Can I Get a Witness?
"Rise and shine, little brother," I said, looking down at Alec who was slowly opening his eyes. Blinking slowly, Alec turned from me to Max, who was standing on the other side of his bed, opposite me.
"Bobbie? Max?" he asked. "What happened?"
"You got hurt," Max answered. "Louise had to give you a transfusion. She said you'll be fine in the morning."
"Oh," said Alec, who lifted his bed-sheet to take a look at the bandage wrapped around his waist. He winced as he shifted in the bed. "That explains the throbbing in my side."
"You need anything?" I asked. "Food? There's not much of it, but we can ring some up from Bree down at the mess hall."
Shaking his head, my brother replied, "No. I'm good. So, what's happening on the Rita front?"
"Bobbie broke her legs," said Max. "She shouldn't be causing anymore havoc until tomorrow."
"That's good," said Alec, nodding his head in approval. "We need all the time we can get. Come up with a plan to defeat her."
"Already done," Max said with a broad smile on her face. Alec and I exchanged wary glances before turning our gazes to Max.
"Okay," said Alec in a slow voice. "What is it?"
"Well," Max began. "Rita's not going to cause much trouble if she doesn't have a following. I propose we remove her from Terminal City and send her to a holding facility outside the city. That way, she's isolated from her followers and we can restore order to TC." Max smiled at us again, waiting for our response. When we didn't say anything for several minutes, she prompted, "Well? What do you think? Good plan?" Alec and I exchanged looks again and Max gritted her teeth. "Will you two stop staring at each other and tell me if you agree with me?"
"Uh, Max," Alec began, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "About this plan"
"Yes?"
"It could use a little work."
"Try a lot," I interjected, earning me a glare from Max and Alec. "Hey, just giving my two cents."
"Alec?" Max turned to my brother, crossing her arms and glaring at him. Sighing, Alec leaned forward and winced when he bent too far. Max and I started to move forward, but he brushed us away as he leaned back into his pillow.
"Max," he said again. "There's another way to deal with Rita and I don't think you're going to like it."
"What other way?" Max asked, then understanding dawned in her eyes. "You want to kill her?" Alec fell silent as Max raged, "You want to kill her?! She's one of us! How can you ask that?!"
"She betrayed us," said my brother. "She deliberately set out to kill all three of us and if I know her, she's not going to stop until we're all dead. Rita likes power, Max and you've got it."
"We're not going to kill her," Max insisted, looking from Alec to me and back to Alec again. "We're not. I forbid it."
"Then die," said Alec in a cold voice. Max scowled at him and took a step back from his bed.
She turned to me and hissed, "You put him up to this, didn't you?"
"What?"
"Max!" The X5 ignored the warning in Alec's voice as she moved towards me.
"I should have known," she continued. "Once a Manticore always a Manticore. Right, Bobbie? I bet this is what they taught you back there. To kill without remorse."
"Max," I warned. "You do not want to go there."
"Oh, really?" she asked, straightening and crossing her arms. "Maybe I do. Maybe we'll finally get the truth of why you're here. I see what you're trying to do. Convincing Alec he could replace me as leader when you know that I'm the right choice. The only choice."
"Okay," I said, "I am not doing any of this and you so don't want to know about the leadership issue."
"Come on," said Max. "I know you don't like me. I know you don't like me as leader, so why don't you come out and say it?"
Gritting my teeth, I looked at Alec whose face had paled to a ghostly shade of white. I looked at Max and forced myself to unclench my fists.
"I'm not going to say anything, Max," I said in a low voice. "I know you're dying for a good throw-down and believe me, I'm itching for it, but I'm not going to do it. If you're smart, you'll do it too."
"Why don't we then?" Max challenged, almost recklessly. "I'd like to kick your ass!"
I couldn't help it. I started to chuckle, then laugh hysterically.
"You? Kick my ass?" I sputtered in between gasps of laughter. "Really? You have so got to be kidding me!" Before I could finish another round of laughter, a fist slammed into my face, knocking me to the ground. A red haze came over my eyes as I jumped up, fists at the ready. Max mirrored my pose and we circled each other, waiting for the other to make the second move.
"Bobbie? Max, please!" Alec cried in the background.
"Unlike my brother, Max," I began, shooting my fist out and causing her jaw to crack. "I'm not going to hold back." I kicked my leg out, swiping the X5's legs out from under her. Max slammed to the ground, the wind knocked temporarily out of her. Gasping, she spun around, kicking my legs out from under me, to which I deflected by back flipping into the hall. Max jumped up and was ready to run towards me, when my brother reached out to grab her and pull her onto his bed.
"Alec!" we both cried. "What the hell are you doing?!"
My brother glared at the both of us as he struggled to keep Max from escaping his grip.
"Bobbie, get over here," he ordered. I stood still and crossed my arms. "Now."
"Fine," I huffed, moving back into the infirmary room. Max and I glared at each other as Alec continued to press her down to the bed.
"I'm only going to say this once," my brother began. "So, listen up. I don't want to see you two fighting ever again. Don't make me have to choose between the both of you. I can't and I won't." Max and I still scowled at each other.
Sighing, Alec shook his head, "I'm hungry. Could you guys get me a sandwich and cups of coffee for yourselves?" Max and I stared at each other warily. "Okay. I'm not asking you guys, I'm telling. Go down to the mess hall and order a ham sandwich and two cups of coffee. Max, you can put the order on your tab."
"Fine," said Max. "Can you let go of me?"
"Are you going to attack my sister?" Max looked at Alec, then at me and reluctantly shook her head. Alec looked grimly at her and slowly let her go. Standing up, Max brushed imaginary dirt off her pants and pushed her hair behind her ears.
"I'm going down there now," she said. "Bobbie, want to come?" I glanced over at Alec, who nodded his head.
"I'll come," I said.
