'Garibaldi's Loophole'

Michael was standing in the ambassadorial Docking ring as he watched the ship Bonney Heather quietly land.

He smiled as he saw a tall figure disembark . He was the pilot and sole passenger carrying a long pack over one shoulder and carrying a duffle over the other. He had short brown hair , green eyes and a face that only sees a razor on special occasions. He dressed rather plainly except for a long trench coat with an ea logo on the shoulders.

'God , he's still a cowboy.' Michael thought as he walked up to his friend.

"Mr. Nash, where are you going in such a hurry?" Both men laughed and embraced. Michael took the duffle as Nash insisted on carrying the other as they departed for the zocalo..

"Russell, it's been too long. Last time was?"

" Last time I was here I think was right after Sinclair's issues with the Attack on Kosh. When you loss those staff?"

Michael nodded as they soon found their way to Michaels office as they walked in. "So what's Earthgov's favorite freelance investigative consultant doing here? I am security chief . I should've been informed of an investigation.

Russell sat down across from his friend. "Not an EA matter, Michael. This one is of a personal nature."

Michael gave him a curious yet cautious look. "Given your position and the fact you and I have been tight for so long….what is it?"

Russell reached for his duffel and removed a leather covered box with a small silver lock. He opened it to reveal a silver flask dating back to the united states 1st civil war.

"It's for me. What I need to tell I can not tell you under EA monitors or a sober mind."

"What the hel* are you talking about?"

Russell took a swig and sighed.

"Tell me Michael, I have a friend whose going to meet me at my ship. I don't think I've ever shown you the inside. He should be there soon in fact. I told him when I'd dock. "

"Nash don't play games with.."

Russell interrupted ." It has to be like this Michael. You remember that day I found this young ea gropo, and introduced him to a lovely girl names Lise?"

"you bast#r"

"Gentleman bast#rd Michael. Come on….I have some actual Italian sausage and shredded mozzarella.."

"You bast#rd with taste. Ok ok I give."

###########

The pair soon made their way back to the Bonney Heather where Michael saw a familiar face.

"Brother Theo, What are you doing here? Russell, Don't tell me you found religion?"

Russell shrugged as he led the pair into the ship. "Something like that. Lets go."

The trio made their way into the rear of the ship. Michael knew Russell had a larger ship than most ea ambassadorial staff due to a combination of his money, connections and work history, but the living quarters seemed to have been cut in half .

"I like the beatles posters and the van Gogh prints . Your kitchenette would make the fresh aire look like a McBarri's. but what's so special to drag me here?"

Russell smiled as he walked over to a secure keypad under a picture of the beatles. And typed in an important number to him…1536.

"This is the lobby. The museum of my life is here."

The wall folded back to show how much space Nash really had on his ship. Michael's eyes glazed wide. Michael was seldom used to feeling amazed. Pictures , letters and paintings from events well over 600 years old as well as a row of ancient swords down the far left wall, even what look like the clothes of a 16th or 17th Scottish highlander.

His eyes focused on an ancient leather coat and driving goggles and the picture hanging over them.

"Russell are these real?"

Brother Theo answered. "I can attest to their authenticity, Mr. Garibaldi."

"You Theo? What do you have to do with Russell?"

The Monk glanced back to Russell who had removed a dirk from the collection and nodded to him.

"Because I know how he got it all." Theo raised his hand and revealed his wrist to reveal a circular symbol.

"We've been watching you may say for quite a while."

Garibaldi wasn't convinced.

"What's that? Drunk night before vows?"

Russell walked over and placed the dirk in Garibaldi's hand. "Michael, Take a look at the picture."

Michael looked at the picture closely. It was an ancient black and white photo that showed 2 men standing beside a motorcycle. The one the left bared a semblance to Michael somewhat but the man on the right was the spitting image of Russell . On the bottom was an inscription with the name 'me & Antonio Garibaldi, September, 1917'.

"This is got to be a fake . Paper couldn't have lasted un."

"Unless it has been kept in perfect condition for over several hundred years. These all were. The man on the left found a medic who had a motorcycle accident while on the way to an aid station. He got him in the sidecar to help him and was ambushed along the way but survived. The Medic promised he would always keep an eye out for the Garibaldi's for keeping an eye out for him. "

Russell then grabbed Michaels hand with the dagger and shoved it into his own heart.

Michael slowly removed the blade before being stopped by Brother Theo from tapping his comlink.

"WHAT THE HELL are you doing?

"Look at your friend, Michael. Learn one of the biggest secrets within humanity."

Theo was surprisingly able to keep Michael off his handlink as he watched his friend gasp his last breath…and 30 seconds later breath again sharply as he slowly stood.

"What the hell is this?"

"Michael, I am the man who saved you on mars. I was also you grandmothers partner on the Boston PD. I served with her great grand father in the 3rd world war. I have watched over your…family since that day."

"This is some kind of trick. WHAT THE HELL NASH?"

"You're grandmother kept her service revolver when she was at her first house in a small wall safe she kept behind a map of italy. When she moved to the place near to the harbor, she took the safe with her but kept it in her closet on the shelf by her old music collection. She loved Mozart. Right?"

Michael nodded slowly managing to calm himself as he sat down as Theo continued where Russell left off.

"That tattoo I showed you represents a group of people called watchers. We've known about immortals for a very long time. We watch as the name suggests but we do not interfere."

"This doesn't make sense. How could earthgov or any Doctor.."

Russell put an hand on his friends shoulder.

"Michael, I am pretty much just like anyone. I just have a far harder time dying. I was born in 1518 in the village of Glenfinnan in Scotland. And I'm still your friend."

"All right , saying I believe this? Why are you here? Is Russell Nash your real name?"

"My name is Connor Macleod of the clan Macleod , Michael. I believe there is another of my kind here. I have to deal with him because he is far less cordial than I am."

(tbc)