He opened the folder one last time double-checking; his designation for the time being was to be 'Alec,' a smart-ass of sorts with numerous wise cracks, someone that doesn't always obey orders, and a transgenic with a family. Family, what a joke, he laughed bitterly. They are soldiers how can they possibly consider each other as family? It's a sign of weakness. He sighed as he sat upon the plush couch; the only light was that of a fire glowing out of control within the fireplace. The darkness of the night shown through the glass windows, and from afar stars twinkled. The cabin was cozy a soldier led him here; to what purpose X-5 494 did not know. He was told however to gather his thoughts, and figure out his plan of action to fulfill the mission written within the folder he held in his hands. He threw the folder into the roaring fire; this was it he was going in.
***
The light of day found it's way through the curtain covered windows. He squinted as the rays of light shown in his eyes. Alec got up, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and dressed in the clothes given to him as part of the mission. It was finally time.
Alec walked towards the gates of Terminal City, he could almost smell the stench of war, and he knew that war wasn't too far away. He wore what looked like the attire he had left Terminal City in, there was no sign that a bullet went through the shirt, nor were there any signs of blood stains. He took a deep breath as if calming his nerves, wind ruffled through his hair, and he walked on slowly. Alec was soon startled out of his complex calmness. "Alec! It's you!" This was too easy. He looked up to see the one that has spoken. Alec raised his arm up in a slight wave and the door to the transgenic world was open.
As he walked in he couldn't help but be mesmerized at the secret society, the little city bustling with militia. He gazed intently at the all the transgenics, all-working on a plan to destroy what was known as the 'familiars'. "Alec? Is that you?" It was a hush whisper, and with his enhanced hearing he could detect the shock, surprise, and a hint of relief? He diverted his gaze to the one who had spoken; it was none other than X-5 452. His mind kicked in overdrive, X-5 452 was the one he was to seek and destroy. "Yeah, who else would I be?" He sounded almost unsure of himself, what happened to that overconfident ego the size of the planet Alec? Max swept the thought away, he was back and everything was almost as it was supposed to be. She surprised herself and the rest of the transgenic population that saw her lean over and give him a gentle hug. He visibly recoiled, wincing as if her embrace hurt him. Once again she pretended not to notice. "Where have you been?" Her words muffled as her face was against his leather jacket, she knew he heard her. "Somewhere." It was his only reply, as he hadn't thought that through yet, he was relieved as Max didn't press anymore and stepped away from the embrace. He was almost tempted to take the gun out from hidden within his jacket pocket and kill her there, but he was intrigued, why had she been so gentle? Why did she even care? And to an addition to his being intrigued he also needed to follow his order in finding out what was being planned about their mode of attack.
He could see a man slowly walking towards Max. "Max!" he called, his face all business. She turned towards the blond haired transgenic. " Yeah?" "Mole set up the radio, says that they're some important info for you and Logan wants to talk to you…" "Thanks Zack." "Adam remember?" The blond replied almost bitterly. Alec took this as an opportunity to introduce himself. "The names Alec." "Zack, but to Max it's Adam … so you're the one that Max and the rest of the guys have been worried about." Again this confused him, worried?
Why were all the transgenics on the outside so complex? Had he been this way before? What adventures had he been through, and why did he have the scar of a bullet hole on his chest? Try as he might he couldn't remember what he had forgotten.
His perception of this mission had been utterly wrong. When he was preparing to go undercover he had never thought of the little society he was so readily accepted into again. He had thought that this mission was to go undercover into a colony filled with hardcore soldiers, soldiers that knew all emotion was a sign of weakness, the ones with the coldest of hearts… the ones he felt the most comfortable with. Although he now realized that he once was like the ones in this little community filled with emotions and weakness, he wasn't like that now. He was the soldier that followed the orders given to him, and if he was a good enough soldier he would risk his life to complete the mission. He only hoped that his curiosity wouldn't get in the way with the completion of the mission, and already it had begun to be a problem. Isn't curiosity what killed the cat? And knowing that he had feline DNA, that wasn't a good example.
"Alec it's nice to see you." Alec looked at the taller transgenic, his long brown hair uncombed, his face like one of a dog, "Uh yeah, nice to see you too." The larger transgenic took a few strides and embraced Alec into a tight bear hug taking Alec off the ground. Joshua set Alec back down, "I'm glad you're back." "Yeah buddy… me too." Joshua too found the uneasiness of the words spoken by Alec, Alec was different, and he intended to find out why. Under Joshua's watchful eye, Josh saw that Alec was different from when he had left to find Rachel. He had somehow changed between finding Rachel and now, Josh saw his friend find solace in being alone, and how uncomfortable he was with the transgenics around him, this wasn't the Alec he once knew. Joshua only hoped that this transformation was temporary, and that he would return to his old self soon, because they all needed that Alec back now more than ever.
To be continued…
Authors Note: Sorry about the long delay, I've been suffering from writers block, and I had a burst of inspiration! So I wrote this chapter, short I know… the inspiration died on me. Sorry in advanced for the next long awaited chapter! Thanks for your patience. ~ Inevitable
