not exactly expected, and she was looking forward to her warm bed and blankets. She still had to see more of Wally and hoped he got out of the place soon, so that they could investigate together. ~Companion Security, watch out. You're not the only ones who can investigate.~

"Hey, Doc, heading out?" Mark said.

"Yeah, sorry I can't stop and make some tea for you, but my head has an appointment with my pillow," she said, yawning a little. "I'll see you tomorrow, don't let them burn down the place while I'm gone, okay?"

"I won't," Mark answered, smiling in response.
 
 
 

Date:  January 21, 1999
Author:  Sheila Blanton
Place:  Selena Orseau's quarters--US Taelon Embassy
Time:  After "Do You See What I See?"
Title:  Manifestation

Selena stretched out on her bed, patiently awaiting her summons for her audience with Da'an.  She had fallen into a deep sleep in an attempt to relieve the pressure that had been steadily building inside her head. Selena lay quietly immobile, the picture of blissful repose.  However, this sleep was _anything_ but "nature's balm".

Selena was trapped in a fretful dream scenario, bordering on the melodramatic.  She envisioned Zo'or quietly approaching an unexpecting Da'an from behind.  Zo'or's eyes gleamed with an unmistakable menace. This was not to be a friendly confrontation.  Truly, Zo'or's ill intent was very clear.

Before Zo'or could take any action against Da'an, Selena had appeared, seemingly from out of nowhere, sidestepping Zo'or and blocking his path to Da'an.  Da'an turned quickly, his expression registered his surprise at this sudden drama.  Zo'or's countenance turned diabolical.  Selena feared for Da'an.

"I will not allow you to harm him."  Selena spoke calmly, determined to twart Zo'or from his planned deed.

Da'an tilted his head to one side, first surveying Zo'or, then Selena, with questioning eyes.  Then Zo'or did something to make Selena's blood run cold.

Zo'or laughed.  He actually threw his head back in laughter that was clearly sinister.  Then he made his move.

Zo'or lunged for Da'an, his hatred for the fellow Taelon no longer concealed.  Selena gestured as if to push Zo'or away from his intended path.  She did not physically touch him, but the action sent his form flying against the wall behind him.  Selena moved to ensure that Zo'or would not inflict any ill intent upon Da'an--not now--not ever!

Da'an touched her arm seeking to dissuade her from her intended act. She turned to face him.  His face was serene in the midst of this violence.  His eyes pleaded with her to put an end to this chaos.  Zo'or would be spared.

Selena's vision ended on this peaceful note.  She woke feeling better for having played out her fears in dreamland rather than in reality. Her relief was short-lived.

Selena's quarters were in shambles.  Papers swirled in an airborne dance, while everything around her was strewn about  in haphazard disarray.  A cursory glance assured Selena that no real damage had come to her or her possessions.  Her real concern was elsewhere.

Somehow, someone had managed to infiltrate her private sanctuary, creating havoc in their destructive path.  What set her nerves on edge was the fact that she was in her quarters while the deed was taking place.  How could something like that be possible?

Selena set up her Taelon communication device.  Da'an's security was priority.  If something like this could happen to her...

Da'an's image appeared on the screen.  His gaze met Selena's, then he looked past her into her room.  Puzzlement clearly registered upon his face.

"I observe that you have also met with vandalization,"  Da'an spoke with quiet concern.  "It is my hope that no harm has come to you."

"I am well, Da'an.  My concern lies with you."  Selena was almost afraid to hear his response to her next question.  "What do you mean by 'also'?"

"Zo'or's private quarters have also been violated."  Da'an's voice took on a quiet urgency.  "I wish to come to your quarters to survey the damage."

"You may, Da'an,"  Selena spoke a bit shakily.  "This incident has made my requested meeting with you more important than ever."

Da'an raised his hand in a comforting gesture.  The screen faded to black.  Selena knew that Da'an would be forthcoming.
 
 

Author: Heretic
Time: Present
Location: I-90 South, just out of Chicago, Illinois
Subject: Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Sequel!

"Well, THAT was remarkably easy to pull off."  the Liberation agent said as they pulled onto the freeway.  "At least, once we found the bodies that we needed."

"Hospitals are bureaucracies, and bureaucracies are inevitably ruled by paperwork."  John told him.  "If the paperwork doesn't exist, it's not really there.  I just hope that this isn't noticed."

"It happened in two seperate hospitals, hundreds of miles apart from each other!"  The agent exclaimed.  "Who's going to notice something like this!"

"It depends who goes digging."  John said.  "These two stunts were too similar for my tastes, but I couldn't think of a better way to get ahold of the bodies without attracting a lot of attention."

"You're paranoid."

"Probably."  John agreed.  "But tell that to Will Boone."
 
 

Author: Carl West
Date: Jan. 25, 1999
Setting: A Taelon shuttle over Washington
Time: 8:00 PM, just after "Guests"
Title: Flying Questons, Part One

Edward slumped down in the uncomfortable chair. How had the Taelons found out about the pendant? He had found it in the coffin, touched it, and put it back. And now he had the "gift". Yet he still couldn't read the agent, Hal, or any of his zombie-like traveling companions. The shuttle pilot, waving his arms erratically, appeared to have symbols, but the heads of the zombies blocked them.
"Why am I being arrested?" he asked.
"I've already told you. Crimes against the Companions. Specifically, thievery," Hal replied coldly.
"I have never stolen a thing in my life, except when I stole a pen from a classmate in the fifth grade! Unless he was a Taelon in disguise, I haven't stolen from the Companions," Edward said confidently. ~It's not a lie!~ he told himself. ~I never took a thing from that tomb!~
"You do appear to be in a perfect position for it, however," Hal said. "You worked for the Taelons free of a CVI_"
"A CVI?" Edward asked. "Why on earth would I need an alien thing in my head to dig for a month?"
"_ Until we come up with better ways to implant a motivational imperative, we must work with the CVI. An extensive background check was performed on you, however. Feel lucky you came out clean."
"We're approaching the mothership," the shuttle pilot interrupted. "This is our stop," Hal said.
"Why am I not excited?" Edward asked to no one in particular.
The seat belts came off and the doors opened, leading into the bluish purple corridors of the Taelon mothership.
"Follow me," Hal commanded. "The interrogation room is this way."
"Interrogation," Edward said sarcastically. "Sounds like fun. If I lose, do I go straight to jail or do I get a parting gift ?"
"Cut the sarcasm, Mr. Mason!" Hal growled.
"I'll try. But this situation tends to put one in `the mood.'"
"THIS WAY, MR. MASON!"
"All right, just give me time to soak in the ambiance. I'm going to need it for the polygraph test, aren't I?"
"That can be taken against you."
"I know. I'm just having some fun before the execution begins. Like a last meal, you know?"
The two of them argued all the way down the hall.
 
 

Date: January 25
Author: Carrie Poettcker
Place: Taelon embassy, Ottawa Canada
Time: Past, just after the bombing in Bombay
Subject: Enter Canada
 

Ka'ri sat in his chair at the Taelon embassy in Ottawa, Canada. Only his fingers moved, ever so slightly, as he contemplated recent events. So much had happened since the Taelon arrival on Earth and his own  assignment to Canada that his private mind whirled with thought. He was not yet sure how he felt about humans. He had seen enough to know not to underestimate them, but they remained an enigma to him. Ka'ri respected mankind for their resourcefulness and resiliency. He also knew that his respect was not as deep or as profound as that of Da'an. Ka'ri was not sure what troubled him more - Da'ans intense admiration of and respect for these humans, or his own lack of that same intensity.

To be sure, Canada was politically small, without the major influence on the world like its southern neighbour the United States. Ka'ri had had his own share of hardships, the least of which had been the near separation of the country for something so simple as language and history. The Taelons had arrived days before the Quebecois were to vote for soveriengty, it had taken all of Ka'ris skill and attention to solve that problem. And that was only the start. Geographically Canada was large, with plenty of  space for anyone who wanted to hide. Anyone like the Resistance. One more problem for Ka'ri to consider. He knew the Resistance was there, but they kept a very low profile, low enough to frustrate even the best of his operatives.

Soft footsteps sounded in the hall to his audience chamber, Ka'ri sat straighter and stilled the motion of his fingers. Soon his Implant, Major Sean Wilner entered the room and stood at attention, waiting for his Companion to acknowledge him.

"Major Wilner, what news brings you here?"

"Ka'ri, I have heard something quite disturbing, I thought you should know right away."

"Please, continue." Ka'ri urged, as he sat forward in his chair.

"There have been a series of bombings, the most recent has taken the lives of at least 300 people." The Implant paused, pacing for a few steps before continuing.  "I have reason to believe that a Canadian  peacekeeper may have been involved."

At his words, Ka'ri reverted for a moment into his state of energy, then quickly recovered.

"Tell me what gives you reason to suspect a Canadian? You and I are well aware that the resistance has hidden itself well in this country."

Wilner ran his fingers through his short blond hair as he answered. "She was a U.N. Peacekeeper before the Taelons arrived. She served under me in my unit when we were stationed in Iraq. After the Taelons arrived and world peace was achieved, she became withdrawn, moody. She completely changed from an outgoing, extroverted woman, to an intensely depressed one. Kept talking about how the Taelons ruined it all, that the Taelons
weren't who they said they were. It was so unlike her that I made a point of keeping an eye on her but after I was Implanted I lost track of her." He smiled and spoke softly, as if to himself. "You took up all my thoughts...all my time."

He stopped speaking, still pacing. Ka'ri raised his hand and motioned him to keep talking.

"She has been reported missing, her apartment is empty, no forwarding address, nothing. No trace. No one has seen her in over two weeks."

"What was her last location?"

Wilner glanced ruefully at his Companion, then sighed. "She was last seen at the Toronto airport...leaving on a flight to Istanbul."

Ka'ri nodded in understanding yet remained silent for a long moment."Thank you for bringing this to my attention, you will begin searching for...." He glanced quizzically at the Implant. "Major Wilner, you failed to tell me her name."

The Major blushed at being caught in such a small slipup. "Moira. Her name is Lieutenant Moira Calder."

"You will begin your search for Lt. Calder immediately. Use every resource and do not stop until you find her."

The Major nodded and briskly walked out the door, leaving Ka'ri staring thoughtfully at the floor.

Ka'ri pondered the news, wondering what to do next. He had no prior experience as an ambassador, only the training. He very nearly lifted a hand to summon a data stream, to talk to his mentor Da'an...midwave he stopped. He must learn this on his own. Must prove himself to the Synod. With that last thought added to his already burdened mind, he sank backwards into an energy stream.
 
 

Date: January, 99
Authors: James LeMaire and Grant Van Eaton
Place: Dr. Walter Van Eato's Hospital room
Time: Mid morning
Subject: Subjectives and interrogatives
NOTE:  Items with "~" around them denote thinking/mental conversation.

        James was not looking forward to this next interview.  Dr. Walter Van Eato's disdain for Companion Security was well known and he expected him to be difficult. As he checked in with the two Agents that were stationed at the door, he forced himself to relax by doing some breathing exercises.  The Agent that was running his credentials through the scanner looked up at him and grinned.  "Yeah, he has that effect on us, too."
 James returned the smile and said, "Well, let's see what we can do about that."
 He took back his ID and pushed open the door.  Inside the room was the standard wall mounted TV, miscellaneous bedside hospital equipment, and Dr. Walter Van Eato. Van Eato looked up with a smile on his face that quickly became a carefully neutral mask with just a hint of hostility.  James approached the bed and extended his hand in greeting.
 "Dr. Van Eato, My name is James Christian and I'm heading up the investigation into the recent bombings....I need to ask you some questions," he began, noting that the doctor ignored the proffered hand.  Instead, Dr. Van Eato proceeded directly to business.
 "It is my assumption that you have the appropriate security clearance, Mr. Christian?"
 "That's "Commander" Christian, and as Chief of Security and Protector to Ra'el my clearance supercedes your own, Dr. Van Eato."
 ~Who does this guy think I am?~  Wally made a small 'humph' sound and just nodded.
 James frowned at the impressions he was picking up from the other man's thoughts.  Even though he could not hear them as he did his wife's or Tara's, he could very clearly sense another persons feelings from them. Cautiously, James began his questioning.  "Tell me Dr. Van Eato, what happened when you came home the day of your bombing?"
 "Well, after I parked my car in the garage, I walked two paces to the right of my car and entered through the backdoor.  I then walked four paces left, then seven paces forward to my computer.  I then checked my e-mail, and then walked the remaining seventeen paces to my bed.  I extended my right arm forward and turned the alarm clock on by flipping a switch.  I then used my other hand to pull up the covers.  Is that detailed enough?"  Wally said mockingly.  ~I don't like this guy at all~
 "The details of your personal life do not interest me, Dr. Van Eato.  I'm only concerned with the events immediately preceding the detonation.  Say, one minute or so."  James began to thank God for his years in the SEALs.  If he had not learned military discipline there he would've gladly choked the insolent man.
 "As you please,"  Wally smirked.  "I woke up and BOOM!  Is there anything more to it?"
 James grimaced and thought, ~I cannot believe this guys insolence!~  "So you were asleep prior to that.  What awakened you?"
 "Don't you think it obvious that I was asleep?  Why else I would have set my alarm?  Jeez,  it was 6:00 in the morning and the alarm woke me up. Alarms are very good at doing just that, you know."  ~Oh brother!~  Wally thought.
 James ground his teeth together, angrily struggling to resist the desire to retort. ~This guy's not worth it, James...~   "Sarcasm is neither required or appreciated, sir.  I was not there.  For all I know an errant noise could've awakened you."  James considered his next question, then continued.
 "Do you have any enemies that you know of who may want you dead?"  ~Besides me, that is...~
 ~Yes your Highness~  "Well, I have a few suspicions.  But keep in mind, they are only suspicions."
 James's smile was totally devoid of humor.  "I'm listening, Dr. Van Eato."
 "Then you better stop, because you'll have wasted a lot of time," Wally snapped, becoming visibly angry.
 James sighed.  "Dr. Van Eato, I'm operating on the orders of the Synod, whom you work for.  I think it would be in your best interest to cooperate...willingly."
 Wally sniffed disdainfully and produced a smile that was full of malice towards the Implant.  "As a United States citizen, I have the right to not answer you.  You can go back to Zo'or and tell him no."  He then picked up his television remote and began to surf through the channels, pointedly ignoring the Companion Protector as he scanned the governmental channels of CSPAN One, Two, and Three.
 James calmly reached up and pulled the TVs power plug out of the wall socket.  ~Time to pull off the kid gloves.~  "Dr. Van Eato, are you a Liberation supporter?"
 "One thing you must know about me, Commander: I speak my mind.  I suggest that you try not to walk on quicksand in my presence."
 James snorted.  "Although that WAS an admirable attempt at changing the subject, you are in no position to breathe idle threats, Dr. Van Eato." James crossed his arms and raised his left eyebrow in amusement.  " And, I might add, you obviously do speak your mind.  That's proven by how little of substance you have to say."
 "Commander, if you have more questions, please ask them now.  I will answer only the ones I see fit to answer, so you might as well get this over with." Wally thought to himself, ~This guy is nuts~, as he slowly edged his hand towards the call button.
 "Why, thank you for being so cooperative!  Now, I believe the last question was 'are you a Liberation supporter'?"
 "And, as I said before, I am a United States citizen and I have the right to
not answer you."
 "Dr. Van Eato," James grated out, "this is a matter of national and interplanetary security.  When you buck me, you're bucking the government you seem to wish to hide behind so much. The doctor calmly retorted, "And Commander Christian, you interrogating me could also bring up a lawsuit."
 James was stunned.  Incredulously, he asked, "Oh?  On what grounds, pray tell?"
 "Invasion of privacy, to be precise."
 James had had enough.  His voice went cold and the edge in it was unmistakable.  "In an official investigation in the line of duty?  I think not.  In fact, I'd say your reluctance to answer what should be a simple question for a Taelon employee might even seem suspicious.  Not to mention the fact your breathing increased by 5 breaths per minute and your pulse by nearly 20 beats since I first asked the question."
 ~#$@M~  Wally pushed the button to call a nurse in.
 James smiled, his grin vulpine and fierce.  ~Got him.~  "Dr. Van Eato, hiding behind a nurse is unseemly.  Please, answer the question."
 Wally paused.  After a moment of reflection he pushed the "cancel" button to send the nurse away.  "Commander, you're jumping to conclusions; conclusions without facts.  May we move on?"
 James' smile grew even broader.  "Not without an answer, Dr. Van Eato.  You can lie to me now, or lie to me later under oath.  Your choice."
 "I can assure you Da'an will hear about this.  And to make your day Commander, no,"  Wally said in a flat tone.
 ~I don't believe you, my dear Doctor!~  "Do you have any debts, Dr. Van Eato?  Do you owe money to anyone, perhaps?"
 "I have a clean slate," he grated.
 James smiled congenially.  "Thank you.  So who would want to kill you, then?"
 A pained expression crossed the doctor's face, briefly replacing the coldness that had been there for most of the interview.  "The person that killed my mother,"  Wally said, looking away at the same instant.
 James frowned.  "Now that's an interesting thing to say, especially since your mother died several years ago.  What makes you say that?"
 "My mother was killed while in the hospital, Commander.  I believe this person is setting up the same situation."
 James paced the short confines of the room, deep in thought.  "Still, this was many years ago.  Who would have a score to settle against your family bad enough to painstakingly create a similar situation to do you in, when the bomb could've just as easily done it?"
 "Both of my parents worked for the Taelons as scientists.  While my dad was lucky, my mother was not."  The pain was very evident on his face now and his thoughts had become a raging storm.  Taking a deep breath, he continued. "Now I work for the Taelons as a specialist in their technology.  I'm just putting two and two together."
 "What work did they do?  Does it bear any resemblance to what you do?"
 "I'm afraid that your security clearance would not allow you to know what they did.  They did work at the RS Facility though.  That's all I was ever told, and I was their son,"  Wally finished, the evidence of raw wounds in his soul brightening his eyes.
 James arched his eyebrows in consternation.  "Dr. Van Eato, there is no clearance higher than a Companion Protector's except for Synod members.  How can you say their clearance would supercede my own?"
 The question seemed to yank him from his reverie.  "Ask Zo'or then!"  he snapped.  "I was never told."
 "I may do just that."
 "Please inform me when you have an answer," Wally asked.
 James smiled.  "If your security clearance allows it, I'll be sure to."
 The doctor exploded.  "Commander, this is my family!!  I don't CARE if my security clearance DOESN'T ALLOW IT!!"  Wally shouted, thoroughly angered and livid with the emotion. Van Eato calmed himself with a visible effort, then continued in a frosty tone.  "Commander Christian, I'm sure you have a family of your own. My mother died just two years ago and my father swears that it was her work that brought her to the grave. I have no idea what she did at the RS Facility, just that it was horrible, as is anything that goes on there. That's why my father left the field.  But I know you have a heart under that stony exterior you hide behind. I can see it in you.  I suggest you find it and get in touch with it -- and soon."
 "I'll take that into consideration," James replied stiffly, openly despising the other man's unwanted solicitude.  In a move to regain control of the conversation, James pressed on.
 "Dr. Van Eato, tell me.  Why did you experience such a pronounced reaction to my question regarding the Liberation?"
 "Because someone close to me is affiliated with it."  Wally stated simply as he quickly turned his head away.
 James stared in stunned amazement.  "And you neglected to mention this in your interview?!"
 Wally glowered.  "It's no one else's business but my own."
 After a short pause, James managed to get out, "I'm sure Zo'or would disagree!"
 Wally fixed James with a haughty stare.  "Well, that's too bad."
 "Who is this person, Dr. Van Eato?" James queried.
 Wally's face hardened noticeably.  "Who is your Companion, Commander?"
 "That would be Ra'el, Dr. Van Eato."
 "Well, rest assured that I will have a talk with him after this.  Also, for your information, Da'an has known this for quite some time.  If he didn't see fit to tell Zo'or, then you shouldn't either.  If I must, I will get Da'an in here now."
 James laughed in amusement.  "Feel free, Dr. Van Eato!  By all means!  Would you like to use my Global?"
 "I have one of my own," Dr. Van Eato icily replied.
 James kicked back against the wall, incredulously anticipating the next few minutes.  He watched as Dr. Van Eato dialed Da'an's extension, fully expecting anything to happen.  James was surprised when he heard the Companion's voice emanate from the Global a few seconds later.
 "Dr. Van Eato.  It is well to see you.  How may I be of help to you?"  Da'an inquired.
 "Da'an, could you please come to my room?  I . . . . need your assistance," Wally said.
 "I will be there shortly," the North American Companion replied before breaking the connection.
 James raised an amused eyebrow.  ~This should be good.~
 "While we wait, Dr. Van Eato, you should know that because I am Companion Security it IS my concern to know about ties to the Liberation."
 "Not in my eyes it isn't.  Da'an has known this for some time now and if he sees nothing wrong with it, neither should you."
 "We'll see, Dr. Van Eato.  We'll see."
 
