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.

A/N-Happy Holidays!

Chapter Sixteen-The Signal

Two Weeks Later...

Renfro paced in front of Max, who conveniently looked bored. "State your designation," she barked. Max looked her in the eyes.

"X5-452, ma'am," she said tonelessly. Renfro smirked humorlessly.

"I know you're just playing along. You don't fool me one little bit," she growled. Max rolled her eyes.

"Gee, I wonder what could have given me away...better work on my act I guess. I'll never get to the big time if I keep this up," her voice dripped with sarcasm. Renfro narrowed her eyes.

"You've been in Special Ops for almost half the time you've been back here. What could have gone wrong?" she asked rhetorically. Max just continued to look at her. "Could it have to do with this man?" she held up a photo of Eyes Only. Max smiled.

"Oh hey, I know that dude!" she exclaimed in a girly brightness. "He is so da bomb!" Renfro stared at her, taken aback by her words.

"Um...yes. I know you had some sort of relationship with him. And he somehow knows that you're still alive. That's why he's causing so much trouble for us. He's trying to help in some way. Trying to get you out. He wants to see you again," she regained her strength and glared at Max, who still looked bored. "But I'm here to tell you that's not gonna happen. Is it?" Max grinned.

"Nope. Soon as I get outta here, I'm going straight to Disneyland," she exclaimed. Renfro stared at her again.

"Disneyland was torn down years ago, 452," she said slowly, as if speaking to a small child. Max feigned surprise.

"Really? Oh man...what a drag...I've never been there ya know...would've been awesome," she said looking up at the ceiling. Renfro snapped.

"Listen here, you mindless smart-ass. I am in no mood for games," she practically yelled. Max showed no reaction. "You have no idea what's at stake here, 452. If Eyes Only isn't stopped, there are gonna be news vans parked outside the perimeter. The Committee is not going to allow the existence of this program to be exposed. It'll jeopardize its other operations." Max rolled her eyes.

"I guess I'm supposed to be curious and ask what that means," she said. Renfro smirked.

"It means that I lock down the cells and I burn this place to the ground with you and everyone else inside," she explained. Max rolled her eyes again. "What? You don't believe me? On paper, this place is a V.A. hospital. Anybody comes looking, all they're gonna find are the remains of a tragic fire that killed all its patients. It's called plausible deniability." Max narrowed her eyes.

"It's called bluffing," she argued.

"Look, you need to understand something. You are nothing but meat to me," Renfro continued as she held up a disk. "This is what matters. I could start over anywhere. I just put all the data we have accumulated into my briefcase, lock the door, light the match, and kiss your transgenic ass goodbye." She stepped closer and looked Max in the eye. "Think about that for a while." Max mock saluted.

"Will do, boss," she said flippantly before sauntering out of the office. Renfro glared after her.

Common room...

The other transgenics were waiting impatiently.

"Do you think she got in more trouble?" Blake asked. Kris rolled her eyes.

"Please, after all the stuff she's been doing? I'm still surprised they haven't sent her to Psy-Ops," she said.

"Alec, will you please stop pacing? Ya makin me dizzy," Cindy exclaimed. Alec stopped pacing.

"Sorry," he muttered.

"She'll be fine," Biggs reassured him. "She knows how to deal with Renfro." Alec began to bite his thumbnail.

"Uh uh..." he replied, distracted, as he started to pace again. Cindy rolled her eyes and walked over to him. He barely noticed her. She gave his head a light slap.

"Sit down foo," she ordered once she got his attention. He immediately obeyed, staring at her in surprise. "Thank you."

"Hello my fellow soldiers, what's shaking?" Max's voice rang out. They looked at her strangely. "Sorry, guess I'm still in annoy-mode." She grinned. Alec leapt up to greet her.

"How'd it go?" he asked seriously. She rolled her eyes.

"Peace o' cake," she replied before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I know what they're gonna do if Eyes Only completely gives away their location."

