The flight there was uneventful. Aside from her vomiting twice (darn motion
sickness!!!!) she was relatively calm. She documented what she knew in her
laptop, which she would be leaving with a contact she'd arranged to meet
through Mr. X. For once, he had cooperated.
She inched along the train cars. It was utterly freezing, and not a pleasant way to first see Alaska up close and in person.
She was near the field office, though you would never recognize it. Never, as it was completely guarded off, not to mention the middle of nowhere.
She dialed Garaguso. She hoped he was in.
2:00 P.M.
Garaguso was worried. Where was Federico?
His cell phone rang. He snatched it up.
"Garaguso."
"Garaguso?" She shot around a suspicious glance. "It's me."
Garaguso sounded concerned. "Where the heck are you?"
"Whitehorse, Alaska."
"Alaska!?"
"Yeah. Didn't you get my note?" It was her turn to sound concerned.
"NO."
She heaved a worried sigh, still looking around, making sure she was alone.
"Gosh. I left a note with Assistant Director Skinner? He said.....He said he'd give you the note when you got in!"
"He didn't."
"Darn. Listen, I got some new information. You won't believe it. That terrorist group? Threatening to release a black-substance of doom? I know what it is. And I know who they are and where they are now."
"Whitehorse, Alaska?"
"Yeah."
"What is this substance?"
"I'm not gonna say incase I'm not over a secure line. But I need back up. Heavens. How soon can you get down here?"
"The first flight out."
"Hurry. Anyone out here is endanger, especially alone. And they've taken hostages. 20."
"Stay put, and lay low. I'll be up there as soon as I can. Be careful. You can always turn to the field office for help."
Federico turned, a nervous look glazing her eyes.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"The terrorists.....?.....They ARE the field office."
"What the heck are you talking about!?"
"Garaguso, they're inhabited by Loi."
"Loi? That's what that guy's screen name was."
"It's an anagram, Garaguso. I've got to go, someone's coming."
"Feder--.CLICK.----Darn it."
Federico composed herself as she found herself surrounded by several agents. Black film smoked their eyes.
"Who are you?"
"Hi!" She smiled cheerily.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for Whitehorse, Alaska?" She laid on her NY accent. She suddenly found herself at gunpoint.
The first thing they teach you at the academy at Quantico is to not show your fear. Criminals feed off of that. Unfortunately, her emotions were shining through. Loud and clear.
"Hey! I don't know what you think you're doing!"
"SHUT-UP!"
She pretended to be taken aback.
The man pulled out her badge. Stupid.
"Jacinta Federico?"
She pretended to be confused.
"You're Jacinta Federico?"
They pulled out her gun.
"Look," She sighed. "I'm just here to find out what you want."
A shot rang out from the building.
"I just want to make sure nobody else gets hurt. Let me help the hostages. I know you have some."
"How do you know?"
"Heck, I have a contact. Not to mention the media."
The men searched her again, as she suppressed her impulsive Sicilian temper. Mulder had rubbed off his habit of keeping a spare knife in his socks, and the field agents quickly confiscated it.
"Satisfied?" She jerked loose of the man's grip, and prepared to walk off.
"Don't move or I shoot."
"I'm going to the field office, Agent----" she read his ID tag ---- "Yonto. I just want to see the hostages. Shoot if you want. Heck, it'll only make you look really suspicious when my partner discovers I ain't there."
She proceeded to walk to the field office. What was she to do?
She opened the door and surveilled the scene. Twenty people were sitting on the floor. They all looked aghast and somewhat petrified when Federico entered. She was about to tell them that she was an FBI agent, but then realized that considering what was going on, that wasn't going to comfort them much. She sighed. Decided a different approach would be the best.
"Don't worry. I was sent help."
A man eyed her.
"Then why do they have a gun to your head?"
She looked over her shoulder. The man had followed her in.
"I was caught trying to get to you."
The agent nudged her and told her to sit down. Immediately her hands were bound and she was pushed in a corner next to 2 girls.
She gave them a rather weak, but reassuring smile. The agents running the office soon busied themselves with work. Whatever work that was. The girl, probably about 22, turned to her.
"Who are you?"
"Special Agent Jacinta Federico." She sighed.
The woman eyed her for a good two minutes, then smiled.
"I'm Jessica Sono. This is my friend Rebecca Casolla."
Federico gave a short, dry laugh.
"Wow. I expected a great deal of resistance."
"Why?"
"Well, look it. You're being held captive by agents, and her I stroll in claiming to help you!"
Jessica leaned in.
"You're different. The others have black stuff in their eyes."
