It's a fairly cold day in early February, and Alicia Grant is getting ready for school. Alicia is a senior at Notre Dame High School and a member of the computer club and school choir. She comes downstairs for breakfast and finds her mother sipping coffee and listening to the news. The anchorman, Mike Brentmore, is elaborating on the latest world and local news.

"At noon today, the senate will debate an agriculture relief bill aimed at farmers affected by last year's drought and a frigid winter. The adverse weather caused substantial monetary loss and minimally productive crops, resulting in price increases for produce, dairy, and meat. The bill would give subsidies to farmers whose crops were affected by the drought and a harsh winter that is far from over, with the goal of limiting the cost of food.

"In local news, a three-alarm fire broke out last night in the Logan section of Philadelphia, killing four and injuring three, including two firefighters. Investigators have determined that the blaze was caused by a faulty electric heater. The owner of the home, Rae Shawn Williams, died in the fire along with her two children, a boy of seven and a girl of six, and a friend named Roberto Alvarez. When we return, Gil Porter will have news of the Phillies as they prepare for spring training."

"Good morning, Mom," Alicia says cheerfully as she enters the kitchen.

"Good morning, dear. Your father called while you were in the shower. I told him you would call him back once you were dressed."

"Oh, really? Well, I don't think I have time to have a long conversation with him about anything he feels is important."

"Of course you do, Alicia. I don't have to go to work until much later, so I will gladly drop you off at school. Besides, it's too cold to wait out there for the bus today, so call your father while I finish breakfast."

"Mom, I really don't want to argue with him this morning. It always upsets you when we argue. I will call him after school."

"It's Thursday, and you know your father teaches late classes on Thursday. If you don't talk to him this morning, you won't be able to talk to him until tomorrow. And you and I both know this is probably about your birthday."

"Let me guess. He won't be able to come down for my birthday, so he wants to send me something special to make up for it ... again."

"I cannot understand why your father's students love him so much and his only daughter cannot stand to be in the same room with him."

"Maybe if I saw him half as much as his students did, I would."

"That is not at all fair, Alicia. You know very well that your father had no other choice than to take that job in Massachusetts. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, and it is what he has worked so hard for. You might as well be equally mad at me for staying here in New Jersey. Just like your father, I was not willing to give up my job and church to move out there. It's not at all what we wanted, but life has a way of not always going as we plan it to."

Alicia concedes to her mother's wishes and goes over to the phone to call her dad. Her mother begins to put breakfast on the table, humming a church hymn.

"Hello, my dear. How are you doing? I wasn't sure whether you would have time to call back."

"Hi, Daddy. I'm fine. How are you?"

"Much better now that I hear your voice. I miss you so much, pumpkin."

"Dad, I thought we agreed that you would not call me that anymore."

"Sorry, dear, but it's kind of a hard habit to break."

"Well, I'm quite sure a man of your intelligence could think of something a little less pathetic and more grown-up."

"I don't consider that term of endearment pathetic. It reminds me of how much you used to love picking out the perfect pumpkin for Halloween. Those times were always so special to me."

Alicia begins to get a little agitated at the direction the conversation is taking. "Dad, I have to go to school, and Mom is putting breakfast on the table. What is it that you want?"

"Well, I was just wondering what you wanted for your birthday and what plans you and your mother have made for that day. Can I be a part of the celebration, or is it too late for me to put my hat in the ring?"

"I think you should talk to Mom about that. All I know is Mom has agreed to take me and some girlfriends to the mall to do a little shopping. Other than that, we were just going to play the rest by ear."

"Well, I have nothing pressing here at the institute, and my work is on its way to the publisher, so I just thought it would be nice if I came down tomorrow night to spend the weekend with you two. What do you think about that, dear?"

"Like I said before, Dad, it would be better to talk to Mom about that. I don't mean to cut this conversation short, but if I don't get off this phone, I'm going to be late for school."

"Okay, sweetheart. Could you put your mother on?"

Without saying goodbye, Alicia walks over to her mother and hands her the phone. She sits down to start eating without looking at her. Mrs. Grant takes the phone and walks into the other room to talk to her husband, leaving Alicia at the table shaking her head and spreading strawberry preserves on her toast.

* * *

Location: Military base in Washington, DC; home office of General Edward Hargrove, commander of Defense Network Systems.

General Hargrove is in his office meeting with members of his staff when his secretary buzzes him.

"Yes, Gladys, what is it?"

"You have an urgent long-distance call from California, sir."

The general cuts the discussion short, informing his staff that the call is important and that they will resume after lunch. The staff members gather their belongings and make a swift departure. The general takes the call.

"General Edward Hargrove speaking. How may I help you?" "

General, I need not remind you that this must be a secure line," the voice on the other end states.

"This is a secure line, sir. You may speak freely."

"Excellent. Have you recovered the documents yet?"

"My team recovered them and is in the process of determining which documents we need to destroy. The mission appears to be a success, sir."

"Appears? I was hoping for more than an appearance. I need to know that we can proceed with the next phase. We cannot make our next move without confirmation, General."

The general is a pale, burly man of six feet tall plus an inch. He wears a military-style buzz cut that's graying on the sides and a meticulously trimmed mustache that is also turning gray. Although he is fifty-three years old, he has managed to stay in pretty good shape.

"I will be meeting with the team later today to look over the discovery, including phone transmission intercepts and any postal service movements. I will call you with an update no later than fifteen hundred hours."

"Good. That is really good to hear. Will you complete the other task in time to meet me at the new location?"

"I should be finished here and arrive at the new location Sunday evening. I am not expected back here until Wednesday morning."

"Excellent. I'll introduce you to the newest members of our team. I do believe you will be impressed with what they have for you."

"I'm looking forward to our meeting, sir. I'll see you on Sunday."

"Sunday it is, General. You take care, and I await the update this afternoon."

"I am sure it will be an outstanding...