Neo's Continued Training (Isle of Perdition)

Neo's Continued Training (Isle of Perdition)

(Continuation of "Everywhere Else, Neo's Stay on the Isle of Perdition: The Beginning (Closed)" and "Everywhere Else, Neo's First Week in the Service of Perdition (Closed)")

FRANK COLE

Cole pulled the jeep up to the training building and stepped out, while watching a group learning hand to hand combat near the back of the building. Some men and women were running the obstacle course and some sat on some logs listening to a first aide lecture. Within a moment, two men came up to him, saluted and waited to be recognized. Cole turned to Jack Jennings and said, "Report." Jack crisply filled him in on what was happening at the moment on the training grounds and what would be happening soon. Turning to Tom he said, "Report" and was told about the two squads doing maneuvers on the mountain, one squad was learning about survival I the marshlands off to the south and another squad was learning lifeguard techniques off to the west at the small beach cove. Cole nodded to all the reports and asked to have Trainee Spellman brought to him in his office in the training room. Both men nodded and saluted.

Cole did not wait for them to follow his orders, because he knew they would be followed instantly. He headed for the small and rather uncomfortable office in the Training Building. It was designed after all of the Muggle officer's office he had ever been in. A metal desk, uncomfortable metal chairs, a filing cabinet and a water fountain. Cole had added a small refrigerator to the set up.

He retrieved a bottle of Butterbeer from the refrigerator than took a seat behind the desk, in the leather covered chair. Dark Key would be entering right about now.

The Dark Key had purposely given his superiors a hard time when they came to retrieve him. He had ditched his group as soon as breakfast was over. The girl leading them was going to insure that the body was in a lot of pain. He figured he might deal with some of those loyal to Fixer before the body left the island. The Dark Key's creator wanted the files Fixer was asked about years ago by the family. He had been thinking about how to locate them when two of those he hated showed up. It had not taken long for him to be dragged half-conscience to Fixer's training office.

Cole sat up straighter in his chair and raised his eyebrows at Neo's semi-conscious body which had just been dragged into his office. "Gentlemen, would you mind telling me why Trainee Spellman is in this condition." Both men knew him, but they still cringed.

Jack as the first to speak. "Sorry Captain, but he decided he wanted to fight and we had to use stronger persuasion on him to get him to this office." At that point Neo's body was dropped unceremoniously on the hard wooden floor. Cole looked toward Tarka, who just shrugged his elfin shoulders, smiled and walked over to the refrigerator, pulled out a bottle of water, walked back to Neo's body and started to pour the ice cold beverage on Neo's face.

The Dark Key awoke wet and looked to see who had just dumped water on him. Seeing the elf, he inwardly smiled. There was a rule that Fixer had concern the elves. A rule that the Dark Key intended on breaking. Raising his hand as if to smack the elf, he yelled, "How dare you, Slave!" Inwardly smiling as he was sure this action would have Neo's body facing The Fixer's wrath.

Cole started to jump out of his chair, but one look at Tarka, made his sit back down. The elf had barely shaken his head, telling Cole he wanted to handle it. Holding out his hand toward Neo's head the elf moved his lips slightly and snapped his fingers. Neo went down to his knees and the Dark Key grabbed for the body's head. Cole had waved Jack and Tom away as Neo screamed in agony. Since Artkee was still blocking Neo's mind then only the Dark Key would feel the pain. Cole fought the chuckle, unsuccessfully, which rose into his throat. The Dark Key had been punished, Neo's body had not been harmed and Neo had felt nothing beyond a twinge. Tarka, made the still screaming Dark Key's arms go to his side and the elf bound Neo's body. Dark Key still in agony was on his knees in front of Cole's desk, bound tight.

Crossing his arms on the desk in front of him, Cole said, "That was not a good move, Spellman. If you are done playing games I would like to talk with you."

The Dark Key slowly nodded. Fixer might think he had won but the Dark Key's purpose was to give Neo only one path. The body would have nothing until he chose to return to his master. The Dark Key was to cause the body pain while at the same time breaking any close ties Neo might make. The Cooler was to be isolated which would leave him no other way but to beg The Cloaked Man to return. That return would come only at a heavy price which even the Dark Key had no clue of at the present.

Cole picked up several pieces of paper off his desk and studied them. Not looking directly at Neo he said, "It seems by these reports you do not want to play nice with the others in your group." Since both Jack and Tom had been cleared to know what was going on with Neo's body, Cole was not worried about them hearing anything, which was happening in the office. They were under strict orders to not let others know. I thought we had an agreement that you were going to go under cover so to speak and tell me about my troops. Fighting anyone who wants to talk with you, is not going to get you the information I need. Maybe some time where Neo is would help you to remember our agreement."

The Dark Key smiled and tried to stand up only to be pushed back down to his knees by Jack. He looked at Fixer and said, "Who said Neo was yours? By the way Frank Cole, my true master has a message for you?" The Dark Key had a message in his mind and he knew it was supposed to go to Frank Cole. He also was mad because he had not been able to get the body damaged again. Over the past two weeks he had purposely missed steps while climbing…. he had missed going over obstacles on the course… he had not ducked down enough while going through the barbwire maze… he had not blocked punches in the hand to hand combat… he had not eaten well or drank enough water to stay properly hydrated. It made him mad he couldn't get Fixer to beat on the body.

Cole leaned back in his chair, trying to look as relaxed as he could. It looked like he had hit some type of trigger in the Dark Key's makeup. Hoping for some more clues he said, "Ok, tell me what is your all important message."

The Dark Key was excited as he delivered the message, "Hey Cole, looking for your parents, follow me and you can join them Traitor!"

The message made no scence to Cole. His parents were first class archeoligist and had been on a dig for the last seven years, high in the Andees mountains. It seems a Muggle ship from a the Earth's Viking period had been found resting in a rock cradle, and no one had a clue how it could have gotten there. It had taken the excavayors three years to get it to the point where they could go inside it, or at least open what would have been hatches. The hatches deepened the mystery because Viking ships did not normally have hatchways. Cole shot a glance to Tarka, who nodded and closed his eyes. When the elf opened his eyes, he nodded. A message had just been sent through the elfin grapevine to find his parents and make contact with them. It would be a while before a message came back, but Cole also knew if something had happened he would have heard by other means also.

Cole looked at Neo, who still appeared to be in the trance of the message. He had a thought, so he asked, "Neo how old are you?" When the man said seventeen, Cole relaxed further. The message was an old one. It should have been delivered when Neo was 17 and Cole would have been about 19 and just starting on the adventures which had brought him to where he was now.

Suddenly the Dark Key snapped out of the trance like state. His large grin turned to a questioning look, when he realized Cole was not upset.

The Dark Key was perplexed, as it seemed nothing upset the man known as Fixer. He asked enraged that his idea had once again failed, "So how did you like my creator's message? Neo is his and will remain so..."

Cole could not hold back the chuckle so he just let it flow. "The message you just gave me should have been delivered years ago. You missed your mark by a couple of decades. He had control over Neo when the message should have been delivered, and I probably would have followed him at that time. You see though, Dark Key, Neo has found friends and those who are willing to support him and help him. He has found that family is strong and real friends are willing to hold on tight to make it better."

"I have learned to use that bond, so Neo is now mine." Cole was having difficulty playing the part of the non-caring person, out what he could get and the power that came along with it. It was a role he had played for many years, but as he got older, it was harder to carry out. "Now, you need to get back to work and find me some information about my troops or you will change places with Neo, and I will be in charge of deciding what your accommodations are like. Do I make myself perfectly clear Dark Key?"

Dark Key just smiled as he said, "We will see how long his bonds to family and friends last. It should be interesting when my creator raises the stakes. You should remember just what my creator is capable or do you need a reminder of the one Clan you never betray?"

Cole had worked hard over the years steeling himself from being pulled into an argument or a situation where he was not in control, but his thing was starting to get to him. "The Clan you are talking about is strong, this I will agree with, but when two many levels come between the top and the bottom, the whole structure is weakened. Your brain may not be able to fathom what I am saying Dark Key, but someday the structure will topple. Until then, since you are under my control, I would advise you to do what I want done. Now I will ask one more time, and only one more time. Are you going to play by my rules or do I have to demonstrate what I am capable of as far as your mental freedom is concerned?"

Dark Key smirked as he said, "Your men don't seem to like this body much. I can insure Neo never fits in or I can tell you about the man that insured that your shots don't affect me anymore. I wonder which you will choose?" He wanted Fixer to think that the Dark Key had been playing him. If he thought that the creator had arranged for Fixer to get control of Neo's Dark Key then Fixer might let things slip.

Leaning back in his chair watching the Dark Key for several long moments, gave Cole a chance to catch a few movements of the man's eyes and posture. Sitting forward and folding his arms on the desk in front of him he looked at Jack and Tom and said quietly, "You two are dismissed, but wait outside."

Jack hesitated and Tom asked, "Captain?"

"You heard me, dismissed gentlemen." Both men looked at the Dark Key and then slowly walked toward the door. When they were out and the door was closed, Cole turned to Tarka and said, "Help him up into a chair." After the Dark Key was settled Cole said, "All right who is the man who is playing false with me." Cole figured he might be calling the Things bluff, but if the possibility existed of a spy then he had to find out.

The Dark chuckled as he said, "What if I don't want to give the person up?" He knew that his creator's friends did have somebody in Fixer's little army. Dark Key had even been helped by the person. He grinned at Fixer as he said, "Maybe I will just keep using the person until my creator has me insure Neo kills the mole's mole?" The Dark Key was sure the individual would do anything to keep their cover and that made the person easy to control.

Cole looked at Tarka and knew the elf would realize the importance of finding out who the person was, but for now he wasn't going to push the Dark key. "Let him think he has something which would give him an advantage. The Mole would eventually give himself away, now that the elves would be on the lookout," Cole thought to himself. Saying to the Dark Key, "Use the person as much as you want. If I can assist the person let me know. I am trying to stay neutral in all of this. I have those on both sides working for me. Because Dark Key, you may have not figured it out yet, but I work for myself. This produces enemies on both sides, but that is fine with me." Cole signaled Tarka to release Neo's body from the bindings. When the man was loose he added, "If you have anything to important to say, tell me, if not then return to your squad, but remember Dark Key. Start making some friends or you will be of no use to me, and I will put Neo's essence back in the body and you will be where he is."

The Dark Key shook his head as he said, "You not choosing a side is a lie...you know it, and soon my creator will know it..." It really did not bother the Dark Key if he were forced to give control back to Neo as he had received a shot just prior to seeing Fixer. Their snitch had almost been caught as the ministering of the shots was limited to the Specialists. Dark Key smiled as he remembered smiling as the person had showed a recently earned Specialist ring. Still smiling as he would have to thank Marco for his part in ensuring that the mole's mole had total access now. He would have to find some important people to Neo and all the Spellman's he could use. The new subjects would have to be ones the Spellman's and their friends would not think were important.

Cole wished he could wipe the smile off the Dark Keys face, but he needed what ever the information the thing could gather for him. Cole walked around his desk and stood over Neo's body which was sitting in the chair. "I told you it was time for you to leave and return to your squad." Cole stepped back and sat on the edge of his desk. "If you find out something you think it might be worth me knowing then you can ask to see me again. Until then pay attention to what is happening in your squad. You should be starting on maneuvers by tomorrow or the next day and you might need friends to get through it. You see Dark Key, the men and women in my small troop depend on each other for survival. If you get Neo's body damaged, I don’t think anyone of importance is going to be happy, do you? Now leave me." Cole waved the Dark Key away as he walked back to the other side of his desk.

The Dark Key stood as he said, "I wonder what would happen if I gave you nothing...I might not want to play your little game...." The Dark Key smiled as he headed for the door. Now that the snitch had full access, the Dark Key saw no reason to play by Fixer's rules.

Cole stared then looked at Tarka and snapped his fingers. Neo's body dropped to it's knees and Neo's hands grabbed his head. Neo took a couple of deep breaths, stood back up and turned slowly toward Cole. Blinking his eyes he said, "Is this real?"

Smiling Cole said, "Yes Neo you are back. I am trying to teach the Thing a lesson. Welcome back my friend." Cole smiled as he closed his eyes for a moment and with the elf's help saw the Dark Key hanging on the wall of the damp cell. He watched as the Dark Key realized the effects of the shot he had earlier, which he apparently thought had been given to him in secret, was not in effect where he was. The Thing was started down a steep, slippery slope into withdrawal.

Neo shook as he said in barely a whisper, "That thing needs destroyed. But until then, it can stay locked away." Neo hurt all over and had to wonder just what had the Dark Key planned that Fixer had decided to release Neo's true self.

"I can't destroy the Dark Key, Neo because he is a part of you… part of what makes you who you are…. I am afraid the Dark Key has not kept your body in good shape so now you need to get your body feeling better and be back in the squad in a few hours." Cole got up and walked around the desk again to stand close to his friend, "Play it cool Neo, because we have a mole and the mole has been talking with the Dark Key and making friends. Let me know when he makes contact with you. Also, I will call you into my office before the night is over to check and see how you are doing. You won't have the craving for the drug, because I have kept your mind separate and the drug works on the mind not the body. Just let one of the elves know if you need some time off and they will bring you to my office. It is good to have you back Neo and I hope to keep you here."

Neo nodded as he said, "That thing stays where he is. I will find your mole and deal with him or her. After that, I am out of your little group. To protect Marco from you and it, I push him away. Leave my family alone, Fixer.... especially Marco." Neo had no idea where his anger towards Fixer was coming from and wondered if the Dark Key was able to affect him even locked away.

Cole stepped back and sat on the edge of his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. "Sit down Neo." Cole waited until the man was seated and then continued, "You are honor bound to me for a period of four months total. You have only served two weeks plus a couple of days."

