Mitochondrion Epidemic.

by Stiltzkin

Chapter V: First Impressions. - Inspector Aya Brea & Special Agent Eve Brea copes with first day blues, while in D.C. Kyle meets his informant for the first time who request him to commit treason and in L.A. Carradine makes a discovery that could turn the

4. Sorority’s Supervision.

MITOCHONDRION EPIDEMIC
By: Stiltzkin

Author's Note: Dang! This thing is long. It's a little longer than I would have liked, but I didn't expect the battle scenes to take up that much space. I made an executive decision to change the text to drama from action\adventure. It appears that I write dialogue better than action scenes and thus made the appropriate changes. In any case, I hope this latest installment of the series is a good one, and that you like it. Please read and review.

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CHAPTER FOUR: SORORITY'S SUPERVISION.

Dollis' Residence
New York, New York
July 15, 2003 06:00 EST

Aya watched the serpent-like steam from her coffee swing and slither it's way into the air as she contemplated. The translucent vapor danced slowly and gently on the surface of the dark nectar, then slowly rose to its apex and then, disappearing into nothingness. Aya wished that her problems would do that.

This was her second, perhaps third cup of coffee since she received the news from Eric Baldwin of her reassignment. 'Why would Hal take me off this mission?' She wondered taking a sip of her coffee. 'It doesn't make sense.' She placed the coffee down and continued to watch the steam rise.

Her mind has been in a state of flux ever since she heard the news. It had consumed her to the brink of insanity and robbed her of what little sleep she normally gets. Periodically, her mind would shift from the ominous news given by Baldwin to her recent revelation of her newfound memories.

Aya looked at her liquid reflection and contemplated who she was and what she may be because of this newfound discovery. The black coffee made a perfect mirror as she gazed upon her counterfeit intently. Aya read somewhere that Nostradamus, the French seer, would predict the future by sitting by a bowl of water and allow his mind to flow freely. She was not attempting to do that, but it did helped her to think. 'Who am I?' She sighed, picking up the mug of coffee and taking another sip.

'How can I have two different, unique sets of memories?' She thought with frustration. 'They could be dreams.' She rationalized. 'No! They HAVE to be real. The sounds, the smells...it felt real.' Aya counter-argued with gusto. 'But how can I forget losing a child, my child?' Aya closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair. She tried to picture her child. It was fruitless; her new memories are incongruent and jumbled. "Ahh...What is going on?" She said with frustration.

"Aya?" Dollis slithered into the kitchen. "Are you all right?"

Aya shot an icy glance at her former partner. "No." Aya sighed. She quickly debated which bad news she was ready to reveal. "Last night my boss called me...I've been reassigned."

"What?" Dollis gasped, sitting down. "But you are the key to the elimination of..."

"I know." Aya sighed. "It doesn't make sense."

"Have you been up all night?"

"Yeah." Aya sighed.

"Why don't you get some sleep." Dollis suggested. "Rupert and I could man headquarters for a couple of hours."

"Thanks for the offer Bo, but Rupert and I have a meeting at the Plaza Hotel at eight. I think it's my new orders for my reassignment." Aya sighed. "That reminds me. Is Rupert up? I haven't told him about the meeting yet."

"Yeah. I think I heard his alarm went off about fifteen minutes ago."

"Thanks." Aya smiled. She took her mug of coffee and finished it. She reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a card. "Here's my cellular number if you need to contact me." Aya sighed.

"I hope this is all a misunderstanding." Dollis wished.

"From your lips..." Aya sighed.

The Plaza
New York, New York
08:00 EST

The Plaza staff was enthusiastic, albeit reluctant to help the Federal Bureau of Investigations with their simple demands. Assistant Director Eric Baldwin was not surprise by the staff's anxiousness of their presence; it was a common reaction, but he was surprised of how unwilling they were to accompany them. He requested only to have a boardroom where they could have a classified meeting for about an hour and it took almost all morning to get it.

Eric sat at the head of the table, to his right sat a man of European persuasion with blond hair and crystal blue eyes. He had a strong, chiseled face and was fairly well built. An empty chair was present to the right of Eric Baldwin. A row down sat Special Agents Pierce Carradine and Jodie Bouquet opposite of each other.

"So Inspector how was your flight?" Carradine asked nonchalantly, breaking the insufferable silence.

"Smooth and uneventful." The stranger replied in the same tone. He looked at his watched and sighed. "So Director where is THIS Hunter of yours?" The man asked coldly.

"Hunter would be here soon, Inspector." Baldwin replied quietly.

"I thought the French were patient?" Bouquet asked rudely. She was frustrated; it was the third time he had asked that question.

"Usually Agent Bouquet, but when there's an epidemic of biblical proportions happening around the world our patience goes out the window." The stranger replied with bitterness.

At that the door to the boardroom opened. "Sorry, we're late. Traffic was horrible." Aya quickly explained taking the seat beside Carradine while Broderick took the seat beside Bouquet.

Baldwin shuffled the loose paper before him and took a deep sigh to recollect his thoughts. "I apologize for calling this meeting at short notice, but it was inevitable." Baldwin sighed. "To my left is Inspector Rene Tibeaudeaux from I.C.P.O."

"Interpol?" Broderick gasped. "What are they doing here."

"We're here to recruit you Hunter." Tibeaudeaux smiled.

"Actually, I'M Hunter." Aya corrected. "What is this about Hal? And why am I being recruited into Interpol?" Aya asked, not allowing the Inspector to apologize.

"Against my wishes, I am order by the United Nations and with the blessings of the President of the United States to hand you over to Interpol to help with the eradication of Extra-Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures around the world."

"In short, you're being conscripted." Tibeaudeaux replied.

Aya was flabbergasted. "I'm flattered and I understand the magnitude of the epidemic with the world and I don't want to sound petty, but what about New York." Aya pointed out. "It makes sense for me to finish the job that I started before continuing on."

"I agree with you Hunter, and we thank you for the relief effort in New York, but you won't be finishing the job." Baldwin sighed. "Nimrod will." He said turning to Bouquet. "Agent Bouquet would you escort Nimrod in." Baldwin asked. Jodie Bouquet silently rose and headed out the door.

"Are you mad?" Aya whispered. "She's five years shy from the completion of her program. She's too young and inexperienced."

"Hunter!" Baldwin said sternly. "Yours was not the first voice that raised this concern. I made it to the Director of the Bureau and he made it to the President." Baldwin said regaining his demeanor. "Our hands are tied and the epidemic around the world is greater then ours." Baldwin sighed.

At that Jodie Bouquet entered with Eve. Aya wanted to run up to her sister and give her a hug, but she quickly remembered the nature of the meeting. Eve wanted to do the same, but Agent Bouquet told her prior to entering not to.

Eve took the available seat beside Assistant Director Baldwin. She felt out of place in a room full of adults - even if she knew most of them. 'Don't be nervous.' She thought to herself.

"Agent Broderick, this is your new partner Nimrod." Baldwin introduced.

"Nice to see you again." Broderick smiled.

"Likewise." Eve smiled nervously. Eve had to force herself not to say 'Uncle Rupert' when greeting Broderick.

"Hunter, what say you?"

'Like I have a choice.' Aya sighed to herself. Aya looked at her sister. 'She looked like me when I was thirteen.' She thought. 'Is she ready?' The question loomed in her head for what seem like an eternity. She turned and looked at her new partner. She knew that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. It was just numbers, so cold, but she knew what she had to do. "When do we leave?" Aya asked above a whisper.

"Leave?" Eve gasped. "Where are you going?" Aya could hear her baby sister's heart break.

"Yeah." Aya sighed nervously. "I'm been recruited by Interpol, you will finish what I started here in the United States." Aya sighed. "So Inspector Tibeaudeaux when do we leave?"

"Our plane to France leaves at noon." Tibeaudeaux replied in the same tone.

"I'll be..." Aya's thoughts were interrupted by her cellular phone ringing. "Excuse me." Aya blushed at her embarrassment. "Hunter here." She answered the phone.

"Aya?" Dollis asked with some confusion. He wasn't familiar with her codename.

"This is she." Aya answered. "What's wrong Captain Dollis?"

"I understand." Dollis realized that Aya was still in her meeting. "We have a development." Dollis reported. "Dr. Smith is back at his office."

"When?"

"We're not sure, but he's here now." Dollis pointed out.

"I'll be there soon. With reinforcements." Aya said enforcing the last part of the sentence to Baldwin.

"What's wrong?" Baldwin asked.

"We have Smith." Aya reported. "We have to go."

"Hunter!" Tibeaudeaux interjected. "Need I remind you that you're no longer with the Bureau."

"Inspector Tibeaudeaux..."

"Please call me Rene."

"Rene." Aya said with reluctance. "Our plane doesn't leave until noon, until then I'm doing my job to the bitter end." Aya sighed. "So Inspec...Rene you can either help us or wait for me at the airport." Aya demanded.

"Eh bien!" Tibeaudeaux sighed. "Let's go."

Dr. Robert Smith's Office, New York University
New York, New York
09:30 EST

Captain Daniel Dollis paced the length of the police blockade. He was worried about Aya in tandem with the chaotic events happening around him. He was surprised to find out that he still had paternal feelings towards Aya. Even if she was thirty years old and no longer a rookie cop, he still feels protective for his former partner.

Kyle Madigan joined the captain in his pacing. They were worried over Aya. 'Why didn't she tell me?' Madigan thought. 'Maybe she didn't want to worry me.' He tried to justify. 'Still a relationship is built on openness, honesty, and trust...' In three years of their relationship this was the first time he ever question the stability of it.

