Chapter 6: Captain Courageous
"New recruits?" Zack said in that same firm voice Max remembered. How was she supposed to react to this? Her brother lost for over two years, not dead but then, to Max, not really alive, was now standing in front of her like some corporeal ghost from a life long since passed. Suddenly a thousand memories struck Max like a thousand daggers and she was left gasping for air.
Zack had died for her over two years ago, taking his own life so that she could live in his place, his heart his final gift for his favourite sister. However, he had been denied the heroes death he so richly deserved. Those, now deceased, bastards at Manticore had kept him alive and harvested his organs until there was virtually nothing left. Zack had been torn apart to serve others and still they would not let him rest.
Max had lived believing that her brother had died for her, his heart beating in her chest as a constant reminder of the ultimate sacrifice he had made so willingly. Then, a few months before the tragedy at Terminal City, Zack re-appeared seemingly alive and well…but that was not the case. Due to the 'miraculous' wonders of science, Zack had been rebuilt using advanced robotics and extensive genetic reconstructing. Unfortunately it was not just his body that was given an overhaul, his mind state had been altered as well in yet another cruel twist of fate for both Zack and Max.
Zack had never been keen on Logan, never trusted his relationship with Max believing it made her weak and vulnerable and inevitably one day this vulnerability would result in her death. Of course, as Max was soon to learn after his re-appearance, his feelings cut deeper than that. His love for her went beyond that of brother and sister, he wanted more, more than Max could give. Now because the people at Manticore had a distaste for Eye's Only due to his rather public tarnishing of their organisation on his network, they had used mind bending technology and psycho-therapy to convince Zack that it was Eye's Only who had betrayed them during their incursion into Manticore HQ, the operation that had cost, first Max, and then Zack their lives. Zack possessed intimate knowledge concerning Eye's Only' true identity, that he was in fact none other than his rival Logan, and even though Manticore were oblivious to this, when he eventually crossed paths with Max again he targeted Logan for silencing under the false belief that he had committed the ultimate betrayal to the one person that mattered most.
It hadn't happened in an instant, Zack had begun with little memory of anything from his past, didn't know his name, didn't remember the escape he had orchestrated and he didn't remember his companions; his siblings. But he recognised Max, he could never truly forget her. After a little coaxing however, it all came flooding back with devastating consequences. Zack had tried to kill Logan but thankfully Max had been able to prevent him with the ingenious use of a high voltage power line that also, fortunately, resulted in the reset of Zack's memories. However it was not a permanent cure, whatever Manticore had done was still there, a constant menace that could erupt again at any moment…should he remain in the presence of Max anyway. So it was Max had to choose between the man she loved and the brother to whom she owed so much. It hadn't been easy but in the end she opted to give Zack the chance to live the normal life he so desperately craved. Logan had used his contacts to arrange a whole new existence for him somewhere in a secluded point of peace. Zack would never remember his past or the pain it had brought him and Max hoped finally this wounded soldier, person, could rest.
It had been one of the hardest things Max had ever had to do but in her heart she knew letting Zack go was best for both their sakes. At the very least, Zack had earned the right to live free of Manticore and all it had done to him. Still, she had missed him; especially during Terminal City when it had been her turn to step up to the echelon of leader. It was a lonely place to be and Max had never really known the pressure of such responsibility and how it played on ones mind. It was then that she better understood her brother and his constant concern that often borderline on heartlessness, on the exterior at least. Zack had always been about survival and ensuring the survival of the ones he loved, and Max never really appreciated how hard it had been for him, at least not until he was out of her life forever…or not as was now apparent.
"Not many of those around but I guess we'll take what we can get." Zack said, his face the same as always, charismatic without giving anything away. Zack had always been incredibly difficult to read, he kept everything hidden, locked away so others could not see his weakness. In his mind, he could not allow others to see his failings, as he was the leader, their brother…and Max's saviour.
Zack turned to Logan, seemingly oblivious to the fact Jess had introduced Max to him as the famous entity she had mentioned the prior night. Max watched Logan flinch as Zack extended a hand and thick dimples spread across his face in a rare smile. "Hi, I'm Zack. So you're the famous Max who will solve all our problems?" There was definitely an air of sarcasm in his tone in that instant.
Logan stuttered for a moment and then vigilantly accepted Zack's hand. "Er…actually my name is Logan," he gestured to Max still hugged tightly to his side, "this is Max."
