Year Three, Chapter Seven

"Divining"

Speeding along in the KCON newsvan, an exhausted and still baffled Gracie heads back to the station from the von Meer estate. Kylee finishes up some notes from their last report.
Gracie: Unbelievable
Kylee: (Opening up some gum) Karl Sr. was on the young side of old but he was still old - back in Alabama, they drop like flies at his age

Gracie: That's because two-thirds of their bodies are made up of lard and tobacco
Kylee: Occasionally, we'll have the one that lives to 112 but that's always on the side of the family we can't stand - I remember this great uncle...
Gracie: Let me stop you here - my original, guttural remark of "unbelievable" was meant to be a general, throw-away comment that was nothing more than an observation of this day's complete insanity... not a set-up for sharing Shepperton family incest moments
Kylee: Would you like a piece of Dentyne?
Gracie: (Sighing and taking the gum) Thanks
Kylee: No, thank you - especially the way you slurped up those little onion quiches
Gracie: (Gritting her teeth) I didn't have any lunch
Kylee: I wonder what makes people think the way they do? - my husband just died, maybe I should put out some onion quiche?
Gracie: I highly doubt Mrs. von Meer was the one doing the cooking - they have, what, a dozen servants or something?
Kylee: That's true
Gracie: I feel really bad for KJ, I've never seen him so devastated - and I feel like crap for intruding on his family's privacy
Kylee: He should be glad that we were assigned this story, we were very respectful of all the von Meers
Gracie: Good God, I actually agree with you - what is going on today?
Kylee: It's just too bad Erika is such a disappointment
Gracie: Huh?
Kylee: It's not right that she's not married with kids by now - poor Karl went to his grave without being a granddaddy - that's a sin where I come from!
Gracie: Remind me to never go there
Kylee: I'm serious
Gracie: Um, we're around the same age and neither one of us is married with offspring?
Kylee: Don't remind me... at least I'm trying to do something about it - thankfully, my step-sister just gave birth to her fourth so the pressure is off of me for now
Gracie: How come you're singling out Erika? - why not KJ?
Kylee: Because, it's more acceptable for him to be a playboy bachelor with his money and looks - but for Erika, with her breeding and beauty, she doesn't have to struggle in a thankless job like we do
Gracie: I kinda like my career
Kylee: That is not the point - the point is she should be married to Griffin, having his children, keeping the family business and the bloodlines growing - not playing around with sea urchins
Gracie: Did Martel give you that sound bite while you were giving him head in the bathroom?
Kylee remains silent and snaps her gum.
Gracie: Uh-huh... so, Erika can't play with fish but it's okay for guys like KJ and Griffin to play around with bunnies?
Kylee: What?
Gracie: I don't know... I'm tired and confused
Kylee: I know KJ is sweet on our little outlaw McBride but I have no doubt with all the ladies in his past that there's an illegitimate nest in his tree somewhere
Gracie: You know, I have enough problems with my own personal life, I don't even want to venture a guess with his
Kylee: Ooh, someone sounds like she needs to talk!
Gracie: Oh God, why did I speak to her, why, why?
Gracie sticks out her tongue.
Gracie: Here, take your gum back
Kylee: Okay then, nevermind, I was just trying to be friendly
Gracie: Ugh... I really need to talk to someone about this - why does it have to be you?
Kylee rolls down the van window and screams across traffic to a man in a convertible.
Kylee: Hello there, my camerawoman-slash-segment producer can't talk to me about something - it's most likely something sexual - do you think you could talk to her instead?
A mortified Gracie punches the gas and they zoom down the road.
Gracie: This day has to end, this day has to end soon
Kylee: Not for us, we have another assignment for 11:00
Gracie: We just have to do a quick follow-up on the quake - I figure we'll get a shot of you straddling the huge new crack in the valley floor
Kylee: Why not get a shot of me in front of some damaged buildings?
Gracie: Everyone is doing damaged building shots - besides, people love to see you straddle, ratings go up
Kylee: But it's dark outside?
Gracie: You forget, you are in the presence of the Queen of Lighting - how do you think I get your damaged hair to look so soft?
Kylee: That's right, I'm with Takanachi the frustrated artiste - Good Lord, Gracie, it's a two-minute package featuring dirt!
Gracie slams on the brakes and does a quick u-turn.
Gracie: Fine, we'll do a damaged building shot, let's get this over with
Kylee: WAIT... I'm sorry - let's do the crack, I wanna do the crack with you!
Gracie bursts into uncontrollable giggles. Kylee can't help but join in.
Gracie: (Wiping the tears from her eyes) Oh, I so need that - that was funny for no real reason - so we're sticking to the original plan?
Kylee: Yes, take as long as you need... I'm not too keen on rushing home
Gracie: Christ, we're back to the girl talk again... what's wrong at home?
Kylee: I just don't want to go - Turner has been acting strange lately
Gracie gives her a look.
Kylee: Even more so than usual - he's been disappearing in the middle of the night
Gracie: Um, he does have a wife and kids
Kylee: They mean nothing to him... I dunno, these last few days especially, it's as if something is in the air
Gracie: Start singing Phil Collins and I'll smack you
Kylee: I'm glad work has been keeping me busy
Gracie: Nothing beats the misfortune of others to distract us from our own
Kylee: I just don't want to go home tonight - is that so wrong?
Gracie: No... I know the feeling, believe me - if you want, we can split a room at the Holiday Inn
Kylee: Eww, I was thinking more along the lines of the Del Pilar
Gracie: Maybe YOU can afford that!
Gracie takes a back road to the location of the broken earth.
Kylee: So, are you ready to tell me yet?
Gracie: Tell you what?
Kylee: The reason why you don't want to go home?
Gracie: (Taking a deep breath) I slept with Clark
Kylee: Clark who?
Gracie: OUR Clark, Jason Clark
Kylee: (Shrieking) OH MY GOD
Gracie: See? - that's why I didn't want to tell you
Kylee: HOW COULD YOU?
Gracie: AT LEAST FAKE SOME SUPPORT
Kylee: That's just wrong!
Gracie: PLEASE
Kylee: Of all the guys to pick from, why did you do the nasty with him?
Gracie: I honestly don't know
Kylee: Was he good?
Gracie: I don't remember
Kylee: Why, you dirty tramp!
Gracie: Hello, Kettle, will you accept a collect call from Pot?
Kylee: I, at least, remember mine
Gracie: I didn't know the human brain could count beyond a million?
Kylee: I've never done it with a man of color before
Gracie: You mean to tell me Turner is an albino? - what about the other 2000 a month?
Kylee: Enough with the jokes, Gracie, I set standards for myself
Gracie: What century are you living in, Shepperton? - more importantly, what color am I?
Kylee: Everyone considers Orientals to be honorary white folk in this country
Gracie: Dear God... and just when I was beginning to slightly like you
Gracie pulls the van off to the side of the road and starts to set up the equipment. A jeep barrels down towards them.
Kylee: Looks like someone else is after our crack
Both are astonished to see a harried Justine and Joenne before them.
Gracie: Mirabello, do you know where Zach is? - I have been looking...
Joenne: GET BACK IN THE VAN - GO, GO, GO
Joenne pulls out her machine gun and lets loose behind her as several hoods float in their direction.
Gracie: WHAT THE HELL?
Kylee: (Running back to the van) Let's go with the damaged building idea, Gracie!
Joenne: TAKE MY SISTER WITH YOU
Justine: NO, JOEY
Joenne: I have backup coming for me - I can hold them off - you three need to get outta here, NOW
Joenne rips a grenade out of her sack and hurls it back at the hoods.
Gracie: What is going on here?
Justine: I'M NOT LEAVING YOU...
Joenne knocks her sister out with a quick butt to the back of the head.
Gracie: Can you teach me how to do that to my parents?
Joenne: Sorry, Justi - GRACIE, KYLEE, GET HER IN THE VAN AND LEAVE, GOD DAMMIT
Gracie and Kylee drag the limp Justine into the van as Joenne hops back into the jeep and heads right for the hoods.
Gracie: (Calling after) DOES KCON GET AN EXCLUSIVE WITH YOU?
An army helicopter swoops down overhead and fires off several rounds just missing the van.
Gracie: (Pounding the gas pedal) WE'RE LEAVING, WE'RE LEAVING, WE'RE SO LEAVING...I HATE THIS DAY

