"Do you live far?"
"No, about ten minutes away at St. Leonards."
"Okay, come along."
They walked over to the low black sports car and Ryan whispered, "Doors open" and obediently the car doors opened upwards. Katie, discreetly scanned the vehicle with her eyes as she boarded - what could only be described as a cockpit. The car was like no other that she had ever seen before. Its roof came as high as her waist and was as wide as Ryan was tall. It sat on four, gold rimmed mag wheels and was sleek and smooth like a bullet. Other things that were unusual about the car were the lack of exhaust pipes, windscreen wipers and rear-view mirrors. How this car could be driven, God only knows! The interior was very bazaar. There was a strange array of instruments on the dashboard and there were no seat belts, but as Katie sat down she felt herself being sucked to the seat. The interior decor was white except for the black dashboard.
Ryan spoke the words, "Start engine" and the car came to life. The engine noise was a concert of a mechanical nature that started with a low pitched sound that increased until it was out of hearing range. This was followed by a deep rumbling sound that resonated from behind them and was complemented by a steady, high pitched whistle. Two monitors came on displaying the view from the rear of the car and the other with a map of the area. He drove out from the car park and headed in the direction of Katie's home.
Katie noticed a small badge in the centre of the steering wheel with an unfamiliar name inscribed upon it. Soon curiosity got the better of her and she had to enquire as to the origin of the vehicle. "Airlantis! I've never heard of one of those."
"You wouldn't have. It's the only one of its kind in the world."
"Like a prototype?"
"Yes, you could say that." There was silence for a while then Ryan realised that he knew nothing about her. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name?"
Katie hesitated while she pondered over her situation. This man obviously worked for Williams Industries and so she couldn't use her previous identity. "Katie Jones and who is the gentlemen that has come to my rescue?"
"Ryan Williams at your service." He said with a big smile, but there was no such expression left on Katie's face.
The shock stunned her. He was the key to unlocking the missing person's case and he was sitting right next to her. He would undoubtedly know of the security breach that just occurred, he might already know it was her. No, she had covered her tracks too well and there was no way he could connect her with the security breach by her appearance only. "Nice to meet you Ryan."
"How will you get back to your car?" He didn't have time to drop her back at the office, he was needed urgently on the Endeavour. Ryan was extremely attracted to her but he didn't want to make it too obvious. There must be some angle he could use to ask her out on a date.
"My girlfriend from next door can give me a lift."
"What street do you live in?"
"Park Road, left off the highway."
"Okay."
Katie had to get close to him and find out whatever she could about this mysterious man, but how?
"Do you work for my company?"
Katie's palms began to sweat. She had to come up with another story so as not connect her with the alias identity of Katherine Mathews. "No. I was visiting a friend of mine that works there." She anticipated such a dilemma and falsified her address. At least this way he would not connect Katherine's home address with hers.
Ryan turned into Park Road and preceded slowly down the street.
"It's the third block of units on the left."
He pulled up out the front of the apartment block and said "Engine off." The car did as he commanded.
Again, curiosity got the better of her, "How do you do that?"
Ryan was becoming wary of her questions. The car he drove was a design from the thirty first century and the fewer people who knew about it the better. "It's a voice recognition system that is still in the experimental stages. So far it has been successful."
"Thank you very much for this, you're a life saver."
"I'm glad to be of help."
"I owe you one. If there is any way I can return the favour, don't hesitate to ask."
"Yes, there is something you could do." Ryan saw the chance and took it. "Say yes to dinner tonight."
Katie couldn't believe her luck, this was the break she was looking for. "Okay, that would be great. When do you want me ready?"
"Eight o'clock, sharp. I'll pick you up out front."
"See you at eight then." Katie looked for a door handle to let herself out but could not find any. Before she had a chance to ask how to open the door, Ryan said aloud "Door open" and quietly, the driver's side door moved up from the side of the car. He alighted from the vehicle and walked around to the other side then said, "Passenger's door open". The door smoothly lifted up and with Ryan's helping hand, Katie stepped out.
"Thanks again."
"Bye."
She quickly made her way to the apartment that she was renting and as soon as she entered the apartment, she picked up the cordless phone. Katie dialled an overseas number and waited for the connection.
"F.B.I. Captain Jones speaking."
"Captain, its Agent Mitchell. I've made further progress on the missing persons case."
"Its about time! Keeping you in Australia is becoming very expensive. You better have some very good news."
"I've made contact with Ryan Williams."
"Excellent."
"There is definitely some connection between the case and the Williams Company. I checked the usual channels to make a case file on Mister Williams, but there is no official record of his existence. No birth certificate, nothing. Even the way the business is structured is peculiar. I had a break through with their computer system, though. Something really weird happened and I'm not sure what it meant, but as soon as I can determine a possible scenario I'll call you. The theory of a massive terrorist force being formed is still possible, I'll continue approaching the case from that angle. I'm sure that I'm on the verge of busting this case wide open Captain Jones, I just need a bit more time."
"Okay, keep on it."
