R7-Jo-p2

Inside the airport's sports bar, Skinner, Scully, and the two resistant fighters sat eating, while waiting for their respective flights to board. For safety reasons they had decided to split-up and take two separate flights, with Skinner and Eryk going to D.C. for a meeting with the Director and the upper echelon of the FBI, while Scully and the young Krycek met up with the Gunmen and their associates in Oakland. They each carried one of the three detection weapons with them, the third weapon they had secured inside a locker at a bus station in Fairbanks. Afterward they wired a cryptic message on the location of the weapon to Mulder's email address on the slim chance that he and Krycek somehow escaped the morph, only to find Scully and Skinner dead. Scully and Krycek had Eryk's detailed schematic on the weapon's configuration with them. It was to be sent via the Internet by the gunmen.

A special report flashed on the television sets inside the sports bar. The report told of an object spotted in space by observatories around the world. The object was on a direct course to earth. The announcer went on to say that NASA and the U.S. government would not confirm any such sighting by their own installations, and their scientists informed the press that it was more likely sunspots causing interference with the observatories telescopes.

"Sunspots my ass," Skinner growled.

"Do you think it could be them, sir?" Scully asked. As the report cut away to a Professor Ernest Gardner at Caltech. Behind the Professor were several of his colleagues.

"It could be, Scully."

Professor Gardner spoke in a firm voice, "The object is making trajectory changes, and that my friends is not the result of sunspots or some piece a space débris. It appears to be an UFO, but for some reason the United States government is trying to cover it up! Sunspots indeed!" he said hotly. "This in the light of the mysterious information that has been posted on the Internet leads me and my colleagues to believe that there is an ongoing conspiracy against the American public."

"Professor Gardner, are you suggesting that the United States government has been covering up the existence of alien life?" the reporter asked.

"The information posted on the Internet shows that it goes far deeper than merely covering up the existence of aliens. There are people in the high reaches of governments around the world who have been working in conjunction with the aliens to enslave the human race!"

"Professor Gardner, really, that Internet data was traced back to the Lone Gunmen, a radical group of conspiracy theorists. Nothing they say or post can be taken with more than a grain of salt," the reporter retorted mockingly.

"Sir, then would you kindly explain how these radicals got their hands on a revolutionary new design for a propulsion engine and detailed diagrams of an alien spaceship, the likes of which this world has never …. "

Static covered all the television sets as the program was suddenly terminated. A loud murmur ran through the crowded bar just as the boarding announcement came for Skinner's and Eryk's flight.

Skinner stood and reached out for Scully's hand. "Dana, be careful."

"You too, sir," she said, watching him and Eryk weave their way through the packed bar. She checked her watch. Her flight still had forty minutes before departure.

The young Krycek watched her watching Skinner. "He's an interesting man. What does *Fox* think about him?" He pronounced Fox with a low husky murmur that sent shivers down Scully's spine.

"The A.D. is one of the few people my partner trusts and, Alex, it's Mulder not Fox. Mulder doesn't like being called Fox," Scully said.

"Why? The name is perfect for him. I think of him as Fox in my fantasies," Alex said, unconsciously licking a celery stick very seductively that was in his bloody Mary. "I don't think I could call him Mulder, it seems so impersonal. He will always be Fox to me," Alex said, taking a bite out of the celery.

"Whatever," Scully sighed, shifted in her chair and glanced at her watch again.

***

Senator Matheson's Office

Matheson cradled the telephone against his ear and looked across his desk at the smoker as he spoke to the President. "Yes, Mr. President. I'll be to over to the White House at once," he said, ending the call. "All hell is breaking loose, the public is panicking. The President wants to know if the reports of an alien spacecraft on its way to Earth are true. He was watching CNN when our operatives destroyed their communications satellite and knocked the show off the air, and he's now demanding to see this Professor Gardner."

"That is not good. We need to keep the President and the public in the dark for as long as possible, at least until we recover the alien spaceship when it lands. We should be able to cover this whole unfortunate situation up if there isn't any solid proof," CGB Spender assured.

"They already have solid proof. Those fools calling themselves the lone gunmen have given the scientific community more than enough evidence," the Senator growled, pulling on his suit coat and adjusting his tie.

