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Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers all apply. The characters of Highlander: The Series and The Pretender belong to others; I am only borrowing them to tell a story. I receive no remuneration for this; rather I do it because I enjoy it. As always, comments for readers are welcome.
The verse quoted is from Every Waking Moment by Tim Hearsey. Copyright (c) 1994, Vivic Music (BMI) and can be found on Jim Brynes' album "That River". It just seemed to fit.
The Green Flash
By TheGreyOwl
Seacover, WA
Joe's Bar was crowded when Duncan walked in...even for a Friday night. Still, the place had not been the same since Joe had taken off for Australia. Duncan had not been in the club much since he'd come back from Australia; the only reason he was there now was leaning against the bar...Methos.
"Ah, MacLeod. About time you made your appearance," drawled the lanky Immortal. "Want a beer or something a little stronger?"
Duncan told the bartender to bring him a Glenlivet on the rocks then turned to Methos. "So, what's this all about?"
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?" Methos replied. "Trust me, MacLeod. You will find this interesting."
Duncan shook his head. Trusting Methos could be a risky proposition sometimes, although Duncan had to admit Methos had never betrayed him or even really lied to him. A little misdirection, yes; some outright omissions, certainly. But he had never lied to Duncan. Looking at his smirking friend, he knew Methos had something planned that was amusing the 5,000-year-old Immortal, but Duncan also knew that Methos would not give any hints as to what was coming.
Methos pushed away from the bar and led the way over to one of the tables near the small stage. Joe's Bar was a really good place for some quiet jazz and even some R&B when the right collection of players were in the house. The stage was currently set with a single stool and microphone; whoever would be performing would be solo. When they reached the table, Methos took the chair facing the stage, forcing MacLeod to sit with his back to the stage.
Methos started asking questions about Duncan's recent trip to Australia and the misadventure that had befallen Amanda. When Duncan described Amanda's retribution for the rape, Methos was both appalled and amused. "With her teeth!" Methos exclaimed, laughing uncomfortably at the fate Amanda had bestowed on the luckless Immortal. Duncan went on to discuss the rest of the holiday that the four had enjoyed.
As they spoke, Duncan could hear the musician setting up behind him, so the strumming of the guitar came as no surprise. However, the smoky voice made Duncan's head snap around. "Joe!"
"Now you know why I wanted you to come here tonight. I thought he was running around the Outback with Megan." Methos said, looking at Duncan as if demanding an explanation.
"Hey, don't look at me! The last time I saw Joe was when Amanda and I left him and Megan at the airport in Perth, and that was about a month ago. I wonder what is going on."
Unfortunately for their curiosity, they were not able to talk with Joe until the bar closed. All the bar's regulars monopolized Joe during his breaks. However, once the last customer was out the door, the three friends sat down at a table with fresh drinks.
"Okay, Joe, talk to us. I have been patient as long as I can. Where is Megan?" Methos demanded.
Joe took a swig from his beer, then said, "I think she's in Paris looking for Amanda. At least that is where she was heading when we went our separate ways at the airport."
Duncan was puzzled. "You two were practically joined at the lip. What the hell happened?"
Joe sighed. "Reality set in. Duncan, I'm pushing fifty and, while the years weren't so bad, the mileage was atrocious. Megan is chronologically only nineteen and physically she's just shy of eighteen...the perfect example of young womanhood. I really started to have problems keeping up with her. I mean, her energy levels were incredible; I used to get tired just watching her.: After everyone's chuckles had died down, he continued. "For a while, she made me feel like a young man again, but passions that burn that hot also burn out quickly, especially in a man my age." Joe took a sip of his beer, raising his hand to still any comments from his friends. "We started to bicker...about little things mostly, but they seemed important at the time. One day we just looked at each other and knew it was over. We finally started to talk for the first time in many days about what had happened to our relationship and where we were going from there."
Once again, Joe drank from his beer. Now, however, her seemed to stare into space for a moment, lost in his thoughts. "Once Megan decided to fly to Paris to find Amanda, it became all she could think about. She finally booked a flight and left, so I came home. End of story." He finished his beer, then walked over to the stage and picked up his guitar. He strummed a few cords, then started to play.
"I can't get you out of my head.
I feel so confused about
The things that you said.
Everything I try to do
I can't help but think of you."
Paris
Megan walked slowly through the streets of Pairs, recalling the many tales told by Amanda about the various places. Like the time Amanda and Duncan had danced atop the Eiffel Tower in front of all the tourists. She'd visited the spot along the Seine where the barge had been moored. Now she stood in front of the church that had been home to Darius.
It was here that she felt the presence of the other Immortal. Having no wish for a public brawl, Megan slipped into the chapel. Holy ground...it's cool interior seemed to whisper...safety. Megan now understood why so many of her kind had taken refuge in the holy orders of the Catholic Church.
As she stepped from the interior of the chapel into the mediation gardens, Megan knew the other Immortal was also in the gardens. Her eyes sought the identity of this potential threat.
Nightwind had sought the peace and serenity of the meditation gardens every day since her rebirth. The friars at the church had become accustomed to her daily presence now, an extraordinarily beautiful oriental woman who would sit in lotus for hours on end lost in contemplation. In fact, the Abbot used her obvious self-denial as an example to stir the friars to greater acts of piety. The Abbot was convinced such deep contemplation could only be a gift from God, and he felt humbled by its stark simplicity.
Nightwind felt the approach of the other Immortal but knew she was safe here in the gardens. She opened her eyes and saw her. A young woman physically in her late teens, with auburn hair and a slim build. Despite the fact she was an occidental, Nightwind was reminded of both Willow, her first love, and Jade, her most recent. It was only that brief moment between the childish ways of girlhood and the full bloom of a woman that attracted Nightwind. Both her loves had been mortal. Willow had died in one of the many epidemics that swept medieval China and Jade had perished in Tiananmem Square
But here was the extraordinary fleeting quality caught forever at first bloom. Nightwind herself had taken no more than seventeen summers when death had taken her at the turn of the millennium. Together, she and this stranger probably looked to others like two schoolgirls on holiday.
Neither spoke, their eyes measuring the other's posture and appearance, as if seeking some clue as to their intentions. The young girl gestured to one of the facing benches as if seeking permission to sit. At Nightwind's nod, she folded herself gracefully into a lotus.
"I am Megan Carson," she said. "I mean you no harm."
"I am...Jasmine," she said, falling into old habits. "I also mean you no harm. It would be a pleasure to sit and speak with another of our kind. It has been almost 300 years since I last did so."
"Really? So long?"
"Yes. Actually, there were two that year. It was in Verona, Italy, and they were the first Immortals I'd seen in over two centuries. The first was a handsome dark Scot who warned me of the coming of the second one, a headhunter by all accounts." Nightwind closed her eyes as she recalled the rest. "The second was a golden Norseman who was merely a warrior of his times."
"You know, the handsome dark Scot that warned you? That sounds like something my friend, Duncan MacLeod, would have done."
The name brought the face back to Nightwind's mind. Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod, said in a thick brogue...the only man who ever made her knees weak and pulse pound with just a look.
The two Immortal women continued to chat until the sky began to darken as night fell. The ringing of a discrete chime told them it was time to leave the gardens. Still in deep conversation, the two women strolled along the avenue to a nearby café.
As they walked along, Nightwind asked "Are you aware we are being followed by a young man in a pale blue jacket?"
"Oh, him. Yeah, he's my Watcher." Seeing the confusion on Nightwind's face, Megan explained about the secret order of Watchers, pledged to chronicle the lives of the Immortals, to observe and never interfere."
The fact some mortals knew of their existence had shaken Nightwind. She'd never been aware of anyone observing her. When she made that comment aloud, Megan said, "Oh, they probably don't know about you. I mean, if it has been 350 years since your last quickening, they probably have no idea that you are an Immortal. You've spent most of that time living in place where a Watcher would stand out by being out of place. On the other hand, they know all about me. Not only do I know some of the better known Immortals, I used to live with the head Watcher for Western America. I've been watched ever since I died and was found by Amanda, my teacher."
As the two spoke, they were unaware of other eyes also watching them with marked concentration. As the two women rose and started to leave the café, a hand raised a small radio and the voice said, "Now."
A dark blue panel van suddenly darted alongside the two women. The side door was open and a masked individual leaned out and shot them both. As their insensate bodies fell to the pavement, two other men jumped out of the van and grabbed the oriental, throwing her into the van. "Bring the other one, too," the leader growled. Megan's body was similarly tossed into the van, and the men clambered inside. Even as the doors were being shut, the van raced off down the streets.
The Centre, Blue Cove DE
Miss Parker strode through the corridors of the Centre, her long legs eating up the distance. The tension within the Centre was palpable...heavy, foreboding. Something very bad had happened and it was if the entire facility held its collective breath...waiting. She pushed open to door to Broots' lab and said, "What is going on?"
The balding cyber-specialist nervously licked his lips and said, "You haven't heard? One of the Triumvirate was killed in Paris the other night. He was posing as a member of the Chinese Trade Delegation. He was beheaded by a woman with a fan!" The man's eyes darted around as his voiced dropped to barely above a whisper. "They say the killer was one of those Immortals Dr Raynes was so worked up about. And, according to what I've found in the data systems, the sweepers may have caught her and another Immortal and are bringing them here."
Parker's blood turned cold as the implications of these statements raced through her mind. An unprecedented power struggle would be taking place at the very top of the Centre as the European and North American members of the Triumvirate tried to expand their influence while holding the other at bay. Selecting a replacement third member of the Triumvirate would be very difficult, and could turn into a worldwide blood bath as sweeper teams were pitted against sweeper teams.
Now, to really complicate matters even further, it seems old Wheezy may actually have two of the Immortals he claims exist. Parker vividly remembered meeting the other so-called Immortals when they came to rescue the last one that Dr Raynes had caught. She knew she had to do something about this immediately before they came on their own. She didn't think the Centre would survive another visit.
"Broots, get me all the information you can about these two inbound Immortals. We need information before we can reach those who need to know about this."
Seacover, WA
Duncan watched as Joe picked up the telephone at the bar. The catchphrase used by the caller had indicated this was Watcher business, and Duncan was intrigued to learn Joe was back in the loop. Whatever the news, it was bad. Joe's face drained of color and he collapsed onto a stool, still clutching the telephone receiver with knuckles turning white with strain. Duncan raced to his friend's side.
"Joe, what is it?"
"It's Megan. Someone has shot her and taken her away. She and another woman were gunned down on the streets of Paris and the shooters took their bodies. That can only mean the shooters know they what they are. Whether they are another renegade Hunter group or what is still unknown...there are absolutely no clues as to where she is now." Joe placed his head in his hands and his big shoulders shook as he sobbed into his hands. His feelings for Megan were still very strong and very deep.
