A/N- ok this chapter was soo big I had to snip it in two, the next part should be up on Friday. But please review both!! Go on I was nice to you! NO FLAMES PLEASE!!!

A/N- This contains some swearing. Sorry, I don't swear but it seemed to fit for some reason. Sorry to those, like me, who see no need.

Chapter 11 Friction in the force.

 (Alongside Becoming them…remembering me)

Skye had always thought of herself as a miracle of genetics. Okay so maybe miracle was pushing it, but she had definitely not been what the Manticore trained geneticist had ordered- after all she should have been a boy.

When she had slipped out of the surrogate "mother", moments after Steve and had been pronounced a girl as opposed to the boy she was supposed to be, it seemed that she had aroused someone's interest. Someone who didn't tire easily; as that was the only reason she could think for them still using her as a pin cushion after all of these years.

Rubbing her arm where the Vampire doctor had drawn more blood she buttoned her shirt again and stretched.

She smiled as she heard her joints pop, it felt good.

She was almost ready to go and rejoin the rest of her Unit again.  Not that it was a great source of joy. Sometimes Skye had the feeling that she didn't really belong to the unit. Oh she did, she knew that, but she had never really fitted in, at least not since they turned teens.

She didn't get on very well with any of the females in the unit; she knew that Feen and Chance didn't like her very much. She had gotten on okay with Drew before she was transferred to Special Ops and recently had been talking more with quiet Cece. She was better with the males; Alec had been her big brother, almost as much as Steve had been. Biggs was a pain and she avoided Techie as much as he did her. She didn't really have anyone, other than Steve who she could really talk to.

But she didn't place the blame solely on her own shoulders for that.  Manticore had made her outspoken and she thrived on telling people exactly what she thought.

Still, even if she wasn't as close to them, it was nice to be around people who understood her, even if they didn't like her so much. Well that wasn't true. Just recently she had got to know Anna who was a lot like her, and B.J who seemed to get on okay and of course there was Flex. Flex made her laugh with his flirtatious ways and she responded in kind. Anna had even said that they made a perfect couple…oh well it was something to think about.

With one last stretch Skye stood up to ask the medic if she could leave now.

Leaning against the door, she was about to push it open when she heard whispered voices.

Pushing away the notion that curiosity killed the cat, Skye listened hard.

"I'm tellin' ya Pete, it's a damn shame. 494 had such potential!"

Had?

Skye's heart thudded in her chest almost painfully. What did he mean 'had'?

"Still might once they are done with him, Micky."

"Nah, I'm tellin' ya. One bad apple spoils the whole bunch. I told ya what happened back in Wyoming. The whole damn unit was sent down thanks to that damn 09er. She ain't nuthin but trouble."

"Yeah, I heard what went down."

Skye heard the tiredness in the man's voice and listened harder.

"I ain't just talking about the units; you know what happened with all of the trainers. Half disciplined, some stripped of rank, some relocated, and I heard a few were even killed."

"Huh," Pete laughed derisively, "Them is just stories to scare the guards into behaving."

"Stories or not, I know for a fact I was sent here rather than to Wyoming where I was assigned because they were restructuring. It all down to her I'm telling ya."

"One girl?"

"452 ain't just a girl. She's an 09er- everyone knows that their D.N.A was defective."

"Defective? They got the hell out of here didn't they? Seems to me they had the right idea."

Skye could hear the exasperation in Micky's voice.

"Mebbe they did, but they weren't programmed to it. Kids as soldiers just ain't natural. The 09ers were a bad bunch and she's tainted them all. 494 was the best of the best and she got him sent to Psy-Ops."

"How?"

"Seeds of discontent."

"Bah! You need to stop reading books man, before you choke on one of them big words."

"Seriously Pete, 452 and her unit had destructive intentions. Her yatter about leaving, escaping and all, made him screw up. 494 is there because he listened to the damn 09er too much."

"Whatever you say pal. Let's get back to rounds before the harridan notices we've gone okay?"

"Yeah sure."

Skye waited until their footsteps echoed down the hall before she slumped back to the bed.

Alec in Psy-Ops? and what was all that about it being Max's fault? What happened in Wyoming, what happened to the trainers and units that they mentioned?

Max never said anything about her time there and the others were just as tight lipped. Well, Alec was her C.O and her friend. She was going to find out what was going on.

