Transgenic: A Hybrid Heresy

By AntipodeanOpaleye

Disclaimer: Everything you recognize from any other source either doesn't belong to me or is a purely coincidental occurrence. Anything that you've never seen probably belongs to me. I write for enjoyment and no copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: Oh my goodness! I've made it to Chapter Five! I apologize for the delay, I got sick, and then I had some other things to take care of. But anyway, I'm back now. Again, I want to thank Johan for looking over this chapter before it was posted, and giving me the suggestions and motivation I needed to get to work on this. Thank You For All Of Your Help!!! Also, to all of my reviewers, you are pretty much the only reason this went farther than another abandoned one chapter piece. You definitely make me a more motivated writer. You are all so awesome!

Anyway, hope you like it!







Chapter Five: Emotional











"Max," he breathed, not having to turn around to identify her voice. Hell, everything about the figure standing behind him was familiar enough that he didn't have to second guess who it was. "Yeah, it was Journey." He slowly turned to face her. He was surprised to find that she was staring at the smooth floor, hugging herself tightly. He moved slowly over to her.

"That was nice," she whispered to the floor.

"Uhh, thanks," he muttered, beginning his own conversation with the tile he was standing on.

"You're a decent singer, too," Max said slowly, embarrassment of a sort lacing her voice.

Alec laughed almost nervously. "I didn't come here to sing. I guess I got, well, carried away."

Max smiled slightly. "I guess."

An awkward silence settled on the two of them, and it was obvious that they were both affected by it. Max began swirling her foot childishly, and Alec shifted sporadically from one foot the other.

"Are you gonna play some more?" Max asked tentatively, finally raising her eyes from the floor. Alec followed suit, eyeing her questioningly in response.

"Probably not," he answered quietly, tilting his head slightly, evaluating her. "Why?"

"I guess I was thinking about sticking around if you were gonna play some more," Max spoke casually, though the speed of her words betrayed her uneasiness.

"Oh you were, were you?" Alec asked somewhat sarcastically. "And what if I don't play for an audience?"

Max didn't say a word, but shoved him lightly in response to his comment. Alec quickly searched her face for a smile, but there wasn't one.

Alec sighed. "Got any requests?" he asked, conforming to playing a few more songs. He walked over to the piano bench, expecting Max to follow him but she simply remained standing where she was, staring at the floor. Alec moved over to her once again, closing the gap between them even more effectively than he had before. He placed his hand under her chin and tilted her head upward to face him.

"Max," he whispered, his eyes locked with hers, which were more melancholy than he'd ever seen them. Except perhaps the night she'd told him about Ben.

"Max, what is it," he said in a low, gentle, but firm voice. She opened her mouth slightly as if to answer him, but nothing came out. Alec knew that something of importance was seriously bothering her when he saw a single tear make its way down her cheek.

"What's wrong, Max?" he asked again, more demanding this time. He placed his hands firmly on her shoulders.

"Everything's wrong, Alec," she whispered her voice shaky. "I'm not cut out for this. I can't save these people from the inevitable. I can't save them from the world, Alec. I just can't." In a second, she buried her head into Alec's chest, her slow tears turning to racking sobs. And Alec held her small, shaking, figure tightly as she cried. After she regained her composure, she lifted her head to meet Alec's gaze.

"I don't think I can do this," she said unevenly, her eyes lost and confused.

"Of course you can," Alec said reassuringly.

"Not like this Alec," she said dejectedly. And then, more softly, "Not alone."

"You're not alone, Maxie," he said.

"I feel alone," Max said as she clung to Alec, sobbing once more. "I feel so alone."

"It's okay, Maxie. It's okay," he said softly, stroking her hair. He led her to the small off-white sofa in the corner, and they sat down on it, side by side. Max proceeded to sob into the night, crying herself to sleep. And Alec remained there at her side, her small head resting peacefully on his lap.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *







Alec continued to stare at Max's sleeping figure for what seemed like hours. After consulting his watch, he realized it was already 1:17 AM. He sighed slightly. He hadn't gotten a decent night's sleep in days. He tilted his head back and rested it casually against the top of the sofa.

He was somewhat hurt that Max felt so alone when he'd done everything he could think of to help her, to make her responsibilities less burdening. But he couldn't blame her. He felt alone, and he bet that most people did. Wasn't she entitled to that same privilege? Or that same curse, depending on how you looked at it.

He was still surprised that she'd actually shown any type of emotion, and then that she'd shown in it front of him, of all people. Not that he regretted her doing so; he was more than willing to lend a shoulder for her to cry on. He only wished he could trust himself enough to allow her to return the favor. But he wouldn't, he was too proud. He was.

Shaken from his thought by a noise outside.

The Fulton Building was near the perimeter of TC, and Alec could tell that the voices were coming from beyond Terminal City limits.

He slowly rose from the sofa, gently laying Max's head on the cushion underneath. He quickly made his way to the window on the other side of the room, looking out to get a better look at the intruders.

There was a pair; a male and a female. Alec couldn't tell if they were transgenics, but if they were, they had to be pretty dense. They were displaying no regard for circumspect whatsoever, and it bothered Alec that there were such flagrant transgenics, or humans, for that matter, roaming around. It was that fact the motivated Alec to 'teach' these two a lesson in discretion.

