Endure No More.
Part 6.
Disclaimer: If it has anything to do with Dark Angel or its production company, then it's not mine. I wish I did own something, but I don't.
Author's Note: And the voice of reason returns, or in this case the voice of contrariness. For those of you who wanted to know what was happening to Alec this is for you. Thank zac for persuading me in chat that everyone wanted to know what was happening to him.
~~~~ **** ~~~~
Five weeks had passed since Alec had left TC. It appeared as though White had taken a vacation because nothing had been heard from him in the last two months, and the ordinaries had calmed down over time. The novelty of the transgenic threat had worn off. She hadn't been oblivious to what was happening in TC. Everything was running smoothly without her input, therefore she didn't see the need to assert her leadership role just yet. That and the fact that she didn't have Alec to back her up and so no one would listen to her anyway.
Four weeks had passed since Max came up with her plan. The plan was simple, hack into the Eyes Only computer and hijack the next broadcast. The problem was Max had no idea what to say. She had spent the last four weeks trying to decide what to say, but nothing sounded right. Her broadcast had to be perfect. She needed to think fast because Dix had found out that Logan was planning another Eyes Only broadcast next Friday. This meant it was time to do some serious thinking, instead of serious moping.
"What am I going to say? OK this has to be good. It needs to be something that will make it impossible for Alec to not contact me. Umm . . . think brain, think."
"Plan on breaking a habit of a life time are you?" piped up the voice inside her head
"Oh god, you're back."
"Course I am. You didn't think I'd stay away for ever did you?"
"It was worth a try."
"Ya know ya missed me."
"Yeah right - like a hole in the head."
"No wonder Alec left if that's they way you treat people wanting to try and help you. Emphasise on the trying to help. You never were good at accepting help were ya?"
"Oh please," she drawled. "I can too accept help."
"When? "Give me an example of when you accepted help - graciously."
"You never specified graciously," she grumbled
"See, told ya."
"Just shut up and let me think."
"Or what? You'll kick my ass. Good luck in trying, considering I'm inside your head."
"AARRGGHHH. You're just as bad as Alec."
"Just doing my job."
"Well if you are going to hang around the least you could is help me come up with a great speech that will make Alec come back, or at least contact me."
"Thinking never was your forté so I suppose I had better help."
Trying to come up with the perfect speech was not as easy as Max thought it would be. Having never expressed her feelings before she was unsure where to start and how to go about it.
"How about starting at the start. It's generally a good place to start," the voice uttered sarsasticly.
Start at the start. Good advice, but where was the start? Should she start with an apology, or just go straight in and tell Alec she loved him? Should she try and use emotional blackmail or saying TC needed him? Those latter options were quickly thrown away. In the first place she didn't really want Alec to be forced back to TC if he truly didn't want to come back. And secondly she knew both Mole and Dix would pull the plug on the broadcast if that was the tactic she was going to use. She knew it had to be perfect and she didn't want to blow her chance. She hadn't formulated a back-up plan yet.
"OK, how's this for a start?" This was getting scary, she was actually conversing with the voice now.
"This is a streaming video broadcast . . . yada, yada, yada. You know the drill. It'll last until I've said what I want to say."
"And . . . Where's the rest?" asked the voice.
"That's all I've got so far," replied Max sheepishly.
"Oh brother. I can see this is going to take a while. Wake me up when you have more written."
"Great help you are," mumbled Max to herself.
~~~~ **** ~~~~
Mole and Dix looked at each other. They both heard something that sounded strangely like a cell phone. Only thing was neither of them owned one and they were the only people in headquarters at the moment. Being transhumans it didn't take them too long to find the source of the ringing - Alec's phone. The questions of "what the fuck is Alec's phone doing here, and why is it ringing?" could be seen in both of their eyes.
Shrugging, Mole answered the phone. "What?"
"Hey buddy, what's up?" answered Alec.
"Alec, what are you doing calling here so soon? We weren't expecting to here from you in weeks."
I had to call and let you know that I've joined up with another group of transgenics up here in Canada."
"There's another group?" questioned Mole.
Yeah. Remember all the transgenics and people that Logan helped out of the city, well they are all here. It's sort of like a commune, but not really. We stick to ourselves and it's great."
"Hmm . . . sounds like TC to me."