~~

Dek and Cece were sitting in the computer room going over some read-outs when Skye stormed in.

"Have you seen Steve anywhere?" she demanded without preamble.

"No, although he might be doing drills with the X6's," Cece offered surprised," Are you okay, Skye?"

Skye looked down at her hands, surprised to see them shaking. She clenched her fists; she was normally a lot more cool and composed than this.

Skye took a deep breath and tried to calm herself, "I think Alec's in Psy-Ops."

The effect was instantaneous. Dek and Cece both flew to their feet, faces taut in shock. Cece's hand was in front of her mouth as her eyes widened in shock.

"What- why?"

"I was in med bay and I overheard two guards talking about him being in Psy-Ops," She bit her lip, wondering whether to tell them the rest of it.

"Skye?" Dek knew that look in her eyes. She was holding something back.

Skye quickly filled them in on what the guards had said, word for word, as all transgenics could do.

Dek raked a hand through his dirty blonde hair and shook his head.

"No. No way."

"I'm just saying what I heard." Skye avoided his searching gaze.

Cece frowned, "I- I don't know Skye."

"Look, before we jump to conclusions, maybe we should go find Alec. Okay?" Dek shot out, pinning Cece with a hard stare. He knew that she was jealous of all of the time that Max and Alec spent together, but surely there was no way that she could believe that Max had anything do with Alec being in Psy Ops. It was obvious that Max liked Alec- a lot. She wouldn't put him in Psy-Ops.

"How?" Skye scoffed. "if he is in Psy Ops then how are we supposed to find out?"

Dek ignored her and headed for the door. With a shrug Skye and Cece followed him.

Dek was feeling sick, Alec had been his C.O for as long as he could recall and the only time he had been to Psy-Ops was back in 09 when those kids in Wyoming had escaped. Alec wasn't the type to screw up on a mission- not even for Max.

He walked more calmly than he felt down the long hall and towards med bay.

Pushing open the door, he glanced around and spotted a nurse.

"Hey Mary."

The pretty brunette looked up and blushed. "Hi there, 766."

Dek had spent a lot of time in the nurse's station. Once he had been assigned to Special Ops, he had discovered that he excelled in field med and surgery, like Tara. He enjoyed the messier options, such as bullet wounds and the like and had often come down here to help out and learn more when his unique mixture of D.N.A meant that he didn't sleep more than one night in four, before he realised that Max, Emma and Chance had similar problems and could keep him company. It was something constructive to do with his time and he had learned to get along pretty well with the nurses.

Mary was one of the younger ones and it seemed like she had a bit of a crush on him. It made him smile.

"Listen Mary, I kind of need a favour."

"Are you hurt?" her eyes swept over him in a searching gesture and he smiled at her.

"No. I just need some info. You know my C.O 494?"

Mary smiled and nodded, "He's in here often to check on your unit."

"Yeah. Well I need to know if he's in Psy-ops."

Mary's smile faded. "766, that area is off limits to everyone."

Dek let his face fall and he ducked his head and looked at her from under his lashes. "I wouldn't ask if it weren't important."

Mary bit her lip and glanced towards the office. "I don't know."

"Please?" his little boy voice caught her and she sighed.

"I'll try to find out. Where will you be?"

"Rec room on the third floor," He smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek, smiling as she blushed harder, "Thank you Mary."

"Just go," She ushered him out and turned back to the office.

Dek walked back out into the hall to see Skye and Cece leaning against the wall.

"Well?" Skye demanded.

"She's gonna try to find out. We should head back to the rec room and she'll find us when she knows more."

Skye rolled her eyes and Dek fought the urge to smack her. She was being annoying but he could tell that she was as worried as he was. She just hid it better than Cece who was biting her nails.

Wrapping his arm over Cece's shoulder, in a gesture designed to comfort her, Dek led them to the recreation room.

Thankfully it was still mostly empty. Coco was curled up on the sofa reading up on poisons and Drew was there with her books spread out in front of her.

Dek dropped Cece and walked over to Drew as soon as he saw her.

He flopped into the chair next to her and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Drew's hand came up to hold the back of his head in a comforting gesture and she half turned.

"Dek?"

He shuddered and her worried face caught Skye's. "What's going on?"

"Alec might be in Psy-Ops," Dek answered her, his voice slightly muffled by her neck.

