7 months earlier… 

Chapter One 

"The thing you got to know about plans is…nothing ever goes according to plan."

0425 hoursCity Park                 "Rook to D7."                 Thomas Brill pivoted his upper body to face the man whose shadow had begun to obstruct his view of the pieces. He had been squatting on the seat over the chess table.                 "Jack," he turned back, "what can I do for you? Game of chess maybe?                 Jack walked around him to the empty seat and sat down, "Who plays chess by himself in the city park at four a.m. in the morning?" he furrowed his brows.                 "Who comes looking for classified information in the city park at four a.m. in the morning?" the other remarked back and moved a piece on the table. Jack noted that he had deliberated not moved the rook to D7.                 "I need your help to make some special arrangements for an agent I need brought in," he pulled the manila enveloped from his overcoat and handed it to Brill. Brill took it and placed it next to him on the bench with Jack following his actions. The latter picked up the game midway, using the white rook to displace one of his pawns, "He's an operative I'm sure you'd be familiar with."                 Brill picked up the envelope, scanning the park grounds briefly before he pulled the documents partially out of their shield. His eyes turned back to Jack, "Me and the entire intelligence world! How did you manage to pull this one off?" Jack smirked, "You have your resources, I have mine." Brill sighed and moved another piece, "It must have cost a fortune, money which I know you don't have…and he does not do personal favors..." "At least none that's been heard of." "You were his handler, not his long lost dad. What are you not letting up on?" "Maybe I'm better than you think." Jack took another his bishop. The other studied him carefully…,"You're good, Jack, but not that good." Brill shifted his Rook to D7, "Check mate." Jack's lips curved a little. "Beat you at your own game," Brill clapped with a sense of satisfaction, "One more dance?" "Sorry, got to save the world from going to hell." "The world can wait in line." "Hell can't." Jack smirked. Brill pressed him further. "Fine," Jack gave in, "One." 

 0827 hoursCIA OperationsLos Angeles

                 The moment he entered the rotunda, he headed straight for her. Syd had been anticipating this all morning, trying to plan her reaction, and probably put on a little more make up than necessary to hide last night's tearful ordeal. After an hour half of busying herself, and thinking up a hundred different evasion lines, when faced with the inevitable, she chided herself frustratedly for being unable to order her emotions in the situation. Wiess' pep talks had done nothing to make it easier…they only amplified what dilemma she already felt inside. She tried to inject his humor into the situation… "Well I'm mad at her, and I don't even think he's that cute." She let a tiny smile escape her lips momentarily, then put the file she had been pretending to read into her desk drawer, rising to meet him.                "Syd, about last night…"                "Vaughn." She stopped him mid sentence; only to find herself settling with a simple, "no."                He looked back at her with that same familiar look…and she felt that same familiar feeling, but this time accompanied by the loss she had felt last night. Like the only light she had found solace and hope in since coming back to this life had disappeared, and she found the arguments of her heart coming up all over again. She didn't know if she was angry at him having given her hope, or herself for having hoped. And even now with Lauren, it was just so complicated. Damn you. She turned her eyes downwards for a moment to keep her composure, "I can't do this right now."                Syd looked to him for a moment of understanding. She took his silence as consent, and then turned her attention towards Dixon who was coming their way. "Sydney. Vaughn."                "Yeah!" Syd took a breath and replied quickly.                "Yeah," he followed her cue.                Dixon glanced briefly at both. He got down to business, "One of our field agents in Milan intercepted a wide receiver transmission from what we believe is one of the covenant cell directors. Its believed there will be a major meeting between the North American cell and East European cell leaders-"                "Wait," Sydney interjected, "since when was there an east European cell?"                "Since we intercepted the transmission," Dixon replied. Syd heaved a tired sigh, "What else is known about them?"                "Nothing," Dixon continued, "…until 0200 hours this morning, we didn't even know it existed. Analysis is running up a series of possible scenarios. It seems likely that this is one of the more recently established cells; it's possible even after the North American group. But if that assumption is wrong, and they've existed much longer than we anticipate…all I can say is they've done a hell of a job keeping it from plain sight."                "If so," Vaughn remarked thoughtfully, "they are probably the biggest threat we have encountered thus far."                Dixon showed little if any personal reaction to the recent developments, quite unlike the man Sydney knew from before. He was a picture of objectivity, everything they were taught to be in spook school. A lot has changed in two years, Syd remarked silently.                "As pressing as it is, it will have to wait, we have greater concerns to deal with-"               

