Date:         Mon, 7 Nov 1994 18:49:26 -0800
Reply-To:     Highlander TV show stories <HLFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>
Sender:       Highlander TV show stories <HLFIC-L@PSUVM.PSU.EDU>
From:         Matthew Corey Brown <wildfire@HALCYON.COM>
Subject:      The Rebirth (Prolog) 2/2

        Roland came down the street towards his shop. He went to Carie's
place, picked up some books, a small transistor radio, and some of her
more decent clothes. Just enough for two days, which gives them plenty
of time to go shopping for some better ones. As
he turned the corner he noticed the front door was ajar and the lights
were off.
        Roland brought his jewel encrusted dragon hilt short sword as he
scanned the area for Immortals. Finding none, he rushed through the door
and up the stairs calling out for Carie and Tracy. The chairs and couch
was turned over and a groan came from the bedroom. Roland peered in to
see Tracy on the side of the bed holding her head.
        Roland rushed to her side. "Are you okay?"
        "Yeah," Tracy said groggily. "They used chloroform."
        "They? So it wasn't an Immortal." It wasn't a question. Roland
went into the bathroom and grabbed a cold wash cloth. "Was it her pimp,
Steve?"
        "It appeared so, but why would a pimp use chloroform to knock
someone out?" Tracy took the offered washcloth. "Now, I remember why we
broke up. Never could understand your 'Gathering.'"
        "It still maybe an Immortal using Carie as bait. A setup from the
start." Roland walked down stairs to his private book collection. "All
we can do now is sit and wait," he called up to Tracy.
        Tracy leaned over the balcony. "What are you getting?"
        "One of my technique journals."
        "Why?"
        "I have a bad feeling about this and want to review a transference
method." He scanned a shelf. "Here it is."
        "Transference?"
        "To insure I survive on my terms. Remember I told you how Darius
became good after he killed a very old Immortal?"
        "Yes..."
        "If I die I want to leave my goodness behind. I've left this shop
to you in case I don't come back."
        "Don't talk like that. You'll come back."
        "I know. I promise that I will come back."
        "You better..." The phone rang.
        Roland had the receiver in his hand that second. "What have you
done with her?" He demanded.
        "Mr. Addison," It was Steve. "Listen and listen well, if you want
to see Carie alive again. You know that big warehouse on fourth?"
        "Yes."
        "Be there in one hour. I want a rematch." The line went dead.
        Roland hung up the receiver. "That was Steve, must be the
mysterious Immortal's friend. I'll be back." He grabbed his sword and
headed out the door.

                        * * *

        Roland approached the warehouse straining to sense an immortal but
found only an incoherent build up of quickening in the hospital. <An
Immortal baby is about to be born,> he thought. <Well kid, if I don't
make it you are going to have some advantage. No real Immortal around,
what in the name of The Mother is going on?> Boosting his senses by
using his Quickening, he heard the sounds of a quite a number of men.
<Best get this over with.> Drawing his short sword he entered the
warehouse.
        "Stop there you freak!" A voiced boomed out of loud speakers and a
spotlight enveloped Roland. "Drop the steel!"
        "Let me see Carie first!" Roland thundered with his Quickening
enhanced voice.
        Another spotlight illuminated Carie, bound and gagged on the far
side of the empty warehouse. "Now drop your sword, demon spawn or she
won't see fifteen."
        Roland dropped his sword. "Why are you doing this? What have I
done?"
        "You refuse to die. You and your kind has no place on this earth.
We have watched you for over a thousand years we know about your
'Gathering.'" The voice was full of contempt.
        "Watchers!? But I thought your organization didn't get involved!"
        "Times change, we are better called Hunters now." Gunfire strafed
across the floor hitting and killing Carie instantly. Screaming and
realizing it was useless to stand and fight, Roland ran out the door as
he took hundreds of rounds into the body. He was barely able to escape
to the alley...

                        * * *

        <The watchers have become the hunters now. They killed an innocent
girl for their beliefs. My head will be separated from my neck. Well,
Earth Mother, time to give that kid my power.> Roland reaches out with
his mind to lock on to the quickening of the new born babe as a man
walks over to the Immortal and raises Roland's own sword.
        "See you in Hell, freak!"

                        * * *

        In the delivery room of Kansas City General, the doctors upraised
hand comes down to strike the new born babe's behind as  bluish energy
fills the room wreaking havoc with the equipment.


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