TITLE: A Quantum Leap
AUTHOR: Methos (ianblyth2005@btinternet.com)
DISTRIBUTION: If ya want to host it somewhere else just tell me where ya putting it ok? ;)
DISCLAIMER: All things BtVS belong to Joss Whedon, Quantum Leap and all characters mentioned belong to Donald P Bellisario, Methos, Joe and all things Highlander belong to Davis-Panzer productions.
SUMMARY: After Mirror Image, Sam is stuck in time, could Al and a group of new people brought to the project find him and bring him home? Maybe they could, but an accident at the project causes another problem for the people at PQL, one that might have someone leaping a lot longer than Sam’s years...
FEEDBACK: Love it :) Either here or to my email addresses.
RELATIONSHIPS: Nope
RATING: FR18
SPOILERS: End of Quantum Leap, End of Buffy, Highlander Endgame, Highlander 1 and all of the series.
“Where would you like to go, Sam?” The bartender asked, looking down at Sam with a sad smile
“I’d like to go home, but I can’t. I’ve got a wrong to put right for Al.” Smiling up at the bartender, Sam allows a brief moment of clarity to pass through him. “You knew, didn’t you?”
The bartender just smiles at him and squeezes his shoulder softly. “God bless, Sam.”
As Sam leaps forward in time, the world changes around him for the last time...
“ZIGGY!” Al screams at the globe hanging in the middle of the room, he knows he doesn’t have to shout at that specific thing, Ziggy would be able to hear him and reply no matter where he was in the complex.
“I hear you Admiral, you don’t have to shout.” Ziggy’s smooth feminine voice seems to come from everywhere and nowhere in the complex as it replies to Al.
“Well? Where is he? When is he? Damn it Ziggy, he can’t have just leapt into nowhere.” Al slammed the now useless handlink down on the desk, punctuating his annoyance.
“Given Dr Becket's last leap, he could have well just leaped into nowhere. We are now in uncharted territory Admiral, his last leap did not require anyone to be in the waiting room, so it is entirely possible that he has not leapt into anyone, rather he has leapt into himself again.” Ziggy’s voice was always soothing, even when her ego was trying to convey annoyance at the situation.
“Sammy-Jo, is there any way we can locate Doctor Becket?” Al forced himself to stay calm; it wouldn’t do any good yelling at the other staff in the area.
“Not that I can think off, we were in the middle of doing some recruitment for the new project on level sixteen, trying to get ORACLE working. I think we’ve got some people in these folders who might be able to help, maybe they could even help Dr Becket.” Sammy-Jo handed the two manila folders over to Al, watching his face closely as he chewed around the cigar and flicked through them slowly.
“Ok, this Miss Rosenberg. You think she can help with the project? And this Dr Pierson, what’s his specialty?” Al finally asked, after staring at the pictures of Willow Rosenberg and Adam Pierson for a few minutes.
“Miss Rosenberg has just relocated to Cleveland after a disaster in her home town. She was in the top 2% for her intelligence,” She watched as Al’s eyebrow raised and anticipated the question. “No, not for her class, for the country in a whole.” Sammie-Jo tried desperately not to grin as Al’s eyebrows reached a whole new level. “She’s never been tested, but her IQ maybe on par with Dr Beckets.”
Al just let out a slow whistle; maybe she could help them retrieve Sam. Even if she couldn’t, she’d be a valuable asset to the program. “And Dr Pierson, what’s his specialty?”
“He’s one of the foremost experts in cultural anthropology and history in the world, but the amazing thing is, he never writes papers or lectures. He doesn’t want the fame of it, or that’s how it seems. When Dr Becket was loading Ziggy with historical data from the archives, we referenced Dr Pierson’s work for nearly every decade.”
Al whistled again, to use someone’s work for one decade showed they were good, to load Ziggy with information for ALL the historical data they were using... that showed the guy was really good.
“I believe bringing him in to work with Oracle maybe of great use to us, maybe we could even get him to update Ziggy with some of his more recent works.” Sammy-Jo continued. “Either way, he’d be a real help to us.”