Two cars approached the blockade and stopped. Dollis and Madigan looked up and watched patiently for the occupants to get out. Broderick and the Brea sisters got out of the first car, while Baldwin, Tibeaudeaux, Carradine, and Bouquet exited the second car. Madigan was surprised to see Eve. 'What she doing here?' He thought.

The party of seven walked towards Dollis and Madigan. Dollis was surprise to see so many reinforcements, he had never seen so many suits at one time in his life. Aya picked up the pace and pass Baldwin to make the introductions.

"Always good to see you, Hunter." Dollis smiled, making sure he used her codename.

"Likewise." She returned.

"Quite the crowd you brought." Dollis teased.

"Indeed." Aya sighed. "Captain Dollis may I introduce Assistant Director Baldwin, Inspector Tibeaudeaux from Interpol, Special Agents Bouquet, Carradine, Nimrod, and you know Broderick." Aya introduced, taking a deep breath. "Gang, this Captain Dollis and...Private Investigator Madigan." Aya finished the introductions.

There was a short moment of salutations and introduction, but that was quickly squashed by the matter at hand. "Captain what's our situation." Baldwin asked taking over the operation.

"We didn't see Dr. Smith entered the building in any of the four entrances, but infrared sensors indicated that he is in the building." Dollis reported walking towards a monitor. Baldwin and the rest followed him. "We believed that this is him in the office."

"What are these?" Baldwin asked pointing to several smaller red spots on the monitor.

"We believe that they are Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures." Dollis replied.

"What makes you say that?" Baldwin asked. He sounded a little defensive.

"Dr. Smith was experimenting on monkeys for his dissertation. We believed that their mitochondria may have been awaken by the presence of Dr. Smith." Dollis theorized.

"It is a good theory." Baldwin sighed.

"So this is your baby, what do you suggest to do?" Dollis asked.

Baldwin took a deep sigh and turn around to face the crowd expecting his orders. "All right people." Baldwin sighed. "We need four teams of two." Baldwin sighed. "Alpha Team will consist of Hunter and Tibeaudeaux, Beta Team...Broderick and Nimrod..."

"Hal could we have a moment?" Aya interrupted.

"What is it Hunter?"

"In private?" Aya stressed.

Baldwin sighed and quickly walked twenty paces away from the crowd. "Look Aya, I understand your apprehension of sending Eve into battle, but..."

"That's not it." Aya interrupted. "At least not all of it." Aya sighed. "I like to be partner up with my sister." Aya asked.

Baldwin sighed and thought about her request. "I think it's better that Eve gets to know her new partner and you yours." Baldwin finally answered.

"Hal." Aya said affectionately. "I ask you to reconsider." Aya sighed collecting her thoughts. "It's just that I'm worried about my sister and I have to know that she is ready to do this before I leave for France. So I won't worry about her while I'm aboard." Aya pleaded once more.

Baldwin looked at her and sighed. "All right." He caved. "We better get back." Baldwin hinted.

"Thank you Hal." Aya smiled.

Brea and Baldwin walked back to where everyone was. Baldwin took another deep breath and cleared his throat. "There would be four teams of two to infiltrate Dr. Smith's office. Alpha Team will consist of Hunter and Nimrod, Beta Team...Broderick and Tibeaudeaux...Gamma Team...Carradine and Bouquet and Delta Team..." Baldwin paused for thought. He swore to himself because he hated sending civilians in, but he was out of choices. "Team Delta will consist of Dollis and Madigan."

Baldwin paused and waited to see if there were any objections, there weren't any. "Alpha Team will take the front entrance, Beta the back, Gamma the West and Delta the East." Baldwin took a breath. "Your mission is to eliminate all Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures you may encounter and do whatever is necessary to..." Baldwin paused searching for the right word. "...terminate the threat." Baldwin sighed; he hated to give orders to kill. "Questions!" Baldwin waited a few seconds and surveyed the crowd. "All right, you have your orders. Dismissed."

* * * * * * * * * *

The Brea sisters stood a few meters before the front entrance. Aya looked at her sister and saw that she was nervous. "Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah." Eve sighed, biting her lower lip. "Just a little bit nervous and scared."

Her statement surprised Aya not once, but twice. Her sister's honesty and their shared idiosyncrasy of biting their lower lip when they were nervous were both surprises of similarity and difference to Aya. "That's natural." Aya sighed. "I still get it even today."

"Really?" Eve sounded surprised. "I didn't think you got scared."

"Only a fool doesn't get scared." Aya pointed out, putting the armour that M.I.S.T. customary created just for her. She didn't care for the colour - red, but it was functional and served its purpose. It had seven attachments and very protective.

Aya loaded her trusty M93R standard issue gun with 9mm Spartan bullets, making sure that some ammunition was in one of her attachments. As a secondary weapon she picked a Mongoose Magnum loaded with .44 Maeda bullets. Aya planed to use these bullets on the mitochondria enhanced Dr. Smith. Theses bullets were special it contained anti-mitochondria poison which damages mitochondrion creatures very well.

"Aya...Why did you convince Hal to have me on your team?" Eve hesitantly asked, putting the same armour as Aya on, albeit smaller. Aya made sure that Eve had the same armour, attachments, and secondary weapons as hers.

"Why would you say that?"

"Okay maintain your innocent routine." Eve replied unbelievingly. "But you and I know that you requested that we be together, now why is that?"

Aya sighed. "I just..."

"Alpha Team, are you receiving?" Baldwin came through their intercom.

'Save by the bell.' Aya thought. "Alpha team receiving, command do you read?"

"Coming loud and clear." Baldwin came through their intercoms.

"Ready?" Aya asked. Eve nodded in return.

* * * * * * * * * *

There was a discomforting air of silence hanging between the F.B.I. agent and the Interpol Inspector. Broderick generally was amicable and congenial with everyone, but with Inspector Tibeaudeaux pressed him the wrong way. 'Maybe it's his arrogance.' Broderick thought. 'No...I shouldn't judge him before I know him.' He thought loading his Mongoose gun with .44 Magnum bullets.

"Agent Broderick may I ask you a question?" Tibeaudeaux inquired loading his MP5A5 submachine gun with 9mm bullets.

"You just did." Broderick answered coldly. "What's your question?"

"What's so special about Hunter and Nimrod?" The Interpol Inspector loaded his firearm. "I mean what's the big fuss about those two?" Tibeaudeaux asked. "I don't see anything special about them.

"That's on a need to know business, and quite frankly Inspector Tibeaudeaux, you don't need to know." Broderick explained bitterly.

"That's rather insubordinate." Tibeaudeaux said nonchalantly.

"Insubordination would indicate that you have jurisdiction here and you don't." Tibeaudeaux laughed at his statement. 'God even his laughter sounds arrogant.' Broderick thought to himself.

"Interpol is the World Intelligence we have jurisdiction everywhere."

"Inspector Tibeaudeaux, I believe you're trying to hoodwink me." Broderick smiled. "Every F.B.I. agent knows that Interpol's jurisdiction is not absolute."

"Beta Team, are you receiving?" Baldwin asked coming through their intercom.

"Beta team receiving, command do you read?"

"Coming loud and clear." Baldwin came through their intercoms.

"Ready, Inspector?" Broderick asked.

"I was born ready." Tibeaudeaux gloated.

* * * * * * * * * *

Agent Carradine sat in the shade of the building polishing his gunblade. Moments earlier Agent Bouquet watch him slowly, but ceremoniously putting R. Slug bullets into his favourite weapon.

Agent Bouquet was not known for her patience and was easily frustrated. She looked at her M4A1 tactical assault rifle with all the attachments on her armour, ready to go. She has been ready, to what seemed to her for eons. "You know the first Neo-Mitochondrion Creature you kill will stain your precious gunblade."

"That's not the point." Carradine answered calmly.

"Then what is the point?" Bouquet asked. She was irritated by his tranquility.

"If I have to tell you, then you wouldn't understand." He replied.

"Try me." She tempted.

Bouquet could see his royal blue eyes peering over his sunglasses. She could feel them probing her, judging her. "Doing this centers me." Carradine saw confusion in his partner's eyes. "It calms me down." He sighed, pushing back his sunglasses and quickly returned to his polishing.

Bouquet, who considers herself an expert in firearms, scoffed at her partner. "I don't understand you Carradine. A firearm is so much more effective then your gunblade."

"If you say so." Carradine said nonchalantly.

"I know so." Bouquet said cockily. "A gun has a better range and holds more bullets and is respectively safer than that gunblade of yours."

"Sure." He replied lackadaisically.

"You're not even listening to me are you?"

"Not a word." Carradine smiled.

"Gamma Team, are you receiving?" Baldwin asked for confirmation.

"Gamma Team receiving, command do you read?" Bouquet replied with anger.

"Coming loud and clear." Baldwin came through their intercoms.

"Hey Carradine!" Bouquet raised her voice. "Done polishing your silverware?"

"Yeah, like ten minutes ago." Carradine sighed.

"Hey, that's when we started this conversation." Bouquet protested.

"I know." Carradine smiled. He so enjoyed watching Bouquet feeling frustrated, especially towards him.

* * * * * * * * * *

Madigan blew the gunpowder out of his silencer and looked through it. 'It's clear.' He thought to himself. He slowly screwed the silencer back on his P229 Semi-automatic 9mm gun. "Hey Dollis." Madigan broke the silence. "Are you married."

"Once upon a time." Dollis replied equivocally. "We were divorced some time ago." Dollis sighed loading his gun.

"What happened?"

Dollis gave a sharp look at the youth. "She loved me, not my job." Dollis simplified a very complicated story. "She died six years ago..." His voice trailed off.

"I'm sorry." Madigan said above a whisper.

"Don't be." Dollis sighed. "It's not your fault, but let's talk about what's really on your mind."

