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 gosh! I've made it to Chapter Six! And in a decent time frame! As always, I want to thank Johan for looking over this chapter before it was posted (because it was an awful mess this time) and giving me the suggestions and motivation I needed to finish this chapter up. Thank You For All Of Your Help!!! Also, to all of my reviewers, you are incredible! I live for what you have to say! Thank You!
Anyway, hope you like it!
Chapter Six: High Voltage
Alec lunged to the right only milliseconds shy of the projected impact. He disappeared for a few moments into the darkness, under the useful veil of the shadowy woods nearby, resurfacing silently at the shooter's side and putting him into a stranglehold, dropping him after his sputtering began to die down.
"Robert Berrisford," he said softly as he took in the man lying at his feet, massaging his neck absently.
"Simon," the man choked with malice.
"Not Simon. Alec." 'God, I sound like Max. All this name shit.'
"Just another lie," Berrisford hissed. He paused. "I told you never to come back here."
Alec looked at him oddly, lowering himself to face the older man. "Do I look like I care what the fuck you told me? If I want to visit the grave of the first woman I ever loved, I will. And I could give a shit less what you think you're gonna do to me."
"Didn't care so much last time we met," Berrisford muttered. He said his piece quietly, as Alec paced in front of him. So quietly that no human could have heard him. Too bad he wasn't aware that Alec was far from human.
Alec spun around. "What the hell would you know about it?" he spat through clenched teeth. His disposition was murderous, and for a fleeting instant, he appeared as a mirror image of his twin, one that would force any onlookers to take a closer look. "I've got priorities now."
"My daughter's life obviously wasn't one of those?" Berrisford snapped back.
"Dammit," Alec cried in frustration, falling back to lean dependently on a nearby tree, his breathing ragged. "I'm involved now. People depend on me, on what I do. I've got a fucking nation to help lead. This is my business now, my people. I can't let them fight alone." And then, more resolutely, and more to himself, in a whisper the older man didn't quite catch, "I won't let her fight alone."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Berrisford hissed. "Who the hell are you?"
"You haven't figured it out yet?" Alec shot back. "Damn, I thought you were intelligent. Don't you watch the news? Who the hell do you think I am?"
Berrisford paused briefly. "You're the one they show on television. You and the girl."
"Bingo."
"You're not human?" Berrisford asked quietly, though his voice was no less hateful.
"I wouldn't go that far," Alec said questioningly. "But if you're asking if I was cooked up in a test tube to be genetically perfect and grew up practicing the respectable artistry of cold-blooded murder, then you're right on target."
"What are you trying to say?" Berrisford snarled.
"That you were my job. My mission. You knew too much. You needed to be kept under surveillance. I was ready for my first Solo Mission. I was assigned to keep an eye on you."
"Were you assigned to kill Rachel?"
Alec sighed. "I tried to get her out of it. But I didn't try hard enough. It was determined that you knew too much information about the Manticore project. That it had become dangerous; it had put the program in jeopardy. I was instructed to terminate my target immediately. I didn't want to, and I tried to resist, but even though the job was done, I still had hell to pay."
"None less then you deserved," Berrisford spat again.
"I don't deny I deserved a lot of shit, but I can't have deserved everything they did to me. I may have deserved to die, but back at Manticore, there were things worse than death. Things that broke the limits of the genetically enhanced human and left you almost lifeless, except for the fact that you could feel the pain, piercing your body, nonstop. No one deserves that. It may have been the majority of what I got coming, but did not deserve all of it. Definitely not all of it."
"Mr. Berrisford," Alec said, feeling uncomfortable addressing the man. "You once said that you envied me in a way, for being young, free do as I wanted. I guess I envy anyone who had the opportunity to grow up and live such a life as well." And with that, Alec walked away, not only from a very disconcerted Robert Berrisford, but also from a piece of his painful past.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Zack?" Max whispered, moving to the familiar figure nearby.
"Max," Zack whispered back, wrapping his arms around her gently as she moved into his embrace. "God, Maxie, I missed you."
Max pulled away slightly. "How…?"
"You didn't think I'd just forget you guys now did you? Manticore or no, Maxie, I wouldn't forget my family."
"But everything that happened, Zack. Logan,"
"It's okay now Max," Zack assured her. "I'm back."
Max nodded slowly and let go of her brother, revealing the younger X5 behind her.
"Brin?" Zack said in disbelief. "Is that you?"
"Zack!" Brin cried as she threw her arms around her brother dramatically. Zack twirled her around briefly for effect.
"So you came back, baby sister?" Zack asked, placing Brin at arms-length as if to evaluate her.
"Yeah," Brin answered ashamedly, "Got some sense knocked into me." She looked over her shoulder and motioned to a male X5 at a table across the room. He walked quickly over.
"Garret," she began, motioning to the X5, "this is Zack, my big brother and former CO, and Max, my wonderful sister. Zack, Max, this is my husband Garret."
On cue, Max and Zack's jaws dropped simultaneously.
"Husband?" Max managed with a grin.
Brin smiled back, snaking her arm around Garret, looking up at the significantly taller transgenic. "Husband," she repeated confidently.
"It's nice to finally meet some of Brin's ever mentioned family," Garret added, extending a hand to Zack and then to Max.
"Nice to meet you, too," Max said sweetly as Zack eyed him with protective suspicion.
"Likewise," Zack added.
Garret nodded and glanced at Brin, who instructed him to return to his prior engagements, whatever they had been. As he walked away, Brin turned back to Max and Zack.
"Does he treat you right?" Zack asked, walking toward her almost tentatively.
Brin smiled. "Yes," she stated seriously. "I know it sounds cliché, but he makes me happier than I ever thought I could be."
Zack put an assuring hand on her right shoulder. "Then that's all that matters."
"As long as you're happy," Max added absently. At the words, her thoughts drifted to a man in her own life. A significant man. One who was always there. But not the man that she'd once thought would bring her happiness.
