Chapter 7

Chapter 18

"Jondy? Are you ok?"

Jondy turned around and saw Maxie standing in the doorway gazing at her worriedly.

"I'm fine sis, did you find anything?" Jondy asked with a reassuring smile. Max nodded as she entered the room and came to stand at the foot of the bed. Jondy motioned for her to sit.

As she sat down beside her sister, Max handed her a series of detailed computer schematics. Jondy briefly glanced at them, her enhanced senses picking up all relevant information.

Jondy turned to Max, commenting, "I can see how this could work, but it just too convenient. I mean look at these weapon stats, they're practically non existent, you'd think Lydecker would have enough faith in his own creations to give us decent security to bust."

“I was thinking about that too, Manticore’s sole purpose for going after Cat is because they want to get to Zack and consequently the rest of us. I think that Lydecker and the rest of Manticore's goons need a temporary holding place, which isn't easily accessible to the average human being, but no problem for kick ass genetically engineered freak-shows." Max reasoned

Jondy nodded in agreement, "Their whole plan is based around Zack coming to her aid like a knight in shining armor. They will use Zack's feelings against him. I'm willing to bet they will make sort of deal along the lines of, "You tell us were the rest of the X5 group are and we'll let her go." Jondy said grimly

"Zack would never betray us." Max said softly.

"I know, but could he let the woman he loves die?" Jondy countered quietly.

Max turned away from her sister, gazing out the window blankly she whispered, "I guess Lydecker was right. We can't fall in love, we're cold heart killing machines, nothing more. Zack and I were living in some totally screwed up dream world thinking we could possibly be happy. I mean what were we going to do? Go to our weddings and swear eternal devotion to them, till death do we part? Anyone we come into contact with ether dies or gets seriously hurt. We're evil, vile despicable creatures. They should have run away as soon as they found out what we are." Her entire tirade was said in voice full of self-loathing

Jondy, who had remained silent throughout the entire outburst now, turned Max's head gently to face her, "Listen to me Maxi, you have no right to tell Logan that he can't fall in love with you, it's his choice, not your right."

Max sighed in resignation

"I know, I just don't want him to get hurt because of me. I can only imagine the guilt Zack felling right now," she said softly.

"That's why we're going to bring her back to him. Now keep your head in the game solider, we're got mission to complete." the last part was barked out in the familiar Manticore pattern.

Max nodded, picking up the sheets of computer paper of the bed as she followed her sister out the doorway.


When they reached Logan's room Zack instantly looked up, " Did you found something?" he asked tensely.

"Yes," said Max, bringing the computers schematics forward to her brother. Zack listened carefully as Max and Jondy outlined their concerns, giving the occasional nod of agreement.

"I see your concerns and they're valid, but I don't see any other way except direct assault,â€