 "Dek, is it confirmed?" 

Dek smiled, knowing that she knew him well enough to be sure that the first thing he had done was try to confirm where their C.O was.

Drew had always made him feel better just by being there. It was the same with her as well; he made her feel better just being there. They weren't brother and sister like Steve and Skye or even Biggs and Chance. They weren't like Max and Alec; what they had was closer than that. They finished each others sentences and thoughts and Drew always knew what to do or say.

"We should be finding out soon."

Coco watched them carefully. "Why would Alec be in Psy Ops?"

"Can we just confirm that he is before we start making rash judgements?" Drew took charge of the situation in her usual no nonsense terms. "The last thing we need is to panic, okay?"

Coco nodded but there was no doubting the tension that was suddenly in the room.

"Where is everyone?" Cece said her voice with a slightly hysterical edge.

"Flex, Biggs, Pix and Sunny are away on a mission. They should be back in about a week or so," Drew stroked Dek's head as she spoke, "Chance, Techie and Feen are rerouting the computer circuitry in beta hut. Aiden is on an informant meet with Sandoval.  Tara and Mets are in the med labs doing something with the geneticists. Steve, B.J and Zan are out training. I think they're in the obstacle field."

"I saw Carrot in the common verbal hut," Coco shrugged. "No idea what he's doing but Anna and Emma were having a study session in the quad. I have no idea where Max is."

Cece scoffed and Dek's head shot up to pin her with a glare.

"What?" she said irately. "I'm just saying."

"Well don't," he spat and shifted closer to Drew.

Drew looked between the two of them, "Max was in study hall with the other unit this morning but she blurred out when the trainer wasn't looking. I overheard an X6 talking about it. What do you know?"

"Disobeying regulations and deviant behaviour. Gee!" Cece gave Dek a 'see there!' look which he ignored in favour of breathing deeply of Drew's comforting scent.

"What the hell are you going on about?" Coco demanded staring at Cece.

Cece glanced at Skye who was staring out of the window, "Skye, tell 'em."

"Look for all we know, they were just shootin' their mouths off," Skye said angrily, her worry staring to overtake her. "We wait for Dek's nurse-y friend, okay?"

Coco's demand that they tell her what they were talking about was cut off as the door opened and Steve, B.J, Zan and Aiden walked in.

Skye heaved a sigh of relief as her brother entered but pride made her stay where she was when all she wanted was to rush into his arms like Dek had done to Drew. When all she craved was the comfort of family, her stubborn sense that she was Queen made her stay rooted to the floor, cold and proud.

"Hey guys what's up?" Zan asked jovially as he waltzed in.

"Nothing yet," Dek stared fixedly at Cece as if daring her to say anything. They all knew how tight Zan was with Max and if anyone said a bad word about her without something substantial to back it up…well no one wanted to be in those shoes.

Zan gave him a strange look. "O-kaaay then."

Steve watched as Skye hugged her arms tighter around herself and stared out of the window.

He would never understand his sister, twins or not. There was just something about her that screamed female and every male knew that women were incomprehensible.

He slowly made his way over, his hands deep in his pockets.

"Hey you."

"Hey." Her tone was as cool as normal but Steve could see by the way she tensed that all was not well.

"You okay?"

"Fine."

Steve sighed. Women!

~~

The remnants of Special Ops and Unit 8 had filtered in, each one wondering about the tense atmosphere, but getting nothing out of those who seemed ready to snap at any minute. Cece especially looked like she was a breath away from a full hysterical fit and no one was about to set her off. They were soldiers; they didn't deal with crying very well at all.

It was getting later and later and none of them wanted to go to bed. They all seemed to sense that their presence was needed and it felt wrong for any of them to leave…even if they didn't know why just yet.

About 3:00 A.M, silence so deep and thick it required a chainsaw to cut through had settled on the room. They sat in various states of almost total stillness that would have unnerved any brave enough to check in the room.

It was thankful that at this age the bed checks weren't a nightly routine or else they would all be in trouble.

Just as the thought occurred the door to the Rec room swung open and all heads turned to pin the pretty young woman who walked in with harsh eyes.

Mary gulped and her gaze darted around the room. She spotted 766 who stood up immediately and walked over, his tired face full of apprehension.

"Hey Mary." His calm voice was soft and she eased slightly.

