By Effie Burton (c) 1987
CHAPTER 4
George Fox had the test results spread on his large desk. The physiological tests were all way outside of human norms but the results were similar to those obtained from Dr. Dukow after the alien had been treated for the cold. This seemed to indicate there were no major changes occurring in the body it inhabited. The young one's tests were not as unusual as the alien's but there were still many abnormalities.
The alien's psychological tests indicated a very peaceful, honest being. Fox knew that had to be an act. A creature who could travel across interstellar space would surely figure out a way to invalidate these tests. It wanted humans to believe it was not here to harm anyone. The results from the half alien boy were more what he expected. There was deep hatred and resentment indicated from all the standard tests.
So far he'd gotten nowhere in attempts to find out the alien's true motives for being on Earth. All that nonsense about being invited by the Voyager probe was just so much science fiction. The probe may have led it to us, but its motives couldn't be benign. It had said its people studied many other species in the universe and found humans very interesting. But what did it find interesting about us? Would we be easily conquered? Did they want our planet for its resources or did they want our people?
His speculation was interrupted by the arrival of Miss Sarah Ely. Even though she was the head psychiatrist on this project he did not agree with most of her opinions.
"Come in Miss Ely." Sarah noticed the reports on the desk as she took a seat. This man had been obsessed with the search for the alien for over fifteen years. She smiled inwardly as she wondered what might be found in a psychological profile of George Fox.
Sarah took a deep breath before she began, "Mr. Fox, our methods don't seem to be getting us any closer to the answers you want. The alien insists he came only to observe our planet and had no intention of making contact."
"It, Miss Ely, not he. Do you really believe that? Why would it come back?"
Sarah Ely didn't understand her boss. Fox knew why the alien came back better than anyone on earth. Paul's feelings for Jenny and now his son had brought him back to a world where he knew he would be in danger. Fox wouldn't accept the fact the alien could care for someone. She couldn't make Fox see Paul was a much better person than a lot of humans. Fox didn't approve of the staff using words like 'he' and 'person' to describe the alien but she couldn't bring herself to call that gentle, kind being in the cell down the hall a creature or an 'it' except when she had to.
"I would like to change my line of questioning. There are so many things he... er, it could teach us. We need to be asking about the spacecraft. Where is it? He wasn't shot down when he came back this time so it's still out there intact. What type of propulsion does it use? Can we adapt the technology for our use? How do they manage to travel across light years of space? They have to have solved the problem of faster-than-light travel. Their social system is much ..."
"Enough, Miss Ely! These questions are important. I'm not unaware of the great intelligence which propelled this creature across the universe. If we're to believe what it says, this isn't their first visit to our planet. I want to know what they did on all those previous trips. We have to try something different to get it to cooperate. How's the questioning of the boy proceeding?"
"Scott is unable to tell us much of anything about his father. He's just learning about these things himself. It's apparent there are abilities which he's discovering but we've stifled that. Without contact with his father Scott cannot learn and grow to his full potential."
"You mean it can't develop all of its alien powers."
"I guess you could put it that way. Would you agree to allowing them to be together? We could learn by observing their interaction. The creature would talk to its offspring about things it never would discuss with us."
"No, Miss Ely. I don't want interaction except as a last resort. I have another plan. We'll take the boy to the intensive interrogation room and put the alien in the observation area. Then we'll have Cramer work on the boy while the alien watches. If it won't talk to us after seeing what is being done to its offspring we'll know two things. First, its intentions are not innocent, and second, it really can have no feelings for another being."
Sarah was aghast. Intensive interrogation was the euphemism used by the FSA when it wanted someone tortured.
"But Mr. Fox, Cramer is an expert in torture. Why would you want him to question the boy?"
"Don't argue with me, just do it. Now go."
Sarah Ely knew she couldn't stand by and let Scott be harmed, but she didn't know what to do. She was in deep thought as she left George Fox's office. He was her boss but that didn't make him right.
Sarah made her way down the silent corridors to the main data center. This building was always quiet. There were never many subjects being detained at one time so the staff was small. The complex itself was several stories underground with three foot thick walls made of reinforced concrete. There were no outside noises even though they were in the center of Bethesda directly under part of the hospital.
