Fury Saga              by: Darkside

 

The Fury Directive

BOOK III. End Game.

o - o - o -

Rob Cole loved his job, although his friends thought he was utterly mad. He’d been patrolling the New York sewer network for the last ten years, and loved and knew every inch of it. Sure, the smell was hard to get used to, but when he was down here he felt as if he owned his own subterranean city. He was lord and master of the dark, cavernous world below. The rumble of subway trains occasionally interrupted the silence, but that was ok by him. Today he was in a little used section, near an old industrial park, It had been at least a year since he’d last been to this place, and he had to confess that this was not one of his favorite spots. Sure, it had the peace and quiet he liked but somehow the tall, narrow shaped tunnels did nothing for the eye.

Deciding to make the best of it, he relished in the solitude. Suddenly in the bright glare of his flashlight he caught a glimpse of something laying on the bank. His eyes couldn’t quite make out the shape so he walked nearer to it. He’d only walked about ten paces when he saw what it was. It was the body of man, dressed in a black coverall. The body was laying face up on the bank with the head and arms above the high water level of the sewer. Rob ran towards the body to investigate further, being careful enough with his footing as not to fall in. He shone his flashlight into the mans face but saw no signs of life. It took all his strength to drag the body from the sewage, but after a few moments it was clear. Rob put his hand on the guys neck, no pulse.

Rob was curious as to what killed this guy and scanned his flashlight down the length of its body. It didn’t take long to find five bloody spots and five holes in the guys chest, he’d clearly been shot multiple times. ‘Oh Man’ he thought, this was the last thing he wanted, the paperwork alone would take him weeks. Still, he knew what he had to do, and he removed his walkie-talkie and called it in. He knew from procedure that the cops should be here within a half hour.

o - o - o -

"Now what the fuck are we going to do?" Scott asked. The sense of depression and failure had got to everyone. Cathline sat in a corner, gently crying, Matthew was still sitting in front of the TV, and the Senator and the Vice President were trying to work thru scenario’s. For his part, Scott had no idea of how to visualise thirteen million deaths. His only thoughts were for Tina, now in hospital and fighting for her life. Every member of the group was dealing with the shock and loss in their own individual way.

Matthew was worried for Elizabeth, when the news of the Tel-Aviv attack broke she had become suicidal. How would she be feeling this time? Rightly or wrongly she was blaming herself for all those deaths. Matthew did what he usually did when he was hurting inside, he sought out those who were hurting more. He stood up, adjusted his slacks and blouse and went outside to find Elizabeth.

After enquiring a few times, he found her staring out of a window, looking out into the immaculate gardens. The sun was setting a deep blood red, as if the sky was being filled with the blood of the fallen. Standing a few feet behind Elizabeth stood a soldier, hand on pistol. She may have saved the Vice President’s life but she was still a wanted felon.

Elizabeth heard Matthew approach and turned to face him, her eyes were puffed with tears, and she looked at least twenty years older. She turned back to face the gardens, as if to say ‘I want to be alone’

Matthew ignored this, and put an arm around her slender waist, "Come on Elizabeth, we need you. It’s ok, nobody blames you for this."

Elizabeth spoke for the first time, her voice weak and tired, "I do. Fourteen million people are dead Matthew. All the pain and suffering I caused you, Kat, and the others was wasted, all for nothing, nothing at all. I may as well not have bothered. Please go. Although the Vice President has said that I won’t be arrested as long as I’m with him I’m going to turn myself in. Thank you for caring but it’s ok."

Matthew turned to go but then thought better of it, "Back at the hospital I promised I would stick with you. That promise still stands. You’re the last hope I have of seeing Kat again, and sorting this out. I need you Elizabeth."

"If only you’d have said those four words, seven years ago," Elizabeth replied.

"What has past is past. We must move on."

"Fourteen million people Matthew, how can I move on when so many are dead by my hands. I felt elation when I saved Tina’s life. It was as if I was clawing my way back to normality. Then that changeling started coming back to life and you know what?"

"What?" Matthew asked.

"I enjoyed killing it as much as I enjoyed saving Tina. As much as part of me treasures life and will do anything to save it, another takes equal pleasure in death. I hate that part of me, it’s the part of me that tells me to kill Kat, and all the rest, and make you submit to me. It’s always there, always watching and always waiting for its moment to seize control."

Matthew shook his head, "I don’t believe you. I believe that you’re a good person who did some evil things, but is now fighting the fight of her life to restore what she took away. Your story isn’t about fury, or revenge, it’s about redemption."

Elizabeth turned away from Matthew and whispered, "I thought so too, but what is there left to redeem? What action can I do to atone for so many lives lost, so many tears shed, and what deeds can I perform to wash the blood from my hands?"

Matthew was silent and the spoke, "Finish this. End what you started. Our goal is clear, we have to stop the war. It’s too late for Cairo and Tel-Aviv, but not Damascus, Jerusalem, or Riyadh. There are more lives to save, changelings to depose and a coup-de grace to deliver to the Guild. The final battle will be ours Elizabeth, and we need you to lead it. You want the world to remember you for something good, right? Finish this."

Elizabeth’s mind snapped back from her mood of despair. Matthew was right. For too long she been playing Miss goody two shoes. It was time to hit back, and hit hard. She clenched her fist and said, "You know what?"

"What?"

"Finish this right?"

Matthew nodded.

"Deal," Elizabeth said, and walked back to the room. A new purpose in her stride, it was time to take the initiative, and not stand around saying ‘woe is me’. Elizabeth thought back to the decisions she’d made recently. Although they were the correct ones she couldn’t help but think maybe she was playing a little too nice. Ideas and possibilities formed in her mind—if the Guild could bring forward their plans why couldn’t she?

When Matthew and Elizabeth walked back into the room the Vice President was on the phone, and the others were being as quiet at they could. Scott put a finger to his full lips as if to say ‘shhh’

"Yes Mr President, Emergency cabinet meeting in three hours. I’ll be there. You want me to inform the others?"

The Vice President nodded at the reply down the phone, "Yes Mr President, I’m fine. Goodbye."

They waited until the Vice President put the phone down before Elizabeth spoke, "What’s going on?"

The Vice President said, "The President’s called an emergency meeting in three hours. He wants to discuss our response to the attack, and how we move from here. I asked him for the full intelligence briefings leading up to the attack, and what’s happening now, but he states they’ve not been confirmed yet. I think he’s onto us."

"So now what do we do?" Cathline asked.

The senator was about to speak but Elizabeth interrupted, "We retake the initiative. While he’s got us on the back foot we’re always one step behind. These bastards are starting to piss me off. I’m pissed off at jumping when they want me to jump, pissed off at always having to clear up their fucking mess. I realise I’ve been too soft, too nice and you know what. It’s time this hell bitch bit back!"

The tone of Elizabeth’s voice sent a shiver down Matthew’s spine. It was the same tone she’d used during her revenge against them. It was as though the ‘evil Elizabeth’ had taken control again. Matthew just hoped Elizabeth knew who her enemies were, and who her friends were.

"How do we do that?" Scott asked, trying to ignore Elizabeth’s tone.

Trying to suppress the anger inside her Elizabeth said, "Mr Vice President, get this changeling test split into five samples and flown out to all affected countries. Send them direct to the security services under the pretence that they’re genetic materials taken from an Egyptian agent. That should ensure they’re left alone. Next give the NSA a prod, we need those disks decrypted ASAP. Get the changeling organ I ripped outta that changeling to the FBI, and get their top forensics guys onto it. We need a report in two hours. Senator?"

"Yes," the senator replied.

"I want you to work thru all the scenarios for stopping this war. I’ve an idea and I need to know if it’ll work. I’m sure the Vice President will give you access to anything you need. Cathline?"

"Yep,"

"Get me a dozen eggs, As many glucose energy bars you can find and some of your clothes."

"Why?"

Elizabeth shook her head, "I’ll explain later, right now we have to assume that the president will know about us and what we’re doing. Matthew?"

"Yes Elizabeth,"

"Wait here. We need you to keep an eye on the news and get the information from those disks to me."

"Where will you be?"

"You’ll know," Elizabeth said cryptically.

"What do you want me to do?" Scott asked.

"I want you to go to Tina. She needs you. Don’t worry, we can do without you for a day or so. Do what you have to do, and then meet me back at the hotel."

Scott sighed. As much as he wanted to help Elizabeth his thoughts were increasingly turning to Tina, "Thank you."

Elizabeth performed a mental checklist. Had she forgotten anything?

"Right, go. I want to talk to the Vice President alone."

The Vice President looked surprised, what did Dr Bexley want with him? Did he trust her enough to be alone with her? He reasoned that if she’d wanted him dead then she’d had ample opportunity, "Ok, what do you want?"

Elizabeth waited until the rest of the group had filed out, and sat down on the sofa. For his part the Vice President remained standing but moved nearer the door.

Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow and gave the Vice President a stunning smile, "I want to take your place at the emergency meeting."

"What! I thought you said that your changeling organ was useless."

"I don’t think it is anymore. This isn’t dye and my brown eyes aren’t contact lenses, Watch."

The Vice President looked on in amazement as Elizabeth’s hair turned blonde and her eyes slowly turned a deep blue, "Why didn’t you tell us this before?"

Elizabeth gave another smile, "Oops, must have slipped my mind.

Yesterday I could only change my hair and eye color and that was it. I’m now feeling much stronger. Not as much as I did when it was working 100%, but enough to know I can change forms two or three times. I won’t be able to do a full genetic match, only the outside appearances, face, body shape etc. It’s not much but it’s enough. I got thinking while I was looking out of your window. If my changeling organ was useless then how come I was still alive? It is as much of a part of me as my heart or lungs. It holds who I am together. Sure, it was badly damaged but it has the capability to repair itself, given enough time and rest."

This conversation was not turning out like the Vice President had imagined. It looked as though Dr Bexley was asking for him to trust her in the nations greatest hour of need since 1963. "Why should I trust you?"

Elizabeth gave another smile at the Vice President, "Because I saved your life. Because I’m the only person who can take on a changeling head to head and win. Besides, the dying wish of fourteen million people is in my soul, their cries for vengeance are on my lips and their blood is on my hands. I need to do this. I started it, and as Matthew told me, I must finish it."

"What do you plan to do then?"

Elizabeth told him and the Vice President laughed out loud. It had just the right ring of desperation about it, "Dr Bexley, do you seriously expect me to go along with that?"

"I don’t see what else we can do? I would have thought you’d enjoy the prospect of being President by the end of today."

"Not like this," the Vice President admitted.

"President Andrews is already dead. Killed by that bastard in the Whitehouse. You already ARE president, only the country doesn’t know it yet," Elizabeth explained.

The Vice President sighed. Dr Bexley was right. His friend was dead and that left him in his place. Of course he’d wanted to be president, but not this way, "You’re right. It’s time I started acting like one. We’ll go with your plan."

Elizabeth chose her moment carefully, "When this is over I want three things."

Here it comes the Vice President thought. The price, there’s always a price to pay, "Which are?"

As casually as she could muster Elizabeth said, "I want a full pardon. I can’t live my life as a fugitive, hated and despised by all. I want all charges against me dropped."

The Vice President had expected something like that, "Now wait a minute. You haven’t just knocked over a drug store and ran away with a few cigarettes. You’re responsible for the murder of eighteen people, kidnapping, and crimes against humanity. I can’t just wash over all that and let you go."

"Fine, you sort this mess out," Elizabeth stood up and turned to go.

The Vice President knew he was holding a poor hand. Dr Bexley could just switch forms and vanish, and nobody could ever find her again. She was asking for armistice so that her name would be cleared, not because she needed it. He thought for a few moments and then had an idea, "Ok I’ll pardon you on one condition."

"Which is?"

"You’re intelligent, work it out. After you’ve done that, tell me your decision," The Vice President said.

Elizabeth pretended to be shocked and outraged at the Vice President’s proposal. In reality she’d planned for it. It was a small price to pay for her freedom, "I agree. But only after you’ve done the other two things for me."

"Which are," The Vice President asked cautiously.

