Captain Deffdog stands behind his operator, leaning over her shoulder. Watching his operator typing furiously in attempts to find Vaala's Signal. Jazz stops, sighs, and looks up at her Captain "Deff, I just can't find her. It's just like shes not even jacked in."

Deffdog stands up and looks over at Vaala in her ecto chair, "We know she still is.. hows her Neural Signal, is it possible that this is a mutation of Spyglass?"

She types into her computer viewing several different applications. "No, nothing is attacking our mainframe. Her Brain Waves are Matrix Normal. It's definitely not Spyglass."

"Monitor her Brain signals closely.. , lets hope no agents are trying to crack her brain. Contact me immediately if there has been any change."

--Deffdog

Vaala was walking through the International District, trying to figure out how to avoid the members of the Trust whom she knew would be looking for her. She knew she had about 48 hours or so left until the code scrambler wore off, but soon learned that she'd severely underestimated the Trust.

“Vaala?!”
“Vaala! Are you all right?”
“Vaala!”

“Hi,” Vaala answered, acting confused by the concern in RedBindi's, Fenshire's, and Deffdog's voices. “Yeah, I'm fine.”

“Where are you?” RedBindi demanded.

“Uh...International. Sai Kung,” she answered carefully, hoping the answer would be sufficient, but knowing that it wouldn't be.

“Coordinates!” RedBindi demanded again.

Oh f***, Vaala thought as she rattled off the coordinates. She'd barely finished answering the question when she walked right into Fenshire. Taking a few steps back, she saw RedBindi behind her and Deffdog fast approaching. S***! Talk about the worst possible group of people to run into right now! What, did they have the whole d***ed fleet--? Before she'd even finished the thought, she caught herself. This was the Trust – of course they had the whole fleet searching for her. Probably half of New Zion, too, now that she thought about it.

“Where have you been?” RedBindi asked. “You've been out of contact for more than a day.”

“What? No, that's impossible,” Vaala lied. She knew Cameryn was probably watching, and now would not be the time to blow it, not while the information she needed regarding RedBindi's condition was still buried in the Machine network. She'd have to improvise. As Cameryn was so fond of reminding her, Fenshire and RedBindi were far, far more experienced at this sort of thing than she was. “I've been here all afternoon – just a few hours.”

“Try over 24 hours,” Bindi corrected.

“Do you remember Tyndall calling with some work for you?” Fenshire asked. “What do you remember after that?”

“Uh, I retrieved some data, uploaded it, and...” she frowned. “But that was just a few hours ago. I've been here since,” she insisted. She wasn't lying about the mission – not entirely. She had retrieved some data...

“Vaala...you've been in an ectochair in the real for more than 24 hours,” Deffdog told her. “Jazz says you attempted to jack out and your signal disappeared. What happened?”

“I...” she paused, frowning again. “How is that possible?”

“We were hoping you could answer that.” Vaala cringed inwardly at RedBindi's tone. This was not working... “If you guys don't mind, I think I need to sit down,” she said. She wasn't lying about that, either – the look on their faces was starting to make her extremely nervous. She knew d*** well she couldn't take any one of them, let alone all three of them, and running was definitely not an option. As she pondered her next course of action, the three officers discussed what to do. It didn't take them long at all to decide a scan was in order and Bindi issued the order.

“A scan?! For what? You can't be serious!”

“Yes, we are. Do it, Fen,” Bindi said as Deffdog put a hand on her shoulder – whether to calm her or restrain her, she wasn't exactly sure at the moment.

“Vaala, I'll need you to lift up your shirt just enough to expose your belly button,” Fen said. As Vaala complied, he moved the scanner into place. She tried to remain calm and hoped like hell that whatever Cameryn had done, the scan wouldn't detect it. She found it absurdly funny when Jazz told Fuse he'd d*** well better forward the results and Fuse turned around and told Jazz he was already on it, to stop nagging him.

“Clean as a whistle,” Fenshire finally declared.

Vaala stood and straightened her clothing. “I told you I was fine,” she said, hoping her sheer relief didn't show on her face. Was it really possible to break into a cold sweat in a simulation? Because she was pretty sure she was about to if it was... “So what now?” she asked.

“We need to get you out of here,” Deff answered. “Let's get you to a hardline and we'll deal with this back in the real.”

Vaala followed them – what choice did she have? She was fairly certain that the hardline would be a waste of time, but hell, if there was anything she'd learned from putting up with Cameryn all these months, it was that d***ed near anything was possible. When the phone rang, she picked it up – nothing.

“What the--” she asked, staring at the receiver.

“What?”

“It's never taken me this long to jack out before,” she answered, hanging up the receiver. She really couldn't decide right now whether or not she was relieved or disappointed. Either way, she tried to keep it from showing as Jazz informed Deffdog that the signal was too distorted.

“S***! Agent!” someone yelled as an Agent loaded in right on top of them. The three officers quickly dispatched the threat as Vaala furtively looked around for Cameryn. She just knew that woman was here somewhere...Christ, she thought. Talk about a rock and a hard place!

As they moved her to a safehouse, it seemed the whole system went nuts, with everything and everyone shooting at her as she ran. Another Agent popped up and was again eliminated for her as Bindi told her to run. Vaala wasn't about to argue the order – she ran. Two Agents in under ten minutes, she thought. I haven't attracted that much attention shooting down exiles and Cyphs in the streets! What the hell is happening here?

Once inside the safehouse, she was ordered to hold out her arm as Bindi injected her. I should never have taken this job, she thought. I wanted answers, but this was an unimaginably stupid way to go about getting them. “Now what?” she asked, genuinely curious about what they were going to do next.

“Now we wait for the tracer to take effect,” Bindi answered. “It's the same one that was used to find me when I went off the radar, but I've modified it for use on you.” As they waited, another Agent popped in right on top of them and shot Vaala almost before the others could react. She noted the name: Marks. Marks, why did that name sound so familiar, she wondered as her consciousness began to fade. She woke up to see Bindi standing over her, commenting about the fact that the Agent was probably tracking Vaala in the same way he'd tracked her.

Marks! She thought as she shook off the grogginess and got to her feet. That's the guy who went Exile – pulled a Smith or something like that. If she remembered right, he had some bizarre obsession with RedBindi – although, as near as she could tell, half the system seemed to be obsessed with Bindi and the Trust, so why should this guy be any different? Still, she really didn't like the implication of what RedBindi had said. She wasn't a f***ing machine, she was a human being – wasn't she? Oh Christ, she thought. Please tell me there's not some goddamned chip in my head!

“D***, is everyone all right?” Jazz asked. “I've only got three signals in there...”

“Didn't you say you had a fix on her signal?” Deff asked Jazz as everyone looked at Vaala. But there was something...odd...about Bindi. Fortunately, she wasn't the only one who'd noticed.

“You all right?” Fen asked his wife, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Fen,” Wheeler interjected, “Bindi's vitals are spiking.”

“Get her out, Wheeler. Before that chip activates!” Vaala couldn't have agreed more at this point. “It'll be okay, love.”

As Wheeler pulled Bindi out, Jazz spoke: “D***. Tracer seems to have been absorbed. Until we find out whats wrong, I am afraid shes stuck...”

“S*** if things weren't bad as it is,” Deffdog half-muttered.

“So what now - I just sit here and wait until someone comes up with a solution?” she asked as Covenant arrived.

“F***ing Marks,” Fen said angrily. Turning to Vaala, he answered, “I have no idea...”

--Vaala, RedBindi, Fenshire, Deffdog

Vaala really didn't care about Marks right now. “What did she mean when she said he found me the same way he found her?”