"Hey yourself." she bit her lip. "It took me a while to get the head nurse busy enough so I could sneak away."

"And?" He was too worried to be polite just now.

Mary hugged herself. "494 screwed up a mission and is in Psychological Operations and observation."

"What?" Chance's breath exploded from her body in one long huff.

Mary jumped and stared around the room. It suddenly felt closer and much more hostile than a moment ago.

"T-that's a-all I k-know," She stammered and Dek nodded.

"I appreciate you finding out for me Mary. We need some time." he gestured to the rest of the room who were beginning to stir.

Mary retreated hastily, eager to go.

Half way down the hall she paused to get her breath and a shiver shook her spine. The feral look in their eyes as they stared at her when she walked in would stay with her for a long time. It was like she had invaded their territory…no it was like she was prey and they were predators. If she didn't know better she'd have said that she just escaped with her life. She was glad to be going back to the station.

Dek swung back as the room erupted in chaos.

"What was that?" Steve demanded.

"Alec in Psy- Ops? Why?" Chance and Feen said almost in unison as B.J shot to his feet in rage.

"What the hell?!"

"Settle down!" Yelled Drew and they turned to her. "We don't know why."

"Don't we?" Cece said icily and their glances swung to her.

"Skye heard them talking. Tell them."

Skye swallowed, she didn't want to do this.

"They were just talking."

"Who?" croaked Anna as she hugged herself.

Skye looked towards Steve who touched her shoulder in a gesture of comfort.

"Some guards who'd seen Alec. They… they said that the reason he was in Psy-ops was because Max had been a bad influence on him, incite to insubordination."

"NO!" exploded Zan as he lurched to his feet. "That's bullshit and you know it!"

He pointed at Skye who winced.

"Back off," Steve ordered as he felt his strong sister shake.

"Yeah, come on Zan, no one believes it, right?" Dek asked as he glanced around. "Right?"

"Hell no," Coco scoffed but there was silence all around. "Hello?" she called in indignation.

"Well, since Max arrived Alec has been acting less like he used to," Feen hedged.

"It's called growing up- you might wanna try it!" Drew spat and Feen bristled.

"Hey, I'm just saying."

"Well don't," she cut in again. "Max is a great C.O and Alec is his own damn person, okay?"

Feen sighed and waved her hand. "I'm not saying she isn't."

"Then what the hell are you saying?" Zan growled.

Aiden stood up. "Can we all calm down. There is no point fighting amongst ourselves."

"Are you siding with them?" Cece said incredulously. "You've known Alec since test tubes. Since little Miss 09er has been here, he's been totally different."

"Yeah more open and happier and excuse me but that little Miss 09er happens to be my friend." Coco stood up, her hands on her hips.

"Oh God." Tara dropped her head into her hands and Carrot pushed away from the wall he was leaning against to sit by her side.

"Can we knock it off, this isn't helping," he said as he rubbed her back soothingly.

"Yeah, Alec has always been his own person," Anna interjected.

"You've not known him that long," Chance pointed out.

Anna rounded on her "Oh so because I haven't been born and bred in Seattle, I don't know my own damn C.O. is that it?"

"No, I just meant-" Chance faltered at the fierce look on the girls face, "He has been different recently."

"So you think Max got Alec sent to Psy Ops huh?" Zan faced the brunette who almost cowered.

"N-no," Chance stammered and Feen jumped in front of her.

"Back down," She snarled "This isn't Chance's fault either."

"Why would they say that about Max?" Techie's calm voice cut into all of the angry sounds.

"He said it was because Max was an 09er and she tainted the unit back in Wyoming and then brought her poisoning dysfunctional ideals of escape and betrayal back here with her." Skye sounded slightly sick as she spoke.

Zan whirled around and punched the wall causing Emma to squeak and Tara to bury her face in Carrots chest.

Drew laughed bitterly "You're gonna get taken away again if you don't stop with the unsanctioned redecorating."

"Ask me if I care," Zan managed "I can't believe you guys. Max has stood toe to toe with you all, saved your lives, laughed with you and you can turn your back on her like this."

"No one is turning their back on her," Mets said smoothly.

"Sounds like it to me," Coco glared at Cece who stood her ground.

"Alec is like a big brother to most of us. He was fine before Max arrived and now he's throwing missions and ending up Psy-Ops?"

