Title: Broken doll
Author: Shanee
Pairing: M/A eventually
Rating: R or less. I'm not sure.
Setting: AU, after the escape of 2009.
Disclaimer: No, I don't own DA's characters. So don't sue me; I'm broke. I only own my own characters.
A/N: Here is the new chapter. And after seeing Zack in 'Seizing the opportunity', Max will see another sibling. Any, idea anyone? No, ok. You'll see.
I didn't want this chapter to be a cliché, and I hope I managed to avoid that. Please tell me what you thought.
Thank you so much for your reviews, it really made my days.
Bella1992, indusgirl1313, Alibeth25, hsloanx16, Laney Tate, samiami, THEUNTRESS06, The Labyrinths Scribe, justin, X5-549, HikaruOfDreams, Fashiongurl3188, Sliver of Melody: thank you so much, and I hope you'll like this update.
For everyone who put this fanfic in their favourites, their story alerts, or me in their favourite authors or author alerts, thank you so much.
Thanks again to my beta-reader Izzy, who, despite being sick, tried to help me with this chapter.
Oh, and if any of you wants to see how the members of Unit 8 look (at least in my mind), go to my bio page and you'll find the links.
I'm actually working on the 12th chapter, and I think there will be only one after. So this fic is almost finished.
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Memoria Lane
A few months had passed since Max had come back from her mission to find her unit divided and her best friend the shadow of himself. Now everything was slowly getting better. It was unofficial, but since Biggs return, Max was his SIC, taking Os' place and appeasing her unit mates. Even Os had ceased complaining, finally realizing once his head cleaned, that he wasn't the best SIC his unit deserved and that he preferred when his friends were his friends, not his subordinates and didn't despise him. He even had stopped his caveman behavior towards Foxy. When he had come home after a short away mission, he had been confronted with the sight of his wanted mate all chummy again with Sun, and Max had prevented him to beat his rival by fighting him until he realized that he had no right over Foxy's life. It had been a painful experience as much as for his body as for his pride, but Os had finally regained his senses and backed off to nurse his wounded ego.
Now unit 8 was the closest of how it had been before all hell broke loose, with the exception of its former CO who was still not completely himself. Since Max's return, Alec had gradually awoken from his lethargic state, but it was a really slow process.
Today had been an uneventful day; boring lessons, usual sparring sessions, grumpy rarely-satisfied trainers, nasty mess food, and usual sickening Blondie and CB's PDA sessions. Sprite and Puck were away, so there had been no pranks, and, thus, the remaining members of Unit 8 were bored out of their minds. They craved to be sent anywhere to do anything.
Suddenly a guard entered their rec. room.
"452, you're wanted in Lydecker's office."
"Coming…" Taking her time, Max rose from her armchair and, yawning, followed the guard.
"Have fun!" Gael wished her sarcastically.
"When did the Colonel arrive?" Max asked the guard.
"Twenty minutes ago, and he asked for you immediately. What did you do?"
"Nothing." Max sighed, wishing she could have done something, at least she wouldn't be that bored, and the guard stifled a laugh. 452 was well known in the facility to be one of their best soldiers, if not the best, and she was rarely one to create trouble. Of course, she covered for her fellows soldiers, knowing that the guards would be more inclined to close their eyes if it was her who took the blame, but she also made sure that the troubles weren't too much to handle and that the pranksters remained reasonable, in a X5 point of view, and the guards liked her for that. It was easier for them if the kids, who were far from being kids anymore, didn't see them as the enemy. Sure they weren't best buddies, and nobody wanted that, but they succeeded in coexisting almost peacefully now. The guards had enough problems with the younger X-series, especially the X6s who had reached theirs teens and were more undisciplined than ever.
"And you didn't think about informing me? I'm the one in charge of the 09ers, not you, Elizabeth! You can be sure I'll inform the committee about your omission and your stupid way to treat it. And don't think I'll forget 452's case. Dismissed!" Lydecker roared in his office, obviously pissed out of his mind.
"Donald," protested the outraged voice of Renfro.
"OUT!"
A red and fuming blond peroxided witch burst out of Lydecker's office and almost ran into the guard and Max who were waiting at the door.
"Out of my way!"
