New York Knights
Disclaimer: James Cameron and Charles H. Eglee own the characters of Dark Angel, not me. I'm not asking to be sued. I do own Charlene (Charlie), Arthur, Jen, Lonnie, Nick and Kyle.
Rating: PG-13 for swearing and a bit of fighting.
Summary: A trip to New York turns into a family reunion for Max when two people they were sent to investigate turn out to be Manticore escapees.
AN: Thanks for all the replies to 'Only The Girl Next Door Cries'... hope you like this. If I get enough replies, I'll continue with chapter 2 (only about 6 chapters, give or take). Started writing this off and on since somewhere between 'Haven' and 'Shorties In Love'. I realize in my story Logan is walking... if I want to play God with Logan's paralysis, I don't see why I not. First chapter focuses more on the past of Krit and Charlie.
Seattle - Logan's Apartment
Max swiftly strode into his office. "You paged?"
He looked up at her before returning his gaze to his computer screen. "How so you feel about a trip to New York?"
"Depends... why are we going to New York?" She asked, looking over his shoulder at the New York Times clipping he was reading. 'Half Dead Drug Dealer At PD Door, Knights Suspect'. She quickly skimmed the article, memorizing anything that seemed important. 'Forth criminal this month... Knights wanted for questioning for previous acts since their appearance in 2016... Electricity once again shut off in building... Police baffled as to true identities...'
"Care to solve a mystery?" Logan grinned up at her boyishly.
New York - Knight's HQ
"Charlene, Krit, great work last night. We made the front page again. Your money has already been sent to your accounts."
"No prob, Daddy." Charlie, a slight, dark haired girl told him cheerfully, her vibrant blue eyes shining, flickering from her magazine to her father behind his desk to her co-worker leaning against a nearby wall. "I'm just glad we got out of there in time."
"It was nothing to worry about, Charlie." Krit piped up, his dark brown eyes sticking to the book in his hands. "We got back before the seizure hit, no biggie."
"No biggie?!? No biggie?!? If we had waited five more minutes, we could have been to late! You would have been in a coma right now if that jerk we bagged last night had enough common sense to bring bodyguards!" Charlie snapped at him from her seat on the sofa, her magazine finding it's way to the floor in the midst of her protest.
"It's all over now, sweetheart. Nothing to carry on about. You both are safe and that's all that matters. Why don't you go see the gang. I just bought you all a new TV and a Playstation 3." He informed his daughter, knowing she would take it as an order. She stood with a sigh, kissing him on the cheek before walking out.
Krit rubbed his barcode, his neck tense. "I hate it when she worries about me."
"Well she hates it when you worry about her, so you're even. Now the real reason why I asked her to leave. How is she?"
"She's fine, Arthur. She still has no idea about Manticore or the fact that she's adopted. She's still convinced that our seizures and enhancements are birth defects." Krit coldly reassured him.
Gillette, Wyoming - Manticore - 2004
Krit, Max and Eva stealthily walked through the corridor. Today was a simple track-and-retrieve mission, simple at least for this group of four year olds. All they had to do was make sure they weren't the last to find the disk.
Eva signaled 'All clear' before the three silently crept down the hall. A door a short distance a head of them opened, a pair of soldiers practically dragging a pregnant woman out of the X6 ward, their hats covering their faces. The woman's blue eyes connected with his as she was pulled past the trio. No words were spoken. No breathes were taken. But Krit knew that someday those eyes would change his life.
The next day the compound was in chaos. A mother from the X6 ward with the help of two men dressed as soldiers had disappeared.
New York City - 2009
Krit hid in an alley, surrounded by 'the enemy'. A bright green ball bounced down the alley, a giggling 5 year old chasing after it, her dark pigtails following her like streamers. He swiftly grabbed the ball holding it out to her. She was so small, so young, so weak. He walked towards her as she stood still, smiling shyly, her eyes on the ground.
"Thanks." She muttered softly to him, reaching out for her toy.
"Charlie!" A deep voice called out, full of concern.
She turned towards the voice. "Over here Daddy! I just lost my ball!" She turned back to Krit, her vibrant blue eyes finding his. His mind flashed to the mother who had disappeared. Could it be possible? Could this weak and scared little girl be the X6?
"Charlene, sweetheart, don't run off like that. I thought the bad people might of found you." The thirty something male said, walking up to the pair. Krit looked at him, calculating his weight, height and muscles. Barely a challenge. He watched as the girl was picked up, giggling at the look of relief on the man's face.
"I'm a tough girl, Daddy." She turned serious, knowing now wasn't the time to play.
"I know you are, sweetheart, but trust me, they're stronger then you. You're no match for them." He warned.
"OK, Daddy. I'll be more careful." She hugged him, pulling back to look at Krit.
