Plaza Hotel, NYC

Chase Masters poured himself his second cup of coffee as he looked out of the window at the vast expanse of Central Park below him. His cell phone was propped on his briefcase which lay next to his coffee. It was set to speakerphone mode.

"I'm awake now. Let's go back to a few items," Chase studied the notepad on the table. It was filled with curly curves, slashes and dashes. He had scrawled some notes in a shorthand code known only to him. "What happened to the delivery, Arn? It should have been problem-free. How did we lose two good operatives?"

"The subject was unresponsive to treatment. According to Dr. Sinclair, some subjects have undiagnosed neurological conditions that affect the effectiveness of Compound X," said Arnold Vandenberg over the phone. "The subject regained consciousness unexpectedly and became extremely violent. Our men were armed and she surprised them in an elevator. I've made procedural changes so only tazers and batons are to be carried around subjects in the future."

"One groggy subject against two guards plus Sinclair's people. The subject had to be brought down with a tranquilizer dart. How did the situation get out of control?"

"Per Sinclair, the facility was having weather related issues with electricity that night. Vladivostok is an ideal hiding place for a research facility but the infrastructure is hardly up to our modern standards," explained Arn. "This is the first such incident in a very long time, Chase. I'm inclined to give Sinclair the benefit of the doubt."

"Are you sure it's not the compound itself? Perhaps, we should return to one of the older compounds for the next few cases as a precaution."

"The good doctor assures me, repeatedly, that it was not the compound but the test subject. The compound has only gotten more effective and predictable over time. Sinclair is on good ground on this one."

"Too bad. An older female would have been best for this new assignment. Age would have made her less suspicious," said Chase. "Have you pressed Sinclair on something more potent? We can't keep administering booster shots to the subjects once they're out in the field. Too risky."

"Personally, I'd take the booster shots over the certainty that I'd only live a year or two," replied Arn. "Compound X has been proven to be stable. The subjects are less prone to negative effects like schizophrenia or dementia. The new persona imprint is reasonably maintainable with effective training and regular doses every few months. Our longest X persona has been in the field for three years and still undetected. And, we have the imprint process down cold after decades of experimentation."

"I understand where you're coming from. Operations is your baby. But, our original agreement with Sinclair was for something as potent as Compound A was. To my view, that hasn't been delivered," said Chase.

"Sinclair admitted that Compound A was a fluke. It worked with the girl but only with her. None of the other test subjects have survived intact."

"Didn't he have an earlier test though. Somewhat limited if I recall," said Chase.

"Yes. One of his patients at Skyview. He nearly perfected the instant amnesia protocol on her," said Arn. "Code name Tessa."

'Yes, that's right. Code names Tessa and Eve - the bookends to Compound A," said Chase. "I wish we could get our hands on Eve."

"Exhumation and reanimations are not our specialty, Chase," said Arn. "Besides, even if we exhumed her grave in Paris, the compound leaves no chemical trail after death. Now, if we had DNA samples, we could do something with that."

"How are the babies doing?" asked Chase.

"We lost the last two yesterday. They simply don't thrive physically. We give them every scientific and medical advantage and they just don't make it past year one," said Arn. Frustration and a hint of sadness was evident in his voice. "I've called a temporary halt on starting any new cases."

"Filtering out Compound X hasn't worked?"

"Oh, that was a futile hope, Chase, but one we had to try. Their mothers were given Compound X and imprinted. During amniocentesis, we detected Compound X in the placental fluid. After birth, we identified traces of the compound in tissue and blood but not in harmful levels. There's nothing in the compound that should be harmful to the babies. And the mothers, I don't know, Chase, something happens to them during delivery. They're just not the same afterwards."

"There has to be something. Anyone under ten years old who we've given the compound to hasn't fared well. And, by that time, their real personalities have already formed and we have to go the amnesia route to prepare them. Too many steps and too much time," said Chase. "But think about it, Arn. A baby born healthy and thriving with the compound bred into its genetics is ... is a biological chameleon susceptible and malleable to being molded again and again into different personas while retaining its core persona in an undamaged and sane state."

