Reliving Manticore
Disclaimer-I don't own anything that can be found on Dark Angel. The only things I own are some of the transgenics and the parts of the storyline that I make up. So don't sue!
Summary-Max was captured at the end of season 1 but in my story she wasn't shot in the heart and Zack didn't shoot himself, but he was captured as well. And Max never escaped or burned Manticore down. So basically this story is about Max being back at Manticore with missions, transgenics and all. M/L at first but it will become M/A.
Chapter Five-Hangin out
"So, you guys all have names?" 543 asked surprised. Lana, Cindy, Justine, and Natalie all nodded proudly. "Why?"
"Because. It didn't feel right to just have numbers for names. You've been out on missions, you know that they always give you a real name," Justine explained impatiently.
The transgenics were in the mess hall eating breakfast. While the females explained their reasons for wanting names, Max remained quiet. She fiddled with her food and stared into space. She felt someone jostle her shoulder and she looked up. A smirk invaded her gaze.
"Why so quiet Maxie?" Alec asked jokingly. Max glared at him.
"Just don't feel like talking Alec," she answered coldly.
"Please, what could be bugging you on this fine morning," Alec pressed. "You named a few transgenics, got a hot guy to talk to," he winked to make sure she knew just which guy he was talking about. Max rolled her eyes.
"Shut up Alec," she replied and went back to fiddling with her food.
Alec shrugged and turned to talk to 511.
"Hey 45-I mean, uh..." 654 stumbled trying to remember Max's name. She smiled at him.
"Max," she supplied. 654 nodded gratefully.
"Where'd you learn to fight like you did yesterday?" he asked. Max's smile faltered slightly.
"Ten years of being on the outside, I guess," she said quietly.
"Well, no one's been equally..." 543 started but Max interrupted.
"I know, no one's been equally matched. It's not something I would use to boost my pride, alright?" she said flatly.
Cindy made an amused face. "Suga you got issues." Max just looked at her.
"I feel it's 'bout time we changed the subject, huh people?" Alec asked, forcing a smile. Why does everyone feel it's such a big deal that an 09er can equal my fighting abilities? He thought angrily.
"Of course," Lana helped. "How 'bout we tell the guys the names we thought for them?" she suggested quietly to Justine. But the others heard anyway.
"Names? You named us already?" 654 asked surprised. The females nodded, except for Max, who was still sulking.
"So what are they?" 511 finally joined the conversation.
"Well, we decided you should be Blake," Natalie said gesturing to 654. 543 was named Nick and 511, Biggs.
While the transgenics tried out their new names, Max sat quietly pondering over her past, and the people in it. One person in particular. Logan, she thought. I wish I had gotten to tell you how I felt. But I fainted from the loss of blood. Stupid bullet wounds. Once I figure out where Zack is, I'll try to figure out a way to see you. I don't know how I will, though. Zack still hasn't been assigned to a unit. Where the hell is he? I need him...
"Max," she was startled out of her thoughts by a male voice. "Max? You in there? Hello?" She looked up into blue eyes.
"Oh, sorry Blake. Just thinking," she said. Blake looked at her warily.
"Right. Well, time to start training," he said and waited for her to stand up and follow before walking off to the training field.
Already on the field...
"So Alec, why didn't you tell me you got a name?" Biggs asked, trying to hide his annoyance.
"I just wasn't sure what you would do if I told you," Alec answered half-heartedly. "You do realize we aren't supposed to have names, right? Imagine what Renfro would do to us if she found out."
"Yeah, but I thought..." Biggs paused. "You know what? Never mind. I guess it doesn't matter, right?" Alec looked at him confused.
"Okay..." he said uncertainly. Biggs plastered a smile on his face and turned his mind back to training. Max and Blake joined in soon after.
Training for the day had been running through the course set up in the forest and then doing some exercises in the gym.
Max was doing pull ups with Blake and Cindy when a young X6 walked into the gym.
"X5-494 is to report to Director Renfro along with Unit 6 when finished with training. She has a mission for Unit 6 and you are required to come for briefing," the X6 announced.
"Thank you soldier. We'll be sure to do that," Alec said. "Dismissed." The X6 walked out.
Max froze mid-way through a pull up. "Mission?" she asked Cindy uneasily.
"Yeah. You know, undercover, finding information stuff," Cindy answered. Max had a slightly alarmed look on her face. "What's wrong?"
"What?" Max asked, her mask slipping into place. "Nothing, nothing's wrong."
"You sure?" Blake asked. Max just nodded, not trusting her voice.
What if I have to kill someone? I know I won't be able to do it, Max panicked. What type of missions do transgenics usually go on? What will I have to do? She continued these thoughts throughout the rest of the training session.
Unit 6 formed a line inside Renfro's office and stood at attention.
"Unit 6, I'm glad you've chosen to volunteer for this mission," Renfro began.
The transgenics fought the urge to roll their eyes.
"We've discovered some disturbing information regarding a Mr. Callaway. He has become increasingly interested in our business here. We feel he has negative intentions. Here is the more detailed description of your mission," Renfro handed Alec a thick folder. "Dismissed."
The transgenics filed out and headed for the Common room to read the folder.
"So," Max began as she flopped down on a couch. "What's it say?" Her voice sounded bored and the others didn't realize that she was shaking inside.
