North American Taelon Embassy
Sunday, 06:00 EST

Deal with it in the morning. It always seemed like a good idea until morning came.

That had been Liam's plan late last night when he had learned of Trang's capture. Not only had he woke up after four hours of sleep with no better idea of what to do or what had gone wrong, but he had been summoned by Da'an.

Liam nodded to Volunteer Campbell, who was standing guard at the doorway to Da'an's office. Smiling, he nodded back. For a man assigned to work on a Sunday, he certainly seemed in a very good mood.

Or perhaps it was simply that Liam was in a terrible one.

Da'an was standing by the virtual glass Embassy window when Liam entered. You called for me, Da'an?

The Taelon was silent. Frowning, Liam took another step forward. Does he know?

And what is your plan, Liam? Da'an demanded, turning and fixing Liam with a piercing gaze. Liam felt his muscles tighten. It would seem, the Taelon continued, stepping forward, that your desire for information did not require me to satisfy after all.

Liam closed his eyes. So Da'an knew. He had expected that the Taelon would be able to link him to Trang, but had hoped to spend the weekend figuring out a plan for dealing with the matter.

I don't know what you're talking about, he said, looking away. He knew the instant the words were out of his mouth that Da'an would never believe him.

Your operative on the Moonbase has been discovered, Liam. As you are certainly aware. He has already admitted his connection to the Resistance; you shall gain nothing from further attempts at deception.

So they had already forced a confession out of him. This after having him for less than a day, Liam mused. However did you manage that?

Do not attempt to confuse the subject, Liam, Da'an warned. I could in turn ask you how the Resistance managed the feat of inserting an operative into one of our highest-security facilities. Da'an was now circling him. One would think it impossible, without assistance.

What are you accusing me of, Da'an?

I am accusing you of using your influence as my Protector to further your Resistance goals, Da'an said forcefully. This is treason!

Which never bothered you when it was Zo'or who got the sour end of the deal, Liam snapped. You've known where my loyalties lie for nearly a year—why did you wait until now to speak up?

Because until now, you have not threatened to endanger my people's very existence, Da'an returned. You surely know how vital it is that we remain on this planet—

As a matter of fact, no, I don't, Liam retorted, facing Da'an again. Because that is the one thing you've never felt it necessary to tell me.

A war of genetic assimilation—

Liam shook the voice away.

And what would you do with that knowledge, Liam? Da'an asked. Do you now consider yourself the sole guardian of humanity, that my plans must be subject to your approval before they go forward?

I'd be happy if you asked anybody for approval, Liam retorted, or at least considered what your plans will do to humanity.

So you take it upon yourself to make that determination.

You're damn right I do, Liam growled.

Da'an watched him silently for a moment, which gave Liam time to think about what he had just said. He had just told Da'an that he took it upon himself to determine the best interests of an entire species. What right did he have to take on such authority? What made him think he knew what was best any more than Da'an?

Who else was going to do it?

You should know, Da'an said slowly, that I shall always act in the best interests of my people.

As will I, Liam replied simply, drawing another gaze from the Taelon.

I was the last of my kind. I suffered from a biological imperative—

Again, Liam dismissed the voice.

After another moment, Da'an broke his gaze. he said. Commander Clarke has awakened.


Sibley Memorial Hospital
06:13

Clarke was sitting half-up in bed, reading an electronic slate, just as he had been for the last hour. He had been unconscious for only a little over a day, but already he had an entirely new queue of reports to read. Of course, Doctor Belman had told him to take it easy, but he did have a job to do.

No progress in finding the saboteur. Failed attempt to recover Doctor Lubata in Lagos. Zo'or to attend Portal Grid ceremony. Ni'ram in a and close to death. Resistance operative discovered on the Moonbase. Official and unofficial records were loaded with reports, all seeming to tie into one saboteur. Clarke couldn't remember the last time one individual had caused so much havoc.

Ha'gel, his CVI offered helpfully.

The door opened, and doctor Belman poked her head in. Damon, you think you're up to a couple visitors? she asked.

Clarke set the slate down on the tray, which had been rolled up to his bedside. All right.

Belman nodded, and motioned to someone outside. A moment later, a familiar form entered the room.

