Graad Foundation
Tokyo – Japan
2:09 PM (local time)

Scully took Kanon's hand, holding his gaze as they shook. His eyes were sharp, unwavering. He smiled with polite restraint but made no attempt to hide how openly he was studying her – calmly, unapologetically. Aiolia cleared his throat, breaking the silent current between them.

"You came from the west wing. Any word on whether the first blood analysis is ready?"

"It is," Kanon replied smoothly. "I just came from Lab 5. They said the results had been forwarded here, so I thought I'd meet you."

He turned back to Scully. "Mind if I go over the data with you? There's something I'd like to highlight."

She nodded, still processing the strange sensation of standing face to face with Saga's twin. Meeting Saga had been disarming in its own way – but he had quickly put her at ease with his quiet authority. Kanon was different. Not threatening, exactly – but far from comfortable.

She cast a sidelong glance at Aiolia, who didn't seem especially pleased with Kanon's presence either. Still, he offered her a mild, reassuring smile, as if to saydon't worry about it.

They walked together, turning down one corridor, then another, until they reached the lab. Aiolia stepped ahead to collect a folder and a small data disk. They moved into the adjacent room, where a wide monitor and central console were waiting. Kanon sat at the station and began navigating the system while Scully flipped open the folder and started reviewing the contents.

"Oh… Aiolia, everything's been sorted individually," she said, eyebrows rising.

"Yes," he replied. "I asked them to break it down that way. Saves time isolating variables."

Scully was quietly impressed. Aiolia went on, already sectioning off parts of the report.

"This is the inorganic analysis," he said, setting aside one set of papers. "These here – unclassifiable. Elements that don't correspond to anything we know. And this one's your standard blood panel." He squinted slightly as he reviewed the data. "Agent Scully, forgive me, but… these numbers suggest there's something going on with your blood."

Scully caught the note of concern in his voice. Kanon had stopped what he was doing, now paying close attention. She let out a quiet sigh. She'd anticipated this might surface – just not so soon.

"Aiolia, it's all right. I was treated for cancer not long ago. That's what's skewing the results."

"You're still under medical observation, I assume?" he asked gently, wanting to be sure.

"Yes. I have follow-ups scheduled for the next eighteen months. But Aiolia…" She looked at him seriously. "Please don't mention this to Mulder. He took it very hard when I got sick. He doesn't fully grasp the long-term nature of it. He might think I'm still ill – and you understand that's not the case, right?"

"Of course," Aiolia said immediately. "Those kinds of markers take time to normalize. I understand. I won't say a word."

Scully offered him a grateful smile. Aiolia opened a second envelope containing a series of visuals – charts and microscopic imagery – then began uploading them to the large screen. Kanon rose and stepped closer, standing beside them.

"There are five compound traces derived from unidentified chemical elements," Aiolia said, gesturing to the image now displayed. "We're talking about twenty-three separate components. Agent Scully, do you know where Agent Mulder got this vaccine?"

"I don't think even he knows. An informant gave it to him – he didn't have time to ask questions."

"Well…" Kanon finally spoke, stepping forward and folding his arms as he examined the data. "I hope you're open to unconventional theories. Because this," he motioned to the images on the screen, "and what I've cross-referenced with your government's restricted data – point to a single conclusion: we're looking at extraterrestrial material."

xXx

Sanctuary – Common Arena
Athens – Greece
11:03 AM

"Agent Mulder, are you all right?"

Mu appeared at his side just as Mulder rounded his sixth lap around the arena.

"If you're tired, there's no need to push so hard…"

"I'm… good… running's easy!" Mulder panted, clearly winded but determined not to quit.

Up ahead, Marin waved them over. The two men jogged the rest of the way to where she stood.

"The sun's already high," she noted. "Agent Mulder, I'm gathering the girls for a short meditation before we wrap up. Would you like to join us?"

Mulder hesitated – just for a second. Long enough for every muscle in his body to shout that yes, sitting down and breathing slowly sounded like bliss. Even if it meant joining a dozen teenage girls.

Mu chuckled, already knowing what he'd say.

"Absolutely. I'm spent – slowing down sounds perfect," Mulder admitted, eyeing the group waiting nearby. "Only thing is… I don't really know how to meditate."

"Don't worry," Mu said with a soft grin. "Marin's an excellent teacher."

They settled into a circle – Mulder beside Marin, Mu across from her, ready to help guide the session with their unexpected guest.

"All right," Marin began, her voice steady and calm, "find a comfortable position, but keep your posture upright. Remember – your internal organs must stay aligned to allow energy to flow."

Up in the arena stands, a small crowd of Saints had gathered to watch. Several were already fighting laughter at the sight of a stiff-looking FBI agent sitting cross-legged among the girls, clearly trying to mirror Marin's serene composure.

"Ma che, this session's gonna be a joke…" Deathmask muttered under his breath. "Half those littleragazzasare probably already swooning over the American."

"Oh, come on, Maschera," Shura said, frowning. "They're way too young to be thinking about that."

