Part 26 - Hidden Messages
A/N: A great big thank you to Natacup82, SGOU and HisVampira for input, suggestions and surrogate beta work!
MAX
Alec looked at me in puzzlement. "What the hell is what?"
I pointed at what looked like tattoos, resting directly over his heart, the black lines standing out in deep contrast on his golden skin. "This!"
He glanced down at his chest, staring intently at the markings. He raised his eyes and I saw them widen in confusion.
"I have no idea." Alec stared blankly ahead, lips pursed. "It's creepy."
"No shit, Sherlock." I traced my fingers over the outlines of the symbols. "What do you think they are?"
"No clue. But we're going to find out. Call ahead to Dix and tell him we're coming in. Tell him to set up a meeting with the division heads for tonight. I'm gonna go take a shower." Alec leapt out of bed and strode purposefully into the bathroom. I looked after him, frustrated. All I wanted to do was follow him, but I knew the mystery of these strange marks wouldn't solve itself.
I dialed the number for TC command. "Max?" Dix's voice carried over the line. He sounded worried. "Is something wrong?"
I hurried to reassure him. "Nothing's wrong, not exactly. Alec and I have to show you something important. We're gonna need you to do a little research. Oh, and can you set up a meeting for tonight? Division leaders and anyone else of importance."
"Sure thing, Max. I'll get right on it." Dix put his hand over the receiver and I heard muffled sounds coming from his end. "Max? Mel wants a word."
The phone switched hands. "Hey Mel," I said softly. "How's Ben doing?"
"Much better than anyone anticipated. Ben's recovering nicely, Max. He's asking for you." Mel's voice held a tinge of affection when she spoke my brother's name. I smiled at the thought of my brother and the petite, redheaded nurse.
"Tell him we'll be back soon. I have to go. Talk to you later." I hung up the phone and went in search of my clothes.
ALEC
I stepped under the hot spray and felt my muscles slowly relax. The past week had been hard on everyone. My god, only one week. It seemed like forever. So much had happened in such a short span of time that I was still reeling. Max leaving, Biggs following, killing White. Okay, so that was one of the highlights of the week. And then there were the issues with Ben.
And it had just been looking up! I thought of Max. I'd finally found the happiness I'd been looking for. Even when I closed my eyes I could remember the silkiness of her soft hair, her velvety skin, her lips warm and pliant beneath mine. Even the sweet sound of her mewling in my ears.
I smiled ruefully as I felt myself harden again, just thinking of her. All I wanted was to crawl back into bed, wrap my arms around Max and forget all the shit that life had thrown my way. Why did this have to happen now of all times?
Just what I needed. More crap to ruin my week. These weird ass symbols came out of nowhere. What am I, a human canvas? And where did they come from? How?
I hurriedly finished my shower. The sooner I showed Dix my new body-art, the sooner we'd have answers.
MAX
I had almost finished dressing and was pulling on one of Alec's tees (since he'd shredded mine), when he exited the steam-filled bathroom clad in a towel. My eyes flitted up to his chest and I saw that more markings had materialized in the short time he'd been gone. He caught my eye.
"There's more of them, Maxie. They keep coming. It's like etch-a-sketch, only I cant shake myself to make them disappear. It's freaking me out!" he ran a shaky hand through his wet hair, making it stand all spiky and unkempt.
I couldn't recall ever having seen Alec so distressed. Maybe it was because he felt safe enough to open up to me. And knowing he was comfortable enough to let me see his weaknesses made me feel content. I crossed the room and slipped my arms around his neck, pressing my face into his shoulder. He held me close.
"We'll figure this out, Alec." I pulled back slightly to look at him. His worry shone out from beneath heavy lidded eyes, the dark circles there reminding me of how exhausted he was. The past few days had taken a toll on all of us. The latest turn of events was just one more annoyance he didn't need.
I leaned in and kissed him lightly. Alec had other things in mind as he deepened the kiss, pulling me hard against his chest. I moaned into the kiss as he devoured my mouth, lips and tongues melding.
He pushed me back onto the bed. My blood began to boil again, like it did whenever he touched me. I knew that as much as I wanted this, now was not the time. I put my hands on his chest and rolled him off me. The disappointment in his eyes and the pouting, puppy-dog look tempted me but I held my resolve.
"Alec, we can't." He sighed in resignation, running a hand through his hair in a gesture I'd come to love, and got up from the bed. I continued. "You should get dressed. Dix is expecting us."
He nodded and bent to retrieve his pants. I watched his well toned and perfectly sculpted body as he pulled them on and reached for his t-shirt. Damn symbols. Not enough time with him. Would any amount of time ever be enough?
Wordlessly, he stretched out and took my hand in his. I followed silently after him, both of us deep in thought as we made out way downstairs and out of the building to our bikes.
