Once they arrived at the clinic Alec carried Max in, then he sat alone on the opposite end of the waiting room to Logan and Asha. The doctor took minutes to call them in, but it felt like hours to Alec. He suddenly felt somewhat responsible, and no doubt Logan blamed him for whatever happened too. Alec was amazed that Logan hadn't given him the third degree already.  His head was a mess, thinking of how this could happen. One bottle of alcohol would rarely make an average human collapse into unconsciousness, and the chance of it having such an effect on a transgenic seemed minimal, besides, he'd drunken his worries away many a time and lived to tell the tale.

Alec, Logan and Asha all stood around in uncomfortable silence while the doctor examined Max. He was an older man, at least fifty with grey streaks in his hair and piercing blue eyes. Logan and Asha were watching Max, but Alec has all his senses on the doctor ready to pick up any indication of her condition that he would not speak aloud. Alec watched the mans eyes sweep over Max's body, the doctor pushed aside her hair and felt the pulse on her neck, recording something on a piece of paper. Alec noticed that the doctors hands were shaking as he wrote, and his eyes seemed to be frozen on where her barcode was. Alec frowned, he had assumed since Logan was willing to bring Max here the doctor must have some idea that she was a transgenic.  But he seemed genuinely shocked at her barcode, scared even.

The doctor straightened up and looked straight at Logan. 'I'm sorry Logan. This is beyond my jurisdiction. There is nothing I can do to help this X5.'

So he did know she was a transgenic. And what did he mean by 'jurisdiction'?

Logan groaned helplessly. 'Can you give us some idea of what the problem might be, or where we can get discreet help'? 

The doctor shook his head. 'It may be a lost cause. Please tell Eyes Only that I was sorry I could not help further'

The words echoed in Alec's head. Lost Cause. Lost Cause. What was that supposed to mean? That they should give up? Alec looked from the doctor's retreating back to Logan's frustrated and helpless looking face.

Logan walked out of the room, busily searching for his cell phone. Alec cornered him. 'Couldn't you find one of those ex-manicore scientists? You know, the ones who did experiments on us, maybe they could help' Alec's voice was bitter as he said this, but knew Logan had held contact with ex-Manticore employees before, and they could possibly help since they knew about Transgenic DNA better than any other doctors in Seattle.

Logan gestured to the door that the doctor had walked out. 'That was one, and the only Manticore employee who hasn't cut contact with me out of fear. 'Eyes Only' helped save his life, back when the assassins were out to destroy every proof that Manticore existed'. 

Alec frowned 'Then why was he so spooked when he saw Max's barcode?' Logan shook his head and held up his hand to indicate that their conversation was over as he spoke rapidly into his cell phone to some DNA researcher he probably hoped could help.  Alec walked back over to where Max lay, her breathing was shallow and her forehead was burning up. Alec's hand slid over her barcode as he pushed wet hair from her neck. He froze, realising that something was raised on her neck. He turned her head slowly and gently to get a better look. His hands began to shake, the hands of a brutally trained military solider.

Max's barcode was gone. In it's place the unmistakable mark of the Manticore symbol. The marking was raised skin, filled with blood and it almost screamed out at Alec. There were more markings slowly appearing under the symbol, numbers. Alec didn't know what this meant, but he now knew who was behind this, and who was truly to blame. Manticore.

'Damnit' Alec murmured under his breath. He didn't know what they could do for Max if Manticore was behind her collapse, especially since the place had ceased to exist for months now.  If a special cure was needed to wake Max up then Logan's doctor friend was right, it was a lost cause, since Manticore's lab was burnt to the ground, leaving nothing.

Logan walked over. 'We can take her to see a DNA researcher who owes me a favour in sector 9. I don't know what he can do to help but it's worth a try'

Alec just nodded, he had been able to hear both ends of Logan's conversation to the researcher, and he already knew that it was doubtful the researcher could do anything to help.

On the car ride to sector 9 Alec inspected the markings on Max's neck gravely. He had figured out that the number sequence was most likely a contact number for whoever had discovered the markings on Max's neck. The Manticore symbol was their way of warning the viewer that there was no other choice but to contact them. But would there be anyone alive to contact? If there was, there was no doubt in his mind that it was a trap. 

By the time they arrived at sector 9, Alec had memorised the series of numbers on Max's neck. He left to find a payphone. It was obvious that time was running out for Max, who had gone from burning up to icy cold on the ten minute drive. Alec knew what he was about to do was a risk, not only for Max but also for himself. It was a risk he was willing to take.

Alec dialled the number. After three rings it was answered.

'Yes' said the female voice curtly. Alec knew that voice, he knew it well, and yet he could not place a name to it.

'Who is this?' Alec demanded.

There was a pause.

'494. A pleasant surprise, I suppose your 'death' was greatly exaggerated by my good friend Mr White.

Alec bit his tongue so hard he could taste the blood in his mouth. The woman continued.

'Well, we will have plenty of time to chat about what you have been up to since the demise of Manticore, first things first. You have 452 and you need my help to keep her alive, yes?'

Alec searched his brain for something to say, something that could reveal this person, something tough and strong. 'Yes' was all he said.

'Very good, I'm glad you are being so co-operative 494. Bring her, alone, to the old Techno-illusion warehouse in sector 11 at 0700 hours tomorrow.' The phone line went dead.

Alec's heart skipped a beat and he held on to the corner of the phone booth to steady himself. He had just recognised the voice of the woman he had been speaking to.

It was director Renfro.