From aclaybor@busprod.com Sun May 04 22:42:05 1997 Subject: Transplanted 1/14 From: aclaybor@busprod.com (Amy C.) -------- This story was partially posted last year by Christian Webb and never finished. Well, after bugging him to death to finish it, I offered to do it for him. This story has been revised since the unfinished parts were posted, so if you have read the other parts, re-read this version. Disclaimer: I am sick of writing these things, I mean we all know that they don't belong to us, right? The great Chris Carter thought them up, and 1013 and Fox owns them. I am not making any cash off of this, so you lawyers can just go...oh, but I digress...also, Dr. Brace and ideas from the movie 'Brainstorm' belongs to MGM. Rating: R for language. Classification: very grey area here. Has a conspiracy X-File, has action, has Scully Angst, has Pendrell and the Lone Gun Men, and has *some* MSR thrown in at the end. Set after Herrenvolk but before Leonard Betts. A mild spoiler. Summary: Mulder is returned from a mysterious disappearance with implants that have life-altering consequences. Scully, Pendrell, and the Lone Gun Men race against time and their enemies to save him, while Scully deals with her fears and feelings about Mulder. Authors: Parts 1-8 by Christian Webb (Christian.Webb@fina.com) Parts 9-12 by Amy C. (aclaybor@busprod.com) Parts 1-8 revised by Amy C. with some revisions by Margo Foster Transplanted 1/14 Washington Memorial Hospital <> Dana Scully could not believe what she saw when she opened the hospital room door. Mulder was laying there on the bed with tubes sticking out of his body in the most unnatural places, seemingly asleep, but she knew the truth. Fox Mulder was in a deep coma and the doctors said there wasn't much chance of him coming out of it. He had been missing for two weeks before they found him, dumped naked right in front of their favorite spot in front of the reflecting pool. And as always in our nation's capitol, no witnesses. Collapsing in the bedside chair, Scully finally broke down. <> She lowered her face into her hands and cried, deep, racking sobs of loss and guilt. It had been a month and a half after his re-appearance while she was on "administrative leave" when she got the call from Mrs. Mulder. She had haphazardly thrown on the nearest clothing and dashed out of her apartment and drove like a hellion to the hospital. Bursting into the hospital room, she came face to face with *him*. The rat-bastard that was probably behind it all, standing there breaking nine different city codes and laws sucking on that cancer stick, with that smug, all-knowing look plastered on his wrinkled face. The man Mulder had dubbed CancerMan, exhaled smoke coolly into Scully's face. Scully instinctively reached for a pistol holster that wasn't there. <> she thought sarcastically. "Relax, Agent Scully. You two are in no danger... this time." CancerMan said with a self-satisfied look. Scully wanted to blow that smug look right off his face with a 'cop killer'. "It seems that your partner has started to come around. I'll leave you to alone to get... re-acquainted." With a sick smile on his face, he forcefully brushed passed her and moved silently out of the room. Mrs. Mulder sat cowering in the bed side chair, visibly shaken. The last time she had a brush with CancerMan, she had ended up in the hospital, too. "Are you okay, Mrs. Mulder? Did he harm you? What did he say?" "Oh, Dana, he's such a monster! He said 'if it happened again', Fox would not come out of the coma so easily." <> Dana thought. "Are you sure you're okay? I can call a nurse in if you like." Caroline Mulder waved off the offer with more visible strength that Dana thought she had. Dana snatched up Mulder's chart and began scanning it for pertinent information. It said that he had exhibited erratic breathing and accelerated heart rate and had mysteriously just came out of the coma into semi-consciousness as if someone had flipped a switch. <> Dana thought, aware that her paranoia sounded incredibly like Mulder's. Physically he was sound, but he hadn't completely come around yet, and had been mumbling incoherently for the first hour. Mulder stirred and she rushed over to his other side. "Mulder? Can you hear me? It's Scully, Mulder. We always seem to end up here, don't we?" she asked with a shaky laugh. She was so relieved that he was awake, she could have literally jumped for joy. "Huh... wah ....." Mulder started to come around. "Where am I? God, my head feels like it's going to split wide open!" He made a feeble attempt to lift his head trying to take in his surroundings through squinted eyes. He looked up at Scully with a confused look. "Who are you?" XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX "No, Dr. Scully, I'm not telling you Mr. Mulder has amnesia. He is having a psychotic episode stemming from what seems to be an attempt at brain washing. He thinks he is someone else." Dr. Marcus Keller was trying to keep Scully from going off the handle. She was visibly upset and did not want to accept what he was telling her. "He has given us a name, social security number, address, relatives, job location and title...even a brief description of the last year. He actually thinks he is... oh, here it is,...... Thomas Vance. We had our contacts at the police station do a check, and his story appears to be true by all accounts. If it weren't for you and the FBI's records, there would be no reason for us to *not* believe he isn't who he says he is." "Has anything like this ever happened before?" Scully didn't know what to say, she was stupefied. She wanted to collapse again, and escape this nightmare. The doctor slowly shook his head. <> An idea came to her suddenly. "Doctor Keller, You have to x-ray him for anything unusual. Look for any foreign objects in his neck, skull or spine. Trust me on this one, Dr. Keller, you don't want the details and I couldn't tell you if you asked. It's classified information. Just believe me when I tell you that you will probably find at least one micro-chip embedded in his neck, but look for others. Mulder's situation is similar to others we have run across in our case work." "I will do no such thing! I know what kind of "case work" you do, Agent Scully. Mr. Mulder needs to be admitted to the security wing of the Psych ward! He's acting erratically and is increasingly violent. He needs mental help, not a physical. And from his record with the Bureau, he has needed one long before now." "I don't think so, *Doctor*. I will discharge my partner myself and take him somewhere else, somewhere where a fellow doctor *will* take my advice and will listen to a federal agent and a physician who has jurisdiction here. If you try to stop me, I'll bring you up on charges of obstructing justice, and hindering the actions of the F.B.I. on an official case!" With that, she stormed out of his office and headed to the nurses' station. <> Dana followed the ambulance closely all the way down Highway 66, not getting even one car behind them. <> They arrived at Prince William, the small hospital on the border between Manassas and Manassas Park after the longest two hours of Scully's life. The paramedics were moving Mulder out of the ambulance and checking his restraints. He was screaming for help and for someone named Lois. For some reason, hearing him call for this woman hurt Scully to the core. "My mother-in-law used to work here! Just call Lois Jenkins and she'll tell you who I am!" Mulder was writhing around like he was dying on the gurney. <> Scully asked for Dr. Pamela Salinger at the front desk and started filling out the paperwork for admittance. The nurse could see she was extremely upset, and paged Pam 911. Ten minutes later, Pam walked up to her. "Pam! I am so glad you are here. You have to help me!" "Dana, what is wrong with you? Why did you take your partner out of the care of the head of ICU at a major hospital in Washington, D.C. to bring him *here*?? What the hell is going on here?" "Pam, please, you have to understand! That man would not even listen to me. He didn't seem to accept my authority, or my expertise in this situation. He was biased against Mulder from the beginning because of our line of work. He even said that Mulder needed psychiatric help *before* the coma, given his interests. I am a doctor too, Pam. I have seem this type of psychosis before." She was lying through her teeth. She had never seen this before, and it scared the hell out of her. "If you just x-ray him, you will find at least one foreign object implanted in him. I really can't give you any details, because it might put you in danger. This *is* an official case, not just me being hysterical. Please, Pam!" "All right, Dana. I believe you. It isn't like you to be hysterical, anyway. Just relax and I'll check out your partner. You're probably going to have to deal with the police soon, that Dr. Keller threw a royal fit and made fifty phone calls. One was to your boss. He is outside." "AD Skinner would be an ally right now. Mulder is a federal agent, and when it comes to Bureau matters, he likes to take care of them internally. He would want me to do whatever I can for Mulder. Honestly, the police have no jurisdiction in this matter." Scully told her. Skinner would fend off the police. She just needed Pam to do as she asked. Mulder's life depended on it. End of part 1/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 From aclaybor@busprod.com Sun May 04 22:43:07 1997 Subject: Transplanted 2/14 From: aclaybor@busprod.com (Amy C.) -------- Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted pt.2/14 Prince William Hospital While Skinner was finishing off the Prince William police, Scully watched as they wheeled the restrained man on the gurney towards the elevator. Pam had promised to take him straight to x-ray and do as Dana had instructed. It was a good thing that at least one person in med school hadn't thought of her as the "Ice Queen". She'd told Dana later that she had recognized her as a younger version of herself. 