"Good," said Max in a tight voice. "I'll see you down there." Max turned to leave the room, brushing past me, causing me to stumble back. I started to move towards her, but Alec's glare stopped me in my tracks.
"You saw that, didn't you?" I asked. "You saw that, right?"
"I did," said my brother, a flash of pain crossing his face as he sank back into his bed. I moved forward, checking to see if there were any other injuries.
"Are you okay?" I asked, a worried note in my voice. "Should I call Louise?"
"I'm fine," said Alec. "I think tussling with Max, shifted the stitches a little, but I'm fine."
"If you broke your stitches"
"Bobbie," Alec interrupted. "Promise me something?"
"What?" I asked, warily.
"Make peace with Max."
"Alec, you heard her."
"I know," said my brother. "And I'll talk to her about it, but please, try to be nice to her. You were okay earlier."
"We were fighting for our lives!" I exclaimed. "I had to work with her!"
"Then do it for me!" my brother shouted. I took a step back and scowled at him. "Bobbie, I know this is hard and I know she deserves to have her ass kicked for saying that stuff about you, but please, try to tolerate her. We can't afford anymore dissention in the ranks. With this Rita problem"
"You know her plan's bullshit," I said. "The only way to deal with Rita is to-"
"Kill her," Alec finished. "I know. Believe me, I know. Just, don't fight Max, please. I can't take it if I have to choose between my best friend and the girl I'm in love with right now. Don't do this to me, Bob."
Sighing, I turned my gaze to the ceiling. "Fine," I said finally. "I won't fight Max. Not right now. If she starts in with the Manticore stuff again after today, I can't make any promises."
"Okay," said my brother in a soft voice. "I understand."
"Good," I said. "I'm going to go now. I'll be back." Quickly, I squeezed my brother's hand and left his room. Upon entering the mess hall, I found Max sitting at the counter and Bree wrapping a sandwich and setting it on a pile of sandwiches set in a box. Several boxes filled with wrapped sandwiches sat on the counter.
"Hey, Bree," I greeted, stepping over to the counter and sitting down in one of the chairs. "Max, give you the order yet?"
"No, not yet," she answered. "What do you guys want?"
"Two coffees and a ham sandwich," said Max. "Coffees should be with cream and sugar, right, Bobbie?"
"Right, Max," I said, leaning on the counter, not looking at her. Bree glanced at the both of us and nodded.
"All right," said my sister. "Two coffees and a sandwich coming right up." She turned to enter the kitchen, leaving Max and me at the counter.
"So," said Max.
"So," I said, tapping my palms against the counter. "Read any good books lately?"
"Bobbie"
"What do you want me to say, Max?"
"An apology would be nice."
"An apology?" I asked, finally looking at her. "You want me to give you a goddamned apology? You know, I must have hit you harder than I thought 'cause you're dreaming!" Max clenched her jaw as she glared at me.
"You hit me!"
"You hit me first!" We stared at each other, arms crossed.
"Look," I said. "For Alec's sake, I'm going to let this go. So, let's call a truce, shall we?" Max looked at me with wary eyes as I held out my hand for a handshake. Taking a deep breath she shook my hand and we fell silent.
"I just don't get you two," said Max.
"What do you mean?"
"How can you think about doing what you're thinking about with Rita," Max said. "And sleep at night? It's wrong."
"Max, you have to do what you have to do," I said. "It's the only way."
"That's so mindless."
"Yes, but it keeps the nightmares at bay." Max fell silent at that. She bent her head down and reached out for a napkin from a nearby napkin holder. Tensly, she crumpled the thin piece of paper into a tight ball.
"Alec never talks about that," Max said in a soft voice. "I ask him, but he just changes the subject. He knows about my experience and I want to know about his."
"Why?"
Max shrugged, "I just do."
"Are you interested in him?"
"Alec? No!" Max shook her head and laughed a little too quickly. Uncertainty reigned in her dark brown eyes, though. "I'm not interested in Alec like that. No way! He's just a friend."
"Mmmm-h," I murmured. "Interesting. Why did you give him a transfusion?"
"It was the right thing to do."
"I see."
"That's right," said Max, studiously looking away from me.
"Don't get me wrong," I began. "I appreciate what you did for him. Without your blood, he would have died."
"I know."
"That said," I turned to Max and pinned her down with a glare. "You ever, ever break my baby brother's heart and I don't care if you're the key to open a hell dimension, 452, I swear to God, I will kick your ass."
"Bobbie" I moved forward to grasp her wrist and the X5 tensed under my grip.
"Got that?" Max hesitated for a moment, but slowly nodded. I let go of her wrist and sank back in my chair with a smile on my face.
"Good," I said. "I'm glad we're clear on that issue." Max and I avoided each other's gaze again, listening to the slow ticking of the mess hall clock and the opening and closing of the front doors. Every now and then, a transgenic came by the counter and picked up a box of sandwiches.
"Hey, Bobbie. Max," greeted an X5 with a bandaged head and hand. The both of us glanced upwards and gave the soldier warm smiles.
"Hey, Mark," we both said as the X5 bent over the counter and hefted the sandwich box onto his shoulders. A brief flash of pain crossed his face and just as quickly as it came, it left.
"Need help?" I asked.
"Uh. No," Mark grunted, shifting the box on his shoulder ever so slightly. "I'm good."
"You sure?" asked Max, giving Mark a once-over. "You have a head wound and the hand doesn't look much better. What did Louise say?" Tightening his lips, Mark's brown eyes met mine and he raised an eyebrow. I shrugged and motioned my head to Max.
"I'm fine," Mark said again. "They're just flesh wounds. The other guysthey got a whole lot worse."
Max's eyes darkened as she whispered, "Oh."
Clearing his throat, Mark continued, "So, if you'll excuse me, I need to get this back to my team. We're guarding the perimeter tonight."
"Okay. Good luck," said Max.
