Imperial Hotel, Lagos
Saturday, 18:18 Local (12:18 EST)

Despite its impressive name, the Hotel looked so run-down that a slight breeze could knock it over.

Liam had noticed a similar look throughout most of the city. Even after the Taelons' arrival, some parts of the world were barely getting by. Having rarely left the United States, had failed to notice this at first, but the few minutes he had spent in Lagos fighting off beggars had done more than enough.

The inside of the hotel was no better. The reception area, about as large as the shuttle he had taken there, consisted of a bench lining one wall, on which rested an old man with a cane, and at something bearing a slight semblance to a desk on the other, occupied by a thin old woman. A pegboard was located behind the desk, with keys, alone or in pairs, hanging from numbered hooks. A doorway led to a back room behind the counter, and a set of stairs led up opposite the door. Liam had the uncanny feeling that he had just invaded someone's home by mistake.

I'm looking for a Doctor Aman Lubata, he said to the woman at the desk, who merely frowned at him. He held out his Global, displaying Lubata's picture. Could you tell me where this man is?

After staring at the picture for a moment, she turned and called into the back room in a language Liam was not familiar with. A much younger woman emerged and the first woman gestured to Liam, saying something else.

I'm sorry, the younger woman said. My grandmother speaks very little English. May I help you?

Liam nodded, indicating his Global. Yes, I'm looking for this man. Have you seen him?

The young woman was silent for a moment. Why are you looking for him? she asked. Has he done something wrong?

I hope not, Liam said. Well, now he knew that at least she had seen him. No one ever asked that question unless they were trying to protect someone.

How did he know that...?

The two women were now having a heated argument, and the grandmother seemed to be winning. Finally, the younger woman bowed her head and turned her attention back to Liam. You promise to me that you will not harm him, she demanded.

I promise.

After scrutinizing him for a few more moments, she removed a key from the pegboard and motioned to the stairs. Follow me.

Liam followed her up the stairs to the hotel's third floor, where she went to the end of the short hallway and struggled to fit the key into a rusted old lock. When she had opened it, she turned silently and, with another pointed glance at Liam, returned down the stairs. Liam, carefully removed the lock and slowly opened the door. Doctor? Doctor Lubata?

The voice came from a receded area in the wall to the left of the door, with all the looks of a kitchen. Liam rushed into the room and saw the doctor with his back to the stove, with a knife in his hand, poised to strike. But when he saw Liam, he quickly set down the knife on the counter and slumped back. Thank God, was all he said.

It's good to see you, Doctor. Liam motioned to the door. Come on, I don't think we have much—

A deafening roar silenced out Liam's last word. Both Liam and Lubata winced and covered their ears, but the sound died quickly, to be replaced by a low whine. The roar had been too overwhelming for Liam to identify, but Liam could easily guess.

Lets get out of here! Liam said urgently.


Sandoval eyed the hotel building as the Volunteer pilot brought the craft to its resting place on the street. Simple design, understated, not likely to draw attention. Not the best qualities in a hotel, but excellent for a hideout.

I assume that we can trust your source, Colonel Osobato said from his seat beside Sandoval. This could become very embarrassing for Dor'al if Doctor Lubata is not here.

We can, Sandoval said simply. Neither Osobato nor Dor'al were cleared to know that Sandoval's was in fact the CIA. However, a direct order from Zo'or had convinced the Taelon to cooperate. Sandoval had observed on many occasions, however, that Osobato seemed much more concerned with his—albeit disguised as Dor'al's—public image.

The Volunteer set the shuttle down just outside the hotel, and the two Volunteers accompanying them—both implants, Sandoval noted—leaped out, scanning the area with their neutron rifles. Osobato led the way out, directing the soldiers to the entrance. Sandoval didn't really see the need for the commando bit, but this was Osobato's home turf, so he decided not to argue.

In the four seconds it took for Sandoval to enter the hotel reception room, Osobato had already had one of his Volunteers disarm an old man of his cane and was speaking rapidly to a woman in a language Sandoval recognized as Yoruba, but could not translate. Whatever was being said, a younger woman did not seem happy about it, tough the second Volunteer seemed to be keeping her in line with the business end of his gun.

She says that a man fitting Lubata's description is on the third floor at the end of the hall, Osobato reported to Sandoval. And that there is another man with him, who arrived a few moments ago.

The other man from the recording? Sandoval wondered. Take the saboteur and his accomplice in one stroke. Though he was not entirely sure who was which. he ordered to the Volunteers.


Liam had been fairly sure that he wouldn't be able to make it out in time. There any other way out of here? he asked Lubata urgently.

Only out the windows.

