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Faxnessandballetforever
limegreen124
MaximumFax

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Also I must thank all of the 8 people who added me to alerts etc since my last update!
I love you guys :')

Still no songs :O

So this be me updating ASAP. And this be how tired I am right now -_- Totally worth it though! :D
Read on amigos:


Chapter 11;

...Testing...Testing...Subject One

Prepare for Information Overload


MAX POV

You know when you first wake up in the morning, and your brain is completely fuzzy. Most of your brain is dominated by thoughts such as; when, where, how, why and what? You blink, and your little inside voice says; 'wait a second….' and everything comes rushing back to you. You smile at your stupidity and fall back asleep because it's 11 am on a Sunday. Well this was not one of those times.

As it happened when I woke up I was trapped inside a box - and this wasn't any sort of box, this was a box of the cage variety. I was awakened by the door, to the room my box was in, swinging open and a breeze drifting in. I lay in my 'box' curled up in a heap, and shivering slightly at the uncomfortable draft. I forced my eyes open, but only to a slit, to try to work out what was happening. This was when I went though the, totally different version of the usual thought process, after waking up:

Since when was I in here?
Where is here?
How did I get here?
Why I was there in the first place?
What the hell's going on?

Then I had my mental 'wait a second…' moment and answered most of my questions. A white coat was bending over the 'box' I'd been put in, for reasons unbeknown to me, and I'd been put in here after my fight with Erasers. I was at either the school, or iTex. Both options sucked pretty bad.

See? Totally different kind of thought process compared with people who are normal! *sigh* I blinked (my eyes still getting used to the very bright lighting) and forced myself into a sitting position, facing the man head on. What ever the hell he was here to do, I could at least try my best to make it difficult. I crawled back as far away from the white coat as the cage would let me go, but he was still looking at me from every angle - curiosity etched on his face. Trust me after a while this guy gave the impression that he was none other then 'creepy' personified - yeah, I did learn something in English!

I hit the back of my special box and the material against my skin gave me no protection against the rough metal bars scrapping at my back. That was when I realized I was in different clothes. Somebody had reclothed me and taken my bobble hat away - things just got personal!

I carried on pushing myself against the back of the cage, in an attempt to wake up any of my muscles that were still asleep. The white coat bending over my crate stood up straight, and spoke in a harsh voice;

"If you don't do anything stupid, I will let you walk to lab 7." I tried to look innocent and nodded my head slightly. Mr Creepy opened the door to the crate and stood back for me to climb out. I carefully put one foot forward and out of the cage. I made contact with the cold floor and tried the same with the other leg, still slightly unsure of where my balance was right now. I heaved myself out of the crate and tried my weight on both feet, which worked out well. Mr creepy shut the cage door behind me, then stood beside me; waiting for me to start walking.

Bouncing on the balls of my feet a little, and contracting all my muscles as best I could, I smiled. I then swung my arm in a powerful right hook that hit the white coat right in the nose. He fell back onto the floor and started crying - jeez these people are woosies! I wasted no time and kicked him in the face, before unclipping his ID badge from the front of his coat. I ran to the door, almost tripping over my own feet, and only just got the card into the reader - I was still really wobbly, and now full of adrenaline which only made me shake more. The machine (locking the door) beeped and turned green, before the door swung open. I stumbled, as fast as my jelly legs would allow me to go, outside.

I sprinted down the hallway not knowing where I was going, but not particularly caring either. I crashed into the door at the end, and wrenched it open. I was about to run through when I skidded to a halt at the sight of at least four Erasers. The both of us froze for a second, each in shock, before I slammed the door. I looked around and saw a hallway to my right. With no other options, and little time, I sped down it. A red light started to flash at the end of a corridor and a siren started wailing. I heard hurried footsteps from each end of the hall and threw myself through a door to my left. It closed just in time, and I heard the pounding of footsteps in the corridor outside.

I stood stock still in the cupboard, terrified that if I made a sound they'd find me. I tried to calm my breathing down, as I heard the heavy foot falls slowly fading. I waited until I could no longer hear any movement (and delayed a couple more seconds) before opening the door. I opened it to a slit and saw that the hall way was empty. I stepped outside. I closed the door, quietly behind me, and glanced towards the other end of the hallway. My stomach dropped as I saw three Erasers morphing. All of their eyes fixed on me. Crap.

