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 – now to say thank you to the newbies in no particular order: Newly Human, Firekeeper727, Ellie, Lozz422, Senorita-DLH keep the reviews coming!

Italics = flashback

Chapter Twenty One – War Part 3

War does not determine who is right - only who is left. Bertrand Russell


The moonlight caressed the earth as Max watched Fizz disappear into the tree line and safety with Hope. The air was crisp biting at Max's cheeks, her senses on full alert. Then she smelt it, it was faint but distinct the smell of ordinaries and as she ran (something life had cursed her with) her hunters chose to strike. Her smile was replaced by fear and determination safety looming near. Then abruptly she stopped, her face becoming peaceful as she collapsed to her knees falling forward crushing Faith beneath her. The little girl screamed and struggled beneath the limp body of her mother using all her strength to free herself, her tears falling freely, her bravery diminishing with each passing second. Faith stood and looked frantically around, her mother lay silent on the cold hard ground. Something deep within the recesses of her mind heeded her not to cry out instead she bent down and grabbed her mother's wrists determined that she would get her to safety not willing to be abandoned again.

As the little girl pulled with all her strength she heard the undeniable mixture of pounding footsteps approach and her fear increased. Whoever had attacked was coming to claim their prize.


The underground car park echoed with Alec's grunts as he fought an imaginary opponent his dance around the mat a mixture of violence and beauty. Everything had been prepared and now all that was left was to wait for the dawn to summon them to arms. Horatio watched in the shadows at the leader whose youth glowed under the few florescent lights, he admired and envied this man but his loyalty still remained firm. Alec stopped his ears pricking up and his nose twitching, he knew he wasn't alone and waited for his companion to reveal himself.

Horatio stepped out of the shadows "did Max get away alright?"

Alec not turning to face the intruder responded "yes. How did you find me?"

Horatio paused considering whether or not to answer the question and Alec turned "you think to much Horatio"

"Everything I do and say has consequences, responding without thought is foolhardy."

"You really need to learn to lighten up."

"I have yet to receive my orders."

Alec walked towards Horatio "I assumed you would shadow me as you've done for the past two and half years."

"I made a promise," Horatio explained.

"Have you considered what you will do when we achieve peace?"

"I didn't ask for this."

"I know, Max has a habit of thrusting freedom upon our kind she sorta has a tendency to ask questions later."

"Freedom is confusing, I knew my life and now-"

"You don't have any answers just more questions."

Horatio edged towards Alec "do you believe that some of us just weren't designed to be free."

"Horatio part of us are human and in that part is the inherent need to have a choice, that is what freedom is."

"Then I chose to fight by your side."

Horatio turned and began to walk away as Alec called out one last thing "you will find your path Horatio."


Mole sat polishing his rifle, in his mouth a pen that inadequately filled the void of his cigar. Among other things Mole hated waiting his feet were itching to leap over the barricade now and give the ordinaries hell but it was still dark and he silently encouraged the sun to start it ascent a little earlier than usual. Command was quiet, too quiet, as Mole would put it. No mass of transgenics milling to and fro just him polishing his rifle again and Luke watching the banks of computers. Luke muttered and Mole grumbled removing the pen from his mouth and tossing it to the side the taste of ink not to his liking. These two transgenics had spent over seven years in each other's company.

"Today's a glorious day to die" Mole practically sang out.

"Let's hope nobody does that okay."

'You're not afraid of death are you Luke."

"Now that I know what life can be like, yes I am."

"Do you think anyone will remember this day?"

"They'll only remember it if we tell the stories."

"What are you planning to do when this is all over?" Mole asked.

"Well I have this idea for a board game."

"Does anyone even play those things anymore."

"I don't know, it's just an idea" Luke said defeated.

"Hey if you build it, I will play it, how's that?"

"I'll hold you to that."


The hurried footsteps got closer as Faith frantically pulled with little success, and she cursed under her breath her lack of strength almost embarrassing. She could see the figures approaching now and she pulled on her mother's wrists even harder her face covered with tears and sweat, her cheeks shining red under the gaze of the moonlight. Now she could see the eyes of the hunters and knew she had to run, understanding her mother would have wanted her to. So the little girl relinquished her hold on her mother and ran hard and fast.

One of the men raised his rifle and aimed his target the small of the little girl's back, he waited for the order to fire "the girl Sir?" He muttered, h is eye crushed against the scope of his rifle.

"Bring her down." The man fired and his ammunition whistled through the air striking Faith and forcing her to collapse as her mother had done. They quickly and purposefully retrieved the bodies, throwing them into the awaiting SUV, then sped away from the scene.

TBC