She thought of Alec.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was after dawn by the time Alec had gotten back into the city, having taken to a leisurely pace on his trip. It was still windy, and a steady drizzle of rain was ever present. He sat perched on a small building near the city limits, surprised that, for the most part, the streets of Seattle were still deserted. He could see small, though distinct, crowds rebuilding around Terminal City in the distance, but otherwise, the area was sparsely populated.
Alec walked slowly to the edge of the roof, not bothering to stop and falling gracefully to the ground. He sprang up, glancing cautiously around him for any witnesses. After determining that no one had seen him, he began to walk casually toward Terminal City, but changed his path slightly along the way.
He walked past his former employer, the offices of the Jam Pony Messenger Service, and grinned. He looked at his wrist for the time, in order to figure out if anyone would be inside, only to discover he'd forgotten in back in TC. Sighing, Alec stared at the sky, attempting to figure out the approximate time.
Seven-ish, maybe even around eight. The weather was throwing him off. But either way, there were going to be people in there. Perhaps too many people. But, if Alec knew those people, he was sure the majority of them would be, as usual, late. And so, Alec sidled into the building.
He remained in the shadows, watching the few workers who were on time go about their business. He recognized the majority of them, though some were obviously new recruits. He glanced over to the dispatch area, which was empty. He used his enhanced vision to look into Normal's office, which was, on the other hand, occupied.
When the employees' backs were turned he blurred into the office area, closely the door noiselessly behind him and leaning against it. He cleared his throat to gain Normal's attention.
"Get to work," Normal barked, not looking up from his paper, sipping his coffee distractedly. "Bip! Bip! Bip!"
"Dunno how well that's go over," Alec said sarcastically. "I doubt anyone wants a trannie delivering their packages."
Normal looked up at the comment, his eyes widening slightly. "I wouldn't be so sure about that," he said with a slight grin. "Didn't think you were supposed to leave Terminal City, figured it was too dangerous."
"Oh, it is," Alec answered in a distant voice. He paused and then smiled sarcastically. "But hey, I was trained for this type of thing."
Normal stared at Alec oddly. "Trained? What exactly were you trained for?"
"Everything they say we were trained for. Plus a hell of a lot more, basically."
"So you were trained to," Normal began.
"Kill? Yeah, that was the main thing."
"Have you ever, you know," Normal asked uncomfortably.
"Yeah," Alec replied softly. "Far too many times."
Normal nodded but remained silent. Alec took a deep breath and sighed.
"I'm sorry. About what happened."
Normal looked up again. "It's no problem. Really. It actually did more good than harm."
"Yeah, well, it shouldn't have happened in any case. How's your arm, anyway?"
Normal grinned. "Still sore. But now I know why you were such a cage fighter."
Alec laughed. "Yeah." His gaze landed outside the office on two familiar figures walking in the establishment. OC and Sketch. Alec grinned.
"Why don't you go say hello, Golden Boy? They've been doing a piss poor job around here ever since you and your buddy Max left, moping 24/7."
Alec looked over his shoulder as he turned to leave. "Thanks Normal."
"No problem, Alec. You Genetically Empowered soldiers are more than you're cracked up to be."
Alec slid out of the office casually, hiding his face slightly from the curious glances of the workers preparing to make their runs. He walked briskly over to the familiar locker area, making his way quickly over to Original Cindy and Sketchy.
"Damn, Boo!" OC was complaining loudly. "You are a moron!"
"Why am I a moron?" Sketchy whined back. "I was just trying to impress her by…"
"Spilling those drink all ova' yourself at Crash? Then huggin' her and a ruinin' her Versace dress or whateva. Real impressive. I know I'd be all ova' you if I was straight. You's a smooth one, boo, but you neva gonna get anywhere with the ladies."
"I have to try," Sketchy protested. "I'll get someone real soon. Just you wait and see."
"I hate to break it to ya, boo, but I think it might be longer than that."
"I'm gonna have to agree with OC," Alec added, stepping into view. "But you'll find somebody eventually, Sketch."
"Alec! My man," Sketchy greeted him enthusiastically, slapping him on the back.
"Boo!" Original Cindy said excitedly, wrapping her arms around him. "How you been?"
Alec paused, staring off for a moment. "I've been okay."
"How's everyone else?" Cindy asked anxiously. "Max and Joshua and everyone. You guys have been getting some heavy publicity."
"I noticed," Alec replied, glancing around at all of the Ordinaries, only just realizing the two completely different worlds they live in.
"They hate us," Alec stated abruptly, observing the humans go about their work. "Every single one of them fears us."
"No boo," Cindy assured him. "They just don't understand."
"They hate us," Alec restated. "I guess I just don't fully understand why. We've never done anything to them. We were trained to be what we are; we didn't have a choice. Didn't know any better. We can't help what we are."
Cindy and Sketchy were at a loss for words, remaining silent and letting the words take effect. A dark look past over Alec's face as he evaluated the people he'd once associated with on a regular basis. But the look disappeared in a matter of seconds, one of his trademark grins, the ones he always wore when he wanted to hide his emotions, taking its place.
"Enough about me," Alec dismissed the previous topic smoothly. "I didn't come here to talk about myself. How are you doing?"
"Well, I'm…" Sketchy began.
"Just fine boo," Cindy cut his blabbering off. "Me an' Sketchy doin real good, keeping good ol' Cale in line ova' at Joshua's. Don't you be worrying your pretty self over us." Alec smiled.
"Alec," Sketchy reentered the conversation. "Isn't it really dangerous for you to be out here?"
Alec's eyes darkened. "Yeah," he said hazily.
"You should leave soon, boo," OC added. "You neva' know what kinda trouble's out there lookin' to try an' put the smack down on yo' ass."