Neo nodded and said as he remembered his vow, "I will honor my word Fixer but once that time is done, so are we. Am I clear? I will take you down if you so much as think of jeopardize my family. We were friends once and I had hoped that the blood brother I would have done anything for was still there. I guess that is not the case." It saddened Neo to admit that his instincts had been wrong.

"I would be willing to make a compromise though, if you would be interested." Cole smiled because he knew Neo could never turn down a challenge.

When Fixer had mentioned a compromise and Neo could say was, "I am listening." He was not going to make any more deals with this man. Cooler was interested though as Fixer hardly ever compromise on anything. He had to admit that Fixer had his attention.

Nodding Cole uncrossed his arms and held onto the edge of the desk. Putting his legs out in front of him and crossing his ankles he said, "I have told you I have at least on mole still in my group. The Dark Key has made contact and the person has to be a Specialist, because the Dark Key has had a couple of shots not on my schedule. Since he is a Specialist, I would be willing to bet that he has at least one person in the lower ranks, gathering information from the Regulars and possibly the trainees. Find the main mole, and his subordinates, within the next month and we will come to an easy understanding about your completion of your present service to me. I will release you and only call you back, like I do your brother if something is needed, which only the Spellman's can provide."

What Neo heard angered and confused him. The Dark Key had been given shots not known to Fixer. He looked at Fixer confused as he said, "Why not just ask the Dark Key or check your videos?" The anger came when he realized that Fixer had ignored the fact that Cooler had said they were done as soon as Neo left the island. The look of rage and disbelief in his eyes as he said, "I told you..."
Cole shook his head at the look on Neo's face. "Relax Neo, I am not going to ask you to deliver any of the children or the good guys to me. If I want you to bring them, it will be totally up to you or whatever member of the family I am talking with, on whether you bring them of not."

Upon hearing that Fixer thought it had to do with the children, Cooler's fist hit the table as he said, "I said Fixer, once I leave this island...we are done! I won't have you risking my brothers...Marco especially. It is taking everything I have not to take you down now. I will not have Marco..."His brother was walking a very fine line and it was Cooler's fear that his older brother's loyalty to Cole would indeed have Marco crossing that line

Cole re-crossed his arms across his chest, "This is not up for discussion. Find my mole and his helpers and leave the island in another month or, stay the whole four months under my command. Decide."

Neo's head hurt but he said, "I can find your mole in about an hour as you probably caught him or her on film. His helpers are your problem." With anger in his voice he continued, "I gave my only warning Fixer. Leave my siblings out of your games or I will take you down. Marco has already suffered and is on the verge of crossing a line that will force me into a position I have no idea which way it will end. And well Frankie..." The headache was sever and he was starting to shake. He knew the signs of withdraw but had no idea just what drug he was now addicted to.

He looked at Fixer and said in a semi-panic, "I think I need to see those tapes..." He was unable to finish as the tears came. All that went through his head was, "What had the Dark Key to done to him?

Looking over at Tarka he signaled to get Punta into the office immediately. As the elf closed his eyes for the few seconds it would take him to mentally send the message, Cole moved closer to Neo. Putting his hands on top of Neo's head he closed his own eyes. He was not anywhere near as competent as the elves in mind control, but he had been studying. In his own thoughts he said, "Neo, breath through the pain. You have had the training now use it. The drug I have been giving the Dark Key, was only mind controlling and you were not connected that way." Cole winced as he felt more and more of the pain Neo was feeling. Changing to verbal words, through gritted teeth he said, "Apparently, the mole has added something to the mix. Punta is on his way. Hang in there my friend."

Cole was having difficulty staying in contact. He felt the door to his office open and in his mind he saw Punta join them in the connection. When the elf nodded, Cole broke loose and had to grab his desk, not to fall to his knees. Cole watched as not only Punta, but Tarka made a physical connection with Neo. When Neo slumped in his chair, the elves slowly levitated him over to the couch and laid him comfortable on its seats, never breaking contact. In a moment Neo's eyes started to open and when he looked at Cole, there was anger and fear in them.

Pulling up a chair next to the couch, Cole leaned his elbows on his knees and said, "The elves have whatever it is under control. Looks like you are going to be out of commission for a few hours though Neo. Until they give me the all clear about whatever is in your system, you will be remaining in one of the rooms. Until their all clear your door will be locked, more to keep others out then you in. Eventually we will unlock the door and you will be allowed to return to your squad."

Neo's anger filled his voice as he said, "That Thing stays where he is at Frank, and I want to see the last video made when that Thing was with any of your Specialists...Now! Your mole has just made a grave error as Now I want him or her...."

Cole nodded. "As soon as you are comfortably back in your room and everything is secure, I will give the elves permission to show you any video feed which has you in it." Cole sat up a little straighter and put his elbows on the arms of the chair, lacing his fingers in front of him. "I will give you a chance at them, Neo, this I promise, but it is not going to be when you are so mad you are not thinking straight. I want to set it up as a lesson to others who might be on the line of, shall we say, disagreeing with my policies." Cole stood up and motioned for Tarka and Punta, to take Neo to his room.

The two elves did not give the Cooler time to stand up. He was floating three feet off the ground before any of them could blink their eyes more than once. "Go, Cooler. Get some rest. I will check with you in two hours or so to see what you have discovered. If you are good," Cole added a little snicker, "I might even let you choose the method our non-friends will be punished by."

Neo weakly smiled as he said, "I would rather have you there when I view the film and I rather do it now..."

Cole sat all the way up straight and looked at his watch. It was almost 3:00 in the afternoon. "I have a training class to give in about ten minutes. After that I have three men I have agreed to spar with in the ring. All of this should take about two and a half hours. You go and rest for that period of time and I will have you brought to the main barracks, where you will be more comfortable." Cole stood up and returned the chair to its original position, then walked back and sat at his desk. "At that time we will have dinner sent to my office and you can view whatever video's you wish to."

Neo nodded as he said, "I will hold you to that." As he was about to leave the room he turned to Fixer and said with, a hint of how he felt inside, "I hope for your sake that Your mole has not been anywhere near my brothers...cause if the mole has...and has done anything to either of Frankie or Marco...You Both will live only long enough to Regret it..."

Cole shook his head as Neo was being levitated out of the room. When he reached the small room about eight feet away, where he would spend the next couple of hours resting, the elves would release him to move as he wished.

(This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you have enjoyed it.)

NEO SPELLMAN
Neo had been returned to one of the rooms, not far from Cole's office in the barracks, about half an hour earlier. The elves had not locked the door or stayed in the room with him, but Neo was smart enough to know if he wanted a chance to see the videos of what the Dark Key had done while he was in his body, he better stay put until he was told what to do. It did not take long for Kimtu to walk in and tell Neo that Fixer was ready to see him now. Neo took a deep breath, straightened the clean uniform he had been giver after his shower, and confidently walked to Cole's office. Knocking on the door, he received permission to enter.

Cole was sitting behind his desk as usual, shuffling papers. Punta stood a step behind his chair and just off to the left. Without looking up Cole motioned to the table and chairs just off to Neo's right. Neo took a seat in one of the two chairs and watched Fixer, neatly stack the papers and place them in a lap drawer. Then Cole walked to the table and took the other seat. Neo pasted a small smile on his face.

Cole returned the smile, which curved Neo's lips but did not reach the man's eyes. Motioning to Mecum who had just entered the room carrying a food tray, he helped the elf put it on the table and distribute the items off the tray to the table. This put Punta, Kimtu and Mecum in the room with them. Artkee was monitoring the Dark Key, still established with chains on the seeping rock wall in the mind dungeon. Tarka was taking care of rounds for Cole. Carefully uncovering the dishes, Cole breathed deep. His chef had out done himself. After a long day of grabbing something when he could, a regular meal hit the spot every time. Cole had crab cakes, new potatoes and asparagus with hollandaise sauce. There was sweet iced tea and hard roles with fresh butter.

Watching Neo uncover his meal, Cole smiled. There were broiled Salmon slices, a huge Greek Salad and freshly squeezed orange juice, not a bad selection. His chef had earned some extras in the thank you department. "Eat Neo. Punta will be starting the video's in a few moments." Cole took a bite of his Crab cakes and watched out of the corner of his eye, to make sure Neo was eating. He was going to help his blood-brother get back in shape even if he did not want the help.

Neo's mouth watered as he smelled his dinner but restrained himself saying, "I thought I was brought here to view a video or videos not to eat." Neo was still craving the drug that the Mole had used. Cooler was not just going to pretend everything was good between him and Frank, cause it wasn't. Neo really wanted to forgive Cole for what he was feeling but something in Neo kept reminding him that giving Dark Key freedom had been Fixer's idea and that Fixer was known for playing head games. Another part reminded Neo of just how much he had at one time trusted this man seating across from him.

Cole put his fork down and looked at Neo. "Eat Neo, I promise you the food is not drugged. We are going to watch Videos all of them that have you in them from the past two weeks, but you have to eat. Chef has worked hard to fix food he knew you would like." Cole picked up his fork and took another bite, trying hard not to watch Neo war with himself on whether he should eat. Smiling and shaking his head slightly he signaled Punta to start the videos. "I am having them start from where the Dark Key took your body out the first day." Cole signaled the elf to put the remote down near Neo's arm. "Feel free, Cooler, to fast forward or pause where you want to." Cole went back to eating only half watching the scenes being played out on the large video screen on the long table against the wall.

Neo nodded finally as he said, "I never said it was drugged. It is just that the craving is pretty bad and I am feeling queasy..."
"Neo, you did this once before and you can do it again. If you want I can give you a partial dose to ward off the worst effects. It is not going to get as bad as it was before, because there was not enough time for them to get a lot of the drug into you… I will go with what you decide for the most part, but I will not allow you to go back to the full craving. Now try and eat because the food and the orange juice will go a long way to getting it out of your system." Cole silently signaled Kimtu to stand behind Neo to see if he could help. "Push the green button when you are ready to start. Red is for stop and yellow is for slow motion."

Neo shook his head as he said, "No matter how bad it gets, you are not to give me another shot." He knew it could get bad but he was determined to not give in to the addiction. He took a bite of the salad and drank some of the juice as he pushed the green button.

Cole only nodded as he took another bite and watched the screen. The elves would be ready if needed. The medical unit had sent over supplies which might be needed for the worst of the withdrawal symptoms and the elves would be checking everything.

They were about half way through their meals when Neo spotted one of the Specialist rings, on a hand which came into view then disappeared. There was no way to tell who it belonged to. The next instant showed three Specialist instructing a street fighting class. Neo saw himself walk forward and immediately swing at the closest Specialist. The swing was blocked and Neo cringed as he saw a punch to his stomach which would have sent tears to his eyes. The Dark Key did not stop there though. He made Neo's body, kick out and do a round kick to another of the instructors heads, only to have his leg grabbed and twisted. The Dark Key, got mad and lost control. Soon Neo saw his body lying on the ground, bleeding from several spots.

Cole had put down his fork and just watched. He was going to have a talk with his instructors . They had always been told to keep it real, but even to him, they had gone too far. The Dark Key had been revived and then sat on a log, with a cold pack on his face. There was a satisfing smile on the man's face.

Neo, grunted a few times and then skipped quickly through a couple more scenes which showed the Dark Key, purposely missing jumps on the obstacle course, falling into obvious hole-traps on the island runs and even going into caves on the hillside which were clearly marked as dangerous and to stay out.

Cole made a mental note to make sure to check the occupants of those caves. He had put in many hours to make the caves hospital for the creatures that called some of them home. He was also going to have a talk with the main command center. If this was filmed and no notice was given to him that it happened, someone had messed up.

Neo thoughts turned to what he would do being in the traitor's shoes. Smiling as he said to Cole, "Maybe, we don't need to go through every specialist that came into contact with the Dark Key. Is there any video of the Dark Key with Specialists that might have been let's say...a little too eager to became a Specialist? Maybe ones that had no connection to PACT members? But wanted to speed up their training?"

Cole pushed his plate back on the table, and went to his desk. Shuffling through a few pieces of paper, he grabbed one sheet and brought it back to the table. Sitting back down and taking a sip of his ice-tea, he said, "We have two possibilities. Both are men and each has partitioned to be able to double their training. From their training history, both were eligible but only one has actually received his ring." Cole reached for the remote and punched in a sereries of numbers. The next video which came up was of Specialist Moore talking to the Dark Key. The specialist back was to the camera and it was not clear what he was doing but, two more possible scenes were indicated at the bottom of the screen.

Neo's gut was in knots as he asked, "Cole, just how did Moore get his ring? And did it have anything to do with Marco?" Cooler had a funny feeling that the traitor would have wanted to get close to not only Neo but Marco and possibly Frankie as well. He cringed as he asked, "Sir, Moore is not one that is station to guard the Core or my sister and her sons?"

Cole looked at the paper. "Moore, was in charge of the Regulars for their re-training exercises concerning the Trainee phase. Each group, once a year must re-train for their level plus the level below them. Specialist are sometimes asked to take all three re-training exercises. Marco was among the group taking the re-training for the Trainees so he could earn that badge quickly. That got Moore his Specialist ring. The man just finished his Regular re-training exercises. At the moment he is assigned as squad leader to a group of Regulars. They are here on the island, but are scheduled to leave in about another week for a fact finding mission in Germany." Cole read further down the page. "Moore has never been on any missions which would have taken him anywhere near the school, although he has had several leaves as a Regular in London, which would have put him in the vicinity of Diagon and Knockturn Alley's

Neo shook his head as he said, "We need to find out exactly what he did while in London. Cole, has Moore asked for any special assignments? Moreover, can we pull up the tapes of him and Marco? Concerning the other man that is eager, does it seem that he and Moore are connected? What is he like? I would like to get Sherlock on this but I still am not sure about allowing you another chance at him. That boy would most likely choose Core over anybody or group even us Caretakers...so leave him alone as he hates Khalid and would never help him."