There was a small balcony outside the window, which Alec perched himself on. He watched the pair intently as he leaped silently from the descending balconies on each of the lower floors. Near the ground, he vaulted the fence dividing TC from the rest of the world and reached the alleyway he'd aimed for.

Alec now knew the two people were transgenics, due to the fact that they turned at the small sound of his landing, a sound that no Ordinary would have heard. Alec stepped quickly into the shadows of the building, and the pair approaching him continued to walk, obviously searching for an entrance to Terminal City. Alec decided to listen in on their conversation for a few moments before closing in.

"I can't believe I let you lead us here!" the female hissed at the male.

"You wouldn't have done any better a job!" the male shot back at her.

"The hell I wouldn't have," the female muttered. "All the shit we went through? The walking, the Sector Cops, the mobs, I couldn't have avoided that? My ass."

"Let's just get in here so that we can find them," the man told her dejectedly.

It was at this point that Alec made his move.

He took them by surprise, grabbing them both forcefully from behind, and flipping them to on their backs, forcing them to the ground. They struggled, but Alec maintained the upper hand. He moved between them, keeping each of them in a loose, but threatening stranglehold.

"Well, well, well," he said amusedly, his face still hidden in the shadows cast by the many structures in the alley. "What do we have here? A couple of very ignorant transgenics, from the looks of it. You should watch yourselves a little more carefully, you know. This isn't exactly a transgenic friendly neighborhood, you know. Not really a safe place to be acting so oblivious. Anyone could have head you." He paused, studying the pair. "What are you? X5?"

"What's it to you?" The female said in a dangerous undertone.

"A lot more than you might think," Alec said sarcastically. "From what I hear, you're looking for a way in? To find someone?"

The male spoke this time. "Something like that."

"Why do you wanna know?" the female hissed.

"Maybe I can help you out," Alec replied quickly, wanting to know what they were up to. "Who ya lookin' for?"

"Why should we tell you?" the man snapped back. "We don't even know who you are. How can we trust you?"

Alec released his hold on the two and stood. The pair straightened up as well, rotating their somewhat sore necks. Alec stepped out of the shadows towards the couple. He was taken aback when they both gasped upon seeing him.

"Ben?" the man asked, disbelieving.

"It that you?" the woman asked him.

"You're Max's siblings," Alec deduced aloud, not answering either of the questions directed towards him.

"Who the hell are you?" the man asked dangerously.

"I would be Alec. Ben's identical twin. And you are?"

"Krit," the man stepped forward, offering his hand, which Alec shook firmly.

"Syl," the woman said as she came towards Alec and did the same.

"So I was right in saying you were in Max's unit?"

"Yeah," Krit said skeptically. "How would you know?"

"You thought I was Ben," Alec said simply. "So did Max."

"Max's dead." Syl said, venom lacing her voice.

"Max? Dead? Unlikely. Dead to the world, maybe. I didn't think she could sleep so soundly, what with that shark DNA. I just left her to come and see what was going on out here."

"Max died at Manticore, a year ago," Krit said regretfully.

"Wait just a minute. We can't be talking about the same Max. We're talking Max, X5-452, girl power guru, bike messenger, cat burglar Max, right?"

"Yeah, but you forgot dead," Syl said bitterly.

Alec stared at them, dumbfounded. "You've got to be kidding me. Look, I'll show her to ya. But I wouldn't recommend a big family reunion tonight, she's a bit, out of sorts, so to speak. Wait for tomorrow. Work for you?"

"Sure, where is she?" Krit asked, still not believing Alec's claim.

"You up for some climbing?" Alec asked with a grin.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



"All right, this is it," Alec whispered as he reached the balcony. "Just stay quiet, take a look, and then I'll get you two a place to stay for tonight. We can get you some nicer accommodations in the morning."

"Sure, thanks," Syl said distractedly, obviously curious to see who Alec claimed was her sister.

Alec climbed through first, opening the window wider so that it would be easier for the others to get in. He silently walked to the sofa where Max was still sleeping. He smiled at the content look on her face.

Krit and Syl followed closely, staring unblinkingly at their obviously living sister. It was obvious she'd changed; she looked so grown up since the last time they'd seen her. Syl knelt down next to her, looking her over, as if confirming that she was the real thing, 100% authentic Max. She smiled at Max's sleeping figure, tears streaming slowly down her cheeks as she lightly grabbed her sister's hand.

"Welcome back, Max," she whispered as she stood, moving aside for Krit to see.

Krit knelt as Syl did, smiling at his sister. He gently brushed a stray piece of her long, dark hair off her face, a single tear running down his left cheek.

"We missed you, Maxie," he said softly as he stood and joined Syl. They walked toward the door, Alec following them.

"That room down there should have a bed," Alec whispered, pointing to a door about three down from the one he was standing by. "You got a cell?" he asked Krit.

"Yeah," Krit replied, giving Alec his phone.

"Go down those stairs," Alec pointed to the flight at the end of the hall, "until you reach ground level. Wait outside the building and call this number," Alec said as he programmed the number that connected to the Command Area. "Ask for Mole or Joshua to come to The Fulton Building and show you where you need to go and where you can stay. Tell 'em that it's for Alec. Then, hang around Command for awhile until we get there."

"Thanks," Krit said as Alec returned the phone.

"No problem," Alec said as the walked into their room and he returned to the studio.

