Future Problems

Concerning Agent Keyes.

When Agent Keyes first appeared in the story, he seemed to know a lot about the sisters so he must have been investigating them for some time. His discussion with Sheridan confirms this. Kyle Brody was part of Homeland Security although at the time he implied that he was working for himself in his actions against the Avatars. But he must have been reporting to Keyes as well. So I started to introduce Keyes early (in Charmed and Howling) to explain how he knew so much.

If all goes well, you will see more of him in future stories, including as happened in the series, when Keyes in effect successfully exposes magic and the Charmed Ones (see Rewitched, season 8).

Bangkok International Airport.

Captain Na Ayutthaya stood straight as he shook Agent Keyes hand. Letting go, he remained close so that only Keyes could hear him as he quietly said "Thankyou for your help. You have probably saved my career.

As you know the Cambodian authorities found something when they tracked that strange electro magnetic interference to its source. An electro magnetic interference we had already linked to previous incidents. One we fortunately, were looking for. Only this time it was on a considerably more massive scale. As a result of what they found, they have asked for Military and Scientific help from my people and both the Vietnamese and Chinese authorities. And what has been found on the series of small hills which I add, has a very evil reputation amongst the locals, has been very unsettling. We found a very old hidden temple build into the side of the tallest hill. A collapsed temple that is well over a thousand years old and far too dangerous to explore. But the damage shows all the signs of being very recent. And given what has happened in other temples over the last several weeks, I am not surprised.

However what we have determined so far has been both very interesting and highly disturbing.

Despite the fact that we probably will never be able to explore past the entrance due to its collapsed nature and its considerable instability, we have already learned a lot. Enough we think, to rewrite some of our early history. Most of it very disconcerting. Not surprisingly, the research group leader is certain there is enough for several years worth of work.

We also know that a large group of at least four to six hundred people were present within hours of the planes arrival. How the people got there, then departed and where they went, can not be explained. And then there is the considerable evidence of a battle on the plain below the temple that shows something large and lethal definitely happened within hours of the troops arrival. That and the many unexplained deaths over the days prior to this event, from here to Vietnam has deeply concerned my superiors and many others. I can not confirm it, but there have been persistent rumours of similar deaths even in China. It would explain the Chinese interest. And that some of the evidence is similar to what you found after that attack in your Golden Gate Park is another major cause for concern.

We have a small but capable group of scientists and archeologists investigating. They have already found blood and tissue samples scattered over a large area in a pattern that strongly implies some form of running battle. Forensic evidence has shown that deaths had to have occurred. And the initial analysis has shown that while much of the blood traces are human, the remainder has that strange triple DNA helix's your files describe.

DNA analysis of the human blood has shown that a variety of ethnic groups were probably involved. Asian, Caucasian definitely and probably others. Nearly all women and probably allied against whatever produced that triple helix DNA. We are also now trying to connect the DNA from the human traces to suspects but there have been complications. Accidents! in two of the labs have contaminated much of this evidence.

And they used weapons that we know nothing about. Analysis has shown that there is a mix of explosive, biological and chemical traces. We cannot explain much of this evidence or even reproduce it. And we have no signs that any conventional weapons were used".

After a pause, he added "We have found a lot of broken glass and pottery vials. Vials that have been shattered, melted or possibly partially vaporised. Vials that analysis has shown contained a large variety of chemicals, mostly of biological origin. Patches of the ground across the plain and vegetation show damage caused by either fire, freezing as well as other even more weird damage. The broken vials were almost entirely located within most of these areas.

And the surrounding forest itself also shows multiple areas of localised damage, this time from fire. Trees and bushes show small patches of intense high temperature damage from some sort of unknown incendiary weapon. And some yards back into the forest, we have found many piles of ashes. Ashes that closely resemble what is left after a person is cremated. But the surrounding ground shows only limited but intense fire damage.

To quote the scientist I was talking with, its like someone either burnt up in flame in seconds with minimal damage to the plants around them or someone walked around dropping ashes and somehow lightly but intensely scorching the immediate surroundings.

Both my political and military superiors as well as my Cambodian counterpart's are quite alarmed that something like this could happen without their knowledge or involvement. We are also fielding increasingly strident requests for information and explanations from neighbouring countries including China.

My superiors have given me complete freedom to continue with the investigation as has my Cambodian counterpart. Even more amazing is that they want me to actively talk with and co-operate with my counter parts around the entire region and you. I now have access to a much larger budget. And I will sent a copy of everything we find out to you as soon as possible. By several different routes to make sure of delivery of course".

"And my people have found your Matt Battagliana and Prue Halliwell".

That made Agent Keyes stand straighter. "Where?" he demanded.

"They have somehow turned up on one of the three most expensive holiday Islands this region has to offer. Normally it is booked for years in advance and costs many thousands of your American dollars a day. They have reserved it for nine days. Paid in advance from an untraceable source and they are the only two people on it.

Not one of my sources can tell me how they achieved this. Nor can anyone get close enough to observe them. Their privacy is protected by powerful political and economic groups who will not permit any form of surveillance as they also use these islands and they don't want to set any precedents".

"Interesting" replied Keyes, "The other Halliwell sisters are in San Francisco. I have positive sightings. In fact they seem to be going out of their way to be noticed by my people".

Captain Na Ayutthaya briefly laughed, with no humour evident. "I have been giving considerable thought to your proposal". After a brief pause, he added "I will not let these people carryout some form of private war. A war that we know nothing about except that it has already resulted in so many violent deaths. What ever they are fighting over, drugs, politics, religion, whatever?. I will find out".

After a brief pause and with deep conviction and muted anger, he then added "Who the hell do they think they are?".

After a long pause to fully regain his composure, Captain Na Ayutthaya added "So I accept your proposal. My team and I will watch these people, gather intelligence and share with you what we find out".

"Good" Agent Keyes replied, "That now makes people in quite a few different countries watching these people. Whatever they are involved in, we will find out. Just take care. We have learnt so much more in the last few days, both here, in San Francisco and elsewhere. And like that temple, it is all highly disturbing.

And because of your research, it seems we have a way to detect their activities. That along will be extremely useful.

Nearly all of the suspects we were watching, were missing when this battle happened. And some have turned up dead, with perfectly explained and unchallengeable natural explanations. Only this many deaths in such a short time from such a small group of people, is wrong. My superiors are becoming increasingly concerned. Like your's, they have even increased my budget !

And I promise you, I will share every thing that we have and will find out with you. And everyone else. With all the data backed up to so many different places, there is no way it will ever be lost again".

As the final call for his flight was announced over the speakers, Keyes grimly smiled and turned to head for the boarding ramp. This was going much better than he expected. The steadily growing group of like minded people he was organising around the world was beginning to bear fruit. Sometime soon, the Halliwells and the strange people they were somehow connected with, were going to be exposed and the truth at last revealed.