James Cameron and Charles Eglee own Dark Angel. My use is in no way meant to challenge their copyrights. This piece is not intended for any profit on the part of the writer, nor is it meant to detract from the commercial viability of the aforementioned (or any other) copyright. Any similarity to any events or persons, either real or fictional, is unintended.
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XI – Casualties of War"What happened out there?" Zack asked softly as he leaned over his critically injured lieutenant, taking her left hand into his grasp in a vain attempt to comfort her. He waited several seconds as the glassed-over look in Brin's eyes faded slightly and she turned her head slowly to face him. A grimace distorted her expression as she fought to ignore the debilitating pain that Zack knew was likely making her wish she had died in the raid.
"It was a setup," Brin mumbled.
"Are you sure?" Zack asked. He couldn't imagine how his forces could have taken such heavy looses unless they had been set up, but he still needed to be certain. He needed proof.
"I'm sure," Brin wheezed. "Please… Zack… I can't do this now."
"But Brin --"
"You're gonna have to leave, sir," Randi said as she walked up to her commander. The young X8 had a confident air about her – she knew she was in complete control in the infirmary. Even Zack had no authority over her as far as medical treatment was concerned.
"Not yet," Zack objected.
"Follow me," Randi muttered. She turned on her heel and began to walk out, and Zack found himself following her, despite his desire to stay behind. Once they were out of the small treatment room that was presently home to three wounded X5's, Randi began to speak again. "Before you even ask, sir – yes, she'll live."
"You sure?" Zack responded weakly, part of him wondering how he could ever manage without Brin. She was like his right arm – he would be incomplete without her, probably even unable to function in the position he had assumed.
"Most of her weakness is due to blood loss," she told him. "The wounds themselves weren't really that terrible… they just happened to be in bad places. She was shot in the left arm, and what could have been a flesh wound became critical because the bullet severed the brachial artery. She also took a gut shot that ruptured her spleen. That'll need some time to regenerate, but she should be at full capacity again within a week and a half. I'd expect her at your side again in about half that time."
"Thanks," Zack said, surprised that he needed to lean against the wall to stay on his feet. Fear and adrenaline had kept him going since his wounded soldiers had returned, straggling in after being on the run for hours. Now that the worst case scenario seemed unlikely, he finally allowed his own fatigue to set in. "What about the others?"
"Of the sixteen that you told me went out, only two came back uninjured," Randi told him. "They were each team's sniper, and they were far enough away to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. I sent them to their quarters to rest, though I'd expect they're both awake and waiting for their debriefing."
"Of course," Zack muttered, reminded that he also had some uninjured X5's to deal with, as well.
"There were three KIA," Randi told him. "Only two bodies were brought back, though." Zack gasped when he heard the disturbing news that someone had been left behind. Dead or alive, it should have made no difference – they didn't leave anyone behind. It was one of their cardinal rules. Someone's gonna have to go back out there…
"Who are the dead?" Zack asked.
"Stevie, Trish, and Osborne," Randi told him. That news sent him reeling. He was fortunate to have kept Brin, but Osborne was a great loss. He was the most experienced man under his command, and had made a superb squad leader. Zack knew he would never be able to replace such an asset.
"And how're the rest?"
"All but one should recover fully," Randi replied. "Joel took a hollow-tip in mid-thigh. The bullet almost blew the leg clean off. As it was, the limb was almost completely severed, only hanging on by a few threads, and it was in the early stages of gangrene. I had to amputate. I'm sorry, sir."
"Three dead and one lost for good," Zack muttered.
"I wish I could have done more," Randi apologized.
"I'm sure you did better than anyone else could have," Zack said. While Randi was just a child, she had been part of what some of the Manticore higher-ups had labeled the Vocation Protocol. Several X8's had been chosen from birth to be raised with the specific intent of fulfilling certain roles. All of their instruction, all of their psychological training, the molding of their personalities – everything was done to make them the very best at whatever it was they were chosen to do. Zack had two of these children in his ranks. Randi was a doctor who specialized in trauma care, and her sibling, Harry, was one of the most gifted pilots that had ever lived. They lacked the adaptability of several of the earlier generations, but in their chosen fields, they were veritable prodigies.
"Sir," Cipher interrupted, walking up and joining his two comrades.
"What is it?" Zack asked wearily.
"He's here, sir."
"Tell him I'll be with him shortly," Zack muttered. He had already had to deal with far more than he'd expected to that night. The last thing he wanted was to take this meeting. Unfortunately, he knew, he really didn't have any choice in the matter.
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"Hello, sir," Set said, punctuating his greeting with a salute as Zack walked into the room.
"Hello," Zack said, returning Set's gesture as he crossed the small office and sat behind a small oak desk. "Why are you here?" Zack had no desire for small talk. Several of his soldiers were hanging by a thread in the infirmary, and though he'd been assured they would be okay, he still felt as if he needed to be at their sides, just in case.
