Here it is.  The final full chapter of The Industrial Cycle.  Chapter nine will be a short epilogue of sorts to wrap up a few loose ends and set up some of the coming events in my Season One Future History.

I am leaving some loose ends on purpose.  Some of these will be dealt with in future stories.  I hope all of you have liked this story.  I know those of you that reviewed have and I'm always honored and ecstatic that you shower me with such praise at times.  I can only say how good it feels that you all think so highly of and enjoy my stories.  It means everything.

As for this chapter, I took some liberties with the hover-drone but didn't reveal the true power I have in the works for Eyes Only's new toy.  Logan just got it and I don't think he even realizes it's potential yet.  Also, some of you have noticed Lydecker is playing his little game still and this time he's brought Logan and Max right into the thick of his 'things.'  I was afraid that might slip by at first but you guys are catching most of my lesser plots that connect the whole future history.

So read on.  Review later and always let me know what you think.  Send your review here or e-mail me at Wyldegod@earthlink.net.  Your thoughts and ideas and even spelling corrections are more than welcome.  Most importantly though, enjoy!

Born to the Conflict

          Max was lying next to Logan.  They shared a large steel table.  A tube connected her to Logan as she transfused him.  She reached over and stroked his forehead where he was still showing sweat drops from earlier convulsions.  His body occasionally twitched but Max would reach out each time and he would calm instantly.  "We're really in the thick of it again."  She whispered to him.  The two techs in the room went about their jobs oblivious to Max and Logan.  They were only interested in the information they could gain from his body.

          "The last time we did this Lydecker thing, I died in your arms.  I promise I won't let that happen this time but you have to promise me that you will get better soon.  You owe Jondy and me a vacation in the mountains and I'm damn well going to get it."  Max said.  She let a small laugh out.  "Maybe this is an omen.  Maybe because you're here this time in a coma, nothing will happen to me."  She said.  She gently rubbed his forehead and continued whispering her thoughts to him.

          Lydecker watched from the doorway.  The greasy little man that had injected the nanocytes into Logan stood beside him.

          "Is it going to work?"  Lydecker asked.

          "It will work.  I programmed the nanocytes to do exactly what you asked.  They will replicate for years to come."  The doctor said.  "He will grow stronger and live longer than he would have normally with his body in a constant state of repair and regeneration.  I just don't understand why."

          "I do."  Deck said.  "It has everything to do with her.  She imprinted on him.  She chose him.  He must be there with her or all is lost."

          "This is about that report you found in the rubble of Renfro's office isn't it?"  The doctor asked.  "You know if I had more information I might be able to adjust his next dose of nanocytes to a more effective course."  He said.

          "Just program them exactly as I have instructed.  For him to be effective, I need him in perfect health."  Deck said.  "This morning, though I want him coherent.  Make sure he comes around in about three hours.  I'm going to need him running the drone this morning."

          "I'm telling you right now, that could be dangerous.  It's not wise to rush the little buggers.  The nanocytes need time to sync with his system.  Three more hours may not be enough…"

          "Three hours.  We go in four hours and if he's not on the boards we lose."  Deck said.  "I need him to run that hover-drone or were wasting our time."

          "I'm just saying…"  The doctor started.

          "Don't say.  Just do what you're told."  Deck said before turning and hollering for his 2IC.  He struggled from the doorway to the central table on crutches.

          "Did you hear that?"  Max whispered.  "You've been given three hours before they force you to wake up."  She said.  "You know I could just kill everyone and carry you out of here.  I would do that for you if you asked me to.  We could go to the cabin and make arrangements to leave the country.  Jondy would probably follow us but I think you've grown use to her haven't you?"  She snickered as the techs pulled the tube from her arm after the second transfusion in as many hours.

          Rolling onto her side, she stared at Logan.  He was sleeping, not aware of what Lydecker had just done to him in these last few hours.  She knew he wouldn't like the way it had happened but she knew he would eventually be happy with the outcome.  Simply put, he was getting his life back with this repaired spinal cord.  Deck wasn't exactly forthcoming with any information but he assured Max that the treatment was necessary for his continued survival.  She would do some digging of her own.

          When she had regained some of her energy she stood and leaned down to give Logan a gentle kiss.  "I'll be back.  I'm going to go find Jondy and take care of something."  She kissed him again before leaving the med-lab.

          Max turned and went in search of Jondy.  She walked into the main room and found Deck lecturing some of his commanders.  The place had taken on an urgent feeling.  The human soldiers were struggling with the waiting as all soldiers do when they are close to the green light.  Many were listening.  Others were sleeping.  A few were playing poker and losing their limited funds.  Max spotted Jondy in a dark corner sitting on some crates and watching everyone intently.  She didn't know where the others were.

          "Hey."  Max said sitting down beside her sister.

          "Hey, yourself."  Jondy said.  "How's our boy?"

          "He'll be okay.  Lydecker injected him with a different kind of nanocyte than Manticore would normally produce.  He didn't seem to care that I could hear him or he thought I wasn't paying attention.  He's going to revive Logan and use him in the assault to direct the hover-drone."

          "Is that wise?"  Jondy asked.  "Waking Logan prematurely I mean."

          "The doctor said it wasn't advised but it was doable."  She sighed.  Jondy waited for her to continue.  "Deck said the reprogrammed nanocytes were self-replicating and would remain in his system for years to come.  He said they would extend his life longer than normal whatever that means.  It had something to do with me, though."

          "Maybe Deck is just making sure that Logan will always be there to protect you."  Jondy offered.

          "I doubt it."  Max said.  "Logan protects me without Deck's help.  I got the feeling that there is something else going on and I need to find out what that something else is.  The doctor said something about a report that Deck found in Renfro's burned out office after Logan and I left."

          "I thought you two stripped her office when he brought you out of there?"  Jondy asked.

          "So did I."  Max said.

          "You want me to check out Deck's private space?"  Jondy asked.

          "Would you?"  Max asked.  "I'll distract him after I send Alec to run interference."

          "No need."  Jondy said.  "I've already run the building from top to bottom.  I'll meet you here in thirty minutes.  Bring some food."  Jondy said and disappeared into the shadows near the crates where the two women had been sitting.

