Leaning stiffly against the lab table, Walter asked, "How are you feeling Sloan? Any memory of the past few days yet?"

Sighing heavily, she answered, "No," shaking her head. "And it's so frustrating not knowing what was done to me."

Ed interrupted quickly. "Well, at least I can satisfy part of your concern. Someone injected you with an unknown drug probably two nights ago." Opening a file folder, he handed Sloan her blood sample analyses. "See," he said, pointing to the unknown groupings, "there's some unidentified foreign substances in your blood stream, which is acting as a memory inhibitor or as an enhancer, which assists memory alteration techniques."

Sloan took the sheets and scanned the results. "Do you think the effect is permanent?"

Shaking his head, Ed replied softly, "To be truthful, Sloan, I really don't know. I wish I did, but I can't identify half the substances in this drug, so I can't give you a truthful answer. I'm sorry. You may wake up one morning and remember what transpired or you may never remember." Seeing Sloan's eyes fill with fright and then resignation, Ed clarified, "It's so frustrating to know you're so close and yet so far. Technologically, they have us beaten, maybe even intellectually. But they've had 50 years to intensify their scientific advances. They knew they're at war and we didn't."

Locking eyes with Ed, Sloan reached out and patted his hand in comfort. "That's OK, Ed. You tried your best. It's not your fault. Their science is beyond us for now but it won't be forever." Studying the results, Sloan sighed and affirmed, "We have to resolve ourselves to getting caught up with them." Turning to Walter, she asked, "How about the NSA? Can they help us with some new tech toys not available to the public or research facilities?"

Walter grimaced and answered, "I'm working on that right now. But there's some resistance to the release of new top-top-secret technology."

Perplexed, Sloan asked, "Why?"

Shrugging, Walter explained, "No reason. It's just the NSA way. They keep everything close to their chests, get everyone else to do the dirty work and then take all the credit. All their technological expertise is filched from other sections and secreted away under National Security."

Narrowing her eyes, Sloan asked, alarmed, "Are you sure they're human, these resistors? Has anybody tested them?"

Thoughtfully, Walter responded, "Hmmm, good point Sloan. With all that's going on, it slipped my mind that chameleons might have infiltrated the NSA." Thinking about those who protested the suggestions to share their technology, Walter suspected one chameleon in the inner NSA ranks. Drawing Ray into the conversation, he inquired, "Have you implemented any standard tests for people we liaise with at the NSA or any new personal we draw into our corner of the world?"

"Already thought of that," said Ray. "After Alexandra had terrorized my family and kidnapped my son as a warning, I thought better paranoid and safe, than unsuspecting and dead." Walking around the room, Ray explained, "With all the activity since Tom's kidnapping, it was imperative I assemble a top-notch security team I can fully trust. So I'd asked Ed to test some potential NSA candidates. So far, they've all passed." Turning to Walter, Ray suggested, "With John Maxwell's permission, I can initiate testing of the people we deal with at the NSA, CIA, SS, and the FBI."

"OK," agreed Walter. "Do you want me to talk to John?"

"No," said Ray, "I will."

"Fine." After a few seconds, collecting his thoughts, Walter changed the subject. "Did you find any tampering with Sloan's apartment security."

"Yes, I did," answered Ray quietly, ignoring Sloan's, and Ed's shocked faces. "Some expert tampered with her apartment locks." Stopping in front of Sloan and kneeling, he held her gaze steadily. "Your intruders were so good, I almost missed the evidence. Judging from the condition of the locks, I suspect your captors were Homo dominants." Standing, he informed Walter, "My guess is Lewis had his hand in Sloan's disappearance. This just reeks of his involvement."

Sighing, Walter pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes, you're probably right," he murmured. "Have you improved security for everyone?"

"Yes," answered Ray. "I've installed new security for all living arrangements and everyone has already been assigned a constant guard at work and home." Switching his gaze to Sloan and Ed, he said shaking his index finger at them to stress his point, "And I want no arguments from the two of you! You make sure your personal guard is with you at all times. No ducking out for a few seconds without him!"

Ed and Sloan grinned guiltily and agreed.

