Disclaimer: If, in a perfect world, I owned Dark Angel, I would be writing episodes for cash, not fanfic for fun…So no, if you're still wondering, I don't own Dark Angel, but I do own Justin, Dalianna, her family and all her X-siblings, but I'm more than willing to share. If you'd like to use them, please just ask. Thank you.
Timeframe: After "Freak Nation", end of Season 2
Note from author: Hey, I know the story might seem kind of weird, because it doesn't jump right into the whole Max/Logan saga, and there's lots of unanswered questions, but that's what causes suspense! I'll get there, trust me. Besides, what kind of writer would I be if there were no background info on my characters?
Chapter 1
November 2020
Max knocked on Logan's door. I hope he's here…
"Knock, knock. Got a minute?"
Logan looked up. For you? I've got a lifetime. "Oh, hey. Yeah, sure. What's up?"
"We need some supplies, we're almost out of gas, and Joshua ate all the Little Debbie cakes that we were saving for the kids."
Logan smiled. "Yeah, I guess you could say he's got a sweet tooth. What do you need me to do?"
Max smiled back. He's so cute when he smiles…"Keep an eye on things for a while. I had to break a couple of X-6's up this morning, they were fighting over Alec."
"Again?" Logan asked. Go figure. Then he paused. "You know, if we got rid of him, things would be so much quieter around here." And I can stop wondering what his motives really are.
"You took the words right out of my mouth," Max answered and headed out the door. "I'll be back soon."
"Do you need someone to go with you?" Logan asked quickly. Logan, you idiot, what you really mean is "do you need ME to go with you?" But how could you help, you're a cripple remember?
Max poked her head in at him. "Nah, thanks for the offer, but I think I can handle it. I'll sneak out the back."
See? "Hey Max, be careful," he added. She nodded at him and then left.
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Outside the building, Max walked her bike to an opening in the fence and peeked out. For the first time in a long time, there were no protestors. And luckily for her, it was about time for the guards to change shifts. She waited patiently, watching their every move. After a few minutes, they got up and walked over to two other officers, and they began to chat. It's about time. Max pulled her bike through the fence, got on it, revved it up, and flew past the guards before they even knew what happened.
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A few miles away was a store. Max walked in, and began to look around for the things that she needed. A young girl with an arm full of stuff bumped into her. The things fell to the ground.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" she said quickly gathering up her things.
Watch where I'M going? "Sorry about that," Max replied. She began to help her pick up the items. Then she looked closely into the girl's honey brown eyes. Hey, wait a minute…"Do I know you?" she asked slowly.
Dali just looked at her for a second. Ok, this girl is either seriously flipped out…or she's from Manticore. Either way is bad for me. I'm outta here. Then she looked around slowly, stood up with her arms once again full, and without another word headed quickly toward the back of the store.
Max curiously followed her. What's her dealio? She watched as the girl headed toward the back door with her arms full of store items. Apparently, the store owner saw as well.
"Hey, you!" he called. "Come back here! You didn't pay for that stuff!" Dali took off running. As she burst through the back door, the alarm went off. She took off at bullet speed. I knew it! Max thought. Another Manticore turned bad-ass. Well, I guess I've got no one to blame but myself. She ran after her, but the girl was really fast.
"Wait!" she called. "I just want to talk to you."
Dali looked back at her, but didn't stop running. Is she still following me? This is ridiculous! I'll never give in to Manticore…not over my dead body. In her haste to see who this crazed mysterious girl was following her, she didn't see the uprooted tree in front of her. Her boot caught, and the food went sprawling.
Max caught up with her, she kneeled down next to her, and pulled her up by her chin. "What did you think you were doing?"
Dali eyed her defiantly. "I'll never go back!"
What is she talking about? Does she think I'm here to take her back to Manticore? Only if she's transgenic… Max checked the back of her neck; sure enough, there was a barcode there. Max pinned her to the ground. This could be trouble. "Where did you get that barcode?" she asked.
"Prison," she answered calmly, "Cell block G-4."
Great, another genetically engineered smart ass…just what I need. She tightened her grip on the girl's chin. "I don't remember seeing you there. Where did you get it??"
"I was born with it ok? Jeez." Suddenly, Dali's eyes went wide. "They're coming."
"Who?" Max asked.
"They're gonna take me back, I won't let them." She knocked Max over to her side, and got up running. Max ran after her. Then she ran to a big boulder, and hid behind it. Max was right behind her.
"This was the best you could do?" Max whispered sarcastically.
"We're in the middle of the woods, what was I supposed to do, hide behind a tree?" Dali hissed back.
Actually…Max thought, eyeing a nearby tree with low branches. She could hear the footsteps getting closer. She peeked around the boulder, and then turned to the girl and put her fingers to her lips. Then she signed that there were 2 soldiers coming, and to get to the tree and up into the branches. Dali nodded her approval. The soldiers with their guns drawn came to the boulder. They jumped in front of it, expecting them to be there, but they were already gone, behind them, Max and Dali leapt up into the tree.
They sat on branches about 15 feet up, watching the two soldiers below.
"This is team Delta," one of them said into a walkie. "We're clear over here. Roger." Then they heard a rustling from above. They looked up. "Scratch that last command base! We have the target insight-" Max and Dali jumped out of the tree and landed on the soldiers knocking them out cold, but it was already too late, back-up had come. Max and the girl began running yet again. Farther and farther into the woods. When they came to a clearing with a steep ravine, they jumped down and hid under an overhang. They then sat breathing heavily, as they listened for any sign of oncoming men. After a few moments of silence, Dali spoke up.
"I think we lost them." I hope we lost them.
Max nodded. "Yeah I think so." They smiled at each other and stood up. Suddenly, a shrill whizzing noise was heard, and Dali felt a sharp pain in her neck. …Or maybe not… She reached up slowly and pulled out the dart. Max's eyes widened. "Oh, no."
The girl looked at her with fear in her eyes. "Go get help." Don't let them turn me…That was the last coherent thought she had, and then there was a shadowy void as she felt her body drop to the ground.
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A few minutes later, some men in uniform approach the girl lying on the ground. They stand aside, and none other than Ames White steps forward. He looks at the young girl and feels for a pulse, he turns her over, and sees her barcode. Then he turns and addresses the men.
"Where's the other one?"
One of the men speaks up. "The other what, sir?"
"The other transgenic!" he answered angrily. "The store owner said two girls ran out of the store with unpaid-for items. This is one of them…obviously. The other perfectly matches the description of 452. Now where is she?"
"Sir, we only apprehended one suspect."
Ames looks at them lividly for a moment, then his expression softens. He turns back to Dali. "Ok, pack her up and get her ready for shipment. And make sure the bounds are tight." The soldiers nod, and head off. Ames looks off into the trees, and then up at the skies. "You know 452, you always manage to slip through the cracks. But I guess everyone else isn't as lucky. I've got one of yours now. So I guess I'll be seeing you soon." He smiles evilly, and heads back into the forest.
To Be continued…..(mwah ha ha ha) J
