disclaimer: PG- some violence and sexual suggestiveness. Email at blittle40@juno.com.

"I'm glad that this time I have use of both of my hands." Nikoya Chandler declared as she carefully packed fragile lab equipment into carriers. Her uncle, Dr. Matthew Chandler, looked at her and grinned. "But Niki, if the cast were still on, you'd be able to sit back and supervise like before."

"Well, darn," Niki replied with a smile. "Usually my timing is much better than this."

All around them people worked quickly and efficiently to dismantle the lab and move it elsewhere. This was the second time in less than two months the scientists had had to relocate. Seven weeks ago, to the Chandlers' secret relief, the group of Dominants serving as guinea pigs at the lab had escaped. All the surviving personnel had been evacuated to a new facility immediately after the escape was discovered. Everyone had been settled in and working again when, two days before, a breach of security had shown that this new location had been compromised and another move was hastily arranged.

The order to move had come from someone new to the lab, an older man with a military haircut and bearing, who called himself Mr. McQueen. "More likely Colonel McQueen." Niki whispered to her uncle, who nodded agreement. Neither of the Chandlers had seen Herself, as Niki called the woman who had been Attwood's boss, in days. Rumors of allegations, investigations and shake-ups within the secret command structure of the project abounded. Niki hoped Herself was getting exactly what she deserved.

Even with their test subjects gone, the scientists still had important work to do. Some of the scientists were trying to make the changes caused by the genogenesis serum permanent. Others, like Dr. Chandler, were working to perfect a way to deliver the serum to large numbers of Dominants at one time. Dr. Chandler was concentrating on creating an airborne means of delivering the serum to the hidden Dominant population. But now, he was determined not to use Dominants as test subjects.

After the Dominants' escape, Niki and her uncle had talked about the ethics of experimenting on unwilling, sentient subjects. Previously, Dr. Chandler had been able to silence his conscience because the subjects of the testing had all been Dr. Copeland's men; men who had been engaged in trying to kill millions of people. But with the arrival of Tom Daniels, and then the death of one of the test subjects, his conscience had begun to plague him. He had realized he could no longer regard all Dominants as THE ENEMY. He had made his objections clear to Herself. His decision was questioned by a number of people, argued about, and he had even been subtly threatened, but Dr. Chandler had been adamant. Finally, he was allowed to use monkeys with altered DNA to test the effectiveness of an airborne serum. Of course, since no other Dominants were available at the time for experimentation, all the scientists were using the monkeys as test subjects. Whether or not the concession to Dr. Chandler's conscience would be honored when more Dominants were captured was uncertain. Both Dr. Chandler and Niki were aware of the potential problem. "That's the last of it." Dr. Chandler stepped back from a crate with a sigh of relief. "Guess it's time to see this new, more secure facility they have for us."

The scientists and assistants gathered up the personal belongings they wouldn't trust to the movers and left the building. Several closed vans awaited them. Without complaint everyone climbed in and took a seat. Everyone connected with the project had plenty of experience with secrecy and military paranoia so the closed vans came as no surprise. A few individuals exchanged exasperated looks but took their places without comment.

The ride to the new facility was long, over two hours. Whether or not the facility was really that far away was debatable. They could have been driving in circles to confuse anyone trying to follow them. Finally the vans stopped and the doors were open to allow everyone out. Niki took time to stretch stiff muscles and look around before going inside.

Their new home, on the outside, was an old Victorian-style mansion painted pink and white. A high stone fence with a heavy, ornate gate surrounded an extensive manicured lawn. Visible to the left of the building was a formal garden with fountains and benches. Definitely an improvement over their previous location, Niki approved.

Inside, staff waited to show everyone to their living quarters. Niki and her uncle were given a suite on the third floor. Their suitcases and boxes of books had already been delivered. Niki immediately claimed the tower bedroom and flopped onto the bed. Her uncle put his belongings into his own room and then stood in the doorway to Niki's. "Well?"

"The accommodations are certainly better." Niki replied. "As for the work..." Niki grimaced. Matthew came over and sat on the bed.

"I'm sorry I got you involved with this, Niki. I know how hard it has been on you. At first it seemed so clear. The Dominants were out to destroy us and we needed a defense."

"I know you did what you thought was right." Niki reassured him. "And I know my safety was a consideration when you let the General convince you to work on this project. But I can't do this much longer. I know the Dominants are a danger, but I've begun to wonder just who the real enemy is."

Niki's uncle picked up her hand. "I know. The General has be very elusive lately. I've sent a message to your father." Niki looked at him surprised. He nodded. "I want you out of here, but I don't feel it's safe. I would feel better about your chances with your father's expertise available."

"You are really worried." Niki said, astonished. Her uncle had been quieter than usual of late, but the events of the last two weeks had been stressful. That he actually felt as she did, that elements of the government were as much a danger as the Dominants, amazed her.

He patted her hand and stood up. "Be patient a little longer, Niki. You'll be out of here soon, I promise." Then he left the room. Niki stayed put, trying to analyze how her uncle's change of attitude would end up effecting her.

The scientists and their assistants were given the afternoon to settle in and explore their new home. Niki decided to spent the time outdoors, wandering over the grounds and pondering her uncle's words. Behind the house were a maze and more gardens. Flowers blazed everywhere, not just in the gardens but around the bases of trees and in boxes along the windows. Bees and butterflies made the gardens a delight. Niki stayed outside until dinner, at which time the scientists were to be introduced to the staff.

At dinner that evening Mr. McQueen welcomed them to the new facility and outlined the perks. "This facility offers full housekeeping and laundry services. Mrs. Briggs is in charge of these duties." He indicated a young woman, maybe 35, with a severe haircut and trim clothes. Military too I'll bet, Niki thought. "Please let her know what items are not to be touched by the cleaning staff. Meals will be served on a regular schedule. We have the benefit of a talented chef. However, the kitchen will be open and staffed 24 hours a day to accommodate the odd hours your work often requires. Feel free to eat whenever you are hungry." At this, several of the scientists murmured appreciatively. Sometimes they would be so caught up in their work that 12 or more hours would go by. At the last two labs, if you didn't eat when the cafeteria was open, you had to rely on vending machines.

McQueen continued, smiling. "An extensive library and video collection are available for your use. You each have tvs and vcrs in your quarters. A large screen television is to be found in the living room down the hall, and another is in the front room of the second floor. If you have other needs or wants, please let either myself or Mrs. Briggs know and it will be obtained for you. The basement houses a full gym, including pool and hot tub. We want you to be comfortable and happy so that you can give your full attention to your work."

McQueen grew serious. "For security reasons, no one may leave the facility unescorted. This is to prevent your capture by the enemy and to safeguard the location of this place. Phone calls and e-mail out will be monitored to prevent an accidental betrayal of location..." At this, a number of the scientists began to mutter. They were all experts in their fields and had worked on secret projects before. To have their phone calls and e-mail censored was unheard of.

"Please remember why you were moved to this facility so hastily." McQueen said sharply. "These precautions are necessary for your safety. They are not open to discussion." His voice was final. Which of course did not stop some of the scientists from arguing the point with him and with each other. McQueen calmly repeated himself to each in turn, deflecting their arguments. Finally, after nearly 10 minutes, he called a halt.

"If everyone is finished eating, it is now time to tour the labs prepared for you. All of your equipment has arrived and been unloaded. Additional assistance will be available to you so that you may resume your work as quickly as possible." He waved to the doorway of the dining room where several people in lab coats stood.

Many of the scientists and assistants began to move towards door, some still muttering darkly. They were led down the hall towards back of building to where paneling concealed the doors to two elevators. McQueen joined them there.

"These are the only ways in or out of the facility, except in case of a fire or other such emergency. At that time, emergency stairs are activated by Security. Each of you will have a coded pass key which you must use to get the elevators to work. Each use of the pass key will be automatically recorded by Security. That way, we will know who is down there in case of an emergency. Please used the elevators at this time to descend to level 3 where your labs are."

Each elevator held five adults comfortably. Apparently the trip down was swift, as the elevators reappeared in the hall quickly for the next load. Niki hung back and entered with the last group, including McQueen.

"Ms. Chandler," McQueen acknowledged her. "I do hope you have fully recovered from your ordeal with the Dominants."

"Yes, thank you, sir." Niki replied politely.

"You've chosen to continue helping your uncle with his work?" McQueen persisted.

"For the time being, yes." Niki answered briefly, relieved when the doors to the elevator opened. "Excuse me, please." She said, exiting the elevator and joining her uncle in the corridor. McQueen's interest made her uncomfortable. Right now, being invisible would have been an asset.

The labs were very impressive. Large, brightly lit, they contained all the latest equipment a scientist could dream of using. Everyone worked well into the night to set the labs up based on each scientist's individual preference. A couple of times Niki spotted McQueen watching her. Each time, he nodded and turned away. Niki went to bed that night troubled.