Elizabeth smiled. She was enjoying this. The first part of her agenda was working out just fine, "Second, I want full credit for stopping this. No ‘agents of the US government’ crap. I want my role in this made public. How else is my name going to be clear in the eyes of the people?"

The Vice President didn’t have a problem with that, "Done, Next,"

"Ok, lastly, on the disks that the NSA have there must be plans for one of my DNA systems. I know Hassan built several to manufacture the changeling organs and DNA warheads. I assume all of those have been destroyed. I want you to build me a new one."

"What!" the Vice President exclaimed.

"I want you to build me one. How else am I to turn Matthew back, restore Kat to her normal self, and put right everything I did. I can’t use my changeling organ to do it, so I have to use my machine. It’s ok, you can destroy it afterwards. Besides, if it’s done in secret who’ll know."

The Vice President’s raised his voice, "Now just a second. Cairo has been obliterated because Egypt supposedly defied the Fury Directive. I can’t take the risk that someone finds out. We’re talking about outlawed technology,"

Elizabeth had a counter for that one, "Ok fine. I’ll just mention to the press that it was you who refused to let Matthew and Jane Stephens return to their normal selves. That it was you who condemned Rachel Martin to wearing her eyepatch, left the cop who saved his life to a life as a paraplegic, and that it was you who let his best friend rot in a body that wasn’t his own."

The Vice President sighed. What Elizabeth was describing was the end of his career. Blackmail it may be but it was effective blackmail, "You really are a hell bitch aren’t you?"

Elizabeth gave a nod and flashed a stunning smile, "Yep. Now do I get my machine or not?"

Elizabeth’s tone and manner annoyed the Vice President. She was so damn arrogant. He sought a way to regain his authority with her and after a few moments it came to him, "You get your machine. BUT the very second you’ve done with it it’s destroyed, no questions, and no ‘just one more little thing please’. I’ll put trained observers there to watch your every move. One wrong move and the whole deal’s off, the pardon, the credit, everything. You betray me and I promise I’ll hand you over for dissection and study. Clear?"

Elizabeth was about to say, ‘If I betray you there’ll be nothing you can do about it’, but instead she decided to play meek and mild. She nodded slowly, as if giving in. She’d got what she wanted and made out as if she’d compromised. At the end of all this she’d have her freedom, her name would be cleared, AND she’d have access to her DNA system again. The final part of her plan was working out perfectly.

o - o - o -

The cop’s flashlight flickered over the body’s grime covered face. The cop peered down at the face and rubbed away some of the muck. A flash of recognition ran across his face, "Hey I’ve seen this guy before."

Rob asked, "Where?"

"On the news. Salman someone. He was supposed to have helped Rachel Martin escape. I’d guess that his friends caught up with him. Help me lift him up would you?"

Rob had to admit he hadn’t seen that news item, but he bent down and helped the cop manhandle Kat’s body from the sewer. She was put into a waiting black plastic bodybag and lifted to the surface.

A few minutes later Kat’s body was on it’s way to the county morgue. All hurry had now gone from the paramedic crew that had been waiting to give any assistance that could have been required.

o - o - o -

Elizabeth ran thru the plan with the Vice President once more. The more the Vice President thought about it, the more it seemed to have the hallmark of genius about it. They were interrupted a few moments later by the rest of the group returning. Cathline was the first in the room, carrying a bag full of groceries. Matthew and the Senator followed close behind.

"Here you go, God knows what you want them for," Cathline said handing the grocery bag to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth took the bag and placed it on a nearby table, "Thanks. Look, can you get someone to break the eggs and put them into a large glass or something. I’ll take the glucose bars now."

Removing the glucose bars Elizabeth handed the bag to Cathline who went outside to find someone to prepare the eggs. She returned a few minutes later to find a tense atmosphere, "What’s going on here?" she demanded.

Matthew turned to Cathline, as if wanting her to join in, "Elizabeth’s lied to us. Her changeling organ isn’t as damaged as she’d led us to believe."

"You Bitch! I trusted you!" Cathline snapped back. With Elizabeth now able to change forms anything was possible.

Elizabeth tried to placate the now fuming Cathline, "All I said was that I can change appearance, not actual genetic coding, that’s what all those glucose bars and eggs are for. I’m going to take the Vice President’s place at the meeting this evening. I’ll only LOOK like the VP. Inside I’ll still be Rachel Martin."

The senator turned to the Vice President and asked, "You agreed to this?"

The Vice President nodded, "I did. This is the only way to stop the changeling without a long winded impeachment process. I know it’s a big deal to trust HER, but in this case we have to. Besides, she knows that if she betrays us then she’s dead. I made that clear in our little conversation we had a few minutes ago."

Elizabeth caught the Vice President’s sideways glance and internally gave a sigh of relief. A potential devastating argument had been defused. The last thing she needed was to fight down a mutiny, "Look, before you all ask why didn’t I tell you. Well it’s easy. I only think this will work. If doesn’t, we’re well and truly fucked. I didn’t want to tell you in case it failed. All I ask is that you trust me just a little longer. If the Vice President of the United States is prepared to put his neck on the block for me then I’m sure you can."

"Ok, what is you want us to do?" Cathline said. She wasn’t sure about Elizabeth anymore, but so far Elizabeth had tried to do, or had done everything that was asked of her.

The phone ringing interrupted the conversation. The Vice President answered it and after a few "Ok do your best." Or "We need it ASAP, millions of lives depend on it," he put the phone down.

"Who was that?" the senator asked.

"That was the NSA. The encryption on the disks is stronger than they thought. They’ve had to scrap all the work their doing, and use up every bit of computer power they have. They estimate it’ll take three days to decipher it if they’re lucky. God knows how the Guild got hold of it but it’s in one of our strongest codes."

"That should make it easier to crack," Matthew commented.

"No. Unless we have the primary or private key it’s very, very difficult. Not even key escrow would help us here as it’s a military code and therefore exempt," the Vice President added.

"So now what do we do?" Cathline asked.

Elizabeth in a matter of fact way added, "Carry on as before. Once the Vice President here is President he can start the peace process up and slow things down enough until the disks are decoded."

There was a knock at the door. A maid arrived with a large jug full of raw eggs.

"Put it on there please, " the Vice President gestured to the table where the glucose bars still sat.

The maid left the room and Elizabeth walked over to the table and picked up the jug, "Yumm," she said and downed the whole jug in one.

"Ugghh, I don’t believe you just did that," Matthew said in disgust.

"If it saves lives then it’s worth it," Elizabeth commented and picked up several glucose bars.

One by one she ate them and she could feel her body start to glow in the rush of energy. She was now confident that she could mimic the Vice President and still have enough left over to deal with the changeling president.

The phone rang once more and the Vice President answered, "Ok, bring it over."

After putting the phone down the Vice President turned to the group and said, "Forensics have completed their report on the changeling organ. It’ll be over in an hour or so."

"That was quick," Elizabeth said.

"It’s not a through report but it’s enough to confirm what the thing does and a theory as to how it does it. To my mind it’s enough to convince the cabinet."

o - o - o -

Scott walked into the Intensive care unit of the hospital and was greeted by a young doctor, who on seeing Scott’s body gave it an appreciative glance. Scott was getting a little tired of all this male attention, and only had thoughts for Tina, "Hello I’m Detective Cox’s partner. Can you tell me how she is?"

The doctor paused for a moment, "wait here," and he walked off to find someone who could help the stunning blonde

A few minutes later the doctor returned with a older man, who once again gave Scott the once over.

The older doctor said "Miss."

"Harris," Scott replied.

"Oh yes, now I remember. One of the Vice President’s staff called ahead and said you were coming. Please follow me," the older doctor replied.

Scott followed the doctor into a side room and sat down.

The doctor sat down opposite him and started to speak, "This isn’t easy for me to say but I’m not going to lie to you. Detective Cox is gravely wounded. She would be dead by now if not for some stunning emergency surgery by doctor.."

Scott knew the doctor was fishing for a name and debated whether to tell him or not. He decided that caution was required, "I don’t know her name. She was just there at the time," he lied.

"Shame, we can always use a surgeon of that quality here. Anyway thanks to our mystery doctor Tina will live."

Scott breathed a sigh of relief. He then waited for the inevitable ‘but.’

Here it comes.

"BUT, she’s still in a coma. The signs are good that she’ll come out of it, but we can’t say when. As you may have been told, her spinal cord was shattered by the bullet’s impact. At this present moment in time there is no way to repair that level of spinal damage. I’m sorry, but as it stands it is extremely unlikely that Detective Cox will be able move or feel anything from the arms down. I wish it were better news."

Scott felt tears well up in his eyes. It should have been him that took the bullet. Tina was so young, she had her whole life in front of her, "Can I see her?"

"Sure, Follow me."

Scott was taken into a side room where Tina lay. Machine’s were hooked up to her arms, tubes were everywhere, and over Tina’s face was an oxygen mask.

"She’s on life support until she’s strong enough to breathe on her own.

How much she wants to live is down to her," the older doctor said.

Scott pulled over a chair and sat down. Taking hold of Tina’s hand, he started to cry. The doctor said nothing and walked out of the room.

o - o - o -

It was late when Kat’s body was finally placed on a slab in the morgue. The duty corner checked his watch. He didn’t really have time to do a thorough job of an autopsy, and the cops had said that there wasn’t really any hurry. Making sure the body was tagged up, he slid the body into the freezer, and started to scrub down. Whoever it was on the slab could wait. He had a hot date tonight and didn’t want to be late.

o - o - o -

Near the Israeli-Syrian border a column of tanks and troops rolled relentlessly towards Israeli soil. These were elements of the Egyptian 7^th, 11^th, and 12^th Mechanized Brigades, and 2^nd,3^rd and 8^th Tank Brigade, these had been further reinforced by the Syrian 9^th armored division, and the loan of 2 Republican Guard divisions from Iraq. In spite of the hostility between these nations in recent years they were united on one goal, the destruction of the aggressor, Israel.

Hundreds of tanks rolled across the flat, featureless desert while overhead combat aircraft flew Combat Air Patrol(CAP) missions, protecting the ground forces below. They had been expecting Israel to mount air strikes against the ground forces, to wear down the will and number of the invading forces, but so far no Israeli attacks had come. It was as if Israel had closed the matter after the attack. To the Arab nations, however, the matter was nowhere near closed.

Although command and control had been difficult to get right it had been agreed that whoever had the most forces in an area would command the whole. Of course, there was friction between rival commanders, but these had to be put aside. Their enemy would be well trained, well organized, and utterly ruthless. In order to prevail they would have to be the same.

An Israeli JSTARS aircraft flying deep inside Israeli territory noted the build up, and passed on the information to central command. As part of the ‘thank you’, America had given Israel for staying out of the Gulf war the new JSTARS(Joint Services Tactical Airborne Radar System) aircraft could pinpoint movement of ground forces from hundreds of miles away. Their strength, speed, and projected movements could all be tracked and information relayed directly to whatever units were best equipped to deal with the threat. It was as if Israel had a spy in the camp of every single brigade that was ranged against them. JSTARS would, in theory allow Israel to put its forces where they were needed the most. Having the right forces, in the right place, at the right time would go a long way to make up for the lack of numerical advantage.

At this moment, a squadron of twenty AH-64 Apache gunships were on standby, their hardpoints loaded with Hellfire Anti-Tank missiles and rockets. At another airbase, two squadrons of F16’s waited, their payloads pushed to the limit with cluster bombs, fuel-air explosives, and AGM-64 Maverick missiles. The Lavi squadrons, still buoyant from their success on the Cairo mission had rearmed, and were ready to provide air cover for the attack aircraft. The remainder of the Israeli airforce was in the air, preventing Arab Alliance aircraft from hurting the waiting strike force. At this moment in time there were a few air to air skirmishes, each side testing the ability of the other.

When the time was right, JSTARS would direct the strike force in a devastating mission that, if successful, would rip the heart out of the main armoured force closing on Israeli borders. Israel’s strategy was simple. Entice the enemy to a point of your choosing, a valley for example. Then, when the time was right hit them hard and hit them fast.

o - o - o -

The Vice President looked on in amazement, as Elizabeth’s body seemed to ripple and flow. Matthew had seen Elizabeth change shape a few times, and in each case it had seemed a fluid transition, as casual as combing your hair. This was different, Elizabeth’s brow was furrowed with concentration, and beads of sweat formed on her brow. Her body seemed to shake with the effort but inexorably the changes increased in speed.

