Roosevelt Portal Nexus, Chicago, Illinois
Monday, 11:54 Local (12:54 EST)

The Portal Nexus building had been designed by human architects with the intent of fusing the major points of both human and Taelon design style. The end result was something completely unique. The outside was a simple geodesic dome constructed of Taelon-inspired transparent composites, but the inside was much more advanced than the average greenhouse. There were two levels; the main concourse on the ground floor contained all the administrative stations — bookings, passports, and the like — as well as a large cafeteria in the sunken center. The second floor, supported by metal struts designed to mimic the spines used in Taelon buildings, was floored with a translucent dark composite, and contained all the portals, over a hundred in all, capable of linking to any other nexus in the world, and through those, to dozens of other portals in towns too small to have a nexus. The grids of the dome had been fitted with holoprojectors, capable of filling the entire inside of the dome with moving images of any shape or size. The building was trisymmetrical; a person entering through any of the three main entrances would see the same layout.

At the moment, the building was crawling with reporters, dignitaries, speakers, and technicians, preparing everything for the upcoming ceremony, as well as two dozen Volunteers spaced around the building.

All of which made it difficult to find anyplace private.

I don't care what he thinks is down there, Doors growled, doing his best to shield his Global and conversation from any passersby. He's not making any moves that could alert the Taelons. We're on a very thin tightrope here; I'm not taking that kind of a risk.

Yes, sir. The young man's face disappeared, and Doors closed his Global. His Peru operation had apparently led him into a false sense of security when dealing with international Resistance concerns. If he weren't careful, the team he was working with on the Giza Plateau would cause an unprecedented disaster. Combine this with the Saboteur, and his carefully laid plans regarding Liam and Red Letter beginning to unravel, Doors was having a very bad week.

Trouble at the office?

Which had just taken a left turn to horrible. What do you want, Joshua?

When the elder Doors did not turn to acknowledge his presence, the younger stepped forward, blocking his father's view of the Nexus wall. Want? What makes you think I want something?

Because I doubt even you would have the gall to come up to me without a damn good reason, Doors snapped. After what you pulled.

Joshua nodded. Obviously, you have a right to be upset. Although, from what I see, he made a sweeping gesture to indicate the Nexus building, it all turned out for the best.

Doors simply turned away, not trusting himself to say anything. You betrayed me, Joshua. How could that turn out for the best?

Joshua pressed, It looks like you're already in the process of getting even. Before Doors could think what he meant, his son continued, That was one of our Portals your man used to break into that art gallery a couple weeks ago?

I don't run the Resistance anymore, Doors said, but his voice was so unsteady that he realized he would not even have believed himself. As usual, his son had found his weakness, and used it to run him through.

Somehow, Dad, you're not that convincing, Joshua confirmed. Wouldn't you admit it's kind of ironic, though? I mean, I offer you something of mine in good faith, and you use it towards your own goals. And it's me the Taelons blame. Sound familiar?

I didn't do anything to hurt you, Doors said. I didn't even have anything to do with that. That at least was true. Renee had been acting on her own initiative.

Uh-huh. Well, it doesn't really matter. The Taelons can't afford to do without us. We are the innovative bridge between our two species, the next step in creative technology. Doors International, on the other hand, is just a middleman. In a few years, the Taelons will have established themselves on this world, your contract will run out, and Taelon technology will begin flowing directly into hundreds of smaller companies. When that happens, Doors International will go the way of Enron and Microsoft. He directed his gaze at the holographic clouds rushing past on the Nexus walls, as if preaching directly to the heavens. And the future will truly be here.

The future being you, of course.

Joshua smiled. One Taelon Avenue will pave the way for a world of private co-ventures, using Taelon science to create human technology. We open the doors for an entire new era of human industry, where you simply take Taelon gizmos and put a Doors stamp on them. There's no future in that. Face it, dad: your co-ventures, your, company, your Resistance... He returned his gaze to his father. Well, you dad...are obsolete.