“I agree.” Al nodded, flicking through his folder again. “Ok, I’ll go and approach these two, Miss Rosenberg’s in Cleveland and Dr Pierson’s in...” Al Paused as he flicked through the folder again. “Seacouver... Seacouver?” Al nearly grinned; he’d get to catch up with his old CO there. He hadn’t spoken to Joe in years; it’d be nice to finally be able to talk with him again.
“Ziggy?” Al said, now in a much more hopeful tone of voice.
“Yes Admiral?” Ziggy replied, her voice filling the control room again.
“Continue monitoring the leap from here and have the jet fueled are ready, I’ll get in the dress uniform and be ready to fly out in fifteen.” Al walked towards the door as he was speaking, letting the door slowly hiss open before he walked out of it. “I hope you’re right Sammy, for your fathers’ sake” Al whispered under his breath as he walked to his quarters.
“I’m not here to harm you, Beth. I’m here to help you. To help you, and help Al.” Sam said, trying to calm Beth down.
“Al.” Beth paused for a second, now really looking at the man in front of her. “You’re a friend of Al’s?
“Yes. I’m a friend of Al’s.” Sam smiled as he watched Beth relax a bit. “Could we sit?”
Sam smiles as he watches Beth slowly sit on the couch. “I’m going to tell you a story. A story with a happy ending, but only if you believe me.”
“And if I don’t?” Beth counters, almost sarcastically.
“You will. I swear you will.” Sam smiles, watching her uncertainty wash away with a smile. “Instead of ‘Once upon a time,’ let’s start with the happy ending. Al’s alive and coming home.”
Beth is just silent for a few seconds after allowing Sam to finish, finally the words catch up with her and smiles, tears running down her face. “Really?”
Sam just moves over to sit beside her with a soft smile. “Really, he’s coming home.”
Beth slides over to him and hugs his chest with all her strength, allowing his tears to run down her face and stain his shirt.
Without warning the familiar feeling of leaping came over Sam again. “I’ll see you soon Beth.” He smiled down at her as she let go of him, looking up at him with confusion, and then shock as the blue electricity passes through his body and he leaps.
“Al!” Both exclaims, letting her hand reach up and touch her lips.
“ZIGGY!” Al shouts again as he’s running back through the corridors towards the main control room, “What happened?”
“I recorded a major change in your life history Admiral. It had no discernible effect on the project itself, though you’re life history from April 1, 1969 to the present day.” Ziggy reported.
“What changes? Did Sam make them or was it Alia or Zoe or whoever?” Al slammed his fist onto the desk again.
“Unknown Admiral, though due to the nature of the changes I can predict with ninety eight percent accuracy that is was Doctor Becket that made the changes.”
“What were the changes Ziggy? My memory hasn’t changed, but I know something’s different, I can feel it damnit.” Al stabbed his cigar into the air, punctuating his phrasing.
“What’s wrong hunny?” Beth asked, strolling into the command centre.
“I believe the changes to the timeline have just become apparent Admiral.” Ziggy said, her voice full of humour.
“Beth?” Al said, dropping his cigar in shock. “Beth, are you really here?”
“Al, what’s wrong?” Beth said, crossing the control room to hug him. “Is something wrong with Sam?”
“We have lost contact with Doctor Becket again Miss Calavicci; Doctor Fuller has suggested two people that maybe able to help us retrieve him. Admiral Calavicci was about to board the jet and locate these people, if you continue to do so Admiral, I will brief you on any changes to the timeline while you are in transit.” Ziggy forcefully suggested.
Al just nodded dumbly, he knew the rules, no time changes were to be discussed with the people whose life had been changed. It was one of Ziggy’s major rules, one he now understood.
“I’ve got to go.” Al said softly to Beth, not quite believing what Sam had done.
“I know. If these people can help, bring them here and help get Sam back.” Beth leaned in and kissed Al on the cheek. “And I’ll be here when you get back.” With that, Beth strolled out of the control room as if it was an everyday occurrence for her.
“Ziggy.” Al growled as he walked out of the other exit towards the hanger bay.