“I'll talk to her... Make sure she's all right,” Fen said, clearly worried.

“Ask her what she meant, Fen...” Vaala pleaded as he, too, was pulled from the simulation. She really didn't like the direction this was going...”Cov, do you have any idea what the holy f*** is going on?"

“No clue, sorry. Fuse sent me in to see what was going on. Fen's neurokinetics looked like there was something going on.”

Deffdog briefed him: “Well, Vaala appears to be stuck in the Matrix, and Exile Agent Marks just popped in on us.”

“Stuck?” Covenant asked, looking at Vaala. “You don't see that everyday. Are you okay?”

“Her signal is being distorted, can't even be distinguished in the code.”

“Deff says I've been out for over a day, but to me, it's only been a couple hours.”

“Does the System seem to know you're here?” Covenant asked. “Are there Agents tracking you?”

“Three in the last few minutes,” Vaala answered grimly. “I'm really beginning to not like this at all.”

“Maybe we should get you to a safer district. The Barrens maybe?”

“Covenant, can you find her a safe house til we can work out this d*** dilemma?” Deff asked.

Vaala was beginning to get agitated by the mere thought of the possibility that the Machines might have put a chip in her brain, so she used that to her advantage: “Can someone please tell me what in the hell is going on? How did this happen?! And why is every d***ed Agent in the city tracking me down?”

Deffdog looked at her for a long moment. “We don't know. We were hoping you could tell us.”

“Just stay calm, Vaala,” Covenant tried reassuring her. “We'll have to use the subways if you're not able to access the hardline network.”

She nodded at Cov, acknowledging his suggestion before turning back to Deff. “All I know is...I retrieved some data, uploaded it, and the next thing I knew, you guys were freaking out.”

“That is about all we know as well, Vaala,” Deff told her.

She sighed heavily, relieved at least in part because they truly didn't seem to know exactly what had happened. “I need some air...even if it is simulated.”


Covenant gave her a moment to collect herself before guiding her away. “Let's get to Sai Kung so we can take the train back.”

“All right.” She genuinely liked Cov. He had a manner about him that made her feel comfortable. “Just get me out of here before another d***ed Agent shows.”

“Head southeast. I'll follow you and make sure we don't have company.” As the system ran amok again, with every exile in sight trying to gun her down, he yelled, “Keep moving, Vaala!” Again, she wasn't about to argue. They made it to the subway and he ran aboard, even as exiles were still shooting at her. Once aboard, he said, “Let's go to Stamos - we can see if the safehouse at the hotel is still safe.”

The train doors closed right in front of her as an Agent appeared behind her. “S***! Cov...Agen-” she yelled before someone clamped a hand over her mouth, picked her up, and carried her away.

“Vaala?!” Cov turned to look, but she was gone.

--Vaala, Fenshire, Deffdog, Covenant

She struggled against the Agent, but Vaala was no match for her captor's strength. She was pushed into a car and driven to Uriah's Industrial District, where the Agent dragged her into a warehouse, dumped her unceremoniously on the floor, and locked the door on his way out. After a few moments, she heard a muffled woman's voice. Seconds later, the door opened and Cameryn walked in.

She glared at the woman with hatred. “That was more than a little unnecessary, don't you think?”

“Nothing we do is 'unnecessary,' operative,” Cameryn answered coldly. “These people are terrorists, and we will use every means at our disposal to eliminate them.”

“And me,” Vaala added.

“You serve a purpose,” Cameryn shrugged. She leaned in closely, making sure Vaala could see the cold look in her eyes. “For now.”

“I had it under control,” Vaala insisted.

“Did you?” The Agent questioned. “Am I to understand that you intended getting caught by those terrorists, then? Perhaps we were wrong to select you for this assignment...” she mused, her hand on her gun.

Calmed considerably by the threat, Vaala backed down. “No, Agent Thorne. What happened was unexpected, but I...improvised to the best of my ability.”

“Well then,” Thorne smiled, “since we now know that these terrorists consider you an asset and because we know the Trust has such a penchant for securing missing followers, we will make the most of our situation.” She backhanded Vaala hard enough to send her crashing to the floor and cause a small stream of blood to flow from her mouth.

“What the hell?!” Vaala cried out, wiping the blood from her mouth. “Now instead of trying to get me killed, you're just going to do it yourself?”

“The only way you will die, Ms. Redwinter, is if I allow it,” Thorne answered in a chilling voice. “Fortunately for you, you are an asset, and it is not currently in our best interests to allow your demise.”

“I hope you still feel that way when RedBindi gets here.”

Thorne put a hand to her earpiece and listened, a malicious smile forming on her lips. “She will not be here. That little incident with the rogue Marks made certain of that.”

“Christ, you did that? You Mechs really are--” she let the thought fade. This situation was getting worse with each passing moment.

“She is a relentless terrorist. We do what we must,” Thorne shrugged indifferently.

At that moment, Covenant entered the warehouse. What did she do? Vaala wondered. Leave him a trail of breadcrumbs? “Cov!” she shouted, hoping he'd hear the warning in her voice. She got to her feet and tried to step towards him, but the sound of Thorne drawing her gun stopped her.

“Remain where you are, Ms. Redwinter,” the Agent cautioned.

“Vaala, what happened? Are you okay?”

Thorne answered before Vaala could: “She is fine, no thanks to the antics of you people.”

Vaala nodded and cut her eyes in Thorne's direction. “Cov, get out of here,” she said in a low voice.

Glancing at Thorne, Cov tilted his head as if to ask a question, then thought better of it. “Vaala, let's go -- we need to leave.”

Vaala took another step towards him when Thorne's voice, cold as steel, stopped her again. “I said remain where you are, Ms. Redwinter.”

“Please, Cov...just go. Get out of here before she kills us both.”

Covenant looked at Vaala questioningly before turning his hard gaze onto Thorne. “And just who the hell are you?” he demanded. Goddamn it, Covenant, stop being so f***ing stubborn! Vaala thought.

“If you are wise, Mr. Roberts, you will listen to your comrade. But we know you won't do the logical thing, will you? You humans and your emotional attachments,” she sneered derisively.

He scowled. “The name is 'Covenant.' And no, I won't.”

Thorne gave a cold little smirk that sent a chill down Vaala's spine. “I assumed not, given your reputation.” She pointed her gun directly at Vaala's head, striking a very real fear into Vaala. As cold and vicious as Cameryn had proven to be over the months, there was no doubt in Vaala's mind that the Agent would pull the trigger if she thought it would serve her ends.

“Vaala, what's going on?” he asked.

“Please, Cov,” Vaala whispered, “She'll kill us both.”

“I don't...who are you?”

“You may call me Agent Thorne, 'Cov,'” she replied.

Covenant set his jaw and got ready for a fight. “I'm not leaving without her,” he said, nodding at Vaala.

Thorne cocked her gun and placed it firmly against Vaala's temple. “Then you will both die,” she answered simply.

“What do you want?” Covenant asked, focusing on Vaala through his shades. He shifted his eyes towards the door as he heard vehicles arrive outside.

“I want the same thing you want: to complete my objective without further interference.”

“Fine. Let us leave, and you can go about whatever you were doing.”

“I'm afraid it's not that simple, Mr. Roberts,” Thorne answered with a slight shake of her head. “You see, you are my objective. Now - you have the option of coming with me in a quiet, respectable manner...or you can watch her die before succumbing to the same fate.” She grasped Vaala's arm tightly enough to make Vaala wince. “Your options really are quite limited. For your own sake – and for that of your friend here - make the logical choice.”

“Jesus, Cov...she's serious.” Vaala had no illusions – Thorne would kill her, right here, right now, if it became necessary.

