by David Gill
'I know we've been here before and I'll wait for as long as it takes,' said Milo. 'I just feel that we deserve to get more out of our lives. Take this alien business. If we have actually been visited by an alien, shouldn't mankind be going out of its way to seek it out and say hello. Why aren't people queuing to meet it? Instead, it's given about the same status as a stain on a rug. We could be on the verge of the greatest discovery ever and here we are hiding out in a cave while it looks like people who are supposed to be working with us are lining up to kill Declan and Jenna.'
'The difference between you and me is that I want something for myself out of life,' said Glen. 'I do get something back, even though it isn't very much, but you don't, and you will never get a decent return if you have total commitment to the type of work you're in. You need to be on the outside looking in, and you don't seem able to make that separation.'
Milo remained silent while he tried to digest what Glen had said.
Eventually Glen broke the silence. 'I'm not getting at you. It's just that I'm very much aware that in the big picture we're not around for long and getting wound up about the Justice Department and the Phasewave Company is a total waste of space and time. You and I are never going to be in a position to change what happens around us. Whatever we do or say, in a few days' time Jenna and Declan will be out of our lives, probably forever, and we will simply move on to pick up the wreckage of other peoples' lives and go through this whole process again.'
Milo sighed and lay back in bed. 'I guess you're right. I know it's easy to look back and say "what if?" but I still feel there is something left in me, some achievement to be made before it's too late - one last challenge.'
'In olden days you would have been called a dreamer, but I don't know what the modern terminology for that state is.'
'Well, whatever you're doing, it is keeping you saner than me,' said Milo.
Glen lay back in the silence again and thought about what Milo had said. After a while she spoke again. 'I could be wrong, so don't take any notice of what I just said. Maybe you are right, maybe there is something left for you in this life. You are different from other men; you are a giant compared to those around you. When you enter a room everyone takes notice, and wherever you are you always walk around as if you own the place. People automatically listen to you and respect you because you are fearless, but I'm not like that, I spend all my life worrying about things that never happen. I always see the worst in situations, which is probably why I don't take things seriously. Who knows what your destiny will be? All I know is that it probably won't involve me.'
'That would be a shame,' said Milo. 'I always think of having you around, whatever I'm doing.'
'And I'll always be there for you,' said Glen. She got up and lit a cigarette. 'Getting back to the subject of aliens, this contract we talk about - do you think it includes Brant?'
Milo shrugged. 'I don't understand anything about Brant, let alone the fact that, by all accounts, Brant was different from the rest of us by starting off dead and then being rebuilt or reborn or whatever.'
'More like recycled,' interrupted Glen. 'In fact, it's a bit like watching a movie backwards.'
'That sounds about right. So Brant returned to Vennica with Jenna, but nobody talks about him. It's as if he doesn't exist, yet in the meantime he has been walking in and out of prisons and Phasewave bases as he pleases.'
'And conveniently forgetting his memory,' said Glen, 'or should I say that it just shut down. If Brant is the alien, why isn't anybody paying attention to him? I agree with you, it doesn't make sense. Maybe the powers that be felt that it would be easier to concentrate on Jenna to find out what they wanted.'
'I think that they would have expected Jenna to break before Brant, but we could now have a world first on our doorstep and all the attention it gets is a few lines on Gossip Hotline.'
'I think the stain on the rug was a more appropriate description.'
'Do you really think Brant is the alien?' asked Milo.
'He does appear to have some unique abilities.' Glen smiled wickedly. 'Talking of which, have you wondered how Brant transmitted the alien into the Phasewave machine?'
Milo laughed. 'Only you could think of that. I'm not well versed in these matters, but rumour has it that there are two ways, and I'm trying hard not to think of one of them.'
Glen smiled again. 'It had to be the tongue. The shock probably caused his memory loss, but it obviously wasn't fatal.'
'Oh, please,' said Milo. 'Trust you to attach a sexual connotation. We were having a serious discussion about the presence of an alien.'
