Frozen in Time – r2 p3

Aqualegia

~+~+~+~+~

The news that Krycek had disabled the cameras, causing discomfort to some people, spread through the complex like wildfire , and many found it hard not to laugh when the tale reached them. In the wake of the mirth, there was a groundswell of admiration; not only was Alex Krycek dangerous, he was intelligent as well.

Naturally the upper echelons of the security force, especially Lt. Commander Morrison, could not see the joke, so when Robert Gethin received a summons to General Kamarov's office, he mentally prepared himself to meet a very angry man.

When he entered the General's outer office, Lt. Troy said, "Please take a seat Dr. Gethin, The General is talking to Minister Lermontov at the moment."

Gethin nodded and took a seat, thinking back over the years to the first time he had met Andrei Kamarov. He had been on a field trip to Russian Georgia during his last year at University, and Lt. Commander Kamarov had been in charge of the security and transportation for the expedition. They had taken an instant liking to one another and had spent much of their off-duty time together... including many nights in the same bed. As time passed, and they were promoted in their chosen careers, their lust had dwindled. They were still friends, their shared past, although never alluded to openly, made them more relaxed in each other's company than would otherwise be the case.

They had met a few times since then, but because of their wandering lifestyles they had never become really intimate again, and then, in the ruins of a city he had met others who lived outside the domes...

His roaming thoughts were brought back to the present when Troy spoke to him. "Dr. Gethin, the General will see you now."

Gethin walked in and shut the office door firmly behind him. Kamarov looked up, an angry scowl marring his features. "Help yourself to coffee, Robert," he said, gesturing towards the sideboard. As his old friend poured the black liquid into a cup, he continued, "I suppose you've heard what has happened."

"Yes, I heard.... Hell, Andrei, what did you expect? Just because they good looking doesn't mean thy haven't any brains. They're both university graduates. Mulder had a very high-profile career in the FBI; a respected profiler amongst other things. According to my research Krycek also served in the FBI for a while, having graduated at the top of his class from Quantico having gained an MA from Yale...." Gethin trailed off, letting Kamarov draw his own conclusions, while he quietly sipped his coffee.

Suddenly the General started laughing, his eyes twinkling at the man sitting opposite him, his infectious laugh caused Gethin to start laughing too.

When they had, more or less, recovered their composure, Kamarov said, "Thanks Robert, you're right. I was equating beauty, and ignorance of our ways, with stupidity; I had forgotten what and who they were. The question now is: how am I going to deal with them?"

The archaeologist thought for a moment, then said, "Ever since we discovered them, I have been doing some research on the twentieth century, particularly it's history, freedoms and attitudes - I've also been reading the journal that was left with them.

"Comparing their lifestyle with ours, I have drawn the conclusion that they would regard some of the restrictions on our lives we take for granted, as infringements of their civil liberties. They would probably compare our regime to that of the Nazi's in the mid nineteen hundreds, an oppressive, militaristic dictatorship, who set out to conquer most of Europe and Western Russia."

Kamarov frowned, obviously trying to recall the historical details. When he couldn't he asked, "What happened? Why didn't they succeed?"

"It's a very long and complicated story, but I'll try to make it as short as possible. There were two wars in the 20th century which encompassed most of the globe, and involved the majority of the nations of the world. The Great War, as it was originally termed, started in 1914 when the heir to the Austrian throne was murdered in Serbia. The Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia and France, and invaded Belgium. Great Britain, an ally of Belgium declared war on Germany... and so it went on until most of Europe had taken one side or the other. The countries outside Europe who were part of the British Empire sent troops, and, as the years went by, many other countries were drawn into the conflict. In 1917 came the revolution in Russia and they signed a peace treaty with Germany. Also in that year the US and Cuba declared war on Germany.

"Just over four years after it had started Germany and her allies sued for peace, and the war ended with an armistice which came into force at 11a.m. on 11 November, 1918, which is why Veteran's Day is observed on that date.

