Okay, after many months of lurking in Vincent's archive enjoying the
immense wealth of talent of the writers, I have finally completed a story
of my own.  This is my first time in writing fanfic and I have not written 
creatively since finishing school over ten years ago.   This is the continuation 
of the government conspiracy arc created by Chris Carter.    The arc of the 
story can be taken after Nisei/731 but prior to Piper Maru/Acrocrypha.

Any errors in relation to medical terminology are my own.  Although
references made do have some factual basis from various library texts, I
have no knowledge in this area whatsoever and may have misinterpreted
some of the information contained therein!  I have also attempted to use
American spelling and terminology in the document but there may be the
occasional slip up and possible Australian slang thrown in.   

This was posted to ATXC in June, 1996 and this time round I have labelled 
the parts correctly so there will be no missing pieces or doubling up of sections
which I did previously.  Apologies to those who may have already read this 
piece.

Any comments, suggestions or flames can be sent to me at my NEW e-mail 
address - missy@guru.apana.org.au. 

Disclaimers:  The X Files characters of Mulder, Scully, Skinner, The Lone
Gunmen, the Well Manicured Man, the clean shaven man and any others which
you may recognise but which I have unintentionally missed belong to CC
and 10-13 Productions and kudos goes to the actors who portray them on
screen.

Copyright  June, 1996


A M B I G U I T Y (1/8)

by Michelle Creek



ITHACA, NEW YORK
NOVEMBER 17, 1996
10.17 P.M.


Dr. Charles Subanzki walked casually in the cool refreshing autumn
breeze with his old border collie dog, Blue, arthritically keeping pace
with him.  He enjoyed this time of the year, the heat of the day
dissipating into evening together with his responsibility and the tension
that came with his employment as a Professor at Cornell University.

The local park was dark with shadows being cast on the edges by the
street lights.  The gravel path crunched under his evenly placed
strides, the sound echoing in the still of the night.  Tall dark pines
swayed peacefully in the gentle movement of air, stars brilliantly lit
against the ebony darkness. 
 
Blue all of a sudden froze in his tracks, ears laid well back on his head
and deep growls rumbling from his throat.  Dr. Subanzki looked around
to see what had caused the old dog to react in such a way.  The park was
quiet but the darkness prevented him from being able to see if there
were any attackers lurking in the shadows.

The darkness abruptly changed to piercing light engulfing the entire
park blinding and paralysing Dr. Subanzki in his tracks.  As fast as the
light came, it disappeared.  The park was once again still with the only
one occupant - an old border collie dog lying prostrate on the ground.


ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
NOVEMBER 18, 1996


Hazy flickering light dimly lit the dark enshrouded lounge-cum-bedroom
of Special Agent Fox Mulder.  Half-empty containers of King Pao Chinese
littered the coffee table with disposable chopsticks poking out of their
tops.  Several used coffee cups sat in various states of growth, forgotten
from days past and incongruously set against this rubble was an
immaculately cared for Smith & Wesson 1056 encased in a removable
holster.

Fox Mulder sprawled his six foot body comfortably over the form-fitting
couch watching a classic science fiction movie which he had seen many
times previously.  It did not make any difference though, anything would
do when he could not sleep.  At least, it was better than the nightmares
which were a less than welcome additive to his sleep.

A quiet knock resounded on his front door. Mulder looked at his watch.
The iridescent dial read 3.41 in the morning.  He slowly extracted his
body from its reclining position wondering *who* could be calling at this
hour.

Another knock - more insistent than the first - sounded.  Opening the
door revealed a familiar escort and Mulder was aware of their
destination.


CAPITOL HILL,
WASHINGTON D.C.


The corridors of the building were silent at this hour of the morning as
they moved at a unobtrusive pace towards Senator Richard Matheson's
offices.  His offices reflected the required executive look
necessary for his position but also the old charm of the legal era of forty
years previously.  The maroon coloured walls were covered with diplomas
representing the very person it housed.  


Senator Matteson sat in contemplation at his desk looking down at the
crystal tumbler generously filled with liquid amber.  He had not even
touched it in Mulder's opinion.  Senator Matheson slowly lifted his head
indicating for Mulder to enter the room and take a seat.  The office was
filled with the music of Bach.

"Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F, First Movement" commented Mulder
with a sardonic grin.  "Are we playing Double Jeopardy this time?" 
Mulder seated himself opposite the grey haired older gentleman, noting
with concern the fatigue in his face.  

"Depends on the version of Double Jeopardy, Fox.  You have been aware
of my support of your investigations" Senator Matheson slowly
deliberated, he was a man who did not do anything rashly but with
deliberate concise movement not wasting any energy on the
unnecessary.  "I have become aware of a situation which has arisen in
relation to your investigations at Aricebo."

"All the evidence was destroyed Senator.  They took the body, tapes and
documentation which supported the receipt of transmissions the like of
which we have never seen before."

Senator Matheson noted Mulder's restrained anger and frustration at
having had the information he had been searching for in his hands only
to have it taken away at the last moment.

"Mulder...do you know of Dr. Charles Subanzki?

"He was the Director of the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Centre at
Aricebo prior to the closure of the programme in 1992.  Since the
shutdown, I am not aware of his current position." Mulder stated.

"Charles is a good friend of my family.  His wife and mine have had quite
a close relationship for many years and our common interest...and that of
yours.... is our belief that life exists elsewhere in the universe.  Since
the closure of the Aricebo Observatory he has held the position of
Professor of Astronomy and Space Sciences at Cornell University as well
as being the Director of the Laboratory for Planetary Studies."

Senator Matheson ceased his recitation watching his fingers slowly
playing with the tumbler in his hand.  He looked up at Mulder "Last
night, I received a call from his wife.  She was frantic.  Charles had gone
out on his usual routine late evening walk with his dog and did not
return.  There has been no trace of him at all but his dog was found
lying in the middle of the local park."

"What is my interest in his disappearance?" Mulder queried.

"This is where it gets interesting.  The dog is not dead, it appears to be
paralysed but not as a result of any sort of medical condition and his
eyes appear to have suffered the effects of radiation burns."


ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND
4.31 A.M.


Special Agent Dana Scully wrapped herself tightly in her overcoat to
ward off the early morning chill as she seated herself in Mulder's car. 
The hour in which Mulder had contacted her did not leave her in a good
mood and was grateful when he handed her a cup of coffee to relieve her
lack of humour.

Mulder watched surreptitiously as his partner sipped the coffee before
handing her the file which was the subject of their investigation.

Scully got out her reading glasses, slipping them on her nose and
flipped through the file that Mulder had handed her, scanning the thin
file for details of what had gotten her out of bed and ready to leave at
4.30 a.m. in the morning.

"Dr. Charles Subanzki disappeared sometime between ten and twelve
o'clock last night.  His wife states that he was out walking his dog which
he did every evening at about this time and failed to return home.  On
contacting the local police and friends, a search was mounted locating
his dog but failing to find any trace...."

Scully had been listening to his diatribe but was suddenly struck by a
fact contained in the statistics on the missing Dr. Subanzki

"It states that he was the former Director of the National Astronomy and
Ionosphere Centre at Aricebo.   Mulder - how did you learn about this
case?"

Mulder did not answer and refused to look at her directly knowing that
one look into those cool blue eyes and Scully would read into his soul, if
she hadn't already.  She had become very intuitive into his thought
processes - especially his more wild ones.

"Is this related to Aricebo, to the lost documentation?"

"I'm not sure Scully but if you look further there is definitely something
not right *and* I don't think it's a simple case of a street mugging."

Scully waited for Mulder to continue.  His spiels of information on a case
were not just that.  They did serve another function of putting his
thoughts into a collective state together with providing his with
reasoned feedback based on scientific knowledge.

"Dr. Subanzki's dog is in a state of complete paralysis and signs of
radiation burns to its eyes."

"Mulder, the dog probably suffered a stroke causing the paralysis."

"But what about the radiation burns to the eyes, Scully?"

"In cases of extreme exposure to radioactive material, ataxia is one of the
symptoms together with loss of consciousness and convulsions in the
case of cerebral radiation sickness.  Has the dog suffered any
convulsions, Mulder?"

Mulder nodded in response digesting the medical information.  "But
where would a dog going for a walk in the local park come into contact
with radioactive material?"

"I don't know Mulder."  Scully frowned as she continued to go through
the sketchy details with which Mulder had been given.


ITHACA, NEW YORK
6.24 A.M.


Mulder pulled the car alongside the kerb at the local park at which Dr.
Subanzki had disappeared.  Several squad cars lined the street
indicating the importance of this investigation.  Mulder and Scully left
the car just as dawn was emerging and approached the park which was
cordoned off to the public with familiar yellow and black tape
representing the site of the investigation.  Flashing their identification,
they passed through the tape and were pointed in the general direction
of Sheriff Bill Davidson.

"Sheriff Davidson?"  Mulder began "I'm Special Agent Fox Mulder and
this is my partner Dana Scully.   We are with the FBI."

"Yes, I was advised that you would be investigating.  Sheriff Davidson
did not seem displeased at the news.

"What have you found?  Mulder inquired congenially.  He knew the
answers from  his early morning briefing but in one of his rare moments
of diplomacy, gave the Sheriff his moment of glory.

Scully stared at Mulder in disbelief.  <Maybe my presence is having some
effect after all.>  She hated how Mulder would for some unwitting reason
go all the way out to rub up the backs of the local police thus making an
unusual investigation impossibly difficult without the co-operation of
the local police.

"Just the dog in paralysis with no sign of tracks leading away from the
site.  It would appear from their tracks that they entered the park from
over there" said Sheriff Davidson pointing in a southerly direction on
the dirt path they were on and led them to the site of the disappearance.
"And that is it, no trace evidence of any other party in the vicinity at
the time."

Sheriff Davidson welcomed the opportunity to off-load a dead-end case
to the Federals.  It would not look good on his record to have an
unsolved disappearance of a well-known individual with connections in
Congress and went back to his own men to find out any further details
they had obtained.


Mulder crouched down to take a closer look at the ground where the dog
had been found.  As Sheriff Davidson had said, there was no evidence of
a struggle and it appeared from the paw prints as if the dog had been
standing one moment and struck down in paralysis in the next.  Mulder
put down his backpack and began removing a radiation meter.

