I've Got You'R' Back
Disclaimer: See previous chapters. And to Sun Tzu.
A/N: Thanks heaps Kasman for the beta, glad I could do a little payback.
Chapter 9 Gathering Intelligence
Outside Infirmary:
As Dalton, comes to a stop next to Max and Logan, the look that passes between the two says it all: This is the story of their life together. This time, however, an interruption was welcome. For a moment, they look at each other, the pain of betrayal and regret, the desire to make things right clear in their eyes. That there is never the right time seems to hang in the air between them. Turning, they walk side by side towards the command center. Dalton follows with a puzzled expression on his face, wondering what is wrong.
As they reach the Command Center, the rain that had threatened all day begins to fall as light drizzle.
Command Center:
Most of the transgenics are standing around watching the news channels and the various security monitors. As Max and Logan make their way over to the main platform where Mole, Dix, Joshua and Luke are standing. Alec, unseen, slips in through the door behind them.
"What we got?" Max asks.
"It took them longer than expected, but the National Guards arrived. We're truly screwed now," Mole says in disgust, glaring over at Max and Logan.
"Always the pessimist aren't you Mole," Max states glancing at the security monitor covering the rail yard fence.
"Yeah, well, they made me that way," Mole replies while furiously chewing on the stump of his cigar.
Ignoring Mole, Max turns to Dix, "So, what are the boys in green doing? I don't see any heavy equipment. So, are they here to reinforce Seattle's finest, or is there something I'm missing?"
"Don't know. Only seen infantry so far, and all they've been doing since arriving is put up tents and barricades."
Luke looks away from the news report being broadcast from the front gate, "They could've put their tanks and APCs down one of the side streets out of sight, plenty of empty warehouses around.
"Yeah, we'll have to send out some scouts to find if they did, and you can bet they will...best to know where it's at in case we have to do something about it," Max says staring without expression at the TV screen.
I spend my entire life outside Manticore running from this type of thing, and here I'm caught up in here with the man I love, my best friend and a family that everybody wants to kill, put in cages or turn into science projects. So what you going to do, Max - running isn't an option any more.
Standing silently, watching the guardsmen move into position, Logan, looks over at Max, and sees her staring at one of the TV screens, her expression blank. You want to run, don't you, Max. This is what you've been trying to avoid all your life - being responsible for others' lives. But that's not an option now. You're not alone any more - I'm here, you've friends, and you've family, covering your back.
"Why don't we send our own camera team out there?"
"What, Logan, you want us to be making ratings as well?" Luke asks.
"No, but what if they're the scouts...a camera team following the troops would give us an idea where things are away from the perimeter," smiling at Max who turns to look at him, "Maybe later we can work out our own broadcasts."
"You could be right, they don't seem to be hassling the news hounds at the moment," Dix says as he pushes his single glass lens up so he can see the TV screen better.
"Do it, make sure their bar codes are covered," Max orders, turning to an X5 sitting at a computer with the sewer system around Terminal City displayed on its screen. "Where's the nearest exit they can use?"
"It's about two blocks north. They haven't reached that far in sealing the manhole covers," glancing at the split screen displaying GPS signals of the various police units. "There are no guards in the area,"
"Right, get them going."
"On it Max," Dix says before walking over to the comms station.
"Where the hell is Alec?"
"Right here, Max, just doing what you wanted me too do."
Max and the others look over to see Alec leaning against a post with a grin on his face.
"Yeah, well, I got something new for you. I want you to get a rapid reaction team together. We have people coming in tonight and they might need back up." Turning to Joshua she smiles, "Can you go with him big fella? You know the sewers better than anyone here...don't want Alec getting himself lost."
Giving, Max a pained look, "The sewers, always the damn sewers," Alec mutters to himself.
As Alec and Joshua leave, Mole turns to Max, "Think I'll go and beef up the perimeter guards, just in case they decide to try and infiltrate in this weather. It'll be dark soon.
Looking at Mole for a second. "Good idea, but don't make a move unless they do. We don't want to spook them," Max replies
"Yeah, yeah, can't have the ordinaries scared of the monsters. I'll keep it cool, Max, just hope you have a plan." Spitting out the remains of his old cigar, he takes out a fresh one and lights it, then turns and leaves the platform, heading for the door.
I have a plan, Mole. That's to end this without anymore deaths.
