Set 4 months before "The Joining"
Athens, Greece  Taelon Embassy
 
 

 "What do you mean I'm being transferred?" Tara asked, her English accent heightening with her emotions.
 "Please . . . be calm," Ta'al, the Companion to the Mediterranean spoke, as he approached his Head of Security.
 "But I don't understand! Have I done something wrong?"
 "No actions that you have taken have caused this turn of events," he explained; the distress apparent in her green eyes. "This is simply in your best interest."
 Instantly, her head began to shake. "No . . . That can't be . . ."
 "But it is," he replied with finality. "If you honor me, then trust me. I would not send you so far away if there was not a reason."
 She fought hard to keep the tears from misting her eyes. "Ta'al . . . You are the closest thing I have to family . . . If I go, I'll have no one."
 Her mind wandered back to her childhood, where she had spent it alone and uncared for. Her father had deserted her emotionally after her mother had died in a shooting on an Italian Highway. Tara had been twelve years old. The murderers had been trying to run her mother off the road to rob her. Her brother, who had been only five at the time, had only lived a month after that, in a coma. She didn't know if her father had been afraid of losing her, or that he simply didn't love her. It didn't matter anymore, but the damage had been done. Once she turned sixteen, she left and never looked back. She became a police Officer in Athens, Greece. She had been one of the best. It wasn't any surprise that once the Taelons came, she jumped at the chance to serve them. It seemed exciting. When she met Ta'al for the first time, the pain within her seemed to stop, though she didn't know why. But she knew then and there that this was the life she was meant to lead . . . One spent working for the Taelons. She submitted her application and was accepted as Ta'al's Head of Security. She had served that function for almost three years now, and each day the two had grown closer. he had first become her mentor/teacher, and then had become her friend. She had no one who understood her like Ta'al, and now she was being told that this connection was going to end.
 "You have told me much about your spiritual beliefs," Ta'al spoke, as he gazed at her with his blue eyes. "I also know of what many of your people believe about lasting friendships. I have heard the expression that no one is ever truly far, if you keep them in your heart. Is this true?"
 Slowly she conceded, "Yes . . . to a certain point." Suddenly, a strong feeling overcame her. She had a sense that more was going on. "What exactly is the reason for my transfer?"
 For a moment, he was silent as he looked away. This was enough for her to know that something had happened that he hadn't told her about.
 "I have been told by the Synod that I might be recalled from my position as the Companion to the Mediterranean," he explained, "I will most likely be returning to Taelon."
 "And I couldn't go . . ." she replied sadly.
 "I am afraid not."
 "So why can't I stay here until you're called back home? Let the Synod reassign me . . ."
 "That would no be wise," he answered. "For you are unlike other Implants. The Synod does not know this."
 "And transferring me is going to hide with fact?" She asked, with a touch of sarcasm. "Besides, I don't understand what you mean that other Implants act different . . . The others working here aren't so different."
 "Because they work for me . . . There is much here that you will not understand for some time to come. i do not wish to transfer you, but it is for your safety."
 Tara's eyes grew sharp. "Well, if my safety is in jeopardy, isn't your's?"
 "A shuttle is scheduled to pick you up on Friday at 9:00am. i have asked Da'an, the Companion to North America, to send one of his Implants to greet you and take you to your next assignment."
 "So that's it then?" she asked. "It's over, just like that?"
 "No . . ." he replied, holding up his hand.
 They had joined in this way many times as they had grown closer over the years. Tara sighed and forced a smile as she reached out to touch palms with her Companion. Instantly, she was covered in warmth and many intense emotions ran through her. Ta'al's feelings were before her and she felt the depth of his feelings for her. He had no desire to transfer her, but he was afraid for her, if the feeling could be called fear. he was concerned that something terrible might happen to her if she was not transferred at once . . . That someone might hurt her. But she could sense no more. As their contact ended, she slowly withdrew her hand.
 "It's over . . ." she whispered with intense sorrow coursing through her, "I'll go pack my things for shipping . . ." Slowly, she left the chamber.
 

 Friday came all too quick, as Tara looked out over the Greek landscape covered with ancient ruins, as the wind blew through her curly, brown hair. The sun was just rising. She knew it would be a long time before she would see this place again. She had lived in Greece for most of her life, accept for her early years in Britain, and now she was leaving it to go to the new world, as it was called centuries ago. Now, she felt as if her life was being turned upside down. Would she be able to right it, she wondered? So many questions ran through her mind. What had Ta'al been afraid of? Why would he be called back to Taelon? But there were no answers.
 Taking a final deep breath as the Sun rose high over the horizon, she began to make her way to Companion Headquarters in Athens, Greece.
 

 "Hi, I'm Commander William Boone," the man greeted as she walked toward the shuttle, carrying a light suitcase. "The pilot is Captain Lili Marquette. We'll have you at your new home in no time."
 She forced a smile, took one last, lingering look at her home, and boarded the shuttle to her new life.