A/N: There's such a thing as 'fashionably late', you know that? So this is
late, yes, but it's *fashionably* late!
Alright, yes, I'm sorry about the wait.
Chapter 6
Logan's finger hovered over the detonator. It had started to cramp he had held it there for so long.
"Whatcha got there?" Alec asked from behind Logan.
Startled, Logan jumped and nearly smashed his thumb into the button. "Ever heard of knocking?"
"Oh- come on, Logan. We should be best buds now. I mean, don't we have something in common?"
"Yeah- you want to break my neck and I want to break yours."
"Actually, it's pound you into little pieces- but I'm not too picky," Alec corrected off-handedly.
"Get out, Alec." It was the first time Logan had been so frank and just come out with exactly what he was thinking with Alec. "I want to be alone."
"Well, I'm afraid I just can't do that," Alec said in a mock resigned voice, making himself comfortable on a seat. "Because, you see that button you're holding? That, my friend, is a detonation device. And I'm not leaving here till you tell me what it's for.
"Because, unlike Max, I don't trust you. See, she- she thought it was safe to trust you. And because she was our know-it-all leader, we did not question her. But now, Max's gone and command's changing.
"I'm telling you this, because it's like me telling a girl times have changed. I've screwed you- it's been fun and all. But I've seen you in action- and you just aren't that great. Good-bye.
"Like, my latest girl-"
"Alec!" Logan cried, holding his hands up to his ears. "Shut-up!" He could not take any more of Alec's animated talking- he was disgustingly cheerful about all this. "What do you want?"
****
Alec sighed silently with relief. This happy chatter was all very well with Max- he enjoyed pissing her off so much with this chatter hat it had to be criminal. But with Logan, it was a nightmare.
Though, Alec had to admit with a thin smile, Max certainly could not withstand as much as Logan had.
"Give me the detonator before you do something you regret. Whatever Max agreed to have blown-up has to wait till the new CO's confirmed it." Alec's light voice disappeared suddenly, replaced with a serious voice Logan did not know Alec processed.
"Who's the new CO?"
"That has still to be determined."
Logan remained silent, unsure what to do. Glancing down at the detonator, he decided to have a go at being good ol' Alec. "You never told me what we had in common."
It was Alec's turn to be silent.
Logan began to fidget in his seat, unable to think of what to say. He now knew why Alec chattered the way he did- to fill the horrible silence.
Gazing at the carpet, a hand appeared in his line of vision. "Just give it to me, Logan. I don't want to have to hurt you. Max wouldn't want me to."
Logan stared at the hand, happy the decision to kill Max was out of his hands. He did not want to see Max in the hands of White as much as the next person, but he wanted Max dead even less.
"Alright," Logan agreed.
Sighing, Logan reached to replace the plastic cover over the button, but his hands were trembling more than he had realized.
And be pushed the detonator.
"Damn it, Logan. What the fuck did you just blow up?" Alec exploded, snatching the now useless detonator from Logan's hand.
Alec knew he should have just done things his way and taken it from him. But he wanted to do things Max's way, hoping he could sweet talk the kid like Max did all the time.
Looking at Logan, Alec watched as his whole body started to tremble and face turn white. Studying Logan's lips, Alec read what he mouthed- "Max's gone."
"What do you mean, Max's gone!" Alec grabbed Logan by the front of his shirt and shook him. Pulling him to his feet, Alec glared down at Logan. "What did you do?" Alec hissed through clenched teeth.
"I killed Max!" Logan cried, tears running down his crumpled face.
Throwing Logan back into his chair, Alec stormed from the room.
****
He killed Max! How could Logan even *consider* the thought!
Entertaining the thought was one thing- even fun when Max was going through one of her Bitch lectures. But actually putting the thoughts into actions!
It was like Alec actually acting on the thoughts his lower regions had about Max. And not even messed-up, screwed-up Alec would dare acting on that one.
Alec stopped dead, shocked.
He was thinking about sex with Max. Max was dead. And all he could think about was fucking a dead girl!
But, unlike Rachel, it did not seem real. He had not seen it happen- he did not even hear the explosion.
All Alec knew was that Logan could not lie about such a thing. Not even on April fools.
Anger flooded Alec again at the thought of Logan and he started walking again. The compulsion to throttle him back there was so tempting that Alec had to leave. Max would not have wanted it. Even knowing Max was dead, he still could not help but try to live up to her expectations in him.
His anger made people move out of his way, scared to get within ten feet of him.
By the time Alec had reached the command center, the whole of TC knew something was up, and transgenics throughout TC were listening for the upcoming explosion from Alec.
But it never came- Alec kept it all in, knowing that the time would come when he could let it out, but now was not the time. He had too many other things to deal with to allow himself the pleasure of shouting and mourning.
