Spoilers: This is the first sequel story to Shattered trust
and whispered confessions. It is set after Hello Goodbye and
might reveal bits and pieces of the series from then on.
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone
Authors Note: If you really want to understand this story and enjoy it, then be sure to read the original part one.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER NINE:
Max clawed desperately at her shackles, the occasional tear still rolling down her face. She sniffed, pulling at the chain and a current of electricity seared through her until she dropped it. Sighing, she sank to the floor again weeping as she realised that she couldn't escape. Alec was nowhere to be seen and Ben had just left her. White was being uncharacteristically nice - well nicer than usual.
*Its like I've stumbled into a parallel universe. Great. And now I'm stuck here.*
She brushed angrily at the tears again. They wouldn't stop, a repercussion of constantly containing her feelings. She bawled even harder, crying her whole life out. The door creaked open and Max lifted her head slowly, blinking at the dark shadow above her,
"What do you want?"
She watched in utter amazement as the figure released her from her binds, then handed her a handkerchief,
"Get out of here. Take a left, then another and then follow the long hall to the end. Once you're outside, go through the clearing on the right. On the other side is a road."
Max stood shakily, her energy mainly drained. She eyed the door cautiously, unsure if it were a trap. Everything about this day seemed off. He sighed, giving her an impatient nudge,
"What are you waiting for? Go now or we'll both get caught."
She snapped out of her daze to stare at him curiously, her eyes filled with their usual defiance,
"Why are you helping me? You've hunted me for the last year."
"Well right now, my mission is different to before. I work for Manticore. And it is in Manticore's best interests for you to be out in the world, protecting your family that you set free. White knows this, but he has his own agenda."
"I don't please Manticore."
"No one's asking you to. I'm offering you freedom. Now go before White returns."
Max watched him suspiciously as she moved to the doorway, finally giving him a small but grateful smile,
"It's Otto, right?"
He gave her a curt nod, unconsciously backing away from the transgenic.
"Well then thank you Otto. I wont forget this."
She turned on her heels and blurred out of sight. He gulped, stepping out of the room and dialling a number on his phone,
"Lydecker? We have lift off. Phase 1 successfully carried out."
* * * * *
Max crept silently through the hallways, slightly spooked by the quiet, eerie stillness. This was a strange set-up, no guards, alarms or cameras. Nothing. She almost laughed as she thought about the reaction Alec would give to seeing this. Her knees ached slightly and she stopped, grimacing as she remembered the painful electric part of this place, the only thing resembling the professional Government facility she assumed she was in. Her ears pricked up as Ben's voice carried through and before she could consider the options, Max found herself creeping to the door the sound was coming from, sneaking a peek through the small slit in the side.
* * * * *
"Well 494, it has been a pleasure..."
"Don't make it sound as though it is over White."
"I don't think that there is anymore to it. For now. I have 452. You have your money."
"And I'll bet hat was just a phenomenal price to pay."
"We all have our prices. Remember that soldier. She was worth it to me and I'm sure you'll find your end of the deal just as fair."
"You could say I found it very fair."
"I have no more need for you now. But don't look so worried, I'm not going to wipe my hands of you. I'm going to need you around until your runes appear. That is, if you are the chosen one my brother speaks of. 452 didn't mention that it was you, but I do believe that you could be."
"Have Max's runes appeared?"
"Yes. Almost all of them. Which makes me wonder if you are all that you're said to be...why haven't yours?"
* * * * *
Flashback: Max sat above Ben, her chocolate eyes fiery as she listened to him, "Nothing went wrong with me, I'm doing what I was made to do, what we were taught to do."
"Hunt people down to perform amateur dental surgery? I must've missed that class."
"You seem to know quite a lot about what I've been up to."
"Where's Destry?" "Not that I mind. You're one of the few people who could possibly understand."
"See that's where you're wrong, I don't understand."
"C'mon Maxie! Don't tell me you've forgotten that day."
"Believe me, I've tried."
"But you cant, can you? And you wanna know why? Because it was the most exhilarating day of your life. For one brief moment, you were all that you were meant to be. A predator. What is the matter, Maxie? You afraid to remember?"
"I don't want to remember."