"Let's find out, shall we?" Alec answered and sat down on the floor. He quickly reviewed what the mission would entail. "Well, it seems like a good old-fashioned undercover quickie."
"Meaning..." Natalie prodded.
"Meaning that we figure out how much this guy knows, if he can prove anything, and dispose of whatever we need to," Alec explained. The other transgenics accepted this but Max felt she needed to know more.
"Dispose of?" she asked. Alec looked at her and smirked.
"Yes Maxie. Dispose of. You'll be able to do that right?" he teased. Max's eyes darkened.
"I meant I wanted to know what we would be 'disposing' dumb-ass," she growled. Lana stifled a laugh. "And I will be able to do whatever is necessary." She paused. "Jerk."
"Always with the ass, Maxie?" Alec laughed. "You should find something else to obsess about."
"I take it you didn't notice the other insult I threw at you," Max argued. "Too busy trying to see if you can see your reflection in the window?" Lana laughed outright at this. Alec turned his head to look at her.
"What?" she asked innocently.
"So when do we leave?" Nick asked, wanting to change the subject.
Alec scanned the folder. "Tomorrow," he answered.
"What are the ranks?" Biggs asked. He didn't want Max to be in a higher rank than him.
"Who do you think?" Justine said sarcastically. Biggs just looked at her blankly. "Alec equals CO and you equal 2IC. Duh." Alec nodded along with her and Biggs breathed a sigh of relief. Which didn't go unnoticed by Max.
"So what we 'sposed to do now?" Cindy asked. Alec shrugged.
"Hang out, I guess. We'll figure out the mission later," he said as he walked over to a pool table. "Anyone care to lose to me?" The others raised their eyebrows and all shook their heads. "Aw, come on. Biggs?"
"Sorry, man. Don't feel like playing right now," Biggs answered. Alec shrugged.
"Whatever," he said. Then his eyes fell on Max who was studying the ceiling intently. He smirked. "Hey Maxie." he looked at her pointedly.
"No way Alec," she said folding her arms across her chest. Alec looked dismayed.
"Come on Max, why not? Afraid I'll beat you?" he joked. "Although I will, you at least wanna show a little effort, right?"
"No one likes a show off, Alec," Max answered stubbornly. Alec rolled his eyes.
"Fine. How 'bout I make it more interesting," he suggested, smirking.
Max raised an eyebrow. "Meaning..." she asked.
"Meaning fifty bucks and you get to humble your ol' buddy Alec," Alec answered and handed her a cue stick.
She smirked and took it. "You do realize you probably just jinxed your chances of winning, right?" she said. Alec shrugged.
"Makes the game more interesting. You break," he replied and gestured to the pool table.
Max won the game, but without Alec even getting a shot. She put out her hand for her winnings. But Alec shook his head.
"Uh uh. It only counts if I actually get a shot," he argued.
Max rolled her eyes and let Alec start another game. He won as well, but Max didn't get a shot either.
"I think you guys are going in circles," Blake commented.
"How 'bout you give me 25 and we call it even?" Max suggested. Alec sighed.
"Alright then," he said as he handed her the money. "Guess we should bunk down. Get some sleep before the mission tomorrow."
"Why? I'm wide awake," Max said as she put the money in her pocket. Lana looked at her.
"Yeah, and don't you have shark DNA or something?" she asked. Max just shrugged.
"You have shark DNA?" Blake asked. Max nodded. "Cool, me too." Max smiled.
"Then care to stay up late with me? Hanging out?" she asked. Blake nodded.
"Hey, can't have you being up late with some boy who ain't ya boyfriend," Cindy commented. Max tensed and glared at her. She just smiled. "Just wanna know if I was welcome to stay up with ya, too." Max relaxed and nodded.
"Ooh ooh! Me too! Me too!" Alec said jokingly as he raised his hand and jumped up and down. Max smiled.
"Well, let's figure out something to do then," she said. "Still going to bed?" she asked the other transgenics. They shook their heads.
"Truth or Dare?" Justine asked.
"Wow Justine, how old are you?" Lana asked. Justine frowned.
"It was just a suggestion," she muttered quietly.
"Anyone for sparring?" Alec asked, looking at Max. The other transgenics grinned. "What?" Alec looked at them confused.
"That does sound fun," Max commented. Alec looked at her suspiciously. "Doesn't that sound fun?" Max asked the others. They nodded happily. Alec narrowed his eyes. Before he even noticed they had moved, he was on the floor with Natalie and Lana holding his legs, and Cindy and Justine holding his arms. He looked up as he felt hair tickling his face. Max looked down at him, smiling.
"You see, pretty boy, I am equal to you in a regular fight. But I've been thinking, there has to be some way to beat you. And then I realized," she said and wiggled her fingers at him dangerously. He swallowed. "There is a way."
He yelled as Max attacked him. But he soon found himself laughing uncontrollably. She was tickling him.
A/N-Hehe. Hope you liked it. Next chapter is the beginning of the mission. Review please!
Angel Of Darkness231-Lol. I'll make the fights more graphic then. And yes she might be...
egyptian-godess-Thanks. She'll be going to Special Ops in a few chapters.
less than angel-Thanks. I think it's better if Max has new friends. I agree, Alec is better than Logan.
XxInsanityxX-Thanks. It kinda took a while to think of names 'cause I didn't want to think of any of those weird ones she usually gives. Glad you liked 'em. ;o)