"The time is drawing near. Runes have appeared on a forth of us around the world. We're in trouble."
"We aren't in trouble until those bastards figure out what their runes mean."
"And exactly how long do think that will be?"
"Not long enough."
"Did I forget to tell you that I was the best in my unit? Oh wait, you knew that, didn't you?" Alec held the transgenic, face planted to the ground. The transgenic struggled against Alec's grip and body weight to no avail.
He sighed. "I didn't forget that you were the most cocky son of a bitch either. I give already."
Alec let him go and stood with his hand outstretched to his opponent. The fallen transgenic gripped Alec's hand even though it was highly unnecessary. At his full height, the transgenic stood a few inches taller than Alec. Short blonde hair adorned his head, while deep brown eyes looked over his friend. He was bigger set than Alec though not quite as handsome. "I don't think jacking me in the nuts makes you the best. And besides, we let you be the best back then." He stretched his arm a bit working the soreness out. "Didn't want to have little 494 moping around, did we?"
Alec grinned, "Oh, you let me be the best? So you liked being humiliated by the youngest transgenic in your unit? That's why I kicked your ass at every sparring match, and was able to out run, jump and swim the rest of you. And I just thought I was made better than you, Rift." He gave Rift a hearty punch to the shoulder.
"You *were* made better than the rest of us," a voice interrupted. "But you didn't win every sparring match."
Alec turned to the source of the voice and stopped. A slim but muscular woman stood facing Alec, a smile on her pretty face, her long, light brown hair whipping in the wind. She came closer to Alec.
He grinned. "539."
"It's Wil now," she corrected. She glanced to Rift than back to Alec and crossed her arms. "You may have won every match with him, but I was able to beat down the great 494 a couple of times."
"It's Alec and that's only because I was a sucker for a pretty girl."
"Is that so? Well, damnit, I just thought I was good," she fake pouted.
"Aw, don't worry, Wil. At least your looks can get you somewhere. As for brains and physical abilities, well-" Her fist meeting his stomach cut him off. He glared at her and rubbed his stomach. "You were always so quick to throw a punch. I guess some things never change."
She closed the distance between them and threw her arms around Alec much to his surprise. "I missed you," she whispered so only he could hear.
The shock having worn off, Alec happily raised his arms to encircle her. "I missed you, too," he spoke equally soft.
After a quiet moment passed, Wil stepped back. "So this is what you do for fun here in Terminal City? Pick fights with old friends in an alley." She looked at Rift. "I wouldn't have suggested coming here if I had known you were just gonna get your ass kicked."
Rift rolled his eyes. "You know, I'm getting really sick of everyone saying they can kick my ass or that they have. We all know that if I didn't hold back, pretty boy Alec here wouldn't be so pretty."
"Hold on a second," Alec interrupted confused. "You two came here together?" He pointed to the two transgenics.
Rift nodded. "After Manticore was burnt down to the ground, we found each other in the woods and have been with each other ever since."
"It hasn't been a picnic," Wil responded. "Rift is the biggest baby in the world. 'There's no hot water here', 'I haven't eaten in five days', 'The bullet in my leg hurts'." Wil mocked her friend. "I had to do everything in my power to keep myself from snapping his neck!"
"Do you really want to do this?" Rift asked. "Because I'll gladly remind you of what happened the last time you were in heat."
"Rift!" Wil practically screamed as a blush burned her cheeks at the mention of her last cycle. "You promised you would never mention that! You know I can't do anything about it!" Rift just chuckled. "You son of a bitch! I swear I'll kick your ass!"
Seeing the fire and the fury building in her eyes and her fists raising, Alec stepped in front of her. "Hey, hold on!" he raised his hands to stop her. "We all know Rift would be on his back faster than a hooker. Anyone can kick his ass so there's really no need for you to prove that you can." The anger in Wil's face softened as she considered his words.
She lowered her fists. "Good point." Wil's eyes flicked to Alec's left hand. "You got a tattoo? I never figured you as the needle in your body, stain your skin type."
Alec's eyebrow knitted together in confusion. "What?"
She grabbed his hand and brought it closer to her face. "What does it mean?"
Alec's face paled at the sight of the familiar yet wholly unfamiliar black symbol marring the back of his hand. "It means," Alec sighed. "Trouble."