"My commander has requested that I advise you of some intel we've put together," Set answered. "We have a probable location for Theresa Caine, and we were wondering if you'd be able to do something about it."
"Me?" Zack asked with surprise. "You think I'm gonna start doing your dirty work, leaving my people's asses out in the wind while Kilroy plays wizard behind the curtain?"
"Theresa Caine is a threat to all of us," Set replied immediately, his voice holding a hint of impatience and irritation. Zack was surprised that Set was reacting so emotionally… or at least that he had the lack of control to show it. Then again, maybe it's all for show, he considered. "We're asking for a favor," Set added.
"Where is she?" Zack asked, deciding that he'd at least get some basic information before he made a decision one way or another.
"As you already know, some intel we captured lists her location as Crab Island," Set responded. "Through the process of elimination, we've concluded that the Familiars are likely referring to the island of Vieques."
"Vieques?"
"It's a small island due east of Puerto Rico. The United States used it for naval artillery and bombing exercises for years, resulting in the island being almost completely uninhabited. The real goal seems to have been the construction of an underground research facility. It was built once the bombing chased people far enough away."
"What kind of research facility?" Zack asked, the churning feeling in his stomach making him afraid of the answer.
"That information is too classified to find out," Set told him, "but Kilroy suspects that it was used for biological weapons development. The facility seems to have been closed down five years ago, and there are hints that it may have been sold to a corporation, though we're unable to verify the sale or the identity of the corporation."
"Great," Zack groaned. "And you want me to take my people in there?"
"Kilroy is under the impression that you have possession of a submarine just a few miles from Panama City," Set said with a wry grin.
"How did you know about that?"
"My commander is fairly thorough."
"Of course he is," Zack said, not bothering to hide his anger. "It's you, isn't it?"
"I'm sorry?"
"You're Kilroy," Zack accused.
"You know I'm not," Set replied simply, something in his eyes seeming blissfully amused at Zack's outburst. That only served to enrage the renegade X5 even more.
"And how am I supposed to know that?"
"I'm a Slinger," Set answered. "My training was highly specialized, focusing on a well-defined set of skills at the cost of any other instruction. I'm an urban terrorist, not a battlefield commander. I have neither the training nor the desire to be a leader."
"And from what you say, you're sure as hell not suited to playing by someone else's rules," Zack countered, "but you certainly think I'm gonna buy that you're doing just that."
"Believe what you want," Set said, his voice betraying a sudden loss of interest in the conversation.
"Sure, play it cool, but I wonder what Logan would say if I let on about your little secret."
"I don't follow," Set replied, though a suddenly malicious gleam in his eye let Zack know that he had hit his mark.
"I know you're staying close to Logan so that you can pick up on all the information he uncovers through his Eyes Only contacts," Zack said. "Then you pass it on to your master… or maybe you keep it for yourself, if I'm right about you being Kilroy."
"I have a great deal of respect for you," Set growled, "but let me advise you that it would not be in your best interests to have that conversation with Logan."
"Fine," Zack said with a smile, confident that he had found out all that he had needed to. His suspicions had been correct – Set's reported friendship with Logan Cale was simply a front so that he could uncover intelligence for his real master, Kilroy. "So when does Kilroy want this strike to take place?" he asked, suddenly changing the topic.
"A soon as possible," Set predictably replied.
"Then let me tell you what it'll cost you," Zack said, already trying to figure out who would be able to accompany him, and how long he should give them to heal. "I want Kilroy to keep a lid on any information that pertains to the Familiars."
"Why?"
"I'm fighting a war," Zack said simply. "The last thing I need is a bunch of politicians and military ordinaries getting in my way. Oh, and make sure Logan stays quiet, too."
"I can't guarantee Logan's silence," Set said quickly. "I'm not here representing him – I can only speak for Kilroy. Logan is of the opinion that we've already stayed quiet for far too long. Senator McElroy has promised us his support, but he needs information about the breeding cult. You know how Eyes Only is – he hates secrets."
"I don't care," Zack said with a shrug. "One way or another, you make sure the truth stays under wraps, at least for now. My people need more time to get squarely on the offensive."
"Two weeks," Set grumbled. "Kilroy will give you two weeks."
"And Logan?"
"I'll do what I can," Set assured him. "I can't make any guarantees, of course, but I'll do what I can."
"Then so will I," Zack responded. "It's time we score a notable victory."
To be continued……………………………
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Author's Endnote: I know what most of you are thinking – how could you have put this chapter here when all we wanted to know is what's happening with Max, Alec, and Logan? The answer is simple – I've an evil, sadistic bastard that believes that waiting for what you want makes it that much better. Not to fear, though. Many of the characters' personal problems will be straightened out (at least for the time being) in the next chapter, which is pretty much devoted to that stuff. Be prepared. (And don't skip reading it just because you think you think you know what I've been planning.)