"The worm…" Syd finished for him, earning her a slight question from the former, to which she answered, "Wiess just told me."                Dixon nodded, "Nine, in the conference room."                The other two nodded.                "As for the new development, analysis will come back to us when they retrieve sufficient intel… your father has been assigned to monitor its progress…he has a hunch that this will uncover new findings..."                Syd smiled a little. New findings. On one hand her dad's over protective nature sometimes got to her, on the other hand since coming back, she unconsciously vowed never to belittle its value…he was…                Growing up, I never had anyone to disappoint. That's different now.                He was everything the man next to her used to be.                Everything has changed in two years.                "And by the way, Syd…"                "Yeah?"                "Jack has recommended that Alexi Ruich be brought on board."                "Alexi?" Syd's eyes widened, "Is that even possible?"                Vaughn's brows furrowed a little, so Syd explained, "He was one of the deep cover field operatives for SD-6…he was one year my senior in training school, but apparently he jumped ship a year into his field assignment…before even I came in. There was speculation where he deflected to, but SD-6 was never really able to trace him. After a while, they gave up pursuit- how did you- how is the clearance even possible?"                It was Dixon's turn to smirk, "I'm director of the CIA. Around here…next to God I'm second in command."                Every now and then he would surprise them. Syd and Vaughn smiled. Now Alexi- he was one of the most elusive agents known to the intelligence community. Syd pondered what had gone down to make such an alliance possible, but decided quickly that there were many things that could wait, and this was one of them. She would find out sooner or later anyway. Right now, the fate of the world was the most important thing. And she marveled had how sad that situation really sounded, and snidely to herself how fatalistic her candor on life had become. "…so I'll see you both inside?"                "Yeah," Syd nodded.                "Nine," Vaughn concurred.                Dixon turned proceeded on his way. They watched him go through the conference doors, then turned back to one another. An awkward silence befell them at once; sorry looks from Vaughn, weary ones from Syd. She was the one who decided to take the first step to walk away without the need to converse further, but he was the one who gently reached for her elbow. He hadn't planned to say anything, he wanted to respect her need to cool off, but he couldn't let her leave thinking it didn't matter to him.                I'm not going to lose you again.                "Syd…"                His touch could have made her cry, but it didn't, over the years she had learned to crucify those emotions appropriately within the set parameters of protocol. And lately, she wished that she had learnt to see the wisdom in those rules earlier. Her eyes moved to his hand on

her, then slowly back at him. Despite her confused emotions, she was sober enough to know the 'right thing'.                "She needs you."                Syd extricated herself from his hold, not that it was difficult. 

 Long Si MountainsChina                  The wooden log house smelled of pine, and was slightly chilly despite the fire that was going. The living room was well adorned; a Persian throw rug, Scandinavian furniture, various collectibles behind the glass cabinet that lined the back wall…photographs. There were photographs, but not her own, just another addition to the elaborate façade put together in the event of any suspicion. Any snooper would figure this was just another retreat for a rich multimillionaire.                Irina blew lightly on the mug as she toggled the computer keys.                                (typing): Has it been arranged?                (typing): Dixon has put through the necessary paper work…                She sipped her tea lightly, savoring its bitter taste. All was going according to plan. So far.                                (typing): Why are you helping us? Why is their elimination so important?                "You mean what is my hidden mercenary agenda." Irina remarked to herself. He could never take it without question, at least not when it came to her. Not that she could blame him.                                (typing): All you have to know is that its in her best interests.                There was a pause. Irina contemplated asking how Sydney was, but before she could…                                (typing): Approvals should come through within the next few hours.                She smiled. When it came to their daughter, he was too easy.                 (typing): I have already made arrangements for him.                (typing): Not too premature?                She could almost hear him roll his eyes at her.                                 (typing): I'm never premature. Sydney was right, she knew how to push Jack's buttons, but Irina excused herself with the reason that he was such an easy target. He was so anal; she loved that arrogance about him…the truth was not going to be easy. "Truth never is…" a voice came from behind, reading her thoughts. She turned around and glanced briefly at the woman behind her, the swivel of the chair creaking slightly as she did. No, its not. Then without an acknowledgement to the other, Irina turned back to the computer screen.                  (typing): But its time. Goodbye, Jack. She didn't wait for his reply before she killed the chat screen. He would never reciprocate anyway. The other observed the time on her wrist watch, then remarked, "That's cutting it a little close don't you think?" Irina leaned back into her chair, "I'm never late."

 The other smiled. 