After five minutes or so a duplicate copy of the Vice President stood before them, "Thank God for that," Elizabeth whispered in the Vice President’s voice.

The Vice President shook his head. In his mind he’d believed the whole changeling story but now, seeing a duplicate of himself standing before him rammed the point home. "How long can you stay like that?" he asked

Elizabeth shrugged, "Two or three hours, no more. I’m amazed I managed to do this much. Now I’ll need your pass and a spare suit. I’ve only got a half hour to get to the meeting."

o - o - o -

"Sorry I’m late Gentlemen," Elizabeth said, as she walked into the meeting room.

"That’s ok Jack. We were just waiting for coffee. Hope you’re feeling Ok. I hope I never go thru what you went thru," the president said.

Elizabeth sat down beside the president. This was the most crucial switch of her life. She had to convince the room that she was the Vice President, "Yeah, it was a nightmare. I’ve good reason to think that Dr Bexley and her cronies were involved in it as well. They came to my place, tricked their way in, and if it hadn’t been for a lucky shot from a soldier I’d be dead. Anyway the secret service overpowered them and they’re on their way to a holding facility for questioning."

"I didn’t hear about that bit," the president queried. He was a little suspicious of stories he couldn’t verify. Still, if all went well, by the end of this meeting the Vice President would be discredited, and so it wouldn’t matter if he was lying or not. For the sake of the others in the room he had to play it out, and forget that his cover may have been blown. After all, the Bexley Demon had no proof, her changeling organ was destroyed, and her followers weak and powerless. Even the mighty Salah now lay dead in a New York morgue.

"It’ll be on the news tonight, I guess. Down to work." Elizabeth said.

The changeling president cleared his throat, "You all know why you are here. A little over six hours ago, Israel launched a devastating nuclear attack on Cairo. This move was sanctioned by the United Nations and by myself. Egypt’s attempt on Jack’s life here could not go unpunished, so I recommended that the UN vote be brought forward. That much is history. What we are here to discuss are the options facing us in lieu of the inevitable Arab retaliation and war that will surely follow.

In your folders are satellite photographs of the Arab and Israeli build up. As you can see, each side is measuring response times, unit numbers and tactics. Like two boxers squaring up and testing each other out. CIA intelligence indicates that we have around twelve hours before the real shooting begins."

The Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) began, "Mr President, I recommend an immediate increase in status to DEFCON 3. We’re not obliged to do anything once we’re there but it sure as hell gives us more options."

Elizabeth intervened. She wasn’t up on global politics but she needed to continue the pretence, "I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. If we go to DEFCON 3 then Russia, China, hell, everybody will get even more jumpy. The last thing we want to get sucked into something we don’t want to."

The President nodded, "I agree. Thanks for the input, but let’s wait a while and see what pans out. My biggest concern is the offer of nuclear assistance from Pakistan. I can only assume they can ship a warhead out within the next couple of days. We cannot allow that to happen?"

"What do you suggest?" SECDEF queried.

"I think the USS Kittyhawke and Eisenhower are in the Indian Ocean. We’ve the Nimitz and Coral Sea in the Gulf. We’ll use the F14’s on them to make sure Pakistan stays away. We’ll employ a no fly zone around the whole Middle East if we have to. Pakistan has to be persuaded to stay out."

There was a stunned silence around the table. What the president had just described was dangerous at best and suicidal at worst. The way was wide open for America to get embroiled in a war with Pakistan and the other Arab nations. Only Elizabeth stayed silent. Her prediction of changeling instability was coming true. Slowly but surely the changeling sitting next to her was losing touch with reality. In a room full of gasoline fumes a match had just been struck. She was tempted to strike early, but this was too early. She needed more time.

SECDEF was the first to speak, "That’s a very dangerous strategy. What if the war goes on for months? We’ll have forces committed to a no fly zone and there’d be no excuse to pull out. It’d be political suicide."

"We could always stay out of it. Stress our neutrality, and wait and see what pans out," Elizabeth stated. She was enjoying this.

"What about our oil interests? We have to protect those" The Secretary of State asked.

Elizabeth nodded, "Agreed. But if we stay neutral we win either way. I’m not saying we let Israel be destroyed, but we don’t send in any troops. Sure, we help out, provide intelligence for example. The Soviets did a swell job of being neutral without being neutral in the Gulf War. Why don’t we do the same?"

The debate ebbed and flowed as the ‘hawks’ and ‘doves’ battled it out. Elizabeth was careful not to make reference to past meetings and so half an hour later Elizabeth checked her watch. Only five minutes to go. A knot formed in her stomach. For the first time since the start of the Guild war Elizabeth felt nervous. Around her the cabinet were discussing the topics at hand, unaware of the bombshell she was about to drop.

Elizabeth checked her watch once more, and then banged her fist on the oak table a number of times, and the room went quiet. Elizabeth stood up and stood behind the president. Mustering as much authority as she could she spoke, "Mr Speaker, members of the cabinet. I regret to inform you that we have been betrayed at the highest level."

"Sit down, man," the president said, his voice showing signs of unease.

"I will NOT sit down, I will NOT shut up. For too long I have remained silent and now fourteen million people are dead. I am here on behalf of the people of Tel-Aviv and Cairo, who no longer have a voice, whose cries were extinguished by the schemes of one man."

"Jack, what the fuck are you talking about," SECDEF demanded.

Ignoring the question Elizabeth continued, "That man’s name was Hassan," Elizabeth cast a glance at a now very rattled looking president. She continued, "You have heard by now of the Guild, an ancient order of Assassins who ruled the Middle East nearly a thousand years ago. This Hassan was the leader of the Guild, but his power was waning, his life was in danger. He needed a triumph, an act so stunning in it’s scope and execution that it would restore the Guild to the prominence it enjoyed so long ago."

The changeling president didn’t know what to do. The Vice President was laying the truth on the line but he didn’t have any proof did he? Just in case, he concentrated on his hand under the table. Slowly it formed into a sharp bone blade. If it came to it he would strike back and strike hard.

The room was silent apart from Elizabeth’s impassioned speech, "Hassan had obtained the plans for my, sorry Dr Bexley’s DNA system, and had built several examples. He used them to manufacture a DNA corruption chemical and devised a method of delivery. In studying the plans for the system he came across a prototype idea of Dr Bexley."

Elizabeth checked her watch, three minutes to go, "This idea was an organ that could manufacture the DNA altering drug according to the thought patterns of the owner. I’ll call it the changeling organ. Hassan knew that his plan depended on getting it working, so he sought out Dr Elizabeth Bexley and forced her to develop it. This she did, and soon Hassan was producing assassins capable of changing into anyone they chose. Dr Bexley knew Hassan had to be stopped, and her, and her allies caused a civil war within the Guild, eventually deposing of Hassan and his troops. It was Dr Bexley who released the Guild database to the world and thus would end the Guild’s thousand year reign of terror. She was, however too late to stop the execution of Hassan’s plan, namely the framing of Egypt by planting evidence there, and then the destruction of Tel-Aviv. Israel’s nuclear response was part of that plan, it would provoke a war that would surely see Israel fall."

One minute to go, "Hassan’s aim was that the destruction of Israel and Egypt would allow him to reassert the Guild control over the Middle East, just as it had a thousand years ago."

Times up, Elizabeth thought as the doors burst open, and to the cabinet’s amazement another Vice President, followed by some other people stood in the doorway.

"We have come to place President Andrews under arrest," the Vice President said, mustering all his outrage at the violation of his government.

SECDEF stared firstly at Elizabeth and then the Vice President. "On what charge?" he demanded.

"Genocide," Elizabeth hissed, and she started to concentrate. It was easier this time she thought as she felt her body melt and reform. In a matter of seconds Elizabeth in her Rachel Martin body stood before them.

"Who are you?" The changeling president demanded, his blade hand at the ready.

Elizabeth mustered all of her hatred, outrage anger and spat, "Who am I? I am Doctor Elizabeth Anne Bexley, daughter of William and Margaret Bexley. I am death incarnate, and the last living thing you are ever, ever going to see."

Just as Elizabeth had intended this provoked the changeling president into action. The weeks of instability of the changeling organ had already started to cloud the president’s judgement. With a movement too quick for anyone but Elizabeth to see he lunged his hand upwards towards Elizabeth’s throat.

Elizabeth saw the blow coming and swept the blow aside with a block. The changeling president had leapt out of his seat and was readying another assault. Elizabeth had hoped that the secret service would come to her aid, but in this she was disappointed. At this point in time the secret service had no idea who were the good guys were and who were the bad guys. All they knew was that the majority of the Andrews Administration was in mortal danger, and so they acted accordingly. In a few seconds reinforcements had arrived and the cabinet were hustled out of the room, while Elizabeth and the changeling president were covered at gunpoint.

"Arrest her," the changeling president demanded.

Unsure of their loyalties the secret services moved into grab Elizabeth. All they knew was that their president had given an order and that order must be obeyed.

"Wait look at his hand. Since when has the president had a hand like that?" Elizabeth stated.

"Like what?" the changeling president challenged, and held his now normal looking hand up to show the suspicious agents.

A feeling of dread slowly sank into Elizabeth. There was no way a version two changeling should be able to change that quickly. That meant only one thing, Hassan had stolen and produced a changeling organ with the same capabilities as hers had. That meant she was in deep shit. There was no way she could take on this changeling, one on one and win. A rough arm grabbed Elizabeth and went to pull her away, but somehow she managed to break free. Her superior reflexes had already anticipated the agents opening fire at her, and she had already rolled away in response.

"Leave her alone," a voice boomed from behind the agents. The Vice President, and the speaker had managed to barge their way back into the room.

This distracted the agents for a vital second and Elizabeth used that second well. Maybe she couldn’t out change or out fight the president, but her superior knowledge of biology, and of the changeling organ itself would even the score. As she leapt towards the president she felt her arm change into a serrated, double edged blade and in an instant she had driven it right thru the president’s chest, specifically right into her intended target, his changeling organ.

The president collapsed, blood spurting from a gaping wound in his chest, and Elizabeth waited for the inevitable bullets that were sure to follow. They didn’t come, somehow the Vice President and Speaker had put themselves in front of the agents, blocking their shot.

Elizabeth rested for a second or two. It wouldn’t take long for the president’s changeling organ to heal. Before she could even plan her next move the president was on his feet. Elizabeth was amazed and fearful at the rate in which he’d healed the wound. For their parts the onlookers were stunned, the president had just recovered from a near fatal wound in seconds. They saw a blur and Elizabeth clutched her arm, a large dart was sticking out of it, "Shoot it, Shoot it in the head!" Elizabeth screamed.

Too late, the changeling president’s skull reformed and a new layer of bone armor covered his skull. Elizabeth felt woozy, the dart had been poisoned in some way. She concentrated hard and identified the poison as the venom of the Taipan snake. Within seconds her changeling organ had manufactured the antidote, and she was feeling better, "Not bad," she commented.

By now the agents were convinced as to who the bad guy was. The Vice President moved out of the way allowing one of them a clear shot at the president’s head. The agent opened fire with two short rounds, and fully expected the president to drop like a stone. The bullets impacted on the president’s head but did no damage. Elizabeth took the opportunity to lunge at the president once more, she only had one chance at this. Her arm changed from blade to flesh once more and her index finger became solid bone with a serrated edge. The president blocked her lunge and flung her aside, gashing her right shoulder open with his blade hand. Elizabeth screamed in pain as she hit the floor. Elizabeth’s arm hung uselessly, that last attack had severed the ligaments in her shoulder. The arm was useless now, and she lacked the energy and capability to repair it. She needed everything she had in case the worst happened.

"For fucks sake kill it!" the Vice President screamed, and the agents opened fire at the president once more. To their amazement the bullets had no effect, and the president just turned and gave a wave at them.

Elizabeth stood on the other side of the room bleeding heavily from her shoulder and breathing hard. This wasn’t going to plan by a long way. Darkness beckoned her, unconsciousness seduced her, and she so wanted to close her eyes and be done with it. She closed her eyes for a moment, she had to, her body cried out for it. She opened them and froze as she felt the president’s blade hand against he throat.

