disclaimer :i do not own...yadda yadda yadda, you know
the same old thing james cameron and charles eglee own and so on...
A/N: i know the title seems wierd, but i'm gonna change it...i hope.
sometime in the future maybe..who knows, i'll proably be too lazy to do it.
and this has got a little of everything, drama, romance, and
all that including action later on.. so enjoy and review and
let me know what u think so far. if ya dont like it, i wont put more up.
May, 2009
Once upon a time there was a place called Manticore.
It was a secret army base that created soldiers that were
genetically enhanced. They has a little of cat, shark, and other
animal DNA. They also had several groups of these genetically
enhanced super beings. One stronger than the other. The best was x5.
This group was the strongest of them all.
All the groups were merely children but were treated
as soldiers as soon as they were 6 years old. In the x5 group there
was a CO, a.k.a. Zack, and a SIC, a.k.a. Max. The groups were obedient
and followed orders. But x5 soon got tired of it. And they began
to hate their leader, Lydecker. Max and Zack began to plan an
escape. They wanted to get out of the hellish prison they were in.
Word got around that a terrorist pulse was to make the US crash.
The two planned with their group for that day and what
to do when it came.
As planned, the terrorist pulse went off over the
Pacific near the US west coast. X5 took advantage of the computers
crashing and began their escape.
The alarms sounded and the little superhuman beings ran
for their freedom. They all split up and went their own ways, hoping
that they could escape.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years later, present day Seattle...
Max Guevara raced through the streets of busy
Seattle, getting the package delivered quickly so she could get
her day over with. A hover drone floated over her and she pulled
her hat down over her face more, hoping it wouldn't recognize her.
Ten minutes later she had the package delivered and returned
back to Jam Pony, her job. She checked in the signature, went to
her locker, and gathered her stuff before she went home.
A black woman about her age sat next to her.
"Hey, boo. You leavin?" she asked Max.
"Yep. I'm gonna blaze."
"Wanna meet me at Crash? Help me get some fine ass
white girls?" Max smiled.
Original Cindy didn't hide the fact that she used her best
friend to help her get dates with the same gender. But Max didn't
mind. She knew her looks helped Cindy out. It didn't help Max any
though. All sorts of men liked to hit on her and she just let them roll
off of her like water.
"Yeah, sure." Max answered. "At eight?"
"Yep. Bye boo." Cindy said as Max stood.
As Max rode home she wished she wasn't who she was sometimes. These damn genetics made her looks the way they were. She knew it. But they were reassuring though. She knew she could defend herself with ease. A 250 pound linebacker could take her on, and she could take him out with her thumb and index finger. Just as she was taught ten years ago.
As Max walked into her apartment, her roommate greeted her.
"Hey, you know where my pink lipstick is?" the blonde asked her.
"The bottom left drawer under the sink."
"Thanks, Max." Kendra said, hurrying into the bathroom.
"Where you goin' any ways?" Max called as she looked through
the fridge.
"Another date," Kendra called. Max smiled and rolled her eyes.
Kendra came out and looked at her expectantly.
"Well?" she asked Max. Max looked up from the fridge.
"Looks like Mr. Multiples won't have to work hard to get
your clothes off." Max smirked at the skimpy clothing.
"Good," Kendra said. Max went back to what she was doing.
Kendra watched for a moment. "Max, don't you ever stop eating?"
"Yeah, when I'm busy doing something."
"Well, you ate all our food. Go to your rich boyfriend's
house and get food there. He'll make something up." Max stood.
"I think I will." Max said as she grabbed her motorcycle. "And he's
not my boyfriend." Max called over her shoulder as she left.
"Yeah right," Kendra mumbled.
"I heard that!" Max called. Her catlike hearing came in
handy all the time.
Original Cindy and Kendra always gave her a hard time
about Logan. Ever since she had met him, she was over a lot at his
place. But he was a cute guy. She wasn't blind. With his deep blue eyes,
light brown hair that was always spiky, and he always had a 3 day
stubble on his chin. Who are you kidding Max, she told herself, You know
the man is hot.
She shook the thought out of her head and started her motorcycle.
She sped through the streets, thinking about the whole Logan-thing. Little did
they know that Logan Cale was Mr. Eyes Only. And that was why she was over
half the time. But they had gotten closer and they both knew subconsciously
that they wanted to be more than friends.
When she got to Logan's place,she casually walked in.
"Logan?" she called, knowing where he'd be.
"Yeah," he called back. She grinned. She was right. He was in
the computer room. She came into the office and saw him working hard
at the computer.
"Hey." she greeted, and grabbed a chair, sitting next to him.
"I didn't page you." he said, still looking at the screen.
"I know. I wanted to come over." He looked up.
"What do you want, now Max?" he asked in mock exasperation.
She grinned. He knew her too well.
"Dinner. And to get you off that thing for awhile." He gave
her one of his gorgeous smiles and stood.
"Anything in mind?" he asked.
"I'm game. Whatever you wanna whip up." He left, walking
into the kitchen.
She still hadn't gotten used to him walking. Those blood
transfusions had helped a lot. And since he'd started walking, whatever
was between them had gotten stronger.
"Wanna pick out a wine?" he called. She stood and joined
him in the kitchen.
"Logan, I'm no good at picking wines." she told him. he looked
up from what he was doing.
"Hint hint. Red and pre-pulse.Now go pick." he told her. She
grinned and went to his wine cabinet pulling a red wine out that was 1998.
Here we go, she thought.
"How's this?" she asked, showing him the bottle.
"Nice. Wanna chill it for me?"
"Sure." and she went to the freezer to get some ice.
An hour later they were sitting at the candle lit table
enjoying their meal.She smiled at her thoughts. He glanced up.
"What?" he asked. She shook her head.
"Nothin'. I was just thinking that if Kendra or Original Cindy ever
saw this they'd think we were romancin' here." Logan smiled coyly.
"Who says we're not?" She looked up and grinned back.
"I didn't. It'd just give them grounds for their beliefs."
"So? I don't care what other people think."
"Sure you do." she told him, taking a sip of her wine. "Your family,
for one."
He rolled his eyes." No I don't." she laughed.
