Rating: PG.

Spoilers: Old Flame

Author's Note: A very quickie write, posted on PS while waiting for tag to take forever posting the next section of her lovely "In Search of the Truth". Takes place between two scenes of Old Flame.

A Good Plant
by Selma McCrory (Angel Island)
copyright 2000

It was a decision that he'd made so many times over his brief span as Da'an's security chief. How do I cover this up? How do I prevent them - any of them - from knowing that I have no Motivational Imperative? That I'm a plant, a spy?

Most of those decisions had to be made instantly, with no time for ponderance. This time was little different, where he did have the luxury of a little time in order to make his plans. How would he explain why he'd taken so long to turn Elyse in? He didn't want her hurt; the implanted memories had assured that he would feel something towards her.

He could pretend that he'd not discovered her faking, but if he did that, she would no doubt tell them in the debriefing of her little adventure that he'd discovered that... and then they'd wondered why he hadn't said anything. He could just let her go - but they'd debrief her anyway and then wonder why he didn't say so. And, to him, if they started wondering, he was dead.

So, maybe the best course of action was to 'fess all, to turn her in and then tell them that he knew. Tell them that he knew, and how he'd found out, without letting suspicion fall on Lili. Let them think that it was his enhancements that allowed him to figure things out. That would make Da'an happy at least. The Taelons liked it when their successes were paraded in front of them.

Make it sound like he admired them, like any good Implant would do.

He looked over at Elise. "Grab your things. We have to go."

And being a good plant, she obeyed.