DECEMBER 24TH, 1999

THE INITIATIVE

Maggie stared in delight at the burgeoning cells inside the main Hostile lockup. Thanks to all this material, 314 would be born on the most possible appropriate day for the new Adam. She would be through the night slicing and splicing, but it would all be worth it.

"Who knows? In 100 years, it could just be that tomorrow is remembered for another birth."

Doctor Angleman walked up, holding a package, and apparently quite excited about whatever it contained.

"We had a hostile targeted, but his hired demons were too much to be worth the effort in acquiring and or destroying it. He did, however, barter for safe passage out of town. We checked it for malevolent energies, but its all positive."

Walsh was a bit disgusted to hear of barter instead of acquisition, but decided to concentrate on the item inside the package, a cylandrical-tending urn.

"Its a Syrian light-catcher. What's the vintage?"

He grinned.

"4 BCE. The markings indicate it was the property of Melchior--yes, that Melchior."

She held it up.

"Light captured from the Star Of Bethlehem? Let's see if its legit. Texts say it had a certain feel. So we open it..."

There was a bright flash. When their vision cleared, so had every cell. Their demonic occupants were now ash-piles, and 314 was now set back at least two months. Walsh bit down, then spoke.

"When we write the report, we'll just say that, unknown to us, one of the hostiles was a teleporter."

Angleman considered saying the 'MC' words as he left, but thought better of it.