Max and the guard tried their best to keep their face devoid of emotions, but the corner of their mouths were curving and their eyes were laughing. Finally Max knocked at the door, trying to retain her composure.
"Enter!" ordered the harsh voice of a furious Lydecker. His face softened as soon as he noticed Max at his door.
"X5-452 reporting as ordered, sir." Max said formally.
"I see the neighborhood of Renfro doesn't do you any good, Max. But she's not here, so you can drop the formality."
Max smiled and Lydecker gestured her to take a seat.
"How are you, Max? It has been how long since our last meeting? Fourteen months?"
"Nineteen, Deck."
"Oh? I'm sorry, I didn't intend to leave you for so long."
"It's okay, I have been pretty busy too."
"I know," his voice was a bit colder. "I read the reports. Congratulation, it's a sans fault, but I can't say I'm surprised, I always had faith in you."
"Thank you." Max smiled genuinely; Lydecker's praises meant a lot for her. He was the only ordinary she cared about the judgment of.
He smiled too, but his smile quickly vanished for a concerned and sad expression.
"I'm sorry, Max."
"For?"
"Your last mission. I didn't know; I would have, I would never have let you there."
"It was just a mission, nothing more, and it's over now." Max replied in soldier fashion.
"I know, but I'm still sorry. For now on, I will approve first every mission they want to send you."
"Thank you, D."
He pressed affectionately her hand and smiled at her.
"So, how are you? And how are your unit?"
"I'm fine, and we are bored. It has been three weeks since our last mission, and even this mission wasn't that interesting. We're slowly turning into lions in a cage."
"Appropriate analogy… I have something for you. That's one of the reasons I wanted to see you. I would like you to assemble a team for a convey mission."
"How many soldiers?"
"Ten."
"Who do you want for CO?"
"That's my problem. I would like you to be the CO, but I can't really ask you to be part of this mission."
"Why?" Max didn't hide her disappointment; she wanted to be out of this place, even if it was for a day and for carrying garbage.
"The mission would be to bring back an X5 here, from another facility, more precisely the Wyoming facility."
"Oh… Why do you want ten soldiers for an X5?"
"The X5's designation is 734, your sister Brin."
Max slowly swallowed the new information, Lydecker had, one day, promised her she would never have to put a foot in there again, but it concerned her sister, her sister who was in that hellhole.
"Why is she there? Why there?"
"Your sister was sick, dying of progeria, and it's our only facility with the ways to treat her. Now she's cured and in the middle of her re-indoctrination, but even if Backer is no longer director and the place has changed, I don't want her to stay there. That's why I want a unit to convey her here."
"It's just conveyance, right? We wouldn't have to stay there too long?"
"The minimum, 24 hours maximum. My words."
"I'll do it."
"Great. Who do you think about?"
"I want Alec as my SIC."
"Are you sure?"
"One hundred percent. Foxy, Sun, CB, Os, Sable, Gael, Blondie, and I need someone else, because the others are away."
"Pick one."
"Milan, X5-247 from unit 11."
"Why him?"
"He's smart and almost as strong as Bull, and he was complaining today that it has been two months since his last mission."
"Do you trust him?" The colonel was perplex, after all this kid was the twin of unit 3's SIC, one of Max's tormentors and rapists.
"Yes, we already had several missions with unit 11, and Milan is a nice guy. He took a bullet for Freya last time." Which was the reason he has been out of active duty till recently.
"If you trust him, it's okay with me. I want 734 here at the end of the week, I leave you all latitude for the mission parameters."
"Thank you Deck."
Max rose to her feet, and turned to leave.
"Oh Max, before I forget, you probably be happy to know that Renfro managed to lose our only lead to Zack, and that Zane is alive even if he succeeded in escaping our radar."
Max didn't bother to hide her smile. She was happy here, but that didn't mean she wanted Lydecker to bring back all her family, and he was perfectly aware of that fact. She wouldn't interfere with him, but he knew it was futile to ask her for help. He also knew that despite the appearances, she was the best choice to escort 734, she would assure the security of her sister and probably share her opinion of Manticore with her. And if Brin saw how happy Max was, maybe it would help to convince her that they weren't so bad.
