Author's Note: If you're reading, PLEASE REVIEW
Author's Note: If you're reading, PLEASE REVIEW.

We still need new writers for Det. Sung, Normal, and any kind of bad guy you like. Please visit the RPG folder at www.delphi.com/darkangelfans/start for information, or contact me at jennem@bigfoot.com _______________________________________________________________

Point of View: ZACK *****************************************

As I awoke in a hospital bed feeling a little weak I couldn't really remember what had happened, and how I got here. I knew I wasn't at Manticore or I would be tied down. I thought for a second wondering if Lydecker knew I was here. I had to get out of here, but where would I go?? I started to remember bits and pieces of what happened. I could hear Max and Logan so I knew I was save for now. I decided to just rest and wait for Max.

Point of View: MAX *****************************************

"What about Tinga?" I ask. My sister is out there, and I'm not leaving until I find her.

"Tinga can take care of herself," Logan says, "Right now we need to concentrate on the Informant Net. We have no idea how much has been compromised."

He's right. Which sucks, but what can I do about it?

First things first, we need to get Zack outta here. Hopefully he's conscious by now. While Logan collects medical supplies, Bling and I head for Zack's room.

"What happened in that closet?" I ask.

"I'm not sure," Bling responds, "But she's angry for a lot of reasons. I'm just the one who took it on the chin."

We reach Zack's room, only to find the bed empty. Zack is the second Manticore to take off into the night. Something must've happened to make him run. I'm not so sure I want to find out what.

"Logan. Let's get him and go."

Bling and I return to the closet where we left Logan. He's trying to figure out whether we need two bottles of Tryptophan or three. He's so cute when he's puzzled.

Damn, where'd that come from??? Back to the task at hand.

"Max," Logan says looking up, "Where's . . . "

"Zack's gone. And we need to vanish as well."

Point of View: LOGAN *****************************************

Zack's gone? Damn. We still don't know how those gummies might have affected him, he can't possibly be recovered from the coma and blood loss, and he's gone?

I doubt he ran on his own. It's more likely someone else took him out of here. But Max is willing to leave, and I'm not going to tell her anything that will change her mind.

I grab all three bottles of Tryptophan. Manticores seem to be popping up where I least expect them. I also take a few assorted supplies, antibiotics, anything I can fit in my bag. You never know.

Bling is looking distracted.

"Bling."

He doesn't answer.

"Bling, stop thinking about Tinga and get the car, please?" We need to get the computer files out of the penthouse, and get out to the cabin."

Bling looks at me with a raised eyebrow and apparently decides not to comment. He heads out to the car.

"Max, let's go over what we need from the penthouse, so we can get in and out as fast as possible."

Max protests. "You give me a list and I'll get it. We don't know who's in there and you are NOT coming in with me."

"Max, I need to download some of those files myself."

Max is not going to be budged. "Logan, face it, in this case you're a liability. I don't know who's in there, or what's going to happen, and it's hard enough to protect myself, let alone you or Bling. I'm sorry, but it's just the way it is."

A liability. Gee, thanks.

Point of View: TINGA *****************************************

I look around, still not thinking clearly. I have no idea where I am. Wow. Must be dealing with some heavy-duty stuff to make me forget ALL my training, even the stuff I never leave behind.

Was it Zack's fault, or Logan and crew? //Be honest with yourself, girl,// I silently told myself. //When you think 'Logan & Crew', you really only mean one member of it.//

I shake my head. This is getting me nowhere. And it's all about me, isn't it?

I remain rooted to the spot. Well, isn't it?

After an unmeasured time with no answers, I start to move again. One thing's for sure - I need a plan. And so far, the "crew" hasn't had much of one. I wonder if they always make it up as they go along, or if this is an exception.

Some Gummy-crazed guy comes pounding up to me, probably sneaking up in his mind. "Mandycor!" he screams as he lunges. Without even looking at him, I reach back and snap his arm. He freezes, stunned for a moment, then lunges again. "Lydecker!" Frustrated, I spin, drop, and slam him to the ground. He struggles to get up, so I break his leg. The one opposite the arm. And then I walk on.

He's given me an idea, though. Maybe I should call on dear old "dad". Been too long since we had contact, anyway.

I find a working pay phone in a relatively quiet zone, and dial the number. Been a long time since I had to call on him, and a fair stretch since he's called on my…services.

"Yeah. Get a message through to Colonel Donald Lydecker. Tell him his lost child is going to be at this number for 15 minutes, not one minute more." Pause for idiot babble. "You want me to give you the number? What are you, new? You should have had it before you picked up the phone." I hang up in disgust, and look around for somewhere to wait.

Point of View: NORMAL *****************************************

I returned to Jam Pony and tied the dog to a nearby pipe. The dog gave me a sad little look and I caved. I took the dog and placed it on my lap.

"Where is everyone?" I yelled out to one of the incoming riders.

