Doubled Edge 3b/10

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Doubled Edge by Katt Solano
Disclaimers & further hoopla in part 0
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Fort William, Scotland...

It was almost midnight when they finally reached Fort William.
Thankfully, there were still some motels open and by mutual agreement, both
groups decided to retired for the night. Cerny grudgingly acquiesced to
Kala's order that the Pearl was to stay with the Immortals. Duncan heard the
words, "for now," as loudly as though she'd shouted it in his ear through a
megaphone.

Their meeting the next morning took place in Duncan and Methos' room. Devaki
entered first, one hand resting casually on an impressive looking knife.
Kala entered next with Cerny bringing up the rear. Methos emerged from the
bathroom still rubbing his hair dry. He looked at Kala's pendant.

"Lovely piece," he said, "An antique?"

"Several times over," Kala replied, tucking the pendant inside her black
T-shirt. "You told him?"

Duncan set his jaw stubbornly. "He overheard enough. I just filled in the
blanks."

"He is a child," Devaki sneered, tossing her tight black braids over her
shoulder, "A soft, white child."

Methos did his best to look outraged but helpless at the same time.
Obviously, his disguise was Adam Pierson was still firmly intact.

Kala cocked her head at him. "I suppose if you trusthim..."

"I do."

"Very well then. We shall proceed."

Methos took to tank out of its carrying case and set it on the dresser. Even
in the misty morning light and the deep red liquid, it still seemed to
shine. Cerny breathed a sigh of relief, silently saying a prayer of
thanksgiving.

"Why do you protect it so jealously?" Kala wanted to know, "Strangers have
dropped it on your laps. Monsters have chased you around the world. Why not
simply... leave it alone?"

"Believe me, I've tried to convince him to." Methos shrugged Gallicly, his
palms out. "But he's Scottish. Stubborn as red wine on white carpet."

"Maybe it's because people have been trying tae shoot my head off," said
Duncan, "I did nae appreciate tha' one bit."

"So why not give it to us?" Cerny said, "We will take this trouble out of
your hands--" He stopped then Duncan began shaking his head.

"I can't," said the Highlander, "These Xeno Core have someone... very dear
to me."

"And they implied that if you want to see him or her again, you would follow
their directives." Kala purse her lips in thought. "I have rarely heard them
using such methods. Usually their fire power and stealth are enough for them
to get what they desire."

"What exactly are they?" Methos asked, "Duncan said that one of them--
Jetblayd was it?-- made a sword explode and had knives coming out from under
his nails."

"We believe that they posses powers like we, the Ichor Born, do," answered
Kala, "though their powers are much more varied. We do not know where they
come from, how long they live, and exactly how many types of powers they
have. They seem to be legion."

"Our legends say," said Devaki, "that they are led by a family, much like a
monarchy."

"Nor do we know what their directives are," Kala continued, "There have been
times when they've aided us and times when we've been direct opponents. And
then there are times like these when they seem to take no sides but their
own."

Seeing Duncan's puzzlement and Methos' interest, Kala elaborated. "The Pearl
had been stolen from us by the Caelum. I believe you gentlemen have met them
before? They are... not the most honourable creatures."

"So the Xeno Core stole the Pearl back from the Caelum?" Methos guessed. At
the Ichor Born's nods, he asked, "So why be mad at the them? They did you a
favour."

"But they never intended to give it back," Cerny growled.

"They, too, have wanted to Pearl for some time," said Devaki, "The Caelum
simply took it first. We believe they wish to learn our secrets and possibly
destroy our organization."

"Why?" Duncan asked.

Kala shrugged, genuinely bewildered herself. "I do not know."

"Great." Methos flopped into his unmade bed. "So we're at an impasse."

"I do not see a reason why we could not work together," Kala said, ignoring
the sounds of disapproval coming from Cerny. "After all, the enemy of my
enemy is my friend, is that not the saying? You need the Pearl to find your
friend. After we've vanquished the foe, we will take back our rightful
property."



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