Federico nodded.
"You saw it?"
"Yeah. I know about it."
Jessica frowned. "You've heard of this."
"Yes."
"What is it?"
Federico shook her head.
"I can't say. It's for security reasons."
Jessica nodded and leaned her head against the wall.
"How long have you been here?"
Jessica shook her head. "I don't know. Two days?"
"Why hasn't the media been swarming the place?"
"These guys are too good for that! Everyone here is supposed to be on vacation, no one's gonna miss them for at least a week. Except for you. Why ARE you here?"
"To help you."
"Doing a darn good job of it."
There was a pause. Federico wasn't insulted. She wasn't exactly saving the day, squashed against the wall, her hands bound. She took the time to formulate a plan. A plan. That was a laugh. She was just churning over facts in her mind, hoping something would click. She didn't know what to do really. She usually didn't deal with hostage situations, let alone be one.
"I'm sorry," Jessica said quietly a minute later. "I shouldn't be like that. You're trying, you're only human, and these guys are keener than blood hounds. It's just so easy to clam up and be cold after awhile."
"Don't worry. I expected some resistance." She smiled. "How have they treated you?"
"Okay, considering. We get 2 meals. But I don't think they're doing it for generosity's sake. They're preparing something."
"Preparing something?"
"Everything they've been doing is leading up to something. I think tests."
A chill ran down Federico's spine. She'd read accounts of black oil tests.
"Are you allowed to walk around?"
"A little. After 6 hours of staying where they first put you, you can walk from here to the lavatory and around this section. No more."
Federico eyed the paths. The lavatory was behind some computers. That were on. In only 6 hours, maybe she could spy.
"I heard a shot outside." She recalled. "Was anyone injured?"
"No. It was a bullet that accidentally went off. It hit the wall. See?" Jessica pointed behind her. The bullet must have just narrowly missed her.
Federico was relieved. The last thing she wanted to do was apply only two years of med. school knowledge to help save someone.
"Six hours, eh?"
"That's right."
"Well then. I might as well make myself at home." She lay down on her back, studying the ceiling.
"Get some rest."
"What?" Federico sat up.
"Sleep. You've had a long flight in, no doubt."
Federico smiled, and lay back down. She resisted the drowsy feeling washing her body, but it soon took over.
She awoke with a start. Where the heck was she? There was a figure leaning over her. She reached for her gun.
Then it clicked. She didn't have her gun anymore, and that figure was Jessica.
"Hey." Jessica hissed. It was late. 9:00 and REALLY dark. "You can move now. I asked the agents. They gave the okay."
"Spiff." Federico sat up and rubbed her face. She had a stiff neck.
"Where ARE the agents?"
"They went into the lab. They leave us unintended during the night, cause there's no escape for us in the dark."
"Do they have security monitors?"
"Not other than the standard FBI security."
Federico smiled. She could turn that off real easy.
She got up and stretched, then knelt back down. She carefully reviewed everything she remembered about the scene when she first walked in in her mind. It was dark now, the lights having been turned off, and she would have to find the security switch without much visual aid.
She began to mindlessly grope along the walls, trying to find the security switchboard. She remembered seeing it earlier.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She froze, and spun around. It was Jessica. "What do you want me to do?"
"What?"
"Where do I fit in in this plan of yours?"
"Oh, Jessica. I can't put you in danger like that."
"Please. I want to get out of here and make sure these people are safe as much as the next person. And Rebecca's sick. Common cold, but I want her to get home soon."
Federico hesitated. "Okay. I need you to keep watch. If anyone comes, cough, sneeze, moan, anything, just let me know."
Jessica nodded, and Federico pulled a pair of gloves from her pocket. She reached up and pulled several switches and wires. The security system sparked off quietly and she smiled into the night. She proceeded to find her gun.
She opened draws, cabinets, and searched every desk. She finally found her gun on her desk. She checked it, and saw that it was still full. On that same desk was her cell phone and flashlight. She took them both, and crawled back to Jessica.
Together they went back to their perch. Again, Federico examined her gun, making sure it was still in working condition. Deciding it was, she put it in her back pocket behind her coat.
"They're gonna look for it when they realize it's gone."
Jessica sighed.
The room was sparse aside from your usual office equipment. Several desks, chairs, and cabinets filled the room. Next to Jessica was a tiny hole in the wall, which had been hastily covered by some spackle, which had several cracks. Federico dug her hand in, and ripped loose a chunk. She deposited her equipment there, then replaced the chunk she'd removed. She took some spackle from a bucket lying near by, and did a quick-one-over. You'd never know.