 
 
 
 

Date: January, 99
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Paul's Café, Downtown Ponchatoula, LA
Time: Early morning
Subject: Wrestling with yourself

        James was mulling over his third cup of Community Dark Roast coffee, brooding silently in the pre-dawn bustle of Paul's Café.
        On mornings like this, when Jen was not around due to business or other Taelon related tasks, he liked to take a trip back home to sit in his old favorite booth in the back corner of Paul's and drink coffee while eating homemade biscuits with jelly.
        Paul's was the only game in town for pre-dawn eating in Ponchatoula. Oh, sure, they had two doughnut shops and the Waffle House just up the Hwy 51-Bypass in Hammond, but this was home.  Plus, James had worked many an emergency with Paul back in his paramedic days, when Paul was also a volunteer fireman.  There was history here.
        For this reason, more than anything, James came here when he also needed to think.  This morning he had a lot to think about.  For one, he knew that he was about to be transferred to the UK and that this would be one of the last times he would be able come here.  Unfortunately, that was only one of the things he was thinking about, and they were making him very poor company.
        "Um...thanks for breakfast, Commander."  Lili Marquette said, looking uncomfortable but trying to be helpful, attempting to make conversation with the pensive man on the other side of the table.
        "Hmm?  Oh, sure, you're welcome, but you should thank Paul.  He hasn't let me pay for breakfast here in over two years."
        That said, he turned to his right to look out of the window and onto the street.  Chemical plant workers were coming and going, in and out of the small town restaurant as they fueled themselves for the days coming work.
        Lili sat and stared across the table.  Finally, she reached her limit and spoke.  "Is there something wrong, James?"
        James Christian continued to stare out of the window for several more long seconds before he turned to his pilot and answered.
        "Tell me something.  You've killed before, right?"
        The Marine's eyes widened, obviously not expecting this line of conversation and equally taken by surprise.  "Yes, in the SI.  So have you, for that matter.  Why?"
        "Have you ever killed someone just because they made you angry?"
        She stirred her coffee, lost in her own memories for a moment, then replied, "Why do you ask?"
        For an answer he said, "You know that in spite of my military and post-SI security background I'm a believer in Yeshua, right?"
        She arched an eyebrow and queried, "That's someone that believes that Jesus was the Messiah, right?  Kind of like a Messianic Christian?"
        "Yeah, precisely."
        "Ok, go on."
        "Well, I have never lost my faith, but some recent events have really made me question myself and my beliefs.  Truthfully, not the beliefs themselves but the strength of those beliefs.  You follow so far?"
        She nodded.
        "Well, I did something recently that has really challenged my stand. I can't talk to Jen because she's never been in combat.  I love her dearly, but I just don't think she would really understand.  I can't talk to Tara for the same reason.  Even though she's killed in the line of duty, she hasn't been in a WAR."
        "Right, so you come to me to...."
        "To talk about what I can't with anyone else."
        She sighed.  "Talk away, soldier."
        He looked at her intently.  "Boone often spoke very highly of your loyalty and integrity.  What I'm about to tell you is between the two of us, and us two only.  Clear?"
        She wore a look of unease upon hearing this.  She began to speak by saying, "I'm not sure that..."
        "Before you go on, I assure you that I'm not asking you to keep silent over some traitorous activity against either the United States or the Taelons.  This is personal."
        After a brief pause, she nodded her acquiescence and accepted his explanation.
        He nodded also.  "Good."
        "Remember the kidnapping recently?"
        "How could I forget?  Everything was turned upside down for days trying to find the doctors, then there was that rescue and the mysterious sniper that..."
        She stopped in mid-sentence and simply stared, jaw slack in realization and astonishment.  "That was you, wasn't it?"
        He looked down at the table and toyed with the remains of his biscuits and eggs, absently rolling them around his plate.  "Yes."
        "But how--?"
        "No.  No questions.  Just listen."
        Marquette appeared frustrated and started to protest, then thought better of it after seeing the look on her superior officers face.
        "Ok.  I'm listening."
        "I've been struggling with the facts and the justifications that I used to allow myself to do it.  It seemed so right at the time."
        He pulled another long drink from his coffee and signaled the waitress over for a refill.  "Now, I question my motives   I've killed in war before.  I've even killed as part of my security at the research facility in New Orleans.  But this was the first time I've ever killed
because I WANTED to.  Now, I can't stop thinking that I ended the lives of three men for my own anger and petty wish for revenge.  What's worse, I know that they're condemned to Hell without a chance of a reprieve.  And I know it's my fault."
        Lili simply stared.  This was a side of the ex-SEAL she had not even known existed before now.  Though completely and absolutely startled, she managed to find her voice and use it.
        "I don't know what to say.  I can't answer your theological questions.  My God, I'm not even remotely familiar with your religion!  But I can tell you this.  It seems to me that you haven't forgiven yourself. Maybe that's where you should start."  She pulled a sip from her refilled, steaming cup.  "As for the rest," she continued, "Talk to a Pastor.  I can't help you there."
        <chirp, chirp>
        James pulled out his Global and snapped open the screen.
        "Christian here."
        The screen revealed Tara Carmichael's tired and worn face, the circles under her eyes matching the fatigue that was evident in her visage. "Hullo, mate.  I've found nothing in my search for alternate ties to PETH and wanted you to know."
        "Thanks, Tara.  I guess we'll need to find another way to skin that cat, eh?"
        She grinned.  "Yeah, Occam's Razor may be getting dull.  I haven't finished checking all of the leads though.  There is a 'rumor' going around that Zo'or may have a job for me to do.  If that's the case, I'll be pulled from this.  I'll keep you posted."
        "Thanks, cher.  Later."
        He snapped the Global shut and looked to the entrance of the restaurant.  He was amused to see Lili trying to pay the bill at the register.  Paul wasn't going for it.  James smiled and walked up to the counter.  "Hang it up, Captain.  I've been trying for years and I've had no luck."
        Paul laughed at that.  "That's true.  But I might make an exception for her.  She's definitely cuter!"
        Lili blushed and stalked out of the Café, muttering dire imprecations under her breath.  James and Paul grinned, shook hands, and parted company, Paul going to check on his patrons and James to the parked shuttle on the gravel lot at East Hickory and North East Railroad behind the Café.
        Silence reigned in the craft on the way back to Washington....
*******************************************************************************
        (A day later in Resistance HQ.)

        "I'm telling you Jonathan, I think his MI is either breaking down or he doesn't have one!"
        Jonathan Doors turned away from the console and pinned her with an icy stare.  "And precisely what gives you this impression, Capt. Marquette?"
        Lili swallowed her angry retort and pressed on.  "Remember when Boone sulked for days following that whole Elyse Chappell thing?  How angry he was that he had killed someone for nothing?"
        "Go on."
        "Well, this is the same thing.  He's been just as icy and cool as Sandoval around the Embassy and the ComTech labs, but at that Café he was a different person!"  She turned to follow Doors, who had moved to look over Auger's shoulder.  "He's actually pained over this whole sniper thing and killing those three guys."
        He turned to look at her.  "He did that?" he flatly questioned.
        "Yes!"
        Doors pondered and paced over by the fusion cell and then back again.  "Alright.  Keep an eye on him and have Carmichael do the same.  Feel him out on his sympathies towards us and the Taelons."
        Lili grinned in triumph and turned to leave.
        "Capt. Marquette!"
        She stopped in her tracks and straightened herself as she listened, not bothering to turn.
        "If you even suspect that he knows anything about us and our movement, or suspects anything about you, kill him."
        She inhaled deeply, swallowed, and stalked out, pinning him with a venomous stare as the elevator doors slid shut.
 

Date: January 23, 1999
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: US Taelon Embassy
Time: Set a few hours after "Wrestling With Yourself"
Subject: Assignment Change
 

    Tara had exhausted all her leads and had found nothing. She felt almost defeated, as if there was something she was missing, but couldn't quite put her finger over it. Just as she was about to go over the information she had gathered on all the leads once more, her Global chirped. Swiftly, she answered it, assuming it would be James, but Sandoval's face appeared.
    "Zo'or requests your presence."
    "All right. I'm on  my way," she replied.
    Just as she stood up to leave, James walked in.
    "Where are you going in a rush?" he asked.
    "I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count," she replied. "Looks like I'm about to be reassigned."
    They exchanged a knowing glance as Tara headed out.
 

    As Tara entered Zo'or's chamber, she noticed Sandoval nearby. He was his usual cold self, she thought as she took a good look at him and then turned her gaze back to Zo'or. He sat in his chair as if he were some kind of emperor. Tara fought the contempt and remained ever cool on the outside, regardless of how she felt.
    "I have another assignment for you," Zo'or began.  "You are to accompany Agent Grace Whitney on her mission to our Antarctica facility. You are to inform me of anything unusual that happens there, either at the facility, or with Agent Whitney."
    "I will endeavor to do your bidding," she replied, with her soft british voice filled with resolve for the Taelon's benefit.
    "You may go," he said.
    Swiftly, she disappeared from the chamber and headed to Agent Whitney's office. She felt a bit of apprehension rise and then fade. ~Looks like this is it, James. I'm going to antarctica . . . ~
 
 

Date: January 22, 1999
Author: Aen (Formerly Known as Rilei)
Place: Liberation HQ
Time: Set Just After "Change of Plans"
Title: Going With the Original Plan

    Grace listened as Lili finished up relaying the points of consideration that John Smith had brought up.
    "I only foresee one problem with that." Grace said as the ex-Marine fell silent.
    "And that is?" Lili asked.
    "There are Taelons in the building. They won't be rendered unconscious by any kind of gas we could pump in there. That's why it was such an effective method for McIntyre and his party to use to kidnap Da'an. The only way we could silence a Taelon if they were to identify either Tara or me would be to killed them, and I for one would rather not have to look Da'an later in the eye after having just killed one or more of his people." Grace said.
    "How do you know that Da'an wasn't unconscious?" Lili asked in reply.
     "For one thing, Taelon physiology is different from a humans and second I asked Da'an about that experience and he told me he was fully aware and able to walk when they took him outside. No, I think that the original game plan is our best shot. There are only two of McIntyre's men in the entire facility, so it shouldn't be too hard to locate them. Tell our thief that he needs only to steal 2 more bodies." Grace said. Lili nodded.
 
 

Date: 1-19-99
Author: Carl West
Time: After "Another unwanted visitor"
Place: Suburbs around Washington, D.C.
Title: Guests and Other Abnormalities
________________________________________________________________________
NRPG: This was SUPPOSED to go out many days ago, but my e-mail service has
been down for the second time this month. Hopefully, I can get back on
schedule now.
________________________________________________________________________
 Edward was only a few blocks away from his small house when he started thinking about his meeting with Dr. Van Eato. "We would never consider them part of the Liberation." That line stuck in him hard. ~We?~ he asked himself. ~Is he a double agent to the Resistance, or is he part of some Taelon Anti-Jonathan-Doors strike force? I'll worry about that later.~ For now, he was thinking about the symbols. The bomb obviously meant something about the bombings, but there was most certainly more to it. The purple block might have meant something about his work on Taelon buildings, but there had to be something more. The symbols were never that obvious. Or at least not usually. For example, the heart always meant one of two things:
 Either the person was in love or they had been diagnosed with a fatal heart condition. He decided or the former. And the iron fist. He had seen it once before on a man in the street, but could not understand what it meant.
 By then, Edward had reached the D.C. suburbs and turned into the upper-middle class neighborhood where his house was. ~It seems like an archeologist should have a better home than this,~ he thought to himself. ~The Taelons have pretty much brought an end to the digs.~ He mindlessly turned into his driveway before he saw IT. There was a Taelon shuttle parked in his driveway. Swearing under his breath, he stormed into his house. "WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE!?!" he shouted to nowhere. A man came down the steps dressed in normal clothes. That thing on his arm appeared to be one of those Taelon energy weapons_ a skryll, did they call them? This man undoubtedly had received a brain implant from the Taelons.
 "Mr. Mason?" the man asked. "Hal Brown. I'm with the Taelons. You're under arrest for crimes against the Companions.
 ~Crimes? What crimes?~ Edward asked himself. ~ I don't know-
 At that point the realization came to him. The symbols. That had happened in Ma'el's tomb. Did they consider that petty theft or a threat to their being on Earth?
 Another realization: This man did not appear to have symbols. He had the normal aura surrounding his head, but there was noting inside it.
 "I shouldn't have gotten out of bed this morning," he groaned as he was led out to the shuttle.
 
 

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: 1.24.99
Time: Night after 'Subjectives and interrogatives' and 'Questions and
Comments' (this post hasn't gone out yet)
Place: Comtech (much shorter to type)
Subject:  The time is right, my little friends, to think of other things

NRPG:  Another dream post.  Same little brackets as last time.

<RL>  "Doctor, try to sleep a little more sounder tonight," nurse said, and smiled.  "Would you like me to increase your IV medication so you will sleep a little sounder?"
     "No, that's okay, I'll be fine,"  Wally said, then rolled over in bed, begging for sleep to come, as the nurse turned out the light, and closed the door.  After all the therapy he had had that day, he needed all the rest he could get.  But he wasn't going to get too much of it."  </RL>

<D>  His mother was there again.  She was really there.  "Mother, why . . ." Wally asked, words not being with him.  He felt at that moment, all the emotions that he hadn't felt in many years.  Most of all, he felt hope. Hope, for a brighter day, hope, that tomorrow would be better than today, and hope . . . hope that gave him a reason to take another step.
     "For you must know, my son, you must know," she said, and then, winked out. </D>

<RL>  Wally immediately sat straight up.  After being in physical therapy for the past week, he could now use his legs, although not for more than an hour at a time.  He got up, and got some water.  ~Mother, always remember, I love you~ he thought out to her.  He nearly jumped in his skin, for a reply came ~I know, my beloved son, I know~.  Shocked, he rolled back into bed, and fell into a deep sleep.  He did not know though, that he wouldn't wake up from this one for quite some time, if at all. </RL>
 
 

Date:   1-26-99
Author: Amy
Place:  Kathy's temporary office in Bombay
Time:   Present
Title:  It Takes a Fanatic To Do This

        Kathy sat at her desk, studying Mr. Matikha's schedule and a brief list of some of his recent projects that the Indian Embassy had provided her at Commander Christian's request.  It all seemed pretty normal.

                Monday: briefing on status of project to improve bioengineering solution to
human health problems; conducted lengthy press conference at embassy;
        Tuesday: Visit to Antarctic facility in prep. for official opening tomorrow.
        Wednesday: Attended opening of Bombay Regional Medical Center bio-research unit.
                Thursday: Meeting all day at bio-research unit.  N.B. Discus possibility of profiling one of their first successful patients - good media story.
                Friday: Meeting at Bombay Regional Medical bio-researchdivision-presenting
a successful patient for appropriate media coverage.

        Kathy sighed, rubbing her tired eyes.  Mr. Matikha was heavily involved in developing better ways to treat human illnesses.  She stopped mid-rub, pulling her hand away, as a thought occurred to her. ~Not better ways of treating, better ways of saving!~  Mr. Matikha was involved in bioengineering.  Kathy new enough about medicine to know that Taelon technology was the driving force behind bioengineering.  ~What if someone doesn't approve of Taelon bioengineering?~
        Kathy frowned.  Disapproval really would not be enough.  The bombing in Bombay was the effort of radicals more than slightly over the edge.  These people were fanatics, that was the only thing that could explain the death toll.
        Kathy had eliminated, at least in her own mind, the bombing in DC as being related to the one in Bombay.  She also believed that the one following the DC bombing was a copy cat, because no one died.  And then these fanatics kidnaped Mr. Matikha, who was heavily involved in administrating the Taelon bio-research projects.  ~No he wasn't just involved, he was a high profile supporter, if this schedule is anything to go by.~
        Then they bombed Bombay, perhaps in protest of the bio-research being conducted there?
        She pulled up the information about the most recent bombing, the house back in DC.  Security agents found trace amounts of the same explosive used in Bombay.  But this time they targeted a Taelon organic specialist, a Dr. Walter Van Eato.  Fortunately, the poor man survived the event and was recovering in a DC medical facility.
        ~It's almost as if they hate Taelon technology.  Any Taelon technology.~
        Kathy sighed. ~A group like this doesn't come out of no where.  These people are too organized to be new.  They've been around for a while.~  The Taelons have been here for four years now.  Fours years is plenty of time to organize. She pulled up a list of groups who declared the Taelon arrival as the end of the world, or the coming of the antichrist, or anything on the edge.
        She was discouraged to see a huge list scroll across her screen.  She narrowed the search to those groups still believed to be in existence, by those who had substantial funding, and then by members who were capable of creating such a bomb.  That narrowed the list considerably. ~I think it's time to make a call to CuMAR.~
        She had been introduced to several members of CuMAR as part of her clinical psychology training.  CuMAR stood for "Cult Monitoring and Rescue," and as the name suggested, they monitored cults and helped families rescue loved ones taken in by the cult, whether they wanted rescue or not.  Even in these times, their services were in demand.
        It was the monitoring part that Kathy needed.  The FBI did not have authority to monitor individuals unless they were a proven threat to society.  To her knowledge the Taelons had a similar policy.  ~Besides, if one of us had them on a list, they'd already be questioned and under arrest.~  CuMAR was not limited by such lofty ideals.  They tried to identify dangerous cults before they reached explosive cohesion.  Once identified, they monitored key individuals to prevent them from reaching their destructive potential. Though
CuMAR executives would never admit it, rumors suggested they had at least a couple of countries as clients, paying them for a warning if disaster loomed. With any luck, they could determine if any members of the cults on her list were in Bombay and also near the site of Dr. Van Eato's house.  They also might have some suggestions of their own.
        Maybe this was the break they were looking for.
 