****
A simple, quiet memorial service was held in honor of Max. Alec knew Max had touched many lives- but the sheer number of people that cried silent tears for her was overwhelming.
"She was the first to love us," was all that was said.
And later, when Joshua had hung his painting of Max in the command center as a memorial, transgenics filed in and out to say their goodbyes through the painting. It was a tight squeeze in there all day, but no one was jostled, not feeling the need to move quickly.
It was probably one of the single, most touching moments Alec felt while watching the scene from the back of the room as transgenics made their way in.
Alec envied the mourners ability to show pain, to understand and express exactly what they were feeling for Max. While through the whole day, he had kept his face blank and voice carefree. The only thing preventing people from thinking him a cold-blooded bastard was his clench fist, fingers biting into his palms till they bled.
Alec knew he could have addressed TC to honor Max and had even Mole feel a tear sting his eye, despite being genetically designed to conserve bodily fluid. But he would have done that for anyone- the enemy on a deep cover mission; the girls he pretended to love to get into their pants.
But Max was not just anyone.
To honor Max's death in that way felt wrong. He did not know why, or how it felt wrong, but he was used to listening and acting on his instincts.
So Alec honored Max in his own guarded way- by showing no emotion and finishing what Max started.
****
"What do you mean, you won't deal with me?" Alec said down the phone to the supplier, his business-like voice faltering slightly.
Alec's calm face fell as he listened. "You'll only deal with Max? She's too busy right now to make the orders."
It had not yet been broken to the world that Max was dead, and Alec did not think they would gain anything from telling, so he held the card to his chest.
"Max would make time."
Alec glared at the offending item in his hand. The fucking supplier had hung up! What was up with these suppliers? Money was money, no matter who the hell offered it. So why the fuck would they only deal with Max?
"Dealers trust Max," Joshua explained to Alec's silent question.
Alec made a face and mimicked Joshua angrily. He threw the phone across the command center and watched it shatter.
Alec's aggressive actions cleared his mind so much that he had the sense to look ashamed.
"Sorry," Alec muttered, dragging his hand through his hair.
This leadership business was a bigger pill than Alec initially thought, understanding suddenly why Mole had instantly turned down the position.
It had already been two days since he agreed to be leader, and already he had misgivings about the job- especially the part where half naked girls would surround him all day, while he ordered everyone around from his easy chair.
Which especially contrasted the fact that Alec was now worried he'd be bald above from stress rather bald below, from too much hot monkey sex.
"Max had her suppliers- I also have mine. No reason I need to use the same one's as her," Alec said aloud, more to himself than Joshua.
Accepting yet another phone from Joshua, Alec quickly dialed a new number.
****
"We can't stay with this supplier," Alec commented as much to Mole as to himself as they watched the boxes being unloaded from the supplier. "His prices are too high."
Mole grunted through his cigar butt.
"But raiding involves too much work- any idea how many runs we'd have to do per day?" Alec asked. "And people would grow suspicious of us if too much food suddenly started to be stolen."
"Alec, for fuck sakes- shut up!"
Alec blinked. The last thing he had expected was that.
"I'd rather fuck myself than be leader. So stop telling me about it."
Alec knew a 'shut-up' when he heard it. But how the hell had Max dealt with this crap on her own? And not say a single word about it all? Not once asking for help or advice. It was always- 'be here' and 'do this' from Max. Never 'I'm clueless. Help.'
And not once could Alec remember hearing the word 'shortages' mentioned in the command center. Now, it was like everyone thought his name was 'shortage'.
It was like Max had lived two lives- Leader/CO Max and Bitch Max. Had everyone known about the other side of Max, and it was just him she did not let in?
Knowing that train of thought would lead no where but anger at not meeting peoples expectations, Alec went in search of Joshua to talk to.
A/N: HAH! April fools joke or not? Tune in next week to find out (I've always wanted to say that). Max's mangled remains or a love-story in the making? (Not a soap opera here).
A/N2: I know this is not what you wanna hear, but I'm getting into the exam period, so updates will be few and far apart. But I can promise you, here and now, this *will* get finished (I've just finished chapter 12 and have the ending thought out).
Anyways, just wanna say thank you to my readers, and thanks a million to my reviewers!
Jamie's Spawn- glad to know everything's set up right, I was a bit worried. Anyways, I've read your next chappie and I'll get my thoughts on it out to you ASAP.
Secretlybeautiful- lol. If I was going to save Max, it would definitely not be for you ;) It would be for Alec! But the way I see it, is that if Max's suddenly out of the picture, I could just suddenly step in and have Alec all to myself. Hehe
Natasqui- I'm glad you liked it! Hope this one's just as good.
