Heiser-The-Facade - Sparkling Eyes

vulnerable. If you didn't go for it, nothing would be lost, but if you did ...""Does everyone else know about this yet?""No. Once we trailed Neil to the lab we confined the other team members toquarters with a guard posted at each door. They don't know why yet. You two are beingput under the same protection as well. No one is allowed entrance. If anyone who'sauthorized by me wants in, they can use their own card. You're also not to leave underany circumstances. Is that understood?"They both nodded."Good. Marines !" The two armed MPs snapped to readiness. "Get these peopleout of here."The two guards accompanied Brian and Melissa to his room. Brian swiped hiscard silently and entered his access code. One MP immediately departed as soon as thedoor opened; the other took his post."So where do we go from here?" she muttered, as the door closed behind them."No idea," he answered, flicking the light switch. Nothing happened."Wonderful," she complained."Convenient, is much more accurate," a familiar male voice resonated from theblackness. "Don't either of you move," the voice warned, accompanied by the doubleclickof his weapon."Who—" Brian tried to ask, but Melissa stopped him."Figures you'd show up about now.""Your visitor?" Brian whispered."Brilliant deduction, Dr. Scott, and there's no need to whisper. These rooms aresoundproof. Have a seat on the couch, but don't get too cozy."Brian and Melissa found the couch, their eyes adjusting to the darkened room, litonly by the screen of Brian's computer. They could make out the form of their intruderwhere he stood, whom Melissa now discerned by his hat was a military officer."If you're going to kill us," Melissa said angrily, "at least have the courage to letus know who you are.""Come now, Miss Kelley. You of all people should know I have no intention ofharming either of you. I'm here first of all to at least try and get your asses off this base ...it's the least I can do," his voice trailed off curiously."Why do we need to get out of here so urgently?" Brian asked."Weren't you listening to your friend before they shot him? You've been used.The Colonel cannot be trusted.""Since you were listeningand I'd like to know how you managed that," Melissaremarked, "you know my would-be assassin is dead. I'm no longer in danger.""True . . . Your assassin is dead, of course, and you aren't in any immediatedanger. I never said the Colonel meant you harm, only that you must not trust him.""That makes no sense," Brian insisted. "Why did you say we need to leave then?""Because ..." he hesitated, ". . . I owe it to both of you.""I want to know who you are," Melissa stood up defiantly, her curiosity gettingthe best of her."No!" he shouted, and put the gun to his own head. "Not until you hear what Ihave to say! Take one more step and you'll never know why you were brought here. Iswear I'll shoot." Melissa reluctantly sat down again.298