Disclaimer: I don't own Dark Angel, but I'm pretty sure James Cameron does...
Private Corporation, Part Two.
Michaela was untying Max's hands. "Sorry about that," she apologised, "but we knew what we were dealing with. Same genetics, you know."
"I don't get it," Max said. "If Lydecker stole those files, why weren't his 'creations' perfect the first time? I mean, you look pretty close to my age."
Michaela shrugged. "Simple: he didn't get all the files. And instead of researching them thoroughly, or trying again, he used trial and error. The CIA waited to redo the files. We're perfect, biased as it sounds. You're still not perfect. A little too much free will. And I've heard rumours about genetic problems."
Mitch broke in. "Where is Manticore, anyway? That's the one thing Intelligance couldn't find." He gathered up the CIA documents and placed them neatly in a folder.
"Gone," Max said shortly. Then, as they gazed at her in shock, she said, "Manticore feared two things: breakouts and exposure. Eyes Only exposed them recently and they hit the self destruct button." Mitch nodded, and Michaela frowned.
"Then, they've just lost all their-"
"Use your brains, Michaela. They would have kept the files; Lydeckers an asshole, but he's not stupid." Michaela looked furious for a second, then nodded.
"Um, small problem. Is it revenge against Manticore or Lydecker you want? Because Lydecker was kcicked out of Manticore ages ago," Max said, and both snapped to attention.
"You can't just be 'kicked out'! What if he exposed them?" Michaela snapped. "Really, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I would have but a bullet in his head."
Max was surprised; Michaela was pretty violent. "They tried." She shrugged. "But he outsmarted them. Or rather, her. Renfro. Took over as director when Lydecker got booted. She'd have the files, but she's dead. Died in the fire. Somebody else probably has the disk."
"Who?" Mitch asked. Max shrugged. "You have to have some idea."
"Hey, I was one of the products. I don't have a staff list," Max snapped at him. Then she stopped. Logan would. He had all kinds of stuff on Manticore. She turned to Mitch and Michaela. "I think I can help you there. Give me twenty four hours back in Seattle. Alone."
Logan was worried. While Max was capable of just disappearing for a few days, she usually checked in. If not with him, then with Original Cindy. And she always took her cell and pager. But she'd gotten so independent since she left Manticore the second time.
The phone rang. He picked it up quickly. "Hello?"
"Logan, it's me." Max spoke quickly. She was standing outside the van, using Mitch's cell. They'd given her ten minutes, and that would have to do. "Listen, I need a favour."
"Where are you? What's happening, and why haven't you got your cell with you?" Logan asked. Then, as her words actually began to imprint on his brain, he asked "What kind of favour?"
"Not now. Listen, I need anything you have on Manticore. Particularly staff lists. And anything on the CIA." Max nodded at Michaela and Mitch, who were sitting in the van. Who could probably hear anything that was said.
"The CIA? It disbanded years ago. Where will I meet you with the Manticore files?" Logan began tapping at his computer, trying to run a trace on Max's phone. It didn't work. Unregistered Line kept flashing across the screen.
"You won't," Max said. "Leave the files open on your computer. I'll come by late to pick them up." Max knew he wouldn't like this, and that he'd try to be there.
"How late?" Logan asked. If she thought he'd let her come by without seeing him, she was wrong. "Give me a time."
"Can't," Max said simply. "Not because I don't know, but because I don't want you to know. It might be dangerous."
"So? Max, something's up. Manticore's gone, and you're asking for files. I'm not stupid. And if it's because of the virus -"
"No," Max said. Her ten minutes was almost up. She had to go. "It's not just that, ok? I'm trying to save your ass. Tell Original Cindy I won't be around for a couple days, Ok? And see if by soem miracle you can squirm some time off for me from Normal."
"Max -" Logan began, but she was gone. He stared broodingly at the computer, where Unregistered Line still flashed. Something was up; and she was going to tell him sooner or later. He'd make it sooner, and and was prepared to stay up forever if necessary.
Max got back in to the van. "I can get the files - but I have to be on my own. That means no following me." Michaela nodded, but Max still didn't entirely trust her. She'd have to be careful.
They started back towards Seattle.
