Warnings: Ok there is some cussing in this chapter. Not a lot just your typical Dean language, nothing that he doesn't say on the show.

Chapter 6

Sitting on the lumpy couch, in that grizzly of a man they call Bobby house, 494 is trying to figure out why they are even trying to keep their voices down. Maybe he should make them aware that Joshua and he have super hearing, probably a good idea to keep that information to his self for a little while. This Bobby character seems pretty upset with Joshua and his appearance. Seems he doesn't know what to make of it. This Sam and Dean, oh yeah he finally learned their names after Bobby grab them by the scruff of their necks and hauled them into the other room for a chat. They don't seem to know what to tell this older man either, maybe he is like their CO or something. This is all very strange, and it doesn't seem that their conversation is going anywhere.

Looking around his surroundings, 494 notices that the inside is as tidy as the outside seems to be. Which of course is not at all, there seems to be books piled everywhere, an inch; no make that several inches of dust seems to coat everything. There is peeling wall paper and old curtains hanging in the windows. Oh and the lovely thing they call a couch that he and Joshua are perched on, not only is it lumpy but it looks like maybe it should be taking out back and burned. It was maybe use to be brown, no; um ok so he is not sure what color the thing might have been at some point.

Although he can't really complain about their accommodations it is a lot livelier than that of Manticore. At least the walls are colorful even if the wall paper is peeling. The place has like a warm comfortable feel to it. It is what he has heard of as lived in maybe. Manticore certainly was not a lively kind of place. It was all very drab and a lot of other things he is not going to think about at this moment. The shorter of two humans or ordinaries as some of Manticore called the regulars that weren't solders or scientist or doctor or any other specialist. X5-494 is certain they called the shorter one Dean and the really tall one is Sam, Dean seems to be whisper shouting now. It kind of amuses 494, why not just shout it just seems kinds of ridiculous to whisper while trying to shout. The three of them seem to find it odd that he has no name and Joshua well strange why he looks the way he does.

One would think they would just ask it would make this all so much simpler. Which he really can't tell them why he has a designation number instead of a name? Although he once had a name, but it was a very long time ago; he wasn't supposed to have a name. It didn't stop Joe, although he should have known better. He was one his guards, he said he came to like 494 and he should have a name. That everyone should have a name. Joe said he was different than all the other little soldiers, he had spirit and he deserved a name. So Joe decided to name him Alec, cause he was such a smart Alec, he said the name fit him perfectly. Which 494 discovered having spirit was not a good thing to have in a place like Manticore. He was supposed to be a solider not an ordinary, he was special unlike humans. Joe also disappeared shortly after naming him, when 494 told his CO that he was not 494 but Alec, he was punished for it. Let's just say he learned having a name is not that big of a deal, but it seems so important to these humans and even to Joshua.

Thinking about that just confuses him, because Joshua comes from the same place so how come he also has a name. If they found out he would be in so much trouble. He would soon forget he had a name at all; they would make sure of it. Looking over to his friend, he notices that Joshua is watching him. He wonders how long he has been doing that, 494 should have been aware he was being watched. Well he is a solider and all good soldiers know when they are being watched, right? It is starting to irritate him, with an exasperated look, he huffs, "Why are you watching me? Do I look that interesting?"

Seeing that he had been caught watching the little one, not wanting to upset him he decides to ask what he has been thinking, " What were you thinking about lil' fellow? It did not look like it was a very nice thought. Are you alright?"

"I'm always alright. I was wondering why you have a name. You know if Manticore finds out you have one you will be in trouble," X5-494 decides to reply. Not sure why he finds this all that important but for some reason he really wants to know why and how he got to keep his name.

Smiling over to his small friend, "Father he named me, I was the first. We are safe here, no more Manticore. No worries lil fellow."

Looking at Joshua trying to see if he is lying to him in any why or if he really believes them to be safe, 494 finds that Joshua really does believe them to be safe; which this just seems to annoy the X-5, how can he really believe that? They don't even know these…whatever they are. Now he just has more questions, who is Father? Why did he name Joshua but none of the others? It just does not make sense to him, does not seem fair. Even though a lot in his life has not been fair, looking over at Joshua again, trying to figure him out, "Alec," he blurts out. Not knowing why he just said that he waits to see Joshua reaction.

The only reaction that Joshua seems to have to what 494 blurted out is surprise and silence, so the little solider decides to tell him more, "Alec, is a name someone once gave me. They said it was because I was such a smart Alec and the name fit me. It was a long time ago, I was real little then. I learned though that names are really bad to have. We aren't supposed to have them."

Surprised by the little one, he was not sure what to say, but Joshua is glad he waited. Now Joshua has something to call this lil' fellow, he finds it amusing that he does not see his self as little now. But Joshua can see the sadness when he speaks of this, deciding he should say something now he has to ask, "Do you like that name? It is good to have a name, no worries about Manticore. We are here; they are not so no way you will get into trouble."

Looking around his surroundings again 494 comes to a decision, "Ok, I guess it's ok to be called by that. At least maybe those ordinaries will be satisfied to have something to call me. It seems to bother them to call me by designation number. But if Manticore should find us will you…I mean I don't want to get into trouble. So will you not tell?"

"Joshua promises not to tell. We are safe here, no Manticore, no worries," he says as he pats the lil' fellow on the shoulder. Sniffing the air he smells something coming…no longer than he sniffed that he was sure that the odd smelling fellow was back.