 

Date: 1/20/98
Author: Ken Schmit
Place: Office of Ethan Miles, Taelon Embassy, Washington, D.C.
Time: present
Subject: Full Disclosure
 

 Ethan dreaded the task before him.  He had been forced (as no one really volunteers to do this kind of work) to sift through the hundreds of "tips" e-mailed and phoned in by people eager to claim a share of the $5 million reward offered by Zo'or for information leading to the capture of Jonathan Doors and those responsible for the bombings.  He figured that half of the calls were blind guesses, like some kind of perverted lottery ticket.  Few had any information of great detail, but still would be looked into.
  It didn't take a genius to know that Sandoval still withheld information from Ethan, information that could be vital to his search, yet could also expose the Taelons should that information be leaked.  In short, a lack of trust existed, a feeling which was very mutual.   Therefore, Ethan took it upon himself to use alternative means of getting information.  One pipeline seemingly overlooked by the Taelons was the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.  Ethan had developed relationships with several members of the Directorate of Science and Technology during his turn at the FBI.

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

 "I feel like a real spy now, Steve," said Ethan, extending his hand to shake that of Steven Mills, Associate Director, CIA.
  "Yeah, real cloak and dagger, Ethan.  Out with the Russians, in with the Taelons."
  The CIA agent handed Ethan a manilla envelope, and the two men walked as they talked.
  "This came through one of our Indian channels," said Mills, as Ethan pulled some pictures out of the envelope.  He was sicked by what he saw.
  It was a human, made up to look like a Taelon, and obviously emaciated.
  "Name's Sharna Matikha.  Agent assigned to the Indian Companion.  Had disappeared for a few weeks, they found him pinned to a wall, crucifixion-style.  A couple of Companion Agents found him in an alley near the Bombay clinic after the bombing."
  Ethan ruffled through some papers.
  "What does this mean?" he asked, pointing out a passage in the document.
  "'Not the Saviors of Mankind?'  Not sure.  They found the phrase painted on the wall above the guy.  But we think it's most likely related to the bombing.  We don't know if this guy has any information about his attackers, so this might be the only clue.  Obviously, somebody hates the Taelons."
  "I just don't get it though," said Ethan.  "No Taelons were caught in any bombing.  Only humans were killed.  Lots of them.  It's almost like...they're mocking humans, not Taelons, with this message."
  Ethan put the documents back in the envelope and gave it back to Mills. He neither wanted, nor needed, to keep it.
  "Thanks again, old friend.  Next time you're at the Taelon Embassy..."
  "I'll turn around and keep running."
 
 

Date: January 27, 1999
Author: Aen
Place: Just Outside the RS Facility, Antarctica
Time: Set Just After  "Innocence and Remembrance"
Title: Arrival

    Grace nodded to Ken to lead the way out into the white desert that was Antarctica. She turned to the prisoner that she and Tara had been charge of watching and interrogating for the Taelons. Maxwell was playing his part to a tee. Lili, who was disguised as a Taelon special task force member (a storm trooper), gave Maxwell a shove to get him
to move forward towards the facility. As they neared the guard gate, the guard waved them through, having already been alerted by Da'an.
    ~I can't believe that they keep people here against their will.~ she thought to herself, supressing a shudder. Maxwell stopped as he looked across the compound. Grace came up to him.
    "Move, Mr. Maxwell." she said forcefully. Maxwell gave her a "drop dead" look but he continued on his way. Grace glanced at Tara. This guy was playing his role to the hilt.
    "I'm Commander Charles Norris. I am in charge of this facility." a man introduced himself. He was a man in his early 40s at the very least and Grace noticed that he had a considerable amount of gray hairs_which confirmed this man was not an implant. This was confirmed as he reached out to shake her hand. He was not wearing a skrill.
    "Tell me, Commander Norris, why would the Companions choose to leave a non-implant in charge of one their most secret and important research facilities?" Tara asked as she shook his hand. Norris made no pretenses.
    "I keep my silence because Zo'or has made it clear what my fate would be if I betray the Companions. Now about your_prisoner_" Norris begin.
    Grace nodded to Lili.
    "This is Lieutenant Greta Inglesson. She will tell you what we require for Mr. Maxwell. I expect everything will be arranged immediately." Grace said in a no nonsense voice.
    "Why of course, Agent Whitney."
    Just then Maxwell broke away from the guards and Tara skrilled him before he was half down the hall. Lili nodded to two of the guards.
    "I assume you'll want to take him to a room where he can be watched?"
Norris asked. Grace nodded. "If Lieutenant Inglesson will follow me, we'll secure our `guest' in a room." he replied. Lili nodded and they followed him out_.

Date: January 29, 1999
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: the RS Facility in Antarctica
Time: Right after "Arrival"
Title: Stage Two

    As they were escorted to the Interrogation room, Tara gave Maxwell another shove for good measure. He tossed her a look that would have frozen most people in their tracks, but she just shoved him again.
    "In there, you rouge!" she said, guiding him into the room, Grace beside her.
    Immediately, Grace sat him down in a chair while Tara went to the surveillance cameras and began dismantling them.
    "What are you doing?" Norris asked with concern.
    Tara tossed him an annoyed look. "Your people here do not have the clearance to view this interrogation . . . Besides . . . we wouldn't want any evidence of our . . . methods of making him talk just lying around, would we?" She replied, her look turning very cold.
    With a mild shudder, the man left the room, closing the door behind him, glad that he was on the Taelon's side. As soon as the door was shut, Tara opened her jacket and pulled out a make-up kit while Grace undid the bindings on Maxwell's wrists.
    "Now the question is, just what kind of injuries do we give you?" she asked the man before her.
    "Give me that," he replied, taking the make-up and small mirror. He was adept at applying the stage make-up.
    Suddenly, Tara was hit full force with the sound of screams echoing through her mild. She swiftly found herself leaning against the wall closest to her, grabbing her head. The sounds were so loud they overrode every other thought she had.
    "What's wrong with her?"
    Grace immediately stopped watching Max and saw Tara.
    "Tara?" she asked, going to her friend.
    "I can hear screaming," she replied. "And . . . I can feel fear and . . . panic . . . The people here . . . they're being tortured . . ."
    "You're going to have to pull out of this . . ." Grace said, seeing how badly Tara was shaking.
    Taking a deep breath, Tara steadied herself, and her cool facade was back in place, but the screams and the fear had not left. "This place should be burnt to the ground," she replied.
    "It'll have to be saved for another day," Max said as he glanced her way.
    As Tara turn her gaze to their "prisoner" she did a double take. He indeed looked as if he had been through a very physical interrogation. "Heavens, you are good."
    "Now all we do is wait . . ." he replied.
 
 
 

Date: January 30, 1999
Author: Aen
Place: The RS Taelon Facility, Antarctica
Time: Set During "Stage Two"
Title: Search

    The disguised Lili Marquette walked through the facility, looking for one particular wing of the facility. Behind her four other disguised members of the Liberation walked. They were once soldiers as well so they were adept to handle this kind of mission as well. Lili took out her global link and raised the shatter proof visor on her helmet. She turned to face the squad.
    "All right, you know what you're to do. Anyone who finds Lieutenant Ross and Corporal Greene, you are to signal the other members of the party on your global link. Carter, you come with me and help me locate Doctor Whitney." Lili said in her best command voice. The masked soldiers nodded and they spilt up into search parties.
    The first room Lili and Carter entered, they ran into trouble.
    They ran into Dr. Christian....
 
 

Date: February 1
Author: Carrie Poettcker
Place: Home of Major Sean Wilner/Taelon Embassy in Ottawa
Time: present
Subject: A Slow Realization

His global chirruped at him. His eyes remained unfocused and glazed over. The global called again and he absentmindedly reached for the instrument on his belt. Lost in a memory intrusion he barely registered the fact that his global was not where it should be. Shaking his head he sighed, the memory faded and disappeared. The global kept chirruping, it's call insistent and urgent, or so it seemed. He pawed through the papers on his desk until he found the global, where he had thrown it the night before. Snapping it open he started, and ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Major Wilner, why has there been such a delay in answering my call?" The face of his Companion started at him, stern and displeased.

"Ka'ri..uh..I..I was asleep. I didn't hear the global."

The Taelon merely stared at his Implant, disapproval radiating from his eyes.

"What..what can I do for you uh..Ka'ri." The Major cleared his throat rather noisily.

"What information have you discovered on the bombings? Have you traced Lt. Calder?"

"Uh..I found..I have.." the Implant mumbled as he searched through the papers on his desk. Finally plucking one yellow Post It Note from the pile he glanced at Ka'ri. "After Istanbul, she went to Paris." He waited expectantly.

"This is all you have to tell me?" Ka'ris eyes turned to stone. "Major, I suggest you dig deeper than that. The next time I call you for a report, you had better come up with something more substantial than 'she went to Paris'" His voice was harsh, his words clipped with anger.

"Yes Ka'ri. I will." He snapped the global shut.

***************************************
Ka'ri swept the data stream away with one hand, disgusted and angry.  He stared at the empty spot where his Implants face had just been. Ka'ri could clearly see the mess in the Implants home, and his ragged appearance was most distasteful. The Taelon began to consider requesting another Implant, one to take over the incompetence of Major Wilner. Ka'ri could not understand how someone could act in such a manner while carrying a CVI. He made a mental note to contact a CVI specialist, and have them run tests on the Major. Something was not right, and Ka'ri became determined to find the cause of his Implants aberrant behavior.
 
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date: February 1
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: RS Taelon Facility, Antarctica
Time: Present, set concurrent with "Search"
Subject:  Good-byes

Jennifer looked towards the door for what must have been the hundredth time. She had never done anything like this before.  Da'an had requested that she "remove" some files from the RS databanks and upload them to his personal datastream so that he would have some ammunition against Zo'or.  Ra'el had reluctantly agreed to let her do it, but she was incredibly nervous.

Before she had set off to the lower levels of the facility, she had found herself compelled to put certain safeguards in place to protect James and Ra'el.  She knew quite well that her capture would mean interrogation and implantation under Zo'or--and not even Ra'el could help her.  Zo'or did not take kindly to betrayal, and too many lives were at stake here.  The only factor giving the doctor the courage to take part in this plan was her horror and revulsion at the atrocities the Synod leader was committing.

Her contraband global sat open in front of the screen, silently uploading all the incriminating files to Da'an's databanks.  As soon as the program was finished, it would trigger a virus that one of Da'an's "associates" had created for the event.  When Jennifer stopped transmission, the virus would begin systematically destroying all of the RS patient files and information. Hopefully, this would erase any evidence of what she had been doing_if it did not, Jennifer didn't want to think about that possibility.  She patted the packet at her wrist and took comfort in the oblivion it would bring.

Just as the last of the files uploaded to Da'an's system, Jennifer heard the unmistakable sound of boots marching on the cold floor outside.  She hoped that they would continue on, but to her horror, the door burst open, and two Companion shock troops entered the room.  For a brief second, the doctor's face mimicked that of a rabbit caught in headlights of an oncoming car_

Five seconds ticked by before anything in the room moved.  Suddenly, a look of determination hardened Dr. Christian's face.  She lunged across the desk and hit a button on the computer screen, shutting down the display.  She then took the global that sat propped up in front of the screen and smashed it to the floor.  The soldiers didn't move_they just stared at this mini-drama playing out in front of them as if transfixed.  A melancholy look drifted across the doctor's face then, and she looked out the window and began her good-byes.  ~I'm sorry, James~ she thought. ~I love you--please win this fight for me.~  Tears began streaming down her face and she slowly moved the contents of her packet towards her mouth_

An unexpected presence flooded Jennifer's mind.  ~NOOOOOOO!~ The doctor was so startled that she almost dropped the pills.  ~Tara????~ She asked. ~Jennifer, don't do it---it's us!!!~ Was the response. The chirping of a global drew Jennifer's attention to the soldiers in front of the door.

A frantic Tara could be heard. "Lili--stop her!  She thinks you're working for Zo'or!"  The soldier in front threw off the helmet, and standing in front of the frightened doctor was none other than Lily Marquette.  Seven tiny pills dropped to the floor, discarded in shock.

"Wha_.how_.I don't understand_"

Lili reached out and grabbed Jennifer's arm. "Neither do I, doctor." she hissed. "But there's a lot of explaining that needs to be done, and I don't have time for this now."  She motioned to the man behind her and strong hands gripped the doctor.

"I'm_.I'm not supposed to be here." Jennifer stammered.  "If Zo'or finds out what I've just done, everything we're working for will be destroyed_" She was shaking uncontrollably now.  The combination of the stress of her assignment and the emotional impact of this encounter just about pushed Jennifer over the edge.  She began sobbing and mumbling in what sounded like eunoia.

Lily turned and looked at her associate and then back to her prisoner. "Doctor, I really hate to do this, but you need to forget that you ever saw us."  Another whisper to the man holding Jennifer and suddenly everything went black.
 

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
 
 

Date: February 7, 1999
Author: Krystina Stressman
Time: Seconds after "Good-byes"
Place: RS Facility - Antarctica
Title: Chaos in the Making

    ~Jen!~ Tara screamed out telepathically. ~Jen!~ When she didn't get an answer she turned back to her global link. "Lili! What happened? Where's Dr. Christian?!" she asked frantically.
    Instantly, Lili's face appeared. "She's fine, Commander. But she'll have a headache when she wakes up."
    Relief was visible on Tara's face. "Very good," she replied. "Find a place to lie her down. We'll figure out what to do with her after we find our objectives. Understood?"
    "But what if she talks and -"
    "She won't! And I'll not have you question me on this!" Tara replied, her green eyes flashing intensity.
    "It's your call, boss," she said. Lili closed the global and shook her head. It was the first time Tara Carmichael had ever snapped at her for questioning. How did she know about the doctor anyway, Lili wondered. But that was something to think about later . . . and she would bring it up to Tara after this mission was completed and they were safe . . . "All right, let's find a room to lay the good doctor here in and then start our search and recovery."
    It took only a moment for them to find a room with an examination table on it. One of the men gently laid the doctor down. Just as quickly they left, shutting the light off and closing the door. Swiftly, they made their way from room to room, looking for the two surviving men of McIntry's team.

Back at the interrogation room, Tara, Grace and Maxwell waited in silence. Tara's nerves were strung out after what almost happened to Jennifer, but outwardly she was her calm self. Looking at her watch, she glanced at Grace.
    "Do you think enough time has passed?" Tara asked.
    Grace tilted her head and sighed, her slight, oriental features considering the time that had already passed. Suddenly, she nodded. "Yeah, I think we're ready."
    "Good," Maxwell, replied. "Lets blow this popsicle stand!"
    He stood as the women once again bound his wrists behind him. They looked him over once more to make sure he looked the part and instantly began pulling him out of the room. Maxwell played his part to the hilt, acting hurt and exhausted. The other guards gave a look of surprise that these two little women were able to do that much damage. But they also knew the girls were Implants. The men immediately realized that these women meant business and that if they were ordered to do something they had better jump, or Zo'or would most likely hear about it.
    "This man has confessed to being a Liberation Agent," Tara explained. "He was attempting to free Arthur Whitney."
    For a brief moment, the guards looked at Grace, but there was no reaction to the name on her face, so they dismissed the association.
    "Notify Da'an at once," Tara said.
    Grace grabbed her global and called Da'an. She told him of the situation.
    "Bring this Liberation Agent and this Arthur Whitney to me at once," Da'an said.
    It was loud enough for the guards to hear.
    "You heard him," Grace replied. "Bring Arthur Whitney to us at once."
    As the guards disappeared, Tara grabbed her global. "Lili, have you found McIntry's men yet?"
    "Just got them now," Lili replied, "But now what?"
    "We need the diversion . . . "
    Suddenly, the lights in the facility began to flicker.
    "Or it might have been taken care of us . . . Hold on a moment."
    ~Jennifer . . . Jen . . . are you conscious yet?~ Tara called out with her mind. She could feel Dr. Christian just coming around.
    ~What happened . . . I feel like I've just been hit by a Mac truck~
    ~That's not far from the truth~ Tara replied.
    ~It's dark . . .~ Jen said.
    ~You're okay. You're in a room just off the main corridor. My people put you there for safe keeping. I told them you wouldn't talk.~
    ~Won't they ask-~
    ~Don't worry about that . . . But I need to know exactly what you did before they arrived. I only received a partial image . . .~
    Jen was quiet for a moment. ~I put a computer virus in the system . . . Everything will start shutting down. Every program, every system . . . ~
    ~Good. We can use that as a cover then . . .~ Tara replied
    ~What . . .~
    ~I promise I'll explain it all later~
   "Don't worry about the distraction, Lili. It's been taken care of. The systems in the facility are shutting down. The security, the environment controls, everything."
    Suddenly, a more lights began to flicker around them.
    "I see what you mean," Lili replied.
    "Meet you at the shuttles," Tara replied. "Carmichael out."
    A few minutes later the guards returned with Arthur Whitney. He looked haggard. As his eyes spotted Grace he almost smiled, but seeing the skrill on her arm prevented him from responded. Had they gotten to her, he wondered.
    Suddenly, another guard called in frantic. "All the patients, they're coming out of their rooms! They - they're starting to get - to get- aggressive!" Then, the communication was cut off as odd screams could be heard throughout the building.
    "We have to Evac out of here! Now!" Came Norris's voice. "The environmental controls are going to go off-line here in a matter of minutes. This place is going to be colder than an icebox! Already four of my men have been assaulted by patients. It's not safe for us here!"
    "Get all the shuttles ready to go. Inform all the Taelons working in this facility that the time to depart their work has come," Tara ordered.
    He nodded and left.
    Tara then called Lili once again as Grace took charge of Arthur. "I want you to grab Dr. Christian on your way out."
    "We've got her," Lili said, "Though she has a bad concussion, I'm afraid."
    Tara Frowned at the thought, but decided to use it to their advantage.
    "I have an idea . . . There's going to be a change of plan . . . I want you to change McIntry's men into regular clothes . . . anything you can find and then put lab coats on them. Anyone stops you say that they, along with Doctor Christian were assaulted by some of the patients. In the ensuing chaos there won't be time to look at their faces, but make it quick. The facility is evacuating."
    "Understood."
    As Tara closed her global, she exhaled. "All right, lets get these two to the shuttle. We'll come back and help with the evac," she said, turning to Grace.

    The estimate on the failure of the systems was right on time. Within 30 minutes, the facility felt like a freezer. The lights were flickering out of control. As many shuttles that could be brought in from all possible locations arrived to carry away the workers: Guards, Scientists, Lab Techs and such as the facility was over run with hostile, out of control patients, and the cold from the cruel Antarctic weather. Tara, Grace, Arthur and Maxwell entered one shuttle, while Lili and her people entered another with McIntry's men. Tara saw Dr. Christian being placed aboard another shuttle along with several Taelons that had been working at the facility. Now it was time for the last stage of the operation . . . The crash of their shuttle and the supposed demise of Maxwell and Arthur.
    She could sense Jennifer was still very dizzy from her concussion and was terribly sorry for that incident, but it had been beyond her control. At least Jennifer was alive.
    ~I'm glad you're still with us, Jen~
    ~So am I . . .~ she replied.
    ~I'm glad you're both with us~ said James.
    Tara could feel his relief as their shuttle entered interdimensional.
 
