The Committee members stared at the Head, looking for guidance. Aaron had been sent back to his cell so they could discuss the problem he was bound to present. So far the Head had found himself unable to say much of anything after what had just happened. He finally let out a breath and looked at all the members.
"He is going to prove to be problematic."
"Indeed." Four muttered, unimpressed.
"What do you plan to do about him?" Seven asked.
"I'm not sure yet." The Head told her. "He could be quite useful, but at what cost? His message was clear, at least to me. I believe he wants us to prove ourselves before he answers our queries."
"And do we have time for that?" Two asked. "It would seem as if we're running out of time in the Terminal City case."
"The transgenics have made no move to lash out." The Head replied. "I think we are safe for the time being."
"For the time being, yes." Eight said. "But what about the future? The transgenics won't be content in Terminal City forever. They'll want to branch out and integrate with regular people."
"Regular people will never -"
"And what about the breeding cult?" Six chimed in. "They're making progress toward the transgenics."
"I'm considering all these matters." The Head growled. "I will deal with the situation."
* * *
Max looked around her office, studying every face in the room. She had told her "inner circle" the trio's plan and was looking for opinions on it, but no one seemed especially eager to make a comment. They all just looked at each other, obviously knowing that they were thinking the same thing but no one wanted to say it... so the rest turned to stare at Mole.
He sighed. "Why should we risk all our necks for one guy who got left behind?"
"Because he's just like us!" Orion exploded.
Mole sneered. "Oh? So he's got my lovely complexion does he?"
"That's not what I meant." Orion replied quietly.
"Well news-flash O-boy," Mole continued. "If we went in after every transgenic to get left behind, we'd all be either back in Manticore or dead. And I for one don't want to end up in either situation."
"He's got a point." Alec mumbled and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I guess we'll have to do it ourselves then." Orion said.
He left the office, followed by TJ and Spring.
"Joshua wanted to help." He said quietly.
"What?" Mole asked.
"He's engineered." Joshua said. "Like Joshua, like Max, like us. He's like us. Now he's in a cage. Cage is whack."
"Now he's got a point." Alec sighed.
"So, are we going to do it or what?" Max asked, looking at them all.
* * *
Orion sat on the blanket that currently served as his bed, his brow furrowed. TJ and Spring sat down next to him and were silent. They knew that when he needed to think, he needed peace and quiet. He could also be a very moody individual, so they didn't want to bother him too much.
"We'll have to go in alone." He said finally. "If they won't help."
"We're with you." TJ said.
"I'm glad someone is." Orion mumbled.
* * *
The Head of The Committee walked through the exit door, dropping the title as soon as he had been clear of the building. He walked over to his car and gently placed his briefcase on the top of the car as he searched his pockets for his keys. Just before he was about to unlock the door, he became aware of footsteps behind him. Slowly, he turned around.
He saw a man he only knew as Murray standing behind him, a cigarette held tightly between his two fingers. He nodded and took a drag of the cigarette.
"Peter."
"Murray."
Peter's mouth grew very dry as he watched Murray studying him. He knew that when a Head of The Committee was visited by Murray, it never ended well. The end was usually termination... and if they were lucky they only lost their jobs.
"I'm sure you're aware of why I'm making this little visit." Murray said, the hand holding his cigarette falling rigidly to his side.
"I assume it has something to do with the man of Voltaire." Peter replied, trying to sound unconcerned.
"It has everything to do with that man." Murray told him. "You weren't authorized to capture him, or ask anything of him."
"I've always been led to believe that the transgenic situation was to be solved immediately, and by using any means necessary"
"Not when it involves disobeying direct orders, Peter." Murray said and pulled a gun from his belt. "I'm afraid you know too much for me to just let you go."
Peter tried reaching into his coat for his own gun, but it was too late. Murray had pulled the trigger and the bullet had slammed into his chest before he could even get his hand on his gun. He wheezed, then fell against the car and slid to the ground.
Murray tucked his gun away, then took out his cellphone and dialed a number. "Come clean up the mess, and send for Fourteen."
* * *
Orion expertly unlocked the door and slipped inside. He looked up and down the corridor, waited a beat, then signaled for TJ and Spring to follow. They slipped inside behind them and the three made their way to the cell. They found hardly any security, which was surprising to them.
He peered around the corner, seeing the two guards that were stationed there before, though this time they looked considerably more bruised. He ducked back around the corner and looked at TJ.
Give me the gun. He signaled. TJ nodded and handed him the tranquilizer gun they had 'borrowed' from Max's office. He peeked around the corner, then raised the gun and fired. The first dart hit the first guard squarely in the neck. He staggered a few steps, then fell to the floor with a thud. Before the second guard could properly react, he fire the second dart and it managed to hit the man in the back of the hand. The guard pulled the dart out and walked forward a ways, then tripped over his companion and fell to the floor.
Orion nodded, then they made their way to the cell. Spring began working on the lock while TJ and Orion watched opposite ends of the corridor. Aaron walked over to the cell door and peered down at Spring.
"You've probably been caught on the cameras." He told her flatly. "More guards and, I suppose, a few of the leftover transgenics are coming along right now."