Scully stood beside Mulder looking at the surrounding area.  "Mulder,
look at the trees."

Mulder noted the singeing to the tops of the trees in the immediate area
and was surprised by the fact that Scully had mentioned the fact in
front of Sheriff Davidson.  She generally avoided any confrontation with
the issue of alien abduction, especially when there were others within
hearing distance.  He looked around and realised that the good Sheriff
had left them to it.

"Yeah, have you also noticed the lack of litter debris in the immediate
vicinity of the abduction site?"  

Mulder placed a stop watch on the ground while he checked the
immediate area where the dog had been found with the radiation meter
noting the readouts being given and carefully checking the changes as
he extended his area of investigation.  

Scully investigated the ground for any sign of footprints which might
indicate a struggle at any stage in the surrounding area but found not
even a blade of grass trampled.  Yet, there was evidence in their midst. 
Scully noticed a light powdery substance seemed to be covering the
grass.  She removed an evidence bag and took samples from various
parts of the site and placed them in her briefcase.  It seemed to be just
within the borderline of where the litter had been spread in a
symmetrical circle.

Scully joined Mulder just as he was collecting his second stop watch
from the ground judiciously pressing the stop buttons within a
millisecond of each other.  "So, Mulder, what do we here.  An alien
abduction or a government conspiracy?" Scully mused quietly.

"I'm not sure, Scully.  This is weird.  Have a look at the stop watches." He
said turning their faces for her to see.

"They show two different times.  That supports your alien abduction
theory - so how is it *weird*?"

"There is usually a loss of time in one watch.  Not a complete cessation of
function altogether.   Somehow the circuitry has been interrupted." 
Mulder was fascinated by a new result in his paranormal phenomena
experience.

"Maybe your stop watch has finally given up the ghost, Mulder?" 

Mulder looked at her in astonishment.  "If I knew that getting you up
this early in the morning affected your humorous side, maybe I should
do it more often."

Scully pulled her face in disgust and shook her head at Mulder's version
of humour walking back towards their car.


SMOKE FILLED ROOM 
WASHINGTON D.C.
7.54 A.M.


The tall well-groomed man nodded his head in ascent in response to the
information being provided to him via the compact cellular phone.  As he
completed the call, his picked up the fine bone china cup and saucer
from the side table where he had placed it upon taking the call.

"Gentlemen, it would appear that Mulder has once again been provided
with information which may hamper our project.  I think it is time that we
took measures to ensure that our position is not comprised."

"Elimination?" queried a portly man with not much flair for fashion in his
broad pin-striped suit.

"No.  That would be too obvious.  There are too many who support him
and would find it necessary to investigate the matter.  I think using
history would be the best measure."

"Which part of history, may I ask."  

The well-groomed gentleman had them all intrigued by his insinuations
to the past.  "Not that far back, gentlemen.  You remember the elimination
of a certain government official who assisted Mulder with some of his
investigations.  In one particular instance, he misled Mulder with the
clever placing of a lie between two truths.  The only thing he forgot was
Mulder's skeptical partner but I think that we can cover that avenue
this time"

They all nodded in assessment, each insidious and clever mind
formulating different ways to develop their scheme into a working
facade.


SUBANZKI RESIDENCE
8.12 A.M.


Mulder and Scully stood and waited for an answer to their knock on the
door of the two storey weatherboard white Edwardian house located on a
quiet tree-lined street.  The garden was well kept with a variety of
flowering shrubs lining the pathway up to the dwelling.  The door was
opened by a tall gangly lad in his late teens.   Scully and Mulder
procured their identification for him to inspect.

"I am Special Agent Mulder of the FBI and this is Special Agent Scully. 
We would like to speak to Mrs. Subanzki regarding her husband's
disappearance."  

"Come in.  Mom's in the lounge"  the young lad informed them.

They were led into a dark hallway which was adorned with photographs
depicting various family members.  The soles of their feet reverberated
on the polished floor boards as they entered the spacious lounge at the
end of the hallway.  It was sparsely decorated with Edwardian furniture
and opulent antique rugs.

Seated on the couch looking stoicly out the bay window was a neatly
attired small boned lady with a rather round tabby cat on her lap
purring in response to the gentle strokes which it was automatically
being given.  Slowly and gracefully she turned her head to acknowledge
their presence.  Her eyes evidencing the emotional devastation she felt
over the disappearance of her husband.

"Mrs. Subanzki, I am Agent Dana Scully and this is Agent Fox Mulder.  We
are with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and we would like to ask
you some questions regarding your husband's disappearance."

Mrs. Subanzki nodded in response to Scully's introduction and indicated
for them to take a seat.  Mulder sat down on an armchair aligned near the
couch and Dana sat on the couch beside Mrs. Subanzki knowing that with
some of the questions she would need to give her some possible emotional
support.  Her son left the room.

"Could you tell us what happened last night?" Mulder inquired.

"My husband went out for his evening walk with Blue.  That's our border
collie - he's eleven years old and arthritic.  Charles takes him for a walk
each evening all year round - weather permitting, of course - to make
sure he gets some exercise into his legs and it also gives Charles a
chance to relax after work."

Mulder and Scully allowed Mrs. Subanzki to continue her diatribe
realising that it was therapeutic to her emotional state to actually speak
of the events which had taken place so recently.

"He has a pattern of where he goes and it does not differ.  Blue being so
old it gives him confidence in his movements to remain familiar with a
consistent territory.  Charles left at about ten o'clock and usually would
have returned by about ten thirty.  But he just never came back."  Mrs.
Subanzki struggled to retain her composure wringing her hands in her
lap but a small sob escaped her.  "I don't know who could have taken him
or what they have done to him.  And *why*?"
 
Dana put a calming hand on Mrs. Subanzki's hands "That's what we are
here to find out."

Mulder allowed Mrs. Subanzki to regain her composure before gently
inquiring "What exactly did your husband do?" 

"I am not interested in, nor do I understand, astronomy or physics. He
would talk about his work in general terms just explaining what he was
doing but not going into any great details.  I know he has been putting a
lot of time into a new project which has been running for the last six
months and he was having great success with.  It was an improvement on
the SETI project of which he was the Director of at Aricebo, Puerto Rico
until 1993 when the project was closed."

"Was your husband happy at the time of his disappearance?" Mulder
asked

"He would not have killed himself!" Mrs. Subanzki said adamantly sitting
up ramrod straight, her sudden movement sending the cat flying off into
the other room in fright.

Dana looked across at Mulder indicating to him that she would continue.
"Mrs. Subanzki, we are trying to ascertain whether there was anything
to do with his work that might have had some influence over his
disappearance."

"Charles had mentioned something in relation to the BETA project but I
cannot remember what it was" apologised Mrs. Subanzki.  "You could
speak to one of his graduate students who assisted him.  Ethan will know
his name."

Suddenly Ethan appeared in the doorway indicating to Mulder and Scully
that he had been within eavesdropping distance of the lounge.  Mulder
admired the intelligence of the boy to give them a chance to question his
mother in private but yet also keeping within protective distance to give
her support.

"You would probably be best to speak to Kevin Sagan.  He worked with
Dad the most on the BETA project and can give you any information you
feel is necessary."  commented Ethan whilst leaning against the
doorframe. "Most of the time you will find him in the basement at the
Laboratory of Physics at Cornell University. He lives on campus, so you
will find him quite easily."

"Just one more question, where is your dog?" Scully asked.

"He's at the vet." Ethan replied.  "At the moment he is in a state of
paralysis but they are not sure what has caused it nor the damage to his
eyes.  Later today they are getting in some specialists from the Werribee
Animal Clinic to conduct some special tests."  

"I would like to have a look at him as well.  I am a forensic pathologist
and I would like to examine your dog, with your permission.  I have had
experience with unusual diagnosis and I understand that his condition is
of an unknown nature."  

"I will have to speak to our vet but I do not see any problem" stated
Ethan.  "This is his card and if you contact him this afternoon, I will
have had a chance to discuss the matter with him."

"Thank you very much for your time.  If anything comes to mind, this is
my cellular number."  Scully handed over a card to Mrs. Subanzki and
stood up beside Mulder.  


CORNELL UNIVERSITY
8.47 A.M.


Scully pulled the car into the first spare car space that was available
noting the lack of available car spaces in the area.  Locking the car, they
proceeded towards the administration building to advise of their
investigation, and in particular, to locate where the Laboratory of
Physics was situated.

Following the instructions given at the administration building, they
proceeding across the campus to the building housing the Department of
Astronomy and Space Sciences.  Apparently the Laboratory of Physics
was located in the basement of the building.  

The stairs leading to the basement were grey as were the walls
reminding Scully of the building which housed Mulder's friends The
Lone Gunmen.  Mulder knocked on the heavy door and waited for a
response.  When none was forthcoming, he tried turning the door handle
and was surprised when it opened lightly under his hand.

"Hello.  Anybody here?" Mulder called.  "Looks like they've slept in."

The room now exposed to their eyes was encased wall to wall in man-sized
racks of circuit boards, radio transmitters, receivers and computers. 
Work stations displayed patterns of green and red spikes, needles
fluttering on glowing dials, lights blinked on a bank of small computers. 
The basement was filled with an audible static-filled hiss amplified by a
stereo amplifier. 

"This reminds me of an up-graded SETI project" commented Mulder as he
took in the set up.  Moving to a desk which was littered with piles of
printouts which had been randomly scattered over it.  He began flicking
through the various printouts and suddenly stopped, a look of
consternation on his face.

"What is it Mulder?"  Scully asked looking over his arm at the printouts.

"Some printouts.  Remember when I went down to Aricebo and had all
those computer printouts which could have supported the fact that
*contact* had been established."  Scully nodded awaiting his
continuation.  "I think I might borrow one of these and go through it
just to check."

"Mulder, just because at one SETI project there was a chance of proof
does not mean that each time you have access to these printouts that
they will support your theory."  Scully looked imploringly at him
compelling him to take a step back from the giant leaps he she knew he
would want to take if she let him.  "When I took that document to Naval
Observatory it was only the second transmission which had been
received.  The SETI project has been going for over three decades yet
only one signal has been attributed to it - and that was only for one
minute.  The likelihood of there being a transmission in that sheaf of
papers is very slim"  

Scully turned and went over to a small desk located discreetly in a
corner.  She sat down thumbing through the desk calendar noting down
some of the entries in her notebook and then proceeded to rummage
through the single drawer.  It only revealed paper and pens and other
stationery accessories as well as a small book which was caught.  All of a
sudden, she let out a yelp of pain as the book released from its prized
position.