"And what's that?" Natalie asked apprehensively. Max's smile faded slightly.

"They'll lock the doors, throw away the key, and create their very own bonfire," she answered. Zack's eyes widened in shock.

"But...we're worth so much. Why would they just get rid of us?" he asked, bewildered.

"Because Renfro says she can start over anywhere. She showed me a disk that has all the info crap," Max replied.

"I'm guessing we're gonna have to get that disk before we leave, huh?" Alec questioned. Max kissed him again.

"Good guessin," she said. Alec grinned.

"Okay can you please stop doing that?" Zack grimaced. "He still looks like our brother." Alec rolled his eyes.

"Then just hear my voice and you can tell the difference," he retorted. Zack smiled.

"Yeah, I guess I can," he replied. Then he frowned. "But when you're kissing my little sister you aren't talking." Max rolled her eyes.

"Would you prefer a commentary?" she joked. Zack made a disgusted face. "Thought so." Alec grinned. "So how's it coming with the other transgenics?" Krit's face lit up.

"I think they're coming around," he said. "I think a lot have realized some of Manticore's faults." Syl's face darkened.

"Yeah, imagine how they'll feel when they find out that we're all just meat to Manticore. Meat that's about to get cooked if we don't get out of here soon," she replied angrily. The others nodded their agreement. Max grinned.

"Let's get crackin' then," she said. They turned to look at her. "Alec and I can go back to the basement to check up on Joshua and all that. I have an extreme feeling that the transgenics in the basement would be more than happy to help take down Manticore. They can help some others get out or something."

"What about their faces?" Justine asked. Max looked at her in confusion. "Well, they don't look the X series do they?" Max shook her head. "Well, then they might end up freaking out some of the people they only mean to help."

"Crap, I didn't think of that..." Max muttered. "Keep talking to the other transgenics then...drop in the topic on the ones in the basement." She turned to Alec. "Let's get going honey." Alec smirked as they left for the Special Ops cell.

"Do you think they've done it yet?" Syl joked. Zack grimaced.

"Dear god I hope not," he muttered. Syl burst out laughing. Zack glared at her.

"What? Seriously big bro, you gotta loosen up a little," she advised. Zack rolled his eyes but didn't say anything else.

Basement...

"Here we are again, dark and smelly, lovely," Alec commented. Max smirked.

"I think it's romantic," she joked.

"Oh yeah, poo's the best way to woo a girl, I always say," Alec replied. Max laughed.

"Is that what that smell is?" she asked. Alec shrugged.

"I think so...although considering all the unwashed transgenics down here...might be a little genetically enhanced b.o.," he replied. More laughter.

"Max, Alec," Joshua greeted them. "You came back."

"Of course," Max said, smiling. "We had to come check up on you." Joshua grinned.

"Max cares about Joshua," he commented. Max nodded. "Joshua cares about Max." Alec coughed and cleared his throat. Max glanced at him.

"What? Just got a little something in my throat," he explained lamely. Max rolled her eyes.

"I'm sure you did Alec," she replied. "So big fella, how ya been?" Joshua smiled again.

"Joshua been good. Waiting for little fella and Alec to come again," he answered. Alec feigned hurt.

"How come I don't have a weird little nickname?" he asked. Max smiled sweetly at him.

"Honey, you do, remember?" she said. He just stared at her in confusion. She cleared her throat and looked pointedly at him. Understanding finally came.

"Oh, right," he laughed sheepishly. "Kinda forgot..." Joshua glanced between them.

"What Alec's special name?" he questioned. Max shook her head and started toward the barred window.

"It's not important, Joshua," she replied. The other transgenics followed her. "Hey Joshua, would you happen to know if they are any guards or anything like that in the woods and how dangerous they are?" Joshua nodded.

"X7s in the forest," he replied. Alec frowned.

"How many?" he asked.

"One," Joshua answered. Both Max and Alec gazed out into the woods.

