Disclaimer: All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. And of course I don't own Dark Angel or any such related thing.

"Rebuild Manticore." And he had the nerve to grin.

Max wasn't sure what held her back. Maybe it was the knowledge that she really didn't have a plan to stop the cult. However, in that moment, she felt the impulse to break his neck surge through her.

Her face twisted in disgust. "You're crazy. I'll figure out how to stop the cult on my own – wing it like usual. I will never allow you to rebuild that God forsaken place."

The outrage rolled off Logan. How dare Lydecker even suggest that as a plan?

"I think we've heard enough. Let's go, Logan." Max spun around, and with Logan in tow, marched determinedly toward the exit. All the while, with each step, knowing she didn't have any idea how to stop a whole race of genetically selected superhumans who gave her a run for her money.

"Wing it? Like you did at that hostage situation at Jam Pony Express? Max, you won that time but that was only against a few of them. If you go out there and "just wing it like usual," you'll get everyone killed. Everyone you're leading on your side will die and they'll be no one left who even has a chance of defeating them. Is that what you want, Max? For every soldier like yourself to get killed by the enemy in front of you and the cult to seize victory? Like I said the cult is highly organized, their highly intelligent and strong, and their numbers far exceed yours. Don't underestimate them."

Max came to a halt.

She whipped around. "How do you know their numbers are so much greater?"

"Give me a break, Max. You're smarter than this. You just don't want to see it. Manticore, for all its glory and achievements, has only existed a little over 20 years. The cult has had thousands and thousands of years. Of course, their numbers are greater. Their plans are better formed. If you reject my offer, leave here and go fight them on your own, you'll lose. I don't want to see that happen, Max. I have tactical knowledge you don't. I have years of leadership experience, which you kids lack. Let me help."

"Help?! By rebuilding Hell on Earth? Funny, maybe I've forgotten the definition of "help." You need to realize something right now, Don, Manticore will never exist again. If you try to rebuild it, I'll just destroy it all over again." There was false pleasantry in her tone towards the end. She stared straight at him, eyes burning with her threat, before finally managing to march out the building.

Logan followed behind, while keeping track of Lydecker out of the corner of his eye. Logan didn't know what to think. He definitely couldn't blame Max but he had no idea what they were up against with the cult. Lydecker had a small corner piece of newspaper in his hand and he quickly made his way in front of Logan. He stuck the scrap of paper in the small front pocket of the journalist's shirt.

"It's secure. Don't lose it." Lydecker said quickly, with custom vagueness. His assured eyes bore into Logan's reeling ones. "She'll change her mind." With that, Lydecker walked out, after gathering the newspapers.

As Logan was catching up with Max, who was most likely sitting in the passenger's side of his car by now, he took out the tiny note and squinted his eyes. It was a phone number scribbled down. The numbers were obviously purposely well formed to make sure it was legible. Logan stuffed it back in his shirt before he was in Max's sight. He opened the door and sat down in the car. Hands on the steering wheel and mind spinning, he drove them back to Seattle. A tense, uncomfortable silence fell upon them like lead snow. No doubt, both were deeply ensnared in the tangled webs of their own woven thoughts.

~One week later~

Logan sighed at his desk. "Max... maybe we should just talk about it."

"No, Logan! I can't believe you're even still thinking of taking that whack offer of his." Max shot back furiously.

"I'm not... I just don't see a better way, do you?"

"Anything is better than recreating Manticore, Logan." Max fired, passionately.

"Even a world run by familiars? All transgenics being killed off?" Logan challenged, as he tilted his head, his arms folded.

Max was silent.

"I don't like it. But, if this is our only option, Max. It won't be like before. You'll have the power this time."

Max stared at Logan, listening.

"Think about it. Transgenics have had a taste of freedom. They've learned to think for themselves and seen what the world is really like. Lydecker doesn't have the advantage of their naïve loyalty anymore. All of you have enhanced strengths. If he gets out of hand, you can remind him of his place. He'll be less of a tyrant and more of an advisor." Logan explained.

Max advanced towards Logan, keeping enough distance to be cautious. "Logan, you honestly tell me you would bring to life your worst nightmare times ten because that's what Manticore was for us."

