Max glared evenly at her big brother, even though he refused to look at her. He had to be lying. Why wouldn't he? She knew that Zack didn't like Logan and would rather not see Max with him. Besides, what in the world would Lydecker want with Logan?

"Who has Logan?" she repeated.

"I said Lydecker did-ok?"

"And you didn't help him?!" she snapped, as the realization that Lydecker really had taken Logan came pouring through her mind, coating it over with anger. Zack had seen it, but had done nothing.

"What would've I had done?" he asked, now looking straight at her. "Huh, Maxie? There were about fifteen of them and one of me-"

"You were afraid."

Zack flushed slightly, but shook his head a second later, denying anything. "No, I was being smart. Save yourself first."

"We have to get him out."

"We?" Zack echoed with a hoarse chuckle. "No, nobody's going after him. I'm not and neither are you."

Max said nothing to Zack. He wouldn't understand; he never did anyhow. In all his soldier glory, Zack had never learned about family or friends that you could love as yourself. It was one of his greatest faults, and all of the X5s knew it.

"Besides, we have to get Tinga out."

"You know where she is?" Max retorted.

"Yes. There's a research facility they've set up inside a converted silo near the municipal border."

Max paused, trying to think. Save Tinga or Logan? Both were equally worthy causes and she didn't want to abandon either one of them, but on the same point, she couldn't save both. It was going to be a tough decision, and one of them was going to have to suffer either way Max looked at it.

"Tinga can defend herself if necessary-" Max began.

"Not if they brainwash her."

"- but Logan can't defend himself. He's in a wheelchair."

"You care more about him than your own family?!" Zack spat.

"He is my family!"

She pushed past Zack and headed over to the door, ready to leave for Logan.

"And where are you going?" Zack retorted from behind her, his arms crossed in black leather.

"Guess."

Without warning, Zack was standing in front of the door, blocking her from leaving with his frame. Being larger than she gave him a definite advantage, but Max was not going to back down.

"Don't you dare leave," Zack growled.

"Why not?"

"They'll take you and never let you go! Look at Tinga! She's gone and they done God knows what to her. Brin's as brainwashed as can be! They'll kill you, Maxie," he protested, his big brother taking precedence over that of the stiff CO that would've never worried about her.

"You know what? I don't care."

"You're a fool," he sneered.

"Maybe, but I can't just leave him there…with them."

"Yes, you can."

"No, I can't." She sighed, backing off slightly and realizing that going through the door wouldn't be the answer at that point. Not then anyhow. "I don't expect you to understand-"

"And why would that be?"

"You ever been in love, Zack?" she rebutted.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" he hissed with more anger than needed. Ah, she had hit something inside of him. Zack didn't flare up suddenly for no good reason. He always had reasons. Now, the question was if to prod on further.

"Think about it."

For a moment, he stared at her, if not comprehending what she was getting at. Then, his scrunched eyebrows become unfurled, and his stiffened body relaxed. He looked away from Max's gaze, and then met her never-flickering eyes.

"You?" he asked, his voice surprisingly a whisper. He was shocked, no doubt about it. Zack being shocked. It was something Max had never seen in him before.

She nodded silently. "I have to go after him."

Zack shook his head, like he was trying to clear it, but was unable to. "You're not going alone."

"Yeah? Well, what about Tinga?"

"I can't just let you go off and get yourself killed like this," he sighed. "Besides, if you do get caught, I'll be able to get you out before Lydecker gets a hold of you."

"You don't have a lot of faith in me-do you?"

"Let's just put it this way: some of your moves in the past haven't been the smartest."

"Are you coming then?"

"Yes," he acknowledged and moved out of the doorway, letting Max go through. She smiled at him as she passed.

"Thanks."

Zack though, wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry that they were doing something so utterly insane as they left.