Allies and Enemies Part II: First Of Its Kind

by Lyta


Disclaimer:  Earth: Final Conflict and its characters are copyrighted by Tribune Entertainment Company.  All rights reserved.  No part of this story may be re-posted in part or in full without written permission from the author.



Note from Author:  Sequel to "Allies and Enemies Part I: The Joining".



Summary: What if Boone never met with the Resistance in "Decision"? How might that affect the events following and during "First of Its Kind"?



Rating:  PG



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Lili Marquette came to with a groan of pain only to find William Boone's cold and expressionless face looming over her. Startled, the former Marine captain tried to scoot away from the red haired implant only to find that she was being held in place by pliable, but firm, restraints. As the memory of just how she had ended up unconscious returned, Lili tried to quell the rising tide of fear within her. She was not entirely successful and her struggle with her emotions showed briefly on her face.

The former police chief smiled wolfishly at her, he had not missed the momentary expression of fear that flitted across the prisoner's face.

"Good morning, Captain Marquette. I was rather surprised to discover your affiliation with the Liberation. I was hoping that you would agree to elaborate upon your specific duties and activities for me and save yourself some trouble."

Lili swallowed hard. Again, she cursed herself for failing to bring Boone into the movement before he had been implanted. She could not help but wonder if things would be different. The William Boone she had met in October had seemed to be a man of honor and principles. The Boone before her did not even flinch at the mention of how Sandoval had casually ordered the murder of his wife, Kaitlyn.

"Captain?"

"Go to hell." Lili hissed.

Unimpressed by her show of defiance, Boone sat down by her head and stared hard into her eyes without blinking. Lili instantly recognized the attempt to unnerve her for what it was. An effort to intimidate her and break her resolves so that she would break easier. It worked to frighten her, but not nearly, enough for her to spill everything she knew.

"The hard way then." Boone said sadly, motioning a technician to bring the interrogation equipment forward. He allowed the prisoner the opportunity to change her mind as she saw what was coming.

Lili said nothing, but her eyes widened at the sight of the pain bracelet.

Following her gaze, Boone picked it up and slowly moved to place it on her wrist as Lili braced herself for the pain she knew was forthcoming.

***

Siobhan Beckett cried out as a contraction came over her. Her hands dug into the metal rails of the bed. She had always known that she wanted children, but she always figured she would have a nine-month pregnancy. Now everything had happened so fast. One minute she was with Sandoval by the entrance to the Resistance hideout, then Ha'gel was with her in her mind in a way far more intimate than the sharings she had with her Companion. It seemed as though she knew his life as well as her own.

The most surprising thing thus far, aside from being pregnant was the realization that she now understood Eunoia. Ha'gel had assured her that even if she was re-implanted, that the MI would never again be truly able to take hold of her mind. She only hoped he got whatever he had done to her mind right.

The three Taelons who were present to witness the hybrid child's birth had never conceived of the blood and pain involved in such an event. Da'an found himself appalled by Beckett's agony and his respect for the protector to the UK companion, who had refused all forms of pain relief as it might harm her child, went up several notches. The North American Companion also found himself surprised that despite such a birthing process humanity had grown to include billions of individuals.

"One more big push." Dr. Belman ordered.

Beckett nodded and tried to comply. Her mother was right about how much this hurt!

"I can see the head!" Belman announced.

"Is the child a male or a female?" Zo'or demanded.

Belman shot him an annoyed look before returning her focus to her patient. It was only when the Taelon seemed about to repeat his question that she bothered to respond. "That part is usually born last. Push Siobhan!"

A few seconds later a baby's cry began to echo in the medical area. Belman cradled the child, now swathed in a white blanket, and wiped him off before handing him over to his anxious mother.

"It's a boy." She told Siobhan. "What are you going to call him?"

"Liam." Beckett whispered. She unwrapped the infant and made sure everything was where it was supposed to be. Despite her exhaustion, she was relieved that Liam seemed healthy and traced her baby's cheek with her finger. This was hardly the sort of pregnancy human's were designed for and the Irish implant feared that its brevity might affect her child. Her fears quickly proved groundless. He was breathing on his own and she was surprised to notice that he was focusing on her face.

"Why Liam?" Belman questioned, shaking Beckett from her examination of her child.

"My grandfather's name. He was a good man." Beckett told her.

"Siobhan, I'm going to have to take Liam to run some tests and you need rest. I'm going to have to implant you later and it would be better if you caught some sleep before the procedure."

Beckett nodded sleepily and handed the infant back to the doctor.

As Belman cut the umbilical cord and took Liam to the examining table, all four Taelons followed her. They clustered around the infant while Belman took a blood sample and ran a few basic tests. If they moved any closer, she would throw them out.

Finally when she was finished, she turned to the otherworldly observers.

"Would any of you like to hold him?" She asked.

All but Da'an looked horrified at the idea.

"I would." Da'an said.

Belman showed the Taelon the proper position in which to hold the child, how to support his head. Da'an moved one palm over the child's and initiated a sharing, instantly losing his Human façade as his mind touched that of Liam's.

"He is still startled by his introduction to life." Da'an announced. "He also wished me to convey that he believes Dr. Belman has cold hands."

Belman shook her head as she took back the child. No sooner than she laid him down on an examining table, than he began to morph and grow.

***

"Liam?"

"Liam Michael Beckett." Belman clarified.

"Liam Michael Beckett." Sandoval repeated, staring down at the young boy, who now having the outward appearance of a four year old, sat on the floor playing with some toys Belman kept for the children of her patients and a few borrowed from a pediatrician a few doors down.

"He looks so human." The implant said softly, staring at his very young son. He hardly believed this was real.

"Hardly surprising considering that he is 2/3 human." Belman informed him, but she had the feeling he was only half-paying attention to her words.

Liam turned to stare at them with large green eyes, his mother's eyes, Sandoval noticed. Those eyes were too old and knowing while at the same time being so very young.

***

"The information we extracted from Captain Marquette has led to very few arrests. We have already searched the former headquarters thoroughly, although the firebombs the Liberation agents left behind did a good job of destroying any DNA evidence to implicate any members we are not aware of." Boone informed Da'an, Zo'or and Quo'on.

"What is the progress on locating the new headquarters?"

"Apparently Captain Marquette was not of sufficiently high rank to possess that information."

"Are you quite certain that she is not concealing that knowledge?"

"The methods used were quite persuasive. We were able to learn that the Resistance has attempted to modify a CVI to contain no motivational imperative, allowing one of their own to pose as a companion protector. Fortunately it appears this program was dropped for being too risky and difficult." Boone supplied with a shudder, thinking of the havoc that a companion protector who was in reality a Resistance agent could wrought.

***

Lili thought that her mind felt like Swiss cheese.

"At least I didn't betray Belman." Lili muttered to herself. She clung to her small victory and used it to banish the doubts that began to plague her. At least now the questions were more focused on elaborating upon information already wrung from her.