Death and Destruction
She fled. Zooming down the highway on Max's Ninja. Max left her instructions, travel directions, and money. All Cindy was asked to do was destroy all evidence of their correspondence; which she did. Her mind focused on the road, watching for dips and curves and tails. Max had told her that she would probably be followed and to stay in Seattle for a while. She said Zachary and Logan were in the safe house and that she would follow "as soon as possible." Those four little words conveyed to Cindy a sense of forbidding. 'How would she get out of there? I was kept locked in a steel cage the whole time I was there. How will she get out? No, No, No. Don't think of that. Max will return to us and if I think negatively, I could wreck and mess up her Ninja and then she would be really mad at me. Cindy, keep your eyes and mind on the road.
'She made it back to Seattle, stopping only to rest and refuel. She generally stayed off the main highways, but made it back in a reasonable time. My orders were to return to base as soon as I confirmed her destination. Maybe I'll take the long way back.' The assigned guard left Cindy in Seattle. His job was done.
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Slowly Max opened her eyes. A bright light shined on her, but it was dark outside the circle of light. She hung from her wrists that were manacled together. Her clothing consisted of a tight tank top and her panties. She heard others moving around her, outside her field of vision. She was barefoot and the floor was a cold steel. She stood in order to relieve the pressure from her wrists. She looked around, but could not distinguish her location, until Dr. Dunham entered the circle of light. "Good morning sleepy head, I hope your head does not hurt too much from the dosage you received. You were certainly asleep a long time."
"Yes, I had a good nap. You can let me go now."
"You will not be so lucky, sweet." Dr. Dunham approached her as he talked. "I have missed you, and missed our monthly meetings. But don't worry, we will be together soon." His hands worked their way over her body. "I have already searched for bugs, but I like doing it while you are awake. Your responses to my petting is such a turn on..."
"Dr. Dunham, is the soldier ready for my interrogation?" Max turned and saw Director Renfro enter the circle of light.
"Yes ma'am." The doctor leaves as Renfro walks around Max.
"X5-452, you have been found guilty by your peers. You shall be punished... I believe you are guiltier than you led us to believe. Is this correct?"
"No ma'am."
"You carried the baby to term."
"No, ma'am."
"Your body shows that you carried a baby and that you recently underwent a C-Section."
"I miscarried two weeks after I originally left. Last week I started bleeding. The doctor stated there was calcium build up causing the bleeding. They removed it and the bleeding stopped."
"I don't believe you."
"It is the truth."
"Dr. Dunham, bring the leads." Doctor Dunham entered carrying electrodes. He began applying the leads to her skull. She then realized that her hair had been shaved. Renfro continued. "These electrical leads are being applied to the memory centers of your brain. When activated, electricity will enter your body through these contacts. Of course you know that electricity needs a closed circuit to flow. The floor you are standing on closes the circuit. If you touch the floor, you will cause electricity to course through your body. This will affect your memories, and if I increase the voltage, it could affect your life. Do you understand this?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good, if I were you, I would quickly lift my feet. Dr. Dunham, please begin." Max quickly adjusted her grip on the manacles holding her arms overhead. She lifted her feet just in time. The telltale buzz of electricity played in her ears to remind her of the consequences of any false move. Renfro began her interrogation again.
"Where have you been?"
"Seattle."
"Why?"
"Working on a mission project."
"Why did you not check in at the appropriate time?"
"I was involved in the project and it slipped my mind."
"I do not believe you!" Slowly the floor beneath her began to lift. "Oh, did I forget to tell you? If I do not believe you are being truthful, I can reduce the space between your feet and the floor." As the floor rose, Max lifted her feet more. The questioning proceeded.
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Alec and his squad sat in the barracks discussing the mission. "Does everyone have their orders? Do you understand them? Our squad will be two groups. Group A will set the charges in this building and Group B in Medical. Group B will follow me; Group A will follow Moyra. Charges will be set for 01:10 hours. Set your charges and get ready to run. The charge timing will be close, so no resting until you are outside. Understand?"