Nat452- well, only because you said please am I updating ;)
Alright, yes, I'm sorry about the wait.
Chapter 6
Logan's finger hovered over the detonator. It had started to cramp he had held it there for so long.
"Whatcha got there?" Alec asked from behind Logan.
Startled, Logan jumped and nearly smashed his thumb into the button. "Ever heard of knocking?"
"Oh- come on, Logan. We should be best buds now. I mean, don't we have something in common?"
"Yeah- you want to break my neck and I want to break yours."
"Actually, it's pound you into little pieces- but I'm not too picky," Alec corrected off-handedly.
"Get out, Alec." It was the first time Logan had been so frank and just come out with exactly what he was thinking with Alec. "I want to be alone."
"Well, I'm afraid I just can't do that," Alec said in a mock resigned voice, making himself comfortable on a seat. "Because, you see that button you're holding? That, my friend, is a detonation device. And I'm not leaving here till you tell me what it's for.
"Because, unlike Max, I don't trust you. See, she- she thought it was safe to trust you. And because she was our know-it-all leader, we did not question her. But now, Max's gone and command's changing.
"I'm telling you this, because it's like me telling a girl times have changed. I've screwed you- it's been fun and all. But I've seen you in action- and you just aren't that great. Good-bye.
"Like, my latest girl-"
"Alec!" Logan cried, holding his hands up to his ears. "Shut-up!" He could not take any more of Alec's animated talking- he was disgustingly cheerful about all this. "What do you want?"
****
Alec sighed silently with relief. This happy chatter was all very well with Max- he enjoyed pissing her off so much with this chatter hat it had to be criminal. But with Logan, it was a nightmare.
Though, Alec had to admit with a thin smile, Max certainly could not withstand as much as Logan had.
"Give me the detonator before you do something you regret. Whatever Max agreed to have blown-up has to wait till the new CO's confirmed it." Alec's light voice disappeared suddenly, replaced with a serious voice Logan did not know Alec processed.
"Who's the new CO?"
"That has still to be determined."
Logan remained silent, unsure what to do. Glancing down at the detonator, he decided to have a go at being good ol' Alec. "You never told me what we had in common."
It was Alec's turn to be silent.
Logan began to fidget in his seat, unable to think of what to say. He now knew why Alec chattered the way he did- to fill the horrible silence.
Gazing at the carpet, a hand appeared in his line of vision. "Just give it to me, Logan. I don't want to have to hurt you. Max wouldn't want me to."
Logan stared at the hand, happy the decision to kill Max was out of his hands. He did not want to see Max in the hands of White as much as the next person, but he wanted Max dead even less.
"Alright," Logan agreed.
Sighing, Logan reached to replace the plastic cover over the button, but his hands were trembling more than he had realized.
And be pushed the detonator.
"Damn it, Logan. What the fuck did you just blow up?" Alec exploded, snatching the now useless detonator from Logan's hand.
Alec knew he should have just done things his way and taken it from him. But he wanted to do things Max's way, hoping he could sweet talk the kid like Max did all the time.
Looking at Logan, Alec watched as his whole body started to tremble and face turn white. Studying Logan's lips, Alec read what he mouthed- "Max's gone."
"What do you mean, Max's gone!" Alec grabbed Logan by the front of his shirt and shook him. Pulling him to his feet, Alec glared down at Logan. "What did you do?" Alec hissed through clenched teeth.
"I killed Max!" Logan cried, tears running down his crumpled face.
Throwing Logan back into his chair, Alec stormed from the room.
****
He killed Max! How could Logan even *consider* the thought!
Entertaining the thought was one thing- even fun when Max was going through one of her Bitch lectures. But actually putting the thoughts into actions!
It was like Alec actually acting on the thoughts his lower regions had about Max. And not even messed-up, screwed-up Alec would dare acting on that one.
Alec stopped dead, shocked.
He was thinking about sex with Max. Max was dead. And all he could think about was fucking a dead girl!
But, unlike Rachel, it did not seem real. He had not seen it happen- he did not even hear the explosion.
All Alec knew was that Logan could not lie about such a thing. Not even on April fools.
Anger flooded Alec again at the thought of Logan and he started walking again. The compulsion to throttle him back there was so tempting that Alec had to leave. Max would not have wanted it. Even knowing Max was dead, he still could not help but try to live up to her expectations in him.
His anger made people move out of his way, scared to get within ten feet of him.
By the time Alec had reached the command center, the whole of TC knew something was up, and transgenics throughout TC were listening for the upcoming explosion from Alec.
But it never came- Alec kept it all in, knowing that the time would come when he could let it out, but now was not the time. He had too many other things to deal with to allow himself the pleasure of shouting and mourning.