"Because it scares you? I think we even scared Lydecker that day I remember watching him run off into the woods; how long it seemed for Lydecker to count down the seconds. He never had a chance. Don't tell me that you don't wake up with the sound of your heart beating in your ears."
Max's face became overcome with rage, her blood boiling, "Shut up!
"Or the taste of blood in your mouth."
"Shut up!"
"You're like a wolf in sheep's clothing Max! You're hiding your instincts. Every minute of every day so no one will know who you really are. A soldier. A hunter. A killer."
"Shut up!" She hit Ben viciously in the face and he wiped at his bloody mouth, unable to stop the emerging grin, "See, what did I tell ya?" * * * * *
Max slumped on the floor defeated. 6 months together. Sure, they hadn't slept together, but it was still a serious relationship. 6 months. And Alec had betrayed her, it hadn't been Ben at all, he was probably off somewhere checking out the dentures in people's mouths. Alec had sold out. Max slammed her fist to the ground, stopping just millimetres away. She stood again, determined to discover what else her boyfriend had been doing behind her back.
* * * * *
"...all in good time White.",
"You should be happy. Longer to prepare. Longer time for you and your people to plan how to stop it from happening."
"Maybe I should kill you and 452 - that will eliminate any need to prepare."
"Hey, don't shoot the messenger! And you don't know if what your delusional brother told you is even true."
"Good point. You're a smart one 494...for your kind."
"Oh White, how sweet! And here I thought I was just a pretty face to you."
He chuckled as White set his gun down on his leg, reaching over to sip some water,
"In your dreams 494."
"Call me Ben."
* * * * *
Max gulped outside the room loudly, her mind and heart racing. She couldn't tell physically if that was 493 or 494 in there. But emotionally, mentally, she couldn't feel a connection with the handsome transgenic and she hoped that it meant it wasn't Alec. He had been telling the truth, it was Ben. She pressed her eye harder against the door gap, watching the exchange between the two,
*Ben, what are you doing?*
She watched closer and then yelped mentally as the two stood, moving towards the door. Max looked around wildly, the corridors were too long for her to run and now be seen. She was too weak to fight and she didn't want to face Ben. Taking a deep breath, she did the only thing she could think of, and prayed to his blue lady for the best.
The door opened and the two came out. Silently, they moved down the hallway to the outside exit. Once they were gone, Max dropped from her position clinging to the roof, landing in a crouch on the floor. She stood swiftly, looking around cautiously before following them,
*What game is he playing here?*
* * * * *
White stepped out into the cool night air. Shooting stars soared through the night sky above and he stared in awe, it was an astronomical event, which only took place once a year. It was also the night that the conclave held its traditional ceremony in honour of their cause, of the familiars. Ben watched the content expression on the older man's face, his eyes locking with White's,
"It's beautiful. But at the same time, it's painful."
"How so?"
"You'll see..."
White stared deeper into Ben's eyes, the sight above them momentarily forgotten. He caught the flash of movement in the liquid reflection and he sprung around, lashing out at the action. The figure staggered backwards from the impact, before lunging at the familiar with a severe blow to the head. Ben joined the battle, the two easily overpowering White. He never stood a chance. They bound him to a nearby tree and grinned at one another.
"Nice work Ben."
"You too. I probably wouldn't have even needed your help. But thanks 494."
"Call me Alec."
Ben stopped cold. Alec could remember his own name. He could remember. His memory had returned and things weren't resolved.
"You can..."
"Remember? Yeah."
"Then why?"
"You think that I'm gonna pass up the opportunity to kill this bastard? Never."
"I get you."
"I doubt that. So next time brother, cut the brainwashing crap and just ask for my help."
"Lucky for you, there wont be a next time - the bracelet Lydecker put on you was a one time deal only. Shock you, bring you to me and act as a temporary control over you. It was a one off thing, it's done. That's it."
"Wow, sounds just like Manticore. So how about we just kill this fucker and be done with it."
"You want to do the honours or shall I?"
The identical faces both wore delighted grins and the two advanced on White, whose eyes began to bug out of their sockets in a cartoonish manner. He pleaded behind the duct tape over his mouth and Ben stepped back, bowing slightly at Alec as he waved his gun randomly through the air,
"You do the honours. Make it slow."