“Tick-tock, Mr. Roberts,” Thorne taunted.

Covenant leapt at Thorne, pushing Vaala out of the way as he did. “Vaala, run!”

Vaala did as she was told. I might get out of this alive, after all, she thought.

“Don't move!” Thorne ordered, training her gun on Vaala and firing off a few rounds. As Vaala dropped to the ground in pain, she clicked her tongue at Covenant. “That was most unwise, Mr. Roberts. Most unwise indeed.” Covenant tried to dodge the sniper fire that had started raining down from the rafters, but there was just too much.

“Ahhh!” he grunted as he, too, dropped to the ground.

“Pity,” Thorne commented coolly. “I was hoping this would be much more professional. I see you poddies are just too...emotional to be reasonable.”

“You...have...no...idea,” Covenant grunted through his pain as he tried to retain consciousness.

Thorne knelt between them, looking from one to the other as if trying to make a decision. After a moment, she placed the barrel of her gun against Vaala's temple again. She rather enjoyed watching these humans suffer. After a few moments, she sighed. “I have no time for this,” she declared, slamming the butt of her pistol into Covenant's skull. With Covenant unconscious, she put her hand to her earpiece once again. “The suspect is contained. You may retrieve him now.”

Placing her pistol back at Vaala's temple, she yanked Vaala to her feet. “You, however, are coming with me. We have a report to make.”

--Vaala, Covenant, Cameryn

Covenant heard muffled voices for a few moments before the door opened and Thorne walked in. “I presume, Mr. Roberts, that you will be calmer now?”

“Ugh,” grunted, still in pain. “Screw you.”

Thorne sighed wearily. “Typical Zionite response...Are insults the only thing you cave monkeys are good at?”

Covenant ignored the slur. “Another female Agent? What happened? The Architect get tired of Pace?”

“If it were up to me I'd have had that tart terminated months ago.” She smirked knowingly. “You are curious as to my origins?” As Covenant arched an eyebrow, she continued: “Perhaps I will indulge you. But as we both know, you cannot give without receiving...” She removed her shades and bent down to look at him. “You're not afraid of a few little questions, are you, Mr. Roberts?” she asked, placing her hand on her gun. “After all, if you have something you wish to tell me, this can be over quickly.”

They were interrupted by a knock on the door. Covenant was shocked to see who the visitor was. “Vaala...?”

“Agent, I really don't think threat of force will persuade him to answer anything.”

“Lieutenant.. I did not request your presence.”

"Lieutenant?" What...?!” Covenant looked at Vaala questioningly.

“I've forced nothing on him. I gave him the opportunity to speak of his own free will. That is what you humans value, is it not?”

“With your hand on your gun?” Vaala argued.

“What have I always taught you, Lieutenant? Prepare for anything.”

“Agent, why don't you give me a few minutes to talk with him...”

Confused, Covenant practically shouted, “What the hell is going on here?”

Thorne pointed at Vaala. “Her, you mean?” She smiled that sinister smile once more. “She is my subordinate. That is all you need know.” Taking a moment to enjoy the expression of sadness and betrayal on Covenant's face, she added, “But we're not here to discuss her.”

Covenant looked at Vaala, searching for confirmation of what Thorne had just said. The look on Vaala's face was all the confirmation he needed. “No.” He couldn't believe what he was seeing and hearing. “Vaala! How could you do this?!”

“Cov...I...it's...”

“You will say nothing, Lieutenant,” Thorne ordered. “Leave us. Now.”

Vaala reluctantly did as she was ordered, trying to think of a way to get Cov out of there and away from the Agent who seemed hell-bent on getting what she wanted in the most torturous way possible.

“Now, where were we?” Thorne asked, grabbing a hold of Covenant's jaw and yanking his head in her direction in order to focus his attention back on her. “Ah yes...we're here because you know something, and I want to know what that 'something' is.”

Covenant grunted as he slapped her hand away. “Don't touch me!” Glaring at the Agent he asked, “What did you do to her, overwrite her?

Thorne stood and gestured towards the door. “She is the least of your concerns right now, Mr. Roberts – and you are trying to divert the conversation. Now, it is time to make the correct choice - for your own sake. We know that you and your faction are in direct contact with the operative, Neoteny.” Grinning at Covenant's scowl, she went on: "Those little stunts your friend has been pulling with the code bombs have not gone unnoticed.”

“Looks like he's succeeding. What do you want me to do about it?”

Thorne suppressed a flash of glee. She would enjoy breaking him, making him tell her everything he knew, and the thought of that impertinent poddie Lieutenant watching the whole time only increased her satisfaction. “These code bombings are too simple, too overt of an attack. Any tactical strategist would know that. There is something more, isn't there? Something you Zionites are planning? And I intend to find out exactly what that is.”

It was taking all his effort to focus with the pain, but Covenant gritted his teeth and spat, “I don't...know...what you're talking about.”

Thorne stepped on his already injured leg, burying the heel of her shoe into the injury. As she stomped her foot, Covenant screamed in pain. Lowering her voice and adopting a far more sinister tone to imply exactly what she was capable of, she told him, “Those code combs are a diversion, and you know it.”

“No,” Covenant moaned, his leg on fire.

“You're a member of an organization faction whose members are all on Red Alert Status within the System. You are considered to be terrorists of the System.” As Covenant simply glared at her with pure hatred, she put more of her weight on his injured leg. “We intend to find out what you are planning to do...and you, Mr. Roberts, are the link to finding out.” She ground her foot even deeper into the wound on his leg.

“Gggnnnn!” he groaned. “I...don't...know...anything!” he said, spitting at her. Thorne's eyes flashed green with anger for a moment, and she belted him across the face. “You really should learn to be more polite, Mr. Roberts,” she smiled sweetly. “After all, I'm only trying to help you.” Another knock at the door temporarily distracted her. These interruptions really were getting annoying...

Seeing Vaala standing at the door with a first aid kit, the Agent grinned sadistically. “Very well then, poddie,” she sighed. “If you won't speak to me, perhaps you'll speak to her,” she said, waving in Vaala's direction. “Since the two of you seem to be...close.”

Close?! Just what in the hell was Thorne implying? Vaala thought. I swear, one day, I am going to kill that woman...

“Lieutenant, extract the necessary information. You have 5 minutes.”

“Understood, Agent.”

“Vaala -- don't. Please. Don't do this.”

“I'm sorry, Cov,” she replied, stepping towards him as Thorne left and closed the door behind her. Certain the Agent was no longer listening, she knelt beside him, took a disk out of the first aid kit, and placed it in his hand. “There's no time to explain,” she whispered.

“Explain?! What the -- !! What is going on?!”

“Dammit, Cov – not now! And keep your voice down!” she added, looking over her shoulder. “We have less than three minutes to get you out of here before the security feed reverts back to what's actually going on in here.” She gestured at the disk she'd given him. “Get that to Bindi – and only Bindi. Anyone else tries to access it, the data will be deleted.”

“What is this!?”

“There's no time. I've unlocked the door to your left. Right outside in the corridor is an exit from this building. You need to go – now!”

“Vaala, how can I trust you?” he asked, feeling as confused as he'd ever felt.

“I wish I could answer that right now. I can't. Just believe me when I tell you that things are not what they seem...”

Covenant frowned, clearly torn. He wanted to believe her, but...

Vaala helped him to his feet and braced herself. “Now hit me. Knock me out. And get the hell out of here before she gets back.”

As Thorne called through the door, Covenant decided there was no time to waste. He drew his fist back and cracked Vaala right in the temple, running as she dropped to the floor.