'You were, I wasn't,' said Glen. She ran her hand under the covers until she was holding his sex. 'You forget that I'm irreverent.'
Milo gasped. 'Sorry, cold hands.' He gently cupped her face and held it close to his own. 'On the other hand, if you can convince me that you're not an alien my body's yours for the taking.'
'According to Jenna I'm full of myself, and also stuck up, whatever that means,' said Glen, 'but I do have the ability to regenerate a human organ - this one seems to be responding quite nicely. If I told you I needed your life force, how much irreverence would it take to convince you?'
'A whole lot of reverence,' said Milo, 'plus a bit of insubordination. You know the score - it's either tongue or dong.'
'Hmmmm. I'm going to have to think about that. Do I get a choice?'
'I'm sure we can work something out. Hang on a moment.' Milo sat up in bed and looked carefully around the room before flopping back onto the pillow and turning out the lights.
'What was all that about?' asked Glen. 'Were you looking for your cannon?'
'I think you'll find that you're already holding my cannon. Actually, I was checking the monitors to see if there were any of those pesky dots of light looking at us. Now, where were we? Oh, I remember, you were about to make your choice. So go ahead, but try not to give me the electric shock treatment.'
'I've only got one thing to say to you,' said Glen.
'What's that?'
'Not so fast!'
Declan and Jenna stood on their balcony, watching a transporter lift off from outside the apartment. It turned and slowly made its way down a valley, staying below cloud before briefly emerging into the morning sunlight over a flat plain where it finally increased power for the climb away from the mountains.
'They could have said goodbye,' said Declan.
'They don't owe us anything,' said Jenna, 'but I wish we were leaving with them. Without the presence of the support team I feel like we're a sitting target.'
'I would have liked us to be on that transporter too,' said Declan, 'but at least Gil is back in charge, and we now have to work out what we are going to say to him when he turns up.'
'Are you going to let him know about that stuff I told you last night?'
'Not unless you want me to. What you said was between you and me and is off the record. I don't think it's going to change anything, so I have no plans to bring it up with Gil.'
'It feels strange to be totally on our own,' said Jenna. 'What are we going to do with the rest of the day?'
'I think it's time to walk over to that restaurant again and have lunch on Gil,' said Declan. 'Now the excitement is over it will be nice to spend a peaceful day together.'
It was later that evening and the light was rapidly failing when Declan stood with a sense of apprehension and watched an approaching cruiser, still concerned that it might be carrying Slater and Jarvine. The cruiser came to a halt, the door opened and Gil stepped out, much to Declan's relief.
'Sorry I'm late,' said Gil, 'but I've spent most of the day working with Internal Security. They've found that the incoming communications lines into the headquarters have been bugged - there was even a dedicated listening room inside the building. Just think about that, all these years we've taken it for granted that we could use the lines to talk openly. Marvellous, isn't it? Come inside the cruiser to talk, at least I can guarantee that this area is
clean.'
Declan entered the cruiser and sat in the cabin with Gil. 'The support team got away this morning,' he said, 'we're the only ones left.'
'What's new then?' asked Gil.
'Nothing, really,' said Declan. 'I think we have covered just about everything. Can I ask you where Brant is?'
'He's in a prison hospital,' said Gil. 'I know it sounds suspicious, but the medics say he really has had a memory failure. They've given him a brain scan which revealed few signs of mental activity.'
'So why did he visit the Phasewave?'
'Nobody knows. Nothing was touched or disturbed. It's another one of those events for which there is no explanation.'
'After looking at all our recordings, are we any further on?'
'No,' said Gil. 'I'm really sorry to have dragged you into this, but I thought it was a good idea at the time. Slater has being playing games behind the scenes and trying to take over the case, while Goldman has been diverting me to run his errands. I don't trust either of them.'
'Jenna told me last night that she brought back videos and a diary, evidence which proved her claim.'
