"And Unto You a Child is Born"
Continued from "Meeting by the Lake"
Dinner went well, they talked, socially at least. There were no heavy discussion topics and no tempers flared. The three cleaned in relative silence. Once completed, Cindy announced, "Well, it has been a long day and tomorrow we will be busy, so I am going to bed. I will be leaving you night owls to yourselves. Good night."
"Good Night." Both Max and Logan said.
Then silence hung, heavy in the air. "Logan... um... Cindy 'assigned' me the Master bedroom, but I will move my stuff from there. I am sure you want..."
"Max, stop trying. I don't ever remember you trying to be polite. If you keep that up I will know you are trying to pull one over on me."
"Fine, I will enjoy the comfortable bed then."
"Great, I will use the couch... But I do need to use the room to change out of this brace. Will you wait here while I do that?"
"I will wait for you. And... ah... If you are not too tired... ah... We do need to talk some more."
"Yes we do."
Logan leaves, and then minutes later returns in his wheelchair.
"OK, I'm back."
"Why don't you move over to the couch? I will keep the fire going and you will be more comfortable there." Max said.
Logan does as she suggests. He transfers to the couch and positions himself comfortably. The oversize couch pillows support his back and head. Max also sits on the couch, looking less comfortable.
Logan begins, "So, we need to talk? Can I ask the first question?"
"Sure."
"Who is the father?"
"You want the long story or the short?" Logan gives her a smirk. "OK, the short story. Manticore waited until I entered my heat cycle. I reported to Medical as ordered, they strapped me to a table and inseminated me with X7 sperm that had been modified to react favorable to my X5 egg. They kept me there until my temperature fell, which meant that I was pregnant. So, to answer your question, the father is one of seven X7 transgenics." After some time Max continued, "Logan this is important. Director Renfro told me that this baby, my baby, is Manticore's future. They will be looking for him. I am actually surprised we haven't encountered resistance yet. I am assuming this means that they know when the baby is due and they will come get him then. It scares me."
"Max, you have taken precautions, you, if anyone, would know if you were under surveillance. These feelings are probably because of the hormone changes you are going through."
"NO! Stop placating me! Max rises as her excitement mounts. "I know Manticore, there have not been any new series since X8. The destruction of the cloning lab precluded any new generations. That technology has not been redeveloped. They are guessing at this point that the X5/7 union will be viable. I am their testing subject. They will be looking for this baby. Not for me, for the baby!"
"OK... OK calm down. You are probably right if this baby is the foundation for their survival, we need a plan to protect it."
"HIM, we must protect HIM!"
"Yes, mommy." Max calms then chuckles and then sits again, this time more relaxed and closer to Logan.
"OK, so I agree, my hormones are making me weird, but I must be sure about this."
"Max, over the last year I have tried to hate you. I have tried to hate you so much. I thought this emptiness I feel would go away if I hated you. The only thing I have accomplished is to learn that I will never hate you. No matter what your feelings are toward me, I can never hate you. I will do whatever needs to be done to protect this baby with you."
"Thanks Logan."
"Do you and Cindy have a plan?"
"Kind of. Baby is born and we disappear for at least six months."
"Do you have a place to disappear to?"
"No, we were going to wing it. See what we could find."
"I have another place I use, very infrequently, that is about six hours south, near Roseburg Oregon. No one knows about this place in connection to me. I have always used a cover name when I go there. We could use that place and then figure out where to go if we needed to move elsewhere."
"Logan that would be great. You know that if you go with us it will be disrupting your life for at least a year."
"Max, you have disrupted my life since the first time I met you. Come here, you look tired." Logan opened his arms to her. Max easily slid closer to Logan, snuggling into his arms with her head resting on his chest and his arms around her. Logan rested his hands on the bulge that contained her baby. They sat like this and talked some more, very comfortably in the heat of the fireplace and sharing the warmth of their bodies.
About an hour later Cindy entered the room to find them both sleeping. She commented to herself that there would be a forth to their party and she covered the two and returned to her room.
---------------------------------
Logan's dream begins. They are in a blank setting. The background is fuzzy and non-descript. He sees Max and a toddler, no more than four years old. He walks closer to them. The toddler speaks to Logan, "Why are you here?"
Logan stumbles over the words; he doesn't know what to say. Max speaks, "Zachary, this is my friend, Logan. He is very important to me, he is going to help us."
Zachary speaks again to Logan, "I love my mommy very much and I will miss her when she is gone. Will you be there to help me?"
"I will be there Zachary. Were is your mommy going?"
"I don't know that. Are you a good teacher? What will I learn from you?"
"Well, I used to play baseball and I love to sail, I could teach you that."
"What else?" The boy asks.
Max interjects, kneeling next to the boy. "Zachary, Logan has many things to teach you. He is a good man, he will teach you justice and caring for all. He is smart and will make sure you develop your mind and your body. He will keep you safe."
"Max, I don't understand. What is happening?"
Max stands. "Logan, this is my son Zachary. His X7 genes make him telepathic. He has brought us to this dream. He has picked up on my recent emotions and is doing this to ensure his future. This is like an emotional defense mechanism."
"Where are you going, why?"
