The Path Before Him

After a week of travel across the ocean and the whole Unites States, Duncan MacLeod arrived on the small island by late afternoon. It lay off the coast of Vancouver, somewhere between Canada and Washington State.

At once, he settled in with supplies and began making simple repairs to the log cabin. It was then he saw the plaque stating the holiness of the place and the tribe that sanctioned the cabin.

On the third day, he bundled Evan up and he set out in the little boat to visit the Chinook tribe and request a meeting with their council. While paddling across the inlet of water to the camp, Duncan gazed at the beauty around him. His eyes went to Evan who lay there in the small basket making gurgling noises and studying his fist.

Reaching the shore, Duncan hopped out, tugged the boat up high enough, and tied the rope to a fallen tree. "We're here," he told Evan.

The baby squealed his delight as Duncan took him from the boat. He carried him close and talked quietly of the native plants and animals as he found the path to the small community of native Indians.

As he walked into their encampment, both soon became the object of curiosity. Dressed in a combination of western clothes with tribal accents, the elder greeted him saying, "My name is Aquoa, I welcome you to our family."

Duncan gave a slight bow in greeting saying, "Thank you for your generous welcome." He started to explain, "I'm here to have council with you…"

The leader walked closer and gently lifting Evan from his arms, he smiled and said, "Let my wife tend to your child and we can talk in the meeting room."

Reluctantly Duncan let him go seeing the awe of the women as they crowded around the quiet baby. Evan appeared fascinated with the faces and showed no sign of distress. Satisfied with the arrangement, Duncan followed the elders to the large central building.

All the men sat down in a circle and Aquoa calmly settled next to Duncan. He just stared with a look of disbelief letting the silence continue. When minutes passed and no one spoke, the Highlander finally asked, "Do you know of my ancestors?"

Aquoa nodded saying, "I saw a picture of you when I was a boy." Then he shook his head adding, "I didn't believe the prophecy until now."

Duncan stated, "I want to ask permission to stay at the sacred island and help preserve it like my grandfather did."

Aquoa motioned to his son saying, "Bring the skin, Lonnie."

The young man leapt to his feet, went into a cupboard, and brought to his father a rolled up animal skin. When Aquoa carefully unrolled it, he showed the circle of men the old hand drawn picture Duncan.

Aquoa explained to him, "My wife dreamed of your return a week ago. However, I did not believe her."

Clearing his throat Duncan said, "I wanted to raise my son where it is safe."

Aquoa looked at him said, "You are the same man from my grandfather's time." He leaned close and said conclusively, "You walk the path of the immortal ones."

Duncan gave up trying to deny it but simply said, "It is a path of many dangers." Then he added, "My son's mother died giving birth."

Looking at him with compassion Aquoa said, "Clear you heart of those fears. You have our permission to stay there and any help you may need."

Standing up he held out his hand. Grasping Duncan's hand, told him, "I am honored to meet a spirit like you. Now I want to see the child."

Then he pulled Duncan MacLeod to his feet and into a bear hug. The other men stood as well and shook his hand in friendship. Taken aback Duncan said, "Like you, I am just a man of peace."

Together they walked back to the smaller elder home and went inside. The day was marked with a feast to celebrate the return of the Highlander. The sign of prosperity returned the Chinook tribe. They knew it would last as long as a MacLeod lived on the little island.

...

The Trial of Egan Lasco

Watcher Tribunal

"The webcam is set up and ready to begin the trial." Riggo informed the Watcher President of the USA branch.

At the side bar Matthew quietly asked, "Is everyone assembled?"

"Yes Sir," Riggo replied, "Four hundred members have logged in online now."

Matthew gave a heavy sigh and instructed, "Enter the names of all those attending and begin the minutes as of 09:30 hours the day of Dec 2, 1999."

While Riggo made the necessary roll call, Jens recorded the minutes of the noteworthy tribunal. Matthew read over the documents again that Egan Lasco had prepared in his defense. It just did not add up. In addition, he could not ignore the many inconsistencies.

Turning his attention to the rest of those present, he cleared his throat and made the pronouncement, "Egan Lasco, you are hereby put on notice and accused of falsifying official documents and," he continued louder, "the illegal acquisition of money gained by executing immortals in your care along with threats of death and imprisonment of fellow watchers."

The noise from the gallery swelled up and then died down with a look from their president.

With a solemn expression he asked, "How do you plead?"

Egan sat there glowering. He declared, "Not guilty."

Matthew called out, "Let the testimony began."

From Egan's top aide down to the newest recruit, all turned against him and told of the repression under his command.

