Author’s note: All the victim’s names have been changed in order to protect them and the legal team of HuggleBugs have asked that all of their staff be identified by first names only.

 

Weapons Grade

by Samantha Jay
© February 2002

 

It first reared it’s head in the form of an email sent to Prue ****, the President of HuggleBugs and was treated as junk mail. It was followed up with a letter, which was addressed to Jennifer Jane **** and by the time it got to me, it was already too late.

Who am I? Special Agent Sam Jay, ATB. I work the special cases, the ones they don’t want the public to find out about and this case was very special. Maggie, the Bureau Chief, briefed me on this job. There were three of us on the case, all hand picked by Maggie, and I was team leader. What’s ATB, I can hear you ask? Anti-Terrorism Bureau, although we also deal with extortion as well and no, you haven’t heard of us. Officially, we don’t exist.

So, what was so special about this job? You may remember at least one small article in a local newspaper, before we got it squashed, about a thirty-year-old man suddenly becoming girl who looked about eighteen. No? See, we are very good at our job, but let me jog your memory.

It all began…

*****

"Sam, we’ve got a potential hot one," Maggie said as she entered my office.

"So I get to cool it down, hey, Mags?"

"That’s what I like about you, Sam; always the wise guy."

We all got on well with Maggie; she was one hell of a boss.

"Get on down to Westview Hospital and ask for Dr. Jenkins. He’s expecting you and, after he has given you some background info, you can then interview the victim," she told me.

"On my way. Who’ve I got for backup?" I asked.

"Better take Josie," Maggie replied. It could have been worse, Josie was a very good agent and besides, she was cute.

I picked Josie up on the way out and we headed for Westview. It wasn’t a long drive and we started getting our thought processes in gear. Once at Westview, we went to the main reception and asked for Dr. Jenkins. It took about ten minutes for him to appear.

William Jenkins was a short, tired man who looked like he carried the cares of the world on his shoulders. We showed him our ID and he took us into a small office.

"What do you know, Agent Jay?" he asked.

"Nothing yet, Doctor," I replied. "We were told that you would give us the background."

He nodded before starting. "At ten this morning, a thirty-year-old male was admitted after collapsing. By midday he looked like an girl in her late teens." Dr. Jenkins paused, drew a breath and continued. "He, or rather she, is anatomically correct for a girl in her late teens. All the x-rays and blood tests have confirmed it. I have never seen anything like it before, although I have heard of such transformations."

"Where is the victim?" Josie asked.

"He’s in a private room."

"Can we see him, Doctor?" Josie’s follow up question beat mine by microseconds.

"I’ll take you to see him, but I suppose we really ought to say her." Doctor Jenkins shook his head.

Outside the room were two police officers who were checking people’s ID. They first checked Dr. Jenkins’ and then ours. I knew from the puzzled looks that they didn’t know who we were and one of them radioed in for instructions. He was told, politely, to get off the air and get his ass to a phone. Five minutes later, he was back and we were allowed in.

The room was unremarkable; it contained a bed and a chair, both of which were occupied. On the bed was what looked like a young girl; a quick look confirmed that she was under sedation. The chair supported what could have been the girl’s mother, her posture and tear lined face told both of us plenty. Josie went to her, crouched down and spoke softly to her.

"Do you think you are up to having a word with us?" genuine compassion flooded Josie’s voice.

The woman nodded and we escorted her to another private room. On the way I asked a nurse’s aide to get some coffee for the woman. Once settled, Josie started.

"What is your relationship to the victim?"

"I am his… er… her wife," she broke down into tears. We let them subside naturally.

"Can you tell us your names?" Josie was keeping her voice soft.

"I’m Catherine Franks and my husband is, was, is John Franks."

"May I call you Catherine, Mrs. Franks?" Josie asked.

Mrs. Franks nodded. The coffee arrived. I thanked the aide and gave it to Mrs. Franks. She took a sip and looked at me gratefully.

"Catherine, can you tell us what happened?" Josie was being very gentle.

"We’d both finished breakfast and John went to get the mail while I loaded the dishwasher. Shortly afterwards, he collapsed and I dialed nine-one-one." Catherine said.

"What was John doing before he collapsed?" I left the questioning to Josie.

"Nothing."

"Did anything unusual happen?"

Catherine thought about this, and then answered, "No."

"Catherine," Josie continued, "Think back and tell us exactly what John did before he collapsed."

We waited while Catherine recalled the day’s events. "We both had breakfast, John fetched the mail, he opened what had arrived and then he collapsed."

"What did John have for breakfast?" Josie probed.

"Cereal, we both had cereal."

"The same cereal?"

"Yes."

"Did either of you have any coffee or tea?" I was keeping notes as Josie gently probed.

"We both had fruit juice."

"The same fruit juice?" Josie asked.

"Yes."

"How many letters were there?"

"Two, I think."

"Catherine, do you mind if we check your home, we need to find out what occurred and how it happened?" Josie asked.

"No. Please find out what happened to John?" Catherine pleaded.

Catherine got the house keys from her bag and gave us an address in Riverside. As she got up, tears began to flow again, Josie gave her a hug and I heard her say, "Don’t worry, we’ll find the answer."

I called the office and arranged for a team to meet us at the Franks’ home. Traffic was as heavy as the atmosphere in the car.

"It must be awful for Catherine," Josie said.

"What about John?" I replied.

"Shit, you’re right. They both have a hell of a time ahead of them."

"They are both going to need a lot of help, probably for a long time, to get over this." I added gloomily.

Riverside turned out to be a very nice area. The Franks’ home was located in a well-maintained apartment building. The team hadn’t arrived, so we spent the time talking to the building superintendent.

"How often is the entrance lobby cleaned?" I asked.

"Every night," the super answered.

"So it hasn’t been cleaned yet?"

"No."

"Good, I don’t want it touched until I give the say so." I ordered.

"How long is that likely to be?" he asked.

"A day or two." I replied. "Is that camera connected to a recorder?" I pointed to a video camera that was aimed at the door.

"Yes, it is."

"What is the tape rotation period?"

"Every eight hours," the super replied.

"How long do you keep the tapes?" I asked.

"A week."

"We would like to take the tapes, if that is okay with you, and could you show my colleague where she can view some of the tapes?"

I turned to Josie. "Josie, I want you to fast view the last two tapes to see if there is anything that can help us."

The super led Josie to an office and I inspected the lobby. Ten minutes later, the team arrived and started to lug their equipment out of the van.

"Hi, Sam," the team leader said. "What we got?"

"Joe, nice to see you. Full scan of the apartment, not sure what we are looking for, but better make it bio hazardous." I said and Joe winced.

"Sam, I think I’ve got something," Josie said as she came back into the lobby.

"That’s good."

"Got someone tampering with a mailbox," she said.

"Can you tell which one?" I asked.

"Think so, but it was definitely that group of three." Josie pointed to the mailboxes.

"Joe, I want those three mailboxes checked and the doors removed and shipped to the lab." I ordered. "Full bio hazard precautions, oh and do a bio scan of the lobby," I added.

Joe nodded as I gave him the keys to the apartment.

"Joe," I paused, "This is serious, treat it as a level four threat. You have full authority to use any resource you need. We’ll get back to the office and I’ll arrange for a twenty-four hour police guard on the apartment. Keep me informed and good luck."

Joe looked grim; a level four threat was deadly serious. The last level four we’d had was the anthrax scares at the turn of the decade. Josie fetched the tapes and we drove back to the office.

"You think it’s that serious?" Josie asked.

"Josie, we have a healthy thirty-year-old male who is now a teenage female. I’d say that was serious, but I’m just being cautious and we can always downgrade later."

Back at the office, Josie turned the tapes over to a specialist viewing team after detailing the area of interest. I sought out Maggie.

"Mags, I’d like to treat this as a level four threat," I said.

"You think it’s that serious?" she asked

"I have no evidence as yet, but I suspect this was a bio incident and that alone warrants the status. We can always downgrade if I’m wrong, but I’d rather err on the side of safety," I said.

"Okay, we’ll go with level four. It’s easier to downgrade than upgrade and if it was a bio incident then we will be prepared for the next one, if there is a next one. You’d better use Peter as liaison," she replied.

"I think there will be another one. I don’t know the reason behind the incident yet and that worries me. Also, the victim and his wife will require some serious help and I’d like you to authorize that."

"Okay, document what you think they need and I’ll authorize it."

"Thanks, Mags." I replied.

