Hostage - Part 2

Post to archives in encouraged as long as my name and title stay with the story.

Author's Note: Beware of spoilers. This story is set someplace between the episodes "Live Free or Die" and "Infection." You should read my story "Hostage - Part 1" before reading Part 2 of "Hostage."

Please feel free to use any of my characters for your own fanfictions, but keep their name and status quo as is in the "Hostage" series. For the purposes of this story, the character of Tu'um will be referred to as "she."
Summary: The search for Da'an begins. Tu'um and Lili encounter some unexpected trouble, while the Synod discusses a possible rescue mission to retrieve Da'an.

All of my stories take place in an EFC universe that is similar to that of the actual series, but with a lot of my own characters and ideas blended into it. For this reason, please remember that my story arcs and plots will not always be completely accurate with those of the other fanfiction authors whose characters I sometimes use in my own fanfiction, or of the actual series.
 
 

    * * *

     Da'an stood dormant in uncertainty. The Taelon peered cautiously at his rival. Jonathan Doors had a face of solid stone, a ferocious frown carved into his facade. His serious eyes were glued to Da'an's as the alien returned a timid gaze. Neither of them appeared particularly willing to make the first move.
    Suddenly - - SMACK!! Doors hastily gave Da'an a painful slap, forcefully knocking the alien to the ground. Da'an fell to the floor helplessly, taken aback by the Liberation leader's ill-considered scare tactics.
    "Freak!" Doors grumbled through gritted teeth. "I can't believe I actually touched you!"
    Da'an attempted to reason with his nemesis. "Mr. Doors..." he began.
    "Did I give you permission to talk, Freak??!!" boomed Jonathan Doors.
    His captive became submissively silent.
    Without thinking, Doors grabbed a pistol from his side pocket and pointed it at Da'an.
    "Say your prayers, E.T.," Doors calmly commanded - - a little too calmly.
    "Not a good idea, Mr. Doors!" one of his henchmen tried to warn him. "Those Taelons are really tight."
    Too late. Doors had already pulled the trigger. The bullet shot from the gun like a torpedo, speeding into one side of Da'an's head - - and out the other. There was no solid matter within the Companion's anterior to be punctured by a bullet wound. Da'an remained unharmed.
    Doors appeared to be in a state of shock. He was trembling, sweat trickling from his skin. The gun was shaking uneasily in his tentative grasp.
    "Noooo!!" Doors cried out in agony. "Nooo!! Die, Taelons, DIE!!"
    The pistol dropped from Doors's hand onto the hard, cold floor. Jonathan had his hands clutched over his chest. He was panting with all his might, using every bit of strength to inhale and exhale. Then Doors collapsed to the floor in one big heap. One of Da'an's abductors crouched down next to Doors, and quickly took his pulse.
    "He's having a heart attack!" the gunman informed the rest of them, though it was obvious. He began doing chest compressions on Jonathan, but Da'an moved forward and kneeled down next to Doors.
    "Allow me," Da'an requested, politely brushing the abductor's hands aside. Da'an then placed his hands on the abdomen of Jonathan Doors.
    "S-s-stay away," Doors whispered weakly.
    But Da'an kept his hands positioned atop the Resistance leader, as warm light magnified its way into Doors's body. Immediately, Doors regained stable breathing.
    "Take him away!" ordered Doors. The henchman did as they were told, escorting Da'an to an isolated prison cell. There, they motioned for him to enter the cell and sit on a bench. One of the abductors slammed the prison door shut and firmly locked it.
    "Once Mr. Doors recovers from his...incident, he will decide what to do with you," he told Da'an. "Until then, you will remain here."
    One of them stayed behind standing guard by Da'an's cell. The others exited the chamber. All the while, Da'an closed his eyes and meditated, becoming one with the Commonality.
    After about an hour, one of the henchmen returned, carrying a plate of bread slices and a glass of water. He slid open the cell door and pushed the consumables across the floor into Da'an's enclosure.
    "Eat. Drink," instructed the guard, as though Da'an was an infant.
    The Companion looked at the food and beverage. "No thank you," he replied.
    "Fine. Have it your way. Starve to death," responded the guard. "But it may be your last meal."
    "Why do you choose this path misguided?" Da'an questioned.
    "I have no idea what the hell you're talking about," the guard blurted out gruffly. "And I really don't care. My job is to make sure you don't get away, not chit-chat like some chirpy brood."
    Da'an bowed his head in solitude. Yet, he was not alone.
    * * *

