"Can't Deny Destiny"
Chapter 6 "Secret Agendas and the Sickness"
Rogue Angel Disclaimer and such: See Chapter 1 ***** The hotel When 21:30 rolled around everyone was dressed in camouflage and packing many and multiple guns. Jondy had even convinced Maxie to have a gun. On Maxwell and Jondy the guns were concealed but highly accessible. Faith was unarmed but both Maxwell's and Jondy had spares for her, if need be. The group went and set up at the site. Alpha Team removed themselves away from the building and they watched Buffy and the Scooby Gang arrive. Logan had been taken out of his chair and was being carried. "Sides silence. Roof, report?" Jondy said into her walkie talkie. "Clear." Krit replied in a hushed voice. "Ok, Alpha Team's rolling," Jondy said. "On your toes." She looked to Faith, "Don't worry, I promise to protect you." They leaned in and touched foreheads. "On my life." Faith smiled. "Love ya." They broke out from the back of a van. Faith's hands were cuffed behind her back. Maxie walked to the front and Jondy and Maxwell walked on either side of Faith. They walked into the warehouse. Buffy stood in front of her friends, Angel held Logan over his shoulder. Logan had a mask over his face. "Well, isn't this just a grand old reunion. Miss me, B?" Faith asked with a grin on her face. "You're going back to LA," Buffy said. "Shame. I'm really growing to like Seattle. Weather sucks, but you weren't here. Made it worthwhile for me," Faith countered. Maxie took a step forward, to draw Buffy's attention. "You must be one on the phone. Guevera, is it?" Buffy asked her. "Max. Why is Logan out of his chair?" "Easier to move for us," Buffy said shrugging. "She's cuffed?" "Yep," Maxwell said. He spun Faith and showed the cuffs. He pulled her arms apart and the cuffs did not give. Buffy nodded in approval and he spun her back around. His hand covered hers and he used his powers and broke the lock. A soft click could be heard by all those with enhanced hearing. Jondy whistled and Zack and Zane came in, they wore ski-masks. "We'll take Logan now," Maxie said. Buffy nodded to Angel and he carried Logan over to Zane and handed him over. "Now give me Faith," Buffy ordered. "Wait," Jondy said. Maxie turned around and looked at Jondy. "Not yet. First rule of the fence, never make a trade without seeing your merchandise. Unmask him," Jondy continued. Zack pulled the mask off. The man had Logan's short, ruffled hair cut and similar glasses but it wasn't him. Zack ripped his mask off. "It's not him, Maxie." Zane dropped Wesley and Zack kicked hard. Ribs popped loudly. Wesley tried to get up, Zack punched him in the face and broke his nose and then kicked once more. Wesley didn't move again. "Where the fuck is Logan?" Maxie asked. One of Buffy's posse stepped out of the shadows and took off a hat. When he took the step, Logan's familiar exoskeleton motor could be heard. "Logan?" Maxie asked with a lot of shock in her voice. "Why?" "You said you wouldn't let your feelings about your family cloud your judgement. You lied," he said. "She's a killer." "Then again, so are all of us," Jondy said. She raised her fist and all of the soldiers and aliens popped out of their hiding places, their guns trained on Buffy's group. Logan's eyes went wide. A voice came over Jondy's walkie talkie. "Incoming." Krit said. Krit and Alec smashed through the glass skylights and dropped down to a high catwalk. "Copters," Alec yelled. "He betrayed us," Zack hissed. "He set us up. Just like I knew he would!" Logan turned to Buffy. "I thought we agreed that there would be no law officials." "Change of plans," Buffy replied nonchalantly. "Leave him, Maxie. Everyone fall back. Retreat," Jondy ordered. "You're not going anywhere," Angel said. Jondy pulled out a 9mm and leveled it at Buffy. "We go where we will. Pull back. Get Faith out of here." "But..." Faith started. "Another time. Now move," Jondy snapped. Maxwell grabbed her arm, Michael ran out from the side where he was positioned and grabbed the other and they lead her out. Most of the X-5's were out. Jondy and Buffy had not moved an inch. Jondy saw the young blonde girl on Buffy's left had a crossbow, but other than that everyone else seemed unarmed. "You're letting a killer walk away," Buffy tried to reason. "She's not just any killer, she's my twin sister. And in this family we're deathly protective," Jondy said. "Twin. You look nothing like her," Buffy replied. "Fraternal but who gives a shit," Jondy replied. Zane dragged Wesley over to Buffy's team. "He'll need medical attention," he told Willow softly. Willow nodded. A loud snap and then a sudden pain caught everyone off guard. The blonde girl had accidentally fired her crossbow. Jondy staggered, then went down. Zack and Maxie helped her to her feet. Krit and Alec now had their guns on Buffy and Dawn (the holder of the crossbow). "Oops. I...I...It... I'm sorry," Dawn apologized. Jondy grabbed the shaft protruding from her left shoulder. She pulled it out and snapped it in half, "You say oops when you