“Lieutenant?” Thorne called. “Lieutenant Redwinter, open this door!” Not waiting for a response, Thorne drew her weapon and kicked the door in. She glared down at Vaala's unconscious form and gave her a sharp kick in the ribs to wake her up.

“Agent?” Vaala asked, sitting up. “What the? Where is he?”

“You failed. Your inefficiency is beginning to disappoint me, Lieutenant. Did you at least extract the necessary information?”

“No...he attacked me and knocked me unconscious.”

“I see now why the machines cannot trust normal humans to assist in the cause. Your penchant for failure is sickening.”

“You'll forgive me Agent...but as I recall, you are also human.”

Thorne sneered. “I am much more than that. I am what the human race can only wish to attain. But again, we are not here to discuss my origins or purpose, Lieutenant. You have emotional attachment to these people, therefore it has blinded you, clouded you...allowed this to happen.”

“I'm sorry, Agent,” Vaala said, shrinking away from Thorne slightly. At this point, she'd rather be killed by Bindi or Fen – at least they'd be quick about it and put a stop to this insanity.

“And since that is obviously the case,” Thorne continued, leaning in very closely, scanning Vaala's face. “How do I not know you are not sympathizing with the terrorists?”

“Sympathizing? The man knocked me unconscious, Agent. I'd hardly call that sympathetic.”

“There are innumerable ways that could have been prevented, Lieutenant.”

“Then I will have to be more careful in the future,” Vaala said quietly.

“At last, I see you are beginning to develop a responsible and professional attitude. Perhaps all of your training has not been wasted after all. However we must work harder now to obtain the information we need.”

“I'm glad you approve, Agent.” Well, it's now or never, she told herself. She took a deep breath and added, “And I think I may have an idea of where to begin...”

---Vaala, Covenant, Cameryn

Covenant arched his back slightly as Fuse withdrew the spike from the back of Covenant’s head. They exchanged an anxious, wide-eyed look, and Covenant said, “Did you get all that?”

Fuse merely nodded, trying to comprehend just how screwed they were.

“Is the Titan still parked nearby?” Covenant asked, hurriedly pulling a ratty sweater over his head.

“Right next door,” replied Fuse.

“Copy that data that Vaala gave me onto a disk,” said Covenant darkly. “I need to talk to Fenshire.”

Moments later, Covenant was moving as quickly as he could through the claustrophobic corridors of the Titan’s crew quarters deck. His mind racing, he found RedBindi’s cabin, pushed the portal open further, and stuck his head into the darkened cell.

Fenshire was seated on RedBindi’s bunk, a small flashlight aimed at an open tunnel map on his lap while RedBindi slept nearby. He looked up as the door to the cabin squealed quietly on its hinges and saw Covenant, looking haunted and agitated.

Covenant whispered urgently into the room, “Fen, can I talk to you a minute?”

Fenshire knit his brow and nodded as he put his work aside and slipped off of the bunk. “Yeah, Doc . . .” Fenshire joined Covenant in the narrow, blue-lit corridor and pulled the cabin door closed behind him. “What's up?”

“We have a serious problem,” said Covenant, speaking low and fast. “Vaala is working with the Machines.”

Fenshire shook his head, trying to absorb the implications. “What!?” He glanced back at the door to Bindi’s cabin and leaned in, lowering his voice. “What?”

“. . . I was captured by a woman . . . she said she was an Agent, ‘Agent Thorne,’ and Vaala was with her. The Agent interrogated me, tried to get me to talk about our plans in the Real . . .” Covenant ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “Fen. What do we do?”

“I can't believe this . . .” Fenshire sighed. “Have you talked to Deff?”

“No, not yet. I wanted to talk to you first because . . . this has to do with RedBindi somehow.”

Fenshire narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean . . .?”

Covenant hesitated before producing a disk, which he held out to Fenshire. He looked around to make sure that no one else was within earshot. “Vaala . . . she helped me escape from the Agent, and she gave this to me. She told me to deliver it to Bindi.”

Fenshire took the disk and regarded it skeptically. “What is it . . .?”

Covenant shrugged helplessly. “I have no idea what it contains. Vaala said that the contents would delete themselves if anyone but Bindi tried to access it.”

Fenshire looked back up at Covenant. “Vaala let you escape?”

Covenant nodded. “Yeah. I don't understand it either.”

“This is a tough call,” Fenshire frowned. “Deff really should be notified. And I want to talk to Vaala before I give this to Bindi. I'm not going to blindly give Bindi some disk that only she can access . . . for all I know, it could be some kind of trigger for that chip.”

“I know - it's dangerous,” said Covenant. “But I don't know how we can contact Vaala to ask her about it . . . she seemed to be under the control of that Agent. And as far as I know, her signal is still scrambled.”

Fenshire started pacing, scratching his chin. “Vaala disappearing in the code . . . then Marks showing up . . . I really don't like this. What'd you say this Agent's name was?”

“Thorne,” Covenant said absently, still thinking about how to proceed. “But what if Vaala is trying to help? What if she was . . . you know, overwritten or something? She helped me escape, maybe she's trying to help RedBindi?”

“That's very possible. But I need to be sure,” said Fenshire firmly. “And if Vaala were overwritten . . . how'd she get unwritten? Haven't seen Seraph running around crackin' skulls lately.”

Covenant paused as he considered this. Somehow, he had been clinging to the hope that Vaala was doing this involuntarily, but Fen had a point. And if she hadn’t been overwritten, it meant that things actually were as treacherous as they looked . . . “I have no idea, but Fenshire . . . please, promise me you won't let Deff pull her jack.” He spoke with quiet determination. “Vaala saved my life. If she can be saved from this, I intend to return the favor.”

Fenshire lowered his head in thought, then whispered conspiratorily, “Alright . . . we'll hold off on telling Deff . . . he might do something rash like that. I do, however, want to talk to Vaala before giving this disk to Bindi. Also . . . talk to Fuse, and have him start running some searches on this Agent Thorne. We might have to bust up a few Machine mainframes to learn more about her.” He looked at Covenant, shaking his head. “Jesus Christ, it doesn't seem like we ever get a break here.”

“I'm on it, Fenshire. I'll have Fuse contact you directly if he turns up anything on the Agent. And . . .” Covenant added quietly, “thanks.”

“No worries. For now, we keep this just between the three of us . . . me, you, and Fuse.”

Covenant nodded his understanding, and left Fenshire. He started moving out of the Titan to return to the Devildog, thinking grimly to himself that things were about to get very complicated.

--Covenant

Vaala hoped Thorne would take the bait...and maybe get her mind off trying to start a system-wide manhunt for Cov. Fortunately, she wasn't disappointed. Thorne narrowed her eyes and tilted her head, clearly interested now in what Vaala had to say.

“Please elaborate, Lieutenant.”

Vaala clamped down her desire to wipe that self-satisfied smirk right off Thorne's face. She had to be careful, especially if she wanted to convince Thorne to give her what she needed.

“I've been doing some research on RedBindi--”

“The leader, yes.” Vaala thought she saw a flash of something in Thorne's eyes at the mention of Bindi's name. “I am – we are,” the Agent corrected herself, “aware of her. Very aware. We are also aware of your...research.”

“Right...well my codes won't allow me to access the sort of information I really need. Perhaps there is something you could do?”

“Do you require higher clearance?”

“I was thinking of something a little quicker,” Vaala answered, hoping Thorne wouldn't catch on as she led the way to her computer. “I thought perhaps you might be able to retrieve the information for me.”

“What is it in particular that you think you need to know?” the Agent asked, arching a brow.