The smoker smiled slyly. "What the scientists have are stolen U.S. military plans for a top secret propulsion engine and new advance plane that were hacked off the pentagon's computer system. We will have those meddling fools tried as traitors to the United States and ask for the death penalty."

"You expect people to believe that?"

"It is human nature. People will prefer to believe that over the existence of a race of hostile aliens who are about to launch an attack against the earth. As long as we can get our hands on that ship without too many witnesses the story will hold."

"Very well, I'll try to convince the President that we are dealing with the theft of secret military plans and not an invasion by little gray men," Matheson said, leaving the office.

The smoker smiled and pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial. "Are your men ready, Colonel?"

"Yes, sir. We have established by the spaceship's current trajectory that it will be landing somewhere along Eastern Coast of the United States," Colonel Henderson said.

"Damn," Spender swore, he hadn't expected the ship to land in such a populated area. Maybe they'd get lucky and it would land in some remote area in upstate New York or Maine. "Colonel, we need to black out all the power grids along the East Coast when that ship breaks through the Earth's atmosphere. It is vital that all information going out from that area is stopped."

"Don't worry, sir, I already have my men working on it. The power will be cut and we will have the landing area secured immediately," the Colonel promised.

"Very good, Colonel. Carry on." Spender pocketed his phone. He needed to contact the alien colonists to discover why one of their ships was boldly heading for a daylight landing somewhere in the U.S. without making an effort to conceal itself. Something was seriously wrong, and he felt in his gut that Fox Mulder would turn out to be in the center of it.

***

Space

The ship had slowed for its approach. Alex gazed longingly out the view port at his planet, so beautiful, and bright. A flare of light surrounded the ship as it broke through into the Earth's atmosphere. Then as it entered the stratosphere several military jets surrounded the spacecraft, trying to force it to change course.

"Alex, what is going on?" Mulder asked as he staggered tiredly into the control room followed closely by Ilias.

"Fox. How are you?" Krycek asked, gently touching the side of his lover's face and staring intently into his eyes. Fox's skin was smooth and flawless, and his eyes sparkled with flecks of pure gold. The change was complete.

"Fine, Alex. I'm able to control the compulsion on my own now." An excited smile lit up Mulder's face as he looked past Alex out the view port as the ship glided over the Earth on its way to the landing site. "We're landing? Alex, I want to fly over several large cities first."

"We really should set down, Fox."

"No. Not yet. Ilias and the other grays aren't strong enough to subdue the morph yet. Once we land the morph will be able to escape through the lower portal. I want to take him prisoner for what he and his kind have done to our people, Alex, I don't want him to escape."

"How long, Fox? We can't just fly around forever, sooner or later they will try to shoot us down."

"Not long, Alex, only another hour then we can land. Think of it as a way to rub the consortium's nose in it," Mulder said smiling with childlike enthusiasm.

"You really are okay?" Krycek said, relieved to see his lover smiling.

"Alex, I'll probably fall apart tomorrow, once the full realization of what has happened to me sinks in. However, now? No way, we are so close to ending my life's quest. I only wish that I knew where Samantha was. If I could find my sister then everything would be complete," Mulder murmured, wrapping his arms around Krycek holding him close, then he whispered softly in his ear. "I love you, Alex, would you … please consider staying with me after this is over?"

Alex smiled against Fox's neck. "Fox, I came back in time for you. You'd have to kill me to get rid of me now. C'mon, let's drive the consortium nuts. What major cities do you want to buzz first?"

"Since we are on the East Coast, let's head west we'll fly over Philadelphia, Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Then we can fly across the Pacific and buzz over Australia, then Tokyo, Beijing, Moscow, Paris, London, then across the Atlantic to D.C. then up the coast and we can land liked we planned in New York." Mulder grinned broadly at Krycek raised eyebrows.

"You expect to do all of that in an hour?"

"It should be possible, we only have to slow when we fly over the cities so they can see us. Ilias, let's get going," Mulder said, looking at the little gray alien.

***

Hoover Building

A.D. Skinner walked into the Director's conference room followed closely by Eryk. The entire upper echelon of the bureau was assembled for the meeting and their eyebrows raised at the ruggedly handsome young man who entered the room behind Skinner.

