The following story is a fan fiction it is just for fun.
Chicago Convergence
By Tenwaters
The scene is set approximately 16 thousand million years ago give or take a
few thousand million. It is hard to tell exactly with no tiny dirt ball
circling around an intermediate size ball of glowing gasses to set ones
watch by. Six dwarfs are franticly scrambling over a massive control panel
over seen by a small but officious fairy. The fairy, Celda, unconcerned by
the lack of any recognizable temporal reference says, "boys you are behind
schedule and over budget." Randall, the foreman of the group says, "we have
only one work order left to get this one kicked off." The fairy said, "get
on with it then" and left the room.
"Work order 42 primary gravitational inversion explosion" read Randall.
"What's that?" asked Og. "It says here to add 300 kilograms of protomatter
to black hole and get out of the way of explosion" Randall responded. Wally
went to add the protomatter but could not find it. He looked perplexed as he
sorted threw various shelves. "What's the matter?" asked Fidgit. "No matter"
answered Wally. "Of course it matters we are waiting for you," said Fidgit.
"No! Not it doesn't matter, there is no protomater." Wally explained. "Where
is it? Asked Randall. "Was that the stuff in the green sack that tasted like
chicken? Asked Vermin. "Don't tell me you ate it Vermin!" The other five
said.
There was much yelling shouting and head scratching. Finally the group
decided to try alternatives. "Well matter is stuff maybe we can use other
stuff." Said Wally. "What extra stuff do we have lying around?" asked Og.
"Make sure it stuff not on inventory." Randall warned. They soon assembled
an odd collection of inter temporal and inter dimensional flotsam and jetsam
that included an over egger green settee, a broken monkey wrench, several
one of a kind socks and gloves, about a dozen wire hangers, an elaborate
inter dimensional probe of elfish manufacture, a stuffed owl, assorted lose
screws and mixed nuts, a few empty beer cans, and a soccer ball named
Wilson. While Vermin ate a sandwich he recovered from between the cushions
of the settee the others loaded the stuff into the black hole. There boss
gave the word and our universe began.
Most of the matter became part of the fabric of the new universe. The settee
was propelled through time and space ripping a goodly number of temporal
holes and creating space eddies and time paradoxes in its wake. The elfin
probe separated; with the reaction drive section heading one way, and the
inter-dimensional drive section heading the other, at the speeds near that
of the expanding universe. The soccer ball went on to a career in motion
pictures.
Somewhat more recently in geological time, in an out of the way galaxy a
small object strikes an inner planet of an average sized star. The object
hits with sufficient energy to wipe out one of the numerous mountains in the
area it lands.
A young man wonders lost and alone through a valley, Awkis is his name. He
is not completely alone a jaguar stalks him. Awkis hears something calling
it leads him to a strange pool of black glass. A small ornate orb glows in
the center of the pool. As Awkis moves to investigate the strange object the
jaguar strikes.
Awkis, caught unaware, was easy prey for the big hungry cat. The feline had
sated most of its hunger when it discovered some amazing things about the
carcass. The body had this strange force that keep regenerating the fatal
wounds. The jaguar had to kill its prey over and over again. This pray was
not only a permanent meal ticket but also, the ultimate cat toy. The jaguar
played with its toy until the shear persistence of the strange regenerative
magic wore the cat out.
Awkis awoke cold, naked, and terrified next to a sleeping jaguar. Dazed and
confused he found a sharp wedge of obsidian held it high and backed away.
Even when one has just discovered they are immortal it is still wise to let
sleeping cat lie.
Peru 1929: Dr. Henry Jones is having a bad day having his high-spirited son
as a college on this expedition has been most trying. Still they have found
some most interesting artifacts, artifacts that predate the Inca by over
3000 years, artifacts that show an ancient jaguar cult.
Last night a strange group of natives attacked there camp and were driven
off. To make matters worse he has just had some bad news from his sponsor.
The stock market had crashed and the expedition had lost funding. Saddened
by the loss of the opportunity to do "real science" Dr. Jones supervises the
packing of the artifacts and the notes.
A short time latter a ship leaves the port of Callao. The ancient eyes of
Awkis watch the ship depart. His followers were unable to steal back the
obsidian alter from the accursed Yankees. The alter, he had carved himself,
from the place of his first death. The alter that held the most sacred orb.
He began to plan. He and his followers would prepare to leave the land of
his birth to bring back their treasure again. Five other civilizations had
stolen his treasure, he would get it back again, and time was on his side.
Awkis distained the changes and cultures the Europeans wrought in his land.
The North Americans were in his mind worse than the Spaniards. Fortunately
Awkis and his people never had to face their genocides. He now knew not even
the great mountains and jungles could hide you forever. He headed north with
a handful of his followers to find his treasure and learn how to deal with
the twentieth century. What confronted in the United States was a situation
unlike anything he had experienced in all is millennia of existence. A
bankruptcy court impounded the cargo of the ship. A bazaar series of sheriff
sales and incompetent accounting had quite thoroughly lost the ships cargo
long before Awkis arrived. After spending much time and gold hunting through
a paper jungle with little success Awkis made some organization changes in
his cult. Most of his followers would return to there beloved Andes a small
dedicated order would learn and play the games of power of the western
world. This order would defend them from outsiders and continue the search
for that which had been lost.
Lewis Vendredi was feeling most fortunate he had just acquired a lot of
pre-Columbian artifacts that had spent years crated and abandoned in an old
Chicago warehouse. The objects had all sorts possibilities of particular
interest were an Inca blade and a five-foot circular obsidian alter stone.
Vendredi brought the items before his coven not to long thereafter. At his
coven they would receive that special infernal blessings that made his shop
unique. The demon summoned to execute the curse and impart the curse and
impart the words of their master was at first impressed. Tonight's sacrifice
was young and innocent. The Inca blade had seen more blood than any there
including the demon. The ancient stone had a magic all its own. It would be
a night to remember.
Halfway through the ceremony something unexpected happened. As the Demon
appeared the Orb at the center of the of the center of the round stove
started to scream giving of light sound and strange waves of alien energies.
The Demon much to his surprise materialized as a not so large white rabbit
as he would from that time onward. Two of Lewis's followers were transformed
into the type of bunny, Hugh Heffner would be proud of, a third exploded
making quite an untidy mess on the ceiling, a forth became a sweet potato. A
rather angry but not very intimating looking demon went on to tell the
survivors to get rid of this stuff as quickly as possible get it as far away
from yourselves as you can. To show the extent of his anger the long eared
fiend began chewing on the tuber. And so it was that Lewis Vendredi became a
benefactor to the National Museum of Anthropology and Archeology in Lima
Peru.
