Copyright:  Wednesday, March 16, 2005 04:25:53 PM         PARADISE ISLAND ATLANTIC OCEAN MID-AFTERNOON - DAY 5               Muffled sounds roused a colorful long-tailed parrot from its fitful afternoon nap. Its dark round eyes snapped open in alarm, and it quickly surveyed the surrounding treetops for danger. There were no four-footed predators on this remote little island, but the big snakes could sometimes sneak up and attack a careless bird...           Then it tilted its head, and stared with unabashed curiosity as a strange creature washed up on the gleaming sand and split into several different parts. Those tall gangly things were humans. It knew, from occasional forays to the distant mainland, that they were noisy and messy, leaving behind delicious treats for a daring bird to snatch--but they weren’t usually dangerous.           Humans had arrived on the island a few days ago, in a big floating creature just like that one. The inquisitive parrot had watched them from a cautious distance, but they hadn’t made any threatening moves.           These new humans seemed harmless, too. So the bird flipped back its long wings, and watched as they pulled their floating thing up into the bushes, then covered it with loose vines.           Two of the humans grabbed broken branches, and dragged them across the hot sand to wipe out their odd-shaped footprints. Then they melted back into the trees right under the parrot’s comfortable perch and pointed in different directions, making soft mouth-sounds.           Whatever they were doing, it obviously didn’t involve food.           The bored parrot shook its feathers to relieve a persistent itch, then settled back into its interrupted nap. • • • • • •           "That should do it." Kenny Hewitt stepped back and viewed his handiwork with a satisfied nod. The Kennedy’s drab olive life raft blended so perfectly into the surrounding foliage, even he had to search for its squat outline among the shadowed leaves and vines. An enemy would walk right by it, and never even see it.           Only a curious bright-hued macaw had watched them stealthily approach the island and sneak ashore. No one had noticed Paddy and Levitz cautiously erasing their footprints with branches broken in the last storm. No one had seen them camouflaging their precious life raft with dead leaves and straggling vines. To all appearances, this remote little tropical island was deserted.           Still, he knew that John Doggett was right. There were hostile forces hiding nearby. All his highly-trained senses were clamoring with shrill alarms.           So far, they’d manage to escape enemy detection. He had no illusions that their luck would hold. For the sake of their civilian companions, this mission would have to be short and tightly focused.           He still wasn’t quite sure how Doggett had convinced him to include Stanwick and Kensington in the landing party. He’d been determined to leave them aboard the Kennedy, under his most trusted sergeant’s tight rein.           Senator Kensington had surprised him, though. He’d not only managed to smuggle his old service weapon aboard the Kennedy, he’d handled it with surprising competence. So what if he’d been a Navy squid? Kenny was practical enough to realize that military rivalries faded like mist during a firefight.           Alexander Stanwick was a definite liability, though. He knew how to pull a trigger, but he’d had no military training at all. And he had a shockingly volatile temper, for such a dignified gentleman.           Of course, both fathers had suffered a nasty shock when they’d learned about that Syndicate strike team targeting the island. Kenny had a teenage son Stateside. If Trevor’s life was ever threatened...           But he hadn’t expected Mr. Ultra-Dignified-Millionaire Stanwick to go berserk! It had taken three burly sergeants to haul him back, and slam him into a chair.           And Kenny’s ears were still burning from the Senator’s furious tirade. Last time he’d been chewed to shreds like that, he and Johnny had been caught sneaking two pretty senoritas into their barracks, along with enough rotgut to float their entire platoon.           Then, at least, they’d deserved it. But this time, dammit, it wasn’t his fault!         Worse yet, his men had witnessed him being bawled out by a damned ex-squid-turned-politician. Embarrassing!           On the up side, once he’d vented his righteous wrath, Kensington had shifted to full military mode. Tense, but totally professional. He’d even worked alongside Hewitt’s men, rowing the raft and dragging it ashore, without a word of complaint. Perhaps he could be trusted to help protect it--and keep Stanwick from doing something incredibly stupid!           A few yards north of their position, Doggett and his partner were already crouched in the bushes, cradling M-16 assault rifles. He couldn’t help wondering where pretty little Monica Reyes had learned to operate the complex weapon. M-16's weren’t exactly Quantico standard training weapons.           