“You are always reminding me to prepare for anything, Agent,” Vaala pointed out. “It's important for me to know everything I can about RedBindi and the Trust, especially if I'm to convince them that I'm still on their side in order to continue my investigation. As the saying goes, 'know your enemy.'”

Thorne eyed Vaala closely for several moments as Vaala tried to contain her anxiety. If Thorne found out what she was really doing and what information she was really seeking...Vaala shut the thought out of her mind. She'd spent enough of the day with Cameryn's pistol barrel against her temple – she wasn't exactly in the mood to bet on whether or not the Agent really would kill her if Thorne thought it suited her purpose. For good measure, she added, “And in the event that it comes to it, I'll need to have every advantage I can get in order to...” Vaala nearly choked on the words, “terminate her.”

Apparently satisfied, the Agent nodded. “Show me how far you've gotten.”

Vaala tapped a few keys and turned the monitor towards Cameryn. “As you can see, she seems to have some kind of...chip...or something in her brain. As that irritating smirk played at the Agent's lips again, she continued: “It appears to have been some sort of experiment that didn't quite work out.”

“It would appear so...” There was something about the Agent's demeanor that made Vaala think she knew far more than she was telling.

“Oh – so then, I take it you're familiar with the technology?”

Thorne straightened and turned towards Vaala with eyes like cold steel. “I know what my position requires me to know, Lieutenant,” she said icily before turning back to rapidly scan the data on the screen.

Struck a nerve, did I? Vaala thought viciously. Cameryn seemed to be forgetting that she'd also been trained to read expressions and body language rather than just listening to the words people spoke. “I just need a little more information, Agent, so that I can be prepared for any...contingencies.”

Thorne smiled. It seemed the Lieutenant had finally decided that it was in her best interests to behave in a more professional and efficient manner. This was indeed a positive development in the poddie's training. This one may turn out to be somewhat useful after all, she thought. “You are quite right, Lieutenant. Remaining prepared for anything these dangerous terrorists may attempt is a wise course of action. Very well.” She tapped several keys and downloaded some data onto a disk. “You will report any new findings to me immediately.”

“Absolutely,” Vaala agreed, hoping her triumph didn't show in her eyes. She couldn't believe she'd actually managed to convince the Agent to enter her access codes. Hopefully the logging program she'd uploaded to the terminal earlier was working correctly...Hacking had never been a skill she'd excelled at.

“Continue to investigate and monitor the organization – and I do hope that you are competent enough to convince them not to kill you in the process.”

That d***ed smirk again...I only hope I'm the one that gets to wipe it off your face, b****, Vaala thought. “I believe I can do that,” she nodded.

“In the meantime, we will assign extra guards for your protection. The Trust is well known for attempting to retrieve and recover their members – even those whom they suspect may have wronged them.”

“If the intent is to continue to monitor them, why would additional security be necessary, Agent? After all, once this code scrambler wears off in another day or so, it isn't as if they won't be able to simply extract me.”

Cameryn eyed Vaala again and smiled an emotionless smile. “'Covering the bases,' as you say. The terrorists may attempt a break-in to steal data, they may attempt to disrupt our communications, or they may try to find you again and attempt to analyze the code scrambler I've administered. We would prefer not to take unnecessary risks. It is our efficiency and caution that has gotten us this far; I do not intend to disrupt that pattern.”

“You saw Roberts.” The name sounded as foreign as it felt. “If anything, they'll just yank my jack in the real before I can jack out.”

“Unless they find you to be of some continued value to them, Ms. Redwinter, that is a distinct possibility. I suggest you come up with a way to make yourself...invaluable.” Vaala swallowed hard, hoping that wasn't exactly what they were planning to do. “I expect results in the near future, Lieutenant.”

“You will have them, Agent.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Thorne said as she headed for the door. “I will speak with you again soon.”

“Not if I can help it,” Vaala muttered once Thorne was gone, her voice dripping with contempt.

--Vaala, Cameryn

Deffdog’s eyes open and waits, patiently he waits for his jack to be removed. He hears tones of the computer panels, and feels the Jack pulled from the back of his skull. He sits up, rubbing his head, because of the current dilemma.

“So none of that crap Bindi tried worked?, he asked looking over at Jazz.

“No nothing worked to allow me to distinguish her from the code, however, and I did not want to mention this while you were with Redbindi and Fenshire… During the whole time you guys were with her. Her heart was racing, especially when you guys found her…, and I have seen that kind of heart rate change before… in training. It’s…”

Deffdog cuts her off, “It means she was lying…, I don’t know what the hell is going on but I make it a point to know my crew... If they are lying I know it, and she was definitely lieing. To what purpose I don’t know, but I am definitely going to find out.”

He gets up out of his Ecto-chair and stands over the body of Vaala. Her skin was of a pale tone and an IV placed into a plug on her arm. “What the hell is going on with you…”, he whispers under his breath.

He joins Jazz, back at the operator station. “Keep the scans going maybe something will get picked up, maybe a sign from her.”

“Shouldn’t we inform the other captains about...” Jazz replies before she is cut off.

“No, not yet, we really don’t know anything…”

Deffdog opens the hatch to exit out of the Broadcast Core. He makes his way up to the Cockpit and finds Suezuki at her usual station at the helm.

“Status!?,” He Asks.

The sound of his voice, made her jump, obviously she did not hear him enter the room.

“Uh .. We are in good shape but we may have to, move soon… Squid Activity seems to be picking up in the Area.” She motions him toward the scanners to see at least 4 Sentinels patrolling an adjacent Tunnel.”

“Well keep on low power just enough to keep the Broadcast Core running. Anything nonessential needs to be powered down…. And make sure the EMP is charged…” he responds grimly.

Sue looks at him, but does not say a word. She full well knew he knew the implication of what would happen to Vaala if he the EMP was used while she was still in the Matrix.

Deffdog has been awake ever since Vaala disappeared; he decided that he needed to take a few hours of sleep.

“Ill be in my quarters apprise me if anything happens.”

Deffdog exits the command deck and makes way to his quarters. Lies down on his bunk and attempts to get some sleep.

--Deffdog

Vaala took Cameryn's stolen access codes and downloaded them to a disk. She tucked the disk safely into her boot - she didn't dare use them herself, and especially not here in the Matrix, but if Cov had passed on her message, she was sure RedBindi would at least send someone to meet with her, even if she wasn't willing to come herself. Then she could pass the codes on and hopefully someone would be able to make use of them.

She settled in to review the data the Agent had downloaded for her. Within ten minutes, she ripped the disk from the computer, nauseated. Thorne had given her information, all right – too much information. That sick b****, Vaala thought as the disturbing images of RedBindi being tortured replayed themselves in her mind. Shaking, she hurled the disk across the room. Who in the f*** does that to someone and records it? And why in the hell would anyone keep it around unless they were just sadistic bastards? She shook her head. She already knew Thorne was amoral - the months of listening to the Agent's cold, emotionless voice had told her that a thousand times over - but this was...evil. Pure evil.

More than ever, Vaala was convinced: whatever she had to do to get away from the Machines, it was worth it. As far as she was concerned, the Trust weren't the terrorists; Thorne and System she represented were. She resolved to tell RedBindi the truth, consequences be d***ed.

Vaala was startled to hear RedBindi's voice: “Vaala, we're still working on getting you out of there.”

“Bindi?” How were they able...realization dawned. It was nearing the 72-hour mark, the code scrambler was probably starting to wear off. “Did you receive my message?”

“What message?”

“...The one I gave to Cov? He...didn't tell you?” D***! Covenant hadn't believed her. I guess I really can't have expected him to, she thought. Not after what Agent Thorne did to him, not after what I've done...