To Awkis and the order of the jaguar having the holy of holies show up on
display in the capital was a mixed blessing. Politics and consciences
conspired to make the relic less accessible in Peru then if they had found
it earlier in the United States. Awkis would tend to his network of
revolutionaries and drug dealers awaiting his opportunity for over a decade.
Members of the Cult of the Jaguar had gotten word that the National Museum
of Anthropology and Archeology was going to send a large number of artifacts
on an international tour starting with seven sites in US, then to on six
cities in Europe, followed by Hong Kong and Tokyo finishing with a tour of
South America. After much discussion it was decided that the second stop on
the tour was there best shot. Over the years the Order had built up a great
many resources in Chicago.
In a secret government facility located somewhere in the Southeastern part
of Nevada: Commander Craig Donovan, Isaac Mentnor, and Andrew "Hooter"
Owsley watch as CNN reveals startling events. "At approximately six PM
central time an explosion rocked the McCormick Place complex the hub of the
convention industry in Chicago. At the time of the explosion McCormick Place
was hosting a pre-Columbian art exposition and the opening ceremonies of the
International Forensic Science Society convention. It is believed that the
U.S. Attorney General who was giving the open address at the time was the
main target of the bombers." Pictures of the ruined building complex and the
still missing Attorney General flash on the screen. "Nate and Bradley are at
that convention" stated a worried sounding Isaac Mentnor. "I will recall all
personnel and start to monitor all information coming out of Chicago,"
Donovan replied.
Frank Parker and Olga Vukavitch were having a quite dinner. Olga could not
decide whether it was Frank's charm or persistence that had caused her have
a laps of judgment and consent to actual date with him. Things were just
starting move from the confrontational to the romantic when almost
simultaneously their cell phones started ringing. With dinner quickly paid
for and consigned to doggy bags the couple headed back to base.
By the time Frank and Olga arrived at the briefing room things had gotten
even gloomier. Talmadge's body had been found along with the Attorney
General's many of the cream of international law enforcement had been killed
or injured. A truck bomb built on a tractor-trailer was believed to be the
cause of the devastation. The greatest disaster since the Oklahoma bombing
however was soon dwarfed by an even larger seemingly natural disaster.
At ten twenty three central time a small but extremely fast moving object
landed in Lake Michigan. The energy from the impact generated tidal waves up
to sixty feet high the worst effects were along the Chicago waterfront. The
reports continued to roll in casualties in the hundreds of thousands
property damage in the billions. Rioting, looting, fires and explosions the
casualties continued to mount. Most of the emergency and police assets in
the area were at the destroyed lakeside complex when the wave hit. A back
step had been authorized. Frank Parker studied police reports for the
Chicago area for the time leading up to the bombing. On this back step his
mission would be to prevent the bombing and warn civil authorities of the
coming disaster.
As Parker stepped into the blue sphere he could not get over the large
number of destructive shootouts and fights that had accorded in the days
prior to the bombing. As Parker strapped himself Olga's voice cut through
his musings "energy at 80%, 90% 100% now." Parker started the desperate
maneuvers involved in controlling the capsule as he flew backward in time.
Eight weeks earlier: Dr. Pablo Cruz of Peru's National Museum of
Anthropology and Archeology was acting like a mother hen as he supervised
the unloading of the exhibit. He was the one responsible for these National
Treasures during this unprecedented tour. The two billion dollar insurance
policy that his county had taken on the artifacts would do little to replace
any of the irreplaceable items. Never the less the attention to detail shown
by Robert James of Loyds of London was somewhat reassuring. Contract labor
in this small Southern California town was another matter. The objects were
slowly brought in and with loving care uncrated and placed on display. The
security specialists Nick Wolfe and Amanda Smith seemed most competent.
Though Amanda was more than a bit distracting. Amanda paced the floor like a
caged leopard one moment and laid out a laundry list of gapes in the
museum's security the next. George Shaw the new director of the local museum
seemed eager to please, especially with the US State Department paying for
the improvements in the museum's security system. The thing that worried Dr.
Cruz most was that this museum had lost an Egyptian mummy only a year ago.
Preparations went smoothly still, it was with some reluctance that Dr. Cruz
accepted to make a promotional appearance set up by C?sar Adrianz?n. C?sar
was the cultural attach? his government had sent with the traveling
exposition to handle publicity. Cruz was also a bit worried about C?sar's
choice of venue. Ian Matheson a Professor of Mythology at a notable English
University who had left academia to pursue a career in tabloid television
hosted the talk show. Maybe C?sar was Peru's answer to P. T. Barnum mused
Cruz on the way to the station.
To Ian Matheson, Dr. Cruz was the opportunity to uplift the quality and
integrity of his show. To Ian's producer, Skip, Cruz was another dry
academic that Matheson had dragged in an attempt to drag down the ratings.
It was however Randi Wallace that talked Skip into putting the Peruvian
Archeologist on the show. Randi was hard to refuse.
Ian proved to be an interesting and cordial host well researched on the
exhibit. It was only when discussing the Vendredi collection that Dr. Cruz
found the interview a bit trying. Matheson's beautiful red headed assistant
started feeding him questions on the teleprompter that were downright
predatory. Ian had Cruz tell his viewers the legend of the calling stone and
the blood stained Inca blade in the collection. These items and several
other were donated to the National Museum by Lewis Vendredi a Chicago
antique dealer. The blade was believed to be used to sacrifice vanquished
opponents of the Inca and had seen much use. Legend held that it still
thirsted for human blood. The legend of the calling stone was far more
interesting. The item itself was far older than most other items on the
tour. The orb at the center of the stone had letters or rune like marking
unlike any pre-Columbian artifacts known. As to how the marks were made on
the orb, this was also a mystery the object being Diamond hard. The
strangest part of the Legend were the accounts of witnesses claming the Orb
had emitted sound and light as if it were calling some lost companion. Dr.
Cruz thought his own telling of the old stories was bit to theatrical C?sar
would probably be pleased.
The shows' opening was most successful. The publicity seamed to be rather
effective. Attendance was high drawing people from as far away as L.A. a
rare feat for the little museum in Sunnydale. Dr. Cruz found dealing with
Southern California crowd to be an anthropological study in it's self, far
stranger then anything he found in the mountains and jungles of Peru.
The third day of the show seamed to be the most notable of there time in
Sunnydale. Robert James ran into an old friend from Oxford, Rupert Giles.
James and Giles were pleasantly surprised to run into each other. James was
giving Giles the VIP tour when they ran into Ian Matheson and Randi Wallace.
Giles knew Matheson and Wallace from there frequent use of the library of
the museum were he was curator in London. Matheson and Wallace were doing a
bit of follow up for their show. The four spent much of the afternoon
talking about old time and London.
