Chapter 4
2 weeks later

Well you all came back, that's something, Kendall started the briefing. Before I hear who doesn't want to volunteer for this mission, I'm going to give the details.

Sydney could already feel her head starting to hurt. She was sure there was something in both Kendalls' DNA that made their tone of voice vibrate a nerve in her spine, which swelled her brain. They both could have told her happy birthday and it would have given her a migraine. Of course Kendall's son was about to give the plan on how her mother was going to be killed, so that added to her headache.

The volunteers will go back to September 2002 in Taipei. Now, since Derevko turns herself into the CIA soon after, she won't be killed until she escapes.

Why not kill her before she turns herself in? Sydney asked, confused. I thought the volunteers' would only survive a few months. Why risk them dying before the mission is completed?

Derevko was valuable while she was in CIA custody. Or have you forgotten how many times she saved your life, not to mention Agent Vaughn's?

Sydney didn't reply. She didn't like to admit that there were times in her life when she needed her mother. It was easier to see her as the enemy, and only as the enemy.

Kendall continued, During the wait time, the volunteers will gather Rambaldi artifacts and anonymously deliver them to the CIA.

Won't that cause unwanted attention? Vaughn asked. The time the volunteers are going in, the Alliance is still active. Not to mention other organizations that are hunting down Rambaldi's artifacts. How are the volunteers going to be able to steer clear of these organizations?

Well, obviously they are going to have to be careful, Agent Vaughn, Kendall replied shortly. After Derevko escapes, it would be better to wait for her to kill Sloane before they kill her. But, as Miss. Bristow pointed out, we're not sure how much time the volunteers will have. So, if Derevko is killed before Sloane is, the volunteers will have to kill Sloane as well. And possibly Sark.

Sark died in that explosion in London, Weiss stated questioningly.

Which Derevko orchestrated after she killed Sloane. We have to account for every possible scenario people. I would like people who are dead today, to stay dead.

Yeah, like that works around here, Weiss said under his breath. Unfortunately Kendall heard him. Sydney suppressed a grin, and looked down at the folder in front of her. Weiss looked up and saw Kendall glaring at him. Weiss' face turned crimson and he looked down as well.

Alright, this is the time when I ask who is willing to volunteer for this mission, Kendall stated, not sure if anyone was going to volunteer.

The room went silent. As the seconds ticked away the tension in the room grew. Everyone was anxious, not sure what they were going to hear from the others.

Dixon finally ended the silence, I would go if it weren't for my children. I'm the only parent they have left, and I can't abandon them for work.

That's understandable, Kendall replied.

I would love to go, Marshall started, but I'm not really field rated. And though I've gone on a couple missions, it's not what I'm good at. So if it were just Derevko and me, I'm not sure what I would do. Shoot her or beg her to spare my life. And I wouldn't want to spoil the mission. But I would love to time travel. That would just be so cool. Not that I would try any get rich quick scams, I'd-

Thank you Marshall, interrupted Kendall.

The only excuse I have not to go, Weiss began, is I just don't want to. And dying would suck.

Kendall said. He was being more understandable than his father would be in this situation. But then again this was hardly an usual situation.

I'll go if nobody else volunteers, Jack stated. But I must add that I am quite a bit older than when I was an active agent. I'm not sure my body is up for the challenge.

Thank you, Jack.

It was down to just Sydney and Vaughn. They made eye contact that lasted longer than the two previous occasions two weeks ago. Somehow they both knew what the other was thinking; they still had the ability to read each other.

I'll go, Sydney said.

Kendall raised his right eyebrow. Are you sure? Your record with your mother isn't exactly what I would call clean.

Then why did you call me in asking me to volunteer? Sydney snapped back. Don't worry about me. I don't have a problem with the mission's objective. I agree that Derevko needs to be stopped. If this is the only way to do it, then so be it.

Fine, we have our first volunteer.

I'll go too, Vaughn stated.

Is that really a good idea? Kendall asked. You two have quite a history together. How can you be sure you can work together?

I can put aside our differences for the mission, Vaughn replied. He looked towards Sydney, challenging her.

Me too, Sydney stated, rising to the challenge.

Okay then, Agent Vaughn and Miss. Bristow are our volunteers.