"Nowhere. X7's cannot predict the future, but they pick up on emotions about what is currently happening. Zachary is not controlling this well, so when I worry about his abduction by Manticore, he only knows that I will be away from him. He is ensuring his survival by making sure he will be safe, even if it is without me."
"But how?"
"Logan, the brain is very powerful. The X7's are able to tap into more of it than others. They..."
The toddler interrupts. "Mommy, it hurts more now."
"I know it does, I feel it too. The doctor will be able to help us. OK?"
"Yes mommy."
"Max, Logan?" In the background we see Cindy entering. "Max, if you don't wake up, you will be late for your appointment."
As the scene fades, Logan opens his eyes. He sees Cindy standing over them; she is also touching Max's stomach. Max also awakes and Cindy moves away.
"Hey you guys, coffee is ready and we have about one hour before we have to leave."
"Logan, are you OK?" Max says. She has risen from the couch. "Do you need help to your chair?"
"No, I can... Max... what just happened?"
"Cindy woke us up. We fell asleep while talking last night."
"No, I mean... my dream, it was so real... I... we were, with him... Did you dream?"
"Yes Logan, I did. The mind is a very powerful organ. Zachary is able, even now, to reach out to me, to us. He is a special baby."
"But..."
"Look Logan, you relax and wake up a bit. I can bring you coffee. Let me get ready for my appointment and then you can get changed. I know this is all new for you, but I don't know that I can explain it any better. Some things are best left... um... unanalyzed."
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Time lapses and scene changes. The three are sitting in a doctor's office discussing the examination results. The doctor has already been informed of the special requirements for secrecy. He has worked with Logan and Manticore previously and has proven to be trustworthy. Dr. Heshmann begins, "Well, the baby looks good. His measurements place him at about 35 weeks..."
Max interrupts, "He is only 30 weeks old."
"Are you sure of your calculations? These tests are not pin point accurate, but they are accurate within about one week."
"Yes, Doctor. I know exactly when the baby was conceived, to an accuracy of about 15 minutes. It was all quite... ah... clinical."
"OK, so we know that your baby develops a bit faster than normal. This means he is due in less than 5 weeks."
"Will it be possible to deliver him early?"
"Yes, but I would like you to take this prescription for 10 days. This will ensure his lungs are fully developed prior to delivery. It is commonly used in cases of multiple births and when we know the delivery will not go to term. Take one tablet a day and we can schedule your delivery for a week from Friday. Will that fit your plans?"
"Yes, and what about registration?
"I will take the information from today and submit it as completed on the delivery day. There should be no problems. The hospital will not duplicate the record, as long as they think I have completed it. Then, as long as you do not come through the front door, there will be no record of a pregnant mother delivering on that day. Use my office entrance. Are there any further questions?"
"What about that place on my side that hurts? Is that OK?"
"Well, I wouldn't say it is normal, but there is no bruising. Sometimes babies at this stage tend to kick and being that they can't move around a lot, they kick the same place over and over. As long as it's not really painful, I wouldn't worry about it."
"Well, OK" said Max.
But Logan interrupts. "Wait, Doctor. Max has an enhanced ability to control pain. She was taught that as a child. If she says it hurts we should do something."
"Logan, until the baby is born, there is really nothing I can do. We don't want to expose the baby to an X Ray to see if it is a broken bone. The problem is not manifesting itself outwardly. We need to keep an eye on it and if it gets worse, we will reevaluate."
There being no further questions the group left. Soon after, the nurse enters the doctor's office. "Excuse me, the father's information was not listed on these documents. Should I call..."
"No, I know the father, we will keep the same address. Name is Logan Cale."
"Thanks Doctor."
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Back at Manticore, about this same time, in Director Renfro's office. Dr. Dunham and Director Renfro are talking. Alec is also present, standing by the door.
The doctor begins, "Ma'am, she needs to be brought back now. She is already 30 weeks along. The baby is due at 36 weeks. I don't understand why she wasn't returned at 8 weeks."
"X5-452 has a bit of an independence streak. She has to decide to return on her own. But, I believe now we may have to coax her."
"Ma'am, with all due respect, if you know where she is, I would suggest you take a armed squad and pick her up today."
"No, I do not believe that would work. That would push her away for good. This is why I have asked X5-891 to join us today." Alex adjusts his 'attention' stance when his designation is mentioned.
"Ma'am, I will do as ordered."
"X5-891, you will go to this address. This is where X5-452 has been living with a roommate. You will take all precaution not to contact X5-452. You will detain her roommate and deliver her to my office. Do you understand these directions?"
"Yes Ma'am, thank you for the opportunity."
"You are allowed to leave as soon as you are ready. Dismissed."
"Yes Ma'am." Alec leaves the room. 'Bring her back? How could I? She would rather die before she brings her baby back. But, technically I am not to bring her back. I am not even allowed to let her know I took the roommate. She is supposed to figure it out and come back on her own. Am I ready to disobey an order?"
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Back at the cabin, the three are sitting at the table discussing their plans. Cindy is talking, "Ten days... that is not a lot of time. I would like to go back to Seattle. Close up some things. I can be back middle to end of next week."
Logan counters. "Cindy, we shouldn't tell anyone that we are going, or make it look like we left."
"Don't you think I understand that? I just wanted..."
