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 (and would really be sorta whacked, given some of the events and persons depicted herein).
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Author's Note: Now that I've gotten most of the story outlined, I'm a little concerned. It's far longer than I'd ever planned it to be…
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IX – Quid Pro Quo"You know, if we keep meeting in these hotel suites, people are gonna start to talk," Max commented as she ignored her mundane, cookie-cutter surroundings and focused on the presidential candidate seated across from her. She couldn't place why she was increasingly comfortable around McElroy. He's a politician, she told herself at every turn. I should really be far more suspicious and alert. When she wasn't reminding herself, Alec was doing it for her. "He got where he is because he's always been a better liar than those that opposed him," Max remembered Alec warning her just that morning. "Never trust him, Max. He's using us; just because we're using him, too, doesn't make him any more trustworthy. In fact, it probably makes him less so."
"As much as I would love to meet with you in your own home, I don't think it's quite worth the health risk," McElroy commented. "One time in Terminal City is enough for me, thank you. And since our enemies are likely keeping most of my better known haunts well under surveillance, we can only meet in random, unsuspected locations."
"I get it," Max assured him, feeling a bit offended that the senator had felt the need to explain his safety precautions. Like I'm suddenly not a super-soldier or something anymore…
"Well, everything is going according to plan," McElroy explained. "The Black Omegas have been doing their thing, and while they've had some success, they've also taken what many feel are unacceptable losses. Just last night they lost three men in an eight-man team, all to take down only one of these cultists. That can't continue."
"No, it can't," Max agreed.
"And that's why Ashton is about to make his move," McElroy continued.
"The president?" Max asked. She'd always known that the plan was to get 'the government' to let up on her people, but when she'd thought of 'the government,' it had always been in terms of some vague, anonymous persona who made decisions from the shadows. She'd never really pictured President Ashton, well known for his anti-military sentiment and prodigious social programs as being the man to announce freedom for her people. Now that she was faced with the possibility, she found herself surprisingly unable to picture such a scene. The strangeness of it all had her suddenly worried that something would go wrong at the last moment. Just like it always does.
"Ashton's already got his people working on a speech to announce clemency for the transgenics, provided they keep their word and re-enlist."
"All of us?" Max asked suspiciously. That wasn't the deal I made.
"At least fifty percent," McElroy answered immediately, almost nervously. Max's suspicions were only raised that much more as she hung on the senator's every word. "I apologize if I gave the wrong impression. To be quite frank, I don't think Ashton wants even fifty percent to join up. I'm sure you know his preference for a small military – man should have been born decades earlier so he could have been a hippie, actually – I think he's nervous about arming your people and giving them additional training. Besides, my guess is he'd rather have your genetically engineered brains doing some kind of think-tank work in D.C., coming up with ways to solve the nation's problems as quickly – and cheaply – as possible. Or maybe he'd just love to make you all public school teachers in some of the rougher urban areas or some other touchy-feely idea like that." McElroy's sudden disparaging, sarcastic tone caught Max completely off-guard. She'd gone from paranoia to shock as McElroy made it perfectly clear that he and the president were not on the same page, politically. But then again, politics makes strange bedfellows, Max reminded herself. After all, who woulda guessed at a pairing like McElroy and me?
"I think any plans the president has for employing the civilian transgenics would be fine with most of the ones that don't enlist," Max admitted. "After all, we are gonna have to find jobs and stuff." It looks like everything is actually gonna work out, she thought cautiously, marveling at how quickly her own moods and perceptions were shifting during the conversation.
"There's just one problem," McElroy said, rekindling Max's paranoia and bringing her hopes crashing down around her.
I knew I shouldn't have gotten so relieved, she thought miserably. Should have known it was all too good to be true. "What is it?"
"We're aware of two leaders," McElroy answered. "They go by the names of Zack and Kilroy. I know Zack is one of the original escapees, your own squad leader from your Manticore days." Max only nodded in confirmation, not seeing any point in denying something that had likely been well documented in McElroy's senate committee. "The other is someone else . . . we don't know who he is yet. We want them both."
