From: martin@PROBLEM_WITH_INEWS_GATEWAY_FILE (Michele Martin) Newsgroups: alt.tv.quantum-leap.creative Subject: XOVER:The Witness pt13 Date: 26 Mar 1995 22:32:00 GMT Organization: Duke University, Durham, NC, USA Message-Id: <3l4q10$7fc@news.duke.edu> scene 16 Holding Cells Metro Police Station 11:40pm Dressed in the uniforms of one of the many people's whose job it was to keep the Metro Homicide Station clean, the man known (most often in a less than affectionate manner) as Murdoc carefully began planting the first of many explosive devices he planned to use on the station. Police station bombing was a big comedown from the sort of things he'd done in his heyday as an international terrorist, but it was step back in the right direction. Besides, the drug kingpin who hired him was paying very well. And it gave him a chance to hone his skills that might, just might, have gone a bit rusty during his hiatus. When he'd been learning what it meant to be Immortal. For several years, Murdoc had assumed that his continued survival in the face of the calamities that always followed when his schemes were foiled by a certain member of the Phoenix Foundation was due to his own tenaciousness and skill. But after the last incident, he'd been found by another Immortal who'd planned on taking his head. Murdoc _should_ have been an easy target--after all, he didn't know the first thing about swordplay. But that Immortal had apparantly totally failed to take into consideration the small automatic pistol Murdoc happened to have on his possession. And it was easy to take the head of someone who was, temporarily at least, already dead. He still remembered the rush his first Quickening had given him...and he wanted more. So he'd sought out someone who'd teach him what he needed to know. And once he'd learned all he wanted..., well let's just say Murdoc could hardly be considered one of the good Immortals. But now he wanted to get back into his old career. After all, an Immortal terrorist definitely had something going for him. This was just small potatoes. He'd been less than impressed by the security here at the station. It was certainly adequate to catch the ordinary terrorist, saboteur and what have you...but not someone of his caliber. He settled down to set the first of his little toys. Suddenly, he was interrupted by what a sudden pain in his head...a sort of buzzing pain. Another Immortal was close. He rose slowly, and walked over to the cleaning equipment he had as part of his disguise. Hidden amongst the mops was a long saber, very sharp. He wheeled the cleaning cart quietly to the end of the hall. Grabbing his sword, he peered around the corner. The guards were escorting a blond-haired man into the cell block. The man in the center was the other Immortal, who was now glancing quickly around for the source of the buzz in his own head. Murdoc smiled...he doubted anyone being thrown into jail was likely to have a sword on him. And a Quickening might be a nice bonus on the side. Of course, it would probably attract alot of attention and might even curtail his plans for the evening. No matter---he could come back in a week or so once the excitement had died down...and explain to his employer that something else had caused the station to temporarily beef up security. Of course, there was the matter of the guards. Then again, a sword wasn't the only thing Murdoc was armed with... Connor was just not having a good evening. Oh, it had started out okay--he'd gotten Stayde out of the way before Duncan could come to any harm, he'd met Duncan's new girlfriend (it was tragic what had happened to Tessa, and a shame--he'd really liked her), and had met her fascinating friend. Of course, who could've guessed she'd turn out to be in on the case of the murders Stayde had committed...and that there'd be a witness to the only beheading by Connor. He really couldn't blame either Scott Edwards or Natalie for what had happened--they're reactions in the situation were certainly understandable. It was just rotten luck. Connor hated police stations, and he wasn't particularly fond of police either...or the FBI. And he'd let them know it. Now, however, he was going to have to spend at least one night in this jail...unless Duncan could come up with a really good escape plan and help him out. The worse thing was, they'd taken his sword. He hadn't had a chance to hide it since he'd been caught totally offguard. He had no alibi, and as soon as forensics compared the metal in his katana to fragments found in Stayde's body, he'd be on his way to a real jail. Not a good situation at all. And it was about to get worse. As he was led down to the stations' block of cells, he got the buzz that indicated another Immortal was nearby. That spelled trouble--big trouble. Though he hoped whomever it was would be cautious about taking a head in the middle of a crowded police station. Or not so crowded, as the case may be. The presence of the cops might actually be his only protection now. Because as good as Connor was, he didn't have a prayer, unarmed as he was, against someone with a sword. scene 17 Metro station, main room 