Blue

Logan was not a chicken-hearted person. He hadn't been afraid to deal with the Reds in order to protect Max, and he wasn't one to give up easily. But he wasn't insane as well, and he knew when a fight was lost. As soon as Krit and Zane dropped to the ground, he loosened his grip on the gun and it slipped through his fingers. He closed his eyes for a split second, then winced inwardly when the devise made a loud clattering noise as it met the ground.

Damn, thought Logan, that didn't went well. If I ever get out of this alive, Max is so gonna kick my ass.

The tension let the blood freeze in his veins. Logan lay still on his belly, upper body lifted from the ground, his elbows supporting the weight. The palms of his hands were now directed into the enemy's direction in a gesture of surrender. His green eyes got blank as he met Anderson's furious stare. There wasn't much he could do to improve his situation, just hope … hope that they didn't kill him right on the spot ... hope that his guess was really right and that they needed him alive.

Anderson still hadn't said or done anything. He just stood between two armed Reds a few feet away from the SUV, the small weapon that had knocked out the X5's so uncompromisingly still in his raised hand. The color of Anderson's face changed slowly from red to white, while his upper lip curled over his teeth in undamped anger.

Logan held his breath. He knew his life was hanging by a thread … a rather thin thread.
His shoulder protested wildly against this uncomfortable position, but Logan didn't dare move. Seconds that felt like hours ticked by, until Anderson finally ordered: "I want them secured," he hissed. "And this time non of them is going to get free."

A few hand singnals caused Anderson's men to hurry over to the X5's while two of the handlers were busy to secure the still unconscious Colonel. Anderson himself jumped into the truck to get Logan's gun. He kneeled down in front of Logan and grabbed the collar of his shirt. "You are going to regret to have double-crossed me, Cale," he snarled. "And you're going to regret it badly."

Lisa

"A portable device that would short out the neurological implant? Interesting." Sebastian's eyes lit up as he contemplated the logistics of this new invention. "In theory, we could create a hand-held transmitter that would emit an electro-magnetic pulse. It should disable every Red Series soldier within range. But it could only be used once, and whoever set it off would have to be in close proximity to the targets."

"Could your people assemble something like that?" asked Bling.

"Not here," Sebastian responded, turning to his computer, "but I know someone who can."

Sim

Logan had been roughly dragged from the van by one of the Reds. He did his best to look around; and was stunned when he recognized the area. It was Wharton airfield, the same place Gerhard Bronck had held him.

Déjà vu, he thought ironically, then winced as his unfeeling legs were dragged over a particularly rough patch of concrete. Bling was going to give him hell for this. The Red pulled him into the main hangar and then tossed him bodily into a small room, which had obviously once been an office. There were still chairs, desks, paperwork and an ancient, trashed computer in there.

The Red placed a single kick into Logan's gut before he left, making him curl up in agony.

"They were my brothers," he grunted. "If I can, I will kill you." He strode out, leaving Logan a helpless ball of tortured muscle on the floor.

A few minutes later, Anderson strode into the room, a Red guard at his heels.

"Enjoying your stay, Mr Cale?" He asked brightly.

"'S not exactly the Ritz, Anderson," Logan managed.

"But better than you can expect from Mr Sonrisa, I think. He was delighted when I informed him that we had you. He's on his way over right now, in fact."

"What did you do with the others?"

"They're sleeping, ready to be transported to my country to begin their new lives.

And talking of new lives…" Anderson produced Lydecker's cell phone from his pocket. "I think it's about time you called your little girlfriend, don't you?"

"I don't have a girlfriend," stated Logan, even as his insides turned to ice.

"Come, now, Mr Cale; we know you have a very deep and meaningful relationship with an X5. Max, I believe she calls herself now? All you have to do is phone her and tell her where you are. I'm sure she'll be more than willing to come rescue you; and when she does…" Anderson patted his pocket. "My little toy here will ensure she gets a vacation as well."

"No," said Logan firmly. "I won't do it."

"No?" He spoke to the guard, eyes never leaving Logan's. "You, go and fetch one of the transgenics. We'll see if his life means enough to Mr Cale to convince him to make the call. After all, Max is worth far more to us than a simple X5."

There was nothing Logan could do. Wordlessly, he held out his hand for the phone.

Shywriter

"Max ... it's me. Look, I need your help with something..."

At Logan's words, Anderson made a stab for the phone, but Logan pulled it away and down, covering it quickly before mouthing, almost silently, "X-5 ears – she'll hear it's not only me on the line. Do you want her here or not?" When Anderson wavered, Logan stared him down for the moment, seeing that the greed in the man would not let him risk the opportunity to get such a valuable prize.

Good.