Sitting back in his chair and steepling his fingers over his chest, Cole thoughtfully looked into Neo's eyes. "I would be willing to make some inquiries into what Moore may have done in London, but when my men are off-duty, unless there is a very good reason, I do not keep track of what they do. They are allowed to have some private lives. I will have the elves check for possible connections between Moore and," Cole looked down at the paper, "Evens and let you know what I find out." Cole sat forward again and folded his arms on the table in front of him. He said thank you to Kimtu who was cleaning the table, then turned to Neo, "You are welcome to look at the tapes at least most of them." Neo did not have the security clearance to view all of the tapes. "As far as Brennan being here, the answer is No . The boy will not return here until I have need of him. You can use him, when you are allowed to return to the outside world though. One reminder though, Cooler, pull him in too deep and he will return here, alone for some questioning, so I would suggest you make me feel confident I am receiving all the information you find." Cole starred at Neo, getting his point across.

Neo cringed and then got a stern look as he said, "I could care less what Your Men do but this Moore is possibly the traitor you seek.... Him going to London might have just put him within arms lengths of several key individuals under my watch and protection... So Cole, if you don't want the Caretakers and Ministry holding you personally responsible... I suggest you Find Out just what Moore wanted in London and if it has anything to do with what has Tia in the hospital wing at Hogwarts! As for Bren, Stay Away from Him or Regret it! The Core is very protective of those they consider one of them and the Princess is one Medjai you really don't want to be on the bad side of... Believe Me..."

Cole chuckled and shook his head. "I told you I would make some inquiries of what Moore did in London. The Caretakers and the Ministry already hold me personally responsible for many things, some of which I have done and some of which they actually have no proof on whether I did the things or not." Cole shrugged and continued, "The Princess and I have talked, probably more than you have talked with her, and we have come to a mutual understanding. What is between Brennan and me is only between us…. I am afraid you have nothing to say about it." Cole leaned forward and glared at Neo, "Do not threaten me Cooler. You are in no position to give ultimatums." Taking a deep breath and leaning back in his chair, Cole added, "Cooler, what I have happening on this island of mine, is beyond what the Core, Caretakers or even the Ministry is concern in. I told you a long time ago, I work for me, doing things I think are important. I could care less what others think. So continue watching your videos and let me know if I can help you. Your job is to find the mole and anyone he has working for him on the island, so your time here is shortened. During that time you will have the opportunity to earn you Specialist ring, which will open a few more of MY doors for you. Decide how you want to handle your duties and let the elves know if they can help."

Neo gave a sly grin as he said, "Fixer, it won't be me you will answer to should you not heed my warning concerning your pursuit of Bren. Have you ever seen the Princess extremely angry? Keep messing with Bren and you will like those who dared call Bren a traitor, find yourself on the wrong side of that anger. If you don't believe me just ask Richard or better yet Marco about what happened and just how quickly the Ministry as well as the Caretakers faced the Core's wands in the Hospital wing of Hogwarts. Tia Andreas is one that you really don't want mad let alone furious and, messing or putting Brennan in the position of people questioning his loyalty will and has made her furious. So do yourself a very big favor and back off Brennan...as for me Ever wearing a ring to show my connection to Your Army...you forget that I said I will never be a part of it. I won't even work towards becoming a Specialist, let alone a Regular." Neo's head was killing him and the shakes were back worse than before but Neo paid them no mind as he said, "I found at least one of your Rats as I doubt any of your Specialists would knowingly hide what they are doing like Moore does. We are done and I will deal with Moore personally and then I will be leaving for Shadow Lounge as my boss is probably furious with me and since the full moon is tomorrow night, I need to be back to insure Gab get's his extra time off..." As Neo started to stand, he said, "So this is goodbye and pray we don't meet again..."

Cole just sat and waited for Neo to try the door. When it didn't open the Cooler turned angerily toward him and Cole said, "I did not give you permission to leave Neo. Sit back down, please. We are not finished our discussion."

Neo shook his head as he said angry, "I found your mole so we have nothing more to discuss and I will be leaving in an hour so open the door or get ready to rebuild it..."

Cole just sat in his seat and steepled his fingers in front of his face. "I said sit down Neo. We are not done yet." He knew the man could not break the door down, so he would just sit and wait for Neo's next move.

Neo smiled as he seemed to be headed back to the table only to do a roundhouse kick at the door...

Cole let no emotion show on his face, but inside he was smiling. "The man never did give up easily," he thought. If Neo hadn't been wearing army boots the kick would have probably done a lot of damage to his leg or ankle. As it was, it would most likely be hurting a lot for a couple of days. Putting his steepled fingers on his chest he said, "Neo, I said come and sit back down. You know you cannot leave even this room unless I let you. As far as leaving the island, well that is still under discussion. Now sit."

Neo gave a sly smile as he said, "Or what? And who said I needed permission..." With that he did another round house towards the door. Neo was unsure who this man was but it seemed that Neo's handler would not be happy with Neo for getting caught. His head hurt and he knew that the Cloaked Man would most likely be cross with him thinking, "I have got to get away and back to where he expects me...he will think I ran off again..." Neo knew that the Cloaked Man would take his fury out on Neo's family.

Punta walked up to Cole and whispered in his ear. Cole gave him a questioning look and then nodded. Neo had gone back in time, in his mind to when he was fifteen or sixteen years old. The only thing he could figure out was some type of mental trigger had been set off during their conversation. How to proceed though was going to be the problem. The first thing which had to be done was to try and get Neo to sit, so one of the elves could make direct contact with him. "Young man, I said sit in the chair. I am your present boss and I control the drugs, so sit down."

Neo cringed, as he wondered why he had no memory of his handler putting somebody else in charge of him. He turned to the man and asked, "If the Dark Medjai hired me out to you, prove it?" Thinking quickly he continued frightened about this man's report to his handler would means for his family's safety, "Sir, don't get me wrong but I have no knowledge of you or my job for you. My Master has always insured I understood what betraying him would cost me. I have to for my family's sake, be very sure of you and what you say is true... Believe me... I have no intention of breaking my Master's contract with you but I have to be sure..."Neo was terrified that he had unknowingly upset this man and once it got back to his master, Neo cringed as he thought of his master's anger being directed at his siblings. Neo could and would kill to keep that from happening.

A long time ago Arianna, had been the target of the Cloak Man. Neo, who was 17 at the time, was going to be used as the lure to get her into an Alley on the border between Diagon Alley and Knockturn Alley. Arianna had not fallen for the trap and had been able to get the young Neo away from the Cloak Mans influence and off the drugs they had him craving. In a report, which was, required reading by all of the Caretakers she had added the code words which Neo had said would have given him the knowledge he was being loaned out . Cole thought back to the pages of that report. Slowly smiling he said, "Sit down Neo, because I wear the cloak of the family ."

Neo cringed as he came to the table but did not sit. He had to make things right, his family's wellbeing depended on him pleasing this new Master. As he bowed to the man, Neo said fearful of how much he had already displeased this master, "I am sorry Sir, I meant no disrespected. It is just this is my first assignment on loan and if..." Neo's head was screaming as he fell to his knees continuing, "What Master do you request of me? You have no need to doubt my loyalty or my willingness to carry out your orders as to fail you is to fail he who sent me and that Master I would never allow to happen..." He needed the medicine but more importantly he needed to please this man or his death would only happen after he watched his family pay dearly for his failure and his sister be forced into a slavery that would destroy Kat.

Trying very hard not to show the anguish of seeing Neo like this Cole said in a stern voice, "You will sit in the chair, and you will allow my Head Elf to make contact with your mind. I must see what is there. Now get up and sit." Punta would be able to make contact and see how far off they were from having the gown-up Neo back. He did not want to call back Sir Neo or Neomundo, Neo's older and younger selves, from hiding yet. He was not sure if he could hold the separation from the Dark Key or not, and he did not want a war going on in Neo's head.

Neo obeyed but was unsure if he was being tested so added, "Master, it is just this is so new to me. I don't mean to anger you but to sit in such a fashion would have me punished...I am on loan to you and will obey but he who sent me will want a report from you and when he learns of this and how I have disrespected you..." His head felt like it was about to exploded as he said trying to stand, "I will be severely punished..."

"Boy, you will not be punished for something I tell you to do, now allow the contact and do not say a word until given permission." Cole watched as a terrified Neo, moved into the chair. He signaled Punta to make contact and go as deep as he needed to in order to get below the present mind trigger.

`Punta nodded and stepped behind Master Neo's seat. Putting two fingers on each of the human's temples, he closed his eyes. The pain was bad, and it made him cringe, but he held the contact and started down a very dark hallway of Master Neo's mind. When Punta hit Level 5 of the mind dive he started to see some light. He traveled farther into Level 5 almost to Level 6 and the scenery of a locked room was bright. Opening his eyes, he nodded at Master Frank. Leaning forward he whispered in Neo's ear, "Feel me, Master Neo. Come to where I am in your mind. This is a place of the time of your being."

Neo followed the voice but was terrified and stopped shortly after starting. He violently shook his head as the pain increased. Neo knew he was being punished and wondered just how long before his handler would show to physically punish him. He should have never sat down and now he would pay dearly for forgetting his place. Saying crying, "Please.... I am sorry. It won't happen again...Please...I know my place...Don't punish my family...I would never disrespect you by considering myself your equal... Please I will never fail you again..." Neo got off the chair as he pleaded for leniency. He had failed the test and that meant that at the very least being retrained and chained once more at the most depending on the Dark Medjai's mood, it could mean death for a member of his family. He prayed that his Master was in a forgiving mood.

Punta moved so he was standing behind the kneeling human and replaced his fingers on the man's temples. He added his thumbs to the spot where the humans skull met his backbone. He now had the triangle of energy he needed in place. Leaning down he said, "You are not being punished come to where I am in your mind. Do not be afraid." Punta concentrated on releasing some of the pain.

Cole turned his chair out from the table and moved it so he was within easy reaching distance of the terrified Cooler. Rubbing his hands together to create the warmth and friction he needed he placed them on Neo's shoulders and winced when the pain was radiated into him. He could not help Punta, because a possibility existed the trigger would transfer, but he could help to take away some of the pain, his blood-brother was feeling. Whispering he said, "It is all right Neo, I am here. Go to the elf. It is a safe place."

Neo cringed when he heard his blood brother. He had gotten his friend killed and yet here was Neteru trying to help him once again. With tears in his eyes, Neo said, "I am so sorry. I should have not have let you return... Had I known what they would do... I should have never left.... Please, go and I swear they will pay for what they did to you and your family..." He trusted his blood brother and so even though his head felt like it was killing him, Neo went towards the voice of the elf. He had failed to protect Cole from the Cloaked Man's wrath and it had cost his friend his life. Neo had no intention of allowing his death to be in vain.

"I am not dead Kael. You were told a lie. I will see you again soon." Cole could feel Neo moving to where Punta was in Coolers mind. All he could do was hold on and take as much of the pain away as possible.

Punta saw Master Neo coming closer. He was coming slowly but he was coming. Stretching out his hand he beckoned the young master into the lighter part of his mind. As Master Neo reached the point, he fell to his knees. Punta reached out and gave what support he could. "Stand young Master. You are safe from the past at this point. From here we can travel back up in an envelope I will create. When I tell you too, I want you to open your eyes in the physical world." Punta took Master Neo's hand and started back up to the surface of his mind. As they went, he turned on the lights in the hallway of Master Neo's mind. When they were at level one he said, "Ok, Master Neo open your eyes. See that Neteru waits for you.

Neo was scared but his blood brother had never lied to him. Still unsure he asked, "Neteru, they never let me forget that you had died because of me. That they would make me watch, like they did you, as my family paid for my disobedience should I ever even think of betraying them...why would they... I... did things.... Neteru... they will never... let me go... not without my family.... paying dearly... I thought I could once... the lady seemed to want to help... I... no... I must return... I have no choice... I must protect my family..."

Punta had let go of Neo's hand and the young Master had started back down the tunnel at a run. Punta thought for a moment and soon was standing in front of the young Master, just before level three. Holding up his hands he said, "Master Neo, stop. You must open your eyes. You must recognize the real world." Punta grabbed the young Masters hands and pulled. He was strong and the young Master was trying to look over his shoulder and was concentrating on only going back down the tunnel. When they were at the beginning of level one Punta commanded, "Open your eyes young Master."

Cole let go of Neo's shoulders and put his thumbs gently on Neo's eyelids. Slowly he pulled up the eyelids forcing Neo to see the physical world. Fixer noticed Punta let go of Neo's temples and walk to stand beside Cole. Cole did not let go of the eyelids, but he moved over about a foot, so Punta would be standing directly in front of Neo. "See me, Master Neo. Look through your eyes and see the physical world." Punta stood up straight and put his hands on his hips.

Neo cringed as he opened his eyes saying, "but he will...my family...I can't protect them all...he will get me back and then...I need to prot..." Neo feared he had already cost his family but the elf was right. Getting a sick feeling as he said, "What happened?"

Cole let go of Neo's eyelids and straightened up. "Welcome back Cooler. It seems you have several triggers, which have been established by the Cloaked Man. We are not sure what triggered this one episode, but you were insisting on returning to the Cloaked Man, and your outlook on life went back to before Arianna, brought you away from their control. You do realize these can be triggered by anything whether you are here or in the world off this island. I think we have a very large problem."

Neo cringed as he thought on his blood brother's words, "I can't risk any of them. If Cole is right and he hardly ever is..." Cooler was terrified at the danger he had become. He would do this one last thing before disappearing. He said trying to hide his thoughts that now filled with how to insure everybody was safe from what he was becoming once again, "How bad did it get? Maybe we should confront your Mole?"