SPNDASPNDASPNDASPNDASPNDA

Standing here in the kitchen and whisper arguing with Bobby is getting them nowhere fast. What exactly does Bobby want him to say? I mean come on if he knew what was going on or how there is a kid who looks like a photo-copy of him when he was what 5-6 years old, he would be explaining it to Bobby. Letting out a frustrated growl, Dean, decides he needs a drink or something for this situation. But when he turns around he is not expecting to almost run over anything or anyone, being that anyone being a holy tax accountant slash Angel of the Lord. Oh hey maybe they are about to get answers, glowering at Cas , " Please tell me you have some answers to what in the hell is going on?"

"Perhaps we should take this conversation into the other room. I still have a few questions before I can answer your questions," Not giving the others time to reply to his comment he stalks off to the other room.

Muttering curses under his breath but following the Angel to the other room, thinking this had better be good or else. Or else he doesn't know yet but, he wants answers damn it! He is entitled to some answers, leaning against the wall with his arms cross he listens as Castile ask his own questions. He can see the tension in the kid's body, but Joshua seems eager to please Cas. Or maybe he's just eager to have someone finally asking what needs to be asked, hell he doesn't really know why they didn't just ask the pair to begin with. Why didn't the nerd boy think of that , after all isn't he supposed to be the brains of their duo. Speaking of the brains, Dean looks to find Sam sitting in a chair close to the two on the couch with that face that says 'its ok- we are not the bad guys' expression he wears when interviewing people.

"How old are you?", is the first question Castile has for the child. Instead of answering though he just looks at Cas with a smug expression on his face and says, " How old are you"? Titling his head to the side not really understanding what that has to do with the question he ask the child, " I do not comprehend how that is pertinent with this discussion".

" Well I do not see how my age is pertinent to this discussion so got any more questions bird man?", Alec answers the strange man's question by not answering not seeing how that has anything to do with anything, not because he doesn't have a glue how old he is. He has never been told his age; it's not like they celebrate things of that nature at Manticore. Plus calling this man…or whatever he is , bird man is just a way to see how far he can push the boundaries before one of these ordinaries snaps.

" Where did this Manticore retrieve your DNA? Do you know where they preserve it?", regarding the adolescent closely; Castile wonders if he will get anywhere with this small child or if he is just wasting time. Time they do not have to waste. He was able to get some information but he needs to know how exactly how they procured Deans DNA, Castile needs to know where the labs are to insure they do not use his DNA again. If there is more of Deans DNA it will need to be destroyed.

" I am assuming they got my DNA from shorty over there. And to answer your question of where they preserve it; I have no idea. Why would they tell me something as important as that? ", watching to see the reactions of the others in the room. Noticing that said shorty is not at all happy being called shorty. Especially with his indignant expression; his squawk of HEY, although the tall one, Sam, seemed to find it amusing.

With an exasperated breathe, " Must you resort to name calling? I am Castile not bird man, the shorty is known as Dean. If you do not know the answer to the question you should just remain silent instead of being such …." He is interrupt with a 'Cas' from Sam. Glancing at the disapproval from the youngest Winchester he realizes that he has let the child 'push his buttons' as he has heard humans say. Realizing that they are not going to get anywhere he makes a decision to inform the hunters of the information he does have. " I must see everyone in the other room," looking over to the child and Joshua, " You two remain where you are for now." Turning to leave the room he tilts his head to Dean for him to follow.


Bobby always thought of his self as a patient man but he is running out of patience waiting around for this angel to spill what he knows. If he knows something about what going on he needs to go ahead instead of being cryptic so they can figure out a plan on what to do. " Ok if ya know something I think now is the time to spill. Enough with this cloak and digger stuff".

" Manticore is a group that bioengineered the births of hundreds of children. The children were created to be the perfect soldier They have enhanced hearing, sight, strength, and are extremely intelligent. Their DNA was manipulated with other DNA to achieve this". Studying Dean to determine if any of this is rendering any memory of how this Manticore came to acquire his DNA. " They attained the DNA samples through numerous ways. One only had to be of their requirement to be a benefactor".

Hearing all the information that Cas has given them to say Dean's head is reeling would be an understatement. How can these people get away with something like this? A better question would be how they got their hands on his DNA. He certainly did donate to this cause. " So these bastards take the DNA and create these mini soldiers. Is that what you're telling us"? Watching as Castile nods in response, " Ok just making sure I got that straight. What I don't get is how they got their hands on my DNA, cause I certainly didn't just give mine over. I have never even heard of this place until you popped those two into the back seat of my baby".

When a yell and a growl are heard from the other room all other conversation is cut off. The four run to the room to find it empty. All that is heard is a growl of 'Raphael' and the Angel is gone. Dean looks around the room in hopes maybe he is not seeing what he is; this cannot be happening. They promise to protect them, his voice laced with gravel and fire, " Dammit"!

A/N: Hi guys! Sorry this is late again I have a lot going on right now. So I have some news for those who are still sticking with me through this, it will be a couple of weeks before I publish another chapter to this. We are coming to the end of the school year for my kids so I will be busy with that but I will continue to write when I get the chance. I will be posting more , just please don't give up on me , I will get the next chapter up in two weeks. For all of those who leave a review and have put this story on their favs or alerts I want to thank ya'll . It really makes my day to see that. I hope this chapter doesn't disappoint you. Thank you all very, very much.