"There's twelve-thousand here."
"The extra two is from that vase you swiped." Aaron told her. "You've got an eye on you."
"Comes with the job." She said and closed the bag. She went over to the filing cabinet and pulled a key from her pocket. She bent down to unlock the last drawer, then pulled it open and dropped the bag inside. Then she straightened up and lightly clicked the door closed, satisfied with the minute clicking noise it made, signifying it was locked. She turned to face Aaron. "You're one of a kind."
"That is true." Aaron nodded.
Max shook her head and stared out the window. "Do you think they'll ever leave us alone?"
Aaron walked over to the window and pointed out a man to her. "That is Eight and he's from The Committee. They called on me to give them the answer to their biggest question."
Max looked at him, wondering if she knew what it was.
"How to get rid of the transgenics." He continued. "I did not tell them how; they were not ready for the information so I didn't tell them how. As long as he is out there and I am in here, they will never go away."
"Wait, they weren't ready? So you would have told them?"
"Eventually." He noticed her look. "Max, I was not built to be loyal. They trained the loyalty out of me when I was very young. I couldn't solve problems if I was loyal to this cause or that if they happened to clash. I solve what problems are given to me. I solve all problems... eventually. You have nothing to fear, I assure you. The Committee is nowhere near being ready enough to know how to handle the situation here."
"What about friends? How can you be a good friend if you're not loyal?"
"I don't have friends, Max." He told her. "I have people who I know. Maybe someday, when people stop asking questions, I'll be able to be normal and have friends and be loyal and all that, but for now... I'm just built to know."
* * *
"Fe'nos tol."
The robed man nodded in recognition then turned to watch the two men sparring. He was obviously pleased by their abilities and skill. He watched them intently, emotionless for the most part. After a few minutes, he turned back to the man beside him. "How are things with The Committee going?"
"Very well, sir."
"And they've got no idea about you?" The man asked.
"None, sir."
"And the man, Murray, have you taken care of him?"
The visiting man nodded and pulled a ring from his pocket. He handed it to the robed man with a bow of his head. "His ring, sir."
"Very good." The robed man said. "It shouldn't be long before you may shed your number and make it known that you are a Brother to us all."
* * *
Orion rested his forehead against the cool glass of a window in the cafeteria and groaned. He stared out at the empty street below, wondering if the people who used to walk along below years ago ever had problems like he was currently having. He began tapping his cane in tune with a soft melody in his head, hoping that it would distract him from the issue at hand. The only thing he was happy about was the fact that the breakfast rush was over and the cafeteria was virtually empty, save for a few lingering transgenics and that Logan guy.
He turned to stare at Logan and wondered if he ever had this particular problem. He then thought that was stupid to think and turned back to stare at the desolate street below. He sighed again, not knowing what else to do.
A few minutes later, he felt someone tap on his shoulder. Fearing it might be TJ or Spring, he didn't turn around. "Yeah?"
"I couldn't help but notice you look pretty upset."
He turned then, glad it wasn't TJ or Spring, and looked up at the man who was talking to him. It was Logan. "You could say that."
Logan took a seat next to him, but didn't say anything. Instead he watched Alec toss his garbage into one of the industrial sized cans and walk out the door. After he had gone, he turned back to Orion. "So, what's wrong?"
"It's - I dunno. You probably wouldn't be able to help anyway."
"Never know unless you tell me."
Orion sighed. "Okay, well, I was in the hospital wing for a week or so and when I got out and went to go see... the people I'm closest to, they were... kissing. I just don't understand how it could have happened. I mean, things were always this one way and all of a sudden they're different. And they told me that it wasn't the first time."
"I know how it feels." Logan mumbled. "There was a period of time when I thought... someone I cared for - loved was with someone else."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. I mean, it's not the same situation as you, but... I constantly wondered why it wasn't me." Logan sighed. "It hurt, a lot, but I did learn the art of grinning and bearing, not that I hadn't been an expert at it already, but... sometimes you just have to learn to accept things, and it usually works itself out in the end. It did for me, anyway."
Orion nodded slightly and Logan stood up. "Thanks."
"Nothing to thank me for." Logan said, then checked his watch. "Well, I've got to go work on some things. Good luck."
Orion watched Logan walk out of the cafeteria, then sat for a moment. After making his decision, he grabbed his cane and made his way out.
* * *
"Has there been any trouble from the transgenics?"
"No, nothing. The police are more active than they are."
"I'm sure it's just them planning. Keep on the situation. I'll get back to you."
Before Eight could reply, the line went dead. He shook his head and hit the End button. He shoved his cellphone back in his pocket, unable to shake the feeling that he was getting the run around.
He was about to settle in for a little nap when there was a knock on his window. Upset at the disruption, he rolled the window down and snapped, "What?"
"There's a bike messenger here, sir."
"A what?"
"A bike messenger." The officer repeated.
"Oh hell." Eight mumbled and opened the door. He got out and roughly slammed the door behind him, then followed the officer to the bike messenger who was standing near the gates of Terminal City, his bike at his side. "You. What do you want?"
"I've got a package that's gotta go in there." The messenger replied and jabbed his thumb over his shoulder, in the direction of Terminal City.
"And who in there would need a package?" Eight questioned, clearly annoyed.
The messenger shrugged and looked at the package. "Someone."
Eight ripped the package from the messenger's hands and ignored his protests as he read to whom the package ought to be delivered. He sighed and yelled, "Someone get me a bullhorn!"
It didn't take long for one of the officers to bring him one. He flipped it on and brought it to his mouth. "Attention residents of Terminal City. There is a package here addressed to... 'Missy Miss' that you need to sign for."
He handed the bullhorn to a nearby officer then roughly shoved the package back into the messenger's hands. He looked around, then went back to his car, deciding he really didn't care if some anonymous transgenic was getting a care package.
The gates to Terminal City opened and Max walked through them. She smiled at her old friend. "Dru, what's up?"
Druid shrugged. "I just need a signature."
She quickly signed Missy Miss on the sheet and accepted the package Druid handed her. She noticed the wink he gave her before getting back onto his bike and pedaling off. She shook her head and smiled, then walked back to her office.
Once inside, she tore open the package and spilled the contents onto her desk. There was some type of book and a note, so she decided to read the note first.
Max,
You been in there hella long. Here's a little something from all of us that will hopefully cheer ya up some.
Love,
Original Cindy, Sketchy, and everyone at Jam Pony (yeah, even Normal)
She smiled fondly, then picked up the book and turned it over so she could see the cover. There were pictures of everyone from Jam Pony cut and pasted onto it.
Curious, she opened to the first page and saw pictures of herself and Original Cindy, along with some messages scribbled by Original Cindy herself. She turned the page and saw that Sketchy had done the same... the next page was Herbal... and so on. She flipped through the whole book, each page having pictures and messages from her friends at work. The last page was Normal, and only had one picture on it (the only picture that had the two of them together; Max standing behind him with a goofy look on her face) and the message, What the fire truck are you doing? Get back here and get to work! Packages need homes, missy miss. Bip bip bip!
She smiled and closed the scrapbook and just stared at the cover.