Niki had always been extremely curious. The need to KNOW was what motivated her interest in science. Whenever she and her uncle had come to a new project, she would explore as much of the facility as possible. Often she would find out of the way places everyone had forgotten about or blind spots in security. But she had always done so innocently. This time, this facility was different. Niki had lost her faith in the good intentions of the people in charge of this project. And so she set out to find all the hidden secrets this place had.

Using tricks her father taught her, ones he had learned as a clandestine operations specialist, Niki wandered the building when not helping her uncle. Unobtrusively she observed and explored. Soon she noticed several unknown persons in the building late at night, when most of the scientists could be expected to either be asleep or deep in research. Niki also discovered that behind the security desk was a monitor that warned when anyone was using the elevators to return to ground level. The monitor flashed a signal as soon as the summons button was pushed. Vehicles entering the facility were searched carefully. This made sense, considering the risk of Dominants attacking the facility, but Niki saw that vehicles leaving the facility were also carefully searched. Why? Niki wondered.

Very late one night the week following their arrival, Niki was cozily hidden in an old dumb waiter she had discovered. Situated near the offices, she had been listening for some time to people reporting to McQueen. So far she had heard nothing damning, but some of the reports had been very cryptic. Becoming uncomfortable, she was about to slip back to her room when an angry voice stopped her.

"Damn it, McQueen, this just isn't working. My people just can't work under these conditions. Having to keep the two groups separate, okay, but having to keep your batch of scientists from finding out about mine is proving impossible. Twice now, one of yours has almost encountered one of mine. And once they know about the second group using the facility, they'll soon learn about the prisoners." Niki held her breath, not wanting to miss anything. McQueen's deep voice was clipped.

"Your scientists and the Dominants arrive here without warning only 24 hours before these scientists. There was not time to work out how to keep the groups isolated. If I had been informed, this situation wouldn't have arisen. I wish to hell they'd figure out who is in charge of this project, instead of issuing conflicting orders!" McQueen's voice became louder as he let some of his own frustrations surface.

"The scientists must not find out about the prisoners." His voice was final. "Several of them had begun to have doubts about using the Dominants as test subjects. If they find out that experiments are being run on Dominant children, this place will be in an uproar. And frankly, the concept of experimenting on children disgusts me."

"Your feeling don't matter." The other man taunted. "I have authority over this project. We will begin the experiments as soon as the rest of our equipment arrives."

Niki huddled in horror as McQueen stormed out of his office. Children! They were experimenting on CHILDREN! She felt her stomach lurch. Frantically she swallowed. She couldn't be sick in here. She had to hold it together until she was safely in her room.

Niki waited endlessly for the corridor outside the dumb waiter to quiet down. Cautiously, she slid out and hurried to her room. Only with the door safely shut did she give in to her feelings. Niki threw herself on the bed and cried herself asleep.

The next morning, Niki woke red eyed and groggy. Cold compresses helped reduce the swelling of her eyes caused by her tears, but nothing could disquise her unhappiness. "I don't feel well this morning." She told her uncle listlessly when he came to check on her. "I think I'll spend the morning in bed."

Concerned, Matthew wanted to have a doctor look at her. Niki was never sick. But she dissuaded him, saying she just needed some more sleep. Dr. Chandler looked at her searchingly. Something was wrong, he realized, but it wasn't physical. He wanted to nag Niki until she told him what was bothering her, but knew it would have little effect. Niki could be amazingly stubborn when she wanted. She would tell him when she was ready, not before. Wishing her well, he left for the lab.

Niki lay in bed, trying to plan what to do. If children were being held here, she had to get them out. But first, she had to find them. Where could they be hidden? All of the third sublevel was given over to research by the group that included Dr. Chandler and Niki. Sublevels 1 and 2 were being used by various other projects. But Niki had been on both levels. There was no place on either that the children could have been hidden. So where were they?

Around 11, Niki decided she wasn't going to get any more done from bed. Showering, she planned her first move. The children had to be somewhere in this building. There were no other buildings on the property that were not openly accessed. And it was in this building she had seen people who were not working on any of the know projects. So, somewhere there had to be access to another sublevel.

After a light lunch, Niki entered the elevator. Before pushing the button for SL3, she looked closely at the panel. Two screw holes and some scraps seemed to indicate that the instructions panel had been moved upward. To cover a button marked SL4? Niki wondered. If there was another sublevel, there had to be another elevator. And maybe, the sublevels themselves were connected, somehow. Niki's mood improved. She had a goal and a direction. She would find the children and help them escape.

The next two days were frustrating. Every avenue Niki followed dead ended. She was getting nowhere. And thoughts of what might be happening to the children were causing her nightmares. Her uncle was worried, and suspicious. Niki needed help. That night, she asked her uncle to walk in the garden with her.

At first, Niki wandered seemingly aimlessly. Once she was sure there was no one in the garden to overhear them, she told her uncle what she had seen and heard. He was as horrified as she to learn that children were being used as test subjects. He didn't question her information, he only asked what he could do. At his words, Niki felt a weight lift off her. She hugged her uncle, hard and then explained her efforts to find where the children were being held. When she was done, her uncle sat silently.

"There must be plans to this facility somewhere." He said, frowning.

"I know, but I've looked. I've broken into every computer file I can find that might have the plans, but no luck." Niki cried, frustrated.

"You've been covering your tracks, I hope." Matthew said sternly. "McQueen is no fool. He will have considered the possibility of hackers, even inside the lab."

"I've taken all the precautions you and dad taught me. There are no tracks to find." Niki stated positively.

"Good. Let me think about this tonight. I have a glimmer of an idea, but I want time to think about it." Dr. Chandler hugged Niki fiercely. "Be careful. I know you have to do this, but don't take unnecessary risks. You're too important to me." Niki nodded and blinked back tears. Silently the two returned to their rooms, to lie awake most of the night.

The next morning provided no opportunity for Niki and her uncle to talk privately. Frustrated, Niki went about the day's work in an unusually nasty mood. Several of the other scientists noticed and frowned, worried. But a warning shake from Dr. Chandler's head stilled any questions they might have asked.

That evening, Niki paced the sitting room of the Chandler's suite waiting for her uncle. He had not been at dinner and she could not find him afterwards. Not knowing what he might be doing, she hadn't dared asked the other scientists if they had seen him. So she waited, none to patiently.

Suddenly her uncle entered the room, closed the door firmly behind himself and with a flourish, produced several large sheets of paper. Opening them, Niki was astonished to discover the plans to the house and sublevels beneath it. Amazed she stared at the plans and then switched her gaze to her uncle. "Where did you get these?" She asked, awed.

"Jonathan got them for me." He said with a grin.

"Professor Lane?" Niki said, bewildered.

"Yes. He's a highly accomplished thief, when he's not being a brilliant microbiologist." Matthew's grin widened. "A fact that very few people know."

"But how did you convince him to steal these? What did you tell him?"

Dr. Chandler sobered. "I told him about the children." He said quietly.

Niki was aghast. "What! He'll tell McQueen. We'll never get them out." Niki couldn't believe her uncle had been so trusting.

"Niki!" Dr. Chandler said sternly. "You and I weren't the only ones bothered by using Dominants as unwilling test subjects. Several of the others were too. Expecially Jonathan. His parents were experimented on by the Nazis. He's even more upset than you."

Niki stared at her uncle. The idea that others wanted to help was unsettling. The more people who knew, the likelier that someone would tip off Security. Yet, involving others had advantages, as the plans in her hands proved. "I'm sorry." She said. "I'm just worried about what's happening to the children right now."

"I know. I feel the same way. So let's get on with planning this rescue."

Niki and her uncle poured over the plans. Someone had been very thorough when considering security. Every idea they explored met a roadblock. Niki could figure out how to get from SL3 to SL4, and even how to get the children from SL4 to SL1, but there was no way from SL1 to the surface without tipping off Security.

Large airducts ran between the sublevels, circulating fresh air. 'Really,' Niki thought to herself, 'you'd think someone here would have watched PRETENDER and know what great travel tunnels these things make.' But as far as she and her uncle could determine, no security measures had been taken within the airducts themselves. Of course, the ducts only ran between the sublevels. Between the surface and SL1 all sorts of precautions had been taken to prevent infiltration or escape via the ducts.

Niki continued to try to find a way from SL1 to the surface without being detected. Once on the surface, of course, other problems arose; guards, security cameras. Meanwhile, Dr. Chandler arranged for a large sum of money to be removed from a secret fund Niki's father had set up in case of emergencies. He also found a way to arrange for a rental truck to be hidden for use by the escapees. Niki had agreed that Jonathan should become more involved. Time was passing, they had to move soon.

Niki decided to test the airduct route, finding her way down to SL4 without trouble. The airducts narrowed on each sublevel, but Niki could still fit. She used the ducts to try to pinpoint the location of the children. She could only stay a short time or risk being missed. She was about to turn back when two technicians walked down the hall, discussing their work. Niki learned then that the youngest of the children was only fourteen months old and being given doses of the genogenesis serum. His condition was "unstable". Time had run out.

When Niki returned from her exploration, it was clear to her uncle and Jonathan that something was very wrong. Niki quickly told them of what she had overheard. The time to move was now. But they still had no way to get the children from the sublevels to the surface.

