The Icarus Agenda (part 2) by Unicorn83 (Caroline Maher) 3/18/95 He was watching Argus the next time the F.B.I. stopped by. Two agents, a redheaded female and a taller man. He hoped they could help but there was only one way to find out for sure. After they spoke to personnel and retrieved the missing file on the mystery employee, Scully and Mulder were planning to head back to the office to make some phone calls. As usual, they both argued about who would drive back, but Mulder always won or did Scully just give in. Scully opened her passenger door first while Mulder searched out the key, "Don't you ever lock your door?" "Only when I drive." Scully sat down onto something already on the seat, uncomfortably she reached underneath herself to retrieve it. "What's that?" Mulder asked noticed her holding a 3.5" computer disk. "Damned if I know, is it yours?" "No, why would I leave a floppy on the front seat of the bureau car?" Scully looked over, "But it's not mine either." When Mulder arrived home at 9pm the little light on his answering machine was blinking. Every time he saw that light blink, it reminded him of how close he came to losing Scully forever. He hoped that would never happen again, this time he didn't know what he'd do. The message was from the second Deep Throat 2, who warned him in veiled references to watch his back, capture the bomber as quickly as possible and not to waste time. He must really be onto something this time for Deep Throat 2 to warn him unasked. He needed to get this information to Scully as well. Sitting comfortably at the desk in her apartment listening to J.S.Bach, Scully was checking the disk when Mulder called. Most of what it contained were hypothetical theories on Einsteins equations and how they could be applied to time travel. Impossible. If time was linear, as in Einsteins theories, one could only travel forward and never return to the past anyway. What good was that? But then what potentials could it hold? It was a waste of time for her to argue the rationalities of time travel with Mulder. Scully further determined that the disk was worthless. It obviously contained no pertinent information for use on this case and she withdrew the disk from her computer and put it aside, they could argue about it later. I need to find out who these agents are. A quick phone call should do it. He called the front desk and said he was with the F.B.I., the secretary did the rest. "Yes, Agent Mulder you left a business card for us earlier...what, a change of number, certainly..Thank you." Now he had the name of the Agent, that's all he needed to do now and he would be free again. Mulder arrived fresh and early the next day for work but Scully had beat him to it. And more classical music again. Mulder mumbled, "How come you always get in before me...don't you ever sleep?" "Only on weekends, Mulder I found this message on your desk this morning-does it mean anything?" Mulder examined the message, the phone number was a mystery but it said to call between 9 and 9:30am, no names. "I don't recognize it but I'll call later." Then Scully peered questioningly at Mulder, "Did you rethink our terms?" "About what?" "Your concert in exchange for mine?" Mulder grumbled unintelligibly and attempted to deflect the subject, "Right now we have more important things to think about." Waiting, waiting. 9:00am. Why didn't they call. Waiting. 9:01am. One Ring. Breathe. Two Rings. It must be them. "Hello?" "This is Agent Fox Mulder, this number was left for me...." "I know, I was the one who called, Agent Mulder I have important information for you about the company your investigating." "What company?" "The company where the explosion took place, The Argus Corporation." "And what exactly do you know about that explosion?" "I set it." "Why are you calling me?" "I just told you, I'm calling with information..." "Now why would I want to take any information from you about this?" "Just listen, I used to work for them and I know something about their experiments which certain members of your government have taken an avid interest in.." "Who?" "I can't talk about it over the phone.." "Why?" "Because I'm sure that I'm being followed, I'll be in touch later." And he hung up. "Shit", Mulder looked at the handset before he hung it up. Then he looked over at Scully, who shook her head denying the trace. "We both know who this guy is, and I'd like to hear what he has to say before we lock him up." "But Mulder, don't you think he sounded at little....unstable." "You said it yourself after you spoke with his family, he's been on the edge ever since he moved here and took that job and now he's on the run." "From what or from who?" Mulder turned to look at Scully, "I don't know but..." and Scully finished Mulder's sentence for him, "but I'm going to find out." Skinner was about to take a drink of his cooling coffee when his phone rang, again. It was like he never had any time to himself. "Yes?" "I'm sorry sir but that gentleman is on line 2 again." "Thanks, I'll handle it." Skinner already knew who it was even before he picked up the phone, "Yes?" "I though that you and I had an agreement?" "About?" "About your agents cooling their heels on another case." "And who says they're not?" "You and I both know what they're up to..." "And how should I know that, or for that matter, how do you?" "I have my ways Skinner...I have my ways." And he hung up again on Skinner. God dammit, I wish I was the first one to hang up for once. He had Skinner running scared, now all he needed was for Mulder to recontact the scientific arsonist so they could reach him first. Then he'd have them both where he wanted them. This time Mulder couldn't win, but of course, he didn't know that. Yet. Scully was preparing her side of the debate against Mulders hypothesis on the arsonist when the phone rang again. Saved by the bell. Mulder picked it up and gestured at her to pick up the extension. "Hello..Agent Mulder, it's me again." Scully quietly lifted the handset, "Yes, please tell us what we can do to