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 Thirteen-Family in Need
"Can we please go now?" Syl whined as she shifted from foot to foot. Zack groaned.
"In a minute, Syl. Stop acting like a child," he replied impatiently. Syl glared at him, but before she could speak, Alec interrupted.
"Syl, Krit won't be any less tied up if we leave a minute later or now, so stop whining. And Zack, she's just worried about him. What'd you expect? Girlfriends always worry about their boyfriends," he tried to play peace-keeper but he only got two glares in return and Zack choked on his own saliva.
"Wha-wha?" he stuttered. Max would have laughed at his bulging eyes if the situation wasn't so delicate.
"You didn't know?" she asked innocently. He turned to stare at her.
"But...brother...si-sister," he pointed at Syl. She arched an eyebrow.
"Not blood, bro," she replied. "Doesn't count." Alec smirked and patted Zack's back.
"Lighten up buddy. There'll be plenty of time for freak out later," he said. Zack's expression didn't falter. Syl sighed.
"Come on, big brother," she slipped her arm into his and half dragged him out the door. "Some action will do you good." Alec was about to follow with the others when he felt a sharp slap upside his head.
"Ow!" he cried out. He turned and found himself looking down at a pissed off Max. "What was that for?" She raised her eyebrows.
"Are you so dense that you don't even realize what you did?" she asked incredulously. Alec narrowed his eyes.
"Apparently so. Mind explaining it to me?" he folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the doorframe.
"I don't know how you knew about the Syl-Krit thing, she only told me earlier today, but that's not the point," Max began. "How could you be so stupid and tell Zack that? I thought you realized how protective of us he is. How could you not know he would react like that?" Alec rolled his eyes.
"How was I supposed to know big brother didn't know? Why does it matter to you so much anyway? It's not like you have fuzzy feelings for any of your siblings," he retorted. Max scoffed loudly but her cheeks flushed slightly.
Not exactly a sibling...she thought. "Just forget about it then," she said aloud and stalked out the door. Alec sighed heavily.
Why do I always fall for the confusing ones? He berated himself.
The Harbor...
"Do you think they're gonna come back with us?" Kris asked Evan as they awaited Zack's signal. Evan shrugged.
"I don't really know them that well to say," he replied. "I'd probably be surprised no matter what decision they make." Kris nodded her agreement.
"I hope this Krit person is okay," Jessica thought aloud. Sean and Valerie glanced at her.
"If he isn't, he will be," Valerie replied confidently. "He obviously means a lot to Zack, Max, and that blonde chick."
"Syl," Sean supplied. Valerie smirked at him. "What?" Jessica giggled.
"Sean's smitten," she grinned. Valerie laughed but Sean flushed a deep red.
"Am not," he retorted lamely.
"Aren't they supposed to remember to turn their ear pieces off if they're gonna be talking about stuff like that?" Zack asked angrily. Syl laughed uneasily.
"Special Ops are allowed to make mistakes..." she muttered. Zack suddenly grinned.
"Guess Sean's been hiding something from us," he teased. Syl blushed slightly.
"Well it's too late for him isn't it?" she smirked. Zack rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. 'Krit and Syl Forever'," he mocked.
"That's the spirit!" Alec's voice suddenly came on their ear pieces.
"Is big brother Zack really accepting their relationship so soon?" Max's voice added, faux-surprised. Syl laughed while Zack rolled his eyes.
"Can we bust in yet?" Alec asked. Max smirked.
"Gettin' antsy are we?" she teased. Alec nodded. "Don't worry pretty boy, we'll be in soon. Kicking ass and everything." Alec smiled but didn't say anything. Max glanced at him. "What?" she asked uneasily.
"You called me pretty," he said in a sugary sweet tone. Max tried to hide her laugh but she failed miserably.
"Showtime," she whispered as Zack gave the signal. Both their grins disappeared as they entered soldier-mode. "1, 2, go!" They blurred to the warehouse entrance. The guards were caught by surprise and were about to grab their guns but were dropped instantly by a swift blow to their heads.
