Thanks for the reviews;) They are much appreciated. Hope you like long chapters though, cause Itend to write them, kinda like whole 50 min episodes.
To answer your question, Zack will make an appearance; look out for him in a chapter "Adam's Garden"
As for MA, its gonna take some time, after all there's still lots of bits to tie up in the ML relationship. So right now they're just friends, better or worst depending on the day.
2. "The Good Old Days"
Standing alone under the shadow of the Fremont Bridge, the man know as Ames White watched dismally as the one he's been waiting for got out of the car and walked towards him.
"Fe'nos tol" He pronounced the customary greeting and the woman he addressed nodded slightly in reply. "You wanted to see me."
"I take it you've heard the news." She asked crisply.
"Yeah, a real shame too." White commented. "All of us were so keen to watch the fireworks fly over freak city only to get the show cancelled at the last moment. McKinley must be devastated."
"You have no idea. The Conclave has ordered all possible resources diverted to solving the transgenic problem."
"Won't be easy now that the Committee has taken charge again. Word in the agency is that the new director is quite determined, he won't be as manageable as the last one."
"That is why it was decided not to interfere, let them do what they want with the others, the only thing that matters is 452."
"She will be taken care of."
"So you've said before Ames." The woman who held the post of high priestess looked up at him coldly. "This time we must be sure."
"Tell them not to worry; I've got it under control." The woman shook her head apologetically.
"I'm afraid the elders don't share your optimism. You're being called back." His face paled.
"You can't be serious."
"I'm sorry Ames but we can't afford any more mistakes. Right now that girl's death is our top priority."
"Exactly why I can't leave." White exploded. "452 was my father's creation, the living reminder of his betrayal. I won't rest until she's dead and berried."
"Then you'll have to take your case in front of the Conclave," she replied forcefully "I'm sure they will understand. For now I suggest you take some time off."He ignored her.
"Who have they sent in my place?" He asked icily.
"Marius himself has volunteered; he will be arriving here shortly. I must see that all the arrangements are made. Fe'nos tol brother White. He made no answer and after a brief hesitation the woman walked away.
White watched her retreating figure and tried to keep his anger in check. It wasn't easy after such a blow to his pride but the familiar had a will to him that few could match, a quality that had gained him both respect and many enemies among his kind. He'd have his revenge no matter what it took. 452 would suffer for all the embarrassment she caused him and for taking away the one person in the world he still loved.
"Huh."
"Does that mean you found something new?" Max asked hesitantly, trying to get another look at the dark signs that now covered her stomach. Across the computer screen Logan looked up from the papers he'd been studying and sighed.
"Nope. The words just keep repeating, disaster, death, the key that's supposed to save everyone."
"Great now I'm a key."
"This is how it ends: the day draws near, a fire in the sky, a white rain; you will find it where life flows." Max made a face.
"Where life flows…? That's real helpful."
"It should become clear as soon as I get this last translation." He replied, shuffling the papers away.
"Meanwhile, what am I supposed to do?" Logan smiled.
"How about taking it easy for a while." The X5 shook her head.
"In here? Not likely."
"Then take the evening off, I'll make dinner. It'll be like the good old days." Her eyes lit up for a moment at that, but she couldn't ignore reality so quickly.
"I'd love to, really, but what if something happens when I'm not here?"He sighed.
"C'mon Max, one evening, just a couple of hours with just the two of us. Ask someone to stand in for you." She thought about it and came up with only one option.
"Guess I could ask Alec."
"I'll see you at eight then." They said their goodbyes and Max leaned back on her chair, staring wistfully up at the grated ceiling. Suddenly the usual hum of voices on the lower level of central command erupted in a loud cheer. Alarmed, the X5 got up and peered over the railing but all she could see was a tight circle of transgenics yelling excitedly, while two figures rolled and tumbled in the center. One of them looked predictably like Alec.
"What the hell's going on?" Max demanded as she came down and found Mole leaning against the side of the wall.
"Just a little sparring match, princess." He replied without concern. "Care to make a wager?" Max glared but didn't answer, instead focusing her attention on the fight. Just as she thought, the first figure was Alec; he had his shirt off and was circling his opponent, hazel eyes burning with a challenge. The other man was Leo, the larger, dark-skinned X5 that was always on her case.
"Go get'em pretty-boy." The lizard man called out as the two drew together again. Leo, being stronger, won the struggle but his punch went wide and Alec blocked it, jumping back with feline grace. They were moving fast, every step and well placed hit backed up by years of intense training. Max found herself mesmerized by the intricate dance. Finally, the larger X5 managed to catch his opponent off guard and a powerful kick to the chest sent him flying to the ground.