Indicating to Logan that they should go down to the map board of Terminal City that has been set up below the platform, Max walks down the stairs. An X7 with one of his clone brothers, brings over a couple of small towels and silently hands them to Max and Logan.
Can't get used to them or trust them completely – but when White started to take them out after their usefulness ended, where else could they go...at least we're family. She smiles in gratitude at the pair, who look at each other, their eyes flickering in communication, turning, they try a tentative smile. Nodding her head, Max, waves them away.
Looking at Logan, who has been watching the scene, she shrugs, "X7s from a single clone, but hive mind all the same. They communicate in the ultra high frequency like bats, and without a computer interface, only Joshua and a few of the others with bat or canine DNA can hear them, so they feel cut off. Another one of Manticore's cruel tricks."
"Manticore has a lot to answer for," Logan says softly.
"Logan...yeah, a lot."
Logan with his head to one side has a questioning look in his eyes. Looking away, Max, then looks back at him, "Well, I wanted a shower, but not like this," she says with a faint smile.
Logan grins slightly, "At least you got your clothes washed."
"Right...you've never been drenched in dirty clothes. It just makes wanting a bath more attractive," Max says with a disgusted look on her face.
"We'll have to see what we can do for you. Can't have the commander being a bitch because she's dirty," Logan says in a slightly mocking tone.
"Yeah, well, this bitch will kick your butt if you don't behave...or maybe not," Max finishes sadly.
"We'll beat this." Then taking a breath, Logan, lets it out slowly, "Max, I believe you about back at Manticore...I understand about after. Now we both need time to decide where we go from here."
"Sometimes we do things we regret...I need you, Logan," Max says, her voice still sad.
Looking directly at Max, "I'll be here as long as you and your family need me Max," Logan says firmly.
Nodding her head slightly, "Thanks Logan," she replies softly.
Calling down to them, "Hey, Max, Logan, the scouts are out." Dix waves them up.
They head back up onto the platform and Logan goes and sits in front of the control station they have constructed. "Good thing they stole the water proof cover along with the camera. That rain is coming down heavily at the moment," Logan says, trying to clear up the picture on the monitor.
Max stands behind Logan making sure she is a bit more than an arm length away.
"Well, they're beyond the barricades. Let's see if they can find anything," Logan says, then speaks into the comm set he's put on.
"How did they get hold of all this stuff?" Max asks.
Dix gives her a lopsided grin, "Seems they had a job in a TV station, and when their boss found out they were transgenics, he fired them. They took what they could carry as severance and headed for Terminal City...claim it won't be missed"
"Well, it doesn't matter now, anyway. We have bigger problems, look;" Luke says pointing to the monitor.
Down a side street, the scouts with the camera are filming a company of tanks.
"Looks like M1A3 Abrams. Not the latest, but nothing we have here can stop them, if they decided to come in," An X5 says, standing behind Max.
"Yeah, but I don't think they'll risk them in street fighting, especially as they might think us super soldiers may have a way to take them out." Another X5 says.
"Nah, it'll be an infantry assault then the tanks."
"No way. They'll do what was done in Iraq, sweep in with the tanks and use the infantry to secure the perimeter, quick thrusts to see how we react," Dix adds.
"Can it, people," Max says looking behind her, "It won't come to that."
I hope that's what I'm working for. Forgot who said it, 'The greatest victory is won when the enemy is defeated without battle.' Not something good old Donald would approve of. Anyway, that's the plan: to have them pack up and go home. Just gotta figure out how to deal with the Government and White and his cult buddies. Glad Logan's here, even with all that's between us, we'll figure something out, The superhero and the sidekick.
»»»»»
Flashback, Outside Cabin in Cape Haven:
Max and Sage are sitting on the porch. Trudy has just called his name but he doesn't move.
"She went through a lot for you. You're lucky to have someone like that in your life," Max says.
"Yeah," Sage glances at Logan. "You too."
Max looks over at Logan and smiles. Sage kisses Max on the cheek and gets up and goes over to Trudy and hugs her. Max stands up and, still wrapped in a blanket, walks over to Logan. "It's good to know that when the superhero's otherwise occupied, the sidekick's ready to step in."
»»»»»
You're right, Sage, it's good to have him in my life and having him cover my back again, like old times. Thing is, Logan, you're also part of my family...
»»»»»
Flashback Space Needle
Max turns from the edge and walks over and sits down by Logan.