     Lili steered the shuttle through inter-dimensional. Her hand swiftly swept across the shuttle window as she guided the vehicle toward its destination. Seated behind Lili were Boone, Sandoval, and Zo'or. Agent Sandoval was hanging on to Zo'or's every word like a robot.
    "We shall see precisely what this 'meeting' of Tu'um's has to offer," Zo'or muttered skeptically.
    "I am certain it will be highly significant, Zo'or," Sandoval commented optimistically. "After all, the Synod initiated it to make the immediate return of Da'an a reality."
    "The Synod sometimes uses bad judgement," contradicted Zo'or. "We are heading directly into a complex trap set by the Liberation."
    "Why don't you quit questioning the ruling of the Synod," Boone told Zo'or bitterly, "and focus on carrying out its orders."
    Sandoval gave Boone a grateful look. Anything to save his Companion, Da'an! Sandoval seemed somewhat mystified as to why Zo'or was displaying such a negative attitude.
    Zo'or looked taken aback that Boone had the audacity to tell him off. The Companion crossed his eyes at the commander. "Be silent, implant!" Zo'or bellowed at him.
    "Oh give it a rest, Zo'or!" Lili grumbled over her shoulder, still in the driver's seat.
    "Captain Marquette...!" reprimanded Zo'or in an authoritative voice.
    "Destination reached!" declared Lili, cutting off the evil alien's speech.
    The cockroach-shaped shuttle had landed in front of Tu'um's office in Bombay. Although Bombay is not the capital of India, Tu'um centered her headquarters there to be near as many Indian citizens as possible. For that reason, she also had offices located in New Delhi, Akra, and Columbo. The quartet walked into the office and were greeted personally by Tu'um who was standing at the entrance, rather than sitting in her chair.
    They gazed at the spacious office. It looked very much like the one back in Washington D.C., except it was adorned in happy shades of pink and red. Hindu statues and pillars were scattered about the room. This office gave both Boone and Lili positive sensations of wellness and hope.
    Tu'um adjusted her sari on her shoulders. "Please be seated," she offered to them pleasantly. Her delicate hand gestured to some silky, exotically-patterned cushions which were positioned in a semi--circle. Boone and Lili graciously sat down, but Zo'or made Sandoval remain standing.
    "We prefer to be as is," Zo'or insisted stubbornly.
    "Very well, Zo'or. But I believe Agent Sandoval would like a chance to sit," Tu'um replied sweetly.
    Sandoval sat, Zo'or fumed.
    "Would you care for any beverages?" inquired Tu'um.
    At that moment, Tu'um's attache, Agent Haji Jagdamba, appeared holding a tray that contained miniature ceramic glasses of herbal tea. He was a short, lanky man with jet black facial hair and a heavy accent.
    "Anyone up for tea?" Agent Jagdamba asked.
    Lili and Boone each accepted a cup of tea, but Sandoval and Zo'or declined.
    "May we get this over with?" Zo'or impatiently requested.
    "We must wait for the others to arrive," Tu'um told him gently.
    "Tea?" Jagdamba held out a cup to Zo'or.
    "No!" snapped Zo'or. His face was uncontrollably changing to a frustrated shade of transparent blue.
    All of a sudden, a data stream of three additional Taelon figures was zapped into the room. They fleshed themselves out revealing their respective identities. Quo'on was present, as were Fu'sha, the Brazilian Companion, and Co'al,the Companion to Venezuela. Co'al looked very much like Da'an with round, friendly features, whereas Fu'sha had more of an oval-shaped face similar to Zo'or's.
    "Welcome, friends," Tu'um exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "Let us commence."
    "The floor belongs to you," Quo'on informed Tu'um. "You are the leader of this counsel. I am simply here representing the Synod."
    "Thank you, Quo'on," she answered. Tu'um turned to address everyone who was in her office. "We have an urgent dilemma. As all of you are aware, Da'an, our American Companion, has most unfortunately been abducted. We must find him. Does anyone have any ideas as to how we as a unified body might go about undertaking this endeavor?"
    "Why do we not commune to Da'an, to solicit his location?" suggested Co'al. "After which we may depart to retrieve him."
    "The Synod has communed with Da'an," Quo'on explained. "Sadly, Da'an knows not of his locale. He sees only gray walls of a chamber and bars of a prison cell."
    Slowly, Tu'um sat down in her throne-like office chair. It looked almost identical to Da'an's except it was lined with crystals, rubies, and Indian beadwork. Agent Jagdamba, trained to serve his Companion, was immediately at her side.
    "Do not hesitate to contribute any ideas you may have," she persuaded. "Implants included."
    "Is there any way that Da'an can lead you to him?" Boone spoke up. "Like through signals or radar or something like that?"
    "The Companions are not radio towers or soundwaves, Boone," lectured Sandoval. "You can't expect them to do the impossible."
    Fu'sha jumped into the conversation. "Perhaps we might use one of the probes to scan Da'an's energy flow? They would navigate us to his approximate vicinity."
    "The probes are only used for emergencies, Fu'sha," stated Zo'or, emphasizing the word "emergencies."
    "But is this not an emergency?" Co'al inquired. "The life of our fellow Companion is at stake, and not by his own choice. We cannot stand idly by and do nothing. This is of extreme significance."
    "It is not," Zo'or argued.
    "But it is," Tu'um replied.
    Zo'or began changing into a bluish hologram.
    "Control your temper, Zo'or," Tu'um giggled.
    Lili stifled a laugh and Boone nudged her. They had never heard a Taelon actually giggle up until then.
    "Well, let us examine the evidence," suggested Fu'sha. "Da'an was abducted in Washington D.C. by supposed terrorists. Due to time restraints, I certainly doubt they have strayed very far from that area."
    "So they're still someplace in D.C.?" Boone reasoned.
    "Quite possibly," was Fu'sha's response.
    "Counsel, I believe we should consider utilization of our probes for our present purpose," declared Tu'um.
    Lili tapped Boone's shoulder. "What are these 'probes' they keep talking about?" she whispered.
    "All I know is that they're some type of Taelon tracking device," Boone said.
    "So may I assume we are all in consent concerning the probes?" Quo'on inferred.
    "This is a waste of time!" complained Zo'or. "We must not use the probes for such flippant objectives!"
    "Flippant?!" Fu'sha spat out the words at Zo'or.
    "That is what I said," stated Zo'or.
    "Da'an is our friend," Co'al reiterated. "To allow his demise would be a tragic mistake."
    Sandoval looked grim. "To see Da'an killed would indeed be a great loss," the agent agreed.
    "Silence, implant!" scolded Zo'or at the attache. Sandoval clammed up.
    "Zo'or, you are out of order!" barked Quo'on.
    "Now, now," Tu'um spoke soothingly. "There is no need to quarrel." She addressed her attache. "Agent Jagdamba, why don't you fetch some soft, plush pillows for Zo'or to lie down and relax on?"
    "That won't be necessary," grumbled Zo'or. With that, he briskly marched out of the office in fury, not looking back.
    "Do you still desire those pillows, Tu'um?" Jagdamba asked his Companion.
    "No thank you," smiled Tu'um. She rotated her head toward the remaining Taelons. "I see we are in agreement?"
    They all telepathically confirmed it. Then Quo'on relayed the decision back to the Synod for final approval. The Synod sent back their reaction.  This took but a few seconds.
    "Then it is decided," said Tu'um. "Agent Jagdamba, I wish you to activate the scanning devices on the probes. They will be sent into the greater Washington D.C. vicinity. You may need some intelligent assistance." She looked at Boone and Sandoval. "Any volunteers?"
    What could they say? They had to do it...for Da'an.
    * * *