"Looks like you've been slacking off bro." Leo exclaimed with a self-satisfied grin, standing over the fallen X5. Alec was breathing hard but the glint in his eyes told that he was far from tired. Springing up suddenly he lashed out, hitting his opponent firmly across the knees and bringing him down before the other could retaliate. The younger part of the audience, the 6's and 8's, began to clap admiringly.
"You were saying?" Alec asked, crossing his arms and cocking his head to one side. To the surprise of many who knew Leo's uncertain temper the dark-skinned X5 grinned.
"Not bad. How about another go?" Alec reached out his arm to help him stand.
"Maybe later." He replied, grabbing his shirt and a towel off the rail and turning to the crowd. "Ok folks, show's over, there's some work to be done." He announced and as they began to disperse he finally spotted Max coming towards him.
"Hey Max. How is the rune thing going? Did they pop up in any more interesting places?" The brunette flashed him a look and ignored the comment.
"Let me guess you two were bored and had nothing better to do than to pound at each-other in public?" She inquired vehemently as Leo came up to join them. Even among transgenics 462 was an eye catcher, with his immense height and pro wrestler's physique, his bold confidence and those piercingblue eyes against chocolate colored skin. He had a reputation for being popular with women but Max could see nothing of it. To her he was just a big arrogant pain in the ass and as she knew how much he hated losing his leadership position to her, a female and an '09 ner', it made being civil to him all the harder.
"So what, are you here to bust us for disrupting your little private time?" He asked with disdain, adjusting the hem on his slick leather jacket. Max felt like ripping it off and shoving it up his arrogant mouth.
"C'mon Maxie, we had to blow off some steam, that's all." Alec intruded, steering her off the path of aggression. "Besides, if we're gonna have to go on missions again, some extra training wouldn't be a bad idea." She didn't like being reminded of that but had to admit he was right. Alec saw her mellow. "Maybe you wanna give it a shot sometime. I bet I could teach you a thing or two." This time she grinned at his familiar antics.
"In your dreams pretty-boy, or have you forgotten the last time I kicked your sorry ass?" Leo raised his eyebrows in disbelief. To him Max was a bitch and a control freak while Alec, though by no means equal to himself, was at least a true soldier and worthy of respect.
"I wouldn't exactly call a kick in the groin a decisive victory."
"Whatever, you're the one who fell for the old topless-bell-girl trick." She shrugged. "Anyway, I'm gonna leave for a couple of hours, go see Logan. Can you look after the place?"
"No problem." He replied flippantly but knowing his mischief-loving ways all too well Max nailed him with a sharp look.
"You sure? Cause I don't want any trouble."
"Relax will you. Go have some fun, or at least as much fun as you and Logan are capable of having." That earned him a punch in the arm.
"If there are any problems, call me right away."
"Whatever you say mom." Instead of hitting him again she just rolled her eyes and left.
In a few moments Max was speeding away from Terminal City, her thoughts already on the evening ahead as she made her way towards OC's new residence before going over to Logan's. The house was a step-down from their old place but at least here her best friend was safe from White and his goons who by now would have surely found out where she lived. Max climbed the stairs and rang the bell, eager to see her Nubian princess again after all this time. Original Cindy's smile when she opened the door was all that was needed to make her troubles go away for the moment.
"So when does the party start?" Alec looked up from the supply list in his hand to find Mole perched against the table, the ever-present cigar sticking from the side of his mouth.
"I didn't know there was one." He replied innocently.
"Right, Miss Ironfist's gone, she left you in charge and you telling me nothing's happening."
"Well not nothing but let's make it a bit more subtle, something Max is less likely to find out about." The lizard man grinned.
"First drink's on you at Bo's." at that moment they saw Leo strolling towards them with a dark look on his face.
"Sorry to interrupt the festiveties but Dix just got a call; looks like that fed man's finally got a job for us."
"Not only is that human lording over us but he's got terrible timing." The lizard man grumbled. Alec couldn't agree more. He felt conflicted, should he let Max know like he promised or handle it on his own. Then he remembered how happy she looked to get away, to finally get the chance to spend some time with the people she loved. After everything that happened Max deserved these few hours of peace.
"Alright let's go see what he wants." He said finally. Mole looked up, surprised, but made no comment as the two climbed the stairs to the platform. Dix nodded at them and motioned towards the monitor where Bartley was already waiting.
"So what's the mission?" Alec demanded curtly.
"How's everything then, all I had to go on was the news and that half-witted article Sketchy wrote." Max made a face remmebering that particular well intended but completly exagerated peice of writing.
"Remind me to kick his ass for that by the way." She commented, looking up at her best friend and feeling as if the event's of the past month happened to someone else.
"Sugar you had me worried sick, not hearing from you like that." Original Cindy chided.