And, as if the occurrence had been scripted and rehearsed, the gunfire began, once again, directly outside Jam Pony.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Special Agent Ames White," he said proudly to the man attempting to stop his unit from entering the Jam Pony offices. "I'm going to need you to step aside. There is a potentially dangerous man suspected of entering this establishment and it's imperative that you allow us to evacuate those in danger so that we may apprehend this criminal."
"A transgenic, you mean?" the man spat angrily. His face was covered by a large hood, but that wasn't anything to be suspicious of anymore.
"What makes you think that?" White asked in mock innocence, a sly grin twisting on his lips.
"Since when did a special agent such as yourself deal with anything else in this broken city."
"Got me there," Ames said sardonically. "Now if you'll step aside…"
"I'm sorry. I can't do that."
"Sir, I'm afraid you must not realize who you are dealing with.."
The hooded man interrupted him. "Unfortunately, I know all too well who I'm dealing with, Mr. White."
"I doubt that," Ames smirked, fingering his gun.
"Go ahead and shoot me," the man taunted.
And Agent White complied.
The unit White had brought with him opened fire on the rebellious man, aiming to kill. They were unconcerned with collateral damage.
As the shooting began, Alec blurred out of the building amid the panicked and screaming Jam Pony employees. He quickly disarmed the human reinforcements, knocking them easily to the ground with a single blow, tossing each of their weapons across the street. That's when he recognized his final opponent. Ames White was quite engaged in what appeared to be a very good match up with what looked like an everyday male civilian. But he was holding a much younger looking Familiar at bay, and that was definitely not any normal human trait.
Alec blurred over to White, pulling him forcefully off the other man, who fell limply to the ground, unmoving.
"494," White greeted the transgenic maliciously. "Nice to see you again." White glanced briefly over at the crowd of messengers gathered outside Jam Pony. "Your little ragtag group of friends?" he commented, studying them. Big mistake.
Alec took advantage of White's distraction, grabbing his arm and twisting it disgustingly behind his back. He hooked the man's neck into a tight headlock, ignoring White's free, flailing arm.
Alec looked over at the Jam Pony employees, all of which were watching with a mixture of extreme fright and complete disbelief. Except for Sketchy and Original. They were enthralled, no doubt, but they knew what Alec was capable of, and they were waiting expectantly for what they assumed would be a victorious outcome. But suddenly, Alec realized that, due to his lack of attention, he now found himself in a very compromising position.
Ames twisted strangely, flipping Alec to the ground by his collar. He lowered himself, preparing to grab hold of Alec's neck and smoothly snap it with a finalizing crack. But just because Alec was distracted enough to let his guard down in the first place did not, by any means, limit his ability to release himself from the situation.
Alec arched his back, using his momentum to launch himself from the ground. He delivered a powerful roundhouse to the man's cheek, hooking his foot to ensure the damage. The right side of Ames' face was covered in blood, but the Familiar continued to fight with rage.
Alec took his fighting stance, blocking a heavy left hook directed at his chin simultaneously with a blow aimed at his temple. Alec spun out of reach to plan his attack, and immediately retaliated with a back kick, which landed directly at it's target; White's stomach. Ames doubled over, composed himself, and charged at the transgenic. He produced a commendable series of attacks; a jump kick, an impulsive slap in the face, and side kick and an elbow strike. Alec deflected the jump kick with an effective down block, using the same technique to shield himself from another kick directed at his side. He took the slap, which disoriented him considerably, and didn't retrieve his bearings until he was hit again with a more powerful elbow strike to the forehead. Alec stumbled backwards, loosing his footing completely, blood flowing quickly from his wound.
White resisted the urge to charge at him. Instead, he drew his gun calmly and took aim.
Alec blurred out of the way, stopping behind White and ripping the weapon from his grasp. He threw the gun haphazardly, putting the man in a strangle hold. After White's gagging and gasping began to subdue, Alec let go of the limp form, almost regretful to see it move upon release. Alec appeared above the form, perfectly prepared to deliver a final bone breaking shuto to the neck if necessary, attentive audience witnessing it or no.
"You don't deserve to live, you know," Alec hissed. "I should kill you. For what you've done to me. To my kind." Alec paused, staring curiously at the man before him.
"But, unlike you, I don't believe in taking advantage of an unfair situation such as this. We'll settle this on different terms, Ames. You have my word."
"I don't think so…" White began, but Alec cut him off.
"Don't make me tie you to a pole again," Alec threatened sarcastically. "Do you think you intimidate me? Because if you do, you're sorely mistaken. So when you wake up, wherever you may be, I advise you to stay there, and never show you're face here again. If you value your life at all, stay away."
And with that, Alec delivered a final blow to White's head, effectively relieving him from consciousness for the time being.
Alec took out his cell phone, oblivious to the workers still staring fixedly at him, dialing a number he'd picked up on accident, but always somehow thought he'd need.
"Seattle Police Department," a man on the other line answered in a gruff voice.
"Yeah, a Detective Clemente please?"
"Hold your horses kid," the man replied and put Alec on hold.
"Clemente," a voice picked up the line.
"Detective, I happen to be aware that you've been in contact with the transgenics…"
"You people just don't get it, do you?" Clemente asked angrily. "I'm not changing my mind; no interviews, standpoints, nothing. I'm a detective, I don't get along with the media."
"I'm not calling to ask you for an interview or anything of the sort, Detective. I need a favor."
"Why the hell you asking me?" Clemente asked impatiently.
"I need you to take a criminal into custody," Alec replied, staring at the unconscious form at his feet.
"Like I said, what do you me for?"
"Because you backed down," Alec answered simply, referring to the night after the hostage situation.
"You're a…"
"Yes. But I need this done quickly and quietly. No questions asked nor answered. The subject is not to be told anything. Take him to a secure location. Anywhere. Just not here. I'll make it up to you."
Clemente sighed. "Where are you at?"
