Category:
Action, Adventure, Crossover, Drama
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Violence, some strong
language
Spoilers: Possible very small spoilers
for the fifth season of 24, In later chapters spoilers for MOSMOF,
Orientation, Lockdown, DEM, Live together, die alone
Disclaimer: All 24 characters belong
to FOX and their creators. All Lost characters belong to ABC and the
creative genius J.J. Abrams. I derive no profit from this and no
copyright infringement is intended.
Prologue
April 20th, 1976
Just outside Berlin Germany
The long black car glided through the picturesque
countryside.Impossibly green trees and rolling meadows passed by the
windows. Fluffy white clouds dotted the blue sky. A flock of blackbirds
flew overhead. Inside the car were Stasi agent Erich Stoller, his wife
Melena, and their seven year old twins Desmond and Theo. They were
returning from a vacation at their country house. Traffic was light and
they were making good time. Suddenly a silver BMW pulled right next to
them. It was extremely close to their car,too close for comfort. Erich
maneuvered the car into the next lane. The BMW continued following
closely. Erich swerved again. The silver car was still on their tail.
He attempted to move away. The BMW now appeared to be trying to force
them off the road. "What's happening?"Melena asked, concerned. She
glanced back at the boys. They were watching the other car with wide
eyes. "Just keep your seat belt fastened and hold on tight." Erich
said. His expression was grim and his eyes were fixed on the road in
front of him."I don't like this." Melena replied. "Just be quiet."
Erich said. "You don't want to worry the boys." He swerved the car
again. Melena's response to his last statement became a scream as a
gunshot was fired from the car pursuing them. The boys screamed as
well. "Get down" Erich shouted to his sons as he fought to maintain
control of the car. More shots were fired. One ripped through the
trunk. Another smashed the back windshield. Desmond and Theo screamed
again and dove beneath the seats. There they lay pressed against the
carpeted floor, crying softly.There was a loud thud as the BMW rammed
into their car. The boys and Melena screamed as Erich finally lost
control and they slid off the road and tumbled down an embankment. As
they fell they could hear more gun shots. The car ended up almost on
its side in a ditch. Desmond and Theo felt themselves being tossed
against the side of the car. Then everything went black.
When Desmond awoke sometime later everything was quiet. He could see
blue sky through the broken window above him. There was a strong smell
of gasoline permeating the car. He sat up slowly. Except for a cut on
his head and some bruises he didn't seem to be hurt. He looked around
him. His parents were slumped in their seats, unmoving. He couldn't see
his brother anywhere. "Theo?" he called out. He began to cry as panic
and realization of what had happened set in. "Des?" Desmond turned and
saw his twin peering in the smashed back window. "Are you okay?"
Desmond gingerly crawled to the window, trying to avoid the broken
glass that littered the seats. "I...I think so." He reached the window
and managed to wriggle out. "What about mom and dad?" He asked. "How
are we going to get them out?"
"We won't have to." Theo replied. "I think they're dead." Desmond
looking disbelieving. "I'll show you. Desmond followed Theo to the
front of the car. He was shocked at the number of bullet holes in it.
In the front seat both adults were covered with broken glass and blood.
They both also had bullet wounds in their heads and chests. Desmond
turned away and vomited, then started to cry. Theo led him away from
the carnage.They could see a silver car parked a ways away. Two men
dressed in black from head to toe stood near it. They were holding
rifles of some kind. Desmond and Theo hid behind the wreck of their
family car terrified of what might happen next. The two men appeared to
be discussing something. A third man joined them. He was holding what
looked to be a bag of some kind. He said something to the others then
tossed the bag at the wreckage. It landed underneath the front bumper,
or what had been the front bumper. The men then got into their car and
drove off in the direction they had come from.
Desmond and Theo huddled behind the car and watched them go. They
stayed in their hiding place for several minutes, then carefully crept
back to the front of the car. Theo glanced at the bag lying near the
crushed front wheel. Why would the gunmen have just tossed it there and
left? he moved closer to it, to examine it. There was a soft clicking
sound coming from it. Theo jumped back as the realization of what it
was hit him. He turned to Desmond. "It's a bomb. Run." The boys
exchanged shocked looks and ran away from the wreckage as fast as their
bruised legs would carry them. The blast came several moments later.