"Oh, what is that?" Madigan asked innocently.

"Aya." Dollis simply answered.

"Why would I want to talk about Aya?"

"Madigan, don't play the innocent routine with me." Dollis sighed. "You don't do it very well." Dollis smirked.

"Delta Team, are you receiving?" Baldwin interrupted their discussion.

"We're not done with this yet." Dollis pointed out. He activated his microphone and took a deep sigh. "Delta team receiving, command do you read?"

"Coming loud and clear." Baldwin came through their intercoms.

"Ready lover boy?" Dollis mocked. Madigan loaded his P229 as his answer. "All right let's go."

The east entrance was a small, insignificant portal. The New York Captain and the Private Detective approached it inconsequentially and crossed the threshold. "We're in." Dollis reported.

They cautiously tread across the vinyl flooring of the hallway. Their footsteps echoed through the prejudice halls. "You're right, I DID wanted to talk about Aya." Madigan's said breaking the silence.

"You didn't have to tell me that." Dollis sighed looking down a corridor.

"How long have you known Aya?" Madigan asked.

"A little over six years, why do you ask?"

"No reason." Madigan sighed. "It's just that..."

"You two had a fight?" Dollis hinted.

"No." Madigan quickly answered. "It's just that...In your relationship with her has she ever kept anything secret from you?"

"I've only known Aya for a year before she joined the Bureau. After that we stayed in touch with the odd phone call and letter, but I have a feeling that you know her more intimately than I do." Dollis explained.

"I doubt that." Madigan sighed.

"How long have you two been together?"

"A little over three years." Madigan sighed. "But I'm thinking of ending it."

"What?" Dollis gasped.

"Central to Delta Team." Baldwin interrupted their conversation. "We're detecting two Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures in your vicinity."

"We read you Central." Dollis reported.

The duo stopped in their tracks and waited for the inevitable. Their hearts pounded in the expectation of what they may encounter. 'Where are they?' Dollis thought to himself. He could have asked Baldwin, but he thought speaking would attract them to their positions.

Two Extra-Neo-Mitochondrion Monkeys screamed towards them. The anthropoid apes darted on their hind legs towards the intruders.

* * * * * * * * * *

The front entrance was a grand and illustrious courtyard. The Brea sisters quickly crossed the enclosure and reached the welcoming front door. Aya looked at her little sister and sighed. 'I hope we're doing the right thing.' She thought. She looked through the glass door and into the rotunda. 'It's clear.' She thought. Aya looked at her sister one more time and contemplated whether to turn back or not.

"I'm ready." Eve assured her older counterpart.

Aya smiled and nodded. She opened the door and crossed the threshold. "We're in." Aya reported.

"Be careful." Baldwin stated the obvious.

They cautiously and conscientiously crossed the marble floor of the rotunda. The rotunda was vast and had two balconies, which made it difficult for the two to survey. Aya and Eve had to simultaneously look at the balconies and before them for Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures.

"Aya?" Eve asked above a whisper.

"Yes, what is it." Aya whispered back.

"You didn't answer my question."

"What question?" Aya prevaricated, inching her way to their destination.

"Oh, I think you know."

Aya stopped in her tracks and sighed. "Eve, I'm worried about you. You're thirteen..."

"...who is almost a college graduate and a F.B.I. Agent." Eve pointed out. "I can take care of myself." She protested.

"Look Eve I know that at thirteen you think you know everything in the world, but the truth of the matter is: you have no idea how rough life really is - especially when dealing with Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures." Aya rebuked a little more harshly than she wanted. "It'll just make me feel better for leaving if I know you'll be okay." Aya sighed affectionately.

"Aya, I can take care of myself." Eve reassured. "I'm a black belt in three different types of martial arts; mastered levels one to three in the M.I.S.T. shooting gallery; and average a score of 56,500 on level four."

"What about level five?" Aya asked.

"There's a level five?" Eve's face turned white.

"Yeah." Aya sighed. "Level five is where..." Aya was interrupted by her sixth sense - it went crazy. "Eve, do you feel that?"

"Yeah." Eve gasped. "What is it?"

"It's our innate mitochondria proximity detector." Aya explained. "When the mitochondria in our bodies were awaken our cells had the ability to ascertain renegade mitochondria activity nearby."

"In other words, a Neo-Mitochondrion Creature is nearby." Eve reiterated her sister's explanation.

"Yeah." Aya sighed. They quickly looked around the rotunda. "Up there." Aya pointed towards the two balconies.

Two Extra-Neo-Mitochondrion Monkeys dashed across the balconies and jumped down landing gracefully on the rotunda's marble floor. The anthropoid ape fixated their human-like eyes on their enemies, which quickly luminescence red. With a primitive war cry scream they darted on their hind legs towards the invaders.

* * * * * * * * * *

Broderick and Tibeaudeaux approached the small and intrusive back door. An uninviting portal that if one was not looking for it would miss it. It blended into the background easily.

The F.B.I. agent and the Interpol inspector headed towards the back door, with the Interpol inspector leading the way. Tibeaudeaux clutched the iron metallic handle and forced the door open. "Après vous." The Interpol inspector smiled.

Broderick scoffed to himself and crossed the threshold. "We're in, Command." The F.B.I. agent reported. The duo walked into a large, dusty room.

"Where are we?" Tibeaudeaux asked.

"Custodian Headquarters." Broderick explained as they cautiously paced their way towards the door leading to a labyrinth of halls.

Tibeaudeaux gave a curious sigh. "It explains the filthiness of the room." The inspector said in his aristocratic voice.

"I'm sorry we didn't have time to call the maid's service for your arrival." Broderick said with cold sarcasm.

Tibeaudeaux chuckled silently to himself. "You don't like me do you?" He asked.

"Is that a requirement?"

"No." Tibeaudeaux sighed. "But it should be."

'My God.' Broderick swore. 'Is he really that arrogant.' Sighingly he continued his way towards his destination. Broderick welcomed the silence, but he feared that it wouldn't last. His fears were justified.

"So Broderick tell me something." Tibeaudeaux broke the silence. "Are Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures as dangerous the United Nations claims them to be."

"I don't know." Broderick sighed. "What does the United Nations say?"

"Unofficially, they say it's the greatest biological threat in history."

"That's a general, if not apt, statement."

"Hmm...I thought you would say that." Tibeaudeaux sighed. "The United Nations are such melodramatics."

"I am not." Broderick protested.

"No, but no one like their work being trivialized."

"And how many Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures did you encounter?"

"None." Tibeaudeaux replied.

"Than how do you know..." Broderick was interrupted by Baldwin's announcement telling him that there was a Mitochondrion Creature nearby. "You might get a chance." Broderick replied. "There's one in the vicinity."

"Where?" Tibeaudeaux asked. Broderick detected a hint of fright in his voice.

Before Broderick could answer his question. A hominoid-like creature jumped from behind a tower of boxes and attacked Tibeaudeaux. He saw the disfigured face of the monkey on his chest. It's skin peeling and it's saliva dripping on his face.

* * * * * * * * * *

The west entrance was a trivial, unpretentious entrance. The two F.B.I. agents approached it and inconsequentially crossed the threshold. "We're in." Carradine related.

They cautiously tread across the vinyl flooring of the dark prejudice hallway. "Hal, the power is out." Bouquet reported.

"There's a fuse box in a room about ten meters to your left." Baldwin came ringing through.

"Thanks Hal." Bouquet responded. They deliberately walked carefully through the caliginous hallway. "Are you still wearing your sunglasses?" Bouquet asked. "It's dark here."

"These are more than sunglasses." Carradine sighed. "They double as night vision goggles." He said pressing a small button on the brim of his glasses and the darkness turned into green, florescent light. He could see the walls and doors distinctively. "Follow me."

Bouquet followed closely behind her partner. She was embarrassed, quiet, and angry. She was angry and embarrassed because she didn't come prepared and she hated the fact that Carradine did.

Bouquet had always considered Carradine as a defiant, free spirited, nonchalant, lackadaisical, but surprisingly and only to Bouquet, frustratingly intelligent, efficient, and a proficient person.

"We're here." Carradine announced. "The fuse box should be behind this door."

"Great." Bouquet sighed reaching for the doorknob.

A sound emanated from the room. "Wait." Carradine stopped her. "Let me check what's behind the door first."

"What you're telling me that your sunglasses triples as an infrared detector." Bouquet suggested sarcastically.

"Yes. How did you know?" Carradine smiled. He pressed another small button on the brim of his glasses. The green, florescent light room faded into darkness. Carradine allowed his eyes to focused for a couple of seconds. He saw two large, red spots indicating that there was something producing heat - and a lot of it at that. "There's something inside, two of them."

"Are they Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures?" Bouquet asked. It was then that Baldwin came through confirming her suspicions. "Are you ready?" Bouquet asked the darkness.

Carradine pressed the small button on his sunglasses and return it back to the night vision abilities. "Ready." Carradine reported. He allowed Bouquet to open the door as he saw two hominoids darted their way. 'Damn they're ugly.' He swore to himself. "Take the left one." Carradine quickly whispered. "It's directly in front of you."

Bouquet could have guessed without Carradine telling her. The left Extra-Neo-Mitochondrion Creature started shooting violet energy beams from its hands. She ran out of the way and saw the purple beams hitting the adjacent wall. She quickly looked down at her armour when the dark environment was lighted for a second by the energy beams. She fiddled for the correct attachment and connected it to her firearm.

Carradine ran towards the transformed monkey to the right and slammed his gunblade on the hominoid neck triggering his weapon on impact. Carradine welcomed the taste of R. Slug shotgun powder in his mouth. When the dust settled he saw the genetically enhanced monkey still standing.

