Joshua looked over his shoulder yet again as he attempted to disrupt the CVI program. He had not made much progress at all. The computer he had chosen to work at was about as far away from the bridge as he could get. However, it was out in the open.

Suddenly, he felt a piece of cold metal press against his skull and he froze. He lifted his hands off the computer and up into the air and then slowly turned around.

The Volunteer standing there spoke, "I believe, Mr. Doors, that Zo'or wanted to ask you a few questions."

Joshua didn't respond.

"Move!" the volunteer ordered, using his weapon to point the way. In that split second, when the weapon was no longer pointed at him, Joshua jumped at the man, knocking the weapon away. Unfortunately, a shot from behind caught him and he fell to the ground, unconscious.

What Sandoval had just told him was unbelievable. The Agent, as monotone as ever, had related the history of the Taelons' genetic engineering program, including the knowledge that the Taelons had developed (mostly unsuccessfully) several Kimera/human hybrids. Genetically, most were half human and half Kimera – a combination that apparently was quite unpredictable. The results were different each time, and on occasion – fatal.

Sandoval checked his watch again, causing Liam to take note of the hour. Liam got up, stretching his legs, and walked over to Renee.

"Liam, we can't let him go. You know that."

Jonathan added, "Renee's right. We can't afford to jeopardize the Resistance like that. I'm sorry but we can't let him go . . ."

"Listen, the Jaridians are expecting to meet him in the morning. I'm supposed to go with him. I'll keep an eye on him and we'll come back here after. Then we'll decide what to do."

"What about till tomorrow morning?" asked Renee.

"Let Sandoval stay here tonight, put a couple of guards on him." Liam then jokingly added, "Just promise me you won't kill him tonight."

Jonathan nodded.

Zo'or glared at Da'an who looked somewhat uncomfortable. After a moment, a volunteer walked up to Zo'or and spoke, "We should arrive at Earth soon. Systems are functioning normally."

Zo'or nodded dismissively, and the Volunteer, sensing the tension in the air, left quickly.

"Zo'or, do you truly believe that this is the best way to handle the situation?"

"It is the only way to handle it. He is a threat and we cannot risk releasing him."

"It is unnecessary."

"Are you challenging me Da'an?" Zo'or asked threateningly, "The synod agrees with my solution to the problem. That is all you need know."

The next morning Jonathan entered the hideout to find Sandoval sitting on Augur's couch, sipping a cup of coffee; his guard, looking more than a little annoyed.

Jonathan sat down in a chair across from him and Sandoval casually leaned back, meeting his glare.

"You might be able to fool Liam, but you can't fool me."

Sandoval raised an eyebrow, and Jonathan continued, "You and I both know that you aren't here to help the Resistance or Liam."

"Then exactly why am I here, Mr. Doors?"

"You're here to protect yourself. I'm guessing that you haven't exactly been the favorite protector lately, and if the Taelons find out about the secrets you've been keeping, you'll be dead. And I also don't think the Jaridians will remain here much longer. In fact, whether the Taelons return or not is actually irrelevant. If they do – you're dead. And if they don't you'll probably be tried and executed for crimes against humanity. The only person who you can turn to is, ironicly enough, your son – who is supposed to be dead. I think that's why you let him live – to protect yourself."

Sandoval did not respond, instead staring at the wall behind Jonathan's head, obviously lost in thought. Finally he said, "I won't deny that." Sandoval grinned mirthlessly, "But then your opinion doesn't matter. I don't care about the Resistance and I'm not trying to help you. I'm just trying to survive."

Before either could say another word, Augur strolled in, followed by Liam. Sandoval rose to his feet and nodded at Liam, who said, "Jonathan, we'll be back in a few hours."

As Liam stepped into the elevator he heard Augur call, "Liam – watch your back."

Joshua awoke, his head aching. He tried to bring his hand up to massage it, but found that he was bound to a table in what looked suspiciously like a lab. //Oh shit -- this is really not good.// he thought.

He turned his head and through a window, saw an apparently arguing Da'an and Zo'or watching him. He pulled at his bonds, testing them, but they didn't give at all.

A moment later, Zo'or entered the room and stopped next to him. Unable to do anything else, Joshua glared at the Taelon. Zo'or smiled evily. "Mr. Doors, since you obviously know more than you should, you cannot be permitted to return to earth, when we arrive. However, I see no sense in wasting the resources we do have."

Joshua was puzzled by what the Taelon was getting at and listened carefully as Zo'or continued.

"Thanks to your presence, we have already learned of two loose ends which we need to tie up. Three if you count my protector, who has apparently been lying to me for quite some time now. Do not even bother protesting, I know that Jonathan Doors and Major Kincaid are very much alive. They will be terminated when we return, after they are told of an unfortunate tragedy. I'm sure your father will be quite upset to learn that during a Jaridian attack on the mothership, his son was killed."

"You're going to kill me." Joshua stated neutrally, his heart pounding in his ears, "My father will never believe it was an accident."

"But what proof will he have? And what would he be able to do about it -- absolutely nothing. And, in point of fact, you will be serving us, here on the mothership, as a Taelon implant." With that Zo'or turned and exited the room, saying as he left, "I have some matters to attend to, however, I shall return to oversee the procedure shortly."

Da'an, who had observed the entire scene from the shadows of the room, moved forward as if to follow Zo'or, but turned and paused, giving Joshua a sympathetic glance. "I am truly sorry." he said sincerely before turning to leave. His exit was stopped by Joshua's words.

"You betrayed me!" He accused Da'an's retreating figure. Da'an stopped and turned.

"After all your talk of trusting me – that I was the only one who could understand you. After all that, you betrayed me! How could you? Don't you realize that now Zo'or will kill Liam, for real this time? Except this time, his death will be on your conscience. Why did you betray me? Why?" Joshua's voice dripped with contempt.

Da'an looked pained, "Mr. Doors, I was not responsible for this situation."

"Then how the hell did Zo'or find out?"

"He observed our conversation through hidden surveillance devices. I . . . I am truly sorry."

Joshua lay quietly for a moment, "I don't want to be implanted Da'an. Please help me. I don't want to betray anyone again."

"I cannot."

Before Joshua could say another word, Zo'or entered, followed by another Taelon. He nodded to the Taelon technician, "Prepare him for implantation."

Joshua's head was suddenly secured so that he couldn't move it. "NO!" he yelled, thrashing about, but to no avail. He was forced to watch in horror as the needle was fixed in position and began to move forward. He tried to shrink back away from it, to avoid it, but could only watch it as it moved up along the side of his neck.

"No . . . ."

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