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Initiative	By : wright99 Category: BtVS AU/AR > FemmeSlash - Female/Female Views: 9187 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer (BtVS), nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Disclaimer: same as before Joss owns all ther will be F/F and M/F sex and violence

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Initiative, Part 9

-1-

" Well, I suppose it could have been worse, " Ethan Rayne comments to himself. He looks down at his robe and smiles ruefully.
He has to admit to himself that being caught in flagrante delicto with Anne and Xander after their little spell� hadn't exactly been in his plans. I must learn to get in, cause chaos, and get out. It's the staying after to gloat� and other pleasures, that always seems to trip me up. Well, at least I managed to effect an escape. He sighs. But running around Sunnydale au naturel at 2 in the morning doesn�t exactly boost one's ego. Fortunately I was able to appropriate this robe. Even if it does itch� He wriggles in the garment, reaching around to scratch. Sitting back in the limousine, he contemplates the night's activities as the car leaves Sunnydale on the journey to his fortified estate some hours away from Sunnydale.
It's well that I had the foresight to install that little hidey-hole in Sunnydale. Otherwise I'd be in the tender clutches of Dr. Marguerite Walsh right now � I can only imagine what she'd do with me. Ethan shudders. His expression becomes grim. " She got Anne," he mutters to himself bitterly.
This wasn't good news on many levels. Anne was special to him, his first and best simulatoid. He'd created her in the image of his dead wife, programming her with many of his wife's personality traits. Leaving out those pesky little items like conscience and morality. She was perfect, absolutely perfect. Now I'm sure that Maggie will put her on the scrap heap. Ah, well.
More worrisome was what Dr. Walsh might learn from Anne; she'd been privy to many of the plans of Ethan Rayne. Hopefully, the security protocols I put in place on Anne's programming will prevent any access to sensitive materials. But if not� well, there are other ways to deal with the situation. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
The night, despite the loss of Anne and his new lieutenant, Xander, wasn't a total loss. The spell had led to some interesting consequences. Dr. Walsh will be rather busy trying to explain the chaos in her little project. If my agents on the committee have done their job, this might put the last coffin nail in Project Moreau. A tight smile graces his face. Indeed, Dr. Walsh might be looking for a new job very soon indeed. Now, wouldn't that be interesting�
Ethan is jarred out of his thoughts as the limousine suddenly swerves , braking hard and fast. He is nearly thrown into the glass partition in front of him. He knocks on the glass.
" What is going on , Jackson?" Ethan queries, visibly irritated.
" Sorry sir. There's someone in road ahead, wandering around. I had to brake suddenly to avoid hitting her�"
" Her?"
" Yes, sir. A young woman, dressed in a rather strange costume. Must be for Halloween. She seems rather lost."
" A costume? Hmmm� " Ethan Rayne lowers his window and looks out.

Cordelia Chase stands staring at the limousine, her cocked to the side. Daddy? No, he wouldn't know where I am. Heck, I don't know where the hell I am. How'd I get here, anyway? Last thing I remember I was at the Fraternity party on UC Sunnydale. Well, this sucks beyond sucking. Things like this? Just don't happen to me. I'm� I'm� uhhh� who am I again? Ok, this is stupid. I know who I am� and I know I'm important. I'm� she blinks her eyes, from the glare. Ok, well, I'm important. And I want to go home, now. Uh� where would that be? Ok, get a grip. She looks down at her costume. Ok, why the garb? What, am I some kind of geek or something? Playing like dungeons and dragons? Shit, this isn't so much good�

She seems rather familiar. I've seen her before� but where? Ethan thinks to himself. Ethan quickly searches his mind, trying to place her. It suddenly comes to him. Of course, at the high school. I saw her with Xander before I saw Giles in the library. This must be the redoubtable Ms. Chase. One of Marguerite's creations. Ethan gives her an appraising glance. I must say Dr. Walsh does remarkable work. I can see Xander's attraction. Now, what would she be doing all the way out here? Isn't this interesting?
Ethan quickly sees that an opportunity has literally been put on his path. So, perhaps Dr. Walsh doesn't hold all the cards, after all. Maybe I've my own bargaining chip. He steps out of the car, walking up to his driver.
" Jackson, let me have your taser, please." He holds out his hand to receive the weapon.
Jackson hands over the device.
" Oh, and Jackson?"
" Sir?"
" Call Mrs. Jackson at the estate. Tell her we'll be having company. Have her make up the guest room."
" Yes, sir."
Ethan, placing the taser in his robe pocket, walks over to the rather bewildered Cordelia. He puts on his best concerned face.
" Miss? Are you quite alright? You seem to be �"
"� lost, yeah. " Cordelia, brows knitted, replies, " I don't seem to remember how I got here." She looks around, " where is here, anyway?"
" Well, you're on the highway outside of Sunnydale. Do you live there?"
Cordelia looks at him strangely. She backs off a step. " What do you want?"
" My dear young lady, I don't ' want ' anything. I happened to be traveling home, when my driver nearly hit you. I wanted to be sure you're alright, is all."
" I'm fine," Cordelia says doubtfully. She glances at him a little more closely. " What's with the Hugh Hefner?"
" I'm sorry?"
" Well�" She gestures at the robe
" Ah, yes. Well, that's an amusing story, actually. I was at a party, and some friends of mine decided to play a trick on me�" He pretends embarrassment, " � no need for details. I just found myself rather � unclothed and out of the house, you might say. Fortunately my driver Jackson was standing by with � this."
" Uh-huh, " Cordelia replied, not believing a world of it. Mrs. � yeah, anyway, my mother didn't have any morons that lived� I don't think� . " Well, er� whoever, I'm fine, so you can get back in the limo and be on your way now."
" Are you sure, Miss? I don't feel easy leaving you out here to your own devices�"
" I'll be fine, Pops. I'll just be walking home, now, " As soon as I remember where that is.
" Miss�?"
" Smith."
" Absolutely. Miss Smith, I really don't think it's safe out on the roads at night. I just live a little ways up the road. Why don't you get in my limousine, and I'll take you there. You can call someone to pick you up, if you wish."
Cordelia just stares at him.
" I assure you, I'm harmless."
" Yes, that's what all the better serial killers say�"
" Of course, I haven't introduced myself. How thoughtless. My name is Ethan Rayne."
" Yes, well� so?"
" Of Rayne International�"
Cordelia's eyes widen. Even in her confused state, she is well aware of Rayne International. Possibly the richest conglomerate on the planet. Her internal calculator starts running.
" You're rich?" She smiles, embarrassed. " Well, of course you are."
" Some might say that, " Ethan replies, " but then, can one ever have enough money? Or power?"
She peers at him carefully. " I don't seem to recognize you!"
" Well, I'm not one for the spotlight. I let my companies speak for themselves."
" Hmmm, " Cordelia replies suspiciously, " Well, it's been nice chatting, but I think I'll just be going now." She takes a few steps away from him.
Ethan, seeing the fish wiggling off the hook, slips his hand into his pocket, taking hold of the taser.
Cordelia stops, her hand going to her head. She seems unsteady on her feet.
" Don't feel so good, " She complains, mostly to herself, " feel so confused and dizzy, and need �."
" � to rest, of course, " Ethan has come up to her, steadying her. " Please, Miss�er.. Smith, I can't allow you to just wander out here. I � my conscience wouldn't allow me. "
Cordelia looks longingly at the limousine. " Well, I guess� I mean�" she wavers, " � I could call someone. From your place� and I'm so � tired�"
" Of course, my dear� of course!" Ethan starts to guide her back to his waiting limousine.
Ethan holds the door for her. She stops, and looks at him.
" You won't hurt me, will you?" She asks almost with child-like trust.
" How could anyone hurt someone as charming as yourself?" Ethan smiles winningly.
Cordelia, still feeling somewhat suspicious, but too tired and too confused to really put up a fight, gets into the limousine.
Ethan walks around to his side, a knowing look on his face. Well, Maggie. Seems round one is a draw.
Let's see how the rest of the game plays out, shall we?