He swore to himself as he saw the eyes of the creature turned solid, glowing. Two laser beams shot out from it. It threw Carradine slamming against the wall near the door. He dropped his gunblade in mid-flight.

"Carradine get out!" Bouquet yelled into the dark. He looked at her and saw that she held her M4A1 tactical assault rifle with a Pyke attachment. He knew what she was thinking. Carradine rolled out into the corridor.

"Do it now!" Carradine yelled with pain.

Bouquet quickly stood up and saw the echelon of fire emanating from her weapon. With the blessing of the light she saw that the monkey on the right, the one Carradine attacked was limping. Bouquet aimed at it first killing it and quickly moved to the remaining one. 'I hope I have enough power to kill it.' She thought hearing the anthropoid ape scream in pain. She didn't.

Bouquet quickly unfastened the Pyke attachment and threw it on the ground. "Where is it?" Bouquet asked with a hint of fear. It was dark again and she couldn't see anything.

Carradine looked at the anthropoid through his night vision glasses. He saw that it was struggling getting up. He rushed towards Bouquet; she was still holding her M4A1 aimlessly in the dark. He quickly put his hand over her's and pressed her body against his. He quickly positioned her rifle at the anthropoid ape and pressed the trigger.

He saw the mutated monkey dancing painfully as each bullet hit it. They quickly finished the round to no avail it was still standing. Carradine swore to himself. "What is it?" Bouquet asked.

"It's still alive." Carradine said rushing towards the mitochondria enhanced primate. Carradine jumped into the air and extended his leg. He jump-kicked the mutated anthropoid in the head. He saw the anthropoid ape flew towards the wall. He heard its neck cracked as it impacted the wall. "All clear." Carradine announced.

Carradine quickly walked towards his gunblade picking it up. With his night vision glasses he saw a box of fuses. He walked towards it and grabbed one and quickly changed the burnt out fuse in the box. The lights flickered on.

"Finally." Bouquet exasperated. She saw Carradine putting two capsules of healing medicine in his mouth. "You okay?" Bouquet asked.

"Fine." Carradine said putting the bottle away. He pressed a button on the frame of his shades to returning it to the default setting of shades. "You ready?"

"Let's go." Bouquet said leading the way. They quickly, but cautiously headed to a stairway and dashed up the stairs. "Thank you." Bouquet said above a whisper.

"For what?" Carradine confusingly asked, opening the door to the second floor.

"For helping me back there."

"Oh." Carradine sighed. "You don't have to thank me."

"Why not?"

"It was a team effort." Carradine explained. "You helped me kill one and I helped you."

"Yeah I guess." Bouquet sighed. "But it was my rifle that saved your behind." Bouquet said that on purpose to get a rise out of Carradine. She too enjoyed seeing him getting angry.

Carradine stopped in his tracks with animosity. "You got to be kidding." He fumed. "If it wasn't for my gunblade and my martial arts training you would still be blind like a bat!" Carradine lost his temper, for only a moment.

They bickered for a few minutes; each claiming that it was their philosophy in fighting that made their previous battle so victorious. The idea of teamwork was thrown out of the window. "All right!" Bouquet finally clamored. "We'll have a contest."

"What sort of contest?"

"Whoever kills the most Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures will be considered the better fighter." Bouquet replied.

"Deal." Carradine stuck out his hand. Bouquet grabbed his hand and shook it.

They continued across the second floor checking the empty rooms for Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures. Bouquet held onto her rifle, while Carradine grasped his gunblade ready, and very anxious to take the next kill.

"Two Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures are in the vicinity." Baldwin reported through their earphones.

Bouquet and Carradine looked at each other, their eyes staring intently. They remained silent; the air of competition rang through the air. Two mutated anthropoid apes appeared before them. They both nod at each other and dashed towards them.

* * * * * * * * * *

"You okay?" Madigan asked Dollis as he helped him up from the ground.

"Yeah. I'm getting way too old for this." Dollis sighed.

"Nonsense." Madigan smiled. "You'll miss this life in an instant."

There was a moment of silence as they stood there for a few minutes. The silence and tension was irritating. Dollis wanted to continue their conversation, but he didn't know how to proceed. "We better get going." Dollis sighed.

"Yeah." Madigan sighed.

They walked silently and quietly through the corridors thinking. "So..." Dollis sighed breaking the silence. "Why do you want to break up with Aya?"

"It's complicated." Madigan sighed taking the stairs to the next floor.

"Isn't it always?" Dollis walked through the threshold.

Madigan remained silent, thinking. "It's just that I don't feel close to her anymore." Madigan sighed.

"Have you talked to her?" Dollis suggested.

Madigan scoffed at the remark. "I tired, but she won't tell me what's bothering her."

"Why not?"

"She tells me that she's okay or it's confidential." Madigan sighed.

"Well that goes along with her job." Dollis sighed. "I'm sure that Bureau has several confidential cases." Dollis pointed out.

"It's not cases." Madigan sighed. "I understand that, my cases are classified too, it's just more than that..." Madigan sighed with frustration.

"Like what?"

"For example last night, she had a bad dream and refuse to talk about it. She practically ordered me to go back to bed. Then she gets a call from Hal..."

"Oh, that." Dollis sighed.

"You know what that's about?"

"She didn't tell you?" Dollis sounded surprised.

"No." Madigan softly. "What is it?"

"It's not my place too tell..."

"Daniel!" Madigan raised his voice. "I have to know, do you know how it feels when the person you love more than life is in trouble and you can't do anything to help them!" Madigan ranted.

"Yeah, I do." Dollis sighed, remembering how helpless he felt six years ago when he couldn't do anything to help his ex-wife, Lorraine.

"Then please tell me what's going on." Madigan pleaded.

"She's being transferred...reassigned." Dollis said above a whisper.

"What?" Madigan gasped.

"Baldwin to Delta Team." The Assistant Director's voice came ringing through.

'What now?' Madigan cursed to himself. "Delta Team here." Madigan replied bitterly. "What are we looking at?"

"Two Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures directly in front of you." Baldwin reported.

"Thanks Central, Delta Team out." Dollis said, reloading his firearm. Madigan did the same as they saw two Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures coming their way.

* * * * * * * * * *

"You okay?" Aya asked helping her younger sibling off the floor.

"Fine." Eve sighed. "Let me guess Level Five in the shooting gallery is where the targets attack back." Eve ascertained with a weak smile.

"That's a good guess." Aya smiled.

Eve looked at the two dead primates, their bodies still sizzling from the battle. Aya joined her baby sister. "Did I do that?" Eve whispered. She was in awe at her powers.

"Yeah." Aya sighed. "Almost got me singed in the process." Aya looked at her sister and saw fear in her eyes. "Is this the first time you saw death?" Aya asked holding her.

"No." Eve sighed. "I've seen it before while I was at Neo Ark, but this...this was the first time I killed." Eve sighed wanting to weep. "Does it get any easier?"

Aya was surprised at the question, she hadn't thought of it before. "This was justified." Aya reassured. "It was in self defense."

"I know." Eve sighed. "It doesn't make it any easier." Eve wanted to cry. "They sounded so human when they died."

"Com'on, let's go." Aya escorted her sister from the scene.

They walked a few meters away from the battle. Eve was still shaking. "I guess you're right." Eve said, above a whisper.

"About what?" Aya asked.

"To worry about me." Eve sighed. "I'm not ready for this."

"No, you're not." Aya sighed. Eve was shocked, she didn't expect to hear that. "You were suppose to stay at the center until you're eighteen." She comforted. "Then you're were to go through extensive psychological and additional Bureau training for another three years before you stepped out into the field."

"Then take me back." Eve pleaded. "Please."

"I wish we could." Aya sighed.

"Why not?" Eve cried.

"Because we're in dire circumstances." Aya sighed. "There's an epidemic around the world. I have no choice, but to help." Aya explained. "That's why I'm leaving today."

"I know." Eve sighed. "But, why can't you finish your job here."

"I would like too, but the longer I stay here, the more disastrous it is for the world. This has to be stopped in its infancy, before it gets worse." Aya sighed. "Like it or not, the lives of all New Yorkers rest in your hands and I know that sucks, but that's life and that's the way it is. There's no other way." Aya paused looking at her sister. "Eve, you have to do this! I know you can, but the question is can you?"

"Yeah." Eve sighed above a whisper.

"Good." Aya smiled. They walked arm in arm and headed for the staircase. "Now, here's some advice in your fighting technique." Aya sighed.

"What's wrong with my technique?" Eve asked. "I killed both the Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but casting four Infernos is a little excessive." Aya pointed out. "Your Parasite Powers are to be used with responsibly and should be only used as a last resort or when needed. This is your first choice in a weapon." Aya said raising her firearm.

"I understand." Eve smiled. "I'll remember that."

"Secondly..." Aya was interrupted by the cells in her body telling her that there was a Neo-Mitochondrion Creature nearby. Aya looked at her sister. "You're ready?" She nodded. "This time we use these first." Aya pointed out.

"Okay." Eve sighed. "There it is." Eve pointed as two mutated primates darted towards them.

* * * * * * * * * *

"You okay Tibeaudeaux?" Broderick asked reloading his Mongoose Magnum with .44 bullets.

"Yeah, just get this thing off me." Tibeaudeaux said. "It stinks." The deceased primate lulled over his body motionless.

"Can't you get it off?" Broderick asked.

"No. I can't move." Tibeaudeaux struggled. "I think I'm paralyzed."

'How the mighty has fallen.' Broderick sighed to himself. He walked over to the Interpol Agent and moved the dead mutated anthropoid ape from his body. The primate attacked Tibeaudeaux while resting on his torso; concurrently Broderick discharged his firearm until it died.

"Hurry up." Tibeaudeaux demanded. Broderick smiled to himself, he rather enjoyed hearing fear in his voice.

