05/05/01

"The sleep of reason breeds monsters."-- Goya

173 - 1121.

Mitchell and Megan are out in the far end of nowhere, under the care of one of the Luddite locals who Dr. Neil paid off with a goat (or something of that nature). Things are going well on the interpersonal level (very personal - nudge-nudge), but things take a down turn when Megan goes outside and comes back in 5 minutes later looking very unhappy. Megan: "I found the bathroom. It's like a piece of canvas hung by a hole in the ground. Literally." She's convinced this is some sort of torture courtesy of Dr. Neil. Megan: "We'll leave a note." She wants to leave, and Mitchell isn't adverse to going, but he doesn't have any money; that's okay, Megan does. She isn't happy about the native guide's offer to let the soft city folk ride his pack creature, but it's a ten mile hike into town, and they don't have the shoes for it. The local can provide sort of mocassin things, but they're very primitive, and Megan refuses to wear dead animal skin on her body. Okay, the offer of a burro ride is now more attractive. The local has some things he wants to take into town to sell any way - he's found three or four funny shaped pieces of obsidian with odd colored inclusions. The pieces are about the size of 50 cent pieces, and shiny, opaque black crystal. Mitchell looks at a piece then hands it back to the local.

It's not too bad a ride, and the pack animals aren't overly motivated, or very speedy - unless spooked by a snake or something. Mitchell picks up a stout walking stick along the way. They're in the most technologically advanced part of civilization, and they're riding smelly animals along a dirt track. Go figure. Really pretty, shiny new grav-cars pass overhead, just to rub it in. Megan complains; a lot. She complains about the heat, the dust, the animals. She wants a bath, she wants room service, a club sandwich, a cold beer...

They finally make it to a paved road, and are stopped by security police who ask for their papers. Which they have, of course. The local is only going to the edge of town, to the little market there. They don't like to interact with the high tech stuff, and don't interract well with the police - as is apparent by the way the police do everything short of strip searching the local guide. Mitchell, not knowing about the recent terrorist attack, just thinks the cops are being assholes. Eventually they've had enough fun and go on their merry way.

When the local guide leaves Mitchell and Megan alone, Mitchell decides it's time to carefully broach a more serious topic. Mitchell: "We suspect that you weren't the intended target of the abduction, and I was thinking you might want to dye your hair for a while." Megan: "Yeah, once we get somewhere civilized. I wouldn't mind going to a salon." They smell a bit ripe to be out in public on their trip back to the city (not that anyone will say anything). They take the tram, then check into a nice hotel for a shower, which they both need. Mitchell: "Hey, that could be fun!" Megan: <holding up a hand> "Normally, yes." First she wants to get the layer of dirt and smell off. Maybe later. They clean up and order some clothing over the terminal. The hotel has a nice salon on the premises, so Megan takes off to "get herself done". She's gone for an hour, and Mitchell surfs the tri-dee channels. He sees a news alert about a tourist being abducted. Oh-oh. He freezes the frame and enlarges it, and damned if the 'tourist' doesn't look like Gabrielle. The man's face isn't very clear and enhancement doesn't help after a certain point. But the guy's really big. Big enough to have made those huge handprints on Megan's arms. Mitchell calls Dr. Neil's cellphone. Dr. Neil: "Yes, Captain Taylor? How are you calling me? Never mind, I don't have time to chat - Miss Vanek has been abducted." Mitchell: "Yes, we saw the video." Dr. Neil: "Then I suggest you join us in the capital city in all haste." Mitchell: "We're on our way."

Mitchell goes to the salon, unaware that Megan has made the fatal mistake of telling François to "surprise" her. Mitchell looks around and can't see Megan, but he hears her voice. She's unrecognizable. François: "Does Monsieur approve?" Megan has pale white skin, dark red lips, raven black hair swept back in a way that only a stylist can do. She looks good - very unlike her normal self, but good. Mitchell: "I'm sorry for interrupting your vacation, but we have to get back to work." François: "But monsieur, I was just about to do her teeth - black is all the rage!" Not. Megan is handed the bill. Megan: "This can't be right." The decimal point must have been moved. After the bill is paid Megan suggests they go somewhere free - maybe a museum? Mitchell: "Funny you should mention museums." They leave the hotel. Megan: "I think this skirt is a bit tight..." Mitchell: "Nope. No, just fine." Eyeballs are clicking like crazy. Megan: "So how are we going to get back to the capital?" Mitchell: "Public transportation." That would mean the train, which is delayed for four hours due to some sort of problem. Fortunately they do have enough money to take the semi-ballistic; it's faster anyway. Mitchell gives Megan Dr. Neil's cellphone number, and tells her what's happened, during the fast seven minute trip. Straight up, then straight down. Megan: "Oh my goodness, we have to save her! She seems like the only other nice person in the group." It's debatable whether or not Mitchell agrees, but at least Gabrielle is Solomani.

In the car with Dr. Neil, who has Malcolm make a side stop. They go cruising into the semi-ballistic's port, and see Mitchell waiting at the curb. He's apparently ditched Megan and has moved on to another female - some porcelain doll. Dr. Neil: "Good afternoon, Miss O'Hanlon." Malcolm: <surprised, but recovering quickly> "That's a nice look for you." They leave. Mitchell: "Where are we going?" Dr. Neil: "The best place to start would be the scene of the crime - the museum. I'll use my influence as the brother of the Ephor." Malcolm: "Well, Plalau was the place we found Megan." Dr. Neil: "Good thought. Drop me off at the museum, and Miss O'Hanlon can stay with me. You two go on to the forest." Mitchell: "Do you have a spare phone?" Malcolm has one. Mitchell makes sure Megan has the number of that phone too. Dr. Neil: "Don't worry Captain. I'll take good care of Miss O'Hanlon." They're dropped off at the museum. Mitchell: <to Malcolm> "I don't suppose you have a weapon?" Just the small pistol Dr. Neil gave him earlier. Off to Plalau Forest.

