Subtle
I had never been good at being left behind. Much as I knew how my shortcomings might jeopardize a mission and that they were safer without me, I still couldn't stand the agonizing waiting and wondering.
I listened intently for a moment and when I was satisfied that no tac leaders were anywhere nearby, I loosened my resolve and fidgeted.
"What's the matter?" 202 asked.
I glanced at the other X-5. She was lying straight on her bed, propped up slightly by one elbow. Her blue eyes watched me curiously.
"I want to know what's happening." I told her.
"We'll know when they get back."
"I know." I said, but kept myself from elaborating.
I couldn't tell her that I didn't want to wait, because we had been trained to be patient. I couldn't tell her that I was worried, because we weren't supposed to feel. I didn't want her to report me to a tac leader or to 857, like she would be obligated to do.
I forced myself to stop fidgeting, reminding myself that my worrying about the unit wouldn't help it any.
Worrying about Alec wouldn't help him any. But I worried anyway.
Finally, I couldn't stand staying inside the confines of my quarters any longer. It was nearing 1700, I knew. I could at least see him off.
Hurrying through Terminal City, I could feel the tension. Even a stranger would know that something was about to happen on this rainy, Seattle night.
When I entered HQ, Alec was already there, talking to Max. An unusually large number of X-series were also in the building, obviously Alec's team.
"Your girl's here." I heard Max inform Alec.
He looked up and saw me.
He muttered something back at Max that sounded vaguely like "She's not my girl," before heading towards me.
"Look, Jess. I told you..." he began.
I shook my head.
"No, I just wanted to see you before you left."
"Oh."
I shifted my weight to the other foot.
"So, are you ready?"
"I'd say born that way, but you know." Alec joked.
A sudden thought filled my head. I couldn't stand to live without his jokes, his grin, his presence. I sprang to him and hugged him tightly.
"Please, be careful." I whispered.
"I will." he promised.
Satisfied at least slightly by his promise, I tore myself away from him. He didn't need sentimentality to mess with his head right now. He needed to be focused on his mission. Especially since I didn't want him to pick up on my plan.
I noticed Max smirking in Alec's direction and so did he.
"Shut up, Max." he warned before she could say anything.
"Who me?" Max asked innocently.
Alec rolled his eyes.
"Troops, fall in!" he ordered, deeming to ignore Max.
Most of the X-series in the room hurried to form a line in front of us, standing at attention.
"Nine?" Max questioned, looking down the line.
"I figured too many people would be too conspicuous." Alec explained.
"Alright. Here's the list of supplies we need. And here's the place you can get them. Bit did some computer work and he says this is the best place to stop. They generally do business as the Black Market General Store. No one will be surprised if they get ripped off. But that also means security who have guns and know how to use them. I know you're feeling all bad ass, but try not to do something stupid." Max said gazing evenly at Alec as she handed him some papers.
"Me? Never." Alec replied immediately. He sobered and turned to his troops, "You guys got that?"
"Yes, sir!" they replied automatically.
"Good. Let's move out."
Obediently, Alec's men headed for the door.
"Expect us back by 2300." Alec told Max as he looked at the papers she had given him.
She nodded.
"And Max," Alec said, looking up at her, "If we're late...don't come after us."
Max looked upset, but nodded again stiffly. I could tell she didn't want to lose Alec any more than I did.
"That goes for you, too." Alec said, turning to me.
I made no reply. Finally, Alec turned and left. I waited for a few moments before turning to head towards the door, as well.
"Well, I'm going after him." I announced.
Max appeared in front of me.
"This mission's invite only." she informed me.
"I don't do staying behind."
"I promised Alec I wouldn't let you go."
"I don't care."
"Don't make me kick your ass."
"You're going to have to because I'm not staying here without a fight."
"Don't say I didn't warn you." Max said, raising her hands into fight position.
"Max!"
We both turned towards Dix who was gesturing frantically at a police scanner. I concentrated my hearing on the cackling noises coming from the piece of equipment.
"...backup. Repeat, we have two transgenic ID-ed and request backup. They're X-series, sir. Caught them on the body heat scanner."
"Shit." Max swore, "Can't I ever catch a break?"
"White's men will have heard that, too, Max." the super-hacker transgenic known as Bit reminded her.
"I know." Max nodded, "And he won't be fashionably late either."
She looked at me.
"I need your help."
I glanced at the door, then back at her, feeling torn. I could either go after Alec or help Max save some transgenics I didn't know. I sighed, knowing I had to do the right thing. It was what Alec would have done, I knew it.
"What's the location?" I asked.
Max smiled at me for a split second before her game-face returned and she turned back to Bit.
"Sector Two. 25th and Dekko." he said quickly.
"Max, I'm coming, too!"
I felt like kicking myself for not noticing Kira sooner. She'd been sitting with Mole in the far corner of the building, cleaning weapons. She ran over, tossing me a handgun as she reached us. I checked the clip quickly, then stuffed the weapon into my waistband. Kira offered one to Max who shook her head and motioned for us to follow her. Kira shrugged and we both followed.
Moments later, the three of us were speeding towards Sector Two. Max had hooked us up with two motorcycles that were apparently the property of Terminal City in general. We spoke little, knowing what to do without having to be told.
It was clear that we had reached the scene of the incident even before we could spot any cops. There was a huge mob forming in the intersection, blocking our view of the activity. And the mob was angry.
Max gestured for us to try and get a closer look. We ditched the motorcycles, leaving them on the side of the street and squeezed our way into the crowd. After a lot of pushing and shoving, we finally could see what was going on.
A short female X-series with long blonde hair was fighting back-to-back with a much taller dark-haired male. They had already dispatched the police officers who had made the call for backup. They were now currently dealing with the bravest members of the mob. We had a limited time window to help them before more police and White arrived. Probably only seconds. I looked to Max for orders, but saw that she was staring at the two transgenics, a look of recognition on her face.
"We've got to get them out of here." she breathed so that only someone with enhanced hearing could detect her words, "Fast."
"What do we do?" Kira asked at the same volume.
Max retreated back through the crowd, a look of grim determination on her face. Kira and I hurried after.
"Max?" I questioned as she returned to the bikes.
Max turned the bike on and revved the engine.
"We're going to be subtle." Max deadpanned.
I nodded quickly and mounted my own bike. With Max in the lead, we all sped towards the rear of the crowd. Max popped a wheelie and revved her engine again to get attention. Screams alerted those in our path of our pending arrival and everyone scattered. Max swerved, swinging the back of her bike into the blonde transgenic's opponent. Kira kicked the other transgenic's adversary away, pulling up in front of him. I circled them all at high speed, forcing the rest of the mob to keep a distance.
The squeal of tires drew my attention. I looked and saw White getting out of a car. He pulled a gun out of his suit jacket. I knew he had to be aiming at me.
I heard the gun fire and ducked low to my bike, pressing for more speed, but the bullet struck me in the leg. I cried out and struggled not to lose control of my bike.
I was concentrating so hard on controlling my bike and my pain that I almost didn't notice Max and Kira zoom past me, heading through the other side of the ring of screaming people. I gritted my teeth and turned to follow them. A second shot rang out and I felt it whiz past me. I was barely able to hear someone shouting at White not to shoot, he might hit a civilian before we were out of earshot.