"We're X5," said Mark. "Luck's not an option." He nodded his head at me and exited the mess hall. As soon as he was gone, Max let out a deep breath.
"I never know what to say to them," she said. "I try to be all 'you're a good soldier' and they don't like me. I try to be sensitive to them and they still don't like me. What am I supposed to do?"
Shifting in my seat, I rubbed the nape of my neck and sighed. "I don't know what to tell you," I began. "You just have to keep trying, I guess. Find out what works. What did Alec say?"
"He said the same thing."
"There you go," I said with a small smile. "My brother's one smart guy."
"Yeah, he is," said Max. "It's just thattake you, for instance." I stiffened in my seat and looked at Max with raised eyebrows.
"What about me?"
"I can't figure you out," Max continued. "Like today. When we were fighting Rita, you protected me like a friend. Now, you're treating me like an enemy."
"Well, when you insult where I come from, don't be surprised if I do."
"How can you be proud of that place?" Max asked with a shake of her head. "It tortured us"
"I'm not," I interrupted. "But it was home to me. To Alec-," At that, Max shrank back, "To everyone around here. You didn't grow up there, Max."
"I did too," she huffed. "Hello! Nine years."
"Hello! Twenty-two," I shot back. "You were a kid when you left. Like it or not, there's a huge-ass difference between the Manticore you escaped from and the Manticore you burned down."
"I know that!"
"No, you don't," I snapped, crossing my arms and frowning at her.
Max scowled at me as she demanded, "Then tell me." I looked at the X5 again and seriously thought about it. Might open her eyes a bit more to what was really going on and how people in TC really felt about her. I started to open my mouth when Bree re-entered the mess hall with a wrapped sandwich and two steaming cups of coffee in a cardboard box.
"Here you go, guys," she said, handing the sandwich to Max and the coffee tray to me. "That'll be ten dollars."
"Put it on my tab," said Max as Bree rang up the charges on the cash register. "So, Bobbie, are you coming back to Alec's?"
"In a minute," I replied. "Need to talk to Bree for a sec."
"Okay," said Max. "I just need my coffee and I'll see you at Alec's in a bit."
"Fine," I said, handing Max her coffee cup and watched her exit the mess hall. As soon as the front doors swung shut, I opened up the coffee lid and sipped the hot liquid. Feeling somewhat rejuvenated; I turned to my younger sister.
"When you want me to pick you up?" I asked, drinking more coffee.
"How about tomorrow morning?" Bree asked, taking out a box of wax paper from underneath the counter and began wrapping the rest of the sandwiches she had left on the counter.
"Why tomorrow?"
"Louise said she needed blood donors and since I am one officially, I might as well make myself useful."
"That's good."
"What about you?"
"Me?" I echoed. "I'm going home. It's been a long day." As if to echo my sentiment, my shoulders began to ache and my eyes felt heavy with sleep. Bree's eyes went up from the sandwiches she was wrapping and stared at me in worry.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked. "What does Alec say?"
"Alec says nothing," I answered. "He doesn't know and I can take care of myself."
"But the Deltas"
"Are not going to strike me," I finished. "If they did, I'll kick their asses."
"The Familiars."
"Same thing," I said with a shrug. "Relax, Bree. I'll be fine."
"I know," said my sister. "It's just that---," Quickly, I reached out to take my sister's hand and squeezed it gently.
"I'll. Be. Fine," I insisted. "You just keep yourself safe here and don't worry about me. Besides, I have something important to do at my place that I can't do here."
"What is it?"
"It's private."
"Does it have to do with Peter? I heard you guys broke up for real last night."
"We did," I said. "Now, it's time for the whole post-breakup airing of issues phase in our relationship. Did he call?" Bree shook her head and I tried to keep my face from falling. Bree reached out to pat my shoulder.
"I'm sure he left a message this afternoon."
"I'm sure he did," I said taking a deep breath.
"So, what do you want talk to him about?" asked Bree, setting the last sandwich on a pile and rested her elbows on the counter.
"The truth," I answered. My sister's eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect O-shape.
"You're telling him you're a transgenic?" she breathed. "Does Alec know you're going to do this? Does 609?"
"Alec doesn't and 609, well, he'll keep."
"He'll be so pissed," said Bree. "God, Bobbie, are you sure you want to tell him? Peter is a norm."
"Yes, he's a norm, but I've been lying to him for as long as I've been dating him. He deserves to know the truth. I need to know the truth."
"If he really loves you," said Bree in a quiet voice. I bent my head to the counter, focusing on the letters etched onto the smooth wood.
"Yeah," I said softly.
"I'm sure he does," Bree said, trying to sound cheerful. "Who wouldn't? You're smart, you're funny and you're the best big sister anyone's ever had."
"Aww, thanks," I said, letting a smile cross my face.
"No problem."
"Okay," I began, taking another sip of coffee. "I better go and check on Alec before I go home. Jeremiah been by?"
"Yes, he has," My sister suddenly looked uncomfortable.
"What's wrong?" I asked, peering at her. "He's not bothering you about the government job, is he?"
"No," Bree answered. "He came by earlier with a big lizard and they were talking."
"Really? You hear what they said?"
"Not much," said Bree with a shake of her head. "What I did get was there's a meeting at the Church on Pine Street. Something to do with X-series and transhumans. It didn't sound good."
"It's not," I said.
Sighing, I muttered, "Jeremiah, what are you up to?"
"If he's in trouble"
"No, he's not," I said quickly. "We just can't afford anymore divisions here. Not with Rita on our backs, the ordinaries with the damn bill and the Familiars on our tail."
"Maybe I shouldn't have said anything."
"I'm glad you did," I said, reaching over the counter to give Bree's hand a tight squeeze. "I'll tell Alec and he'll know what to do."
"I don't want 609 getting hurt."
"I don't either, but he's hell bent on this thing and Terminal City can't afford any more tensions."