Watching for only another moment before lifting the phone again, Logan went on, "no, sorry, Max; I'm fine." He was taking a gamble but didn't know how else to play it. He took a breath and plunged ahead, "I've found some evidence on Bronck – good enough that the authorities will put him away for good this time." Any chance Anderson knows who Bronck is, and that he's already been sent to the state penitentiary for a couple decades? He'd find out what Anderson knew soon enough... "Wharton Airfield– have you ever been here?" Logan was adding every little thing he could think of to make clear that the message was fake, that someone was listening – but that they wanted Max out there, where the trap could be sprung. "Okay, listen – it's out past the Redstone place, about 10 miles ... you can go the back way and turn at that bar, the Moulin Rouge ..." Logan tried to watch Anderson's eyes for any sign that he was catching the invented references, and decided to go for broke. "There's a large red sign at the highway, pointing the way into the field..." At the slight question he now saw, Logan backed off. "As soon as you can get here, Max..." He cut the call and handed the phone back. "Satisfied?"

"I promise you, Mr. Cale, if you've tried again to get in my way by warning her ..."

"You'll what, kill me?" Logan snorted, far more cockily than he felt. "I assume it's what you have in mind anyway..."

"Not necessarily. You're a very valuable commodity to us as well."

Logan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. Between the X-5s in there and your squad of implants, you can really use my help."

Anderson smiled slowly, and lifted an eyebrow, chilling Logan's hopes. "Oh, you shouldn't be surprised at just how much you have to offer."

Across town, Sebastian looked upto see Bling standing silent, first in question, then with a frown drawing across his brow. The therapist said nothing but merely listened, before slowly lowering the phone and snapping it shut. He looked over at Sebastian, and said quietly. "The Reds have Logan – they're out at Wharton Airfield and he's bait to lure in Max..."

Sebastian merely looked back to his connection, attempting to contact his source for the transmitter.

Bling looked out at the treatment room, where Max lay back, fighting the infection that seemed to still have Zack in its clutches, and wondered if Max would end up like Zack. There was no way they could risk her against the Reds in that condition...

...but her sisters...?

Bling turned back to Sebastian. "Let me know as soon as you know something about the transmitter, alright? I need to see if we can whip up a Max clone for a mission..."

Lisa

Bling walked back towards the sickroom and stood in the doorway. He caught Syl's eye and motioned for her to join him in the hallway. After closing the door, Bling nodded towards Max and Zack through the window and asked, "Any changes in either of them?"

"The Cipro seems to be kicking in, finally," she answered, unable to hide the relief in her voice. "Zack might wake up soon; his fever is breaking. And Max is getting really short-tempered, which must mean she's feeling better. What about in there?" she asked with a nod towards Sebastian's workroom, "Anything new?"

"I just got a phone call from Logan," Bling explained tensely. "The Reds have him at an airbase outside of town, and they're expecting Max to come and rescue him."

"Is he alright? What about the others?" she demanded.

"I don't know about them. I'm sorry. I think Logan is safe for the time being; they want Max. There is some good news," he went on, "Sebastian thinks he may be able to get a device that would knock-out the Red's implants. A mini-pulse. He said it would have to be activated at close range, but if one of you could get in, you could take a whole room full of them out at once."

"So the Reds are waiting to nab Max when she goes in for Logan. Instead, one of us goes in for Max and knocks the Reds out with an EMP. We get Logan out and find the others. I think that could work," Sly said, nodding her approval at the plan.

Bling asked, "So who goes in pretending to be Max?"

"I do," said a tired and angry voice from the doorway. "Some people say I look just like her." Max's expression was resentful from being left out of the plan and defiant because she knew they would object, but mostly it was contemptuous at the notion that a thin wall and sheet of glass could possibly keep her from hearing every word that they had been saying.

"Max," Bling tried to explain to her yet again, "You're in no shape to take on the Reds. You need to rest and let yourself heal."

"What I need to do is get to Logan and help find my brothers and kick some Red ass once and for all," Max said with a ferocious glare. "But don't worry," she assured him with a glance at her fellow transgenics, "I won't be doing it alone."

Sim

Logan had struggled up into a sitting position, leaning back against the desk, desperately trying to figure out a way to help Max beat the Reds. If she was hurt any more protecting his sorry ass Logan didn't know how he could live with himself; she and her siblings were all in this situation only because of him. Any captures, deaths or injuries would be entirely his fault.

Ideas rushed through his fertile mind, each crazier than the last. None of them could overcome Anderson's new weapon.

It was over an hour before the door opened again. Four people stepped in; one Red, Anderson, Manuel Sonrisa and someone he'd never thought he'd see again.

"Alina?" he said in shock.

"Hello, Logan," said Alina Herrero, smirking as she draped an arm around Sonrisa's waist. "Long time no see."

Lisa

"Is this the man, baby? You're sure?"

"Yes, Manuel, this is him," answered Alaina. "He can get you exactly what you want."

"These gentlemen have kindly agreed to sell you to me after they are through with you, Mr. Cale," Sonrisa said, turning dismissive eyes to Logan, letting him know that his life wasn't that valuable to anyone. "They say you know where Eyes Only is; you're going to help us find him."

