The Intervention
     Seven O'Nine
 

                                Takes place at the end of "Sins of the Father."

                               ****

                               "Just a little taste," Sandoval said, a hint of seductiveness creeping into his voice. He spilled a few of
                               the crystals into his palm and held it out.

                               Da'an felt himself turn to look at it, the desire to take it from Sandoval making him almost dizzy.
                               But he wouldn't. He couldn't. Liam's words echoed through his mind—he might die if he accepted
                               true kryss again...

                               But it was as if his hands had a will of their own. He felt them moving slowly towards Sandoval, and
                               had to keep them rigidly on the arms of his chair. A strange tight feeling had formed inside him, and
                               he knew that kryss would stop it...

                               He slowly extended his hand—halfway. Sandoval watched the struggling Taelon with a faint smile on
                               his lips...

                               "What is going on here?"

                               Da'an yanked his hand back at the sound of Liam's shout. Sandoval's palm curled around the kryss
                               as Liam strode toward him, his boyish face grim. Neither had ever heard him shout like that.

                               For a moment Liam stared at Da'an, then looked at Sandoval. "Out. Get out. And if you ever come
                               near Da'an with that filthy stuff again..."

                               He grabbed the vial from Sandoval's hand and flung it toward the window. The virtual glass rippled,
                               then smoothed as the vial flew through it. Da'an winced and turned away.

                               Liam took the few crystals from Sandoval's hand and tightly held them in his own fist. "Out," he said
                               coldly.

                               Sandoval's face was impassive as he slowly walked past the younger man toward the exit. But as
                               he left, he said quietly, "However, if Da'an wishes me to return..."

                               "No!" Da'an whispered.

                               "Out, now!" Liam ordered, taking a step toward Sandoval.

                               He watched as Sandoval left Da'an's office, then gripped Da'an's arm. The Taelon was staring
                               hollowly ahead of him. "Da'an, you didn't... you didn't take any, did you?" he asked.

                               Da'an took a deep breath. "No, I did not..."

                               Liam sighed in relief, then dropped the few remaining crystals onto the floor, and began to grind
                               them to powder with the sole of his shoe. He did so as fast as possible, but he felt Da'an's hungry
                               eyes watching what he did.

                               As he kicked the dust into the air, he looked back to Da'an. "I'll try to make sure Sandoval doesn't
                               bother you again."

                               Da'an smiled feebly. "You cannot be here all the time..." He took a deep breath. "Liam... how long
                               will it take before I no longer feel this way?"

                               Liam watched him for a moment, and sighed. "I don't know... I really don't know."