From: mrkeller829@gmail.com   
      
   =====o============================o=====   
   "Chermera" by Mary Ruth Keller Part 18  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=====   
      
   Matheson Residence   
   Kalorama, Washington, DC   
   Wednesday, June 10, 1998   
   9:01 pm   
      
   Walter Skinner nodded to the uniformed man who opened the door. "I'm here to   
   speak with the Senator. He's expecting me. Walter Skinner."   
      
   A stiff-armed wave ushered him in. "The FBI Director. Yes. Follow me, please."   
      
   His arm around his wife's waist, Richard Matheson was at the foot of the   
   stairs. "Katie, I'll be up in a minute." He kissed her cheek gently, his eyes   
   following her as she ascended, then he turned to his bespectacled visitor,   
   before extending his hand. "   
   Walt? To what do I owe the pleasure? I trust the drive back from Quantico was   
   not too taxing?" He waved him to a pair of seats in the walnut-paneled annex.   
      
   The Assistant Director raised his chin. "I wanted to update you on yesterday's   
   hearing, Rich."   
      
   The smile faded. "Yes, I heard. The old man sent in Fitzberwen. He must take   
   the documents Mulder and Scully uncovered very seriously indeed." He sent over   
   a startled glance. "They *did* turn them in, correct?"   
      
   Skinner offered a single nod in response. "I've been assured they took every   
   precaution to archive and confirm all the documents and their contents."   
      
   The Senator leaned forward to check the hallway, where his attendant had just   
   passed the entrance for the third time. "Let's step outside, Walter. It's not   
   too hot, yet."   
      
   Once they had relocated to a pair of wrought-iron deck chairs, the bald   
   Director relayed the events both before and during the hearing.   
      
   Matheson narrowed his eyes at the waving day lilies ringing the circular patio   
   before facing the AD. "Agent Scully was not seriously injured? Her leadership   
   is as vital to the future of the X-Files as is her partner's."   
      
   Skinner set his teeth. "No." Remembering the doubled-over blond man staggering   
   out of the hearing room, he shook his head. "Agent Scully gave as good as she   
   got. Agent Mulder separated them before she could do *him* permanent harm."   
      
   "With Doctor Scully, I would have expected no less." Matheson turned on the   
   seat. "Sharp agents. Both of them. The Bureau is fortunate to have such   
   diligent and thorough investigators."   
      
   The Assistant Director eyed his grey-haired host. "Rich, I'll be certain to   
   pass your compliments along. But, you have more than this on your mind, I'm   
   certain."   
      
   The Senator leaned back before crossing his legs at the ankles. "Leave   
   Fitzberwen to me. With only Stickle coming on-board here on the East Coast,   
   it's time we brought in allies we can trust."   
      
   "Oh?"   
      
   Matheson slid a card out of his pocket to hold out for the bald Director.   
   "Walt, this is the contact information for Charles Herrod." He paused while   
   Skinner pocketed the paper. "He's a U.S. Marshal. With the instability in the   
   Shadow Organizations we    
   need to expose, we're crossing into dangerous territory here. Charles has been   
   a friend of mine for decades. I've already spoken to him, and he has someone   
   on his staff who will be a great benefit to us. Young, dedicated, extremely   
   sharp. He doesn't need    
   to interface with Mulder and Scully, at least not yet. You can brief him on   
   what he needs to know, then he should be set loose to follow his nose. You'll   
   be surprised what he finds." He offered a genuine smile. "Trust me on that,   
   Walt."   
      
   The Assistant Director straightened in his chair. "Rich, the commendation   
   ceremony for Scully is this coming Tuesday."   
      
   "I wouldn't miss it, for any reason. Not only has she earned it, more than   
   thrice over, but, we need to send a message to the dark powers out there: we   
   are coming for you, at all levels of government." The Senator sat up straight   
   as well. "My country has    
   spent too much of her people's treasure on armament and secrecy. It is time   
   for America to begin to live up to its promise to lead the nations of the   
   world with wisdom toward justice and the light."   
      
   Walter Skinner studied the older man carefully. There was no trace of   
   dissimulation, no tacking between constituent positions, just direct, honest   
   truth. This was why he had chosen to go to any lengths to restore Mulder's   
   contact with the Senior Senator    
   from Virginia, he realized. It would bring the America he had defended as a   
   Marine fully into being, becoming more than high-flown words inscribed on   
   marble up and down the wide avenues of the District. "Very well, Rich. I shall   
   have the necessary    
   arrangements made for your security. We have several ambassadors and their   
   staff attending as well."   
      
   Matheson shifted to his feet. "Well, I think that about covers it for tonight.   
   Give my best to your lovely Sharon, alright?"   
      
   Knowing the discussion was over, the Assistant Director rose, then extended   
   his hand. "I'll keep you informed, Sir."   
      
   The Senator patted his guest's shoulder. "Not Sir, Walt. Just Rich. We've been   
   working together long enough that we don't need any formality."   
      
   After the door had closed behind him, Walter Skinner sighed. At least that bit   
   of business was concluded. His own home was almost too far away, but he knew   
   his lovely Sharon was indeed waiting up for him. He unlocked his car, then   
   slid behind the wheel.    
   At least this late at night, there would be no back-ups to speak of, so he   
   might make it home in a half an hour, if the traffic lights were cooperative.   
      
   --o-0-o--   
      
   Office of the Lone Gunmen   
   Alexandria, VA   
   Wednesday, 10:39 pm   
      
   "So, that's all you want?" Frohike dropped a crust on his paper plate before   
   wiping his fingers individually on an over-sized napkin. "We could do that   
   tomorrow." The five were crowded around the table in the kitchen, rather than   
   scarfing the pizza from    
   odd locations in the living room or workshop.   
      
   Langly and Byers both nodded.   
      
   Mulder swallowed the bite of pepperoni he had been chewing. "But, it would   
   have to be reliable, and secure. We don't know every group that would want to   
   listen in."   
      
   The blond hair bobbed. "Hey, for you two, would we do anything else? Besides,   
   we'd keep upgrading it regularly. Doctor Rosen can handle the work in San   
   Diego, and the Doc can keep up the hardware here. With the free-for-all   
   maintenance schedules under    
   government deregulation, I'd rather the pair of you were on terraferma as much   
   as possible."   
      
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)