Disclaimer: See Part 1

A/N: Omg… Epilogue you guys… *tear* :**(  I'm so proud. I FINISHED a story! Yay me! I think I will post yet another chapter for like author's notes and crap… so I can ramble and sob and thank people… :-D

Summary: Um… epilogue…

The Siege

by

Brin

Everyday it's the same thing; another trend has begun

Hey kids, this might be the one

It's a race to be noticed and it's leaving us numb

Hey kids, we can't be the ones

With all of our fashion we're still incomplete

The God of redemption could break our routine

There's a new way to be human

It's nothing we've ever been

There's a new way to be human

New way to be human

And where is our inspiration when all the heroes are gone?

Hey kids, could we be the ones?

'Cause nobody's famous and nobody's fine

We all need forgiveness; we're longing inside

There's a new way to be human

It's nothing we've ever been

There's a new way to be human

It's spreading under my skin

There's a new way to be human

Where divinity blends

With a new way to be human

New way to be human

"New Way to be Human," by Switchfoot off their "New Way to be Human" album

"Where are we gonna go? I can't stop anyone from leaving, but I'm through running and hiding and being afraid. I'm not gonna live my life like that anymore. Aren't you tired of living in darkness? Don't you want to feel the sun on your face? To have a place of your own where you can walk down the street without being afraid? They made us, and they trained us to be soldiers, to defend this country. It's time for them to face us and take responsibility, instead of trying to sweep us away like garbage. We were made in America and we're not going anywhere. So they call us freaks; who cares? Today I'm proud to be a freak. And today we're gonna make a stand, right here. Who's with me?" –Max

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Epilogue

TWO MONTHS LATER

"One year ago this day the transgenics were freed from a Manticore facility just south of Seattle by Max Guevara, a transgenic herself, who had been held against her will at the facility for an extended period of time. Since that time, Dr. Shankar and Dr. Sam Carr of Seattle, through close observation of the transgenics' health patterns and blood work, have developed cures for paralysis, the common cold, chicken pox, cancer, and a number of diseases and conditions that were previously considered untreatable. A secret government operation milking millions of dollars in tax money to capture these transgenics was uncovered by Logan Cale, Max Guevara, and Alec Brady. The president was found to be part of this illegal operation several of my confidants and was immediately impeached from office. As soon as he left, X5 and police investigators found that he had illegally laundered at least three billion tax dollars for his own use. This would not have been uncovered had it not been for transgenics.

"Hundreds of lives have been saved by the work of Logan Cale, Max Guevara, and Alec Brady, who is a transgenic as well. But hundreds of lives have been lost as well—transgenic lives. Three months ago The City of New Hope, popularly known as Terminal City, was brutally attacked by the government using an advanced form of transgenics. New Hope was burned to the ground, and some of Seattle with it. Two hundred transgenic lives were lost that night.

"And now, at the beginning of a new presidential reign, we transgenics have been granted the rights of normal American citizens, along with extra protection from prejudice for the crimes committed against us. Months of rugged negotiation was a small price to pay for this day. The document concluding all that I have said here requires at least five transgenic signatures and five signatures from members of the cabinet, along with the president's. I am honored to—" Krit stopped talking as someone walked over and whispered in his ear. His face went from confused to excited to terrified. "Excuse me, I have to go. My wife's having a baby!" He quickly exited the scene, leaving an empty podium and shocked press.

Max elbowed Alec. "Finish it!"

Alec's eyes widened. "Me? But—"

Ignoring his protests, Max shoved Alec up to the podium. Cameras started flashing like one continuous stream of light, momentarily throwing the X5 off-guard. He waited for the press to finish their onslaught of pictures before looking down at the messily scribbled speech Krit had written down.

He cleared his throat and picked up where Krit left off, his voice a bit shaky. "I am honored to be here this night, to witness the dawning of a new American age. The new president, formerly the vice president, was helped in overthrowing the totalitarian system of the former president by… Krit Guevara and his confidants. From here, America should rise to glory once again, but it is clear that America will never be what it was before the Pulse. That in mind, let us welcome this new age and the new American way it will bring. Peace. Out."

A loud cheering broke out amongst the audience, and Alec timidly bowed his head before going back over to Max, who smiled and took his hand in hers.

The former vice president (recently sworn-in president) stepped up to the podium and a helper brought out the Transgen Treaty document. He pulled out a feather pen and signed it, then five members of the cabinet followed.