"You wish. I'd bet at least seven of them are crushing hard. Poor dads, if they only knew…" Aldebaran boomed with laughter. "You should hear the things they say."

"Les petitesspeak nonsense. Irresponsible. Shouldn't even be repeated," Camus added coolly.

"And what about Mu?" Milo chimed in with a smirk. "Bet the other half are fantasizing about those looong lilac locks of his…" He earned a sharp pinch from Camus. "Ow! What was that for?"

"Don't point at people. It's rude."

"You're such a buzzkill."

Camus shrugged. Shaka, as usual, acted as if none of it concerned him.

"Wait… look at Marin," Aphrodite interrupted, his tone suddenly alert. All eyes snapped to the scene below – even Shaka's.

Marin was adjusting Mulder's posture. Perfectly normal for an instructor, of course – but from their vantage point…

"Good thing the Lion isn't here," Aldebaran muttered, scratching the back of his neck. "He'd lose his mind."

"Lucky bastard…" Shura mumbled, more awed than annoyed.

"Eh, spagnolo cretino," Deathmask barked, suddenly sharp. "Drooling over someone else's woman while swearing your heart belongs to Shina?Infelice!"

"She's not anyone's woman. Marin's single," Shura shot back. "And what's your problem, huh? Shina's not your business."

Deathmask stood abruptly and grabbed Shura by the front of his shirt. The Spaniard blinked – genuinely caught off guard.

"If you mess with her,Ibecome your problem. I'll take you out before you even know what hit you."

Then he let go. Shura landed hard on the bench, stunned. The other Saints stared as Deathmask turned and walked off toward the temples.

Eyes slowly shifted back to Shura, still recovering from the sudden blow to his pride.

"Nice going, man," Milo said, shaking his head. "Everybody knows Shina's like family to Deathmask – and you had to go and saythat."

"He acts all cold and distant," Aphrodite added quietly, "but he's been looking out for her for years. And Shura – if you're going to keep telling everyone how much you're into her… just remember, she's got a big brother. And he's a pain in the ass."

xXx

"I get the feeling they've been laughing at me this whole time…" Mulder groaned, rising along with the others.

"No," Mu replied, glancing toward the stands with a hint of amusement. "I think the joke's on Shura this time. Something must've happened up there while we were down here."

"Feeling better?" Marin asked gently, taking both of Mulder's arms and guiding them into a stretch behind his back. "You'll probably still feel some soreness tomorrow, but it should be a lot lighter than today."

"Oh, I feel great. Milo said the pain would come back, but I think that run and this meditation flushed all the toxins right out of my system…"

"The stretching helped," Marin said with a knowing nod, always the instructor. "I'll send the girls home now. No training tomorrow because of the festival, but please – join us again sometime. We really enjoyed having you with us."

"I hope I didn't get in the way too much," Mulder said, a little sheepish. "But I'd love to come back. I've learned more than I expected. Thank you."

Marin smiled and left with the trainees, while Mu and Mulder began climbing up to the stands, ready to rejoin the others.

"So, Agent Mulder," Mu said, eyes glinting with playful curiosity, "how'd you like the training? Bet you were nervous in the beginning…"

"I won't lie – I was," Mulder admitted. "When that Italian woman told me I'd be training with her…" He gave a dramatic shiver, making Mu laugh.

"But she was kind," Mulder added quickly. "Tough, sure – but kind."

"Shina might look intimidating," Mu said with a small smile, "but she wouldn't hurt anyone without a good reason. Unless of course… they deserve it."

They reached the top where the other Saints were still lounging.

"So…" Mu looked around at the group. "What was so funny up here?"

"I assume it was me," Mulder offered, chuckling. "Trying to survive meditation next to a dozen teenagers?"

"Nah…" Aphrodite grinned, stretching out on the steps. "You were amusing, yes. But the real star of the day was our dear Shura – who managed to unleash his inner Don Juan right in front of the most protective, crankiest guy in the whole Sanctuary."

"Oh? What happened?" Mulder asked, intrigued.

"Well," Aldebaran said, clapping a still-flustered Shura on the back, "when Marin was adjusting your posture, this genius here couldn't help but say – loud enough for all of us to hear – how jealous he was of you."

"I was just – " Mulder began to protest, but Aldebaran waved him off.

"From up here, it really did look like you were getting pretty lucky. And that's when our friend Deathmask lost it – because, you see, Shura here's been telling everyone how much he likes Shina. Constantly."

"And then he goes and blurts out how envious he is ofyou and Marin," Milo finished, with a dramatic gesture. "That, my friend, is a tactical blunder."

"Hm… I see," Mulder said, still not sure what to make of it. "But everything's okay now, right?"

"Of course. Don't even stress about it," Aldebaran said, brushing it off. "This isn't the first time those two almost threw punches – and it sure won't be the last."

"Today was just one of those classicla famigliamoments," he added, putting on a thick, over-the-top Italian accent – which earned him another round of laughter from the group.

TO BE CONTINUED...