... And the cogs start turning.

[arvg]

*Secured Quarters*
*Day Two*

*House Arrest*

Ricardo Alvarez had given up entirely on the Video programs.

It had something to do with a medical drama where in the whole cast were either sleeping with each other, related to each other, or related and sleeping with each other...

It was a miracle anyone got treated at all at Libertonian hospitals... and it certainly did very little to imbue the General with Confidence in the Libertonian medical system.

He, instead, set about doing a crossword puzzel... not an easy feat when your first language is Spanish, your second language was Russian, and your third language was Chinese...

"You're out of luck... Seven letters... starting with S and ending in ED?" He muttured, shaking his head as he tried to work it out.

He was going steadilly bonkers... and if they brought him one more "Taco Bell" meal, thinking that it was his native food, he was going to stab someone with his pen...

There was a beep on the intercom by the door of the room.

"Mr Alvarez, if you have some time, I think we should talk" came a libertonian voice. "I trust you're not busy..."

Alvarez looked up, blinking, it had to be his first real contact with anyone outside the guards who had subjected him to a rather through weapons check, and fed him his meals.

He shrugged, standing up and cocking a head to the side, "Si? I am not busy, come in."

There was another sequence beeping noises and the door slid open. The man who greeted him was not a guard.

Alvarez was not the tallest of men, topping out at a whopping 5 foot 5, but he stood there anyway, in his uniform shirt, hands tucked into his pocket watching the man enter.

"A pleasure to actually meet you Mr Alvarez, I think I just about had time to give you a nod when you arrived, but I'm sure you can understand, I'm a little busy at the moment."

The man held out his hand slightly awkwardly.

Alvarez smiled, extending his own hand, "Senor Hale, I would offer you pistols at dawn, but at the moment the best duelling weapon your guards left me was a spoon, si?" He nodded to a cup. "But I have to thank you, senor, without you things would be a lot darker in our small corner of the universe."

"An unexpected turn of events for sure." Hale looked around the room slightly "I don't think the pistols would be required... Makes things personal, when they don't need to be. Have you been comfortable? Is the food to your satisfaction?"

Alvarez winced, "Si... si... someone thinks that Taco Bell is satisfying... but that is not why we're here. I need to know, how is the Premier?"

"Mr Holliday is treating him, but he's not a well man. I heard the words 'critical but stable' being muttered by one of our own doctors. We'll notify you as soon as he is in a state to recieve vistors."

Alvarez nodded, "I have received word that Ambassador Razin, a former member of our Politburo, has assumed command over the Rebellion. He is a close confidant of the Premier's, a diplomat and one of our few peacemakers." Alvarez looked troubled. "You must understand that this is a difficult place for us to be... and I know it has to be equally as discomforting to you, senor."

Hale nodded and sighed a little, "More than a little troubling for us Mr Alvarez. You've been something of a nuisance, admittedly... However there's a difference between a nuisance and gross human rights violations."

Alvarez smiled, "You are referring, perhaps, to when I gave Sonia Moesby the Hero of the Revolution Medal? She really did deserve it, I must admit to being one of those boys growing up on Crete, stealing hubcaps from skimmers, and picking fights... so tangling with members of the LSF... this is second nature, holmes." He chuckled. "Unlike your Gold wing... I have had the misfortune of having to tangle with them one too often... and they earned their reputation."

He coughed to clear his throat, "but this Volkhan... this is dangerous to all of us."

Hale nodded "Shall we sit down?"

He lowered himself into a chair...

"The Volkhan is very much what we need to discuss. I understand your reasons for entering into the current situation, which must've been an extremely tough call to make. But before we work out how to proceed from here, we're going to have to know all we can about the Volkhan."

Alvarez again looked troubled, as he sat down, bracing a foot on his knee and picking up his coffee mug. "This is the problem Senor. No one outside of the Volkhan's inner circle know who he is. One day we were dealing with the Order... betrayal... remind me to tell you all about an Order battleship lurking in your Zone 21... they are due some payback on the betrayal front... and the next... I was on the Havana. I get a report that the Kremlin Dome... dome two on Volgograd, has been stormed by forces loyal to the Ikon of Ikons. No one knows who this is... Katz was arrested as well as key members of the People's Party..." Alvarez shifted again.