Another visitor that day seemed to get Amanda's attention. A dark and well
built man who would seam at home as part of the exhibit. Dr. Cruz recognized
the man as a countryman and frequent visitor to his museum but otherwise the
man was a mystery. Amanda knew him far better then did Cruz. He had come
from the new world seeking revenge on a Spanish captain that had destroyed
his village. He was an ancient Immortal naive in ways of the game she had
trained him. What was Awkis doing here?
One group of visitors went unnoticed in the crowd of weird wonderful
Californians. These were member of a small cult that called itself the
Devil's Step Children. They found the Incan Blade of unusual interest. The
half cursed blade seamed to call to them. The small group of Satanist
want-to-bees began plotting with innocent malevolence.
The probe sensed it had been moved. It would need to update data on it's
position to it's rapidly closing other half. This area had a great deal of
inter dimensional instability already this seamed like a good time to try to
contact it dimension of origin as well. The probe had tried to phone home
many times before all unsuccessfully. It first communicated with it's other
half. Then began to wrap the energies of the hell mouth around itself. It
reached out and grabbed the energy into itself. It found two other sources
of energy and tried to tap them also. One source was to powerful to be used
safely the other lay quiescent and fading. By allowing energy from one
source to the other the probe could tap in. The probe glowed and shuttered
the room shook. For a moment the vale of reality was lifted. The
communication was made.
The alarms began to sound, guards began rushing about. Police cars rushed to
the site. All was quite again, however, the calling orb was caught on
videotape.
Across town a young woman awoke with a scream something was pulling at her
in her sleep. Two older girls woken by the scream came into the room "Dawn,
are you alright asked Willow?"
She came to in a small dark place. She was in some kind of box, a coffin.
She screamed to no effect. She was buried alive. Her hands clawed at the
fabric lining. Till they bleed. Composing her self for a moment she wedged
her body to use both arms and legs against her prison. With an unnatural
strength added to by the power of desperation she open the casket and molled
her way to the surface.
A red and white-checkered tablecloth lay across a grave. A young couple sits
on the grass on either side of the tablecloth. "See Pam now that the Slayer
is dead we can have these night romantic picnics any night," he says. There
faces take on a demonic aspect as they turn to the bound and gagged teen on
the tablecloth. Pam gasps as something grabs her leg. A hand has grasped her
leg and is pulling her down. As she cry the male vampire grabs her and
starts pulling her back. Their efforts pull a body from the earth. The body
bleeding from several abrasions covered in dirt gasps for breath and stands.
"Nice entrance, care to join us for lunch?" said the male vampire. Pam
nudges the male vampire and says, "Paul, I think she is actually a live
one." "Berried alive, must have been a real pain," Says Paul. "Paul did you
notice which grave she came out of?" Pam asked sounding worried. "Paul
trying to calm her down said, "I am so sorry this is Pam and I'm Paul an you
would be?" The mound of dirt and blood in a stained white chiffon dress she
really would have preferred not to be caught dead in crocked, "Hi, my, name,
is, Buffy."
Pam her worst fears realized began running while Paul attacked. Buffy
defended herself pushing Paul back, he fell over the intended picnic lunch.
He rolled away and quickly followed his lady friend. Buffy bent over and
untied the youth on the tablecloth he looked more scared of her than he was
of the vampires. "Sorry bad hair day," she apologized self-consciously
brushing a clod of soil out of her hair.
After freeing the victim a dazed Buffy slowly headed for home. She noted
that she did not have her keys. She knocked, but no one was home. She broke
in through her own bedroom window. She quickly undressed and showered. She
was beginning to feel human again; she had to talk to someone. She dressed
and called Giles. He was not in; She left a message on his machine. She
called Willow.
Tara was still awake at the time the phone rang. She answered the phone with
a sleepy "Hello." A cautious "hello Tara I need to talk to Willow" came out
of the receiver in a familiar but most unexpected voice. "Who is this?"
asked Tara. "It is me Buffy" said the voice. "One moment I need to wake
her," replied a perplexed Tara. When the voice said "Ok" Tara backed away
from the phone and woke her lover. "Willow did you repair Spikes robot?"
Tara asked. "Of course not, did you wake me up just to ask that?" Willow
replied. "No, but if it was the robot, it might explain how, you could be
have a phone call from Buffy." Tara offered sheepishly. Willow looked at
Tara her mouth made a few shapes as if to say something. Finally Willow
followed Tara to the phone and lifted the receiver as if it were about to
bight. "Hello this is Willow" she said. "Hi Willow this is Buffy." Said the
voice from beyond the grave. The voice sounded right. Willow started, "Buffy
didn't you, ah, ah, like ah" - "Die" finished the voice. There was an
awkward silence and finally Willow timidly asked," Where are you calling
from?" "My house" the voice responded. "I have two questions: Where is Dawn?
And who picked out the dress you buried me in?" Buffy went on. "Dawn is
spending the night with us, she picked the dress," replied Willow. "I know
this is weird Willow but could you come over? I don't want to be alone! I
need someone to talk to! this is like so insane! Willow how long was I - how
long ago did I - When was the fight with Glory?" babbled Buffy. "I'll be
right over, It has been two and half weeks, how can you be?" Willow spurted.
Dawn awoke trying to figure out what all the commotion was about. Tara
looked at her strangely and asked, "Have you been getting into those
resurrection spells again?" Dawn gave a perplexed and vehement denial.
Willow looked like she had just seen, or was it talked to, a ghost. She
tried calling Giles - he was not home -- On an off chance she called his
shop.
Giles had started the day much as he had for the last week. He had been
taking care of Dawn until the girl's father could arrive. He was beginning
to take an intense dislike to this man he had never met. Hank Summers had
not been here for his daughters when his wife died and was still unable to
come to the aid of his youngest or attend Buffy's funeral, the girls had
deserved better than that. That morning Giles and Dawn had opened the shop
both going through the motions, trying to give the day some sense of
normalcy. School was out, so Dawn was spending the day in the shop with him
and Anya. The usual day of awkward moments was changed when Willow had come
by and invited Dawn to spend the day and have a sleepover with her and Tara.
Willow, some how sensing Giles needing to get away, suggested he check out
the new exhibition at the museum. Anya agreed to run the shop for the rest
of the day. And so Giles found him self at the museum unexpectedly
surrounded by faces that reminded him of home and earlier times.
The chance meeting turned to lunch then dinner. The four were still
reminiscing when Robert James received a call from the museum. The four
climbed into Randi's vehicle to get back to the museum. The general panic
was over by the time they had arrived. Randi, Ian, and Rupert waited outside
for Robert as he was briefed. Several minutes later, after acquiring
promises of confidentiality, he brought them into the building. James
introduced everybody, Dr. Pablo Cruz, Nick Wolfe, Amanda Smith, Ian
Matheson, Randi Wallace, and Rupert Giles completed their acknowledgments.