I started running again, in the opposite direction. I ran as fast as I could without switching to hyper drive. They caught up with me, in less then three seconds. As soon as I was within their reach, I was slammed to the ground under three pieces of glorified fangs and fur. Two of them pulled me up, one on each arm, while the third drew back his arm and punched me in the stomach. I drew my legs up to my chest as my stomach exploded with pain. I screwed up my eyes trying as hard as I could to not to start crying. The Eraser who had punched me bent down to my head height and cooed in a patronising voice;

"Awwww! Did I hurt you?" He straightened up, cackling with his cronies. I clenched my jaw and muttered definatly;

"That didn't hurt." They all stopped laughing, and the third one bend down again, snarling slightly;

"What was that?" he growled. I smirked slightly and spat;

"I said, that didn't hurt!" My saliva landed on his muzzle and he snarled before slapping me across the face - leaving his claws unsheathed to rip the skin open. I barely felt the stinging pain on my cheek before I heard a harsh human voice bellow;

"Anderson!" The Eraser whipped round, slobber flying everywhere, while the white coat shouted; "What are you doing? That's needed in lab 7 right now!" The Eraser looked almost guiltily, at the puny little man shouting at him, and replied;

"Yes sir. Right away sir."


The Erasers dragged me mercilessly to lab 7, following the white coat. When I got there, all three of them held me still, while some white coats strapped sensors on me. They strapped them on a little too tight for my blood to flow properly and I was a little worried I could go blue. They secured them before the Erasers chucked me through another door. I fell a fair way before hitting the floor, pretty hard. I landed on my stomach and almost face planted, catching myself just in time - I really didn't need to re-break my nose right now. So now I was badly winded, had a few scratches on my legs from being dragged along the rough corridors and three cuts on my cheek to add to my extensive list of injuries. A.K.A; I felt a little bit like a bucket of crap (minus the bucket). My head pounded slightly from dehydration but I picked myself off of the floor and looked around. I was in what looked like a long corridor with several other corridors leading off of it to who knows where. The corridor was at least 3 meters deeper then where I had just come from, and lit up from underneath the see-through plastic floor. It gave it that eery edge that I'm sure Dr Creepy was probably aiming for. A sudden crackle of electronic equipment echoed around the apparently massive room before a woman's voice rang out from unseen speakers;

"Subject One. You are to find the exit to the maze as fast as possible. Wrong turns, can lead to paths blocked by undesirable features. Make your choices wisely. Begin." I let out a quiet rasp of a laugh. If they thought they could tell me exactly what to do, and I would obey with out question, then they were out of their completely messed up minds. I felt the sensor on my left ankle vibrate three times and then a tiny little red light lit up. It was a only about a second before I felt the huge electric shock that ran up my spine. I collapsed to the ground, shaking uncontrollably, forcing myself to remain silent and barley managing. It stopped, and I let out a shaky breath. Not wanting to get zapped again, and using a huge amount of effort, I managed to stumble blindly forward. As the pain receded slightly, I sped up.

I missed the first turning on my left, and the second on too, but took the path to my right. I followed the path until it came to a fork and took the left one. I ran on, getting very low on oxygen, but keeping up the constant pace. The path twisted and turned, until I came to another fork, this time with three options. I stopped at the centre, how long was this thing? I felt another couple of buzzes on my ankle and ran on before I got zapped again. I took the middle fork and was barely ten meters in when I was met by an Eraser. These scientists are real originals - that's for sure. Funnily enough, the morphed Eraser had his back to me which I used to my advantage. I took a running jump and clapped my hands, with all the force I could muster, over his ears. I heard the faint pop that I hoped to hear, which told me I'd burst his ear drums - thank you Maximum Ride. Seeing him sinking to his knees I didn't wait for him to hit the ground before running on. The speakers rang out again;

"Subject One finish him off." I stopped running and turned around; seeing the Eraser on the floor, clutching his head and whining in pain. No, this is where I draw the line. I will only ever kill when there is a there is an intent to kill me or my family, no matter what happens. The speakers rang out again; "Subject one, carry out the instruction." I felt the buzz that told me pain was coming and braced myself: Pain is just a message. I clenched my fists tightly. BUZZ. Pain is just a message. I tensed all my muscles that still worked. BUZZ. Pain is just a message. BUZZ. Breathe Max, Breathe.

