This novel follows directly from ‘The Fury Trilogy’ and ‘Incubus’. Its plot and its characters originate in those stories, and they often understand their later predicaments by those earlier events. If you haven’t yet read those earlier stories, I suggest that you save this text somewhere safe and read them first.

I know it’s an imposition, a big deal for me to tell you to read a novel and a medium-sized story before you even start this one. But trust me, it’s worth it. The more eager among you can read this immediately, and you will get a general idea as what is going on. But to really get the most out of this novel, first read the earlier ones.

I always intended for this to be the sequel to "Fury"—whether it ever saw the light of day depended entirely on the feedback I received. The entire Fury saga was planned out and then implemented over a five year period.. "Fury" and "Incubus" are the beginning and middle of the story this is the ending.

Note: This story does contain a small amount of strong and explicit descriptions and dark themes (torture, mind control etc) so stay away if you’re easily offended or under 21.

*** Many thanks have to go to Vickie Tern who contributed a ‘special guest’ chapter to this story and generally helped out in more ways than I can mention. As always thank you, the reader for letting me know if the two years it took me to write this was worth it.

 

Fury Saga              by: Darkside

 

The Fury Directive

BOOK I. The Opening.

Cathline Richards, alias Rachel Martin, sat on the red leather sofa. She was waiting for the red lights on the cameras to indicate the show was on air. She stretched out her long, perfect legs and waited patiently. Her host Richard Letterman sat opposite, shuffling his questions and also waiting for the cue.

The floor manager gave the three-two one and the show was a go. Richard looked into camera one and said "Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to this special edition of Richard. We have with us tonite Rachel Martin, who has been described as the most beautiful women ever to walk the earth. Those of you who have read her account of the titanic struggle between her friends and the evil Dr Elizabeth Bexley will be familiar with much of what we’re going to be talking about. However Rachel has agreed to fill us in on what really went on nearly three years ago."

Rachel gave a stunning smile at the camera, noted the cute anchorwoman on the news desk and waited for the follow up question.

"Rachel, most of us know the outcome of the ‘fury’ as it’s been known but can you fill us in. If I remember correctly it started around 5 years ago," Richard said, casting an appreciative glance up Cathline’s long leg.

Ignoring Richard’s glance Cathline started to explain, "Yep. My good friend Matthew Stephens was driving alone when his car broke down. Stranded in bad weather, it looked as though he was going to die. However he was rescued and Dr Bexley saved his life. Their romance grew from there and they were due to get married."

"And did they?"

"No, Matthew realised he didn’t love Elizabeth and so left her at the altar. She was naturally devastated and had to leave her job at her father’s hospital. She joined as chief researcher at the TGEN-Labs. That’s where we first met, of course I wasn’t Rachel Martin then, just plain old Mrs Cathline Richards."

"We’ve got a picture of you and your late husband," Richard said.

Cathline looked away sadly as a picture of a pretty brunette with brown eyes and a taller, handsome man appeared on the monitors in front of her.

"Yeah that was me. Anyway at TGEN labs we were the first to fully map the human genome and we developed a chemical that would replace one set of DNA with another. It was going to be our cure for Cancer and save the lives of millions. It was about this time that I found out my husband, John was having an affair with another researcher. Liz suggested we try the drug on him to teach him a lesson and I agreed."

"So what did you do?"

"Unknown to me at the time Liz had paid this researcher to sleep with John and had already hatched a devious and vicious plan for revenge on Matthew. To cut a long story short and not give too much away John was turned into a copy of Matthew’s new fiancée, Jane Stephens. As a thank you Liz paid for us to go to Egypt for a second honeymoon."

"What was Matthew doing at this time?"

"Oh he’d married another woman, Kat, sorry Jane and was in Egypt on honeymoon at the same as we were. Liz had the original Kat kidnapped, changed into a copy of Jasmine from Disney’s Aladdin and thrown into a harem. She then replaced her as her double. Matthew was forced to take a pill that would slowly turn him into a copy of Dr Bexley. He had no choice but to take the pills because not doing so would probably have killed him."

"What Happened to John?"

"Actually I was kidnapped and thrown into another Harem where my stupidity led me to have my eye burned out with a hot iron. John was led a wild goose chase until flying back to the US."

"Was Dr Bexley doing all this kidnapping?"

"No she’d enlisted the help of a shadowy organization called the ‘Guild’.

We don’t really know anymore about them than that I’m afraid."

"If I remember correctly from the now famous Bexley trial Matthew killed John at the airport, thinking he was Dr Bexley returning from her evil deeds. Matthew was then arrested for murder one," Richard said.

Cathline looked down and said sadly "That’s right. Liz led John by the nose like a lamb to the slaughter. She had him killed."

"That’s horrible," Richard Commented.

"That was just the start of it. Anyway back in the Middle East I was imprisoned by my ‘master’ Osman and was routinely raped every day for four months. Thankfully Osman died and I was due to be re-sold."

"My God, how did you manage?" Richard asked.

"Looking back I’ve no idea. I just held onto my humanity and the ones I cared about. Kat had been sold into a much better Harem than me and was promoted to chief girl. Her master, Hassan allowed her to choose a personal maid from Osman’s Harem. She chose me and we instantly hit it off."

"Where was Dr Bexley in all this?"

"She’d flown back under a different face and designed this body you see before you for herself. Dr Bexley was the original Rachel Martin. She appeared to be happy in this arrangement until the tragic death of her parents in an auto-accident. That sparked off her desire to kill Matthew herself and resume the vendetta against him."

"So your body was genetically designed by Dr Bexley?"

"Yep, Bodies by Bexley. Anycase I’m more than happy with it now.

It’s still me inside. I think I got off lightly compared to the rest."

"I assume you escaped from your Harem?" Richard said.

"In a way. Hassan fell in love with Kat but she steadfastly refused his advances. Hassan was too much of a gentleman to force the issue and seeing how unhappy she was agreed to let us go."

Richard raised an eyebrow, "So you flew back to the US and tried to find out what had happened to your husbands?"

"Correct. After a lot of searching we contacted Stephanie Lane, the reporter. She’d already been working on the Bexley trial and was only too glad to team up with us."

"You mean the late Stephanie Lane?" Richard queried.

"Yeah. Anyway we all agreed to meet up at TGEN labs to discuss how we would deal with Liz. In the meantime Liz had enlisted the Guild to wipe out the convoy taking Matthew to death row and so ensured that he’d always be a fugitive. He met up with us at TGEN labs."

Richard looked thoughtful for a few seconds and then said "I remember the attack, brutal and professional as I remember. Anyway, so you set up some kinda council of war?"

"Yeah or so we thought. Liz’d booby-trapped the place and we barely escaped with our lives. Two of us didn’t make it, my colleagues Vickie Turner and James Richardson. They sacrificed themselves so the rest of us could live," Cathline said softly.

Richard nodded, waited a few moments and then asked "So then what did you do?"

"We found out where Liz’s hide away was and flew there to confront her. With the odds at five to one we were sure that we could beat her. Besides we thought we knew who she was pretending to be," Cathline replied.

"So you lay in wait for her to turn up?"

"Exactly. We’d only been there a day when Rachel Martin turned up. We ambushed her and used some of Liz’s drugs on her. The drugs turned her into a cat, it was horrible."

"So that was it, end of story?"

"Not quiet. Kat, yes ‘The Kat’ had deduced that Liz had taken over Stephanie Lane and had orchestrated the whole thing. She also sussed that the Rachel Martin we’d turned into a cat was Stephanie Lane. We managed to surprise Liz and confront her with our suspicions and she confirmed what we had guessed. She managed to escape and leave everyone for dead except Kat who confronted her on the jetty."

"So Kat killed her?"

"No she didn’t. Liz managed to shoot Kat with a drug tipped dart, but before she could escape Kat shot her too and they both collapsed onto the ground. By that time we’d recovered enough to run to the jetty and see Liz turning into a mermaid. She managed to escape before we could capture her."

"So that was how Kat became how she is today?" Richard asked.

"Yeah it took a week for her to change into the half tiger/half woman creature the world knows as Kat."

"Why couldn’t you switch back?"

"We didn’t know how to. Liz’d locked down the systems too tight and we knew the Guild would be after the DNA technology so we decided to destroy the device."

"So Matthew and Kat stayed on the island, how did you end up as Rachel Martin?"

"Liz’d had some additional doses prepared for her own use. I took a Rachel Martin dose before we destroyed them all. It allowed me to regain the use of my eye and have a fresh start."

"I see. What about Liz, what happened to her?"

"No idea. She’s either shark bait by now or in exile somewhere. Now that the governments have endorsed ‘The Fury Directive’ which outlaws all human genetic research with the threat of mass retaliation if genetic weapons are ever used. As for Elizabeth I think we’ve seen the last of her. Part of me however says don’t be so sure."

o - o - o -

One Year Earlier..

The large yacht drew silently up to a small cave located in the Indian Ocean. After the crew had weighed anchor a small dinghy was lowered into the turquoise colored swell. A tall, well muscled man with a dark moustache sat in the bow of the boat. Three other men sat behind him, their AK-47 assault rifles scanning the ocean, their fingers poised on the triggers.

The outboard motor spluttered into life and the dinghy sped towards the cave. At the last moment the engine was cut and the dinghy drifted towards the dark entrance of the cave. One of the men deftly jumped out of the boat and tied it to a nearby rock. He then crouched down by the cave entrance and waited for his companions to disembark. The other two left the boat and switched on their flashlights.

Thru the foreboding darkness they saw the remains of fish and other seafood. In one corner was a digital camera and piled high at the end of the cave was a mountain of salvaged goods.

They almost missed her, so well was she concealed. The first thing they saw of her was her long blonde hair, still damp from the water but slowly drying out. They could see her shapely form under the water but they stopped short when the beams of light spotlighted a long green tail where her legs should have been. Her slow breathing told them that she was asleep.

Silently the men returned to the dinghy and indicated to the waiting moustached one. He slowly got out of the dinghy, pointed to the man nearest her who then pointed his firearm at the sleeping form.

The moustached man crouched down by the sleeping form, flicked a finger at another man who in turn trained his weapon on the woman’s naked back.

The moustached one reached out his hand and touched the woman on her back. She jumped awake and spun round, her hands ready to strike at her would be attacker. She froze when she saw the guns trained on her every move.

"Dr Elizabeth Anne Bexley I presume. My name is Hassan," the moustached man said holding out his hand.

o - o - o -

Present Day.

Matthew Stephens took the corner with consummate ease. His wife Kat however with her superior reflexes and balance managed to overtake him on the inside, her jetski spouting water in one smooth motion. Matthew gritted his teeth and opened up the throttle determined not to lose this one but Kat was long gone.

"Come back," he shouted.

"Catch me if you can. You drive like a girl!" Kat taunted and proceeded to go even faster than before.

"Only because that bastard Liz made me one! One more lap," Matthew called. How did she DO that he wondered?

A single, cheeky wave from Kat was his only reply.

Excellent Matthew thought. They were now coming up on ‘Stephanie’s cove’. So called because this was the place where Elizabeth Bexley had imprisoned the unfortunate reporter, Stephanie Lane. Kat always slowed here, the underlying rocks made navigation difficult and unpredictable. Kat always lost ground here. Matthew stooped down to reduce air resistance, the wind blowing his long auburn air in front of his eyes. Brushing it away he concentrated on the task in hand, namely trying to win for once.

Sure enough Kat had messed up and Matthew was scarcely two metres away and closing fast. Kat was hunched too, even her tail was flat against her body. These round island races were always bitterly fought. Against Kat however they were nearly always one sided. Kat was starting to slow, seemingly letting Matthew catch up and Matthew, eyes glinting with the chase homed in for the kill. At the last moment Kat started to accelerate and with a mock salute was off like a water borne missile, leaving Matthew trailing in her wake.

Kat was lying on the jetty by the time Matthew got back. Her fur was slowly drying off in the warm sun. Matthew stepped off his jetski, adjusted his bikini and walked over to her.

"YOU CHEAT," he accused her. His face smiling though.

"Hey look we swapped jetski’s just as you wanted," was Kat’s sleepy reply.

"Next time I blindfold you," Matthew complained.

"What’s the score now. Umm 20 to 1 isn’t it?" Kat smiled.

"You only lost that one because you ran out of fuel," Matthew said.

"How about a kiss for the winner?" Kat asked.

Matthew stood, embraced Kat’s furry body and kissed her. He could feel the warm fuzzy sensation of his lips pressing against her furred face. His breasts pressed against Kat’s and he felt his nipples become erect and the arousing fire grew within him.

"Hmmm" We’d better get ready," Kat said.

"Cathline’s due over tonight. What’d you fancy?" Matthew asked.

"I’m not feeling too great. I feel kinda giddy. Just my usual."

"What’s up?"

"Dunno. But I ache all over. Come on let’s get ready for Cathline."

Matthew took Kat’s hand, helped her up and hand in hand they walked up the long winding stairs towards the house.

Some hours later while sitting in the TV room they heard the sound of an approaching chopper. By the time they had ran to the landing pad Cathline was already unpacking. When she saw Matthew and Kat waiting a wide grin appeared on her face and she waved vigorously.

"Seems incredible that a couple of years ago she was with us trying to stop Liz," Matthew remarked.

"Now look at her, The worlds first ultra model," Kat added.

After unpacking all Cathline’s things the pilot jumped back into his chopper and with a gust of warm air was back off to the mainland.

Cathline came running up to them and held them close, "It’s been too long," she said.

"Six months. Say, looking at Rachel Martin’s, busy schedule I’m surprised you could make it at all," Matthew said.

"To the world I’m Rachel Martin, the most beautiful woman in history. But with my friends I’m just plain old Cathline Richards," Cathline said in grandiose fashion and performed an elegant curtsey.

"Come on in, Matthew’l take your stuff," Kat said smiling.

"Hey just because I’m the only man around here," Matthew said.

"Not from where I’m standing you’re not," Cathline quipped.

"Sorry WAS the only man," Matthew said.

"Race you," Cathline challenged Kat.

"You’re on," Kat replied.

Kat sped off with Cathline in hot pursuit, half way to the house Kat slowed and Cathline flew past her and almost forgot to open the door to the house.

"I win! Hey, you OK?" Cathline said, panting hard.

"Fine. I’m just a little under the weather that’s all," Kat said, almost collapsing into a heap on the floor, her breathing heavy and labored.

"Hey sister you’re not OK. You’ve been timed at 35mph before.

There’s NO way I should be able to win," Cathline replied.

"Drop it. I’ll be fine. You worry too much."

After a dinner they still sat around the dining table, slowly drinking coffee when Cathline asked.

"Do you ever think about her much?"

"Who?" Matthew asked.

"Liz," Cathline said.

"I sometimes wonder, no make that hope that she’s shark bait by now," Kat said.

"I doubt it. She’s far too clever," Matthew said.

"I do. I can’t help but think we’ll see her again. That she’ll pop up where and when we least expect it," Cathline said.

"No chance. If a mermaid had been found we’d hear about it. Besides it’s been two years," Kat said.

"True. I also wonder why the Guild have left us alone," Cathline said.

"They’ve no reason to get to us. It’s not like we’re inconspicuous. You the world’s most famous model and Matthew’s and mine faces being plastered all over the worlds media. No we’re much too famous for the Guild to get at," Kat replied.

"Do you think the Guild copied Liz’s designs for the DNA system?"

Matthew asked.

"I don’t see how. Can we change the subject please," Kat replied.

Talking about the old days was painful.

"Oh I bumped into Robert, sorry Robin the other day," Cathline said, reading Kat’s discomfort.

"How are Robin and Steve?" Kat asked.

"Doing just fine. Robin’s just found out that she’s expecting in April, I think it is."

"Hey that’s great," Matthew said joyfully.

"What else. Oh yes Kitty Liz has just had her second set of kittens, although we don’t know who the father is."

"What about you Cathline, any eligible young men or women on the scene?" Matthew asked.

"Plenty of offers, none suitable. The media were trying to make something up about Brad Pitt and me. But there’s nothing in it."

"Are you telling fibs. You stayed over one night, after the Oscars wasn’t it?" Kat said playfully.

"I came here to get away from all that rubbish. We just talked OK. He wanted to know the true story of us, not the printed one. I said the one we published was the true one and we just got talking from there."

"I bet..," Matthew said smiling.

Cathline looked around the room and said, "I’m so glad you got rid of all those creepy statues. I’m surprised you’ve kept as much of her stuff as you have though."

"Strangely enough we did like a lot of Elizabeth’s decor. The statues freaked us out so we dropped them in the ocean. If Elizabeth wants them back she can go and get them. Oh more coffee?" Kat said reaching for the ornate coffeepot.

"I’m fine thanks. I live on coffee for most of the time so it’s a welcome break to only have a cup," Cathline said.

"Cathline, Did Kat tell you we’ve brought an apartment in Manhattan?"

Matthew asked.

"I did hear something about it. Cost a couple a million I think. What’s it like?"

"No idea, we’ve only seen the pictures. We want to get out and investigate it further," Matthew replied.

"You brought a multi-million dollar apartment without seeing it first!"

"We liked the look of it and hey live a little. We mainly got it to be nearer to you and the rest of our friends. Not that you’re in New York much these days but hey," Kat said shrugging her shoulders.

Matthew reached over to the coffee port and poured himself a black coffee. "Say, how about I give you a race around the island tomorrow?" he asked Cathline.

"You’re not still obsessed with beating Kat at that thing are you. Sorry no way I’m not taking part in any of your stupid macho contests. You never know, maybe one day Liz’l get you, then you’ll be sorry," Cathline said.

Kat coughed a little, yawned and said "Sorry guys I’m beat. I’ll turn in for the night. Dear I’ll see you upstairs."

"OK see you later," Matthew said and stood up and kissed Kat goodnight.

When Kat had gone upstairs Cathline’s face went serious. Gone was the jovial friend look that had been there all evening. Matthew looked at her and said, "What’s up. You look like you did when we were fighting Elizabeth."

"Matthew," Cathline said, reaching across and putting her hand on his.

"It’s Kat, I’m very worried about her."

"Why? She’s just a little tired that all."

"I don’t think so. I’ve never seen her so drawn. There’s no way I should be able to win that race today. She used to be able to stay up all night, she was the powerhouse that kept me going. I think you should take her back with me. Let her see a specialist," Cathline’s voice was quieter and softer. The concern showing in every muscle of her perfect face.

"She’s probably just got a bug or something. Thanks for you’re concern but she fine," Matthew said.

"How do you know? Hell the doctors couldn’t even work out her biology. You know as much as I do that there’s nothing like her on the planet. What is just a bug for us could be serious for her. Fucking hell Matt, God knows what effect Elizabeth’s EXPERIMENTAL drugs will have on her longer term," Cathline was almost crying with emotion.

