Disclaimer: DA and the main characters of this story belong to someone else.
A big thanks to Maria for betaing this story and to everyone for reading and reviewing. Sorry it took me so long to update, but RL interfered once again … yeah, I know that's lame, but still … ;-)
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7. Pursuit
Max stared lost in thought at the brightly lit screen of the highly efficient IBM ThinkPad T49, while she followed almost mechanically Ryan's softly spoken instructions that were only a bit louder than the whirring motor of the BMW.
She was able to open the sought after file without much trouble, and after a few more entered commands the street map of their direct surroundings popped up on the screen. A small red square moved, as prognosticated by Ryan, into the direction of sector 8 and Max realized they were situated only about 900 yards behind the Colonel.
Max was a bit concerned about the GPS tracker which was attached to the underside of Lydecker's SUV, despite Ryan's affirmation that Lydecker was never going to find the tiny device. But if they didn't manage to remove the tracker early enough, they and particularly Logan would probably be the first suspects, and they definitely couldn't afford to get into the line of fire again. The ice they were skating on was already pretty thin.
But hey, that can't be helped at the moment, Max thought with a mental shrug, still intently following the red square on the bright screen.
"You were right. He's approaching the checkpoint Westlake Avenue / Republic Street," Max said and stole a glance at her brother, whose eyes were now almost completely hidden by the visor of a baseball cap. She felt the distance that extended between them almost painfully, noticed the stubbornly set jaw and the mask-like facial expression of the X5 with disappointment.
Her eyes lowered to carefully watch the screen again, but a bigger part of her thoughts was still pondering over the man beside her. We are soldiers, Zack's emotionless voice echoed in the back of her head, strayed stumbling through the windings of her hyper-intelligent brain where it mounted to an insuperable wall.
NO.
She couldn't afford to lose another brother; not after she had tried for the past ten years to find her siblings, the only real family she ever had.
Her glance wandered searchingly from the laptop screen back to Ryan – X5-353 – verified a cool voice inside her and was caught by the handsome, motionless features of the 21-year old …
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Flashback
Wyoming May 2008
It was a beautiful spring day. The sun penetrated the dense canopy of the pines in milky-bright bundles and painted a swinging picture on the needle-studded forest soil. The fragrance of wild flowers and herbs hung in the clear, warm air and the blithesome twitter of the birds sounded like music, interrupted by the excited gurgle of the gray-green river that wriggled through the impressive scenery at a small distance.
X5-452 didn't notice all the beauty around her. She was in pain, deep pain and it was probably a miracle that she was still conscious at all. A delicate film of perspiration had gathered on her pale face and she fought desperately against the tears that burned hot in the corners of her eyes.
"It's okay Maxie," her brother's voice soothed. "Just a few more minutes and we'll reach the rendezvous point." Deep concern was etched into the young boy's features, while he supported his teammate's body the best he could.
The dark haired girl clenched her teeth, as a new wave of pain raged through her small body. But she knew she couldn't give up now. The Colonel had made it crystal clear that he wasn't going to accept any failure during that field exercise, and they'd probably be in serious trouble anyway.
Max's wound, with shredded clothing for a bandage, was clearly recognizable as a deep laceration and if the Colonel ever found out about the true reason for Max's injury, there'd be one hell to pay.
"Hang on baby sis," Ryan begged desperately and repeated like a silent mantra: "Just a few more minutes." …
And they had finally made it – fulfilled their mission. But seconds after reaching the rendezvous point Max had passed out, knowing she was safely protected in her brother's arms.
End flashback.
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… Max's eyes were still directed at her long lost brother, while she was slowly finding back into reality.
They had never been close until they were accidentally chosen to be partners in that 'Escape and Evade' exercise. Max had spent most of her time, especially at night, with Jondy and felt drawn to Krit who resembled her incredibly. She'd always been under Zack's personal protection, while Ryan took care of Jack and adored the determined Tinga. But during that afternoon a tight bond had been built between them, welded together by a common experience, a shared secret.