Alec walked back over to Max, sitting on the floor next to the sofa. He began to stroke her hair again, watching her intently. He smiled at her sleeping figure once again, as he whispered softly in her ear.

"You're not alone Maxie. I'm here."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



Krit was standing outside the Fulton building early the next morning. He yawned as he pulled the cell phone out of his jacket. Syl, being the nagging, talkative woman she was, had kept him up half the night with conversation. He supposed that was one reason he loved her; she was so vocal. He smiled at the thought.

Krit pressed the speed dial that Alec had indicated the evening before, waiting for someone to pick up on the other end.

"Uh, hello?" a voice said on the other line.

"Uh, yeah," Krit said, "I'm looking for Mole or Joshua."

"Oh, yeah," the person on the other end cut him off. "Alec told us about you. Krit, right?"

"Yeah," Krit said, relieved that he didn't have to explain himself any more.

"Yeah, Mole will be there in a few minutes, he's out that way. Fulton Building, right?"

"Yeah," Krit spoke into the cell.

"He'll be there soon," the voice said before hanging up.

Krit folded the phone and placed it back into his pocket.

"Miss me?"" Syl whispered in his ear, her arms snaking around his waist.

"Of course," Krit answered slyly.

"Are they coming?" she asked him.

"Yeah. Someone named Mole."

"Great name," Syl replied with distaste.

Krit laughed softly. "That it is."

"So," Syl said, "What do you think of all this?"

"What do you mean, 'What do I think about all this?'" Krit asked.

"You know. Everything. Max."

"Max," Krit said, as though the though of his supposedly dead sister being alive was beyond surreal. He wanted so badly to believe he'd truly seen her the night before. "Do you think it was really her?"

"I don't know. But I mean, think about it. Who else could it have been? And what reason would that guy have had to lie about her?"

"I'm not sure. I guess we'll have to wait a few hours to figure it out."

"You don't so sound happy that she might be alive, you know." Syl chided.

"Neither do you," Krit shot back. "It's just, you know how it was right after her and Zack were," he didn't have to finish for Syl to get the picture. Both of them had fallen apart after the attack on the DNA Lab. "I would give anything to have them back. It's just that, you know, I don't want to get too psyched about it, just in case it's not for real."

"I know how you feel," Syl said, her voice faraway. She'd taken it just as hard as Krit had, and felt the same way about the current situation.

"Well I don't," a rough voice said from behind them. "You Krit and Syl?"

"Yeah," Krit answered the voice, though he still couldn't see whom it belonged to. "You Mole?"

Mole stepped out. "Yeah."

Krit and Syl were surprised by the creature's appearance, to say the least, though they hid it well. The anomaly's lizard-like semblance was less than appealing. His rifle was hanging casually over his shoulder, as casually as a firearm could hang, and he was chewing on a cigar distractedly.

"So, Alec said you two'll be wantin' to get a place to stay, right?"

"Yeah," Syl answered as she and Krit began to follow the fast-paced Lizard Man away from the Fulton Building.

"Together?"

"Uh, yeah," Krit replied.

"There's a nice place a few blocks from here that should work for ya. As nice as Terminal City will allow it's citizens, that is. Of course, if you're in with Alec, you could probably take advantage of some of the more luxurious aspects offered to the 'leaders.' But this place is mostly Xs. Some transhmans and an anomaly or two. You should blend pretty well."

"Uh, thanks," Krit muttered.

"So, what's you're deal?" Mole asked off-handedly. Almost everyone in TC asked the new arrivals this.

"Huh?" Syl asked, obviously confused.

Mole turned around to face the pair. "You're deal. You're designation. You're Manticore history. You're life on the outside. Why you came here."

"Why the hell would we be telling you?" Syl retorted evilly.

Mole stopped in his tracks and turned, eyeing her maliciously. "You're a real piece of work, ya know that?" he spat. "I'm gonna need some information, missy. From you and your boy here. Designation and what you specialized in back at Manticore."

Syl sighed, obviously pissed off. "X5-701," she barked at the lizard man, but paused. What the hell was 'what you specialized in back at Manticore?' Obviously something that had gone down after the escape. Not wanting to admit that she had no clue what to say, she took a shot. "Extended Missions."

"X5-471." Krit found himself in the same predicament. Not knowing what to say, he took a wild guess. "Firearms."

Mole looked at them both strangely. "You're both '09 escapees aren't you?" he said in an odd voice.

"What would you know about it?" Syl shot back dangerously.

"Your specialties are all wrong, you know. You could specialize in Solo Missions, Away Missions and Deep Cover Missions; there was no such thing as an Extended Mission. As for Firearms, try Weaponry. You had to have some major skill for that one. It was a whole hell of a lot more than pulling a few triggers."

"How the hell would you know? You're an anomaly." Syl retorted with rage. She wasn't growing very fond of being insulted by Reptile Boy. Though she later realized it had been a mistake to say anything.

"What the hell is it with you Xs?" Mole hissed, grabbing Syl by the collar and lifting her slightly off the ground. "You and you're fucking egos, strutting around like you think you own the damn place! We knew what the hell was going on you know! We we're not completely ignorant, you know!"

Krit moved to help his girlfriend, but was instead lifted parallel to her by Moles other hand.

