Taelon Mothership
Friday, 14:32 EST

"Are you accusing me of sabotage, Agent Sandoval?"

Sandoval and Zo'or were alone on the Mothership's bridge. Deceptively alone, rather, as the Taelons occupying the control pods running along the bridge walls were, as always, present. However, Sandoval had a hard time counting them as such, however, as they never seemed to react to anything going on around them. Zo'or, on the other hand, was eying Sandoval very closely.

Of course not, Zo'or, Sandoval said after a short pause. I merely believed that you should be notified of this information.

And why is that?

Because I believe it was meant for you. Sandoval turned half away from the Taelon and began explaining his point to the wall. The information was clearly planted; there are distinctive signs of tampering. Yet, we detected no unauthorized access to the mainframe. He turned back to Zo'or. If the saboteur were skilled enough to bypass all our security protocols on both the Moonbase and the Mothership, then he should not have left any trace of tampering, either.

Then you believe that this planted information was a message to me.



And what do you believe this message is?

Sandoval studied the Taelon, but his face was an expressionless mask. Taelons would, of course, only show expression if they wanted to, as it was quite a strain to put so much effort into their human form. Zo'or seemed to do so more than most, however. By planting evidence that you were the saboteur, he said, I believe he was stating that you are responsible for the bombing.

An energy vein traced across Zo'or's face. I see. Continue your investigation.

Sandoval nodded and turned to leave. He knew Zo'or well enough to tell that the Taelon was very distraught—

And Agent Sandoval? Zo'or called.

Sandoval turned. Yes, Zo'or?

I will be attending the Portal Grid ceremony in Ni'ram's absence," the Taelon said. See that my schedule is adjusted accordingly.

Trying to maintain his own emotionless mask, Sandoval nodded and left. He was confused as to Zo'or's sudden decision, but at the moment, he had to focus on the saboteur.

Zo'or knew something; Sandoval was sure of that. And whoever was behind the bombings was definitely putting on a show for him. At first, Sandoval had been irritated at the fact that the Taelon was hiding potentially important information from him, but he had now began to form his own theory.

Instinctively, Sandoval's eyes went to the gold wedding band on his finger. After a moment, he closed his hand and made for the nearest portal.


Taelon Embassy, Abijo, Nigeria
20:45 Local (14:45 EST)

Your report, Colonel?

Colonel Dele Osobato, Charge D'Affaires and Chief of Security to Dor'al, the Western African Companion, was standing at attention on the opposite side of Dor'al's meeting chamber. One of my contacts in Lagos reports he has seen the Doctor Lubata several times in the past day in the western section of the city. Though he cannot ascertain where the doctor is staying or what his purpose is in the city, it is only a matter of time.

Pointless optimism. I am well aware of this, Colonel. But this is insufficient, as it has not been determined that we have this time of which you speak.

Osobato nodded. I agree of course, he said. But this is the first evidence we have found of Lubata since his departure from this Embassy.

Manufactured victory. Dor'al was repeatedly impressed with the humans' ability to call a perfectly insignificant achievement which should be taken for granted a success. Yet it is insufficient, for the very reasons you have mentioned. He turned and looked out over the skyscape of the city. Mechanized. Wasteful. When you have found Doctor Lubata, then I may share your enthusiasm.

Of course, Dor'al. Do you have any special instructions for when I find the doctor?

Impatience. If he had not yet found Lubata, why did he need to know what to do with him? Dor'al turned back to face Osobato. When you find him, you will report to me, and I will give you further instructions at that time.

Osobato bowed. Yes, Dor'al.

When Osobato had left, Dor'al returned his gaze to the city of Abijo. Every time he observed the city, or any human industrial accomplishment, he could only direct his thoughts in one direction.

Destructive. The humans had no respect for the life around them. They believed that any beings which did not resemble themselves. Instead, they exploited these beings for their own shortsighted goals, and proceeded to destroy their habitats and finally wipe them out when their usefulness ended. They would destroy entire ecosystems, and only attempted to reverse the damage when a danger was presented to themselves. Selfish. When the Taelons had arrived, the humans were within a few years of rendering their world completely uninhabitable, and had barely even began to realize it. Short-sighted.

But perhaps what bothered Dor'al the most was how closely they could mimic the Taelons at times. They had, after all, come closer to the Taelons' level of technological advancement than any other species, and were capable of very evolved philosophical insights.

Yet despite all this, the humans were unquestionably primitive. Ruthless Confrontational. Warlike.

Subversive. Dor'al had learned a great deal from Colonel Osobato. Before the Taelons' arrival, he had been a very active member of the ruling political regime in Nigeria. In his efforts to stabilize this nation and the African continent in general, Dor'al had gained firsthand knowledge as to how this regime maintained its power. He had great difficulty believing that any civilized species could commit such atrocities among its own species. His studies into human history could produce more answers, and only showed him just how much humans would distort the truth to benefit themselves. They had no sense of community, valuing their short-term individual gain above all else. And this was not only recognized, but encouraged.

Dor'al paused, and released his disgust into the Commonality. No, humans were nothing like the Taelons. Instead, they bore another resemblance, one even more disturbing.

The Jaridians....

A tone sounded, informing Dor'al that he had a visitor. He acknowledged, and a Volunteer entered, followed by a tall man in civilian clothing. Major Liam Kincaid, Protector to the North American Companion Da'an, announced the Volunteer.