"Dunno. It's like crazy out there Normal! I want hazard pay for this. Some guy tried to grab me and check my neck screaming about getting to a rally point or something. Here's the log. I'm gonna get changed and get outta here fore it gets dark and more crazies show up man." said the rider heading over to the lockers.

"Too late. I think the crazies are already here! Don't give me your excuses or I'll fire you. Now come back here and take this package over to the south end. The address is on the box." I ordered him.

The rider turned and glared at me. I glared right back. You can't let these animals see fear or you'll lose control I told myself. The rider gave up and took the package mumbling something underneath his breath.

"Well. The same to you!" I mumbled back.

The dog began to squirm. It seemed uncomfortable with the new surroundings. Who can blame it. With all these vermin laying about I would be uncomfortable too. At least the tremors had stopped.

"Hello Jam Pony messenger service. How may I help you?" I said picking up the phone

"Yes, yes...I see....you have a package to deliver to Fogle Towers? Sure we can do that. I'll send someone as soon as I can. We aim to please." I said to the caller.

"Where the fire truck is Max? I need her to pick something up." I asked looking around.

Point of View: TREAD *****************************************

MPD/DID. It stands for multiple personality disorder/disassociative identity disorder.
According to the files I have on my creation, on one January morning in 1969, when they were reasonably sure that I was going to live, they handed me over to the Spoilsport psychological conditioning unit. They in turn started that day, over 51 years ago, to begin engineered psychological trauma events designed to split my mind. I was six months old.

Every curse has a benefit, just like every benefit carries a curse.

The benefit of having MPD/DID is sometimes one of the alters in the back of my mind sees things through my eyes that I, the host personality don't notice. Kind of like going to the movies, but instead of watching the stars, you decide to watch background. Well, that's what my alter does.

The curse is after I pass by a Black Durango driving down the street I start getting visions of it and the guy in the car. He checks out my Harley. Not unusual. Harley Davidson went out of business for a while in 2016. They were struggling financially and they never fully recovered from the Pulse. A Korean company bought the rights, and started making clones. Then a bunch of former employees seized control of the original plant and started making "REAL" Harleys, without the rights to the name. It's all very confusing now. Real Harleys are Black Market, and Genuine Harleys are crappy Korean toys. So having a working 1997 Harley is a still pretty big deal.

But it's the face that was checking out my Harley. That's why I'm making a U turn at 60mph, it was familiar and I don't like it. Unfortunately I haven't told myself who it is yet.

Point of View: JONDIE *****************************************

Zack pulled my arm quickly....buildings, trees, everything was going by as one big blur...we were running and all I could think of was that I was tired, weak...and the miracle healing that was supposed to be happening wasn't...I sighed inwardly...it had started several years ago...cuts, bruises, they just didn't disappear as quickly as they used to. I had just accepted it, however in the back of my mind it haunted me, as though this new setback meant my inevitable demise...I had often remembered Zack's description of what happened to Brinn...I wondered if something worse was happening to me..only slower..

I didn't really know where we were going..just that Zack was with me now...strong as usual and that meant I was safe. He pulled me along behind him furiously...he was frustrated at my lack of effort..He didn't understand...I wanted to stop...I was just tired of running.. from everything.

Bits and pieces of the last few minutes played over in my head...we were just laying there..in our separate beds...he had turned over and looked at me...there was a serenity in his eyes. I must confess it was one of the few times I had actually seen that characteristic in Zack. But then, suddenly fire...he jumped out of the bed, well...if I was honest, it was more like a lunge, followed by a stumble, and then another lunge. "Jondie?" His voice was a mix of surprise/frustration/excitement. He didn't scold me...not until he first found out that I was ok. Then came the questions..."What are you doing here.." typical Zack interrogations. But he was interrupted by something...I never saw it, but something, someone made him stop short..in the next moments he had picked up my embarrassingly feeble body in his arms..minutes later we were just running. In that instant I stumbled and fell..."Zack.."

Point of View: MAX *****************************************

Zack's gone. Great. Another Manticore on the loose in Seattle. Just as the craziness rises to an all time high.

There's nothing more we can do at the hospital really, so after destroying Zack's records, Logan, Bling, and I headed out with what ever supplies we could gather.

Bling was driving back towards Logan's where, depending upon who was in there sending that call, we'd have to decide what to do about the informant net. Bling was distracted, his mind on Tinga. I know he felt that it was his fault she bolted.

"Max, I'm going in there," Logan says, continuing our argument, "I have to deal with the damage that may be done to the informant net."

"No way mister. We have no way of knowing who's in there. *If* it's safe, then I'll let you in."

I can see him wanting to swear, but he doesn't dare. He knows there's no point, I won't back down. He can't deal with the fact that I'm protecting him.

We arrive at Logan's. Bling parks the car out front. The penthouse is dark, but I can see something moving. And then there's a flashlight beam visible. In the computer room.

