Here it is the long awaited I-Man/Prey crossover sequel from the production
team of Alli and M&M. The same team that brought you "State of Mind" (which
BTW a sequel to that is also in production) presents to you, Darien and
Ed's new big adventure.
Cue music...roll opening credits...
There once was a story about a man who could turn invisible. I thought it was only a story until it happened to me.
Forty thousand years ago, the most advanced species on earth was wiped out by a powerful new life form.
"Human Equation" Sequel to "A New Breed" Authors: Lori and Alli Rating: PG 13 Category: Action/Adventure crossover with Prey Disclaimers: We don't own the characters from "The Invisible Man" or "Prey". We're using them not for money but just for fun and they will be returned safe and sound when were done with 'em. Maybe. Spoilers: Lots of 'em for both shows. Description: Tom helps Darien with his new life. Ed and Claire draw closer together at the dismay of Hobbes. Stark makes plans to add Ed to the collection of frozen scientists. Lewis is after Darien and he's not the only one. Ed finds himself in a position where he's forced to save Darien from the Official, but it may also cost him his life.
Authors' notes: Ed Tate's background was really never discussed on the series. So, we've taken creative license and gave him a life.hehehe. Anything written in this story about Ed's background is purely from our own minds. All we know is that he surfs, hikes, has an MD and a PhD, plays Gin, great at flipping hamburgers, drinks beer, eats Chinese food and can hack into the phone company's computer.
If you're new to the list and would like to read "A New Breed", let me know and I'll give you the messages numbers.
Lori
Chapter One
Lewis walked down the hall that led to the chamber of the High Council. The halls were decorated with intricate designs. They were similar to those found on the pillar that was found in Oaxaca, Mexico by Tom, Sloan and Ed. The pillar had been retrieved later by Walter, only to be destroyed. Lewis traced some of the patterns with his finger as he walked.
(Darien Voice Over) "David. W. Hogg once said, "There is one hypothesis, central to evolution, that remains barely tested-that evolution proceeds through the process of survival and reproduction of the fittest."
Lewis stood outside the double doors to the High Council. He had been summoned to give a report on his latest mission, which could be viewed as a failure and a success. He kept his shields up, not wanting the High Council to see into him. It's not so much that he didn't like them, he didn't trust them. Lewis didn't ponder what he was going to say, he didn't fear the Council. In fact, he had little fear of anyone or so he thought.
Lewis knew that the High Council wasn't pleased with him for losing Tom Daniels, their most valued Chameleon and Tom came from a powerful family. Tom was one of the Chosen and now he sided with the humans. This left a bad taste in their mouths. Lewis had failed to get control over him again. And now the Council was pressuring Lewis to get rid of Dr. Sloan Parker. As far as Dr. Edward Tate, they wanted his complete and unconditional loyalty. Everyone else, Walter Attwood, Ray Peterson, the mysterious lady were all expendable. They were considered lesser sapiens, no more important than the other humans they wished to eradicate from the earth.
(DVO continues)Tom once said to Sloan, "A new species does what it has to survive. Evolution isn't just about survival of the fittest, Sloan. It's about domination."
The double doors swung open and Lewis confidently walked into the lions den. When he reached the center of the barren room he planted his feet and stood firm. The only thing in front of him was a long rectangular table. The members of the Council sat in chairs facing the room. Behind them, strategically placed lights made intricate patterns on the wall. Lewis always felt that it meant to confuse anyone standing where he was now.
"Lewis, you have a report for us?" A voice that was as deep and cold as the ocean spoke to Lewis first.
"Yes, I do." Lewis didn't flinch or hesitate. He knew the game well. His shoulders went back to make his broad chest stand out more. It was a show and he knew it, but he was going to give them all he had. He imagined this is what a rooster must do before a cock-fight, to appear more menacing. 'Cock.how appropriate,' Lewis amused himself with the term. Dominant testosterone levels were higher than their human male counterparts and in this room, the levels were overflowing.
(DVO concludes) "I think what David and Tom were trying to say was.Let the 'pissing contest' begin."
Lewis continued, "The information that the second Lynch clone was able to gather from Jared Stark revealed that the human organization Chrysalis are technically advanced. When they reach the age of 25 they don't age beyond that. It seems they have discovered the mythological Fountain of Youth."
Some on the Council looked at each other. Whispers could be heard, and Lewis sensed that they were curious about this news. "How do they accomplish this?" A member asked.
"That information I do not have in my possession. Upon capturing Jared Stark, Lynch also brought to me whom we thought was Dr. Edward Tate. As per my mission, I injected the look alike with the serum thinking that it was the subject we wanted." Lewis wasn't sure if the Council would believe what he was going to say next. "The subject was actually a human who works for the government. His name is Agent Darien Fawkes, and this agent in particular has a most unusual gift.he can render himself invisible."
"Lewis, do you expect us to believe that humans can no longer grow old and turn invisible?"
"Believe what you want to," Lewis brought down his shield. "Search me yourselves; you will know that I speak the truth." Lewis paused and waited. "The serum worked and had a most unexpected reaction to Agent Fawkes. Later I was able to retrieve both Dr. Tate and Agent Fawkes. I injected Dr. Tate with Dr. Copeland's formula." Lewis approached the table and handed some papers to one of the Council members. "This is a report of Dr. Tate's examination of Agent Fawkes. You will note that the results show Agent Fawkes' conversion was a success but with some astonishing additions. Agent Fawkes has the capability of reading minds and focusing his thought patterns into the minds of others. We have heard that some of our kind has this ability, but his is something that I haven't seen so advanced."
