David Golemon: Primeval

"Director," Everett said, after clearing his throat. "What about that area north of the Stikine River? What can we do to protect it from outsiders?"

Niles pursed his lips and looked from Everett to Jack.

"Nothing."

"But—"

"Captain Everett, if we push the Canadian government for protection of that area, I guarantee you that word of the creatures will get out, and then what? It will be their extinction. I left that question up to Charlie Ellenshaw and he said to leave it be. Giganticus Pythicus has survived for thousands of years without our assistance and he thinks they can survive even longer with no help from us."

Niles stood and placed his glasses on his face, walked around the table, and put his hand on Everett's shoulder. "Don't worry, Captain, I won't hold it against you for caring. Now, Jack, I must ask, whatever became of our old friend, Colonel Farbeaux?"

Collins shook his head. "That son of a bitch ran out on us after getting his hands on not only the second diamond, but also the first that he tore through the Russian camp to find. He stole one of the boats we needed, and then took one of the helicopters, so as I figure it, he not only got away again, he stole about a billion dollars' worth of stones and equipment."

"I guess we have to give him a pass this time around, especially since he's now wanted again by his own government for not turning over his final report on what was recovered and what wasn't."

"Why are they so hot about that?" Jack asked.

"Because he called them and said they can have his confidential report for fifty million francs, or he would go public with it."

Jack laughed as did Everett.

"Your sister, is she back at work?" Niles asked as he went over to his seat and activated the large-screen monitor at the front of the conference room.

"Yes, sir, she has a new desk at Langley, of her own choosing — she's handling the International Crimes Division, basically assisting Interpol in their manhunts."

"Don't tell me?"

"Uh-huh, she says that Colonel Henri Farbeaux intrigues her, so she's going after him."

"Well, she may save us some heartache down the road then," Niles said, adjusting the large monitor while Jack and Everett stood.

"She just might do that… If that's all, Niles, we have some work to catch up on."

"Just a second, Jack. I thought you may find this interesting."

Collins stopped and turned to face the large monitor. There was a test pattern on it and then a screen came up. Europa, the supercomputer, was shanghaiing a signal from the Central Pacific that was generated by the CBS Nightly News. Soon, the picture cleared and there was a woman reporter standing in front of a camera with pieces of construction equipment in the background. There were American and Japanese flags flying from that equipment.

"Late this afternoon, professor of historical studies, Eileen Santos of Colorado State University, in a joint announcement with the Imperial Japanese Historical Society has released data that confirms the identity of the famous aviatrix, Amelia Earhart, whose body was discovered in the early-morning hours of August first by the Colorado State forensic search team five days ago. The body, by all accounts was covered in an American flag along with the remains of her navigator, Fred Noonan, as they were pulled from long-forgotten sands on this small island, ending the mystery of her disappearance more than—"

Niles turned the monitor off and then sat down. He watched Jack for a moment and then cleared his throat.

"She's on her way home, Jack. After all of these years she's about to get her just due, and now you can look at yourself in the mirror and know for a fact all of this is meant to do something, even if it's as small as bringing a little girl, or a woman, home again."

Jack stood and was deep in thought. Then he slowly looked up and nodded his head.

"As in the case of the Romanov children, I guess you could say they're at home, also," Niles said as he walked around and opened the conference doors for Jack and Carl.

"Yes," Collins said as he turned to leave.

"And that's where our history will leave them." Niles smiled. "Some things need to be kept secret."

As Jack and Everett left, Niles closed the door and then walked to his chair and opened the file that was marked EVENT FILE 19908757. He looked at the picture stapled to the inside jacket. He couldn't help it — he smiled at the image of Marla Petrovich and then looked at the picture opposite of hers. It was of Anastasia Romanov. The two young women were almost twins of each other. Niles shook his head and then closed the file. The real beauty was not the Twins of Peter the Great, but another set of twins that were far more precious.

"Indeed, some history is good right where it's at."

Outside the conference room on level seven, the Event Group prepared for the return of full operational status as their condition was reported to the president of the United States.

Yes, life would go on, and some secrets would be kept forever deep beneath the Nevada desert.