“No. He didn't. What message are you talking about – I haven't received a message.”

“The message...the one I gave him to give to you. You really don't know what I'm talking about, do you?”

“No. Perhaps we should meet up.”

“Yes. We should.” Vaala drew up every last ounce of courage she had. This was not going to be easy, but she had nowhere else to go. She'd just have to trust that Bindi would at least hear her out and take the access codes before telling Deff to yank her jack. No, they won't do that, she told herself. That's not who they are. And even if they did, she continied to reason with herself, the Trust would be far more merciful about it than Cameryn would be once she learned Vaala had turned on her and was feeding the Trust information instead of the other way around.

“Where shall me meet?” Bindi asked.

“Someplace private. I think I'm being watched.”

“Magog West,” Bindi told her. “The monument.”

“On my way.”

As she stood to go meet Bindi, Fenshire materialized at the hardline in front of the bench and crossed his arms.

“Hiya Fen,” she said a little nervously. “You guys haven't sorted all this out yet, have you?”

“It's probably thanks to Cov that you're still alive,” he told her. “What's on this disk?” He held up the disk she'd given Covenant before helping him escape.

Vaala didn't bother trying to hide her surprise. Covenant had believed her...or was at least willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. “I can explain...sort of. It's...information,” she answered, looking around nervously hoping Thorne wasn't watching or listening in.

Fenshire pulled out one of his guns. “What kind of information?”

Great. He is going to kill me, she thought. Well, I hope he's got enough sense to check my boots once I'm dead...

“I think the Machines continued experimenting with those chips after Bindi...and I think they've succeeded.”

“I see...and you have a lot of explaining to do. I tend to be rather understanding, seeing as I once worked with the Machines. I'd like to know what your deal is.”

“I can explain, Fen...just...not here and not now.”

“Not now? I don't think you understand how little time you have, Vaala. What do you think is going to happen when Deff finds out? Jazz is a very good operator.”

“I know that.” She shook her head. This was just getting worse by the minute... “This is not what it looks like.” Ah, screw it. “Look, Fen, this would be easier if you just came with me to Magog.”

“I need to take care of something first. I'll meet you there.” He pocketed the disk. “I have no intention of letting Bindi see this until I can be sure you're not trying to activate her chip.”

“Fen, I'm not,” she protested. “Believe me, I'm not.” RedBindi with that chip activated was the last thing she needed right now.

She arrived at the monument wondering if it was at all possible for her to be any more scared than she was at that moment. Bindi was not someone she wanted to p*** off – ever. But she knew she had to do this, regardless of what happened as a result, so she gritted her teeth and decided to just get it over with as quickly as possible.

“All right, what did you need to talk to me about?”

“Fen has it,” she blurted just as Fenshire arrived.

“Fen has what?”

“The message I sent you.”

Bindi turned to look at Fenshire, who in turn watched Vaala with a hard stare.

She gulped before continuing: “He's...concerned,” she said carefully. “And he has a right to be,” she finished, dropping her eyes to get away from Bindi's gaze.

“That's nice,” Bindi said, sounding irritated. “What f***ing message are we talking about?”

Vaala took a few steps back at Bindi's tone of voice. “There's something you need to know--”

“Apparently.”

“--Well, a lot of things, actually. Everything is on that disk...but,” she hesitated, “where to start?”

“The beginning is usually a good place,” Bindi told her.

Vaala sighed heavily. “I was afraid you'd say that. I know why Jazz can't trace my signal.”

“Well that's good news.”

Vaala shook her head. “No it isn't. An Agent used a code scrambler on me and used me to get to Cov.”

“I see. Are you and Cov all right?”

Christ! Fen didn't tell her anything?! “I hope Cov is...”

“So do I, since there seems to be a failure to communicate both his condition and his whereabouts to me.” Bindi's voice was getting harder – and Vaala was getting even more nervous. She knew she was doing the right thing, but that certainly didn't make it any less difficult.

“This is all very complicated, and I'm not quite sure how to say this...”

“Directly is usually a good way.”

Vaala braced herself, and then blurted it out, her words practically tumbling out on top of each other. “I'm supposed to be helping the Machines infiltrate the Trust. There was a volunteer program--”

“Hmm,” Bindi said in a tone that Vaala wasn't sure if it was expressing anger, interest, or both. “Well, it seems that you were successful. Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because I want out,” Vaala answered, looking Bindi in the eyes and hoping the other woman could tell that she was being completely honest.

“And...Fen,” Bindi asked, looking at her husband, “Where is Cov?”

“Cov is on the 'Dog.”

“Is he hurt? I've been led to believe,” she glanced at Vaala, “he might be.”

Again, Vaala dropped her head as Fenshire looked at her. She hadn't expected this to be easy by any means, but it was a lot harder than she thought it would be.

“We talked last night and I wanted to talk to her before I came to you.” Vaala's gaze flitted nervously as he spoke, scanning for any sign of Cameryn – or any other Agents.

“What exactly has been going on...since it seems I am out of the loop.” She crossed her arms in annoyance and fixed her eyes on Fenshire.

“Is he all right?” Vaala asked. If Cov was hurt, she'd never forgive herself...or Cameryn. She'd spend the rest of her life – however short – hunting that woman down if she had to. She'd never really known hatred, but Cameryn Thorne could inspire anyone in that regard.

“We talked last night,” he reassured Bindi. “He came to me to tell me about her.”

“And apparently gave you a message,” Bindi interjected. “Where is it?”

“He said he wasn't sure what to believe, but that she did save his life. She gave him a disk with,” he narrowed his eyes at Vaala, “'information' that only you,” he said, turning to look at his wife, “could access. He said that it had to do with your chip.”

“I expect that disk in my hands when I jack out,” she told him. “You and I will talk more later.”

Fenshire protested. “Before blindly giving you a mysterious disk that only you can access from a potential Machine spy,” Vaala winced as he said it, “I wanted to talk to her first and gauge her honesty. Marks showing up the other night and then Vaala's suddenly having this disk was too much of a coincidence for me.”

“That's nice.” Vaala thought she detected some sarcasm in Bindi's voice. “You and I will talk more of this later. Dismissed, Colonel.”

Fenshire crossed his arms as Vaala interrupted. “That was her. Agent Thorne. My handler.” She said the words with as much venom as she could muster. “She arranged it – Marks – to get me away from you. I didn't know until later, I swear.” She almost wished Cameryn would show up right now...so she could kill her.

“I see,” Bindi replied. “And how much information have you given the Mechs about the Trust?” she asked, a chill creeping into her voice.

“None. That's what I've been trying to tell you.” She bit back her frustration. “Look, it's all very complicated. I took the job because I had...questions. About the Matrix.”

“What questions?” Fenshire asked as RedBindi raised an eyebrow.

“Colonel Fenshire,” Bindi said even more coldly, her eyes blazing green fire, “I would like to address my operative.”

Vaala shrank back even more at the ice in RedBindi's voice and the heat in her eyes, but she was determined to go through with this. “You know...questions. Things just didn't seem...'right.' At the time, it seemed like a good way to get the answers I was looking for.” She hadn't expected a cakewalk, but this was a disaster. Bindi made her nervous on a good day, but right now, she was downright terrifying. Vaala wondered how much of that feeling was inspired by the idea that Cameryn might be watching, but dismissed the idea. Even if Thorne was watching, she still felt better about being honest than she did about spying on these people whom she had grown to care about.

“Commander,” Fen replied, “it's my duty to investigate any possible threat to your person or well-being. If you expect me to give you that disk, then I need to be convinced that 'your operative' is genuine.”

