The remaining X-5 looked up to see where the voice had come from. A shadowy figure stood, surrounded by others of the same spawn. Out of nowhere a spotlight appeared, illuminating the gathering cluster of humans below. It snapped on and the searing light blinded Max.
Eyes closed, yet trying to regain control, Max heard the scuttle of feet. When she as able to open her eyes, she saw the rest of her friends blinking, also trying to fight off the bright light. Max found herself opening her eyes to look at Jhondi. Jhondi's eyes were wide and fearful. Although she didn't want to, Max moved her eyes off Jhondi's face and looked around.
Guns, more than Max could count, were pointing at them, forming a barrier. One twitch or wrong move and easily, a person could be decapitated. A muscle in Zack's cheek was twitching, dark eyebrows knotted together on the bridge of his nose and his entire frame had gone rigid. "Thanks," he hissed angrily to Max. She looked at him, not understanding what she had done to cause this. "Your stupid boyfriend had to set this up-didn't he?" Just as Max was about to protest and say that Logan wouldn't have done something so foolish, another voice was heard.
The gunmen split and Donald Lydecker stepped through. He stood just enough inside the circle of guns that he was still protected, but could insult the kids and taunt them just the same. "I," he stated almost proudly, "called this meeting." Max wished his head would explode from his massive ego. "It's been a long time," he began with the sense of a grandfather talking to his relatives at a family reunion. "It's been a long time," he repeated, "since we've been together like this. And now," he said, turning away through the black clothed men, "it's time for you to come home."
With a flourish of his hand, the guns clicked into place. Zack cried out a filthy curse upon Lydecker. It was lost in the fire of guns. Already, five kids were down, their bodies spasming. Max dropped to the ground, resting on her haunches, searching for those that were still alive. Zack was by himself, trying to fight off some soldiers. He was wanted, for he was certainly the most powerful of all of the X-5. A solider was taking aim from behind Zack and he didn't even know it.
"Zack!" Max screamed, jumping up as her throat burned. "Behind you!" He turned just in time to see the gun angle and blow him in the upper torso. A strangled cry escaped his lips, and he jerked one arm like a broken marionette and slugged the shooter in the head. The man fell. Zack then crumbled to the ground, his puppet strings dropped, as his body shook rapidly.
"NO!" Max yelled, seeing a nightmare become true. She turned and hurled herself over the heads of the soldiers. They shot, spraying an arc of bullets towards her. In mid-air, her body stiffened and she fell to the hard pavement, causing blood to leak from her knees. Max's head hit and she felt warm liquid dripping through her hair. The world was spinning and she tried to get to Zack. Her body went slack after the fit of convulsions hit her. Everything turned to blackness.