"There are plenty of reasons a mission goes sideways and you know it." Drew folded her arms.

"Well, you're only in Special Ops on sufferance so your opinion- not really counting."

Everyone stopped as Cece's words echoed. She looked a little scared at her own daring as Drew flushed.

"Is that right?" her voice was cold and low. "And you so hot and bothered about Max because you have a crush on Alec and that is perfectly acceptable. What bothers you more 202, that she's cautionary or that she's competition?"

"My name is Cece."

"And who gave you that name, Princess, huh?" It seemed that Drew had finally had enough as she stood and advanced on Cece who backed away with a terrified look on her face.

Mets jumped in front of her. "Chill Drew."

"I'll chill all right," Drew growled and tried to push past him.

"Stop it, stop it, stop it!" Tara sobbed, tears running down her face. "Max is our friend. She's stood up for us, she hates traitors. She wouldn't do that to Alec!"

Carrot pulled her closer nodding and looked at them warily. "Where is Max?"

"No one's seen her since she left her lecture earlier this morning." Skye looked at her watch "Or rather yesterday morning." she finally gave in and leaned on Steve's shoulder. Everyone else was falling apart; they'd never notice her moment of weakness.

"Running out on her lecture- doesn't that seem a little I don't know insubordinate?" Cece carried on maliciously. "And the whole mischief thing- she excelled."

Zan rolled his eyes. "We were all in on that. It was fun."

"Not for those of us who had punishment duty," B.J said quietly and Coco rounded on him.

"Not you too?"

"Don't get me wrong, I like Max but Alec does let her get away with a lot… and if half of what I heard about her in Wyoming is true- I mean she was in Psy-Ops every other week."

"None of you has the slightest fucking clue what went on in Wyoming," Zan spat. "Don't presume to tell me what Max went through because you weren't there. She survived hell."

"Please!" Cece rolled her eyes and they were all shocked at how vicious the normally quiet transgenic had become. "We were all put in lock down for months because of those rug-rats. Half portions, intense evaluations, monitored behaviours, cameras in every room. Tell me what she had so bad?"

Zan opened his mouth to tell her exactly what he'd read but good sense intervened at the last second. "It's Max's story- not mine."

"Convenient." 

"Bitch," Coco threw at Cece who shrugged.

"Better bitch than blind. Max isn't the goody two shoes you think."

"She's not the demon you think either." Drew dropped her hands from Mets' chest and walked back around the table.

"None of us really know Max," Chance began hesitantly. "She doesn't let us get too close."

"Wonder why?" Dek remarked sarcastically but Chance carried on.

"Maybe if we asked her…"

"Gee Max, did you by any chance make Alec go crazy, screw a mission and get sent to Psy Ops?" Dek laughed. "Rather you than me, sweetheart."

Emma and Aiden sat side by side on the sofa watching as the barbs were thrown about by the two groups. They were the two most sensitive and cautious of the group and they stayed out of the fighting as much as possible. It seemed that sides were being taken as they sat there.

Cece, Feen, B.J and Steve seemed firmly in the "Max's fault" corner while Dek, Drew, Zan, Coco, Carrot and Tara were Max's defenders.

The rest sat on the fence watching with bated breath to see which way the wind blew.

Feen huffed in anger. "Well we could ask Max, but she isn't here! We could ask Alec but…oh yeah he's being tortured right now."

Chance paled at those words and she grabbed her stomach "I think I'm gonna be sick."

"Let's go," Feen said and pulled her towards the door, she paused, "Techie?"

"N-no," He stuttered slightly at her glare of determination but stood still. Feen's eyes widened a she stood up to her.

"No," he repeated and this time it was stronger. "Max has always been g-good to me. She wouldn't do that to Alec."

He seemed scared at his own daring, as if defying Feen was something that he had never even considered a possibility. The girl scared him even as she forced her presence on him.

Emma smiled in approval, seemed like Max had another avid supporter.

Cece patted Chance's back and sighed deeply. "What do we do?"

"I say we find Max and ask her if she knows why Alec is in Psy-Ops." Anna suggested.

"Maybe she doesn't even know he is," Drew pointed out. "None of us knew until Dek's nurse told us."

"Max always knows," Zan said loyally.

The door burst open and a young X7 who Aiden knew raced in.

"Is it true what everyone's saying?"

"What's that?"