Ray smiled and thought, 'It's good to see them smile again.' Ray leaned against a lab table and settled himself on top. Looking at Walter he said, "There's another problem. During my investigation of Sloan's disappearance, I noticed I'm being tailed." Sighing he elaborated, "It's my old partner, Martin. So far I've let him continue his surveillance, but sooner or later, I'm going to have to confront him."

Deep in thought, Walter said, "I agree. Any idea why he's tailing you?"

"Well," hesitated Ray, "I think it could have something to do with my ex-commander's erratic behavior. During my investigation of Ann's murder, Lt. Quinn always hovered around my desk area during Sloan's visits. He seemed too interested in the outcome of this murder and the time I had spent with her." Ray looked down to the floor and muttered, "I'm beginning to wonder how many chameleons had infiltrated the police department."

"Any number of them could be Homo dominants." Meeting Ray's shocked eyes, Walter asked, "When do you plan on confronting your old partner? Do you think you could recruit him to observe the activities of his commander?"

"I'm not sure, on both counts. Let me think on some strategies and I'll get back to you."

"OK," agreed Walter. "Anything else, people?" Seeing Ed's hand raise, he asked, "What is it, Ed?"

"There's something none of you know yet. I had a visitor the night Sloan disappeared," explained Ed, noticing Sloan's eyes fasten on his own. "She's a member of the peaceful faction."

"What!" interrupted Walter, slightly angry, "Why didn't you inform me sooner?"

"I wanted to," responded Ed, "but Travis had kidnapped the two of us and we were a bit pre-occupied." Staring hard at Walter, Ed explained, "You probably don't remember, but she was there to meet with you. You forgot, so I handled it." After a few seconds he added sarcastically, "Naturally, her request was pushed to the back of my mind after our abduction."

Remembering the pain of Travis' torture and his subsequent nightmares, Ed's face clouded over. After a few seconds, he mastered his emotions and started over again apologetically. "Mariana requested to see you, Walter, but you weren't here. So I volunteered my services." Ed saw Sloan's eyes narrow speculatively. "Apparently Mark suffered serious wounds from that night of the ambush and informed no one until it was too late. Infection set in and he almost died from brain fever."

Standing up and walking to the window, Ed clarified, "He may still die. Only time will tell." Touching his hand to his black eye, he smiled ruefully and explained, "That's how I got this shiner. Mark punched me in his delirium."

"Are you still in contact with this Mariana?" asked Ray.

Ed turned his head slightly to Ray and responded, "Yes, I have to check on Mark's condition occasionally."

"Good," responded Ray. "From this day on, you're not to visit them alone. Is that understood?"

"Of course," agreed Ed absently. Turning back to the window, he continued his report. "While examining Mark, I found a tattoo on Mark's back. It's similar but not quite the same as Tom's tattoo. It's shape and patterns are different."

"Did Mariana explain the meaning of the tattoos?" asked Sloan.

Shaking his head, Ed replied, "No. I pretended I didn't notice it. I thought it's best under the circumstances."

"Good idea," interjected Walter. "We want to cultivate our association with the peaceful faction, not alienate them. When the time is right, we'll ask about the tattoo's purpose." Walter turned to Sloan and observed her puzzled face. "What is it, Sloan?"

"In all the recent excitement, I forgot." Biting her lip, trying to remember the exact date, "Isn't the arrival of Kewleys Comet imminent?"

Ed whirled and agreed, "Yes, October 18, 1999. How could we forget?"

Walter paced the room, deep in thought. "We have to find out what the coming of that comet meant to the Homo Dominant race. It may be vital to our survival. Wait here a second." Running into his office, Walter searched his desk for a sheet of paper. Finding it, he ran to the other room and handed it to Sloan. "There's an astrophysics conference at the university next week. I've seen the list of panels. Dr. Steven Hill is one of the guest speakers and he's studying the mysterious variations in Kewleys Comet." Pausing to catch his breath, Walter ordered, "Sloan, Ed. Both of you must attend that conference and speak with Dr. Hill. Enlist his aid if we need it. It's imperative we discover the importance of Kewleys Comet."

Sloan smirked as she struggled to pull her suit jacket on. "I'm coming, I'm coming." Grabbing the briefcase from her desk, she teased, "Who ever thought you would be such a worrywart." Exiting the room, she grabbed Ed's arm and rushed him out of Whitney Laboratory.