"Just one moment." Broderick smiled. He got out a syringe and feed him a vial of Penicillin. "There that should do it."

"How did I get paralyzed?" Tibeaudeaux asked still lying on the ground.

"I suspect that its saliva has some sort of paralyzing agent." Broderick said gathering some of it in a small vial.

"So that's what we're facing." Tibeaudeaux sighed getting up. "Perhaps I have underestimated these Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures."

"It's just the tip of the iceberg." Broderick explained. "Here take two capsules and you should be as good as new." Broderick got up and walked towards the door leading into the rest of the building.

"What do you mean?"

"We at M.I.S.T. call that a Class C Neo-Mitochondrion Creature." Broderick explained.

"Class C?"

"Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures are grouped into four classes: A, B, C, and D. Class A being the toughest to defeat, while Class D the weakest." Broderick explained.

"I see." Tibeaudeaux sighed.

They meandered through the maze of halls until they reached a flight of steps. They quickly raced up the stairs in order that they could search the second floor. Unfortunately, a mitochondria enhanced monkey was blocking their way. Broderick swore to himself.

"What's wrong?" Tibeaudeaux asked.

"Nothing." He sighed. "It's just that we don't have much room to maneuver." Broderick sighed firing his magnum. Tibeaudeaux follow suit with his 9mm submachine gun.

Broderick saw the mutated anthropoid ape's eyes glowed red. He swore to himself again. "Duck!" He yelled.

"Why?" Tibeaudeaux asked.

"Just do it!" With that, two laser beams emanated from the eyes. The beams missed Tibeaudeaux by an inch while Broderick jumped over the banister to dodge it. He was about to free fall, but quickly grabbed the railing.

Tibeaudeaux returned his fire, while Broderick hung about five meters from the ground. "Command to Beta Team."

"What is it Hal? We're kind of busy." Broderick gasped. His grip was getting weaker.

"Sensors detecting a Neo-Mitochondrion Creature nearby."

"Thanks for the report. Beta Team Out." Broderick said the first part with sarcasm. 'Hurry up and kill it.' Broderick thought to himself. He tried to pull himself up, but lost his grip. He started to free fall.

"Gotcha." Tibeaudeaux gasped grabbing Broderick's free hand. "How much do you weigh?" The inspector struggled pulling Broderick over the banister.

"Thanks." Broderick sighed out of breath.

"Let's consider it even." Tibeaudeaux smiled. "You save me back there in the custodian room."

"Deal." Broderick smiled. "Let's go."

They crossed the threshold of the door leading to the second floor. They quickly, but carefully search the second floor. At the end of the hall was another set of stairs that they quickly ran up. They didn't want to be caught in the same tight position again.

Broderick and Tibeaudeaux were halfway through the third floor when they received a message from Baldwin.

"Beta Team here." Broderick answered.

"I'm detecting three Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures in your vicinity."

"How many? Please repeat Command." Tibeaudeaux gasped.

"Three."

At that three conditionally enhanced anthropoid apes darted towards them. They raised their firearms and waited for the inevitable.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Tired Carradine?" Bouquet asked out of breath.

"No." He panted. "You?"

"No way." Bouquet dismissed. "I could go on for days."

"Me too."

"Well that makes two kills for me." Bouquet gloated.

"For the both of us." Carradine reminded.

"Don't remind me." Bouquet sighed. She turned around and saw gold. "There's one!" Bouquet pointed to a Neo-Mitochondrion Creature heading for the next floor of the building.

Bouquet and Carradine looked at each other. "It's mine." They said in unison as they chased after the creature.

* * * * * * * * * *

Madigan and Dollis reloaded their weapons as they crossed over the dead bodies of the mutated apes still smoking from firearm discharge. "So Aya's being transferred." Madigan said continuing their conversation.

"Yeah." Dollis sighed. "I don't know where or why though, but if I have to hazard a guess she's being transferred to Interpol, and that young agent..."

"Eve Brea." Madigan whispered. "Her younger sister."

"Yeah." Dollis sighed. "I believe that Eve is her replacement."

"That makes sense." Madigan sighed. "But it doesn't matter." Madigan said apathetically. "It just proves my point."

"What is that?"

"Every time I tried to get close to her, she just pushes me away."

"So that's why you're breaking up with her."

"One of many reasons." Madigan sighed.

"Do you love her?"

"I do." Madigan sighed. "But if she doesn't want to commit...God, why is this so hard." He sighed with frustration.

"Kyle." Dollis began sympathetically. "Everything hard, scary, or risky in life is worth fighting for." Dollis advised. "Talk to her...Don't go into anything with haste...You might regret it."

"Yeah." Madigan sighed. "I'll think about it."

They were on their way towards the third floor when Baldwin came through with a Neo-Mitochondrion Creature alert. "There's one Neo-Mitochondrion Creature nearby." Baldwin reported.

"I see it, Command." Dollis reported. "Delta Team out." He turned to his partner and saw that he was deep in frustration. "Com'on Kyle, everything's going to be okay."

"From your lips..." He wished. "Let's kill some NMC's." Madigan charging towards the mutated primate.

* * * * * * * * * *

"That's better." Aya smiled. "See I knew you could do it."

"Thanks." Eve said looking at the two lifeless anthropoids. 'Why do they have to look so human.' Eve thought to herself.

"Are you all right?" Aya asked.

"I'll will be." Eve sighed. She looked at her sister and gave a smile. "So what's the second point."

"Second point?"

"In improving my technique." Eve reminded. "The first was to use my powers only when necessary."

"Right, the second point is more a warning than anything else." Aya sighed. "Eve, you can't use your powers when other people are around, that is except the people in M.I.S.T." Aya sighed. "You can't risk exposing our secret, or alienating, or more importantly hurting our friends." Aya pointed out.

"With great powers comes great responsibilities." Eve sighed.

"Yeah." Aya smiled. "Com'on let's get going."

With the two mutated anthropoid apes were killed the second floor was declared clean of Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures. Eve and Aya quickly reached the third floor where they crossed quickly, but cautiously.

"So is there something else I should know?" Eve asked.

"Rupert could teach you the rest." Aya sighed. "Just listen to him, okay?"

"Okay." Eve sighed.

"Is there something else?" Aya sensing that there was more to her answer.

"Yeah, our sixth sense...the one for detecting Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures..."

"Yeah, what is it?" Aya asked.

"Does it work when there's no Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures around?" Eve asked. "Does it go off for no reason?" Aya detected a hint of hope in her voice.

"No it doesn't, that is not to me, why do you ask?" Aya asked.

"I sensed it before." Eve confessed. "At the National Center of Mitochondrion Control and Studies." Eve acknowledged.

"In Atlanta?"

"Yeah." Eve sighed. "What does that mean?"

"I don't know." Aya sighed ominously. "I think we should talk to Baldwin." Aya suggested.

"Yeah that's a good idea." Eve smiled.

The third floor was free from Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures so they quickly took the stairs to reach the top floor. They arrived on the fourth floor where Dr. Smith's laboratory was located.

"Alpha Team to Command." Aya asked.

"Command here."

"We're entering the lab." Aya reported to Baldwin.

"Be careful, sensors indicate that Smith is still in his office." Baldwin reported back.

"Ten. Four." Aya answered.

She opened the door to the laboratory and crossed the threshold. Aya and Eve's sixth sense went crazy. A Neo-Mitochondrion Creature was near by. Eve could hear her sister's heart beating synchronous to hers. The mitochondria enhanced monkey jumped from behind the cage, landing on Eve's chest.

Eve screamed with fear. She saw the savageness of the anthropoid ape an instinctively summoned her mitochondria to produce electricity. She felt the whoosh of the wind ringing through her ears and slamming against the Neo-Mitochondrion Creature.

Aya witnessed Eve using her parasitic energy to cast Plasma, which tossed the mutated primate high in the air. 'Atta girl.' Aya smiled to herself. She took aim with her firearm and quickly released a volley of 9mm bullets. Eve did the same, by unleashing her weapon at its chest. She could feel the mutated blood splattered on her face.

Eve rolled away as the ape fell back down. She got on one knee and liberated another round of bullets. It fell down cracking its neck, yet it was still alive. Eve slowly raised her weapon and looked into the Neo-Mitochondrion Creature's eyes. She saw fear in its eyes, like it was pleading for mercy. Aya took a shot at the primate, putting it out of its misery.

"You okay?" Aya asked.

"Yeah." Eve sighed. "I have yet to get use to this 'killing in cold blood' thing." Eve retorted. "So did I use my parasite powers right?" Eve asked coming out of her trance.

"You did well." Aya smiled.

"Yeah, but I didn't..."

"You'll get the hang of it." Aya supported.

At that Broderick, Tibeaudeaux, Dollis and Madigan entered the laboratory. The four walked towards the Brea sisters. Aya saw Kyle's solemn demeanor and knew that something was wrong. She was about to ask Kyle what was bothering him, when there was a rumble outside in the hall and her sixth sense went crazy. "Something's coming!" Aya warned.

The six raised their firearms as a terrified mutated monkey ran through the door. It stopped with surprise as it saw the crowd in the laboratory. Simultaneously, all six members took a few shots at the lone anthropoid and killed it.

"Where did it go?" Aya could hear Bouquet's voice down the hall.

"It went into that room." Carradine yelled.

"Carradine it's mine."

"You wish Bouquet." Carradine said rushing into the room. He stopped in awe when he saw the dead Neo-Mitochondrion Creature. Bouquet quickly rushed into the room and bumped into him. "Hey watch where you going." Carradine whispered through his teeth. They quickly reserved themselves when they saw their six partners standing around them. "Did you kill it?" He asked them.