help.." "For starters, don't trace the call, I won't be on long enough for you to get a fix on the number." Scully looked at Mulder questioningly, he nodded, "Ok, we won't." "Now just please listen to what I have to say...I need protection and anonymity...a guarantee." "For your safety?" "And my family too." "I'm afraid that what I have to say will get me killed." "And what's that?" "Your partner, the other agent, is she listening?" Mulder looked at Scully, "Yes, I'm here." "Did you get it...did you look at it?", the arsonist rasped. "Yes." "And did you understand what it was?" he stumbled excitedly over the words. "Yes." "And do you understand what they're creating?" he choked. "No." Scully lied flatly. Mulder was looking right at her, trying to understand what she was doing. "Supposedly the information in your possession was destroyed in the blast, it was part of my contribution to the experiment." "Which was?" she asked. "Look at it again and I'll be in contact." he barked angrily and hung up. "Now what was that all about?" Mulder was looking directly at Scully as he hung up the phone. "He's referring to the disk and its contents." "Which were theories about time travel, right?" "Right." "Unless..." Mulder was getting that crazy look in his eye again. "Unless what...Mulder..unless what?" "Unless they're not theories after all." He had all the information he needed to slow down Scully and Mulder now. The next time the mystery arsonist, who now had an identity, Dr. Carl Douglass, called he'd have it transfered to his extension instead. Now that was the way the game should be played Skinner. There wasn't much time left. He knew they were getting closer. All he needed to do was to get the rest of the information to the right people, these people and they would do the rest. I hope. Scully and Mulder were looking at the disk for the fourth time and yet they still couldn't understand how these theories were being translated from science fiction into science fact. "Look Mulder, I did my undergraduate work in physics and I can read an equation as well as you but we both know..." "What, that time travel is impossible?" Mulder sat down dejectedly. "Yes, I don't see how...I mean this theory is just that..a theory." "Unless..." "What, not another 'unless'?" "Unless somehow they've built a lab capable of converting these equations into fact." "But Mulder, we both saw the offices..and the bomb damage...how, where?" "Maybe off site or maybe...not on the same floor." "But why, wouldn't you want it close to the mainframe?" "Not if you were afraid of something like this happenning...it could cause catastrophic damage and set the research back years, especially if the government has a stake in your experiment." "So, now what?" "We got to talk to this scientist Douglass again, before they get to him first." I need to talk to them, to see what progress has been made. I need to hear them tell me it will all be okay. Dr. Carl Douglass had gotten into the habit of talking to himself since he'd left Argus. Even the company's name was laughable, it literally translated as "ever-watchful" after the many-eyed Greek monster Argus. They should've named the company Janus, after the two faced God instead. Now Douglass was afraid to speak to anyone except those he could trust, his family and hopefully, those two agents. Again, he picked up the phone to give them a call. Ring. Click. Ring. He was sitting alone in his smoke filled office deciding which files should be lost and which ones should be carefully misfiled never to be seen again. The light on his special phone line was blinking, that meant Dr. Douglass, the part-time arsonist, was trying to reach Agent's Scully and Mulder again. But what a surprise he had in store for the scientist this time. Mulder turned on the light in his darkened apartment after he threw off his wet heavy overcoat. Nothing like a little rain. He noticed the answering machine blinking. He had messages. So as he prepared for something to eat, from a can, ready in five minutes, he listened with half interest to his messages. His mother. Another girl that he forgot to call. And Deep Throat 2. He stopped moving in the kitchen and listened quietly until the message was over. Then he called Scully, grabbed his still damp overcoat and left. Mulder didn't waste time getting to Scully's apartment. She was already waiting on the stoop when he arrived. Her mind must really be moving a mile a minute when I don't get a lecture on leaving her standing outside. Scully jumped into the car as Mulder impatiently began to speed off, "Could I close my door first before you start driving." "We don't have any time to waste, I already told you, the message was they knew who and where Douglass is right now." Scully was concerned, "We have to get to him first." "I know, why the hell do you think I'm driving so fast?" Dr. Douglass was at first, confused by the threats, then when he understood what the gentleman meant by a 'National Security' threat he became anxious. They weren't going to help him, they just wanted his data. He told the man that he would expose their involvement and destroy all of his valuable research. The man only laughed and said that he had a lovely family and it would be a pity if something should happen to them because of his decision. Then he asked for their freedom in exchange for the information and his silence. The faceless man agreed too quickly, but Douglass knew that he lied, they'd all lied to him. Especially those two agents he thought would help, they were just like all the rest and he'd show them too. Dr. Douglass had come to the realization that no matter what path he chose, he was as good as dead. Mulder was driving like a bat out of hell when he ran a red light and hung a left trying to get to the company offices in less than 10 minutes. He was losing valuable time. He wasn't the first to spot the flashing red lights and to hear the wail of the siren to know the cops were on his trail. Scully spotted them first, "Mulder stop." He was wasting more