Alexander Stanwick was slumped on a nearby fallen stump, brooding. It seemed damned unfair that anyone could look so dignified in borrowed military fatigues. Even the sultry heat hadn’t reduced his innate dignity. If only he’d snap out of his blue funk and help, instead of endangering the mission--and his son’s life--with his manic mood swings!           Almost time to move out. And he could see, by the hopeful way Kensington was eyeing him, that the Senator wanted to tag along. For one brief moment, he considered it. He and Doggett could pair off...Boom-Boom and Slammer, together again, just like the old days...while Kensington partnered with Sergeant Levitz.           But Doggett already had a partner, one who matched his strengths and skills perfectly. They were used to working together in crisis situations. Separating them, and assigning them unfamiliar partners, was a dangerous risk.           Besides, someone had to keep an eye on Stanwick. And he wasn’t certain whether Agent Reyes alone could contain him, if he went berserk again.           No, overall it was better that he stuck with his original plan. He and Levitz would scout-snipe their way across the steep hillsides. Paddy and Hawkins would canvass the beach and lower slopes. Kensington was safer remaining here with Stanwick, Doggett, and Reyes.           Better to get it over with. Sighing, he moved to the ruddy Texan’s side. "I know you’d like to patrol the island with my fire team, but I need you to stay here and protect the raft," he instructed in a low voice. "None of us will leave this island again if it’s destroyed. I’m trusting you with our only escape route. Don’t let me down, Senator."           Dismay and disappointment chased across Kensington’s face, then were replaced by reluctant obedience. "We’ll be here when you return," he sighed, lifting one hand in a grim salute. "Godspeed, Chief Warrant Officer."           Hewitt’s respect for him increased another notch. It went against protocol, but he felt compelled to return the salute. Then he clapped the older man’s shoulder. "And try to keep him out of trouble, will you?" he added in a softer, confidential tone.           Kensington instinctively glanced over at his long-time friend. Stanwick was still sulking on his log, his angular face drawn with bitterness. He genuinely sympathized with Stanwick’s roiling depression. Even the thought of losing Penny turned his legs to water. But he also understood the need to control and focus his emotions, and rally to the greater cause.           "He won’t cause you any trouble," he promised, tightening his lips. "Even if I have to club him over the head to keep him quiet."           Satisfied, Kenny softly snapped his fingers. His men whirled around, as if he’d bellowed their names, and respectfully hunched down while he drew a rough map in the hot sand. "Our recon data indicates that there are habitable caves north of this location," he informed them. "We’ll split into two teams and canvass the area, working in a northerly pattern. Hawkins, you and Paddy take the lower slopes. Levitz and I will search the summit. Standard procedures apply."           Stanwick suddenly lurched to his feet. "What about us?" he demanded, fire burning in his eyes. "I came here to rescue Max, not sit idle while you go shoot everything in sight!"           Hewitt struggled to contain his rising temper. The surly millionaire was frantic about his missing son. Just as he would be, if Trevor’s life was in danger. "God willing, we’ll never even have to draw our weapons." Then a crafty smile curved his lips. "You have the best eyesight of anyone here, and the beach is our most vulnerable approach. That’s why I need you to stand guard, and protect your friends. I’m counting on you for this!"           Liar! his conscience taunted. Danger will come from the north. Johnny knows it, that’s why he assumed a tactical position the moment we landed.           But Stanwick was no soldier, and he wanted to believe Hewitt’s inspiring plea. Enthusiasm replaced his churning frustration. Straightening, he attempted an obedient salute. "No one will get by me!"           "Good!" Hewitt briskly turned back to his waiting men. "Our radios won’t work here, so we’ll have to do this the old-fashioned way. Stay sharp, men--and let’s go kick some butt!"           Doggett glanced back over his shoulder, a wistful expression on his square face, as all four armed Marines melted into the thick underbrush like silent ghosts.           Part of him yearned to follow them, to hunt down the Syndicate team he knew was skulking nearby. Yet he was keenly aware of his responsibility to protect Senator Kensington and Alexander Stanwick. They were only here because he’d given Kenny his solemn oath to guard them. No matter what the cost, he meant to fulfill that pledge.           