"I know I'm sorry, I would have come much sooner but there was just so much stuff to deal with."
"Apology accepted. So what's this about working for the government?" Max xhrugged.
"Short-hand version? They are paying us to do their dirty work for them while telling the public that we're back in the obedient little soldiers club."
"Well at least you're getting money out of it."
"Only if we survive whatever crazy missions they send us on." She didn't even want to think about that.
"The others, they taking it ok?"
"Better than I thought. With all the effort being put into it, Terminal City might actually become a descent looking place soon. Joshua has already started dolling up the headquarters and as soon as we get the water-pipe going I'll finally be able to take a hot bath."
"So it's not all bad?" OC enquired with a slow smile.
"Guess not."
"Good so what do ya say you forget about worrying for a while and let Original Cindy fix you up nice and fine before you go see your man?" the X5 broke out into a grin.
"Best proposition I heard in weeks."
Alec walked to the gate telling himself that this was for the best of everyone. After all if Max was here all she would do is worry and probably wind up doing something impulsive that would get them all into trouble. Sure she was a good leader and a good fighter, but Alec knew from experience that to make a good CO you needed something more. Besides this was a sabotage mission, simple, straightforward, at least from Bartley's brief instructions.
"Everything ready?" He asked Leo as he joined him by the outer fence.
"Yeah, now all we need is a ride." He motioned towards the two X5's standing silently behind him. "This is Riley and Dice, both from my unit." Both nodded simultaneously and Alec returned the gesture. Obviously these two were some of Manticore's more 'successful' students. He turned at the sound of a vehicle approaching. A sleek black van, the kind one use to see in spy shows, pulled up right next to them and the doors slid apart noiselessly. Greeting them were two grim looking operatives, both human, who motioned them inside without a word. Leo came in first and let out a low whistle.
"So this is what the public's taxes go into now a day's." The inside of the car was similar to what he used to see in Manticore but way more advanced, the computer screens flashing to life as they entered.
"They send us risking our necks, might as well do it in style." Alec responded, unfazed.
"I'm glad you find the transportation to your liking."Said a voice at their left, the speaker appearing from behind a panel that previously hid him from view. He was a young man, maybe 18 years old, tall and lanky with wavy brown hair and clever blue eyes that presently regarded them with interest.
"Who are you?" Leo asked, not too happy with the development. The boy made a stance.
"X6-821 at you service." He pronounced with all the appearance of a good soldier. Then his face was transformed by a cheeky grin. "Now, shall we get this over with?"
Max took a second to fix her hair and put on her leather gloves before knocking quietly on the door. She knew it wasn't quite a date, that they still had to be careful but right now none of that mattered as much as being with him again. The last time, when he left TC she thought she was saying goodbye for good, now it felt like coming home. She smiled as Logan opened the door.
"Hey Max." He seemed nervous.
"Sorry I'm a bit late, I stopped by to see OC and we lost track of time."
"It's ok but I'm afraid the dinner's not gonna happen."
"What did you manage to burn it all?" She asked jokingly but then saw the guilty look on his face.
"No but something has come up." He stepped aside and as Max walked in the house she spotted a familiar figure seated with her back to them in one of the chairs..
"Asha?" The X5 called out, both surprised and annoyed.
"Hey Max." The blonde turned to face her, looking just as guilty, her eyes red from crying. Max looked at Logan. "What the hell is going on?"
"Remember that case I told you about? Margaret Curran?"
"A mayoral candidate that disappeared a bunch of years ago. You said she was dead."
"We have reason to believe she's not, that she's being held somewhere in the city."
"Great so what does this have to do with anything and why does it have to be now?"
"I'm sorry, this is my fault. Margaret Curran is my mother." Asha said quietly, feeling even more sorry under the angry look of the X5's dark eyes. Logan sighed.
"We've been looking for her for years and finally tonight we got a tip to where she might be. Max I didn't mean for it to happen this way but I'm gonna need your help." He said gently, knowing that it was a lot to ask. Max took a deep breath, resisting the urge to tell them both to go to hell.
'Yeah, just like the good old days.' She thought crossly.
"So what do you make of this?" Alec asked, as they watched the dimly lit compound from a distance. The dark-skinned X5 shrugged.
"Looks easy enough, get in, lay the charges, avoid getting shot."
"I meant the kid, this whole setup. I figured they only needed us cause they had no super soldiers of their own."
"Or they just don't have enough to risk losing them." Alec didn't look convinced. At that moment Dice came back, motioning silently towards their target. "The guards are changing shifts, we have two minutes." They blurred then, breaching the fence and crossing the space towards the building in a matter of seconds. Now all they needed was to get inside unnoticed.