“You and Beth Calavicci have been married now for thirty five years. You have three children and a dog named Weitzman. I believe Sam has somehow altered time for both you and Beth, the start of this timeline was...”
“April 1, 1969” Al cut in, he knew when history had been changed, he just didn’t know how. “Is the jet fuelled and ready?”
“Yes Admiral, it is prepared for takeoff as soon as you arrive.”
“Good, tell the pilot I’ll be there in five.” Al said opening the door to his quarters and pausing for a second to take in the sight. Everything had changed, what was once a modern bachelor’s room was now a home for two, with leather chairs and paintings on the wall. “This is going to take some getting used to.” Al muttered as he laid his cigar in the ash tray and pulled out his dress uniform. “I’ll get you home buddy, I swear it.”
Cleveland School for Gifted Girls
“You sure this is the place Ziggy?” Al spoke into the watch, knowing full well he didn’t have to, but it felt better to him. Speaking into nothing always made him feel a little crazy, if it was a watch or an ear piece or something, it just made him feel better about it.
“Yes, this is where Miss Rosenberg teaches computer science, physics and advanced mathematics. Strange, we don’t have any record of her acquiring a teaching degree but she is recorded is being employed by a company called the Watchers Council.”
“Interesting... Thank you Ziggy.” Al smiled, filing that titbit of information away for use at a later date. Walking up to the door he knocked twice, almost jumping at the loud sound that came from the door.
“Yes?” A blonde head appeared at the window by the side of the door.
“I’m here to speak with Miss Rosenberg, she should be expecting me.” Al smiled and did his best to appear friendly and open.
“Admiral Calavicci?” The blonde replied, looking him up and down.
“That’s me.” Al grinned with a puff of his cigar.
“If you put that out...” she let the sentence trail off as she watched him drop the cigar on the floor and grind it under his boot before opening the door. “She’s upstairs, in class at the moment but you’re welcome to wait for her in her office.”
“Thanks, uh...” Al smiled softly as he held his hand out to her.
“Buffy” the blonde replied, shaking his hand softly.
“Al.” Al smiled softly at the same, not wanting to get on anyone’s bad side while he was here to recruit someone.
“Well, Al. She’s upstairs, I can show you to her office if you want.” Buffy grinned; he was a lot nicer than their research had shown, maybe a little older than she had thought.
“Thanks.” Al smiled and softly played with his wedding ring with his thumb, pulling it round his finger in circles. “So, do you work here?” he asked as he motioned for her to take the lead.
“Yeah, Gym and Art.” Buffy grinned at the lie that came off her lips smoothly.
“Must be interesting.” Al had to forcefully stop himself from laughing as he tried to make Smalltalk as they walked up the stairs.
“Why don’t we quit the Smalltalk, I’m no good at it and neither are you from the look of things.” Buffy grinned as she stopped mid step and faced him. “Why are you here?”
“Fair enough, though I thought I was doing quite well.” Al grinned looking at her, for some reason she had dropped into a standard Tang So Do fighting stance while facing him, another interesting fact to file away about this place. “I’m here to ask Miss Rosenberg to come and work for us, we need her help.”
“Help with what?” Buffy asked suspiciously, not dropping from her fighting stance.
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.” Al said smoothly, while watching her tense from his words.
“May I interject here Admiral?” Ziggy said from the wristlink.
“Who said that?” Buffy shouted, whirling around and raiding her fists ready to attack.
“I did Miss Summers.” Ziggy continued with a humorous sound to her voice.
“Uh, you know you’re watch is talking to you right?” Buffy said, with a puzzled look on her face.
“What is it Ziggy?” Al asked.
“Buffy Summers has complete clearance to hear everything about the project Admiral. As does Doctor Giles, Willow Rosenberg, and one Alexander Harris. Their records we’re sent over once the oversight committee heard about us wanting to recruit one of their members.” Ziggy explained.
“Ziggy? Weird name.” Buffy grinned, “And what clearance? What Project? You’d better not be anything to do with the Initiative.” Buffy growled the last word out.
“What’s the Initiative?” Al asked, letting himself get sidetracked from the main question.