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Two days later, two hummers were traversing the city of Gillette, Wyoming. Max, Alec, Foxy, Sun and Sable were in the first, the others in the second. They were chatting and laughing, simply enjoying their trip. It was an easy mission, and they didn't expect any trouble or not before the return. Max had warned them, that maybe Brin would want to escape, or that one of her family would show up and try to free her, but the last possibility was doubtful. Nobody, except Lydecker and the team, knew about the transfer, and the 09ers usually didn't stay in sight of Manticore facilities. Max was happy at the idea to see her sister again, after all those years, but the closer they came from the Wyoming base, the tenser she became, and that didn't escape her friend's attention. They all knew this place had been a living hell for her, even if only Alec knew how much. Noticing her discomfort, Alec put his arm around her shoulders and held her close, while Sable pressed her hand, and Foxy tried to soothe her with funny jokes.
The entrance came in sight, and the guards stopped their vehicles. Sun showed them their authorizations.
"We are here for a transfer," explained Sun.
"There is no transfer scheduled today."
"The order is from Colonel Lydecker, so open the door and call your director."
Grumbling, the guards complied and left the two trunks entered the base.
"Too easy," noticed Alec. "Anybody can come and leave with those buffoons and there are supposed to assure the security of this base, let me laugh."
"Renfro is a bitch, but at least, our gates are secure," added Sable.
"It's not like the soldiers here would try to escape, if I remember correctly, and we all know I unfortunately do, they're too brainwashed to even think about it."
"Will you be okay, Maxie?"
"Don't worry, Alec. I'm a big girl, I survived two years in here, I'm not afraid of a day inside those fences."
Before they open the door and step outside, they quickly gave her an unexpected group hug.
When director Maiden left his office to meet the unexpected visitors, she glanced at her surrounding, her soldiers were presentable, their fatigues impeccable, and the guards were at their posts. Perfect. She didn't want the visitors to report to the Colonel that her facility was a mess. She was glad he had given her a chance, and she didn't want to disappoint him or leave him believe he had made a mistake in naming her here.
But when she was confronted to the sight of his envoys, she had to say she was a bit confounded. They weren't standing at attention, their face weren't blank and their eyes weren't upfront. Instead, they were all grouped around one of them, a pretty brunette. One of the guys had his arm around her, and she was leaning against him. Two other 'couples' looked as comfy and chummy and the ones who weren't leaning against the hummer were sat on its top or its hood in very relaxed positions. Their fatigues looked fatigued; they were crinkled and torn. Two guys were shirtless and a blond girl had shortened her t-shirt with a knot so it showed her belly button, which was ornamented with a flashy gem. They were laughing, listening to the story the short redhead with bright blue locks was telling.
Maiden came closer but they didn't stop nor stand at attention, no, they didn't acknowledge her presence.
"Hum humm," she finally said. The pretty brunette looked at her and left the embrace of her guy.
"You're the director Maiden?"
"Yes. Who is X5-452?"
"I'm Max, I'm in charge of this transfer. We would like to leave immediately, so if you can ask for 734 to come here, it would be really nice." Never ever a soldier had talked to her with such a tone; it wasn't polite, it was sarcastic, and the pretty girl looked like she was used not to be discussed.
"I'm afraid you will have to wait a little more," replied Maiden between gritted teeth. She was the director here, not some stupid civilian. Who did this girl think she was?
"For which reason?"
"734 is in the middle of a Psy-Ops session that we can't interrupt."
At the mention of Psy-Ops, Maiden could have sworn she had seen a flash of hatred in the girl's eyes as her posture went rigid.
"And when would she be released, ma'am?" The guy the brunette had looked pretty cozy with intervened. "We have a tight schedule to respect."
"In three or four hours."
"Thank you, ma'am." With that he put his hand on the brunette arm, and walked towards his original place, followed by the girl who had dismissed Maiden like no one had ever dared.
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"So that's the place?" asked Gael, a little later.
"Yep," Max replied, snuggling more into Alec's embrace.
"Charming."
"Oh you have no idea."
"What happened to your old unit, Max?" Milan asked, he was the only one who didn't know the whole story, and as he saw Max's face pale and the others tense, he regretted he had ever asked this question.