          Max went in search of Alec.  She found him and Biggs sharing a memory on the roof.

          "Hey, Max.  We moving out?"  Alec asked.

          "No.  Lydecker is up to something.  I was going to ask you to do something for me."  Max said.

          "What's that?"  Alec asked.

          "I want you to disappear."  Max said.  "Deck's not paying attention to us right now and I want us to have reinforcements of our own.  I don't want to count on the Colonel."

          "Look.  If Deck is serious about this whole attacking the cult thing then he's going to need all of us."

          "This is true."  Max said.  "But you know where there are more.  Both of you do."  She looked at them.  "We need all the help we can get.  I don't like the way he's setting this up.  There's no planning behind any of this.  We were only at Lempkin's for two hours tops and it's now two a.m. going on three.  He wants to run with this and he's going to force Logan conscious before the nanocytes have time to sync with his system.  I don't know what that means but It can't be good."  Max said.

          "It means that they are tweaking his neural network just enough that his body won't reject the nanocytes.  It's a battle because the bodies internal defenses are armed and fighting the intruders.  The nanocytes will win every time but…" Biggs stopped his explanation.

          "But what?"  Max demanded.  "There's a chance he won't survive isn't there."

          "There is."  Alec said.  "He's not X-5 but he's strong Maxie.  We've all seen it.  I wouldn't worry about Logan."

          "I can't help it."  She said.  "I am worried."

          "Worry accomplishes nothing."  Biggs said.  "Tell me about Deck's plan."

          "That's just it.  There is no plan.  He's calling in reinforcements from his base in the mountains and a couple of special teams from his ex-Manticore troops.  There are eight of us, double what we had last time but, we had fifty percent casualties during the raid on the DNA lab.  I don't want to die again."  Max said with a smile.  "I've got…"

          "A man."  Alec said.  "You don't want to put him through losing you again.  I know where there are a few more of us.  Three actually.  I'll be gone for a few hours, maybe four."  He said.  "Do you want me to risk it?"

          "No.  Deck wants to launch this thing in four hours.  Is there anyone else in Seattle that we can hold in reserve and call in on our end?"  Max asked.

          "Suede and his people are here."  Biggs said.  "He's that big cranky monster we worked with on the Haitian Gambit."  He said to Alec.  "He's been getting restless working the docks everyday.  I'm sure he'd be all over supporting us."  He said.  "I'm going out on a limb here but you don't want Deck to know about this, do you?"

          "It's a sturdy limb."  Max said.  "It won't break under you.  Get him and get him prepared.  I'll tell OC you're coming to her place.  Logan has a safe-house in sector five and she's got the keys at the penthouse.  He stores weapons there for occasional Eyes Only missions that require them.  You'll find everything you need.  OC can get him set up on comms and…" A sound, the slightest noise from a shadow turned all of their attention to it.  "Contact me when you get him set up.  I'll know more by then."  She said.  Biggs nodded and dropped over the edge of the building to the fire escape one floor down.  He was gone in an instant.

          Alec and Max turned on the shadow already knowing who it was.  Eva stepped out of the darkness and stared at them.  "I'll handle this."  Max said.  "Go check on Logan and let Krit, CeCe and Syl know what's up."

          "Sure thing."  Alec said.

          "Discreetly!"  Max shouted after him.  She turned her attention back to Eva.

          "So are you in?"  Max asked.

          "Only if you tell me the truth."  Eva said.

          "I've never lied to you."

          "You haven't exactly told me the whole truth have you?"  Eva asked.

          "What are you talking about?"  Max was sure she knew what this was about.

          "I know you're in love with Logan.  You two protect each other.  I also know you would do just about anything for us."  Eva said.  "I want to know one thing though.  When it comes right down to it, you'd choose Logan over us, wouldn't you?"

          Max remained silent.

          "I need to know the truth."  Eva said.

          "You seem to already know the truth."  Max said.  "Or at least you've decided you have."

          "Is Logan Eyes Only?"

          Max stared at her.  She wanted to think of her as a sister but somehow she couldn't.  There was something about her eyes that made Max want to trust her but the fact that Manticore sent her to investigate and assassinate Eyes Only was on the edge in those eyes.

          "Is Logan Eyes Only?"  Eva demanded.

          "He…"  Max hesitated.

          "Just answer the question."

          "Why do you want to know that?  What if he is?"  Max asked.  "What's it matter to you?"

          "It doesn't.  Not anymore.  Besides I already know you wouldn't let anything happen to him even if I tried."  Eva said.  "I just want to know."

          "Why?"  Max demanded.  "I've worked for Eyes Only.  So have Alec and Biggs."

          "You mean you've worked for Logan."  Eva corrected her.  "I'm X-5 Max.  I had years more of the same training you did.  I know you don't trust me but I assure you that Manticore is gone.  I'm not going to fulfill the contract."

          "Then why are you asking me this?"  Max asked.  "It is irrelevant."

          "Not if you want me to trust you."  Eva said.  The two women stared at each other.  There was no sound or emotion.  There was only Max and Eva.  The rest of the world didn't exist.

          "I don't expect you to trust me.  We haven't seen each other for years and I've just been involved in killing your boss and destroying his empire.  That isn't exactly something that inspires loyalty."  Max said.

          "You're evading the question."  Eva said.  "Max…"  She paused searching for words that would work in the moment.  "Max, I died in Manticore.  I could feel it.  They had me under lights and people were sticking me and poking me and I could feel my life slipping away.  I wanted to die.  I didn't try to fight it."  Eva said.  "Then I woke up and I was staring into a laser and watching one of the propaganda reels they used to make us watch.  There were sounds playing in my head and I could stop none of it."  She paused letting out a long, lonely sigh.  "I remember death.  It was a cold, dark place where nothing existed.  It wasn't what I thought it would be."

          "Eva…"  Max started to say something.  Eva held up her hand and silenced the youngest of the X-5s.

          "I remembered two things vividly.  I know now those two memories were the only thing that kept me sane for the next several years.  I remember Ben and his stories about the high place.  I wanted to go there.  I've already been dead once and…"  She noticed Max was starting to cry.  "Maxie, what's wrong?"