"That was easy," Sean smiled as he came up next to Max and Alec.
"There's more inside and coming," Max pointed out. "You, Valerie, and Jessica go first. Evan and Kris will follow in a minute. We've got your back." Sean mock saluted and cautiously entered the warehouse.
"As great as that was, I think our fun just went down the toilet," Alec said, eyeing something over Max's shoulder. She whipped around just in time to dodge a bullet.
"Fuck," she cursed. "I hate being shot at." Alec rolled his eyes and dragged her behind another crushed car. "Oh great, we're much safer here," she said sarcastically.
"You're a real bitch in the field aren't you?" Alec joked. She smirked.
"Better than being a pansy," she retorted. Alec smiled back. "Can we go kick some ass now?" Without waiting for an answer, she blurred towards the oncoming guards. She dropped five within seconds.
"Where are Zack and Syl?" Alec called out as he fended off his own group of guards. Max pummeled one before answering.
"They're going around through the back," she said.
"Judo chop!" Alec cried out as he karate chopped a guard. Max stared at him incredulously. He grinned broadly.
"I've always wanted to say that," he explained happily before using a roundhouse kick to drop another guard. Max couldn't help laughing.
"Did all the guards just flock to the front?" Syl asked curiously as she and Zack snuck in to the warehouse. Zack shrugged.
"Looks like it. Be alert anyways," he replied. Syl nodded.
"This place is a lot bigger than it looked from outside," she commented. Zack smirked.
"All the better to hide a transgenic with, my dear," he muttered. Syl smiled.
"You guys okay?" she asked the other transgenics through her ear piece. She received a chorus of 'yes' before she was convinced.
A few minutes passed before they came to the middle of the warehouse. Boxes lined the walls and cages littered the floor.
"Damn," Zack breathed. Syl's eyes were glued on one particular cagethat was up the stairs.The others were ripping boxes open and searching the insides, not realizing Syl running up the steps.
"Would they really stick a transgenic in a box?" Kris asked Max as they continued looking. Max bit her lip and shrugged.
Alec noticed her reaction and answered, "Some people are just idiotic that way." Max smiled weakly and looked up at the second floor, noticing Syl opening a cage. Then she saw who was in it. Without another word, she blurred up the stairs. Alec stared confused at the spot she had just been. "Well, that's interesting..."
"Krit?" Syl asked weakly. The transgenic in the cage had long shaggy brown hair and ragged clothes. But it was undeniable, it was Krit. He raised his head to look up at her.
"Shyl? Isshat oo?" his voice was definitely different.
"There's something gagging his mouth," Max's voice startled them both. Syl continued staring at Krit before Max finally ripped the cage open and untied him.
"What's going on?" he asked groggily. Syl had tears in her eyes.
"We're helping you," she said softly as she and Max carried him down the steps.
"One very injured brother coming up," Max muttered. Syl shot her a look but she ignored it. "Hey Zack! Alec! Little help here!" she called as they reached the bottom. Zack blurred to her side and lifted Krit into his arms.
"Jesus," he breathed as he took in Krit's battered body. "We gotta get him back to hotel now." Syl nodded instantly. Alec and Max were staring at the warehouse entrance.
"There might be a slight problem in that plan," Alec commented. Max nodded and went into her fighting stance. Zack followed their gaze and saw about 30 men decked out in military garb. "I don't think these are the regular guards."
Zack growled. "Shit. Why'd they have to come now?" he sighed angrily before setting Krit down. He turned to Valerie and Jessica. "Make sure they don't get to him." They nodded and stood defensively around Krit.
"No way in hell are they getting my brother again," Max hissed. "Can we help you?" she called out to the men. They said nothing but continued to aim their guns at the transgenics. Max scowled.
"They aren't going to talk to transgenic filth," an angry voice called back. Zack clenched his fists as he looked at the man that had spoken.
"And yet you will?" he replied through gritted teeth. The man smiled, but it didn't reach his cold blue eyes. It came off eery, only a slash in his face. Max felt an involuntary shiver run down her spine.