Duncan picked up the receiver and started dialing an international number that he billed to his calling card. As he'd expected, he was connected to her answering machine. "Amanda, Megan's in trouble. Call me."
A second call and he was connected to Methos. After filling in the oldest Immortal, Duncan returned to his most important duty...comforting his Watcher and friend while they waited for news.
Delaware
"What?" Parker snapped into the telephone receiver. It had been a very bad day at the Centre and she just wanted to relax.
"Now, Parker, you really need to work on your phone etiquette."
"Jarod. I've been expecting your call."
"Sydney passed me the message that you needed to speak to me. You know tracing the call would be fruitless, so it must be something unusual for you to ask him for this favor."
"It is. Jarod, remember the so-called Immortal you released from the Centre? Dr Raynes has just captured two more. One is an oriental, probably Chinese, who killed the Asian member of the Triumvirate. The second is a young Caucasian female. We have no identity for either of them, but their immortality has been proven. The sweeper team shot them down on the streets of Paris, and then took the bodies. Their revival was videotaped and rushed to the Centre."
The silence on the other end lasted only a few moments, then he said, "This is bad, Parker. Raynes cannot have these people. The others will destroy you all to stop him if necessary."
"I know, that's why I need you to either get in touch with the others or tell me how to reach them."
"I can't go myself, Parker, but you can find someone at a place called Joe's in Seacover, Washington. Remember, these folks have lived hundreds and possibly thousands of years, Parker, and they will not trust you."
The phone fell silent as Jarod disconnected. She quickly walked to her laptop and logged in to the Internet. She booked a late night non-stop flight to Seacover, rushed upstairs to change and pack an overnight bag.
Seacover, WA
The bar did not look like much in the daylight. Just another neighborhood bar with local talent playing blues and jazz to liven up a dull night. With the signs turned off and the shutters on the few windows, the place was indistinguishable from all the other small places she'd seen on her drive in from the airport. It was obviously closed; a fact that had not occurred to her on her flight west. She'd just have to return later when the bar was open.
As she started the engine of the rental car, a man walking down the street caught her eye. There was something familiar about him...what was it? Then she recognized him. She'd last seen him being carried from the Centre by his friends and Jarod. He walked over to the door of the bar, pulled it open, and walked inside.
Parker shook her head at her own closed-mindedness; it never occurred to her that the door might be unlocked. She turned off the engine and walked over to the door. After taking a deep calming breath, she pulled to door open and stepped inside.
As she waited for her eyes to adjust to the dimness of the lighting inside, she heard a voice say "We're closed, Miss. Come back after 6 tonight."
"I'm looking for Joe." Parker said, her voice strong and confident as she strode into the room. That confidence was shaken when she met the darkest pair of brown eyes she'd ever seen. Those eyes were housed in the handsome face of a dark-haired man. "Joe's not here at the moment, Miss." His voice had a trace accent of the Highlands of Scotland.
"Call me Parker," she said, as she glanced at the others. "While I don't know any of you, and you have no reason to listen to me, I have some news which I must get to someone." Pointing at Methos, she continued, "The last time I saw you, you were being carried from the Centre by a man named Jarod and another Scot."
Methos stared coldly at her for a moment. "I remember you now. You were there with a gun to stop us."
"True, but that was then. The Centre has just captured two more of your kind. They now have two live Immortals to experiment with. This must be stopped."
The dark Scot stared hard at Parker, those intense eyes burned into her soul. "Who do they have and how do you know they are Immortal?"
"I don't know their names. The first is a young Chinese woman who killed a member of the ruling body of the Centre. The second is a young woman. They were shot to death and then their revivals were videotaped. I saw the tapes and made these two stills from them." Parker handed the still of Nightwind to Duncan, who looked at it without recognition. Oh there was something there, but he could not identify her.
His reaction to the second photo was much more immediate. "Methos, get Dawson. They have Megan."
Miss Parker was not allowed to leave. She sat is an out-of-the-way spot while the group assembled. Methos wandered over after a while and sat beside her. "Tell me, Parker, why you came here and told us this?"
She was silent while she considered his question. "I am not really sure. I know much of what the Centre has done is wrong and should be stopped, but I don't want you guys to destroy it all. I need the Centre to find the answers to my own questions. Your turn. Who are all these people? "
Methos pointed to the older man who had just come in to the bar. "That's Joe Dawson. He owns this place. He's a mortal, like you are. He is in love with Megan, the young woman your folks have taken. The Scot is Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod, the nephew of the Scot you met at my rescue. Duncan is our resident Boy Scout, but he's young...a mere 400 years old. The woman coming through the door is Amanda Dariaux, Megan's mentor. Watch out for her. She thinks Duncan is hers and does not tolerate beautiful rivals well. She's about eleven hundred years old."
Parker could only accept the information at face value. It made no sense in her orderly world, but she could not deny what she'd seen in the tape. These people could die and come back again. "What about you? How old are you?"
"Oh, I'm not sure exactly. Around 5,000 years or so. Calendars weren't invented back then."
"You must have had an interesting life," Parker said, her voice shaking with the realization that these folks were real.
"You have no idea," Methos drawled as he picked up his beer and drank deeply.
Parker watched as the woman greeted the dark Scot; their embrace left no doubt they had a long intimate history together. The look the woman turned to Parker was definitely not cordial; Parker was reminded of the eyes of the deadliest sweepers...that clinical detachment and utter disregard for the life of another. For the first time, Parker was afraid.
Amanda came over and sat staring at Parker. "Where will they hold Megan?"
"Dr Raynes keeps his special projects in the Rejuvenation Wing at the main Centre complex in Blue Cove, Delaware. My associates will be trying to pinpoint them for us before we get there."
"Why should we trust you, Parker? You and your kind are responsible for this. Why shouldn't we just go through that place and kill every last one of you to eliminate the threat?"
"Because you know that would be wrong, that not every one there is a threat to you and your kind. Most don't even know what you are and wouldn't believe if they were told. The humanitarian side of the Centre does a lot of good, and it does not deserve to be destroyed to keep your secret."
"Well said," came the soft Scot burr next to her and she turned to find herself lost in those eyes again. "I'm sure you know enough to know we would not take innocent lives, even if it meant the release of the truth about us. Tell me, Parker, how you found us here?"
"Jarod told me to come here. He came here last time to help free Methos. How he found out about you all is something I don't know."
"Conner told me about that night. He also told me about the beautiful woman with the long legs who tried to stop them. I'm glad to see he didn't exaggerate." Duncan ducked a swing from Amanda. "Now, Amanda, even you have to admit she is beautiful and that her legs are great."
Amanda admitted nothing of the kind as she left the table. Methos chuckled as he watched the by-play. "I do believe our Amanda is very worried about her Megan. She never would have left the field of combat so easily otherwise."
Joe Dawson finally hung up the telephone and joined them at the table. "Miss Parker? I'm Joe Dawson. Thank you for telling us where Megan has been taken." She could hear the strain he was feeling in his words. "The archives suggest the other Immortal is known as Nightwind, a female assassin from the feudal days of China. She was long thought to be a myth, but stories would crop up now and then about her, the last during the Japanese occupation of Northern China during the Second World War. She is now credited with the assassination of the head of the Chinese Trade Delegation in Paris using a ceremonial fan, which was Nightwind's weapon of choice, to behead the man. She was seen with Megan leaving Darius' church in Paris just before they were taken."
Duncan picked up the photograph and stared at the young Oriental's image. "You know, I think we've met. It was a long time ago in Italy when an Immortal headhunter was prowling about. I warned her about him and later learned that she had in fact killed him. If she is indeed the same woman, she is very resourceful and capable."
"Well," Methos interrupted, "now that we are all here, how to we get our Megan back from the nefarious minions of the Centre?" His intonations of the last part were so melodramatic they sounded like one of those old movie serials, and everyone laughed, breaking the tension.
Parker retrieved her laptop computer and was soon linked to Broots. The floor plans of the Centre were displayed and discussed. Midway through the review, Parker's cellphone rang. Her crisp "What?" was once again met by Jarod's chuckle as he asked to speak to Methos.
She handed the phone to the old Immortal and watched as he talked with Jarod. It was fascinating to realize the strange allies Jarod had found since his escape from the Centre. She had to admit, if only to herself, that her efforts at his recapture were more pro forma than anything else. She only wanted him now for the information he knew about her Mother's death. And he was doing no one harm, and a lot of good, by being outside of the Centre; she had no doubts what Raynes would do to Jarod if he ever was again under Centre control.
"That was Jarod and he has vouched for Wondergirl here," Methos said as he handed the cellphone back to Parker. "He also said we could trust some others named Sydney, Broots, and Angelo."
"Sydney was Jarod's caseworker at the Centre and served as a surrogate father to him. Broots is the computer expert who is providing us with all this data. And Angelo...is a brain damaged idiot savant with empathic abilities beyond anyone's understanding." Parker's words may have been clinical, but her tone told everyone that Angelo had a special place in her heart that she herself may not even be aware of.
Parker glanced at her laptop's screen and called everyone's attention to it. "This appears to be real time video from the security cameras in the Rejuvenation wing." The group could see an orderly wheeling a gurney down the corridor. On that gurney lay the unconscious figure of a young Oriental woman. The gurney was wheeled into one of the rooms. The camera switched to the view from within the room. They watched as the woman was transferred from the gurney to the bed and securing fastened with restraints and the IV was transferred to the pole on the bed. The camera switched to show another gurney carrying Megan's still form being pushed into another room. She too was moved onto a bed and restrained.
"Well, we know where they are for sure now." Methos muttered. "We need to get started, people, before that ghoul at the Center starts."
Parker was accustomed to the speed at which the Centre could mobilize resources. She really never gave it much thought...a company jet was usually available by the time she reached the airport. She never had to be concerned with airline security and the like. She was wondering what these folks would do with some of their "luggage" when they reached the airport. After all, most folks don't pack a katana (Duncan), a rapier (Amanda), or a roman short sword (Methos). Her answers came as their limo turned into the business airpark rather than the commercial airport.
The driver pulled alongside a Gulfstream business jet and they all grabbed their hand luggage and boarded the small plane. Looking at her with amusement, Methos said, "One of the advantages of being Immortal, Parker, is the way compound interest adds up after a century or so."
He showed her where to connect her laptop so she could stay in touch with her confederates at the Centre. While there had been no hard information regarding Raynes' plans for the two women, the security camera feeds showed both were still sedated in their cells. She closed her eyes and leaned her seat back, exhausted.
--
Across the way, Amanda watched as Parker fell asleep. She had to admit the woman was beautiful in a hard, no-nonsense kind of way. She just bet the mortal could be a world class bitch when she wanted to be one. She was not Amanda's cup of tea at all, but she could see the woman's classic beauty and incredible legs had captured Duncan's attention. Her effect on Methos was not as pronounced, but Amanda noticed the old Immortal was never very far from the woman. Whether that was in case of trouble or because of interest was still in doubt.