spill milk, you beg for your life when you shoot a pissed off soldier." "It tripped by itself. I didn't mean to," she stammered. Jondy started coughing, "It ends now Buffy. I'll spare your girl and Logan and you leave Faith to us." She managed to get out. "Max, you can't let her..." Logan started. Zack leveled his gun at Logan's head. "Shut the fuck up. Jondy's the one in charge, not Maxie." "Max..." Logan pleaded. "You set us up. How can I ever trust you again?" Maxie said. Zane and Zack helped Jondy out, Maxie walked right behind them. Krit and Alec kept their guns trained on the group and then they exited, leaving the Slayer gang behind. By the time Spike and Xander landed the copter, the soldiers were all long gone back to the hotel. At the hotel, Zack and Zane carried Jondy into the hotel room and laid her down. Everyone in there was beyond shocked that she was bleeding. Zane pulled off his mask, then he ripped Jondy's shirt open and they saw that the bolt had hit a few inches above her heart. Alec pulled out his lighter and a knife and began to heat the knife. "We've got to cauterize the wound. Hold her down." Zane and Zack held her shoulders down, Liz and Syl each grabbed a leg. Brin ran out of the room to her car. Alec took the hot knife and put it on the wound. Jondy bit back a scream. The sizzling of flesh was loud in some of the X-5's ears. Some of the group began to cry thinking she might bleed to death. Isabel buried her face into Jesse's chest. Once after a few seconds Alec removed the knife. "She's stopped bleeding. Grab a shirt for her." Jace threw him a shirt. Brin came running back into the room she had a first aid kit with her. "Let me clean her up a bit." Jondy put her right arm around Brin's shoulder and they made their way to the bathroom. Faith turned on Zack, "How did that happen?" "Little girl with the crossbow had an itchy finger," he replied. "But Buffy's gone. Jondy spared the girl as long as she left and never came after you again." "It's over?" "It's over," Zack replied. Faith smiled and tears ran down her cheeks. Zack embraced Faith. A few minutes later, Brin and Jondy emerged from the bathroom. Jondy looked like shit, she was very pale and very weak. Brin helped Jondy to the bed where most of the girls swarmed her. Maxie stood by Zack at the foot of the bed. "I'm sorry. You were right about Logan, Zack." "Let's not talk about him ever again," Zack said with a small smile. "I've got something to say," Jondy said. "No. You're weak, save it," Zane said. "I told Maxie I'd say what was up after Faith was safe." Her eyes fought to keep open. She coughed. "I've got to, Zane," she said. He nodded. She got up and away from the touch of any of her family. She balanced herself on the desk but then resigned to sitting in a chair. "Ok, I've got to start in the beginning for Liz's friends. The beginning is a place called Manticore. There they created us and then made science projects of us. One of our brothers who's dead, Ben, he made a religion for us. The Virgin Mary is our Blue Lady. She protected the good soldiers from being taken away in the middle of the night and from overly mutated Transgenics that we called Nomlies. One day in '09, before the Pulse, Maxie had a seizure and we thought that they'd take her to the Nomlies so we escaped and parted ways. Each of us living in fear of being captured and taken back. Some of us did go back, one of us died there... Tinga. But only one of us broke back in for information, me. What I was looking for is not important now... I was caught by a lab technician. I had gotten my barcode removed so he could not identify me or report me, but he decided to make a test of me. He injected me with one of his concoctions. It was a mixture of several things, most notably an enhancer of animal DNA and a virus. The DNA enhancer caused some small mutations, my ears and it also enhanced my abilities. And the virus was his own hatchling, it's a variation of Tuberculosis. Non-transmittable, time released, and incurable unless I got help from him by staying at Manticore. I ran, not believing him. I tried to get help from doctors for TB but it's too different." "What is TB?" Jesse asked. "It's pretty much a severe lung infection that destroys her lungs," Maria said in a matter of fact tone. "I did a report about it." "Why didn't you go back?" Brin asked. "I'd rather die then go back," Jondy said. "And that's the decision you made, you're going to die?" Michael asked. "You were never there. I still have nightmares of that place. Of watching our brother Jack be dragged off to be killed, of our sister Eva being shot. Torture. Killing. Pain. Shit, we were kids," Jondy said her breath ragged, "I wouldn't go back ever. I was too scared to even help rescue Tinga. Death before surrender. It's a good soldier's way to live." "Don't talk like that. You sound like Ben." Dax said. "Shut up." Maxie yelled. "If she believes in the Blue Lady then she does." Jondy sent Maxie a soft smile, and radically changed the subject. "My last official act as CO