For months now, Doors had been trying to justify his son's betrayal just before last year's election. In the time they had worked together on his campaign, he had gotten to know his son again, and all his instincts screamed that the man who had managed his campaign was not the same man who destroyed it. It was only now that he realized just how right he had been. He didn't know how, or why, but this was...wrong.

You're not my son, he declared, and turned to leave. He expected some parting shot from his — from Joshua, but he was silent.



We'll be starting with your introduction, then Mr. Doors' remarks. After that, we have Da'an's address, then Zo'or's, and finally, it's back to you for the closing. Basically, exactly how we had planned it to go, except we cut Ni'ram out and added Zo'or after Da'an.

Which doesn't affect me at all. I think I can cope, Renee said, smiling.

The young MC ushered her over to the row of seats arrayed behind the podium. Renee eyed the portal that had been set up just behind the podium. She envied the reporters milling around for their ignorance of the danger that may be lurking in that portal. But there was nothing to be done about it at the moment except trust Sandoval — she nearly choked on the thought — and Liam to prevent this saboteur from striking here.

Sitting down and patiently waiting for the affairs to start, Renee took to examining the building around here. Some cities, such as New York and Washington, DC, had opted to simply use an unmanned nexus and distribute portals throughout the city, while others chose this approach of having a single giant Nexus building. This seemed a popular choice in the Midwest, where there were few truly large cities to justify the added expense of Chicago was the largest city so far to use this approach, which was the major reason this site had been chosen for the ceremony.

Also, while a public building, more than half the funds for the Portal Nexus had come from Doors International through the Co-venture project; in fact, the Portal Grid itself had been a Doors conception. Meaning Renee, as executive in charge of the project, was almost single-handedly responsible for its being here.

So if anything went wrong because of this, it would be her fault.

Renee shook herself away from the thought. If she could just find one thing to feel good about, she would be happy. Just one thing. Was that too much to ask?

She almost didn't notice Doors sit down next to her. Anything wrong? she asked absently, referring to the Global call which had taken him away earlier.

Rashid thinks he found something on the Giza Plateau and wants to dig it up, Doors said, just as absently.

Damn. Doesn't he realize what kind of... Renee trailed off as she noticed the pain in Doors' face. Is everything all right, Jonathan?

Of course not, Doors snapped. When has everything been all right? Renee drew back, surprised, and he took a breath before continuing. Joshua's here, he explained.

Renee closed her eyes. She didn't know Doors' son well, but she knew Jonathan well enough to realize how important Joshua was to him. I'm sorry.

Don't be. Doors' face was now its characteristic hard mask. That isn't my son. I never knew him well, but I can tell you that that man— he motioned into the crowd, and Renee saw Joshua sitting in one of the front chairs, speaking to a reporter. isn't him.

What do you mean, Jonathan? Renee asked, running through all the possibilities that occurred to her. You think he's some kind of...impostor? A replicant or something?

I don't know. Doors fixed her with a gaze that she hadn't seen for a long time. It was the same pained but determined look he had given her four years ago, right after Amanda's death. But you can be sure I'm going to find out.

Amanda...and his father, Jubal. Both of their lives ended because of the Taelons. Now his son, Joshua, had fallen victim to them, too? What was this going to do to him?

How can I help? she asked.

Doors sighed. You can't, Renee. I have to do this myself.

No, Jonathan. Renee blurted out. This isn't just your fight. Doors simply stared at her. We're disorganized enough as it is, she continued, haltingly. We're already running two separate Resistances; I don't want to think what would happen if we started off on our own. We can't make this personal, Jonathan.

Funny, Renee. You telling someone else not to make the fight personal?

The look Doors gave her reflected her thoughts. This is personal, Renee. Dammit, this is my son we're talking about.

Jonathan, it's always somebody's son, Renee pressed, trying the same argument she had used on herself dozens of times. Or daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, cousin...God, I know it's different when they happen to be yours, but this is bigger than just us. We're trying to save the world, remember?