Bree took a deep breath and nodded. "Okay," she said. "So, you gonna go?"
"Yeah," I said, closing the coffee lid and wrapping a free arm around my sister. "Take care of yourself."
"You too." Bree squeezed me tight for a few minutes and finally let go. "Be careful."
Smiling at her, I said, "As Alec would say: Always." Bree and I exchanged smiles before I exited the mess hall.
Back at Alec's room, Max sat on the side of his bed drinking her coffee. My brother was slowly eating his sandwich.
"Hey," I said, leaning on the doorjamb. "How's it going?" Max and Alec exchanged awkward glances before looking at me. Alec set the sandwich on his lap as he motioned for me to come inside.
"It's good," he said in a hoarse voice, while his eyes darted towards Max. The X5 kept her eyes facing his bed-sheet. "We're all good. Right, Max?"
"Shut up, Alec," she muttered. "Just stop it."
"Stop what?" asked my brother, a look of innocence crossing his face. "Bobbie asked me how things were going and I said they're just fine and dandy."
"They're not fine and dandy and you know it!" Max hissed, her dark eyes glaring at my brother. "Just because Logan called does not mean I'm going to run to him. I'm not doing that anymore. He just wants to help."
"He just wants to help," mocked Alec, giving Max and me a bitter smile. "Isn't that just peachy of the old man."
"Alec"
"Max, he's not coming in here," my brother's voice was hard and cold. "I swear to you, he comes into this place and he's dead."
"I know that."
"I don't think you do," said Alec. "You bring him in here to help out and the next thing you know he'll worm his way in"
Max's face colored to a deep purple as she hotly protested, "He won't! God, what is with you?! Logan's my friend. He's going through a rough time right now, but he wouldn't do anything to hurt me."
"He will hurt me and mine." Now, it was Alec's turn to give Max the cold glare. The female X5 gritted her teeth and clenched and unclenched her fists.
"That's not true," she whispered. My brother simply crossed his arms and continued to stare at Max. "It's not true," Max repeated. "He made a few mistakes. He told me that himself. He went too far and as soon as this is done, he'll put himself in rehab. He promised me."
"The man breaks his promises."
"You don't know him," said Max. "Not like I do. Or did. We're not dating, so you can stop worrying about that." Alec leaned back into his pillow, his lips compressed into a thin line.
"Fine," he said. "Make your choice. I'm just warning you, he comes in here: he dies. Simple as that." Max gave Alec a final glare as she stood up from the bed, grasped her coffee cup and turned on her heel out of the infirmary room. She slammed the door shut, causing the walls to rattle upon her exit. A lengthy silence fell between Alec and myself as I grasped a chair and pulled it up to his bedside. Uncapping my coffee cup, I drank a bit more of the hot liquid.
"So," I finally said after the silence was beginning to annoy me. "What's going on?"
"The usual," Alec answered. "I'm as good as I can be. Max is mad at me. Again. Two steps forward and two steps back, Bobbie. That's the whole thing between 452 and me. We can never get out of it."
"Don't give up," I said, leaning so that my elbows rested on his bed. "Things will look better in the morning."
"I hope so," said Alec. "This has just been one crappy day. If getting a phone call from Logan wasn't bad enough, I have to turn on the TV and see my ass getting kicked by Rita."
"The TV?"
Alec turned his head to face mine. "Didn't you know? We're on the six o'clock news!"
"Oh, God," I groaned. "How?"
"I don't know," said my brother. "Someone must have tipped them off that there was a fight on Oak Street and they were there. Taping everything."
"What's the ordinary reaction?"
"At this point, we can't tell. Most likely they're going to want us 'animals' muzzled."
"That is just so bad," I said with a shake of my head. "What can we do?"
"At this point, nothing," said Alec. "Just wait and see. Max said Logan has some contacts in the news industry. He could have us get an interview with one of the reporters. Give our side of the story."
"But we're fighting another transgenic," I said. "It'll look like we're not a cohesive group. They find out we're not together, it'll just give them one more reason to put that segregation bill into effect."
"The news on that isn't good, either," said my brother, his eyes focusing on the ceiling. "Maybe if I just hit my head really, really hard, this will all go away."
"Nah, you'll just get a concussion," I said with a shrug. "On top of all the other wounds you've got going on, you'll just be in more pain." Alec gave me a dirty look before he focused on the ceiling again.
"You know, I'm trying to think of a way out and you're not helping," he said.
"I'm trying to be practical."
"Be practical somewhere else."
"You'll get through it," I said. "I have faith."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
"So, where you headed?" Alec looked me up and down as I drank more coffee.
"Home," I answered. "You going to eat that?" I pointed at the half-eaten sandwich on his lap. My brother shook his head as I reached over to pick it up.
"Home?" Alec echoed, eyebrows raised. "Don't you think that's kind of dangerous?"
In between bites of his ham sandwich, I shook my head. "I'll be fine."
"You're injured."
"I'm fine."
"What about the eye?"
"Almost healed."
"Jaw?"
"Hurts if I talk too fast, but it'll be fine."
"Arm?"
"It's a little sore, but---."
"But nothing," Alec interrupted. "You're not going back to your place. I've got my keys in my jacket. It's in the closet over there." Alec motioned towards the small wooden closet underneath the overhead TV. I looked in the direction of the closet and shook my head again.
"Forget it," I said, after swallowing a large bite of Alec's sandwich. "I can handle myself."
"Against the Familiars? The Deltas?" Alec asked, with a note of disbelief. "Come on, Bob. You're strong, but"
"But what?" I challenged. "I'm fine! You should be resting right now. Did someone come in and check your dressing?" I lifted the bed-sheet and looked over the bandages wrapped around my brother's waist. For the most part they looked clean, but dried blood had caked on the white gauze around the knife wound. Gingerly, I reached out to press against it and I could hear the anguished hiss emanating from my brother.