Alec grinned. "Jam Pony Messenger Service, I think you're familiar with the location. I'll be in touch."
As Alec folded his cell phone, his eyes caught another figure lying to the side of the building. The man that White had attacked earlier.
Alec rushed over to the figure. He was relieved to see the man begin to move slightly, his breathing shallow and obviously painful.
"Hey," Alec said in a soft voice as he tried to support the man. He was a middle-aged man, with dark eyes and dark blonde hair streaked with gray. "You ok?"
The man groaned. "Yeah," he hissed as he attempted to sit up, but couldn't. "Forgot what a challenge they could be, I suppose."
"You've tangoed with Familiars before?" Alec asked skeptically.
"Unfortunately," he said, evidently surprised that Alec knew anything about the group. He extended his hand awkwardly. "Alexander," the man said, his voice strained.
"Alec," he replied as the shook hands. It was at this point that Alexander noticed the beaten form of the Familiar a few yards away. His jaw dropped.
"Did you do that," Alexander asked. Alec followed his gaze.
"Yeah," Alec answered self-consciously.
"You just took out one of the most highly trained Familiars of his generation! Humans can't…" Alexander stopped suddenly, obviously believing he'd said far too much.
"No, I'm sure they can't," Alec replied incredulously. "But why don't you tell me a little more about yourself before you take this little share session any further. You are the one in more compromising position, you know."
Alexander sighed. "I'll tell you enough to write my biography if you'll tell me how you took him down," he said, gesturing to the unconscious form of Ames White.
"I've wrangled with Ames here enough times to know his fighting style," Alec answered vaguely.
Alexander sighed. "I set myself up for that one didn't I?" he asked good-naturedly. Alec grinned. There was something about this guy that seemed almost paternal. Just that nice-guy aura, so to speak.
"Why don't we just go with a name to begin with. A full name." Alec offered as a compromise.
Alexander looked skeptical, but complied. "Doctor Alexander Vincent Sandeman III," he said in an undertone, "but let's keep that between you and me."
Alec was silent for a moment, allowing the name time to sink in.
"Sandeman?" Alec asked in disbelief. "So you're…"
"His father," Sandeman motioned to Ames again. "I assumed you would put that together once I gave you my name, but for some reason, Familiar or no, you didn't give the impression that you were after a traitor such as myself."
"Not what I meant," Alec answered distantly. "You are the Sandeman, though, aren't you? The amazing genetic man? The creator of the freaks?"
"What did you just say?" Sandeman asked him harshly.
"You're him, aren't you," Alec repeated, now a statement rather than a question. "You created Manticore."
"What exactly would you know about it? And why would you care? Familiars don't enjoy being connected to the genetically superior."
"You think I'm some selectively-bred disaster?" Alec asked sarcastically. "That hurts. I don't know what's worse, your assumption or the truth."
"Only a Familiar has ever had a chance against another Familiar. In that case, what exactly is the truth?" Sandeman prompted.
"That I was made in a lab. Cooked up by some geek in a test tube. Under your orders, from what I hear."
This stopped Sandeman dead in his tracks.
"You're a transgenic?" He asked disbelieving, "And you took him out?"
"Obviously," Alec replied sardonically.
"How can you prove you're a transgenic?" Sandeman demanded.
Alec paused for a moment. How the hell was he supposed to prove that if taking out White wasn't enough? Then he remembered. He turned, revealing the reappearing barcode on his neck.
"You're really one of them? One of my kids?"
"Ugh, now you're starting to sound like Lydecker," Alec said with distaste, remembering his few encounters with the man back at Manticore.
"Donald Lydecker," Sandeman spat with malice. "He made a mockery of what I was trying to achieve. Mutated a blessing into a sin, so to speak. He corrupted everything. If I'd been able to stay, it wouldn't have been that way. And then there was Elizabeth. That woman was the last straw for the Manticore program. She was a real piece of work; I can give her that much. Even if she was a no name Renfro from Detroit." He looked pointedly at Alec. "I'm sure I can't even begin to fathom what you were put through. It was my responsibility to look after every one of you. And if it cost me my life, I should have stayed and protected you. But I didn't. And for that I'm sorry."
Alec nodded in recognition, though not in acceptance.
"Nothing will be able to compensate for the time we spent as slaves, learning to kill. Nothing can return the time that was robbed from us." Alec said softly.
"I thought I could trust those I left in charge to take care of you. All of you. No matter what you looked like or how useful they believed you were. You all were equally valuable. I didn't want to leave, I shouldn't have. Joshua was the only one who would've really understood that I left for a reason, the others would have just put together that I was gone at their ages. But that didn't make what I did to him, all of you, right."
"Joshua?" Alec asked incredulously. "Dog boy, Joshua right?"
Sandeman winced slightly. "He had some canine DNA, yes."
"He thinks your some kind of god, you know. The way he talks about you." Alec paused.
"You know him?" Sandeman asked skeptically.
"Josh? Of course I know Joshua."
Sandeman looked torn. "He's not, you know, around here, now, is he?" the man asked tentatively.
"Actually, yeah, he is. He was the first one to go."
"Go where?"
Alec stared at Sandeman. "Don't you watch the news? Transgenic Central. Terminal City. It the only place you have. And I doubt we'll have it for long."
"Can you tell me where to go? How to get there?"
Alec looked at him. "It's really no problem. I'll take you there, I'm headed home anyway." He offered a hand to the middle aged man still lying on the ground.
Sandeman stared at Alec's hand for what seemed like an eternity, taking in the blood and dirt that was caked onto his arm. Sandeman's gaze moved up to his face and clothing, both of which were twice as sullied as his arm.
"You're hurt," Sandeman stated bluntly. "I would be a burden to you. I'll only create a more dangerous scenario for you in an already perilous journey on the outside. I'll only become a hindrance. I thank you for your kindness, but I'm sorry, I cannot accept your offer."