"My name is Salman, and I am the last living thing you are ever, ever going to see," the changeling said with a triumphant smile, and pushed his blade hand into Elizabeth’s throat. Elizabeth gave a stifled scream and then her body went limp.

Salman stood up and held his bloodied hand blade aloft. He had killed Dr Bexley! Even Hassan couldn’t manage that. Ignoring the hail of bullets impacting his head and body, he went to walk out of the room. Suddenly pain wracked his body and he felt very, very weak. He stared down at his hands and they seemed to go softer, more supple. His vision blurred and in a few moments it all went black.

The Vice President looked on in amazement as the changeling president collapsed onto the ground screaming. Its body seemed to melt and flow, limbs became soft and flaccid, and then the body started to convulse. In a matter of moments the changeling’s body started to dissolve. A few seconds after that it was reduced to a sticky red fluid.

The Vice President ran over to Elizabeth’s limp body and saw the gaping bloody hole in her throat. Blood was pouring from it and from her shoulder—he was amazed that she was even still breathing, "Get me paramedics NOW!" he shouted.

Elizabeth managed to open her eyes and gave a wink. Her body started to convulse too and the president was afraid she was about to dissolve as well. Bloody foam and bile formed in her mouth, Elizabeth was now breathing hard. The paramedics were there within a minute but on looking at Elizabeth’s convulsing form they could do nothing. They tried to administer a sedative but somehow Elizabeth managed to knock it out of their hands. In the middle of a convulsion Elizabeth managed to rasp, "No, not seda.."

The paramedics were about to give another dose when the Vice President told them not to. Something told him that Elizabeth knew what she was doing. Elizabeth had stopped her frantic convulsions by now and was laying still. The paramedic’s looked on in stunned silence as Elizabeth’s gaping throat wound healed itself up in a matter of moments, and after a long bloody coughing fit Elizabeth managed to sit up.

"Are, are you all right?" the Vice President asked, still not believing what he’d just witnessed. Elizabeth was still bleeding heavily from her shoulder wound, and her right arm still looked all wrong, but amazingly she was still alive.

"I’ve had better days," she managed to say before passing out.

o - o - o -

"Come on miss, it’s time to go," the nurse shook Scott awake.

Scott groaned softly and checked his watch, it was nearly eleven pm. He had fallen asleep by Tina’s bedside, he must’ve been more tired than he thought. Groggily, he got up, and looked once more at Tina’s inert form. It was hard to believe that this young, vibrant and downright ‘pain in the ass’ woman would never walk again. Although she’d saved the life of the Vice President that would come as small comfort in the struggle ahead. One thing Scott did know, was that if anyone could rise above this and show that her life was still worth something Tina could "Any change?"

The nurse shook her head, "Sorry, nothing. You need some sleep, so does she. You can come back tomorrow."

"Thanks," Scott said, and with a last backwards glance left the ward. The nurse was right, he did feel tired. He debated whether to go back to hotel and wait for the others there, or to try and get back to the Vice President’s place. He decided that the hotel was the best option this late at night, and after hailing a cab was soon back in his hotel room.

Scott undressed and was soon in his bed. The still unfamiliar shapes and sensations bombarded his senses, and his thoughts once again turned to home and Rebecca. A thought struck him—for the first time since his escape, he was alone. What was it Dr Bexley had said, "Do what you have to do." When he’d first heard that he’d assumed that it meant ‘go look after Tina’ but now he thought about it, it meant something else as well. Dr Bexley was telling him, ‘Its ok, call your wife, she needs to know’. The thought warmed Scott’s heart, and yet he felt apprehension and even fear at the prospect of doing so. It was strange. While he was in the company of the group, his change didn’t seem to matter so much. Matthew was there and the Senator, being in the company of ‘transgendered’ men made him feel not so out of place. They were accepted as to who they really were, not what they had become. As soon as he stepped outside the group he felt vulnerable, as if everyone in a room would point and shout ‘freak!’ In one of their many chats Matthew had told him he felt the same way - sure, the feeling diminishes over time, but it never really goes away. Matthew had told him one thing, and that was, if Rebecca loved him then his transformation wouldn’t matter. Scott took a deep breath, picked up the hotel phone and made the call.

A sleepy voice answered the phone, "Hi, Rebecca Harris."

Scott paused for a few moments and struggled to hold back a tear.

There were times he thought he’d never hear that voice again.

"Hello?" Rebecca’s voiced queried.

Scott fought down his apprehension and said, "Rebecca you’re not going to believe this."

Rebecca interrupted "Who is this?"

Scott was losing control of the conversation, something he wasn’t prepared to do, "It’s me Scott."

"What kinda sick joke is this. Look, my husband’s dead, he disappeared when Rachel Martin was kidnapped. If you’re some sick reporter.."

Scott interrupted, "No I wasn’t. Becky, it’s me, Scott."

Rebecca remained silent on the phone for a few seconds, unsure of what to say and do next. She made her mind up and snapped, "Get lost sicko."

Scott managed to say, "Baltimore 1985" before Rebecca slammed the phone down. Scott decided it was too late in the evening to call again. He would try in the morning when Rebecca would be more awake.

In their apartment Rebecca Harris tried to ignore the phone call but, something about it disturbed her. She didn’t know for SURE that Scott was dead, only missing. The last thing that had been seen of him was walking into Rachel Martin’s apartment three months ago. Tina and Rachel Martin had managed to escape so where was Scott? She would have thought that Tina would have told her some news, but Tina had remained strangely silent too. She turned to face her’s and Scott’s wedding photograph, kissed her finger and placed it on Scott face. As long as there wasn’t a body there was always hope, hope was the only thing she had.

o - o - o -

In the hospital morgue John Cole was clearing up the remains of the day’s work. The duty coroner had left for the evening and only the ‘on call’ staff remained. The room was quiet and only the swish of the broom could be heard. John didn’t really enjoy sweeping and clearing up morgues but at least it paid the bills. Today had apparently been a busy day, a large pile up on the freeway had added a few more occupants to the freezers, and then a shooting had added a couple more. John stopped brushing for a moment, and walked over to his bag, flung onto a nearby table. He fished for his walkman, a reward for an hour’s solid cleaning and clipped it to his belt. He froze when he heard a loud ‘clank’ coming from one of the freezers.

It was all he could do not to faint as he saw a tall Arabic man, dressed in the corpse robe standing before him. The man’s hair was matted and unkempt and he looked like a train had just hit him. He spotted John Cole, rubbed his head and woozily said, "Where am I, What day is it?"

John could hardly speak, afraid of the apparition in front of him. It was all he could do to say, "County Morgue, Thursday."

A look of horror spread over the guy’s face, "Thursday? Oh no!"

John looked in horror as the ‘ghost’ started to walk towards him. It was all too much and he felt himself go light headed and crash to the floor.

Kat watched him faint with a sense of amusement. Where had he said she was, the County Morgue? She lifted up her robe and saw five small scars in her chest. They could only be one thing, bullet wounds. The guys in the factory must’ve heard her inside the pipe and shot her. She could only assume that she’d slid into the main sewer and been found there.

But how was it she was still alive? Elizabeth had told her that her changeling organ could heal one or even two fatal injuries without harming her, but that five was way beyond its capabilities. She decided she’d puzzle on that one later. What else was it he’d said. Thursday, Thursday was bad news. Thursday meant the Fury Directive vote had already been taken. Ignoring the aches and pains from every part of her body, Kat resolved to try and meet up with the rest of the group, and find out what the hell was going on. She glanced down at the still body of the cleaner and judged he and she were about the same size, give or take a few inches. It didn’t matter anyway—she only needed the clothes to get out of the hospital. Working as quickly as she could Kat changed into the cleaner’s coveralls and walked out of the hospital.

She had no money on her, and she didn’t want to involve the Guild as she had no idea if they had staged the hit—so it was a long walk back to her apartment. She didn’t have any keys either, but fortunately the night porter recognised her and let her in. She was tempted to put the TV on and catch up right away but she was so, so tired. It was all she could do to stagger to her bedroom and collapse into bed. Within a matter of moments she was fast asleep.

o - o - o -

Elizabeth’s unconscious body was wheeled into the Whitehouse’s infirmary and a team of surgeons instantly set to work stabilising her condition. The Vice President, now Acting President and the rest of his cabinet waited inside the meeting room for news.

"I don’t believe it. How could we have been taken in so easily," SECDEF complained.

"We all were. From what Dr Bexley told me the changelings had a whole training program all worked out. Until now the world’s never seen anything like it," the Acting President stated.

"So now what do we do?" The speaker of the house asked.

"That’s the million dollar question isn’t it. We don’t have enough proof to go to the outside world with this yet. But we’ll sure as hell give it a go. You’ve got the FBI reports on the changeling organs and heard my account of the testimonies but that isn’t enough to convince the Arab Alliance to stop shooting. The Israeli’s will honor a cease-fire, I’m sure but they will strike back to defend their borders. SECDEF your analysis," the Acting President stated.

"I think that’s correct. We can trust the Brits to believe what we say, especially since we’ve shipped the changeling test to them. The French will too, and maybe even the Russians if we dangle enough economic aid in front of them, but that’s going to take time. We really need those disks and now. As to what we do next I think the first thing is to inform the Israelis and Egyptians. They have to know," SECDEF stated.

There was a murmur of agreement from around the table.

The Secretary for Commerce (SECCOM) asked, "What’re we going to tell the nation. A President doesn’t just die and nobody know about it."

The Acting President knew what to say to this question. Dr Bexley had factored this into her plan and briefed him on it. It wouldn’t hurt to take a little credit for it though, "Here’s what we’re going to do. Firstly we inform Israel and Egypt of our discovery. Then we tell the world the truth, that the President is dead. The changelings in charge will know the full implications of this, and they’ll know we’re onto them."

SECCOM was puzzled, "And what will that achieve?"

The Acting President smiled, "It will cause the changelings in charge to be so diverted in all this that they won’t notice when we finally slip in the proof and take them down. They’ll be so wrapped up in finding out what we know, and in saving their own necks that they won’t notice us working behind the scenes to stop the war and then remove them. A smokescreen if you like."

SECDEF smiled, "Very good. I like it."

The Acting President smiled, "I knew you would."

o - o - o -

Inside the Whitehouse’s infirmary, chief surgeon Dr Beverly Adams was busily re-attaching Elizabeth’s severed ligaments. Elizabeth had lost a lot of blood, and was now on a ventilator to help her breathe. Although not in imminent danger, her patient’s lifesigns were showing a potentially fatal series of fluctuations. Sometimes they would be strong and healthy, the next almost flatline. She’d been told by the Acting President to treat her patient as if she were a senior member of the government. She also had to sign several forms that swore her to silence for next fifty years. Her patient looked, for all intents and purposes the same as Rachel Martin, but Rachel had recently lost an eye so it couldn’t be her. Before she could dwell on this any longer, a nurse came into the room clutching a series of X-rays. The nurse looked visibly shaken and gingerly handed the X-rays to her.

Dr Adams dismissed the nurse and switched on the lightboard. She scanned the photographs for a few moments, and then breathed, "Fucking hell, this isn’t right."

Her attention was distracted from the strange inhuman X-rays, her patient had just gone flatline once more.

o - o - o -

Matthew, Cathline, and the Senator sat in their hotel room. When the Vice President had left for the Whitehouse, they had been politely asked to leave. Besides, it was getting late. and all their stuff was back at the hotel. They sat in Cathline’s room drinking expensive coffee and waited for the phone to ring. The plan was that as soon as the situation allowed, Elizabeth would call and tell them what was going to happen next. That had been six hours ago.

"What’s keeping her?" Cathline queried.

"These things take time. It’s not every day you find out your head of state was a terrorist. I expect they’ve been called into account for their behaviour. Don’t worry, they’ll phone," the Senator comforted.

"It’s not them I’m worried about. It’s Kat. She should have called by now. What if the Guild found out who she really is?" Matthew’s voice sounded worried.

