Hello to everyone reading!
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
September 19, 1989, 9:15 a.m.
Pod Chamber
"Where is he, Brivari?" Jaddo demanded. "Or rather, where are 'they'?"
Brivari stared at Jaddo in disbelief. This was the first time in thirty years that he'd laid eyes on his fellow Warder, and his presence here now was a mixed blessing. On the one hand, another Warder standing guard could be an asset; on the other, that Warder being Jaddo could mean disaster.
"I said, where are they?" Jaddo persisted. "What have you done with them?"
"Slow down," Brivari ordered. "Honestly, you only just get here, and already you're accusing me of nefarious doings!"
"And what am I supposed to think when I arrive here and find three hybrids missing? I can tell from the look on your face that you're not surprised, that you already knew they weren't here. Once again, were you ever going to tell me?"
"This only just happened!" Brivari said in exasperation. "I haven't had time—"
"—to let me know my own Ward had emerged?" Jaddo finished angrily. "
Make time! I certainly would have had it been me who had been here!"
Something snapped inside Brivari, and he stalked up to Jaddo. "But you
weren't here, were you?" he said furiously. "No, of course not! You're much too busy creating enemies so you can pick them off and feel like you're doing something useful, while I'm the only one left to actually be a Warder!"
"Oh, is that what you call resting on your laurels in 'Hollywood'?" Jaddo said derisively. "Don't make it sound like you sleep right outside the pod chamber, Brivari, because I know better. Such a nice house you have. A bit large for just one person, but then you don't spend much time in it anyway."
Brivari's eyes widened. "You've been spying on me?"
Jaddo gave a snort of annoyance. "Do you have any idea how utterly ridiculous you sound? I'm a Warder; 'spying' is my job. And yours too, if you'd only do it."
"What makes you think I haven't been?" Brivari retorted. "With all your antics making the newspapers and police reports, I don't even need to leave my kitchen table to follow you all over the continent."
"How comforting to know you haven't lost your skills entirely," Jaddo said acidly. "I'll ask you one more time: Where is my Ward?"
"He's safe," Brivari answered. "They all are."
"
Where?" Jaddo demanded.
"It's not that simple!" Brivari exclaimed. "There are things you need to know! They're not—"
"Oh, but it
is that simple," Jaddo insisted. "My Ward has emerged. How much simpler could it be?
Where is he?"
"They're all
that size!" Brivari shouted, pointing to Ava's pod.
Jaddo's eyes jerked sideways, widened, blinked, as though he was trying to process what he'd just heard. "They're....they.....they're...." He stopped, pointing mutely to Ava's pod as though unable to finish the sentence.
"They are all young human children, approximately six years of age," Brivari said.
"Six?" Jaddo echoed. "But they were supposed to be......"
"Adults. Yes, I know. But they're not. They're just like Ava."
Jaddo walked over to Ava's pod, gazing at the hybrid inside. "I thought....I thought something went wrong with hers," he said haltingly. "That this one had gone bad....that she hadn't developed....."
"None of them 'went bad'," Brivari said, "at least not in the conventional sense. The gestational fluid has simply reached the end of its lifespan. It was only supposed to provide nutrients and oxygen for twenty years; it lasted forty. When the fluid fails, the hybrids emerge no matter what their level of development."
Jaddo reached out a hand to touch Ava's pod. "Then why hasn't she emerged?"
"She will. According to Valeris' notes, as the fluid fails, it becomes clear, which means it's depleted. I noticed the change three days ago, and Zan, Vilandra, and Rath emerged a day later. Ava's pod will fail soon also. It's only a matter of time."
"Valeris," Jaddo said bitterly. "Once again we need him, and once again he's not here."
"I'm not certain he could have done anything about this," Brivari said quietly. "I think this one was beyond even him."
Jaddo's eyes closed briefly. "And do they....are they.....themselves?"
Brivari hesitated. "No. At least not yet. Although they have shown definite signs of post human abilities such as telekinesis and an accelerated rate of learning. And they appear able to communicate with each other via telepathic speech, although they have yet to communicate with me that way."
"They won't talk to you? Even Zan? Why not?"
"I'm not sure," Brivari admitted. "My impression is they can't hear me. They couldn't hear Dee initially either, but now at least Zan responds to her, although he has yet to actually answer telepathically."
"Dee is here?"