Zack turned and his eyes wondered over Max's form. She held her breath as she waited for the painful process to begin. He would remember her designation first, 452, and then it would all fallout from there. Her name would be next and then all the emotional baggage that came with it would spill all over them, and then the eventual outcome: another attempt on Logan's life. Would she have to kill Zack this time, could she get lucky twice?
Max realised she was holding her breath and she quickly exhaled as she pulled away from Logan. Best not to do anything that could trigger homicidal Zack too quickly. She couldn't go through this again, not after last time…or the time before that. Memories of lying in the Manticore infirmary with Zack's fresh heart beating proudly in her chest bubbled to the surface of Max's mind. That bitch Renfro had tormented her, turning up the constant heart monitor that reverberated the room with the thud of Zack's heart, until she thought she would go insane. Please not again…
After what seemed like an age, Zack's eyes tightened and his lips twisted in confusion. "So…you're a girl?" He looked up at Jess who was still standing observing proceedings with a coy smile. Trick had joined her on his feet and was lazily leaning on Jess' shoulder. Chloe still sat, shying away from the situation she knew nothing about and Ali had not so much as winced since he last spoke for all of a few seconds.
"Erm, yeah…" Jess said with a shrug that spurred Trick from a daze.
"Interesting," Zack said with a smirk before extending his hand to Max. "Zack, my name is Zack."
Max tried to quell the shakes that tremored along her arm as she accepted his hand. His grip was assured and she could feel the warm blood that pumped underneath his rough skin. He was real and he was actually here…Max couldn't believe it. Her mouth was dry and she had to force herself to speak. "Hi, I'm Max," the words came out a little croaked and Max hoped no one would pick up on her nervous disposition.
"Well alright, I take it they're accepted?" Trick's booming voice practically caused Max to jump from her seat. "No we're eight and a half strong; look out world." He thrust a determined, if not a little vitriolic, fist of power into the air. Jess nudged him again and he began to nudge her playfully. Max noticed a twitch in Zack's eye and a flicker in his lips, was he jealous? Shit, not again!
"Yeah, if Jess trusts you guys then I guess you're in…even the ordinary." Zack said with a nod towards Logan.
Here we go, Max though already feeling the friction developing between the two. On the bright side though, he hadn't called him a dirty traitor and grabbed him by the jugular, so maybe there was hope.
Logan smiled. Max knew it was a false smile, he had used it many a time when she had been in a mood and, perhaps, a little unreasonable with her demands of him over the past year. Max could see through it, but it had taken her months to hone the skill. He disguised it well; a natural talent from being a covert underground cyber-journalist, and she doubted Zack would notice the insincerity behind it. "Not all of us ordinaries of bigoted bastards," Logan said, his voice wavering, betraying the mask his face wore so well.
"That's…true. I agree with Logan here, we people can be quite reasonable…when we ain't got our heads firmly rammed up our arse." Ali said with a quick flicker of his eyes that looked incredibly sore.
"I know…" Zack smiled at Logan and again Max waited for him to go off on one. This was almost unbearable; the tension and anxiety of Zack's presence was almost enough to tear her apart. He was a potential landmine just waiting for either she or Logan to put a foot wrong and then BANG, everything would be blown apart again. Max couldn't cope with that, not on the first night of her return.
Still, at least things seemed amiable for now and everyone else appeared oblivious to the uneasiness that simmered quietly underneath the pleasantries. Of course Logan felt it; the sweat upon his brow indicated as much, it was his ass on the line here after all. Taking a few moments to reflect upon things, Max decided just to go along with things and let everything slide the way it was meant to. If there was a shit storm coming her way, and it wouldn't be the first time one was forecast for her life, then she would just have to deal with it when the time came.
"Right then," Trick said with a clap of his hands, perhaps feeling the awkwardness setting in, "what's the plan for tonight, bearing in mind we have three rookies and two injured."
"Three rookies?" Max asked, swivelling in her seat.
"Yup, Chloe here has never been out in the field. Fairly obvious when you look at her get up."
Chloe kicked Trick in the shin. "I look positively glowing," she argued.
"I ain't denying that girl, you look damn fine, but a hot skirt and itty bitty top just ain't practical for slaying evil motherfuckers…is it?" Trick replied with a devilish grin while massaging his leg: Chloe was small but she was till a transgenic.