"Get some rest, Jessica. We're done till tomorrow."
"Good night, Jacinta."
She inched along the train cars. It was utterly freezing, and not a pleasant way to first see Alaska up close and in person.
She was near the field office, though you would never recognize it. Never, as it was completely guarded off, not to mention the middle of nowhere.
She dialed Garaguso. She hoped he was in.
2:00 P.M.
Garaguso was worried. Where was Federico?
His cell phone rang. He snatched it up.
"Garaguso."
"Garaguso?" She shot around a suspicious glance. "It's me."
Garaguso sounded concerned. "Where the heck are you?"
"Whitehorse, Alaska."
"Alaska!?"
"Yeah. Didn't you get my note?" It was her turn to sound concerned.
"NO."
She heaved a worried sigh, still looking around, making sure she was alone.
"Gosh. I left a note with Assistant Director Skinner? He said.....He said he'd give you the note when you got in!"
"He didn't."
"Darn. Listen, I got some new information. You won't believe it. That terrorist group? Threatening to release a black-substance of doom? I know what it is. And I know who they are and where they are now."
"Whitehorse, Alaska?"
"Yeah."
"What is this substance?"
"I'm not gonna say incase I'm not over a secure line. But I need back up. Heavens. How soon can you get down here?"
"The first flight out."
"Hurry. Anyone out here is endanger, especially alone. And they've taken hostages. 20."
"Stay put, and lay low. I'll be up there as soon as I can. Be careful. You can always turn to the field office for help."
Federico turned, a nervous look glazing her eyes.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"The terrorists.....?.....They ARE the field office."
"What the heck are you talking about!?"
"Garaguso, they're inhabited by Loi."
"Loi? That's what that guy's screen name was."
"It's an anagram, Garaguso. I've got to go, someone's coming."
"Feder--.CLICK.----Darn it."
Federico composed herself as she found herself surrounded by several agents. Black film smoked their eyes.
"Who are you?"
"Hi!" She smiled cheerily.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm looking for Whitehorse, Alaska?" She laid on her NY accent. She suddenly found herself at gunpoint.
The first thing they teach you at the academy at Quantico is to not show your fear. Criminals feed off of that. Unfortunately, her emotions were shining through. Loud and clear.
"Hey! I don't know what you think you're doing!"
"SHUT-UP!"
She pretended to be taken aback.
The man pulled out her badge. Stupid.
"Jacinta Federico?"
She pretended to be confused.
"You're Jacinta Federico?"
They pulled out her gun.
"Look," She sighed. "I'm just here to find out what you want."
A shot rang out from the building.
"I just want to make sure nobody else gets hurt. Let me help the hostages. I know you have some."
"How do you know?"
"Heck, I have a contact. Not to mention the media."
The men searched her again, as she suppressed her impulsive Sicilian temper. Mulder had rubbed off his habit of keeping a spare knife in his socks, and the field agents quickly confiscated it.
"Satisfied?" She jerked loose of the man's grip, and prepared to walk off.
"Don't move or I shoot."
"I'm going to the field office, Agent----" she read his ID tag ---- "Yonto. I just want to see the hostages. Shoot if you want. Heck, it'll only make you look really suspicious when my partner discovers I ain't there."
She proceeded to walk to the field office. What was she to do?
She opened the door and surveilled the scene. Twenty people were sitting on the floor. They all looked aghast and somewhat petrified when Federico entered. She was about to tell them that she was an FBI agent, but then realized that considering what was going on, that wasn't going to comfort them much. She sighed. Decided a different approach would be the best.
"Don't worry. I was sent help."
A man eyed her.
"Then why do they have a gun to your head?"
She looked over her shoulder. The man had followed her in.
"I was caught trying to get to you."
The agent nudged her and told her to sit down. Immediately her hands were bound and she was pushed in a corner next to 2 girls.
She gave them a rather weak, but reassuring smile. The agents running the office soon busied themselves with work. Whatever work that was. The girl, probably about 22, turned to her.
"Who are you?"
"Special Agent Jacinta Federico." She sighed.
The woman eyed her for a good two minutes, then smiled.
"I'm Jessica Sono. This is my friend Rebecca Casolla."
Federico gave a short, dry laugh.
"Wow. I expected a great deal of resistance."
"Why?"
"Well, look it. You're being held captive by agents, and her I stroll in claiming to help you!"
Jessica leaned in.
"You're different. The others have black stuff in their eyes."
Federico nodded.
"You saw it?"
"Yeah. I know about it."
Jessica frowned. "You've heard of this."