is to resign it to Krit. With Zack's memory issues he's now unfit, I'm beyond unfit, and you're next in line." Krit nodded solemnly. "How much time do you have left?" Jace asked. "Once I cough blood, I'll have twenty-four hours, and then the infection will have become too advanced to counteract it and it'll kill me rapidly." "Ok. We find this lab junkie and get the cure," Erich said. "He died in a car accident last year, his data was in the DNA lab when it was destroyed," Zane said. "And none of the other lab technicians I've contacted had any idea about this fuck's little concoction." "In other words, you're dying and there's no way to stop it?" Brin asked. Jondy nodded. She started coughing violently, after she finished coughing she rubbed her hand on her pant leg. "Oh shit," Maxie said in a weak voice. Her legs gave out and she collapsed to the ground. "What?" Zack asked. She raised her finger and pointed at Jondy's leg. There was a blood stain from where she had rub her hand after last coughing fit. "The bolt might have hit her lung," Alec offered. "It could just be that." Jondy shook her head no. Tears began to fall down her eyes. "I'll have my family around while I die, it's what I've always wanted. They can take me to the High Place." "Stop talking like that," Faith said, tears flowing down her face. "You said you'd protect me. Dying doesn't count. On your life! That means something. That means everything." "I'm sorry," Jondy made out in barely a whisper. "We need to let her rest," Liz said, tears in his eyes. "She needs to save her strength." Almost everyone filed out of the room. Maxie, Zane, Faith, and Zack stayed. Jondy managed to get herself to a bed and laid down. She couldn't stop crying. Zack and Zane soon grew impatient, they had to move for ideas so they left. Maxie and Faith sat on either side of Jondy who was breathing very shallowly on the bed. "I thought that if I found you guys and we began to fight the battle of that prophecy, I might beat this... I guess it's just a lot of coincidences. The book never took into account genetically altered virus," Jondy said in a humorous tone. Her voice grew somber. "Where's the High Place, Maxie?" "I'll take you later," Maxie said. Jondy nodded. Faith put her hand on Jondy's face. "You're burning up." "I know. I think it's from the crossbow." Faith pulled her hand back. "They might have tried to put poison or a magic potion on it. It was for me, so I wouldn't discount that option." "A waste of their time. A bolt like that didn't need poison to do damage," Maxie said. "I'm tired," Jondy said weakly to change the subject. "You should take a nap then," Faith said. "We're not going anywhere," Maxie said in a reassuring voice. Jondy let her eyes close and soon her breathing was smooth. Maxie bit back tears and Faith laid down next to Jondy and fell asleep. In the other room the group was trying to figure what they could do. "There's nothing," Jace said. "I say we take her to the High Place and we let her shoot herself so she can die with dignity." "No. She's not going to die," Zane said. "She can't. And if she does, she dies fighting for her life." "I agree with Zane," Zack said. "I do too," Krit said. "Isn't there some doctor somewhere that could do something?" Isabel asked. "If there is, we don't have time to find one," Syl said. "My little sister's gonna die in twelve hours and there's no way around it." Liz looked to Maxwell and for an instant remembered how she found out about his secret. "Hold on a minute, there might be a way," Liz said. "Maxwell, I was shot and I nearly died and he healed me. Kyle too. Maybe he can heal her." Zack looked to him. "Do you think you can?" "A gun shot or a heart attack is one thing, but a virus? I don't know." "I'll try to help," Isabel said. "Me too. I even brought the healing stones," Michael said. "That'd be great if you had the Royal Four," Maria noted. "But Tess is back in enemy territory with your son, remember." "When you healed me and Liz, we got a bit of you in us. We might be able help," Kyle added. "I have no fucking clue what you're talking about but is it worth trying?" Zack asked. Maxwell looked to his sister and to Michael and didn't answer. "At this point, anything is," Zane answered. "Do it," Krit said. "Before I do, I would like to know what I'm up against. Maybe we could get a blood sample and I could check it out. If I see the virus, I might be able to combat it better," Max suggested. "What do you need?" Zack asked. "Microscope, a sample slide... That should be good," he said. "Ok. Jace, Brin, and Syl. You three go find that shit," Krit said. "Grix, Dax go and get ice and some food. She's going to need nourishment and we might need to lower her core temp. It might be able to delay the effects. And Original Cindy, you weren't at our skirmish, go to Logan. Get him to do a search on TB and get all the information on it that you can get. Kyle and Maria go with. Play dumb if he asks if you know what happened. It's Kyle's brother who has TB and you're getting the info