"Oh, I see him," Max said. "I bet I could take him." Joshua shook his head. "What? Come on, there's only one."

"Lots of one," Joshua replied, still looking out the window. The other two followed his gaze.

"Ohhh, I get it," Alec commented as a group of X7s line up facing each other. "They're a bunch of clones or something."

"What are they doing?" Max questioned.

"Talking," Joshua said simply. Both Max and Alec concentrated on listening.

"I don't hear anything," Alec complained.

"I do," Joshua replied as he cocked his head to the side.

"Must be in the ultrasonic range," Max realized. Joshua grinned slightly.

"Bat. Bat in their cocktail," he said. Alec smiled and thumped on his shoulder.

"Guess so, buddy," he commented. Max gazed out into the sky, a frown evident on her face. "What's wrong, Maxie?"

"I just realized something," she answered. "Lo-Eyes Only won't know if we've gotten the message yet or not. He might be waiting for us to give him some sort of a signal." Alec looked questioningly at her.

"And how are we supposed to do that?" he asked. Max grimaced.

"I'm gonna have to go to him," she answered. Alec's eyes widened.

"Excuse me? No you don't," he argued. She just looked back at him. "Okay so you probably do...but I'm coming with you." Max immediately shook her head. "Why not?"

"I'm the only one that's been disobeying Manticore's orders. I don't want to drag you in until the time's right," she explained. Joshua glanced back and forth between them.

"Max, Alec, on the outside?" he asked. Max exhaled.

"Yeah, that's the plan," she said. Joshua grinned.

"Joshua...outside. That's the plan," he replied. Max and Alec whipped around to face him.

"You...want to come with us?"Alec questioned. Joshua nodded. "You sure, buddy? There isn't really anyone that looks like you out in the world."

"Yeah," Max agreed somberly. "And people get scared easily of things they don't understand. You'll just be trading one basement for another." Joshua bowed his head in disappointment. Max rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. "How about once we get outta here, we'll take care of you. Does that sound okay?" Joshua raised his head, a broad grin on his face.

"Joshua say okay. Want to stay with Max and Alec. Nice to Joshua," he said. Max smiled and hopped off the crate. Alec followed.

"Thanks again, Joshua. I'll be back later and you can help me take off these bars so I can get Eyes Only the message," Max explained. Alec's face darkened at this but he didn't say anything. "I'll need your help too, Alec." He nodded solemnly. She gingerly touched his arm. "It'll be okay, Alec. Everything's going great. We'll get out of this." He nodded again and kissed the top of her head. They said goodbye to Joshua again and headed back up.

Two Hours Later...

"I still don't agree with this," Alec commented. Max rolled her eyes.

"I already told you, it'll be okay," Max reassured him. He sighed.

"I know, I just...you're going to visit your ex-boyfriend and I hate that I'm not gonna be there with you," he said. Max smiled.

"You don't have anything to worry about," she replied.

"Oh, yeah, I know that. I don't really remember what the guy looks like since I only saw him at that party a while ago, but I know how good looking I am and so..." Max cut off his rambling with a deep kiss. He smiled after she pulled away. "Never mind. Talking crazy. Go see the old geezer. Hurry back." Max laughed out loud.

"I will," she said. "You ready?"

"Always," he answered.

"Showtime," Max whispered. She gestured for Joshua to go out the window first. "Be careful." Joshua nodded and charged towards the forest. Max turned to Alec. "You too." He nodded and took off after Joshua. Max followed, discretely.

"Hey! Hey, he's getting away! Come on!" Alec stopped and called to some X7s. They began to chase Joshua as well. Alec tackled Joshua. As an X7 approached, he swiftly kicked him the stomach. "Oh, sorry, kid." More X7s arrived and Alec knocked another down. "Maybe I should let you guys handle this, huh?" He attacked another as Joshua got up and ran away. Even more X7s gathered around Alec and aimed their guns. "Whoa! No need for firepower, fellas. Just trying to help."

