A/N: Sorry it took me so long to get this next piece up. Classes are over for the summer so I should have some actual FREE time! Imagine that... Oh, this chunk counts a lot for the PG-13 rating... By the why, McGinnis is the eyeball guy, in case you missed his name in the finale. (Can I just say that scene creeped me out? Ew...) This chapter might be a bit dull, but the next one should have lots of action and excitement! Or so I hope. :)
*********** ************
Chapter 8: One Eyed Jack
Warehouse/ Base of Operations
Two days later
"Logan? You in here?" Krit glanced around as he entered the warehouse, followed closely by Zane and Syl.
"Here!" Logan called from inside the van that was parked towards the back. He hurriedly got out, eager to meet the new X5, "Did you have any trouble?"
"Nothing we couldn't handle... Logan Cale, this is our brother, Zane," Syl smiled as she indicated them both in turn.
"Hey, good to have you on our side," Logan shook Zane's hand gratefully, "We're going to need your help."
"I wasn't exactly going to refuse," Zane said with a faint smile, "Zack and Max are my family too..."
"Looks like your mission was successful," Lydecker leaned against the exterior of the van, inspecting his "troops."
Zane's body visibly tensed, instinct and training struggling for control. He, like his brothers and sisters, had spent ten years running, fearing capture by the man who was now standing in front of him. His training, ingrained into his psyche from childhood, insisted that he respect and obey the very same figure of authority, "Lydecker..."
"It's... been a while," Lydecker lifted his chin ever so slightly, defiant and undoubtedly in command.
"Not damn long enough," Zane growled in response but backed down. It wasn't the time or place for the confrontation he dreaded and yet longed for. Someday the children would face their maker in combat to put an end to the fear... but not today, "What's the plan?"
"We managed to... acquire some research data Manticore would pay through the nose for," Lydecker moved to stand facing the other four, "I don't have any doubt that we'll be able to trade for at least one of our people."
//OUR people...// Krit's mouth twisted in disdain at the phrase, "Where'd you get this data?"
Logan shot a rather heated glance at Lydecker who shrugged as he spoke, "An inside source. We'll need to chose a drop zone for the exchange. It'd be better to keep them far from here. If something happens, we'll need to have somewhere to retreat to and regroup."
"I think I know of a place that should work. Not much cover so the chances of being ambushed are reduced," Syl said thoughtfully.
"Good. I want a map. Let's leave nothing to chance, people," Lydecker gestured to indicate the impromptu meeting was over, "I've got a phone call to make..."
********* ***********
Warehouse/Manticore base
"Its been a while, McGinnis," Lydecker smiled into the phone.
"Lydecker!" the reply was a snarl, "You son of a bitch! You fucking bastard! You've gotta lot of balls calling after what you did to me!"
"You know what they say... All's fair in love and war..."
"Son of a bitch! What do you want?!"
"Simple. My kids."
"Fat chance! Renfro's got everyone after your god damned head!"
"I think you might want to reconsider. I've got something I think you'll want."
There was a tense pause before McGinnis spoke again, "You're working with Eyes Only, aren't you! I don't know how the hell you pulled this off, but it won't save your ass!"
Lydecker leaned back in his seat as he spoke confidently, "I imagine the committee must be getting pretty insistent right about now. I bet you'd really like to have something to show them..."
"What are you up to?"
"Do you remember the data we collected on project Aegis?"
A heartbeat passed before a tentative, "Yes..."
"They were making considerable progress. It was too bad Manticore was focusing on the X series and couldn't spare the funds," A predatory grin stretched Lydecker's lips, "Wouldn't it be nice to have that data now?"
"Bastard!" McGinnis spat, knowing Lydecker had the upper hand, "What are you... proposing...?"
"A trade. Pure and simple. I get my two kids back and you get something that will help keep Manticore's plug from getting pulled.
"You'll never get away with this!"
"I know Renfro keeps you on a short leash, McGinnis, so I'll let you run along to tell her."
"This isn't over! You're living on borrowed time! You can't keep avoiding us forever... Sooner or later your luck is going to run out! You're a dead man, Lydecker! Do you hear me?! A fucking dead man!" he screamed into the receiver.
"Don't call us... We'll call you," Lydecker grinned in satisfaction as he held the phone away, the sounds of McGinnis ranting still audible. He casually turned the phone off and set it on the shelf.
Four sets of eyes watched him critically, waiting, expecting some kind of betrayal. So far they had been disappointed.
"Looks like we wait some more now," Lydecker crossed his arms and let his chin rest against his chest, thinking.