"An explosion." Jonathan suggested calmly. The other two stared at him.

"What?" Niki asked cautiosly.

"We rig an explosion. You heard McQueen. There are emergency stairs in case of such an event."

"But what about the guards, and the fence, and.." Niki began.

"You get the children up to sublevel 1, Niki, everything else will be taken care of." Jonathan continued to speak calmly despite the outrageousness of his words.

Dr. Chandler interjected a note of warning. "You know at the least we will end up jailed for this?"

"Jail is fine." Jonathan said offhandedly. "Let's hope they don't just shoot us to save themselves explanations." Niki and Dr. Chandler looked at him with identical expressions of amazement. Apparently they weren't the only ones wondering about the legitimacy of this project.

"Tonight, then?" Niki asked.

"Tonight." The two scientists agreed.

Inside the cell the woman lifted her head and turned to face the door. The girls sat up alert. They all heard a faint thump and sliding sound against the door. The woman moved to place herself between the door and the children. This time she would fight.

The door swung inward. A guard's body tumbled into the room. A young woman stood framed within the doorway. Human. The Dominant woman tensed, ready to spring. She hesitated only because of the gun the young woman held.

Niki stood in the opening and took a quick look in. Good, all of the children were there. Eavesdropping had let Niki know that there were three children and an adult being kept prisoner in the cell. She had been worried that one of them might have been moved. She noted the tense stance of the Dominant woman. Niki kept the tranq gun trained on the woman and the teenage girl. She was very conscious of the passing time.

"Hi, I'm Niki. I'm here to help you escape." The woman looked at the gun, then back at Niki. "Indeed." She lifted an eyebrow in question.

"I'm not stupid." Niki said. "I want your word that none of you will attack me. Getting out of here will be impossible if I can't turn my back on you."

"You're human. Why should we trust you?" The woman argued.

"Because of the children. No one has the right to experiment on children. No one has the right to target children, even in a war." Niki said angrily. The woman could sense Niki's anger and disgust.

"Children grow up to become adults who fight. Better to remove the threat early." The woman retorted calmly.

"Do you want to debate this until the guards come, or leave?" Niki exasperated.

Again, the woman tested Niki's emotional state. Then she nodded. She picked up the unconscious baby and motioned the others forward. The teenager led the way out of the cell with the young girl behind. Last came the woman. "Are you at 1.6?" Niki asked.

"Yes"

"Good, let me know if you sense anyone. As we leave this level, we might encounter one of the scientists working early. Once we are off this level, please don't kill anyone if possible."

"They deserve to die for what they've done." The woman snapped, looking at the limp child in her arms.

"Not everyone knows. The powers that be have keep those of us in the upper levels ignorant."

"You knew." She snapped.

"I've recently learned that not everyone is trustworthy." Niki replied mildly. "I decided to check things out for myself."

The woman was too big to fit into the airducts at this point. Niki swiftly led the way to the main duct. Twice, the woman sensed humans approaching and everyone hid in the nearest empty room.

Reaching the main shaft up, Niki helped the woman tied the baby to her, leaving her hands free. Niki was doubtful about the 7 year olds ability to climb the short distance up, but before she could suggest tying the rope and hauling her up, the youngster had sped up the rope to the next level.

Soon they were all huddled alongside the airduct grating on SL4. "Humans!" The woman whispered. Niki moved forward and peered through the slats.

"My uncle and Professor Lane. They're helping." She reassured the Dominants. The woman frowned distrustfully.

Niki scratched gently on the grating. Her uncle came closer. "Niki?" He breathed.

"Yes."

"You're sure you want to go through with this?" Dr. Chandler asked.

"Yes." Niki said firmly.

"Alright, remember, give us 5 minutes." Dr. Chandler and Professor Lane entered the elevator situated near the airduct and returned to the surface.

The woman grabbed Niki's arm. "What's going on?" She demanded suspiciously.

"In five minutes, you are going to burst, quietly, out of the airduct, take a hostage, me, and enter the elevator. When we get to the ground floor, you will use me as a shield and my uncle will create a diversion. We exit, there will be a vehicle waiting with keys in the ignition and we roar out the gates." Niki rapidly explained. The woman looked at her in disbelief.

"That's your plan?" She said accusingly.

Niki shrugged. "It was the best we could come up with in the time we had. Once above ground be certain you make it clear to any scientists we meet that the children were being experimented on. Even if we don't make it off the grounds, that could put an end to this."

"They'll just capture us and put us back in the cell." The woman retorted.

"Not if enough of the scientists learn about you, they won't dare." At least Niki hoped they wouldn't. "Time's up, here we go." Niki carefully opened the grating and slid out. She helped the others out and then handed the Dominant woman a gun she had been carrying in her pocket. "It's loaded," she told the woman as she handed it over.

The woman looked at the gun and hefted it. She checked the clip and saw that it was, indeed loaded. She gave Niki a long, considering look and nodded.

The corridor was deserted. Niki used her pass key to activate the elevator. Once everyone was on, Niki positioned herself in front of the doors. The teenager carried the baby while the woman stood directly behind Niki. She placed her hand on Niki's left shoulder and rested the gun on Niki's right one. The elevator doors slid open.

Dr. Chandler stood talking to the guard at the desk, blocking the woman's view of the elevator for a few critical seconds. The Dominant woman shoved Niki out of the elevator and towards the exit. The group was more than halfway to the door before anyone reacted.

"Halt!" Another guard coming down the stairs spotted them and pulled his gun. "Niki!" Dr. Chandler swung around and seemed horrified by his niece's situation.

"Stop right there." The woman snarled. "If you sound the alarm, if you come closer, I'll kill the girl."

"If you do," McQueen said coming from his office, "we'll kill you."

"I'm already dead if I stay your prisoner, if I let you continue to experiment on the children." The woman retorted, backing towards the door. The children were very careful to keep the woman between themselves and the others. The young girl also kept check that no one got behind them.

"Experimenting on children!" Dr. Chandler exclaimed. "What are you talking about?" He turned on McQueen. "Who are these people?" He demanded. "Where did these children come from?"

McQueen frowned suspiciously at him. "Later, doctor."

Suddenly the room seemed full of scientists. Professor Lane swept in from outside with a group of five, all talking furiously and paying no attention to the drama going on. The elevator opened, discharging three more scientists. All these bodies were suddenly between the guards and the escapees. In an instant, Niki and the Dominants were out the door. "Stop them!" McQueen roared.

Right outside the door was an empty limousine. Someone must be visiting,Niki thought happily. A quick glance showed the keys in the ignition. The woman threw the gun to the young girl and took the driver's seat. Niki and the children all piled into the back and onto the floor. Niki placed her body to shield the children as much as possible. The limo took off with a surge that threw them around.

The woman floored the gas pedal and headed for the gate. Niki could hear the sound of gunfire. She sneaked a peak over the back of the seat. The guards at the gate were firing at the limo. Bullets hit the windshield but did not penetrate. The limo was armored.

"Turn left when you get out of the gate, and then take the fourth right." Niki instructed the woman.

"Why?"

"We're going to ditch the limo in the quarry. Uncle's arranged for another vehicle to be hidden in the woods."

The woman didn't reply, but when they went through the gates she did turn left.

At the quarry Niki helped the Dominants push the limo into the water. Quickly she looked around, getting her direction. "This way." She said, starting to the north. The teenager looked at the woman questioningly.

The woman shrugged. "She got us out." They all followed Niki into the trees. "I have transportation, but it's a ways off." Niki told them breathlessly once they were safely into the woods. "I didn't want Security to find it." Twenty minutes later, Niki stopped and looked around.

"It should be right about here." Niki said. It was the girl who found the truck hidden in the bushes. "Great." Niki opened the back. The teenager entered after exchanging a long look with the woman. The woman handed in the baby. The girl climbed in and then the woman. "There's water in the cooler, some fruit and carrot sticks as well. Blankets are in the corner, as is the medicine box. I tried to think of what you would need, but since I don't know what's been done to you, I had to guess."

The woman looked at the provisions in the truck. Why was this human helping them? She looked at Niki and tried to read her. It really was because of the children.

Niki started to closed the truck door but paused. "I'm Niki." She said, offering her hand to the woman. The woman looked at her hand for long moments and then shook it, reluctantly. "Clare."

"I'm Cassandra." The young girl said, coming to stand in the door. "This is Christopher." She said pointing at the baby, who was still unconscious. "She's Mary." Cassandra said with a motion over her shoulder at the teenager. Niki smiled and nodded.

"I'm going to close the door and latch it, but I won't lock it." Niki said and did so. Riding in the back would be rough, but Niki was not about to let one of the Dominants ride up front with her, not with what they'd just been through at human hands. She might believe that coexistence was possible, but she wasn't foolish enough to trust these Dominants not to harm her. Once in the driver's seat, Niki opened the small window between the cab and the back. "Hold tight, it will be a bit bumpy until I get the truck on the road."

"Where do you plan to take us?" Clare asked once the truck was underway.

