The Fury Directive

'The Fury Directive' ====================

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o - Main story by Darkside.

-- Darkside

• o - o - o -

BOOK I. The Opening.

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

"And did they?"

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

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

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

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

"So what did you do?"

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

"What was Matthew doing at this time?"

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

"What Happened to John?"

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

"Was Dr Bexley doing all this kidnapping?"

"No she'd enlisted the help of a shadowy organization called the 'Guild'. We don't really know anymore about them than that I'm afraid."

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

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

"That's horrible," Richard Commented.

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

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

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

"Where was Dr Bexley in all this?"

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

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

"Yep, Bodies by Bexley. Anycase I'm more than happy with it now. It's still me inside. I think I got off lightly compared to the rest."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"So that was it, end of story?"

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

"So Kat killed her?"

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

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

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

"Why couldn't you switch back?"

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

One Year Earlier..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

Present Day.

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

"Come back," he shouted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Next time I blindfold you," Matthew complained.

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

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

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

Matthew stood, embraced Kat's furry body and kissed her. He could feel the warm fuzzy sensation of his lips pressing against her furred face. His breasts pressed against Kat's and he felt his nipples become erect and the arousing fire grew within him. "Hmmm" We'd better get ready," Kat said.

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

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

"What's up?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Sorry WAS the only man," Matthew said.

"Race you," Cathline challenged Kat.

"You're on," Kat replied.

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

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

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

"Hey sister you're not OK. You've been timed at 35mph before. There's NO way I should be able to win," Cathline replied.

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

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

"Do you ever think about her much?"

"Who?" Matthew asked.

"Liz," Cathline said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Do you think the Guild copied Liz's designs for the DNA system?" Matthew asked.

"I don't see how. Can we change the subject please," Kat replied. Talking about the old days was painful.

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

"How are Robin and Steve?" Kat asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I bet..," Matthew said smiling.

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

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

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

"Cathline, Did Kat tell you we've brought an apartment in Manhattan?" Matthew asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Matthew," Cathline said, reaching across and putting her hand on his. "It's Kat, I'm very worried about her."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"OK I'll speak to her. If it was anyone else but you telling me..." Matthew left the sentence unfinished.

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

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

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

"Hey, nice place," Matthew said.

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

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

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

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

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

"Mr and Mrs Matthews?" He asked.

"Umm yes," Kat said.

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

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

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

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

"Please take a seat," Dr Rankin gestured.

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

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

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

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

"Which means?" Kat demanded.

Dr Rankin paused and then said "In layman's terms. You have Cancer. The chemical Dr Bexley used on you is causing it."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Hi it's me."

"Cathline?"

"Yeah."

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

A few minutes later Matthew let Cathline inside.

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

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

Cathline visibly took a step back "No!"

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

Matthew then explained what Dr Rankin had just said.

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

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

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

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

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

"If you say so," Matthew said softly.

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

Kat smiled "Always Cathline. Always!"

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

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

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

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

"That's better," Cathline smiled.

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

"Take a seat," Dr Rankin said.

"What's up, Doc?" Kat said.

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

A sheepish Kat said "Sorry."

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

"Which means?" Matthew asked.

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

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

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

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

"That bad huh?" Cathline asked.

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

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

"What?" Cathline asked.

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

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

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

"WHAT?" Matthew and Cathline said in unison.

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

"I'd rather...," Matthew started

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

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

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

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

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

"It's too dangerous," Matthew said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Well?" Matthew demanded.

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

Cathline warned, "This had better work."

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

"We just wait I guess," Matthew said.

"It's all we can do," Kat replied.

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

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

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

"Do you trust them?" Cathline asked.

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

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

"Ciao," Kat said and hugged Cathline.

"Be careful," Cathline ordered.

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

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

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

"I know," replied Cathline ominously.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Breathing a sigh of relief Kat was escorted out.

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

"Who says I am," Elizabeth replied sharply.

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The music started to play and Celine started to sing

'Every night in my dreams

I see you, I feel you

That is how I know you go on

Far across the distance

And spaces between us

You have come to show you go on'

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

'Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more, you open the door

And you're here in my heart

And my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one time

And last for a lifetime

And never let go till we're gone

Love was when I loved you

One true time I hold to

In my life we'll always go on'

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

'Near, far, wherever you are

I believe that the heart does go on

Once more, you open the door

And you're here in my heart

And my heart will go on and on'

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

'You're here, there's nothing I fear

And I know that my heart will go on

We'll stay forever this way

You are safe in my heart

And my heart will go on and on'

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

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

• o - o - o -

Five Months Later...

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

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

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

"Hi Cathline," Matthew said softly.

"Hello Mat. How are you?"

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

Cathline sat down beside Matthew and turned to face him, "I know. You've not called for ages. I was worried. I had to come."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Cath, I'm sorry. I didn't mean .."

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

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

Cathline grabbed Matthew's hand, "Come on old friend. Time to go. I'll even race you on one of those jetski things if you want."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

'The summer sun is fading as the year grows old

And darker days are drawing near

The winter winds will be much colder

Now you're not here.

I watch the birds fly south across the autumn sky And one by one they disappear I wish that I was flying with them Now you're not here.

Like the sun through the trees you came to love me

Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away

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

You always loved this time of year

Those fallen leaves lie undisturbed now

'Now you're not here

'Now you're not here

'Now you're not here

Like the sun through the trees you came to love me

Like a leaf on a breeze you blew away

A gentle rain falls softly on my weary eyes

As if to hide a lonely tear

My life will be Forever Autumn

'cause you're not here

'cause you're not here

'cause you're not here'

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

• o - o - o -

Seven Months Later...

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

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

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

"Hi Cathline," Matthew said softly.

"Hello Mat. How are you?"

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

"Yeah Mine too."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Whatever."

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

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

'You may not recall the moment that you asked me

But your invitation was clear.

You'll pretend you've never met me, but it's far too late now I'm here.

Cause I'm the one who knows what scares you

I'm the one who loves you best

I'm the thirteenth at the table

I'm the Uninvited Guest.'

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

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

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

"Hello Matthew," Elizabeth said.

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

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

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

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

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

"Well?" She demanded.

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

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

'Is it getting better... Or do you feel the same.

Will it make it easier on you... Now you got someone to

blame.'

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

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

Matthew interrupted "So they went looking for you?"

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

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

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

"Which was?"

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

"Oh my God. You didn't."

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

"No?"

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

"So you did it and created the greatest menace since the atomic bomb." Matthew said, the anger growing in his voice.

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

"What good are you? The authorities can invoke the Fury Directive. The Guild won't stand a chance."

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

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

"My God!"

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

"Holy shit," Matthew said.

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

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

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

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

"And that is?" Matthew asked.

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

"So the Guild have no changeling organs?"

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

"Yep. It feels so right this time, I just know he's the right man for me. Since my divorce it's been so hard to be alone."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Hey steady on," he said.

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

"Sure," Steve replied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

The song continued over the conversation

"Well it's too late...Tonight...

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

We're one... But we're not the same.

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

One "

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

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

"Which is?" Matthew said curiously.

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

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

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

"Have you come here for forgiveness?

Have you come to raise the dead?

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

Did I ask too much?

More than a lot?

You gave me nothing.

Now it's all I got.

We're one...But we're not the same.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Two words," Elizabeth said.

"Which are?" Matthew demanded

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

"You got it!" Jill shrieked.

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

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

David smiled and went inside.

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

"Hello lover,

If you are reading this it means that the hell bitch has managed

to escape alive, good. I'm sorry I'm not here in person but

even getting Liz out was risky. Don't worry I'll be fine.

Listen to her plan to stop the Guild and follow it to the letter,

even if it seems as though everything's gone straight to hell.

This woman is scary, we need her, and she's our only hope.

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

I said MAYBE.

All my love

Kat.

XXX"

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

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

"Then who..," Matthew started.

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

"You bitch!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Matthew stood firm and demanded "Well.."

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

"So you can be anything?" Matthew said.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"OK why?"

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

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

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

"So now what?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What's that for?" Elizabeth demanded.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"You bitch!" Matthew shouted at Liz.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Fucking useful this body," Elizabeth said.

"Indeed. The ability to recover from most fatal injuries is most useful. You must explain to me how it works sometime."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

"Indeed. I want to send now."

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

"Come in," he called.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Excellent. What about the delivery system?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

Osman smiled and went to get up.

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

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

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

"What did you tell her?"

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

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

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

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

"New York," Hassan replied.

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What's that?"

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

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

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

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

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

"Ritz hotel?"

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

• o - o - o -

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

"Marcel, it's Rachel"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Sorry, I can't allow you to sleep just yet. It could be dangerous. Besides I've got someone here to meet you."

"Who?"

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

"Rachel Martin?"

"Umm yes," Cathline replied.

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

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

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

"Suppose," he replied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Mailman?" Cathline asked.

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

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

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

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

"Yeah, Hashish. Why'd you ask?"

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

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

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

"The Matthew Stephens, Kat's Husband?"

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

"Which is?" Scott asked.

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

"And you don't trust her?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cathline sighed, "Thanks Detective."

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

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

"That you're being careful."

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

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

"Thank you," Cathline said offering her hand.

Scott shook hands with Cathline and left the room. Cathline closed the door behind them.

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

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

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

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

"Back to base. Gotta do some paperwork."

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What kept you?" she hissed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

"Excellent," Hassan commented.

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

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

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

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

'The Russian Federation is now under our control. China is

proving difficult as we have little information about Lui-Chang.

I have suggested we withdraw the switch and concentrate on

the UN representative. We only need him for the one 'event'.

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

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

"Oh yes one more thing?" Hassan asked.

"Yes Hassan?"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

Rebecca smiled "And you don't?"

"Tina thinks anything to do with models is a waste of time and effort. She'd rather be catching the real scum," Scott replied.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scott returned the embrace and said "Me too."

• o - o - o -

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

"Hey I'm gonna be late for a meeting. Any way around this traffic?" Elizabeth said, pulling a fifty from her purse and showing it to driver.

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

"Yeah, what of it?"

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

Elizabeth nodded in mock sympathy "Thanks."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Sorry I just thought cab drivers knew everything."

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

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

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

"That's ok. We nearly there yet?"

"Yeah just another block."

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Rachel," Tina started.

"Cathline, please."

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

"Tina," Cathline started to say.

"Detective Cox."

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

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

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

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

"Cathline," she started to say.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Very wise, may I sit?"

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

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

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

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

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

"In a way. I am Elizabeth!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Indeed, we had them before they could call for help. We must hurry. The helicopter will be here soon."

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

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

"You said that yesterday afternoon."

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

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

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

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

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

"How is he doing?" the man asked.

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

"Why not just use hypnosis?"

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

"Hassan wants this done quickly,"

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

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

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

• o - o - o -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What's our Libya operatives say?"

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

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

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

"Ok," Doug said.

• o - o - o -

Cathline awoke and tried to move. Her limbs ached and she could see only darkness. She tried to move her arm and felt metal around her wrists and the clank of chains. Tugging on them some more revealed that she was chained hand and foot. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness she saw she was in some kind of stone cellar She noticed another figure chained to the far wall. It was detective Cox. She was stripped naked and still unconscious. Cathline felt a draught and realised she too was naked. "Oh no not again," she said out loud.

She heard footsteps coming towards her, feigning sleep she bowed her head. The figure moved closer to her and she felt a finger caress her nipple. She shivered in fear.

The figure spoke "As I thought you are just acting. So my sweet we meet again."

Cathline looked up and saw a fat ugly man of around fifty. "Osman you're dead," she screamed.

"As you can see I am very much alive. I was promised something I had lost when I came here and I see that I have gained another companion also. You are a most handsome woman now. I will enjoy you."

Cathline was about to spit in his face but thought better of it instead she shuddered at the thought of the ordeal to come.

"I'm afraid my punishments last a lifetime. It's such a shame I know but justice is justice," Osman said and snapped his fingers.

Cathline screamed for all her might as a figure carrying a glowing iron walked down the stairs. She tried to escape, to avoid what she knew must come but Osman pushed her face against the wall, holding it firm. The man passed the iron to Osman and he held it steady. Cathline screamed louder as she felt the iron moving closer and closer to her left eye. She felt a burning, searing sensation in her eye and then passed out.

Osman handed the iron back to the man and walked upstairs, satisfied that justice had been done once more.

• o - o - o -

In New York the sun was starting to set -- the high rise buildings casting dark, irregular shadows on the ground below. A lone figure got out of cab, tipped the driver and walked towards the cemetery. Clutching a bunch of flowers Dr Elizabeth Bexley stood silently over two gravestones. She knelt down and placed the flowers on each grave. Wiping away her tears she said "I'm so sorry Dad, I'm trying to make amends, I really am, but it's so hard. I know you taught me that the best things don't come easy, but this is my own doing. I've no idea if I'll ever come this way again so I needed to come and say goodbye."

Elizabeth thought back a few years to the last time she was here. Disguised as Rachel Martin, she'd met Matthew at her parent's funeral. He'd not known at the time of course but he'd shown compassion to her by giving her two of his roses to help her say goodbye. She was so angry with him then but as time went on she cherished that moment. She stood up and walked over to the grave that read 'Mrs Margaret Bexley' and she knelt down once more. "Sorry Mom. I'm so sorry. I do now what I have to. My actions have caught up with me and now I'm trapped into this destiny. I see no other alternatives. I'm like a runaway train accelerating towards impact. All we have to do is wait for the smash," Elizabeth said softly.

Wiping away a tear she continued "Mom I know you're not really down there but it helps. You know all I wanted to do was to love and to be loved. I can see the headlines. 'She's not a monster, just misunderstood'. Life's not like that in spite of what Readers Digest may tell you. All my friends are gone, mom. I sold them for the price of my own freedom and well being. I had to do it, it's for the best, I just hope they understand why."

Sniffling, Elizabeth re-arranged the flowers she'd placed down. A thought struck her and she said, "You didn't fail me. I failed you. In some ways it was merciful you not being here. When I was exiled to the sea I didn't see what was being written and said about me. Now I can read and see it, it hurts to be compared to William J. Stevens II, John Wayne Gacy and the Unabomber. What was it one tabloid called me? That's it 'Jane the ripper'. I'm a doctor, sworn to protect life. How did I get it so wrong? Kat was right, I am a 'hell bitch'. I had the means to save millions of lives. I had it in my hand mom. It was so close -- by now the word cancer could have been said in the same breath as small pox. How many millions did I kill, mom? How many more are doomed to die because of my fury? I thought I was so clever tricking them into the lab and then destroying it. I twisted something designed for the greater good and turned it into something evil."

Elizabeth felt her hand start to change. The skin turned a green color and her fingers started to grow into points. Reptilian scales formed over her hand and up to her wrist. She stared at her clawed, scaly hand and looked up to the grave once more. "See mom this is what I really am, a monster underneath this beautiful flesh. I did this," she said thrusting her clawed hand at the grave. It turned rapidly back into a normal human hand, "See I can make it go away, its only flesh after all. The real monster is inside. Y'see Mom it's not like those who've missed out on greatness by accident or ineptitude. Oh never mind I'm not making any sense at all. I'm just pouring my heart out."

"Mom, I saw Matthew and Kat together and I know that I could never find that. It riled me so much, made me so jealous. No matter what I did to them they came back stronger. I guess that's the real power of love over hate. Mom I'm so sad I've only ever been capable of the latter. I just hope Matthew can cope with what's being done to him, and I do dread to think what Osman's done to Cathline. Why is it that I always have to turn on the ones closest to me? Still when all set and the dust's settled, maybe they'll find it in their hearts to forgive me. If I fail then I'll be remembered as a mass killer, arch villianess and all round 'hell bitch'. If not then there's a chance at redemption. After all, a chance is all I need."

Elizabeth rubbed her eyes, now streaming with tears. "Sorry I'm rambling, mom but this helps. I guess you could call this moment my Gethsemane. From this point on my gaze is fixed on the cross I have to bear. Goodbye mom and dad, my atonement and redemption awaits."

Elizabeth stood up; brushed away another set of tears and walked off. There was much still to be done.

• o - o - o -

Tina slowly came around and tried to move. She felt herself being restrained in someway. She opened her eyes and tried to make out her surroundings. She looked downwards and saw that she'd been stripped naked and chained to a wall. She shuddered with fear and was about to cry out when she heard a moan coming from the far fall.

"Hello?" Tina called out.

The only reply was another painful cry.

Tina tried to pull loose her chains but they were fastened into the wall. Gradually her eyes adjusted to the dim light and she looked over to where the moan came from. She saw that Cathline had been chained to the wall and stripped also. Her immaculate body was exposed to all eyes to see. Cathline's head hung low as though in pain and fear, her chains taking the weight of her limp body. Tina took a brief look around to see if anyone was around and called out again "Cathline, it's me Tina. Are you Ok?"

Cathline only murmured in reply.

"Come on Cathline, wake up," Tina called once more.

Cathline stirred and cried out in pain.

"Cathline you ok? Hey listen I was wrong Dr Bexley is way out of my league ok?"

"Shut up Tina I've listened to your inane chatter enough. In answer to your question I am NOT ok," Cathline snarled.

Tina let out a gasp as she saw Cathline lift her head up to look at her. Cathline's left eye was no more. It's bloodied, lidless socket stared back at Tina. Blood was drying on Cathline's face and hair and Cathline's good eye stared back in unadulterated fury. Tina turned away in horror.

"Don't worry I know what it looks like. I saw it in the mirror everyday for a year. That fucking bitch, that fucking bitch! Not content with doing it to me once she goes and fucking well does it again. Fucking bitch," Cathline snarled and she started to sob softly.

"Is there anyway we can get out of here?" Tina asked.

"If I knew where 'here' was I could comment. No offence Tina but the best way to survive is to wait and take your opportunity when it comes. Don't resist, don't fight back and most of all no matter what they do to you endure it."

"No chance. Look I'll try to distract them and by the looks of it you can."

"Can do what Tina? I'm in fucking agony; we're chained hand and foot to the wall. Now please shut it," Cathline snarled.

"You may be content to wait here to be maimed and screwed but I'm not. Hey how-about some food down here!" Tina called out.

Hearing no response Tina turned back to Cathline but saw that Cathline had passed out, her head slumped forward. Staring harder she noticed a fresh drip of blood, starting to trickle down Cathline's neck.

Tina leaned back and tried to relax. In some ways Cathline had been right, but it was so frustrating hanging powerless and bound. She'd seen a new side to Cathline, a darker more vicious side. Tina reflected on what had happened to her. What the fuck had Dr Bexley done to her? Man, she was fast. Dr Bexley had thrown them right off guard by her admission. Cathline had told them that if Dr Bexley was trying to pass herself off as Matthew then she'd do it thoroughly and she'd only be revealed by a small error. Her coming in with all guns blazing was right out of the blue. She wondered if Scott had managed to escape, for sure the authorities would be going ape over the abduction and that was their only chance.

• o - o - o -

Hassan woke up to the smell of rich, hot coffee. He smelled perfume and sighed softly.

"Morning my master," A smooth female voice whispered.

"Ahh thank you my Jewel, You may leave now."

The petite but curvy woman bowed and walked out.

Hassan reached over and picked up the coffee cup. Taking a sip he reflected upon the day ahead.

After his daily workout and a shower Hassan took a walk thru the garden on his way to the office. Stopping by to admire the sweet smell coming from numerous flowers he breathed in the air and let the sensation take away the stress of the day to come.

Hassan walked into his office and switched on the videophone. Checking his watch he saw that it should be about 21:00 in Australia.

He called the number and typed in his private encryption key. Before he could press send there was a knock at the door.

"It can wait," Hassan called.

A voice called thru the thick wooden doors "Hassan this is urgent. It cannot wait."

Hassan sighed and switched off the phone. "Come in this had better be important."

The man entered the room and passed a DVD optical disk to Hassan and said "A report from Osman in America. He says it is of vital importance and to use key seven."

"Thank you, that will be all, dismissed," Hassan said.

The man bowed slightly and left the room. Hassan looked up at the door and powered on his PC. After waiting for the PC to boot up Hassan inserted the disk. The screen went blank and Hassan paused for a moment before typing in a 15-character password.

The disk whirred and an image of Osman appeared.

"Hassan, Sorry to interrupt your morning but this is important."

"Our sources inside the CIA have indicated that they have spotted the remnants from the launch. We had thought their technology was unable to determine such details but this must be something new. It is my opinion that the operation is in jeopardy unless the timescales are drastically cut. On the other matter, the pick up went as planned. The local authorities put up little resistance and the changeling we planted in the security detail succeeded in preventing the alarm from being raised."

Hassan pressed pause on the player and leant back on his chair. Osman was right this could be serious. If the Americans were suspicious then it would be likely they would call on the Israeli intelligence to help them out. The CIA did not worry Hassan too much, Mossad on the other hand did. The CIA although many times larger and better funded than their Israeli counterpart was not regarded as the premier security service in the world. Mossad took that honor. Where the CIA, MI6 and the KGB all had, had their share of embarrassing breaches, Mossad had none. No it was Mossad that was the real danger.

Hassan started the player again and listened to Osman's voice "I will stay here for a few more days, to ensure that our plans are not in jeopardy at this end. I may even send you a couple of presents for your collection, until then goodbye. Oh by the way I think it wise not to inform Salah of the change in plan, just in case he's planning something before we have chance to deal with him."

The screen went blank and Hassan pressed the erase button on the player. Within moment the DVD disk was completely erased. Hassan redialled the number on the videophone and waited for the reply.

A minute or so later the phone was answered and the doctor's face appeared on screen. He looked surprised and gathering himself said "Hassan, it is a great honor. What can I do for you?"

"Thing have changed. I want him re-programmed faster."

"Yes Hassan. It will mean that the conversion will be hurried and not as through as it should be."

"Not important. Just have him ready in five days,"

"As you wish," the doctor answered.

"Thank you. Let me know when it's complete, Hassan out," Hassan said and put the phone down. He quickly dialled another number and the face of a younger man appeared on screen.

"Yes Hassan," the man asked.

"I want production completed within the next fourteen days."

"But Hassan what you ask is impossible, the enzymes cannot produce the chemical fast enough to produce the required volume."

"I don't care, do it!" Hassan said sternly.

The man flinched, "Yes Hassan, we will do our utmost."

"That's all I ask."

"Just a thought -- if we got Dr Bexley involved maybe she could help us?" the man asked.

"No she must remain unaware of our plans. Besides she is needed elsewhere. She will wish to be with her new 'wife'. Your team is very capable. I have every confidence in you. Hassan out."

This was turning out to be a hectic morning but Hassan had just one other call to make. Quickly dialling another number, he waited for the phone to be answered. After a while the phone was picked up and Hassan just said one sentence. "Go with what we have. The rest will follow," Hassan then put the phone down and called for some more coffee.

• o - o - o -

Solomon Stern hurried down the corridor, clutching a brown paper folder he knocked on his supervisor's door.

"Yes come in."

Solomon burst in and said "Sir we've just had this delivered by our operatives in Egypt," he said handing over the folder to him.

His supervisor opened the folder and thought for a moment. "Is this what I think it is?"

Solomon nodded "Its designs match the specifications and dimensions of a Bexley DNA system."

"Where is it located?"

"On an airbase near Cairo. Our agents say it was brought in a few days ago. This is most worrying."