Meanwhile, Gabrielle is being carried off by a huge unknown man who really doesn't look that much like the creatures in the exhibit. Not hairy, no sloped brow, not unattractive in an angular, extra large sort of way. They're moving through the suburban area, hurdling five foot fences like they're nothing, and at great speed towards the woods. Gabrielle can breathe, but just enough to stay conscious.

Orbiting the park area in their rented grav-car, all Mitchell and Malcolm can see is the lights from the big house. They put down in one of the clearings, and get a warning that they are landing in an unapproved area of the wilderness area, and the fine has been added to their vehicle automatically. They move to an approved parking area and walk over to the bridge near where they found Megan. Malcolm has the gun, so Mitchell takes the Imperial's stout walking stick. It is the woods, after all.

Gabrielle is carried down a flight of stairs, then the big guy knocks on a door, which opens. Male voice: "Excellent! No, not now, put her down there."

Malcolm plots a line of sight between the museum and the forest. He looks around and finds where something large has crashed through the brush. No tracks, but some cloth caught on a branch, like from an expensive grey business suit - like something the personal assistant to the brother of the Ephor of Polyphemus would wear. They try phoning Dr. Neil, but he doesn't answer. Mitchell: "We're on our own." The residence is about 400 metres from the spot they find the cloth. Mitchell: "Is there a reason we're not coming up the road?" Malcolm: "Hi, we're coming up the road! Please shoot us!" Mitchell: "Yeah, what the hell, why not? If you want to stick to the trees, fine." He leaves Malcolm, walks up to the door and rings the bell. A man answers. Mitchell: "May I use your phone?" Man: "Of course. Is something wrong?" Mitchell: "My vehicle broke down." Man: "Oh dear. Did you have to walk far?" Man: "No, not far. You have quite a preserve here." Man: "Yes. We have many species that need to be preserved." Mitchell is led to a phone in a huge library. Mitchell dials Dr. Neil again, hoping to not get him. He gets the message about the phone not being available. Mitchell: "Alfred, my car's broken down. Can you come out to get me? <to the man> He's not answering right now, can I leave a message for him to call me back here?" Man: "Of course." He gives a number, which Mitchell says into the phone. The man doesn't seem bothered by Mitchell having to wait for a call back, and witty, non-committal banter ensues about the unpleasantness in the past (the "Plalau Killer"), the preserve, the young people of today, etc. Coffee and cookies are brought in to Mitchell, who can wait for his friend in the library, while Malcolm is slogging through the fucking woods, trying to catch a giant elk or something, and Mitchell has his walking stick.

Gabrielle is flung into a dungeon-like thing. It's cold, looks like iron in here, and the door slams shut. She's in what is actually a big metal box with an armorcrete floor. She can't stand up, so she sits on the floor. There are scraps of clothing in the corner, and some brown stains on the floor. The door may be low tech, but it's hell for stout. She can't budge the door, and tries kicking on it to make noise at least. Man's voice: "Oh you can scream all you want. Or bang on the door. There's not a soul for miles who can hear you." It's a disinterested voice from a short distance away. She looks through the little slit of a window, and she sees light colored clothing approach. The door opens and a tray is slid in. Man: "Here." There's a heat and eat meal on the tray, and a plastic spork. Gabrielle: "Why are you doing this?" She's ignored, adding insult to injury. After a few minutes the man returns. Man: "All right, I need you to extend your hand out through the slot." Gabrielle is about to tell him what he can do to himself when the man adds "You can either do it, or if you prefer, I can use a tool to remove it. I'd like that." So much for her snappy retort. She puts her hand out through the slot and feels a slight sting. There's a pinprick of blood on her hand when she pulls it back in. The man leaves her area again, then the lights go out. Gabrielle decides to eat the meal while it's hot, not knowing when or if she'll get fed again. It's store food, but at least it's food. She feels strangely relaxed. Must have been Gobbler™. She nods off.

In the library, Mitchell feels a bit dizzy. Man: "Are you all right?" Mitchell: "Must be the hike. I'm feeling a bit dizzy." Man: "Perhaps you should sit down." He does, and the man carefully takes the bone china cup from Mitchell's hands before he passes out and drops it. At least nobody hit Mitchell over the head this time - things are looking up.

Malcolm makes his way through the woods and gets to the large house. Several lights are on inside, but most are not. There is a hulking shadow moving around outside the house. Big Foot? Malcolm waits for the figure to pass out of his area, then goes up to the house to try to find a way inside. The house is made of stone and wood - very old fashioned, but sturdy. He listens outside, but hears nothing. He doesn't see any signs of high tech alarm systems on the doors, which of course are not locked - why would they be? He goes into the house.

It's very beautiful inside. Wooden wainscotting, the whole nine yards. No one about. Up the hall, he sees light coming from under the door. He hears some sort of strange breathing sounds as he approaches. Malcolm listens for a few minutes, but only hears the faint sounds because the door hasn't been fully latched. He opens the door carefully to find Mitchell asleep on a couch with a pillow under his head and a blanket on him. The lights are turned down, but not off (so Mitchell doesn't wake up and hurt himself stumbling around in the dark). Malcolm checks on Mitchell to make sure he's breathing. He's breathing all right. Actually, he's snoring. All that's missing is the little teddy bear in a Naval uniform.