Krit raised his arms above his head, stretching, "It gives us some time to get our heads in the game." He stood and sauntered over to the wooden crates that were serving as tables. Syl and Zane followed shortly after, preferring the presence of family to that of their creator. The three began to speak quietly amongst themselves, happy for the chance to get reacquainted. It had been far to long since they had been able to even speak at length.
Logan watched the siblings, envying for a moment their camaraderie. Being an only child in a family that couldn't respect his passions and motives meant he had never felt that sort of intense kinship. There had been so few people that he could share his dream with... As time went on, the number had steadily decreased as they moved on or died for their convictions. Tragedy seemed to be a part of life for those who fought for freedom.
Krit glanced up from the automatic rifle he was inspecting and noticed Logan's gaze. With a smile, he motioned for the other man to join them. Hesitantly, Logan stood and walked over.
"Take a seat, Logan," Krit patted the crate next to him, "We haven't really gotten the chance to check out our little sister's boyfriend."
"We're not..." Logan started automatically, but caught himself. //Well... We aren't YET... But... What ARE we?// "Uh..." he ran his right hand through his spiky blond hair as a gesture of nervousness, "Well..."
Zane had a big grin on his face, "Speechless, huh? Maxie's always had a way of doing that to people."
"That's an understatement," Logan muttered. It was reassuring that the X5's spoke as if their sister was merely in the next room and not captured by their worst enemy. He wasn't sure if he could deal with the thought that he might never see her again. Especially not now that he knew she was still among the living.
"You're really Eyes Only...?" Zane asked suddenly, his head tipped questioningly to the side.
"Yes... Actually, I am..."
"Damn... I never imagined..." Zane shook his head, "I guess that explains how you knew about us when you gave that heads up a while back."
Logan shrugged with a modest smile.
"Have you introduced Max to your family yet?" Syl was grinning as well, amused by the novelty of such a mundane subject.
"Uh... S-sort of..." Logan stammered a bit, trying to catch up with the rapidly changing topics, "She went with me to my cousin's wedding..."
"Aaaah!" was Syl's response, indicating that the answer had significance, "That serious, huh? How long have you known her?"
"A year... Almost exactly..." Logan's eyes drifted to the floor as he was reminded of their botched anniversary.
"Not bad..." Syl nodded in approval.
"You know, I didn't think I'd ever get to actually have the pleasure of grilling one of my sisters' boyfriends," Krit chuckled, "You're lucky we like you, Logan."
"Wouldn't want to have to chase you off," Zane said with a wicked smile.
"No, I really think I could do without that," Logan was struck by just how bizarre the situation felt. After all the danger and seriousness of the past week, one of the last thing he could have imagined happening was this particular discussion.
"It'll be nice to be together again... if just for a little while," Syl was smiling faintly as she stared at some distant memory.
Her comment had a sobering effect on the three men seated with her. They all knew the risks that they would have to take to rescue the two X5's. The odds were poor, and there was a possibility that they might not survive let alone succeed. The promise of a reunion, however, was enough to fuel their determination. None of them would ever argue that the prize wasn't worth the risks.
******** ***********
Manticore Base
Same Day
"Lydecker CALLED you?!" Renfro shook her head in disbelief.
"Yes, ma'am..." McGinnis looked distinctly uncomfortable. He disliked being scrutinized by the director. Her sharp eyes scanned his face, taking in every detail of his reaction.
"And he has the data from the Aegis project..."
"Yes, ma'am..."
"Just HOW did he get it, may I ask?" her voice had a biting edge that made McGinnis flinch instinctively.
"I don't know, ma'am..." He hated feeling weak in front of the woman. There was something about the director that let her get under a person's skin, to lay them open like a halved fruit.
"Ah. I... see... So... he wants his... kids back..." Renfro's eyes glittered with cunning. A plan was rapidly formulating behind those eyes, "Maybe we'll give him what he wants..."
McGinnis blinked, "E...excuse me, ma'am?"
She laughed harshly, evidently quite pleased with herself, "Oh, we won't give him BOTH X5's like he wants... Just... one..."
"Ma'am?" Confusion flickered across his face, disappearing behind the mask all Manticore employees were trained to wear.
"Just wait for him to call you back. Agree to any of his terms, but tell him that we'll only give him one X5. Aegis isn't worth two," She instructed. With a wave of her slender hand, she dismissed McGinnis.
"I think this should work out quite nicely..." Renfro murmured to herself as she picked up the phone on her desk, "Leaman? Get up here... now. We've got some plans to make..."
************ **********
A/N: The next two chapters should be lots of fun! At least for me, if no one else. :) Hope you're still enjoying this! And again, a gargantuan thanks to all the great people who've written reviews. It's extremely encouraging, and I really hope I'm living up to your expectations. Next chapter should be up before too long, too!
