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.

Italics = flashback

Chapter Twenty Two – War Part 4

Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."

- Winston Churchill


Fizz skimmed through the trees Hope clutched tightly to his chest a blur of green assaulting his eyes. He began to slow "Max we made it" he cried jubilantly but she didn't respond. Fizz stopped and whirled around in a circle "Max?"


"We live in a broken world Francesca" the tall dark haired man muttered as he leant against the desk that furnished his cramped tent.

"I know my love" Francesca responded as she stroked his hair from behind "Maybe we should leave, forget about those in Seattle?"

"It's too late for that."

"What do you hope to accomplish?"

"I don't know, all I do know is we cannot turn a blind eye anymore."

Francesca looked at the man who had been her companion for more than a decade "I'll go check on the girl" she muttered before departing.

As she left the tent another man entered "Sir."

"Yes?"

"She's coming round."

"Good, I'll be along shortly."


Max awoke groggily and forced her senses to absorb her surroundings, she tried to move her arms and heard the all too familiar rustle of chains her mind screamed as her eyes came into focus to take in the layout of the tent she was in. She noticed a guard near the tent opening "Where am I?" but there was no response.

She struggled with the chains again but soon gave up her strength unable to loosen them. Then she remembered and hollered with more urgency "Where's my daughter?"

The dark haired man entered "she's fine and safe, there's no need to worry Max."

"How do you know my name?"

"You reputation precedes you."

I want to see her."

"Soon."

"No now!"

"I'm afraid you're in no position to make demands."

Max struggled against her restraints once more "who are you?"

"It's not the who you should be concerned with but the what" and the man turned and slowly pulled down the collar of his thick coat to reveal a barcode.

"Your-"

"One of you, I know."

Max uncomfortably raised herself into a sitting position "but I don't understand?"

"Not all transgenics made a beeline for Seattle, there are a handful of communities out there that have lived in relative peace since the facilities fell."

"Why weren't we aware of them."

The man chuckled " you never bothered to look beyond your own walls."

"Why are you here?" Max cautiously asked.

"We can no longer ignore the actions of our brothers and sisters in Seattle."

"You've come to help?"

"No deter you from making a grave mistake."

"How do you know what's going on?" Max demanded her fear gone and anger taking hold.

"We're of the same breed you and I, after hearing about the tragedy with the children it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to realise that you would plan an offensive strike."

"What makes you assume that?"

"It's what I would do."

"Then help us."

"Attacking the humans won't solve anything."

"What would you know, you've obviously been in hiding."

"I wouldn't call it hiding. You will not win this war."

"You don't know that."

"Ah but I do, you have no power, humans understand power and you have none, they still hold all the cards."

"I don't believe I'm hearing this" Max struggled with the chains once more "let me out of these things."

The man motioned to her guard to release her.

"I want to see my daughter!" Max demanded as she rubbed her wrists and stood up.

"Ask Francesca to come here with the girl." The man asked the guard who simply nodded and departed "the transgenics in Seattle have been arrogant in their assumptions."

"What in hell would you know about it!" Max allowed her emotion to seep out.

"There's a way out of this, without bloodshed."

"How?"

"I need you to help me get in touch with your leader."

Max didn't get an opportunity to respond as Francesca entered the tent with Faith. Max took one look at her daughter then rushed over hugging her close breathing in her scent, thankful that she was alive.

"Are you okay sweetie, they didn't hurt you did they?" Max enquired.

"No mummy Francesca's been really nice."

"Gabriel" Francesca whispered taking her lover's hand in hers.

"It's alright" then to Max and her daughter "shall we get some air?" then he departed the tent with Francesca.

Max nodded and exited the tent she looked out at the horizon and witnessed the first whispers of dawn breaking through she laughed, "Whatever you had planned, you're too late."

"What do you mean?"

"You come at the eleventh hour, with empty promises to save us, where have you been for the past two and a half years?" she pointed to the horizon "who's the arrogant one now" and she allowed her tears to fall freely for soon her people would begin to die.


Alec admired the boy, he was beautiful like a cherub and deadly, but not deadly enough to come through this battle unscathed. He looked at the gun holstered in his belt then with no thought for his own life took the gun and firmly planted it in the boy's hands.

"Here" Alec muttered trying not to make a big deal of his gesture.

"But-" the boy responded.

"You're going to need it more than me."

Alec continued walking along the parade of men and women ready to leap the barricade and make one final charge on the enemy.

Horatio whispered softly for Alec's ears only "why give the boy your gun?"

"Because I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he died and I survived."

Alec's eyes wandered to the horizon that would give them the order to charge "not long now" he said to himself, briefly he allowed his mind to think of his family before tucking them securely away deep in the recesses of his mind.

"Horatio it's almost time."

"I know."

Alec began to issue orders to his General's via the comms link who in turn barked the orders to the warriors waiting to fight. They had but a minute left before a new day began and with it death. In that minute Alec found his strength and courage tested, as he had to quell the desire to retreat before it began. He didn't want this, who possibly would but he had run out of choices.


As Gabriel looked out to the horizon he understood, he had waited too long to give his people salvation now he was left with but one decision whether or not to make the Seattle cause his and his community's cause.

TBC