Malcolm decides to wake Mitchell up, just as the beautiful woman is saying "Take me! Take me now!" Mitchell: "What happened?" Malcolm: "You fell asleep." Mitchell looks under the blanket to make sure he's still dressed. He is, but his shoes have been removed to make him more comfortable. Mitchell: "Okay, either there was something in that coffee, or I was incredibly tired. Don't drink the coffee." Malcolm: "Right. No decaf." Mitchell discovers he has a bit of a bruise on his forearm just below the crook, and a small pinprick; he shows Malcolm. Mitchell: "Mitchell: "Why was I drugged?" Malcolm: "Because you frightened him and he called the police?" Mitchell: "If I'd frightened him, he wouldn't have served me coffee." Unless he's from Aquitaine. Malcolm: "I take this to mean we've found the right place. That and the hulk outside." Mitchell: "The hulk?"

Gabrielle wakes up, feeling cold. Small wonder, since she's naked. And there's a bandage on her head over her eye, which feels oddly numb. She doesn't hurt, but it's cold and very dark.

Mitchell and Malcolm go to take a look around the house. There are signs the house has been added to, built on, and the like, several times over the years. The wings of the house are of varying ages. As they're exploring, they hear scratching noises, then soft growling. The house ocelot? [Nah, that would be too easy.] Up ahead the hallway is pitch black. What Malcolm wouldn't give for a nice set of battledress. Or combat armor. Or a sharpened stick. Malcolm does have the gun Dr. Neil gave him, but it's very dark and he's never fired the weapon before. They go up to one room, and see that it's a bedroom that's obviously unused, as everything's been draped. And the scratching and growling is getting closer. Malcolm steps into the bedroom, and Mitchell moves into the doorway and turns on the lights. There are four sleek canines sitting on the floor in the hall and looking at Mitchell and Malcolm, with bared teeth. Mitchell starts to shift his weight to move and the dogs get really agitated and stand up. Mitchell relaxes, and the dogs sit. One dog goes down to the end of the hall, get up on his hind legs on punches something in on a keypad with a claw. Mitchell is staring at this dumbfounded when Malcolm grabs him by the collar and yanks him into the bedroom, shutting the door and locking it. There's some clicking outside the door, then the sound of a key. Mitchell: <to the door> "You are the owner of the dogs, aren't you?" Growl. Nope! Mitchell and Malcolm rapidly go to a big dresser to move it in front of the door before it opens. When they move the dresser, they see the dog that was sitting on the far side of it. Then the dumbwaiter on the wall opens and yet another dog jumps out. Mitchell is beginning to wonder if this damn house has some sort of evil dog assemblyline in the basement.

Voice: "Hello? Is there some one in here?" Mitchell: <to the door> "Oh thank God! I'm afraid I've startled your guard animals." Man: "I'm terribly sorry, I should have warned you, but you passed out. Your blood sugar was extremely low. I don't know if you're aware of your condition, but you should have it checked." Mitchell: "Well, I've never had that problem before, but if you would call your dogs..." Man: "Rex, King!" The dogs inside the bedroom walk over to the door, and in response to complex whistles they move the dresser. Wow.

Mitchell leaves Malcolm inside the bedroom, out of sight, and goes out into the hallway. Man: "I may not be a practicing doctor any more, but you really should lie down. Let me take you to a room where you can rest." Mitchell: "That would be great, but I seem to have left my shoes in your library." Man: "Oh, of course." He leads Mitchell back to the library. Man: "I'm concerned you may have picked up something... we have a certain parasite here that's fairly rare unless one has been tramping through the woods and has not been immunized against it, but it can cause dangerously low blood sugar, and can permanently damage your pancreas and the Isles of Langerham." Mitchell: "I'm not from Teucer, and I haven't been immunized for anything like what you've described, that I know of, mister...?" Man: "My apologies. Charles, Charles Howard." That would be the wealthy recluse who owns the estate. Mitchell introduces himself. Charles: "Would that be Captain Taylor of..." He mentions Mitchell's last command. Mitchell: "Why yes." Charles: "I'm honored to have such a hero of the Confederation as a guest. Why don't I get you something to eat, and see if you don't feel better. You'll have to excuse me, but I'm the only one here at the moment. The staff is on vacation. I rather like it, actually. It's very quiet, and allows one to contemplate life, the universe, everything." He leads Mitchell to the kitchen, where Charles wants him to eat something solid. Mitchell offers to help with the preparation, but Charles declines. After all, it's the least he can do for a hero of the Solomani people. Charles doesn't know his way around the kitchen that well, but there's all sorts of food in the fridge. (Probably stocked up by the missing servants.) An appropriately high protein snack is rustled up. Mitchell and Charles discuss the problems and how the locals don't understand that the others are just trying to help them. He and Mitchell chat and the subject of Charles' retirement comes up. Mitchell: "You said you were a doctor at one time. In what field?" Charles: "I did some work for the government some time ago. Not something I can talk about, you understand." Mitchell: "Of course. I've done a few stints with naval intelligence myself. Are your animals native to Teucer?" Charles: "Oh no. I had them grown." Mitchell: "They seem very intelligent." Charles: "I suppose so. They have the intelligence of about an eight year old child." He goes on at length about the simple modifications that were done to the animals while they were being "grown" for him. He obviously knows what he's talking about.

