Taeniaea: Thanks again, fast a usual *gg*
Divine Fighter: You'll see about Logan in this chapter. I'm taking it a little bit slow on Max this time, but not for long anymore.
Alan Grey: Forget about shortening your reviews, I'll just make longer breaks (just kidding). As I said, there will be more about Jondy later, I need to think about something for her. Yes, I took Cottle from BSG, forgive me, but he's my favorite tv doc, ok that's not entirely true, I like House too, but I can't imagine him in Manticore...coud be fun, though. About the grey side: I've read Season 2 Redo and totally loved that story (hope aurora242 will update again soon) and I'm thinking about something similar but haven't decided yet.
Thanks for your comment about my English but I have to admit the online dictionary is very helpful too. And no, Zack is not in Manticore, you'll hear about him in the next few chapters. I've been thinking about your question and I have decided that 'Out' would be a good point. It doesn't work with Logan already having his exoskeleton but I hope you can forgive about this mistake, so from now on the story goes AU after 'Out'.
Ok, this took me a little bit more than 12 hours but I hope you're still out there (got you a little bit spoiled during the last week, eh? Just kidding :))
roseyangel: Thanks again, but I have to warn you, no cliffhanger this time ;)
tylee17: Sorry, but sometimes I AM the definition of mean. You'll hear more about Jondy later, she's not just Manticore's little pet soldier again at all, but you'll have to wait and see. I really am glad you're still with me. I hope I can keep you interested enough to stay. And if not, you know it, just give me a little kick to put me back on the right road. Thanks for reviewing again!!
Thanks to all of you who read and review this story, you're awesome!!!
Enjoy!
"During the final years of the last century a military project was started. Its objective was to create genetically enhanced soldiers. In the year 2009 twelve of the prototypes escaped. They were children who were used and abused by their handlers. Today they are living among us trying to evade the shady agency that is still after them. It cannot be tolerated that parts of the military has been abusing children to reach their goals and Eyes Only will not rest until they are exposed and punished for their acts. The exact location and the officials behind this project are yet to be revealed but they cannot hide forever. This has been an Eyes Only streaming freedom video. Peace. Out!"
Logan smiled when the monitor went black knowing that the whole population of Seattle would have seen this now. After weeks of investigation and arguing with Bling, OC and Asha he had finally decided that it was time to let the public know about Manticore. They, of course, would see this too and he was eager to see what his little publication would let them do. He hoped they would make a mistake, like trying to find out who Eyes Only was and giving him the opportunity to track down Manticore's main base. It was a tiny hope but it was better than sitting around and waiting for one of his informants to come up with some useful information. Already his informants were looking out for Lydecker or one of his TAC teams to enter Seattle but he knew even Manticore would need at least a day to decide what to do next and deploy its forces. It was a waiting game now.
"You sure you doing the right thing, suga?" OC asked from behind him.
"We need to do something" Logan said, turning around. He wore his exoskeleton and was, for a change, able to look down at the shorter woman. "We have tried everything else for over two months now and what did we find? Nothing. We need Lydecker to make the next move."
"Which hopefully will not be storming in here with a bunch of his soldiers." It had been Asha who said that. The leader of S1W was sitting on the couch looking at Logan wearily. She had been against it to go public already but when she had learned about Eyes Only's true identity she gave in but still she didn't feel comfortable with it. Going against corrupt police officers was one thing but Manticore was way of S1W's usual league. It was dangerous, really dangerous and they all knew it but it was too late to take it back. Logan had been adamant about it and now it was done. Asha looked at her friend and wondered how far he would go for that Max. He was a nice guy but he could be – in his own way – very dangerous. She had helped him during the last weeks to gather as much information as possible about Manticore and she had to admit she really liked working with him, now even more than before when she hadn't known he was the famous cyber journalist and sometimes she wondered why she hadn't recognized earlier. He had always been a very moral person and had never been one to run away from trouble instead he seemed to attract it. And he was good looking, too. She shook her head and stood up. This was not the time to have such thoughts and besides he still had this Max he was looking for. "You've got nothing to say, big guy?"
Bling had been quietly watching the whole scenery but now he shook his head.
"Not really. We did everything we could without going public, it was our last option. Let's hope it will shake them enough to make a mistake."
