Winning with words.

"So here's how we do this."

Funny how it just came so naturally to her to take charge, she had thought that when it came to it she would be more comfortable taking orders than giving them but that just wasn't so. It felt right to have them all look at her and take her words in.

Half way through the simulation she had come to realise that she was actually doing a good job of this and they were all following her. Even Bulli which had to be something pretty amazing and before she was even aware of it, it was all over.

Her team had won.

Not only had they won but they had no causalities and no prisoners. Unit 8 had been oddly easy for Max to outthink and out manoeuvre.

Of course she had been watching all of the X5's in Manticore since her reintroduction, not just those in her own unit and she knew first hand all of their strengths and weaknesses. Even though most of the Units kept to themselves, an act which was approved by command, and didn't mix with each other- except in training when they were forced to.

There were 7 units in all; Max's Unit had been number 2 before they escaped and so the numbers were off. But she had made it her point to get to know all the members of the remaining units, trying to discover who was fair and wouldn't look down on her or be cowed by Bulli's commanding presence- so far she hadn't detected any ally's except Bill, that thought brought a smile to her face as she decided to go see him tonight. But except for him, she knew that she was on her own and so she would need knowledge of the rest of the soldiers here and she had detailed knowledge; where they would attack and what they were likely to miss and she had used all of that Intel to her advantage.

And they had won.

Lydecker nodded at them and gave them an extra half an hour in the recreation room as a reward. Needless to say Max didn't even bother showing up there. She headed straight to the labs where she could talk to Bill.

As she walked down the corridor she could hear him singing and her time at the lab had familiarised her with the oldies station that he loved. She recognised the strains of Matchbox 20, one of her personal favourites. They were singing something about having a disease which she found funny; being Manticore she was naturally immune to most diseases.

She edged in quietly and watched him as he did the familiar dance steps that she had seen whenever she could sneak up on him- which, lets face it, was pretty often considering her back ground.

"Hey." She said loudly causing him to jump.

"Shit Max." he grabbed his heart and she grinned.

"Damn fool, ya mekkin me psyched up and ya'll know ma ticker only tek so much afore it bounce out. So Boo come correct wit chore pal and no more a tha sneakin up on this ol' dude or transie sister or no I'll put the smack down on your ass."

Max blinked

"What?"

This time it was Bill's turn to laugh uncontrollably at the astounded look on Max's face.

When he calmed down and was able to talk again he explained "Kelly's sister came down from up north and I swear she speaks in tongues. I can understand about one word in three; she's so street it's almost funny. Her boyfriend and her gabble for hours in this language. I think if I could understand more I could make a dictionary to help other poor old souls like myself."

"That was actual language?" she asked incredulously and he laughed again.

"So far I have deciphered a few words of this elusive code but quite a lot eludes me at present. Speaking of codes, I hear you did well in your little command episode."

Max nodded, her mind still awhirl with his words "Yeah, we beat them."

"With you in command." He motioned "Kudos."

"Yeah but now I have to dumb down again. I can't have them thinking that I'm better just yet. It isn't the time."

"Not strategically tactical." He added, knowing her words almost down pat.

Max agreed with a smile "So is this girl making you feel old?"

"Like Word." He mocked "She's sixteen and I feel at least fifty."

"Teach me." Max asked eagerly "Jace used to love slang. Whenever she heard guards talk in it she would pick it up and use it all the time when the trainers couldn't hear her."

"I'll tell you what I can remember." He offered amused.

"So what'cha doing?" she asked gesturing to the test tubes in front of him

"Oh trainers have been having problems with the X7's, they are too aggressive to their designated targets and we have been trying for weeks to figure out why. I think I've cracked It." he grimaced "I kinda wish I hadn't though."

"Why's that?"

"We used bat DNA so they hear ultrasonically, it enables them to be silent and deadly as they hone in on their prey. However we used the Desmodus rotundus, which is a Central or southern American bat; Also known as the Vampire bat. I have a really bad feeling that the X7's need blood in their diet to function on a less aggressive level."

"Ew."

"Tell me about it." Bill agreed and pushed some solution in to one of the tubes.

Just then a song came on the radio that both she and Bill loved and they stopped their conversation to sing it together.

"Max, you have a wonderful voice." He complimented after it was finished.

"Part of the genes. Genetic perfection." She inclined her head in a thank you. Bill smiled.

"Well damn I did a good job."

*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~~*~~*~~*~

WOW many reviews- Thanks you guys it's great to know you're still enjoying this. I know this was a small chapter but I had to set the scene the next one is 3 times as long!!!!!!

Feyechelon- urgh I hate computer virus's but thanks for reviewing now!

Kitty- LOL, I have had better death threats than that over my stories (seriously!)

Gaia- Many people have asked about Shane- I might bring him back again soon since he is popular!

Guevera- She will eventually meet the gang but it might not be until the sequel- I have a few ideas for this story- you'll understand in the next chapter.

Brynnmissy- I know- surprised me too! Damn I wish these characters would tell me what they are doing.

Ru- Thank you so much! I always wanted to write a heat fic- but the first one how they found out and I'm glad you think it went well. LOL, don't get hopes up just yet but maybe the next chapter will help!

Nat1- Kicking the shit out of Bulli- you ain't seen nothing yet!!! Glad you like Lydecker he'll make more of an impact next chapter!

BlueAngel- Wow- really? Thanks that is credit indeed. Your report on the last three chapters really made my day! (Your English is perfect!)

Sigma1- Very fast update and I like the twists evil grin

GivenAlias- Ignored me? pout LOL, glad you joined us- keep reading!

Acb- AWWW. LOVE YA!

Raven- She's a natural leader so yeah she should be recognised for it. Don't worry about her unit- she'll get her own. As for the heat and the Brass's surprise- sucks to them!

Lyndsay- I updated now and will post the next chap soon- Manticore's honour! (like scouts honour- just more regimented)

Cloudburst- Big grin cheers pet, glad you are still with me on this. It will get lighter; Max is done being kicked around and finally gets a break… so to speak. Next instalment soonas.

Wendy- many thanks – hope you like this as much.

Elfie- I altered this chapter no end to answer your questions, I hope it has- but it gave me focus so feel free to ask away anything that you think needs explaining.. They do go on missions, Max has no allies as yet, there are 7 units of about fifteen soldiers each (That's just X5 of course.) So many people have asked about Shane- I have to bring this guy back! As for Deck- he's baaaack!