"There were three of us together that night…" Talia paused
"The night of the fire. Two others. Tolka, Rav and myself. We had just returned from an overseas mission in Spain…"
After leaving the space needle Max had offered to take Talia to Terminal City and Talia had jumped at the chance to be with her own kind. After all, she had travelled all this way.
Now Talia looked up into the faces of the transgenics who had gathered around to listen to her story. She saw the eagerness in their eyes and she knew they wanted a happy ending. So did she.
It's a pity that some endings weren't so happy…that some endings were better left untold.
"When the fire took place everyone went crazy, sirens blasted, spotlights beamed, there were soldiers everywhere. Rav suggested we make a run for it, so we did. With all the commotion it was easy to just slip right out. Then we separated, I left Seattle that night and went to California, Rav headed to Florida, Tolka stayed here."
Talia's mind wandered back to that night, to what really happened when Manticore went up in flames.
True, she, Tolka and Rav had just returned from a mission. But it had been her who suggested they attempt the escape. Then two guards had fired at Rav and both his legs were shot out. She and Tolka had taken out the guards, knocked them unconscious and left them to die.
There was fire everywhere. So much smoke.
Talia hadn't been able to breathe, after knocking out the guard she had fallen in a heap struggling for air, her eyes watered.
She thought that she would die. She heard Tolka and Rav shouting…arguing…she heard her name then gunfire.
The next thing she knew she was outside the gate lying on the grass and Tolka holding her in his arms.
He had just left Rav lying there and dragged her out.
Talia had always known that Tolka had loved her. She remembered looking back at Manticore, at the fire. Both Manticore and Rav had died that day and with him had gone a piece of Talia.
Once she regained her strength she had left Tolka, he hadn't tried to stop her. He understood that she had to go.
She would never forgive Tolka for what he did that night, nor would she ever forgive herself…. if only she knew who caused that fire.
"What made you come back here"? Asked a mole-like transgenic.
The question caught her off guard
"The news…. I wanted to help out here"
'Partly true' she thought
Although finding Tolka would be…well…interesting.' To say the least.
"Ok people back to work," said Alec who was among the listeners.
Talia hadn't been in his unit at Manticore but he vaguely remembered seeing her around. Back then she had been blond.
With Max busy talking to Logan on the computer Alec had taken the liberty in showing Talia around and give her the low-down on their situation with the public and the familiars.
Talia found him very hospitable but wondered if there was not an ulterior motive to his kindness.
"Talia, come here, I want you to meet Logan" called Max
Talia stepped up beside Max and peered at the screen.
She saw a man in his mid to late 30's with saggy light brown hair. He wore glasses and was unshaven.
"Hello" said Logan over the screen
"Hi" said Talia, suddenly wondering why Max would want her to meet this man.
What was he?
Transgenic?
Human?
And who was he?
Was he important?
"Talia, Logan's been helping with the fight, he's human but you can trust him" Max explained.
"I see," said Talia, seriously doubting Max's use of the word 'Trust'
"Logan, what news"? Asked Max
"Not a lot, however, another transgenic was killed last night, it never made the news…what's interesting about this case though is the way he was killed. The police reports say no human could have done it which has led them to believe…'
"Another transgenic" Talia finished.
"Well that must have them worried. A transgenic on the lose who's not afraid to kill, even his own kind" Max said
"If it was a transgenic," said Logan
"You think it was White"? Asked Max
"Well if it was then the guy's done his job well, the cops are set to increase the security in the city. Max, none of you will be able to go outside"
"Guess you can always count on Ames to ruin a good day" Max said sarcastically
"I don't understand," said Talia suddenly
"If this White is such a threat to you all, why do you let him live? It seems we have more than enough man power here to eradicate him once and for all"
"Girl's got a point," said Alec who had been silent up until now.
"Whites not the type of guy you can just go find and kill." Pointed out Max
"He usually finds us"
"But if we find White then we can take down the conclave, one by one. It makes sense Max," said Alec
"No, it's too dangerous" Max shot back
"Max, look around you" argued Alec
"Because of White and his band of snake worshipping freaks we are all locked up here in this…this…"
"Oversized garage"? Offered Talia
"That's right, how many of these people here do you think wouldn't risk their lives for the chance of freedom, you're supposed to be the leader here Max. So lead"
"Hey" said Logan in protest to the tone Alec had taken to Max.
"Logan what do you think" asked Max obviously hurt by Alec's remark but trying not to show it.
"I'm with you on this one, it's too dangerous and…"
"Why am I not surprised?" said Alec.
As he walked off Talia heard him mutter something under his breath, which sounded a lot like
"… not even one of us and yet he gets a say in the way we live our lives"
"Excuse Me," said Talia, following Alec down the stairs.
Now, only Max and Logan remained.
"I'll have to get back to you," said Max as she closed the window.
She turned and saw Alec sorting out a bunch of salvaged guns and electrical equipment.
That's what Alec did these days when he got mad.
He tidied.
She looked around for Talia but failed to see her.