A Test of Loyalty - Part II (2nd half)

A Test of Loyalty - Part II (2nd half)(Closed)
(combined threads from old site)

Cole glanced at the goons then looked at Bren and said, "William returned home last night. I had everything from him I needed. He and I reached an understanding that he can discuss with you when you return." Cole looked at Max and nodded. Glancing back at the paper in front of Bren he said, "What you need to do Brennan, is complete your assignment so we can discuss the possibility of you also returning to Hogwarts. I know William expressed an interest in you being there to help with a small problem he is having with one of the students." Cole was not about to mention Luke's name because he did not want to draw attention to the boy with the goons, more than was necessary.

Brennan got worried, as he knew that Fixer never let you leave unless you were his or at least he had broken you partly. He looked at Max but the Psy-healer said nothing. He started to get up as he said angrily, "I won't let you control William! Whatever you forced him to promise, whatever you made him give up I want to you to forget it; Will won't be your puppet and never will Max! Now send Max back to Hogwarts or do I have to make you..."

Cole sat up straighter in his chair and grabbed the back of the straight back. Slowly he pushed himself to a standing position, then without warning he sucker punched Brennan in his right jaw, sending the man to the floor. He had not knocked Brennan out, but the Profiler was definitely groggy. Reaching down he grabbed Brennan by the collar of his t-shirt, yanked him up and back into his seat.

Brennan hit the floor hard. He was seeing stars and by the time he figured out what hit him, Fixer had a hold of him and had him back in his seat.

He stood behind him, grabbed his shoulders and squeezed hard.

Bren felt the extreme pain but refused to scream for Fixer or those goons amusement. He was hurt, tired, scared for his cousin Will. He had not tapped his Blood/ Elfin Magic in awhile. He just looked up at Fixer and smiled as he said fighting to keep the pain out of his voice, “What now, and you going to bind me?”

Leaning over he said, in a voice just above a whisper, "You will sit and complete your assignment, now or Max will go back on the wall and we will see how long it takes you to start writing. Do not toy with me boy, because I am not in a good mood at the moment. Now write…."

Bren was visible shaken as his childhood memories came to the surface. He said worried, “I am not sure I can. I am exhausted. What you have asked of me, I am unsure if my skill is still with me? I have not heard my inner voice in awhile. I will try but please send Maxwell home to Hogwart's.".

Cole stood up straight and went to the window, behind where Brennan sat. He leaned on the windowsill and looked out at the woods not far away. Everything looked calm and peaceful. His insides felt like they couldn't quite down. Looking over his shoulder, he found Punta standing behind him. Max and Brennan were both looking at him. On the other side of the room, the two goons were smiling, apparently very pleased with themselves about something. Cole dropped his head down and stared at the ground outside the window. In his head he heard Punta, "Master Frank, I am here. The goons are sending off feelings, which are attacking you. We are not sure how much they realize it is they, so we have decided not to bring up the subject. We can guard you Master Frank but not totally, because you were scared to the level of your Elfin Blood bond and that is blocking our ability to block the goon's results. Eventually it will subside, but it is going to take time. We are worried about Master Brennan and Master Maxwell."

Cole nodded to himself and pushed himself off the sill. He turned around and calmly walked back and proceeded to straddle his chair. He sat up straight and held on to the back of the chair. Looking at the goons he said, "Gentlemen, I will be taking Brennan and Maxwell for a workout. We should be back in about an hour, so you may take advantage of the game room if you like. The kitchen is always open and I happen to know there are several members of my troop who are off duty, and would enjoy having you as company."

The goons looked at each other and whispered. Cole kept his face blank waiting for them to decide what to do. After a small bit of time, they smiled and nodded. Cole was hoping the members of his units who had volunteered to keep company with the men, would be able to find out some more information on what they were thinking. All of the men and women had been previously warned about possible side effects and they were always on the cameras and could be pulled out of the situation easily, if necessary.

Cole did not move until the men and Tarka had left the room. Punta could easily stay in touch with Tarka through their elfin channels. When they were out the door, Cole folded his arms on the table in front of him and rested his forehead on his arms. He felt Punta put his hand on the back of his head, so he tried to breathe slowly. Soon the headache went away and Cole lifted up his head and smiled at Brennan and Max. "Now we can talk."

Max smiled as he said, "Fixer, has Will's note been sent?" He turned to Bren seemed to be more frightened then he knew Fixer meant to. He smiled as he said trying to calm his friend, "Bren, it is okay my friend. What is wrong Sherlock?"

Bren just looked at Fixer as he said, "You still have not answered me, Fixer." He looked at the paper and saw that it was still almost blank. There were only a couple of phrases on the paper. they act like kids with a new toy ruthless, show no compassion.

Cole stood up, picked up the piece of paper in front of Brennan and started toward the door. "Come on, I will answer your questions as we take a drive."

Max got up and headed for the door as he seemed to just going with what Fixer wanted. Bren on the other hand stayed seated as he said, “No! You answer me Now! What did you do to Will? You tricked me once Fixer, I won’t play your game...” Sherlock was terrified that Fixer had forced Will to spy for him. He knew he was risking Fixer’s wrath but Bren just could not give in as it seemed Maxwell had. All Sherlock knew was that he was not being guided as he used to be. He tried to see if he could connect, “Mom, please...I want to understand. Why...” Bren got no response.

As he pulled the door open and waited for Brennan and Maxwell to exit first he added, "It probably has been a while since the two of you have visited my training grounds. I have a new batch of Trainees trying to make it to Regulars. You can help me put them through my paces. "

Bren shook his head as he said, "I'm not going to help your men train. You got the only thing I am giving you. Now send us back to Hogwarts!"

Max understood Brennan's fear but he also wanted to keep Fixer calm. He shook his head and said calmly, "Bren, let's just see what Frank Cole has in mind. William will be fine, he is back at Hogwart's."

Cole started down the hall and they were silent as they headed for the front door and the jeep ride to the training center. Cole trusted the driver completely. It was a little below Tom's Specialist status to drive, but Cole also needed someone he could trust within earshot. Punta and Artkee would be the only elves with them.

When they were at the jeep, Max said, "Bren sit down and let's see what Cole has in mind."

Bren walked up to Fixer and threw a punch as he said angry, "Leave Will alone! He has enough to deal with without you messing with his head...Leave him out of whatever you are up to..." Sherlock felt Maxwell pull him through the door.

Bren fought as Max forced him to sit in the jeep. He tried to get out, pulling on Max, as he said, "I am not helping him train his men! Max, we are Caretakers and we are going back to Hogwarts..."

Max shook his head as he thought, “We might need to bind Brennan? Something has him really spooked, but what? Sherlock usually follows my or the others’ lead but this time he is resisting even my hints. This keeps up and that darkness in Cole will only grow.” He looked at Bren and shook his head. The youngest Caretaker had just made Max lose focus on calming Fixer. The Psy-healer felt something different about Bren and that worried Maxwell.

He looked at Punta as he thought to the elf, “Could the goons have the ability to block Bren’s special voice? I sense Bren’s terrified and unguided. He would usually hear Cassandra by now; can you or Artkee check on Bren’s gift from Cassandra? Those goons were way too smug for my liking. I think they liked Bren pushing Fixer, and that can’t be good?” Maxwell was worried that the unknown goons’ skills put Cole, Bren and himself at a major disadvantage. He just hoped that Fixer’s other Specialist found out something about those goons.

Punta nodded and touched Master Brennan's head. Closing his eyes he pushed on two of the pressure points, which would literally shut down some of Master Brennan's subconscious wher the damage was being done. He couldn't connect Master Brennan to his inner voice but he could shut down the thoughts that were replacing it. Punta opened his eyes and looked at Artkee who nodded. There was not much else they could do at this point. Tonight when Master Brennan slept, would be the time to delve deeper and fix the broken synapses.

As they started off, Cole turned to Brennan and Maxwell sitting in the back and said, "William's not has been sent. Not sure how many channels it will have to go through to get where it needs to go, but it went unread as I promised."

Max smiled as he thought, “Then the goons’ fates are sealed, I just hope their boss learns to trust you first. Also Bren has become a major problem, who we might need to isolate. Cole, he can leave the island until we can insure he will not make things worse. You know I am staying to help you.” Max just looked at Bren and saw the young man still trying to resist complying with Fixer. He knew Bren was terrified and he was pretty sure the cloaked goons’ hidden abilities were to blame.

Cole turned in his seat and looked at Brennan. He had been able to duck the punch. Circling his index finger in the air, Brennan was bound. "Brennan listen to me … listen carefully. We are going to the training grounds so that I have you away from the two goons. Either stop fighting or I will be forced to knock you out and that is something I don't want to do at this point." Cole grabbed Brennan's eyes with his.

Glancing at Max, he decided to hold off any discussion other than getting Sherlock calmed down. They were three-quarters of the way to the Training facility. There Cole could isolate Brennan if needed and still talk with Maxwell.

Bren shook his head but before he could say anything more Max hit him with a chop to the neck. Max shook his head sadly, "I hated doing that Bren but you left me no choice." He looked at Frank Cole and said, "Something is blocking his inner wisdom from Cassandra and replacing it with a very bad mood, Cole. It could be from the goons or from his own insecurities or we could have missed a trigger? It might be a combination of many things. He won't be out for long but it should be long enough to get to the training area. You know he can't leave until we figure it out? How are you doing, Fixer?"

(OOC: This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane, we hope you are enjoying the thread

FRANK COLE
Cole looked at Brennan who now lay unconscious in the back seat. Artkee was pillowing his head because of the bumpy ride. "I can't keep him here more than the rest of today and tomorrow morning Max. I will notify Lance and see if he has any ideas. Unfortunately Lance can not return to the island at this time. I don't want him anywhere around those goons and besides he is needed at the school. If I have to send Brennan back unconscious I will. It can always be explained as an accident of some kind." Cole looked over Max's shoulder and said to Punta, "Do what you can. Keep in out. He will be isolated until something is decided at the Training compound."

Punta nodded and said, "Understood, Master Frank. We will use the small room in the main building. It is comfortable and Brennan will not be heard there when he screams, which you human's have a habit of doing when you are upset."

Cole nodded. "I will tell the goons Brennan was sent home. If what Master Maxwell," Cole glanced at Maxwell, "has planned comes about, we can send the goons home soon and make it seem like they were going against what the Dark One wants done."

As they pulled into the compound Cole turned to Tom. "I want two guards on the door where Brennan is being held. I want the camera's turned on and I want intermittent checks done by a third party. Take no chances that the goons are able to change any of you. Brennan is to have all the comforts possible. I want him fed regularly, even if it has to be done by hand. If he refuses to eat, I want to know about it. Understood?"

