Freedom at last, no more darkness. I'm coming into the light, away from the dark. I'll be out of this horrendous state of nothingness, of living between the reality and the dream, the dark and the light, feeling and numbness, life and death. I'll be okay, just wait a few minutes longer, just a little longer.

Waiting

Waiting

Waiting

I open my eyes and actually see. I exist. I still exist. I'll be okay.

"The leader of the Resistance is . . ."

"Major Liam Kincaid," finished Joshua Impassively. His tone was matter-of-fact, Showing no emotion.

Zo'or was not expecting this response, but he was not entirely surprised by it either, "You are certain?" he asked to make sure.

"Of course I am, Zo'or," Joshua replied.

"This explains much," the Taelons murmured thoughtfully. "I assume that Da'an was privy to this information as well." It was a Statement, yet Zo'or obviously expected confirmation.

Joshua didn't respond immediately, instead he gasped and clutched his head. His eyes Widened and he nearly collapsed onto the floor in pain.

"What is the matter, Mr. Doors," Zo'or asked maliciously.

"I believe that there is a problem with my implant, Zo'or," Joshua managed, "Permission to report to the medical bay?"

"Granted. Report back to me when the problem is corrected. We have much to discuss." Zo'or said, a smug look on his face.

Joshua nodded, pain written on his face, as a Volunteer helped him off the bridge. Zo'or settled back into his chair for a moment, enjoying this triumph. Not that the war was over yet. They still had to actually defeat the Jaridians and the Resistance, plus Zo'or still had to deal with Da'an, as he no doubt knew of Liam's loyalties and Kincaid himself. However, all that could wait until later. For now, he was content.

Augur worked on his computer in silence, glancing up every once in a while to see a fuming Jonathan Doors, pacing. Augur didn?t want to overstep any boundaries but he knew he needed to say something in defense of Liam. "You know," he started tenatively, "You really should give the kid a chance."

"I have and I don't trust him. What could he have been thinking? I mean, he's done some careless things before, like bringing Da?an here but this . . ." Jonathan gestured to emphasize the point.

"Of all the people on this planet I would have thought you would be the one who might be able to understand why a son might love a father who did not appear to love them." Augur said coldly.

Jonathan impaled Augur with a glare, "What exactly are you implying?"

"Look, Liam made a choice that I don't agree with but I know him well enough to know that he had a good reason. He wouldn't endanger us or the Resistance for Sandoval. Besides, you chewing Liam out isn't going to change the situation."

"And what exactly would you suggest?" Jonathan asked.

"My advice is simple: get over this and go on from here."

After making sure Joshua would be able to make it to the medical bay on his own, the Volunteer returned to the bridge.

Joshua moved down the corridor, quickly and efficiently. He needed to get the problem taken care of and return to serving Zo'or. He felt compelled to give the Taelons the information about the Resistance, because they had humanity's best interests at heart. The Resistance were the traitors - they spread endless campaigns of lies and propaganda and needed to be stopped. They had only succeeded in stirring unrest and causing the peace-loving Taelons many problems.

So intent on getting to the medical bay, as Joshua turned the corner, he collided with another body.

The man was tall and slender, with blond hair. Recognition suddenly dawned in this stranger's brown eyes and he gave a gasp of surprise, "Joshua?"

"Do I know you?" Joshua asked harshly, confused and annoyed by this distraction. "I have reviewed all the personnel and you are not authorized to be here."

"Joshua, what's wrong with you? Why are you acting this way?" asked the stranger curiously, confusion written on his features.

"I have no time to debate this. I must get to the medical bay and then return to serving Zo'or. You, should report to your post."

"What did they do to you? Jonathan would be horrified . . ."

Joshua interrupted, "Jonathan Doors is a resistance criminal who must be stopped. He has done nothing but harm the Taelons and . . ." He suddenly stopped, eyes wide and without any warning collapsed.

The stranger wordlessly knelt down next to him and gave a mental sigh of relief when he found a pulse. Unfortunately, he also found something else - Joshua's ears had begun bleeding. The stranger swore and a look of horror crossed his face, "He's been implanted - exactly what I was afraid of." he muttered.