"How come you were sitting with Lydecker at the same table earlier?" Ryan's reproachful voice crashed into her mind, unsettling her. His eyes detached from the checkpoint and from Lydecker's Dodge Durango, both being only a short distance ahead.
Despite the late hour some cars had to wait at the checkpoint, a sure indication of the fact that they were going to enter one of the better parts of town. Ryan's gaze met Max's dark brown eyes with penetrating intensity. How could you dare to hang out with Jack's murderer, seemed to be written in his eyes.
"Oh, as our bridge evening with Lydecker was cancelled, we thought a bit small talk at the Christmas party would be a fitting compensation," Max snapped, her eyes flashed furiously, seeming almost black in the semi-darkness of the car. But suddenly her expression changed. A shadow crossed her exotic features, accompanied by sudden sadness and disappointment.
"You really think I'm in cahoots with this damn bastard?"
The mask of the X5 slipped for a tiny moment, showed the insecurity and distrust that fought inside him, while he intently looked into his sister's eyes.
"No." He decisively shook his head and the look of his eyes softened. "I'm sorry Maxie … I just had to be sure." His lips formed into a very boyish, contagious smile and he added: "Think this little reunion will be the second secret between us."
"Lemme guess, our beloved, well-trained brother Zack strictly prohibited that you get in touch with me during your mission, right?" Max didn't sound concerned about the fact that they were ignoring a direct order.
"I couldn't allow that you broke into my car," Ryan declared, a trace of grudge in his voice and added passionately: "It's a very nice and fast car, you know?"
An impish smile found its way at Max's lips. She thought of her 'Baby' that stood lonely in the living room of her apartment at the moment and was probably being abused by Kendra as a clothesline again. "Yep … big bro, that's something I can understand perfectly well."
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Max used the time while they had to wait at the sector checkpoint to inform Ryan about her encounter with Lydecker during the genetic conference and to explain why the Colonel had approached them again at the Christmas party.
The two of them shared a short moment of common malicious joy when they realized the irony that was hidden in the situation; Lydecker unknowingly tracked down one of his super soldiers that had escaped his influence ten years ago and he hadn't the faintest idea, concentrated almost overzealously at the interrogation of the companion. The scenario was almost funny. ALMOST – that means it could have been funny, if they weren't dealing with someone as dangerous as Lydecker. They could never be sure, whether he wouldn't draw the right conclusions or get an appropriate hint during his investigation.
Their gloating died away rather quickly, when they suddenly noticed that the Colonel parked his vehicle on the roadside after passing the checkpoint control only a few cars in front of them. He opened the hood, jumped out of the Durango and bent, looking seriously busy, over the engine compartment.
"He wants to make sure he isn't pursued," Ryan snarled and watched with narrowed eyes how the Colonel examined the passing cars as inconspicuously as possible. But Ryan couldn't avoid that a trace of recognition resonated in his voice when he added softly: "Clever son of a bitch."
Max felt suddenly sick. "He must not see us together … under no circumstances can we allow him to see us together." She unconsciously clenched her teeth and stared motionless at the threatening danger on the roadside, her fingers automatically flying over the keys of the laptop, ending all programs and closing the ThinkPad with a snap. She stowed it on the backseat and tried desperately to breathe evenly.
"My ID is issued at Max Guevara," she whispered, her eyes widening unnaturally. "… and I think Lydecker can put one and one together, if he hears that name and sees us together."
"Easy Max," Ryan tried to soothe his sister. "He's alone. No TAC team far and wide, what can he do against two X5's, huh?"
Max shook her head reluctantly. "It's not just about us."
I can't let anything happen to him!
She was about to explain that a good friend was in danger and that Lydecker knew his real name and knew about their connection, when the Colonel closed the hood of the Durango with a satisfied facial expression and vanished inside of the vehicle.
"Phew," Max sighed and closed her eyes for a tiny moment. "That was close."
"Yep."