The most damning testimony was from Joe Dawson. "On orders from Egan Lasco," he began, "My place of business, and the front for watcher assignments, was set ablaze by arson and I was struck down and kidnapped. The Watchers under Egan's command kept me a prisoner for five long months. After his announcement to marry Amy, he finally allowed some free movement with a wheelchair. All the while I still feared for my daughter's safety."

Matthew consulted Joe Dawson's file and commented, "There is no record you have a daughter in the watcher organization."

Joe nodded and replied, "We had to keep it a secret. Amy Thomas is my daughter." He heard and saw the quiet discussion moving quickly through the gallery.

Riggo motioned for the next witness saying, "You may step down Mr. Dawson. We will call you back if necessary."

Coming in from the back room, Amy was in her last month but she took the stand and hesitantly told about Egan's hunger for more money and power. She swore she tried to stop him.

"You are lying!" he shouted at her, "You were with me in all the take-over's and scandals!"

Sitting in the front row, Joe shouted back, "You blackmailed her!"

The gavel came down hard and Matthew said firmly, "I will have order!"

At Egan's angry outburst, Amy fainted and they rushed out of the room and straight to the hospital.

Steven Gibbons testified to his imprisonment and near starvation for three months until Egan wanted him to work for him again. He told how Joshua, his brother, looked out for him and saved his life.

Next Riggo gave an account on what he found in Egan's private files and the phone call that chilled his blood. "I heard the anguish in Major's voice and then the gunshot that ended his life."

Matthew stood up and read one by one the names of the fifty men that died on that train in Scotland. Everyone heard Sobs coming from the gallery from the families in attendance. The closing argument Matthew read, "The orders to the Special Ops Force came from Egan Lasco in some vain attempt to control the Gathering of Immortals."

Last Egan stood up and took the stand to say in his defense, "I grew up improvised and when the watchers found me, I embraced my fellow watchers as family. I loved my job."

He took out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes and continued, "Last year I read a report on Ahriman and how my best friend really died. Then strange dreams started and I heard a voice telling me that immortals are finished that I had to save the histories and finances before it was too late."

He now hung his head in shame and said, "I thought I was doing the right thing."

Matthew conferred with the Tribunal and then stood up to give the sentence. "We have considered your defense but it is not enough to save you."

"Egan Lasco, you are condemned to death by firing squad." He then added, "May your sins eventually be forgiven."

The spectators crowded around yelling and cursing Egan as they followed him in chains out the door to his immediate execution.

]]]][[[[

The next day at the hospital, Amy held her tiny daughter cooing softly. Joe stood by beaming proudly when he asked her, "What are you going to name her?"

Amy smiled at the little angel face and said, "Her name is Elana Rose." The she looked at her father and told him, "She must never know her father was Egan Lasco."

Joshua came into the room with a bouquet of flowers asking, "Is it okay to visit now?"

Amy smiled and held out her hand saying, "If those are for me, you can stay."

He kept them out of reach and said, "What if they are not for you."

Frowning Amy told him, "I get the flowers or your name doesn't go on her birth certificate."

Joshua gave a laugh and set the vase on the table near her.

Amy glanced at her father asking him, "What are my choices in staying with the watchers?"

Joe shook his head informing her, "It was decided that you are to leave the watchers organization and the tattoo will be removed." His voice becoming heavy with emotion telling her, "When you can travel again you are to be exiled."

Joshua quickly added, "You're not going to be locked up, it's just that you can't talk about what you know and we need to be sure that you don't." He looked down on the sleeping baby girl and with a sudden seriousness said to Amy, "Please let me take care of you both."

She shook her head and said, "Thanks for the offer Josh, but all I need is my father to look after me."

Amy's thoughts went briefly to Egan. For a little while, she loved him. Her eyes filled with tears of dishonor from the part she played. Swallowing her emotions she said, "I should be grateful that I didn't join Egan for execution." She sighed and said bitterly, "How could I have been so stupid?"

"Yes it was a stupid plan," Joe agreed, "I can't believe you didn't trust me enough to let me guide you better."

With a subdued expression Josh replied, "Don't beat yourself up, Amy. I was caught up in the power he offered before he turned on Steven."

Handing an envelope to Joe he explained, "These are your retirement papers and a new business arrangements set up in Seacover."

Joe shook his hand and said, "Thanks, I'm grateful of the location and I can still keep in touch with Duncan MacLeod. But it will be hard getting used to retirement."

"In that case," Joshua said, "There is some consulting work you could do for us."

Joe smiled with relief that the drama was over. He bent down to kiss Amy and the new life before them. Joshua quietly made his way to the door and turned back to look at the small family now made whole.

.