Logan's eyes were on Max. "My worst nightmare was losing you, Max. And it could still happen again, if White and his kind have their way. ...I just don't want to get the news one day that you had your final battle with White or any of them and they won. Last time, I sat on my couch for days without moving, and that was with the lingering hope that you were still alive, somehow. I don't know how I'd make it, if I knew you were gone and never coming back." Love laced the words spoken from the core of his heart. His sad eyes swept over the woman in front of him.

Max gulped, as if swallowing the emotions that Logan had just shared with her. She glanced down quickly. "I'll get through this, Logan. We all will. And we'll do it without his "help." Twelve gifted kids didn't need his help escaping that night and we don't need it now. So, you might as well just forget we even spoke with him." Max was strong-willed as ever but her voice was more somber.

"Now, I've gotta head out to work and all before my boss loses his voice. Later." Max quickly exited the penthouse, which had suddenly taken on a suffocating vibe.

Logan could just watch her leave. Afterwards, his eyes darted to the desk drawer that contained the number.

~Jam Pony 1 PM~

"Hot run." Normal called as he tossed a package to the gladiator of his dreams. Alec looked at the address on the package. It was one he didn't recognize as one their usual stops. Though, he knew about where it was. It was further away than most of their deliveries. His brows furrowed. "Is this even in our range, Normal?" Alec looked at his boss for confirmation. Normal nodded the affirmative. "It's almost on the line where Jam Pony service ends but it's still within our delivery zone."

Alec looked back down at the package before heading out of Jam Pony. He groaned as he stopped outside and got on his motorcycle parked just inside the doors because Normal has a "no motorcycle riding indoors" policy. Leave it to him to get stuck with a run so freaking far. He was never more grateful that Normal had let them switch out manual bicycles for motorcycles. With the package securely in his messenger bag and sunglasses on, Alec sped away.

~A well-to-do house's doorstep~

The house wasn't a mansion, for which Alec was relieved. However, it wasn't a small, run down shack by any means. The pleasant aroma of cedar drifted from the large front door and fluttered up so it hit Alec as he rang the doorbell. He felt the impulse to case the place. He was on the outskirts of the city, in a district fittingly nicknamed the "pre-pulse district" because it almost seemed as if the devastating attack had never happened out here. Yet, as he waited for someone to open the door, he heard Max telling him off and almost felt her slapping the thoughts out of his head. Damn her. He could be living the high life, if it wasn't for her nagging to do the "right thing."

A housekeeper, with brown sugar shaded hair, soft hazel eyes, and a polite smile, opened the door and suddenly Alec didn't feel right. Healthwise, he felt fine. Enhanced DNA and all. But the hair on his neck stood up. He subtly casted cautious glances around.

"Yes?" The housekeeper posed the question with a tone, which could pass as sincere curiosity, if Alec weren't trained to know better.

"Jam Pony Messenger. I have a package for this address." He held the square, brown wrapped, unassuming package under his arm. "I need a signature from Thomas Hines." He held the clipboard and pen in hand. He flashed her a winning smile and kept his voice professional yet pleasant. Due to his training, he appeared as calm and charming as if he were visiting a trusted friend. However, inwardly alarm bells were ringing and he was on full alert.

"He's upstairs in his office. I'll request that he come down. Please, come in." The housekeeper stepped aside and gestured for Alec to step in.

"Thanks but that's alright. Weather's not bad and I don't mind waiting out here."

The look in the woman's eyes, however, left no room for refusal to her gracious offer. With magnetic strength, they pulled Alec inside anyway, almost as if he hadn't control of his body. He didn't like this at all. Something was very not-right here.

"Have a seat. Mr. Hines will be here shortly." She made another gesture, this time to an inviting couch. Alec warily seated himself. He smiled at her again as he sat rigidly, with the posture of a soldier. He had the ever increasing sense he was in enemy territory, the eye of the storm, and without a plan. He hadn't arrived here expecting trouble.

He looked around. The place seemed clean, normal, right out of a home-improvement magazine. It was too perfect. Alec clutched at the cell phone in his pocket. He needed to make contact with Max. Let her know the situation and where he was.

For a moment, he fidgeted around, shifting, tapping his foot. The housekeeper was dusting but Alec knew better. She was discreetly watching him from a mirror held in place on the wall, just above the fireplace mantle, on which sat the little statues she was dusting. He would notice her glance up and briefly stare in the mirror periodically. A stare that sufficiently creeped Alec out.

"Hey," Alec called, casually.

