Alec's War

By Shikasta

Spoilers: Anything's fair game in my view although this is an AU

Disclaimer: The characters of Dark Angel are owned by Twentieth Century Fox Television and Cameron Eglee productions. In laymen's terms: Don't own them but by god I wish I did.

A/N I'm a horrid author because since posting chapter 19 realised there is no way I'm going to finish this up in 25 chapters! You can now all jump up and down for joy! Hmm liking the exclamation marks today.

To panda007, sassycanuck and caddyabble a big thank you for your reviews these three have each pretty much reviewed every chapter of this saga and have been with me from day one. Also a little rumour has pegged panda007 as my biggest fan. Anyway, to all my reviewers keep the reviews coming cause I love to hear from you all and I read your comments when I need a little inspiration.

Italics = flashback

Chapter Twenty – War Part 2

"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names."

- John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)


Max crawled tenuously through the back door, Fizz ahead with Hope and Faith sandwiched between them. Confined spaces didn't bother her, it was what was above the surface that had her concerned and now she regretted putting the girls in front of her, but then things can go wrong in earthy tunnels also. When the siege on TC had begun Max knew she was committed and had envisaged being there with all her stubbornness, mocking the ordinaries until the last of her kind fell. She couldn't help but feel a coward in the dank depths of the tunnel, crawling in the mud where her psyche told her she belonged.

No matter what way you looked at it Max was running away, but it took more courage for her to do that than offering herself as a lamb to the slaughter. It would take her many years to accept what she had done her ego abusing her for not being the one to finish what she had started.

Fizz had stopped just before the moonlit hole that lead to the surface. Max cursed silently under her breathe, moonlight meant visibility an advantage they didn't want the ordinaries to have, she couldn't help but feel that fate was conspiring against her yet again. The now mellow X7 slide awkwardly into a crouching position then ever so slowly raised his head up and out of the hole to survey above. What seemed hours was only a few minutes but Max was impatient, they were sitting ducks at the moment and the sooner they made a dash for it the better. Now Max thought she should have lead the way with Fizz bringing up the rear 'why am I only thinking of this now' she tormented herself.

Since entering the cramped tunnel Max had focused on what was beyond refusing to think about what was behind for that meant thoughts of Alec. In her current situation she couldn't allow herself to be consumed with the man she had left no matter how loud her heart cried out in pain.

Fizz ducked back down again and signalled the all clear to Max. She realised that the lives of her and her children were in the hands of this boy she mentally kicked herself again. Then Fizz signalled for the two girls to be really quiet by placing a finger to his lips and the girls nodded their understanding.

Fizz pranced up out of the hole and crouched very low his senses on high alert, Hope and Faith mimicked him and Max followed up the rear.

"Where are the rest of our group?" she whispered while constantly surveying her surroundings.

"They should be just beyond those trees" Fizz responded pointing northerly.

"Well the sooner we get to cover the better, we're too exposed out here" Max was agitated, dangerous and fearful and if an ordinary were to attack she would dispose of him without even blinking her conscience switched off.

Max grabbed Faith, while Fizz picked up Hope and they dashed for the trees. The strangest things enter you head during times of stress and Max's mind was no different. As she ran for her life she got mad at herself for not saying goodbye to Horatio, wondering why she had instinctively grabbed for Faith rather than Hope and whether or not she brought enough money.

The trees were drawing closer and closer and Max felt herself smile.


Alec looked to the north, the moon having crept out from behind the clouds, his face expressing his concern, another obstacle his family didn't need. He grunted slightly as Mole whacked him with the telescope.

"You did the right thing. They'll be fine" His lizard friend reassured.

"I know" Alec muttered taking the telescope and raising it to his eye "so what did you want me to see?"

"Those tanks."

"You're a genius you know" Alec suddenly excited with the thought of the hunt.

"Why should they get all the big toys" Mole gruffed around his stogie.

"I take it you're going to want to drive one of those babies?"

"Hell yeah, pretty boy."

"Get a team together, we'll send you in with the other forward attack parties."

"Cool" was all the lizard could say as he rose and dusted himself off.

The outer rim of Seattle had been systematically flattened during the siege and most of the debris used, to erect the fortified barricade that gave the transgenics an element of security. They had rarely gone beyond the wall of rubble but today they would finally confront their enemy their migration signifying 'enough is enough!'

Alec nodded to one of the near by sentries before hopping on his bicycle and peddling back to the heart of Seattle. Mole loathed this form of transportation constantly muttering that these contraptions weren't designed for lizard men and as always Alec would just laugh, his friend providing a never-ending source of amusement.

"So" Mole hollered above the friction of the breeze against his face "did I mention I hate the cold."

"Everyday for two and half years" Alec chuckled.

"Humph, well all I can say is next city we decide to take over had better be in a more hospitable place."

"I'm not planning on doing this again."

"I know, we'll make them wish they'd never made us."

"I think they're already wishing that."

Mole growled chomping hard on his pacifier "so where are you going to be during the mayhem."

"Right up there with the rest of you."

Mole didn't look surprised "perhaps you shouldn't."

"Mole I won't be one of those General's who sits safely on the hill top with an excellent view of his men dying."

"Yeah but you getting killed isn't going to help us either."

"You really must learn some tact."

"I suppose you didn't mention this to Max."

"What do you think?"

"Didn't think so. She's gonna kill you when she finds out, pretty boy."

"I'm counting on her being so thrilled that I'm still breathing that she won't register that little deception."

They stopped outside command, leaning the bicycles up against the wall. Mole sat down on a chunk of rock and Alec joined him.

"I'm still trying to get my mind around the fact that in four hours we'll be terrifying the shit out of the ordinaries." Mole picked up a stone and threw it off into the distance.

"Hopefully, we'll blink and it'll all be over."

"If I don't make it-"

"Mole if anyone's going to survive this its you."

"Yeah but stranger things have happened" his tone sombre "I just wanted to say its been a pleasure serving under you."

"We're equals Mole" Alec pointed out.

"Yeah, but you gave us direction and a purpose. Even Max would've lost support eventually but you, you're a different breed."

"You can say that again" he chuckled "Mole it's been a pleasure serving with you also." Alec clapped his friend on the back gently then stood up "best head in hey."

"Sure" Mole butted out the remainder of his cigar and tenderly tucked what was left into his shirt pocket snugly. When this was all over and they had won he'd want to celebrate and this being his last cigar meant he'd be going without for a while.


Thaddeus held Nikki in his arms tightly, enjoying the fragrance that she emitted. He was a lad and if today was his last day on this earth he wanted to know the lust of a woman just one last time.

"What are you thinking about?" Nikki asked.

"Something Winston Churchill once said."

"Odd thing to be thinking about isn't it?."

"Not really, his people also went up against insurmountable odds fighting for freedom."

"Suppose you're right."

"And won."

"So what was it he said that had you lost in thought?"

"I am ready to meet my Maker, whether my Maker is prepared for the ordeal of meeting me is another matter."

"Strangely appropriate" Nikki commented as she snuggled deeper into his chest.

TBC