...you cannot hear...

          She laughed and the sound caused his audio sensors to shut down. He could still hear as he always could, but he could no longer hear outside of the room. Now that's not right...but what did it matter? We're safe here.

          "My name is Glory," the blond said. "And these are my friends."

          Mac looked up, surprised to see her companions now stood behind her. When had they walked up?

          The brunette's eyes were of an even deeper blue than Glory's. The shape of her eyes reminded Mac of a cat - predatory, smooth and confident. Her lips were full and pouty, painted an intoxicating red. She gave him a half smile as she moved next to Johnny. "My name is April."

          The singer gave her a polite smile. "Johnny Meyer."

          They were all American. All beautiful. All interested. Mac looked at the singer. Johnny gave a shrug and turned a smile to April as she pulled a seat closer and sat next to him. She immediately brought him into a conversation.

…trust us…

          The twin in the lighter blue dress sat on the other side of Mac. "My name is Faith." She took his left hand. "My sister tells me you're not Brad Pitt. I guess that's to our advantage."

          Mac could only smile. When had Glory told Faith I wasn't Brad Pitt? Did I miss something? The more he thought about it, the less he cared. Time stood still as they sat at the table sharing drinks with the women. Much like it had the night I was with Johnny.

          Almost.

          Through the conversations, Mac learned the twins and their friend were staying in Vienna for vacation. This was their last night and had decided to make it their best night. Glory reached up and tucked an errant lock of Mac's hair behind his ear. He shuddered again, and found himself reacting to her touch the same way he once reacted to Maouri.

…you cannot see us…

          This brought clarity to his thoughts he hadn't noticed he'd lost. Indeed, things were becoming muddled and with memories of Maouri out in front, Mac excused himself. Nature called.

          He walked slowly and purposefully to the bathroom. It was empty, a beautiful architectural achievement of wood and beige tile. He stood in the stall and took several deep breaths and put a hand against the wall in front of him. Relax. Why am I so jumpy? Something also niggled at the back of his mind.

          This isn't right. There is something wrong but I can't…I can't…

          A headache threatened if he continued thinking down that road. Mac went to wash his hands and caught sight of his reflection. The pupil of his left was completely dilated, his eye nearly black. What the fuck? The Adept blinked rapidly, hoping to reset his optics. They shouldn't be that wide – Mannis warned me about damage like that.

          He leaned forward. Something's wrong. Something's wrong.

…come back to us…

          With a deep breath, he washed his hands and dried them and left the bathroom.

          April was practically in Johnny's lap as Mac strode to the table. Faith and Glory were at the bar talking to another beauty with red hair. This woman wore a green dress in the same style. Must've had a sale somewhere.

          As he neared, April put her hand up. Mac stopped in mid-stride.

          "Could you be a dear and get us some drinks?" April smiled.

          Mac nodded and turned immediately to the bar. There he ordered drinks – only wondering slightly why or how he knew what to order. The twins nodded at him from two seats down. The red head smiled as well. Mac sat at a chair to wait on the drinks. A television mounted on the wall, up and to his right, droned on about a Lacrosse game earlier that afternoon.

          "…Johnson war nicht so schnell, wie er gewesen sein könnte. Ben Riles war in der Leitung mit seiner Mannschaft, bevor sie die Leitung überholten…"

          The Adept gave a deep sigh…he was abruptly contented. Though…

…trust us…

          "…dieses konnte das letzte Mal Johnson sein ist Leitung in seinem..."

          Mac poked his finger into a bowl of peanuts on the bar's top.

          "Es könnte das Ende seiner Karriere bedeuten...is made to camaflogue true evil."

          The Adept blinked.

          "Many species in this world, human as well, use beauty as a deadly bate. Beauty can be deceiving. It can also lead the unwary into a trap that. It is always best to be on guard for those things that seem out of the ordinary."

          Mac blinked several times. What -? Beauty and evil. Danger. Something's not right.

          "It is always best that when a situation isn't comfortable, for whatever reason, one should leave it."

          The Adept looked up at the television. Something flickered across the screen. A wide-angle shot of a Lacrosse race appeared. "Sie können hier sehen, daß seins bewegt, seine Durchführung, waren nicht so glatt, wie sie gewesen sein sollte."