"I know that. Listen she’s been like this for two years and she’s not had as much as a cold. You think we enjoy being like this? Oh yes, we’re the big celebrities, the man who is a girl and the Kat creature. You know the struggle we have every day. If we didn’t love and need each other as much as we do you think we’d have even got this far? Sure she puts on a brave face but she’s in mourning every day for her lost humanity. Her chances of motherhood dashed in those few months of vengeance. Sure we were full of optimism, live with the cards life deals us and all that. But Cathline, it’s SO HARD," Matthew was crying now and Cathline put an arm around his slender shoulders.

"Hey listen, you need to see your new apartment right. Fly back with me at the end of the week and we’ll get Kat checked out. If you’re right then great, if not at least you’ll know," Cathline said softly.

"OK I’ll speak to her. If it was anyone else but you telling me..."

Matthew left the sentence unfinished.

"That’s all I ask. Remember I love her too you know."

Kat reluctantly agreed to accompany Cathline and Matthew back to the States. She did take some persuading but on the day before Cathline was due to leave Kat found herself vomiting after almost every meal. This and Cathline’s constant badgering brought her around. Cathline had arranged for an appointment at a private hospital the next day. After they landed Cathline had to give her apologies, she had a shoot for Vogue the next day.

After neatly avoiding the waiting press Matthew and Kat got into the waiting limousine. In silence it took Matthew and Kat to their new apartment and after collecting the keys from the realty agent they went inside.

"Hey, nice place," Matthew said.

"Yep. Just needs some more furniture in and it’ll be our town house," Kat smiled.

"You don’t mind being dragged away like this?" Matthew asked.

"A little. I feel so tired these days. I’ll be relieved to know that it’s probably nothing. In some ways I’m glad Cathline forced me to come here. I was getting bored kicking your shapely butt at jetski races," Kat joked.

Her reply was a friendly dig in the ribs from Matthew.

The next day Matthew and Kat took a cab to the private clinic where they met a small, middle aged doctor called David Rankin. They followed him into his office where he sat down at a large desk.

"Mr and Mrs Matthews?" He asked.

"Umm yes," Kat said.

Dr Rankin pulled a large volume of notes from a folder and started to say slowly "Rachel Martin booked you in and has described some of the symptoms you have been feeling to me. Now Jane, if you wouldn’t mind telling me how you have been feeling."

Kat started to outline how she’d been feeling for the past few months.

Dr Rankin thought for a second and then started to say, "Due to your unusual biology and genetic makeup it’s very difficult to say what is wrong. I’ll take a few blood tests and arrange for, if you will excuse the pun, a CAT scan to be performed. You should know by the end of the day."

The rest of the day dragged by. The appointment with Dr Rankin weighed on their minds. Even the usually cheerful Cathline could do nothing to lighten the atmosphere. Around 6pm they drove back to the hospital where Dr Rankin was waiting. They knocked on his door and waited.

"Please take a seat," Dr Rankin gestured.

Matthew and Kat sat down. Kat’s face looked worried and she reached over and took Matthew’s hand.

"Mrs Stephens. You are aware of the unique nature of your physiology and that we don’t really understand it at all. This makes diagnosis of any condition very difficult and perhaps inaccurate in your case," Dr Rankin started to say in a soft, sympathetic tone.

"Hey, come on, what’s the news?" Matthew interrupted. An element of fear crept into his voice.

"As I said diagnosis is difficult but in this case the results are only too clear. It appears as though your body is breaking down. The chemical used to transform you was unstable and is causing random mutations in your cellular structure. It’s as though your body is rebelling against it’s self."

"Which means?" Kat demanded.

Dr Rankin paused and then said "In layman’s terms. You have Cancer.

The chemical Dr Bexley used on you is causing it."

"My God. Can you cure it," Matthew said, his face shocked.

"Maybe if we had access to Dr Bexley’s machine we could re-write Jane’s DNA to a normal healthy state. Since all such machines have been destroyed and their production outlawed we can safely say that avenue is no longer open to us. We could try chemotherapy and the usual radiation treatments but in this case the cancer is so embedded inside that its effect would be doubtful. I guess what I’m saying is that unless we find a way to fundamentally alter Jane’s genetic structure and remove her current form then she will die."

Matthew and Kat looked like they had been struck in the face "How long?" Kat managed to say.

"Difficult to tell. Six months at worst, Nine at best."

Matthew held Kat’s hand tightly, "Are you sure?"

"Positive. As I said if we had access to Dr Bexley’s machine we may be able to do something. If Dr Bexley was available she should be able to cure you but from what I have that read, that is extremely unlikely. If you choose to have therapy then this has a slim chance of success. However your quality of life will be affected earlier than it would normally be. The choice is yours. We need to start to act in the next few weeks if we are to stand any chance of success. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to take some more of your samples to devise some method of treatment."

Matthew and Kat just sat there shocked. Kat was going to die. Elizabeth had, had the last laugh. Her evil had sealed their fate together. Kat was starting to cry softly and Matthew put his slender arm around her shoulders.

"Come on. Let’s go talk about this. There’s still a chance," Matthew said, and he managed to pull Kat upright. They walked slowly out to the waiting limo where it took them to their new apartment.

They were just sitting on the sofa, engrossed in their own thoughts when the buzzer went. Matthew got up and answered.

"Hi it’s me."

"Cathline?"

"Yeah."

"You better come up," Matthew said pressing the door release button.

A few minutes later Matthew let Cathline inside.

"Hey, what’s up?" Cathline asked, spotting the tear stained faces of her two friends.

Taking a deep breath Matthew said "It’s Kat. She’s dying,"

Cathline visibly took a step back "No!"

"Yeah. Six to nine months," Kat said softly.

Matthew then explained what Dr Rankin had just said.

"Fuck. I knew something was wrong but I thought it was just the flu or something. What are you going to do?"

"No idea. I want Kat to have treatment but she doesn’t want it. The size of doses she’d have to have would all but destroy her last few months. Y’know the bitch of it is, is that if we hadn’t destroyed the DNA system we could have done something."

"I doubt it. Only Liz could have unlocked it and she’s gone. Besides the Guild would have got us long before then."

"I suppose. It just seems so, so tragic after all we’ve gone thru," Kat said tearfully.

"Yeah I know. Hey, something will turn up."

"If you say so," Matthew said softly.

"Hey, it’s me. Trust me," Cathline said.

Kat smiled "Always Cathline. Always!"

"Now this is getting much too solemn. How about a game of chase the Paparazzi?" Cathline said.

"Don’t think I’ve heard this one," Matthew said.

"Easy. I get my agent to let slip I’m in one location or am going to dinner somewhere or with someone. The press then rush around getting to that location. We wait an hour or so and then let slip that we changed our minds and went somewhere else. My personal best is getting them to do four trips before getting fed up. I ended up at Celine’s place, which really foxed them. I think I’ll drop the hint I’m going to see Brad Pitt again. That should get them going for a while."

Kat laughed for the first time today "Cathline your incorrigible!"

"That’s better," Cathline smiled.

The next day they had a call from Dr Rankin who said that they had better drop in.

"Take a seat," Dr Rankin said.

"What’s up, Doc?" Kat said.

"Yeah like I’ve heard that one before!" Dr Rankin said, slightly annoyed.

A sheepish Kat said "Sorry."

"More bad news I’m afraid. The samples we took from Jane here did not respond to any treatments we gave it," Dr Rankin said softly.

"Which means?" Matthew asked.

"That the cancer Jane has cannot be treated by conventional methods."

"So Kat’s going to die," Matthew said bitterly.

Dr Rankin’s voice took on a grim tone "Unless a way can be found to fundamentally change her DNA, then yes."

After the meeting had concluded Matthew and Kat drove back to their apartment in silence. Cathline came up an hour or so later and saw their distraught faces.

"That bad huh?" Cathline asked.

"Yep, unless we change Kat’s DNA she’s dead. I just feel so, so helpless," Matthew spat angrily.

"I’ve been thinking," Kat said slowly.

"What?" Cathline asked.

"There’s one person who can help me. It’s extreme and a very long shot but it’s the only way. Some chance is better than no chance," Kat said.

"Anything. We’re desperate," Matthew said.

Kat coughed and said "We could find Elizabeth and get her to change me back."

"WHAT?" Matthew and Cathline said in unison.

"It’s the only way. Dr Rankin said that if we could find Elizabeth’s machine and get her help we could cure me."

"I’d rather...," Matthew started

"It’s my body and I think it’s a risk worth taking," Kat said, folding her arms to emphasise the point.

"What on Earth makes you think she’d agree?" Cathline asked.

"Because she’s still a mermaid and what will help me will help her," Kat said.

"You mean let her loose again. NO WAY IN HELL," Matthew shouted.

"I didn’t say let her loose, I said change her back. I always wanted to bring her to justice and now we have the chance. We needn’t tell her that bit."

"It’s too dangerous," Matthew said.

"For whom? If we do nothing I’m dead, if we find her and she says no I’m just as dead. BUT if she agrees to our arrangement I’m alive and she’ll be contained. It’ll be fine as long as we are careful," Kat explained.

"That’s what they said at Cherynobel," Matthew said.

"I know it’s a long shot and she’s probably shark bait by now but we have to try. For me, Matthew, please," Kat pleaded.

Matthew sighed and said, "OK, any chance is better than none. How the hell do we find her?"

"Go to the Guild of course," Kat said.

"Kat. You have lost it big time sister. How in hell will the Guild help us find Liz? Does the phrase NO WAY ring any bells," Cathline said angrily.

"Does the phrase ‘RIP’ ring any bells, because in six to nine months it fucking well will. We pay the Guild to find Elizabeth, if anyone can find her they can. Cathline I’m desperate and desperate times call for extreme measures," Kat spat.

"OK have it your way. But when we end up laying on the floor with our throats slit I’ll kick your ass," Cathline spat back.

"It’s a moot point anyway. We don’t know where the Guild are?"

"I do. I’ll go to Hassan’s Palace in Libya and ask him myself," Kat said.

Matthew shrugged, "This plan gets more like lunacy all the time. But hey, in for a penny."

The six weeks it took to organize the trip went past with agonising slowness. Each day Kat seemed to take a turn for the worst. Matthew and Cathline looked on in awe at Kat’s inner strength as she tried to fight off the bouts of nausea and weakness that had started to wrack her body.

For her part Kat kept her spirits up, unwilling to give an inch to the cancer that was invading and corrupting every cell of her body. Externally she was the same wise, witty and supportive person she’d always been. But in the moments when she was alone she allowed herself to succumb to fear. One night she’d got up for one of her vomit attacks and Matthew had followed her. He waited in the dim twilight of the corridor until the sounds of Kat being violently sick had abated and when she had gone away to clean herself up he went inside.

He’d seen Kat be sick before but nothing had prepared him for this. Kat had missed the bowl the first time and there was a trail of thick red blood leading all way up to the bowl. He looked down in dread and winced as he saw the bowl full of blood and greenish bile. Matthew turned and jumped as he saw Kat’s impassive figure standing behind him.

Kat was breathing softly, her fur wet with blood and sweat. She went to turn away but then faced Matthew once more, "So now you know," she said softly.

Tears welled up inside Matthew. How could it have come to this? How could his love be torn away from him so cruelly? Matthew said none of this, choosing instead to feign ignorance, "How, How long?" he managed to say.

"Two weeks," was all Kat could say, before the emotion took her and she walked away.

Matthew stood there stunned. In a way he’d always assumed that the Doctors were wrong. That somehow Kat would survive and they wouldn’t need to go on that seemingly suicidal mission to Libya. He realised that he had been denying himself, the same way that he’d denied what Elizabeth had done to him. He turned back to the blood now drying on the floor and saw it for what it was, the beginning of the end. Grief overpowered him and he sank to the floor and sobbed until he could cry no more.

In the bedroom Kat could hear and sense Matthew’s despair but was unable to respond. Her body felt like lead and all her strength was gone. With all her heart she wanted to reach out to him and comfort him but she was unable to move. She needed the rest. She’d vomit again in a few hours.

Matthew said no more about the night’s goings on to Kat. It only distressed him and would make Kat even worse. Cathline helped Matthew keep vigil as each day Kat got slowly worse. Then just before they were due to fly out Kat made a recovery. She could walk, talk and she was the Kat of old. Matthew and Cathline’s hopes soared. Maybe the miracle that they’d hoped and prayed for, for so long had happened. Dr Rankin however soon shattered their hopes when he explained that, often before the end the patient makes nearly a full recovery and then suddenly declines. Matthew recalled Dr Rankin’s explanation. "It’s as though the body makes once last ditch chance at life before slipping away. Like the man grasping at a twig as he’s falling from the cliff only to have it fall away some moments later."

Dr Rankin could give no firm date, Kat might last a week or a month but the end would come quickly and suddenly, it was as inevitable as the sun setting. Kat reminded them that they still had the mission to Libya and in that hope still remained. This thought and Kat’s improved state carried them thru the long journey to Libya.

Soon Kat, Matthew and Cathline were driving across the desert towards Hassan’s Palace. Before they got to within 30 miles however they were stopped by around fifty hooded figures. Each figure carried an AK-47 and strapped around their waists were small, slender knives.

Kat jumped off their jeep and spoke to one of the men in Arabic. The man spoke to his comrades and then said, "Wait here."

Two of the men leapt onto one of their jeeps and drove off.

"Well?" Matthew demanded.

"They’re going to ask Hassan if I can speak with him. If I can’t speak with him I’ve asked them to find out where Elizabeth is," Kat said.

Cathline warned, "This had better work."

"It will. Mind you I don’t like the way they’re covering us with their guns," Kat said.

"We just wait I guess," Matthew said.

"It’s all we can do," Kat replied.

Two hours later the men returned and spoke to Kat at length. Kat was gesticulating and her voice was showing anger. Eventually one of the men whipped out his knife and held it to Kat’s throat. Kat backed off and much to Matthew’s relief walked away.

"What the fuck was that all about?" Matthew demanded.

"The ‘hell bitch’ is inside Hassan’s palace. They picked her up a few months ago. God knows what for? Anyway they say I can go and talk to Hassan but only me, not you. I either go alone or not at all. That knife business is just their way of emphasising the point," Kat explained.

"Do you trust them?" Cathline asked.

"Them no, Hassan yes. Besides times running out. I’ve got to go," Kat said softly.

"OK then, go but be careful." Matthew said and hugged Kat hard.

"Ciao," Kat said and hugged Cathline.

"Be careful," Cathline ordered.

"I will, it’s me remember. Don’t worry it’ll all work out, trust me," Kat said and joined the men. She climbed into the jeep and was driven off.

Matthew and Cathline started to pitch their tents under the watchful eyes of the hooded figures.

"I’ve a bad feeling about this," Matthew said.

"I know," replied Cathline ominously.

Kat was escorted back the palace where she had spent those months as Hassan’s personal maid. The trees had grown a little and the fountain was a little more elaborate however the place was virtually unchanged. When she had last visited this place Dr Elizabeth Bexley was her mortal enemy, now in a cruel twist she was her last best hope of survival.

Kat was taken into a large room with a marbled floor, ornate tapestries hung from the wall and a large mahogany table straddled the room. At the other end sat Hassan, as proud and impassive as ever. With one hand he was gently stroking the neck of a Bengal tiger. By his side sitting in a tank full of water was Dr Elizabeth Anne Bexley, her tail moving slightly in the water.

"You have changed a great deal since we last met, my jewel. Please sit," Hassan said.

"We all have," Kat said, staring at Elizabeth’s emotionless face.

"My agents tell me you have a request to make of me," Hassan said.

"I never was one to beat around the bush so I’ll get straight to the point. I have cancer, a terminal one. The doctors estimate that I have around six months to live. I have come to plead with yourself and Dr Bexley for my life," Kat started.

"So the mighty Kat comes on her knees to her creator. Why should I? Give me a good reason to do so. You robbed me of my only love, of my humanity, so now oh mighty Kat why I should grant you your life?" Dr Bexley sneered.

"Because you still love him, Matthew that is. You couldn’t bring yourself to kill him or me. You had the chance several times. I realise you hate me, but in the name of your love for him don’t put him thru this," Kat started.

"Why do think I have the power or the will to cure you?" Elizabeth asked.

Making a mental note that Elizabeth didn’t deny her love for Matthew, Kat pressed on "Because you still have the DNA system, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Besides, you made what I am today. This feline body, tail everything came from your imagination," Kat stressed.

"You must admit I had quite an imagination. Me a mermaid and you a cat thing. Still you could have been a slug. I wonder how Matthew would have felt being married to a mollusc?" Elizabeth taunted.

"It wouldn’t matter. Love knows no boundaries. If you have learned any lessons from all this it should have been that," Kat said sternly, not giving Elizabeth an inch.

"I have learned many lessons, that being one of them. Now about your proposal—I will discuss it with Hassan here. After all it’s his equipment."

Breathing a sigh of relief Kat was escorted out.

"Why are you going to help her?" Hassan asked.

"Who says I am," Elizabeth replied sharply.

"We should keep her here, make her stay with the rest of the animals. I think she make a perfect mate for Sheba here," Hassan stated.

"That would be logical. However I have a much better idea," Elizabeth replied.

o - o - o -

It had been over a week since Kat was escorted inside Hassan’s Palace. The guards surrounding the campsite refused to let them anywhere near the palace so they just sat there waiting. Matthew sat on a deckchair, reading. Cathline was in their tent asleep when the guard came over and said in broken English "She comes now."

Matthew got up with a start, dived into the tent and nudged Cathline awake. "Quick, Kat’s coming," Matthew said.

By the time they had emerged from the tent the jeep with Kat in had stopped just outside the campsite. One of the guards indicated for Kat to get out of the jeep. This she did.

All but one of the guards leapt into the waiting jeep; the last one walked slowly up to Kat and in motion to quick to follow had drawn his slender knife and slit Kat’s throat. The man leapt into the jeep, lit up a cigarette and the jeep drove off.

In slow motion Kat put her hands to her throat, stared down at the blood seeping from the wound and fell forwards. Matthew screamed and ran to catch her. Kat’s breathing became labored as her body tried to get air. Matthew just held her sobbing "No, No, No," and crying. Cathline was soon by Kat’s side, holding her hand, trying to comfort her dying friend.

Matthew could only stare into Kat’s pained face. She was taking short gasps of air now. Each moment her life was ebbing away. Ignoring the blood now seeping onto his hands he tried to fix the wound, do anything to save her. It was too late, the loss of blood and oxygen was too great. Kat’s breathing become more stilted until finally it stopped. Matthew and Cathline tried frantically to resuscitate her but Kat was gone.

o - o - o -

The helicopter carrying Kat’s coffin made a low pass over their house. The glittering ocean below gleamed red as the sun began to set. The sky was fiery red but streaked with clouds.

