"Crossfire Tales"

[Barshy]

New Jeruselum

The time has come...

Elizabeth gazed out the windows atop one of the towering spires of the Main Cathedral. The main capital of Believer territory was one of the most magnificent bases in Planet. Teeming masses of people, robust industries and glimmering commercial malls filled the dense downtown center.

A pity... Elizabeth thought. Soon, all that was before her eyes would be decimated. Those Believing fools would experience first-hand the powers of science.

And best of all, Sister Miriam would finally taste death... She would finally experience the afterlife she had been preaching about for hundreds of years.

Elizabeth minimized contact with Sister Miriam as much as possible, for fear that her piercing eyes would detect a change in Elizabeth's character. Thankfully, Miriam granted Liz a two week leave of absence for "recovery."

"Liz."

She whirled around. What do you want? "Oh! Sean... you caught me by surprise."

"Liz, I'm on lunch break right now. You want to join me for lunch? We can have it that... 'room' we used to always hang out in.." Sean smiled.

No... Not the room. Only a few more hours..! Sean cannot find out... Then she smirked. "Sean, I've eaten lunch already... let's postpone our lunch date until tomorrow. How's that?" By tomorrow you'll be dead.

"Um... sure," Sean replied. He then turned to gaze out the window with Elizabeth for several silent moments.. The best part about their relationship was they could sit still for hours without saying anything, yet appreciating every minute of it.

Elizabeth shifted nervously. I can't risk blowing my cover... I'll just stay here for an hour or so...

"Isn't it beautiful? Hey, remember that?" Sean pointed down to a little cafe down the street. "We had some great conversations there.."

Yeah, I remember.

A few more moments of silence. "Elizabeth." Sean turned and looked into her eye. [i]No.. don't look into my eyes...[i] "I've changed... Ever since your capture.. I've learned how to take responsibility. I've learned to be direct, how to be a leader... Just like you've always wanted me to." Stop looking into my eyes.

She is so beautiful, Sean thought. "I've missed you so much. And it's time I stopped taking you for granted. You've taught me so much about myself, about my weaknesses, and you were always there to support me when I needed it." Get this feeling out of my head.

He got down on one knee. No. Not now. "Elizabeth, we've known each other all our lives. We've been through both our parents' deaths. And after all these years, I've always loved you." A tear rolled down Elizabeth's cheek. Pain.

"See? I'm not weak anymore. I can tell you directly. I'm not scared. I love you. And I know you love me... I'm not as oblivious as you think," Sean smiled, staring into her eyes.

These tears won't stop... Sean, how can I tell you you're going to die...

"Elizabeth Wyvern, will you marry me?"

The words penetrated into her eyes, and melted into her heart. Suddenly, she felt a familiar shock run straight through her system... dissipating her thoughts.. NO. Can... not let .. chemicals.. erase..

"Elizabeth? What's the matter? Elizabeth! Elizabeth!!"

Elizabeth. His words continued piercing into her, battling the surge of checmicals the University planted into her. Outwardly, she shook violently, but inwardly, she was calling upon the power of the Lord.

Can't... defeat.. me... God.. help.. me!

Suddenly, the shocks through her system stopped, and for a moment, so did her heartbeat. Her eyes froze, and she fell to the ground.

"Elizabeth!! Wake up!! Oh God..." Sean moaned, shaking her, brushing her hair from her face.

After a few seconds that felt like eternity, her eyes fluttered wide. Oh God. Where am I? Her former identity returned to her... as if God had exorcised the demon that was possessing her. Suddenly, a flood of memories inundated her soul.. the capture, the interrogation, the chemicals, the bomb. The bomb!

Five minutes. Five minutes until the bomb would be set off.

She stood off and looked frantically into Sean's eyes. "Sean!"

"Liz, are you..."

"No time to explain. Hurry!" She grabbed his arm and ran down the hallway to the staff elevator. Underground... underground it would be safe.

Tears streaming down her cheeks, she envisioned the thousands of innocent Believer citizens that would soon meet their Maker... All because of her. No. The University.

Could I deactivate the bomb? she wondered... but apparently after she was free from the University chemicals, her optical implants that relayed University information was automatically shut down, and she could not access the password that would shut the Weapon down.

Finally, they reached the underground command room. Pulling Sean behind her, she went to the center of the room, and knelt to pray, hands shaking...

"Sister Miriam! Where is she?" Elizabeth asked, panicking.

"Um... she's on her way back from Fishes and Loaves... She was there to welcome Governor Esau and the refugees from Judgement Seat," Sean replied.

"Thank... thank God," Elizabeth replied.. At least Sister Miriam was safe.

And now, all that she had to do was... wait. "Sean, remember when you used to talk about the Tower of Babel, and how God could destroy this cathedral, because it was reaching up to God?"

"Um, yeah. I wasn't serious," Sean replied.

She wept silently.

**********************************

Miriam's Private Jet
En Route to New Jeruselum

Sister Miriam looked out the window. It was always good to see the old spires of New Jeruselum again...

Those poor refugees... Thankfully Esau had ordered the evacuation of Judgement Seat early. But the rest would never make it. Miriam prayed a silent prayer for the poor souls that would be fodder for Cha Dawn's mindworms...

God would protect the mainland, however. She had stationed troops in every possible corner of her territory to get ready for any land invasions from the Cult.

She looked out the window again, and saw a bright glow envelop New Jeruselum. A holy light?...

****************************************
Probe Skimship
En Route to Fishes and Loaves

After docking at the sea base, Don and his probe team would finally reach New Jeruselum. Home.

Which meant Elizabeth. Finally, he would see the woman he loved... Although with Sean there, he didn't have much of a chance. Regardless, he loved to be around her.

"You see?" Don pointed to the horizon. "Look, you can see the Main Cathedral from here!" Sure enough, the spires of the main cathedral stretched heavenward. Reaching God Himself... Don thought.

As if in response, the spires were quickly bathed in holy fire.

[Captain Kirk]

Sparta Command

Colonel Santiago walked briskly down the hall leading to the largest building in Sparta Command. The doors swished aside and she entered. The guard on patrol saluted stiffly and she nodded. She walked straight into the command room of the Command Nexus. Raised over 50 years ago it was one of the greatest Spartan achievements since Planetfall. General Kabila looked up from a console he was at.

"Good day Colonel" he said formally. Santiago nodded cooly. She surveyed the room. Still unchanged. Lights flickered on various computer consoles. The large megascreen at the front of the room loomed over everything.