"Especially you '09 escapees!" he spat, disgust lacing his voice. "Think you're better than the rest of us, think you're so great. You think you're fucking human, just because you lived in the real world for ten years. Think your stronger, think you're so wonderfully trained because you stayed under the radar for a decade. Think again! You were too weak to stay. You wouldn't have survived what came next, anyway! You thought you had it rough? Go ask someone who was there, who lived it. Ask the Xs, they were effected more than we were. Ask an X5, they were restrained even more. Ask the twins, they were put through torture, thing that no one should live through. Few of them did, actually. Ask someone who went through hell and survived it. Someone who came out stronger afterwards and has moved past it. Better, yet, ask Alec."

With that, Mole dropped the pair, pointing to a large building to the left.

"You'll stay there," Mole instructed, his voice dripping with malice. "Fourth Floor, Seventh Door on the left. Command's just that way," he pointed to the right. "You can't miss it."

And then, he stalked away, leaving Krit and Syl to ponder what had just occurred.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



"Zane," Jondy whined to Zane, both of whom were perched on the roof of a large building overlooking Terminal City. "We'll never get in! There're people everywhere!"

"I realize that," Zane said in a distant voice, deeply immersed in thought. "And we can't risk waiting until nightfall. Not that it'll do any good to wait, anyway."

"So," Jondy prodded. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm not sure," Zane replied calmly. "It's not as if we can just waltz right in," he paused, "unless." Zane smiled slyly and sprang up. "Jondy? You still, umm, enjoy causing trouble?"

Jondy grinned. "Zane, that's something you never grow out of."

"Well, then we really only have one option."

"And that would be?" Jondy urged.

"We'll just need to take their minds off of things for a few minutes. And we'll not only help ourselves, but help any other transgenics interested in getting into TC this lovely morning. Probably even all day, if it works out right."

"And how, oh intelligent one, are we planning on doing this?"

Zane grinned again. "We'll create some, uhh, complications."

Jondy smiled in response. "You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"

Zane nodded. "Let's do it."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



Alec woke suddenly, unsure of why. He looked at his watch. Quarter to seven. He rolled his eyes and straightened from his position on the floor next to the sofa where he'd fallen asleep the night before. He looked at Max, who was still sleeping soundly, and lost all thoughts of waking her. She looked so sweet lying there. Peaceful, you could say. Almost happy.

Smiling slightly as he watched, his eyes wandered to the corner of the room and the large pile of folders that lay there, forgotten in the events of the previous night. Taking one last glance at Max, he walked over and picked the small stack up, shuffling them distractedly as he made his way over t the piano bench.

Sitting on the bench and leaning on the closed piano, he opened the top folder, scanning the information enclosed.



Series X5- Commanding Officer, Male

330417291599

X5-599

Alias- Zack

-Tends to display protective nature among the members of his unit

-Escaped along with 12 unit members in the winter of 2009

-Initial Escape- Futile

-Recaptured

-Secondary Escape- Successful

-Evaded Recapture until December, 2019

- Leaded the liberation of X5-734 from Fort Xavier with the assistance of X5-452

- Recaptured in December, 2019 for confessing to the murder of Dan Vogelsang

Escaped February, 2020 with the assistance of X5-425

Attempted liberation of X5-656 with the assistance of X5-452- Futile

Attack on the Gillette Facility DNA Database with the assistance of X5-452, X5-471, and X5-701.

After recapture, subject was enrolled in experimental uses of cybernetics and biosynthetic replacement of damaged body systems.



Training Record

Novice Training: Complete

Intermediate Training: Complete

Advanced Training: Incomplete

Mastery Training: N/A



Assassination Log:

N/A

Note: Successful Escapee of '09



Following the written forms were pages of visual documentation of Zack's stays at Manticore. The files were obviously from Seattle, their attempt at piecing together the escapees' pasts. Closing the folder gently and moving it to the bottom of the stack, he opened a much larger folder.



Series X5- Male

332680074205

X5-205

Alias- Zane



-Escaped along with 12 unit members in the winter of 2009

-Evaded Recapture



Training Record

Novice Training: Complete

Intermediate Training: Complete

Advanced Training: Incomplete

Mastery Training: N/A



Assassination Log:

N/A

Note: Successful Escapee of '09



'Short and Sweet,' Alec thought as he flipped past the photo documentary to the next subject.



Series X5- Female

332340090210

X5-210

Alias- Jondy



-Escaped along with 12 unit members in the winter of 2009

-Evaded Recapture



Training Record

Novice Training: Complete

Intermediate Training: Incomplete

Advanced Training: N/A

Mastery Training: N/A



Assassination Log:

N/A

Note: Successful Escapee of '09



And so Alec flipped through the transcripts, each varying only slightly in status and training, mostly with X5-656, or Tinga. After reading each document, he moved on to the next folder, clearly marked 'X5-452.'

Alec opened the folder, and was quite surprised to find it empty. The only information inside was written on crumpled, ripped pieces of paper, each with a similar message.

DISK A452, REN9, TR95, SAN6

DNA WORK UP- DISK 222M

DNA DATA- DISK 920P

GENETIC CODING- DISK 101Y

PASSWORD- ALEXANDER V. SANDEMAN III



'Now that's interesting,' Alec thought. Most of the writing looked feminine, curly and elegant, most likely Renfro's. But the Password was written in bold, block lettering, most likely a man's. Alec shrugged, shuffling the folder to the back and moving to open the next.