 

EFC Division
Date: February, 99
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Washington, D. C.
Time: Before "Subjectives and Interrogatives"; also 0341 Zulu
Subject: Good evening_

 The elderly hospital volunteer shuffled down the corridor, smiling and greeting those passing by with a jaunty, though arthritic wave.  He walked up to the desk and spoke briefly with the charge nurse.  She, though busy, smiled in good humor at the old man as he shuffled back down the hallway, returning to his appointed rounds.
 "What a trooper.  Even with laryngitis he's here doing his work."
**************************************************************************

Darkness and silence lay upon the abandoned warehouse like a shroud, hiding the rats and the insects as they went about their daily task of survival.
 ~How so very much like ourselves,~ thought the muscular, though light framed man as he slipped into the building.  He had already dealt with the shuttle pilot that had been left as sentry in front of the building, and had cursed when he realized that his contact had switched pilots for the night.
 ~Some other time, Capt. Marquette.  Tonight wasn't your time to die.~
 As he stole into position and saw his contact, he tilted his head and smiled a terrible smile, a smile that spoke of lovingly slow torture, exquisite and lasting agony, and never ending screams.
 The object of his affection was pacing in a tight line, cloaked in a dark trench coat, gloved hands clenching and releasing with visible though unspoken tension.  The watcher noted with amused interest that his contact repeatedly consulted the anachronistic pocket watch that he affected.
 ~I suppose I shouldn't keep him waiting longer.~  thought the watching man as he slipped from the shadows and out into the dim light. To his great surprise, the pacing man spoke.
 "Mr. Corr, in the future, it would be in your best interest for you to not hover in the shadows and keep me waiting."
*****************************************************************************

 As the elderly gentleman rounded the end of the corridor, he smiled hugely at his two friends, both of which were guarding some asinine Taelon doctor that had been brought in with burns.  As he approached, they returned his smile, greeting him jovially. "Hal!  Good to see you, man!  How goes it this evening, er, morning?"
 The man named Hal smiled even wider and began to make small talk_
******************************************************************************

 Judson Corr stared with obvious venom at Companion Agent Ronald Sandoval, who returned his glare with cold, dead indifference.
 "You know, Sandoval, it takes alot of nerve to hire me after all you did."
 Sandoval shrugged casually and intoned, "Mr. Corr, strange times makes for strange bedfellows."  He snapped his watch closed and dropped it into his pocket.  "I have a job for you that I think you will like.  It should present just the kind of challenge that you seem to prefer_"
********************************************************************************

 The old man's scratchy voice made the voice scanner impossible to use, so Bill and Ted activated the retina scanner.  Hal bent slowly over and pressed his face to it, all the while humming "Yankee Doodle".
********************************************************************************

 Sandoval continued. "There will be two armed guards there, likely to be William Johnson and Theodore Marx.  In addition to them, you will have a voice scanner and a retina scanner to contend with, as well as a DNA encoded access card."
 Corr frowned.  "Childs play.  A corneal implanted holoprojection of an authorized person's retina will do the trick for the retina scanner.  The voice and access card will take some planning."
 Sandoval fixed Corr with a lethal gaze.  "There is no room for error here, Mr. Corr.  No mistakes this time."
********************************************************************************

 *Retina print: Accepted.*
 *Access card: Accepted.*
 *Okay, Hal.  Try not to wake the good doctor.  You know how much he needs his
beauty sleep."
 Hal grinned wanly and eased open the heavy hospital room door.  He gently closed it behind him and stood up straight.  And smiled.
********************************************************************************

 "Pay me through the usual channels, Sandoval."  Corr paused as he began to back away.  "Is there any time constraint?"
 "Not really.  Just make sure it's done before he leaves the hospital or talks to any other Companion Agents."
 Corr barely nodded his head in a condescending bow and backed the rest of the way into the shadows and disappeared_
********************************************************************************

 The old man moved over to the monitor and connected the small device that he removed from the heel of his shoe.  The rhythm displayed there blipped once and then continued on, uninterrupted.  Still smiling, he stepped over to the IV pole and withdrew a syringe from a concealed pocket. The syringe that he withdrew was labeled "Pavulon: 100mg".  After confirming the contents of the syringe, he injected it into the port, flushed it, then stepped back and crossed his arms, smiling.
********************************************************************************

 Ronald Sandoval strode over to his shuttle and snapped, "Take me back to the Mother Ship, and move it."
 As he climbed aboard the craft, he noticed the pilots head slumped over at a very unnatural angle, obviously broken.
 He slumped into his seat, staring at the back of the body in front of him. Slowly, and then more strongly, he began to weep.  ~How many innocents, God?!  How many more must I condemn_~
********************************************************************************

 Hal/Judson Corr smiled as he watched the drug take effect.  As the powerful paralytic worked on Van Eato's diaphragm and intercostal muscles, the lack of oxygen snapped the doomed man awake, suddenly aware that he could not physically breathe.
 Corr chuckled quietly, watching the tragedy play out before him.  He leaned over the bed and stared Van Eato in the face, whispering, "Right about now you're beginning to see spots.  The drug I've given you is Pavulon, which I'm sure you know about.  You'll lie here, conscious and unable to breathe, until you pass out and die.  Due to the lack of an ability to breathe, you can't yell for help, either."
 Van Eato, now panicked, rolled his eyes around, realizing that he couldn't even move.  Within a minute, he had lapsed into unconsciousness, and within three had lapsed into ventricular fibrillation.  After five, Corr removed his device from the monitor and it went from a normal sinus rhythm to asystole.  Corr silenced the alarm before it could activate and peeled one electrode, the black one, off of Van Eato's still chest.
 Satisfied, he turned and opened the door, once again the old man Hal.
*******************************************************************************

 Sandoval stood before Zo'or, hands behind his back and eyes forward. "Tell me, Agent Sandoval, how such a crime could happen under the very noses of your people."
 Sandoval inhaled deeply and exhaled before speaking.  "Apparently the perpetrator had access to some rather sophisticated hardware.  A review of the log shows that the scanned information was correct and did belong to a volunteer worker named Hal Lundstrom, whose body was found in a supply closet along with some discarded makeup and concealment materials."  He paused, then continued.  "With the proper credentials and disguise, the perpetrator would have had no trouble slipping in and dispatching Dr. Van Eato."
 Zo'or stood and stepped down from his command chair.  With the same awkward grace that all Taelons exhibited, he moved to stand next to his assistant.
 "It is in your interest to find the person who did this_" Zo'or said, "and congratulate them before you kill them."
 Sandoval's brow shot up in surprise.  "'Congratulate them', Zo'or?  I don't understand."
 Zo'or smiled and replied.  "They have saved us the trouble.  I was about to order you to terminate him myself.  He had become a liability."
 The Taelon turned to Sandoval and pinned him with a knowing look, and smiled.  "Don't you agree, Agent Sandoval?"
 Sandoval met his eyes for a long moment, then focused them back onto the stars as he said, "Certainly, Zo'or.  Certainly."
 

Date: February 8, 1999
Author: Krystina Stressman
Time: Set just after "Chaos in the Making"
Place: Tara & Grace's shuttle
Title: Success and Failure . . . or so they think

    "All right, everyone, are we ready for the next phase of the mission?" Tara asked, glancing at the faces around her.
    Everyone nodded in agreement.
    "We're almost at the coordinates," Ken said.
    "I'll contact Doors to make sure he's ready," Grace replied, pulling her global out.
    Tara took a deep breath. This was it. This was the biggest thing she had ever been involved in with the Liberation and it put her and those she cared about at the greatest risk. But looking at Arthur, she knew it was well worth it.
    "Coming out of ID now," Ken said, bringing the shuttle down carefully.
    "All right, let's move!" Maxwell ordered.
    Swiftly, every exited the shuttle. Within minutes, Liberation soldiers were there.
    "Get the bodies set up," Tara said, as she helped Grace get Arthur to a waiting vehicle. "Take good care of this man," she said to the driver, "Or you'll answer to me."
    He gave her a curt nod. She turned to see Arthur caressing Grace's face.
    "I've dreamed about you for so long . . ." he replied, barely able to speak above a whisper.
    "Don't talk . . ." she replied, holding his hand. "Save your strength . . . I'll see you soon." With that, Grace kissed him tenderly. Within moments she let him go and stepped away.
    Tara could see tears misting her friend's eyes. They were tears of joy. With that, Tara smiled.
    As they turned back to the shuttle they could see that the bodies were ready. Ken was waiting for them and all the Liberation soldiers were starting to leave. It was time to set the shuttle up for a crash.
    She could hear Ken call in to report a malfunction in the hyperspace drive, sounding worried. He wasn't a bad actor, she thought to herself. Then he approached her.
    "I've got the instructions programmed in . . ." he explained. "After I activate it, the shuttle will start and then crash in 3 to 5 minutes."

    "Let's do it," Tara said.
    Quickly Ken entered the shuttle and started the sequence, programming a time-delay for him to escape. As he exited the craft, it sprang to life. Within seconds it shot up into the sky, looking as if it were going to jump to Interdimensional, but then, suddenly, it was as if there were some kind of power failure and the ship plummeted to the ground. The Implants and pilot dodged debris as the shuttle crashed, breaking into a myriad of pieces. Once the debris settled Tara went to the shuttle to see that the hyperdrive was indeed destroyed. As an added affect, Tara raised Chiron and blasted the piece of Taelon machinery.
    "That should do it . . ." she replied. "Now we have to make ourselves look like we've been through hell and back."
    Quickly they applied dirty to their faces and what looked like ashes. They ripped their clothing. For an added effect, Tara took a sharp rock and ran it across her forehead causing a jagged wound. Then all they had to do was wait for the rescue team . . .

    Within an hour's time, a rescue team found them. Da'an was present.
    "Where are the prisoners?" he asked, glancing at Tara and then at Grace.
    "We're sorry, Da'an. We have failed in our mission," Grace replied. "The Liberation Agent and Arthur Whitney have been killed in the shuttle accident . . ."
    Da'an took a look at the remains of the shuttle. He could see the bits of charred human remains. "You have indeed failed me," he replied, "But . . . because of your quick thinking at the Antarctica Facility you saved many lives, including the lives of all the Taelons working there. For that, you should both be commended."
    "Thank you," Tara replied.
    "But it is most unfortunate that these individuals died. We could have learned who other Liberation Agents are," he said.
    ~Thank you, Da'an~ Tara replied ~You are doing wonderful . . . Thank you for covering us . . .~
    ~It is you I should thank~ Da'an replied ~You have been able to let me right one of the great wrongs my race has done to yours . . .~

Two days later both Tara and Grace received recognition for saving the lives of so many at the Research facility in Antarctica.
 
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date:  February 8
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place: Comtech Hospital, Washington DC
Time: Present, set around "Success and Failure"
Subject:  Some Reunion

The first thing she noticed were the lights_they appeared to be dimmed.  The second thing she noticed was that she was moving.  Or more accurately, the *room* was moving, and it had a heartbeat. Before she could make sense of this puzzle, she relapsed into unconsciousness_
 

"Doctor Christian_DOCTOR CHRISTIAN!!!"  The lab assistant turned to the pilot.  "Call ahead and make sure they have the emergency room waiting when we get there_I can't get a response.  Her vitals are unstable and her breathing is irregular."
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

"Doctor Christian, can you hear me?"  The voice floated somewhere between reality and imagination.  Should she answer?  -Could- she answer?  She tried moving concrete lips, but they would not obey.  The room still moved_.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
 

She floated in a foggy state of unawareness, blissful and rested.  Slowly, gently, a probing reached her.  ~Jennifer_Jennifer, you must try to wake up.~   Something in the tone spoke worry and concern.

~I'm all right.  It's peaceful here.~ She told the voice.

More strongly now, the voice commanded: ~Jennifer.  Wake up!~  It was then that she recognized the presence of her husband in her mind.  Confusion began to cloud her already vague thoughts.

~Where am I???~ She asked.

~You're in the hospital, and have been for several hours now.  Please, please try to wake up_~ The voice floated away again into the darkness_
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Slowly, painfully, she opened her eyes.  Could it be true??  This looked like the security wing at the Comtech hospital!  A gentle moan escaped her lips as the room began moving side to side like a ship at sea.  This caused the man seated by her bedside to break into a huge grin.  "Welcome back to the land of the living, my love."

Jennifer closed her eyes and attempted a smile.  "Am I really home???" She asked in disbelief.

Commander James Christian leaned over the bed and gave his wife a gently kiss on the forehead.  "What does this tell you?"  Leaning back across the seat, the Companion Protector began stroking is wife's arm.  "You had me really worried.  What happened to you out there?"

The fallen doctor couldn't answer_She was beginning to lose control of her upper digestive system_ After emptying every drop of bile from her stomach, the doctor reached out and touched her husband's hand.  She hoarsely whispered, "Some reunion, huh?"  And then she fell asleep.
 

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
 
 

Date: February 9th, 1999
Author: Geoff Potter
Place: Human-Taelon Medical Facility, Washington, D.C.
Time: Two days after "Into the Mix", after "Good Evening"
Subject: Modus Operandi
 

        The research that had so occupied James Cutter had dried up fairly quickly, but it had done so at a convenient time, if only for Cutter. The death of Dr. Walter Van Eato had been a surprise to both the Taelons and to the Liberation, and he was now charged with conducting an investigation for both institutions.

        Walking up the steps to the building's front entrance, he forced his way through the media's seemingly-endless blockade line of cameras, wires, boom mikes, and most of all, people. People in well-starched suits and dresses, hair primed and makeup ready to look glittering on national television. Not all things changed with the Taelons, he thought.

        Avoiding  multiple "Sir, what happened here?" and "Can you say anything to the media, sir?"-style comments, he entered the building through the far more forgiving perimeter established by Companion Security. >From beyond the wall of metal detectors, Special Agent Ronald Sandoval stepped forward.

        Making no attempt at preamble, Sandoval spoke. "General, your business here?"

        Cutter returned the favor. "Da'an has assigned me to the investigation of Dr. Van Eato's murder." Cutter displayed the proper identification.

        Whether it was Cutter's response, or Sandoval's normal demeanor, the ill-veiled contempt in his face remained. "Very well. You may proceed to conduct your business."

        Something about the Implant's outward appearance bothered Cutter a good amount, but he refocused himself to the task at hand. He proceeded through the security checkpoints and made himself known to the Companion Security agents standing guard through the hallway. He finally arrived at Van Eato's room.

        The body had been moved from the hyperbolic chamber and placed on a medical gurney, ready to be wheeled out. As the Coroner was making final preparations to the body, he walked up to the man. It took him several moments before he finally looked up at the General.

        "Yes?", he inquired somewhat haughtily.

        "I'm General James Cutter, from the Embassy." He displayed his ID once more. "What has your investigation revealed so far?", he asked.

        The ME sighed. "As I explained to your colleague several minutes prior, there are no obvious signs of foul play at the moment. The chambers was found as was left by the medical staff the night of his death. The medical data from the instruments has yet to be examined."

        Cutter frowned slightly that that information had not been poured over instantly..it was two hours after the body had been found, a critical time frame. "Have that information transferred to my office at the Embassy immediately, Doctor. What is your current impression of the situation?"

        The ME looked at Cutter. "My current impression? Nothing reliable. Some bizarre natural cause, perhaps. We'll know more after an autopsy."

        Cutter nodded. "The I suggest you get to that, Doctor."

        Cutter walked out, his mind already setting to work.
 
 

Date: 02*10*99
Author: Carrie Poettcker
Place: Taelon Embassy, Ottawa
Time: Present
Subject:   Finally Something Tangible

The data stream shimmered in the air, displaying a picture of two women, dressed to the nines, white teeth prominent in wide smiles. The stream flashed to another picture, the same two women, lounging by a swimming pool, sipping champagne. Picture after picture flashed by, always the same two women, different surroundings, same smiles.

"You are certain this woman is the one we are looking for?"

"Yes Ka'ri. Absolutely certain."

"And how did you become aware that we sought her? You were not assigned this job, nor are you emplyed by the Taelons. Your actions are suspicious."

The young man standing before the Companion blushed and tugged at the unfamiliar collar of his dress shirt.

"With all due respect Ka'ri, I noticed that some files had been retrieved from the governments databases. It intruiged me, so I followed the trail. I...have an interest in government..actions." He shrugged "Whoever was looking didn't do a great job, I figured you would want to know what I found."

"Your work is pleasing. Thank you for this information. I will pass it along to my Implant." As a security guard approched to take the visitor out, Ka'ri held up one hand to stop him. "You said your name was Jason Mitchell? What position do you hold in the government?"

Mitchell started, unaware that the Taelon had known his where he worked, surprised that he did not know exactly where.

"Information, Ka'ri. I'm a spy." With a smile and a jaunty wave, he walked out, leaving a stunned Taelon looking after him.
******************************

Ka'ri waved his hand and a data stream appeared. The face of Da'an filled it's wavy depths.

"Da'an, it is pleasant to see you again. I have news for you about one Ms. Ashton..."

"Please, continue" The American Companion answered.

"I have just received word that our missing Canadian Peacekeeper, Lt Moira Calder, has been seen in her company for the last two years. I have viewed photographs of the two together in various social situations. I have reason to believe they are collaberating...working
together. I thought you should know."

"You are correct to inform me. You must congratulate your Implant on his excellent work."

"My Impant was not the one to discover this rather obvious news. I was visted by a young man today, who claimed that he discovered someone was looking for this information and decided to pursue his own investigation. All my Implant could find was 'She went to Paris'."
Ka'ris disgust was evident on his face, his disappointment as well.

Da'an inclined his head and studied the younger Taelon. "Your Implant should be above those without. Is there something wrong with his CVI?"

"I believe so. Though what, I do not know. I need to contact those who are familiar with the CVI, those who designed it. My Implant continues to disappoint me."

"Will you be Implanting another?" Da'an asked his Canadian counterpart.

"I am not certain. I have yet to find one worthy, though the informant today is as likely a candidate as any. I will inform you of anything new Da'an"

"I look forward to your next communication." Da'an waved his hand, and the connection was broken, though each could sense the other.

Ka'ri stood, and walked slowly through the door, making his way to the shuttle. As he prepared himself for another meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister, he began to form a plan. Action must be taken about his Implant.
 
 
 

Date: January 10
Author: Esti
Place: Comtech Facility
Time: Present, after "Good Evening..."
Title: Those Lost

Rosemary opened her eyes and found the world hadn't changed since the minute or so that she'd closed them. Wiping the tears from her eyes once again, she leaned further on the desk, oblivious to the work that had yet to be done.

Wally hadn't been her patient. She had nothing to do with his death, she kept telling herself. The talk they'd had just a few days ago hadn't been monitored by who-knows-who. He hadn't died because he knew her.

"Doc? Maybe it would be a good idea if you went outside for a while," said someone at her door. She looked up.

"Hi, Mark," she said, telling her heart to calm down. No threat here. "Don't think that's a good idea right now."

"Okay, up to you," the security guard answered. "Do whatever you need to do."

"Thanks, Mark, I will," Rosemary responded.

She lay her head back on her desk. Every doctor lost a patient some time in their careers, no matter what they did. She and the rest of the CVI specialists had even lost an Implant. And people lost family, friends, even the occasional enemy to death. Rosemary would remember Wally, just as she remembered Ms. Adams, the Implant that had died some months before when they hadn't found the cause of the CVI virus in time.