Shaking his head no, Cole did not add any words. He looked at the now blank screen and then back to Neo. "I am not ready yet to let the Mole know we even have a clue on who he is, Cooler. You and I both know we need to find out what connections he has to others in my troops. Besides I think you are just a little too eager to meet with the man." Cole smiled and added, "The first thing we need to do is find out what triggered you regression episode and see how to go about countering its effects." Cole thought for a moment, then straightened up in his chair and said, "Neo turn around so you cannot see the screen. I need to watch what you did, just before you zoned out."

Neo shook his head and said even as he turned around, "Cole, you yourself have said that it can keep happening. You know what that means? I can't jeopardize her like that...I can't allow myself to become that type of threat...not after..." He had to get his blood brother to understand. He cringed as he realized that the Dark One had not one but two sleepers within the very protection force of a girl that many of his own family had died to protect. Cooler's eyes teared as he remembered how much being a Caretaker meant to him.
Cole picked up the remote and ran the film back a few seconds to just before Neo seemed to drop into the reversion to his younger self. He watched it frame by frame. Morgan walked over to where Marco was standing and said something to him. Cole had the sound turned off at the moment because he wanted to divide the possibility of something which was said from something which was scene to set off the trigger. Morgan turned his back on the camera. Cole checked the background around the two men to see what was there. Bringing his eyes back to where Marco was standing he blinked and there it was… He froze the frame and zoomed in on the back of Morgan's shirt. "That has to be it…" he thought to himself, smiling. Turning off the screen, he said to Neo, "Ok you can turn around again. I know what set you off. Now all I have to do in figure out how to undo the hypnotic suggestion which makes the trigger work."

Neo was still sadly shaking his head, "Do you not understand? James, Troy, Samantha, Jason and Justin all died to protect her from Shadow. Yet the Dark Sect don't need Shadow as the Dark One has not one but two sleepers inside the Caretakers. We have vowed to protect that girl, the Andreas line and each other at any cost...I have just become such a threat not only to my oath as a Caretaker but to everything me and you vowed that day so many years ago...I can't...I won't allow..."

Cole stood up and pounded his fists on the table. "You don't have to remind me what we said, because since that day. I have only lived to take out the family, which is now fighting for control and not worrying even a little how they do it. They killed my dear Maggie and unborn son, Cooler. We have all lost in this war, but if we go running off trying to settle old hurts then more will die… people who do not even know there is a war on now. I have to stop the Cloaked Family… and it is not just one man Cooler but also a whole family. So if you cannot deal with what is happening, and you are not willing to help me find a way to take out all of them permanently blood-brother mine, then tell me now and I will help you make sure they cannot use you." Cole glared at Neo. He would not kill Cooler, but he would take him out of the equation somehow. There were a couple options open. None of which he wanted to use, but they were there.

Neo was shocked by what his brother thought. His eyes filled with tears as he said hurt, "Frank, it is not that I am scared of these ghosts of my past. It is just... I am scared that the very ones I have vowed to protect... I can't allow those that controlled me before... what if they used this trigger to destroy... or worse the trigger is used to force me to take her to them... or gain them intel... Neteru, we need to think of how to stop the threat I could or have already become. I know of only one way..."

Cole sat down hard in his chair. The idea that maybe Neo did not understand what was happening slammed into his brain. Taking a couple of deep breaths he crossed his arms on the table in front of him and quietly said, "Neo maybe you are confused about who we are dealing with. You seem to think we are dealing with Shadow and the Dark One. On one side of the road we are, but they are not the immediate problem. The Cloaked Family is actually a family who are trying to take over the Wizarding World, or at least as much as they can grab. They are another group of ego maniacs ." Cole raked his hands through his hair, before sitting back in the chair and relaxing his elbows on the arms of the chair, he interlaced his fingers at his waist. "Shadow does not work for these people. They would use him if they thought he could help, but they actually don't want to deal with him because he cannot be trusted. They stay within their family confines for the most part. Me they want because I have some files stashed away which would help them with their world conquest. You and your immediate family they want to bring back into the fold so to speak. They are your relations, Cooler."

Neo shook his head as the reality hit him. Fixer was saying that the very man that had tormented him since he was 10 was in fact blood. It made no sense. None of the family that Cooler knew was part of the Dark Sect. "The Spellman's and Wrights would have nothing to do with the Dark One!" Neo said angry that Cole would even suggest such a thing. He had tears in his eyes as he continued, "We would never wear those cloaks of the Dark Sect. My family would never..." Cooler kept shaking his head as his mind brought back the vision of Franco's scars from when their father had sent Frankie and Kat away. Neo's memory failed him in remembering just whom father had sent them to but Cooler knew his father hardly ever mentioned his family especially his paternal grandmother's family. His head hurt as he remembered the only time his father ever did. They had just found Gabriel in the Forbidden Forest. His father had taken one look at Gab's wounds and had yelled into the forest. Neo tried to remember his father's words but the headache was extreme.

Cole leaned forward again and rested his arms on the table. Looking straight into Neo's eyes he said, "Maybe not willingly Cooler, but what do you think it would take to get you to agree to put on the cloak and do their bidding. Remember you are not a child anymore, so they could use you in other ways… As an adult think of the places they could send you and the things they could have you do, with no one the wiser. This is why we need to take them down. But, listen and listen well, Neo, it can not be done by just one person or even a few. It has to be set up with many people in special places and willing to act at the same time. So brother, if you cannot hold off and work with those of us who are working to take them down, let me know now."

Neo cringed as he asked, "Those cloaked men are not my blood, they can't be...we would have known..." His mind showed him the fight father and Marco had over Frankie. Marco had known where their father had sent Frankie and Kat and had gotten furious. Marco had said something about why had their father finally contacted the one line that was totally stripped from the family tree. Neo repeated what he had heard their father reply, "If Frankie is what I fear then I had no option...Marco, that line would come for him and destroy anybody that stood against them. How can we protect them?"Neo was stun as he said, "Fixer, are you saying that the same family father sent Frankie and Kat to, the ones that chained my baby brother as if he was an animal..." Cooler was getting angry as he continued, "That family line that father went after when he saw Gabriel's wounds...that they are the very ones that had..." Neo broken down and could not bring himself to say. He wondered if they had attacked Gabriel as a warning to him about leaving as he had been not going to get his shot as he usually did.

"Neo stop trying to convince yourself of what you are not. That branch of your family has separated themselves from those you were raised by. Why do you think your mother brought in Tal'mac. The elf is very high in rank of his people, but was willing to come and protect your part of the family. The Cloak's know if they get you boys in their power, Tal'mac will do anything to save you. He will not give his people away, but he will break off from them, I think and that would be a disaster. There are those just waiting in the Elfin Grand Council for him to leave and advance their own agenda." Cole shook his head. "You still haven't answered me, Neo. Are you willing to do this my way or do I have to figure out how to make sure you do not go off half cocked and destroy all which has painstakingly been set up so far?"

Neo asked, "Explain please? Why would they if they are blood... you know what I was put through... why would they do that to me?" Neo main thoughts though was why his father would not stop what this line was doing.

"Blood has nothing to do with what happens when someone or a group of people start thinking if they controlled the world, things would be much better. I would be willing to believe that many wearing the cloaks have had their eyes opened to what is really happening within their ranks, but unfortunately the leadership is strong and those who question it are dealt with severely. It takes time to find those who are not content to just follow anymore, but are too afraid for their family and friends to break away. Both sides have people in each of the other's ranks, Neo. If you go after any of them, you might take out someone who is now our mole, or force that person to take you out. I know for sure your father had a very tough time getting Franco and Kat back. Oh they were willing to give Kat back, but Franco was another story. He had to make some promises." Cole held up his hand when he saw Neo start to ask about the promises, and continued, "Don't ask me what the promises were Neo, because I know very little about them. Maybe you can all get together and pin Tal'mac down, although I doubt it."

Cole looked at his watch. It was a little after 8:00 pm and he was hungry and still had things to do before he could go to bed. "It is after 8:00 pm. Neo and time to end our little chat. Have you made a decision about how you are going to proceed, or do you need until morning?"

Neo was still in shock and so just asked, "And if I say morning? What then? Neteru, I would have never even thought that a line in my family could be so dark and cruel. I am not even sure what I feel anymore...the only thing I do know is that trigger could reactivate and that makes me a threat to everybody. You say they are not connected to the Dark Sect or the Dark One...how do you know for sure? Neteru, does Marco know about the trigger? Does he know what you have just told me?" He was not sure what he could do against this line when even his father would not stand up to them. Neo needed guidance and it was strange but his first choices were Fixer and Marco.

"If you say morning, you will be locked up tonight and given time to think. In the morning you will be brought back to my office and give me your answer. In order to remove the trigger you would have to be put under hypnosis and allow me to over-ride the suggestion which is in play at the moment. I would be the one putting you under and I would be the one replacing the trigger." Cole shrugged at the look on Neo's face. "Yes Kael, you would have to completely trust me again." Smiling Cole went on. "As far as being connected to the Dark One, this I have personally confermed, and don't ask me how, Neo, because I will not tell you. Again it comes down to how much you trust me. Their connection with the Dark Sect, is only minimal, because the Cloaks are playing with fire there a little, using what is considered a connection to keep track of what the Dark Sect is doing.. I have told you, I make my living and govern what I do by information which is my chosen field."

Cole paused and just looked at Neo. "I think Marco has started to understand that there is a difference in groups, but as far as the trigger, no he does not know about it." Cole had to come up with a reason for Neo not to tell his brother about his triggers. The Quints father had made Marco promise to kill his brother if he ever came under the Cloaked Families control again. While Cole was almost totally sure he could prevent this, because of some other information he had he did not want to take the chance. "In case one of your triggers has been designed to possibly trigger something with Marco, I think we will keep that knowledge to ourselves."

Neo seemed to shrink as he asked, "What is that family's true name? I trust you Neteru, I always have. It is me I don't trust. Neteru, I might not always blindly follow as I once did but after what they put me through...I learned quickly that if I wanted to survive, I had to hide anything that was..."

Cole slowly shook his head no to telling Neo what the family's name was because it would just give him one more piece of information to get closer to going after them on his own. "I will tell you their name when I am ready, Kael. For now, I need to know if it will be morning or tonight before I get your answer. Are you willing to back off until I tell you it is time to act?"

"Can we talk after dinner? My only thoughts right now is how to tell my siblings that I have become a danger to them. I need to protect them Neteru, even if that means from me.", Neo said as he still had not fully come to grips with what he had learned.

"Can I trust you enough, that I do not have to lock you up?" Cole was still worried, Neo was going after the Mole or would try and do himself harm.

Neo looked at Fixer as he said, "What could I do in a couple of hours? I am unsure if I could even take them on? All the mole would have to do is reactivate the trigger. This might just be a small break and soon I will be clinked back on...like a switch..." Neo was scared of the fact that after everything he had done, the Cloaked Man had still won.

Cole sat back in his chair and steepled his fingers in front of him. Looking at Punta he said in his mind, "Make sure Morgan is out of the barracks until tomorrow morning." Receiving a nod from the elf he said to Neo, "Kael, I am going to trust you to stay free. You are to go to the main dining room and eat. You can then if you have the time, return to your room. At 9:30 I will have you return here to my office and you will give me your answer." Cole stood up, signaling Neo to do the same. "Do not disappoint me Cooler. I can fix this if you give me the chance."

Neo nodded as he said still unsure of himself, "Neteru, how long? How long can you keep me out of their grasp? Why did I even think I could stay free?"

Cole walked up and put his hand on Neo's shoulder. "You go and eat, Kael. Return here at 9:30 and I will show you what I can do." Patting the man's shoulder he nodded toward the door, and gave Neo a gentle shove.

Neo had nothing else he could say. He just walked to the door, looking back over his shoulder once before exiting. He would eat and return. Neteru had saved him once and he would do it again. He had to believe that.

(OOC: Nicknames for Cole and Neo…. Given to each other when Cole at the age of 12 saved a 10 year old Neo, from a cell containing a dragon. Cole = Neteru (Egyptian for Guardian), Neo = KAEL (Egyptian for Kind-hearted), Mind-diving information can be found in Legacy Wiki section. This has been a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you have enjoyed it.)

FRANK COLE
Cole watched the screen as Neo walked up to the door to his office. He took a sip of the glass of wine he had been drinking and tried to read the man's face. He hoped Cooler had given some very serious thought to what his answer was going to be. Cole needed him to agree not to go after the Cloaked organization in any way until all the pieces that he and some others were carefully putting into place. The Spellman's would have a part in the take down, but they needed to not do it alone, or they and others would be lost. The elf had entered by the secret passage, which ran along the back of all the rooms on this side of the corridor. Neo had been under constant surveillance, but Cole wanted to give him the illusion that he was on his own.
Taking a cleansing breath, Cole turned off the screen and just as Neo put his hand to the door to knock, he hit the switch allowing the man to enter. Kimtu was standing in the corner.

Neo was still confused as he was about to knock. He had barely eaten until Saunders had sat down along with Jack and Tom. He realized that unless he wanted Saunders worried he had better eat. After he ate, Neo walked to Fixer's office. He was scared but not about going after the Mole, Cooler was not even thinking on those lines any longer. Neo was scared because he had no clue as to how to protect his family. He should have known that escaping the Cloaked Man was useless. He had tried so many times when he had first realized what his job really was. They had always brought him back and punished him severely. Neo just stood and looked at the open door thinking about how long he had before the Cloaked Man turned the trigger on again. The tears came as he said, "I should not have left. What made me think I could escape? I should have known..."

Cole wondered how long Neo was going to just stand looking at the door way. His mind was definitely miles away from the moment. Cole just waited and watched. Neo had to do this on his own or it was not going to work.