-2-

Marguerite Walsh paces back and forth in her office. She's too upset to sit.
Things are beginning to fall apart around her, and she is not a happy camper. After the events of last night, she's desperately trying to keep a lid on leaks. She's worried if this gets back to the select committee, it might be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Ten years work, flushed. This can't be happening. Oh, but it's happening, Maggie. And all because of Anne and Ethan. How fair is that? Ruining my life's work� for their little games. Her eyes narrow. If I could get my hands on them, I'd choke the life�
Her thoughts are interrupted by the intercom on her desk.
" Yes?" She barks.
" Lt. Commander Riley on the line, Dr. Walsh."
" Thank you, Bernadine." Dr. Walsh picks up the phone.
" It's about time, Riley. Please, tell me you have good news!"
" We have Oz and Veruca in custody, Dr. Walsh. Also, we managed to capture Anne Price. And Xander."
" Xander?"
" Seems he was involved with tonight's little stunt."
Maggie clenches her jaw. " Dammit." She mutters. She speaks into the phone. " What about Ethan Rayne?"
" He got away, I'm afraid."
" This isn't good news, Riley. Without him, how am I going to prove that this was his doing?" She sighs. " Well, I guess we'll just have to get the information out of Ms. Price."

" About her, ma'am."
" What?"
" Well, ma'am� something's odd about her. She's strong, incredibly strong. Took nearly 6 of my men to subdue her. Yet once she was subdued, she gave up struggling. She's tame as a kitten at the moment."

" Watch out for that ' kitten', Riley. She has claws!"
" Yes, ma'am. Not to worry. I have a few men assigned to watch her. But she � well, she seems to have shut down. I mean, she just sits quietly, not speaking, not reacting."
Dr. Walsh is puzzled by her reaction.
" Well, maybe it's just some kind of meditation thing Rayne taught her. Don't worry� we have ways to overcome that." Dr. Walsh's expression is grim. There's no way little Ms. Price is going to get away with not spilling her guts. The whore! " Ok, Riley, how long before I can talk to our ' guests' ?"
" We're close, Dr. Walsh. I give our ETA as 10 minutes."
" Good, very good. When you get here, bring them to the interrogation room off the main lab. I've some special surprises for our ' guests'. "

" Roger that, Ma'am. Out"
Well, well. Maybe we'll finally get some answers for last night.
Dr. Walsh's expression hardens.
If not, at least we'll have some fun trying.

-3-

The morning sun streams through Willow Rosenberg's bedroom window.
It hits her on the face. She makes a little protesting noise, snuggling deeper into the covers. She squeezes her eyes shut, trying to keep out the morning.
She's had the most beautiful dream. She and Faith made love; crazy hot monkey love that lasted for hours. God, it was so real. I swear I can still feel her inside me.
Her nose twitches. She feels something tickling her nose. She brushes at her nose. It's then she realizes that she's sleeping on her side� and someone is pressed up against her!
Slowly, she opens her eyes, and looks over her shoulder. Looking at her over her shoulder is Faith, smiling softly.
Oh, my god! It was real!!!! It happened!!!!
" Hey, baby, " Faith croons at her, kissing her shoulder. " I thought for sure somebody was gonna sleep the morning away!"
OH god! She IS still in me�and she's still hard!!!!!!!!!!!
" Hey, " Willow says, her voice still heavy with sleep, but her emotions all over the board. " We� you and me� we�?"
" Mmmm-hmmm� we � a lot, " Faith chuckles softly. She catches Willow's look. " Oh." She pulls away. Her face looks worried. " Are you sorry?" She tries to keep a cool tone, but a little crack in her voice betrays her.
" Oh gosh, NO!" Willow immediately slips her arms around her lover. " Gosh, no! I just� it was so � beautiful� I thought it was a dream�but god� I �" She caresses Faith." I'm so happy!" She tries to kiss Faith, but Faith pulls away.
" Maybe� we rushed it. Maybe we shouldn't have�"
" Oh, baby� I'm sorry� it was my first time� and it was so � intense, so � right� that I never thought it could be so wonderful� I thought I dreamed it� but you� here.. with me� I love you." Willow nuzzles Faith's neck. She feels Faith stiffen. " What?"
" Er� honey, when you shifted? It got kinda twisty� and it's kinda painful� could you let go of me now?"
" Huh?" Looks blank, then realizes. " Oh� OH! Sorry, baby" Willow relaxes her muscles, letting Faith go. Faith sighs in relief. " Did I hurt you?" Willow looks worried.
" Do you mean, did you break it?" Faith chuckles. " No, it still works� I think."
" You think? You think?" Willow sounds panicked. " Oh god, I gotta check."
Before Faith can stop her, Willow has dived under the covers. Suddenly Faith feels a soft hand holding her.
" It looks ok, " Willow's voice is somewhat muffled by the blankets.
Faith feels a sudden thrill go up her spine as she feels Willow's tongue licking her!
" Is it still�working?" Willow calls out, a little giggle coming after her question.
" Yesss� its fine� stop!"
Willow's head pops out from under the covers. " What's wrong? You don't like?" She pouts.
" Oh god, yes, I like. I just�god, if you don't stop, I �"
" What? You'll what? " Willow dives under the covers. Suddenly, her bare bottom pushes out from under the blankets , right at Faith's face.
After a sweaty session of " Good morning " sex, the two young women lay together, snuggling. Willow turns to Faith, her face happy, content and half sleepy.
" I love you so much." She snuggles closer.
" I love you too, " Faith says, holding Willow close. " but I better be going soon. You're parents are gonna be up, and looking for you. Might not like finding us in bed together."
" Oh, poo. They'll think it's a sleep over. Buffy and I had plenty of sleep-overs together. All we gotta do is get some pj's on� right after we shower, of course."
" Shower?"
" Well, honey� we're kinda stinky." Willow giggles. " The parentals are sorta thick, but not totally clueless�"
" That's kinda why I was thinking I should clear out before they wake up�"
" Nope�" Willow puts on her resolve face, " I'm kinda wanting you to meet the folks. I'm kinda wanting them to get to know you� seeing you'll be hanging around a lot now�"
" Red? Not so sure that's a good idea. I'm not the kind of girl you bring home to meet the folks. I'm the one they warn you about."
Willow turns serious. " I love you, Faith. I'm proud of you. I want my parents to know you, too. So they can see what I see� the most wonderful woman in the world."
Faith's eyes grow bright. Too bright. She turns away, hiding her face from Willow. Her emotions are all over the map.
Willow moves close to her, leaning her head on Faith's shoulder.
" What is it, baby?" She asks, sensing Faith's change of mood.
Faith turns to her. A single tear rolls down her cheek.
" I don't get it," she says, her voice cracking.
" Faith, what is it? What's wrong?" Willow puts her arms around her. " Did I say something wrong?"
Faith makes a vague waving motion. Willow looks at her, puzzled. Then realization dawns on her.
" Wait? Are those happy tears?"
" Well of course, you goof�" Faith is smiling, sniffling and tears running down her cheeks. " last night, you � you made me feel beautiful."
" Well, dope, you are beautiful!" Willow hits her on the arm. " You know that."
" I don't. Or didn't. I mean, I know I'm hot, and sexy�and maybe come off as easy and slutty. And� I used that, to get attention. But inside? I never felt beautiful. I felt� empty. No one wanted me, not really� they just wanted to use me� this" She waves at her body. " then all this weirdness happened. I became a freak of nature�"
" I wish you'd stop saying that, " Willow's tone is almost angry.
" Sorry� I mean, you gotta admit, it's freaky though, right?" Faith looks deep in her eyes. " Be honest, it's not normal."
" It�s different. But baby, viva la difference!" Willow giggles, " I know I'm viva�ing it a lot!"
" But that's just it. You didn't make me feel like a freak, don't you see? You just accepted what I was� and didn't � run away screaming. I don't get it, " Faith shakes her head. " Even my own parents� they didn't get me. But you do. You get me. You see me, and you made me see me� differently. I've never felt so� wanted." Faith looks at her in awe. " No one's ever wanted me like you do. I � why?"
Willow stares at her, not saying a word. This goes on for awhile, until Faith is convinced that no answer is forthcoming. She starts to get up, but Willow reaches out and restrains her.
" What?"
Willow shakes her head, as if it's all too much to understand. Faith starts to get nervous.
" What?" She repeats, starting to wonder if she didn't go too far. God, how stupid can I get? I've got the best thing ever, and I'm asking why? Stupid, much?
" What did they do to you?" Willow asks, her voice quiet , almost sad.
" I don't understand?" Faith really didn't.
" You're parents? You're supposed friends? Geeze, my god, Faith. I showed you last night. You're not just pretty. My friend, Buffy? She's pretty. But you� my god, you're a knockout! You're so much� more. It's not just � you're appearance. Though god, no complaints there! I'm just saying�when you walk in a room, it seems to energize. People can't help noticing you. You shine. My goodness, don't you see that?" She looks at Faith's puzzled face. " No, I guess you don't. It's like a second skin for you, I guess. But � go ahead, ask anyone, it's the facts, jack. You're special. And� I'm only glad that you saw me, and � well, liked me. Or whatever. I'm the luckiest girl in the world."
Faith just grabs her, and hugs her close. She whispers softly in her ear. " Not you, me."
" Ok, stinky, " Willow changes tone, to lighten the mood, " time for that shower. I mean, I really don't want Sheila and Ira Rosenberg giving me the 3rd degree when they start smelling you all over me�" Willow giggles. " Besides, I have such an idea for the shower�" She whispers softly into Faith's ear.
Faith's eyes go wide. " You wouldn't dare!"
" Oh, really?" Willow jumps up. She wiggles her bare bottom at Faith. " Wanna test that theory?" She takes off running.
" You better stop!" Faith jumps out of bed.
She stops, watching Willow run.
God, too sexy!
She hot foots it in pursuit.