I hunted down Josie to give her the news, and then got on with my initial report and my recommendations for the Franks. I contacted NYPD and spoke to the Commissioner.

"Afternoon, sir. Special Agent Jay, ATB."

"Afternoon, Agent Jay. What can I do for you?"

"Sir, the incident in Riverside has now been declared a level four threat and I would like to have your department’s support," I said.

"Damn, you think it’s that serious?" the Commissioner asked.

"I don’t know, sir, but I’d rather over react than be caught with our pants down."

"Good point, I remember how long it took us to gear up for the anthrax threat and I don’t want that to happen again. Okay, what do you need?"

"I need a twenty-four hour guard on the victim’s apartment, a full news blackout and a liaison officer," I answered.

"Okay, come downtown and ask for Detective Evans," the Commissioner said.

"Thanks, I’ll send Agent Peter Wells."

I hung up and called my opposite number in the FBI. They were our cover organization, that’s who the public believed we were, and I needed to keep them up to date. Once finished, I went looking for Peter.

"Peter, the Franks’ case is being treated as a level four threat. I want you to go down to Police headquarters and ask for Detective Evans. He’ll be our liaison," I said. "I want to know about anything, anything at all, that looks like it could be connected with the Franks’ case."

"On my way, Sam," Peter said.

I wanted to contact Joe, but I knew he would be busy. A level four, bio scan meant that you virtually ripped the place apart. I had an uneasy feeling about this one. I contacted Westview and asked about the Franks’ and was relieved to hear that they were both better. That was the one part of this job, I hated. Why do the innocent always have to suffer?

The worst part was the waiting. All of the specialist teams would be working flat out to discover the cause. It would be another twelve hours, at least, before the lab would issue a preliminary report and that would be very brief. It could take over twenty-four hours before the lab would commit itself.

I went over what we had, the victim collapsed after reading the mail, we had video evidence of a mailbox being tampered with and nothing else.

"Sam."

"Anything, Josie?"

"Something Dr. Jenkins said got me thinking and I’ve done a little bit of searching. Does the name HuggleBugs mean anything to you?" Josie asked.

"No, should it?"

"They claim to be able to change people’s appearance. Their gender, Sam."

"Get onto them, I want to meet the head honcho now," I barked.

"Already onto it," Josie replied.

"Good work, Josie, very good work. What’s the cover story?"

"Mmmm, how about a routine check on denial of service attacks?" Josie replied.

"Could work, okay, let’s try it."

Josie broke a few speed limits getting to the corporate offices of HuggleBugs. It wasn’t the large building I’d envisioned. On our way to the entrance, I gave the area the once over. No cameras. The entrance lobby had the same lack of cameras. We approached the reception desk, behind which a buxom red head was talking on the phone. Her nametag indicated that her name was Rose.

"Can I help you?" Rose asked.

"We’d like to see the president, please?" I replied, as we flashed some ID.

"Can I ask what it is about?"

"It’s a routine check on denial of service attacks," Josie answered.

"I’ll see if she’s free," Rose said as she picked up the phone.

"She’s tied up at the moment, can you make an appointment?" Rose told us.

"Miss… Rose, if your president doesn’t see us, personally, in the next two minutes, I’ll have a team of investigators down here so fast, it will make your head swim. While they are here, you’ll be temporarily closed down. So can you ask your president again, please?" I hoped the tone of my voice would add to my threat.

Rose picked up the phone again and things started to happen. I heard the rapid tap - tap of heels on a hard floor and saw a slim woman rapidly descend the stairs and walk quickly over to us.

"Will you please follow me?" she said.

We followed her up the stairs and into a large office. She knocked on a door, opened it and motioned us in. There we saw a dark haired woman with fire in her eyes.

"How dare you threaten my company," she said as soon as the door was closed.

"I’m sorry, Miss ****, but it was the only way we could get to see you," I said.

"It’s Prue, we work on a first name basis here, and what is so important that you frightened my receptionist?"

"At ten o’clock this morning a thirty-year-old man was admitted to hospital after collapsing, by twelve he was a teenage girl. You may just be able to help us," I stated.

"That sort of change is normal for our customers," Prue answered.

"As far as we know, he wasn’t one of your customers and, to be honest, until this afternoon, I didn’t know this type of change was possible," I said.

"Can I get one of my staff to check on that?" Prue asked.

"I’d rather we keep this information on a need to know basis. We don’t know who or what is responsible and we’d like to keep the number of people in the know down to a minimum," I replied.

"Our MD is responsible for the programming of our nanites."

"Nanites?" I asked.

"It’s what we call the gizmos that perform the transformations," Prue answered.

"As long as you can vouch for her," I said.

"I’ll ask her to come in." Prue picked up the phone, pressed a button and spoke into the handset.

A few minutes later, the door opened and in walked a good-looking brunette.

"Kim, this is…"

"Special Agent Jay and Special Agent Homer," I interrupted.

"And what seems to be the problem?" Kim asked.

"It seems that one of our customers may not be one of our customers," Prue said.

"So, accidents happen," Kim shrugged.

"I don’t think this was an accident. I am waiting for confirmation, but I believe it was deliberate," I said.

Prue went white as a sheet. "You mean you think that someone may have used our technology as a weapon?"

"Yes I do, which is why we are being very circumspect," I answered.

"No problem, the transformee should revert after about seventy-two hours," Kim stated.

"Are you sure?" Josie asked.

"Well, unless they used the permanent form, can we get a look at the transformee?" Kim asked.

"I want to keep a tight lid on this, all information is not to leave this room. Failure to abide by this direction will resort in the closure of the company and with the incarceration of any member of staff we deem fit," I said.

"You can’t do that," Prue said.

"Prue, I have the power to put anyone, and everyone, associated with this company in custody for a long time, without trial." They saw I was serious.

"What do you need?" Josie asked.

"A blood and tissue sample would be enough," Kim said.

"Okay, well get those and you can use our facilities. Will that be alright?" I asked.

"I’d prefer to use ours," Kim said.

"The CIA doesn’t send its spy photographs to Kodak for developing," I said.

"Okay, I’ll use your lab. The tissue sample should be taken from the mouth," Kim answered.

"Right, get anything you need and meet us in the lobby.

"Prue, if you hear of anything you can contact me on this number." I handed her one of my cards. "And remember, nothing is to leave this room."

We were escorted to the lobby to await Kim. After a short wait, she entered the lobby carrying two test kits. Back in the car, Josie contacted Westview and arranged for the samples to be taken and for a patrol car to rush them to our lab.

The patrol car had beaten us to the lab and so the samples were waiting for us. Kim got straight to work and I checked if anything had come in from the crime scene.

"Sam, when was the last time you had anything to eat?" Josie asked.

"Breakfast. Why?"

"Isn’t it time you took a break for a meal?" she asked.

"There’s so much to do," I answered.

"Typical male bravado. I’m hungry and you must be too, so we’re getting a meal and that’s final."

We found the cafeteria and I grabbed something hot, Josie chose a sandwich.

"Thanks, Josie."

"What for?"

"For making me eat," I replied.

"Are you married, Sam?" Josie asked.

"Only to the job," I answered. "I’ve never found the time to date."

"That I can believe," she laughed. "You really take the job to heart, don’t you?"

"Yes, I can’t stomach anyone who wants to harm innocent people."

"I know what you mean, Sam. It gets to me sometimes as well."

"Take this case," I said, "a man’s life is turned upside down and his wife now has to learn to live with a girl who looks at least ten years younger."

"People are more resilient than you give them credit for. The Franks will eventually get over it and their lives will return to normal," Josie said.

"As normal as it could be, under the circumstances," I added.

"Okay, point taken, but I wonder?"

"What?" I asked.

"Well… if a man can be transformed into a woman, couldn’t a woman be transformed into a man?"

"But would a woman want to be changed into a man?" I asked.

"Depends. If it meant staying with the one I loved, then I would," Josie answered.

I noticed one of the lab technicians walking towards us.

"Sam, we’ve got some news," he said.

We both got up and hurried back to the lab.

"Agent Jay," Kim said, as soon as we arrived. "The transformation was performed by nanites and it isn’t reversible. Also, the genetic marker that we use to indicate this non reversibility is not the same as the one in the samples."

"So what you are saying is, the change is permanent and you are not responsible?" I asked.

"Yes and no. Yes, the change is permanent, but no, we are responsible. It is our nanite technology. What I am saying is these nanites were not produced by us."