Mulder turned from the machinery which he had been investigating to
find Scully nursing the back of her left hand in her right with blood
running between her fingers and over the back of the black book in her
possession.  He quickly moved towards her removing a handkerchief
from his pocket to wrap around her hand "Are you okay?"

"Yeah.  I just caught my hand on something on the side of the drawer." 
Scully replied faintly.  "Mulder, pull out the drawer and have a look"  

Scully got up out of the chair to allow Mulder access to the drawer
placing the small diary she had extracted from the drawer in her pocket. 
Mulder gave the drawer a gentle pull and it slid out of the rollers into
his hands.  He set it down on the desk removing its contents
methodically, which was very unusual for him, but since Scully had
already been hurt putting her hand into this drawer he was not about to
succumb to the same treatment.  

Scully watched expectantly as he got continued his diligent work, a few
rusted nails on the side on the drawer were exposed to the light.

"Ah, Scully, when did you last have a tetanus injection?" Mulder asked.  

She leaned over to view the small sharp nails which had inflicted the
damage to her hand wincing as she realised the treatment she would
have to seek.  "Mulder look at the differences in the thickness of the
sides of the drawer.  There's a false insert on this side."  

End Part 1/8


Send any comments, constructive criticism or flames to my NEW address: 
missy@guru.apana.org.au

Disclaimers:  See part 1.

A M B I G U I T Y (2/8)

by Michelle Creek


Mulder looked about the room for something suitable with which to
remove the nails and release the false side.  He located a screwdriver and
took of one of his shoes.  

"So, we'll make a handyman out of you yet" quipped Scully.  

"Don't laugh, you haven't seen whether it works yet" Mulder responded,
his face only mildly reflecting his humour.  He positioned the
screwdriver between the two pieces of wood and gently hammered it
down to obtain some leverage.  As he worked back and forth slowly
gaining some momentum in the removal of the piece.  As he applied
pressure, the nails groaned as they released their precious prize.  A
small diskette slipped onto the desk.

Mulder and Scully exchanged a look both acknowledging that it would be
better for them to peruse the contents of the disk on their own computer. 
Mulder slipped the disk into his jacket pocket, replaced the contents of
the drawer and had slid it back into place just as a young man in his
twenties entered the basement.

"Hey, what are you doing in here?" he asked emphatically, his light
brown shoulder length straight hair falling about his face.

"We're with the FBI" said Mulder pulling his ID out for him to see.  "I'm
Agent Mulder and this is Agent Scully.  We are investigating the
disappearance of Dr. Charles Subanzki and may I ask - *who* are you?"

The young man entered the basement coming over to the desk checking
out his Mulder's ID "I'm Chad Hollingworth.  What do you mean,  he's
disappeared?"

"Last night he went out for a walk and didn't return."  replied Scully.

Mulder looked at Chad "What is your interest in the BETA project, Chad? 

Chad looked up at Mulder, his 5'10" height a disadvantage against
Mulder's height.  "About six months ago he asked me to assist him and
Kevin in the BETA project.  This was the transmission phase.  He had
really started the project just after the shutdown of the SETI project at
Aricebo putting all the equipment together and gaining funding."

"We actually came here to interview Kevin Sagan.  Do you know where he
is?" Scully asked.

"Well, if he's not here, he should be in his room.  I'm surprised he's not
here.  He practically sleeps with this equipment.  I can take you to his
room if you like"

Mulder nodded to him and the trio proceeded out the door. "How's your
hand, Scully?"

"It's okay, Mulder." she brushed him off.  Scully was not one to be
fussed over and ever since her disappearance for three months,
Mulder's concern was obvious.

Mulder knew better than to push the issue of her hand now but made a
mental note to have it looked at later knowing that doctors were the
worst patients and tended to overlook their own injuries having seen
plenty worse.

The early morning sun created shadows across the asphalt surface
leading towards the dormitories.  Chad led them to the Kevin's room
knocking on the door.  *Again* there was no answer.

"Kevin, are you in there?" called out Chad.

Mulder turned the door knob opening the door.  The room had the stock
standard bed, desk, drawers and wardrobe.  The desk was piled thick
with papers set between the small radio transmitter/receiver and
computer.  Scully and Mulder entered the room both flicking through
documents on Kevin's desk.

"Chad - when was the last time you saw Kevin?" Mulder asked quietly.  

"Yesterday at the basement.  I left at about six o'clock.  Both Dr.
Subanzki and Kevin were still there working on the receiver."  

"Thanks for your assistance Chad, if you hear from either Kevin or Dr.
Subanzki please contact either of us immediately.  These are our cellular
numbers."  Mulder handed over their cards to Chad who looked them
over before placing them in his pocket.

"Kevin's not in any trouble is he?"

"Not as far as we are aware."  Scully replied softly and with that Chad
turned on his heel, shutting the door and left the two Agents to do a
more thorough search of Kevin's room.  

Scully sat down at the computer turning it on and wished she had her
glasses to read the screen more clearly.  Mulder opened the wardrobe
and drawers flicking neatly through the clothing.  

"It doesn't look like he decided to take a holiday."  Mulder said picking
up a couple of bottles of tablets contained in the top drawer of the
bedside table.  "Aren't these for the treatment of epilepsy, Scully?"

Scully turned away from the computer screen in the chair, crossing her
legs neatly and looked at the name of the bottle and nodded.  "Yes,
although this is a mild dosage but he would be mad not to take these if he
went away.  Mulder... what are you thinking."  Scully could see that far
away look in his hazel eyes knowing that a theory was formulating in his
mind.

"Maybe Dr. Subanzki is not the only person to have disappeared.  It is
unusual that the only other person who knows all about the BETA project
has disappeared.  I wonder......"

"So...I hope you are not inferring that there is an alien abduction here. 
We are here to investigate the disappearance of Dr. Subanzki not Kevin!"
Scully's voice was firm and then softened as she continued.  "No one has
reported him missing, so we cannot just assume that he has disappeared
in the same manner."  Scully looked up at Mulder flustered.  She knew
that Mulder's intuition and leaps of logic should not be ignored because
comparatively, they were more often than not, correct.  But she also had
to keep Mulder grounded.

"I don't know Scully but I have a feeling that this time it may not be
'Little Green Men'  Mulder looked around the room with a feeling of
trepidation that this case definitely was more complicated than it seemed. 
"I think it may be prudent for us to speak to the Dean."

"You're probably right." she said turning back to the computer screen.
"He has got a password protect on his system and unlike *yours*, I don't
have a clue what it might be."

Mulder looked over her shoulder and thought for a moment.  "Try 'BETA'
or 'SETI'."

Scully came up with the same result each time "ACCESS DENIED".
"Mulder, this is useless.  We do not even know the guy, so how can we
possibly get into his mind to work out what his password would be?  A
crack password breaking programme can take months if it is a highly
sophisticated password such as a phrase"

Mulder paced back and forth across the room his brow furrowed "Give
me a moment Scully.  From what we know about him, it would seem that
his life revolved pretty much around university and the project."
Mulder clicked his fingers. "I know.  Try 'Voyager'"

Scully keyed in the new password and gained access.  "Brilliant Mulder,
but don't think that this will let me trust you with *my* computer."  The
list of files appeared innocuous enough.  Mulder was quickly scanning
down the list trying to ascertain contents from the short titles which
invariably only make sense to the creator.  

Scully was also scanning the screen, not for the contents but for the
most recent files used.  Upon locating the file, she accessed it.  "This is
the last file he used.  It was 10.16 p.m. last night."

"Mulder....I don't understand.  This file in encrypted!  To first have an
access code and then encryption.  Why would a university student need
to use such methods?" Scully was perplexed.  

Mulder rummaged through the desk drawer locating a disk.  "Scully,
save the file and let's get out of here.  I do not like the vibes I am getting
of this."

Scully transferred the data to the floppy disk, quickly shutting down
the computer system and placing the disk in her coat pocket but failing
to turn off the computer screen.   Before securely closing the door after
them, Mulder glanced around the room once more and there was a glint of
sunlight reflecting on an object poking out of under the bed.  Mulder
bent down to look at the item.  "Scully have you got an evidence bag or a
prophylactic?"

Scully came across the room and handed him a prophylactic and an
evidence bag.  Mulder retrieved the syringe, the needle of which had
sparkled in the morning light securely placing it in the plastic bag. 
Mulder stood and guided Scully down and out to the corridor this time
locking the door after them.  As they walked down the corridor, Mulder
had the feeling of being watched.  He glanced around but failed to pick
up any evidence to support his instincts.  

                            - 
  
 -

A black clad man of medium build and height watched the two agents
leave the room of Kevin Sagan.  He was fully aware of their identities and
it amazed him how fast they had managed to investigate the
disappearance of Dr. Subanzki.

He swiftly moved to the door that the agents had just closed and
efficiently picked the lock slipping through noiselessly.  His small deep
brown eyes assessed the room quickly and logically went to the bed
crawling on his knees looking but the object of his search was not there. 
His intelligent mind immediately put the presence of the two Federal
Agents in the room and the disappearance of the syringe together and
came up with two.

Not wanting to stay in the room any longer than necessary, he again
scanned the room noticing for the first time that the computer screen
was on which *he knew* had not been the case earlier.  Using his cellular
phone, he called his superiors advising him of the situation and
suggesting how this could be handled.


BLUE LAKE MOTEL
ITHACA, NEW YORK


Scully waited in the car whilst Mulder got the keys to their rooms.  They
had again obtained adjoining rooms allowing easy access to discuss the
case at hand.  This had become a common practice since the early days
when Scully was assigned to partner Mulder in his investigations into
the X files.  

Mulder parked the car and they both retrieved their overnight bags
from the trunk.  Scully also picked up her laptop computer which was a
constant companion on their journeys.  They went to their respective
rooms to place their belongings.  

Mulder knocked on Scully's door carrying a couple of cups of hot coffee
and a brown paper bag. She opened the door allowing him to enter and
she gratefully took the coffee savouring the first mouthful refreshing
her mind.  Scully, having already connected the laptop into the
telephone jack,  had connected to FBI headquarters.  