"You wanted to see me General ?" asked Santaigo impatiently. The General's call had interrupted her holo-meeting with Dr. Bonaventura, head of psi research. Kabila nodded and motioned for her to follow him.

"Recently one of patrols was detoured into a small valley. They had been instructed to look for any abandoned University structures" said Kabila motioning to the megascreen.

"They were recording data and feeding parts of it back to our cartographers here at Sparta Command. To help us make a better and complete map of our territory" he said. Santiago didn't see were this was going. So she simply smiled and nodded.

"After this point all contact with them was lost. No vital signs, no new data, no calls in. Nothing" he said. Santiago wasn't sure what that could be. A patrol just dissapeared ? She answered.

"It could be mind worms" she said. Kabila shook his head vigorously.

"No it's definently not native life. Their transmissions showed no signs of native life in the area. We even uplinked with one of our sky farm satellites. Using it as an "Eye in the Sky". And it showed nothing" he said. Santiago inwardly flinched. If all this was true than what had happened to that patrol ?

"Very well General. Send the new Tiger Squadron to see if they can find anything" Santiago said. General Kabila nodded. Santiago strode out of the Command Nexus. She could still catch the 12.50 skytrain back to HQ.

- - - - - - - -

Tristan Shell sat at the back of the transport. He and Donovan were on their way to U.N. Headquarters to continue ongoing study of the Knowledge values. The Spartan Federation had long ago made the Power values choice. Leaving them with the best military on Planet. A Bengali man entered the cabin and shouted.

"We arrive at U.N. Headquarters in two hour. Have your passport and clearence card when you disembark" yelled the man in broken English. Shell looked at his own clearence card and passport. Apparently he was one, Victor Pachinsky. A University researcher.

I guess Santiago counts that the Yoopers and PKs will exchange scientists. Shell leaned his head back and fell asleep. When he woke up everything was bustling. They were pulling into U.N. Headquarters. Go time thought Shell.
[This message has been edited by Captain Kirk (edited January 11, 2000).]

[Bearcat]

Dawn of Planet
Cha Dawn's Office

"So it's confirmed Prophet ?" asked the commander. Cha Dawn sat back in his seat and nodded. The screen flicked off leaving the Cultist symbol on the screen. Cha Dawn had ordered a monumentous event to take place. This could either be the turning point in the war or it could be their undoing. He just hoped that Planet would guide him to do the right thing.

The Believing base Judgement Seat had been evacuated of most of the population. However the longterm effects would be the same. For Cha Dawn had ordered their gatling unit to return to Childhood's End. And he had dispatched their X gatling unit to rendevouz with his forces.

Nerve gas was a horrible thing. To watch the victim writh in agony as the deadly vapors seep into their skin is almost to much for even the most hardened soldier to watch. However the Believers had chosen to use and abuse Planet for their own gain. All the while worshipig their invisible God.

He was going to teach them a lesson they would never forget. Soon the Beleivers would know what a mistake they had made.

+ + + + + + +

Commander Torbin Ren stood on the treads of the X gatling unit. They were speeding to meet the other Cultist forces stationed at Childhood's End. When Cha Dawn had decided to use their nerve gas no one had questioned. It wasn't the Cultist way. Cha Dawn was guided by Planet. So if Planet ordered it than no one could question.

"Sir we are approaching the other units. The group will proceed at 0600 tommorrow" crackeled a voice over the unit's intercomm. Tommorrow the Believers would become eternally locked in a Vendetta with them. Atrocities were no laughing matter. And nerve gassing a whole cluster of innocent civilians was a bad one.

But if Planet had wished it than they couldn't not carry it out. Ren watched the accelerator. Every klick faster was one click to closer to the moment. Maybe they could slow down ?

[Raging Mouse]

Location: U.N. Headquarters, Commissioner Pravin Lal's office


A soft chime makes Lal look up. The holoprojector comes to life, and displays the University of Planet -symbol. Lal stands up and walks to the projector.

"Computer, open the channel."

An image of Zakharov, dressed in a white lab-coat as usual, appears. He is sitting on a wooden bench, surrounded by flowers. Birdsong can be heard.

"Greetings, Commissioner."

"Greetings, doctor! How are you? Did you receive the report I sent you, regarding Larry Greenburg's interrogation?"

"I'm well, thank you. Yes, I received the report." Zakharov raises his eyebrows. "A most resourceful people, these Data Angels. My orbital cameras had detected the disappearance of the Borehole Cluster, but it was considered a minor anomaly, to be investigated when it was convenient."

Lal nods. "We hadn't even bothered to look at the orbital snapshots from the Boreholes until Tomahawk gave us a reason to do so."

Zakharov turns his head and looks at a point off the projection, and nods. Instantly, the scenery changes to a snowy mountainpeak. A constant wind howls, and clouds speed by far beneath the doctor. Lal is used to these surprises by now, and doesn't even blink. Zakharov continues.

"Commissioner, I am contacting you now because I have inspected our overall technological progress, and I have found that there is indeed an opportunity for trade."

"Excellent! So, what do you have in mind, doctor?"

"You lack the information necessary to build second-generation power-plants, also known as Fusion Power. We lack the sophisticated techniques you have developed to interface more efficiently with complex machinery and electronics; we lack the Mind/Machine Interface. I am now suggesting a simple one-for-one trade. Know that fusion technology will revolutionize your warfare, economics and your further research."

While Zakharov talks the scenery changes once more. He is now sitting on a fence, overlooking a sunny plaza. In the background a black vehicle rolls slowly by, and the waving occupants are cheered by spectators on both sides of the road. The moment Zakharov stops speaking, chaos erupts around the car. Lal ignores it.

"I happily agree to the exchange." Lal bows. "I hope you will benefit greatly from the fruits of our research."

Zakharov drops down from the fence and returns the bow, amidst people running around hysterically and screaming. "Likewise, pact-brother. My sentiments exactly."

The scenery changes again, this time to something familiar to Lal. Professor Zakharov now appears to be standing in the middle of the bridge on Unity.

"By the way, what is the purpose of the.. scenery?"

"It's edutainment."

"Ah. Right. Well, was there anything else?"

"No, this was all. Until next time, commissioner."

The projection is replaced by the slowly rotating symbol of the University, and then the holoprojector turns itself off. Lal makes the necessary arrangements for the exchange.

[Cotroneo]

Paul ‘Raptor’ Cotroneo’s Perspective (Italics)
1330 hours
Command Center, Secret Hollow

Something must be up… Sinder looks anxious.