"I know you're not too chill with what's going on tonight...and I thank you for keeping your concerns to yourself. It's a bitch psyching yourself up for battle when people are throwing around words like 'deathwatch.'"
"Well, I think I know you well enough by now. There's no stopping you if there's something you need to do, especially when it comes to your family."
"You're my family as much as anyone. Only we're never gonna be any kind of anything if it keeps on like this."
"I know."
»»»»»
I wish you'd believed me then, Logan. You still are - the most important part. I just have to figure out how to achieve my objective so that there's a place in this world for the both of us together.
Logan sitting at the control station tells the scouts where to head next to see if they can find anything else.
What was Max going to say? She's still keeping something back. We're going to have to make some decisions about us soon. We can live with this virus - we're already working around it. I do believe you about Alec and Manticore – you've never lied to me, and anyway, why am I getting all bent out of shape about it? She said it was over between them. You're right, Max, we do things we regret...
»»»»»
Flashback Junk Yard:
Max and Logan are sitting in an old Lincoln Continental convertible.
"How much time?"
"Two minutes.
"I keep thinking about the night we took down Manticore...when I thought I'd lost you. I came home and sat on my sofa and I didn't get up for days. The sun came up...the sun went down...I just sat there. It was like I couldn't move. It hurt too much to move. That's how I feel right now."
»»»»»
It's how I felt when you walked out without denying you and Alec were seeing each other.
»»»»»
Flashback Junk Yard:
Logan looks at Max
"That year we wasted, dancing around each other, afraid of actually admitting how we felt...If I had that time back, I would do that so differently.
Max's pager beeps
"Well, I guess that's it." He kisses Max. After looking at her for a moment, he climbs out of the car and turns to face her. "I love you, Max," and walks away.
»»»»»
I love you...and I shouldn't have walked away.
Command Center an hour later:
"Looks like they've only that one company of tanks, no artillery, no heavy mortars. Just the grunts and tankers." Dix gestures to the screen in front of them.
"Well, doesn't look like an immediate assault, but it does complicate matters with getting supplies and people in...or out. And we still don't know how they can track us," Luke says, looking at Logan and Max.
Turning around to Luke, "Still working on it. But I've got a lead, just have to confirm some things." Logan, looks at Max and indicates with a slight tilt of the head that he wants to talk to her in private.
Nodding slightly. "Can I talk to you, Logan?" Max, turns and heads down the stairs and over to the large pipes at the back of the command center.
"You know, if I'm going to be the commander of this bunch, I really need an office for private chats."
"What would the troops think of us behind closed doors?" Logan asks. Then shaking his head, he looks at Max, who has a sour look on her face tinged with sadness, "I'm sorry, Max, bad joke."
"No, Logan, horrible joke, but I do wish we could be in the same room without me worrying I might kill you."
Looking into each other's eyes. We both wasted too much time seems to be the thought in their minds at that moment of contact.
Breaking the contact first, Max asks, "So, what's your lead that only I can hear?"
"Tried hacking into the police data base to see if there was any mention of a tracking device or anything related to how they are spotting transgenics. I got booted out pretty quick. When I tried to get in again a trace was activated, similar to the one that found Eyes Only"
As a look of concern passes across Max's face. "No worry, shut down before they could find me, but I did find that all the files on communications about transgenics have been deleted from the system," Logan tells her.
"Sooo, you're saying?" She asks with her head to one side, her right hand resting on her hip, the other hanging by her side.
"There must be backups somewhere, I just have to find them and–"
"Have a friend steal them." She interrupts as a feral grin spreads across her face.
"Yes, but it can't be you."
"Why not? Who's better than I am? And if you're worried about my safety. I'll be careful Logan."
Looking at Max with a raised eye brow, Logan then gazes out at the others in the command center, "Responsibilities, Max, responsibilities."
Max follows his gaze then looks back at him, "Damn, here I thought I was going to have some fun," she says in frustration.
"Well, I still have to find if they made any backups and where they're being kept. It won't be easy to get to them, wherever it is. Then we get one of your brothers or sisters on the job."
"Yeah, yeah and I get to kick back and be in charge," Max says sarcastically, then she grins, "Hey, do I get to order you around for a change?"
Laughing softly, Logan looks over at her, "Max; I never ordered you around...if I remember you always did what you wanted anyway."
