she could hear the shouting coming from the second level. she turned around and looked up through the glass railings. The airport security guards were running in packs, yelling. It was a flash of dark uniforms and lights reflecting off the metals of their badges and weapons. She was trying to decide if she should continue up the escalator to the second level or to walk around the airport one more time.

A man in a long coat bumped into her and knocked her bag from her hands. He reached for it and held on. She tried to say thank you and take the bag, but she was met with his eyes. He stared intensly into her eyes as if he had something to say. She was very nervous and felt butterflies in her stomach. Her instincts told her that she was about to be brought in the middle of something she did not want to be a part.

Dogs were barking and the security had descended to the first level. The man was still holding her bag and shuffled her to the escalator to go upstairs. They were riding the escalator and she was still looking at him. He said in a low voice, "look straight ahead with your chin up... do not bring attention to yourself"

When they reached the top of the stairs, he walked swiftly next to her and led them into a room. As she entered the room, she noticed the sign on the door was coded. She had no idea what was going on, but she felt safer inside for some reason.

Once inside, she was gieven a chair. There were several people in there talking to each other and on telephones and computers. The man reached in his jacket and pulled out a badge. He was with the FBI.

He sat down next to the woman and said, "ma'am........

"Ma'am... My name is Special Agent Kurt Frost, from the F.B.I.'s Hardware Implementation Division. I'm sure you are confused and wondering why you have been brought here."


"Of course I am! I was on my way out of the airport ", Taren Lene said, while looking around the room at activity surrounding her. "I have an important business meeting in 2 hours with a very big client!"


"Well, Ms. Lene. I'm sorry. You are going to miss your scheduled meeting. WE have a special job for you. It would be in your best interests to cooperate. "


"How did you know my name?", Taren asked.


"We know everything there is to know about you, your place of work - Biological Control, and it's dealings with Humanosoft. You weren't chosen at random. "


Taren's eyes widened with surprise. No one else knew Biological Control was in secret meetings with Humanosoft. They were developing a new piece of cyberware technology together to announce their upcoming partnership in a few months.


Agent Frost motioned to someone behind him. Immediately, a gray file folder appeared over his shoulder. Agent Frost opened it and retrieved a set of forms from the papers contained within.


As he handed them to her, he said "You'll have to read and sign this before we begin. If you have any questions, please let someone know. I'll be back in 30 minutes." With that, he rose from his seat and left her alone with the paperwork.


Taren glanced down at the forms and wondered why the H.I.D. was interested in her.

sorry mine took so long - we had unexpected guests arrive at... 3:15 AM. 3:15AM! GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Behind her the noise escalated into a crescendo of of cecadas. Gee it was hot, no air movement, without oxgygen it seemed, just the insect hullabaloo, occasionally a lone bee would buzz by her window and a mother shouting to her kids, ' stop that racket '. Oh I do wish we could stop the racket of the cecadas. Slowly she lifted her iced lemonade to her lips and drank slowly and appreciatively. The cool ice distracted her for a while......

Behind her the noise escalated. With the door now closed, she could hear the muffled sound of car engines idling at entrance. This was soon followed by the unmistakable clap of car doors closing, which shot a rush of excitement from deep within her gut up through her chest and arms, making her fingertips tingle for a split second.

Her office light was already off. She couldn't consciously remember putting her finger on the switch, but, sure enough, some part of her had instinctively taken that precaution when she first heard the rumble of the cars.

Crouched under her desk, she couldn't be sure whether it was fear or curiousity that gripped her now, but she was trembling.

Kurt's office was right next to hers, and now his whiny, raspy voice could be detected. His words were not intelligible, but his tone betrayed an air of bragging. Was he trying to impress someone? Whoever he was with had not spoken a word yet, the stranger's footsteps meekly shadowed Kurt's, stopping whenever he did. His companion, whoever he or she was, was obviously not familiar with the building and was relying on Kurt to take the lead.

"Behind her, the noise escalated as she became more and more aware of the argument that was building between her client and the people who were producing the "Project." She listened for a moment to get the full "scope" of the situation and as she took a deep breath...she slowly turned around and walked directly into the confortation.

With her back facing her client, she reaches for the arm of the Executive In Charge. She never lets go of him as she moves closer into his personal space and is now standing face to face... there is this "moment" that passes between them as she looks deeply into his eyes and says "I know we can work this out. Come with me and we will "together" address "all" of your concerns.

With that gesture she guides him out of the room where she turns ever so slightly to her client and blows him a kiss!