Amanda's gaze fell on the equally exhausted Joe Dawson. He looked awful; the past few days had taken a terrible toll on the Watcher. She knew he still loved Megan desperately, and that there was nothing anyone could do to lessen the fear and the pain the man was going through. She would have to have some words with her young protégé once she had been rescued.
She could hear Duncan and Methos chatting in the back of the plane. Methos was telling one of his improbable stories from the past. Worst part about it was he had actually been living back then and could be telling the truth...who could challenge him on it? Amanda was quietly convinced that at least half of what Methos told was pure invention meant to amuse Methos himself. Amanda closed her own eyes and let the drone of the voices lull her to sleep.
--
Parker awoke a few hours later. She caught the end of a story Methos was telling involving a siege at some place called Masada. It finally connected that he was talking about the Masada in Israel, and that he had apparently been part of the Roman army that laid siege to the place so long ago. Incredible. Even the young woman across the aisle was over a thousand years old. Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod was the youngest, only 400 years old. Parker did not like the way the intense Scot affected her; it had been a long time since any man had made her feel like that and she was unsure whether she should do anything about it. After all, Amanda did pack a sword, too, and was probably the jealous kind.
Parker focused on her laptop, and noted she had an email. Clicking on the icon, she found a message from Sydney.
Parker,
The situation is deteriorating. There have been two attempts on your father's life in the last 24 hours. Your brother has disappeared and is presumably off in Europe, along with Brigette and her team of sweepers.
This has left Dr Raynes in nominal charge here. He has asked for you twice. I suggest you contact him to alleviate any suspicions he may have.
There has been no indication of his plans regarding the two women. I do know the Chinese is to be held inviolate; something about the Triumvirate murder. However, the other one has been released to Dr Raynes for whatever investigations he wishes to pursue.
You must act quickly.
Parker looked at the video feed from the Centre. Both Nightwind's and Megan's beds were empty. She quickly triggered the program to scan the security cameras. As the program cycled through the various cameras, Parker berated herself for sleeping even though she knew it was foolish. There was nothing she could have done from the airplane to stop Raynes.
As the display showed empty room after empty room, Parker quickly composed an email to Broots demanding an update. The response from the Centre computer sent a chill down her spine: Addressee unknown or invalid. A second message was then sent to Sydney. Addressee unknown or invalid.
"We've got trouble, people!" Her words summoned the three Immortals and older mortal. She explained the message from Sydney and that now the system disavowed both Broots and Sydney. This could only mean the internal power struggle within the Centre was escalating, and that her two associates had either gone into hiding or had been eliminated. Parker then pointed to the video image of Megan's empty bed, and said, "I have no idea where they have taken her. The security cameras do not show anyone in any level of the Centre. It is as if the entire building has been emptied."
Nothing had changed by the time the plane landed at the small business airport near Blue Cove. A large Chevrolet Suburban was waiting for them at the hanger courtesy of Methos' advanced planning. They had decided to let Parker approach the Centre alone, as if reporting in for work. However, when they reached her home in the countryside, she told them to keep going and not to stop. She explained she had set a visual marker to show whether there had been any intruders at her house. That marker was gone, which could only mean that someone had been down the road to her house and might still be waiting. About a half a mile passed her driveway, Parker had them pull the vehicle over and she got out. She was joined by Duncan MacLeod and she knew arguing would be no use.
The pair raced through the woods, Parker taking the lead. When they reached the clearing at the house, she paused to scan for any signs of the intruders. Duncan tapped her arm and then pointed to the curtains on the second floor of the house; there was still some small movement of the curtain from someone's abrupt closure. "Follow me," Parker whispered to Duncan, and then led him off to the side of the house. A small storage building was her destination. As the entered the little building, Duncan could smell the residual traces of gasoline and cut grass; the lawnmower was stored here. Parker turned a can of paint on the shelf, and a section of the flooring opened to reveal a tunnel. She gestured for Duncan to go first and then she closed the trap door behind her. Parker then squeezed passed Duncan in the narrow tunnel and led the way using a small flashlight she had taken from a hook on the wall.
Duncan was forced to admire this obviously formidable woman. He couldn't help but wonder what facet of her life necessitated a tunnel away from her home and the use of signals to indicate intruders. She handled the large automatic she was holding with the familiarity that comes from years of practice. She moved with the grace of someone well trained in the martial arts. Her entire no-nonsense approach appealed to Duncan; under different circumstances...well, he'd see if he could make her smile. That line of thought ended when they reached the end of the tunnel.
Parker peered through a peephole into the room beyond, and then pressed the hidden catch to open the tunnel door. Quietly, they entered the house. Slowly, cautiously, they moved through the basement and up the stairs to the main floor. After listening at the door for a few moments, Parker slowly opened the door and they eased into the kitchen. They could hear a low conversation coming from upstairs, but did not take any chances. They quickly searched the main floor to see if anyone was left downstairs. Nothing. As they climbed the stairs, Duncan took the lead...not from any chivalrous instinct but because he was Immortal and could withstand any assault likely from the intruders. The low conversation from the room at the top of the stairs was becoming clearer, and suddenly Parker rushed past Duncan. She threw open the door and said, "What the hell are you doing in my house?"
"Nice to see you, too, Parker." Jarod smiled as she stormed into the room. "Sydney and I were wondering when you'd come upstairs. Poor Broots was terrified you'd shoot first."
Duncan relaxed against the wall of the bedroom as Parker holstered her weapon in the small cutaway holster at the small of her back. "Why are you here?" she demanded.
"It had become increasingly more dangerous to stay in the Centre, Miss Parker. You don't know what's been happening. The place has echoed with gunfire most of the morning. Your father left after the second attempt on his life and put Raynes in charge. His sweepers rounded up most of the regular staff and sent them home. Some of them didn't want to go, and the sweepers took them away." Broots was clearly terrified by the morning's events. "When the two women disappeared, Dr. Raynes went crazy!"
"What do you mean, when the two women disappeared? What happened to them?" Duncan moved out from the wall as he spoke, his eyes locked on the small cyber-specialist.
"Well, we thought you'd freed them. I mean, one minute they were sleeping and the next minute, their beds were empty."
Jarod spoke up, "Well if you didn't rescue them and Dr. Raynes doesn't have them, either the other faction in the Centre has taken them or they've escaped. Knowing the drugs Raynes prefers, I'm betting they are still being held."
"Parker, there's a car coming!" Broots nervous voice called their attention to the view from the window. A dark sedan was slowly coming down the long driveway.
"The basement. Move!" Parker's urgent command sent them down the stairs and into the basement. She opened the hidden panel and they entire group slipped into the tunnel. She closed the panel as Duncan led the group through the tunnel to the small shed. By the time Parker had reached the tail of the group, Duncan had opened the trap door and had slipped into the shed after cautioning the rest to stay put.
Parker joined him at the small window of the shed and they watched as four men with automatic weapons entered her home. Gunfire echoed as the sweepers indiscriminately opened fire inside the house. Knowing the shed would be the next place the team would come, Duncan started to look for another way out. Parker held him still with a gesture as she reached over to a small covered switch concealed under a shelf. As she closed the switch, her house disappeared in a tremendous explosion. The sock wave tumbled both her and Duncan to the ground, collapsing the small shed around them. The others in the tunnel were shielded from the blast and Duncan crawled over Parker to protect her from the falling debris.
As soon as the rain of debris ceased, Jarod pushed his way free of the tunnel and began to pull the collapsed shed off of Parker and Duncan. Sydney was bemused by the expression on Jarod's face as he dug for Parker. Sydney knew now just how much Jarod cared for Parker; something Jarod probably did not even know himself. This was confirmed when Jarod pulled the final piece of debris away and revealed Duncan lying atop Parker. The momentary flicker of jealousy was swept away by the relief at Parker's safety.
Parker was also still all too aware of the fell of Duncan's body against hers, as they'd been trapped by the rubble. She knew it was really a stupid thing to focus on at the time but she'd actually enjoyed his sudden protective gesture, and almost regretted it when he moved away. As she was helped to her feet, she caught the look in Jarod's eyes. Could it be true? Could Jarod be in love with her? Parker was now more confused than ever.
The sound of another car approaching snapped everyone's attention to the driveway. It was the Suburban, and soon the entire group was packed inside, with Parker sandwiched between Jarod and Duncan.
"Parker, was it really necessary to destroy your house?" Duncan asked.
"It was the only sure way to get all the sweepers without risking anyone from our side." She replied. "And the house itself was not important. All the important things have been stored in a secure place since this mess started."
"You mean, you were expecting this?" Broots stammered?
"Ever since the attempts on my father. Taking me out would be another strike against him."
"So what do we do now?" Broots asked.
"That, my friend, is the $64,000 question." Jarod replied.
Most people try to maintain a low profile when they are hiding; Methos believed the opposite was often more effective. A certain flamboyance creates an aura above suspicion; how can someone who rents the entire penthouse floor be hiding? Once Methos and Joe had booked the rooms, the rest joined them in the living room of the larger suite. Once everyone had settled in and had a drink in their hands, discussion turned to the Centre.
"Sydney, how did you come to be at my house? I tried to get through to you earlier, but the Centre systems denied you existed."
"Actually, Parker, Mr. Broots handled all that. When we became convinced it was time to leave, he disabled the main computer systems. We knew you were monitoring the facility and that you'd see the danger in going there. We figured you would head for your house first and we would contact you there."
"What did you do to the computers?" Parker asked the cyber-specialist.
"I just locked out the higher functions, and then shut down all the access programs. No one but me can get into the computer now. I also scrambled the communications systems, including the electronic mail subroutines, to deny both sides access. I also froze all Centre financial transactions worldwide."
Amanda had been sitting there listening and watching. She could see the despair filling Joe as he listened to them all discuss the internal struggle within the Centre. Surely he was thinking that finding and freeing Megan had taken a backseat in the grand scheme of things. She sat forward and said, "Look, all this is well and good, but it does not answer the question we came to answer. What happened to Nightwind and Megan? Where are they now and how can we free them?"
"I have been thinking about that and I believe the answer falls within two possibilities," Jarod replied. "Either they have been seized by the other faction within the Centre or Angelo has them. I would suggest that we gain access to the Centre and find Angelo."
"This is really stupid, Jarod. Why must I be blindfolded?" Parker demanded as she was led down the subterranean passageway. "These others are not blindfolded!"
"True, but then they don't get paychecks signed by the Centre, either. As I said before, you can either wear the blindfold or wait back at the hotel with Broots and Sydney. Anyway, it won't be much longer."
True to his word, Jarod stopped the group a few moments later. "I think I should go on alone from here. I can move faster alone and there is less chance of discovery." With that, Jarod slipped away into the darkness.
Duncan helped Parker to sit against the wall of the tunnel, and then he sat next to her. Amanda and Methos sat across from them. Duncan reached up and removed the blindfold, allowing Parker the opportunity to see what she'd been missing...a dark featureless tunnel roughly seven feet wide.