The sound was deafening and the force knocked them flat to the ground.
Desmond and Theo covered their heads with their arms and closed their
eyes. A hot wind, fueled by the explosion washed over them, ripping at
their clothes and hair. Pieces of burning metal and other debris fell
all around them like a terrible rain. When it was over, the boys slowly
sat up. They were grateful to be alive. Bloody and bruised the twins
made their way to the shelter of a nearby group of trees. They sank
down on the soft ground and held each other, shaking and crying. It
wasn't long before everything faded to black.
Detective Peter Heim stood near the smoking remains of the car. He
looked out at the debris field with a mixture of shock and disgust. It
was going to be hard to discover who was responsible for this carnage.
He was pulled from his thoughts by his partner calling to him from
across the field. "Peter, come right away." He looked to where
Detective Joseph Schwartz was standing. "What is it?" His partner
continued to gesture for him to go over there. Curious, he quickly
crossed the field. Detective Schwartz was standing by a small group of
trees. At the base of the largest one two small boys huddled. their
clothes were torn and they were all bloody, but they were alive. He
knelt down and touched one of the boys lightly on the shoulder. "Can
you hear me, son?" The boy's eyes snapped open and he jerked upright.
"Easy, son, it's alright." Detective Heim said gently, trying to calm
the frightened boy. "I'm a policeman. I'm here to help you." Theo
looked up at him with big, frightened eyes. Next to him, Desmond had
also sat up and was peering curiously at the men looking down at them.
"What's your name?" Heim asked Theo. "Theo Stoller." he replied."That's
my brother Desmond." Desmond nodded. "Can you boys stand?" They nodded.
The detectives helped them up and led them back to where the wreckage
was. Detective Schwartz went to the police car and radioed for an
ambulance.
Chapter 1
Manchester, England
7 August 1996
Desmond Stoller lay on his bunk and looked up at the ceiling. All
around him he could hear voices and movement. That was the one thing he
had never gotten used to in his time here. Lack of privacy didn't
bother him, his military training had seen to that. It was the lack of
silence that got to him. Even through the steel door, he could hear the
men in the adjoining rooms. Desmond closed his eyes and thought about
how he had gotten here.
After his parents' murder he and his brother were put under the
guardianship of their grandparents. Things were fine for the first
couple of years. Then, when he turned ten Desmond began to act out.
Both boys had a lot of anger and resentment towards their parents'
killers. Theo held his in. Desmond started doing poorly in school and
became destructive. It was decided that he would go and live with his
maternal grandparents in Scotland.
He remembered the choice had been that or reform school. He had chosen
Scotland. Once he was away from Germany things seemed to get better for
him. (the therapist his grandparents made him see had something to do
with that, he was sure) After graduating from high school Desmond was
accepted into the RAF academy. There he received military training and
education in his chosen specialty; medicine. (His grandfather Cook
who was a retired physician was very pleased with this.) Desmond took
to the military lifestyle very well, his former rebelliousness put far
behind him. By the time he was 25 he had the rank of captain and
was assigned to the military intelligence unit's medical division.
Everything was fine until one day in late June. It was right after his
birthday, as if he could ever forget it.
A young man who was a suspected bomber and member of an IRA terrorist
cell had been captured and held for questioning. Desmond's job had been
to administer sodium pentathol and other drugs and monitor the
interrogation. Everything had gone according to procedure until the
first round of drugs appeared to have no effect. The prisoner had just
sat and glared at them, refusing to talk. The officer in charge told
Desmond to increase the dosages he was administering. He did so and
still the prisoner refused to break. He was told to administer more
drugs. He hesitated, then refused. The young man's breathing and heart
rate were becoming more and more erratic. He was soaked in sweat and
barely maintaining consciousness. Desmond knew another dose could, and
likely would kill him. The commanding officer gave him one more chance
to comply. Desmond
refused again, his oath as a doctor superseding his military training.
He was charged with insubordination and refusing a direct order and
taken into custody. He was sent here shortly after.
Desmond still didn't regret what he had done. The young man was barely
over eighteen and likely didn't know anything. He couldn't have lived
with himself if he had been party to his murder. (Desmond had heard
that the interrogation continued after he had been arrested and that
the prisoner had gone into cardiac arrest after more drugs had been
given. He was now in the medical ward in a coma.)