Tom glanced at Brennan then turning back to Cole said, "Understood Captain. I will make the guards Specialist's." Tom saluted Cole, climbed out of the jeep and waved four men over to help with Brennan.

Cole turned back to Maxwell and said, "Come on Max. When Brennan wakes, he is going to be more upset than before, because we are adding to his insecurities. Talk with him, and keep talking." Cole started walking to the main building, but stopped and turned. "I am alright for now, Max. I am going to go and run the gauntlet a couple of times and see what the trainees have going for them. I will join you in about an hour. If I go now, I will hurt Sherlock, because of how I feel."

Max shook his head as he said as calmly as he could, “Gatherer, he cannot return to the school until at least three Caretakers clear him or have you forgotten my Code Red? We can’t afford it being an unknown trigger, especially with how close he is to the Core. If we can bring Lance then the next best thing is his father Martin. In fact, he might be the best choice especially with his gift. Cole, we can’t have a repeat of what we had to put him through thanks to the Wizardry Council and that is what would happen if he returned as he is. But we still need a third, any ideas?” He was still shaken by his actions and was unsure if Air would count him as one of the three needed.

He shook his head as he said standing his ground, “I am staying with you Cole, especially with a couple of the elves working on helping Sherlock. We are not losing you Gatherer especially to the MacIntosh Clan! Have I made myself clear or would you rather I have Tom get Martin and Molly?”

Cole had taken a step toward the training grounds, but again turned around. He watched at the unconscious Brennan was being carried to the main building. There he would be put in a small room especially made to hold people of interest . Cole knew it would be upgraded a little from the stark room it was at the moment. Comforts would be added, for Brennan's sake. Turning to Tom, he said, "It looks like Maxwell will be coming with me. Make Brennan comfortable. When he rouses explain to him that Maxwell and I will be along in a while. Try not to let him hurt himself."

Tom nodded and waved a woman with a Specialist badge over. He whispered in her ear, she nodded and then stood behind Maxwell. Apparently, Tom thought Cole needed help.

When Cole looked at him with raised eyebrows, Tom just said, "Just being careful, Captain." Then he saluted and walked away following the group carrying Brennan. Cole looked at the Specialist, who had come to a high degree of alertness, and nodded. He chuckled to himself as he headed toward where the gauntlet was forming. Apparently his troops thought he needed help. Inwardly sighing he thought, it was not such a bad idea. "Ok, come on Max. You can run the gauntlet if you like. These are only trainees, but sometimes they get a little over zealous with their strikes, trying to prove to me they are serious about joining me."

As they walked the fifty yards to the beginning of the lines, Cole said, "I will agree to bring Martin here, but he is not on my list of people I am required to get information from. I will allow you to send a message to him. He will be able to come and go as he wishes. Make sure you tell him to come alone, Max. The goons will just think he is a specialist I have brought in. Tell him he will have to act a little sub-servant, but I think he can handle it." Looking at Punta he added, just as they reached the beginning of the gauntlet he added, "Punta get Master Maxwell's message off to Master Martin." Receiving a nod from the elf, Cole turned and looked at the long lines of men and woman who formed a small alley between them. Trainees were interspaced between some of the regulars. The object of the game was to run down the center and get hit by thoes standing on the side. It was to build up some immunity to having your body hit and taking in and handling the pain. Every member of the Regulars had to run the gauntlet at least once a week and the Specialist twice a week, which could be done all in one day or spread over the week as each preferred. Cole smiled and took off running. The pain would help quiet his mind.

Max nodded as he glanced back at the girl that Tom chose, He gave a sly smile as he recognized her as Gloria Kildare. The Psy-healer asked mentally, "Cole, is unaware of your background Gloria? I would think your last name would raise his eyebrow as there are very few Kildare's left. Can you still link with your uncle and cousin? Tom chose smart as you are almost as good as Martin, seen him recently?"

Gloria smiled and winked as she said aloud, "nothing gets by you Max. No I don't see Uncle Martin or Lance, I would not risk it. I will let Captain explain how much he knows about my background. However, to answer your question yes I still have my special ability as well as a new one. I might not have the Blood Magic or Elvin Magic as uncle or cousin does but I was trained to strength my natural skills."

Cole walked back down the outside of the double line. He was streatching his mussels and trying not to think how a couple of spots on his body had taken a few good hits with the batons the troops were using. He stopped behind one of the Trainees, who quickly turned around and stood at attention. Cole read the name tag. "You are Trainee Lehr?" Receiving a nod he continued, "Well trainee Lehr, that was a very hard swipe you took at my legs. If I hadn't been looking for something like that to happen, you would have connected well, but…" Cole took a step closer getting into the man's personal space, "… if I had been someone who would have back you would have left yourself wide open." Cole took three steps backward and motioned for the young man of about 19 or 20 years of age to step out of the line. "If I wanted to hit back you would have left yourself open for a knee to the face…" Cole shoved the boys head into his knee, being careful not to break his nose, "… and a chop to the back of the neck." Cole demonstrated with a relatively lite chop to the young man's shoulders. Then he reached down and pulled the trainee back to his feet. When he was sure he could stand on his own he said, "Now Trainee Lehr, back in line. Save the fancy stuff for when you learn how to counter act it." Cole received a weak salute as the trainee turned and got back in line, trying to stand tall. He was hurting but his men and women had to take a little pain or they would be of no use to him.

Cole walked back to the beginning of the line and prepared to run it again. As he glanced at Maxwell, he saw the Psy-healer recognized the Specialist standing just behind him. Good, it would give Max someone to talk with. Cole turned and sprinted down the line again. When he got to Trainee Lehr he stopped and stared at the young man. "Well?" Cole grunted when he received a solid hit to is right arm. "Very good," he said as he headed to the end of the line. Cole turned and announced, "Very well done, ladies and gentlemen. Three laps through the obstical course and then return to your other duties." Receiving a chorus of "Yes, Captain," Cole returned to where Max was standing. "That went well don't you think. A couple of wimps, but they can be either taught or weeded out. Now Max, should we head to Brennan?"

Gloria smiled until she saw the man who Captain called out. That man she knew to have disobeyed a direct order by talking with the robed men. She shook her head as she said, "Be back in a moment Max. I need to inform Captain of a possible problem." She walked up as she said with authority, "Hold Trainee Lehr." She turned to Fixer and said, "Sir, did you remove the standing order about the two robed men and the trainees?"

Cole had watched the Specialist walk up to the man he had berated earlier. Turning in her direction he shook his head no and added, "No, no Trainee was to be allowed near the men in robes, why?" He did not like the way this was about to go.

Gloria walked up to Lehr and dragged him back to Fixer. Once there she glared at Lehr and said, "Then this Trainee has some explaining to do as I saw him, regular Shaude and those two robed men bring something out of the cave Darrel chased the young princess into. Sir, I read the robed men and they have every intention of using what came out of that cave on Brennan and William. Sir, I might be overstepping my place but their minds said something about even though it was a prototype to the one their adopted father used, it should still work unless their sister Esmeralda messed it up when she hid it for them. Sir, they never saw me if that is what is worrying you?" She knew by the look of fear on Lehr's face, he was a scapegoat for Vance Shaude who was as slick as they came.

Cole walked up to the young man who was trying to act as if he had not done anything wrong. "Talk to me, Lehr."

Lyon Lehr was shaking as he realized that Vance had once again lied and used him. From the look on the Specialist's face, Lyon guessed she had somehow figured it out as well. Vance Shaude had brought him to the island to help a friend. That friend, Lyon had found out now was a man by the name of Darrel. Both Vance and Darrel gave Lyon a warning about telling anybody the real reason Vance had brought him here. He was still shaking as he said in defeat, "I am dead either way. Nobody crosses Vance Shaude and lives..."

Cole looked around and found Jack, "Find Vance Shande and hold him in the lower level of the barracks. Have two of my Interrogation Specialist question him. Oh and Jack, no one else talks with him. I want quick results on this one." The Specialist saluted and headed for the radio center in the outside shack. Vance Shande was not a dead man, but Tom had seen what happened where even one of the Captains Interrogation Specialist got hold of a man. Every member of the troops, had to go through a mock interrogation at least once, and that would have been considered Kindergarten results to what Shande would be put through.

Cole turned back to the young man in front of him. "You are not dead Lehr, but you are going to have to work very hard to prove yourself. This is something I would have expected a Trainee to check on somewhere along the line. What specialty are you working toward?"

Lyon shook his head as he felt the Specialist try to ease his mind. He shrugged as he said, "I have no idea what Shaude made my file up as. He brought me here to help a friend with a problem. I asked if me coming would ruffle feathers. I got my first warning then. To explain Shaude, I will tell you what he did instead of just answering me. Vance Shaude grabbed my throat and started choking me while telling me that if I let anybody know what I was here for, I would live only long enough to watch my family pay for my loose lips. I was to keep my mouth shut and just work where he told me. That is when he took me to that cave and told me to get the machine working by the time his friend got there. I am sorry but as your Specialist might have guessed, Me and the machine was about twenty feet from that girl that was crying. When Vance came that night, I lied and told him the elf and girl saw me. He went crazy and said that if I told that girl or elf anything then they were dead. He finally asked me if the machine was ready yet and I told him no. I promised that I would do what he wanted but only if I could get the supplies myself. Then last night, he came with those two robed men and just told me the machine and me was moving to the barracks." Lyon took a breath and continued, "The machine is still in the cave Captain, because they couldn't figure out how to move it. Those men are crazy and they forced me to fix the machine. The good thing they are not very smart cause with the way I have it...." He was terrified but at least that machine would cause no harm. He had switched a couple of wires and now it would act as if it worked but the machine was no longer controlled by that computer as the computers motherboard was attached to nothing without the wires in his pocket." Lyon looked around for a moment then said, "When I got to the barracks I was told I had Trainee training this morning, so here I am. Sir, I want to stay and I will help as much as possible. I told them I had no family and I think they believed me." Lyon went back to standing at attention. He was brave willing to accept what came at him.

Cole looked at Maxwell to get confirmation the Trainee was telling the truth. Receiving a nod of confirmation Cole said, "You will return to your unit. When you morning exercises are complete, you will report to Specialist Tom Jennings and will do anything he requires of you. Stay alert. Now return to your unit and Lehr, you will be watched very closely." Cole did not tell the young man part of the reason to have him watched was to keep him alive. When Lehr had saluted and walked back toward the unit, Cole turned to Kildare and said, "Inform his group leader what I want done. He is not to be mistreated but he is to be pushed very hard."