"Of course." Aya said feeling clueless. The two slumped with disappointment. "What's wrong?" Aya asked. "You two had a wager going or something?"

"No." They replied in unison.

Aya didn't quite believe them, but she shrugged it off. "Com'on, let's get Smith." Aya ordered.

The party of eight headed to the back of the laboratory where the former Dr. Robert Smith's office used to be. They were about a meter away from the door when Aya and Eve heard Broderick and Tibeaudeaux screamed in pain. Aya smelled burning flesh and knew that she and Eve were on their own.

"Don't worry." Aya sighed. "We'll take care of him."

"What was that about?" Eve asked.

"It's a defense mechanism that is inherited to Class B Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures or higher." Aya started to explain. "Somehow these creatures have the ability to communicate with dormant mitochondria and control them, if they pass within their radius of projection. The more powerful the Neo-Mitochondrion Creature the larger the radius."

"Like to produce fire." Eve suggested. "And we're aren't affected because of our slightly enhanced mitochondria immune system."

"That's right." Aya smiled opening the door.

"What a blessing." Eve sighed.

"Or a curse." Aya said under her breath. "Com'on, let's go." Aya said entering the room.

Their mitochondria went crazy telling them that he was nearby. The room was still messy and was small, but they couldn't see him. Aya darted at the window to see if it was open, it wasn't. She sighed with relief the last thing Aya wanted was to allow what happened yesterday to repeat itself.

"Where is he?" Eve asked Baldwin. "We know he's here."

"Infrared sensors suggests that it's still in the room." Baldwin reported.

Aya and Eve heard a sinister laughter echoing from every direction of the room. "Where are you Smith!" Aya yelled in the room. Laughter was her only answer; it resounded around the room getting louder by each passing second.

"Carradine to Brea."

"Brea here." Aya replied.

"Open the door." Carradine ordered. "I have something to give you."

"What?"

"Trust me." Carradine replied.

Aya walked towards the door and opened it. Carradine took off his sunglasses and threw it to Aya. "Your sunglasses?" Aya asked with confusion. She quickly picked it up and closed the door. The last thing she wanted was Dr. Smith to escape.

"Press the second circular button on the left rim and put it on." Carradine came through the intercom.

"What is it?"

"It's something I invited." Carradine sighed. "I call it a multi-functioning sunglasses. You've just put it the glasses in an infrared detector and Aya please take care of it. I only have one."

Aya was elated in hearing the news. "Carradine I could kiss you." Aya smiled putting on the glasses. She looked around the room and saw a six-foot Neo-Mitochondrion Creature approaching Eve. "Eve duck!" Aya said lifting her hand towards Dr. Smith and commanded her mitochondria to produce fire. Fire swept in front of her engulfing the invisible Dr. Smith.

Eve gasped seeing the silhouette of the invisible Dr. Smith. She raised her weapon and started firing. It was hopeless the bullets bounced off the invisible Neo-Mitochondrion Creature without any damage.

Having been caught Dr. Smith allowed himself to be seen. Eve's eyes dilated with fear. Robert Smith was hovering about two feet in the air. He was so close that she could smell his breath. His hair was wild and flowing, his eyes burned with white energy. Eve froze she couldn't move.

"Eve move!" Aya yelled discharged her weapon with no success. Smith approached Eve his hands held glowing balls of white energy. He was ready to throw them at her. Aya dropped her weapon and grabbed her secondary firearm with anti-mitochondria toxin. She triggered a round into Smith and swore to herself. The bullets bounced off Smith, his laugh echoing through the air.

"What's wrong?" Baldwin asked.

"The Maeda bullets were ineffective." Aya reported with fear. Smith threw the two white energy balls at Eve, which she took full blast. Aya threw her secondary firearm on the ground and ran towards Eve pushing her out of the way from the second volley.

She placed her hand on Eve's chest and summoned her mitochondria to release a soothing, and healing burst of liquid energy. "Eve snap out of it." Aya yelled.

"I...I...I can't." Eve stuttered. "I...I...I'm sorry."

"That's okay." Aya sighed. She quickly picked up her sister and rushed behind Smith's desk. White energy balls were fired quickly behind Aya. Fortunately, they were a couple of steps behind Aya. "Stay here." Aya ordered.

"I...sorry." Eve cried. She kept on repeating it over and over.

"That's okay." Aya sympathized. Aya was about to leave when Eve pulled her down.

"Don't go." Eve cried. "Please."

Aya sighed and sympathized with her sister. "Okay." Aya smiled.

Using the desk as a shield Aya stood up and shot three fireballs towards Dr. Smith. Simultaneously, Smith threw two white energy balls towards Aya. She was able to dodge one energy ball, but was hit with the other.

Aya continued the same motion a few more rounds until her mitochondria were too tired to produce more fire energy. 'I can't continue to do this.' Aya thought. 'This is way too counter productive, perhaps a different strategy, but what?' Aya thought frantically.

She looked around and in the corner of her eye Aya saw Eve's Magnum resting in one of her attachments. An epiphany hit her with a vengeance. "Brea to Bouquet." She cried through the intercom.

"Bouquet here. What is it?"

"I need to know the strength of one Maeda Bullet."

"I'm flattered that you'll ask me..." Bouquet's voice came ringing proudly. Aya had no time to listen to her.

"Just tell me!" Aya yelled back.

"Seventy." Bouquet answered quickly.

"Thank you. Brea out." Aya said. 'Let's see if I cast Energy Shot it should increase the power by about fifty to sixty percent.' Aya thought. She quickly calculated the equation in her head. 'That's one hundred five to one hundred twelve.' Aya thought.

She placed her hand on Eve's firearm and commanded her mitochondria to cast her powers - it failed. Her mitochondria were too fatigued. She looked at Eve and had an idea. "Eve, honey I need you do something for me."

"I can't too scared." She was still shaking.

"Eve I just want you to use your parasite energy and cast Energy Shot on your weapon." Aya said carefully placing Eve's hand over the weapon. "You can do it." Aya encouraged. "I know you can. I believe in you."

"Okay." Eve said, her voice still filled with fear. She closed her eyes and allowed her parasitic powers flow into the weapon. "There." Eve smiled.

"Atta girl." Aya smiled.

"Is there anything else I could do?"

"Yeah, pray that this will work or it means death to all of us." Aya said the last part of the sentence under her breath. She didn't want to scare her sister. She quickly got up and discharged her weapon. "Yes." Aya cheered. It worked. Smith screamed with pain. He was mad and unleashed a multitude of energy balls at her, but Aya allowed them to hit her as she unleashed the fury of the toxic bullets.

Aya got to knee; she was taking in too much damage. She was about to go back down and take some capsules to regain some energy, but she oddly felt the cool, healing powers of the water rushing through her system. Aya's strength was quickly returning to her. She looked down and saw Eve touching her shin. Aya knew that she cast a Healing spell. "Are you feeling a little better?" Aya asked.

"Yeah."

"Would you like to help me?" Aya asked still shooting at Smith.

"I'm scared." Eve replied.

"So am I." Aya confessed.

Eve then remembered Aya's confession before they went into the building. 'If my sister could do it, so can I.' Eve thought. She took a deep, cleansing breath and got up. She summoned her mitochondria to produce fireballs.

Aya was pleasantly surprised to see fireballs heading towards Smith. In her peripheral vision she saw Eve using the same technique that Aya used before. 'Atta girl.' Aya smiled.

A few minutes later, Smith roared and shot up towards the ceiling. He broke through the ceiling creating a new sunroof. That action created so much dust that it stopped both Aya and her sister from continuing on. The dust quickly cleared as Aya and Eve saw that Smith was gone. Aya swore to herself. "Alpha Team to Command."

"I know." Baldwin replied. "I saw him escape." Baldwin sighed. "He turned invisible a few seconds after he broke through the building's ceiling. We don't know where's he heading." Baldwin came through.

"What do you want us to do?"

Aya waited patiently for his answer. She could literally think the cogs working in Baldwin's head. "Report back to me for debriefing." Baldwin sighed. "We'll have another chance."

Aya swore again throwing Eve's firearm on the ground with frustration.

John F. Kennedy International Airport
New York, New York
12:00 EST

The inevitable was happening, something Aya feared since she heard the news of her reassignment. That moment was at hand, her plane was about to land, and she was about to leave again. At least she's not leaving New York alone, her new partner Tibeaudeaux would be leaving with her.

Baldwin, Carradine, and Bouquet would be leaving to Los Angeles that day too. Leaving Eve and Broderick in New York with Dollis, Madigan, and the rest of the New York City Police for back up.

Aya sighed and contemplated how Eve would put up with all of this. Aya handed her F.B.I. badge and weapon to Baldwin and shook his hand. "Good luck, Hunter." Baldwin smiled. "It's been a pleasure serving with you."

"I'll be back." Aya smiled. "That I promise you."

"I'll keep your seat warm." Baldwin smiled.

"Aya, should we tell him now." Eve whispered.

"Tell me what?" Baldwin asked.

"Aya could I talk to you?" Madigan interrupted. "We NEED to talk."

"Sure." Aya sighed. She saw the same look when they were in the laboratory earlier; she was worried about him. "Eve why don't you tell Hal about it."

"But..." Eve's protest would not be heard. Aya left the two alone.

"Well, what is it?" Baldwin asked.

Eve was nervous, she thought it was odd that she had never felt anxiety with Baldwin before, but before this moment, she considered Hal as her 'uncle' and not her boss. "I don't know if you know this, but Aya and I have some sort of sixth sense that..."

"Detects Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures." Baldwin finished Eve's sentence.

"You know?" Eve asked.

"There's very little that I don't know when it concerns M.I.S.T." Baldwin smiled.