"Sorry, he doesn't take requests for appointments anymore," Logan said, glaring at Alina. "Turns out he had a bad experience with that once."

"Don't worry. I don't want to talk to him, I just want to kill him."

Mari

The staring contest between Max and Bling - both unused to someone not yielding their angry glare or firm resoluteness - was interrupted by one of Sebastian's staff, bringing good news.

"Sebastian's guy thinks he'll have the mini-pulse device ready in about half an hour. He will have someone deliver it"

Bling let his gaze sink down onto the floor, trying to merge this new option into a plan that held the less possible danger for everyone. He was in a dilemma, a conflict of loyalties of protecting only one of two close friends. He didn't want to endanger Max… but it was the only way to help Logan. In all likelihood the Reds knew exactly how Max looked like, so, while sending in one of her sister as a double was safest for her, it could easily mean death to Logan. One way or the other, he would bring harm to someone.

Finally he came to a decision, and, as he looked up again, realized that the others had waited for him to speak. "Okay, Max, you can come with us. But you stay in the car, way out of their reach. We only show you once and demand to see Logan first. Then we ignite the pulse, probably creating some confusion along with disabling their superpowers." Turning to the other X4, he added, "I guess you and your brothers should be able to take them out, then?"

A sharp military nod from both, softened by their worried glances on Max's pale figure, inconspicuously leaning onto the doorframe for support.

They all knew how risky their plan was, but neither dared to speak it out aloud.

Shywriter

Logan rolled his eyes. "Get in line," he snorted. "You and every other player in the city -- and every wannabe."

"Maybe, Mr. Cale, but I mean to do it." Ignoring Logan, Edgar Sonrisa's baby brother preened for Alina, pulling her closer with the arm he'd draped around her, "when you tell us where we can find him."

"I don't have a clue." Logan sat back. Now what? he wondered. He couldn't help but remember a similar grilling he'd had in this same place, courtesy of Gerhardt Bronck. But Manuel Sonrisa struck him as being far less bright than his brother– or Bronck.

"You'd better get one," Sonrisa growled, playing tough for Alina. "If you want your friends to walk out of here alive."

Logan's eyes narrowed. So all this guy's ever had going for him was some money and a smarter brother? He honestly thinks I'm going to fall for some vague promise of survival for any of us? Hasn't it occurred to him that he has little hope of being around himself, once Anderson had no use for him? "Do you have any idea how many death threats he's had, how many times people have tried to get to him? He's made dozens of hacks about people who would have no hesitation in killing him if he were found. Before I got involved – probably after one of his very first hacks – he went underground and no one knows where to find him. That way, no one can spill it."

Sonrisa's eyes darkened in anger as he stared at Logan, his expression indicating that this impasse hadn't ever occurred to him. Anderson had been watching the two and, his eyes half closing as he drew a long-suffering breath, said slowly and pointedly to Sonrisa, "Cale is on the inside with Eyes Only. He's lying."

Sonrisa blinked at Anderson for the moment it took him to process the thought, before exploding toward Logan, "son of a bitch!" He kicked Logan once, smartly, his polished shoe hooking up under Logan's ribs, making Logan momentarily see stars as his side burned and his shoulder screamed its agony. "How the hell can you be on the inside with him and not know where to find him?"

Logan struggled to draw a breath against the pain, fighting to sit up again as he had been, but stubbornly insisted, "if I have something ... I leave a signal, like my car parked at the curb outside my building. I get a call or a note where to go..."

"Oh yeah? Like where?" Sonrisa reacted.

Anderson interrupted, smoothly, "and when, the last time?"

Logan blinked up at them, "At the Sector Five police station, about ... ten days ago."

Sonrisa bellowed, "That's bullsh..." As he drew back his foot to kick Logan again, Anderson grabbed his arm to stop him, and Manuel turned on him in his rage. "Eyes Only has pissed off the police just like he's pissed off everyone else. The cops would never..."

Anderson was looking back at Logan, weighing what he'd heard so far. He looked skeptical, but looked even more contemptuous of – and bored with – Sonrisa's pathetic vendetta. Never loosening his grip on the man's arm, Anderson murmured under his breath, almost missed by Logan, "idiot..." He caught the eye of a couple of his soldiers, who neared the three of them, and hissed to Sonrisa, low, "he doesn't know where to find Eyes Only."

Sonrisa glanced at the soldiers who glared back at the would-be gangster, but then he rallied to shrug out of Anderson's grip. Still trying to prove how tough he was, Manuel blustered, "then how do you suggest we find Eyes Only?"

Anderson's slow, cold smile was turned back toward Logan, who, despite his determination to hang to any hope that presented itself, felt a chill of dread prickle across the back of his neck. "Piece o' cake..." Anderson leered...