          Mac gave a quick shake of his head. The voice…it had sounded so much like Trent's. It warned him of danger. He turned to his left and looked at the three women. He tried to adjust his optics to scan them. Nothing responded.

…come with us…

          Something was definitely wrong. And if one feels uncomfortable, then one should leave the situation. Mac turned in his chair and looked at Johnny. The singer looked anything but uncomfortable…but it wasn't right. There hadn't been any of the relaxing energy he remembered from their time in Vegas.

          Something's very wrong here. Why can't I think?

          With a glance at the trio to his left, Mac stood and strode to the two at the table. "Ma'am…"

          April turned an inquisitive, innocent face to him. "Yes?"

          "Your friends over there," he nodded back to the bar. "They need to speak with you."

          "Oh," she smiled at Johnny. Mac noticed the singer had lipstick all over his cheek. "I'll be right back."

          Once the brunette had moved away, Mac slid into the seat closest to Johnny. "We have to get out of here," he said softly.

          The singer blinked once at the Adept, then gave a pained expression."Uhm …yeah….just…not right now."

          Mac shook his head. "No…I don't think we should wait. Something is just not right but I'm not sure if it's those women, or this bar."

          "I agree with you. Only," he glanced down at his lap, then blushed a soft pink. "I really can't stand right now."

          "Can't stand? What…did she do something?"

          Johnny's grin widened. "You could say that."

          The Adept started to look under the table as the singer grabbed his shoulder. "Mac…I'm a boy."

          Oh... Mac felt his own face reden as he sat back up. "Uhm, yeah. Right." He understood the inexplicable desires the male body had when confronted with feminine wiles and his own inability to control them. "Johnny…I'm sorry but I think it best if we at least try to get out of here now."

          The entertainer gave a slow nod. He gave a deep sigh and stood – though his shoulders were rounded and he gave a soft giggle. With an arm under Johnny's, the two moved quickly out of the bar, though Johnny continued to lean forward. An elevator was open as they approached and the last person leaving held it until the pair got inside.

          Johnny pulled away from Mac and leaned against the far wall. "Oh man…this is like seven shades of suck."

          "Something's way wrong here, Johnny," Mac tried switching his audio back on. It wouldn't obey his command any better than his optics. What the hell is wrong? "Something's buggered my ear too."

          Johnny nodded. "Yeah..things aren't right anymore."

          "I meant with those girls."

          The singer shrugged. "You didn't scan them?"

          "I tried." The door opened to their floor and Mac pulled the tipsy singer from the elevator. "Nothing's working. I don't know if it's because I'm a bit drunk - or if something's malfunctioning." He shrugged as he reached out and touched their door. The door opened at his touch.

          "Neat trick," Johnny mumbled as they went in. "I've got to use the jon." He moved to his own room and to the bathroom.

          Mac locked the door. He was panicked, but wasn't sure why he was panicked. What the hell is going on? It's like part of me knows something's up and the other half is trying to convince the buggered half that it's all in his mind.

          My mind.

          He stood in the center of the suite's living room, his eyes closed in concentration. Slowly...as if moving rusted gears, his port opened - he felt his Optics whirl and he was able to scan the room. It was like moving through a still, mirky pond. He found Johnny. Derrick was gone. There was no one else inside. I'm being paranoid. He put his hand to his hip. I should get my gun.

          And I should find Oz.

          But as he moved to his room, a knock at the door stopped him.

          The Adept whirled. He went to the door and peered through the keyhole. April, Faith and Glory stood just outside.

          Shit, shit, shit.

          He felt silly being trapped by three women. For any other straight guy in the world, this would be a major Penthouse fantasy. Mac pursed his lips as he looked about the room. I could call security – and have them removed. Then I could go find Oz and…

…trust us…

          Mac blinked.

…open the door…

          He turned and narrowed his eyes at the door. Why…who was I going to call?

…trust us…

          He laughed out loud at himself. Why was he running from three beautiful women? They were American, and in town on their last night. Are my thoughts so clouded by Maouri that I can't enjoy myself? It's been over two years, damnit.

