Tag

In one of my all-time favorite movies, 'Babe', Farmer Hoggett says: "Little ideas that tickle and nag and refuse to go away should never be ignored, for in them lie the seeds of destiny."

I used to believe that everyone had a destiny, some predetermined route through life like the kind that made my brother Kevin a brilliant scientist and me…well, we all know how I turned out. But I guess what Hoggett is really trying to get across to his little porcine buddy, is that if as individuals we follow our instincts, then we have the ultimate power to control our own fate and prepare for those unexpected twists and turns along the way.

So, if my temporary sabbatical with the DoD, or almost ending up in the clutches of Ella Craven did anything, then it gave me a glimpse of what my future would probably be like without the protection of ole Charlie Borden and the Agency. And, much as I hate to admit it, even with the lies and his talent for blatant manipulation, from now on the Fat Man gets my vote every time.

Epilogue

Wesley Carter rapped lightly on the office door, entering cautiously a moment later at the gruff command.

The Official was staring at him over the top of his glasses, until his face gradually morphed into his version of a friendly smile with eyes disappearing alarmingly into the deep creases of the fleshy face.

"Ah, Dr. Carter," he said with a feigned cheeriness that made the scientist even more uneasy if that were possible. "Just the person."

The Fat Man turned slightly in his chair to speak to Eberts. "We can finish this later. The good doctor and I have a little …uh…matter to discuss."

Eberts eyed his superior suspiciously, but knew better than to hesitate when the Fat Man so blatantly wanted him to leave. Quickly and efficiently he gathered the papers from the desk into a neat pile and crammed them into a folder, nodding politely to Carter as he hustled past on his way out.

As soon as his assistant had left, Borden was up and out of his chair faster than Carter would have thought possible for someone carrying that much weight, opening the door a fraction to check the empty hallway outside. Only when he was satisfied that they had complete privacy did he shut it firmly, pressing his body against the hard surface for a moment before he turned his attention back to Carter.

"You have some good news for me I hope?" he asked directly, the affable mask of a few moment before already replaced by something that made the hairs at the back of Carter's neck stand on end. Borden was all business now.

Carter nodded, fiddling nervously with an object that looked like a small digital watch. The Official moved towards him holding out his hand expectantly, the doctor passed it over with a troubled look in his eyes.

"As far as Fawkes and his Keeper are concerned, you gave him the neutralizing agent?" he asked, not taking his eyes from the device now grasped firmly between his fingers.

"Yes sir, I administered the placebo as ordered," the doctor confirmed unhappily, and then added, "I must say, this is hardly the best start to building a trusting relationship with my new work colleagues."

The Official fixed him with a 'stare'. "Which is why they don't need to know. It'll be our little secret, unless, of course, you'd prefer that I withdraw my protection and hand you over for questioning about the entire DoD debacle?" Carter shook his head immediately; knowing he'd rather take his chances with Borden and the Agency.

Smiling slyly Borden continued, "Chances are that Fawkes will never do anything moronic enough to warrant us reactivating the bug or using this little trigger device, but if a situation calls for it we now have ourselves a new insurance policy."

Carter cleared his throat and fidgeted uneasily. "It's…it's just that I'm not sure this is entirely ethical…" his words were cut short by a cynical burst of laughter from the other man.

"Ethical, smethical. There's no such word in the Agency dictionary doctor, so just you remember that," A stubby finger pointed in Carter's direction. "Where national security and the QS9300 Project is concerned…anything goes."

THE END