"Yeah, right. And I'm in love with Donald Lydecker." He watched
her a moment and got a little daring.
"Who are you in love with?"
She stopped eating and looked up. "What?"
"I mean, there's got to be somebody." he teased, knowing
full well what the answer would be. She watched him a moment. fine, two
could play at this game.
"Well, if you really wanna know,"
"Yeah."
"Well, hes a guy that loves to help others out and has a
wad of cash. But he thinks more about others with that money than he
does himself. And he's got a secret life."
"Secret, huh?" he mumbled, sipping his wine.
"Yeah. He looks a lot like that Eyes Only guy. And you'd think
he'd be able to buy a razor with all that money, 'cause he always has a
five o'clock shadow on his chin." Logan chuckled.
"And he's got these amazing blue eyes. And hes a good
kisser from that one experience I had." she said grinning.
"Hmm. Sounds like I gotta meet this guy."
"Oh you know him. You're closer than you think." she
told him.
"Do I now?" he said gazing at her.
"Yeah. so, do you have anyone?"
"Maybe." he said resting his chin on his hands.
"Hmm. Logan Cale whoever could it be? You are always
locked up in here."
"She's a different person all together. She's in and out
of here all the time, but helps me out on things. And she could kick anyone's ass."
"Sounds like she and I would get along."
"You would. And shes so gorgeous. Deep brown eyes, pouty
lips, that I liked kissing from the one experience I had, and a body that
won't stop." he said with a sneaky grin, wanting to see her reaction.
"Well then. I've got to meet this chick. See what she's like."
"Oh, you've met her."
"Strange, I don't remember someone like that."
Logan stood and came over to Max, taking her hand and
leading her over to a mirror.
"There she is," he said, standing behind her.
"Oh yeah. her. And look, there's that guy I was talkin' about."
"Yeah, I know what you're talking about now."
"So, what you think?" she asked.
"Beautiful." She looked up at him through the mirror, smiling.
"You just called yourself beautiful." she teased, knowing
what he meant. She wanted to see him squirm.
He laughed.
"You know what I meant." She gave him a mock frown and
turned facing him.
"I did? Well then, Logan, you keep looking at your
'beautiful' self. I gotta get going. Its late." She put her hands on
either side of his stubbly face and looked into his eyes.
"I dunno about beautiful, but you are pretty hot." she said
coyly, and pulled away, grabbing her coat. She headed for the door.
"I'm hot?" he called out.
"Bye Logan. Later!" she called back. He tried to call back, but
was answered by a slamming door. He sighed and began to clean up.
Max came into her apartment and quietly walked to her room, not
wanting to wake her. But her genetically built self wasn't quiet enough.
"Where have you been?" Kendra asked from the living room.
Max sighed and looked up.
There was Kendra and Original Cindy sitting on the
couch and sipping coffee.
"Logan's" she said nonchalantly. She was glad she was
built to not show her true emotions, because she'd be smiling ear to ear.
"Ohhh." Cindy said knowingly. "Did you two-"
"No." Max interrupted, knowing what she was going to say.
"Well then, what did you two do?" Kendra asked. Max sat
across from them and sighed.
"We had dinner."
"And?.." Cindy pushed.
"We talked." Max was starting to get annoyed. She had
zero patience.
"About?" Kendra asked.
"Nothin. Can't a girl have some privacy?" She said, standing
up and going to the kitchen. They followed her.
"Not when it's us around." Kendra said. "All the details." she prodded.
Max sighed and faced her two friends. Fine, they wanted details, she'd
give them details.
"Well," she started. "I lied. that's not all we did."
"I knew it!" Kendra squealed.
"Spill it." Cindy demanded.
"Well, we did eat dinner. then we talked. Then our talking
became flirting. And the flirting led to his bedroom. And Kendra, I know
what you mean by being able to bang the gong all night."
They looked at her in shock.
"Yeah, and Logan turns out to be into kinky. He likes the
whole handcuffs thing and all that. That was a little fun, I must admit.
I was kind of surprised, Logan doesn't seem to be into that kind of thing." She
finished, looking at them expectedly. They looked stunned, mouths hanging
open. Max kept her poker face the whole time.
"Boo, are you serious?" Cindy finally said after a few moments
of silence. Max grabbed an apple.
"Nope. I made it all up." she said nonchalantly,walking out
of the kitchen and taking a bite of her apple. Kendra cried out in
frustration, and Cindy just sighed.
"Fine. I won't ask anymore." Cindy said.
"Please do that," Max said closing her bedroom door.
Max walked into work the next day to be greeted by
Normal's screeching.
"Max! you're late again! Why am I not surprised? Care to
make a hot run? Or do you want to go to lunch, because it is lunchtime!" She
looked up at him calmly.
"Nah. I already ate lunch. Where to?"
"1124 East End Avenue." he tossed a package at her.
"Sir, yes sir!" she saluted, turning on her heel. Normal just
rolled his eyes and yelled at another slacker.
"Hey! Lunch break over! Get back to work you incessant slacker!"
Max had just gotten a signature, and was leaving, when she
noticed something in the alley. She crept over and checked it out.
"Leave me alone!" a girl snapped at a group of boys. They continued
to bother her.
"What's wrong baby? You don't like attention?" one sneered.
"I didn't ask you to follow me." she told him.
"Sure you did. Look at you. You're just askin' for attention." another
said. One started to come towards her. Then the rest began to attack
her, holding her down as the other began to tear at her clothes.
"Hey!" Max snapped. The boys stopped and looked up at her.
"What you want baby?" one said, coming closer.
"Leave her alone, no fair picking on a girl."
"How about we pick on you?" another said, as they came closer.
"Aww, you wanna fight?" she said, amused. They attacked
her, and her well trained instincts kicked in; literally. She blocked on
while kicking another off. The third one backed off, not sure what to do.
The one she had blocked was still coming at her.
"Look, he wants more.." she mumbled, and easily tossed
him over her shoulder without a second glance. They looked up at her
shocked, then ran away.
"That's what I thought...." she mumbled. She looked at the
girl who had a surprised look on her face.
"Thanks." she said shyly.
"No problem." Max said, looking the girl over."Why were
they picking on you?"
"Idiots from school." Max held out her hand.