Alec rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. "And you're supposedly the man behind it all. You really don't have a clue, do you? About what we are capable of. What we are."
Sandeman sighed and briefly looked away, looking both embarrassed and indignant as he turned back to Alec. "I know what you were supposed to be. What we were supposed to achieve as a whole. But what you are? What they made you? I'm sorry, but on that, I haven't the faintest clue."
Alec nodded simply. "First thing, we heal fast. Second thing, pain is a figment of the mind. You feel it, yeah, but you can chose whether or not you acknowledge it. We learned that one early," he paused, staring off into the distance for a few moments, caught in his own memories of the lesson. He quickly snapped out of his reverie. "Third, we don't let anything stop us. Nothing. Death even has a hard time keeping us down." Alec offered his hand once more to the man. This time, he accepted the help.
"Thank you," Sandeman said after he'd stood, removing his oversized hooded sweatshirt and smoothed out the extremely expensive looking suit he was wearing underneath.
"Any time," Alec said as he turned, but stopped suddenly. "Give me one minute."
He sauntered over to Normal, who was still standing transfixed outside of Jam Pony along with the rest of the employees.
"A Detective Clemente should be coming to take our friend Ames away soon. Make sure that he doesn't forget."
Normal nodded automatically, still in shock from the display his Golden Boy had just given.
"Thanks," Alec said as he turned to OC and Sketchy who were only about three people down from Normal.
"And thank you too," Alec told them in an undertone. "For accepting us. For what and who we are."
OC hugged him tightly. "You're family, boo. You're all family. OC would never just toss her family out the window."
Alec smiled as he turned to Sketchy.
"She's right man," Sketchy said as he gave Alec a quick hug himself. "Whether you got freaky genes or not, you're still Alec."
"Thanks," Alec repeated, turning back to Sandeman, knowing that this time, he really might never get a chance to see his friends again.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Oh God," Donald Lydecker moaned, though it came out muffled, as he woke up, finding himself in a large, dingy room, handcuffed and gagged.
"Ah, Donald," a familiar voice taunted him from across the room, the soft light of early morning streaming through the windows, outlining the figure in light, leaving his identity shrouded in darkness.
"Where the hell am I, 599," Lydecker tried to say through the cloth in his mouth.
Zack blurred to stand in front of him, his face inches from Lydecker's. "My name is Zack. I thought we'd cleared that one up." Zack tore the gag from his prisoner's mouth viciously.
"Zack, I apologize. Bad habit."
"Whatever," Zack said as he sat down beside his former superior. "You're in Terminal City, the current transgenic stronghold. Max said that I should take you here before anyone else saw you, to stay until you woke up."
"Max?" Lydecker said disbelieving. "She's going to want to see me, suspect?"
"She's the leader here, I have no doubt that she and Alec will want to have a little chat with their good friend 'Deck," Zack stated wryly.
"That doesn't surprise me."
Zack fell silent.
"Got anything to drink? Eat? Something?" Lydecker asked pleadingly.
Zack eyed him coldly. "Not for you. At least, not yet."
Lydecker sighed. No less than he deserved.
"Are you planning on untying me anytime soon?" Lydecker asked innocently.
"Depends. Max doesn't want you on your own until Alec comes back. But maybe I'll be nice and take you out for a walk. But we'll have to keep you on a leash." Zack paused, eyeing the rope nearby. "In fact, that's exactly what we'll do."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Transgenics can take on the Familiars?" Sandeman asked interestedly as he and Alec made their way to Terminal City in the shadows. No matter what the world had come to, two bloody men walking around as if nothing had happened was sure to raise some eyebrows. Alec offered to take Sandeman to Harbor Lights, but he insisted on going to Terminal City and seeing that Alec made it there safely.
"Well, I guess that could be one way of describing what just happened back there." Alec added.
"It worked," the man said distantly, more to himself than to Alec. "It really worked."
"What worked?" Alec asked, confused, shooting a sideways glance at the older man.
"Everything. You see, I had another son, after Ames. I was beginning to see what was amiss with the cult, and so, with my scientific knowledge, I took the liberty of testing his DNA before he was tested. I knew he wasn't going to survive the poisoning. It was from his mother, as I could see. Anyway, I brought this to the attention of The Conclave, but they continued with tradition. I wasn't about to allow my son die at their mercy, for whatever reason. I sent him away and shortly afterwards, left myself and went into hiding. I began the Manticore Program on my own with a few aspiring scientists from across the country. I trusted each of them greatly, telling them of my plans to create a race of beings that could live better, were superior, were more intelligent, but had emotions, and a conscious. People that were still able to live and love. And, in the process, make them so amazingly advanced that they would be able to foil the plans of the Familiars."
"Sounds like a plan," Alec agreed. "But then the government stepped in."
Sandeman sighed. "Unfortunately. Donald Lydecker took over, threatened my authority. It was at that point that I discovered that Familiars had integrated themselves into the government, and that they'd wanted to shut my project down. But the military believed that my work could prove valuable. So they sent Lydecker out to train my children. They claimed it would be beneficial, more visible progress could be seen if we took this route, that the children could be kept under control. I did not agree, and so they took it a step further, no longer simply threatening my position, but now also threatening my life."
Alec nodded. "So Lydecker steps in and trains us to be killers. Apathetic assassins. Corrupting us poor innocent youth. And no one stopped him."
Sandeman sighed solemnly. "Yes. I was cowardly, and I feared for my life. And so I stayed in hiding.