"I've contacted Danny.   I was just starting to download the encrypted
document down to him.   Let me finish"   She sat down and completed the
transmission through to Danny.   Out of habit, she removed the disk from
the drive and having nowhere else to store it safely, slipped it into her
jacket pocket once again and then relaxed to enjoy the rest of her coffee.

"Enjoy while its hot" Mulder said flourishing a brown paper bag.  He
placed a fresh croissant on a plate in front of her, its crisp crust
covering a thin layer of melted butter. as he removed a second one for
himself. 

They ate in companionable silence enjoying the flaky French pastry. 
Scully thought about the clogging of her arteries, then dismissed it as
she relished the sweet light bread.  Mulder finished his croissant
watching Scully as she delicately handled the pastry waiting for her to
finish before finally catching her left hand removing the handkerchief
covering it.  It revealled three deep cuts horizontally across the back of
her hand. 

"Scully, these need to be seen to." Mulder exclaimed astounded at the
depth of the cuts.  "How did you do so much damage?"

"The diary I found in the drawer was caught on something and as I
pulled, it was released."  Scully replied matter-of-factly but yet her
voice held a faintness not usually attributed to it.  She made to get the
diary from her pocket but Mulder halted her.

"No you don't, you are not going to divert my attention Scully.  You are
talking to a well practised artist here" Mulder stood pulling his keys out
of his pocket.  "Come on."  He helped her up and bundled her back into
her overcoat proceeding to the car after locking the door to her room.


LOCAL DOCTOR'S OFFICE
10.32 A.M.


Scully sat on the examining table looking down at her feet dangling in
mid air above the wooden steps which had allowed her easy access to the
table, her hands resting in her lap.  Mulder stood against the far wall
surveying the small cluttered office housing a well-laden desk, filing
cabinets, medicine cabinets, overburdened bookshelves and walls
adorned with children's fingerpaintings.

A small dark man in his mid sixties with an atypical Jewish nose to match
the Kippa affixed to the back of his head scurried into the room, his
reading glasses slipping down his nose whilst quickly reviewing the
patient details Mulder had filled out upon entering the clinic door.  "Hi,
I'm Dr. Goldberg.  What can I do for you?"  he queried as he came across
the room to where Scully was seated.

"Just clean up a couple of scratches on my hand" Scully replied calmly
undoing the handkerchief revealing the cuts.  Scully was annoyed with
Mulder for dragging her here.  She would have treated the cuts herself. 
She avoided hospitals at all costs in the same way Mulder did. 

Dr. Goldberg picket up her hand gently, peering through his half-moon
glasses to take a closer look.  "Scratches is a bit of an understatement
my dear.  What caused this damage?" he looked up at her over the top of
his half moon glasses into the radiant blue eyes.

"She caught it on some rusted nails in the side of a drawer" Mulder
replied.  Dr. Goldberg started at the sound of the male voice behind him
not having noticed Mulder when he had entered the room.  "Just be
warned doctor, she is a doctor herself and will try to mediate the mode of
treatment you would suggest."

"Mulder, I am not *you*" Scully said adamantly.  "I am not silly enough
to ignore cuts caused by rusted nails.  Anybody with the least amount of
common sense knows that!"

Dr. Goldberg eyed the two agents evenly realising that there was a non-
verbal conversation taking place between them as well as the verbal one. 
"You two can continue your discussion later but right now I would like to
treat this young lady."  He moved to the medical cabinet removing
various bottles and swabs placing latex gloves on his hands before
moving back towards Scully.

His ministrations carefully cleaned the cuts, his round face puckering as
he prodded the wounds.  "Well my dear, two of these are okay but this
one will require some stitches.  I will also give you a tetanus injection."

Mulder looked at Scully, the expression on her face declaring her
opposition to the stitches.  "Scully...." he tapered off in a warning tone. 
She looked at him realising that she was being childish and resigned
herself to the treatment ahead.

Two injections and seven perfect little stitches later, they left the
surgery with a stern warning from Dr. Goldberg to give her hand a
chance to heal.  In the car Scully looked down at her neatly bandaged
hand still suffering the effects of the local anaesthetic, sighed and
closed her eyes as Mulder drove towards their motel.


BLUE LAKE MOTEL
ITHACA, NEW YORK
10,26 A.M.


Two dark shapes slid with careful movements towards the assigned motel
doors each opening the lock immediately without the aid of the usual
door key and slipped inside.

Not caring to cover the fact that they had entered the respective rooms,
they systematically went through them discarding any irrelevant items
with disregard seizing only those items which they had been instructed
to retrieve and searching emphatically for the ones which they could not
locate.

After several intensive searches of bed linen, mattresses, suitcases and
any other source of the missing items of their assigned mission, they
vacated the rooms, and with a quirk of humour, bothered to lock the
doors again.


BLUE LAKE MOTEL 
ITHACA, NEW YORK
11.16 A.M.


Mulder parked the car outside their rooms and gave Scully a gentle
shake.  She opened her eyes slowly taking in their surroundings and
released her seatbelt.  "Mulder, we need to contact the Dean to ascertain
where Kevin is."

Mulder nodded and Scully followed him to the her door waiting whilst he
opened the door and ushered her inside.  They both stopped as they
absorbed the destruction which had taken place in their absence.  Bed
linen had been removed, drawers pulled out and the contents of Scully's
bags and briefcase were strewn across the bed. 

They both pulled out their guns and carefully checked out all the points
of access in the room and the adjoining bathroom finding no intruders. 
Mulder's mind was racing. 

"Wait here, Scully" he commanded as he ran out of the room towards his
own.  

He slid his key into the lock silently and entered cautiously taking all
the precautions instilled into him at the FBI Academy.  He found no one in
his room although it had suffered the same fate as Scully's.  He returned
to her room.

"I think these people need some training in redecoration.  I might
appreciate the homely state they left my room in but I doubt someone
with your clean tastes appreciates their skills." Mulder quipped.  

A faint smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. "So whose attention
have we attracted in our" Scully consulted her watch "five hour stint in
this state.  Whoever it was has been through my file and removed the
notes I took from Dr. Subanzki's calendar of appointments.  

"What's going on Mulder?"  

Scully was getting agitated by the situation they were in.  It reminded
her of a couple of previous instances when their investigations were
thwarted by the disappearance of evidence and documentation
supporting their cases.  At least in those cases, they had time to
accumulate material whereas in this investigation - they had only just
begun.  

"I don't know Scully but it seems to be linked with our investigation as
innocuous as it may seem.  The more I think about it, the more I am sure
it is linked to the BETA project Dr. Subanzki was operating.  I have a
feeling that this may not be the last time our rooms are trashed."

"Mulder, what are you talking about?"

"The computer disks Scully!  When I took you to the clinic, we both still
had the disks in our coat pockets.  We left everything else in our rooms." 
Mulder now had that look of thoughtful anticipation running over his
face as he fingered the disk he had removed from his pocket.  

Scully looked around the room, torn between wanting to clean up and an
anxiety to know what was on the disks.  Curiosity got the better of her
and she moved to her computer turning it on.  While waiting for it to boot
up, she went about picking up just a few of her clothes and placed them
bag in her overnight bag before retrieving her glasses and sitting them
high up on the bridge of her nose.

Keying in her password, she gained access to the system loading in the
floppy disk which Mulder had passed to her.  "It looks like Dr. Subanzki
was a bit more trusting than our young graduate student.  His files don't
require password access."

Again, she ascertained the last file to be used and recalled it to the
screen.  They both watched with trepidation as to what would come up on
the screen before them.  As the screen filled with details, they scanned
the file absorbing it and trying to understand the context of the
document between the complex astronomy and physics terminology. 
Scully's background assisted in these areas assisted them to a certain
degree but this was even out of her league.

"Scully, this relates to a continuation of the SETI project.  It wasn't
discontinued as we thought."   Mulder was fascinated by the words
coming up on the screen, his eyes flickering over the lines scrolling up
the screen.

"Why would the Government publicly announce the demise of the project
then continue the transmissions from an observatory in Australia?" 
Scully was perplexed as she skimmed through the screen.  "Mulder, this
name.  I'm sure he had an appointment with Dr. Subanzki yesterday."

"Are you sure?" Mulder looked at her quizzically.

"As sure as I can be without an eidetic memory like yours"  Suddenly she
remembered the small diary she had extracted from the basement.  Scully
pulled out the diary from her jacket pocket flicking through to the
current week's entries.  "Yes, here it is and there's a cellular number
noted down."  She handed the book over to Mulder.

Mulder dialled the number on his cell phone waiting for an answer.  "Ms.
Jordan?"

"Yes, this is Marissa Jordan" responded a confident voice.  "Who is this
speaking?"  Her accent confirmed Mulder's thought that she was from
Australia.

"I'm Special Agent Fox Mulder of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  I
understand that you had an appointment with Dr. Charles Subanzki
yesterday morning."

"Yes" came the cautious response.

"What was the purpose of your appointment?"

"It is not something I wish to discuss" she stated coldly.

"Dr. Subanzki disappeared last night in mysterious circumstances"
Mulder said in his official bureau voice commanding attention.  "This is a
federal investigation and I think it would be pertinent for you to answer
my questions."

Silence met his official tone and a small sigh.  "All right, but not over the
phone.  I would prefer to meet you in person.  Where is your office?"

"At the Blue Lake Motel."

"What?" Marissa's voice exhibited her confusion.

"We are from FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C." Mulder explained.

"Oh" She lapsed into silence then continued when Mulder did not
continue.  "I have been here two days Agent Mulder. I will require an
address.  I would also like your identification numbers so that I might
check *your* credentials before coming."  she responded, sarcasm
dripping off the words.

Mulder rattled off their identification numbers for Marissa to check. 
"Sorry.  It's 224 Mountain Road, Ithaca.  Do you require directions?"

"No, I do have a map although it's nowhere near as good as a 'Melways'"
she commented.

Mulder's eyebrows crinkled in confusion 'Melways'?"

"It doesn't matter.  It's just a trade name for our local street directory. 
I have an appointment at two o'clock this afternoon.  Can I meet you at
about twelve."  It was not a question but more a statement.

"Yes, that's fine.  "I'm in Room 18.  Park directly outside and thank you."

"I don't really have a choice in this matter do I?" came the short
comment.