“Colonel, you are dismissed from here for the time being. I'll speak to you later, in private, about this.” She saluted him crisply, and Fenshire knew it was time to go. He returned the salute and disappeared.

--Vaala, RedBindi, Fenshire

With Fenshire gone, Bindi turned her attention back to Vaala. “So, you've been with us all these months, the Mechs have let you stay with us, and in all that time you haven't given them any info, nor have they demanded it?”

Yeah, okay, that would be hard to swallow, Vaala admitted to herself. I'd be pretty damned skeptical myself. “Agent Thorne is...” she searched for a word. “Unpleasant. So I've given them – her – some, uh, 'misinformation' to keep them busy. Look, Commander, I know it's hard to believe,” Oh boy, do I know, she thought to herself. “But if I'm going to get out of this, I need your help.”

“Do you have a log of the information you have given them – or any proof that you're not making this up?”

“Thorne probably has a log.”

RedBindi nodded. “Can you get that information, in my presence,” she specified, "so that I may see its--” She rested a hand on her gun as Vaala slowly crouched down.

Vaala reached into her boot – very slowly and carefully – and retrieved the disk with Cameryn's access codes. “I've gotten her access codes,” she said, handing the disk over. “The Mechs kept trying after you,” she halted briefly, “got away. With her – with Agent Thorne – I think they've succeeded.”

Bindi's eyes narrowed. “What?”

“I've been doing some digging, trying to get more information on that chip. She mentioned being physically human once, and then made some comment about being what humans could only wish to attain. So, I...” she took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “I convinced her that I needed more information about you, and I stole her codes as she retrieved the information.” She decided against telling Bindi exactly what Cameryn had downloaded. She was certain the other woman did not need any reminders of that hell.

“Do you know how to deactivate your scrambler?”

I wish, Vaala thought. “I don't know much yet at all, to be honest...but I'm looking. I don't even really know what happened or how they did it. I was jacking out, she shot me in the back and then in the chest, and the next thing I knew, you were telling me I'd been gone for more than a day.”

Bindi sighed. “Would it be in her files?”

“Possibly, but I...I don't know.” She felt like a little kid telling her mother that she'd broken a lamp and then cleaned up the pieces and hid them in order to keep out of trouble – except that this trouble was much bigger than broken furniture. “I'd think so...but I was looking over the other...data,” she said distastefully. Just the thought of what she'd seen nauseated her again. “The stuff she gave me about...you.” Ugh, please don't make me sit through that again just to get--

Bindi interrupted her thought. “Then perhaps it's time for you to get that information.”

Vaala nodded. “I intend to.”

“Let me know when we can get that information. In the meantime, I'll work on a scrambler for the scrambler.”

Vaala was stunned. She'd expected both Bindi and Fen to be pissed, not willing to give her more time to try and get the information. “But you should know...they're expecting an attack. They think Neoteny's code bombings are a diversion, sanctioned by the Trust, and that we--” she corrected herself. If she was lucky, they'd boot her off their ships. If she wasn't... “--you're planning something. I've told them that I haven't heard anything, but Thorne is pressing me – hard. That's why she wanted Cov.” As RedBindi nodded again, she added, “I thought I might be able to...misdirect them...but it's not safe here. I know she's watching somehow. She knew about you guys finding me the other day...she sent those Agents...” Vaala shuddered. “I have a plan, but...can we possibly discuss it when this...thing...wears off and I'm back in the Real? The woman really is rather...disturbing.”

“I can imagine,” Bindi told her, and Vaala knew d***ed well that Bindi could imagine. “All right. Get out of here for now, we'll discuss this at a later time.”

“It'll be another few hours before this thing wears off...” Bindi nodded. “And then I'll tell you everything, somewhere where it's safer.” With that, Vaala disappeared into the night to wait for the code scrambler to wear off so she could get out of the simulation and, maybe, just maybe, get out of her deal with those accursed Machines alive.

--Vaala, RedBindi

As the code scrambler began to degrade, Vaala's connection to the Trust frequency began to get clearer. She heard RedBindi order Fen to the Titan's offices and she heard the Trust Commander give orders to the Captain of the Shadrack: “Deff, when Vaala jacks out, you will place her under arrest and put her in the brig. I'll meet up with you on the Diluculo and take custody of her at that time.”

“Okay,” she heard Deff say as the frequency cut out again. “--know why,” she heard him finish.

She heard Bindi's voice again, and even through the garbled transmission, Vaala could hear how incredibly pissed off Bindi sounded. “--explain more...goddamned story...understands I'm...this faction.”

The transmission cut out completely again. Vaala held her head in her hands. Why did I even consider doing this? Why didn't I just f***ing tell them back when I first knew how dangerous Cameryn was and when I first knew I wanted out of this? I should have just been straight with them! She roared in frustration – mostly with herself – and kicked the bench just as the transmission, still garbled, picked back up:

“--she...information about...mechs cont...well...cape.” Suddenly, the transmission cleared up again as Bindi continued, “I'll let her explain more since it seems she's popped up on radar again.”

Popped up on radar? I hope that means they can track my signal now and get me the f*** out of here. “Hello?” she said tentatively, bracing herself for the inevitable backlash.

“Deff as to the promise - just arrest her and place her in the brig until my arrival.” Promise? What promise? “Hello, Vaala,” Bindi answered.

“You may want to hold on that, Red,” Deff warned. “We're low on power to avoid a sentinel patrol. We're hoping they don't see us.”

“I can slip by the sentinels or wait until they move on.” Sentinels! Vaala thought. What in the hell...? Cameryn! So help me...

“Just be careful...”

“I will. I do know how to take care of myself,” RedBindi pointed out.

--Vaala, Deffdog, RedBindi

Vaala just waited where she was, hoping Jazz would be able to pick up her signal. She knew it was dangerous to stay still, but right now, she almost welcomed being gunned down by an Agent...or anyone else, for that matter.

“Perhaps it's time for us to meet with Vaala. I would say that's more pressing than what we're doing here.” Meet? The whole faction? She groaned. If things could get any worse, she wasn't sure how.

“Agreed,” QuiDormit said. Harp3r and the others all signaled their agreement as well.

“Deff,” RedBindi continued, “she's your crewman; we should go to your offices.”

“All right. Shadrack offices it is,” Deff replied.

--Vaala, RedBindi, QuiDormit, Deffdog

Vaala ran all the way to the meeting, dodging bullets the entire time. The Matrix was going crazy again, and anything that could attack her was doing so. As she arrived at the Shadrack's offices, she was greeted by QuiDormit and Harp3r. “You first, Vaala,” Qui said politely. As she entered the room flanked by Qui and Harp3r, she began to wonder if she was walking into a meeting or a trial...

“Have a seat all,” RedBindi told them from her position near the window. Vaala moved forward and took a seat at the table anxiously. “Please tell them what you told me, Vaala,” the Commander said, addressing her directly.

As Vaala opened her mouth to speak, Deffdog interrupted. “First, I have something to say. I am extremely disappointed in you, Vaala, and it's going to take some time for me to trust you again after all this.”

She nodded mutely as RedBindi ordered Wheeler to make sure the meeting room remained secure. “I'm just grateful to have the chance to explain,” she began awkwardly. “It's all kind of complicated...As I told Bindi earlier, in the beginning, I volunteered for the assignment because I had...questions. In retrospect,” she said, dropping her eyes to the table, “this was an incredibly stupid way to go about getting those questions answered.”

She paused, silently berating herself again as QuiDormit scoffed and Harp3r took off his shades and nodded. “I was recruited to infiltrate the Trust and to carry out certain...tasks,” she said, allowing bitterness to creep into her voice. “Gaining information, sabotaging ships and equipment – that sort of thing.”