"Sorry," I apologized as his eyes went wide with pain.
"It'sokay," he whispered, his heart rate slowing as I set the bed-sheet back into its place. "It'll heal. If I don't break the stitches, Louise says I can leave tomorrow morning."
"That's great," I said with a smile.
"Yeah," said Alec, slowly leaning back in his bed. "So, why do you want to go back to your place?"
"I've got to take care of something."
"Peter?"
"Yes."
"You're really going to tell him, aren't you?"
"I am."
"Good," said my brother, reaching to out squeeze my hand. "He deserves to know the truth and you deserve to be happy."
"Thank you."
"You ready for it?"
"For what?"
"To tell Peter."
"Of course I am." Alec peered into my face, looking at me ever so carefully with those hazel eyes.
Rolling my eyes, I continued, "I'm not backing out of it this time. The phone call todayit changed things. He needs to know what I am. I need to know what he thinks of me. What he truly thinks. Whether he wants Bobbie the human or Bobbie the X5 and he doesn't even know the X5."
"For what it's worth," Alec began. "The X5's one hell of a woman and a terrific friend. If he can't see that, he's a bigger idiot than I thought."
"Alec"
"Bobbie, we're not going to fight," Alec held up his hands in resignation. "We've had this conversation so many times, it's like a broken record. It's no good for me to tell you all the reasons why I think your relationship with him isn't a good idea." I started to open my mouth, but Alec held up a hand.
"It's not because he's a norm," my brother continued. "I just think you can do better."
"Alec," I started again, but he spoke again, this time more strongly, "I really think you can do better. You deserve better for a man than a transgenic bigot 'cause that's what he is, no two ways about it."
"Fine," I said, keeping my voice calm. "I'm not going to go into Max 'cause like you said, I'm not here to fight. So, I'm going to take your keys."
"Thank you."
"I'm going home," I kept my eyes on my brother. "I'm taking your keys as an option. That's all."
"That's good," said Alec. "I'm okay with that."
Smiling, I rose from the chair and walked over to the closet. Opening it, I bent down to rummage through my brother's jacket and pulled out the set of apartment keys and put them in my back pocket. Closing the closet door, I turned to my brother who was closing his eyes. He opened them as soon as he saw that I had the keys.
"You be careful."
"I will," I said, pushing my hair out of my eyes. "Before I go, I want to give you a heads up."
"Sure. Shoot."
Taking a deep breath, I spoke, "Jeremiah and Mole were seen in the mess hall together. They were carrying several sandwich boxes and they were talking about setting up a meeting in the old church."
"The one on Pine street?"
"I think so," I said, thinking of the abandoned Baptist Church that was large enough to house three hundred visitors. "Anyway, I think they're up to something or doing something, to be more accurate. I'm not sure what it is, but it's not good."
"Want to bet it has something to do with that damned government job?" Alec asked, rubbing his eyes tiredly.
"I'd stake my life on it," I said, sitting back down in the chair. "So, what do you want me to do? Take a look into it?"
"Yeah," said my brother. "We can't afford anymore problems within the ranks."
"In speaking of problems"
"I'll talk to Max," Alec said in a quiet voice. "We'll sort something out about Rita. Don't worry."
"I'm not worried," I said, shrugging as I leaned back in my chair. "I just want you to know that I want Max to know what the score is. Rita's a problem, Alec."
"I know," said my brother with a sigh. "I know."
"I'm glad you know," I continued. "Because, if you don't, you know that bitch will not stop until we're all dead. She's a power freak. There's more to her plan than just turning TC into a battlefield."
"I know," my brother repeated. "I remember what she was like back at Manticore." Alec gave a little laugh. "Remember how we all used to think she was sleeping with Sandoval just to get the plum missions?"
"Think?" I snorted. "Try, she was. She used to rub it my face all the time that she was going on a jet liner to perform a mission while I had to travel in the cargo hold of a plane that's been around since the First World War."
"I think you told me about that," said Alec. "The pilot was old, right?"
"He had goggles, Alec!" I cried. "Goggles! He didn't have radar for crying out loud! Kept talking about how he shot down the Germans with one hand tied behind his back." Alec started to laugh so hard that he grasped the knife wound and winced in pain.
"Dammit!" he hissed. "I can't wait for the healing to kick in."
"Me too," I said, glancing down at the bandage that covered my left shoulder. The knife wound that Rita had given me was still sore and pressing on it radiated waves of sharp stabbing pain.
"I don't like the look of that," said Alec, moving close so that he could get a better look at my arm. "You sure Louise let you out?"
"She did. Right after I broke Sam's nose."
"Sam?" Alec asked, furrowing his brows.
I crinkled my nose in disgust as I explained, "My breeding partner."
"Oh, my God!" Alec's mouth twitched as his mouth curved into a large grin. "You were with Sam again? Man, I knew I was missing something good back in surgery."
"Very funny," I said, giving him a baleful look. Alec was unrepentant in his delight in my discomfort.
"Come on, Bob," he teased. "You have to see the humor in this."
Sniffing, I said, "I don't see anything funny in being stuck in a room with a self-important asshole who thinks he's Manticore's gift to women and knowing Manticore, he probably is. Oh, ick." I made another face as I recalled the disastrous session that was my induction into the breeding program.
"You never actually did it with him," said Alec.
"Thank goodness for small favors," I said, giving another injured sniff. "At least that's one thing Max got right. Blowing up Manticore got me out of sleeping with the ass."
"He's not that bad."
"Sam made porno sounds when he came into my room."
"Porno?"
"You know, hip thrusting and bow chicka bow chicka bamp bamp bow."
"Oh, God!" Alec howled and buried his face into his pillow.
"It's not funny!!!"
"It is!" my brother continued to laugh hysterically. "It so is!" He wiped the tears from his face as he struggled to maintain his composure. "Sorry, Bob, but that's the funniest thing I've ever heard."