When Gloria had walked away he turned to Max. His head was throbbing. "Max I need to talk to Brennan and you need to get the message off to Martin Kildare. I…" Cole felt a stabbing pain travel from his temples to the front of his forehead. It made him wince and try and catch his breath. "Max the robed men are close or someone is who is being controlled by them. I can't…" Cole's head felt like it was going to explode. Through gritted teeth he said to Punta, "Break the connection." The elf shook his head no. Cole knew he was asking for the elf to make him literally blank his mind for a few moments until a wall could be established or the person or person's found, but he knew no other way. It was a dangerous move because other synapsis could be destroyed at the same time. "Do it now Punta…. I can't take…" Cole was almost doubled over with the pain.

Max heard Cole's anguish as he said both in mind and verbal, "Gloria, get your uncle Martin here now and possibly Lance as well!" When the men saw Gloria obey Max, he thought they would interfere but instead they had just asked what they could do to help the Captain. He smiled as he said, "Bind Captain until Martin gets here and make sure it is unbreakable bonds then get him inside now! A few of you after we get him secured, you can go with Punta and find whatever caused this. Lyon Lehr, show a couple of the men that blasted machine then hide that thing so those robed men never find it. Am I Understood or do I have to remind you guys of just what I am capable of!"

Cole felt his arms bound to his side and tried desperately not to fight what in his heart he knew had to be done. He tried to tell him that he needed to be knocked out, but the words would not form in his mouth. The pain had not decreased. His legs felt like rubber and he would have gone down it he was not be supported by two of his troops. He tried to help them, but moving his legs just caused his head to hurt more.

He smiled as Gloria ran past him and said, "Uncle Martin is already waiting pick-up and he is bring Tal'mac. Something's never change, glad you trust Captain or we would be facing Caretakers along with Uncle Martin. Just keep him safe until I get back okay."

Soon he found himself inside and it was dark. He could hear voices, but none of what they were saying made any sense. A blackness was creeping toward him along the floor, but he refused to let it overtake him. He tried to push away from it, but he couldn't move. He heard someone yelling and wanted to see who it was, but none of the faces wavering in front of his eyes, even had their mouths open. He needed to go somewhere, someone was calling him to come away from where he was, but he was restrained. Hands were holding him down. He fought, but nothing would make the steel grips loosen.

Max nodded as he said, "Looks like Martin was right about our link. Gloria just hurry."

Within moments, Martin Kildare and the elf Tal'mac were walking in the door of the main building. They found Maxwell sitting on the cot struggling to keep Cole still and not letting him get up. Tal'mac probably Ported them from the receiving point back at the Barracks or it would have taken longer. Martin pulled out a hypodermic needle, but Tal'mac waived him off. "No Master Martin, he does not need the drugs. Please talk with master Maxwell and find out what is happening." While he was saying this Tal'mac walked to the head of the cot, and place both of his open palms on Cole's head.

Cole felt someone holding his head down and looked up, to meet Tal'mac's eyes. The elf's eyes held his trapped in a vice of pressure. Soon his vision started to clear and he could make out the elf's face. He felt the pain racking his body start to recede, but suddenly it came back with a vengeance, and Tal'mac's face became a sea of swirling liquid.

Tal'mac squated down and moved his hands. He place one on top of Master Frank's head and the other under his chin and squeezed. He needed to create an empty spot. This was a dangerous proceedure with human's but with Master Frank's elfin blood, he should be alright. Tal'mac closed his eyes and concentrated. He worked his thumb around so he could press on the mind's eye in the center of Master Frank's forehead. Soon the young Master, was starting to stop thrashing. Leaning down close to his ear he said, "I am with you Master Frank. Find me in your mind and I will lead you out. Keep coming… I can see you. I am just in front of you. Look only at me Master Frank. No one else is real to you…"

Cole at first could only hear Tal'mac then when he looked in front of him, he saw the elf's outline which gradually became clearer. His eyes started to shift from side to side. Something or someone was coming in from the sides, trying to grab him. Cole focused on the elf in front of him. He reached out and Tal'mac took his hand and they started to float upward. Cole opened his eyes and had trouble figureing out where he was. The last thing he remembered he was standing outside and there was a blinding pain between his eyes. Weakly he opened his mouth and said, "Tal'mac?"

Tal'mac nodded. "It is good to have you back Master Frank. What I need you to do is concentrate on seeing me and Master Martin over there. Look around slowly and recognize what is here. I will not let the pain come back."

Cole tried to smile. He felt sore and realized he was bound with his hands at his side, on a cot in the main building of the Training grounds. Maxwell and Martin stood about three feet away and they were talking quietly, while looking at him. "Martin, I told them not to bring you here. It is not safe for you. I have visitors who can use you. You have to leave." Cole struggled to try and sit up, but it was not going to happen, so he just laid back down and concentrated on the ceiling.

Martin learned very little from Max so asked Tal'mac, "What did you figure out while you were retrieving him, Tal'mac? All Maxwell knows is what Frank Cole told him, which was very little. It seems the MacIntosh Clan have a new machine. Frank was ordered to Uncle Khalid's island and came back changed. Also it seems Matthew MacIntosh has Khalid? There is also a problem with Brennan. It seems Bren might be blocked from Aunt Cassandra's gift to him. When Frank told Punta to break the connection and seemed to have a major headache, Max and my niece Gloria went into action. I feel a darkness in him Tal'mac, so do we spilt up or handle Frank Cole first then with his help work on figuring out what is wrong with Bren?"

He turned to Cole as he said, "I am not leaving Gatherer so nice try. You forget my specialty?"

Tal'mac shook his head as he said, "Master Martin, I think Master Frank Cole should be our main focus at the moment. If we lose Master Frank then everything we have all worked towards is in vain. Master Bren can wait as he is with several elves with him." The old elf wished he had been able to insure that Franco Spellman was with his brothers or at least watched. Tal'mac shook his head as he asked, "Master Cole, what do you remember of your trip to Khalid's? Also are you sure the MacIntosh Clan is involved?" He already had felt that Clan's energy on the island and that worried the old elf leader.

Cole again tried to sit up and this time he was able to swing his legs off the side of the cot and get into an upright position on the end of the bed. He was uncomfortable but realized his arms being bound at his side was the safest thing for everyone at the moment. He looked at Tal'mac and smiled, "Thanks my friend, but don't go anywhere. There are shadows at the edge of my mind and they are very dark." Clearing his throat he continued, "I was taken into a dungeon room and some type of brainwashing machine was used on me. You know the type … I do what I am told and everything is good … I refuse to do what was requested and there was pain. Scenes were fed into my brain and I was forced to react. I don't think I was there very long but I had no sense of time. The cloaked man who was running the whole operation was trying to make me believe he was working for the Dark Sect, but he wanted all the information and the people he wanted me to turn to be taken to him. The two goons on the island are his sons."

Cole moved so he was more comfortable on the bed. "It was definitely the MacIntosh family involved and the sons are still here. They are supposed to be in the barracks, being entertained by some of my troops." Cole looked around the room and spotted Jack. "Jack can you check in on what is going on there please. We need…" Suddenly the pain was back and Cole fell back on the bed, cringing in pain. "I can't control … " but that was all he could get out.

Max and Gloria said at the same time, "To locate them now as it seems somehow they give this Enforcer access to Fixer." Jack was already headed out with his handpicked team as they heard, "Already on it! Though Tom asked if it was time, Max."

All Max did was think to Tom, "Pass time as the longer those goons are here, we have a leak. We are just going to have to find that castle and get Khalid out without getting Dark One to know the Caretakers were involved." When William had sent his letter to his sister, who was being held by the Dark One, Maxwell made sure it was routed and intercepted by one of the older boys at Hogwarts and sent to Zia Zebo who worked for the Dark One. The note had been worded so that there was no possibility the Dark Sect would not know the MacIntosh Clan was trying to control what was going on and get more power for their family. This almost guaranteed if the two goons, who were MacIntosh Clan, would be taken care of as soon as they left the island. The goons were afraid of Vampires and they were not going to be made to believe a whole clan of vampires was going to descend on the island. They would be allowed to sneek off the island. That would take care of those two.

Gloria looked at her uncle as she asked worried, "Can it be reversed Uncle? I don't want to have to look for a new boss."

Cole tried to concentrate on what was going on in the room. People would move in slow motion and then all of a sudden they would speed up. He was able to catch most of the words. He couldn't figure out why vampires were coming to the island, but he trusted Max and if he said it was necessary then he would allow it. Looking off to his right he saw Jack run out the door. Looking up over his head he found Punta with his hand extended about three inches from his forehead. It allowed him to smile. Punta would not leave and right now he felt a bone chilling fear that he would be left alone. Trying to think he said, "If we can get the goons off the island then I might be able to think straight. Promise me everyone… while the goons are here, no one especially the children are to come onto the island. I can not protect them like this." Cole was very used to being in charge and the way he was filled him with a fear he could not fight and bury like he normally did.

A thought flew into Cole's brain. Looking over his head he said to Punta with a smile, "My friend, did I take my medicine today. If not it is in my top desk drawer. Could you see if you could send someone for it, now?" Cole was not sure what kind of medicine he needed to take but he knew his body was telling him he needed a shot.

Max smiled as he said, "Cole, you let us worry about things. Why don't you tell us about this medicine and while you are at it tell us what you remember about your visit to Khalid's."

He looked at Punta as he thought, "Withdrawal my friend? Can you guys counter it? Have one of the other check that medicine and send a message to Darik about what is happening and what Cole is afraid of."

He said to Gloria, "Lock Down for everybody except those goons which should be leaving the island scared out of their minds thanks to Tom and a few others. Let me or Martin know the moment they have left, Understood?"

Gloria nodded and headed for the door, turning slightly as she said, "Understood Sir! How many specialists do you want here Max?"

Max smiled as he replied, "You know the positioning of the Specialists during a lockdown but I want at least two outside that door with orders nobody gets in this room without clearing it with me, Martin or Tal'mac first." After Gloria nodded as she was about to leave, Max said, "And Gloria, until we clear Captain Cole, consider him a Code Red! Understood?"
.
Gloria saluted as she said, "Yes Sir!" As she left she thought about just what Max had said concerning Captain. Nobody would get in that room and Gloria also understood that the Commander was now a security risk. The others were not going to like it but at least Gloria knew the PACT would enact Captain's special orders. Now Gloria just had to find two or more for Code Red Duty.

Punta nodded to Master Frank. "I will take care of what needs to be done immediately, Master Frank. I have it under control. Now you need to lie still so I can help with the black fog which is trying to envelope your mind."

Cole nodded and laid as still as possible. The fog was not coming closer in his mind. If Punta could keep it away, he would definitely lie still. Somehow, Cole realized if the fog made it all the way to enclose him, he was in major trouble, and he could not seem to hold it back on his own.

Jack re-entered the room and sketched a salute to Maxwell. He headed for the front window section which looked out over the obstacle course and lowered the metal blinds. Returning to where Max was he said, "The building is secure. Tom will be at the barracks and Gloria is in charge of perimeter security. The Captain's office and house have also been locked down. The goons are trying to figure out how to get around security. I have told the engineers to let the goons bribe them if necessary to get them gone."