"As are the Proctors and the Healer. I begged the Healer to come when I realized their emergence was imminent."
"And she came," Jaddo murmured. "Of course she did."
"And examined them," Brivari said, "using the best tools available to human medicine."
"Which isn't saying much," Jaddo muttered. "And?"
"And their bodies are human, at least in terms of organs and bone structure. Only their blood contains hybridized cells the likes of which I've never seen before. Then again, we have created an entirely new species."
"You still haven't told me where they are," Jaddo noted.
"They are in a place humans reserve for lost children," Brivari said carefully. "I—"
"What? They're not with the Healer or the Proctors? Why not?"
"Circumstances dictated that they be where they are now," Brivari answered. "And Zan made it clear that's the way he wanted it."
Jaddo's eyes narrowed. "I thought you just told me they're not themselves."
"They're not," Brivari said impatiently. "They have....flashes. Moments. Short bursts of what appear to be awareness interspersed with a complete lack of awareness."
"And did Rath have a 'moment' where he weighed in on Zan's preference to stay where they are?" Jaddo paused, his eyes narrowing when Brivari didn't answer. "Ah. I see he did. And obviously Zan prevailed upon him to do it his way. I thought you said they
weren't themselves? How much more 'themselves' could they be than Zan trampling Rath's better judgment?"
"Rath changed his mind," Brivari argued. "He stayed of his own free will. The important thing is that they are safe, for the moment," he continued. "I have not left their side until I came here today, the first time I felt comfortable stepping away even for a short while. But I also had Ava to think of, and I couldn't be everywhere at once, which is also why I haven't gone looking for you. I couldn't leave them. They've shown sporadic bursts of power, and if the humans become alarmed, they would need to be removed, not to mention what could happen if they suddenly become themselves with no Warder to guide them."
"So they do have powers? Rath has actually used them?"
"Rath and Zan have both manipulated objects, while Vilandra has yet to display anything other than a facility for human language—"
"It's a miracle she has that," Jaddo muttered.
"—but I'm assuming she also possesses post-human abilities," Brivari finished, ignoring him. "And their powers seem to be more instinct than anything else, used only when they're angry or threatened. I'm not certain how much control they have over them."
"Probably very little at this point," Jaddo said. "What happened when you connected with them?"
"I haven't yet."
"Why not? Sharing our memories may be exactly what's needed to awaken their own."
"Or it may backfire," Brivari said. "The Healer feels we should go slowly."
"Why?"
"I will let her explain it to you, but you must listen," Brivari said. "You've always trusted her before, always had nothing but the utmost respect for her. Hear her out before you go blundering in there and make everything worse."
Jaddo regarded him in silence for a moment. "Take to me to my Ward," he said finally
"Do I have your word that you'll do nothing but observe until you've talked to the Healer?"
"You have no business demanding my 'word' when you're harboring my Ward," Jaddo said flatly.
"The only reason I'm 'harboring' is because
you weren't here," Brivari said sharply. "We don't know what we're dealing with, Jaddo, and you have a lousy track record for restraint. Give me your word, or I take you nowhere."
Jaddo's face darkened dangerously. "Take me to my Ward, and I will speak with the Healer afterwards."
"Your word," Brivari insisted.
"Or what?"
"Try me, and find out."
Brivari stood his ground as they stared each other down. He couldn't keep Jaddo away forever, of course, and it was unclear who would prevail in a fight because they were so evenly matched. But there was no doubt that each of them was capable of seriously wounding the other and that this would be a very bad time to have even one impaired Warder, never mind two.
"Fine," Jaddo said coldly. "You have my word."
"And I'll hold you to it," Brivari warned.
"You do that. Now, for the last time.....
take me to my Ward."
****************************************************
Roswell Sheriff's Station
Knock, knock.
Jim Valenti replaced the file he'd been reading and closed the cabinet drawer, taking his time. His visitor knocked again before he took a seat behind his desk, doing a speed check of his speech and his reasons for giving it one last time before the shit hit the fan.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
The door opened. "Hanson said you wanted to see me, sir?" Deputy Alvarez said.
"That I did," Valenti answered. "Close the door, and take a seat."
Alvarez hesitated before complying, no doubt noting that Valenti wasn't smiling. Valenti waited until Alvarez was seated and several seconds had passed, until the awkwardness had reached the next level.