"In what way?"
Lewis looked in the direction of the voice, "In a way that he can cause pain. He was able to bring both Lynch and myself down to our knees; nearly paralyzing us and we weren't even in the same room." Lewis studied the reaction of the Council members. "He was even able to knock out Dr. Tate without moving. He did this completely with his mind." Lewis left out the fact that Ed wasn't in exactly perfect physical condition at the time, but anything to throw the Council off his back. His shields were up again and they wouldn't know that minor detail. He knew that the only thing they would be interested in now is Agent Fawkes.
"What about the invisibility? How does that work?"
"It seems that Agent Fawkes is a human science experiment. A gland was implanted into his brain. I believe it's bio-synthetic." Lewis said.
"Can it be cloned?"
Lewis smiled. "Yes, it can be cloned. The bio portion easily, the synthetic part could be recreated." Lewis stopped right there. That would be enough to get him off the hook for his past mistakes. He watched as the Council talked amongst themselves. It was a matter minutes before the head of the Council spoke.
"Lewis, we are not pleased with your performance as of late, but this news of the serum being a success and of this new dominant. We have decided to give you a second chance. Bring us Agent Fawkes and your record will be clean."
Lewis shook his head in agreement and left the council room.
****
The group arrived at Ed's apartment. Darien and Tom helped Ed into his bed while Hobbes brought in Ed's things. Sloan continued to worry about Ed, but her thoughts were still on Darien, 'I've got to talk to Ed about my feelings. This was so unexpected.'
Sloan sat next to Ed as Claire checked his vital signs.
"Your pulse is strong and your temperature is back to normal," Claire patted Ed on the chest, 'He's so much like Kevin. I can't stop thinking of our first night together in college.'
"I do feel better. I'll just rest for another hour then go into the lab."
Sloan shook her head, "No Ed, you have to rest, at least one more day."
"But I feel much better," Ed tried to sit up.
Sloan smiled as she gently pushed Ed back on the bed, "Right, because you slept like a baby the whole trip."
Darien pointed to Sloan, "Listen to mom, here, you gotta take it easy."
Ed looked disappointed and thought to himself, 'Not again. She's always treating me like a baby, just like with the Spanish flu and I recovered pretty quick.'
Darien smiled, "Yeah, I agree, she does baby you, but she is right."
Sloan glared at Ed and Ed glared at Darien.
Darien shrugged, "Oops.sorry. Look, I'll keep you company. We never had a chance to talk with all the crap we went through."
Ed agreed, "Yeah, I have a lot of questions, as do you I'm sure. But try and wait until I actually ask the question, don't read my mind, okay?"
Darien smiled, "I'll try, but I can't promise you anything. Thoughts just shoot out at me. I have a hard time telling if they're thoughts or spoken words. Like, right now.Claire and Sloan's thoughts are reading like a romance novel."
Tom raised an eyebrow at the remark.
Sloan looked startled, "What!"
Ed pulled his sheet over his head.
Claire hit Darien in the arm, "Dahrien!"
"Ow! Watch the shoulder. It's still a little sore you know," Darien rubbed his arm.
Hobbes laughed, "That new mind of yours is going to get you in a lot of trouble, partner."
Claire and Sloan glared at Darien.
Tom cleared his throat and motioned to Hobbes, "We need to get to the lab and meet with Walter. Agent Fawkes, I will help you adjust to your newly acquired instincts tomorrow," Tom looked at Ed, "Take care, Ed." Ed nodded and waved to Tom.
Hobbes motioned to Darien, "Okay kid, I'll see you later."
Both Darien and Ed replied in unison, "Okay Hobbes."
Hobbes looked to Darien and to Ed, "Right.ah.you, the sick kid, take it easy. You, the mutant Psychic Network Hotline, I'll pick you up later," Ed smiled and Darien rolled his eyes. Hobbes continued, "Ladies, after you."
Sloan gave Ed a hug and Claire gave Ed a reassuring pat on the hand, "Don't upset him. I don't think you want his Dominant side to come out."
"Don't worry about that. I had a taste of that already." Ed smiled.
Claire turned to Darien, "Make sure he rests."
"Yes, ma'am."
They walked out of Ed's apartment. Darien pulled off his black leather coat, pulled up a chair and sat down next to Ed. Ed propped himself up on his pillows. The two just studied each other for a moment. With all the excitement the past few days, they really never had a chance to really look at each other. Ed broke the silence.
"So, what's up with the hair?" Ed motioned to Darien's troll like hair style.
"The hair?"
"Well, that was the one thing people kept commenting on. It does defy gravity."
"In the beginning I would use gel, but since I began working with the Agency, it started to stand up on its own." Darien and Ed both laughed.
They talked in depth about their families and possible connections but came up with no real family ties. They also spoke of their experiences, the University, the lab, the experiments, everything. They both realized that the day their lives changed forever included the death of someone close. For Darien it was Kevin and for Ed it was Ann Coulter. Darien told Ed that Kevin was going to take the gland out but died before he could. Most of the information on the procedure was destroyed. He even told Ed about the memory RNA incident and how close he was to his dream. Ed felt bad that Darien had been betrayed by his own brother. But he knew how it felt to have information kept from him.