Jack stopped beside the Captain's bed and said, "Sir, all of your orders have been put into action. Don't worry." Jack was not sure how much the Captain understood because his eyes were not sharply focused.

Cole smiled and said, "Good. Whatever is happening you will defer to Maxwell because I can't think straight. Oh and Jack do you know if they are bringing my medicine. I know it is time to take it."

Jack handed Maxwell a small notebook and said, "These are the orders we will be following Sir. Please let me know if you have any questions." Jack looked at Maxwell and asked with his eyes, what medicines the Captain was talking about. Jack was worried because the last two pages outlined what needed to be done if the Captain was incapacitated for a period of time longer than one month. He was not looking forward to locking the Captain up and delivering the Island into the P.A.C.T's hands. They would take care of it, but the Isle of Perdition was the Captain's dream. He was also not sure what would happen when Khalid found out that the Captain was a security risk.

Max nodded as he received the book from Jack. He looked at Martin and then said to Jack, "Are you sure? Maybe he meant Martin?" Max was unsure if Fixer should trust him. With his head down not even opening the book, Max said, "Martin, I have not been cleared from your Code Red on me yet and now the man you requested to handle that is a Code Red himself. I called you because I can't trust that I am no longer a security risk and too much is at stake for me to take that chance..."

Gloria, who had just re-entered the room to give her report on outside security, could feel Max's self-doubt and shook her head. She was just going to have to hope her uncle Martin could snap Max out of it. She looked at Tom as she said knowing he had won the bet, "You were right Tom, your godfather is fighting the idea of him being in charge. I still think he will assume command as Captain said."

Cole watched the interactions in the room. It was like watching a Muggle Movie, which he got interact in occasionally. Martin had moved to beside Maxwell and seemed to be listening to what Jack was telling him. He watched as the empath put his hand on Max's shoulder. The small notebook Jack handed Max looked very familiar, and for some reason Cole knew it meant danger. Danger or not though he sure did need his medicine and it appeared no one was going to get it for him, so he was going to have to go and get it himself. There was something else in his office he needed. He was not sure what it was but he could figure that out when he got there. Swinging his feet over the side of the bed, he added a large smile to his face. Standing he stretched and started toward the door. "I feel much better and you all seem to have this part under control. I will be right back. I will of course expect a report." Cole added the bit about the report, knowing it would be something they would expect."

Punta shook his head no but did not move. This was a human security problem. He would stay close to Master Cole, but only to keep him alive.

Jack walked up and stood in the Captain's path, talking as if what was happening had already been agreed, "… But Captain you said we are on lock-down in this room for a while. Remember you put Max in charge until you are feeling better?" Jack held his spot. He didn't dare look away from the Captain, because any moment the Captain could lash out, and the man had a mean right cross combination.

Cole gave Jack a puzzled look. It was not like the man to not allow him to change his mind. "Get out of my way Specialist Jennings. I need my meds and I need to get to my office. Move."

Maxwell felt the hand on his shoulder but before Martin had been able to say anything, the Psy-healer felt Fixer change. He had no time to wonder if he was ready to be trusted or not as he thought, "Frank Cole is far from all right." He said without a second thought, "No Frank, you are a Code Red! If you don't return to your seat I will have no choice but to have you restrained and forcibly returned, Am I understood?"

He turned to Gloria and Jack in turn as he said, "I want those pills brought to Martin Now and then I want that office gone over with a fine tooth comb! Then bring me and Martin that man, the one Danny caught in the file room!" Max figured that MacIntosh might be more than ready to answer their questions. He looked at Martin as he thought, "If not then we go to Plan B and force the answers!" Max hated his gift but to save Frank Cole, Max would tap his gift and show why the Dark One wanted him. He felt his sister but only thought, "Not now Lara, Frank is slipping and if I have to use it then I will." All he felt was his sister slip into the back of his mind and sadness. Max shook his head wondering if he was really doing the right thing.

At first Cole did not move. He looked slowly from Jack, to Martin and then to Maxwell. "Why am I under a Code Red, Max? This is ridiculous. I feel fine and if you are going to actually have my meds brought to me then I do not have to go and get them." Cole felt a sharp stab of pain at his temples, which made him partially double over. Something or someone was telling him he needed to go to his office immediately. Forcing himself to stand back up straight he said, "Max I don't know why, but I have to get to my office… you can send someone with me… but it is imparitive I get there immediately." Cole reached up and put his hand on Jack's arm to move him out of the way.

Jack grabbed the Captain's arm and twisted it, so that he was not holding it behind the Captain's back. He wrenched it up a little higher and put his other arm around the Captain's throat. He was hoping he was doing the right thing, because the Captain had others horsewhipped with a ninetail for doing less than the was doing. Close to the Captain's ear he said, "No Captain, your office is fine. Tom is checking it as we speak. The goons are telling you that you need to get out of here so they can take you with them. They are trying to leave now and we are going to let them." Jack slowly moved the Captain toward the cot he had been sitting on. "I am going to let you go now, Captain. The elves are ready to restrain you if that is the way you want to play this out." Jack looked at Punta and received a nod. "So what's it going to be, Sir?"

Cole whispered, "I'll take the cot Jack, but you better be right about this or you will answer to me when I get out of this." Cole had decided to bid his time a bit. He still felt the strong pull to get to his office, but Jack had never lied to him before. He needed to find out how well he was guarded. The person trying to get him to his office would just have to come to him. After he got his meds, then he would try the one escape route he had designed that was his route alone. The elves might know of it, but they would not block him.

As Jack released his arm and allowed him to take a seat on the cot. Cole glanced out of the corner of his eye to the one panel in the wall on the far side of the room. He would have to be quick in pressing the release designed as a fire alarm, so the door would swing open. Once through he would be able to close it quickly. Cole put his palms to his temples and pushed. He had to get his meds first or he would never make it through the tunnel.
Punta tried to reconnect with Master Frank, but the human was fighting him, which was very unusual. A block had been established which was stronger than normal. Punta looked at Tal'mac and with his eyes asked what he should do next.

Max shook his head as he said, "Don't even think of going for the panel Frank, You forget what me being a Psy-healer means? I am sorry Frank but you leave me no choice..." He looked to Punta and said as pointed to Frank, "Bind him!"

Cole winced as he felt his arms go to his side. He fought the restrains, but as they became tighter he realized there was no way to get out of them. He glared at Max and said, "You better be right about this." His head started to throb. "Punta my head hurts. Can you make the pain go away even a little until these people bring me my meds?"

Punta smiled and nodded. Stretching out his hand he laid in on top of Master Frank head and squeezed slightly. He continued to smile as he felt Master Frank relax. It also gave him a chance to see where the pain was being generated from. As he had thought it was coming from Master Frank's office.

He turned to Jack as he asked, "Any way to see what is going on in Frank's office from here?"

Jack nodded and headed for the back wall. Pressing a button on the table which ran along the wall he allowed a large view screen to rise. Pushing a few of the buttons on the small elevated control panel, he made the screen light up and show the Captain's office. Sitting at the Captain's desk was one of the goon's smiling and rocking slightly. The other goon was helping himself to some of the Captain's wine. Jack pushed a couple more buttons and said, "Tom, the goons are in the Captain's office. I thought it was secured? Get there now and get them on their way somehow. They are affecting the Captain." Through a speaker, Tom's voice came back with, "On it…. Those two are tricky. I'll tell them I came there to make sure everything was ok for the imminent arrival of the vampire family. That should get them moving. Over and out."

Cole looked at Jack and asked, "What vamps are visiting the island. I have not invited any yet. What are you planning Jennings?"

Jack cringed. The only time the Captain used a last name when talking to any of the Specialist was when he was mad. Those times were the times it was just better to stay away and be very busy somewhere else. Jack looked toward Maxwell, hoping he was going to be able to explain. Maybe the Captain would not string him up.

Max gave a sly grin as he said, "Jack, it was his idea. Just keep reminding yourself that it is the programming talking and not your captain. Don't worry Jack, we will get the real him back but first we need to get those two off the island and insure they left nothing in that office. Once that is done, we can start getting Frank Cole deprogrammed until then he stays Bound! That's An Order, Am I Understood?"

Jack nodded. He hoped the Captain saw it the same way when all was said and done. On the scene everyone watched as Tom walked into Cole's office followed by Kimtu. He looked around and they heard him say, "Ah, there you are. Just thought I would let you know the Vampire family will be here any minute. I wanted to give you a chance to get ready for them." The two goons, converged on the center of the room quickly and made their way toward the door, almost knocking Tom down and shoving Kimtu out of the way. One of them would have kicked the elf, if Tom hadn't stepped in-between them. Tom turned to the camera and gave a thumbs up. "Security has already made them believe they have set out enough bribes to get off the island. Give them about ten minutes and they will be gone. Oh and by the way, I double checked and their greeting party is already for them." Tom laughed as he remembered how Max had set it up, to make it seem to the Dark Sect, like the MacIntosh Clan was trying to take over. Zia had been spotted near Knockturn Alley where the goons would be landing.

Max smiled as he said, "Tom, insure they actually leave then do a Level 12 search of everything they had access to. I want anything that is found given to the elves as they have orders given by Darik on what is to be done. Then I need a special room for Deprogramming made ready...and Tom, I want it Done Yesterday!" He was getting worried cause how fast Fixer seemed to be slipping.

"All ready on it. I have two people waiting at the other end where they are supposed to arrive. I have started a level ten search, but will crank it up to a level twelve immediately. Can I get either Tal'mac or Punta here at the barracks. I need some elfin magic and blood on this?... Hold on …" there was a few heartbeats of silence then Tom continued, "Just got confirmation the goons landed in Knockturn alley and have already been picked up by Zia's group." Tom chuckled, "I am so glad we sent them advance notice of where the goons would be landing. Ok I am back on this ends work. We can use the regular deprogramming room. It is the one the Tia and Landon were married in. It is being reset at the moment. Will be ready for you when you arrive."

He turned to Punta and Tal'mac as he asked, "How is he doing my friends? Should I send for Lance and Richard?" He was scared and just looked at Frank willing the Fixer to hold on and not give in to the programming.

Tal'mac and Punta both also looked worried. You could almost see the mental talk between them. Before he got an answer from them. Martin said, "Max you have this under control. I will do the mind dive part. I don't want Lance and Richard here at the moment. This could get ugly and Lance has been having problems staying out of the mental part of it. We can call them in if we need to after we get started. Tal'mac will act as my second. That will leave you clear to add an extra layer if Cole slides. "Martin had seen several examples of a human with Blood/Elfin magic, literally slide to somewhere else in the room. It resembled them sending out their Protronus but instead their essence is the projection.