Sarah sometimes questioned why she worked for the FSA. Her practice in the hospital was rewarding and she spent much of her spare time as a volunteer in a home for disturbed teens. The FSA recruiting had talked about the patriotism of working for one's government but it really was an unsavory job. Most of the subjects were espionage agents, criminals or worse, but the Forrester case was different. He and his son were decent people and didn't deserve to be treated this way. Sarah truly believed they were good people even though she knew the truth about both of them.
It took a little talking to get past the guard at the door of the data center. She had access to anything in the room so it wasn't a question of her being unauthorized to see the data, it was just out of the ordinary for a staff person to want to go into the room. Normally Sarah would request information and it would be delivered to her office but this time she didn't want anyone to know what she was doing. Actually, Sarah wasn't really sure what she needed or wanted. There had to be something in all the data which had been collected in the past months which would help her get Paul and his son out of this place.
She stopped at that thought. Was that really what she was doing here? Did she want to help them escape or just keep Scott from being tortured? It didn't matter at this point. She needed something that would help.
All the data which had been collected on the alien was stored in this data center. There were technical reports on 617W. The spacecraft had been recovered relatively intact and much data had been collected. There was the analysis of the makeup of the sphere. She knew virtually nothing about the item except it seemed very important to the alien. No one had been able to determine how it functioned. She didn't see much help in these items.
There were stacks and stacks of video-taped interviews made of the people who had known Paul and Scott in the town where they had been captured. There were even a few tapes made of others who had known them in other places. She would start by watching these.
CHAPTER 5
Scott was angry. He didn't know whether to be angry with his captors, his father, his mother, Jerry, or himself. He just knew if he were a normal teenager he wouldn't be in this room alone. Why would his mother want to give birth to an alien's child? Didn't she know what it would be like for him? But then he realized there would be no 'him' if he didn't have the father he did. He was angry with himself for being angry with his parents. In his heart he was proud of what he was but it was just so hard knowing he was like no other person in the universe. Even though his father was an alien on this world, somewhere out in the cosmos there was a whole planet of beings like him, but there was no being anywhere in the universe with the same mixed heritage of Scott Hayden.
It was easier to be angry with Jerry. Why had he given the sphere to Fox? Of course he had no way of knowing the significance of it but still he thought Jerry was his friend. One of the researchers had told him it was just a normal ball bearing but Scott was sure that had to be a trick to get him to tell them how it worked. That was a laugh since Scott didn't know how it worked. They wanted him to tell where the real one was hidden. It just didn't make any sense. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Andy with his evening meal.
"How're you feeling tonight?"
Scott raised himself to a sitting position on the edge of the bed. "How do you think I feel? I want to get out of here where I can run in the sunshine. I want to go to a ball game and a dance. I want to talk to a friend."
"I've told you I'll be your friend."
"Oh yeah, I know how that works. You get my confidence and then I tell you everything."
"No Scott. I don't even know why you're here."
Scott leaped from the bed and walked over to Andy. "Oh you don't? You don't know my father is from another world! You don't know I'm half like him! You don't know we'll never be set free just because of what we are! Give me a break!"
Andy was shocked. This he didn't expect. He knew both subjects were seen by a psychiatrist almost daily, but never suspected Scott had such delusions. He didn't act crazy, but could that be why he was being kept here? What interest would the FSA have in a psychotic teenager? What was Paul's mental state? He had sensed something very different about Paul but Scott seemed to be a normal teenage boy. He decided to say nothing about what Scott had said. The director wanted him to get Scott's confidence and to start by doubting what he said wouldn't be a good beginning.
"Really, I didn't know these things until you just told me. I work in the kitchen. I was given permission to talk to you because you seem lonely. I'm a student at the university and I'm not really that much older than you. We really aren't that different."
"Hah! Didn't you hear what I just said." Scott turned and walked across the room. When he reached the far wall he turned to face Andy before continuing. "There's no one like me anywhere in the universe. I'm not human and I'm not like my father."
"I do sense a great emptiness in both you and your father."
At the mention of his father, Scott again approached Andy. "You've seen my father? Is he OK?"
"Yes, I've seen your father. He's fine, but I cannot tell you more. Please don't ask. Let's talk about other things. Tell me about your school. Did you have any friends there?"
Scott wanted to resist but he needed to talk to someone so badly he began to pour out the anger he felt at Jerry. He didn't reveal any information that would help Fox or the government but it helped to talk to someone close to his own age. Before long he and Andy were talking as if they'd known each other for many months.
o O o
Sarah awoke with a start. She didn't remember falling asleep. The tape was still playing in the VCR and a young boy was being interviewed by George Fox.