Wolfe then began playing a security tape. The tape showed one of the
artifacts as it began to glow then a strange vortex formed above it. Two
beams joined the vortex then screen turned bright white as the light grew,
this was followed by a few seconds of snow, and then picture returned to
normal, a few seconds later a guard entered the room with weapon drawn.
Dr. Cruz again cautioned the group on discretion asking in particular for
caution in dealing with C?sar Adrianz?n. Wolfe said there were no known
failures in the security system he and the technician had been over it
twice. Amanda and Dr. Cruz stated that nothing seemed to be missing and it
looks as if nothing had been touched. Dr. Cruz reviewed all that he knew
about the calling stone and asked for opinions. For the most part the only
information Dr. Cruz added to what he had said on Ian's show was a few
strange incidents that had occurred at the museum and a few oral myths about
the calling stone. The group had come to the consensus that what they had on
tape was a "calling" just what and how it was calling was still very much a
mystery. Giles remembered an illustration he had seen in one of the
manuscripts he had acquired. So it was that this strange group found
themselves in Giles' shop in the wee hours of the morning looking at a
sixteenth century manuscript. Giles had found the text, written phonetically
and idiomatically in an obscure dialect of Spanish with dribs and drabs of a
more scholarly Latin with bits of Arabic, Hebrew, Quechua and Aymara thrown
in for good measure almost undecipherable. It somewhat offended Giles' pride
as a scholar to have a book that reduced him to looking at the pictures. The
book proved more than a challenge to Ian and Randi as well. Dr. Cruz who's
native language was Spanish and was fluent in Quechua and Aymara made more
headway. It was Amanda, her interest peaked to the point where she relaxed
her reserve, that cracked the code. The group was still to pleased, by their
progress, to question why such an amazing linguist was working as a high
priced security consultant. It was at this point the phone rang.
Giles picked up the phone. "Hello Giles, thank God I found you." Willow
said. "Willow you sound distressed, is Dawn alright?" asked Giles. "No,
she's fine, but we had a call - from Buffy," Willows voice dropped off.
"What makes you think the call was from Buffy?" Giles inquired. "It was
Buffy's voice, and she sounded so, you know, Buffy." Willow answered. They
began to eliminate possibilities: Giles went into the basement the
decapitated robot and it's head were accounted for, Dawn denied doing any
resurrection spells. That still left a large number of Demonic
possibilities. When Willow told him that Buffy was coming over, Giles knew
he had to get over there quickly. Guiles advised Willow and Tara to prepare
a number of spells for detection and defense. He also told her to call
Xander and Anya. Then there was still the matter of a store full of people.
Giles made his excuses and gave James his spare key to lock up. Well if you
can't trust Loyds of London, who can you trust? After all in this town death
and even taxes were suspect.
Buffy took her time getting dressed. She had to wrap her fingers in toilet
paper to keep them from bleeding. Escaping from ones grave was defiantly
hard on a manicure. She picked out an outfit and found the spare key. The
house was so empty without her mother. With one last melancholy look at the
familiar house she headed out the door. Buffy Summers knew she was alive,
the hurting told her that.
The sky was beginning to lighten as Buffy reached Willow's Dorm. With the
twilight was yielding to the first light of a new day, she entered the dorm.
Knocking on the door still hurt her hands the pain was now only a minor
annoyance. "Hello, who is it?" came Willows voice. Buffy answered "Good
morning Willow, it me, Buffy." The Door opened Willow stood in the middle of
the room with Tara. Xander had opened the door but was standing back and out
of the way. Buffy entered the room she realized she was being tested. Lights
danced around Willow and Tara until the two seamed satisfied with the result
of their magical probing. Giles came out from hiding rattling some strange
charm and reciting something in a language she never heard before (he looked
quite silly). After Guiles had finished dancing around a bit Xander said,
"Well Giles that takes care of the top twenty on your hit parade of look
like your old dead friend demons." I realize you may all be having a bit of
trouble dealing with this whole, back from the dead thing, I know I am, but
is there anyway sure way we can prove I am me?" "One last thing" said Giles.
Willow came over to buffy and whispered something to her, Buffy whispered
something back, the two embraced and begun crying. Xander brought Anya and
Dawn from their hiding place in the restroom. The reunion grew with
apologies, happy tears, and huggings. The group went out on the lawn to
watch the sun rise.
Robert James was having some trouble closing the shop he could not tear Dr.
Cruz away from the book. The morning found James sleeping on a counter top.
Dr. Cruz was still energized by discovery. The book was the chronicle of a
sixteenth century missionary in the new world. It told the story of a small
group of conquistadors there encounter with the stone and a strange cult
that had defended it. The Spaniards took the stone and some easier to carry
treasures. The cult recovered the stone and Spaniards had got out with a
fair amount of gold and silver. Both sides had taken some losses. The
Spaniards had heard tales of a strange alter that performed magic. The tales
included sounds light, visions, healings, and transformations.
One of the visions was documented at length: Two small objects came through
a great fire that tore them apart. They called to each other through a great
void. The feeling of a great work left undone, of loneliness and
incompletion.
The town of Sunnydale had ways of making sensational news disappear. The
news of the girl being buried alive was kept out of the media. The sale of
an old book to a museum for six figures, partly underwritten by the U.S.
State Department, was only noted in a few anthropological journals, the
local business pages, and Giles' income Tax. The exposition left town things
returned to normal. Not what had pasted for normal in Sunnydale but a real
normal. Spike was the first one to feel it -- the hell mouth had shifted.
Vampires, demons, and other such creatures of the night moved out in droves.
Buffy found her nightly patrols most uneventful it was a good time to be
alive.
At Curious Goods the morning paper and coffee where more than a ritual with
most of the Items recovered the looking became more important. Micki Foster,
Johnny Ventura, and Jack Marshak were looking for those stories that might
lead to another Item. Finding Lewis Vendredi's name in the entertainment
section was a bit less grisly than the usual articles that received their
attention. A major exhibition of pre-Columbian art and artifacts from Peru's
National Museum of Anthropology and Archeology was being shown at Chicago's
McCormick Place. The Article listed the late Chicago merchant Lewis Vendredi
had graciously donated several major items in the exhibition. "Lewis
Vendredi and graciously donated, do not belong in the same sentence," Jack
commented. The exhibit then became the focus of their attention.