In the hallway, Ed glanced at her and smiled. It's good to see some color back in her face. He was worried about her. Pulling his arm free from Sloan, he placed it around her shoulders and hugged her close. "Yeah, well, you've given me a lot to worry about lately."

"I know Ed, I know." Opening the door, Sloan walked out of the building and held the door for him to follow. Tilting her head slightly, Sloan whispered, "Thank you."

Grinning lopsidedly, Ed pulled Sloan close to his side and ran with her to the building housing the conference. Entering, they ran to the auditorium. Seeing security check passes at the door, Ed asked, "Do you have them?"

"Of course," she teased. Stopping next to the security guard, she rummaged through her briefcase and pulled out two badges on a string. Handing one to Ed, Sloan pulled hers over her head.

Smiling to the guard, they entered the packed auditorium and searched for empty seats. Ed spotted two at the bottom of the stairs, in front of the podium and motioned Sloan ahead, pointing out their location. As they sat, the officiator gestured to the man standing on the side of the stage and announced the next speaker. "Dr. Steven Hill, from the University of Toronto Astrophysics department. He's here to speak about the imminent arrival of Kewleys Comet and it mysteries."

The auditorium sounded with clapping hands while Dr. Hill walked to the podium. "Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. Last January 18, 1998, I discovered what first appeared to be a new star gone nova. The phenomena appeared suddenly in an area of the night sky where no star exhibiting that brightness exists. In fact, that area of the celestial hemisphere is unusually dark. After 4 days, the star greatly decreased magnitude and location. Upon searching my celestial database, I concluded the star was in fact Kewleys Comet, identified P50/Kewleys."

Looking around the room, Dr. Hill's eyes fastened on Sloan' for a few seconds and slid on to the others in the room. "Classified as a short period comet, it passes the Earth every 50 years. This is pretty normal, but upon further investigation, I discovered other characteristics which were unusual."

"Slating some nighttime viewing of the comet's approach for the next few months, my team and I documented several inexplicable brightness variations lasting 3 or 4 days. The pattern of variations from dim to bright repeated continuously. Of course, I was intrigued. What's causing the phenomena? Why did it never occur before? All historical documentation of this object recorded Kewleys Comet as a dim object in the night sky. What changed this factor?"

Taking a deep breath, Dr. Hill imparted, "For the next three years, Kewleys Comet will be visible from the Earth with the aided eye. My team of specialists is excited about this event, because astronomers have never been able to study variable brightness at such an early stage. As many of you remember, two years ago, we studied the variable brightness comet 20P/Schwassmann-Wachmann1 and found drastic flaring. But we were to late in its cycle, so cause is still unknown."

"With Kewleys Comet, my team's been able to chart and project brightness variations very early in its period. Amazingly, we discovered this dim 15-magnitude brightness comet will flare to a very bright magnitude-7 and this event will coincide with the time Kewleys Comet becomes visible to the naked eye, October 18, 1999. Since Kewleys Comet is 30-40 km wide, the brightness will vastly outshine the full moon and the morning star, Venus. The flare will last from Oct 18 to Oct 21, 1999 and it'll be visible during the day and night."

The crowd applauded this unique opportunity.

Shaking his head, Steve continued, "Ladies and gentlemen, that's the good news." Scanning his audience, Dr. Steve Hill decided his fellow colleagues deserved to hear the rest of his discovery. 'To hell with governments and their secrets' he thought.

"As everyone knows, comets are either the creators of life or the destroyer of life. In fact, many species on Earth owe their extinction to a comet impacting with the Earth. Firm scientific proof exists supporting various extinction events caused by comets."

"Last week, I projected Kewleys Comet's orbital pass of the Earth and the sun, and discovered we're in great peril. Kewleys is a Near Earth Object (NEO) and its classified as an orange event on the Torino Scale Factor 5. This new classification defines our impact factor's probability and the scale of damage. The threat is very real and at Torino 5, Kewleys poses a significant threat of a collision capable of causing regional devastation."

The audience broke out in pandemonium. Many spoke out and asked questions, but Dr. Hill interrupted, holding up both hands in peace, "Please! Everyone! Quiet down! I will answer questions at the end of this session."

Breathing hard, he placed both hands on the podium and continued. "I understand there's a few, who would say, 'it would never happen here. It's never happened anywhere on Earth or we would see proof of these impacts.'"