"How can you tell?" Josie asked.

"When the nanites self-destruct after the transformation, they leave behind a residue in the blood that is detectable for about twenty-four hours. After that period, the body will have flushed them out of the system with the normal waste products. The residue I detected was similar, but not identical, to what our nanites would leave. So, I assume that these nanites were based on ours, but have been altered in some way. This is backed up by the different genetic marker." Kim paused for breath.

"Do you know of anyone who could have done this?" I asked.

"Not off the top of my head, but any designer at HuggleBugs could do it, given time, but we have no need to redesign our nanites."

"Do you think that this could be tied to one of your designers?" Josie asked.

"It could be, but if someone got hold of a nanite, it’s possible that they could work out how to redesign it. The technology isn’t secret, the hard bit is the software needed to produce the nanites."

"Is this software commercially available?" I asked.

"No, it’s custom made by Piper and myself," Kim said.

"Is it held anywhere outside of HuggleBugs property?" I asked.

"No. The only place the software exists is back at our office. We have backups, of course, but they are all kept in a fireproof, bombproof safe."

"Do you know if any unauthorized copies exist?" Josie asked.

"Not as far as I know," Kim answered.

"But would you know?" I got in before Josie.

"Not…sure."

"Kim, have you got any security at the office?" I asked.

"We’ve never needed it."

"What about your computer systems?" Josie beat me that time.

"Normal firewall and anti-virus protection," Kim replied.

"Okay, thanks for your help, Kim. I’ll arrange for you to get back to the office. I caution you to remember about not talking to anyone about this," I said.

I arranged for an unmarked police car to take Kim back to HuggleBugs and went to report to Maggie.

"Mags, we’ve found the agent, it appears to be a variant of a HuggleBugs nanite," I said.

"That’s good news," she said. "But who is HuggleBugs and what’s a nanite?"

"Thanks, but it looks like it’s unpreventable. These things can be absorbed through the skin or ingested," I gave her the HuggleBugs sales brochure I was quoting from. "And the strain that has been used is non-reversible. Not only that, but we have an office that has a high bio hazard risk with no security."

"We’ll have to get that changed once we get through with this threat, if it is a threat?" she said, reading the sales blurb.

"Only time will tell. I’m hoping it is a one shot deal, but I am not so sure," I mused.

I went back to my office. On the way, I stopped off and told Josie she could go home.

"See you in the morning, Sam."

"Yeah, thanks, Josie. Have a good night."

Back in my office, I checked both my e-mail and messages and found nothing pertaining to this case. I had hoped that Joe would have checked in, maybe he was still busy. The phone rang and I grabbed it on its second ring.

"Agent Jay," I said.

"Sam, Peter."

"Yes, Peter."

"Everything is quiet down here. I’ve teamed up with Detective Evans and we’ve set up an office at the Fifteen Precinct building," Peter told me.

"How’s Evans?" I asked.

"She’s okay, knows her stuff and we’re getting along very well. There won’t be any problem with Police co-operation," Peter said.

"That’s good, Peter. Check in with me tomorrow and have a good night."

"No problems, Sam. I’ve given Elaine my phone number," Peter answered.

"Elaine?" I asked.

"Detective Elaine Evans," Peter replied.

"Thanks, Peter. I should have guessed," I said.

"No worries, goodnight, Sam."

"Night, Peter."

I replaced the handset and went back to my thoughts. I hoped the incident was an isolated one, I hoped the Franks would get over it, but somehow I wasn’t so sure. Yes, the Franks would pick up the threads of their lives eventually, but John would have a hell of a time adjusting. The phone rang again.

"Agent Jay," I said.

"Sam, it’s Joe."

"Joe, how’s it going?" I asked.

"Almost finished, the entrance lobby is clean. The equipment didn’t register anything out of the ordinary."

"I didn’t think it would, but I wanted to be certain," I replied.

"I agree, the mailbox doors and most of what we lifted from the apartment should be at the lab by now. I asked them to start with the doors, since we have evidence of tampering," Joe said.

"Thanks, Joe. Don’t forget the decontamination procedures," I said.

"Don’t worry on that score," Joe laughed as he hung up.

I depressed the buttons, got dial tone and called the lab.

"Lab," a familiar voice answered.

"Fred, it’s Sam."

"Hi, Sam. What can I do for you?" Fred asked.

"I’m working the Franks’ case, you’re checking the mailbox doors and I want to be called the minute you find something."

"Will do, Sam. Where can you be reached?" Fred asked.

"I’ll be in the office," I answered.

"Sleeping there again. You trying to save the rent on your home?" Fred joked.

"I wish," I laughed. Both of us knew I wouldn’t go home until I had solved the case.

I hung up and got myself ready for bed. Bed… I meant the couch, but it was comfortable and it had the added advantage of being near to the action. I set the alarm and went to sleep.

The phone ringing jarred me back to consciousness. I made a grab for it.

"Agent Jay," I said, looking at my watch, it was just after five.

"Sam, Fred. We’ve got something."

"I’ll be there in ten minutes," I said as I grabbed my pants.

Well within the ten minutes, I dashed into the lab.

"Where’s the fire?" Fred asked.

"What have you got, Fred?" I replied.

"On the handle of mailbox door for apartment three, twenty-one, we found residue similar to that found in John Franks’ blood sample. We also found that the handle was coated in a tacky substance, which we are still analyzing. We believe that this substance was the carrier for the nanites and that the ones that weren’t absorbed into the body, self-destructed. Unfortunately, I don’t think that we’ll be able to give you a time line," Fred said.

"Thanks, Fred. When can I have the full report?"

"Twelve to twenty-four hours, Sam. Sorry, but we want to be sure."

"I understand. Good work on the door," I said and went to the cafeteria to grab coffee and some breakfast.

*****

Josie got in a little after nine and I brought her up to date on the overnight developments.

"I want to visit the Franks and see how they are getting on," I said.

"Fine, I’m ready when you are," Josie answered.

The drive was uneventful and we were soon in the room containing the Franks. I was glad to see John was awake.

"Catherine," Josie said, "we have found out what happened to John. Have you ever heard of HuggleBugs?"

"No, I don’t think so," Catherine answered.

"How about you… er…" I stumbled.

"Call me John for the time being and no, I haven’t either."

"How are you coping, John?" I asked.

"I’d like to say fine, but I’m not. I have no idea what is going to happen to me," John answered.

"You have no worries on the latter, we will take care of you. We have something similar to the witness protection scheme. You will be given new identities and relocated to a new state. We will support you and you will be given help to come to terms with your new condition." I had no other way of describing what had happened to John.

"Catherine, HuggleBugs have said that John’s change is permanent, but we are going to get their top people to contact you and see how you can be helped. Maybe change you to match John’s age or even become a male, " Josie said. "We’ll pick up the tab, it’s the least we can do."

"I’m not sure," Catherine said.

"Oh please?" John said, "even if it’s only an age change. I’d hate the thought of living as your daughter or even your baby sister."

"I’ll think about it," Catherine said.

"You seem to have adjusted well to the change, John," I said.

"Not really, but if the change is permanent, then I’d better accept it and learn to live with it. I’m a realist you see," John answered. "At least I’m not fat and ugly."

"We’ll have to get back to the office." I gave Catherine my card. "If you have any problems, just ring me. Anytime."

"Okay and thanks. You have taken a load of my mind about how we were going to survive," Catherine said.

Once back at the office I asked Josie to get Kim to talk to Catherine while I caught up with my messages.

*****

Three days passed without any new incidents, only the arrival of the lab report and images taken from the videotapes broke the monotony. The tacky substance had been identified as a gelatin based compound and the clearing of the apartment as a source of infection, only confirmed our suspicion of the mailbox.

The images showed a tall, longhaired, blonde woman wearing a short skirt and high heels. Even with enhancement, that was all we could say about her.

The fourth day started peacefully and we began wondering whether this was anything more than a single incident. About nine-thirty, I received a call from Prue, at HuggleBugs, telling me that she had a threatening letter.

"How many people have handled the letter?" I asked.

"I don’t know," Prue replied, "But I don’t think it’s many."

"Put the letter, with the envelope, in a plastic bag and seal it. Then, without arousing anyone’s suspicions, obtain the fingerprints of anyone who is likely to have touched it," I said.

"How am I supposed to do that?" Prue asked.

