When Bad Taelons Go Good!
Chapter Five
Zo'or stood arguing with his parent in their native language, "Da'an, how could you keep this from the commonality?" he asked furiously. "He is a threat to our race, he could destroy us all!"
"He does not want to hurt us, he fights for the peaceful unification of both our species!" Da'an insisted. "He wants to help us!"
"He is Kimera!" Zo'or stated, as if that ended the conversation.
"He is also human, and I think of him as my child." "He would never betray us!" Da'an said emphatically.
Zo'or looked closely at his parent, judging his words carefully against what he knew of Major Liam Kincaid. The man was very honorable, he knew that much, after all he had had Zo'or at his mercy several times. He could have killed any number of Taelons, including Zo'or himself, without having the slightest suspicion thrown on him, and yet he had done his best to save every Taelon he had ever been charged to protect. Zo'or was inclined to trust him, he had risked his identity to save them from the Re'carusha when he could have allowed them to be killed and saved only himself and Da'an. Finally he turned to his parent.
"I agree with your assessment, Da'an," Zo'or said slowly, "but don't expect me to take this lightly, you have hidden his heritage from the commonality for over a year." Zo'or paused and added, "However, because he has shown nothing but exemplary performance as a protector, I will not inform the commonality of his presence." "I will want a report though, on everything you know of his birth and any important developments." Zo'or said, then he smiled. "It is rather surprising to find a Kimera in your 'backyard' who doesn't want to kill you."
Da'an smiled at Zo'or, for the first time in quite awhile he saw the loving child to whom he was once so close, he felt a brief surge of pride. "Perhaps this Re'carusha development was not the disaster they had assumed it was," he though to himself as they turned to collect their protectors, if they were fortunate they might be able to determine where Discord had fled to.
"Agent Sandoval?" Zo'or said, "Would you please come here, I wish to speak with you regarding the recent loss of your motivational imperative."
Sandoval looked up at Zo'or with an expression of uneasiness, then back at Liam who gave him an encouraging smile and a slightly wry look. Sandoval sighed and followed Zo'or across the room, while Liam and Da'an walked toward Harmony.
"Do you believe Zo'or will allow him to remain without his motivational imperative?" Liam asked Da'an quietly.
"I believe this encounter with the Re'carusha has changed my child, he seems much more open to new ideas and more accepting of mistakes." "It is quiet a surprise to me, I had thought he had forgotten what it meant to be Taelon, now, however, there is hope." Da'an said with a smile.
Liam glanced at the Taelon who was talking to his father, "It is quite refreshing, he almost seems to care what happens to Sandoval." "I rather like it too."
Smiling in agreement, Da'an looked down at the girl sitting on the floor of the Mothership, she seemed to be ignoring his presence, so he knelt down and gently said her name. She turned to him with a smile on her face, "Yes Da'an?"
"Harmony, we would like you to tell us where your sister is." Da'an said gently.
"She is on Earth." Harmony stated.
"Yes, could you name a more precise location?" Da'an pressed.
"In the Southwest Hemisphere." she said.
"Can you feel where in the Southwest Hemisphere?" Da'an asked.
"I can feel her more the closer we come to her," Harmony stated with a somewhat drowsy grin. She then gently laid her head down in Da'an's lap and fell asleep immediately.
Da'an looked up at Liam and was mildly annoyed to see an amused grin forming on his face. "I fail to see what is so amusing, Major," Da'an said somewhat primly, keeping most of the irritation out of his tone.
Liam laughed softly and sat down beside Da'an and the sleeping Harmony. "Oh, it's nothing, it's just that I remember how many times I wished I could do that." "I guess I grew up too fast." He sighed softly.
Da'an reached over and placed his hands on the sides of Liam's head and leaned against him until their foreheads touched. They stayed that way, enjoying each other's company, not caring that Zo'or and Sandoval were finished speaking and were now staring at them. It was as if all of the former hurt had vanished, the trust and friendship was back, as strong and deep as ever. It was very peaceful.