"I'm glad my troubles are so entertaining."
"Hey, you know what they say: laughter is the best medicine."
"Well, at this rate, you'll be healed by the end of the night."
"I hope so," Alec continued to wipe the tears from his eyes as his shoulders still shook with unsuppressed laughter. "Damn, that's the funniest thing I've heard all day. I really wish I could have been a fly on the wall when you two faced off again."
"More like me facing him off and him just leering at my boobs."
"You want to me talk to him?" Alec asked. "Pull the overprotective brother act?"
I shrugged. "No. I can handle him." I glanced over at the night table where the digital clock read nine in the evening. "You know, I better go. It's late." Alec's eyes went over to the night table and he frowned at the time. "I'll be fine, you know."
"I know," he said. "I'm just concerned about you. The arm doesn't look anywhere near healed and I think Sam got a B in field med. I don't like the way he did the bandage."
"Alec!"
My brother looked up at me as I said, "Stop worrying. I'll be fine. You just get some rest and I'll call you when I get home."
"Promise?"
"On Lydecker's grave."
"I guess that'll do."
"It better." I stood up to push the chair against the wall and brushed off the lint on my shorts. "Promise me you won't get pissed off when Jeremiah comes by?"
"Oh, come on!"
"Alec, one week!" I warned. "The promise still stands."
"He'll break it. I know it. He'll say something and I have to say something back and before you know it, we're fighting."
"Then stop being such an easy target."
"He has to stop being such an ass."
"I'll get him to work on that," I said, hands on hips. "Now, go to bed. I'll call you."
"Please," said Alec, sinking into his bed and pulling the covers up to his chin. "And be careful."
I turned to him on my way to the door and gave him a broad smile. "As you would say: Always." Alec grinned at that and waved me goodbye. I waved back and gently closed the door to Room 244.
"How is he?" Louise's soft voice came from behind me and I turned around to face her concerned countenance.
"He's good. The dressing needs to be changed and I think there's a lot of pain," I answered. Taking another look at my brother's room, I continued, "If you can, could you up his morphine? Not enough to get him hooked, but enough to ease the pain for tonight."
"I'll do what I can," said Louise, pushing a tendril of dark brown hair behind a small, scaly ear. "There's not much pain medication around here."
"Running out?"
"Nearly," the female lizard answered. "Dr. Carr says a shipment of anesthetics will come by tomorrow, but it all depends if what we need are available on the market. Sometimes, I really hate this economy. Never get what you need when you need it."
"Do you still need blood?" I asked. "I know you've got the official blood donors working"
"No," said Louise. "You keep that blood for yourself. The eye looks good and you're talking to me, so the jaw's good too. I'm a little concerned about that arm." The both of us looked at my bandaged arm. Louise reached out to touch it and I winced. "It looks infected."
"Sam put disinfectant on it," I said. "I don't think that's it."
"He drew a sample?" asked Louise. "What did you say Rita cut you with?"
"A knife," I replied. "The hilt looked like a caduceus. The kind the Familiars use."
"The Familiars?" Louise frowned in thought. "I don't like the sound of this already and considering it's Rita we're talking about, well, I just plain don't like it."
"Look," I began, "I'm fine. I'd be more worried about Alec than me, if I were you. He's got the brunt of Rita's fighting and he's in pain. So, take care of my brother, okay?"
Louise drew herself up in pride. "I will take care of your brother, Bobbie. Just as I am determined to take care of you. Contrary to popular belief, X5s are not invincible, so, if I say I'm concerned about your wounds, I suggest you listen to them. Am I clear?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Louise allowed a small smile to grace her lips. "There's no need to call me ma'am," she said. "I just want to make sure I'm understood."
"And you so are."
"In any case, I'm letting you go tonight. We've got more injured coming in and I'm afraid we need all the beds we can get," Louise stepped closer to me in order to grasp my hand. "Please, if you feel that the wound is causing you any amount of distress, call me. I don't care if it's just a little blood or if the bandages need to be changed. Call me. You know my number."
"I will." Louise looked at me carefully before pursing her lips.
Shaking her head she said, "Very well. Good night and be careful."
"I will," I said as Louise moved away from me muttering about "damn fool X5s." Smiling to myself, I exited the infirmary and breathed in the cool Seattle air. I closed my eyes as I let the warm breeze pass over my face. As I opened my eyes again, I saw several figures moving in the distance. Using my enhanced vision, I could see that they were carrying one of Bree's sandwich boxes. The figures looked to be headed in the direction of Pine Street.
"Well," I said to myself. "Looks like I'm going to midnight mass." With that, I silently followed the figures up to a large brown brick Church was overflowing with X-series and trans-humans. I made my way into the church and looked up at the podium where Mole stood with a shotgun in his hands. His mouth was clamped tightly over a fat cigar whose ashes dripped to the floor. A transgenic pushed against me, forcing me to lean forward and move closer to the front. I crept over to the side while the lights flickered on and off. A small trans-human ran up to Mole and whispered in his ear. The big lizard's dark eyes narrowed as he whispered back. The small trans-human nodded and ran back towards the back part of the Church.
Finally, the lights flickered to the point of partial dimness, with only a bright light firmly planted on the speaker's podium. The crowd hushed when Jeremiah walked onstage, head bowed and hands clasped behind his back. My older brother lifted his head when he reached the podium, his blue eyes scanning the crowd as his lips compressed into a thin line. I pressed myself a little further back into the crowd, hoping that his eyes wouldn't hit upon me. Clearing his throat, my brother tapped on the microphone perched on the podium, causing a loud whistle of feedback to echo in the building. I winced, the sharp sound piercing my eardrums.