"Let each of them handle a different CD jewel case and seal them in plastic bags as well," I answered. "Once you’ve done that, give me a call and I’ll arrange a courier to pick the packages up."

"Will do," Prue said and then hung up.

I updated Maggie and then alerted the lab. Twenty minutes later Prue rang back and I set the pickup in motion.

"Sam. We’ve got another one," Josie called.

"Where?" I asked.

"Riverside, again. Joe and his team are rolling and the victim has been taken to Westview," Josie answered.

"Any details?"

"The victim is, or was, Christian Brown. The call was made by his girlfriend," Josie looked at her notes, "Angela Watkins."

"Right, lets get down to Riverside and then on to Westview," I said.

Josie drove in her usual fast style and we made record time to the victim’s home. Joe’s team was already there and were getting themselves ready. Joe came over.

"Same as the last one?" he asked.

"Yes, Joe. Has the lobby got cameras?"

"Probably, most of them do, ‘round here," Josie said. "I’ll go and check."

Josie disappeared inside and I watched the team get their cases out of the van.

"Any thoughts?" Joe asked.

"It looks like blackmail," I answered. "I had a report of a threatening letter. The lab is checking it, I don’t think they will find anything useful, but we can hope."

"Ruled out terrorism, yet?" Joe asked.

"No, but my hunch is that it is blackmail. If it was terrorism, we would have a lot more cases by now." I replied.

"That’s true," Joe said. "Can you imagine lots of transformations breaking out all over the city?"

"I don’t want to even think about it," I answered.

"Sam, there is a camera, but there is only one tape. I’ve ejected it," Josie said, giving the tape to Joe.

"Thanks, Josie," I said and, turning to Joe, continued. "Working on the theory that the delivery method is the same, send the victim’s mailbox door back to the lab. Scan his apartment, just in case, and give the lobby and the rest of the mailboxes the once over. We’re going to see the victim."

"Will do, Sam." Joe went and briefed his team.

Josie drove us to Westview, she likes driving fast, must be the Policewoman in her. On the way, I phoned Peter for an update. He told us he would meet us at Westview.

Peter met us in the foyer and took us to the victim’s room.

"Are the Franks’ still here?" I asked a nurse outside the room.

"No, they both went home yesterday," she replied.

I made a mental note to check on their welfare and on what Catherine had decided. Showing my ID to the officers stationed outside the room, entered; it was similar to the one that was occupied by the Franks. It could even have been the same room. On the bed was another teenage girl who, at least to me, looked similar to what John Franks had become. Except, I seem to remember that John Franks became a blonde and Chris Brown was now a red head. While Josie talked to the girlfriend, I wondered if this difference was significant.

The story was similar to the Franks’. Chris, he disliked being called Christian, went for the mail while Angela made breakfast. Chris collapsed soon after and ended up at Westview. They didn’t know the Franks. Josie and I drove back to the office, while Peter went back to the fifteenth precinct.

On my desk were two sheets of paper.

"The letter," I thought as I looked at the note that came with it. According to the information that Prue had included with it, the letter had been addressed to Jenny Jane. It had come through the regular mail. The lab had made a copy and sent it to me, while they tested the original. I picked it up.

 

‘Well by now I should have gotten your attention

‘Don’t go to the Police or you’ll regret it

‘I’ll be in touch with my price

 

I was on my way to see Maggie when Josie stopped me.

"Sam, Wendy from the viewing team just called. They’ve analyzed the tapes and they are not convinced the ‘perp’ is a woman," Josie said.

"What?"

"The feeling is that it’s a man dressed as a woman," Josie answered.

"Damn! So we haven’t got anything to go on," I said.

"Nope, they are trying to work out what he might look like, but…"

"That’s just what I need," I said exasperatedly, as I showed the blackmail note to Josie.

"Seems you were right," she said.

"Unfortunately, although I would rather have been wrong."

I continued on to Maggie’s office.

"Mags, we’ve got a blackmail note as well as a second victim," I said, giving her the copy.

"Damn, that means you were right," she answered. "Doesn’t say much."

"Says enough, the lab is still checking the original."

"Wonder when the next one will arrive?" she asked.

"Don’t know," I answered. "Personally I hope there isn’t another one. Letter or victim."

Josie burst into the office.

"Sam, we’ve got another one. Harborview, this time."

"Damn!" I said. "Sorry, Mags."

Josie and I dashed to Harborview.

"Whose team is catching this one?" I asked, knowing Joe would still be occupied.

"Not sure," she answered.

When we got there, we found Astrid and her team.

"Sam, Josie, what we got?" Astrid asked.

"Level four bio threat. The agent may be on the mailbox, but don’t take that for granted. And Astrid, be careful," I said.

"We will." Astrid said.

Josie and I looked around. She noticed the camera and hunted down the recorder. I carried on looking around. I pushed open a door that led to the stairwell. There was nothing I could see. I went back into the lobby and saw Josie coming from the super’s office.

"Sam!" she cried as I collapsed.

*****

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Sam," Josie said. "We were worried for a while."

"How long have I been out?"

"Twenty hours." Josie answered.

"What happened?" I asked.

"We’re not sure, Sam," Josie hesitated, "But…"

"But what?" I asked

"But you’ve become victim number four. You are now a very good looking brunette teenager and I must say, I’m jealous."

"I’m what!" I screeched! I realized I sounded like a girl.

"Don’t worry, Sam. Maggie has asked me to help you get to know the new you and teach you all about being female. We’ve got a lot of clothes shopping to do, all at the department’s expense, since you were ‘injured’ in the line of duty," Josie said.

I looked at my hands, lifted the sheet and looked at my body; it wasn’t the body I was used to seeing.

"The only regret I have, Sam, is that I now have to stop trying to get you to go out with me." Josie sighed. "But I am looking forward to getting to know the new Sam."

"Josie, who’s handling my case?" I asked.

"Maggie."

"I’ve got to see her, just let me get dressed."

"I’ll help you," Josie said.

"I don’t need any help, I’m a big boy now," I said.

"Correction, you’re a big girl now, and you will need my help, at least in the beginning," she laughed.

Josie was right, I had forgotten. How much was there to learn, I had this overwhelming urge to cry and I burst into tears.

"How am I going to cope? I can no longer do the things I’ve been doing for the past thirty-two years. What’s going to happen to me?" I sobbed.

Josie came over and we hugged each other.

"Don’t worry, Sam. I’m here and I’ll help you. You’ll be okay, really you will."

"Thanks, Josie," I tried to bring myself under control. "What’s first on the agenda?"

"I’m taking you home, to my home. You need a bath and I have to find you something decent to wear to go shopping." She handed me a pair of panties and a sundress. "This will do, for the time being and, since we don’t know your shoe size, heck we don’t know any of your sizes, you can wear these slippers."

I got out of bed and noticed the change in my center of gravity. I put on the panties, and then looked at the dress.

"Put it on like a jumper. I haven’t brought you a bra because a poorly fitting one is worse than no bra at all," Josie said. "Just one thing. You will find that men will stare at you. Being treated as a sex object will be one of the hardest things you will have to get used to. Men will treat you differently; a lot of them think you are only good for one thing, but there is an upside. You will find that you can twist men round your little finger."

I put on the dress and then the slippers.

"Let’s go," I said.

"Sure?"

"Yes."

Josie opened the door and an orderly came in with a wheelchair.

"Hospital policy, I’m afraid," he said.

I sat in the chair and was pushed into the outside world. Josie walked alongside me. The next hour or so passed in a haze. I must have been in shock, Josie could have danced naked in front of me and I wouldn’t have noticed.

She helped me into her apartment, sat me down and then ran a bath, which, after removing my dress, panties and slippers, she helped me into it. All I was aware of was a warm sensation all over my body, my new body.

I awoke with a start, noticed my chest and screamed. Josie dashed into the bathroom.

"What’s the matter?" she asked.

"This isn’t my body," I sobbed.

"Oh, my poor Sam," Josie said, as she let me cry.

When my tears finally subsided, Josie handed me a towel and instructed in the art of pat drying.

"Sam, when you go the toilet, you must always dry yourself. If you don’t, you can get a couple of nasty infections," she told me. "Come on, time to get dressed, we’ve got shops to hit."

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"We’ve got to get you some underwear, skirts, blouses, dresses and shoes. Then we’re going to get your hair and nails done and finally, see which make up suits you."

"Anything else?"

"If you feel up to it, Maggie would like to see you," Josie said.