Max shakes her head, "Right, and I remember somebody trying to stop me, who then went ahead and did what he had to do regardless." Her grin gets wider.
Suddenly awkward, they both look away and begin to fidget.
"Better get back to work," Logan says in a flustered tone.
Max bouncing on the balls of her feet, not sure where to put her hands, "Yeah...get the scouts back in...this rain can't be good for the camera, even with a cover," Max says, trying not to look at Logan.
They both turn at the same time and Logan stops, holds up his hands, allowing Max to pass first. She nods and makes her way to the platform.
Logan pauses before following Max. I know you want to go get those files when I find them, and I have no idea how to stop you if you decide to go. Just hope you realize you're the one that's important here, those runes mean something. I do worry about you, Max...every time you went on an Eyes Only job and even when you weren't - even more now...I saw you die Max. A bleak look of loss passes over his face for a moment, then smiling wryly, You said, 'a friend.' If we're still friends, then that's a start back.
Going over to Dix, "Best get the scouts in and have them fed and rested." She looks over at Logan, who is standing in front of a computer terminal. "I'm going to do my rounds, you can reach me on my cell," Max adds to Dix.
"Sure, Max, got it covered," Dix replies.
Logan follows Max, as she walks to the door.
"Max, wait up."
Max turns and holds up a hand, "Logan...I wish you'd stay and keep an eye on things for me. I need some space to think on things...okay?"
Stopping, Logan, looks at her, hurt for a fraction of a second, then his face goes blank. "Yeah...whatever you need to do. I'll try locating those back ups, might get lucky with this ancient stuff...you'll know where to find me." With that, he turns and walks back to the computer terminal.
Shaking her head sadly, Max, walks out the door into the rain.
I know I just hurt you Logan, but I can't risk you being with me outside. I hope you understood when I said a friend, it's the only way I can deal with us at the moment. I want more...much more, but until this virus is beat – if it can be, how can there be anything else? This is hard...being around you all the time, wanting you to hold me and tell me I'm your angel. I want so much to tell you how much I love you. Shrugging her shoulders, Max runs towards an empty doorway. At least we're working together again, and if I get the chance, it's going to be me who is going to be doing some breaking and entering...
TBC
Disclaimer: See previous chapters. And to Sun Tzu.
A/N: Thanks heaps Kasman for the beta, glad I could do a little payback.
Chapter 9 Gathering Intelligence
Outside Infirmary:
As Dalton, comes to a stop next to Max and Logan, the look that passes between the two says it all: This is the story of their life together. This time, however, an interruption was welcome. For a moment, they look at each other, the pain of betrayal and regret, the desire to make things right clear in their eyes. That there is never the right time seems to hang in the air between them. Turning, they walk side by side towards the command center. Dalton follows with a puzzled expression on his face, wondering what is wrong.
As they reach the Command Center, the rain that had threatened all day begins to fall as light drizzle.
Command Center:
Most of the transgenics are standing around watching the news channels and the various security monitors. As Max and Logan make their way over to the main platform where Mole, Dix, Joshua and Luke are standing. Alec, unseen, slips in through the door behind them.
"What we got?" Max asks.
"It took them longer than expected, but the National Guards arrived. We're truly screwed now," Mole says in disgust, glaring over at Max and Logan.
"Always the pessimist aren't you Mole," Max states glancing at the security monitor covering the rail yard fence.
"Yeah, well, they made me that way," Mole replies while furiously chewing on the stump of his cigar.
Ignoring Mole, Max turns to Dix, "So, what are the boys in green doing? I don't see any heavy equipment. So, are they here to reinforce Seattle's finest, or is there something I'm missing?"
"Don't know. Only seen infantry so far, and all they've been doing since arriving is put up tents and barricades."
Luke looks away from the news report being broadcast from the front gate, "They could've put their tanks and APCs down one of the side streets out of sight, plenty of empty warehouses around.
"Yeah, we'll have to send out some scouts to find if they did, and you can bet they will...best to know where it's at in case we have to do something about it," Max says staring without expression at the TV screen.
I spend my entire life outside Manticore running from this type of thing, and here I'm caught up in here with the man I love, my best friend and a family that everybody wants to kill, put in cages or turn into science projects. So what you going to do, Max - running isn't an option any more.
