Chapter 6.

"A great performance 863, truly moving, really, almost brought a tear to my eye. Although you know this wasn't really part of your job description." White was standing in the doorway. Alec looked at her confused.

"863, Max what's going on?"

"Oh look at him so confused and bewildered. Now should I tell him 863 or do you just want to show him. I think you should just show him maybe he'll understand pictures better then words." Her appearance began to change. Her hair went from almost black to golden blonde and her brown eyes to bright blue. She had completely changed back to what she should be. "Now there's the 863 we all know and love." White sarcastically noted.

"I'm sorry Alec I'm not her. I was never her. It was just a disguise I was wearing, nothing like this was meant to happen. I was just suppose to replace her, not to change anything just to be there."

"I can't believe it. What are you Manticore? Or one of them?" he motioned towards White.

"Let me answer that one. She's Manticore, her one only true form. Seems your scientists got bored with standard models, so they created her, a shapeshifter. The only one in fact."

"I was coming here to warn you I knew he would be here soon."

"So what we'd run away together and you'd pretend to be her forever. You lied, you put Max in danger and now you want me to forgive you or something. Not a chance."

"God this is so sweet you guys, but I've got places to go and people to kill. Sorry 863 deals off but I think you already knew that. I've got 3 birds here with one stone I think that's about as good as it gets. So, I'm really sorry 494 but you're not really much use to me and really just a pain in the ass. So say goodbye." He raised his gun and fired a shot at Alec. 863 quickly shifted into tiger form and leapt up to catch the bullet with her body. It hit her in the middle of her chest. She landed solidly and pounced for White he fired another shot into her body. She growled in pain but still ready to fight. White knew that he was no match for a tiger especially a genetically enhanced one. He exited the room, his hurried footsteps could be heard going down the staircase. The tiger collapsed on the floor and changed back to original form, she had been hit twice. She was still breathing but it was becoming more and more ragged. Alec went over to her. He could see that she was just hanging on.

"Alec you have to go Max and Logan are at an old abandoned factory near the pier." She reached into her pocket. "Here's the keys. Please hurry White probably has a pretty good idea of where they are."

"I can't just leave you here you saved my life."

"Max's motorbike is out the front the keys are there." She was holding her abdomen trying to stop the bleeding. "Hurry! Come back for me. It's just a flesh wound nothing really." The puddle of blood on the floor tended to disagree.

"I'll be back for you promise." He then left the apartment as 863 gave up and finally closed her eyes.
Alec pulled the motorbike up to the old abandoned factory. He turned the engine off and took out the keys. He heard Max yelling out as soon as he pulled the heavy metal door open. She was relieved to see that it was Alec who came through the door.

"Alec, you're here. Oh god you have no idea how happy I am to see you."

"You can tell me later." He said while opening the cage door. "Where's Logan?"

"Over in that room." She pointed to one of the doors opposite from the cage.

"Okay I'll get him, he's cars here so I'll get him out here. Max can you go to my apartment, 863 is there, she's wounded. Don't ask Max just go." Max went out the door as Alec went to get Logan.