"Hmm?" She turned now to face him, yellow feather duster in hand.

"I don't mean to impose but a guy could really use directions to a bathroom, if you don't mind." Alec requested, politely. An easy-going smile still worn as a mask.

"Oh, sure! No trouble at all. It's straight ahead and then turn right." She pointed, smiling at him in return with the same well-faked politeness.

"You're a lifesaver." He nodded and then wasted no time making his way to his destination. Hopefully, a safe spot to page Max or call Logan.

Just as Alec got to the bottom of the stairs in the living room, a roadblock stood in front of him. Presumably, Mr. Hines.

"So sorry for the delay, young man." He said in an upbeat voice, with a winning smile. The whole act looked like it belonged to a candidate running for presidency.

"Nah, it's no trouble, sir." Alec said in a laid back tone, as he made a brushing-it-off hand motion. "Package is on the table. Just need a signature on the clipboard beside it and I'll be on my way." Alec explained, small smile of his own in place. Meanwhile, his bright eyes were vigilant of his surroundings, especially the man in front of him.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to have a chat with you first. I'm sure a hard worker like yourself would appreciate the break from work. We can talk business. I run my own and we're always looking for great people to add to our team. I'd wager it pays better than the messenger service." The man winked at the end.

This was definitely not good. Alec took a moment. "Sure. I'd be honored. However, I'll hope you'll excuse me, but first there's some personal business I need to take care of." Alec nodded in the direction to bathroom.

"Go right ahead. I'm a patient man." With that, Mr. Hines slapped Alec on the arm before heading over to take a seat on the couch.

Alec gave him a academy-award winning grin before heading to the safety and privacy of the small bathroom on the right. Once inside, he breathed a sigh of relief and quickly locked the door. He wasted no time in pulling out his cell phone. He didn't have all the time in the world so he dialed the first person he thought would answer.

"Hello?" Logan answered.

Alec turned on the sink with his free left hand, as he held the phone with his right. In a hushed voice, he rushed, "Logan, Alec. A Jam Pony delivery has gone wrong. There's something off here. I need..." Before he could finish, there was an awful-smelling gas coming through the golden vent on the bottom of the green wall beside him. He started to cough. He would've held his breath, trained to do it for long periods at a time, but the gas had already taken him by surprised and entered his lungs. His attempt to cover his mouth with his jacket-clad arm was futile. He slid down to the floor, unconscious, and gravity had stolen the phone from his limp hand.

"Hello? Hello?" Logan knew something had gone wrong. He hung up the phone quickly and dialed Jam Pony Express. "Hello, Normal. It's an emergency. Where did you last send Alec?" Logan rushed.

~Hines' house, living room~

Alec groggily came to. Eye fighting to function, to clear his vision. He was handcuffed and seated on the same couch as earlier. His feet were free but the drugs in his system rendered him unable to even think of standing. Must've given him the good stuff.

He scowled, polite messenger charade now over and gone. He could make out Mr. Hines sitting in front of him, on the edge of the coffee table. The man running for future president was gone as well and he regarded Alec with a cruel, satisfied smirk.

After warring with his throat to work, in a rough voice Alec spoke, "I hope I'm getting a good tip for this."

The man tilted his head. "I don't know about that. You haven't delivered to me what I really want yet... but you will."

"If you're talking about a new face to replace the ugly one you were born with, Jam Pony doesn't usually deliver those." Alec bit back sarcastically, with a slight smirk of his own. All he could manage.

The man slapped Alec hard across the face, busting his lip, before grabbing his chin.

"No, that's not exactly what I had in mind. You're going to bring something much better. 452. Or would you like me to call her "Max." Hines grinned.

Alec went even more pale.

~Logan's Penthouse~

"Max, this is a bad idea. Waltzing into a situation we know nothing about." Logan cautioned.

"I know all I need to know. Alec is in trouble. I let him out into the world, with the others, and he's my responsiblity, Logan." Max shot back as she prepared to leave.

"No, he's not. He's an adult. One who would probably tell you you're crazy for doing this."

"And he's a friend who needs me right now."

Logan huffed. This wasn't about his like or dislike of Alec. This was about protecting Max.

"And we all need you alive."

"Noted." Max responded as she opened the door.

The door slammed shut. Logan's face was inches from Max, they're hands even closer together.