“If you don’t know then I can’t tell you.” Buffy grinned, happy now from the look on his face and his actions that he was nothing to do with it. “Now, about this project and our clearance.”
“As I said Admiral, Buffy Summers has complete clearance to know everything about the project. Her clearance level is nearly as high as yours and Doctor Becket's, though she does not have the same UMBRA level clearance. Hers comes from Project Lilac.” Ziggy said drawing a puzzled expression from both Al and Buffy.
“Ok, so you have clearance, can I ask where you got it from?” Al asked, now intrigued at the puzzle before him. How does a twenty something year old girl get that high level clearance?
“You’re guess is as good as mine Admiral, first I’ve heard of it. So who’s Ziggy? You’re assistant?” Buffy said, nodding at the wristlink.
“Ziggy’s a computer, she runs the project we want to recruit Miss Rosenberg for, and please, call me Al.”
“Al, so you’re working for a top secret project with a computer in charge?” Buffy grinned at the thought, sounds like something Willow would jump at the chance to work with.
“Not really, Ziggy is a Parallel Hybrid computer with an AIQ exceeding 2956.” Al explained.
“AIQ?” Buffy asked, the puzzled look now back on her face.
“Artificial Intelligence Quota.” Al explained.
Buffy just whistled. “She’s intelligent and alive?”
“I am Miss Summers, and I am perfectly capable of explaining my own existence thank you Admiral. I can probably explain the details of Quanta and Artificial Intelligence programming to a higher degree than you.” Ziggy said from the wristlink, a smug sound on her voice.
“Yeah, yeah, me dumb you smart.” Al said with a grin causing Buffy to start giggling again.
“Ok, so not what I was expecting from an Admiral.” Buffy said once her giggles had died down.
“Glad I could amuse you,” Al smiled. “Now can we go and see Miss Rosenberg, I’d rather not have to explain the project twice, it gives me a head ache trying to explain it once to people.”
“Fair enough, she should have finished class now. I still can’t believe you’re working for a computer, no matter how smart it is.”
“Don’t let her hear you say that, she’s got a big enough ego as it is.” Al grinned as they reached the top of the stairs.
“She? You made the most intelligent computer on earth a woman?” Buffy could hardly keep the amusement out of her voice. “That makes me feel much better.” Buffy grinned as she opened a door labeled simply ‘Willow’
“Well women are the...”
Al cut Ziggy of by quickly pressing the mute button on the wristlink, causing electronic chirps and squeals to come from the link and giggling to come from Buffy again.
“Buffy, hi.” Willow said from her chair. “And you must be Admiral Calavicci.” She said as she stood up to shake his hand.
“Miss Rosenberg.” Al said with a nod as he shook her hand. “Please, call me Al.”
“Willow then.” Willow smiled looking carefully at Buffy who was doing her best not to erupt in giggles again. “What’s wrong Buffy? You’re not normally like this around army people.”
“Navy.” Al said before Buffy could reply.
“Navy, slight improvement there.” Willow grinned.
“You won’t believe me if I tell you Willow, I’ll just let Al make the introductions.” Buffy grinned and slumped down in a leather chair to watch the madness.
Willow just raised her eyebrow. Something that had Buffy in giggle fits that she wouldn’t believe? To say her curiosity was piqued would be an understatement.
“Firstly, I have one question. Have you ever heard of a scientist by the name of Sam Becket?” Al asked, sitting down in a chair next to Buffy and taking off his hat.
“Yeah, he was on the cover of time in the late nineties, they even called him the next Einstein. I referenced some of his work during my thesis on Nanotechnology along with Dr Samantha Carter. His work on quantum physics was amazing, I couldn’t stop reading it.” Willow babbled excitedly.
“Ok,” Al grinned, this made is a lot easier. “Did you read his work on theoretical quantum travel?” Al asked, almost disappointed when she shook her head.
“No, I wanted to but by the time I had made my request to the University for the Paper, they wouldn’t pass the paper on to a high school student.” Willow said, a bit bitterly.
“Wait, you read his work in High School? And understood it?” Al asked, bemused when she nodded.
“Willows a little genius, she’s working on something with Nanotechnology now that’s so far over my head...” Buffy trailed off when Willow started blushing.