'That's right,' said Gil, 'she's maintained that from the beginning. However, I've tried my utmost to find out what happened to that evidence, and the Phasewave Company has shut like a clam. I've been informed that they will only talk to me through their lawyers, and this is an official enquiry.'
'You're absolutely sure there is nothing at all you can use?'
'There's nothing that I can repeat to people I know, and especially not to the Security Council. I think that this case is now finished. It certainly wasn't for lack of effort. and I now need to take Jenna back into custody for her own protection. Did Jenna say anything else, anything at all?'
'Not that would help you,' Declan replied.
Gil thought for a moment. 'In which case we've nothing to lose; let's visit the Phasewave and see what Jenna can come up with.'
'What? Are you serious? I thought you were against the idea. How come you changed your mind?'
'I've been thinking a lot since our last conversation. It wasn't so much what Jenna said that changed my mind, but the more I look at Brant the more I'm convinced that there is something amiss. I mean, nobody has ever penetrated a prison security system before, let alone a Phasewave installation, so he must have had a very good reason for doing that. I'm also sick and tired of being pushed around by the Phasewave crowd, and first thing tomorrow Moran is obtaining search warrants to enter the Phasewave compound. I've bypassed the Law Lords and found a sympathetic judge to issue the warrants. I'm also going to ask Milo to come with us; he's handy to have around in a confrontation.'
'I think that would be the best thing we can do. It could put this whole affair to rest, but what if there is no alien?'
'I've already burnt my bridges by side-lining the Law Lords, so there is no turning back for me. I'm now committed up to the hilt. We have to find out why Brant entered the Phasewave installation, so let's go and talk to Jenna and see if she can shed some light on it.'
Declan hesitated for a moment, torn with indecision. He quickly realised he now needed to reveal some of Jenna's revelations from the previous evening. 'Actually I know why Brant went to the Phasewave.'
Gil looked at Declan suspiciously. 'What do you mean? Is there something you haven't been telling me?'
'I can explain ...'
The cabin filled with bright light and the scream of a turbine. Gil jumped up and opened the door. With a sense of foreboding Declan watched the landing lights of another cruiser approach the hard-standing.
'What's all this about?' asked Gil. 'Plano is closed to the public.'
A cloud of dust, raised by the landing cruiser, drifted by as it touched down and slid to a halt next to them. Its door opened, revealing an unwelcome sight. Slater and Jarvine jumped out and ran over to where they were standing.
You're off the case again,' said Slater, thrusting a handful of papers at Gil. 'Move out and don't come back.'
'This was resolved earlier today,' said Gil, 'I'm in charge here.'
'Looks like your friends got cold feet and hung you out to dry, old man,' said Slater sarcastically. 'Jarvine, go and get Jenna.'
'Wait,' said Declan. 'There's no need to involve Jenna. I know everything that happened on Bouron; we can sort this out between us.'
'Back off, Slater,' added Gil. 'I have executive power and can override anything you intend to do. Jarvine, keep away from that apartment.'
Slater's hand made a quick movement, and the next moment a gun was pointing at Gil's face. 'Get wise,' said Slater, 'this isn't your problem anymore.'
'You don't worry me,' said Gil. 'Declan, go and lock yourself inside the apartment with Jenna. I'm going to call for help.'
'Maybe this will help,' said Slater, stepping forward and striking Gil a glancing blow across the side of his head. Gil slumped, unconscious, to the ground.
Declan saw the blood running down Gil's face and, for the first time in his life, lost control and attacked another human being. With a roar of rage he flew at Slater and seized him by the throat with both hands. Caught off guard by the ferocity of the onslaught, Slater lost his balance and fell back against the cruiser where Declan continued to shake him violently, at each stroke cracking Slater's head against its metal hull.
'You bastard!' he shouted.
Slater began to slide down the hull as he lost consciousness, but Declan could not contain the pressure accumulated over years of frustration and continued to slam him against the side of the cruiser, experiencing a sense of unholy joy when Slater finally crumpled to his knees. Declan's elation was cut short, however, when he was sent reeling by a violent blow to the back of his neck, and the last thing he remembered was seeing a sheet of rainbow colours flash past his eyes as he collapsed on top of his adversary.
