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REPOST: Forgotten Souls #8

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ImAStinker

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Sep 9, 1994, 8:21:01 AM9/9/94
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Upon returning to the office, she began her investigation concerning
"Vestor Laboratories" and soon discovered that it was a virtual maze of
dead ends, dummy corporations, and multiple ownerships of questionable
validity that were shrouded in secrecy. What had they stumbled into this
time? She called in favors and finagled unauthorized information and
still had only narrowed it down to four possible parent companies. She'd
taken it as far as she knew how. It was time to enlist some unauthorized
and in her opinion, unorthodox help. She finally relented and called
Frohike at the Lone Gunman.

They seemed quite happy to hear from her and after hearing of her
predicament, actually appeared to be ecstatic over what was for them a
chance at a new and challenging contest of wit and hardware. Geez, they
were an odd lot, but they were geniuses at whatever it was they did and
they took information gathering to a higher level than anything that the
Bureau could even hope for. She observed in amazement as they hacked
their way into protected computer systems, forbidden files, and denied
accesses, untill finally they narrowed down the electronic paper trail to
its source.

Vestor Labs was in reality a research facility solely funded by
questionable secret factions within the US government and was conducting
experiments in "variant biogenetic cloning." What was meant by "variant,"
she wasn't exactly sure, but if it was buried this far underground, it
couldn't be anything good.

They hacked their way into the "company" personnel files and added Dana's
fictitious name and profile, then assigned her as physician in charge of
incoming applicants, relocating the existing physician to another
facility, then provided her with the necessary ID and credentials. My
God, she thought, on the wrong side of the law these guys could be deadly.
She thanked them for their help and went home to spend a restless evening
of speculation, resulting in a nearly sleepless night.

Mulder made it back to the camp just before the sun dipped below the
horizon. He'd been afraid that he wouldn't make it in time because he'd
stopped along the way to buy a couple cans of soup. Oh..well, that was
brilliant, Mulder, you got the soup...now all you have to do is figure out
a way to get the damn things open. He got out his pocket knife and after
fifteen minutes of struggling, finally managed to open the cans and pour
the contents into the pot in the fire as he poked up the flames with a
stick.

Surveying the camp, he was astounded at the variety of people who were
forced to reside here. About a hundred yards away from him was a woman
living in an abandoned car with her two young daughters. The children, he
thought angrily to himself. This was an injustice to them and to the
future of humanity....They should be worrying about school, tests, and
what games to play, not where they would find their next meal, how to stay
warm, or who to fear. He made a decision that at least tonight, they
wouldn't have to worry. As a lone figure observed him from the shadows,
Mulder rose from his seated position, crossed the compound to the car,
removed his coat and placed it around the children's' shoulders, then left
the soup he'd made with their mother. He returned to his spot, leaned his
back up against a cement support, with his knees up under his chin and his
arms wrapped around his legs and let his head drop down to doze off into a
restless sleep.

Upon waking the next morning, he found himself wrapped in an old blanket,
with a steaming cup of the strange amber- colored tea by his side. He
smelled its sweetness and drank it thirstily as if it contained life
itself. It warmed him throughout and seemed to breathe new life into his
tired, aching body....what was in this stuff? He suddenly realized that
he hadn't eaten in over two days and the headaches and bad temper that
usually accompanied a missed meal or two were pointedly absent
now.....That's really weird, he thought absently.

"How are you feeling this fine morning, Ian my boy," the voiced boomed
beside him as he started and dropped the empty cup to the ground. Lord, I
wish he'd stop doing that...Where in the hell did he come from this time?

"I'm feeling pretty good. Thanks, Doc."

"You looked a little chilled last night so I loaned you a blanket. Lose
your coat?"

"Not exactly. Let's just say someone else needed it more than I did."

"Still bent on seeing those "Vestor Labs" people, eh?" he asked, seeing
the card in Mulder's hand.

"Yeah, I have to Doc....It's not the money. I really can't explain it
right now."

"I understand completely, but do be careful." Doc handed him a mirror,
and a sealed Bic razor. "Can't help you with the shaving cream, guess
you'll just have to use plain soap."

"Hey Doc, than....ks.." Where'd he go? This was becoming too damn
"spooky" even for him. Well, never look a gift horse...He peered at his
reflection. At least his eye and lip were almost normal in appearance now
except for the bruises so he soaped up his face and very carefully removed
two days worth of stubble.

Scully entered the sterile looking building and signed in on the log.
She'd discovered earlier this morning that her duties included giving
physicals to new applicants and this would be her tenth one since lunch.
She ambled into the examination room to discover it occupied by one lone
figure. This form however, was not a stranger, for she was more than a
little familiar with the profile and the carriage of the man in the room.
She smiled with a certain wicked glee, for she knew that there was a part
of this exam that he wasn't gonna like at all.

"Good afternoon Mr.....,McLeod?"

He turned in stunned surprise at hearing her voice. Frohike and the guys
had outdone themselves this time. He thought that they'd be able to get
her in as a research assistant or something, but as attending physician?
Jesus, those guys had balls. He'd really have to commend them when he got
out of this mess.

My name is Dr. Erickson and I'll be conducting your physical today." she
said in a normal tone, then under her breath added, "Mulder, I don't know
exactly what we've gotten into this time but whatever it is, it's big"
Raising her voice again she ordered with authority, "Please remove your
clothing and put on this hospital gown." She handed him the gown, which
he eyed with particular loathing.

"Do I have to?"

"Yes," she hissed from between her teeth.

He disrobed, put on the gown and sat down heavily on the exam table.

"Ask me to cough and we're gonna fight," he told her testily. "OK,
*Doctor,* now what?"

"Now, you get a physical, that's what." She had him where she wanted him
and she wasn't about to let him weasel out of it this time. She'd
*wanted* to check him out yesterday when she'd seen the condition of his
face but he'd been elusive and she'd missed her chance....not this time,
Sherlock.

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