“I’m sorry for disrupting you, but I’m sure resent advents justify my protrusion.” Sinder proclaimed as the last council members floundered into the circular room.

“What is wrong Sinder, I was in the middle of an important experiment with the ion propulsion systems for the satellite launch system?” Zebra asked, with a fake look of concern on his face.

Sinder refuses to sit down… this could be bad.

“As you all know, we decided to place the mk1 battle ogre into our defense structure to test out its viability in our military structure. Well… perhaps if you see the incident first hand, you will understand better what has happened. This vidclip is from a camera placed on top of the mk1.” Sinder finished and brought up the vidclip on the holo-projector for the council to see, as the roomed dimmed.

The entire council lunged forward their heads to see the holo-projector from close up. Sinder replayed the entire battle scene with the Spartan patrol, without even editing the clip for gore. The entirety of the council took a step back as the awesome power of the battle ogre enveloped the severely under protected Spartan trooper, almost dissolving his whole body, with the exception of his head.

What have we learned to control… a monster. Humanity should not have this much power, and certainly not three of these unnatural beasts.

“The enemy is eliminated. I knew they would be excellent guardians. I’ll give my programmers the great news.” Zebra said as the room lighting came back to normal levels in the room.

Zebra, you are so foolish. You don’t know what your stumbling around with.

“Sinder, was the entirety of the unit destroyed? We may have a severe problem if they are able to talk to command of their discovery.” Asked the ever-vigilant Junior, as he loaded the vidclip directly into his own datapad for reviewing latter.

“The fungus that surrounds the entirety of this valley prevents us from deep scans, but we feel confident in the total eradication. Although, with out a doubt, they’re supporting bases will soon notice their missing unit.” Sinder replied as she finally sat down into her chair.

Spartans… just add that to our enemies now. I’m sure those Spartan soldier’s families will understood when Sparta Command tells them that their son or daughter just disappeared.

“This is a dangerous time, especially with strange reports out of University Base and Peacekeeper headquarters that may relate to our position here at the Borehole Cluster. We are also unaware if Tomahawk has given our position away.” Beetle commented, still a bit distracted over his friend’s loss at the hand of the Peacekeepers.

“I have given that some thought over the past few days. Perhaps we can give these UN troops a greater risk at home, and perhaps delay there search and or attack of this instillation.” Sinder suggested with a poisonous tone to the others.

I see she still has a grudge against the Peacekeepers, over Virus’s death. As if it was there fault for protecting their own prisoners. I thought she had changed for the better after she came to this base… perhaps I was wrong.

“What do you have in mind Roze.” Spirit asked, a bit alarmed over Sinder’s manner of speech.

“Since almost the beginning this century, the Peacekeepers have been in a deadlocked war with the Yang’s atrocious minions as we all know. I say we tip the balance.” Sinder answered, continuing to use her ominous tone.

I have a bad feeling about this.

“There is no way we can intervene militarily Sinder, unless you have several thousand loyal troops your not telling me about.” Junior jokingly interjected into the conversation.

“You continue to look at warfare in three-dimensions Junior. You must open up your mind to the less obvious ways of warfare, which we Data Angels are known for throughout the net.” Sinder replied and took a short breath as she turned to face the entire council. “I believe if we can supply the Hive government with adequate technological support… notably fusion technology, which we got our hands on at the beginning of this year. This would surely frighten the Peacekeepers into keeping most of their units on the home front, and even enlisting the University into the fray.”

We… Sinder? Last time I checked, I was the one who got the technology out of the University capitol… or do you forget Richmond death…

“It can be done secretly if the council fully agrees. It will be simple for me to ‘transfer’ the files necessary for preliminary fusion technology, into some Hive intelligence officer’s mailbox without a trace.” Zebra confirmed, obviously liking the taste of the plan.

Richmond dies so that the Hive can have clean endless energy. I should write that on his epitaph.

“I suggest a vote.” Sinder added, as she regained her more virtuous tone.

Sinder: Yes
Zebra: Yes
Junior: Yes
Beetle: Yes
Spirit: Yes
Raptor: No

The council awaited in silence as the vote tallied on the holo-projector. Sinder seemed to be lost in thought while Zebra could be described as ‘laughing to himself’ about the sinister plan. The entire council looked up at the projector as the word ‘Yes’ came up.

Forgive me Richmond for letting this happen… I am truly sorry.

“I will handle the arrangements Sinder. I will also put more specialists on implementing the other two battle ogres into active duty, especially the mark 2. We have yet to see how the Spartans will react.” Zebra audaciously said.

Things are accelerating out of control. I thought we left Data DeCentral to get away from these problems, yet we seem to have more now than ever. But, there is nothing I can do.

[Jasonian]

Iota Station


“Commander Venus, I’m pleased to report that the last of the military leaders has… 'seen the light' in our cause. The base garrison, the chaos shock troops, and the scout rovers are all loyal to us.” The Empath probe reported satisfactorily, with a grin in her voice.

“Excellent work! Has the airstrip been prepared yet?” Venus responded.

“It’s not quite finished, but it will be before Domai lands. The drones…” she trailed off.

Venus frowned, “The drones aren’t behaving, are they?” the probe shook her head no. “I was afraid of this.” Venus continued, “Most of the population of this base is drones. We have to find a way to… pacify them, at least for the moment.”

The young probed nodded, “I understand. I’ll see what my people can do. But that airstrip WILL be completed on time.” The screen went blank, and Venus heaved a sigh.

‘Two entire days of this madness… I’ve not slept more then four hours in the past two days. Ugh… and we’re not even close to being done. These stupid Cyborgs don’t know how to think for themselves! Teaching them how to will be hard, and won’t get any easier as we push into their territory…’ Venus thought to herself. She shook her head to try to stay awake.

A converted Cyborg ran up to her, holding a sheet of paper, “Mission 4 complete. Iota Station datalinks have been opened. New technology not discovered. Map of territory discovered, although it is incomplete and only shows one additional base. Item discovered: priority urgent. Instructions: give this to you for to read.”

Venus took the paper, “Thank you… err… Iota-145-H. The time on this is only two minutes ago. Excellent job getting it to me this fast.”

“Whatever serves the greater good of the Free Drones is worth extra effort.” He responded automatically, and he turned to leave.

“Hey… wait!” he looked back at Venus. She sighed, “You served the Free Drones, that’s true. But you did a good job. You did, as a person. Extra effort will not go unnoticed. I thank you.”