"So how are things going, Alvarez?"
"Uh....well, I only just started my shift, sir," Alvarez answered uncertainly. "But Hanson briefed us on the night's news. They picked up another lost kid at Westlake—"
"Yeah, he told me. Seems we're having an epidemic of lost children."
"Right," Alvarez replied, attempting a smile. "But other than that, I just got here, so I really don't have much to report."
"Good," Valenti nodded. "Good. Then now's the perfect time for you to satisfy your curiosity, while you're not distracted by other things."
" 'Curiosity', sir? About what?"
"Why, about whether I'm harboring little green men in my office."
Alvarez flushed. "Look, sir, I don't know what Hanson told you—"
"I don't need Hanson to tell me that my father's former colleagues are looking askance at me," Valenti broke in sharply. "And it pains me that multi-year veterans of this station can find no other way to express themselves then to skulk around water fountains and make snotty comments to their fellow deputies. You'd think that men with so much experience would have the courtesy to come to me directly with their concerns. You'd think."
Alvarez dropped his eyes, saying nothing. "So tell me, deputy," Valenti continued, "what I've said or done that would lead you to think I share my father's views on aliens in Roswell."
"Nothing, sir—"
"Nothing?" Valenti repeated, his voice rising. "But I must have done something. Because if I haven't, if you're spreading gossip based solely on what my father said or did, you've landed squarely in the land of guilty until proven innocent, a place no law enforcement officer should ever find himself."
"Sir, we all loved your old man, but we had valid concerns," Alvarez said. "We watched him go downhill—"
"Did you, now?" Valenti said with mock surprise. "Well, what'dya know, so did I. Imagine that! A shared experience. It's always nice when people can share experiences, don't you think?"
"Sir, with all due respect, is your sarcasm supposed to reassure me?" Alvarez demanded. "Because—"
"You have yet to show me anything even remotely resembling 'due respect', deputy," Valenti retorted, "and my sarcasm is supposed to make you think twice before bitching about your boss in his own station. And don't give me that 'valid concerns' crap. If your concerns were so 'valid', you wouldn't be out there yakking it up like a ten year-old school girl at recess. And do you really think you're the only one with so-called 'valid concerns'? My appointment was approved by the town council, many of whom had 'valid concerns' of their own. Concerns which ultimately didn't stop my being handed the badge, by the way. Just in case you hadn't noticed." He paused. "Get up."
Alvarez blinked. "Sir?"
"I said, 'get up'. You can handle a simple two word order, can't you, deputy?"
Slowly, Alvarez rose from his seat. "Look around," Valenti said. "Check under my desk, in my wastebasket, hell, check the pockets of my coat if you want and see if you can find anything that would lead you to believe that I don't deserve the respect of each and every man on this force. Don't forget the closet. Those aliens are small."
"That won't be necessary, sir," Alvarez said, looking supremely uncomfortable.
"Oh, I think it is," Valenti answered.
"No, it really isn't—"
"Do it."
"Sir, I—"
"Do it."
"Do you really expect me to—"
"
Do it!"
Alvarez stood stock still, the blood rushing to his face, hands clenched at his sides. Valenti held his gaze, not moving a muscle, willing to let this stand-off go on all afternoon, if necessary. As long as it took.
Which wasn't long. Only a few seconds passed before Alvarez dropped his eyes and bent over stiffly, making a show of looking under the desk. Straightening up, he circled the room quickly, looking but not touching as Valenti watched his every move in silence.
"No aliens, sir," Alvarez said finally, his voice tight.
"You forgot the closet."
"Sir—"
Valenti held up a hand for silence. "You forgot the closet, deputy. I won't have my men thinking I'm harboring aliens. Go check it out and satisfy those 'valid concerns' of yours."
Looking more angry now than uncomfortable, Alvarez walked to the closet and threw open the door. There wasn't much in it, Valenti having only just moved in, and he stared at the meager contents for a requisite few seconds before retreating.
"No aliens there either, sir."
"Can I quote you on that?"
"Sir, this isn't very professional!" Alvarez burst out, unable to contain himself any longer. "Your father would never have—"
"I am
not my father!" Valenti exploded, vaulting out of his chair with such speed that it rolled backward and hit the wall. "I am James Valenti
Jr., a completely different person and a completely different sheriff! And I find it more than a little ironic that five minutes ago you were worried I was too much like my father, but now you're complaining I'm not enough like him. You can't have it both ways, deputy. Which will it be?"