Ed explained how Sloan had known about Tom's real identity but never said anything to him. "Of course, it doesn't compare to your betrayal, but it still hurts cause Sloan didn't trust me, at least that's how I felt. I know why she did it, Darien, but."
"You guys were friends and she should have been able to trust you," Darien said. "If you can't trust your friends, who can you trust?"
"Yeah, exactly. I mean, we had been working side by side for days and all of a sudden there's Tom's blood sample. It took me a long time before I could really trust him." Ed said.
"Well, can't say that I blame you. It took me awhile before I could trust anybody at the agency.well, I still don't trust the Fat Man, not completely anyway." Darien said with a smirk. "But now at least I'll know what he's thinking," Darien pointed to his head and smiled.
"True." Ed smiled back.
"This is too weird, like looking in a mirror."
"Yeah, I think we covered that one."
"We did didn't we."
"I should take you to meet my grandmother.she would flip." Darien said amused at the vision in his head.
"Yeah, mine would too. And yes, I would like to meet your grandmother and watch her flip." Ed listened as they talked some more and was sympathetic with Darien's colorful past, and remained intrigued with Kevin's experiment. But Darien really didn't have all the information. From what Ed had learned it was a remarkable scientific breakthrough that could lead to other types of gland or organ implants. But with all such discoveries, someone out there would want to use it for evil purposes. Ed thought that it must be tough on Darien to live in such a precarious life were any minute he could be taken and the gland harvested.
Ed shook his head, "You really came through a lot, Darien."
"Well, it's not easy being me."
"Tell me about it." Ed rubbed his stab wound, "I found that out."
Darien ran his hand through his hair and smiled, "Yeah, I guess so. Sorry about that."
"Well, it wasn't your fault, but it did get annoying after awhile," Ed laughed and Darien smiled back. Ed became serious, "And I'm sorry about your brother."
"Yeah, well, you remind me of him." Darien half smiled at Ed.
"Really?" Ed was surprised. That was something he didn't expect from Darien.
"Sure, you're a naive brainiac who is shy and dedicated. Always concerned with getting the job done, you're too hung up on your work. I bet you stay up late working at the lab because you're just so close to making a breakthrough or you have something to finish and it just can't wait."
Ed looked away, "That's old Ed Tate in a nut shell."
Darien glanced over at the surfboard leaning up against the wall, "You surf, chicks gotta dig that, and you don't look like a scientist, so you got that going for you. Get your head out of the lab and take some chances." Darien said.
"My parents divorced when I was young. Man, did they have knock down drag out fights. From the time they woke up until they went to bed they did nothing but argue." Ed looked at his folded hands, "I guess that's why I got into surfing. That was my escape, nothing out there but me and the ocean, no yelling, no arguments, just the sound of the waves coming in. I would wake up early to leave," Ed glanced into Darien's eyes and saw a sympathy in them, "just so I wouldn't listen to the morning ritual of shouts and go out to surf until it was time to go to school. I'd shower off will quick, change my clothes, ride my bike home with the board tucked under my arm," Ed paused as he remembered his childhood, "You know, I think they knew I snuck out early, my mom never said anything to me, I think she understood that I needed to be away from them. Well, soon my dad left and I haven't really heard from him, of course until I earned my M.D. then it was all different."
Darien looked at Ed, no wonder why Ed sympathized with him. Ed's childhood nearly mirrored his own. Darien sat and listened as Ed took his turn and poured out his heart.
"I'm the only child, guess that's a good thing. I saw the pain my mom went through; how she talked about marriage and that it ruined her life. I was a product of that marriage so I guess you know how that made me feel." Ed smiled, "I even heard her say that men are good for only one thing." Ed let out a half hearted laugh. "I guess that's why I couldn't tell Sloan how I felt. I saw what happened to my mom and dad and I didn't want that. I never went to proms or anything like that. I was too afraid of relationships, so I avoided them. I think the guys at school thought I was.well, you know, because I never really dated any girls."
Ed paused for a brief moment and then continued, "If I couldn't surf, I had my head in books, joined Honor Society clubs, Science Club and stuff like that, those were my escapes. Anything that kept me away from the house I jumped at it, I even played basketball and soccer on the beach." Ed let a cleansing sigh, "Then came college and more of the same stuff. I earned my M.D., did my residency, and decided that sick people weren't my thing. That's when I decided to earn a doctorate in immunology. I ended up being a researcher and found myself at Whitney University, all because I wanted to avoid people."
"Whoa.so you're a 'double doctor'?" Darien asked in surprise. He decided to change the subject. He doubt that Ed had told anybody about his childhood.
Ed sheepishly smiled, "Yeah, M.D., Ph.D. are all at the end of my name. I did a couple of years at NIAD.that's why Copeland kidnapped me and took me to Alaska. He wanted me to find a way to release the Spanish flu on the human population."
Darien shook his head, "That's deep. What did you do?"
"I got away. I wasn't going to join them and betray my species."
Darien smiled, "Really? You got away? How? I mean, you don't seem like the type that could put up a good fight." Darien paused, "Oh.I'm sorry, my bad.It's just that I tend to get my butt kicked a lot and I thought that."