"Indeed. I cannot believe that Egypt would fly in the face of the Fury Directive. They risk so much for so little gain. Are we sure this is not some new radar?"

Solomon shook his head. "No you can make out the imaging system with the connections to the drug production centre. The shape of the system is unmistakable."

"Is there any chance that this is false information. That we are being tricked in someway?"

"No chance," Solomon said grimly.

"Still we must be sure. Leave this with me and I'll take it to the Knesset in person. Good work Solomon. You may have just saved this country from its biggest threat since the gulf war."

• o - o - o -

Senator Walter Jameson's phone rang and his new secretary, Jill picked it up. On hearing the voice she put it right thru. "Senator. It's the president. He wants to speak with you urgently."

"Ok got it," Senator Jameson replied.

"Hi Bob what can I do for you?" Senator Jameson asked.

"You really screwed up this time Walter. What the hell do you think you were playing at? Hell we all get tempted sometimes but this goes too far. My press people are calling for your ass and I'm having a tough time defending it," the voice from the phone boomed out.

"Mr President I can assure you that nothing untoward happened that weekend. I needed to get to grips with your budget proposals that you asked me to personally look into. So I went away to my cabin in the mountains to think. I took Anne with me to write up my notes. She stayed in a nearby motel, while I stayed in the cabin. She screwed up big time so I fired her. You can check if you like," Senator Jameson said back.

"Walter, we've already done it. You are quite right it does check out. I just had to be sure that's all. Say how about coming over for a round of golf tomorrow? Just you and us no press and just a skeleton security presence. I thought we'd try that private course of mine again."

"That'll be fine, Say 11am at your place? Jack not coming?"

"Great, Nah Vice President Roberts can't make it, somebody's gotta look after the world while you and I play golf. Oh by the way you can tell me what really went on then."

"Thank you mister president," Senator Jameson said and put the phone down. He stared at his hand for a moment and a small tube grew from between thumb and forefinger. He looked at it carefully and it retracted back in. If all went well then tomorrow America would have a new president.

• o - o - o -

Elizabeth's plane landed at Tripoli airport. She was wearing the body of an Australian journalist. She found this particular form useful for travel as a journalist attracts little attention. She collected her baggage and wheeled it out into the tarmac car park. She waited for about ten minutes before a battered black Mercedes limo pulled up. The driver gave the correct signal, a single fingered salute, and Elizabeth walked over, threw her bags inside and got in.

"Welcome back Dr Bexley, I trust that it all went well?"

"It all went to plan. Tell me is, Salah still here, I needed to talk to him?"

"Hassan has sent Salah to America. He thinks Salah has got puffed up with his own importance."

Elizabeth nodded. It was common knowledge that the young upstart Salah had fallen from grace. There had even been rumors that he was planning to overthrow Hassan. Feigning ignorance, Elizabeth continued "I thought Salah was Hassan's chosen one?"

"Not anymore. That is all I can say on that matter."

Elizabeth sat back in her seat and thought for a moment. Chauffeurs and Taxi drivers were excellent sources of information. They took the important people to where they needed to go and listened in on every piece of conversation going. Of course they had to be discrete but if they felt strongly on an issue information could be extracted. "Tell me, what do you think of the Guild's changelings?"

"You mean you or the other ones?"

Elizabeth tried not to flinch at this slip, she'd suspected since New York but this was grim news "All of us?"

"You are very useful but you scare us, My friend Allah became one. Did you meet him during your training?

Training! "No my friend I didn't. He must have been after me."

"Shame, you'd have liked him. I think he went to America."

"I see. Listen I'm a little tired and I need to rest. Here have a hundred dollars for such a smooth ride. You must be one of Hassan's best drivers?"

The driver almost puffed himself up with pride and said "Thank you Dr Bexley. Hassan uses me for all his important guests."

Satisfied that she'd got as much information as she could, Elizabeth closed her eyes and tried to go to sleep, her mind buzzing with the news of the changelings. How the hell had the Guild gotten past her blocks? She was the only person to have unlimited changes, all the other organs she'd developed could instigate only a few changes at the most. The organ would then break down and be re-absorbed into the body, leaving the person in that form. That's what she'd done to Salah. He was now locked into that form, albeit with a limited capacity for tissue repair. She thought a little further -- what if they reserved the last change to grow a new organ using the mass and material from the old one? She'd thought of this one but it introduced dangerous amounts of the changeling drug into the system. It'd make the changeling uncontrollable over a period of time; they'd slip further into madness with each change they did. They couldn't be relied on for extended periods of time. Storing that theory away Elizabeth made a mental note of the equipment she needed to gather from her lab. If her theory was correct she'd need every bit of cunning to get it out but it was essential.

Hassan stared at the monitor in fury. He saw Dr Bexley asleep on the back seat of the Limo and the driver was listening to the radio. He swore a deep oath and sat back to think. Somehow Dr Bexley had tricked the driver into revealing about his changelings. Now that she knew that piece of information what would she do about it? He pressed a button under his desk and large, heavily built man walked in.

"Yes Hassan."

"The driver of Dr Bexley's car has betrayed us. Get rid of him and ensure his family are driven out of their homes."

The big man nodded "Yes Hassan."

Hassan watched the large man walk out and close the door behind him. This was complex now. He decided to call Dr Bexley right in when she arrived. Was her desire for Matthew greater then the desire to protect her inventions? Hassan saw now that the decision to bring everything forward had been a wise one. The calculations his engineers had made showed that fifty warheads would be enough but that seventy would ensure complete coverage with enough left over to make rescue attempts difficult. Still the question of the day was who's side was Dr Bexley on. Osman didn't trust her. Salah was furious at her for some reason. And the rest of the higher orders of the Guild gave her a wide berth, just as one does with a dangerous animal. Hassan knew that deep inside she still thirsted for revenge on those who'd destroyed her life. It was that fire that kept her loyal and the reason why Matthews's conversion was so important. It kept Dr Bexley distracted from his main mission. Matthew's conversion was his insurance against Dr Bexley. As long as he had Matthew Dr Bexley would fall in line.

Hassan turned his attention to Salah. Osman had wanted him killed but a martyr was the last thing he needed. Salah and his supporters would soon be discredited in the eyes of the Guild and then Salah could be dealt with. That was the nice thing about this plan. Not only would it put the Guild back where it was a thousand years ago, it would dispose of Salah's doubting faction once and for all.

• o - o - o -

The Black Mercedes limo drew up into the parking lot. Elizabeth got out of the car and retrieved her baggage. She thanked the driver and walked out of the lot into a large, ornate reception area. A large, heavily built man walked past her and nodded his recognition. Elizabeth nodded back and proceeded to walk briskly towards Hassan's office.

Hassan was just finishing his conversation with the doctor in Australia when Elizabeth came storming in. "What the fuck do you think you're playing at," she demanded.

Hassan looked up in anger, terminated the call and snapped back "Dr Bexley. NEVER forget whom you are talking to. I could kill you with single command. You are tired and weary after your journey so I will let this disrespect pass just this once. The next time you will not find me so forgiving. Now what is the problem?"

Elizabeth didn't wait to be asked to sit down and she sat herself down on the leather chair opposite Hassan. "Why didn't you trust me with the changeling project? Why did you keep their existence from me? There is much work that needs to be done to perfect the organ. Any changeling you have produced will be unstable, longer term I cannot guarantee their well being."

"Not as much work as you want me to believe. I know about the perfected organ you carry inside you. My operatives have noticed the way you use it, almost as an extension to your own body. The changelings I have produced have to be very careful about energy usage and how much they expose themselves to the changeling drug. Now, either you are in better physical shape than my elite are or you have lied to me. Which is it to be?"

Elizabeth thought for a moment. "Hassan I have not lied to you. You are correct in that the organ I carry is more advanced that the one installed in Salah. I needed to test it fully before producing more. It's not my fault you didn't listen to my advice and so go behind my back, it is yours. Now will you withdraw your changelings so I can help them or will they die in a few months?"

Hassan relaxed back in his chairs and laughed "I like you Dr Bexley. You do not bow to my will easily. If you believe I am in error you will tell me. How do you say 'straight up'? My plans demand the use of the changelings right away. When the plan is complete then you can give them the advanced version. It should be over in just a few months, which is plenty of time to help them. I realise you didn't want to disappoint me in this matter but next time please inform me of such things."

Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief "Thank you Hassan. Now may I ask if I may go to Australia to meet my bride to be?"

"He is not ready yet, alas. I thought you might like to help in his conversion. Your unique knowledge of his psyche plus those 'failsafe' codes you implanted a few years back will help speed things up enormously."

"Thank you Hassan. May I enquire what your plans are?"

"You may not. Just watch the news, that's all I can say. That will be all Dr Bexley. Goodbye," Hassan dismissed Elizabeth with a swish of his hand.

Elizabeth stood up and bowed slightly and left the room. Hassan turned to his videophone and made a call to America.

Osman's face appeared on the screen "Yes Hassan?"

"How are things in America? I have speeded up the program as you recommended. I am starting to think that Dr Bexley could be a threat during this crucial phase of our operation. The sooner she is with her 'wife' the better."

"I am glad you are starting to think as I do. The presents Dr Bexley delivered for me, what do wish done with them?"

"There are two women and two men correct?" Hassan asked

"Yes. One of the women is quite plain, the other as though Allah himself had made her. Unfortunately the beautiful one is Cathline Richards so I have had to dispense her punishment once more. She is still beautiful, Hassan."

Hassan didn't flinch at Osman's last remark. "They are in your hands Osman. I'm sure you can think of something interesting to do with them."

"I have already thought of an entertaining diversion. Thank you."

"Is Salah there yet?"

"He arrives tomorrow. I think you are playing a dangerous game with him. Do you wish me to kill him?"

"No leave him alone, let him think he is carrying out his duty. When our plans have succeeded then he and his followers will be discredited. Then we can deal with him in the most appropriate way."

"As you wish," Osman said.

"Hassan out," Hassan said and flicked off the phone.

• o - o - o -

"Good evening Dr Bexley, How are we today?" the doctor asked Matthew.

"What do you mean evening? You only visited me three hours ago," Matthew responded.

"You are mistaken, this is my first visit today."

"Why do you insist on calling me Dr Bexley?"

"Because that's who you are. The hospital has given me the task of helping you remember who you really are. I can only help you if you allow me to," the doctor said in a matter of fact way.

"I don't need your help. My name is Matthew Stephens, I was married to Jane Stephens who I still love with all my heart,"

The doctor reached inside his pocket and pulled out a faded photograph, showing it to Matthew he demanded "Who is in this photograph?"

"It's Elizabeth and I. We'd just been on a picnic in the woods near her house. It was a few days after she'd asked me to marry her," Matthew replied.

"Nearly there. Your answer should have been 'It's Matthew and I. We'd just been on a picnic in the woods near my house. It was a few days after I'd asked him to marry me'," the doctor replied.

"No that's not it at all. My name is Matthew Stephens, I was married to Jane Stephens who I still love with all my heart."

"I've been authorized by your parents to use Electro-shock therapy. They're concerned that you're not responding to the drugs. I will press this button here every time you answer incorrectly. The sensation is most unpleasant I can assure you. Remember I'm only doing this for your own good," the doctor showed Matthew a small button attached to a remote.

"Go to hell," Matthew spat back.

"Now for a simple question. Who are you?"

"My name is Matthew Stephens, I was married to Jane Stephens who I still love with all my heart," Matthew said defiantly.

"Wrong answer," the doctor said and depressed the button.

Matthew screamed as pain rippled thru his body. He felt as though his pussy was on fire and hot irons were being pressed into his flesh.

"Sorry about that. Now once again, Who are you?"

"My name is Matthew Stephens, I was married to Jane Stephens who I still love with all my heart."

"I don't understand why you are deluding yourself Elizabeth. I only want the best for you," the doctor said and pressed the button once more.

Matthew's back arched in agony as he felt his nerve endings burn with pain. "My. Name.. Is. Matthew.. Stephens. I. was.. married . to."

"Dr Bexley please let me help you. I hate doing this to you. I really don't want to do this," the doctor said and pressed the button

A piercing scream erupted from Matthew's mouth as he felt his entire body shake with the pain. His nipples felt as though they were on fire and his head span with suffering. "My... Name ... Is... Matthew AGGHH"

"Wrong answer. WHO ARE YOU? WHO IS THE WOMAN IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH?" the doctor shouted back.

Days of hunger, thirst, confusion and boredom had taken their toll on Matthew's psyche. The stimulants that had been pumped into his body day and night to aid sleep depravation and the hallucinogenic drugs had, just as predicted, worn down Matthew's resistance. In his mind Matthew decided to say whatever they wanted him to say, anything to ease his situation. After all, one admission wouldn't mean they'd won would it?

"WHO ARE YOU?" the doctor demanded.

Matthew could just about say "My Name is Dr Elizabeth Anne Bexley," before he passed out from pain and fatigue.

"There, that wasn't so difficult was it. I'll make sure you get that glass of water you asked for. We will pick this up again in a few hours."

The doctor turned around and left the sleeping Matthew on the bed. He allowed himself a smile. This may work out just fine after all.

• o - o - o -

"Cathline wake up will you? Come on girl, fight it!" Tina called out to Cathline.

Cathline stirred and stared back at Tina. The bleeding around her eyeless socket had eased but the look of fury and anger had not. Tina could almost feel the anger emanating from Cathline, as if it could reach out and strike down those who'd wronged her. Cathline managed to say to Tina "I don't want or need your fucking platitudes, don't call me girl! And I assure you I have every intention of fighting it to my last breath."

"Hey sorry, I was only trying to help," Tina said back.

Cathline regained some strength and managed to stand upright once more. "I just want you to know that you cannot replace Kat. She treated me with dignity and respect. You treat me as though I'm some poor innocent crime victim who you need to protect. Besides when Kat gets back she'll rescue us."

Tina looked on in pity. The pain and stress had driven Cathline to the point of delirium. Tina looked away and said nothing in return.

"What's up cop? Cat got your tongue? You are the most irritating woman I've ever met. You treat no one with respect, the only job you think worth doing is your own. Who the hell got in your craw to make you like this?"

"That's my own business. I just want to say you still look beautiful. With a patch you'd look mighty sexy too," Tina tried to calm Cathline down.

"Tina, shut the fuck up. The sooner they come to fuck me the better, at least I'll have something else to think about."

"Cathline, getting bitter and angry about it won't help. If we're to get out of this we'll need to team up. I'm sorry if I've offended you in some way but you'll have to take me as I am. Since you've been honest to me I'll be frank with you. I think you're a stuck up bitch who's holier than thou attitude really pisses me off. I know I'm not your beloved Kat but if she were here she'd tear so many strips off you, you could use them in Vegas. Dr Bexley has to be stopped and brought to justice but standing there just getting angry isn't going to help. When you first awoke here you gave me some good advice. Wait and we'll see what turns up. We've still got Scott and Marcel to find, they'll either need our help or help us out. Look why don't we call a truce?"

"You know what?" Cathline managed to say.

"Tell me?"

Cathline managed a wry smile "You sounded just like Kat just then -- maybe you're not so bad after all."

"For a stuck up bitch you're not so bad either," Tina smiled back.

The conversation was interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps. Both women froze as the bulky figure of Osman walked down the steps.

"I'm glad to see you ladies are getting on so well. Cathline I've got a present for you," Osman said reaching into his pocket.

Cathline looked on as Osman pulled out an ornate eye-patch. He walked over and with his large, rough hand held Cathline's head still. With the other hand he put the eye-patch on so that it covered over Cathline's ruined eye. Osman took a step back and took a look at Cathline and said "Much better, Now I have some entertainment for you."

• o - o - o -

Senator Jameson eyed the ball and relaxed his shoulders. Concentrating hard, he swung his 5 iron in a smooth practised motion. He kept his eyes on the ball as it sailed into the air and landed in the middle of a large patch of trees. "Fuck," he swore.

President Andrews laughed and said, "Come on now Walter, you don't have to let the president win."

Senator Jameson glared back and said, "Help me look will you?"

"Sure." President Jameson said and motioned to the secret service agents to assist as well. The agents sprinted into the wooded area to help while Senator Jameson and the president strolled towards the woods.

"Say Walter, what really went on between your secretary and you the other week?"

"I told you, I'll be willing to show you the numbers tomorrow. Say, I think the ball went into that thick patch of bushes over there," Senator Jameson said.

"Are you sure? I didn't think you hit it that hard. Oh well it won't hurt to look," the president replied.

A single member of the secret service detail stayed with the president as the rest of them went to ensure the woods were clear .A short while later Senator Jameson and the president ventured inside the small copse of bushes. Senator Jameson concentrated hard and felt a small talon grow from his finger. He pointed down to the ground and called "Hey bob, I think it's here."

The president stopped looking where he was and walked over to where Senator Jameson stood. "I don't see anything," he said.

In a motion too quick for the eye to follow Senator Jameson had stabbed the president in the neck with his talon. The president stared in horror before collapsing onto the floor. Senator Jameson stripped off his clothes, and as he did so his body started to melt and reform. He only had a few seconds to do this before the secret service arrived. Quickly stripping the president's body of it's clothing he felt the last of his changes complete. Now looking like an identical copy of the fallen president he turned his attention to the body on the floor. It started to change, legs changing, flesh rippling and face changing. Within a few seconds the body on the floor resembled that of Senator Jameson. Quickly dressing the body in his cast off clothing he took one last look around, checking all was set. The secret service agent who had followed them into the bushes gave a single fingered salute to the new 'president' before rushing off to find help. The new president cleared his throat and shouted, "Quick, Help I think the Senators had a heart attack."

• o - o - o -

Salah touched down at a small airstrip just outside Phoenix, Arizona. Walking down the ramp of his Lear jet he was met by a gleaming white Cadillac limo. Collecting his bags, he got into the rear seat and closed the door behind him. The driver turned to Salah and said "Welcome my master, where do you want to go today?"

"Take me to Osman. I need to see him urgently," Salah replied.

"I obey. How goes our cause?" the driver asked.

"Our cause goes well. Nearly twenty percent of the Guild follows me now. That fool Hassan will only destroy us. He should have stepped down because of his failure to procure the DNA system."

The driver started the engine and drove smoothly away. Turning on the intercom the driver said, "Then we move soon?"

"Not yet. The time is not yet right, we still have much to plan and more allies to gain. My agents in Australia will make moves to recruit Dr Bexley. She would be a powerful ally."

"But she is loyal to Hassan. She will not turn, she owes him too much."

"We will see. I think Hassan's hold on her is less than he thinks. She is like a Cobra inside a basket. Hassan thinks he has the lid on firmly. It is my job to ensure that it comes off and releases the Cobra when he least expects it."

"I see," the driver said.

Salah sat back and relaxed, it would be a long drive to the Guilds US headquarters. He reflected on the words he'd just spoken to the driver. He just hoped Dr Bexley would in fact turn on Hassan, the whole scheme relied on it.

• o - o - o -

Cathline was released from the chains and given a purple silk outfit. She bent down and put it on, looking for all intents and purposes like some kind of belly dancer. Tina too was released and thrown a blue silk outfit of the same design. She was about to resist but a glance from Cathline warned her otherwise. Two guards joined Osman and they escorted Cathline and Tina up the steps and into a long corridor. Cathline was still exhausted from having to fight the pain but Tina helped her along. Osman walked behind them, and Cathline could feel the lust for her burning within him as he walked behind. Cathline shivered in fear, knowing only too well what was going to happen next.

A hundred meters along, they stopped outside a viewing gallery. Osman bade them sit down on the row of chairs in front of a plate glass window Peering thru the glass they saw two surgical beds with two large TV screens in front of them. Tina gasped in horror as she noticed Scott and Marcel strapped firmly in. Several tubes ran from their arms and into IV's mounted on stands along one side of the bed. Looking closely Tina could see that Scott and Marcel were unconscious.

Osman stood along side them and said "Don't they look peaceful. This is a new game for me but my esteemed colleague Dr Bexley assures me this will work and be very entertaining as well. Your friends down there have had changeling organs grown inside them. However they are a special kind of organ. They will work only once before deactivating themselves. Of course they will continue to manufacture the drug required, keeping the body in that shape. No getting around this type of fixer, or so Dr Bexley tells me."

Tina strained her head and thought she detected a small movement from Scott.

"Yes my dear they will awake soon. Dr Bexley tells me that the changeling organ works by thought and whatever the changeling thinks of then the organ will make them become it. This is an experiment. I will play several of your pornographic movies to them. As they become aroused by these movies it will stimulate the changeling organs inside them. Dr Bexley also informs me that part of lust is the desire to possess the object you lust after. Unfortunately for your friends down there their lust will cause them to change into the item they are lusting after."

Tina gasped "No, you can't do that. That's horrible!"

Osman ran his finger down Tina's face and Tina flinched away. Osman paused for a moment and then said "I'm not going to do anything to them. They are going to do it to themselves. Don't worry, they won't transform all at once it'll take at least three days. Dr Bexley wants to get meaningful data from them."

"You bastard!" spat Cathline.

"Yes I am actually. I was abandoned by my parents and left in the street to die. I stole for food until a member of the Guild found me and brought me up. BUT enough of this, look they are about to wake up?"

Tina shouted out "Scott don't look at the screens," but the glass was too thick for him to hear.

Scott awoke feeling as though he'd gone ten rounds with Mike Tyson. His limbs ached, his arms ached and his stomach felt as weird as hell. He managed to turn his head to see Marcel lying on a nearby bed.

"Hey Marcel you ok?" Scott managed to say.

Marcel tried to turn his head towards Scott but said nothing.

"What's with the big TV screens?" Scott called out.

Marcel, now more awake turned to look at the large screen in front of his bed.

Up on the viewing gallery Osman looked at the waking men below. Turning to Cathline he said, "Good they are awake. Now the fun begins."

• o - o - o -

The guard let Elizabeth back into her lab with the minimum amount of fuss. Closing the door behind her, Elizabeth looked into the brightly-lit room. Her tank was still in the corner, the water now dirty and gray looking. Being a mermaid wasn't so bad when she could enjoy the ocean but here it was torture. Being unable to escape from her watery prison, it had nearly driven her mad. She walked over to the bed where she'd examined Kat. Elizabeth thought back to the struggle Kat had put up until she had, finally accepted her fate.

Elizabeth pressed a button on a console and two doors slid back, revealing a secondary room. She looked up and to her horror saw that her DNA system had been removed. Swearing to herself, she walked into the space where the DNA system used to be. Panic rising up inside her, she rushed to a nearby cabinet and opened it. She breathed a sigh of relief as she saw a small bottle with a yellowish liquid inside. Taking it she stuffed it into her pocket and continued to investigate.

"Where did I put it?" she said to herself as she rummaged thru a set of draws. At last she pulled out a passport and drivers license in the name of "Jane Stephens" and put them in her pocket as well.

Elizabeth heard a sound behind her and whirled around. "Hassan what you doing here?" she demanded.

"I might ask the same thing. There is nothing here for you Dr Bexley. Show me what you have just taken," Hassan demanded, a look of suspicion, doubt and being betrayed on his face.

"In a moment. What the Fuck have you done with MY DNA system?" Elizabeth demanded.

"SHOW ME," Hassan snarled back.