"I don't know. Deck just told me he took care of them, for all that means."
"Do you see any of them?" Os gestured to the training field were some units were sparring.
"No… Why?"
"Because. I would love to have a little chat with them."
"Don't bother. You will be bored to death."
Foxy and Alec sniggered, and Alec kissed Max's hair.
A group of three girls left a building nearby and glanced at them.
"Hum… pretty," said Os.
"And ditzy," added Blondie, making everyone laugh, as the blond girl was often the one receiving this compliment.
"Hi," said one of the girls, who had come closer.
"Hi," replied Os with the same flirtatious tone.
"What are you doing here? Have you transferred from another place?" She asked hopefully.
"Why would we want to do that?" replied Sable with disdain.
The girl didn't know what to reply and another girl, with blond curled locks stepped in. "What's your problem?"
"You, Goldilocks, you and your whole facility of sadistic puppets."
Noticing that Max had tensed when the girl had come closer, Alec looked at her and suddenly, recognition hit him, his face turned blank and his eyes burned through the girl with hatred.
"Leave!" He ordered them coldly.
The three girls looked at him astonished.
"I said, Leave!" He slowly rose to his feet, and the girls couldn't help but step back.
"Why? It's our facility, we have all rights to be there," said the third girl.
"Because she's a remainder of Unit 3, and if she doesn't leave now, in one minute, she will be dead."
Goldilocks snorted, but soon she was encircled by Foxy, Sun, Sable and Gael. Pure hatred was readable in their eyes as they came closer to her.
"Leave!" Foxy repeated Alec's order, and this time they complied.
Then like nothing had happened, the five soldiers returned to their previous positions.
One hour later, Os stood up.
"Who wants to take a walk? Max?"
"To Memoria Lane?" She looked at him, disbelievingly.
"Why not? What better way to move on that to confront your past."
Max thought about it a moment, then turned towards Alec. "You'll come?"
"Like I would ever leave you alone here."
Soon, Milan and Sun had joined them to wander through the facility, while the others remained at their place, sunbathing.
Alec had still his arm around Max's shoulders and the five of them were chatting, walking like they have no worry in the world and owned the place, at least the guys did that, while Max tried her best to relax. She hated this place with a passion. But there, surrounded by her friends and in Alec's embrace, it wasn't so bad.
"That's a shame…"
"What's a shame Os?"
"That they are zombies. Look at the girls, they're pretty."
"What did do expect? They're Manticore, like us. They don't do ugly."
"Yep, but still a shame."
Max smiled and slapped him behind the head. Then she noticed that Milan looked annoyed.
"What's wrong, Mil?"
"They kept glancing at me with astonished faces."
"It has probably something to do with your twin."
"I have a twin?"
"Unfortunately. 248. But don't hope anything, he's a mean bastard."
"You know him?"
"He was my SIC, and even Renfro is an angel compared to him."
"Nice…" Milan said acerb. Than after a minute or so, he resumed. "Can I ask you something, Max?"
"Maybe."
"Why did they transfer you?"
"Because there is a God somewhere who took me in pity."
They had arrived in front of the infirmary.
"Why are we here, Max?" asked Os.
"You'll see."
Max entered and looked for a familiar person. Then she spotted her, sipping her tea, and walked towards her.
"Nurse Phillips?"
"Yes?"
"You don't remember me? Your most recurrent patient."
The nurse looked attentively at the young woman in front of her and smiled, when recognition hit her.
"452. It has been a while."
"Yep."
"You look good."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"What are you doing here? They didn't transfer you again?" She asked alarmed.
"They wouldn't dare. No, we are for the transfer of X5-734."
"Oh, yes, the other 09er. That's good."
"Is she okay?"
"She's cured."
"Mentally? Did they…?"
"She's not completely brainwashed for now, if it's what you mean?"
"Thank you. And thanks for taking care of me then."
"You're welcome. I wish I could have been a better help."
On their walk to return to the cars, they noticed everyone looking at them and whispering. Someone had probably found out who she was and spread the rumor.
"So, how was Memoria Lane?" Foxy asked Max.
"Not so scary anymore."
"We found out what happened to unit 3, Max," added Gael.
