Author's note: Five words you should never say or think . Those are: "Things can't get any worse."
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Chapter 2: Five Words You Should Never Say
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Liam stood impatiently outside the Synod meeting chamber. Arms crossed, he leaned against a bulkhead. His foot tapped rapidly on the floor. I hate waiting like this... he thought. He had already examined the laboratory 10 times. He had interviewed the Volunteers who were in the area, but they hadn't seen or heard anything unusual. He had questioned the Taelon scientists who, true to form, gave him vague and sometimes cryptic answers.
This is no way to conduct an investigation! No physical clues; no prints, no witnesses, no video footage, not a strand of hair or bit of energy residue...Aaargh!
Frustration built to the boiling point as Liam reviewed the situation. He scowled darkly. He was almost ready to head back to the lab when a hand descended on his shoulder.
"What?" he practically shouted, as he whirled on the intruder.
A blank faced Volunteer stood frozen, his hand in midair. "Um...I...that is, sir...," the young man stammered. "You have something hanging out of your pocket." The Volunteer pointed to a little red shape clinging to Liam's jacket.
Liam reached down and plucked the thing free. He sighed. It was a Gummi Bear. I am really beginning to hate these things, he thought.
"Excuse me, sir," the Volunteer said, seemingly in better control of himself, "But is that a 'Gummi Bear'?"
"Why yes, yes it is," Liam said with more than a touch of sarcasm.
"Really?" the young man replied. He appeared not to notice Liam's tone. He smiled almost childishly. "My mother used to rave about those. Said it was a shame you couldn't buy them anymore."
Liam looked at the Volunteer dumbfounded. He was still trying to figure out how this one had made it through the Volunteers program, when the door to the Synod chamber opened.
Da'an strode out, nodded to Liam, then proceeded down the corridor. Liam started to follow when, once again, a hand touched his shoulder. He turned around to face the Volunteer.
"Sir, if you could just tell me where you got them?" the Volunteer asked, with an abashed look on his face.
Liam stared at him for a second. I don't have time for this! he thought. "Here," he said, "If you want it so bad, take it!" Liam shoved the tiny bear into the Volunteer's hand. He took a step away, intending to join Da'an.
"But sir," the Volunteer insisted. "It would mean so much if..."
"No!" Liam cut in, giving the young man a look that could kill. He spun around and marched to where Da'an was waiting with a displeased air.
The Volunteer almost went after him, but the arrival of another official stopped him. The well-dressed man barely glanced at him. The Volunteer's training kicked in. He saluted without thought, inadvertently sending the Gummi Bear flying. He swallowed nervously, hoping no one had noticed.
"Has Zo'or departed the Synod chamber yet?" the man asked.
"No, sir, Agent Sandoval, sir!" The Volunteer said in his best 'Marine' voice.
Sandoval raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. He turned away from the Volunteer and stepped inside the Synod chamber.
---
Back at the North American Embassy, Liam was trying to discover what had went on in the Synod meeting. He walked next to Da'an, who seemed unwilling to answer any questions.
"It would help if I knew exactly what was stolen from the lab," Liam insisted.
"You have been told," Da'an answered, his voice suggesting that even Liam couldn't have forgotten. "The compound was part of an experiment. We had hoped to create a drug which could treat psychotic patients, when other methods fail. It is imperative to retrieve this compound. It's affect on normal humans can't be predicted."
"What about its affect on Taelons?" Liam asked. His face effectively hid his own thoughts on the matter.
Da'an sent him a sidelong glance. "You are suggesting our concern is for ourselves."
"I think it might give a little incentive to discovering the whereabouts of the drug and its thief," Liam said bluntly. "A drug that relies on controlling energy impulses to cure its patients. Seems that could be dangerous to energy based beings who are not immune to certain chemicals."
Da'an didn't answer, but kept walking, eyes forward. His expression was unreadable.
Not satisfied with the silence, Liam pressed on. "I don't suppose this is some derivative of 'bliss'?"
Da'an sent him a censuring look. He stopped in the middle of the corridor. "We would not condone such an experiment."
Liam raised an eyebrow. The only reason the Taelons might not do it, as far as he was concerned, was if it presented too great a risk to the Taelon scientists. But they had some unusual ideas on how high the risk had to be.
"Somehow, I get the feeling your not telling me something," Liam said. He pinned Da'an with a searching gaze.
