~~

He knew they were coming before they arrived. Clapping his hands together and rubbing them back and forth excitedly, his eyes grew wide with anticipation as they soaked up the scene on the screens before him. Sighing, almost rapturously he breathed "Bring it on, bring it on!"

~~

He never thought of himself as hiding, though it was exactly what he did - and he did it well. Behind the ion cloud that covered his home, he exposed himself to every facet of transmitted life he could collect. And he collected many facets. Exposing himself thus he forget that he hid. It's why he did it, to forget. Racing through the corridors of electrical conduits he could work himself through a maze of technical security in a matter of seconds finding himself scenes of lust, of violence, of manipulation, of sacrifice. Scenes unknown to most, and seemingly impervious to access to virtually everyone in the 'verse. But gaining access was his speciality, his forte and he gained access to some of the most sensitive images in the 'verse. Gaining access was almost, almost as much as a rush as getting these glimpses of the hierarchy tumbling down the chutes of their own depravity.

~~

The ship began its decent on the landing pad, the other four shuttles taking up position in the sky. Hovering like insects in the wind. For a moment he was shocked as he recognized the symbol on the side of the ships. Alliance! He never let himself hope that high! To stir the nest that was The Alliance seemed even more than he hoped. Taking note of the tactical steps they were taking at entering his home he smiled. Definitely a military operation! He glanced at Lenore and then grinned. "Gotta give 'em credit for not trying to hide their meaning." Turning back to his screens, he flipped the switch to record their arrival at his doors. Looking to another com-panel to ensure the interior surveillance was recording, he turned his chair to the door and smiled.

~~

"River Tam." His voice was soft and controlled as he spoke her name