7 September 2141
Vanguard III Research and Development Colony

	Footfalls.
	Rapid, frantic footfalls.
	Slow, measured footfalls.
	Hard steps against the ferrocrete beneath the feet.
	Frantically stepping loafers.
	Precisely stepping combat boots.
	A man in a white labcoat tripped over a crack in the ferrocrete from a
poorly-set slab and came crashing down.  He struggled to get up, his coat
tangling around him.
	A dark shadow loomed over him, backlit by the sun.  All he could tell was
that he was wearing a black trenchcoat and his eyes hidden behind an
ancient pair of Wayfarer sunglasses.  "Dr. Jacob Tasker?" the shadowy man
asked.
	"Y-yes?" the fallen man replied.
	"My associates and I have seen your work, we're impressed."  He smiled and
helped the man up.  His trenchcoat flowed around him as his free hand made
an odd movement.  There was suddenly an e-mag pistol in the shadowy man's
hand...
	"What?!" Dr. Tasker shouted, looking around.  No one was around to help
him.  Trapped!
	"Of course, Dr. Tasker, you don't have much of a choice in the matter.  We
in the Bureau of Technological Regulation like to have our way in
everything we do..."  The man in black gripped the scientist by the elbow
and directed him to his unmarked ship at the spaceport.



                       THE DIRTY PAIR: "Fade To Black"

                                 Chapter 1

                           Based on the works of:
                                Adam Warren,
                                Toren Smith,
                               and of course,
                              Haruka Takachiho

                                 Story By:
                               Berk' Watkins

"Ultimately, all childish 
 illusions must be shattered for 
 the greater good of maturation."
 - anonymous

Berk' Watkins wz Here...
Berk' Watkins wz here...