The large, sterile room was bathed in a bright white light. Glass crystals hung from the ceiling, sprouted from the floor, and extruded out from the walls. Each glass crystal held a beam of light, and within it an indigenous entity from the planet Bintoss, although not all of the crystals were lit. In the center of the room stood a well-protected, circular large glass chamber. Ten crystals were encased in it, but only seven were glowing. The crystals shined with high intensity as each being projected its thoughts into words, which echoed as voices throughout the chamber.

"None of the ones here are as difficult as the Commander," an authoritative male voice stated.

A soft feminine voice replied, "Zentor, I told you he is the most like you were when you were flesh and blood. We will probably never get through to him."

"Peratha, you jump to conclusions too quickly. Natarak will win him over, given enough time."

"I will at that, Zentor. Koenig is difficult, but he is weakening. He will not be able to resist forever. He already grows tired very quickly. And he will make an excellent Inferon for you, Zentor."

"He will at that. This one currently here, the one called Carter, he is also quite intriguing. Do you have a preference, Peratha? After all, you will need to find my Inferon.....attractive."

Peratha laughed, "I prefer Koenig, but since I doubt we will get him without killing him first, I am not opposed to the one known as Carter. He is quite handsome." She paused, then, "And you, Zentor, which of their women interests you?"

"The one called Helena would be my choice for you, Peratha. And for Natarak, I think the one known as Sandra. But I shall leave it up to the two of you, after all, Peratha, they are only Inferons. Whichever one you chose, it will hold your life's essence, and I will no doubt be attracted to it."

"I must work on Koenig more. Most of our people are not strong enough to make the transfer at a distance. We need the Alphans here on Bintoss if we are to succeed."

"It is as you say, Natarak, you have work to do.....and so do we."

Washington checked the readings again, but there was nothing there. He was positive that for a brief moment, his scanner had registered a higher life form, but if it had been there, it was certainly not now.

Darren put another test strip of water into a machine, "How's it coming along, Lucas?"

Washington shrugged, "No life forms present, just like Benes said. What about you?"

"Water is good to go. But we'll never know until we try it..."

Darren cupped his hand into the pond, and scooped some water to his mouth.

"Boy that's good. Nothing like fresh water as opposed to the recycled crap we get up on Alpha."

Darren's commlock beeped, and he answered, "Yes Mr. Carter?"

"You're a minute late with check-in. Is everything all right?"

"Yes, it is, sorry. I was testing some more water. So far, so good. It's all clean."

"And Washington, what about you?"

"No life signs other than ours, Mr. Carter."

"Excellent. Don't be late for rendezvous, which is in thirty minutes. Carter out."

Darren looked over at Washington, "That Carter is a pompous ass."

"Oh come on, Darren, he's not that bad."

"Yes he is, Lucas... I'm a minute late. Geez, a whole minute."

The white beam which had been following Lucas hovered above him, catching Washington's eye.

"Hey, what's that above you?"

Darren looked up and shrugged, "Don't know. Scan it."

Washington put a scan near it, but it didn't register.

"Scanner says it isn't there."

"Yeah well, I can see it, so it's there...."

The beam of light jumped from its hover onto Darren's forehead, and within seconds, the man was screaming in agony. Washington stood, watching in horror as the light disappeared into Darren's head, and Darren appeared dead. He ran his scanner over the man, and his life signs were flat, but then they jumped to life, and Darren opened his eyes.

"Darren, thank God, man, I thought you bought the farm."

Darren stared at Washington as if he didn't know him.

"Hey man, come on, say something. You're gettin' scary...."

Darren smiled, "What would you like me to say, Lucas?"

"That you're all right? That Carter's arrogant, whatever...."

Darren looked around, touched the ground, breathed in the scent of a flower, and then stared at his own hand, as if he hadn't seen it before. Washington shook his head.

"You're a trip Darren, that's for sure."

Darren stood, and nodded to the beam of light hovering above Washington's head, and within minutes, neither Darren Sarcosian nor Lucas Washington still existed.