BIGGS
Jake and I entered our apartment carrying bags of food. I'd promised Max I'd bring back enough for her and Alec. Jake went a little overboard with the ordering and the bags were overflowing. I chuckled, thinking that Max and Alec might well be hungry enough to eat it all if they'd gotten past the apologies and...Don't go there. Mental images unwelcome!
I turned to Jake. "Hey man, let me get my wallet. I owe ya for lunch."
"Biggs, I told you it was on me. Don't sweat it, buddy." he waved me off and started unloading the food.
"Thanks." I picked my bag off the floor and settled down on the couch. Opening it, I began unpacking the ammo Max and I had taken from the Familiars a few days back. With everything that had been going on, I hadn't had a chance to do that yet.
My hand closed around a wooden object. "What the hell?" I gasped, as I pulled it loose. Jake whirled in surprise, dropping a container of soup on the floor and letting out a sharp cry of pain.
"Goddammit! Fuck! That's hot!" he grabbed for a towel and began to wipe the soup that had splashed on his shirt and pants.
Jake covered in pea soup was a funny sight. I couldn't help myself; I laughed. "Sorry, Jake. Did I scare ya?"
He glared at me and muttered. "I hope that," he pointed at the object in my hands, "is important."
I narrowed my eyes as I looked at the cylindrical wooden piece in my hands. "I think it is." I looked up at Jake, my expression serious. "We stole this from the Familiars back in Olympia. They were using it in some weird cult ritual. It could be important; any knowledge of those damn loonies is important."
Jake rubbed his cheek absentmindedly as he regarded me thoughtfully. "Sounds like something we oughtta show the others."
I nodded. "My thoughts exactly. But we'll have to wait until Max and Alec get back."
Just then the door opened and Steve and Tanner walked in. "We're needed in Command in fifteen. Alec called a meeting," Tanner announced as he sat down heavily on the armchair.
"At this hour?" Jake asked, surprised.
Tanner shrugged. "Said it was an emergency." I looked at my watch. It was after 10. This is gonna be a late night.
Steve sauntered over and sat down next to me on the couch. He pointed at the wooden tube in my hand. "What's that?"
"This?" I said, waving the scroll, " I have no idea. But I have the feeling Dix might. And tonight's meeting will be the perfect time to show him." I looked around the room at my friends. "So, what are we waiting for?"
Meanwhile across town
Reagan Ronald, known outside the circle of the Cult as 'Normal', turned to his superior in confusion. "So the rumors were true. There really are mutant freaks that look like normal people, look human? I don't understand, Sir. Who are they and why were they made?"
Matt looked at him in annoyance. "As for the who - we have the identities of a few of them. We'll circulate their pictures at the end of the meeting."
Addressing the entire group he continued. "The transgenic scum were originally created by Manticore. They were meant to be the perfect weapon. Hybrid soldiers with abilities greater than our own. But I happen to know a hidden reason for their existence."
Matt faced the crowd and increased the level of his voice so it would carry to all corners of the room. "The transgenic army started in Petri dishes. Ames White's father was the scientist behind the abomination." There was a collective gasp and murmurs rippled throughout the chamber. Someone called out in question, "Albert Sandeman?"
Matt continued. "Yes. Years ago, Sandeman vowed to thwart 'The Coming'. He broke away from the Conclave and came up with a plan to ruin us.
"For years we have been taught that the Old Seers mapped out our destiny. We have scrolls thousands of years old which describe 'The Coming'; an event that will wipe out the weak and inferior human race. And this end will only come if we find and keep the ' Messenger' from revealing our secret to humankind.
"Ames and I recently came across a codex in Sandeman's safe. The book gives reference to a message that will somehow be presented in time, before 'The Coming'. We had James decipher it for us. James?"
A young man of indeterminable origin stepped forward and cleared his throat. "The symbols in the book were similar to those of our Minoan ancestors. It didn't take long to translate. In short, it says: ''The ' Messenger' shall bring word of great evil." It goes on to say that "The unblemished one, born of a union unsanctioned, shall expose thee." There are also hints to other passages but we don't have the texts. Finally the last of the symbols translate to mean, "Have faith, ye of the lower dominion, for salvation shall be yours."
Matt addressed the crowd once again. " Ames, and now I, have come to believe that Sandeman encoded this message into the DNA sequencing of two or more transgenics and then created an army to protect them. It is imperative that we wipe them out. Let no trace be left of them! Nothing must stop our ascension! Domination will be ours with 'The Coming'! We will prevail!"
The crowd cheered wildly. Meetings such as this were always rallied. The leader would work the crowd into a frenzy before leaving them with directives; it kept them keen. Matt took this opportunity to pass out pictures and sketches.
"These are known transgenics operating and living within Seattle. If you come across any of them you are to alert the Conclave immediately. Fe'nos Tol."
"Fe'nos Tol." echoed around him as he turned and left the room. A thoroughly shell-shocked group of Familiars were left to mull over his words.
Normal looked down at the picture that had been handed to him and gasped. "What the fire truck's this!"
TBC
Part Twenty-Seven
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