Not wishing to anger Hassan any further Elizabeth reached into her pockets and pulled out the Passport and bottle of liquid."

"What are those?" Hassan asked.

Elizabeth looked as though she'd been wrongly accused of something and said, "I'm taking these to help in my darling Matthew's conversion. He still loves Kat, even though she is dead. To fully turn him we need to break him of that. When he is the middle of our drug-induced stupor I will appear to him as Kat and make him think that his love of Kat was only some perverse illusion. The drivers licence is proof if he demands it and the liquid is some of Kat's cells in suspension. As you know to make an exact copy requires a copy of the DNA. When I turn into a facsimile of a person I'm only superficially them, inside I'm still me. That's why a changeling prefers to use a talon of some description before switching. The talon enables the DNA to be copied via blood transfer. Kat is gone so I can't use that method and Matthew would spot a poor copy a mile off."

Hassan thought for a moment and then looked satisfied. He turned and went to walk out. A thought struck him and he turned to face Elizabeth once more.

"Dr Bexley, your attitude is changing towards me. Once you were subservient to me, now you treat me as an equal. I am not your equal! I am your master. Once you joined the Guild you joined for life. You are the first woman to ever be allowed to do so. This isn't some American club you subscribe to and then leave at the nearest whim. IF you leave it is because I wish it. I would suggest you think on our capabilities and your attitude. There are many among us who see you as a danger to us. I am not yet among them, pray I never join them." Hassan turned and left.

Elizabeth put the license and bottle back in her pocket and taking a last look around left the laboratory.

• o - o - o -

"Your paper Prime Minister," Inspector Jones said, handing today's copy of the Times to the Prime Minister.

"Thank you Inspector. That'll be all," the Prime Minister replied.

Inspector Jones nodded and left the room.

The Prime Minister sat down and started to read the foreign office briefings. A few reports gave him cause for concern. Firstly the Israeli's were getting jumpy again. Apparently they'd moved two whole armored divisions to the Egyptian border. The diplomatic language said they were on exercise but as everyone knew they were warning Egypt about something. Of course in response Egypt had sent eight of its armored and infantry divisions on similar exercises and tensions in the region had once again been raised.

Looking down to another column he saw that Senator Walter Jameson had had a heart attack. The president was going to have a full state funeral with full honors for his friend.

Picking up his copy of 'The Times' he noticed that it contained most of what he'd just read in his briefings. He smiled to himself as he thought that all the foreign office did was paraphrase what was in the newspapers and on the TV. He knew the American State Department did, or rather President Andrews told him they did. I guess the media did rule the world after all.

Scanning down the page he noticed that Rachel Martin, her agent, Matthew Stephens, and two police officers from the NYPD had gone missing. Some kind of commando style kidnap. No demands had been made as yet and only the untimely death of the senator had removed the story from the front pages of the American press. He noted that even the Times had resorted to speculation on her fate. Their correspondent reckoned that Dr Bexley had made a comeback and that this was her revenge. None of that bothered the Prime Minister as he put the paper down and continued with his paperwork.

Several hours later the Cabinet Secretary, Sir James Hacker came in and informed the Prime Minister that it was time to leave for his constituency. Placing all the documents inside his ministerial red box. He left 10 Downing street and got into a government black Jaguar along side two other special branch officers.

Inspector David Jones sat down in the drivers seat and closed the door. Unlike the American way of providing a full motorcade to protect it's VIP's the British have decided on a more discrete form of protection. Usually two or three unmarked police vehicles head and tail the Prime Ministers car. It's their job to ensure that no car gets alongside or passes them. Should trouble arise then special branch can be at the site within minutes.

At 2am the traffic was very light and it took scarcely half an hour to get out of London and onto the freeway, the black Jaguar and its Rover escorts mixing in with the rest of the traffic. The Prime Minister's car and escorts had just passed Cambridge when the police car behind him shot alongside to prevent another car from overtaking. The Prime Minister looked behind him and said to inspector Jones "Everything Ok?"

"Of course. Just a precautionary measure, just relax sir," one of the other protection officers said.

The car that had tried to overtake dropped back and the police car pulled back behind the Prime Minister's car. Suddenly there was a loud explosion from the trailing police car and it erupted into flame. The Prime minister was shocked to find that instead of speeding away the car was slowing down. Inspector what the hell is going on?" the Prime Minster demanded

"Sorry sir. We must have got a puncture."

"But these tyres are.."

The PM's sentence was cut off by another loud explosion from the police car in front. Instinctively he ducked down as bullets impacted the armored glass. Inspector Jones slammed on the brakes and put the car into a sideways slide and stopped.

The car that had been following stopped also, as did a small Renault in front. Within seconds four men from each car had leaped out and surrounded the Prime Ministers car. Before they had reached it the other special branch officers inside the car had jumped out and were returning fire at the approaching men killing two of them instantly. One of the special branch officers noticed that the bodies seemed to melt and dissolve away, however the sound of bullets impacting the armored door of the Jaguar dragged him away from his analysis.

"Stay here, I'll take the PM," Inspector Jones said to the others. They nodded their agreement and set up a defensive ring around the car. The PM lay flat on the carpeted floor of his Jaguar with Inspector Jones on top. A small talon grew out from Inspector Jones finger and the PM cried out as it jabbed into his neck, and then he went quiet. The firing ceased and a masked face appeared at the door. It gave a single fingered salute and then stood on guard by the car.

Closing the door of the Jaguar Inspector Jones proceeded to strip the unconscious body of the PM, while his own body started to change. Looking back a few seconds later he saw with some satisfaction that the PM had started to change into a duplicate of the late inspector. A minute or so later the new PM had switched clothes with the body on the floor. The new PM gave a signal to his comrade and they both dragged the unconscious body of the PM out of the car. One of the masked men stood some distance away before putting a bullet thru the late Prime Ministers head. The whole ambush, switch and gunning down of the escort had taken a total of four minutes.

A minute later multiple police cars with armed officers on board were rushing to the scene. The six gunmen who were left adopted a defensive position around each of their cars and proceeded to open fire at the incoming police.

It was a one sided battle however and the heavily outnumbered the gunmen surrendered. However as soon as the police closed in each gunman collapsed and started to dissolve into a red liquid on the floor. A very shaken PM was soon surrounded by police officers and explained that Inspector Jones was a hero. He'd used himself as a shield in order to protect the PM and had been shot just as the police arrived.

In a matter of moments the Prime Minster was hustled inside another police Rover and driven away from harm. A red fluid trickled under the wheels of the bullet riddled Jaguar, the only remains of the masked men who had attempted to assassinate the British Prime Minster.

• o - o - o -

Hassan sat at his desk and read the reports of the latest set of changeling infiltration's. He was especially proud of the British switch. It had cost the lives of eight of his elite assassins but it was well worth the effort. Now the British would increase security around their Prime Minister and thus give additional security to the changeling impostor. No trace of the bodies of his forces would be found, only a thick red organic residue. He knew that it would be identical in nature to the effects of his DNA warhead but that was part of the plan also. Britain would link the two events together and thus be even more likely to take sides against the enemy.

He thought back to his conversation with Dr Bexley. She seemed very guilty when questioned about the equipment she'd taken from her lab. Her explanation was a good one however, and may even have been true. The doctor overseeing Matthews's conversion would confirm her story of course. If it proved to be a lie, then the good doctor would find herself in Osman's capable hands.

A buzzer sounded on the videophone and Hassan Keyed in the required encryption key. A young face, with unkempt brown hair and glasses was on screen. "Yes!" Hassan demanded.

"Master Hassan. We need to replicate the Guild database from this site to the others around the world. I need you to enter your personal encryption code to allow the data transfer to continue."

Hassan sighed, "Do you have to do it now. I need all the network capacity I can get at the moment."

"Sorry master but yes. Your policy of information backup in case of disaster requires it. We haven't updated our records since the new network went on line. The transfer will be done piece by piece, data packet by data packet. We'll slip it into the global communications network. Nobody will notice small amounts of data from seemingly random sources. Even if they did the 128 bit encryption we obtained from out American friends will prevent it from being viewed."

"Go ahead. How long?"

"Around six hours."

"Proceed! Hassan out."

Hassan leaned back in his chair and pondered. Things were much simpler when his father was in charge. Now the Guild was as much about technology as it was about it's other work. Still giving each 'root' as Dr Bexley called it a stand-alone capability was a valuable tool. Each root now had it's own copy of the complete Guild archives and could function as though it was the main headquarters. Contingency for the plan required such methods. Should the Americans, British, French, Russian or Chinese find out what had happened, the Guild would need its roots to survive. Of course the 'incident' would divert world attention away from the Guild and towards its more benign neighbor. Hassan checked his watch. Dr Bexley should have landed in Australia by now. How she behaved with Matthew would determine if she lived or died.

• o - o - o -

The TV screens in front of Scott and Marcel burst into life. Scott stared at the screen wondering what they were going to show, some kind of brainwashing program, Seinfeld, or something more insidious. Instead the screen showed a busty, blonde woman walking into her bedroom. She took her skirt off to reveal her long shapely legs. She walked over to the bed and pulled the sheets back only to find another equally busty woman with long black hair, the woman was wearing a black Basque and garters.

Scott almost laughed out loud. They were showing him cheap porn movies. What the hell did they expect to get out of him by showing him those? Still it helped pass the time and they were particularly bad movies.

The blonde woman on screen started to unbutton her blouse. She slowly removed it to reveal her large, perfectly formed breasts. She carefully took off her bra and dropped it on the floor. The woman in the bed got up and kissed her fully on the lips. In response the blonde woman pulled her close and ran her fingers down the other woman's back. The camera zoomed into the blonde woman's legs until they filled the screen

Subconsciously Scott became aroused at the sight of the blonde woman's legs. He saw how their shape curved from thigh to ankle and how her knee formed a perfect join between her calf and thigh. He felt his cock starting to swell and his own legs start to ache.

His attention was distracted away from the movie showing on screen by the strange sensations in his legs. He managed to look down and see that the flesh was reforming and rippling. He tried to stop it but nothing worked. He noticed that his skin was smoother on his legs and that all the hair had fallen out. His thighs changed shape and became much more curved and less muscular. He couldn't see all the way down to his ankles but his feet were smaller.

In horror he turned away and stared at Marcel. The skin on Marcel's arms was rippling and his arms were becoming much less muscular and more dainty. Marcel was staring at his hands as the nails on them grew and his fingers lengthened. Marcel now had very female arms.

Scott turned away and stared at his new legs. As far as he could tell they too were very feminine and very seductive, just like the ones on screen a few moments before. A thought struck him and he let out a loud scream.

From the viewing gallery Tina and Cathline had watched the whole thing in horror. Osman stood over them watching the proceedings with interest. Tina couldn't help but notice the bulge in Osman's trousers as the change had progressed. Tina turned away and shuddered.

Osman turned to Cathline and said, "See! Dr Bexley was right. I must say his choice in legs is very fine. I'll give them a chance to recover before progressing onwards. It's best to take your time, as I'm sure you'll agree. Now Ladies if you'll follow me. it's your turn to give me some fun."

• o - o - o -

"How are we today, Dr Bexley?" the doctor asked.

"I'm fine. When do I get out here?" Matthew said. Although deep down he KNEW he wasn't really Dr Bexley it seemed best at the moment to make out as if he was.

"When you're better. You know I'm not convinced that you fully remember your identity. I think you're shamming in order to stop the electro-shock therapy," the doctor said sternly.

Matthew put on a hurt face "Oh no doctor. I'm really Dr Bexley I know that now."

"Hmm You are a poor liar Dr Bexley," the doctor reached into his pocket and pulled out his remote.

"No doctor. I'm better, I really am," Matthew started to panic.

"We shall see," the doctor said and walked out, placing the remote on a nearby bedside table.

Matthew waited alone in the darkness. It was a dangerous game he was playing, he could see that. Part of him was starting to think that maybe he really was Dr Bexley and that the doctor was right. However he clung to Kat's memory and the good times they'd had together. Kat had kept him going. He allowed himself to drift off into the hazy daydream state that had been creeping up on him for the past few hours.

On the other side of the wall the doctor watched the sleeping figure of Matthew. He turned and saw a woman with black hair and bright green eyes walking towards him. The woman didn't so much walk as slink and her nurse's uniform showed off her shapely body. The doctor estimated that she was around 5'7 and in her late twenties. The woman walked closer to him and said "Hello Doctor. My name is Dr Elizabeth Bexley. How's my twin sister?"

The doctor looked startled for a moment and then replied "He's doing fine. He's telling us what he thinks we want to hear, although he doesn't yet believe it himself. I thought he was supposed to look like you?"

"I know him very well. In fact I've loved him for years. He's clinging onto the memory of his dead wife. That's what's keeping him going. Once we break that he will be much easier to condition. His dead wife Kat is the single domino. When we push it over his whole psyche will follow. The body I'm wearing is in the form of his wife. I trust he's drugged enough for me to do my work?"

"Yes he is. A masterly plan if I might say so," the doctor said, full of admiration.

"Thank you," Elizabeth said and went inside the room.

Matthew was awake and on seeing Elizabeth, as 'Kat' walk into the room shouted out "Kat, You're alive. I knew they hadn't really killed you!"

'Kat' walked over to the bed and in Matthew's confused state just seemed to drift there. 'Kat' turned to him and said "Who's Kat?. My name is Louise. I was the nurse who gave you first aid at your wedding?"

Matthew shook his head "No you're Kat, My wife. What have they done to you? I missed you so much, every day I wanted to feel your touch, to hear your voice, to see you laugh Oh! Kat how much I've missed you!"

"The doctor said that you are sometimes delusional. Dr Bexley what you're experiencing is classic transference. Because I helped you, you now think that I'm a close friend or even lover. This is the first time I've met you since you woke up."

Matthew was confused. What was Kat playing at? "Kat, please listen to me. It's me, Matthew."

'Kat' walked over to the remote, still lying on a bedside table. Picking it up she said, "The doctor said you could still be shamming. This will make sure."

"No Kat please. I love you," Matthew screamed.

'Kat' pressed the button and saw Matthews body arc in pain. Matthew cried out "Kat stop it," but the pain continued.

"Dr Bexley, Who is Kat?"

"Kat is my wife. She's, you're standing in front of me"

"Wrong answer," 'Kat' said and pressed the button once more. Under her breath 'Kat' whispered "I'm so sorry my love. Soon it'll be over, don't fight it."

Matthew cried out as the pain shot thru his very being.

"WHO IS KAT?"

"Kat is the only woman I have ever loved."

"Dr Bexley why do you keep deluding yourself. Kat doesn't exist. My name is Louise Webb," 'Kat' replied, pressing the button once more.

A howling scream came from Matthew's lips and once the pain had subsided Matthew managed to say, "I love her, I love Kat."

"Dr Bexley, you love Matthew Stephens. Kat is someone you made up. WHO IS KAT?" 'Kat' pressed the button once more.

Tears ran down Matthew's face as every nerve in his body felt as though it was on fire. His head swam with the effects of the drugs and conditioning "I.. Love. Kat," he managed to say.

"Dr Bexley, if I press this button a few more times then you could be killed. Now Is KAT real?" 'Kat' said, pressing the button hard.

Another scream "yes," Matthew shouted.

"IS KAT REAL?"

A louder scream "YES!"

"IS KAT REAL?"

The scream erupted from Matthew's mouth and stopped as Matthew's larynx dried up.

"IS KAT REAL?" 'Kat' demanded.

Matthew shook his head softly and whispered "No. I made her up. I love Matthew Stephens."

"See Dr Bexley, that wasn't so bad after all. Now let me see if the doctor will allow you some water." 'Kat' said softly, and she began to stroke his hair with her hands.

Matthew's whole body ached, his head throbbed and his throat was parched. Deep down he knew Kat was real or at least he thought she might be real. It didn't matter anyway. He imagined himself in bed with Kat, as she used to be when he first met her. She was stroking his hair and whispering sweet nothings into his ear. Matthew relaxed and drifted away again. A single word seemed to be repeated over and over. 'Failsafe' this and 'Failsafe' that. Now Matthew was drifting in a sea of contentment and he felt himself get lighter and lighter. He imagined his body floating off the bed and then slowly sinking back down again, but this time into some one else's body. The name of that person was Dr Elizabeth Anne Bexley. It seemed so homely there that Matthew decided to stay a while.

• o - o - o -

Two Guild guards led a shocked Tina and Cathline away from the gallery. Cathline was looking more distressed with every step. Her face showing every bit of the pain she must be feeling. Tina was just stunned. She had always felt as though the events in Fury were an exaggeration, that she could have done better. She realised that she was just as helpless as Cathline, and it pissed her off. She tried not to think about what was being done to Scott and Marcel. What the hell would Rebecca say when Scott came back as a woman? Osman's evil made her shudder; it made the mailman look like a rank amateur.

They were taken to their dungeon and chained back onto the wall. The guards left the room, leaving Tina and Cathline alone.

"Cathline you ok?" Tina whispered

"If you ask if I'm ok anymore I'll punch you," Cathline spat.

"What's up with you?"

"Sorry, just that this brings it all back up again. I mean poor Marcel, your partner too. Funny thing is that this doesn't look like Liz's work. I mean she's evil, cunning beyond words and probably the most dangerous woman on the planet but this isn't her style. I'm surprised that we haven't seen her yet. Oh my God! Matthew, what the fuck is she doing to him?"

"I've no idea. All I know is that my partner's down there, slowly turning into a woman, and I'm helpless to stop it!"

"There's nothing you can do. You've just got to hope that he's strong enough to resist."

• o - o - o -

Scott stared down at the shapely legs he now possessed. How the fuck was this happening he thought. Of course that damned Bexley woman. But who was the man at the viewing window and what was he going to do with Rachel Martin and Tina. Before he could get his answer the TV screens flicked on and a woman was slowly and sensuously undressing. Her black, silk teddy was tight against her firm body. Scott could see every muscle in her toned body and her shape was heavenly.

The woman reached down to her crotch and undid the teddy. Suddenly pain shot thru Scott and he passed out.

Marcel stared at the screen both in dread and fascination. The woman undid her garter belt and stretched out her long limbs. The muscle tone on her legs and thighs was perfect and their shape was emphasised by the black garters she wore. Sensation shot thru Marcel and his legs started to shake and quiver. He cried out in anguish. He knew exactly what was going to happen next.

• o - o - o -

The white limo drew up to the gates of a large ranch. On seeing the car the armed guards at the gate opened them and the car drove inside. A mile further on the car drew up to the house and waited. A few moments later Osman opened the door and waited for Salah to get out of the car.

"It's good to see you again my brother," Osman said, giving him a large hug.

"It's good to be here. This is quite an operation we have here. I don't recall being here for a while, most impressive."

"Thank you. Why has Hassan sent you here? He said something about needing some help?"

"He wanted me to prepare things here in case things went offline in Libya. All hell will break loose after the 'incident' and he wants to be prepared for all eventualities."

"I see. What has he told you of his plans?"

"Not much, only that he plans to use genetic warheads on an unknown target. After that Hassan has his secrets."

"Good. It's important we know what are out goals are. Come, let me show me my latest additions."

"Yes, I've heard you have collected Rachel Martin. The American news is going crazy over it."

"I see you know about her. Good! I'll let you be the first man to have her. My present to you."

"Osman, You needn't. I'm sure Hassan would prefer it if she wasn't soiled."

"Thank you for your concern but Rachel Martin is my property now. I can do with her as I wish. I will take it as a great insult and see it as evidence that your loyalties are not all for us if you do not take this gift."

Salah sighed and went inside.

A few minutes later Osman paused outside of a viewing gallery and pointed downwards. "Look, see how my experiment is going."

Salah looked down and saw two strange looking figures strapped down onto two beds. A large TV was playing some erotic movie and the figures faces were transfixed to the screens. Both figures were male but one had a woman's body and legs, the other had very shapely legs and dainty arms.

Salah thought for a moment and then whispered something into Osman ear.

Osman chuckled and said "Oh yes my friend. I like it. I like it a great deal," slapping Salah on the back he led him down to the dungeon.

Salah walked down the stairs into a dimly lit room, two figures were chained to the wall. The tall beautiful one's head hung low and she was clearly still in pain. The smaller one glared at him in anger.

"The smaller one, has a lot of spirit. She'll soon learn otherwise unless she wants to follow her companion's fate." Osman said.

"Which is?"

Osman walked over to Cathline and pulled her head upright. Salah recoiled at the sight of the eye-patch over her once perfect face. "You didn't?" he asked.

"My justice is for life. Now I'll leave you alone for a while to enjoy your gift. I will know if you have enjoyed her." Osman said and walked out of the room.

Salah looked around and spotted the camera and microphone mounted on the wall above. He then went over to the sullen Cathline. Cathline looked up at Salah and when he was in range spat in his face. Salah just wiped it away and moved closer to the chained Cathline.

"Hey! Fuck me instead you bastard, leave her alone," Tina shouted at Salah.

Salah ignored her and grabbing Cathline's face kissed her on the lips. His tongue forced it's way into her mouth. While his hand reached down and touched her HERE and THERE. Cathline's eyes went wide and then she responded by opening her legs wide.

Salah whispered to Cathline "When the time is right I'll get you out. Trust me. Not a word or even a thought to anyone though. SHHH!"

"Cathline what the fuck are you doing?" Tina shouted.

Salah pulled away for a moment and Cathline stared back. She stood upright and motioned for Salah to continue. Salah gently stroked Cathline's erect nipple and over onto her warm, firm breasts. Cathline let out a moan of pleasure as Salah caressed her clitoris and she could feel herself moisten and become wet.

Salah then undid his pants revealing his erect cock. Cathline's face was flushed with pleasure "More, More "she whispered. Salah drew close pushing his dick into her moist pussy. He let out a sigh as he felt her pussy close around it. He stared into the once perfect but now flawed face, it was looking back at him in lust. He placed one arm around her naked back and ran his had down her spine.

Cathline shivered in pleasure and she went to try and kiss him back but the chains held her tight. Salah pushed Cathline against the wall and began to kiss her perfect breasts. Cathline's arousal grew until she was on fire for him. She felt her sex grow ever more moist and warm and her body felt a wave of pleasure wash over her.

Cathline spread her legs wide, offering herself to Salah. Salah undid his pants and pulled out his erect cock. Grabbing Cathline he pulled her close and pushed his dick into Cathline's waiting pussy.

Cathline moaned and grabbed Salah's back, pulling him further into her. Salah kissed Cathline's neck and thrust himself deeper into her. Cathline responded with a loud moan and started to move Salah even deeper into herself. After a seemingly endless series of thrusts, each more pleasurable and erotic than the last Cathline felt a warm wet feeling inside her. Salah relaxed and gave Cathline an affectionate kiss on the check, "Later," he whispered.

After he had come Salah did up his pants, gave a single fingered salute to Cathline and went upstairs.

Cathline lay back. Glowing after her session with Salah. She looked at Tina and smiled.

"Hey what the hell was that all about? You looked as though you were enjoying yourself. I know you told me that we had to look as though we were enjoying it but that was taking things a little too far. After that kiss you wanted him to fuck you," Tina screamed, outraged at Cathline's attitude.

"I know and yes I'd let him fuck me again. When they treat you gently and with love it's not so bad," Cathline said nodding towards the camera on the wall.

"How so? It's still rape."

