*Takeo was in his own mind, tending to the plants in the conservatory. Suddenly, he felt alone. It was not loneliness but something much stronger. He swiftly walked out the main hall and opened his eyes. He was staring at the floor, covered in what he supposed was his own blood. His right hand lacked fingers. He looked up, he was alone, the room was abandoned, then he saw her. It was Akiko, strapped to a diagonally tilted table. She was untouched. He studied her, and realized, no life was inside the body. Simply a shell. Perhaps she saw him, and broke the cyanide seal behind her molar. As assistant director of the agency, she knew far more than he ever did. Aching of grief on every plane of his existance, a hatred coursed through his body, at himself, at the SCA, at Tortuga, at the pirates. He stayed concious for a long time, letting his feelings seep in.*
*Takeo was aware he was at a watershed point. He understood finally. In between his moment of death and his moment of rebirth, the ancient Methos whispered in his ear. A sliver of his destiny unfolded before him*
*Concentrating with every ounze of mental capacity, Takeo sent a message to Farlander's mind*
Fire the antimatter cannon though the lower east quadrant of Tortuga, location 112 S 56 E. It shall make a small puncture. I will be freed of all my chains. We shall meet soon.
*The physical and mental pain, along with exhaustion, led Takeo to succumb to the darkness once again.*