Max gets upset. "STOP! Both of you. Look, we are going to be in hiding for at least the next six months. Cindy, you go back to town, see whom you need to see, but stay near your phone. Logan, don't you need to do anything with your computers?"
"No, I store my hard drives whenever I leave Seattle, no matter how long I think I will be gone. They are in safe keeping."
"OK then, Cindy, go back, I am staying here and putting my feet up. Logan, the choice is yours."
"I will stay. Some one has to watch out for you..." He gets a sneer from Max. "I mean so you don't go off climbing trees or anything."
"Fine. I am on the couch if you need me."
Later, Logan and Cindy are walking to her car. "Cindy, does she look pale to you?"
"No... I don't know, maybe a little. She sure is cranky though. Are you sure you don't want to come back to Seattle with me?"
"No, whether she likes it or not... she will be watched this week."
"I am going to go, so I get home before dark."
"OK, remember to stay by your cell and remember our codes."
"Not a problem. I will be back probably Wednesday next week."
"Bye."
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The week goes on. Slowly, Max and Logan are reacquainted. Slowly, Max remembers the feelings she had for Logan and rediscovers her soul. They talk and laugh and cry. Max shares her fears for her son. They grow closer than ever. Logan keeps up his continued watch. Noticing slight changes in Max's expressions and stance. Occasionally he sees her flinch, but she covers it up and if he asks she is always OK. Logan thinks that if she keeps this up, we will take her back to the doctor in the morning, even if he has to drag her.
Tuesday - early morning, three day from the scheduled delivery. The sun is not yet up. It is always darkest before the dawn.
Max awakens, but feels very groggy. Her legs feel wet and tacky. She is finding it hard to focus on why. She knows something is wrong, she tries to rise from the bed, but can only remove the covers. She sees blood on the covers. Weakly, but as loud as she can she calls out, "Logan." The effort further depletes her energy. She lays back quiet and motionless hoping Logan heard. She slips out of consciousness.
Logan awakens. He sits up. 'Did I hear something? Was I dreaming? The house is quiet. I must be dreaming. Well, I am awake now, I might as well get up, check on Max, then sit at the computer for a while.' He gets into his chair. He rolls through the cabin and stops at the entrance. 'Boy, if Max knew I was checking up on her every night, she would knock me over. But I can't help it. I see her so peaceful, sleeping. I forget all the bad times, all the loneliness and anger. I never expected I could be so in love with someone that their peacefulness would affect me so much.' He enters the dark room. 'She has thrown off the covers. I will just...'
He sees the blood. "MAX! Max wake up!" 'She is bleeding, for what looks like some time now. The baby.' "Max can you hear me? Wake up now!"
Max did wake up. Her eyes fluttered open. "Logan," she said weakly, "Save the baby." Her eyes closed again.
Logan took no time in deciding what to do. She had to get to the doctor and he had to get her there. He raced back to his room and put on his leg braces. That way, at least he could carry her and drive. When he got back to her she was still unconscious. He picked her up, took her to the van and laid her across the seat. He ran back inside, picked up his phone and the keys, and then returned. As he drove, Logan dialed the emergency contact number for Doctor Heshmann. What he got was an answering service.
"I am sorry. The doctor is not in the office as of yet. May I leave him a message?"
"Yes, tell him my wife is bleeding and something may be wrong with her baby."
"I can get this message to him if it is an emergency."
"YES, this is an emergency. Normally an eight month pregnant woman would not be bleeding."
"Yes sir, calm down, please. Are you on the way to the hospital?"
"No, his office. He told us to go to his office if there..."
"I am sorry sir. His office is closed. You need to take your wife to the emergency room. I will call the doctor to meet you there."
"OK." Logan hung up the phone and turns to look at Max. "We are almost there, hang on Max." Logan drives to the emergency entrance and gets out of the car. An attendant is there.
"This is not the parking lot! This is for emer..." Logan spins around and takes the attendant by the collar.
"Look, My wife is bleeding and our unborn child may be dying. Do you want to help or be punched out?"
"OK sir, I will get a gurney." The attendant runs off.
Logan opens the car door and removes Max from the seat. As he makes his way to the emergency room, an empty gurney is wheeled out for him. Logan looks at the attendant. "Keys are in the ignition. Park it for me and I will be in here with my wife." He follows Max into the exam room. "She is O Negative blood. I have already called Dr. Heshmann. He should be on his way."
The doctor responding to the information received, "Get two pints O neg. now and get an inventory of how many we got. She has lost a lot." Then to Logan, "Sir, your wife is bleeding but the baby is probably OK. Her fluid is not leaking, so whatever has caused her to bleed is not affecting the baby at this time. I would like to examine her further, so if you could go to the waiting area, I will give you an update when I know something." The nurse led Logan out to the reception area. The nurse greeted him with paperwork "Mr..."
"Oh, Cale, Logan Cale."
"You need to fill out these forms, Mr. Cale."
"She is under the care of Dr. Heshmann. He said he would have the paperwork ready."
"Let me see. Oh, good he has dropped it off. Well, that makes my job easier. Please go sit and the doctor will give you an update as soon as possible."
Logan waited. He was relieved a bit when he saw Dr. Heshmann enter and go immediately into the exam room. Logan picks up his phone and dials. The phone on the other end rings six times before the connection is made. "Come on Cindy, pick up..."