“I’m getting the picture. To put it bluntly we would like for you to come and work for us Miss Rosenberg” Al said, confident that she would say yes when she heard what she’d be working on.
“What does this have to do with Doctor Becket?” Willow asked a bit hesitantly.
“You’ll be working on a project of Doctor Becket’s, named Project Quantum Leap.” Al continued.
“And get this; we already have clearance to hear the whole thing, so no waiting.” Buffy grinned.
“How did we get clearance?” Willow asked, now looking at Buffy intently.
“Dunno, something to do with the initiative I guess.” Buffy said with a dismissive wave of her hand.
“Ok, so what is the project about and who’s running it?” Willow asked, frowning when Buffy erupted in giggles again.
“Buffy, why don’t you show me around the grounds while Willow has a talk with Ziggy?” Al grinned as he undid the wristlink and placed it on the desk.
“Sounds good to me, too much sciency talk for me anyway. Let the two nerds hack it out while I show you around.” Buffy grinned at the wristlink on the desk while Al turned it back on.
“Buffy, what’s going on? Who’s Ziggy?” Willow asked, now eying the Wristlink carefully.
“Pleasure to meet you Miss Rosenberg, I am Ziggy. Admiral, one last thing before you go you have been authorized to bring in Willow Rosenberg, Buffy Summers and Doctor Giles to work on the project so if you would like to speak to them while I speak to Miss Rosenberg.” Ziggy said.
“Will do Ziggy, thanks.” Al smiled at the wristlink watching Willows puzzled expression.
“Enjoy Willow, we’ll be back soon.” Buffy grinned as she opened the door.
“So, what’s this project and why do you want to recruit me and Giles?” Buffy said, now wanting to know more about this project.
“Shall we go and meet Doctor Giles and I’ll explain it then? Won’t be as scientific as Ziggy’s explanation but I’ll do my best.” Al said with a smile.
“Sounds good to me, too much science talk gives me a headache anyway. This way.” Buffy grinned as she led the way to Giles’ office. “So, you don’t have a problem with strong women?” Buffy burst out laughing at Al’s expression as she opened the door to Giles office.
“Buffy, Admiral.” Giles said, standing up from his desk and holding out his hand.
“Doctor Giles.” Al smiled and reached his hand out to shake the offered hand.
“Can I assume that you’re meeting with Miss Rosenberg is over then?” Giles said sitting back down.
“Nope, they’re still in the meeting, this one’s just for us.” Buffy grinned, thinking about what Willow and Ziggy must be talking about.
“I see... may I ask who Willow is having the meeting with then? I was led to believe it was with you Admiral.” Giles said with a puzzled look on his face, he was sure he had only seen the Admiral come in; there wasn’t anyone else with him when he entered Willow’s office.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you Giles, trust me.” Buffy grinned sitting down and motioning for Al to do that same. “Seems the offer isn’t just for Willow, it’s for me and you as well.” Buffy grinned as Giles started cleaning his glasses.
“I see, so what are you here to offer us Admiral Calavicci?” Giles asked as he carefully closed some books on his desk and placed them to the side for later filing.
“We’d like for you three to come and work with us on a top secret project named Quantum Leap.” Al said, wishing now he had a cigar. The man in front of him had quite an intimidating presence; he now wished he had Ziggy with him so he could ask her for some background information on this Doctor Giles.
“And what does this project deal in?” Giles asked sceptically.
“Time Travel.” Al said simply, watching the dumbfounded look on both Doctor Giles and Buffy’s face.
“You can’t be serious, it’s impossible.” Giles said.
“Not only is it possible, but it’s already happened. Doctor Sam Becket first traveled back in time in June nineteen ninety eight, he ‘leapt’ back to nineteen fifty six and has been bouncing around in time ever since.” Al said, now watching their faces come round to acceptance.
“So that’s why he hasn’t published anything, I keep looking for new publications from Doctor Becket at Willow’s behest but haven’t been able to find anything.” Giles said, now a bit worried about everything that this meant for the world in general. “So, what do you want us to come and work for you for? You’ve proven time travel, what do you need us for?”