While we were talking, Josie had given me some clean panties and another sundress. I put the slippers back on and we went shopping.

We entered the department store by the staff entrance and were met by a sales assistant, who took us to a fitting room.

"First things first, let’s take a few measurements," the assistant said.

Ten minutes later, I knew I was five feet four inches tall, took a thirty-four B bra and was thirty-four, twenty-six, thirty-three. I also took a size five shoe.

Josie and the sales assistant left the room. After a few minutes, the assistant came back with some white bras, panties and pantyhose. I removed the panties Josie had loaned me and put one of the new ones on, which were a better fit. Then she took one of the bras and helped me into it, explaining how to adjust the straps. I was grateful for the support the bra gave me, as I was beginning to feel the strain in my muscles from the weight of my breasts. I watched as the assistant rolled up a leg of the pantyhose, I lifted my right foot and she pulled the material up my leg, and then repeated the operation with the left leg. I was wearing my first pair of pantyhose, not to mention my first bra.

Josie came in with some skirts, blouses and a couple of dresses.

Handing me one of the dresses, she said, "The skirts and blouses will do for office work, the dresses are for when we go out."

Both of the dresses and all of the skirts and blouses fit, so the assistant went to fetch some shoes while Josie hunted down some coats.

"You are enjoying this," I said to Josie when she returned.

"Oh, I love shopping, when you get used to your new body, we’ll got out again and this time you can chose your own clothes, instead of me," she replied.

The assistant returned with two pairs of flats, two pairs of heels and a handbag. I discovered that one pair of flats and heels didn’t fit.

After the assistant had bagged everything up, she took the Amex card from Josie and left the room. I was wearing a blouse, skirt, jacket and flats and an empty handbag hanging from my shoulder.

The bill signed, we carried everything to Josie’s car.

"Hair next," she said.

"I take it a crew cut is out," I said, playfully.

"Sam, you’ve got beautiful hair. I know it looks tangled and you wouldn’t normally go out without brushing it, but when it’s cut and styled…" Josie said.

"Another thing I’ve got to get used to. Before, all I did was a quick comb and it was done."

"Its not all that bad being female."

"No, it just feels like it," I said.

Josie led me from the store to the hair salon. She gave a stylist instructions and I was led to a station, where the stylist went to work on me. Two hours later, my hair had been washed and styled. It was still past my shoulders, but looked much better. They had also given me a manicure.

I looked at my nails and thought, "What a pretty pink color."

Wow! Where did that come from? Josie noticed the look of shock on my face and came over.

"What’s the matter, Sam?" she asked.

"I just thought my nails were painted a pretty pink color," I said.

"Well, they are," she replied.

"Josie, I would never have thought that way before."

"It looks like your thought processes are being modified as well," Josie paused, "I think we’ll have to ask HuggleBugs if they know how much you are going to alter."

She paid the bill and we then went to the cosmetics counter. Again, Josie gave instructions to the sales assistant, but rather than waiting, Josie left us alone.

I was given a lesson in cosmetics, how to apply mascara, lipstick, blusher, foundation eye shadow, and the list went on. I was told about color co-ordination and was drowning in a sea of information when I saw Josie return carrying more packages.

Back in the car, Josie opened my bag and dropped in a wallet, some tissues, keys, a small makeup kit, pen, diary and a pad.

"What’s that?" I asked, looking at the pad.

"I’ll tell you when we get home," she said.

At work, it was strange having to sign in as a visitor, but I had no ID. I didn’t know if I even had a job? When I got to my office, I found it full with colleagues.

"Welcome back, Sam," Peter said.

"Great diet," Jan joked.

"Screw the diet, great body," Joe laughed.

"Typical man," Wendy said, "You alright, Sam?"

"Thanks, everyone. Yes, Wendy. I’m slowly coming to terms with it all," I answered.

"We’re all here to help, Sam. Anything we can do, just ask."

"Thanks, Jan. I’m sure I’m going to need a lot of help," I replied.

"What’s it like?" Joe asked.

"Very strange, I have got so much to learn. The differences, the ones I’ve noticed so far, are vast and it worries me, but Josie has told me it can be fun being a woman," I replied.

"And she’s right."

I turned and saw Maggie.

"Welcome back, Sam. Are you ready to return to work?" she asked.

"Have I still got a job?"

"Of course you have. You are still a fine agent, probably be a more understanding one now," she paused, "This is still your office, I don’t think anyone has a problem with you remaining a team leader?"

"No problems with us, Maggie. Sam was always a fair man, now’s she’s an attractive woman," somebody said and everyone burst out laughing.

I burst into tears and started hugging everyone.

"I’ll get all your files and identification changed and get your new passes issued," Maggie said.

"Is it still my case?" I asked.

"If you feel you are up to it," Maggie answered.

"I’m up to it, and I’ve got a score to settle."

"This is not a vendetta, Sam," she said.

"I know, Mags, and I’m not going to make it one. But now, it’s personal," I said.

Turning to Josie, I said, "Can you get on to HuggleBugs and see what other changes I’m likely to face. Come on everyone, I’ve a case to solve."

"Glad to see at least one thing hasn’t changed," Wendy said.

"What’s that?" I asked.

"Your stubbornness. Welcome come back, Sam and good luck. We all mean it," Wendy answered.

They all filed out leaving Maggie and myself.

"My door is always open if you need to talk about your new situation," she said.

"Thanks," I replied.

"Being a woman has its disadvantages, but it has its advantages as well. Everyone will treat you differently and you will find that you appear less threatening. The down side is that you are more vulnerable and some men will try to use the fact you are female against you. We girls will help you as best we can, Josie will be tasked as your teacher, helper and guide. Listen to her, Sam. She knows what she is talking about. But all of us will help," she said.

Josie came back in before I could answer.

"According to HuggleBugs all of the changes will have occurred by now, the only exception is the brain. Although it isn’t touched by the nanites, the fact that you now have female, rather than male, hormones in your blood means that it changes, but only at an emotional level. You are still the same old Sam, brain-wise, but, as time goes on, you will become more emotional. Just like the rest of us," Josie said.

"That’s good news, Josie," Maggie said.

"Mags, I think we’ve got a problem, but I can’t quite put my finger on it," I said.

"What kind of problem?" she asked.

I thought for a moment, working out the details of the nasty idea that had come to me.

"Do I look like the old Sam?"

"No, you don’t. The old Sam was a male and taller," Josie answered.

"I mean can you see any of the old Sam in my face?"

"No, but what’s that got to do with it?" Josie asked.

"Oh shit!" Maggie exclaimed.

"I think you have figured it out, Mags. Didn’t the brochure say something about being able to match the transformee to anyone? An exact match, down to DNA level," I said.

"Yes, it did," Maggie answered.

"So that means you can now get past virtually any security system we have in place in any of our establishments. Hell, you could become the president if you wanted." I said.

"There are a few things that need checking, but at the very least I think we need a new form of security system and fast." I added.

"Not to mention a foolproof identity checker. Best not to say anything to anybody. Leave this to me," Maggie said. "This, and the solution are going to be top secret. If this ever got out, there would be panic and I don’t mean in the streets either."

With that, a very worried Maggie left for her own office and Josie and I got down to work. Four victims, the last ‘attack’ had included a second area of contamination, the door I had pushed had also been treated. This guy was getting nasty. He had to be found and soon.

"Sam, time to get something to eat," Josie said.

"Don’t worry about me, I’ll get something later."

"You’ll get something now," Josie ordered. "This is a different body, it works differently. You need to look after it and that means regular sleep, regular skin care and regular eating habits. Understand?"

"Whoa, Josie. Back off. I get the picture."

"Just as long as you do. You have become a very beautiful young woman. You’ll have to work to keep it that way. You are going to learn to look after yourself, properly, even if it means I have to nag you to death to do it," she said.

She dragged me to the cafeteria and proceeded to instruct me on the evils of food, particularly fat and over eating.

I got a few strange looks, but that was because they didn’t know who I was and I still wore the visitor’s badge. Not many visitors got to see the inside of our facility, even less the cafeteria.

Back in my office I found some forms, a request for new ID, already signed by Maggie, made out in the name of Samantha Jay. Security clearances, a photo session, a re-qualification at the gun range and this was just the start. I would also have to regain the trust of all the people outside of the agency.

Two hours later, photographed and re-qualified, I received a call to Maggie’s office. Once there I found she had visitors.

"Sam, come in. This is Sal DiMaggio and James Connors," Maggie said.