"We aren't the dictatorship we have been painted out to be, or haven't been since the Premier overthrew the old order and established Party rule. It's not your democracy, holmes, but for us... after McIntosh... it was freedom."

Hale chuckled slightly. "Democracy isn't the Sirian way, apparently..." He looked at Alvarez "And all this happened without any forewarning? Your intelligence services, or internal security had no idea this was going to happen?"

"Our Intelligence services and the Commissariat were in a shambles after they tried to oust Katz. They were in the process of rebuilding when this occoured... It seems, in striking down one enemy, another took advantage to strike. It seems as if the Volkhan's men are using a device, a Nerve Staple, to ensure the loyalty of the people. I have word that they have done this to my ship and crew... forced mind control... A dictators wet dream... What I can tell you is this... there are those in the MND, the KPT, and the Order who are keen to get their hands on this technology."

He ran a hand through his hair and closed his eyes for a second in thought. "Mind control..." He paused.

"Every time a charismatic individual opens their mouth, it's mind control, Mr Alvarez. There are plenty who'll please a crowd just long enough to implant an idea as being 'right', and plenty more who will swallow it whole." He paused again and sighed.

"So this device... Is it possible to detect who is under it's influence, and who is not?"

Alvarez nodded, "It should. It is a metal nano-bot inserted at the base of the skull... it sits on the nerve cluster there... feeding endorphines... everytime the Volkhan's messages come... and feeds pain everytime something negative about the Volkhan appears." He shrugged. "If it is electric, and metal, it's going to be scannable."

"Well at least we can count that as a blessing... I'm not the man to pass judgement on those who may be interested in obtaining a device like that, but needless to say, it's proliferation would be... concerning."

Hale stood up and paced, thinking. "Coffee? I always find it helps me think... And, uh, do you smoke?"

Alvarez smiled, "Si, Coffee would be good. I don't smoke... but most of my men do. I do not mind it."

He walked over to the intercom and punched in an internal comms ID. "...Thank you, yes... Just a fresh pot of coffee..."

Hale sat back down and pulled a packet of cigarettes out of his pocket "You're sure you don't mind?"

Alvarez nodded, "It is one of the chief imports into the Coalition... I hear the Zoners make good trade bringing in Libertonian Tobacco... or they used to."

Hale laughed and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply. "I suppose we've got to be useful for something..."

His face took on a more serious expression.

"Mr Alvarez, these... 'Nerve staples'... You understand of course, that no nation is without it's aspiring despots. Now... In Liberty we have methods of making people's actions accountable to the people, which limits the damage they can inflict, and reduces the likelyhood of them coming into power in the first place. A constitution can be a magical thing... As can simple observation, and forewarning."

He paused for a second, thinking the next words through very carefully.

"But that doesn't mean we are without them entirely, human nature being as it is. You can understand why I might want to keep the existance of such devices very quiet from a large number of people within Liberty's services."

Alvarez nodded, "Si, a popular leader who uses, say a war, as justification of these devices for national security... si homes, I know the danger. I think Doc Holliday has a plan for disabling them... and if my men can liberate our top scientist... XiaoBei... we might be able to find a way to deactivate them."

"I see. Mr Holliday is well known for his human concern. A concientious man..."

The intercom by the door sounded again. Hale jumped up and opened the door to a member of Navy catering staff carrying a pot of coffee and three cups.

"Thank you." Hale smiled at the woman and the door slid shut again.

He put the coffee down on the table and sat down.

"At some point soon Mr Alvarez, we will be meeting with the secretary of state for defense, Robert McKay, as well as David copperfield, the head of the LSF, and Mr Holliday may well be part of this conversation. Liberty does intend on intervening in this situation. That much I can tell you now..."

Alvarez nodded, "I know I am not in a position to request anything... at the moment, senor. But I must tell you, I will answer any question that will help the overthrow of the Volkhan, but I cannot and will not betray my people."