     Da'an sat peacefully in his desolate enclosure. He would accept whatever fate was in store for him. If he was meant to become a martyr, then so be it. The Taelon mentally refused to release himself thereby ending his existence, because he felt he had been put on this universe for a purpose. He had to do it...for Hi'eh, for Boone, for Ma'el, for his entire race, for humanity.
    The prison guard stared right through Da'an. He was simply a robot, a tool being used by Doors in an attempt to intimidate the Synod. Da'an felt sorry for Doors, sorry that the overbearing oaf was stubborn enough to use these methods to strive for an unrealistic goal.
    Soon Da'an fell into a deep, serene trance. His body was still on Earth, yet, his mind wandered elsewhere. The alien began to reminisce. He remembered times before his life on Earth. Da'an pictured himself, younger, one among many of his own kind, sent on missions of diplomacy, sent to the farthest reaches of the abstract Taelon empire. He thought of his closest kin, those who had raised him to be the being he had become.
    Further back, into the very roots of his youth Da'an traveled. His journey took him back to his earliest years, as a miniature version of his now-mature Taelon self. Receiving vast, invaluable education, refining his vocabulary, learning the infinite dialects from hundreds of planets including Earth. Using the teachings of Ma'el and other explorers from his species, applying that information to build on his understanding of other alien cultures.
    As a child on Planet Taelon, Da'an had always known of his destiny. He recalled the preachings of his eternal mentor, Ju'gan, who had guided Da'an throughout the sum of his youth. The wise old Taelon had always said, "Possessing universal acceptance and inquisitiveness is the key to unlocking the gates of mystery separating you from those foreign to you."
    Da'an sighed. He missed Ju'gan. "Live long in peace, Da'an," the patriarch used to frequently tell him. "Never oppress those who would not cause you harm. Stand strong and firm, even if you are placed in the minority. A majority consensus does not habitually result in virtue."
    Words of clarity. Again, Da'an sighed. Boone and Ju'gan would get along so well. Yet, they were worlds apart, so different but so alike.
    Then Da'an envisioned a familiar spectacle. An image of remembrance flashed into his psyche. Da'an visualized a time from his past, long before he could even talk. As a child in his earliest stages of development, he saw himself savoring leisurely moments with the nameless but so familiar playmates of his primitive youth. His comrades from those times past remained as mysterious figures etched in his memory. But somehow, beyond his understanding, he knew them, he could feel them there with him in that damp, dark, bleak little cell...
    "Hey you, weirdo!" the guard called out. "I'm not hanging around here for my health! At least you could try to look scared!"
    But Da'an made himself oblivious to the guard's gibberish. He was a hostage no more...
    * * *