"Hello gentlemen."

They just nodded to me.

"These gentlemen are from the Secret Service and are interested in our little problem."

"Which problem is that, Mags?" I asked.

"The security problem, Agent Jay," Sal spoke.

"Oh," I said.

"What makes you think there is a problem?" James asked.

"What has Maggie told you?" I asked.

"Nothing," James said.

"Okay, you see, standing before you, a five foot four inch brunette with a thirty-four inch bust. Are you happy with that description?" I asked.

"Yes, but aren’t you a bit young to be an agent?" Sal asked.

"Depends on your point of view," I said. "I’m actually thirty-two and up until yesterday was a man."

"Yeah, right," James said.

"It’s true, gentlemen. Until yesterday, Samantha here was Samuel. There is a technology that can change the appearance, no that’s the wrong word. That can change anyone into anyone and we believe all our security checks, DNA, voice, fingerprint, retinal scans and physical tests would be fooled," Maggie said.

"Damn! If that is true? Hell, we could be in deep shit, security wise. We couldn’t, no, can’t trust anyone anymore," Sal said.

"What we propose to do is perform some tests to prove a theory. We think there may be an answer. It appears that the brain isn’t changed, at least significantly, which means we may be able to exploit that," Maggie paused.

"We’ll set up an experiment, here, and see if a person who is temporarily altered to be a copy of one of our staff has all the same characteristics our security systems use for verification," I said.

"But where do we go… ah I think I see. You propose to replace our systems with some form of brain scanner?" Sal said.

"Not replace. I think it would be better if the new system, if we can get one to work, were used surreptitiously. So that no one knows the system exists. That way they won’t be able to come up with a way round it," Maggie said.

"Nice idea, but where do we get such a system?" James asked.

"There are large and cumbersome systems used in hospitals. Why don’t we talk to some one in GE Medical? Who knows, we might just get away with an enhanced ECG system," I said.

"It’s something outside of our authority, but the problem needs to find a secure home and it needs to be solved and solved fast," Maggie said.

"Right, we’ll find that home. Who will be our liaison here?" Sal asked.

"I will," Maggie answered. "I’ll let you know the results of our tests as soon as they are completed."

"Sal, how about we use the facilities here? After all, they are going to perform the initial experiment and it’s a secure location," James suggested.

"Would you be able to provide a cover story?" Sal asked Maggie.

"Could do, haven’t got much spare manpower, but we have got some spare space and it’s secure," she answered.

"Good. We’ll run the project here," Sal said.

That was the last I heard of Project Athena, as it became known, but then I did have a case to solve.

*****

The weekend passed, I was getting used to my new body and Josie became an older sister to me. She was my rock who helped me through my flashbacks and my teacher. I was actually starting to enjoy this new hold I had on the male population.

Anyway, It was Monday and I was at my desk when the phone rang.

"Agent Jay."

"You don’t sound like him," the voice said.

"Who is this?" I asked.

"It’s Prue, from HuggleBugs."

"Hello, Prue. Yes, well I became a transformee, so I don’t look like me, let alone sound like me."

"Sorry to hear that," Prue said.

"It’s okay. I’m coming to terms with it, slowly. Now what can I do for you?"

"We’ve had another letter. This time it’s demanding money."

"Okay, seal it up and I’ll send a courier over for it," I said and hung up.

I dialed Josie’s number.

"Josie, get someone over to HuggleBugs. There’s another note. I’ll alert the lab."

I hung up and called the lab and warned them, then alerted Maggie.

An hour later I had a copy of the latest note and the lab was testing the original. We didn’t hold out much hope, we got nothing from the first one, but we had to try. It was longer than the first, but still gave us no clues.

Maggie’s face remained impassive as she read the note.

 

‘You are now aware of what I can do

‘Unless my demands are met more people will suffer

‘I want five million dollars to stop

‘You have until thursday to get the money

‘I will contact you then with instructions

‘Don’t do anything stupid

 

Thursday was three days away.

"We’ll have to put a guy in the local exchange, set up a surveillance net and establish radio contact with whoever is going to do the drop," I said.

She picked up the phone and dialed a number, when answered, she said, "Jan, can you come in here, please?"

Jan was the head of the communications branch. While we were waiting for her to arrive, Maggie called the local FBI bureau head; we were going to need help.

"Sorry to bother you, John, but we have a situation. How quickly can you get over here?… Yes, it is an emergency… Okay, see you in fifteen minutes… Bye, John"

Fortunately, they weren’t too far away. Maggie picked the phone up again, dialed another number and spoke a few words. Jan entered the room and was briefed by Maggie.

"Jan, you’ve got about twenty minutes to get your stuff ready for a meeting in conference room one. We’ve got a major job on Thursday and we’ll need full communications coverage, and it needs to be secure and unobtrusive," Maggie said.

"I’ll get Josie and meet you there," I said.

"Okay," she replied.

Josie and I took our seats fifteen minutes later. Wendy and Jan were already there, as were Fred and Peter. Maggie and John came in a few minutes later. Maggie addressed the meeting.

"Thank you all for coming. From left to right we have Wendy, she’s from Imaging, Jan - Communications, Fred - Bio Hazard Lab, Peter - Liaison, Sam and Josie - Field Agents. Ladies and gentlemen, this is John, FBI bureau head. Sam, you start."

I noticed the puzzled look on John’s face.

"Sorry, but the Sam I knew was a six foot, thirty-two-year-old male," John said.

"Oops, it’s my fault, John, we’ve taken the change for granted now. Sam is victim number four and as such, is as you see her," Maggie said.

"Are you okay with it, Sam? The change I mean. It would freak me out," John said.

"I’m getting used to it. Don’t worry, John, underneath I’m still the same stubborn Sam you used to know, but in a much better package." The room dissolved into laughter.

"Ten days ago we had an occurrence of, what was later confirmed as, a biological incident. Six days latter a note and three more victims, including me," I paused. "This morning a blackmail note turned up."

"So you don’t think its terrorism?" John interrupted.

"No, the set-up is all wrong, the incidents would be more widespread, more numerous and the notes don’t mention the usual terrorist demands. However, a biological incident is still serious, even if it is just blackmail," I answered.

"I agree and if what you say is borne out, I will be thankful. I’d hate to be dealing with terrorists," John said.

"Cracking this case won’t be a piece of cake," I said. "However, the blackmailer has demanded five million dollars by Thursday."

"Thanks, Sam. Fred, what have you got?" Maggie said.

"The agent used in the first three incidents was applied to the handles of the victims’ mailbox door. This agent was mixed with a gelatin-based substance that was sticky to the touch. The agent was absorbed through the skin; this is also how Sam got contaminated. It also appears that the agent breaks down if not activated within a certain time scale, but I can’t tell you how long that is," Fred said.

"I might be able to help," Wendy interrupted. "There was a timestamp on the tapes from the first incident and it was showing five thirty-seven when the mailbox was tampered with. We don’t know how accurate the timestamp is, of course, but I wouldn’t have thought is was too far out."

"Thanks, Wendy," Fred said. "The door was being examined by eighteen hundred, so let’s say eight to ten hours maximum before break down and probably five, minimum"

"Can’t you get closer?" Josie asked.

"Not without observing the break down. The agent would have to have at least a five-hour life span, based on what Wendy has found. We were testing it in the lab about twelve hours later and there was only residue. If pushed, I would say a life span of between five and eight hours," Fred replied.

"Good work, Fred. Wendy, your turn," Maggie said.

"Initial viewing of the tapes from incident number one shows a tall, longhaired, blonde woman wearing a short skirt and high heels. We’ve tried enhancement, but that’s about as good as it gets. However, all the teams have watched the video, several times, and our feeling is that it is a disguise, or rather, it’s a man," Wendy stated. "Oh and the other videos didn’t add very much to our knowledge."

"So we have no idea who we are looking for, other than it may be a male," John said.

"Correct. If he wasn’t sure of his disguise he would have tried either to destroy the camera or the tapes," Wendy continued.

"Seems like a logical conclusion, but why do you think it’s a man?" I asked.

"Little things. We watch people a lot and you can tell a lot about a person from body language, mannerisms and the way they walk. And we believe that we are dealing with a man who is confident passing as a woman," Wendy replied.

"Josie, can you check with Prue to see if they have any men working for them with the right skill set?" I asked.

Josie went to one of the phones by the wall and made the call, meanwhile Maggie outlined our next move.