Stanwick had moved closer to the beach, and Kensington was conscientiously guarding the southern edge of their small clearing. Doggett instinctively glanced east, where Reyes had quietly crept, to protect their flanks.           Stay sharp, Monica, he thought, meeting her steady gaze through the rippling shadows. The X-Team will be reunited soon. • • • • • •           Penny’s wrists still hurt. She cast a baleful glare at her massive captor, then stalked back to the underground pool. Let him follow, if he wanted. It wasn’t like she could escape!           Scowling, she plunged both arms into the cool water. Tiny bubbles formed along the rope abrasions, and clung to her tender skin. She watched in fascination until they vanished again, and the pain faded.           Glistening moisture was trickling down the far wall. Suddenly thirsty, she grabbed a discarded coconut shell, and scooped up a refreshing mouthful. It helped ease her growing hunger.           If only she knew where Agent Mulder and Alex Krycek were going! Gorilla-face was no help, he didn’t even speak English. When she’d tried talking to him earlier, he’d given her this dumb look, and rattled off something in a guttural monotone that set her teeth on edge.           How she hated being trapped in here! She’d always prided herself on being resourceful and self-sufficient, but now she felt so darned helpless! Surely there must be some way she could free herself!           Hey, maybe if she started the fire again, and then threw hot ashes in her guard’s face...           But no, the emergency kit was well-hidden under a bush above the cave. She couldn’t start another fire without it. And Gorilla-face would only shout to his partner, Weasel-face, for help.           Could she knock him out before he called for reinforcements? Maybe if she tried to look really helpless, he’d think she was just an empty-headed little ditz, and he’d relax a little. Then she could sneak up and hit him over the head...           No, that probably wouldn’t work, either. He was three times her size.           Well, there must be something she could do!           Maxie, where are you? she silently wailed. I need some help here! • • • • • •           "Agent Scully has been gone a long time." Esther glanced worriedly at her husband through the dim shadows. "You don’t think anything’s happened to her, do you?"           Reuben peered at the rough stone floor. They could track the sun’s passage overhead by marking its progress through tiny cracks in the ceiling. One faint beam of light had been slanting across a dry fragment of kelp when the agile FBI agent had hurried away. Now a small shiny pebble was glittering in the afternoon sunlight.           They’d only been in the catacombs for about an hour, but Esther was right. It did feel like they’d been trapped down here all day.           He rose to his feet, and was pleasantly surprised by his body’s nimble response. Must be all the exercise we’ve been getting lately, he mused. I should do more walking when we get home again.           "I don’t like being stuck down here, either," he conceded, in answer to his wife’s unspoken plea. "But Agent Scully said we should wait right where we are. What can we do to help them, anyway? You and me, we don’t even have any weapons!"           Esther had never been a woman to mince words. Scowling, she surged to her feet and shook out her long skirts. "Reuben Samuel Schaumberg," she scolded, thrusting a plump finger in his startled face, "how can you talk that way? Max and Penny, they’re like our own grandchildren! How can we just sit here and do nothing?"           Before he could respond, she turned and marched across the shadowy chamber. "You can stay here if you want," she announced over one shoulder. "As for me, I’m going to find a way to help them! Assassins, indeed!" Her angry voice faded as she hurried out of sight. "I’ll teach them to hurt my little Penny!"           Reuben scrambled to catch up. "Agent Scully’s going to be mad at us!" he warned as he trotted along in her wake.           Esther merely snorted, and continued up the narrowing tunnel. "Agent Scully's a remarkable woman.  And she'll make him a wonderful wife someday.  But this is something we need to do!"           Suddenly she stopped, and turned back to her anxious husband with an affectionate smile. "You know I’m right, Reuben. And if the worst happens--well, we’re old, you and me." She laid a gentle hand on his wrinkled cheek. "I’d rather die knowing I tried to help, than spend the rest of my life regretting what I didn’t do."           Reuben sighed. She was right. If anything happened to Penny or Max, he’d never be able to forgive himself. "The tunnel’s getting tighter up ahead," he warned, clasping her plump hand. "Can you get through?"           Esther eyed the shimmering stone walls with grim determination. "Don’t you worry. I’ll find a way!"