"Honey, are you feeling better?" Ben said as he leaned over Dale.
"Yes Daddy, I am. Where's Sarah?" Dale asked as she felt tears creeping into her eyes again. It had been two weeks since Karen had been murdered. Dale still had problems with it. Sam believed that it was because of the connection she'd had with Karen when the woman died. Dale didn't tell her that she wasn't connected with Karen, but was listening to Warner instead. The events following his cutting Karen's throat were a little fuzzy to Dale. She remembered being uncontrollably mad, and she'd remembered screaming at Warner, but she wasn't too clear on the rest. Sam had explained to her that Warner had died of massive internal trauma; every bone in his body had been shattered by the impact with the wall. Sam told her that she had thrown Warner into the wall at over five hundred miles an hour. That just wasn't possible; Warner had out-weighed her by almost a hundred pounds. However, the security camera's in the apartment clearly showed the door exploding into the apartment, and Dale running in, grabbing Warner by the neck, and tossing him through the wall like he'd weighed nothing. There weren't any cameras in the bedrooms, but no one else was in there, and no other explanation for his condition was apparent.
Trying to remember those events made her head hurt. Remembering the wonderful women who had died for no reason made her heart hurt. Where was Sarah?
"I ordered her to go home and get some rest. Actually, I had to call Tasha to come take charge of her. She was afraid she might have lost you too, sweetheart. I have to admit, I'm wondering that too," Ben said with tears of his own in his eyes.
"I'll survive, Dad. It's just hard to deal with at times. There was no reason at all for what he did to her. Hell, I doubt she even knew what was going on." Dale's tears started to fall again. "The most horribly ironic thing about all this is that, she lived in one of the cities with the highest crime rates in the country and nothing had happened to her. She moves out to the middle of the fucking Pacific Ocean, and is killed by a power-hungry government flunky. It just makes no sense at all."
"No sweetheart," Ben agreed. "Death usually never makes sense. Sam has another theory about this deep depression you're going through though."
Dale snorted. "Yeah?"
"You displayed a very strong ability during the attack. One you've never used before. She believes that the amount of energy it drained from you might be part of the reason for the depression."
"I don't think I would call it an ability; I can't seem to do it again, hell I don't remember doing it the first time! I think it was just a freak accident brought on by my anger at the situation," Dale explained. "It still wasn't enough to save Karen.
"Karen's death was not your fault. It was the actions of a mad man that caused it. You stopped him before he could harm anyone else. That's what really matters," Ben explained.
"So what happens now? What are the chances that asshole had told his superiors where we were going before he left, or told them after he got here?" Dale asked.
"Our security folks have been going over everything Warner has done for the last year. From everything they could uncover, we are still safe out here. His last communication with his bosses was well over six months ago, and that was to tell them we had made a break-through on the whisperjets. Which, by the way, was the whole reason for those trumped up security violations; it was all a ruse to take the project away from us without paying for it," Ben explained.
Dale nodded her head. "Any word on when I'll be getting out of here? I'd like to get back to work, and I'm sure Dr. Taylor would like to get started with me as well."
"Sam says you're doing pretty well now that your strength is returning. I imagine she'll be letting you out of here soon. Sarah has been really worried about you; we all have actually."
Dale smiled a small smile. "I'll be alright, Daddy. I just need to get past this, and get on with my life. I just wish there was something I could do to make sure assholes like that were put behind bars instead of given jobs as spies. That man really was a criminal, even by United States standards."
Ben, Sarah, Dale and Tasha were at Dale and Sarah's new apartment the next night, once again discussing Warner's actions. The conversation quickly grew to how badly most of the governments on the planet were treating their people.
"That's the whole reason we're out here, Peanut. To try to change the world and wake people up to what's really being done under their noses and in their names," Ben explained. "I just hope we can do it."
"Well, I hope you have more of a plan than just stopping the various military actions of the planet. That's not going to let the people know anything. I wouldn't count on the 'unbiased' news services helping you either. They only report what their told, when they're told," Dale said. "What the planet needs more than anything else is a real unbiased news service that can't be silenced, or coerced, and only reports the facts; not the reporters or editors view of the facts. That's been a problem for a long time; the reporter's own emotions get in the way, and only one side of the story gets told."
