angel.

I stick a pen in my hair to keep it in a tight bun as I make my way to Bio Lab. It's my job to do initial inspection of the avatars before they're put into use whenever Grace is busy. Needless to say I've done this job a lot in my years with the RDA. My shoes touch the ground gently, but still make noise. I don't mind it's been a good day so far so there's no need to worry about noisy shoes–they were last on my list of priorities anyhow.

Max Cullimore calls me over to the first of three avatars shortly after I enter the lab. I nod and head quietly over. I punch in 'XD18J' on the keypad to receive this specific driver's information. A small hologram pops up just above the nearby screen, displaying the I.D. photograph of the driver.

Doctor Norman Marcus Spellman

Thirty-Two Years of Age

Anthropologist

"Well, Norman, let's see…" I trail off for a few scant seconds as I take a clipboard offered me by Max and begin to take notes, "how your avatar turned out."

I examine every visible portion of the blue figure for a good fifteen minutes. I check the other charts on the other two screens as well. His muscle tone seems fine, and by all means I can classify this one as healthy and safe to operate. I look to Max and nod before continuing onto the next amnio tank. I repeat the process as before, only this time I hesitate. The information didn't match up with the norm of other drivers.

Jake Lee Sully

Twenty-Eight Years of Age

Marine

Venezuela Veteran

Paralyzed

"Max?" I call and beckon him closer. He obeys and I point to the monitor. "The hell is this?"

The thought crosses my mind that this must be the wheelchair-bound man I'd seen earlier on the security feed. I'd expected him to be just security detail or something like that. Not a driver. And wasn't there supposed to be a Thomas Sully? A doctor who'd studied for years for this job? Related, maybe? Max was saying something, but I wasn't paying attention. I hold my hand over his mouth to shut him up, "Swear to God, Max, tell me that Thomas is arriving here in the next year or two or I'm going to flip."

He pushes my hand away and pats my shoulder, "Don't you remember? Tom died three weeks before getting shipped out. He had a twin brother who took up his contract. We really lucked out."

My eyes widen and I touch my forehead to the glass of the amnio tank, sighing in exasperation. My only hope was that this Jake guy has lab experience otherwise we're screwed. A Marine in an avatar body could spell disaster for the whole damn company. Who'd even Okayed this? It was probably Selfridge. That asshole! I'm going to tell Grace the moment I have the chance.

I groan and close my eyes, counting backward from twenty in my head to calm down, then set about with the examination. His avatar checks out as well. "One to go."

I stride quickly over to the final tank, Max right behind me. I punch in the code once more and my heart stops for two beats.

Maximum Ride

Thirty-One Years of Age

Avian-Human Hybrid

"Max…" I whisper, thinking of the woman who'd raised me and tried her best to keep me close when everything else in the Flock was falling apart. Cullimore gives a hum of recognition but I wave him off. "No, not you. I know this one. Maximum." I lean in closer to the screen and mutter, "What the hell did you do to your hair?"

Cullimore clears his throat and gives me an annoyed look, "Get on with examination, Angie."

I roll my eyes, but go on with my duties, humming softly as I do so. After all, the drivers could be here at any moment. We have to be ready to show them to their drivers and tell them how soon they can be driven. It's protocol.

But there's something wrong about Maximum's avatar. Maybe it's harmless but it's caught my attention. My voice is worried as I call out, "Max, Max come see this. Now."

"What?"

I trail my finger along the glass of the amnio tank, pointing out what'd freaked me out: two long, feathery bumps along both sides of the avatar's spine that looked like folded-in wings. The avian DNA had transferred. Actually transferred. This is either a marvel or an emergency; I just can't discern it quite yet. "Y'know how her record said she was a hybrid?"

"Avian-Human, correct?"

I nod, but continue faintly, "I think the avian DNA made a successful transfer. Three different types of genes in a single body…" I can't help but sound awed, "who could've imagined?"

"So either this will be completely new and exciting," Max concludes, "or this will end in disaster with Maximum loosing both her avatar and quite possibly her life."

"We'll have to inform her of the risks. The avatar may not be able to function properly. If it does…best-case: all the benefits of avian genes will transfer as well and she'll be powerful tool to aide in our research. Worst-case: she has all the benefits and Selfridge will turn her into a weapon if Quaritch doesn't beat him to it." I huff and stand upright. "Either way the body seems healthy."

"Angela, did you even listen to me?"

I roll my eyes, "Yes, I listened to you. And I'm going to tell her that she will be facing severe mental damage if something goes wrong with the avatar like the DNA starts to fall apart. But based on these readings she'll be safe for now!" I thump the clipboard with the back of my hand. I place that hand on his shoulder and give him a soft shake paired with an enthusiastic smile, "Trust me."

author's note:

okay, guys! i'm finally getting into the
hang of things again…and hopefully this
chapter was as good as chapter eleven!
i started work on a cover–like for a dvd
or a book–for this fanfiction. i'll put it up
on my dA account once it's done. follow
me there if you want, i'm skippy-in-wonderland
(shameless plug)