Liam was almost sorry when Zo'or interrupted them, though he new they needed to get moving. It was an unspoken agreement, taken for granted really, that only the four of them would be going. Zo'or made no mention of an armed guard though Liam was the only person with a functioning weapon, Sandoval didn't suggest a volunteer sweep of the area, they stopped only to allow Zo'or to inform the Synod that he was leaving. He didn't mention who was to be in charge and they then went immediately to the shuttlecraft and left.
In a matter of seconds they had arrived in the Southern Hemisphere, Sandoval was holding the still drowsing Harmony on his lap, while Liam piloted, Da'an and Zo'or were in the back. Liam turned and addressed his father, "Sandoval, I think you are going to have to wake her up, we need her to point us toward Discord."
Sandoval nodded and gently shook the girl's shoulder, "Harmony, wake up." he said.
Harmony stirred and smiled up at him, while it was a very sweet smile it was almost involuntary, as if she had no idea what was going on but was smiling anyway. Sandoval found it rather unnerving, and was quite glad when Liam distracted her.
"Harmony, where is Discord?" Liam asked intently.
"She's that way," Harmony said pointing slightly east of their current position, over the Amazon River.
Liam immediately turned the shuttle and followed her pointing finger. They were directed toward the deepest part of the rain forest, in fact, Liam was reminded of the place her had left the skrill Queen and her new young. He carefully guided the shuttle to a clearing as near to where Harmony indicated her sister was as possible, however they still had a short hike ahead of them that would likely be hard on the Taelons.
Liam almost instinctively allowed Da'an to disembark first, then followed closely behind him, Zo'or exited on the opposite side followed by Sandoval and Harmony. After about fifteen minutes of travel Da'an was in the lead followed by Zo'or, then Sandoval and then Liam. Harmony flitted about everywhere seemingly as full of energy now as she was devoid of it only a few minutes earlier. Liam smiled at her as she jumped from rock to rock, stopping eventually when Da'an involved her in a conversation. He was about to turn his attention wholly to enjoying the scenery when he saw Zo'or stumble out of the corner of his eye. He turned, concern for the companion on his face when he noticed Agent Sandoval reach for and catch the faltering Taelon. He smiled at the surprised look on Zo'or's face and couldn't help but marvel at how much the extraction of the MI had changed Sandoval's character. He still looked emotionless, but his actions were more considerate and sometimes he seemed almost helpful. Liam had heard the last time he lost his CVI, and with it his motivational imperative, he had become destructive of everything Taelon, focusing on finding and helping his wife. This time, however, he seemed to be more caring in general. He seemed to want to recapture the gentle side of humanity first, rather than the violent emotions he had encountered and cultivated years earlier. Frankly Liam approved of his father's choice, and for the first time in a long time Liam felt proud of his parent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sandoval reached over and caught the Taelon as he stumbled on the uneven terrain. After steadying Zo'or, he smiled when he caught the surprised look directed at him.
"Is there a problem Zo'or?" he asked, expecting an evasive answer, if he gave any.
Zo'or looked confused, "I must admit to being quite confused by your proceedings, all of your previous actions without your motivational imperative have been to strike back at your captors," Zo'or paused and blushed blue, "us."
Sandoval considered what he was going to say carefully, "I do not deny that I am upset by what I was forced to do when I was under the influence of the motivational imperative, but I encountered the rage of this discovery already, now I think I'm going through a more regretful experience." "I believe I will use this second chance to enjoy my humanity."
Zo'or nodded and allowed Sandoval to take his elbow and steady him across a large rock, he made no comment when Sandoval failed to release him, and they continued their conversation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Harmony, how long do you estimate it will be before we reach your sister's location?" Da'an asked the flighty young girl. she really wasn't that impatient, but her constant jumping, skipping, and hopping was a trifle disconcerting considering the gravity of the situation.
"I think we have about another five minutes." she said, after slowing down to ponder his question.
"Very well," Da'an said. "And what can we expect when we arrive?"