Neo was still in his thoughts when something in his head spoke back, "Cooler, walk as the door is open...me and Neomundo are safe...come on Cooler, don't give in to your-self doubt now... come on... walk through and then tell him that Sir Neo needs to talk to you..."Cooler found himself walking to the chair. As he sat down, Neo said as his inner voice guided, "Sir Neo needs to talk to you...Neteru, who is Sir Neo?"

"Neo, sit down," Cole said as he motioned to the chair in front of his desk. When Cooler was seated Cole folded his arms on his desk and said, "You know who Neomundo, is correct?"

Neo nodded as he said, "Neomundo helps keep me on my chosen path. Tal'mac created him to guide me after you freed me when I was ten."

Cole nodded. "You know who Martin Kildare is. I know you also had several talks with the Blocker. During one of the visits with Martin, he told you he was going to help Neomundo stay strong. He added a guard, of sorts. Sir Neo's job is to help protect the boy so he can help you mentally stay on your chosen path. I have talked with him during a couple of the mind-dives I have done with you. I was actually the one who gave him the name of Sir Neo, because his appearance is like a Knight of old, minus the armor. He is all your strengths wrapped up into one steady package. In order to make contact with him, we will have to join minds. I do not want to do a total mind-dive, but I think with the help of Punta and Kimtu as go-betweens then we can set up a meeting. If it works like I think if should, you will even be able to hear him and maybe see him in your mind. Artkee will block the Dark Key from being able to listen or interfere. I have not done this technique before Neo and there may be some side effects. But the elves will always be there. It is up to you Neo. If we are going to do it…. it will be now and not take very long."

Neo smiled as he said, "So that is his name. Can you ask why he refuses to come anywhere near when I am talking with Neomundo?"

"So do I have a yes on joining with you so Sir Neo can talk with me?" Cole stood up and walked over to move the other chair to in front of where Neo sat. He placed it so that their knees would be touching. He watched Neo to make sure it was a go.

Neo nodded as he said, "It is cool by me but since Sir Neo refuses to even come near when I have asked Neomundo to ask him to...well he might not want me listening in. Which I am okay with."

Cole chuckled to himself. He knew the reason Sir Neo would not come into the conversations with Neo was twofold. First Sir Neo was trying to give Neomundo the experience of handling the mind and the way the body worked; the second was because the young version was jealous and figured if Sir Neo was there then Neo would not talk with him, so he had asked the older version to stay away. Cole nodded to Neo and sat back comfortably in his chair. "Sit back Cooler and get comfortable. Lay your arms on the arms of the chair and relax you hands over the front of the arms. The elves will do all the work here." Cole followed his own advice and nodded to Punta and Kimtu who had taken up positions on either side of them at their knees. Both elves reached out and put a hand on each of their arms. The circle was now complete. When the elves closed their eyes so did Cole.

Cole realized they were inside Neo's mind when he mentally looked over to his right and saw Neo standing there. Smiling he said, "Come on, Kael." They walked through the fog and entered the gardens of an older Hogwarts. On the bench sat Neomundo and Sir Neo. Neomundo was not smiling, but Sir Neo was. Cole waved and sat down on a bench which had been place so that he and Neo could sit and face the other two entities. When he made sure Neo was seated, Cole turned to Sir Neo and asked, "You wanted to talk with me."

Sir Neo nodded and then looked at Neomundo as he said, "Neomundo, take Neo inside while I talk with Captain. Please..."

Neo walked up to Neomundo and said, "You can show me that book that you wanted to last time." He nodded to Fixer and then smiled as he said, "Nice to finally meet you Sir Neo." He hoped one-day Martin's guard would decide it was okay to talk around him.

Neomundo stood up, but did not move toward the school. He looked back and forth between the three adult figures. Something was being hidden from him and he did not like it, but he really wanted to show Neo the book he had found on brainwashing. At least if Sir Neo was keeping the scarry man busy then he would be able to talk about what he wanted. Looking back at Neo he nodded and started backing away quickly, motioning for Neo to follow.

Cole watched as the boy lead Neo toward the school. It was time for them to get back in touch with each other. The Dark Key was being blocked by Artkee from knowing anything which was happening. Cole figured that part of Neo was now feeling full withdrawal symptoms, so he probably did not have the energy to think about anything else but the pain. Turning to Sir Neo, he repeated his question, "So you needed to talk with me, my friend."

Sir Neo waited until Neo and Neomundo were out of hearing range before asking angry, "What the heck happened? Whatever happened to Neo caused Neomundo to almost leave the safety net. Neomundo felt every bit of the fear and terror. I thought you had that Dark Key controlled and then I have to chase Neomundo through the forbidden forest as he is screaming that Neo needs him... Neomundo almost died because of the Dark Key..." Sir Neo had done the one thing he swore he would never do. He had made contact with Neo and had not liked what he had found.

Cole stayed relaxed. Stretching his feet out in front of him and grabbing the front of the bench he looked directly into Sir Neo's eyes. "There was a trigger that I did not know existed. It was the insignia on the back of a person's shirt, who we now know is a Mole. It was the insignia of the MacIntosh Clan. I know now they are the Cloaked Men and possibly women who have been terrorizing the Spellman family." Cole looked off into the distance than back to Sir Neo. "Any chance you can find if there are anymore triggers?"

Sir Neo cringed as he said, "MacIntosh Clan are you sure? Captain, I was made to protect Neomundo first, deal with any triggers that activated second. I can't just find them especially with Neomundo in such a weak condition. I can though deal with any already activated. How bad was the one that the insignia activated?"

"It sent Neo back to when he was 15 or 16 years old. I told him he had been lent to me and that seemed to satisfy him on why he was not with the cloaked figures. He was scared that I would tell them he had done something wrong or shown disrespect." Cole shook his head, but kept talking. "It was scary to see the fear in Kael's eyes. That was probably when Neomundo, felt the connection. I need to find someway to counteract the trigger so it cannot be reactivated, any possibly?"

Sir Neo listened and then decided to reveal Martin and Tal'mac's secret, "Captain, what am about to reveal must never be told or shown to anybody. Especially Neo." The island was secure but as soon as Neo came, Tal'mac had been able to set a link up. This link had not even been told to Arianna cause Tal'mac had asked Martin and Max. Sir Neo stood and asked, "Did you ever wonder why I trusted you from the start?"

"Maybe you better explain that statement, Sir Neo." Cole needed to know how this worked. "With all of this connection, how come the trigger had such an adverse effect?"

Sir Neo frowned, "It is one of the main reasons, I have never made full contact with Neo. Martin made me by taking a piece of his own mental energy and mixing it with some of Neo's mental energy. He used Neo's own linking ability to bind the energy. He was worried about what Tal'mac would think so he I guess told him about me. Tal'mac chose to allow it and even add something, but only if it was used properly. Captain, Tal'mac wanted Neo to be free to choose his own path but at the same time trained and monitored. I guess I better show you?" With that he closed his eyes as he said, "I am usually looking into a pool of water or a mirror but since it will be you talking, I guess I can try a full link as I do when dealing with a trigger..."

It took a few minutes before Maxwell Sinclair said shocked at seeing Fixer in his mind, "Fixer...how... You just made a very grave error..." Max pulled out his globe and was about to activate it.

It took a few heartbeats for Cole to realize what had just happened. Sir Neo had just connected Cole's mind with Maxwell Sinclair, a Psy-healer in London. The man was a Wizard and handled all types of cases within the Wizarding community. He was also a member of the Caretaker Group, which was a group of Wizards and Witches who were protecting a princess named Tia and also working hard on protecting the school and trying to shut down a bad guy by the name of the Dark One. This entity was a counterpart to the MacIntosh Clans attempt at taking over the Wizarding world. When Cole finally found his mental voice he said, "Hold Sinclair. Your contact, who I have dubbed Sir Neo, made this connection, because Neo, who you know is staying on my island, had a trigger activated. I am trying to find out how to disarm it and keep it from surfacing again. I could use your help in this matter."

Max put the Globe away as he said mentally, "If Sir Neo as you call him chose to reveal this to you then this trigger must be very bad and dangerous. Martin and I can disarm triggers mentally using Neo's linking ability to mind dive in and defuse the problem. Sir Neo must think that is not the case here or he would have connected with Martin as well. So I am going to trust that if I came in person, my safety is assured? Just tell me where to wait for pick up?"

Cole mentally nodded. He wanted to get Maxwell Sinclair to his island for several reasons and now the man was coming willingly. "Of course you will be safe, Sinclair. Go to Diagon Alley in about an hour and wait on the patio of the café. You will be contacted. Please follow the directions completely… and Sinclair, you know you need to come alone. No one will be able to follow you after you leave the outside world. Codeword is Maggie . Understand?"

Max gave a sly smile as he said, "I understand Fixer. For argument sake, what if Martin and I choose to arrive on the island in a matter of minutes? Do not worry Fixer, we won't. Not because we trust you but because Tal'mac does." Max was bluffing because Sir Neo had never made full contact with Neo to allow Martin to find Fixer. Max just hoped that Fixer did not know that. Maxwell was taking a big chance as he figured that he was on Fixer's list. He was pretty sure Fixer would take this chance and that he would not be leaving the island until Fixer allowed him to.

"Good try Sinclair, but you see the Portkey is only going to be set for you and the person I send to be able to get through my security system. Also I happen to know that Martin is at Hogwarts School at the moment. This island is blocked from all Muggle Satellite systems and once you are here, even your little Caretakers messaging orb will not work. I have given my word that your safety is top priority with me while you are here." Cole tamped down the chuckle he was feeling. "You now have less than one hour to get to Charitee's Café. See you soon."

Max as an afterthought just prior to breaking the link, "I wonder just who at Charitee's is in your pocket, Fixer..."

Sir Neo shook his head as he said, "What now? Captain, I have to create the link...they can't just listen in." He prayed that Captain still trusted him.

Cole heard what Sinclair had thought, before the man broke the link and it made him smile. He was going to be surprised. Turning back to Sir Neo he thought, "Neo and I are going back out to the physical world. I will have one of the elves signal you when I am ready to redo the link. I am going to try and handle this without a link being created by you. I know the elves can create the link between Sinclair, who could probably do it on his own, and Neo. What I will need you to do is keep Neomundo occupied and still keep tabs on what is going on in Neo's head. Is that possible?"

Sir Neo nodded as he said, "Captain, we need to talk about this. I never betrayed the trust we have built, between the two of us. What you told me they never heard. Max was bluffing, as I never fully connected with Neo. Captain..."

Cole held up his hand to stop Sir Neo. "I trust you Sir Neo, and I know you will only do what is necessary. I have enough security set up around the island to prevent them from pin pointing where we are. Only another elf can get through and then only with one of my five here allowing it. Tal'mac is the exception to that rule. He has his hands full taking care of the rest of the Spellman's and he know what I am trying to do with Neo, so he won't come unless it is an emergency. Now call Neomundo and Neo back here. I need to get back and make some arrangements for our new guest."

Sir Neo asked, "I hope Martin will be as understanding? It is why I choose Max instead of Martin. Don't get me wrong Captain. Martin trusts you but I just broke his word to Tal'mac and Martin is as you would say a man of his word. Nobody was to know I could activate a direct link between Maxwell or Martin and myself, and now you do, my creator will not be pleased."

Sir Neo tried to summon Neomundo back to the garden but nothing. He tried again and still nothing. Sir Neo looked at Fixer as he said, "I think we have a problem...I can't sense them..."

"Great," Cole said as he jumped to his feet. "They were supposed to be headed for the library so we will start there." Cole sent another message to Punta and Kimtu, "Where could they have gone…." After taking a couple of steps he heard Punta's voice in his head. "We have been letting Neomundo explore the castle. The only possible place they could have gone is the dungeon to the left of the moving stairs. There is a block there for some reason, at least in Neo's mind. I don't think he was ever there before, so it would not be part of his mind's history."

Cole nodded to himself and headed for the dungeon entrance to the left of the staircase. He had been down there several times when they were gathering together some of the children to come to the island for the training they had asked for. Most of the dungeon had been blocked off. If the physical Neo had never been there, and the mental Neomundo had never taken Sir Neo there then, technically the place would not exist to Sir Neo, so he would not be able to make contact. Cole shook his head and would make sure this did not happen again. As they descended the spiral staircase to the floor below, Cole felt the chill he had always felt going underground. It was not one of his favorite places in the physical world or in his mind world. It didn't take them long to hear voices. Neomundo was laughing and Neo was commenting on something.

Neo smiled as he said, "Neomundo are you sure it is cool to show me this? I wish I had let Marco show me around this area when I attended here. This painting is beautiful..."

Sir Neo stopped just inside the doorway of a rock lined cell. Cole moved in around him and said, "It is time to go Neo… I will allow contact again real soon, but there are things which must be attended to in the physical world. Neomundo, you should not be down here without Sir Neo. Make sure you let him come with you next time, or at least have one of the elves with you." Cole gave they small boy a pat on the shoulder and added a smile to let him know he was not angry just worried.

Sir Neo stopped Neo as he was headed towards Fixer and said, "Neo, maybe next time we will talk. I just like to let Neomundo guide you."

Neo nodded as he said, "It is okay, though I am hoping one day that you will trust and confide in me. Sir Neo I am not asking to know everything Martin created you to do...just maybe do for me what you do for Neomundo..."

Sir Neo was about to answer Neo when Neo said, "Just think about it. I know how hard it is to trust... believe me I know..."

Sir Neo looked at Fixer as if to ask for assistance. The MacIntosh Clan had done a number on Neo's self-esteem which is why Martin had gotten Max involved. Sir Neo hoped that Max could help rebuild what those triggers were destroying.