"I'm Max. You are?"
"Alexis." she said, shaking Max's outstretched hand.
They began to walk out of the alleyway.
"So, where'd you learn to fight like that?" Alexis asked.
"I learned young."
"I wish I could fight like that."
"You get picked on a lot?"
"Yeah." Alexis said, eyes cast down.
"Why?" They came up beside Max's motorcycle.
She'd decided to use it today, even though Normal hated her baby.
"Because of my looks." Max looked Alexis over. Black
hair, shoulder length, 5'3, green eyes, and had a pretty face.
"I know how it is." Max said as she got on her bike.
"Really? but, you're beautiful." Alexis said, surprised.
"I understand what your going through. I was picked on
a lot as a kid too. Do you have anywhere to go?"
"No." Max pulled her on the bike and left before Alexis
realized what was going on.
"I have someone I want you to meet. He'll be glad to
make your day better. He can cook food up like you wouldn't believe."
"Okay," Alexis agreed, as they sped off.
Max casually walked into Logan's apartment with Alexis
behind her in awe.
"Wow," she whispered to herself at the sight of Logan's
apartment.
"Logan!" Max called.
"Yeah?" Came a muffled reply.
"Where are you?" Max said, peeking in the computer
room. No Logan.
"In my room. I'm lookin' for somethin. Be out in a minute."
Max went to Logan's kitchen and raided the fridge.
Alexis stood at the doorway timidly. Max looked up.
"Want somethin to eat?" she asked.
"Umm, sure." Alexis seemed a little tense.
"Come, sit." Max prodded. "He won't bite. At least I
don't think so." Max said, frowning, looking back in the fridge.
Alexis heard something behind her and turned. There
was a man looking back.
"Hi." he greeted to her, then looked at Max's hunched
over form, halfway in the fridge.
"Find anything you like?" he asked, standing next to
the fridge.
"Logan, you have no food." she said, standing. He looked
around the open door and into the refrigerator.
"Hmm, need to go shopping. You eat all my food." he
teased, looking up at her. She rolled her eyes.
"Care to introduce us?" Logan prodded.
"Yeah. this is Alexis. She's someone I helped in the alley.
She was gettin' ganged up on."
"Lemme guess. You beat them all up."
"Yup."
"That's my girl."
"Alexis, this is Logan. He's a friend that helps me out."
"Hi." she said shyly.
"Hi Alexis." Logan replied back. He looked back at
Max. "How about I see what I can whip up while you two talk?"
"Whatever, Chez Cale." Max said, sitting down with Alexis.
She looked at her a minute before talking.
"So, tell me about yourself." Alexis watched Logan walk
around the kitchen getting ingredients for what he was creating.
"I'm 15. And I go to school when I can."
"Do you have parents?"
"Not really." she said, picking at her fingers. Max
sensed Alexis feeling awkward. But she wanted to know what
was up with this girl. There was something special about her.
"What do you mean not really?"
"I don't know my parents." Logan glanced over at
her as he was cutting some vegetables.
"Why not?" Max pushed.
"I never did. I was in barracks all my life." Logan
stopped all together and looked up. Max watched Alexis's face.
"Really? Why?"
"Because they tested on me. I'm a lab project." she said
slowly, not sure if she should be saying this.
"I know how you feel." Max said sympathetically.
Logan went back to work.
"How?"
"I'll tell ya later. So what did they test you on?"
"I have these abilities to sense people and some psychic ability."
"Really?"
"How about you?" Alexis asked her.
"You saw how I kicked those kids' asses?"
"Yeah."
"I'm revved up like that." Max looked over at Logan
who was still preparing dinner. He was watching them. Max stood.
"Come on, lets watch a movie. We're distracting Chez Cale
here."she said grinning. Logan just looked at her and grinned.
An hour and a half later, they were sitting at the table
eating the food Logan had created.
"Logan you never fail me." Max said, taking a bite of the
casserole he'd made.
"You like it?" he asked.
"Hell yeah!" she said."What you think Alexis?"
"Its good. How do you cook like this?"
"I've cooked since I was 12."
"How do you get the stuff for this? I have a hard time
finding simple foods, like bread."
"I have my ways." he said, taking a bite of his food. She
watched him closely.
"Are you out a lot?" she asked him. Max laughed out loud.
"Not really." he said, grinning at Max's reaction. Alexis kept
watching him.
"It's just you look familiar." she told him.
"Hmm." Logan mumbled as he sipped his wine. "Max?"
"Yeah,"
"I thought you were at work." he said. She looked up
and grinned.
"I was. until I came over here." he laughed.
"That man is going to fire you."
"Nah, I'm too good for him to fire." He snorted.
"Yeah when you're there." She threw her napkin at him.
"Dope."
"You're Eyes Only." They both looked up at Alexis, surprised.
"What?" Max said, not sure what she was hearing.
"Logan is Eyes Only. That's why he looks so familiar." Max
and Logan looked at each other, not sure what to say.
"Umm," Max began.
"It's ok. I won't give it away." Alexis reassured."Besides, if
I did, It'll ruin your chances with each other."
"What?" Max asked.
"I know how It's going to turn out for you two later. If I
give Eyes Only away, it won't happen."
"What won't?" Logan asked.
"You two. Getting together."
"How do you know?" Max questioned.
"I told you what I am." she said standing."Thank you
for dinner, but I have to go. I have homework to do." And she was
gone before they could respond.
"What do you think she meant by us getting together?" Max
asked. Logan gave her a look.
"We know what she meant, Max."
She took a sip of her wine. "I know. The whole thought is
kind of intimidating though."
He gazed at her intently. "Why?"
She looked up shyly. "I've never had a real relationship. I
guess it just makes me unsure about it." Logan just watched her, thinking
to himself.
"So, what do you think about Alexis?" Max said, changing
the subject. Logan looked like he'd been shaken out of his reverie.
"She's nice. I just wonder about her past though,"
"Me too. I would say Manticore. But they don't do
nongenetic experiments. So I wonder where she was at." Max
said, picking at her food. Logan noticed that she seemed preoccupied
in her thoughts. He wondered what she was thinking.