"We will be needing as much information as we can gather. It's worth asking now... How far do you trust your own people Mr Alvarez? How sure can you be that you're not compromised in any way by the Volkhan's men?"

Alvarez looked up, "The Volkhan stole the Coalition from the people..." he glanced about. "No electric shock... so I presume I am free from it."

Hale smiles. "That much I would have guessed from the mere fact you are here... However the people under your command. The Volkhan would not be so stupid as to nerve staple those who are supposed to infiltrate. There are other ways of guaranteing loyalty."

Alvarez looked pensive, "I don't know if the Volkhan had time... if he has infiltrated the Rebels then we have trouble. But the youths that followed Rhade and I out of the Coalition... they had ample chance to kill both myself and the Premier. The thought that I have is, why would they wait?"

"True enough" he nodded "But reliance on logic like that has lost wars before now..."

Inside of Alverez's quarters, the hailing buzzer would sound

Alvarez looks up from his coffee, "Come in?"

Hale glances over to the door and raises an eyebrow

The door slides open. A LN guard lets John Holliday inside and closes the door behind him. His face is of stone concern. In his left hand, he carries a box like device.

He then nods to General Alvarez and Admiral Hale in respect

Hale stands up and offers the doctor his hand

"Evening Mr Holliday, I didn't realise you'd be joining us..."

He accepts the hand of the Admiral.

Alvarez lifts his cup, and gestured to a seat, "join us, Doctore, you look tired."

Hale sits back down and sips his coffee, putting his cigarette out and disposing of it. "How is he, doctor?"

He takes the seat and manages a weak smile, "You aren't far from the truth, General. I had to give myself a sedative to sleep and I mismeasured it for myself. My own fault but I'm doing OK." He sits down

He looks to both men, "The Premier is stable but in bad shape. I am keeping him comatose until such time as I can figure out what to do about this." He turns on the box like machine of his. Looking around, he sees a monitor and with a couple of cables, he plugs the box into the monitor.

Alvarez watches with interest.

A detailed video scan of Katz comes into view, "I just ran these all of a few minutes ago. The cuts, the broken bones, the burns will all heal in time but this is my concern," as he points to a device at the base of his neck. "I

Hale looks up from his coffee to the screen. "Is that one of-"

"I'm not sure exactly what it is but it is some sort of nano device, I'm guessing some sort of mind control unit." He then turns to the General, "I thought maybe you could tell me more on it."

"That," Alvarez gestured with his mug. "Is a Nerve Staple."

"While I've only heard of such things," Doc explained, "this is the first I've seen of one."

"And the Premier has one of these?" Alvarez asked, in concern.

Doc just nods. "Until I know of how to deal with it, that is why I'm keeping him sedated."

"That is a complicated matter..."

"I could try to remove it but considering where it is, I'm afraid that I may kill him in the process," he explained.

"I think we can all agree Mr katz is better off alive..."

"I did have another idea," he continues, "if it is nano technology, I may have an idea in which to at least neutralize it."

"It explains why none of my men are comprimised... why bother when the leader of the resistance is a puppet."

"Neutralization, General, is why I needed to see you."

Alvarez nodded, "Who do I shoot?"

"for now Mr Alvarez, we'll not be shooting anyone."

"I wouldn't know, General, but we have to assume lots of people within the Coalition are wearing these." He thinks a moment and continues, "It would make sense after an incident I was witness to in Omega 49. I was treating someone on Med.Force.One when several Coalition ships arrives code named "SCUD." When they would try to say anything positive about Katz or even attacking my hospital, they would get "shocked."

"My shuttle was also chased through Omega 50 a few days later, those chasing saying that "The Volkhan orders you to him.""

"Lucky for me, I was able to escape with some help"

Hale listens intently, putting his coffee mug down.

