Chapter Four

Author: Catherder

Disclaimer: Dark Angel is owned by Charles Eglee, James Cameron, and Fox. I claim no rights to these characters, alas, although I like to play with them.

Summary : Continuation of "Encounter." Renfro grabs Logan for experimentation and Lydecker has to deal with the consequences.

Spoilers/Timeframe: Between Pollo Loco and Hit a Sistah Back

Rated: PG for language

A/N: This is in response to the reviewers who asked me to continue the story. Great thanks to a fan for reviewing and making excellent suggestions. Reviews are appreciated.

Encounter, Chapter Four

"Well, well, small world," Logan said.

"Hello, Mr. Cale," Lydecker replied. "I didn't expect to see you up and dressed."

"Apparently not. What's going on here? Where am I?" He already had a good idea of where he was, which explained the bars on the window. Why he was there was another matter.

"Never mind where you are. You're here by mistake." Lydecker made it sound almost like an apology. He sat down on the metal chair.

"Great. Then I can leave?" Logan ran a hand through his hair.

"Well, it's not as simple as that. The crazy bitch I work for decided that you would be an excellent subject for some experiments I've been conducting. She had you, ah, snatched for that purpose."

"I didn't think I had passed out at the market. 'She' wouldn't be very blonde with long legs and an icy smile, would she?"

"Yeah, that's her. Doctor Elizabeth Renfro."

"Ah, Doctor Elizabeth Renfro," Logan repeated. "Doctor of what if I may ask?"

"Biogenetics," Lydecker replied simply. "She's very eager to take this project to the next stage, human testing."

"Terrific. And I'm the human guinea pig, I suppose?"

"She didn't know who you were, or how well known. It was stupid."

"So what's this project? And why me?' Logan leaned over and looked at Lydecker intently.

"It's a nanotechnology experiment. We've designed cell-like nanochips to incorporate themselves in the body's cellular machinery in order to stimulate metabolic activity and enhance neuromuscular function. It's supposed to give soldiers the ability to heal their own wounds, and regenerate tissue and nerves."

"Ah." Logan nodded, beginning to see where this was going.

"And why you? Because she wants to see if the nanocells can regenerate your spinal cord and cure your paralysis. You're young, strong, and in good health. She thought you'd be the perfect candidate."

Oh God, thought Logan, I've been through this before with Max's blood. I don't know if I can do it again, physically or emotionally.

"So, what do you think?"

" You're an excellent candidate, in my opinion. But I'd certainly prefer to experiment on someone I didn't know."

That statement startled Logan, who'd been regaled with various instances of Lydecker's brutality by Max. He also couldn't forget that Lydecker had personally shot Doctor Vertes, his one hope for regaining his ability to walk, in cold blood.

"Why is that?"

"Well, under most circumstances, I wouldn't care. But this is very risky. The technology isn't as far advanced as I'd like it to be before moving on to human testing. One more round on animals would be my preference, but Renfro is hot to trot on this."

"So, there's a risk. Tell me about it. What could happen?"

"Bottom line, it could kill you. I'd kind of hate to see that happen. You've got a lot of guts and I'd hate to see that go to waste. I remember what you did at that genetics conference, how you traded yourself for the hostages. I've got to admire you. Not many people would have done that, and the fact that you were in a wheelchair made me admire you more."

"Thanks." Logan said. Lydecker admired him? That was a scary thought. "And if it worked?"

"You'd be able to walk."

"So, what are my options?" Logan figured he wasn't going to get out of Manticore unscathed, so he wanted to minimize his risks if he could.

"You don't have options. I do." Lydecker reminded him. "One, I can do the experiment. If it kills you, it kills you."

"Happy thought, that," Logan muttered under his breath. Lydecker pricked up his ears.

"Two, on the other hand, if it works, you'll probably be able to walk. You do want that, don't you?"

Logan nodded silently. More than you'll ever know, he thought.

"Three, if it doesn't work and it doesn't kill you, you probably won't be any worse off than you are now."

"Probably?"

"Since I haven't used the technology on humans, I don't know what could happen."

"What are the odds that it would work?" Logan thought he would seriously consider a deal with the devil if it would give him his legs back.

"It worked about a third of the time on rats. The other two-thirds died. The rats that survived realized at least a partial recovery of sensation and movement."

Logan rolled away from Lydecker and turned toward the barred window. He looked out at the barren landscape, considering the odds.

"Four, I can tell Renfro that for some reason, you're not a suitable candidate. If you're lucky, she'll let you go – probably the same way she brought you here. Although, knowing her, she won't be inclined to do that."

"Great."

"Five, I can get you out of here somehow. Frankly, you'd be a lot more useful to me alive and healthy and somewhere else."

Logan wheeled around to face Lydecker again. "Number five sounds like a viable option to me. But how could I be more useful to you?"

"You're a journalist. You have contacts. I'm sure I can think of some way to take advantage of that."

"You don't like her very much, do you?" Logan stated the obvious. "How come?"

"I think she's ruining this outfit. She's hurrying experiments along too quickly. Destroying the results of previous ones that didn't work the way she wanted them to…."

Logan shuddered at the thought. How many of the X series had she eliminated? Would she kill him if the experiment didn't show the results she wanted? A chill ran through him.

"… Really good at blaming others and covering her ass." Lydecker was saying. "Turning my people against me. Yeah, I hate the bitch. Anyone would."

"Well, she's certainly at the top of my list of 'never want to see again'. Creeped me right out," Logan agreed. "Is there some way we could continue this conversation elsewhere. Barred windows always make me claustrophobic." Besides, he thought, a guided tour of Manticore could come in handy.

"I suppose we could go to the lab. After all, you'll end up there sooner or later."