Standing silently, watching the guardsmen move into position, Logan, looks over at Max, and sees her staring at one of the TV screens, her expression blank. You want to run, don't you, Max. This is what you've been trying to avoid all your life - being responsible for others' lives. But that's not an option now. You're not alone any more - I'm here, you've friends, and you've family, covering your back.
"Why don't we send our own camera team out there?"
"What, Logan, you want us to be making ratings as well?" Luke asks.
"No, but what if they're the scouts...a camera team following the troops would give us an idea where things are away from the perimeter," smiling at Max who turns to look at him, "Maybe later we can work out our own broadcasts."
"You could be right, they don't seem to be hassling the news hounds at the moment," Dix says as he pushes his single glass lens up so he can see the TV screen better.
"Do it, make sure their bar codes are covered," Max orders, turning to an X5 sitting at a computer with the sewer system around Terminal City displayed on its screen. "Where's the nearest exit they can use?"
"It's about two blocks north. They haven't reached that far in sealing the manhole covers," glancing at the split screen displaying GPS signals of the various police units. "There are no guards in the area,"
"Right, get them going."
"On it Max," Dix says before walking over to the comms station.
"Where the hell is Alec?"
"Right here, Max, just doing what you wanted me too do."
Max and the others look over to see Alec leaning against a post with a grin on his face.
"Yeah, well, I got something new for you. I want you to get a rapid reaction team together. We have people coming in tonight and they might need back up." Turning to Joshua she smiles, "Can you go with him big fella? You know the sewers better than anyone here...don't want Alec getting himself lost."
Giving, Max a pained look, "The sewers, always the damn sewers," Alec mutters to himself.
As Alec and Joshua leave, Mole turns to Max, "Think I'll go and beef up the perimeter guards, just in case they decide to try and infiltrate in this weather. It'll be dark soon.
Looking at Mole for a second. "Good idea, but don't make a move unless they do. We don't want to spook them," Max replies
"Yeah, yeah, can't have the ordinaries scared of the monsters. I'll keep it cool, Max, just hope you have a plan." Spitting out the remains of his old cigar, he takes out a fresh one and lights it, then turns and leaves the platform, heading for the door.
I have a plan, Mole. That's to end this without anymore deaths.
Indicating to Logan that they should go down to the map board of Terminal City that has been set up below the platform, Max walks down the stairs. An X7 with one of his clone brothers, brings over a couple of small towels and silently hands them to Max and Logan.
Can't get used to them or trust them completely – but when White started to take them out after their usefulness ended, where else could they go...at least we're family. She smiles in gratitude at the pair, who look at each other, their eyes flickering in communication, turning, they try a tentative smile. Nodding her head, Max, waves them away.
Looking at Logan, who has been watching the scene, she shrugs, "X7s from a single clone, but hive mind all the same. They communicate in the ultra high frequency like bats, and without a computer interface, only Joshua and a few of the others with bat or canine DNA can hear them, so they feel cut off. Another one of Manticore's cruel tricks."
"Manticore has a lot to answer for," Logan says softly.
"Logan...yeah, a lot."
Logan with his head to one side has a questioning look in his eyes. Looking away, Max, then looks back at him, "Well, I wanted a shower, but not like this," she says with a faint smile.
Logan grins slightly, "At least you got your clothes washed."
"Right...you've never been drenched in dirty clothes. It just makes wanting a bath more attractive," Max says with a disgusted look on her face.
"We'll have to see what we can do for you. Can't have the commander being a bitch because she's dirty," Logan says in a slightly mocking tone.
"Yeah, well, this bitch will kick your butt if you don't behave...or maybe not," Max finishes sadly.
"We'll beat this." Then taking a breath, Logan, lets it out slowly, "Max, I believe you about back at Manticore...I understand about after. Now we both need time to decide where we go from here."
"Sometimes we do things we regret...I need you, Logan," Max says, her voice still sad.
Looking directly at Max, "I'll be here as long as you and your family need me Max," Logan says firmly.
Nodding her head slightly, "Thanks Logan," she replies softly.
Calling down to them, "Hey, Max, Logan, the scouts are out." Dix waves them up.
They head back up onto the platform and Logan goes and sits in front of the control station they have constructed. "Good thing they stole the water proof cover along with the camera. That rain is coming down heavily at the moment," Logan says, trying to clear up the picture on the monitor.
Max stands behind Logan making sure she is a bit more than an arm length away.
