| abstract
| - Remel was the brother of the criminal Rhee - who was responsible for a long run of murders, including the wife and daughter of Cole/Daggon. After been captured by Daggon and imprisoned on SAR TOP, Rhee made a blood oath with Remel to kill Daggon. Despite his attempts to get revenge, however, Remel failed to kill Daggon and was imprisoned on SAR TOP himself. When Remel escaped from SAR TOP prison, there wasn't enough human hosts on board the train that the wormhole led onto. To ensure his limited life force didn't die, the Vardian known as Zin (who was responsible for the escape) safely contained Remel's life force in an alien device until a suitable host body could be found. Managing to pass himself off as a molecular biochemistry specialist called Dr Dennis Armstrong, Zin entered the facility where Krace and Cole had been held captive previously and where Wes Tarber (Krace's original host body) was been kept. Since Krace had been captured by Cole, Zin used the human body as a host for Remel - passing off the process of transferring his life-force into the body as giving Wes a unique form of adrenaline. Talking to Remel some time later, who was still getting used to been on Earth and been in a different body, Zin revealed what had happened after the escape of the prisoner's from SAR TOP - as well as telling Remel that 'the Tracker' was still alive; having captured numerous life-forces including Rhee. Hearing this, Remel reminded Zin of his blood oath to Rhee that he will kill Cole, although Zin tells him to be patient and keep his 'violent impulses' under control for the time being - as he has brought Remel back in Krace's old body to give him credibility and access to the government complex. During his time in the facility, Zin begins to look through confidential files in the hope of finding information related to the location of the Strada Brac. However, when confronted by General Hampton over his actions (and after the General's refusal to take more money in exchange for allowing Zin access to the files belonging to Dr. Milos Sandborn), Zin uses his powers to kill the General before later taking the files and claiming the General gave him authorization. When Cole sent Nestov to find out what he can after capturing another fugitive called Ziiel - who told Cole that Zin was 'close to finding what he was looking for' - Nestov later returned to say that Zin was meeting others at a penthouse, with Cole setting off to 'crash the party'. Searching the area, however, he was attacked by Remel - who he initially mistakes as Krace due to Remel been in the same body. In a brief fight, the pair are forced to flee due to the arrival of Police. Returning to the Watchfire, Cole has realized the fugitive that attacked him was a Vardian but doesn't know the identity, with his only chance of finding out been to return to the complex where he and Krace were held captive - despite Mel's disapproval of the plan. Back at the complex, Zin criticized Remel for fighting Cole, before warning him to obey his instructions from now on or he will rip Remel's life force out himself. Although Remel agreed, his frustrations at having to wait to complete his vendetta - as well as his dislike for 'been ordered around like a dog' - were clearly visible. Locating the complex's co-ordinates through a Russian Satellite that was orbiting over North America and managing to reprogram its telemetry, Cole uses its scanning capabilities to check the facility - learning that humans show up as orange/red 'blobs' while the fugitive shows up as blue. Asking for Mel's help, he tells her to monitor the screen at all times as well as setting up a microphone and earphone so they can communicate with each other. Explaining that he'll show up as white on the screen due to been an 'energy-based' being, he also shows her how to use the satellite's camera to move the image on the screen as well as zoom in and out. When asked about if he has identified the Vardian who attacked him, Cole replies that it is most likely Rhee's brother Remel. Sneaking into the facility, Mel begins to guide Cole through the complex - with Cole finding out that Zin is inside and posing as a scientist. Taking Remel through the complex, Zin tells him that 50 years ago a Vardian ship crashed into Lake Michigan, but the sole passenger (a Vardian called Arkin, who had come to retrieve the Strada Brac himself after learning of its precise location) survived the crash. He was later captured and brought to the same facility - been examined and questioned by an eccentric man called Dr. Milos Sandborn. Although able to extract some information, Milos either didn't understand what Arkin told him or only got part of it before Arkin's death. Adding that when Milos 'disappeared' a year later, he had stored his findings in a hidden safe - with the government having no idea of their existence as Milos never shared any details of his findings. Overhearing their conversation, Cole follows them but is briefly surprised by the sudden appearance of Nestov (who had overhead Mel's conversations with Cole and used his Desserian abilities to sneak into the facility also to help him). Although initially telling him to leave, Cole allows him to stay with him as Nestov tries to make up for giving Cole false information. Working together, Cole and Nestov discover the hidden entrance to another part of the complex with help from Mel - Cole using his powers to open it. However, the pair are ambushed by a trio of armed guards. Thanks to Nestov creating a distraction, Cole is able to use his hyper-time to disable the guards - but the alarm soon goes off, with Nestov worried that Cole won't be able to defeat Zin or Remel with his hyper-time ability used up. Telling Mel to help him find a safe where Dr Milo's findings are (the safe showing up on screen due to been made of a dense metal), Cole and Nestov are forced to continue without the aid of the satellite due to it changing back to its original orbit. Zin and Remel, meanwhile, are able to locate the safe and retrieve the contents thanks to Remel's superhuman strength. The two villains are soon found by Cole, with him and Remel resuming their battle as Zin flees. Remel proves to be a tough combatant, utilizing his strength and speed as well as his telekinetic power against Cole. However, Cole's agility and combat skills allow him to even out the battle. Just like Rhee, Remel taunts Cole about the death of his wife and daughter - asking Cole if he's "ready to join them". However, Cole overpowers Remel and kicks him to the ground before taking his life force - angrily telling Remel to "say hello to Rhee for him". Joining up with Nestov (who followed Zin as he fled the facility), the two manage to escape. Back at the Watchfire that night, Cole reveals his findings to Mel that Zin now knows that whatever he's looking for is below the Watchfire and that they now must wait for 'his move', as they have the key. Seeing what Nestov is up to in the bar, Mel reluctantly allows herself to be part of his 'Women of the Watchfire' Calendar he has been doing.
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