"You're absolutely right, peanut, but we haven't a clue as to how to accomplish that. Sure, I could go around buying up the various news agencies, but in order for us to make any telling changes there, too much of our other operations would become vulnerable." He shrugged. "All we can do for now is keep trying to make sure the world doesn't kill itself off and hope the news agencies start reporting the truth pretty soon."
"You know, for a long time, the flow of information has really been controlled by the internet. The huge campaign to discredit internet news services is mostly bullshit. Granted, none of them would dare to report even a tenth of the stuff we're dealing with, but most of the country, at least the younger generations know that if you want to get a feel for the real truth of a situation, you need to log on and do some research on it," Dale commented thoughtfully.
"Walter Hughes!" Sarah said excitedly. "Walter and his group of cyber geeks would love this shit! Not only that, but they have the smarts to not get caught. I'd almost be afraid of what they could do with the kind of equipment we could give them."
"I don't think I got a chance to meet him did I?" Dale asked her love.
"Yeah, but I'm not surprised you don't remember it. These guys seem to have the ability to disappear in a crowded room, while using a PDA to download the information on every pretty girl in that room. If the government didn't think hackers should be shot, no one on the planet would be safe from them! They are really harmless though. Sarah told Ben; "Walter is the guy I asked to recommend a security system for our computers during school. He said he'd write me one if I gave him an autographed picture of myself in a bikini."
"Oh? So how many sexy pictures of you are there?" Dale asked teasingly.
"Just the one. Walter asked my permission to share it with some of his friends, and a week after I said yes, he told me there were four modeling agencies, two swimsuit companies, and one tan oil company trying to discover who I was so I could model for them. He told me he made damn sure no one could trace the source of the photo unless I wanted to talk to one of those companies. I thanked him, and said no," Sarah grinned.
"By the gods, why? They would have offered you far more money than I was paying you! Not to mention the secondary deals you would have gotten! Jesus, Sarah, you turned down millions!" Ben said.
Sarah simply turned her beautiful face back to her wife, and lover. "I had already discovered where I wanted to spend my life. No one could have paid me enough to leave. In fact, I would have stayed even if you would have stopped paying me, Ben."
Dale leaned forward and kissed her tenderly on her lips, and even Ben lovingly caressed Sarah's hair. Tasha, who had been silent all this time, smiled lovingly at both of them. "Careful Ben, or she'll steal a part of your heart too."
"Considering how much she loves my daughter, I think she already has, dear," Ben replied and looked up at his future wife.
The Island times, a small amateurish newspaper created by some of the local teenagers, had made a public announcement that Ben Connors, Dr. Samantha Rivers, and Natasha Rogers had agreed to form a group marriage. Right below that article was the one announcing the engagement of Sarah Rogers to Dr. Dale Connors.
The following week, the small newspaper actually had to add a page to the print just to list all the groups and couples that wanted to publicly announce their love for someone else. It was so well received that it had become an instant tradition. The small newspaper was even transmitted out to the defense teams, and a letter of thanks from each of the team commanders was sent back to the group of proud thirteen and fourteen-year-olds producing it.
Tasha caressed Dale's hair as well. "I think I know what you mean, love."
Sarah and Dale had parted and were smiling at each other. Dale whispered to her mate. "Go ahead, love. Now's the perfect time."
Sarah nodded to her, and stood. She took her mother's hand and turned her slightly, as she stepped around Dale to face the woman. "Mom, there is something I need to get out of my system. I really hope your mates don't mind, but I would like to kiss you. Just one kiss, not as your daughter though. I've been attracted to you since I was eleven, I'm in love with Dale, but I still have strong feelings of lust as well as love for you. So, with your permission, I'd like to kiss you; just this once. We'll never have to do anything ever again, but I would like this one kiss please."
Tasha looked at Ben for permission, but it was clear that the idea didn't repel her. Ben grinned and nodded. "Love, it's completely your decision. But I think I can safely say that the only complaint Sam will have is that she didn't get to watch, so you both might just have to do it again later."
"Now that would just be a pity!" Tasha said as she brushed back the hair from Sarah's face.
"Yes, it would be a terrible sacrifice to have to make," Sarah said closing her eyes and leaning forward.