Save the world, Doors scoffed. A world that doesn't even realize it's in danger. They don't even want to be saved. He shook his head. They've bought into the idea that these...beings are here for nothing else than the well-being of humanity, and are two blind to see the truth about them. I've tried helping them, Renee. But they don't want anything to change.

The people were beginning to take their seats. The ceremony would be starting soon, Renee realized. Do you think...maybe we're taking the wrong tack? she asked after a pause. I mean, I can understand why people would be reluctant to reject the Taelons; they have made the world a better place for most of us. I'm not defending them, she added quickly, but I think a lot of our troubles are because we really would be worse off without the Taelons.

So what are you suggesting? Doors asked. That we should sit down with Zo'or and ask him very nicely to stop experimenting on us?

Of course not. Then what are you trying to say, Renee? Don't tell me you're going soft now. I just...I don't know, Jonathan. But something's telling me that what we're doing now...isn't going to work. That we might have to find a way that we can both come out winners.

For a long time, Doors said nothing. He did not look at her, or acknowledge that he had heard her at all. Renee knew enough not to force him.

What happened to you, Renee? she demanded. Not too long ago, she had prided herself on her ability to go to whatever extreme was needed of her in order to get rid of the Taelons. Hell, she had even put a gun to the leader of the Resistance's head! Now, she was going so far as to question if they should be doing so at all? Was she finally losing her nerve?

Or was she starting to really look at the big picture for the first time?

Renee, I've been thinking the same thing for over a year, Doors said, finally. He was still staring off into the crowd. At his son, Renee assumed. And if you have any ideas on how we can do it, I'd be happy to hear them. But I'm not going to let them get away with what they're doing to us in the meantime.

Renee couldn't think of a thing to say.



You've done an excellent job here, Mr. Davies, he said to the man standing next to him, as he carefully marked the locations of the Nexus security guards. As he had requested, they had been arrayed so as not to attract attention, whereas the Volunteers were left in plain sight.

Thank you, Mr. Sandoval, Davies said, smiling. I was actually hoping for this effect from the beginning. I wanted people to be able to see that there were guards here, but I didn't want that thrust in their faces, if you know what I mean.

You managed it quite well, Sandoval appraised. I think I'll leave the rest to you.

Davies nodded, and Sandoval took his leave of the man. Striding casually across the hall, he stood beside a young Volunteer, pretending to observe the holographic cloudscape racing by on the walls. Is everything ready? he asked.

We've transferred all security out of the service level and installed the sensors you wanted, the Volunteer replied. Everything checks out.





Sandoval looked at the man.

Don't you think that removing security was a bit obvious? He'll surely know that he's being set up.

Sandoval nodded. I don't doubt it.

With a nod, Sandoval took his leave of the Volunteer and headed to his position at the back of the crowd, on the steps leading up to one of the main entrances. From here, he could observe the entire crowd and the stage at the same time. It felt a little unsettling to be unable to observe the second level, but he reminded himself that the floor was quite solid, making sniping impossible.

Besides, he doubted that the threat would be coming from above.

Everyone was finally seated, and an expectant silence fell over the room. The MC stepped up to the podium, and scanned the room in a classic opening gesture. Ladies and gentlemen, he began, I'd like to welcome you all to the opening of the world's first nexus station for the Fixed-Link Global Transit System. As the crowd began to applaud, Sandoval wondered just how many of them had actually understood what that meant. Before long, there will be a web of these structures stretching around the world, and any man, woman, or child will be able to travel to any point, in any country, in no less than half an hour, and for a price that, ten years ago, would have been outrageous for a flight from here to New York.

More applause. Sandoval checked his pocket watch. Fifteen seconds had passed. He was obviously getting impatient.

Well, I know none of you came here for a lecture, so I'm going to turn over the mike to the woman responsible for all this. He motioned to the woman sitting nearest to the podium. Ms. Renee Palmer!