          "It's Ben."  Max said.  "He's dead."

          "I heard but I never knew how."  Eva said.

          "I did it."  Max said.  "He was killing people.  He was insane.  You remember the mission where we all hunted the nomlie.  Ben was still living that mission.  Lydecker was after Ben.  He was close.  Ben was kidnapping people and tattooing his barcode on their necks.  He hunted them until I tried to stop him.  We found each other in the woods and we fought.  I broke his leg…"  She was shaking now.  Eva stepped forward.  "He fell and then we heard the choppers.  The Colonel was close and Ben didn't want to go back to Manticore.  He didn't want to be a Nomlie."  She looked up into Eva's eyes.  "I asked him to tell me about the high place where the good soldiers go.  He did.  He was telling me about never getting yelled at or marching or taking orders… I snapped his neck.  I killed him.  I killed my brother."  She said.  Eva immediately reached out and hugged Max close to her.  Max hugged her back.

          "I knew he was dead."  Eva said.  "I never learned how or why.  I was bunked not far from 494… Alec and when they came for him I didn't know why.  We didn't see him for weeks."  Eva pushed Max back and looked into her eyes.  "Hey Maxie.  You want to know what the other thing that kept me strong through all the Manticore crap was."  She asked.  Max looked up.  "It was you."  She said.  "You were the second memory I retained from before.  When things got tough I imagined you living all of Ben's stories.  I dreamed all of these fantasies about how great your life was.  I imagined you in the high place wearing wild colorful gowns and dancing with some handsome and powerful Prince just like Ben's stories.

          "When I saw you in the restaurant, I wasn't sure it was you.  I wasn't convinced until I dropped into Logan's, your penthouse.  When I turned around and found you standing there I realized my fantasies had come true.  You were living in the high place and having a wonderful life with a handsome Prince.  I was proud of you."  Eva said.  Now she was shedding the tears and Max was reaching out for her.  "I am proud of you and the more I learn of you two the more I realized that even though Deck shot me and I failed to protect my squad that night, I know I did the right thing."  She said.  "I know we all did the right thing."

          "I can't tell you that Logan is Eyes Only."  Max said.  "I wish I could but I can't."  She looked into Eva's eyes.  "I only work for the man."  She said.

          "That's good enough for me."  Eva said.  "How is he, by the way?  Logan, I mean."

          "I was going to go check on him."  Max said.  "He's still unconscious and I just gave him another transfusion so he's going to recover but I don't understand the nanocytes fully.  Deck said he reprogrammed them.  They are different in some way."

          "The nanotech is a touchy subject.  I've never had the procedure myself but those that have said it is extremely painful."  Eva said.  "Logan is probably lucky that's he unconscious."

          "He won't be for long.  Deck is going to have the doctor give him stimulants to revive him for the assault on White's base."  Max said.  "Biggs said…"  She stopped suddenly remembering she was supposed to call OC.  She picked up her phone and looked at it.  Eva looked down just in time for the phone to start ringing.

          "This is Max."  She said.

          "You've got Original Cindy here, Boo."  OC said.  "I'm talking with Bennett when Biggs and a tall brother calls himself Suede walks into your place.  They say they want the key to the safe house in sector five."

          "Yeah.  Suede has a team of transgenics under his command.  They are going to back us up on the assault."  Max said.  "In the top drawer in the office there is a set of spare keys.  They are numbered according to their location.  Give them the key to sector five only and tell Biggs to get back here as soon as possible.  I also need you to sync an earpiece to our frequency so that Suede will hear everything and we can contact him when we need him."

          "Right on, Sugga."  OC said.  "I'm all over it.  Catch ya later, Boo."

          Max and Eva walked into the main room and started toward Jondy just as Lydecker snapped his fingers and called his officers to the table.  He waved Jondy, Eva and Max over as Krit, Syl, Cece and Alec joined them.

          "Listen up, people."  Deck started but noticed that Biggs wasn't around.  "Where's Biggs?"  Lydecker asked.  Max shrugged her shoulder.

          "I don't know.  He keeps a stash of weapons on Oak Street."  Max said.  "He probably went to pick something up." 

          Deck looked at Max and Alec before turning back to his board to continue.  "I'm not going to sugar coat this.  This is a standard S and D with one primary target."  He pointed to the screen where a picture of Ames White hung.  "This is Ames White.  He is the goto guy for a faction within an ancient cult that has plans to take control of the planet.  We want him alive if possible.  Everyone else inside including but not limited to the NSA and Homeland Security must be silenced.  I don't like it but there it is.  We get in, kill everything with a pulse and get out."  Deck looked over to Max.  "Max and her transgenics will take an alternate route inside and concentrate on taking out the upper levels and working down to the main arena where your troops will be striking first.  They will hook up with you on the inside and direct the fighting from within.  I also have back-up in the form of a flying hover-drone mounted with a laser and two .45 caliber automatics."  Deck pointed to a pile of blueprints.  "Here's the blueprints.  This is how we are going to do this.

          "I have two hundred troops on the way in.  I'm going to lock down the sector.  Logan will black out the grid just before dawn.  Max, you and your transgenics will move to the target while my men lock down the sector.  Half of my force will engage White and his people at the main and rear entrances.  I will assume medium casualties at first.  When we begin the assault on the building, Max and her team will move down from the roof floor by floor."  Deck explained.

          "Classic."  A young lieutenant remarked.  Max noticed he was a little to gung ho over this.  "While White's people are dealing with us outside the Transgenics will be inside forcing them to fight on two fronts.  Outstanding." 

          "Glad you approve."  Deck said.  "Max.  You and your people get ready.  You will infiltrate the sector in one hour."  Deck turned and struggled away on his crutches.

          Max turned and looked at Jondy.  "What did you find?"  She asked as they walked away."

          "It's interesting.  It appears that Deck stole that little set up Logan gave him and I was able to copy some discs for you.  I also picked up this display."  Jondy said.  She pulled a medium sized reader from under her shirt and handed it to Max.  "It appears that your DNA is pure."