"Sam, the ocular prosthesis, as designed for 'normal' blind people, simply won't work for Dale. She no longer has any of the equipment the rest of us use to see with," Jon explained one day. "I'm pretty sure we can design a computer monitor that she'll be able to use, but giving her back some form of sight like we have simply isn't going to happen."
"Hmm, well, the original goal for her was to be able to get back to work again, and her biggest issue with that was that she couldn't read a computer monitor. Sarah has been helping her, but it's slow and tedious. Go ahead and do the monitor for her, and we'll just have to talk to her about the rest," Sam said, as Jon nodded in agreement. "So, how is your problem going? You do seem better, at least around me."
"I think I am doing better, around you and a few of the other women here. There are still a few that I'd run from if they ever decided to speak to me. I can actually have a mostly intelligent conversation with Dale and her wife, as long as I can keep myself convinced that both of them are married," Jon replied.
"So you still have the problem with 'single' woman?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, pretty much. I'm trying to work through it though. Dr. Salazar wants me to go out to the club and just try to talk to some of the women in there. In his words; 'the prettier, the better.'" He sighed. "I just can't quite get to that point yet."
Sam knew all this from talking to Dr. Salazar. She had spoken to one of the very attractive and single female security guards to see if she would be interesting in helping out. The young woman agreed once she learned who it was she would be helping out. Tonight, Dr. Jon Taylor was going to find himself the center of attention for one very pretty lady.
"Well, just remember Jon; be yourself. You're a nice guy; you don't need any fancy pick-up lines, or any of that nonsense. If you can be yourself, you will eventually relax and start to get to know the girl. More importantly, she can get to know you."
"Honestly Sam, very few, if any, of the other women on this island are prettier than Dale, Sarah and you. So, since I seem to be doing well with the three of you, I feel like I've made a breakthrough," Jon said.
"Jon, you're a good man. But you made a mistake getting the three of us involved in this problem." She grinned. "We're not going to consider you cured until you have a steady girlfriend!"
"I don't know about that, after the three most beautiful women in the world are already taken!" He teased back, much to Sam's surprised delight.
"Flatterer! You keep that attitude in the club tonight, and you should have no problems at all," Sam said encouragingly.
"I hope so. Well, I better get back to work before your mates think I've seriously gotten sweet on you! Thanks for all your help, Sam," He said as he rose to leave.
"Jon, like I said, you're a nice guy, and not bad looking either. There is no reason you can't find love just like the rest of us." Sam smiled at him from behind her desk. "Good luck tonight!"
Jon smiled and waved as he left. Sam chuckled at the young man; the poor guy didn't stand a chance.
"Hey Walter, how's it goin'?" Sarah said quietly.
"Hey Sarah. It's not going good. President Preacher and the Congress Critters are trying to take control of the internet again, or I should say the people's access to it. They are trying to sneak a bill through like they did with that piece of toilet paper called the National Moralities Act. This one will require anyone wanting to access the internet to apply for a 'user license'. All ISPs will be required to block users' access if they log onto an unregistered proxy server. What it all boils down to is that no one, not one single person in the United States will be able to access the internet without the government knowing exactly what each person is looking at. This twisted rag will even give them the right to screen a person's email!"
"That doesn't sound good, my friend," Sarah said.
"Its not; it completely ignores the entire bill of rights. The biggest problem is that no one will even hear of this fucker, just like that Morality farce, this one is going to slip through without anyone in the country ever knowing it was passed. Everyone I know has been trying to post announcements about it on the newsgroups, but the messages keep getting killed, and three of the people have been 'taken in for questioning'. That was three days ago, and they still aren't back yet. Fucking Nazi's"
"Walter, how would you and a few of your friends like to be able to do something about it, without fear of being taken into 'protective' custody?" Dale asked.
The chubby young man, nodded at Dale. "Who's Tinkerbell?"
"Promise to keep it secret?" Sarah asked.
"For you? Always. You know I had that picture you gave me blown up into poster size?" Walter said grinning and opened his closet door to show the girls.
Sarah was leaning against some sporty looking car wearing a barely legal bikini and looking incredibly sexy with her glowing, golden-blonde hair blowing in a breeze.