"Oh, this is enlightening. Yes, I can see the need for the blindfold now." She sneered as looked around.
"Actually, the blindfold is only needed at the entrance and egress of the tunnel. He just does not want you to know for sure how to find it again in case he needs to use it again later. I'm not sure how close we are, so perhaps we should keep the noise down." Duncan said quietly.
They sat in the darkness for an hour without speaking or moving. Parker could smell Duncan's cologne faintly and she found herself drifting as she thought about him. She knew she'd never act on the thoughts he inspired; her life did not permit emotional entanglements. She remembered the feel of him against her and her thoughts took a decidedly erotic turn until she was distracted by a sound from down the tunnel. Her senses on alert, she focused on the making out the approaching figures of Jarod and Angelo.
Angelo quickly moved next to Parker, as if seeking protection. "Scared. Bad men. Guns. Anger." Without thought, she reached out to the young empath and stroked his hair.
"The Centre complex is deserted, except for the dead. I saw bodies everywhere." Jarod said quietly.
"Angelo, what happened to the two women?" Parker asked him quietly, calmingly.
"Bad men took them. Shoot them. Not dead. Sleeping."
"Where did they take them, Angelo?"
"Across water. " Angelo grew agitated, and Parker knew he had sensed something that really upset him.
"What is it, Angelo?" She coaxed him into speaking, holding him as she asked.
"See big knife. Lightning." He shook as he spoke.
"Duncan," Amanda said, "that sounds like a quickening. Could they now be held by another Immortal?"
Duncan turned to Parker. "Who heads this other faction?"
"Who the members of the Triumvirate are is a secret." Seeing the cold look from Amanda, she continued. "I believe, however, the head of the European Contingent is a man named Carlos Castalanos."
"We need to get moving quickly. There is no time to waste, Parker, and that includes guiding you around with this blindfold. Will you give me your word that you will not attempt to locate this tunnel or use it to try to capture Jarod? Otherwise, we will have to deal with you in some other fashion."
Seeing the deadly intent in Amanda's face, Parker quickly gave her word, and the group raced through the maze of tunnels. As they neared the exit, Jarod stepped up to her and placed the blindfold over her eyes. "It's not that I don't trust you, Parker. But this will eliminate any chance of a slip."
When the group reached the hotel suite and explained the results of their trip, Broots opened up Parker's laptop and started typing. Soon he had information displays racing along the screen. He'd read some, then type some, and start another set of retrievals. Finally, he sat back and said, "Well, Carlos Castalanos is the name of the other member of the Triumvirate, but the name is a phony. Information on him is almost nonexistent, even in the Centre's computers."
Joe Dawson went to the telephone and dialed a long series of numbers, connecting him with the European Headquarters for the Watchers. After exchanging a series of code phrases with the person on the other end, Dawson was finally connected with his opposite number. "Henri, I need a favor. What can you tell me about Carlos Castalanos? No, I don't know for sure, it's just a gut feeling."
There was a long pause. No one spoke, just stared at Dawson as he waited on the telephone. They could see Dawson's alertness pick up as the other end spoke. Dawson shook his head as he wrote down some information. "Merci, Henri. I owe you one!"
"He is an Immortal."
Megan awoke slowly, her mind fuzzy from all the drugs she'd been given since that day in Paris. The only sensation that really penetrated the fog was the nerve-jangling sense of another Immortal nearby. She hoped it was Jasmine because if it was another bent on her head, she was toast. She slowly opened one eye and found herself staring out a small window into...empty air. There was nothing to see but clouds, big fluffy clouds. The view combined with a sense of motion supplied the answer: airplane. She was on an airplane.
She turned her head slowly and immediately saw Jasmine staring at her from a few feet away. Like Megan, Jasmine was strapped down to some kind of stretcher. Neither of them could move much at all, other than turning their heads.
"Are you okay?" Megan whispered.
"Yes, but what's going on? I had the feeling we'd already been flown somewhere days ago. It's all distorted in my head."
"Me, too. Lots of drugs. I remember being shot in Paris, then waking with somebody pointing a camera at me and being shot again. I also remember waking to see this really weird looking guy staring at me, wheezing."
"Hey, I remember him! Bald head, oxygen tank on wheels, seemed to be in charge." Nightwind looked around the small cabin of the private plane. "I wonder where we are going now."
"I think we are flying due East based on the sun and apparent motion." Megan commented after gazing out the window a few minutes. "If I am right, then that's the Atlantic Ocean below us and we seem to be going towards Europe. Of course, I could be way of base and we could be traveling over the Pacific towards America but this plane feels American."
"I think you are right, Megan. I wonder what this is all about?" A trace of anxiety was creeping into Nightwind's voice now; she was ill prepared for the modern world after spending most of her life in rural China.
Their conversation was interrupted when the door from the cockpit opened and a crewmember stepped into the cabin. "Awake, are we?" He reached into a compartment and withdrew a large hypodermic needle filled with a cloudy solution, which he injected into first Megan's and then Nightwind's IV tubes. Their protests were ignored and soon stilled as the powerful sedative claimed them again.
"Look, Parker, this isn't your fight anymore. You do not have to come along." Jarod was trying to convince her even though he knew he was wasting his breath.
"Jarod, I am not letting this go. These people have tried to kill my father twice. They have tried to kill me once. I no longer have a house." She slammed her travel bag shut. "I am a bit put out by all this, so if you don't get out of my way, I will hurt you!"
Amanda took the angry woman by the arm and said, "I may have misjudged you, dear. You seem to have some real spirit after all."
"Call me 'dear' one more time and I'll punch your Immortal lights out." Parker responded angrily. "I will not rest until this insane war is over. Now are you two coming?" she asked as she stormed out of the room.
Amanda looked over at Jarod and said, "Whatever do you see in her, Jarod?"
Her question startled the Pretender. "I'm not sure what you mean, Amanda?"
"Have it your way."
She led Jarod out to the main room where the others had gathered. Sydney and Broots were going to stay behind to funnel information to them as needed. Only an act of God could have kept Joe Dawson behind, but his contacts in Europe would be invaluable. Methos and Duncan wore almost identical smiles as they waited for the group to sort itself out. Soon, the six were back in the Suburban heading for the private airstrip.
Jarod was seated next to Parker, and noted her close proximity was setting off all kinds of alarm bells in his head. These alarms were different and more confusing to the Pretender. What was he even thinking? How could he be in love with her? As he sat there with his thoughts in turmoil, he remembered that day so long ago when he received his first kiss...from Parker. Jarod realized he had always loved her. That also explained his drive to show her the truth about the Centre and her mother's death.
Parker was likewise confused and angry. She knew she had a strong reaction to Duncan MacLeod, but she was beginning to suspect it was just hormones. He was an extremely attractive man and they'd been thrown together in positions that were physically close. She reached this decision based on another set of feelings beginning to surface. The look on Jarod's face when he thought she'd been hurt would stay in her mind for a long time. There was no doubting the fact the Pretender was in love with her, and that thought made her feel strangely happy. And THAT was a feeling she was NOT used to having! All she knew for sure is his presence along side of her was like a live wire. Each accidental contact sent shocks through her.
Amanda watched the two young mortals with amusement. She could see each was beginning to recognize their emotions for what they were, and each was finding the adjustment difficult. To Amanda, love was worth the struggle. Look how long she'd waited for Duncan to admit he loved her, which he finally did but still weaseled his way out of it. Well, she had all the time in the world to snare that man. These poor mortals have such a limited opportunity; it amazed her they ever found love and happiness at all!
Joe stared out the window, lost in his thoughts. His face reflected the worry that had claimed him since news of Megan's' disappearance and the shadows under his eyes attested to how little he had slept. Knowing that an Immortal now had Megan made it worse, for there really was only one reason for one Immortal to take another prisoner...their quickening.
Duncan watched his mortal friend and knew he had to intervene or Joe would be of no use once they reached Europe. He would drug the mortal into sleeping during the flight across the Atlantic. As he turned his head, he caught a glimpse of an expanse of stockinged thigh...Parker had the longest legs. Not to mention the firm body he'd lain upon after that bomb blast. Amanda would never forgive him if he sampled that woman although he suspected Miss Parker would probably break both of his arms if he tried anything. Judging from what he knew of body language, he could see that she was very aware of Jarod sitting alongside of her.
Methos drove the vehicle over to the boarding ramp of their chartered flight. Looking at his companions he thought it would be a long and interesting flight. He wondered how long Amanda would act like Miss Sweetness and Light around Parker. He took another look at the group and realized a subtle shift had occurred during the drive. Parker was focused not on Mac but on Jarod! And Amanda, with that canary-eating smile, was well aware of that shift. Drats. So much for possible fireworks on the flight over.
Megan felt her center of gravity shift as the stretcher was lifted from the plane. Either she was developing a tolerance for the drugs or it was weaker stuff than they'd been using. She still felt the buzz she'd come to associate with Jasmine, so her new friend was nearby. She sensed the stretcher being placed inside a vehicle and she peeked through one eye. As she'd suspected, it was a private ambulance. Jasmine was on the gurney opposite her and the goons were closing the door. As she wondered whether Jasmine was awake, Megan could see her friend open on eye and look around. When Jasmine focused on Megan, Megan winked at her and Jasmine winked back.
They could hear the doors of the ambulance close and the engine started. As the vehicle moved forward, the drivers began to converse. Unfortunately, it was in a language neither woman understood. It sounded vaguely like French, but there were subtle differences. It reminded Megan of that show her mother used to watch on PBS...what was it...Agatha Christie Mysteries. They could be in Belgium.
"I think we are in Belgium," Megan whispered to Nightwind.
Jasmine nodded, "You may be right. It sort of sounds like French but different." She was silent a moment, then added, "I wonder who is behind all this?"
"Mac, we have a lead on Castalanos." Joe said as he hung up the airphone. "It seems he lives in Belgium most of the time. Furthermore, a charter flight left Blue Cove about six hours before we did, and it was bound for Brussels. According to the manifest, the flight was a mercy mission carrying two cancer patients to a special clinic in Brussels. No, according to Watcher Headquarters, there is no such clinic in Brussels. They have assigned some experienced people to trailing the passengers from that flight, so we should have a good idea of where we are going once we land, which will be in five and a half hours." Joe yawned and took another sip of his drink. "If you all don't mind, I think I'll stretch out for a while and see if I can get some sleep."
Duncan took Joe's glass and watched as his friend finally succumbed to the mild sedative Duncan had dissolved in Joe's glass. He hated to do it to Joe, but his friend desperately needed the sleep if he was to function in Belgium.
The private ambulance was not difficult to follow as it drove away from the airport. It was a large American-built emergency vehicle painted in arctic white and vivid red, topped by the huge light bar with flashing red warning lights.