'You're just driven by different forces than the other students here, much like I was. Still am in some ways. That's all. So what if they can't deal with you not having time for them and their little games? Some of us have better things to do, right?' Pam was one of Dana's only social outlets during med school. Probably her best friend there. She decided to leave all the official stuff to Skinner and other agents right now. Hell, she was still on administrative leave anyway. Taking the elevator up to x-ray, Dana leaned back against the back wall and closed her tired eyes. <>, she thought. She'd had a throbbing headache since the first whiff of smoke at Washington Memorial. She couldn't think straight. The pain and fatigue was just too overpowering. <> And she was very worried, for reasons she was afraid to admit to herself. *DING!* She had arrived. As the elevator doors opened and she stepped out, she ran right into a big orderly...one of the ones who was wheeling Mulder around the last time she saw him. "Oh, excuse me Miss. I didn't mean to bowl you over like that. You're the one who brought in Mr. Mulder, right?" "Yes, I'm Agent Scully, Agent Mulder's partner. Is he in x-ray now?" "Yes, he's in with the doctor and the technician. Listen, I don't mean to pry, but how does your partner know Mrs. Jenkins?" "What did you say?" Scully asked. "I asked how he knew Mrs. Jenkins. I worked with her for a lot of years and I know most of her friends and have met most of her family at her daughter's wedding. Neither of you look familiar." "Does Mrs. Jenkins still work here, Mr. .........." "Scanlon, Brian Scanlon. No, she doesn't work here any more. I think she went to Fairfax Surgical Center. I do think she still lives here in Manassas though." "Thank you, Mr. Scanlon, I appreciate the information. Excuse me." Scully brushed passed him and moved into the hallway as quickly as she could. She wanted to avoid any more of his questions. She needed some answers. Later, in the x-ray waiting area, Scully paced up and down the hallway, wearing a fine trench in the old shag carpet. Pam suddenly burst out of the x-ray lab, startling Scully. Quickly moving over towards Dana, Pam tried not to look to nervous, but she couldn't help glancing around, peering into the shadows like a scared rabbit. Scully knew that look. It was the look of someone who had seen something they shouldn't have and didn't know how to handle it. "Dana, you were right! He's full of little pieces if metal. They're hidden all over his body! They're also hard to find. I'm having the tech go back over him to make sure we found all of them. The foreign objects are very thin and are hidden quite well, behind organs, sitting at just the right angle so you can't find them easily. I've already paged and talked to the on-call surgeon. He's on his way, and I'll assist. Who *did* this to him, Dana?" "I don't know. Maybe our own government." Dana didn't mean to sound so sarcastic, but the stress was starting to get to her. She needed rest. She wouldn't be any good to Mulder if she couldn't think straight. How many times had she said those same words to Mulder? Will she ever be able to again? What would she do without him? Pam noticed that her friend was barely holding herself upright. "Dana, they've already got your partner's room set up in ICU. I was able to pull a few strings in admitting since you're FBI. Why don't you go down there and get some rest. You can't do anything until he is out of surgery anyway. It's room #42." Dana smiled at the coincidence, <> and nodded weakly as she turned to drag herself back to the elevator. End pt 2/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 From aclaybor@busprod.com Sun May 04 22:46:01 1997 Subject: Transplanted 3/14 From: aclaybor@busprod.com (Amy C.) -------- Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted pt 3/14 Pam Salinger paced the scrub room while she waited for the on-call surgeon. <>, she thought when he arrived. He asked her to brief him on the situation. "Of course, Doctor. The patient has several foreign objects believed to be some type of computer chip implanted in his body. The majority of the objects are attached to the nervous system. The initial diagnosis was severe amnesia due to a botched job of brainwashing, but it is theorized by a colleague and myself that it is these objects are the cause of the memory loss. The origin of the objects is unknown to us, but is possibly an experiment by parties unknown. The case has been classified under FBI jurisdiction, so further information has been denied to us." <> Pam thought after filling him in. "Great. Just friggin' wonderful. This is just what I need on my night off. Maybe we'll get lucky and not get blown to bits by a new experimental suicide bomb. I want this operation recorded on video *and* audio." The nurse rushed out to have an orderly prepare the recording devices. " All right Dr. Salinger, are you ready? This is definitely going to be one to remember." "Hey, I've been waiting for you, remember? Lets get going." <> she thought. <> She liked option number two the best. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Prince William Hospital "Mulder, where are you going?" Dana felt so confused. "What's going on here?" "Scully, I've got to be going now. I have a whole different life. A family, a wife and children, a home. I can't *play* FBI anymore. To me, there is no Sam...no you. Neither of you exist in my world. There is no room for you in my life." "Mulder, wait! That's not you! Your family is here, your mother is recovering from her stroke! She needs you...*I* need you. The people who love you are right here!" Mulder turned and took the first step. It got cloudy...hard to see. "Goodbye, Dana. Fox Mulder doesn't exist anymore. There is no Mulder anymore. He is dead." There was a bright light shining through the fog and she couldn't see Mulder anymore. Dana woke up with tears streaming down her face, screaming. "Wait! Mulder,..... Fox! I love you, please don't leave me here, alone....... again." <> She didn't want to dwell too much on the content of her dream...its possible meaning. <> Crawling out of the hospital bed in wrinkled clothes, Dana made her way to the bathroom. She froze in place after the first step. There was Mulder in the bed next to her, asleep, covered in bandages with all the obligatory tubes stuck in everywhere. Rushing over to his side, Dana sat down in the chair next to the bed. "Mulder? Can you hear me?" She asked as brushed a lock of hair back from his forehead. "He's not going to be hearing you for a few hours, Ms. Scully." Startled, Dana jumped up reaching for her pistol. It was just the nurse, checking in on all the patients. "I'm sorry if I frightened you, Ms. Scully. I heard you screaming and came as quickly as I could." Then she realized the woman was pointing a gun at her. The nurse backed up a few steps. <> "Are you all right? If you would step out into the hallway, I will update you on Mr. Mulder's condition. Dr. Salinger left orders with me to brief you when you woke." Stepping outside, Dana turned to steal one last look at her partner. <> "Ms. Scully, the doctors are very worried about Mr. Mulder. According to Dr. Salinger, he sustained some severe electrical shocks while in surgery. She could not say how or why it happened. She thought the shocks may have came from the objects they were removing. We won't know until he comes around, but he may have suffered some brain damage from them. At least he seems to be recovering well under the circumstances, and he should be coming out of the anesthesia soon. It's too soon to tell." "Thank you for the briefing, Nurse, may I ask you a few questions?" "Of course, go right ahead." "Do you know or had any contact with a Mrs. Lois Jenkins? I understand she used to work here." "I'm sorry Ms. Scully, I've only been working here at Prince William for a couple of months. I don't know anyone by that name." "That's okay. Thank you." Scully replaced her pen and notepad and turned to go back to Mulder's side. Reaching in her coat pocket, Dana pulled out her cell phone and Pam's number and dialed. "........ Hullo?..." came a hesitant, sleepy voice. Dana was sorry for having to call Pam in the middle of the night, but she had to know exactly what happened, and Pam couldn't have been asleep for too long. "Pam, it's Dana. I just got a synopsis from the nurse, but I need to know exactly what happened. Can you tell me now?" She didn't want to sound too insistent, but her patience was gone now...had been gone for a long time when it came to Mulder. "Dana, it's four in the morning. I gotta get some rest, I'll be in at eight. Let me say Mulder is okay for now, and I'll give you the whole story tomorrow. We taped the surgery, so you can watch it in the morning." "Wait! Don't hang up Pam. Just tell me who I have to talk to so I can get the video and watch it now, I can't go back to sleep and I might as well watch it now. That way I won't have as many questions and we can get started as soon as you get here." "Ok, go down and talk to the nurse or orderly who is on duty in O.R. and they can set you up. I gotta go Dana, or else I won't be able to go back to sleep either. Bye." >Click< Pam was gone. Dana jumped up and rushed out, determined to see this video. End pt. 3/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 From aclaybor@busprod.com Sun May 04 22:46:58 1997 Subject: Transplanted 4/14 From: aclaybor@busprod.com (Amy C.) -------- Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted pt 4/14 Prince William Hospital Scully couldn't believe her eyes. They were pulling enough micro chips out of Mulder to put a main-frame computer together. He was full of them, from his head to his lower legs. No wonder he was so covered in bandages. The electrical discharges were the worst. Watching Mulder's body arch up off the table five times was unbearable. She noticed she was crying by the end of the tape. They said he'd suffered electrical burns, but thankfully, none of them were serious. The charges made it hard to remove certain chips because of the cauterizing of the incisions. Scully thought this could have been some fail-safe from removal, but the surgeon was skilled at his job, and successfully removed even the most dangerous ones. Thankfully, none of the shocks occurred near any organs, but she was sure that was the plan, too. The plan. <> Scully thought. <<*They* just loved experimenting on human subjects. And with the power of the Consortium, they could get away with it. They always do, according to Mulder. Oh, Mulder. What are we going to do?>> Scully stood and stopped the tape. <> Pocketing the tape, Scully shut off the equipment and turned to leave. She needed to get back to Mulder's room and check on him. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Location unknown The office was filled with the constant presence of smoke. <> "So the procedure was successful?" "Yes, so far as we know, completely successful. He has no idea what has happened and believes he is someone else, just like the others. The only problem is that partner of his. She took him to the hospital and had the implants removed. We don't know if the success rate lessens if they are removed. We never took that into account. The re-write program may not be installed deeply enough. But one way or another, he won't be a problem any longer. Even if the program wasn't completely finished, the damage will still be substantial. He might even come out of this a vegetable because of the shock virus. I don't know if it caused any brain damage yet. It's too soon to tell." "Never count Agent Mulder out until you know all the facts. We have to be sure he is incapacitated. The woman is of no consequence. She will find only dead ends, and with the leak being out of the loop now, she has no one to give her the inside information she would need to find us out. Have Mulder observed for a while longer, until you can give a complete report. That will be all Dr. Myers. Good work." End part 4/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 From aclaybor@busprod.com Sun May 04 22:47:45 1997 Subject: Transplanted 5/14 From: aclaybor@busprod.com (Amy C.) -------- Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted pt 5/14 Prince William Hospital Scully sat with her head hung low at Mulder's bedside. Holding back the tears, she looks up at her partner. "Mulder? Are you listening? I have to go now, I've got a case to work on, you know. I can't just sit here all day waiting for you to wake up." She tried to keep her voice light, but the quiver in her voice betrayed her. Scully got up and headed for the door, and the phone rang. > "Hello? Langley? How did you find me? No, never mind, I do NOT want the details. Mulder's doing okay for now. Listen, can you check something out for me? I need you to find everything you can about the implantation of artificial intelligence into living beings. I'll give you the details on Mulder when we meet, AFTER you get the information. No, don't you dare put Frohike on, I don't have time for this shi... oh, hi Frohike. Yeah, can you guys do this little favor for me? Please? I knew you'd come through for me, bye. Yeah, see you soon, goodBYE, Frohike. I'm hanging up now Frohike. Goodbye!" <> <> <> she thought. She couldn't let this get to her. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX J. Edgar Hoover building "Agent Pendrell? I've got a new puzzle for you. Can you check this out?" Scully had met Pam on the way out of the hospital and picked up the chip that she'd removed before the surgery. <> All the other chips, in excess of thirty, had *mysteriously* disappeared. "Sure, Agent Scully, watcha got?" "It's similar to that other chip I had you examine before, but this has to be a different type. I need you to do a full diagnostic on this thing. We have no idea what it is for. It could be dangerous." "Sure, I can check it out right now, you can stay and help if you want." "No, I can't. Call me when you have anything. I have a meeting to go to right now." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Office of the Lone Gunmen "The experimentation of implanting artificial intelligence in animals has been around since the invention of the computer, Scully. Although there have been no DOCUMENTED success cases, our sources have verified that there are chimpanzee's studying physics at MIT as we speak." <> Scully thought to herself. <> Langley looked up from his PC, pushed up those ridiculous horn rimmed glasses and chimed in with, "It is completely possible that this science has been perfected, in other technology advanced countries. Probably Japan, maybe Germany. Is this what you are working on? Artificial intelligence?" "This was removed from Mulder. It was embedded under his skin." Byers and Frohike exchange one of those patented looks and turn their attention back to Scully. "It seems like they are feeding information into his brain and re-programming him. The last time I talked to Mulder, he didn't know who I was or who he was. He kept screaming his name was Thomas Vance..........." A light went on in Scully's head. "That's IT! Check out Vance, maybe we can find a link! I'll call the Bureau, and have them do a trace too." "Hold on Dana. We really have to do some checking on this chip, too. Look here....", Frohike took the chip over to the work table and held it under the huge magnifying glass. "This thing has the manufacturers name on it. This is a better place to start. Maybe this way, we can find out about the research that went into developing this chip." Sitting down heavily, Scully slumped down in the old chair holding her head in her hands. "You're right, Frohike, how about you guys check out the manufacturer and I'll take Vance alone. That way we kill two birds with one stone." Frohike tried valiantly to break her bad mood, "I don't know about *killing* two birds, but at least this way we've got steady aim." He failed miserably. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX J.Edgar Hoover Bldg. "This is turning out to be a dead end, Scully. This guy Vance has got a file two feet thick, but it doesn't look like he's ever had any dealings or contacts with 'Arkady Corp.' at all. His only Gov. contact has been a enlistment in the US ARMY, but other than that, that idea is a dead end too." Pendrell's eyes were bleary from reading the computer screen so intensely. "I know, I have the Department of Defense records here. No record of any special projects, no connection with the Pentagon, no overly long stays in the hospital, nothing. Looks like the guy is clean. Damn! Wasted time!" Scully was visibly frustrated as she absently thanked Agent Pendrell and rushed out of the computer lab. Dialing up the Gunmen's main number, she got their voice mail. "Guys, it's Scully. I'm on my way over, hope you got more than I did, Vance was a dead end." End pt. 5/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 From aclaybor@busprod.com Sun May 04 22:48:35 1997 Subject: Transplanted 6/14 From: aclaybor@busprod.com (Amy C.) -------- Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted pt. 6/14 One day later, Prince William Hospital Dr. Pam Salinger gazed at the handsome man who lay in the hospital bed before her, wondering just what he had done that could have made someone do this to him. <> she thought. <> She jumped at the creaking door that opened behind her. "Excuse me, are you Dr. Salinger?" the man at the door asked. Pam slowly turned, clutching her heavily thumping chest. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," he said. "It's okay," Pam answered. "Yes, I'm Dr. Pamela Salinger. Can I help you, Mr. ........." "Donaldson, Jeffrey Donaldson. I'm an old friend and co-worker of Mr. Mulder. I was wondering if I could see him and get an update on his condition. I heard through the grapevine at work that he was here, and I got worried. They said he was in pretty bad shape." "Mr. Donaldson, I'm sorry, but you're going to have to leave. Mr. Mulder is in no shape for visitors, and we have a closed visiting list for him. Only a few close friends and family will be allowed in his room. If you wish to be put on this list, you may contact his partner or his boss. Otherwise, you won't be able to visit him." "All right, Dr. Salinger, but can I at least get an update on his condition from you, out here in the hall?" <> the man raged inside himself. <> He managed to keep his anger from surfacing. "Sure, Mr. Donaldson. Follow me. I can give you a brief update, but I'm afraid I can't tell you much. So, if you don't mind?" she said, gesturing toward the door. "After you, doctor." Donaldson moved aside to let Pam precede him. As she moved past, he quickly grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth with a cloth he produced from his coat pocket. <> were Pam's last thoughts as she slumped into his arms. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Hoover Bldg. parking garage "I know, Frohike. What did you get on Arkady?" Scully asked slowly into her cellular, barely controlling her anger. "What do you mean, 'NOTHING'? Do you mean to tell me the vaunted Lone Gunmen can't dig up just a *little* dirt on a multi-million-dollar, world-wide company?" Scully clenched her teeth in frustration, closing her eyes as she took a deep breath to soothe her frayed nerves. "Well, how about Roger Arkady, the CEO?" she suggested impatiently. <> Scully thought as she pushed the END button on her phone. <> Scully jumped into her car, ready to drive like a bat out of hell. She had backed out of the space and began to steer the car forward when a shadowy figure stepped in front of her. She stomped on the brakes, leaving the car running, and quickly stepped out of the car. Before she could say anything, the person spoke. "Fancy meeting you here, Agent Scully." Scully was thrown totally off guard. She never expected to hear that voice again; not after seeing the blood at Mulder's apartment. <> Scully thought. "You're wasting your time with Arkady, Agent Scully," the man, known by Scully only as X, said in his deep and distinctive voice. "YOU won't be able to find a thing on him or his company. Neither will those pitiful little men who fancy themselves conspiracy experts." Scully simply stared at him, dumbfounded. "Why, Agent Scully, you look surprised," X continued. "You don't *actually* believe we don't know about your little friends, do you?" "What do you want?" Scully responded angrily. "If you have something for me, give it up; otherwise, get out of my way," she said, beginning to get back into her car. <> she advised herself. "Agent Scully, don't play games with me," X warned ominously. "I *need* Agent Mulder; he's a very important part of my plan, and you are *no* substitute." X handed Scully a large manila envelope and drew away quickly. He winced as he began to walk away from her with an irregular gait, as if nursing a healing wound. "Wait!" Scully called after him. "How did you get away? There was so much blood..." "That's not important, Agent Scully," X said, turning again to face her. "The important part here is that you get to work on that information, and