Malcolm, meanwhile, explores the bedroom and attached bathroom. The latter is really nice. Then he examines the dumbwaiter to see if he could use it to escape. Possibly, but he'd be really jammed in there, and it would take a while to get out. He can't get underneath it; that would be a safety concern.

In her little box, Gabrielle is not doing well. The lights come on and the little slot opens. A food tray is pushed in. "You needn't worry. You're almost at your peak time. We have something special planned for you, I think you'll enjoy it." It's not hard for Gabrielle to figure out what "peak time" means, or would mean if she weren't on Lock, and she doesn't think she'll enjoy it at all. Gabrielle: "What happened to my eye?" Man: "You can look for yourself if you're worried." No she can't. Well, at least not literally - unless she's grown eyestalks, since she has no mirror. The man walks off and the lights go off again. Gabrielle pulls up the bandage and carefully touches her face, while closing her eyelids so she doesn't accidentally poke herself in the eye. Her left eyelid feels sort of softer than normal. Like there's nothing behind it. Gabrielle replaces the bandage, mechanically eats the food (since it's at least hot), then huddles in the corner, hoping the food is drugged. It's not.

Malcolm carefully searches the room again, looking for a secret passage. He doesn't find one. Damn. He goes out of the room, and none of the dogs are in the hall. A few minutes later he hears Mitchell and his host moving down the hall, with the dogs tick-ticking along the floor behind them. Charles says good night to Mitchell at the door to a bedroom, then moves off with the dogs. Mitchell feels really tired, like he has a touch of the flu. He actually does have all the symptoms of low blood sugar. Could Charles Howard be telling the truth?

Charles: "I didn't expect you so soon." Man: "Is she here?" Charles: "Yes." Man: "Has the conversion taken place yet?" Charles: "Soon. The results look very promising." Man: "So there's a good chance that the mutation will be carried on to any offspring?" Charles: "Yes, I believe so." Malcolm hears the voices moving towards him. Man: "Do you want me to postpone?" Charles: "I want to make sure the agent has had it's full effect. You might have to be patient for a while longer." Man: "I expected the transition to take place sooner from our results in the lab." Charles: "The lab is not the real world." Man: "What shall I tell Dr. Neil?" Charles: "I don't know, but it had better be the right thing." Man: "All right. Give me a report on her status, and we'll make our decision based on that. The good thing is we still have our plant." Charles: "Yes. And the best thing is they don't even know it." Man: "We don't have forever doctor." Charles: "Some technologies can't be rushed. We can't afford the knowledge to become public because of some mistake. I'll let you know as soon as everything is ready." Man: "Very well. Good night doctor." Charles: "Good night, colonel. Shall I show you out?" Colonel: "No need. I know the way." Charles walks away from the colonel, then a new male voice is heard. Second man: "Well?" Colonel: "As soon as this project is completed, see to it that Dr. Howard dies peacefully in his sleep. He's served us well." Second man: "It shall be done, colonel." They leave.

Mitchell decides he's got to find Malcolm. Once the colonel and his companion leave, Mitchell starts working his way towards the centre of the house, where he knows Malcolm wanted to head originally. Mitchell runs into a dark form. Literally. This is followed by grappling. Mitchell starts babbling like he's giving orders on the bridge of a ship. Malcolm realizes who he ran into. Welcome to "Abbot and Costello Versus the Mad Doctor". Good thing Trevor isn't around to see this.

The lights come on again, and a pair of large, strange blue eyes peer in. That would be Gabrielle's abductor. He looks at her for a few minutes, but not with the penetrating gaze of someone who's analyzing her - the porch light is on, but the bulb's kind of dim. Hulk: "You pretty." Gabrielle: "Can you please let me out?" Hulk: "Howard not like." Gabrielle: "Please. I'm cold." Hulk: "Howard say bad. Make head hurt." Gabrielle: "Can you leave the light on?" Hulk: "You wait." He moves away, then something is pushed between the bars. It's some sort of stuffed creature - a large toy rabbit. Hulk: "He Harvey. He make you feel good. He scare away bad man." Gabrielle: "Thank you." Hulk: "I go find blanket." Gabrielle picks up the stuffed rabbit - it's obviously been well-loved. A few minutes later, a corner of something is stuffed into the cell. Gabrielle pulls the child-sized blanket with airplanes on it into the cell. Gabrielle: "Thank you." Hulk: "We play soon, yes?" Gabrielle: "My name is Gabrielle." Hulk: "I Four. We play soon, yes? Play Four's favorite game?" Gabrielle: "I'm afraid so." There's noise down the hall. Four: "Must go now." The lights go off and Gabrielle goes back to her corner. Charles: "Four, what are you doing here? You know you're not supposed to be here." Four: "Four want to play game." Charles: "Not now Four. I'll say when. Go back to your room. Now. You don't want to make me do anything." Four: <dejectedly> "Yes, Dr. Howard." He leaves.

