By Shikasta
Spoilers: Anything's fair game in my view although this is an AU
Disclaimer: The characters of Dark Angel are owned by Twentieth Century Fox Television and Cameron Eglee productions. In laymen's terms: Don't own them but by god I wish I did.
A/N I know I lied what can I say I'm so addicted to this story.
Italics = flashback
Chapter Ten – Back to the BeginningA solitary figure stood in no man's land and as silently as possible crept up to the fence of Terminal City. Tightly clasped in his hand was a thick manila envelope simply marked 452 in black texter. The figure paused looking around in the darkness then tossed the envelope over the high fence, turned and ran not waiting to see it land on the other side.
Max allowed herself to feel a moment of happiness because through all the misery and heartache she had united Hope and Alec something she had dreamed about but never thought would come to fruition.
It was evening and Hope was sleeping soundly for at least a few hours, being 452's offspring had of course meant she had inherited her cursed inability to sleep. Alec was currently outside the walls of TC returning Logan back to his lonely life and Max sat and waited to finish the conversation that Hope had interrupted.
She had made so many decisions, some would describe as selfless others as foolish. Occasionally she would analyse them to see if perhaps she could have chosen a different path and of course it always led her back to the beginning and the decision that had started it all.
Max let her mind wonder back to the events that changed everything for her.
The Government finally made a move in the chess game between them and the transgenics. The army moved in surrounding Terminal City and created no mans land evacuating all civilians in that zone. For one month the sentries for either side stared each other down, fingers twitching on the triggers of their weapons but no one fired a shot.
That was until one morning and Joshua had been trying to find Max he had forgotten about the warning that only X series were allowed in plain sight and as he bounded along the fence in search a finger stopped twitching and fired killing Joshua instantly.
An unearthly hush fell as sentries from both sides ran to inform their superiors and as Max stood over Joshua's body she demanded vengeance and called her people to arms.
The fighting lasted one day, the transgenics becoming the monsters the press had told people they were. Finally, when dusk fell the army retreated, no man's land remained and Max knew she couldn't lead anymore.
Mr Collins was reading the report on the failed military operation with interest, he then turned to the reports written by Detective Clemente including his personal notes. Mr Collins was preparing to make contact with 452 and he chuckled to himself. He couldn't help but laugh at the fact that 452 was vital to the survival of the human race, while the transgenic nation threatened to destroy it.
Max stood in a warehouse in no man's land and before her stood a balding man named Mr Collins. The day before she had ensured Alec's succession to leader of TC and now she stood meeting with her enemy.
"Well I'm here, what's so important" she huffed but also remained vigilant.
"I take it the runes have appeared and you are at least somewhat aware of your destiny?"
Max was surprised "How do you know?"
"The government first became aware of the familiars during the 1980s and covertly looked for one that had turned or could be turned to service the best interest of the human race" Mr Collins scratched his balding head before continuing "This is where Dr. Sandeman came into the picture and it is also the reason for establishing the Manticore facility"
Max was quiet silently aware she was about to be told the meaning of a transgenics life and this frightened her, some things are better left unknown.
"The Manticore facility was one of ten created all acting independently of each other. Manticore's sub mandate being to isolate all potential pathogens and then design the cures, it wasn't until the synthetic cures proved unsuccessful the step was to try and create a natural resilience to the pathogens and from there it became obvious that we were going to need to create the cures on the DNA level designing babies that would have the natural antibodies that could then be used to vaccinate humans." Mr Collins paused allowing the information to digest.
"But the Government wasn't happy with just that"
"No" Mr Collins continued "Once we were aware of the side affects caused by our experiments."
"I would hardly class them as side affects" Max interjected.
"You could say we stumbled across a new use for our manufactured children and the Government could see the military benefits and that was when the other nine facilities were established. The Manticore facility was also expected to turn its children into soldiers it was still tasked at finding the cures."
"So why am I special" Max asked.
"You are the pinnacle of Dr. Sandeman's work, you are the success." Mr Collins stressed.
"Where is Dr. Sandeman?"
"He is dead" Mr Collins stated, "We knew the designation of the child who would be our saviour, and after the escape in '09 we could only hope that you would resurface and our prays were answered."
"So what do you want from me?" Max not liking where this conversation was heading.
"To come with me of course and give humanity a chance."
"What will happen to me?" Max scared but already knowing her decision.
"You will be housed in one of the nine remaining facilities."
"Will I be released after I help you?"
Mr Collins paused before answering "No" he knew that she could choose to run "you are government property and represent millions of dollars."
"So you are asking me to sacrifice my life for the sake of humanity?"
"We are asking you to do what you were designed to do?"
"So once you have my blood you expect me to be a soldier again"
"Yes" Mr Collins said.
There was a long silence as Max considered what Mr Collins had said, he had told her information that could be damning to the government, this also meant that they were not alone and that they would not let her get back to TC to inform the others what she now knew. The only choice she had was whether or not to live or die and she decided she wasn't ready to die.
"I will do as you ask, on one condition"
"Which is"
"Terminal City and its residents are to remain untouched, that is my price"
"We had anticipated this and are willing to accept your terms."
"When do I go" Max asked.
"Now" Mr Collins said and escorted her to an awaiting SUV.
Max climbed in and as she was whizzed away took one final look at TC hoping that her sacrifice would not be for nothing.
TBC