The shock ran though me, more powerful then the last time. I arched my back and fell to the ground, writhing around in pain almost crying out. It stopped and the speaker rang out;

"Subject one. Get up." I stayed where I was - I wouldn't get up and go and kill it, they couldn't make me."Subject one stand up". Another shock ran though me, and couldn't help but to cry out this time. It stopped and the speaker rang out; "Subject one, get up and carry out the instruction." I growled in the back of my dry throat and shouted as best as I could;

"NO!" The shock went through me again, and with each beat of my heart they cranked it up a notch. I think I was screaming, because when they finally stopped I heard the echo of a scream still bouncing around the large room. My vision went blurry and the sound of the speakers yelling at me dimmed. I felt myself slip into the cool, sweet, darkness. And felt no more...


FANG POV

We had crossed the coastline of England an hour ago, and the Isle of Man was coming into sight on the horizon. Dusk was getting darker, which would be good cover for landing. We were all flying at top speeds and the youngest in the flock were starting to drop behind a little. I looked down at my flock; all of us flying in unison, in one tall stack. Seeing Angel, Gazzy and Nudge's wings beating slightly slower I called down to them (from my position at the very top);

"We'll land on the beach in five minutes. Follow my lead." Everyone nodded, and sped up slightly with the thought of rest.

We landed on the Southern edge of the island, and touched down on the pebbles one by one; each looking around wearily. I scanned the area around us. There were no lights anywhere near us, as far as I could see - and raptor vision is pretty good if I do say so myself. Everyone looked to me for answers and I tried to sound upbeat;

"Ig get some food out. Everyone else, look for fire wood. I'll go look check out the area." I turned away from everyone and took off in one bound.

I flew up high enough to get a good view of our surroundings on our little secluded beach. I was surrounded by cliffs, and no one but us would be able to get to it (without a good deal of equipment). The cliff face reached quite a way up; high enough to hide us from view and low enough to carry a narrow, unused looking road. I was right in thinking there was no one for miles around, as the lights showing signs of civilisation were a fair way away. I looked down at the cliff face, for any indents or caves that might be a good shelter. I saw several holes, at the bottom of the cliff and landed to check them out.

The first was too small, the second had a puddle problem but the third looked promising enough. I called the flock over, and we set up camp. Iggy started a small fire going and we refueled with tinned fruit (a great delicacy where we come from). But I ended up giving most of mine to Nudge. I really didn't have much of an appetite right now, and she always seems to eat as much as Iggy and I despite her age. Nudge, Gazzy and Angel curled up under blankets and fell asleep. I stayed near the front of the cave, gazing at the fire, trying to concentrate on keeping watch but failing miserably. Iggy chucked some more drift wood on the fire before sitting down, with his back against the rock beside me. I stopped glaring at the fire and instead stared out to sea, but I could feel Iggy looking at me. The question that I knew would come sooner or later was asked after a few awkward seconds;

"So what's the plan Fang?" I clenched my jaw, wishing I could give him a better answer without lying to him;

"I don't have one." Iggy's shoulders sunk slightly lower, but I knew he was trying for optimism;

"So what are we gonna do tomorrow? How are we gonna get her out?" I closed my eyes and lent my head back against the rock, wishing I was as good at making snap decisions as Max. I ran through the possibilities in my head, but each seemed to be more impossible then the last. I opened my eyes and looked at Iggy, who was waiting for an answer. I frowned slightly;

"I think our best shot is if we fly over the building, early so it won't be full of white coats, and Angel can try to pick her thoughts up. Then we could bust her outta there." Iggy frowned;

"I thought Angel said that she had mind blocks down the who time?" I shrugged;

"Well hopefully she can guess where she is, even if she can't get inside her head. Plus if they're only mind blocks she'd putting up, there's no way she'll be able to keep them up while in there." Iggy nodded, knowing every word that I couldn't bring myself to say aloud. There was no room for thoughts that weren't about surviving to see tomorrow when you were in there. Nothing else mattered, everyone thought that way. Happy wasn't an emotion anyone knew of, much less felt.