"And this is our base of operations. Everything from living quarters and daily duties can be figured out here. It's also where we meet to discuss, well, everything," Alec explained with the two transgenics in tow. He brought them to a table covered with maps and floor plans. "And last, but certainly not least, the most important thing in Terminal City, Max."
Max looked up from the maps to see Alec and two transgenics. "Hey."
"Max, I'd like to introduce you to X5-237, Rift and X5-539, Wil. They were in my unit back in the good old days," Alec introduced.
Wil took a step towards Max. "So you're Max, huh?" Her voice was cold and accusing. "X5-452. The single person responsible for the destruction of the only home we've ever known and letting us into the world."
"Yeah, that'd be me," Max stated coolly.
Wil's face broke into a smile and she hugged Max. "Thank you."
Max awkwardly patted her back. "No problem."
"Max, we've got a small problem." Alec held is hand up to show Max.
Her eyes widened. "Shit, now you've got them too. Are there anymore?"
"I don't know, I haven't checked yet."
"Go check. I'll go find Logan." Max left quickly.
Alec turned to Wil. "So," he drew the word out.
She smiled slyly at him. "Did you want help, Alec?"
He pretended to think it over. "Hmm, a very attractive woman checking out my body ... would I want that? Uh... yeah. Definitely."
Rift rolled his eyes. "You guys are pathetic."
Alec took Wil to another more secluded room.
"Alright, pretty boy. Strip down."
He saluted. "Yes ma'am."
Alec began to undress and Wil questioned him. "Alec, what did Max mean 'You have them too' and what are they?"
He took of his jacket and shirt. "They're runes, markings in ancient Minoan. They
started popping up on Max. Apparently the were coded into her genome." He undid his pants. "Loosely translated, they said something along the lines of 'death covering the earth' and 'the one with hidden powers delivering the helpless'." He took his boots and socks off. "Max is 'The One' who's supposed to save everyone from something really bad."
Wil continued to watch him undress. "Wow," she commented, not so much about the runes and Max but Alec standing clad only in boxers. "All that from some little symbols. And now you have them."
Confused by her mentioning the runes in plural, Alec looked over his body, but saw nothing on the front of him. Wil went over to him and ran her hands slowly over his back.
"Alec, you have twelve more runes on your back." Her fingertips grazed each one.
"Well this is great," Alec said throwing up his hands. "I'm a walking poster board." He began redressing. "How'd you come up with the name Wil?" he asked her.
She smiled. "Rift came up with it. After Manticore burnt down, some guys were after us. He got shot in the leg and was slowing us down. He told me to run, but I was determined to stay together. I hoisted him on my back and ran with him. He thinks I have a lot of will power."
Alec chuckled. "You always did."
"How'd you come up with Alec?"
"Funny story really. Max and I were paired as breeding partners and she gave me the name. Alec, as in smart aleck. Her second choice was Dick which I think is just really uncalled for."
Wil laughed. "It suits you. You two were breeding partners?"
He nodded. "Yeah, she wouldn't touch me though. Well, she touched me enough to inflict pain on me but that's it."
"No wonder Manticore picked her for you. She's serious and controlled enough to put you in your place."
"Yeah, well," they began walking back, "she loves to do that." He cast a sideways glance at her. "Who was your breeding partner?"
Her eyes fell to the floor at the mention of the breeding program. "Um, X5-598."
Despite himself, Alec laughed lightly. "Zack's twin. Max is going to love to hear that."
Before Wil could question him, they entered the control room. Max and Logan were already there waiting.
"Wil, this is Logan," Max said. "One of the only three humans in Terminal City."
Wil's eyebrows rose. "A human brave enough to stay in Terminal City? Well, hot damn!"
Logan looked away slightly then back to her with a polite smile. "Yeah, I'll be your resident computer specialist and translator of ancient, no longer used languages." He turned to Alec. "What have you got?"
Alec presented his hand for Logan to take a digital picture. "This." Logan snapped the picture. "And these." Alec turned and pulled up his shirt.
Logan and Max both gasped in shock. Wil helped hold Alec's shirt out of the way so Logan could take the picture. Logan moved to his computer equipment that had been set up on one of the slower days. "I'll have them translated in about an hour."
Alec shut the door behind them as they entered his place.