"Hmm... From what In understand, as Mr Alvarez has very recently informed me, this 'Nerve Staple' isn't so much a mind control device, more a method of guiding people's thoughts through artificial means. Happiness when you say the right thing, and pain when you say the wrong thing. Altering behaviour through positive anbd negative reinforcement"

Alvarez looked concerned, "if they are expanding it to cover active fighter corps. pilots... then there is a very real risk they will start tying to secure Omega-50. Imagine an army of fanatics being thrown against Zoner stations..."

Hale nods

"That would be militarily sound. Are there any Coalition installations in the area which are not under the command of the Volkhan?"

Alvarez shook his head, "I think there was some resistance on Sevastapol, but the Volkhan wouldn't have moved on Volgograd without first securing the fuel supply." He shrugged, "Mykolaiv is heavilly controlled... the only thing I can think of is the IND controlled sections of Zhukovsky..." He looked at Hale. "Much like Rhienland, the IC/IND presence is everywhere."

Hale raises an eyebrow and smiles. "You'd imagine I'd be surprised..."

Doc just listens as the Admiral and General speak

Alvarez chuckles, "how do you think we get our coffee?"

He sobred a moment, "Strange as this may sound, they have proven to be a stabalizing force, curbing much of the aggression in our military forces. Showing that there can... perhaps... be a better way." He sighed. "Doctore... what do you suggest?"

"Since I'm no military minded person, I want to focus my efforts on this staple. Neutralizing that will be what's necessary. But, I need a couple of things to do it. One, I need one that is NOT attached to experiment on with my idea. The other, which may fall into the planning you two have, is that I need to find a way to do this in mass. I mean sure, I can neutralize one but to capture everyone to neutralize them is the hard part."

"Neutralization now and hopefully, total removal of these devices later."

"On the military side of things, I'm not sure what I can offer."

"As yet Mr Holliday, I'm not sure what Liberty can, or will, offer... In military terms. Naturally we intend on intervening in this situation. In what manner is completely undecided. Now... I'm talking to you in the strictest confidence you understand, however we may well be asking for docking rights for certain assets of ours for covert operations in the Omega sectors. Nothing has been decided as yet though..."

Doc nodded, "Nothing we discuss leaves this room. I'm no fool."

Alvarez looked pensively into his mug, "Our primary objective will be to get the Rebellion safely situated. Something, I am told, Razin is working on. Following that... Doctore XiaoBei need to be rescued. He might be able to give Doctore Holliday the answers he needs."

Hale nods

"I may need to contact... Aloysius Rhade... is that the right name? I'm going to require a few assurances from him regarding activity within Liberty itself, and keeping a low profile. I might well be able to spare forces to protect Freeport 14 for now as well. As fr the rest, that would need to be the result of the conversation I mentioned earlier.."

"Agreed," Alvarez nodded.

"Perhaps he may be able to supply a nerve staple..."

"If someone can give me a nerve staple, I may be able to figure it out."

"I have an idea but I need at least one to experiment with."

Alvarez nodded, "We shall get on it."

"If you can get your doctor to safety, I can either provide him a safe place to work or transport out." Doc grins a bit, "I have some old friends who would provide some security or transport."

Alvarez inclines his head, "I shall issue orders for them to get on it."

"Thank you, General"

"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me..." Hale puts down his now empty coffee and stands up "I have a large number of things I need to attend to. I will schedule a meeting with McKay and Copperfield at the earliest convenient time."

Alvarez nods, "Thank you Senor Hale."

"Yes, thank you, Admiral"

"A pleausre to meet you both. Mr Alvarez, you gained a lot of my respect with the choice you made. It can't have been an easy one to take."

Hale offers a handshake to the two other men, and walks out of the room.

Doc turns to Alvarez, "So long as Katz is in my care, he won't die. I won't allow it. I owe him that."

Alvarez nods slowly, "Si, I know Doctore. He is in the best of hands."

"If you could, could I get a list of ships that are against the Volkhan? It would be helpful to know who is who, who I can give safe harbor to if needed?"

"You need to contact Rhade for that, I do not have the information here," Alvarez apologized.

"Very well. I will contact him."

Doc gets up, "I will see you again soon, General."

Alvarez nods, "Si Doctore, good luck."

With a hand shake, Doc leaves to continue his work.

---