that you stop asking stupid questions and wasting precious time. Thomas Vance needs his life back, too." X disappeared into the shadows of the parking garage, leaving Scully in wonderment and confusion, staring at the documents that even Mulder wouldn't believe. End part 6/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 From aclaybor@busprod.com Sun May 04 22:49:29 1997 Subject: Transplanted 7/14 From: aclaybor@busprod.com (Amy C.) -------- Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted pt. 7/14 F.B.I. Headquarters, Technical Forensics lab Scully desperately read over the document labeled "Top Secret, level 7", still trying to absorb all the information it held. <> "What have you got, Pendrell?", Scully said, hoping he was able to understand some of these documents better than she with his technical prowess. "Well, it looks like this project,....", Pendrell paused, looking back to the first page of the document folder he was holding, ".. Brainstorm, was a research project created by a Dr. Michael Brace, originating with Xavier-Xain labs, which were taken over by the government, and contracted out to Arkady. It's based on the idea of computer generated information inserted directly into the brain by way of a connection through the central nervous system. It looks like they had it refined enough for it to work from just about anywhere in the body, thereby bypassing the need for a direct artificial connection to the brain. I guess that would keep more test subjects alive, saving their brain from being fried with a variant electrical impulse signal. Let me know if I'm talking over your head at any point, Agent Scully. The micro processors were designed to save any form of information and transmit it in the form of nerve stimulus to the brain. But it could transpose a 3-D computer graphic in a way that made it seem like real life to the test subject, so the chip could actually be transmitting the events of a high level video game for example, and the transceiver would somehow alter the imaging to create a more realistic image to the brain. It would be like taking a typed letter from your pen-pal, whom you've never seen, and processing it in a way that in your head, you actually see an image of a person speaking the typed words, almost like eliminating the readers imagination. The education possibilities with a technology like this is unlimited! But it looks like it was only used for military training." "So what your saying is, Thomas Vance and his whole life could be a computer-generated fabrication?" "Yes, Scully, but it could also be just as real. Remember, these microprocessors can also record real thoughts and memories, so it is just as likely that Vance was implanted like Mulder, but recorded instead of being downloaded into. And it could have been done without his knowledge, as much as this guy was in the hospital. It said in his medical records that he'd been in for an appendectomy. There could have been an implant at that time, and many others." "Ok, what about Brace? Could he reverse the process?" "I don't think so, he's dead. In the documents, it's stated that he was 'taken out of the picture', due to extreme disapproval of the warping of his research. He was in the process of getting together a lobbying/protest group to take on congress. The guy who continued to refine and perfect the project was,..... here it is, Dr. Ben Myers. He's the one who started to warp the project into military research. And he's probably a 'company man', so he wouldn't be so inclined to do a reversal, *if* one is possible." "Let's see if we can dig up anything on him, we might be forced into blackmailing him to do it. Also, I'll have the Gunmen check Brace, he might not be dead, just underground. Are you ready for some field duty, Pendrell?" Pendrell didn't know what to say, he'd never done any real field investigation work before. "A-a-a-anytime, Agent Scully. It'll have to be officially approved though, I can't just leave the lab." <> "Don't worry, AD Skinner will give us an immediate verbal approval, I'm sure. He's backing me up on this investigation completely." She was lying thru her teeth, knowing that Skinner had told her earlier today that she could not actively be a part of the investigation. <>, Scully thought devilishly. "Keep going over these document files and don't let anyone see them. We...we didn't come by them playing by the rules. Be ready to leave when I come back." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Office of the Lone Gunmen "Ok, here it is,.... Dr. Michael Brace, deceased. Born Oct 8th, 1947, died Dec 13th, 1988. Ph.D. in physics, medicine, chemistry, engineering, and psychology, masters in communication technology, graduate of MIT, valedictorian, class of '70. One of the twenty youngest MIT graduates ever. Ground breaking research & development in robotics, artificial intelligence, and your project "Brainstorm". Survived by his wife and son. Present address, Fresno, California. Our sources show Brace was not only a brilliant scientist, but an all around genius. Existing information of his past studies and work indicate a photographic memory. But he had abilities he never used in his research for Xavier-Xian labs. He designed aerodynamic flying 'crafts' and other types of transportation, his favorite being his personal mode of transportation, the "Bricicle" that could achieve speeds up to forty miles per hour with maximum exertion. Not a spot on his record. The guy was a boy scout, Scully. Not one iota of negative feedback on this dude." Frohike sat up from his slouched position in the reclining office chair and ran his fingers through his long, oily hair. Rubbing the spot between his eyes where his glasses rested, he continued. "Where are we going with this, Scully? Are you actually going to waste time trying to dig up a dead guy?" "I think this Dr. Brace may not be as dead as everyone seems to believe. You said yourself, the guy was a genius. He could have faked his own death to avoid further prosecution by the government. They were *going* to kill him anyway. He was a thorn in their side. He might have been able to prevent the further warping of his research if he'd bent the ear of the right people. Since we're all working on this at the same time it won't hurt to cover *all* the bases here, this is Mulder's life we're dealing with, not some anonymous case handed down from on high!" <> She just wished that Mulder would be around to come up with more. She was starting to get really scared that he might not. End part 7/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 From aclaybor@busprod.com Sun May 04 22:50:45 1997 Subject: Transplanted 8/14 From: aclaybor@busprod.com (Amy C.) -------- Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted, part 8/14 Office of the Lone Gun Men "All right Langley, get on the 'net and start in on a cross reference for Dr. Wayne Harper. See what our sources can dig up on the guy, we need blackmail material, and fast." Frohike was taking charge on this one. <> "Byers, get that chip to Ragman, see if he can figure it out. If we can't get anything on Myers and Scully doesn't find anything in Fresno, we might have to have Mulder worked on by the Underground." <>, Byers thought. <> "Are you sure about that one? The Underground is extremely risky, they don't always know what they're doing." "Yeah, I know. But, they're the only group of artificial intelligence researchers we can trust. The only ones we KNOW aren't involved in any government funded work. They may turn out to be our only hope!" xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Dulles Airport "NorthWest Airlines now boarding for,......" <> Scully thought. "Almost as well as the sea," she accidentally spoke out loud. She glanced to her left to see if Pendrell had been paying attention, but he was absorbed in the latest copy of Scientific American. "Scully, what time did you say our plane took off?" Agent Pendrell was feeling very nervous about his first field assignment. <> Pendrell was pulled away from his thoughts by the announcement that their flight was now boarding. "C'mon Scully, that's us." He waited for Scully before entering the boarding line. He absently thought of how he used to watch Scully be led away on another case time and time again by Agent Mulder, and he wondered if he'd ever see that sight again as he instinctively placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her into the plane. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Prince William Hospital Dr. Ben Myers absently checked Pam's monitors, wishing she'd never got in the way of his benefactor's man. <>, he thought to himself, trying not to feel guilty about the situation he'd put a colleague in. <> He cared nothing for the FBI agent who'd been his first subject, but this woman was another doctor, a colleague, a peer. He thought he'd be un-effected by the repercussions of his work on others, but now he was beginning to wonder. <> It was at this point, he decided he didn't care. The project was all that mattered. His research would forward the mental health profession decades, no time to dwell on the *test subjects* quality of life. Agent Mulder and Dr. Salinger had become laboratory animals, he could no longer think of them as human beings. <>, Myers thought to himself with maniacal glee. <> Dr. Myers didn't notice that Fox Mulder was awake, silently screaming, eyes as wide as saucers as he watched the other man bend over his former colleague. No, Dr. Myers was in his own little happy world; a world of someone else's memories. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Jerry's Pizza and Sub Shop, Manassas, Va. Jeffrey Donaldson sat smiling as he went over in his mind his last successful mission at the hospital. <> As he continued to silently stuff his face, his new partner gave him the once-over. <>, thought Dameron Moch, Donaldson's new partner. <> "Well, Donny, how'd it go? And please, finish that bite before opening your mouth, I'd hate to ruin these nice peoples' dinner by shooting you." Moch replied. Swallowing hard and chasing the under-chewed food down with a long drag off his draft Miller Light, Donaldson ended the scene choking and coughing before being able to answer. "Well, it *almost* went off without a hitch, but some doctor got in the way and,...." "And WHAT? You didn't do something stupid, did you?" She couldn't believe this. Donaldson was supposed to be the best,... now. Ever since Krychek disappeared, at least. "Tell me you didn't make a mess out of this." "No, no, everything was taken care of. I just took her out with my magic chlorophyll cloth, and our contact at the hospital took care of everything after that. The merchandise was delivered safely to him. Geez, that guy is one sick bastard. As I was leaving, he was pacing the room, wondering what to download into her noodle. You should have heard some of the choices." "Well, look, we need to get the hell outta this town, we have a new assignment from the big guy. You want to hear now, or on the way?" Donaldson gulped the last of his beer, "On the way. Never in public. You're so *green*, Moch. Lets get going." <>, She thought as they got up to leave. End part 8/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted, part 9/14 Fresno Air Terminal, Fresno California "Pendrell, will you please stop handling me with the kid gloves? I am *not* falling apart here. Can you just look at this like any other case?" <> Special Agent Dana Scully was a little more than irritated with her new temporary partner. <> "Look, agent Scully, I meant nothing by it. It came almost natural, after seeing Mulder do it all these years. I guess I assumed too much, I thought you were in need of something familiar, and in my position, it just felt natural. I hope I haven't offended you." "It's ok Pendrell, just lay off. I don't need your sympathy, or any moral support. I'm going to solve this case, and save Mulder's butt again, I will not let this one go. Come on, we need to get a car, we don't have any time to spare." "I know, that's why I called ahead and reserved us a car. They should have one waiting for us." "Let me guess, a blue Ford Taurus?" she joked. "Yeah, it's all they had. How'd you know?" XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Office of the Lone Gun Men "So, what did the collective Doctors Frankenstein say about our little beauty?", Langley said, trying not to look as startled as he felt when he saw the disheveled Byers storm into the office. "I certainly hope you've found something on Myers, since you're sitting there on the...... Oh ho! WWW.Playboy.com,.. hmmm, Langley?" "Yes, I did manage to dig up a bit of info, but I asked you first. What did the *Underground* have to tell us about the incredible edible microchip?" "They descended on me like a bunch of buzzards! But, after several tests, they were able to come up with nothing. I left it with them for further study, maybe they'll come up with something. So, how was the surf?" "Well, I was able to find some rather extensive background information, but nothing worth mentioning, until I came across *this*. It's a rap sheet that one of my e-mail pals who's a clerk in the State Department that was able to access his file. Harper has been investigated three separate times on human and animal rights crimes, but was cleared of all charges each time. I'm not sure we'll be able to hold anything over this guy's head." "It's still worth something to know your adversary. We'll probably have to bluff something. It's time to get dirty boys." Frohike said with a devilish grin. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Somewhere in Clovis California "What's the name of the street I'm supposed to be looking for?" Pendrell was making a sad attempt at reading a road map and watch the road signs at the same time. "Cromwell Avenue. Are you *sure* it's out this way? I thought they were supposed to be in Fresno? We're out in the sticks!" <> "Well, I'm only going by the guys directions from back at the gas station. I can't find it on the map anywhere. Wait! Here it is. It's almost right where he said it was. Three more blocks, we should see....." "From now on, *you* drive, *I* navigate. There it is, get ready. I'll do the talking, ok?" "You're the senior agent, Scully. Your wish is my command." <> she thought desperately. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Prince William Hospital Pam opened her eyes and looked groggily around her. "Wh...where am I?" she stuttered. "You are in the hospital, Dr. Salinger. You were ill, but you are going to be fine now." Myers informed her. "Thanks, Dr. Myers. With *you* as my doctor, I can't imagine being anything else." Pam smiled up at him. <> Myers laughed to himself. "You collapsed while you working on Agent Mulder..." Myers prodded. "Agent who?" Pam asked with a confused look on her face. <>"That's not important now. I took care of everything for you. Now you lie down and rest." "I'm glad. Have I ever told you how much I admire you? You are SUCH a brilliant doctor..." <> Myers thought to himself. <> XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The Brace house Scully and Pendrell pulled up to the house and walked up to the front door. "Let me do the talking, Pendrell. I have more experience at these things. Just follow my lead, okay?" Scully told him. "No problem, Agent Scully." "Scully rang the doorbell, pulling out her badge in preparation for whomever opened the door. They heard the sound of several locks being opened, and then the door opened slowly after several moments. A woman peeked out of the crack of the door with the chain still attached. "Who are you?" the woman asked. "Mrs. Brace? I'm Special Agent Dana Scully, and this Special Agent Brian Pendrell. We're with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Can we speak to you about you husband?" "My husband is dead. Other than that, I have nothing to say." Scully managed to stick her foot in the door before Mrs. Brace slammed it shut. She winced from the pain, but nothing was going to stop her from talking to this woman. Pendrell looked shocked at Scully's boldness. "Please, Mrs. Brace. I need to ask you about your husband's research. A man's life depends on it. This is as much personal as it is professional. You may be his last hope." Pendrell gave Scully a sidelong glance at her impassioned plea. He wondered if she would be so desperate if *he* were the one in Mulder's situation. Somehow, he didn't think so. She would care, but Mulder was...special somehow. The woman looked off to the side behind her, reluctantly nodding. She then opened the door to them. Pendrell noticed Mrs. Brace looking around nervously outside before she closed the door and proceeded to put ten dead bolts in place. <> Pendrell thought to himself, noticing Scully's raised eyebrow as well. The woman led them into the living room and invited them to have a seat. "I am sorry for my behavior, but we can't be too careful." she apologized. Scully opened her mouth to speak, but paused when she noticed a pair of eyes peering at them through a slit in a door off to one side of the room. "Um, that is alright, Mrs. Brace. Did you say 'we'?" Scully asked. "Is your son here?" The door Scully saw was thrown open, and an man came through it. Scully observed that the man's hair was short and unruly, and he desperately needed a comb and a shave. He was wearing dark clothes and a lab coat. The words 'mad scientist' came to her mind. His eyes were so intense and bloodshot, she was uncomfortable to have them focused on her. It was like he could see into her soul. "The 'we', my dear, is *me*, and I don't see what I have to do with your *friend*". The way he said 'friend' made Scully feel like he knew something she didn't. <> Pendrell thought. Scully answered him. "My *friend* has had his entire identity masked with a new one, using techniques *you* developed. Certain people in powerful positions consider him to be a threat to their operations, so they found a way to stop him without making him a martyr to the cause of exposing the truth about them." "These 'powerful people' are the reason I am a virtual prisoner in my own home. I faked my own death to escape their clutches, and I am not about to let them know I am still alive. They took my humanitarian research and warped it into some evil cousin I no longer recognized. I refuse to involve myself in this...this...atrocity again. I never considered using this technology for brain-washing; not even for a moment. They are everywhere, Agent Scully... Waiting to pounce on anyone or...or anything they can use against their enemies. Big Brother is here, and they see all, but NOT in this house. I have made sure of it." He spoke in a condescending tone to them, which irritated Scully to no end. "What I am not sure of is that you are who you say you are. You don't seem to have their usual 'tact', so I can deduce that you aren't one of 'them'." he continued. At the word "them" he reeled around to look right through her again, making her squirm. She could see the genius in his eyes, laced with a hint of insanity, even though his expression itself revealed nothing. During his entire diatribe, Dr. Brace walked slowly back and forth in front of the couch, holding his hands in front of him, fingertips touching. Pendrell felt like he was at a tennis match. He continued his ranting soliloquy. "I cannot be sure whether you are trying to trick me into showing you the reversal process to sell to the highest bidder. <> Scully thought. "You see, *that* is the one thing I took with me when I made my "exit", so to speak, and I will never let them get it. Maybe they won't be so quick to unleash something they don't know how to fix." "That has never stopped these people before, Dr. Brace. They HAVE used it and they don't *care* if they can fix it. They don't *want* to fix it!" Scully tried to convince him. "I don't need to know *how* you reverse it, if that's what it takes, I just want you to go and do it. Please, Dr. Brace, you are our last hope to help him." "I'm sorry for your friend, but I vowed never to touch that...that *filth* again." Dr. Brace turned to leave the room. That is when Scully lost control. "You call yourself a scientist?? You create technology in the name of humanitarianism. But what *possible* good could research like this come to in the hands of the government? You've seen how they took other 'humanitarian' discoveries and twisted them to serve their purposes. Just ask Oppenheimer. And yet now you refuse to help someone who has been victimized by what *you* have created! You are just as much at fault as they, Dr. Brace, only you are worse. You stand on your moral ground, and yet you would condemn a man to live a life that is not his own, and those who know