"But, there is proof! However, we don't always know we're looking at it. There's massive evidence this has happened throughout the Earth's history, recording local to regional and near global devastation. In fact, my team investigated a possible impact crater newly discovered last year by Geoscientists associated with my University."

"Increasing evidence supports a large comet impacted the Earth and caused the last great Cretaceous extinction of the dinosaurs, 65 million years ago. Devastation of this scale required a comet up to 1km in diameter. This comet was classified as a 10 on the Torino scale - a collision capable of causing a global climatic catastrophe. Such events occur once per 100,000 years, or less."

"In Tunguska, Russia, a small comet was responsible for a 1-km wide impact crater. It was classified an 8 on the Torino Scale --a collision capable of causing localized destruction; such events occur somewhere on Earth between once per 50 years and once per 1000 years. Proof you ask? Many residents who thought the Russian army was testing bombs in the area had heard a large explosion. Scientists determined a 100m wide comet had impacted with the Earth."

"By counting the amount of impact craters on the moon and the amount of comets, we see today, scientists have hypothesized that an extinction level event could occur every 100 million years. In other words, a large enough comet will impact with the Earth and kill every living being on this planet."

"Moreover, we can thank the comets for the water we have on this planet. Comet impacts on Earth brought water and made our oceans. Remember water is the basis for life. Those factors plus our orbit of the sun allowed life to form on Earth. Without the comets, Earth would be a dead and barren planet and Man wouldn't have evolved."

The astrophysicist nodded and said, "I'd heard about that, but didn't place much faith in its truth."

From the corner of her eyes, Sloan gazed at Ed and said, "Yes, we get that reaction a lot. Dr. Hill..."

"Please call me Steve," he interrupted.

Sloan smiled and allowed the feelings to reach her eyes. "OK. Call me Sloan, and this is Ed."

Smiling his agreement, Steve nodded and asked, "How can I help you? When Dr. Attwood phoned to request a meeting, I must admit, the situation stymied me. Your boss was pretty vague about the reasons for our meeting, but he said, I'll understand." Looking questioningly at his guests, Steve waited for either one to start and relieve his curiosity.

Taking a deep breath, Ed asked, "Were you serious about the comet, its trajectory and mysterious variations?"

Laughing out loud, Steve inquired, "Is this what this is all about? The comet?"

"Yes," said Ed, ruefully. "We've information that a major event will happen on October 18, 1999 and it'll revolve around the Homo dominants and the arrival of Kewleys Comet."

Grimacing, Steve lowered his head onto his hands propped on the table. "Oh, God," he moaned. "It's out to get me." Laughing self-deprecatingly under his breath, he looked up and explained, "Mysteries! I'm beginning to hate them. Ever since I discovered this comet, I saw how unusual it appeared to be. Solving one mystery uncovered one more and then another one and another one."

Steve leaned back in his chair and balanced on the back two legs. Sighing deeply, he locked eyes with Ed and asked, "Do you know what the chances are for any astronomer to be looking in the right direction at the right time to see a new phenomena appear in our night sky?"

Ed shook his head.

Steve turned to Sloan and asked, "Do you?"

"No, but I would imagine it to be a very large number."

"Yes. It's somewhere around a million to one. And Fate decided I was the one who should have the headache."

"Uh, want to explain that one?" asked Ed very perplexed.

"Fate picked me to be her representative regarding Kewleys and she's laughing at me." Steve stood up and walked around the table, agitated, letting his frustration cool a bit. "In the beginning, after a few discreet inquiries, I discovered no one else had observed what I first classified as a new nova event in this galaxy. Scientists from other parts of the world were concentrating on different segments of the night sky. And once I discovered its existence, no one else was too interested in pursuing the new star, which we now know to be a short period comet. Consequently, only the North American continent is aware that Kewleys Comet may be an NEO. We have the only available data to project its trajectory."

Steve resumed his seat and massaged his temples, trying to force his headache away. "Of course I informed the Canadian Government. But a few seconds into that meeting, it was evident; they didn't fully understand the concept of a NEO and our danger. They couldn't believe that a comet would hit the Earth. The chances of that happening were astronomical they said."

"Well, I understand intellectually what you spoke about in your talk," said Sloan, "but I can't visualize that kind of mass destruction. It's too vast."