“Whatever serves… umm… thank you for this compliment. I am honoured.” He squinted his eyes, cocked his head, and then ran back the way he came.

‘ He’s learning how to think. He’s learning that he is important as a person. But it will take so long before it becomes actual thought… automatic, like breathing. Still, it’s a start.’

Venus took a look at the paper, and her eyes opened in surprise, “Com officer! Patch me through to Domai’s escape pod, now!”


Domai’s escape pod
Approaching Iota Station from the south
ETA: about 8 hours

Rockmore grunted, “Ok, it’s nice that we installed these escape pods and all, but honestly, couldn’t they have been a little bigger? We’ve been sitting in these seats for almost a day now! I think I’d give my left leg to be able to stand and stretch.”

“If you gave up a leg, you wouldn’t be able to stand.” Atlasia quietly commented.

If Rockmore heard her, he didn’t acknowledge it. He grunted again, leaned back, and shut his eyes. Although it wasn’t that bad, the entire council wouldn’t be too upset if they were dumped into the seas and told to swim the rest of the way to Iota Station. Anything, as long as they get to move again.

“These pods weren’t designed to travel for this long without stopping. The extra fuel is only for longer trips with multiple stops. You’re lucky we made them this way, or we’d be back on the ‘Seabase Academy,’” explained Jeffred.

“Yeah well, it’s still unfair. At least Domai has some space to move around in his little room. We’re here stuck in these chairs. I guess it’s good to be the leader.” Newman griped.


Domai’s Quarters

“Another drink, Foreman? Shall we fluff up your bed for you? Or will you just be going out on the balcony?” Domai’s attendant asked, smirking.

Domai shifted uncomfortably in his chair, “Very funny. And I’m not that soft to need a balcony, or expensive drinks, or a bed. I’m still a worker at heart, ya know.”

The large screen in front of him cut off from the tactical plans and showed Venus’s face, “Foreman, we found something interesting in the Iota Datalinks…” she smiled.

************

“I don’t get it. What’s the big deal about some captured Pirate at Alpha Prime?” Domai questioned.

“This isn’t any old drunken sailor. This is Captain Phelan Ward!” Venus exclaimed.

“Uhh… who?” Domai asked stupidly.

Venus sighed, “If you would have read the Pirate transmissions during the Living Standard operations, you’d remember that he was in charge of a missile foil in the Pirate’s fleet.”

Domai was getting angry, “So what?! How is this guy important at all?!”

Venus’s expression was serious, “The pirates reported that that ship was sunk during their first ecounter with the Cyborg air force. Captain Phelan Ward and his entire crew, along with the rest of the fleet, including the admiral in charge, Rear-Admiral Thomas de Bilde, were all killed. All of them.”

Domai looked confused, “I don’t understand. The Pirate datalinks show that Thomas de Bilde is in fact not dead, and is back in Pirate territory.”

Venus grinned, “Exactly!!! Think about it Domai. The pirate fleet sinks. Those two guys die. Now both of them show up. One is in Cyborg territory, the other in Pirate. The Cyborgs must have captured them BOTH, and then let the Admiral go. They are at war, and unless the whole war is a cover, they would not exchange prisoners. The question then is this: why let him go?”

Sparks of realization were in Domai’s eyes, “So, the Cyborgs ‘reprogrammed’ the admiral and send it him back to do some sort of damage to the Pirate bases, fleets, or whatever. Interesting ideas… it’s quite a leap there. There’s no evidence behind it, but I’ll inform the Pirates of what we have discovered, and about your theory. I will send a message to them as soon as I land!”

Venus nodded, satisfied, “You do that. By the way, how is my other team doing?”

“You mean the one that captured the Cyborg rovers? They’re back in the Free Drone tech labs, trying to figure stuff out. But since we now have a city of them, it’s kinda useless.”

Venus quietly nodded her head, “I see… as soon as you get back, we’re going to talk. I… have an idea that could tip the scales further in our favor.”

Domai looked concerned, “It’s nice that you aren’t going to just run off this time. Tell me, does this idea of yours involve an elaborate prisoner escape plan?”

Venus just smiled and cut the transmission.

[Bearcat]

Judgement Seat
Isle of Deinara

Cultist soldiers ran down the corridors their gas masks rasping. All around them hung the yellow cloud of nerve gas. Believing citizens were choking and gasping as their nerves forze up on them. However the pink armor of the Cult moved forward.

Believing soldiers had no protection either. They were without gas masks. So they too succumbed to the poisonous vapors. The Cultist soldiers almost didn't need to fight. There was basically no resistance. The lone Believer in his orange armor would jump into their path and open fire but that was about it.

No one was sure how the mind worms would react ot the nerve gas. So they were kept outside the base. Later after it was purified the mind worms would enter. Any surviving Believers would be asked to convert. If they didn't Cha Dawn had ordered that the base be razed.

Finally reaching the central plaza the soldiers blew away any surviving Believer warriors guarding the plaza. Than they electronically raised the Cultist standard. Now to purify the base.


[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited January 14, 2000).]

[Captain Kirk]

Spartan Territory
Secret Hollow area

Commander Dieter Wallach sat in his rover cockpit. He glanced at the blinking controls. He set his rover on autopilot and watched the landscape go by. The crimson xenofungus gleamed in the light of the double suns. Wallach never ceased to be amazed by this planet's beauty. He considered Morgan disgusting, raping Planet for his own greedy ends. Currently Santiago was experimenting with a Green economy.

Thus they were pacted with the Gaians. Their recent switch to Fundamentalist really hadn't bothered the Colonel. Their values were what they worried about. Right now the Gaians didn't have any values. The Morganites Wealth was disgusting them. The moguls wallowed in their energy credits while the people lived in squalor. The University and Peacekeeper Knowledge values was considered a covert weapons research program. The Spartans had chosen Power values. Giving them the strongest army on Planet.

Wallach turned his attention back to the mission. Spartan High Command had sent them to discover what had happened to the missing patrol. As commander of Tiger Squadron he was the elite of the elites. Tiger Sqaudron was an elite chaos rover brigade. They ahd been following the patrol's route for two days. All of a sudden a beeping began. He looked own.

His rover's radar was locking in on
something. He started to work his control panal desperatly. Was it a homing signal ? A tracking implant ? No. It was an MMI ! He locked in on it's circuit number. 423-567-Beta. He logged into Sparta Command's central computer. He looked up MMI personnel. The number belonged to the MMI of one Major Adrian Conway.

Wallach gasped in shock. Major Conway had been the leader of the missing patrol. Wallach realized that they could be here. He opened his commlink.

