This Thing Called Life

Chapter 3 - Taking Charge

Luke eased the van into Terminal City via a secret back entrance as yet unknown to the Sector Police. A few of the X6s had found it by accident after a run-in with some overly zealous Ordinaries. It was one of the best accidents they'd ever had; the entrance was the only one large enough for a full sized truck to fit through and that afforded the residents of TC the means to bring supplies directly into the City as opposed to passing things along through the sewer tunnels.

Upon receiving the all clear, Luke made his way through the streets of Terminal City and pulled to a stop in front of the Command Center. The group exited the vehicle and made their way inside. 452 put a hand out to stop Mole.

"Come with me." She said in a clipped tone. She was stiff, her back unnaturally straight. Mole stepped back for a moment before nodding assent to her command. Max he could challenge, stand up to. But he wouldn't dare contest the authority in 452's voice or posture. It was instinctual. 452 was Alpha, the truth of it emanated from every pore of her body.

He followed her to Med Bay. Upon entering the building, 452 barked out to the medical staff present. "Status report!"

They looked at her strangely. Max had never spoken to them quite like that before and they didn't take it well. Mole turned to Mel and Kat and spoke in a low tone.

"Don't fight it. Just do as she says. You're not talking to Max; she's gone. This is 452 and she won't tolerate insolence. Trust me." Kat raised an eyebrow, not quite sure what Mole meant and she turned her gaze to 452.

"What do you want to know?" 452 spun around, the irritation pinched her features and she looked almost menacing. Her face creased and she spat in reply.

"I asked for a status report, soldier! I expect an answer." The cold, harsh reply caused Kat, Mel and the others present to stop short. Mole hadn't been kidding. This was not the Max they knew. It was as if she were possessed.

Quickly, Mel started her report. "We've prepared Biggs for cremation." Max shot her a questioning look. "It's standard procedure, decided by Alec. Ever since we found out that the Familiars and whatever other foreign bodies out there have been looking for a transgenic to play with, we've made sure to leave no bodies for them to tamper with. He'll be interred in the morning.

"As for the Ordinaries." Max cocked her head, her eyes were sharp as she focused on Mel. Mel shivered slightly at the intensity of Max's stare. She swallowed before continuing.

"Original Cindy has it easy compared to the rest of them. She has slight bruising and some minor cuts. No internal damage that we can see. She was knocked out by a blow to the back of her head. No concussion. She's awake and asking for you.

"Sketchy is in a really bad way. His condition is critical. He sustained severe head trauma and there's internal bleeding. He was barely conscious on arrival and his mental stability is in question. I strongly suggest we send him to Harbor Lights. He needs better care than we can offer."

452 nodded curtly. "Mole. Get Klip and Luke to organize transport. I want this taken care of immediately. Send an X5 with him to admit him. Then report back to me as soon as you're done." Mole left the room without a word.

452 motioned to Mel to continue. "Cece…well you know what happened. She began the process of shut-down but we caught her before it was too late. She won't speak but she has acknowledged us and seems to know what's going on around her. She attacked Beau and Jude when we tried to sedate her. We've cleaned her up and are running tests. She needs comfort and love and now that Biggs is…gone, she's going to need her friends more than ever."

"Get her whatever she wants. If there's anything you need, get Dix on it. He and Gem are in charge of supplies. If money's a problem, run it by Cal. He'll take over for Alec and Biggs in the meantime." 452 paused briefly and spoke to Kat this time.

"Kat. You've been treating Alec. What's the situation?"

During Mel's report, Kat had been observing Ma-452. Mole's assessment had been correct. Max had disappeared and been replaced by a clearly focused and determined soldier. Max's normally expressive eyes were blank, save for the cold, hard glint that resided within. 452's standing was high up the chain of command, a gut instinct Kat couldn't ignore. It wasn't forced, or even a conscious decision on 452's part. It was who she was. And it was frightening. The woman in front of her was a stranger; a calculating, indomitable stranger.