She stared at her plate as she thought about the last
moments events. Yeah, she was thinking about where Alexis came
from, but also what Logan had just said. Me and Logan? Sure, she
had feelings for him, but a real relationship? She'd never been in a
relationship, so the idea made her scared. Yes, her, a Manticore
soldier, fearless and brave, scared of love. Wouldn't daddy
Lydecker be so disappointed, she thought. I just don't want to
lose him given the history of my past... God, losing Logan? She closed
her eyes at the thought.
"Max?" She looked up, startled.
"What?"
"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine." she stood. "Gotta blaze. Normal's
gonna kill me." Logan grinned.
"I thought you didn't care." he teased. She smirked at him.
"Hey, a girl's gotta make a living. See ya." she said, as
she grabbed her coat, and strode out the door. Logan just grinned
and shook his head, beginning to clean up.
"Boo, where you been?" Original Cindy asked Max as she
came in, going to her locker.
"Lunch."
"Aww, chillin with your boy toy?"
"Not exactly. I met a very interesting girl today on a run, and
took her to Logan's and we had lunch too."
"A girl? What kind of girl?"
"One that is every mysterious and I'm wondering where
she came from. Definitely not a Manticore Prototype."
"Uh-oh. Any trouble?" Max looked up as she closed
her locker.
"I don't think so. 'Cept that she can read minds
and has telekinetic powers.."
"Wow. That doesn't sound like your place at all." Max nodded.
"Exactly."
Just then, Normal came up to them and looked at them
critically for a moment.
"So, do you ladies plan to work today?"
"Of, course Normal. We were gettin' bored anyways." Max
said sweetly. Cindy held back her laughter.
"Well then Max, if you would, please amuse me and
deliver this package."
"Why not, " she sighed, and went to get her bike. Cindy
continued to hold her smile back. Normal looked at her.
"You too, missy." He shoved a package in her hands, then
went back to his desk, yelling at other workers on the way. Cindy
sighed. He definitely needs a woman. And not one like that mister sister either.
That night, Max picked the lock into Logan's place, as
usual, and walked in. Logan was talking to someone. She peeked into
the living room to see Alexis.
"Hey," Logan greeted, looking up. Alexis looked up too.
"Hi, Max." she said, looking down at her work.
"Hey," Max responded. "Watcha all up to?"
"Alexis came over to say hi, and brought her homework
with her. So I'd thought I'd help her."
"Cool." said Max as she sat across from them, took
her jacket off, and watched Logan help Alexis. She held back
a grin. He looked so fatherly. Logan glanced up and noticed.
"What?" he asked her suspiciously.
"Nothin'." she said, grinning. Logan looked at her
critically and pointed a finger at her.
"Well talk about that look later.." he said, as he went
back to helping Alexis. She kept that grin on her face as she
stood, and roamed the apartment, checking out his music collection.
Mainly classical...hmm, gotta bring some of my stuff over here...
Ten minutes later, Alexis had left, and Logan came up
behind Max, who was looking at one of the many paintings in his apartment.
"Do you want to go to South Market with me? I have
some groceries to get." he said practically in her ear. She had
to barely turn her head to look at him.
"Sure, why not? I got nothin' else to do."
" What, no Crash tonight? Aww, nice to know I'm your
last resort for somethin to do."
"Logan, your never my last resort. More like my
first." she said, looking into his eyes. He looked back down into hers.
"Really?"
"Really."
Logan watched her lips. She showed no signs of
pulling away. He leaned close..
"Hello?" someone called as the front door opened.
Logan and Max pulled away from each other slightly.
"Bling," he mumbled. Max grinned and looked up at Logan.
"What timing, huh?"
"Tell me about it." Logan went to meet Bling, and
Max picked up her leather jacket and followed Logan.
"Hey Max," Bling greeted. He looked at Logan. "What did
you want me to pick up at South Market?"
"Don't worry about it, Bling." Logan told him, "Max and
I are gonna go." Bling looked at Logan skeptically, then shrugged.
"Okay man, saves me a trip." Bling went into the kitchen.
Logan looked at Max.
"Ready to go?"
"Lead the way, Captain."
Alexis sat on her bed and closed her eyes. She took a
deep breath, clearing her mind.
*flashback*
Alexis sitting in a lab, hooked up to machines, sensors
on her forehead.
Alexis hiding in the wardrobe before her daily testings.
Alexis looking up at one of the many video cameras
that watched her all the time.
Alexis hiding in the truck that was taking her away
from her personal hell.
She abruptly opened her eyes, breathing hard. She
hated flashbacks. Alexis gave a little shudder took another deep
breath, clearing her mind again, and concentrating.
She thought about her experiences the last few days.
Coming home from school. Having a run in with those jerks. Then meeting
Max. She had come along and helped her out. And meeting Logan too. They had
both been a ray of sunshine in her gloomy life.
Suddenly another image flashed into her mind. Max
and Logan kissing. Being an actual romantic couple.
She slowly opened her eyes and smiled at the thought.
Max picked up a grapefruit and looked it over.
"Looks good." Logan said from behind her. She put it
in the bag she had in his hand. Logan picked up a few more
grapefruits and added them with the other one in the bag.
"From what i remember, you like grapefruit for breakfast."
Max told him.
"Yeah." he said, as he paid the merchant. Then he
grinned. She watched him suspiciously as they began to walk
down the walkway between the merchant stands.
"Loogaaaan.." she said in a warning, suspicious tone.
"What?" he said innocently, his grin getting bigger.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing. Just being a typical male." She thought a moment
and looked at him, grinning back.
"Logan Cale, I should smack you for that."
"Aww, you wouldn't do that would you?"
"Aww, " she mimicked. "I won't hurt you." She smacked
him on the arm.
"Hey! he protested. She ignored it and stopped at
the meat stand.
"Nothin' as usual at this one." Max noted to
herself out loud.
"Well," Logan said, looking it over "Max you ever had steak?"
"No," she answered simply. Logan looked at a the
few steaks there.
"I'll take four of these." he told the merchant.
"Logan." she said, looking at him in suprise. "Those
are a hundred bucks a pound!"
"I know. I think we should have a nice dinner." She grinned.
"Oh, so the dinners we have aren't?" she teased. He just
paid his purchase, bagged it, and walked on.