Zo'or entered Da'an's chamber and silently watched as Da'an awoke from his state of regeneration. He stared at Zo'or curiously for a long moment, waiting for the inevitable tirade.

"Perhaps I should no longer continue to be surprised by what you know. Not that I should have to worry about you much longer." Zo'or said.

"Explain yourself."

"Joshua Doors has just informed me that the leader of the Resistance is none other than your former protector. Do not deny that you have known this."

"And why should I suspect that my protector would be in that position? A protector whom both you and Agent Sandoval interviewed and found acceptable."

Zo'or did not respond, so Da'an continued, "You came here to accuse me of not supporting and defending the commonality - you who has squandered valuable, essential resources, destroyed trust and harmed innocents in your own, quite perverted vision of right. You do not look at the longer term. You are only concerned with the here and now - a viewpoint that will most certainly destroy our race."

Zo'or finally spoke, "Apparently, the Synod does not share your point of view. While we have no evidence to arrest you, we cannot allow such a security threat, as what you present, to sit on our council of war in a day's time. You are no longer a member and therefore you may cease your duties."

"No." Da'an stated suddenly, "I will not 'cease my duties'. I will continue to perform them, and while neither the Synod, nor you may listen it is my duty to just that. For if I stop and allow you to continue on this path, then I become as you have - a destructor of our race."

"I have won on this matter, Da'an."

"However, you have yet to win the war."

Jonathan eyed Liam warily as he and Renee entered the room. Liam gave a nod, which Jonathan acknowledged with his a nod of his own. They stood there, neither sure of what to say, and neither willing to apologize.

Augur glanced at both uncertainly before speaking, "You aren't gonna like this but . . ."

"But what?" asked Jonathan curtly.

"Well, I know this is becoming a regular and somewhat cliche occurrence but we have an unexpected visitor."

"Oh joy," muttered Renee, as she drew her gun and moved beside the elevator door.

"Who is it?" asked Liam, "Let me guess, we'll like that information even less."

Augur nodded, "It's Sandoval. Again."

"Sandoval? What the hell is he doing here?" Jonathan said, shooting an accusatory glare at Liam.

"I don't know." said Liam simply, responding to the accusation, "I didn't ask him to come."

"Then why would he return?"

"I guess we'll find out." said Liam as the door swished open. And, for the second time, Agent Ronald Sandoval entered. He didn't waste any time with pleasantries, but instead began talking hurridly.

"I wouldn't have come back but I received a message that you need to see." He reached to pull something out of his coat but was stopped by Renee. "I'm just reachign for my global, Ms. Palmer."

"Tell us about this important message first." she said, "Who is it from?"

"It's from an operative of mine who is currently on the mothership. He recently infiltrated the lower levels of the Resistance and has been posing as a member in order to determine the identity of the leader of the Resistance. Unfortunately, that information is known only to the cell leaders. He did send me some rather important information, but the message was incomplete and somewhat garbled. Apparently, the Taelons are returning to Earth with a Taelon fleet, among other events."

"Give me the global," Liam said. Sandoval obliged and Liam tossed it to Augur, who immediately began downloading and analyzing the message.

Augur watched it, Liam watching over his shoulder. Renee and Jonathan sat glaring at an impassive Sandoval. A faint look of shock crossed Liam's face. "Jonathan." Liam stated, indicating with his head that he should come look.

After watching the message, Jonathan turned back around, an unreadable expression on his face.

Sandoval spoke, "I'm just trying to help, Mr. Doors."

"Help?" Jonathan asked, his voice rising, "You have the audacity to come here to tell me that my son, whom you left on the mothership, has been implanted by Zo'or?" Liam and Renee exchanged a glance, knowing that Jonathan was remarkably calm, given these tidings and that some explosion was imminent.

"I didn't have to come. And whether you believe it or not I am trying to help."

"There are several things I think you need to understand Agent Sandoval: the first of which is that if my son is implanted, which, given the amount missing from the message I am not inclined to believe, then I will kill anyone associated with the circumstances that brought that about. No matter what else happens, no matter who gets killed, if my son is implanted, then I will kill you."

Unfinished
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