AN: This was too long coming and nobody probably cares too much anymore, but alas I have finally gotten to it. Big thanks to Sorrow for reading it's waffle and actually inspiring me to just dig in and write. She's always a champ! (Check out to find out just how cool she is!). Anyway, hope people enjoy this. There's lots of fun to come, just can't wait to get to it! ~Mel
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Chapter one : deployment
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The images flashed before his eyes. Images of him, of the traitor, 494.
It had been like this everyday of the past three months. Commander White was teaching him how to be a soldier again, preparing him for the most important mission he would ever face.
He knew that 494 was his twin. Commander White informed him of that. He knew that 494 was psychotic, a killer. Ben had seen the files of his past missions. Read about the girl and how he had disposed of her. 494 was about to do it to Max as well, the only girl that Ben had ever loved and not as a sister. As so much more. Ben would never allow 494 to hurt her.
He filled his lungs and drew back his thoughts, human emotions weakened a soldier, weakened the mind. Commander White had been teaching him well.
Ben looked at the blade that was cutting at his leg. Pain was also weakness, a simple emotion that White had taught him to ignore. He turned his head slightly and watched as the shining metal sliced across his skin, blood flowing as the incision deepened. He ran his hand across the numerous scars, each healing at rapid pace. His lip curled as the blade turned, a smile releasing his lips.
White would be so proud, Ben was beginning to enjoy it.
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"And you believe that you are ready for you mission 493?"
"Yes Sir."
White paced in front of Ben, his hand rubbing at his chin as he chewed the side of his cheek.
"Your progress has been impressive 493."
White moved closer to Ben and placed a welcoming hand on his shoulder.
"You've made you commander proud."
White placed a warm smile on his face, but snickered inwardly. What was it with these freaks and the ease of getting them to trust him? He'd always thought that he had a hard face, an unwelcoming presence, but perhaps they saw him as a big cuddly teddy bear. A teddy that, if 493 made a wrong move, would rip his head clean off his shoulders.
White was unable to suppress the smirk that moved across his face at that very thought. Sure 493 had been a good little soldier, but change a digit in the freaks designation and he had a winner. But seeing the life drain from 494 at the hands of his own face was going to hold so much more pleasure. White's thoughts and needs for carnage were held to a flame called 452. 493 and 494's precious 'Max'. He'd be sure that they were both still alive to watch…he wasn't quite sure what he would do with her yet. So many fantasies to choose from. He had to at least thank his father for making the transgenic piece of filth to last. He'd be able to perform several of said fantasies before 452 would take her last breath.
White finally turned to Ben, who stood as a stone statue, awaiting his orders. He circled him slowly, being sure to take heavy domineering strides. He just loved the power trip.
"I want one more week of intense training soldier. Then you will be deployed."
"Yes Sir."
White grinned once more as 493 barked his understanding. He wondered if controlling other transgenics would be this easy. Perhaps after all this time, all he had to do was walk into Terminal City and tell them he was their Superior. The abominations may well believe him.
White took in 493's face and thought he saw…was that a smirk?
"What are you-" White cleared his throat, remembering he was playing 'Military Commander'. "What do you find so amusing soldier?"
White crossed his hands across his chest.
"Nothing amusing Sir."
White moved in closer, breathing hot breath on 493's face. Ben towered over White, but this did not effect the man's dominance.
"Then what is the reason for the smirk?"
Ben shifted his eyes slightly, then sent White a devilish gaze.
"Just looking forward to the final week of training Sir."
He had tried to keep his voice in a deep monotone, but his excitement slipped through. White let it pass, though he was interested whether this excitement was due to his deployment, or the actual training. White suspected it was the latter, knowing the thrill of watching a blade being sliced through your skin and feeling no more than a pleasurable burn. Perhaps 493 would have made a fine Familiar, if he wasn't a genetically enhanced piece of scum.
"Very well then 493, you are dismissed."
Ben nodded as he saluted the man he saw as his leader. He turned on his heel and exited the room.
White chose to stay at the facility for the afternoon. He had underplayed it beautifully, but he was intrigued by 493's performance. Never had he been this confident about going up against 452.
He silently prayed to his father that his freak would bring him results, thanked him for never being satisfied with his work and making clones in the process. Though he had wished he'd thought of a different way to identify them. All these numbers were making his head hurt, not to mention the barcodes! Though he refused to ever call them by the names they had acquired. These names represented a form of humanity, something that White wouldn't even grant an animal. He would put them all down like one however, but he wouldn't be kind and 'put them to sleep', he'd rip them limb by limb and watch with delight as the blood pouring from their bodies drained them of a life they never deserved.
