Rainbow Connection Chapter 9: Making a Mission, a dark angel fanfic

RAINBOW CONNECTION

by Newly Human

Synopsis: Kaia and Syl head into Manticore. Of course, things don't always go as planned. Friendship, intrigue, action, and most importantly… hope.

Timeline: The following takes place in between seasons 1 and 2.

Disclaimer: Dark Angel the series and all it's characters belong to Fox, Cameron/Eglee Productions and other respective owners. I don't mean to infringe so please don't sue. Kaia Kilbourne and the plot are mine.

Authors Note: I hope everyone's on the edge of their seats. Enjoy! -- Newly Human

CHAPTER 9
Making a Mission

Main Entrance, Manticore Science and Research Facility

Anne Marie desperately wanted to get home. She had been working since 9AM and hoped to get at least a few hours sleep before having to repeat the whole process. Her heels tapped on the crisp concrete floors and her dark hair swayed from side to side as she briskly headed past checkpoint at the main entrance.

"Have a good one, Steven!" She called to the guard behind the desk.

He waved at her, "Goodnight, Dr…" he didn't know her name.

"Howard." She supplied for him. She shook her head in mock disgust. "And I thought knowing someone's name was part of your job description."

He chuckled. "Sorry, Dr. Howard. I'll remember next time."

"You'd better!" she teased, as she exited through the large metal doors.

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Outside, Syl was crouched in the shadows just on the edge of the building's parking lot. Kaia slowly inched her way down the small slope to join her.

Both their earpieces crackled to life and Logan's voice sounded from the other end. "Syl? Kaia? Can you hear me?"

"We hear you, Logan" Syl responded for the both of them.

"Right. Your cover is Dr Anne Marie Howard." He began to brief. "She's new to Manticore, only been there about a week, so chances are you won't be recognised. I can't hack into the inventory from here. You'll need to get to one of the lab computers to find out where they keep the Nemacol. Howard's a neurosurgeon so she's got clearance."

A continued crackling could be heard over Logan's voice as static sporadically interrupted the feed.

"What's with the noise?" Kaia asked, wincing at a sudden squeak in her ear.

"Sorry. I'm getting interference from somewhere." Logan replied. "It comes and goes. I'm going to try to clean it up, but this might be as good as it's going to get."

"Do what you can, Logan. I can barely hear you."

Suddenly, they spotted Anne Marie round the corner of the building and approach one of the only four cars parked in the lot.

"Target in sight." Syl reported through the comm. link.

"Confirmed." Krit answered. "Patrol's not in the area. You're good to go."

Kaia watched as Syl crossed the parking lot in a blur with her super speed. She crept up to Anne Marie and knocked her out. The doctor was unconscious before she hit the ground.

Syl motioned to Kaia and she quickly ran across to Syl's side. She had already removed Anne Marie's lab coat and security passes. Kaia put them on and smiled nervously.

"Wish me luck."

Syl gave her a gentle nudge. "You'll be fine."

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Kaia put Dr Howard's pass against the security pad by the front door. The screen flashed and gave a little beep to indicate that the doors were unlocked. She pushed open the metal doors dramatically and breezed passed the front desk, pretending to be in a hurry.

"Sorry! I forgot something." She told the guard.

"Not a problem Dr…" He rolled his hand in the air, trying to bring the name back to him. "Dr Howard! See, I told you I'd remember." He looked pleased.

Kaia let out a quick laugh and turned the corner before he could get a better look at her.

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In the SUV, Logan tapped furiously on his laptop while Krit checked on Syl.

"Syl? Report."

"Still on route." Syl answered. "Had to duck a few guards on patrol."

Krit looked at his watch. "You've got one minute." he commanded, before handing the link to Logan.

Logan took over. "Kaia? How are you doing?"

"I'm in." He heard Kaia reply. "The guard didn't even look twice."

"Good." His eyes ran over the map on his screen. "Take a left at corridor 48 and head straight until you get to B Junction. As soon as you turn right you should be at the lab."

"On my way." Kaia responded, followed by a loud crackle.

"The link's still on the fritz." Krit observed.

"Let's hope it doesn't get worse."

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Security Control Room, Manticore

"Hey Richie!" Peter Starch greeted his fellow guard, snoring loudly, as he entered the control room for his shift.

Richard Gale jumped in surprise and saluted, thinking it was a superior officer coming to check on him. Seeing who it actually was he relaxed.

"Geez, Pete." Richie sat back down. "I thought you were someone important."

Pete took the abuse in stride and laughed. He sat down in a chair next to Richie who was already putting his feet up to go back to sleep. They were the only two in a space built for at least five.

"It's quiet tonight." Pete noticed, pushing Richie's boots off the desk. Richie stumbled clumsily. He steadied himself and shot Pete a look. Pete ignored him, concentrating instead on the monitors.

"What have we got?" He asked.

Richie sighed, he knew he wasn't getting anymore sleep tonight. "Nothing much," he yawned. "It's almost 1:30 in the freakin' morning. Pretty much everyone's gone home for the night."

Pete nodded, storing this information away in his mind. "So where is everyone? Where's Fred?"

"You didn't hear?" Richie asked in surprise. Pete shook his head. "Renfro's been on the warpath since two nights ago."

"Two nights ago… You mean the explosion in the DNA lab?" Pete clarified.

"Knocked out by some X5 rogues." Richie confirmed. "She fired Fred for it. Said he didn't have the competence to be head of security for such a valuable division. Fired or reassigned everyone else under him too."

Pete whistled in amazement. "Poor guys…"

"Yep." Richie agreed. He leaned into one of the surveillance monitors and started tuning it into a different frequency. News, sport… hell, even a Spanish soap opera for all he cared; anything to help pass the time.

Pete suddenly thought of something. "So if Fred and his team's not watching the science labs… Who is?"

At this question Richie turned and snorted with amusement. "Get this," he began, "Renfro's got a unit of X5's patrolling the area. Whatever's left of it."

"X5's guarding from their own kind." Pete reflected. "That's kinda ironic."

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"Excuse me, ma'am?"

The voice behind her made Kaia stop. She turned to find a handsome young soldier, dressed in the usual camouflage gear, motioning for her to come closer.

"Can I see your ID and security pass?" He asked.

Kaia hesitated. She could see the gun he had holstered on his belt, and by the way he stood, so upright and attentive, he didn't look like the ordinarily idle security guard on routine patrol. By the way the soldier narrowed his eyes at her, suddenly suspicious, Kaia could tell… He was an X5.