Very well. You are dismissed. The Volunteer nodded and left. What is your purpose here, Major?

Da'an is concerned that Doctor Lubata is found as quickly as possible, Kincaid said. Emphasis on He sent me to make sure there were no problems.

There are not, he said simply.

Da'an is very concerned that everything is running smoothly, Kincaid persisted. Again emphasized Also emphasized Effective repetition of original statement. Would it be possible for me to observe the search?

Desperation? Kincaid was definitely anxious to be included in the search. Whether or not this was a desire to follow Da'an's instructions was unclear, but Dor'al had been among humans enough to tell when they were being deceptive. Kincaid had other motives than those he was voicing, that much was certain.

Your presence would not be helpful, Dor'al said. But I will refer you to my Charge D'Affaires, Colonel Osobato. He shall provide you with whatever information Da'an desires.

Dor'al was opposed to the entire concept of exposing the inner workings of the Taelons' project on earth to humans who were not bound by a CVI, ensuring their loyalty.

Kincaid was obviously not satisfied. But after a moment, he nodded, making the customary bow. Thank you, Dor'al. Dor'al bowed in response, adding the Taelon farewell gesture, and Kincaid made his exit. Dor'al observed that the man's hands were tightly clenched.

Subversion. This was a new concept to the Taelons. And Dor'al was alarmed at how easily they it came to them. The most accepted explanation was that this was a side effect of the Fields and the Taelons' use of human genes to maintain themselves on the planet. But Dor'al believed that this showed that the Taelons were not as evolved over the humans as they believed they were. Therefore, the humans could easily destroy all the spiritual progress the Taelons had made since the Joining simply by their presence.

He could see it happening already. The younger Taelons, such as Mit'gai and Zo'or had been the first to succumb to this devolution, but he had since observed the stain spreading through the entire Commonality, affecting all Taelons, including himself. The humans were having an effect on them, whether they knew it or not. And that effect would soon pollute the Commonality to the point where the damage could not be reversed.

Dor'al activated his energy shower, hoping to escape, for a few hours at least, the fact that if the Taelons did not reach their goals soon, the humans would destroy them before the Jaridians ever got the chance.


Lagos, Nigeria
23:03 Local (17:03 EST)

Walking down dark alleys, looking over his shoulder to see if he was being followed, with an illegal data copy in his pocket...Lubata was a scientist, not a secret agent.

It had been almost thirty years since he had left Lagos. When he had, he had sworn never to return to the political cesspool that was Nigeria. Even when things had calmed down and the Taelons had stabilized the government, he had refused to set foot in this country again.

Why, then, had he insisted on holding the meeting here? The only answer he could find was that, if he was going to conduct such a morally outrageous act, he should not associate such an act with anyplace new.

Lubata turned a corner and started down another deserted alleyway. Reaching the end, he looked around, but saw nobody. He was sure this was the right place.

he called softly.

You're three minutes late, said a voice, seemingly coming from the wall in front of him.

I'm sorry, Lubata said. I couldn't synchronize my watch without being found. It must be slow.

Has anyone seen you?

Of course people saw me," Lubata snapped at the wall. It's a very big city.

There was a short pause, then the wall in front of him suddenly blurred, rippled, and instantly became twice as far away. Standing in front of it was a blond man in his late thirties, in a black trenchcoat. He held some sort of device in his right hand, and he was standing in the center of a thin wire-frame structure that Lubata recognized immediately as one of his own short-range ID portals. At his feet was a holographic projector, which Lubata assumed had been producing the false wall.

said the man, striding forward quickly and pocketing the device, which Lubata recognized as a Global. Do you have the file?

Now just a minute, snapped Lubata. I'm not about to give you anything unless I get some answers. What the hell did you do to that portal on the Moonbase?

There's no time —

"Make the time!" Lubata lost all self-restraint. The portal I took exploded, and the Taelons are blaming me! I want to know what you were doing, I want to know what you're going to do, I want to know why, and I want to know now!

Do you want to be an accomplice, Doctor? the other man asked quietly.

I don't want to be in this situation at all —

That's what you'll be if I tell you what you want to know, the man finished. Then his features softened, and he almost looked sympathetic. I know what it's like to be caught in the middle of something, Doctor. Don't worry, you won't be for long. He extended his hand. But I need the file.

What do I have to lose? With a sigh, Lubata reached into his shirt pocket and removed a disk. All the data on the Portal Grid nexus in Chicago. Portal types, locations, specifications, everything.

The man took it and nodded. Thank you, Doctor.

And what will to happen to me? Lubata asked.

The man walked back into the center of the portal. They've probably located us by now, he said, once again producing the Global. You'll probably be found within a day. What you do then is up to you.

Before Lubata could respond, the portal came to life, and the man—and his holoprojector, which he had never bothered to pick up—disappeared into the slipstream. An instant later, the portal itself glowed brightly, then crumbled to the ground as it self-destructed.

Lubata glanced up. It was a new moon. Standing out against the grey globe was the tiny blue point of light that was the Taelon Mothership. For a moment, Lubata just stared at it. From this distance, it looked so innocent, so benign.

To Lubata, it was the place where he would likely meet his death.

Sighing, he turned and headed back down the alley.