Matthew sat by Kat’s coffin, gently touching the lid as though he could bring her back by love alone. The shock that she was in there, silent, cold and alone ate at him. His tears had dried leaving his eyes red and puffed. There’s only so much a person can cry. Cathline sat next to him, her arm on his. Waiting for them, dressed in black and holding hands were Kat’s parents. The other guests stood around them solemn and unmoving. Matthew’s eyes picked out the heavily pregnant form of Robert Abbey, holding his hand was her husband Steve. Monica Abbey was there as well, standing apart from her ex-husband. A few choice others, Kat’s friends from before the Fury were there as were a few celebrity friends. The pallbearers stood ready as the helicopter began its descent.

The helicopter landed gently and the pall bearers unlatched the coffin from it’s fastenings. Matthew and Cathline got out of the other side and walked slowly up to Kat’s parents.

"Thanks for coming," Matthew said, trying not to cry.

They just nodded gently. By this time the pallbearers had positioned the coffin on their shoulders. They walked slowly to the front of the congregation and placed Kat’s coffin onto a stand at the end. Matthew, Cathline and Kat’s parents took up their places in the vacant seats at the front.

The Minister now said, "A few of Jane’s friends would now like to say a few words."

Cathline gently stood up to the microphone, her voice wavering with emotion. She took a deep breath and started to speak.

"How shall I describe Jane Stephens? The world knew her only as ‘Kat’. I knew her as a friend, companion in time of trouble, and a sister I never had before. Jane’s character can be summed up into three words," Cathline paused, regaining her composure and then she continued.

"Those three words were, compassion, wisdom, and courage. Qualities that are so rare these days she had in abundance. I’ll give you an example of each that will help us to remember her by."

"I first met Jane in Libya when we were both prisoners of the Guild. I’d been remarkably stupid and had been punished by having my left eye burnt away and raped for four months. Jane took pity on me and selected me to be her companion. The first thing she did for me was to make me feel human again. She gave me my dignity back. So Jane I raise a glass to your compassion," Cathline reached down behind the plinth and picked up a glass of red wine and she took a sip. Putting the glass down again she continued speaking to her captivated audience.

"The next story I shall tell is after I found out that Dr Bexley had set up my husband, John to be killed. I was all for going out to get her, kill her, do the same back again. With her unique mix of compassion and wisdom Jane allowed me to see that if I followed that path then I too would be destroyed. Once again Jane had saved my life. Remembering this, Jane I raise a glass to your wisdom. "Tearfully shaking, Cathline reached down and took another sip of wine. The gentle sobbing of the guests could be heard, mingling with the soft sea breeze. Cathline regained her composure and started again.

"My final story, many of you will be familiar with. Dr Bexley had escaped and injured both Robert Abbey and myself. Matthew was incapacitated, a victim of Dr Bexley’s evil. If allowed to escape then she would never be found and a great evil would be unleashed upon the world. Even though she was scared to death of Dr Bexley, Jane managed to summon enough courage to face her, alone. The result of that final confrontation was a loss of her humanity for good, but she prevailed and Dr Bexley was exiled to the ocean forever. Jane Stephens’s final battle down at the jetty brought out all three qualities, but most of all courage. Jane we thank you for your courage," Cathline took a final gulp of wine and said, her voice shaking now.

"Matthew I know what it is to lose someone dear. I know the pain, the loneliness it brings. Remember that we are all here for each other. As Jane once said.

‘They say a flap of a butterfly’s wing in China can divert hurricanes from their path on the other side of the world. The same is true of lives. The slightest co-incidence can be the turning point for thousands.’

This moment is a turning point, a moment of transition if you like. We must face the future with the same qualities as Jane did that is Compassion, wisdom and courage. So goodbye my friend. Rest well and we’ll miss you. Goodbye," Cathline quickly turned away and slowly walked back to her seat.

The minister stood up and said "I believe Jane’s Father wishes to say something."

An elderly man stood up, walking with a cane, the weight of grief on his shoulders bowing him over. He stood up to the microphone and began.

"Thank you Cathline for your moving tribute. It summed up everything about our daughter. This is the second time I’ve had to say goodbye to her and it’s no easier this time around. Matthew, don’t blame yourself for any of this, we don’t. What happened is not your fault, none of it is. You have known what many of us will never know. That unshakeable love, a love that goes beyond physical form, beyond circumstances, and a love like this knows no boundaries. Matthew I’d like to echo what Cathline said. We will get thru this, together just like Jane would want us to," Kat’s Father stopped talking and slowly got down from the steps and went back to his seat.

The minister stood up again and asked the pallbearers to proceed to take Kat’s coffin to her tomb. They lifted it up and walked slowly towards a small building made of white marble. The sun glistened off it and the Greek style columns cast shadows over the door.

The minister then went to the microphone and said "One of Kat’s friends, Celine Dion has offered to sing for us. Matthew’s given his consent for her to do so. So if you’d like to come up please Celine, we’d much appreciate it."

The music started to play and Celine started to sing

‘Every night in my dreams

I see you, I feel you

That is how I know you go on

Far across the distance

And spaces between us

You have come to show you go on’

The pallbearers continued their slow journey towards the tomb. Matthew hid his head in his hands. He couldn’t watch. The music continued to play.

‘Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more, you open the door

And you’re here in my heart

And my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one time

And last for a lifetime

And never let go till we’re gone

Love was when I loved you

One true time I hold to

In my life we’ll always go on’

Cathline walked over to Matthew and held his hands. The two friends embraced, sharing in grief.

‘Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more, you open the door

And you’re here in my heart

And my heart will go on and on’

The pallbearers reached the tomb and placed Kat’s coffin inside a large, white marble casket.

‘You’re here, there’s nothing I fear

And I know that my heart will go on

We’ll stay forever this way

You are safe in my heart

And my heart will go on and on’

As the haunting sounds of the song faded away Matthew and Cathline still hand in hand went inside and placed red roses on the Coffin. In turn the guests did the same until the whole tomb was awash with flowers.

With a final blessing the minister asked the pallbearers to place the lid of the casket back on. The guests filed out, back to Matthew’s house to end this sad, sad day.

o - o - o -

Five Months Later...

Matthew stood by Kat’s tomb, staring out to sea. He had just been inside to place some more fresh flowers. The gardener had been and cleared yesterday’s away, and the interior always smelt of flowers. Kat had loved flowers.

Tearfully he walked to the bench where he and Kat had often just sat there and watched the world go by. This particular part of the island had always seemed the most tranquil. It was perfect for Kat’s last resting place.

Matthew heard the unmistakable sound of a helicopter. Whoever it was could wait, he needed this time to himself. A few minutes later he heard footsteps behind him. He whirled round to see the beautiful form of Rachel Martin standing over him.

"Hi Cathline," Matthew said softly.

"Hello Mat. How are you?"

"It still hurts, Cath. No matter how long I sit here and reflect on the future and what’s gone before, it still hurts," Matthew sniffed.

Cathline sat down beside Matthew and turned to face him, "I know.

You’ve not called for ages. I was worried. I had to come."

"You needn’t have. I’ll be fine, I’m just having a down day that’s all."

Cathline sought to lighten the mood a little. Matthew was getting too introspective. Damn, she missed Kat too! "You been bingeing again? You look as though you’ve gained a little weight. I told you what’d happen if you kept eating."

Matthew let out a sigh. He thought about making a quip about a woman and her weight but simply said, "Why should I bother. The only person I ever loved is in there," Matthew pointed to Kat’s tomb.

Cathline nodded, "Matthew we’ve had this discussion a million times before. You must move on! Life still goes on. I had to come to terms with losing a loved one too."

Anger flicked across Matthew’s face, "I may have not loved him like you loved Kat but I got over it yada, yada, yada. Save it I’ve heard it,"

Cathline stood up and went to walk away. Matthew had hurt her with that last comment and part of her wanted to leave right now.

"Cath, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean .."

Cathline turned to face Matthew once more, "So’k I know you didn’t. But please snap out of it. Now I’m famished. How about I fix you some food. A nice salad will do."

"I’d rather have some Haagan Daas. It makes me feel better. But it’s getting near dinner anyhow," Matthew stood up and walked towards Cathline.

Cathline grabbed Matthew’s hand, "Come on old friend. Time to go.

I’ll even race you on one of those jetski things if you want."

"It wouldn’t be the same, but thanks anyway. Now about that dinner."

While Cathline started to prepare dinner Matthew walked outside once more. Even though Cathline was here he still felt intolerably lonely. There was no fun in anything anymore. He looked down at the jetty and saw two jetski’s tethered together. They no longer looked in pristine condition and Matthew hadn’t touched them in nearly six months. The one on the right, the one with the yellow and black tiger stripes. That had been Kat’s and in spite of his protests it always seemed to power it’s owner to victory.

Flashes of happier times, of kissing after a hard fought race came to his mind, and a tear started to form. He brushed it away before setting out to the house once more.

"Dinner’s ready," Matthew heard Cathline’s voice filter through the house, and he slowly walked towards the sound.

Dinner was a subdued affair. Matthew and Cathline were lost in their own thoughts. Eventually Cathline came around to the reason why she’d decided to visit, "Come back with me Matthew, Being here alone is eating you alive. You’re pining away in a mess of self pity and remorse. You can’t change the past but you can the future."

"Cath, you’re speaking in clichés and platitudes again," Matthew complained.

"It’s all I have left. I gave up trying to reason with you a long time ago. You make out as if it’s the end of the world. Worse still, the more you mope around the more Elizabeth has won."

Cathline thought Matthew was about to explode again but he didn’t. He just said, "That’s because she has. What we won was a respite but she won in the end, didn’t she? Her aim was to ruin my life and split Kat and me up. I think she’s done a pretty good job so far."

Cathline’s concern grew, Matthew had been down before but he’d never seemed defeated before, "I don’t see it that way at all. She’s only ruined your life if you let her. That was the one weakness in her plan! Kat understood that."

Matthew thought for a moment, stifling the angry words that entered his mind, "I’m not Kat. Did you ever think I might want to be alone, to ponder my existence and the cards fate has dealt me."

"But you’re not. You just sit there on that bench wishing things were different and spending a fortune on fresh flowers. That’s not what Kat would’ve wanted, she’d have wanted you to move on."

"I’m not ready to move on. I may never be ready. I feel as though my soul has been destroyed and my will broken. What Liz did to me is as nothing as to the pain I now feel. When Kat was alive I felt as though I could stand it. Now everything seems meaningless. I brought a gun y’know. I keep it in the entertainment room. Thought I’d want to end it sometime, but in spite of how I feel sometimes I just can’t face using it."

"You still have me. We may not have started out right but I’m here for you. I miss her too y’know. Come back with me to New York, if not for you for me."

Matthew sat back on his chair and thought for a moment. This was the first time in a long while that Cathline had admitted she needed him. It made him feel a little better. To be wanted, no needed again lifted his spirits. Matthew just said, "I’ll go."

o - o - o -

Matthew walked alone along the outskirts of Central Park. The October sun reflected unimaginable colors in the red, gold and yellow leaves of the trees. A park warden sweeping up the leaves caught his eye and he stopped to watch.

A sudden movement caught his eyes and he spotted a young couple, holding hands and kicking the leaves at each other in mock conflict. Matthew turned away, feeling the cold biting wind for the first time. A song from long ago sprung to mind and he couldn’t help but hear it in his mind.

‘The summer sun is fading as the year grows old

And darker days are drawing near

The winter winds will be much colder

Now you’re not here.

I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky

And one by one they disappear

I wish that I was flying with them

Now you’re not here.

Like the sun through the trees you came to love me

Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away

Through autumn’s golden gown we used to kick our way

You always loved this time of year

Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now

‘Now you’re not here

‘Now you’re not here

‘Now you’re not here

Like the sun through the trees you came to love me

Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away

A gentle rain falls softly on my weary eyes

As if to hide a lonely tear

My life will be Forever Autumn

‘cause you’re not here

‘cause you’re not here

‘cause you’re not here’

The cold wind caused his eyes to sting as it bit against his tears and he rushed back to Cathline. He couldn’t take much more of this, nobody could. This couldn’t, he decided go on forever. The pain must subside sometime.

o - o - o -

Seven Months Later...

Matthew stood by Kat’s tomb, staring out to sea. He had just been inside to place some more fresh flowers. The gardener had been and cleared yesterdays away and by now the interior would smell of flowers forever.

Tearfully he walked to the bench where he and Kat had often just sat and watched the world go by. This particular part of the island had always seemed the most tranquil and Matthew spent much of his time here.

Matthew heard the unmistakable sound of a helicopter. Whoever it was could wait, he needed this time to himself. A few minutes later he heard footsteps behind him. He whirled round to see the beautiful form of Rachel Martin standing over him.

"Hi Cathline," Matthew said softly.

"Hello Mat. How are you?"

"As well as can be expected. This was our favorite spot you know," Matthew said.

"Yeah Mine too."

Matthew looked quizzically at Rachel Martin. "You never told me this was too. I thought the maze was."

"You never gave me the chance to tell you lots of things. Hey I need a chat come walk with me," Rachel said, beckoning Matthew with her hand.

"You’re very business like for a change," Matthew said. What had got into Cathline, she’s not usually this cold he thought.

They walked to the house in silence, Matthew in front and Rachel Martin behind.

"We’ll go into my office," Matthew said.

"I’d rather sit down in the entertainment room, It’s much less stuffy than the office."

"Whatever."

Matthew sat down on the sofa, crossed his slender legs and asked, "So Cathline, what brings you all this way. I though you were on a shoot somewhere?"

"Mind if I put some music on. Ah yes this’ll do one of my favorites " Rachel said as she placed the CD into the player. A heavy rock beat started to play.

‘You may not recall the moment that you asked me

But your invitation was clear.

You’ll pretend you’ve never met me, but it’s far too late now

I’m here.

 

Cause I’m the one who knows what scares you

I’m the one who loves you best

I’m the thirteenth at the table

I’m the Uninvited Guest.’

 

"Cathline, that’s not funny. In fact that’s sick. Look, what’s got into you?" Matthew started.

"Did I ever claim to be Cathline?" Rachel Martin replied.

Matthew sat up in shock his eyes wide, too stunned to do anything "ELIZABETH!"

"Hello Matthew," Elizabeth said.

Matthew shot over to where Elizabeth was standing, hands outstretched, ready to throttle his nemesis. Elizabeth neatly side stepped and in some movement faster than the eye could see had Matthew around the throat.

"Listen Stupid, I didn’t come here to kill you, torture you or anything else. I just came to talk," Elizabeth hissed. She then threw Matthew back on the sofa and sat down on the armchair next to him.

"I ought to shoot you where you stand you bastard. I’ve got a magnum in easy reach. Now tell me why I shouldn’t use it right now?" Matthew spat.

"You won’t do that. There are a few burning questions that you want answered first. That is, firstly how come I’ve got legs rather than fins? Secondly, how did I escape from the Guild? And lastly what the hell do I want? These questions and what I have to talk to you about vastly outweigh the short-term pleasure you’ll get from blowing my head off."

Matthew paused for a few moments. Elizabeth began to look worried.

"Well?" She demanded.

"I’m thinking about it," Matthew said menacingly. Matthew waited a few more seconds before saying "Hey you got me. Tell me what you want, then I’ll shoot you."

"After hearing what I have to say I don’t think you’ll be shooting me at all. Look I just want you to listen and me to talk. No ‘fail-safe turnabout’s’ or any shit like that. Here I’ll put another CD on," Elizabeth stood up, rummaged around for a bit and then placed another CD in the player. The unmistakable tones of ‘One’ by U2 started to play.

‘Is it getting better... Or do you feel the same. Will it make it easier on you... Now you got someone to blame.’

Elizabeth sat down again, shuffled on her seat and started to explain. "I’ll start at the beginning and give you the simple version. I knew that the Guild would not be able to resist the temptation to copy the DNA system and use it for their own purposes. At the time I didn’t care what those purposes were, just that I didn’t want anyone else to have the technology. To that end I installed corruption routines into the drug production system. These would ensure that any drug produced by a copy of the machine would be useless at best and dangerous at worst. Of course I knew how to switch these failsafes off and so enable me to use the machine here."

"The Guild did, indeed take copies of my designs and soon found out that they were useless."

Matthew interrupted "So they went looking for you?"

"In a way. In my mermaid form I wanted to create havoc on the high seas. To pay back in kind what man is doing to the oceans. I still have that goal by the way but not by creating terror and death. I contacted the Guild by use of a phone I’d found in a wreck. Initially they ignored my calls but a year later Hassan found my cave and picked me up.They offered me a deal. In return for making me human again I would restore their copy of the machine to full working order."

"You didn’t. Are you mad?" Matthew exclaimed.

"I was and I did. They also wanted one other thing done in return for my humanity."

"Which was?"

"They’d seen my designs for a changeling organ. They wanted me to perfect it."

"Oh my God. You didn’t."

"Initially I refused, but they withheld fresh sea water for me to swim in and started to put fresh water in. Do you know what happened when my mermaid body was exposed to fresh water?"

"No?"

"My scales started to peel off and it felt as though I was swimming in acid. Matthew I had to obey, I had no choice."

"So you did it and created the greatest menace since the atomic bomb."

Matthew said, the anger growing in his voice.

Elizabeth’s head bowed and she nodded "Yes I did it, my greatest triumph turned into my greatest tragedy. Matthew that’s the reason why I’m here. The Guild has to be stopped. Hassan has designs for the Guild to rule as it did nearly a thousand years ago. My DNA system and the changeling organ is the way they mean to do it. Hassan needs a triumph to save his skin after his near failure with us."

"What good are you? The authorities can invoke the Fury Directive.

The Guild won’t stand a chance."

"Not if the Guild get there first. As for what good am I? Watch".

Matthew looked on amazed, as the flesh on Elizabeth’s face seemed to melt. Her long hair drew back was replaced by shorter black hair. Her face reshaped and her eyes turned green, to form an almost feline look.

"My God!"

"That’s right. I’ve given myself a changeling organ. Actually an improved one but we won’t tell the Guild that. I can get anywhere and be anybody. We need that advantage if we are to stop the Guild," Elizabeth said in Kat’s old voice.

"Holy shit," Matthew said.

Elizabeth’s face melted again and within moments resembled that of Rachel Martin.

"In a normal changeling body I’d have to wait at least an hour to switch forms. Mine can do it at will."

"So you could be anybody and I’d not know it."

"You better believe, it sister. We have one more advantage."

"And that is?" Matthew asked.