     It was all set. Jagdamba would activate the Taelon probes, with the aid of Boone and Sandoval. The three implants, along with Co'al and Fu'sha, boarded Fu'sha's shuttle headed for South America. Fu'sha's shuttle pilot would take the group to Sao Paulo, the main base of the probes in the Western Hemisphere.
    Meanwhile, Quo'on had ordered Lili to drive Tu'um back to Da'an's office, where Tu'um would center her unofficial "counsel headquarters."
    "I am positive that Da'an will be recovered by our forces," remarked Tu'um. "It will be quite considerate for us to be waiting at Da'an's home base to welcome him back upon his return."
    Lili gave Tu'um an awkward smile. She sure hoped that Da'an would come back safely.
    Then Quo'on disappeared, and Tu'um and Lili got into Da'an's shuttle and Lili prepared for take-off. Tu'um sat back comfortably in one of the passenger seats.
    "My, you have skillfully mastered the ability to drive our shuttles," grinned Tu'um amiably. "My personal shuttle pilot needed to take a temporary leave of absence, but if she was unable to resume her duty then I would request you for my service in an instant."
    Beyond her explanation, Lili felt all warm and happy inside. There was just something about having Tu'um sitting next to her that restored the captain's faith in mankind - - and Taelonkind. Lili couldn't explain it, but there was something about being in the presence of Tu'um that made her feel...invincible.
    In another split second, that would all disappear.
    Before either of them knew what was happening, the cockroach shuttle began to shake violently, as if some gigantic monster was throttling it like a baby's rattle.
    Captain Marquette desperately maneuvered the controls, but it was no use. The shuttle seemed to be rotating in circles at the speed of light.
    "We're going down!" Lili shouted
    "I sense a malicious force at work here," quavered Tu'um.
    At that moment, the shuttle's side door was pried open with what appeared to be some type of high-tech blow-torch. A troop of uniformed humans stormed into the inside of the shuttle, as it still hovered in mid-dimension. They ambushed Lili and Tu'um, toting machine guns and foreign-looking weapons.
    "You two hags don't move!" one of them commanded. "We're taking over!"
    Another of the soldiers pushed Lili out of the driver's seat and grasped the controls.
    "Hands where I can see them, Marquette!" instructed the leader of the gang.
    Lili had no choice but to sprawl out on the shuttle floor with her hands above her head.
    "Gentlemen, what is the meaning of this?" insisted Tu'um.
    "Shut up!" One of them aimed his rifle at the Companion. Tu'um didn't seem afraid.
    "To hold a grudge against my entire species is one matter," Tu'um said. "But Captain Marquette has done you no harm. Why do you cause her to suffer?"
    Before any of them could answer, the shuttle, still in a mad inferno of turbulence, began to plummet downward. They all could feel it.
    "I'm losing control!" hollered the one in the driver's seat.
    "We're gonna die!!" screeched another of the hijackers.
    "We are not! Be a man!" their leader scolded.
    But even as he said that, Da'an's shuttle slammed against the earth with great impact.   
    CRASH!!!
    * * *

