18th and 19th Sept 2003

Phalanx

Set the day after "Freak Nation"

Ames' thoughts on the Jam Pony fiasco. And how he got out of his bind.

Chapter 1

Ames rolled over in bed and stifled an involuntary gasp of pain. He opened his eyes and looked at the digital clock on the bedside cabinet. 10:30am. He'd only managed a couple of hours of sleep! Usually this was enough. Familiars only need four hours sleep a day, and can go without sleep for around four days. If necessary they can survive on half an hours nap a day for up to a month.

Ames grimaced Six more days of telling myself that pain is a phantom of the mind He thought sourly. He'd managed to convince his NSA bosses that he was less severely injured, and only needed a few days off! I couldn't let them see, know how badly I'm injured! Not without exposing my people when I return to work, basically fit and healthy in a weeks time. That was still one of the hardest pieces of acting I've done! 'Fe'nos tol' And I got one of our doctors! Every part of my body is battered and bruised, some of my ribs are cracked, my backs damaged, my nose has a hairline fracture! It'll be a couple of weeks or so before I'm fully healed! Ames growls to himself.

The Phalanx are our best! The elite! He thought sarcastically. They'll deal with 452. The Conclave feels they're best suited to the task! IDIOTS! IMBECILES! MORONS! He mentally lambasted the Conclave. At least they didn't mess up my job with the agency, they got a highly placed Familiar to cover for the Phalanx team. Confirming what I told Otto. Ames thought angrily, each time mentally saying the name Phalanx in an incredibly disgusted and sarcastic tone.

Ames replayed the events that led up to yesterday's debacle, growing more and more irate!

At the train station, waiting on the platform, Ames talks to the older priestess from Ray's initiation test via his cell phone. "You understand that bringing in this team now could compromise my cover at the Agency?

Priestess: "Your Agency position has served us well, Ames, but the Conclave feels that...."

Ames: interrupted. "With all due respect to the Conclave, bringing in outside muscle is not the solution to this problem."

Priestess: "Hardly outside muscle. The Phalanx are the best we have... the elite of our warrior breeding line, the tip of the spear. They come by direct order of the Conclave, so discussion is pointless."

"I bow to the wisdom." He hangs up. as two women and three men get off a train and approach him. Neither the number or gender mix surprised him. Five being the standard number per Phalanx team. Women had always had equal rights in his society, they didn't have to fight for them. The best warriors were always chosen for the Phalanx, gender was never an issue. Damn! They sent Thula just as I feared they would! He thought upon seeing the tall flame haired woman.

She came forward "Fe'nos tol. I'm Thula, team leader." She introduced herself, radiating inner power.

The other members of the Phalanx team nodded an acknowledgement to Ames and took up pseudo casual positions behind Thula.

"Fe'nos tol." He replied civilly and managed to stop himself from glaring at her by a supreme effort of will! Introducing herself! When we've had numerous run-ins since school! Just so she can flaunt her rank! Well this is my operation! I'm in charge! Ames fumed internally, but remained calm on the outside, not letting them see his true emotions. No matter what she says, she will not make me loose my temper! I won't give her the satisfaction. Ames mentally promised himself.

"I've heard a lot about you, Brother White. I'm surprised you couldn't handle one girl on your own." Thula said purposely baiting him.

"Your target's a little more than just a girl." He stated, then stopped himself from rising further to her bait.

"You defend your failure by flattering your enemy?" Thula raised an elegant eyebrow at the notion.

Ames ignored her comment, instead handing her a picture of 452's clone 453, since they had none of the freak herself. "452 is a threat to everything we've worked for throughout the generations. Her death is our highest priority."

"Don't worry, Brother. We'll clean your mess up for you." She said in her irritating monotone voice.

Brother! I hate that term of address! Especially from Thula and her ilk, It's one of the traditions I wish they'd let us drop! Makes us sound idiotic and inbred! Thankfully my kinship to Thula is distant if not non-existent! Ames somehow kept his temper through the drive to the Phalanx's temporary quarters. I hope it's temporary! he fumed as he showed them their rooms and the fully equipped gymnasium, They always had to have one, whoever was team leader, Phalanx teams always required a gym. Which is a flaming nuisance on covert missions! Ames thoughts didn't reach his face, which retained a neutral expression throughout the tour and watching the Phalanx unload their equipment and run through checks on that and their weapons. As soon as was politic, he made his excuses and left.

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