"Careful! You know, you're one to preach about caution all the time when you almost touched the hand of a female with a specially crafted virus in her that will kill you, in case you've forgotten."

"Max, you don't even have a plan, do you?"

"Seems to be my style, I guess." Max quipped as she pulled open the door and shot Logan a sassy look before running out and into danger.

Logan sighed as he closed the door. He grabbed a glass and went to the sink to get some cold water to cool down, eyes trained on the phone, should it ring at any time.

~Jam Pony 3:40 PM~

Normal leaned over the dispatch desk, "Where the fire truck is Max and Alec?!"

OC was out on a final run but Biggs by his locker heard – how could he not with advanced hearing and Normal's screeching? He put his gloves on and thought. He went over to the pay phone and tried Alec's cell.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

"494 can't come to the phone right now." By the time the unknown voice had hung up, Biggs was out the door.

~Hines' residence~

Max surveyed the place. She was in street clothes. Even if she had time to get into her usual black heroine outfit, it was broad daylight. Not like it would've given her much camouflage. Daylight also meant she didn't have the potential advantage of her enhanced sight in the dark. She sighed. This was going to be a bitch.

As she crept around the house, using the shrubbery as cover, she kept highly alert. If a bunny farted, she'd know. Her movements were skilled and silent. She lifted her head a smidge to peer in a corner of the window. Sure enough, she saw Alec there, looking like he needed salvation. Max noted the lack of guards around the parameter of the house. A clear sign this was a trap. Training told her not to be stupid and to retreat and come back with a better plan, her personal need to save her friends told her to go for it.

She didn't know, however, that she wasn't alone. Another silent and skilled observer also moved around outside of the house, in the shrubs. When her enhanced hearing caught the faint sound of breathing behind her, she turned around to kick whoever in the side but her foot was stopped with a hand.

"Whoa. Max, it's me." He said in a hushed voice.

Her faced scrunched in surprise. "Biggs?! What are you doing here? You almost got your ribs broken." Her tone was flustered but hushed as well.

"Yeah, I noticed." He answered, "I just came here because I got wind there was a party." He grinned.

Max rolled her eyes and shook her head. Now, she had to make sure three people made it out, preferably each in one piece.

They crept around to the kitchen, where Max cut a hole in the glass of a window without making a sound. Her and Biggs snuck in, both pairs of eyes alert. Biggs' hand was on the gun he had on him and Max was ready to punch someone's lights out.

Biggs covered by a wall and Max by the stairs, she made some hand signals to Biggs, letting him know her freshly crafted plan. He nodded in understanding. In a quarter of a blink, Max took on Hines, locking him by the throat until he broke free. Biggs made a mad dash to pick Alec's cuffs.

"Hey, buddy." A still hazy Alec greeted, slanted grin. Biggs chuckled despite the situation and returned the greeting, "Hey. Let's hurry up and get you out of here. Can you walk?" Biggs asked, accessing Alec.

"Considering I can't feel my legs, or any of my bottom half, for that matter. I'm gonna have to go with no." Biggs sighed. Damn. Looks like he was going to be carrying Alec out of here bridal style.

Meanwhile, Max was struggling to hold her own against Hines. "Let me guess, you're one of the cult goons?" Max asked as she just dodged a swing.

Hines grinned. "Obvious, isn't it?"

Max smirked. "Yeah, obvious by how lame you are." And with that she slammed him into the fireplace – not that it affected him hardly any.

Like a ghost, the housekeeper suddenly appeared behind Max.

Alec had just started to feel tingling in his legs and Biggs had just uncuffed him. Biggs tried to call out to Max but he only got the "M" sound out before the friendly housekeeper had fired a bullet Max's way.

Alec's eyes widened and he lounged at Max, just pushing her out of the bullet's path.

He, however, was not as lucky to escape it and collapsed. The bullet having made its home in his chest. Blood poured.

Max spun around to look at her fallen friend and the mess around him. Eyes glossy. She blinked the dew away and with an angry yell went to town, fighting the housekeeper and Hines.

"Get him out of here!" Max shouted behind to Biggs, who needed no further encouragement.

In seconds, he had Alec hoisted in his arms, running as fast as transgenically possible. The adrenaline helped give him the boost to make it out. Outside, he quickly laid Alec down, ripped off this own shirt and tied the fabric tightly around Alec's wound to slow the bleeding, which made Alec wince more than a bit.