Alerted by Dawson's call, the Watcher Headquarters had assigned a maximum effort to the surveillance. All roads leading away from the airport were covered by at least three pairs of watchers linked together via digitally encrypted, frequency agile radios. Interceptor engines capable of tremendous speeds powered their nondescript cars. The drivers were all specialists, graduates of Europe's finest anti-terrorist schools. All in all, they were the best at mobile surveillance.
The teams rotated contact with the ambulance as it moved out into the countryside. Team one had once again moved into visual range of the ambulance as they entered a small picturesque village. As they passed a blind alley, a large tandem transport vehicle suddenly emerged from the alley, crushing the watcher vehicle against a retaining wall and killing the surveillance team instantly.
"Team One is down!" the trailing team radioed the others. "It appears accidental. Two is now moving up on point." As the Watcher hung the microphone back on the clip on the dash, he caught a flash from the corner a split second before the rocket propelled grenade slammed into his door and exploded.
By the time Team Three reached the site of the explosion, the ambulance had vanished.
Night had fallen as their jet landed at Brussels. The pilot called Methos forward as soon as they landed. "Something odd is happening here. The Follow-Me vehicle is leading us away from the normal terminal area. You should let your friends know we may be moving into a trap."
Methos returned top the cabin and alerted his companions. "We're not sure, but this may be a trap. I suggest Duncan, Amanda, and I exit the aircraft first since we can withstand rougher handling than the rest of you. Miss Parker, I presume you have your rather formidable pistol so I ask that you provide return fire if necessary. Joe, try to stay out of the line of fire." Joe's reaction to that last statement brought a small chuckle from the rest, easing the tension briefly until the small jet stopped outside an isolated hanger.
"It's show time!" Methos said. Jarod shut off the interior lights as Methos opened the aircraft door and lowered the stairs. Both he and Duncan slipped quickly out into the night as Amanda moved down the stairs. Parker knelt near open doorway, her Glock 9mm trained into the night.
A lone figure moved forward from the hanger. "Mr. Dawson? Is this Mr. Dawson's aircraft?"
Methos stepped into the spill of light from the open hanger door as he approached the figure. The man pulled an automatic weapon from under his coat and began to fire at Methos and the plane. He had only managed a few rounds when the flash of a katana severed his arm and then his head, the weapon falling to the ground. "Methos, are you okay?" Duncan asked.
"Fine. He missed me." Turning to the jet, he asked, "How about the rest? Everyone okay?"
Amanda glanced around the cabin, taking a quick survey. Joe gave her a thumbs up sign, Parker a brief nod. Jarod stood along side the cabin staring dumbfounded at the blood covering his hands. He looked up at Parker with an expression reminiscent of a small hurt child and then sank to the cabin floor as he passed out from shock. "Jarod's hit!"
As Amanda moved toward the fallen man, she was violently thrown aside as Parker raced to him. Any doubts Amanda had about Parker's feelings toward the Pretender were gone now as she watched Parker cradle Jarod's head in her lap while she pulled open his shirt to examine the bullet wound. The bullet had passed along Jarod's rib, scoring his body along his left side. A quarter of an inch one way and it would have missed him completely, a quarter of an inch the other way, it would have punched into his chest near his heart. Taking the gauze dressing Amanda handed her from the first aid kit, Parker applied pressure to the wound to staunch the flow of blood. Joe came over and assisted the women in sitting the unconscious Jarod up so they could dress the wound more effectively. After the dressing was bound tightly in place, Amanda broke an ammonia capsule under Jarod's nose.
Meanwhile, Duncan and Methos had checked the area, subduing two more would-be assassins. They also found a van, which they moved up to the aircraft. Helping Parker, they moved the groggy Jarod to the vehicle. After everyone was loaded up, Methos went over to the pilot. "Look, this aircraft is unserviceable and the police will probably be really obnoxious about all this. I suggest you go over to the main terminal and get on the next plane out of here for either England or America. I'll contact you once we are back and we'll settle all this up." The pilot immediately left for the terminal. Methos went into the jet for a moment, then raced back out and into the van. "Let's get out of here, Duncan."
As they drove out of the airfield, they could see emergency vehicles converging on the now abandoned jet sitting isolated on the airfield. A moment later, the jet disintegrated into a ball of flame. Duncan turned to look at Methos, who said, "Parker isn't the only one who finds explosions useful to clean up messes. I have often found a small supply of Semtex to be handy to have around."
Amanda, sitting in the back with Joe, watched as Parker cradled Jarod against her, her hand gently stroking his head as it rested against her breast. Amanda smiled as Parker gently kissed the top of Jarod's head. It was amazing to watch this forbidding woman transform into such a gentle nursemaid as she held the man she loved.
Carlos Castalanos enjoyed the power he'd found as a member of the Centre's Triumvirate. The death of Xiao Xiang in Paris had created a power vacuum that Castalanos had moved on as soon as he'd heard of the murder. Unfortunately, his American counterpart had also moved and now they were locked in a struggle to the death for control of the Centre.
Life and death struggles were not unusual for Carlos Castalanos. He'd been fighting, killing, and occasionally dying for centuries now, ever since his first death in Spain at the hand of that peacock Ramirez. He'd spent years accumulating the wealth and power he now enjoyed. He'd spent millions penetrating the Blue Cove operation, buying or coercing information from Centre employees. He had been very intrigued by the identity of Xiang's killer...another Immortal. Now he had both the captured Immortal women imprisoned in his chateau outside The Hague.
It was fortunate that he employed such ruthless sweepers and that they made a habit of "sweeping" their trail to make sure they had no unwanted companions. Their methods were effective, but left no one alive to answer questions, such as who was behind the effort to follow the ambulance and how they had known of the women in the first place. An unknown adversary or another effort by his Triumvirate rival? No one had a clue as to the whereabouts of Parker or either of his children. Miss Parker had vanished, rumored to have died in the catastrophic explosion that had destroyed her home, but Castalanos doubted that...she was too much of a survivor. Mr. Lyle had gone to ground somewhere here in Europe. "Daddy" Parker had vanished after the second assassination attempt. Could there have been enough resources left to mount such an effort to retake the women?
Dawson had contacted the Watcher Headquarters and was given the address of a safe house they could all stay at. A physician on Watcher retainer had come and checked Jarod's wound, rebandaging it after thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting it. He left a small bottle of painkillers for Jarod, along with a detailed set of instructions for caring for the wound. Parker had assured the doctor the instructions would be followed to the letter, and something in her no-nonsense approach made him believe her.
Dawson had also learned about the loss of the surveillance teams. He was shaken by the sudden death of so many trained watchers...not a common occurrence for those sworn to observe and never interfere. Dawson would have to answer a lot of questions about this once the dust settled.
"Well, as I said earlier, the news is not good. There is no clue as to where Megan and Nightwind have been taken. The ambulance vanished in the countryside in the vicinity of The Hague, so it is believed the women are being held in a chateau somewhere near there. Castalanos is actually not in Belgium at the moment; his watcher reports he is still in Paris. There have been several attempts on his life in the last few days, and armed men surround him constantly. None of the attempts have even been close. The unofficial body count stands at 26 dead in trying to get close enough to Castalanos. I don't think he will be a viable avenue because of this so-called 'power struggle' Miss Parker talks about." Joe rubbed his hand over his face as the weariness of the day seemed to settle over him. "My contacts are checking the ownership of every chateau in the region. Somehow, we will find a link."
"Joe," Amanda said, "Go to bed. You are dead on your feet. In fact, we all should call it a day." Taking Duncan by the hand, she led him into one of the three bedrooms.
"I guess she's right, Methos." Joe looked at his remaining companion. "I'm so tired not even your snoring will keep me awake."
Parker could hear the others as they retired to the other bedrooms. A small smile flickered across her face as she listened to Joe and Methos banter. She had little doubt about Amanda's intentions toward Duncan. She looked across the room at the still figure sleeping in the full size bed. She'd assisted the doctor in dressing Jarod's wound and she had to admit Jarod was in excellent physical condition. They had left him in his jockey shorts for modesty's sake when they'd put him into the bed. As she looked at the face of the man she'd been hunting for years, she knew she loved him and perhaps always had. She knew she would never turn him over to the Centre...if the Centre even existed when all this was over with. Parker stood, unzipped her skirt and stepped out of it. Undressing to her panties and bra, she climbed into the bed next to Jarod and turned out the light. She put her arm around him, pulling his head onto her shoulder again, holding him close. Jarod's arm slipped across Parker's stomach, his hand resting on her hip. She closed her eyes and slept, feeling safe and happy despite the realities of the situation outside the walls of the bedroom.
Megan and Nightwind sat on the bed in Megan's room at the Chateau, discussing the strange situation they were now in. Each had had the same experience. When they had regained consciousness, an attendant had played a videotaped message for them. On it, their 'host' had welcomed them to the chateau and explained they had the run of the grounds providing they made no attempt to leave. Around their necks they each wore a special lightweight designer choker. Based on the principle of an electronic fence, each choker was designed to be both a locator device, monitoring their location on the chateau's grounds, and a deterrent to escape since each contained a small shaped explosive charge that would sever their necks, instantly decapitating them. Any attempt to remove or disable the choker would cause it to explode. Afterwards, the attendant had given them a brief tour of the amenities of their suite, including the extensive wardrobes, and had left them alone.
Now, freshly bathed and dressed in clean clothes, they could only marvel at the strange twists and turns life was taking. "In the span of a few days, we have been gunned down on the streets of Paris, shot again later on, drugged and held captive somewhere after a plane ride, drugged again for another plane ride, and now free to wander about on this fairy tale chateau located wherever the hell we are." Megan shook her head, "Tell me, Nightwind. Is your life always like this or is it me?"
"Well, I have never had such an experience before. But somehow, I do think I am the primary target based on some of what I have overhead at various times in the last few days." Nightwind said. "I killed someone from China in Paris last month, an evil man that had caused the death of many of my countrymen as well as someone I loved. It seems that man was also someone of importance to some extralegal corporation or entity called the Centre. Because of his death, a war is being waged among the various factions. It is my belief the ones who captured us first were from one faction and our host is from another. Whoever they are, they know we are Immortal and how to permanently kill us, which is why this diabolical necklace is so effective."
"Well, I will add only this. I'm hungry! The last thing I remember eating was in that café in Paris! Let's go find some food!"
The pair had only taken a few steps outside their door when a liveried servant wheeling a huge cart approached them. "Would the Mademoiselles prefer to eat in the main salon or in their suite?"
As one, the pair of Immortals turned and returned to the sitting room attached to Megan's suite. The butler removed the covers from the dishes revealing dishes ranging from shrimp cocktails to Fettuccine Alfredo with side dishes of cheeses and breads. The savory aromas filled the room, and the two helped themselves to plates of the succulent pasta and pink shrimp. "You know," Megan commented, "as prisons go, this ain't too shabby!"