"Since we both look alike the same would apply to me.well, you're right. So, no hard feelings, but I did kick butt that day. I struggled with one of the guards and the gun went off, shooting him in the stomach. Then I hid behind the door and waited for the other one. When he came in, I pistol whipped him, grabbed his parka and off I went into the Alaskan tundra."
"Nice.but I wonder.I mean, I'm new at this whole dominant thing, but the guards didn't sense you hiding?" Darien asked.
"I thought about that myself. Tom has said that he can read signatures, electrical impulses and emotions, so yeah they should have sensed me hiding or at least my adrenaline. The only thing I can figure is that the flu must have done something to them or they were just being cocky." Ed smiled.
"Give yourself some credit, doc.you kicked butt." Darien gave Ed a low- five; he paused and thought back to what Ed had told him earlier about his childhood. "Looks like we both found something to escape to, although you made better choices than I did. While you tried to escape your father's tendencies, I embraced mine, my dad was a thief and I followed in his footsteps. You ended up a scientist and I ended up a science experiment." Darien thought about his last statement and chuckled, "Life sure is funny."
Ed glanced down at his folded hands, "I've been afraid to tell Sloan how I feel. I don't want to ruin our friendship. I love her too much. Besides, she's happy with Tom." He let out a big sigh, "God, I hated seeing them together. When Tom came into the lab when Ann Coulter was killed, I could feel it you know, his attraction towards her and even then I couldn't tell her how I felt. I had so many chances.five years worth of chances.I really blew it with her didn't I?"
"Yeeessss," Darien sang his response, "But."
"But.what?" Ed looked at Darien suspiciously.
"There's someone else who has her eyes on you. But she also has someone who has eyes on her." Darien got up to get something to drink.
"It's Claire isn't it?" Ed turned his head to look away from Darien. "Crap", Ed said in exasperation.
Darien half smiled at Ed's choice of words. "Uhmmm.yes.and she has it pretty bad for you, man." Darien said.
Ed let out a deep cleansing breath, "God, I don't want to blow it again. I don't want to be alone anymore, you know?"
"Well you have to ask yourself a question. Is Claire someone that you would like to pursue?" Darien asked.
"Well any woman who plays with my boxers while I'm unconscious is alright in my book." Ed smiled as a soft chuckle escaped his mouth.
Darien shot Ed a cheeky smile, "Okay, I guess I missed something."
"When I was rescued from Arnaud I was brought into the keep. I guess Claire was confused and thought I was you. She noticed my boxers and nearly gave me a wedgie pulling on them. I think she was as surprised as I was when I woke up."
Darien laughed, "Oh man, I wished I had seen that. I take it you're a boxer dude?"
"Yeah, and I take it you're a briefs dude." Ed said amused about the revelation, "Well, that's something else we don't have in common."
"Hey, uhh.you want something to drink?" Darien pointed to Ed's refrigerator.
"Sure, uhm...a beer would be great." Ed smiled.
"Claire said it was okay for you to have a beer.ah, never mind." Darien pulled out two beers and popped the caps off. He walked back to Ed's bed and handed him his beer. They clanked their bottles together, "Here's to the 'twin peeks'."
"Twin peeks?" Ed asked.
"Yeah, Eberts our resident pencil pusher, has a way of naming operations. When it was discovered that you were mistaken for me and taken by Arnaud, he named the case to find you 'Operation: Twin Peeks'." Darien said.
Ed laughed and took a sip of his beer. He stared at his bandaged left wrist.
"How's the wrist doing?" Darien asked.
"Oh, its uhmm.fine." Ed paused, "I never did a get a chance to say thank you for saving my life," Ed looked at Darien. "Thanks."
"I'm sorry I called you a wimp, it was pretty brave of you to go that far." Darien raised his beer bottle, "Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him."
"Dwight D. Eisenhower," Ed raised his bottle and toasted.
Darien looked at Ed in surprise, "I'm impressed, I didn't think doctor geeks like you were into philosophy, only the psychiatric ones."
"I'm not that kind of geek," Ed smiled and drank the last of his beer. "I'm also impressed with you."
Darien smiled, "Oh, really?"
"I didn't know former thieves would take interest in philosophy, let alone understand it."
"I'm not that kind of a thief."
Ed corrected him, "Former thief."
Darien looked down at the bed and grinned, "Yeah, okay, I'll go along with that." Darien eyed the soccer game next to Ed's bed. He motioned towards it using his eyes, "Hey.how about a few games."
Ed looked over at the game. He changed his gaze from the game to Darien and smiled, "You got it."
"And when you're up around we'll hit the courts for a few games of one on one." Darien said.
"You're on."
**** Stark looked out over the City of Angels. His hands were holding a file as he gazed out the window. "So, they arrived?"
"Yes, Agent Fawkes apparently stayed behind with Dr. Tate. Should we move in now and take them both?" Connor asked.
"No, not yet. Tell the men to wait and just keep an eye on the twins at a safe distance. Something happened to Fawkes and we need to find out what that was first." Stark looked at the file in his hands, he turned to face Connor, "Soon, not only will Fawkes provide us with the gland in his head but a scientist to replace Kate Easton." Stark threw the file on the desk and it opened to reveal a very detailed background report on Ed.