"No." Mulder replied shortly and the connection was broken.  Marissa
Jordan had his interest piqued.

"Well?" Scully enquired removing her glasses as she turned to face him.

"She'll meet us here at twelve.  We need to get in touch with the vet and
the Dean of the University in the meantime.  You've got the number for
the vet.  I'll track down the Dean."

Scully scrambled through the papers dumped over her bed locating the
card from the vet, her cellular phone and they both sat down to attend to
their calls.

                        - o O o O o O o -

"How did you go?" Mulder asked as he finished his call.

"I have a two o'clock appointment with a Dr. Morris Gunter.  The dog is
not expect to survive.  What about you?" 

"The Dean is not aware of Kevin going anywhere but if we attend with ID
he will give use a contact number for his parents who live in Washington
State."  Mulder surveyed the mess spread across Scully's room.  "I think
it might be an idea if we clean up your room prior to Ms. Jordan's arrival. 
It might not give her the right impression about American hospitality."

"What" Scully was totally confused.

"She's Australian"

"Oh" Scully's answer was short deciding it was best to wait to find out
how an Australian was connected with their investigation.


OUTSIDE THE BLUE LAKE MOTEL
11.54 A.M.


A black car sat in the street shrouded in shade by the heavily branched
trees lining the street, the two occupants slouched low in their seats. 
They had returned to this particular spot just fifteen minutes before
after delivering the good to their superiors, at the same time receiving
orders to keep an eye on the agents.

They noted the arrival of a small sporty Honda coupe watching the
progress of the tall lady to one of the motel rooms they were watching. 
Using mini-binoculars, one of the men noted down the registration
number of the vehicle and immediately made a call on his cell phone.


BLUE LAKE MOTEL
11.57 A.M.


They had both had assisted each other in getting the overall carnage
back in place  in their rooms leaving the retrieval of personal items to
themselves and they now gave held a semblance of normality which did
not reflect what was going through both their minds at this time.  

Mulder arranged with room service for the delivery of a platter of
sandwiches, a carafe of apple juice and a pot of coffee and tea in the next
half hour.  He sat down on the edge of the bed watching Scully sitting in
front of the computer as she waited to be put through to Danny.

"Agent Scully, here..  I would like to speak to Danny Valledeo."  Scully was
mentally counting how many times she would need to repeat this phrase
before being connected to him.  "Hi Danny.  How did you go?"   Scully
nodded and then her face sobered with the information being given to
her.  "Thanks, Danny. Can you e-mail what you've got to me, please." she
said cutting off the connection.

"What?" Mulder asked shortly dreading the answer she was going to
give.

"Danny received the information I sent to him and has decoded it but to
him it still does not make sense though he did comment that with my
background in astronomy and physics, I would probably be able to
understand it."  A fleeting smile went across Scully's face.

Mulder had his mouth open ready to respond with a smart retort but an
assertive knock interrupted him.  

Mulder cautiously opened the door to a relatively tall, slightly built lady. 
 She was immaculately dressed in a burgundy pant suit enhancing the
deep ebony of her hair and striking deep blue eyes.

"Agent Mulder?" she asked, a bare seconds hesitation giving away her
nervousness at this meeting.  

Mulder nodded in response. 

"I'm Marissa Jordan." she said offering her hand.

"Please, come in" he said moving aside to allow her to enter into Scully's
room.  "Have a seat." he invited indicating the small armchair judiciously
placed in the corner of the room.  

As she made herself comfortable, Mulder introduced Scully to her.  They
both acknowledged each other with a small inclination of their heads.

"As you are now aware, Dr. Subanzki disappeared under mysterious
circumstances last night." Mulder began "Now you had an appointment
with him yesterday, the subject of which you did not wish to discuss
over the phone.  What was the subject of your appointment?"

"You certainly do get right to the point, Agent Mulder."  Marissa Jordan
remarked her blue eyes studying Mulder.  "I came to give Charles two
computer disks which my husband had given me instructions to deliver."

"We found *a* disk.  Is this one of them?" Scully asked removing the
disk from the drive of the laptop and handing it to her.

Marissa turned it over in her hand and nodded.  "Yes.  Where did you
find it?"

"In his desk at the university."  Mulder replied.

She looked up at him, her expression harsh.  "I told him to keep them
separately in safe places.  A desk in his office was *not* what I had in
mind." she finished emphatically.

Mulder and Scully exchanged glances, deciding it was unnecessary to go
into an explanation of the exact placement of the diskette.   Mulder
looked back at Marissa and gently asked "What is so important on these
disks?"

Marissa stood with a sigh nervously running her hands down the crisp
linen of her suit and walked over to the window gazing out at the
mountainous view.  This was a vast change from the confident woman who
had entered the room only moments earlier.  As she turned to face them,
Mulder and Scully watched the clear blue eyes cloud over with emotion.  

"My husband was a scientist with the CSIRO in New South Wales in 1992
working in a computerised investigation division.  An opportunity came
for him to participate in a low profile but high ranking project named
Project Phoenix which was to take place at the Parkes Observatory in
north eastern New South Wales.  The project was to send out
transmissions in an extrapolation of the SETI project that was run by the
US Government from the observatory to the 172 stars in the southern
hemisphere that are only visible and accessible from Australia.  He went
out to the CSIRO observatory and was to head a small team of three
scientists of a similar ranking to himself also connected with the CSIRO."

"What is the CSIRO?" Scully interjected.

"It stands for Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation and is a Government run organisation which has offices in
each state of the country.  It basically carries out research on behalf of
the Commonwealth."  Her mouth twisted in an ironic smile.  "I've always
had a strong belief in the Government of my country, that it had a
certain integrity - even if the political parties did abuse each other in
Parliament."

"Your views have changed?" Scully asked.

"With what my husband has told me.  Although I have never seen any
documentary evidence,  my husband told me about the tranmissions he
had in his possession.  I would never have believed it possible but I
would also never have believed the fear which he held for his life, for
the knowledge that he had incongruously stumbled upon."

Mulder waited with baited breath for her to continue.  "What did he
find?" Mulder asked gently, his caring side exhibiting itself when she
hesitated in continuing.

"Whilst working at the observatory, Paul was on shift work with the
other three members of his team alternating between day and night
shifts.  The team was to keep a track of the transmissions coming
through as well as ensuring that all the equipment was working."  

Marissa had been slowly pacing the room her hands alternating between
clenching at her side and being tightly crossed over her chest as if
trying to hold herself together.  

"They had been at Parkes for about twelve months when they received a
transmission which was like no other they had ever received."

"Was it like the WOW signal?" Mulder asked barely containing his
excitement his hazel eyes bright with anticipation.

"Paul told me that it was nothing like he had every seen before.  It was
nothing like WOW signal at all.  It came through on a frequency that
could only represent signs of extraterrestrial intelligence but yet the
transmission contained sensitive data about tests being conducted under
a joint venture between the Australian and American Government."

Mulder and Scully looked at each other confusion but yet also an
understanding of what Marissa Jordan's husband had received.  

"What type of tests?" Mulder injected.

"It was not very clear but involved injections being given to the
populous in remote townships within Australia.  It also referred to
similar situations occurring in America, Germany, Japan and Italy.  Paul
only gave mean overview of what he himself was still trying to
comprehend.  Apparently, it is littered with a lot of scientific jargon but
he also commented that these tests were not possible with our current
technology yet appeared to  have been conducted over the last fifteen
years." 

She took a deep breath, looking from one Agent to the other before
continuing.  It was obvious that this was distressing her.  "As he was
downloading the transmissions onto computer disks, the trnamission
suddenly changed and it was no longer legible.  The transmission had
been encrypted and within minutes ceased."

"Where is your husband?  Why have you come with the disks for Dr.
Subanzki?  Why him?"  Mulder shot the questions fast and with
consternation as the implication of the information contained in the data
was revealed.

Marissa reclaimed her seat, head bowed with her eyes watching her
hands now clenched tightly in her lap.  She slowly drew in a short
breath, struggling to control her emotions,  her words barely a whisper
"Because Paul is dead."  

End Part 2/8


Send any comments, constructive criticism or flames to my NEW address: 
missy@guru.apana.org.au

Disclaimers:  See part 1.

A M B I G U I T Y (3/8)

by Michelle Creek

"My husband was a scientist with the CSIRO in New South Wales in 1992
working in a computerised investigation division.  An opportunity came
for him to participate in a low profile but high ranking project named
Project Phoenix which was to take place at the Parkes Observatory in
north eastern New South Wales.  The project was to send out
transmissions in an extrapolation of the SETI project that was run by the
US Government from the observatory to the 172 stars in the southern
hemisphere that are only visible and accessible from Australia.  He went
out to the CSIRO observatory and was to head a small team of three
scientists of a similar ranking to himself also connected with the CSIRO."

"What is the CSIRO?" Scully interjected.

"It stands for Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation and is a Government run organisation which has offices in
each state of the country.  It basically carries out research on behalf of
the Commonwealth."  Her mouth twisted in an ironic smile.  "I've always
had a strong belief in the Government of my country, that it had a
certain integrity - even if the political parties did abuse each other in
Parliament."

"Your views have changed?" Scully asked.

"With what my husband has told me.  Although I have never seen any
documentary evidence,  my husband told me about the tranmissions he
had in his possession.  I would never have believed it possible but I
would also never have believed the fear which he held for his life, for
the knowledge that he had incongruously stumbled upon."

Mulder waited with baited breath for her to continue.  "What did he
find?" Mulder asked gently, his caring side exhibiting itself when she
hesitated in continuing.

"Whilst working at the observatory, Paul was on shift work with the
other three members of his team alternating between day and night
shifts.  The team was to keep a track of the transmissions coming
through as well as ensuring that all the equipment was working."  

Marissa had been slowly pacing the room her hands alternating between
clenching at her side and being tightly crossed over her chest as if
trying to hold herself together.  

"They had been at Parkes for about twelve months when they received a
transmission which was like no other they had ever received."

"Was it like the WOW signal?" Mulder asked barely containing his
excitement his hazel eyes bright with anticipation.

"Paul told me that it was nothing like he had every seen before.  It was
nothing like WOW signal at all.  It came through on a frequency that
could only represent signs of extraterrestrial intelligence but yet the
transmission contained sensitive data about tests being conducted under
a joint venture between the Australian and American Government."