It took a while for Max's brain to catch something his god son had said but when he did, he yelled, "Tia and Landon married? When did this happen? Somebody better do some very fast explaining! She is Fifteen!"

The room went quiet. Everyone on the island knew the young couple had gotten married although they also knew it was not supposed to be general knowledge in the outside world. Jack stood silently and Gloria just hung her head and looked at the floor. Cole's face lit up in a smile. "They sure are although they are not allowed to join as husband and wife until Tia is eighteen years old. At least that is the understanding." Cole tried to move again forgetting about the bonds. "Max where is my medicine. I am supposed to take it every six hours and it has been long past that. "I need my medicine now, you hear me, that is an order." Cole stared at Maxwell and gritted his teeth. His stomach was starting to hurt and his spine felt like someone was starting to twist it. He looked at Punta and said, "Please Punta, get my medicine."

Max smiled as he said relaxing a little, "I am glad at least some of the old Frank Cole remains. Jack show him why he is a Code Red please. He can watch what that medicine turned him into until Tom says the room is ready."

Cole was picked up off his bed and walked to the table in front of the large view screne. If he had not had assistance, his legs would have never held him. He was shaking all the way to his core, and his body felt damp. A voice in his head kept ticking away the time. He needed to get the medicine because he had been told if he didn't take it he would die slowly and painfully. Trying to get his mouth to say the words in his head was thinking he said, "Please, I have to have the meds. You don't understand they are what is keeping me alive." Cole struggled but he couldn't get loose from the bonds that were now holding him in the chair. The screen showed him sitting in one of the interrogation rooms and he was talking with Brennan. As he watched, his hand on the screen came up and he tried to hit, Punta. Cole froze. He was still shaking and now felt cold, but he was not believing what he was watching. "Why are you all trying to trick me? Punta I would never hit you. This is a trick. Give me my medicine," he yelled in a hoarse voice fighting the bonds.

Max walked up to Frank Cole. He put a hand on the man's shoulder as he said, "Frank, it is the medicine that is changing you my friend. Do you really think that Punta would keep the medicine away if it was not for your own good? Frank, how long has it been since you last took some? You asked for this intervention and now I just hope you know what you have started. Now watch the videos cause Bren is still in that cell where you left him." He turned and looked at Martin as he said, "Martin, maybe we should bring Bren in here and deal with them both at the same time? Has anybody checked on Bren?" Max was getting worried he was doing this all wrong. He was pushing Frank Cole too fast. He looked at the door wondering if he really was the right person to do this.

Keeping his hand on Frank's shoulder he turned to Tal'mac and asked, "Do you know how to fulfill Tom's request about Elvin help in the Level 12 security sweep? I know you and Punta are needed here for Deprogramming but any other elves you can call on?"

Punta said, "If Tarka and Mecum are there with Kimtu they should be able to get the security sweep done. Artkee is with Brennan."

Cole could not stop the quaking of his body, but somewhere in his brain, he knew Max was telling the truth about the medicine. He could not help but asking though, "Max please, what if they were right when they said I would die without it. Maybe if I had just one of the pills, a half of what I would normally take." Cole dropped his chin to his chest and shook his head. Slowly he raised his chin and said in a shaky voice. "Get Brennan out of there and safe. If you think it would be alright, bring him here." Another shaking spell hit Cole hard. He couldn't talk as his teeth ground together.

Martin walked over, pulled Cole's head gently back and with his fingers, forced Cole's eyes opened. Looking deeply he said aloud, "You will do fine Gatherer hang in there. You have to do this cold turkey, because we don't know what the buildup of the medicine is doing." Martin looked at Maxwell and smiled, saying to Cole, "We are trying to set up a mind dive Gatherer. They have probably put up other blockers, so we need the meds as much as possible out of your system so we don't have that hurtle to jump over. Understand?"

Cole nodded. Trying to talk would have been impossible. The screen had frozen showing his hand raised to hit Punta. Cole shook his head and closed his eyes. He had to do this, but the pain was building in all the mussels of his body.

(OOC: This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane, we hope you are enjoying the thread)

MAXWELL SINCLAIR
Max just stared at the door wondering if he was really doing the right thing. He asked Martin as he moved closer to the door, "Martin, maybe I am not ready yet? I put my own sister in a coma trying the very thing Fixer has asked for. What if forcing him into seeing what happened at Khalid's does exactly what happened to Lyra to Frank or worse Bren? I can do it to that MacIntosh but to Gatherer and Sherlock..." He went for the door as he said fearful, "I can't, I won't destroy them as I did my sister!"

Gloria stood in front of the door as she said, "Lance Maxwell Sinclair, you were ten years old and had no idea that Lyra was visiting your memories. Now stop this belittling of yourself and understand just why Captain has us listening to you. He knows you can do this and so does Lyra! You want to undo what happened to Lyra then start figuring it out and not by running away but by seeing your ability as a gift to help and not the curse you have been brainwashed into seeing it as! Do I make myself clear or does my uncle Martin need to Clarify?" She smiled as she folded her arms and looked at her uncle. She had always had a crush on Max but he was always afraid to explore the part of himself that made their connection special.

Max looked at the pint size Specialist standing in front of him with her arms crossed over her chest. She sure was cute when she was like this. So young though. He turned and looked over his shoulder at Martin and smiled. Looking back at Gloria he said, "Well, I guess if you are going to block my way and prevent me from leaving I better see what I can do." Max added a smile, turned on his heals and walked back in the room.

Martin smiled, when he saw Gloria standing in front of Maxwell. He had known for a long time the girl had a crush on the older man. He was not sure how he felt about it but would wait and see. It would not be the first time in his family to have a May-December romance and Maxwell was more of September or October. Martin shook his head. Waiting until Max was back in front of him he said, "We have to get Cole and Brennan back to the Barracks." Looking around Maxwell he said to Jack, "We need an enclosed jeep with two guards on the inside and two riding the tailgate. With the goons gone I am only worried they either left something nasty behind or a friend who has agreed to report to them. Have the man in the dungeon taken to one of the interrogation rooms, with two guards outside his window and two outside his door, instead of being brought here." Martin paused for a moment to get Maxwell's approval

Martin continued, "Get the level 12 done on the deprogramming room, the Captain's office and file room and the kitchen done first. Move three strong beds into the deprogramming room." Turning back to Maxwell he said, "Now we can have a safe place to work, food to eat because this will probably take a while and both sleeping ability and the ability to restrain anyone," Martin glanced at Cole, "… if needed."

Jack gave a sketchy salute and went to the intercom to give the orders. He looked at the Captain as he walked by. The man was sitting in the chair, shaking like a leaf and staring at the view screen which still showed him staring to hit, Punta. Jack reached over and hit the button on the remote to remove the picture on the screen. Now it showed the normal everyday things the Captain would watch on his private screen. Then Jack relayed the information to Tom at the Barracks. Walking back to Maxwell he said, "The jeep should be here in about ten minutes, Sir. I have also had word the machine found in the cave has been stowed in one of the dungeons under lock, key and guards."

Maxwell asked worried, "And the kid they forced to work on it?"

Martin looked at Jack, standing across the room and added, "Have the young man who was supposedly working on the machine, established in another one of the interrogation rooms. Again two guards outside his window and two outside his door." Martin nodded when he received a nod and sketchy salute from Jack, as he turned back to the intercom.

From another door Brennan was brought into the room and deposited in another chair at the same table as the Captain. Two guards stood behind Brennan and would be part of those returning to the Barracks.

Maxwell watched as Brennan was brought in. Sherlock was not looking well and it seemed the goons had linked again with the young profiler as he shook uncontrollably. Max walked over and placed a hand on the young man's shoulder as he asked, "What happened Sherlock?"

Bren cringed as the pain once again went through his system. He tried to answer but only shook uncontrollably as the memory of his late night visitors came back. Bren had been sound to sleep when four robed men had entered his room. They jerked him out of bed as the whispered that unless he wanted their next visit to be his cousin Luke, he would not make a sound. Brennan had stayed silent. He must have been blindfolded because he saw nothing else. Not until was forced to relieve every torture that Shadow and Zia put him through. By morning, he was back in his cell, with the warning that the night visits were to remain their secret unless Sherlock wanted Luke and Tia to have night parties as well. A tear escaped from Bren's eye and slid slowly down his cheek, as he wondered who was the young voice that had tried to stop the robed men and what had he meant when he said the machine was not fixed. Sherlock hoped the person was safe because the sound Bren had heard seemed like the young man had almost been killed.

Martin walked up to the shaking Brennan and turned the boys chair around so he could look him in the eyes. Studying him for some very long moments he said, "Brennan, I want you to listen to me… listen very carefully. What you think happened last night and probably earlier this morning never happened in the real world. The two goons were the only robed men on the island. Artkee never left your room and there were two guards outside the door." When Brennan's eyes started to slide away, Martin reached up and gently steered the Profilers face back to his. "Brennan, I know it feel real. The goons were good at that, but they are no longer on the island. In fact, I have it under very good Intel that they are being entertained by Zia and some friends of hers at the moment. What I want you to do is take some very deep breaths and focus on getting your mind and heart rate back under control."

As Bren tried to nod, Max looked at Martin as he asked, "What happened Martin? What did those robed terrors do to him this time? I have only once before felt what I am feeling from Sherlock now. That time, Bren was so bad that as you know he tried tactical suicide. Martin, he has barely recovered from that time..." Max was worried and what he had heard Martin tell Bren only worried the Psy-healer more.

He looked at the door only to see Gloria still in front of it with her arms folded and shaking her head. Max asked Martin, "Do you want to meet this electronic genius?"

Max nodded as he asked, "Now or do you think we should after we get these two settled in the Deprogram Room?"

"We will get everyone settled in first, and then see how it plays out," Martin said.

Martin smiled and patted Brennan on both shoulders, "Hang in there Sherlock. We are headed back to the barrack in a very few minutes. What I want you to do at the moment, is concentrate on Fixer. Try and read him… get what you can. We don't expect perfection, but it will give you something to concentrate on for a bit." Martin looked to Maxwell and shook his head, saying, "It should be very interesting. I want to take a look at this machine when we are done also."

Glancing at Gloria, Martin added to his smile. The girl was not going to even give Maxwell a chance to walk out on this. Jack called from the com unit that the jeep was outside and the route guarded. Martin nodded and said, "All right ladies and gentlemen lets this party started."

Martin walked over to Cole and carefully started to lift him to his feet. He saw Jack doing the same thing to Brennan. Gloria would be on point with Punta and Maxwell would follow behind along with Tal'mac. Brennan was not shaking so bad but Cole was still shaking bad enough Martin had to call Maxwell forward to help. "Come on Gatherer, we are headed back to the barracks and see if we can get your body and mind back under your control.