for him." "I don't have a brother," Kyle said. "Logan don't know that, fool," Original Cindy said. "Ok, we're going." Logan's Apartment--6 AM Original Cindy knocked and Willow opened the door. They checked each other out for a second. "Is Logan here?" Original Cindy asked. Willow stepped out of the way and the trio entered. Logan wheeled over to Original Cindy. "What are you doing here?" "I need a favor," Original Cindy said sitting across from him. "This is Maria and Kyle. Kyle's older bro is a friend of mine and he's sick. We need to find out about what he's got." "What does he have?" Logan asked to Kyle. "Tuberculosis," he responded. "Ok," Logan wheeled over to his computer. "So have you talked to Max?" "No. She hasn't been to the apartment since Jondy came into town," Original Cindy said. "And she's decided not to call me in the last few days. It's cool, though, she can take care of herself." "You didn't hear about anything last night?" Xander asked. "The only thing I know that happened last night was Sketchy lost three large in a card game. And Original Cindy got herself a hot ass honey's number," Original Cindy said. "Thank God we went to Crash last night, we got a major alibi," she thought. Logan wheeled back over. "The computer's doing a wide search of medical files, it'll be a bit." "Well, it looks like you got company so we're gonna head out. How about you hit Original Cindy up at the apartment when it's done?" "We were just leaving," Buffy said. "We didn't meet, I'm Original Cindy. That's Kyle and Maria." "Buffy," Buffy briefly introduced her friends. "Nice to meet you," Maria said, mostly to herself in regards to Buffy's abbreviated introductions. Buffy took Logan's hand and leaned in. "So, you'll let us know anything about the group and their location that you can find? And keep an eye on hospitals for the girl Dawn shot?" "I'll do what I can. I doubt they'll take her to a hospital. But I'll keep my eyes open." Kyle was glad for his position, Logan was a few feet behind him and he could hear clearly. Logan was working with the bad guys. The Slayer gang left to go get somebody from the hospital and then they were heading out. Once the Slayer gang left, Logan stood and walked around, his exoskeleton whirring quietly. "So you haven't talked with Max?" Logan pressed. "No. Why? You guys get in a fight again?" Original Cindy asked with half- interest. "Kinda. What was the last thing she said to you?" "She thought she was going to roll with Jondy when she got ready to move on. For all Original knows, she's already gone." "You're not concerned?" "My Boo's a big girl, she said she'd call when she could. If she don't in a while then I'll get pissed, if she never calls then she never calls. She was just so excited to see Jondy. You know they were tight back at... As children?" "Yes," Logan said forcing a smile. "Did you meet Jondy?" "Kinda. She was at Crash and beat Max at pool for a Benjamin. No formal introductions, she just won and moved on. Original Cindy thought Jondy was tryin' to work the hook up with Max, bein' all mysterious and shit." Logan nodded. "Well if you talk to Max, tell her to call me." "Sure thing," Original Cindy responded. Logan's computer beeped and it began to print a series of papers. "You're brother's sick with TB?" Logan asked Kyle. "Yeah." "What's his name?" Logan asked. Kyle froze for a second, "Uh, it's Jim." Maria hid a smile, Jim Valenti was Kyle's dad's name. Logan nodded. "Boy's trying to shake us down," Original Cindy thought. The computer stopped printing. There was a stack of papers half an inch thick. "This is it," Logan said, handing Cindy the stack. "Thanks." Logan looked to Maria. "So, how do you know Jim?" Maria looked to Kyle. "Kyle and I are friends." "Really good friends," Kyle added nonchalantly. "She wanted to help. I think it's sweet of her." Logan eyed them. "Very sweet," he replied with no sincerity. "I do anything I can for my friends," Maria said. Logan nodded again. "Well we better get this info to Jim," Original Cindy said. The trio left. Logan watched them leave. He knew that they did know where Max was, they had talked to her recently. He punched the wall. Max was gone forever because of his need to do the right thing. Even as the right thing seemed to look more and more wrong every second. Original Cindy's Apartment Original Cindy ran into her apartment with Kyle and Maria in tow, and dialed Alec's cell phone. Alec answered it, "Hello?" "Buster had Buffy and her entourage over at his crib and then he tried interrogating us." "Did you get the data?" "Yeah, it seems to be all usable." "Ok. How long will it take you to get here?" "That's the problem. The bitch and crew are tailing us," she said. "Ok, put it in a package of some sort. A Jam Pony Bike Messenger is going to come by and pick it up." "Alec, you're a genius." "I know." Alec hung up and looked to Jesse. "My man, you're up." "What?" "The recon team got their data but the group from last night is tailing them. They can't return here." "What does that have to do with me?"