valuable time. Dr. Douglass had all his research on him as he prepared to enter the company building, most likely for the last time. The only data which escaped him was the copy of the disk he'd left for those 2 F.B.I. agents. but then it didn't have enough on it to recreate the experiment. He hoped he had enough time to come and do what needed to be done. If it wasn't for Scully, Mulder would probably be in jail at this moment. But with just a warning from the trooper they were on their way again. They had wasted more valuable time. God, I hope we're not too late. The smoker's men had followed Dr. Douglass to the building but were under orders to wait until he he entered the building to take possession of him and his records. They had plenty of time, until they noticed a bureau car speeding down the street. The Ford Taurus came screeching up to the front of the building. Mulder and Scully with guns drawn jumped out and headed quickly for the main entrance. They were expecting resistance from someone, anyone. Then the explosion occurred. It blew out the entrance doors and a few adjoining windows, Mulder and Scully were caught by surprise and tried to drop to the ground to avoid being hit by the flying debris, the building now engulfed in flames. A black van with tinted windows and unmarked plates rounded the corner with screeching tires and sped off before a dazed Mulder could even react. Mulder wondered if they had caused the explosion to eliminate Douglass or destroy any evidence of their involvement. Or did Douglass blow the place up to stop the research he said would destroy mankind? Or did they succeed in capturing Douglass after all? Right now it was too painful to even think...except for... Dana. Scully fared no better than Mulder except that she had been struck by some flying debris. She half crawled-stumbled over to Mulder's side but when she saw him roll over and curse at the back of the speeding van she knew he would be alright. After the bomb squad had declared the building safe for investigations, again, a bruised and bandaged Scully and Mulder wandered through the building until they found what they sought. The computer lab. Mulder had been right. The lab was on another floor and seemed to be somewhere near this blast point but enough of the lab was left for them to determine one thing. There was no body and the computer, even in its current state, had obviously been left on. On their way back to the office to complete more paperwork, a subdued Mulder was quick to comment, "He got away." Scully looked at him with disbelief, "Douglass...impossible...where?" "I don't know." "Mulder, we both know he went in, the security cameras caught his image entering the building but no one left." "Maybe." "If you're going to tell me that he...." "Forget it." "Sometimes I think even you believe too much..." "Maybe it's because I want to believe", Mulder looked soberly at Scully. "I want to believe too...but I need more scientific evidence than that, I'm sorry Mulder but even this one's a stretch, even for you." Following the explosion at the lab, one thing was perfectly clear, it was obvious that without Dr. Douglass or his work, the Argus Corporation would be bankrupt within the next few months. Since the main computer was considered 'beyond repair', all experiments which were being conducted utilizing the mainframe were stalled, including the government grant. Dr. Douglass had disappeared without a trace and all of his research with him. This case was far from closed however, the mysterious Dr. Douglass was now a case for the FBI fugitive retrieval teams to track down. Scully doubted even as she was putting the finishing touches on her field agents log that he could've done what Mulder had claimed. She still believed it was all an elaborate hoax perpetrated by Douglass to insure his freedom from 'them'. Whoever 'they' were. Scully shook her head slowly. This company believing itself and its research to be right, had destroyed itself from within in the process of searching for the truth, much like the fable of Icarus and his father Daedalus who had placed too much faith in their inventions. Had this company even given thought to the possibilities of what would happen if they succeeded? Obviously Douglass had, but if he or his research had survived, what might have been discovered? Was he a fraud and his research a fake? Or maybe, No, time travel was still impossible according to the laws of physics and she didn't need to be an M.D. to prove it. Hell, she even had a disk from his original research to prove her point. Scully glanced over to where Douglass's disk was sitting on her desk but somehow the disk appeared different. No, it couldn't be. A few days later, Agent Dana Scully, sitting alone in the Washington Philharmonic audience an empty seat next to her, checked her watch periodically and looked around for someone. He's late again. Resigned, she settled back to enjoy the performance anyway as the orchestra is just beginning their second piece. Mulder, ignoring the usher, wandered down the darkened center aisle peering at his ticket stub while whispering row and seat numbers aloud until he is directed to the correct section by an irate patron of the arts. Scully, mortified by his intentionally juvenile behavior, didn't even acknowledge his presence until he sat down quietly next to her. "Mulder, don't say a word, not one word...please just sit there and be quiet until it's over." Mulder's jaw opened as if to say something but Scully sternly repeated herself, "not one word." An hour and a half later, the orchestra completed its final piece and the performers prepared to take their bows, a surprisingly still conscious Mulder lead the chorus of bravo's until the lights come up while unexpectedly Scully sleepily rubbed her eyes. She looked sheepishly at Mulder for catching her falling asleep during the performance but Mulder responded quickly, "At least I had the good sense to fall asleep before the show...now, the Rolling Stones go on at eight..." The end.