"Hello" Cindy answers.
"Cindy, Hey, guess what..."
Cindy interrupts and speaks methodically. "Hello David. I have company here. I really can't talk now. I will call you back later." She hangs up and the connection is lost. Logan stares at his phone.
"She called me David."
"Mr. Cale." Logan's attention is averted to the doctor coming toward him. "Mr. Cale, we have given your wife two pints of blood and her strength seems to be returning. But in order to figure out why she is bleeding, we have to deliver the baby. Dr. Heshmann is doing that now. We do not believe the baby was harmed by or was the cause of your wife's bleeding. If you would like to come with me, Dr. Heshmann said you would want to be present for the child's birth."
"Yes, of course." Logan follows the doctor to the exam room. Logan enters to the sounds of a baby's cry.
The nurse wraps him and then approaches Logan with the small bundle. "Congratulations Mr. Cale, you have a son. One who was fairly eager to be delivered. Come with me, you can sit with him in the next room while the doctors complete their work."
"Is he OK?"
"Yes. He is quite strong and his lungs are good, for being nine weeks early. His APGAR score is normal for a full term baby. Perhaps your wife's calculations were off. Any way, sit here and the doctor will be with you as soon as possible.
Logan sits as and rocks Max's son. "Zachary, you are beautiful. You have your mother's coloring and her beautiful eyes." Logan continues to rock and coddle Zachary until Dr. Heshmann enters.
"Dr. Heshmann, is Max OK?"
"Yes Logan, she will be OK. She lost a lot of blood, but it did not seem to affect her baby."
"No, he looks fine! Do you know the cause of her bleeding?"
"Yes. This." Dr. Heshmann hands Logan a small white ceramic disk. "This was embedded into her uterine wall. I presume it was placed there when she was inseminated. I have my guesses, but do you know what this is?"
"Logan studies the object. "Yes, I believe I do. Dr. Heshmann, we are going to need to leave fairly quickly after she awakes. I need to put things in place before we leave. Could you watch the baby while I am gone?"
"We will place him in the nursery at my office."
"If anyone asks about a baby, please..."
"I understand Logan. Manticore will not find this baby."
"Thanks. I will be back in about an hour."
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Max opens her eyes. She is back in the medical lab at Manticore. She is strapped to the table and the baby is being delivered. She sees Dr. Dunham standing next to her glaring. "We will get this baby 542. You can not hide it from us."
Max yells, "NO!" Which awakens her. She is in a quiet room, no bright lights, and no straps. She looks to her left. Logan is rocking next to her bed. Baby Zachary is in his arms.
"Max, are you OK? Should I call the nurse?"
"Logan, is that... is he..."
There were tears in her eyes. "Max, don't cry. He is safe and healthy." Logan hands Zachary over to Max.
"I dreamt that Manticore... But he is here, safe. He is so small."
"3 kg. That is pretty big for nine weeks early! He is active too. Look at him reaching. He is beautiful Max."
"What happened? Why was I bleeding?"
"Here, let me take Zachary. We need to talk." Logan places Zachary in the hospital cradle, returns to Max and sits on the side of her bed. Max lies back on the pillow. "Max, the doctor found a transmitter imbedded in the wall of your uterus. As Zachary grew, the area became ulcerated until it finally started to bleed. That is what happened."
"A transmitter?"
"That's what it looked like. A small ceramic disk."
"So that is why we have not been followed. They knew where we were all along."
"That would seem to be an accurate assessment."
"Why aren't they here then? Now that Zachary is born?"
"As far as they know, the transmitter is still working and in place. They probably think the baby is due in a few weeks. And, they think you have left the hospital and are walking around somewhere in the Stickney Slough."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I took the transmitter and fed it to a stray dog. He should wander around with it and give us some time to get Zachary to the safe house undetected."
"They know where I have been since I left Manticore. Everywhere. Cindy... Cindy has to get out. Did you call her?"
"Yes. I called."
"Well? She's coming? When? We have to get out of here!"
"I have reason to believe that she won't be joining us, that..."
"What do you mean, she has got to understand that we have to leave!"
"Max, calm down. I called her. She answered me by calling me 'David' and she said she had company. She has not called me back. I think Manticore has already visited her."
"No... Why? Why would they take her? Why?" Max rises from the bed. "Where are my clothes?"
"Here Max. Where are you going?"
"Where? To get her, to save her!"
"No, Max, you can't, not now."
"How can you say that? She needs me..."
"Max, think about it. You just woke up from delivery and you lost a lot of blood. You are weak and our first priority is to get Zachary to safety. That is the plan. That is what we must do."
"But she is alone, she..."
"Zachary is our first priority. That has always been the plan. We all agreed."
"But..."
"We will go to the safe house. We will set up there and by then you will have recuperated enough to help her. Please agree with me Max. Everything is ready to go. Max, please."
"OK. You are right. I won't be able to do anything if I am still weak. You said everything is ready?"
"Yes, car is packed. Hospital gave me the paperwork for Zachary and you are now dressed. As soon as the nurse gets here, she can sign you out. We can go. We will be at the safe house in about six hours."
They left the hospital in silence. The baby that brought them together again, now in Max's arms. The "future of Manticore" being whisked away without a trace.