"When are we to go?"
"At 00:50 hours, Anya's squad, who are supposed to be on night maneuvers, will disrupt the electricity. If they do it right, all power will be disrupted, even emergency power. Barracks will be open and fences will be deactivated. Each squad will have twenty minutes to get to their target, set the charge and get out before the whole place explodes."
"What about Max? She is the one who taught us about the outside, about freedom."
"They will be holding her in medical. I will get her out. Anything else? No? Just remember, when you get out, go to ground. No one can tell you to return. If someone does, don't trust him. Stay down and out of the way. Find a place and blend in. Don't stay in big groups."
"Will we be OK?" Tara, the youngest in Alec's group spoke up.
"You have been taught to learn and adapt. Do that. Blend in and if it doesn't feel right, move on. You will be fine. All of you will be fine. Well, it should be any time now."
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Back in the medical lab, Max is still hanging from her wrists. The floor has moved up more and Max has her legs pulled up to her chest. Renfro is still grilling Max, but both are looking more fatigued.
"542! You will answer my questions or you will be eliminated. Do your understand me?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Where is the child?"
"There is no child."
Clearly exasperated, Renfro steps closer to Max. "You will tell me where the child is being hidden!"
As she moves closer, Max's eyes focus on her. "I will never give you the information you want." With that said, Max's legs telescope out from her body. Her bare feet close around Renfro's head. Max then pulls Renfro toward her and pins Renfro's head to the steel plate beneath her. With the closure of the electrical circuit, electricity begins to flow from the leads on Max's head, through her body, through Renfro's head to the steel plate. Both their bodies react to the electricity. Their muscles contract and stiffen. Dr. Dunham looks on in horror, not quite knowing what to do. 'I have been ordered not to touch the switch until instructed by the director, but she is not really in a position to give an order. Should I pull her away? If I do, I could get electrocuted as well.' Throughout his thinking process, the electricity continues to flow, causing more damage each second it is allowed.
Suddenly, the lab darkens. 'The fuse must have blown. I will move the director away and call for help.' Dr. Dunham gropes his way into the chamber. He finds the steel plate. Max is unconscious, partially lying on the plate. Her arms are still manacled above her. He finds Renfro on the floor. There is no pulse. 'No surprise there. The voltage was pretty high. The mutant could withstand it, but not a human.' He finds the phone and picks it up. No dial tone. 'I will check on 542 and then get help if she is still alive.' He gropes his way over to Max. He unlocks the manacles and lowers her to the ground. There is a pulse, a bit erratic, but there. 'And, she is breathing. I will go get...' He hears a noise in the darkness, out of his sight range. "Is someone there? There has been a problem with the orientation session. The electric fuse has blown. Can you hear me? Can you bring a flashlight?"
Alec steps out of the shadows. "I don't need a flashlight to see you have hurt her." He moves to Max.
"No! You help the director, this transgenic must be incarcerated before she awakens."
"No Dr. Dunham, I don't think so. I am here for Max; you will never hurt her again."
"Soldier, stand at attention and follow orders! This one is undergoing reorientation and you will not..."
Alec picks up Dr. Dunham by the collar. "Your treatments are over. I am going to reorient you. This is for Max." Alec takes the doctor and throws him against the wall. Alec takes only a second to make sure the doctor is unconscious and moves over to Max. "I am going to get us out of here Max. We don't have much time left."
Alec gently picks up Max. As he makes his way up the stairs and out the door, he realizes the chaos has already started. A number of charges have blown and people are running everywhere. There are no longer guards and soldiers, just men, women and children trying to get away from the blaze. Some are running away and others, a lot more 'others' running to a new life. Very calmly, Alec moves, carrying Max. As he moves to the gate, he hears the medical building explode. He knows Director Renfro and Dr. Dunham are buried within the blazing rubble of the building. Manticore is dead. He carries Max through the front gate to a new life. They are free.