"Well, they're beyond the barricades. Let's see if they can find anything," Logan says, then speaks into the comm set he's put on.
"How did they get hold of all this stuff?" Max asks.
Dix gives her a lopsided grin, "Seems they had a job in a TV station, and when their boss found out they were transgenics, he fired them. They took what they could carry as severance and headed for Terminal City...claim it won't be missed"
"Well, it doesn't matter now, anyway. We have bigger problems, look;" Luke says pointing to the monitor.
Down a side street, the scouts with the camera are filming a company of tanks.
"Looks like M1A3 Abrams. Not the latest, but nothing we have here can stop them, if they decided to come in," An X5 says, standing behind Max.
"Yeah, but I don't think they'll risk them in street fighting, especially as they might think us super soldiers may have a way to take them out." Another X5 says.
"Nah, it'll be an infantry assault then the tanks."
"No way. They'll do what was done in Iraq, sweep in with the tanks and use the infantry to secure the perimeter, quick thrusts to see how we react," Dix adds.
"Can it, people," Max says looking behind her, "It won't come to that."
I hope that's what I'm working for. Forgot who said it, 'The greatest victory is won when the enemy is defeated without battle.' Not something good old Donald would approve of. Anyway, that's the plan: to have them pack up and go home. Just gotta figure out how to deal with the Government and White and his cult buddies. Glad Logan's here, even with all that's between us, we'll figure something out, The superhero and the sidekick.
»»»»»
Flashback, Outside Cabin in Cape Haven:
Max and Sage are sitting on the porch. Trudy has just called his name but he doesn't move.
"She went through a lot for you. You're lucky to have someone like that in your life," Max says.
"Yeah," Sage glances at Logan. "You too."
Max looks over at Logan and smiles. Sage kisses Max on the cheek and gets up and goes over to Trudy and hugs her. Max stands up and, still wrapped in a blanket, walks over to Logan. "It's good to know that when the superhero's otherwise occupied, the sidekick's ready to step in."
»»»»»
You're right, Sage, it's good to have him in my life and having him cover my back again, like old times. Thing is, Logan, you're also part of my family...
»»»»»
Flashback Space Needle
Max turns from the edge and walks over and sits down by Logan.
"I know you're not too chill with what's going on tonight...and I thank you for keeping your concerns to yourself. It's a bitch psyching yourself up for battle when people are throwing around words like 'deathwatch.'"
"Well, I think I know you well enough by now. There's no stopping you if there's something you need to do, especially when it comes to your family."
"You're my family as much as anyone. Only we're never gonna be any kind of anything if it keeps on like this."
"I know."
»»»»»
I wish you'd believed me then, Logan. You still are - the most important part. I just have to figure out how to achieve my objective so that there's a place in this world for the both of us together.
Logan sitting at the control station tells the scouts where to head next to see if they can find anything else.
What was Max going to say? She's still keeping something back. We're going to have to make some decisions about us soon. We can live with this virus - we're already working around it. I do believe you about Alec and Manticore – you've never lied to me, and anyway, why am I getting all bent out of shape about it? She said it was over between them. You're right, Max, we do things we regret...
»»»»»
Flashback Junk Yard:
Max and Logan are sitting in an old Lincoln Continental convertible.
"How much time?"
"Two minutes.
"I keep thinking about the night we took down Manticore...when I thought I'd lost you. I came home and sat on my sofa and I didn't get up for days. The sun came up...the sun went down...I just sat there. It was like I couldn't move. It hurt too much to move. That's how I feel right now."
»»»»»
It's how I felt when you walked out without denying you and Alec were seeing each other.
»»»»»
Flashback Junk Yard:
Logan looks at Max
"That year we wasted, dancing around each other, afraid of actually admitting how we felt...If I had that time back, I would do that so differently.
Max's pager beeps
"Well, I guess that's it." He kisses Max. After looking at her for a moment, he climbs out of the car and turns to face her. "I love you, Max," and walks away.
»»»»»
I love you...and I shouldn't have walked away.
Command Center an hour later:
"Looks like they've only that one company of tanks, no artillery, no heavy mortars. Just the grunts and tankers." Dix gestures to the screen in front of them.
"Well, doesn't look like an immediate assault, but it does complicate matters with getting supplies and people in...or out. And we still don't know how they can track us," Luke says, looking at Logan and Max.