 Jack's OfficeCIA headquarters [Chat session terminated]                The pop up box blinked, the light on the computer reflecting its flicker on Jack's face. He paused momentarily to consider, frowning.                But its time? What the hell does that mean?                "Dad!" The door swung open and startled Jack from his thoughts.                "Have you been here all night?" Sydney exclaimed, letting herself in and heading to the windows. She yanked the blinds open, letting in a sudden rush of sunlight, that made Jack wince, "You could have a least turned on the lights!" She flipped on the table lights, and sat on the edge of his table.                Jack shook off his stiffness, closing his eyes momentarily, his hand clipping the bridge of his nose. He let out a tired breath.                Syd looked at him, "How long have you been working?"                "I couldn't sleep…so I came in to work…they called me in around two."                His daughter nodded, "I heard from Dixon."                He looked up from his chair and smiled at his daughter. He lifted his right hand up to push a strand of hair back in place, then ran his thumb lightly on her cheek with much affection. I love you, sweetheart. They smiled at one another.                Syd's hand went from her lap where it was settled to his arm laid out on the desk, "Daddy," she sighed, "you need to rest. Just go home and do…I don't know. Nothing."                He let out a laugh.                "I'm serious!"                He grinned some more. What Jack would give for more moments like this, for something normal, "What about you?"                Sydney shot him a look, don't change the subject.                Jack let his head fall at an angle to the side, "I'll be fine sweetheart…I've just spent enough time doing nothing."                Sydney knew he was referring to the time spent in the CIA prison, "Oh dad."                "Hey," he stopped her, but she turned away, "hey," he called again trying get her to look him in the eye, she finally did, "We've been through this."                She pressed her lips together, and he knew that he had gotten through. He clasped his hands together and leaned back, "So, how about a sundae at that place we used to go to with your mom?"                "Another trip back to 'kid's ville'? Dad, you're overcompensating." He shrugged. Syd loved how domestic that sounded though, and was a little surprised that her dad could refer to Irina that way to her, or even make reference to that memory without his bitterness coming through. If only her mom wasn't a renegade spy, or her dad a CIA agent, and she didn't have this ridiculous messed up life…it would seem almost

normal, "I'll have to take a raincheck…I've got a meeting in five, not to mention a killer headache. I need sleep." "Weren't you off last night?" Jack noticed a sadness wash over her, then he understood, "Vaughn."                Syd's eyes looked up at him almost guiltily, and then her head hung low again. She didn't want him to know what had happened…it was too hard. Too vulnerable.                Everything has changed.                He sat up about to give her some support, but anticipating this, she quickly hopped off the table and started out the door, "I've got to get to that meeting."                Jack stood up, "Sydney."                She spun round, "It's okay, dad….I'm okay." Then quietly she proceeded out the door, "We'll get that sundae..."                Jack decided not to pursue it, there were some things she just wasn't ready to share with him just yet, and he figured maybe it was for the better. She didn't need his suspicions of Lauren to fuel more uncertainty for her. He smiled just and nodded, "…assuming the whole world doesn't go to hell in the next ten minutes."                "Nothing always goes according to plan…the world will have to wait in line." She waved without looking back.  

 Irina's cabinLong Si Mountains                 "How did you get in?" Irina poured a mug of tea and handed it to her sister.                "It wasn't that hard…" the other mock-egotistically remarked. There was still a slight tinge of a Russian accent, but a lot less than Katya's.                Irina smirked, "So you say." And walked out of the kitchen into the living room.                Ilena's jaw dropped dramatically as she hopped off the counter and followed after, "I am that good you know?"                Irina let out a low pitched laugh, "Oh yes, yes you are…except when you fumbled slightly with the bypass circuit at trip point three."                "Oh!" She put her hands on her waist, "You were watching!" Irina let out another low, dry bit of laughter, "Of course I was," and sat on the couch. Ilena joined her, "You're no fun…couldn't you have let me upstage you just once? Honestly, you have the place walled up like…you!" she jibbed, "you're too careful."                "You're too careless!" the other shot back, "Be careful Ilena, this is a dangerous game we're playing, especially for you. If Bonami even suspects you are not whom you seem…"                Ilena sighed and put her arm around her sister, "I know, I know. You're going to get a hemorrhage at the rate you're going."                "Ilena!" Irina exclaimed and then scolded her in a couple of lines of Russian.                The other just took it in whimsically, cocking her head from side to side. Of all the Derevko sisters she's was the most playful…if playful was a word you could use on a 40 over year old woman.                "Incorrigeble." Irina shook her head, then got serious, "You shouldn't have risked coming here, you're good but so are a lot of other people."