Some old nations, which had been swallowed up by those countries on the losing side, became independent again, amongst them Poland. Many peace pacts and mutual protection pacts were signed during the following years, amongst the latter was one between Great Britain and Poland.

"Even though the war was over, the problems didn't stop. There was a worldwide influenza epidemic which killed more people than had died during the four years of war, then came famine and mass unemployment, a world slump and monetary systems were in disarray.

"In Germany the National Socialist, Nazi, Party came to power, led by Adolf Hitler, an Austrian, who had served as a corporal during World War One."

Gethin paused to finish his coffee, but Kamarov was so intrigued by the story that he waited patiently for his friend to start speaking again.

"While the rest of the world disarmed, Germany secretly started to rearm although it was forbidden by the terms of the treaty they had signed in 1918. Their aim was a pure Aryan nation, and if that meant exterminating all those who were 'contaminated' in any way then so be it. Amongst those they persecuted were Jews, the mentally ill and homosexuals; those people who could afford it started to flee Germany. They also started to annex other countries, Austria, parts of Czechoslovakia, Silesia... on 1st September 1939 they invaded Poland. Britain protested and issued an ultimatum... when Germany refused to withdraw, Britain declared war on September 3rd, Hitler had miscalculated Britain's will to fight for freedom.

"So, twenty one years after world war one ended, the second world war started. Italy and Japan sided with Germany, and many countries in Europe both east and west of Germany were overrun, as were many countries and islands around Japan. The US entered the war at the end of 1941 when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour.

"The Nazis herded all 'undesirables' into labour camps where they either worked until they died or were deliberately killed, and sent the Jews to concentration camps, where they were gassed and their bodies incinerated.

"They also set up breeding camps to perpetuate the Aryan race, just like we have.

"By the time the war finished in 1945, 35 million people had been killed, plus 6 million in the Nazi concentration camps. Not quite the billions of deaths our own ancestors managed to achieve by collaborating with the aliens, but you can see the comparisons for yourself."

Kamarov nodded thoughtfully. "I can see why you believe they would thank that way," he replied after a long silence. "And I can also see why that part of history was left out of my military education."

Gethin grimaced. "It's not just military education. I had to dig deep into the archives to find it, in fact much of the twentieth century is not in the main index.... Almost as if there is something in there that someone doesn't want the general populace to know... but I digress. The reason I was looking was to find out about the social structure to see what differences there were between then and now, and to see if we could utilize the knowledge to make our two... guests... feels more at home in our society. If we want their cooperation we must allow them more privacy and make sure they feel protected and safe... even if that means that we have to curb our own inclinations and those of whom we command."

Kamarov nodded, "I've already put a "don't touch' order them, and since, as speculated in Spender's journal, they do seem to be lovers, I believe that Krycek would react violently to any threats against Mulder."

"As to the present situation, and taking into account your findings, I believe we should leave them alone for a while, then I propose to send you, and a doctor to check up on their welfare... du Prés I think would be best. I'll send for him and show you the last part of the surveillance tapes so that you can see for yourselves what happened before you go to talk to them.

-o0o-

Commander Jefferson, looked around the table. "We are agreed then, to strike from here over such a long distance would be inadvisable, so we will move our strike force to Chicago and attack from there. After the raid, the force will regroup in Winnipeg, and we will send support groups to both cities. The transports and the strike craft will leave here tonight.

"Unless we have to postpone it for any reason, the raid will take place the following night. In advance of the Dakota raid, our colleagues from Houston will break into another of the breeding camps and a school where we have pinpointed some children of the mothers we have already liberated, as well as those we hope to set free the same night, which should draw the patrols south." He smiled grimly, then went on, "But I don't need to tell you not to rely on the patrols being missing."

"One last thing. Please remember that most of the personnel in the Dakota complex are civilians and we know there is at least one of our sympathizers there, so no bloodshed unless absolutely necessary. The military and security forces are fair game if they get in your way, but don't go looking for trouble... the faster we are in and out of there, the better I shall like it." He gathered his papers together and stood up. "Thank you for your attention ladies and gentlemen, if I receive any more information from any of our contacts I will get it passed to you immediately."