"Always the pessimist, aren't you?" OC was smiling at him.
"I'd prefer realist, Cindy" he smiled back. He liked the platonic friendship that had evolved between them.
"Anyway, now we can do nothing but wait" Logan summarized their situation.
"No, there's something else we could do", OC said after a moment of awkward silence. "Or better: You could do it."
"And what might that be?" Logan looked at her with a mischievous grin already knowing what she was referring to.
"Cook. I'm starving!" OC exclaimed. "You know, being an Eyes Only operative is really exciting and all but this girl hasn't eaten anything in hours so maybe my new secret employer could do something about it?"
"Capitalists" Logan murmured faking shock. "It's always the same with you!"
Everybody laughed and the tension between them seemed to ease a little bit while they made their way to the kitchen.
Lydecker stormed into the room with the gun his hand ready to shoot down any possible enemy but got aware of a very strange scene taking place: Max was still lying in her bed not screaming anymore but still looking scared. Wolf was kneeling at her side trying to comfort her stroking her hair and holding her still tied up hand. When the X5 got aware of somebody bursting into the room the he jumped up getting into his fighting stance but relaxed when he saw it was his superior and went to Max's side again.
The third person was one of the nurses. The woman had backed away from the bed and was looking at her patient with an almost frightened expression. In her hand she still a syringe filled with a yellow liquid.
"What happened here?" Lydecker demanded to know still being short of breath. Wolf didn't answer but shot an angry look at the nurse. The woman finally cleared her throat.
"I came here to give X5-452 a new shot of painkillers but when I approached her she woke up and started screaming. I don't know why."
'Perhaps because every time she got to see a needle in the last two months she has been in agony afterwards?' Lydecker thought angry and was about to speak when Doctor Cottle entered the room shortly followed by X5-494 and Kyla. The doctor and 494 were dressed in what were their respective versions of sleepwear while Kyla still wore her uniform.
"Would anyone please tell me what is going on in my sickbay?" Cottle snarled. "And would you please holster that weapon, Colonel? I can't see anybody in here who deserves to be killed!"
Lydecker got aware that he still was holding his gun in his hands and holstered it. He may be the head of the facility but in sickbay Major Andreas Cottle's word was law for everybody, be it an X5 or a highly decorated Colonel.
"Sir", Wolf began when the nurse didn't answer, "452 got scared when she saw nurse Callan with a syringe. She probably thought she was back in PsyOps."
"I see" Cottle seemed to calm down a little bit. He glanced around and decided that the small room was much too crowded. "Okay, I want everybody except for 451 out of that room two seconds ago. Get out!"
Kyla and 494 obeyed at once and the nurse followed them quickly after giving the syringe to the head physician. Only Lydecker seemingly wanted to stay.
"Deck" The doctor said to his friend an understanding but still stern voice. "Go. I'll be with you shortly."
Reluctantly the Colonel nodded and left. Cottle slowly approached the two X5. 451 was at his sister's side again trying to comfort her while the female X5 kept looking at him.
"Look, you need the painkillers, girl" he said to Max. "I know you probably don't like needles too much but it is necessary. So, will you try to bite my head off will you let me do my job?"
Despite the rather harsh words his voice was calm and it got him the result he wanted. After some seconds of hesitation Max nodded and seemed to relax a little bit. When he bent down he could feel both X5 following every move he made with their eyes. He knew he had to be careful. He had read the files and knew 451 was 452's genetic brother. If he accidently hurt the girl Wolf would probably want to protect her and attack him. It was in his genes, every X5 tried to protect his unit, his family and the bond between the two in here was considerably stronger than usual even if they didn't know it yet.
When the older doctor inserted the needle into Max's arm – the IV had been removed some hours ago – she made a face and tensed but didn't make a sound.
"Done" he said after a few seconds to his patient with a smile and removed the syringe. The two X5 kept looking at him, the girl with incertitude and the boy warningly. He looked tired, almost exhausted but tried not to show it. From what Cottle knew he had been here for almost four days and nights neither sleeping nor eating once. X5 were tough but he had been here long enough to know even they had limits; the boy needed some rest. "451, go to your barracks. You need a break."
