Lucy
Chapter Ten
Collapsed
Dix stared at the computer screen, the light blaring into his beady eyes. He'd been searching for Rissa Alienne for hours. There was absolutely no trace of her. Usually terrorist groups were proud to announce when they'd done something to deter the 'transgenic threat'. No one was taking credit for the scramblers. It was like it hadn't even happened. He was about to resort to calling Logan. There was a progress meeting in three hours. He had hoped to show some progress at it. He was going to call Logan an hour before the meeting if he still didn't find anything by then.
Alec had decided to be early to the meeting today. After having heard about Max and Lucy's life, he suddenly wanted to be nice to her. He figured it wouldn't last, but he did want to show Max that he cared. Hopefully, being on time would convey that. Lucy and Max entered the large conference room, talking about something. They both seemed so normal. Normal suited Max. She seemed surprised by his presence in the room, probably because it was twenty minutes before the meeting started. She had been avoiding him all morning, as though she thought she wouldn't have to speak with Alec until the meeting. Seeing him now sort of ruined that theory.
"Afternoon, Maxie, Lucy."
The two nodded at him. Lucy leaned against the table, her legs crossed at the ankles. She'd been so tired today. She wasn't sure why. She felt queasy and had a monstrous headache pounding against her skull. The ache was so strong, she could hardly even hear or think, for that matter. She wished Max had some aspirin on hand, but she didn't, since transgenics didn't get sick. Max, on the other side of Lucy, wouldn't look at Alec. He could sense her frustration from where he stood. He didn't say anything else; he didn't want to push her too far today. He just waited quietly, actually hoping for a barb or a punch from Max to show him she was okay. Biggs come in, followed by Dix, Luke, Dalton, and three others.
"I found something out about Rissa Alienne. She isn't part of any organization except Manticore."
Max glanced up and eyed Dix carefully.
"What are you saying?"
"Rissa is a transgenic. She didn't exist in any records until a year ago, shortly after Manticore was burned down. She was arrested once under the name Riva Calvin, but the police noticed her barcode, X4-435. She was part of a unit away when you were captured, Max. I think she's mad you took away her home."
"Yes, because Manticore promoted all things comfortable and safe."
Alec smiled a bit, relieved that Max seemed to be back. She stared at him for a moment, as she said safe, and realized that all things comfortable and safe to her was Alec. How frightening. Mr. Unreliable. Biggs sighed and looked at Lucy to find a little bit of peace after hearing one of their own kind was trying to screw with their system. Lucy's body was swaying and her eyes were shut. She looked pretty bad, any color from her face previously totally gone. He dashed forward as he realized she was going to collapse. She slid down and he grabbed her mid-fall. Max jumped a bit and knelt down as Biggs placed her gently on the floor, her head cradled in his laps. Max was vaguely aware of Alec yelling for Riles to get into the conference room. Before Max knew it, an unconscious Lucy was being shuffled from Biggs' arms to Riles' one stretcher. Biggs followed Riles all the way to the infirmary with Alec and Max close behind.