Rosemary knew at this point that she'd have to find out who was behind this - the thefts, the bombings, and Wally's death. ~I will find out who killed you, Wally. Someday, I will know the truth, I swear it!~

--
 
 
 

Date: February 12, 1999
Author: Aen
Place: Liberation HQ
Time: Set sometime during "Wind In the Trees"
Title: Mutual Love

    With a sigh, Ken entered the Liberation's headquarters ready to forget the day he had just had. Since Grace was staying in either Washington, Atlanta, or Macon a lot Ken had been reassigned to shuttling Companion personnel to and from the mothership.
    While he was shuttling Sandoval mostly around, there were a few people that Ken found more agreeable that him. There was a young woman named Alexis Grinkova that stuck out in his mind. She was a member of the Companions' Volunteers Program and Commander of the UK/I's 2nd division. She was quite young but Ken had never met anyone so young who was born with such an old soul...
    Ken looked around and saw that Grace and Arthur were not anywhere to be found in the main part of the HQ. He did however see Augur on a computer at one of the room's corner consoles. He headed in that direction. Augur looked up at him as Ken planted his rear end in a seat next to him.
    "What's your problem?" Ken asked as Augur gave him a sour look.
    "Nothing." the hacker replied returning his gaze to the computer screen.
    "You're brooding." Ken replied, trying not to smile.
    Augur ignored Ken as he continued to type. Finally Ken got up and went to see what he was working on. But instead of finding a bunch of computer codes on the screen, the screen was filled with the Flat Planet Café. It was then that Ken knew where Grace and Arthur had gone off too as they were in the foreground.
    "Do you mind?" Augur said in an irritated tone after a moment when Ken didn't leave.
    "Gee, Augur, chill already." Ken replied. He walked away leaving the genius alone in his corner, not really understanding why Augur was being such a grouch. Ken walked around the room a little more offering to help the members with their various tasks but they all thanked and refused him politely. Finally Ken decided that it was time to head for home.
    It was during the shuttle ride home that Ken realized what Augur's problem was that evening.
    He was in love with Grace!
    And he was jealous of Arthur's presence!
    ~No, not jealous! But he's hurting! He's hurting because he'll never know what might have been between he and Grace. . .Augur, I'm sorry for teasing you because I am hurting too~
 
 

Author(s): Grant & Amy
Date: Sometime last week
Time: Before the death of Wally
Place: US Embassy/Bombay
Subject: Getting to know

     Paul sat down in his chair in front of his desk, and decided it was high time he actually got some work done. He dialed Da'an's extension on his Inter-Office Communications System.  Da'an greeted Paul with the usual Taelon greeting, and then  asked, "Ambassador Durbess, how may I be of assistance to you?" Paul replied, "Who may I contact to learn more about the US' current position on the bombings in Bombay?" "For your purposes," Da'an said in a melodic tone, "Agent Kathrine Morgan would be most suited for the job. I will transfer you to her." Da'an said, then his image winked out. A few moments later Agent Morgan came on screen.

    "Ambassador, Da'an tells me you would like a briefing on the bombings?"

    "Correct, Agent," Paul said, and smiled, "I understand you are in Bombay. Is there a place or time you could be able to meet me?" Paul asked.

    "Not in person, at least not at the moment, but I have a few minutes right now, if you have the time."

    "Okay. Is Embassy in Bombay equipped with Virtual Conference Rooms?"

    "Yes, if you will give me a moment, I will transfer this to the conference area."

    "Sure thing. I'm room 1034. See you there!" Paul said and then closed the connection.

    Kathy stood up from her desk pausing to message her shoulder. It had been a long week.  Once in the virtual conference room, she settled into one of the chairs. She pulled up her files on the bombing. She might need them to brief the ambassador.

    Paul walked over to his Virtual Conference Room, and sat down.

    [Incoming request from Agent Katherine Morgan] Paul's console chirped in a monotone voice.

    [Computer, Accept] Paul replied. Agent Morgan was then sitting at the opposite end of the table.

    "Good Morning, Agent! Thank you for coming at such short notice," Paul said and smiled.

    "My pleasure, Ambassador." Kathy smiled. "It's actually evening here in Bombay."

    "Oh, well, I guess you're right! Well than, Good Evening!"

    Kathy nodded and smiled slightly. "I wish we were meeting to discuss happier events. Let me give you a review of events."

    "Several weeks ago there was a bombing in DC, at the Comtech facility. Comtech is a Human-Taelon research facility. In that bombing no one was seriously hurt, but two human scientists were kidnapped."

    "And the names of these scientists?"

    "Drs. Schultz and Christian."

    "Thanks," Paul said, logging this all to his computer.

    "Unfortunately, the perpetrators were assassinated before we could question them." Kathy shook her head as if remembering something unpleasant."

    "Do we know who assassinated them?"

    "No, the assassination was very professional. We have almost no clues. And the ones we have lead no where."

    "Hmmm, okay Agent, please continue," Paul asked politely.

    "However, both Doctors were recovered safely."

    "I figured as much. Dr. Schultz showed me around today," and then he smiled.

    "Shortly after the DC bombing, there was a second bombing out west involving fertilizer." The corner of Kathy's mouth quirked.  "No one was hurt, but everyone was covered in . . .well cow fertilizer I believe is what the final analysis was."

     "Golly!  Not a pretty sight.

     Kathy nodded agreement, but sobered before continuing.  "The bombing in Bombay was next."  She paused for a moment, and then continued, "That bombing used a very high-tech, very powerful explosive."

    "Do we have an estimate of losses yet?"

    Kathy looked fairly grim, "We have currently confirmed over 320 human deaths."

    Paul's face looked totally shocked. "Do we have any suspects?"

    Kathy's face hardened with determination. "I believe we may be approaching a break in the case."

    "Really? Please tell," Paul said.

    Kathy hesitated, "I hope you understand, Ambassador, that there is a limit to what I can discuss, even with you. I will tell you all that I can, and if you like brief you on the rest as soon as procedure allows."

    "I totally understand. You have my number here at the office, correct?"

    "Yes, and thank you for your understanding."

    "Anytime, Agent, anytime,"  Paul said, in a far off voice.

    Kathy nodded her thanks. "There was an . . . unexpected turn in the case when a person kidnapped from the embassy here several weeks ago suddenly turned up."

    "His name, if I may know?"

    "A Mr. Matikha."

    "For various reasons we believe that kidnaping and the bombing are related."

    "And I'm assuming I am not allowed access to this information at this time?"

    "I'm afraid not. But based on information we've gained from both crimes, I am narrowing the list of suspects."

    "I'm also assuming I can find that on the Intranet here at the Embassy?"

    "The list of suspects?"

    "Correct."

    "Not at the moment ambassador. I am waiting for a more substantiated list before I enter their names into the Intranet. They should be there within the next two days, however."

    "Then I can wait the two day duration."

    "Also, Agent, is there anyway, since the case files are not on the Intranet, I could have them downloaded into my Global for further reference?"

    Kathy nodded. "Yes, Ambassador. Da'an gave me permission to do that if you requested... I'll down load what I can now."

    "Thank you, Agent. I can get the rest of the Bombay information from there. Have there been any other bombings?"

    "Yes, a Dr. Van Eato's house was bombed. He is hospitalized at the moment."

    "Okay, if I need more from him, I will go visit him. He is at Comtech, correct? Also, what is his state currently?"

    Kathy nodded, "I believe so."

    "The last I heard, he was doing better and expected to make it."

    "One last question, what is the US' current position in all of this?"

    "I'm more familiar with the Taelon position, but the United States has contributed large amounts of FBI personnel to sift throughout the bombed building here in Bombay. Their resources have helped enormously."

    "That will do for now. Thank you for your time, Agent. Please inform me of any new information, and I will read these file's before the day is done. Now, I'm sure you have a lot of work to get done, as have I, so I will let you go. Until next time!" Paul said, and then closed the connection.

    Kathy closed the connection on her end. ~That went better than I thought. He's not nearly as pushy as Joshua Doors.~

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: 2.15.99
Time: Just after 'All Good Things Must Come To An End'
Place: Taelon Embassy - Washington D.C.
Subject: Welcome to America

        Paul climbed into the shuttle, buckled up, and braced for the jump into interdimensional.  This was going to be hard.  Very hard.  He had lived in Canada all of his life, and now, he had to go!  After a couple of minutes, the shuttle jumped out of interdimensional and he was on the lawn of the Taelon Embassy in Washington D.C.  He thanked the pilot and stepped out. Major Liam Kincaid was waiting for him at the door.  He showed him to his office, and then left.  Paul had a very nice office.  It was William Boone's old office with a few modifications.  Da'an had requested that Liam's office be in his quarters, so Boone's old office was left vacant.  The office was equipped with 3 datastreams and a Virtual Conference Room, plus all of Boone's computers.    He had a  balcony overlooking the city, shielded by Virtual Glass, and it was a very spacious room.  He then left to get aquatinted with his new co-workers.  Liam gave him a tour, and then left him with Da'an.  They exchanged a few words, and then Paul left, for it was time to go to his new living quarters.  His wife, Mary, and their small Yorkie, Pol, had already moved in and settled in the house.  It was a nice house, not too large, but then again, not to small.  ~I will be happy here~ he thought, ~but the day is just begun~.  He then left, and went back to the Embassy.
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Date:  February 17
Author: Jen LeMaire
Place:  Taelon Homeship
Time: Present
Subject: Debriefings

Captain Lili Marquette stole the occasional glance back at her passenger. Twinges of guilt tore at her conscience as she noted the fact that the doctor she was transporting had not completely recovered from her ordeal--the ordeal that the Marine Captain was partially responsible.  She spoke to the virtual glass in front of her. "Coming out of interdimensional
in fifteen seconds_"

Docking was completed safely, and Lili found herself escorting a thin, nervous doctor to Zo'or's chambers.  After the "incident" at the RS facility in Antarctica, Marquette had a "discussion" with Tara Carmichael in which she found out that the doctor was secretly working with a Taelon alliance to stop Zo'or.  She had long suspected that the doctor's husband, Commander Christian, was without a MI, but now she knew for certain that they were practically working on the same side--just not on the same team.  Lili hated to bring the doctor to see Zo'or so soon after being released from the hospital, but orders were orders.  Doctor Christian had not said a word about what had happened at RS.  The word was that the head injury she received had erased all of her memories from that day.

When the pair arrived at Zo'or's chamber, Lili couldn't help but notice the strange look that passed between the doctor and Sandoval.  If she didn't know better, she'd have sworn it was_concern?  Shaking the errant thoughts from her mind, she announced the visitor to Zo'or and found herself dismissed.

Four hours later, her global chirped and Sandoval requested her presence on the bridge.  She caught the last bit of the conversation between Doctor Christian and Zo'or_

"You are certain that you have no memories of the time leading up to your injury, Doctor?"

A much irritated looking Jennifer answered, "When I finally regained consciousness, I was shocked to discover that I not only lost my memories of what had happened to me, Zo'or_I had lost three days worth of memories!"

Zo'or turned and faced the wall.  "I am told that this is a common occurrence when *human* brains are injured.  Taelons, of course, do not have this weakness."  Turning back to the doctor, he continued. "However, the research data that we received before the *incident* that destroyed the facility proved immensely useful.  The Synod has decreed that your research is of value to our purposes and should be continued at an appropriate facility."

A strange look passed over Jennifer's face then, and she started to say something.  Zo'or cut her off. "As I mentioned in our previous meeting, we will be constructing a new facility that may prove to be our most valuable endeavor to date.  You will continue your research there."

Jennifer found her voice at last. "What about Ra'el?  I must continue my work with him_"

A pleased smirk materialized on the Taelon's face at her query.  "Ra'el will be transferred to the location we have chosen as the site of our new facility.  You will remain in his service, as he considers you_useful."

"Thank you, Zo'or" Jennifer replied.  To herself, she thought, ~I'd see your molecules locked in a battery pack for children's toys before I left my husband's side, you over-bearing lightbulb!!~

Zo'or turned away and Sandoval reached for her arm to lead her from the room, when Jennifer stopped and asked, "When do the new assignments go into effect?"

Without turning around, he replied, "Immediately, of course."

END
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
 
 
 
 
 

Date: 17*02*99
Author: Carrie Poettcker
Place: Taelon embassy, Ottawa Canada
Time: Present, Evening
Subject: How Far Can A Memory Go?

Ka'ri studied his Implant from the doorway of the Major's office. The man was staring intently at his main computer, his eyes seemingly fixed on the large, flat screen. Ka'ri has the perfect opportunity to study him and watch him work

The tall Taelon couldn't help but be disappointed. Major Wilner was severely lacking in many ways but Ka'ri couldn't pin down the cause, the reason behind his aberrant behaviour.  He remember having met Da'ans Implants, Boone and Sandoval, both efficient and effective but it was Boone who stood out in his mind.  William Boone who apparently had a better understanding of his CVI than any other Implant. Though Ka'ri did not envy Da'an his difficult post and numerous assassination attempts, he did envy him the Implant. When Boone died Ka'ri felt true grief at the loss of such a gifted man, and for the loss Da'an so obviously felt. And now, looking at his Implant, he couldn't help but compare Major Wilner to Commander Boone_.and find his Implant woefully inept.

If not for the CVI Ka'ri would have said his Implant had no instinct. That could be fatal. Indeed, the Companion had been watching the Major for nearly ten minutes and the Implant gave *no indication that he knew someone was there.

Ka'ri suppressed a sigh and turned back to the audience chamber. As he walked he considered again the possibility of requesting a second Implant.

Five minutes later Sean Wilner focused his eyes and came out of his memory intrusion. He glanced at the doorway and could see the hall beyond the glass doors, standing up he turned and looked out the great virtual glass window of his office. Rolling his head around his neck he performed a few exercises to relax tense muscles as he wondered how long he's been lost in his memory. Finally clearing his mind, he shook his head and moved down the hall in search of food and coffee.
 
 

Date: 17*02*99
Author: Carrie Poettcker, Krystina Stressman
Place: Taelon embassy, Ottawa Canada
Time: Present
Subject: An Invitation

"_and so, I think we could gain quite an advantage by putting on this ball. Not only will it generate good public opinion but it will draw out those you are wishing to capture."

"An excellent idea Mr. Mitchell. You will implement the proceedings at once. My Implant will be available to assist you though he is not in his office at the moment, you will have to use your global to contact him. Please brief him fully on the plan."

Jason Mitchell left the audience chamber of the Companion to Canada his mind whirling with plans and ideas, though a part of him wondered why he had been placed in charge and not the Implant. He opened his global and dialed in the Major's number. The global chirruped once, twice_he waited five chirrups before slamming the device shut, a grimace on his face. Schooling his features he opened the global again, this time it chirruped once before Ka'ris face filled the screen.

"Major Wilner does not seem to be available_he hasn't answered his global."

Ka'ri said nothing, but the hard look in his eyes told Jason everything he needed to know.

"I'll get started on the preparations and keep trying to contact Major Wilner. I will keep you posted" He closed the global and checked his watch. "Hmmm_think I'll have lunch before I get started."

The Companion to Canada was more than angry, he was furious, embarrassed and dangerously disappointed. The behaviour of his Implant was unacceptable and a threat to his safety as a Taelon. But before he could address the issue with the Synod, he needed to know exactly what was wrong with the Implant. If it was a problem with the CVI it could be fixed...if not, Ka'ri had no desire to be protected by a fool. As the Taelon reflected on the position he found himself in, the data stream gave a chirrup. He lifted his hand and gracefully waved the stream into existence. Jason Mitchell spoke out with enthusiasm.

"Ka'ri, the plans are going well. I have booked the Ritz ballroom, and have the invitations ordered. You might want to think about adding extra security though, it'll be quite a crowd. Oh, and I've arranged a press conference later on this evening."

"I am grateful for your hard work Mr. Mitchell. I will take your suggestion into consideration. Please join me at the press conference. Your presence will be of great benefit." Ka'ri swept the stream away and immediately called up another. The figure of a Taelon shimmered in the beam.

"Ka'ri. I am pleased to hear from you. I trust everything in Canada is moving according to plans?"

"Yes Na'ar, though there is a matter I wish to discuss with you at a later date. However, I must first request your aid. We have been searching for the organization PETH for quite some time, and believe we have a solution to end that problem. I will be hosting a charity ball for homeless humans, in order to generate awareness and raise funds to aid these unfortunate beings. I believe that the leaders of PETH will be drawn to the ball, given that a Taelon will be prominent at its location. I have need of extra security and would ask that you consider sending someone to aid in this endeavor."

Na'ar thought for a moment before answering. "Perhaps I know of someone . . .She could be of great use in locating the individuals in this group."

"Her name is Tara Carmichael. She is the Head of Security to Zo'or."

"You have faith in her abilities as a protector?"

"Very much so . . . she is . . . unique among her kind. And she has served the Companions well . . . From Ta'al to Zo'or . . ."

Ka'ri tilted his head to one side. "To have served both Ta'al and Zo'or is an achievement I admire. Very well. If you are willing to lend her aid I will be most pleased to act as her escort. I wish her to be my chief protector for this mission and report to me directly"

"A wise decision."

Ka'ri nodded slowly. "I am grateful for your aid" He waved the stream away and again, called up another one. This time the head of the Taelon Synod appeared in the stream.

"What reason do you have to interrupt me? It had better be important Ka'ri"

"I believe I have found a way to entrap the leaders of PETH. I have need of Implants to assist. "

"What is your solution to this problem?"

Ka'ri quickly explained the idea to Zo'or, as a dawning look of pure malevolence crossed over Zo'ors features. When Ka'ri had finished speaking the Taelon leader almost laughed.

"A brilliant plan. I will send you my Implants to assist you. You have met Agent Sandoval, he will be an asset to you in this mission. Commander Tara Carmichael holds the position as my head of security, she is fully competent to act as security chief for your ball. "

"I thank you for your generosity Zo'or. The ball is scheduled to take place in one week. I will expect your Implants the day before."

"The Synod has high hopes for this mission. Should you prove successful it will be a be a gratifying victory for the Companions." Zo'or ended the conversation by abruptly cutting off the data stream.

Ka'ri remained silent in his seat, his thoughts focused on his Implant, and the new enigma in his life, one Jason Mitchell. Ka'ri was not certain what to think about the Implant who acted like a creature unworthy of a CVI and an ordinary man who thought as though he had one.

"I am anxious to see how this plays out_" Ka'ri spoke to the air, so much rested on the upcoming ball that it unsettled the Taelon. He finally sunk back in his chair, and energy field swallowing him into its embrace.
 
 
 
 

Author: Grant Van Eaton
Date: 1.19.99
Time: After Ka'ri's talk with Na'ar and Zo'or
Place: Taelon Embassy - Washington D.C.
Subject:  Have a ball!

        As Paul was sifting through the Bombay files, his video phone bleeped.  He waved open a datastream, to tired to hit the accept button, and saw the face of Agent Kathy Morgan on the other end.

        "Ambassador?  You awake?"  Kathy said.

        "I might be,"  Paul said with a grin.  "How can I help you Agent?"  Paul replied.

        "Well, I have been told to inform you that Na'ar, the Companion of the UK is holding a ball.  His purpose being to lure the head Agent of PETH, who is the suspected bomber of Bombay, with the help of your homeland's Companion, Ka'ri, to this ball.  He is requesting an Ambassador from each country, and you are the lucky one."  Kathy said, with a hint of sarcasm.