"The Guild only have one organ. I grew it inside one of their agents called ‘Salah’. I’ve made sure that it’ll only work three times in any given year. Before I escaped I made sure Salah had used it all up."

"So the Guild have no changeling organs?"

"Not yet. It should take them six months to produce some more. That gives us the time we need to stop them."

o - o - o -

Across the other side of the world, Anne Holden sat at her desk, typing up a draft report for her boss, Senator Jameson. She’d just finished when Senator Jameson walked over, smiled and said "Hi Anne, how’s the report going?"

"Just fine Walter. I’ll be done soon."

"Excellent. More importantly, isn’t tonight you see your new boyfriend?"

"Yep. It feels so right this time, I just know he’s the right man for me.

Since my divorce it’s been so hard to be alone."

"Look it’s nearly five. When you’ve done how about going home early to get ready. Besides I promised President Andrews I’d whip his ass at Golf this evening."

Anne smiled a pin ball smile at her boss, "You play a lot of golf with the president don’t you?"

Senator Jameson nodded, "Yeah we’ve been playing each other on and off ever since we graduated from West Point in the sixties. Come on, why don’t you go home and enjoy your evening. The rest of the report will wait."

Anne smiled "Thanks very much senator, but I’ll stay and finish it."

Anne hurried and soon the report was finished. She rushed home to get ready for her visitor.

Anne’s doorbell chimed at eight sharp and looking thru the spyhole she saw her boyfriend, Steve holding an open bottle of Champagne. Flinging open the door she gave him a big hug.

"Hey steady on," he said.

"Want me to get some glasses for that?" Anne asked.

"Sure," Steve replied.

Anne went into the kitchen and returned a few minutes later with some clean wineglasses. Steve poured the champagne into each glass and handed one to Anne.

"Bottoms up," Anne said and drank hers down.

"Cheers," Steve said and held back from drinking any.

"I don’t..." Anne started to say and then collapsed to the floor.

Steve put his glass down and picked up Anne’s body. Quickly stripping it of all the clothes he went into the bathroom and placed it in the bath. Quickly he switched on the water and waited.

A few minutes later Anne’s flesh began to look soft and almost like putty. A few minutes after that her body looked as though it was deflating as blood and fluid began to run out of her mouth, pussy and ass. Steve increased the water flow as more of Anne’s body dissolved. Happy that it was progressing well he went back into the kitchen.

Taking off his own clothes he concentrated hard and looked down as flesh began to flow and melt. He saw his legs grow more slender and his hips widen. He felt his hair grow longer and momentarily he went blind as his face changed. Looking down he saw that his nipples were swollen and started to see breasts begin to form. There was a sensation in his groin as his penis began to shrink back in and a moment it was replaced by the soft fleshy folds of a pussy.

Steve, now resembling Anne in every detail, put Anne’s clothes back on and put his old clothes into a nearby bag. Walking back into the bathroom he took the time to wash the liquid remains of the real Anne down the plug and wipe down thoroughly with some disinfectant. After this was complete he went back into the lounge to watch some TV. He had a busy day tomorrow.

o - o - o -

Elizabeth continued. "There is another reason you see, the reason why I went with the Guild and helped them rebuild their DNA system was because I had the same cancer that was killing Kat. When I was in my cave I recognised the symptoms right away. Unless I found suitable equipment I would be dead in nine months."

The song continued over the conversation

"Well it’s too late...Tonight...

To drag the past out...Into the light.

We’re one... But we’re not the same.

We get to carry each other...Carry each other.

One "

"I take it you didn’t tell the Guild this?"

"Naturally. In my spare time I searched every chromosome of my genetic makeup, did thousands of blood tests. I’ve never looked at myself in more detail than I did then, and I found something terrible, something that has driven me here."

"Which is?" Matthew said curiously.

"The blood tests revealed a chemical imbalance, specifically Kraepelin’s disorder. Known to most people as schizophrenia. In slender moments of sanity I had suspected, such but events always served to trigger it off again before I could prove it. You know, for a while I was happy to settle down as Rachel Martin, maybe even turn you back when I had the chance. Then my parents died in that terrible accident. It was too much and it drove me to another level of insanity. My period in exile away from humanity drove me inwards and my sanity started to return."

"Sitting in my tank in the Guild’s lab the result’s were pure scientific data. I couldn’t ignore it, couldn’t blame someone else. I was mentally ill. I prescribed myself some neuroleptics, specifically Stelazine. After a few weeks the magnitude of what I had done became clear."

They paused and listened the words of the song, now playing for the second time

"Have you come here for forgiveness?

Have you come to raise the dead?

Have you come here to play Jesus...To the lepers in your head?

Did I ask too much?

More than a lot?

You gave me nothing.

Now it’s all I got.

We’re one...But we’re not the same.

We hurt each other...Then we do it again."

"Very good Liz, you always could choose an apt song. Your ‘illness’ killed people, ruined lives. You come here expecting some absolution from me," Matthew shouted.

"No and neither do I deserve any. I will answer for what I have done when this is over. The images of that Guild attack on those poor policemen, your nightmare struggle against being turned into me, and the slow motion agony of John being gunned down haunt my dreams and disturb my waking moments. I can imagine Vickie and James, trapped in the lab, sacrificing themselves to save you. Holding each other close until the fire and blast took them. Matthew I truly am sorry," Elizabeth was crying softly.

"Liz, we’ve all seen your schemes before. As sorry as you seem to be you can’t restore Kat to me, can’t turn me back into a man, undo all the harm you’ve done."

"If we gain access to the Guild’s DNA system I will turn you back if you wish. I can’t promise the rest but I can do that one thing."

"Why should I believe all this?" Matthew demanded.

"Two words," Elizabeth said.

"Which are?" Matthew demanded

Elizabeth’s face became serious and she paused for a few moments before saying, "Kat’s alive."

o - o - o -

Inspector David Jones rushed home. Still clutching the letter in his hand he couldn’t wait to tell his wife. He’d been trying to get into special branch for years and now he finally had his chance. Fatigue, after a long, hard shift was starting to take its toll. Still this promotion would make things better.

He pulled up into his driveway and was greeted at the door by his wife. Although still in her mid thirties she looked good for her age and he was envy of many a fellow policeman.

"Hi Jill, Guess what?" David said, getting out of the car.

"You got it!" Jill shrieked.

"Yep. As from next week I’m part of the Prime minister’s security detail. Beats traffic duty anyday," David smiled.

"Come on inside, I’ve got your favorite," Jill said seductively.

David smiled and went inside.

David moved closer to Jill and pulled her to his chest. He could feel her breasts pressing against his chest and he felt his cock start to swell. Jill returned the hug and soon they were in a passionate embrace. Suddenly David felt a prick in his neck and he pulled away.

"What the..," David started to say.

‘Jill’ looked at her hand as the needle sharp talon retracted back inside her hand. David was lying on the floor shuddering and convulsing with pain. Carefully Jill lifted his body, put it over her shoulder and carried David’s still quivering body up to the bathroom.

o - o - o -

"That’s sick even for you. Now get out," Matthew shouted.

"She thought you might react like this, She gave me this note to give to you," Elizabeth said, holding out a battered piece of paper.

Matthew snatched it away, glaring at Elizabeth. He glanced down and started to read.

"Hello lover,

If you are reading this it means that the hell bitch has managed to escape alive, good. I’m sorry I’m not here in person but even getting Liz out was risky. Don’t worry I’ll be fine. Listen to her plan to stop the Guild and follow it to the letter, even if it seems as though everything’s gone straight to hell. This woman is scary, we need her, and she’s our only hope.

Maybe, when all this is over and done with I’ll let you win.

I said MAYBE.

All my love

Kat.

XXX"

Tears were in Matthew’s eyes "How? Why?" he sobbed.

"Easy, I saved her. Hassan wanted her killed for finding out about the Guild and the DNA system. I managed to persuade him otherwise."

"Then who..," Matthew started.

"Just listen and you’ll understand. You remember I said I had the same cancer as Kat. I needed her blood and tissue samples to cure me. I also needed them to try and find a way around the fixer version two, which imprisoned us. For me it was highly advantageous to keep Kat alive. I persuaded Hassan on the basis that I needed a guinea pig on which to test my changeling organ. A subject whose genetic makeup I knew."

"You bitch!"

"Look I didn’t experiment on her. I needed her as she was so that I could be cured. The Kat you saw killed on the desert was a facsimile, a fake I created from some large dog or something. The real Kat is back at Hassan’s palace."

Matthew was stunned at this explanation but something didn’t quite fit. "Why didn’t you take her with you? She would never have put me thru all this. Besides she’s dead by now, the cancer.." Matthew started to cry again.

A look of anger shot over Elizabeth’s face, "You still think I’m a monster! I cured her as well as myself. On the other matter you’re right. She wasn’t happy but it was the only way. She needed to pretend to be me while I escaped."

"Yeah, well why didn’t you stay there and Kat escape?" Matthew demanded.

"Hmm, well that’s my fault. I knew you wouldn’t come and rescue me. You’d rather I rotted in hell before you lifted a finger. But you would move heaven and earth to rescue her. Shall we say I persuaded her to stay."

"You fucking bitch. You claim to have changed and then you do something like this. I have my answers and I suggest you leave before I shoot you," Matthew shouted.

"You kill me and Kat dies too. Hell maybe we all die. Matthew I really am your only hope of seeing Kat alive again. I don’t like it anymore than you do. I’d rather she was here backing me up as well but it really wasn’t possible."

"So now we’re friends again. I can sleep easy in my bed, knowing that you’re on the island," Matthew said cynically.

"Actually no. I thought we’d share," Elizabeth said.

"You can’t be serious," Matthew shouted.

"Hey, Joke OK," Elizabeth said, holding up her hands in mock surrender.

"That’s it. Look, you can sleep here, I’ll take the yacht somewhere you can’t find. With the yacht gone and no way off you’re stranded until I decide what to do with you," Matthew snapped.

"Matthew I’m hurt. I save your wife’s life, twice I might add, come back here as soon as I can to tell you, and you still scorn me. It’s just as well I’m better now or I’d really get upset," Elizabeth said.

"Tough! It’s my decision. Just think yourself lucky I didn’t shoot you," Matthew said.

Elizabeth held her hands up, then clutched them to her chest and said "Matthew, I’m starting to think you’re making this personal. Look I may have started the vendetta against you, but now I’m ending it I the only way I can. When this is over I will restore you to your old self, and Kat as well. If you want to carry on this vendetta then fine, just don’t expect me to retaliate."

Matthew glared at Elizabeth, pushed past her and stormed off. Untying the yacht from the Jetty Matthew knew what he wanted to do. He decided that he would set off in a random direction and sail for a couple of hours. He’d then sleep on the yacht and call Cathline. She’d know what to do.

As the yacht slipped it’s moorings and sailed off into the twilight, hope surged thru Matthew. IF Elizabeth was telling the truth then Kat was alive. To see her again would make the risks worthwhile.

After five changes in direction Matthew set the boat to auto-cruise and was soon fast asleep.

o - o - o -

Back at the mansion Elizabeth was upset. She knew that Matthew wouldn’t be pleased to see her but her mission to stop the Guild was important. Maybe he didn’t realise just how dangerous a changeling body could be. She slipped off her clothes and stuffed them into a bag. She walked over to the phone and made a call. Hearing no response she put the phone back down and walked back to where the bag of clothes lay. Collecting the bag she walked, naked outside into the cool night air. Closing her eyes she concentrated hard and felt herself become lighter.

Her back arched as an additional set of ‘arms’ emerged from her back. These ‘arms’ then grew to almost ten feet in length. Skin formed between these arms and her back and she felt pimples start to grow on the skin that had just formed. Concentrating harder she imagined a set of white feathers emerging from the skin and a rustling sound alerted her to the fact that they were indeed forming. A few minutes later a winged Rachel Martin shook her new additions and tried an experimental flap. With ease she lifted off the ground and flew about a hundred meters before settling on the ground. Her confidence growing, she picked up her bag of clothes, ran to the cliff, jumped off and soared into the night.

It took her an hour of circling and flying to spot Matthew’s yacht. He’d foolishly left the running lights on and so stood out a mile against the black, calm ocean. After another two hours of following the yacht she saw a bedroom light go out. She waited a further half-hour before landing on the helipad.

Concentrating hard, she felt her wings retract in her back and within moments she stood, once more Rachel Martin. Slipping on her clothes she crept down into the engine room to get some welcome rest.

o - o - o -

Matthew awoke and smelled bacon and eggs. It took a further few seconds to realise that he wasn’t dreaming and as he got into his Bikini, put his long auburn hair into a ponytail, he saw the sun starting to rise over the ocean.

Walking to the bridge he rubbed his eyes and prepared to set course back to the island. He dreaded another confrontation with Elizabeth and considered turning her in. However if he did that then he might never see Kat again. Once more she had him right where she wanted him. He walked down the ladder and into the galley.

"Hello Matthew. I’ve done your eggs just as you like them," Elizabeth said.

Matthew jumped backwards in shock, "How the Fuck did you get here?" Matthew shouted.

"I’ll show you later, come now you’re eggs are getting cold," Elizabeth said, handing Matthew a steaming plate of eggs, bacon and hash browns.

Matthew sniffed it, walked over to the side of the boat and tipped the lot over the side. "There, Fuck knows what you slipped in them," he said.

Elizabeth sighed and sat down. "OK I’ll tell you how I got here. Then you can make your own breakfast."

Matthew stood firm and demanded "Well.."

"I didn’t think you were taking the Guild threat seriously. A changeling body can do much more than create copies of people. I’m now a walking biological weapon. Anything that exists in nature I can become, as long as my brain and mass change isn’t that great. Even then I’ve no idea how radical the changes can be or how much mass I can lose or gain. I found you by imagining myself to be as light as a bird, with wings to match. You’d left the running lights on, on the boat and so I could spot you miles away. I waited until you slept, landed, and then spent the night in the engine room. I got up early to make you breakfast," Elizabeth explained.

"So you can be anything?" Matthew said.

"Yep. Pass me that net over there please," Elizabeth said.

Matthew walked over to the fishing equipment locker and pulled out large, green net. He gave it to Elizabeth and she jumped into the water. Matthew noted that Elizabeth’s legs were starting to fuse together as she sank beneath the waves.

Matthew peered over the side for a few minutes until Elizabeth, with several fish in the net emerged from the water. Matthew looked beneath the water and saw Elizabeth’s legs reform as her mermaid tail was quickly absorbed back into her body. After climbing back up the steps Elizabeth tipped the fish out and left them flapping on the deck and said "Watch carefully."

Elizabeth held out her hand and Matthew could see her concentrate hard. A long spike grew out from between her middle and index finger. It solidified until it resembled a talon. Elizabeth quickly jabbed it into one of the fish and withdrew it. The fish ceased its flapping and lay still.

"This talon contains a powerful neuro-toxin, specifically from the Taipan snake. It can kill with a single stab. I created it and the toxin by pure force of will. That’s not all, observe."

Matthew backed away, still in shock over the lethal killing machine Elizabeth had become.

Elizabeth’s talon changed shape slightly and she stabbed another fish. The flesh on the fish began to change and melt and Matthew looked on in amazement as legs sprung from the fish’s body. Fur began to grow and within moments a tabby cat stood where the fish once was. Confused the newly formed cat ‘mewed’ and somehow made it’s way to the side of the boat where it leapt into the water and sank beneath the waves.

"This talon now contains a transformation poison. That fish could now have been anything. One last demonstration," Elizabeth said to a stunned Matthew.

Elizabeth stared at her hand for a moment and looked on as her fingers fused together. The skin on her hand hardened until it resembled white bone. Her hand elongated so that it looked like a long, white dagger. The muscles on her arm began more pronounced and gave a powerful look to her arm.

With a slice, faster than Matthew’s eye could detect Elizabeth had sliced the dead fish in two. Spearing one part of the fish in the point of her ‘dagger’ and showing it to Matthew, Elizabeth said "Breakfast?"

Matthew backed even further away. What had Elizabeth done? If she was strong before this she must be nearly invincible now. Elizabeth’s hand and arm reshaped into its Rachel Martin form and she walked towards him and said "Look Matthew. Ask yourself if I’d wanted you dead or a cat then you’d be it by now wouldn’t you? Now ask yourself what the Guild could do with changeling bodies such as this. I told you before that I’m a biological weapon, more potent and more powerful than anything man’s ever developed. If I, a mere doctor can think of many ways of using this body for evil then what can trained assassins do? Matthew we have to stop the Guild."

"Why? They’ve been content to just be mercenaries for hundreds of years. Why the change and what’s the threat?" Matthew asked.

"I guess you could call it my fault. Hassan faced great shame and almost certain death because of my failsafes in the DNA system. They calculated they’d need a team of fifty top scientists for ten years to put it right. The Fury Directive stopped all legal human genetic research. No doubt many governments still have black programs but it’s all been scaled down. Fifty of the world’s top bio-engineers going missing would look really suspicious. If he could show his fellow Guild members that he was back in control it could just save his neck."

"Ok, that’s answered the reason why they want to expand but not what they’re planning," Matthew said.

"I don’t know what they’re planning. That’s one of the reasons Kat stayed behind. What I do know is with a changeling body just one Guild agent could cause serious damage, poison water supplies, infiltrate military installations or anything else that took their fancy. You saw what I can do and I’m just an amateur in comparison," Elizabeth said, sitting down on a nearby bench.

Matthew turned away for the moment to think. Gathering his thoughts he asked "Why us? You said it would take too much time for the Fury Directive to be implemented but if the threat was big enough..."

Elizabeth explained, "That’s just the point. The Guild isn’t a foreign country about to invade. They’ve got their claws into every area of life. I saw reports from Guild agents in our justice system, in the police and even a high ranking general belongs to the Guild. Killing Hassan or whatever wouldn’t work either. Another would just take his place. As far as I can tell, or rather could tell, the Guild is made up of multiple branches. There are three main focal points; we’ll call them ‘roots’. The main one is located safe and sound in Libya and deals with all the other ‘chapters’. Its secondary function is to control Guild operations in Europe and Africa. The second is located somewhere in the US and it controls Guild operations in the Americas and finally the third is located in Australia. That one supervises operations in Asia and Australasia. Each one of these ‘root’s has branches all over the continents they control. You take out a root in one place and one of the other roots takes over until a branch can replace it. It’s like that hydra you have tattooed on your body. You remove a head and it just grows back somewhere else."

"How’d you find out so much and how do we remove all the ‘roots’?"

"I’m glad that it’s we now. I told you before I can become anyone. During my capture I learned a great deal about the Guild and how they work. We remove the whole by taking out all the roots before they can take over the dead root’s functions. However we do it in such a way that the other branches don’t realise the roots been compromised and so buy us sometime to expose the branches."