Connor glanced down at the UCLA School of Medicine logo and smiled.
TBC.
Cue music...roll opening credits...
There once was a story about a man who could turn invisible. I thought it was only a story until it happened to me.
Forty thousand years ago, the most advanced species on earth was wiped out by a powerful new life form.
"Human Equation" Sequel to "A New Breed" Authors: Lori and Alli Rating: PG 13 Category: Action/Adventure crossover with Prey Disclaimers: We don't own the characters from "The Invisible Man" or "Prey". We're using them not for money but just for fun and they will be returned safe and sound when were done with 'em. Maybe. Spoilers: Lots of 'em for both shows. Description: Tom helps Darien with his new life. Ed and Claire draw closer together at the dismay of Hobbes. Stark makes plans to add Ed to the collection of frozen scientists. Lewis is after Darien and he's not the only one. Ed finds himself in a position where he's forced to save Darien from the Official, but it may also cost him his life.
Authors' notes: Ed Tate's background was really never discussed on the series. So, we've taken creative license and gave him a life.hehehe. Anything written in this story about Ed's background is purely from our own minds. All we know is that he surfs, hikes, has an MD and a PhD, plays Gin, great at flipping hamburgers, drinks beer, eats Chinese food and can hack into the phone company's computer.
If you're new to the list and would like to read "A New Breed", let me know and I'll give you the messages numbers.
Lori
Chapter One
Lewis walked down the hall that led to the chamber of the High Council. The halls were decorated with intricate designs. They were similar to those found on the pillar that was found in Oaxaca, Mexico by Tom, Sloan and Ed. The pillar had been retrieved later by Walter, only to be destroyed. Lewis traced some of the patterns with his finger as he walked.
(Darien Voice Over) "David. W. Hogg once said, "There is one hypothesis, central to evolution, that remains barely tested-that evolution proceeds through the process of survival and reproduction of the fittest."
Lewis stood outside the double doors to the High Council. He had been summoned to give a report on his latest mission, which could be viewed as a failure and a success. He kept his shields up, not wanting the High Council to see into him. It's not so much that he didn't like them, he didn't trust them. Lewis didn't ponder what he was going to say, he didn't fear the Council. In fact, he had little fear of anyone or so he thought.
Lewis knew that the High Council wasn't pleased with him for losing Tom Daniels, their most valued Chameleon and Tom came from a powerful family. Tom was one of the Chosen and now he sided with the humans. This left a bad taste in their mouths. Lewis had failed to get control over him again. And now the Council was pressuring Lewis to get rid of Dr. Sloan Parker. As far as Dr. Edward Tate, they wanted his complete and unconditional loyalty. Everyone else, Walter Attwood, Ray Peterson, the mysterious lady were all expendable. They were considered lesser sapiens, no more important than the other humans they wished to eradicate from the earth.
(DVO continues)Tom once said to Sloan, "A new species does what it has to survive. Evolution isn't just about survival of the fittest, Sloan. It's about domination."
The double doors swung open and Lewis confidently walked into the lions den. When he reached the center of the barren room he planted his feet and stood firm. The only thing in front of him was a long rectangular table. The members of the Council sat in chairs facing the room. Behind them, strategically placed lights made intricate patterns on the wall. Lewis always felt that it meant to confuse anyone standing where he was now.
"Lewis, you have a report for us?" A voice that was as deep and cold as the ocean spoke to Lewis first.
"Yes, I do." Lewis didn't flinch or hesitate. He knew the game well. His shoulders went back to make his broad chest stand out more. It was a show and he knew it, but he was going to give them all he had. He imagined this is what a rooster must do before a cock-fight, to appear more menacing. 'Cock.how appropriate,' Lewis amused himself with the term. Dominant testosterone levels were higher than their human male counterparts and in this room, the levels were overflowing.
(DVO concludes) "I think what David and Tom were trying to say was.Let the 'pissing contest' begin."
Lewis continued, "The information that the second Lynch clone was able to gather from Jared Stark revealed that the human organization Chrysalis are technically advanced. When they reach the age of 25 they don't age beyond that. It seems they have discovered the mythological Fountain of Youth."
Some on the Council looked at each other. Whispers could be heard, and Lewis sensed that they were curious about this news. "How do they accomplish this?" A member asked.
"That information I do not have in my possession. Upon capturing Jared Stark, Lynch also brought to me whom we thought was Dr. Edward Tate. As per my mission, I injected the look alike with the serum thinking that it was the subject we wanted." Lewis wasn't sure if the Council would believe what he was going to say next. "The subject was actually a human who works for the government. His name is Agent Darien Fawkes, and this agent in particular has a most unusual gift.he can render himself invisible."
"Lewis, do you expect us to believe that humans can no longer grow old and turn invisible?"
"Believe what you want to," Lewis brought down his shield. "Search me yourselves; you will know that I speak the truth." Lewis paused and waited. "The serum worked and had a most unexpected reaction to Agent Fawkes. Later I was able to retrieve both Dr. Tate and Agent Fawkes. I injected Dr. Tate with Dr. Copeland's formula." Lewis approached the table and handed some papers to one of the Council members. "This is a report of Dr. Tate's examination of Agent Fawkes. You will note that the results show Agent Fawkes' conversion was a success but with some astonishing additions. Agent Fawkes has the capability of reading minds and focusing his thought patterns into the minds of others. We have heard that some of our kind has this ability, but his is something that I haven't seen so advanced."