Continued from "Meeting by the Lake"
Dinner went well, they talked, socially at least. There were no heavy discussion topics and no tempers flared. The three cleaned in relative silence. Once completed, Cindy announced, "Well, it has been a long day and tomorrow we will be busy, so I am going to bed. I will be leaving you night owls to yourselves. Good night."
"Good Night." Both Max and Logan said.
Then silence hung, heavy in the air. "Logan... um... Cindy 'assigned' me the Master bedroom, but I will move my stuff from there. I am sure you want..."
"Max, stop trying. I don't ever remember you trying to be polite. If you keep that up I will know you are trying to pull one over on me."
"Fine, I will enjoy the comfortable bed then."
"Great, I will use the couch... But I do need to use the room to change out of this brace. Will you wait here while I do that?"
"I will wait for you. And... ah... If you are not too tired... ah... We do need to talk some more."
"Yes we do."
Logan leaves, and then minutes later returns in his wheelchair.
"OK, I'm back."
"Why don't you move over to the couch? I will keep the fire going and you will be more comfortable there." Max said.
Logan does as she suggests. He transfers to the couch and positions himself comfortably. The oversize couch pillows support his back and head. Max also sits on the couch, looking less comfortable.
Logan begins, "So, we need to talk? Can I ask the first question?"
"Sure."
"Who is the father?"
"You want the long story or the short?" Logan gives her a smirk. "OK, the short story. Manticore waited until I entered my heat cycle. I reported to Medical as ordered, they strapped me to a table and inseminated me with X7 sperm that had been modified to react favorable to my X5 egg. They kept me there until my temperature fell, which meant that I was pregnant. So, to answer your question, the father is one of seven X7 transgenics." After some time Max continued, "Logan this is important. Director Renfro told me that this baby, my baby, is Manticore's future. They will be looking for him. I am actually surprised we haven't encountered resistance yet. I am assuming this means that they know when the baby is due and they will come get him then. It scares me."
"Max, you have taken precautions, you, if anyone, would know if you were under surveillance. These feelings are probably because of the hormone changes you are going through."
"NO! Stop placating me! Max rises as her excitement mounts. "I know Manticore, there have not been any new series since X8. The destruction of the cloning lab precluded any new generations. That technology has not been redeveloped. They are guessing at this point that the X5/7 union will be viable. I am their testing subject. They will be looking for this baby. Not for me, for the baby!"
"OK... OK calm down. You are probably right if this baby is the foundation for their survival, we need a plan to protect it."
"HIM, we must protect HIM!"
"Yes, mommy." Max calms then chuckles and then sits again, this time more relaxed and closer to Logan.
"OK, so I agree, my hormones are making me weird, but I must be sure about this."
"Max, over the last year I have tried to hate you. I have tried to hate you so much. I thought this emptiness I feel would go away if I hated you. The only thing I have accomplished is to learn that I will never hate you. No matter what your feelings are toward me, I can never hate you. I will do whatever needs to be done to protect this baby with you."
"Thanks Logan."
"Do you and Cindy have a plan?"
"Kind of. Baby is born and we disappear for at least six months."
"Do you have a place to disappear to?"
"No, we were going to wing it. See what we could find."
"I have another place I use, very infrequently, that is about six hours south, near Roseburg Oregon. No one knows about this place in connection to me. I have always used a cover name when I go there. We could use that place and then figure out where to go if we needed to move elsewhere."
"Logan that would be great. You know that if you go with us it will be disrupting your life for at least a year."
"Max, you have disrupted my life since the first time I met you. Come here, you look tired." Logan opened his arms to her. Max easily slid closer to Logan, snuggling into his arms with her head resting on his chest and his arms around her. Logan rested his hands on the bulge that contained her baby. They sat like this and talked some more, very comfortably in the heat of the fireplace and sharing the warmth of their bodies.
About an hour later Cindy entered the room to find them both sleeping. She commented to herself that there would be a forth to their party and she covered the two and returned to her room.
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Logan's dream begins. They are in a blank setting. The background is fuzzy and non-descript. He sees Max and a toddler, no more than four years old. He walks closer to them. The toddler speaks to Logan, "Why are you here?"
Logan stumbles over the words; he doesn't know what to say. Max speaks, "Zachary, this is my friend, Logan. He is very important to me, he is going to help us."
Zachary speaks again to Logan, "I love my mommy very much and I will miss her when she is gone. Will you be there to help me?"
"I will be there Zachary. Were is your mommy going?"
"I don't know that. Are you a good teacher? What will I learn from you?"
"Well, I used to play baseball and I love to sail, I could teach you that."
"What else?" The boy asks.
Max interjects, kneeling next to the boy. "Zachary, Logan has many things to teach you. He is a good man, he will teach you justice and caring for all. He is smart and will make sure you develop your mind and your body. He will keep you safe."
"Max, I don't understand. What is happening?"
Max stands. "Logan, this is my son Zachary. His X7 genes make him telepathic. He has brought us to this dream. He has picked up on my recent emotions and is doing this to ensure his future. This is like an emotional defense mechanism."
"Where are you going, why?"