The Director focused his attention on Skinner. "Walter, what is going on? There has been reports of a UFO flying over several cities across the country."

"Sir, if you'd humor me for a moment, I'll explain everything. But, first I need to be sure everyone here is who they are suppose to be," Skinner said, pulling the weapon from his pocket he focused it on the Director. The light bathed the older man in a pleasurable wave of amber. Skinner shut it off just as the Director was getting an erection.

Deputy Director Zalk leapt to his feet. "What the hell is the meaning of this? Don't point that thing at me, Skinner," he growled. The other people in the room echoed his complaints not knowing the purpose of the strange device in the Skinner's hand. Their complaints turned to gasps of surprise as Skinner turned the device on Zalk and his human disguise melted away leaving a gray alien in its place.

Eryk was behind the alien in a heartbeat and held a pick to the base of its neck. "Move and you're a puddle of green slim," he growled, forcing the alien to sit still in the plush conference chair.

"What is that?" A.D. Cassidy asked, moving away from the alien.

"Jana, that is one of Agent Mulder's gray aliens," Skinner said smugly as he continued to scan the other men and women who were now quietly subdued. He went on to explain. "This device is from the future, its function is to unmask aliens that are hiding in human form." Skinner nodded over to the young handsome rebel leader. "Eryk is a resistance fighter from the future. He is here to explain what will happen if we are not successful in stopping the aliens from invading. And believe me it is not pleasant."

The room listened attentively as Eryk chronicled the horrors of the years to come. Most of the men and women present would have found the story ludicrous if it were not for the alien sitting at the table, with a sharp, metal pick pressed against the base of its skull. It more than emphasized the truth behind Eryk's words.

***

Oakland, California

"Get a load of this, guys," Frohike shouted from the television set.

The gunmen, Scully, and the young Krycek all came racing over. On the screen was an UFO slowly flying over Tokyo. "This is the eighth reported sighting of the ship," Frohike said excitedly.

"It looks just like the one that the morph took Mulder away in," Scully said, studying it closely.

"That ship is different than most of the spaceships I've seen," Krycek said.

"Do you think it is possible that this could be the same ship that abducted, Mulder?" Byers asked.

Scully looked thoughtfully at the set. "It's possible. If the ship lands I need to get to the site immediately."

"What about if … you know," Frohike said, nodding toward the young Krycek.

"Yeah, dude. I watched a Doctor Who episode once where this person met herself in the past and it was catastrophic," Langly chirped in.

"What are you talking about?" Krycek asked.

"He doesn't know?" Byers looked at Scully, aghast.

"No, he doesn't know," Scully said.

"Know what?" Krycek asked louder.

Scully sighed. "You, or more precisely an older version of yourself, may be with Mulder on that spaceship."

"What! How?"

"According to your other self you came back to this time to help Mulder stop the alien invasion," Scully replied.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Krycek asked anxiously. He was already with Fox, and yet he wasn't, this was most disturbing.

"Alex, we don't have any idea what will happen if you meet yourself in this time. Like Langly said it could be catastrophic," Scully said.

"Great. I come all this way and I may never get to meet Fox," the young man said sadly, losing the one final dream that kept him sane even in the worst of times.

Scully felt sorry for Krycek who looked close to tears. "You already have met him, Alex. You and Fox Mulder are lovers," she assured him.

"But I haven't, I'm not, my other self is. What if by my coming back we have separated into two different people? Does that mean I have to fight myself for Fox's love?" Alex asked exasperated.

"Wow. Now that would be weird," Frohike said.

Scully squeezed the young man's hand. "Alex, we have more important things to focus on. We're not even sure if your other self is still alive or if Mulder is on that UFO."

"Sorry, Dana, you're right, we have a war to fight," Krycek murmured.

"Okay, dudes, the new information is out on the net. Now what?" Langly asked.

Byers looked reflective. "I think we should split up and head back to the East Coast, we've been in this place too long. Guys, we need to be more careful now than ever. The consortium will want revenge for the data we posted … " Before Byers could finish a news bulletin flashed on the television set.