Cole only nodded. He had gotten the silent question. Closing his mind eye he let the elves know they were ready to come back to the physical world. Walking out of the cell door he and Neo walked into the fog. Cole opened his eyes and watched to make sure Neo had made it out alright. The elves had not opened the circle yet, so he just waited.

Neo opened his eyes as he said, "One day I plan on earning that guardian's trust and loyalty as it seems you have, Neteru."

"You will Kael." Cole looked at Punta and silently asked how long it would be until Sinclair could be brought to the island. He received an answer of twenty-five minutes. Nodding he turned his attention back to Neo and said, "We are done for the day, Cooler. It is 10:30 pm. and time for you to return to your room. I still have a couple of things to take care of, and then I will be turning in." Cole stood and did not give Neo a chance to question what he said or say no. As he led Neo to the door, he added, "I will not lock your door Neo, but I ask you do not leave the main part of the barracks. You may go to the dining room and grab a snack if you like, but you are to be in your room for the night in twenty minutes." Cole opened the door and asked, "Understood?"

Neo wanted to question but didn't and instead just said, "Do I really have a choice? Don't answer that. Oh and Fixer, I saw the books that Neomundo wanted me to see... I hope for both our sakes he is wrong about what you have been trying to do..." Neo's mind had tried to stay blank but an image of the book's title came to the front. He trusted Neteru but he was starting to wonder if his blood brother had lost trust in him.

Cole did not answer Cooler, just waved his arm toward where Neo's room would be, "We will talk in the morning, Kael." Turning he closed the door before Neo had a chance to turn around and ask more questions. Cole had to get to the small reception pad in the front lawn of the barracks. Sinclair would be met and he would be kept safe. Cole chuckled, as he walked into the hidden corridor behind his office, which had been built for the elves to be able to travel without the main body of men knowing it. He had not told Sinclair how he planned to keep him safe so it all depended on the man.

(OOC: Nicknames for Cole and Neo…. Given to each other when Cole at the age of 12 saved a 10 year old Neo, from a cell containing a dragon. Cole = Neteru (Egyptian for Guardian), Neo = KAEL (Egyptian for Kind-hearted), Mind-diving information can be found in Legacy Wiki section. This has been a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you have enjoyed it.)

LANCE (MAXWELL) SINCLAIR
Maxwell Sinclair sat at the small bistro table and sipped his Butterbeer. He had no idea who was going to show up to take him to some unknown Portkey, so he could go to Frank Cole's island, in some unknown place. As the large clock on top of the bank climbed 11 pm. a small girl, in her mid-twenties he would guess, stepped up to the table and said, "Sir, my name is Maggie , I came to lead you to our friend." Without another word, she started to walk down the lane toward the Bank. They had just barely passed the last building when she stopped and stood under a street light. Smiling she gently took his hand and placed it on the pole.

After literally a whirlwind trip, Maxwell found himself standing on a ten-foot diameter wooden platform. The girl smiled, saluted and walked away. Max watched her for a few moments then let his eyes travel around the area. There was a large one story building in the direction the girl walked. As he turned to his right, he saw woods and a barely visible multi-story home through the trees. Rotating a little more, he stopped short. Frank Cole was sitting in an easy chair outside of a large tent. He looked like he was just relaxing for the day.
Maxwell stepped down off the slightly raised platform and walked the short distance to where Cole sat. The man waved him into a chair across from him. An elf walked up and handed him a mug of Butterbeer. "Finish your drink Sinclair and we will talk."

Max smile turned to a frown as he said, "I am not here to talk Fixer, I am here to deal with this trigger that thanks to you was unlocked. Where is Neo?" Max had been shocked by the girl's appearance that he had not had time to leave the note that would open should he die. He was a man of his word and had told nobody about this. He looked at Fixer as he thought, "Martin might trust this man but it don't mean I do. Plus, if I did not at least leave something, both Air and Boss would skin me alive. At least my globe is still in my pocket as is a wand with my spare being up my arm." Max waited.

"Sit down Sinclair, Neo has retired for the night. You will be talking with him in the morning. There is an elf with him at all times, so if there is a problem, I will know and I will tell you, maybe." Cole smiled and took a sip of his own glass of Wine. "If you insist on standing though you can take your message globe out of your pocket and put it on the table there. Also please be nice enough to add both of your wands. Magic does not work on this island, Sinclair. Only the elves can do any magic."

Max inwardly smiled as he shook his head saying, "Then me having them should not be a problem. Also I will deal with this trigger now Fixer. I came here to handle the trigger not to talk." He had not had a mental challenge in a while. Usually him and Martin would give each other some mental exercise but with Fixer, Max would be really able to test his limits and possibly test Fixer as well. Max hoped that he would be as impressed by the man's skills as Martin seemed to be.

Cole put his wine glass down on the small table next to his chair and steepled his fingers in front of him, using the arms of the chair to support his elbows. "I told you, Neo has retired for the night. I have all the time in the world and until we have a small talk, we will not be going inside. Luckily it is a beautiful night. Don't you think you would be more comfortable sitting though?" Cole just smiled. He was sitting could have anything he needed brought to him so he was not worried on how long Sinclair was going to insist on being outside.

Max smiled as he said, "I could have come in the morning then. I plan on dealing with the trigger and then being on my way. I have appointments that I plan on keeping." Max noticed a man in the shadow of the tent right behind Fixer. The man seemed to be very interested in their conversion. Mentally getting a bearing on the man's intent, Max did not like what he saw in the guy's head. The man was a trainee but had all the makings of a hit man. Max Sinclair might not trust Frank Cole but this man actually was sent to take Cole out. Maxwell smiled as his mental charge hit the man saying, "I don't like a spy and I like assassins even less."

He smiled as he said, "It seems Fixer, you have a bounty on your head.."

Cole sat forward and turned in his chair. One of the trainees was lying on the ground just inside the tent flap. Signaling to a couple of the men, standing not too far away, on night duty, he had them cart the man away. "Holding cell three," he said to them as they headed toward the barracks. Turning back to Sinclair, taking a couple of calming breaths, he said, "Thank you for that. We have a mole and we have been wondering who is working with him. Now would you care to sit, please?"

Max smiled as he said, "I doubt he is. That is unless your mole works for the Dark One. That man was sent with only one goal, to kill you." Sinclair sat as he finished, "I thought I was the only one to have Zia Zebo that mad at me. You see I sent her and her husband to Azkaban when I was a child. I am curious why she wants you dead?"

Cole took a sip of his wine. "My mole is not from the Dark One. If Zia sent that one, then it is because I turned one of her man against her as far as training goes. I will have a couple of my specialist talk with him later and we will see what we can come up with. Now as far as you are concerned. You will be talking with Neo in the morning. He does not know you are here yet, so it should be interesting. I have a special room all set up for you to relax in tonight. Do you have any questions about what happened earlier?"

Max smiled as his hand casually went towards his pocket where the globe was. He said, "We already know about Antonio, Fixer. So you have Chameleon away from her but why would Khalid allow that? As for being filled in on what you did to activate that trigger, by all means fill me in. The more I know the better prepared I will be to face it. And Fixer, I will be sleeping in the same room as Neo." Maxwell was wondering just when Fixer planned to spring his trap as Max knew he had most likely made Fixer's list.

Cole chuckled and shook his head. "You do know Sinclair, your globe will not work on this island. I have several elfin blocks plus a few Muggle gadgets, which will prevent it. So you can take your hand away from your pocket. As far as the trigger, it was a simple emblem on the back of another man's shirt. The Cloak people, and yes Sinclair there are a whole family of them, set the trigger when he was I would guess around fourteen or fifteen, from the way he was acting. I had to make him believe he had been loaned out to me, in order to get him to settle down, long enough to counter the trigger, which took a quick mind dive to the lower part of Level six, by one of my elves. This had nothing to do with the Dark One or anyone who would even be considered as part of his circle. This is another organization, run by distant relatives of the Spellman's. They want the Spellman children now. They also want something I have which has been put away very safe."

Picking up his drink off the table, Cole ran it back and forth between his hands, looking over at Sinclair, "Neo has gone to bed for the night and will not be disturbed. We have just as nice of a room all set up for you. In the morning after breakfast, I will bring the two of you together. Neo does not even know you are here on the island." Cole chuckled when he saw Sinclair close his eyes, obviously trying to mentally connect with Neo. "That won't work you know. You are being blocked by at least two elves, the one who is always with Neo and Mecum who is standing just behind you. Mecum will be your companion while you are here." Cole looked at his watch and added as he got up. "Now I think it is time to call it a night. If you will follow Mecum he will show you to your room. There is a small refrigerator in the room, stocked with some of your favorites. I would get some sleep Sinclair. Tomorrow is going to be very busy. I will see you around 9:00 am."

Max listened but did not remove his hand. The information was quite interesting. He had not tried getting a link to Neo but instead had tried to make a try at reading Fixer. Max was becoming more interested in who had actually trained Frank Cole, as the man's mental skills were almost as good as Martin. He smiled as he reminded seated saying with a chuckle, "What Fixer, tired of our mental game already? I said that I planned only on dealing with this trigger and then leaving. I have an appointment in the morning and so I will deal with the trigger while Neo sleeps. Then I will be on my way, with nobody being the wiser. That is unless dealing with Neo's trigger is not the only reason you wanted me here? If not, then spring your trap or Mecum can take me to Neo...oh and Fixer, I wasn't connecting with Neo.... I was linking with you..." Max got a sly grin as he waited to see how Fixer took that.

Shaking his head Cole signaled Mecum, who stepped to behind Sinclair's chair, held out his hand and pulled the chair out from under the man. As Sinclair went to the ground hard and took several seconds to stand, Cole just stood with his hands across his chest. "You will not be doing anything else tonight Sinclair, but getting some rest. Now please follow Mecum to your room. I still need to do a few last moment things before I can retire. Since my day always starts at 6:30 am or sooner, I will need to get some rest myself soon. Good night, see you in the morning." At that, Cole turned on his heels and headed for his private home through the trees.

Max got up and shook himself off as he thought to Mecum, "I guess I hit a nerve, my little friend? Oh well, can you have the Shadowy young friend of yours deliver this to Charitee?" He pulled his hand out of his pocket and handed the letter to the elf. Smiling he said, "I did not have a chance to leave it as the girl surprised me. As we walk, you can fill me in on Neo and Cole's bond. The worry that is coming from him has nothing to do with his job and everything to do with his true nature."

Mecum bowed slightly and gestured toward the barracks. As they walked, he looked at the newcomer out of the corner of his eye. When he was handed the note he politely took it and placed it in the small pocket of his vest adding a nod. He would show it to Master Frank before it was delivered and Master Frank would have the final say so on if it should be taken to the nice human at the eating place in Diagon Alley. "You may talk a loud, Master Maxwell, it is allowed."


Max smiled as he thought, “I think not my little friend. As for the note, you can show it to Fixer but it will do him little good as it can only open in the event of my death and then only by Charitee or Martin. Unlike Martin, I don’t trust Fixer even slightly. I think it wise to keep him guessing at least for a while. Though I will admit, him being on Zia Zebo’s bad side has peaked my curiosity as has his true desire to help Cooler. Mecum, he is an enigma I plan on solving. I plan to do so without hopefully falling into the same problems and deal makings that other Caretakers seemed to upon Fixer paying them a visit. As the Psy-Healer for the Caretakers, I have seen firsthand what those visits have cost the individual as well as the group as a whole. So you will forgive me but I for one have no intention of making my time here easier on Frank Cole.” Max had the feeling that Cole had heard every word if Martin was right about the man’s mental abilities. The thing was by Max talking mentally, Fixer could record none of it. Sinclair smiled.

As they walked through the main room of the barracks headed for one of the rooms down the hall of Master Frank's office. Mecum stayed quiet. Reaching the door, the elf placed his hand on the identification pad, and waited for Master Maxwell to go through. When they were in he closed the door and locked it. The room was a 10-foot square box, made out of a seamless dull metal. Master Frank had the elves paint the walls in this room a dull pale blue. The door which held the wall, slightly off center, also held a large screen television set. The opposite had a window, which gave a good view of the outside world, which was just trees about 30 yards away from the building. Off to the left of where they entered there was a bed, resembling a hospital bed, but built a little higher. It was centered on the wall. A small box barely be seen farther along the wall, which had to be the small refrigerator. To the right was a door near the back and what could only be several sets of shackles hanging from the ceiling up against the wall. In the center was a small table with four medal straight back chairs.

Max was still smiling as he entered the room until he realized that he was locked in. The trap had been sprung and like a fool, Sinclair had freely walked right into it. His face showed none of the mixed emotions he felt as he thought, “So Fixer has indeed done his homework on me.” The mental noise of Fixer’s army was most likely just a way to keep Max Sinclair focus on a trap that Fixer would personally spring. Max had to admit if just to himself that when Fixer had called it a night, Sinclair had indeed thought he could relax his guard at least for the night. Luckily, Max was prepared as he saw what was going to be his home for at least the night.

Mecum motioned to the table and said, "You may have a seat Master Maxwell or you may sleep. We have laid out a set of what Master Frank calls sweat pants and top on the bed for you. In the morning you will be given clean ones." Mecum bowed again slightly and walked to the corner on the other side of the screen. Slowly he levitated onto an air-chair, put his hands in his lap and watched the human.

Max smiled at the little elf as he went to the table and pulled out a small radio, along with his notepad, a pencil and two three-sided dividers. He had no intention of giving Fixer any idea of what he was writing or about whom. He placed the radio in the middle of the table and turned it on, full blast. Then he placed the pad and pencil on the table, placing the dividers in such a way that he could write but nobody would see just what he was writing. The elf called Mecum might if he could see through the dividers but hidden cameras would not. Once everything was in place, only then did Max sit down and seem to start writing. Sinclair wondered how long before Fixer understood his silent message. He had every intention of making Fixer work very hard for every piece of information that he finally got, if any.