Looking up, Steve said, "Yeah, it's a lot to take in. Imagine trying to explain the destructive force of an impacting comet to government bureaucrats who persist in being dense." Seeing their aggrieved faces, Steve chuckled and said, "Ah, I see you have." Pausing for breath, he considered his two associates and thought they understood the consequences of this event. "Have either of you ever heard of the Haughton Crater?"

Ed turned puzzled eyes to Sloan. She thought a few seconds, trying to identify why she knew that name. Tapping her finger on the table, she finally said, "Yes! I recall that one now." Turning to Ed she asked, "Remember that crater our geology department wanted to explore two years ago?"

"Uhhmm," said Ed clearly thinking back, scratching his chin. "I vaguely remember that, but didn't the government postpone their expedition for monetary reasons? For some odd reason, the department never asked for funding in that area again."

"Uh huh, they didn't, did they?" said Sloan. "And I've always wondered why."

Chuckling, Steve continued, "My team and I investigated that crater a number of years ago. The results impressed all my seasoned scientists on the team. Imagine 23 million years ago, a comet impacted the Earth with such force that the soil, sediment, and bedrock from as deep as 835 m (1/2 mile) into the Earth's crust exploded from the ground. Can you conceive of the force required to move and to pulverize all that material? The resulting shock wave induced an extreme heat wave, which traveled out from the point of impact and destroyed everything in its path. The impact crater measured 25.1 km (15mi) wide. Gradually, groundwater filled the site to form what we see today, a roughly circular lake."

Ed whistled in awe. "Wow," he stated. "Somehow, I don't think this is what the Homo dominants had in mind with Kewleys Comet," muttered Ed.

"Ed," admonished Sloan. "This is exactly the scenario they planned. Approximately 40 years ago, the Homo dominants must have discovered Kewleys Comet would impact with the Earth. They knew a large area of North America would be destroyed by this impact. So they had to devise a plan to escape this destruction in order to ensure their survival in the aftermath." Carefully placing her hands on the table, Sloan continued horrified, "they could plan for their species' survival while our species will be eradicated. And because Kewleys Comet is first visible on Earth with the naked eye on October 18, 1999, they used this date to initiate it."

"Oh my God!" whispered Steve, horrified.

"We're in trouble," stated Ed as the other two men jumped in surprise. "Sloan and I met Steve and he told us some chilling facts about Kewleys Comet. Sometime in the very near future, Kewleys Comet will collide with our Earth. And as per usual, the Canadian and the US governments remained silent on this threat while they created committees to study the problem. They'll beat it to death until it's too late to do anything about it and we'll all be dead."

"If it wasn't for Steve's willingness to reveal the truth," expanded Sloan, "then no one outside of his superiors would know of the comet's danger to us and our existence."

"And no other world government would've been warned either," warned Ed.

Ray sighed and shook his head. "Did Steve predict that Kewleys Comet is going to hit North America?"

"Yes," admitted Sloan.

"What are we going to do?" asked Ed. "Sloan believes this event is the reason October 18, 1999 is so important to the Homo dominants. That's when Kewleys Comet will be visible to the naked eye for the first time and all the dominants will probably finalize their survival plans as they wait for the comet to devastates North America in the coming year. Hell, they'll probably celebrate their victory at the end of that night."

"Great," said Walter, disgust coating his voice. "Well, I guess we'll have to implement our own survival plans as well." Picking up the phone and dialing, he waited for someone to answer on the other end of the line. "John? Walter here. We need to implement Project Extinction." Listening for a second, he stated, "Yes. This has to do with Kewleys Comet... Yes, it's what we feared... OK, I'll keep on top of it."

Hanging up the phone, Walter stared at all the shocked faces around him. "What?" he asked. "Why all the shocked faces? You don't think that we wouldn't have a plan in effect for this possibility?" Laughing mirthlessly, he expanded, "Well, we do. So in addition to your current projects, you're to work with Steve while Ray and I shift through a database to chose who'll survive the catastrophe."

Dave turned his head and addressed his long-time working partner. "Daniels' strength and stamina are extraordinary now that all the geno-genesis drugs have worked through his system. Just look at these CT Scans of his brain! There's so much information here. We'll be interpreting all this data for years to come," claimed the excited man.