"This is nice, Alec. I especially enjoy the plasma screen tv. How exactly did you afford that?" Wil regarded him.
"It was a loan from a friend."
She smirked. "A loan, I'm sure." She sat down on his run down sofa.
"The ordinaries left a lot of things behind when the scurried out of Terminal City." Alec took off his coat and threw it on a chair. "I spent a week rummaging around in old houses and apartment buildings and found a lot of good stuff." He went over to his fridge. "You want anything?"
She shook her head. "No. I'm good."
He shrugged his shoulders, grabbed the milk carton and drank straight from it. He wiped his hand across his mouth and put the carton back. "So what have you and Rift been up to since Manticore went down?" He joined her on the couch.
"Running. Staying off anyone's radar. We went from town to town every month." She glanced at him. "What has the magnificent Alec been doing? Pickin' up the chicks?"
He smiled. "But of course. Although no one permanent. I got a job at a messenger service with Max. We've been stomping out the bad guys. Our worst one is White. The government hired him to kill all the transgenics, Max being the first on his list. It turns out that he's part of some thousands year old breeding cult obsessed with breeding strong, pure, perfect humans."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it turns out that one cult member was some big wig at Manticore. We think he's the one who put these," he gestured to his hand, "into mine and Max's genome. It's really messed up."
"These cult members probably don't like us too much. Afterall, who's more impure than mutants with about thirty different DNA types?"
"Ah, but at least were good looking impure mutants."
She pondered that. "That's true."
Awkward moments passed when neither was sure what to say.
Wil grabbed his hand with the rune. "Does it hurt?"
He shook his head. "No, it's just a little creepy."
"I remember the day we were split up," she said, a far away look in her eyes. "I wanted to fight them, I wanted to go to you, but I couldn't."
"Me too," he said softly.
A smile touched her lips. "Before we got here, Rift said that you'd be different, that
you'd change from how you use to be. And you have." He looked at her. "You never use to smile this much ... and you never fought dirty."
He chuckled. "I've learned a few things in the year I've been out."
Alec and Wil entered the control room to find Logan and Max glued to his computer screen.
"What's the news?" Alec clapped his hands together coming up behind them. They both turned to Alec and Wil looking plainly worried. "What? I take it it's not good?"
"To say the least," Logan responded turning back to the screen. "The symbol on your hand stands for change."
Alec shrugged. "That's not so bad."
"It's the ones on your back that have us worried." Logan scrolled down on the screen. "It's a little long. They basically say 'The one to lay waste will bring about the change of things. Only in order will that change come. With The Lover lay comfort and truth'." Logan looked at Alec. "Whatever's going to happen, this biblically bad thing Max is supposed to save everyone from, you're somehow a part of it. I think you might even make it happen."
"Go figure," Max sneered. "Alec to bring about something catastrophic. I knew you'd screw something up."
"Aw, Max, if it makes you the hero, is it really that bad?"
"Have any new ones appeared?" Logan asked.
"Not that I know of." Alec looked to his hand. "This one's fading though." He showed the group. "Come back in two hours if there are any new ones. I'm going to see what else I can dig up about this 'change' and 'The Lover'." Logan turned back to his computer.
"Does anyone know what happened to Rift?" Wil spoke up.
"I think Mole took him somewhere probably to give him some of his special brew," Max answered.
"That can't be good," Wil sighed.
Alec grinned. "Mole's special brew is strong enough to knock out three elephants in one drink."
"Oh great, just what I need. A pissy, whinny, drunk Rift." Wil turned to Alec. "Wanna go have some fun?"
"When do I not?"
"You had to get piss-faced drunk, didn't you? This does us no good," Wil complained as her and Alec practically carried an overly drunk Rift. His arms were flung around their shoulders and his feet made shuffling movements that were supposed to pass for walking. "You are no longer allowed to see that lizard. I'm sure Alec doesn't appreciate having drag your ass around."
"Are you kidding?" Alec huffed. "This is the frosting on the cake of my day."
Who just happened to walk by that moment but Joshua, the lovable dog-man.
"Alec!"
"Hey, Josh. You wanna give us a hand here?"
"Sure, no problem." Joshua grabbed Rift and easily slung him over his shoulder. Alec patted him on the back. "Thanks buddy."
"No problem." They continued walking.