TBC....
the same old thing james cameron and charles eglee own and so on...
A/N: i know the title seems wierd, but i'm gonna change it...i hope.
sometime in the future maybe..who knows, i'll proably be too lazy to do it.
and this has got a little of everything, drama, romance, and
all that including action later on.. so enjoy and review and
let me know what u think so far. if ya dont like it, i wont put more up.
May, 2009
Once upon a time there was a place called Manticore.
It was a secret army base that created soldiers that were
genetically enhanced. They has a little of cat, shark, and other
animal DNA. They also had several groups of these genetically
enhanced super beings. One stronger than the other. The best was x5.
This group was the strongest of them all.
All the groups were merely children but were treated
as soldiers as soon as they were 6 years old. In the x5 group there
was a CO, a.k.a. Zack, and a SIC, a.k.a. Max. The groups were obedient
and followed orders. But x5 soon got tired of it. And they began
to hate their leader, Lydecker. Max and Zack began to plan an
escape. They wanted to get out of the hellish prison they were in.
Word got around that a terrorist pulse was to make the US crash.
The two planned with their group for that day and what
to do when it came.
As planned, the terrorist pulse went off over the
Pacific near the US west coast. X5 took advantage of the computers
crashing and began their escape.
The alarms sounded and the little superhuman beings ran
for their freedom. They all split up and went their own ways, hoping
that they could escape.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 years later, present day Seattle...
Max Guevara raced through the streets of busy
Seattle, getting the package delivered quickly so she could get
her day over with. A hover drone floated over her and she pulled
her hat down over her face more, hoping it wouldn't recognize her.
Ten minutes later she had the package delivered and returned
back to Jam Pony, her job. She checked in the signature, went to
her locker, and gathered her stuff before she went home.
A black woman about her age sat next to her.
"Hey, boo. You leavin?" she asked Max.
"Yep. I'm gonna blaze."
"Wanna meet me at Crash? Help me get some fine ass
white girls?" Max smiled.
Original Cindy didn't hide the fact that she used her best
friend to help her get dates with the same gender. But Max didn't
mind. She knew her looks helped Cindy out. It didn't help Max any
though. All sorts of men liked to hit on her and she just let them roll
off of her like water.
"Yeah, sure." Max answered. "At eight?"
"Yep. Bye boo." Cindy said as Max stood.
As Max rode home she wished she wasn't who she was sometimes. These damn genetics made her looks the way they were. She knew it. But they were reassuring though. She knew she could defend herself with ease. A 250 pound linebacker could take her on, and she could take him out with her thumb and index finger. Just as she was taught ten years ago.
As Max walked into her apartment, her roommate greeted her.
"Hey, you know where my pink lipstick is?" the blonde asked her.
"The bottom left drawer under the sink."
"Thanks, Max." Kendra said, hurrying into the bathroom.
"Where you goin' any ways?" Max called as she looked through
the fridge.
"Another date," Kendra called. Max smiled and rolled her eyes.
Kendra came out and looked at her expectantly.
"Well?" she asked Max. Max looked up from the fridge.
"Looks like Mr. Multiples won't have to work hard to get
your clothes off." Max smirked at the skimpy clothing.
"Good," Kendra said. Max went back to what she was doing.
Kendra watched for a moment. "Max, don't you ever stop eating?"
"Yeah, when I'm busy doing something."
"Well, you ate all our food. Go to your rich boyfriend's
house and get food there. He'll make something up." Max stood.
"I think I will." Max said as she grabbed her motorcycle. "And he's
not my boyfriend." Max called over her shoulder as she left.
"Yeah right," Kendra mumbled.
"I heard that!" Max called. Her catlike hearing came in
handy all the time.
Original Cindy and Kendra always gave her a hard time
about Logan. Ever since she had met him, she was over a lot at his
place. But he was a cute guy. She wasn't blind. With his deep blue eyes,
light brown hair that was always spiky, and he always had a 3 day
stubble on his chin. Who are you kidding Max, she told herself, You know
the man is hot.
She shook the thought out of her head and started her motorcycle.
She sped through the streets, thinking about the whole Logan-thing. Little did
they know that Logan Cale was Mr. Eyes Only. And that was why she was over
half the time. But they had gotten closer and they both knew subconsciously
that they wanted to be more than friends.
When she got to Logan's place,she casually walked in.
"Logan?" she called, knowing where he'd be.
"Yeah," he called back. She grinned. She was right. He was in
the computer room. She came into the office and saw him working hard
at the computer.
"Hey." she greeted, and grabbed a chair, sitting next to him.
"I didn't page you." he said, still looking at the screen.
"I know. I wanted to come over." He looked up.
"What do you want, now Max?" he asked in mock exasperation.
She grinned. He knew her too well.
"Dinner. And to get you off that thing for awhile." He gave
her one of his gorgeous smiles and stood.
"Anything in mind?" he asked.
"I'm game. Whatever you wanna whip up." He left, walking
into the kitchen.
She still hadn't gotten used to him walking. Those blood
transfusions had helped a lot. And since he'd started walking, whatever
was between them had gotten stronger.
"Wanna pick out a wine?" he called. She stood and joined
him in the kitchen.
"Logan, I'm no good at picking wines." she told him. he looked
up from what he was doing.
"Hint hint. Red and pre-pulse.Now go pick." he told her. She
grinned and went to his wine cabinet pulling a red wine out that was 1998.
Here we go, she thought.
"How's this?" she asked, showing him the bottle.
"Nice. Wanna chill it for me?"
"Sure." and she went to the freezer to get some ice.
An hour later they were sitting at the candle lit table
enjoying their meal.She smiled at her thoughts. He glanced up.
"What?" he asked. She shook her head.
"Nothin'. I was just thinking that if Kendra or Original Cindy ever
saw this they'd think we were romancin' here." Logan smiled coyly.
"Who says we're not?" She looked up and grinned back.
"I didn't. It'd just give them grounds for their beliefs."
"So? I don't care what other people think."
"Sure you do." she told him, taking a sip of her wine. "Your family,
for one."
He rolled his eyes." No I don't." she laughed.
"Yeah, right. And I'm in love with Donald Lydecker." He watched
her a moment and got a little daring.