Quite content with the image that rested in his mind, White left the room. He would go from one pleasurable thought to another as he watched 493's training. The thought of 493's hand snapping 494's neck.
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Camaraderie was high within Terminal City. Things had been going well, everyone finally seemed to be getting along and there was a calm that almost made it feel like…home.
Max often sat watching her fellow transgenics, her family. If she knew how to use one, she would have a camera by her side, capturing all those tiny moments of happiness that were beginning to slip into everyone's life. As she looked around she felt a wave of assurance, that everything was going to be alright. They were going to make it…she was beginning to believe it.
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"And you're clear on your mission soldier?"
White paced the room once again, his hands held steadily behind his back. It was amazing, the power that surged through your body as you passed back and forth in front of, what even he had to admit, was a well trained killing machine and knowing he wouldn't touch you. Whether it was fear or stupidity, White didn't care. He had the power and that was all that mattered.
"Yes Sir. I have been briefed several times on my mission Sir."
White smirked at 493, "Would you say too much soldier? Are you about to complain to me?"
Ben straightened up more than was humanly possible. "Not at all Sir. I requested the extra briefings. I'm a good soldier Sir and want to prove that to you."
White stopped directly in front of Ben, letting out a long sigh that showed his obvious boredom. He was glad he'd always been a fairly rash person, all this training and planning was so dull.
"And what will you do to prove to me that you are a good soldier 493?"
"Bring 494's head back on a pike Sir."
White smiled and he saw that Ben was doing everything in his power to not do the same. "The pike's not important 493, just the head. Now what must you do to complete the mission?"
"Bring Ma-452 back to you Sir, for her safety."
White slapped him across the back. "Good work soldier. You are to deploy at 2300 hours. Get some rest before you leave."
"Yes Sir."
Ben turned to White and saluted before exiting the room.
White couldn't help himself, he knew it was cliché, but he rubbed his hands together as he contemplated the possible results of his evil plan.
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Ben tried to get the rest White had told him to have, but he felt strange. He didn't know whether it was excitement for going on this mission, or fear of seeing Max again. The last time they saw each other things didn't turn out for the best. But she wouldn't see him this time. Not until he could be sure she would accept his presence again.
He knew there was no way that she could not accept him. He was saving her and returning her to Commander White where she would be safe. Where no one could hurt her.
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White watched as Ben moved away from the vehicle, just a few blocks away from Terminal City. His face gleamed as his plan started to take effect. He supposed that if he had one of those curly moustache's he'd be twisting it right about now and in no time he'd have 452 tied to the train tracks. But there would be no hero to save the damsel in this tale. White had made sure of that.
An incessant high pitch ring brought White out of his thoughts. Finally realising it was his phone, he removed it from his jacket and flipped it open.
"White?…Are you sure?…Good. Be sure not to hurt him, just hold him back as long as you can."
White slide the cover of his phone shut and turned the engine key. As his car came to life, White basked in his thoughts of glory once more. This time, he would not fail.
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Alec's ears pricked as he heard the footsteps behind him. He wasn't in the mood for any trouble that night. He had just gone on a quick errand, nothing special. Why did he always have to step into something?
He heard the footsteps again and stopped suddenly. He suppressed a laugh when he heard the person behind him fumble. Amateurs! He flung himself around and the two men behind him jumped a mile into the air. Alec shook his head.
"Fellas, do we need some lessons in the art of tracking?" He raised an eyebrow to the fearful twosome. "Step one, don't move so close to the subject, that they can hear you breathing."
Alec took a step closer to them, the two men were frozen in place.
"Step two. When the subject stops, it's a good idea to make yourself scarce, no one wants to get caught in the act."
He took another step closer.
"Step three," A large devilish grin moved across his face, "If you're tracking a transgenic, he's made you and is now standing just a meter in front of you…run."
His grin grew wider as the two men looked at each other, turned and bolted in the opposite direction. Sometimes it was just too easy!
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He walked toward the front entrance of TC. The national guard seemed to be bored with the situation, or at least the four men stationed in the area were. Each soundly asleep. He slipped by the vans and made his way to the side entrance.
A young X-6 was stationed at the gateway. He was fairly lanky, obviously still growing, but his eyes were steady as the scanned the area. A smile moved across his face as he saw him approach and gracious nod given.
"Hey Alec. Everything go okay on the outside?"
"Yeah, no problems."
"Good."
The X-6 pulled the wires fence across further, assisting his entry. The two exchanged nods once more before parting ways.
He couldn't help it., he had to smile. It hadn't expected it to be hard, but not that easy either. But Ben was in Terminal City now and his mission was truly underway.
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