"Nowhere in particular." Niki replied. "I thought we'd head towards Greenville. They have quite a few dealerships there. Once there, I plan to ditch this truck as soon as possible since I had to rely on someone else to rent it. I can't guarantee he didn't go to the authorities.. Then I'll go my way, you can go yours. Oh, there's an envelope of money under the cooler. There's enough in it to let you buy a car or whatever and feed you until you can get to where you'll be safe." Niki asked "You do have somewhere to go?"

"Yes." After a pause Cassandra asked, "What about you?"

"I'm going to try to find a friend. At least I hope he considers me a friend. Mostly I'll keep out of sight. I doubt that I'm very well thought of, just now. At least by certain people." Niki shrugged and returned her attention to driving.

Niki had been driving for almost an hour. Except for an occasional murmur of voices or whimpering as Christopher woke up, there was silence in the back. The Dominants weren't interested in small talk. So Niki had plenty of time to worry.

"Stop the truck!" Clare suddenly said. The truck swerved as Niki was startled. She slowed down.

"What's wrong?" Niki tried to see into the back through the window, while still keeping the truck on the road. "Pull over." Clare said urgently.

"Please" Cassandra added.

Niki slowed the truck even more and pulled off the road under some trees. She turned off the engine and unbuckled her seatbelt. Twisting in the seat she peered through the window. "What's wrong? Is the baby sick?" The back of the truck was dark. Niki couldn't see clearly. The Dominants were silent. "Niki..." Clare began, then Cassandra called out, "Don't hurt her!"

Niki frowned, puzzled and then she knew! Twisting around in the seat she scrambled for the gun. The driver's door opened, an arm went about her waist and Niki was yanked from the truck. A hand kept her head from smacking into the door jam.

"No!" Niki tried to struggle free. She was lifted into the air and then turned, set down and pushed up against the side of the truck. A dark-haired man held her against the truck with his hand splayed across her chest. As Niki continued to struggle the man leaned his weight onto the arm making it difficult for her to breath. When Niki stopped struggling, he relaxed the pressure on her, but kept her firmly in place. As Niki sought to regain her breath, she looked around.

Besides the man restraining her, there were two more strangers; a black man and an older woman. These two quickly helped Clare and the others from the truck.

"Don't hurt her." Cassandra ordered as she came into view. Niki realized with surprise that it was definitely a command. The adults looked from Cassandra to Niki and then turned to Clare who gave a short nod. "She helped us escape. We couldn't have gotten out ourselves."

The new woman said, "We had information as to the general area you were being held in, but no specifics." We were quartering the area, hoping to locate you when we sensed you in the truck. When you didn't pull over immediately we knew something was wrong. Since we sensed a human in the truck as well we decided to just follow for awhile."

Niki tried not to fidget as the Dominants talked. Consciously she slowed her breathing, trying to calm the panic she had felt when she was pulled from the truck. Brought up by and around scientists Niki had always been very pragmatic, except when she was quixotically arranging escapes. Right now she doubted there was anything she could do to help herself. She hoped she had been right when she had said not all Dominants were killers.

"She risked a great deal to help us," Cassandra persisted. "We owe her."

" She is a human, we owe her nothing," said the black man, who until now had been silent. He stared at Niki with undisguised hatred. She shivered and he smiled, a slow and satisfied smile.

"Could this be some kind of trick, a trap of some sort?" The woman asked.

"I don't think so." Clare replied consideringly. "She seems genuinely outraged at the idea of experimenting on children."

The woman approached Niki. The man released her, but she stayed pressed against the truck. "Why did you help?" The woman asked puzzled. "Don't you know we will kill all you humans as soon as possible?" She continued matter-of-factly. Niki swallowed at the casualness of the woman's statement. Faced with such an attitude, helping any Dominant did seem very stupid. Niki looked at the baby and knew she couldn't have done otherwise, not with children involved. She took a deep breath and let her anger show.

"No one has the right to harm a child. Children should be cherished. Even in a declared war, children are usually considered off limits. What adults do to one another, well, sometimes that's quite horrible, but adults at least have some hope of influencing their world and what happens in it. Children don't."

"Yet you work at the lab. You were part of what was done." The woman continued accusingly.

"No!" Niki replied vehemently. "We were moved there just days ago. None of us had any idea of what was being done. We didn't even know there was a 4th sublevel. The powers that be were careful to keep us in ignorance."

"Yet you knew." The dark-haired man insisted.

Niki shrugged. "I have a talent for snooping." She said with self-mockery.

Niki stopped talking. She held her breath, wondering what was going to happen to her. The Dominants exchanged meaningful looks, although Niki couldn't decipher the meaning. Cassandra moved to stand beside Niki. The silence was frightening.

Christopher started to cry. Clare tried to sooth him, but he just cried all the harder. Each of the adults tried to quiet him, to no avail. "Give him to Niki," Cassandra suggested. Clare looked at Cassandra and then Niki for a long moment, then shrugged. She handed the baby to Niki who held him tightly, as if afraid of dropping him. Christopher whimpered and then snuggled closer. Niki looked up in bewilderment. All of the adults looked at Cassandra who shrugged.

"His DNA is closer to human right now. He needs what a human can give?" Cassandra suggested.

"We've been here too long." The dark-haired man said. "We need to decide what we are doing with her and get moving."

"You take the truck. I can always walk to town." Niki suggested hopefully. The woman smiled, genuinely amused. "I think not."

"She's not to be hurt." Cassandra was adamant. The woman nodded.

"Very well, she comes with us. We can debate what to do with her later."

Cassandra touched Niki on the arm, drawing her gaze. "I give you my word, you will not be harmed." The girl said, seeking to reassured Niki.

Niki nodded, doubtfully and then realized the adults were staring at Cassandra in outright shock. Niki replayed the last few words in her head, but could not understand their reaction. Cassandra had promised her safety, but Cassandra was only a child. A very mature, self reliant child, but a child nonetheless.

The truck was left by the side of the road. The Dominants had been driving two powerful cars. The group split up. Into one car went the black man, the Mary and Clare. Niki sat in the back of the second car with Christopher asleep in her lap. Cassandra sat next to her. The woman sat in front and the dark-haired man drove. The black man had insisted on her being blindfolded. Niki had not resisted. RESISTENCE IS FUTILE, she thought whimsically, at least for now.

No one spoke. So much silence left Niki too much time to think about what might happen next. Obviously, Cassandra's wishes were considered of some importance. Why? And how important? Cassandra had promised she wouldn't be harmed, but Niki wasn't sure that promise would or could be kept. After listening to her own thoughts for a time, Niki desperately needed distracting. And, besides, she was curious.

"So" Niki broke the silence, "if you succeed in destroying homo sapiens, what next?"

"What do you mean, what next?" The woman asked, startled.

"Well, our observations shows that your species is even more aggressive than mine. What are you going to do with that aggression if there are no humans around? Won't you end up turning it on yourselves?"

"Of course not." The man said scornfully. "Unlike humans, we are not controlled by our emotions. Once we get rid of your kind, we will live well ordered, intellectual lives."

"Hmm. I wonder. Right now, while you are in competition with homo sapiens you are united. Mostly. But when you have no competition from outside your species, then what? Will you be able to settle all your differences peacefully? We'll be gone, but all those nasty weapons we've created will still be here. And you're no slouches at creating your own nasty surprises. Bombs, lethal gases, biological weapons can all be turned on your own kind."

"Species survival is paramount to us. Such slaughter of our own would never be acceptable to a Dominant." The woman replied firmly.

"Are you saying that no Dominant has ever killed another Dominant for personal reasons?" Niki asked. No one answered. "What about rogues like Lynch?"

"Why do you ask?" The woman questioned.

"Curiosity. I am a scientist. I need to know. And you're a great puzzle I've been involved in for some time." No one spoke for a moment, then Niki continued.

"Speaking of nasty surprises. If Copeland had succeeded in unleashing the Spanish Influenza, millions of humans would have died in a very short time. What provisions had been made to safeguard yourselves from unattended nuclear reactors, biological warfare and disease control facilities or power utilities. After all, if gas mains were to explode, fires would rage out of control and burn down whole cities--of course, that would be one way to dispose of the multitude of bodies lying around." Niki mused.

"I don't know," the woman admitted. "But I'm sure the Council had it all planned."

"Good," Niki replied agreeably. "But if it was my life, and the life of my species, I'd like a little more reassurance than 'I'm sure someone thought of it. And now that we know about you, what do you want to bet that someone has arranged a dead man's switch so that if they're not around to keep an eye on it, it sets off a very lethal chain of events."

The Dominants maintained a thoughtful silence for several minutes.

"Do you really believe coexistence is possible." The woman asked, truly curious.

"Well, it would have been much more likely before your plans to wipe out the humans was made public." Niki admitted frankly. "The efforts of Lewis and Copeland and others have made the possibility more unlikely. Really, for all your vaunted intelligence, this campaign to wipe out humans seems ill conceived."

"Why?" The man demanded.

"Well, if you hadn't been trying so hard to kill us, Tom Daniels would not have been sent to kill Dr. Parker. He was the one who gave us our first indication of your groups' intent."