"Hey," Max whispered from the sofa, her big brown eyes fully awake.

"Hey yourself," Alec replied, smiling at her and secretly slipping the folders into the piano bench and grabbing a piece of music.

"Whatcha doin?" she asked him almost playfully. She propped herself up on the armrest to look at him.

"Oh, just looking at some music," he said, waving the sheet music in the air.

Max nodded. She got up from the sofa a stretched. "I guess we'd better go," Max stated.

Alec glanced at his watch. "Yeah, it's already seven."

Max yawned as Alec walked toward her, grabbing his leather jacket and slipping it on. He began to walk out the door, but Max stopped him.

"Look," she said pointedly. "I just wanted to say that I really appreciate what you did for me last night. I needed it. So, thank you."

Alec stared at her for a moment, taking in what she'd said, and finally replied. "Anytime Maxie." And then he remembered.

"Maxie, you wanna wait here for a second?" he asked innocently.

"Why?" Max inquired suspiciously.

"You had some visitors last night," Alec stated simply. "I figured you should see 'em this morning, so, I thought I'd go get 'em."

Max tried to force her way past him, but he blocked her. "Come on Maxie, trust me. You'll probably want a private meeting. I would."

Max looked torn, but finally sighed in resignation. "Fine. Bring 'em up."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



"Officer," Zane approached the Sector Police Officer quickly. "Officer, there's a situation."

"Who the hell are you?" The officer asked skeptically.

"Just a concerned citizen who wasn't these freaks of nature off the streets. But you should really call back the rioters, sir. There is a huge group of transgenics trying to get to Terminal City just South of Seattle. My friend saw 'em, sir, and he heard 'em talking. They might be coming soon. Called me, said he was too scared to call the police himself, got into a bit of a jam with the authorities a while back. But seriously, sir. You wouldn't want anyone to get hurt, now, would you?"

The officer looked interested. "South of Seattle, eh?"

"That's right, sir," Zane replied almost solemnly.

The man spoke into his intercom. "All units to base, we have a situation." He turned to leave, calling over his shoulder, "Thanks kid."

"No problem, sir," Zane called back, smiling slyly at the officer's back.

Gullible Jackass.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Alec walked into Command, scanning the area for Krit and Syl. He found them in a corner, sitting on the floor, talking. He made his way over to them quickly.

"Morning," he greeted them simply. "You ready?"

Krit eyed him mistrustfully. "If it's not her, you'll have hell to pay."

"You won't know what hit you," Syl added dangerously.

"Still don't believe me? Shit, you saw her yourself. I mean, isn't that enough proof?" Seeing that he hadn't convinced them, Alec threw his hands up in resignation. "Whatever, just come on. Max's waiting, and she isn't exactly a patient person."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



Jondy walked up to the middle-aged man that appeared to be leading the Vigilantes, tapping his shoulder lightly to get his attention. He looked annoyed at being interrupted, but smiled sweetly at the attractive woman.

"What can I do for you sweetheart?" he asked distractedly, his gaze wandering unmistakably to Jondy's chest.

Fighting the urge to deck the pervert, Jondy smiled sweetly.

"It looks like you've got quite a loyal crowd here," she said in an airy, sweet, singsong voice.

"That's right little lady. We're just trying to keep young gems like yourself safe from these mutant freaks."

Jondy forced herself to smile. "I expected you'd be gone by now."

The man gave her a strange look. "Why is that, my dear?"

"Didn't you hear?" Jondy asked in mock shock. "There are supposedly some transgenics on the loose north of here, making there way into the city. Sector Cops don't know yet. Thought you might like to check it out, you being such a brave leader and all that."

The man's eyes lit up strangely. "North of here? Is that all you know, princess?"

Jondy forced herself to appear regretful. "I'm sorry. That's it," she replied softly, her eyes widening and lips pouting apologetically.

The man looked at her strangely. "I'll take your word for it honey," he said distractedly, "but you should probably get out of here. Don't know what these people will do to a poor youngin' like yourself when they get anxious."

Jondy smiled again and nodded, walking away with a deceitful grin.

Naïve Dumbass.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Syl and Krit lagged behind Alec the entire walk toward the Fulton Building. Alec was less then pleased, but he wasn't going to start anything with Max's lovely siblings. He really wasn't in any mood to purposefully create a bad impression.

"Are we almost there?" Syl asked.

"Yeah," Alec called over his shoulder. "Next building, in fact."

They climbed the stairs of the building, reaching the large metal door that led to the corridor that Alec had left Max in.

"Wait here just a second," Alec stalled. "I should go get her."

Alec slipped through the door before either could object. Max was leaning against the wall, her back to him, tapping her foot impatiently.

Alec slipped behind her and slid his arms onto her shoulders. She jumped and turned to him quickly.

"What the hell was that for," she hissed, trying to sound angry but was obviously more shaken than anything.

"Nothing, Maxie. Chill."

"Uh huh." She paused, waiting. When he simply continued to look at her, she spoke again. "Well?" Max asked expectantly.

"Are you ready?" Alec asked quietly.

Max stared at him strangely. "Yeah," she answered skeptically.

"All right guys," he raised his voice a bit. "Come on in."

Krit and Syl walked through the door quickly, as if they'd been debating on whether or not to simply burst in.