…obey us…

          Who was I going to call? It didn't matter. He had to open the door. He was being rude.

          Mac moved to the door and opened it wide just as Johnny stepped out of his room. "I'm sorry ladies…."

          Glory and Faith took a single step toward him. Faith put a hand on his chest. "We were worried that something happened." Her voice was silk against his skin. He melted forward, his eyes half-closing.

…give in to us….

          "No…nothing happened." His voice was distant in his own ear, as if he'd barely whispered. He felt his body reacting again, become excited at the prospect of feeling another body beside him, entwined and warm.

          "May we come in?" Glory put a hand on his cheek.

….bring us in…

          He half saw her, beside him. His mind fogged, his heart raced as they continued touching him. "Sh-sure…"

          "Excuse me…ladies."

          Mac started at the loud voice. The Adept stood just outside his own suite's door, he being the only obstacle between the women and inside. Oz now stood outside his door, down the hall to the left on the opposite side of the hallway.

          The women turned to Oz as one unit. "Yes?" April said.

          "I'm afraid I'm going to have to see some ID. I'm Mr. Meyer's personal bodyguard. And so it's my job to make sure his body is well," the burly Hermetic gave a slow smile. "Guarded."

          Mac frowned at Oz. "It's okay, Ozzz…" he heard his voice slur. But he couldn't focus. Faith's hand was still on his chest. She snaked it around to his back and pulled him closer to her, away from the door. Mac put up a hand in Oz's direction. "They're just in Vienna like us.."

          "Mac," Oz took two steps toward them. "Mac, listen to me. You have to concentrate."

          Concentrate…

….help us…

          Johnny said from behind Mac, "What's going on?"

…move aside…

          Mac instantly moved forward to block Oz. Okay..now I know something's not right. I just put myself in front of Oz. "Oz…" the Adept took several deep breaths, still aware of the women no either side of him. "Is okay…"

          "No it's not, Mac," the Hermetic took a step forward. He grabbed Mac by his right arm and pulled him out of the doorway while palming him a gun, then shoved him against the opposite wall of the hallway. The jarring rattled the Adept's teeth.

          Oz moved quickly into his and Johnny's suite and closed the door. Of April and Johnny, there was no sign.

…trust us….

          Faith and Glory stood in the center of the hall, their gazes centered on Mac. He squinted through the fog in his mind as he watched them come nearer. He felt the gun in his hand, looked down at it. Oz gave me a gun…why?

          "Ladies, I'm going to have to ask you to move away."

          I know that voice. Mac turned to his right. Calen stood in the doorway of his and Oz's suite. His hair was tousled, his eyes red-rimmed. He wore an expression of amused distress.

          Faith moved to Mac while Glory took two steps toward Calen. "Well, well…look what we have here, sister. We could have our three men after all."

          Calen raised his right hand, his gun aimed at Glory's head. "Don't take another step."

          Mac looked at the gun in Calen's hand, then he looked at the gun in his own hand. He blinked, trying to clear his head. What…?

          "Get a clue, Mac," Calen said. "Intrusion Clones. If you don't point your gun at her, I'll let her kill you."

          Kill me? Mac looked at Faith. The blond was reaching out for him. Mac held up his left hand, holding the gun, the barrel two inches from her forehead. She stopped. Mac swallowed. "Intrusion clones?"

          "Yeah, probably after Johnny." Calen smiled. "You were a side item."

          Mac gave a long sigh. I was garnish. Christ… intrusion clones? What the hell?

          Abruptly the door to his and Johnny's suite opened. April stepped out, her eyes glazed, a smile on her lips. She looked at her friends. "Let's go."

          Faith and Glory looked at one another. With lingering looks at the two men, the twins moved away and followed their brunette leader down the hall. Mac kept his aim centered on Faith's back.

          "Mac, the brunette's got a transponder in the lower area of her neck. Short it out."

          Remembering the force he'd used on the shades and the car, Mac narrowed his eyes. His systems awakened easily, as if whatever had been preventing them from normal operation had released its hold. He fired out a pulse to April. She grabbed the back of her neck as the trio rounded the corner.