"This is Tiger Leader to Tiger Squad, Report" he said. He listened as every one reported in. Tiger One, Tiger Two all the way to Tiger Fifteen. He than gave them the news.

"I've found the MMI signal of Major Adiran Conway the leader of the missing patrol" he said. He heard a crackle of conversation between his men. He put his rover into 2nd gear and accelerated. His rvoers sped afetr him. He looked up and gasped. A yellow curtain of energy hung in front of his eyes. He braked qucikly.

"This is Tiger Leader to Tiger Squad. Don't stop. Whatever this is could be responsible for our lost units" he said. He put his head back down to oncentrate on the battle ahead.
[This message has been edited by Captain Kirk (edited January 15, 2000).]

[Captain Kirk]

U.N. Headquarters

Agent Tristan Shell walked down the cobblestone streets resembling old town Prague. The capital city of the former Czech Dominion on Earth. He saw two Peacekeeper guards walking towards him. Both were dressed in sky blue uniforms and had the silver Peacekeeper emblem on their right brest. And they were both armed with only shredder pistols.

Shell stopped at a vendor selling bratwurst. A German food. He handed over an energy credit and was rewarded with a sausage covered in mustard, sauerkraut, and relish packed between a bun. The guards walked by and didn't even look his way. There was nothing suspicious about a man buying food. He smiled to himself. Only a couple more levels till he could find the U.N. Headquarters central data core. He smiled at them and turned away.

He took a bite and let the flavors exploed through his mouth. Was German food always this good ? Back at Sparta Command there was a Mexican resteraunt on Siege Street. But enchiladas, and tacos, and burritos were nothing like this. Then he remembered that he had a mission. He opened his quicklink and qucikly finished his sausage.

"Pat you there ?" he asked. He waited for a moment until a reply came through.

"Yeah Tris. Hey there is a great Chinese food stand over here selling things they call eggrolls. Sure beats a chalupa" he said. Shell nearly exploded over the link.

"Chinese ? They've got Chinese food here too ?" he screamed silently. Than he turned back to the sausage stand. Let's see. Mustard, ketchup, straws, aha napkins. Shell grabbed a napkin as Donovan's worried reply crackeled over the quicklink.

"Hey don't sweat it. I can probably get you an eggroll too" said Donovan. Shell threw his napkin in the trash recycler and answered.

"No. Finish your eggroll and meet me at the central datacore" he said. He heard an affirmative grunt from the other end. So Shell closed his quicklink and started walking again. He turned the corner and walked until he found an elevator to the next level. He went inside and pressed the 2 button. He waited until he heard the ding and the doors swooshed open again. He stepped out and checked everything. His Peacekeeper identity card, his retinal contacts, his gloves, and his probe tool box.

Everyhting there. He started to walk. This level was a mix of government, and recreation. So no guards pestered him yet. Than he saw the checkpoint into the governmental area. "I bet even a University probe team could get through here" he thought to himself. Using the Knowledge values had lowered the Peacekeeper security rate. So it was getting very easy to break in. Especially for a Commando like himself.

"Stop sir. We need to see you identity card" said the tall guard in a British accent. "Over 100 years on this Planet and ethnic accents still exist" he thought to himself again. He heard that there was Turkish quarter at U.N. Temple of Sol. But he had never really thought about it. Finally the guard answered.

"Very well sir. You are cleared to proceed" said the guard. The other darker obviously African guard simply nodded him on. Lucky I'm not A Hive probe team. He continued on. Passing government office after governemnt office. The datacore should be here somewhere. He wached as a drone passed by him. He was chatting with a technician.

Finally he reached the datacore area. Two talents, both women walked up to him. Was this the Peacekeepers last line of defense ? Talents ? At Sparta Command they kept a probe team on duty to guard it.

"Who are you and what is your assignment ?" they both asked. If they were Psi Talents they could catch him lying. He had to be careful.

"My name is Pierre Faroun and I'm a technician. I was transferred from U.N. Haven City a couple of days ago" he said. The talents seemed to consider this. Than they answered.

"Proceed" they said. Shell nodded and continued. He punched in an access code. The doors to the datacore swished open. He started to walk in. But before he could enter he bumped in to a Peacekeeper guard.
[This message has been edited by Captain Kirk (edited January 15, 2000).]

[Cotroneo]

Specter’s Perspective (Italics)
0600 hours
60 kilometers south of Secret Hollow (Borehole Cluster)

The duel suns are so beautiful in the morning. How could humanity fight in such a beautiful surrounding?

Specter had been in the rover for twelve hours, since departing Great Zion, for the Borehole Cluster. The trip had been a wonderful experience for him, as if he was a toddler experiencing his first feelings of the real world. The interaction between certain individuals was tricky, but he felt he had done a good job so far.

The Borehole Cluster should be coming up in about a half a day or so if my speed keeps up. But, I’m still wondering what will be there waiting for me at this Cluster. The council didn’t give me much information on this Data Angel populace.

Specter stopping dazing off in thought as he was jerked around inside the cockpit by a sudden change in terrain. Specter instinctively grabbed the controls and turned off autopilot as he brought up the primitive sensors onboard the borrowed orange Believer rover.

Fungus… I should have been watching my rover’s cruise more efficiently. This fungus seems to grow rapidly, and I must remember next time to keep a good eye out for it.

The sensors finally loaded up onto the onboard HUD, giving Specter a full observation of what was around his location.

A fungal bloom… there could be mindworms.

Fungus vines, which were parallel to his direction suddenly, grew in the way of the rover. The vines, almost intelligently, went for the gear treads, clogging them up as the rover tried to run them over. The rover finally refused to move forward, as the growing vines began to cover his entire vehicle in their impenetrable wall.

What can I do… Kurita… what did you teach me. Oh yes… use my gift.

Specter looked again at the sensory board a saw a terrifying sight. The fungus was moving in certain locations, almost definitely meaning there were mind worms out there.

I must not fear… my mind is stronger

Specter sat down into his chair and closed his eyes. He could feel foreign minds searching and abutting his neuro-pathways. Suddenly these foreigners found the right memory… fear began to take over his body.

Fear…. I must be stronger. Intrepid! Intrepid!

Intrepid, was Specter’s trigger for his usually dormant mental abilities to activate. Specter forced them out of his mind, and began to attack the worm’s mind with his mental rage that human scientists had put inside him.

Planet mind…. so powerful. I must be stronger!