"My friends," my brother spoke; his voice clear and sharp. "We're gathered here on a momentous day. We are surrounded. Backs to the wall and nowhere to go. Our leader tells us we must stand and fight. We will die. Our enemies want us destroyed. For what? We don't know. The ones who created us, gave us purpose want us gone, a symbol of their worst successes. Where are we to go? What are we to do? If you're here for me to tell you what to do, you've come to the wrong place." Soft murmurs raced through the crowd and I straightened my shoulders. Jeremiah pressed his hands against the podium.
"What I have is a plan," he continued. "A return to the old ways when we were valuable, when we were the hunters and not the prey. As you know, you've heard about a government job and I've been promoting it. It's fairly simple; sign up and you will no longer be hunted or betrayed by your own kind. How many here had the rank of Captain?" Several hands went up, all X5. Jeremiah nodded in approval.
"Good. We need officers and what's important, with this job, you'll be promoted all the way to General." Gasps rang out across the Church. At Manticore, the highest rank a transgenic could achieve was Captain. It was high enough to lead, but not high enough to really carry any weight in the hierarchy. A hand went up and Jeremiah motioned for the possessor of the hand to speak up. It was an X5 female I had seen around the nursery. Standing up, she balanced a six-month old baby on her hip as she pushed a tendril of hair behind her ear.
"My designation's X5-672," she began. "My mate's was X5-839. He was killed today." Soft murmurs of sympathy and grim acceptance rose from the transgenics surrounding her. "X5-609, yesterday, 839 and me were celebrating. We're going to have another baby. Now that he's dead, I'm no good. I won't be able to work in my condition. What good's a government job going to me?"
Jeremiah rubbed a hand over his mouth. "I'm sorry for your loss, 672. I truly am. The government has allowed for a stipend for fighting soldiers. You will be provided with decent housing, your children will be given a decent education, and once you've delivered, you can contribute to your country again." 672 swallowed hard as she nodded her head. Slowly she sank back into her chair and pressed her baby close to her chest. A couple of nearby hands patted the young woman on the back in comfort. Another hand went up in the air. All eyes turned to a trans-human with dark brown eyes and a bear-like appearance.
"I ain't got a designation," he said in a gruff voice. "I'm good with deliverin' packages an' I got a good head for figurin' numbers. Anyhow, people who know me call me Bear, and I gotta ask you, what's in for folks like me? We ain't gonna go on missions, that's for sure."
"Of course not," said Jeremiah in a cool voice. The trans-humans surrounding me stiffened and some whispered, "Bastard!"
Jeremiah's eyes swung left and right as he continued, "You said you were good with numbers?"
"That's right," said Bear in a wary voice.
"The people who are sponsoring the job tell me they need all the accountants they can get," said my brother. "I'm sure with your talent for numbers, you can rise within the ranks in no time. Just like X-series."
"We'll be treated free and equal?" asked a scaly trans-human with shimmery green eyes.
"Always," said Jeremiah. "I've put it in the contract. They cannot discriminate against you simply for the way you look. You will be paid for your efforts, unlike back in Manticore and you will feel useful, which is something I feel you haven't had in long time around here."
"If ever," Mole grunted. "What about health? They willin' to spread the dough for our kind?" Jeremiah's eyes flicked over to the lizard and nodded.
"They will," he said. "Just sign your name on the clipboard out front and we'll get started. Have a good night." My brother turned on his heel, leaving the crowd dazed and confused. Slowly, the crowd pulled out of it and a few moved over to the table with the sign-up sheet and scrawled their names on the paper. As the transgenics piled out of the Church, I walked over to the platform and moved over to the back door, which led to the backyard. Opening the door, I found Jeremiah sitting at the bottom of the steps, slowly smoking a cigarette.
"I saw you, 592," he said, blowing out a puff of sweet smelling smoke. "You're slipping." Shrugging, I moved down the steps to sit bedside him.
"Maybe I wanted to be seen," I said. "Ever think about that?"
"You were always good at camouflage."
"It helps when you have dark skin. Comes in handy at night."
"That it does," Jeremiah took a deep drag and bent his head forward. Pulling my knees up to my chest, I rocked back and forth.
"So," I said, finally after several minutes of silence. "Nice rally you got going on there. Could use a little work, but I see you've won some people over."
"They just needed that extra push."
"You know you can't do this."
"Bobbie"
"Jeremiah, listen to me," I said. "You can't do this. Not now. Not when things are so up in the air for Max."
"You mean Alec."
Pretending to ignore his comment, I continued, "I mean, for our people. Haven't you always said that the first loyalty amongst us should be to our own kind? We don't need another betrayer."
"If you had better leadership and focus, you wouldn't have had a betrayer."
"We're not here to talk about Max, Jeremiah," I said in a low voice. "We're here to talk about you. I'm warning you, don't stir the boat. If we don't get our act together, the ordinaries are going to slam us into that transgenic bill so fast, our barcodes will spin."
"I think it's a little late for that," said my brother, bringing the cigarette to his lips. "From what I hear, the votes are all in place to pass the bill by the weekend, maybe sooner. Only way to head this off is to join the job I've been telling you about. There's a position for you, 592. Just waiting for you to take it."
"I don't want it."
Jeremiah shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Crossing my arms, I snapped, "Fine. Can I at least know exactly what these people are getting themselves into if they join you?"
"Sign up and you'll find out."
At that, I groaned. "Let me guess, information's classified, right?"
"Exactly. If you'll forgive the pun, it's for my eyes only."
"I'm so not going to forgive you for that pun." A small smile crossed Jeremiah's face as he tossed the butt onto the ground and let the flickering orange-red embers die out. "Jeremiah, why are you doing this? You know Manticore's dead and the only reason why some people are joining your cause right now is because they're scared. We're surrounded on three fronts and you're presenting them with a tricks and treats kind of path. It's not going to last."
"It'll last long enough," said my brother in a tight voice.