-4-

" Inside, " Riley barks at his prisoners.
Veruca, looking truculent, is followed by Oz, who really doesn't seem to understand what's going on. Following on his heels is Xander, looking a combination of pissed and confused. Finally, last comes Anne, escorted by three soldiers with guns trained on her. She seems to be the least perturbed.
Using guns and shoves, none too gently Riley's squad prod the prisoners into the room, and into seats around a large table. Veruca, the most defiant, gives the most trouble. She refuses to sit. A gun butt to the back convinces her otherwise. The other three, seeing her treatment, sit meekly.
Dr. Walsh enters from another side of the room. She stands for a moment, then walks over to the table. She paces back and forth, not saying a word. She just stares at each one in turn.
Veruca finally tires of it, and speaks up. " So what, Doc? You gonna do something, or are you planning on boring us to death?" Her tone is disrespectful.
Dr. Walsh stops in front of her, a small tight smile on her face. She looks down on her until Veruca, feeling uneasy, looks away. Dr. Walsh addresses the entire group.
" Each of you had something to do with last nights debacle. I don't know why, and frankly, I don't care why. All I do know is that your actions have brought trouble down on me, and this project. This stops now, " Marguerite looks at each in turn. " Each of you will be interrogated about your part in it."
" Well, I know I'm shaking in my Manolo Blahnik's, " Anne Price smirks.
" Don't get too comfy, Anne. I haven't forgotten about you. You're the main reason everyone's here today. After I take care of the rest, I'm going to take special pleasure in ' talking' with you."
Anne Price just stares at her, a smug expression on her face. Maggie feels her frustration rising.
" So whatcha gonna do, Doc?" A voice comes from behind her." Seeing you got us all here. I mean, I hear lots of talk, but nothing's happening." Her tone sounds bored.
" We're boring you, Veruca?" Dr. Walsh turns to her. " What's wrong? Not enough action for you?" Walsh nods to one of the soldiers.
He comes up behind Veruca, and hits her with a taser blast.
Veruca, unprepared, nearly falls out of her seat shaking from the effects. The soldier rights her in her chair.
"Better now?" Dr. Walsh mocks her.

" Go fuck yourself, " Veruca snaps back, still groggy from the taser." Seeing how you probably can't get anyone else to do it."
" I don't understand you, Veruca, " Dr. Walsh says, almost sadly. " I gave you more than the others. You had so much potential. You could've really been something special. But you wasted it being a cheap killer."
" I'm what you made me, Maggie," Veruca smirks, " if your not happy with the results, maybe you should blame yourself."
" Blame myself?" Maggie goes over, leaning towards Veruca. " You stupid slut. I made you powerful, strong. Aware. So you could be more than just a foot soldier. I wanted you to be more. You were my first�"
Veruca spits on her.
Maggie, losing it, rears back and slaps her as hard as she can. Veruca's head snaps sideways with the blow. But instead of being cowed, she laughs.
" That the best you can do, Maggie? You really are nothing but an impotent little nerd, aren't ya?" Veruca rubs her cheek.
" You little whore! How dare you!" Maggie almost screams at her. " What the hell do you got to say for yourself?"
Veruca, appearing calm, gestures to Dr. Walsh to come closer. She does.
" I got lots to say for myself, Doc." Veruca leans in. " Wanna know what?"
"What?"
" I'd do it again� and again� and again. I like it, Maggie. I like watching them die� I'd do it til they're all DEAD!"
Veruca starts to change. Her hair grows longer, as do her hands and face. She raises her hand, now clawed, to swipe at Dr. Walsh. Before she can move, however, six trank darts appear in her hide. She looks down, then up at Maggie. Her expression is one of surprise. She topples over, knocking the chair she was sitting in aside. She lays on the floor, twitching.
" Pick her up."
No one moves.
" PICK HER UP!" Dr. Walsh barks.
A couple of soldiers come over, and grab the now unconscious Veruca. Dr. Walsh, still red-faced, comes over and looks down at half changed mutant.
" You stupid bitch, " She mutters. She looks at the soldiers. " Don't just stand there. Take her to the reconstruction lab. She needs to � be reprogrammed. Go on. Go!"
The soldiers carry the prone form of Veruca out of the conference room. Maggie watches them, her expression unreadable.
A chuckle is heard from the table. She whirls around, seeing it's Oz laughing.
"What's so funny?" She barks.
Oz immediately looks down, balling his fists.
" Nothing, " he replies, a little surly.
" Nothing?" Marguerite walks over to him, grabbing his face. She forces him to look up at her. "No one laughs for no reason, Daniel. What's so funny?"
" She is, Maggie, " Oz replied, defiantly. " I hope you fry her. That's what she deserves."
" What did you call me?" Dr. Walsh slaps him.
" Dr. Walsh," Oz corrects himself, looking down.
" What?" She slaps him upside the head.
" Dr. Walsh, ma'am." He mumbles. He's still staring at the table.
" Better, " She grabs his face again. " Look at me when I talk to you. So, Daniel Osborne, if she got what she deserves, what do you figure YOU deserve? Considering I know that you helped her in her little murders?"
Oz looks at her blankly, blinking. Her expression changes a little.
" But you don't, do you?" She shakes her head in disgust. " You don't have a clue, do you? You stupid mutant, you're more trouble than you're worth!"
" Think I give a rat's ass?" Daniel replies coldly.
She slaps him again, harder. " You better start caring. Think you can't get what she's going to get? Think you're safe? Don't count on it."
Oz mutters something under his breath. Dr. Walsh grabs him, jerking his head up.
" What did you say?"