"If you hadn't surprised me on the parking lot, I would have stumbled right into a trap … unsuspecting," she realized, while gloomy pictures of a 'what-could-have-happened' – scenario hovered in front of her inner eye.
"Know your enemy," Ryan said dryly, repeating one of Lydecker's favorite sentences that instantly produced memories within both X5's that probably should have better stayed buried at their dark places.
The car in front of them, an old, battered Toyota with a Californian licence plate moved forward to the checkpoint now and Max pulled her ID from the inside pocked of her coat. It is essential to be well prepared in dangerous situations! She watched sceptically when the car in front of them got controlled, feeling that 452 pushed to the surface again.
"They seem to be pretty thorough today." Ryan observed with concerned voice.
The driver of the Toyota even had to get out of the car now and allowed grumbling that he was felt out for weapons, while his car was searched with a bright flashlight by the another officer.
From the line behind them impatient hooting was already audible, annoyed faces poked out of car windows, the first swearwords were hissed. Suppressed tension hovered suddenly in the air. Furious helplessness collided with provocatively displayed power, a phenomenon that was visible on a daily basis in post-pulse Seattle.
Max saw out of the corner of her eye that her brother inconspicuously reached for the leg of his jeans (You always need a well hidden weapon!) and leaned back into his seat only shortly after, his face an indifferent mask, while two more heavily armed sector cops stepped out of the gray stone building and took their position on the roadside.
"Hope your papers are all right," Max hissed.
"Hey, you are speaking with Big M's top student in informatics." The X5 sounded almost offended. "Brian Fraser, born in Eugene, Oregon at the 14th of may 1996 – I thought it wouldn't be bad to be a bit older." Ryan grinned now and meaningfully wriggled his eyebrows.
Max felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth and 452 finally vanished for good into the depth of her consciousness. Warmth spread inside her, and suddenly she was sure that every single minute of this kinky evening was worth the trouble. She imagined telling Logan about her encounter with Ryan, felt a longing to hear his voice, see his green eyes. She wanted to tell him about her family, to share her joy.
Damn, where are this thoughts coming from, she asked herself confused, but the smile still lingered on her face and when they moved forward to the checkpoint she beamed at the police man with twinkling eyes.
"Good evening officer." She handed her ID card over Ryan to the grimly looking man, anxious to present her well built figure and to give the officer the right amount of insight, without seeming cheap.
The officer's eyes went big and his lips dropped open, while he stared at the beautiful young Lady. After short examination he gave Ryan their documents back and actually managed a smile. "You can pass." His gaze wandered over to Max, visibly satisfied by the sight and he continued with a wink: "Wish you a pleasant evening and a Merry Christmas."
Max gave him a friendly nod, but was glad when the BMW pulled out and she could allow the corners of her mouth to get back into their normal position.
"Poor guy," Ryan pitied the police officer. "Seemed quite helpless, confronted with the accumulated charge of female X5 charm."
Max shrugged untouched, not willing to raise the slightest amount of sympathy for the greasy police man. Her face showed already the first sign of silent concentration. She fished at the backseat for the laptop while Ryan accelerated the car once again.
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Sector 9, Fogle Towers, 11:30 pm
The spacey room was only partly lit by a small desk lamp and the bluish light that was provided by two flickering LCD screens.
Logan's fingers hammered in a fast staccato over the key pad of his computer. He had retreated fully into his own world of bits and bytes, completely oblivious to his surroundings, even detached from human needs. An important task had to be coped with and Logan had to be fast, very fast. His eyes followed the input on the screen, his face an indifferent mask, while his upper body was bolt upright, proving his inner tension.
First priority was Max's fake identity and he already was busy to scatter manipulated background information on the Internet. He already had recorded Rachel Glasser in the state-run systems as being the daughter of Julia and Daniel Glasser, born at September 28th 1998 and he had established the fake identity of her older sister, which according to the admission records had been brought into the ER of the Harbour Lights Hospital today at 09:15 pm due to a car accident. He had indicated her release for 11:20 pm, since she had suffered, according to the hospital documents, only minor injuries.