The lights come on, and the man opens the little cell window. Charles: "Ah, Miss Vanek. How are we feeling? Well, I hope?" Gabrielle: "How do you think I feel?" Charles: "I apologize for the conditions of your captivity, but we can't have you tearing the doors off or anything, now can we?" Gabrielle would love to tear off something right about now, but the door isn't at the top of the list. Charles: "I apologize for the bandage, but we did need to download the data from your eye, and this was the most efficient way. We want to make this as humane as possible." Gabrielle: "It's a bit late for that." Charles: "Look at it this way. You should consider yourself privileged - you're helping to produce the next step in Solomani evolution. I'm sure you've noticed some improvement - better memory, better vision, that sort of thing? Obviously we have the data from your eye, but any additional information you can provide would be helpful." Mitchell: "This explains a lot." Charles: <to Mitchell> "You know, you really shouldn't be down here. You're making things very awkward for me." Mitchell: "I think the colonel has some special plans in mind for you once this is done." Charles: "I have my own plans. But then you

Mitchell: "How much does Dr. Neil know?" Charles: "You'll have to ask Dr. Neil. <calling out> Four, come here now please." <thump thump thump> A huge shadow comes down the hall. Mitchell: "I have no reason to lie to you. If you've downloaded as much information as you say then you know that's not my style. Gabrielle, are you all right? My only concern is for Miss Vanek, having disappeared from the museum so abruptly." Charles: "Miss Vanek has been, at first accidentally, selected to participate in a project to further the evolution of the Solomani race."

Malcolm fires the pistol at Four. Mitchell hears the ballistic crack of a gauss pistol, which is impossible as far as Malcolm is concerned - you can't make a gauss pistol this small. Four: "Uh. You hurt Four!" He charges forward as Malcolm is thinking of pulling the trigger. He shoots Four in the foot as the latter slams into Malcolm. No training, just raw force. Apparently you only get non-martial artists in the Rim if you genetically engineer them. Malcolm is knocked down with enough force to send him sliding down the polished floor on the runner, skidding into the lab.

Mitchell has spent the last few seconds looking around the lab, to see what's there. Besides the usual high tech mad scientist lab stuff, and the two cylinders with Five and Six gestating in them, there's a beaker nearby labelled "Vanek", bubbling over a bunsen burner. Mitchell swings his cane at the bunsen burner set up, which doesn't come near Howard. Charles: "Ah - you idiot! You're messing up my experiment! King! Rex! Come!!"

Four is lumbering angrily towards Malcolm, who pulls the trigger and discovers how they were able to produce a gauss pistol that small - make it a two-shot. Damn! Mitchell waits for Four to enter the lab, then shuts and locks the door, so the dogs can't get in and add to the disaster. Four smashes Malcolm's hand, shattering the gun (whoa!) and breaking several of Malcolm's fingers. Malcolm grabs a big microscope and swings it at Four - it's heavy and expensive. Charles: "No!!!" Mitchell swings at Four with the cane, as Malcolm swings the microscope and hits Four in the head. He has a very thick skull, but he does stagger back briefly. Where are the damn villagers with torches and pitchforks when you need them? Mitchell looks at his stick, and decides it is an inadequate weapon for the job. He goes in search of some chemicals while Howard runs around screaming at the visigoths to stop smashing his precious stuff. He charges Mitchell, who's taken to just wrecking stuff.

Malcolm swings the microscope again and hits Four in the upper arm. Four: "No! You no take her!!" He lifts Malcolm up and literally flings him more than ten feet across the room. This diverts everyone's attention as Malcolm soars through the air, then crashes through the very expensive glass tubing for DNA extraction. Malcolm lands without further injury, but is briefly stunned.

Howard charges Mitchell, who uses the walking stick as a golf club. He connects with Howard's hip, and he falls to the ground unconscious. Four has charged over to the box where Gabrielle is locked up, reaches in and rips off the steel door, tossing it over his shoulder. Mitchell and Malcolm stay out of the way of the door. Four reaches in, grabs Gabrielle, and pulls her into a protective hug. Four: "You no take!" Malcolm stops, not advancing on the huge man with the hostage. Mitchell asks for Malcolm's phone, planning to call Dr. Neil. Then there's a big explosion elsewhere in the building, and they hear a dog yelp in pain. Malcolm: "They're coming to take her away, Four!" Gabrielle would really prefer that they not panic the big man. Too late. Four leaps up and out the large window up at the top of the outside wall and takes off with Gabrielle. After a moment of stunned admiration for the display of athletic prowess, Mitchell and Malcolm move a table over and start to get up to the window to follow.

Female voice: "All right gentelmen, I think that's far enough. Come down slowly." It's...Megan? She's with a bunch of people in green uniforms. Megan: "Find the other two, but whatever you do, don't harm the construct. I'm sorry you had to find out this way Mitchell, I really liked you. Well, don't worry, after you're reconditioned you won't remember any of this. And you'll still be able to serve the Confederation. You realize there are some things that shouldn't be common knowledge." SolSec agent: <indicating Malcolm> "What about this one?" Megan: "Okay Malcolm, good job. You can go." Malcolm staggers out of the lab. Megan: <to Mitchell> "As soon as my men catch the construct, we can clean up. Please, sit down. It's the least we can do." Agent: "Ma'am, I can't raise team two on the radio." Megan: "Well, go check it out, but don't screw up. Sykes, you're here with me. Keep an eye on him [Mitchell] - he might do something heroic." No, not Mitchell!

Malcolm is looking for a med kit, and sees another of the green uniformed men asleep in a chair. Very asleep. Okay, dead.