Alvarez didn't answer, just stood there, eyes burning, his face so red it may have been on fire. "And don't you dare try to lecture me about being 'professional'," Valenti continued angrily, coming out from behind the desk. "This is between you and me. No one will know about it unless you tell them because I certainly won't. That's the way it should be, not snotty remarks to fellow employees at the front counter. Would you rather I do it your way? Because I can drag you out there and make you sniff around the main office if you'd like."
No answer. "Well?" Valenti demanded. "Which way do you prefer? Mine, or yours?"
"Yours, sir," Alvarez whispered.
"I can't hear you," Valenti warned.
"
Yours, sir!" Alvarez repeated, every bit as angry as Valenti now.
"Then perhaps you'll remember that the next time you decide to pull this shit on me," Valenti said. "And perhaps you'll think better of it and have the guts to come in here and speak your mind to my face. A man can hope, can't he?"
Alvarez said nothing, staring at the floor. "And do you know what else I hope, deputy?" Valenti went on. "I hope I can rely on you and any others who feel the same way you do. I hope I can count on you for back-up, can count on you to follow my orders. Because we watch each other's backs, and I've gotta tell you, I'm not at all certain I want you watching mine. You're sending too many mixed messages for my comfort."
"Sir, I would
never let you down when it really mattered," Alvarez said in a strangled voice.
"But you would other times?" Valenti said softly. "Oh, that's right....you already have."
Valenti watched Alvarez in silence for a moment before resuming his seat. "Assuming I can count, you and a couple of others are eligible for retirement. You all might want to look into that. Because if I catch so much as a whiff of this crap again, you'll have a choice between that or being terminated. Have I made myself clear?"
Alvarez's fists clenched. "Yes, sir," he ground out.
"Good. Dismissed."
Valenti waited until Alvarez's footsteps had faded away before going to the closet and opening the door. It was a pity, really, that Alvarez hadn't looked a bit harder. Because on the very top shelf was the box of his father's belongings, including that weird photo of the man with the silver handprint on his chest.
He wondered what Alvarez would have said if he'd found that.
****************************************************
Westlake Villa
"I'll send an employee to accompany you," the imperious woman in charge of the Villa told Brivari. "Wait here."
Brivari took a moment to steel himself before returning to Jaddo in the waiting area. *We've been given permission to observe,* he reported. *They're sending someone to accompany us.*
*I'm so pleased that some random human has graciously granted 'permission' for me to see my own Ward,* Jaddo said acidly. *Explain to me again why we're doing this ridiculous dance?*
*Because that Ward is currently in the care of the human Social Services system, as is mine. I have to deal with it, and so do you.*
*Like hell I do,* Jaddo muttered.
*You do if you want to see him sooner rather than later,* Brivari said tersely. *This institution will not take kindly to rude behavior. If you're smart, you'll display courtesy and gratitude.*
Jaddo gave a soft snort. *How about if I display silence?*
*Jaddo, believe me when I say that you are a walking example of the human axiom, 'silence is golden',* Brivari retorted. *If you wish to sulk, you'll get no argument from me.*
Jaddo muttered something unintelligible and likely profane as he continued pacing the waiting area of the Villa. Frankly, he'd be delighted if Jaddo really was angry enough to give him the silent treatment. Life was always better when his mouth was closed.
*But why are they even here?* Jaddo demanded as Brivari reflected that hoping for silence was nothing short of ludicrous. *What would provoke you to sentence them to a place like this?*
*Haven't we already been over this?* Brivari said impatiently. *They're
children, Jaddo, human children. You weren't here when they emerged and haven't even seen them, yet you've appointed yourself my judge and jury. Typical.*
*And how exactly did that happen, Brivari? How is it that you happened to be here at the exact moment that three hybrids emerged?*
*Wonderful,* Brivari deadpanned. *Conspiracy theories. And from the one who conspired to remove the rest of the hybrids without consulting me, and lost all of them.*
*Ancient history,* Jaddo declared. *And you haven't answered my question.*
*If you must know, I visit yearly. It was pure luck that I was in the area and that I noticed the change in the pods. And I might ask you the same question: What brings
you here at this 'exact moment'?*
*So what happens to 'Hollywood' in your absence?* Jaddo asked, ignoring his question. *I understand you've become quite successful. I had no idea you had such a flare for drama.*
*Of course I have a flare for drama; I worked in a palace. And you're not so bad yourself. The way you dispatched Agent Lewis and his henchman was quite dramatic.*
Jaddo's eyes flicked sideways. *I see I'm not the only one doing surveillance.*
*It's not hard when you leave bodies lying around.*
*I make no apologies for disposing of our enemies,* Jaddo declared.