When they were done, all was silent. The first line of press even cowered back a bit as Zack stepped up to the podium and picked up the pen. Everyone held their breaths. He looked at them solemnly, then smiled, much to everyone's surprise. Cameras flashed like mad. He ducked his head and put his John Hancock on the first line, then handed the pen to Jondy, who did the same. One by one—Zack, Jondy, Max, Alec, Zane, and Brin signed the document. At first, everyone had decided on just Zack, Jondy, Max, Alec, and Krit signing the document because they were, essentially, the leaders of Terminal City. Max and Jondy protested, however, and soon Brin and Zane were lined up as well.

But they weren't the last to be added to the list.

A collective gasp went through the crowd as Pick and Eddie stepped into view. Eddie teetered on a crutch while Pick had one arm around her waist, helping her stay upright. Now the press went mad, suddenly shouting questions and rushing forward to try and interview the anomaly, the first one many of them had ever seen.

Eddie shielded her cat eyes, sensitive to the light of the flashes, as the X5s rushed forward to contain the crowd. Unlike the X series, anomalies were not made immune to the fear of public appearances. Years and years of living in the basement with minimal Ordinary contact had made them fearful and shy. Things were not improved when they escaped the basements and were forced to live underground. Truth be told, this was the first time Eddie had ever been in front of more than one or two Ordinaries at a time.

"That's enough! Stay behind the line!" shouted Zack, pushing the last camera behind the yellow safety line they had set up. "Don't you see she's scared? Stop flashing the cameras. All she's gonna do is sign the document."

Slowly, cautiously, Eddie limped up the podium and picked up the pen. She looked up at Pick timidly, and he only smiled back. Her brown eyes peeked out at the hundreds of people watching her every move, then turned downwards towards the simple piece of paper with several signatures on it. She steadied herself against Pick, leant forward, and signed the document.

The press looked like they were about to surge forward again, but they controlled themselves.

Pick took the pen from Eddie and signed the document—sealing it. Now an uproar of cheering and applause broke out, cameras flashing. The president shook hands with each of the transgenics and they were now open to press interview. It was one big madhouse.

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After two hours of interviews and pictures, Max and the other transgenics discreetly snuck out through the back door. They headed to the hospital Syl was staying in, the excited feeling of her having a baby just now catching up with them. They must've looked a bit odd dressed in expensive dresses and tuxedos because the nurses and patients whispered as soon as they came in.

"Hi, I'm looking for Syl Guevara," said Max to the nurse at the desk.

"Are you family?"

"As close as she's gonna get."

"Room 503."

"Thank you." Max smiled and walked away, the others close behind.

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"Knock-knock," Jondy opened the door slightly and peeked in. Syl was lying on the hospital bed looking worn and haggard. Krit was by her side, holding a tiny pink bundle. "Oh my GAWD!" squealed Jondy under her breath, running over and peeking at the baby girl gleefully.

The others filed in, quietly closing the door behind them as to not disturb Syl or the baby.

Max walked around the side of the bed and took Syl's hand. "How are you?"

Syl smiled weakly. "Tired."

Max laughed and kissed her knuckles. "Understandable. You look like hell."

"Thanks, little sister," Syl replied, slowly shaking her head. "It was worth it." She looked over at the pink bundle Krit was cradling.

"Did you guys think of a name yet?" asked Jondy, folding back the blanket a bit to see a pudgy little face. "She looks just like Krit!"

"Her name… is Eve," said Krit with a smile.

"It's perfect. The first baby born after the treaty… the first transgenic child to be legally free," said Jondy, her eyes sparkling. She looked up at Zack, who was looking a bit unnerved by her interest in the baby. "Maybe we should have one, Zacky."

Zack cringed; he had known that was coming.

"Alright, alright," interrupted Max. "Don't start fighting. I think, to commemorate this event, we should all… go home and rest. Eddie and Pick had the right idea when they skipped out early."

The other transgenics laughed.

"Yeah, I think Max has the right idea," said Zane. "Krit, Syl, congrats… but we're heading out.'

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Max and Alec retreated to their hotel room, where they changed into casual clothes and flopped on the bed, wrapped in each other's arms.

"I love you, Maxie," he whispered, stroking her silky locks.

"I love you too, Alec," she replied, kissing him.

"You know, we're free now. After twenty long years… we can finally say we're free. It's surreal, isn't it? All the running, all the hiding… it's over."

"No more missions. No more dead siblings…" Max smiled up into his emerald green eyes. "And I'm with you."

Alec grinned back. "And we lived happily ever after."

finis

Sequel? Hmm… I dunno