Chapter 6 "Secret Agendas and the Sickness"
Rogue Angel Disclaimer and such: See Chapter 1 ***** The hotel When 21:30 rolled around everyone was dressed in camouflage and packing many and multiple guns. Jondy had even convinced Maxie to have a gun. On Maxwell and Jondy the guns were concealed but highly accessible. Faith was unarmed but both Maxwell's and Jondy had spares for her, if need be. The group went and set up at the site. Alpha Team removed themselves away from the building and they watched Buffy and the Scooby Gang arrive. Logan had been taken out of his chair and was being carried. "Sides silence. Roof, report?" Jondy said into her walkie talkie. "Clear." Krit replied in a hushed voice. "Ok, Alpha Team's rolling," Jondy said. "On your toes." She looked to Faith, "Don't worry, I promise to protect you." They leaned in and touched foreheads. "On my life." Faith smiled. "Love ya." They broke out from the back of a van. Faith's hands were cuffed behind her back. Maxie walked to the front and Jondy and Maxwell walked on either side of Faith. They walked into the warehouse. Buffy stood in front of her friends, Angel held Logan over his shoulder. Logan had a mask over his face. "Well, isn't this just a grand old reunion. Miss me, B?" Faith asked with a grin on her face. "You're going back to LA," Buffy said. "Shame. I'm really growing to like Seattle. Weather sucks, but you weren't here. Made it worthwhile for me," Faith countered. Maxie took a step forward, to draw Buffy's attention. "You must be one on the phone. Guevera, is it?" Buffy asked her. "Max. Why is Logan out of his chair?" "Easier to move for us," Buffy said shrugging. "She's cuffed?" "Yep," Maxwell said. He spun Faith and showed the cuffs. He pulled her arms apart and the cuffs did not give. Buffy nodded in approval and he spun her back around. His hand covered hers and he used his powers and broke the lock. A soft click could be heard by all those with enhanced hearing. Jondy whistled and Zack and Zane came in, they wore ski-masks. "We'll take Logan now," Maxie said. Buffy nodded to Angel and he carried Logan over to Zane and handed him over. "Now give me Faith," Buffy ordered. "Wait," Jondy said. Maxie turned around and looked at Jondy. "Not yet. First rule of the fence, never make a trade without seeing your merchandise. Unmask him," Jondy continued. Zack pulled the mask off. The man had Logan's short, ruffled hair cut and similar glasses but it wasn't him. Zack ripped his mask off. "It's not him, Maxie." Zane dropped Wesley and Zack kicked hard. Ribs popped loudly. Wesley tried to get up, Zack punched him in the face and broke his nose and then kicked once more. Wesley didn't move again. "Where the fuck is Logan?" Maxie asked. One of Buffy's posse stepped out of the shadows and took off a hat. When he took the step, Logan's familiar exoskeleton motor could be heard. "Logan?" Maxie asked with a lot of shock in her voice. "Why?" "You said you wouldn't let your feelings about your family cloud your judgement. You lied," he said. "She's a killer." "Then again, so are all of us," Jondy said. She raised her fist and all of the soldiers and aliens popped out of their hiding places, their guns trained on Buffy's group. Logan's eyes went wide. A voice came over Jondy's walkie talkie. "Incoming." Krit said. Krit and Alec smashed through the glass skylights and dropped down to a high catwalk. "Copters," Alec yelled. "He betrayed us," Zack hissed. "He set us up. Just like I knew he would!" Logan turned to Buffy. "I thought we agreed that there would be no law officials." "Change of plans," Buffy replied nonchalantly. "Leave him, Maxie. Everyone fall back. Retreat," Jondy ordered. "You're not going anywhere," Angel said. Jondy pulled out a 9mm and leveled it at Buffy. "We go where we will. Pull back. Get Faith out of here." "But..." Faith started. "Another time. Now move," Jondy snapped. Maxwell grabbed her arm, Michael ran out from the side where he was positioned and grabbed the other and they lead her out. Most of the X-5's were out. Jondy and Buffy had not moved an inch. Jondy saw the young blonde girl on Buffy's left had a crossbow, but other than that everyone else seemed unarmed. "You're letting a killer walk away," Buffy tried to reason. "She's not just any killer, she's my twin sister. And in this family we're deathly protective," Jondy said. "Twin. You look nothing like her," Buffy replied. "Fraternal but who gives a shit," Jondy replied. Zane dragged Wesley over to Buffy's team. "He'll need medical attention," he told Willow softly. Willow nodded. A loud snap and then a sudden pain caught everyone off guard. The blonde girl had accidentally fired her crossbow. Jondy staggered, then went down. Zack and Maxie helped her to her feet. Krit and Alec now had their guns on Buffy and Dawn (the holder of the crossbow). "Oops. I...I...It... I'm sorry," Dawn apologized. Jondy grabbed the shaft protruding from her left shoulder. She pulled it out and snapped it in half, "You say oops when you spill milk, you