"Not if you want the person to screw you it's not."

Tina's face grew angry "You've changed your tune. SLUT!"

"For him I'd be a slut anytime."

"You really are strange, Cathline Richards. One minute you're hating every moment and in agony. The next you're waiting for your new boyfriend."

"I don't have to explain myself or my motives to you. All I'll say is that you'll soon be as glad to see him again as I will."

• o - o - o -

The monitor beeped on Hassan's console and Hassan answered it. "Hassan here."

"Hello Hassan, Dr Bexley here. I just want to thank you for giving me Matthew. Do you have any further use for me for the next few weeks? I'd like to get married as soon as I can."

"No, I think we need to test the changeling organs further but we don't need you to assist in this. Providing Matthew Stephens, or should I say 'Dr Bexley' for you was my pleasure. You've served me very well, enjoy your wedding."

"Thank you, Hassan. Now at last I can get back to a version of the life I should have had," Elizabeth said smiling.

"I will see you in three weeks, Hassan out," Hassan said switching off the connection.

• o - o - o -

"I am not a slut! I knew exactly what I wanted," Cathline swore at Tina. The argument had been going on for sometime now and Cathline's temper was in full flow.

"Yes you are. What'll all your fans think of the clean cut Rachel Martin now?" Tina taunted.

"You're only jealous, because he didn't choose you."

"Give it a rest Cathline. When it comes to my turn I fight it. My body is my own."

Pointing to her eyepatch Cathline spat "In that case you'll end up like me."

"Shut up! Someone's coming," Tina whispered.

The blood froze in Cathline's body as she recognised the shape walking down the stairs, Osman. He was accompanied by a smaller, thinly built man. Osman turned to Cathline and said, "I'm glad you enjoyed Salah. He speaks highly of you."

"Piss off Osman," Tina spat back.

Cathline glared at Tina to shut it and Tina fell silent.

Osman gestured to the man cowering behind him and said "Let me introduce Omar to you. Omar has a special talent and I've used him on a number of occasions to get what I want. Don't worry Omar, they won't bite."

Omar emerged from behind Osman and looked at Tina, "She's a feisty one. She may be a problem, the other one too, now I look at her."

"I'm sure you'll cope. You've dealt with more stubborn cases before. Let me know when it's done," Osman said and started to walk away.

"You're sure they cannot escape?" Omar asked Osman.

"Quite sure. Now I must go I have other duties to attend to," Osman replied and walked up the stairs, leaving Tina and Cathline alone with Omar.

"So Omar, which one of us are you going to fuck first?" Tina asked.

"None of you. Osman has asked me to prepare you for a little job he wants you do to for him. Don't worry, it won't hurt and will only last an hour or so," Omar replied, brushing his hair back from his face.

"This is all getting a little dull. Last time he was so much more inventive," Cathline taunted.

"He hasn't lost his touch, I assure you. Now just look into my eyes," Omar said softly.

Cathline tried to look away but found herself unable to pull away from the dark brown pools that were Omar's eyes. She felt so tired, so weary. If she could just rest a while than all would be just fine and dandy.

"Fight it Cathline," Tina shouted but to her horror saw Cathline's body go limp and flaccid. Cathline's one good eye was open but had taken on a glazed, vacant look.

"She was so easy. Now it's your turn," Omar said, turning to Tina.

Ever since the mailman had hypnotised her into shooting Scott, Tina had, had a fear of it happening again. She closed her eyes and turned her head away in a desperate attempt to avoid his eyes.

She struggled as she felt a hand grab her head, forcing to look right ahead. Rough fingers grabbed her nose and she was unable to breathe. Instinctively she opened her eyes and found her gaze fixed upon two deep brown eyes.

She felt herself becoming drowsy and fought against it. She tried to perform arithmetic in her mind, recall memories and anything else she could think of to avoid the sleepiness she now felt. She felt her legs go numb as the tiredness crept up her body. Now her arms were numb and sleep beckoned. In the end she could hold out no longer and the sleep was just so inviting.

• o - o - o -

Scott awoke and found to his horror that his body had reshaped itself into that of the woman's on screen. His chest was smooth and hairless and rather than his usually muscular shoulders his new shoulders were rounded and very feminine in shape. He turned his head away, almost feeling sick with anguish. A sudden light came on at the far end of the room and he saw two figures walk into the room. One was tall and the other was smaller, and by their curves both were female.

"Hello," he called out.

The figures walked closer and Scott called out joyfully, "Tina, Rachel. Thank God. Get us outta here."

Tina put her finger to her lips and walked closer, while Rachel Martin moved seductively towards Marcel.

Marcel called something out in French and Rachel replied. Scott stared at Tina as she undid her top and let it fall to the floor, exposing her ample breasts. Tina moved over to Scott and kissed him on the lips. Scott tried to struggle away but his arms and legs were tied too tight.

Tina bent over and brushed her breasts over Scott's body, she kissed over and over again on the chest, neck and with her hands grabbed hold of Scott's now erect dick. She gently stroked it and placed her mouth over it. She was surprised when it began to shrink back into Scott's body. When Scott's new pussy had formed she started to kiss and caress his face. With her other hand she started to gently stroke Scott's new clitoris. Scott gave a moan of pleasure and tried to respond. She felt Scott's face start to reform and she took a moment to see how Cathline was doing. Tina noticed with satisfaction that Cathline was doing a good job too, just as she was supposed to. Even as she turned her attention back to Scott she felt Scott respond and she allowed herself to be swept away by the waves of pleasure sweeping her body.

• o - o - o -

"I can't believe I did that! To Scott, to Rebecca and to me," Tina sobbed.

"I know but we weren't ourselves. We weren't responsible, Osman was. He's the one that thought it up. If it weren't us it'd be someone else. If we find Elizabeth's machine maybe we can turn them back. Until then we have to wait for our opportunity," Cathline said.

Tina stopped crying for a moment and said, "You're right. Poor Rebecca, how will she feel if we can't."

"If she loves him she will cope, just as Kat did with Matthew. Anyway we are going to get out of here and turn him back, Marcel too."

"Shh! Someone's coming," Tina hissed.

They waited as a shadowy figure walked into their cell. Cathline turned away in horror as Osman walked in.

"I just wanted to thank you ladies for all the help you gave today, most enjoyable. I thought I'd just let you know that I'm sending off my latest additions to Libya as a gift to Hassan. I could never have done it without you," Osman said.

"You bastard," Tina spat.

"Correct! Besides, Hassan gave me you two so it's only fair. Anyway it wasn't my idea it was Salah's. A most promising young man I might say. By the way if I wasn't so busy I'd enjoy you myself but you'll keep," Osman said and walked out.

Cathline looked dumbstruck at this revelation. "I was sure.," she started.

"So much for your new boyfriend. Hope you're happy now," Tina snapped.

"I don't understand. I was so sure. Fuck I feel dirty," Cathline started to cry.

"Understand what?" Tina asked.

"I thought Salah was going to rescue us. How could I have been so stupid?" Cathline sobbed.

Tina just glared back in return.

• o - o - o -

A soft, sharp knock at the door woke Elizabeth from the best night's sleep she'd had in a while.

"Who is it?" she called, covering herself up with the bed sheets.

"Message for you," the voice whispered.

"Oh umm bring it in," Elizabeth said, switching on her light.

A smallish, swarthy looking man walked in holding a sealed envelope. Handing it to Elizabeth he said, "My instructions are to wait for a reply."

"Fine," Elizabeth said and opened the letter.

She scanned down the text and paused before saying "Tell him this. Word for word. 'Agreed, Checkmate in two weeks. We will deal with the changelings after the event'. We are on time to prevent the incident from happening."

"It shall be done, Dr Bexley," the man nodded and walked out.

Elizabeth turned off the light and thought for a while. This was the first time in several months she'd had direct contact with Salah and what she'd read disturbed her. Agents loyal to Hassan made conspiracies difficult to maintain but by now Salah had built up a large following too. Sure the pieces were dropping into place but the stakes had just been raised a thousand fold. She was amazed that the Guild would even try to pull such a stunt. Deep down she knew that the Guild was planning to use the changeling and DNA technology, but she'd thought too small. Now hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives depended on her actions and plans over the next couple of weeks. The weight of that responsibility pressed on her mind so sleep was now impossible. To take her mind off things to come Elizabeth turned her mind to the treat she'd prepared for herself. Her one big self-indulgence, and she didn't care what it cost, she'd waited so long for it! Her ultimate revenge and her ultimate satisfaction! She had a wedding to go to tomorrow!"

• o - o - o -

"Mr president I must object," the chief of staff said.

"Why Bob?" the president replied.

"The course of action you're recommending is much too dangerous. If Egypt has broken the rules on DNA systems they must be persuaded otherwise. The Israelis are going ape over it."

"Look, all Mossad gave us is a single photograph of something that LOOKS like a Bexley DNA system. I will not commit the lives of our men and women to the results of a single photograph. I need more proof. As you well know Egypt has denied all knowledge of such a device. They let us look at the site where this device was and we found zip."

"Easily moved. Look they're playing the same game with us and the Israeli's as Iraq has. We catch them with their pants down, they make a fuss and create a few diplomatic incidents while shifting the stuff somewhere else. Your predecessor created the Fury Directive to prevent DNA weapons from being developed. This flies in the face of that and the UN resolutions that were passed," the Chief of staff said.

"I know it's difficult but I've spoken to the Brits on this one, hell even the Russians agree with me. Until we get more info we'll watch and advise," the president stated.

"Ok. At least let me move the Nimitz into the Med and schedule a couple of satellite sweeps. What about giving Israel some help?"

"Ok move the Nimitz and do the sweeps. As for the help what do you suggest? Until we have proof they'll just have to wait. They know that if they piss us off they'll lose that billion dollar aid package I promised them."

The chief of staff sighed, since the death of his friend, the president seemed colder and more ruthless. BUT he did have a point "Yes Mr president."

"Glad to have you aboard Bob. Look, as soon as we have proof we'll move. Now if you'll excuse me SECDEF needs to see me."

• o - o - o -

The changeling who resembled Dr Bexley's father took hold of Matthew's arm and slowly led him up the aisle. The organist played 'Entrance of the queen of Sheba' and Matthew just wafted up the row of people. His white wedding dress fitted him perfectly and thru the white gauze of his veil he could see his beloved 'Matthew' waiting for him.

Elizabeth turned to face her bride now walking towards her. Of course she had to wear Matthew's old body but that was a small price to pay for finally getting as close as she'd ever get to what she'd wanted for all these years. She had been tempted to jilt Matthew and thus make him endure all she had, had to endure but that wasn't how it was supposed to be. It was supposed to go just like this.

By now Matthew had reached Elizabeth's side and he now looked at her with love in his eyes. Elizabeth's heart soared! It was going to happen, it really was going to happen. Her attention was drawn back into events as she heard the priest start to speak "Dearly beloved we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Elizabeth Anne Bexley to Matthew James Stephens."

A short while later Matthew turned to Elizabeth and said "I do," and Elizabeth almost jumped for joy. It was going to work! It really was going to work!

As the wedding continued a knot grew inside Elizabeth's stomach and she felt her heartbeat increase as the priest said those fatal words, words that rang the death knoll of her life so long ago. The priest knew none of this of course and he asked, "Does anyone here know of any legal reason why these two cannot be married? Speak now or forever hold your peace."

To Elizabeth the silence was unbearable. She could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage and time seemed to have stopped. An eternity later the priest turned back to Matthew and Elizabeth and said "With the power invested in me by the state of South Australia I now pronounce you Man and Wife. What God has joined let no man break apart. You may now kiss the bride."

Elizabeth pulled Matthew close and kissed him, it had been far too long since the last time she'd kissed him. She thought she'd feel triumphant at this moment. That her whole life would suddenly come into focus and the pain of the years gone by would fall away. Instead she felt empty inside, just as she'd felt when she was a child and had suddenly found the Malibu-Jane she'd wanted so desperately was nothing but plastic and cloth. The weight of what she faced in the weeks ahead wouldn't go away and haunted her thoughts. Still at least they had three weeks together.

• o - o - o -

Scott opened his eyes and saw only darkness. His head hurt like hell and his nostrils were assaulted by the smell of a sweet, exotic perfume. The room was silent apart from the sound of his breathing. A few seconds after waking he knew something was wrong, something was missing. It took a few more moments for his head to clear. He cast his mind back to the last thing he remembered. Marcel was there. They were strapped into something, but what? A thought hit him like a hammer blow and at first he didn't believe it. No, it wasn't possible. He reached out with his hand and was instantly aware of a weight on his chest. His hand diverted from its course downwards and clutched at his chest. He felt a warm firm mound where there once was hair and muscle. He was so shocked it took a few seconds to register that he was feeling a breast. He gave the breast an experimental squeeze and then found the strength to scream a high pitched womanly scream, as the realisation hit him that it was his.

Marcel woke up on hearing Scott's scream. He sat bolt upright and then regretted it as he felt something bounce on his chest. His scream joined with Scott's as he looked down and saw a pair of not inconsiderable tits thrusting their way from his chest.

Scott took control of himself. Years of police training had drilled into him to remain calm. He took a few deep breaths and felt his 'breast' again. It was, certainly a breast, actually it was breasts as his hand had brushed the other one on the way over. It was also remarkably sensitive especially around the nipple. Reason took over and Scott moved his hand downward, over a smooth, flat stomach towards where his dick should be. Scott stifled another scream as his hand found only the warm slit of a vagina.

It was now difficult to remain calm. He was a woman. There could be no doubt about it. Parties unknown, actually that Bexley female, were certainly involved. They had kidnapped him, and Marcel and turned them into women. Now he. Yes he. Scott still thought of himself as 'he' in spite of the evidence to the opposite. By now Scott's eyes had adjusted to the dark and he saw that he was in a large room covered in ornate curtains. He noticed for the first time that his new body was dressed in a skimpy outfit that showed off his new cleavage to the full. Where the hell was he? He heard a soft whimper from his right and saw the shape of a young woman. She was dressed similarly to how he was and she was about 5'4. Her face was in her hands and she was sobbing softly. Scott deduced this must now be Marcel.

Marcel tried to wipe away the tears in his eyes. He felt violated and dirty. Yes he'd worked with beautiful women before, Rachel Martin being the most notable, but this was very different. He felt so vulnerable and afraid, how would he cope? Marcel looked down at the legs he now possessed and marvelled at their shape, the way they tapered up into his thigh, how his thigh curved gracefully into his wide hips and then the smooth curve upwards to his large, pert breasts. He was aware that someone was staring at him and saw another woman looking at him.

She was, he estimated, about 25 with what looked to be long blonde hair. She was also quite tall at around 5'8 and had the firm, well muscled tone of an athlete. Thru the dim light of the room Marcel could see that the woman looked stunning and that she was looking right at him, almost as if she was eyeing him up. Marcel managed to say, "Scott?" Marcel cut the sentence short; his voice was somehow different. It still had a French accent but was very cute indeed. His attention was brought back to reality when the woman opposite replied, "Marcel?"

Marcel nodded and noted his hair swished around on the back of his neck. Although the room was dim, Marcel's eyes soon adjusted, and ignoring the jiggling feeling of his breasts, he moved over towards Scott, "What's going on? Why are we like this?" Marcel's delicate but seductive voice asked.

The woman that was Scott Harris shook her head and answered, "I've no idea. All I remember is being strapped into a bed and shown these porn films. As they turned me on parts of my body began to change. Then Tina and Rachel Martin walked in and fucked us. I, I couldn't help it I just HAD to screw them. I remember the swelling feelings as THESE grew," Scott gestured towards his breasts.

"At least yours seem a normal size, These are HUGE. Scott, what if we can't turn back?" Marcel asked, fear in his voice.

"We must be able to. Oh no Rebecca! What will Rebecca do? Oh shit my marriage is over," tears began to form in Scott's eyes.

Marcel sighed, "We'll face this if it comes to it. Do you know where we are?"

Another female, American voice answered, "I can answer that."

Scott whirled around. His arms ready to ward off any attack. He stopped short of striking out and said, "Who the hell are you?"

The woman looked furtively around, as if afraid to tell some secret, "I'm Senator Walter Jameson."

"Who?. Oh yes I remember, you ran off with your secretary," Scott said.

Senator Jameson gestured to his female body and sighed, "Now I AM my secretary. I've been here for around 4 weeks, I think it could be longer though. Who are you?"

Scott stared at the woman in front of him, she was he estimated around thirty-three. Her black hair had been tied back into a ponytail, and she was dressed in a similar outfit to his own. Scott answered gingerly, still not used to the sound of his new voice, "I'm Detective Scott Harris and this is Marcel."

The senator paused for a few moments, "Then.."

"Yeah some bastards turned me into my own wet dream," Scott complained.

"I've been like this for nearly a month, I had my first period last week -- it was hell. I was kinda hoping that this wasn't real but as soon as I felt the stomach cramps I knew it was," the senator gestured to his female body.

"Oh fuck, periods. You get periods? " Scott swore.

"If the same people who got me, got you then yeah. You're all woman now. I found it hard to cope at first. Part of me wanted to touch my self up and the other part wanted it to go away. If I wasn't in this place I would have done it more, but don't let me stop you. Touch away."

Inside Scott was desperate to feel himself down there once more, desperate to run his smooth hands over his taut, curved body but it was the thought of stroking his breasts that tempted him the most. He was about to reach up and cup them in his hand when he stopped himself and asked, "Where are we then?"

The Senator thought for a moment and replied, "As far as I can tell we're in Libya. There's this guy called Hassan and he's the leader of this ancient order of Assassins. We're in his Harem."

Marcel's eyes widened in horror, "No!"

"It's ok they give you six weeks to settle in and then you have to do as Hassan says or else, Thiick," the Senator made a throat slitting gesture.

"I'd rather be dead than like this," Marcel said forcefully, pointing at his ample bosom.

"So, we've got six weeks until what? We become his slaves?" Scott asked.

The Senator nodded, "I guess so. I've not managed to speak to many of the girls here."

Scott asked the Senator, "So how did you get here?"

The senator shuffled and made himself comfortable and thought for a few moments. Scott and Marcel waited patiently until the senator started to speak, "The President sent me away for a weekend to work on some budget idea's I'd had. I've this nice little cabin in Montana, my retreat if you like. Anyway, I needed somebody to take notes, type reports etc, and so I took my secretary, Anne with me. She was unusually quiet and she said she'd had some kinda bust up with her boyfriend. That was fine by me -- all I wanted to do was work."

Scott interrupted, "Yeah I heard about that. That was legit? We all thought you'd gone off for some inappropriate extra-marital relief."

The senator nodded, "All lies, she'd stayed in a nearby hotel, but yeah it was legit. I'd proposed some pretty radical budget cuts and I felt that I should work in secret until they were ready for release. The media frenzy around my being there was unavoidable and the president understood when I explained it to him. Back to the story, We'd nearly finished our work and we were all packed to go, when Anne said she'd lost her room key. Well, we all helped look for them. I sent some of my security detail off into the woods to look for them around the house which, on reflection was the dumbest thing I've ever done. Anne told me that she thought they could be upstairs and asked me to go help her look there."

"You sent your security detail away?" Scott's incredulous face said it all.

"Yeah I know but this was MY place. I knew everyone around and who the hell was going to get me? It was like a second home for me and I trusted everyone on my staff. Anyway I was bending down under her bed, trying to reach towards a dark corner when I felt a prick on my back. A few seconds later it all went black."

"What happened?" Marcel asked.

"I've no idea. I awoke in Anne's hotel room. I remember waking up slowly and then realising something was very wrong with me. As soon as I saw my breasts I let out an almighty scream. My fears were confirmed when I managed to stand up and walk towards the mirror on the wardrobe. Someone had turned me into a copy of Anne.

Before I could explore further these two Arab guys burst in and I was hustled into a waiting car. I knew they were armed so I didn't try anything. I guess I could have screamed or something but I was still in shock and not thinking straight. They drugged me and I woke up in here some 4 weeks ago. How about yourself?"

Scott retold the story of how him and Marcel had got here. The senator thought for a while and said, "Dr Bexley huh. Figures nobody else could have turned us into women like that. But what the hell are we doing here and why go to all the bother of transforming us?"

Scott shrugged, "No idea, but she took out my partner and me single handed. I shot her, I fucking well shot her and she just smiled at me and the wound healed its self up. I'm telling you that shot would have laid out anybody but she just took it and within seconds she was as good as new."

The Senator rubbed his smooth, hairless chin and thought for a few moments. "Yeah that fits. We've long suspected that Dr Bexley was developing changeling technology. Rachel Martin's, Matthew Stephens and Kat's intelligence debrief raised the possibility but she's obviously perfected it. The CIA reports I read, stated that with changeling technology you could repair most near fatal wounds as well as become anyone you wished. Oh shit!"

Scott saw where the senator was leading, "Anne, she must have been a changeling too. You've been turned into her so she can take your place. Oh my God."

"But why me? There's much more senior government figures than myself," Senator Jameson fell silent for a while, his face showing that he was deep in thought.

"It's obvious why we're here. They needed somewhere to put us after they did this to us," Scott gestured once more at his comely form.

Marcel noticed the senator's face turn pale, "What's up?"

Senator Jameson fingered his ponytail with his hand and then stopped suddenly, "Sorry bad habit. I know why they chose me, I can't believe they'd even try it. The audacity of it is mind blowing."

"What?" Scott and Marcel said in unison.

The senator reached for his ponytail once more and then whipped his hand away as he realised what he was about to do, "The president, Bob and I go way back. We graduated West Point together, did a tour in Nam. I was the only one who he'd let get close to him. Hell I was almost a brother to him. If they switched with me then it'd be a helluva lot easier to get to him and if they switched with the president then we're all in deep, deep shit."

"Can I open my eyes now?" Matthew asked.

"Not yet," Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth had blindfolded Matthew since the leaving the wedding party some three hours before. Matthew had behaved impeccably in his new role as Dr Elizabeth Anne Stephens, and had a great time showing off his wedding ring to the guests and swooning over her new husband. Elizabeth had to admit the Guild had done a first class job of providing enough familiar looking faces to fool Matthew and the venue was perfect, just as she'd imagined her wedding reception to be all those years ago.

Now she was on her way to the large mansion that was built on top of the Guild's Australian bunker. It was a strange sight. A huge white limestone building complete with whitewashed walls and impeccable gardens stuck slap bang in the middle of the outback. Hassan had been quite insistent that she had to take her honeymoon here. He'd spoken as though it was a gift to her, but she knew that the threat was just below the surface, in fact a little like this mansion. She'd told Matthew that this was an exclusive hotel in Arizona for those who wanted a discrete hideaway. She smiled as she remembered Matthew's face light up when she told them they'd have the entire place to themselves.

Elizabeth let out a contented sigh as the large, ornate wrought iron gates swung open as her car approached. It was going SO well, everything was to plan and all in all this was her idea of a perfect wedding day. The sun shone down fiercely, making the white limestone of the mansion shine like a polished mirror. Architecture had never been one of her strong points but even Elizabeth could see the Arabic influence in the design of the mansion. Criss-cross shutters covered every window and she knew from her previous visits that the white marble floors would be polished to perfection.

Matthew detected that the car was slowing and asked "Hey come on honey, let me take this off now."