11:35pm Duncan was meeting with marginal success in his objectives for that evening. He'd managed to talk to Detective Knight, but it was hardly a productive conversation. Instead, it had degenerated into one of those skits from "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" where the contestants had to improvise a scene by conversing entirely in questions. No answers had been forthcoming, and Knight seemed to be taking advantage of the fact that he was the detective, after all, and Duncan could very easily become a suspect if he wasn't careful. They'd been interrupted by Mulder, who'd given Duncan a more than suspicious glance before hauling Knight away to consult with him about something on the case. So next he'd tried Paul Edwards. That had been a bit more fruitful. He used the excuse Joe had suggested, indicating that he might know Scott's attacker as a mutual acquaintance of his and "Robert Greene"'s. Paul had hesitated a moment, looking at him again in that odd sort of way that Duncan found more than a bit disquieting, before giving him a description. As he'd expected, it wasn't anyone he knew, but he hoped Joe would recognize the man. Now he just had to wait for his Watcher friend to return his call. So now he was talking with Natalie as everyone else was involved in the lineup. He'd gotten off to a shaky start at first, but managed to turn the conversation to the topic of Anne and what a nice person she was, etc. Natalie had been cautious at first, but had managed to open up once Duncan effused a bit about Anne...and really turned on the charm. He'd gotten Nat to reminisce a bit about the old times, though she kept glancing worriedly at door behind which everyone had disappeared. She was still probably upset about Connor's not turning out to be quite what she expected. He wished he could convince her that Connor really was as nice as she'd thought...but that was the problem they all faced when the Game interfered with their lives. Well, those of them for whom the Game _wasn't_ their life. Suddenly the door opened and Nick stuck his head out to speak to one of the nearby officers. From what Duncan could gather, Scott had positively identified Connor. Duncan knew that Connor would be counting on him to help get him out of this mess. He wished he had some idea how to do that. Paul and Scott left the room as well, and Scott at least seemed to be on his way home. They eventually came over to where he and Natalie stood talking. Scott took his leave of Nat, while shooting Duncan a quizzical look. *He's probably wondering what I'm up to and why I'm still here. Kid, I'm kind of asking that question myself. I really don't know if there's anymore I can learn here tonight...and if I stick around I'll have to talk to Mulder again.* As if on cue, both federal agents appeared. Agent Scully held Connor's katana, carefully wrapped in plastic, in her hand. "Doctor Lambert, I know you're probably tired, but I was wondering if you feel up to finishing our autopsy on tonight's victim. I'd like to compare the metal samples from the victim with the metal in this sword, in order to confirm it as the murder weapon. I'd also like to see if we can match it to the fragments from some of the other victims. If you'd rather go home, I can take care of it...." Scully began. "No, no...I'm alright. Well, maybe not alright. But I'd like to get this taken care of. And it'll take my mind off things," Natalie replied. "I think you should also compare the metal in the sword found at the scene to anything you pull out of the previous victims," Mulder suggested. "I'm not convinced Greene alias Nash was in on this alone." "Do you still think there's some kind of conspiracy going on here?" asked Scully. "That's what I'd like to find out," Mulder replied shooting a meaningful glance at Duncan. "Mr. MacLeod, what do you make of this?" Mulder indicated the sword. "Looks like a sword," Duncan replied sarcastically. "A very sharp one. Are you saying you didn't have any idea this was in his possession?" Mulder replied. "Agent Mulder, I've told you all I know..." Duncan began exasperatedly. "Then why were you so keen to ask Mr. Edwards about the man who attacked Scott? I overheard you getting a full description from him. Do you know something about this tattoo and what it means?" Mulder held up a picture of the Watcher tattoo Paul had described. Duncan shook his head negatively...but he could tell Mulder didn't believe him. This was the most tenacious law enforcement official Duncan had ever had to deal with, and he was beginning to think he wasn't going to get off as easily as he had in the past. He had an uncomfortable feeling that Mulder already knew or guessed more than any mortal short of the Watchers knew about the Immortals. As Scully and Natalie left for the Coroner's office, Paul Edwards reentered the room. "Agent Mulder, I'm ready to look at those pictures with you," Paul said as he approached. Duncan noted that Mulder regarded Paul in a manner not unlike the way Paul had looked at Duncan earlier. *Something very strange is going on around here.