"You know, I don't get you," I said after a lengthy silence. "I don't get why you don't want to move on. I don't get why you want to suck thousands of people into this brain-dead scheme of yours. I just don't get it. I've tried, believe me, I have tried to understand and I just don't get it."
"You've lost your way," said my brother. "Dating a norm's clouded your judgement."
"Oh, great," I muttered. "We're back to that." Jeremiah glared at me as he took out another cigarette and lighted up.
"Yes, that," he said. "I've said it before and I'll say it again: dating him is a risk."
"And I've said it before and I'll say it again: he's mine to take. If you can flambé yourself into re-creating Manticore, then I can sure as hell stick to dating a norm."
"I heard you broke up with him."
"Who told you that?"
"I hear things," my brother answered. "Besides, Bree told me."
"I guess you're happy about it."
"I'm not happy that you're sad about breaking up," said Jeremiah. "I am happy that you will not be putting yourself at risk anymore."
"Get unhappy," I began, "because I'm going to tell him I'm a transgenic." At that, the cigarette from Jeremiah's mouth dropped to the ground as he stared at me in stunned silence.
"What?!" he asked. "You're what?!"
"You heard me."
"I know I heard you," my brother said, shaking his head, "but it can't be right. You're going to stand there and tell me, that you're going to tell a man whose entire family is knee deep in the anti-transgenic cause that you're X5?!"
"Yes."
"Goddammit, 592!" my CO shouted. "What the hell are you thinking?! No, you're not thinking, because you're fucking insane!"
"Gee, thanks!"
"You're welcome!" Jeremiah exclaimed. "I can't believe this! I bet that idiot 494 put you up to this."
"First of all, Alec's not an idiot"
"I don't give a damn," said Jeremiah. "I really don't give a fucking goddamn. If you had the least bit of sense, you'd know that telling that norm about who you are is just about the worst thing you can do as a soldier." I clenched my jaw and narrowed my eyes at my older brother who had sprung from the church steps and was pacing back and forth.
"You know," I began, keeping my voice tight and calm. "I'm going to ignore for now, the huge-ass insults you just threw in my face and believe me, if you were anyone else, I'd swear to God, I will kick your ass!"
"Then bring it on!" snapped Jeremiah. "I can't believe you! What are you going to tell him?"
"Designation and class status."
"Missions?"
"Cross that bridge when we come to it."
"Then you better start crossing," said my brother. "They just aired a video of you fighting Rita on the six o'clock news. There's no way in hell; Peter's going to not wonder about everything about you. You tell him about who you are, he's going to run and then he's going to tell everyone on that anti-transgenic committee just how dangerous the X-series really is, since he just got hood-winked by one."
"Peter knows I love him."
"Not if you're transgenic," Jeremiah said in a cold voice. "His kind don't think we can love, remember? We're just freaks to them."
"Peter knows me, Jeremiah," I insisted. "He'll know in his heart what to really believe."
"And his heart tells him that transgenics are monsters," my brother spoke so slowly and carefully that each word felt like knives into my heart. "You can't erase hate like his, 592. You just can't."
"Fuck you."
"Yeah," said my brother with a nasty smile. "And the horse I rode on, 'cause you know it's true. In your heart, you know it's true."
Taking a step back, I shook my head and said, "I'm not going to listen to this. I'm-I'm just not. I'm going to go and I hope to God you burn on that job, Jeremiah. I really do." I turned on my heel and walked away from him, feeling every bone my body screaming to hit something, anything.
"Bobbie!"
"What!" I snarled, whipping my head to face my brother.
"Here!" Jeremiah tossed something small and black in the air. My right hand went up and caught it. Bringing it to eye level, I saw that it was a handgun.
"Nine millimeter," I said, glancing at it and feeling its weight. "Nice."
"I heard you were going back your place," said my brother. "Thought you could use something extra."
Tucking the gun into the waistband of my shorts, I said, "I can take care of myself."
"I know you can," said Jeremiah. "Sometimes you need an extra boost, you know." He stuffed his hands into his pockets and rocked back and forth. "I'm thinking of going by the infirmary. See if they need blood donors. Might check on the injured."
"Room 244."
"Something special about that room?"
I shrugged. "Just an injured soldier."
"Oh."
"Good night, 609."
"Good night, 592." Jeremiah and I parted in the dark Seattle night, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The trip back to my apartment was fairly uneventful, much to my relief. As I walked up the flight of stairs, I fumbled in my back pockets for the keys. Satisfied that I had found the right ones, I muttered, "I'm gonna have a nice warm bath and just sleep for days."
Just as I was about to open the front door, I caught sight of the fact that my front door was slightly ajar. My heart rate jumped for a second, but I forced it to calm down. Slowly, I opened the door to see that my living room and kitchen had remained unchanged. Unbidden, I heard rustling to my right and carefully, I pulled out the gun Jeremiah had given me. The rustling stopped for a second and started up again. Giving it a quick check to see that it was loaded and the safety was unlocked, I held it close to my chest and moved towards the rustling sound. The sound came again, louder this time and it was from my bedroom. I slid next to the door and pressed my back against the wall.
"Come on. Come on," I muttered under my breath as the rustling stopped again and I could hear soft footsteps, moving closer to the door. "Whoever this is, ain't too bright." Finally, the intruder stepped out of my bedroom and my elbow rammed into his face, causing him to stumble backwards. Turning swiftly, I straddled myself over the intruder's prone body and pressed the gun to his temple. That was easy. Too easy.
"Okay, not to go Jack Bauer on you, but who are you and---," I used the gun in my hand to slam the intruder's face against the hardwood floor causing blood to trickle onto the floor---"who are you working for?!"
"What the damn hell?!" the intruder croaked, spitting up blood. The intruder's voice clicked in my brain and horror dawned on me as he moved his head to face me. "Bobbie?! What the hell did you do that for?!"
"Peter!" I cried, dropping the gun and falling away from him in shock.