"In what way?"
Lewis looked in the direction of the voice, "In a way that he can cause pain. He was able to bring both Lynch and myself down to our knees; nearly paralyzing us and we weren't even in the same room." Lewis studied the reaction of the Council members. "He was even able to knock out Dr. Tate without moving. He did this completely with his mind." Lewis left out the fact that Ed wasn't in exactly perfect physical condition at the time, but anything to throw the Council off his back. His shields were up again and they wouldn't know that minor detail. He knew that the only thing they would be interested in now is Agent Fawkes.
"What about the invisibility? How does that work?"
"It seems that Agent Fawkes is a human science experiment. A gland was implanted into his brain. I believe it's bio-synthetic." Lewis said.
"Can it be cloned?"
Lewis smiled. "Yes, it can be cloned. The bio portion easily, the synthetic part could be recreated." Lewis stopped right there. That would be enough to get him off the hook for his past mistakes. He watched as the Council talked amongst themselves. It was a matter minutes before the head of the Council spoke.
"Lewis, we are not pleased with your performance as of late, but this news of the serum being a success and of this new dominant. We have decided to give you a second chance. Bring us Agent Fawkes and your record will be clean."
Lewis shook his head in agreement and left the council room.
****
The group arrived at Ed's apartment. Darien and Tom helped Ed into his bed while Hobbes brought in Ed's things. Sloan continued to worry about Ed, but her thoughts were still on Darien, 'I've got to talk to Ed about my feelings. This was so unexpected.'
Sloan sat next to Ed as Claire checked his vital signs.
"Your pulse is strong and your temperature is back to normal," Claire patted Ed on the chest, 'He's so much like Kevin. I can't stop thinking of our first night together in college.'
"I do feel better. I'll just rest for another hour then go into the lab."
Sloan shook her head, "No Ed, you have to rest, at least one more day."
"But I feel much better," Ed tried to sit up.
Sloan smiled as she gently pushed Ed back on the bed, "Right, because you slept like a baby the whole trip."
Darien pointed to Sloan, "Listen to mom, here, you gotta take it easy."
Ed looked disappointed and thought to himself, 'Not again. She's always treating me like a baby, just like with the Spanish flu and I recovered pretty quick.'
Darien smiled, "Yeah, I agree, she does baby you, but she is right."
Sloan glared at Ed and Ed glared at Darien.
Darien shrugged, "Oops.sorry. Look, I'll keep you company. We never had a chance to talk with all the crap we went through."
Ed agreed, "Yeah, I have a lot of questions, as do you I'm sure. But try and wait until I actually ask the question, don't read my mind, okay?"
Darien smiled, "I'll try, but I can't promise you anything. Thoughts just shoot out at me. I have a hard time telling if they're thoughts or spoken words. Like, right now.Claire and Sloan's thoughts are reading like a romance novel."
Tom raised an eyebrow at the remark.
Sloan looked startled, "What!"
Ed pulled his sheet over his head.
Claire hit Darien in the arm, "Dahrien!"
"Ow! Watch the shoulder. It's still a little sore you know," Darien rubbed his arm.
Hobbes laughed, "That new mind of yours is going to get you in a lot of trouble, partner."
Claire and Sloan glared at Darien.
Tom cleared his throat and motioned to Hobbes, "We need to get to the lab and meet with Walter. Agent Fawkes, I will help you adjust to your newly acquired instincts tomorrow," Tom looked at Ed, "Take care, Ed." Ed nodded and waved to Tom.
Hobbes motioned to Darien, "Okay kid, I'll see you later."
Both Darien and Ed replied in unison, "Okay Hobbes."
Hobbes looked to Darien and to Ed, "Right.ah.you, the sick kid, take it easy. You, the mutant Psychic Network Hotline, I'll pick you up later," Ed smiled and Darien rolled his eyes. Hobbes continued, "Ladies, after you."
Sloan gave Ed a hug and Claire gave Ed a reassuring pat on the hand, "Don't upset him. I don't think you want his Dominant side to come out."
"Don't worry about that. I had a taste of that already." Ed smiled.
Claire turned to Darien, "Make sure he rests."
"Yes, ma'am."
They walked out of Ed's apartment. Darien pulled off his black leather coat, pulled up a chair and sat down next to Ed. Ed propped himself up on his pillows. The two just studied each other for a moment. With all the excitement the past few days, they really never had a chance to really look at each other. Ed broke the silence.
"So, what's up with the hair?" Ed motioned to Darien's troll like hair style.
"The hair?"
"Well, that was the one thing people kept commenting on. It does defy gravity."
"In the beginning I would use gel, but since I began working with the Agency, it started to stand up on its own." Darien and Ed both laughed.
They talked in depth about their families and possible connections but came up with no real family ties. They also spoke of their experiences, the University, the lab, the experiments, everything. They both realized that the day their lives changed forever included the death of someone close. For Darien it was Kevin and for Ed it was Ann Coulter. Darien told Ed that Kevin was going to take the gland out but died before he could. Most of the information on the procedure was destroyed. He even told Ed about the memory RNA incident and how close he was to his dream. Ed felt bad that Darien had been betrayed by his own brother. But he knew how it felt to have information kept from him.