Author's Note: Reviews are welcome here, so click the button please!
Private Corporation, Part Two.
Michaela was untying Max's hands. "Sorry about that," she apologised, "but we knew what we were dealing with. Same genetics, you know."
"I don't get it," Max said. "If Lydecker stole those files, why weren't his 'creations' perfect the first time? I mean, you look pretty close to my age."
Michaela shrugged. "Simple: he didn't get all the files. And instead of researching them thoroughly, or trying again, he used trial and error. The CIA waited to redo the files. We're perfect, biased as it sounds. You're still not perfect. A little too much free will. And I've heard rumours about genetic problems."
Mitch broke in. "Where is Manticore, anyway? That's the one thing Intelligance couldn't find." He gathered up the CIA documents and placed them neatly in a folder.
"Gone," Max said shortly. Then, as they gazed at her in shock, she said, "Manticore feared two things: breakouts and exposure. Eyes Only exposed them recently and they hit the self destruct button." Mitch nodded, and Michaela frowned.
"Then, they've just lost all their-"
"Use your brains, Michaela. They would have kept the files; Lydeckers an asshole, but he's not stupid." Michaela looked furious for a second, then nodded.
"Um, small problem. Is it revenge against Manticore or Lydecker you want? Because Lydecker was kcicked out of Manticore ages ago," Max said, and both snapped to attention.
"You can't just be 'kicked out'! What if he exposed them?" Michaela snapped. "Really, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. I would have but a bullet in his head."
Max was surprised; Michaela was pretty violent. "They tried." She shrugged. "But he outsmarted them. Or rather, her. Renfro. Took over as director when Lydecker got booted. She'd have the files, but she's dead. Died in the fire. Somebody else probably has the disk."
"Who?" Mitch asked. Max shrugged. "You have to have some idea."
"Hey, I was one of the products. I don't have a staff list," Max snapped at him. Then she stopped. Logan would. He had all kinds of stuff on Manticore. She turned to Mitch and Michaela. "I think I can help you there. Give me twenty four hours back in Seattle. Alone."
Logan was worried. While Max was capable of just disappearing for a few days, she usually checked in. If not with him, then with Original Cindy. And she always took her cell and pager. But she'd gotten so independent since she left Manticore the second time.
The phone rang. He picked it up quickly. "Hello?"
"Logan, it's me." Max spoke quickly. She was standing outside the van, using Mitch's cell. They'd given her ten minutes, and that would have to do. "Listen, I need a favour."
"Where are you? What's happening, and why haven't you got your cell with you?" Logan asked. Then, as her words actually began to imprint on his brain, he asked "What kind of favour?"
"Not now. Listen, I need anything you have on Manticore. Particularly staff lists. And anything on the CIA." Max nodded at Michaela and Mitch, who were sitting in the van. Who could probably hear anything that was said.
"The CIA? It disbanded years ago. Where will I meet you with the Manticore files?" Logan began tapping at his computer, trying to run a trace on Max's phone. It didn't work. Unregistered Line kept flashing across the screen.
"You won't," Max said. "Leave the files open on your computer. I'll come by late to pick them up." Max knew he wouldn't like this, and that he'd try to be there.
"How late?" Logan asked. If she thought he'd let her come by without seeing him, she was wrong. "Give me a time."
"Can't," Max said simply. "Not because I don't know, but because I don't want you to know. It might be dangerous."
"So? Max, something's up. Manticore's gone, and you're asking for files. I'm not stupid. And if it's because of the virus -"
"No," Max said. Her ten minutes was almost up. She had to go. "It's not just that, ok? I'm trying to save your ass. Tell Original Cindy I won't be around for a couple days, Ok? And see if by soem miracle you can squirm some time off for me from Normal."
"Max -" Logan began, but she was gone. He stared broodingly at the computer, where Unregistered Line still flashed. Something was up; and she was going to tell him sooner or later. He'd make it sooner, and and was prepared to stay up forever if necessary.
Max got back in to the van. "I can get the files - but I have to be on my own. That means no following me." Michaela nodded, but Max still didn't entirely trust her. She'd have to be careful.
They started back towards Seattle.
Author's Note: Reviews are welcome here, so click the button please!