Clarke nodded at Kincaid, but sat bolt upright when he saw the Major's companion.

Easy, Damon, Belman cautioned, stepping forward and forcing Clarke back down.

My apologies if my appearance has caused you alarm, Da'an said.

No, Da'an, of course not. Clarke placed the slate on tray beside the bed. I was just a bit surprised.

Kincaid stepped forward. Commander, I need to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind.

Anything I can do to help, Clarke said, ignoring a voice in the back of his head telling him that it was his job to be asking questions.

When you were on the Mothership, what were you doing?

Delivering a report on Resistance activity to Agent Sandoval. He insisted I deliver it myself.

Did you meet anyone else?

Only Ni'ram.

Kincaid frowned. Had he been expecting something different? What is it, Major?

Doctor Belman found a modified global positioning device in your skrill. We were thinking it was what threw off the portal.

The doctor looked at him with an unreadable expression. Any discomfort?

Clarke looked down at his skrill. Not since you people inserted the thing.

Itching? Rashes?



Dizziness? Nausea?

Clarke winced as the doctor touched a device he didn't recognize to his skrill. What the hell was that?

You could feel that?

Clarke nodded. Yes. What the hell was it?

It's unusual for the host to actually sense what the skrill is feeling, he said, frowning. Nonetheless, he put the tool away without seeming to check anything. That should do it, Commander."

Clarke winced, pressing his hand to his temple. Damon, are you all right?

My CVI, Clarke said. It hurts sometimes when I use it. He then frowned, considering what he had just remembered. That device the doctor had used did not look like any kind of medical instrument he had seen. And he had never seen that man again. But I think I might have something for you, Major.


The implant described the experience he had recalled and agreed to provide a detailed description of the who he had met with. Then he, Da'an, and Belman discussed when he would be ready to return to his duties.

Mit'gai paid little attention to any of this. He understood that the matters being discussed were important enough that he should not interrupt, but none of them concerned him directly. At the moment, all that did was the well-being of Ni'ram.

Immediately after Da'an and Kincaid had left, he made his way into the room. Commander, I must speak with you.

Belman exclaimed.

This is a matter of importance, doctor, Mit'gai persisted.

Belman stepped up almost nose-to-nose with the Taelon. Now listen, Mit'gai, she whispered angrily, we talked about this, and I said it was too dangerous.

Fortunately for Ni'ram, Mit'gai retorted, It is not your consent I require. With that, he pushed past the doctor and focused his attention on the Implant. Ni'ram is in a state of deep Sahmbaad, and is in danger of death.

I know. Doctor Belman told me.

I see. And have you also been informed that I have devised a means to treat him?

No, I haven't.

Understandable. Belman, being opposed to the idea, would make sure that Clarke not even be informed of the possibility. Understandable. To save Ni'ram, his energy must be replenished. Unfortunately, he is incapable of this while in the Sahmbaad. The energy cannot be provided from an outside source for the same reason; if he is infused with energy in such a manner, his own distinctive pattern would be lost. Were humans capable of understanding this?

Clarke nodded. I see.

Apparently so. Normally, a Taelon in this condition would certainly die. However, I believe that you may have provided an option. He could sense Belman glaring at him. Due to the fluctuations in the slipstream, a portion of Ni'ram's genetic material now exists within you. As your skrill possesses the ability to store and release large amounts of energy, I wish to attempt to transfer the energy Ni'ram needs from you.

Now, Belman stepped forward. Damon, nothing like this has ever been attempted before; I don't know what could happen if you decide to do this. But it's a strong possibility that the transfer could kill you.

There is indeed a danger, Mit'gai conceded, But your CVI should allow you to control the release of energy; the risk is not as extreme as the doctor believes.

Damon, you're still recovering from a very dangerous experience, Belman pressed. You're nowhere near healed, and this procedure would be dangerous to you even if you were. I don't recommend this.

Mit'gai simply waited. He had presented his plan, and no loyal Taelon protector should even consider refusing. Although he still wished that the discussion had not been made to remove the motivational imperative from the third-generation CVIs—that certainty about the implants had been very comforting.

If I don't agree, Clarke said slowly, then Ni'ram dies?



The human exhaled loudly. Sigh. Human paralanguage. Resignation. All right, he said. I'll do it.