Cathline put her hand on Matthew’s, "We can’t do anything about Kat. Elizabeth was right. She can take care of herself, she’s dealt with the Guild for over a year now. I suspect she’s had to go off to Libya or something to get the evidence we need. We’ve done all we can, now it’s up to Elizabeth and the Vice President."

"Look guys, We need to rest, it’s been a hell of day. We’ll hear the phone ring, and if it doesn’t we’ll face it in the morning. We’re useless if we’re too tired to think straight," the Senator commented.

Matthew shrugged, "You’re right, let’s pick this up in the morning."

o - o - o -

The Acting President’s phone rang just as he was in the middle of preparing for calling the Israeli Prime Minister. He was told it was a Dr Adams on the phone.

"Mr President, you wanted to know how your mystery patient was doing as soon as I knew."

Being addressed, as ‘Mr President’ seemed strange, almost misplaced, the Acting President thought. Still, government continues. "How is she doing?"

Dr Adams sounded I little irate, "I wish I knew. Next time you send me a patient make it a human one. I’ve no idea what this woman is, but her biology is nothing like I’ve ever seen. I may as well be doing an Alien examination for all the good I can do her. My God, that’s it isn’t it?" the voice tailed off.

Although the Acting President understood the way Dr Adams felt he had to exert his authority, "Just treat her as best you can. Let her body deal with the wounds, you just keep her alive."

Dr Adams felt a little self-conscious. She’d just shot her mouth off to the Acting President of the United States, but she was annoyed, and that tended to make her say things she later regretted. She’d been like that since her Harvard days, and had earned the reputation of being a straight talking, take it or leave it kinda surgeon. That no-nonsense attitude had earned her a few enemies, but also a great deal of respect from her colleagues, "Who is she anyway? I gotta have name to call her."

"Jane Doe," the Acting President said, and put the phone down.

o - o - o -

 

Benjamin Dayan was still awake as dawn broke at 5am. It had been a long 36 hours since the nuclear attack on Cairo. He still couldn’t get out of his mind the awful and terrible scenes that he’d seen on television. He’d done that! He felt as though he had betrayed his entire country. He imagined the woman, who he’d asked in to gauge street level opinion, in tears at the thought of more lives lost. He’d failed her, the people of Tel-Aviv and his nation. The Americans, Russians, and British had all forced him into a corner. To choose either the certain destruction of his nation, and the people he cared about, or to kill millions and save his own people. Cairo was dead either way though, and he couldn’t help but think he’d chosen poorly.

The generals were relishing the coming war, and the attack plans were all set. As soon as the opposing forces were at the ambush point, the combined might of the Israeli ground and airforces would hit them. Thanks to the American’s JSTAR technology his generals could see every move their opponents were making and plan for it. For his part the Prime Minster just wanted an end to it, an end to the bloodshed. His bedside phone ringing interrupted his thoughts, "Prime Minister Dayan here."

An American voice was on the other end, the Prime Minister had expected it to be the president, but this voice was very different. He’d heard it somewhere before but he couldn’t place it, "Who am I talking to?"

"Prime Minister, this is Acting President of the United States Jack Roberts," the Acting President let that sink in for a few moments.

"Acting President? What happened to President Andrews?"

Here goes, thought the Acting President, "President Andrews is dead.

As Vice President it’s my duty to follow in his footsteps."

"I’m sorry. He was great man," the Prime Minister didn’t agree with that statement, but it was the correct thing to say in the circumstances.

The Acting President’s voice was sombre, "Prime Minister. It is my sad duty to inform you, that we have all been deceived. Specifically you have been tricked into launching the attack on Cairo. Egypt never had anything to do with the genetic warhead attack on Tel-Aviv."

The Prime Minister remained silent. Tricked? Egypt was innocent after all. A sick feeling sank into his stomach, "What do you mean tricked?"

Still sombre voiced the Acting President said, "An organization called the Guild managed to obtain a Bexley DNA system. With it they manufactured the DNA warheads used on Tel-Aviv, planted one of their systems in an Egyptian airbase, and developed an organ which allows the user to change forms into whoever they want. The President Andrews you’ve been speaking to was a Guild agent. Further more, we believe the leaders of Britain, France, Russia, and maybe China are also Guild infiltrators. This information only came to light today, and one of my operatives managed to kill the Guild agent before they could escape."

What was the acting US president saying? That his country had been the victim of an elaborate ploy, that the Guild, and not Egypt had destroyed Tel-Aviv? He’d heard of the Guild in his Mossad briefings, but nowhere did it say that they had that kind of capabilities. This opened up a whole new can of worms, "You have proof of this?"

"We have an FBI report on a changeling organ taken from their backup agent. and numerous testimonies of those involved in trying to stop this.

We’ve also managed to come across some information captured from a Guild stronghold. As soon as the NSA decrypt it we’ll be in a better position to tell the world,"

"That’s all you have?" The Prime Minister stated.

The Acting President had expected that reply, "We have the changeling organ in stasis, you’re welcome to send as many experts as you wish to examine it. All I’m asking for is a little time until we have the whole picture,"

The Prime Minister was still in shock. He had ordered the death of millions for nothing. It had all been a deception, "Why did the Guild do this? Why kill so many?"

The Acting President’s voice became sombre once more, "For power, influence, and to save their leader’s neck. By attacking Tel-Aviv, they knew you would use a nuclear response on whoever had done it. Egypt fitted the bill in two ways, firstly, it was an Arab nation and so the other Arab nations would band together to try and destroy you, and secondly, Egypt had been the home of the Sultan who’d come close to destroying the Guild eight hundred years ago. By wiping out Israel, the Guild would be in a far stronger position to run things in the Middle East, their position of power restored, their leader would redeem his failure at the hands of the infamous Dr Bexley."

The Prime Minister was outraged, "Fourteen million dead just to satisfy some thousand year old grudge. Where is this Guild leader now?"

"Dead, him. and his cronies were taken down in a civil war, organized by the same Dr Bexley. The rest of the Guild is on the run, their power broken, and only the four remaining changelings are left," The Acting President said. There that gave Dr Bexley some of the credit.

"I hope he died well. If all the details check out, what do you want from me?"

The Acting President read this as saying, ‘Fuck, we’ve killed millions by mistake, how in hell do we get out of this?’. He said none of this of course and replied, "I want you to call an immediate cease-fire. Order your forces to stand down. I’m going to set up a summit in Geneva in two days, I want you to be there."

The Prime Minister gave a sigh of relief. Maybe there was light at the end of the tunnel after all, a way out of further bloodshed, and a way for Israel to redeem its self, "I will be there. But if we stand down, the Arab Alliance will see that as a sign of weakness, they’ll slaughter our forces on the ground, and we’ll be defenceless. I will order a cease-fire on the condition that no Arab unit crosses over our borders. Should they do so we will retaliate with maximum force."

The Acting President had expected this, "We have two full carrier groups in the Gulf, another two in the Med, and another will be there in three days, add to this our still considerable presence in Europe. Be assured that if anything violates the cease-fire they will not live to report back. We will use extreme measures if required. The United States refuses to allow this situation to escalate any further."

The Prime Minister took the implied threat with good grace. Whoever broke the cease-fire would have the combined might of four carrier groups and whatever US forces were stationed in Europe thrown at them, "We will comply, if and only if, the Arab Alliance agree."

"I will ensure that they do. Good night Prime Minister," the Acting President said, and there was a click as the phone was put down.

The Prime Minister was in deep thought. How could he have been led into this trap so easily? Why hadn’t his intelligence sources found this earlier? As far as cease-fires went he was a soft touch. Israel was in grave danger and a war would prove disastrous.

That went better than expected, the Acting President thought as he placed the phone down. The next call would be far tougher. Dr Bexley had offered a way to force their hand, and his advisors agreed that it was the way most likely to succeed, but also the most dangerous path. They didn’t have the time to ‘play nice’ as Dr Bexley had called it. The only phrase that suited what he was about to do was ‘gunboat’ diplomacy. The only difference was that the gunboats would be nuclear powered aircraft carriers. Taking a deep breath, he called the King of Saudi-Arabia. If anyone was going to be agreeable to a cease-fire it was him. Not only was he the most open to US suggestions—he was also the provider of the majority of the money required for the coming war.

"You Majesty, I wish to talk with you about your proposed retaliation against Israel,"

"Why are you the Acting President? What has happened to President Andrews?" the king replied.

"President Andrews is dead. The victim of a cruel and cunning plot to overthrow Israel, Egypt, and destabilise the entire Middle East. I believe that your rule would be threatened if this plot is allowed to succeed."

"Who has plotted against us?"

Good the Acting President thought. It is ‘us’ rather than ‘we’, "An organization called the Guild. Their leader attacked Tel-Aviv with Genetic weapons and provoked Israel to strike at an innocent Egypt."

The king remained calm. He had heard of the Guild, it had been mentioned to him in hushed tones. It was not wise to offend them, "What proof do you have of this. I was told that President Andrews forced the vote to go Israel’s way. Some of the blood of those killed is on your hands."

The Acting President knew he must tread carefully, "President Andrews was assassinated by the Guild some months ago. The Guild had developed an organ that allowed the user to change into anyone they wanted. These Guild agents infiltrated our government, and those of the other permanent UN members. They forced the vote to go the way in which they wanted. Israel’s attack was a terrible mistake. The Guild agent forced them to attack by threatening to leave them defenceless against you. The Israeli leader HAD NO CHOICE. We have obtained one of these’ changeling organs’ and have preserved it. You may send whatever experts you wish to examine it. Further proof is on its way but will not reach us for at least two more days."

The king thought for a few moments. Was this a trick by the Americans to save Israel, or was there some truth in it, as fantastic as it seemed. Arab blood had been shed and that blood needed to be avenged. "What do you suggest?"

"Order your forces to stop and not proceed any further. I have a promise from Israel that it will not attack so long as you do not cross their borders. I have set up a summit in Geneva in two days. I have a solution to all this," the Acting President said. In all fairness, it was Dr Bexley’s solution but it needed the stamp of authority on it.

The kings voice was cold and unfeeling, his threats no longer implied. "I cannot do that. You offer me no evidence at all except that of some piece of flesh you have acquired. The people of Cairo demand blood, the Arab people demand blood, and blood is what they shall have. Israel has struck out at an innocent nation and must pay the price for its aggression. I do not care if it was tricked or not, the fact is, is that it used nuclear weapons on a civilian population. It must pay for its mistakes."

The Acting President gave a small sigh. He had hoped it would not come to this but it was inevitable it would. In his sternest and most sincere voice he said, "In that case your majesty I have to inform you in three hours I will give the order to target each capital city in your alliance with a nuclear tipped cruise missile. Should any of your forces violate Israeli territory or open fire on any Israeli target then these missiles will, I repeat will be launched. I refuse to stand by while millions more die because of a mistake. I will not have world war three start because some terrorist leader decides he wants to take over the Middle East. It’s my fondest hope, and sincerest prayer that I do not have to order those missiles to fire, but I will if I have to. Don’t feel victimised. I’ve just made the same threat to Israel."

The king was furious, "You cannot do that. We are a sovereign nation. We will not standby while we are threatened in this way. If you do this then your streets will run red with American blood."