Mitchell: "So was it the admiral who put you up to this, or am I completely off base?" Megan: "You are so off base. Let's just say there's SolSec, and there's SolSec. I shouldn't say anything for security reasons, but. It's by pure chance that a new agent we've been developing happened to be injected into Miss Vanek. Not a drug, but let's just say that the people I work for are working on improving the Solomani race." Mitchell: "So you would be the colonel?" Megan: "I don't have the honor to hold that exalted rank. But rank is not that important to the people I work for; results are. And you've just given me a step up." Mitchell: "By stumbling onto your project?" Megan: "Well, I'll always remember you." Mitchell: "Pity I won't remember you." Megan: "I don't think leaving you alive for reconditioning is a good idea. I have a feeling that if I let you go now, you'd find a way to worm your way out of it, and I make it a policy to never leave alive anyone who could cause problems later on." Mitchell: "Whatever happened to inviting your enemy to join you?" Megan: "You forget I've been travelling with you. You have that annoying sense of honor."

Malcolm can't use the dead guard's gun, because it's keyed to him. He finds a very nice, very large switchblade, which he takes. Better than nothing, and it looks as sharp as a suitknife.

Megan: "Any last words? Anything you want to tell me? Come on, am I not the best fuck you've ever had? You loved that wide-eyed innocent act." Mitchell says nothing. Megan: "So, do you want to take it in the face, or would you rather turn around?" Mitchell: "Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

Malcolm gives up the search for a firearm and grabs a big sword off of a display mount on the wall.

Mitchell: "I have one question - who killed Mrs. Holloway?" Megan: "Mr. Holloway of course. I'll be meeting him in a few minutes." Mitchell: "So he would be the colonel?" Megan: "You're a little too smart for your own good. Well I'm sorry, but I have places to be." She's got Mitchell in her sights. Malcolm is charging down the hall back towards the lab while Mitchell is thinking he'll try to hit Megan with the cane, not wanting to just stand there and let her shoot him. Neither Malcolm nor Mitchell have time to do anything before the shots ring out.

Two sharp ballistic cracks, actually, from a gauss rifle. Close enough together to be almost simultaneous, each round hitting its target, and Megan and Sykes' heads explode. Dr. Neil: "Excellent shot general." Capeletti: "Thank you." Mitchell: "'Bout time you two showed the hell up!!" Dr. Neil: "We still don't know what's going on. We have some sort of construct running loose." Capeletti: "Some fucking freak of nature. Right. Clear this place out and burn it to the fucking ground. <pointing at Malcolm> You. You're from the Marches, you know how these barbarians think. We've got to get after that thing before it's too late. He hands Malcolm a weapon. Capeletti: "You know how to use that?" It's a surf gun. Malcolm: "Yes, but I don't know how much help I'm going to be right now." Capeletti: "Medic!" An auto-injector later the Combat takes effect. Malcolm: "Boy am I going to regret this later." Capeletti: "Don't be a pussy. Let's go."

Dr. Neil is working on Howard's computer when Mitchell approaches him. Mitchell: "You're not going to eject the main drives again are you?" Dr. Neil: "Next time I'll have the general hold his fire. Don't you need to clean up?" He daintily removes a bit of material from Mitchell's clothing. Mitchell takes the hint and goes in search of the nearest bathroom.

In the woods nearby, Four has taken Gabrielle up into the trees. Four: "They no take you, I keep you safe." He sets her in a large hollow up one of the bigger trees, tucking her in with the blanket and stuffed rabbit. Four: "Here, you stay here. Me not let them hurt you. You keep Harvey safe. I not let them hurt you." Gabrielle: "Some of them are good people, they want to help." Four: "They want to take you away. Put you in a cage." He drops out onto the ground, leaving Gabrielle in the tree.

Outside, Capeletti and Malcolm join up with a group of Capeletti's people. Malcolm: "He's going someplace dark and high. He's frightened and confused right now." Capeletti: "It sounds like you feel sorry for the thing." Malcolm: "In a way I do." Capeletti: "I thought you Marches types were supposed to be real men. What about Gabrielle? We don't know what he's done to her, but I heard about the last one." Malcolm: "You mean SolSec's plant?" Capeletti: <to the group> "Don't take any chances you guys. No hero shit - you find him, you kill him." "Yes sir!" Capeletti: "He's fast, but he's damaged."

They move into the forest and search for about ten minutes before the trouble starts. Officer: "Sir, I just lost 6." Capeletti: "Shit. He's on our left - he's flanking us. What do you see on thermals?" Officer: "I don't see shit on thermals." Capeletti: "What do you mean you don't see anything?" In the lab, Mitchell hears faint screaming, which gets louder as the man near him pulls out his earphone. Radio: "Sir, I just lost 10 in squad 2." Capeletti: "Shit, that's on our right. Can this thing fly?" Malcolm: "From branch to branch maybe." Capeletti: "Right. <on radio> Houston 6, this is Red 5. I need air support." Houston 6: "Roger. We'll be in your position in 5."

Gunfire nearby. Capeletti: "Report!" Officer: "Some kind of little animal, sir." Radio: "We have a negative here sir." Capeletti: <on radio> "Calm down people, you're professionals." Malcolm hears a thump behind him and Capeletti is thrown backwards. Malcolm fires low at Four with the surfgun. Four goes down, but only briefly. He disappears into the trees again, even though the surfgun blast has literally cut his legs off below the knees. Capeletti is mostly unconscious, and has a large bruise on the side of his head. Malcolm grabs Capeletti's com unit and calls for a medic, telling them that the general is down. Radio: "Roger. Help on the way. Who is this?" Malcolm: "Civilian advisor." Radio: "Roger." Moments later Capeletti's medivaced out and another member of the squad, Butch, fills the position. Butch: "He's going to high ground again. <pointing at Malcolm> You - with the surfgun. You're with me." They move off into the woods. Butch: "Okay, here's the plan. We just amble up there. He's going to go for one of us, and we're just going to have to hope one of us kills him before he gets us both." Butch does something with the ram grenade on his rifle, disabling the safety.