"Josh, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine. This is Wil, she was in my unit."
Wil smiled up at Joshua. "Hey." Joshua grabbed her hand and shook it forcefully.
"Alec and Wil getting busy? That the plan?" Joshua asked innocently.
At the look of shock on Wil's face, Alec laughed. "No, Josh, that's not the plan." His eyes flicked to Wil for a split second. "Not yet anyway."
Joshua smiled, then gestured to Rift. "Who's this?"
"Rift, another friend from Manticore," Alec told him.
"He met Mole?"
Alec chuckled. "Yes he did, my man."
Wil stole a look at Joshua only to stop in her tracks. Joshua and Alec both turned to her confused. "Hey, Wil, I know he looks a little strange, what with the canine DNA and all, but there's no need to stare."
She glared at Alec. "Alec, I've seen non-human transgenics before. Look at his forehead."
Alec did. A lone black rune situated itself in the center of Joshua's forehead. "We better show Logan and Max."
"It's a number," Logan stated.
"What number and what does it mean?" Max demanded.
"The number is three and I can't even begin to guess what it means." Logan faced Alec. "Any new ones?"
"Yeah, just one." Alec lifted his shirt to reveal a well toned stomach and muscular chest. In the middle of his chest appeared another rune.
"Hey, Alec, thanks for the peep show," a sobering Rift mumbled.
"Shut up, Rift!" Wil gave him a good punch in the side.
"Jesus, Wil, take it easy!" He whined.
She rolled her eyes. "You're such a baby."
Logan took a picture of Alec's latest rune. "This one looks a little more complicated than the others. It might take a while to translate."
"Tell him about my new ones," Max spoke.
"Right. Max has a few new ones that basically say 'The one to lay waste will be the end of the one who will deliver the helpless'."
"So, it's guaranteed that Max is The One, right? She'll deliver the helpless?" Alec asked.
Logan nodded. "Yeah, that's what her runes said."
"And the other players in this catastrophe are 'The Lover' and the one to lay waste." Logan nodded again. "One of those is me, isn't it?" Alec questioned.
Logan almost hurled at the thought of Alec as The Lover and that having something to do with Max. "It's highly possible."
"That's just dandy."
"We aren't in trouble until those bastards figure out what their runes mean."
"And exactly how long do think that will be?"
"Not long enough."
"Did I forget to tell you that I was the best in my unit? Oh wait, you knew that, didn't you?" Alec held the transgenic, face planted to the ground. The transgenic struggled against Alec's grip and body weight to no avail.
He sighed. "I didn't forget that you were the most cocky son of a bitch either. I give already."
Alec let him go and stood with his hand outstretched to his opponent. The fallen transgenic gripped Alec's hand even though it was highly unnecessary. At his full height, the transgenic stood a few inches taller than Alec. Short blonde hair adorned his head, while deep brown eyes looked over his friend. He was bigger set than Alec though not quite as handsome. "I don't think jacking me in the nuts makes you the best. And besides, we let you be the best back then." He stretched his arm a bit working the soreness out. "Didn't want to have little 494 moping around, did we?"
Alec grinned, "Oh, you let me be the best? So you liked being humiliated by the youngest transgenic in your unit? That's why I kicked your ass at every sparring match, and was able to out run, jump and swim the rest of you. And I just thought I was made better than you, Rift." He gave Rift a hearty punch to the shoulder.
"You *were* made better than the rest of us," a voice interrupted. "But you didn't win every sparring match."
Alec turned to the source of the voice and stopped. A slim but muscular woman stood facing Alec, a smile on her pretty face, her long, light brown hair whipping in the wind. She came closer to Alec.
He grinned. "539."
"It's Wil now," she corrected. She glanced to Rift than back to Alec and crossed her arms. "You may have won every match with him, but I was able to beat down the great 494 a couple of times."
"It's Alec and that's only because I was a sucker for a pretty girl."
"Is that so? Well, damnit, I just thought I was good," she fake pouted.
"Aw, don't worry, Wil. At least your looks can get you somewhere. As for brains and physical abilities, well-" Her fist meeting his stomach cut him off. He glared at her and rubbed his stomach. "You were always so quick to throw a punch. I guess some things never change."
She closed the distance between them and threw her arms around Alec much to his surprise. "I missed you," she whispered so only he could hear.
