Chapter Twenty Three
Watcher Compound
The secret room was quite large with many electronics, monitors and a secret phone that Egan was already using still giving his commands.
Speaking to his special ops force he said, "Major, these are my orders. Start training your men for a different kind of mission. This one you will battle against certain immortals."
Majors asked, "How will we know these immortals? We can't sense them like their kind does."
Egan replied, "Just train for combat and the best way to disable and behead them. I will send you information with pictures and bios on each one."
Majors appealed again, "This doesn't seem right Mr. Lasco why now?"
Egan answered with remarkable patience, "Do you know what will happen at the gathering if all Immortals fight to the last one?"
Majors had doubt in his voice but answered, "I didn't know this was a mission to disrupt the gathering."
"I'll tell you!" Egan said with barely concealed displeasure, "It would be the end of Watcher civilization as we know it."
He continued, "Imagine the breakdown of government because immortals no longer stay in the background. They take power and subvert the countries to their will. Picture a world where mortals like us hide in despair. And those immortals will be living for a very long time."
After a moment of silence as this horrific thought sunk in, Majors said, "So there is no other way?" he asked, "What if the immortals fight is to save us? What if interfering gives the wrong effect?"
Unwearyingly Egan answered, "From the information I have these immortals are very corrupt. If we eliminate them, we all have a good chance to survive."
"That bad huh," Majors conceded, "I'll take the mission. Send me all the papers you have and we'll be ready in two weeks."
Egan smiled and said, "That's what I want to hear. The fax is coming through in ten. Don't call me, I'll call you."
He hung up the phone and rubbed his hands together in triumph. "Plan two is set in motion," he said and sent the fax.
At that moment, the light above the door blinked rapidly signaling a visitor. He unlocked the door and went into the outer room. Shutting the panel, it became invisible to detect. Sitting down at the little desk, he composed his face from the look of triumph to one of defeat.
Walking down the narrow hallway with Davis, Riggo commented, "It feels like a dungeon."
Davis replied, "Egan has been locked up the past few days so he might be a little antagonistic."
A guard stood at the cell where they stopped and Davis commanded, "Open the door. He has orders to see Egan Lasco."
The guard unlocked the door and stood aside as Davis entered and said cheerfully, "Mr. Lasco, someone is here to see you."
Riggo followed him into the sparse room with a small bed, toilet in the corner, a desk with a lamp and chair. There was nothing to indicate that the former leader had any privileges.
Egan stood up from his desk and announced, "I want you to know, I will be exonerated of all charges."
Handing Egan the directive for him to be brought before the Watcher Trial on charges of Treason, Riggo said, "I doubt that, Mr. Lasco."
Reading the papers briefly, he broke into a maniacal laughter that made Riggo's blood run cold. This man was dangerous and insane.
Both men left the room with the sound of his madness following them. The guard locked the door as they entered the elevator to escape the basement's gloom.
When Davis pushed the button for the upper levels, Riggo said, "Take me to your acting president."
Conference Room Three
"A boat to Scotland?" asked Methos "Are you mad?"
Joshua had the travel papers spread out on the table, he replied, "Charting a boat is more practical than a train or plane for moving all of these immortals that we don't want seen in public."
Methos explained, "I'm keeping twenty immortals under control with sheer will power and you want to put them all on a small boat."
"I need to get all immortals out of here as soon as possible." Joshua asked, "What would you rather do?"
He replied, "I would rather go by plane. It's faster and the sooner we get there the better."
"I agree, however this group is too big," said Joshua. "How long before the training is finished?"
Methos told him, "The training is finished as much as possible without taking heads. That's the problem."
Tapping his pen on the table in a contemplative mood, Joshua asked, "What percentage do you think will side with Duncan MacLeod?"
Methos had been calculating this question ever since immortals started signing up and Egan stopped talking to him. He got the impression the man changed his mind and immortals were in danger again.
He replied honestly, "I think about half."
Joshua questioned, "Which ones? Do you think we should eliminate them now?"
Methos shook his head saying, "No, I can't do that, Josh. For one thing, we cannot be certain about their true nature. I might go the other way so should I kill myself?"
Calculating the expense, Joshua demanded, "What is your reasoning for bringing the whole group?"
The oldest immortal just smiled and said, "You have to keep up the appearances of the fairness of the game and The Gathering is the Big One." He continued, "I'm confident there will be some excellent combats now why take that away?"
Joshua shook his head at Methos bizarre explanation. He said, "If that's all then I'll book the ship and I'll try to get the biggest one possible."
"Now you're talking," said Methos "Make sure it's fast too."
Later that evening
Joe Dawson just made the rounds again on the third floor. Stopping at an alcove, he paused to look outside the window. Glancing at his watch one more time, he wheeled around and started down the hall.
"Ding." The sound came from the elevator as it stopped on his floor. The door opened and Amy smiled and walked to her father.
"Hi Joe let's go over here and talk," she told him, pointing down the hall.
They went together back to the alcove and stopped. Out of earshot from anyone, she knelt down to kiss Joe on the cheek and whisper in his ear. "An envoy from the USA Watcher President is here to intervene."
His eyes sparkled as he kissed her back and whispered, "Can you get me a meeting with him?"
Her eyes looked serious as she stared into his and slightly shook her head. Amy put on a brave smile and said, "It might take a while."
She pulled a chair over to sit next to him and quietly told him, "I might be able to get you into the last briefing if Joshua thinks you can be of some use."
