|
Episode 130 |
|
|
“I don’t know where you get your orders, but it better
be from where the air is very thin.” Colonel Jack O’Neill, Stargate SG-1 The UN Building in The elevator doors slid apart to reveal Assif. Carrying a brief case and dressed in a
black suit, he stepped out into the 70s-style hallway. He looked down the hall to either side,
then continued straight down the line of doors and windowed-offices to the
end of the hall. There, an unfamiliar
young woman sat at the metal desk, typing away at a new computer. Assif approached and looked at the door next to her
desk. “Can I help you?” she asked,
looking up from her workstation. “I’m here to see Dr. Howitz,” Assif said. “I’m afraid Dr. Howitz isn’t seeing anyone today,” the
woman said. Assif smiled politely. Howitz was startled when his door was shoved in by
Assif. He stormed into the room, then
turned back to the secretary who was about to dial numbers on her phone. “Please tell anyone who comes asking that
Dr. Howitz is busy,” Assif insisted.
The woman glanced at Howitz uncertainly. He stared up at Assif, then let out an
agitated sighed, nodding to her. Assif shut the door and turned to Howitz with an angry
glare. He held up his palm and an
elaborate blue circle made of Celtic and Egyptian design surrounded by an
array of runes and sigils began to glow, the design spinning on his
flesh. A loud pop registered from the
corners of the office, followed by more from all over. Howitz’ computer powered down as the radio
on the side of his office crackled and deactivated. Assif lowered his hand. “Call off the surveillance team,” he
demanded. “I see you got a new tattoo,” Howitz said with an
annoyed look. “Actually, I’ve had this one for awhile,” Assif said
with false civility. “I got it for
just such a rainy day.” “Emma’s doing?” Howitz asked, glancing to the tattoo. “Emma’s dead, in case you didn’t know,” Assif said,
sitting down in the chair before Howitz.
“She died on Atlantis.” “Atlantis? Is
that the island’s official title now?” “That’s what the Atlanteans on the island called it,”
Assif said. “But then, they’ve been apprehended,
just like my team was arrested by the French military.” “And to be honest, Assif, you’re lucky you weren’t
arrested with them,” Howitz confided in a quiet tone. “I like the new office,” Assif countered with a
disdainful glance around the room.
“How many pieces of silver did it cost?” Dr. Howitz’ jaw clenched as he stared at Assif. “Assif, I know for a fact you can
appreciate the idea of a ‘big picture’.” “Sometimes,” he agreed.
“But sometimes the picture can get too big. Sometimes, you have to concern yourself
with what’s happening on the ground.” “This office operates eighteen teams of Responders,”
Howitz snapped back. “You think your
team was the only one in jeopardy?” “I know my team was the only one arrested,” Assif
maintained firmly. Howitz looked around at his office as the lights
overhead flickered. He sighed cautiously, then looked at Assif. “How strong was that thing?” he asked,
glancing at Assif’s hand. “It blew out the circuits in most devices for about ten
foot or so.” He looked up at the
lights. “Light-giving devices are
specifically excluded.” The light
flickered again. “Though, not very
well.” Howitz scratched his ear, looking around, then he
leaned forward. “I had a proverbial
gun put to my head. Either I authorize
your team for the Atlantis mission, which I knew was fishy from the get-go,
or Responders around the world would start disappearing left and right. In return, my office received a tremendous
boost in funding. The European
Responders may have a pretty impressive bankroll, but the South American
teams are all but having bake sales.
Africa and “So you hung us out to dry to get a new office?” Assif
asked. “I had no idea where it was going to go,” Howitz
confessed sincerely. “Nor, do I know
where the pressure was coming from.
Think me a traitor or a coward if you want, but you know that if you
don’t know where the pressure’s coming from, you can’t effectively resist
it.” “And if I find out where the pressure’s coming from?”
Assif ventured. Howitz sat back, a thoughtful and appraising look on
his face. “Well,” he said slowly,
“that would change things a little bit, now wouldn’t it?” “I need a week,” Assif said. “Buy me a week of uninterrupted,
unmonitored time and I can find out. I
can find out and maybe, just maybe, my team can stop them.” Howitz blinked, considering the
proposition. “We’re on the clock
here,” Assif pleaded, leaning forward.
“Whoever’s pulling the strings, they’re risking exposure. They’d only do that if they’re seriously
desperate or if they have a deadline.
If they’re desperate, now’s the time to hit them. And if they have a deadline, whatever it
might be, we cannot allow them to make it.” “What are you suggesting is at stake?” Howitz asked. “An island was raised from the depths of the ocean
floor,” Assif said. “That does not
just happen, even in the magical world.
Somebody did it and they did it as a precursor to something more. Somebody’s taking a big gamble and at the
stakes they’re playing, the payoff must be huge.” Howitz sat back.
He thought for a moment. “One
week?” he asked. “One week is all you
need? You’re certain.” “As certain as I can be,” Assif said. “What about your team?” Howitz asked. “They escaped from the French military
prison. They’re probably scattered to
the four corners by now.” “I can gather them back to “Three days, huh?” Howitz said. He looked away again, sighing in
thought. “I can call off the
surveillance teams. I can even have
some teams run interference, to keep other agencies from bothering you. I can buy you the week you say you need.” He turned to Assif, a dead seriousness in his
eyes. “But I can’t do anything
more. If you find out who these guys
are, if you find the irrefutable proof that you’re looking for, you’re going
to be on your own. This office will
not be in a position to provide you with in further help. Resources, contacts, any of it. In a week, I’ll more than likely be
replaced and the other Responders will be sent to hunt you down.” Assif straightened up.
“I understand,” he said. “One
week.” Howitz nodded, sighing again. “One week,” he confirmed. |
|