Point of View: LOGAN *****************************************

Max heads upstairs, alone. I'm left in the car with Bling.

I'm feeling fairly useless at this moment, but then so is he. We have nothing to say to each other. I don't think either of us wants to discuss our personal situations. At least, I don't, and for once he's not jumping in with some helpful comment.

Max left with instructions to call me from the penthouse phone on my cel, as soon as she checks the place out. Of course, I told her to bail and leave the equipment if there's anyone there she can't handle. And of course, she won't.

So we wait. The streets around here are quiet at the moment. Bling clears his throat. He looks like he's about to say something, but he changes his mind.

We wait. I consider picking a topic of conversation, any topic, but at the moment nothing occurs to me. The silence lengthens.

We wait. I'm getting more scared than I have any right to be, and kicking myself mentally for giving a damn about those computer files in the first place.

We wait. And then we both jump when the phone rings.

Point of View: SKETCHY *****************************************

Tearing down the stairs like a dog with a bad itch I made the trip down to the lobby in less than 3 minutes flat. Running out the lobby door I looked in the direction I had let my bike go.......it was gone. "Fire truck"!!!!, what the hell did I just say!? boy I think I've been hanging round Normal to long.
Feeling very in need of a few glasses of 'Zombie Soul Power'(6 shots Jack Daniel's 1 shot dry red wine, the drink of the late Godfather of soul James Brown, well.... so my father told me anyway)
I turned and headed back for the lobby.
Damn , I thought to myself I cant wait till I see the clown who stole my bike, just thinking about what I was going to do to him got me even more amped I started shadow boxing imagining that the punk who stole my bike was in front of me ,boy was he gonna get it POW ,POW,CrAcK.Man am I good or what?!

Walking in to the lobby lost in my in my anger, I punched the door........Oh "Fire truck, that hurt"!! Fire truck!!!??? damn that Normal, brainwashing me with his kooky saying's.

"Excuse me son" I looked up to see the old man from the first floor, holding my bike.

" Are you look'n for this"? he said.

"Yeah, I was old timer" I replied with a tone of relief.

" My names Richard boyo, I saw you jump off your bike ,neat trick by the way, you looked like you were in a hurry so I went out and got your bike before it got stolen. I figured that you might come back look'n for it."

"ohh man thanks for doing that, I was too worried about my girlfriend up on the tenth ."

"That's ok Sketchy, I see you nearly every morning riding your bike down the stairwell on your way to work, I know your one of those cycle couriers so I thought that your bike was important to you."

"How did you know my name and that I was a cycle courier??"

" it say on your bag, 'Jam Pony cycle couriers, Sketchy' I just guessed that Sketchy was your name"

" oh yeah." Sketchy you dumb a$$ I thought to myself.

Passing my bike to me Richard told me that he was going to get the power on cos he was retired power board worker and he knew a few tricks to get the buildings power back on.
I shook Richard's hand and told him that we should go and have a few drinks later and thanked him again for what he had done.

leaving it at that I headed up the stairs again, this time with my bike.

Point of View: ZACK *****************************************

I got out of bed and left the hospital. At the time it was the best idea. As I ran down the street I saw Jondie. I grabbed her arm and ran with her. I thought why was she here? As I kept running with her she got weak. I picked her up and ran with her, but then she fell.

"why are you here??"

" you could have gotten yourself caught"

Looking at Jondie I realized this could wait. As I helped her to her feet we kept moving quickly. I knew Logan and the others would probably go some where remote, the cabin I thought.

" Jondie we are going to meet up with max, can you make it?"

Point of View: LYDECKER *****************************************

I grin manically as I watch two of my three favorite X5s run down the street. They have no idea! I sneer. My mind races, they could be fun to mess with. just for the hellofit I pull my gun and aim at Jondie's retreating feet, I fire a shot and watch her fall. "Strike one" I whisper softly as I watch Jondie grasp her foot, the bullet had imbedded itself deep in her heel. Perfect I thought, that should keep her off her feet for awhile. Zack is looking around madly and is unable to see me. Mind games were way to much fun. I tilt my gun so that the sunlight glints off it and into his eyes, and when I see him catch the sign, I sink into the brush. Hopping into the "Durango" that was hidden a block away, I turn and tell the soldier to "drive". we disappear.

Point of View: TINGA *****************************************

Lydecker's 15 minutes are up. I can't believe this. Rejected even by him.

Of course, I realize it's probably due to the very stupid person I contacted. In which case, Lydecker - dear ol' Dad - will exact his own revenge. I feel a smile creep irresistibly over my face at the thought. Oh well, the day's not a //total// bust if that happens. Just wish I could watch...it's always nice to watch a master at work.

But now I have nothing. No plans, nobody to turn to...no stuff!

Damn. What I have isn't much, but it is treasured.

Fine. It's mine, it belongs to me...now, anyway, so I should be able to get it. I set off, resolutely heading toward Logan's.