"Talia" Alec's voice was laden with both pleasure and relief as he caught sight of the fiery red head.
Talia, who seemed to be in the middle of a heated argument with two transgenic guards took no notice of him and as Alec neared the spot where they stood he saw that she was not alone.
Behind Talia lay the seemingly dead bodies of two reptilian transgenics and a third who was hunched over and coughing up blood.
'What the hell'? Alec thought as he struggled to catch some of the conversation.
"You should not have brought him here" argued the larger of the two guards.
Alec took note of the strong sense of distaste he applied to the word 'him'.
The large transgenic who Alec recognised as the one they all called 'Tank' thrust his arm towards the man on his hands and knees spitting blood.
"You didn't have to hit him! You could have killed him. He's with me and that should be enough. I'm taking him in and if you know what's good for you you'll shut up and get the hell out of my way" Talia shouted. It was obvious that she was not at all intimidated by Tanks vast mass.
"You think that just because you 'will' it that I'm just going to allow it? That's so typical of you damn X5's, you think you're so superior. Well here's a rude awakening for you princess, Manticore is gone and here you do not pull rank on me!" Tank raised his huge arm and waved a fist in Talia's face.
"Pull rank on you"? Talia laughed
"What the hell are you anyway"?
Thinking things could fast turn ugly Alec rushed to the scene and placed himself between Tank and Talia.
"Woa!! Now that's enough!"
"Get out of my way, this is not your battle" argued Tank and taking a step forward.
"Look pal chill ok. She's not the enemy," Alec said firmly.
"Don't be so sure. She brought the enemy to us!" Growled Tank.
Just then Otto rolled over and for the first time Alec caught a glimpse of his face.
"Is that who I think it is?" Alec asked bewildered.
Talia's face softened. And with eyes still fixed on Tank she replied.
"That depends who you think it is," she breathed, finally switching her gaze to Alec.
"I know him. He works for White" Alec filled in dimly.
Talia's face shot him a cruel look of 'Gee ya think'?
"Alec. White"? Joshua said with a growl.
Up until now he had been a mere observer. Now, at the mention of White's named he stepped up beside Alec prepared for a battle.
"Easy there big guy" Alec said placing a hand on Joshua's chest in an effort to calm him.
"Is he ok"? Alec asked Talia.
"I'd say he's seen better days. But with any luck he'll live" Talia's eyes resumed fixture on Tank. Her face wore a look of unrefuted hatred.
"Max will want to know about this," said Alec thoughtfully.
"He's human, he can't come in" Said Tank, his voice rising once more.
"Sorry, Tank but you'll have to let this one go"
The transgenic narrowed his eyes but it was obvious he respected Alec and trusted his judgement. He took a step back and nodded.
"What about them"? Alec asked studying the other two bodies.
'Transgenics" Talia answered, rudely turning her back to Tank.
"Otto had them captive"
Alec cast Talia a look of awe. She could see he was thoroughly impressed.
Realising he was staring, Alec broke eye contact and rubbed his hands together as he often did before taking care of business.
"Ok, Josh, Siege, Toke" he said calling out several transgenics from the heard.
"You guys take these two inside and make them comfortable"
He gave Talia a wicked grin as he knelt down to raise Otto to his feet. Otto's legs wobbled, threatening to give way beneath him.
"Talia, can you give me a hand here"? He asked as he tried again to raise Otto without hurting him.
"In a minute" came her inanimate reply.
With superhuman speed she whirled and issued a powerful kick to Tank's chest.
The blow was both unexpected and unprovoked. It launched Tank through the air and smack into the concrete wall.
"That's for hitting my prisoner." Talia said plainly.