          "Pure?"  Max asked.  "We all have pure DNA."  She snickered.

          "Not like yours.  Max you don't have any junk DNA.  Not a single base pair is floating around in there without purpose.  I didn't have time to read the whole thing but…"  She was going to continue but Max was stalking off after Lydecker.

          She caught up to him in the med lab.  He was nodding to the doctor.  Logan was again on his back and the greasy man was holding the nano-injector against the small of Logan's back.  Max demanded he stop but she was too late.  The doctor fired the unit and Logan began to convulse immediately.  Four techs were present and holding him down.  Max made a move toward the greasy doctor but Deck stopped her with his crutch.  He noticed the reader in her hands.

          "I can't explain it too you because I don't know what it all means yet.  What I do know is that you have some specific purpose to fulfill.  Sandemann created you for something."  Deck said.  He reached out for the reader and took it from Max.

          "What purpose?"  She asked.

          "I don't know."  Lydecker admitted.  "I haven't found that info yet and the last two times I tried to contact Sandemann, I haven't been able to get through.  Only he knows."

          "So I have to find Sandemann."

          "That's a course of action I cannot advise against but I would not suggest you attempt it."  Deck said.  "Logan's going to need you now more than ever."

          "Why?"  Max asked.  "What are you doing to him?  What's different about the nanocytes you're injecting?"

          "Not much.  They will do the job Veritace started.  They are programmed to repair his system…"

          "They are self-replicating nanobots.  You made them to lengthen his life span and you did it for reasons that are connected to me."  Max said.  "Tell me what you did to him."

          "I'm just fixing his damaged spinal column."  Deck said.

          "Your exact words were and I quote; 'She imprinted on him.  She chose him.  He must be there with him or all is lost.'  Those were your words Deck.  You said them when I was transfusing him earlier.  You know something you're not telling me and I want to know why he is so important to you."

          "He isn't.  He's important to you.  His spinal damage shortened his life by about forty years.  He would have died in ten or fifteen years as his spinal cord deteriorated.  Personally, we never thought you would pick an ordinary human being."

          "Logan is no ordinary human being."  Max stated the fact proudly.

          "I'm beginning to realize that.  Manticore was a facility producing super-soldiers with some of the most highly-trained special ops forces in the world for its security force.  Not only could we not locate him before when we were searching for you but he walked into the facility and destroyed it from the inside out.  I know he's not ordinary.  I'm just trying to make him worthy of you."

          "Worthy?  What the hell do you know of being worthy?"  Max said.  "You got kicked out of your precious military because you were drunk."

          "That's neither here nor there."  Deck said.  "I have to protect you kids as long as I can but I'm not going to be around much longer.  Logan can and will stand beside you for a far longer time than he would have with the paralysis…"  The argument was interrupted by a long grinding moan from Logan.  "What's happening?"

          "He's waking up."  One of the techs announced.  "He shouldn't be."

          "What happened?"  The greasy doctor asked.  Max rushed over and reached for Logan as he rolled onto his back.  He looked up at her and she could see pain in his eyes.  He reached out for her hand.  She took his in hers. 

          Max held his hand in hers.  He squeezed, clutching tightly to her unable to control his own muscles in the moment.  "It hurts…"  He breathed through clenched teeth.  "What did they do to me?"

          "It's going to be okay.  The nanocytes are repairing your spinal damage.  You were supposed to be unconscious during this phase but for some reason you came out of the sedative."  She was making this up as she went hoping Deck or the doctor would catch on and give him more sedative.  "The pain cannot be helped.  Biggs and Alec have both undergone this treatment for injuries and they say the pain is incredible but bearable.  There is nothing I can do Logan."  She was almost frantic.  The look in his eyes was one of absolute pain and panic.

          He arched his back suddenly and let out a maddening scream as every muscle in his body tensed.

          "Do something."  Max shouted at the doctor.  "Give him something…"  She pleaded looking frantically to Lydecker.  "He's not one of us, damn you!  He's not made like we are."

          "He will be."  Lydecker muttered.  He worked his way to the table as Logan relaxed somewhat and dropped onto the cold steel.  His eyes were still wild with the pain and he was groaning from deep inside, gasping in short hard bursts.  The Colonel looked at him.  "Work through the pain, son.  Don't fight it.  Let it happen and it will eventually go away.  I cannot give you anything.  The pain will be there no matter what."

          "How dare you, you bastard."  Max said through clenched teeth.  "You like to see others suffer, don't you?"

          "What I like or dislike is irrelevant.  Leave Logan to us.  You have to prepare your assault and move your team in."  Deck said.  "Go.  We'll take care of Logan."

          "If you think for one second I'm leaving him here…"  She started but Logan interrupted her.

          "I'll be okay."  He said.  She looked into his eyes.  She knew he didn't want her to see him this way.  "I'll be all right."  He assured her gritting his teeth to stifle the pain shooting up his spine.  "Just go."  She knew she had to.  There was a chance to take out Ames White.  There was nothing she could do for Logan here and they both knew it.

          She stared at him squeezing his hand and brushing her hand over his forehead.  She leaned in and kissed him.  She stood up and grabbed Lydecker by his neck.  "If anything happens to him, anything at all, I'll kill you and everyone in this room."  She said to the Colonel.  She turned to find Jondy and the others gathered in the doorway.

          "Say the word and we empty this place."  Alec said.  Jondy nodded.

          Max smiled.  She looked back to Deck.  She leaned down and kissed Logan.  "You're going to be okay."  She whispered.  "Everything will be all right.  I promise."  She said.  Logan nodded his head, teeth still firmly clenched.

          "Go."  He blurted.  Another wild, maddening spasm of pain wracked his frame but he held firm and refused to let the pain win.  He forced a smile.  Max kissed him again and smiled to reassure him.

          "If anything happens to him, you're through."  Max said.  She turned from the table with her face tight and emotionless.  "C'mon.  Let's get this bitch over with."  She commanded as she passed through the small gauntlet of superior warriors.  Each one of them made sure Deck understood their displeasure with a glance.  They were following Max's lead on this one.

          Twenty minutes later they were in the sector-twelve safe-house with Biggs and Suede.  His team was a mix of X- 5 and 6 numbering eleven.  They were hard looking.