him to lives of mourning for the man they knew because he is dead. And *you* killed him." With that, Scully stormed out the front after struggling with all ten dead bolts. <> Pendrell thought. He was surprised at Scully's actions, and he thought it time to step in. "I apologize for Agent Scully's behavior, sir, but this is a very personal matter to her. It is her partner that has been implanted, and she's not thinking rationally right now. She cares about him a great deal." "I can see that, and I am sorry for her, but I won't compromise my principles for anyone." end part 9/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted part 10/14 Outside the Brace home Outside, Scully stood beside the car fuming. She was actually closer to tears than she cared to admit. She heard a car pull up behind her, and she turned around just in time to avoid the first gunshot that ripped through the back window of the car and came through the side. Ducking down, she pulled out her gun and returned fire. "Damn!" Moch said as she ducked, "that bitch almost hit me!" "Well be careful! We're supposed to be doing them, not the other way around!" Donaldson yelled. Scully managed to climb into the passenger door. She hoped that if she drove off, they would follow her instead of going after Pendrell and Dr. Brace. She started the car and peeled out. *********************************************************************** Inside, Pendrell heard the gunshots. He ran to the window, unsure of what to do. He had just drawn his gun and decided to go out and help her when she drove off. He was stunned for a moment as he watched Scully drive away, pursued by the car that was shooting at her. "She left me!" He exclaimed. "I can't believe she ditched me like that! Those assholes shot at her, and she took off! I *cannot* believe it!" Pendrell heard Dr. Brace emerge from his hiding place. to which he dove when they heard the first gunshot. Pendrell whirled around with his gun still drawn, causing Brace to duck again. "Look, you lunatic, we are risking our lives trying to save our friend, and this is the treatment we get ? I refuse to let him 'be' Thomas Vance for the rest of his life! He is *my* friend too, and one of the best agents in the FBI. You *will* help us! I will *not* let Agent Mulder down!" Brace came up at Pendrell's last statement. "Did you say Mulder? *Fox* Mulder?" "Yes." Pendrell replied in a huff. "Well, Good God, boy, why didn't you say so before?" "What the hell difference would *that* have made to your 'principles'?" Pendrell was highly annoyed at this point. "Let's just say I know of Fox Mulder, and he is *no* friend to the men I am hiding from. Let me gather up a few things..." Pendrell was a bit shocked by the sudden turnaround, wondering if the gun he had just held on him had urged him to action, or if whether he really admired Mulder that much. Either way, he was going to help him. Brace came running through the door he had left through with a small silver briefcase that was handcuffed to his wrist. <> Pendrell mused. "Okay, let's go." Brace replied as he headed out the door. Pendrell hopped in the driver's seat, grabbed the keys, and raced off in the direction Scully had gone before. End part 10/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted pt 11/14 The Office of the Lone Gun Men "Byers, don't forget the infrared goggles." Langley reminded him. "It's broad daylight, Langley! What possible good could infrared goggles be?" Byers asked incredulously. "One can *never* be too careful." Frohike interjected. "Since they have moved him out of his hospital room, this is going to harder than we thought. Myers' lab will have tougher security." "There is no security system *I* can't handle." Langley declared. A man stood there listening to their exchange, while he set up various pieces of equipment. "Ooooohhh, you Underground boys have some pretty gadgets...all nice and shiny!" Frohike said with admiration. "We try." The man replied dryly. "Just be ready in 2 hours to work on Mulder. If we aren't back by then, we probably won't be back." They had done some more checking on Myers, finding out that he had a lab in the hospital Mulder was in. After hearing that Mulder had disappeared from his hospital room, they found out that a man with Mulder's description had been taken there earlier that day. The Underground thought they had found a way to help him, so they decided to spring Mulder from the mad doctor's clutches before it was too late. The man looked them over as they prepared to leave, all dressed in various outfits of black. Langley, in a black flannel shirt, t-shirt, and jeans; Frohike in a black turtleneck and jeans; and Byers, a black suit, shirt *and* tie. He chuckled to himself, wondering who the hell they were trying to fool, since it *was* broad daylight. The Gunmen left the office one at a time, with Byers as the lookout. Langley was the first to go, ducking, running, and stopping momentarily just to see if anyone was looking. He was followed by Frohike, about ten feet behind. <> Byers thought. Byers then strolled out casually and got into the drivers seat, reminiscing of his old college days, and thinking how much this all looked like a scene out of Animal House... ************************************************************************* Somewhere near Clovis California Scully drove like a maniac trying to lose her assailants, the whole time ducking to avoid the bullets they shot at her. The shooters' car managed to pull up beside her, ramming into the side of the Taurus. As her assailants sped up over the last hill, Scully saw them maneuver to come along beside her. With one powerful swipe, Scully's car was thrown off the road, and came to an abrupt stop against a tree about 500 feet into the forest. <> She thought wryly. After a quick check, Scully found she was unhurt, aside from the nose bleed and a slight cut above her right eye. She jumped out of the car and scrambled into a copse of small trees that offered a little cover to wait for her attackers to return. She heard the car stop, and two doors slam. The crunching debris on the forest floor signaled their approach as they checked out the car. "She's not in here. Check around those trees." Donaldson instructed Moch. She went off to the right as instructed, while Donaldson headed towards where Scully lay in wait. Scully sat very still, waiting for the sound of his footsteps in the forest debris to get as close as possible, before losing her element of surprise. After the footfalls were so loud she could barely stand it, she wiped the blood from her good eye as best she could, stepped out and fired. Missing on the first shot, she ducked back behind the tree to avoid the return fire before letting another shot go. The second slug found its mark, and Donaldson crumpled to the ground. Moving out from behind the tree's as stealthily as possible, Scully crept up to the man on the ground, and kicked his weapon out of his reach before reaching down to check his pulse. Finding none, she ran off in the direction the other had gone in pursuit. ********************************************************************** Pendrell followed the trail of skid marks left by the two cars to the scene of the accident. Seeing the rental car smashed against a tree, and the other car parked on the side of the road, he pulled his gun and jumped out of the car. "Stay in the car. This could be dangerous." He told Dr. Brace. <> Pendrell thought as he headed into the forest. Running into the woods, he called for Scully, praying that she was all right. After seeing the empty Taurus and the dead body, he ran off into the forest to find her. He stepped into a clearing, spotting Scully moving quietly through the trees. Hearing a noise off to the left, he noticed a woman taking aim on Scully behind her and slightly to her left. Pendrell raised his gun, his hand shaking from nerves. He had never fired at anything but a target outline, and she was awfully far away. But he knew it was now or never if he intended on saving Scully's life. Taking aim as best he could, he let off a shot, hitting the woman in the upper body, probably the shoulder, but it was hard to tell from this distance. Deep down inside, he was just glad he hadn't made a killing shot. Dropping her gun in pain, Moch turned and ran off into the forest. At the sound of the gunshot, Scully had whirled around to face her attacker. Seeing Moch running away holding her shoulder, she looked and saw Pendrell with his gun still drawn with a shocked look on his face. Scully ran over to him. "How did you find me? Are you okay? she asked. "Uh, I followed the skid marks. I guess I'm okay" "Thanks for your help, but I could have handled her. You took a big risk firing form this distance." Scully scolded him. Annoyed by her condescending tone, Pendrell snapped out of it. "Well, she would have shot *you* in the back if I hadn't "taken the risk" he smirked. Regretting her remark, Scully tried to lighten the situation. "Well, uh, thanks. Not a bad job for your first field action." Scully commended reluctantly. <> "H...how did you know I'd never been in the field before?" He asked in amazement. "Come on Pendrell, you only step out of that lab for lunch. Believe me, it's obvious. But you did an excellent job for your first time. Now let's go." end part 11/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted part 12/14 Prince William Hospital The Lone Gun Men were obviously casual in their entrance to the hospital. The two others lagged by the entrance while Byers perused the directory listing for Myer's lab. "Well, amazingly enough, the number was in the directory." he told the others. "Yea, but I bet we can't just walk in there." Langley said. "It's on the third floor. Let's go." "After finding their way to the third floor, they moved carefully towards Myers' lab. Checking the door, and finding it locked, Frohike took out some tools and began to work on the electronic lock, while Langley and Byers covered him. Luckily the hall was deserted. The door opened in short order, and the three of them cautiously entered the lab. As Byers went towards the small exam room where he saw Mulder, Myers came out of a side door. "I hope you took care of those." he seemed to be expecting someone else. "What the...who are you??" Byers answer was to knee Myers in the groin, punch him in the stomach, and knock him