"Hmm, I get it we take them all at once but in such a way as nobody notices," Matthew said, seeing at last where Elizabeth was going.

"Exactly. Once the branches have been exposed the Guild cannot survive. The authorities would be in like a shot. I’m surprised you haven’t asked me why two thirds of the roots are in democracies?"

"OK why?"

"Easy. In a dictatorship it’s hard to travel to other places, Communications are monitored and people have to be bribed to keep quiet. Added to this is the complication of boosting the regime’s ego and dealing with any secret police makes it not worthwhile. Beside democracies are much more tolerant of people than dictatorships. What was it Winston Churchill wrote just after the war? That’s it. ‘Triumph and Tragedy. How the great democracies of the west triumphed over evil and so could return to the folly that had so nearly cost them their lives.’"

Matthew sighed. He hated being Elizabeth’s stooge. "So what about Libya?"

"Easy. The Guild needs a fallback position. Libya is one of the most closed countries in the world. Presumably Hassan has the Libyan government in his pockets—actually Hassan could BE the Libyan government. No other country could or would invade Libya to stop the Guild. It’d provoke world war three and be political suicide."

"So now what?"

"Breakfast then we sail to my cave. I’ve got some important equipment there that we’ll need," Elizabeth said.

"I’m not hungry. Look just because I’ve heard all your explanation doesn’t mean I trust you. If it’s all the same to you I’ll make my own breakfast."

"You were going to anyway. Throwing away good bacon and eggs like that. Since you still don’t trust me I’ll eat mine on the bow, you go to the stern."

Matthew, his head still whirring from the revelations got up and walked to the galley. He opened the cooler and pulled out an unopened carton of milk and a sealed packet of cornflakes. Pouring them into a bowl and adding some sugar he walked to the stern and sat down. He soon smelt bacon, eggs and fried fish and his stomach rumbled. Ignoring the hunger pangs he started to eat his now warm and soggy cornflakes.

After breakfast Matthew turned the yacht around and headed back to the island. Elizabeth joined him on the bridge and said, "When do you want to call Cathline?"

"As soon as I can. I’ll use the satellite phone to try and get her."

"Good, we’ll need her as well. One other thing we need to set up passcodes."

"Yeah, like that did any good last time," Matthew sneered.

"The only reason it failed was because I’d already infiltrated the group. If you’d set them up right away I’d have been caught earlier. The idea was a good one and with potential changelings running around we need to ensure we’re not compromised. Look, mine’s ‘ Deianeria ‘—what do you want yours to be?"

"How about stooge, because that’s what I feel like," Matthew said grumpily.

Elizabeth smiled. "Ok stooge it is. Look set course, 130 degrees,10 knots for about 5 hours. We should get to my cave by then."

"OK," Matthew said and went to the bridge to lay in the new course.

Two hours later Matthew and Elizabeth sat on opposite sides of the bow. Matthew suddenly had a thought and went over to the fishing locker. He rummaged around for a while and then pulled out a large harpoon. Cradling it in his arms he sat back down again.

"What’s that for?" Elizabeth demanded.

"I still don’t trust you. Kat and I kept this here in case you ever showed up. Just call it insurance," Matthew said bitterly.

"It won’t do any good. Besides we’re partners now."

"Yeah right. The only reason why I’m going along with this is so I can get Kat back. Otherwise you’d be fish food."

Elizabeth stood up and looked over Matthew’s shoulders. She gave a friendly wave and hissed "I’m sorry Matthew I had no choice. They would have killed me. Remember I’m on your side, I love you."

"What the..," Matthew whirled around to see several small boats coming towards him. In each boat sat six men in black overalls, each man carried an AK-47.

"Quick, get away from them," Matthew shouted and went to run towards the bridge. The staccato should of automatic weapons aimed just above his head stopped him short and still holding the harpoon he put his hands in the air.

"You bitch!" Matthew shouted at Liz.

Elizabeth ignored the taunt and dropped the ladder over the side. The black clad figures climbed up one by one until they were covering all avenues of retreat. Matthew looked out to sea and saw the ocean near the yacht start to boil. A long mast emerged from the water and gradually he saw the conning tower of a small submarine appear. A few minutes later the deck was exposed and the water began to calm down. About three crewmembers of the sub climbed out on the deck and manned a vicious looking gun, mounted on the stern of the sub. The gun slowly turned until it was aimed directly at the yacht.

Matthew saw one of the men was distracted by the sub emerging from the water and span around, aiming the harpoon as he did so. He squeezed the trigger and felt the recoil and a hiss of air as the harpoon shot towards Elizabeth.

Elizabeth had no time to react and the harpoon hit her right in the chest. She looked at it in shock and smiled. "And so it begins," she said and fell backwards onto the deck.

Matthew shouted in triumph, he felt a shattering blow to his head and all went black.

Another boat was lowered from the sub and a tall figure with a dark moustache climbed up the ladder and stood over the fallen figure of Elizabeth.

"It’s all right. He is no longer conscious. You can get up now," Hassan said.

Groggily Elizabeth stood up and pulled the harpoon from her body. She concentrated for a moment and Hassan looked on, as the skin resealed it’s self. Within a matter of moments there was no sign of any injury.

"Fucking useful this body," Elizabeth said.

"Indeed. The ability to recover from most fatal injuries is most useful.

You must explain to me how it works sometime."

"Maybe later. Just let’s say my vital organs are in different places than normal. How long before he wakes?" Elizabeth asked.

"The sedative is being administered now. He will then by taken to our facility in Australia for the conditioning you requested."

"Excellent. I guess you want me to go after Cathline now?"

"Indeed I do. Tell me, did you tell him about Kat?" Hassan asked.

"Yes. I needed to raise his hopes so that the truth could be used to break him more easily. I hope you see now the wisdom in killing her."

"It made me a little sad, she was so noble but it’s removed a dangerous enemy. Besides Jane was no longer human so her fate was of no consequence," Hassan said.

"Excuse me for a moment—I need to change. I’ll contact you again once Cathline is secure. I must say it’s much more fun working for you than being your customer. I should have done this years ago," Elizabeth smiled.

"Thank you, you have given us the means to carry out our heart’s desire for nearly a thousand years. I will contact you again. Goodbye," Hassan said, and climbed back down the ladder to the waiting boat below.

Within a matter of moments the remaining Guild agents had disembarked and had sailed off to the waiting submarine. Elizabeth went inside and stripped off. She felt her body become smaller and her breasts and hips reformed. She looked down and saw a hydra start to appear on her bare body. Twin hydra heads patterns formed on her breasts and within a matter of moments she was an identical copy of Matthew. She walked over to the satellite phone and dialled Cathline’s number. She waited for a few moments and then said "Hi Cathline It’s Matthew. We need to talk, Elizabeth’s back."

o - o - o -

President Boris Petcukocov of the Russian federation slumped down in his black, leather armchair. The meeting with his cabinet had not gone well. The problem of the Russian Mafia would not go away. It was scaring off the western investment his country needed so badly. If things continued as they were then the new communists or even worse the extreme nationalists would almost certainly win at the next election.

He reached into his drawer for his bottle of imported vodka. The once mighty Soviet Union couldn’t even make decent vodka anymore. Picking up the empty bottle he threw it to once side. He pressed the intercom button and asked his new secretary, Tanya for a replacement from his stock.

Still, he had that summit with the American president next week. It was a fact that America would give more aid in exchange for taking the remainder of his nuclear arsenal off his hands. That should appease the nationalists for a while.

He was just about to buzz again when Tanya walked in with a new bottle. He reached out and took it. He felt a slight scratch as Tanya’s nail caught his hand. She apologised profusely but he just waved it off. Tanya took the empty bottle away and closed the door behind her.

Opening the bottle of vodka her poured himself a large shot. Strange why was his head starting to ache?

o - o - o -

Back in Britain a cute woman of around thirty-five was rinsing the last of her husband down the bath. After she had thoroughly cleaned the bath out with detergent she calmed her mind and waited for the changes to happen.

A few moments later the new inspector David Jones got dressed in his jeans and T-shirt. After sitting down and watching TV for a while he went to bed at nine. He had a busy day ahead of him tomorrow.

o - o - o -

The truck drew up to the gates at a military base just outside of Cairo. A burly looking guard who demanded to see the driver’s identification stopped it with a forceful halt gesture. The guard moved round to the driver, his body language relaxed but ready.

"What have you got in there?" the guard demanded.

"Spare parts for our communications equipment, it’s all on the sheet," the driver said in a grumpy tone.

"Can I take a look?" the guard asked.

"Sure, but don’t take all day about it. It’s all been authorized by the general and you’ll answer to him if this is late," the driver threatened.

The guard walked around to the back of the trunk and peered at a strange looking machine. The guard walked back to the cab and said, "This looks like no radar to me. Some of these parts are American," the guard said suspiciously.

"We buy from the Americans and we help them out in return. Can I go in or do I tell General Salah that his radar will not work because of a lowly guard."

"OK you can pass," and the guard waved him thru.

Breathing a sigh of relief the guard drove to warehouse where he’d been told to drop off the machine. He enlisted the help of some passing soldiers and soon the machine was installed in the warehouse. His truck now empty, the driver drove out of the compound and was soon out of Cairo.

o - o - o -

Hassan ordered the submarine to surface and his crew quickly set to work. The sound of air being pumped into the ballast tanks vibrated thru the hull as the sub slowly began to rise. A few moments later the sub’s antenna was above the water and slowly the sub began to level out.

Hassan asked the comms officer for the headset and the comms officer handed the headset to him.

"This is set for data burst?" Hassan asked.

"Yes Hassan. If anybody tries to listen in all they will get is a high-speed burst of encrypted sound that only lasts a fraction of a second. It’s one way only so we can’t be traced. Your contacts in the US navy are most useful," the comms officer said.

"Indeed. I want to send now."

The comms officer pressed a button on his console and indicated that Hassan was on.

"Hassan here, We are on schedule and to plan. Pick me up at the agreed place and time," Hassan nodded towards the comms officer he then pressed the ‘send’ button.

A fraction of a second later the message was on its way.

o - o - o -

A day’s journey later and Hassan was back in Libya. He sat in his ornate office watching his plans unfold, just as he expected. These changeling organs were very useful indeed. He gently stroked the fur of his faithful pet Ben_gal tiger, contemplating the next stage.

His train of thought was interrupted by a knock at the door.

"Come in," he called.

A fat, ugly man in his late fifties walked in and said "Hello Hassan, you wanted to see me?"

"Yes Osman, please take a seat," Hassan beckoned towards an ornate leather chair.

Osman pointed at the tiger and said "Is Sheba OK now?"

"Yes, she fine. A little off her food but the vet has given her the OK."

Osman sat down and asked, "What is it you want to know?"

"Firstly, how is the production of the warheads proceeding?"

"Forty have already been produced, we need another thirty to obtain maximum coverage. Construction will be complete in two months."

"Excellent. What about the delivery system?"

"We have acquired several tankers of various types, milk, gasoline and sewage. As per your instructions we have purchased them in Egypt and planted evidence to ensure that the Egyptian government is behind the ‘incident’. Our changeling agents inside the Egyptian government are working very well."

"Very good. I see you will strike back at the country that once harboured our destroyer the Mamluk Sultan and accomplish our goal at the same time. It is excellent planning. Still, are we sure this will work? We will only get one shot at this," Osman commented.

"Our scientists assure us that the conversion of the tanker to a DNA Warhead container and delivery system will work as planned. Do you wish to go ahead with the test?"

Hassan nodded "Yes choose a small village near here and use it. I take it the Colonel has agreed to our test and to supervise the clean up operation."

"Yes he has, he is as interested to see our goal achieved as we are."

"OK set up the test for a day from now and just pick your target."

Osman smiled and went to get up.

"Hold on a moment my friend. I want you to go to America on Monday. Hopefully some property you had lost will be returned to you. A reward if you like for all your hard work."

"Thank you. Oh I meant to ask how is Dr Bexley working out? Does she suspect anything?"

"She’s working out very well indeed. Of course she’s under the illusion that she has the only fully functional changeling body and even she would balk if she knew what our plans are."

"What did you tell her?"

"I told them that we were going to regain what is ours and take down some corrupt governments, which in a way we are but not in the way she suspects."

"You are sure she is on our side? She always was on no side but her own."

"Yes she can be trusted, where else can she go?"

"I see. Which part of America do you want me in on Monday?"

"New York," Hassan replied.

"I will let you know when the test is ready. Do you wish to watch it?"

Osman asked.

"No thank you. I’ve other things to attend to. Send me the video recording of the aftermath."

Osman nodded, "Agreed. I will let you know how it progresses."

"Thank you Osman. Now if you will excuse me I have some reports from Australia to attend to," Hassan said and indicated for Osman to leave. Osman stood up and walked out of the room.

o - o - o -

"What do you mean Elizabeth’s back?" Cathline demanded.

"What I said. There I was sitting on the bench missing Kat like hell and Liz turns up, pretending to be you," Elizabeth said.

"Where’s she now? Are you OK?" Cathline asked, concern showing in her voice.

"It’s fine. Listen Liz has explained everything to me, her insanity, her remorse at what she’s done. I believe her. I want to give her a second chance. Liz’s gone off to her cave to pick a few things up, she’ll meet up with us in around three weeks," Elizabeth said.

"She didn’t get you with any fail-safe shit did she?"

"No. I believe her for one and only one reason,"

"What’s that?"

"Kat’s alive. Elizabeth saved her, Hassan wanted her killed but Liz saved her. I know I was as stunned as you are but Kat’s alive," Elizabeth said, crying softly on the phone.

"Kat’s Alive, that’s wonderful. Where is she?" Cathline’s heart leapt with joy.

"The Guild still have her, Liz’s got a plan to get her back and stop the Guild. When does your shoot in New York end?"

"Friday, I can’t cut it short. Matthew that’s wonderful news! Fuck I missed her."

"Me too, Listen, I’ll fly over for Sunday. We can talk more then,"

"Ritz hotel?"

"Done. See ya," Elizabeth said and put the phone down. This was going just as she wanted it to. Elizabeth relaxed. It was good to be back again.

o - o - o -

Cathline’s mind was in a whirl. Dr Elizabeth Bexley was back and wanting to make amends. Suspicious as ever, Cathline made a call to her agent, Marcel.

"Marcel, it’s Rachel"

"Bonjour Cathline, What can I do for you? Another shoot, Oui?"

"Non, I’ve received a death threat. This time I think it’s real. Could you arrange some protection for me while I’m in New York?"

"Certainly. Are you sure it’s genuine? Do you wish to cut your shoot short?"

"That won’t be necessary. Just call the NYPD for us and arrange it"

"Oui Ma’m’selle," Marcel said and hung up.

Good, with additional protection, that should make her less vulnerable than before. Cathline’s train of thought was interrupted by her photographer, James shouting, "Hey Rachel step on it. Make sure you’re wearing that Vivian Westwood for the next one."

Cathline sighed and went over to the wardrobe to change. It had been fun being the world’s only ultra-model, but on reflection the attraction was starting to fade. She had considered retiring but then what would she do? Cathline missed Kat deeply, and her counselling sessions with Matthew always tired her out. James shouted out once more and Cathline sprang to attention, "Ok, Ok coming."

o - o - o -

"See ya," Elizabeth said to Cathline and put the phone down. She got up and walked to the bridge and set course back to her island. She had a few days to kill and it would be so good to get her island back after all these years. It felt good to be back as herself again. It’d been too long since she looked in the mirror and saw her own face look back.

Elizabeth flopped down on the bench and slept. The effort of all the changing her body had done had nearly overwhelmed her system. Now she needed lots of rest and food. She looked down at the point on her chest where the harpoon had struck her. Of course there was no sign of any damage but that didn’t mean there was no ill effects. She’d only postulated her ability to recover from near fatal injury and she now knew that save for massive head trauma or major damage to the changeling organ itself she couldn’t easily be killed. That thought comforted her as she slowly relaxed. Before she drifted off to sleep she wondered how Matthew was doing.

o - o - o -

Matthew woozily opened his eyes and glanced away at the bright light shining in his face. As his eyes adjusted to the light he saw that he was in a hospital room. He felt a pain in his arm and saw that he was attached to some kind of drip, a cardiac monitor beeped merrily away to one side. He moved to get up but found that his legs and chest were restrained.

A tall figure in a white coat walked in and noticed that Matthew was awake. "Welcome back Dr Bexley, you had us so worried there for a while," the man said.

Matthew pushed his hair to one side and replied "Sorry, I’m not Dr Bexley. Where am I?"

The man looked concerned for a while and said "Hmm Dr Larson thought you might have temporary identity loss after such a traumatic event. Don’t you remember anything? You’re in your father’s hospital?"

"Elizabeth’s father’s dead and he sold off his hospital years ago. What traumatic event?"

"You were getting married to that nice Matthew Stephens. He was about to say ‘I do’ when you passed out and hit the back of your head on the altar step. Don’t worry, there’s no permanent damage, we just want to keep you here for a few days to make sure."

Matthew’s head spun, where was he really? This room seemed familiar somehow, that crack on the wall, the position of the taps. And why were they calling him Dr Bexley?

"I can see you’re confused. I’ll just adjust your dosage," the Dr said and walked over to the IV dispenser and made a few adjustments.

"Doc, I’m so hungry any chance of a sandwich?"

"I’m sorry No food or water until we know what’s wrong with you. The drip will give you every nutrient you need.

Matthew’s head felt clouded and he couldn’t think straight "I’ll just take a nap if you don’t mind," he said.

"Sorry, I can’t allow you to sleep just yet. It could be dangerous.

Besides I’ve got someone here to meet you."

"Who?"

"I’ll go get him," the doctor said and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

A few moments later A tall man with blonde hair and brown eyes walked in. Matthew’s eyes widened as he saw his old self, rush over to the bed. The man took hold of his hand and said "Elizabeth, I’m so glad you’re all right, I’ve been so worried about you. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you."

o - o - o -

In a small village in Libya a small girl heard a sound in the distance. She called excitedly for her friend Abdul to look too. A sand cloud was coming closer to the village. She looked a little closer, squinting to avoid the early morning sun. She gave another shout, this time to her mother as she noticed the words ‘Milk’ and ‘A gift from the state’ written on the side.

Her mother called out and soon the whole village was awake and watching the tanker draw up about a kilometre from the village. The driver got out and unhinged the trailer. He jumped back into the cab and drove it towards the village.

The villagers just stopped and waited for the cab to arrive, their nervous chatter diminishing as the cab got closer.

The driver unwound the window and said to the nearest man "This is a present from the state for your hard work and loyalty. Please return to your homes and I will hand out your free milk."

The little girl ran home, dragging her mother behind her. Within a matter of minutes the villagers had all returned back to their shanty like homes.