          "Rogues."  Suede muttered as Max walked up to him.

          "You got a problem?"  Max said stepping up in front of the giant Nubian.  He looked down at Max and Jondy before glancing over the rest of her crew.

          "No problem.  I just wasn't expecting Rogues."  Suede said.

          "I feel so welcome."  Max said sarcastically.  "Since this is my safe-house then you will respect my space.  My house, my rules, got it?"  She was not backing down and it was obvious that Suede wasn't used to people not being afraid of him.

          "Biggs said something about a mission."  Suede eased back a step from Max.  "You got something for us?"

          "It's a search and destroy.  We have one specific target we need alive other than that everyone else is expendable.  Colonel Lydecker wants to move in one hour and…"  She paused.

          "Twenty-seven minutes."  Jondy responded.

          "Lydecker?"  Suede asked.  "I thought Manticore took him out?"

          "They tried.  They failed."  Max said.  "Manticore failed a lot of things.  There is a man named Ames White.  He is dangerous.  He's been brought in to hunt and kill us.  I won't let that happen.  We want him alive.  Broken, damaged or wounded doesn't matter but we need him alive."  She said.  "Lydecker wants to do this his way.  We're going to do it mine."  She explained.  "We're going in fast and quiet and we will take out everything that is breathing and when Lydecker arrives we'll meet him at the door and turn White over to him."

          "What are we going to find inside exactly?"

          "NSA and Homeland Security agents that work for White WILL be inside.  There will more than likely be more of these cult members inside as well.  We know the twins are in there for sure but we can assume a squad or two of the Phalanx warriors will be barracked on site."

          "What is the Phalanx?"  Someone asked.

          "Who are the twins?"

          "They are highly trained special ops.  They are not ordinary humans.  They aren't as fast as we are but they are strong and I don't think they really feel pain.  They will be armored so look for the vulnerable spots."  Biggs took over the briefing.  "They wear full body armor from head to toe.  Alec and I fought a group of them with Lydecker earlier.  They had exposure in their armor around their necks and under the arms.  These are the only clean shots."

          "Do not engage in hand to hand unless you absolutely know you have the upper hand."  Alec added.  "I've wrapped it up with them before and they don't feel pain.  If you hit them, kill them.  They won't notice it otherwise."

          "Everyone feels pain."  A small wiry girl said.  She had deep dangerous eyes.  "Everyone." 

          "We took out two squads about ten hours ago but we don't know their numbers.  They could have three platoons in Washington for all we know.  We just want White however so search for him.  Find him.  Subdue him."

          "What's our backup?"  Suede asked.

          "Eyes Only is going to support us."

          "WHAT?"  Suede asked.  "EYES ONLY?  He destroyed Manticore!"  He shouted.

          "I know.  I was there."  Max said.  "I helped him.  You all would have been locked down and burned alive if Eyes Only hadn't set you loose."  Max was standing directly in front of the big man still.  He could see no fear in her eyes.  He was used to seeing fear, even from other X-series kids.  "The government doesn't want you alive.  White was brought in to make sure you don't live and have the freedom all of you deserve.  Eyes Only is working very hard to preserve your freedom."  She said poking the big man in the chest.  "He will be supporting us."

          "How?"

          "A fully armed and operational hover-drone."  Jondy said.  "Eyes Only will control the drone and lock down the sector by taking it off the grid.  We are going to go in and  we will be out before the sun comes up."  She turned to Biggs and he handed her a small box.  She opened it and pulled out all the comm units Logan had been keeping in the office.  "Switch on when we reach the target.  Maintain radio silence until sound off is called.  We go on the mark from Max.  Silent and quick."

          "Any more questions?"  Max asked.  No one said anything.  CeCe spread out a map of sector twelve and a smaller map of White's compound.  A picture of Ames White was passed around so everyone could identify him.  Ten minutes later they had their plan and two groups prepared to move.

*   *   *   *   *

          Logan rolled out to the bank of computers Lydecker had set up.  It was good equipment, just not what he was used to.  His contacts were presently better than Lydeckers.  The colonel put his hand on Logan's shoulder as Logan winced.

          "I have to give you one more injection before you leave here.  After that the pain will stop in four or five days.  The worst of it will pass a few hours after the last treatment."

          "Then I can walk again."

          "Among other things."  Lydecker said.  "I won't lie to you.  The atrophy in your muscles is extensive but not irreparable.  The nanocytes will do what they can but you will have to use your legs as much as possible in the first few weeks.  Max can work with you.  Let her train you.  The nanocytes will rebuild your spinal cord and when they complete the task you will at least be able to stand.  The nerves will be reconstructed at that point."

          "But I will be able to walk again."  Logan said.  "I won't have to use the wheel chair."

          "No more wheel chair."  Lydecker said.  "Ever again."

          "What about the exo-skeleton?"

          "It will continue to enhance your abilities if you choose to wear it."  Deck said.  "I wouldn't rely on it though.  Get used to having your legs back before you play with enhanced ones.  I'll go over the details of the treatments with you later.  Right now I need that hover-drone working and I need you operating it.  First though I want you to take down the grid in that sector."

          "A full black out?"  Logan asked.

          "Yes.  We move in thirty."  Deck said.

          "I'm on it."  Logan turned to the computers in front of him.  One of Lydecker's military techs was still setting up some equipment at the end of the table.  He glanced over at Logan and nodded.

          "Let me know what you need."  The tech said.  "I'm here to make sure this doesn't break down on you."

          Logan smiled and turned back to the computer in front of him.  He ran over the list of programs turning on a few that would immediately help him.  He used the communication software to dial up his server.

          A quick command line operation later and the monitors shut down in front of Logan.  He didn't want anyone seeing his plans before he was ready for them to see.

          Logan turned in the chair and called to Lydecker.  He motioned for the tech to follow him as he wheeled over to the Colonel.  "Where is my exo-skeleton?"  He asked.

          "It's still in the med-lab where we left it."  Deck answered.  Logan nodded and turned to the tech.