"Only about seven years ago did I emerge, taking the name I used in college, Mark Szeushae. I built multiple estates across America. One in Boston, one in DC, one in Miami, one in Dallas, one in Cleveland, one in Chicago, one in Kansas City, one in Sacramento, and one in Las Vegas. Nine, in correspondence with the nine X Series I'd drawn plans for all of which I am proud of, whether they resulted in anomalies, transhumans, or the perfect model, such as the X5 is considered. I created the elite fortress in each location, learning everything I could about how the Manticore program had turned out. Where you all were. If there was any way I could contact you or see you without the government knowing. After I'd gathered enough information, I planned on leaving to find you all. But then the Familiars caught on. I knew they'd been watching me for months, but playing naïve was my best option at the time. They weren't going to make a move; they would have to wait until I showed my face in public to take me into custody, arrest me for some harebrained story that they'd fed to the authorities. They need me alive, now that they've delved more into my works at Manticore, and have come up against more transgenics, finding themselves coming out on the bottom instead of their regular victories. They're frightened. Petrified even, scared that they've met their match. They think that they can persuade me to join them once more. They need me to spoon-feed them the answers. And, should the time ever arise that I should encounter such an offer, I will, of course, refuse."
Alec nodded, sliding through a small space between two buildings, pausing to look for occupants of the side street he was about to lead them onto. It was, fortunately, close to deserted. There was only an older couple walking on the opposite side of the road. They could wait.
"That sure clears up a bit," Alec responded to Sandeman's explanation. "But there's a hell of a lot more."
"I know," Sandeman said, his tone undecipherable.
"And so you're willing to explain the unexplainable to a bunch of impatient transgenics? Including myself and Max?"
"Max?" Sandeman asked curiously.
"We sort of run Terminal City together," Alec said, dismissing the topic. "Me and her are going to have a lot of questions for you. Important questions, most likely private questions. I'd ask you now, but I figure it'd be best to wait until we make it to the Promised Land for the whole show and tell session."
Sandeman grinned. "As you wish."
Alec looked across the street for the pedestrians, but they had already passed them by. He turned back to Sandeman. "Looks like we'll be reaching the Promised Land in no time. Let's go."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Logan Cale sat at the old, dusty table at Joshua's former residence where he now lived with Original Cindy and Sketchy. He'd assured them that moving back into their own apartments would be fine, but they claimed they enjoyed it where they were. He couldn't blame them; the place was cozy and very comfortable, even if it didn't have quite the penthouse view, as Max had put it. And it wasn't like he minded them being there. He enjoyed the company. But he was still adjusting to not having a place of his own, without the privileges and freedoms of single, bachelor life.
He was typing quickly, writing an e-mail to Dix at the Command Center, asking if there was anything he could do for them, any supplies they needed. He knew that they'd deny his aide even if they were starving, but it was always nice to ask, wasn't it? He felt obligated in any case.
Logan stopped abruptly, staring blankly at the screen, running his fingers through his hair. He wondered what Max was up to. He'd thought of going in to talk to her multiple times, holding onto the hope that his support after the Jam Pony incident had changed things, but had always thought better of it. It was over. His assistance was friendly, no more, no less. She'd accepted it, and, if only just recently, he had too. They were friends, if you could call their non-existent relationship such, and that was where the line had been drawn.
It would have happened with or without the virus, and, as much as he hated to admit it to himself, with or without Alec. Though it hadn't helped the situation, the fact that he simply couldn't compare to the X5 alpha male. Regardless of the other man's sex appeal and natural charisma, not mention the fact that he could relate to Max's troubles and would, just like himself, give his life for Max in an instant, things never would have worked out for he and Max. Maybe for a while. Maybe. But it was doubtful that it would have been some fairy tale, living the happily ever after. He'd seen that, with some help. He thought back to the last evening, when he'd been getting a drink at Crash, attempting to drown his sorrows, his thoughts of Max, with his most effective option: alcohol. He'd been sitting at the bar when she'd came and sat next to him.
"Well, Mr. Cale," Asha said skeptically, evaluating his glass. "I didn't think that vodka was your style."
Logan laughed hollowly. "Neither did I."
Asha smiled slightly, almost solemnly.
"Tequila Shot, please," she said to the barkeep, pausing slightly before adding, "Make that a beer instead." She then turned instantly back to Logan, who was staring off blindly.
"Uncharacteristic drinks, and then loss of concentration? All in one night? Something's up."
Logan stared at her for a few moments, only just realizing the attention she given to him to notice such quirks.
"Hmm," Logan uttered in response, unsure of what else to say. Asha moved in closer, brushing against his shoulder.
"I may not be a transgenic," she whispered into his ear softly, "but if you're moping about Max again, I'll kick your ass."
Logan turned sharply to her. "What do you mean?"
"It's about Max, right?" Asha prodded, needing a straight answer.
"Maybe," Logan said in a would-be innocent voice, he facial expression betraying the truth.
"What is it, exactly," Asha asked pointedly, "that makes you want her? Besides her looks. Something that no other woman has, that you couldn't get anywhere else."
Logan paused thinking. What was it that made him want Max? "We've been through a lot together."
"Not good enough. Alec has a far better argument." Logan cringed slightly at the mention of the male X5's relationship with Max.
"That fact is," Asha said, knowingly, taking a swig of her drink, "you're afraid of change."
Logan was dumbfounded. Eyes Only was not afraid of change! Who was she to judge him? He was about to voice this; not able to think twice due to his drunkenness, but Asha seemed to read his thoughts.
"And don't go using your job with Eyes Only as an excuse. The real you is quite different than the professional. You are much more vulnerable." She paused. "Not that that's a bad thing. I find it quite attractive." She glanced over at Logan, who caught her gaze.
"I thought you and Max were great for each other. Meant to be. True love. But then Alec came into the picture. He was just fate's way of speeding up the inevitable. He's not you, probably the complete opposite, in fact. But if you and Max were meant to be, then Max and Alec were made for each other, and are the perfect couple. Even if they haven't quite worked out the kinks. You can see it in the way they look at each other. I guess what I'm trying to say is, everyone has a somebody, Logan. You thought you had Max, but now Max has Alec. Don't you think you should let yourself try to find your somebody? That special person that makes you feel complete? She might be right under your nose."