"Nah. It's so different from TC that you wouldn't believe it. The countryside around here is so beautiful and clean. None of that toxic waste you guys have to deal with at TC. And the people are great. Not having the threat of being hunted down like animals does amazing things to people."
"I bet it does. But I thought you were planning on living like an ordinary, you know with a real job, an apartment and all that type of stuff."
"Well I was going to. Then I realised that life is so much better being around people who know, understand and accept you. I couldn't be bothered trying to hide who I am, especially when there is no need. Anyway we all come and go as we please here. Many of us have got jobs in the town close by so it's the best of both worlds. Have a somewhat 'normal' life, while being around family and friends. What more could a guy ask for?
"Sounds great."
"Anyway the main reason for calling was to let you know that that if any of the younger ones want to come here, they can. I've set up a network of safe houses from TC to here as well as reliable means of transport. We thought we would start with the younger ones first, and then hopefully one day everyone will be here. But it will have to be a gradual process. We don't want the Familiars and White knowing what we are doing."
"You've been busy. I'll let them know and then I'll have the numbers for you next time you call."
"Thanks Mole. Anyway I had better get going."
"Hang on. Dix wants to talk to you, or at least that's what I think his arm circling is all about," said Mole as he quickly shoved the phone at Dix.
"Hey Dix. How's the computers?"
"Fine, fine. Anyway what's happening with you then? Are you happy, having fun?"
"Whoa, what's with all the questions? This isn't for Max is it?"
"No, no, of course not," said Dix, just a little too quickly.
"Hmmmm. If you say so. I believe you, thousands wouldn't. Just remember. Tell. Max. Nothing. And I mean nothing. My life is so much simpler up here and I'm loving it."
"That's great Alec, really it is."
"Anyway how's things in TC?"
"They're good. Everything still runs as though you were here at the helm. All the procedures and operations that you set up for the running of TC are running smoothly. Just as well because Max . . ."
"Dix, what did I tell you."
"Fine, sorry. I won't mention Max again."
"Thank you."
"Do you have a tv there? I can't imagine you surviving without your 'boob tube'."
"Yeah I do. I can't imagine myself surviving without my 'boob tube' either."
"That's good. I hear there's going to be a programme about us next Friday night. Are you going to watch it?"
"Yeah. I want to see how they have portrayed us all, and how much of their information is correct. What time is it on again?"
"Starts at 7 o'clock."
"That's good. It'll finish in plenty of time for me to get to the bar and talk to the fine ladies up here."
"Still got a thing for the ladies I see. You haven't learnt your lesson already?"
"Oh I've learnt my lesson alright. Make sure that the woman is at least interested before even attempting to get involved. And the biggest lesson - never get the heart involved until there is a deep friendship first."
"But remember the heart doesn't always listen to the head."
"Well my heart will. It's been damaged twice already. I'm not letting it happen again - EVER. Anyway I have to go. A group of us are heading to the mountains for a bit of fun. I just thought I would call and let you know I'm alright."
"Ok. Great to talk to you. Don't forget next Friday at 7pm."
"I won't. Say hi to everyone for me. Bye."
"Bye Alec."
Mole looked at Dix. He couldn't believe what he had done.
"Don't ya think you were pushing the whole watching tv just a bit much?"
"Well I want to make sure he sees it. Don't tell me you like having Max around the way she is, all mopey and miserable?"
"Personally, I can't tell the difference. I thought that was just her. At least this time she's miserable over someone worthwhile."
"Come on Mole, have a heart. She loves Alec."
"Well she's got a strange way of showing it."
"Yeah well, what do you expect from an 09'er? She doesn't know what she is, an ordinary or a transgenic."
"Don't give me that crap. She knows exactly what she is, she just refused to admit it until Alec left."
"Well better late than never."
"Ha! If you say so."
All was quiet for about five minutes. Neither having anything to say, but both having a million and one questions racing through their heads. The most important question being whether Max's plan would work. Alec sounded really happy. He was getting on with his life, making new friends and finding himself. Sure he had locked his heart away, but they didn't blame him in the least for that. After the damage that Max had inflicted on it, it was to be expected.
"Do you think Max's plan will work?" Dix asked quietly.
"I don't know, I just don't know," replied Mole just as quietly.