"Nowhere. X7's cannot predict the future, but they pick up on emotions about what is currently happening. Zachary is not controlling this well, so when I worry about his abduction by Manticore, he only knows that I will be away from him. He is ensuring his survival by making sure he will be safe, even if it is without me."
"But how?"
"Logan, the brain is very powerful. The X7's are able to tap into more of it than others. They..."
The toddler interrupts. "Mommy, it hurts more now."
"I know it does, I feel it too. The doctor will be able to help us. OK?"
"Yes mommy."
"Max, Logan?" In the background we see Cindy entering. "Max, if you don't wake up, you will be late for your appointment."
As the scene fades, Logan opens his eyes. He sees Cindy standing over them; she is also touching Max's stomach. Max also awakes and Cindy moves away.
"Hey you guys, coffee is ready and we have about one hour before we have to leave."
"Logan, are you OK?" Max says. She has risen from the couch. "Do you need help to your chair?"
"No, I can... Max... what just happened?"
"Cindy woke us up. We fell asleep while talking last night."
"No, I mean... my dream, it was so real... I... we were, with him... Did you dream?"
"Yes Logan, I did. The mind is a very powerful organ. Zachary is able, even now, to reach out to me, to us. He is a special baby."
"But..."
"Look Logan, you relax and wake up a bit. I can bring you coffee. Let me get ready for my appointment and then you can get changed. I know this is all new for you, but I don't know that I can explain it any better. Some things are best left... um... unanalyzed."
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Time lapses and scene changes. The three are sitting in a doctor's office discussing the examination results. The doctor has already been informed of the special requirements for secrecy. He has worked with Logan and Manticore previously and has proven to be trustworthy. Dr. Heshmann begins, "Well, the baby looks good. His measurements place him at about 35 weeks..."
Max interrupts, "He is only 30 weeks old."
"Are you sure of your calculations? These tests are not pin point accurate, but they are accurate within about one week."
"Yes, Doctor. I know exactly when the baby was conceived, to an accuracy of about 15 minutes. It was all quite... ah... clinical."
"OK, so we know that your baby develops a bit faster than normal. This means he is due in less than 5 weeks."
"Will it be possible to deliver him early?"
"Yes, but I would like you to take this prescription for 10 days. This will ensure his lungs are fully developed prior to delivery. It is commonly used in cases of multiple births and when we know the delivery will not go to term. Take one tablet a day and we can schedule your delivery for a week from Friday. Will that fit your plans?"
"Yes, and what about registration?
"I will take the information from today and submit it as completed on the delivery day. There should be no problems. The hospital will not duplicate the record, as long as they think I have completed it. Then, as long as you do not come through the front door, there will be no record of a pregnant mother delivering on that day. Use my office entrance. Are there any further questions?"
"What about that place on my side that hurts? Is that OK?"
"Well, I wouldn't say it is normal, but there is no bruising. Sometimes babies at this stage tend to kick and being that they can't move around a lot, they kick the same place over and over. As long as it's not really painful, I wouldn't worry about it."
"Well, OK" said Max.
But Logan interrupts. "Wait, Doctor. Max has an enhanced ability to control pain. She was taught that as a child. If she says it hurts we should do something."
"Logan, until the baby is born, there is really nothing I can do. We don't want to expose the baby to an X Ray to see if it is a broken bone. The problem is not manifesting itself outwardly. We need to keep an eye on it and if it gets worse, we will reevaluate."
There being no further questions the group left. Soon after, the nurse enters the doctor's office. "Excuse me, the father's information was not listed on these documents. Should I call..."
"No, I know the father, we will keep the same address. Name is Logan Cale."
"Thanks Doctor."
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Back at Manticore, about this same time, in Director Renfro's office. Dr. Dunham and Director Renfro are talking. Alec is also present, standing by the door.
The doctor begins, "Ma'am, she needs to be brought back now. She is already 30 weeks along. The baby is due at 36 weeks. I don't understand why she wasn't returned at 8 weeks."
"X5-452 has a bit of an independence streak. She has to decide to return on her own. But, I believe now we may have to coax her."
"Ma'am, with all due respect, if you know where she is, I would suggest you take a armed squad and pick her up today."
"No, I do not believe that would work. That would push her away for good. This is why I have asked X5-891 to join us today." Alex adjusts his 'attention' stance when his designation is mentioned.
"Ma'am, I will do as ordered."
"X5-891, you will go to this address. This is where X5-452 has been living with a roommate. You will take all precaution not to contact X5-452. You will detain her roommate and deliver her to my office. Do you understand these directions?"
"Yes Ma'am, thank you for the opportunity."
"You are allowed to leave as soon as you are ready. Dismissed."
"Yes Ma'am." Alec leaves the room. 'Bring her back? How could I? She would rather die before she brings her baby back. But, technically I am not to bring her back. I am not even allowed to let her know I took the roommate. She is supposed to figure it out and come back on her own. Am I ready to disobey an order?"
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Back at the cabin, the three are sitting at the table discussing their plans. Cindy is talking, "Ten days... that is not a lot of time. I would like to go back to Seattle. Close up some things. I can be back middle to end of next week."
Logan counters. "Cindy, we shouldn't tell anyone that we are going, or make it look like we left."
"Don't you think I understand that? I just wanted..."