Logan looked down at the countertop, ashamed. She was right, and he'd been stupid not to see it.
"Logan," she whispered desperately, waiting for him to raise his gaze back up to meet hers.
"I'm lonely. I need someone. And I've decided that if I don't put my heart on the line, I'm not really living at all. So I'm just going to say this, and damn the consequences. I want you Logan."
Logan's jaw dropped immediately afterward.
"What?" Logan stammered, shocked.
"I want to see what could happen if there was an 'us'. I want to see what we could do for each other." Her eyes were scared, but her voice was firm.
Logan remained silent. He couldn't just forget about Max, after all they'd been through, but Asha had a valid point. Maybe they could be something, make something, together. Something that Max and he weren't able to accomplish. Like a human relationship. Because even though he'd claimed it never mattered where she was from, which it didn't, it was always going to be an obstacle, something that they'd have to get over only to be thrown back where they began at destiny's will.
And he couldn't deny that he was attracted to the blonde. Very attracted. What perfection the transgenics possessed through genetics Asha had nearly mirrored in real life. She was extraordinarily appealing to him, and, in reality, much more his style. He glanced up at her, catching her expectant gaze.
"What if it doesn't work out?" he asked.
Asha shrugged. "Not like we talk much anymore, anyway. We'd just be back where we started, with a little more experience in love, at that. We're both adults, we can handle it, can't we?"
Logan nodded distantly, his eyes revealing that he was deep in thought. Asha stood from her chair.
"Look," she said pointedly. "I know you're not one to rush into something without properly thinking it over. So, I'll give you some time. Meet me tomorrow seven-ish here if you want to give this a shot. Right here. It's your call. I'll be waiting." And with another swallow of her beer, she was gone.
Logan leaned back in his chair, recalling the events. A small smile formed on his lips as he stood, looking at the time on his computer. It was still early, but he might as well start trying to find something decent to wear tonight. After all, he was a perfectionist, and if he wanted things to work out, he wanted to start things off on the right foot when he went to meet Asha.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Zack walked down the dingy alley way, impatiently dragging a very submissive and handcuffed Donald Lydecker behind him. He paused slightly when he heard the man moan.
"What, Deck?" he asked sardonically. "Don't like being out of control?"
He was completely prepared to go into a lengthy account of how Lydecker had been the one to inflict hell upon them, take away their control and other such sins, but he as stopped abruptly by the sight of a female figure several yards in front of him.
Zack led the obedient Lydecker to a large column supporting a nearby building, unlocking and re-cuffing him to the large pole, pushing him backwards into the shadow. "Stay here," Zack hissed as he shoved the keys back into his pocket, quickly making his way to the woman, completely clueless on what he'd say to her when he stopped, he really quite unsure on how to simply accomplish that.
"Hey," he said, lightly grabbing her shoulder impulsively.
She turned slowly, her uncertainty easy to detect.
Zack's mouth dropped right on cue as she revealed herself.
She was gorgeous, and, in Zack's humble opinion, exact perfection. She was slender and tall, dressed entirely in sleek black akin to Zack's own ensemble. Her short blonde hair was styled in complementary shag, framing her lovely face. He skin was milky white with rosy tints in all the right places. Her dark eyes were beautiful, and her full, red lips were upturned into a slight, innocent smile. She seemed to be evaluating him pleasantly, as he had done to her.
If truth be told, she was attracted to him. She took in his muscular physique, his tanned skin, and his chiseled features with interest. His dirty blonde hair hung handsomely across his lovely face, his eyes intent. His black outfit matched her ensemble perfectly. She smiled again, more seductively than before.
"Hello," she whispered almost shyly.
"Hello," Zack replied in an equally small whisper.
They stood in silence for a few breathtaking moments, taking in the sight of one another in peaceful serenity.
"You're beautiful," Zack blurted out, blushing slightly as he realized he'd said so out loud.
"Thank you," she said softly, blushing deeply. "No one's ever sincerely said that to me before."
"I find that hard to believe," Zack said, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes. She blushed deeply.
"Umm," Zack stammered, sighing deeply and trying again.
"Would you, maybe, like to, I don't know, go up to my place for a little while?"
She smiled. "I'd like that." She paused. "on one condition."
"Which would be?"
"A name," she stated simply.
"Oh. Zack. How 'bout yourself?"
"Maggie."
"That's a beautiful name, you know."
Maggie grinned even wider.
Zack placed his arm around her shoulders gently as he led her toward his charge still lying in the shadows. Maggie leaned happily into his innocent embrace.
"Well," she though to herself, "looks like Alec was right. I was destined for love at first site."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Detective Clemente walked briskly from his squad car, which he parked across the street from the Jam Pony Messenger Service, his trench coat billowing with the cool wind.
He approached the building, preparing to enter when he saw the body.
He laughed softly, quite amused.
"Special Agent In Charge Ames White," he said with boyish entertainment, chuckling in satisfaction. "At least your not tied up. That's a step up."
The Detective hadn't known which transgenic had called him, but he suspected the head male that had been involved in the hostage situation. He pulled out his cuffs and restrained the unconscious form of Ames White. He began to walk back to his car, but was stopped by a temporarily crippling blow to his side.
Ames White stood uncomfortably, stretching his arms and rotating his neck. He grabbed the keys to the cuffs from the incapacitated Detective's coat pocket, unlocking the apparatus.
"You screwed up, Detective," he said sarcastically, an evil grin on his face as he walked down the street to where he'd left his own vehicle a block away. "But thanks for coming out.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"So," Alec said, leaping down from the three-story building and landing in his characteristic feline crouch. Sandeman followed suit, descending in the vertical style of the Familiars from the adjacent two-story building.
"You're ready?"
Sandeman nodded, sighing slightly.