A shaft of pain lanced through Declan's chest and jolted him back to consciousness. He peered up into the half-light and saw the boot withdraw for another kick.
'That's enough.' The voice belonged to Slater, but he could not work out where it was coming from. A dull ache in the back of his neck restricted any head movement, and he discovered that his arms had been secured behind his back.
'Leave him alone,' said Jenna. Someone with a stronger grip pulled on his arms, and he was hauled upright and dropped onto a seat. Declan groggily looked around the inside of the cruiser. Jenna sat beside him, clutching him tightly, while Jarvine and Slater, both looking noticeably hostile, glared at him from the other side of the carriage. The blood-stained cloth that Slater was holding to his head revived memories of the incident at the cruiser.
'Where's Gil?' demanded Declan.
'Who cares,' said Jarvine.
'You're going to regret doing this,' said Slater, picking dried blood from his hands. 'No-one takes me out and gets away with it, especially a clown like you.'
Declan turned to Jenna. 'Are you okay?'
'I'm okay,' she replied, although her face looked almost opaque under the dim lighting.
'Cut the talking,' said Jarvine, 'we've heard enough from you two already.'
'Where are you taking us?' said Declan.
Slater leaned forward, pulled Declan from his seat and hurled him against the seat back, knocking the breath from his lungs.
'You don't get it, do you? We don't like the sound of your voice.'
The cruiser levelled off and picked up speed. Declan regained control of his breathing and looked out through the windows. Mountain peaks passed below, white in the moonlight, but none of the visible features were recognizable. Jenna gave his arm a comforting squeeze and they continued in silence while Declan frantically tried to determine the purpose of the journey.
'You really are sad cases,' said Slater. 'If it's aliens we're looking for you two fit the bill perfectly - you're out of this world.'
'A kid wouldn't fall for a story like yours,' said Jarvine. 'All that crap about people disappearing, it was just something you dreamt
up between you.'
Declan stared coldly at the two men opposite and remained silent. After a while Jarvine stifled a chuckle, as if trying to control his mirth at some private joke.
'What's the matter with you?' asked Slater.
Jarvine composed himself. 'Nothing, just something I overheard.' He choked back another laugh. 'It's a poem which could have been written for these two.'
Slater appeared to be surprised. 'You've been reading poetry? This I've got to hear. Hit me with it.'
'Okay. It's about dreams, something I picked up the other day.' Jarvine looked almost embarrassed, and Declan had a horrible premonition that he knew what was coming next.
'Okay, here it is - "the end of our dreams is the end of our lives".'
Declan froze. Slater must have been listening in on the transmissions all along!
'Why, that sure is beautiful,' said Slater sarcastically. 'I bet there's a whole load more where that came from.'
'You're right, and it's all here in this little box.' Jarvine switched on a pocket recorder, and Declan heard Jenna's voice coming from the speaker and recalled what he and Jenna had said and done together. A deep, burning shame rose through his body.
Two voices mingled in conversation. '... sounds interesting. Do you know any more? I can't remember. The eyes are the mirrors of life. Yes, it's coming back. The poem is about restless souls looking out through the mirrors of their eyes'
Jarvine clicked off the recorder.
'Looks like Declan's got hidden talents,' said Slater. 'I've never thought of him as a poet, let alone a restless soul.'
'Then you're in for a surprise,' said Jarvine. 'I've got something else in here about restless souls. You'll like this.'
Jenna sat rigid, her hand almost cutting into the flesh of Declan's arm, while the metallic tone of the recorder again filled the cabin. At first Declan could not identify the disjointed noises, and then recognized the intimate sounds of his love-making with Jenna. Unable to contain himself, he launched his body head-first at Jarvine, but Slater was ready and effortlessly caught him and threw him back into the seat. The recording seemed to play on forever.