Max smiled, Trick was certainly enigmatic and she felt her body relax; his presence was just so damn calming and his imperturbable exuberance so damn contagious. Feeling a little safer, for the time being at least, Max allowed herself to drift a little closer to Logan as Zack took a seat next to Ali and both Trick and Jess resumed their places. Again Trick slung an arm around Jess and pulled her close to his chest. She began to play with the crucifix around his neck and again Max noticed Zack's eyes linger on the two for a little longer than was probably necessary.
"Alright, are you two down for this?" Zack asked while glancing between Max and Logan. Again Max felt a pang in her stomach but it was not as prominent. In her shocked state she had forgotten about her new and improved state. If there was any trouble, she was powerful enough to handle it. Besides, she should be happy to see the brother she loved so much, even if there was a potential threat, and anyway, the bigger mystery here was how Zack had found out he was a transgenic and subsequently resumed his position as leader of all.
Max felt Logan's hand reach for hers under the table. He obviously needed re-assurance – this whole Zack thing had just as big an effect on him as she – so she gave him a tight squeeze. He winced slightly as again she forgot her own strength.
"Well that's good to hear cos we really need the extra man power for tonight." Zack said, now addressing the entire group gathered round the small table.
Jess sighed and let her head fall against Trick's chest.
"I'm sorry Jess…I know you've had it tough…"Zack said with a genuine concern present in every word.
"It's ok," Jess replied meekly. She glanced over at Max and smiled, "I have a feeling things might be ok…for tonight at least."
Max smiled at Jess and chose to ignore the look of doubt cast her way by Zack. Jess had faith in her and for some reason; she found this oddly inspiring and empowering. Yes, she was the most powerful creation known to man, but she wasn't field-tested. There was no guarantee that she was as good as her rock breaking antics suggested and so the confidence of others was more than welcome.
"Well people, tonight will be a hit on the A.T.L." Zack declared, taking time to gauge the reactions of the others. Jess and Ali, surprisingly, were unmoved while Chloe shifted cautiously.
Trick grinned. "My man," he murmured softly.
"One of Drakes contacts caught wind that they would be receiving a shipment of weapons tonight. He managed to acquire the location so I had Red and Travis carry out some recon earlier today and it turns out Drake was right on the money. The target point will be a small warehouse located on the east side of town near the downtown market." Continued Zack.
"What kind of resistance?" Logan asked, his sense of duty beginning to override the caution he should have been taking with regards to Zack.
There was a pause.
"Minimal at best but heavily armed." Zack answered
"Fuckers are always packing serious heat…fucking pussies!" Trick put in with a growl. Jess looked up at him and pressed her forehead against the base of his curved jaw. Clearly she knew where his disdain for the A.T.L and their guns stemmed from. Max's best guess; he had lost a lot of friends…
"Will Red and Travis be there?" Chloe asked, while nervously playing with her fingers on the polished surface of the table. Max looked over at the tiny girl, her dramatic eyes brimming with the apprehension that came with her inexperience. Max could still remember the fear she had felt on her first real operation, her escape from Manticore. No matter how good the training, there was nothing you could do about fear. Some handled it better than others – Max herself had learnt to suppress the feeling – but there was no escaping it and that was a good thing. Fear was a good tool for guidance in combat and what's more, it let you know you were still alive. Chloe's fear would serve her well tonight and if not, Max would look out for her.
"Yeah, they're currently on site. The convoy is expected to arrive at midnight tonight…"
"Bit of a stereotypical time: tonight, midnight, be there or be square…" Trick said, quickly trailing off as no one seemed to get his attempt at humour, or just plain found it unfunny.
"Moving on…"
Trick buried his face into Jess' hair, who grinned as she continued to play with the crucifix. Her eyes seemed sleepy and her lids drooped to mask the grassy emerald of her irises. She seemed contented, safe in Trick's arms as though it was where she belonged. Max smiled; they made a good couple…but obviously not in Zack's eyes who once again reacted to the two with more than a whiff of jealousy, his teeth coming together and remaining gritted even as he began to talk again.