****
A simple, quiet memorial service was held in honor of Max. Alec knew Max had touched many lives- but the sheer number of people that cried silent tears for her was overwhelming.
"She was the first to love us," was all that was said.
And later, when Joshua had hung his painting of Max in the command center as a memorial, transgenics filed in and out to say their goodbyes through the painting. It was a tight squeeze in there all day, but no one was jostled, not feeling the need to move quickly.
It was probably one of the single, most touching moments Alec felt while watching the scene from the back of the room as transgenics made their way in.
Alec envied the mourners ability to show pain, to understand and express exactly what they were feeling for Max. While through the whole day, he had kept his face blank and voice carefree. The only thing preventing people from thinking him a cold-blooded bastard was his clench fist, fingers biting into his palms till they bled.
Alec knew he could have addressed TC to honor Max and had even Mole feel a tear sting his eye, despite being genetically designed to conserve bodily fluid. But he would have done that for anyone- the enemy on a deep cover mission; the girls he pretended to love to get into their pants.
But Max was not just anyone.
To honor Max's death in that way felt wrong. He did not know why, or how it felt wrong, but he was used to listening and acting on his instincts.
So Alec honored Max in his own guarded way- by showing no emotion and finishing what Max started.
****
"What do you mean, you won't deal with me?" Alec said down the phone to the supplier, his business-like voice faltering slightly.
Alec's calm face fell as he listened. "You'll only deal with Max? She's too busy right now to make the orders."
It had not yet been broken to the world that Max was dead, and Alec did not think they would gain anything from telling, so he held the card to his chest.
"Max would make time."
Alec glared at the offending item in his hand. The fucking supplier had hung up! What was up with these suppliers? Money was money, no matter who the hell offered it. So why the fuck would they only deal with Max?
"Dealers trust Max," Joshua explained to Alec's silent question.
Alec made a face and mimicked Joshua angrily. He threw the phone across the command center and watched it shatter.
Alec's aggressive actions cleared his mind so much that he had the sense to look ashamed.
"Sorry," Alec muttered, dragging his hand through his hair.
This leadership business was a bigger pill than Alec initially thought, understanding suddenly why Mole had instantly turned down the position.
It had already been two days since he agreed to be leader, and already he had misgivings about the job- especially the part where half naked girls would surround him all day, while he ordered everyone around from his easy chair.
Which especially contrasted the fact that Alec was now worried he'd be bald above from stress rather bald below, from too much hot monkey sex.
"Max had her suppliers- I also have mine. No reason I need to use the same one's as her," Alec said aloud, more to himself than Joshua.
Accepting yet another phone from Joshua, Alec quickly dialed a new number.
****
"We can't stay with this supplier," Alec commented as much to Mole as to himself as they watched the boxes being unloaded from the supplier. "His prices are too high."
Mole grunted through his cigar butt.
"But raiding involves too much work- any idea how many runs we'd have to do per day?" Alec asked. "And people would grow suspicious of us if too much food suddenly started to be stolen."
"Alec, for fuck sakes- shut up!"
Alec blinked. The last thing he had expected was that.
"I'd rather fuck myself than be leader. So stop telling me about it."
Alec knew a 'shut-up' when he heard it. But how the hell had Max dealt with this crap on her own? And not say a single word about it all? Not once asking for help or advice. It was always- 'be here' and 'do this' from Max. Never 'I'm clueless. Help.'
And not once could Alec remember hearing the word 'shortages' mentioned in the command center. Now, it was like everyone thought his name was 'shortage'.
It was like Max had lived two lives- Leader/CO Max and Bitch Max. Had everyone known about the other side of Max, and it was just him she did not let in?
Knowing that train of thought would lead no where but anger at not meeting peoples expectations, Alec went in search of Joshua to talk to.
A/N: HAH! April fools joke or not? Tune in next week to find out (I've always wanted to say that). Max's mangled remains or a love-story in the making? (Not a soap opera here).
A/N2: I know this is not what you wanna hear, but I'm getting into the exam period, so updates will be few and far apart. But I can promise you, here and now, this *will* get finished (I've just finished chapter 12 and have the ending thought out).
Anyways, just wanna say thank you to my readers, and thanks a million to my reviewers!
Jamie's Spawn- glad to know everything's set up right, I was a bit worried. Anyways, I've read your next chappie and I'll get my thoughts on it out to you ASAP.
Secretlybeautiful- lol. If I was going to save Max, it would definitely not be for you ;) It would be for Alec! But the way I see it, is that if Max's suddenly out of the picture, I could just suddenly step in and have Alec all to myself. Hehe
Natasqui- I'm glad you liked it! Hope this one's just as good.
Nat452- well, only because you said please am I updating ;)