Max, meanwhile, ran toward the perimeter fence. An X7 appeared and aimed his gun at her. She swiftly knocked him aside. "Don't shoot at me," she growled as she continued running. She reached the perimeter fence and leaped. The X7 got up and began shooting at her, missing. Joshua appeared behind him and threw him like a rag doll into the trees.

"You blaze!" he yelled as he watched Max through the fence. She nodded and smiled before racing off. Joshua turned back around to go help Alec, if he needed any.

Logan's Penthouse...

Logan was sitting in his chair, facing his computer, typing furiously. Max crept up behind him, peering over his shoulder.

"Did you know that Manticore really hates that its secret location is about to be revealed?" she said jokingly. Logan whirled around, eyes impossibly wide. "But I guess you knew that all along, huh?" She grinned.

"Max..." he breathed. "You...you really...wow..." He stood up.

"Yup, I'm 'live and kickin," Max supplied. He reached out to touch her face. Her grin disappeared and she pulled away. "Uh...Logan...when we have more time we're gonna have to sit down and have a nice long chat but right now I need you to do what you were planning on doing." He looked slightly hurt.

"But...you've escaped. That's what I wanted," he said. Max bit her lip.

"Yeah, I get that. Just...I have to get the others out...and get rid of Manticore...You need to do your broadcast and tell the location, okay?" she replied. Logan looked confused.

"Max, what's going on?" he asked. She winced.

"I thought you were trying to get Manticore out in the open so..." she began but stopped when the confused look didn't leave his face. "All you wanted was for me to be out..." He nodded.

"Of course," he said, smiling. "What else would I want?" Max sighed and shook her head.

"Okay, fine. I just need you to do your broadcast. Tell the location of Manticore, alright?" she pleaded. Logan shook his head, still obviously confused.

"But, you're out now..." he began but Max swiftly cut him off.

"Yes, I realize that. But Logan, the other transgenics are not. The longer I stay here the higher the danger rises for them. You have to trust me. Just do the broadcast and I'll explain everything later when I get back, alright?" she explained. Logan finally nodded.

"Okay, if you really want me to," he consented. Max sighed, smiling.

"Thank you," she started toward the door.

"Wait, where are you going?" Logan asked, bewildered.

"I gotta go back to help the others. They need me," Max explained.

"But..." Logan began.

"Do the broadcast, Logan," Max ordered. "I told you I'd explain everything later. Now do it." Logan nodded again and Max quickly left.

Logan sat back down at his computer and set up his Eyes Only equipment. "Do not attempt to adjust your set. This is a streaming freedom video bulletin. It cannot be traced. It cannot be stopped. And it is the only free voice left in this city," he began. "Your location has been revealed. Your secret is out. And now Manticore will be held accountable for its crimes..."

A/N-Mwahahaha. Kind of a cruel ending but I didn't want to get into the escape yet. Which I think will be the last chapter...I promise there will be a sequel though, if you guys want one. No point in writing one if the reviewers don't like the story...hehe. So review please and let me know if you think there should be a sequel! ;o)

leloo-Thanks. I was worried it might come off a little cheesy or something but I'm glad you liked it. ;o)

loralee-Your idea sounds like a great one but I don't think bringing Seth back will go with what I have planned for this story. I may change my mind but for now it seems a little doubtful. I don't mind if you write long or short messages, I'm just thankful for any kind of review ;o)

Gauri-Thanks. I hope this part was just as good. ;o)

Guest type person-That does kinda suck...will you still have two weeks off? Don't worry, Logan wouldn't be able to mess up their relationship even if he tried. ;o)

Kristibella-Thanks. And I promise, when Logan meets Alec...let's just say it'll be a whole lotta fun to write ;o)

lakergirl08-I've always liked him too. Yeah, Renfro will have the place burned down, I figured that would be the best way since they've already been talking to the transgenics and all...Merry Christmas to you too!