"I will stay, sir." Wolf's voice was full of determination and Cottle could have sworn he moved towards his sister just a little bit closer. He shook his head.
"This is not a suggestion! You will sleep and eat something. I don't want to see you in here again before tomorrow evening. I will send 301 in and she will relieve you, understood?"
"Understood, sir", Wolf answered with defiance. He didn't feel comfortable at all leaving Max's side although he knew Kyla was more than capable of watching her. Cottle nodded and left the room.
Outside the two X5 and the Colonel were waiting for him.
"How is she?" Lydecker asked before he even had a chance to say something.
"Fine. She just got scared when she saw Callan with the syringe. I gave her the painkillers." He turned towards the two X5. "494, thank you for coming, but you're not needed here anymore. Go back to your unit."
The male X5 nodded shortly and disappeared not acting like the smart-aleck he usually was. The sickbay always made him feel uncomfortable and as fast as he had run after 301 when he had heard Max's scream he was gone again.
"I ordered 451 to take a break", Cottle informed Lydecker. "301 can stay here for a while. Goodnight."
"Wait here!" Lydecker said to Kyla and entered the room again. "You can go, 451, do as the doctor told you."
The X5 nodded clearly not happy to leave his sister. When he was gone Lydecker closed the door and turned towards Max. She didn't say anything but kept looking at him intensely. When the silence became too awkward the older man cleared his throat and took a seat on the chair much like Jondy had done it hours before.
"How are you?" The question was out of his mouth before he could think about it. Of course she wasn't well. He shook his head at his own stupidity before trying again. "I know you probably don't believe me but I swear I didn't know what was happening to you. PsyOps wasn't under my command until now. I would never have allowed them to do what they did to you."
Still Max didn't respond and her eyes were still full of distrust but it seemed to him that at least she was thinking about what he said.
"I understand that you only speak to those you trust and I also know that you can't trust me at the moment. I just wanted you to know that I'm very sorry about what happened." He rose from his chair. "I really hope you will be able to trust me again one day, Max. I'm sorry."
Miles away Elizabeth Renfro was sitting in the comfortable seat of a Learjet that would bring her to Washington but she didn't feel comfortable at all, the voice from her cell phone made sure of that.
"How the hell could this happen?" It was a man, a very dangerous man considering the tone he spoke to one of the most dangerous woman throughout the whole intelligence corps. "You know very well that the control of PsyOps is imperative if our plan should work."
"I had no choice" she tried to defend herself. "Lydecker had my men interrogated before I could get there and called in a meeting I could not prevent."
"You know, Elizabeth, somehow I can't get rid of the thought that you will have much bigger problems than that old drunk and the committee when the council hears about this."
"I will get back in control" she assured, her voice slightly trembling. "But I will need more time."
"I will see what I can do, but don't expect too much."
The line went dead and Renfro found herself staring at the phone.
'Lydecker' she thought and felt a sudden wave of hatred. 'I will make you pay for this! You and all of your so called kids!'
Kyla checked Max's pulse and nodded, satisfied. The rogue X5 had calmed down from her latest panic attack. The shorthaired X5 could understand that reaction better than Cottle or even the Colonel. PsyOps had always used injections to drug the X5 undergoing reindoctrination and so waking up seeing somebody with a syringe of course had startled Max.
"I'll be right outside the door" she told Max trying to avoid her eyes. "Call me, if you need anything."
"Kyla", Max tried to hold her back but the X5 just kept walking towards the door. "301."
The X5 stopped and finally turned around, eyeing her suspiciously. "What?"
"Why is he like that?" Her voice sounded reluctant yet determined. It surprised Kyla Max even talked to her. Like the Colonel she had realized that Max only spoke to those she felt could be trusted and why would she trust her? She had brought the her back here where she had been going through hell during the last two months. It was confusing. Nevertheless she kept a straight face.
"Who?"
"Wolf, he almost never looks at me."
"Come on, I'm sure he does."
"No, he doesn't. He's looking everywhere but he never looks me in the eye and if he does once in a while he seems to be…" Max hesitated for a short moment before she finished the sentence almost whispering, "disgusted."