Ed explained how Sloan had known about Tom's real identity but never said anything to him. "Of course, it doesn't compare to your betrayal, but it still hurts cause Sloan didn't trust me, at least that's how I felt. I know why she did it, Darien, but."
"You guys were friends and she should have been able to trust you," Darien said. "If you can't trust your friends, who can you trust?"
"Yeah, exactly. I mean, we had been working side by side for days and all of a sudden there's Tom's blood sample. It took me a long time before I could really trust him." Ed said.
"Well, can't say that I blame you. It took me awhile before I could trust anybody at the agency.well, I still don't trust the Fat Man, not completely anyway." Darien said with a smirk. "But now at least I'll know what he's thinking," Darien pointed to his head and smiled.
"True." Ed smiled back.
"This is too weird, like looking in a mirror."
"Yeah, I think we covered that one."
"We did didn't we."
"I should take you to meet my grandmother.she would flip." Darien said amused at the vision in his head.
"Yeah, mine would too. And yes, I would like to meet your grandmother and watch her flip." Ed listened as they talked some more and was sympathetic with Darien's colorful past, and remained intrigued with Kevin's experiment. But Darien really didn't have all the information. From what Ed had learned it was a remarkable scientific breakthrough that could lead to other types of gland or organ implants. But with all such discoveries, someone out there would want to use it for evil purposes. Ed thought that it must be tough on Darien to live in such a precarious life were any minute he could be taken and the gland harvested.
Ed shook his head, "You really came through a lot, Darien."
"Well, it's not easy being me."
"Tell me about it." Ed rubbed his stab wound, "I found that out."
Darien ran his hand through his hair and smiled, "Yeah, I guess so. Sorry about that."
"Well, it wasn't your fault, but it did get annoying after awhile," Ed laughed and Darien smiled back. Ed became serious, "And I'm sorry about your brother."
"Yeah, well, you remind me of him." Darien half smiled at Ed.
"Really?" Ed was surprised. That was something he didn't expect from Darien.
"Sure, you're a naive brainiac who is shy and dedicated. Always concerned with getting the job done, you're too hung up on your work. I bet you stay up late working at the lab because you're just so close to making a breakthrough or you have something to finish and it just can't wait."
Ed looked away, "That's old Ed Tate in a nut shell."
Darien glanced over at the surfboard leaning up against the wall, "You surf, chicks gotta dig that, and you don't look like a scientist, so you got that going for you. Get your head out of the lab and take some chances." Darien said.
"My parents divorced when I was young. Man, did they have knock down drag out fights. From the time they woke up until they went to bed they did nothing but argue." Ed looked at his folded hands, "I guess that's why I got into surfing. That was my escape, nothing out there but me and the ocean, no yelling, no arguments, just the sound of the waves coming in. I would wake up early to leave," Ed glanced into Darien's eyes and saw a sympathy in them, "just so I wouldn't listen to the morning ritual of shouts and go out to surf until it was time to go to school. I'd shower off will quick, change my clothes, ride my bike home with the board tucked under my arm," Ed paused as he remembered his childhood, "You know, I think they knew I snuck out early, my mom never said anything to me, I think she understood that I needed to be away from them. Well, soon my dad left and I haven't really heard from him, of course until I earned my M.D. then it was all different."
Darien looked at Ed, no wonder why Ed sympathized with him. Ed's childhood nearly mirrored his own. Darien sat and listened as Ed took his turn and poured out his heart.
"I'm the only child, guess that's a good thing. I saw the pain my mom went through; how she talked about marriage and that it ruined her life. I was a product of that marriage so I guess you know how that made me feel." Ed smiled, "I even heard her say that men are good for only one thing." Ed let out a half hearted laugh. "I guess that's why I couldn't tell Sloan how I felt. I saw what happened to my mom and dad and I didn't want that. I never went to proms or anything like that. I was too afraid of relationships, so I avoided them. I think the guys at school thought I was.well, you know, because I never really dated any girls."
Ed paused for a brief moment and then continued, "If I couldn't surf, I had my head in books, joined Honor Society clubs, Science Club and stuff like that, those were my escapes. Anything that kept me away from the house I jumped at it, I even played basketball and soccer on the beach." Ed let a cleansing sigh, "Then came college and more of the same stuff. I earned my M.D., did my residency, and decided that sick people weren't my thing. That's when I decided to earn a doctorate in immunology. I ended up being a researcher and found myself at Whitney University, all because I wanted to avoid people."
"Whoa.so you're a 'double doctor'?" Darien asked in surprise. He decided to change the subject. He doubt that Ed had told anybody about his childhood.
Ed sheepishly smiled, "Yeah, M.D., Ph.D. are all at the end of my name. I did a couple of years at NIAD.that's why Copeland kidnapped me and took me to Alaska. He wanted me to find a way to release the Spanish flu on the human population."
Darien shook his head, "That's deep. What did you do?"
"I got away. I wasn't going to join them and betray my species."
Darien smiled, "Really? You got away? How? I mean, you don't seem like the type that could put up a good fight." Darien paused, "Oh.I'm sorry, my bad.It's just that I tend to get my butt kicked a lot and I thought that."