beg for your life when you shoot a pissed off soldier." "It tripped by itself. I didn't mean to," she stammered. Jondy started coughing, "It ends now Buffy. I'll spare your girl and Logan and you leave Faith to us." She managed to get out. "Max, you can't let her..." Logan started. Zack leveled his gun at Logan's head. "Shut the fuck up. Jondy's the one in charge, not Maxie." "Max..." Logan pleaded. "You set us up. How can I ever trust you again?" Maxie said. Zane and Zack helped Jondy out, Maxie walked right behind them. Krit and Alec kept their guns trained on the group and then they exited, leaving the Slayer gang behind. By the time Spike and Xander landed the copter, the soldiers were all long gone back to the hotel. At the hotel, Zack and Zane carried Jondy into the hotel room and laid her down. Everyone in there was beyond shocked that she was bleeding. Zane pulled off his mask, then he ripped Jondy's shirt open and they saw that the bolt had hit a few inches above her heart. Alec pulled out his lighter and a knife and began to heat the knife. "We've got to cauterize the wound. Hold her down." Zane and Zack held her shoulders down, Liz and Syl each grabbed a leg. Brin ran out of the room to her car. Alec took the hot knife and put it on the wound. Jondy bit back a scream. The sizzling of flesh was loud in some of the X-5's ears. Some of the group began to cry thinking she might bleed to death. Isabel buried her face into Jesse's chest. Once after a few seconds Alec removed the knife. "She's stopped bleeding. Grab a shirt for her." Jace threw him a shirt. Brin came running back into the room she had a first aid kit with her. "Let me clean her up a bit." Jondy put her right arm around Brin's shoulder and they made their way to the bathroom. Faith turned on Zack, "How did that happen?" "Little girl with the crossbow had an itchy finger," he replied. "But Buffy's gone. Jondy spared the girl as long as she left and never came after you again." "It's over?" "It's over," Zack replied. Faith smiled and tears ran down her cheeks. Zack embraced Faith. A few minutes later, Brin and Jondy emerged from the bathroom. Jondy looked like shit, she was very pale and very weak. Brin helped Jondy to the bed where most of the girls swarmed her. Maxie stood by Zack at the foot of the bed. "I'm sorry. You were right about Logan, Zack." "Let's not talk about him ever again," Zack said with a small smile. "I've got something to say," Jondy said. "No. You're weak, save it," Zane said. "I told Maxie I'd say what was up after Faith was safe." Her eyes fought to keep open. She coughed. "I've got to, Zane," she said. He nodded. She got up and away from the touch of any of her family. She balanced herself on the desk but then resigned to sitting in a chair. "Ok, I've got to start in the beginning for Liz's friends. The beginning is a place called Manticore. There they created us and then made science projects of us. One of our brothers who's dead, Ben, he made a religion for us. The Virgin Mary is our Blue Lady. She protected the good soldiers from being taken away in the middle of the night and from overly mutated Transgenics that we called Nomlies. One day in '09, before the Pulse, Maxie had a seizure and we thought that they'd take her to the Nomlies so we escaped and parted ways. Each of us living in fear of being captured and taken back. Some of us did go back, one of us died there... Tinga. But only one of us broke back in for information, me. What I was looking for is not important now... I was caught by a lab technician. I had gotten my barcode removed so he could not identify me or report me, but he decided to make a test of me. He injected me with one of his concoctions. It was a mixture of several things, most notably an enhancer of animal DNA and a virus. The DNA enhancer caused some small mutations, my ears and it also enhanced my abilities. And the virus was his own hatchling, it's a variation of Tuberculosis. Non-transmittable, time released, and incurable unless I got help from him by staying at Manticore. I ran, not believing him. I tried to get help from doctors for TB but it's too different." "What is TB?" Jesse asked. "It's pretty much a severe lung infection that destroys her lungs," Maria said in a matter of fact tone. "I did a report about it." "Why didn't you go back?" Brin asked. "I'd rather die then go back," Jondy said. "And that's the decision you made, you're going to die?" Michael asked. "You were never there. I still have nightmares of that place. Of watching our brother Jack be dragged off to be killed, of our sister Eva being shot. Torture. Killing. Pain. Shit, we were kids," Jondy said her breath ragged, "I wouldn't go back ever. I was too scared to even help rescue Tinga. Death before surrender. It's a good soldier's way to live." "Don't talk like that. You sound like Ben." Dax said. "Shut up." Maxie yelled. "If she believes in the Blue Lady then she does." Jondy sent Maxie a soft smile, and radically changed the subject. "My last official act as CO is to