        "Are you at the liberty to say *why* he thinks this person is going to attend?"

        "Your guess is as good as mine, Ambassador."

        "Okay, give me the location and time, and I'll be there.  Anything else I need to know?"

        "I'll forward you everything you need to do."

        "Thanks.  Until then,"  Paul said and closed the connection.  ~Weird~ is the only word he could use to describe it.
 
 

Date: 21 February, 1999
Author: Geoff Potter
Place: Washington D.C. Coroner's Office
Time: Present
Subject: Dirty Work
 

        History had not recorded the name of the man who said, "It's a dirty job, but somebody has to do it." Postmortem examinations had never been an in issue on the battlefield, at least in most cases, because it was clear enough what had killed the soldier in question. The task, it seemed to James Cutter, was akin to dissecting a frog.

        The body of Dr. Walter Van Eato had been moved to the Coroner's Office on Jefferson Avenue for security concerns at Comtech. Sandoval still had Companion Security swarming over the place, searching for clues not only to the death of Van Eato, but the death of Matinence Engineer Hal Lundstrom.

        Yea, I really need to see another autopsy, he thought.

        Dr. Abrams, the District Coroner, began his work. "Time is 9:15 PM, February 21, 2005. Subject is the former Doctor Walter Van Eato, Companion Specialist. Subject weighs 175 lbs., and is approximately five feet, ten inches." Click.

        "I've drawn a blood and tissue sample to be sent to the labs for a toxicology screening. No intoxicants are expected to be found in the blood stream.

        Cutter nodded to himself, and said nothing as Abrams continued.

        "I will begin with a Y-formation laser incision, from the collarbone, down the sternum, stopping at mid-hip." Click.

        The soft whir of the laser scalpel rang through the room as all manner of monitors stood watch over a dead man. He reflected on the motives for such a murder. No doubt, the organization--and it was an organization, he was sure of it--that was responsible for the blasts was responsible for the murders of Van Eato and Lundstrom. But the bombings themselves had made a political statement in their own right.

        It was therefore without logic to commit a political murder as well. Lundstrom was coincidental, for his access card had been used to gain access to the facility. Van Eato, of course, was the real target. Perhaps the intent was to show that the organization responsible could kill members of the Taelon's inner circle of human associates at will--but that would mean more would have died.

        The only reasonable assumption, then, was that Van Eato knew something. Most likely about the bombers, though Cutter could not discount a Taelon connection--Companion Implants had long histories of involvement in black ops, before and after implantation--the Implant to the Chinese Companion, for example, had ties to Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge.

        He left his reverie as Abrams began the more gruesome part of the autopsy. His concerns would be addressed later, he had no doubt of it.
 

TWO HOURS LATER, OUTSIDE THE AUTOPSY BAY.

        Sleep came easily after reviewing security datalogs at Comtech through the night. Cutter chastised himself for giving into the temptation for sleep, but it would serve him well in the end, he told himself. He awoke as Abrams left the autopsy bay, holding a chart.

        "General Cutter?", he spoke.

        "What'd you find, Doctor?", came the reply

        Abrams looked over the chart for a few seconds before responding. "There was no physical damage to the body, but the tox screen did find approximately 100 mg of Pavulon in his bloodstream."

        Cutter only gave him a slightly dumbfounded look.

        "Pavulon is a very-powerful muscle relaxant and neuron suppresser. It's used in small doses, less than 5 mg in most cases, on patients with damage to their higher brain functions. Anything over 50 is fatal, causing rapid organ failure and neurological asphyxiation."

        Cutter perked up. "So he was murdered, then."

        Abrams nodded. "That seems obvious. I am afraid, however, this information gleans nothing else helpful. Pavulon is sold to medical facilities around the globe by companies like Pfizer, GlaxoWellcome, Doors International, and several others."

        Cutter nodded, a slightly discouraged look on his face. "Thank you, Doctor..please commence the autopsy on Mr. Lundstrom."

        Abrams walked away, and Cutter removed his Global, dialing the Embassy.

        "I need to set up an appointment with Da'an tomorrow morning..."
 
 

Date: February 25, 1999
Author: Krystina Stressman
Place: Taelon Embassy - Canada
Time: A week after "An Invitation"
Subject: Cinderella at the Ball, or a Wolf in Sheep's clothing

    The crowd was in full swing as the charity ball to help the homeless was entering it's third hour. Tara and Sandoval stood near Ka'ri and watched the people walking about and talking. There were tables filled with tempting treats and a bar was set up. Soft music played and there was even a band with an impromptu dance floor where a few couples had taken a twirl or two. Sandoval was dressed in a tux, since the affair was formal, and Tara was in an elegant, long, velvet black dress. Her hair was pulled up in a bun.
    Tara scanned the crowd for any signs of the two women she had been briefed on. She especially concerned about finding this Moira Calder . . . She had a sneaking suspicion that this woman was the actual brains behind the bombing, since kate Ashton seemed too much of a poor-little-rich-girl . . . Suddenly, though she didn't see Moira, she did see Ms. Ashton, the socialite.
    "I'm going to mix," she said to Sandoval and Ka'ri, before walking away.
    Sensing that she knew what she was doing, the Taelon restrained Sandoval from following. Hesitantly, he stayed by the Taelon's side.
    As Tara mingled through the crowd, she grabbed a glass of champagne from the tray of a passing waiter and continued around trying top blend in. When she saw her chance, she went up to Kate and took her hand in a friendly greeting.
    "Hello there, I'm Tara Carmichael . . ." she said.
    She made sure that Kate got a look at Chiron on her arm, so that there was no mistaking who she was. Instantly, it brought forth the response she wanted. She could feel Kate Ashton get tense though kept that perfect socialite smile plastered to her face. But her blue eyes did reveal her fear.
    "What can I do for you?" she asked.
    "Well, I was wondering if you were going to make a donation tonight . . ." she replied. "I was told that the Taelons will match any amount donated . . . Of course, I think that the money would be better spent as a bounty for the group responsible for the bombing in Bombay . . . I mean, so many people lost their lives . . . so many humans lost their lives . . ."
    Kate's eyes darted around the room nervously.
    "What do you think?" Tara asked.
    "I . . . uh . . . hmmmm . . . well, I suppose that wouldn't be a bad idea . . ." she replied stumbling over the words terribly.
    Then another image hit Tara - a small house where there were the plans for another bombing. That's where Moira was. Immediately, she knew where the house was.
    "So will you be making a donation?" Tara said.
    "Uh, YES! Of course!" Kate replied. "A very large one! Now, if you'll excuse me, I believe I'm being called . . ."
    As the woman swiftly scooted as far away from Tara as she could manage, Tara suppressed a smile. When it came to people who killed innocent lives for the sake of their cause, they deserved to squirm, if not much worse . . . Taking another sip of her champagne, she began heading back toward Ka'ri, but then, something else drew her attention. It was Ka'ri's Implant . . . Sean Wilner. He stood alone as if watching the crowd, but she knew that look all too well . . . His mind was very far away. She went up to him.
    "Major Wilner?" she said, "Major?"
    She touched his shoulder to try to rouse him, but couldn't. Instead, she felt intense emotions and images that could only be from a memory intrusion. As she pulled herself away from his memories he came out of the CVI memory himself and looked at her.
    "May I help you with something, Commander Carmichael?" he asked.
    "Are you all right?"
    "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
    Tara shook her head and sighed. "You didn't seem like you were a moment ago."
    "Perhaps you should mind your business . . ."
    Tara arched an eyebrow. "As you wish . . ." she replied and returned to Ka'ri and Sandoval.
    In that same moment, something drew Sandoval's attention and her took a few steps away to confer with one of the other security officers. Tara took this time to lean toward the Taelon.
    "I believe Na'ar has told you about me, correct?" she asked.
    Ka'ri bowed him head in affirmation.
    ~Then let us speak like this . . .~ Tara replied. ~I hope that this does not bother you, but I need to inform you of what I have learned. And if I speak of it out loud, there will be too many questions asked as to how I was able to obtain this information.~
    ~Go on . . .~
    ~I know where to mind the leader of PETH and she's already planning another bombing . . . But if we're going to stop her, we have to do it now .
. . ~
 

Date: 26*02*99
Author: Carrie Poettcker
Place: Taelon Embassy - Canada
Time: At the charity ball
Subject: Move it out!

It felt...odd. Like a tickling in his mind. He had never heard any other voice than Taelon in his mind before now, and this human voice was so different, soft and quiet. She spoke to him on a different level than the Commonality, to hide herself from them, but she was on his private level, something no Taelon had ever achieved. Ka'ri discovered that he liked the sensation.

~I know where to find the leader of PETH and she's already planning another bombing . . . But if we're going to stop her, we have to do it now . . . ~

~Show me where. I will find a way to 'discover' this information and share it with the Synod.~

Ka'ri mind was filled with the knowledge Tara had gained from Kate Ashton, the sharing was brief but exhaustive.

~Ka'ri, I have one more thing to tell you. You aren't going to enjoy hearing this, but you need to know. Your life may be in danger if you do not listen to me.~

~My life is always in danger, I am a Taelon on a world of humans. What is this new imformation you have?~

~It's about your Implant, Major Wilner. He...he..I'm not sure how to say this...he is addicted to the CVI memory intrusions...he has spent the entire evening reliving a memory...your security is at risk Ka'ri.~

~Thank you. I have long questioned the ineffectiveness of my Implant. I had not thought to attribute his CVI as a cause, I will take care of it as soon as we find Moira and eliminate her. Instruct Agent Sandoval to gather his men. We will move as soon as I inform the Synod.~

Tara Carmichael nodded, her eyes worried, she hurried to Sandovals side.

Ka'ri closed his eyes and made contact with the Synod. Explaining the situation to them, they were disbelieving.

~How could you discover such information at a dance? Who was your agent?~

~The woman, Kate Ashton, was approached by my agent, she let it slip that Moira was not attending the ball, and betrayed the womans location. Ms Ashton is surely not the leader, she is a simpleton who has been used as a cover. The real leader must be Moira Calder and we now know where to find her. We must send men to capture her and eliminate her.~

~Very well. You will head this operation. You will meet success and end the terrorism of PETH or you will lose your post and another will be sent to take your place.~

~I understand Zo'or.~

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

Ka'ri finished his conversation with the Synod, then reached to his private mind and spoke to Tara.

~The Synod does not know you are responsible for the information. You are safe.~

~Ka'ri..thank you.~

~You have saved me the trouble of a weak Implant, you I trust, Na'ar is lucky to have you at his side. Now, we must move.~

The Taelon slowly walked to Sandovals side. He bent down and whispered in his ear, the Implants eyes widened, then narrowed as he nodded his head and opened his global. A slight movement stirred around the room as agents began exiting. Ka'ri moved to the platform and spoke into the microphone.

"I thank you all for you appearance here this evening. It is gratifying to know that humankind is concerned for their own. The donations made this evening to shelter the homeless have totalled more than one million dollars. The Taelons will match this total and appoint a gaurdian to see the money used wisely." The room filled with the sound of applause. "I regeret I must depart, though I have enjoyed my time here tonight. Thank you"

Ka'ri, surrounded by guards, left the room.

Major Sean Wilner stood in a corner, oblivious and unhearing to everything going on around him.
***********************************

Outside the scene was organized choas, men in black stealth wear, Sandoval barking orders, SWAT units running across the parking lot. Numerous shuttles were being loaded with equipment, and Tara Carmichael stood with a group of men, staring down at a map spread on the pavement. Her finger pointed to a location inside the state, a farm apparently, as she quickly explained the terrain. The operation was soon ready to move out.

Ka'ri stood to one side, he noticed that his Implant was nowhere to be seen. Hesitating he turned to move back into the ballroom then recalled the words of Commander Carmichael. "Your life may be in danger..." Ka'ri shook his head, then climbed aboard a shuttle, leaving his inept Implant behind.

*********************************
 

Date: March 5, 1999
Authur: Krystina Stressman
Place: Canadian Countryside 80 miles away from the Canadian Taelon Embassy
Time: Just following "Move it out!"
Title: Don't Peth Off the Wrong Person . . .
 

    After Tara had completed the briefing  to the assault team, she readied herself for the trip to this farm so that she would be part of the striking team. She desperately wished that James was with her . . . He had far more experience in these matters than she did. But just as she was getting ready to head for her shuttle, Ron Sandoval grabbed her arm to stop her.
    "How is it that you knew where this place was?" he asked with suspicion.
    "Ka'ri told me," she replied, matter-of-factly, "Now, if you will kindly let go of my arm . . ."
    "He didn't tell you . . . I have been watching you closely and you just seem to know more about what's going on here than anyone else, and I want to know why."
    "Well, Agent Sandoval," she replied with cold, "How does it feel to want? I have told you how I got this information. If that's not good enough for you then so be it. I do not have to explain my actions to you. My job is to protect the Taelons and THAT is what I am doing."
    With that said, she yanked her arm free and continued to the shuttle and to the farm house where Moira Calder and her little plan was about to collapse.

    The shuttle ride look moments, and Ryan seemed worried, but he suppressed the feeling. The shuttle set down several miles away so as not to be noticed. Not long after the Swat teams arrived.
    "I'll go in first, like we've discussed . . ." Tara said.
    She could see Sandoval watching from a distance. That man was a thorn in her side, she thought.
    "I will go in with you," he said, approaching her.
    She sized him up and then nodded. "All right," she replied, "Let's do it!"

    The team reached the farm house and surrounded it, keeping to the shadows as much as they could. Tara went to a side door with Sandoval close beside her. She turned the nob to see if it was locked. It was, she then, leaned down to where there was a doggy door. Kneeling down, she reached through the door and up. She managed to work her fingers around the lock and open it. She pushed the door open and went inside followed by her partner.
    The interior of the house was dark. It was obvious that no one was up yet. The first room they had entered was the kitchen. It was a mess, with dirty bowls and plates in the sink and empty boxes of take-out food everywhere.
    As they went down the hall, a few of the other officers followed them inside. But as they approached the living room, they could see figures sleeping on the floor and on the distant wall was a map of Southern California where another large Taelon medical facility was circled in red. That was the next target . . . She cautiously made her way to the map and the table next to it where papers were piled. She began examining the papers as Sandoval joined her. The swat team had gone to check the other rooms, since non of these individuals in the living room fit Moira Calder's description.
    "Look at this," she said, handing a sheet of paper to Sandoval. It was a schematic for the bomb that was used in the Bombay Bombing and was the same type they were going to try to use again.
    Just then, something caught Sandoval's eye, but as he raised his skrill to deal with the threat, a shot rang off hitting Tara. She fell backwards into the wall with the force for it. Instantly, Sandoval's skrill released a fatal blast. The assailant was down. Instantly, the individuals in the room woke up stunned to find themselves surrounded by a swat team. As Cmdr. Drake checked the fallen person's vitals, he realized it was Moira Calder and she was dead. Sandoval, knelt next to Tara and examined her wound, and she took a deep breath fighting back the pain. The shot had gone right through her shoulder. Though it would heal fine, she was losing a lot of blood.
    "We have to get you to a doctor . . ." he said.
    For a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of admiration for her. It was odd. But just as quickly it was gone. Hearing the news that Moira was dead and that the others of her group were taken into custody, she felt better. Her mission was done. No more lives would be lost to PETH and their ridiculous ideas of how to help humans. After all, you didn't help humans by killing humans . . . she thought sadly as she allowed Sandoval to help her out of the house and toward her waiting Shuttle and Ryan.
 
 
 

Date: March, 99
Author: James LeMaire
Place: Resistance HQ
Time: 1900
Subject: Options

 Jonathan Doors swirled his bourbon and coke as he stared mutely at Augur's computer display, listening to the hacker genius as he explained his new security program.
 "So, what do you think, Jonathan?"
 "What?"
 Augur turned his gaze up to the man standing behind him and repeated, "So, what do you think?  Were you listening?"
 Doors fixed him with a cold glare as he replied, "Of course I was listening.  Implement it."  With that, he turned and stalked off, scowling at every member of the Resistance staff as they scurried about their duties.
 Augur stroked his goatee as he watched the movement's leader walk away.  "I wonder what's eating him," he mused.  He turned back to his keyboard with a shrug, the incident already forgotten.
 Doors wandered about the complex, checking with several key people, looking into reports from around the country and around the world.  Apparently satisfied, he kept with his usual routine and made his way to his quarters, the bourbon and coke only half gone after nearly an hour of sipping on it. He keyed open his door and made his way in, dumping the rest of the drink out into his sink and washing out the glass.
 He sat down in front of his console and keyed in a Global address.  Scant seconds later, the face of Capt. Lili Marquette appeared on the screen.
 "Marquette."
 "Lili, come to my quarters."
 "Sure, Jonathan."
 As an afterthought, and before she disconnected, he added, "Use the back entrance, Lili."
 She looked puzzled, but nodded.  "Ok, sure."
  Jonathan switched off his console and keyed on his intercom.  "Flores."
 "Flores, hold all transmissions to my quarters until further notice, emergencies excepted."
 "Understood, sir."
 "Send in Augur, too."
 "Right away, sir."
 He settled back into his chair and waited, his eyes closed and his hands resting lightly on the arms of his chair.  He heard the soft tones of his door and he opened his eyes to see the lithe form of Augur standing in the fish eye lens of the security camera.  He keyed the door release hidden in the chair arm and the door slid open, admitting the occupant of the hallway.
 "What's up, Jonathan?  Want to discuss the security program I'm going to sell you?"
 "No, I don't.  Sit tight, we're waiting for some one_"
 "No, you're not."
 Lili stepped into the room from the back, her dark hair swinging with the motion of her move into the room from concealment.  "What's this all about, Jonathan?  Why all the secrecy?"
 Doors motioned with a hand for her to have a seat.  Augur scooted back in his chair and smiled, motioning towards his lap with an inviting gesture.
 Lili's face screwed up into a mask of partially feigned disgust as she lightly punched him in the arm and pointedly sat on the sofa.  The far end of the sofa.
 Augur grimaced and frowned.
 "Are you two finished with your little ritual mating dance?"  Doors groused, his annoyance evident and ill concealed.  "If you are, please let me know so I can continue."
 "Sorry, Jonathan.  It seems that some adults have forgotten how to act like one."
 The look of hurt that Augur wore was nearly comical in it's severity. "Lili, I'm hurt.  How could you_"
 "Enough!"  Doors grated.  "I didn't call you hear to give you an opportunity to perform."  He turned to Lili and said, "What has our dear Commander Christian been doing?"
 Lili tilted her head down and at an angle, her eyes studying her hands and the inconsequential twistings her fingers were doing in her lap.  After a moments contemplation, she spoke.
 "He's pretty much the same, Jonathan.  He hasn't approached me for further discussion on that hit he did, and he hasn't talked to a pastor like I suggested to him.  In fact, he's been letting his subordinates and support agents do all of the work on this Bombay incident, only getting involved when he has to."
 Doors steepled his fingers and nodded.  "Go on."
 Lili looked pained and said, "That's it."
 Augur looked back and forth between Doors and Lili, an incredulous look splayed onto his features.  "Wait a minute, you have Lili watching Christian?  He's pure poison! Next to Sandoval, he's the agent I'd least want to meet in a dark alley!"  He stood and began to pace.  "And what's this about a hit?!"
 Doors pinned Augur with a glare and said, "Sit down, Augur."
 Augur sat.
 The Resistance leader rotated his chair back to Lili and queried, "What's your assessment of his actions?"
 Lili swallowed and continued.  "Jonathan, I'm not a clinical psych_"
 "Your opinion, then."
 "Alright, fine.  He seems introspective and is avoiding getting into things that could be a distraction.  I think he's caught up in thinking about our conversation but hasn't resolved himself to what he needs to do."
 "Continue."
 The Marine pilot inhaled deeply, then took the plunge.  "I think his MI isn't functional."
 Doors nodded.  "Alright.  This leads to two more questions.  Has it stopped working, or is it possible that he never had one?"
 Augur looked puzzled by this line of thought.  "Jonathan, he's not one of our people.  How could he not have one?"
 It was Doors turn to stand and pace.  "Come on, Augur.  Even I can see this.  Our experience has shown that when an MI breaks down, the resulting conflict causes the CVI to break down and this kills the host.  He's shown none of these signs.  Therefore, the possibility must be considered that he's never had one."
 Augur sat back with a smug grin on his face.
 "Precisely, Jonathan.  Then why has he been serving the Taelons, then?"
 Jonathan Doors turned to stare out the one way glass that looked out over the Resistance ready room.
 "Why indeed, Augur.  Why indeed."
 
