The Puppetmasters by Star24
Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters are property of Twentieth Century Fox and James Cameron and Charles Eglee. This original story is property and copyright 2003 Star24
A/N: This is part three of the Alternate Season 2 that I would have liked to have seen rather than the fantasy travesty that we got instead. For those looking to find the S2 characters who took over from the S1 players, you'll be looking in vain. This series is Dark Angel taken in the direction we began to see in the ending trilogy of S1. Darker and continuing in the plausible "science of tomorrow" vein that every day seems to be right around the corner. Genetic engineering and DNA manipulation is already a reality, and nano-technology and things like exo-skeletons are already being developed in various forms. Who knows just how much of the original DA premise is actually happening as we speak, unknown to us. Kind of makes you think about things…
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Prologue
The Space Needle, night
Max sat on the Space Needle and gazed out over the dark city of Seattle. It was the first time that she had climbed the Needle since she had returned from Manticore.
So I finally made it back home. Never thought it was really gonna happen during all those months at the Hotel Manticore. Thing is, I'm not the same person who left here three months ago. They got into my head while I was there and I almost killed Logan because of it. He says it's all good, that they're gone now. That I'm me again, Max, not X5-452. But what if he's wrong? What if they're still in there, like a bomb set on a timer, just ticking away? How can I know for sure? How can I take a chance with Logan's safety? He wants us to move ahead, I can see it in his eyes. I want it too. But how do you move ahead when the past is still a chain wrapped around your ankles draggin' you under…?
Manticore, Lydeckers Office
Donald Lydecker sat back at his desk, his brow furrowed in thought. An adjutant stood in front of him, silently waiting for his response to the papers he had just delivered.
"How long has this been going on?" Deck finally demanded.
"I would estimate four months."
"So since about the time Director Renfro was reassigned to this facility?" Lydecker mused thoughtfully.
"I wouldn't know the date of that, sir."
"Approximately four months give or take a few days." Deck was silent for a moment studying the papers. He finally looked up again, at the adjutant, "What made you bring this to me and not to your supervisor?"
"I've heard that you're a man who gets things done, sir, as well as a man who is going places."
"And you have an interest in moving up in the world?"
"Don't we all sir?"
Deck regarded him thoughtfully. "One thing to remember lieutenant. I reward loyalty. As for those who betray me, let's just say you won't find too many of them around to talk about it."
"Point taken, sir. I respect that viewpoint completely."
"So long as that's understood. I think you and I will get along just fine.
"Yes, sir."
"Lieutenant, I want to see every piece of paperwork you have on weapons deliveries into and out of this facility, for the past five months. Have it on my desk within the hour. And make sure that no one but you knows about it. Is that clear?"
"Perfectly, sir. I'll get right on it."
"Dismissed."
End of Prologue