Max gets upset. "STOP! Both of you. Look, we are going to be in hiding for at least the next six months. Cindy, you go back to town, see whom you need to see, but stay near your phone. Logan, don't you need to do anything with your computers?"
"No, I store my hard drives whenever I leave Seattle, no matter how long I think I will be gone. They are in safe keeping."
"OK then, Cindy, go back, I am staying here and putting my feet up. Logan, the choice is yours."
"I will stay. Some one has to watch out for you..." He gets a sneer from Max. "I mean so you don't go off climbing trees or anything."
"Fine. I am on the couch if you need me."
Later, Logan and Cindy are walking to her car. "Cindy, does she look pale to you?"
"No... I don't know, maybe a little. She sure is cranky though. Are you sure you don't want to come back to Seattle with me?"
"No, whether she likes it or not... she will be watched this week."
"I am going to go, so I get home before dark."
"OK, remember to stay by your cell and remember our codes."
"Not a problem. I will be back probably Wednesday next week."
"Bye."
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The week goes on. Slowly, Max and Logan are reacquainted. Slowly, Max remembers the feelings she had for Logan and rediscovers her soul. They talk and laugh and cry. Max shares her fears for her son. They grow closer than ever. Logan keeps up his continued watch. Noticing slight changes in Max's expressions and stance. Occasionally he sees her flinch, but she covers it up and if he asks she is always OK. Logan thinks that if she keeps this up, we will take her back to the doctor in the morning, even if he has to drag her.
Tuesday - early morning, three day from the scheduled delivery. The sun is not yet up. It is always darkest before the dawn.
Max awakens, but feels very groggy. Her legs feel wet and tacky. She is finding it hard to focus on why. She knows something is wrong, she tries to rise from the bed, but can only remove the covers. She sees blood on the covers. Weakly, but as loud as she can she calls out, "Logan." The effort further depletes her energy. She lays back quiet and motionless hoping Logan heard. She slips out of consciousness.
Logan awakens. He sits up. 'Did I hear something? Was I dreaming? The house is quiet. I must be dreaming. Well, I am awake now, I might as well get up, check on Max, then sit at the computer for a while.' He gets into his chair. He rolls through the cabin and stops at the entrance. 'Boy, if Max knew I was checking up on her every night, she would knock me over. But I can't help it. I see her so peaceful, sleeping. I forget all the bad times, all the loneliness and anger. I never expected I could be so in love with someone that their peacefulness would affect me so much.' He enters the dark room. 'She has thrown off the covers. I will just...'
He sees the blood. "MAX! Max wake up!" 'She is bleeding, for what looks like some time now. The baby.' "Max can you hear me? Wake up now!"
Max did wake up. Her eyes fluttered open. "Logan," she said weakly, "Save the baby." Her eyes closed again.
Logan took no time in deciding what to do. She had to get to the doctor and he had to get her there. He raced back to his room and put on his leg braces. That way, at least he could carry her and drive. When he got back to her she was still unconscious. He picked her up, took her to the van and laid her across the seat. He ran back inside, picked up his phone and the keys, and then returned. As he drove, Logan dialed the emergency contact number for Doctor Heshmann. What he got was an answering service.
"I am sorry. The doctor is not in the office as of yet. May I leave him a message?"
"Yes, tell him my wife is bleeding and something may be wrong with her baby."
"I can get this message to him if it is an emergency."
"YES, this is an emergency. Normally an eight month pregnant woman would not be bleeding."
"Yes sir, calm down, please. Are you on the way to the hospital?"
"No, his office. He told us to go to his office if there..."
"I am sorry sir. His office is closed. You need to take your wife to the emergency room. I will call the doctor to meet you there."
"OK." Logan hung up the phone and turns to look at Max. "We are almost there, hang on Max." Logan drives to the emergency entrance and gets out of the car. An attendant is there.
"This is not the parking lot! This is for emer..." Logan spins around and takes the attendant by the collar.
"Look, My wife is bleeding and our unborn child may be dying. Do you want to help or be punched out?"
"OK sir, I will get a gurney." The attendant runs off.
Logan opens the car door and removes Max from the seat. As he makes his way to the emergency room, an empty gurney is wheeled out for him. Logan looks at the attendant. "Keys are in the ignition. Park it for me and I will be in here with my wife." He follows Max into the exam room. "She is O Negative blood. I have already called Dr. Heshmann. He should be on his way."
The doctor responding to the information received, "Get two pints O neg. now and get an inventory of how many we got. She has lost a lot." Then to Logan, "Sir, your wife is bleeding but the baby is probably OK. Her fluid is not leaking, so whatever has caused her to bleed is not affecting the baby at this time. I would like to examine her further, so if you could go to the waiting area, I will give you an update when I know something." The nurse led Logan out to the reception area. The nurse greeted him with paperwork "Mr..."
"Oh, Cale, Logan Cale."
"You need to fill out these forms, Mr. Cale."
"She is under the care of Dr. Heshmann. He said he would have the paperwork ready."
"Let me see. Oh, good he has dropped it off. Well, that makes my job easier. Please go sit and the doctor will give you an update as soon as possible."
Logan waited. He was relieved a bit when he saw Dr. Heshmann enter and go immediately into the exam room. Logan picks up his phone and dials. The phone on the other end rings six times before the connection is made. "Come on Cindy, pick up..."