Out the windows. Liam's mind suddenly flashed to the numbered pegboard with the room keys on it. Each peg had either one or two keys on it. When he had noted that the second key to Lubata's room seemed to be for use by the staff—such as it was—he assumed that the pegs with two keys were for unoccupied rooms.

The rooms with no witnesses.

Footsteps were pounding up the stairs. Quickly, Liam drew his pistol—he had brought a lockpick, but there wasn't time—and motioned Lubata to one of the rooms he hoped was unoccupied. He aimed and fired, and the blue-white energy blast ate through the ancient padlock and left a nasty spot on the door. Liam quickly threw the door open and hurried to the window, just as the first of the Volunteers reached the floor.


Sandoval was right on Osobato's heels as they entered the room, stopping only to glance at the burned-out lock—he'd deal with the forensics later. Where are they? he snapped to the Volunteer who had been in the lead.

It appears they went out the window, sir, replied the Volunteer. They must have got away around a corner of the building; I couldn't see them.

Sandoval gritted his teeth, then snatched up his Global. Pilot, get in the air, now, he ordered the shuttle pilot. Watch for anyone on the run. He snapped the Global shut before the pilot could reply.

Perhaps we should split up, Osobato suggested. I will follow out the window and go one way, you return out the main entrance and take another.

Fine. You— he motioned to the second Volunteer. Come with me. And he started out of the room at a run.


So much for no witnesses.

While making their escape down the streets, Liam and Lubata had been sighted by dozens of people; fortunately, none of whom seemed to care. The only real danger came from the shuttle, which was scouting out the area from the air. And Liam was willing to bet whoever was driving would care.

I hope you planned this a little better than it would seem, Lubata said as they ducked behind a small house to escape the shuttle's view.

There wasn't time to plan, Liam replied. Sandoval was already coming when I found out where you were. The sound of the shuttle died down, leading Liam to believe it had left for the moment. Come on!

They started off again, but only got around the first corner before a skrill blast put a crater in a nearby wall. Liam then took off in a run, firing backwards with his pistol every few seconds to discourage his followers.

I am...not an athlete...Kincaid, Lubata gasped behind him.

It's not much farther, Liam assured. The two of them were now leaving the city behind, and entering a wide open space.

What are...you...doing? asked Lubata, urgently for a man who could barely breathe. They will have clear...clear view...of us here!

A light breeze picked up, and Liam could see the telltale distortions ahead of him. Not for long, he said, helping Lubata along the last few yards.


Sandoval found Osobato standing at the edge of a kind of clearing at the outskirts of town, surveying the area angrily. Where are they? he asked.

I know they went out here, Osobato said. I saw them. He looked at Sandoval. The shuttle is scanning the city, Agent Sandoval, but I assure you, they are out here.

Sandoval motioned at the expanse of plains, devoid of any concealment or people. Then where?

Suddenly, he heard a high-pitched whine from out in the clearing, and noticed a slight ripple in the air. Horrified, he spun back to Osobato. Get the shuttle over here, NOW!

It was too late. Another shuttle appeared out of the distorted landscape, only a few yards off the ground and heading straight at them. Sandoval barely managed to push Osobato to the ground before the craft screamed overhead. He could feel the heat on his back, and saw one of the Volunteers—who had been scouting a perimeter, thrown off his feet by the blast. Struggling back to his own feet, Sandoval reached for his Global, but saw that his shuttle had already taken the hint and moved to intercept the new one.

How in hell did they acquire a Taelon shuttle? demanded Osobato.

Sandoval did not answer as he watched the two shuttles, now hundreds of feet in the air. The second shuttle, at a slightly lower altitude than Sandoval's and slightly to one side, seemed to have stopped in midair. As his shuttle turned to intercept it, however, the craft sprang into action, driving straight towards it. At first, Sandoval thought he was making some kind of suicide run, but then he saw that the craft's thrusters had split open and were glowing brightly.

No....

Just as the Volunteer pilot, probably quite a bit shaken, opened fire, the new shuttle dipped down, passing bare inches, it seemed, under the first craft. Then, a pair of brilliant white rings appeared around the fore and aft of the shuttle, and it disappeared into interdimensional space with a bright flash. Seeing as how this had taken place behind Sandoval's shuttle, the pilot didn't even realize what had happened until it was too late to do anything.

For a moment, Sandoval and Osobato just stood there. Then Osobato turned to the Volunteers and ordered them to start collecting evidence from the hotel and the shuttle's launch site. Sandoval thought about just how anyone could have managed to come across the equipment and information to accomplish something like this. Not to mention whoever had been flying the shuttle had been an expert pilot.

Sandoval momentarily pressed his eyes tightly shut, then grabbed up his Global. He'd deal with this later. Right now, he'd have to deal with Zo'or.

And the Taelon's reaction to this news would be more than enough to occupy his attention for the time being.