Seconds past by, feeling like hours for Specter as he attacked and defended the entire planet mind. Its awesome endless strength was amazing, yet it was also amazing that a human formed individual could possess equal strength.

Suddenly, as quickly as the fungus came, it retreated off the vehicle, back into a near by fungal field. As, if the attack had never happened. Perhaps planet found that he was not the Believer, his rover had printed on it.

Kurita was right, I do have great power. I must be careful when I use it again.

Specter shifted the rover into gear and set off again for the borehole cluster.

*********************************************

Specter’s Perspective (Italics)
1600 hours
1 kilometers south of Secret Hollow (Borehole Cluster)

There is nothing here, perhaps these Angel’s hide themselves or our intelligence is wrong.

Specter got out of his rover and sat on the ground of a cliff, which overlooked the valley. He could feel people’s minds. Some were dreaming while some were investigating or concerned with their occupations. As if a city was beneath him, yet hidden in a mysterious energy.

As he sat down he reached out to these people with his mind. He could feel that they were close, extremely close to be exact.

As he traveled with his mind throughout the valley, he felt the presence of a soldier. He looked through the soldier’s mind like a robber stealing candy from a baby.

Finally, he reached the correct memory. He saw the day the cloaking field went up in a ball of energy, which surrounded the base. The reason he could not see the base now.

As quickly as he entered the man’s mind, he left, returning to his own physical body.

I must make my assault now. These angels seem like good people… yet I must follow orders.

*********************************************

Specter’s Perspective (Italics)
1700 hours
Battle Ogre Armory, Secret Hollow

That guard almost saw me, but I should be safe and by myself for a few minutes at least.

Specter closed the door then looked behind him. The three behemoths that filled the room, were covered with strange scientific instruments, perhaps from Zebra’s tests during the day.

Specter walked slowly up to them, as he reached out his mind, to make sure that no one else was inside the building watching him.

Something is here… its not human. Could it be these Alpha113s that are emitting this resonance I'm feeling now. Are they alive?

“Stop!” A voice from behind him called out. “Who are you? There is no shift during the night. Turn around slowly so I can see you.”

Specter slowly turned around, careful to show no signs of using his mental abilities. Yet, the strain on his face was evident.

His name is… I must search harder… yes… there it is… Paul Cotroneo… his friends call him Raptor.

“Hello Raptor.” Specter exclaimed as if he was a long time friend.

“Do I know you?” Raptor replied perplexed, and a bit ashamed for not knowing whom this person was.

I must be careful… I must win his confidence.

“Come on old buddy…” Specter paused, and searched Raptor’s mind, learning his past and secrets. “Back at Morgan Industries… sure I haven’t see you for a while, but you all ready forgot who I am. I feel so depressed.” Specter joked comically, still keeping up his ruse.

“Now I remember.” Raptor said, although he clearly didn’t know whom he was talking to. “What brings you here, to the den of the iron beasts?”

He’s very careful and smart… He wants to learn who I really am… I must get him out of here.

“My director wanted me to…” Specter stopped short as someone came over the base PA system.

“All executive officials report to the command center, this is not a drill!” The loud female voice exclaimed throughout the base.

“…Well I guess that means you old buddy.” Specter replied confidently, secure that his ruse had gained Raptor’s trust.

“Ok… old buddy… don’t get scared over these tin animals.” Raptor still a bit confused said as he jogged out the door on his way to the command center.

That was lucky, I thought he would never leave.

Specter using his optical contacts, linked to the computer systems onboard the ogres, using the council's unique command codes.

It seems these Angels have incorporated cloaking fields onto these Alpha113s, this could make the job easier. I won’t even have to fight my way out.

[Cotroneo]

Double

[This message has been edited by Cotroneo (edited January 17, 2000).]

[Captain Kirk]

U.N. Headquarters

Shell almost jumped out of his skin. A thousand thoughts raced throught his mind at once. What if the guard suspected him ? What if he was taken into custody ? What if everything was a trap ? However over 10 years of probe experience had taught him to steel his nerves. The Peacekeeper grabbed him by the arm and pulled him in.

"Come on Tris we haven't got all day" said the guard. Shell almost sighed with relief. It was Donovan. He took a moment to catch his breath and than spoke.

"Damnit you nearly scared the hell out of me Pat. Don't do that again. Besides were did you get that PK uniform ?" asked Shell. Donovan simply smiled. He had already accessed the datacore's files and was pouring through them. Shell took a seat. He reached down to his probe toolcase and opened it up. Than he deftly removed a disk and some other odd miscellania. He quickly inserted the disk into the drive. Than he attaced a round device to the control pad and began to turn it slowly at the top.

The security codes were passed with ease. Than he opened up the processor and the floodgates were opened. One tech after another buzzed by in front of his eyes. Social Psych, Ethical Calculus, Secrets of the Human Brain. No Conqueor techs. He kept going. Than a flash of red caught his eye. He stopped turning the device and stared at the screen. Applied Physiscs, nothing new. He began to turn again.

"Anything on your end ?" asked Shell. Donovan gave a negative grunt. He nodded and kept watching his screen. Just a bunch of old discovered techs. All of which the Spartans knew.

"Don't these Peacekeepers have anything better to do than clutter their datacore with obsolete techs ?" asked Donovan in frustration. Donovan knew just as well as Shell did though that everything came into the central datacore. However when one is frustrated things are quite a different story. Shell stood up to stretch his legs. He looked at his timepiece. Than he looked back at the datacore. How long before the Pks sent a soldier down here to kick them out ?

Shell grabbed a cup of coffee and returned to his business. An hour later things weren't looking up. And they had only poured through one fourth of the datacore. Donovan spoke up.

"Maybe the Colonel was wrong. Maybe there is nothing to find" he trailed off. Shell shook his head. Than he stopped and stared at something he had found on the screen. A picture of a missle loomed in front of him.

"Look at this. A missle. It says it uses High Energy Chemistry. No nuke I guess" said Shell. Donovan was standing behind him now looking over his shoulder. Than he spoke.

"Maybe the Colonel was right after all" he said. Shell scrolled down the page a little bit.

"Look here. It says the missle was built by a Johan Kropotkin. And it was used to destroy a Hive chaos cruiser" he said. Donovan nodded.

"The two are at war" he muttered. Shell nodded. Donovan returned to his work station. Both spent a few more hours working. Plying their devices to churn through the datacore. Finally he gasped and motioned for Donovan to join him.

"Look at this."
[This message has been edited by Captain Kirk (edited January 21, 2000).]