     Jonathan's head throbbed repeatedly. Thump! Thump! Thump! He reclined back in his office desk chair, making every effort to calm himself.
    Augur popped his head in. "You ok, Jonny?" he asked.
    "No!" growled Doors. "I've got that damn Taelon captive in the interrogation wing. He's almost like a stupid hologram!" With that, Doors banged his clenched fist against the desk. "Ow!" he shouted, bruising his fist as a result.
    "I'll get you some ice," Augur said hastily. He quickly backed out of the room and made a beeline for the interrogation chamber.
    The interrogation room was a section of the Resistance headquarters meant for Companion spies and potential prisoners to be put when captured by the Liberation. It was in this wing of the headquarters where subjects were meant to be restrained, subdued, and if necessary, eliminated.
    Augur cautiously peeked into the interrogation room. He scanned the barren gray walls for some sign of what he was looking for. Then...eureka! Trapped inside one of the holding cells was the Companion Da'an, being watched over by only a security guard. Augur knew what he had to do.
    There was no time to be wasted. Ever so inconspicuously, Augur sneaked into Belman's medical lab and "borrowed" a syringe filled with a specific fluid.
    "She'll never miss it," he mumbled.
    The technical genius tiptoed along the wall, as the guard's back was to him. The guard was too busy reading a pornographic magazine to feel the presence of a third party in the room. With one spontaneous motion, Augur jabbed the syringe into the guard's arm. As the guard toppled over in his chair, his keys gaily jingled, dangling from the buckle of his belt.
    "Sorry, boy," Augur needlessly apologized to the drugged guard, "but I'm doing this for the good of everyone." He peered through the bars at Da'an, and the Taelon incoherently stared back at Augur.
    "Who are you?" Da'an questioned the inventor, in wonder.
    "That's not important," Augur told him, as he hurriedly unlocked the prison cell. "What's important is that we get you out of here." He tossed Da'an a blindfold that had been laying around on the floor. "Put this on. I can't let you see where you're being freed from."
    Da'an examined the blindfold. "This has covered my eyes before," the alien realized, fingering the familiar fabric.
    "Yeah, yeah, yeah, groovy!" babbled a preoccupied Augur, rushing Da'an along.
    The Taelon had stepped out of the cage, the blindfold covering his eyes. Da'an reached out and touched Augur's face.
    "You are something of an enigma," Da'an steadily commented to him.
    "Man, do you want to get out of here or not?!" Augur could envision the sands of a figurative hourglass slipping away. It was only a matter of time before someone else from the Resistance would come in and catch Augur rescuing the extraterrestrial.
    Swiftly, Augur ushered Da'an through a few twists and turns beneath the planet's surface. These tunnels were a well-kept secret, special escape routes connecting the Liberation headquarters to the city above, known only to Doors, Augur, and Belman.
    Before long, they were above ground. The tunnel snaked upward, ending up at what appeared to everyone else as a sewer opening. Da'an and Augur were now standing in an alley. The computer-wiz's car was parked a few feet away.
    "Come on!" Augur yanked Da'an's arm in the direction of his car. "We have to get you out of here! They're eventually going to discover you're gone and come after us. Doors will make sure of it."
    Da'an was dumbfounded. Everything was happening so quickly. Now Augur had awkwardly shoved Da'an into the passenger seat of his ferrari.
    "Buckle up," instructed Augur, turning the key in the ignition.
    "Pardon?" Da'an was unsure of that terminology. He couldn't even see anything, due to his blindfold.
    "We don't want to get a ticket from the cops," he answered, fastening Da'an's seatbelt for him and clicking it into place.
    Zoom! The ferrari sped away, driving exactly at the speed limit. Within minutes, they were in front of the Taelon embassy.
    "Ah, home!" Da'an exclaimed. "I can feel it."
    "Yeah, home sweet home. Home is where the heart is. There's no place like home. Todo too," Augur rambled all in a rush. "Okay, end of the line, Da'an."
    "You know my name," observed the mysterious being, "yet, I do not know yours. Perhaps you might enlighten me?"
    "Sorry dude, no can do," lamented Augur. "All you need to know is that I am a friend."
    Da'an clutched Augur's hand. "Thank you, friend," he spoke graciously. "I am eternally indebted to you."
    "Whatever," Augur said. He then sat Da'an down on the sidewalk, still blindfolded, right in front of the Taelon embassy. "Well, bye!" The ferrari zoomed off, leaving behind a cloud of dust.
    "Good-bye, friend," Da'an whispered.
    * * *

     The shuttle had crashed against the ground, left temporarily unusable. Lili and the hijackers were lying in a heap on a grassy meadow by the edge of a forest. Captain Marquette saw the woods as a possible getaway route, quickly got up, and began sprinting toward it.
    "She's getting away!" one of the gruff voices called out. "Don't let her go into that forest!"
    The aggressive captain pumped her arms dashing as fast as she could but it was no use. All in one instant, one of her abductors tackled Lili, slamming her to the ground. The other cronies gathered around with their weapons. One of them pushed his gun into the nape of Lili's neck.
    "No more funny stuff, Marquette," he warned her. "I ought to waste you right now..."
    Another of the hijackers interrupted. "Where's that other gal, the alien?"
    They looked around. A few feet away, Tu'um was standing, glowing proudly, surveying the scenery of the valley.
    "Seize her!" commanded their leader.
    "Captain Marquette, I shall return with help," Tu'um assured the shuttle driver.
    With that, Tu'um gleefully floated off.
    "Come back here, alien!" the leader shouted, shaking his fist at the Companion.
    But Tu'um was already gliding away. Brightness penetrated from her skin. Like a free spirit, Tu'um seemed isolated in her own world, rapidly gyrating across the valley, changing from color to color into all of the colors of the rainbow. She was switching body pigments by the second, possessing every color of the rainbow and more, in a repeated pattern.
    "Damn, what is she, a chameleon?" one of the men exclaimed in awe.
    "Forget about her! We've got the one we need!" said their leader as he tugged Lili's arm harshly.
    "Ow! Take it easy, you brute!" the captain snapped.
    Whack! With one swift blow to her head, he angrily knocked Captain Marquette unconscious. She fell to the ground.
    "Is she dead?" inquired one of the bozos, densely leaning over Lili's head.
    "No, she's not dead, idiot!" The head honcho began dragging Lili toward their van. "Come on, help me get her out of here!" The rest of them each grabbed ahold of Lili and carried her over to the van. They tactlessly tossed her inside the dark back end of their vehicle. Then, the gang locked the back doors, got in, and geared up the van's engine. It pulled onto a side road and drove away. Only one of the men remained behind to pilot their aircraft that they had used to attack Da'an's shuttle.
    The robotic henchmen were following their orders to the letter. They had invaded the shuttle somewhere over upstate New York, and were heading for a nearby rural area. The van leisurely cruised down a peaceful country road, surrounded by small forests.
    After an hour or so, Lili awoke to find herself besieged by complete blackness. She could feel only the rigidity of the van as it bumped and clunked along the road. Audaciously, the captain groped around in the darkness but all she could feel was the vehicle's steel surface beneath her and an occasional wall of the van. She knew better than to scream or call out for help, in fear of what her captors might do.
    Lili suddenly felt exhausted. She rolled over and fell asleep.
    * * *