"Threaten all you want. You now have two hours fifty eight minutes. I will hear from you after that time," the Acting President put the phone down. He’d just played the highest stakes poker game in his life. If the Arab alliance called his bluff he would be left with no choice but to carry out his threat.

o - o - o -

Kat woke up, still aching all over. She checked the bedside clock, it was 9:30am. She’d been asleep for over ten hours and felt as though she could sleep for ten more. She lay in bed contemplating what miracle had allowed her to survive five bullet wounds to the chest. She knew the changeling organ was the reason but by all accounts it should have been unable to cope. Maybe that’s why she took nearly three days to recover, the changeling organ was working flat out to repair the damage. That word triggered off a disturbing memory. What was it Elizabeth had said, ‘ I still can turn her back to her original form as long as she doesn’t go getting shot many more times.’ Oh shit. She may be alive, but what were the long-term effects going to be? She’d only put up with this Salah body because it was temporary. What if, thanks to being shot she couldn’t turn back, or even worse the changeling organ had started to malfunction. Elizabeth had said something about that too, ‘Once again if it’s used too much then there’s a major risk of genetic damage, maybe psychological damage too, all kinds of instabilities. I just don’t know.’ Kat felt sick inside. Thanks to Elizabeth she’d beaten cancer once. What if she had to face it all over again? The memories of the pain, despair and worry a year, or so ago came flooding back. Kat took a deep sigh; she’d face that if and when it came to it. There was nothing she could do about it right now, and only Elizabeth could tell the true state of affairs. Groggily she swung her legs over the bed and walked into the lounge area. She fumbled for the TV controls and switched to CNN world. A reporter was sat at a desk and a computer graphic of fighter planes swooping into a city shape, seconds later sixteen concentric circles rippled out from all points of the city. Kat felt as though she’d been kicked in the gut. She hoped that this didn’t mean what she though it meant. The graphic faded out and was replaced by another reporter standing in a bleak desert landscape. He was wearing a camouflage flak jacket, and he was standing behind what looked like a tank or armored personnel carrier. The reporter then started to speak, "I’m standing here with the Egyptian 12^th Mechanized brigade somewhere in the Syrian Desert. They’ve camped down for the day, and overhead I can hear a continuous roar of fighters patrolling the skies overhead. I’ve been speaking to some of the soldiers here, asking them what the destruction of Cairo means to them."

Kat nearly threw up but restrained herself. She looked back at the TV screen to see a soldier dressed in camouflage talking to the camera. An interpreter provided the translation. "My wife and family were in Cairo when it was hit. I was on manoeuvres near our borders. I heard the planes fly past and I hoped they were ours. I weeped for hours when I was told the news. I do not understand why Israel would do this. We are a peaceful people and have done nothing."

Another soldier replaced the first. Kat didn’t need the interpreter but unconsciously she listened to him all the same, "I was due to go home on leave this weekend. I hadn’t even had chance to see my new born son born four days ago." The soldier looked resolute but Kat could see the tears behind the mask of courage. The soldier continued, "Why did they do this to us? We grieved for those killed in Tel-Aviv, and we know we have done nothing to deserve this."

The picture flicked back to the reporter who continued, "These men’s stories are repeated a thousand fold across the country. Loved ones lost, incinerated in that horrible nuclear fire. Satellite sweeps show that fires are still raging over most of the city, and that very few structures have survived. Fortunately there has been some rain over Cairo which has had the effect of damping down some of the smaller fires, and reducing the extent of the fall out. The main worry is that the radioactive dust will sink into the ground and pollute the ground water supply, and even more dangerous than that, is if that the Nile itself has become dangerously radioactive. If that is the case the entire Nile delta downstream from Cairo could suffer from the effects radiation poisoning for years to come. The Red Cross has already been flying in Iodine and other anti-radiation treatments to those areas, although it will be many days before the radioactivity dies down enough to get aid closer to the Cairo city limits."

Kat could keep in her grief no longer. An utter sense of failure hit gripped her stomach and wouldn’t let go. Try as she might she couldn’t help but think of those poor soldiers’ families, going about their everyday work until the nuclear fire took them. On reflection they were the lucky ones. Hundreds of thousands more would be affected by the toxic fallout and radioactive Nile. They would suffer years of leukaemia, birth defects, and other forms of cancer. She remembered her time in Cairo with Matthew before she was taken from it. A bustling city full of life, of busy markets, street entertainers, and sitting proud above most of the city the Pyramids and Sphinx, a testament to 4000 years of civilization. All of that was gone wiped away in the blink of an eye.

All of a sudden a voice over said, "I’m sorry we cut live to the Whitehouse for an immediate broadcast."

This brought Kat back from her thoughts. The scene changed to a man sitting behind a long ornate desk in the oval office. Wait a minute, he isn’t President Andrews. That’s Vice President Roberts. Kat thought. She noticed the flags behind him were at half-mast.

The man paused for a second, as if choosing what to say, and then in a solemn voice started to speak, "My fellow Americans, Ladies, and Gentlemen I have grave news for you. President Andrews died this evening during an emergency government meeting. We have not yet determined the true cause and circumstances of death, only that it was quick, sudden and painless. As was my constitutional responsibility, and in the presence of the Cabinet I have been sworn in as President. I hereby promise you, my fellow Americans, as I have sworn to God in the oath I took, that I will faithfully uphold the responsibilities and duties of that high office."

Kat’s thoughts raced. The president was dead, replaced by the Vice President. That meant only one thing. Elizabeth had taken out the Guild changeling. She listened intently as the president continued, "It is my sad duty as Vice President to take over his administration and to lead our country thru this difficult time. Many of you will be aware that President Andrews served his country for over forty years, having distinguished himself in Vietnam. He then moved into politics, where he became governor of Kansas, and then took up his role as that state’s senator. He took office a little over two years ago when President Gates stood down. I have had the honor to serve with him both in war and in peace. He was one of the few people I had the privilege to call ‘friend’ and I will miss him dearly."

The president paused, as if letting the news sink in. Kat noticed his subtle body language. ‘That’s not all’ she thought.

Kat was correct the President continued, "It was President Andrews dying wish that the conflict arising over the attacks on Tel-Aviv, and Cairo be resolved peacefully, and without further bloodshed. I have spent many hours on the telephone to the Israeli and Arab Alliance leaders trying to convince them to stand down. After negotiations broke down I have had no choice but to force them to reconsider a peaceful alternative. Four hours ago I gave both sides an ultimatum. If they did not give me the assurance of a cease-fire within three hours, I would order the targeting of their capital cities with cruise missiles armed with a twenty kiloton nuclear warhead. If any nation then attacked the other, I would launch those missiles at their cities. I have to regretfully inform you that that deadline has now passed. I have no such assurances from the Arab Alliance, that they will not open fire on Israeli forces."

Kat took a deep breath. This was it, the world stood on the abyss and was staring down into darkness. She only prayed that those in charge would see sense.

The president continued, "I have been forced to take these extreme measures in order to preserve the stability of the region. It was not a decision I took quickly or lightly, and it is my sincerest prayer that those leaders involved will act in the best interests of us all. Be in no doubt however, that my resolve is steadfast and my heart firm. I ask you all to follow the example of my predecessor and stand against the darkness, no matter what form it takes. Therefore, may God go with us in all the dark places where we must walk. God bless you, and God Bless America."

Kat’s eyes opened wide at the last phrase. Elizabeth, that phrase could only have come from Elizabeth. But what could it mean? Kat thought furiously for a minute or so, ignoring the speculation from the news crew on the TV. "Got it!" she said out loud. That was a message to her from Elizabeth. It was saying, ‘Don’t worry I’m here and I’ve persuaded the president to believe us. Come and join me wherever you are, I need you.’

Kat switched the TV off and stood up. She’d grab some breakfast on the run and there was no time to waste. She had some evidence to collect, who knows, it could pull the world back from the precipice of war.

o - o - o -

Rebecca Harris was still asleep when the phone rang. She gave a wide yawn and picked it up "Hi, Rebecca Harris here."

A dulcet female voice on the other end said, "Wait, Becky don’t hang up this time."

Rebecca groaned inwardly. Why wouldn’t his woman leave her alone? She was too sleepy to argue, at least she could hear her out and then have done with it, "Go on."

A strained, emotional voice replied, "Becky, I know I sound different, nuts I AM different, but you have to believe me. I’m really Scott. I was captured by the Guild and turned into, well you can hear that bit. I’m sorry I’ve not phoned you before, but I’ve been helping Tina, Rachel Martin, Matthew Stephens, and the others stop this war. This is the first chance I’ve had to call. Becky I love you, I missed you so much. Please don’t hang up."

Rebecca didn’t know what to say. The voice WAS different but it was so like Scott to put others before his own needs. "How do I know it’s you? How could they have done this to you?"

On the other end of the phone Scott read the question for what it was. Is it really you? Are you really a woman? How can we be together if you’re like that? Rebecca didn’t need to voice those feelings. Scott tried to think of a way to let her know that he still loved her, "Becky, you must have played out our last meal together over and over again. You’d brought a new nightdress to try out, and cooked me my favorite. The last thing you said to me was ‘Love You’ I turned to you and said. ‘Me too’."

There was a sob from the other end of the phone, "Scott is that really you?"

Scott gave a sigh, "I’m afraid it really is. Listen, I’m in Washington. You have to come here. Don’t worry, we can work this thru. My feelings for you haven’t changed, even though my body has."

Rebecca tried to fight back tears, "Can’t you come here. I need to see you for myself."

Scott’s voiced dropped in tone, "I’m sorry hun I can’t. It’s Tina, she’s been badly wounded. I have to stay with her."

Rebecca’s heart sank, "Is she ok?"

Scott replied, "Not really. She’s out of danger but she’s in a coma. She was shot saving the President. The bullet shattered her spine just below the shoulder blades. When she comes out of this she’ll be paralysed from the arms down. I feel so, so helpless here. I miss you, please come."

Rebecca lifted the phone away from her ear. So much to take in, her husband alive but in a body that was not his own. The ramifications of that still hadn’t sunk in yet. His partner Tina, seriously wounded and paralysed. She had to see him, even if she hadn’t yet worked everything thru. "Don’t worry I’ll be there on the next plane."

"Thank you. I’ll be there holding your name tag. Don’t worry, we WILL work this out. Remember I love you," A relived Scott breathed and placed the phone down.

o - o - o -

Kat stumbled into her apartment, her arms laden with boxes containing several videocassettes. Just as the Guild agent had promised they’d been delivered to the locker at JFK airport, and it had been a simple if nerve wracking task to retrieve them.

Kat sat down on her sofa and put the first video in the player. She flicked past snippets of conversation from various Guild agents. The scenes switched from camera to camera. It was all boring stuff, who was doing what, where they were going next. After two or three hours of this Kat was getting bored and increasingly irritated. She needed evidence! Where was it? She began muttering as her impatience mounted!

She’d viewed maybe a dozen tapes when suddenly one scene leapt out of the screen. A tall man with blonde hair was bent over a woman with long Auburn hair. He was thrusting himself into this woman’s anus, a look of pure vicious pleasure all over his face. The woman’s face was crying out in pain, but still the man pumped himself into her. Kat grabbed for the pause button just as the woman’s head lifted up. A cry escaped from her mouth as she saw a familiar face, Matthew. Of course it was Matthew! She’d known it was him since she first saw the scene, BUT she had so wanted it to be someone else. Who was the blonde man though? Kat studied him a moment, and the full horror dawned on her. She was looking at a copy of Matthew, before he’d been turned into Elizabeth’s clone. Only one person could possibly be this fake Matthew, Elizabeth! It could be no one else! Here it was however, on screen, and for the entire world to see if they wanted to, Elizabeth’s betrayal.

A feeling of pure fury coursed thru Kat’s veins. She had been betrayed, Elizabeth had broken her promise and not only had she fucked her husband she’d taken his virginity away in one of the most humiliating ways she could think of. There was no sign of love in that paused still frame, only raw unleashed aggression. She let the video play on and she stifled back a tear when she saw Matthew collapse onto the floor. Elizabeth had, had the sound switched off but she could see Matthew look up at Elizabeth and scream. Elizabeth stood impassively over him, her face an emotionless mask. A few seconds later it changed and she moved in to comfort Matthew, gently tousling his hair and stroking him. This went on for a few minutes and then they started making love once more. Kat couldn’t bear to watch as Elizabeth then fucked Matthew time and time again.

Kat ejected the video in disgust. The other tapes would have to wait. She needed to see Elizabeth NOW. Her head hurt and she felt woozy and her thoughts became muddied. She shook her head a few times and the feeling passed. She then felt almost euphoric, and then the feelings of hate and real betrayal returned. Feelings of anger so powerful she could hardly contain it coursed thru her veins, and she formulated a plan. Elizabeth would pay and pay dearly for this. She picked up the phone and dialled a Washington number.

"This is Salah. I want you to meet me at the Washington Holiday Inn, in twelve hours. Get two of your best agents and make sure they’re armed with the heaviest calibre weapons you can find. Oh, and make sure they don’t speak any English. I don’t want them eavesdropping on my conversation."

"May I ask the nature of the mission?" the voice asked.