Maxwell had learned a lot from the mind dives he had done on other Caretakers and planned to uses every bit of that Intel that he and Martin had figured out, while hopefully getting into Fixer’s own head using all his skills and abilities. He frowned as he thought quietly, “It is time for me to see if the skills and abilities that got me the title of High Priest by Zia and those like her, can actually be used for something other then what the Dark One intended.” Max still had nightmares about that night so long ago when The Dark Sect led by the Zebo's had come to collect him and had taken his sister instead.

Now years later, he hated the Dark One’s High Priestess Zia Zebo as much as the woman hated him. Max feared his abilities and rarely used them fully in fear of them controlling him and twisting him into the very High Priest that the Dark One foresaw all those years ago. After a while, Max shook his head knowing that Martin would have been the better choice to face Fixer but somehow Sir Neo had chosen Max. He said mentally, remembering an old saying, “Fear is the mind killer and the only thing to fear is fear itself.” Max smiled as he realized by facing Fixer the way he intended, Max would indeed be facing his own inner fears and demons as he used abilities that all his life, he thought of as Dark. He just prayed that he was ready to face those demons and win. If he wasn’t, well that was where the Note to Charitee came in. It was the only other way that note would open was if he became the Dark High Priest. Either way meant the person he was now, was dead. He just hoped that the letter never opened but Maxwell had learned long ago to never underestimate the Dark One’s influence and mental power.

Mecum watched the human and was confused. He thought the human would go to bed or maybe try and escape out the window, but he had just sat down at the table and started to write. Mecum noticed out of the corner of his eye, that the red dot on the bottom of the picture box was on, so Master Frank was watching. Settling back against the wall in his air-chair he decided to wait and see what Master Frank wanted done. One thing he was going to do was turn off the noise box which was playing human music. It hurt his ears and was not good for the humans ears either. Reaching out his hand he pulled the music box to him and turned it off, then floated the box to the floor. Mecum smiled and said, "that is better, now Master Maxwell you will be able to concentrate on your writing more."

Cole had gone back to his house and was sitting in his home office. Turning on the view screen he divided it into quarters and checked on his men. One quarter he had focused on Maxwell, and another on Neo. Neo had decided to take advantage of the down time, and although he might not be asleep, he was relaxing in bed and had his eyes closed. Sinclair on the other hand had set up what Cole knew he hoped would block both sound and visibility. Chuckling Cole saw Mecum confiscate the radio. At the moment he was not worried about what Sinclair was writing. The man could write all he wanted, but he would not be able to leave the island without having it read and possibly copied.

Cole put the last of his paperwork in the folder and enlarged Sinclair's square to cover the whole screen. He leaned back in his chair and sipped on his wine. Looking at the grandfather clock in the corner he saw it was 12:15 am. He had to be at the training grounds in just over six hours. It was going to be a long day. Raising his glass to the screen he saluted Sinclair and turned the screen off. He was headed for bed.

Max saw the elf take his radio and turn it off. When the elf put it on the floor, Max picked it up and turn it back on to the volume he had it saying, "It helps me concentrate my friend and also insures privacy." He knew Cole would understand the message. He reached into his pocket of his robe and pulled out ear muff. This he handed to Mecum as he said, "It stays on my friend and where I placed it. If Fixer wants it, then he can come in here and try and remove it.."

Mecum shook his head. The little red light had gone off so Master Frank had gone to bed. This human was being stubborn and needed to get some sleep. After all Mecum was tired and it was going to be a long day when the sun rose. Jumping down from his air-chair he walked over to the table retrieved the radio, turned it off, walked over to the window and through it out, getting as much distance as he could. Then he turned, folded his hands across his chest and said, "I think it is time to sleep human." With that he stretched out his hand and lowered the light in the room so there was just enough for the human to see to get to the bathroom and the bed. Mecum stood there and stared at the human, not lowering his hands.

It took several long heartbeats for Max to realize what the elf had done. The only other elf he had ever seen to take this much liberties with dealing with him or any other human was Darik. Most of the elves would just bow and ask how they could help you, and agree with anything you wanted them to do or to happen. Max started to stand but found out he could not move. Mecum walked over to Master Max put his hand on the human's shoulder, smiled and squeezed.

Max opened his eyes and found himself staring at the ceiling. Orienting himself, he discovered he was lying in bed, with a thin sheet covering him. When he looked under the sheet, he found himself wearing the sweat pants which had been laid out on the bed earlier. He also had on a tee shirt. Turning his head and looking through side rails which had been raised, he found the elf, sitting on an air-chair in the corner, with his eyes closed.

Max thought, "My little friend, I am only going to say this once...the Dark One gave me a name I loathe, His High Priest. That is what Fixer will be facing as I plan on using all my skills and abilities to make Fixer regret what he forced Air to order done to Franco and Seth. Some of my gifts or curses, I have refrained from using as I deem them dark but Fixer has to understand the pain and suffering he caused my friends...so other then the help I plan on giving Neo. Fixer is going to get my message long and clear. That message is I have every intention of making his life..." Max stopped as he realized what he was threatening to do. It terrified him that Fixer had gotten him to the point of doing the one thing that he swore to the Medjai that saved him all those years ago. He had actually considered using his abilities and skills to destroy Fixer. He shook his head as he thought to Mecum, "I am sorry my friend. I..."

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

FRANK COLE
Cole looked at the clock on the wall as he walked out of his office. He had been able to get five hours sleep, which wasn't bad for him. He was glad he had never needed a lot of sleep. Heading for Neo's room, he mentally checked he had done everything he needed to. He had gone to morning calisthenics with the troops camped out at the training grounds on maneuvers. He chuckled to himself, remembering some of their faces as they stoop in the downpour doing pushups, squats and star-jumps. Soldiers did not have the option of being able to go inside when it rained. Cole kept right up with them. Then there was the three trips through the obstacle course. After making sure everyone was all right and they were going to get a good breakfast he had the mile-and-a-half run back to the barracks.

When he had gotten back to his office, he took a shower and put on his uniform for the day. A dark-green tee-shirt and a pair of comfortable jeans. Mecum had his breakfast waiting for him. During the night, the elves had changed shifts. It was interesting that Punta had chosen to go to Sinclair, because the elf did not normally take guard duty. Artkee was another surprise. Mecum said he had gone to Neo's room. Apparently his two, mentally strongest elves had decided to get involved. While he ate breakfast he turned on the view screen, dividing it into the normal four spots. One of the spots changed views every 15 seconds, working it's way through the different cameras around the island. Another showed Cole the training grounds. The third and fourth showed Neo and Sinclair.

Neo sat at the table, eating his breakfast and staring out the window. Artkee had noticed the camera was on, by the very small red light which came on, under the screen. The elf nodded slightly and went back to watching Neo.

Sinclair was up and moving around. He was dressed in a tee-shirt and sweat pants. One side of the bed was up, so sometime during the night one of the elves had to restrain the man or at a minimum force him into bed. A good breakfast sat in front of the man, but it looked like he had not touched a bite. It would not hurt the man to get a little hungry, and it would be interesting to see how long he could go without eating. Cole chuckled thinking the man was mentally his equal although the elves would be blocking any exchange between their thoughts. Cole would even have to shut down his side of the listening so that door was totally closed. It was definitely going to be a fun few days.

As Cole reached Neo's door, he turned on the view screen. Looking at his watch he found it was 8:50. The screen showed Neo had finished his breakfast and Artkee had cleared the dishes and put them in the slot in the wall, where they would be carried by conveyor belt to the kitchen. The elf stood by the window which was strange. Cole shook his head and opened the door. "Good morning, Neo. Come I have someone I want you to meet." Holding up his hand to keep Kael from talking he just motioned to the door. As they walked the couple of doors down the hall Cole said, "It is going to be a good day Kael." Cole opened the door, and ushered Neo and Artkee into the room, then shut the door without entering. Turning to the wall he turned on the small view screen. He wanted to observe the two together for a few moments.

Max smiled as he saw Neo but before the man could say a word, Max took his arm and headed for the window. He had what he had came for and now they were getting out. Smiling as he thought, "Then me and..." He never got to finish as Neo laid him out cold. Neo looked at his friend, who was out cold, as he said shocked by what he had done, "Neteru, what is Sinclair doing here? And you need to get back here and explain why he just tried what he did?"

Cole shook his head as he watched the monitor. "That was short and sweet," he thought to himself. He had been hoping for a bit of more exchange between the two men. Turning off the screen, he took a deep breath and opened the door. Without saying a word he walked to his customary spot so his back would be facing the wall, turned his chair around and straddled it. Comfortably crossing his arms on the table he took time to see the still passed out Max on the floor and Neo standing over hm. Using hand motions only, he told Punta and Artkee to pick Sinclair up and put him in the chair across the table, then he motioned Neo into the seat between them, so his back would be to the window. Watching as the elves revived Sinclair, Cole said to Neo, "You know he is not going to like what you did. When he comes too you can explain to him your actions."

Neo shook his head as he said, "Neteru, he was planning on leaving the island and taking me with him? He hates you and the weird thing is it has nothing to do with why he is here. Which you still have not told me?" Neo was unsure how he knew but he had instinctively knew if Max got out that window, his friend would have come back only to destroy Neteru. Neo could not allow that and so had made a choice. He looked at his friends and just sadly shook his head as he still tried to understand how he could link with Sinclair and yet had still been unable to link with Marco.

Sinclair was not totally back to consciousness yet, so Cole tried to answer Neo's main question…. Why was Sinclair here? "It was agreed Sinclair would come and help you with your …" Cole paused, "shall we say concentration problems. I do not want to mind-dive on you again, because there is always a chance the Dark Key can break through. Since Sinclair and the Dark key have never met the thing will not be able to tune in on Sinclair. It adds another layer of protection. Besides, Sinclair, being a psy-healer has training I do not." Cole momentarily sat back in his chair then repositions his arms on the table. "I needed more help for you Kael then I could give, so I sent for the best."

Neo smiled as he saw Max's eyes open. Max looked at Punta and glared until Neo spoke, "It was not Punta or even Artkee, Max. It was me."

Maxwell looked at Neo in disbelief as he asked, "Why? Neo, I could have gotten us off and then me, Martin, Darik and Tal'mac could have handled things."

Neo cringed as he said angrily, "How Max? You would have had to tap into the very gifts, you fear and promised yourself never to use. Even when we have tried to say they could be used to heal, you stood firm saying that they would make you, Zia's and the Dark One's. Max something has you so furious that you were planning to have four of the most mentally powerful come here for only one reason to destroy. Max, Sorry but neither of us is going anywhere...especially you."

Max was stunned that Fixer had turned Neo against him and now he would have to possibly fight Cooler just to free him from this island. Sinclair glared at Fixer with hatred at the choice he was once again considering.

Signaling Punta to get everyone something to drink, Cole turned to Sinclair. "To start with Sinclair, there is no way off this island unless I give the all clear. The island is magically blocked by elvin magic and I have a few interesting Muggle devices installed also, so I counter any of their pieces of machinery. You may be able to get away from the barracks, and I will admit, locating you would be an interesting exercise for my troops, but they have other duties at the moment, that I do not want to draw them away from. If you cooperated, I may be willing to let you try out some of your Special Forces training on a few of my Specialist. I would like to compare some of the older training you had with the newer techniques I have devised."

"Only the elves can perform magic on this island Sinclair. Even mind-dives must contain assistance to a certain level from them. " Cole studied Sinclair for several long heartbeats then added, "I have not turned Neo against you, Sinclair. He knows the ropes around here and on his honor has given me four months to show him what I want to show him. He also understands that even though I do have an interest in finding the Dark One and taking him out of the picture, the enity is not my main concern at the moment. It is still years away from taking him out. Neo has learned who I am after, and why. The same ones who have set the mind traps are the same ones who are after the Spellman's and me."

Neo looked at Fixer as he said, "Neteru, if Zia and the Dark One can get their people on then Sinclair can get off? He is more than a match for them as he..."

Max looked from Neo to Fixer and then interrupted Neo as something clicked about what Neo called Fixer, "Neo, why call Fixer the Egyptian word for Guardian?" He was still furious and knew if he stayed, his feelings towards Fixer would ensure the man's death. Thinking of his reaction, "Why of all people did it have to be this Fixer that got him to this state of mind? Why not Zia as that High Priestess has done more to my family and Friends then Frank Cole? So why him? All I know is I have to get Neo off this island and then work on stopping Fixer once and for all." Sinclair's only problem was Neo had no intention of either of them going anywhere.

"The man who was caught earlier, did not just pop on to the island Kael. They were actually taken in as part of my recruiting process, process which is always being updated." Turning to Sinclair he said, "When I allow you to leave Sinclair, after you have helped Neo, and after we have a couple of talks then you can concentrate of the Dark One again. " When Cole mentioned the enities name again, he had been looking directly into Sinclair's eyes and something flashed behind them. Artkee must have seen the same thing, because he walked up to Cole and placed his hand on his forearm. Cole looked at him and then closed his eyes. He did not dare directly link with Sinclair, because there were too many unknowns, but he could safely see into the man's mind with an elf to buffer the experience. What he saw, made even him cringe. The Dark One had a link with Maxwell. The island security system was blocking it but eventually the link would morph into something which would be harder to block. Cole opened his eyes and said, "Sinclair, I know you are not going to understand what I am about o say, but I need you to sit very still." Cole nodded to Punta and the elf stood behind Sinclair's chair. Reaching out his hands he splayed his fingers on top of Sinclair's head and put his thumbs close to the base of the Psy-hearers head, then he closed his eyes.