Max turned to them as soon as she heard the door open once again. It only took her a few seconds to register the faces.

"Syl? Krit?" she whispered breathlessly.

"Max?" Krit asked, disbelieving.

In an instant, Max was in her brother's arms, pulling her sister along with her, and holding on for dear life. "Oh my God," she cried into his shoulder. "I can't believe it's you."

Alec could tell he had no place there, among a family in which he had no part, and so he slipped silently past the trio and moved to the door. He took one last look at the three of them. So close to one another. As much as it bothered him to feel it, he would've liked to have had something like that with someone. He continued to stare at them lost in his thoughts, until something caught his attention.

Max looked up at him, her eyes red, a small smile resting on her lips. She looked meaningfully at Alec. "Thank you," she whispered.

Alec smiled and nodded. And with that, he turned at walked out the door.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



"Maggie," Alec called to the tall, blonde woman walking down the alley. He was in no mood to walk alone at the moment.

She turned quickly and smiled at him. "Alec," she said in her deep, melodious voice, an exotic British accent lacing her voice, still considerably noticeable from her last mission. "What a pleasant surprise."

"Likewise," Alec replied with a sly grin, catching up to her.

"How are you, Alec?" she asked him.

"As well as can be expected," he replied, only half-joking.

Maggie nodded. "I fear we both may be in the same situation."

"Why is that?" Alec asked seriously.

Maggie sighed. "Why is it always, Alec? It seems that fate doesn't deem me fit for romance."

Alec nodded solemnly. Maggie, one of the younger X4s, had been looking for a man ever since she'd arrived at Terminal City. She was one of the only X4s there, and almost all of the X5s were either already paired or had no interest in an X4, even one of Maggie's style, beauty, and grace. Her attempts, however, had been futile, and Alec was completely aware of how self-conscious that made her.

"Don't worry, Maggie," Alec assured her. "You'll find the perfect guy in no time, and when he comes along, he won't be able to resist you. And he won't want to."

Maggie smiled ruefully. "Won't be able to resist me, Alec? If I'm so irresistible, why hasn't a certain attractive X5 I know made his move?" She asked, gesturing toward Alec.

"Uh, well, umm, you know that I don't want to get emotionally involved right now, and well, umm," Alec stuttered uncomfortably.

"Alec," Maggie cut him off, "I was being sarcastic. A rare gift, I can see. Besides, we all know why you haven't advanced on a woman yet."

"Huh?" Alec asked incredulously.

"Haven't you wondered why the women around here aren't throwing themselves at you? They want to, believe me. But they all know you're taken."

"I just thought I'd lost my touch," Alec muttered. "And what do you mean taken?"

"Taken. As in with someone. Emotionally entangled. You and Max."

"Max? As in, the ice woman? Why does everyone think we're together? You'd have to be crazy to try to get close to her."

Maggie giggled. "You two are so blind."

"What?"

"I said, you two are so blind."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Alec asked, completely confused.

"You'll see it eventually. Once you decide that you'd enjoy seeing the sun again and you resolve to pull your head out of your lovely ass," Maggie added.

Alec looked at her strangely. "Max doesn't want me. We're both happy with the way things are." He knew it was a lie, but wasn't about to admit so.

"Oh really?" Maggie asked. "Neither of you look very happy, or act very happy with the way thing are. But I can understand. You have your reasons."

"Which would be?"

Maggie smiled. "I was sort of hoping you might ask."

"Alec, you're both scared. You're scared of the pain, the heartbreak; you're scared of love. And you both have reason to be. You've both had you're hearts ripped out. But you've got to move past all of that. Move past what's blinding you, what holding you back. The hurt, the suffering, the fear."

"The fear?" Alec asked hoarsely.

"The Fear," Maggie restated confidently. And then she softened. "You can't carry her burden forever, Alec. You have too much to live for."

"So did she," he whispered. "And she is my burden to bear. It's my fault she never had a chance to live."

"Only you can decide that Alec, but she wouldn't have wanted you to waste away." She paused slightly, putting a comforting arm around Alec. "I know you're hurting. But so is Max. You've both been through so much, but you're both so strong, Alec. I know you miss Rachel, and I'm not telling you to forget her. Never forget her. She's a part of you. I'm only asking you if you've ever considered that maybe what happened was, in the end, for the best? And that, even though you cared for her, that it's possible to love again? To care more, to try harder? To feel even more love for someone else?"

Alec looked up at Maggie as a single tear trailed down his cheek.

"You can't change the past, Alec. Let her go."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



"Maxie, we were so worried," Krit whispered softly in her ear. "We thought you were dead."

"I'm so sorry," Max whispered back, choking back sobs. "I can't believe it's you."

Krit smiled, moving away to looked at his sister as Syl followed suit.

"Maxie, you don't know how much we missed you," Syl whispered.

"I missed you too," Max replied softly.

"I can't believe you're alive, Maxie," Krit added, still in shock.

Max smiled slightly. "Neither can I."

Syl spoke tentatively. "I know this isn't the time for the whole life story, but I gotta ask. What's with wonder boy?"

Max laughed. "Alec's," she paused. "Alec's just Alec. He helped me escape after the attack, and he's been around ever since."

Syl was obviously displeased with that answer, but accepted it for the time being. A serene silence settled on the group, and was only interrupted by the electronic sounds of Max's cell ringing. Max rolled her eyes as she answered the call.