The driver removed the ‘Ford’ badge from the steering wheel and pressed a small button located in the centre of the wheel. He looked in his mirror and saw that the tank of the trailer was slowly being lifted up. He started the engine and drove back towards the trailer.

After performing a few checks he was happy it was all ready. He checked the anchors one more time and he jumped back inside his cab and drove a further kilometre away. He rummaged around in the cab for a few more moments and carefully put on his NBC suit. It should keep him safe in the moments to come. He also picked up a small Sony video camera and started to film.

Looking at the village he could see movement still in the streets, the people happy that they were about to be rewarded for their efforts. Looking in his mirrors the driver checked the trailer again. By now the tank was at a 60-degree angle and all was set. Without another thought the driver pressed the button again.

The back fell off the rear of the tank revealing two small rocket motors. With a deafening roar the solid fuel in the motors ignited, A fraction of a second after that the hydraulic clamps that held the tank to the trailer released and the tank shot into the air. It climbed rapidly until it reached about 300 metres, then with a loud bang it exploded creating a large cloud of fine droplets that covered everything in a 3 kilometre radius.

The little girl rushed outside to see what the noise was and was instantly covered in the fine, white mist. A few moments later the rest of the village joined her. Ten seconds after emerging from her house the little girl collapsed to the ground, convulsing in pain.

The driver started the engine of the cab and drove to the village in time to see the last villager fall to the ground in pain. He watched and videoed in amazement as each villager started to dissolve. Through his NBC suit he could still hear the cries of anguish of the village and he saw rivers of red fluid start to run from some of the houses.

An hour later he checked each house to ensure there was nobody left, and satisfied that his mission was complete he re-hitched the trailer and drove off.

o - o - o -

Cathline was lying on the bed, in her penthouse room when the buzzer sounded. She stretched out, yawned, slowly got up and answered the door.

A small, young woman with blonde hair and brown eyes was standing there. Standing just behind her was a taller, older man. The woman reached inside her jacket pocket and pulled out an NYPD badge.

"Rachel Martin?"

"Umm yes," Cathline replied.

"I’m Detective Tina Cox and this is detective Scott Harris. Your agent, Marcel called us in response to some death threats you’ve received."

"You’d better come in, I’ll get room service," Cathline offered and walked over to the phone.

The two cops walked in and closed the door behind them. Tina looked around at the ornate and downright decadent settings around her. "Nice work if you can get it," she commented quietly to Scott.

"Suppose," he replied.

"Hey you guys wanna eat or just a coffee?" Cathline called from across the room.

"I’ll have a bagel, Scott’ll just have coffee," Tina called.

"We’re both on duty. Nothing thanks," Scott said and Tina glared at him in reply.

"You’re on a diet," Scott joked to Tina.

Before Tina could reply Cathline returned and offered them a seat on the nearby leather sofa. Scott and Tina sat down and Cathline joined them on the nearby armchair.

"So Rachel, what can we do for you?" Scott asked.

"It’s Cathline, not Rachel. I’m only Rachel Martin when I’m at work."

"Sorry, I forgot. You’re not the original Rachel Martin are you? I sure wish we’d let the mailman get her, would’ve saved you a lot of bother."

"Mailman?" Cathline asked.

"It’s a long story but a few years ago, when you were in a harem, a serial killer was stalking Dr Bexley as Rachel Martin. Nearly got her and us too. If he had succeeded a lot more people would still be alive now. Still we do what we can and know at the time," Scott explained.

"I don’t remember seeing anything about being stalked in Liz’s dairies," Cathline commented.

"She never knew. He was watching and waiting for her at her parent’s funeral. She ran off when some reporters came and he raced along an alley to go after her. We found him dead in the alley way, his throat slit."

Cathline’s eyes widened "Did you find any traces of drugs?"

"Yeah, Hashish. Why’d you ask?"

"Just a suspicion. Anyway down to business. I’ve had threats before but I’ve never taken any notice of them before. Now this isn’t exactly a threat more a feeling of impending dread."

"Not sure we deal with impending dread," Tina quipped.

"I had a phone call from Matthew Stephens the other day."

"The Matthew Stephens, Kat’s Husband?"

Cathline nodded "Yeah. Since Kat was killed we’ve spoken to each other most weeks. Anyway he told me something terrible."

"Which is?" Scott asked.

"Dr Bexley’s back in business. It seemed she’s all better now thank you very much and wants to make amends."

"And you don’t trust her?"

"Not at all. Matthew was different on the phone too. He said Dr Bexley had met him on his island and had explained everything to him. He’s flying over tomorrow to meet me."

"I don’t see any problem, why are we involved?" Tina said.

"To put it bluntly I want police protection for that meeting. If Liz does show up then you’ll have your chance to get her. You don’t know her like I do. She’s far more dangerous than this mailman you told me about. If she’s really better then fine, let her get the help she needs. If she’s not and is still out for revenge then I want to be ready for her."

"You think Matthew’s been compromised?" Scott asked.

"If you’re referring to that fail-safe crap she pulled on him last time I dunno, but with Liz you don’t let her have an inch. Heck she probably knows I’m suspicious and will do this, but I have to get ready as best I can. I can’t do it without you. Nobody else in the world scares me but she does. Hell you’ve probably read my account of the fury, you know what she’s like," Cathline said, her voice starting to show panic.

Tina sighed. "Didn’t read it myself. Scott did though. From what I heard I could have done a lot better."

Cathline snapped back "Yeah right, listen I ain’t no bimbo. I’ve got degrees in biochemistry and genetics. Before the fury I was a chief researcher at TGEN corp. But Liz, Liz is unreal. I hope you can handle her, I really do, but from where I’m sitting I can’t take that chance."

Scott stepped in and said "OK, Cathline let us know when you want us to help. We’ll be there."

Cathline sighed, "Thanks Detective."

Tina piped up "What about hiring some professional help? Y’know bodyguards and protection officers?"

"Done that. I want this meeting to be discrete. What’s Matthew going to think if I turn up with 20 goons surrounding me."

"That you’re being careful."

"That I don’t trust him, more like. He’s been thru hell this past six months. He needs to know somebody trusts him, wants to be with him. I argued against him staying on his island but he wanted to stay near where Kat was. Anyway I’m meeting him at this hotel on Sunday."

"We’ll be there," Scott said and stood up. Tina stood up also and stretched. Cathline escorted them to the door.

"Thank you," Cathline said offering her hand.

Scott shook hands with Cathline and left the room.

Cathline closed the door behind them.

Scott turned to Tina and said, "Did you have to be so rude. What’s it with you and models anyway?"

"Dunno. Maybe cus all they do is swan around all day making money hand over fist. While we put our butts on the line each and every day," Tina replied.

"Y’know what? I read Fury and I know for a fact you’d have had no chance. Don’t let that fluffy bunny exterior of Cathline fool you. She’s one tough bitch when she has to be," Scott replied.

"If you say so. Say where next?" Tina asked

"Back to base. Gotta do some paperwork."

o - o - o -

Matthew tried to get some sleep but his body wouldn’t let him. It wasn’t that he was uncomfortable, it was just that he was unable to rest. He felt as hungry as anything and his mouth was parchment dry. If this place was a hospital then why didn’t they feed and look after him? He felt his head start to swim and he felt himself drift away.

"Afternoon, Dr Bexley," It was the same doctor as last night.

"It’s not afternoon, at least I don’t think it is," Matthew replied.

"It’s definitely the afternoon. You didn’t get a wink of sleep last night. Matthew and your family were so worried. Still, a few more days and you’ll soon be right as rain."

"Doctor, I’m sorry but I’m not Dr Bexley and I don’t know what games you’re playing with me but this is not Liz’s hospital. That man that walked in was NOT Matthew Stephens. I’m Matthew Stephens!"

"Oh Liz, Liz, Liz why do you resist reality? I tell you, you were brought here after you collapsed. We’ll soon get you better. Matthew will soon be here. He’s offered to marry you here, if that’s OK with you?"

"No it’s not OK. Look I was captured by the Guild. Liz is dead. OK I killed her, If this is some trick.. ," Matthew threatened.

"Of course Liz isn’t dead. And who are the Guild? Let me just check your drip," the doctor reached over and attached a new bag full of clear liquid to the IV.

"Don’t worry Dr Bexley, we’ll sort this out," the doctor said soothingly , and left Matthew alone once more.

Matthew began to feel strange once more. He knew that he was in the Guild’s custody, but why did they think he was Dr Bexley? He slowly started to drift away again. Matthew’s eyes opened, he mustn’t give in. He started to count seconds, one elephant, two elephant, and three elephants. He had reached 5450 elephants when the doctor came in again.

"Good morning Dr Bexley, How are you feeling today?"

"Wait a minute, you told me it was afternoon!" Matthew said, confused.

"Why on earth would I tell you it’s the afternoon when it’s plainly morning? Anyway you didn’t get a wink of sleep last night. Matthew and your family are so worried. Still, a few more days and you’ll soon be right as rain."

Matthew slumped back down on the pillow, his head swimming with confusion.

o - o - o -

Elizabeth took her yacht to Male, ready to catch the flight to New York. Although tempted to go and see how Matthew was progressing in Australia, she knew she had other fish to fry. Still tired from her excursion a few days before, she slept most of the way and landed at JFK in the late afternoon. This was her first trip back to New York since her exile by Kat and team, so long ago.

At customs she flashed Matthew’s passport and was let in without incident. She knew she had to be careful. Cathline would be alerted to her presence and even though she might not suspect that Matthew had been taken she couldn’t take that chance. Walking past some phone booths she took the chance to pass on some updates to the local Guild chapter before proceeding to a nearby coffeehouse.

She walked in and sat down on a beige leather sofa. The place was deserted apart from a group of five people just hanging out. A waitress was talking to them and was obviously very good friends with them. She was making eyes at a tall guy with short black hair while he was trying to make a conversation about fossils sound interesting.

Elizabeth called out to the waitress but she was too engrossed in her conversation to notice. A few seconds later a man, seemingly the owner called out to the waitress "Hey Rachel, you gonna talk all day?"

Straightening her skirt the waitress walked over and asked Elizabeth "Sorry about that, What can I get you?"

"I’ll have a decaf, white with one sugar," Elizabeth said and smiled to herself. She wasn’t going to get caught out by that one again.

The Waitress smiled a pinball smile and went off to the coffee machine.

Elizabeth looked at her watch. He was late. Maybe there’d been some trouble. Elizabeth settled down in her sofa to wait.

A few minutes later the waitress came over and handed Elizabeth her coffee. Elizabeth looked at it and said, "I said white with, not black without."

The waitress apologised and went back to make another. Elizabeth’s attention was distracted away from the waitress by the sound of the door opening. She turned around and saw a fat, ugly man of around fifty walking towards her. She breathed "at last," and waited for him to sit down beside her.

"What kept you?" she hissed.

"American customs and your damnable traffic. Now what can you tell me?"

"OK I’m meeting with Cathline in around three hours at the Ritz hotel. I’m sure she’ll have some backup arranged so make sure we have some too."

"I see. After you have questioned her what are you going to do with her?"

"It depends on what she knows. We arranged her fate in advance and pending any changes we’ll go with that," Elizabeth stated.

The waitress returning with a fresh cup of coffee interrupted them, she asked the man what he wanted but he declined. Satisfied that she’d got the order right this time, Elizabeth thanked her and she walked off.

"Oh yes. I was saying that Cathline might have backup. Make sure you take them too. I’m sure Hassan will find out some use for them. Dead bodies make such a mess. Is your facility ready?" Elizabeth asked, taking a sip of coffee.

"Yes the network connection went on-line yesterday, Should anything happen elsewhere then we are prepared here. America, I love this country," the man smiled.

"Yeah me too. I’ll see you later," Elizabeth said and finished drinking her coffee.

"Agreed, until then," the man said and stood up.

Elizabeth waited until the man was gone and then went to leave. As she passed the group of friends just talking, she was wolf-whistled by a dark Italian looking guy. She turned to him and hissed "Don’t mess with me, If you want to keep your little general I’d back off."

The Italian guy looked surprised and made no further comments. His skinny friend made some jibe but Elizabeth was out of the door before she could hear it.

o - o - o -

 

Hassan watched the destruction of the village on his wall monitor. A small girl ran out of a nearby house looking what all the commotion was about. A few minutes later the cloud had enveloped the village. The footage changed to doors being opened and the camera showed red fluid running from the inside of the house.

"Excellent," Hassan commented.

"Are you sure there is no other way?" A tall, well-muscled man asked.

"If we are to retake what is ours then there is not. Salah, how is Dr Bexley and Osman?"

"Satisfactory. Dr Bexley has asked for reinforcements for the abduction tonight. She seems to regard Cathline Richards as a danger. Osman disagrees. Hassan, can you tell me how is the other program going?"

"He would disagree. No, Dr Bexley will have her help, " Hassan consulted his notes from Osman and read to himself,

‘The Russian Federation is now under our control. China is proving difficult as we have little information about Lui-Chang. I have suggested we withdraw the switch and concentrate on the UN representative. We only need him for the one ‘event’.

Hassan thought for a moment, it would be unwise to reveal all to Salah at the moment. Salah was fishing for information, Hassan knew that Salah was in on the DNA warhead scheme but not on the others. Hassan fingered his moustache and said to Salah, "It goes slowly. I’m trying to speed things up but an operation of this magnitude takes time and much planning. Give the go ahead for Dr Bexley’s reinforcements."

"Ok I’ll let them know," Salah replied.

"Oh yes one more thing?" Hassan asked.

"Yes Hassan?"

"I’ve heard rumors that you are trying to overthrow me and that you believe our actions will destroy us. I hope they are all lies," Hassan asked seriously.

Salah looked directly into Hassan’s eyes "Believe me my loyalties only lie with you. It is true that I have disagreed with some of your actions but I have always obeyed you."

"I am glad that you say that. You are a good man, Salah. Your heart is good and your mind is sharp. We will need you in the time to come. Don’t give me any reason to doubt you loyalty," Hassan warned.

"Do not worry I won’t. Who has said these things against me?" Salah asked.

"I will not say, it doesn’t matter if they are untrue. Now I have an important call to make," Hassan said.

"Of course," Salah replied and left the room.

Hassan reclined back in his chair, gently stroking the fur of his Bengal tiger. "Hmm I do not trust that one," he said to himself. Hassan thought. Maybe Salah needs his wings clipping to stop him getting too big a view of himself. The idea came to him a few moments later. He had the perfect place for Salah to go.

o - o - o -

"Thanks for dinner," Detective Scott Harris said to his wife, Rebecca.

"No problem. How’d the meeting go with Rachel Martin?" Rebecca asked .

"Fine. Except that Tina was her normal thorny self. Actually we’re going to keep an eye on Rachel while she meets with a friend. Tina thinks it’s a waste of time and effort."

Rebecca smiled "And you don’t?"

"Tina thinks anything to do with models is a waste of time and effort.

She’d rather be catching the real scum," Scott replied.

"Still not forgiven herself for shooting you and letting the mailman go then?"

Scott shook his head "No, not really. Hey we’re talking about my work again."

Rebecca sidled up to Scott and traced her finger over his shoulders, "Sorry Hun. Hey I had a great day today. I brought this fantastic new nightdress. I’ll show you when you get back tonight."

Scott put his hand on her shoulder and caressed Rebecca’s hand, "Can’t wait. Listen I shouldn’t be too long."

Rebecca pulled away and turned to face Scott "Don’t be," she mouthed.

The doorbell chimed and Scott stood up and said to Rebecca "That’ll be Tina, I have to go."

"Be careful, Love you." Rebecca replied and gave Scott a hug.

Scott returned the embrace and said "Me too."

o - o - o -

Elizabeth flagged down a cab to the Ritz hotel. Looking at her watch she saw that she was going to be late.

"Hey I’m gonna be late for a meeting. Any way around this traffic?"

Elizabeth said, pulling a fifty from her purse and showing it to driver.

"Sure, Thanks. Hey you’re that Matthew Stephens aren’t you?" the taxi driver replied, taking the fifty and stuffing into his shirt pocket.

"Yeah, what of it?"

"Sorry about your wife. Real tragedy, my wife and I sure cried with you, I can say."

Elizabeth nodded in mock sympathy "Thanks."

"Yeah real sad like. What’s it like being a woman?"

Elizabeth sighed, "You get used to it. If I’m a little blunt it’s because I’m tired. I’d like some peace and quiet.

"I understand. Say ya hear about that senator and his secretary?"

"No and I must say I’m not that interested."

"You blind? It’s in all the papers. Senator Walter Jameson and his secretary vanished for a whole weekend. He returns claming nothing went on but she’s not been seen since. He said he fired her and she’s gone off to look for work elsewhere. Very fishy if you ask me."

Elizabeth sat upright and said, "Has anyone checked his story out?"

"Thought you were tired. Anyway yeah it checks out. The secretary was seen getting into a car at the hotel she was staying at. She had another man with her, Arabic I think. Senator Jameson says it was her new boyfriend," the taxi driver commented.

Sounding worried, Elizabeth asked, "How good a friend to the president is Senator Jameson."

"Hey what’ya think I am the Washington Post?"

"Sorry I just thought cab drivers knew everything."

"If you must know I think they were best buds in college or something."

Elizabeth shook her head and just said one word, "Fuck."

"Nearly there. Hey you’re much better than most celebs I’ve taken. I got Rachel Martin once, before she vanished and that Cathline took over. She was real rude and full of herself. Nice to meet someone who wants to talk to ordinary folk like me."

"That’s ok. We nearly there yet?"

"Yeah just another block."

o - o - o -

"Now listen Marcel, you can’t stay here, this is a private conversation between Matthew and I," Cathline said.

"I understand that Ma’m’selle Cathline. I want to help protect you, if there is any danger I want to help. At least let me hide in the bedroom and call for help if needed."

Cathline sighed, "Ok, only call if I cry out. It’ll be crowded enough out there without you fussing around. I just hope that Matthew doesn’t spot you in my bedroom, I’d never live it down."

"Thank you Ma’m’selle Cathline." Marcel said, and picked up his cell phone and went into Cathline’s bedroom.

There was a knock at the door and Cathline walked over and peered thru the spyhole. Detectives Harris and Cox stood at the door. Cathline unlatched the door and said "Hello Detective’s. How’s it going?"

Scott answered "We have twenty officers positioned on the floor below, this one and the one above. Nobody gets in or out unless we say so."

"Good. Please come in and take a seat. I want you to sit in, just in case."

"Rachel," Tina started.

"Cathline, please."

"Rachel, this is all a bit paranoid isn’t it. I mean twenty officers just for one hunch. We’ve got real criminals to catch."

"Tina," Cathline started to say.