"That traitor!" The woman exclaimed.

"Is he? He doesn't believe genocide is necessary for either species. And he's willing to die to prove it." Niki countered.

"You've met him?" The man sounded surprised.

"Yes, briefly." Niki deemed it best not to explain under what circumstances she and Tom had met.

"Let's say we were not trying to destroy humans. Tom Daniels had not met Dr. Parker. Lynch's DNA would still have been discovered. Others in jail would have been tested and exposed." The woman said reasonably.

"True," Niki conceded, "but a few isolated cases are only a scientific curiosity, to be studied at length. An organized group trying to kill everyone is something else. If the decision to commit genocide hadn't been made, you'd have probably have had at least 1-2 generations more to increase your population in peace. And with your intelligence, you could have been in positions of power and wealth before we knew about you. If you had put your scientific knowledge to other uses, you'd practically own the world by now. You certainly would have been in positions of power, able to keep an eye on any attempts to destroy you as a species. Besides, who says you have to stay on Earth?"

"Interesting theory." The woman said in surprise. "But irrelevent now."

The ride continued, mostly in silence. Niki grew sleepy. The long hours of planning the escape, the escape itself and the stress of being a prisoner conspired to send her into a deep sleep.

The jouncing of the car over a rough road woke Niki. Soon afterwards the vehicle stopped. Niki heard the car doors open. Cassandra removed her blindfold. The woman picked up Christopher and Niki slid out of the car. She took a quick look around. They were parked in front of a ranch house on what was obviously a working ranch. Niki could hear cattle and horses in the distance. Barns, corrals and watering troughs surrounded the parking area.

Niki was taken into the house. Immediately, more than a dozen adult Dominants appeared in the hallway. They all looked at Niki, instantly knowing she was not one of them. One of them turned on the woman. "Bridget, what is this human doing here?" He demanded harshly.

"We will discuss it." Bridget replied calmly.

Clare showed Niki into a living room and offered her a chair. The others entered and sat, waiting. Clare briefly described what had taken place at their capture. Niki was surprised to learn that Clare and the children had been captured almost a month before, but had been unharmed before being brought to the lab while their fate was decided.

Clare continued to describe all that had happened while they were captive, up to and including their escape. When she finished, the others quietly discussed the events. Then everyone's attention turned to the discussion of what to do about Niki. Controlled the Dominants might be, completely unemotional they were not. Many were clearly unhappy with the decision to bring a human into their home. Niki looked around. Clare and Cassandra were in the room but Christopher and the teenager were gone. Niki hoped they were receiving medical attention.

Clare had described how Niki had gotten them out of the lab and what happened after. She was clearly in favor of letting Niki go. Others were scornful of letting any human live, even one foolish enough to help. Niki was so tired. She simply sat back and let them talk.

Cassandra stood beside Niki''s chair silently. Bridget left the room and made a phone call. While the phone was ringing, a few others drifted in to listen.

"The children are safe...Here. We didn't, a human helped them escape. She's here, too...Cassandra insists we let her go unharmed, Clare agrees...Young, late teens, red hair and green eyes...Niki...Yes." She hung up the receiver and looked at the others. "He says to keep her here and treat her like a guest." Surprised looks were exchanged but no one dared disagreed with the instructions.

Bridget returned to where Niki waited. "She is to be treated as a guest, for now." She announced to the room in general. Several angry looks were directed at her, but she stood calmly. Something happened in those looks, although Niki couldn't guess what, and everyone began to leave.

Bridget waited until the room was nearly cleared. "Jenna will get you something to eat, then show you to your room." The woman told Niki. "Stay in your room, for your own safety." She said, and then left.

Jenna was a tall blonde who appeared to be near Niki in age. Hesitantly, Niki smiled at her. Jenna remained unresponsive. She gestured for Niki to follow her. Niki sighed unhappily but stood to go to the kitchen. Jenna waved towards the refrigerator and sat, hands folded, at the table. Niki rummaged through the fridge, but nothing appealed to her. Funny how being the lone human in a house of Dominants, many of whom wanted your whole species wiped out, could ruin your appetite.

Finally Niki cut some cheese and grabbed an apple. She poured herself a glass of milk and sat down. As she ate, Niki marveled at Jenna's stillness. She hadn't moved at all, she sat as still as a statue.

When Niki was done, she washed her glass and wiped the table. Jenna led her upstairs to a room at the back of the house. Large and comfortably furnished, it had its own bathroom. Another woman appeared with pajamas and toiletries and placed them on the bed. Then the two women left. In all this time, Jenna had not said one word to Niki.

Niki tried the door; locked. She prowled around the room, opening drawers and checking for a camera. There didn't seem to be one, at least not that she could find. Niki opened the window and leaned out. Night had begun. Outside lights allowed Niki to see the barn and the area around the house, but nothing that would give her a clue as to where she was.

She paced the room, trying to decide what to do. Maybe helping the Dominants escape hadn't been such a good idea. But she knew she couldn't have left them to be experimented on. She had done what she believed to be right. Now she would have to live, or not, with the consequences.

Her chances for escape were probably nil. Although she knew some meditation techniques, Niki doubted those would allow her to control her emotions enough to hide her from the Dominants if she tried to get away. Perhaps her best chance was to cooperate and hope that Cassandra's promise had some authority behind it. At the least, that promise might keep her alive long enough to find a way to escape. No matter what happened in the morning, Niki knew she needed to sleep to be alert for opportunities. Resigned to the facts, Niki changed into pajamas, climbed into the bed, and eventually fell asleep.

It was dawn when Lewis arrived at the ranch. He paused only briefly to ask questions and check on the child. Then he went upstairs.

He entered the room without knocking; silently. She was asleep, her face turned away from the door. Lewis studied her as she slept unaware. He had researched her and her uncle after his escape. She was brilliant, her IQ well into the genius level on the human scale. She appeared physically fragile.

Lewis scowled and traced the scar on his cheek. She was human, the ENEMY, fit only to be eliminated, or used to further their cause. Yet he had not been able to forget her. She had left her mark on him, something few Dominants had been able to do, much less a human. The fact that he had been physically diminished at the time was only partially comforting. Lewis had always prided himself on his control and physical prowess.

He clenched his fists against the impulse to snap her neck. The decision as to her present fate had already been made, the right decision. But here she was, a symbol of the humiliation he had suffered. He wanted to destroy her, he wanted revenge. Wanted. Lewis clamped down on his response. Wanted, a lingering effect of the genogenesis serum. It...annoyed...him.

She had been there, one of them. One of those who had forced a complete loss of control on him. She had not been one of his keepers, he hadn't even known of her existence until the escape, but she had been there working to destroy his kind--in a humane manner. Lewis sneered.

Humane! He had been caged, tortured, drugged, isolated. That he had expected. The humans had not done anything to him he had not done to others-human and Dominant. He had known what to expect. His training had included techniques to counter their efforts. He had felt their frustration and anger. It had pleased him.

Then, another injection. Lewis had felt the humans' certainty that this time they would break him. He had not been concerned. They had been confident before. He had regarded their efforts with scorn.

Lewis clenched his jaw in memory. Fire in his blood, chaos in his mind. Emotions bombarding him, raw, unfamiliar, overwhelming his control, leaving him a raging animal. Over and over, every time his DNA reverted, they gave him more serum. The woman, Attwood's contact, had come to gloat.

Control. Lewis had never had to consciously seek control of himself, not since he was a very small boy. Another legacy of the serum. Before, his control of himself had been unthinking, absolute, legendary. Now. At times like now he had to consciously exert control. Lewis glared at the human lying unaware.

He had escaped. Killing the guards with his bare hands had felt wonderful. But he had been out of control. And other Dominants had seen him that way. A loss of pride Lewis would never forget.

The Council had isolated him, keep him secluded as he struggled to rebuild his control. Fragment by fragment he had recreated himself. Driving himself mercilessly, he had searched deep within for every wisp of emotion, eradicating it. For eight days Lewis had fought the battle with himself. He had emerged more determined than ever. Niki stirred restlessly. Lewis looked at her consideringly. Did she sense him in her dreams? The decision had been made to let her leave, unharmed. Lewis would carry out that decision. But unharmed did not necessarily mean unscathed. He smiled. It was not a pleasant expression.

"Wake up." Lewis thought at her. "Wake up."

Niki awoke abruptly. Something was wrong. She turned over and opened her eyes. Someone was in the room, someone hostile. Lewis!

Niki scrambled into a sitting position backing away from Lewis until she was pressed against the headboard. Breathing was difficult. Oh God. Here was her worst nightmare. After his escape stories of Lewis' skills, control and power had spread until he had become a sort of demon in everyone's mind.

"Mr. Lewis." Niki's voice shook.

"Ms. Chandler, what a pleasure to see you again." Lewis replied with a very slight nod.

Niki noticed how differently he looked this time. Gone was the gaunt ill look he had had at the lab. This man was a prime specimen, healthy, fit, radiating strength. Her horrified attention was drawn to the scar on his cheek, the scar she had put there. Lewis smiled mockingly, aware of her fear. The smile triggered a response in Niki, the flight or fight response most people have to danger became fight.