" I said, who the hell is safe with a nut job like you running things?"
Dr. Walsh snaps. All the pressure and problems overwhelm her. She reaches in and pulls out a taser. She slams it into Oz's neck.
Oz nearly stands out of the chair, the volts of the laser making him dance crazily. His eyes roll in his head, and he falls to the ground.
" Take him out. Put him in a holding cell. I want to talk to him more before I decide what to do with him. And oh, " She jams the taser in Xander's chest. He falls over, unconscious." Take this traitor with him. Make sure he gets a proper reward for his� role in this."
Four more of Riley's men move to grab the two prisoners. They have smiles on their faces. They know exactly what that 'reward' Xander has coming entails. They look forward to giving it to him.
Maggie turns to Anne. She walks over, and seats herself on the desk next to Anne, looking down on her. She smiles.
" So, Anne, I guess it's just you and me left, right?" She taps the table with her fingers. " So, are we going to be civilized about this?"
" I'd prefer it, " Anne replies, " but I'm not telling you anything."
" Oh, you're going to tell me plenty. Everything in fact. I just thought I'd give you the opportunity to talk before we use less� pleasant means to persuade you."
" You mean torture?" Anne grins, " isn't that what this is? I mean, talking to you has got to qualify."

" Funny, " Dr. Walsh smiles a tight smile. " You're funny. I wonder who'll be laughing after we're done?" She stands up.
A couple of guards come over, grabbing Anne and forcing her to stand.
" So, Anne. We've got special accommodations for you. Seeing how you're our special guest and all, " She walks over to Anne, her arms crossed over her chest. " This is going to be fun. Trust me, you're going to love it."
Anne spits on her.
Dr. Walsh wipes the spittle off. She reaches over, and smears it on Anne's face.
" Take her out. Down to the interrogation room in the basement."
As the soldiers hustle Anne Price out, Maggie Walsh watches, with the first genuine smile she's had on her face all day.
This is going to be fun.

-5-

It looks more like the dungeon out of medieval times than the basement of a modern science facility, but that's the way Dr. Walsh wanted it. It's all massive slabs and wooden beams and flying buttresses, with a floor that was the only sop to modern times, being made out of cement.
It's Dr. Walsh's ' special' interrogation room. This is where she brings the more recalcitrant of her subjects. The musty air, the look, the very gloom give it a rather sinister and foreboding atmosphere, More than one witness has been scared into talking just being brought here.
But not Anne Price. And for that, Dr. Walsh is grateful. She really, really wants to torture her.
There are actually very few things in the large room. Along one wall sits a table, covered with a white cloth. On it are various instruments; some sharp, some blunt, some suggesting other, painful uses . On an adjoining wall, a hose hangs for clean up. A locker, containing surgical scrubs, is next to that.
The final piece is a large frame in the center of the room. 5 feet wide, and 12 feet tall, it's attached to a motor and pulley system that allows it to be lowered to the floor, or raised upright. It's currently in the upright position.
Attached to the frame is one very nude Anne Price. Manacles and leg irons keep her body in a spread eagle position. Her neck is secured by an iron collar that attaches to the sides of the frame. If she attempts to struggle free of the chains, her own weight will snap her neck.
Dr. Walsh enters from the side door, dressed in surgical garb; her hair covered in a surgical cap. She walks around the bound Anne, nodding her head.
" Very pretty. I can see what Ethan sees in you, " Dr. Walsh says, inspecting Anne closely.
" Well, gee, Maggie. If you just wanted to see me naked and chained, I'm sure we could've worked something out, " Anne Price sneers at her.
" It'll be a shame, " Maggie Walsh continues, ignoring her, " to scar that body. I'm sure Ethan won't be as� well, lusting for it after we're done. So, what say, Anne? Want to talk now?" She pauses to let Anne answer. She doesn�t. " No? Too bad."
Maggie walks over to the table, and picks up a cylindrical device. She carefully pulls down the sheath, then holding it away from herself, shakes it. A mass of tentacle like wires extrude from it. She walks back over to Anne, holding up the device.
" Do you know what this is, Anne?" Maggie asks.
" Nope. You're dildo?"
" Funny. Funny, funny girl, " Dr. Walsh smiles. " This is the modern version of the Cat-O-Nine tails. " She flips a switch, and the tips of the lashes start to glow. " Thin, flexible copper wire is run through the leather lashes, attached to the tips. This provides a nasty jolt of voltage to the recipient� at least that's what I'm told. The leather lash, reinforced by the copper wire, tends to leave some nasty marks. Well, what do you say we try it out?"
" Go for it, Maggie, " Anne Price leers at her. " I always suspected there was a little of the S/M games in you. I like pain."
" Don't think you'll like this."
Dr. Walsh walks behind her, and rearing back her arm, hits Anne with the lash.
Anne's whole body jerks in the chains as the voltage courses through her body. She screams out in pain.
" So, what do you think? Want to talk now?"
" In the immortal word of one rather petulant werewolf, go fuck yourself, Maggie."
Maggie doesn't say anything. She just starts laying on the lashes. Each time she's hit, Anne Price jerks in the chains, screaming. Maggie, enjoying herself, doesn't stop to give Anne a chance to talk. She just keeps hitting her. Finally, she breaks skin, and blood starts to pour out Anne's back.
Green blood.
Maggie stops, startled.
"What the hell?" She walks over to the now limp form of Anne, who's hanging in the chains, unconscious. She reaches over, and takes a sample of the ' blood' on her finger. She sniffs it. Her brow furrows. She rubs it between her fingers. It has a plastic-metallic feel to it.
She moves closer, looking at the wounds in Anne's back. That's when she notices the intricate wiring attached to the skin. And behind, she notes some flashing diodes.
"An android. She's a fucking android!" She says to no one in particular.
" Actually, " the body of Anne Price seems to recover, and her head comes up off her chest, " I'm a simulatroid. A more advanced form of Android. I use organic and inorganic parts to operate." The head swivels on the body, until Anne's face is facing Dr. Walsh. " I'm actually running in Basic Personality mode at the moment, as my personality chips have been fried." Her eyes seem to flash rapidly. " I also notice some of my other functions seem to be offline." The face smiles in an almost insane manner. " So, Dr. Walsh, how can I be of help to you?"
Maggie Walsh shakes her head in near awe. I have to give that lech, Rayne, his props. This is one amazing robot. " Since you're being so cooperative now, Anne, why don't we discuss Ethan's plans."
" You mean Honey bear's secret plans?"