He had just stood there, watching them with curiosity. What was a 'Daddy'? Or a 'sweetheart'? His mind was drowning with inquiries.
He found the pair staring at him. "Kid." The man addressed him. "My name's Arthur Mercer. This is Charlene-"
"Charlie." The girl insisted.
"People call her Charlie. Are you lost? Do you need help finding your family?" He knew who the kid was. He know what he was capable of. He just had to stay relaxed.
"No." He flatly answered.
"You look kinda hungry. Want to come with me and Daddy to have lunch? We're having hamburgers and onion rings."
Something about her made him less fearful for his life. Maybe her innocence. What ever it was, she was a calming influence just by looking at him and he wanted to know why... before these new dangers tried to eliminate him.
He nodded, following the pair. He was swiftly surrounded, but he continued to follow. People went by him, ignoring him, acting as if he didn't exist. People bumped into him, walked past him, glared at him, but never attacked. He was lead to a building that rose up into the sky. He looked up at it in wonderment.
"Me and Daddy live on the very top floor." Charlie said at his side. She took his hand, smiling warmly as she tugged him forward. "Come on, I'm starving!"
He was lead into the building and towards an elevator. He stared at himself in the mirrored walls as they traveled upwards. What was their game? Why were they acting so nice?
The meal was good, and he decided to stay with them for the evening and sneak out in the middle of the night. It didn't' seem as if they were going to hurt him in any way, and if they did he could easily win.
After Charlie fell asleep, Arthur sat down on the couch. "When did you escape from Manticore?" He bluntly asked.
"Two weeks ago. I've been staying away from cities until now."
"I don't blame you. I'm guessing in your eyes Charlie is a possible threat."
Krit nodded. "She's the X6 who escaped, isn't she?"
"Yes. But don't speak a word of this to her. She knows nothing about it. To her, her Manticore enhancements are birth defects and that Manticore, or 'the bad place' as she calls it, just wants to study her powers."
"You're protecting her?"
"She's just a child. So are you. None of you kids disserve any of it. I just wish I could have saved all of you."
"What happened to her mother?"
"To protect her and her daughter, I had to lie to my own sister. Heather was told that Charlie died during birth and she committed suicide. She couldn't live without her daughter and she would be killed if she lived with her."
"What do you want from me?"
"If you want, I'd like you to stay here, live with us, protect Charlie. She may have the strength, but she is no Manticore kid and I can't always protect her."
"I'll think about it." And with that Krit walked out.
A week later he was living in the room across from his new mission, befriending her and becoming a part of the family.
New York - Knights Headquarters - 2020
"She should know what she's in the middle of. It's like walking blindfolded into a battlefield. It's suicide."
"We've been over this. It's for her own good. What she doesn't know can't kill her."
"No, but it can send her to hell for the rest of her life." He walked out, needing to clear his mind. Charlie had become his responsibility the day he moved in with them and he wasn't about to have anything happen to her.
He jumped in his sports car and Charlie got in the passenger side, smiling as they drove off.
She rolled the window down, asking "You and Daddy had a fight about me again, didn't you?"
"I just want you to know what they are capable of... I want you to be safe if they brainwash me."
"But you would never ever hurt me. Not ever. The bad people can't be that powerful." She said softly, the wind whipping her hair around her.
"They are. They want me and my siblings back so they can reprogram all of us. If anything happens to me, I want you to either find my brother Zack or one of my other brothers and sisters and I want you to tell them about me, tell them I want them to take care of you."
"I promise. I'll track down one of your other siblings, though. You know I can't stand Zack. He's too serious. Like you were when we first met."
He smiled at her response as he continued to drive aimlessly in silence.
Somewhere Between Seattle and New York - One Week Later (Max's POV)
So here we are, Middle of Nowhere, USA, getting the tank filled by some guy in his 70s who offered to 'fill my tank' while he was at it. I felt Logan stiffen beside me. I don't see why. We're not like that. He's just a way to find my sibs and I'm just his genetically engineered killing machine for hire. Right?
I get out to grab some food before we continue to drive, figuring it would be harder for Lydecker to track us if we didn't leave a paper trail. I convinced Normal I had pneumonia and got a few weeks off. I told Cindy to tell any strangers that I went to Canada and for her not to touch my baby. She offered to help me pack, talking about me and Logan banging the gong the whole time I'm away. I eventually gave up, agreeing with anything she said. I just hope she never mentions that conversation to Logan. I get back in the car only have Logan grab my favorite candy from my lap. He just had to like Skittles. Good thing I got two packs.
I've spent most of the ride reading everything and anything Logan could find on these Knights. The more I read about them, the more I think I've met my match. They've caught as many dirtbags as me, and I barely human. I don't know if I should be impressed or worried.