Cole looked at him with glassy eyes and nodded. It was taking every bit of the Gatherer's will power to help get himself out the door. He had to trust in his friends. This is what he had set up over the past few years if something like this happened. Swallowing hard he concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other.

As Max helped get Cole to the jeep, he thought, "Later, I will try and calm Lyra down." He felt his sister's pain. Max realized that Lyra thought he was mad at her. He had not meant to snap but he had felt the headache again. He looked at Martin and wondered if he should inform him about the headache. Shaking his head as he decided now was not the time as they had enough to worry about. Just as he was about to get into the jeep, he felt somebody watching from the shadows then it was gone.

(OOC: This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the thread)

BRENNAN DAWSON
The ride back to the barracks had been uneventful. Now they were established in the room that would be used to deprogram Cole and hopefully get Brennan back on board with profiling. The room measured 20 by 20 feet. The walls were highly polished dark mahogany paneled and a dark wood floor. Area rugs divided the open space into several different areas. The wall off to the left from where they had entered held a small round conference table with six comfortable padded chairs. The back wall held a small sink and refrigerator along with another table and five padded chairs. The wall off to the right had an over-stuffed couch, two comfortable overstuffed barrel chairs and an oblong oval coffee table on a drift wood pedestal. The wall they had entered throu had chains along it near the left end and a large view screen near the right end. Lighting was provided by toned down track lights running around the edge of the ceiling which been painted a dark tan. Two straight back padded chairs sat facing each other in the middle of the room on a plain maroon rug, and had a spotlight shining on them from above. It was easy to see that three hospital type beds had been hastily added at the end of the room with the conference table.

Brenna was walking better so he did not need to be supported, but Jack was staying close. Max and Tom who had joined them, were helping Cole who was still bound and shaking. Both men were placed on the couch. Punta was still with them and so was Tal'mac. Gloria had stayed at the training grounds for a bit, to make sure everything was secure there, then she would be joining them. Martin looked at his watch. It was 2 o'clock in the afternoon. "I want everyone to be given something to drink and eat something also." Looking at Cole he said, "Gatherer, I am going to have one of your arms released so you can eat and drink." Martin looked at Punta and made him understand if anything went wrong, he was to be bound again. He received a knowing smile.

Cole said in barely a whisper, "Meds?" Martin who had sat in one of the barrel chairs, shook his head no and said, "No Gatherer, no meds, sorry my friend." To this he received a chin drop from Cole, who just started to stare off into the distance.

Max reaches over and placed his hand on Cole's shoulder. He asked, "Gatherer, what time did you last take them?" He gave a glance to Martin and the two elves hoping that the six hour window had long passed. It would prove to Fixer that the goons had just wanted him hooked on the meds to control him.

Cole moved his eyes slowly to where Maxwell was standing by the side of the couch. Wetting his lips with his tongue he said, "I took them at 7 am this morning, like I had been instructed by the doctor on the island. He said to take them every 4 hours or the pain would come back. Maybe if you give me at least one I can get the shakes to stop." Cole looked up at Maxwell hopeful of gaining at least one of the pills. "I am so thirsty."

Max smiled as he said, "Gatherer, that was seven hours ago. They lied to you. You are going through withdraw just like the last time when William Andreas got you detoxed after your wife was murdered. You remember what you went through before after six shot were forced on you? At least this time it won't be as bad..." He stopped as he realized what Cole had said about the doctor.

He looked at Jack as he asked, "Cole, what doctor? Is he still here? On the island?"

After Cole answered him, Max said, "Jack, The doctor now, find him and secure him and I don't care about how or gentle if you get my meaning!" His head was pounding but he tried to just ignore it.

Martin jumped up out of his chair, as Jack ran out of the room. He went and took Maxwell by the shoulders looked into his eyes and then forcibly but gently sat him in the chair he had just vacated. "How often and how bad?" was all he asked, as he motioned Tal'mac over to help Maxwell.

Bren was trying to concentrate on Fixer but the only thing that kept coming to mind was that young voice telling somebody that the machine was not ready yet. Bren knew they had beat that kid severely. He looked at Martin, "Have you guys had somebody check on that kid?"

He looked to Max as he wondered if it was the same doctor who had given both him and Max those headache pills. The man had said that Lance had sent him but the elf Artkee had not wanted the man in the room. Bren remembered having seen the doctor before years ago giving his real mother some meds and had talked Artkee into letting the man in. He did notice that Artkee pocket a couple of the pills and so Bren had only half of the dose that Max had gotten.

"The boy is being established in one of the rooms down the hall, Brennan. He is all right. I think you have tapped into his thoughts somehow and mistaken what he thinks might happen and took it as what actually happened. The boy will be fine and if everything goes well, then you will be able to see him shortly.

Bren nodded but could not seem to get his mind off the boy enough to profile Fixer. He heard Max say, "since last night, about an eight?"

Cole had returned to staring at the far wall, where a meal was being set up by a couple of the elves. "If this was only withdrawal," he thought to himself, "then he could handle it, because nothing could be as bad as what he had gone through when he had been purposely overdosed before." Slowly turning his mind back to the conversation going on around him he heard Brennan ask about one of his prisoners. He started to get up and go to check on the young man, only to be pushed firmly back in his seat by someone. He tried to push the hand away, and realized he could not move one of his arms. Looking down at it he found it plastered to his side. Glancing at Maxwell, he asked "why" with his eyes.

"You are going to be allowed to eat and have something to drink, Fixer so we are allowing one of your arms free. You are still not out of the woods as far as adverse reactions for the medicine."

Cole nodded and looked again across the room. He did not feel much like concentrating on what was going on around him.

Bren nodded but could not seem to get his mind off the boy enough to profile Fixer. He heard Max say, "since last night, about an eight?"

Martin looked down at Maxwell. Before he could say anything else, Jack walked in with an envelope and handed it to Martin. Opening the note, Martin read, "Your headaches will go away soon. The pills were the only way I could think of blocking my cousins mind control. They do not realize the power they have which is good, because they cannot strengthen it. I have left now that they have. Again sorry about everything. I wish I could introduce myself but my Uncle would destroy everything I am trying to do to fight my families evil. I will continue to help as much as possible. Someday I hope to thank all of you for what you are doing." The note was not signed. "Jack where did you get this from?"

Jack leaned up against the nearby wall and said, "The note was left with the comunications officer near the tent in the front yard of the barracks. He said the man was wearing a robe and after he handed over the envelope stepped into the transport beam and left. I checked with the people at the other end, but they were so wrapped up in watching what was happening to the goons that they missed the man even arriving.

Max shook his head as he said, "Martin, we need to check those pills."

Martin nodded and looked at Punta, who also nodded. Punta walked over to the small cabinet behind Master Frank's desk and took out the bottle of medicine which he had hidden when the human's were worried about it. He handed the bottle to Master Maxwell saying, "I am waiting for the results from the lab now, Master Maxwell. It should be about half an hour. They will send the information as soon as they have it."

Max turned to Jack, "The man that Danny caught in Fixer's office, I think me and Martin need to talk with him."

"Do you want him brought here or do you want to see him in the integration room we have him set up in?" Jack asked. Jack was wondering if it would be a good idea to bring the kid, who was barely 19 into the same room as the Captain. He knew he could trust Maxwell and Martin to know what was best.

Max was unsure as he asked, "Martin, where would you have it? Or would you prefer to deal with those two later and see if these meds do what the doctor that vanished says they will?" Maxwell Sinclair was unsure about trusting any MacIntosh. He looked over at Bren who was just shaking his head. The young Caretaker seemed to have purposely have blocked his gift in an attempt to keep Fixer from using Sherlock's profiling against his friends. He wondered if Martin and Fixer had figured it out.

Max said, "Brennan seems to be still blocked Martin?"

Martin walked over and took the other chair and studied Cole and then Brennan. Turning to Jack he said, "Jack, leave the two others where they are. I think it is going to be more important to get the Captain back on track and see if we can unblock Brennan." Turning his attention to Brennan he asked, "Brennan, can you find the block in your mind. Look… it will look like a wall you can almost see through but is wavering. When you find it reach out and touch it with your mind. Is it solid or does it feel spongy?"

Bren just nodded but his face spoke volumes. Sherlock just gave a sly grin to Fixer as he thought, "No way is that man using me to profile his targets. Fixer tricked me once, never again. Martin will get my report on Fixer back at Hogwarts." Bren just shook his head as he said, "I guess it is gone?" He had built the wall to stop himself from giving in to Fixer and he had no intention of dropping it while he was on this island.

Martin looked toward Punta and then pointed to Cole. Turning to Cole he said, "Frank, I need to relax your mind for a few moments. It will only take a moment or two. Can you trust me?"

Cole tilted his head trying to get a read on Martin and Punta walked toward him. He looked at the elf and then back at Martin. All he did was nod and then close his eyes, allowing the elf to place hands on his head. Soon everything went black.

When Martin received a nod from Punta he turned back to Brennan and said in a stern voice, "Profiler you forget about my gifts. You are not telling me the truth. I need the information on the goons to get Cole back on track and Cole will need the information to fight not being taken back under their control. Now I am going to wake Fixer up again and you are going to give your report. Do not fight me on this Brennan. I can force the information out of you and I will if I have to."

Bren shook his head as he said, "Martin, you don't understand. Fixer tricked me last time I was here. I will give you my report but not while we are on this island. I will not allow him to use my gift against my friends again." He shook his head as he looked at the sleeping Fixer. The man had fooled him once and Bren was determined to not allow him to do it again.

Max sadly shook his head then without warning bound Brennan. The Psy-healer understood Brennan distrust in Fixer but now was not the time for Bren to be stubborn. He looked at Martin as he tried to ease Martin's anger saying, "Martin, Bren has not been let in on the truth about Frank Cole. Cole thought it best that he be kept in the dark especially since a certain something can read him so easily. Want Jack, to take him back to his room? You know how stubborn Sherlock can get especially when he believes he has to protect certain people."

Bren fought the bonds as he said, "I can't risk ever trusting that man. I am sorry but the wall stays up as long as we are on this island." He hated refusing Martin but Fixer had used his friends to con Sherlock before.

"I am sorry to hear that Brennan, because I know Fixer is not planning on letting you leave this island until you can prove to him he can depend on you to profile those who need to be profiled." Martin sat back in his chair and relaxed. "What if, Brennan, we could come to a compromise? What if I could get Fixer to agree to not have you profile and of the Caretakers, Hogwarts Staff or students, or anyone I have told him is unprofitable?" Martin glanced at Maxwell to see if he had any comments.

Bren shook his head as he said, "Martin, he would just wait until you are gone or you would see the side he shows most of us. Either way Martin, he would try to force me to profile those he will be bringing here. I cannot chance that I will give him what he wants so the wall stays."