"I agree. I can't help but wonder if this is a case of the condemned ate a hearty meal. I do not understand what our host, for lack of a better term, wants from us."
Carlos Castalanos hung up the telephone with a small smile of satisfaction. The women were safely tucked away in the chateau and presently enjoying the cuisine prepared by his Italian chef. He hoped they liked pasta, because that was all Emilio would prepare, insisting that only pigs and the French would eat haut cuisine. Once the present situation with the Centre was resolved, Carlos knew he would have to travel to the chateau and visit his new guests. By then he would have decided just what to do with them. Frankly, he did not enjoy beheadings...they made an incredible mess and then you had to dispose of the remains. And, by all accounts, both women were lovely and that would be a waste of beauty.
Turning his attention once again to the reports on his desk, he frowned at the news they contained. A pitched gun battle between his and Parker's forces had resulted in 46 deaths in New York City, with the police killing the last sweepers standing. Castalanos no longer had any resources in the United States. Two of his European operations were bombed during the day, killing everyone involved in the two data centers. Now, Interpol was becoming involved in the fracas and that would severely inhibit his response.
Castalanos pressed a small button, summoning his executive assistant. As the woman entered, he spoke. "We've got to resolve this power struggle before all our operations are destroyed. I don't care how, but we must find Parker and either kill him or reach some accommodation ending this fighting." Seeing her amused look, he snapped, "What?"
"You may be interested to know that a small business jet from America landed in Brussels a few hours ago. Our sweeper team was wiped out when they tried to intercept the plane's passengers and the plane was destroyed. One of those passengers was Parker's daughter. She is traveling with five others, including the Pretender named Jarod."
"Find them. That might just be the edge we need with Parker to stop this lunacy."
Miss Parker slowly woke from a wonderful dream about Jarod only to find she was, in fact, in bed with Jarod. He seemed to be still sleeping soundly as she eased her way from the bed and dressed quickly. She wondered just how far she was willing to take these new feelings; she knew he felt the same way, but the complications a relationship would create might destroy them both. She slipped from the room and entered the living room.
Retrieving her cellphone and laptop computer, she quickly established a data connection to the number Broots had given her before they had left. She typed a synopsis of the events at their landing and received a precis in reply from Broots covering the global events of the last 24 hours. Parker grew grim as she read about the open warfare between sweepers in most major cities. This had to end. She directed Broots to expend his considerable computer expertise in locating her father and brother. She had to convince them to stop the killing.
Methos and Joe had left the safe house hours earlier and had gone to a corner café for coffee. Joe contacted Watcher Headquarters and they were waiting for news. What they did not expect was what walked through the door of the café...the head of the European Headquarters.
"Hello, Joe, Adam. It's been a long time." Nadine Duschamps said as she sat down at their table. She was a striking woman in her late forties, dressed impeccably in a classic Chanel suit. "I thought I would come here personally to hear your explanation for all this. I have lost too many good people and I want to know why."
Joe took a deep breath, then started to explain about the Centre and their interest in the Immortals. After touching on Nightwind's killing of one of the Centre's leaders and the subsequent capture of Megan and Nightwind, he brought her up to date on the events. "We don't know who was behind the attack on us at the airport last night, nor do we know who was responsible for the operation against your surveillance teams."
"We believe," Nadine responded, "both attacks have the same source...Castalanos. His reputation is that of being quite ruthless in business, and he is known to have an army of trained mercenaries he can use to crush his opponents when needed." She took a sip of her coffee, and then continued. "What we find interesting is his complete avoidance of the Game for the last few centuries. He has not taken a single head that we can confirm since the mid-16th century. As a result, I don't think he poses a threat to Nightwind or Megan Carson."
"That's all well and good, but I noticed you hedged your bets a lot in that little speech. I do not assume any Immortal is out of the Game, especially when people we care about are involved." Methos interjected.
"Ah, the voice of the ages. You know, Adam, I have almost forgiven you for your little masquerade as a Watcher historian. What better place to hide than among the searchers? What better cover than someone researching themselves. I have not forgiven you for taking all the chronicles." Nadine chuckled. "Yes, I know who you really are. It is only known among the Watcher leadership at present; too potentially embarrassing to be released to the cadre so your secret is safe for the time being."
"Do we know where they took Megan and Nightwind? Have we found the chateau?"
"Actually, that is proving more difficult than we'd expected. Ownership of some of those chateaux is somewhat murky, obscured by both time and the Second World War. We have narrowed it down to four possibilities, but are being very circumspect in how we proceed. We do not want to lose any more of our people. We are not supposed to get involved, remember?"
"Well, Nadine, suppose you just tell us which four and Duncan, Amada, and I will look for ourselves. I haven't met a mercenary yet that can handle three Immortals." Methos suggested. "That way, the Watchers can maintain their precious code of detached observation."
"I will attribute your attitude to stress, Adam, and will accept your suggestion. Here is the list along with a map marked showing their locations. Now, once all this is settled and life calms down a bit, I want you both to visit me at Headquarters to fill in the rest of this story." She rose from her chair, leaving the map on the table. After kissing Joe's cheek and nodding at Methos, she left the café.
A strategy council was convened in the living room of the safe house after Joe and Methos returned. Since Jarod was still too weak to be of much use, it was agreed that he and Parker would stay at the safe house while the others searched for the two women. Parker was torn by this decision; she hated missing out on the action, but looked forward to spending some time alone with Jarod. After all, he couldn't possibly sleep all the time and they had some things to work out that did not need outsiders.
As soon as the others left, she walked back into the bedroom and found Jarod awake. "Hello, nice to see you back among the living."
"I seem to have been shot. I didn't realize such an injury would also make someone delirious." Parker realized Jarod thought the night before had been a dream. "Where are we and what's been happening?"
Parker filled Jarod in on the events since the shooting, omitting only the fact she'd shared his bed. He was dismayed by the death and destruction left behind in the wake of the sweeper war and agreed that every effort must be made to put an end to it.
"There's something else, though, isn't there?" Jarod asked. "You can't seem to look me in the eye, Parker. Why is that?"
"Oh, dammit, Jarod. You know why. I have..." She began to pace. "...feelings for you. You were not dreaming last night. We shared that bed. I don't have the slightest idea what to do about this since there is no way I would ever surrender you to the Centre but I can't leave there without the answers to my questions about my Mother and your parents." Parker sat on the side of the bed.
Jarod took her hand in his and said, "Well, we'll just have to find our answers together, you on the inside and me outside. And somehow, we will also find time for us." He pulled her close and they kissed.
The foursome drove close to the second chateau. They had eliminated the first by the simple fact it was deserted. Now they looked at the imposing façade of the second and wondered how they could determine whether the women were inside. "Well, the presence of guards would be a clue, I suppose." Duncan said.
"Not necessarily. Most wealthy people have security forces on the grounds of their estates, especially in Europe where kidnapping has been a fact of life for decades. No, I think a simple approach is best. Duncan, drive up to the gate, please." Amanda said.
Once they reached the guard at the estate gate, Amanda asked, "Excuse me, but is Mr. Castalanos in residence today?"
"Pardon, mademoiselle? Monsieur Castalanos does not live here."
"My mistake. Thank you for your trouble."
As they drove off, Duncan said, "Simple and direct. Assuming he told you the truth."
Jarod cradled Parker against his chest, savoring the warm rush of afterglow. He could not believe his good fortune as he kissed her soft lips again, feeling her naked body pressed against his own.
The door to the room burst open and four armed men rushed in. "Get up and get dressed. You are coming with us." Allowing no modesty, the men watched with interest as Parker dressed. Once dressed, the men bound Jarod's and Parker's hands using plastic cable ties. Hoods were placed over their heads and they were escorted to a waiting panel van. Once inside, they were pushed to the floor of the van. Parker's skirt was pulled up and rough hands jabbed a needle into her thigh, injected a sedative. Jarod was injected as well through the fabric of his slacks, and the kidnapping was complete.
"Well, this has to be the one."
"You have a wonderful grasp of the obvious, Amanda." Methos sniped. "It's the last one."
Once again, they drove up to the gate and asked whether Mr. Castalanos was at home. The guard responded that Mr. Castalanos was away at the moment. After thanking the guard for his time, they drove off.
"Mac, did you notice how open the grounds are? There doesn't seem to be any real security. No walls, no fences, no roving patrols with guard dogs. Either this is going to be easier than we expected or we've missed something." Methos observed.
"Well, that might be true enough, but did you happen to look over at the garage area of the chateau? There was a large red and white ambulance parked there." Joe commented. "This is the place, all right."
After driving out of sight of the chateau, the car was parked and the four approached the chateau on foot across the fields. When they reached the edge of the open area surrounding the chateau, they observed the area. "You know," Dawson said, "this is the perfect setup for electronic sensors. I'll bet we'd find a microwave fence set up along the edge of these woods. In fact, if there is one, we've probably already tripped it. Now, if I understand the philosophy behind layered security screens, this first sensor is kind of an early warning system. Animals probably trip it all the time. As we get closer to the chateau, we will come across other types of sensors. The security force starts getting nervous when the layers of sensors trip one after the other. Someone is sitting in a control room wondering whether the deer are out and about late or if he has intruders."
"So what do we do?" Methos asked.
"Well, we keep going. Once we get closer, we'll keep a sharp look out for sensors, but we probably won't see them. We just have to trust to luck and try to get inside before the security guards find us." Duncan responded.
"If we make it to the chateau itself without being detected, the entrances and windows will undoubtedly be alarmed. That's where Amanda's expertise comes in to play. We count on you to neutralize any alarms so we can get inside." Turning to Dawson, Duncan said, "Joe, I don't think you can make this trip with us. Rushing across open fields just isn't something you are cut out for."
"I was thinking the same thing. In fact, I think I will find the sensors here in the woods and give the security force something to watch on their monitors. That might just be enough of a distraction to get you all the way inside."
Amanda gave Joe a hug and said, "Don't worry. We'll get her back for you." The three Immortals then slipped across the open fields, each taking a different route moving in the random path a grazing deer would take to fool the sensor monitors. Joe whispered a quiet prayer for their safety and success, then he turned in the direction he felt the closest sensor could be found and started to search.
----
The display in the security room had sounded an alarm at the woods north of the chateau. That section of the sensor net had always had problems with animals since it covered one of the better deer runs in the area. Still the guards paid a little more attention to the north approach. The underground pressure sensors reflected at least three separate tracks in the open field; the random direction changes made the guards relax slightly. "Probably a buck and two does," said one guard looking at the display. "Too bad the cameras don't cover that section."
----
Joe found the sensor pole for the microwave fence line about where he'd expected it. He also spotted the closed-circuit television camera 'concealed' in the trees. Scouting the area, he found a downed tree limb with leaves still attached. He drug the limb over to the fence, toppled it over into the path of the sensors, and then ducked back.