She fled. Zooming down the highway on Max's Ninja. Max left her instructions, travel directions, and money. All Cindy was asked to do was destroy all evidence of their correspondence; which she did. Her mind focused on the road, watching for dips and curves and tails. Max had told her that she would probably be followed and to stay in Seattle for a while. She said Zachary and Logan were in the safe house and that she would follow "as soon as possible." Those four little words conveyed to Cindy a sense of forbidding. 'How would she get out of there? I was kept locked in a steel cage the whole time I was there. How will she get out? No, No, No. Don't think of that. Max will return to us and if I think negatively, I could wreck and mess up her Ninja and then she would be really mad at me. Cindy, keep your eyes and mind on the road.
'She made it back to Seattle, stopping only to rest and refuel. She generally stayed off the main highways, but made it back in a reasonable time. My orders were to return to base as soon as I confirmed her destination. Maybe I'll take the long way back.' The assigned guard left Cindy in Seattle. His job was done.
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Slowly Max opened her eyes. A bright light shined on her, but it was dark outside the circle of light. She hung from her wrists that were manacled together. Her clothing consisted of a tight tank top and her panties. She heard others moving around her, outside her field of vision. She was barefoot and the floor was a cold steel. She stood in order to relieve the pressure from her wrists. She looked around, but could not distinguish her location, until Dr. Dunham entered the circle of light. "Good morning sleepy head, I hope your head does not hurt too much from the dosage you received. You were certainly asleep a long time."
"Yes, I had a good nap. You can let me go now."
"You will not be so lucky, sweet." Dr. Dunham approached her as he talked. "I have missed you, and missed our monthly meetings. But don't worry, we will be together soon." His hands worked their way over her body. "I have already searched for bugs, but I like doing it while you are awake. Your responses to my petting is such a turn on..."
"Dr. Dunham, is the soldier ready for my interrogation?" Max turned and saw Director Renfro enter the circle of light.
"Yes ma'am." The doctor leaves as Renfro walks around Max.
"X5-452, you have been found guilty by your peers. You shall be punished... I believe you are guiltier than you led us to believe. Is this correct?"
"No ma'am."
"You carried the baby to term."
"No, ma'am."
"Your body shows that you carried a baby and that you recently underwent a C-Section."
"I miscarried two weeks after I originally left. Last week I started bleeding. The doctor stated there was calcium build up causing the bleeding. They removed it and the bleeding stopped."
"I don't believe you."
"It is the truth."
"Dr. Dunham, bring the leads." Doctor Dunham entered carrying electrodes. He began applying the leads to her skull. She then realized that her hair had been shaved. Renfro continued. "These electrical leads are being applied to the memory centers of your brain. When activated, electricity will enter your body through these contacts. Of course you know that electricity needs a closed circuit to flow. The floor you are standing on closes the circuit. If you touch the floor, you will cause electricity to course through your body. This will affect your memories, and if I increase the voltage, it could affect your life. Do you understand this?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Good, if I were you, I would quickly lift my feet. Dr. Dunham, please begin." Max quickly adjusted her grip on the manacles holding her arms overhead. She lifted her feet just in time. The telltale buzz of electricity played in her ears to remind her of the consequences of any false move. Renfro began her interrogation again.
"Where have you been?"
"Seattle."
"Why?"
"Working on a mission project."
"Why did you not check in at the appropriate time?"
"I was involved in the project and it slipped my mind."
"I do not believe you!" Slowly the floor beneath her began to lift. "Oh, did I forget to tell you? If I do not believe you are being truthful, I can reduce the space between your feet and the floor." As the floor rose, Max lifted her feet more. The questioning proceeded.
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Alec and his squad sat in the barracks discussing the mission. "Does everyone have their orders? Do you understand them? Our squad will be two groups. Group A will set the charges in this building and Group B in Medical. Group B will follow me; Group A will follow Moyra. Charges will be set for 01:10 hours. Set your charges and get ready to run. The charge timing will be close, so no resting until you are outside. Understand?"