But I do remember this one person, who was and exception to the that rule. It was back when I was one of the first to start the testing 'process' (as they called it), and she was in the crate next to mine. The first time an Eraser tried to take the both of us away, that little five year old took it out. Fearlessly, she wrenched her hair out of it's claws and scrambled her way up it's back. She blinded it with her little fingers - I won't say how, it made even me slightly nauseous to watch. As it's grip slackened and it fell to the floor, I managed to get free of it's hold. We both stood back from the Eraser and watched as it writhed on the floor. I remember her scrunching her face up guiltily, and turning to look at me. She looked at me, right in the eyes, and said one of the only words we had managed to pick up off of the white coats;

"Opps." That was the first time I smiled in my life - a small smile, but still a smile. We both smiled, at each other. I will always remember that shared moment of smiling - the first and (back then) the only time we would ever smile for years. A sign of happiness at the both of us getting one back on them. I still can't quite remember her. She disappeared a couple of weeks after that, I was the only one who ever saw her, but never again. I remember we'd always sit as close as possible in our crates. Every time she was taken away, she fought tooth and nail; literally - she knocked out three of her milk teeth. The only things I remember about her are the missing teeth in her smile, her curly hair (what colour it was, I wouldn't know - the white coats never made a point of letting us wash), and the feeling of not being completely alone in the world.

And then she was gone, and I was alone again. I didn't even see Iggy until I was almost 6 years old. He came about six months after the girl left. Next was Nudge and Gazzy, and finally Angel arrived. And we talked (as much as we could) together, kept each other sane. But I never smiled again, while we were in there. And I never saw her again. It was just that one time, in that one faceless memory. I'd like to think she's still around, but considering the white coats that's a pretty optimistic idea. But a bird kid can dream.

After around an hour of solemn silence, Iggy said that he'd take watch and after much arguing I agreed. I fell asleep on the pebbles; listening to the waves, feeling the breeze, remembering the girl, and thinking of Max...


MAX POV

Pain was the first thought in my head when I returned to consciousness. Everything ached. All I could think about was the dull throb, pulsing through my whole body. I tried to open my eyes, but the lids were so heavy.

"Maximum?" Great more voices in my head, Val's got friends round - isn't it ironic when the voice in your head picks the worst time to party. "Maximum can you hear me?" It sure did sound realistic and I opened my eye lids to a slit, just to check if my head was messing with me or not.

Funnily enough, a man was bent over my crate looking in on me. I tried to push myself up, but fell back to the floor of the crate - my muscles really couldn't be asked right now. The man spoke again; "How are you feeling?" I opened my mouth to give some sort of cleaver retort, but all that came out was a faint gurgling. My throat was so dry that I couldn't actually speak. Great. The man opened my cage and lifted me out. He put me down on the floor (gently) and I tried to move into a more defensive position, but my muscles still weren't responding. The only movement I managed, was to open my eyes more and get a proper look at the man.

He had light grey hair (that looked as if it had once been blonde), round glasses on his nose and a light stubble coating his chin. His skin was pale, and he was of medium build and height. The only other thing jumped out to me were his very shiny black shoes and white coat. I shivered slightly, but held his unusually soft gaze. I really didn't know what was up with this guy, and I wasn't sure I liked it. He knelt down and cupped the back of my head;

"Here. This won't really clear up your dehydration, but it's a start." he tipped my head back, and I felt something solid on my lips before water flowed down my throat. I gulped as much as I could down, but forgot about breathing and coughed most of it back up. I recovered, still spluttering slightly, but managed to reach out for the rest of what was left in the bottle that the man still held. He handed it over and got up, walking over to one of the cameras in the four corners of the room. It looked like he was waving at it, but I couldn't be sure as I was busy downing the bottle as fast as possible. He came back over and sat down, cross legged, in front of me. I put the empty plastic bottle down beside me, wiped my mouth on the back of my hand, and pulled my legs up into the same position (with my hands as they refused to move themselves). I fixed a careless expression on my face and glared at the white coat. He smiled and asked;

"Feeling any better Maximum?" I raised my eyebrows slightly and replied still slightly hoarse;

"Why I feel just dandy. So tell...me who the hell are you?" I almost smiled at how I could make him shiver at the harshness of my voice, even while I was practically croaking. He looked away and grimiced;

"I am the means of escape, my name is Joseph Batchelder - or preferably Jo. I am here to help you." I looked him up and down, doubtfully;

"Are you now? And why are you here?" He tilted his head forward;

"I told you I'm here to help." I tilted my head back, do they honestly think I'm that gullible? I rolled my eyes;

"Yeah, well I wasn't born yesterday buddy. Why are you here?" He smiled;