"That 494 is in Psy Ops?"

 Everyone gaped. "How the hell did you know that?"

"One of desert Moles came back from manoeuvres, he had to feed the anomalies as punishment for dropping a grenade in the Mohave. He said he saw 494 in Psy Ops."

"Well the cats out of the bag now. If she didn't know she will do in a few hours. No one can gossip like an X-series," Emma stated.

"Why's that?" B.J blinked nonplussed by the sudden subject change.

"No cable, we have to make our own entertainment," Chance murmured.

"You've been spending way too much time with Pix," Anna pointed out and Chance gave a half grin which faded quickly.

"Oh God, Pix, Biggs, Sunny and Flex don't come back for a week- they don't know."

"Neither do we," Zan pointed out. "Right now this is all still speculation."

"Speculation my ass, you heard the kid." Cece gestured towards the door where the X7 had raced away obviously eager to share the confirmation he had seen in their stances. "He was seen by a Mole. They don't tend to make things up- no imagination."

"Yeah," Feen began but the sound of bugles cut her off as TAP's played in the courtyard. "Breakfast."

"Not hungry." Carrot said with a laugh. He was always hungry- he said he was growing boy and needed all of the nourishment that he could get. And now he couldn't stomach the thought of food.

"Let's just get down there okay?" Aiden, ever the peacemaker said "We can decide who thinks what later."

"I can't believe you all!" Zan shook his head in disgust.

Cece rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, the only reason you're defending Max is because you want in her-"

"Shut up!" roared Dek. They all jumped. Usually Dek was they one who always kept his cool. His bad boy attitude was something they all relied on and he maintained it well. But now he was livid.

"We. Are. A. Team." He punctuated each word. "Fighting amongst ourselves will not bring Alec back faster.  Blaming Max will not help Alec at all." The rage ebbed from his body as he used his finally honed soldier-ness to bring his temper to heel.

He took in Feen glaring at a red faced Techie; Aiden and Emma sitting quietly looking for all the world like they are at a tense tennis match; Chance looking pale and frightened; normally solid, stubborn Skye shakily leaning on a disgruntled Steve; Tara who's face was streaked with tears that had soaked the front of Carrot's shirt; Coco who was glaring daggers at a vindictive and slightly scared Cece; Mets who couldn't get Drew to meet his eyes and Zan who seemed to be on the boil just waiting for another chance to erupt. Then there was Anna staring at B.J in disgust- oh well something's don't change.

"Let's eat. We'll discuss this when everyone has calmed down."

~~

As they entered the breakfast hall, it was obvious that word had gotten out. The normally silent room was abuzz with whispered conversation and glances towards the tables of Special Ops and Unit 8. When they reached the two tables they all stopped and glanced at each other. Normally they'd feel comfortable mixing with each other but right now no one knew where to look. Special Ops slid towards their table leaving Unit 8 to take their own in silence except Tara who couldn't seem to let go of Carrot's hand.

None of them felt much like shovelling the grey porridge or lukewarm toast into their mouths and even less like talking and making jokes.

To his credit Aiden tried a few words, but was met with an unnerving silence which contrasted to the rumblings of the rest of the room.

They snapped their glances up when the noise level died and looked towards the door where Max stood glancing around. Her gaze fell on Cece who glared at her, and Max's face fell.

Zan was fuming as he saw the hostile looks that Feen and Steve shot Max and the way that even Chance and Skye wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Calm." Emma put her hand on Zan's arm and he saw that he had squashed his bread roll into crumbs in his anger.

He dusted off his fingers and waited for Max as she walked across the room, her head held high.

She slid into her seat and concentrated on her breakfast without a word to the others. It was obvious that she knew about Alec, her taut frame took away any doubts about that. Her red rimmed eyes and waxy complexion showed them that she was as worried as they were- maybe more so.

Tara wanted to say something comforting but didn't know what and she wasn't sure that she could trust herself not to open her mouth and start to cry again. She squashed herself closer to Carrot who responded by putting his arm around her shoulder.

"Well, he was fine until she got here."

Everyone on the table noticed Max's shoulders tense as the voice rang clear across the hall.

Drew turned to see Geordie- the unctuous little moron who teased Chance relentlessly as a child- speaking as loud as he dared. "494 was exemplary, the best C.O ever, he did nothing wrong until that 09er showed up to screw everything up. You know he's been different since she started here."