Mulder and Scully looked at each other confusion but yet also an
understanding of what Marissa Jordan's husband had received.  

"What type of tests?" Mulder injected.

"It was not very clear but involved injections being given to the
populous in remote townships within Australia.  It also referred to
similar situations occurring in America, Germany, Japan and Italy.  Paul
only gave mean overview of what he himself was still trying to
comprehend.  Apparently, it is littered with a lot of scientific jargon but
he also commented that these tests were not possible with our current
technology yet appeared to  have been conducted over the last fifteen
years." 

She took a deep breath, looking from one Agent to the other before
continuing.  It was obvious that this was distressing her.  "As he was
downloading the transmissions onto computer disks, the trnamission
suddenly changed and it was no longer legible.  The transmission had
been encrypted and within minutes ceased."

"Where is your husband?  Why have you come with the disks for Dr.
Subanzki?  Why him?"  Mulder shot the questions fast and with
consternation as the implication of the information contained in the data
was revealed.

Marissa reclaimed her seat, head bowed with her eyes watching her
hands now clenched tightly in her lap.  She slowly drew in a short
breath, struggling to control her emotions,  her words barely a whisper
"Because Paul is dead."  


Scully moved surreptitiously beside Marissa crouching down before her,
placing a reassuring hand over the two tightly clasped in Marissa's lap.

"I'm sorry.  When did this happen?" Scully asked gently.

"Only three days ago.  He was the victim of a hit and run.  *A hit and
run* in a small country town.  Not likely.  He was *murdered* for what he
knew."  Marissa looked up, her eyes now clear and her jaw set
determinately.  "At first when you contacted me, I did not want to get
involved with the FBI  but when you said that Dr. Subanzki had
disappeared *I* knew I could not do this alone."

"Mrs. Jordan, why did your husband contact Dr. Subanzki?" Mulder
asked.

"Because he had been connected with the SETI project at Aricebo and
this was a continuation of it.  Dr. Subanzki had also begun receiving
transmissions with his own BETA project which was an improved system
on the simpler SETI projects which are operating in various states of the
US and  at Parkes and capable of receiving the transmission that he
received.  My husband also know he had connections with higher powers
who may be able to halt these tests or at least bring them to public
knowledge without the fear of being silenced."

"Had he received any transmissions?" Mulder asked

"Dr. Subanzki told me yesterday that they had received an encrypted 
transmission but not on any of the wavelengths which would have
indicated extraterrestrial intelligence."

Mulder and Scully glanced at each other, realisation dawning that the
document they had taken down from Kevin's computer was one of the
transmissions Marissa was referring to.  Scully moved back in front of
the computer checking her e-mail as Mulder continued the interview with
Marissa.  

"Were Dr. Subanzki and your husband the only people aware of the
transmissions?"

"No.  David Clucas, one of the other scientists at Parkes Observatory,
was with Paul when the transmission came through and I would not know
who Dr. Subanzki may have talked to.  But Project Phoenix was
abandoned the day after the transmission came through and David has
also died -  of an insulin overdose."

"What about the other two scientists?"

"I don't know.  We never had any further contact with them."

Mulder thought about the probability of nature being responsible for the
events which Marissa had described or human intervention and came up
with a very high logistical result. "Is the other disk that you mentioned
identical to our one?"  

"Yes"

A gentle knock came at the door.  Mulder got up to answer it allowing
room service in to deliver the sandwiches and drinks ordered.  Mulder
signed the order slip and the girl left.

"Marissa, I think that we can conclude the interview for today but how
long will you be staying in New York?"  Mulder asked.

"For another five or six days.  I have some friends whom I will be
visiting.  You've got my mobile number if you need to contact me." 
Marissa picked up her bag and keys preparing to leave.

Scully interrupted her movements "Why don't you stay and have
something to eat with us."

"No.  I really must be going.  I've got a two o'clock appointment and I
would like to go back to my motel and freshen up beforehand."  Marissa
stood brushing gently at the creases in her suit.

Mulder and Scully stood also both shaking her hand and thanking her
profusely for her time and extending their sympathy for her loss as they
walked her to her car.  

Mulder handed Marissa his card with instructions to call if she had any
further information for them.  Marissa slipped in to the small two door
red Honda Accord coupe efficiently starting the small car waving
goodbye as she drove out of the parking bay.

"Well, what do you think Scully?" Mulder asked as they watched the car
disappear around the corner.  

"I would like to see what Danny has decoded and also go through some of
the other files on that disk of Dr. Subanzki before I jump to any
conclusions Mulder and while we are waiting, I think *we* should have
lunch." she replied as they companionably walked back to her motel
room.

As they sat in the room companionably side by side eating their lunch in
front of Scully's laptop as she brought up on screen the other files
contained on the disk they had found in Dr. Subanzki's desk both of
them slowly taking in the contents.

"Scully, look at this.  There's references to DNA testing over a period of
ten to fifteen years within the populous of townships all over the
continent."

Scully looked directly at him as she began her age-old argument
"Mulder, this sort of investigation *has* been going on and is well
documented as the Human Genome Project as well as the controversy
associated with it.  I am sure with your connections that you would be
aware of the project.  It is a world-wide Government project involved in
the investigation of genetic mapping and sequencing of the human
genome as well as creating a genetic database for the availability of the
world.  Actually, the purposes go on for pages and already it has had a
substantial effect on the current understanding of genetic inheritance. 
There is no way that the Governments could be using it as a testing zone
not with the magnitude of people involved."  

Mulder's eyes betrayed his body language and the depth of emotion he
was feeling "Scully, after all we have been through, how can you
possibly believe that our Government would not use something like the
Human Genome Project as a cover for their own devious experiments.  It
does not mean that the whole project is invalid but that certain areas are
a cover for more incidious tests.  As Deep Throat once told me, what
better way to hide a lie than between two truths."

Mulder and Scully looked deeply into each other's eyes, their gazes
beseeching the other to understand their position but also seeking each
other's support and strength.  Mulder finally broke the impasse between
them.

"I'll try to get Danny on the phone to chase the decoded document." 
Mulder retrieved his cellular from his suit pocket speed-dialling the
regularly used number.  As he waited to be put through to Danny,
Mulder eyed Scully's fingers succinctly tapping at the keys on the
computer belying the torment that she was experiencing as a result of
his theory.  Mulder could have kicked himself.  They had been through
so much together but *yet* she had also given up so much - her memory
of three months of her life and her sister - all in their joint venture in
discovering the truth of the X-Files. A voice came on the other end of the
phone "Danny, we're still waiting for the decoded document to come
through."  

"Hold on a moment, Mulder.  I e-mailed that through about an hour ago." 
Mulder could hear the clicking of keys as Danny checked his mail server. 
"That's strange.  There's nothing showing up as going through even
though I keyed in the e-mail myself.  Wait a moment, I'll just screen the
document."  Another delay as keys were unceremoniously jangled with a
flurry of keystrokes.  "Mulder....you're not going to believe this.  The
document has gone!  Someone has deleted *my* file as well as the e-mail." 

Mulder's face was impassive as he listened to the muttering on the end of
the phone as Danny tried to find a record of *who* had accessed his
computer.  Mulder *KNEW* exactly *WHO* was involved here and had
such access to the information though he would not usually be so blatant
as to access a computer from within the FBI headquarters.

"Mulder, I can't trace the access code or find any trace that anybody has
been accessed it  other than the missing documents and e-mail."

"You won't find any trace at all, they're good at covering their tracks."
Mulder stated blandly.  Mulder was still watching Scully as he talked
noting that her hands were now still.  Even though she was hearing only
one side of the conversation, she *knew* what had occurred.

"You know who they are?"

"I have a good idea at any rate.  Thanks for your help, Danny.  The
tickets are for next Saturday."  Mulder hit the end button with force and
withheld his compulsion to throw the phone across the room.  He realised
that they still held the original disk which still gave them a chance at
finding the truth.

"Danny's computer was accessed by an *unknown* source and the
decoded document has disappeared together with the original you e-
mailed him." Mulder said flatly.  

Scully knew that Mulder was keeping his frustration in check this time. 
"How would they have known that we had sent it to Danny?"

Mulder's mind raced as it dawned on him what they had not done upon
returning to the motel rooms.  "I don't know.  Scully, I think it is time for
us to take a break from this matter."  Mulder wrote down a note for
Scully simply stating They've bugged our rooms.

Mulder and Scully went through the painstaking process of quietly
locating the devices.  After locating two devices in Scully's room, they
proceeded to Mulder's finding another one.  


OUTSIDE BLUE LAKE MOTEL


The men in the dark sedan watched surreptitiously as the two agents
walked the tall lady to her car.  As she pulled out into the street, the
engine turned over quietly and cautiously they followed not attracting
the attention to the Federal Agents.


EASTSIDE VETERINARY CLINIC
2.00 P.M.


The clanking of an old brass bell over the entrance of the door as Mulder
and Scully entered announced their presence.  The waiting room floor
was covered in linoleum and decorated with small potted plants and
slatted garden seats with the usual menagerie of pictures from proud
'parents' and the assortments of veterinary products available displayed
on shelves adorning the walls of the room.  A young woman in her early
twenties attended to them.  

Scully flipped out her Id for inspection "I'm Agent Scully and this is
Agent Mulder.  We have a two o'clock appointment with Dr. Morris
Gunter."

The young woman was intimidated by the presence of the Federal Agents
in the clinic having had no previous experience with this type of
authority. She scurried off to find Dr. Gunter totally forgetting her
manners in asking them to take a seat or any such customary response.

Mulder went over to peruse the photo gallery commenting "Scully, you
should feel right at home here."

Scully looked at him puzzled.

"The disinfectant."  Mulder said with a whimsical grin on his face. 
"Maybe you can discuss your tastes in fragrances."

Scully rolled her eyes not even deeming his comments worthy of any sort
of response.  

The young woman flittered back nervously shuffling papers on the desk. 
She indicated to them that Dr. Gunter would be with them in a moment,
that he was just finishing an operation.  Scully acknowledged the
response with a small nod of her head and sat down on the slatted seat.   


Clearly paced steps sounded down a hall adjoining the waiting room and
a tall imposing figure entered wearing green scrubs still wiping his
hands to remove the  powdery residue contained in the latex gloves he
had been wearing.  As he introduced himself as Dr. Morris Gunter, he put
out his hand to complete the formal  introductions, a shock of black hair
escaping from its neatly combed position.