“Great,” Deffdog said as Maeby scanned the faces of those present.

“Sounds like the usual job for an inside agent,” Harp3r noted.

“But...the Machines...” she suppressed a shudder. “Let's just say that I found their methods very...unpleasant.”

“I'd say that's an understatement,” Bindi said.

“--and it wasn't very long before I wanted out,” she continued, giving RedBindi a rueful smile.

“Was this something you were involved with before or after you joined us?” Fenshire asked.

“It's...it's why they had me awakened."

“Christ,” Maeby whispered softly as Deffdog held his head in his hands.

“They're good at that sort of thing...” Bindi said. “Metallic bastards,” she added with a whisper.

“Bastards is too kind a word. They are...not what I thought. Let's leave it at that,” Vaala said, gazing out the window as she tried to clear the images of Bindi that Cameryn had retrieved and tried to forget the feeling of Cameryn's pistol against her temple. She took a breath. “Not that I expect any of you to believe me, but I want out of this deal – preferably alive. But to do that...I need your help.”

Qui snorted incredulously. “Oh? Any why should we believe you're not just gathering us all here for a trap?” he asked as an Agent popped in and took aim at Harp3r.

Jesus! Vaala thought. Thorne was watching her...still. And was probably trying to break up this meeting with Agents. F***ing wonderful. Can't I ever get a break?! “Agent Thorne is...” she hesitated, “...well, I find her very disturbing.”

Maeby scoffed. Vaala could tell by her expression that whatever was running through the other operative's mind, it was probably something like, “If you think the Mechs are disturbing, imagine what'll happen if you're lying to us.”

She tore her gaze away from Maeby to address Qui again. “And because I've seen that they've done,” she said lowering her voice and looking Bindi's direction, “And they've kept experimenting with that chip nonsense.” She kept to herself the thoughts she was having – that Bindi and Cameryn may not be the only ones running around with Mech hardware in their brains...”Agent Thorne is,” she steadied her gaze on Bindi for a moment, “like her...”

Another Agent was dropped on them just as Merrit entered the room. Oh, Christ, Vaala thought as everyone exchanged greetings. Merrit? They're just going to lock me up in a cell in Zion and throw away the key. She forced herself to finish the thought she'd started. “...except that Thorne isn't fighting the chip. She's like a...like a human machine.”

“How long has she had the chip?” RedBindi asked.

Qui interrupted for a moment to bring Merrit up to speed: “Vaala was just telling us that she's been working for the Machines since her awakening and during the whole time she's been in the Trust.”

Deffdog smiled grimly at the admission of what his crewman had been doing as Vaala answered Bindi. “I don't know,” she shook her head. “But I stole her access codes and gave them to Bindi earlier,” she said quickly. “I was hoping to use them to find out...and maybe to find out something that might help you.”

“We need to find out,” Bindi told her. “I need to know how thorough her training was compared to mine.”

“I—I don't think she's had nearly as much training as you have. The mention of your name seems to make her...” Vaala searched for the right word. How did you describe such a cold and precise individual? “...unsettled.”

Qui cracked a grin at that as Harp3r looked over at Vaala. “Vaala,” he asked, “You say this Agent is disturbing. In what way?”

RedBindi answered for her: “Think of the coldest b**** you can imagine, Harp3r, and then multiply that by ten.”

Vaala agreed with Bindi before answering Harp3r's question with one of her own. “You mean, besides putting a gun to my head – repeatedly?” She really didn't want to enumerate all of the reasons Cameryn Thorne bothered her, especially not with all these people staring at her. “She intends to kill me the instant I no longer...'serve a purpose.'”

“Wow,” Harp3r said quietly about Bindi's assessment. Turning to Vaala, he added, “That's usually the way the Machines work, Vaala.”

“And you're willing to help get us access to her files?” Bindi continued.

“Willing?" Qui asked incredulously. “I don't think she has a choice if she wants help getting out of this.”

Frustrated, Vaala snapped, “Look, Qui, I do understand my situation – a hell of a lot better than you do. I've given Bindi her access codes, and I'm more than willing to do anything I can to help get you what you need.”

Bindi spoke again. “How long until the scrambler wears off?”

Relieved to have something else to focus on besides her own emotions, Vaala answered, “She said 72 hours from the time it was administered. That should be any time now,” she said, avoiding Deffdog's gaze as he looked at her.

“Good. When it wears off, you are to immediately jack out and put yourself in Deffdog's custody.” Catching the look of fear that Vaala hadn't been able to contain, she looked at Deffdog and added, “he will not harm you.”

Maeby leaned back in her chair. “Does anyone else happen to be interested in just how good at her job she was?”

“I didn't give them anything, Maeby,” Vaala told her as she forced herself to meet the other woman's eyes. “I fed them...'misinformation.' Fact is, the more time I had to spend around the Machines, the more I've wanted out. Zion isn't the enemy...they are.”

“Misinformation's a great way to hush up any suspicion, isn't it...” Vaala wasn't sure if Maeby was being sarcastic or not, but she chose not to respond to the comment.

Fen stared at her for a moment. “That's not a very reassuring statement,” he admitted. “I'd feel more comfortable with 'the more time spent around the Trust, the more I wanted out of the Machines'.”

Exasperated, Vaala barked, “Phrase it however you like.” Realizing she needed to get her emotions under control, she paused. After a moment, she continued. “I know what I did was wrong...and I know that the only way out of this mess is to...trust you. Hell, if you want to kill me, go for it. It'll be a lot faster and less painful if you do it than it will be if she does,” she said, referring to Cameryn. “That woman is evil.”

Maeby gave a rueful smile as Deffdog shook his head. “I don't work that way, Vaala, no matter how mad at you I am.”

“The Trust has always been about giving people second chances,” Fenshire added.

“We're not killers, Vaala,” RedBindi said.

Vaala ran her fingers through her hair. “Thats...that's not what I meant.” What she meant was that at this point, she'd rather die than keep this up, but she sure as hell wasn't going to say that publicly. “I don't think you are...or we wouldn't be here right now.”

Agent Marks popped in just as Deffdog was about to speak.

“Oh, Christ,” Vaala said, dropping her head into her hands. That f***ing b****, she thought. There was absolutely no doubt in her mind that it was Thorne.

“Bastard,” RedBindi cursed.

“Not again,” Deffdog said.

“Again!” Fenshire yelled.

“I think we've overstayed out welcome,” Maeby said. With everyone talking all at once, it was getting hard for Vaala to keep track.

“Deff, can you possibly find out if this thing's worn off yet?” Vaala pleaded. “I've had more than enough of Agents...” she commented as Wheeler pulled Bindi out and Fen jacked out as well to go check on her.

“Checking code now,” Jazz said. “Yep, I think I've got her signal.”

Vaala had never been so happy to hear Jazz say anything. The relief that began to wash over her was quickly replaced by pure fear as she heard alarms sounding in the background. “Yeah, I see her. S***! Deff, we got incoming!”

“We should definitely get out of here,” Harp3r advised.

“A noble idea,” Maeby agreed.

“Jesus Christ,” Vaala exclaimed. “I told Bindi that b**** was watching!” She was willing to take responsibility for her own actions, but if even one Trust member got so much as a tiny scratch, she'd kill Thorne with her bare hands.

“Ah, hell. Vaala, get over here,” Deffdog ordered. “Now. We need to jack out – Jazz says we got incoming.”

--Vaala, QuiDormit, RedBindi, Fenshire, Deffdog, Harp3r, Maeby