"Believe me, the pleasure is all yours." She snapped. Lewis' eyes narrowed briefly, then he smiled more widely. It was not a reassuring sight. Niki caught her breath.

Lewis moved to sit on the bed. Niki tried to scoot further away. Lewis' hand encircled her foot. At his touch, Niki froze. "The pleasure could be yours, Nikoya." Lewis purred her name. He stroked the pulse point in her ankle and leaned closer to her. Niki could feel the heat of his body. Her breathing became erratic. Lewis leaned even closer and ran a finger down Niki's cheek and throat.

"I haven't changed my belief that we need to rid ourselves of homo sapiens, but of late I've entertained the idea of preserving a few, special humans. What do you think?" Lewis' voice was soft, intimate. As he spoke Niki could feel his breath on her face. As she inhaled, she inhaled him. Lewis stroked his thumb across Niki's lips, back and forth. She stared, captured by his icy blue eyes.

*Question. Lewis had asked her a question.* Niki struggled to think. Lewis' presence, his sheer self, made that very hard.. *What was the question?* Niki forced herself to concentrate. She strove to push the distraction caused by Lewis' presence away, just as she had learned to ignore distractions in the lab when working long hours on an experiment. It worked, a little. She became aware of her own erratic breathing, dry lips and sweaty palms. What was wrong? Lewis terrified her. But this didn't feel like fear, exactly. What was happening to her?

Niki looked at Lewis again. He was smiling oh so slightly, just a quirk of the lips. He was manipulating her! Niki realize she was feeling desire, desire for him! Lewis was using his maleness to overwhelm her. Niki's anger resurfaced along with a desperate instinct for self-preservation.

Suddenly Lewis caught her chin in a painful grip. "It would be unwise to bite, Nikoya. I might consider that an invitation." Lewis held her gaze. "Get dressed." He said briskly. "Breakfast is ready." He abruptly released her with a stinging slap to her face. When she had blinked the tears from her eyes, he was gone.

Breakfast! Lewis had come to tell her breakfast was ready? Niki shook her head in disbelief. Oh God! It was Lewis. Niki began to shake. Snippets of stories she had heard, stories of what Lewis did to his victims swirled in her head. If Lewis was here to decide her fate, the best she could hope for was a quick death. Niki felt overcome with despair. For long moments she sat on the bed, staring blankly at the wall as her thoughts circled round and round inside her head. What was she going to do?

A flash of memory distracted her briefly. At one of the projects her uncle had been on another scientist had had a puppy. Noble, the puppy, had this silly habit of chasing his tail round and round, never getting anywhere. She suddenly saw herself doing the same.

Niki took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Very well, if Lewis was here to kill her, she was determine she would at least die with dignity. She would show them that a human could be strong. Niki refused to think about what else Lewis might do to her first.

Using a meditation idea she had read about, Niki set about creating an image of a strongbox in her mind. Once the image was solidly constructed, she imagined her terror as a living strand of red ribbon. She gathered up the ribbon and forced it into the box. Pieces kept escaping, but Niki only worked harder. Finally, all the ribbon was in the box, which she closed and locked. Next, she envisioned the box wrapped tightly in chains. When she was done, Niki sat back on the bed and concentrated on taking slow, even breaths.

As she brought herself under control, Niki realized some time had passed. She also realized Lewis had given her an order and she'd better get dressed before someone came back to enforce it.

Niki moved shakily to the edge of the bed. When she tried to stand, she found her legs wouldn't hold. Taking several more deep breaths she tried again. On wobbly legs she walked to the bathroom.

Niki quickly showered and dried herself. As she returned to the bedroom she saw that her own dirty clothes had been replaced by a pile of clean ones. A lacy bra and matching panties sat atop jeans and a t-shirt. Unemotional or not, someone has interesting tastes in underwear, Niki thought as she dressed.

This time when she tried the door, it opened. In the hall a teenage boy waited to guide her downstairs. As she looked at him, it struck Niki that everyone in the house must have felt her response to Lewis. Her desire and her terror. She looked him directly in the eyes and lifted her chin challengingly. "So what's for breakfast?" She asked. A brief flicker of something like respect showed in the boy's eyes before he turned towards the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, Niki paused for just a moment to stare at the front door with longing. How far would she get? She turned back to follow the boy. He led her to a dining room where a breakfast buffet was set up. Niki stopped abruptly in the doorway. The room was overpoweringly full of Dominants. Most looked her over thoroughly when she appeared, then dismissed her presence. Niki looked carefully around. Lewis wasn't there. Neither were Clare or any Dominant Niki recognized. The teenager had vanished as soon as she entered the room. Niki bit her lip and walked over to the food, very aware of those moments of panic upstairs.

Taking a plate, Niki randomly placed food on it, and then sought a chair off by itself. She sat down and stared at her plate. Mechanically she started to eat, knowing she needed to. But every time someone entered the room, she flinched, expecting Lewis. Where was he? Not knowing where he was, when he might appear was nerve wracking. Finally one of the men spoke up, "Lewis is busy elsewhere."

Niki looked up to see the Dominants watching her. Most were expressionless, a few seemed amused by her. One or two almost looked sympathetic.

"Come with me." The teenager was back. Niki stood up and looked around for a place to put her plate. "Leave it." One of the Dominants commanded. There was no more delay.

Niki was led to a closed door down the hall. The boy paused for a moment, as if listening, then he opened the door and motioned Niki inside. As Niki entered the door closed firmly behind her. The room was an office, but she did not notice any details. Her attention immediately focused on Lewis. He sat behind a massive desk looking at a computer screen. He did not look up at her arrival. Niki waited a moment and then tore her gaze away and looked around. Cassandra sat watching her from a chair near the desk.

"Cassandra, how are you?" Niki smiled to see her, slightly relieved. Would Lewis kill her with a child present? Niki wasn't sure.

"Well, thank you, Niki." Cassandra replied politely.

Lewis stood, immediately drawing their attention. He walked to stand behind Cassandra's chair. He placed a hand lightly on the girl's shoulder.

"I must thank you for the lives of Cassie and the others, Ms. Chandler." He said evenly.

"You don't have to." Niki retorted. "But, you're welcome."

"Now, I must decide what to do with you. Common sense requires that you die. Your high intelligence makes it likely that if you live, you could be a nuisance." Lewis stared at Niki closely. She swallowed in fear, and then pushed it away. Lewis nodded very slightly, as if in agreement with himself about something. He continued calmly.

"But there is Cassandra's pledge to you to consider. She gave her word, and that is not something we take lightly, unlike many humans." Niki darted a look at Cassandra. The girl smiled encouragingly back.

Lewis moved to stand behind Niki. When he stopped behind her, Niki held her breath. She tried not to flinch as Lewis encircled her throat with his hand, an all too familiar sensation. He said nothing, but walk back around her, trailing his fingers along her neck, watching her closely. Niki couldn't suppress a shudder. His nostrils flared. His eyes glittered. Niki stood, breathing shallowly, rapidly. She knew he could feel her terror. Knew he was enjoying it. She struggled to get angry, to block the fear with fury. She was too terrified.

Lewis dropped his hand from her neck and stepped back with that slight smile. "Of course, your misguided belief in coexistence between humans and us could work in our favor." Lewis leaned towards her and she felt his breath on her cheek as he whispered, "Devote your energies and resources to that end, Nikoya."

Niki swayed as she realized Lewis planned to let her go. "I need to sit down." She said hoarsely. Cassandra hurriedly stood up and helped Niki to the chair. "Thank you" Niki whispered.

Lewis looked at the two and frowned slightly. Cassandra's considertion of the human was puzzling. Was Cassandra weak, flawed as Tom had proven to be? She had not received the same training as Tom or he, nor would she. Her role was different, her training different. It was her surety of place that dictated the human's current fate. Her promise had to be honored.

Cassandra move to stand beside Lewis. When Niki sat up she saw Lewis and Cassandra together. Her gaze moved between them several times, noting the resemblance. "Cassandra's your daughter?" She asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Sorry now you rescued her?" Lewis challenged.

"Not at all." Niki retorted. "I just very glad I got her out before they thought to do a full DNA profile on her." Lewis nodded in acknowledgement.

Lewis gestured towards the door. "Time for you to leave."

Niki stood up and held out her hand to Cassandra. "Goodbye Cassandra. Thank you."

Cassandra took Niki's hand and held it. "And you." Niki was struck once again at the maturity Cassandra showed. Were all Dominant children like this? She wondered silently.

Niki walked to the door with Lewis close behind. Having Lewis behind her was terrifying, even if he was letting her go.

A dark sedan sat outside the door, with its motor running. There were two men in front. Lewis opened the back door for Niki to enter, and then slid in after her. Niki swallowed nervously. "Really, I don't need an escort." She babbled.

Lewis smiled and held out a blindfold. Niki stared at it and then at him. He waited. She sighed resignedly and slipped it on. The car immediately started to move as she settled back for the ride. "You expected to die, didn't you?" Lewis asked.