In his office built from an abandoned Chicago subway station Captain Richard
Page was not in a good mood. Page had just gotten off the phone with the
Mayor. A rash of unsolved murders had begun last week the rate and number of
these killings was increasing. He called Nick O'Malley, Kate Benson and Sean
Radmon into his office to brief him on their investigation. "We have had
twenty bodies that were drained of blood by two small puncture wounds. The
wounds were to the neck in eighteen cases, on the thigh in the two other
cases. The victims were young adults, the youngest was sixteen, the oldest
was twenty-five. All attacks were made at night. No other pattern seams
evident as yet." Kate said. Sean continued, "Some type of specialized teeth
administered the wounds. As yet we have failed to find any DNA evidence. We
did find fingerprints on one victim. The prints belong to an Isaac Kline of
Sunnydale, California. I have a death certificate issued for Mr. Kline on
November of 1999 from Sunnydale, California." "Any possibility we are
dealing with some sort of cult killings?" Captain Page asked. "That
possibility still exists, but let me point out that one of the victims was
armed and got off four rounds from a 357 before whatever this thing sucked
him dry." Said O'Malley. "Ok get out there whoever or whatever is doing this
I want it stopped we can't keep a lid on it much longer. We also have that
International Forensic Science Convention next week and the Mayor wants the
city to look good." Finished the Captain.
In the Squad room Carl sat at a desk he had appropriated and used the phone.
"Yes, that's the Reds parlayed with the Phillies for tonight." Carl said.
Carl had just hung up the phone when Benson and O'Malley confronted their
Gnome informer. "Carl any word out on the street about a new blood sucker in
town," O'Malley demanded. "What, you need a hot tip on a giant mosquito,"
Carl quipped. Before O'Malley could come back with his standard treat of
casual violence Kate interceded with, "Carl we have had a rash of killings
in the last week we could really use your help." This tended to diffuse the
usual game of insults between O'Malley and Carl that comprised a large part
of their conversations and her working life of late. "Can you get the chief
to give cut me a deal on my next grand larceny?" Carl bargained. I'll put in
a good word with the chief," O'Malley said noncommittally. "I'll see what I
find," Carl said.
Across town in an office of more standard construction Lieutenant Harding
Welsh having a briefing of his own, "Ray it is good to have you back from
the undercover section. It looks like you got a plum assignment this time. I
want to be the departments front man and for the International Forensic
Science Convention next week. Raymond Vecchio agreed with the new job. He
was just getting back to being himself again after spending over a year
undercover. Playing host cop for a police science convention could well be
an easy enough assignment to do while he put his life back in order. He
would head over to McCormick Place for a late afternoon briefing but first
he had an old friend to visit.
Constable Benton Fraser of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was getting
ready for a long trip via the Chicago Transit Authority. He had come to be
something of an expert on bus and train schedules in this town. Diefenbaker,
having recently returned from his morning walk, was contemplating the
injustices of wolves not being allowed to ride city buses from behind closed
eyelids. Fraser heard the footsteps well before the knock on his door. He
was somewhat surprised by the knock, he had few visitors at this time of
day. Fraser answered the knock with friendly, "Hello, Who is there? "Hi,
Fraser it's me Ray." The voice from his past answered. Fraser opened the
door to his spotlessly clean but sparsely furnished apartment. Before either
of the two friends could say a word, Raymond Vecchio was surprised, by an
unexpectedly enthusiastic greeting from Diefenbaker. After Diefenbaker
regained his composure the two old friends reacquainted themselves. When
Fraser began to excuse himself to catch a bus he and Vecchio found they had
a destination in common. And so the reunion returned to a more leisurely
pace. When the threesome did leave the apartment it was with Diefenbaker
thanking fate for arranging suitable transportation.
Several janitors preformed the task of setting up the neat rows of stackable
chairs. One of the newer janitors was grateful for the opportunity to create
this calm bit of uniform order. His life had too much excitement of late. He
did not like excitement he was allergic to it, and new all to well the
reason why. He had some friends who managed to discreetly get him this nice
union job. Still the though of having a convention full of policemen around
him somehow did not make him feel very safe. For David Bruce, Alias Dr David
Bruce Banner, police and press were a source of worry. As the first of the
security guards and police arrived for their briefing the janitors finished
and departed the room.
One of the early arrivals is a tall dark newly hired security guard with
kind dark eyes seam to look through you. He chats amiably with a few of the
other guards yet somehow seams to take in everything going on in the room.
To all who meet him Jarod seams near the ideal security guard, and a hell of
a nice guy as well.
Theorizing that one could time travel within his own lifetime, Dr. Sam
Beckett stepped into the project accelerator and vanished. He awoke to find
himself trapped in the past, facing mirror images that were not his own and
driven by an unknown force to change history for the better. His only guide
on his journey is Al, an observer from his own time, who appears in the form
of a hologram that only Sam can see and hear. And so, Dr. Beckett finds
himself leaping from life to life, striving to put right what once went
wrong and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home. The
light of the leap fades Sam finds himself sitting behind the wheel of a
recently parked Porsche one hand on the wheel the other on the ignition key.
Sam is wearing a women's business suit. He looks to see the tailored looking
young blond in the rear view mirror and responds with the words "Oh boy!"
Sam quickly recovers from his initial shock and begins to find out who,
where, and when he is. The women, Samantha Yeager is her name, is very
meticulous. Between the day planer, briefcase, and neatly folded newspaper
it is almost like being a substitute teacher and getting detailed lesson
plans. The only problem being Sam has to be in a meeting and make a speech
in thirty minutes. Once again Ms. Yeager's talent for organization comes to
his rescue. Yeager has a type written copy of the speech as well as the key
points on three by five cards. After taking five minutes to read and
memorize the speech Sam begins the task of navigating to the meeting.
Nick Wolfe was facing a unique problem his job of providing security for the
Peruvian exhibition had become more complex. The Calling Stone was acting
like a teenager that had just discovered the telephone. It's nightly
disturbances had become a strain on his resources. Dr. Cruz was taking up a
lot of Amanda's time. Some of the guards he had hired were so spooked by the
objects strange behavior that they had quit. In the lurch for discrete open
minded people to help him baby sit the art objects, Nick had turned to Ian
Matheson, Randi Wallace, and Rupert Giles. Ian and Randi had arrived by
plane two days ago. Giles and a group of what he called "very capable young
people" were do in tonight. In the mean time Nick had to get ready for a
briefing. Another event was taking place in the complex and he needed to
coordinate security with them.
A sort time latter as the room filled with a number of uniformed and
non-uniformed police and security personnel Sam Beckett as Samantha Yeager
prepared him self to give the opening speech. Sam began; "Ladies and
Gentlemen on behalf of International Expositions, Inc. and the International
Society for Forensic Sciences I would like to welcome all of you. As most of
you are aware this center will be the focus of interest for law enforcement
agencies throughout the world. It is are job to make sure that those who
attend have a safe and enjoyable convention. I will introduce a few notable
guests and then we will breakdown into workgroups to go over the security
plan. First I would like to introduce Sam Simms United States Secret
Service." Simms a large black man, normally easygoing but at this time
wearing his most professional game face, rose and acknowledged the speaker.