"That's my Maximum. Tough till the end. Even after everything, you're still in a better shape then anyone else would be." His smile widened, and I frowned. Those words sounded oddly familiar, and suspiciously Maximum Ride like. My frown deepened at this thought and he bowed his head slightly; "Making the connection yet Max? I did write those books, with the best intensions, for you." I narrowed my eyes. So his name was Batchelder, huh? And he was calling me Maximum, ay? I knew where he was coming from, but he could easily have picked up those books at the store. There was no way in hell I was trusting him, just on a few quotes. I decided to play dumb with him;

"What do you mean you wrote the books. What books?" He sighed;

"You know exactly what I'm talking about Maximum, I know you do. And, right now, I'm here to tell you more. A kind of Author's note, if you will." I still didn't really believe him, but I wasn't getting poked or prodded, so I let him waffle on. I nodded for him to continue and he inclined his head slightly.

"I'll start from the very beginning. You're wondering, I'm sure, why exactly you're here - having no obvious qualities that would interest the 'white coats' as I put it, and never having set foot in any sort of place like this. Well. The truth is Maximum. You have been here before. You won't remember it (as I made sure you couldn't for you're own safety) but you were in the same situation around 10 years ago." I almost laughed. This guy had obviously lost the very few precious marbles he had once owned - aka; la nutcase.

But he carried on, convinced of his story; "Your mother and I worked on possible cures for veterinarian cancers, for several years a long time ago; back then we both worked for iTex - but not knowing what was happening behind the scenes. iTex asked us both if we would like to participate in a special sort of survey, that they assured us would be the answer to salvation of global health. Both intrigued, we agreed to take part - your mother had always wanted to be a parent and she looked on this as fate. This survey was a maternal survey, taken from adults that were childless and (apparently) also those who already had children. They were told that the survey was to do with reasons for why viruses couldn't be killed by man-made medicine, and how maternal development could reveal the answer.

The mothers all became pregnant but when the research was carried out, the scientists claimed that they were unable to collect any data. The mothers were told that the only way the scientists could carry out their research was through amniocentesis, which is a dangerous procedure. None of them wanted to go through with it, as the mortality rates of the fetus' were very high. But they were all bound by the paper work they'd signed when they'd joined the trail, and so they had to go through with it.

The procedure was carried out, and the data collected. When the time came, all the mothers were to be knocked out for the procedure, as more data was to be supposedly collected once the baby had been born - from the mother's themselves. All these mothers however awoke to the worst kind of news. Their offspring, born under the trail, were claimed to be still births. They never saw their children, because they were told that the amniocentesis had done too much damage for them to be recognizable.

But this was, sadly, not the case. As you have probably gathered, the white coats lied about everything. They were injecting the mothers with avian DNA, in the hope that 'hybrid' off spring were to be naturally born. Different amounts of the DNA were given to each fetus, to see any variation in the results. The amounts were guided by age; the earliest conceived child had the least amount of DNA and the latest had the largest amount of DNA. They injected the fetus' at the first and only chance; through the amniocentesis. All six of these children were hidden away in surroundings such as this one, their parents remaining unaware of their survival.

The 'white coats' did nothing harmful to them whilst they were infantile, only watched and waited to see if they survived long enough for more testing. All the subjects survived, but not all of them achieved the white coats aspirations. Only five of the subjects were born with visible, physical avian limbs - that would grow along side their normal human ones. One of the subjects appeared to be a completely ordinary infant on the outside. On the inside, however; the heart beat ran at the same rate as the others. It's organs and muscles had the same structure as the others. The only part missing from the oldest subject was the avian limbs - this being the subject with the least avian DNA. The white coats weren't particularly interested in this subject and simply used it to compare the results of the 'hybrids' with a 'failed experiment'. However, this 'failed experiment' went missing at five years old. The white coats searched and searched for the lost specimen, but never found it. It wasn't considered useful, so it wasn't much missed. Later on it was assumed that an Eraser may have consumed it, or killed and hidden it away somehow - as it was a very rebellious specimen, making much trouble.

But before that subject went missing, it was put under the conditions of 'testing' - as each of the subjects were, when they reached 5 years old. Because the subject went missing, it was only part of this for around a month at the very most. For the short time it was there, it certainly didn't make the white coats lives easier - it certainly didn't miss any chance to cause trouble to fight their intentions when ever possible (sometimes accompanied by the second subject). The others on the other hand, knew this as their way of life for around four more years. They lived under the sorts of conditions that you are now, yet slightly less brutal for those who resisted less then you - even if there was several occasions of rebiller from one subject in particular." I smiled, inwardly. If his story is true, then that'll be Fang he's talking about. He carried on;

"After their four years, there came a day which one white coat saw an opportunity to free them of their lives of hell. Two of the subjects were particularly good with pyro-technics - they certainly knowledge they had of what blew up and what didn't; the wreckage of lab 3 was enough evidence of this trait. They acquired some materials from the white coat, and blew a hole in the wall. The white coat opened their cages and gave them a good head start before setting off the alarm - so to stay on the inside, as a trusted employee (helping those in need, whenever possible).