"My pleasure..."
* * * * *
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone
Authors Note: If you really want to understand this story and enjoy it, then be sure to read the original part one.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER NINE:
Max clawed desperately at her shackles, the occasional tear still rolling down her face. She sniffed, pulling at the chain and a current of electricity seared through her until she dropped it. Sighing, she sank to the floor again weeping as she realised that she couldn't escape. Alec was nowhere to be seen and Ben had just left her. White was being uncharacteristically nice - well nicer than usual.
*Its like I've stumbled into a parallel universe. Great. And now I'm stuck here.*
She brushed angrily at the tears again. They wouldn't stop, a repercussion of constantly containing her feelings. She bawled even harder, crying her whole life out. The door creaked open and Max lifted her head slowly, blinking at the dark shadow above her,
"What do you want?"
She watched in utter amazement as the figure released her from her binds, then handed her a handkerchief,
"Get out of here. Take a left, then another and then follow the long hall to the end. Once you're outside, go through the clearing on the right. On the other side is a road."
Max stood shakily, her energy mainly drained. She eyed the door cautiously, unsure if it were a trap. Everything about this day seemed off. He sighed, giving her an impatient nudge,
"What are you waiting for? Go now or we'll both get caught."
She snapped out of her daze to stare at him curiously, her eyes filled with their usual defiance,
"Why are you helping me? You've hunted me for the last year."
"Well right now, my mission is different to before. I work for Manticore. And it is in Manticore's best interests for you to be out in the world, protecting your family that you set free. White knows this, but he has his own agenda."
"I don't please Manticore."
"No one's asking you to. I'm offering you freedom. Now go before White returns."
Max watched him suspiciously as she moved to the doorway, finally giving him a small but grateful smile,
"It's Otto, right?"
He gave her a curt nod, unconsciously backing away from the transgenic.
"Well then thank you Otto. I wont forget this."
She turned on her heels and blurred out of sight. He gulped, stepping out of the room and dialling a number on his phone,
"Lydecker? We have lift off. Phase 1 successfully carried out."
* * * * *
Max crept silently through the hallways, slightly spooked by the quiet, eerie stillness. This was a strange set-up, no guards, alarms or cameras. Nothing. She almost laughed as she thought about the reaction Alec would give to seeing this. Her knees ached slightly and she stopped, grimacing as she remembered the painful electric part of this place, the only thing resembling the professional Government facility she assumed she was in. Her ears pricked up as Ben's voice carried through and before she could consider the options, Max found herself creeping to the door the sound was coming from, sneaking a peek through the small slit in the side.
* * * * *
"Well 494, it has been a pleasure..."
"Don't make it sound as though it is over White."
"I don't think that there is anymore to it. For now. I have 452. You have your money."
"And I'll bet hat was just a phenomenal price to pay."
"We all have our prices. Remember that soldier. She was worth it to me and I'm sure you'll find your end of the deal just as fair."
"You could say I found it very fair."
"I have no more need for you now. But don't look so worried, I'm not going to wipe my hands of you. I'm going to need you around until your runes appear. That is, if you are the chosen one my brother speaks of. 452 didn't mention that it was you, but I do believe that you could be."
"Have Max's runes appeared?"
"Yes. Almost all of them. Which makes me wonder if you are all that you're said to be...why haven't yours?"
* * * * *
Flashback: Max sat above Ben, her chocolate eyes fiery as she listened to him, "Nothing went wrong with me, I'm doing what I was made to do, what we were taught to do."
"Hunt people down to perform amateur dental surgery? I must've missed that class."
"You seem to know quite a lot about what I've been up to."
"Where's Destry?" "Not that I mind. You're one of the few people who could possibly understand."
"See that's where you're wrong, I don't understand."
"C'mon Maxie! Don't tell me you've forgotten that day."
"Believe me, I've tried."
"But you cant, can you? And you wanna know why? Because it was the most exhilarating day of your life. For one brief moment, you were all that you were meant to be. A predator. What is the matter, Maxie? You afraid to remember?"
"I don't want to remember."