He left the room, his aide Jacqueline, following in his wake, leaving a thoughtful silence behind him.

-o0o-

When du Prés arrived in Kamarov's office, the General commanded they were shown the video footage of Morrison's visit to Krycek's quarters, and of the initial confrontation between him and Mulder. They were surprised that, at first, Krycek made no attempt to defend himself; then breathed a sigh of relief when he had neatly turned the tables on Mulder without doing much damage.

When the recording had been ended so abruptly, Gethin found it very hard not to laugh, especially when he could hear du Prés snickering beside him. Fortunately, the General was inclined to ignore the breach of etiquette by the young medical student.

"As you can see, the screens are still blank," Kamarov waved his hand at the bank of monitors as he spoke. "Doctor Gethin, you have sufficient seniority to be able to open the doors from the outside without being a member of security, I'd like you to accompany du Prés to ascertain the well-being of our - er - guests; to make sure they haven't suffered any ill-effects from their activities."

Gethin looked slightly uncomfortable. "Do you want me to turn these back on?" he queried, not sounding particularly enthusiastic about the idea.

"For their own safety, I would like the ones in the main room turned on, but I am willing to allow those in the bedroom to be disabled, they do have some rights to privacy under our laws."

"Yes, sir. I'll show them how to work the cameras."

"Good. Before you go I have some news for First Class Du Prés. The University has advised me that you have passed your term examinations. Congratulations."

"Thank you, sir."

Kamarov nodded, then said. "That's all gentlemen."

-oo0oo-

The two men showed their passes to the guards, then paused at the door to the small, purpose-built apartment, and looked at one another, each wondering what they were going to find inside.

Squaring his shoulders, Gethin placed his hand against the plate and heard the lock open. When they got inside, there was an unmistakable smell of sex in the air, and du Prés' cheeks coloured at the sight of a trail of discarded clothing.

Gethin, touched him gently on the shoulder, and motioned him to stay put, then he followed the trail of clothes which led him from the love-seat in the main room to the bed, where the lovers lay sleeping, Alex held securely in Fox's arms.

His fingers itched to take out his notebook and make a quick line drawing, and he also found himself wishing there was some way to shield these men from the fate the consortium's first families wold surely have in store for them

He took a few steps towards the bed and Alex's head lifted, his eyes zeroing in on the intruder.

Gethin smiled. then quietly said, "General Kamarov has sent du Prés and myself to make sure you have not suffered any ill effects from your - er -reunion."

Mulder stirred as Alex replied in an equally soft voice, "du Prés I can understand, but why you Doctor Gethin?"

Gethin's smile widened. "As the senior archaeologist and an historian, I have been used to far more freedom than the average citizen, so in a way I can sympathize with your antipathy towards the sudden restrictions which have been put on your lives. General Kamarov has asked me to show you how to turn off the cameras in the individual rooms, but for your safety he has asked you to allow the cameras to remain on in the living room."

"I think we could probably do that," Mulder murmured feeling Alex tense, and forestalling any outburst from his more aggressive lover by whispering in his ear, "I only said, 'probably'."

Alex kissed Fox's cheek then got off the bed to collect their shorts. "We'd better make ourselves presentable for Mr du Prés," he said, throwing Mulder's on to the bed and pulling his own on. He gave Gethin a calculating look, wondering if he could get some more information out of the man on the current state of the outside world... He had to find a way to extricate Fox and himself from these people, otherwise they would never know any freedom. He also found himself wondering what had happened to the resistance. Had they survived, and did they still exist. Though he doubted if he could ask such direct questions of even this seemingly friendly man.

Gethin pretended not to notice the looks he was being given, and said, "I have also been authorised to provide you with a copy of a journal which was found with you, and to answer some of the questions you undoubtedly have about the world into which you have been... reborn."

The words 'answers' and 'journal' acted like to cold shower to Mulder's senses, he got off the bed and started dressing following his trail of clothes back to the main room and coming face to face with the shy medical student waiting near the door from the corridor.

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