"It won't matter in a few moments, will it?" the man sneered. Max narrowed her eyes.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she growled but she felt her heartbeat speed up. The man continued to smile.
"This," he replied coldly and raised his gun. He aimed at Max and before she could react, Alec shoved her out of they way. This was when all hell broke loose. The other transgenics attacked without a second thought and the military men opened fire. Alec was still on top of Max and they both struggled to get up. The broken box that covered them wasn't helping any.
"Goddamn piece of..." Max growled as she finally got her leg loose and kicked the box. It flew across the room and knocked down a few men. Alec smirked humorlessly.
"Well that worked out nicely," he quipped before joining the others.
"Valerie! Jessica!" Zack called as he fended off some men, all guns abandoned. "Get Krit outta here!" They nodded and proceeded to pick up the injured transgenic.
Max fought each soldier that was in her way angrily, gettingincreasingly eager to reach the man that had shot at her. Roundhouse kick, punch, block, pummel, flip, block, left hook, block, flip. She began to blur in her hurry to dispose of the men. The other transgenics were doing the same. Valerie and Jessica were only a few feet from the exit when a shot rang out. Time seemed to slow down as Max whirled around, searching for the shooter and the victim. Her eyes fell on the man with cold eyes, his gun still raised. Max followed the aim in time to see Jessica stumble. She stood in shock.
"No!" someone screamed. It took Max a moment to realize it had been her. She found herself running towards Jessica.
"Max!" she heard Alec call. She glanced over her shoulder in time to see the man aim his gun at her. She ducked and rolled out of the way. Then she switched her direction and blurred to the man's side. He didn't show any sign of surprise and Max hit him with a powerful right hook. He barely flinched.
"What the..." she began, but was interrupted by his fist connecting with her face.
"Surprised?" he says, the so-called smile back on his face. "You think you and your little Manticore progeny are special?" Max scowled and proceeded to kick him several times. He grabbed her foot and flipped her over. "Transgenic scum. You think those geeks with their chemistry sets and their gene banks and their greasy little paws are the future?"
"You think you can do better?" Max growled as they start to circle each other. He smirks again.
"You have no idea what you're up against," he replied and then kicked her to the ground. She flipped back up and kicked him in the stomach.
"Beginning to get an idea," she retorted as she elbowed his face. Still smirking, he kicked her side and she stumbled back. A beat passed as he brandished his gun again. Max barely had time to react as he aimed at Alec, who was still fighting off some men. She managed to tackle him and the bullet only grazed Alec's arm. He threw Max off him and kicked her side as she lay on the ground. She grunted as each blow landed.
"Say goodnight filth," the man growled as he aimed his gun at her head. Max scrunched her eyes closed as she waited for it to come. He began to pull the trigger but suddenly found himself thrown across the room.
"Go to hell," Zack growled. His left arm was broken but his right was just a little bloodied. He turned and helped Max up. She leaned against him and stared at the unconscious body of their mystery attacker. "Tie him up." Sean and Evan found some rope and followed Zack's orders.
"Does he have any identification?" Kris asked. Sean dug in the man's pockets. He pulled out a wallet.
"Ames White," he replied softly. He looked over at Valerie. She was huddled over Jessica's body, sobbing.
"He shot her," Max stated, her voice devoid of emotion but her eyes were wide and filled with tears. "The son of a bitch shot her." A muscle worked in Zack's jaw.
"We gotta go," Syl suddenly said. She was at the exit, supporting Krit and hovering over Valerie. "More military guys are coming. We gotta leave now."
Zack looked at Alec. He had ripped one of the soldier's clothes and used it as a bandage for his gun shot wound. "Are you okay?" Zack asked him. He nodded.
"I'm lucky I guess," Alec muttered as he glanced over at Jessica's body.
"Carry Jessica," Zack ordered him. Alec nodded and gently pulled Valerie off the body. She was still sobbing. She glanced over at White and growled. She was about to lunge towards him when she felt an iron grip on her arm. Max looked down at her with sad eyes.