"Who are you in love with?"
She stopped eating and looked up. "What?"
"I mean, there's got to be somebody." he teased, knowing
full well what the answer would be. She watched him a moment. fine, two
could play at this game.
"Well, if you really wanna know,"
"Yeah."
"Well, hes a guy that loves to help others out and has a
wad of cash. But he thinks more about others with that money than he
does himself. And he's got a secret life."
"Secret, huh?" he mumbled, sipping his wine.
"Yeah. He looks a lot like that Eyes Only guy. And you'd think
he'd be able to buy a razor with all that money, 'cause he always has a
five o'clock shadow on his chin." Logan chuckled.
"And he's got these amazing blue eyes. And hes a good
kisser from that one experience I had." she said grinning.
"Hmm. Sounds like I gotta meet this guy."
"Oh you know him. You're closer than you think." she
told him.
"Do I now?" he said gazing at her.
"Yeah. so, do you have anyone?"
"Maybe." he said resting his chin on his hands.
"Hmm. Logan Cale whoever could it be? You are always
locked up in here."
"She's a different person all together. She's in and out
of here all the time, but helps me out on things. And she could kick anyone's ass."
"Sounds like she and I would get along."
"You would. And shes so gorgeous. Deep brown eyes, pouty
lips, that I liked kissing from the one experience I had, and a body that
won't stop." he said with a sneaky grin, wanting to see her reaction.
"Well then. I've got to meet this chick. See what she's like."
"Oh, you've met her."
"Strange, I don't remember someone like that."
Logan stood and came over to Max, taking her hand and
leading her over to a mirror.
"There she is," he said, standing behind her.
"Oh yeah. her. And look, there's that guy I was talkin' about."
"Yeah, I know what you're talking about now."
"So, what you think?" she asked.
"Beautiful." She looked up at him through the mirror, smiling.
"You just called yourself beautiful." she teased, knowing
what he meant. She wanted to see him squirm.
He laughed.
"You know what I meant." She gave him a mock frown and
turned facing him.
"I did? Well then, Logan, you keep looking at your
'beautiful' self. I gotta get going. Its late." She put her hands on
either side of his stubbly face and looked into his eyes.
"I dunno about beautiful, but you are pretty hot." she said
coyly, and pulled away, grabbing her coat. She headed for the door.
"I'm hot?" he called out.
"Bye Logan. Later!" she called back. He tried to call back, but
was answered by a slamming door. He sighed and began to clean up.
Max came into her apartment and quietly walked to her room, not
wanting to wake her. But her genetically built self wasn't quiet enough.
"Where have you been?" Kendra asked from the living room.
Max sighed and looked up.
There was Kendra and Original Cindy sitting on the
couch and sipping coffee.
"Logan's" she said nonchalantly. She was glad she was
built to not show her true emotions, because she'd be smiling ear to ear.
"Ohhh." Cindy said knowingly. "Did you two-"
"No." Max interrupted, knowing what she was going to say.
"Well then, what did you two do?" Kendra asked. Max sat
across from them and sighed.
"We had dinner."
"And?.." Cindy pushed.
"We talked." Max was starting to get annoyed. She had
zero patience.
"About?" Kendra asked.
"Nothin. Can't a girl have some privacy?" She said, standing
up and going to the kitchen. They followed her.
"Not when it's us around." Kendra said. "All the details." she prodded.
Max sighed and faced her two friends. Fine, they wanted details, she'd
give them details.
"Well," she started. "I lied. that's not all we did."
"I knew it!" Kendra squealed.
"Spill it." Cindy demanded.
"Well, we did eat dinner. then we talked. Then our talking
became flirting. And the flirting led to his bedroom. And Kendra, I know
what you mean by being able to bang the gong all night."
They looked at her in shock.
"Yeah, and Logan turns out to be into kinky. He likes the
whole handcuffs thing and all that. That was a little fun, I must admit.
I was kind of surprised, Logan doesn't seem to be into that kind of thing." She
finished, looking at them expectedly. They looked stunned, mouths hanging
open. Max kept her poker face the whole time.
"Boo, are you serious?" Cindy finally said after a few moments
of silence. Max grabbed an apple.
"Nope. I made it all up." she said nonchalantly,walking out
of the kitchen and taking a bite of her apple. Kendra cried out in
frustration, and Cindy just sighed.
"Fine. I won't ask anymore." Cindy said.
"Please do that," Max said closing her bedroom door.
Max walked into work the next day to be greeted by
Normal's screeching.
"Max! you're late again! Why am I not surprised? Care to
make a hot run? Or do you want to go to lunch, because it is lunchtime!" She
looked up at him calmly.
"Nah. I already ate lunch. Where to?"
"1124 East End Avenue." he tossed a package at her.
"Sir, yes sir!" she saluted, turning on her heel. Normal just
rolled his eyes and yelled at another slacker.
"Hey! Lunch break over! Get back to work you incessant slacker!"
Max had just gotten a signature, and was leaving, when she
noticed something in the alley. She crept over and checked it out.
"Leave me alone!" a girl snapped at a group of boys. They continued
to bother her.
"What's wrong baby? You don't like attention?" one sneered.
"I didn't ask you to follow me." she told him.
"Sure you did. Look at you. You're just askin' for attention." another
said. One started to come towards her. Then the rest began to attack
her, holding her down as the other began to tear at her clothes.
"Hey!" Max snapped. The boys stopped and looked up at her.
"What you want baby?" one said, coming closer.
"Leave her alone, no fair picking on a girl."
"How about we pick on you?" another said, as they came closer.
"Aww, you wanna fight?" she said, amused. They attacked
her, and her well trained instincts kicked in; literally. She blocked on
while kicking another off. The third one backed off, not sure what to do.
The one she had blocked was still coming at her.
"Look, he wants more.." she mumbled, and easily tossed
him over her shoulder without a second glance. They looked up at her
shocked, then ran away.
"That's what I thought...." she mumbled. She looked at the
girl who had a surprised look on her face.
"Thanks." she said shyly.
"No problem." Max said, looking the girl over."Why were
they picking on you?"
"Idiots from school." Max held out her hand.
"I'm Max. You are?"
