A/N Hi, everyone. I'm soooo sorry for being so late. I literally cannot tell you how sorry I am. You guys met the quota weeks ago, you've been awesome reviewers. So sorry. Ok, there was the apology, here comes the excuse. It's just that, with school starting up again, I've been totally booked. I'm just in 8th grade, you know. I'm still trying to get used to the whole "life" thing. Ugh...and the math homework. Makes me want to scream. Anyway, I'm sure your itching for the new chapter. Trust me, it's a good one. But first, a disclaimer!

Disclaimer: I AM NOT JAMES PATTERSON! In fact, I don't think anyone on Fanfiction is. Hmm. So, anyway, I don't own Maximum Ride! K? K. Enjoy.


"Yes, I understand, but what does it mean?"

"It means you have your new target."

"It'll be nearly impossible to get the job done."

"Yes, and I heard that makes you the perfect man for the job." The assassin smiled, teeth nearly glowing in the dark night.

The two shook hands, "When is the date of his expiration?"

"I need him dead by Christmas, so about two months."

"Perfect, it will be done."

"It better be. He's her only weakness, trust me, I've been around it long enough to know. However, we need to be sure she's as broken as possible. Kill someone else, too. Someone random, someone important, and do it soon. Then, you can go in for the main kill."

"It's been a long time since I had a real job, that lady android made a total fool out of me. They won't even be surprised this time."

"They should be dead before they get the chance anyway."

"Hmph. I was counting on having a little fun first."

"Ha, not a chance. Just get the job done, Ari." Ari's new cyborg eye, perfect for his new job, glowed red in the dark, casting horrid shadows and red light over his gruesome, wolfish face.

"Finally, I have my chance. Finally, I will be the famed killer of the 'great and powerful' Maximum Ride."


I looked down at the town hall tower add the bell chimed for 12-O-clock. Shit,I was late. I partially folded my wings and dove for the tower, attracting several curious glances. Eh, I'm used to it, those kinds of things don't affect me anymore. I'm just sorry for the stupid shits giving me the looks, I do this every day, for Christ's sake!

Everyday at noon for the past week and a half, the city, which we now call Trensalore (A/N ;D) has had a CCM, a City Council Meeting. So, all of the officials, plus me, got together and made fancy official decisions "for the good of the town," as the Mayor calls it.

Mayor Bushwack. Seriously, his appearance is just as ridiculous as his name. He's so round that I have to resist the urge to pop him like Nudge's gum every time I see him. Who knew anyone could get soooo perfectly round. Bushy, as I call him, is like one of those typical, cartoony mayors. He's fat, wears a suit and monicle (I swear to god, he looks like the fucking penguin from batman), and all he talks about is the good of Trensalore. He's always talking about how I should try to "clean up my act," or "put other's first." Pfft. Whatever that means. I don't take orders from anyone! Especially not adults. Hell, if I actually completely, or slightly, listened to him, he'd have me walking around kissing babies. However, I don't give a shit, and will never be a "baby kisser." In fact, the only reason I'm here is because I'm the city "hero" and I want to get out of surface trash pickup!

"Alright, everyone, you know the drill. Let's pick up where we left off," said Bushy as his annoyingly cheerful face popped into view. Again, I had to resist from stabbing him with the paper clip lying in front of me.

I hate these meetings. All they mean is responsibility and work for me, and more credit to go to everyone else. A lot of the time, I wish I was laboring away on the surface. In fact, most of the jobs I get down here include even more work than up there! Hell, I'm almost eager for school to begin. That's how evil this is.

"So, as I was beginning to say before the clock chimed and Ms. Ride so rudely flew out," I had to suppress some very un-Maxlike giggles at that part, " I would like to arrange a security network..." What? Legally beating people up? That doesn't sound like Bushy, "..., because as we all know, many of our citizens are teenagers. Mutant, possibly dangerous teenagers," Even better. "So, I need a task force led also by our 'gifted' citizens," unflattering snort from me, "to, so to speak, 'keep the peace'." His fat little sausage fingers were not meant to do air quotes. "Now, before you all start chatting again," who the Hell says chatting? "I have been thinking, and have chosen our new, let's say, sheriff." I instinctively knew what was happening, and my super-fast heart squeezed up inside. My instincts told me something both good and bad was coming. "So, put a hand together," cheese and rice, this is the 21st century, people. Get with the program, " for Ms. Maximum Ride." I really wish he hadn't used my full na-...WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED?! My instincts were actually right for a change?

I froze up as council members applauded around me. On the upside, I get to boss and beat people up. However, on the downside, school was coming up. I'd need to write speeches and maybe even leave class early for this job. This is was away too much responsibility for me right now, even with a task force. They couldn't wait for me to get in the swing of things? This had to happen now? Despite my fluttering heart, aching head, and clammy hands, I plaster a half-dozen smile on my face and ask, "Great, when do I start?" Shit, what did I get myself into?!

Things may be hard right now, especially with all the things my suddenly professional instincts feel coming, but I know that I'll get through it in the end. After all, that's what I was made to do, survive... right?


A/N: So sorry about how late this is guys. I know, I'm such a butt. Just bare with me, kay? Also, I know there are a lot of longer sentences, that's just style. So, another thing you'll have to put up with. Hope you like it, next chapter is mostly written out, and I think you'll really love it. Finally bringing in some Fax. So, hooray! I'm also really pumped up, my birthday's on the 16th, everyone, so another hooray! Anyway, getting off topic again. So, one of the other reasons why updates are coming so slow, is that I have to type this all out on my kindle. So I basically just tested all of this at, like, 10:30 at night. So tired. Anyway, R&R, guys! Oh, and do your best to stay positive. I understand if you're mad at me, though. Still, include something useful in your rant. Thanks for everything, everyone!

Keep calm and fly on.

-HerefortheRide

P.s. if you noticed, someone reviewed in my profile and labeled it Gloryflight. That was just my idiot sister. She has a profile now, so it shouldn't happen again. She has a story too, so check it out. Or not. I've been editing it, but I don't know if she's posted anything that I havent yet. It's a little strange. This is how weird she is: she wanted me to kill Fang in this story. I mean, WTF! Anywho, check it out, it's about the wings of fire books, if you've read em. K, HerefortheRide, out. ;)