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Joshua sat up. He couldn't sleep. His mind was so busy. He had used the conference as an excuse to escape the uncomfortable subject, he had finally admitted that to himself. But the fact was, as much as he hated it, as much as he cringed to admit it . . . he was different than before his kidnapping. He truly was a "Taelon-made" Sentinel, or whatever word you chose to describe it.
The person he was today was the product of a Taelon experiment. And in reality, given the usual life expectancy of other "products" he had lived much longer than he should have.
Every day . . . he half expected it to be over and whether or not he admitted it . . he lived in fear. Fear of Sandoval, the Taelons, the NSI, nightmares, himself . . . of his future.
He didn't really fear death itself. It was an inevitable part of life and he felt somewhat prepared for whatever lay beyond (as much as he figured any person could be). What he feared most was how he left. And the last thing he wanted to leave as was a Taelon experiment.
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"So you wanna tell me what the hell just happened?" Augur asked Sandburg. He wasn't angry - just stressed and concerned. They did not need another thing to go wrong.
"I had a vision," //Dramatic and Insightful -- NOT. Okay great work Sandburg, let's convince this guy you're crazy - just what you need//.
"Okay." Augur said carefully, "About what?"
"You actually believe me?" Sandburg hadn't meant to sound quite so surprised.
"Believe it or not, kid, I've seen stranger stuff than this happen." Augur said lightly. "Tell me what you saw."
"Jim was in the vision. He told me what happened. Sandoval has Jim. Jim's in some kind of sensory deprivation tank or something. Brackett's there too."
"Brackett?" Augur whispered.
"You know him?" Blair didn't understand how this man could possibly know the rogue CIA agent."
"I've had some dealings with him. I know he was once in the CIA, went rogue a while back. AND a complete amoralist."
Blair nodded, "He knows about Jim's senses."
"You and Ellison sent Brackett to prison?" At Blair's nod, Augur added, "Then he, no doubt, sold out Ellison for his own freedom."
"That's what Jim said."
"Then, the sooner we rescue your partner, the better. No telling what Sandoval might do."
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