Elizabeth smiled and simply replied, "Not yet. When I've parked."

"Ok. Some hotel, no valet parking."

Elizabeth smiled to herself and pulled into the near vacant car lot. Switching off the engine she got out of the car and helped Matthew get out from the rear seat. Matthew moved to take off his blindfold but Elizabeth held him back and whispered, "Not yet."

Elizabeth grabbed Matthew's hand and led him around to the front of the Mansion. She stopped at the large and ornate wooden doors and was about to knock when the doors swung open. A Guild agent in traditional butler garb was standing in the hallway. He bowed gently and said, "Welcome to our humble home Mr and Mrs Stephens."

Elizabeth released Matthew's hand and said, "Go on take it off."

Matthew was only too glad to comply, he'd protested against the blindfold game but had eventually weakened. A bit of fun he'd been assured. He reached up and pulled the blindfold off. He was dazzled for a few moments by the bright light but seconds later his eyes adjusted and his jaw dropped at the beautiful sight that met his eyes. The hall was immense, the painted ceiling was reflected in the polished floor. A large central stairway went up the centre of the room and split into two. Around the walls were exquisite works of art, Monet and Picasso rubbed shoulders with Lowry and Dali. Matthew decided that it made his parent's house look decidedly average. Suddenly he felt two strong arms lifting him up and he felt himself move forward and into the room. The arms put him down and whirled him round so that he was facing Elizabeth.

Never in her wildest dreams had Elizabeth imagined that she'd be the one to do the carrying over the threshold but still she'd done it. The penultimate tradition in the marriage ceremony was complete. She pulled Matthew close, felt his breasts press on her muscular chest and kissed him. Matthew responded and she felt her self start to drift away on a sea of passion. She pulled away, not wanting it to end but they had to unpack first.

A Guild agent 'butler' carried their suitcases up the long staircase and along a long corridor. Departing with a regimented nod the Guild agent placed the suitcase outside the door.

Elizabeth put her strong arm across Matthew's shoulders and squeezed him gently, then turned him toward her and bent to give him a deep kiss. Before leaving the wedding, Matthew had changed from his bridal gown to a simple beige silk suit with a long, loose jacket and tight short skirt. He'd wanted to look pretty for his new husband and a little sexy too, but now the jacket material bunched under Elizabeth's grip.

"Let's get naked," Elizabeth hissed, then pressed her lips on Matthew's and began to crush him to her. He felt her beard stubble rub on his smooth cheek and kissed her back, feeling a knot of rising excitement in his belly. Was it eager anticipation? Tinged with a bit of fear? His tongue lightly licked Elizabeth's lips, and then he leaned back in her arms, looked up at her, and smiled to cover his uncertainty.

"Let's get to our room, honey. I'm a little shy about showing all this affection in a public lobby. Even though there doesn't seem to be anyone here." It felt odd calling his new husband "Honey" -- Matthew couldn't remember what endearment he'd called her before that moment. An odd intimation struck him. There were lots of things happening now that had never happened to him before. It felt peculiar. Well, that must be because he'd never been married before. He'd never been half of -- what had the butler called them, "Mr. and Mrs Stephens" -- before. Or had he? It seemed somehow familiar. But still, strange. Like lots of things.

This place for one. The butler for another. Why was he a butler and not a porter or a bell captain?

Elizabeth beamed affectionately at her new bride and wrapped his arm in hers, and together they started up the broad marble stairs.

"Honey, may I ask you a teensy question?" Matthew asked in a small voice?

"Of course," Elizabeth rumbled gently, gripping Matthew's arm even tighter. Was his forced conditioning coming undone already? She'd wanted him to believe he was her, Elizabeth, and obviously, he did. But she'd wanted him remade as an affectionate bimbo, something she could never be, passive, compliant, loving, passionate on cue. She'd wanted to find in Matthew her perfect mate, a devoted spouse sensitive to her needs and eager to provide for them, unconcerned with his own 'teensy' questions or large ones either. She expected from him now the love she'd hoped for when he became her husband. Instead, he'd deserted her. Well, now he wouldn't. She knew that now she was now the center of Matthew's world, the subject of his every fond desire, with no thoughts for himself.

"Certainly, lover," she repeated. "What's troubling your teensy mind?"

That feels so good, Matthew thought, hearing Elizabeth assert in a single phrase her rightful -- if condescending -- intellectual superiority over him. I feel so protected by this strong, handsome man who is now my husband!

"What place is this?" Matthew asked, wide-eyed. "Why is that porter dressed like a butler? And where are the rest of the hotel staff?"

Elizabeth smiled, partly at Matthew and partly to herself. "That's three questions, Liz dear. It's better for you not to worry your pretty little head about anything. This isn't a hotel. It's a mansion that belongs to a friend who's away who's lending it to us. The whole place is ours. So there's no need to feel shy. We can make love anywhere. And we will. Just follow whatever your natural inclinations."

Maybe I should have asked for them to make him a little less demure and a little more lustfully aggressive, Elizabeth was thinking. This shy violet I've married will never want to spread his legs for me in some of the places I have in mind. Well, if he feels embarrassed or humiliated, or if I have to rape him, so much the better. Do unto Matthew what he refused to do unto me, but in spades!

As they entered their lavish bedroom, hung with peach-colored tapestries, their bed high on a platform and draped in peach velvet, Matthew suffered a momentary extreme disorientation. He suddenly realized that though he loved this man, this Matthew, and had married him as the fulfilment of his most ardent desires he was a little unsure what those desires were! He wanted to be a complete woman to his husband. He wanted to share his life and his body with him.

But how? He knew how men and women make love. He'd seen drawings in books, or maybe it was movies. But Matthew suddenly realized that he'd never slept with a man. He was a virgin!

Elizabeth grasped Matthew gently under the chin, lifted his face, and touched his full, red lips with her mouth. "Liz dear, don't you want to slip into something more comfortable, and make yourself pretty for me?" Elizabeth asked him.

This was more familiar ground. Matthew had been planning for a long time which of the special negligees in his trousseau he would wear to make himself ravishingly beautiful on his honeymoon night. Even as a teenage girl he'd experimented with different kinds of make-up that would stay fresh, and not smear or otherwise mar his perfect night of passionate fulfilment. Or so he seemed to remember. He pecked back at Elizabeth.

"Don't go away, husband of mine," Matthew said, glorying in his possession of the man of his dreams. A wicked gleam came into his eye. "I'll be back in less time than you can imagine!"

Elizabeth could imagine it, of course. She'd supplied the program that constituted Matt's memory of their relationship and had effaced his prior identity. She'd also supplied Matt's negligee and make-up from her own trousseau, so lovingly prepared before that son of a bitch had abandoned her. A streak of anger flashed through her vitals, and she felt a stirring, then a tight pressure of her pants against her groin. What? Of course! Her cock was filling out, growing erect! She loosened her belt and unzipped her fly and dropped her pants, then her boxer shorts, and stepped out of them. Her cock was now fully erect, and waved as if a willow in the wind as she sat down in a nearby chair to await her 'wife's' return. She knew what she was going to do with him now! A menacing expression came over her face, as she reached out and stroked her prick to keep it erect. What was it they said? Men called their penises "tools," she'd heard that often enough. She had a different name for hers -- it was a weapon of vengeance.

"How do I look?"

Innocent as an eight-year-old in her birthday dress, Matt swirled himself in the doorway, hands draped delicately in the air, ruffled chiffon and satin falling gracefully across his every curve. He smiled at Elizabeth, then noticed that she was moodily pulling on her dick. It puzzled him. His last- moment sex education had been saturation screenings of pornographic films, were cocks were handled only by girls.

"Shouldn't I be doing that?" he asked

Elizabeth looked up through narrow eyes and replied gruffly, "Come here and kneel down, Liz. Let's see what you're good for!"

A bit bewildered, Matthew did as asked.

"Now wet it down. I'm gonna shove it into that cute ass of yours."

The fact is; Matthew's body had filled out from its original skeletally lean angularity. Originally an exact copy of Elizabeth's figure when she'd first converted him after her own months of sleepless laboratory work and neurasthenic brooding, Matthew had dined comfortably with Kat during their marriage, and then he'd consoled himself in vain after her death by nibbling on junk food and ice cream. His waistline was still slim, but below it, his hips and buttocks had rounded curvaceously into a near-parody of a seductive sex-goddess's, plump and tempting even to his own eye. He'd wondered if there was a touch of lesbianism in him, but decided it was only narcissism. Not a bad thing in itself, he'd thought, as he'd prepared himself that very evening for his lover.

Matthew obediently bent over and took Elizabeth's prick into his mouth, licking it carefully as he passed it between his lips, "If I feel one tooth, I'll really bust your ass! So be careful!"

Matthew's pursed mouth became nearly rigid as he slipped Elizabeth's member in and out, coating it with saliva. Men are very demanding when it comes to sex, he thought to himself. I wonder if they're as cruel as they claim.

A moment later, he found out. On his hands and knees "like a dog" as instructed, he felt Elizabeth settle her body behind and around him, then suddenly felt a fierce and fiery pressure in his anus. It was unbearable, and he shrieked helplessly from the pain!

"Good!" Elizabeth said. "Now you know how I felt when you walked out on me. A little of how I felt. I've just stuck it to you the way you stuck it to me, all at once, no warning! Now wiggle, bitch! Pleasure me!"

Tears streaming down his cheeks, Matthew wiggled his bottom as best he could, feeling Liz's huge log crammed immovably inside. Little by little it began to slip around inside him, and a few minutes later Matthew was concentrating intently, head down, while his hips and rear gyrated wildly and Elizabeth pumped herself furiously into him. She felt an unaccustomed yearning gather itself in her groin, then concentrate in her cock. She pushed harder and faster, breathing faster and deeper while the pleasure grew more intense, then suddenly and frighteningly she lost control! Her whole body went rigid! She couldn't move! But ecstatic? Then the tension relieved itself suddenly, her cock throbbing, squirting she sensed deep into Matthew's bowels! And then it was over. She pulled herself out of Matthew's rump and paused to catch her breath.

"There!" she said. "I wanted your first sex as a woman to be sex the way a man has sex! A faggot man! For you to take it up the ass, you buggered bastard! Why did you leave me?!"

Matthew had been bewildered by her ferocity, and hurt by her relentless plunging in at him, but at this he broke down altogether. Tears and sobs began, and then a wail, and he collapsed on the cold floor shrieking.

"I didn't! I didn't! I don't understand! I'm here! I want us to be happy! I thought you loved me! Why are you doing this to me? Why?"

And the most heart-rending lamentation imaginable poured from his throat as he buried his face in his arms and his shoulders spasmed uncontrollably! "Oooohhh! Ohhhh God! Oooohhhhh, why!" over and over.

The sight of herself grovelling on the floor, just as she'd grovelled inconsolably years before when Matthew had left her, brought Elizabeth back to her senses. I shouldn't do this, she said to herself. There's enough misery in the world, and a lot more about to happen. This is a self-indulgence I can't afford!

Where a savage lust had swollen her viscera and then emptied itself into Matthew's soft rump, remorse now began to seep in and accumulate. She stroked Matthew's shaking shoulders and made soothing noises, all the while thinking, "This is supposed to be the honeymoon I never had, not the revenge I've always wanted. And gotten. Gotten repeatedly, over and over. There are other more important things at stake now. I need Matthew fit and willing to help me. Not like this.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart," she said, still stroking him. "I didn't mean it! I love you! Lift your head! You'll see!"

Gradually the sobbing subsided. Now sniffling, Matt raised his head and looked fearfully yet hopefully over his shoulder at his new husband.

"It hurt me, Matthew." He swallowed, and took a few more deep breaths. Then he added, more curious than grieved, "Matt honey. Should it have hurt?"

"Take hold of my thing now, Liz," Liz advised him. "Feel it. Squeeze it. What do you think?"

"I think it's soft and silky. A little bumpy, too. Is that the way they should be?"

"Yes. Now turn and sit up and let's get on the bed and be nice to each other, and really make love, shall we? You'll see. You'll love it!"

Matt sat up and Liz hugged him, now genuinely sorry she'd allowed petty feelings to interfere with her pleasure. This was HER Matt, after all, and he genuinely believed he was married to her. Even though literally, they were married to each other. With Matthew a 'widow' she'd been free to marry him and thus in the eyes of the law this marriage was legal and kosher.

Elizabeth's mind boggled at this last, and still amused, she followed Matt up the platform and onto the huge, peach velvet-hung bed. Matt lay on his back carefully -- his asshole still hurt, and it was still leaking Liz's cum onto the bed's silken sheets. He arranged his gown so it seemed to flow loosely from his waist, and then looked up hopefully at Elizabeth as she sat on their bed and bent over him. His eyes were still bright from his tears of a moment ago, and his mascara was just a bit smudged, but he still looked sweetly trusting despite being nastily betrayed only a few moments ago. Liz now felt genuinely protective of such naivete, such vulnerability. She took Matt's head in both her hands and kissed him. Matt looked back into her eyes so very gratefully that Liz melted.

"Let's get naked," she said again, this time gently, with a certain urgency of her own. "I mean altogether."

They did. Then as Liz felt her pecker stiffen she willed it just a bit longer and thicker for Matthew's sake, and then slowly, sweetly, gently, she mounted and entered her wife's body. They lay still for a moment. But when Liz felt Matt's arms tighten around her neck and felt his soft lips kissing her face and forehead repeatedly, and Matt's pelvis begin to twist and thrust toward her, she decided it was time. She pulled herself almost all the way out of Matt and was rewarded with a languishing groan of disappointment. Then pushed in, and heard a moan of satisfaction.

An hour later Matt was hoarse from his non-stop groaning and moaning, joyous screaming and crying out loud, and Elizabeth was exhausted. She had cum three more times. Matt was so entranced by his first penetrative sex orgasms ever, and the others that followed, that he begged Liz not to withdraw when even her changeling organ augmented penis had thrust and spurted its last and begun to soften. Half unconscious, dazed, he refused to let go of his dearest, darling husband's neck, and kept kissing Liz's face over and over, despite its rough beard growth.

"We need to sleep now, Matt. A guy needs his rest after all," she said. "Let's both just sleep now a little."

Then she realized what she had just said. Rather than correct herself, she decided to see if Matt noticed. Her slip of the tongue told her that she was at last feeling comfortably familiar with her once-hated near- husband.

Matt noticed that she'd said "Matt," but just assumed that his wonderful lover was only talking to himself, advising himself to get some rest before their renewed lovemaking the following day.

And it did renew. By the third day Matthew was deliriously in love with his lover Elizabeth, his desire for her all the more intense because she was so unpredictable -- sometimes breathlessly ardent, sometimes mildly affectionate, sometimes overbearing, even contemptuous. She was all things to him, though never again as meanly punishing as that first time. By the end of the week he gladly allowed her to tie him up for their lovemaking, granting her even that measure of absolute control, eagerly trusting her with his comfort and his life. She in turn teased and toyed with him, but always left him satisfied finally.

He took it as only one more of Elizabeth's oddities that his mouth often serviced her prick, balls, and anus, while Elizabeth's mouth never licked or kissed him below his breasts. It was enough! When she suckled him he was in paradise, cradling her head gently in his arms. He never wanted her to leave off. Except of course, to make those long, languorous penetrations of his pussy, his most private slit, that always brought him to repeated paroxysms of delight.

By the end of the second week they were bonded together as one. Or so Matt believed. Actually, Elizabeth's purposes had been served, and her mind turned increasingly back to reality, the reality Hassan was creating that only she could circumvent. The last night of their tryst Matt crawled all over her and pleaded for her attention, but Elizabeth just lay still, cradling the back of her head on her arms, her eyes open, thinking. When Matt asked what about, she'd only glanced at him and said "You wouldn't understand, honey." Nothing Matt could do could harden her penis that last night, not even the warm moisture of his mouth and throat blowing over her cockhead. Their honeymoon was over, now the work begins.

Hassan sat back in his chair and stroked the collar of his faithful tiger. He closed his eyes, and mentally checked off the items that had to be done before he could give the go-ahead. Let's see, he thought to himself.

Dr Bexley. Married to Matthew and in

Australia.

Status: Contained.

DNA Warheads. Completed and loaded.

Tankers In place and ready.

Changelings. In place and ready.

Dr Bexley's 'friends' Contained.

Salah. In America, under Osman's 'care'

Terminate in 4 weeks.

Salah's Conspiracy. Unaware of the revised timescales

and will collapse when the incident

is complete.

Osman Let him keep Rachel Martin as a

plaything.

Diversions. In place.

Guild Backup Network In place and fully operational.

Changeling Organs Work in Progress.

Other Threats Intelligence reports indicate none.

The Guild Alternative Status: Ready.

Flight to Australia Status: Ready.

His checklist completed Hassan pressed a key on this keyboard and the video screen on Hassan's desk chimed. Hassan moved over to it and keyed in his encryption key. Hassan keyed in another code and turned to the solemn looking face and said, "Go."

Sitting back in his chair, he called for one his assistants, he had to get away from here. In a little over a day the Middle East would become the setting for the largest conflict since the second world war.

• o - o - o -

Cathline and Tina froze as the larger than life shadow of Osman walked down the stairs. Osman, accompanied by his bodyguards greeted them with a wave "Ah Ladies, please follow me. In about half an hour the Guild's rise to glory will start, and I want you to share in it."

Tina was about to protest when a glare from Cathline put her down. One of the bodyguards unlocked their chains and gestured for them to follow. The other guards covered every move they made with their Uzi's. Cathline and Tina had no choice but to follow and obey.

They were led upstairs into a room containing just a sofa and a TV. One of the guards shoved Tina onto the sofa, and as she rose to strike him she noticed that the other guards were training their guns on her. She sat down and waited. Cathline just sat down next to her.

Osman walked in front of them, and was about to speak when Cathline spat "What's this, you gonna turn us into men or something. I just wish you'd stop fucking around with us and get on with it."

Osman smiled and said, "I am," and turned the TV on.

"Hey CNN", Tina said.

Osman whispered to one of the guards, who then moved to the corner of the room and covered Cathline and Tina with his Uzi. Osman and the other guard left the room.

• o - o - o -

The sun had just risen in Tel-Aviv. The air was still, and the heat of the day had yet to peak. Much of the population was out on this Friday morning. The day before the Sabbath was always busy and the shops and marketplaces were full of people. The roads were full of parents taking their children to school, people commuting to work and others just enjoying the day. Nobody noticed the unusually high number of oil, gas, sewage and food tankers working their way into all parts of the city.

One such tanker did attract attention. It was parked outside of a small side road, and was nearly blocking off the entrance to that street. "Hey, you can't leave that there?" an irate man told the tanker driver.

"I'm sorry. I seem to be having trouble with my engine. Do you know anything about engines?"

"A little, let me have a look," the man said and moved around to the front of the tanker.

The tanker driver opened the hood and let the man peer inside. The driver drew a small slender bladed knife and moved behind the irate man.

"Here's the problem," the driver said and, in a movement too quick to follow slit the man's throat. He dragged the man into his cab and closed the door.

Checking his watch waited for a few moments before he started the engine and let the body of the tanker start to raise.

At strategic points around the city sixty four more tankers started to lift their deadly payloads.

A few minutes before 9am the driver removed a hypodermic from the glovebox and injected a yellow liquid into himself. This was his protection against the payload in the tanker. He walked around the trailer and made sure the anchors were in place. After detaching the cab he got inside it and drove away. After parking in a nearby street he waited for the allotted time.

At 9:23am the driver pressed a button concealed in the steering wheel and the tanker body continued to rise. It took a further five minutes for the body to reach its optimum angle. The driver waited, and took a last look around at the people milling around, going about their own petty existences. In a matter of moments it would soon be over, the Guild would start it's long, glorious path back from obscurity. The driver checked his watch, and tuned his radio into a local radio station and listened to the news. Five minutes into the broadcast the newsreader said, "The hunt for Rachel Martin continues. In New Yok today. I'm sorry, New York today the police.."

The driver smiled, the signal had just been given and he pushed the button in his steering wheel once more.

Back at his trailer the radio signal was received by a small receiver mounted under the tank. The hydraulic rams pushed the anchors deeper into the road surface and stopped only when the correct pressure was obtained. A few seconds later, the back fell off the tank to reveal a basic rocket motor just like the one used in the attack on that small, obscure village in Libya.

Passers by looked on amazed, and a couple of men walked over to investigate. Before they could get too close the rocket motors fired and the trailer strained under the thrust. Then the clamps holding the container fell away, and freed from its bounds the container shot into the air. The men who'd gone to investigate looked on in amazement as the tank flew into the air. It rose to about 2,000 feet and seemed to hang there for a moment. There was little sign of an explosion, but the tank burst apart and a red mist floated down over the city.

Sixty four more times this scene was repeated, all over the city of Tel- Aviv, the wind conditions were perfect and a fine red mist blanketed the city. Working it's way into offices, buildings and cars. Back in his cab the driver noticed that the passers by were starting to scratch themselves before falling to the floor in pain. Seconds after collapsing each victim would start to dissolve as the DNA Warhead's payload started to have the desired effect.

• o - o - o -

Cathline and Tina had been watching CNN for nearly an hour now and were bored. What was it that Osman wanted them to see? The newsreader was saying, "The US Aircraft carrier Nimitz, and its battle group has now arrived in the Mediterranean. This is in direct response to tensions growing in the Middle East over Israel's allegations that Egypt has produced a Bexley DNA system. The state department has stated that the Nimitz is there only as an observer and that no US troops will be despatched to the area unless a UN mandate is given."

"How much more of this crap?" Tina moaned.

The newsreader continued "Israel has already sent several armored divisions to the Egyptian borders and re-iterated it's intent to retaliate in the strongest way possible for any attack using DNA weaponry." The newsreaders face suddenly went serious and she put her hand to her ear "Wait a second, we have reports coming in of a massive terrorist attack on Tel-Aviv. My God it can't be."

"Fuck, what going on? Cathline exclaimed.

Still shaken, the newsreader continued. "Ladies and gentlemen we have reports of an attack on the Israeli capital of Tel-Aviv. Details are scarce at the moment but it appears that genetic warheads were used over the entire city. Details are few at the moment and we will bring you more information as soon as we have it."

Tina turned to talk to Cathline and saw that Cathline's face had gone pale. "Cathline?" she queried.

"SHE did it, That 'hell bitch' Liz did it. She fucking gave them the technology didn't she! My god genetic weapons, I knew she was mad but this is inhuman. She built it and the Guild used it."

"Hey we don't know that. All they said was it was genetic warheads. What about Egypt?" Tina started.

"Yes we do. Osman knew about this in advance and was boasting about it to us. Oh fuck, we're really fucked now. Fuck, Fuck FUCK," Cathline swore.

"What. Oh I see.. Shit!" Tina shook her head in horror.

"Yep, the Fury Directive. Israel will demand that the Fury Directive is invoked, it depends on what was in those warheads but I imagine it's not anything nice. It's easy if you think about it. The Guild set's up Egypt as the culprit of this attack. Israel will demand the Fury Directive be used against Egypt in retaliation for the attack on Tel-Aviv," Cathline said horrified.

"I suspect we'll know for certain in a few minutes. Besides, we've been out of it for over a week now. All the information we picked up was from that broadcast. You could be wrong," Tina said.