Harmony smiled that same empty but enthusiastic smile, "Well then you help us!" She kept walking, obviously thinking she had explained herself in terms that anyone could understand.
"Could you be a bit more specific?" Da'an pressed.
She looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"
Da'an sighed and started again, "Can you think of any way in which your sister could be convinced to join with you?"
"Oh, well, I guess when she realizes that she can't win without us she will have to rejoin." Harmony said.
"Ah," Da'an replied, "So she will attempt to defeat this wrongness by herself?"
"Most likely," Harmony said cheerfully.
"And when she fails?" Da'an said, not quite sure he wanted the answer.
"Then my sister and I will rejoin and, if we are all still alive, we will all join our energy with the planet's and use it to destroy the wrongness once and for all." Harmony smiled lightly, as if they were discussing nothing more significant than the days schedule and Da'an suddenly became quite a bit more nervous than he had been.
Harmony stopped moving when they entered a small clearing just before a large pile of rocks. They formed a large cliff-like landform and appeared to be quite solid. "Have we arrived?" Da'an asked.
"There," Harmony said pointing to the rock face.
Liam, Zo'or, and Sandoval had just caught up as Harmony began to pull at a large bush that was growing along the side of the cliff.
Liam and Sandoval moved to help her while the two Taelons stood nearby, it was unlikely that they could be of much assistance. Soon Liam, Sandoval, and Harmony had the bush pulled back enough to admit their party one at a time, Da'an and Zo'or first, then Harmony, and finally Liam and Sandoval ducked through as the boughs snapped back to their original place.
"Da'an," Liam said into the darkness, "where are you?"
"I am here, Liam."
Liam looked to his right where Da'an's voice had come from, "Alright, everyone, since I have the only light here," he pulled out a pocket flashlight, "I'll go first." Then Da'an, then Harmony, after her Sandoval and Zo'or." "Da'an if you and Zo'or would provide a little light it could be a big help." Liam said, slightly amused at the idea of using a Taelon as a light source. Sandoval apparently was having the same thought as the two Taelons dropped their humanoid facades and he was illuminated in blue light.
They quickly got in their assigned positions and made their way down into the cavern. It looked almost unnatural in it's formation, the walls were rough, but they formed arches, and the ground wasn't smooth, but there was a clear, straight path that was absent of any stalagmites. Liam wondered about this as they traveled along, the two Taelon's glowing faintly in their true forms, and Liam flashlight shining ahead.
It took very little time to reach the cavern they wanted, not only were the cave walls glowing a soft phosphorescent yellow-green, but there was a large design on the ground which featured clear markings and arrows that pointed toward the center. Liam wasn't sure what the purpose was, but there were spaces amongst the arrows that looked as if they would just have enough space for the four of them to stand in a square. As they entered the room they became aware of a quiet noise that sounded suspiciously like weeping. Suddenly from amongst the shadows stepped the previously absent Re'carusha.
"So, I guess you think that because I cannot succeed alone that I will come crawling back to you?" she said in an angry, bitter voice. She glared at her sister, who was half-hidden behind Liam's figure, "Well you should know I will never allow you the satisfaction." "If you wish to attempt to defeat the wrongness with the help of the chosen you will do it without me." She then turned and walked back to the wall she had been sitting against and resumed her position. Harmony turned to the chosen.
"You must convince her to help." she said.
"Us?" Sandoval asked.
"Yes," Harmony said, walking to the middle of the markings on the floor and stood on half of the circle at the center. It appeared as if they were not going to receive any more information on how to proceed, so Liam turned back to the group. "Well?" he asked, a bit frustrated, "Any suggestions?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
~OK!!!! The end of another looooong chapter, it's like saying goodbye to an old friend. May we have a moment of silence in honor of this brave and noble chapter! *moment* Oooooook, now you may ask yourself what will this weird, half-insane, totally messed up person write in the next chapter. Well, I can only say that I have NO IDEA! Don't worry, I'm sure it will come to me! 'Til next time! ~Y.W
Chapter Five
Zo'or stood arguing with his parent in their native language, "Da'an, how could you keep this from the commonality?" he asked furiously. "He is a threat to our race, he could destroy us all!"