Max smiled as he looked at Bren. The boy could be stubborn but at least if the Dark One was listening, Max was sure Fixer's cover held.

"But Brennan you do not seem to understand. Fixer is going to bring others to his island, whether they want to come or not. Now think about it. He has already proven he will use any and all means possible to get the person to give him the information he needs or to find their buttons so to speak. How much do you want the people to go through? How much can you prevent, but doing a little profiling?"

Bren just sadly shook his head as he said, "You guys went to bat for me and risked your careers to keep the Ministry from deeming me a traitor. I will not repay that by betraying you or Tia's other protectors to the likes of him! Sorry Martin, the wall stays and I will fight Fixer as long as it takes. You will get your profiles but away from here."

Martin got up and walked over to Maxwell's chair. Putting his hand on his friends shoulder he shook his head and quietly said, "I am sorry Max. I tried this the easy way." Looking a Jack he said, "Take Brennan to one of the interrogation rooms. He can be unbound when you get there. Make sure he has something to eat and drink. Then return here. The Captain will be awake then and hopefully back to normal." He looked away for a moment then turned back adding, "And Jack you are to do what the Captain says no matter what it is."

As Jack helped Brennan to stand he nodded. "Yes Sir. I will be right back." To Brennan he said, "Come on Brennan. I truly hope you know what you just did." As they were walking out the door, Max and Martin both heard Jack add, "Both Max and Martin are on the Captains list of those who must bow to him."

Martin signaled Punta to wake up Master Frank. As Cole was waking, Tal'mac touched his temples and cringed. "I have to go. I am getting a message from one of my watchers that Master Franco has run into some trouble." Tal'mac did not wait for an answer but headed out the door. He would use Master Frank's teleportation unit, because he did not want to disrupt the equalization field around the island.

Martin and Maxwell both stared at the door for a moment then looked to each other. Quickly their attention was brought back to Cole as he opened his eyes. Martin signaled Punta to give Cole one of the pills with a glass of water from the tap. When Cole had taken the pill, Martin again sat in the chair he had vacated earlier. He was not going to like what came next, but if he did not submit, at least a little then Cole's attention would be on Brennan mostly. Until the pill had time to work, Martin needed to keep Cole's attention on him.

Brennan was standing at the door, apparently being lead out of the room by Jack. "Stop Jack bring him back and put him on the couch. I need the Profiler here. This should be interesting to him." Cole put two fingers in the air and pointed to Maxwell and Martin. Both men found themselves bound ….arms at their sides. Cole stood up and walked over to stand between their chairs. "Which one of you wants to go first?" Cole was not sure what had happened in the last couple of hours, but he did know they were in the one room, which meant he was supposed to be questioning someone.

Bren cringed as he fought the bonds, fighting the walk back to the couch.

Max inwardly smiled, holding to his promise to protect Cole's story that he was still working for the Dark Sect. Fighting his bonds he explained, "I did what you asked, I got Martin here. Bren still won't drop the wall on his gift. Why am I once again bound? Can I help that Brennan did not fall for your ruse, Sir?"

Cole chuckled and walked over to Maxwell's chair. Patting him on he cheek he said, "That you did Max. The elves are having a hard time blocking both of you though, so you will add your abilities to there's and help block Martin's abilities or I will carry out what I told you would be your punishment for not following my orders." Not waiting for an answer Cole made his way the short distance to Martin's chair, stood behind him and grabbed the man's bound shoulders in a hard grip. Bending down a little he said to Martin while looking at Brennan, "I sure do wish you could have convinced the young Profiler to help me. This would have been so much easier. Let's start with you telling me what you know about Sasha McChey/Sadiki. I have already visited with Tarik, Tia and Landon, so I think I should invite her to see if she has any questions. Do you think she would enjoy a small vacation on my island?" Cole looked back at Martin and thumped his hands hard on the man's shoulders.

Maxwell sadly nodded as he said, "I will try Sir, but as you know Martin is almost impossible to block. When can I talk to Lyra?" He understood that for the Dark One to believe that Fixer was dark, Bren had to believe it. He inwardly shook knowing that meant him and Martin had to play their parts to perfection. He just hated that Bren thought he had betrayed Martin. He wondered if Martin also believed it.

"You will talk with your sister, when I decide you can Maxwell. It all depends on how much effort you put into helping me. Now concentrate." Cole said with a blank look on his face.

Bren fought his bonds as he said angry at Max, "You set Martin up! Martin, get Tal'mac back here to get you out!" He heard that Fixer planned on bring Sasha, Tia's aunt to the island. Sherlock shook his head as he said, "Martin, don't tell him anything. Fixer, leave Headmistress Sasha out of this! My profiling skills are gone so let Martin go..." He was worried that Fixer would force Martin to use his gift to break Bren's wall. Sherlock only knew that if Fixer controlled Sasha, he would have a bargaining chip to use against several people on his list especially Tarik, Gabriel and Tia.

Cole remained behind Martin with his hands on the man's shoulders. "Now I might, just might agree to not bring Sasha to the island, although I do so want to show her what a good time I can provide for her." Cole chuckled. Patting Martin on the shoulders he said, "So what do you think Martin. Brennan says his he has lost his abilities to profile, but I think he is blocking the ability. I think…." Cole paused to give Brennan a stabbing stare, "that the young man can allow the profiling abilities to surface, but he is refusing. Could I be right? Has Brennan ever experienced or seen you in action when you break down a wall someone is desperately trying to maintain." Cole's smile grew. He had seen someone with as strong a will as Brennan possessed fight Martin's abilities to get behind any barrier the person set up in his mind.

Martin tried not to cringe, but he knew he was not able to hide all that he felt. He knew Maxwell was playing a part, in case the Dark Sect was able to pick up on Brennan's thoughts, but Maxwell was being very convincing. For Brennan's own good, he knew it might come down to breaking Brennan, but he did not want to go there. Brennan was strong and it would hurt the young man. There might even be some brain damage, although with the elves there they might be able to cushion some of the worse of the effects. For now, he had to play his part, "I will not do as you ask, Fixer. The boy has the right to choose."

Cole squeezed Martin's shoulders hard making the man wince. The meds were sinking in but Brennan had to drop his wall. Martin and Maxwell knew this and were trying to help, but Brennan was stubborn. "The boy has no rights on my island, Martin. Either he profiles or you break his wall. Either way, I will get what I want." Looking at Brennan he asked, "What's it going to be Profiler. Do what I require of your own free will, force me to have Richard Greene bring Sasha to the island or make Martin break the wall you have established forcing him to hurt you and probably himself." A thought came to Cole and he smiled at Brennan. "Of course, there is another alternative. Reports that I have received, tell me one of the children at the school, a Silvia Sadaki, Sasha and Tarik's daughter, is showing great promise at being able to reliably profile. As young as she is, she could probably be trained, with a little effort on my part to join me and help with some of my information requests. Maybe I will not need you as much as I thought." Cole chuckled and squeezed, Martin's shoulders.

Bren understood now Max's betrayal. The profiler knew that Max was only helping Fixer cause the man knew where Max's sister Lyra was. He listened and cringed at the possibility of Fixer bring either Richard or worse Silvia to the island. He gave a small smile about Silvia's abilities. She was both empathic as well as a Seer. He was very proud of her abilities as a profiler whom Bren knew came from joining her gifts. Silvia was able to profile as an empathic Seer.

He glared at Fixer even as his own gifts destroyed the wall protecting them. He still did not realize the wall was destroyed as he said shakily, "Leave them out of it Fixer! Silvia has inherited both her parents' gifts but your twisted games would make her fear her talents, as Sasha fears her Seer ability. Tarik would tear Richard apart for betraying Sasha." Bren's head hung, as he knew by his own words that the wall was indeed down and Fixer once again had access to Sherlock's skill. He tried to get it back up as quickly as possible but Fixer's next words made sure he knew that Bren just better accept that Fixer had once again won.

"Make sure your abilities stay active, Profiler, or the next people you see walk through any door, will be Silvia, followed by Richard leading Sasha. Now, profile the goons for me and then I will give you the next name." Cole went to the cabinet on the wall and pulled out a large notebook and several Muggle ink pens. Handing them to Brennan he added, "You will but all your information in this notebook." Cole leaned down and but his hand on the arm of the couch so his face was very close to Brennan's. Signaling Punta to release Brennan's bonds, he said, "I will expect through reports within an hour of giving you a name Profiler, or I will put my already layed out plans to bring your friends to this island." Standing back up straight he turned to Maxwell and signaled Punta to release both Maxwell and Martin from their bonds. "Gentlemen you will please go to the table and eat.

Cole grabbed Brennan by the arm and roughly pulled him to a standing position. Shoving him slightly he sent him toward the table. "You also, Profiler, go and eat."

Martin looked back over his shoulder as Cole followed them all to the table. He had a feeling it was going to be a long night.

As they sat down at the table, Brennan fought the shaking of his body and the realization of Fixer's threat took hold. As he opened the notebook on the table he said, "I will try but those goons are all you are getting. I am not betraying my friends." He started thinking about what he could tell about the goons.

(OOC: References about Brennan doing profiling for Cole before can be found in 2013 - CLOSED - A Time To Learn (Brennan, Cole, Invite) This is a joint post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you are enjoying the threads)

MARTIN THOMAS KILDARE
Martin pushed his plate back from in front of him and relaxed back into his chair at the table where they were finishing up their lunch. The meal had been eaten in almost complete silence. There had been plenty of eye contact and messages sent that way, but only a few verbal sounds could be heard. Maxwell had spent the time eating and watching what was happening around the table. Cole had answered a few questions from Punta and a couple of men who had come in and left quickly after getting their answers. Brennan had eaten in-between making some notes in the notebook Cole had given him. Martin looked at the Black Forest Clock on the wall across the room and realized it was almost five o'clock in the evening. Martin wondered how long a night it was going to be.

Cole looked up from some papers the last man had delivered to him and pointedly looked at all the occupants at the table. Sitting back in his chair and resting his arms on the arms of the captain's chair, he said to everyone in general. "I have made some decisions about what is going to happen this evening. Some you will like and some will not be looked at favorably." Looking toward Martin he said, "Martin you will be returning to the outside world within the hour. You will be taking the young man Travis MacIntosh with you for questioning. I think when he broke into my office, he was trying to hide the fact he was a member of that family. This could mean he was trying to spy on me or, and I think this is more likely from what the elves are telling me, he wants to break away from what the family is doing. I need him questioned away from the island because I am afraid some of the influence from the goons may still be lingering either in energy or in actual physical people. When you find out anything, you are to notify me immediately. When you are finished with the boy, if he is still worth saving, he is to be returned to me. He is not, I repeat not to be turned over to the law. For one reason, he would be dead within the weak and for the second, I don't need the family to have a link there and they would find a way to use his captivity. You will of course agree to this or I will carry out my threats I made at an earlier time."