"Yes."
"What is it?"
Federico shook her head.
"I can't say. It's for security reasons."
Jessica nodded and leaned her head against the wall.
"How long have you been here?"
Jessica shook her head. "I don't know. Two days?"
"Why hasn't the media been swarming the place?"
"These guys are too good for that! Everyone here is supposed to be on vacation, no one's gonna miss them for at least a week. Except for you. Why ARE you here?"
"To help you."
"Doing a darn good job of it."
There was a pause. Federico wasn't insulted. She wasn't exactly saving the day, squashed against the wall, her hands bound. She took the time to formulate a plan. A plan. That was a laugh. She was just churning over facts in her mind, hoping something would click. She didn't know what to do really. She usually didn't deal with hostage situations, let alone be one.
"I'm sorry," Jessica said quietly a minute later. "I shouldn't be like that. You're trying, you're only human, and these guys are keener than blood hounds. It's just so easy to clam up and be cold after awhile."
"Don't worry. I expected some resistance." She smiled. "How have they treated you?"
"Okay, considering. We get 2 meals. But I don't think they're doing it for generosity's sake. They're preparing something."
"Preparing something?"
"Everything they've been doing is leading up to something. I think tests."
A chill ran down Federico's spine. She'd read accounts of black oil tests.
"Are you allowed to walk around?"
"A little. After 6 hours of staying where they first put you, you can walk from here to the lavatory and around this section. No more."
Federico eyed the paths. The lavatory was behind some computers. That were on. In only 6 hours, maybe she could spy.
"I heard a shot outside." She recalled. "Was anyone injured?"
"No. It was a bullet that accidentally went off. It hit the wall. See?" Jessica pointed behind her. The bullet must have just narrowly missed her.
Federico was relieved. The last thing she wanted to do was apply only two years of med. school knowledge to help save someone.
"Six hours, eh?"
"That's right."
"Well then. I might as well make myself at home." She lay down on her back, studying the ceiling.
"Get some rest."
"What?" Federico sat up.
"Sleep. You've had a long flight in, no doubt."
Federico smiled, and lay back down. She resisted the drowsy feeling washing her body, but it soon took over.
She awoke with a start. Where the heck was she? There was a figure leaning over her. She reached for her gun.
Then it clicked. She didn't have her gun anymore, and that figure was Jessica.
"Hey." Jessica hissed. It was late. 9:00 and REALLY dark. "You can move now. I asked the agents. They gave the okay."
"Spiff." Federico sat up and rubbed her face. She had a stiff neck.
"Where ARE the agents?"
"They went into the lab. They leave us unintended during the night, cause there's no escape for us in the dark."
"Do they have security monitors?"
"Not other than the standard FBI security."
Federico smiled. She could turn that off real easy.
She got up and stretched, then knelt back down. She carefully reviewed everything she remembered about the scene when she first walked in in her mind. It was dark now, the lights having been turned off, and she would have to find the security switch without much visual aid.
She began to mindlessly grope along the walls, trying to find the security switchboard. She remembered seeing it earlier.
Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder. She froze, and spun around. It was Jessica. "What do you want me to do?"
"What?"
"Where do I fit in in this plan of yours?"
"Oh, Jessica. I can't put you in danger like that."
"Please. I want to get out of here and make sure these people are safe as much as the next person. And Rebecca's sick. Common cold, but I want her to get home soon."
Federico hesitated. "Okay. I need you to keep watch. If anyone comes, cough, sneeze, moan, anything, just let me know."
Jessica nodded, and Federico pulled a pair of gloves from her pocket. She reached up and pulled several switches and wires. The security system sparked off quietly and she smiled into the night. She proceeded to find her gun.
She opened draws, cabinets, and searched every desk. She finally found her gun on her desk. She checked it, and saw that it was still full. On that same desk was her cell phone and flashlight. She took them both, and crawled back to Jessica.
Together they went back to their perch. Again, Federico examined her gun, making sure it was still in working condition. Deciding it was, she put it in her back pocket behind her coat.
"They're gonna look for it when they realize it's gone."
Jessica sighed.
The room was sparse aside from your usual office equipment. Several desks, chairs, and cabinets filled the room. Next to Jessica was a tiny hole in the wall, which had been hastily covered by some spackle, which had several cracks. Federico dug her hand in, and ripped loose a chunk. She deposited her equipment there, then replaced the chunk she'd removed. She took some spackle from a bucket lying near by, and did a quick-one-over. You'd never know.
"Get some rest, Jessica. We're done till tomorrow."
"Good night, Jacinta."