They never caught the escaped hybrids, though they spent many years sending out Erasers. Searching far and wide for them. They could've survived, I hope and think that they did - even if they are still hunted." He looked slightly regretful and I swallowed hard before managing to whisper;

"Why are you telling me all this?" He sighed;

"I'm here to fill in any gaps that the books leave out. I'm not your only friend on the inside, but I am one of the few who has tried to help you - past, present and future. For example our friend Lenny is currently erasing all the film of us talking together. Not everyone is your enemy, Maximum." I snorted: yeah, he's now narrowed down to only half of the world. He looked at me with his eyes flashing;

"We got them out all those years ago and we'll do the same for you." I looked at him skeptically in a 'how the hell are you gonna do that?' sorta way, but he only smiled and said; "How? I have no clue yet…" he carried on looking at me in a slightly creepy way. It almost looked like adoration in his eyes, but the he's wearing coat tells me otherwise. He smiled anyway and said; "You have grown so much. Grown to be all that I'd hoped you be. I'm glad I got this chance to talk with you. It's been a long time." I heard foot steps from outside the door. Jeb jumped up. I tried to do the same but my legs had different ideas, and I fell back to the floor. I pushed myself up on arms that felt like jelly, as he whispered urgently: "Maximum. Get back in the crate. Quick!" My legs still lifeless, I heaved myself up and shifted forwards.

Sounds of fumbling came from outside, just as I got my torso back inside the cage. Jo ran to the camera and was waving at it, frantically - probably at that Lenny guy he said was helping him. I managed to pull my legs up to my chest, just as Jo came rushing over. He locked my cage door and I heard a series of beeps from the door's lock mechanism. I lay down on my side, trying to imitate sleep as Jo shoved the empty water bottle into his pocket. I heard the 'whoosh' of the door opening, and felt the cold draft rush over me. A voice echoed across the room;

"Batchelder! You don't have clearance to be in here!" I heard the rustling of clothing, footsteps and then the door swinging shut as both men left the room.

The locking mechanism made several beeps, and I let out a breath. My heart was beating really fast, but I stayed where I was - feigning sleep. I thought over all that he'd told me. Nothing was specific, but I could easily guess most of what he didn't say. I was the one experiment that had 'failed'. My friends were the escapees of this hell hole and spent around half their lives here, knowing nothing of their parents.

But I did have a couple of questions. How the hell did he get James Patterson to write/publish the books? Why did he take me out of the school and not one of the others? If Jeb was Maximum Ride's Dad in the books, could Jo possibly be my father? When would he come and get me out? How would he do it? And why should I suddenly believe a nutcase that comes in, tells me a colourful story, and then runs out as fast as he came in anyway?

A memory came floating back to me from when I was a lot younger, when Mum was trying to comfort me. She always said that when things go wrong and you don't know what to do, always consider common sense. That would generally help, but right now; most of my common sense was running around, screaming in panic. And I honestly can't blame it...


Within the next few hours I was rudely awakened from my snoozing, by being dragged out of my cage by my hair. My muscles still weren't exactly working properly (thanks to a hell of a lot of electricity) and I was feeling a little too weak to fight. The Eraser dragged me along only two corridors, and then chucked me inside a long thin room. I luckily landed on my back, as my nose was still healing, but was still winded by the hard flooring. The speakers in this room were being used by the same woman as last time;

"Subject One, get to your feet now. The test with begin within ten seconds." repressing the urge to growl (my throat was still dry from water depravation) I pulled myself off of the ground. After finding my feet, I turned around and gave the one sided mirror a death glare. The speakers crackled again;

"To pass the test, you must run for as long as possible, pushing yourself to do the very best you can possibly do. Failure to reach either of these targets will result in consequences. Do you understand?" I forced myself to speak, but it came out as a more or less of a croak;

"Yes." The speaker crackled again;