----
The outer sensors went crazy near the end of the north section. Flipping the monitor to the camera near the sensor array, the guard saw the downed tree limb waving back and forth in the sensor path. "Oh great. That blasted branch will make this alarm sound all night long!"
"Well, shut the damn thing off. We'll have the maintenance crew clean it up in the morning. You know there's nothing out there. If there was, it would spook the deer out in that field."
"You're right," said the first guard as he turned off the north field sensors. "The building alarms are on anyway."
----
The three Immortals met at the French doors. Amanda shook her head and pointed at the sensor tape along the interior of the doors. She then led the way to an antique rose trellis, now dormant in the fall temperatures, and pointed up at the balcony doors on the second floor. She then led off, climbing the trellis quickly and stepping onto the balcony. Peering through the slight gap in the curtains, she checked to see if the room was occupied before she checked the door lock. A twist of her pick and the simple lock was sprung. She eased open the door, stepping in to the room. Duncan and Methos slipped in behind her and fanned out through the room.
"This appears to be a sitting room" whispered Amanda. She moved to the open doorway in one of the walls and looked into a bedroom. There were women's clothes laid out on the bed, but the room was otherwise unoccupied. "Empty."
The group moved to the other door opposite the balcony. Duncan eased open the door and quickly scanned the empty hallway. Light showed under the door across the hall. Motioning the others to be ready, he threw open the door and they rushed.
There was a startled gasp from the two women inside, followed by a glad cry from one as she recognized the intruders. "Duncan! Amanda! Methos!" Megan rushed over to them, hugging each in turn. "Am I glad to see you!"
"Are you both okay? Not hurt or anything?" At the negative head shakes from both captives, Duncan continued, "We've come to take you home. Is there something you two could wear that would be a little less conspicuous than those silk dressing gowns?"
"We can't leave." Megan said. "These collars contain bombs which will go off if we try to leave."
Methos snorted in disgust. "Someone has watched too many grade-z science-fiction movies. May I examine your necklace, Megan?" After she moved over to the old Immortal, he peered closely at the choker. "Hmm, shaped Semtex...microminiature transceiver. I suppose there is some kind of electronic fence that you cannot pass without setting this off. And if the catch is opened, the device goes off. Well, the simplest approach is usually the best." A few deft movements of his fingers and the choker came away in his hands. "Remove the battery and it is harmless. May I, Nightwind?" Soon her choker was also removed and the two women changed into dark slacks and sweaters.
The now expanded group slipped back across the hall and down the trellis to the grounds. Duncan explained the technique for getting out. "We must travel in three groups, trying to seem like the same three deer that wandered in before. This means you two will have to be joined at the hip with Amanda and I as we slowly make our way across that field."
"Wait just a minute, will you? There is something I must do." Without any explanation, Methos slipped away into the dark. After a tense ten minutes, he came back. "Okay, lets get out of here. And, Duncan, don't play deer. Run, do not walk!" With those words, Methos began to sprint across the open field toward the woods beyond.
Not knowing what the other was up to but trusting him implicitly, the group ran after him.
----
The sensors closest to the building suddenly reacted to the escape. The guards thought it was just the deer until they noticed the speed and number of the trails. "Hit the alarm!"
The ready response team ran from the building and piled into two Land Rovers, radioing in to the control room as they started out. "North field" was their only instructions and they rocketed down the drive to that field. The headlights of the lead vehicle picked up the fleeing figures. As the vehicles raced into the field, they drove passed the discrete marker showing the boundary of the electronic fence. Suddenly both vehicles were lifted into the air by explosions from underneath the fuel tanks.
----
The group reached the woods and found Joe waiting for them. He hugged Megan and then the group squeezed into the car. As they drove away, Methos explained. "I placed those Semtex necklaces under the chassis of their security vehicles. Once the clasps were closed, I reinstalled the batteries and re-armed the charges. I knew they would chase us, cross the boundary, and the charges would settle it once and for all."
When Megan explained the extremely pleasant situation they had been held in, Joe told them about the teams killed merely following the ambulance. "Save your tears. Those were hired killers who would cheerfully shot each of us in order to keep you under control."
As they drove off into the night, Joe brought the women up to date on what had been happening since their abduction from Paris.
Castalanos was looking forward to meeting with Miss Parker, who was rumored to be a great beauty. From the description of the circumstances of her capture, it seems she was involved with the Pretender. That information may be of some use in coercing her assistance in dealing with her father. As his hand reached for the knob to the room where she was being held, his head of security rushed over.
"Sir, the chateau has been breached and both Immortal women have left. They evidently went willingly, so we have ruled out Parker's forces as being involved. There seems to be another player in the game."
The man's use of that word triggered an explanation in Castalanos mind. It was obvious who had rescued the women...other Immortals. After all this time, he seemed to have attracted the attention of his own kind. Well, he'd face that battle when he needed to. Sufficient unto the day the evil thereof. He thanked his security chief and then turned the knob.
She was, he saw, quite attractive. He knew she wore no make up and, despite being taken at gunpoint, hooded, drugged into unconsciousness, and then dumped on the floor of a van, she still looked remarkably in control. Her companion, the Pretender, did not look as well, very pale and in obvious discomfort.
"Are you in charge here? This man needs medical help." Even her voice was attractive.
"Yes, I am Carlos Castalanos, Miss Parker. What is the matter with your friend?"
"He was shot yesterday when we arrived in Brussels. Your goons were not exactly careful with him when they brought us here."
Castalanos activated a hidden signaling device he carried in his pocket and his security group responded. "Get a physician in here at once." The guard nodded his understanding and closed the door. Turning his attention to Miss Parker once again, he said, "I am glad you accepted my invitation to visit." He smiled at her snort at his wording. "I wanted to see you to determine if we could somehow find a means to end this bloodbath before it consumes us all. I believe you can see that it is all our best interests to call it off as quickly as possible."
"Assuming I agree to cooperate, just how do you think I can help end this internecine war?"
"I want you to contact your father and broker a meeting between us after establishing a cease-fire between our forces. If there is anyone on this planet your father will listen to right now, it is you. As far as he knows, you either perished in the bombing of your house or in the Centre massacre."
"I can see that I would be of some value in setting up such a meeting. Now, explain to me why I should trust you. You were just as responsible for all these deaths as my father was. You both are greedy, manipulative, lying bastards. Why should I help you?"
"Several reasons. First, this war has almost destroyed the Centre. Most of our resources worldwide have been destroyed or consumed in the madness. Second, the war was about power. Unless it is stopped, there will be nothing left to be in charge of so the power would be gone. Third, it would stop the meaningless killing, including those poor bastards referred to as collateral damage." He paused, then continued, "Of course, on a personal level, I will let you and the Pretender here leave when the war is over. If you don't help, then I shall make life very unpleasant for Jarod while you watch."
"I will need access to my cellular telephone and laptop computer, which are probably still sitting in the safe house. They are my only means of getting a lead on my father."
Castalanos opened an antique armoire and removed the laptop and telephone. "You shouldn't underestimate my employees. It will always cause you problems. If you would like to freshen up while the doctor attends to Jarod, your luggage and his are in the bedroom through that door."
"I will wait until after Jarod is attended to, but thank you for your consideration. You are nothing like I expected, Mr. Castalanos. You do not behave like the ruthless member of the Triumvirate. Could that be the result of living several lifetimes? Has immortality taught you courtesy?"
Castalanos was startled by her knowledge of his nature. Suddenly, things made sense. "Your companions are Immortals. They are the ones who freed the other two. I didn't think it was your father's minions."
"They are free? Good. What were you going to do with them, anyway? Pardon me for saying so, but you just don't seem the type to coldly cut their heads off."
"I'm not. After settling this Centre madness, I intended to set them free, away from the reach of Mr. Raynes and his forces. You know, your friends should be reaching the safe house soon. They will probably be very upset to find you missing."
"You are right. Is there any way I can get a message to them? Otherwise they will be coming here with mayhem on their minds, and its really hard to reason with people swinging swords around."
Methos was the first to notice there was something wrong when they pulled up outside the safe house. The front door was open slightly and there were no lights on in the house. Cautioning the others to stay back, he slowly crept into the house. Duncan slipped in behind him and they rapidly searched the house. The shattered door leading to Jarod and Parker's bedroom and the complete lack of any sign the room had ever been occupied were mute evidence of the high level of competence on the part of the intruders.
"They are gone and so are their clothes. The bed is even made."
"Maybe they just left to be alone with each other. You both saw how they looked at each other."
"I doubt if either would have left under the circumstances. In addition, someone forced that bedroom door, shattering the doorjamb. No, someone broke in to this house and took them away under duress. I don't think there is any doubt that Carlos Castalanos controlled those intruders. My guess is they have been taken to Paris."
There was a discrete knock on the door. The group fell silent as Duncan opened the door. "Yes?"
"Monsieur MacLeod? I have a message for you. You are to call Miss Parker at the number on this message." The stranger handed Mac the message form and then slipped away into the dark.
Mac closed the door and went to the telephone. He dialed the international number and soon heard the mellow tones of Miss Parker's voice. "Parker, this is Duncan. I presume Castalanos forces have taken you. Are you under duress at this time?"
"Relax, Duncan. We are all right." Casting about for some means of reassuring the Immortal, she said, "We won't need a hidden tunnel this time. Castalanos would like you to join us here in Paris if only to keep you from coming in swinging your sword around. I assure you that you will be safe and that we are fine. Ask Megan and Nightwind how they were treated for a clue as to the way Castalanos treats his guests. Can we expect you all in Paris tomorrow morning?"
"Okay, Parker. See you tomorrow morning." Hanging up the telephone, Duncan turned to the assembled group and said, "Well, folks. It seems we are going to Paris in the morning to see your host who is now hosting Parker and Jarod. She sounded fine, so let's take care of tomorrow's business tomorrow. Right now, I am bushed and am heading for bed."
Parker hung up the telephone and turned to face Castalanos. "They will be here tomorrow. I do not know whether he believes me regarding their safety. I don't know them at all, having only met them recently." Remembering Duncan covering her with his own body as the shed collapsed around them, Parker smiled. "I do believe he is innately good, somewhat of a Boy Scout in his approach to life. However, I have seen him use that katana of his and he will not stop short of killing you if he must."
"Not to worry, Miss Parker. I mean no harm to your friends. Now, shall we try to reach your father?"
Parker plugged her laptop into her cellular telephone. After dialing the number, she let the computer's communications software handle the link. She was now connected to Broots.
[HAVE YOU FOUND MY FATHER?]
[YES. HE CAN BE REACHED THRU ENCRYPTED DATALINK VIA THIS SYSTEM. JUST TYPE 'GO DADDY' TO ACTIVATE LINK. WHAT"S GOING ON?]
[NO TIME. THANKS. PARKER OUT.]
She took a deep breath, and then resumed typing.