"Yeah?"

"Max," Dix's voice could be heard from the other end.

"Yeah Dix?"

"There's someone looking for you down here."

"Who?" Max asked incredulously.

"Didn't say, just that he was looking for the leader of TC."

"Aiight, I'll be down," she said as she disconnected the call. She turned regretfully to her brother and sister.

"I gotta take care of some things. Do you two have a place to stay?"

"Yeah," Krit replied. "We'll hang out there for a while, I guess. See you later Max."

Max gave each of them a quick hug as they parted ways.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



Max walked into a sparsely populated Command Area minutes later, scanning the room for this visitor. It didn't take long to pick out the unfamiliar face, though it seemed somewhat friendly all the same. She walked up to the young man, tapping him on the shoulder.

"You looking for someone?" she asked abruptly.

"Yeah. You," the man addressed her directly.

"So here I am," she said shrugging her shoulders.

"Max?" he asked slowly.

"Who the hell are you?" she turned suspicious instantly.

"An old friend Maxie."

Max studied the face for a few seconds. "Zane?"

"Nice to see I'm remembered."

"Oh my God!" Max cried as she jumped into his arms. "Zane! It's you!"

Zane smiled. "Been wondering why you're face has been all over the news, Max. Looks like I found out."

She smiled. "Yeah. Got some things working here." She looked at him closely. "You just get in?"

"Yeah, a few minutes ago. Talked to that guy over there," he pointed to Dix. "Real nice."

"Yeah, Dix is amazing. But how'd you get in? You wouldn't have a chance during the day!"

Zane smiled. "We created a few diversions."

"We?"

"Oh, you'll probably want to see her, too." Zane called over to a woman sitting at a table a few feet away, talking to a feline anomaly.

"Yeah?" she asked, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw who he was with. "Max?"

"Jondy?" Max asked.

Jondy grinned and threw her arms around her sister.

"It's been too long Maxie," Jondy whispered.

"I agree," Max replied.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



"Alec," a female voice called him as he made his way farther down the alley.

"Val," he replied with a smile. He looked to her left. "And Nick. How are ya?"

"We're good," Nick answered, taking his girlfriend's hand.

"Good," Alec replied. The X6 couple had been close with Alec ever since he'd started staying in Terminal City.

"So, where are you headed this morning?" Val asked casually.

"Just taking a quick walk," he lied. "Then heading back to Command I guess."

"Well, don't let us stop you," Nick said with a grin. "See ya later."

And with that, the two hurried off, obviously planning on some early morning romance.

Which was perfectly fine with Alec, because he had a date with a few drinks before he could attend to his evening business later that day.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Otto," Ames White greeted the man at the door. He'd been on the phone in his office all morning, and was looking for an excuse to take a break. The monotony of his job was beginning to get to him. "How is the search for the Thermal Imagers going?"

"No well, Sir," Otto said as he steeped into the office and closed the door. "We're beginning to look into other technology that would be set the transgenics apart. But we've only just begun looking into the Black Market. But I'm here for something else, Sir. You asked me to locate a Miranda Lithel for a Special Ops."

"That I did, Otto," White answered with a grin. "Did you come up with anything?"

"Yes sir," Otto replied importantly. "She's here, actually. Told her Agent White was looking for her and said she be happy to meet with you. Very enthusiastic about the whole thing."

"Good. Send her in."

Otto stepped out and only minutes later, a young woman entered the room. She was a tall, slim brunette dressed in black. She closed the door behind her and turned to White.

"Fe'nos tol, Brother White," she whispered timidly.

"Fe'nos tol," White offered her a seat.

"You sent for me?" the woman replied shyly.

"That I did. I've been issued direct orders, the specific wishes of the Conclave. They want one of us inside Terminal City."

"And I'm you're choice?"

White nodded. "You're young, just old enough for an X5. You're not publicly known as a Familiar. You've studied the transgenics; you know what they do and how they act. You haven't made a name for yourself just yet. This would put you in the books."

Miranda's eyes lit up. "I would be honored by the Conclave?"

White nodded with a smile. "But you're not to harm them. You're only to report and maintain your cover. No questions asked."

"Of course," the woman stood.

"We're in agreement, then?"

"Yes, sir."

White shook her hand. "You leave in an hour."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Derek, another scotch, will ya?" Alec asked the female transhuman behind the makeshift bar they'd set up in Terminal City. Alec had been able to supply them with what they needed before the siege, but he wasn't sure if he'd be able to help them restock on a regular basis any longer.

"Here ya go Alec. Think you'll be getting us some more anytime soon?"

"I don't know, Der," he told her, taking a drink of the liquid and letting it burn as he swallowed it, swirling the rest around in the glass, watching it, almost mesmerized.

Derek walked away slowly, wondering what had Alec drinking so early in the day, but knowing that it was none of her business to ask.

After finishing his drink, Alec stood from his chair and walked toward the door. On the way, he ran into a woman who was only just entering the bar.

"Sorry," Alec muttered, looking at the girl.

"It's quite all right," said aid shyly. "It was my fault."

"Haven't seen you around here before. You the new girl in town?"

She smiled. "You could say that. My name's Miranda."

"Well, Miranda, I guess I'll see you around."

"I guess so," she smiled as he walked out into the alley.