The hall fell silent as everyone waited to see what would happen next. It was same sort of silence that the Christians in Ancient Rome had dread- the one that meant that something bad- real bad was about to happen to them.

"She's poisoned him. Tainted him."

Coco felt her eyes narrow as she scowled across at Geordie.

Someone caught her eye and turned to the loudmouthed Geordie.

"Enough," they hissed at him. But he wouldn't be quiet

"I'm just saying what everyone else is thinking."

At his words Max looked up for the first time since entering the hall.

Zan smiled at her and she nodded as if knowing that he would be on her side.

Drew leaned over and touched Max's arm trying to convey support and Emma glared at those who had spoken out of turn. Under her hand Drew felt Max's hand shake and she pulled it away darting a glance over at Unit 8.

None of them would look at her. Some confused, some incensed and all felt awkward.

Drew could see the hurt in Max's eyes even as she slammed her Manticore shields in place. She pushed away her plate and stalked out. The hall echoing with noise once she was gone.

"What the hell is your problem?" Zan growled and heads snapped to him.

"Easy, Zan," Dek whispered.

"Screw easy," Zan said in disgust as he rounded on Unit 8, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

The unit stared down at their table.

"219, watch your mouth." Drew hissed "The forbidden words-"

"It's called cussing," Zan bit out and stared down the trainer who was about to say something. He knew that since his tirade in his room, the trainers were slightly afraid of him and he pushed that.

"You know you all say that the 09ers are traitors, the 09er were bad? Well when they left- they all tried to go, they didn't leave anyone behind or leave anyone out and they never- never- turned their back on a unit-mate, never. Maybe they could teach you something."

Zan stormed out leaving them in silence.

~~

Drew leaned against Dek who placed his arms around her shoulder.

"It's gonna be all right," Dek murmured.

"Liar," She smiled up at him. It felt funny that they seemed to be taking it in turns to be the strong one in their relationship but that was how it had always been. It was like they drew strength from each other's strength and it made them stronger together.

"Let's go." He pulled her up and they held tight as they followed Zan.

Mets watched them go, his eyes unreadable.

~~

Explanatory history was interesting as well as useful. The Trainer took certain situations throughout history and explained why they happened, what forces made things go that way and how this could benefit them.

Special Ops took these lessons with the rest of the X5's as Renfro didn't want to dissociate them from their peers too much. Right now Zan wished it had just been Special Ops. He could feel Max tense by his side as he slipped into his seat.

Zan had sat next to Max and pressed himself against her side, knowing that they felt comfort from touch. He scrawled notes and saw her doing the same. But it was like she wasn't aware of it. He noticed that the rest of Special Ops was also taking comfort, sitting closer to each other than they would normally.

Today the Trainer was explaining the fear and prejudice behind mass hysteria such as in the case of the Nazis, American Indians and the Salem Witch trails. He was pointing out that this hatred of what was different was rooted in a fear of the unknown, fear that turned to anger and led to violence. This could be incorporated to their advantage. Nothing was more stupid that a human mob- and nothing was easier to Manipulate.

Everyone sat listening to the Trainer, hoping that the fascinating lesson would temporarily stop their arguments.

Zan had begun to relax as he thought that at least Max wouldn't have to deal with accusations during lessons when he tuned into the conversation behind them.

"Well I heard that she was nothing but trouble back in Wyoming, always in punishment of one form or another."

Zan stiffened and clenched his fists.

He knew Max was listening to them as they spoke about her time in the pit and Psy-ops. It brought him back to his reading of her files and his blood slowly began to boil.

Oct 6 2011

Subject X5-452 reported to the Med bay with two broken ribs and a fractured jaw line. Ribs were set and the jaw line repaired. Subject insists that she fell in basic drills and was trampled by accident. The line of the jaw break is not consistent with this story- needs verification. VERIFICATION DENIED.

Oct 11th 2011

Subject X5-452 sent to the Pit for three days for insubordination, med assessed and ready for duty.

 Nov 4 2011

Subject X5-452 was sent to the med bay by Guard 191412, he found her in the field covered in blood. Checks indicate that it was her own. Subject was admitted to med bay with concussion and maintains that she is unaware of what happened. Needs verification. VERIFICATION DENIED.