“Getting him back home.” Al said simply. “Look, I don’t know what you’re specialties are, I was only told five minutes ago to bring you in on it so to speak. I was only here to recruit Willow, Ziggy then told me to recruit you two as well.”
“Ziggy, the person in the meeting with Willow?” Giles asked, watching carefully as Al nodded.
“So you want us to leave our homes, our responsibilities and come and work for you on a project to retrieve Doctor Becket from somewhere... sorry, somewhen in time. Am I getting this right?” Giles said, almost disbelieving what he was saying.
“Sign me up, I don’t know what I can do, but I’m there. Ziggy sounds like so much fun.” Buffy grinned at the thought.
“Buffy, are you sure? I mean, what about you’re... responsibilities?” Giles asked, now polishing his glasses again and reaching for the liquor cabinet behind him.
“Faith and the newbie’s can take care of Cleveland, now that Sunnydale’s gone the threat has dropped to nothing. Do you know how long it’s been since I had a good fight? Maybe these guys can offer me one... ohhh do you have marines there?” Buffy asked, now picturing working in a gym with a load of topless marines going through their drills.
“Uh, yeah, we have marines.” Al said, now a bit confused.
“Admiral, would you care for a drink?” Giles asked, pouring himself a large whisky and draining it in one smooth motion.
“Thank you.” Al nodded and smiled, “Please call me Al.”
“Rupert then, or Giles as everyone seems to prefer.” Giles said with a smile as he passed over the drink and pushed an ash tray in front of him.
“You don’t smoke Giles, what’s with the ash tray?” Buffy asked, almost shocked that Giles would smoke.
“No, I don’t smoke, but a few of the new girls do, as well as Faith. I found it easier to allow them to smoke in here rather than interrupting the meetings every half hour so they can have a smoke.” Giles smiled as Al pulled out a cigar and lit it from a match.
“A pure Cuban, you have fine tastes Admiral.” Giles said, noting the cigar.
“Would you care for one?” Al asked, pulling anther out of his pocket and holding it out.
“No, thank you. It’s been too long since I have indulged in that habit, though I may take you up on one when we move in.” Giles smiled as what he said dawned on Buffy.
“You mean...” Buffy started to say.
“Yes, I don’t know how we can help, but if there is any way we can help to save a man lost in time, I feel it would be a criminal act to deny that help. We will be honored to offer our services Admiral.”
“What about Dawn, and Xander?” Buffy said, now realizing that she would be moving to god knows where.
“Dawn is quite happy at Cambridge University in England; I will of course notify her of our change in location once we learn of it. Xander is quite happy with his Bar; I’m sure he wouldn’t want to move from it and he can keep an eye on the girls here for us and let us know if we are needed, though I shouldn’t imagine that would be the case.” Giles smiled, taking a sip of his whiskey. “I have a few things to take care of though, so if Buffy and Willow would like to go on ahead I will join you when I have finished taking care of my obligations.”
“Thank you Doctor Giles, please call this number when you are ready and we will send a jet to bring you to the project complex.” Al smiled as wrote down the project telephone number and handed it to Giles.
“So, think the nerds will have finished yet?” Buffy asked with a grin.
“Nope, but let’s go and see.” Al grinned back and moved to the door. “I look forward to seeing you again Doctor Giles, it’s been a pleasure.” Al smiled and closed the door as Buffy walked out of it.
“So, where we moving to?” Buffy asked as they walked back towards Willow’s office.
“New Mexico.” Al smiled, “Don’t worry; we have a well equipped gym and swimming area on site. Anything you need you can bring along with you, but if you’re anything like the rest of the people there you won’t have time to be bored.”
“Cool, swimming pool and hunky marines, sounds good to me.” Buffy grinned as she opened Willow’s door to see her pacing around her desk talking animatedly to the wristlink.
“So you basically are using the Quantum Shift method coupled with the uncertainty principal of quantum flux to create and acceleration effect that would... holy Hannah...” Willow trailed off and collapsed in her seat.