"When I saw you, yes. That was the best I thought I could hope for." Niki replied honestly.

"If you had known I was involved, would you still have arranged the escape?"

Of course, I just would have turned the truck over to Clare and run like hell in another direction!"

Lewis laughed softly and settled back in the seat.

They drove in silence for a long time. Lewis made no further effort to converse, and Niki knew discretion was the better part of valor under the circumstances. But even though Niki slid closer to the door, she could feel Lewis beside her, the heat of his body and the feel of his presence.

"I hope you had no special plans." Lewis suddenly said. Niki jumped. She had to clear her throat before she could answer.

"No, I planned to drift and hide out for a time." Niki had no intention of telling Lewis she had hoped to find Tom and work with him.

"I have a better idea." Lewis said, and lapsed back into silence.

Better idea? Niki wondered. What better idea? I don't think I want any part of what Lewis considers a better idea. But she said nothing. Beside her, Lewis smiled tightly. He picked up Niki's hand and began to rub her palm softly with his thumb. Niki froze, then tried to pull away. Lewis held her firmly, without hurting her. She quickly gave up the struggle as useless. She tried to think of something, anything that would distract her from the sensation Lewis was creating in her. It didn't work. Her breathing once again became erratic, shallow. Warmth spread throughout her body. Niki tried not to squirm.

Not long after the car stopped. Lewis got out and came around the car to guide Niki. They walked across a paved surface and then Niki was led up a short set of metal stairs. She was placed in a seat and a seatbelt was tightened around her. A muffled thud, and then the sound of engines told Niki she was in an airplane. Moments later, they were airborne. "You make take off the blindfold now." Lewis told her.

They were inside a small, comfortably furnished airplane. Niki looked out the window, but all she could see were clouds. The two men sat in the back of the cabin. Lewis sat across from her. He pulled out a briefcase and proceeded to work, completely ignoring her. Niki was torn between relief and disappointment.

Niki was appalled by her mixed feelings. What was wrong with her? Lewis was a cold blooded torturer and murderer. A Dominant dedicated to the death of all humans. How could she be attracted to him?

Niki glanced at Lewis in time to see his lips quirk again, in that slight smile he favored. Again she was reminded of how easily Dominants could read human emotion.

Niki got up and explored the cabin. A number of magazines were available to read. She got herself a soda from the galley and sat down to read. "Bring me a cola." Lewis ordered without looking up. Niki jumped at the sound of his voice and then glared at him. He paid her no attention, at first. When she did not move to do as he had commanded, though, he did look at her, a long, patient, intimidating gaze. Niki got his cola and handed it to him. He took it without looking up from the papers, knowing where it was without seeing it.

The plane trip lasted less than an hour. The pilot's voice from the cockpit warned them to strap in for landing. Lewis handed the blindfold back to Niki. She put it on without comment.

Niki was led out of the plane. Coming down the stairs, her foot caught. She started to fall but Lewis caught her around the waist. He pulled her up against his firm body and slowly lowered her to the ground. "Be more careful." He said softly. Niki pulled away. "I will, believe me." She said fervently.

Another car, another long ride. The roads became more and more rough. The car stopped and Lewis pulled off the blindfold. Niki had to blink several times before her eyes would focus. The sun was very bright. By the time she could see, the Dominants had gotten out of the car. The door on Niki's side was opened and she got out.

As she stepped out she looked around curiously. They seemed to be in the middle of the desert. There was nothing to be seen but scrub brush, sand and a few stunted trees. Had Lewis lied, Niki wondered frantically. Was he going to kill her or leave her out here to die?

"Stay here, but be prepared." Lewis commanded the two men. They nodded and pulled rifles out of the trunk. Lewis started up a faint trail without another word. Niki took another look around and then walked after him. Lewis appeared to be headed for the base of a mountain a mile or so away. Was he planning on walking all the way? She'd never make it. Niki looked at Lewis' powerful body. She vowed she wouldn't ask him for help.

Suddenly three men appeared ahead of them. All three had rifles which they aimed at Lewis. He stopped and stood with his arms held out to his sides. Niki also stopped, wary. "Ms. Chandler, if you would." Lewis' voice was low but commanding. Niki walked to stand just behind him.

"Tell him I've brought him a visitor." Lewis told the men. One moved away and pulled out a cell phone. He talked briefly and then listened. He nodded and put the phone away. He rejoined the other two but said nothing. Everyone waited.

Niki looked around nervously, searching for a place to hide if things got violent. There was damn all to hide behind. Where had those guys come from anyway? The way they moved, they were definitely Dominants. But Lewis didn't seem to be on good terms.

A jeep approached rapidly from the mountain. It came to a stop just behind the men. Three men and a woman got out. The woman Niki had seen pictures of, two of the men also, but the third! "Tom!" Niki cried joyfully and raced towards him.

Niki threw herself into Tom's arms and burst into tears. He held her close for a moment and then set her down.

"Niki, why are you with Lewis?" He asked her urgently.

"Long story." Niki tried to smile, it wasn't her best effort.

"Are you okay?' Tom stared intently into her eyes.

"Yes, now. Lewis didn't hurt me, much." She added truthfully. "And the others were reasonably polite." Tom watched her a bit longer, as if searching for the truth. Then he nodded. He put his arm around her shoulders and turned her to face Lewis.

"Lewis." Tom spoke quietly.

"Tom." Lewis replied in a mildly amused tone. "Still with your humans I see."

"As always, and others." Tom replied calmly.

Momentarily Lewis' face tightened, then returned to its usual expressionless mask. He looked at Niki.

"Ms. Chandler, we are now even--life for life, a pledge kept. I do not recommend that you ever come to my notice again. Dr. Parker." Lewis bowed slightly towards the woman, who crossed her arms defensively. Lewis turned and walked off, apparently unconcerned for the rifles aimed at him. Tom stared after him and then nodded to the men. They lowered the rifles fractionally, but kept them ready.

"But.." The hefty man began.

"Not now." Tom interrupted. He watched Lewis walk away his face impassive. Finally he turned back to Niki. "He really didn't hurt you?' Tom asked again.

"No." Niki tried to project her sincerity.

"Alright, let's get out of this sun, get you a drink and hear this long story of yours."

Once in the jeep, Niki was formally introduced to Dr. Attwood, Ed Tate and Sloan Parker. As they approached the mountain Tom explained that it was an abandoned military facility some of Attwood's friends arranged for them to use, secretly. "Those were Dominants guarding this place." Niki stated.

"Yes, we've gathered a small group of humans and Dominants who are willing to work together to prevent a war and genocide." Tom told her proudly. Niki smiled at him happily. She glanced from Tom to Sloan, who had taken Tom's hand to hold. Niki smiled wider. She was pleased. Tom's feelings for Sloan Parker had been obvious while he had been a prisoner. She was glad his feelings were returned.

Inside the group settled comfortably into chairs. Several more people joined them. One, Niki was pleased to see, was Carl. Tom explained that Carl had decided to join the group shortly after the escape. Another black man was introduced as Mark. No one said, but Niki suspected Mark was a Dominant. There was something about the way he moved. Introductions over, Niki began to recount everything that happened since Tom's escape. Everything that is except for Lewis' visit to her bedroom and her reaction to his presence. She was still unsure about what she had felt, and more than slightly embarassed by it.

The telling took a long time. The others interrupted only a few times, to ask clarifying questions or for more details. When she was done, the others were silent. Sloan looked stunned, but by what Niki couldn't tell.

"Why was Cassandra's promise to Niki so important?" Attwood asked Tom. "Because she is his daughter?"

"No, Lewis has several children and none would be allowed to endanger what he sees as his mission. But the fact that a pledge was made would be taken seriously. We don't give our word lightly, and to disregard a pledge can have reprecussions." Tom told them seriously.

"But Cassandra is only a child." Sloan protested.

"She is old enough to know the value of a pledge." Tom countered. "Besides, Cassandra is special. Cassandra was Chosen at a very young age."

The others looked surprised, and not happy. Niki was just confused. "Chosen?"

Tom explained, "Chosen means that those who lead us have selected Cassandra as a future leader. To set aside her pledge without careful thought would be inexcusable. Still, Lewis would have done it if he had felt it necessary." Tom looked puzzled momentarily.

Niki yawned suddenly, catching everyone including herself by surprise. "Sorry." She said embarassed.

"Why don't you lie down for a while." Dr. Attwood suggested avuncularly.

"Good idea." Sloan stood up. "Let me show you to your room." As Sloan put her arm around Niki's shoulders and guided her from the room, she looked back at Tom meaningfully.

The others sat silently until the women were out of sight. "She didn't tell us everything." Attwood stated.

"No." The Dominants all agreed.

"Could Lewis have her under his control?" Attwood asked Tom.

"I don't believe so, but I will make certain. No, I sense embarrassment, not subterfuge." Tom assured Attwood. He looked to the other Dominants for confirmation. They nodded.