 

Date: March 9, 1999
Author: Aen
Place: Liberation HQ
Time: Set Just Prior to Grace's transfer over to the UK
Title: Another Assignment for Grace

    Grace sighed as she entered the headquarters of the United States Liberation Movement. Upon hearing that Grace was being transferred over to the UK, Jonathan had requested an immediate meeting with her. Grace reluctantly agreed.
    She entered Jonathan's office to find Lili and Augur already sitting with Jonathan. Grace closed the door before taking a seat next to Augur on the couch.
    "What's this about, Jonathan?" she asked.
    "Lili just gave me the news of your transfer over to the Taelon UK embassy." Jonathan began. Grace sighed as she casted a glance in Lili's direction.
    "I wasn't planning on saying anything else until it was absolutely necessary, but since the cat's out of the bag. . . .Yes, I've been transferred over to the UK. Da'an is making the final arrangements now." Grace answered. She watched Augur out of the corner of her eye and saw the unhappy expression on his face. He was most likely hurt because she didn't tell him about her transfer, hurt because Grace consider him to be one of her closest friends and had told him so.
    "Good this will help with keeping Commander Christian under observation." Grace heard Doors say. She turned back to him.
    "What is that supposed to mean, Jonathan? You been watching him since when?" she asked.
    "Ever since I reported that he's acting like he doesn't have a MI." Lili said.
    "What makes you say that?" Grace asked.
    "Tell me something, Grace. Does an implant with a MI have a guilty conscience after he's killed two people in cold blood?" Lili asked.
    "No, not judging from what I have observed in the past from Sandoval. I haven't had the pleasure of talking with Commander Christian much. What makes you think that he has a guilty conscience about killing someone?" Grace asked.
    "Do you remember what happened to two of the three kidnappers of Doctors Schultz and Christian?" Lili asked. Grace nodded. "Well, Christian was the sniper that took them out." Lili finished.
    "Wait a second. How do you know this?" Grace asked.
    "Because he told me that himself. He's had a guilty conscience about it ever since because he killed them in cold blood. He was angry about his wife being kidnapped by them so he killed them."
    "Oh my. . . .He actually confided this to you? I am surprised."
    "Anyway, since he is being transferred over with that Taelon scientist to the UK, we need someone nearby him that can keep an eye on him." Jonathan said.
    "Why not contact Bennington and ask her to place one of her staff on watching him?" Grace asked. She noted just how much more sour the look on Jonathan's face became at the mention of Bennington's name.
    "I'd rather not ask her when one of our own people is over there." Jonathan replied.
    "Jonathan, while I am over there I had hopes of escaping certain issues from home, along with certain people. I have no intention of coming back to the States just to keep reporting to you." Grace said.
    "There would be no need for that. We just need someone to keep an eye on Christian to ensure that he doesn't endanger the Liberation movement." Doors replied.
    "And if he does? What then?"
    "You kill him."
 

    An hour later, the meeting ended after Grace and Jonathan had had a long and heated discussion. Grace followed Augur out and over to his console. Augur wouldn't look at her.
    "Augur, I'm sorry for not telling you. about my transfer." Grace said. "I've barely told anyone about this outside of my mother and grandfather."
    Augur sighed.
    "How long before you leave?" he asked, his voice soft.
    "I leave in about a week." Grace replied.
    Augur nodded and picked up a diskette and gave it to her.
    "What's this?"
    "It's the journal you wanted me to make. I'll send you the instructions later on how to use it. And there's no charge for my services. Just consider this a going away present." he said. Grace smiled and kissed him on the cheek.
    "Thank you, Augur, for being a friend when I needed one in those months I was searching for my husband." she said. Augur looked at her.
    "You be careful over there in the UK." he said.
    "I will. I promise. Listen, I need to go. I'll be back at least once more before I leave." she said and turned to leave.
    "Grace." Augur called. She stopped and faced him again. "Come to have dinner at my place this week before you leave." he said.
    Grace nodded and left. . . . .
 
 

US Taelon Division/UKITD
Date: Feb 20
Time: Present (US) Past (UKI)
Authors: Jen LeMaire, Esti, and Sithspit
Place: Unnamed island in the Pacific Ocean
Subject: Double Date

Liam's hands danced nervously over the controls of the shuttle. He didn't really understand the source of his agitation. It was not like he hadn't ever used the shuttle for personal reasons before; it was probably the fact that this would be his first date. A week or so ago, his friend, James Christian, had asked Liam if he would be willing to help out with a little favor. After all of the events of late, Commander Christian felt like he and his wife deserved a peaceful "night out" in some secluded place so that they might have some quiet time together.  Unfortunately, the recent events made him feel that he couldn't trust any of the shuttle pilots but Liam.  James didn't want to make Liam feel like a "third wheel" on this special night, and Jennifer had matters to discuss with her friend Rosemary, so it was decided that they would make the evening a double date.

The beeping of the alarm told Liam that they were about to come out of interdimensional. He turned back to his passengers and said, "Get ready guys." Liam's figiting and silence betrayed his nervousness at the thought of an evening alone with Rosemary. James smirked and said, "Liam...she won't bite. Maybe just nibble a little." Jennifer barely restrained her giggles at the thought of Dr. Rosemary Schultz biting a Companion Protector. Rosemary sat silent in the back of the shuttle and looked just as uncomfortable as Liam. ~When I said I'd love to go out with someone in Companion Security, Liam Kincaid was NOT the person I'd had in mind!~ She shook her head and wondered just how she had gotten into this...Jennifer had been acting very moody and untalkative since she'd returned from her assignment for Zo'or. ~Although,~ Rosemary thought, ~an assignment for Zo'or would probably make anyone act strange.~ Still, Jennifer had been unnaturally quiet. She had not been acting in her usual friendly manner. The invitation for a night out had come as quite a shock to Rosemary.

The shuttle sat down on the island they had picked. It was a small, uninhabited island in the South Pacific Ocean. The only thing on the island was about an acre of bushes and palm trees. The remainder of the island was taken up by a beach barely large enough to safely land their shuttle. The island had been carefully scanned and the Companion agents were satisfied that their evening would be completely unmonitored. A few of the things that
needed to be said tonight would require complete privacy. Since Jennifer and James were about to leave for the UK, this would be their last chance to talk privately for a long time. The men had managed to keep the location a complete secret.  No one even knew where they were, for the couples needed to have a completely uninterrupted evening.

The evening began well. The sound of laughter filled the air as the ladies sent the men to make sure there were no small life forms to contend with. When the men returned from their scouting, the ladies ran over to the bushes and changed into their swimsuits. The men had no such modesty. The two Companion Protectors stripped in front of the shuttle and changed into their suits directly under the nighttime sky. When the ladies came out, Liam could do nothing but stare for several long minutes. He had seen women scantily dressed at the Flat Planet Café, but this was the first time he had ever been face to face with a woman in a bikini. James snorted a laugh and said, "Come on, Liam! It's not as if you've never seen a lady in a swimsuit before... although, I will admit these ladies look especially hot tonight..."
With that, Jennifer playfully batted at James, the heaviness that had been shrouding her for the past few weeks temporarily forgotten. James, of course, instinctively blocked Jennifer's swat and deftly flipped her to the sand. She looked up into his shining eyes and grinned, "I really should remember not to try that if you aren't looking..." He planted a quick kiss on the end of her nose and helped her back up. Looking at the blanket that the men had set out, Jennifer jokingly chided, "You'd better be careful. You're about to have sand in all of the food!" The Companion Protector stared quietly at the woman he loved, and Rosemary could feel that something unspoken had passed between them.
Rosemary gazed at her two friends and smiled slightly. ~Maybe something's back to normal,~ she thought. She looked over at her date, wondering if they'd get along at all. She and security weren't always known to mix, and in particular Agent Sandoval continued to act annoyed at her from the time when that CVI virus was running amok. Of course, Liam Kincaid didn't seem to have Sandoval's biases about her, and he was quite a bit friendlier besides. He wasn't Agent Lassiter, but a person never knew who she could meet. The growling of her stomach brought Rosemary out of her musings, and she realized that in all the excitement, it had been quite a while since she had eaten.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An hour later, the incoming tide saw the two couples sit and watch the sun peacefully find its rest below the horizon. The deep red rays lit the deep and the ocean looked awash in liquid fire. As the warm breeze blew over beach, the world seemed consummately perfect. Everything outside of the island was forgotten for a short time.
Laughing and joking, everyone abandoned thoughts of responsibility and relished the time they had stolen for the evening. The Companion agents swam and played volleyball. Jennifer seemed a little more at peace with herself and joked around with everyone else. Liam splashed in the waves and yelled with delight as he tossed about in the surf. Unfortunately, as the night grew later the festivities began to die down. Jennifer's joy faded, and with the passing of each hour, she became more and more sullen.

After a while, it became obvious to everyone there that she had serious things on her mind. Jennifer and James walked into the surf and spent several minutes in deep conversation. James embraced his wife, and she wiped away tears before walking back towards the beach. James followed her in and looked around for the other couple. Once he found them, he went over to where they were sitting watching the stars. "Liam," he said. "I've been
meaning to ask you something about the shuttle ID drive. Could you come show me how the controls work?". A brief look of confusion passed across Liam's face, as he sought the hidden reason for the request. He realized that there must be method to the madness, and so he excused himself from his date and followed his friend to the shuttle.
Jennifer watched the men walk away with dread. She forced herself to go over Rosemary, but found herself with a loss for words. Rosemary looked up at her friend and wondered if this had something to do with what had been troubling her recently. She smiled at Jennifer and motioned for her to sit down.
Jennifer took a deep breath as she found her seat and slowly began to speak, " Uh, Rosemary, there's something I've been wanting to discuss with you. It's really been on my mind lately."
"I can tell that something has been really bothering you. What is it?"
Jennifer stared hard at the sand between her feet. "Do you know anything about what I was sent on assignment for?"
Dr. Schultz considered the question for a moment before replying, "I don't seem to remember what it was. Other than it was something for Zo'or..."
The other doctor looked up at the stars and sighed deeply. Finally she found her courage and confessed, "I need to tell you something...something serious. But by telling you, I'm putting us both at risk_"
Rosemary blinked in confusion. "It would have to be something really heavy, for you to be this worried."
Dr. Christian nodded her head. In a cracking whisper she replied, "I've been a part of some things I'm not proud of, Rosemary."
Dr. Schultz reached out and put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "We all have, Jen. But, I guess that you're thinking of something that's a little more serious than the usual?"
Jennifer nodded again. "This assignment for Zo'or...it...it opened my eyes to some things."
Rosemary drew a small breath before speaking. "Oh, dear. Like what?" Dr. Christian looked away. Staring at the crashing waves, she continued the confession. "I'm risking both our lives by telling you this, but after everything that we've been through, I can't hide what I know anymore."
Dr. Schultz nodded and thought back to through the time she and Jennifer had spent together. She remembered all of the long days that they spent in isolation locked together when they had been kidnapped. Jennifer broke Rosemary's train of thought by asking, "What do you know about the fixed link travel system?"
Rosemary shook her head and blinked. Finally, she answered, "Well, I know it's a fast way to get places. I've taken it twice, well, at least the Los Angeles to New York portal."
She was completely taken by surprise when her companion began crying softly.
"Oh Rosemary," the other doctor said. "If I had only known...."
Rosemary was confused, "Known what?"
Jennifer took a deep breath and whispered, "If Zo'or ever finds out I told you, we could both end up dead..."
Dr. Schultz muttered, "Oh, good, I'll just add him to the collection of other Taelons who want my head_"
Jennifer looked up into her friend's eyes, suddenly clear-eyed. "Rosemary, not all Taelons are like Zo'or. There are some that are on our side_
Rosemary sighed, "I know. There are some that I trust... like Ra'el." She was grateful for the unexpected change of mood. "If I truly thought that all Taelons were awful, I'd join the Liberation. You don't see me doing that, do you?"
The darkness fell back over Jennifer then. She looked down at the sand and muttered, "After what I'm about to tell you, you just might..." Several long moments passed before the doctor found the courage to continue. She studied her friend's eyes and finally whispered, "There is another way_"
Rosemary could tell that her friend was having trouble admitting whatever secret she was hiding. Her frustrated curiosity got the better of her.
"Jen," she said. "What's so blasted awful that it has you talking like this?This has got to be something bad to have you this upset."
Jennifer took a deep breath and steeled herself. She locked eyes with her friend and said, "Rosemary, Zo'or sent me to Antarctica to follow up on a project he was head of recently. It was a project involving the portals."
Dr. Schultz cocked her head, "The portals? What do you and Antarctica have to do with the portals?"
Jennifer sighed. "Rosemary, Zo'or was using the portals as a way to get guinea pigs for a pet project of his. It took Da'an several months to stop him."
Still not understanding, Dr. Schultz asked, "So, you were a part of this? Was I?"
Jennifer dropped her head in shame. "I knew about certain parts of this experiment...but I didn't know the full scope until I went to Antarctica..."
"And???" Rosemary asked in a moment of impatience. "What's this all about, Jennifer?"
Dr. Christian finally admitted, "I discovered that you were one of the guinea pigs..."
Rosemary didn't know what to say. A breathless "Oh..." escaped her lips. It took several seconds for her to gather the courage for her next question. "What happened to me that I don't know about?"
Jennifer sighed with weary resignation. "One of the things that they were doing was implanting people with partial CVI's..."
Rosemary blurted out, "And the other? What happened to me???"
Dr. Christian turned to study the waves for a few seconds before she answered, Seeing her silence, Rosemary whispered, "I'm not going to like this_"
Jennifer turned to face her friend. "The other thing they were doing was implanting women with hybrid human-Taelon babies."
Dr. Schultz cried out, "I'm a mother??"
Jennifer couldn't help but smile at Rosemary's conclusion. "No, my friend, I didn't find your name in those files." Temporary relief flooded the other woman's face. Jennifer turned her gaze back out to the ocean. "You're not a mother, but you have been implanted with a partial CVI."
Dr. Christian's friend stared on in shocked silence for a minute. A range of emotion began to play across her face. She looked at her friend with fading hope. "Oh, my... no. You're not joking... Are you sure??? Could there be another Rosemary Schultz?"
Jennifer shook her head sadly. "Part of my assignment in Antarctica was doing follow up on subjects from the Portal Project. I found your name when I was reviewing the list of physicians who had been implanted."
Rosemary stared at Jennifer, not able to absorb what she had just been told. "I have a CVI... partial?... in my head? It must not be active..." she mumbled.
Jennifer continued her explanation. "It is only active in your subconscious--for now. We really need to discuss your options_"
Rosemary could no longer contain the tears. "Uh, just a moment, I need a moment...."
"I understand." Jennifer silently watched her friend get up and run off into the bushes sobbing. The tears on her face mirrored those of her friend.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The men looked up at the sound of the crying, and concern was evident on both of their faces. Liam couldn't feel Rosemary's thoughts, but he could plainly see how upset she was. A burning desire to be with her--to somehow help her overcome the pain coursed through him, and he took off after her.
He found his date curled up under a large group of bushes crying heavily. When he reached out to touch her shoulder, she slapped his hand away. Not knowing what else to do, he asked, "Do you want to talk?"
Rosemary sniffed back her tears. "Not really..."
Liam looked uncomfortable, "Is it something I've done?" he asked.
Rosemary shook her head, "Oh! No...it's not you. I just discovered that there's just something I was very stupid about..."
"I don't understand..." Liam said.
"I've been way too trusting, that's all. Nothing for you to worry about, really. It really doesn't involve you," she said, "Unless you're a Taelon in disguise..."
Liam's face crinkled up in obvious confusion. "Trusting? Taelons?" he stated. "What's happened?? Have they done something to you?"
Rosemary stared at Liam for a moment, trying to decide if he was trustworthy. Finally she spoke. "It's really okay, Liam. I'm just upset. You could say that I'm having a little problem with a rotten Taelon in the barrel..."
Before she could finish, Liam blurted, "Zo'or, I take it?" Just mentioning Zo'or's name lit an angry fire in the man's eyes. His expression painted an explicit picture of his feelings for the Taelon.
Liam's outburst helped Rosemary to make her decision. "I trust, that since you don't have a CVI, you won't repeat any information?" A new thought occurred to her. "Why don't you have a CVI, by the way? I thought it was a requirement of your job_"
"What? Are you kidding??? Let them implant me with a CVI and become a Taelon puppet like Sandoval? I believe in thinking for myself."
His vehement answer surprised Rosemary. She shook her head and sighed, "I'd normally be lecturing you about security issues, but I don't feel like doing so right now." She paused for a moment and looked deep into the man's eyes.
"Liam, why are you working as a Companion Protector if you feel that way?"
Liam's face broke into a broad grin when considered his answer. A touch of pride and affection colored his response. "I serve Da'an because he is *worth* protecting."
Rosemary thought about Liam's answer, and shook her head. "It's like I said then, Zo'or is one rotten Taelon in the barrel." The weight of her dilemma found her again and tears began to fall anew. "Do you really want to know what happened to me?"
Liam looked tenderly at her and lay his hand on her arm. "I want to help if I can."
Rosemary tapped the side of her head, a mixture of anger and fear on her face. "I have a partial CVI, Liam." she said. "I didn't ask for it--all I did was travel through the portals....thank heavens it's not completely active_"
Anger flared as he comprehended her words. "They did that to you?!?"
Rosemary nodded. "They did. It was one of those hidden programs the Resistance is always talking about but I discounted because I thought they
were all full of hot air, especially Doors...now I know the truth_"
Liam reached out and pulled Rosemary into a hug. He searched for the words to say and found none. At last he stammered, "I'm_so sorry for all they've done to you. Is there anything you can do? Do you have any options?"
Rosemary sniffled, "I don't know yet," and the tears began to flow again.
Liam looked deeply into her eyes and wished that there was something he could do to ease her pain. The wind blew a stray lock of hair into Rosemary's face, and Liam gently reached up to brush it away with his hand. As he did so, a small jolt of blue energy jumped from his fingers into Rosemary's head.
He looked at his hand in shock. ~What was THAT???~ But Rosemary didn't seem to notice. Her crying had stopped and she suddenly melted into his embrace. She turned her face into his chest and breathed deeply, savoring his scent.
Liam was confused at the sudden change in his date. He didn't know what to do next.
 