Beckett continued, "Mr. Simms is in charge of security for the U.S. Attorney
General who will be our keynote speaker. I would also like you to meet
Detective Raymond Vecchio who will be our primary liaison with the Chicago
police department." A thin well dressed man siting next to a Mounty with a
large dog rose and acknowledged the speaker. "Finally I would like at this
time to turn the meeting over to Captain Ralph Hempa chief of security for
McCormick Place." Beckett finished. Samantha Yeager's part of the meeting
being over for the most part, Sam could relay a little. This gave him time
to worry when was Al going to show up and what would his reaction be to this
body. The security people broke down into workgroups and began to fill in
the details of their security plan.
To Duncan Macleod the trip to Chicago was part of his more normal business
he sold antiques for part of his income and there were a number of shops in
the area that he dealt with. It seemed that the latest craze on the part of
buyers was for rustic American items. For the most part however this trip
was to be a bit of a holiday. The flight from Paris was slow but uneventful
he spent a few days in New York with some old friends. He spent a few days
in Atlantic City, it was not Monte Carlo but, he was curios to see how the
town had changed. He was now headed on to Chicago. It was a pleasant and
uneventful trip.
A few seats behind him Angus MacGyver sat quietly reading a book. The
Phoenix Foundation was sending MacGyver to evaluate a number of technologies
and their use. It had only been a year since he had been moved from the
field to his current think tank position. Not getting shot at had definite
advantages. Still a part of him missed the excitement. He stretched a bit
and continued his reading. He was getting into Chicago a day early he
planned to take it easy.
In a cheap hotel on Chicago's south side others were making plans: "I told
you we should have left sooner now we have to steel the dagger from a
building full of cops." Complained one of the young cult members. "We will
find a way the knife wants us to take it." the pretty young girl in the Goth
outfit maintained. Several other members of The Devil's Step Children said
the same thing and the plotting started in earnest.
Somewhere on Interstate 80 a Winnebago travels the highway. In the darkness
of the cabin of the Winnebago a discussion occurs. "Have I ever told you how
much I hate these things." The vampire known as Spike complained. "At least
a dozen times in every state we have pasted through." responded an annoyed
Xander. "After our last outing, in one of these, this mode of travel doesn't
exactly give me warm and fuzzes either." Willow agreed. "Look on the bright
side of things we have covered over 1000 miles and no one has tried jousting
the RV," joked Buffy. "You may have noticed I have a bit of a problem
dealing with the bright side." Spike returned. The RV pulled into a rest
stop it was Xander's turn to drive.
An eighteen wheeler pulls into the same rest stop. Inside the Foundation for
Law and Government's (FLAG) Mobile Command Center Bonnie Barstow was
briefing Michael Knight on a new liquid crystal body covering she had
installed on Kitt. Devon Miles was reviewing a folder when Reginald
announced the rest stop over the Intercom from the cab. This truck stop had
proven in the past to provide a far above average meal and so they had
selected it for their diner stop. "How is kit adjusting to the new body?"
Devon asks. "He likes the Corvette, so far, but thinks it is a little
ostentatious. I had to change his default color from red to black. With the
added memory and updated processors KITT'S AI is growing more complex."
Bonnie replied. "And he is getting more sarcastic." Michael added. The Truck
finally stopped and the three joined Reginald in the restaurant.
Wilber and Orrville brought their big rig into the truck stop. They were
towing an empty trailer that they would be loading tonight. Knowing they did
not have a lot of miles to go, but did have a lot of work ahead of them,
made stopping for a bite here seam a good idea. Wilber and Orrville were not
related but had been fast friends since they had met two years ago at an
Illinois Militia meeting.
Frank Waters and Sherman Catlett were driving the next tractor-trailer to
make the pit stop. Frank was proud of the rig. He had spent the last three
months designing and building the defenders mobile support unit. Sherman
would really have preferred to fly out to Chicago but had proposed the trip
for as a team building exercise. Joe Astor and Cameron Westlake were
following in the defender, they were running a communications systems check.
This left Sherman with Frank who had spent the last twelve hundred miles
giving him the grease monkeys guide to roadside America. Frank had planed
their trip like an engineering project. The only redeeming quality Sherman
had found in all this was, that so far Frank's research into eateries had
produced extraordinary results. Westlake confirmed their departure from the
main road. The tracking system was working.
May Swenson quickly moved from her side-work as the first of the dinner
crowd showed up. Gina the hostess was out sick, so she seated a party of
seven and took their drink orders. By the time she set up her group with
drinks the other waitress, Helen, had seated a party of four. That group
looked older and more prosperous, "luck of the draw" she thought. May sat
Wilber and Orrville who had been regulars for the last two months. Helen
seated two more people who were waiting for the rest of their party. The
party of seven, fortunately, proved fairly decisive. May turned their order
into Oscar the cook. Cletus, who did the night shift at the Gulf Station
across the street, was at the counter. She poured him a cup of coffee. It
was a fairly normal night.
Five desperate men in a stolen SUV with Wisconsin Plates pulled into the
parking lot. The small restaurant looked like an easy target. It was just
far enough off the road to hide their activity, and just near enough to the
road to make for a quick getaway. This was to prove to be a strategic error.
Eighteen hours ago they had been quests of the Wisconsin penal system. Now
they had fresh cloths, guns, and a vehicle. Next, they were going to pickup
some quick cash. Four men got out of the SUV and headed into the restaurant.
Something about these men struck Michael Knight as odd, he alerted Kitt.
Very quickly the four entered the restaurant and drew weapons. They told
everybody to remain seated with there hands on the table. They told May, who
was nearest to it, to open the register. A petite young blond came out of
the rest room at this time. The largest of the four grabbed her. This proved
to be a grave tactical error. The man went flying as Buffy used him as a
missile to attack a shotgun-touting felon. A powerful kick disarmed a third
would be robber. Buffy ducked behind a counter as the fourth men tried to
get a bead on her. Cletus and his hot black coffee diverted him from the
blond fury. An obscene number of clicks and ca-chunks greeted the four as
they tried to recover.
What the unfortunate felons found pointing at them was Oscar with a shotgun,
Wilber and Orrville with a 44 magnum and 9mm, Frank with a 357, Sherman with
a 9mm, Michael and Reginald with 38s, and May holding the small submachine
gun that had once been in the hand of the man that tried to grab Buffy. But
most threatening of all Buffy had managed to pick up a knife.
Meanwhile out in the parking Kitt activated the ramp in the FLAG Mobile
Command Center and rolled into the parking lot. Kitt took up a position
front bumper to front bumper with the SUV. At the same time Frank was in
communications with the Defender. The car approached the SUV from the rear.
