Too Far Gone

Part Five


Previously:

Alec sat up straight and rigid. "Looks like today it's just one shitty thing after the other."

"I got the search results. There was only one vehicle logged at the checkpoint near Crash last night. Around midnight ." Alec turned to Sketchy, his face pale and pinched. "It belonged to a Vividyne Labs. Do you know what that is, Sketch?"

Sketchy shook his head. The look on Alec's face scared the shit out of him.

Alec's breath hissed out. "Vividyne Labs is a cover for Manticore. Biggs is back at Manticore."


Preparations

Max found Biggs lying on his bunk staring at the ceiling. He seemed lost in thought and she was reluctant to intrude but he needed to be briefed on the changes in command.

"At attention, soldier!" she barked out, startling him.

He glared at her. "What the fuck, Max! I'm not deaf."

"Is that how you address your CO?" she asked, eyes twinkling.

"My CO?" he repeated, confused. She smiled sweetly and nodded.

Biggs whistled. "How the hell did you manage that?"

"Dunno." she grinned. "Renfro told me ten minutes ago. I'm still having a hard time processing it myself!"

Max smiled dreamily. "Y'know, Biggs, my friend Alec was a CO too. When I was on the outside he could always kick my ass. He let me win though; thought I didn't know he was better than me. I always felt insecure around him for it. And I took it out on him. Treated him like crap…Anyway, who'da ever though I'd be CO one day? I'd love to go up against him now, get a little payback."

Biggs laughed. "You always kick ass, Max. You don't need to prove yourself to anyone."

Max's face broke out in a genuine smile. "You're good for my ego, Biggs. Thanks."

She looked at Biggs for a moment before continuing. "There's something else I need to tell you. I'm being sent out on a mission tomorrow morning."

Biggs' face fell. "How long will you be gone?" he asked, dejected at the thought of her leaving. He and Max were close friends and the prospect of being separated from her for any period of time made him unhappy.

"C'mon, Biggs! You didn't seriously think I'd leave my Second In Command behind did you?"

Max couldn't help but laugh at Biggs' expression. First confusion, then shock and finally as it dawned on him, his face had taken on a look of deep satisfaction, and his chest puffed out in pride.

"SIC? Sweet!" he said as he flashed her a huge grin. Then his face turned serious. "This is a lot of responsibility, Max."

"Tell me something I don't know," she muttered in reply.

They sat in silence as they considered their new status. It was somewhat surprising that two recaptured soldiers such as themselves had been promoted to positions of command. And it was even more surprising that they were being sent on a mission alone. Flight risks were usually kept under scrutiny. The situation confused them.

"You think it's a test? Of loyalty, I mean? 'Cuz we can't afford to screw this up, Max. I won't go back to Psy-Ops. I just won't." Biggs' tone was harsh and his face reflected a deadly determination. And she knew he meant it. He'd do anything.

Max and Biggs were seated across from the Director as she droned on about the mission. Max listened intently. She knew Biggs was right; they couldn't afford to screw up this mission. Psy-Ops aside, Max had begun to settle in back at Manticore, had even come to grudgingly acknowledge it at her home.

Renfro handed them each a dossier. Their target was a fellow X5 who'd escaped when the Seattle facility had been cauterized a little over a year before.

"Your target is X5-494. He has relocated to the city of Seattle . Intel has it that he is the leader of a compound called Terminal City and that there are close to 2000 transgenics, transhumans and anomalies living there. Your mission is to find and eliminate him. He is a threat to Project Manticore and all our soldiers. A threat to your future.

"You will find a physical description of your target in this dossier. Special skills, abilities and known weaknesses are documented as well. I have also included his last known address.

"In addition to 494, he keeps company with various other X5's. Should you manage to find any of them, you will attempt to bring them in. Contact me if you need back-up." She looked from Max to Biggs. "Are your mission parameters clear?"

"Ma'am, yes Ma'am!" they replied in unison.

"Very well. You leave at 0900. Agent Sandoval will provide you with the necessary weapons for this mission. See him on your way out. Dismissed." Renfro motioned for the door and Max and Biggs left the room.