"You might want to sit down for this." she said quietly. She didn't dare reach out to 452. Her familiar gesture of comfort would be unwelcome at this stage. 452 shook her head in response.

"Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you." Kat took a deep breath. "Alec's injuries are extensive. Let me start from the bottom and work my way up. His right foot was crushed. Completely. Not one bone was left intact. His left leg has multiple fractures, lacerations and bruises. Most of the cuts were made by blunt objects. Infection set in and his body is producing anti-bodies at a vicious rate. He's very weak and his immune system is shot. He's been transfused by 3 different people already and may need more later. We're going to have to keep a careful eye on him.

"He has 5 broken ribs, a punctured lung and a knife wound to the gut. His right shoulder is dislocated. We don't dare do anything about it until we can patch up the bullet wound in his arm. His arm and hand are broken in various points, some bone has pierced the skin.

"We believe he received repeated beatings to the head, neck and shoulders and his jaw is cracked. I've never seen anyone so thoroughly battered before, Max.

"His breathing is shallow and his heart rate dropped significantly. He's already gone into cardiac arrest twice. We've managed to stabilize him, just, but there's no telling if he'll make it through the night. My guess is not. I'm sorry."

Max acted more human than the rest of them and it was expected of her to show these signs of her humanity. Kat looked at 452 expecting to see the typical emotional reaction but what she saw shocked her to the truth of the situation. 452 stared back unblinkingly. Her eyes narrowed and she drew herself up straighter, if that was even possible, her shoulders set in a straight line. Her face darkened and she spoke brusquely, in a tightly controlled and somewhat detached voice.

"I want Joshua to stay with him. Keep me informed of his condition. I have work to do. You can find me at Command if you need anything."

She spun on her heel and left the room. She met Mole and Joshua in the corridor. Josh was on his way to see Alec, having only just heard what had happened. He growled when he came face to face with Max. Mole had told him about her metamorphosis into 452 and he wasn't happy. Seeing definitely was believing. And Joshua didn't want to believe.

"What have you got to report?" she spoke harshly, anger slowly washing over her as the full weight of Kat's words crashed over her.

Mole stood at attention immediately and stated quickly, "He's been admitted. Doctors are working on him as we speak." He didn't need go into more detail than that, 452 had given him an order and it was all she needed to hear. She'd tell him when there was something else she needed. It wasn't long in coming.

"Joshua. You stay with Alec. I want you at his side at all times. Report any change in condition. I'll be at Command. I want to know of. Any. Change." Her eyes were piercing as she distinctly enunciated each word. "Can you do that?"

Joshua nodded sadly. He had planned on it anyway. Medium Fella was his friend. He didn't need to be told to do what came naturally. He left Mole and 452 and headed to Med Bay .

"Mole." He straightened at the sound of his name. Mole wasn't used to having a bite-sized slip of a girl in command, and he hated the instinctual need to follow her orders. Deep satisfaction washed over him at her next words. He felt he was on more equal footing.

"I need someone I can trust. Someone who knows how to get things done; someone fast and efficient. That's you. I want you to go on ahead to Command. Get Dix on this, Luke, Klip, Jake, Mug and Specks and anyone else you feel you might need. Finding White is top priority. The bastard's gonna pay. If you need to use Eyes Only, do it. Otherwise, leave the Ordinary out of it. Are you clear on this?" He chuckled inwardly at her use of the word 'Ordinary'. He never thought he'd live to see the day she'd call Logan an 'Ordinary', and in such a disdainful way!

"Crystal clear, 452." She raised her head at this. Recognition crossed her features and she smiled slightly. Mole's acceptance of her designation only cemented her resolution. She was 452. The hard-assed soldier who got things done properly. She had a new mission and it required her undivided attention. And she sensed the solidarity and conviction in Mole's voice.

White will pay. Sooner or later, he'll get exactly what he deserves. It's time tointroduce him to 452. It's gonna be a party

She had no idea how much sooner it would actually be.

TBC

Chapter 4