Much to the dismay of the getaway driver the two sports cars had suddenly
managed to park in the SUV. The driver bolted on foot, Joe and Westlake in
hot pursuit. He tried to take refuge in a Winnebago, but found himself
instead staring at a rather annoyed Spike pointing a crossbow at him. The
chip in his head may have kept him from firing, but the look on the face of
the man he bluffed was a moment the vampire would savor.
Sheriff Bill Hart and his deputy took about an hour getting everyone's
statements. Having FBI agent Sherman Catlett not try to preempt his
jurisdiction surly helped. Having a roomful of trained observers and a
videotape made by one of the vehicles did not hurt either. One of the
prisoners was packed off in an ambulance to have a broken radius and ulna
seen to. The other four were waiting quietly in their handcuffs for their
ride to jail. News of the event had proliferated over the police radio
system, in almost no time at all, Sheriff Hart had a State Trouper and two
officers from adjoining counties to help with the prisoners. The witnesses
finished their dinner, dissert was on the house. It was only after he had
returned to his office latter that night with his charges safely locked away
that he noted one final discrepancy in his reports. Who was driving the
black Corvette?
Wilber and Orrville were a bit nervous having a fed show up at their
favorite eatery was not a good thing. The questioning had put them behind
schedule. Fortunately the guns and permits they had all checked out legit.
It also helped that Sheriff Hart had been to busy praising them for there
aid to local law enforcement to ask any embracing questions. After a few
minutes of quite driving Wilber broke the silence by saying, "It's a good
thing I didn't blow that dude away or we would still be doing paperwork."
The two laughed and continued on.
Thirty minutes later Wilber and Orrville pulled into a barn. There they
where greeted there by other Militia members, who began loading the
explosives into the rear of the tractor-trailer.
Far away, well not exactly far away, since linear distances cannot be
measured between dimensions and this was in another dimension. In the
offices of Myth Inc. The Great Skeeve and the Pervect Aahz entertained a
perspective client. It was rare that an Eliasian Elf was seen out of it's
home dimension. Eliasian Elves were an ancient and proud race that claimed
they were from one of the oldest dimensions, their technology was ancient,
and there magic strong. In short, this race of Elves was a bunch of snobs.
But, snobs with money as Aahz had pointed out to Skeeve earlier that day.
Their firm would defiantly benefit from a client so well placed in the
multiverse's privileged. It was unknown for the Eliasianes, at least during
the current Epoch, to ask for outside help. The ancient Elf began slowly and
formally it was over an hour before he had finished his greeting. With
patience Skeeve rarely saw Aahz use. Aahz returned the greeting. Fortunately
Eliasiane protocol allowed for meals. It was during the third course of the
second meal that the Elf finally got down to business.
Hartsblom (Skeeve and Aahz called him that for short for that was indeed
part of his name [from some where near the third to the last paragraph])
began almost humbly, "It was a very long time ago. So long ago, that we of
Elias were still new to our world. We had not as yet penetrated the greater
mysteries. We were just starting to use forces it would take Millennia to
master. In our youthful curiosity we created a device to probe these
mysteries. The device was not something we would wish to make today. The
Technologies it used are now known to have bizarre and perverse side effects
it also violates about half a million treaties that we are signatory to." As
Hartsblom went on in detailed but euphemistic to describe the nature of the
probes capabilities Aahz quickly translated to Skeeve "We are dealing with a
invulnerable, intelligent, amoral, sixteen thousand million year old probe
that causes reality pollution." "What is reality pollution?" Skeeve asked
Aahz in a whisper. "Very nasty and politically incorrect" answered Aahz.
Seeing the two now seemed to have a glimmer of understanding of the problem
Hartsblom went on to state his needs "a few days ago the probe contacted us.
It was in one of the 4223 prime universes. What we require is the discrete
recovery of the item." Aahz invoked the Elvin protocol of Eyehalftugo this
allowed them to leave the room and talk privately (it also involved use of
the privy which thanks to the wonders of indoor plumbing was a far better
place for discussion [and breathing in general] here on than on Skeeve's
native home dimension of Cloah). Skeeve asked "Aahz what is a 4223 prime
universe?" "4223 prime is a treaty between several elder races, and semi
supreme beings. It is a basic appendages off policy. Elias is a signatory so
they need some lower life form to remove the dangerous and politically
incorrect device from this pristine environment. They must be worried about
political embarrassment, damage fines, maybe, even a war." Aahz answered.
Skeeve knowing Aahz would look mainly at the profits on any such venture
tried to change the focus. "What are the dangers?" Skeeve asked? "They came
to us because they think we can handle it, don't you have any faith in
ancient Elvin wisdom." Aahz Said. Somehow Skeeve was less than satisfied
with that answer.
The next three days were spent in negotiations. It was not so much cost or
fulfillment. To the Eliasianes price was no object. The objectives were
clearly stated. It was the details and clauses that needed work, and in Deva
it is always the detail that counts. There was on one clause the Eliasianes
were most insistent on, it was a termination clause. It stated merely that
failure to fulfill the contract would result in the termination of the
signatory's home. Aahz responded to their intransigence on this issue with a
clause of his own, in addition to the gargantuan price they had negotiated
for the job, the Eliasianes would bear all expenses. At this Aahz pronounced
the contract workable. The polite ritual of signatures took up the rest of
the week.
In the same room were we stared this bizarre narrative, but much latter.
Well the furniture was different and they moved a wall or two. Ok, it is a
totally different room but with the same fairy and six dwarfs. "Boys, I have
a repair order for you," Celda said impatiently. Celda was only impatient
when something went very wrong. "Is it that Avocado pit thing again?" asked
Randall. "I bet it is the smell of those Ginkgoes." Said Og. "Quite!" yelled
the fairy, it was truly amazing how much volume she could muster. "It is
work order 42, there seems to be an intermittent trans-dimensional rift in
it." Celda continued. "Find out what is causing it and fix it." Celda said
before leaving. "Work order 42 that was one of those rush prototypes. Does
anybody know anything special about it?" Asked Randall. Vermin suddenly
started trying very hard to be inconspicuous. It was Wally who finally
asked, "Was that the one with the green settee?" After much arguing and
debate they concluded that it might well be that one. Suddenly they were all
looking at Vermin. It took quite a wile and even more arguing to come up
with a list of probable causes. It had to be either the settee or the Elfin
thingy. "We have to get them back." Declared Randall. "It will be an
adventure!" exclaimed Wally. "It is official business, we have a work
order." Said Fidgit. "A ah mission," stuttered Strutter. "A mission for the
supreme being" Randall affirmed.
Somewhere under the great city of Chicago Carl plotted with a very mixed
group of links and humans. "One thing for sure it has to be one of the best
scores we have seen in this town in some time." Said a gnome named Rocky.