upside the head with the case he carried. Myers slumped to the floor, semi-conscious. "Good work, man" Langley said in with awe in his best Sean Connery voice. Byers was straightening his suit. "No problem whatsoever. You guys get Mulder, and I will take care of this clown." Langley and Frohike went into the exam room to grab Mulder, who seemed to be sedated. He was muttering in the delirium about his 'wife' with the occasional "I *am* Thomas Vance" thrown in. Hearing this from Mulder, Frohike could understand Scully's behavior in the investigation. If it bothered him this much, he could only imagine what she must be feeling. Mulder was a lucky bastard to have someone like Scully care about him so much. "Come on," he prodded Langley, "Let's get him outta here. The two scooped up Mulder, and supported him in between them. When they walked out into the main lab area, Byers had Myers thrown over his shoulder in a fireman's carry. "Whoa," Langley said, "go Byers, he-man warrior." "Anger can do wonders for one's abilities." He turned and walked out of the lab door. The hallway was deserted, so they moved towards the stairwell where they would be less likely to run into anyone. Just as Langley and Frohike reached the door, a security guard spotted them. "Hey, you...Stop!! Where are you going with that patient!!" "We need to disappear, Byers." Langley yelled. "Kick it!' The security guard reached the stairwell and descended after them, and Byers knew they would be waiting at the bottom. he took an exit door on the second floor, and the five of them ducked into a supply closet down the hall. They heard the commotion outside. "They aren't downstairs, maybe they snuck back around to the elevator." Hearing them scatter, Langley checked the hall to find it clear. "They are checking the passenger elevator, we should hit the freight elevator." Frohike suggested. Reaching it easily, they rode down to the basement garage where the van was parked. They made it to the van just as the guards came out of the stairway entrance. Tossing his cargo into the back, Byers jumped into the driver's seat while Langley and Frohike got Mulder into the van. He peeled out just as the guards reached the van. "That was close, my friend," Langley said, "too close." "We're not out yet, guys, hold on!" They all braced themselves to run through the blockade arm that was lowered across the parking garage exit. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Fresno International Airport Scully buckled her seatbelt on the plane as it prepared for take-off. She was beginning to feel the pre-flight jitters she still got; even after all of the air time she had put in with Mulder all of these years. She squelched the voice that wondered if he would ever be here to distract her again. The thought of his goofy jokes brought a small smile to her face, and yet brought immense sadness to her at the same time. Pendrell could see that she was upset by something. "Are you gonna be okay? he asked awkwardly. "Yes, Pendrell, I'm fine. It's..just that...I am not fond of flying, and Mulder...,well, Mulder can usually make it...bearable." "Don't worry, Agent Scully, I understand. You guys have been partners for four years. You miss him." "Yes, Pendrell," she said as she looked down at her lap behind a veil of her hair. "I do....I do." Taking a deep breath and pulling herself together, she turned her attentions towards Dr. Brace. "So, doctor, Would you *mind* telling me how this reversal equipment works? How you can restore Mulder's memory?" "You see, the chips hold stored memories that override normal memory functions, basically rewriting the brain. The override is complete, and the subject experiences no leakage. All *real* memories are masked by the implants. These aren't vague memories I am talking about here, Agent Scully. I am talking about experiences, thoughts, feelings, sensations, everything. I can wire you in, press record, and every thought, every feeling, every memory would be stored on this CDROM. Can you imagine those being revealed to the wrong people, Agent Scully?" He looked intently at Scully, causing her look away from him. "This information can be condensed to a microprocessor that transmits directly to the brain. These transmissions have a certain frequency, a tag if you will. A memory that has been implanted into the brain still carries the tag, and collects them, or deletes them, in words *you* can comprehend. it continues to scan until it finds no tagged memories. Once all of the implanted memories are removed, he *should* regain all of his own memories." "Is there any chance you could erase any of his actual memories?" Scully asked. "As...I said, the implanted memories are tagged at a certain frequency. I did this so that *I* could tell them apart from real brain waves. Human brain waves don't hit this frequency." "I suppose this is what you didn't tell them. That you tag the implanted memories." Pendrell deduced. "Precisely. I told them that this frequency is the best one for memory retention. The only stable one. They didn't bother to find out differently. If they are using my equipment, this CD will restore Mr. Mulder's memory, provided all microprocessors have been removed form his body." "And what happens if they aren't?" Scully asked. "If a transmitter chip is transmitting at the same time the program is running it could overload it, causing it to delete all brain wave frequencies." "You mean..." Scully began. "Yes. His entire memory could be erased permanently. Or worse. He *could* be terminated entirely." Scully did not like the sound of this, but this man was Mulder's only hope. She would have to take a chance. end part 12/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted 13/14 "The car is ready, so we can go." Pendrell told her. She walked out to where the rental was parked. A smile curved at her mouth. "A blue Ford Taurus...how did you know, Pendrell." She said in a teasing tone. "Hey, I learned from the best!" He laughed. Scully peeled out of the lot. She just had a feeling that she needed to hurry. She couldn't explain it to the others. They needed to go get the Lone Gunmen and then go get Mulder, fast. In the back seat, Dr. Brace opened the briefcase and began to boot his laptop with the CDROM that contained the reversal program. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The Office of the Lone Gunmen. The makeshift lab was full of people and equipment. Mulder was strapped in a dental type-chair, hooked up to an EKG and a heart monitor, and other electronic equipment. "Don't forget to ground him, we don't want to fry ourselves!" "I need that surge protector hooked up to this machine NOW!" Frohike and Byers had Myers tied up in the corner, and were trying to get some information out of him. "Look you son of a bitch, you better be straight with us!" Frohike yelled at him. Myers was shaking and practically in tears. "I swear...I can't reverse it! They didn't want to know how to reverse it. They just wanted me to be able to do it!" They had been at this for some time, and it was obvious they were getting nowhere fast. Frohike was tired of listening to the guy whine. "Well, what good are you, then?" With that, he knocked him on the back of the head with a nearby wrench, and Myers crumpled in his seat. "Thank God! I couldn't stand his blubbering anymore!" One of the Underground members replied. "Okay," the Underground guy continued, "I think everything is set up. It is time to begin. Everyone cross your fingers..." "I sure hope you guys know what you are doing..." Frohike said hesitantly. Just then they heard someone pounding in the outside door. Everyone stopped where they were as Langley ran over to the security camera to check it out, practically whooping for joy when he saw Scully. He ran to the door and let them in. "Scully, we've got Mulder. Don't ask, it's a long story. The Underground boys were just about to get started. Who are *these* guys?" Langley asked, giving Pendrell and Brace the once over. "This is Agent Pendrell, and this is the very much alive Dr. Brace. He can help Mulder." She turned to Brace. "These are the Lone GunMen." "Nice to meet you boys. I am a fan. Never miss an issue." Brace replied. "Well, you have good taste, then." Byers replied. "Let him get started, because I get the feeling the Underground guys don't know as much as we thought." Frohike said. Brace took in the scene and acted quickly. "Get out of my way! Let's see, I don't need this...or this...get this machine out of here! Good God! What were trying to, melt his brain?!? You! Come here and help me. Hook this into that machine..." Brace continued to prepare to run the program on Mulder. "Well, make yourself at home." Frohike quipped sarcastically. Scully came to his defense. "If he can save Mulder, I would let him take over the entire FBI if it were necessary." She then went over to the chair where Mulder was strapped in. He was unconscious, yet he only appeared to be asleep. She ran her fingers across his forehead to get the hair out of his face, and then down the side in a caress. <> This last question brought another question to her mind. Were they too close to the truth..or to each other? Looking down at his face, she was beginning to realize just how close they had become in the last four years. She wasn't sure when her feelings had started to change to what she felt now. This mess seemed to have intensified them, however. <> The thoughts she was having nearly caused the emotional breakdown that had been threatening to surface during this whole incident. The only outward indication of her emotional turmoil was a single tear that fell down her cheek, and a slight trembling of her lower lip. The guys noticed it, but none of them wanted to step in. Pendrell knew she was frightened, and he knew she needed a moment with Mulder before Brace began. It was more than obvious that she had other feelings to deal with than merely being worried about her partner, which is something he had suspected all along. He felt a moment of disappointment, but it passed quickly. All the men were feeling pangs themselves at the possible outcome of this. A few minutes later, Brace interrupted the uncomfortable silence. "I am ready to begin. I need everyone to step back." Brace said as he waved his arms to shoo everyone away. Scully straightened up, wiping the tear from her face, only now realizing how she had