"There will be three incursion points. The first is located to the north," Zack reached into the inside pocket of the leather jacket that covered his tight red shirt, and pulled out a ragged map drawn by hand. He put it down on the table so everyone could take a look. It showed a large warehouse type, squared building with a car park in front of the main entrance and a couple of smaller buildings surrounding it's left and right side. It wasn't well drawn but it was clear enough.
"Red and Travis will take this route," Zack used his thumb to trace some pipes that snaked round the rear of the main building. "It leads through an unused ventilation shaft that extends to some construction platforms near the ceiling. They will observe from the inside and once they have visual confirmation of the presence of the weapons they will signal for the other two teams to move in. One team will enter via a hatch on the roof. Of course you will first have to get up there but that shouldn't be a problem for us transgenics and besides, we have rope so we can just drop right in on top of them." Zack paused to clear his throat. "The second team will take an underground sewage tunnel that leads underneath the building," he traced the route with his thumb as it had not been drawn on, "and has an open point inside the building. They can spring up on them quickly and without warning so hopefully we'll catch the fuckers sleeping…hopefully."
"Is this intelligence reliable?" Logan asked, musing over the makeshift map.
Zack looked at him for a moment. Max waited with baited breath and then let out a sigh of relief as a small smile spread across Zack's face. "It's as good as we're going to get," he said.
"Alright," Trick said, his voice taking a much more serious note to it, "whose in which team. We got Red and Travis as the eyes so whose the muscle?"
Zack looked around the table. "Chloe, Logan, you're with me. We'll take the sewage route. Jess you will lead Trick and Max up to the roof."
Max felt her heart stop for a moment; Zack and Logan together without her there to ensure things didn't get out of control. She opened her mouth to reject but Logan squeezed her hand, grabbing her attention. She looked across at him and watched as he slowly shook his head, discreetly so no one else but she could see. There was intensity to his blue eyes and not a trace of fear. Max new her own eyes were wide with worry, her lips dragging downwards, and Logan could see this, but still he seemed content to go along with this plan, not sharing her doubt. Why was he ok with this? Yeah Zack was her brother, but did Logan not remember what happened last time? She couldn't allow the two of them to go unsupervised. Without her presence, there was nothing to stop Zack from carrying out the final desire of their Manticore peers…she couldn't lose Logan, not again!
"Sound like a plan," Logan said, not taking his eyes from Max whom just stared right back at him, shaking her head in disbelief. This was stupid, too risky and why was he happy with things to go his way? He should be with her on this, insisting that he goes with her.
"Good shit," Trick said as he got to his feet, easing Jess from his lap, and walked over to the counter. Ali followed suit and together they began to rummage behind the counter placing large cases out amongst the many biscuits and cakes that sat in pristine display cases.
Zack gave Logan a nod. "Sorry to break you apart from your girl here, but the sewage route is much safer than the roof and I would prefer to take the most vulnerable with me."
Max looked at Zack in wonderment: forever the elder brother, always looking out for those under him.
"It's Chloe's first time out in the field and, no offence here, but you're just an ordinary." Zack turned towards Max. "Don't worry he'll be safe, I'll see to it. I never lose anybody first time out."
Despite her doubts, the fire in Zack's words and behind his blue eyes seemed to re-assure her. They didn't clear her concerns completely but they certainly began to dwindle. She knew she couldn't trust the situation but there was just something about Zack in that moment…something was different and Max wanted nothing more that to be able to trust her brother again.
"Alright kids come get your shit!" Trick called out.
Zack, Jess and Chloe got to their feet and walked over to the counter. Max quickly seized the opportunity to grab a word with Logan. "Shit!" was all she could get out in a hushed whisper.
"I know," Logan whispered back, "it will be ok, we will talk later I promise but now, now we have a job to do."
"But Logan!" Max hissed not understanding his flippant attitude. This was a huge deal, could he not see it!
Logan didn't answer. He kissed her quickly and then made his way over to the others. Max gave in and followed him finding the others musing over various weaponry spread out across the counter. There were pistols, mini-machine guns, body armour vests, rope, knives and other blades. Max looked at the various instruments of death and shuddered. It wasn't like she was a stranger to the whole deal of taking life but she hated it, especially when weapons were involved. Logan saw the distaste creep over her face and he put an arm around her waist. Max forced a smile, he may be ignoring her but at least he was still here to comfort her.
