vi.

As Sandoval had predicted, Da'an was in hir energy form, hir seat reclined, when Boone entered the chamber. The human stood in respectful silence until Da'an sensed him and deactivated the energy shower with a wave.

"I trust this interruption is not without just cause, Commander Boone."

Boone paused for the Taelon's epidermal façade to form before replying. "I won't keep you long, Da'an, but I need you to confirm something important for me."

Da'an's open palm gestured outward. "Continue."

The human again paused, and his Companion watched the unconscious movements of his lips as he chose the shape of his response. A response that needed to fit that of a human bearing an MI-enhanced CVI. Of course, Boone had no such imperative. This Da'an had gleaned. But their tenuous friendship depended on hir not alluding to this knowledge.

At length, the response came: "One of my contacts has reported a Taelon energy signature – or what he believes to be a Taelon energy signature – moving around the city. Da'an… is there a Companion in Washington that hasn't been officially acknowledged?"

Da'an answered this question with another, in accordance with the rules of their game. "Why do you require such information?"

Boone didn't miss a beat. "To insure proper security." He fell neatly into his earnest register. "Any Taelon on this planet is potentially at risk, and although I'm specifically sworn to protect you, Da'an, any would-be threat to Taelon stability on Earth is of concern to me. If one of your people is alone in this city, he could fall foul of any number of anti-Taelon operatives, or just plain street violence."

"Your concern is appreciated. Would it set your mind at ease to learn that I have no awareness of any such… 'sight-seeing' Taelon?"

Boone's voice was grateful in anticipation. "It would."

"Then I do not. However, if I might be so candid, this does not automatically render your comrade's suspicions moot."

Boone's eyes registered the innuendo. "Thank you, Da'an, I'll keep you informed of anything else I find."

Da'an was unconvinced of this, but did not express hir doubts. "Do, Commander. Your commitment to detail is duly noted."

vii.

After Augur had rung off, he had immediately set about redefining energy scanning programmes to try and decipher whether the energy signature was attached to a consciousness, assuming that a signal as broad as that of the commonality would only be indicated where an actual Taelon was concerned. At the same time, he was monitoring some strategically placed street cameras and staying in contact with associates who might be able to give him relevant information. While Boone stood in conference with Da'an, the Artist Formerly Known as Marcus Devereux was in a virtual tête-à-tête with a young man whose dress sense and hairstyle betrayed him as a Fringe resident.

"…All I'm saying, man, is that if there'd been a Taelon walking about, I would've recognised it! I mean… dude… they're all blue an' shit…"

Augur gave him a falsely ingratiating smile. "Of course, we needn't be talking about a regular Companion here. It could be some sort of weapon or even a vehicle that's fuelled by Taelon core energy…"

"That's the glowing blue stuff, right?"

"Correct. Therefore, I would appreciate any intel you can dig up. Naturally I will wire you the usual fee on delivery."

"Oh sure… sure… Hey, you know, there may be something…"

"And what would that be?" Augur was quickly growing weary of this source, who had thus far in their business relationship only delivered two marginally useful pieces of intel.

"Well, I've been hearing about this lab from some of the guys coming east that there's this sorta… I dunno, man, like a think tank project… something like… I think someone called it Prodigy – and not like the band, if you were thinking that, 'cause I did at first."

Augur rested his chin on the heel of his upturned hand. "Yes, thank you for clearing up that ambiguity for me. What has this got to do with the Taelon energy?"

"I'm not sure or anything, because it's just something I heard a few times, but they're… well, I think there's some kind of energy infusion project going on, to purify the minds of the subjects – dude, to me… it's like Star Trek stuff. I wouldn't believe it for a minute. But—"

"But if they're using Taelon energy as an on-tap mental douche, they must be in possession of it in great amounts. Okay… Now that leaves the question: how is this relevant to me?"

The informant shrugged. "Dude, I'm just telling it. I don't know. Maybe their supply truck is in town."

This is becoming stupid, Augur thought but did not say aloud. But a lead was a lead. He would check it out. "Where do these rumours say the think tank is located?"

"Dunno. Oh wait… yeah. Texas somewhere."

So much for unspoiled frontiers, thought Augur bitterly as he ended the communication.

viii.

When Lili emerged from the shower, she found a message on her global. It was from Augur, recorded as he busily put together a travel bag.

"Lili, I've done a bit of scratching, and I might have what you're looking for. It's an intelligence research facility specialising in Taelon energy integration techniques, but I won't know if it's of any use until I check it out. Don't try to contact me, I might need deep cover for a while. So I'll call you when I get back." Before ending the recording, the console cowboy focussed on the camera and gave her a toothy grin. "À bientôt."

"Great…" Standing in the shower, Lili's mind had drifted, and before long she had drained her hot water geyser. Now she was cold and irritated. Augur's message did not feel like good news. It felt too far away to be of use. But she appreciated his help, and made a mental note to tell him so when he returned. If her brain didn't forget to remember, given her current susceptibility to distraction.

She was only just dressed when the global came alive again.

"Marquette."

"He doesn't know anything."

Boone's face on the display was a relief, but it took her an instant longer than it should have to connect the masculine pronoun he had used with the North American Companion.

"You spoke with Da'an?" Her free hand itched and she rubbed the palm against the edge of her coffee table while they conversed.

"Yeah… He said he hadn't been told anything about it, but then he insinuated that another Taelon might be operating under the radar – probably Zo'or."

"Can they do that? I thought everything was disclosed via the Commonality."

"Well apparently not. I suppose Taelons can have secrets just like the rest of us. Then again, we should allow for the possibility that he's lying."

"Well… what could he gain by that? Ow!"

"What happened?"

"Mph. Nothing." She sucked at her palm where a splinter had entered, glowering down at the rough-hewn corner of the table that had been a gift from an old boyfriend who fancied himself an amateur carpenter. "What were you saying?"

"Uh… He could be lying, in case it's something they're not ready to disclose to humanity, even their protectors."

"Did it seem like a lie?" Boone laughed unexpectedly and her annoyance-levels piqued. "What did I say?"

"You're the one who tells me we can't trust appearances with the Taelons, and now you're asking me to read the intentions behind what Da'an says. You know what Doors would say to that."

"Yeah. 'They're all liars'."

"Right."

"That notwithstanding, Boone… give me your opinion."

"Do I think Da'an was lying?"

"Yes."

"No. I don't think he knows why Augur picked up those readings. But he might know something else that he's not telling me, and that doesn't strictly-speaking count as lying."

"You think he does?"

"Could be… Anyway, I have to brief Sandoval on it tomorrow, so I'd better not make too much noise about it or…"

"Or Sandoval might get too interested and pull a cover-up before we find out what's going on."

"Right."

"Alright. Well I'll keep an eye on things. I have to pilot the shuttle to the Museum tomorrow."

The commander's face softened. "Lili… Get some sleep. This isn't worth running yourself ragged over."

She gave a quick smile, suddenly aware of how abrupt her manner had become. "Is that an order?"

"I'd say yes, but you never follow my orders."

"Well I'll try to follow this one. Thanks, Boone."

"G'night." The screen reverted to its default display. Then Lili realised that she hadn't mentioned Augur's departure and tried to re-establish communications. But Boone's global had been turned off; with good reason, she noted, reading the time off her sound system. She should heed his good advice and go to bed. Do not pass Kitchen, do not collect a Coffee. Just sleep. And maybe with enough enthusiasm, she might achieve that.