" Honey bear?" Maggie Walsh almost bursts out laughing. She does her best to recover a straight face. " Yes, let's talk about Honey bear's�" She bites her lip to keep from giggling, " � secret plans."
" I'm sorry, Dr. Walsh, but those are encrypted, and can only be accessed in Advanced Personality Mode, which I fear is offline at the moment." She looks sad. But then brightens. " Is there anything else I can help you with? I'm really good with quantum mechanics." There is almost a note of pride in her voice.
Clever. Very clever, Ethan. But not clever enough.
Dr. Walsh motions to the guards to bring the frame down. She walks around to the ' front' of Anne. The head swivels to follow, giving her a slight case of the creeps. That's just � ugh.
" Are you letting me go, Dr. Walsh?" The Anne-bot asks, as the frame lowers to the ground.
" Not exactly, Anne. But since you're being such a good�ummm� Simulatroid, I figure you deserve a reward."
" Why, thank you very much, Dr. Walsh. I do my best to please!" The Anne- bot is smiling brightly. The guards undo her neck, leg and wrist chains. She stands up. " Well, that's so much better. But I fear I'm in need of repair." Her eyes start to strobe-flash again. " I fear my diagnostic indicates I might have a system wide failure soon, without repair." She looks worried.
" Oh, don't worry, Anne. I have some experts I want you to meet. They'll be more than happy to help you." And de-program you, if we have to take you apart piece by piece.
" Oh, that would be nice!" Anne � bot smiles. She looks down at herself, and frowns. " Oh! I seem to be naked. Do you think I should get clothed first?"
" Don't worry, dear," Dr. Walsh comes over, and takes Anne-bot's hand. " I'm sure these gentlemen won't mind. And, it'll make their job easier without the clothing, I'm sure."
" Oh, good. I was afraid to embarrass you." Anne-bot smiles. " Are they nice men?" She follows Dr. Walsh willingly as she is led out of the interrogation room.
" Oh, yes, Anne. They're nice men. Very nice men."
" Good, I like meeting new people." Anne seems to take on a glow.
Yeah, I bet you do.

-6-

Buffy lays quietly, snuggling up to Angel, her head resting on his chest.
She isn't sleeping however. Her eyes are wide open, and she looks worried.
She'd had the dream again.
She's in a large white room. She's laying flat on an examination table, her wrists and ankles bound to the table. The lights are bright, hurting her eyes.
This is different, however. She seems to remember more details. The people around her seem to be talking about her, but she can't quite understand what they're saying. Also, she feels them take a vaginal swab, and some skin and hair samples.
What she remembers most clearly is the fear she felt. The utter helplessness in her situation, and the dread that something was going to happen to her. Something bad. She struggled against her bonds, but someone, dressed in white, gave her an injection. It seemed to make her muscles stop working. She couldn't move. Her brain felt foggy, but the fear abided, making her heart race in her chest.
The next thing she knew, she was being unbound from her restraints. Still, whatever they'd injected her with was keeping her unable to move. All she could do was watch as they lifted her, placing her on a rolling stretcher. The fear in her grew. She knew something was going to happen to her, but she couldn't remember what. All she could remember was the prodding and poking while on the exam table. And the lights. The fluorescent lights in the ceiling . She watched them as she moved under them.
As soon as they reached the room, memory came flooding back to her. Maybe it was the smells, or the dim lighting, or something else. But she knew what was going to happen now. She grew even more frightened, and tried to will herself to struggle, to fight. But it was hopeless. She couldn't move. All she could do was lie limp while they lifted her. They were going to do it again� put her in the tank again She felt as the breathing mask was put on her face. The slowly, almost torturously, they lowered her into the tank. It felt warm, but the liquid burned� really burned. She screamed, inside, as the mask and her flaccid muscles wouldn't allow her to scream out loud. She felt the liquid rising over her, drowning her in its blistering embrace�
Help me� help me. Please� help me!!!
Buffy woke up, sweating . Her skin felt hot.
What does it mean? Why am I dreaming about this? I know Doc Walsh said it was all normal, just hormone stuff. But why does it keep happening? Even when I take the pills, I still get the dreams. It's so weird. I know it's not me� I'm not the woman on the table. But it's like I'm inside her� I don't get it � god, something's just not right here. I know it. I feel it, in my gut. I don't care what Doc Walsh said. This isn't normal. Something's happening to me. Is it because I'm a slayer? What's going on here? Why is she screaming? Why is she calling out for help? �
" Buffy?"
" Angel? Oh� sorry, I didn't mean to�"
" Buffy, what happened to you?"
" What? What're you talking about?"
" Your skin� what happened to your skin�?"
" Huh?"
Angel reaches over, and turns on a lamp by the bed. Buffy looks at her arms, and they're covered in red, angry looking welts. She almost jumps out of bed, in a panic.
" Oh, my god, oh my god, oh my god!" Buffy backs away, rubbing at her skin. It can't be happening again! It can't be real! Oh god, what's happening to me!??
" Buffy?" Angel is out of bed, coming to her. Buffy backs into a corner, then slides down the wall, sitting on the floor. She tries to cover herself.
"Buffy, let me help you. You're hurt. I need to get you to a hospital�"
" No� no � can't go to a hospital� noooooo" Buffy cringes away, trying to shove herself through the wall to get away.
" Buffy, don't. You'll hurt yourself. Please, baby, let me help you, " Angel tries to put his arms around her, but she bats them away.
" Don't. Don't touch me! I� don't� I'm� oh god, Angel, I think I'm going insane�!!!!"
" What? God, why do you think that?"
Buffy doesn't answer. Instead, her emotions go out of control, and she starts to cry. She leans against Angel, sobbing.
Angel gently lifts her, and leads her into the bathroom. He starts to undress her.
"Angel�what're you doing?" Buffy seems panicky.
" It's ok, Buffy." He finishes undressing her. She stands naked in front of him. " I'm just going to put you in the shower. Cold shower. The cold water will help." He turns on the water, and then leads Buffy over. " It might sting at first, but it'll feel better soon."
Buffy gets in the shower, and the force of the water hitting her welts really hurts. She cries out, and for a moment starts to get out. But then the coolness of the water starts to penetrate, and as Angel said, she begins to feel better. She stands under the water for awhile, just letting the water calm her. Finally, she turns off the tap and steps out. The welts have receded, and instead of red, they're pink.
" Better?" Angel asks, handing her a towel.
" Yes, much, " Buffy says, quietly. " Thanks."
Finishing drying herself, she wraps the towel around her body. She doesn't seem to know what to do next. She just stands quietly, staring at the floor.
" Buffy, are you ok?" Angel moves over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. " Look at me, sweetie. What is it? Talk to me."
Buffy looks up, her lip trembling." Angel, I'm so scared. I don't know what's happening to me�" tears start to roll down her cheeks. " I'm going insane�"
" Shhh� Buffy, it's ok�" Angel gently wraps his arms around her. She seems to melt against him. " I'm here� it's ok."
She doesn't protest when he lifts her, carrying her out of the bathroom and back into the bedroom. He gently lays her on the bed, above the covers. He then sits next to her, holding her hand.
" Tell me, honey. Why do you think you're going insane?"
Haltingly between sobs, Buffy tells him about the dreams, and how she's been reacting to them lately. She tells him about visiting Dr. Walsh, and what she said. " � she said I was normal, but how can this be normal?" She gestures at her arms. " Why is this happening to me? She said it was some kind of psycho reaction or something. She said I wasn't crazy, but I have to be� I have to be, don't you see?"
Angel looks serious. " I don't believe your crazy at all."
" You don't?" Buffy tries to read his face. " Why is this happening to me?"
" I don't know. But after last night, what happened , I'm thinking something else is going on. Something we don't know about."
" You remember what happened last night?" Buffy looks at him.
" Not really, no. It's all kind of fuzzy. I just know that we were outside, and you started acting strange�"
" See! I told you, I'm nuts!" Buffy sounds mournful. Then she looks up. " No, wait, I remember. I was making out with you, and then� all of a sudden, I thought I was some southern belle� and I started berating you for coming on to me� and then� oh my god� you�." She stares at him wide eyed. " You turned into a monster!!!"
" Aw, c'mon, Buff. I mean, I know I can get a little frisky� and maybe vamp out�"
" This wasn't a vamp out, Angel. You turned into some kind of bat like thing�"
Angel stares at her, amazed.
" You don't believe me?"
" Well, Buffy, it does sound a little�ummm�."
" Crazy? Well, I don't care. It happened. You became this bat-like thing�and then I think I fainted."
Angel gives her a sidelong glance.
" You don't believe me! You do think I'm crazy!" She edges away from him, closing herself off. Her lips are tightly pressed together, and she looks upset.
" No, Buffy, honestly. I don't." Angel moves over, putting an arm around her. She doesn't move away, but she doesn't open up to him, either. " I just really don't remember much about last night after�well� you changed. The next thing I really remember is lying on the ground, with trank darts in me."
" That was the soldiers, I think. I'm kinda blurry, cuz I think I was still kind of out of it. I woke up, you were over me, I was terrified� I ran� and oh no right into another creature� and you protected me!" Her eyes open wide, and she looks at Angel, her expression soft, her eyes shining. " Even like that, you � saved me!" She moves closer, putting her arms around Angel. " You fought it� so it wouldn't hurt me." She looks up at him. " You love me."
" Well of course I love you, Buffy. " Angel pulls her close. " did you ever not believe that?"
" No, I mean � even when you turned into that thing� all you wanted to do was protect me� that must be the demon in you, or whatever, and even like that, you wanted to � I love you so much, Angel." She reaches up, and pulling down his head, kisses him. It's a long, warm and tender kiss. Sighing softly, she snuggles against him, laying her head on his shoulder.
They sit quietly for awhile, holding each other. Buffy appears content, feeling safer than she did a few minutes ago. Angel, on the other hand, has a worried expression. He doesn't remember his metamorphosis from the previous evening, and it bothers him. What if I hurt her? What if the demon in me got loose, and really � He shudders thinking about it. Something isn't right here. There's more going on than what happened last night.
He gently disengages from Buffy, and faces her squarely.
" Buffy, we need to see Giles. In the morning� ummm� later in the morning�"
"Uh-huh," she murmurs, trying to snuggle back into Angel's arms. " Later, ok?"
" Buffy, I'm serious."
" So am I, Angel, " Buffy pulls herself up. " I know weirdness is happening. We gotta deal� but later. Right now, after everything, I'm just pooped out."
Angel can see she's barely holding her eyes open. He pulls her close, and lays down, so she is resting on him, her head using his chest as a pillow. She wiggles around to get comfortable, and soon is gently snoring.
Angel watches her sleep, a small smile on his lips. He caresses her hair, and tries to relax. But his thoughts keep going back to last night, to the strangeness that happened. That, and other things that just � don't seem right. He lays still and quiet, so as not to disturb Buffy.
He wishes he could just let it go. Relax and sleep. He's exhausted.
He can't. He can't shake the bad feeling he has.
-7-