February 15th 2012

Subject X5-452 has history of disciplinary problems. Has been assigned to Psy-ops for assessment. Released pending full evaluation. See doctor's notes

February 16 2012

Subject X5-452 assigned to us from Psy-Ops after being released last night, needs to have her arm recast, ribs re-taped and may be suffering from a blown pupil. Admitted to med bay overnight and sent back to Psy-ops in the morning.

May 14 2013

Subject X5-452 has emergency surgery after collapse in C yard. Shards of glass found in body, various fractures conductive to assault.  Full investigation into behaviour of Unit 6 required. INVESTIGATION DENIED.

Zan turned to lash out at the two boys who were still speaking but Max placed her hand on his arm and shook her head.

"Actually, it was four times," She stood up interrupting the trainer and everyone turned to look at her; some in horror, some in interest and some in approval.

"I was in Psy-Ops four times in Wyoming," she continued. "Five if you count when we originally tried to escape in 09, that was for a whole year. Yes a whole year of Psy-Ops. It was fun, I loved it. But I was cleared, Lydecker did it himself, that includes my hearing." The two boys had the grace to look embarrassed.

"Human's mass hysteria and stupidity must be catching." Max leaned forward on the desk of the boy who had spoken "Because you caught it 788. Hysteria springs from ignorance and you have no idea what you're talking about. As far as I'm concerned you can speculate and denigrate me as much as you want- you weren't there. I wouldn't wish that on anyone- not even you."

Zan wanted to applaud as she steeped back, her face perfectly calm.

Max turned on her heel and stared at the trainer who swallowed and took a step back at the hollow look in her eyes.

"I think they need a bit more work," She said coolly and walked out of the classroom leaving a shocked gasp in her wake.

Tbc….

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Moonlite star- yeah I'm trying hard to leave them out and give them all their own personality but its difficult- there are so many of them!

Sigma1- Yeah I know Max as an airhead- oh it was fun to see that happen!

Kim- Mets/Drew seems to be a fave…along with Dek/Drew- I have no idea which way that Is going! As for Zan- aw he's a sweetie! I know a lot of it was M/A but I wanted to weave the other characters in to show how they interacted with each other.

Angel21- Thanks, it was different from my usual maybe that's why I didn't like it as much.

Feenian- grin Mets and Drew are getting their share of votes in this!!

Raven- Thanks pet, it was such a headache to get it right and I'm glad it paid off. Asa flashback it told the story but kept us in the right tie frame so hey bonus there!

Moonlight19- LOL, that was a long review!! It is hard to use every character and I know I am neglecting some which is why I asked for faves and so that way I can write about who you guys want. Aw I made you cry? But Zan is now a fave and that's good! And Mets and Drew- damn they are popular. Humour and angst all in one aren't I good to you?  Are you sure you favour Dek and Drew? LOL. Sounds like you were argueing with yourself over Tara! Glad the chap before made you laugh too! I got my ideas from my FABULOUS REVIEWERS!!!

Ru- So you are Chance are you? That's sweet and its great that you can relate to her that well. You want more Pix/Chance? Ok he just has to come back from Manoeuvres first. Watch this space. Pix is adorable and is a fave character of mine.

Moonlite19- LMAO, girl you need a whole section just for you!!! I thought it was sucky- maybe because it was a different style to my usual writing and I wasn't comfortable with it but hey as long as you guys liked it.

Ganko- Thanks pet, it was just different for me. I like to add humour and its great that its well received, not all is doom and gloom although I like that too!! Alec will have his friends to back him up here, so don't worry.

Elizabeth Annette- The 09ers have their own issues, but they won't be dragged back to Seattle like Brin and Zack. I don't wanna give away the story so wait and see!

Messymissy- You like Chance too and Techie- of course and just for you guys who liked him so much the next chapter has your own Techie moment- watch out for that on Friday. Max's UCK kinda mirrors how Alec felt about his UCK and Simon Lehane. So more punishments needed. Got it! BIG EVIL GRIN

Lyndsay- Thank you very much, at least you guys enjoyed it then! Mets was seen from his own point of view and I am looking to expand the character more so look forwards to that. LOO, thanks, ill try not to strain myself.

SGOU- Your welcome, I thought you'd enjoy that! You want a post kiss muse? Lemme see what I can do about that. More on Techie in the next half of this chapter on Friday. So review me! And I will hash out all comments. LOL.