"That's only Woodruff's theory extrapolating from what we know from Compound A and X. I know you've fallen in love with the idea of breeding an army of uber-smart, instant, ninja, warrior spies but, Chase, we have to be realistic," said Arn. "Even Sinclair doesn't think it's possible and it's his formula."

"Can't blame a man for dreaming. I can't help imagining agents who can adapt instantly to whatever the situation requires and can bring multiple types of training into the job at will. Unstoppable," said Chase. "Too bad we didn't get to Eve before that incredibly stupid accident. A sample of her DNA or a child from her would have been all we needed. What a waste!"

"Hindsight is wonderful, isn't it?" asked Arn. "Sinclair's security has improved since then. No more accidents until this latest botched delivery."

"Yes, Sinclair is so helpful. Float the idea that we want to try Compound A again."

"Chase, the success rate is lower than thirty percent."

"But the imprint is far more long lasting and psychologically deeper. I don't care how many subjects we test. The end result is all that matters," said Chase. "There was Eve and there could be another one. Besides, we have better equipment and resources now. We should have a higher chance of success. He has the original recipe. All he has to do is create a few vials of it. We'll handle the rest of the procedure."

"True amnesiacs are hard to find. Manufacturing them takes time."

"Didn't we have some success with split personality cases?"

"Yes plus the ones with extreme delusions of self importance or the truly psychotic," said Arn. "They seem to welcome giving up their old life and getting a new one. Strange."

"How about the amnesia drug he used before on ... on Tessa?"

"That only prolonged the amnesia she already had, Chase. It's not appropriate in this case. Put Tessa out of your mind," said Arn. "I'll inform our people to begin looking for amnesiacs in the usual places. We might get lucky."

"This assignment is crucial, Arn. If we pull it off, it can singlehandedly prove the effectiveness of Project Minerva once and for all."

"Chase, as your second in command, I have to question why we have to prove anything at all. We have had a few missteps in the project but overall it works. Why publicize it to the WSB? We don't need anything from them."

"I know that but they don't know that," said Chase. "This is connected to the Babbage Protocol. If we do this assignment, it means more leverage for me to get them to link us in."

"Chase, Babbage is rumor and gossipy tales. There is no computer system in the world as powerful as people say this thing is," said Arn. "And, if it was so, how is it that no one knows about it."

"But they do," said Chase. "When I asked her about it, Connie was tighter lipped than ... than a vestal virgin at her induction ceremony. She stonewalled me at every turn."

"The vaunted Masters charm had no effect?"

"None and don't think I'm not sorry. Connie's a very attractive woman," said Chase.

"Perhaps Donely could persuade her," said Arn.

Chase chuckled, "He probably could. He's really smooth and cool. They're in the same generation and are or were both chiefs but I don't want to rely on him. We're supposed to be showing him that we've learned his lessons well and that we're stepping strong and confident into the future he's always planned for us."

"How much does Babbage mean to you? I admit our systems need an overhaul but we can develop the expertise to build something on our own," said Arn.

"I know that there's something to it. How long did we plant Joey Morton in there and he never even got clearance to see it but he knew it was working in the background," said Chase. "Ross was adamant that I work on Connie. She's the key I have to turn."

"The imprint on Morton was incomplete. He didn't have sufficient skills to ingratiate himself with Sidwell. Sidwell was too much a loyal man to trust an outsider."

"Did you put together that scholarship program in Tim's name at his alma mater?"

"Yes. I've already awarded three students," said Arn.

"Thank you. That would have been something he'd have liked," said Chase. "I wish we didn't have to dispose of him but he was loyal. He could have been one of us."

"Loose lips sink ships," reminded Arn. "I've set up a pension for Morton's handicapped sister. She'll be well taken cared on in the facility she's in now. We take a life and we give a life back. No guilt to think about. You're due at the WSB in an hour, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. There's another strange thing. Ross told me to watch out for Frisco Jones. That he's Scorpio's man through and through. What do you think about that?"

"That name is appearing more and more in places and events of interest to us. He's close to Donely, isn't he?"

"Very much so. Donely trained him," said Chase.

"He was always known as a straight arrow though. He's supposedly retired but he is popping up in the oddest ways," said Arn. "I'll start a collection team on him ASAP."