          "Go get my exo-skeleton and bring it over to the hover-drone."  Logan said.  Deck had a puzzled look on his face.  He hadn't tried to use the drone yet and didn't know the micro-chip was missing.

*   *   *   *   *

          Max pulled her cell from her pocket when it vibrated.  "Go for Max."  She said.  It was OC.

          "Something weird going on here, Boo."  She said.  "We was sittin' in the kitchen talking while Marianne slept on the couch when Logan's office just started up."

          "What do you mean started up?" 

          "His computer came on.  Monitors all over the office kicked in.  I heard a dialer makin' noise and a whole bunch of screens and windows were flipping open and closed when Bennett and I got into the office."  Cindy explained.

          "Its okay, Cindy.  Logan has probably linked up with his computer at home since he has everything he needs there to run his operation.  You better monitor in case he needs any help and if at all possible, don't let Bennett see anything sensitive."  Max said.

          "Too late for that."  OC said.  "Bennett is standing in there watching the three screens right now.  Our boy is setting up a hack."  OC said.

          "I understand.  I'm have to go now.  This bitch is going down in a few minutes."  Max disconnected the call and dialed Logan's phone.  Lydecker answered.  "Give the phone to Logan."  Max said.

          "He's busy and we're about ready to move out.  The men are making the final preparations."  Lydecker said.

          "That's great.  Put Logan on now."  Max said.  Lydecker sighed and hollered at one of his men.  The man ran the phone to Logan as he was wheeling back from the hover-drone.  "Hey."  Max said when she heard his voice.  "How are you feeling?"

          "Not bad.  Not good.  The pain is manageable."  He said just as a low guttural grunt escaped his management.  "Max, where are you right now?"

          "I'm on the roof of White's main building.  We're going ahead without Lydecker's support.  I know he thinks he's running the show but I just don't feel right about his plan.  I don't think he planned this out."

          "And you did?"  Logan asked.

          "I have twenty transgenics in squads.  We'll get in and get White and be back there before the sun comes up."  Max said.  "I need you to drop the grid and/or cut all power to White's base on my mark."  She said.  "We're going in silent and deadly but I don't want power to drop before my signal.  Can you do that?"

          "Give me two minutes and then call me back."  Logan said.  "Don't do anything until you call me back."

          "Two minutes."  Max said.  She disconnected the call.  She sat quietly in her shadowed position until the two minutes were up.  "It's been two minutes."  She said when Logan answered.

          "I'm all set here.  The hover-drone will be airborne in five.  Deck thinks I'm going to use it for recon before he goes in.  I'm monitoring your comms."  He said.  "No one else, just me.  Max.  Do you know what you're doing or are you just making this up as you go?"

          "No lectures.  I am a soldier."  Max said.

          "No.  You're not.  Technically, you're a thief."  Logan said.  "Be careful and don't get shot."  He grunted.

          "On my mark Logan.  Not a second earlier.  You wait for my signal."  Max said.

          "This is me waiting for your signal."  Logan said.  He tried to make a humorous comment but a sharp pain shot up his spine momentarily crippling him in the seat.  Max listened until she was sure he was okay.  When she heard him punching the keys again she hung up.  He worked hard to set up the live feed from the drone before the tech was finished installing the chip and replacing the panel as instructed.  Logan was watching his monitor and the tech.  When the Live feed came up, he smiled even though there was an angry electrical pain running continually up the back of his spine.  The tech gave him thumbs up and Logan launched the drone immediately.

          Everyone noticed.  Deck came rushing down the six steps as fast as he could to the terminal where Logan was working shouting the whole way.  "What the hell is going on?"

          Throughout the entire warehouse, Deck's soldiers were mustering when they saw the hover-drone launch.  The tech rushed back to the terminal to try and figure out where Logan was taking the drone.

          Logan ignored Deck and worked the keyboard hard trying to get into White's security before Max called in the blackout.  Deck stood over Logan's shoulder watching intently as he marked the green dots representing the transgenics Max had gathered.

          "There are twenty of them."  The tech said.  Logan reached up and pulled a small joystick and throttle down handing it to the tech.  "What's this?"

          "You play video games?"  Logan asked.  The tech nodded.  "You're driving the drone.  Shoot anything that isn't transgenic.  Use that monitor."  Logan pointed to a small fourteen inch flat panel.  "The transgenics will light up with a green mesh.  They are the good guys.  The cult members aren't wearing my comms so they will light up a red mesh.  They are the bad guys."

          "Cale!  What the hell are you doing?"  Deck demanded again but Logan just achieved the security link.  A few of Deck's officers had now joined the Colonel behind Logan.

          "Max.  I'm in."  Logan said.  "I've got you're eyes.  You're clear in the halls for the first two floors.  I'm waiting."

          "Copy.  Out."  Max sounded out of the speakers in front of Logan and the Colonel.  "Lights out, Logan."  Max ordered.  "We're going in."

          "What is she doing?"  Deck demanded one final time.

          "She's bringing White in and taking out their resistance.  I suggest you coordinate a rescue operation in case we…"  He paused as a particularly heavy spasm wracked his upper body.  Deck reached out and grabbed his shoulder.

          "YOU HEARD THE MAN!!!"  Deck shouted.  "LET'S MOVE OUT PEOPLE!!!"  His officers remained behind just long enough for one of them to make a comment that both the Colonel and Logan overheard.

          "He was into their security in under three minutes."  The Captain muttered obviously in awe of Logan's abilities.

          "What are you doing now?"  Deck asked.

          "What's that look like to you?"  Logan asked.  The tech leaned over and checked it out.  "Is that what I think it is?"

          "I can't see.  It's too dark."  The tech said.  Lydecker was practically leaning over Logan to get a good look.

          "Let me see if they linked through their computer system…"  Logan muttered.  "BINGO!"  He shouted and suddenly all monitors showing security angles lit up in green night vision.  The three men were staring at two entire squads of Phalanx warriors suiting up for combat in the basement.  "Max."

          "Yeah?'  She whispered.

          "They know you are in the building.  There are two full squads armed in the basement."  Logan said.

          "Everyone get that?"  Max asked.

          "How does he know?"  Suede asked.