Back at the SCU lab, Erika and Shelby stare at Javier.
Shelby: I really need to be picking up Calvin - I'll see you two tomorrow
Before she leaves, Shelby gives Erika a soft hug.
Shelby: Please go home and be with your family, get some rest
Erika: Not until I find out what I need from Sandy
Javier: What is it that you need, Rikka?
Erika remains silent as Shelby leaves the room.
Javier: (Taking her hand and kissing it) I am so sorry about your father
Erika: (Snatching her hand away) Are you?
Javier: What does that mean?
Erika: Could you please take a look in the electron microscope for me?
Javier: What is it?
Erika: (Choking back the rage) TAKE A LOOK
Javier reluctantly does.
Javier: (Stunned) WHERE DID YOU GET THIS? - HAVE YOU BEEN GOING THROUGH MY FILES?
Erika: So you HAVE been working on this!
Javier: Look, just because we're all in the same department doesn't mean we need to be a part of each other's projects - you have tons of experiments going on that you keep me, Shel and Tim out of the loop on
Erika: (Cool) Who hired you to work on this?
Javier: How dare you? - it's a personal venture that I...
Erika stride across the room in two steps, grabs Javier by the throat with one hand and pins him back with the other.

Erika: I'm not going to ask you again, Sandy
Javier chokes and gags until Erika releases him.
Javier: WHAT... IN THE HELL... IS WRONG WITH YOU?
Erika: Your little personal venture is hurting someone I love
Javier: Who is it hurting? - I don't understand - I think you're overreacting because of your dad
Erika: EXACTLY - I need to isolate this toxin quickly and find an antidote - I can do it on my own but it will take too much time... help me or I will make it very ugly for you and your family
Javier: I don't understand where any of this is coming from - he said it was supposed to be for a cosmetics agent
Erika: WHO, WHO IS HE?
Javier: Griffin!

