From: mrkeller829@gmail.com   
      
   =====o============================o=====   
   "Chermera" by Mary Ruth Keller Part 03  of 45   
   E-mail: mrkeller@eclipse.net, mrkeller829@gmail.com   
   PG-13   X-File: Myth-arc   Disclaimed in Part I   
   Already sent to Gossamer   
   =====o============================o=====   
      
   Along 4th Street   
   Wednesday, 8:47 am   
      
   Even with the morning DC rush hour winding down to an early summer close, the   
   noise from traffic would easily drown out the quiet conversation the Assistant   
   Director wanted to conduct with his agents. The partners had settled on one of   
   the facing pair of    
   stone benches along the wide sidewalks in front of the FBI building, while he   
   stood in front of them. "I'll be taking a limo to see Senator Matheson, now   
   that you have both returned."   
      
   Scully looked over at Mulder, then leaned forward. "Sir, is the Morley Man   
   continuing to try to recruit you back into the Organization?"   
      
   Thinking of a dark exchange of fists in the Hoover Building underground   
   parking, the bald Assistant Director shook his head. "Outside of his one   
   attempt, no. He's planning something. Of that, we can all be certain, but, he   
   hasn't firmed up a sufficiently    
   convoluted scheme to set in motion." He tugged at his tie. "With you two   
   coming back before you were expected, he'll have to accelerate his plans to   
   try to regain the advantage."   
      
   The dark-haired agent fidgeted. "We've been considering possibilities for his   
   attacks for the past few days, Sir." He checked his partner's face. "We know   
   there are other groups like his, in the Far East and Europe. That's why Rosen   
   and Nichols are on    
   the West Coast, while we remain here. Whether he thinks he can play us, too   
   – "   
      
   Scully had rested her hand on her partner's arm, but looked up at their   
   superior. "Sir, if there was ever a time to come out with what you know..."   
      
   The Assistant Director rubbed his eyes under his glasses. "It's not what I   
   know, it's what can be documented. You two had verified much of Saunders's   
   debrief before the trial. I suggest you review it carefully. He was deeper in   
   the Organization than I    
   ever was." He shook his head, terminating that particular thread of the   
   conversation, before regarding them both. There was much more he could say,   
   but the time would come for that. Right now, he needed to be certain his   
   assessment of the players in    
   their situation was correct, so he sat down beside the auburn-haired   
   pathologist. "Agent Scully, I have to ask - "   
      
   She lifted her chin. "I am well, Sir. The problems I was having when you saw   
   me last are resolved." The glint in the green-blue eyes was laser-intense.   
      
   Skinner shook his head. "That's a relief to hear, but, I mean, in terms of   
   your family, and, now, I am asking for complete candor, Scully." He caught   
   Mulder's glance at her face, but she remained resolute, so he pressed forward.   
   "Do you think your    
   brothers will be an asset as we go forward, or will they be a liability?"   
      
   If she could have sat up straighter, she would have. "They would never do   
   anything to knowingly betray their oaths as officers of the US Navy, Sir."   
      
   The bald man sighed. While he deeply respected the way she instinctively   
   closed ranks with the two red-haired men he had glimpsed but briefly once, now   
   was not the time for her to shield them behind their uniforms. He needed to   
   hear from the logical,    
   analytical scientist whose work he had always admired. "I know that. But,   
   could they be misled, misdirected?"   
      
   She crossed her arms. "You mean, as they were last year?" She was unwilling to   
   relate to anyone other than her partner just how far they had pushed her to   
   retain command of her life, control she refused to grant them. But they were   
   family, so she would    
   lay down even her life for them as she sought to defeat the powers that had   
   almost brought Bill and Charlie under their thumb.   
      
   The dark-haired agent leaned closer to her. "Scully, if it would help, I can   
   speak with them. They've lost one sister. That they'd let - "   
      
   Skinner rose. "No, Agent Mulder. Not you. If anyone, I will. I know what will   
   bring them around." He gritted his teeth. "I know what would bring me around."   
      
   Mulder was on his feet, facing his superior. "Sir, there's only so much we can   
   tell them!"   
      
   The Assistant Director narrowed his eyes at the younger man. "Oh, besides all   
   the evidence you two have so carefully made available to the general public?   
   They'll need more than that. Even a mountain of facts isn't convincing when   
   decisions have    
   different, emotion-based motivations." He eyed the approaching limo. "Shall we   
   go?"   
      
   Scully rose to step between her partner and the Assistant Director, locking   
   her gaze with Mulder's before looked up into their superior’s face. "Sir?"   
      
   Skinner took the three steps down to the street level. "We *all* have a   
   meeting with Senator Matheson, Agents. I suggest we not be late."   
      
   The dark-haired agent moved to the bald man's side. "Now that Lindhauer and   
   McConnell are dead, he won't have to keep us at arm's length, will he?"   
      
   Skinner shook his head as the long black vehicle pulled up. After the   
   uniformed driver stepped out to open both rear doors, the three climbed in.   
      
   --o-0-o--   
      
   Whisperhill Research   
   Beltsville, MD   
   Wednesday, 8:47 am   
      
   "Sir, this just came for you."   
      
   Long fingers extended to take a square package, then waved the younger man   
   from his presence.   
      
   The old spy leaned back in his chair, turning the paper-wrapped container over   
   in his hands, studying the return address in Korean. {So, what is the lovely   
   Amanda up to now?} He had had no idea, when he took the brown-haired woman   
   under his tutelage,    
   just how agile her questing mind would prove. He reached in his pocket for the   
   foil-wrapped packet, but stopped. This younger generation was refusing to   
   tolerate his habits, which, while an inconvenience, would be indulged, for the   
   present.   
      
   Stepping away from his desk, he tucked the box under his arm, then headed down   
   the hall to the bank of elevators in the core of the building.   
      
   A middle-aged operative, his once-brown hair thinning, fell in step beside   
   him. "Sir, remember, we have to leave for the West Coast tomorrow."   
      
   His response began with a single curt nod. "Indeed. Good to see you being so   
   thorough, Luther." He pressed the top button. "Set your mind at ease. I shan't   
   be in the Computer Lab all day. We'll still be able to review our new   
   operations this afternoon."   
      
   After the brass doors rolled shut, 'Charlie' materialized at Luther's elbow.   
   "He's going up to talk to Lisa again, isn't he?"   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)