* "Actually, I think you should come along with us as well, Mr. MacLeod. Maybe you'll recognize some of these people as well," Mulder said. Duncan groaned...the man had _more_ pictures? As Mulder turned to lead them over to the desk he'd been using, Knight and Schanke approached. "We have some questions for them as well," Knight said as he approached. Duncan got the impression, though, that Knight was more interested in asking _him_ questions than in asking Paul anything. Though the detective gave Paul an odd look--just like Mulder had. So did Schanke. Duncan found that very odd. Sam held back a bit as Mulder asked Paul to go over the description of the attack on Scott and tried to figure out his next move. Al had had a fit when he'd returned only to find out that Scott was leaving the station and Greene was being sent down to the holding cells. But he really couldn't think of a way to keep them both where he could watch them. And he couldn't send Al to check on both. He'd reassured Al that Paul, at least, was still here, so no one would be able to grab him. And if what Al and Mulder said was true, Paul was the target of the abduction or disappearance of Scott's family. Sam watched the man now, wondering if any of it could be true. It seemed very hard to believe--though obviously he was hiding something if he was going by an assumed name. At any rate, he'd sent Al to keep an eye on Greene, with instructions to come back and warn him if _anything_ looked suspicious. Then he'd have to concoct a good excuse to go down to the cell block. Maybe if he claimed he suddenly had an inspiration and needed to talk to the suspect. It wasn't the best excuse, and Sam desperately hoped he wouldn't need it. Mulder was now showing some pictures to both MacLeod and Paul. Sam wondered who these people were supposed to be. Paul asked his unvoiced question. "Who are these people?" "Some of them are suspects from other cases around the world," Mulder replied. "Other cases around the world? How often does this happen?" Paul sounded confused and more than a bit horrified. Mulder stared at him for a brief second before replying. Unfortunately, Sam didn't catch what he said because suddenly, there was Al in front of him, his face wearing a very alarmed expression. "Sam! You gotta get down to the cell block, now!! There's some guy down there who just took out the guards and is getting ready to open Greene's cell. And he's got a sword!!" Sam opened his mouth to use his rather paltry excuse, but it was unnecessary. Almost before Al could finish, the desk sargeant yelled across the room. "Detectives! Someone just set off the silent alarm in the cell block where they just took your suspect!" "What?!" yelled Nick and Mulder. But Sam was already running. He reached for his gun and pulled it out of its holster as he made for the steps--fortunately Al was there to indicate where he needed to go. He heard Knight and Mulder, and possibly MacLeod and/or Paul as well, behind him. He raced down the steps and flung open the door to the cell block at the bottom. Two of the guards leaned against the wall, unconscious. One looked like he'd been shot. Sam barely took note of them as he entered the cell block. Al called out and pointed toward one of the cells. There he could see Greene kneeling on the ground, his hands clutching his stomach. Another man stood over him with a raised sword. As Sam approached, he heard the man say, "There can be only one, MacLeod!" "Drop it! Drop the sword! Now!!" Sam yelled as he took aim. The man ignored him and began to swing. There was no time to think. Sam fired twice at the man. The sword fell to the ground as the man toppled, hit squarely in the chest by Sam's shots. Mulder and Nick rushed past him into the cell as he slowly lowered his gun. "You got him, Sam!" Al said as he looked at the fallen assailant. Meanwhile, Greene had also collapsed to the floor. Al, Mulder, and Nick all rushed to check him out. "Uh, oh...." Sam heard Al mutter. "Are you alright, Sam?" Sam turned. Paul was looking at him in concern. Sam nodded. He always felt pretty bad about having to use his gun. He was surprised that Paul had noticed...then again, if he was an alien... Nick stood up and shook his head. Sam was concerned, now. Was Greene okay? Had he been injured before he could get there. "How is Greene?" he asked. Both Al and Nick looked at him regretfully. "I'm afraid he's dead..." Nick began. "What?" Sam rushed over to the cell. Mulder was still kneeling by Greene's inert form, pointing to a massive wound in his chest. "I think Greene was as good as dead when we arrived," Mulder said, as he looked back at Sam. Sam and Al exchanged horrified glances. They'd failed to save Robert Greene...failed one of the objectives of the leap. "Ohmigod...I'm too late...." -- Michele Martin martin@abacus.mc.duke.edu --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Evil Guest Immortal: "I have you now, MacLeod." Duncan MacLeod: "I admit it. You're better than I am." EGI: "Then why are you smiling?" MacLeod: "Because I know something you don't know..." "..._I_ am the star of this show." ----------------------------------------------------------------------------