"So why not call a halt to all these tests and let him heal?" asked Bob.

"What!" exclaimed Charles angrily. "Why would we do something stupid like that? Yes, our tests this past month have taken their toll on him, but we've gained valuable information from Daniels. We've just started delving into the new species. It's not time to stop testing, it's time to increase it."

"But we're killing him!" protested Jonathan.

"So?" questioned Dave icily. "If we lose Daniels, we'll capture another Homo dominant and continue these tests. It's the only way our species will survive, we need information." Turning back to the screen, he scrolled through to the next set of results, contemptuously ignoring the two men's shocked faces.

Charles took the situation in hand, grabbed each man's arm and marched them to the door. "We need to intensify our tests on Daniels," stated Charles coldly. "He's only a lab specimen, not human. See to it that he is prepared for his next tests." Seeing their looks of protest, he pushed them out the door and ordered, "Now!"

Bob and Jonathan locked gazes outside the door. "We need to do something...." started Bob loudly.

"Shhh," interrupted Jonathan, gesturing slightly with his head, pointing to the two Special Ops Forces officers a few feet away, clearly eavesdropping. "Let's go and prepare Daniels." Seeing his friend open his mouth to protest, Jonathan allowed his appeal to color his eyes.

"Um, OK," agreed Bob, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at the two men as they walked by.

"Not necessarily," contradicted Andy. "That conversation we overheard in Dave's office may be some rivalry between diametrically opposed personalities. They're scientists in pursuit of the truth, but they're not always practical. Their heads are always in the clouds, calculating some obscure data." Sighing, the SOF officer revealed his disappointment and ordered, "Let's increase our surveillance around those two and bide our time."

While Andy waited for Joe's acknowledgement, he wondered why these two scientists were such fools? Why so openly express their discontent for the world to hear? Didn't they know the danger of that? Alexandra's on the warpath and if they didn't take more caution, he would have orders to terminate them. And he'd hate to lose either one of them. He liked these two scientists and their morals. Shaking his head slightly, Andy glanced at Joe.

"OK," agreed Joe, "but remember, Alexandra won't wait forever for our report regarding the traitor's identity."

"True," responded Andy, "but sooner or later, the traitor will reveal his hand completely. Let's just wait and see."

Grabbing the cage bars, Bob closed his eyes. Slowly one tear escaped from his eye. 'What am I doing here?' he thought. Tightening his hands painfully around the bars, he agonized, 'I've become a torturer. If I don't help you, you'll die. If I do help, my species will die.' Wrestling with his conscience, he didn't notice Tom's eyes open and stare at him intensely.

"Why do you care what happens to me?" rasped Tom.

Jumping back in surprise, Bob's hand leapt to his throat while he wheezed loudly, trying to draw air into his fear-constricted throat and lungs. Waiting for his heartbeat to slow, he gazed deep into Tom's pain-filled eyes. Fanning his face with his free hand, he said, "I'm no torturer. And what they're doing to you, comes perilously close to that definition."

"So what?" stated Tom contemptuously. "It's war and only the fittest will survive. Your own Darwin understood that concept."

"Yes, I know," agreed Bob. "But I also know you defected to our side. So Alexandra's orders are immoral. You're one of us." Seeing the protest about to be voiced, he gestured for Tom to wait. "Oh, you're not one of our species, but you're one of a small group who believe we can co-exist. There are a few humans who believe that as well."

Surprise lit Tom's eyes. Clearly, the chameleon never thought there would be others out there like him. "Can you help me?" whispered Tom.

Bob looked away from those intense blue eyes and jumped from his seat stalling. Pacing around the cage, he battled with his conscience.

Tom wisely remained silent as he pushed his pain-racked body up from the floor and leaned against the cage bars. Tom sighed in relief while he concentrated on the man's movement and waited for him to make a decision.

After a few minutes of furious pacing, Bob turned and stated, "I'll do what I can. I'm not sure when or how, but I will help you." Turning sharply, he exited the room.

"Good morning. White House," said the quiet, soft voice on the line. "How may I direct your call?"

"John Maxwell, please."

"May I ask who's calling?"

"No," he denied. "It's safer if I don't identify myself. This is an unsecured line."

"Wait just a moment please."

After a few seconds, a man answered the phone. "John Maxwell."