"Since we both look alike the same would apply to me.well, you're right. So, no hard feelings, but I did kick butt that day. I struggled with one of the guards and the gun went off, shooting him in the stomach. Then I hid behind the door and waited for the other one. When he came in, I pistol whipped him, grabbed his parka and off I went into the Alaskan tundra."
"Nice.but I wonder.I mean, I'm new at this whole dominant thing, but the guards didn't sense you hiding?" Darien asked.
"I thought about that myself. Tom has said that he can read signatures, electrical impulses and emotions, so yeah they should have sensed me hiding or at least my adrenaline. The only thing I can figure is that the flu must have done something to them or they were just being cocky." Ed smiled.
"Give yourself some credit, doc.you kicked butt." Darien gave Ed a low- five; he paused and thought back to what Ed had told him earlier about his childhood. "Looks like we both found something to escape to, although you made better choices than I did. While you tried to escape your father's tendencies, I embraced mine, my dad was a thief and I followed in his footsteps. You ended up a scientist and I ended up a science experiment." Darien thought about his last statement and chuckled, "Life sure is funny."
Ed glanced down at his folded hands, "I've been afraid to tell Sloan how I feel. I don't want to ruin our friendship. I love her too much. Besides, she's happy with Tom." He let out a big sigh, "God, I hated seeing them together. When Tom came into the lab when Ann Coulter was killed, I could feel it you know, his attraction towards her and even then I couldn't tell her how I felt. I had so many chances.five years worth of chances.I really blew it with her didn't I?"
"Yeeessss," Darien sang his response, "But."
"But.what?" Ed looked at Darien suspiciously.
"There's someone else who has her eyes on you. But she also has someone who has eyes on her." Darien got up to get something to drink.
"It's Claire isn't it?" Ed turned his head to look away from Darien. "Crap", Ed said in exasperation.
Darien half smiled at Ed's choice of words. "Uhmmm.yes.and she has it pretty bad for you, man." Darien said.
Ed let out a deep cleansing breath, "God, I don't want to blow it again. I don't want to be alone anymore, you know?"
"Well you have to ask yourself a question. Is Claire someone that you would like to pursue?" Darien asked.
"Well any woman who plays with my boxers while I'm unconscious is alright in my book." Ed smiled as a soft chuckle escaped his mouth.
Darien shot Ed a cheeky smile, "Okay, I guess I missed something."
"When I was rescued from Arnaud I was brought into the keep. I guess Claire was confused and thought I was you. She noticed my boxers and nearly gave me a wedgie pulling on them. I think she was as surprised as I was when I woke up."
Darien laughed, "Oh man, I wished I had seen that. I take it you're a boxer dude?"
"Yeah, and I take it you're a briefs dude." Ed said amused about the revelation, "Well, that's something else we don't have in common."
"Hey, uhh.you want something to drink?" Darien pointed to Ed's refrigerator.
"Sure, uhm...a beer would be great." Ed smiled.
"Claire said it was okay for you to have a beer.ah, never mind." Darien pulled out two beers and popped the caps off. He walked back to Ed's bed and handed him his beer. They clanked their bottles together, "Here's to the 'twin peeks'."
"Twin peeks?" Ed asked.
"Yeah, Eberts our resident pencil pusher, has a way of naming operations. When it was discovered that you were mistaken for me and taken by Arnaud, he named the case to find you 'Operation: Twin Peeks'." Darien said.
Ed laughed and took a sip of his beer. He stared at his bandaged left wrist.
"How's the wrist doing?" Darien asked.
"Oh, its uhmm.fine." Ed paused, "I never did a get a chance to say thank you for saving my life," Ed looked at Darien. "Thanks."
"I'm sorry I called you a wimp, it was pretty brave of you to go that far." Darien raised his beer bottle, "Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him."
"Dwight D. Eisenhower," Ed raised his bottle and toasted.
Darien looked at Ed in surprise, "I'm impressed, I didn't think doctor geeks like you were into philosophy, only the psychiatric ones."
"I'm not that kind of geek," Ed smiled and drank the last of his beer. "I'm also impressed with you."
Darien smiled, "Oh, really?"
"I didn't know former thieves would take interest in philosophy, let alone understand it."
"I'm not that kind of a thief."
Ed corrected him, "Former thief."
Darien looked down at the bed and grinned, "Yeah, okay, I'll go along with that." Darien eyed the soccer game next to Ed's bed. He motioned towards it using his eyes, "Hey.how about a few games."
Ed looked over at the game. He changed his gaze from the game to Darien and smiled, "You got it."
"And when you're up around we'll hit the courts for a few games of one on one." Darien said.
"You're on."
**** Stark looked out over the City of Angels. His hands were holding a file as he gazed out the window. "So, they arrived?"
"Yes, Agent Fawkes apparently stayed behind with Dr. Tate. Should we move in now and take them both?" Connor asked.
"No, not yet. Tell the men to wait and just keep an eye on the twins at a safe distance. Something happened to Fawkes and we need to find out what that was first." Stark looked at the file in his hands, he turned to face Connor, "Soon, not only will Fawkes provide us with the gland in his head but a scientist to replace Kate Easton." Stark threw the file on the desk and it opened to reveal a very detailed background report on Ed.
Connor glanced down at the UCLA School of Medicine logo and smiled.
TBC.