Disclaimer: Don't own them; don't make any money from them; just like to play with them!
It was early afternoon and Max was on what she hoped would be her final run of the day. Since her episode of seizures at Haven she was still not up to par. Logan was worried and had made her agree to visit his friend Sebastian. Max had voiced her belief that it was the implant aggravating the seizures and Logan was hoping that Sebastian might be able to help. In order to get Logan to quit what she referred to as his nagging, Max had agreed and they were going to head over there once she finished up work. In return Logan had promised her a gourmet dinner afterwards.
Locating the address, Max delivered her package and tucked the signature card in her pocket. Heading back to Jam Pony she suddenly began to feel dizzy and had to stop and lean against a light post for a moment. Recovering after a moment she looked around and realized how close she was to Logan's. She made a quick decision and in moments was wheeling her bike into the elevator of his building. Reaching his floor she punched his doorbell and waited.
"Max! What's wrong?" Bling was standing in the open door looking at her in concern.
"Hey Bling. Is the man in?" With an effort she straightened and wheeled her bike into the apartment. Bling snatched it from her and leaned it against the wall turning to her in concern.
"Logan, come out here" he called turning towards the computer room. As he did, Max was overcome by a second wave of dizziness and slumped back against the wall. Alerted by the sound of her hitting the wall Bling quickly turned and scooped her into his arms. He carried her into the living room where he laid her on the sofa, calling again for Logan.
"What's the fire? … Max." Logan wheeled into the room casually but at the sight of Max on the couch a look of alarm crossed his face. "Bling, get her meds and some milk." he rapped out recognizing the signs of an imminent seizure. Bling quickly complied and together the two of them managed to get the pills and some of the milk into Max. Logan shifted onto the couch and Max laid her head on his lap as he stroked her hair gently. He nodded to Bling that he could go and Bling quietly left the room, remaining in earshot in case he was needed. Max rested quietly letting the medication work and after a short while was able to sit up and face Logan.
"Thanks again Logan. Lately you seem to be my guardian angel."
He regarded her solemnly and then asked, "Still think it's not necessary to see what Sebastian can do to help you?" She looked at him in silence and shook her head in defeat.
"Point taken. Since he's already expecting us might as well get it over with. Can Bling call Normal and make some excuse for me to bring in my last slips tomorrow?" Logan nodded and calling Bling into the room instructed him to cover for Max and then go home for the night.
Soon enough they were in Sebastian's place and Logan was explaining to Sebastian what was going on with Max.
"Max I want to run an MRI scan on you. We need to see what is happening with the implant. My technician is ready so let's get started." Sebastian's metallic synthesized voice always startled Max, but she nodded and followed the tech to the MRI setup. As the procedure was going on Logan looked at Sebastian and quietly asked him
"How bad do you think it is?"
"I think that on some level the implant is still functioning. That's what's causing the aggravated seizures. We need to do something to completely disable it or things could get very bad for Max."
"How bad?" Logan asked in alarm.
"It could kill her" was Sebastian's answer. Logan felt sick at his words and fell silent, waiting with Sebastian for the procedure to be completed. Max rejoined them shortly and they waited for the results of the scan to be complete.
"While we're waiting there's something else I need to tell you Logan. You know your friend Eyes Only ?"
Logan nodded and waited to hear what Sebastian had to say.
"I've been looking into Manticore again since Max's run in with the Red soldiers. I was able to hack into their mainframe today and I found some disturbing information. For some reason they have become interested in Eyes Only and they traced his last broadcast to Seattle. They haven't pinpointed it yet but they seem to think they are very close. Donald Lydecker sent an email today directing that once they have the location they are to inform him immediately. You need to warn Eyes Only. Manticore is nothing to fool around with." Logan nodded thankful Sebastian hadn't disclosed his call to Lydecker to Max. Logan still felt somewhat ashamed of going behind her back that way especially since he had reacted badly at first towards Max, based on Lydecker's poisonous revelations. He had come to his senses only after he had found out about Cale enterprises clandestine operations and his late Uncle Jonas' smiling evil. He still hadn't told Max anything about Lydecker or the pictures and since he had destroyed them he wasn't sure if he was going to.
Max and Logan exchanged looks and Logan nodded. "Thanks Sebastian. I'll try to get word to him as soon as I can." Sebastian's computer beeped and he turned to look as Max's MRI results were displayed.
"It's what I thought. The implant is still functioning slightly. It's very strange though. The neural connectors are completely dead but it seems to be emitting some kind of low level radio signal."
"Oh my God, Logan it's a tracking device. They must have built in a transmitter in case one of their soldiers went AWOL on them." Max quickly realized. Sebastian nodded and added.
"I think you're right Max. To make it worse the radio signals are aggravating your seizures. We need to come up with a way to disable this thing and quickly."
"Do you think anyone is actually tracking the implant now?" Logan asked in concern.
"Max killed all of the Reds here so we probably have some time before their headquarters sends a new team. The signal is too weak to go more than about 20 miles so they can't be tracking her from South Africa. We need to get Max 20 miles into nowhere until I can see how to turn this thing off."
Logan and Max looked at each other and said at once "The cabin."
"Okay Sebastian, we have a place. How long will it take to figure out how to turn off the transmitter?"
Logan asked.
"Give me about three days and I should have it licked."
"You've got my email – let me know the minute you have something."
"Good luck Max. Don't worry – there isn't a piece of electronics I can't break. "
"Thanks Sebastian. You've been a real friend." On impulse Max walked over and leaning down planted a light kiss on Sebastian's cheek. He blushed and smiling turned to his computer as Max and Logan left.