[GO DADDY]
[ANGEL?]
[DADDY. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE MEET. CASTALANOS WANTS WAR TO STOP BEFORE ALL IS DESTROYED. I AGREE WITH HIM.]
[ARE YOU SURE HE CAN BE TRUSTED?]
[I BELIEVE HIM. I DO NOT TRUST HIS MINIONS OR YOURS. EVEN LYLE WOULD LOVE TO DESTROY THIS CHANCE FOR PEACE. WE MUST PROCEED CAREFULLY.]
[LET ME THINK ABOUT IT. I WILL LET YOU KNOW TOMORROW. SAME TIME. PARKER OUT.]
Parker logged out of her computer and shut it down. "He is thinking it over. We have to call again tomorrow. I think we have a shot at this as long as you are playing straight." She yawned as she awaited his response to her words.
He laughed. "Go to bed, Parker. Take your wounded Pretender and get some sleep. See you in the morning." He left the room.
Parker opened the door to the bedroom and found Jarod was asleep in the bed. Castalanos' physician had cleaned and redressed the wound, which had broken open during their abduction. Bruising around the wound hinted one of their captors had prodded Jarod with the toe of his boot, which is what probably caused the wound to reopen.
She took a quick shower and then climbed into the king-sized bed naked. She snuggled close to Jarod, whose arm went about her in his sleep. Sighing deeply, she lay her head on his chest and closed her eyes in sleep.
"Good morning, love!" Parker's eyes snapped open and fastened on the owner of that voice. Perhaps the last person she ever expected to see was now seated on the side of her bed, pinning the covers in place leaving Parker bare to the waist. Brigitte, the cockney-voiced sweeper, attempted assassin of Mr. Parker. Her nemesis from the first moment they ever met.
"What are you doing here?" Parker asked, coldly. "What rock did you crawl out from under?"
"Now, now, don't be like that. We are all on the same side now...the survivors. I'm here to take good care of loverboy here while you greet your friends when they arrive. I'm insurance against you pulling anything on the boss." Brigitte looked Parker up and down. "You know, your clothes don't do you justice. I'd have never guessed you were so...lush...under those dowdy outfits."
"Oh, get out and let me get dressed. Otherwise I will be forced to kick your scrawny butt while naked."
Brigitte laughed and swayed toward the door. "Hmm, sounds like fun. You don't know what you're missing, Parker. Try me and you'd never go back to Jarod."
"I'd rather sleep with Raynes," replied Parker, disgust dripping from her words.
When Parker joined Castalanos in the main room, Brigitte was not in evidence. "If you want my cooperation, keep that blonde bitch away from me. Otherwise, there will be more bloodshed."
"And Good Morning to you, too, Miss Parker." Castalanos chuckled. "So you don't like poor Brigitte. I'm sure she's crushed. Based on her reports over the years and the things I know about her, I'm sure she'd love to have you under her power for even a few hours." After escorting Parker to the table set for breakfast, he continued. "Don't worry about her. She will just guard Jarod while we attend to business. According to my units along the way, your friends should be here in about an hour. I would like you to tell me about them. Nothing dramatic, no secrets, nothing like that. Just give me a feel for each of them."
Parker took a sip of her coffee and considered his request. She was at war within herself about this strange man; part of her wanted to trust him and the other part was repelled by his association with Brigitte. "I'm sorry, but I can't really tell you much about them as we just met as all this began. I'm sure you understand."
As they finished their breakfast, a small chime sounded. Castalanos stood and helped Parker to her feet. "Your friends have arrived. I shall excuse myself for the moment and let you greet them without me. When you are ready for me to rejoin you, please use that bell-pull by the door." With that, he left.
Parker stole a quick glance at her reflection in the mirror, then turned as the others entered the room. Characteristically, it was Amanda that came over to her. "Are you okay?" Amanda looked the mortal woman in the eyes and knew everything was fine between Jarod and Parker. She then introduced Parker to Megan and Nightwind. Parker explained that the doctor had confined Jarod to bed after reopening his wound during the abduction. Parker chose to ignore Methos' snicker at Jarod being confined to bed; she knew exactly what the old Immortal thought and blushed at the fact he was right. She also then explained what Castalanos wanted her to do. "I don't know yet whether my father will agree. I am to contact him in about twelve hours to find out. How can I possibly mediate this issue? I find that I trust Castalanos and don't trust my father. I don't know anywhere we could set up the meeting with adequate security to prevent betrayal by either side."
Methos looked at the others, who nodded. "We do. Can you summon Castalanos?"
Duncan was surprised by how weak Castalanos aura was. He barely felt him until they were in the same room. Duncan could see how nervous Castalanos felt at being surrounded by five Immortals. It was obvious this Immortal had not fought in the Game in centuries.
Methos spoke first. "Parker says she is concerned about security should she arrange a meeting between you and her father. She doesn't trust either side to keep the truce. Nor do I blame her. So we Immortals will provide the security for the meeting. We will incapacitate anyone who attempts to intrude on the meeting. At the onset of betrayal by either party, we will behead both sides. You will either meet in good faith or die. Either way, the war will stop. Your status as an Immortal is of no importance in this matter, except to determine the manner by which you would die."
Castalanos had never really known fear in his life. As an Immortal, he had lost his fear of death. He knew as long as he stayed away from his kind, he would live forever. His wealth and position had given him the power over the life and death of his minions. Now he found himself facing someone he knew was not swayed by Castalanos' money or position...someone who's cold eyes made him feel like hiding. The aura of this group of Immortals was overwhelming, each was extremely powerful except for the one named Megan, but even hers was stronger than his own was. "How...how would it be handled?" he asked.
"You and Mr. Parker would each be taken blindfolded to an undisclosed location controlled by us. You will be alone. The meeting will continue until you either reach an agreement or a complete impasse. If you agree to end the war, you will each be allowed to contact your forces to have them stand down. You will then be returned to your homes and released."
"What if we cannot reach an agreement?"
"Then you both will die."
Parker looked at the implacable face on the oldest Immortal and knew he was right. If the price for the end of the war was her father's life or even her own, it was worth it.
[GO DADDY]
[HELLO ANGEL. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU. I CONSENT TO THE MEETING. WE WILL MEET AT A LOCATION I WILL PROVIDE IN OUR NEXT COMMUNICATION.]
[NO, DADDY. AN OUTSIDE AGENCY WILL HANDLE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE MEETING, INCLUDING THE SECURITY. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL MEAN FORFEITING YOUR LIFE. CASTALANOS HAS AGREED.]
[YOU WANT ME TO TRUST STRANGERS? HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN I BRING?]
[NO ONE. NEITHER CAN CASTALANOS. YOU WON'T BE ALONE BECAUSE I WILL ALSO BE THERE.]
There was a long pause. Parker began to think her father had disconnected when he typed:
[I DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ANY CHOICE. TELL YOUR OUTSIDE AGENCY I WILL BE WHEREVER THEY SAY.]
[DADDY, NO TRICKS. MAKE SURE MY BROTHER DOES NOT TRY TO FOLLOW. THEY WILL KILL HIM WITHOUT HESITATION.]
[UNDERSTOOD. PARKER OUT.]
"As I said earlier, Miss Parker, it is amazing how simple compound interest builds when you take a long view. When you have centuries or so to amass wealth, it eventually reaches a point where you can literally buy a small country. As a hedge against the future, I once purchased a small island off the beaten path. In fact, it is so far off the beaten path that it has somehow eluded all the cartographers. Oh, some satellite picks it up now and then, but no one cares since it is too far from anywhere to have any strategic value. The total island's population is, at last census, 36. All the adults are employed caring for my house and airfield. In exchange for their lifelong servitude, they receive free food and medical care. Their children are educated in the finest boarding schools and universities."
"And this island is our destination?"
"We should land in approximately two hours. The plane carrying Castalanos will land about an hour later, followed by your father's flight. Both were picked up without any problems, although your father was rather indignant when he was stripped and had to wear clothes we provided. His clothes, with their hidden locator beacons, were placed on a nonstop flight to Tokyo where they will be transshipped to a freighter heading for Siberia. There was also a younger man who attempted to intervene; however, Duncan's uncle Conner MacLeod broke both your brother's legs rather than kill him."
"Thank you for that. While I do not pretend to love Lyle, he is my brother and I would not want him dead."
"I thought you'd tried to kill him several times."
"That's different. I meant I would not want him dead by anyone else's hands."
Methos chuckled. "You are all right, Parker, my kind of woman."
"Funny, I thought all women were your kind."
"No, actually I only fall for strong-willed, determined women with spirit. The fact you are beautiful is just icing."
The two surviving members of the Triumvirate were led into the room. Gone were the thousand dollar suits and stylish reminders of their wealth. Each was clad in identical blue one-piece jumpsuits and canvas deck shoes without socks. They each looked disheveled as their hoods were removed, and they blinked owlishly at each other and the others in the room as their eyes adjusted to the lighting. Soon, their eyes locked on the most unexpected thing in the room. Lying on the table between them were two broadswords. Standing by the sword hilts were two men clad in the MacLeod tartan. Neither spoke; they just stared at the two Centre leaders. There was no doubt what their role was to be if an agreement was not reached.
As their eyes passed around the chamber, they each were pleased to see the only other person in the room...Miss Parker. She spoke at last. "You each know what is at stake here. You will either reach an agreement ending this warfare and returning the Centre to the path of peace or you will die here. There can be no thoughts of subterfuge. The slightest attempt to escape or even leave this room will be met by violence. These two Scots will kill both of you. The sooner you begin, the sooner this will be over." With those words, she strode from the room, abandoning the men to their fate.
Parker stood on the beach staring at the setting sun. She had often waited like this, waiting to see if she could detect the flash of green that appeared at the instant the sun set. Her concentration was so great she did not detect Amanda's approach. She just became aware the other immortal was standing at her side. Neither spoke; they just watched the horizon, waiting for that small flash of green. "My mother once told me that is you saw the green flash, you would be blessed with a year filled with peace and love," Parker said as she stared at the sea.
There! It was fleeting...insubstantial...ephemeral...but distinctly a green flash of light. That sliver of light filled Parker with hope for the future. She knew she'd found love; she just needed the courage to admit it to Jarod.
"Tell me, Amanda, have you ever wasted years by not admitting you loved someone?"
Amanda laughed. "Years? Honey, I've wasted decades. Then, once I knew how I felt, I wasted another century or so waiting for him to recognize the inevitable. So, I tripped him into bed and routinely drag him back there to refresh his memory. He's coming around, slowly." The Immortal looked at the younger woman. "Don't stress, child. Jarod loves you deeply. It is as plain and as inevitable as the sun rising in the east."
They stood in companionable silence until Methos called out to them. "It's over. They are calling their forces now."
Amanda turned to Parker. "Men, what do they know. It's not over. Only the war is over. Now life can begin."
The End.