"Yes, do that. I want to know everything we can find out. Put a tail on him. Full surveillance. Find out his habits. Everything," said Chase. "Add Anna Devane to that collection assignment."

"Hmm, my father waxed poetic many times about the daring and clever Anna Devane," said Arn. "Scorpio, Devane and Donely. The Big Three. Are they all together again?"

"Devane is sharing Scorpio's bed."

"Interesting. Since you got to meet Donely, I'd like the pleasure of meeting Ms. Devane."

Chase laughed, "You're going to make a play for her?"

"I simply want to put a face to the stories my father talked about sometimes. He was convinced that she was a double double agent at one time."

"Double double?"

"Maybe triple. My father was in Paris when Donely brought her over fresh from training. He doesn't know what Donely did with her but the next time he saw Anna, she was as polished an agent as there could have been. Papa thought that Donely had positioned Anna to work for the DVX ostensibly selling our secrets to them but in reality she was a deep cover mole funneling information to Donely," said Arn.

"That would have been quite a challenging assignment."

"Yes, it would have been but Papa thought his theory was good. Anna was isolated and had many solo missions. During the same time period, the WSB got the drop on the DVX a few times like that hostage rescue case."

"The one where they stuffed the rescued hostage on a truck hauling sacks of soil while Devane and Scorpio led the DVX on a merry chase across France?"

"That one. The hostage was abducted from his hotel room and no one knew where he was except for Donely," said Arn. "He never said how he knew. Naturally, he gave the assignment to his favorite team and the rest is in the history case files."

WSB Headquarters, NYC

Dianara waved goodbye as Genji began to take off from the roof helipad. Genji gave her a thumbs up sign. Dianara turned forward just in time to keep from colliding into her immediate superior - Frisco Jones.

"Stay here. Need a minute to debrief," said Frisco loud enough to be heard over the din of the helicopter ascent. He led Dianara to a far side of the rooftop. Manhattan lay sprawled beneath them.

"I wasn't expecting you this early," said Dianara.

"I had a bad feeling. Thought it was better to get here ASAP," said Frisco. "If anyone asks you about my most recent vacation tell them it was personal time. That's what I told Connie. If they keep asking, tell them to see me."

"Of course."

"How is everyone ... back home?" asked Frisco.

"Reeling. What else?"

"We can't catch a break," said Frisco. "Listen, Connie has a pseudo-assignment for me."

"Guard duty."

"That's what I thought but I'm doing that and, before saying goodbye, doing an independent investigation into Tim Sidwell's death."

"Need help?"

"Yes but Connie wants the investigating team to be downright microscopic," said Frisco. "In the meantime, I'm going to be keeping a close eye on Chase Masters. Real close if you know what I mean."

"Connie suspects something?"

"She thinks there something fishy about Chase and she wants me to find it."

"And?"

"And tell her. I'm not to engage in any way," said Frisco. "Watch your step around him. His patter is too smooth."

"You don't like him?"

"No. I don't know why but my radar is going off loud and clear," said Frisco. "One more thing. Masters is angling for his department - the Gemini Group - to be connected to Mr. Babbage."

"How does he know about it?" asked Dianara.

"Exactly. Also, I've told Connie that I'm leaving but mum's the word to Ross or anyone else. Your leaving is one whammy too many."

Dianara smiled. "My departure may be high profile but yours is going to be big news in the field. Agents are unhappy, Frisco, on both sides. Does Connie know how much?"

"She does but she's got her hands full. She wants you to debrief her privately over lunch on what's happening with our other friends. Do not file a report on that." Frisco put an arm on her elbow and guided her to the stairs. "Let's go in before we're missed. And whatever you're planning to do for Anna. I don't want to know."

Dianara laughed. "Who me?"

"Yeah, you! I remember you grilling me about her - your hero. I mean she wasn't even in the Bureau that long," said Frisco.

"Not as an active agent, no, but my grandfather told me some stories about her." Dianara opened the stairway door and stepped through. "They were very ... motivating."

"What stories?" said Frisco.

"Stories about a woman named Tessa who had many daring adventures. I didn't realize he meant Anna until after I joined the company."

"C'mon spill. Details!"

"Sorry. I was ordered by my superior to not divulge details. My lips are sealed." Dianara's soft laughter echoed down the stairway.