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Sloane took them to a warehouse about an hour outside of LA. Their footsteps echoed darkness. They walked through several empty and very large rooms before they reached one with three plastic protective suits lined against the wall. Sydney paused figuring that they would be required to wear one. But Sloane bypassed them, and instead did multiple security measures before opening an air lock door. They stepped inside the vault and Sydney looked around the white, round room in awe. "This is Rambaldi's device." He said, lifting a sheet off of it. "It is a time machine, which should only work three times."
"Why three? Wasn't his magic number 47?" Sydney questioned, skeptic that it would even work.
"Three times. It's a wonder it even works at all." Sark marveled.
"It runs on an energy source that is rare enough that there are only three."
"What does Sark have to go back for?"
"It's none of your concern Bristow."
"Sydney, if you look on the seat there is a folder. A list of everything you will be required to do before it is your turn. One of which is getting your own power source."
"And if this doesn't work?"
"You will likely die, which is why you have been selected to go first."
"Lovely." Sydney walked over to the machine, and picked up the folder, and looked at the list. She noticed the recovery of several documents, some bugs, she had to attend a couple meetings on behalf of Sloane, but the ones that caught her eye the most were "Hits. You want me to assassinate two people? I don't do that."
"If you want your two years back, you do."
"I don't do hits." Sydney flatly said. Killing people was just too low. She would have to figure a way to get Vaughn back on her own. She began to walk out.
"Walk out of this building without my authorization, and I will have my snipers kill you." Sloane's cold voice. "And the only way you get my authorization is by leaving with that folder, and a promise that you will take the assignments."
"Are they negotiable?"
"No."
"I don't do hits." Sydney began to walk out, when a cold voice called from behind her.
"Did you know that Agent Vaughn and his wife are trying to have children?" Sark pushed. Sydney stopped dead. "I believe you were expecting you to be his wife weren't you? See, two years can make a difference."
Sydney's face went flush, and hot. She could feel the burn of an upcoming tear. Quietly she turned around. Her voice quivered as she spoke. "If this is the only way that I will get my chance."
"It is the only way." Sydney picked up the folder and looked at the rest of the assignments. "You are to do these on your own time. The faster you get them done, the quicker it is your turn."
"I am aware of the terms. I need some op tech."
"Naturally. I will equip you with what ever you may need."
"You may leave now." Sydney walked out of the white room. She walked quietly out to where Sloane's limo had brought her. And her car sat there waiting for her. The outside appeared to be deserted, but snipers always had to be discrete. She had to be a sniper. "This better be worth it Vaughn. I love you." She whispered before getting into her car and driving off.
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