"Uh, Walter? Could I get a copy of that from you? Damn she looks good in that shot!" Dale asked.
Sarah grinned. "Walter, this is my future wife, and current lover, Dale Connors."
"Holy double shit! She's the daughter of that uber-rich dude that the feds want? Holy cow girl! She's super hot too!" Walter said almost drooling at the thought of Sarah and Dale in bed together.
"So, what about the question; if you had the ability and security to do something about it, would you?" Dale asked.
"Abso-fucking-lutly! So would a lot of my friends. Whatcha got planned?" Walter asked.
"All of you would have to come with us, but we would get all your stuff, and none of this would cost you a dime. You would be leaving the country, but you would be doing it in such a way that the government wouldn't know it. Once we get to our ... base, your wish is our command as far as equipment is concerned. The only restrictions on you would be you have to live by the rules of the ... base, and you wouldn't be allowed to tell anyone where you are," Dale said.
"Sounds sweet, but what are these rules? If we are leaving this country, which country will we be going to? How can you guarantee that what we do will be untraceable to the goons?" Walter asked.
"We won't be going to another country, the base is in international territory. We are sitting on a main node of a major international fiber line, or if that isn't good enough for you, we can always tie you into a couple of communication satellites." Dale grinned. "As far as the rules go, it's mostly common sense stuff; don't hurt anyone else, or tell anyone not with us, where we are. Relationships are only the business of those involved in the relationship. Same sex and group sex relationships are allowed. No one will ever tell you what god you have to worship, nor will they insist controlling what you look at, or what is 'suitable' entertainment on TV. If you're not sure, simply ask someone.
"If we actually had a 'government', I guess my father would be the President. I know that sounds like he's created his own little dictatorship, but he hasn't. Yes, he pretty much paid for everything, everyone works for him, and he controls the security force, but he never makes demands of any of us."
"What happens if we get out there, and some of us want to bail? I mean, a few of my friends are not exactly the most trusting folks. Truth is; most of us are down-right paranoid," Walter said.
"Well, our security is very important; as I'm sure you can imagine, the folks in power want us silenced very badly. However, no one is a prisoner; all of us are free to leave at anytime. We simply have to trust that the people we picked to join us won't sell us out if they decide to leave," Sarah replied. "None of us have any doubt that if the government ever found out where we were, they would blow us all to hell."
Walter snorted. "You still haven't really answered the question, beautiful. Most of people we are talking about simply don't do well with authority figures, period. It doesn't matter who they are. Hell, it doesn't even matter if they're doing a good job! The problem is that there is someone telling them what to do."
"Uh, that's not exactly what'll be going on. You'll have free control of yourselves ... within certain boundaries that are more for all of our protection than some one telling you not to do something simply because they don't want you to do it. Hell, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, no one will give a shit!" Sarah explained.
"This is starting to sound better all the time. How many of us are you looking for?" Walter asked.
"Why don't we offer to bring five of you a visit; then bring you back once you see what's going on, and you can talk to Ben? Then we can bring you back to talk it over, and make your decision? The catch is, we'll have to make sure don't see where we're taking you?" Dale offered.
"I don't know how well that's going to work, I mean, not being able to see where we're going even makes me nervous, and I know Sarah. I doubt that I could find five geeks that would take you up on that offer." Walter said skeptically.
"Daddy's going to be pissed, but we'll let you see where we're going. No GPS trackers, or navigation devices, and only after I meet the four others and talk to them a bit. If I'm going to trust my life to some one I don't know, I would at least like to look them in the eyes first," Dale said.
"However, if she rejects anyone, they're out. No questions. Deal?" Sarah asked.
Walter grinned. "Okay, deal; how do I get in touch with you once I get everyone together?"
"Walter, you know damn good and well the government's after us. We'll meet you back here at nine; at nine-ten, we're gone and the deal's off," Dale said.
"Sheesh! Fuckin' hard ass, isn't she?" Walter asked Sarah.
"Walter; how many times have we said peoples lives are at stake? Yes, she's being a hard ass. Think about it; wouldn't you be?" Sarah replied not returning her smile.
"Okay, I'll talk to a couple of the others, and see what they'd like to do. You can count on at least me being here, but I gotta admit ... nine a.m. is damn early."