"Excuse me?"
"They're to be surrendered to the United States government, to be tried as domestic terrorists," McElroy explained.
"The hell they are," Max spat, immediately regretting that she'd spoken before she even thought the matter over. "They're not terrorists. They haven't made any move against your government. They've been destroying the Familiars, the very same group that you're now so concerned about wiping out. Exactly how far does your hypocrisy go?" Max glared at the senator, trying to make him wilt under her gaze. It only infuriated Max more when she realized her attempt was an utter failure.
"Are you done?" McElroy asked nonchalantly. A thin smile passed momentarily over his face, just long enough to let Max know that her host was well aware of how much his indifferent calm was pissing her off. And that he enjoyed it.
"You can't have them," Max growled.
"This term is non-negotiable," McElroy stated calmly. "We've come so far together already, Max, in such a short time. I would hate to see you fail in getting peace for your people just because you're clinging to some kind of misplaced loyalty for your old C.O."
"Why?" Max asked. They were only fighting the war that the government is fighting now, she seethed. Why punish them for that? It's not even like the general populace even knew what was going on. It's not like anyone out there is looking to punish the transgenics for taking matters into their own hands. I don't get it…
"These men are criminals," McElroy said simply, a shrug of his shoulders accentuating his point. "They've broken countless laws. Are you going to deny that? Are you going to say they're innocent?"
"I'm going to say that given the circumstances, you should be willing to look the other way," Max countered, trying to reason with her political ally. "What kind of precedent does this set?" It was then that the senator's – and the president's – intent became clear. "Wait a second," Max muttered, deciding to answer her own question. "You're doing this because of the precedent, aren't you? You want to make an example of these two, to show the rest of us what happens if we don't toe the line. And you get the bonus of taking down the only two that have ever shown any inclination toward militancy. And that's what this is really all about – you're removing them as a threat now, while you have an excuse. You figure if you eliminate the troublemakers now, it'll be easier for you later."
"In a way," McElroy admitted, "and I agree that you have cause to be upset. But don't overlook our point of view in this, Max. We were elected to serve the people, to look after their welfare, and while some of us are every bit as corrupt as the stereotypical Washington fat cat, there are still a few who take their responsibilities very seriously."
"And you're one of them?"
"You'll have to decide for yourself," McElroy said. "I find that loudly proclaiming one's integrity from the highest mountaintop is usually an indication of the deepest corruption. I think it's better just to keep my mouth shut and let my actions speak for me."
"Spoken like a truly honest man," Max commented bitterly.
"I've had lots of practice," McElroy returned. "After all, I am a senator."
"And what of their soldiers?" Max asked, returning to the original topic as she decided that she didn't have strong grounds to oppose the arrest of the ringleaders. "What about all the transgenics that fight for Zack and Kilroy?"
"They'll be granted clemency – a full presidential pardon – provided they enlist and serve twenty years," McElroy explained. "We understand that they're soldiers, it's how we had them raised. Their commanders gave them orders, and it was virtually impossible for them to disobey. To even consider such a thing would be completely alien to them. As long as they demonstrate loyalty to the government, and a willingness to serve their fellow citizens, no punitive action will be taken against them."
"I want that in writing," Max responded. "From the president, himself."
"You'll have it."
"Then you can have Zack and Kilroy," Max finally decided. "But I have one condition of my own; and just like yours, this is non-negotiable."
"What is it?" McElroy, seemingly thrilled at the possibility of some kind of intrigue.
"I want to be there when your people arrest Zack," Max said evenly. "I want to make sure it gets done right, that no one is hurt. I want his people safe, and I want to make sure he lives to see his trial, regardless of how certain the outcome is."
"And what of Kilroy?"
"Do whatever you want with him," Max muttered. "I only care about Zack. I don't even know who Kilroy is. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't matter one bit whether Kilroy lives or dies."
To be continued………………………………