"Oh… What?"
"6 months of 'special treatment', five boys and two girls never returned, and the others have been simplified and placed in other units."
"They lost seven soldiers there?" Milan was amazed, and the others looked satisfied.
"And three of the remainders have been KIA."
"Deck was right; he took care of them," concluded Alec. Max only shrugged. It wasn't like she cared what happened to them.
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They finally ended it. Another day of torture was over, or so she hoped. X5-734 slowly stood up, no, not 734, she wasn't a number, she was Brin, she couldn't lose her name and forget. No, she had to fight them more and remember. She knew she was back to be a soldier again, she wasn't okay with that, but it had been their deal, they would cure her and she would work for them again, but even if she was a soldier, she didn't want to be the automaton they dreamed of. She had seen the world, the actual world and tasted freedom. Of course, her life outside the walls of Manticore hadn't been easy and some days when everything went wrong, she had even dreamed of the mess food and the security her unit gave her. But her unit was no more, Zack had forced them to separate and retrospectively, Brin wasn't so sure they would have escaped if they had known what expected them outside. She didn't regret anything, but she wasn't as desolate as she had thought she would be to be back here. Now if the inhabitants of this place would stop giving her the bad eye, it would be way better.
She followed the guard, thinking he would bring her to her isolated cell, and was surprised when he didn't take the road to Iso. She saw the soldiers on her way looking at her with the usual disgust in their eyes and whispering some nice things as "filth", "traitor", "trash", and on and on.
Keeping her face blank, her eyes front and her walk assured, she reached the end of the training field were a unit were fooling around ( Oo ) and the director was waiting for her. As a guard chained her hands behind her back, Maiden gave a girl a paper to sign.
"She's yours."
"Thanks," the girl said sarcastically and gave Brin a huge smile. "Are you ready?"
Too stunned that the girl had asked her opinion, Brin simply nodded and followed her in the first hummer.
They quickly left the base and the girl who seemed to be in charge and who reminded Brin of someone let escape a breath.
"You okay?" asked the boy who looked a lot like Ben should now. But Ben was in Texas, last time she had heard of him, and he wouldn't have for sure re-enrolled in Manticore.
"Yeah, thanks Alec. It's better now that hell is behind us." The brunette replied then turned towards Brin. "How are you?"
"Chained." Brin couldn't help but retort, and the girl chuckled, followed by the others.
"I love her already," said a redhead.
"Foxy, I'm crushed," joked the blond Adonis, and the redhead gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then punched him softly on the chest. "Don't whine Sun, it's not polite."
Brin raised her eyebrows. Alec, Foxy, Sun; that sounded a lot like names.
"Questions, Brin?" The brunette asked her with a warm smile. And she knew her name as well… Did she think weird?
"Where are we going and who are you?"
"In a better place than that this hellhole, and we are X5, like you. What? We don't look like?" Foxy replied before the brunette could. "I mean, we're all drop-dead gorgeous and smart, what else should we be?"
"Fox, don't imitate Alec, would you?" The brunette smirked and her neighbor looked outraged.
"Max, come on, she's not even close."
"Max?" Brin choked.
"Hello to you too, big sister." Max was smiling, her eyes gleaming, and Brin was stunned silent.
"What are you doing here Max?" She finally succeeded to ask when her mouth and brain worked together again.
"Transferring you to another facility."
"Is that some sick joke?"
"Nope," Max replied simply, not knowing what reaction to expect from her sister.
"Why are you in Manticore?"
"Because Lydecker found me when I was twelve and hiding in Sacramento, he brought me back, and now here I am."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It's a lot better now. I used to regret my freedom at first, but since Deck transferred me where we are transferring you, I don't have to complain."
Brin looked skeptical and Max couldn't help but laugh, and suddenly she did the thing she had wanted to do as soon as she had seen Brin, she hugged her.
"Deck? You gave Lydecker a pet name?"
"And she even uses it with him," added Alec. "But don't even dare imitate her."
"I'm pretty sure Deck wouldn't mind Brin calling him like that. After all, we were unit 2."
"Doubtful, you always were his favorite," mumbled Brin. "Beside, I don't think I'm enough brainwashed to be friendly with him."