"Thanks." Katie hung up the phone and took a deep breath. "Okay Mister Williams, after an evening with me you'll be putty in my hands."
********************
TIME 8:00 PM
Ryan pulled up out front of the apartments in the sleek, black Airlantis and found Katie waiting for him. Her detective instincts immediately sensed the bizarre and secret scenarios that enveloped this mysterious, Ryan Williams. The challenge was on to unlock these secrets and it would require the fullest of her interrogating prowess.
He stepped out from the vehicle, then walked around to greet his date. As his sight fell upon her luxuriantly dressed form, his eyes opened wide and a wolfish smile appeared on his face. Katie wore a short, body hugging dress with matching shoes that were as black as the car duco, while her long blond hair provided an interesting contrast to the whole ensemble. "You look absolutely spectacular!" He said as his heart pumped rapidly.
Katie took in the black bow tie and dinner suit that Ryan wore and could not help but be impressed. "Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself."
"Passenger door open." He said aloud as the door opened before them in response. With his gentlemanly assistance, she entered the car and Ryan commanded the door to close behind her. He dashed back to the driver’s seat then started the car and headed for the city.
Ryan considered his situation and realised that this was the first proper date he had been on since he came to Earth. Ten years, has it really been that long! Preparing for the Warrian invasion was very time consuming and there was much to be done. Setting aside time for personal relationships was a luxury he could not afford. In three days the Warrians would be here and he may not live to see the thirteenth of this month, so he felt that one luxury would not hurt. Besides, Katie was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and letting someone like her slip through
his fingers without at least one date, would be a crime he could not commit.
"Did you get back to your car okay?"
Katie ran through the dilemma of the car in her mind. She called up the car company that she hired it from and told them the car had broken down and if they could tow it away. Her ploy worked. Also, nobody she worked with knew what kind of car she drove, so that was another possible connection terminated. Now she was free to give Ryan her full attention without concern of her previous identity. "Yes, my friend from next door drove me back and we got it going again."
Ryan turned down the street where his Company building was situated, then turned into the security car park underneath Williams Industries.
"We'll park here, the restaurant is just around the corner."
After a short walk, they arrived at a small Japanese restaurant and Ryan escorted Katie through the front door. They were greeted by a waitress dressed in the traditional kimono, who showed them to a table. She handed them each a menu, then asked Ryan a question.
"Do you wish to have wine this evening sir?" She asked.
"Yes thank you."
The waitress left the table and quickly returned with the wine list. Ryan selected his favourite Hunter Valley Chardonnay and confirmed his choice with Katie. She replied with a nod, then Ryan returned the list to the waitress. The waitress shuffled off to the kitchen leaving Ryan and Katie momentarily alone.
Ryan leaned over and spoke quietly to Katie. "I've never been to this restaurant before. A friend of mine, Charlie recommended it."
Katie glanced around at the numerous full tables, "It looks very popular, so it can't be too bad."
"Well I hope so. I don't get many chances to go out to dinner these days."
The waitress returned with a bottle and ice bucket. After she removed the cork, the waitress poured a small amount of wine in Ryan's glass and waited for his approval. Ryan nodded to her and she proceeded to fill the two glasses before them.
"Are you ready to order?"
Ryan looked to Katie and she nodded. "I'll have the sushi for entree and the teriyaki chicken for main."
Ryan never had Japanese cuisine before and had no idea what to order, so he took the easy way out. "I'll have the same."
After they handed the menus back to the waitress, she quietly shuffled off to the kitchen.
"Where are you from Katie? From your accent I would guess you're American."
"New York, actually."
"So how did you come to Australia?"
Katie used the same story as she did for her identity as Katherine Mathews. "I came out with my parents back in eighty nine. My father was transferred to Australia to run the Australasian sector of the company."
"Your accent hasn't changed much for seven years in this country."
"Probably has something to do with all the American television we get here. Speaking of accents, I've never come across one like yours before. Where are you from?"
Ryan quickly thought up an answer. "I spent most of my childhood travelling around the world. My Father was an archaeologist and we would spend a year or two in one country at an Archaeological site, then a year or two at another, we were forever on the move. It wasn't until my early twenties that we finally settled in Australia."
"Where were you born?"
This question was tricky. Ryan was comfortable with the idea of not belonging to any particular country, but this question required a specific place - or did it. "On a ship in the Mediterranean." That should stop any complicated questions from being asked!
"Really, that's fascinating." Katie knew he was avoiding the subject. There must be a way of him revealing his family history. "So where do your parents come from?"
This time he was stuck. Ryan considered his situation and decided that the nationality of his parents was not crucial to revealing his true identity. "Australia."
Katie knew this was false. She had already researched any possible family background within Australia and found none.
"Where do you work?" Ryan asked.
She had to think quickly, where do I work? "With an advertising company. I'm on two weeks holiday at the moment. Tell me about the rest of your family, do you have any brothers or sisters?"
"No, I am an only child. Do you have any?"