Sinclair was about to stop them from touching him but Neo was quicker. With a lighting quick chop to the side of Sinclair's neck, Neo said, "Whatever you are going to do, Neteru...do it quick as that is twice now." Martin had all the Caretakers on high alert for any change in Sinclair's behavior. Neo looked at Fixer and said, "Martin was worried about Sinclair's behavior and gave orders that if we saw any behavior that hinted that he was going to cross the line...we were to take him down...though he never said why only that it had to do with Tia and Lance...maybe Sir Neo knows?"

When Punta's hands were in place he looked at Master Frank. There was a way to inturupt the connection. It would not be broken but it would be stopped as long as Master Maxwell was on the island. Off the island Tal'mac and others could use it as a way into Master Maxwell's subconscious or just do something totally different. Receiving a questioning look, along with a nod, Punta pressed tighter and put up a reflective barrier around Master Maxwell's mind at the top of Level 6, just above where the Dark One had set his connection in the form of a memory of children playing. Punta am back up to the top of Master Maxwell's mind and broke his connection. Now anything coming from lower than the shield would be reflected back to the sender. The one the human's called the Dark One was not going to be happy. His go-between was also going to have a very bad headache.

Punta again looked at Master Frank and said, "I have put in a reflective shield. It will hold as long as Master Maxwell in on the island. I will get the information to Tal'mac and Darik also so they can let any human's who may be concerned know what is in place. It will have to be removed later of course." Punta stepped back and then to the unoccupied side of the table to watch Master Maxwell's face as he was revived by Artkee.

Neo smiled, as it seemed to have worked. Max jumped up as he said confused, "Neo.... What the heck is going on and how long was I gone this time?" He stared at Fixer as he said, "The last thing I remember was taking down that assassin. How did I get into this room and just how did your men get the drop on me? Fixer, I am not happy that I come here freely to deal with Neo's trigger and you..." He stopped, as he was confused as to just what he was accusing Fixer of.

"Sit back down Sinclair and we will see if we can explain." Cole waited for the very confused man to cautiously take his seat. "You took down the assassin last night, Sinclair. It is now," Cole looked at his watch, "10:15 am and you have been in this room ever since last night. Punta, the elf behind you, has had to put up a mental block, at level six to block a link you have with the Dark One. As long as you are on this island it will hold. Up until right now, you have not considered helping Neo, just killing me, so I would be willing to bet you were programmed with that order."

Neo caught something that Max said. He started pacing as he asked, "Max, you said this time as if this has happened before. When and please tell me you were not near Tia?"

Max shook his head to clear it as he said, "Sorry Neo, it has happened twice before. Both times, Martin has been able to stop me and yes both times, Tia and Lance were in my sights. Martin was supposed to break the link as soon as he had time but, with Brennan being stubborn about him taking back Head of Security for the Caretakers and the Mind dives, I have had to do thanks to Fixer... Air is not happy that Fixer has gotten so many of us... Neo expect a level 7 exam upon your return. Lucas, refused the exam for level 6 and is not helping things. He is only making it harder on himself."

Cole looked between the two men. Neo had gotten up and started to pace. With what Sinclair had just said Tia and Lance could have been in a lot of trouble if Martin had not been there. Also Cole knew all about the Level 7 exam. Neo would most likely be in both mental and physical quarantine for several weeks if not longer. Cole was going to have to discuss this with Punta, because the exam could give information away, he did not want as common knowledge. Cole had to move things along until he could talk with Punta and a few others about what was happening in the Caretakers. "Sinclair, while you are on this island we can block any connection with the Dark One. Last night, on our very uncomfortable friend who is being questioned down stairs in the holding cells, we found a ring which was broadcasting off the island. Why it did not show up on our instruments is a puzzle which has been solved." Cole smiled toward Punta and continued, "The elves have sent the ring back to the dark one with a special message I think he will have no problem understanding. If his minion downstairs cannot be broken from the life he has chosen he will be sent to the South Pole by me." Cole had found sending people to the South Pole with no supplies and very little protective ware, was a good way to get the person out of the way. Two men he had sent had actually survived, although they could not leave where they were held up."

"Now we need to solve Neo's problem and locate the triggers which are complicating his life." Cole looked at both men and waited.

Neo frowned as he said, "Max, Code Red...are you sure? Max, you not telling everything are you? Who else was there when you blacked out in front of Tia?" Turning to Fixer, Neo said, "Guess my trigger will have to be put on hold at least for now? Neteru, we can't afford him to find out about you which means Sinclair can't dive into my head... check with the one you named as this is a major issue that I seriously doubt Martin would not have given him a heads up on? So that one asking for Max instead of Martin is important and with Tia involved I for one am taking no chances... Sinclair don't leave until we are positive he is no longer a problem..."

Max shook as he listened and then said, "Neo, you can't... you are not even in a leader role in the Caretakers... Richard will over ride you and have your head for this..." He had to stop as the headache was extreme. The image of what he had done came to the front of his mind. He had attacked both Dalton, Telk and Tarik in front of Tia. The girl's blood magic had triggered but at what cost. Max's fury went into a full panic as he had ran dragging a frightened Rosa with him. Martin and Bren had found him but not Rosa and a shaken Sinclair still had no clue what had happened. He had been relieved by this escape and had hoped that by the time he got back his friends would not be gunning for him.

Sinclair looked at Neo and knew that his friend would kill him the minute he found out about Dalton as he still had no clue what exactly happened.

Cole gave Punta a questioning look and signaled or him to join with Sinclair. Punta walked to behind the man and placed his hands on Sinclair's head, then closed his eyes. When he opened them a few moments later, he shook his head no and stepped back. Cole sat back in his chair a moment, holding onto the back of the chair, and said, "Sinclair, those are false memories. You never attacked Dalton, Telk or Tarik in front of Tia. They have been planted. My guess is the Dark One wants to separate you from the equation." Cole looked at Neo who had just heard the possibility that Dalton, was attacked and was stalking toward Max. "Kael sit NOW. The children are alright and Dalton has never been attacked, I can assure you." Cole was not about to mention that he had a guard in the Shadow lounge when it was opened and there were other guards taking care of the place, when it was closed.

Turning back to Neo, who had grudgingly sat down, he said, "As far as Sinclair doing a mind dive on you, you are probably correct that we should not try it now. I know of one of the triggers and I will let it be known the item is not allowed on the island. It is the family emblem of the MacIntosh Clan and was on the back of the man downstairs." Sitting forward again and crossing his arms on the table, Cole continued, "Neo expect more than one elf to be watching you most of the time. We will see if we can catch more than one mole this way."

Max shook his head as he tried to make sense of what Frank Cole said.

Neo smiled as he said, "Neteru, I think Martin's Guardian has some explaining to do, don't you?"

He turned to Sinclair as he tried to bring hope back to the man's eyes, "Max, I still trust you my friend. Remember when you and Martin decided to ease Bren's mind by putting that phrase Code Red as a way for us to know Bren needed help? Well I guess Martin figured it would work for you too. It means he is close but you have not crossed yet... so Max you stay here until you are back in control, okay? We will get though this, both triggers and whatever the Dark One has planned." .

Max just stared as he remembered.

Cole stood up and started toward the door of the room, motioning Neo to follow him. He needed to go to his office. He was not sure how much Sinclair knew about Sir Neo and Neomundo, and he did not want to take a chance the information would be in Sinclair's mind at a later point, until after he had a chance to talk with Tal'mac or Darik, to find out what was happening in the outside world with the Caretakers.

As Neo continued to the door, where Punta was Artkee was waiting, Cole stopped momentarily and said to Sinclair who had shakily risen from his seat. "We will be right back, Sinclair, relax." Punta had placed a hand on the Psy-healers shoulder and was adding enough pressure to get Sinclair back in his seat. Right back , was going to possibly be a few hours, but Cole did not want to bring that fact up at the moment.

When they were outside the door Cole said, "My office… we need to talk with Sir Neo." Receiving a nod from Neo, he led the way to the office opened the door and told Neo to sit down in one of the chairs near the table. Punta followed Neo and by the time the Cooler was seated, Punta had already put his hands on his head and was diving. Cole pulled up another chair in front of Neo so their knees were touching and closed his eyes, waiting for the fog. Coming out of the fog, Cole saw Sir Neo sitting on a bench. "Where is Neomundo?"

Sir Neo looked at him with a smile on his face and said, "Welcome my friend and welcome Neo. Neomundo is presently doing some experiments in the potions lab. Tarka is with him, giving instructions and praising him for his good work. What can I do for you two?"

Neo nodded as he said, "Sir Neo, know anything about Sinclair and a Code Red?" He smiled as Sir Neo started to change. He had guessed right.

Martin frowned as he said, "Gatherer, if you are hearing this then my worse fear is close to becoming a reality and I just made a choice I would not have thought of having to make. I pray my faith in you is true as I once again ask as I did with Lance when The Dark One got him to betray William Andreas. At that time you were my and Molly's best pupil and had all the makings of a top Psy-Specialist. Your new case is Sinclair, his file should be on its way to you if not in your hands as we speak. His weaknesses and fears are being used against him and us. Fix this Problem as you have always done and like you did for my son.... give Max what he needs to became not the Dark High Priest he fears but the High Priest that he was meant to be... By the way, Molly says hi and good hunting.... Sinclair is a Code Red until you deem otherwise... Air has already sanctioned it and is footing your bill..."

Cole bowed slightly to the vision of his mentor, even though he knew it was just a message, which had been programmed into Sir Neo's makeup. He looked at Neo to see if he was at all surprised by the information which was just given. Cole had just been put in charge of helping Sinclair and had him on the island until he could make sure the Dark One did not have any type of hold on him. This was going to complicate matters a bit though. He now had to worry about the MacIntosh Clan and their possible controls on Neo and he also had to certify that Sinclair was clear of any hold by the Dark One. He raked his hands through his hair, knowing sleep was going to be at a premium for the next month or so.

As soon as the message was given, Martin turned back into Sir Neo, who asked, "Were you questions answered?"

Cole nodded and looked back to Neo.

Neo smiled as he looked at his blood brother and said, "You are just full of surprises Neteru, want to explain that one?"

"Martin Kildare and I have a past which has coincided several times and we have traded information on how to do something's in this world. I have my Psy-healer Specialist license, but I have never used it, at least not much. Martin keeps telling me I am wasting a good career, but I have other things, which must be taken care of first. Looks like I will need to do some refresh. Work" Cole rubbed his face. "This is not going to be easy Kael, even if I can do it. I only have about a 75% shot at breaking the cycle Sinclair is in now. He is second-guessing himself, which is going to keep him from reacting when he needs to. It will also prevent him from looking beyond the people's problems that come to him, and be able to figure out what is really happening. Sinclair is not going to be happy because there is a form of deprogramming involved and the use of drugs is likely. The man is used to being in charge and for this he will have no say-so. In the end if I succeed he may forgive me, that is to be seen, but he will be able to continue in his chosen profession, without the worry of killing someone, because someone else suggested it. What you are going through is mild to the path he will have to walk." Cole took a deep breath and turned to Sir Neo. "We will leave now, Sir Neo. Take care of the young one for us."
Sir Neo nodded as he heard Neo ask, "Neteru, is this what you have been doing with Franco, me, Seth, Marco and Brennan?"
"For the most part, Kael. The Dark One and the MacIntosh clan, in vying for supremacy have screwed up many lives. I am just trying to get everyone heading in the same direction. I agree that Tia should be protected. She is the future of the Egyptian Magical World. But the dark one is going to be around for a while, because you all are not ready to come together enough to defeat him or at a minimum lock him away. The MacIntosh Clan has moved their agenda up. They can be taken down eaiser, but I still do not have all the information I need to find their Achilles heel. Besides these two groups, you have others with their own little groups. My job is to find information and give it to the correct organization. That is what my men and women are trained for. We are kind of the Black Ops of the Magical World." Cole nervously chuckled. "Now are you ready to go, because I have some serious thinking to do about Sinclair and you have some serious training to do. I have kept you from your duties, long enough Sergeant." Cole tried to add a small smile, so that Neo would know he was being friendly, but still serious.

Neo nodded as he said, "Then me becoming a Specialist quickly is vital? Can my training cause the activation of my trigger or am I safer than Max is at the moment?"

Cole bowed slightly to Sir Neo out of respect and started toward the fog. As he walked he tried to answer Neo's question. "Your training per se cannot cause the trigger we have already encountered. That is done by you seeing a symbol of the MacIntosh Clan. All the elves and several of my more trusted people will be watching for it. As far as any other triggers, I have no clue how to answer you. The first sign you are headed back down that road, I will pull you in and get you back on track. You don't know who I am during that time, so you will just have to trust me now that I will not lose you, Kael, that is a promise from me to you blood-brother. Just learn what you can, as fast as you can. The Dark Key is locked away and in a secureity block to rival even Azkaban."

Opening his eyes, Cole waited for Neo to come throughly to the top. Standing he said, "I will start on Sinclair later this afternoon. I will keep you informed, but I am not sure when you will be able to see him again. Now go Sergeant. You will find your group at the training ground, studying rope throwing."

Neo laughed as he nodded. Then he said, "Okay then the quickest way to being a Specialist, which is?" Neo was not about to let Neteru down so he had to became a Specialist in record time and hopefully catch some moles before anything got back to anybody about Sinclair or what Cooler had learned about Fixer.

Cole led Neo to the door as he said, "Just listen to Jack and Tom. I will tell them you are on the fast track. It is not an easy track to follow, Neo. You will always be tired, and need sleep. You must eat regular meals and just do what they say when they say it. Understood?" Receiving a nod, Cole gave Neo a firm pat on the back and gently pushed him out the door, then closed it. It was going to be a long day which was going to led into a long week and possible month. Cole turned and walked back to his desk.

(OOC: You can find a continuation of this story line in Elsewhere, Dealing with a Code Red. This is a combined post by Barbie and Jane. We hope you have enjoyed the thread.)

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