"Alexis." she said, shaking Max's outstretched hand.
They began to walk out of the alleyway.
"So, where'd you learn to fight like that?" Alexis asked.
"I learned young."
"I wish I could fight like that."
"You get picked on a lot?"
"Yeah." Alexis said, eyes cast down.
"Why?" They came up beside Max's motorcycle.
She'd decided to use it today, even though Normal hated her baby.
"Because of my looks." Max looked Alexis over. Black
hair, shoulder length, 5'3, green eyes, and had a pretty face.
"I know how it is." Max said as she got on her bike.
"Really? but, you're beautiful." Alexis said, surprised.
"I understand what your going through. I was picked on
a lot as a kid too. Do you have anywhere to go?"
"No." Max pulled her on the bike and left before Alexis
realized what was going on.
"I have someone I want you to meet. He'll be glad to
make your day better. He can cook food up like you wouldn't believe."
"Okay," Alexis agreed, as they sped off.
Max casually walked into Logan's apartment with Alexis
behind her in awe.
"Wow," she whispered to herself at the sight of Logan's
apartment.
"Logan!" Max called.
"Yeah?" Came a muffled reply.
"Where are you?" Max said, peeking in the computer
room. No Logan.
"In my room. I'm lookin' for somethin. Be out in a minute."
Max went to Logan's kitchen and raided the fridge.
Alexis stood at the doorway timidly. Max looked up.
"Want somethin to eat?" she asked.
"Umm, sure." Alexis seemed a little tense.
"Come, sit." Max prodded. "He won't bite. At least I
don't think so." Max said, frowning, looking back in the fridge.
Alexis heard something behind her and turned. There
was a man looking back.
"Hi." he greeted to her, then looked at Max's hunched
over form, halfway in the fridge.
"Find anything you like?" he asked, standing next to
the fridge.
"Logan, you have no food." she said, standing. He looked
around the open door and into the refrigerator.
"Hmm, need to go shopping. You eat all my food." he
teased, looking up at her. She rolled her eyes.
"Care to introduce us?" Logan prodded.
"Yeah. this is Alexis. She's someone I helped in the alley.
She was gettin' ganged up on."
"Lemme guess. You beat them all up."
"Yup."
"That's my girl."
"Alexis, this is Logan. He's a friend that helps me out."
"Hi." she said shyly.
"Hi Alexis." Logan replied back. He looked back at
Max. "How about I see what I can whip up while you two talk?"
"Whatever, Chez Cale." Max said, sitting down with Alexis.
She looked at her a minute before talking.
"So, tell me about yourself." Alexis watched Logan walk
around the kitchen getting ingredients for what he was creating.
"I'm 15. And I go to school when I can."
"Do you have parents?"
"Not really." she said, picking at her fingers. Max
sensed Alexis feeling awkward. But she wanted to know what
was up with this girl. There was something special about her.
"What do you mean not really?"
"I don't know my parents." Logan glanced over at
her as he was cutting some vegetables.
"Why not?" Max pushed.
"I never did. I was in barracks all my life." Logan
stopped all together and looked up. Max watched Alexis's face.
"Really? Why?"
"Because they tested on me. I'm a lab project." she said
slowly, not sure if she should be saying this.
"I know how you feel." Max said sympathetically.
Logan went back to work.
"How?"
"I'll tell ya later. So what did they test you on?"
"I have these abilities to sense people and some psychic ability."
"Really?"
"How about you?" Alexis asked her.
"You saw how I kicked those kids' asses?"
"Yeah."
"I'm revved up like that." Max looked over at Logan
who was still preparing dinner. He was watching them. Max stood.
"Come on, lets watch a movie. We're distracting Chez Cale
here."she said grinning. Logan just looked at her and grinned.
An hour and a half later, they were sitting at the table
eating the food Logan had created.
"Logan you never fail me." Max said, taking a bite of the
casserole he'd made.
"You like it?" he asked.
"Hell yeah!" she said."What you think Alexis?"
"Its good. How do you cook like this?"
"I've cooked since I was 12."
"How do you get the stuff for this? I have a hard time
finding simple foods, like bread."
"I have my ways." he said, taking a bite of his food. She
watched him closely.
"Are you out a lot?" she asked him. Max laughed out loud.
"Not really." he said, grinning at Max's reaction. Alexis kept
watching him.
"It's just you look familiar." she told him.
"Hmm." Logan mumbled as he sipped his wine. "Max?"
"Yeah,"
"I thought you were at work." he said. She looked up
and grinned.
"I was. until I came over here." he laughed.
"That man is going to fire you."
"Nah, I'm too good for him to fire." He snorted.
"Yeah when you're there." She threw her napkin at him.
"Dope."
"You're Eyes Only." They both looked up at Alexis, surprised.
"What?" Max said, not sure what she was hearing.
"Logan is Eyes Only. That's why he looks so familiar." Max
and Logan looked at each other, not sure what to say.
"Umm," Max began.
"It's ok. I won't give it away." Alexis reassured."Besides, if
I did, It'll ruin your chances with each other."
"What?" Max asked.
"I know how It's going to turn out for you two later. If I
give Eyes Only away, it won't happen."
"What won't?" Logan asked.
"You two. Getting together."
"How do you know?" Max questioned.
"I told you what I am." she said standing."Thank you
for dinner, but I have to go. I have homework to do." And she was
gone before they could respond.
"What do you think she meant by us getting together?" Max
asked. Logan gave her a look.
"We know what she meant, Max."
She took a sip of her wine. "I know. The whole thought is
kind of intimidating though."
He gazed at her intently. "Why?"
She looked up shyly. "I've never had a real relationship. I
guess it just makes me unsure about it." Logan just watched her, thinking
to himself.
"So, what do you think about Alexis?" Max said, changing
the subject. Logan looked like he'd been shaken out of his reverie.
"She's nice. I just wonder about her past though,"
"Me too. I would say Manticore. But they don't do
nongenetic experiments. So I wonder where she was at." Max
said, picking at her food. Logan noticed that she seemed preoccupied
in her thoughts. He wondered what she was thinking.