"Not now," she said softly. "We have to leave." her brown eyes suddenly hardened considerably. "But he will pay." Valerie nodded and wiped her tear-stained face. They followed the others out of the warehouse.
Back at the Hotel...
"What are we going to do?" Valerie asked as they filed into the room. Alec laid Jessica on the floor on some towels. Max covered her with a blanket.
"What do you mean?" Evan asked. Syl helped Krit lay down on the couch and proceeded to play Nurse.
"I'll call Renfro and fill her in," Zack said as he headed towards the phone.
"Are you alright?" Max asked Krit as Syl bandaged some of his wounds. Krit just looked at her. "Okay, stupid question." She smiled weakly. Krit reached up and put his hand on her head.
"It'll be okay, Maxie," he said, his voice still hoarse. A tear slid down Max's cheek but she didn't wipe it away.
"I hope you're right," she said softly. She leaned over and kissed his forehead before going over to check on Alec.
"Does your arm hurt much?" she asked. He shook his head.
"The bullet just grazed it. Zack'll need some help, though. His arm looked pretty broken," he replied. Max nodded, but she didn't make any move to leave. "Are you alright?" Max shook her head.
"Not even a little bit," she said, smiling weakly. Alec's brow furrowed.
"I know the mission didn't go completely as planned but you still got your brother back. It will be okay," he said softly. Max bit her lip and nodded.
"Sure," she said, and this time she did leave. Alec sighed and gazed out the window.
Zack hung up the phone. "Renfro says we should return tomorrow and give her a more detailed description of what happened," he said. The others nodded their consent. Zack sat down in a chair opposite Krit.
"Looks like you could use a cast or something, big brother," Krit croaked. Zack smiled slightly but didn't make any move to bandage his broken arm. Max sighed and sat down to help him. The transgenics were silent for a while as they tended to their injuries. But Krit felt the need to say something else. "You're bringing me back aren't you?" Zack and Max both glanced quickly at him and then averted their gaze.
"We're actually not sure..." Zack lied. Krit started to laugh but a coughing fit interrupted him. Once it passed, he smiled sadly.
"Guess it'll be easier than where I just was," he said softly. Syl's eyes snapped to his.
"Are you saying you're going to let them take you there?" she asked, eyes slightly bugged. Krit just looked at her. "But why?"
"Finally with some of my family, I'm not gonna just hobble away after they just rescued me. Besides, between the three of us, we're sure to figure out another escape plan. 11 years of sneaking around will probably help, too," he replied. Syl looked down at their joined hands.
"Four," she said softly. All eyes snapped to her.
"What was that?" Max asked, not sure she had heard right. Syl smiled sadly.
"I said four. There'll be four of us to figure out and escape plan. Not three," she answered. Zack stared at her.
"You mean you'll be coming back as well?" he asked, surprised. Syl nodded.
"I'm not leaving Krit again, or any of you," she replied. "I'd be lonely and I'd miss you like hell." Max's face split into a broad grin and she hugged her sister tightly.
"Told you it'd be okay," Alec said as he locked eyes with Max. She smiled but shook her head.
"It's about halfway to okay," she replied as she let go of Syl and looked over at Jessica's covered body. "We just lost a friend, met a new enemy, but completed the mission. We're not quite okay but we're definitely getting there sooner than I thought."
A/N-This chapter didn'texactly turn out how I thought it would. I hope you still liked it though. The next one will have the transgenics back at Manticore. Please review!
Guest Type Person-Thanks. I hope this chapter confirmed what you thought...Don't worry, Max will of course be seeing her friends again, just not real soon.
daRkMaxG-The next chapter will probably include even more bonding...something to look forward to ;o)
lakergirl08-I still haven't figured out an exact way to bring Logan in again...It will be interesting and fun to write though. I haven't decided yet if there should be Logan bashing, though...let me know what you think. ;o)
Lotamoxie-Thanks, I'll update whenever I can.