*You haven't disposed of one in a while now,* Brivari observed. *If I were the guessing type, I'd guess the Special Unit has learned a few things over the years, and it's now much harder to get close to them. Don't look at me like that,* he added coldly. *Did you really think I wasn't keeping an eye on your antics? You may have taken out a few enemies, Jaddo, but you only succeeded in creating more. The Unit is larger than ever now, stronger than ever. All you've done is strengthen our enemies' resolve.*
*And what kind of message would allowing them to thrive unchecked have sent?*
*You don't get it, do you?* Brivari said in exasperation. *If we'd done nothing, they
wouldn't have thrived, they'd have assumed we'd left just like everyone did the last time we were silent for years and withered from lack of justification. As I recall, that justification was restored exactly the same way, by you leaving a body behind.*
*Do we really need to have this argument again?* Jaddo demanded.
*Of course not,* Brivari retorted. *You started the conversation, and you're free to end it any time you like. Please do.*
"Are....you the gentlemen who wanted to see the children?"
It was a Villa employee, gazing at them quizzically, no doubt wondering why they both looked furious. "We are," Brivari answered with what he hoped was a disarming smile. "So nice to meet you...." he glanced down at her name tag "....Annie."
Annie returned his smile a bit tentatively, no surprise given that Jaddo was still scowling. "All the children are playing outside," Annie said. "If you'll follow me?"
They fell in step behind her as she led them through the building. "The children are on the playground," she told them. "There are some benches nearby from which you'll be free to observe. If you'd like to actually meet any of them, I'll make the introductions."
"Thank you," Brivari answered.
"Why do we have to 'observe'?" Jaddo asked. "Why can't we introduce ourselves?"
"We can't allow that," Annie said firmly. "All of these children are here because of some trauma or other, and they need consistency. Strangers can be upsetting, which is why we always make certain they're accompanied by a familiar face."
"Of course," Brivari interjected smoothly as Jaddo's eyes flared at her authoritative tone. "We understand completely. We're just....frustrated. This isn't our first attempt."
"Mrs. Melbourne mentioned that," Annie said. "It can be a very frustrating process for everyone concerned. I assure you we'll do our very best to smooth the way for you."
*While I do
my very best not to strangle you where you stand,* Brivari added as Jaddo sullenly followed them through the building. *Does the concept of
not calling attention to ourselves still escape you?*
*What on earth did you tell her?* Jaddo asked.
*That we were looking for children to adopt, of course. That's what these places are for.*
*You told her we were a couple?*
*Of course not,* Brivari said impatiently. *It will be a long time before human society advances that far. I told her we'd left our wives home because previous failed attempts had left them discouraged.*
*Did you get that tale from 'Hollywood'?*
*No, I got it from here, from listening to what's said here. You only just walked in the door, Jaddo. You'd do well to remember that.*
*You lead, I'll follow,* Jaddo said darkly. *What else is new?*
Brivari bit back yet another retort as Annie led them out a back door and across the lawn to where Westlake's children were scampering over, around, and under a series of climbing equipment. All but three, that is, who sat apart from the rest with puzzled looks on their faces as though they couldn't quite figure out what the other children were doing or what to do themselves.
*Is that them?* Jaddo whispered.
*Yes.*
*You're certain?*
*Of course I'm certain. Their faces match those of their donors.*
"I'll leave you two alone," Annie said, pointing to the benches she'd mentioned.
Brivari glanced at Jaddo, expecting yet another caustic remark. But Jaddo no longer looked combative or suspicious or angry, just....shocked. It had been quite a shock for him as well to see their Wards in this condition, and the ensuing scramble to safeguard their passage through the human system had been a welcome distraction from the enormity of what had happened, of what this could mean. Now that the initial threat had passed, he was beginning to feel some of what was now visible on Jaddo's face...and he mustn't allow himself to. One of them had to keep a clear head, and experience had proven that would have to be him.