"This is a Special Report. If you've seen these three men, please contact your local law enforcement agency immediately, do not approach them, they are to be considered armed and dangerous … "

"Hey, man, that's us!" Langly gasped.

"Ssh, Ringo, I'm trying to hear what he's saying," Frohike growled.

"They are wanted for espionage and treason against the United States government." The report ended with detailed descriptions of each of the gunmen.

"Guys, I think we need to put back on our disguises and go deep underground for a while," Frohike said. "Dana, if we don't see you again, good luck," the little man babbled tearfully, throwing his arms around the petite agent and hugging her tightly, he winked over Scully's shoulder at Langly and Byers.

"Frohike, get off me," Scully growled, pushing the older gunman away, then turning to the other two men. "John, Langly, take care of yourselves, I'll see what I can do about clearing you of those charges," she said shaking their hands.

"Thanks, Dana. We'll keep in touch," Byers said.

"C'mon, Alex, we're going to D.C." Scully headed out the door with the young man following behind.

***

New York City
Central Park

People fled the park in a panic as the large spaceship slowly descended toward the ground.

Mulder looked out the view port at New York City as the ship landed.

"You need me, hybrid," the morph hissed behind him. "My pet, you are no longer human! The Earth people will kill you for what you have become. Join with me and we shall rule together!"

Mulder looked angrily at the hunter who was in his real form, bound and held immobile by four of the grays. "I would as soon be killed by my own people than join you!"

"We've landed, Fox, what do you want to do now?" Krycek asked.

"We'll wait for the press to arrive then … Oh shit!" Mulder said suddenly, staring out the view port. "How the hell did that bastard get here so quickly?"

"Who, Fox?"

"Colonel Henderson and his Special Forces team. Damn, he's cordoning off the area. Henderson works for the consortium and has covered up many crashed UFO sites," Mulder informed him.

"So now what?" Krycek asked, looking out at the men in black outfits rushing to secure the area. "Do you want to take off and head elsewhere?"

"No, we stand and fight. As far as I'm concern this ship is part of an ongoing FBI investigation and I have jurisdiction over it, not Henderson, or the U.S. military. We need to contact Skinner. Ilias, is there a way that I could contact my superior?" Mulder asked.

"No, Fox Mulder, there is no means on this ship to make a one-on-one contact," Ilias said.

Mulder stared out the view port trying to come up with some other plan when his eyes lighted on Henderson mobile communication vehicle, and an idea came to him. "Alex, if we could figure out a way to sneak you off the ship without your being spotted then you can call Skinner from the nearest telephone."

"Forget it, Fox, even if there was a way, I'm not leaving you alone here!"

Ilias spoke up, removing a silver amulet from its shirt. "There is a way, Fox Mulder, but you will have to use it. The device would kill your human companion."

Mulder took the amulet. "What does the device do?"

"It breaks up your molecular structure, which will render you invisible to the naked eye."

"Totally invisible?" Mulder inquired.

"For the most part," Ilias said.

"Okay, I'll leave now before Henderson gets all of his men in position." Mulder turned to Alex. "Alex, I'll be back as quickly as I can," he said, embracing and kissing his lover. Their tongues twined affectionately as they drank in each other's flavors.

"Be careful, Fox," Alex said, letting him go.

"Hey, don't worry, lover, I have something to live for now," Mulder replied smiling. His hand cupped the side of Alex's stubble cheek and he dove in for one final chaste kiss.

***

Washington D.C.
CGB Spender's office

Spender pulled documents out of his wall safe and dumped them into his briefcase. He had gotten word of the meeting between Walter Skinner and the top echelon of the FBI, along with the capture of one of the alien colonists by Skinner. Spender hadn't even been aware that the aliens had an operative working inside the FBI. The FBI would be launching a full-scale investigation now into the conspiracy. No way could he or his colleagues prevent it especially after that UFO boldly flew over several of the world's largest cities, before landing in broad daylight in New York City.

The smoker knew when to get out. He hadn't made it this long by taking chances. He'd disappear to Canada and live out the remainder of his years in relative peace. He clicked his briefcase shut and headed for the door.

***

Cerulean Blue's turn!