Copyright:  Thursday, March 10, 2005 09:23:34 PM         PARADISE ISLAND ATLANTIC OCEAN               The mid-afternoon sun was hot. A humid breeze rustled through the thick trees, stirring leaves and a few flowered vines. Frogs croaked; a big green snake sprawled lazily across a wide branch. Further south, two parrots were squabbling over a choice bit of ripe fruit.           It was a normal day, exactly like every other day inside the Barrier.           Perhaps tonight it would rain. The trees could use some rain, they enjoyed stretching their branches wide and letting the water tickle their thick bark.           The last strands of a sturdy vine net tied between two rocks disintegrated and washed away with the rolling surf. Colorful fish, released from their unexpected prison, wriggled out into deeper water and resolved to avoid the shallows from then on.           The Island watched them go, and sent soothing thoughts after them. No real harm had been done. A few had been sacrificed for the greater good, but their small spirits would remain to enrich the land. Nothing was lost, it only changed form briefly before being reborn in some other shape.           No, that wasn’t entirely true. The Mulder-man had taken some of the Spores away with him. Those Spores would never return--so they were truly lost.           But his Spores would thrive and grow, and help continue The Project. That was as it should be, and so the Island was content.           The Mulder-man had generously given his Spores to his female partner. The Island approved of his gesture, because the Scully-partner was smart for a human. Her scientific knowledge was primitive, compared to the vast intelligence that had created the Barrier--but perhaps it would be enough. So much time had been lost! And the apocalypse was terrifyingly near.           After millennia of waiting, Bonds had finally been formed with humans again. Only three, a pitifully small number after all the endless intervening centuries. But it was a start, a new beginning. It offered renewed purpose to the Island and the Spores.           The Bonding was stronger in both male humans. The Island made note of that disparity, and wondered briefly if some ancient genetic mutation had made the Scully-partner less responsive to Bonding. Or perhaps her scientific nature, different from that of the males, provided an inhibiting factor.           No matter, the Bonding had been accomplished successfully. In time, it would strengthen. She would come to see and accept the Truth.           The Krycek-man’s Bonding was darkened with primitive, hateful emotions. The Island found his thoughts disturbing, troubling. Painful, too, because Bonding had caused the Krycek-man terrible agony. That was a drawback about Bonding, man and Island shared each other’s experiences on a deep subconscious level. Once it had been a conscious thing, but mankind had changed...           Perhaps the Bonding with the Krycek-man would have to be severed. Such a thing had been done before, when humans able to find the island had proved unsuitable for genetic enhancement. Only the best specimens must be included in The Project.           The Mulder-man’s Bonding had been different. He alone, of the three, had consciously heard the Island’s voice. He alone had responded. And he alone--unless the Island made necessary changes to the Scully-partner--showed potential to achieve the Next Stage in The Project.           Only one human, the Gibson-boy, had independently achieved the Next Stage since contact had been lost with humanity, countless millennia ago. It was time for the Mulder-man to take that crucial next step, to evolve and grow.           But the Island must move slowly, cautiously. The Gibson-boy was safe enough, for now. He understood the dangers, the need for secrecy and hiding.           The Mulder-man’s mind was different. He sought Truth with almost fanatical devotion. His steadfast refusal to stop searching drew dangerous attention. He rushed headlong into danger instead of avoiding it, like any sensible human would.           For that reason, he must be actively protected from the Others. Renewed capture and torture by Them, now that the Mulder-man had Bonded, could destroy everything the Island had managed to accomplish during the long Interval.           The Mulder-man trusted his Scully-partner. Perhaps she could be useful. • • • • • •           And deep inside the catacombs, at the end of a long, winding tunnel, an ancient sentient machine basked in the warm golden sunlight, and hummed in anticipation...