"He's probably right." TJ said, worry in his voice. "How's the lock?"
"Manageable." Spring told him. "But I'll need more time."
"We don't really have a lot of that." Orion said as he adjusted his hearing. "They're close."
"Just keep them away for a few more minutes." Spring muttered as she continued working.
As TJ watched a hoard of guards, led by his sister X6 683, rushing toward him down the corridor, he seriously doubted he would be able to do that. Without hesitating, he fired a few shots at them, but only managed to hit two guards, and he didn't get them good enough. They were limping, but they were still coming. He ran back so he was only a foot or so away from Spring. "You done yet?"
"A few more minutes!" She exclaimed as a bullet whizzed by her head.
There were a few more gunshots, then Orion came and joined them. He looked at her, but didn't ask the question because he had heard her answer. In no time, their brother, X6 838, rushed forward and tackled Orion to the floor. It wasn't long after that 683 appeared in front of TJ and wasted no time in beginning to fight him.
"Statistically you'll never make it." Aaron said, obviously bored. Spring decided to ignore him.
Orion managed to push 838 off him and jumped to his feet. Before 838 could get up, he delivered a swift kick to the side of his head, sending his head slamming against the wall. He moved in for another, but 838 grabbed his foot and twisted, causing him to spin and fall to the ground. Seizing the moment, 838 pulled out his gun and pointed it at Orion's face.
"I'm the CO now." 838 said in a triumphant voice. "I'm the leader now and now you take orders from me."
"I'd rather you shoot me." Orion snarled.
Meanwhile on the other side of the hall, only a few yards away, TJ managed to head-butt 683 and push her into the wall. He smirked as he remembered all the times he had beaten her in training, and knew he could beat her now. All that quickly left his mind when she signaled at all the guards behind her, and they all rushed forward and pinned him to the ground. He tried pushing them off, but found it impossible. Frantic, he craned his neck to call to Orion, but he saw 838 shoot and Orion fall to the ground. He screamed, but was quickly silenced when a guard standing above him knocked him on the back of the head with the butt of his gun. He struggled to keep his eyes open, but failed.
"Got it!" Spring screamed as the lock made a click. She smiled and reached to open the door, but 683 charged at her and tackled her. Somehow she managed to grab 683's wrists and toss her backward, giving her enough time to get back on her feet.
683 got up herself and immediately put up her fists and took a fighting stance. They circled each other for what seemed like an eternity before 683 rushed forward, grabbed her arms, then threw her roughly into the waiting arms of 838. He held her tightly and grinned.
It was not a grin to stay, however. There was an odd sound of footsteps all around, though none of them were moving, not even the guards. They all stopped to listen and wonder where the noise was coming from. But soon they knew.
"Outside." Aaron said and pushed his cell door open.
He was right, of course. The footsteps were coming from outside... on the building. Someone was scaling the building. 838 was about to instruct the guards to go and find out who it was, but he didn't have time. A figure suddenly crashed through the tiny window above them and landed gracefully before them all.
"This where the party is?"
"Max!" Spring exclaimed. "You came!"
"Had to make an entrance." Max shrugged, then quickly whirled around and kicked the guard that had been trying to sneak up on her. She then looked up at the window and whistled.
Alec came in through the window, landing next to Max. Then the door that the trio had used to enter the building flew off its hinges and Mole and Joshua ran up the corridor, throwing guards aside like rag dolls as they came.
For a moment there was an eerie stillness as everyone in the room regarded one another. Deciding she might as well break the tension, Spring slammed her head back, connecting with 838's face. He released her and stumbled back, blood spurting from his nose. It was then everyone took action.
Joshua and Mole began working on knocking out and injuring as many guards as they possibly could. Joshua grabbed two, then slammed their heads together and let them fall in a heap. Mole shot one that was trying to run down the corridor, obviously hoping to get reinforcements. The man fell against the wall, then slumped to the ground.
Two guards rushed at Max from both sides, so she just simply jumped up and kicked her legs out, connecting with both of them and sending them flying to the ground. She turned to look at Aaron, wondering why he was just standing in the doorway of his cell. Another guard came at her and she had to abandon that train of thought so she could turn and elbow the guard in the face and send him flying to the wall.
683 charged at Alec, managing to land a few punches. He ducked her last one and reached up to grab her wrist. He turned quickly, pulling her arm behind her back and twisting. It broke with a crack and he sent her sailing into the bloodied 838. He looked around for more guards, but could see none.
Mole slammed the last guard into the wall violently, causing him to black out and slide to the floor. He turned to Max. "We should move."
Max nodded. "Joshua, would you please carry TJ? And Spring can you help Orion?"
Spring nodded and helped Orion to his feet. She looked at his hip, which was bleeding pretty badly, and decided to put on a good front and not mention to her half-delirious brother that it didn't look so good. She followed Joshua out of the door they came.
Mole looked at Max, then followed the others out. Max turned to Alec and jerked her head toward the exit. He frowned but didn't argue and left with the rest. She then turned to Aaron. "Coming?"
Aaron thought this over. "I suppose."