"Yes M'am!" I smirked slightly and managed to croak back;

"There's no need to call me M'am Dr Cyco." I regretted my outburst (however good it felt) as I heard a half contained shriek from the speakers, at the shock of the 'subject' ever disobeying and order. I heard the woman take several breaths to calm herself before she said;

"This is what happens when you don't follow the rules Subject One" I clenched my fists and tensed my muscles waiting. I'd been beaten up since I'd gotten here, and really wanted to kick some ass - even if I wasn't exactly up to it. What I really wanted her to shove a couple of Erasers in here to do the deed; I'd like to see 'em try! I stood there and the seconds passed before the speakers rang out again. But this time, it wasn't the women's voice that I heard, it was a constant ringing. The sort of ringing just at the perfect pitch to cause enormous amounts of pain. I bent over double, hands clapped tight on my ears - though it was little help. The ringing stopped and I slowly took my hands off of my ears. I stood up, shaking - both from rage and repressing the urge to vomit. The speakers used the woman's voice again;

"Begin in 3...2...1...0." I stood on the spot, wondering what would happen, when the whole room started to move. It was a second before I realized that I was on a giant treadmill - the length and width of the whole room. I started moving, trying to keep up with the machine as it got faster and faster...


If ever you complain of cross county again, first think of me now, and then shut up moaning - cause I had something to moan about. After more then 15 minutes of running I had gotten 'punished' three times and had blood trickling slowly out of one of my ears because of it. My throat had completely dried up, so that I was now struggling to breath. My legs had been painful for the past 10 minutes and were now starting to go slightly numb. I was really starting to feel light headed, having not eaten or drunk anything since I got here - accept the very small bottle of water Jo gave me. Oh and I was also marginally pissed off at the dudes in white. Not the best day I've had in a while. Good news though; I managed to pass out within a personal record of 20 minutes, so it's not all doom and gloom...oh.

My day wasn't getting any better as I was brought back to the land of the living - by being zapped with a large amount of volts. I was given enough water to survive a little longer, but only after they finished with a couple of blood tests. Then I was dragged into the corridor and shoved back in my cage - which they kindly brought along. I lay there, too tired to move, while they wheeled back to my room. I think I fell asleep again, after I was given some food, but I really don't know. I kinda drifted in and out of conciseness for the next couple of hours. I think the last time I woke up I was coughing a hell of a lot. I had a feeling that it was something to do with the massive cloud of green smoke that was filling the room. But what do I know?


Random Observing White Coat's POV

The crate was wheeled inside the theater by an Eraser just as they finished prepping the room. This kind of procedure had never been attempted before and most of the staff involved with the initial project were squashed into the small viewing area above the room. All of us looked down at the metallic operating table. All focused on the girl who was placed on top. Straps were applied to the limbs to prevent moving, and the surgeons gathered around the table. The procedure took 3 hours, and 3 different sets of staff to complete the job, but the subject was alive at the end of it. The really interesting findings would start here, as the subject started to stir. This is where the future of mankind was being made, this is only the beginning of globalized protective salvation.


MAX POV

I defiantly remember waking up at this point, and boy was I WIDE awake. I had three, no make that four, reasons for this;
1) I was in a lot of pain - for a change.
2) I really don't remember being this heavy the last time I was conscious.
3) I was lying on my belly on a cold metallic operating table that I hadn't fallen asleep on.
4) I saw that there were about 20 white coats scattered around the side of the room that I could see - each checking stuff; from monitors that I was hooked up too, to vials of suspiciously coloured liquid.

Yeah I was kind of freaking out a little.

I stayed lying there, not moving a muscle. Mostly because I couldn't, my body appeared to be completely asleep. I could open my eyes though and it's a start. Only problem was I could do anything else. This is one of those times when I'm glad for the voice in my head: Hey Val? HEELLLOOOOOOO? Anybody home? Now would be a great time to chip in and teach me something vaguely interesting that I didn't already know… please?

You are currently in an operating room, held down by restraints, still under the influence of advanced morphine and muscle relaxant.

Brilliant.

Oh and you have wings grafted into the muscles on your back, did I forget to mention that? I did, didn't I…

VAL! I'm so gonna-

I'm not Val.

Voice in my head say what?


Lady's and Gentlemen, I give you:

This week's completely pointless, but slightly scary fact:
Mexico City sinks about 10 inches (or about 24.4 cm) per year! Da...da...daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Fly on
M