Marguerite Walsh sat at her desk, going over the report. There was an amused grin on her face.
" Why the old pervert," Maggie chuckled over a particularly amusing bit in the report.
" Ma'am?" Riley Finn, standing across from her, is curious at her mood.
" Ethan Rayne. God, what a lecher. He created ' Anne ' as a replacement for his ' trophy wife'. Seems she left him because of some of the � unusual requests he had. So he created this -- what does he call it? Simulatroid, to replace her. She is physically her duplicate, but he added some extra programming, and took out some pesky morality so she would comply to his requests." She shakes her head, amused. " I swear men can be such children."
She looks up at Riley, and noting his rather blank expression, realizes he isn�t really following. Like children. She decides to switch subjects.
" Riley, I've been recalled to Washington, D.C. Seems the select committee has some questions about methods and procedures involved in the project." Her tone grows bitter as she continues, " I suspect it's an excuse to cut funding for Project Moreau, and frankly, I'm not all that sure I will be retained as director, even if the project continues." Her lips tighten, and her eyes narrow. " I really hate politics and politicians. But there's no help for it." She stands up, and goes to Riley. " I need you to put code orange into effect, Riley."
" Ma'am?" Riley appears somewhat startled. " you really believe it's that serious?"
" Absolutely," Maggie nods, distractedly. " I've worked too long and too hard on this research to risk it falling into � other hands. I need to keep control over it. While I'm gone, the facility must be secured, and especially, my notes and samples must be preserved. They have to be moved to a secure location. All the necessary equipment to preserve the samples must be appropriated, also. I've arranged for suitable, if temporary, storage at this location." She hands him a document. " All this must be done before my return from Washington. Is that clear?"
" Yes, ma'am, I understand. " Riley replies. He quickly scans the document. "What about our ' guests' ?"
Maggie considers for a few moments. " They will be brought along, of course. They might still be of some use."
" Yes, ma'am"
" Now, Riley, it's decision time. I need to know where your loyalties lie."
" Ma'am?"
" I know you're military. I respect that. I know you're loyal to the military, and I also respect that. Things are changing, however, and I suspect that soon I will need to seek out other funding for Project Moreau. More than likely, it will come from the private sector." She faces Riley. " I've watched you ever since you came aboard this project. I must say, you're work has been exemplary, and I've grown to depend on you. " She weighs her words carefully, " I've grown quite fond of you, Riley. I consider you a friend. I will need loyal people, people who can get things done, when I make my move. "
" You really believe that the project will be terminated, ma'am?"
" I'm almost sure of it, Riley. There are a few blockheads on that committee that don't have the vision to see the future. But they're pretty powerful blockheads, and are capable of convincing the rest. I've learned never to trust politicians. I've already made my contingency plans." She looks at him intently, " I'm hoping that when I go, you'll decide to come with me."
Riley looks uncertain. " Permission to speak frankly, ma'am?"
" Please."
" I appreciate your confidence in me, Dr. Walsh. I really do. But as you say, I'm military; my whole career has been with the military. I'm used to following orders. I don't question assignments, and I do what I'm told to do. It's not my place to question that, " Riley pauses, considering his words. " What you're asking goes beyond what I've been trained to do. Essentially you're asking me to turn my back on the U.S. Government and the military. I'm a loyal soldier, ma'am. I'm not sure I can go against that."
" I understand, Riley, " Dr. Walsh says.
" On the other hand, you've taken time to explain what you're doing here, and it's purpose to me. Don't get me wrong, I believe in our military. I believe it builds character. But � I don't like the fact to watching good men and women die in combat, often on the whims of politicians who never served. The greatest peacemakers are military, did you know that? We know the effects of war. " Riley's face looks pained. " I've lost more than a few friends to war. I wouldn't mind that being taken over by soldiers bred for the task. Not one bit." His face assumes a neutral expression. " I need time to think about your proposal, Dr. Walsh."
" Good, " Dr. Walsh says quietly.
" Ma'am?"
" If you'd refused outright, or jumped right on, I'd be suspicious of your commitment. But I can see you're a thinking person. Good, I respect that most of all. I'll give you some time to come to a decision. I'll be gone a week in Washington. I'll need an answer when I get back."
" Thank you, Dr. Walsh. Is there anything else?"
" You're dismissed, Riley."
Riley nods, and turns to leave. He gets to the door, and turns back.
" I believe in what you're doing, Dr. Walsh. I believe in you."
He leaves.