The shock having worn off, Alec happily raised his arms to encircle her. "I missed you, too," he spoke equally soft.
After a quiet moment passed, Wil stepped back. "So this is what you do for fun here in Terminal City? Pick fights with old friends in an alley." She looked at Rift. "I wouldn't have suggested coming here if I had known you were just gonna get your ass kicked."
Rift rolled his eyes. "You know, I'm getting really sick of everyone saying they can kick my ass or that they have. We all know that if I didn't hold back, pretty boy Alec here wouldn't be so pretty."
"Hold on a second," Alec interrupted confused. "You two came here together?" He pointed to the two transgenics.
Rift nodded. "After Manticore was burnt down to the ground, we found each other in the woods and have been with each other ever since."
"It hasn't been a picnic," Wil responded. "Rift is the biggest baby in the world. 'There's no hot water here', 'I haven't eaten in five days', 'The bullet in my leg hurts'." Wil mocked her friend. "I had to do everything in my power to keep myself from snapping his neck!"
"Do you really want to do this?" Rift asked. "Because I'll gladly remind you of what happened the last time you were in heat."
"Rift!" Wil practically screamed as a blush burned her cheeks at the mention of her last cycle. "You promised you would never mention that! You know I can't do anything about it!" Rift just chuckled. "You son of a bitch! I swear I'll kick your ass!"
Seeing the fire and the fury building in her eyes and her fists raising, Alec stepped in front of her. "Hey, hold on!" he raised his hands to stop her. "We all know Rift would be on his back faster than a hooker. Anyone can kick his ass so there's really no need for you to prove that you can." The anger in Wil's face softened as she considered his words.
She lowered her fists. "Good point." Wil's eyes flicked to Alec's left hand. "You got a tattoo? I never figured you as the needle in your body, stain your skin type."
Alec's eyebrow knitted together in confusion. "What?"
She grabbed his hand and brought it closer to her face. "What does it mean?"
Alec's face paled at the sight of the familiar yet wholly unfamiliar black symbol marring the back of his hand. "It means," Alec sighed. "Trouble."
"And this is our base of operations. Everything from living quarters and daily duties can be figured out here. It's also where we meet to discuss, well, everything," Alec explained with the two transgenics in tow. He brought them to a table covered with maps and floor plans. "And last, but certainly not least, the most important thing in Terminal City, Max."
Max looked up from the maps to see Alec and two transgenics. "Hey."
"Max, I'd like to introduce you to X5-237, Rift and X5-539, Wil. They were in my unit back in the good old days," Alec introduced.
Wil took a step towards Max. "So you're Max, huh?" Her voice was cold and accusing. "X5-452. The single person responsible for the destruction of the only home we've ever known and letting us into the world."
"Yeah, that'd be me," Max stated coolly.
Wil's face broke into a smile and she hugged Max. "Thank you."
Max awkwardly patted her back. "No problem."
"Max, we've got a small problem." Alec held is hand up to show Max.
Her eyes widened. "Shit, now you've got them too. Are there anymore?"
"I don't know, I haven't checked yet."
"Go check. I'll go find Logan." Max left quickly.
Alec turned to Wil. "So," he drew the word out.
She smiled slyly at him. "Did you want help, Alec?"
He pretended to think it over. "Hmm, a very attractive woman checking out my body ... would I want that? Uh... yeah. Definitely."
Rift rolled his eyes. "You guys are pathetic."
Alec took Wil to another more secluded room.
"Alright, pretty boy. Strip down."
He saluted. "Yes ma'am."
Alec began to undress and Wil questioned him. "Alec, what did Max mean 'You have them too' and what are they?"
He took of his jacket and shirt. "They're runes, markings in ancient Minoan. They
started popping up on Max. Apparently the were coded into her genome." He undid his pants. "Loosely translated, they said something along the lines of 'death covering the earth' and 'the one with hidden powers delivering the helpless'." He took his boots and socks off. "Max is 'The One' who's supposed to save everyone from something really bad."
Wil continued to watch him undress. "Wow," she commented, not so much about the runes and Max but Alec standing clad only in boxers. "All that from some little symbols. And now you have them."
Confused by her mentioning the runes in plural, Alec looked over his body, but saw nothing on the front of him. Wil went over to him and ran her hands slowly over his back.