"Alarm system disabled, proceed." The X6's voice cracked in their ears. Leo pulled the handle of the side door and watched it open without a hitch.
"Presto."
They've been walking for an hour now and Max was really at the end of her tolerance level.
"Can you see anything?" Logan asked from behind her.
"Yeah, a dark, smelly sewer."
"It must be here, I've checked all the coordinates."
"Trust me there's no secret entrance to an underground city here so can I go home now?"
"Max..."
"All I wanted was a nice romantic evening with my boyfriend."
"We'll have that, I promise but these people will die unless we find them." Max sighed, wondering if it was possible to love and hate a man for the same reason.
"Fine, I'll check up ahead."
The chemical plant was enormous and heavily guarded; fortunately they just had to get to the power generator just below them. Alec made a few motions, leaving Riley to guard the entrance and telling Dice to watch their back. Then him and Leo proceeded downstairs. "Generator room" They nodded at each-other and kicked the door with full force. No alarm. Yet the guards that stood on the other side were taken by surprise and were disposed of quickly and silently.
"Proceed to your right" Was the next direction. They went slowly, keeping in the shadows , until Leo stopped abruptly and pointed up ahead. They've reached the target but found the area around it quite busy, at least a dozen or so armed man.
"No use keeping it quiet now." Leo commented so that only his companion would hear, then they both blurred forward. The men began to fire frantically but their number was steadily decreasing as the two shadows moved between them with deadly proficiency. In a matter of minutes the space around them fell silent but it didn't stay like that for long. Thanks to the gunfire every guard in the area was alerted to their presence.
"Lay the charges and get out." Came the command of their guide. Alec took out the explosives, tapping them to the surface of the generator in four places. The red numbers began a countdown from three minutes. They moved back the way they had come but the hallways were already ringing with the sound of people.
"We're cut off." The earpiece cracked.
"Go up to your left, there is an air vent there that leads up to the surface."
"Where are the others?"
"326 has already checked in."
"What about Dice?"
"You have two and a half minutes, 462, abort now!"
"C'mon, there's nothing we can do." Alec urged. He pushed the other in front of him as they made for the escape route, the adrenaline boosting their strength and speed in a battle for survival. The explosion ripped just as they climbed out of a ground hole a half mile or so from the building. Leo watched as the night sky glowed with yellow and red flames.
"It's like we never left." He said, thinking of a unit mate he won't ever see again. All Alec could offer was silent sympathy.
Max strolled into the control room feeling the funny looks everyone was giving her. "I can't look that bad, can I? She thought. Then again, two and a half hours in a dirty sewer would be enough to ruin anyone's appearance. All she wanted now was a shower and a few hour's sleep.
"Where's Alec?" She asked wearily, finding Mole in his usual place by the weapon's store.
" Around."
"Around where?" She repeated, not in the mood for this. The lizard-man wrinkled his nose and gave her a sour look.
"Date didn't turn out huh?" He asked, but the X5 didn't let it slip.
"Where Mole?" Her voice rang out impatiently this time.
"Relax. Pretty boy and candy man are out gunning us some cash. Should be back at any moment." Max stared at him, the words sinking in. At that moment the side door opened and she saw the target of her sudden anger. Leo walked out without saying a word to anyone, leaving Alec to defend against the onslaught. He put away the money case the X6 gave them as payment for a 'successful' mission and turned to face her.
"I told you to call me." Max said through clenched teeth as soon as they were within hearing distance. Alec shrugged, deciding honesty was the only way out of this.
"There' was no time, and it wouldn't have made a difference." Didn't work too well.
"The difference is that you went behind my back." She seethed and it was making him mad too, no way he was going to be apologizing this time.
"For your own sake, you wanted these few hours, remember? I didn't wanna ruin it s'all?" To his surprise instead of an angry comeback her reaction was an ironic smile.
'There're wasn't much to ruin anyway." She replied, anger suddenly replaced by tiredness again. Alec looked at her carefully but decided now wasn't a good time to ask for details.
"I better go see how Leo's doing, a friend of his died tonight." He said instead. Max felt her heart skip a beat.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly, then shook her head, "I shouldn't have asked them to stay, maybe none of this would have happened."
"You couldn't have known, besides, we're safer here than out there."
"I'm not sure anymore."
On a dimply lit street in Sector 3, a young woman walked at abrisk pace, occasionally glancing around apprehensively, knowing that they were still out there,following her, waiting for a chance to take her back. There was only one place she could hide from them.
"Hey there pretty." Two sector cops, slightly drunk regarded her with unrestrained interest "It's dangerous out here for a young thing like you," one slurred, "How about Phil and me keep you company?"
She watched them coming towards her and her steel-grey eyes hardened.
Hope's not too long for ya. Let me know what you think. :)