"He does not want to hurt us, he fights for the peaceful unification of both our species!" Da'an insisted. "He wants to help us!"
"He is Kimera!" Zo'or stated, as if that ended the conversation.
"He is also human, and I think of him as my child." "He would never betray us!" Da'an said emphatically.
Zo'or looked closely at his parent, judging his words carefully against what he knew of Major Liam Kincaid. The man was very honorable, he knew that much, after all he had had Zo'or at his mercy several times. He could have killed any number of Taelons, including Zo'or himself, without having the slightest suspicion thrown on him, and yet he had done his best to save every Taelon he had ever been charged to protect. Zo'or was inclined to trust him, he had risked his identity to save them from the Re'carusha when he could have allowed them to be killed and saved only himself and Da'an. Finally he turned to his parent.
"I agree with your assessment, Da'an," Zo'or said slowly, "but don't expect me to take this lightly, you have hidden his heritage from the commonality for over a year." Zo'or paused and added, "However, because he has shown nothing but exemplary performance as a protector, I will not inform the commonality of his presence." "I will want a report though, on everything you know of his birth and any important developments." Zo'or said, then he smiled. "It is rather surprising to find a Kimera in your 'backyard' who doesn't want to kill you."
Da'an smiled at Zo'or, for the first time in quite awhile he saw the loving child to whom he was once so close, he felt a brief surge of pride. "Perhaps this Re'carusha development was not the disaster they had assumed it was," he though to himself as they turned to collect their protectors, if they were fortunate they might be able to determine where Discord had fled to.
"Agent Sandoval?" Zo'or said, "Would you please come here, I wish to speak with you regarding the recent loss of your motivational imperative."
Sandoval looked up at Zo'or with an expression of uneasiness, then back at Liam who gave him an encouraging smile and a slightly wry look. Sandoval sighed and followed Zo'or across the room, while Liam and Da'an walked toward Harmony.
"Do you believe Zo'or will allow him to remain without his motivational imperative?" Liam asked Da'an quietly.
"I believe this encounter with the Re'carusha has changed my child, he seems much more open to new ideas and more accepting of mistakes." "It is quiet a surprise to me, I had thought he had forgotten what it meant to be Taelon, now, however, there is hope." Da'an said with a smile.
Liam glanced at the Taelon who was talking to his father, "It is quite refreshing, he almost seems to care what happens to Sandoval." "I rather like it too."
Smiling in agreement, Da'an looked down at the girl sitting on the floor of the Mothership, she seemed to be ignoring his presence, so he knelt down and gently said her name. She turned to him with a smile on her face, "Yes Da'an?"
"Harmony, we would like you to tell us where your sister is." Da'an said gently.
"She is on Earth." Harmony stated.
"Yes, could you name a more precise location?" Da'an pressed.
"In the Southwest Hemisphere." she said.
"Can you feel where in the Southwest Hemisphere?" Da'an asked.
"I can feel her more the closer we come to her," Harmony stated with a somewhat drowsy grin. She then gently laid her head down in Da'an's lap and fell asleep immediately.
Da'an looked up at Liam and was mildly annoyed to see an amused grin forming on his face. "I fail to see what is so amusing, Major," Da'an said somewhat primly, keeping most of the irritation out of his tone.
Liam laughed softly and sat down beside Da'an and the sleeping Harmony. "Oh, it's nothing, it's just that I remember how many times I wished I could do that." "I guess I grew up too fast." He sighed softly.
Da'an reached over and placed his hands on the sides of Liam's head and leaned against him until their foreheads touched. They stayed that way, enjoying each other's company, not caring that Zo'or and Sandoval were finished speaking and were now staring at them. It was as if all of the former hurt had vanished, the trust and friendship was back, as strong and deep as ever. It was very peaceful.
