Boone sat straight up in bed and whirled to face the phone. "How did you get my phone to answer itself?" "The same way that I knew how to get this private number of yours", the man said. "It is important that we speak, Commander." Boone got out of bed and stomped his way toward the desk saying, "And just who is it that I am speaking to and why is it so damned important? I should just have this call traced and have you picked up for electronic invasion! What would you think of that?" The man said, "In order, my name is Anton Miraldi, it is too important and to complex to conduct this conversation on the phone, I won't think of it because you can't trace this call, and anticipating your next question, I don't have the time to make an appointment to see you at your office." Boone said, "You think that you are important enough to get me out of bed at", he glances over his shoulder at the clock, "two thirty in the morning?" Miraldi replied, "Calm yourself Commander. It is not I that am important at all. What I have to tell you is. Get dressed, please. I will be there in two minutes. I want three minutes of your time. If all goes well, you can be back in bed in less than ten minutes from right now." And with that, the screen went dark.

Boone took a deep breath and started accessing the desk computer without even bothering to turn on the lights. After a few seconds, he paused and said to himself, "This Miraldi is good. There is no trace of that call even coming in." A few more taps on the keys and the videophone comes back on. "Metropolitan Police, Sergeant Rollins. How can I help you Commander?" "Rollins, there is someone threatening to break into my home. Send an unmarked unit as backup. He says that he will be here in 60 seconds." Rollins looked surprised. Companion Security often helped the local police but seldom called the troops until all the action was all over. Rollins consulted his own computer. "Ill have a unit right there." Boone nodded and turned off the phone.

William Boone dropped himself into his pants and grabbed a shirt. He was buttoning the shirt as he was starting down the stairs. The Global Link on his belt sounded at that moment. Stopping on the stairs, he opened the pull out screen on the Link. "Boone here" The face of Miraldi appeared. "It's OK that you called the police, but you won't need them I assure you. I called to tell you that I am already downstairs, in the living room, sitting on your couch. I did not want you to panic seeing me in the dark." Boone blinked in surprise. "How did you get in?" The Link went dark and a voice from the floor below said, "That is what I want to talk to you about."

Boone put the Link back on his belt and continued down the stairs. Before turning toward the living room, he looked at the security panel next to the front door. As he entered the living room, he caught sight of Miraldi calmly sitting in the center of the three cushion couch. "How did you get in here?", Boone asked. "No doors or windows have been opened, and the outside motion detectors show nothing." Miraldi replied, "I will explain it all to you, Commander." The sound of a siren begins to be heard in the distance. "But it would be best if our conversation was undisturbed." Boone just stood there sizing up Miraldi. "Commander Boone, I mean you no harm. If I had wanted you killed, I could have done that without even raising the dust from the carpet . I am trusting you. I am not carrying any weapon, and you have yours rather permanently attached." Both men glanced at the Skrill on Boone’s right forearm. "Please send the police away."

Boone walks to the front door and disarms the security system. He opens the door and steps out just as the police car jerks to a halt. It is an unmarked car all right, but it has the flashing red and blue light in the windshield and the blinking, ultra bright, headlights. "So much for the silent approach.", Boone muttered to himself. He took a couple of steps toward the two plainclothes officers who had jumped out of the car and were racing up the sidewalk. Raising his voice, Boone said, "It's probably just a crank call. I've scanned the house and grounds and found nothing." The older officer said, "Your caller probably isn't here yet. We'll stake out the place just in case and see what happens." Boone said, "Right, thanks."

Boone returned to the living room after shutting the front door. Miraldi is still sitting there in the near dark. Boone looks at him coldly and says, "This had better be good Mr. Miraldi."

The next morning, Lili Marquette comes walking briskly into Boone’s office. Boone is sitting at his desk reviewing computer files. Lili looks around and says, "Where is this person you want me to talk to?" Boone looks up, "He will be calling shortly. We will be needing the shuttle today for a trip to Ohio, I think." "Calling shortly? And why Ohio?", Lili asked. Just then the phone bleeps. Ignoring Lili’s questions, Boone turns to answer the phone. The voice says, "Commander William Boone? I am Anton Miraldi of Columbus Electronics. One of our employees found and item that might interest you. It is some sort of a mechanical butterfly with very sharp wings. She brought it to the plant and was going to try to disassemble it. I thought that it was best to call you first." Boone replied, "Thank you for calling. That was the right thing to do. Do nothing until we arrive." The phone goes dark.

Boone turns to Lili and smiles with and almost innocent child grin. Lili looks shocked and angry at the same time. "Have you gone psychic on me? What's going on? I hate getting blind sided like this." Boone, remembering the events of the night said, "So do I. Trust me on this, Lili. I will explain everything." Raising an eyebrow slightly he adds, "On the way." Lili responds by raising an eyebrow almost to the point of pain, lowering her head slightly and, through gritted teeth says, "Ill warm up the shuttle." She walks toward the landing pad. Boone looks back to his desk for a second or two and then raises his view. To the back of the departing Lili he says, "And look up the coordinates for Columbus, Ohio." Lili freezes in her tracks, and looks up at the ceiling in shear exasperation.