Kyla drew in a sharp breath. "He's not disgusted, don't you ever again think that! It's just…" Her voice trailed off and she looked at the floor feeling more ashamed than ever before. Was there anything they hadn't done to that girl they had been supposed to bring home and protect? Max's voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Then what is it?"
Kyla sighed and took a seat beside Max's bed. This was becoming sort of a ritual. It took the shorthaired X5 a few seconds to gather her thoughts before she spoke.
"He isn't disgusted" she tried to explain, "but every time he looks at you he remembers that he has failed. He isn't disgusted, he feels guilty and ashamed.
"Why do you think that?" Max had an inquiring look on her face. So she had been right about what she had seen in his eyes earlier, but she didn't understand it.
"Because I know him very well and because…" Kyla paused again looking at her jackboots and asking herself why she trusted this X5 so much. After all, she was a 09er and had been out there until only weeks ago but somehow she felt that Max would not betray her. "And because I feel the same."
Max looked at her with disbelief but the female transgenic beside her bed kept her eyes on the floor.
"Why?" Max was more confused than ever.
"It was our mission to bring you back" Kyla refused to look up. "Alive and well. And it was our mission to protect you but we failed. We left you in PsyOps without even trying to find out how you were."
"But there was no way." Max really didn't know what to think anymore. Until now Kyla had always treated her with respect but had kept her distance. The woman she was looking at now was not the X5 she remembered attacking her in Seattle or bringing her back to Manticore. She could almost sense the guilt inside the other woman. "You couldn't do anything about it."
"We could've tried!" For the first time Kyla was looking up. "But we didn't. It wasn't until the Colonel ordered 451 to check on you when we found out; otherwise you'd still be there."
"You really are serious about this, aren't you?" Kyla just kept looking at her intensely and finally nodded. "Why would you take a risk checking on the well-being of 09er, a deserter?"
"Because you're an X5." Kyla tried to smile but failed. She was one of the most coldhearted soldiers at Manticore but she had always cared deeply about all of her siblings. "09er or not, you are family, 452."
Max almost gasped when she heard that. After some seconds she smiled at her minder.
"My name is Max, you know" Max said softly. Kyla looked at her with sudden seriousness and she decided it would be better if she didn't insist on this too much at the moment. Instead she tried to reassure the other woman. "It's nice to know the two of you care about me, but I haven't forgotten how things work here. There was no way you could've found out. Don't blame yourself, I do not either."
It was strange, Kyla thought. Hours ago the transgenic in that bed had been seriously injured, weakened, her body and soul tortured for weeks and now she was already trying to comfort her. She wondered if 452 had always been like that or had learned to be while outside. She couldn't completely believe what the other X5 said but still nodded.
"Thank you", she murmured hesitantly but not yet completely convinced. Sure, her logical mind told her that Max was right; they wouldn't have made it into PsyOps, too many guards and restrictions, but her feral side kept telling her that she had failed to protect her family. Nevertheless she felt a great relief because the brown-haired X5 didn't blame her. It was a start.
Finally Kyla stood up. "I better let you sleep now. I'll be outside."
"Wait!" Max held her back again and Kyla looked down at her but this time her gaze was soft. "Could you…could you stay in here?"
"Why?" That was an odd request.
"Well, it's just…I think I'd feel better when…when I know you're around."
Kyla raised an eyebrow. "Why do you trust me so much?"
"I don't know." Max shrugged. "Somehow I just know you won't betray me."
Astonished Kyla thought about it for some seconds. It wasn't rational at all but well, if she could make Max feel better…she sighed and nodded before sitting down again.
They remained like that for several minutes until Max spoke again.
"Kyla?" 301 thought about not answering to her unofficial name but finally answered.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
Kyla looked at Max in surprise but the other X5 had her eyes closed and just smiled. Manticore's female top soldier couldn't help but smile herself. For the first time since she had learned about what PsyOps had done to Max X5-301 felt relief. It really seemed like her long lost sibling would be alright again.
After several minutes of silence Max's calm and regular breathing told Kyla that the other transgenic had drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
Ok, this was one of the last calm chapters. I plan to release Max out of sickbay soon and she will join her new unit.
And who was that man Renfro spoke to and what will Lydecker do about Eyes Only going public?
Well, give me reviews and I give you an update *grins very wickedly* yes, I know I'm mean!
