Training Area, New Warrington, Earth

"Captain McKenn! A word if I may."

McKenn turned from the viewing gantry to see Major Rahl walking towards him. He saluted. "Major Rahl. What can I do to assist you?"

"I wanted to talk to you about the expedition. Since I will be joining you on it I thought it might be useful to share information."

"They're sending MI on a bug-hunt? Why?"

"I assure you Captain that there is no chance of a double cross. We are as concerned as you are about the possibility of there being a fanatic presence on Taire. If, and there is no proof either way at the moment, if there is a fanatic presence on Taire we need to know. We need to get as much information from them as possible, before, how should I put this? Appropriate action is taken. No mind wipes or anything of the sort. Simple HUMINT analysis, then they're yours."

"I would take you at your word, but no offence you're an Intelligence Officer. Lying is your business. I've done my time, and believe me Intelligence never changes."

"None taken I assure you. This is completely on the level." Rahl peered over at the training area.

"You know we keep files on all of you, don't you Captain?"

McKenn said nothing. Rahl continued. "I made a point of reading yours before I came here. You were described as a hard-working team player. Always willing to help out the members of your squad as necessary. You completed seven-hundred HK operations during the Great Infestation and yet you still had one of the lowest number of squad casualties amongst the Corps."

McKenn shrugged. "What can I say? Your squad is your family."

Rahl nodded. "I know Captain. My family has served in the military for many generations. I understand perfectly. Much like the Clans of your ancestors! Your file also commented on your bravery. Going in where even Angels fear to tread as it were. Minor wounds healing quickly, back to full combat capacity swiftly. You're an amazing man Captain. And so youthful for a combat veteran." Rahl laughed. "Oh the wonders of hypersleep."

McKenn gave him a hard look. Slowly the seeds of an idea began to germinate in his head. Maybe, Just maybe.
"That's me. Going into all the dirty back-alleys of the universe. Cleansing and terminating as I go. Bugs, fanatics and victims. An endless cycle."

"I was particularly impressed by the comments made on your ability to improvise in combat situations. Take the operation against the Children of the Greater Stars movement in central Nuevo Castillo de Caracas for example. You and your team quickly and effectively cleansed and disinfected the Children's complex before you launched the follow-up push into the catacombs underneath the chapel of Our Lady the Faithful. You managed to rig the low-flow electrical power supply down there to short and then blow, throwing out an electrical discharge similar to lightning, destroying both the nest and the facilities they had down there. Most impressive Captain."

"It was just outside the chapel Major." But you already knew that, didn't you?

"I had thought as much. I tried to tell the writers of the Chroni, excuse me, records, that this was the case, but they assured me that it wasn't. Now I have heard it from you first-hand, they cannot dispute it. Very well Captain, I shall have it amended. Would you care to join me for a beer later?"

McKenn studied him carefully. "I don't see why not Major. See you at nine?"

"Naturally. Good day Captain." Rahl turned to walk away. McKenn grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.

"Captain, I must protest!" cried Rahl.

"Shush." said McKenn. He pushed up the Intelligence Officers sleeve, revealing the purple tattoo. His eyes made contact with Rahl's as he let go of the tunic. A look of half-embarrassment and half relief passed over Rahl's face.

"I thought you were." McKenn said.

Rahl smoothed out the tunic. "Well now you know. I knew I couldn't keep it from you forever, that you would find out soon enough Niven. Or should I say… Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod? It was just a matter of when."

He leaned over the gantry. The relief in his voice was palpable. "So you're bound to have questions. Ask away."

MacLeod joined him. "I knew when I saw you in the Briefing Room that you were familiar. I just couldn't place you. Seeing your tattoo, and knowing who you are I now know why. You're Milan's boy aren't you?"

"Close Captain McKenn, close. I'm Octavio's son. Milan was my grandfather."

MacLeod chuckled. "That does make me feel old. I remember Milan telling me that his son was joining the organisation too. I never knew that his grandson, you, would follow in his footsteps too. How is your grandfather?"

"Gone for a few years now Duncan. After he retired from active service, namely you, he went into the Chronicles and became the Head of the Phenomena section. Looking at known-Immortals being used by the fanatics as regenerative breeders and seeing if any had succumbed to the spell. Unfortunately some had."

"Even we are susceptible. Caracas is an example."

Rahl nodded. "I know. That was why I tried to get the record set right. I knew that you couldn't have fought her under Our Lady of the Faithful. First rule of Immortality and all that. Impressive cover story nonetheless. We didn't get a clear account of that as your Watcher at the time was captured and implanted by the Children." Rahl smiled bitterly. "Our greatest hope was that one of you got to him in time to prevent his further suffering."

"I hope one of us did too." MacLeod looked him in the eyes again. "You said I could ask you a question."

"Shoot."

"I have two actually. First please call me Duncan, or address me by my rank. It's easier all round."

"Granted, Captain."

"Secondly, what exactly are you doing on this mission? Part of it I think I already know, but the rest I'm not so sure on."

Rahl sighed. "Yes, I'm your Watcher, like my Grandfather before me. When MI first decided on this operation and your name came up I immediately informed the Watcher HQ of it. They decided that if it went ahead I was to accompany you and maintain the record. The other thing is my Father. He was on Taire, also as part of MI, and of the Taire Senate. He was due to leave along with his charge, but then the whole geothermal problem started and the decision was taken that all members of the Senate would stay put until the issue had been resolved. Even Watchers have day jobs."

"And?"

"And that was the last we heard. Officially he is still on active duty, but privately we feel he's another on the DIAS-list."

"DIAS?"

"Died In Active Service. A bit like the military term KIA. In one of his last messages my father did inform us that he believed two further Immortals had reached Taire. His charge had started to act strangely, freezing and turning to look into empty spaces when there was nobody around. His suspicions were partly confirmed when a decapitated body was discovered on one of the ranges. His charge seemed to relax a little after that but began to exhibit the same nuances again shortly after. Nothing else was done, as we didn't have the capabilities to get another Watcher or investigator out there. He also felt that there was nobody on Taire suitable to be brought into the fold at the time. Then contact was lost with the colony. The rest is history."

Both men stood silent for a while watching events below. "You could say Captain, that I'm going for a number of reasons. To watch and record you, to establish the facts regarding the loss of contact with a colony and troops, the possible existence of fanaticism. And to bury my father."

MacLeod draped an arm around his shoulders. "Let's go for that beer now."