She stared at her plate as she thought about the last
moments events. Yeah, she was thinking about where Alexis came
from, but also what Logan had just said. Me and Logan? Sure, she
had feelings for him, but a real relationship? She'd never been in a
relationship, so the idea made her scared. Yes, her, a Manticore
soldier, fearless and brave, scared of love. Wouldn't daddy
Lydecker be so disappointed, she thought. I just don't want to
lose him given the history of my past... God, losing Logan? She closed
her eyes at the thought.
"Max?" She looked up, startled.
"What?"
"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine." she stood. "Gotta blaze. Normal's
gonna kill me." Logan grinned.
"I thought you didn't care." he teased. She smirked at him.
"Hey, a girl's gotta make a living. See ya." she said, as
she grabbed her coat, and strode out the door. Logan just grinned
and shook his head, beginning to clean up.
"Boo, where you been?" Original Cindy asked Max as she
came in, going to her locker.
"Lunch."
"Aww, chillin with your boy toy?"
"Not exactly. I met a very interesting girl today on a run, and
took her to Logan's and we had lunch too."
"A girl? What kind of girl?"
"One that is every mysterious and I'm wondering where
she came from. Definitely not a Manticore Prototype."
"Uh-oh. Any trouble?" Max looked up as she closed
her locker.
"I don't think so. 'Cept that she can read minds
and has telekinetic powers.."
"Wow. That doesn't sound like your place at all." Max nodded.
"Exactly."
Just then, Normal came up to them and looked at them
critically for a moment.
"So, do you ladies plan to work today?"
"Of, course Normal. We were gettin' bored anyways." Max
said sweetly. Cindy held back her laughter.
"Well then Max, if you would, please amuse me and
deliver this package."
"Why not, " she sighed, and went to get her bike. Cindy
continued to hold her smile back. Normal looked at her.
"You too, missy." He shoved a package in her hands, then
went back to his desk, yelling at other workers on the way. Cindy
sighed. He definitely needs a woman. And not one like that mister sister either.
That night, Max picked the lock into Logan's place, as
usual, and walked in. Logan was talking to someone. She peeked into
the living room to see Alexis.
"Hey," Logan greeted, looking up. Alexis looked up too.
"Hi, Max." she said, looking down at her work.
"Hey," Max responded. "Watcha all up to?"
"Alexis came over to say hi, and brought her homework
with her. So I'd thought I'd help her."
"Cool." said Max as she sat across from them, took
her jacket off, and watched Logan help Alexis. She held back
a grin. He looked so fatherly. Logan glanced up and noticed.
"What?" he asked her suspiciously.
"Nothin'." she said, grinning. Logan looked at her
critically and pointed a finger at her.
"Well talk about that look later.." he said, as he went
back to helping Alexis. She kept that grin on her face as she
stood, and roamed the apartment, checking out his music collection.
Mainly classical...hmm, gotta bring some of my stuff over here...
Ten minutes later, Alexis had left, and Logan came up
behind Max, who was looking at one of the many paintings in his apartment.
"Do you want to go to South Market with me? I have
some groceries to get." he said practically in her ear. She had
to barely turn her head to look at him.
"Sure, why not? I got nothin' else to do."
" What, no Crash tonight? Aww, nice to know I'm your
last resort for somethin to do."
"Logan, your never my last resort. More like my
first." she said, looking into his eyes. He looked back down into hers.
"Really?"
"Really."
Logan watched her lips. She showed no signs of
pulling away. He leaned close..
"Hello?" someone called as the front door opened.
Logan and Max pulled away from each other slightly.
"Bling," he mumbled. Max grinned and looked up at Logan.
"What timing, huh?"
"Tell me about it." Logan went to meet Bling, and
Max picked up her leather jacket and followed Logan.
"Hey Max," Bling greeted. He looked at Logan. "What did
you want me to pick up at South Market?"
"Don't worry about it, Bling." Logan told him, "Max and
I are gonna go." Bling looked at Logan skeptically, then shrugged.
"Okay man, saves me a trip." Bling went into the kitchen.
Logan looked at Max.
"Ready to go?"
"Lead the way, Captain."
Alexis sat on her bed and closed her eyes. She took a
deep breath, clearing her mind.
*flashback*
Alexis sitting in a lab, hooked up to machines, sensors
on her forehead.
Alexis hiding in the wardrobe before her daily testings.
Alexis looking up at one of the many video cameras
that watched her all the time.
Alexis hiding in the truck that was taking her away
from her personal hell.
She abruptly opened her eyes, breathing hard. She
hated flashbacks. Alexis gave a little shudder took another deep
breath, clearing her mind again, and concentrating.
She thought about her experiences the last few days.
Coming home from school. Having a run in with those jerks. Then meeting
Max. She had come along and helped her out. And meeting Logan too. They had
both been a ray of sunshine in her gloomy life.
Suddenly another image flashed into her mind. Max
and Logan kissing. Being an actual romantic couple.
She slowly opened her eyes and smiled at the thought.
Max picked up a grapefruit and looked it over.
"Looks good." Logan said from behind her. She put it
in the bag she had in his hand. Logan picked up a few more
grapefruits and added them with the other one in the bag.
"From what i remember, you like grapefruit for breakfast."
Max told him.
"Yeah." he said, as he paid the merchant. Then he
grinned. She watched him suspiciously as they began to walk
down the walkway between the merchant stands.
"Loogaaaan.." she said in a warning, suspicious tone.
"What?" he said innocently, his grin getting bigger.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Nothing. Just being a typical male." She thought a moment
and looked at him, grinning back.
"Logan Cale, I should smack you for that."
"Aww, you wouldn't do that would you?"
"Aww, " she mimicked. "I won't hurt you." She smacked
him on the arm.
"Hey! he protested. She ignored it and stopped at
the meat stand.
"Nothin' as usual at this one." Max noted to
herself out loud.
"Well," Logan said, looking it over "Max you ever had steak?"
"No," she answered simply. Logan looked at a the
few steaks there.
"I'll take four of these." he told the merchant.
"Logan." she said, looking at him in suprise. "Those
are a hundred bucks a pound!"
"I know. I think we should have a nice dinner." She grinned.
"Oh, so the dinners we have aren't?" she teased. He just
paid his purchase, bagged it, and walked on.
TBC....