[Raging Mouse]

Location: Near Hive's Communal Nexus

After two hours, Manuel has found, you can even get used to airdrop-flights. The watching of guidance-boundaries and the reading of thrust, tilt and wind-speed has become routine. And yet his company isn't even halfway through the great arch that their flight-path should describe. He can gaze with ease at the ground whizzing by, over two thousand meters below, or, if he prefers, he can turn across his axis a hundred and eighty degrees, and gaze at the clouds. This was spectacular to look at while Alpha A set; now they are only grey smudges in a deep purple void. And so, now, he is bored.

He opens and rereads the vast quantities of text stored within the memory-banks of his MMI. Mostly reports about the Hive; in particular the base he is about to assault. IR-images showing entrances; some meant as such, some not. The campaign was planned some time ago, but crises elsewhere diverted the attention of the Peacecorps. Now the plans have been updated; probabilities recalculated, supplies redistributed and technology upgraded. But what was initially a plan based on exact intelligence is now outdated. Some new technologies are yet untested in a genuine battle, and are therefore unknown quantities. The enemy has not been idle, and the Peacecorps don't have up-to-date intelligence anymore. All probe-teams have been called to guard their home bases.

And so on. Manuel's orders are numerous, and he has many objectives. But only two contingencies: One; do this, do that, and so forth. Two; improvise.

He wills open a comm-link to captain Steiner, of the third company.

">Einrich, have you read the de-briefs?<"

">Sure have, Manuel. A bunch of mindworm larvae eating at my brain, I think.<"

">Ditto. Looks like the bosses ain't sure what we're going to find there.<"

">That's sure. Hey, you were in those sim-assaults, right? Did you know the holo of the base came from before the Hive took it back?<"

Manuel curses of some time. ">No I didn't! What's the point of it then? The Hive's bound to have rerouted the entire complex by now. We didn't leave many upper access-ways unblocked, sure as mindworms are pink.<"

Slight chuckle is heard over the comm-link. ">You sure didn't, I hear. Anyways, there's enough brass coming with us to set up a fully functional chain of command. They'll make decisions on the fly, or at least on the run. Anyway, we're supposed to be 'resourceful and adaptive', aren't we?<"

">So what you're saying is, that we will make up the plan as we go along?!<"

">No, things aren't that bad yet, captains.<" This was a third voice, that of Major Kandue, the leader of the all three companies. ">It's just that we don't really know what to expect of the Hive. Their units have all been recycled, replaced or serviced recently. Some are even now approaching or retreating from the frontline. Seems like there has been some major refitting of units, but to what end we cannot say. The new units are almost exact copies of earlier designs, if you ignore some small 'tweakings'. Oh, and they have finally developed photon shielding, although that tech is yet on the prototype-stadium.<"

Manuel grunts. ">That's still bad news. I couldn't find that in the reports, by the way.<"

">Neither could I<" Steiner remarks.

">That's because the information was unverified yesterday evening. But this morning I spoke to the intelligence officer in charge, and he revealed to me that one of our companies had traded shots with a unit of rover-type vehicles protected by photon-shields.<"

In the silence that follows, Manuel is alerted by his MMI. There is a beep, and a male voice declares in careful monotone that the peak of the calculated trajectory has been reached. It is time to start the descent. Kandue speaks, now to all three companies.

">Now is the time to pray, if that is what you need.<" (An anonymous soldier from the third grumbles about the need to pee, and is told to shut up.) ">Now is the time for a short moment of silence, in which we shall focus on the task at hand. Ahead of us, at the landing, the battle will have raged for several hours already, as our needlejets and choppers have weakened the air-defenses of the Hive. Also, several companies have already landed.<"

Manuel tries to determine what 'silence' means when strapped to several miniature jet-engines and flying at insane speed at sixteen hundred meters. He is still unsuccessful when Major Kandue speaks again.

">Allright. I'll patch you all up to the main frequency. Let's hear what we're up against!<"

Soon the sounds of countless orders, warnings and screams issuing from Peacekeeper soldiers can be heard. Occasionally there are also actual radio-transmissions; then also the sounds of battle are heard, as the whoosh of a jet-engine, the thunder of artillery or as explosions. From all that is heard, it is obvious that the battle is truly raging.

Now the companies descend through the last layer of clouds before the ground. The comms-channel is muted as the landing is prepared. Below the scene is nightmarish. Here and there the ground glows in red or yellow, testimony of the after-effects of the chaos-weapons. The areas can be small pin-points, from the rifles of soldiers, to huge craters, from the Hive's artillery. New splashes of light appear all the time, while the old ones slowly fade away. Now and then there is an explosion, or a flash of white, as armor or shield is struck. And already the sounds of the battle can be heard; like a shouting-contest between a thunderstorm and a volcano.

Then one of Manuel's soldiers shout. ">Incoming!<"

Manuel quickly spins through a full circle, looking for whatever the man has seen. His MMI frames some dots appearing out of the clouds with red threat-rectangles. Twelve Hive needlejets. Then Manuel tells his MMI to provide him with an estimated flight-path for the planes, and is immediately relieved. They won't come anywhere near his company. Of course, now that the jumpjets are braking their fall, the soldiers are visible like beacons. With no chance of remaining undetected.

The needlejets pass by. then they break formation, and begin to turn back. But they don't turn all the way; instead they turn once again away from the soldiers. And then Manuel sees why. Out of the clouds comes a recently refitted peacekeeper missile; now with twice the bang, thanks to the breakthroughs in molecular synthesis that Fusion Power made possible. The needlejets are circling the missile, and closing in from behind. As the missile roars past not far from Manuel and his company, they open fire.

At first all shots miss. Then there is a close miss. Then a graze. The missile swerves wildly, presenting a much bigger profile for the needlejets, and several shots slam immediately into it's side. The Hive Needlejets are now only a few thousand meters away from the missile; they are obviously expecting it to explode harmlessly.

But the reactive compounds are unstable. A spark from the energies of the Hive guns is all it requires, and the chemicals ignite. First, only a small red point at the tip of the missile. Then the real reaction starts, and a large, startlingly beautiful flower of shimmering blue plasma bursts from the missile. Even in that small moment the missile is vaporized by its own payload. Then the boundary between cool and superheated air breaks, and the ball explodes. A mere four kilometers from, and slightly above, Manuel. He can *see* the approaching shock-wave, even through the air. The needlejets are already disintegrated. He wills the MMI to apply every joule of the Jumpjet's energy to gaining height. The acceleration is so strong that Manuel nearly faints, but he is now above the center of the explosion. He will be hurled up, rather than into the ground.