Biggs realized all they had were motorcycles. There were no cars in sight. Alec was still hanging on dearly to consciousness, but Biggs didn't dare think he'd be able to hold onto him securely - not as fast as he was planning to go.

He noticed he still had the cuffs, laying beside his friend on the ground. Picking them both up, he rushed to his bike. He sat himself on and than sat Alec behind him. He cuffed Alec's hands around his torso. "Try to hold on." Biggs ordered as he had already started his bike. Alec weakly grunted something in reply, but Biggs felt his friend's arms tightened slightly around him and Alec's head rested on his shoulder.

The motorcycle sped off. The police would barely be able to register what they had seen, let alone catch them, if the transgenics zipped by.

~Harbor Lights 7 PM~

Biggs stopped at the hospital and didn't even bother properly parking his bike. He unlocked the cuffs much quicker and easier this time, having just done it previously. Alec didn't look so good. Shallow breathing was the only thing reassuring Biggs they weren't completely out of hope. Some bystanders outside watched as the shirtless man carried in the bloody one.

The nurses suddenly stopped when they saw the pair. "A friend was shot in the chest."

Biggs had to say no more before he was laying Alec down and following behind as he was rushed for the operating room. During the ride here, Alec had lost all grip on consciousness, apparently. Biggs was too busy making sure that they didn't crash, especially with how fast they were going, on their way here to notice.

Biggs didn't look like a stone-faced soldier. He looked like the scared and worried friend he was.

Dr. Carr was on duty. "What happened?"

"He was shot. In the chest." Biggs said in his best brave soldier voice, despite what his expression gave away.

"Did it pierce his heart?"

Biggs blinked. His eyes suddenly felt wet? "I don't know."

"Looks like he's lost a lot of blood. He'll probably need a transfusion but banks are low."

"I've got him covered." Biggs stated firmly.

Dr. Carr accessed the young man and nodded. Biggs must be a friend of Logan's – a transgenic friend, that is.

Having given all the blood they'd allow, Biggs stood guard outside the operating room. He didn't move an inch. He barely blinked. Any development, he wanted to know immediately.

~Hines' House~

Great. The housekeeper and Hines were definitely both familiars. And it was two against one.

Max knew she wasn't going to be able to kick both of their asses solo.

So, the plan changed. It was now escape and evade. A classic game from her childhood and life in general.

The housekeeper took another shot at Max but she was far more prepared. She blurred out of the line of fire and it hit Hines in the arm. Of course, that didn't phase him too much as they don't feel pain or whatever. But it bought Max the split second she needed and she got the hell out of there.

The housekeeper on her tail, still firing rounds, Max hopped on her beloved bike and took off almost as fast as Biggs. Distantly, she could hear the housekeeper swearing in the background and she smirked. However, it was gone in a flash as Alec flooded her thoughts. Dear God, let him be alive. They were all out of transgenic hearts, if he needed a transplant.

~Logan's Penthouse~

He hadn't heard from Max. He was consumed with worry and fear. He punched OC and Max's phone number in.

"Original Cindy on the line."

"Cindy, it's Logan." Logan said seriously.

"My boo's boo, what's up?" His tone didn't raise alarm because Logan usually sounded serious. Must be a savior-of-the-world thing.

"Is Max there?"

Now, OC was starting to feel uncomfortable. "No, I haven't seen her since way earlier at work. She didn't show up at Crash either. Figured she wanted some space."

"Listen, she went on a mission to save Alec earlier. Long story. If you hear from her, give me a ring, will ya?"

Original Cindy almost dropped the phone. "Yeah, sure thing. You got my word on that. You return the favor for Original Cindy, ya hear?"

"Will do. Thanks. Hold on. I gotta go, another call!" And with that the phone went dead on Cindy's end. She sat the phone down, concerned etched all over her as she learned over the table in their kitchen.

~Payphone outside Harbor Lights~

"Logan, it's me. I'm fine but... Alec isn't." Max said worriedly.

"What happened?" Logan said, brows furrowed with concern. He was already getting his jacket.

"The dumbass took a bullet for me, that's what. He got shot. And we're not talking in the arm here. I don't know if he's going to..." Max choked on the next words, "make it. We're at the hospital now."

"I'm on my way." And Logan hung up the phone and was out the door.