Missing you In Action
Alec lined up his soldiers as they made their final checks before departure. They were to go and establish a secondary base, a secret strategic away point to be used as an emergency back up or a refuge point away from the pressures of Terminal Cities media spotlight. The plan had been in the works for months and if successful would help with supply problems, issues with accommodating the ever growing transgenic and transhuman population and them the tactical advantage they needed at this stage. Alec had posted a notice a couple of weeks back and was inundated with volunteers but could only pick a select few, but it they had given him a vote of confidence in his scheme. His team were the last to leave following two others that had left the day before lead by Biggs. Now Alec was ready to leave and command the operations at the beta base. Max came to see them off using the item of Alec's she had stolen earlier that day as her excuse, although it appeared he hadn't actually noticed.
"Hey! don't forget this!" She called tossing him his cell-phone as he turned to face her. The look on his face was priceless as he patted himself down convinced he already had the phone on him. She chuckled , shaking her head as she came to a stop in front of him. He watched her closely as she crossed her arms and rocked nervously on the balls of her feet not meeting his questioning gaze.
"I borrowed it." was all she offered in the way of an explanation. Alec simply nodded placing it in his jacket pocket but probably for the first time since she'd known, he was speechless. It was an odd situation for both of them having been thrown together at every opportunity for the last year or so made the prospect of a long term separation a bit unnerving. Alec didn't know what he should be saying to her, should it be business as usual or should he be reassuring her. All he could come up with in the end was a simple "Thanks."
"Well the rest is up to you. Be careful, okay?"
"Always," he replied smiling. He picked up the ruck sack behind him the he had been checking earlier and began to tie it up.
"Listen...I want you to...to call me, you know keep us updated and stuff...we can set up a regular time, scramble the signal so you won't be traced..." Alec grinned a lopsided grin but resisted making a smart Alec comment, this time. She was trying not to make this into a goodbye, there was just something too permanent about that word. Manticore had frowned on any kind of display feelings, any care, any concern especially after '09 when they separated units to prevent the development of close relationships and reduce the flight risks. They were soldiers, they had kill without feeling or distraction, follow orders blindly and to the letter. Goodbyes weren't something any of them were really accustomed to. If you left Manticore you either came back or you didn't, it was that simple. Now, however, that they were a community of sorts and with the world against them things were different.
"No problem, I've got you on speed dial," he reassured her. Max glanced over at the other transgenic of his team , a little embarrassed but they didn't seem to be paying attention. So after a short debate with herself she stepped in closer to him and wrapped him in a hug. Not used to physical contact of the non-violent variety from Max it took a while before Alec returned the gesture. It ended almost as quickly as it was initiated as Max stepped away and looked nervously at her feet, so Alec helped out.
"I'll miss you too. Come on guys lets move out!!" he called over his shoulder. With that he stroked Max's arm and gave her a wink before following his troops to the out tunnel at the North end of Terminal City, Max Lingered watching until even with her enhanced vision she could no longer see him.
A/N: so what's the verdict? I love my reviewers you're all really inspiring. xxx.