                "Wow." The younger remarked, "That took a whole minute, but you got one compliment in…that's worth some points."                Irina smacked her on the thigh, and got back to the impending discussion, "What's so important that you had to come?" She knew Ilena was stalling, trying to think of a better way to bring up whatever it was she came for.                "I was wondering how long it would take you to catch on," Ilena commented, "There's a hitch in the plan."                "Things never go according to plan." Irina replied.                The other fiddled with her mug and then glanced back up at her older sister, "This is different."       

 0902 hoursConference Room "12 hours ago a large-scale cyber-terrorist attack was launched. This computer virus originated from a server in Berlin, infecting servers throughout Europe and Asia. It's estimated that within 24 hours, it will consume over half of all internet bandwidth." Damn it, Sydney thought to herself, dad was starting to go Rambaldi on her. The whole world was going to hell. Syd sifted through the documents in front of her quickly, conscious of Vaughn's gaze on her actions. He knew of how acute her memory skills were, nevertheless he used to watch her make short work of all their briefing material… "What?""Your memory. You're incredulous.""That's why I'm the field agent and you're just the radio boy.""But a hot radio boy.""…giggles…my hot radio boy."Kiss"I love everything about you.""That's good to know." She shook her head slightly to break her sudden trip to their past, nevertheless, Vaughn noticed her sudden changed of demeanor. "…to date, 20 terabytes of patient medical records and research databases have been corrupted…" "Are you okay?" Vaughn leaned to his side and whispered. Syd turned to look at him briefly then stole a glance at Lauren across from her, still affected. The latter eyed her and her husband none too obviously. Syd ignored Vaughn's question, "And we believe the Covenant is behind this?" Vaughn leaned back into his seat, resigned. Dixon shifted his sights to Sydney and replied, "Well we know the Passenger is a bio-weapon. Given the worm's targets, we're assuming they're trying to launch a precursor attack." "Maybe they're trying to shut down all the treatment facilities?" Wiess suggested. "Well," Vaughn decided to go with her cue. When she was like this there was little getting through, "that would make sense... weaken medical response capabilities." "Are these our only leads?" Lauren inquired, to which Marshall answered. "Actually, no. This code has all the trademarks of a hacker known as "Cypher". And guess what? He operates out of Berlin."

 Looks were exchanged all across the room. The meeting was over. "Vaughn, Sydney," Dixon ordered, "go to Berlin, and identify and confirm he created the worm, and shut it down. See Marshall for your op-tech. You leave in two hours." No one noticed the traitor's eyes go cold. 

 Irina's CabinLong Si Mountains                 "How long ago?" Irina paced up and down.                "I don't know," Ilena remained in her seat.                Irina paced some more then moved to sit on the sofa's arm rest. She knew she made her sister uncomfortable when she was like this. She might only be over reacting.                "Bomani said nothing to the cell leaders until yesterday, he had kept us all in the dark."                "Which means he may suspect someone…"                "Not necessarily…" Ilena interjected, "his mode of operation has always been such, then again I would not underestimate him."                "No, you're right," Irina corrected herself, "the former seems more plausible. How long before the worm completes its run?"                "It's hard to say…but I'd give it two days, maximum."                A worried look came onto Irina's face, "That is not good."                "I know."                "They must not uncover her location."

 

 Viadro's VillaMilan                 Nadia slipped into the wrapped around top that he held out for her.                "I wish you would not persist," he frowned.                Nadia flipped the sash in one quick movement and pulled. The material made slight zipping sound as it tightened around her waist. She smiled back at him as she threw some of her things into the canvas travel bag. It looked hard and worn. "And what would you have me do? Sit under lock and key day and night?" She headed for the bathroom.                "At least you would be safe," he said, staying where he was in the middle of the room as she went to and fro.                "Papi," she pecked him on the cheek, looking at him with eyes he had loved since she was a little girl, "I'll be fine," then continued with her packing. He softened only momentarily.                "You have never believed in Rambaldi," he sighed.                Her expression changed. Not again. She shook her head, "That's not true," she defended, her finger came up pointing back as she ferried the toiletries, shampoo in one hand, her towel in another, "I just choose not to let a man that's been dead for God knows how long- control my life." She tugged on the drawstring and threw the bag across her shoulder,