resign it to Krit. With Zack's memory issues he's now unfit, I'm beyond unfit, and you're next in line." Krit nodded solemnly. "How much time do you have left?" Jace asked. "Once I cough blood, I'll have twenty-four hours, and then the infection will have become too advanced to counteract it and it'll kill me rapidly." "Ok. We find this lab junkie and get the cure," Erich said. "He died in a car accident last year, his data was in the DNA lab when it was destroyed," Zane said. "And none of the other lab technicians I've contacted had any idea about this fuck's little concoction." "In other words, you're dying and there's no way to stop it?" Brin asked. Jondy nodded. She started coughing violently, after she finished coughing she rubbed her hand on her pant leg. "Oh shit," Maxie said in a weak voice. Her legs gave out and she collapsed to the ground. "What?" Zack asked. She raised her finger and pointed at Jondy's leg. There was a blood stain from where she had rub her hand after last coughing fit. "The bolt might have hit her lung," Alec offered. "It could just be that." Jondy shook her head no. Tears began to fall down her eyes. "I'll have my family around while I die, it's what I've always wanted. They can take me to the High Place." "Stop talking like that," Faith said, tears flowing down her face. "You said you'd protect me. Dying doesn't count. On your life! That means something. That means everything." "I'm sorry," Jondy made out in barely a whisper. "We need to let her rest," Liz said, tears in his eyes. "She needs to save her strength." Almost everyone filed out of the room. Maxie, Zane, Faith, and Zack stayed. Jondy managed to get herself to a bed and laid down. She couldn't stop crying. Zack and Zane soon grew impatient, they had to move for ideas so they left. Maxie and Faith sat on either side of Jondy who was breathing very shallowly on the bed. "I thought that if I found you guys and we began to fight the battle of that prophecy, I might beat this... I guess it's just a lot of coincidences. The book never took into account genetically altered virus," Jondy said in a humorous tone. Her voice grew somber. "Where's the High Place, Maxie?" "I'll take you later," Maxie said. Jondy nodded. Faith put her hand on Jondy's face. "You're burning up." "I know. I think it's from the crossbow." Faith pulled her hand back. "They might have tried to put poison or a magic potion on it. It was for me, so I wouldn't discount that option." "A waste of their time. A bolt like that didn't need poison to do damage," Maxie said. "I'm tired," Jondy said weakly to change the subject. "You should take a nap then," Faith said. "We're not going anywhere," Maxie said in a reassuring voice. Jondy let her eyes close and soon her breathing was smooth. Maxie bit back tears and Faith laid down next to Jondy and fell asleep. In the other room the group was trying to figure what they could do. "There's nothing," Jace said. "I say we take her to the High Place and we let her shoot herself so she can die with dignity." "No. She's not going to die," Zane said. "She can't. And if she does, she dies fighting for her life." "I agree with Zane," Zack said. "I do too," Krit said. "Isn't there some doctor somewhere that could do something?" Isabel asked. "If there is, we don't have time to find one," Syl said. "My little sister's gonna die in twelve hours and there's no way around it." Liz looked to Maxwell and for an instant remembered how she found out about his secret. "Hold on a minute, there might be a way," Liz said. "Maxwell, I was shot and I nearly died and he healed me. Kyle too. Maybe he can heal her." Zack looked to him. "Do you think you can?" "A gun shot or a heart attack is one thing, but a virus? I don't know." "I'll try to help," Isabel said. "Me too. I even brought the healing stones," Michael said. "That'd be great if you had the Royal Four," Maria noted. "But Tess is back in enemy territory with your son, remember." "When you healed me and Liz, we got a bit of you in us. We might be able help," Kyle added. "I have no fucking clue what you're talking about but is it worth trying?" Zack asked. Maxwell looked to his sister and to Michael and didn't answer. "At this point, anything is," Zane answered. "Do it," Krit said. "Before I do, I would like to know what I'm up against. Maybe we could get a blood sample and I could check it out. If I see the virus, I might be able to combat it better," Max suggested. "What do you need?" Zack asked. "Microscope, a sample slide... That should be good," he said. "Ok. Jace, Brin, and Syl. You three go find that shit," Krit said. "Grix, Dax go and get ice and some food. She's going to need nourishment and we might need to lower her core temp. It might be able to delay the effects. And Original Cindy, you weren't at our skirmish, go to Logan. Get him to do a search on TB and get all the information on it that you can get. Kyle and Maria go with. Play dumb if he asks if you know what happened. It's Kyle's brother who has TB and you're getting the info for him." "I