"Now son, just tell me what you know about Scott Hayden. Were you a friend of his?"
"Scott's my friend. What did you do to him? Why isn't he in school?" Jerry looked very small sitting across the table from Fox.
"I can't tell you everything, but Scott hasn't been harmed. I need to know what you saw in class yesterday."
"I saw your goons tackle my friend and take him away." Jerry had turned away from the camera, but Sarah was sure he was almost in tears.
"Jerry, tell me about the silver sphere. The one I took from you isn't the real thing. Where is it?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes you do. Did Scott give it to you? You'll be in serious trouble young man if I don't get that sphere. Now tell me where it is." The boy cowered into his chair and began to whimper.
Sarah shouted at the image on the screen, "Fox, you bastard!" She quickly looked around to see if anyone had heard. Fortunately at this late hour the room was empty.
The sphere which had been taken the day Scott was captured apparently wasn't the genuine item and Fox seemed very determined to find the real thing. It had to be important and powerful.
Sarah needed to learn more about the significance of the spheres. She searched the technical data but found very little useful information. The one which had been taken from Paul was being kept in the secure lab. Since she didn't have access to that part of the building, a direct approach was out of the question. Fox was convinced the boy had Scott's sphere. It would seem the best hope for Paul and his son would be for Sarah to get the sphere from Scott's very loyal friend.
As Sarah left the room, she pondered how to accomplish the task. Jerry wasn't going to give the sphere to a government official. Fox had seen to that by badgering the boy so badly. Sarah needed to be able to get Scott to tell Jerry to give the sphere to her but that wouldn't be easy. Scott hadn't been very cooperative in any of their interviews. He didn't trust anyone.
As Sarah walked past the bank of surveillance monitors on her way out of the building she stopped in amazement. Scott was talking to Andy like a long lost brother. Maybe, she'd found a way.
o O o
The next morning Sarah Ely waited for Andy in the parking garage outside the bugged walls of the complex. "Andy, do you remember me? We met outside Scott's room one day."
Andy stopped and looked up to see who was speaking and was startled to see one of the doctors. He was afraid his lengthy session with Scott the night before was going to get him in trouble. He did have the director's permission but the fantastic things which Scott had told him didn't seem to be something the FSA would want anyone to know.
"I think I remember you. You're the psychiatrist, right?"
"Yes, my name is Sarah Ely. I saw you on the monitor last night talking to the subject, Scott. He seems to trust you. Did Scott tell you why he and his father are being detained?"
Now Andy was sure he was in trouble. "He did say some pretty fantastic things. He must be very sick. I didn't believe most of what Scott said but I think he needed a friend, someone to talk to who wasn't trying to get information from him."
"Do you ...?" She stopped. Someone was coming up the walk. "We can't talk here. I need your help. Paul and Scott need your help. What Scott told you about what they are is the truth. Someone has to get them out of there, soon. I'll get back to you." She hurried to the elevator leaving Andy standing with his mouth open in amazement.
CHAPTER 6
"But General Wade, what do you mean Cramer isn't available? I need him now." Fox's voice was controlled, but inside he was angry.
"I'm sorry, George, but he'll be working for another agency for a few days. You'll get him as soon as he's finished. Your alien isn't going anywhere, so just keep your shirt on."
The General had broken the connection and George Fox hung up the phone in anger. His plan was already falling apart. The one good report on his desk said the kitchen helper had talked to Scott most of the night. There was no substantive information revealed during the conversation, but it was an opening. Maybe now Scott would relax and start being more helpful.
"Please excuse the interruption, Miss Ely. Now what were you saying?"
"Mr. Fox, I would like to interview the boy, Jerry, who's the good friend of Scott's. Maybe he can tell me something which will allow me to break into Scott's world. Andy's conversation was a good beginning but I need more."
"What makes you think you'll be more successful than I was, Miss Ely?"
"I'm a trained communicator. It's my job to find out what people are thinking."
"Do you think you can get him to tell you where he's hidden the sphere?"
Sarah looked startled. It wouldn't be good to admit too much knowledge about the object since it could compromise her plans. "I'm not fully aware of its significance, but if that is what you want me to discuss I can try to make him comfortable enough to tell me."