"Because it scares you? I think we even scared Lydecker that day I remember watching him run off into the woods; how long it seemed for Lydecker to count down the seconds. He never had a chance. Don't tell me that you don't wake up with the sound of your heart beating in your ears."
Max's face became overcome with rage, her blood boiling, "Shut up!
"Or the taste of blood in your mouth."
"Shut up!"
"You're like a wolf in sheep's clothing Max! You're hiding your instincts. Every minute of every day so no one will know who you really are. A soldier. A hunter. A killer."
"Shut up!" She hit Ben viciously in the face and he wiped at his bloody mouth, unable to stop the emerging grin, "See, what did I tell ya?" * * * * *
Max slumped on the floor defeated. 6 months together. Sure, they hadn't slept together, but it was still a serious relationship. 6 months. And Alec had betrayed her, it hadn't been Ben at all, he was probably off somewhere checking out the dentures in people's mouths. Alec had sold out. Max slammed her fist to the ground, stopping just millimetres away. She stood again, determined to discover what else her boyfriend had been doing behind her back.
* * * * *
"...all in good time White.",
"You should be happy. Longer to prepare. Longer time for you and your people to plan how to stop it from happening."
"Maybe I should kill you and 452 - that will eliminate any need to prepare."
"Hey, don't shoot the messenger! And you don't know if what your delusional brother told you is even true."
"Good point. You're a smart one 494...for your kind."
"Oh White, how sweet! And here I thought I was just a pretty face to you."
He chuckled as White set his gun down on his leg, reaching over to sip some water,
"In your dreams 494."
"Call me Ben."
* * * * *
Max gulped outside the room loudly, her mind and heart racing. She couldn't tell physically if that was 493 or 494 in there. But emotionally, mentally, she couldn't feel a connection with the handsome transgenic and she hoped that it meant it wasn't Alec. He had been telling the truth, it was Ben. She pressed her eye harder against the door gap, watching the exchange between the two,
*Ben, what are you doing?*
She watched closer and then yelped mentally as the two stood, moving towards the door. Max looked around wildly, the corridors were too long for her to run and now be seen. She was too weak to fight and she didn't want to face Ben. Taking a deep breath, she did the only thing she could think of, and prayed to his blue lady for the best.
The door opened and the two came out. Silently, they moved down the hallway to the outside exit. Once they were gone, Max dropped from her position clinging to the roof, landing in a crouch on the floor. She stood swiftly, looking around cautiously before following them,
*What game is he playing here?*
* * * * *
White stepped out into the cool night air. Shooting stars soared through the night sky above and he stared in awe, it was an astronomical event, which only took place once a year. It was also the night that the conclave held its traditional ceremony in honour of their cause, of the familiars. Ben watched the content expression on the older man's face, his eyes locking with White's,
"It's beautiful. But at the same time, it's painful."
"How so?"
"You'll see..."
White stared deeper into Ben's eyes, the sight above them momentarily forgotten. He caught the flash of movement in the liquid reflection and he sprung around, lashing out at the action. The figure staggered backwards from the impact, before lunging at the familiar with a severe blow to the head. Ben joined the battle, the two easily overpowering White. He never stood a chance. They bound him to a nearby tree and grinned at one another.
"Nice work Ben."
"You too. I probably wouldn't have even needed your help. But thanks 494."
"Call me Alec."
Ben stopped cold. Alec could remember his own name. He could remember. His memory had returned and things weren't resolved.
"You can..."
"Remember? Yeah."
"Then why?"
"You think that I'm gonna pass up the opportunity to kill this bastard? Never."
"I get you."
"I doubt that. So next time brother, cut the brainwashing crap and just ask for my help."
"Lucky for you, there wont be a next time - the bracelet Lydecker put on you was a one time deal only. Shock you, bring you to me and act as a temporary control over you. It was a one off thing, it's done. That's it."
"Wow, sounds just like Manticore. So how about we just kill this fucker and be done with it."
"You want to do the honours or shall I?"
The identical faces both wore delighted grins and the two advanced on White, whose eyes began to bug out of their sockets in a cartoonish manner. He pleaded behind the duct tape over his mouth and Ben stepped back, bowing slightly at Alec as he waved his gun randomly through the air,
"You do the honours. Make it slow."
"My pleasure..."
* * * * *