Gabrielle sees two silhouettes moving below her, with weapons. Then she sees something moving above them. She can't identify the shadows, and since she doesn't know the cavalry has arrived, and doesn't want to be shot (accidentally or otherwise), she keeps quiet for now. Butch: "I'm not picking up anything. What do you think?" Malcolm: "He's stalking us. Look up." There's no mistaking that accent! Gabrielle: "Four - no!" Four grabs Butch by the head, pulls him up and proceeds to try to twist his head off. Butch's gun fires off the grenade, but doesn't hit Four. Malcolm fires the rest of his magazine into Four. Butch falls first, his neck broken. Then Four plummets to the ground.

Malcolm goes over to the fallen Four: "You no take." Malcolm: "We won't take her, Four. You saved her. You did good." Gabrielle climbs carefully down out of the tree and goes over to Four, gives him Harvey and the blanket, and sits down. (None of what happened here is Four's fault any more than it's the fault of Howard's enhanced Dobermans.) The crying gets softer, then stops.

Capeletti comes storming into the clearing, waving off medical personnel. Capeletti: "Get away from me, goddamn it - I'm not an invalid!" He looks at the cooling corpse. Capeletti: "You got the fucker. Good." Malcolm: "He got Butch first, I'm afraid." Capeletti: "Damn shame. I'll see to it he gets a medal for this." Officer: "Uh, sir?" He nods at the injured members of the group. Capeletti: "Yeah, you better get a medic." Malcolm gives Gabrielle his jacket just before Dr. Neil shows up. Dr. Neil: "Come along my dear. We should be going now." One of the armed men picks up Harvey, tosses it up and shotguns it. Several of the men find this very amusing.

Mitchell eventually has to leave the bathroom, having scrubbed all of Megan and Sykes off himself. He's fine. And by the time he comes out his hands aren't shaking either. It's that Navy "never let them see what the captain is really feeling" tradition. Doesn't matter if the captain's just been washing off bits of the woman he'd fallen in love with and was betrayed by moments before her death. Can't show any weakness. He returns to the lab, where most of the activity is. Officer: "...Section 9 -" The second Mitchell enters, the conversation stops. No one even tries to make it look natural.

In the woods, a medic approaches Malcolm, who's puzzling over what to do with the empty surfgun he's holding. Medic: "I'll take that sir. Why don't you sit down?" Malcolm is mediked, as he's starting to crash (coming down from the Combat).

Mitchell isn't needed, so he goes in search of Dr. Neil - he wants some answers. Mitchell is told Dr. Neil is on his way back to the house. Wrapped in a blanket, Gabrielle is led to a large military grav-vehicle, and Mitchell and Malcolm are directed that way. Everyone ends up sitting in the vehicle, out of hearing distance from Capeletti's people. Dr. Neil: "Well, I'd go into more detail, but suffice it to say things have been wrapped up rather nicely." He offers the others some Vegan cigars. (Good thing Capeletti is otherwise occupied.) Mitchell and Malcolm take theirs, but don't light up. Dr. Neil: "I've arranged for us to sit here, because we have some things to discuss that require privacy. We have been witnesses to some very dangerous things here. The knowledge we have, the knowledge you have of this puts you at risk. The people connected with this project will not be pleased." Gabrielle: "I don't understand." Dr. Neil: "And then there's the case of Miss Vanek. I'm torn by my loyalty to the Confederation, and my friendship toward Miss Vanek. As you know, she's been infected by an agent that is restructuring her DNA. If the people who are aware of this project know that, she'll be taken back to some SolSec laboratory. So what are we going to do?" Mitchell: "Fix it." Dr. Neil: "You think it's that easy to fix?" Mitchell: "I didn't say it would be easy." Dr. Neil: "The leading expert on the agent that has infected Miss Vanek is not expected to survive his interrogation." Mitchell: "You have his research." Dr. Neil: "It is a pity that Dr. Howard's advanced age and ill health will result in his death while in custody. You understand that this conversation never took place." Malcolm: "What conversation?" Dr. Neil: "I have my masters. Although I have a certain leeway in my actions, we all answer to some one. What matters right now is Miss Vanek's safety." Malcolm: "I can think of several places far from here that would be safe for Gabrielle." Dr. Neil: "You think I'm going to let you take this technology to the Imperium? I'd kill her myself first." Mitchell: <looking at Malcolm> "I'd kill him first." Dr. Neil: "Don't mistake my fondness for Miss Vanek for disloyalty." Mitchell: "You obviously have something in mind. Get to the point." Dr. Neil: "There are only a few people who know about this. Capeletti's technical people are loading the computers on their ship. They will sustain unfortunate drive failure. I'll redirect the general's attention elsewhere. I've arranged for passage on a small ship. You must get Miss Vanek out of the area immediately. There is a vehicle and driver waiting nearby. I've arranged for discreet passage for all of you. I don't want to know where you're going, but you need to get out of here right away." Mitchell: "And you?" Dr. Neil: "I or my agents will be in touch when it's safe for me to contact you. Given the nature of the organization I work for, I'm sure you know I'm being watched." Malcolm: "Where do make contact with our ride?" Dr. Neil: "Go north about 200 metres. Tell him nothing. All he knows is he's meeting three people. He'll take you to a ship." Mitchell: "I want a gun." Dr. Neil: <out the window> "Lieutenant!" One of Capeletti's people runs up. Lt.: "Yes sir!" Dr. Neil: "You know who I am?" Lt.: "Yes sir!" Dr. Neil: "Give me your sidearm." Lt.: "Yes sir!" He hands his weapon over. Dr. Neil: "Also any extra magazines." The lieutenant gives the doctor two spare magazines and when nothing else is required of him, he moves away from the vehicle. Malcolm: <to Dr. Neil> "What happened to Gabrielle's eye?" Dr. Neil: "It's been removed. Her original eye was removed some time ago and replaced with a monitoring device, which Howard extracted once she was brought here." Malcolm: "Charming." Mitchell: "What do we do when we get to the starport? It's not like we have a lot of resources." Dr. Neil: "Go to red level, 321. You'll find a briefcase in the locker there." He hands Mitchell the key. Dr. Neil: "I'm not doing this for you, you understand. I have my own reasons." Mitchell: "I'm sure you do." Dr. Neil: "I may contact you later." Mitchell: "And need a favor. Or a quick ride out of town." Dr. Neil turns to Gabrielle and adopts a calming tone. Dr. Neil: "Gabrielle, I have to go now. You have to go now. Have you heard what we've discussed?" She nods. Dr. Neil: "I can't explain to you why I'm doing this, I don't know why myself. Take care of yourself. I'll contact you later." He kisses her on the cheek. Dr. Neil: <whispered> "Trust no one."