"Assassination," Kat replied bitterly

o - o - o -

The telephone by Matthew’s bed rang and Matthew was jolted awake, "Yes?"

"Miss Stephens. I’ve been informed that a car is waiting to collect you and your friends," Matthew assumed the voice must be one of the hotel staff.

"Ok. Tell them we’ll be down in a few minutes," Matthew said, and put the phone down.

Matthew went to wake the Senator but found that both he and Cathline had been awake for sometime. They were in the middle of a complex debate as Matthew walked in. The Senator turned to Matthew, his eyes alight with excitement, "She did it! Elizabeth’s taken down the changeling president. Jack’s in charge now. We’ve just seen his broadcast. I’ve gotta say it looks grim though. The Arabs haven’t responded to his request for a cease-fire yet. I suspect that they’re testing to see if he means what he says."

"That would explain the car waiting for us," Matthew said.

"Car?" Cathline queried.

"Yeah reception called. ‘Our friends’ have sent a car for us. It’s waiting by the front door. Come on, we ought to go and find out what’s really going on."

It took about an hour for the car to make its way thru the early morning traffic, until all of a sudden the traffic vanished. Although Matthew wasn’t surprised when the car drew up alongside a security checkpoint outside the Whitehouse, he was a little overawed.

The driver flashed a security card and the car was let thru the armored gates. Within moments they were inside of an underground car lot, and met by waiting secret service agents. After a rigorous check and passing thru innumerable checkpoints they were let into an ornately decorated waiting room and told to wait.

"Now what?" Cathline asked the Senator.

"We wait here until we’re sent for. I’m not familiar with this room, I never had to wait around. Jack shouldn’t be long. I would have thought Dr Bexley would have met us though."

"Yeah that’s what concerns me," Matthew said.

"So I guess we just wait," Cathline said.

"Yep," the senator answered.

o - o - o -

Three Egyptian F16’s took off from a remote airbase, their hardpoints fully loaded with laser guided bombs and sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The flight leader, Captain Ashraf Muthammed checked his ‘six’ and noticed with satisfaction that his two comrades were in perfect formation behind him.

He dropped to below 200 feet and increased the throttle. His two wingmen did the same, and they performed a graceful turn towards Israeli airspace. Their mission was unusual one but a vital one nonetheless. Guile as well as brute force would win the coming war. This mission counted as guile. He checked the GPS transceiver hastily built in the cockpit—its accuracy would be critical for this mission. One false move would lead to certain destruction. It took half an hour to reach his first waypoint, and checking that his threat displays were clear he climbed to 600 feet.

In a circling Israeli Boeing AWACS aircraft three blips lit up like lamps in the darkness. The sophisticated onboard systems quickly judged height, speed, and even aircraft type. This information was relayed to the nearest airbase where six of the precious Lavi fighters were scrambled to intercept. Although forbidden to cross Egyptian airspace the Lavi’s would ensure that the three bandits would never reach their targets. The AWACS commander was puzzled, these aircraft were making no attempt to evade, no attempt to use the terrain to mask their radar signatures, it was almost as though they wanted to be seen.

Captain Muthammed smiled to himself. His airspeed had increased to nearly Mach one, and he knew that the Israeli’s had by now seen their signature. He checked his weapon systems and ensured that the safety’s on all the missiles were off. He checked his position, he was now less than five minutes away from the Israeli border. By now his radar showed six inbound aircraft. Probably those damned Lavi’s that had torn apart much of the Egyptian airforce during those horrific raids. It didn’t matter, soon they would get their revenge.

The lead Lavi pilot received his instructions. As soon as the enemy aircraft crossed a single metre into Israeli airspace his orders were to open fire. He armed a pair of AMRAAM missiles and waited for the enemy to invade.

Captain Muthammed’s GPS bleeped. He had less than 20 seconds to go. He radioed to the other wingmen to ensure they were all on the same time. Checking his clock once more he began a countdown, out loud so the others could hear it, "Five, Four Three, Two One BREAK, BREAK BREAK!"

He slammed his F16 into a tight turn, and braced himself for the loss of consciousness that was sure to come from such a turn. His body felt heavy, as if he’d suddenly become infinitely heavy. In reality his body now weighed eight times its normal amount, and that forced the blood away from his head and into his legs. His specially designed G suit helped alleviate this but it didn’t stop him from almost blacking out. At the last second he straightened out and the agonising weight mercifully went away. He checked behind him to check that his wingmen had made it, and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw two other planes had come into view. Nervously he checked his GPS system, he’d turned away a scant 15 metres from the Israeli borders.

The Lavi pilot’s finger moved away from the fire button as he saw the Target’s retreat at high speed. He had been a matter of moments away from launching his missiles. If he had have done then the consequences would have been terrible. He would have fired first and that would have given the Arab Alliance all the excuse they needed to force America into its promised cruise missile strike.

Captain Muthammed congratulated his pilots on a job well done. The Israeli’s may have resisted the temptation to fire this time but more of these style raids were planned throughout the day. At random intervals a small flight of fighters would take off and fly right up to the Israeli border before veering away. Sooner or later, an Israeli pilot was going to make a mistake and when they did America would be forced to launch its counter strike at any country that initiated combat against the other. It was, he realised like poking a bee’s nest with a stick until the bees got mad.

o - o - o -

A small woman, powerdressed in a pastel mauve suit. entered the room where Matthew, Cathline, and the Senator were waiting. She looked around for a few moments and then said, "The President will see you now."

"That God for that, we’ve been here two hours," Matthew complained.

They were led thru corridors laden with history and memories.

Matthew had seen them on various news items but this was real life. They were escorted into the oval office where President Jack Roberts sat in a large blue leather chair. He beckoned for them to sit down and started to talk, "Thanks for coming guys and thanks for all you’ve done so far. You’ll no doubt have sussed that since it’s me sitting here and not a changeling, that we managed to kill it. Well Dr Bexley did. Let me fill you in."

The president then related the details of Elizabeth’s epic struggle with the Guild Changeling.

"Can we see her?" Matthew asked.

The president nodded, "Yeah, she should be awake by now. The doctors gave up trying to heal her and just let her body get on with it. I’ll get someone to take you there in a few moments."

The senator asked the question that was everybody’s lips, "Jack that’s one hell of a risky strategy, holding both sides at gunpoint like that. Also the other Guild changelings will know that we know about them. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them try and move against you."

The president nodded his agreement, "You don’t have to tell me that. It looks as though the Arab Alliance is trying to provoke Israel into striking first by flying full armed fighters right up to their borders and then turning away. They reason, quite correctly that sooner or later somebody is going to shoot at them. The Israeli’s can’t afford to pull back in case these mock attacks turn into a real one."

The senator looked worried, "If they do shoot down an Arab aircraft would you order the attack?"

The president sighed, "I’ve no idea. I’m loath to kill millions because of a single incident, but then where does the line stop? The fighters would then start turning away just inside Israeli airspace until, before I knew it they were attacking Israeli targets. I know what they’re trying to do, but we’ve been painted into a corner. As to the Guild changeling’s they’ve already started threatening trade wars with us and sanctions unless we stand-down. They can’t move against us militarily, but they’re sure as hell making things as difficult as possible politically."

"As you would them," Matthew commented out loud.

The President nodded his agreement, "Yeah I would. I have however just got off the phone from the Arab Alliance. They’re willing to talk so long as Israel honors the cease-fire. If you ask me, the only reason why they’re doing it is so that when one of their aircraft is shot down they can appear all righteous, and they can then pull out of the cease-fire with a clean conscience. ‘We didn’t break our word, those Israeli dogs did’. Still at least they’ll be at the negotiating table in Geneva in two days."

"That at least is something," Cathline remarked.

"I only wish the NSA would hurry up and get those disks decrypted.

We really need what’s on those disks," the president commented.

"How are we going to persuade the other countries to depose their changelings. From your account of Elizabeth’s struggle with the changeling president I’d be surprised if the other countries can take them out," Matthew asked.

The President nodded, "A valid question. The security services of each of the countries have been informed. When they come to take them down they’ll be armed with high calibre weapons with armor piecing rounds. The reason why we couldn’t kill the changeling was that the bullets our agents were using were for soft targets, not armored ones. You’ve missed a hell of a lot of work by the CIA and other agencies to persuade the other governments of the truth. That changeling organ Dr Bexley cut out of my bodyguard has been prodded and investigated more times than I care to mention. We’ve kept this mission purely within the intelligence community, so as to try and minimize the chances of any changeling finding out about it. When we give the signal they’ll all be taken out at the same time, a sniper on a roof top, bodyguard going amok, a close government member, a bomb in a phone, anything.

I’ve been amazed, and quite worried at the devious ways we have at killing people. Of course, the real reason will be hidden until after the summit but then afterwards we’ll tell all. For a few days at least a lot of world leaders are going to be ill or whatever excuse the government makes,"

"It must have taken a lot of work to persuade those governments," the senator commented.

"More than you’ll ever realise. But we did it! As I mentioned before, they sent representatives to examine the changeling organ, saw video footage of Elizabeth’s fight with the Guild changeling, and then examined X-rays of Elizabeth. We’d flown the changeling organ test over a while back if you remember, and they persuaded their leaders to take a random blood test. Of course the changeling’s didn’t know about the test so they didn’t fight it. As Elizabeth expected, they’re too involved trying to find out how much we know about them, and how to stop us getting involved in the coming war. That’s what the broadcast to the nation was really all about. It set up a diversion to give us time to set up a trap for them," the president gave a smile.

Matthew was about to say something but was interrupted by the president’s phone ringing. The president picked it up and after a quick, "OK," put it down.

"It seems Dr Bexley has nearly woken up. I haven’t had chance to thank her properly. I suspect she’d like to see you too."

o - o - o -

Elizabeth opened her eyes. Her head hurt like hell and the light in the room seemed unbearably bright. She tried to move her right arm and felt the resistance of cloth, a sling no doubt. She made out a white blurred shape near her bed and deduced it must be a doctor "Where am I?" she said groggily.

The shape turned to her and said, "Earth."

Elizabeth’s vision cleared a little and she saw that she was in some kind of medical facility. Tubes were inserted into her arms and she noticed that she was connected to a lot of sophisticated equipment. The doctors face looked strangely familiar. It’d been at least ten years since she’d been at Harvard with her. Sure, her face had a few more lines around it, but Elizabeth was sure she recognised her. What WAS her name? Beverly somebody. That was it, Beverly Adams. The Earth comment stuck in Elizabeth’s mind, Beverly must’ve examined her and thought she was an Alien! A wicked thought crossed Elizabeth’s mind, "Earth! The last thing I remember was bailing out, where’s my ship? What have you done with my ship?"

"I knew it! It’s ok, I mean you no harm," Dr Adams said softly.

Before Elizabeth could reply the infirmary door opened and the president walked in, closely followed by the Senator, Cathline and Matthew.

"Elizabeth are you ok?" Matthew asked.

"Elizabeth!" Dr Adams exclaimed. Her mind raced, the woman who just walked in looked a lot like her old college rival, Elizabeth Bexley. That must mean the woman was Matthew Stephens. Before she had time to speculate any more the president had started to speak.

Although he’d been keen to preserve security until the operation to take down the Guild changelings had been set up, the president saw no reason to withhold the mysterious patients name any longer, "Dr Adams. I’d like you to meet our very special guest, and a woman this country owes a great deal to. May I present Dr Elizabeth Bexley. Dr Bexley meet..."

"Dr Beverley Adams. It’s been a while, what ten years?" Elizabeth interrupted.

"YOU!. What the hell are you doing here?" Dr Adams said suspiciously.

"What still haven’t forgiven me for taking Andrew away from you at the graduates ball? That was a long time ago. A lot has passed since then, nice work on my arm by the way. My body will heal it in a couple of days, but it’ll be nice to be able to use it until then, thanks."

"My pleasure," Dr Adams said thru gritted teeth.

Ignoring the obvious bad blood between Dr Bexley and Dr Adams Matthew asked, "How is she?"

Dr Adams shrugged, "I’ve no idea why you’d want to be concerned with HER welfare after all she did to you, but I think she’ll be fine. Elizabeth you’ve obviously messed with your body in ways that’ll take me years to understand let alone treat. Why don’t you tell us?"