"When are we to go?"
"At 00:50 hours, Anya's squad, who are supposed to be on night maneuvers, will disrupt the electricity. If they do it right, all power will be disrupted, even emergency power. Barracks will be open and fences will be deactivated. Each squad will have twenty minutes to get to their target, set the charge and get out before the whole place explodes."
"What about Max? She is the one who taught us about the outside, about freedom."
"They will be holding her in medical. I will get her out. Anything else? No? Just remember, when you get out, go to ground. No one can tell you to return. If someone does, don't trust him. Stay down and out of the way. Find a place and blend in. Don't stay in big groups."
"Will we be OK?" Tara, the youngest in Alec's group spoke up.
"You have been taught to learn and adapt. Do that. Blend in and if it doesn't feel right, move on. You will be fine. All of you will be fine. Well, it should be any time now."
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Back in the medical lab, Max is still hanging from her wrists. The floor has moved up more and Max has her legs pulled up to her chest. Renfro is still grilling Max, but both are looking more fatigued.
"542! You will answer my questions or you will be eliminated. Do your understand me?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Where is the child?"
"There is no child."
Clearly exasperated, Renfro steps closer to Max. "You will tell me where the child is being hidden!"
As she moves closer, Max's eyes focus on her. "I will never give you the information you want." With that said, Max's legs telescope out from her body. Her bare feet close around Renfro's head. Max then pulls Renfro toward her and pins Renfro's head to the steel plate beneath her. With the closure of the electrical circuit, electricity begins to flow from the leads on Max's head, through her body, through Renfro's head to the steel plate. Both their bodies react to the electricity. Their muscles contract and stiffen. Dr. Dunham looks on in horror, not quite knowing what to do. 'I have been ordered not to touch the switch until instructed by the director, but she is not really in a position to give an order. Should I pull her away? If I do, I could get electrocuted as well.' Throughout his thinking process, the electricity continues to flow, causing more damage each second it is allowed.
Suddenly, the lab darkens. 'The fuse must have blown. I will move the director away and call for help.' Dr. Dunham gropes his way into the chamber. He finds the steel plate. Max is unconscious, partially lying on the plate. Her arms are still manacled above her. He finds Renfro on the floor. There is no pulse. 'No surprise there. The voltage was pretty high. The mutant could withstand it, but not a human.' He finds the phone and picks it up. No dial tone. 'I will check on 542 and then get help if she is still alive.' He gropes his way over to Max. He unlocks the manacles and lowers her to the ground. There is a pulse, a bit erratic, but there. 'And, she is breathing. I will go get...' He hears a noise in the darkness, out of his sight range. "Is someone there? There has been a problem with the orientation session. The electric fuse has blown. Can you hear me? Can you bring a flashlight?"
Alec steps out of the shadows. "I don't need a flashlight to see you have hurt her." He moves to Max.
"No! You help the director, this transgenic must be incarcerated before she awakens."
"No Dr. Dunham, I don't think so. I am here for Max; you will never hurt her again."
"Soldier, stand at attention and follow orders! This one is undergoing reorientation and you will not..."
Alec picks up Dr. Dunham by the collar. "Your treatments are over. I am going to reorient you. This is for Max." Alec takes the doctor and throws him against the wall. Alec takes only a second to make sure the doctor is unconscious and moves over to Max. "I am going to get us out of here Max. We don't have much time left."
Alec gently picks up Max. As he makes his way up the stairs and out the door, he realizes the chaos has already started. A number of charges have blown and people are running everywhere. There are no longer guards and soldiers, just men, women and children trying to get away from the blaze. Some are running away and others, a lot more 'others' running to a new life. Very calmly, Alec moves, carrying Max. As he moves to the gate, he hears the medical building explode. He knows Director Renfro and Dr. Dunham are buried within the blazing rubble of the building. Manticore is dead. He carries Max through the front gate to a new life. They are free.