Sloan returned, interrupting. "What didn't she tell us?" She demanded. Tom smiled, Sloan may not be Dominant, but she was smart. "We'll find out." He assured her. "You and I will talk to her later, after she's rested."

Sloan looked at Tom surprised. "You want me to help?"

"I think it would good for Niki." He replied. "You were also Lewis' prisoner once. You're experience could help her accept that her reactions were normal."

Sloan stared at Tom, nonplus. She and Tom had never discussed in detail what had happened while Sloan was in Lewis' hands. She had sometimes wondered if Tom had guessed about her response to Lewis. Now, she was fairly certain. She felt embarassed and a bit angry. Tom threaded his fingers through hers. "It's alright." He told her, reassuringly. Sloan looked at him, searching his eyes. She sighed and leaned forward to rest her head against him.

"What?" Ed glanced from Sloan to Tom.

The two looked at him. "Nothing." They said in unison. Tom smiled.

Ed looked to Attwood for support. He just shrugged. Ed shook his head, baffled again by the connection between Sloan and Tom.

They let Niki sleep the afternoon away. Sloan woke her just before dinner and they all ate together. When they were done, Tom approached her. "Niki, I'd like to talk with you." Niki looked at him unhappily. She looked around to see the others watching her. "Yes, I guess we do need to talk more." She flushed, "Everyone?" She asked unhappily.

"No." Tom soothed her. "Just Sloan and I."

Sloan led the way to a small room furnished with sofas and chairs. Tom closed the door behind them, ensuring privacy. Once Niki and Sloan were seated, Tom asked "What are you not telling us, Niki?"

Niki looked from Tom to Sloan and back. She sighed, and then began to tell them all that had happened with Lewis, in the bedroom, in the car and when she had fallen. Niki didn't spare herself in the telling. She described her feelings and confusion in detail. Her bewilderment and embarrassment at her own mixed reactions was clear. Sloan, listening to her, suddenly realized just how young and sheltered Niki was.

Niki stopped talking abruptly and wouldn't look them in the eye. Tom could feel her embarrassment and fear of rejection. He quickly sought to reassure her. "What you felt is understandable." Niki looked at him in disbelief. "Yes it is. Lewis is a Dominant male. That appeals to you on a very primitive level. This is a reaction we know, and can exploit as Lewis did with you."

"He's a killer, a destroyer. How could I feel anything but revulsion towards him!" Niki wailed in anguish. Her response to Lewis had shaken her conviction of herself as a moral being.

"Tom's right, Niki. Lewis is an expert at forcing a response from human females." Sloan put a hand on Niki's shoulder. "I've felt it too." Niki looked up, not believing. Sloan nodded. "Lewis kidnapped me. I was tied up, terrorized. I knew Lewis was using me as bait to get Tom. I knew he was going to kill me. I knew he was dedicated to destroying my species. But when he touched me, when he got close..." Sloan paused to swallow. She looked at Tom apologetically. "I responded. Niki," Sloan continued earnestly, "I love Tom. I did then, too. I'm a mature woman who has had lovers and I've seen first hand the horrors Lewis is capable of. Despite all that, when Lewis focused his attention on me, when he directed his presense at me, I responded."

Niki glanced at Tom to see how he was taking this revelation. He sat calmly. He nodded when he caught Niki's look. "Lewis is trained to break a person through pain, humiliation, terror. He's also trained to control a person through pleasure, sexual pleasure. He's very good at it. That you responded is not surprising, abnormal or wrong. You responded on a purely physical level, Niki, and you fought back. Accept it, learn from it and let it go. Don't let Lewis continue to manipulate you." Tom's voice was firm and full of conviction.

Niki stared down at her hands, clenched in her lap. Sloan and Tom sat quietly, letting her think. Tom's words had helped. Sloan's had, too. If Sloan could respond to Lewis, if Tom accepted that response as normal, then her response was understandable if not palatable. Niki looked up with a shy smile.

"Alright, I'll try to do as you say, Tom. Sloan, thank you for being open with me. It helps."

"Good." Sloan said. "I think it helped me, too." Then she frowned and stole a glance at Tom, who looked at her in response.

"What?" Niki asked, suspicious.

"Oh, nothing." Sloan said, offhandedly.

Niki gave her a long, sceptical look. "If it's something to do with me, I'd like to know." She insisted. Sloan bit her lip and nodded. She turned to Tom.

"What Lewis implied, about keeping Niki as a 'pet', was he serious?" She asked, concerned. Tom looked thoughtful.

"But he was just tormenting me, wasn't he?" Niki asked, in a faint voice.

"He probably wasn't serious." Tom replied reassuringly. "But I think we need to be very careful he doesn't get the opportunity to prove otherwise."

"Fine with me!" Niki exclaimed.

"Sloan," Tom said as he stood. "Why don't you give Niki the grand tour while I talk to Attwood and the others."

"Good idea. Come on Niki, let me show you some of the fun stuff we have." Sloan held out her hand to the girl. Niki took it, but paused to look at Tom.

"Are you going to tell them about Lewis?" She asked unhappily.

"Niki, we all knew you were leaving something out when you told us about what happened. I'm going to tell them just enough so they understand your hesitation to be completely open. They'll understand, I promise." Tom reassured her. Sloan gave her hand a comforting squeeze.

"It will be alright, you'll see." And she smiled at Niki. Niki nodded, reluctantly.

Tom found the others waiting in the lab. "Well." Attwood demanded.

"Niki was embarassed by her response to Lewis. It's shaken her faith in her basic humanity. She'll be fine." Tom gave them a brief description of Lewis' actions and Niki's response.

"So, she's not being controlled by Lewis?" Attwood persisted.

"No." Tom replied firmly.

"Lewis was just playing mind games with her, wasn't he?" Ed asked. "I mean, he wasn't really serious about keeping her as a sort of slave, was he?"

"I can't be certain." Tom admitted. "But probably not."

Carl frowned. "Maybe, maybe not." He said reluctantly. The others looked at him. He shrugged. "Her high intelligence would make her an acceptable choice as a breeder."

"Breeder?" Ed questioned, horrified by the implications.

"Breeder." Carl affirmed. "Dr. Copeland wasn't involved in the project, but he was aware of it. An ongoing program to breed more of our kind, using human females. You know of one facet of it, here in cities. But somewhere, there's a facility devoted to it."

"You never said anything about this before." Attwood accused.

"There was not point." Carl replied calmly. "I have no idea where the facility is, who is running it, if it's even still an ongoing project. Still, I think it would be best if Ms. Chandler were not put at risk of being recaptured by Lewis. Just in case." The humans sat, stunned by this revelation. "We have to do something!" Ed exclaimed.

"What?" Carl responded.

"Something." Ed replied, helplessly.

"Unless we discover information about this facility, we can do nothing." Dr. Attwood stated pragmatically. "I suggest we concentrate our efforts on our own work. Finding a solution to the whole problem of human versus Dominant would put an end to the breeding program as well."

The Dominants nodded agreement. After a moment, Ed and the other humans present also nodded. Wasting energy and resources on a wild goose chase would be counterproductive. Each silently determined to redoubt his/her efforts. They all remained quiet, lost in thought for a few minutes.

"Let's not tell Niki about the breeding program." Ed suddenly said, into the silence.

Tom nodded, "She has enough to deal with now. She doesn't need any more to contend with." The others agreed. When no one had any more suggestions to make, the group broke up, heading back to their individual projects. Ed quickly immersed himself in his work.

The lab was were Niki found Ed early the next morning. She prowled around, looking at everything but touching nothing. "So what exacting are you and the others doing?" She asked.

Ed smiled at her. This morning Niki was cheerful, bouncy. Ed was glad to see the girl was recovering so well. She'd been through so much. She had a lot of courage, and she was pretty, too. Whoa, Ed thought to himself. She's just a kid.

"Well," he belated began to answer her question. "We're working on several possible directions. Tom, Ray and some others are actively searching for and counteracting attempts by the Dominants to destroy us. They're also on the lookout for attempts by humans to start a war or commit genocide against the Dominants." He paused and Niki nodded.

"What are you, personally, doing?" She prompted when he didn't immediately continue.

"Well, I help out with that, when needed. But mostly, I'm working on creating a short term and a long term, but not permanent, form of the genogenesis serum."

"Why 'not permanent'?" Niki asked, interested.

"Because if we make it permanent, it's just another form of genocide." Ed answered seriously. "Working with Dominants has made us humans realize that. So, we are trying for a short term serum that would last a couple of days for those Dominants who wish to experience emotions."

"Some want to?" Niki broke in, surprised.

"A few, either to better understand humans or, as in Tom's case, because they care for someone human. Of course, Tom is considering a permanent change, but he's decided to wait until we resolve the human versus Dominant conflict. We need his abilities as they are."

"And the long term serum?"

"That's for use against hostile Dominants, and later, for use by those like Tom who wish to be human. We have a fairly effective serum now, but it needs to be injected. We're now trying to make it effective as a spray, like Mace. You're work with your uncle would be of invaluable help." Ed told her earnestly.

Niki smiled. "Where do I start?"