Disclaimer: James Cameron and Charles H. Eglee own the characters of Dark Angel, not me. I'm not asking to be sued. I do own Charlene (Charlie), Arthur, Jen, Lonnie, Nick and Kyle.
Rating: PG-13 for swearing and a bit of fighting.
Summary: A trip to New York turns into a family reunion for Max when two people they were sent to investigate turn out to be Manticore escapees.
AN: Thanks for all the replies to 'Only The Girl Next Door Cries'... hope you like this. If I get enough replies, I'll continue with chapter 2 (only about 6 chapters, give or take). Started writing this off and on since somewhere between 'Haven' and 'Shorties In Love'. I realize in my story Logan is walking... if I want to play God with Logan's paralysis, I don't see why I not. First chapter focuses more on the past of Krit and Charlie.
Seattle - Logan's Apartment
Max swiftly strode into his office. "You paged?"
He looked up at her before returning his gaze to his computer screen. "How so you feel about a trip to New York?"
"Depends... why are we going to New York?" She asked, looking over his shoulder at the New York Times clipping he was reading. 'Half Dead Drug Dealer At PD Door, Knights Suspect'. She quickly skimmed the article, memorizing anything that seemed important. 'Forth criminal this month... Knights wanted for questioning for previous acts since their appearance in 2016... Electricity once again shut off in building... Police baffled as to true identities...'
"Care to solve a mystery?" Logan grinned up at her boyishly.
New York - Knight's HQ
"Charlene, Krit, great work last night. We made the front page again. Your money has already been sent to your accounts."
"No prob, Daddy." Charlie, a slight, dark haired girl told him cheerfully, her vibrant blue eyes shining, flickering from her magazine to her father behind his desk to her co-worker leaning against a nearby wall. "I'm just glad we got out of there in time."
"It was nothing to worry about, Charlie." Krit piped up, his dark brown eyes sticking to the book in his hands. "We got back before the seizure hit, no biggie."
"No biggie?!? No biggie?!? If we had waited five more minutes, we could have been to late! You would have been in a coma right now if that jerk we bagged last night had enough common sense to bring bodyguards!" Charlie snapped at him from her seat on the sofa, her magazine finding it's way to the floor in the midst of her protest.
"It's all over now, sweetheart. Nothing to carry on about. You both are safe and that's all that matters. Why don't you go see the gang. I just bought you all a new TV and a Playstation 3." He informed his daughter, knowing she would take it as an order. She stood with a sigh, kissing him on the cheek before walking out.
Krit rubbed his barcode, his neck tense. "I hate it when she worries about me."
"Well she hates it when you worry about her, so you're even. Now the real reason why I asked her to leave. How is she?"
"She's fine, Arthur. She still has no idea about Manticore or the fact that she's adopted. She's still convinced that our seizures and enhancements are birth defects." Krit coldly reassured him.
Gillette, Wyoming - Manticore - 2004
Krit, Max and Eva stealthily walked through the corridor. Today was a simple track-and-retrieve mission, simple at least for this group of four year olds. All they had to do was make sure they weren't the last to find the disk.
Eva signaled 'All clear' before the three silently crept down the hall. A door a short distance a head of them opened, a pair of soldiers practically dragging a pregnant woman out of the X6 ward, their hats covering their faces. The woman's blue eyes connected with his as she was pulled past the trio. No words were spoken. No breathes were taken. But Krit knew that someday those eyes would change his life.
The next day the compound was in chaos. A mother from the X6 ward with the help of two men dressed as soldiers had disappeared.
New York City - 2009
Krit hid in an alley, surrounded by 'the enemy'. A bright green ball bounced down the alley, a giggling 5 year old chasing after it, her dark pigtails following her like streamers. He swiftly grabbed the ball holding it out to her. She was so small, so young, so weak. He walked towards her as she stood still, smiling shyly, her eyes on the ground.
"Thanks." She muttered softly to him, reaching out for her toy.
"Charlie!" A deep voice called out, full of concern.
She turned towards the voice. "Over here Daddy! I just lost my ball!" She turned back to Krit, her vibrant blue eyes finding his. His mind flashed to the mother who had disappeared. Could it be possible? Could this weak and scared little girl be the X6?
"Charlene, sweetheart, don't run off like that. I thought the bad people might of found you." The thirty something male said, walking up to the pair. Krit looked at him, calculating his weight, height and muscles. Barely a challenge. He watched as the girl was picked up, giggling at the look of relief on the man's face.
"I'm a tough girl, Daddy." She turned serious, knowing now wasn't the time to play.
"I know you are, sweetheart, but trust me, they're stronger then you. You're no match for them." He warned.
"OK, Daddy. I'll be more careful." She hugged him, pulling back to look at Krit.