*They're not playing with the others,* Jaddo said. *And they remain together. Does that not mean they know something of themselves?*
*Maybe,* Brivari allowed. *On some level, at least.*
*Tell me again what they've done?*
*Zan and Rath have exhibited post human abilities when angry or threatened,* Brivari recounted, *and all have exhibited unusual intelligence for human children this age.*
*Even Vilandra?* Jaddo muttered.
*Even Vilandra,* Brivari replied dryly. *She and Zan mastered English extremely quickly. And they all clearly understand each other, although they haven't yet spoken out loud, and I can't hear any telepathic speech.*
*So they're speaking privately?*
Brivari hesitated. *I'm not sure what they're doing.*
*Then we need to find out.*
*Of course we do,* Brivari said patiently. *But we also need to be careful. We don't know what state they're in, and if that happens to be a fragile state, we could wind up doing more harm than good.*
*And so of course your counsel is to do nothing.*
*My counsel is to proceed cautiously,* Brivari corrected. *You promised to consult with the Healer before attempting contact, remember?*
*Of course I remember. But do you have any idea how hard it is to stand back here and watch?*
*So try telepathic speech,* Brivari suggested.
Jaddo was quiet for a moment. *I have,* he said finally. *Several times.*
*And?*
*And....they're not responding. To Antarian or English.*
The ache in his voice was so clear that Brivari resisted the urge to point out that he'd warned him that was the case. He'd cautioned Jaddo to remember that he'd only just arrived, but perhaps he needed to remember that as well. If he needed time to adjust to this latest development, Jaddo would need even more.
"So it's older children you're interested in?"
It was Annie, who had apparently not retreated far enough that she hadn't noticed who had piqued their interest. "That's refreshing," she continued. "Most people don't give the older ones a second glance. Bit of a mystery, those three. They were found—"
"Are they siblings?" Brivari asked quickly, lest she give away the fact that Rath had been missing for a time. That could wait for later.
"We have no way of knowing, but perhaps. They certainly haven't left each other's side for a second. That's Max," Annie said, pointing to Zan, "and Isabel, and Michael. Let me know if you'd like me to introduce you."
*Who named them?* Jaddo asked as Annie withdrew again.
*Dee,* Brivari answered. *'Max' and 'Isabel' are names from her family. And you know where 'Michael' came from.*
*Yes,* Jaddo murmured. *That one is appropriate.*
A bell rang, loud and clanging. "Recess is over!" a Villa employee called cheerfully as though that were the best news in the world. "Everyone inside!"
Three heads whipped sideways, and three children rose as one, Vilandra between, their hands tightly clasped. "I'm sorry you didn't have long," Annie said as the crowd milled past them. "Perhaps you could...."
She stopped. The hybrids had come to a halt mere feet away, gazing up at them intently. "Well, look at that," Annie said thoughtfully. "I've never see them approach anyone. They must like you."
*Rath?* Brivari heard Jaddo whisper.
Rath's eyes widened, whether in surprise or alarm it was hard to tell, and he took a step back. "I'm sorry," Annie apologized. "They're easily spooked, I'm afraid. Let's go in, children," she said soothingly to the three who still hadn't taken their eyes off their Warders. "Follow Isabel, you two."
They obeyed, Isabel gently pulling her brother and fiancée along, both of whom glanced back in their direction. *Incredible,* Jaddo said, eyeing Vilandra. *Another body, another life, and still she leads them both. Even 'Annie' knows it.*
*Even she knows it,* Brivari murmured.
*How did she wind up their protector?* Jaddo said disapprovingly. *And why do they allow it?*
*She has the most affinity for the human world, so she serves as liaison.* Brivari glanced at Jaddo, whose eyes were still on Rath, now a dot in the distance. *He heard you, you know.*
A flicker of pain crossed Jaddo's face. *I know.*
*But that's good,* Brivari said. *That's the first time I've seen him respond to telepathic speech.*
*Yes,* Jaddo said bitterly. *With fear. Fear toward me, of all people.* He paused. *He's not in there, Brivari.*
*You've decided this after a thirty second encounter?*
*There's nothing in his eyes,* Jaddo argued, *in any of their eyes. It's as if they're.....blank.*
*Then why did they just stop in front of us? They're already more aware than they were when they first emerged, and their personalities are asserting themselves in ways they weren't only a day ago. This is a process, Jaddo,* Brivari added gently. *We have to let it happen, step by small step.*
Jaddo said nothing for a moment, watching Vilandra lead Rath and Zan inside the building. *You asked me why I was here,* he said at length. *I'm here because something's happening within the Special Unit, something which has shaken it to its very core.*
*What have you done now?* Brivari asked wearily.