          Mac lowered his gun and turned to Calen, but the Void Engineer had moved out of the hallway and shut his door.

          What's up with Calen? His eyes…there had been dark circles beneath them. And… he looked back down the hall. And the clones?

          Mac strode toward the door of his suite just as Oz stepped outside. "What is up with ..?" he began.

          But Oz put a hand on his shoulder and pulled him inside. "Close the door."

          Mac did as he was told. Johnny sat on the couch, bent forward, his eyes closed. "What the hell happened?"

          "Tried to get to old Slippery here," Oz said. "Mac, I need you to watch Johnny. Don't open that door again. Understand? And don't take what just happened personal. Those clones were sent for Johnny – and you happened to be in the way." The Hermetic took in a deep breath. "They used mind techniques on you, and it appeared to be working very well. Way too well – I'm not sure you're the best one to be guarding Johnny, but I can't spare anyone else now."

          Mind control…

          "Look, Mac, can you like password protect that noggin of yours? Get on the VA boards and learn something that'll shut out your mind. The Union is good at such subterfuge. Don't fall victim to it again. We can't afford it."

          Mac nodded numbly.

          "I'm sure you mentor will have a solution. Get on the phone with him as soon as you can. Okay?"

          Mac nodded. He handed Oz back his gun. The Hermetic looked at the device. "You got one?"

          The Adept nodded.

          "Then keep it on you." He tossed the gun to Johnny. The singer caught it and held it as if it were a bug. "You too. Sleep with that under your pillow. I don't think they'll be back, but it's better to be safe."

          He moved to the door, and with a wink at Mac, left.

          Mac moved and locked the door. He rested his forehead on it for a second before speaking. "What happened?"

          Johnny didn't answer.

          Mac turned to see the singer was no longer in the living room. Damnit. The Adept moved to the singer's room to see him laying prone on his bed, face down and breathing deeply. Johnny was sound asleep.

          Mac backed out of the room and closed the singer's door. There had still been no sign of Derrick. Mac would have felt more confident if the dare devil were nearby. I'm sure no one controlled his mind. He thought of Calen's bloodied nose. No…I bet not.

          With a sigh he went into his own room and pulled his gun from this bag. He still had no idea what the gun did – whether it fired bullets or vaporized an enemy – he didn't care. It felt good in his hand.

          After cutting every light in the living room off, Mac took up a position on the couch facing the door. He sat in the dark, his eyes wide, his audio open and his port opened to the hotel's security system. He scanned every inch of the hotel. Every hallway, the parking deck, the streets outside. I'm not going to get caught like that again.

          The Adept was in turmoil. Twice now he had been warned about blocking his mind; once by Doc and now by Oz. Syd had spoken of the possibility earlier that day. And it had happened. I'd had no idea. I never even saw it coming. I never realized it. I'm so fucking screwed.

          Screwed because he had no mentor, nor friends on the boards that had answered his distress messages on password protecting his mind. They're all afraid of him. I'm alien – untouchable. I represent the Union in some way and they fear me.

          He sniffed as a tear streamed down his left cheek. There wasn't anyone he could turn too – and no one among his teammates knew about his Mentor, or his group. No one. He'd never even told Huang. There was no one that could teach him how to protect his thoughts – to keep people out. I'm useless here.

          "Well shugah…all you had to do was ask…I can teach you all you need to know."

          Mac blinked and looked about the room. "Arden?" he said out loud. Had he heard the Verbena in his mind?

          "Yes shugah…I'll help you. You just rest your pretty head..." her voice paused as if her attention had been drawn elsewhere. "I think it's best if you sleep right now."

          "I can't sleep. I'm too upset. I just can't…"

          A pleasant soothing melody began in his head. He stopped and listened to it. It lulled him into relaxing his arm holding the gun. As he listened, his eyelids grew heavy. "No…Arden…please…I have to...protect Johnny..."

          But it was too late. Whatever spell the Verbena wove enveloped him tightly. He lost hold of the gun as it fell to the floor. Her magic took him in and trapped him in a velvet bed of soft, warm sound. One by one his systems shut down and he sighed as he lost his thoughts into sleep.

(written with Rachelle Udell and Blake Sorenson)

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