"The blackmailer will make contact on Thursday, we don’t know if it will by mail or telephone. Also, we have to assume that whoever makes the drop will be given the run around. That’s where you come in, John," John nodded as Maggie continued. "We need manpower on the ground with secure communications, the last bit’s yours, Jan."

"They don’t have any men working in that area," Josie said. "In fact the only men working for them are in dispatch."

"Damn, ok, never mind. Jan, what can you give us?" Maggie asked.

"I’ll have a guy in the local exchange from first thing Thursday. He’ll be in contact with the phone companies in case the call is off network. As far as radios are concerned, if we use channel eighty-eight that should equate to channel…" Jan consulted a chart and continued, "fifty-two. That is one of your secure local channels, isn’t it, John?"

"I believe so, I’ll make sure that no one other than us will use it. It will be clear from midnight Wednesday," John said.

"Thanks, now I recommend we use a low power one way personal radio for whoever is going to do the drop. Voice activated, range of between five hundred to a thousand yards. The handheld units look like mobile phones, so we shouldn’t arouse any suspicion when on foot," Jan paused for breath. "I will also have three repeater vehicles out, to cover any black spots we find."

"John, what can you provide?" Maggie asked.

"I’ll put ten teams out in the field, that way we can rotate any tails regularly and still be able to get to the next contact point if everything works," John said.

"Okay, final briefing will be on Wednesday at seventeen hundred, I want all of you to be aware of your areas of operation. Peter, I want you inside the NYPD central control area on Thursday. I want to know what’s going on before the Police do. Sam, it’s your case, so you are in charge of the field staff. Jan, get the NSA to monitor all mobile phone traffic from midnight Wednesday, any trouble, let me know and make sure our radios work. John, I appreciate your help, I would like an open line between us on Thursday," Maggie paused, looked around the room and continued, "I don’t have to stress how important it is for all of us to work together on this one. We cannot afford mistakes."

"Can I have a word, John?" I asked, as the others filed out of the room.

"Sure," he replied. "You know, I’m still having trouble remembering that this sweet teenager I’m talking to was once a well built jock."

"Look at it from my angle," I said.

"That’s what’s freaking me out. Rather you than me."

"Anyway, I hope you don’t mind the fact that I’ve been put in control of your people?" I said.

"Not at all, we need to get this right, and there shouldn’t be any trouble with the way you look. I’ll brief them before we arrive."

"Thanks, I’d like to see your people before our briefing. Can they be here at sixteen hundred, it will also give Jan a chance to test the radio links?" I asked.

"Sure, do you mind if I attend too?"

"Be my guest. We can’t afford errors and I would welcome your help and support on this," I answered.

*****

Before we knew it, Wednesday was upon us. Josie and I, as well as some other field staff, had spent the last two days doing the rounds of all the potential trouble spots. Places like Central Park, Grand Central Station, Port Authority Bus Terminal and the like. We were trying to identify anywhere we might give ourselves away.

Wednesday, we did a trial run, well away from where we expected to do it for real, we hoped. The Imaging team tried to spot us and help us refine our technique. We were determined not to get it wrong, the stakes were too high.

By fifteen-thirty, ten vehicles had arrived in our parking lot. There were two yellow cabs, three station wagons, two compacts, one van and two motorbikes. Jan got to work checking the radio links. By sixteen hundred, she was happy they all worked. Our four teams and the ten FBI teams, along with John, met in the auditorium.

John started the briefing. "I’d like to say that this job is far too important to let any rivalry get in the way. To my group, I’d like to say that if you mess up, your next assignment will be in Alaska and remember, Sam is older and wiser than she looks."

"Thanks, John. We are dealing with a level four biological threat, we have had four incidents, including mine, and we want to catch whoever is responsible before there are more. For those of you who don’t know what a level four threat is, it’s something that gives me almost as much power as the President," I paused, gathered my thoughts and continued. "As far as you are concerned, we have to track a payoff back to the blackmailer. We have to do this without alerting anyone. We have to appear as one of the crowd, we cannot afford to take risks or, more importantly, fail."

"You are all experts in surveillance, you have had countless hours of training and practice. Now it’s payback time," John said. "This is deadly serious, I don’t want any mistakes, from anyone."

Handing out sheets of paper, I said, "These are the potential hazards that we know about, you may know of more. These are the danger areas, places where we will be more at risk of detection. This risk will increase as we track whoever has picked up the payoff. If anyone thinks we need something, speak up and we will get it."

No one spoke, I continued, "The first part should be easy, if the technology works, but the second part, the tracking from the pickup, will be much harder. We have an image of, who we believe is, the blackmailer." I gave everyone a picture.

The rest of the time was taken up with everyone studying the picture, checking the sheets, adding problem areas and discussing ways around potential problems. With fifteen minutes to go before Maggie’s briefing, more people started drifting into the auditorium.

At seventeen hundred, Maggie walked in and addressed the meeting.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Before I call on the various areas, I would like to say that I briefed the President this morning, his words amounted to ‘failure is not an option’. The National Guard is being mobilized as we speak, under the guise of a surprise exercise, and will be available to us at a moments notice.

"Now to business, Jan?" Maggie asked.

"The radio links have been checked and are operational, I will have two people in Verizon’s facility and MCI, Sprint, AT & T and the others are all on standby. The NSA will monitor all radio traffic, they weren’t happy about it, but they will comply. I’d like to send a couple of our people over there, just to be on the safe side. The repeater vehicles are ready to go and will serve as radio locators, if necessary. The personal radio has been checked and its battery is fully charged, as is a backup. Each vehicle will carry a handheld unit as a backup or if anyone has to go on foot."

"Thanks, Jan.

"Peter?"

"All nine-one-one calls will be routed though the Police central control, as will all Police radio traffic. I will be there from zero six hundred equipped with a handheld unit."

"Thanks, Peter.

"Sam?"

"We’ve identified as many of the problem areas as we can. All of the field staff are ready to go and have a picture of the blackmailer. I’m sending Josie into HuggleBugs at zero seven hundred with the money and the gear. She will do a radio check every thirty minutes until contact. All field staff will be mobile from zero seven thirty. Prue normally gets to work at zero eight hundred, but we don’t expect contact until after zero nine hundred."

"Thanks, Sam.

"Joe?"

"My team will be available from zero seven hundred to deal with any bio threat. We can be mobile in ten minutes and Astrid’s team is on standby."

"Thanks, Joe, I hope both of you won’t be needed.

"John?"

"I will be in my office from zero six hundred monitoring the radio. I will have backup staff available at ten minutes notice. We have staff coming in from three neighboring offices."

"Thanks, John.

"Wendy?"

"My group are ready to help with the surveillance if it’s a dead letterbox drop. We should be able to give early notice of potential suspects."

"Thanks, Wendy. That could be useful.

"Now, myself. I will be in the office from zero six hundred, also monitoring radio traffic and, as soon as contact has been made, will open a line to John and to the Governor’s office. It only remains for me to wish everyone good luck."

With that, Maggie left. We broke into groups to discuss last minute details. These groups slowly filed out of the conference room to prepare for their own part in the show. I walked over to Josie.

"You know that you can’t take part in the tracking, don’t you?" I said.

"Why not?" she asked.

"In case it’s someone who’s seen you at HuggleBugs."

"I see. So what will my job be?" she asked.

"Once Prue, or whoever, is on their way, we will team up and try to second guess where the drop or contacts will be. We will also be the mobile command unit, Josie."

"Okay," she said. "You sleeping here tonight?"

"Is the Pope Catholic?"

"Okay, I’ll see you for breakfast around five-thirty."

"Look forward to it."

I slipped back to my office and went over the plan; as much of a plan it was, trying to find any flaw, any missed problem. By nine, I set my alarm and went to bed.

*****

The alarm went off and I hit the off button hard. I shook myself awake and trotted off to the girl’s room for a shower. I kept a change of clothes at the office and it was forty minutes later, washed and changed that Josie walked in. I had just finished my makeup and was brushing my hair.

"How are you feeling this morning?" she asked.

"Nervous," I answered.

"Why?"

"Because I don’t want to fail, I want to catch this person."

"So do I," Josie said. "Come on, breakfast."

We had a quick breakfast and went back to my office to go over the plan for the day ahead. I was still worried that I had forgotten something, but Josie said that was silly. It was getting close to Josie’s departure time. She went and fetched her radio; the personal radios and signed for the money, in triplicate. I saw her off, in one of our taxis, and went to report to Maggie.