Boras a dower looking Siberian Gnome who was the mastermind and leader of
the group, said," Yes, there is much gold in this collection but first we
must steal it. Do you all know your parts?" He drilled them all thoroughly
his years working with the czars and then the KGB made him a demanding
taskmaster. Carl's job would be to stay with the police and warn of Special
Unit 2 activity.
Miss Parker and Broots entered the empty Muncie, Indiana apartment. As usual
the trail was stale and so were the donuts. Except for the donut boxes and a
lone business card the room was clean. The card was from a bicycle a shop in
Gary it had no phone number. Using a cell phone to check information Broots
found there was no phone number for that address. It looked like Jarod was
sending them on another road trip.
Three sisters sat, in a departure lounge at San Francisco International
Airport, still wondering what manor of danger would call their help from so
far away. "We probably won't know anything more till we get off the plain.
Leo is checking out to see what he can find." Piper the youngest said. "Best
for now to just enjoy the flight." Phoebe offered. "If the plane ever gets
here," complained Prue, the eldest Halliwell sister. The plane itself was
due to leave in five minutes but was yet to arrive at the gate.
Across the lounge sat an older man far more patience than the three sisters.
With him sat a younger man, his son, who contrasted greatly with the
peaceful air of his father. While the young man kept looking for the plane,
the older man seamed to just meditate. From amongst the other delayed
passengers a slightly balding middle-aged Hispanic man approached him.
"Detective Caine?" asked the middle-aged man. "Yes -- Where do I know you
from?" asked Peter. "Oh sorry, I'm Joe Dominguez, I attended that lecture
you gave on the mark nine detector unit." Joe said. "Yes, of course, It was
strange, I went to a factory training session on that device. Some crazies
put nerve grass in a Japanese subway and I was doing a five county tour."
Peter recalled. "Well you did a good job, my partner and I actually had to
use that thing." Joe said. "Are you going to Chicago for the convention?"
asked Peter. "Yes, my partner and I are going to check out the latest
gadgets." Joe answered. The two talked for a while, exchanging a story or
two about mutual acquaintances. Long before the missing aircraft appeared
Joe's partner returned to the waiting area. Joe introduced his partner Nash
Bridges and Peter introduced his father Kui Chang Caine. They had plenty of
time to get acquainted the plane departed two hours late.
Flight 1135 out of Los Angeles International Airport was oddly enough
boarding on time. The first class section had already boarded. Sammo Law was
just returning from the restroom as his rows were called. Grace Chen, Amy
Dylan, and Terrell Par were already in line with their groups carryon bags.
Quincy was talking to Sam Fujiyama as he waited for his row to be called.
Amanda Bentley and Jesse Travis were getting impatient. Well for the most
part Amanda was getting impatient. It was just safer for Jesse to agree with
her. Dr. Mark Sloan and his son Steve were running late. It was just as the
last block of rows were called that the Sloans arrived Dr. Sloan taking the
blame for their lateness. All boarded without incident and just to be
contrary the plane left on time.
As the Southwest airlines plane left DFW James Trivette Watched as his
partner quickly fell asleep. Cordell Walker was suffering from a strange
ailment that affects new parents, lack of sleep. The new baby was three
months old and had an excellent set of lungs. As Trivette picked up his book
and began to read he wondered if Walker's real reason for taking this trip
was not so much to learn the latest police techniques, as to catch up on his
sleep. Walker shifted in his seat and started to snore.
The detective Nick Knight drove the rented van around the outskirts of
Toledo. Nick was escorting his girlfriend Dr. Natalie Lambert to a
convention in Chicago the fact that Nick was a vampire did tend to
complicate things. It did however make him an excellent night driver. Knight
listened to the tape player along with the breathing his sleeping love. Soon
Lambert would be driving and Nick would use the large light proof box in the
rear of the van.
Flight 995 arrived at Chicago's O'Hare Airport James Ellison, and Blair
Sandburg were only to happy to get off the plane and stretch there legs.
Ellison the more so since he required considerably more legroom then
Sandburg. The walk through the concourse was a most welcome change from
sitting. The walk and shuttle ride, in the end, led to more leg compression
as the two folded themselves into the small candy apple green subcompact
rental car that the Cascade police department had provided for them.
Another aircraft circled O'Hare. On this aircraft an elderly women chatted
amiably with a young man and women. During the flight the conversation had
traveled farther and faster then the jet. The older woman, Jessica Fletcher,
was a best selling of writer mystery stories and semiprofessional murder
investigator. She was heading to Chicago to give a lecture on observation at
a police convention. The beautiful and exotic looking young woman was Sydney
Fox a Professor of History who specialized in ancient civilizations. Nigel
Bailey, The young man, was her Teaching Assistant. Sydney and Nigel were
coming into town to look into a few myths relating to a pre-Columbian
artifact. The conversation ranged over several thousand years and most of
the world. They talked of tools, implements, and weapons and the ways people
used and abused them. As the plane landed they exchanged permanent and hotel
information.
It was a living the ex-FBI agent thought as he checked into the Chicago
hotel room. He was even making better money than he had with the FBI. The
small beltway software company that had hired him three weeks after his
untimely departure from the FBI was quite good to him. The software that the
company made recognized patterns in massive databases. He was here in
Chicago for a convention to demonstrate law enforcement applications of the
software. He entered his hotel room put down his luggage and pulled out his
cell phone. He dialed a Washington DC number - Ring! - Ring! "Hello," a
sleepy voice answered. "Hello Dana," Fox Mulder replied.
Fox and Dana talked for about fifteen minutes both just wanting to here the
others voice. The baby was doing fine. His airline flight was only ten
minutes late. Agent Doggit was investigating some little old lady up in
Maine that had witnessed or been in the vicinity of over 264 separate
murders in different places around the world. The small town in which she
lived had a pre-capita murder rate higher than Washington DC. All the
murders were solved but the odds against such a coincidence were so
astronomical that Doggit had to check it out.
Finally the two said goodnight.
It was not long after Scully hung up that her phone rung again. This time it
was Agent John Doggit he and Agent Monica Reyes had tracked J.B. Fletcher to
Chicago through her publisher and had just landed at O'Hare they wanted
Mulders hotel number. Scully told him and he thanked her and was gone. At
his time the baby decided it was time to get a little motherly attention.
Scully had just gotten the baby back to bed when she got a call from Langly,
Frohike and Byers. They were investigating some strange activities of a
secretive government think tank that called it's self "The Centre." They
said they had reason to believe that this group was doing some sort of human
genetics experimentation. They were calling from Gary, Indiana. They were
tracking some people who they believed were trying to recover an escaped
experiment.
A very tired Miss Parker and Broots checked into their rooms in a Gar