Elizabeth smiled. It felt good to get one over on her old rival once more, "I’m fine Matthew. The changeling organ did it’s best. I know it’s still working of sorts but not enough to repair my shoulder. I’ll have to put up with this sling until then. Otherwise I’m back to full health. Mr President how goes our plans?"

The president smiled, "As expected. The traps are baited, and they just await the triggers. Will you be well enough to fly out to Geneva with me."

"Good. Cathline, I hope you brought that change of clothes for me, my old set has blood all over them."

"Dr Adams, would you mind leaving us for a few moments," the president asked.

"Sure, you obviously don’t need me anymore." Dr Adams said crossly and walked out.

"What’s up with her?" Matthew asked.

"A long story. We were long time rivals. When she first turned up at Harvard she thought she was the best student ever. She comes from a long line of doctors, and she was fully expecting to be top of every class."

"Until you came along?" Cathline queried.

"Yeah. No matter how hard she studied, how many hours she worked, she could never match my scores. I took it as a challenge to try and beat her as best I could. In some ways she made me work harder. It all came to a head after graduation. She was at the ball with her fiancee, Andrew somebody. Anyway he got a little drunk and started to hit on me. I was a little drunk too, and we started to kiss. Beverly turns up, catches us in the act and boom, she flies off the handle at me and storms off. Andrew rushes after her trying to explain everything and that was the last I heard of her until now."

"She’ll get over it," Matthew stated.

"I guess," Elizabeth said

The president looked at Elizabeth in puzzlement, "Dr Bexley, One thing puzzles me. The changeling President dissolved right after he thought he killed you. What happened?"

"As soon as I noticed the changeling’s hand had changed almost right away I deduced he must have a near copy of my changeling organ. In my weakened state I knew I was no match for him physically, so I had to outthink him. I knew I had only one shot to kill him so when I stabbed his changeling organ my hand-blade secreted a chemical that fooled his changeling organ into thinking it was being tampered with. Each time he used it, it produced more of the ‘poison’ until, eventually it reached a critical point and triggered the anti-tamper mechanism. The most effective poisons are ones the victim doesn’t know he has. If the changeling had noticed that I’d poisoned him he would have produced an antidote. The changeling thought the stab wound was aimed at killing him by brute force, so he countered for it, little knowing I’d poisoned him. Simple really."

"If you say so," Matthew commented. The deviousness and cunning of Elizabeth never ceased to amaze him.

"Cathline, Would you mind going and getting my clothes. I’m fed up being all wired up like this. Mr president, I’ll meet you in the Oval office in, say half an hour," Elizabeth asked.

"Ok, I’ll send Dr Adams back in and see you soon," the President said and indicated for the others to leave.

A few seconds later Dr Adams entered the room again and started to remove the tubes from Elizabeth’s arms.

"Ow, that hurt!" Elizabeth complained as Dr Adams sharply removed the clip from Elizabeth’s wrist.

"Sorry," Dr Adams replied unconvincingly.

Elizabeth sighed, "No matter where I go and what I do there’s always someone who’s got a grudge against me. I don’t know what you’re still pissed at me for. You’ve done very well for yourself. You deserve it. You worked a lot harder than I did and now you’re reaping the rewards for it. We all reap what we sow. I’m just trying to put right my mistakes as best I can. I’m sorry about Andrew, I was young and lonely -- hell you know my side of it. Why don’t we just forget about it? Thanks for saving me."

"It’s my duty, not that you’d know much about that," Dr Adams snapped.

"Touche. Look, you’ve nearly done. I’m sorry we never got on, just a personality clash I guess. Congratulations on being chief surgeon by the way."

Before Dr Adams could reply there was a knock and Cathline walked in with a bag.

"Just leave it on the floor," Elizabeth said, and swung her long perfect legs off the bed and onto the floor. Elizabeth tried to stand but had to steady herself on the bed. Just as she was about to fall Cathline rushed over and helped her stand.

Elizabeth turned to Cathline and said, "Thanks. I guess I must be weaker than I thought."

Dr Adams looked at Cathline now supporting Elizabeth. If this was the same Rachel Martin whose husband had been killed at Elizabeth’s bequest then why was she helping her? ,"Rachel, why are you helping HER?"

Cathline smiled, "It’s all about forgiveness and redemption. It’s a very long story. Whatever you have against Elizabeth, put it behind you."

Dr Adams looked thoughtful, "Elizabeth, just to let you know Andrew caught up with me, told me how sorry he was, and said that it was all your fault. I eventually forgave him but it was a long painful road. We’ve been married for seven years, and have two wonderful children."

"Then why are you mad at me?" Elizabeth asked.

"Because of you, I know my husband could be led astray, he could be pulled away from me by a pretty face. Even now I’m not sure if I fully trust him. You did that, you planted the seeds of mistrust between us, and it’s hovered over us ever since, soured our good times and poisoned the bad. It was as if he’d had an affair with you and I resent you for that."

Elizabeth was about to clarify the issue, to prove to Dr Adams that she was innocent, but thought better of it. For the sake of Dr Adam’s marriage, the truth would have to remain buried for a while longer, "Sorry is all I can say. The fact that Andrew has stood by you in all this shows how much he loves you. Look, I haven’t got time to sort this out with you but trust me, He loves you."

Cathline whispered to Elizabeth, "The President’s waiting."

Elizabeth wanted out of this conversation. She had enough past to deal with without bringing more up, "I know. Look, Beverly we all have regrets and ‘should have done’s’. I’m sorry we never got on but then you can’t get along with everyone. It’s ok Cathline. I can stand now."

Elizabeth teetered her way to the spare set of clothes and in a matter of moments had put them on. She was about to leave when Beverly held out her hand, "Good Luck Elizabeth."

Elizabeth shook it firmly, "and you." And escorted by Cathline walked out.

o - o - o -

Scott stood nervously at the airport domestic arrivals corridor. He was dressed in jeans and T-shirt, and he’d tied his long hair back into a ponytail. The last thing he wanted was to emphasise his womanly curves and features. The announcement that Rebecca’s flight had landed came out over the loudspeaker, and butterflies formed in Scott’s smooth stomach. He knew he had at least twenty minutes to wait before Rebecca came out from the tunnel, but it didn’t stop him being nervous. He fiddled with the section of white card that read ‘Rebecca Harris’ he was holding and settled down to wait.

He checked his watch, fifteen minutes had dragged by. This meeting would determine whether his marriage would survive what had been done to him or if he was destined to live alone. He looked down at the bumps his breasts made in his T-shirt, what would Rebecca think of them? Further down he knew there was nothing there but a fleshy mound, and warm, moist slit. Uncertainty filled his mind once more, how would she react?

Scott didn’t have to wait too long, as five minutes later he noticed Rebecca pulling her suitcase behind her. She was looking furtively around her, unsure as for who, or even what sex to look for. The knot in Scott’s stomach grew tighter as Rebecca walked closer. He held his piece of card higher, aware that it was covering the shapes his breasts made.

Rebecca Harris looked along the line of people waiting for people on her flight. She immediately saw that Scott wasn’t in the line up and that worried her. She had hoped that somehow Scott’s voice had been damaged in his kidnapping and that he was all right. The fact that Scott wasn’t standing in the line meant that something was more fundamentally wrong that a voice injury.

She slowly made her way along the corridor, and out of the corner of her eye noticed a tall blonde woman wearing tight jeans and T-Shirt. The woman was holding a piece of white card with the name ‘Rebecca Harris on it’. Suddenly, her head felt light and she felt herself falling.

Scott rushed towards his wife, and caught her just as she was about to hit the ground. A few people turned to help, but Scott had managed to walk the still faint Rebecca over to a nearby bench. He quickly retrieved her luggage, and asked a still concerned passer by if they could possibly get some coffee.

o - o - o -

Still supported by Cathline, Elizabeth walked into the Oval office. The president was sitting at his desk, the others on chairs in the corner. The president’s cabinet was in the room as well, and a fierce debate was going on.

"What’s going on?" Elizabeth asked.

"I’ve just told my cabinet that I want you to negotiate the peace treaty in Geneva," The president said.

Elizabeth was amazed, that wasn’t in the plan, "What? Hang on a minute, I’m not qualified for that. Why can’t you send someone else? So if the world blows up the survivors can blame me, is that it?"

The president shook his head, "Not at all. You wanted your name in lights, here’s your chance. Nobody knows the full situation as well as you do. I’ve seen and read your eloquent speeches, you have a razor sharp mind, and an unnatural sense of cunning. I believe that you are the best person for the job. Sure we’ll take the usual set of advisors and diplomats but I want you to be the spokesperson."

"Fine I’ll go. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning, I suggest you go and get some rest. You’ll need it. I’ve arranged for you to stay in diplomatic quarters here."

Elizabeth raised a surprised eyebrow, it was a real honor to stay over at the Whitehouse. "Thanks. Look, I need to get some air. I’ve been trapped in here for over a day now. I’ll go and get our stuff from the hotel. Besides, I need to see if Kat has turned up yet. I’ll meet the rest of you guys back here in a couple of hours"

The president nodded his agreement and picked up the phone, "Alice, get Dr Bexley a level one pass and a car to her hotel would you?"

o - o - o -

The changeling British Prime Minister was worried. The Americans must know that their president wasn’t who they thought he was by now. They were also interfering with the situation in the Middle East. Did they know of the Guild plans? What moves, if any had they made against him and the other Changelings. He realized he was in a difficult situation—although he could condemn the American’s actions he couldn’t actually DO anything about it. The need to maintain his cover was paramount and his prime order. He couldn’t really talk to the other changelings either as both he and they always had advisors, recorders listening in on the conversations. Asking them to leave or shut off the machines too many times raised suspicions. When he was first trained he had pointed out that this communication black out was the most vulnerable part of the plan. Now his fears were being realised. Each changeling was effectively on his own.

There was a knock at the door and a smartly dressed civil servant walked in. "Sorry to interrupt you Prime Minister but you have a change of engagement the day after tomorrow. You’ve been asked to open a school in Newcastle, a great PR opportunity. Kissing children and telling the world that the British education system is the envy of the world and all that."

"Thank you Sir James. Tell them I’ll be there," the Prime Minster said.

Sir James Hacker walked out of the room, his blood had run cold at the thought of talking to ‘the enemy’, as he now saw the changeling sitting in that office. He just hoped MI5 knew what they were doing.

o - o - o -

Rebecca slowly came around and found herself looking into the blue eyes of a young woman. The woman was holding her hand and looking very concerned. A flash of relief flickered across the woman’s face as she realised that her care was awake.

"Rebecca? Are you ok?"

Rebecca still couldn’t take it in. Her mind wouldn’t think straight, and all she could manage to say was "Scott?"

The woman nodded, "Yeah, I’m sorry. I never meant for this to happen."

Rebecca felt her world collapse around her, "How’d it happen?" was all she could think to say.

"Later. I’m booked into a hotel. We’ll talk there," Scott said. This was going about as well as he expected. Rebecca was clearly in a state of shock. His police training taught him that the next phase would be denial and then after a lot of soul searching, acceptance. He stood up, and helped his wife to stand up and after collecting her luggage they caught a cab to their hotel. During the journey Rebecca said nothing to Scott, but Scott caught her glancing at his breasts and ass, as if hoping they weren’t real.

o - o - o -

The car dropped Elizabeth off at her hotel and she asked it to wait, this wouldn’t take long. After catching the elevator to her suite she opened the door and switched on the light. That’s strange, it doesn’t work, she thought. Before she could explain further a rough hand grabbed her and smashed her head against the wall. Elizabeth tried to fight back but in her weakened state she could do nothing. Elizabeth doubled up in pain as a series of blows struck her in the stomach and she almost fell over. A heavy blow smashed into her chin and it was all she could do not to collapse onto the floor. She managed to catch a glimpse of her attacker and saw to her horror that it was Salah, no make that Kat!

Kat slammed Elizabeth’s head against the wall, stunning Elizabeth momentarily. Kat reached into her belt and pulled out a slender Guild assassin’s knife and pressed it right again