"Sorry about the delay but the time of your appointment coincides with
our operating room hours."  Dr. Gunter led them down the passage from
which he came to the end opening the heavy door at the end.  A cool blast
of air greeted them as he opened the door.  

"I did all I could for Blue but there was not much chance for him.  He died
about half an hour ago and in the circumstances, I felt in appropriate to
put him in the cool room until had time to do the autopsy which has been
authorised by Mrs. Subanzki and met with you both."

They all entered the room with fixtures completed in stainless steel for
easy sterilisation.  It was filled with an array of cupboards and shelves
housing various specimens in jars and tools of the veterinary trade.

"I am a forensic pathologist but other than an autopsy of an elephant, I
do not have any specialty in the area of animals.  I would appreciate it if
I would be able to assist you in the autopsy."

Dr. Gunter turned around at Scully, his eyebrows raised showing his
surprise at her qualifications "And you're an F.B.I. agent?"  It was a
question more than a statement.  Scully nodded in confirmation.   "Sure,
you can assist on the autopsy if you wish and I can assist you with any
unfamiliar areas.  *You* autopsied an elephant?" he asked incredulously. 


Scully again nodded "Don't even ask about it.  I am not sure I really want
to remember."  Her mouth grimacing as she recalled the insidious smell
which had been associated with the autopsy.

She removed the bandage from her left hand neatly rolling it up.  "First,
I would just like to go over his body for trace evidence.  Has he been
cleaned been done since his admittance?"  Scully voice had her officious
professional tone snapping on a pair of latex gloves as she approached
the silver table where the black and white collie lay on his side stiff in
the rigour of death.

Dr. Gunter shook his head "It was more important to try to save him
although I have never seen this kind of decimation of a dog's internal
system before."

Scully went over the dog from head to foot taking samples from the coat
and paws of the dog absorbing the opacities of the lens of the eyes and
dictating into her personal recorder as she went along.  Even though it
was not necessary for there to be a formal report lodged, Scully decided
it would be beneficial for her own records.

Mulder watched and listened, leaning with his back against the sink, as
Scully made her concise recitations into the small recorder sitting, where
she had placed it, on the top corner of the autopsy table.

Scully straightened her back with both hands firmly placed on the metal
table before her.  "Well Mulder, apart from the opacities of the lens of the
eye which could have been pre-existent, there is no other external sign
of irradiation of this dog.  The common external signs would be a
reddening of the erythema of the skin and a necrosis of the epidermis
which would eventually result in epilation and pigmentation.  However, I
find no evidence of this.  Mulder, the opacity of the lens of the eye would
have to be caused by another source."

"You may be interested in having a look at the toxilogical reports I
obtained before beginning the autopsy."  He moved to an immaculately
kept desk housed in the far corner of the room and picked up a
clipboard.

Scully looked over the records scanning previous history as well as the
current.  "You will have to familiarise me with some of the terminology
used but I take it that the dog was in good health even through eleven
years of age with only mild hip dysplasia and arthritis.  No degenerative
diseases of the eyes prior to admission."

"No.  The dog was under cortisone treatment to ease some of the effects
of the arthritis but otherwise, he was a very well bred dog yielding very
little veterinary problems for Charles and Mary."

"Mulder, have a look at this.  The toxicology report shows cytological
changes in the haempoietic cells resulting in a massive depletion in the
leucocytes and platelets."  Scully's brow furrowed in consternation at
the report she was reading.  "This is weird, this dog showed all the
toxilogical signs of intestinal, haemopoietic and cerebral radiation
sickness including opacities of the lens of the eye yet I have just
examined the dog and find no external traces of irradiation."

Mulder looked at Scully taking in what she was saying  "But we did find
nominal radiation readings at the scene.  Maybe it dissipated at an
accelerated pace due to some unusual occurrence......" 

Mulder trailed off at the look in Scully's eye warning him that she did
not wish to have to explain to a veterinary surgeon the exact nature of
their investigations of the X files.

"At least we know what we are looking for Dr. Gunter.  Are you ready to
begin?"

Dr. Gunter nodded as he passed a white lab coat to her of an appropriate
size.  Since she would not actually be performing the main part of the
autopsy, it would not be necessary for her to change into scrub greens. 
They both approached the table, Dr. Gunter bringing a cart up beside
him with the finely honed tools needed for the autopsy.  Mulder stayed
where he was not wanting to get a closer view and upon the opening of
the dog remembered why he usually avoided being around when Scully
was doing an autopsy.  Both Dr. Gunter and Scully pulled back at the
incisive odour emanating from the now-open body of the dog.   

"Do dogs usually have this sort of smell?" Scully asked her eyes blinking
and nose twitching.  

"No.  I would assume that animals are much like humans.  As long as the
body has been cooled immediately after death, there is only the
superficial odour of the dead body but not this putrification we are
getting."

Mulder winced at the terminology confirming that his nose was indeed
being assaulted by the smell of decomposing flesh although the reason
for it had yet to be established and decided that it was time for him to
leave the two doctors with their patient.


2.56 P.M.


Scully returned to the waiting room rubbing cream into her hands, her
suit once again impeccable.  "Mulder, I have several specimens which
need to go to the FBI lab in Ithaca.   Dr. Gunter is just making copies of
the notes from his treatment this morning and I will furnish him with a
full autopsy report for his records."  Scully pulled the bandage for her
hand out of her suit pocket.

"So what was the cause of death?"  Mulder asked flexing the muscles in
his legs before standing, his hands deeply entrenched in his pants
pockets.  He approached Scully taking the bandage roll from her hand
and gently picking up her left hand deftly re-bandaged the stiches
whilst she continued.

"It is very deceptive.  There are three possibilities at this stage and
until I obtain results from the labs, I will not know for sure what actually
killed the dog."  Scully realised that Mulder was not going to let the
matter rest until she divulged the three options.  With a sigh, she
responded  "Mulder, I will tell you all what we found in the car.  I just
want to get these specimens and notes."  Scully quickly walked back
down the corridor leaving Mulder with no clue as to what was going on.


End Part 3/8


Please send any comments, constructive criticism or flames to my NEW address
missy@guru.apana.org.au.

Disclaimers:  See part 1

A M B I G U I T Y  (4/8)

by Michelle Creek

TRAVELLING TO FBI REGIONAL OFFICES
3.09 P.M.


Mulder drove the car back at the speed limit for a change, allowing
Scully to be able to have access to the copies of the notes which Dr.
Gunter had provided.  

"Dr. Gunter's notes show that the dog was exhibiting all the signs for
having suffered intensive radiation poisoning.  There were signs of high
fever, diarrhoea, dehydration, ataxia and loss of consciousness not to
mention the opacities of the lens' of the eyes.    The treatment he gave
was to try and establish a balance in the electrolytes and replenish the
fluids being lost.  There was not much else he could do  until he had the
results of the blood tests which didn't arrive until just before we did."

Scully looked across at Mulder to gauge his reaction to the notes.  He
nodded in acknowledgment indicating for her to continue.  

"Well, the toxilogical reports you have seen showed that the dog was
suffering from septicemia, toxaemia and a disturbance in the balance of
the electrolytes and fluid balances together with the damage to the
haemopoietic cells which I had mentioned earlier.   All of these symptoms
indicate that the dog had been in contact with a massive dose of
radioactive material.   The two facts that negate this theory are the fact
that there is no external signs of radiation sickness and secondly, where
would a dog come in contact with a massive dose of irradiation in a city
without there being others affected."  Scully's voice had taken on the
firmness of her belief that there was something more to this than met the
eye especially considering what she had found in the autopsy.

"So, what is your theory Scully?"  Mulder asked quietly.

"I don't have a theory Mulder, only the facts and those facts are
contrary to each other at this stage yet they may be connected."

"You definitely have been working with me too long!" Mulder said
blandly wanting to dissipate the psychological chill which was starting
to invade the warm confines of the car. 

"Well, listen to the inital results from the autopsy and see what you
think.   Damage was found to the heart, lungs and kidneys which could
be attributed to the  septicemia and toxaemia.  The liver showed massive
hepatic necrosis."  Scully flicked back down the page, her face vexed as
she pondered the findings.  

"Mulder, this sort of damage to the liver  is amazing.  The organ has a
massive reserve capacity and power of regeneration and it would require
the injury to be severe and for damage to occur to all the hepatic tissue.  
 Dr. Gunter could not explain what would cause this either.  In humans it
is a rare complication of viral hepatitis and on occasion can be due to a
drug overdose or the ingestion of hepatotoxic substances."  She shook
her head slowly.    "Yet there is not explanation."

"The blood samples we took were difficult to get due to the massive
exsanguination that had taken place."

"Exsanguination?" Mulder's eyes opened wide as his mind began racing.

Scully stopped him short.  "Mulder, it is *not* alien abduction or 'dog
mutilation'.    Exsanguination is another of the symptoms exhibited by a
sufferer of haemopoietic radiation sickness. "

"Yet this type of exhibition of radiation sickness has not been seen
before has it?"

"Not that I can recall from my medical journals.   But anyway, I haven't
finished yet.  The blood chemistry is really what has me intrigued
though until I have the results from the labs I won't know what it
means."

"What do you think it is Scully?"  Mulder quizzed knowing from her look
that she definitely had an idea of what the blood contained.

"Mulder, I really would prefer to wait until I get the results but it
reminds me of the retrovirus that you were infected with."  Scully was
not happy at having to voice this concern.  The matter they were dealing
with was becoming more complicated as they went along with no threads
to tie all the pieces together.


FBI REGIONAL OFFICE - ITHACA
BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY
3.43 P.M.


Scully and Mulder appended their identification cards to their suits as
they entered the FBI building in New York.  Scully carried her briefcase
which contained the specimens and notes on the case.  After what had
happened that morning, she was not taking any risk with leaving any
details which could be taken.   They asked at the desk to see Agent Jason
Reid in the Forensic Science Department.  Mulder had contacted Danny to
obtain a reliable and efficient laboratory technician at the regional
office.

After taking the elevator to the third floor, they wove through the
fluorescent-lit passages following the directions given to them at
reception to the cramped offices of Agent Jason Reid.  They knocked on
the door and entered without waiting for a response.  