"Well today was not the first day I felt it." Eve confessed. "I felt it before, but I didn't know what it was."

"When?" Baldwin asked, knowing the answer. He kept his shock buried deep within him. "At the National Center of Mitochondrion Control and Studies." Baldwin suggested. 'It only makes sense.' Baldwin thought. 'But the Center has no Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures or do they?'

"How did you..." Eve stopped her thought in mid-sentence. She realized that all her life she had either lived in Neo Ark or at the National Center of Mitochondrion Control and Studies.

"Are you sure?" Baldwin asked.

"I am." Eve said confidently. "I'm telling you there are Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures at the Center."

"Where did you sense it?"

"There's this big metal door..."

"I know it well." Baldwin interrupted. It was the only door that Baldwin couldn't open the one his friend Louis Freeh, the Director of the F.B.I. told him that the contents located behind the door were confidential. 'Why would there be Neo-Mitochondrion Creatures at the Center?' Baldwin asked himself.

"Sir?" Eve asked with concern breaking Baldwin's thoughts.

"Oh, thank you for your report." Baldwin smiled. "If you don't mind, I need to talk to Agents Carradine and Bouquet in private. Would you get them for me?" Baldwin asked.

"Sure." Eve left to do her superior's order.

Baldwin was in deep thought. 'What is Freeh covering up? But more importantly, who was he covering it up for?'

"Hey Hal, you called for us?" Carradine asked.

"Yeah." Baldwin sighed. "I won't be joining you on your trip to Los Angeles. I have business with an old friend in D.C." Baldwin announced. "Bouquet you'll be in command in my absence, Carradine I need you to call in a few of your favours with your contacts, I want to know if there's a shadow project that the government is doing pertaining to the enhancement of mitochondria or anything thereof." Baldwin ordered.

"But sir?" Carradine asked. "Aren't you suppose to know everything about M.I.S.T. and everything pertaining to it?"

"Apparently I don't." Baldwin sighed. "I'll see what I can turn up in D.C. while you'll be working in California. Something's afoot and I NEED to know what it is." Baldwin demanded.

"Yes sir." They replied in unison.

"Dismissed." Baldwin ordered.

* * * * * * * * * *

"What is it Kyle?" Aya asked with apprehension. She was worried about him.

"We need to talk." Madigan reiterated emotionless.

"About what?"

"Us."

Aya's heart dropped. "Okay."

"Please sit."

Aya knew that it was bad news, when she was asked to sit. She took her seat and Madigan joined her. "Kyle, what's wrong?" Aya asked, her voice cracked.

Madigan took a deep breath. "I think we should take a break from each other." He finally said, he didn't believe that he could bring himself to say it.

"You're breaking up with me?"

"No." Madigan quickly answered. "I just think we should spend some time apart."

Aya was shocked, flabbergasted. "May I ask why?"

"I just don't...I just don't feel close to you anymore." Madigan said above a whisper.

"What are you talking about?" Aya protested. "I tell you everything!"

"Then why did I have to find out about your transfer from Daniel?" Aya remained silent. "And why won't you tell me about your bad dreams?"

"Kyle, there are some things I can't talk about with you."

"I understand about Bureau matters being confidential." Madigan protested. "My investigations are classified too, but being transferred? Your bad dreams? Aya those things are trivial!" Madigan shouted. He realized that he was losing his temper. He took a deep breath and recomposed himself. "I love you Aya and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, but you need to tell me when things are bothering you. You have to let me into your life."

"Kyle, there are some things about me that I can't tell you; some things that are confidential." Aya interrupted.

"Com'on Aya, who are you kidding and am I going to tell?" Madigan scoffed. "We've been together for three years and been living with each other for two, don't you trust me?" The statement hurt Madigan. "Please let me into your life." He begged.

"I'm sorry, but I can't...not right now." Aya allowed a few tears to flow. Her heart was broken. Madigan held her cheek delicately whipping her tears with his thumb. "Could you give me some time? Do we have to break up?" Aya said holding his hand.

"There's nothing here for me...not right now any ways." Madigan sighed. He leaned forward and gave Aya a kiss. "Good bye Aya." He whispered. Madigan looked into her eyes one more time and got up to leave.

"Kyle wait!" Aya cried.

Madigan turned around and looked at Aya. "What is it?"

"I...I..." Aya shook her head. She wanted to tell him everything about her, but she couldn't, not now, not just yet.

"You were this close." Madigan sighed showing Aya the distance between his thumb and index finger. "I'll give nine out of ten, an A for effort, but it's not enough." He pointed out. He took another deep breath to compose himself. "I'll be moving my stuff out when I have the chance." Madigan said leaving the airport.

Aya held her tears within her. 'I have to be strong.' Aya reminded herself. The announcement telling her flight was ready for boarding came on. She got up and headed to where everyone was waiting for her.

"God Speed." Dollis said.

"Thanks." Aya smiled giving her old friend a hug.

"Did Kyle..." Dollis whispered.

"Yeah." Aya answered softly.

"I'm sorry."

"Me too."

Aya went down the line of people waiting to say good bye to her. "Good Luck." Broderick smiled.

"Thanks." Aya hugged him. "You take care of my sister. Even if she gives you a rough time."

"I will."

"I have something for you." Aya smiled. "But promise me that you won't open it until tomorrow." Aya warned.

"What is it?" Broderick said looking at a strange package.

"I didn't have time to wrap it, but it's for your birthday tomorrow." Aya smiled. "Happy fortieth."

"Oh you shouldn't have." Broderick blushed.

"To see you blush?" Aya smiled. "It was worth it."

"Bye Aya." Eve's voice cracked.

"Hey don't you cry." Aya smiled whipping her tears. "You'll be fine. Just remember my advice, and listen to Broderick."

"I will." Eve hugged her older sister.

Aya went down the line to the rest of the M.I.S.T. team. "Take care of the country while I'm gone." Aya smiled hugging the remanding three friends.

"You take care of yourself." Baldwin said.

"I will." Aya smiled.

"Um, Aya could I have my sunglasses back?" Carradine asked.

Aya smiled and took the sunglasses of her head. "You better get that thing patented." Aya smiled. "It's worth millions."

"Thanks, I will." Carradine smiled.

The final boarding announcement to Aya's flight was called through the ambient sounds of the airport. "We've better be going." Tibeaudeaux said.

"Yeah." Aya sighed. "I'll be back." Aya smiled leaving her friends behind.

Eve stood there watching her sister leave, even after she long disappeared and her flight had long gone. It wasn't her only good bye for the day. An hour later, Carradine and Bouquet left for Los Angeles and an hour after that Baldwin left for Washington D.C.

"Com'on, let's go." Broderick said when everyone left. "They'll be okay."

"Yeah." Eve smiled.

N.Y.P.D. 17th Precinct
New York, New York
16:00 EST

"Hey Kyle you want to talk about it?" Dollis asked.

"Not particularly." He sighed. Madigan had been working nonstop since Aya left trying to cover his feelings.

"All right." Dollis sighed. "I'll be here if you need me."

"Yeah...Thanks." Madigan said. He was not one bit interested at the proposal.

He continued his work forgetting the offer. He flipped through a couple of pages. Dr. Smith has eluded the N.Y.P.D. again; at least they know that he could turn invisible and fly. He was lost in thought in his duty when his pager buzzed. He picked it up and a message scrolled across the screen. It was a web-site address. 'What the...' Kyle swore to himself. 'I don't know this site.' He dropped the papers in his hands and looked around.

"Hey Wayne." Madigan asked. "Do you have a computer hooked up to the net. It's important." Madigan said stressing the last part of his request.

"You could use the computer in the captain's office." Garcia said.

"Thanks." Madigan walked into the office turning Dollis' computer on. He drummed his fingers on the desk waiting for the computer to reboot. Madigan logged onto the net and typed the address of the web-site that his pager showed. It was a private chat-room and someone he knew was inside. 'What's he doing here?' He asked himself.

EAGLE2: mole?
MOLE47: the one and only.
EAGLE2: how you get my pager number?
MOLE47: that's not important. we NEED to meet.

Madigan was shocked. He has never seen Mole before. The fact that he or she wanted to meet him frightened him. He went back into his keyboard and typed his response.

EAGLE2: where?
MOLE47: washington, d.c.
EAGLE2: why?
MOLE47: it concerns hunter.

"Aya." Madigan whispered.

EAGLE2: how?
MOLE47: u know when u get here...well?
EAGLE2: okay.
MOLE47: good, tickets would be at JFK for six.
EAGLE2: c u soon.

Madigan looked at his watch and realized that he needed to be at the airport very soon. He quickly logged off and ceremoniously draped his leather jacket on and left the police station.

"Kyle, where are you going?" Broderick asked coming in with Eve. He didn't answer and continued on his way.

"I wonder what's wrong with him." Eve sighed.

"I don't know." Broderick sighed. "Don't worry about him, let's get some work done and then I'll treat you to some dinner. All right?"

"Okay." Eve smiled.

Dollis' Residence
New York, New York
18:00 EST

"You what?!?" Ben Dollis' voice echoed through the small kitchen.

"You heard me." Daniel Dollis replied calmly. "I want you to give up your room for a guest that would be staying here tonight."

"You got to be kidding me!" Ben shouted. "Where are they any ways?"

"They're at dinner." Daniel replied. "They'll be home soon."

"Dad I don't want to sleep on the couch!"

"Son!" Daniel raised his voice. "Kyle Madigan would take one room, while Rupert Broderick takes the second guest room and..."

"I don't care!" Ben said storming out the room. "I will not sleep on the couch!" He reiterated. Ben was so mad that he almost missed the blonde hair, teal-eyed teenaged girl standing by the threshold. "Hi." Ben said breathless, he was surprised and very attracted to her.