"Then lets head on in. Quick stop at the infirmary, first though, if you don't mind. I'd like to get properly cleaned up if that's ok with you."
"Likewise," Sandeman replied, following Alec's lead.
The two men sidled toward the clinic, comfortably chatting in hushed tones like they'd known each other for years.
"So," Sandeman began eagerly, "what exactly what do you like to do in your spare time? I'm sure your not easily amused with ordinary things, with all the places and accomplishments you have."
Alec laughed softly. "I, my friend, as well as many of my kind, are quite the contrary. We are amused with the most human of things. Drinking, pool, television, music and the opposite sex highlight our favorites list. Add a few heists here and there for an adrenaline rush, and of course the all popular survival routine and you got a perfect day in the life of you average everyday transgenic in Post Pule Seattle."
Sandeman chuckled. "Sounds like the life."
"Just living the childhood we never had," Alec added distantly.
Sandeman nodded solemnly. "I see."
"Yeah," Alec replied, returning with a question of his own. "So, tell me about these estates of yours? What does one do with such large amounts of cash?"
Sandeman smiled. "Quite a bit. I equipped each of these mansions with a state of the art computer system and laboratory. There's endless luxuries in each; I'd always hoped I could offer them to visitors, and possibly even as living space to my children n one day."
"Looks like that one didn't work out. One's crazy and the other's bloodthirsty. Not a good match."
To Alec's surprise, the man grinned. "I supposed my early plans included CJ and Ames, but those estates were built after the fact. They were built to possibly house you, and your kind. I want to give you the world. Provide everything you could dream of. Give you wonderful lives. Help you fight the Familiars. The war would seem like just a game to you in your perfect lives. I'd planned to make all of you happy, regardless of what you looked like or how you acted. It's incredible how awry thing went. Sad, really. But perhaps, one day, you could make your home in one of those lovely places. I'd be honored to have you at least stay, I believe that you would be quite amused with the array of intriguing additions I've made to them."
Alec grinned, imagining the possibilities. "Maybe someday."
He walked casually into the infirmary, quietly looking for Ronnie, knowing she'd be somewhere in the building. She wasn't always on duty, but she liked to stay around in case she was needed, nonetheless.
"Ronnie," he called softly, looking in the multiple makeshift rooms they'd set up. He felt at tap on the shoulder and spun around warily.
"Alec," Ronnie greeted him openly, though stopping abruptly upon seeing the blood mangling his face and upper body. "What the hell did you do this time, Alec?" Her voice was chiding, but full of concern.
"Picked a schoolyard fight with a boy who started talking shit about transgenics, mommy dearest," Alec said with mock shame. Ronnie grinned.
"Did you win that schoolyard fight?" she asked.
"Beat his ass into the ground," Alec replied proudly.
Ronnie giggled lightly. "Are you in pain?" she asked, looking at his wounds.
"Nah, looks worse than it is."
"I'm sure," Ronnie replied, only just seeing the man behind Alec.
"My goodness, you don't look so good yourself," she said to him, though didn't leave Alec's side.
"That's a friend of mine who got beat up pretty bad before I got into the fight. Think you could take a look at him, clean him up a bit?" Alec asked her.
"You're going to take some time," she said skeptically.
"I can wait, take care of him first."
Ronnie looked at Alec questioningly, wondering what he was up to. She shrugged, but led the older man to a cot across the room. "Wait around, Alec. I'll be with you as soon as I can."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
She heard someone come in, and her heart dropped when she heard the soft voice looking for the nurse. It was unmistakable.
The voice was Alec's.
Max had been in the infirmary looking at supplies. She'd gone down to talk to Gem and her baby girl, Grace, and had afterward stopped by to take a look at their medical inventory. She'd been in the back room, counting up their supplies when she'd heard him.
She walked slowly toward his voice, almost afraid of what she might find. She heard Ronnie's voice, but wasn't thinking clear enough to decipher what she was saying. She heard footsteps go to a nearby cot and pull a curtain, and Max walked in, peaking around the corner and gasping at the bloody sight of Alec leaning casually against the wall across from her.
"Alec!" she whispered as she rushed over to him. "What the hell happened?"
"Maxie, are you worried about my well being? I'm touched."
"Damn right, I am. What did you do?"
"Got into a wrangle with our buddy Ames," Alec said as if it was no big deal.
"What! Are you ok? Why isn't Ronnie…" Max asked urgently, but Alec cut her off.
"I'm fine, Maxie. Really. Ronnie's taking a look at another guy who got caught in the fight."
"A transgenic?" Max asked expectantly.
"Not exactly," Alec answered uncomfortably. "You'll probably want to talk to him though, once he gets cleaned up."
"You look horrible, Alec," she whispered, moving closer to him.
"Thanks Maxie," Alec answered with a sarcastic grin.
"I was wondering where you were last night and this morning. I was worried, you should have told me where you were. What with you being wounded and all, you're lucky to have gotten out of that fight with White alive." She unknowingly had made her way extraordinarily close to Alec. He impulsively grabbed her hands, holding them loosely.
"I'm sorry," he said simply though sincerely, squeezing her hands for effect.
"It's ok," she said, staring at her delicate hands in Alec's strong ones. She smiled slightly, studying his grasp. Suddenly, she backed away, her eyes wide with fear.
"Max, what," Alec started, but she cut him off his a harsh, wavering whisper.
"Alec," she said breathlessly, her eyes still on his hands, "please tell me those are tattoos."
Alec started at her, confused until he followed her gaze down to his hands, his eyes widening in fear, but not in surprise.
The Minoan Runes were clearly visible on his wrists and palms.
A/N: You probably saw that one coming. Oh Well.
A little more physical action, which is a good thing, from what I hear. More Max/Alec action in the upcoming chapters, though. I promise!
Anyway, R/R, Thanks!
-AntipodeanOpaleye