Desmond stood up and walked over to the small sink in his cell. All
things considered, there were worse places he could be stuck in. The
prison was clean and the food was decent, if uninteresting. His 10 x 10
cell contained a narrow bunk bed, a small cupboard for the few
possessions he was allowed, and a toilet and sink by the opposite wall.
Desmond picked up his razor and the bar of soap that was there. He
glanced in the small mirror mounted over the sink. He was a ruggedly
handsome 27 year old with closely cropped coffee colored hair, high
cheekbones, and an olive complexion. There was just the beginning of
stubble on his cheeks. Lathering up as best he could, he began to
shave. He thought about the punishment that was in store for him. His
military career was likely over. Thankfully, he hadn't committed high
treason or CUBO, or something equally bad. The punishment for those, he
knew was death. Desmond would likely receive a dishonorable discharge
or be sentenced to prison for a lot longer. He sighed and splashed cool
water on his now smooth cheeks. Drying his hands, he walked back to the
bunk and lay down. He closed his eyes and let sleep take him.
Sometime later he was awakened by the sound of footsteps and a voice
saying "Cook, on your feet." (He had used his mother's maiden name
since being sent to Scotland. He found he preferred it to his Germanic
name.) Desmond immediately jumped up and stood at attention. "Sir?" he
said. Looking at the officer standing in front of him, a Major in
the Military police unit. "The General wants to see you, Captain." the
Major replied.
Desmond followed him out of his cell and down a long nondescript
corridor. As he walked he buttoned the collar of his blue prison shirt
and made sure it was neatly tucked into his pants. He was glad he had
just shaved and combed his hair. What could the General want? Desmond
had no idea. They crossed the empty mess hall and entered the wing with
the administrative offices. Desmond's heart was beating fast. He would
soon find out what was in store for him.
They entered the office of General Maybourne,the base commander.
He was not alone. Businessman and philanthropist Cameron Winchester sat
in one of the chairs in front of the big oak desk. Desmond was
surprised to see his future father in-law there, but hid it well. He
stood at attention. "At ease, Captain." Maybourne said. "That's all
Major. You're dismissed. " He nodded to Desmond's escort. The security
officer saluted and left the office. "You wanted to see me, sir?"
Desmond asked. The General nodded. "Have a seat, Captain." Desmond sat
in the other empty chair. General Maybourne looked at the thick folder
in front of him. "You have a pretty impressive service record,
Captain." He looked at Desmond. " I'd hate to see you throw it all
away." Desmond listened gravely. "You know what will happen if you go
before a tribunal?" The General continued. "Yes I do sir." Desmond
replied. "There is a way you can avoid all that."
"What do you mean, sir?"
"I'm sure you know Mr. Winchester."
"Yes sir, I do." The General nodded. "His company, Winchester
Pharmaceuticals, in cooperation with Widmore labs is in the process of
testing several new drugs. More volunteers are needed for this testing."
"You want me to help with this testing, sir?" The General glanced at
Desmond's file again. "You would be a perfect test subject." He looked
at Desmond again. "Complete the study and your transgression will be
forgiven. Or refuse and face a tribunal. It's your choice." Winchester
spoke for the first time. "If you're having trouble deciding Desmond,
remember this. I don't want my daughter marrying a criminal. That's
what you'll be if you say no. Desmond felt like he was over the
proverbial barrel. "I'll do the study." He said slowly. Winchester
smiled. "You made the right choice son." the General said. "You'll
report to the infirmary first thing tomorrow morning."
"Yes sir." Desmond replied. He wondered what he had gotten himself
into. General Maybourne picked up the phone on his desk and made a
call. Several minutes later there was a knock at the door and a
security officer, this time a lieutenant entered. "You're dismissed,
Captain." The General said to Desmond. "Yes sir." Desmond stood,
saluted, and followed his escort out of the office.
As soon as the door closed Winchester turned to General Maybourne.
"You're really going to drop all charges against him?"
"Yes I am." Maybourne replied. "Provided he survives." Winchester
nodded knowingly. "Of course."
Chapter 2