"Alec, you have twelve more runes on your back." Her fingertips grazed each one.
"Well this is great," Alec said throwing up his hands. "I'm a walking poster board." He began redressing. "How'd you come up with the name Wil?" he asked her.
She smiled. "Rift came up with it. After Manticore burnt down, some guys were after us. He got shot in the leg and was slowing us down. He told me to run, but I was determined to stay together. I hoisted him on my back and ran with him. He thinks I have a lot of will power."
Alec chuckled. "You always did."
"How'd you come up with Alec?"
"Funny story really. Max and I were paired as breeding partners and she gave me the name. Alec, as in smart aleck. Her second choice was Dick which I think is just really uncalled for."
Wil laughed. "It suits you. You two were breeding partners?"
He nodded. "Yeah, she wouldn't touch me though. Well, she touched me enough to inflict pain on me but that's it."
"No wonder Manticore picked her for you. She's serious and controlled enough to put you in your place."
"Yeah, well," they began walking back, "she loves to do that." He cast a sideways glance at her. "Who was your breeding partner?"
Her eyes fell to the floor at the mention of the breeding program. "Um, X5-598."
Despite himself, Alec laughed lightly. "Zack's twin. Max is going to love to hear that."
Before Wil could question him, they entered the control room. Max and Logan were already there waiting.
"Wil, this is Logan," Max said. "One of the only three humans in Terminal City."
Wil's eyebrows rose. "A human brave enough to stay in Terminal City? Well, hot damn!"
Logan looked away slightly then back to her with a polite smile. "Yeah, I'll be your resident computer specialist and translator of ancient, no longer used languages." He turned to Alec. "What have you got?"
Alec presented his hand for Logan to take a digital picture. "This." Logan snapped the picture. "And these." Alec turned and pulled up his shirt.
Logan and Max both gasped in shock. Wil helped hold Alec's shirt out of the way so Logan could take the picture. Logan moved to his computer equipment that had been set up on one of the slower days. "I'll have them translated in about an hour."
Alec shut the door behind them as they entered his place.
"This is nice, Alec. I especially enjoy the plasma screen tv. How exactly did you afford that?" Wil regarded him.
"It was a loan from a friend."
She smirked. "A loan, I'm sure." She sat down on his run down sofa.
"The ordinaries left a lot of things behind when the scurried out of Terminal City." Alec took off his coat and threw it on a chair. "I spent a week rummaging around in old houses and apartment buildings and found a lot of good stuff." He went over to his fridge. "You want anything?"
She shook her head. "No. I'm good."
He shrugged his shoulders, grabbed the milk carton and drank straight from it. He wiped his hand across his mouth and put the carton back. "So what have you and Rift been up to since Manticore went down?" He joined her on the couch.
"Running. Staying off anyone's radar. We went from town to town every month." She glanced at him. "What has the magnificent Alec been doing? Pickin' up the chicks?"
He smiled. "But of course. Although no one permanent. I got a job at a messenger service with Max. We've been stomping out the bad guys. Our worst one is White. The government hired him to kill all the transgenics, Max being the first on his list. It turns out that he's part of some thousands year old breeding cult obsessed with breeding strong, pure, perfect humans."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it turns out that one cult member was some big wig at Manticore. We think he's the one who put these," he gestured to his hand, "into mine and Max's genome. It's really messed up."
"These cult members probably don't like us too much. Afterall, who's more impure than mutants with about thirty different DNA types?"
"Ah, but at least were good looking impure mutants."
She pondered that. "That's true."
Awkward moments passed when neither was sure what to say.
Wil grabbed his hand with the rune. "Does it hurt?"
He shook his head. "No, it's just a little creepy."
"I remember the day we were split up," she said, a far away look in her eyes. "I wanted to fight them, I wanted to go to you, but I couldn't."
"Me too," he said softly.
A smile touched her lips. "Before we got here, Rift said that you'd be different, that
you'd change from how you use to be. And you have." He looked at her. "You never use to smile this much ... and you never fought dirty."
He chuckled. "I've learned a few things in the year I've been out."
Alec and Wil entered the control room to find Logan and Max glued to his computer screen.
"What's the news?" Alec clapped his hands together coming up behind them. They both turned to Alec and Wil looking plainly worried. "What? I take it it's not good?"