Da'an's eyes became hooded. His expression was bland as he turned away from his Protector and went into his chamber.
Liam shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. He decided to leave the Taelon to his own devices for now. Perhaps I should go back to Augur's, he thought. But if he offers me any more Gummi Bears, I'm gonna kill him.
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Liam leaned his head against the elevator wall. A gentle hum vibrated through his body and he sighed. The investigation was proceeding horribly, everyone's nerves were stretched to the breaking point, those Gummi Bears had caused more trouble than they were worth and Da'an was being less communicative than usual.
Things can't get any worse, he thought.
The elevator doors opened with a slight whoosh. Liam stepped into the brightly lit hacker's lair. His eyes immediately settled on Augur, who was sitting in a chair with a horrified look on his face.
"What's going on?" Liam asked with trepidation. He didn't like the expression on his friend's face.
Augur jumped out of the chair at the sound of Liam's voice. He raced up to the puzzled Protector and gave him a thorough once-over. "Liam! My God, are you all right?!" He gripped Liam's shoulders and peered into his eyes. "You look ok but how do you feel? Where are those Gummi Bears I gave you? Did you eat any of them?"
"No," Liam said. He gave Augur a sudden wary look. "Why?"
"You're not gonna believe this...I just got the information from a trusted contact...if I didn't trust him I wouldn't believe it..." Augur rambled.
"What, Augur?" Liam prompted, hoping to get the hacker to make his point. A lump of cold dread formed in his stomach.
"Those Gummi Bears I gave you are tainted, drugged!" Augur said. "Somehow that Taelon compound ended up in the factory. I haven't been able to trace who did it, but someone put it in with the ingredients!"
"What?!" Liam exclaimed. His faced blanched when he thought of what might have happened if he'd eaten them. The compound could induce any number of moods; euphoria, depression, rage. He could easily have revealed himself as part Kimera or as Resistance leader. A sudden thought struck him. "What about the candy? Has the factory been shut down?"
"Don't worry about it," Augur said. "I have a few connections with the FDA. They're investigating right now. The Taelons will probably take over soon. Seeing how they don't like that kind of publicity."
"I'll say," agreed Liam.
"Now, all we have to do is get rid of that bag I gave you," Augur said. He held out his hand.
Liam nodded and reached into his pocket to retrieve the bag. He froze in shock when he found nothing. "They're gone!"
Augur nearly fainted. "WHAT?!"
Liam shook his pockets, then pulled them inside out. "Gone," he said helplessly. "I don't know...they must've fallen out!"
"Where, Liam?" Augur pressed. "Do you know?"
Liam shook his head. He thought of the places he'd been; the Mothership, the Embassy, the shuttle, the street outside the church. They could be anywhere in between. A glimmer of hope presented itself, though. "They were open," Liam said slowly. "If anyone finds them, they'll probably throw them away."
"Want to bet on that?" Augur scoffed.
Liam met his friend's eyes and realized he wouldn't. He'd have to come up with some kind of search plan, retrace his steps. He was already doing that mentally when he remembered. "Oh sh.....Augur, how many of those Gummi Bears do you have to eat for the compound to take effect?"
"I thought you said you didn't..." Augur began.
"I didn't!" Liam cut in. "But I gave one to a Volunteer on the Mothership!"
Augur's face fell. His chocolate toned skin took on an ashy tint. "We have to find that Volunteer! The amount of Taelon compound in just one will send him over the edge!"
Liam was about to agree when his global beeped. He snapped it open and found himself staring at a blank screen. "Hello?"
"Liam," Da'an's voice floated from the global. "Report to the Embassy at once."
"Da'an? What's going on?" Liam asked. He stared at the dark screen, wondering what other problems were to be laid at his door. "There's no visual."
"Yes," Da'an said. "Do not worry. It is a small technical problem. Please report to the Embassy."
Something about the exchange didn't feel right. Liam decided to question the summons. "I'm sorry, Da'an. I'm about to make a break in the investigation..."
"Do not contradict me," stated Da'an, his voice took on a steely edge. "Report to the Embassy."
A muted click sounded, then the screen went on standby. The call was ended. Liam ran a hand through his hair.
"What now?" Augur asked.
Liam whirled around and headed back to the elevator. "Get in contact with Renee," he said over his shoulder. "See if she can't wrangle her way onto the Mothership. I'm going to talk to Da'an. I have a bad feeling about this."