Dr. Walsh sits contemplating Riley's words for a few minutes. Her expression turns grim. I'd hoped you would get onboard, Riley. I hope you do. But you know too much to risk allowing you to make any real choices. I can give you a lot� or take a lot from you. I just hope you choose wisely. I really hope you do. I don't like the alternative, but�
Her thoughts are interrupted by the buzzer.
" Yes?" She says into the intercom.
" Dr. Giles is here to see you, Dr. Walsh."
Maggie sighs, and shakes her head. " Give me 5 minutes, then send him in."

Just what I need now, She thinks, as she leans back in her chair, staring into space.

-8-

" I'm sorry, Dr. Giles. She's busy at the moment. If you'll have a seat�" Bernadine waves her hand towards the reception area.
" Miss? I've been waiting all day to see Dr. Walsh. I keep getting the run around. You will bloody well announce me, and do it now�" Rupert Giles leans over the desk, his eyes staring directly into Bernadine's. They glitter in a quiet fury.
" Sir, I can't just interrupt Dr. Walsh�"
" You can, and you will."
Bernadine blinks, and picks up the phone
" Dr. Walsh? Dr. Giles is here to see you." She listens. " Yes ma'am, I understand." She looks at Giles. " She'll see you in 5 minutes."
" Thank you." He walks over and retrieves his briefcase. Sitting, he clutches it possessively. Inside are all the files on the 'test subjects' of Project Moreau. After squaring away the ' prisoners' at the dock, he's been busy raiding the computer files, making surreptitious hard copies. He has plans for their use.
The only indicator of the level of anger he feels is the tightness of his lips.
This is not what I signed on for. None of this is what Dr. Walsh outlined when I came aboard the project last year. I was simply to watch and observe; commenting on changes in the test subjects adaptability to their environment. I had no idea at the time that the ' test subjects' would be cloned humans; nor that they would be imbued with powerful and � deadly? � abilities. This whole elaborate fiction of Sunnydale, and their identities� Giles' mouth works in frustration � wasn't outlined to me. Not at first. Not until it was too late to back out.
And I never expected to start caring for my charges. They were just children� and unaware of what they are. The lies made up to explain their fantastic ' abilities'. The memory suppression. The ' reprogramming'. The experiments. Giles shudders when he remembers some of the things done to them. All in the name of creating a race of " Super Soldiers." God, it's perverse.
How can I look at them, day in and out, pretending to be their ' mentor and friend' knowing what's in store for them. I can't! Anyone with a conscience can't. It's wrong, and it has to end.
" Dr. Giles? Dr. Walsh will see you now, " Bernadine interrupts his musing.
" Yes. Thank you." Giles gets up, heading for the office door. Before he can reach it, the door opens, and a smiling Dr. Walsh greets him.
" Rupert! Come in, please." She steps aside, waving for him to enter.
Giles, suddenly having the feeling he's the fly about to enter the spider's parlor, nonetheless enters the office. The door closes behind him.
" So, Rupert, what can I do for you? " Dr. Walsh asks as she sits behind her desk. " Please, forgive the delay. Things have been rather chaotic here after the evening's festivities." She waves at the chair in front of her desk. " Please, have a seat."
" Actually, I prefer to stand, " Giles says doing so. " And I want to discuss last night with you."
" I see," Dr. Walsh sits, fingers steepled under her chin, " really, Rupert, until I have more information about what occurred, it'll be a rather one sided conversation, I fear."
" You can stop play acting, Marguerite. I'm well aware that Riley has filled you in on the night's events. What happened last night is � inexcusable."
" I beg your pardon, " Marguerite replies, doing no such thing, " I realize you're a behavioral scientist, Rupert. It's your job to study people. But what I know or don't know about last night is still not in your purview, unless you add mind reading to your talents."
" I suspect that little, if anything escapes your notice when it comes to what happens to Buffy, Willow and the rest. " He walks to the desk, leaning on it. " I also suspect that Riley's squad was more active than just keeping tabs on Veruca and Oz. I know for a fact that Cordelia is missing. Where is she?"
" Cordelia's missing? This is the first I've heard of it!" Dr. Walsh is genuinely surprised. " How do you know this?"
" She failed to come home last night. Her parents have been on the phone with me, trying to ascertain her whereabouts. I've done my best to stall them, but they are beginning to think that something's happened to her. They are worried sick."
" Indeed?" Dr. Walsh smiles. " I guess the bonding in that family went farther than I suspected."
" Joyce Summers has also been in contact. She's very upset. Buffy didn't come home until this morning, and she was covered in red welts again. Evidently, she's been experiencing the nightmares again."
Dr. Walsh's smile fades. " that's not supposed to happen. The pills I gave her are specially formulated to suppress the psychic functions of her brain. After the last session with her, I thought the genetic memories she was experiencing would be eliminated." Dr. Walsh looks a touch worried. " Something is wrong."
" Something is wrong?" Giles looks at her, slightly amazed. " I'd say that's the understatement of the century. This whole project is ' wrong', Dr. Walsh. And it has to stop. Now!"
" I'm sorry, " Dr. Walsh rises, reflecting her rising anger. " Exactly when were you made director of this project, again?"
Giles doesn't wither under her glare, however. " This whole project of yours is built on lies and deceptions, Marguerite. You told the Chases, the Rosenbergs and Mrs. Summers that this was an experiment in re-integration into society of certain individuals who'd experienced a traumatic loss. You were experimenting with new drug and surgical therapy to help them reintegrate into society without the emotional damage so common in such cases. They fully expected to become the 'parents' to these children. It was supposed to give them a new life, free of the trauma they'd experienced. They were supposed to report back to you any physical or psychological anomalies, so treatment could be altered. " His fist comes down hard on her desk, startling her. " I wonder how'd they feel if they knew exactly what these ' children' really were."
" Do you know what they really are, Rupert?" Dr. Walsh smiles at him. It's not a pleasant smile.
" Of course I know, " Rupert Giles says, but the seeds of doubt are planted in his brain. " They're experimental clones, created by mixing human and animal DNA to create a race of " Super Soldiers" for military purposes. At least, that's how you described it to me. But they're more than that." He walks away from her desk, moving towards the bookshelves at the opposite wall. He turns back to her. " They're human beings. These aren't animals, or things, Maggie. They're people, with all the quirks and foibles and potential that all people share. That's why this perversion must stop. It can't go on like this."
" I see their parents aren't the only ones who've bonded with the test subjects." Maggie walks from behind her desk. " You say their more than just test subjects. I agree, Rupert. They're so much more. They're the first step."
" First step?" Rupert Giles looks confused.
" Rupert, Rupert, " Marguerite Walsh shakes her head in disbelief. " You've known me 20 years. You've known the thrust of my work up to Project Moreau. Do you really think that my only goal was to create a warrior class for the U.S. Military?"
" I've known your work in DNA and genetic research. But only on how to eliminate genetic illnesses�"
" My work has progressed far beyond that, Rupert. It came to me one day that my work with genetic disease control was a waste of time. The problem was, the very race that I was trying to help? Was a genetic dead end. They've evolved as far as they can, and it's time to stop prolonging their existence. It's time to work towards their replacement."
Giles looks at her, his jaw slightly open. A small light has come on in his head, and he's beginning to realize what she's propounding.
" Do you think any of this really matters?" Maggie says, waving her hands around the office. " The funding, the facility, what they want? Of course it doesn't. I mean to deliver on my promise, if I'm allowed to continue� which seems to be in some doubt. But the project itself? Only a way to gather funding for my real goal, Rupert."
" If you're proposing what I believe you're proposing� that's madness, Marguerite."
" Is it? Well, that wouldn't be the first time that the world has called progress madness. " Maggie Walsh comes over to Giles, touching his arm. " When the Wright Brothers first attempted flight, they were considered mad. Newtonian physicists looked upon Einstein as an eccentric when he proposed the General Theory of Relativity. Galileo was branded a heretic, when he went against accepted custom and proposed the motion of the planets around the sun. Visionaries are often thought to be mad in their times; only history can prove them right."
" Look at the human race, Giles. It's weak, disease ridden and frankly, it has no future. Not as it is. All I'm doing is trying to preserve it in a better form; find the leap to evolve it beyond its current limitations. I want to create a new race of beings infused with new possibilities. One attuned to its environment, one that is enhanced in its physical, emotional and psychological capabilities. Call it what you will, Rupert, but in the end, it'll be a superior race of beings that replaces the outmoded Homo sapiens. A race of beings free from disease, emotional conflicts and weakness. One that is fit to dominate this planet while not destroying it."
" A � master race?" Giles asks acerbically.
" Well, why not, Giles? Has the current primal race been much more than monkeys with tools? Look at the world they've been given; look at what they've done to it. Never mind the near genocidal elimination of various races by others 'superior' to their own. Never mind the near destruction of the ecological system by the human race. They are a cancer on the landscape� and what do we do with cancer? We cut it out, eliminate it."
Giles doesn't respond. He feels sick.
" What I want to do isn't eliminate so much, as improve. People frankly have been an ecological blight on this planet, because they haven't the capacity to know better. They use and destroy, then adapt to the changes. They don't learn, they react. They'll never be better than what they are now, and frankly, if things continue the way they're going, the planet won't survive them."