He had just stood there, watching them with curiosity. What was a 'Daddy'? Or a 'sweetheart'? His mind was drowning with inquiries.
He found the pair staring at him. "Kid." The man addressed him. "My name's Arthur Mercer. This is Charlene-"
"Charlie." The girl insisted.
"People call her Charlie. Are you lost? Do you need help finding your family?" He knew who the kid was. He know what he was capable of. He just had to stay relaxed.
"No." He flatly answered.
"You look kinda hungry. Want to come with me and Daddy to have lunch? We're having hamburgers and onion rings."
Something about her made him less fearful for his life. Maybe her innocence. What ever it was, she was a calming influence just by looking at him and he wanted to know why... before these new dangers tried to eliminate him.
He nodded, following the pair. He was swiftly surrounded, but he continued to follow. People went by him, ignoring him, acting as if he didn't exist. People bumped into him, walked past him, glared at him, but never attacked. He was lead to a building that rose up into the sky. He looked up at it in wonderment.
"Me and Daddy live on the very top floor." Charlie said at his side. She took his hand, smiling warmly as she tugged him forward. "Come on, I'm starving!"
He was lead into the building and towards an elevator. He stared at himself in the mirrored walls as they traveled upwards. What was their game? Why were they acting so nice?
The meal was good, and he decided to stay with them for the evening and sneak out in the middle of the night. It didn't' seem as if they were going to hurt him in any way, and if they did he could easily win.
After Charlie fell asleep, Arthur sat down on the couch. "When did you escape from Manticore?" He bluntly asked.
"Two weeks ago. I've been staying away from cities until now."
"I don't blame you. I'm guessing in your eyes Charlie is a possible threat."
Krit nodded. "She's the X6 who escaped, isn't she?"
"Yes. But don't speak a word of this to her. She knows nothing about it. To her, her Manticore enhancements are birth defects and that Manticore, or 'the bad place' as she calls it, just wants to study her powers."
"You're protecting her?"
"She's just a child. So are you. None of you kids disserve any of it. I just wish I could have saved all of you."
"What happened to her mother?"
"To protect her and her daughter, I had to lie to my own sister. Heather was told that Charlie died during birth and she committed suicide. She couldn't live without her daughter and she would be killed if she lived with her."
"What do you want from me?"
"If you want, I'd like you to stay here, live with us, protect Charlie. She may have the strength, but she is no Manticore kid and I can't always protect her."
"I'll think about it." And with that Krit walked out.
A week later he was living in the room across from his new mission, befriending her and becoming a part of the family.
New York - Knights Headquarters - 2020
"She should know what she's in the middle of. It's like walking blindfolded into a battlefield. It's suicide."
"We've been over this. It's for her own good. What she doesn't know can't kill her."
"No, but it can send her to hell for the rest of her life." He walked out, needing to clear his mind. Charlie had become his responsibility the day he moved in with them and he wasn't about to have anything happen to her.
He jumped in his sports car and Charlie got in the passenger side, smiling as they drove off.
She rolled the window down, asking "You and Daddy had a fight about me again, didn't you?"
"I just want you to know what they are capable of... I want you to be safe if they brainwash me."
"But you would never ever hurt me. Not ever. The bad people can't be that powerful." She said softly, the wind whipping her hair around her.
"They are. They want me and my siblings back so they can reprogram all of us. If anything happens to me, I want you to either find my brother Zack or one of my other brothers and sisters and I want you to tell them about me, tell them I want them to take care of you."
"I promise. I'll track down one of your other siblings, though. You know I can't stand Zack. He's too serious. Like you were when we first met."
He smiled at her response as he continued to drive aimlessly in silence.
Somewhere Between Seattle and New York - One Week Later (Max's POV)
So here we are, Middle of Nowhere, USA, getting the tank filled by some guy in his 70s who offered to 'fill my tank' while he was at it. I felt Logan stiffen beside me. I don't see why. We're not like that. He's just a way to find my sibs and I'm just his genetically engineered killing machine for hire. Right?
I get out to grab some food before we continue to drive, figuring it would be harder for Lydecker to track us if we didn't leave a paper trail. I convinced Normal I had pneumonia and got a few weeks off. I told Cindy to tell any strangers that I went to Canada and for her not to touch my baby. She offered to help me pack, talking about me and Logan banging the gong the whole time I'm away. I eventually gave up, agreeing with anything she said. I just hope she never mentions that conversation to Logan. I get back in the car only have Logan grab my favorite candy from my lap. He just had to like Skittles. Good thing I got two packs.
I've spent most of the ride reading everything and anything Logan could find on these Knights. The more I read about them, the more I think I've met my match. They've caught as many dirtbags as me, and I barely human. I don't know if I should be impressed or worried.