Cathline grimaced, "I hope so. Otherwise the shit will really hit the fan. I'm no expert on the Middle East but even I know that Israel will strike back twice as hard."

"Yeah, as I remember the allies had a hell of job keeping them out of the Gulf war and that was just a few scud missiles, this is a whole fucking city."

Their attention was brought back by the CNN newsreader saying "We've not been able to contact our reporters in Tel-Aviv but we have on the phone Jason Carter, live from Jerusalem. Jason what can you tell us?"

A deep, serious voice crackled over the speakers "Not very much I'm afraid. The city of Tel-Aviv is under a cloud of fine red mist, and has been for the past hour. Any rescue teams sent in have not returned and all attempts to contact the population of the city have failed. There have been reports of rivers of red liquid running out from all parts of the city but these have not yet been confirmed. It also appears that whole areas of the city are on fire and with no rescue teams able to respond it seems as though much of Tel-Aviv will be raised to the ground."

The newsreader asked, "Have you any idea as to what actually happened?"

There was a pause before Jason said "Sorry, no. There has been speculation that multiple genetic warheads were used against the city -- but this attack seems without motive and without purpose. The method of delivery is also unknown at this moment in time."

"The Israeli government, the Knesset is seated in Tel-Aviv. Do we know of their fate?"

"Nobody has heard anything from the City of Tel-Aviv for over an hour. We can only assume that whatever fate befell the city also happened to them."

The newsreader, dreading the reply asked, "There are over half a million people in Tel-Aviv. Are you saying that they have all been affected by this?"

"At the moment we have no idea. At this moment in time it seems that none or very few of the half-million inhabitants of Tel-Aviv have survived."

The newsreader let that sink in for a few seconds before saying "Thank you Jason, we will catch you in an hour or so or when you can give us more information. In case you have missed this breaking story. The city of Tel-Aviv has come under attack, by persons unknown. It seems that multiple genetic warheads were used over the city and all if not most of the cities half million population has been affected. As soon as more details arrive we will let you know."

Cathline turned in horror to Tina "My God, She's gone too far. It was bad enough killing 20 innocent people but now she's gone too far."

"You mean Dr Bexley? You're assuming she knew about this. Before we were taken she said that the Guild were planning something big but she didn't know what. She also said to trust her," Tina said.

"Yeah right. She knew all right. Tina, you are talking about a woman who's just killed half a million people."

"Look I know it looks that way but one of the things they taught me in police academy was to review all the evidence and don't make assumptions."

"I don't need all the facts I KNOW. Who made you Dr Bexley's champion anyway? I'll be glad when I'm outta here and I don't have to listen to your inane chattering anymore," Cathline snapped.

"The feelings mutual. Look, we know Dr Bexley is responsible for us being here and if I ever get near her I'll make sure she never walks again , but until then we cool it, OK? We know that she gave the Guild DNA technology, she had to if she was to cure herself of being a mermaid. We know the Guild killed your best friend, Kat, and we know they launched this attack on Tel-Aviv BUT there's only a circumstantial link between Dr Bexley's DNA technology and the attack. Look, I hate her nearly has much as you do but don't get blinded by your quest for revenge on her. You've got to keep a cool head -- otherwise you'll end up losing it. First things first, get outta here and then let the professionals go after Dr Bexley. If you go storming around being GI Jane you'll end up killing us both," Tina lectured.

Cathline thought for a moment and said, "Sorry, you're right. But I KNOW she's involved."

"So now what do we do? Sit around here watching TV until we find out more?" Tina whispered.

A gleam appeared in Cathline's eyes, "There's only one guard and I'm the most beautiful woman in the world. This could be our only chance."

• o - o - o -

Elizabeth lay in bed, slowly stroking Matthew's long auburn hair. They'd decided on an early night as they were both keen to get on with their honeymoon activities. The Guild's Asian control centre wasn't her first choice of honeymoon destinations but Hassan had demanded she stay there. She had argued she'd warranted a little freedom but Hassan had stubbornly refused.

Matthew had rolled over towards her and ran his fine, feminine hand down her chest, his eyes full of desire. Elizabeth smiled, Matthew really was insatiable these days. She moved towards him, and they kissed. Elizabeth was about to run her hand down Matthew's heaving left breast when there was an urgent knock at the door.

"Go away," Elizabeth called out.

"Who is it?" Matthew asked.

"Nobody, now where were we?"

"Hmm about here," Matthew said, placing Elizabeth's hand on his breast.

Another knock sounded, even more urgent than the last time. With a groan Elizabeth got out of bed and turning to Matthew said, "I'll see who it is, probably some jerk who's lost."

Grabbing her dressing gown Elizabeth walked out of the bedroom and towards the door. She was about to open the door when another knock sounded. "Hey I'm coming," she said and opened the door.

A Guild agent stood at the door, a look of urgent desperation in his face. He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Elizabeth took it and was about the close the door when the agent said, "I was told to wait for your instructions."

Elizabeth gave a sigh and took the piece of paper. She closed the door behind her and went inside. She sat down on the nearby sofa and started to read.

'Dr Bexley.

Grim news. We have failed to stop Hassan using genetic

weapons. They must have moved forward the timescales

without us knowing. I've no idea how they did it as I thought I

was privy to all their plans. Hassan must have moved it at the

last second. No matter, it's too late now. News reports state

that very few of Tel-Aviv's population has survived and that

Israel is crying out for blood.

The only thing we can hope for now is to take down Hassan

before the Fury Directive can be implemented. I hope to God

we can do this, otherwise the attack on Tel-Aviv is nothing

compared to what Israel will do in return. We could be

looking at a third world war. When I agreed to this I never

knew so many would die, so much pain would be caused to

those I loved and so much would be asked of me. I knew

people would be hurt, that was the horrible, inevitable logic of

your plan. Some must fall if all are to be saved. Simple words

but the most terrible burden I have ever had to carry.

I went along with your plan because it was the ONLY way to

stop Hassan. I don't blame you for this as we tried our best,

apparently our best wasn't good enough this time. I'd have

liked more time to recruit more supporters but we have no

more time. It'll be touch and go as it is.

Hassan is reportedly in your neck of the woods. I'd have liked

to have taken him down myself, but that is no longer possible.

My forces in America, Libya and Australia are ready all it

needs is your signal to indicate that the pawns are all in place.

Salah.'

Elizabeth just sat there stunned at the news she'd just read. She'd been sure there was no way that Hassan could bring forward the timescales. Once she'd found out the nature and scale of the attack she was doubly sure it couldn't be accelerated. Obviously not, and now half a million people were dead because of her fuck up. There was no time to dwell on the past, Salah was right they had to move now, or else all was lost. Slowly Elizabeth got up and walked to the door. She opened it, faced the waiting Guild agent and said, "Checkmate at dawn," only when the Guild agent had left did Elizabeth allow herself to cry for those innocents lost.

Matthew heard a gentle sobbing coming from the other room, and got up. He saw Elizabeth sitting on the sofa, head in her hands. He moved over towards her and sat down beside her.

Putting an arm around her he said "Darling, what's up? Can I help?"

Elizabeth turned a tear stained face towards him and asked, "What do you remember, just before you woke up in hospital?"

"Nothing much. I seem to remember someone called Kat but it's so vague. I think I'm making it up. Oh, She's dead I think. Why?"

"What else?"

"That's about it. When I try think about it I can't remember and just the word 'failsafe' comes to mind."

"Ok. Wait here a second," Elizabeth said.

"Sure, but you haven't told me what's up?" Matthew said, his voice showing concern.

"Back in a second," Elizabeth said and went into the bedroom. She returned a few seconds later with two of her ties. She bent down and started to tie Matthew's shapely legs together.

"Hey, what're you doing. I thought we did that last time," Matthew complained.

"Hold your hands out," Elizabeth demanded and Matthew obeyed.

After she had finishing securing Matthew's bonds Elizabeth sat down on the other side of the room.

"Now what. Matthew what's going on," Matthew demanded.

"I've tied you up for my benefit, and yours too probably. I promise you this won't hurt much. I have to do this, I promised a friend. Failsafe Restore"

Matthew's body suddenly convulsed and he let out a high pitched scream. He felt as though his head was about to explode and strange images flashed thru his mind. A man walking away from a bride in tears, of a beautiful woman with black hair and green eyes, the oppression of a terrible curse and a single word, Bexley.

While Matthew was convulsing, Elizabeth stood up and concentrated. She grew taller and thinner. Her legs thinned out and hips widened. Breasts formed on her manly chest and her whole body reformed and rippled into a classic hourglass figure. Finally her face changed, long blonde hair grew and within a few seconds Rachel Martin was looking down at a still twitching Matthew. Elizabeth hoped that the conditioning she'd installed in him when he was held captive by the Guild would work. Otherwise Matthew's mind would be well and truly screwed. She also mentally crossed her fingers that the implanted memories of a much tamer last few days would kick in, ones in which she hadn't screwed Matthew to an inch of his life, but where she'd slept on the floor and in separate rooms.

Matthew strained and looked upward at a concerned looking Elizabeth. He uttered one word, "YOU," before more convulsions struck him.

The images came thick and fast, the funeral of a loved one, A yacht on a turquoise sea, a hospital room, and a wedding. The convulsions stopped and Matthew's head no longer swam, all was clear. "You BITCH! I killed you!" he swore at Elizabeth. Matthew struggled to free himself of his bonds but couldn't.

Elizabeth sighed, a great sigh of relief and said "Thank God that worked. I didn't know how deep they could go. He'd have killed me if this didn't work."

Matthew spat "Explain now, bitch."

"Ok. Very quickly, and I'll fill in more later on. Anyway, after you were taken on the boat, good shot by the way. I had to make Hassan believe I was on his side and that I was still obsessed with you. By doing this I lured him into thinking I was contained and not a threat. You remember being in hospital right?"

"Of course. I saw Kat there, she was torturing me. Wait a sec you were Kat?"

"Yeah. We need to move very soon so I'll be brief. Before you were 'conditioned' I implanted a failsafe code that would, in effect preserve who you were and what you knew. A backup if you like. Those 'failsafes' you remembered were the borders of that backup. By issuing that failsafe restore codeword I programmed into you -- the real you was returned. It's handy that I had such a deep grip on your subconscious from so long ago, otherwise it might not have worked."

"So you kidnap me, torture me and then when you've had your fun with me put me back," Matthew sneered.

"Mat, I need you. Here I'll read this to you, and after that I have a proposition for you," Elizabeth said and read the note she'd been given to him.

Matthew's face slowly turned pale as the full impact of the letter hit home, "My God. Half a million people. This Salah thinks you were trying to stop it, and that you were going to help him take over the Guild."

Elizabeth nodded soberly, "I fucked up though. Matthew, there was no way in hell they could have produced that many warheads so quickly. We had at least another six months. I don't understand how they. Oh Fuck."

Matthew intrigued, decided to hear Elizabeth out before escaping. He was puzzled at Elizabeth's reaction to this news. She was almost back to how she had been when they'd first met. The cold, calculating, and vicious Elizabeth had gone and now a new Elizabeth had emerged. A brilliant, beautiful woman with a hint of vulnerability, and an extra large helping of remorse. Still, Elizabeth had always known how to play him and this could all be just an act. Matthew just looked at Elizabeth and said, "Fuck, What?"

Fresh tears formed on Elizabeth's face "I just realised how they did it. I fucked up again. To make a DNA warhead you don't need specific DNA or even control over what the target DNA will be. Anything will do, in fact anything is better. I said that I installed corruption routines into the original DNA system, routines that would produce random gene sequences. I did this to stop the system being misused BUT in fact what I did was to give the Guild a method of producing genetic warheads," Elizabeth paused and seeing Matthew's puzzled face continued.

"They used the corrupting versions of my system to start warhead production EARLY, before they took me. They didn't need me to fix the DNA system so they could START warhead production, it was already well underway."

"So why did they need you?" Matthew answered.

"Oh shit, for the changeling organs of course. I've played right into their hands. I thought I was being so clever, but in effect I was responsible for killing half a million people. Matthew I'm so sorry," new tears formed on Elizabeth's perfect face.

Matthew couldn't help but be moved by the tearful woman sitting opposite him. "You've never failed at anything have you? I remember when we were together you never understood how I could get things wrong. To you, errors were something other people did and that you had to sort out."

Elizabeth glared at Matthew, signs of the old fury returned on her face and she snapped, "I've failed before, REMEMBER."

"No you didn't. Sure we never got married but that wasn't a failure cus we never did it. As to what went on a couple of years ago that was hardly a failure was it? I'm still you, Kat's dead and you're as free as a bird," Matthew said bitterly.

"I'm going to fix all that, promise," Elizabeth said.

"Yeah right," Matthew said sarcastically.

Elizabeth thought for a few moments and then said, "Pushkin said it better than I ever can

I loved you; even now I may confess,

Some embers of my love their fire retain;

But do not let it cause you more distress,

I do not want to sadden you again.

Hopeless and tongue-tied, yet I loved you dearly

With pangs the jealous and the timid know;

So tenderly I loved you, so sincerely,

I pray God grant another love you so."

In spite of himself Matthew almost believed her.

• o - o - o -

The Israeli ambassador slammed his fist onto the table "Nearly three years ago we passed a resolution that was to be known as the Fury Directive. We demand we be allowed to use it to its full extent. Half a million people are dead because of the evil of one Nation. We have no quarrel with other countries and no desire to enter into conflict with them, only that we be allowed to strike back at those who have killed so many."

The Egyptian ambassador glared back at him and said in a strained voice "You have NO proof! We categorically deny that we would do such a thing, and my government voices its outrage at the monsters that did this. This, this photograph you have it's no proof at all, a forgery designed to destroy us."

"I agree," the Austrian representative said.

Israeli ambassador's face was still flushed from anger. "We demand the council's approval for the invocation of the Fury Directive. We refuse to act without it, as we are a law-abiding nation. Be assured however, that we will defend ourselves against any attack on our land or people. Our intelligence services have provided proof to our friends, the Americans and British that Egypt was responsible."

The British ambassador cleared his throat "We have carried out an analysis on the fluid left over from the attempted assassination of our Prime Minister, and the fluid that has been found in Tel-Aviv. Our scientists have informed my government that the agent used in both cases was identical. Whoever was behind the attack on our Prime Minister was also behind the attack on Tel-Aviv. MI6 have also analysed the photograph provided by the Israeli's and have concluded that it is not a fake and that the machine so clearly shown is a Bexley DNA System."

"That is outrageous. Now you accuse Egypt of attempting to kill your leader," the Syrian Ambassador shouted.

A call to order was shouted above the rising tide of outrage and the president of the security council managed to restore some sense of calm.

The American Ambassador started to speak, "The CIA also confirm that the photograph is genuine. The machine shown there matches the design of a Bexley DNA system, although we cannot rule out foul play it seems to us that Egypt is in possession of such a device. However that does not mean that it used it against Tel-Aviv. I propose we take an adjournment to discuss this further with our governments."

"Seconded. I will hand over copies of our proof to any government that wishes to take it," the Israeli ambassador stated.

The president of the UN breathed a sigh of relief. This had been going round in circles all day. "Motion carried. We adjourn for 1 day."

• o - o - o -

Salah sat in his chair, just watching some TV. A knot formed in his stomach and his body started to tense. This was IT, the cumulation of over a year's worth of planning and development. His thoughts turned to all those who'd been killed by Hassan's vicious attack on Tel-Aviv. In some ways, it was Elizabeth's fault, it was her plan to try and stop all this after all. Inside he felt no bitterness towards her. It was going to be a hard, difficult struggle after all. They'd known that when they started all this -- you don't take on a thousand years worth of experience and organization without some kind of setback. At least the conspiracy of freedom had lived up to this point and the next few hours would tell if it were to succeed or fail.

It would be mighty close Salah knew that. It was fortunate that Hassan was away from his Libya stronghold, it made Libya more vulnerable. Still they had the element of surprise and their 'ace in the hole' as Elizabeth called it.

Salah's attention was drawn to the TV once more; it was a news update on the crisis meeting at the UN. A young attractive newsreader was saying, "The Crisis meeting of the United Nations ended in deadlock today. The provisional government of Israel is still demanding that the Fury Directive be invoked against Egypt. Tensions in the regions have been raised by the arrival of the Nimitz carrier group and tonight the world stands on the edge of a long feared conflict between Arab and Israeli."

Salah sighed. This was bad, very bad indeed. Now they not only had to stop the Guild but somehow prevent Israel from striking back. As though the newsreader read his thoughts she said, "We have heard that Israel is pushing for a nuclear response to the Tel-Aviv attack. Use of such weapons of mass destruction in retaliation for a genetic attack is authorized by the Fury Directive, and we now hand over to James Morris outside of the UN building."

The scene cut to a middle aged man, in a raincoat standing outside the United Nations building. One could almost sense the media presence there and the forces of destiny that had been meeting inside. James turned to the camera and spoke into his microphone; "Israel's threat of nuclear retaliation was voiced today as part of its request to invoke the Fury Directive. As you may be aware, Israel is thought to have a substantial nuclear arsenal, capable of destroying the entire Middle East, and indeed is of the members of the 'nuclear club' are probably the country most likely to use it."

The reporter paused, letting the words sink in, "We are standing at the precipice and are starting down into the abyss. We are at a crossroads, the actions taken here over the next few days will determine if this ends in peace or in the flames of nuclear fire."

Salah flicked the TV off. The news was too depressing. There were over thirteen million people in Cairo alone and the time to act had to be now. The questions that puzzled him was what the Guild hoped to get out of it and what use was all those changeling organs being put to?

Once the Guild takeover was complete they'd have access to that information and more. If they acted quickly enough they should be able to prevent Israel from killing millions of innocent people. This was no longer a matter of the Guild's future, the stakes had just grown exponentially.

Salah checked his watch; the first phase would be starting just about now.

• o - o - o -

Ata lifted his hand in a single fingered salute at the approaching figure. After a few more steps Ata saw that it was his friend, Abu. Guard duty was boring at the best of times, and even a quick visit from a friend provided welcome relief. Ata smiled and called out, "Hello Abu. What brings you out this time of day?"

Abu smiled, "I have some special orders from Salah to carry out. I can't stay too long."

Ata glanced around before saying softly, "I see, can you tell me what they are or is Salah just as secretive as Hassan these days? I'd heard that Salah had fallen from Hassan's favor."

"I've heard that's all about to change. I must go, or I'll be late," Abu said.

Ata nodded and watched his friend walk past him. A few seconds later Ata thought he heard a sound behind him, but before he could react he felt a burning stinging pain in his neck and all went black. Abu stood over the body of his ex-comrade and wiped Ata's blood off his small slender knife. Carefully lifting Ata's body he dragged it into a nearby corner and returned to his post. Salah had asked that this corridor be secured no matter the cost. Abu smiled to himself so far it had gone without a hitch.

Similar scenes were repeated all around Hassan's Libya stronghold. Quickly and without fuss Salah's forces were moving into position.

• o - o - o -

The guard outside the door where Cathline and Tina were being held was bored. There'd not been a sound, except from the TV inside. Osman had told him to expect trouble but so far there'd been none. The room was sealed and the only way out was from the inside. The guard yawned but then stifled it as he heard footsteps from around the corner. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw it was only another Guild agent. The agent walked up to him and said, "Osman's orders. I am to relieve you of your post."

"I've heard no such thing. I will contact Osman just to be sure."

"Look, Osman's asleep you can go and find him later. All I've been told is to relieve you. You can wake him if you like but I wouldn't if I were you."

Fumbling around in his pocket the guard fished out a key and handed it to the agent, "Ok then, but I'll check as soon as I get back,"

The agent nodded in agreement, "You do that."

Inside the room Cathline was trying for the nth time to vamp up to the only guard in the room. She'd given him her most stunning smile, a smile that had been said made Helen of Troy's look dowdy but the guard hadn't flinched. He just looked right at her, correction right thru her.

"It's no use, I didn't think there was a mortal man that could resist Rachel Martin," Cathline complained.

"Must be your age. Look we have to think of something to distract him, " Tina whispered.

"I've an idea," Cathline said and pulled Tina close to her and kissed a long lingering kiss.

"Aghh," Tina spat and pulled away.

"Look, most men want to see two women make out so let's give it a go," Cathline suggested.

"He's laughing at us," Tina noted at the smirk on the guard's face.

"It's no use. I guess we just stay here and wait," Cathline said in frustration.

A few minutes later there was a knock at the door and the sound of a key being turned in the lock. A dark Arabic face appeared around the door and called out to the impassive guard.

"What'd he say?" Tina whispered to Cathline.

"Something about his relief," Cathline replied.

The guard glared at Cathline and walked out of the room. Seconds later there were the sounds of a scuffle and a muted scream. Tina looked on in surprise as the guard's body was pushed thru the door and fell onto the ground. The guard outside closed the door behind him and dragged the body into a corner. Tina noted that the throat had been slit and that the guard's killer was in a hurry.

The killer turned to Cathline and spoke something that Tina didn't understand. Cathline smiled, nodded and asked something back. The guard smiled a white toothed smile and replied and went back outside. A few seconds later two black catsuits were thrown into the room and the door shut quickly behind them.

"What the hell was that all about?" Tina asked.

Cathline's eyes glinted with joy "He said Salah sent him, and that we are to wait here. I knew he wouldn't let me down. He wants us to put the catsuits on."

"And the smile," Tina said anxious to hear everything.

"Oh I asked him why the guard didn't respond to me. He said that the guard had been conditioned to think women repulsive. The more beautiful the woman the more repulsive she was. I guess Osman thought of everything."

"So now what?" Tina asked.

"We wait here as instructed. I KNEW he wouldn't let me down," Cathline repeated. Cathline bent down and threw Tina the smaller of the two catsuits.

• o - o - o -

Matthew turned to Elizabeth and repeated, "You've never failed, failed have you. When did you ever come second at anything? But this time you've bitten off more than you can chew. You planned to stop the Guild from using genetic weapons and fucked up. You would have to screw up something big wouldn't you."

Elizabeth lifted a tear stained face at Matthew and nodded, "I, I remember trying to treat a small girl who'd fallen from a cliff. It was just after you'd left me. There was nothing I could do for her and she just died in my arms. Matthew, I saw the life drain away from her and I was helpless to stop it. I'd lost patients before but this one mattered. This little girl was my link normality. I knew I could save her but still I failed. Now I have the blood of tens of thousands of little girls on my hands. When it matters, when it REALLY matters I fail. When I try and do good it fails. Matthew, I know what it's like to fail and the only thing I have been good at is evil."

Matthew's heart sank. There was the real Dr Elizabeth Bexley in front of him. A vulnerable, heart broken woman who'd lashed out in the only way she knew how, all she'd wanted was his love in return, and he'd snatched it away in the most brutal and humiliating way possible. He felt his heart beat beneath his breasts and he looked down at the woman's body he'd never called home. In spite of himself, he felt his hate start to melt away. Some part of him did still love Elizabeth, he wasn't sure if it was something left over from the conditioning, but it didn't feel like it.

Fresh tears were on Elizabeth's face, her eyes puffed red from all the tears, "Talk to me Matthew, What are you thinking?"

Tears formed in Matthew's eyes too, but he blinked them back, "I was feeling sorry for you. Nothing can excuse what you did to us, but I can forgive. Say this body isn't so bad, sure the periods are pretty crappy but on the whole it's not so bad. If only Kat were here."