He initiates the emergency landing program. Then the shockwave slams into him like a train.

[Captain Kirk]

U.N. Headquarters
Central Datacore

Shell and Donovan both exchanged looks of suprise. Right in front of them stood the profile of Larry Greenburg a.k.a. Tomahawk. The former Datatech president. Shell almost let out a whoop. Wouldn't the Colonel be suprised to hear about this one. Donovan simply stared. Finally he broke the silence.

"So they got the Datatech bastard. I thought the Yoopers had 'em" he said. Shell could only nod. He needed to talk with Colonel Santiago or General Nehm right now. Could his quicklink reach that far ? He reached into his toolbox and pulled out a range modifier. After fiddling with it he opened his quicklink.

"Sparta Command, come in Sparta Command. This is Gamma Team. Do you read?" he asked. The two probes waited in silence for a few moments. Shell glanced around the room nervously. Than a reply crackeled through.

"Come in Gamma Team. This is Sparta Command" said the voice. Shell immediatly demanded for General Nehm or Colonel Santiago. The voice told him to wait. Donovan had fetched himself a cup of coffee. He sat down and began to scroll through the profile of Greenburg. It mentioned several of his feats. Including the valiant resistance against Peacecorps and the University military. Than the familiar voice of Genral Nehm crackeled through.

"Gamma Team this is General Nehm what do you want? The Peacekeepers could catch you transmitting" he said angrily. Shell replied quickly.

"Sir we have found very interesting news on Mr. Larry Greenburg, otherwise known as Tomahawk" said Shell cooly. There was a long silence. Than Nehm came through again.

"The former Datatech president?" he asked.

"The one and only" replied Donovan from behind Shell. Now Shell spoke up.

"He's being held here at U.N. Headquarters. It looks like he has quite alot of accomplishments. Including overthrowing one Datajack Sinder Roze to take control of the Data Angel faction. And bravely resisting an invasion" he said. Finally Nehm replied.

"All right I'll go talk with the Colonel and see what she says of thsi new development. In the meantime keep your quicklink open" said Nehm. The time dragged by slowly. Shell found countless ways to amuse himself. Including flipping randomly through Peacekeeper files. He opened up personnel files carelssly and poured through all their latest research. He amused himself with a Rubik's Cube he always brought with him.

He looked over at Donovan who seemed to be doing a wire tap. A particularly hair-raising moment came when a Peacekeeper technician walked in. But she didn't say anything and went about her work. Than she left. About five minutes max. Shell and Donovan btoh breathed sighs of relief after she had left. Than a crackling came over Shell's quicklink.

"All right guys I talked with the Colonel. She said that she considered this a very interesting find. You two are to use whatever tools available to steal Mr. Greenburg from Peacekeeper control. Normally you would have better resources to work with. But we didn't expect this. We're sending you a plan and rendevouz coordinates. Call us when you have Mr. Greenburg in your control and we will send you a transport. Good luck" said Nehm.

Both operatives turned to the computer and began to work furiously.

[Barshy]

New Jeruselum

A pile of massive rubble lay behind the podium. Within a radius that seemed to stretch for miles, the ground seemed clear of any trace of building material. The clearing staff did a good job in vaporizing the unsightly mess. The main center would be rebuilt.

By order of Sister Miriam, the massive rubble in the center, remnants of the Main Cathedral, were to be left there as a memorial and a rememberance to the Believers' former capital and the thousands of lives that went to be with Lord. Three Council members were also killed.

Behind the podium on the stage sat who was left of the Lord's Council, including Sean Yang.

Not like this... thought Sean. All he could remember was the deafening yet split-second explosion, as if a fraction of God's total wrath were being poured out upon the capital... and Elizabeth clinging to his shirt, crying.

All holo-video cameras were aimed at Sister Miriam, her unshaking figure standing poised at the podium.

"Fellow Believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, no doubt you experience great sadness at the calamity that has befallen us. We all know the culprit is Provost Zakharov, but I must remind all of you that our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but with the powers of darkness.

"Using Zakharov as his pawn, the Prince of Darkness has attempted to strike us at the heart of our faith, in our capital, New Jeruselum, much like he attempted to destroy Job's faith.

"But like Job we must realize God's all-encompassing wisdom. Satan cannot do what God will not allow him to do. Moreover, Satan does not realize that our faith does not exist in mere buildings, or cathedrals, no matter how glorious they appear. Thus, the rubble you see before you signifies nothing, only that as Believers we will stand up to any adversity.

"No, my friends, our faith lies within, and even the loss of thousands of Believers did not take that away from them. We should rejoice that they are finally with the Lord.

Rejoice... Sean thought... Perhaps he could bring himself to rejoice, eventually. But what about Liz? Could see ever live with herself knowing what she had done?

Sean closed his eyes, a tear rolling down his left cheek. He reached down, and held a trembling hand that was at his side. The same frail hands... Hands that were soft, hands that could always heal... Liz's hands felt unusually cold.

As he looked down at his side, he saw Liz, staring down with an unflinching gaze. Her lips were vibrating, and her skin was deathly pale. Her usually flowing hair was brittle and frazzled, and a shawl was around her body. She was sitting in a wheelchair.

When the explosion had subsided, Sean remembered Elizabeth rushing towards the stairs and climbing the 10 flights of stairs from the basement to the surface.

By the time Sean had caught up with her, she already reached shock. She could not handle the fact that she had caused New Jeruselum's destruction, and immediately fell into a brief coma.

After she recovered from the coma, she could not speak and was in the state she was currently. All Sean could do was pray and take care of her. Perhaps the University had programmed her to enter the state after the mission, or maybe she just could not bear living with what she had done, despite the chemicals that controlled her.

Needless to say, Sean was devastated. Yet, he had hope. He would not be angry, and he would not curse God. Like Job, perhaps God would be gracious enough to bring Elizabeth out of her vegetative state. But even if He didn't, Sean would still have faith. To lose his faith now would be to let Satan win the battle.

"And now, my fellow Believers, I am officially declaring a 40 day period of fasting and praying. Put on your sackcloths, and sprinkle ash upon your heads. Cry out to the Lord in repentance for your sins, and call to Him for retribution. Ask that He may restore His favor towards us. Until then, I will briefly retire to my own quarters.

"I shall fast and pray with all of you, doing diplomatic business only in cases of major emergencies. Until then. God bless you all."

Sean looked up into the setting suns, the eyes of God watching over His people, His Believers.