*Nothing,* Jaddo said defensively. *They've seen nothing of me for at least a couple of years now.*
*Nicholas, perhaps?*
*I doubt it. I know how alien activity, or perceived alien activity, makes them react. This is different, different enough that it has me worried. I wanted to see for myself that the hybrids were all right.*
*There's no way for the Unit to find the hybrids, Jaddo. You know that.*
*I know nothing of the sort, and neither do you. If there's any way to bring them back to themselves, it is imperative we do so as quickly as possible. And if that's truly a step-by-step process, it's time for the next step.*
Jaddo marched across the yard, not bothering to wait for Brivari.
*Take me to the Healer.*
****************************************************
The Marriott Hotel
Washington, D.C.
The elevator door opened, and Daniel Pierce stepped into the hotel hallway, yawning. He'd been up all night, and now it was time for some much needed sleep. He'd let AD Skinner off his leash, knowing full well that Skinner wouldn't blow him in and was even secretly relieved he'd turned up, albeit not in the way he'd expected; otherwise Skinner would have had to admit he'd lost him, and that would have meant the end of his career. Skinner wanted to be the Bureau's hero, so Pierce knew he'd keep working on him, keep trying to get him to deliver the serum, and for now, it suited him to let that play out. His father had been right: It was ridiculously easy to manipulate people. Simply find out what they wanted most and either dangle it in front of them or threaten to remove it. The rest took care of itself.
Pierce's eyes flicked right and left as he slid his key card into the lock on room 314. There had been no sign of a tail since he'd hooked up with Skinner, and given what had happened, the Bureau would have to be some special kind of stupid to make a move on him now. Still, he couldn't afford to be careless.
You're not safe, Daniel. Ever.
Another sobering thread of advice from dear old dad had been the need for absolute, unwavering paranoia. One must always assume one was pursued even if one saw no evidence of same. One must never take for granted that one's position was secure, not only because friends could become enemies, but because fortunes turned on a dime in the volatile world of politics and power. His father insisted that making paranoia a part of everyday life rendered it so routine as to actually ease one's paranoia, a round-and-round line of reasoning that almost made sense. Which is why he'd put that tiny sliver of paper in his door when he'd left this morning, and why he noticed its absence now.
Pierce froze in his tracks, one hand on the doorknob of the barely open door, the other listening intently. He heard nothing, but that meant nothing, and he reached beneath his jacket for his gun as he pushed the door open. The "Do Not Disturb" sign was still on the handle, and a quick glance at the rumpled foot of the bed told him the room had not been made up. No cleaning crew to blame here. The door closed gently behind him as he eased his way through the narrow entry hallway and into the room proper, his gun held in both hands.
An unfamiliar man was sitting in the chair by the window, a glass of something or other in his hand. "Very good," the stranger said approvingly, not the least bit alarmed at being approached by an armed man. "I checked your door quite thoroughly. How did you know I was here?" He paused, smiling faintly when Pierce didn't answer. "I haven't ransacked your room, if that's what you're thinking. I know I wouldn't find anything, so it was hardly worth the effort. And so rude. Not a good way to introduce oneself."
"Which you haven't," Pierce noted. "Introduced yourself, that is."
"Ah. Yes. My mistake." The man rose, setting his drink down and extending a hand. "I'm Daniel Summers. I hear you wanted to meet me?"
Pierce's gun lowered slightly. "The Daniel Summers in charge of the Special Unit?"
"The same." Summers paused, withdrawing the ignored hand. "To business, then, Agent Pierce. You have something I want."
Pierce's gun rose again. "Funny. I was just about to say the same thing."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll post Chapter 14 next Sunday.
BRIVARI: "In our language, the root of the word 'Covari' means 'hidden'. I'm always there, Your Highness, even if you don't see me."
I'll post Chapter 8 after the holidays on Sunday, January 3rd.