Elizabeth smiled "24th of the month right? Matthew, it means so much to hear you say that. I know we can never be together, as man and wife. It's not because I lack the ability to do it; it's that we're just not right for each other. When we were 'husband and wife' a few days ago I saw and felt something that came as a shock."

Matthew smiled, "24th is right by the way. What was that?"

"I thought, no I KNEW we were right for each other. But I realise now that I was in love with the idea of being in love. Sure I loved you, deep down I guess I always will, but in my heart of hearts I know it wasn't meant to be. I saw you with Kat, and I know I could never hope to compete. If one person doesn't love the other how can a marriage ever hope to last?"

Matthew was stunned for words. Elizabeth had all but admitted he was right after all. He felt his heart soar and the pain of the years started to fade away. Matthew looked Elizabeth in the eyes and said, "I realise that I was wrong too. Maybe I should have said goodbye, maybe I should have known earlier and said something. I never meant to hurt you, I really didn't. All I wanted was to prevent your pain later on. I wasn't intentionally vicious to you just naive."

Elizabeth sighed, "You just said what it took me nearly five years to realise. You screwed up Matthew. IF you'd have said something earlier then maybe we could have prevented a lot of pain and suffering. But what I did was my fault and mine alone. We both must take responsibility for the consequences of our actions."

Matthew had to admit Elizabeth was right, he did screw up. Before he'd assumed that Elizabeth was fully to blame, now the revelation struck him that he'd played a part in what had happened after all. He was about to speak when Elizabeth interrupted.

"You know, I can see that now, you were so right. We're not meant to be together. Maybe somewhere out there is a 'Kat' for me. I hope so because I need to be loved and to love so much. Now my parents have gone there's only me. Matthew I'm so alone, a freak in a world of normality. Even if we do escape this how in hell am I going to live? Changing forms doesn't help I still have the blood of thousands of little girls on my hands. Matthew I can't live with ME and yet it's all I have. You know what's worse? More people will have to die today. Even now the pile of my victims grows ever larger, when will it stop Matthew? Oh, how I want it to stop," Elizabeth put her head in her hands and started to cry once more.

Matthew said, "Come here," and tried to open his hands.

Elizabeth smiled and walked over to where Matthew sat. She undid his legs and hands and felt herself being drawn into Matthews's arms. Matthew felt her head rest on his breast and felt a warm wetness spread thru his nightdress as her tears soaked into it. Elizabeth's body began to shake gentle sobs and she whispered, "I sorry, so sorry, Matthew I'm so, so sorry," over and over and over again.

It seemed like hours before Elizabeth lifted her head away from Matthew's shoulder she was about to speak when Matthew asked, "Is Kat alive? Elizabeth, I need to know."

Elizabeth looked Matthew in the eyes and said, "At this moment in time, I've no idea."

Matthew's eyes lit up, "So she COULD be?"

Elizabeth nodded, "Yeah, she could be."

Matthew thought for a few moments and took a breath, "So Kat wasn't killed in the desert?"

Elizabeth shook her head, "No, that wasn't Kat, I saved her for you Matthew, I saved her. Hassan wanted her killed or worse but I saved her."

Matthew pulled Elizabeth close again and wept tears of joy, "Thank you Elizabeth, Thank you."

The reconciliation was interrupted by a loud staccato sound, which reverberated around the room. Elizabeth extricated herself and said, "That's gunfire! It's started. Lets get going."

• o - o - o -

Scott was adjusting his dress when the sound of automatic weapons echoed from outside. Instinctively, he threw himself down on the ground and rolled to one side. Years of police training had taught him to firstly secure your position, locate the threat and then neutralize it. He looked up, and flicked his blonde hair away from his eyes, "Damn hair," he swore. Now he knew why Tina cut hers short or tied it back. He looked around, eyes quickly scanning for the attacker and a few moments later deduced that all was clear. He picked himself up and walked nervously into the rest area where the senator and Marcel were still asleep. They'd been in here for who knows how long, days or weeks probably. Time had merged into one linear stream of waiting and more waiting.

Scott reached out and shook the Senator's curved, sleeping form. The senator made a very feminine "hmmm" noise.

Scott shook the senator once more, "Senator wake up. Somebody's shooting outside."

The senator stirred awake "What!"

Scott whispered, "Wake Marcel. I've no idea what's going on but we can use it to get outta here."

There was a loud crash and the room shuddered with the shockwave of an explosion. Small fragments of plaster drifted down and the sound of gunfire increased.

"That was no grenade, that was artillery," the senator said.

By now Marcel was awake along with most of the girls in the room. Marcel swung his shapely legs from the bed and slowly walked over to where Scott and the Senator were standing. "What's going on?" his soft, voice said.

"No idea. It seems as though the Guild is under attack. We've heard automatic weapons and the odd artillery shell. We can escape in all this confusion," the Senator suggested.

"You two may be trained in all this, but I'm not. I'll be killed!" Marcel complained.

"I know, I've had 15 years as a cop and the Senator here was in 'Nam but that helps us. If you stick close we'll make it, Besides, how big can this place be?"

Their conversation was interrupted by a loud bang and all three of them threw themselves on the ground. The other girls around them screamed and ran off to the far corner of the room. A black, hooded figure armed with a heavy submachine gun appeared thru the remains of the door. His face scanned the room and he then called out in broken English, "I am looking for the ones called Scott, Marcel and Senator Jameson."

The hooded figure walked further into the room and looked around. From his prostrate position Scott saw that the man was heavily armed with an assortment of grenades, knives and small arms. Over the top of black catsuit he wore a red armband and the bulges beneath it indicated a heavy flak jacket.

Scott, Marcel and the Senator remained still, unsure if to volunteer or not. The figure looked around once more and said "Scott, Tina says hi and that she's all right. Marcel, Rachel Martin is safe and they asked me to ask you to follow me."

"What do we do?" Marcel whispered to Scott.

"Dunno, he knew about Rachel and Tina. Why would this be a trap we're prisoners anyway? I'm going to take a chance," Scott stood up and called out, "My name is Scott. What do you want?"

The hooded man nodded, "Good. You can either help us destroy the evil of Hassan or you can go free. The choice is yours. The same goes for your friends. Your chances of escape are greatly enhanced if you help us."

"I say fight," Scott said firmly. His sense of justice demanded it.

"If it's our only way out, I'm in," offered Senator Jameson.

"In that case I'm with you," Marcel nodded his agreement.

The Guild agent gave a nod of satisfaction and said, "My instructions are to have you wait here until we call for you. The enemy will not expect three such as you to fight back. You are to be our 'shock troops' if you like. When we call for you I want you to take the explosives we give you and plant them in the room we show you. For now you are to wait here. Clear?"

Marcel, Scott and the senator nodded. The Guild agent stood to attention and gave a single fingered salute.

Scott thought for a moment and said "We wait I guess," and he sat down.

A few minutes later the sound of gunfire started again and to Marcel's untrained ear it seemed as though a full scale war was going on outside.

Marcel was in fact nearly correct. Salah's forces had got the early advantage by means of surprise and position and were slowly closing in on the fortified positions of Hassan's troops. As in all Guild strongholds, the fighting was bloody and bitter. When they ran out of bullets they used knives, when their knives were broken they used bare hands. Never in a thousand years has Guild fought Guild with such ferocity. Salah's forces were, however getting low on ammunition and inexorably Hassan's forces, with access to more firepower were starting to push back. Salah's great 'conspiracy of freedom' was starting to lose momentum and as Senator Jameson would have testified, in battle momentum is everything.

• o - o - o -

Elizabeth and Matthew emerged from their room and were met by a Guild agent. Matthew noted the red armband he wore on his sleeve. Elizabeth gave a single fingered salute and asked, "How goes it?"

The man single fingered saluted in reply and then said in heavily accented English "It is as we hoped, our attack caught them completely by surprise. We managed to secure strategic points before launching our main attack. Hassan's forces have been driven back but are holding out around his stronghold. We have suffered heavy losses, as have they. In the end we will prevail."

Elizabeth grimaced. This was tougher going than she thought. She hid all of this and asked "What about the communications room and data centres?"

"All under Hassan's control. As expected he is rallying his forces around the world. I will confess that it will be touch and go here. I suspect it will be the same elsewhere. Never before has Guild risen against Guild."

Elizabeth's face hardened, "Then I guess we need to take out Hassan and Osman as soon as we can, collapse their leadership and send them into disarray. Have we destroyed the network links to Hassan's stronghold?"

The agent nodded in agreement, "Yes, as you instructed, only his link to the communications room and the link from the communications room to the outside world is active. Please, follow me."

Matthew looked around in confusion. He grabbed hold of Elizabeth's arm and said, "This isn't any hotel!"

Elizabeth just nodded her agreement and said, "I'll explain later. Now come on we need to keep up with that guy."

Elizabeth and Matthew followed the agent thru debris-strewn corridors. The smell of cordite was everywhere and the air was misty with smoke, bodies littered the ground, some wearing red armbands but more often than not they weren't. Matthew thought that the agent hadn't lied when he said the fighting was fierce. The sound of gunfire was everywhere and the loud sound of a grenade exploding was sometimes heard. The sound grew louder has they approached the front line. A long wall of furniture and sandbags had been laid across a wide, ornate hallway. Behind them around 20 Guild agents were shooting at an unseen enemy.

A loud burst of gunfire made Matthew dive to the floor, "Elizabeth, get down," he shouted.

"Doesn't matter," was her reply as bullets whistled around her.

"Elizabeth, get down, you gotta a death wish?" Matthew hissed.

Elizabeth suddenly snapped out of her state of inaction and knelt down beside Matthew, "Sorry," she said, still distracted by her thoughts.

"So you're bullet proof then? What the fuck was that all about?" Matthew hissed. Did Elizabeth really wish to die? Matthew was starting to suspect that she was slipping into insanity once more. The catalyst this time wasn't being jilted or hurt. The pain that was causing it was deep within her, the pain of failure and the pain of so of many deaths. In spite of all what had gone on before Matthew decided to stick with her, she was after all his last best chance of getting out of this hell hole alive.

Elizabeth turned to Matthew and said, "I just got a little distracted that's all, and yes I am bullet resistant," Elizabeth called over to the man who'd escorted them here. Under a hail of bullets he crawled over to them. "We're pinned down and reinforcements are too far away. If we don't break the deadlock soon then we'll have to regroup further back and that would be disastrous," he said.

Elizabeth nodded, "Look, I've got an idea. We MUST get into the communications room. If we don't the whole effort will collapse very quickly. Tell your men to cease-fire and pass me that Uzi will you. Oh, and get me one of your guys catsuits please"

The man turned to go, "Oh, and one more thing pass me the plans for this place."

"Of course," the agent said and passed Elizabeth the small bag. Elizabeth pulled out a set of plans and laid them on the floor,

"I need to get to here," Elizabeth pointed to a small room about 200 metres away from their position.

Matthew nodded, "Ok then what?"

"Then I take down Hassan, once and for all. Hassan's stronghold is here. It'll be a nightmare to get to but I think I know a way. I'm not sure I'm up to it and it's one hell of a change but it's possible, theoretically, maybe."

Matthew stared at the location on the map, only one way in and bound to be heavily guarded, "That's suicide! You'll never make it. Why don't we let the rest of Salah's forces do it?"

"Maybe later but first we need to get past these guys," Elizabeth was interrupted by the Guild agent tapping her on the shoulder. Elizabeth turned and whispered something in his ear and he went off towards his troops.

"What are we doing and where the hell are we?" Matthew asked.

"Using my advantage. In a Guild stronghold in Australia. Now lay down and play dead."

"What! Australia! Elizabeth what the hell is going on?"

"Shhh, Go on do it! We haven't much time. Wait here, I'll be back in a few moments," Elizabeth hissed and squirmed back away from the front line.

Omar ducked as another volley of bullets flew over his head. Those traitorous dogs would soon learn not to trifle with Hassan. He grudgingly admitted that they fought well and died bravely but his squad had position, more ammunition and time was on their side. Hassan would soon call for reinforcements and this petty rebellion led by Salah would soon be crushed.

He heard a burst of machine gun fire, coming from the enemy's line. Screams wailed out and all was quiet. Nervously he lifted his head above his line of sandbags and saw a tall figure, dressed in black and holding a smoking Uzi.

In the dim, smoky light of the corridor he peered at the figure and called out "Who are you?"

The figure called back, its deep masculine voice boomed back, "Well done, we've cleared this nest of vipers out. I've called for more help and decided to lead my troops to victory."

Omar called back nervously, "Hassan, is that you?"

"Of course. The Bexley female is dead, I slit her throat and her freak husband is on his way to my harem. You can have him if you want."

Omar, still a little suspicious called back, "Come closer my master so that I can see you. The last I heard you were safely in your shelter and directing the battle from there."

Hassan stepped over the barricade and walked towards Omar's position. Omar stood up but indicated to his men to be careful. The Bexley female was reputed to be full of tricks and he was taking no chances. As the figure walked closer Omar saw the telltale moustache and the strong, imposing physique. It WAS Hassan, only Hassan walked like that, only Hassan had that air of sophisticated command. Omar stuttered "Hassan it IS you."

Hassan nodded. "I couldn't just sit there and let my friends risk their lives to help me. I had to do something so I used secret passages to get behind those dogs and gunned them down."

Omar was satisfied. That was a typical Hassan deception. He felt his pride swell, Hassan wanted to be with his troops in their hour of need. He stood to attention and gave a single fingered salute, "What next my master?"

"Go and clear out all the bodies we've left, see if there are any wounded. I need to know how many we are facing and who has betrayed me. I am on my way to the communications room. I need to broadcast our victory here to the other places."

Omar called to his men and a loud cheer erupted from them. They stood up and gingerly stepped over their fortifications. Hassan waited for a few moments and then called out "NOW."

Omar looked on in disbelief as the dead bodies in front of him came to life, raised their machine guns and opened fire. He dived to the ground but was struck in the arm by a bullet. He looked over to where Hassan was standing and saw Hassan's body start to change. Within a few seconds the very manly figure of Hassan had changed into the very female figure of Rachel Martin. Omar swore. He was about to lift his Uzi up to fire at her when he saw her raise her arm at him, he felt a stinging pain in his shoulder and all went black.

Elizabeth relaxed as the changes ceased. She stared at her hand as the poison dart firing tube retracted back inside it. The man she hit wasn't killed just paralysed for a few hours. He'd be picked up later on. She hadn't wanted to use up valuable energy pulling this kind of stunt, and in some ways it seemed a very cowardly thing to do but war rewards the cunning. She turned and saw the agents loyal to Salah picking their way thru the bodies. After checking each one they ran past her and took point.

Matthew followed a few seconds later and looked at the carnage around him," Fucking hell Elizabeth, you're vicious. I never stood a chance."

Elizabeth sighed sadly, "It was the only way to be sure. I had to do it or we'd have been here all day and more people would have died. Now we've got to get moving."

They walked a few metres up the corridor and ran into the agent who'd let them out of the room. By his role in all this Matthew deduced he must be some kind of commander for the Guild forces loyal to Salah. Elizabeth walked up to him and he turned to face her.

"You have the cunning of Satan, Dr Bexley. I'd heard you could change bodies but that was nothing like I've ever seen." the Guild commander remarked, the admiration evident in his voice.

"It was the only way. Now back to work, how far's the communications room?"

"It's only about a hundred metres away. My scouts have reported no enemies that far forward. They have all fallen back to Hassan's stronghold. If we attack the communications room the agents inside will destroy all the equipment. Besides the door is heavily armored and we cannot destroy it or cut thru it easily."

Elizabeth nodded, "Then its time we used some of my devil cunning again isn't it. Besides, it allows us to take the people inside alive rather than slaughter them. Tell your people to secure the area, I'll handle this alone."

Elizabeth and Matthew followed the commander around several corners and were shown a heavy armor plated door. The commander gestured to the door, indicating its strength. The commander then pointed out camera's pointing both ways down the corridor any approach to the door would be spotted. Elizabeth thought for a moment and then ran back towards the fallen Guild front line. She hunted around the bodies until she came upon Omar's fallen form. She concentrated for a few seconds on her hand and a small talon grew from between her thumb and finger. She jabbed the talon into Omar's neck and ran back towards the waiting Matthew and troops. Once she was there she turned to the commander and said, "I've taken a blood sample of the man who led the stronghold here, do you know his name?"

The commander thought for a few moments and said, "Yes his name is Omar. He is one of Hassan's commanders."

Elizabeth gave a quick nod of satisfaction, "Good. My changeling organ is already sequencing his DNA. In a few moments we'll be ready. I want you to clear out the corridor and then throw in a grenade when I give the signal. Ok, Matthew you're with me."

The commander barked an order and his troops fell back. Matthew, still a little dazed from being plunged into the middle of a civil war followed Elizabeth. The commander stared at Elizabeth in amazement as he saw her body melt and reform. Her body took on a more muscular tone and she shifted form before his eyes. Within seconds a double of Omar stood before him. He shook his head in amazement, what a weapon this changeling organ was. 'Omar' gave the signal and the commander pulled a grenade from his belt. Taking a last look around he pulled the pin and rolled it into the deserted corridor. Four seconds later there was a loud boom and debris showered the prostrate forms of 'Omar' and the commander.

Inside the communications room Mohammed Ashraf heard a loud explosion. He was safe in here he knew and Hassan himself had entrusted the security of the computer and communications equipment in here to him. Besides, he was behind 10 inches of reinforced armor plate and concrete. Hassan had also ordered him to download the Guild database onto DVD-RAM in case of evacuation. Mohammed liked the fact that Hassan appreciated the importance of technology in any kind of operation. Hassan had also specified that the network links were to be left in place -- so that he could broadcast news of his victory to the rest of the Guild. The progress bar on screen showed that the copy of the database was about 90% complete. In the unlikely event of this place's capture it wouldn't do them any good. The information was heavily encrypted and it would take several super computers years to decrypt the information stored there. As in all things Hassan never took chances, was always through and was completely ruthless when required. He adjusted his spectacles and continued with the download of the Guild database.

The intercom crackled, "This is Omar, repeat this is Omar. Area is secure. We have prevailed. Hassan is on his way to you. Prepare to open up."

Mohammed wasn't sure and moved over to the TV monitor. In front of the door was Omar, his clothes ripped and he was showing signs of exhaustion. Mohammed could see the look of triumph on his face and he emitted a loud cheer. It'd been a long day and the stress of guarding this place alone had weighed heavily on him. Of course it hadn't started out like that but his comrades had been called away to help with the battle. Exalting inside he pressed the door release.

The door slowly swung open and he turned to face Omar. His eye detected a blur, faster than he could make out and he suddenly felt his arm being pinned from behind. He felt a prick on his neck, and saw that a blade was being pressed against his neck. He managed to whisper, "Omar?" but the voice behind him whispered, "No Bexley."

Mohammed just stood there as several men wearing red armbands poured into the room. A young woman with Auburn hair and blue/gray eyes followed them in. Mohammed looked down to see if he could prise the knife away from his throat, and saw to his horror that there was no knife. The knife was a hand that had been fashioned into a blade, however it was just as lethal so Mohammed stood still.

When the area was secure Mohammed felt the grip on him relax and the mysterious blade-handed person called Bexley moved away, and he saw it for the first time.

The Bexley's body seemed to melt, become smaller and less muscular. The blade-hand reformed into fingers and Mohammed looked on in stunned shock as his identical twin formed in front of him. Unable to move or protest he let the Bexley move towards him. His own face smiled at him and removed his glasses and put them on. Mohammed saw the Bexley's hand move towards him and felt a prick in his neck and all went black.

"Right, now for the hard part," Elizabeth said turning to the commander.

The commander had never seen anything like it before. This woman had just taken out a heavily protected installation single-handed. Sure she'd relied on guile but even still. The commander had to admit the American doctor impressed him, Hassan was right to fear her and Salah was right to insist she be recruited. He was too proud to admit any of this so he turned to her and said, "What next?"

"Take your forces towards Hassan's stronghold. We'll wait here for him to call. I suspect that he'll soon know all is lost here and want to evacuate. We'll need his encryption key if we are to prove that we have him, and to operate the Guild broadcast system. Matthew you're with me, Oh and get out of that nightdress for God's sake. You're walking around as if to say, hey I'm a civilian shoot me. Here use that geeks catsuit."

The Guild commander left the room and left a small skeleton guard outside. Inside Elizabeth collapsed onto the chair, breathing heavily.

Matthew walked over to the unconscious Mohammed and pulled off his catsuit. He looked at Elizabeth self-consciously and tried to find a discrete corner to change in.

"Look, I've seen everything you've got so don't worry. Besides I'm surprised any of those soldiers managed to shoot straight with you waltzing around half naked," Elizabeth quipped.

Matthew removed his nightdress and started to put on the catsuit. A thought occurred to him and he said to Elizabeth, "You really enjoy all this secret agent stuff don't you?"

Elizabeth looked a little guilty, "I guess so, but only because it'll save lives in the end. If the Guild were still to prevail after all this bloodshed it'd be the biggest tragedy of my life. I'm still thought of as a monster and wanted around the world for my crimes. I need to prove that I'm no longer any of that, and to do that I need to save more lives than I have taken."

Matthew was about to reply when a console beeped near to Elizabeth. Elizabeth gestured to Matthew to get out of the way and checked that all was clear. A few seconds later Hassan's face appeared on a nearby monitor.

"Hassan, what is happening? I have heard gunfire all around. So far this place is secure," Elizabeth said nervously.

Hassan stared into the monitor, his face was streaked with blood and his composure had been shattered, "The enemy took us by surprise. Soon we will be overrun. My computer system here has been knocked out. We must rally our forces for one last offensive. If we can perform this all it once we will be able to smash that viper Salah's mutiny."

"Agreed, you can re-route thru here, but I will need your code," Elizabeth asked.

"Ok. I also want to order Dr Bexley's assassination. I am told that she was in league with Salah all along. How has it come to this, taken in by a mere woman," Hassan complained.

"She is no woman or so I have heard. I have heard she sold her soul to Satan. It shall be done. I'm ready for the code," Elizabeth replied coldly. She was very tempted to add some snide remark but this was the critical part.

Elizabeth saw Hassan reach over and type in a sequence of numbers and letters. A green OK icon appeared on the screen and Elizabeth had to force down a smile. She'd got it, she'd just blown the entire Guild network and database wide open. There were some geeks back at Harvard who'd have killed to pull this kind of stunt. All Elizabeth said was, "You're online. GO!"

Hassan nodded is satisfaction and started to speak, his voice slow and saddened. "Friends, we have been betrayed, betrayed by those who we once called brothers. I call on those still loyal to the ideal of the Guild to rise up and take back what is ours. To those fighting against us, I say to you lay down your weapons and you will be spared. You have also been betrayed. I give you my word that only the traitor Salah and his evil whore Dr Bexley will be punished."

Hassan paused for a few seconds, letting his words sink in, "Why should we fight each other. Together we are stronger. We are on the verge of restoring ourselves to our rightful place. To those fighting against us, you have 10 minutes to comply otherwise you will share Salah's and Dr Bexley's fate. Hassan out."