"I'm not brainwashed, Brin." Max replied a bit colder. "It's just that I trust him, he's an asshole, sure, but he would never hurt me, by any way."
"That's why he sent you to convey me. Yeah, that's really nice of him, forcing you to be the one to stop me to escape."
"Do you want to?" Alec cut her off.
"Not the point."
"Listen, Brin," Alec resumed, stressing her name, "Lydecker is currently doing you a favor, two actually."
Brin snorted.
"First, he transfers you from the hellhole the Wyoming facility is, where it would be easier for Manticore to transform you into a perfect little zombie. Secondly, he asked Max to organize your transfer, not anybody, but Max who is the crème de la crème and is used to missions of better importance than a simple conveyance, not only for your safety, but also for you to catch up with your long lost sister. But if you want to be an ass, be my guest, just stop bitching around, I don't want you to upset Max. She doesn't deserve it."
Max gave Alec a little squeeze on his arm to let him know she was okay and grateful.
Not knowing what to retort, Brin stayed silent.
"Alpha 1 to Beta 1, how is everything going?" Sun asked in the intercom, and Os replied.
"Could someone order Blondie and CB to stop making out, it's starting to make me sick?"
They snickered.
"Other than that Os?"
"Other than I want to puke, everything is fine."
"Frustrated!" yelled Blondie behind.
"Yes, I am, so what? It's not like the single girls here are interested, they made it pretty clear."
"Poor baby," teased Milan.
"Milan, back off. I don't swing that way."
The two cars were filled with laughter.
"Oh, I know. Max, is your sister single?"
"OS!" Max warned him.
"What? I'm just asking. I'm fun and maybe she would want a bit of fun."
"What bit?" Foxy asked suggestively.
"All right, all right everybody. We stop this oh so interesting discussion there or do I have to remind you that the intercom is recorded." Max said.
"Sorry, ma'am," replied the five users of the second vehicle in unison.
The radio turned silent and Max relaxed in Alec's embrace.
"That's your unit?" Brin finally asked.
"Yep, part of it, except Milan who is from unit 11."
"And you're the CO?" Brin was still a bit surprised that her sister was the perfect Manticorian soldier.
"Of this mission, yes. Our actual CO is Biggs and he's with the remaindings of our unit in another mission. Os is our SIC."
The fours others soldiers snorted.
"What Max forgot to tell you, Brin," protested Sable, "is that she's actually our SIC, but it's unofficial."
"Why?"
"Because the bitch had named Os to be SIC when Max was away, and Os not being the ass he could be, had finally abdicated his title when she had returned."
"The bitch?"
"Renfro, our director. Don't worry, you will meet her, and hate her, as the whole facility do."
"I can't wait," Brin said sarcastically, then she turned towards her sister again. "You gave them names?"
Max smiled. "With Foxy, at first, now, they don't need us anymore."
"Yeah, and it's probably better. Who wants to be named Dummy, anyway?" Alec teased Max, and she slapped his arm playfully, with a mock-outraged face.
"Shut-up, Dicky. Beside, I heard some X6 who named themselves Clytemnestre, Tartuffe and Arpagon. What's that?"
"Moliere's characters," replied Sable, then added when she noticed that they didn't understand, "Moliere was a French dramaturge during the seventeenth century and those are the names of some of his characters."
They all nodded; that made sense, even if there were still really weird names.
Noticing how Max looked comfortable in Alec's embrace, Brin resumed. "Are you two together?"
Foxy and Sable chuckled, while Max simply shook her head. "No, he's my best friend."
"You remind me of someone," Brin told Alec.
"My twin, your brother Ben, right?" That explained a lot.
"Yep."
"How is he?" Max asked.
Brin was reluctant to talk about them, after all they were free, and she didn't want Manticore to find them.
"Don't worry, I won't tell Deck. I may not hate him, but I prefer my family far away from his claws."
"I hadn't see Ben in years, but last time, he was okay. Zack makes sure that we all are."
"I saw Zack four months ago, in Seattle. He was pissed off that I didn't want to evade again."
"Figures." And for the first time in a month, Brin genuinely smiled.
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A/N : So? Love? Hate? Review!!!
Questions or requests anyone?