          "Because I'm watching them put on their body armor right now."  Logan said.  "Now stay sharp and shoot to kill."  Logan said.

          "Couldn't have put it better myself."  Max said.  "Stay frosty people.  I've got company…"  She quieted for just an instant before the three men at base could hear an audible pop.  "That's one."  Max said.

          "I've got two."  Biggs offered.

          "Dammit."  Alec muttered.  "I don't have money for this.  I'm a bike messenger."

          "Knock it off Alec."  Lydecker said.  "My people are moving out as we speak.  You will be reinforced in ten minutes."  He said over Logan's shoulder.

          "I can see the drone."  Max said.  "Hold position."

          "Holding."  The tech said.  Logan nodded.

          "On your mark unless you get pinned down."  Logan said.

          "Understood."  Max called back.  Someone shouted over the comm-link and all hell broke loose.  "So much for silent and deadly.  How about loud and violent?"  She asked.  Logan watched her and Jondy rush two guards exiting a room.  They dropped the two men quickly and moved down the hall.

          "I'm hit!"  A transgenic shouted.  "It's not bad."

          "Secure an exit and hold position."  Suede shouted.  "We'll find you on our way out."

          "Understood."  The young man said.  Logan flipped the monitor displays until he found a limping teenager heading for a back room near a fire exit.

          "Soldier hit."  He shouted.  "You're way is clear to the window.  I'll watch your back as much as I can." 

          "Thanks."

          "Bring it on."  CeCe said.  Logan again flipped the monitors just in time to see Alec screaming into a room with eight armed suits standing inside.  CeCe was dropping one and reaching for a second.  "Three."  She shouted.  "Make that four."

          "Dammit!"  Alec cussed again.  "Even the girls…"

          Alec dropped two to their knees with a spinning kick before snapping one neck and gagging another with a sharp throat shot.  He turned on the third guy just as CeCe moved on her fourth.  Alec faced off against the last suit but found out the hard way that he was a cult member.  CeCe joined him against the smiling suit.

          "I've got the twins."  Jondy shouted.

          "I'm right behind you."  Max called after her.

          Deck nudged Logan and pointed at the Phalanx warriors lining up to head up into the battle.

          "Do it."  Logan said before Deck could.  "Use the drone to cut them off."  The tech nodded.  Deck smiled.  He knew Logan had the potential he was looking for.

          "Max.  I'm sending in the drone to hit the Phalanx before they get to you.  I won't get them all."  He said.  He knew she couldn't answer.  She was facing off against the super-twins with Jondy at her side.  Logan could see a big brother walking into the room behind them.  He was about to warn her when she stepped aside and let the giant of a man step between her and Jondy.

          "Who are they?"  Suede asked.

          "Meat."  Max said.  The fight began.  Logan and Lydecker watched as Max feinted to the right in front of Suede.  Jondy seemed to disappear and reappear behind Max as both girls went for the same wall running along it to attack the first twin.  Suede wasn't so poetic.  He just stepped forward and reached for the second twin.

          Max attacked high while Jondy attacked low.  She swept the man's leg as Max delivered a flurry of blows to his face.  He went down on one knee and Jondy switched her footing to kick straight up between his legs.  He howled as Max spun behind him and elbowed him twice.  Once on each side of his head as she spun around behind him.  The twin was dazed but not down.  He lashed out catching Jondy with an open backhand spinning her into her next attack with a furious look on her face and a wild scream from her throat.  Both twins were shocked by the noise giving Max and Suede time to gain the upper hand.  Suede stepped around and came up behind the first twin and grabbed the head in his big hands.  The neck popped loud over Suede's comm unit and the body fell limp.  Max moved around behind her twin as Jondy delivered a second kick into the crotch and Max used the wall for leverage to launch herself up and over his head.  His body went limp when she landed.  She turned and looked at the security camera.

          "That's my girl."  Logan said.  "I've got the drone moving on the warriors coming from the basement."

          "Where is White?"  Max demanded.

          "I don't know."  Logan said.  "I'm still looking for him."

          "I'm engaging the enemy."  The tech said.  He was running the hover-drone.

          Logan punched some keys.  Something switched and the television some of the soldiers had been watching started to crackle and pop with the familiar sound of the Eyes Only scrolling back drop.  "Hold position."  Logan said.  The tech glanced over before looking at Lydecker.  Deck nodded so the tech waited.

          "This is Eyes Only."  Logan started.

          "What are you doing?"  Max demanded.  She was still staring into the security camera.

          "This Satellite hack is for Ames White.  Eyes Only is watching you Ames.  Your Phalanx troops are being broadcast live for all to see.  You have been exposed to the world.  You're secret is out."  Gunfire erupted in the room as some of Suede's team made it to the lowest level followed by Biggs and Krit.  The Phalanx troops began their counter-attack.

          "Open fire."  Deck said quietly.  The Tech did just that.  Three of the warriors fell immediately.  Several more took shots before they fell into cover away from the hover-drone.

          "You will not get away with this.  Eyes Only protects The Children of Manticore now.  You will not harm them.  You will not kill any more of them.  You will fail in the task the government has set before you."  Logan dropped the voice over but continued to follow the battle.  The tech was quite adept with the twin .45 caliber floating weapon.  The transgenics had taken fire and some were wounded but the Phalanx had been forced to break and run for cover.  Logan was monitoring.

          Out of the corner of the camera, Logan and Deck both caught some movement.  "Over there."  Deck directed the tech where to fly the hover-drone.  They caught White heading for the main dock of the old warehouse heading for the outside.

          Logan switched his communications grid for a quick second.  "Max.  I've got White.  He's heading for the loading dock on the east side of the building.  You're closest.  Go."  He said as he switched back to the Eyes Only link.  "Ames White."  His electronically altered voice boomed over the loudspeaker on the drone and through every TV in Seattle and most of the rest of the remaining United States.  "Eyes Only is watching you.  The whole nation can see you run like the coward you are.  You kill children and you don't want anyone to know about it.  Well everyone knows about it now, Amy.  Eyes Only has proof and will use it."  White stopped near a large black suburban.  He turned and faced the hover-drone with a heavy pistol in his hand.  Logan knew Max wasn't going to get there in time.  "Until The Children of Manticore are free, you will have no peace."  Logan said.  The word Peace echoed as White fired.  Logan froze his image on the screen for a full minute so everyone could get a good look at his face.