“Admiral, perhaps you should check Miss Rosenberg’s breathing, she has been able to talk for several minutes straight without pausing for breath. Is this feat common in humans Admiral?” Ziggy asked.
“Nope, that’s just our Willow babble for you.” Buffy grinned as she went over and hugged Willow. “So, you interested?”
“Oh god Buffy, they’re dealing with time travel and paradox’s like it was nothing to them, and Dr Becket... he’s stuck, or lost, I’m not sure which, but he’s out there and we’ve got to help him. Please Buffy; we’ve got to help bring him home.” Willow babbled as she pulled away from the hug.
“Whoa, we will Willow. Giles has already agreed to help them, he said for me and you to go along now and he’d come on later.” Buffy smiled as she watched her friends face light up with excitement.
“Ziggy, we’ve got 3 people joining the project. Could you get the paperwork started and organize their rooms please.”
“Of course Admiral.” Ziggy replied as Al picked up the wristlink and placed it back on his hand.
“We’ve got one more stop then its back to the project. Is there anything you want to get before we leave?” Al asked the girls who were already grabbing things from Willow’s shelves and throwing them in a duffle bag.
“Uh, quick question... this complex, how do you feel about weapons?” Buffy asked sheepishly.
“What sort of weapons?”
“I believe Miss Summers is referring to the scythe she is currently holding behind her back Admiral, I am unfamiliar with the metal as my scans cannot penetrate the surface of the metal.” Ziggy interrupted, causing Al to raise his eyebrow at Buffy.
“Uh, yeah, can I bring it?” Buffy asked, bringing the Scythe out and laying it on the desk.
“Shouldn’t be a problem, I’m assuming you’re not going to go about cutting marines up or anything.” Al said, a bit bemused that Ziggy couldn’t tell him what it was made out of. Her scanning abilities were top notch; if she couldn’t identify it then it wasn’t natural to Earth.
“Cool.” Buffy grinned and placed it by the side of her bag.
“I’ll go and wait by the jet, you two grab what you want and meet me down there ok?” Al smiled and took a puff of his cigar before leaving the room.
“What are Doctor Giles and Miss Summers specialties Ziggy?” Al asked as he walked down the stairs and out into the crisp air.
“Doctor Giles is a cultural anthropologist who specializes in Myths and Legends; I believe he would be a valuable asset to the research department.” Al just nodded in agreement. “Miss Summers is rather hard to pin down to one specialty; I believe she would be best suited in joining the marines in combat or working with Doctor Beeks in the psychiatry department.”
“Can I ask why you’ve put Buffy with the marines?” Al asked, making a mental note to heck Ziggy for Glitches when he got back to the project.
“Aside from Project Lilac, there are eighteen top secret government agencies that have her on the list for recruitment, almost all of those projects have her listed and working with hostilities and training manoeuvres. Project Lilac has her listed as working with HST’s, a government an acronym I am not familiar with.”
Al just let out a low whistle, if all these projects wanted her for something she must be good, if he could just find out what it was she was good at. He was brought out of his musings when the two girls appeared through the front door carrying a large suitcase each and two rucksacks, Buffy was carrying a further two rucksacks on her arm and the scythe strapped across her back.
“Think you got enough stuff there ladies?” Al asked with a grin.
“No, but Giles is going to bring the rest later, he said we shouldn’t take all the space when you said you had another stopover, I’m guessing someone else to recruit to the project?”
“Uh, yeah.” Al said, realizing that they had answered his joke seriously.
“Load it on the back and I’ll tell the pilot we’re ready for our next stop.” Al grinned as he watched the girls get on board the plane and dump their gear in the hold. Shaking his head he pulled out his cell phone and dialled the number Ziggy had given him for Joe’s Bar in Seacouver.
“Joe, hi, it’s Al.” Al said as the phone was answered.
“Admiral Al Calavicci now.” Al grinned into the phone.
“Look, I’ll be in Seacouver in about three hours, looking to recruit someone for a government project, thought I might be able to use you’re bar for a neutral meeting place.”
“Sure thing, keep me a beer open. See you soon.” Al grinned as he closed the phone and told the pilot over the com link they were ready to go.
M
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