don't have a brother," Kyle said. "Logan don't know that, fool," Original Cindy said. "Ok, we're going." Logan's Apartment--6 AM Original Cindy knocked and Willow opened the door. They checked each other out for a second. "Is Logan here?" Original Cindy asked. Willow stepped out of the way and the trio entered. Logan wheeled over to Original Cindy. "What are you doing here?" "I need a favor," Original Cindy said sitting across from him. "This is Maria and Kyle. Kyle's older bro is a friend of mine and he's sick. We need to find out about what he's got." "What does he have?" Logan asked to Kyle. "Tuberculosis," he responded. "Ok," Logan wheeled over to his computer. "So have you talked to Max?" "No. She hasn't been to the apartment since Jondy came into town," Original Cindy said. "And she's decided not to call me in the last few days. It's cool, though, she can take care of herself." "You didn't hear about anything last night?" Xander asked. "The only thing I know that happened last night was Sketchy lost three large in a card game. And Original Cindy got herself a hot ass honey's number," Original Cindy said. "Thank God we went to Crash last night, we got a major alibi," she thought. Logan wheeled back over. "The computer's doing a wide search of medical files, it'll be a bit." "Well, it looks like you got company so we're gonna head out. How about you hit Original Cindy up at the apartment when it's done?" "We were just leaving," Buffy said. "We didn't meet, I'm Original Cindy. That's Kyle and Maria." "Buffy," Buffy briefly introduced her friends. "Nice to meet you," Maria said, mostly to herself in regards to Buffy's abbreviated introductions. Buffy took Logan's hand and leaned in. "So, you'll let us know anything about the group and their location that you can find? And keep an eye on hospitals for the girl Dawn shot?" "I'll do what I can. I doubt they'll take her to a hospital. But I'll keep my eyes open." Kyle was glad for his position, Logan was a few feet behind him and he could hear clearly. Logan was working with the bad guys. The Slayer gang left to go get somebody from the hospital and then they were heading out. Once the Slayer gang left, Logan stood and walked around, his exoskeleton whirring quietly. "So you haven't talked with Max?" Logan pressed. "No. Why? You guys get in a fight again?" Original Cindy asked with half- interest. "Kinda. What was the last thing she said to you?" "She thought she was going to roll with Jondy when she got ready to move on. For all Original knows, she's already gone." "You're not concerned?" "My Boo's a big girl, she said she'd call when she could. If she don't in a while then I'll get pissed, if she never calls then she never calls. She was just so excited to see Jondy. You know they were tight back at... As children?" "Yes," Logan said forcing a smile. "Did you meet Jondy?" "Kinda. She was at Crash and beat Max at pool for a Benjamin. No formal introductions, she just won and moved on. Original Cindy thought Jondy was tryin' to work the hook up with Max, bein' all mysterious and shit." Logan nodded. "Well if you talk to Max, tell her to call me." "Sure thing," Original Cindy responded. Logan's computer beeped and it began to print a series of papers. "You're brother's sick with TB?" Logan asked Kyle. "Yeah." "What's his name?" Logan asked. Kyle froze for a second, "Uh, it's Jim." Maria hid a smile, Jim Valenti was Kyle's dad's name. Logan nodded. "Boy's trying to shake us down," Original Cindy thought. The computer stopped printing. There was a stack of papers half an inch thick. "This is it," Logan said, handing Cindy the stack. "Thanks." Logan looked to Maria. "So, how do you know Jim?" Maria looked to Kyle. "Kyle and I are friends." "Really good friends," Kyle added nonchalantly. "She wanted to help. I think it's sweet of her." Logan eyed them. "Very sweet," he replied with no sincerity. "I do anything I can for my friends," Maria said. Logan nodded again. "Well we better get this info to Jim," Original Cindy said. The trio left. Logan watched them leave. He knew that they did know where Max was, they had talked to her recently. He punched the wall. Max was gone forever because of his need to do the right thing. Even as the right thing seemed to look more and more wrong every second. Original Cindy's Apartment Original Cindy ran into her apartment with Kyle and Maria in tow, and dialed Alec's cell phone. Alec answered it, "Hello?" "Buster had Buffy and her entourage over at his crib and then he tried interrogating us." "Did you get the data?" "Yeah, it seems to be all usable." "Ok. How long will it take you to get here?" "That's the problem. The bitch and crew are tailing us," she said. "Ok, put it in a package of some sort. A Jam Pony Bike Messenger is going to come by and pick it up." "Alec, you're a genius." "I know." Alec hung up and looked to Jesse. "My man, you're up." "What?" "The recon team got their data but the group from last night is tailing them. They can't return here." "What does that have to do with me?"