Mitchell hangs back when Malcolm leads Gabrielle off. Mitchell: <to Dr. Neil> "I want my name back." Dr. Neil: "I can only do what is in my power." Mitchell: "I will do whatever I need to do." Dr. Neil: "Then I hope we never get in each other's way. Good luck." They part company.

Mitchell catches up with the others, and they go to the grav-vehicle. The driver doesn't even turn around, just asks "where to?" Malcolm: "The starport." They get there in short order, and the driver leaves without a word. Malcolm goes off to the locker, and Mitchell takes Gabrielle directly to the docking bay. It's a very anonymous ship, a Far Trader. Could be one of any number of small merchant vessels in the area. The only person on board is an unconscious Trevor, who reeks of alcohol. There are owner's papers for the ship - one set in Mitchell's real name, one in his nom de voyage. Malcolm picks up the briefcase and goes to the ship; he'll open it up later.

Mitchell runs the pre-flight on the ship, which is absolutely standard. The ship is, on paper, owned by Mitchell and a corporation - Sapphire Holdings. (Hmm, as in sapphire blue? Like Dr. Neil's little blue...) It's already fueled up, and has a flight plan filed for Polyphemus. They don't have to go there though - they can file an amended flight plan if they want. Malcolm: "Polyphemus may not be such a bad idea." Mitchell: "The hell you say." Malcolm calls Gabrielle and Mitchell into the common area so he's not alone to open the case - just in case. Gabrielle doesn't care what's in the case, and goes to find somewhere to huddle; the second biggest room has her personal belongings, as well as a repaired stuffed bunny. What the hell was Dr. Neil thinking? And how did it get here so quickly? The bunny gets put into the corner of the closet.

The briefcase is safely opened. It contains cash (a couple of hundred Solars), and some documents. A closer examination reveals that hidden in the lining of the case are some very carefully protected auto-injectors containing Anagathon (the coin of the realm, so to speak) - two full series (would add 20 years to a person's life). Value - at least one million Solars. And there's new ID for all four of the party members. (How did Dr. Neil know that Megan wouldn't be needing any?)

The ship papers with the fake name are added to the briefcase, which goes into the safe. The Solars, separately, go into the safe as well. (Yes, it's a big ship's safe.) The ship's locker is stocked - very well stocked in fact. There's also a med-bot and a large med kit on board. There's a ship's manifest with a variety of potential connections for cargo, with people who have had dealings with the ship before - at least on paper. Mitchell will arrange for cargo before they leave. And he'll see about re-christening the ship; the Dead Reckoning has a nice ring to it, if one is in Mitchell's frame of mind.

Gabrielle cleans up briefly and puts some clothing on. She finds a large envelope containing a letter from Dr. Neil telling her to take care of herself and to not trust anyone, and that he'll help in whatever way he can. And he's enclosed something he hopes "may provide you with some comfort" - it's a rosary. This is an interesting side of the doctor. There is also a small photo of Dr. Neil, who gets more complicated by the minute. Gabrielle puts the picture and letter away, then realises something and goes into the common area and looks quizzically at Mitchell and Malcolm. Gabrielle: "Where's Megan?" Mitchell gets a very angry look on his face, pivots, and heads for the bridge. Malcolm: "Megan was at the house, with her security people." Gabrielle: "Her 'security people'?" Malcolm: "She was a plant for SolSec. For how long I don't know, but they were treating her with some deference, and she was giving orders. Her section was responsible for the doctor's project." Gabrielle goes back to her room without asking any more questions. Mitchell preps for take off on the bridge. The med-bot confirms that Mitchell was really infected by the parasite, and his pancreas has been damaged. He'll be on insulin until they get to the next planet and can go into a hospital; not like it's a gunshot wound or anything that would cause suspicion. Gabrielle's missing eye is another matter; kind of hard to explain.

When Trevor wakes up the hangover will probably be the best part of his day.