"Ben this is Eve Brea, Aya's sister. Eve this is Benjamin Dollis, my son." Daniel introduced.

"Please call me Ben. All my friends do." He blushed.

"I...I'm sorry." Eve stuttered and blushed. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I'll be perfectly comfortable sleeping on the couch." Eve offered.

"Nonsense." Ben said with a grimace on his face. "You're the guest, please have my room. I insist."

"But..."

"No buts." Ben interrupted. "Now let me carry your bags to your room."

"Well...okay." Eve sighed. "Thank you." She smiled leaving the room with Ben, leaving Broderick and Daniel Dollis alone in the kitchen.

"Why do I get a bad feeling about this?" Dollis asked.

"Oh I don't know." Broderick sighed. "Two thirteen year olds of the opposite sex living under the same roof. What could possibly go wrong?" Broderick sarcastically asked.

"I'll call the National Guard tomorrow." Dollis sighed.

"Better make it tonight."

* * * * * * * * * *

Eve sat on a window seat by the bay window in Ben Dollis' room reading Lord Byron. This was her warped idea of having fun, then again, being locked up in one sort of "prison" or another all one's life would do that to anyone. At the Center, she had access to the Library of Congress in her own room and spent most of her spare time reading.

Eve fell in love with the romantics, she enjoyed reading the poetry and being thirsted away into a world so much different than what she was accustom to, something that she always dreamed of. Eve would at times daydream about the people she read about, pretending that she was the heroine being whisked away in an adventure of endless love and romance.

This time was no different; she gazed at the moon and started dreaming. She was lost in her thoughts that she didn't even hear Ben knocking. "Hey Eve? You okay?" Ben asked waving his hand into her sight of vision.

Eve came out of her trance and looked at Ben. "Hey Ben, what are you doing here?" She asked, obviously not hearing his concerns.

"I thought you might need some extra towels." Ben smiled putting them on the bed.

"Thanks." Eve smiled.

"So where were you just now?" Ben smiled.

"Oh, I was reading." Eve blushed.

"Do you always read by looking at the sky?" Ben bantered.

"Only when I'm reading Byron." Eve smiled.

"Byron?" Ben asked. "Why would you read Byron, when you're not in school?" Ben smiled sitting across from her on the window seat.

"He's one of my favourites." Eve smiled.

There was a short, but really uncomfortable silence as the two young teenagers looked at each other. Eve felt stuffy and hot. "So who's this?" Ben asked, his voice cracked.

Eve looked to the bed where her teddy bear rest. "Oh, that's Boko." Eve smiled.

"Kinda tattered for a stuff animal. It's missing an eye." Ben noted.

"Yeah, it's the only remnant of my childhood." Eve smiled.

Silence again, Ben hated it. "So, um, where are you from?"

Eve stalled; she didn't know what to say. The last thing she wanted to do was to blow her cover. "I'm from Atlanta, Georgia, but was born in Dryfield, Nevada." Eve smiled.

"Never heard of it."

"It's a tiny town, population ten or something." Eve dismissed. "So were you born in New York?"

"Yeah, right here in Manhattan." Ben smiled. "Is this your first time in New York?"

"Yeah." Eve said romantically looking at the moon. "First time anywhere."

"Really?" Ben's sounded happy. "Since school's out why don't I show you around the town. I know New York like the back of my hand." Ben hinted tentatively, he was nervous asking her out.

Eve was shocked about the request. She wanted to tell him that she couldn't, because she was on duty. She bit her lower lip. "That's sounds like fun, but..."

"Oh, I understand." Ben sighed in defeat, his ego being bruised. He didn't want to hear any excuse for a broken heart. He got off the bed and was about to leave.

Eve hated to disappoint her new friend. She hated to see anyone with a broken heart. "I'm suppose to spend the day with Uncle Rupert." Eve blurted out the first lie that came to her mind. She really wanted to spend some time with her new friend.

"Oh, I see." Ben smiled. "Well, maybe we could do something tomorrow evening."

"I don't know." Eve sighed. "I think Uncle Rupert may have plans for me."

"No he doesn't." Ben smiled. "I overheard Dad and Rupert talking, they're going out for dinner to celebrate Rupert's birthday."

"Really?" Eve asked. She was smiling inside. "Okay, where do you want to go?"

"How about Coney Island, the circus is in town." Ben smiled.

"That sounds like fun." Eve smiled. Her eyes glittering at the prospect.

"Great! It's a date!" Ben was just as excited as she was. His victory was cut short when there was a knocking on the door.

"Come in." Eve sang.

Daniel Dollis entered with a phone in his hand. "Hey guys what are you doing?"

"Nothing." They answered innocently. Daniel knew that they were hiding something.

"Ben was just bringing me some extra towels." Eve replied.

"Uh huh." Daniel sighed unconvincingly. "Aya's on the phone for you." He said remembering the reason he entered the room.

"Oh thanks." Eve smiled rushing towards Daniel grabbing the phone. "Hello?" Aya was glad to hear that her sister sounded happy.

"Hi Eve." Aya replied. "How are you settling in?"

"Everything's fine." Eve said smiling at Ben. "How about you?"

"Okay." Aya sighed. "I just landed in Lyons, not too long ago."

"What time is it there?"

"Two in the morning, what time is it there?"

"Eight in the evening." Eve repeated.

"I'm just calling to tell everyone that I'm okay. Is Kyle there?" Aya asked the last part tentatively.

"Kyle?" Eve asked looking at the guest in her room. Daniel Dollis shrugged his shoulders. "He's not home."

"Are you sure?" Aya asked. "He's not avoiding me is he?"

"No he's REALLY not home." Eve replied. "Why would you ask that?"

"Oh, no reason." Aya sighed. "I've better be going. Talk to you later. Give everyone my love."

"Bye." Eve replied hanging up. She looked up to her guests. "Aya sends her love." She smiled.

"All right." Daniel sighed. "Ben and I should leave you now." Dollis stressed that sentence to his son.

"Dad." Ben protested.

"That's okay, Mr. Dollis." Eve interrupted. "Ben's not bothering me."

"All right." Daniel sighed. "Just don't stay up too late." He said purposely leaving the door wide open.

Washington Dulles International Airport
Washington, District of Columbia
21:00 EST

Kyle Madigan looked at his watch and scoffed at the time. He has been sitting there for about an hour. 'Where the heck is he?' Kyle was frustrated. Mole was suppose to meet him here, but has yet to come.

Madigan sighed, leaning back in his seat, closing his eyes. He could hear the ambient sounds of the airport. He needed to close his eyes, to rest, to quiet his mind of everything that has happened.

"Kyle Madigan there's a package for you at customer service." The announcement repeated itself once more and soon faded into the ambient environment.

Madigan opened his eyes and swore softly to himself. He got up and wondered where customer service was. He quickly walked down one direction until he came to a map. He was going the right way, just a few more meters down.

There was a small line at the counter, where he waited impatiently. He looked at his watch again and scoffed. It wasn't until ten minutes later that he got to the counter.

"Hi, how may I help you?" The woman behind the counter asked way too happily for Madigan's taste.

"My name is Madigan, I believe you have a package for me?"

"Yes, do you have some identification."

"Yeah." He sighed, pulling out his wallet and showed him his driver's license. In return she gave him an envelope. Madigan quickly opened the envelope, which had a set of hotel keys and a fifty-dollar bill inside in tandem with a note.

"Is something wrong sir?" She asked with concern. She saw that Madigan was looking at her.

"Yeah." Madigan sighed. "Did you see the person that gave you this envelope?"

"Um, let me check." She looked at her notes. "It was sent this morning, with a note telling us to announce the delivery at nine tonight. I wasn't on duty, and didn't see the person." She reported. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you."

"That's okay." He sighed. Madigan got out of the line and read the note that was in the envelope. The letters were cut from different parts of a magazine. He then started to read it.

MADiGaN,

SEe YoU IN tHe moRNiNG.
tHe aDdrEsS oF thE hOteL iS On kEy.
TaKe moNeY to pAy FoR caB.

MoLe.

"Great." Kyle sighed. He left the airport and hailed a cab.

Location: Unknown.
22:00 EST

He sat by his desk working laboriously. He was worried. She was late. 'Where is she?' He asked himself pacing the room. 'She was due a day ago. Could she be...no.' He couldn't finished that question. He looked out the window to see a clear night. The moon shone and the stars twinkled silently. A knocking on his door interrupted his worries and thoughts.

"Come in." He quietly announced.

The door opened and a small girl in a burlap cloak came in dragging a metallic box in her right hand. She remained silent.

"Finally." He said with anxiety. He rushed to the girl and got on his knees. He took off the hood and see if she were okay. Her teal eyes told him that she was hurt, but okay. He brushed her soft baby blonde hair away. "Are you okay?" She nodded in response.

Did you get it?"

She nodded again, giving the metallic box to him. He brought the box to his desk and opened it. "Good it's the Xeno Stone." He said to himself. 'Plan A is complete.' He thought to himself closing the vacuum box.

He looked at the girl; she was still standing in the same spot. "Good work." The girl smiled at the response. She was pleased that he was happy. He walked towards the girl and got to his knees again putting on her hood. "Now execute Plan B." The girl nodded and left.

He walked towards his desk and chuckled to himself. 'The fools wanted to destroy this, they don't know the true power this thing has.' He started to laugh out loud, an evil, sinister laugh.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Disclaimer: [1] The names of persons, places, and events pertaining to the Parasite Eve Genre (specifically Parasite Eve and Parasite Eve II (video game)) is not my invention and is the property of Square. [2] This is a fan fiction and as such names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination that is, those not mentioned in the previous clause and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.