As Palmer approached the stage, Sandoval's Global beeped. Everything all right, Major? he asked, opening the device.

We're ready at this end, Kincaid replied. So far, there haven't been any problems with the portal that we can see.

He seems to interfere with the sending portal directly, Sandoval thought. Since we're only sending Da'an, Zo'or, and Kincaid, he wouldn't have had any opportunity to do so. Meaning either he'll strike on their way out, or...he has something else planned. Everything seems to be going as planned here, as well. I think it would be safe to proceed.

Kincaid replied, and cut off the signal.

...So I'd like to turn this over to the man who gave me the chance to be a part of this, and really got the ball rolling on all this to begin with, Palmer was saying. Sandoval had missed her speech. Well, he could always play it back from his CVI later. Although I don't think he needs any introduction...Ladies and gentlemen, Jonathan Doors.

Sandoval put aside all the security concerns for the moment; he was very interested to hear what the businessman turned Resistance mastermind turned Presidential candidate turned born-again businessman had to say.

I'm sure some of you are still suffering a bit of whiplash from my change of attitude following the election last year, Doors said, drawing slight laughter from the audience. To be honest, I've been at a loss to explain it myself. But I think we have to realize that...we don't live in a world of absolutes. We may not see eye-to eye with the Taelons at times, but only a fool could deny the wonders they have performed for us. And my foremost concern must always be what course of action is the best for humanity. He took an appraising look around him, indicating the Nexus building. And when I see accomplishments like this, I cannot doubt that I made the right choice. The Portal Grid is the perfect example of using Taelon technology to improve the quality of life for humanity, and I for one am very thankful for this opportunity. I don't think that anyone, standing here, could say differently. So I am proud to present the Portal Grid. For humanity, in the hopes that we continue the rapid progress we have made over the last four years.

The applause was shattering. Sandoval looked at his watch. Doors had not even been talking for a minute, much less time than he had been scheduled for. Obviously he had come up with that speech on the spot. While he was wondering what this meant, he withdrew his Global and sent the warning to Kincaid to get Da'an and Zo'or ready.

said the MC after the applause had died down, We now have a pair of very special guests with us. The North American Companion, Da'an, and the leader of the Taelon Synod, Zo'or. He held up his hand before the applause could start again. As an added bonus, they will be arriving through a prototype interdimensional portal, made on Earth, by the engineers at One Taelon Avenue, one of our newest co-venture projects. He stepped out of the way, so that everyone could get a good look at the portal. Anyone could see that it was not a Taelon creation; the metal construction and clearly inorganic shape easily marked it as human-made. Ladies and gentlemen, Da'an and Zo'or!

The cue given, Sandoval sent the signal, and the portal hummed to life. Instead of meeting at the center of the portal, however, the two glowing rings remained centered between the twin pillars at each end. Sandoval suppressed his suspicion, reminding himself that some differences were inevitable with the human-made device. A moment later, the two rings became a horizontal pillar, which faded away to reveal two Taelons and Major Kincaid, all safe and sound. Opening his Global, Sandoval checked all the security reports, and nothing had gone amiss. Everything was fine.

Which in itself was disturbing.



When I first arrived on this world four years ago, I realized immediately that humanity could become an exceptional addition to the galactic community. Da'an scanned the audience. I am pleased to see that I was correct. The swiftness with which you have grasped the workings of our technology indicates a readiness to take part in this much greater challenge.

Liam slowly walked to the side of the stage area, scanning the giant room. There certainly seemed to be enough guards stationed to deter any trouble, and he couldn't spot any weaknesses in the arrangement. But if anything was going to go wrong, it would probably be during either Da'an's speech or Zo'or's.

Of course, if there was a bomb planted, it would probably be out of sight, and Liam would have no idea what to do until it exploded. With Sandoval handling the security, he was of course completely out of the loop, and had no idea even what to check. He felt helpless. His presence was little more than honorary.