     A Companion operative had found Da'an blindfolded helplessly on the sidewalk outside of the Taelon embassy. The Taelon was then escorted back to his domain. Soon, he was once again sitting atop the Big Chair, speaking to Quo'on through a holographic monitor.
    "You must notify Commander Boone of your rescue," Quo'on encouraged, after Da'an had told him about his abduction.
    "That I will," smiled Da'an, happily. "Where is the commander, and where is Agent Sandoval?"
    "They are working in collaboration with Fu'sha and Co'al, to activate the probes. We were about to send them after you, to ensure your safe return," Quo'on explained.
    Da'an bowed his head. "I asked of you not to sacrifice on behalf of my life."
    "It was no sacrifice," insisted Quo'on. "But you must contact your implants so the energy from the probes is not unnecessarily depleted."
    Quo'on's face disappeared from the screen. Da'an picked up his global communicator and dialed up Sandoval's coordinates.
    "Da'an!" Sandoval nearly shouted, shocked after opening the link and seeing his Companion's face.
    "Agent Sandoval, please come to my office at once. Commander Boone, as well."
    Da'an's face faded from Sandoval's global as he cut the link.
    "Boone! Boone!" Sandoval spat out in excitement, like a little kid on Christmas morning. "Da'an has returned."
    Boone, Co'al, and Fu'sha stopped their preliminary prep work on the probe activation. Jagdamba had just entered the Sao Paulo laboratory.
    "Jagdamba, accompany Commander Boone and Agent Sandoval back to Washington D.C.," Fu'sha instructed. "By some extraordinary miracle, Da'an has been rescued."
    Agent Jagdamba nodded eagerly. Boone was speechless. Was it really true? Was his Companion back for good? Or were Sandoval and the      Taelons merely playing a nasty prank on him?
    Fu'sha's shuttle zoomed through inter-dimensional, impatiently occupied by the three implants. They all wondered if this miraculous rumor had any truth to it. After what seemed like ages, the shuttle landed. Boone scampered into the office, immediately catching sight of his saintly Companion.
    "Da'an!" Boone shouted in joy and disbelief, with tears in his eyes. Then he did something that he'd never done to Da'an before.
    Commander Boone ran over and gave Da'an a hug.
    The North American Companion was a bit taken aback by this unfamiliar human action. Yet, he was quite fond of Boone's sincere embrace.      Experimentally, Da'an slowly hugged Boone back, unsure as to whether or not he was doing it correctly. Boone just wept quietly in delight. Da'an felt soft and comforting to him. It was good to have his friend back.
    In the late-afternoon, Da'an decided he felt ready to document his scary ordeal. The Companion dictated an account of his abduction while Sandoval took notes. Jagdamba had gone back to India, and Boone was listening in horror as Da'an narrated his nightmare in the Resistance headquarters.
    Boone could not believe that even someone as irrational as Doors possessed the ignorance to put the Liberation - - and himself - - at risk. Not to mention how he might have destroyed Da'an, compassionate, humanitarian Da'an who wouldn't hurt a fly!
    Abruptly, Juanita strode through the embassy entranceway, carrying a pragmatic-looking tote bag. William Boone blighted over to Augur's sister, wondering what she could possibly be doing there at the Taelon embassy.
    "Are you insane?" he fearfully reprimanded in a thick, hushed whisper. "You shouldn't be here!"
    "It's cool. Augur sent me. I know what I'm doing." The techno-queen adamantly proceeded toward Da'an's audience chamber. "Gadzooks! What a view!" she breathtakingly appraised the superlative D.C. skyline before them. Juanita succeedingly swivelled around to greet the additional parties present in the facility.
    Sandoval rushed over to Juanita and instantly blocked her path. "What is your business here?"
    Juanita affectionately patted Sandoval's head, as though he was a puppy. "Your concern is valid, grasshopper, however, I was sent here by the computer company I represent."
    "Ah, of course," Da'an remembered. He had made a request from the current branch of Doors International about two weeks earlier. The Companion summoned Juanita. "Come forward."
    The technician skipped over to Da'an's chair, where the alien and Boone were now positioned. Sandoval followed behind Juanita, still suspicious.
    "Da'an, may I ask the significance of this?" Sandoval politely solicited.
    Da'an's large blue eyes evaded to Sandoval's direction. "Numerous Taelons are presently requesting the installation of human-originated technology," he explained, "within our offices for the convenient application of our implants."
    "I can hook you up with Internet Explorer, AOL, Microsoft Word, Netscape, ICQ, Word Wizard..." Juanita listed off some of the possibilities.
    Da'an held up his hand. "Forgive me. I am not proficient in regard to your technological programs and systems. I trust Commander Boone to make these appropriate arrangements at his adept discretion."
    Sandoval looked a bit hurt about being left out of the loop.
    Boone still had on a bewildered expression. "I apologize, Da'an. But I don't understand why you'd want access to our..." He stopped short. "Did the Synod institute this concept?"
    "They did."
    "And with good reason," Juanita piped up. She unzipped her tote bag and grabbed from it a handful of Internet-related brochures. Juanita handed some of them to Sandoval and some to Da'an. "Just look at all we have to offer."
    "As more humans are selected for implantation, we will require implants not only for security purposes, but also for worldwide communications." Da'an gestured to Juanita, as if to indicate her as a living example of what he meant. "It would be most efficient to have those individuals stationed within our embassy, for convenient reference."
    "The Information Superhighway has become a tremendous source of service to humanity. Our species has engineered such an amazing innovation." Juanita exuberantly elbowed Da'an. "But then, I don't have to tell you that, do I?"
    "Boone, I wish you to make proper arrangements," Da'an said, flipping through the brochure.
    "May I have a word with you?" Boone addressed Juanita. Without waiting for an answer, he pulled her away from Da'an and Sandoval.
    "Juanita, just what do you think you're doing?"
    "Chill, Boone-baby. I'm simply doing a favor for my bro, and having a little fun with the Taelons at the same time."
    "Favor? What favor? All you did was invent a bogus occupation for yourself. Speaking of which, what's that all about?"
    Juanita indignantly put her hands on her hips. "Everything I've said is true. I am working at Doors International and the Companions do want Internet access at their embassies. And why do you think that is?"
    Boone raised his eyebrows seriously. "I'm listening."
    "There are gobs of anti-Companion websites out there on the World Wide Web. The Synod would just love to trace them to their servers and destroy the websites and their originators. You remember that messy skirmish with Inga Olesen?"
    "So where do you come into the picture, Juanita?"
    She rolled her eyes. "Augur and I can program an Internet system for the Taelons that secretly blocks out all addresses of known anti-Companion websites. Da'an was chosen by the Synod as the first Taelon to be able to receive Internet. Augur couldn't really come here to explain it because Da'an would recognize him from when Augur saved Da'an's life."
    Boone put the pieces together. It hadn't occurred to him until then that Augur was the one who had gotten Da'an out of the Resistance headquarters, even though Da'an had described Augur during his dictation to Sandoval. Boone had been too wrapped up in feeling thankful for Da'an's safe return.
    "So I was the obvious choice to pitch the merchandise. Augur usually prefers not to go out in public, unless it's at the Flat Planet." Juanita folded her arms. "Now do you see why I had to come?"
    "I just don't want the Taelons to discover your connection to the Liberation," Boone levelled with her.
    "They won't," Juanita assured him.
    At that moment, Zo'or plodded into Da'an's office. He did a double take when he saw Da'an alive and well, sitting in his chair.
    Zo'or crossed his eyes. "You are here," he observed.
    "Yes I am," Da'an replied.
    The Companion to the United Nations stepped closer to his elder. "By what means did this occur?"
    "He was rescued...by a human," Boone cut in. "A non-implant."
    Quickly, Zo'or swerved around to face the commander. "By whom?" mandated Zo'or.
    Boone didn't answer.
    "How would you even know the details of this incident?" Zo'or challenged him.
    "I elucidated to Commander Boone the chain of events which I was confronted with," clarified Da'an, motioning with his hands as he spoke.
    Zo'or rotated his head over toward Juanita. "Who is she?" he insisted, pouting.
    Undaunted, Juanita walked right up to Zo'or and looked him straight in the face. Their eyes met and locked. Zo'or frowned and glared at Juanita, but she frowned and glared right back at him. Her sharp, brown eyes bore holes through Zo'or's treacherous blue lobes. His gaze wouldn't budge from hers, and vice versa.
    Boone, Sandoval, and Da'an examined the twosome curiously as Zo'or and Juanita continued to stare each other down. Zo'or anxiously sparkled an uneasy shade of blue. Neither of them spoke. Their eyes appeared to be doing the communicating. Juanita kept directing a fierce scowl at Zo'or as his outer covering remained an obscure aqua blend. Then, once again, Zo'or's "flesh" reclaimed its regular appearance. He hurriedly fled from the room.
    "That boy is bad news," uttered Juanita, under her breath.
    "Ain't that the truth," murmured Boone.
    A split second later, a bluish data stream poured into the room as Quo'on's body fleshed itself out.
    "I have spoken with Tu'um," Quo'on reported morbidly. "I regret to relay that Captain Marquette has been abducted."
    "No!" clammored Boone, woefully. "Dammit! Not Lili!"
    Da'an closed his eyes in distress. He was certainly no stranger to that type of experience.
    * * *