Liam was almost sorry when Zo'or interrupted them, though he new they needed to get moving. It was an unspoken agreement, taken for granted really, that only the four of them would be going. Zo'or made no mention of an armed guard though Liam was the only person with a functioning weapon, Sandoval didn't suggest a volunteer sweep of the area, they stopped only to allow Zo'or to inform the Synod that he was leaving. He didn't mention who was to be in charge and they then went immediately to the shuttlecraft and left.
In a matter of seconds they had arrived in the Southern Hemisphere, Sandoval was holding the still drowsing Harmony on his lap, while Liam piloted, Da'an and Zo'or were in the back. Liam turned and addressed his father, "Sandoval, I think you are going to have to wake her up, we need her to point us toward Discord."
Sandoval nodded and gently shook the girl's shoulder, "Harmony, wake up." he said.
Harmony stirred and smiled up at him, while it was a very sweet smile it was almost involuntary, as if she had no idea what was going on but was smiling anyway. Sandoval found it rather unnerving, and was quite glad when Liam distracted her.
"Harmony, where is Discord?" Liam asked intently.
"She's that way," Harmony said pointing slightly east of their current position, over the Amazon River.
Liam immediately turned the shuttle and followed her pointing finger. They were directed toward the deepest part of the rain forest, in fact, Liam was reminded of the place her had left the skrill Queen and her new young. He carefully guided the shuttle to a clearing as near to where Harmony indicated her sister was as possible, however they still had a short hike ahead of them that would likely be hard on the Taelons.
Liam almost instinctively allowed Da'an to disembark first, then followed closely behind him, Zo'or exited on the opposite side followed by Sandoval and Harmony. After about fifteen minutes of travel Da'an was in the lead followed by Zo'or, then Sandoval and then Liam. Harmony flitted about everywhere seemingly as full of energy now as she was devoid of it only a few minutes earlier. Liam smiled at her as she jumped from rock to rock, stopping eventually when Da'an involved her in a conversation. He was about to turn his attention wholly to enjoying the scenery when he saw Zo'or stumble out of the corner of his eye. He turned, concern for the companion on his face when he noticed Agent Sandoval reach for and catch the faltering Taelon. He smiled at the surprised look on Zo'or's face and couldn't help but marvel at how much the extraction of the MI had changed Sandoval's character. He still looked emotionless, but his actions were more considerate and sometimes he seemed almost helpful. Liam had heard the last time he lost his CVI, and with it his motivational imperative, he had become destructive of everything Taelon, focusing on finding and helping his wife. This time, however, he seemed to be more caring in general. He seemed to want to recapture the gentle side of humanity first, rather than the violent emotions he had encountered and cultivated years earlier. Frankly Liam approved of his father's choice, and for the first time in a long time Liam felt proud of his parent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sandoval reached over and caught the Taelon as he stumbled on the uneven terrain. After steadying Zo'or, he smiled when he caught the surprised look directed at him.
"Is there a problem Zo'or?" he asked, expecting an evasive answer, if he gave any.
Zo'or looked confused, "I must admit to being quite confused by your proceedings, all of your previous actions without your motivational imperative have been to strike back at your captors," Zo'or paused and blushed blue, "us."
Sandoval considered what he was going to say carefully, "I do not deny that I am upset by what I was forced to do when I was under the influence of the motivational imperative, but I encountered the rage of this discovery already, now I think I'm going through a more regretful experience." "I believe I will use this second chance to enjoy my humanity."
Zo'or nodded and allowed Sandoval to take his elbow and steady him across a large rock, he made no comment when Sandoval failed to release him, and they continued their conversation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Harmony, how long do you estimate it will be before we reach your sister's location?" Da'an asked the flighty young girl. she really wasn't that impatient, but her constant jumping, skipping, and hopping was a trifle disconcerting considering the gravity of the situation.
"I think we have about another five minutes." she said, after slowing down to ponder his question.
"Very well," Da'an said. "And what can we expect when we arrive?"