But what could he do? Sighing, he opened his Global to check on the current security report—

It was a dark room whose only illumination came from a bank of dim ceiling lights which were obviously not being run anywhere near full power. The skeletal frames of inactive emergency portals filled the room, and a glass window stretched across an entire wall, behind which resided a host of equipment and control consoles.

Darting between the emergency portals was a lone, dark form, carrying something in his hand.

As soon as the vision disappeared, Liam began walking away from the crowd, towards one of the service stairs to the building's lower level.


Sandoval immediately noticed Kincaid's departure, but was unable to peruse him quickly without disrupting the proceeding. Putting away his Global, he made for the exit, intending to use one of the access ladders outside to catch the Major before he got away.


The door to the control room had been stubborn, but he had finally managed to make entry and input what he needed into the main computer. erasing the evidence of his presence had taken a little longer than he had expected, but no serious problems had appeared. Now all that was left was to get out without anyone noticing.

Don't move!

Damn.

Quickly measuring the distance to the exit, he raised his gun and delivered a series of blasts in the direction of the voice as he broke out into a flat run. Twice in as many days.... The man shouted something, and then returned fire. Both of them missed by a wide margin.

The door swung open without protest, and with the smoothness of a structure newly installed. Taking one last shot behind him, he quickly made his way down.

How long was it at a run back to the portal? He wondered if he would be able to make it this time. Until now, things had been a veritable cake walk. Unfortunately, his plan had gone a bit too well. He should have known better than to underestimate Sandoval.

There were steps coming down behind him now. Throwing open the door at the bottom of the stairs, he hurried into the service tunnel.


Just out of reach. Liam could never seem to get quite close enough to this man to do anything except dodge an energy blast. He didn't know where he was being taken, but he was sure that this guy had some sort of plan.

Who is he? That thought kept running through his head. No one seemed to have the slightest idea; not Sandoval, not Doors or Renee, not Da'an. The only one who seemed to know anything was Zo'or, and he seemed almost scared.

He was chasing someone who could scare Zo'or. He did not like what that meant.

Liam wheeled around a corner of sorts to see the man about two-thirds of the way down a long straight stretch, his gun lowered as he sprinted toward what looked like a dead end. Hold it right there! he shouted, raising his own energy pistol. He was ready to fire, but the other man stopped and spun around. He started to raise his weapon, but seeing Liam's, he froze.

For a moment, Liam didn't know what to do. He hadn't actually expected to catch him. Drop your weapon, he warned, taking a step forward.

Not a chance, he replied.

With his free hand, Liam activated the automatic signal on his Global, alerting security. It's over, he said, taking another step forward. There's nowhere to run.

I'm not running, the man shot back.

Liam took another step, and froze. There was only a single bank of lights, but even that was enough for him to recognize he man he was facing. he whispered. No. You're dead.

That's right, said the man. I am. Let me go.

I can't do that, Liam stated. The other man responded by raising his weapon directly at Liam.

Why not? he demanded. I don't have anything to lose.

Liam heard a noise behind him, the sound of running feet. Someone was coming.

I'm sorry, the other man was saying, and before Liam could react, he had pulled the trigger.

The blast sent Liam flying backwards, onto the floor. He reflexively fired his own weapon, but the shot went wild. Pain erupted from the center of his chest, along with a horrible electric tingle. His arms became numb, and he was forced to drop his pistol. Struggling to keep his eyes in focus, he saw the other man enter a mobile portal at the end of the corridor and disappear. He gritted his teeth, as much at having him escape as the pain in his chest.

By the time he had realized that the wound was by no means lethal, Sandoval was standing over him. he demanded. What happened?

He got away, Liam said, motioning as best he could to the end of the hall, where the portal had now crumbled to dust.

How close did you get? Could you identify him?

I've been shot, and he wants a witness identification? Struggling against the pain, Liam strove to sit himself up. Yeah. I can.