" My children will be programmed genetically to adapt to the environment, living within it rather than changing it to suit their wants and needs. They'll create, not destroy. They will supplant the current primal race, and eventually eliminate it. It won't happen overnight, but it will happen. They'll be stronger, faster, smarter than the current ' crop' of people, and will in time through attrition, and if need be, warfare, eliminate them. And then, " Dr. Walsh closes her eyes, her expression almost beatific, " only then will there be a paradise on earth. I won't live to see it, but I will be remembered for creating the possibility."
Giles has recoiled from her. He walks to the furthest distance he can get and still be in the office.
" This� what you're proposing, is sheer insanity." He looks at her intently, trying to see something of the scientist in her. He fails. " Do you realize what you're proposing? Creating a ' superior' race; followed by massive war and in your scenario, a global genocide. Are you even human? How can you think such thing?"
" Giles, " Dr. Walsh shakes her head, her expression sympathetic, " you still don't get it. You cling to the old ways, but it's a new age now. I'm so close to realizing my dreams. This generation of clones has been valuable in showing me my errors. The next will be better, so much better�"
" This generation? What does that mean?"
" You didn't think these subjects were the end product, did you? They are only alphas; prototypes for the ones to come. Of course, they've been valuable, and once I recycle them, and can study them, I'll have insight into what comes next."
" Recycle?" The pit of Giles' stomach starts to revolt, " you mean you're going to �?" he can't finish the sentence; the thought is too painful.
" Of course, Giles. They're like cells in a petri dish. You observe, collect the data from the experiment, catalogue it then end the experiment. Please, Giles, you're a scientist. You know how this works."
" These aren't a collection of cells. My god, they're human beings. You can't just kill human beings. That's beyond monstrous!"
" Giles, think. I programmed them, created their ' lives'. Without that, what are they? Nothing but a collection of cells grown into essentially, meat sacks and bones. They aren't real. They don't exist except as I created them!"
" I won't stand for this!" Giles shouts at her, losing his temper. " I'll stop you!"
" How, Giles? Remember how I found you? A discredited, washed up scientist, unable to secure a position in the scientific community. Who do you think will listen to you?" She shakes her head. " Even if you decide to ' tell on me', who's going to believe a fantastic story that you'll tell them. Anyway, " she returns to her seat, sitting down, " it might be moot, because this phase of the project seems to be coming to an end." She looks up at him, smiling, " I've been recalled to Washington. I suspect that funding for Project Moreau will be cut off."
She notices his expression, and her smile broadens. " Don't get too happy, Giles. Just because this project is ending, doesn't mean my work is over. Do you seriously believe that the United States is the only one interested in my research? There are plenty of countries lining up to throw money at me, if I'll produce the goods. Which I will. All the time, doing my own work." She leans back in her chair. " And even if that doesn�t pan out, there are plenty of private sector firms that have shown considerable interest in my research." She puts her hands behind her head. " So, Giles, do your worst. Call Washington, tell them what I'm about. If they don't laugh you off the phone, it won't matter. I'll just find somewhere else to set up shop."
Giles, frustrated, walks to the door. His anger is starting to boil over, and he has too much to do to allow himself the luxury of telling her off, even if it would do any good. But he can't resist a parting shot. Stopping at the door, he turns.
" I'll stop you. I'll do whatever it takes to stop you."
" And you'll fail, Rupert. Just like you've failed in your life."
He doesn't reply, but a cold smile comes to his face. Dr. Walsh, not understanding, feels a tendril of fear in her gut. He starts to walk out the door, but she stops him
" What?" She asks.
" I just think the irony is lost on you."
" I don't understand," Maggie says, and she didn't.
" The name of your project is Moreau. "
" Yes, so?"
He doesn�t say a word. He just turns and leaves, closing the door quietly behind him.
Dr. Walsh looks at the door briefly, her brow furrowed.
What the hell did he mean by that?

To be continued
- 8
- 9
- 10
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