Harmony smiled that same empty but enthusiastic smile, "Well then you help us!" She kept walking, obviously thinking she had explained herself in terms that anyone could understand.
"Could you be a bit more specific?" Da'an pressed.
She looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"
Da'an sighed and started again, "Can you think of any way in which your sister could be convinced to join with you?"
"Oh, well, I guess when she realizes that she can't win without us she will have to rejoin." Harmony said.
"Ah," Da'an replied, "So she will attempt to defeat this wrongness by herself?"
"Most likely," Harmony said cheerfully.
"And when she fails?" Da'an said, not quite sure he wanted the answer.
"Then my sister and I will rejoin and, if we are all still alive, we will all join our energy with the planet's and use it to destroy the wrongness once and for all." Harmony smiled lightly, as if they were discussing nothing more significant than the days schedule and Da'an suddenly became quite a bit more nervous than he had been.
Harmony stopped moving when they entered a small clearing just before a large pile of rocks. They formed a large cliff-like landform and appeared to be quite solid. "Have we arrived?" Da'an asked.
"There," Harmony said pointing to the rock face.
Liam, Zo'or, and Sandoval had just caught up as Harmony began to pull at a large bush that was growing along the side of the cliff.
Liam and Sandoval moved to help her while the two Taelons stood nearby, it was unlikely that they could be of much assistance. Soon Liam, Sandoval, and Harmony had the bush pulled back enough to admit their party one at a time, Da'an and Zo'or first, then Harmony, and finally Liam and Sandoval ducked through as the boughs snapped back to their original place.
"Da'an," Liam said into the darkness, "where are you?"
"I am here, Liam."
Liam looked to his right where Da'an's voice had come from, "Alright, everyone, since I have the only light here," he pulled out a pocket flashlight, "I'll go first." Then Da'an, then Harmony, after her Sandoval and Zo'or." "Da'an if you and Zo'or would provide a little light it could be a big help." Liam said, slightly amused at the idea of using a Taelon as a light source. Sandoval apparently was having the same thought as the two Taelons dropped their humanoid facades and he was illuminated in blue light.
They quickly got in their assigned positions and made their way down into the cavern. It looked almost unnatural in it's formation, the walls were rough, but they formed arches, and the ground wasn't smooth, but there was a clear, straight path that was absent of any stalagmites. Liam wondered about this as they traveled along, the two Taelon's glowing faintly in their true forms, and Liam flashlight shining ahead.
It took very little time to reach the cavern they wanted, not only were the cave walls glowing a soft phosphorescent yellow-green, but there was a large design on the ground which featured clear markings and arrows that pointed toward the center. Liam wasn't sure what the purpose was, but there were spaces amongst the arrows that looked as if they would just have enough space for the four of them to stand in a square. As they entered the room they became aware of a quiet noise that sounded suspiciously like weeping. Suddenly from amongst the shadows stepped the previously absent Re'carusha.
"So, I guess you think that because I cannot succeed alone that I will come crawling back to you?" she said in an angry, bitter voice. She glared at her sister, who was half-hidden behind Liam's figure, "Well you should know I will never allow you the satisfaction." "If you wish to attempt to defeat the wrongness with the help of the chosen you will do it without me." She then turned and walked back to the wall she had been sitting against and resumed her position. Harmony turned to the chosen.
"You must convince her to help." she said.
"Us?" Sandoval asked.
"Yes," Harmony said, walking to the middle of the markings on the floor and stood on half of the circle at the center. It appeared as if they were not going to receive any more information on how to proceed, so Liam turned back to the group. "Well?" he asked, a bit frustrated, "Any suggestions?"
~~~~~~~~~~~
~OK!!!! The end of another looooong chapter, it's like saying goodbye to an old friend. May we have a moment of silence in honor of this brave and noble chapter! *moment* Oooooook, now you may ask yourself what will this weird, half-insane, totally messed up person write in the next chapter. Well, I can only say that I have NO IDEA! Don't worry, I'm sure it will come to me! 'Til next time! ~Y.W