acted in front of a room full of people. She was too damn scared to care at this point. She welcomed the hands both Pendrell and Frohike placed on each of her shoulders as Dr. Brace started the program. The room became silent as everyone watched. End part 13/14 Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440 Disclaimed in part 1 Transplanted 14/14 Scully's bedroom, one week later. Dr. Brace sat near Scully's dresser, looking out the window intent on the recording he was reviewing. His face was blank, revealing nothing about what he saw to Scully. She sat on the edge of her bed where Mulder was sleeping. He had not woken up yet, but Brace had been recording Mulder's brain activity during the past week to monitor his progress. Brace wore a device that, to Scully, looked like a telephone operator's head piece. He suddenly reached out and hit a key on his computer, and a pleased look came to his face. Scully waited anxiously for the verdict. "Well, I reviewed all of Mulder's brain activity the last week. His dreams seem normal. I can't detect any implanted memories left in his memory. He *definitely* has much of his memory back, because most of his dreams were...well... about YOU. He looked her directly in the eye when he said this, which made Scully VERY uncomfortable. His eyes could really penetrate to the soul. And from his tone of voice and sly grin on his face, she could only imagine *what* kind of dreams he has been having. He looked like he knew some kind of dirty secret about her. "Well, Mulder's fantasy life is none of my concern." She said with a blush. "The only thing that concerns me is his dreams about his sister's disappearance. From what I have heard and read, Mulder believed his sister to have been abducted by aliens." "Well, yes, he does." she replied sheepishly. "He uncovered certain memories during a regression. He dreams about the abduction all of the time." "That is my concern. The dreams he is having now indicate another story entirely. From what I have seen, I would say this wasn't the first time Agent Mulder has been brainwashed." Scully took in the implications of Dr. Brace's words as Brace prepared to leave. <> She suddenly remembered something. "Dr. Brace, what about the *real* Thomas Vance, if there is one? He will need your help too, if we can find him." "I will call you in two weeks with new instructions for contacting me. It is obvious that I am too easy to find, so my wife and I need to relocate." "All I can say is thank you. If there is *anything* we can do, please let me know. We are in your debt." XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Later that day... Mulder awoke at the feel of someone's fingers brushing the hair out of his face. He knew from the scent that enveloped him exactly who it was. He struggled to keep the grin from his face when an evil idea came to him. Keeping his eyes closed, he suddenly reached up and grabbed her arm. Lost in her own thoughts, Scully worried about him. She wanted him to wake up. The hand that grabbed her was completely unexpected, and it scared her to death. She jumped and emitted a strangled scream that seemed to pierce Mulder's skull. He winced, even while he began laughing at her reaction. "MULDER!!" she said, smacking his arm. "If I weren't so damn happy you are alive, I would shoot you!" "Again?" He chuckled and pulled her down beside him on the bed. She smiled at his joking reminder. "Do you remember anything about the last few days?" Scully asked with great concern. "I remember some things, but it's a little vague right now. Things keep coming to me little by little. I think I know how people feel while in a coma now. Unconscious, yet somehow *aware*. I remember being someone else, as if it were a dream, but I know it was real. I still have some lingering flashes, but now it seems more like a story that was told to me. I feel like they will all be forgotten soon, and somehow, that frightens me. It's almost as if I'm forgetting myself, it's hard to explain. And then there are the memories that seem as if they were my own, but different,..." He looked hesitant about something. "Mulder...tell me what you remember about Samantha." She decided to get right to the point. He looked relieved that she asked. "I know I *used* to see her abduction, but now I have a specific memory of two men in black coming to the door, telling me that they worked with my dad. When I wouldn't let them in, they forced their way in , and I felt a prick of a needle in my arm. Everything is blank after that. I think I even know who one the bastards was." Mulder was getting agitated, so Scully tried to calm him down. "Dr. Brace told me that he thought you had been brain-washed before. Now we know. It'll be alright, Mulder. we can still find the truth." "I know, Scully. And it might be even closer than I thought." Mulder started to get up, but the pounding in his head was excruciating. Groaning, he flopped back onto the bed. "Whoa, Spooky, you aren't going anywhere for while. Doctor's orders." Scully told him. "I can't disobey my doctor, now can I?" he said, teasing her. She laughed. "That would be a first!" She continued chuckling at the thought, but stopped abruptly when he grabbed her hand and laid it on his chest wrapped in his. The look in his eye made her breath catch. Desperate for a diversion, she changed the subject. "I do have some news you might not like, Mulder...Skinner decided that Pendrell did so well in the field and on the X-Files that he should be permanently re-assigned." "You don't mean..." Mulder moaned. "I *do* mean. As of Monday, he will be assigned to *you*" she said with great pleasure. She knew this was punishment for her actions in trying to help him. "Aw, jeez. You *had* to ask him for help, didn't you?!? You know how that guy gets around you." "Maybe before, but he was much better during this investigation, Mulder." "I guess this means that I need to stake my claim before he tries to horn in, then." he said softly. Scully froze at his words. "Stake your claim on what, Mulder?" "On you." His eyes danced, challenging her to deny his claim. He knew she wouldn't; he could see it in her eyes since the moment he woke up. Something had finally changed during this ordeal. He had been waiting long enough for her to realize it. She hesitated in her answer, staring down at their entwined hands. A twinge of a smile came to her face. "As much as I would *love* to knock you off of your little egoistic high-horse..." she looked back up at him. "I won't. I *can't*. For once, Fox Mulder, I am admitting that you are right. You'd best enjoy it." He looked up at her and grinned. "I will, most definitely, as soon as my head quits pounding." "Pain means you are alive, so you can just suffer." she said flatly, but then a smile came to her face as she produced some pain-killer. "I knew there was a reason I love you," he said, "unlimited access to drugs. Doctors are handy to have around." This light-hearted banter and Mulder's declaration proved to be too much for Scully. She could not stop the tears from welling up in her eyes. Mulder noticed immediately. "Scully, I am going to be okay...it's *okay*.." he pulled her down onto his chest to comfort and hold her while she let it all out. He rocked her gently back and forth, rubbing her hair. She couldn't believe that he had his arms around her. "Mulder, I was so scared. I thought I had lost you forever. You were there, but you weren't you. I think I could have handled it better if you were dead, but you weren't. I just..." "Love me too much??" he supplied with a hopeful voice. She pulled herself up and looked at him. "Yes. I do." He smiled at hearing her say it. "Me too." "Mulder, we do have a problem. What about Pendrell? And *us*" "Well, the pipsqueak doesn't really need to know how we feel about each other, now does he?" "If this 'pipsqueak' hadn't known how Agent Scully felt about you before, Agent Mulder, I found out during our investigation. Don't worry. I understand." Pendrell said from his position at the bedroom door. Mulder looked a little chagrined at having been caught calling him a pipsqueak. "I think I can best fill my capacity with the X-Files should be in the lab, with an *occasional* jaunt into the field. It has worked well so, far, hasn't it?" Pendrell said. "We will play it by ear, Pendrell. You okay with this?" Mulder said. "Yea, I mean, this is the most excitement I have had in a long time." Pendrell said with enthusiasm. "Fun. I am not sure *I* would classify governmental conspiracies, aliens, fluke men, liver-eating mutants, and bizarre religious cults as *fun*, but to each his own." Scully said dryly. "Gee, Scully, you didn't ENJOY having your head strapped to a chopping block or being taped to a dentist's chair for an amateur lobotomy? What's wrong with you?" Mulder teased. Pendrell's eyes widened when he realized they weren't really joking. "Stop scaring Pendrell, Mulder. It's not *that* bad. Uh, usually." "The lab is sounding better and better." Pendrell replied nervously. "I think the three of us are going to get along great." Mulder said with a smile. "We still need to find Thomas Vance." Scully reminded them. "He is not who he is..." Mulder quipped with a big grin. "I can see your sick Mulder sense of humor has remained intact." Scully teased. "I should have had the new you made to my specifications." "Oh, you love the *real* me, Scully, and you know it." "Yea, I guess I do." They gave each other knowing smiles. "Well, I'm outta here. SOMEONE has to find Vance. You need to rest, Mulder, and Scully, you need to spend some quality time here, okay? I'll take this one." "Thanks, Pendrell. be careful, and if you need help, give me a call." Scully told him. "Well, this arrangement might not be as bad as I thought." Mulder mused. He reached for Scully and pulled her back down with him on the bed as Pendrell left the room, giving them a wistful backward glance. She gladly went, and the two of them snuggled together as Mulder fell asleep. The end. Comments would be greatly appreciated! Send feedback to aclaybor@busprod.com or christian.webb@fina.com. Amy C. aclaybor@busprod.com cfoxrun@geocities.com The Lovers of Mulder in Glasses Society http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/1577/LOMIG.html "Just Say No to Contacts" The Gossamer Specialty Archives http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/2440