heading out the door. He followed closely behind as she made quick work of their house staircase, weaving effortlessly around one of the guards.                "Ms Nadia. Dr. Viadro."                She nodded in acknowledgement, he didn't bother.                "Your mother would be none to pleased about this-"                "Well then, she'll just have live with it now won't she?" she spun around, "don't use her against me." She sighed, growing tired of the conversation, "Sometimes I wonder why is it you keep me so safe, because you care, or because of my value to the order." Memories flashed briefly in her mind of her painful childhood. They were incomplete, sometimes more like a dream than not. But of her mother, she had no real memory, only one, of an old photograph, which she saw once on her tenth birthday, when she had come to stay with Viadro. He let her throw it into the fire place minutes later. The other responded empathetically, placing his hand on her cheek. He knew he needn't explain for himself, and he knew explaining for Irina would do little good, but he always did, "She does love you, Nadia." She looked away, "Then tell her to come defend herself from her daughter whom she has never met." and carried on down the last few steps, leaving Viadro's hand where her cheek had once been. I don't even remember her. "Nadia…Nadia!" he called after her. Two guards stepped aside to allow her passage. Nadia reached front door and stopped, turning to face the older man once more. As he was about to speak, she stopped him, "Father…" her face softened, and her voice became a whisper, "there's nothing to say that hasn't already been said." She looked up and around the house, "All this, her. You…the prophecy…" she glanced at the guard that was watching their conversation and he quickly looked away. She continued, "I don't know what's real and what's not anymore. And I can't forgive or accept what I don't understand." "You can't forgive or accept her." He corrected. She looked away, "I need some semblance of what is real." "Oh my child…and that out there is real to you? The lies and the deception…? Putting your life in danger?" he tried to get her eye contact. "It's all I've ever known." He nodded sadly at her answer. There was truth in it. Her whole life had been hidden under a cover of lies and mistrust. Running…to or from destiny he wasn't sure. It was tragic that one so young had to suffer something so painful. But the plan of destiny had decided her fate for her, whether she truly believed in it or not. He wondered if destiny had decided too, that she would live the rest of her days, thinking she was loved for what she was rather than who she was. Honestly, it was hard to tell for anyone which was the truth. And he wondered too if she knew that she was walking the very path she loathed so much. Ultimately, she believed on some level, even if she refused to accept it. "How long will you be?" he changed the subject. She was grateful, "If all goes according to plan, one week, maybe two, its hard to say." "Nothing ever goes according to plan," he grudgingly replied, "You will call back once you're done?" She smiled, "I always do." "No, you don't." He glared. 

Nadia laughed and hugged him with one arm, "I'll be home in a week, Papi." She kissed his cheek. She was about to pull away when he stopped her, "She stays away because she loves you."                Nadia held back a tear, biting her lower lip reflectively. She slowly released him.                "I love you."                Viadro nodded, understanding, "Go."                Nadia turned, her long black hair tossing as she headed towards the waiting car.              

 CIA Operations                                "The prime objective has been compromised." Lauren let out as she walked towards the corner of the room, still discreetly eyeing the passing officers.                "How so?" Sark's voice came through on the line.                Lauren folded her left arm and continued, "They've uncovered the play."                She heard him sigh on the other line, "How long?"                "They are leaving for Berlin in two hours, I'm going to intercept, but even I know its cutting it rather close."                "Damn it," Sark mulled, "He is not going to be pleased."                "Then assure him…"                "This is not going according to plan…"                "Nothing does."                "Are you sure you don't want me to send someone else?"                She spotted Vaughn immerging from the conference hall with Sydney, they didn't speak, the latter walked off before Vaughn could say a word. Lauren's jaw hardened. She became more irritable as the conversation went by, "No, I want to do this myself." "That is not the wisest course of action-" "There's no time!" She refuted, trying to lower her voice.                Vaughn spotted her and began to make his way over. "I need you to take some necessary precautions..."  "I'll call your mother-" "I have to go." Lauren flicked the phone shut with one hand just in time, "Hey!" "Hey," he answered, "looks like I can't make your father's funeral." "It can't be helped," her eyes flickered down. That much was not pretence, "Duty calls."                Vaughn sighed, "The world can wait…"                "No, it can't," Lauren stopped him, "It just me and my mother, I'll be fine."                "You sure?" Vaughn touched her arm, and she held his.                "Let's go home…" she responded, "I'll drive you to the airport."               

She threaded her fingers through his as she headed out to salvage the mess. Nothing ever goes according to plan. 

 Hours later…. NightclubBerlin                 "I'm going after the shooter!" Syd ran through the crowd.                It can't be, she kept telling herself as she pushed her way through the crowds. She tried her best to keep up with the moving target but she knew she was about to lose her…                She made a reach.                The girl spun round and stared at her confused.                "Sorry." Damn it.