Thrashing around his bedroom at the Quartz Lake Inn, an agitated Joe Tiszo rummages through an old wooden chest.
Joe: I cannot ignore it any longer... forgive me, my Lord, for I have been a coward far too long!
He grabs a crystal necklace similar to Amy's and it glows a bright orange in his hand.
Joe: (Tying it around his neck) Time is running out for everyone
He now pulls a long, black robe out of the chest and throws it on.

Joe: (Pulling the hood over his head) Pray for us, Deirdre

Deep inside the caverns of the Kiyomis, Amethyst stands back and watches helplessly as Morrigan is cornered. Several hoods converge on McBride.
Morrigan: AMY
Amethyst: I'm sorry...
The white robed leader places a hand on Amethyst's shoulder as Morrigan is quickly bound, gagged and carried off by the hoods.

White Robe: You did well, my child
Amethyst: (Flinching) I hate you for making me do this
White Robe: Ultimately, it was your decision, wasn't it?
Amethyst: Let Zach go, now!
White Robe: Not until the Marked One fulfills her purpose
Amethyst: I brought her to you now give me Zachary
White Robe: Our deal will be completed soon - you are more than welcome to watch
Amethyst tries to throw a punch at the leader but her fist is caught in mid-air and it is squeezed to the point of bones crunching.
White Robe: Do not test my patience right now
The leader brushes Amethyst aside and walks away.
Amethyst: I WILL COME BACK FOR HER... once I take care of Zach, I promise you this!
White Robe: Don't waste your energy, I highly doubt she will survive the ritual
The leader disappears into the caverns as two brown robed subordinates carry in a badly bruised and blindfolded Isaacson. They pass by Morrigan on their way.
Morrigan: (Slipping out of her gag) ZACH, ZACH
Zach: (Muffled) MORRI?
Morrigan: GET DARKFIN...
Before she can say another word, the gag is replaced and she is quickly hauled away.
Zach: WHO?
Zach is smacked in the jaw and thrown into a cave with Amethyst. Brown hoods surround them both.
Amethyst: ZACH - oh, my baby, I'm so sorry - are you okay?
Zach: Amy? - is that you?
Amethyst takes the blindfold off and unties him.
Zach: What the fuck is going on here?
Amethyst: Shh, relax... can you walk?
Zach: I think so - why are you dressed like that? - hey, I'm really sorry about the donkey prank at your birthday party last year but this goes way beyond payback!
Amethyst: This is not a joke
Zach: Did I hear Morrigan? - is she here? - who are these psychos?
Amethyst: (Whispering) Don't say another word, just be ready to run
Zach: But...
The ground starts to tremble again.
Zach: Not another earthquake!
Amethyst (Tears running down her face) No... not an earthquake
Zach: What's that chanting?
Amethyst looks up to a small hole in the cave ceiling. It is filled with nighttime stars.
Amethyst: They have begun the invocation too soon, it will bring even greater disaster upon us
Clenching her jaw and summoning her strength, Amethyst waves her arm in a flourish. The brown robed guards go crashing against the wall.
Zach: HOW DID YOU...
Amethyst: WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE NOW
Zach: WHAT ABOUT...
Amethyst: (Taking Zach's hand and pulling him) RUN
Around the cave floor, the leader's chanting quickens and is echoed by a horde of blue robes. The center of the ceremony, Morrigan lies motionless. She is wrapped in a thin gray sheet with her arms and legs exposed. The mark on her foot begins to glow as do the rocks around the cave.
White Robe: CARRY HER
Four blue robes take a hold of Morrigan and await their next command.
White Robe: LET THE MARK LEAD US
Drawn by a magnetic-like pull, Morrigan's foot is now the center of her gravity. It draws her and her captors slowly down a dark path, a path that lights up with several never-before-seen symbols that glow with intensity.
White Robe: (Uncontained glee) WE ARE NEAR, WE ARE VERY NEAR
A dazed and weakened McBride feels her body on fire, her foot begins to bleed again.
Morrigan: Fin...
White Robe: Aleta Oscura isn't here to save you this time, child
All of the sudden, Morrigan's foot slams down hard on the cave floor, sending a jolt that knocks down everyone but her. She screams in abject pain as rocks and dust tumble around them. A low-level metallic hum fills the room.
White Robe: HERE, WE SHALL DIG HERE
A blue robe rushes over to the leader.
Blue Robe: But the timing, Master - the timing is slightly off
White Robe: I AM DONE WAITING - IT IS NOW MY TIME
Both are horrified at the sight of Morrigan gracefully levitating upright from the floor. She floats peacefully up to a precipice and into the waiting arms of Joe Tiszo.
Joe: (Eyes glowing) IT IS NOW YOUR TIME... YOUR TIME TO DIE