     Lili awoke to find herself bound and gagged. She was strapped to a hard boulder with heavy rope. The shuttle pilot studied her surroundings.      She was in what appeared to be some kind of cave. It felt damp, cold, and downright depressing. Lili's entire body shivered with chills. Stalactite fluid dripped onto her head, drop by drop.
    A small group of the shuttle hijackers came through a narrow tunnel opening. One of them was holding a dish of raw meat and a canteen of water. He undid Lili's mouth gag.
    "You sure know how to treat a girl, don't you?" Lili sarcastically mumbled.
    "Quiet, Marquette! Or else you get nothing!" one of them barked.
    "Oh, and I wouldn't want to sacrifice this top-quality service now, would I?" she taunted.
    "No, you wouldn't!" sneered the hijacker who held the food. He dropped the plate of meat and it clammored to the ground, spilling the pieces onto the floor of the cave. Then he tossed the canteen to the ground, as well.
    "At least you're consistent," Lili grumbled, struggling against the rope.
    "You're not going anywhere so don't even try to resist the rope."
    "Yeah, I kind of figured."
    "Eat up," he recommended. "You may not get much more."
    They began to walk away.
    "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?! You gonna kill me?!" Lili called out. "Come back here! Answer me!"
    "Don't try anything cute, Captain," he added over his shoulder.
    "How am I supposed to eat if I'm all tied up?!" she yelled to her masked kidnappers.
    Too late. They were gone.
    Her global beeped. Lili was able to snatch it out of her upper side pocket with her hand and open the link. However, her bound arms prevented the captain from looking through the screen of her global.
    "Lili?" she heard Boone's voice call out to her.
    "Boone!" she whispered to him.
    "Lili, where are you? Why can't I see you?"
    "I'm in a cave, Boone."
    "A cave?"
    "Don't ask."
    "Do you have any idea who kidnapped you?" he inquired.
    "Not a clue. Tu'um and I were in Da'an's shuttle one minute and before we knew it those hijackers were overtaking the craft."
    "What happened to Tu'um?"
    "She escaped." Lili then remembered the hint she'd inferred from her captors. "Boone, I think they're planning to kill me. You've got to get me out of here."
    "Lili, we're tracing your coordinates right now. Sandoval and I will be there as soon as possible. Keep you're global turned on."
    "Hurry!" Captain Marquette emphasized.
    Lili squinted her eyes shut, clenching her teeth together in agony. Oh, what had she done to deserve this?! She had only been following Quo'on's orders!
    "Who were you talking to?!"
    Captain Marquette popped open her eyes to see her adversaries standing in the cave entranceway. They were still masked.
    "I was ordering out for pizza," Lili responded wryly.
    They approached the tied-up pilot. She attempted to squirm away from their approach, but it was ineffective being as she was already bound against a boulder.
    The apparent leader of their clan targeted his gun at Lili.
    "I've had enough of your attitude!" he barked. "To hell with my 'orders!' I'm doing this my own way!"
    He pulled the trigger.
    BANG!
    * * *