The establishing of the manipulated information wasn't a big deal for Logan. He had often generated new identities in the past, was able to deal with the safety measures of the state-controlled Net blindfolded. His biggest problem was to cover the tracks of his work. He assumed Lydecker had sufficient qualified manpower and that meant Logan had to be very careful.
A tiny mistake, an apparently minor inconsistency in the data could possibly have the house of cards of Rachel Glasser's fake identity collapse. If Lydecker ever found the slightest reason to double-check the data at the appropriate institutions, his distrust would instantly be confirmed, which would inevitably result in a very dangerous situation, when Lydecker knocked at his apartment door, demanding answers. And the Colonel wouldn't let him get off the hook this easily again, Logan was sure of that.
An idea suddenly crossed Logan's mind and he hurried to finish the command he had just begun and reached for his cordless phone, reluctant to detach from the spell of technology.
Soft beep tones announced that a connection would be established, after Logan had pushed the speed calling button. He used the small break to stretch his arms over his head, the phone secured between shoulder and chin, rubbed his eyes tiredly and then raked one hand through the dark blonde, spiky hair. His glance dropped at the display of the time in the right corner of the screen … 11:50 …. and he grimaced.
Just hope Max is okay.
"Hello?" The voice on the other end of the line sounded oddly metallic.
"Sebastian? It's me, Logan. Hope I didn't wake you.
An amphoric snort had Logan breathe a sigh of relief.
"Never go to bed before two in the morning. Sitting still the whole day doesn't really burn up much energy." The voice was even and the words oddly elongated, due to the technical devices that were necessary to produce them. "So enough time to sniff out good conspiracies. What's up, Logan?"
"Time is running short and I could use some help on a very urgent case."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Dunno if it's safe via phone. I'd prefer to send a coded mail." Logan scraped the back of his head and unconsciously narrowed his eyes.
"No problem. I get back to you asap."
"Thanks Sebastian, I really appreciate your help."
Logan ended the call and a small satisfied smile found the way onto his lips. He took a few hasty gulps from the water bottle that stood beside his computer screen and put the phone away, already phrasing the mail he was going to send to his friend and hurrying to start writing.
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Logan leaned back, breathing a sigh of relief and closed his eyes for a tiny moment. Leaden tiredness crept through his body and he felt his head getting heavier and heavier. All inputs were completed and Sebastian had cross-checked the data for him. Sleep threatened to overwhelm him and for a second Logan was tempted to give into the almost overpowering urge.
…
Darkness engulfed him. His breathing became deeper and more even until one single word raced like a hurricane through his foggy mind, jolting him awake.
… MAX …
Logan opened his eyes with a start. His glance fell onto the dark computer screen. He hadn't the slightest idea how much time had passed, but the fact that the computer had changed into stand-by mode was enough to tighten his throat.
His glance wandered through the room and got caught by the blue gleaming numbers of a digital clock. 02:23 showed the display.
A sharp intake of breath; just hope nothing has happened to Max. Logan felt his heartbeat quicken as the first touch of panic washed over his tired body.
"You sleepin' at your computer again?"
Logan whirled the wheelchair around, eyes opened widely.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk … don't think Bling would be too happy to hear that." Max shook her head disapprovingly, but there was definitely the trace of a smile in her voice.
Logan felt that the heavy weight seemed to lift from his breast and the corners of his mouth twisted into a wide grin.
"Glad to see you," he confessed. His gaze met Max's dark eyes, got captured by the inscrutable depth. "And, did you read Lydecker a bedtime story?" His voice sounded sluggish, heavy with tiredness.
Max smiled, covering the distance between them and leaned casually against the computer desk with one hip. It wasn't a sad smile, Logan realized. Her eyes didn't show the haunted look he had seen on other occasions when she spoke about Manticore, or Lydecker and Logan instantly knew she really was alright.
TBC
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