"Hello" Cindy answers.
"Cindy, Hey, guess what..."
Cindy interrupts and speaks methodically. "Hello David. I have company here. I really can't talk now. I will call you back later." She hangs up and the connection is lost. Logan stares at his phone.
"She called me David."
"Mr. Cale." Logan's attention is averted to the doctor coming toward him. "Mr. Cale, we have given your wife two pints of blood and her strength seems to be returning. But in order to figure out why she is bleeding, we have to deliver the baby. Dr. Heshmann is doing that now. We do not believe the baby was harmed by or was the cause of your wife's bleeding. If you would like to come with me, Dr. Heshmann said you would want to be present for the child's birth."
"Yes, of course." Logan follows the doctor to the exam room. Logan enters to the sounds of a baby's cry.
The nurse wraps him and then approaches Logan with the small bundle. "Congratulations Mr. Cale, you have a son. One who was fairly eager to be delivered. Come with me, you can sit with him in the next room while the doctors complete their work."
"Is he OK?"
"Yes. He is quite strong and his lungs are good, for being nine weeks early. His APGAR score is normal for a full term baby. Perhaps your wife's calculations were off. Any way, sit here and the doctor will be with you as soon as possible.
Logan sits as and rocks Max's son. "Zachary, you are beautiful. You have your mother's coloring and her beautiful eyes." Logan continues to rock and coddle Zachary until Dr. Heshmann enters.
"Dr. Heshmann, is Max OK?"
"Yes Logan, she will be OK. She lost a lot of blood, but it did not seem to affect her baby."
"No, he looks fine! Do you know the cause of her bleeding?"
"Yes. This." Dr. Heshmann hands Logan a small white ceramic disk. "This was embedded into her uterine wall. I presume it was placed there when she was inseminated. I have my guesses, but do you know what this is?"
"Logan studies the object. "Yes, I believe I do. Dr. Heshmann, we are going to need to leave fairly quickly after she awakes. I need to put things in place before we leave. Could you watch the baby while I am gone?"
"We will place him in the nursery at my office."
"If anyone asks about a baby, please..."
"I understand Logan. Manticore will not find this baby."
"Thanks. I will be back in about an hour."
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Max opens her eyes. She is back in the medical lab at Manticore. She is strapped to the table and the baby is being delivered. She sees Dr. Dunham standing next to her glaring. "We will get this baby 542. You can not hide it from us."
Max yells, "NO!" Which awakens her. She is in a quiet room, no bright lights, and no straps. She looks to her left. Logan is rocking next to her bed. Baby Zachary is in his arms.
"Max, are you OK? Should I call the nurse?"
"Logan, is that... is he..."
There were tears in her eyes. "Max, don't cry. He is safe and healthy." Logan hands Zachary over to Max.
"I dreamt that Manticore... But he is here, safe. He is so small."
"3 kg. That is pretty big for nine weeks early! He is active too. Look at him reaching. He is beautiful Max."
"What happened? Why was I bleeding?"
"Here, let me take Zachary. We need to talk." Logan places Zachary in the hospital cradle, returns to Max and sits on the side of her bed. Max lies back on the pillow. "Max, the doctor found a transmitter imbedded in the wall of your uterus. As Zachary grew, the area became ulcerated until it finally started to bleed. That is what happened."
"A transmitter?"
"That's what it looked like. A small ceramic disk."
"So that is why we have not been followed. They knew where we were all along."
"That would seem to be an accurate assessment."
"Why aren't they here then? Now that Zachary is born?"
"As far as they know, the transmitter is still working and in place. They probably think the baby is due in a few weeks. And, they think you have left the hospital and are walking around somewhere in the Stickney Slough."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I took the transmitter and fed it to a stray dog. He should wander around with it and give us some time to get Zachary to the safe house undetected."
"They know where I have been since I left Manticore. Everywhere. Cindy... Cindy has to get out. Did you call her?"
"Yes. I called."
"Well? She's coming? When? We have to get out of here!"
"I have reason to believe that she won't be joining us, that..."
"What do you mean, she has got to understand that we have to leave!"
"Max, calm down. I called her. She answered me by calling me 'David' and she said she had company. She has not called me back. I think Manticore has already visited her."
"No... Why? Why would they take her? Why?" Max rises from the bed. "Where are my clothes?"
"Here Max. Where are you going?"
"Where? To get her, to save her!"
"No, Max, you can't, not now."
"How can you say that? She needs me..."
"Max, think about it. You just woke up from delivery and you lost a lot of blood. You are weak and our first priority is to get Zachary to safety. That is the plan. That is what we must do."
"But she is alone, she..."
"Zachary is our first priority. That has always been the plan. We all agreed."
"But..."
"We will go to the safe house. We will set up there and by then you will have recuperated enough to help her. Please agree with me Max. Everything is ready to go. Max, please."
"OK. You are right. I won't be able to do anything if I am still weak. You said everything is ready?"
"Yes, car is packed. Hospital gave me the paperwork for Zachary and you are now dressed. As soon as the nurse gets here, she can sign you out. We can go. We will be at the safe house in about six hours."
They left the hospital in silence. The baby that brought them together again, now in Max's arms. The "future of Manticore" being whisked away without a trace.