Martin allowed his chin to drop to his chest and then nodded. There was not much else he could do. "I understand Sir. I will follow your orders." He never looked back up, but glanced sidelong at Brennan.

Cole turned to Maxwell next. "Max you will be also be returning to the outside world within the hour. You will be taking Lyon Lehr and an interesting piece of equipment with you. The boy was brought to the island, by the goons to fix the equipment and I know I can trust you to question him and find out the potential for what the equipment can be used for. You will of course keep the boy and the equipment secret and hidden." Cole knew Max would be using the Caretaker Group as backup for this. It was the only way he could get the equipment to them. "When you have found out everything you can, the boy is to be returned to me." Cole purposely did not say anything about the machine. He was hoping it would get lost and never be recoverable, especially by the MacIntosh Clan. "Do not disappoint me in this Max or I will have a very personal talk with several people in your family."

Max nodded sadly as he looked at Bren. Fixer had said nothing about Bren. He knew that he would have Martin hide the machine after the Caretakers found out everything they could. He looked between Fixer and Bren as he said, "I understand Sir, and Sherlock?" He watched as Bren took what he wrote and angrily yank it out of the notebook and tried to destroy it.

Cole was ready for what Brennan would obviously try. He had grabbed the pages and the notebook out of the Profilers hands before even a tiny rip was made. Sitting back in his chair, again looking comfortable he said, "Brennan will remain with me for one more day, if he agrees to continue to regain his abilities."

Bren got up and walked away shaking his head but said nothing. He was furious and was trying to think how to insure that Fixer would not be able to use his gift against his friends. He looked over at Max and Martin and had a bad feeling that he would not be joining for quite a while. Sherlock wrote a small note that he hoped Martin would give to Seth Wright.

Note:
Last Will and Testament
I, Brennan Dawson being of sound mind leave everything I owe in trust to Luke Wright including a small marble that my friends might have to seek to find. It will lead to people of interest. I have it safe for now and hope it to lead to a very special place long sought.
Sherlock

Bren took it out and folded it up small and tight then wrote Luke on it. He walked back up to Martin and said, "Please hand this to Luke as I don't wish for him to worry." He then walked back and seemed to be looking out the window as he messed with the inside of his ear.

Punta stepped away from the table where he was refilling the water glasses and quietly walked up to Master Brennan. Reaching up he grabbed Master Brennan's wrist, pulled I down and then placed his open palm on Master Brennan's ear. Taking his hand away he said, "No Master Brennan, the Master Frank does not allow any communication to leave the island unless he gives his permission." Punta took the small globe he had taken out of Master Brennan's ear and gave it to Master Frank.

Cole looked at the device and recognized it as a message globe the Caretakers use. It would not have worked, because of his security system, but he knew Brennan had been searched, or at least he thought he knew. Putting the globe on the table so all could see he looked over his shoulder at Jack and said, "I want a full cavity search done on Brennan Dawson, immediately, then return him to one of the interrogation rooms bound. And Jack, it better be through, or I will personally demonstrate on the ones doing it what a complete cavity search consists of." Cole turned back to the table and out of the corner of his eye he watched as Brennan was drug from the room fighting every inch of the way.

When he was gone Cole turned to Martin and held out his hand. Raising his eyebrows he waited for the note to be put in his palm.

Max watched as Bren was taken away. Chuckling he said, "Cole, would you have expected him not to have tried? We can't tell him so to him you are a threat and he has to try to stop you. I know we all wish we could tell him the truth but even Air would agree it cannot be chanced that he can keep the Dark One in the Dark about your true actions. Well what do you plan to do or use to attempt to deter him?"

Cole picked up his water glass, took a sip and glanced at the note Martin had handed him. "Apparently Brennan either thinks he is going to die on my island or is planning another one of his tactical suicide attempts. The cavity search I just ordered on him should give him some second thoughts. I have it fashioned after the one the Caretakers do." Cole chuckled when both Martin and Maxwell cringed. "After the two of you leave then I will talk with him again. I don't want to use his buttons , the both of you know that. Silvia has been here before with the other children. With the goons gone, I might chance bringing her here long enough for Brennan to see her, but I would have to set up very tight guards on her." Cole rubbed his chin. "I really don't want to bring Sasha here, because she is needed at the school. Richard might come and I could make it look like he had a female in tow." Cole laced his fingers together and put his elbows on the arms of the chair. "It is all going to depend on Brennan. He has to start using his Profiling abilities again. And he has to learn how to block, which is what I will be mostly working on. Maybe I can force him to strengthen it, by trying to keep me out." Cole sat forward in his chair and folded his arms on the table in front of him. "Right now, I need to know if either of you need anything to be able to carry out your part of this.

Martin put down his own glass and leaned on the table also. "I don't need much. I will take MacIntosh to my private quarters in the country and work with him there. The boy is, what about 19, he should be easy to read unless he has been taught beyond what would be normal.'

Cole nodded. "Just remember he has a werewolf background, so prepare for him to change. From the little I have been able to observe on the view screen, the kid is frightened. Whether it is fear of getting captured or fear his family might find out he was trying to defect I don't know."

Martin nodded.

"How about you Max. You understand that machine can not exist of course. Lyon Lehr is also very young and I am sure he was dragged into this whole mess without knowing what was involved. I think he will make a good member of my forces, but that will be up to you and anyone you choose to have help you on whether it will be safe. I also need you to let those who might be concerned about Brennan to know he is all right at the moment." Cole shook his head. "The kid is worse than Franco was to try and bring around."

Max nodded as he said, "Bren has fought against helping Khalid for so long because of what happened to his birth father/ uncle that he is going to never trust Khalid. Cole, you know Leo Potter has been found alive, what if Brennan's father is too? Can you add Leo Potter to your list without raising a red flag? We need to find out what he remembers because he has told us nothing. That says somebody has already insured his silence and with Angel being MIA we can guess what that person is using."

He turned to Martin as he said, "Let's hope this Travis MacIntosh has no connection to the one Fixer turned over to Richard."

"I won't know anything until I have a chance to talk to and read the boy. He will be safe where I am taking him and he will be under guard so we shall see what he tries. If he tries to run then I will know why." Martin took a couple sips of his water.

Cole looked at the table and shook his head. When he raised his chin he looked at Max and said, "Leo Potter is already on the list of interest . I have feelers out looking for Angel and I think I have located her. If she is where my research says she is, it will be possible to get her free, but no promises. I won't lose men and women on a suicide mission."

Before he could say anything else, Jack walked back in the room. He walked up to Cole and said, "Captain, Brennan is being taken to his room now. Nothing else was found on or in him and the medtechs were very through, but not very gentle I'm afraid." Jack attempted to look remorseful, but failed badly. "Artkee is with him at the moment so Punta can get a non-verble message to him. If you will excuse me, I will ready our other two visitors who are to leave. They will each have a shower and shave and a thorough pat-down. I have packed a small duffle for each with extra clothes, personal item, which have all be checked, and other items they might need. I have also had a homing device inserted into each bag and toothbrush, which I will make sure Max and Martin both have the codes to. If there is anything else which is required, let Punta know and he will get a message to me through their special mental grapevine." Jack stood at a relaxed attention waiting for further instructions.

Cole nodded and said, "Very well done Jack. I think that will be all at the moment. You are dismissed."

"Yes Sir." Jack sketched a salute and left the room.

Cole turned back and asked, "Any other questions, gentlemen?"

Max shook his head as he said, "I have none but I don't envy you where Brennan is concerned. Is Sasha on that list? Can Air have a copy? Cole, you know that the Seven are back, watch your back. We are not losing the Gatherer again."

Cole smiled and looked at Punta who added a smile. "The elves have Gatherer cornered and I don't think they are going to allow him lose again. I would rather not give Air a copy of the list. Too many hands in the pot, so to speak that way. Sasha is on the list but I am going to see if there is some other way than bringing her here to get the information I am supposed to collect and give the appearance I have her under control. I think with others I have I can use that fact to prove she would not dare go against me. I do know the Seven are back. I have people already in position for them, but I have to move slowly, because their new mission in life is not completely defined yet."

Stretching and looking over his shoulder at the clock he added, "It is 7:30. The men and the machine should be ready by time we make our way to the send off point. The men will be tied with regular ropes and you can decide what you want to do from there." Cole stood up and headed toward the door, followed by Maxwell and Martin."Just don't trust them please until you have a chance to do your research." They headed down the hall, heading for the platform in the front yard of the barracks.

Max nodded as he said, "Agreed and maybe not even then. If you do find out that Brennan's father is indeed alive, find him and get word to us. We will take it from there."

As they reached the platform, Cole nodded. Lyon Lehr was standing on one side of the platform looking very scared. The machine was behind him. Travis MacIntosh was standing on the other side of the platform, trying to look brave, but not succeeding very well. "Maxwell you and Lyon are first. Do you need me to send someone with you until you get settled where ever it is you are going." Cole did not want to know the delivery point. "They can stay a night or two and then return if you need them."

Maxwell shook his head as he said, "Just send word to your brother-in-law that we are coming and that we are being guests. He should have a welcoming committee waiting..."
Cole nodded and hand signaled to the woman behind the computer to send notice to Richard Greene that Max was on the way and where he would arrive. Shaking Max's hand, he stepped back and within seconds Max, Lyon and the machine disappeared. Cole glanced at the young man trying to act brave. "Travis, I have but one suggestion for you. Listen to Mr. Kildare. If he gives his all clear you will be allowed to return here if you like. If not I will make is possible for you to go anywhere else. He will be the only judge on when you can be on your own again." Turning to Martin Cole asked, "Same possibilities Martin. You want an escort to act as security until you can get setup.

Martin walked over to the boy and put his hand on his shoulder. He studied him for a minute then asked Travis. "You going to give me trouble or can I trust you to give me a chance to talk with you and find out what you want?" Travis shook his head and in a bare whisper said, "No trouble, Sir." Martin nodded and said, "Very well then. We will both give each other a chance." Martin was not too worried, because he had read the boy and knew he was telling the truth. He had strong locks on all his doors and with the help of a couple of elves trained by Darik, he would be able to handle anything the boy could dish out. Turning to Cole he said, "No help needed."

Cole nodded and shook Martin's hand and stepped back. "Very well then, keep in contact." Cole signaled the computer operator and within a couple of heart beats, Martin and his charge had disappeared.
CLOSED

(OOC: Martin Thomas Kildare is an administration character used to further the story. We hope to have him played by someone soon. This has been a joint post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you have enjoyed the series.A Test of Loyality - Part III - Brennan's Duties.)