"To say the least," Logan responded turning back to the screen. "The symbol on your hand stands for change."
Alec shrugged. "That's not so bad."
"It's the ones on your back that have us worried." Logan scrolled down on the screen. "It's a little long. They basically say 'The one to lay waste will bring about the change of things. Only in order will that change come. With The Lover lay comfort and truth'." Logan looked at Alec. "Whatever's going to happen, this biblically bad thing Max is supposed to save everyone from, you're somehow a part of it. I think you might even make it happen."
"Go figure," Max sneered. "Alec to bring about something catastrophic. I knew you'd screw something up."
"Aw, Max, if it makes you the hero, is it really that bad?"
"Have any new ones appeared?" Logan asked.
"Not that I know of." Alec looked to his hand. "This one's fading though." He showed the group. "Come back in two hours if there are any new ones. I'm going to see what else I can dig up about this 'change' and 'The Lover'." Logan turned back to his computer.
"Does anyone know what happened to Rift?" Wil spoke up.
"I think Mole took him somewhere probably to give him some of his special brew," Max answered.
"That can't be good," Wil sighed.
Alec grinned. "Mole's special brew is strong enough to knock out three elephants in one drink."
"Oh great, just what I need. A pissy, whinny, drunk Rift." Wil turned to Alec. "Wanna go have some fun?"
"When do I not?"
"You had to get piss-faced drunk, didn't you? This does us no good," Wil complained as her and Alec practically carried an overly drunk Rift. His arms were flung around their shoulders and his feet made shuffling movements that were supposed to pass for walking. "You are no longer allowed to see that lizard. I'm sure Alec doesn't appreciate having drag your ass around."
"Are you kidding?" Alec huffed. "This is the frosting on the cake of my day."
Who just happened to walk by that moment but Joshua, the lovable dog-man.
"Alec!"
"Hey, Josh. You wanna give us a hand here?"
"Sure, no problem." Joshua grabbed Rift and easily slung him over his shoulder. Alec patted him on the back. "Thanks buddy."
"No problem." They continued walking.
"Josh, I'd like to introduce you to a friend of mine. This is Wil, she was in my unit."
Wil smiled up at Joshua. "Hey." Joshua grabbed her hand and shook it forcefully.
"Alec and Wil getting busy? That the plan?" Joshua asked innocently.
At the look of shock on Wil's face, Alec laughed. "No, Josh, that's not the plan." His eyes flicked to Wil for a split second. "Not yet anyway."
Joshua smiled, then gestured to Rift. "Who's this?"
"Rift, another friend from Manticore," Alec told him.
"He met Mole?"
Alec chuckled. "Yes he did, my man."
Wil stole a look at Joshua only to stop in her tracks. Joshua and Alec both turned to her confused. "Hey, Wil, I know he looks a little strange, what with the canine DNA and all, but there's no need to stare."
She glared at Alec. "Alec, I've seen non-human transgenics before. Look at his forehead."
Alec did. A lone black rune situated itself in the center of Joshua's forehead. "We better show Logan and Max."
"It's a number," Logan stated.
"What number and what does it mean?" Max demanded.
"The number is three and I can't even begin to guess what it means." Logan faced Alec. "Any new ones?"
"Yeah, just one." Alec lifted his shirt to reveal a well toned stomach and muscular chest. In the middle of his chest appeared another rune.
"Hey, Alec, thanks for the peep show," a sobering Rift mumbled.
"Shut up, Rift!" Wil gave him a good punch in the side.
"Jesus, Wil, take it easy!" He whined.
She rolled her eyes. "You're such a baby."
Logan took a picture of Alec's latest rune. "This one looks a little more complicated than the others. It might take a while to translate."
"Tell him about my new ones," Max spoke.
"Right. Max has a few new ones that basically say 'The one to lay waste will be the end of the one who will deliver the helpless'."
"So, it's guaranteed that Max is The One, right? She'll deliver the helpless?" Alec asked.
Logan nodded. "Yeah, that's what her runes said."
"And the other players in this catastrophe are 'The Lover' and the one to lay waste." Logan nodded again. "One of those is me, isn't it?" Alec questioned.
Logan almost hurled at the thought of Alec as The Lover and that having something to do with Max. "It's highly possible."
"That's just dandy."