Turning around to Luke, "Still working on it. But I've got a lead, just have to confirm some things." Logan, looks at Max and indicates with a slight tilt of the head that he wants to talk to her in private.
Nodding slightly. "Can I talk to you, Logan?" Max, turns and heads down the stairs and over to the large pipes at the back of the command center.
"You know, if I'm going to be the commander of this bunch, I really need an office for private chats."
"What would the troops think of us behind closed doors?" Logan asks. Then shaking his head, he looks at Max, who has a sour look on her face tinged with sadness, "I'm sorry, Max, bad joke."
"No, Logan, horrible joke, but I do wish we could be in the same room without me worrying I might kill you."
Looking into each other's eyes. We both wasted too much time seems to be the thought in their minds at that moment of contact.
Breaking the contact first, Max asks, "So, what's your lead that only I can hear?"
"Tried hacking into the police data base to see if there was any mention of a tracking device or anything related to how they are spotting transgenics. I got booted out pretty quick. When I tried to get in again a trace was activated, similar to the one that found Eyes Only"
As a look of concern passes across Max's face. "No worry, shut down before they could find me, but I did find that all the files on communications about transgenics have been deleted from the system," Logan tells her.
"Sooo, you're saying?" She asks with her head to one side, her right hand resting on her hip, the other hanging by her side.
"There must be backups somewhere, I just have to find them and–"
"Have a friend steal them." She interrupts as a feral grin spreads across her face.
"Yes, but it can't be you."
"Why not? Who's better than I am? And if you're worried about my safety. I'll be careful Logan."
Looking at Max with a raised eye brow, Logan then gazes out at the others in the command center, "Responsibilities, Max, responsibilities."
Max follows his gaze then looks back at him, "Damn, here I thought I was going to have some fun," she says in frustration.
"Well, I still have to find if they made any backups and where they're being kept. It won't be easy to get to them, wherever it is. Then we get one of your brothers or sisters on the job."
"Yeah, yeah and I get to kick back and be in charge," Max says sarcastically, then she grins, "Hey, do I get to order you around for a change?"
Laughing softly, Logan looks over at her, "Max; I never ordered you around...if I remember you always did what you wanted anyway."
Max shakes her head, "Right, and I remember somebody trying to stop me, who then went ahead and did what he had to do regardless." Her grin gets wider.
Suddenly awkward, they both look away and begin to fidget.
"Better get back to work," Logan says in a flustered tone.
Max bouncing on the balls of her feet, not sure where to put her hands, "Yeah...get the scouts back in...this rain can't be good for the camera, even with a cover," Max says, trying not to look at Logan.
They both turn at the same time and Logan stops, holds up his hands, allowing Max to pass first. She nods and makes her way to the platform.
Logan pauses before following Max. I know you want to go get those files when I find them, and I have no idea how to stop you if you decide to go. Just hope you realize you're the one that's important here, those runes mean something. I do worry about you, Max...every time you went on an Eyes Only job and even when you weren't - even more now...I saw you die Max. A bleak look of loss passes over his face for a moment, then smiling wryly, You said, 'a friend.' If we're still friends, then that's a start back.
Going over to Dix, "Best get the scouts in and have them fed and rested." She looks over at Logan, who is standing in front of a computer terminal. "I'm going to do my rounds, you can reach me on my cell," Max adds to Dix.
"Sure, Max, got it covered," Dix replies.
Logan follows Max, as she walks to the door.
"Max, wait up."
Max turns and holds up a hand, "Logan...I wish you'd stay and keep an eye on things for me. I need some space to think on things...okay?"
Stopping, Logan, looks at her, hurt for a fraction of a second, then his face goes blank. "Yeah...whatever you need to do. I'll try locating those back ups, might get lucky with this ancient stuff...you'll know where to find me." With that, he turns and walks back to the computer terminal.
Shaking her head sadly, Max, walks out the door into the rain.
I know I just hurt you Logan, but I can't risk you being with me outside. I hope you understood when I said a friend, it's the only way I can deal with us at the moment. I want more...much more, but until this virus is beat – if it can be, how can there be anything else? This is hard...being around you all the time, wanting you to hold me and tell me I'm your angel. I want so much to tell you how much I love you. Shrugging her shoulders, Max runs towards an empty doorway. At least we're working together again, and if I get the chance, it's going to be me who is going to be doing some breaking and entering...
TBC