     A discreet recourse pilot sat in Lili's driver's seat, thrusting Da'an's shuttle through inter-dimensional.
    "Faster, pilot! Faster!" Boone commanded. He had given to the pilot the coordinates which he'd traced from Lili's global.They were now soaring over the Appalachians, gaining speed with every passing second.
    "Take it easy, Boone," urged Agent Sandoval, placing his hand comfortingly on the arm of his fellow implant.
    Boone looked nauseated. "I can't! Not when Lili's in danger! Not when..."
    "Landing," their pilot announced. He had tracked the coordinates to their precise location. The shuttle descended on a plateau at the side of a mountain...right next to another cockroach-shaped shuttle!
    "What the...?" Boone gasped as he stared at it through the shield.
    Sandoval rushed Boone out. "Come on, we must not waste time. Our duty is to find Captain Marquette."
    The two implants dashed through the winding tunnels inside of the dark, jagged cave embedded in the mountain's edge. As they reached the end of the passageway that led into a small, enclosed room, Boone and Sandoval spotted the dorsal profiles of weapon-bearing masked figures. One of them was standing above a tied-up, defenseless female, waving a gun in her face.
    "It's Lili!" Boone whispered.
    The man standing before Lili pulled the trigger of his gun again, deliberately missing Lili and hitting the cave wall.
    "He's showing her that the gun is loaded," Boone comprehended.
    Sandoval caught on. "He's attempting to scare her."
    "Tall order," mumbled Boone. "He's obviously unfamiliar with Lili's persona."
    Just then, one of the kidnappers whipped around, having heard the low whispering from Da'an's implants. The kidnapper pulled up his sleeve, revealing a skrill attached to his arm. He aimed the skrill at them and prepared to ignite it.
    Within a split second, Boone and Sandoval both fired their skrills at him. Simultaneously, their intended target had fired his back. The discharges from all three of the implants' skrills collided midway, resulting in an incredible burst of radiation that caused the entire cave to rumble and shake. Now all of Lili's kidnappers had activated their CVIs, as had Boone and Sandoval. They all fell backwards as the detonation that had been ejected from the skrills impacted dangerously with the close-knit walls of the slender lair. Many inner fortifications had gone ablaze.
    BOOM!
    The cave exploded in a horrific mass of fire and fury.
    * * *

     End of Part Two
 

Copyright 1998 by Earthboy
Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict is property of Tribune Entertainment Company and is produced by Roddenberry/Kirshner Productions. No monetary profit is being made from this work. No infringement is intended. If you sue me, I will stop watching the show FOREVER (or at least until they bring Marie back).