James Cameron and Charles Eglee own Dark Angel. My use is in no way meant to challenge their copyrights. This piece is not intended for any profit on the part of the writer, nor is it meant to detract from the commercial viability of the aforementioned (or any other) copyright. Any similarity to any events or persons (either real or fictional) is unintended.
Author's Note: The scene you are about to read is not what I had planned, but I received some helpful feedback from Brynn McK that led me to rethink my direction. I think that her advice will help round out the character of Justice, so I want to take a moment to thank her for her input. She is the goddess of constructive criticism.
II
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. – Edmund Burke
Once Max had gone, Logan started pondering everything she had said. He found it disturbing that this vigilante, Justice, was beginning to make a name for himself amongst the street level criminals. Of course, it makes sense, though, he admitted. He knew that anyone that was serious about making a difference would first have to develop one hell of a reputation. Fear would make a valuable ally for a vigilante.
If he's that bad a person, though, Max could be in danger, Logan thought. Despite her avoidance of the issue, he was certain that Max was once again participating in the same type of larcenous activities that had allowed the two of them to meet in the first place. He cracked a slight smile as he thought back to that night she had broken into his apartment, at how unconcerned she had seemed at having been discovered. Logan had initially thought Max was just another overly smug thief. Now, however, he was probably more impressed with her than even she was with herself. Then again, I see her in a completely different light.
Despite his desire to get into his work, Logan found himself pondering Max for several minutes. There's just something different about her lately, he decided. Her attitude is tougher, and she seems less interested in spending time with me. Then she up and quits her job... Logan knew it was common for people in their late teens to act somewhat erratic as they searched for their role in the world, and tried to chalk up Max's recent behavior to natural teen angst. In fact, forget normal angst. I can hardly imagine what someone with her background would be thinking. Logan thought back to his own youth and remembered some of the confusion he had felt, and tried to convince himself that he should give Max more slack. The last thing she would want is people worrying about her or giving her advice.
With a little bit of effort, Logan pushed thoughts of Max from his mind and focused on his work as he went over to his computer and punched up his information on the vigilante. As many of his criminal sources had recently started to dry up for unknown reasons, all he knew was what his police sources had been able to provide to him. In the last two weeks, seven criminals had been arrested with significant injuries. The first time Logan had looked into the matter, it had been because he suspected police brutality had been on the rise once again. Then his informants on the force told him the truth – someone was finally taking the law into his own hands. With the ineptitude and corruption of the Seattle Police Department, it had been inevitable.
Switching into his Eyes Only mindset, Logan picked up the phone and dialed the number of one of his newest police contacts. He would once again try to help someone in the city, but this time it would be more personal than usual – he would help Max. As long as she was out on the streets, committing thefts, she was at risk of encountering Justice. While he was confident that she could take care of herself in most situations, in regards to this vigilante, he had his doubts. Being a journalist, he had learned to follow his gut, and his gut was telling him that only a truly superior person could undertake the task that Justice had. Logan had gotten another hunch, and this one said that Seattle's vigilante might be someone akin to Max. He might not be Manticore, but Logan suspected he was possibly some other unknown experiment gone awry, likely with a military background.
"Hello, Seattle Police," a voice said on the other end of the line.
"I need to speak with Detective Lane. Tell him Logan Cale is calling."
"One moment, please," the operator replied.
Of course, I'm probably being paranoid, Logan admitted to himself. As if there would have been other projects similar to Manticore, either in this country or any other. Besides, if it is Manticore, what are the chances that another escapee would set up shop in Seattle? It's tactically foolish, as having two subjects in one city would certainly attract Lydecker that much more. As the silence continued on the other end of the line, he pondered what it was that was truly bothering him. It's because of the way I feel about the girl, he admitted. This Justice guy isn't really another super soldier. I'm just immediately jumping to the worst possible conclusion, because I'm scared that something bad could happen to Max. I've simply allowed myself to become too emotionally involved in what should only be a professional relationship. I can't believe I was so care-
"Hello, Logan?" Detective Lane asked from the other end. "What's up?"
"Not much, Harry," Logan answered. "It's just that I've heard some rumors about this vigilante the criminals call Justice."
"And?"
"And Eyes Only has started to take an interest," Logan replied. "People going out there enforcing the law are almost as much of a problem as the cops that don't."
"I know," Lane said. "The commissioner has established a special unit to start looking into the matter."
"Let me guess, someone is starting to feel too much pressure from this guy," Logan quipped. "Leave it to the commissioner not to get involved until one of his sources of extra income feels it's time."
"I wouldn't know about any of that," Lane said evasively. "All I know is that two men are primarily being targeted by Justice. The first is a new player, Cameron Dean. The second is one of your favorite old criminal personalities, Trevor Sloan."
"What else do you know?"
"Not a whole helluva lot. We don't even have a solid description yet. Some say the guy dresses up like Batman, cape and all. Others say it isn't a cape, but a cloak. Either way, everyone agrees that he wears black. Also, we're not even entirely sure it's a 'he.' One guy said it was a 'she.' "
"Really?"
"Yeah, but everyone else says it was definitely a guy. We've heard that he's anywhere from about 5'8" to as large as 7' tall, though."
"Great," Logan muttered. "That covers just about ninety percent of the males in the city." He could not see how he was getting anywhere with the conversation. "Thanks, Harry."
"You don't have to thank me," Harry said. "Just put in a good word for me to Eyes Only. And don't let him forget that there are a lot of us out here that believe in what he's doing."
"He'll be glad to hear it," Logan said. "Take it easy." He then hung up the phone and returned to his thoughts. Seven feet tall? he wondered. Would Max be able to defend herself against someone that large? Sure, she's strong, but she'd be giving up so much weight in a fight. If someone that big ever got his hands on her, I don't know if she'd be strong enough to escape his grasp before he beat her to death.
Logan shook his head, trying to chase his concerns from his mind. You're obsessing, Logan, he told himself. Max is a big girl, she can take care of herself. Don't sit here worrying. Just try to make sure you do something that could help her out.
To be continued.............................