'See you around is right, Hun,' Alec thought. There was something about that woman that was way off.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"I can't believe you did that!" Max exclaimed when she'd heard what Zane and Jondy had done to get into Terminal City.

"It was a brilliant idea, Maxie, you have to agree." Zane added.

She giggled. "Brilliant, yes. But also immature."

Zane eyed her innocently. "I never claimed to be mature."

She smiled. Syl and Krit were sitting in a chair to her left; Jondy and Zane on the sofa she was sitting on. They'd been sitting there for hours, discussing anything and everything, and sharing their personal life stories. And, amazingly, they hadn't been interrupted. Joshua's doing, most likely. Max glanced at her watch.

"Four O'Clock?" she blurted. "Wonder where Alec is."

Before she could say anything more, a pair of transgenics burst into the room. A female and a male, both making their way across the room, scanning the people as they went.

Max sighed. "Let me check this out." She walked up to the couple and tapped the woman on the back. "Can I help you?"

The long, flowing, black hair should have been a dead giveaway. But it wasn't, and Max was doomed to withstand another shock that day as she met the eyes of yet another one of her siblings.

"Max," Brin whispered breathlessly. She looked like a trapped animal, so lost and cornered.

"Brin?"

She nodded, looking embarrassed.

Max felt uncomfortable, but also relieved for some reason. She felt odd standing there with the sister that had almost killed her, but somehow, felt so happy to see her again. She'd loved Brin, and she wasn't about to desert her now. And so she embraced her, and Max was both shocked and pleased when she returned the hug forcefully.

"God, Max. I'm so sorry. I was all my fault. All my fault." Brin trailed off as she sobbed to her sister.

"It's okay, Brin. It's okay." Max soothed her.

"No Max, it's not. I should've tried harder. Should've done more. Should've fought them."

"You had no choice Brin," Max reasoned.

"No Max. It was all my fault. I almost killed you! And Zack." she paused, trying to compose herself. "If I hadn't tried to stop you, you wouldn't have been in the position you were, You would've been out. You would have lived. And Zack wouldn't have." she was cut off by a highly familiar voice from beside them.

"Zack wouldn't have cracked?" the X5 and former Commanding Officer said casually. "Nah, that was a long time in coming, anyway. I think it only would've postponed the inevitable."

And so, shock and impending explanations aside, they were together again. A family. And though Max was happy, someone was missing. And as usual, she refused to recognize who it truly was.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



It was dark, rainy, and cold, the wind blowing steadily. Typical Seattle weather, and an appropriate fit for Alec's situation that night. He was lad in semi-formal wear, his long business trench billowing around him in the wind. Alec's face was set as he trudged through mediocre downpour toward his destination.

He walked slowly, shielding himself from the occasional harsh sheath of rain that would swipe at his face. He wove through the trees, making his way across the large estate. He'd only been there once before, in this exact spot, though he seemed to know the way, as if it had been permanently etched in his memory. He stopped when he'd reached it.



RACHEL

BELOVED DAUGHTER

JAN. 15 2002

OCT. 21 2020



He looked down at the smooth stone marking Rachel's body, studying the intricate engravings. He continued to stare for what seemed like an eternity. He sighed and lifted his head upward, only to snap it back down and swipe his hands over his face and run his fingers through his hair. Finally, he spoke.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. I'm so, so sorry."

He took a step closer to the gravestone, running his hand lightly over the marker. "I love you, Rachel."

"I can't change the past. But, I think you deserve an explanation. I know you deserve that much. For everything I did to you, for what I took away from you, you at least deserve that much." He took a shaky breath and continued.

"I know I should've tried harder. I should've resisted. Taken the punishment. Traded my life for yours. But I didn't know it then how much you meant to me, Rachel. And I'm sorry.

"I lied to you. I told you things, about my parents, about my past, hell, even my name. Yeah, they were unimportant, compared to how things turned out, but you deserve to know who I really am. What I really am." Tears began to stream down his face.

"My name's Alec now. I killed Simon Lehane. I've killed too many people. I was nineteen when we met, and I'd been killing on regular basis since I was eight or nine, and preparing to kill years before that. You were supposed to be another mission. Another job. Another potential target. Your father was becoming a threat. I was sent to monitor him, and, should the need arise, take him out. He knew too much, I was ordered to kill him. I tried to get you out if it. When I couldn't do that, I tried to warn you. God, I tried. But I should've tried so much harder. And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Alec sank to his knees in front of Rachel's grave, resting his arms on the stone and burying his head in his hands, sobbing. "Oh God, Rachel. Please forgive me." His were the only sounds besides the wind for several minutes afterward.

So it was inevitable that Alec would hear the sound of approaching footsteps disturbing the silence.

And it was more than likely that he would hear the whisper the approaching figure made.

"I though I told you never to come back here."

And, of course Alec heard the gun, the man's finger tightening on the trigger. But he didn't move.

And, finally, he heard the bullet.





A/N: I'm mean aren't I? Leaving it there? Maybe, maybe not. I've got a real thing for cliffhangers.

I realize that some of these scenes may seem a bit rushed, and for that, I apologize. If I had added more detail to some of the scenes, I think they would have appeared too repetitive. Oh, well, I try. More action in the next chapters, promise!

Anyway, R/R, Thanks!

-AntipodeanOpaleye