          "I'm almost there."  Max said.  Logan was powering down the Eyes Only hack.  When it was off, he unfroze the picture and tried to pull up the display but white had shot the lens on the camera.  "I see the drone."  Max called but Logan and Deck already knew.  "He got away."  She announced.  "I see Deck's troops coming in."  She said.  "I've also got three helicopters on the opposite side of the sector."  Max said.

          "I didn't send any choppers."  Deck said.  "My teams are on the ground."

          "Then who are they?"  Max asked.  "Wait a minute…"  She mumbled.  "I've got visual.  It's Cooper.  It's the Fifth Column guy and he's landing in the parking lot."

          Sporadic gunfire could be heard.  Biggs shouted that the Phalanx had been broken and the few remaining were running.  Deck reached out and again took Logan's shoulder in his hand.

          "Max.  Get your teams out of there."  Logan said.  Deck smiled.  The young man knew what he had been thinking.  "This is Logan.  Everyone, I repeat, everyone.  Clear the area."

          "Logan.  I'm going to talk to Cooper."  Max said.

          "Follow her."  Logan muttered to the tech.  "I'll try to get you some eyes."  Logan punched the keyboard frantically trying to find an outside security camera.  He finally got one from the corner of the building.  "It'll have to do.  Cover her."

          "You're a little late."  Max said.

          "You shouldn't be here."  Cooper said.

          "You waited until we were finished, didn't you?"  She demanded.

          "This is our war."  Cooper said.  "We will police our own.  You have one minute to leave the premises.  We will clean the site."  The tall man said.  Several of his troops dropped from the choppers as Deck's teams were disappearing on their way out of the sector.  Cooper's choppers flew away after dropping their squads.  "You are wasting time."

          "What if we don't go?"

          "We are here to clean the site.  Do not stay here."

          "Is that a threat?"  Max asked.  She snapped her fingers.  On her cue, several transgenics seemed to phase out of shadow or from behind objects where they had hidden themselves before Cooper's arrival.  He looked over Max toward the building and could see at least five weapons trained on his position from windows within the building.

          "Very well done.  I'm impressed.  You have proven your abilities and your effectiveness."  He smiled.  He tapped his watch.  "You only have thirty seconds."  He said.  His eyes led her gaze to a caravan of trucks and equipment heading into the parking lot.  "We are not your enemy."

          "The enemy of my enemy is my friend?"  Max asked.

          "It is an old proverb but a sound one."  Cooper said.  He smiled as he stared into Max.  She stared back.  A quick hand gesture and the transgenics seemed to simply phase into their surroundings and disappear.

          "Impressive."  Jon Cooper muttered as Max turned and disappeared into the shadows.  He looked up at the hover-drone.  "Eyes Only?"

          "What do you want?"  Logan asked over the drone's mic.

          "She is an impressive adversary.  I am glad we are on the same side.  As for you, your broadcast was effective if ill-conceived."

          "I am protecting The Children of Manticore from those that would do them harm.  White is such a person.  I will stop him."  Logan announced.

          "Not if we stop him first."  Cooper said.  He turned and started shouting orders to his men.  Logan punched a few keys and the drone left the tech's control and started its return trip home.  He pulled his cell and dialed his home phone.

          "Boo, your boy…"  Original Cindy started but Logan cut her off.

          "OC.  I'm sending something back to the penthouse.  Have Bennett open the sun roof access panel and clear the floor underneath.  I can't explain right now but it'll be there in five minutes."

          "Sure thing, Sugga."  She said.  Logan disconnected the call.  He punched a key and called for Max.

          "Max.  ETA?"

          "Twenty minutes.  We cleared out and I picked up something you'll need to look at.  CeCe found one as well.  It's a book written in a strange language with symbols I've never seen before."

          "Who's coming with you?"  Deck asked.

          "Just us.  Suede and his team have disappeared.  We don't know where they went and they are running silent.  I don't know if they even have their communications." 

          "We do."  Suede said suddenly.  "Biggs knows how to contact us if Max and the Rogues or Eyes Only needs a team again.  We'll be around."  The signal went dead after that.

          Logan smiled.  So did Deck.  His kids had proven themselves in combat.  Several were wounded but none had been killed.  "I'll see you when you get back here."  He said.

          "Yeah."  Max said.  "See you soon."  He knew she was smiling.

          Deck grabbed Logan's shoulder.  "The sergeant can power all this down.  It's time for your last treatment today."  The Colonel said.

          "What do you mean today?"  Logan asked.  He punched a few keys and severed the link to his machine and erased the code he used to link to it.  The Tech would never be able to trace anything Logan had just done.

          "I'm leaving you with a single full dose to be used in two weeks.  The Doctor will explain it to you.  I have some work to do."  Deck said.  "You have to take this for the treatment to be effective.  The treatment in two weeks is a necessary boost to reinforce what is already there.  It is not necessary but recommended."

          Logan contemplated the Colonel for a short time.  He knew Lydecker wasn't telling him the whole truth but his desire to be back on his feet as much for himself as for Max was just too powerful for him to resist.  "I want to know one thing, Colonel.  I want the truth."

          "What is it son?"  Deck asked.

          "Why are you doing this?"  Logan asked.

          "Because you protect Max.  Because Max protects you."  Deck said.  "I am giving you the strength and ability to do it better than you have been.  I understand you have saved her life in the past.  I know you went into Manticore alone to get her out and you saved the lives of all of the children inside.  I have no doubts about your ability to protect Max and the Rogues let alone the rest of the children."  He paused.  The look on Logan's face was less than accepting.  "I have worked with recombinant DNA and genetic enhancement for years now.  I have the technology to fix you.  This is all I am doing."  He said.  "For you and for Max."

          "I know what you are doing."  Logan said.  "I still don't know why."

          Lydecker smiled before he walked away leaving Logan sitting in the wheelchair as the greasy doctor approached with a strange smile on his face.