I went to pick up my radio, checked it was set to the correct channel and went back to my office. Once there, I picked up the call sign sheet. Alpha was Maggie, Bravo - John, Charlie - my team, Delta - Peter, Echo - Jan's team, Foxtrot - Wendy's team and Zulu were Joe and Astrid’s teams.

I pressed the button, "Control, Charlie One."

"Charlie One, Control." Control was one of Jan’s team tasked with keeping a record of what was going on. All radio traffic would be recorded as well.

"Control, Charlie One, operational. Charlie Two is on way to Hotel One." Hotel One was HuggleBugs.

"Charlie One, Control. Roger. Charlie Two has declared mobile. Will mark you as operational at zero six fifteen."

"Delta One, Charlie One."

"Charlie One, Delta One."

"Delta One, Charlie One. Status check."

"Charlie One, Delta One. Everything is okay at this end."

"Delta One, Charlie One. Roger."

As I listened, I heard various personnel check in with Control, by eight everyone was in place and we settled down to wait. Josie checked in every thirty minutes and at nine Control requested radio silence.

It all happened at once. We heard two clicks, followed by Control.

"All units, all units. This is Control. Contact initiated. Echo Two begin call trace. Message timed at zero nine thirty-two."

"Control, Echo Two. Call located, Echo Three, decoding number."

"Control, Charlie Two. India One has been told to take a cab to the corner of Third Avenue and Housten Street. I am wiring India One as I speak." Prue was India One.

"Charlie Three, Control. Drop Charlie Four and get to Hotel One. Charlie Nine pick up Charlie Four and take her to Papa One. Charlie Eleven and Echo Seven locate near Papa One." Papa One was the first checkpoint.

"Control, Charlie One. Mobile." I raced to my car; thankfully, I was wearing flats and jeans.

"Charlie One, Control. Roger."

As I drove I heard Prue’s voice testing the radio and the nominated units giving their new status. I heard Charlie Three tell Control he had picked up Prue and was on route to the first checkpoint. Control told Josie to meet me a little way from HuggleBugs and I drove to the rendezvous point. Josie was waiting by the time I arrived.

"Control, Charlie Two. Have teamed up with Charlie One and now mobile."

"Charlie Two, Control. Roger."

"Josie, did Prue mention a time when she had to be at the first checkpoint?" I asked.

"No, I don’t think there was one."

"Shit. Charlie One to all units. Possibility that India One will be under observation at Papa One. Control, acknowledge."

"Charlie One, Control. Roger. India One is likely to be under observation at all Papas."

"Control, Charlie One. I think it’s best to assume that."

"Control, Charlie Three. India One now at Papa One. Charlie Three relocating."

"All units, Control. Radio silence."

"So we just sit, wait and hope," I said to Josie.

Ten minutes later, we heard Prue give us the location of the second checkpoint and then Control moving Charlie units to new positions. This went on for an hour and a half before we got the location of the dead letterbox.

"Control, Charlie One. Request Foxtrot units roll to Papa Eight."

"Charlie One, Control. Roger, Foxtrot units rolling."

"Control, Charlie One. Can we designate Papa Eight as hot?" By hot I meant that it would be under constant observation by the blackmailer.

"All units, Control. Charlie One has asked that Papa Eight be designated as hot. Maximum time at Papa Eight is to be ten minutes. No Charlie unit to return within thirty minutes of last visit."

"Control, Bravo One. Suggest after pickup that we swap Charlie units with backup team. That way we have fresh faces and vehicles for the second leg." John had suggested a very good idea.

"Control, Charlie One. I would like to concur with that last message."

"Bravo One, Control. I’ll let you work out the changeovers once we know where we are going."

"Back to waiting," Josie said.

We listened to Control changing the watchers at irregular intervals; sometimes one of Wendy’s team would suggest a likely suspect. Prue had been picked up by one of the Charlie taxis and driven to the office, where the radio was removed and she debriefed. She was then returned to HuggleBugs.

"Control, Foxtrot Three. I have positive identification of Tango One." Tango was the code word for anyone we believed was involved, with Tango One, the ‘woman’ from the tapes.

"All units, Control. No one make any sudden movements." This could be it.

"Control, Foxtrot Seven. Possible Tango, male, about five seven, wearing a short leather jacket. Heading towards Papa Eight."

"Control, Charlie Sixteen. Lift off; Tango One has performed lift off, heading for southwest exit."

"All units, Control. Lift off.

"All Charlie units on Papa Eight remain until told to move.

"Charlie Fifteen and Charlie Seventeen standby. Target is Tango One, I repeat, target is Tango One."

We heard John swapping the free Charlie units. Charlie Seventeen made contact and the chase was on. Papa Eight was eventually cleared and Control was expertly moving the tails so that no one stayed in view for too long. As traffic got lighter, so the tail changing got more regularly. Eventually the chase ended outside a house in the suburbs. All the tails split off and went their separate ways.

Peter had had a bright idea and requested the Police helicopter to circle over the surrounding area. Not too close, but close enough for the cameras to be able to track Tango One.

The job now changed. We had to set up surveillance for a short time to gather intelligence about the target. Also, we had to be sure that everyone involved was inside. Joe’s team was mobilized and Josie and I arrived at the rendezvous point.

"What’s the status?" I asked.

"Tango One is inside, no one else has entered or left," Charlie Three said.

"Okay, when Joe’s team arrives, we go in," I said.

Joe arrived ten minutes later. A quick briefing and we were ready to go.

We broke down the front door; another team took out the rear door. Checking rooms as we went, we searched the house. Josie and I made for the basement. We found what looked like a small laboratory and there, holding something in her hand, was the blonde.

"Freeze, don’t move a muscle," I said.

We started moving towards the ‘woman’. I got to within six feet when the blonde threw something at me. I ducked as Josie leapt at her and in the struggle the blonde’s wig came off.

We led the captive away for interrogation and let Joe’s team to disassemble the lab and decontaminate the area.

There were three of us in the room. Beside myself, there was Josie and the blackmailer, still wearing his female disguise, but with out his wig.

"Can you tell us your name?" I asked.

Silence

"What do we call you?" Josie asked.

Silence

"We’ve got all night, all week, all year in fact. You won’t leave this room until you start talking to us," I said.

"You are probably right about that," he said.

"About what?" I asked.

He said nothing more, just sat there, looking at us. Well we had plenty of time.

Four hours went by, fours hours of questions followed by silence. Four hours of boredom, broken by his sudden collapse.

The blackmailer’s name was Julia, a biochemist, who had tried to get a job at HuggleBugs, but was turned down, didn’t have the right qualifications, or something. Anyway, this rejection finally got to her and she wanted revenge. She refused to tell us how she got the raw nanite or the software.

The disguise was a double bluff. She had transformed herself into a man, and then dressed as a woman, hoping that this would ensure she would be free from suspicion. All the victims, except me, were picked, at random, from the phone book. She also set a trap, just to make it interesting; I was just unlucky… or lucky, depending upon your point of view.

The other victims were put onto our support program. Catherine decided to convert to a male, something about periods and pregnancy or something like that. But all three groups are fine and coming to terms with their new status somewhere in the United States.

And me? Well, I’ve come to terms with my new life and Josie is taking me clubbing on Saturday. I’m going to spend all day in the beauty shop getting my hair and nails done and I’ve seen this darling little dress.

As for Saturday, I think she has set me up with a date. Now that should be interesting.

 

Epilogue

Josie and I completed the security audit at HuggleBugs and submitted it to Maggie. But, she only went and quit to join them as Head of Security. Geez, I’d hoped to get that job myself, but it worked out for the best.

After my ‘discovery’, the Government set up a new agency, with me as its head. Our task was to insure, using any means possible that the people in authority were really who they should be. Josie was my team leader. Hey, she was still cute, I owed her a lot and I still needed her.

One of my first jobs was to see if we could create a vaccine to provide protection against the nanites. This vaccine would be based on the genetic markers left behind, but that is for another story.

And you don’t want to know who I report to; you probably haven’t got the security clearance, anyway. Outside of my agency, only two people are cleared to our level, Maggie is one. If I told you the other, I’d either have to shoot you or you’d spend the rest of your days in solitary at Leavenworth.

Oh, that Saturday was interesting, very interesting. I never knew being a woman could be so much fun, pity about the periods.

 

 

 

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© 2001 by Samantha Jay. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.