"Detective Cox."

"Tina, If I end up with my throat slit laying in a pool of blood because you didn’t believe me then what’ll that do to your career," Cathline said sternly.

"This is an overreaction, I’m sure." Tina started to say.

"Try saying that to Matthew. Kat ended up dead because we didn’t take enough care. Have you held your best friend in your arms and watch the life seep away from her in the knowledge that there’s fuck all you could do to save her? Have you watched another good friend pine away, almost killing himself out of despair and loss? Have you had your husband gunned down in cold blood while you were 4000 miles away being raped every day? Did you lose an eye, did you lose the only people you cared about, have you had two more friends of yours lay down their lives to save you?" Cathline ‘s voice increased in volume until she was screaming at Tina in fury.

Tina took an involuntary step back at Cathline’s onslaught.

"Cathline," she started to say.

"I’m not done yet. I’m waiting for your answer, Tina, I really am. Sure you’ve got a tough job and I wouldn’t switch for a moment. But you must realise who and what you are dealing with here and what I’ve been thru," Cathline said, her tone softening a little.

"Cathline, I’m sorry. Listen, its nearly time for your meeting. Where do you want us to be?" Tina felt riled at this spoilt bitch. What’d she ever seen that was any worse than seeing the results of the mailman’s handiwork for example?

"Sit over there on those two armchairs. Matthew’ll understand."

Tina and Scott just had time to sit down when a loud knock sounded at the door. Scott stood up again and beckoned for Cathline to sit down. Cathline did so and waited.

Scott opened the door and there stood a surprised looking Elizabeth, still in Matthew’s body form.

"Hi, Cathline who’re these guys?" Elizabeth demanded.

"Hi Mat, just a little extra help for us. Just in case Liz shows up."

"Very wise, may I sit?"

"Hey don’t stand on ceremony. Make yourself at home."

"Sure. I’m about to tell you some very confidential information that can’t leave this room. I’d prefer it if these guys left," Elizabeth said sitting down opposite Cathline.

"They’re cool, I trust them. So what is it that drags you halfway around the world?"

"Before I tell you I’ve a confession to make."

"You’ve kissed and made up with Elizabeth?" Cathline joked.

"In a way. I am Elizabeth!"

"WHAT! What’ve you done with Matthew you fucking bitch," Cathline screamed.

Tina reached into her jacket and pulled out her standard issue .38. Training it at Elizabeth she said "Dr Elizabeth Bexley you are under arrest for the murder of 10 police officers, kidnapping, and numerous other offences. You do not have to say anything but anything you do.."

Elizabeth stood up and put her hands in the air "Listen officer what I have to say is of vital importance. Don’t fuck with me, I’m not in the mood."

Scott too pulled out his firearm and moved over to protect Cathline.

Tina continued "will be taken in evidence. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one, one will be provided for. Aghhh,"

Tina screamed as a small dart, shaped like a thorn struck her shoulder. She dropped her gun and clutched at the wound. Unable to move she slumped back into the seat. Scott fired his gun and the bullet struck Elizabeth’s shoulder, sending her flying backwards. Amazingly she kept on her feet and closed her eyes for a moment.

Scott and Cathline watched on in amazement as the wound began to seal it’s self up. Scott saw a blur of motion and then cried out in pain as another dart hit him in the chest. He looked up, staring at Elizabeth’s smiling face before collapsing onto the floor.

Cathline backed away from Elizabeth, her eyes wide with fear. "You fucked up big time. There are twenty police officers around that heard that gun shot. I’ve no idea how you did that but I’d like to bet you can’t take on all twenty."

"I don’t need to, Cathline. All I want to do is talk. It wasn’t me who turned this into the gunfight at the Ok Corral. This isn’t a threat but it would be much better for you if you listen to what I have to say. You can tell your lackey hiding somewhere that he can forget about calling for help," Elizabeth said, casually collecting Scott and Tina’s fallen weapons.

There was a knock at the door "Police open up. Cathline you ok?"

Cathline saw the gun pointing at her head and called out "Yeah we’re fine."

"What about that gunshot?" The voice sounded thru the door.

"Must’ve been the TV. State of the art sound system gets me every time too," Cathline called out.

"It sounded real close. If you need anything give us a call," the voice said.

"And now for my old agent, Marcel, I presume it’s him cowering some where?" Elizabeth said out loud.

"Marcel come on out. You’ve been sprung," Cathline called, still in shock.

The bedroom door opened and Marcel walked out "It is too late, I’ve already called," he said.

"Cancel it. Tell them you were nervous," Elizabeth said sternly.

"Oui," Marcel made the call again and cancelled it.

Elizabeth gestured for Cathline to sit down which she did. Cathline looked across and saw Tina’s motionless body. Her eyes were open and she was breathing slowly. Scott too was conscious and breathing but unable to move.

"One more thing before we start," Elizabeth said and in a blur too quick for Cathline to follow, fired something from her free arm at Marcel. Marcel screamed and went down, the dart embedded in his thigh.

"What the fuck is going on?" Cathline almost shouted.

Elizabeth stretched out her forearm and Cathline saw a long tube protruding from the elbow to the wrist. "It fires ‘thorns’ or darts if you like, containing a strong paralysing agent. Don’t worry, they’ll be just fine. Now thanks to Wyatt Earp here we’ve got less time than I’d like."

Cathline took a deep breath. Elizabeth’s sudden appearance had thrown her completely off balance. Gathering her thoughts she asked, "So how the fuck did you escape? Where’s Matthew? And what the hell is that dart thing in your arm?"

"Good questions. Ok Matthew is quite safe. He agreed to help us combat the Guild. In fact he’s exactly where I need him to be."

"And that coming from you is supposed to reassure me. How come you’re not a mermaid anymore?"

"Ok, I knew I had cancer, the same one that was killing Kat. The Guild had stolen the designs of the DNA system but they needed me to iron out a few bugs in it. In return they’d let me cure myself both of the cancer and of my tail."

"So you gave the Guild your DNA system and sold us out, typical. Tell me, is Kat really alive?"

Elizabeth shook her head "I’m sorry she’s not. Hassan had her killed. I wanted to save her, as part of my atonement to you and Matthew but I was powerless to stop him."

Cathline’s face dropped, "Then why the fuck did you tell me she was alive. To rub it in?"

Elizabeth sighed and explained "Cathline, the Guild are planning something big. I’ve no idea what it is but it involves the use of DNA tech. The Guild monitors everything I would say to you on the phone. I’d be dead if I told you the truth over the phone and at the moment I’m all that stands between you and a slit throat. You remember my notes said something about a changeling body. Well I perfected it. If it exists in nature I can replicate it, this body can also repair it’s self against minor injury, hence my ability to recover from that gunshot."

"Fucking hell Liz. You can’t stop playing God with nature can you."

"At the moment this changeling body is the only one in existence. It gives us an edge over the Guild."

"What makes you think I believe anything you say anymore. I bet you’ve kidnapped Matthew and are right now making him your slave. I bet it I was you who had Kat killed and I bet I’m you’re next target."

"The Guild think you are. Listen, because of your friends here I’ve not had as much time to prove my case as I’d like. But trust me, I know what I’m doing. It may seem as though everything’s gone to hell but it hasn’t. I’m on your side."

Elizabeth was interrupted by a sharp, random sounding knock at the door. "Listen trust me," hissed Elizabeth.

"Like hell. You want me to get the door or what?"

"No need, they have the key. Hey, I’m ready in here," Elizabeth called out.

Fear rose in Cathline as the lock turned and in came ten masked men. They pointed their stubby but lethal weapons at Cathline and she put her hands up.

"Go with them Cathline. You’ll know the right time," Elizabeth said and Cathline screamed as a dart entered her arm. She could feel her legs grow cold and numb. Soon the numbness spread rapidly upwards and all went black.

"Did the operation against the police go well?" Elizabeth asked.

"Indeed, we had them before they could call for help. We must hurry.

The helicopter will be here soon."

"Agreed, Let’s go, I just hope Osman likes his new guests," Elizabeth said.

"I think he will," one of the men replied, eyeing up Cathline’s unmoving form.

"Tell Hassan I’ve got a few things to clear up here before I head to Australia," Elizabeth said, staring at her arm.

The masked man stared at Elizabeth’s arm as the tube retracted back into her arm. Within a matter of moment her arm was normal again. The man shook his head in disbelief and proceeded to check the room.

o - o - o -

"Come on now Elizabeth, you need to take your medicine," the doctor said to Matthew.

"I’m not Elizabeth. Look can you tell me what day it is please. I’ve been here ages and there’s not been any thing to do but lay here and see you people," Matthew complained.

"We’ve been very busy. Your parents are coming tomorrow—they’ll help you."

"You said that yesterday afternoon."

"No that was this morning. Look if you take your pills I’ll see what I can do. We want you to get better don’t we?"

"I’m not taking any pills," Matthew said stubbornly.

"Fine, I’ll just slip the same dose into your IV. It’ll have the same effect, but to get better you must WANT to get better, hence taking the pills."

"I’ll leave them here," the doctor said placing the pills on the bedside table. He then turned and left the room.

The doctor shut the door and walked over to the tall man watching thru the one way glass.

"How is he doing?" the man asked.

"He’s stubborn. But we’re making progress," the doctor said.

"Why not just use hypnosis?"

"Only works for a short time. This way he becomes Dr Bexley permanently. What we do here cannot be undone. We change his very psyche. You cannot do that with hypnosis or violence. We are depriving him of any point of reference, outside contact. A human being cries out for contact, friendship and a point of reference. We are denying him all of those, except me. In a day or so he’ll accept me as his best friend. Especially since in an hour we’re going introduce a stimulant in his IV. It’ll stop him sleeping and increase his fatigue. Trust me I’ve done this many times."

"Hassan wants this done quickly,"

"Hassan is clever but he doesn’t know all about this. Tell him we can either do it quickly but less thoroughly or slowly and get it right," the doctor snapped.

"I will tell him. I am also concerned that you are using two of our changelings for such a project. If its just to keep Dr Bexley happy then I will move them to where they are needed."

"Hassan says this project is of vital importance. He calls it ‘Mischief’ I’m sure he knows how it fits in with what he is planning," the doctor said.

o - o - o -

"Working late Jim?" the man asked a young man with brown hair glasses.

"Yeah. Tell me you’ve been in this section for years. Why do we know so little about the Guild?"

"Simply because we’ve never been able to get anyone inside. We tried a few years ago but she was sniffed out right away and has never been seen since. HUMINT is very difficult to get. Besides they know when our satellite passes are and diverting them is very expensive and wasteful."

"I’ve got a few reports from Libya that say the government there cleaned out an entire village. Officially it’s part of their resettlement program but take a look at these," Jim handed over a brown folder.

The man paused for a few minutes, studying the images closely. He then said, "I see what you mean, the sand just there looks melted. Like some kind of missile launch took place. But it’s only a klick away from the village," the man said to Jim.

"So you think the Libyan government is up to something?"

"No idea. Just that someone fired a short range missile at that village and now nobody lives there anymore."

"What’s our Libya operatives say?"

"What the government says. Frankly Doug it scares the hell out of me. The Guild has gotten too active for my liking. The only descriptions of the leaders we have are the ones that Jane Stephens and Cathline Richards gave the police. Even then we don’t know how accurate they are."

Doug nodded in agreement "Yeah that’s always been the problem. I’ll speak to my section leader and we’ll get this looked at. Good analysis."

Jim glowed inside, as a relative newcomer to the CIA he had felt very much the new boy "Thanks we’ll catch up in the morning."

"Ok," Doug said.

o - o - o -

Cathline awoke and tried to move. Her limbs ached and she could see only darkness. She tried to move her arm and felt metal around her wrists and the clank of chains. Tugging on them some more revealed that she was chained hand and foot. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she saw she was in some kind of stone cellar She noticed another figure chained to the far wall. It was detective Cox. She was stripped naked and still unconscious. Cathline felt a draught and realised she too was naked.

"Oh no not again," she said out loud.

She heard footsteps coming towards her, feigning sleep she bowed her head. The figure moved closer to her and she felt a finger caress her nipple. She shivered in fear.

The figure spoke "As I thought you are just acting. So my sweet we meet again."

Cathline looked up and saw a fat ugly man of around fifty. "Osman you’re dead," she screamed.

"As you can see I am very much alive. I was promised something I had lost when I came here and I see that I have gained another companion also. You are a most handsome woman now. I will enjoy you."

Cathline was about to spit in his face but thought better of it instead she shuddered at the thought of the ordeal to come.

"I’m afraid my punishments last a lifetime. It’s such a shame I know but justice is justice," Osman said and snapped his fingers.

Cathline screamed for all her might as a figure carrying a glowing iron walked down the stairs. She tried to escape, to avoid what she knew must come but Osman pushed her face against the wall, holding it firm. The man passed the iron to Osman and he held it steady. Cathline screamed louder as she felt the iron moving closer and closer to her left eye. She felt a burning, searing sensation in her eye and then passed out.

Osman handed the iron back to the man and walked upstairs, satisfied that justice had been done once more.

o - o - o -

In New York the sun was starting to set—the high rise buildings casting dark, irregular shadows on the ground below. A lone figure got out of cab, tipped the driver and walked towards the cemetery. Clutching a bunch of flowers Dr Elizabeth Bexley stood silently over two gravestones. She knelt down and placed the flowers on each grave. Wiping away her tears she said "I’m so sorry Dad, I’m trying to make amends, I really am, but it’s so hard. I know you taught me that the best things don’t come easy, but this is my own doing. I’ve no idea if I’ll ever come this way again so I needed to come and say goodbye."

Elizabeth thought back a few years to the last time she was here.

Disguised as Rachel Martin, she’d met Matthew at her parent’s funeral. He’d not known at the time of course but he’d shown compassion to her by giving her two of his roses to help her say goodbye. She was so angry with him then but as time went on she cherished that moment. She stood up and walked over to the grave that read ‘Mrs Margaret Bexley’ and she knelt down once more. "Sorry Mom. I’m so sorry. I do now what I have to. My actions have caught up with me and now I’m trapped into this destiny. I see no other alternatives. I’m like a runaway train accelerating towards impact. All we have to do is wait for the smash," Elizabeth said softly.

Wiping away a tear she continued "Mom I know you’re not really down there but it helps. You know all I wanted to do was to love and to be loved. I can see the headlines. ‘She’s not a monster, just misunderstood’. Life’s not like that in spite of what Readers Digest may tell you. All my friends are gone, mom. I sold them for the price of my own freedom and well being. I had to do it, it’s for the best, I just hope they understand why."

Sniffling, Elizabeth re-arranged the flowers she’d placed down. A thought struck her and she said, "You didn’t fail me. I failed you. In some ways it was merciful you not being here. When I was exiled to the sea I didn’t see what was being written and said about me. Now I can read and see it, it hurts to be compared to William J. Stevens II, John Wayne Gacy and the Unabomber. What was it one tabloid called me? That’s it ‘Jane the ripper’. I’m a doctor, sworn to protect life. How did I get it so wrong? Kat was right, I am a ‘hell bitch’. I had the means to save millions of lives. I had it in my hand mom. It was so close—by now the word cancer could have been said in the same breath as small pox. How many millions did I kill, mom? How many more are doomed to die because of my fury? I thought I was so clever tricking them into the lab and then destroying it. I twisted something designed for the greater good and turned it into something evil."

Elizabeth felt her hand start to change. The skin turned a green color and her fingers started to grow into points. Reptilian scales formed over her hand and up to her wrist. She stared at her clawed, scaly hand and looked up to the grave once more.

"See mom this is what I really am, a monster underneath this beautiful flesh. I did this," she said thrusting her clawed hand at the grave. It turned rapidly back into a normal human hand, "See I can make it go away, its only flesh after all. The real monster is inside. Y’see Mom it’s not like those who’ve missed out on greatness by accident or ineptitude. Oh never mind I’m not making any sense at all. I’m just pouring my heart out."

"Mom, I saw Matthew and Kat together and I know that I could never find that. It riled me so much, made me so jealous. No matter what I did to them they came back stronger. I guess that’s the real power of love over hate. Mom I’m so sad I’ve only ever been capable of the latter. I just hope Matthew can cope with what’s being done to him, and I do dread to think what Osman’s done to Cathline. Why is it that I always have to turn on the ones closest to me? Still when all set and the dust’s settled, maybe they’ll find it in their hearts to forgive me. If I fail then I’ll be remembered as a mass killer, arch villianess and all round ‘hell bitch’. If not then there’s a chance at redemption. After all, a chance is all I need."

Elizabeth rubbed her eyes, now streaming with tears. "Sorry I’m rambling, mom but this helps. I guess you could call this moment my Gethsemane. From this point on my gaze is fixed on the cross I have to bear. Goodbye mom and dad, my atonement and redemption awaits."

Elizabeth stood up; brushed away another set of tears and walked off.

There was much still to be done.

o - o - o -

Tina slowly came around and tried to move. She felt herself being restrained in someway. She opened her eyes and tried to make out her surroundings. She looked downwards and saw that she’d been stripped naked and chained to a wall. She shuddered with fear and was about to cry out when she heard a moan coming from the far fall.

"Hello?" Tina called out.

The only reply was another painful cry.

Tina tried to pull loose her chains but they were fastened into the wall. Gradually her eyes adjusted to the dim light and she looked over to where the moan came from. She saw that Cathline had been chained to the wall and stripped also. Her immaculate body was exposed to all eyes to see. Cathline’s head hung low as though in pain and fear, her chains taking the weight of her limp body. Tina took a brief look around to see if anyone was around and called out again "Cathline, it’s me Tina. Are you Ok?"

Cathline only murmured in reply.

"Come on Cathline, wake up," Tina called once more.

Cathline stirred and cried out in pain.

"Cathline you ok? Hey listen I was wrong Dr Bexley is way out of my league ok?"

"Shut up Tina I’ve listened to your inane chatter enough. In answer to your question I am NOT ok," Cathline snarled.

Tina let out a gasp as she saw Cathline lift her head up to look at her. Cathline’s left eye was no more. It’s bloodied, lidless socket stared back at Tina. Blood was drying on Cathline’s face and hair and Cathline’s good eye stared back in unadulterated fury. Tina turned away in horror.

"Don’t worry I know what it looks like. I saw it in the mirror everyday for a year. That fucking bitch, that fucking bitch! Not content with doing it to me once she goes and fucking well does it again. Fucking bitch," Cathline snarled and she started to sob softly.

"Is there anyway we can get out of here?" Tina asked.

"If I knew where ‘here’ was I could comment. No offence Tina but the best way to survive is to wait and take your opportunity when it comes. Don’t resist, don’t fight back and most of all no matter what they do to you endure it."

"No chance. Look I’ll try to distract them and by the looks of it you can."