"Yes, two older brothers." This was the first piece of truth she had said all day and it felt good. Keeping a false identity was hard on the soul.
"I wish I had brothers and sisters. It's sometimes lonely when you're an only child."
"If you met my two brothers, you wouldn't be so keen to have any."
"That bad are they?"
"No not really. Though they can be a real pain in the ass sometimes."
The waitress returned with the entrées and left with saying, "Enjoy your meals."
Ryan and Katie consumed their dinner while continuing their individual conquests of their partners more intimate thoughts. Katie manipulated the conversation as she probed his mind, a wealth of vital information was to be obtained as Ryan innocently opened his heart and mind to her. But her ploy backfired. Instead of discovering new leads for her investigation, she found herself wading in depths of this man's heart and eventually losing track of her investigative instincts. Katie became fascinated with the great passion he possessed when it came to her favourite topics of conversation and she was surprised how often their opinions matched. He had a wealth of knowledge on all subjects they discussed and when it came to affairs of the heart, she could only marvel at the depth of his soul. By the time dinner came, she found herself staring into his deep blue eyes and wanting to kiss his infectious smile. When dessert came, her original objective was totally forgotten.
Katie was well trained in psychiatric evaluation. She was an expert at keeping on top of the opponents will and dissecting their mind to seeing the true person inside. Part of her training was to evaluate psychotics, serial killers and other highly complex characters, but Ryan was the most fascinating, deep and complex soul she had encountered. This, combined with a very handsome package, caused her heart to reach to new depths of passion and love. Katie wasn't sure what was happening to her, she had lost all control over her feelings and judgement. She felt like a little girl again, experiencing her first love.
Ryan was totally enthralled in the vision of beauty before him and with the insight of her fascinatingly passionate mind, he was lost in her eyes forever. Rarely his eyes lost contact with hers, his heart pumped blood with new vitality and mind was a sea of calm for the first time in many years. The tension of creating Intersect had taken its toll on Ryan, it took every ounce of mind and strength to meet the goals it demanded. Finally, he had found peace in the warmth of Katie's presence and was determined to saver this for as long as he could. Soon, the demands of Intersect would return and the wonder would be lost, but not until tomorrow.
After they finished their coffee, Ryan paid the bill and they walked hand in hand back to the car. When they turned down a narrow winding alley as a short cut, Katie put her arm tightly around Ryan. "Do we have to go this way, places like this give me the creeps?"
"Don't worry, this is Sydney. Not New York."
As he spoke, ten dark robed figures appeared at the far end of the alley. Ryan and Katie to stopped dead in their tracks, they turned back the same they came only to find five more sinister figures blocking the rear.
"I don't know about you, but right now I wish I was back in New York."
They turned back to face the larger group and found a single member walking forward to confront them. He wore a long black cloak that concealed his massive two metre high build and upon his dark skinned face he wore a pair of black sunglasses that were to no doubt hide the evil look of his eyes.
"Ryan Williams!" He shouted with a deep guttural voice. "Professor Bane requests your presence."
Ryan's eyes narrowed and his anger flared up. "Tell Bane to go to hell!"
"I was hoping you would say that. Now I can have the pleasure of taking y
ou to Bane in any way I feel fit. Namely dead."
Professor Bane was a new adversary with a lot of money and power behind him. These were obviously his henchmen come to do his dirty work. Ryan wished he could phase in his A.A.E.E. suit or call for help on his watch-communicator, but Katie was right next to him. He couldn't reveal his identity so he must fight these men bare fisted. "Katie, Stay behind me." Ryan said quietly. "As soon as you see a gap, run for it and don't stop till you get to the police."
Ryan ran at the large opponent and leaped into the air and kicked straight into his chest. He was too quick for the man to step aside and the robed opponent took the full force of the blow. The great black mountain came crashing to the ground, and Ryan rolled forward then leaped to his feet to meet the other adversaries.
Katie turned and faced the five henchmen behind her. She reached into her handbag and pulled out her service revolver, then shot at the first of the dark robed figures that were almost upon her. She aimed for his face and saw it explode in a spray of blood and bone. Before Katie could let off another shot, her gun was kicked from her hand. She felt a large hand grapple for her hair, but Katie wasn't giving up without a fight. She kicked one in the groin and the second with a leaping front kick to the throat. One doubled over while the other clutched at his shattered larynx. Then a blow struck the back of her head and a veil of dark came over her sight. Katie fell to the ground unconscious.
Ryan somersaulted over a charging henchmen and kicked another jaw with the back of his heel. As he smashed a nose flat to its face with his fist, an overwhelming mass of dark figures slammed against his body, pinning him to the wall. Six sets of arms had him spread-eagle against the wall with his arms wide apart. He glanced over to where he left Katie and saw her knocked to the ground. He struggled with all his might but could not break the powerful hold. The leading henchman stood before him, then smiled.
"You're a tough little bastard aren't you, but when I've finished, there won't be anything left of you to be tough." The smile quickly ran from his face, then he struck Ryan in the stomach causing him to heave as his lungs were robbed of air.
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