by Seven

Disclaimer:  Earth: Final Conflict and its characters are copyrighted by Tribune Entertainment Company.
 All rights reserved.
 
 

Note from Author:     Story takes place during "Redemption".
 
 

**********
 
 

Liam watched as the rope spiralled down into the cavern. His pulse felt like it was twice of normal, and
he felt dizzy. As he began to rappel down the winding rock tunnel, his global chirped. He cursed and
pulled it out. It was Augur.

"Augur, what are you doing?" he hissed.

"Liam, can't you wait a little while?" Augur asked.

"NO! She's dying! I have to be there!" Liam half-sobbed, his hands shaking like aspen leaves. "It's now or
never."

Augur looked as if he were in pain as he pulled off his glasses. "Liam, listen to me. It's not safe, those
crevices are probably not strong enough to support your weight."

Liam glanced around at the rocks. He bit his lip. "Augur, I know a few things about rock climbing. I think I
can find something stable."

"And what if you don't?"

"Then bring roses to my funeral," Liam said tightly. "Augur, I have to go down there. If it were..." He
racked his brain for a good comparison. "... Lili, down there, you'd go down regardless of the risk."

Augur paused, then stated, "But don't tell me not to worry. I'm going to worry myself into a coma."

Liam couldn't help smiling. "You're a saint, Augur," he said, beginning his long trek down the cavern.

----

The first thing Liam saw was Beckett's red-gold hair, caught in the light. The second thing he saw was
the puddle of crimson blood encircling her head like a halo. The sight of it made him sick with fear.
"Mother," he whispered, sliding down the rope faster than safety allowed. "Mother, I'm coming."

As if hearing him, Siobhan Beckett twitched and raised her head a little. Liam knelt down beside her and
pulled her into his arms...

----

Sandoval saw the Taelon shuttle parked by the cavern. Checking over Beckett's journal entries had
eventually told him, by logical deduction, which cavern she was in. Then he recognized the shuttle: it
was Kincaid's.

Sandoval felt a upwelling of distrust for the young man, whose link with Beckett seemed out of
Sandoval's realm. He had trouble articulating exactly what he felt they had.

Kincaid's rope was secured at the top, but as Sandoval felt it, was slack. Hearing the faint murmur of
two voices, Sandoval rapidly secured and rappeled down his own rope, landing on a small area
overlooking the streambed.

All his hostility for Kincaid evaporated when he saw the two of them. Beckett slowly sank back in Liam's
arms, and Kincaid whispered something and looked up. Sandoval ignored the other agent's intense
gaze, looking at Siobhan's peaceful face.

----

Liam looked down at his mother and cried...