"Can do what Tina? I’m in fucking agony; we’re chained hand and foot to the wall. Now please shut it," Cathline snarled.

"You may be content to wait here to be maimed and screwed but I’m not. Hey how-about some food down here!" Tina called out.

Hearing no response Tina turned back to Cathline but saw that Cathline had passed out, her head slumped forward. Staring harder she noticed a fresh drip of blood, starting to trickle down Cathline’s neck.

Tina leaned back and tried to relax. In some ways Cathline had been right, but it was so frustrating hanging powerless and bound. She’d seen a new side to Cathline, a darker more vicious side. Tina reflected on what had happened to her. What the fuck had Dr Bexley done to her? Man, she was fast. Dr Bexley had thrown them right off guard by her admission. Cathline had told them that if Dr Bexley was trying to pass herself off as Matthew then she’d do it thoroughly and she’d only be revealed by a small error. Her coming in with all guns blazing was right out of the blue. She wondered if Scott had managed to escape, for sure the authorities would be going ape over the abduction and that was their only chance.

o - o - o -

Hassan woke up to the smell of rich, hot coffee. He smelled perfume and sighed softly.

"Morning my master," A smooth female voice whispered.

"Ahh thank you my Jewel, You may leave now."

The petite but curvy woman bowed and walked out.

Hassan reached over and picked up the coffee cup. Taking a sip he reflected upon the day ahead.

After his daily workout and a shower Hassan took a walk thru the garden on his way to the office. Stopping by to admire the sweet smell coming from numerous flowers he breathed in the air and let the sensation take away the stress of the day to come.

Hassan walked into his office and switched on the videophone.

Checking his watch he saw that it should be about 21:00 in Australia.

He called the number and typed in his private encryption key. Before he could press send there was a knock at the door.

"It can wait," Hassan called.

A voice called thru the thick wooden doors "Hassan this is urgent. It cannot wait."

Hassan sighed and switched off the phone. "Come in this had better be important."

The man entered the room and passed a DVD optical disk to Hassan and said "A report from Osman in America. He says it is of vital importance and to use key seven."

"Thank you, that will be all, dismissed," Hassan said.

The man bowed slightly and left the room. Hassan looked up at the door and powered on his PC. After waiting for the PC to boot up Hassan inserted the disk. The screen went blank and Hassan paused for a moment before typing in a 15-character password.

The disk whirred and an image of Osman appeared.

"Hassan, Sorry to interrupt your morning but this is important."

"Our sources inside the CIA have indicated that they have spotted the remnants from the launch. We had thought their technology was unable to determine such details but this must be something new. It is my opinion that the operation is in jeopardy unless the timescales are drastically cut. On the other matter, the pick up went as planned. The local authorities put up little resistance and the changeling we planted in the security detail succeeded in preventing the alarm from being raised."

Hassan pressed pause on the player and leant back on his chair. Osman was right this could be serious. If the Americans were suspicious then it would be likely they would call on the Israeli intelligence to help them out. The CIA did not worry Hassan too much, Mossad on the other hand did. The CIA although many times larger and better funded than their Israeli counterpart was not regarded as the premier security service in the world. Mossad took that honor. Where the CIA, MI6 and the KGB all had, had their share of embarrassing breaches, Mossad had none. No it was Mossad that was the real danger.

Hassan started the player again and listened to Osman’s voice "I will stay here for a few more days, to ensure that our plans are not in jeopardy at this end. I may even send you a couple of presents for your collection, until then goodbye. Oh by the way I think it wise not to inform Salah of the change in plan, just in case he’s planning something before we have chance to deal with him."

The screen went blank and Hassan pressed the erase button on the player. Within moment the DVD disk was completely erased. Hassan redialled the number on the videophone and waited for the reply.

A minute or so later the phone was answered and the doctor’s face appeared on screen. He looked surprised and gathering himself said "Hassan, it is a great honor. What can I do for you?"

"Thing have changed. I want him re-programmed faster."

"Yes Hassan. It will mean that the conversion will be hurried and not as through as it should be."

"Not important. Just have him ready in five days,"

"As you wish," the doctor answered.

"Thank you. Let me know when it’s complete, Hassan out," Hassan said and put the phone down. He quickly dialled another number and the face of a younger man appeared on screen.

"Yes Hassan," the man asked.

"I want production completed within the next fourteen days."

"But Hassan what you ask is impossible, the enzymes cannot produce the chemical fast enough to produce the required volume."

"I don’t care, do it!" Hassan said sternly.

The man flinched, "Yes Hassan, we will do our utmost."

"That’s all I ask."

"Just a thought—if we got Dr Bexley involved maybe she could help us?" the man asked.

"No she must remain unaware of our plans. Besides she is needed elsewhere. She will wish to be with her new ‘wife’. Your team is very capable. I have every confidence in you. Hassan out."

This was turning out to be a hectic morning but Hassan had just one other call to make. Quickly dialling another number, he waited for the phone to be answered. After a while the phone was picked up and Hassan just said one sentence. "Go with what we have. The rest will follow," Hassan then put the phone down and called for some more coffee.

o - o - o -

Solomon Stern hurried down the corridor, clutching a brown paper folder he knocked on his supervisor’s door.

"Yes come in."

Solomon burst in and said "Sir we’ve just had this delivered by our operatives in Egypt," he said handing over the folder to him.

His supervisor opened the folder and thought for a moment. "Is this what I think it is?"

Solomon nodded "Its designs match the specifications and dimensions of a Bexley DNA system."

"Where is it located?"

"On an airbase near Cairo. Our agents say it was brought in a few days ago. This is most worrying."

"Indeed. I cannot believe that Egypt would fly in the face of the Fury Directive. They risk so much for so little gain. Are we sure this is not some new radar?"

Solomon shook his head. "No you can make out the imaging system with the connections to the drug production centre. The shape of the system is unmistakable."

"Is there any chance that this is false information. That we are being tricked in someway?"

"No chance," Solomon said grimly.

"Still we must be sure. Leave this with me and I’ll take it to the Knesset in person. Good work Solomon. You may have just saved this country from its biggest threat since the gulf war."

o - o - o -

Senator Walter Jameson’s phone rang and his new secretary, Jill picked it up. On hearing the voice she put it right thru. "Senator. It’s the president. He wants to speak with you urgently."

"Ok got it," Senator Jameson replied.

"Hi Bob what can I do for you?" Senator Jameson asked.

"You really screwed up this time Walter. What the hell do you think you were playing at? Hell we all get tempted sometimes but this goes too far. My press people are calling for your ass and I’m having a tough time defending it," the voice from the phone boomed out.

"Mr President I can assure you that nothing untoward happened that weekend. I needed to get to grips with your budget proposals that you asked me to personally look into. So I went away to my cabin in the mountains to think. I took Anne with me to write up my notes. She stayed in a nearby motel, while I stayed in the cabin. She screwed up big time so I fired her. You can check if you like," Senator Jameson said back.

"Walter, we’ve already done it. You are quite right it does check out. I just had to be sure that’s all. Say how about coming over for a round of golf tomorrow? Just you and us no press and just a skeleton security presence. I thought we’d try that private course of mine again."

"That’ll be fine, Say 11am at your place? Jack not coming?"

"Great, Nah Vice President Roberts can’t make it, somebody’s gotta look after the world while you and I play golf. Oh by the way you can tell me what really went on then."

"Thank you mister president," Senator Jameson said and put the phone down. He stared at his hand for a moment and a small tube grew from between thumb and forefinger. He looked at it carefully and it retracted back in. If all went well then tomorrow America would have a new president.

o - o - o -

Elizabeth’s plane landed at Tripoli airport. She was wearing the body of an Australian journalist. She found this particular form useful for travel as a journalist attracts little attention. She collected her baggage and wheeled it out into the tarmac car park. She waited for about ten minutes before a battered black Mercedes limo pulled up. The driver gave the correct signal, a single fingered salute, and Elizabeth walked over, threw her bags inside and got in.

"Welcome back Dr Bexley, I trust that it all went well?"

"It all went to plan. Tell me is, Salah still here, I needed to talk to him?"

"Hassan has sent Salah to America. He thinks Salah has got puffed up with his own importance."

Elizabeth nodded. It was common knowledge that the young upstart Salah had fallen from grace. There had even been rumors that he was planning to overthrow Hassan. Feigning ignorance, Elizabeth continued "I thought Salah was Hassan’s chosen one?"

"Not anymore. That is all I can say on that matter."

Elizabeth sat back in her seat and thought for a moment. Chauffeurs and Taxi drivers were excellent sources of information. They took the important people to where they needed to go and listened in on every piece of conversation going. Of course they had to be discrete but if they felt strongly on an issue information could be extracted. "Tell me, what do you think of the Guild’s changelings?"

"You mean you or the other ones?"

Elizabeth tried not to flinch at this slip, she’d suspected since New York but this was grim news "All of us?"

"You are very useful but you scare us, My friend Allah became one.

Did you meet him during your training?

Training! "No my friend I didn’t. He must have been after me."

"Shame, you’d have liked him. I think he went to America."

"I see. Listen I’m a little tired and I need to rest. Here have a hundred dollars for such a smooth ride. You must be one of Hassan’s best drivers?"

The driver almost puffed himself up with pride and said "Thank you Dr Bexley. Hassan uses me for all his important guests."

Satisfied that she’d got as much information as she could, Elizabeth closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep, her mind buzzing with the news of the changelings. How the hell had the Guild gotten past her blocks? She was the only person to have unlimited changes, all the other organs she’d developed could instigate only a few changes at the most. The organ would then break down and be re-absorbed into the body, leaving the person in that form. That’s what she’d done to Salah. He was now locked into that form, albeit with a limited capacity for tissue repair. She thought a little further—what if they reserved the last change to grow a new organ using the mass and material from the old one? She’d thought of this one but it introduced dangerous amounts of the changeling drug into the system. It’d make the changeling uncontrollable over a period of time; they’d slip further into madness with each change they did. They couldn’t be relied on for extended periods of time. Storing that theory away Elizabeth made a mental note of the equipment she needed to gather from her lab. If her theory was correct she’d need every bit of cunning to get it out but it was essential.

Hassan stared at the monitor in fury. He saw Dr Bexley asleep on the back seat of the Limo and the driver was listening to the radio. He swore a deep oath and sat back to think. Somehow Dr Bexley had tricked the driver into revealing about his changelings. Now that she knew that piece of information what would she do about it? He pressed a button under his desk and large, heavily built man walked in.

"Yes Hassan."

"The driver of Dr Bexley’s car has betrayed us. Get rid of him and ensure his family are driven out of their homes."

The big man nodded "Yes Hassan."

Hassan watched the large man walk out and close the door behind him. This was complex now. He decided to call Dr Bexley right in when she arrived. Was her desire for Matthew greater then the desire to protect her inventions? Hassan saw now that the decision to bring everything forward had been a wise one. The calculations his engineers had made showed that fifty warheads would be enough but that seventy would ensure complete coverage with enough left over to make rescue attempts difficult. Still the question of the day was who’s side was Dr Bexley on. Osman didn’t trust her. Salah was furious at her for some reason. And the rest of the higher orders of the Guild gave her a wide berth, just as one does with a dangerous animal. Hassan knew that deep inside she still thirsted for revenge on those who’d destroyed her life. It was that fire that kept her loyal and the reason why Matthews’s conversion was so important. It kept Dr Bexley distracted from his main mission. Matthew’s conversion was his insurance against Dr Bexley. As long as he had Matthew Dr Bexley would fall in line.

Hassan turned his attention to Salah. Osman had wanted him killed but a martyr was the last thing he needed. Salah and his supporters would soon be discredited in the eyes of the Guild and then Salah could be dealt with. That was the nice thing about this plan. Not only would it put the Guild back where it was a thousand years ago, it would dispose of Salah’s doubting faction once and for all.

o - o - o -

The Black Mercedes limo drew up into the parking lot. Elizabeth got out of the car and retrieved her baggage. She thanked the driver and walked out of the lot into a large, ornate reception area. A large, heavily built man walked past her and nodded his recognition. Elizabeth nodded back and proceeded to walk briskly towards Hassan’s office.

Hassan was just finishing his conversation with the doctor in Australia when Elizabeth came storming in. "What the fuck do you think you’re playing at," she demanded.

Hassan looked up in anger, terminated the call and snapped back "Dr Bexley. NEVER forget whom you are talking to. I could kill you with single command. You are tired and weary after your journey so I will let this disrespect pass just this once. The next time you will not find me so forgiving. Now what is the problem?"

Elizabeth didn’t wait to be asked to sit down and she sat herself down on the leather chair opposite Hassan. "Why didn’t you trust me with the changeling project? Why did you keep their existence from me? There is much work that needs to be done to perfect the organ. Any changeling you have produced will be unstable, longer term I cannot guarantee their well being."

"Not as much work as you want me to believe. I know about the perfected organ you carry inside you. My operatives have noticed the way you use it, almost as an extension to your own body. The changelings I have produced have to be very careful about energy usage and how much they expose themselves to the changeling drug. Now, either you are in better physical shape than my elite are or you have lied to me. Which is it to be?"

Elizabeth thought for a moment. "Hassan I have not lied to you. You are correct in that the organ I carry is more advanced that the one installed in Salah. I needed to test it fully before producing more. It’s not my fault you didn’t listen to my advice and so go behind my back, it is yours. Now will you withdraw your changelings so I can help them or will they die in a few months?"

Hassan relaxed back in his chairs and laughed "I like you Dr Bexley. You do not bow to my will easily. If you believe I am in error you will tell me. How do you say ‘straight up’? My plans demand the use of the changelings right away. When the plan is complete then you can give them the advanced version. It should be over in just a few months, which is plenty of time to help them. I realise you didn’t want to disappoint me in this matter but next time please inform me of such things."

Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief "Thank you Hassan. Now may I ask if I may go to Australia to meet my bride to be?"

"He is not ready yet, alas. I thought you might like to help in his conversion. Your unique knowledge of his psyche plus those ‘failsafe’ codes you implanted a few years back will help speed things up enormously."

"Thank you Hassan. May I enquire what your plans are?"

"You may not. Just watch the news, that’s all I can say. That will be all Dr Bexley. Goodbye," Hassan dismissed Elizabeth with a swish of his hand.

Elizabeth stood up and bowed slightly and left the room. Hassan turned to his videophone and made a call to America.

Osman’s face appeared on the screen "Yes Hassan?"

"How are things in America? I have speeded up the program as you recommended. I am starting to think that Dr Bexley could be a threat during this crucial phase of our operation. The sooner she is with her ‘wife’ the better."

"I am glad you are starting to think as I do. The presents Dr Bexley delivered for me, what do wish done with them?"

"There are two women and two men correct?" Hassan asked

"Yes. One of the women is quite plain, the other as though Allah himself had made her. Unfortunately the beautiful one is Cathline Richards so I have had to dispense her punishment once more. She is still beautiful, Hassan."

Hassan didn’t flinch at Osman’s last remark. "They are in your hands Osman. I’m sure you can think of something interesting to do with them."

"I have already thought of an entertaining diversion. Thank you."

"Is Salah there yet?"

"He arrives tomorrow. I think you are playing a dangerous game with him. Do you wish me to kill him?"

"No leave him alone, let him think he is carrying out his duty. When our plans have succeeded then he and his followers will be discredited. Then we can deal with him in the most appropriate way."

"As you wish," Osman said.

"Hassan out," Hassan said and flicked off the phone.

o - o - o -

"Good evening Dr Bexley, How are we today?" the doctor asked Matthew.

"What do you mean evening? You only visited me three hours ago," Matthew responded.

"You are mistaken, this is my first visit today."

"Why do you insist on calling me Dr Bexley?"

"Because that’s who you are. The hospital has given me the task of helping you remember who you really are. I can only help you if you allow me to," the doctor said in a matter of fact way.

"I don’t need your help. My name is Matthew Stephens, I was married to Jane Stephens who I still love with all my heart,"

The doctor reached inside his pocket and pulled out a faded photograph, showing it to Matthew he demanded "Who is in this photograph?"

"It’s Elizabeth and I. We’d just been on a picnic in the woods near her house. It was a few days after she’d asked me to marry her," Matthew replied.

"Nearly there. Your answer should have been ‘It’s Matthew and I. We’d just been on a picnic in the woods near my house. It was a few days after I’d asked him to marry me’," the doctor replied.

"No that’s not it at all. My name is Matthew Stephens, I was married to Jane Stephens who I still love with all my heart."

"I’ve been authorized by your parents to use Electro-shock therapy. They’re concerned that you’re not responding to the drugs. I will press this button here every time you answer incorrectly. The sensation is most unpleasant I can assure you. Remember I’m only doing this for your own good," the doctor showed Matthew a small button attached to a remote.

"Go to hell," Matthew spat back.

"Now for a simple question. Who are you?"

"My name is Matthew Stephens, I was married to Jane Stephens who I still love with all my heart," Matthew said defiantly.

"Wrong answer," the doctor said and depressed the button.

Matthew screamed as pain rippled thru his body. He felt as though his pussy was on fire and hot irons were being pressed into his flesh.

"Sorry about that. Now once again, Who are you?"

"My name is Matthew Stephens, I was married to Jane Stephens who I still love with all my heart."

"I don’t understand why you are deluding yourself Elizabeth. I only want the best for you," the doctor said and pressed the button once more.

Matthew’s back arched in agony as he felt his nerve endings burn with pain. "My. Name.. Is. Matthew.. Stephens. I. was.. married . to."

"Dr Bexley please let me help you. I hate doing this to you. I really don’t want to do this," the doctor said and pressed the button

A piercing scream erupted from Matthew’s mouth as he felt his entire body shake with the pain. His nipples felt as though they were on fire and his head span with suffering. "My... Name ... Is... Matthew

AGGHH"

"Wrong answer. WHO ARE YOU? WHO IS THE WOMAN IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH?" the doctor shouted back.

Days of hunger, thirst, confusion and boredom had taken their toll on Matthew’s psyche. The stimulants that had been pumped into his body day and night to aid sleep depravation and the hallucinogenic drugs had, just as predicted, worn down Matthew’s resistance. In his mind Matthew decided to say whatever they wanted him to say, anything to ease his situation. After all, one admission wouldn’t mean they’d won would it?

"WHO ARE YOU?" the doctor demanded.

Matthew could just about say "My Name is Dr Elizabeth Anne Bexley," before he passed out from pain and fatigue.

"There, that wasn’t so difficult was it. I’ll make sure you get that glass of water you asked for. We will pick this up again in a few hours."

The doctor turned around and left the sleeping Matthew on the bed. He allowed himself a smile. This may work out just fine after all.

 

Continued in Book 5b....

 

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