Elizabeth stared at the screen, waiting for Hassan's instructions. Hassan then ordered, "Transmit this right away. I must go now, I am on emergency power and I need that to co-ordinate the battle."

The screen went blank and when she was sure it was clear Elizabeth punched the air, "Matthew, we did it. The Guild is finished!"

"How so? You've still got Hassan and Osman to go? Plus all those chapters and agents that are left. You can't kill it. Yes you've damaged it, and yes your buddy Salah will be in charge but you haven't stopped it."

"I will have. If all goes to plan, and now Hassan is powerless to stop it. Now watch," Elizabeth's fingers danced over the keyboard.

Matthew watched for half and hour, trying to figure out what Elizabeth was doing, he tried several times to speak but each time Elizabeth told him 'Hush, I'm concentrating.'

At long last Elizabeth took a pause, "What're you doing?" Matthew queried.

"I'm dumping the entire Guild database onto the net. I'm also mailing copies of all the Guild membership records, plans, finances etc to all security services in the world. In around six hours the whole lot will be public to a hundred million people. References to it will be on every newsgroup and search engines will find it right away. The Guild's gone global. By exposing the whole network I ensure that it will not survive. I might not have the time or resources to shut the Guild down but the combined forces of the world's intelligence services will. Even if a high ranking Guild member in one country manages to cover it up, other countries will have the same information. I told you the only way to stop the Guild was to do it all once."

Matthew was amazed at Elizabeth's brilliance. Time and time again he had admired her ability to think around a problem, predict what others would do, and then use it for her advantage. He thought they'd managed to outthink her during the fury he now saw that it was only a lucky break that had finally stopped her. Matthew was about to congratulate her when Elizabeth swore.

"What's up?" Matthew asked.

"I'm trying to find the files relating to changelings and the use of the genetic warheads. I think I've found them but Hassan's encrypted them with another key. There's no way in hell I'm going to be able to decipher them. Matthew, we have to get this disk to the government, maybe one of their systems will be able to do it. FUCK!"

Matthew thought for a moment and then the horror of the situation dawned on him too, "You mean you don't know why they launched the attack on Tel-Aviv, and what they're planning to do with all those changeling organs?"

Elizabeth sighed, "Yep. We've killed the scorpion but the poison still remains. If we don't find a way to prove the link between the Guild and the attack on Tel-Aviv then we'll still have failed! Israel will still strike back and kill millions. Fuck, there's no way we can get Hassan to give us the key now.

"So now what?"

"We carry on and remove Hassan and the rest of the Guild. We HAVE to get this to the government before Israel's given the go ahead to invoke the Fury Directive. Fuck, Hassan's good. I won't underestimate him again."

Matthew peered at a screen, "Elizabeth, the database copy has finished."

Elizabeth walked over to the DVD-RAM system and removed six disks. She gave them to Matthew and said firmly, "No matter what happens you MUST give these to the government. You've not done much yet, but now it's your hour Matthew. When you get out, and if I don't make it, go to your apartment in New York. Salah will be there and ask him to take you to my Lab in Libya you can turn yourself back from there."

Matthew said, "You sound as though you might not live thru this."

Elizabeth said softly, "With what I have planned next I might not. The only thing that can kill me is myself."

• o - o - o -

Outside of the harem the gunfire stopped abruptly. It was almost as if there was a pause, a waiting for something to pass. Marcel's fear rose when the door opened and a black glad figure walked in. To his relief Marcel spotted a red armband, it was one of the 'good guys'.

The man walked over to where Marcel, Scott and the senator were sitting and he crouched down beside them. The man reached into a side pocket and pulled out a small piece of white putty and a black device that looked like a pager. The man checked both devices before saying, "If you go down the corridor for a hundred metres and then take a right you will see a heavy wooden door. This is Semtex, it's a very powerful explosive," he showed the putty to Scott, "Put this on the door hinges and then, when you are far enough way press this," and he indicated a small button on the pager.

Scott thought for a few moments before saying, "This door is bound to be heavily defended, we'll be killed trying to get to it. What's behind the door anyway?"

The man nodded, acknowledging the questions and replied, "You are women, they will not expect women to be against them. Besides, I am going to create panic in here. The enemy will be swamped with screaming women. They will not shoot and they will not suspect. As to what's behind the door, that is Hassan's personal office. When we destroy it we send a powerful signal to the enemy which will strike fear into their hearts. It will ensure our victory."

The Senator thought for a moment before gesturing to the man to give him the explosives. The man handed over the white putty to the senator who then rolled it in his hands and tucked it into his cleavage, "These are useful for something," he commented.

Pointing to the pager Scott said, "I'll take that."

Marcel looked a little disappointed. He wanted to blow something up. Scott detected Marcel's look and offered, "You, my friend are our diversion. We need you to scream and make as much fuss as you can. You need to give us time to plant this and get away."

Satisfied that the plan was understood the Guild agent stood up and pointed his Uzi into the air. He shouted something that Scott couldn't understand and then fired several rounds into the air. The other harem girls screamed in terror and fled out of the room. In all the confusion Scott, Marcel and the senator followed them out and into the corridor. The harem girls spurred on and 'herded' by regular bursts of gunfire above their heads, ran screaming and wailing down the corridor towards Hassan's office.

It wasn't until they had gone about 80 metres down the smoke filled and body strewn corridor that Scott, Marcel and the Senator ran into Hassan's forces. Hassan's forces were entrenched behind several sandbags and were clearly unsure of what to do. Their guns were raised and ready to fire -- a fact which caused the fleeing Harem girls more anxiety and only added to the general mayhem. Marcel gathered up his skirt and jumped, screaming over the sandbags, to the amazement of the troops behind it. Scott and the senator followed suit, wailing as if possessed.

Unsure of what to do Hassan's forces decided that women, especially Hassan's women were no threat and steeled themselves for the assault to come. By now the other Harem girls had ran past and an air of quiet serenity descended on the fortifications. Two Guild agents were suspicious of the three women who'd vaulted past, and went off to investigate.

A little further on Marcel, Scott and the Senator reached an ornate wooden door. Scott looked around and said, "This must be it, go on plant the explosives and let's get out of here. Marcel you keep watch."

Marcel nodded and walked a few metres down the corridor.

The senator nodded his agreement and pulled the Semtex from his cleavage and pressed it into the hinges of the door. Satisfied the Senator said, "Let's go."

Suddenly Marcel came sprinting back down the corridor, "Guild coming this way. Quick."

"If we leave they'll discover it and remove it," the senator was clearly worried about their discovery.

"Then we have to deal with them," Scott stated.

Marcel gestured with his fist, "Got it!"

"What?" Scott asked.

"Just follow my lead," Marcel replied.

A few seconds later the two Guild agents came running around the corner. As soon as Marcel saw them he let out a loud scream and ran towards them. The Guild agents stopped and pointed their guns at Marcel.

Marcel promptly stopped screaming and gesticulated down the corridor, as if to tell them that the people they were after went that way. The Guild agents looked at each other for a few moments and then one of them ran off in the direction Marcel has been pointing while the other, ignoring Marcel's pleas pushed past him and walked towards Scott and the Senator.

Scott was now worried that Marcel's scheme was falling apart, started pointing also. The senator followed suit but this too failed to distract the Guild agent, and he continued his advance towards the door. The Guild agent stopped dead when he saw the Semtex lining the door hinges and he raised his Uzi, pointing it at Marcel to indicate that he should move back towards the door. Marcel obeyed, moved back to where Scott and the Senator were standing. For Marcel time seemed to slow down, each heartbeat taking an hour to complete. He saw the Guild agent aim his Uzi at the senator and an eternity later saw him start to squeeze the trigger. In an instant Marcel threw himself in front of the gun just as the Uzi went off. Bullets ripped into Marcel's body and he collapsed to the floor.

Scott was the first to react, years of police training and experience sprung into action and he leapt at the Guild agent. The Guild agent tried to block a bone shattering move from Scott but Scott was too quick, he brought his knee upwards and into the Guild agents groin. The Guild agent went down, dropped his gun and started to groan. The Senator took the opportunity and picked the Uzi up and promptly struck the Guild agent around the head.

Scott had knelt down beside Marcel's bloodied body, checked for a pulse but he already knew there would be none. The senator gave Scott a glance as if to say 'is he?' Scott gave a sad nod and stood up.

"We'd better go, his buddies will wonder where he's got to," Scott said gesturing to the fallen Guild agent.

The senator nodded his agreement, "Yeah. We'll mourn Marcel later. I didn't think he'd have it in him, but he saved our lives. Let's not make his sacrifice an empty one."

Leaving Marcel's body behind Scott and the senator ran off down the corridor until they were a safe distance away. Scott fished out the detonator and pressed the button. Instantly there was a loud explosion and then a deafening silence fell around them.

Scott and the Senator held position for a few minutes until the Guild agent who'd rescued them ran towards them. He gave a 'thumbs up' sign and called out, "Well done, go back to your room we'll take it from here."

Scott walked slowly back to the room where they'd been held only a few minutes ago. What was Marcel thinking? Why did he have to die? Scott was reminded of the time a few years back when he'd lost his partner to a drunk driver. He'd complained about her replacement, Tina who was just a rookie at the time but eventually he came to trust her insight. This train of thought brought Scott's thoughts back to Tina. Where was she and was she ok? The thoughts of Tina brought forward thoughts of home. Rebecca, how he missed Rebecca and the happy 15 years they'd had together. The sensation of his breasts pushing against the dress he now wore finally brought him back to reality. If he got out of here what the hell would Rebecca say and do? Suddenly he felt an arm grab his, and he was pulled towards the harem again. The senator had spotted more enemy Guild agents, closing fast and had started to pull him towards safety. Scott got the hint and ran inside.

• o - o - o -

Elizabeth concentrated hard. Matthew looked on as he saw Elizabeth's skin turn gray all over. He saw flesh ripple inside her, and he knew her organs were being re-arranged. Elizabeth seemed to grow taller by the second until she stood nearly eight feet tall. Her body fleshed out and muscles grew taut and strong. She stretched out her arms, and Matthew looked on in amazement as the skin became scaly and armored. Fingers grew points until each finger was a sharp blade of bone. From her wrists, forearm and elbow more blades grew and small outcrops of bone pushed their way thru the already armor plated skin.

Elizabeth took a breather for a moment and managed to say "Not done yet."

Her whole skin took on scales until heavy looking armor encased her entire body. Her breasts retracted in and her crotch was encased in heavy bone, leaving only her curved shape as evidence that she was still female. Her legs and torso rippled as muscles and joints reformed to more efficient configurations. From her chest and back burst a series of small spines, and Matthew recognised them as the same type that contained the same deadly poison as she'd used on the fish so long ago.

Breathing hard and looking strained Elizabeth sat down for a few minutes. After recovering she stood up and closed her eyes. A 'bud' appeared each side of Elizabeth's torso and just under her arms. These buds grew until two additional arms formed, each looking exactly like the two she already had.

Matthew couldn't help but smile at the ridiculous sight of Rachel Martin's head atop a four-armed killing machine body. Elizabeth turned and said, "This is all your fault for making me watch too much Sci-fi."

Rachel Martins head began to ripple and reform and it grew bonier. The neck vanished under bone and armored skin and the hair receded into the skull. Elizabeth's jaw swelled outwards, making her cheeks puff outwards. The bone that now encased her skull grew down making an almost medieval helmet shape over her face. She turned to Matthew, opened her mouth and Matthew jumped back in shock as a second fanged jaw shot out from inside her mouth. She hissed at Matthew and continued to concentrate.

A few minutes later Elizabeth walked out into the corridor. They heard the sounds of gunfire in the distance and with Matthew taking up the rear they picked their way thru shattered walls and smoke filled rooms. Elizabeth was unperturbed by the carnage around her, as if she felt she was impervious to all the Guild could throw at her. Matthew for his part didn't share in her confidence. He noticed the bodies grew ever more frequent the closer they came to the battle. This time more of the bodies wore red armbands than not and Matthew deduced that the battle was not going as well as Elizabeth had hoped. Suddenly the noise grew much louder, and the floor rumbled with the vibrations of grenades and heavy machine gun fire.

Matthew ducked down behind a wall and looked on at the pitched battle going on outside. Apparently Salah's forces had rallied as on one side Salah's forces were slowly gaining ground but it was a close run thing.

Suddenly, Elizabeth spotted something and sprinted off, oblivious to the small arms fire that was being directed at her. Matthew lay flat on the ground, and watched in awe as he saw that Elizabeth was running towards a set of closing heavy doors. Suddenly a Guild agent leapt out from nowhere and tried to plunge his knife into Elizabeth's armored chest. Before he could get anywhere near Elizabeth's lower right arm slashed out and almost decapitated him. The agent went down as though he'd been pole-axed and Elizabeth continued unaffected and unstoppable.

"Cover me," Elizabeth called out.

Salah's forces set up a heavy suppressing fire, which, had the desired effect of stopping much of the gunfire directed at Elizabeth. Matthew could have sworn that he saw bullets strike the running Elizabeth, as occasionally she would pause, as if concentrating before continuing onwards.

In a matter of seconds Elizabeth reached the Guild stronghold and was surrounded by Guild agents. Matthew looked on in awe, as Elizabeth's movements became a blur. The Guild agents set upon her as a lion does to a wounded zebra. The glint of their knives making deadly sparkles in the pale glow of the emergency lights. Suddenly one of the Guild agents was lifted up off the ground as Matthew saw a large arm size blade rip thru the agents sternum. Another blade-arm entered the man and with a swift, bloody movement the agent was torn in two.

Matthew turned away in horror as blood covered the walls. The Guild agents who had been so cavalier in attacking Elizabeth backed off and Matthew got his first glimpse of Elizabeth since she'd ran off. Her body had several bleeding holes where bullets had struck and that had not been sealed yet and her armored skin was slashed in several places. Blood poured from multiple gashes where her throat should be and Matthew could see the strain her body was under.

For their part the Guild agents backed off and circled her, wary of the killing blades two of her arms had become. Salah's forces watched, transfixed by the sight before them. One of the Guild agents roared at challenge at Elizabeth, and stepped forward, brandishing his curved knife.

Elizabeth cocked her head to one side, and took a single step towards her challenger. Her challenger was about to rush Elizabeth when, in a movement too fast for the eye to see Elizabeth had raised an arm at the man. The man fell as though struck by a heavy weight and started to writhe in pain on the floor. His comrades annoyed and disheartened rushed Elizabeth once more, but Salah's forces starting to fire once more halted their advance.

This distraction was all that Elizabeth needed and all of a sudden she was a blur of slashing limbs and spines. She moved between the Guild's forces as if on a different plane of existence. It was almost as if Elizabeth was toying with them, letting them have their best shot before swatting them aside, and in a matter of seconds she was surrounded by the dismembered bodies of her attackers, blood, entrails and body parts were everywhere.

Salah's forces looked at Elizabeth in awe, but Matthew noticed how Elizabeth was starting to slouch and her breathing was heavy. In spite of her impressive performance that last assault had taken a lot of energy from her, clearly she had little reserves left.

One of Salah's men crouched up against the door and attached a small lump of plastic explosive to the door. He reached into his bag and placed in on the door and gestured for them to run back down the corridor. This they did and a few seconds later there was a loud explosion and the ground shook. Elizabeth was first up and she ran down the corridor and into Hassan's stronghold. Matthew, in a moment of rashness followed her in time to see Hassan's Tiger emit a blood curdling roar, and leap at Elizabeth's throat.

Elizabeth jumped backwards, one of her hands reforming into a blade as she did so. Just as the tiger was about to land on her she thrust her blade-hand upwards and buried it into the tiger's throat. The tiger collapsed, twitched for a few moments and then was still. Elizabeth turned towards Hassan who was sitting at his desk and gave a blood curdling hiss.

Hassan stood up and backed against the wall. Looking in awe at the killing machine Liz had become. "Wait, Dr Bexley, you could have it all. You wanted someone to love and be loved. I am that person. You want to know why I kept you safe? Protected you? Well, it's because I more than admire you. I love you. You are the only woman I have ever loved, come be with me."

Breathing hard Elizabeth said, "I know. I did all this for you Hassan. How else could I prove myself worthy of you, but to beat you at your own game."

Hassan smiled, "I knew we were kindred spirits from when I first saw you. What's mine is yours, come to me Dr Bexley, be my queen."

Elizabeth moved closer to Hassan and moved to kiss him. Hassan looked on as the killing machine that was Elizabeth changed form until an exhausted looking Rachel Martin stood in its place. Her hair was wet with sweat and her body was showing signs of great stress, such was the effort of such rapid series of radical changes. Elizabeth put her hands up to show she had no weapon and embraced Hassan.

Matthew recoiled as he saw their lips meet and they shared a passionate kiss. Suddenly, Hassan jumped and a plume of blood spurted out from the top of his head. Matthew stared on as he saw Elizabeth's secondary jaws rip thru the top of Hassan's skull. It quickly retracted its self and Elizabeth let go. Hassan crumpled into a bloodied heap on the floor. Elizabeth turned around and Matthew gasped as he saw the jaws start to shrink back into Elizabeth's mouth. Hassan's blood covered Elizabeth face and mouth and she wiped it away with her hand. By now the second jaw had gone and Elizabeth turned to Hassan's limp, blood covered body and spat "Liar."

Seconds later Elizabeth collapsed. Her breathing was slow and labored. Matthew ran over to her and tried to give CPR, his hands frantically pushing down on her chest. His efforts were in vain and a few seconds later her breathing ceased and her body went limp. He checked for a pulse and rechecked again, there was none. Matthew lifted Elizabeth's limp body in his arms and started to cry.

• o - o - o -

Cathline could hear the gunfire from outside and Tina was getting a little bored. "Why aren't we out there doing our bit?" she complained.

Cathline too was getting a little bored of sitting around. But she didn't particularly want to join in the battle outside, she wanted out. Better sense prevailed however and she reminded herself that if they went charging about outside they would end up dead. They didn't know whose side was whose, where the front line was and what they could use as a weapon. She reminded Tina of this and Tina had to agree.

They waited in silence, listening to the sounds of battle around them. The fighting seemed to die out, like a forest fire that has run its course. A loud cheer could be heard reverberating around outside.

"Somebody's won," Tina commented.

Cathline nodded, "I just hope it's the good guys. Shall we go outside?"

Tina was about to reply when the door started open. They quickly hid behind it, ready to pounce on whoever came thru. A tall muscular figure walked in, his catsuit was torn and blood seeped from a cut in his arm. Tina was about to strike when Cathline called out, "Tina wait, it's Salah."

Salah nodded, "Come quickly. The police will be here soon and we need to go. Here take this," Salah reached into his belt and produced a slender bladed Guild assassins knife. He gave it to Cathline who tucked it into her belt.

Cathline looked at Salah, as if in thought and then said "What's going on? Can we help?"

Salah shook his head. "I have taken control of the Guild. Reports from Australia say that Hassan is dead and that his forces are surrendering as we speak. The best help you can be is to get out and be ready to testify for me when the FBI come."

Cathline looked at Salah in amazement, "You're in charge now, Hassan's dead!"

Salah nodded, "Yes the Guild is now back under control. I just hope that Dr Bexley managed to obtain the proof we need to stop the Fury Directive. We could never have succeeded without her."

Cathline was stunned. What was going on? "Dr Bexley helped you?"

Salah's face became serious "There's no time to explain -- all will be explained when Dr Bexley and Matthew Stephens get back here."

Cathline breathed a sigh of relief and her sprits soared, "Matthew's ok? I thought."

Tina interrupted," What about Scott and Marcel?"

Salah's face dropped, as if some carefully arranged plan had gone tragically wrong, "That I do not know. One of them has been killed. I know no more than that, I'm sorry. Now, please we must go."

Salah, Tina, and Cathline made their way thru rubble strewn corridors and the bodies of several Guild agents. Guild agents wearing red armbands were moving the bodies into lines. They snapped to attention as Salah walked by and Salah took the time to congratulate each one. He paused and gave a long series of instructions to one Guild member. Eventually they came to the entrance hall and they were about to walk towards the door when there was a gunshot and Salah fell to the floor.

Osman stood, blocking the entrance hall, holding a still smoking pistol. His elaborate robes were torn and bloodied but the grim smile over his face showed triumph. "Alas poor Salah, the shortest Guild reign in history."

Cathline bent down and saw blood seeping from a bullet hole in Salah's chest, "Noo," she cried out and lifted Salah's limp body to her chest.

Osman smiled and gestured for them to turn around and go back inside. Cathline refused and still held onto Salah's body. Osman turned to Tina and pointed the pistol at her head, "Inside please ladies," he demanded.

Cathline placed Salah's body on the floor and stood up. "Come on Tina, let's go."

Tina was about to rush Osman when Osman detected her plan and said, "I don't think so. I may be large but I'm not slow and not stupid. During my life I've killed fifty thousand of people like you, what's two more? Now GO."

Tina and Cathline started to walk back out of the entrance hall and back into the Guild stronghold and incarceration.

They had only gone a few paces when suddenly Osman let out a cry. Cathline whirled around to see, to her amazement Salah pinning Osman's arms behind his back. Salah called out to them "I have him. It's over."

Cathline walked back to the struggling Osman and said to Salah, "How? I saw you shot..," she paused for a few moments and then voiced a thought out loud, "The only way you could repair that was if."

Salah managed to nod and finished Cathline's sentence "I had a changeling organ. Correct. It's nowhere near as sophisticated as Dr Bexley's was and I've no idea what repairing the damage done by Osman here has cost me but it was worth it just to nail this bastard. Now what shall we do with him?"

Osman struggled but he was powerless to resist. Cathline walked closer and looked him up and down.

"Not so tough now are you. You bastard," she spat.

"Go on then, kill me," Osman replied unconvincingly.

Tina saw the fear in Osman's eyes and said "Go on Cathline you hate him. Look what he's done to you, done to me, done to Scott and Marcel. He's nothing but a bully, just look at the fear in his eyes."

Cathline drew the short slender blade of the Guild's assassin's knife. "I've never killed anyone before, Osman. I valued life above all things. You treat it with contempt. Life was cruel to you so you are cruel to life. Thanks to my best friend, Kat, I learnt that revenge is no match for forgiveness. Salah tie him up we'll let the cops deal with him," Cathline turned and walked away.

Osman saw his chance and managed to pull free from Salah. He reached into his tunic and pulled out a long curved knife. Tina screamed "Cath." And Cathline turned in time to see Osman lunge towards her. She dived to one side and screamed as the blade plunged into her shoulder. Osman let out a cry and fell on top of her. With all the pain and shock Cathline passed out.

Cathline awoke some time later and saw her wound had been bandaged and that the bleeding had stopped. She saw the unmoving body of Osman, still lying where it fell. A short slender blade was sticking out from the base of his neck. Salah saw she was awake and walked over and knelt down.

"Cathline, I'm sorry I had to kill him, there was no other way. I too have never taken a life until today. I've sure felt like it sometimes especially that of that 'hell bitch' Liz."

Cathline turned to Salah and said "Kat? I knew."

Salah put a finger to his lips, nodded and said "Shh, later."

Cathline already weak from blood loss and physical exhaustion fainted in shock. Kat gently lowered Cathline's limp body to the floor, pressed her finger to Cathline's lips and stood up to inspect the carnage around her.

• o - o - o -

TO BE CONTINUED....