Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

that would fit into that category can't be demonstrated to have been manufacturedanywhere else but earth. Nobody really knows where they came from, or what purpose, ifany, they serve—they're not transmitters or any-thing like that.""At least not the kind we know from `conventional science,"' Brian said with agrin."Yeah, rightThey may instead be proof that the IRS wants to track you," shelaughed."You said something about these stories showing up centuries ago. Can you giveme an example?" asked Malcolm, skeptically."Ever read any fantasy literature—you know, Tolkien, Terry Brooks, that sort ofthing?" she inquired."Sure.""Good. You know then that many such works use characters and motifs thatderive from medieval legend. Do either of you guys know what the etymology of theword `elf' is?" She looked at Brian."Sony," he apologized. "I never learned Latin.""Man, that's hard to believe considering all the other dead languages you're into.How about you, Malcolm?""I just remember them as very small, with narrow faces and big eyes . . . oh boy.""Let me complete the description for you," Deidre continued. "The Old English isad . /which comes from the Latin, albus—white or whitish. Get the picture? Little whitishor chalky-gray skinned guys running around with strange, magical powers? Look it up inWebster.""That," Malcolm said, shaking his head in disbelief, "... is totally weird.""Like I said," Deidre went on, "the same stories are present in virtually all worldcultures. I know of one reputable folklorist, Peter Rojcewicz, who argues that whoever orwhatever is doing these things to people, represents a consciousness or intelligence thatseems to adapt itself in form and appearance to the culture and the times of the individualwho is being targeted. It's just fascinating to contemplate.""So what do you think is happening to these people?" Brian probed."You know," she answered with a sigh, "I haven't got the faintest idea."***Melissa Kelley marched down the corridor toward her room with a brisk,deliberate gait, still fuming after the morning's exchange with Brian and his apology laterin the cafeteria. I'll bet that clod thinks he's safe now. We'll see about that. We're far fromeven, and this is far from being put behind me.She swiped her card and punched in the pass code. He'll regret the day he everdared provoke me. She stepped inside the dimly lit room and threw her briefcase on thechair opposite the en-trance. Suddenly a man's powerful hand shot forth from behind thedoor and clamped itself over her mouth with a terrific grip. Another arm entwined itselfaround her waist, and in one motion, swung her off her feet, carried her into her bedroom,and slammed her face down onto the bed. She struggled to move, but her arms werepinned underneath her body. She was completely immobilized.74