Everyone mused over the weapons and began to gear up; pulling on vests and attaching holsters and sheaths for the blades. Trick pulled on a pair of shoulder holsters and grabbed a couple of Glock pistols fitting them snugly into the pouches under his arms. He grinned, "Now that's the shit you need."
Jess smiled at him and proceeded to apply some throwing knives to the band she had wrapped around her right leg, the tight material squeezing her baggy jeans right to the flesh of her thigh, revealing the skinny nature of her legs.
Zack, who was busy fitting a pair of S.M.G's to the holsters that sat either side of his hips, looked at Max as she stood with her arms crossed around her front, fingers intertwined with Logan's. "Do you not need anything, it always helps to have something to shoot back with."
Max turned to look at Zack. He, more than anyone else, knew where her distaste for firearms stemmed from and why she would never use one no matter what the circumstances. But then of course he couldn't remember anything of their past together and if he did, then things now would be a whole lot worse. Max felt her stomach twist into a knot as past wounds threatened to re-open with a vengeance. She needed to come up with an excuse that didn't even hint at the truth. "I prefer to use my hands…" Zack looked at her doubtfully, one eyebrow raised; he wasn't buying it. "I'm far more deadly, just wait and see." She added quickly, relieved that she had at least told a half-truth. After all, given her complete state, she most likely would be more deadly unarmed.
"Ok people, don't' forget extra ammo, cos there's no guarantee on the numbers we will be facing. Better to be ready before being fucked." Trick said as he helped Jess with her vest, giving her some much needed bulk to her upper body.
Zack cast a look towards Trick. "I'm sorry I couldn't get definite Intel…"
"Not a problem," Trick cut in, surprised Zack had seen his comment as a complaint, "I was just covering bases."
Max stole a chuckle inside; nothing like watching a couple of love rivals…so long as Logan wasn't involved.
"God this shit is heavy!" Chloe squeaked. She did look rather strange with a heavy body vest complete with holstered guns and knives, rounded off with a mini tartan skirt that displayed her seductive and pale legs. Trick walked over to her and pulled on the shoulders of the vest. He kissed her head and the pout fell from her lips.
"Don' worry baby girl, you look wonderful."
"Thanks," she said wrapping her small arms around his large frame.
"Ok then, are we go?" Zack asked, looking around the group.
There came nods of agreement and inaudible murmurings as the fear of potential deaths set in. It had been a long time since Max had been in such an atmosphere and it wasn't as exhilarating as she remembered. This wasn't her world anymore and she fully intended to retire just as soon as she kicked the remaining asses that remained to be kicked, namely the A.T.L and whatever the hell the Coming turned out to be.
Logan had grabbed a modified pistol and holster, securing the strap around his waist and lower thigh. Unfortunately he wasn't wearing the exo-skeleton that gave his legs a huge boost of enhanced strength. Upon entering Bannatyne's, neither of them had expected a quiet coffee and slice of cake to result in a covert operation. The device was, therefore, still in the car but it seemed like they wouldn't have the time to retrieve it. Max would have slept safer knowing he was wearing it but it looked like she would just have to deal with the uncertainty.
Zack looked around at the faces before him. "Alright people, remember your shit and we will do fine. I want this to go smooth, god knows we've had enough cock ups to last a lifetime so let's not do it in front of the rooks."
There came the calming sound of idle laughter.
"Take care out there and keep it together. I want us all to return, is that clear?"
There came a silent agreement.
"Alright lets move out, vehicles are ready. Stick to your groups and lets pull this bitch off!"
There came another silent pause and then Trick let out a resounding whoop. "Alright lets fucking do this, come on!" He slung an arm around both Jess and Chloe and led them out into the cold, wet night.
"Take care and be safe, I'll have a pot on the go for when you get back!" Ali called out.
Max looked up at Logan who gave her a warm smile. She reached up and kissed him softly. "Be safe," she whispered, pressing her head against his chest.
"You too," he replied as he led her outside, stroking the full length of her waist length black hair.
Zack watched the two lovers leave and then rested a shotgun across his shoulders. He sighed heavily and turned to Ali. "Once again, if anything should happen to me…"
"I know what to do…" Ali replied. "You just make sure you come back dude."
Zack smiled and then turned to the door of the shop. He started to leave when suddenly the smile fell and he cocked his side to one side. 452: that girl's designation was 452. Zack shook himself down and tried to dismiss the case of deja vu that had just washed over him before following outside.