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back at the shuttle, James was holding Jennifer tightly. Her crying had slowly died down, but he could feel the weight of her guilt pressing heavily on her soul. ~Try to take comfort in the ones you were able to help. The ones who are now free because of your efforts...~ Their mental communication was interrupted by a loud ~What was THAT???~
Jennifer jerked and looked up at James. Her questioning stare mirrored his own. "Uh-oh" they said in unison. ~Was that Liam???~ Jennifer asked.. The couple stared at one another in shock, their confusion compounded by the sudden flow of images now issuing from their friend. The abrupt realization hit them both at the same time Tentatively James probed ~Liam?~ The implant could feel his inquiry being lost amongst the maelstrom of hormones flowing through the other man.
~Liam!~ James sent more forcefully, trying to sharply intrude and prevent the imminent event.
~Wha--?~ the younger man thought.
Out loud, James called, "Liam, could I speak with you for a minute?"
~No--not now!~ Liam snapped.
~YES NOW!~ Commander Christian insisted.
Liam shouted out loud, "What?!"
James stood and moved over to the shuttle and shouted back, "We have a potential security breach we need to discuss."
Jennifer turned and looked at him quizzically, "A security breach?"
He looked at her with a grin and answered, "Yeah, Rosemary's in particular."
Jen's mouth dropped open and she flushed scarlet and began to laugh. "Yes, I suppose that is a rather important breach of *security* to prevent."
Liam appeared from out of the bushes, looking very put out and uncomfortable. He trotted over to the shuttle and growled, "This had better be good."
James looked him dead in the eyes and then bodily threw him into the water.
Liam shot up out of the surf, sputtering and cursing in languages that James had never even heard of, and then charged up after James. He threw a hard punch to James' face, and James deftly moved his hand up and caught the fist in mid-swing. "Liam, stop." Somehow, the quietly spoken words cut through his haze and he stood there, gasping for breath and listening. "Liam, what was going on back there shouldn't happen. Cool off."
"Why not?" he retorted. Though he didn't want to do so, he had to admit to himself that he probably knew the answer to his own question.
"Because she's very vulnerable right now and she may regret later what she would've done now. Whether or not it was intended, that would be taking advantage of her. I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't want that."
Liam slumped to his knees, then moved to a seated position, knees pulled up and arms wrapped around them. "You're right. Blast it, you're right." He looked over to where Rosemary had stumbled out of the bushes and had walked back over to Jennifer. "But what do I do?"
James smiled and offered his hand. As Liam took it and smoothly rose to a standing position, James answered, "Win her heart, Liam. First and foremost, win her heart. Nothing else matters until you do." He lightly punched Liam in the shoulder. "C'mon!" he said. "Race you around the island!"
Immediately, he turned and began to run. Liam followed close behind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

The gentle crashing of the waves along the shore brought peace to the two troubled women who sat barefoot in the surf. After many long minutes of silence and reflection, Rosemary found her voice. She stared at the whitecaps in the distance and shook her head. "I can't believe that I almost did that. I really, *really* can't believe that I almost did that_"
Jennifer reached up and put a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. She somehow managed to stifle the impish grin that threatened to erupt. "You've been through quite a lot recently_and tonight. It's really understandable. You know, it is a normal reaction for a woman to seek release in a man_"
Rosemary blushed brightly at the comment, and Jennifer thought it best to change the subject. "We can discuss your options now, if you're ready." She ventured.
With a sigh of resignation , Rosemary replied, "I guess it's better than talking about what I almost did to poor Major Kincaid_but not by much."
Jennifer couldn't restrain her giggle. "I doubt that he was complaining, Rosemary."
The other woman blushed even brighter than before. "I'm not even married to him!" She exclaimed. After a few deliberate breaths, she overcame her embarrassment and continued, "Ok, so what are my options--or do I even want to know?"
Jennifer raised her head so that she could feel the ocean spray. She couldn't look at her friend. "Well, your first option is to continue as-is, and I have absolutely no idea what it would take to turn this CVI into a fully-functional one. You would be sitting on a time bomb."
Rosemary took a moment to digest the information and then said, "Okay. Second option?"
The other doctor turned very deliberately and looked her friend in the eye. "Your second option would be to join with a group of humans and Taelons who are banding together to do whatever it takes to stop Zo'or's agenda on Earth."
A fire lit Rosemary's eyes at the mention of the Synod Leader's agenda. "Considering how... uncharitably... I feel towards Zo'or right now, I think that sounds like an excellent idea. If this can somehow stop Zo'or from doing to others what he did to me, it'll be worth it." After a brief moment, "Of course, that still doesn't say how I can keep from becoming a recipient of a complete CVI_"
Jennifer looked up at the sky and then down at the sand. For a long time, she said nothing. Turning to her friend she said, "I want you to know that I'm putting my life in your hands here." She took a deep breath and stared intently at woman beside her. Very quietly, Jennifer spoke. "Ra'el and I have developed a CVI that does not have a motivational imperative... Rosemary blinked and sat openmouthed. She blinked again and whispered, "It's
been tested?!?"
Jennifer flashed a wicked grin. "Rosemary, you don't think I'd implant my husband with a functioning MI, now do you?"
A slightly embarrassed Rosemary blushed and replied, "Oh, no...Duh." Then the light of realization gleamed in her eyes. "This is great! Nobody could attack the implants the way they did before..." She looked back at her friend who was watching her with amusement. "I presume you have it tested on...others?" She asked. "You don't have to tell me who they are...if they even exist..."
Jennifer got a far-away look in her eyes and murmured, "There are others..."
She shook her head, as if clearing away thoughts. "Ra'el has included a masking element so that even a full scan cannot detect the lack of the MI..."
Rosemary nodded. "Sensible."
Jennifer gazed at her friend. "If you are interested, this is what we can do. Ra'el will submit a request for your help on a top-secret assignment. The security of the project should require that you become fully implanted. Ra'el would then see to it that you received *his* version instead of Zo'or's." She dropped her head as shame rose fresh in her heart. In a whisper, Jennifer finished, "It would ensure that you would never have a Motivational Imperative_"
Rosemary spoke softly to her friend. "I think I would like that. Very much. I have lost any desire to have my loyalty forced to the Taelons."
Jennifer met her friend's eyes once more. "The Taelons who wish to *earn* your trust will welcome you into our group..." With a small laugh she said, "You would be surprised to find out just how many support us...."
The other doctor grinned. "Is Zo'or annoying that many of his fellow Taelons?"
Jennifer laughed out loud. "You have NO idea." She said.
Rosemary gave a slight smile. "This would also solve certain problems."
"Problems?" her friend asked.
"Let me put it this way... there was certain stuff that I was researching that probably wasn't on the approved list, and I'm afraid that Companion Security found it while we were kidnapped."
"Hmm_" Jennifer said. "I'm pretty sure that Ra'el can cover things for you. He works really hard to protect his own. What exactly *were* you researching?"
It was Rosemary's turn to laugh. "I was researching a way to prevent the CVI virus problem that cropped up. I came to the conclusion that we had to remove the MI..."
Jennifer giggled and shook her head. "Welcome to Ra'el's research team!!!"
Rosemary grinned wider. "Thanks."
Jennifer looked around behind her. "Hm. I think that James and Liam have finished their talk. Feel up to joining them over by the shuttle?"
Rosemary answered her friend by getting up and helping Jennifer to her feet.
"I think we've had quite a night tonight. Some date this turned out to be."
She said laughing. "Race you back to the shuttle!"

~~~~END~~~~~

Afterlog:
Two weeks later, Commander Christian and his wife flew to the United Kingdom to begin working on the newest Taelon medical facility.  Once completed, the Beckett Institute would be the hub of all Companion medical research and development.
Doctor Schultz remained in the United States and worked as Ra'el's assistant during the four months that Doctor Christian was preparing plans for the Beckett Institute.  She was implanted with Ra'el's CVI and has been working with the Ta'az ever since.
 

Date: March 16, 1999
Author: Aen
Place: Augur's Home
Time: A Few Days After "Another Assignment for Grace"
Title: Dinner For Two
NRPG: Okay I know that I made my last official post
to the USTD for awhile a few days ago. But I had a
few lose stings to take care of so I decided to go ahead
and do so. Please enjoy this post. . .
 
 

     A wonderful aroma hit Grace's nostrils as she entered Augur's home. She paused in the doorway to watch Augur for a moment unobserved. To her surprise he was wearing an apron that said "Kiss the Cook" (which didn't surprise Grace) and it was the most horrible combinations of colors that Grace had ever seen for an apron yet. After another second of watching him she went back out the door and reentered into the room, this time clearing her throat to draw his attention to her.
    "Grace, I wasn't expecting you until 7 o'clock." he said. Grace shrugged.
    "Well thank Da'an for my early arrival. I finished running the errands that he wanted me run so he let me off early tonight." Grace explained.
    "Well if you'll have a seat at the table I'll bring you a cold drink and something to snack on while I finish up dinner." he said.
    Grace sat down, noting how the table was set. Nothing that would even suggest that he was going to try and make a move on her. Well she did have a skrill after all. . . . It was either that or Augur really did respect her feelings enough not to try anything. He knew that she was still grieving over the loss of her husband. . .
    "Here we are." he brought over what appeared to be a chilled  bottle of champagne. Just when Grace was about to remind him that she couldn't drink alcohol due to her pregnancy Augur spoke up.
    "It's sparkling white grape juice. Don't worry I did remember that you're expecting a baby." he said as he popped the cork. Grace smiled.
    "I should have known that you'd remember." she said as he poured her a glass. He then brought over a tray of crackers and cheese. Grace watched him go back to the food he was preparing. . . .
    "Augur, what are you cooking in there? It smells absolutely wonderful!" Grace said.
    "Ah, mon ami, you will just have to wait and see." Augur replied.
    "That's right! Torture me!" Grace called out over dramatically causing Augur to laugh. She smiled as she continued to nibble on the crackers and as she watched him. Twenty or so more minutes passed as Augur finished what he was doing, and he kept the conversation going. Finally he rolled over a serving cart with several covered dishes on it.
    "Dinner is served." he said.
    "Great! I'm starved!" Grace said. She watched as he uncovered one dish that contained a delicious looking Caesar salad.
    "Oh, I love Caesar salad." she said.
    "Wait until you see taste the main course." he said.
    After serving her a salad and himself one he sat down across from her and waited as she took the first bite of the salad.
    "The salad is wonderful." she said. She watched Augur and wondered what other hidden talents the cyber genius had hidden. The Caesar Salad was accompanied by steaks cooked just right, cooked carrots in a savory sauce, and potatoes that were stuffed with sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese and bits of ham. Augur also had rolls that were hot and fresh from the oven.
    Their conversation was kept light and friendly, discussing what had happened in the day for each of them. Grace's day had been busy but it had been one of her easier days as she had managed to avoid seeing Zo'or for the entire day. . . .
    Grace thought about some how graciously passing up on dessert but when Augur brought it out she had to have some.
    "Chocolate mousse pie and I see that it's in a candy bowl as well. Did you make that or did you buy it somewhere?" Grace couldn't resist asking. Augur smiled.
    "Now I'll admit to cheating on this dessert. I could have made dessert but it wouldn't have been as wonderful as this mousse is. Go ahead and try it please."
he said. Grace spooned up some of the dessert, placed it in her mouth, and closed her eyes.
    "This is wonderful. Quite dreamy. Where on Earth did you get this?" she asked. "Don't tell me from the Flat Planet because I know for a fact that you don't have it on the menu." she said.
    "No, I didn't but there is this little restaurant down the street from the Flat Planet that sales this as a whole pie or in individual slices." he answered. Grace took a few more bites.
    "Augur, tell me something. How did you know that I liked my steak medium well done without asking?" Grace asked.
    "Kwai Ling." he replied, pushing aside what remained of his own mousse and sitting back. He sipped slowly on the coffee that he had elected to serve with the mousse.
    "Hmmm, have I ordered steak there that many times?" Grace asked.
    "Apparently so. She even told me what you like with your steaks." he replied.
    "Thus the carrots, potato, and Caesar salad. Augur, you are a wonderful cook. It's a shame that you don't come off cyberspace more often and cook." Grace finished her own dessert and sat back as well. "That dinner was wonderful. Thank you so much." she said. Augur shrugged.
    "It was the least I could do." he said.
    There was a few moments of silence. . . .
    "So when do you leave for the UK?" he asked her finally.
    "I'll be leaving next Monday. I am starting to have second thoughts about this entire transfer but I do need the time away from here. Augur, I am almost weary of the entire situation with the Taelons and Doors. I suppose if I hadn't wanted to find Arthur so badly I would have just stayed with the FBI and wouldn't have gotten involved in this." Grace said,
feeling tears in her eyes.
    "You have had your unfair share of trouble. Would you have really not joined the movement if you hadn't been searching for your husband?" Augur asked.
    "I think so. But now I know I would have missed out on some extraordinary friendships. Some of my closest friends are in the Resistance. There's Lili, you, Dr. Belman, and Ken. I never would have had the privilege of knowing Will, Sahjit, or Rayna if I hadn't joined up." Grace sighed. "I miss their friendships so much."
    "I miss them too." Augur admitted, surprising Grace.
    "I'm sorry I didn't mean to start talking about this." she said, wiping her eyes. Augur reached across the table and took her hand.
    "Listen, it's okay. You obviously need to talk about this." he said.
    "Augur, I have got to admit that you've turned out to be one of the most unexpected and close friendships that I have made since joining the Liberation." Grace said.
    "What was your first impressions of me?" Augur asked. "And be brutally honest with me." Grace smiled for second.
    "I thought at our first meeting that you were: arrogant, self centered, self serving, conceited, overconfident in your abilities. . . Let's see what else. . . ." Grace paused. Augur cringed at each of her assessments.
    "But since then you've learned that those things are not entirely true. . ." Augur said.
    "No, I've learned that everyone of them is so true." Grace said deadpan. After a moment she smiled and they laughed. "Really, Augur, you are one of the dearest people I think I have ever known. When I was staying here at night for that 7 month period, I learned about what you are like at heart and I liked what I saw there." Grace said.
    At that moment, a clock chimed 9 PM. . . . Grace took one more sip of her coffee and stood up.
    "I need to be going. I have a few things that I need to do tonight at home and I have an early day at the office tomorrow." she said as Augur stood as well.
    "All right. I hate to see you leave so soon but I understand." he said.
    "Thank you so much for the wonderful dinner."
    "It was completely my pleasure, Grace."
    Augur walked her to the door. Grace gave him a peek on the cheek and left. Augur went back to his monitors and watched her leave the warehouse. . . .
 

Date: March 23
Author: Esti
Place: Park in Washington, D.C.
Time: After Mission 3
Title: If Wishes...

Rosemary leaned against the bridge over the small stream, her mind probably a million miles away. At lunchtime, she'd just felt the need to *get away*, to stop having to pretend that she was loyal to the Taelons. Or at least most of the Taelons. Ra'el she trusted, and she was coming to trust Da'an, although she didn't see much of him. She trusted Major Kincaid, too, but she didn't quite feel comfortable around him.

So much change, so fast. She could remember every moment of her childhood, if she tried, but it didn't change not wanting to go home and see those places for real. She was uncomfortably aware of how right her family had been. Besides, it wouldn't do for one so loyal to the Taelons as she to spend time with her pro-Liberation family.

At least Ra'el understood. He'd been there to help her cover up her new loyalties, with some help from Jen and James. To some extent she was still in her probationary period as a member of the Ta'az and as an Implant, although she certainly wasn't bad at hiding. All she had to do was summon up her own memories of naively trusting the Taelons to pull off a convincing act. Being a CVI specialist didn't hurt either. She certainly had had *lots* of time to study the Implants during the CVI virus crisis and during routine visits.

She just wished it hadn't happened. That she hadn't taken that portal, hadn't gotten her first, partial implants, not had to be told that the nagging feeling that had been developing was entirely correct. Ignorance was bliss. Her naivety might get her killed one day, but at least she didn't have to be the way she had become.

This was one of those days where she wished she'd gone into bio-engineering Skrills instead of being sidetracked by the human/Skrill symbiosis. She probably wouldn't be in this bind that way. She could see why they'd want to implant their CVI specialists, and why they'd probably skip those who worked with the Skrills.

But, if wishes were horses...

You couldn't unfry an egg, after all. It had been her own foolishness that had brought this about. Now, she was paying the price. And she deserved to dole out every cent.

Sighing, she stretched and headed back towards her workplace.
 
 

Date: 26*03*99
Author: Carrie Poettcker
Place: Ottawa, Taelon Embassy
Time: Present
Subject: A snowy day

Ka'ri stood utterly still, his pale blue eyes gazing out at the landscape before him. On his world he had seen many lovely thing, but nothing compared to the beauty of the soft, white snow falling gently to the ground. The flakes were huge, gleaming white in the pale, watery
glow of the sun. No shade he had ever seen before quite matched the steely grey sky, nor the stark brown of the tress.
Desolate...yet...stunning. The Taelons took one step forward, passing through the birtual glass to stand in the cold wet snow. The cold did not affect him, but he could feel the pillowy softness of the flakes falling on his body, caressing his solid facade. He closed his eyes and let his mind wander.

It had been weeks ago that an end came to PETH and those people who were such a thorn in his side, yet he still had to do something about his Implant. Major Wilner could not be allowed to walk free, not while hosting a CVI in his brain, but neither could Ka'ri bring himself to have the Major terminated. It was becoming increasingly evident to anyone around him that the Impant was not..quite right in the mind. His incompance was now common, though no one yet knew the cause. No one but the Companion and the woman who discovered the secret. Major Sean Wilner was addicted to his memory intrusions...and that addiction was a terrible vice. What to do?  Ka'ri had no replacement, and only one human interested him enough to even approach and offer the job. but what would Jason Mitchell be like with an implant? Ka'ri sighed and half turned to watch the sun set, staining the land blood red.
 

Date: March 30
Author: Esti
Place: park, somewhere in Washington, D.C.
Time: Present, sometime after "If Wishes"
Title: The circus is coming to town

Rosemary's mind had not been on anything but the stolen items and her implantation, so it was no surprise that she didn't know about the circus until Mark told her about it.

"Hey, Doc," he had said, "Go take a break and be a kid again."

At that point, he'd given her a free pass and refused to hear her objections. Fortunately, Ra'el had no need of her and, in fact, agreed with Mark's suggestion. She was still unsure of how to react, given that she was still getting used to pretending she was a full Implant, but Ra'el said that even that those with full CVIs took a break every so often.

So, she found herself with a day off, walking into the temporary fairgrounds and hoping for no memory intrusions while she was there. The circus was *huge* - okay, mostly because there was so much there besides the circus tent. There were a couple of the fair rides set up on paved areas, carnival games, and forty zillion food stands. A place to get lost in. A place to forget. If one could forget, of course.

Maybe she'd meet someone and forget Wally, at least for a time. Maybe even forget that embarrassing incident with Major Kincaid. So much tragedy, so much loss. Of innocence, if nothing else. Could someone recapture innocence? She doubted she could.

But, one never knew....