Joe nodded as ideas came rushing to his mind. He grinned and took Amy's hand in his. He told her, "Tell them I know what's going to happen."
Her eyes looked wide with disbelief. She asked him, "You know what is going to happen at the gathering?"
He simply said, "Just tell them and I'll handle the rest."
Amy became stern and said, "Dad, you can't bait Joshua like that and expect everything to go your way."
She raised her hand in protest stating, "I'm telling Joshua that you know more about Duncan MacLeod than anyone else and that you should be there."
Joe laughed and patted her hand in support of her idea. He said, "It's going to be alright. Now," he changed subjects, "Tell me how you're feeling with the baby. Are you still sick?"
"Yes, I'm still getting morning sickness," she told him. "Even so, I can't stand worrying about you." She pleaded, "Don't be reckless in trying to get involved in fighting Egan anymore. Let the new guy handle the danger."
He had tears in his eyes and resolve in his heart when she had to leave. Wheeling his chair next to her back up the hall to the elevator, her hand lingered on his as she stood by the elevator. "I'll see you in a few days," she told him.
He squeezed her hand gently and said, "I promise you when all this is over, I will do my best to protect you."
Letting him go, and stepping into the small space, she said, "I made my choice dad, no one can save me." She looked at him through her tears as the door closed.
Scotland
He saw them from across the grassy knolls with the evening mist rising. The whole area looked white with the nearly full moon. Stopping the car, he took out his binoculars to watch the combat.
This small woman was fighting for her life against another. After several minutes, he took the binoculars down and looked at Beth asleep in the backseat. She would be all right if he went for a closer look. Tucking his sword under his coat, he made his way slowly across the grassland.
As Mac approached under the shadow of the trees, he heard the grunts and threats punctuating the air. The first one with fiery red hair screamed, "You're going to die!" and swung her sword harder.
The brown haired one blocked with her sword and said, "You're insane."
Her opponents green eyes flashed with anger. "You're a spy and probably a double agent!" she accused her by stabbing and missing.
They exchanged blows until the presence of another immortal made them stop. Annie turned around and looked hard into the shadows. Walking towards the presence, she shouted out, "Who dares to interfere?"
MacLeod, walking forward said, "Annie Devlin the last time I saw you…"
She interjected, "The last time I saw you…I swore a vengeance."
Duncan bluntly asked her, "Tell me Annie have you let yourself be happy?"
She lowered her sword and swore, "Damn you! Duncan MacLeod."
A sound from nearby brought their attention to the other immortal. She stepped forward and said, "The last time I saw you, I was starting a new life and hoped one day I would see you again."
Duncan smiled wide and said, "Isabelle Pontand."
She told him, "For you it shall always be Grace."
She reached out her hand to him but Annie brought her sword up between them. She said, "I want no interference from you. I still have a score to settle with Isabelle."
Peering at her in the moon filled clearing, Duncan asked, "Oh? What could that be?"
Annie pointed at Grace accusing her, "I was having a meeting with friends at a pub and she was there spying. The next day my friends were arrested."
Grace said in her defense, "I just over heard your friends plotting to assassinate an official." Bringing her sword up, she pointed it at Annie affirming, "I did nothing to alert authorities, but she started accusing me and followed me here then began attacking until I fought back."
Annie spat at the ground swearing at her, "You're lying and you are dead!"
She circled away from Macleod and came at Grace with a slash that nearly got her neck but Grace stepped back and blocked in time.
"STOP!" bellowed MacLeod, "Annie don't you know what's going on?"
"Back off MacLeod, I have every right to fight her." She demanded. Suddenly turning on him, she began swinging her sword as if to strike through him.
Duncan blocked her with his sword, reached up, grabbed her weapon barehanded and pulled it from her grasp. She looked at him with shock and anger saying, "You would do this? Interfere in the game?"
His voice boomed out over the grassland, "The Gathering is here and I need you both, alive!"
Grace looked hard at Annie, questioning her, "He's right haven't you felt it? Is this why you are so fighting mad?"
MacLeod handed her sword back with his blood on the blade. He asked her, "Are we enemies?"
Annie looked even more sullen before replying, "If it comes to it." She took her sword and quickly turning her back to the pair, walked away.
Duncan called out, "Annie! Where are you going?"
She turned halfway around and asked him, "Where do you want me to go, Duncan MacLeod? When is my cause going to be yours?"
He stepped closer imploring her, "The Gathering is in Glenshee, please be there and fight on my side."
With her anger still fresh, she told him, "If we have to fight, you and I, next time I won't spare your head." With that promise made, she wiped his blood on her shirt. Walking through the grass, she faded from their sight.
Duncan watched her go with a heavy heart. Quietly he said to her departing outline, "Nor I you."
Grace came from behind and touched his arm saying, "What's going to happen now?"
Mac turned and put his arm on her shoulders, steering her back in the direction of the little car parked on the road, he said, "Now, I need your help."
As they walked, Grace told Duncan how much she improved since her last scare with Carlos Sandaro.
"I was glad he was gone but I wanted to learn how to protect myself. After three years of training, I can handle a sword almost as good as anyone."
Mac smiled and told her, "I could see that and I am so impressed. But I need your help with another matter."
They arrived at the car and Beth was beginning to move. Grace saw and felt her as well. Her eyes grew large with questions. For even under the covers, she could see the condition of this immortal.
He told her, "Get in and we'll talk."
As they drove west, the rocking motion of the car put Elizabeth back into a deep sleep. She felt another presence near her whispering and devious.
.