"Very well then. I'll have your travel plans arranged.
Is that all?"
"Well, actually no. I also would like to try some more written tests on both subjects. The first group was inconclusive. If I have a second I can correlate between them."
"I thought it was the consensus of your department the standardized tests would be of no value on alien subjects."
"Yes, I know, but I plan on trying something different."
"Very well, but you have only until Cramer is free. After that, the course of action is going to change."
"Yes sir." Sarah left the office with a new sense of urgency.
It hadn't taken much talking to convince Andy she was sincere and her plan was simple. The high tech surveillance would be circumvented by a method used in school rooms all over the country. But first she had to gain Paul's trust.
o O o
Paul felt a deep emptiness. In all the time he'd been on this world nothing matched this misery. His feelings for Scott were stronger than ever. He kept wondering if he hadn't come back, would Scott have been free? He had made Jenny so unhappy. He had destroyed any chance she had for a normal life. What kind of life could Scott have among this paranoid species? These were human feelings and emotions but Paul didn't recognize his own loneliness as being at their root. Everything he was feeling was so foreign. His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of one of the research people. It was the one called Ely.
"Hello Paul. We're going to do some written tests today. Please come to the table."
Sarah positioned herself so her back was to the camera. It was important there be no clear view of what was on the papers. Paul took the seat opposite her and folded his hands.
"I'm going to ask you a series of questions. Please write your answers as quickly as possible."
Paul looked down at the paper she was placing in front of him. It appeared to be blank but he could see very faint writing. Miss Ely continued to talk as he began to read:
Erase this after you read it. I want to help you and Scott. Please believe me. I mean you no harm. We must get Scott's sphere from his friend but Scott will only trust you. Please write a note and give it to Andy.
Paul looked into Sarah's eyes. She seemed to be sincere but there was only one way to tell with certainty. He moved slightly and bumped the table. As both of them bent down to retrieve the papers and pencils Paul's hand brushed the back of Sarah's. He managed to grasp it for a moment and stare into her eyes. He felt her shiver slightly. The contact had been brief but finally a small ray of hope had entered Paul's lonely world.
o O o
It seemed like the time for the evening meal would never come. Paul felt more hope now than at any time during all the months of captivity. He'd always been able to protect and defend his son but the months in this place were taking their toll. The depression he felt was as foreign to him as was the love he'd felt for Jenny.
Finally he heard the doors begin to open. Paul tried to act cheerful as he asked, "What's for dinner? Something good I hope, I'm starved."
"It's more of the same." Andy didn't make small talk and Paul sensed his fear. Was there a problem? The encounter was too brief to be certain.
It wasn't too difficult for Paul to write a message on the napkin. The camera was constantly on him, but he'd made sure there were lots of papers on the table before the meal was served. He continued to write while eating and by doing a little shuffling managed to write his son a message. Paul hoped Scott would believe it came from him.
The pickup of the note from Paul was simple. Andy put the napkin into his palm until he had his back to the cameras and then a slight body movement concealed the action of slipping it into his pocket. It would've been simpler just to hold it, but he couldn't work the door locks if he kept it in his hand. The short walk up the hall between the two rooms seemed much longer than it was. Andy was sure someone had seen him pick up the note and would be coming for him at any minute.
As Andy entered Scott's room it was obvious Scott didn't want to talk. Andy began to sweat. He didn't have to pretend as he took the napkin from his pocket and wiped his face. He placed it on the bed beside Scott making sure the writing was visible but still hidden from the camera.
"What ..."
"Don't you think it's warm in here? There must be something wrong with the ventilation." Andy picked up the napkin and wiped Scott's face.
"I'm going to go see about it." He clamped Scott's hand around the napkin and left.
Scott thought Andy was acting a little odd but he waited until he was in the bathroom with his back to the camera, to unroll the small piece of paper. His heart skipped a beat when he read what it said:
Trust Sarah and Andy. Do what I say even if you think it is dumb. They will get the sphere from your friend. Remember Beth and the cougar.
Scott knew this message was genuine. The encounter with the cougar had been the beginning of his trust of his father. As he flushed the note down the toilet, Scott began to think about what he could write to Jerry. It gave him a warm feeling inside to realize his friend hadn't betrayed him and had somehow managed to keep his sphere away from Fox. Jerry was a true friend.