"You don't know me, but I know you," Bob stated quietly. "Are you interested in recovering Tom Daniels and apprehending Alexandra?"

"Yes," responded John surprised. "Who are you? Where is he?" he asked, trying to draw out the conversation for his associates to trace the call.

"My name is..." Turning around, Bob caught a glimpse of a vaguely familiar face ducking into a nearby store. Terrified, he said, "I'll be in touch," and hung up the phone.

Whirling around from his computer, Jonathan asked, "Know what? And who?"

Trying to catch his breath, he brokenly informed Jonathan of his suspicions. "I did... what we... agreed upon. I phoned Maxwell... and started to discuss his interest in rescuing Tom. Before I could progress too far, I spotted someone who looked vaguely familiar. "I told Maxwell, I'd be in touch and hung up."

"Does he know your identity?" asked Jonathan.

"No, I didn't get a chance to introduce myself." His eyes wide with fear, he asked, "What are we going to do? I know I lost my tail, but it's only time before they collect me and terminate me. Alexandra's 'goons' will ensure there'll be no trace of my body after they've finished with my interrogation."

Getting up from his desk terminal, Jonathan crossed the office and sat in the other vacant visitor's chair. Reaching over, he clasped his friend's arms and shook him. "Calm down! It'll be all right." Seeing he had reached through the fear, Jonathan leaned back and suggested, "Wait a short time and try again. After your call, disappear to the Whitney Laboratories or Maxwell's offices. I'll stay here and be your undercover-mole. Tell Maxwell of our plan and I'll see you at our pre-arranged meeting place." Pausing he waited for Bob to calm down. "Agreed?" he asked.

"Agreed."

Glancing at his watch, Steve calculated it would be late afternoon in Pasadena. Personnel at the labs would be leaving for the day. Perfect time to get a hold of them he thought. Picking up the phone, he dialed their number.

"Whitney University Labs. Dr. Parker here."

"Hey Sloan," said Steve into the phone with false cheer. "How's the fight going?"

"Slow," she responded "and very frustrating. You?"

"The same," he chuckled. "You know, I don't know what's worse, being here or being there."

Sloan laughed sadly.

Hesitatingly, Steve asked, "Has Tom been rescued yet?"

"No!" responded Sloan tired beyond belief. She wanted her Tom back, in her arms, in her life, where he would be safe from the outside world.

"Oh, Sloan, I'm so sorry. But don't worry. He'll be found. Just keep the faith."

"Yeah, I have to remember that, but it's hard sometimes. Especially going home to my empty apartment and seeing that empty chair where Tom used to sleep."

"Chair?" asked Steve incredulously.

"It's a long story," explained Sloan tiredly.

"One day, you'll have to tell me that one," responded Steve, curiously.

"Yeah, sure," sighed Sloan.

Hesitating a bit, Steve brought the conversation around to his reason for phoning. "I've found news that is a bit disturbing regarding the comets' trajectory."

Laughing, Sloan recovered and countered, "How can anything be more disturbing than the Earth's destruction by Kewleys Comet?"

"You'd be surprised," muttered Steve. "After our last conversation, I collected as much data as possible to determine the exact location the comet will hit."

"And?" interrupted Sloan.

"Well," he muttered, drawing out the word, "It will be a close call in astronomical numbers. But, Kewleys Comet will miss the Earth on this pass."

Sloan latched onto two words, "This pass?"

"Um, yeah," said Steve cursing under his breath regarding her quick intelligence. "This pass. The comet will swing around the sun again and pass by the Earth on its way out of our solar system and back towards the Oort cloud. Barring any unforeseen occurrences, Kewleys may or may not miss the Earth. It's too early to determine this factor."

Sloan exhaled slowly. "Damn!" she exploded. "Why is it too early?"

"Small errors can cause large distance discrepancies. You should know that," he admonished. Guessing her next question, he said, "I need to collect more data to determine Kewleys' return path and the Earth's position when it passes by. When I know for sure, I'll let you know."

"OK, I'll inform the Walter and the rest of the crew," she said. "Just keep us appraised and pray that it will miss us again."

"Will do," responded Steve. Hanging the phone back into its cradle, Steve walked over to the open observatory doors and gazed up into the night sky, in the direction of Kewleys Comet.