A rake-thin man in a lab coat was on his hands and knees underneath the
wooden desk, his hands checking the connections to the back of his
computer terminal all the while muttering verbal abuse at the
inadequacies of modern technology, and in particular, computers.  

Scully grinned to herself as she remembered various times when she had
entered their basement office to find Mulder muttering to himself the
very same string of words she was hearing uttered.

Mulder cleared his throat unobtrusively, realising that Agent Reid had
not heard their knock.  Agent Reid, becoming aware of their presence,
came out from his position a little too quickly,  his head collecting the
edge of the desk as he came out.  Wincing and rubbing the back of his
short cropped red haired head, the 6'6" tall agent apologised to the
Scully and Mulder for not acknowledging their presence sooner.

"Agents Scully and Mulder I presume.  I'm Agent Jason Reid."  

Mulder and Scully exchanged glances afraid that their reputations had
preceded them.  

Agent Reid allayed their fears.  "Danny rang me to advise me on what you
would be requiring so that I would be ready for when you arrived.  I
understand that there is a degree of urgency in this matter."

Scully expanded on the explanation of what they needed.  "We have the
standard tissue samples and trace evidence for testing which I can do if
you will direct me to the labs.  I need you to test the blood samples for
any bacteria, viruses, and in particular, any retrovirus.  You also need
to do DNA, RNA and chromosomal testing for any abnormalities."

"That is a tall order on short notice but I will do my best."  Agent Reid
took the samples that Scully passed to him.  "Come this way,  you will be
able to use the lab connected to the one I will be using.  

As they walked down the corridor, Mulder could not resist asking "How
did you manage to get into the FBI being so tall?"

"I'm sure Agent Scully can answer that question for you Agent Mulder" 
he replied sardonically.

Mulder looked down at Scully who just raised her eyebrows. They
entered the inner sanctum of the FBI laboratories filled with interesting
gadgetry and instruments utilised in the examination of evidence
retrieved from the scene of a crime or the victim itself.

Mulder decided he would go fetch some coffee and return when Scully
would have completed some of the more tedious work in the lab.  

                        - o O o O o O o -

Mulder returned twenty minutes later with two steaming cups of coffee
for Scully and Agent Reid as well as a complimentary jelly doughnut
each.  He had already devoured his own giving both of them time to
complete the more gruesome and time consuming aspects of the testing.

Scully sat on a high rollered chair with her back to the lab door before a
powerful electron microscope making notes on the ruled A4 pad beside
her.  She heard the door open and turned to see if it was Mulder
returning.  

"Good, I have some results which you may be interested in."  Scully
advised him.

"Any *good* news?" 

"Depends what you call *good*.  The cross-section of the heart, lung and
kidney all showed damage caused by the blood poisoning due to the
blood transversing through the organs."  

Scully took the polystyrene cup Mulder pro-offered her and the
doughnut back placing both down on the desktop, taking a sip of coffee
before continuing.  "However, the liver is interesting.  It shows massive
hepatic necrosis as I mentioned before but the cross-section is showing
an abnormality in appearance which may be the causation of the
necrosis."

What is it Scully?"

Scully looked down at her hands before gazing straight into Mulder's
hazel eyes "The damage appears to be as a result of a viral infection."  

"Retrovirus?" he half asked yet also stated.  

"Yes but I would like to see Agent Reid's results to know for sure.  That
is why I had the extra testing done to ensure that we know what we are
dealing with here."

"I've got this cup of coffee and doughnut for him.  Why don't we go
through and see what results he has so far."

Scully took another sip of her coffee before following Mulder through
the door to where Agent Reid was working.  

"How are you going, Jason?"  Scully asked.  He pulled his tall frame to its
full height  from where he had been bent over the electron microscope
suddenly dwarfing Scully as she stood beside him.

Mulder raised his eyebrows at Scully upon hearing her use of Agent
Reid's first name. 

"Dana, I've only got some early results of the blood testing.  The DNA,
RNA & genome will take at least another few hours before they come
through.  You were correct with the diagnosis of septicemia which is the
cause of the massive destruction of the immune system.  But have a look
at this slide and tell me what you see."

Scully sat at the stool and lent over the electron microscope peering
down at the small silicon disc magnified below.  Scully's jaw tightened
and she brought her head up blinked and then looked again down at the
silicon disc.

"What is it Scully?"  Mulder asked picking up on 

"Mulder, it's definitely a retrovirus." Scully stated as she looked up
once again.  "But it would appear to have the ability through its reverse
transcriptase to replicate itself into a triple-stranded DNA helix.  It is
nothing like I have ever seen before."

"There was no faults in the assessment procedure?"  Mulder directed
this question at Agent Reid.

A look of indignation came over the young Agent's face which told Mulder
as much as his words "I used the procedure of Polymerase Chain
Reaction Method which is a common technique used in diagnosis of DNA. 
It has been widely used over the past eight years and the FBI has access
to the newest technology created in the form of a silicon PCR chip which
is what you are looking at now."

Scully interrupted the ruffling of feathers than her partner had once
again unerringly caused before it got out of hand.

"Mulder, I think we need to go back to the motel and compile our notes on
this case."  Turning to Agent Reid "Call me once you get the results of
the other tests.  Here's my cell number."  Scully handed him her FBI
issue card.


BLUE LAKE MOTEL
4.34 P.M.


Mulder sat on the edge of Scully's bed as he went through the copies of
the toxicological reports which they had received from the vet mulling
over the inconsistencies between the external and internal examinations. 

Scully was at her computer typing up the autopsy report with what
details she had so far, stopping her tape recorder when needed to enable
an accurate transcription of her notes.  Once typed it, she began
inserting the results of the completed toxicology tests.
  
Mulder pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number very familiar to
him.  

"The Lone Gunmen."  Langly answered languidly with the phone jammed
haphazardly between his ear and shoulder.

"Turn the tape off."

For once in his life Langly did as he was asked knowing full well the
reason for the call.  "We received your package.  Very nice Mulder.  All I
can say is I hope you didn't slip with the needle."

"What is it?"

Byers came onto the phone.  "Mulder, do you remember the computer
enhancement of Dana's branched DNA cells we had on screen last year."

"Go on" Mulder answered gruffly not wishing to remember the
catastrophic damage which had been caused to his partner's immune
system.

"Well the residue which we tested in the syringe appear to be a an
irradiated retrovirus."

"What?"

"It's kind of hard to explain but basically the retrovirus instead of
replicating the DNA as a double-helix will actually form a triple-helix."

"Scully found that out earlier, so what does it do."

"Our sources indicate that it is similar to the HIV virus in that it also
decimates the immune system however it also carries the ability to
replicate the internal symptoms of radiation sickness."

"That supports the clinical results we have seen.  Any ideas on where
the technology was developed?"

"Mulder, if we had been aware of this sort of development we would have
responded immediately.  Can you imagine the power anybody has with
this kind of technology."

"That's the problem, guys, I can.  Thanks."  Mulder cut the connection.

"So, what was their opinion on the case, Mulder? Scully asked slipping
her glasses off her nose and turning to talk to him.

"I Fed-Exed them the syringe I picked up from Kevin's room.  The
analysis showed a retrovirus which would appear to be identical with the
one you found in the dog.  Except they have results one step ahead of
*your* Agent Reid "  Mulder could not resist having a dig at Scully's
calling the young Agent by his first name.  "They have discovered that
this particular retrovirus is a strain which induced the physical ailments
of radiation sickness."

"Mulder, how would they have been able to obtain that type of scientific
data when we have direct access to the most well-equipped laboratory in
the State?"  The last part of her question fizzled out as she realised that
she did not want to know the answer.  Scully was not quite finished. 
"Even so, retroviruses are not known to actually cause the disease but
create a deficiency in the immune system creating an environment in
which disease can spread."

"Scully, by now you should be aware that they have access to
information through many varied sources and that so far, that
information has been correct.  Even to the extent of the diagnosis of the
branched DNA left in your system."  

At that comment Scully stood up angrily and walked to stand looking out
of the window with her back to Mulder, arms crossed tightly,
defensively, across her body.

Mulder knew he should not have brought up that subject but sometimes
he became so frustrated when Scully questioned every bit of evidence
placed before her especially when so much had been proven to an extent. 
He did not require her to believe in extra-terrestrial life but he did
expect her to accept that there was a government conspiracy to cover up
various undercover experiments *and some not so anonymous*.

Scully took a deep breath and slowly exhaled calming herself enough to
be able to rationally discuss this case.  Something suddenly struck her. 
"When did you Fed-Ex the syringe, Mulder?"  

"When I went out to get the coffee and croissants this morning."

"But that was before we had even been ransacked." Scully turned
around to face him.

"Let's just say that even the slightest hint that this case was connected
with Aricebo cautioned me."  Mulder said softly.

Scully's anger dissolved as she looked at the sorrow in her partner's
hazel eyes.  She knew he had not meant to bring up the issue of her
abduction - in fact he avoided so at all costs.  Yet this case had pushed
his resolve in his efforts to have her believe that the government was
not innocent but implicated in various testing from alien spacecraft
through to genetic manipulation.

Before Scully had a chance to say anything, Mulder's cellular rang. 

"Mulder."

Scully watched Mulder trying to gauge the context of the conversation
from  the one end she was hearing together with Mulder's facial
expression.  She was not able to pick up the gist of it other than
whatever it was, was not good news and that they would be therein
fifteen minutes.

"Who was it?" Scully asked as soon as Mulder completed the call.

"That was Sheriff Davidson.  They have just retrieved a body from a
ravine near here." Mulder's voice was filled with emotion and guilt.

"Dr. Subanzki?"

"No.  Damn.  I  should have known this would happen."

"Mulder, who was it?!" Scully said forcefully bringing Mulder out of his
self-loathing.

"Marissa Jordan.  Her car went over the edge of a mountain range in
Montmorency." 

"How did he know that she was connected with this case?" Scully asked,
puzzled that the Sheriff had made the connection.

"My card.  They found it in her purse."  Mulder closed the file shuffling
the toxicological reports back inside.  "Scully, make sure you've got
everything with you."

Mulder's comments were not necessary because Scully had already saved
her notes to a floppy disk, shut down her computer disconnecting it from
the telephone jack and was neatly collecting her notes placing them in
her briefcase.  They both bundled themselves into their coats and
hurried towards the car.

End Part 4/8