Chapter 12
Melbay Pharmaceuticals, Seattle
Beverly worked tirelessly with the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service Agents, trying to come up with a vaccine. She had to cart blood samples up three flights of stairs because of another brown out. It was just their luck. They had a portable generator running in the lab but power was limited. They had to switch machines on one at a time and kept lighting to a minimum. Lexie was working on a cure for all people already infected, using a sample of Max's blood and getting it to react with infected samples to extract the reactive antibody. They also had volunteers working around the clock bagging transgenic blood and extracting the globulin from the plasma to be given to sick patients.
Lexie had one of the EIS agents working with her on creating a synthetic antibody from Max's blood. Out of all the blood samples taken from trangenics, it was the most effective in combating the virus, but they were still at least an hour away from running a trial. An antigen was proving difficult because they couldn't isolate the specific gene that caused the virus to multiply.
"How far away is that snake?" Adrian Steen asked impatiently.
"The Seattle Metro Zoo only has one python and they're fighting us on surrendering it," Beverly explained.
Lexie pulled a face. "Don't they understand what's happening here? It's a snake, can't we just break in and steal it."
Adrian chuckled. "I like how this woman thinks." He shook his head and replaced the dropper he held into the bottle by the microscope. "By the time we get the governor to sign an order requisitioning it, another ten people would have died. And that's just in Seattle."
One of the EIS Agent's closed his phone and crossed to Beverly. "New information from Washington. It's being spread by air delivery, Odezz products. I've got samples of air freshener, tear gas grenades and pepper spray on the way."
"Why now though? These products would have been on the shelves and in use for months. What some kind of delay mechanism, a sub-chamber?" Beverly said in puzzlement.
"It could be genetically altered with a specific time response, we won't know till we can test the samples. If we can match the samples to the infected blood, we can nail these bastards. That's hard evidence," Adrian reasoned.
"Guess that means the snake lives," Lexie said with a half smirk.
"Mr Python just found himself a life line, although, I'd still like to draw blood for micro-study later. It'd be interesting to figure out the source of how they cooked this nasty bug up, it's nothing I've ever come across before."
Max sat quietly in an office across the room. It didn't offer much in the way of privacy considering every wall was a plate glass window, but at least it was quiet and out of the way. She'd already pumped out about 1 pint of breast milk, and it was well on the way to the nearest maternity ward. Losing that fluid, along with the good quart she'd given in blood, she was starting to feel dehydrated. Water just didn't seem to cut it. She was so tired and drained, that she practically jumped out of her skin when a phone rang.
Her skin began to crawl the second the familiarly of that sound dawned on her. A sickening feeling curdled in her stomach and her throat tightened. It had been in the back of her mind the past hour, and the second hour Logan had bought them when Laura hadn't answered them, but now time had run out.
With trembling fingers, she answered the cellular phone. "I'm here."
"Max, he's calling again. We'll run a trace as soon as I patch through the line."
Max could hear the anxiety in his voice. She knew he wanted to say sorry and tell her that it'd all be okay but both would sound hollow right now. Her hands trembled and she struggled to keep her voice even as she answered him. "You did everything you could, Logan."
"It doesn't make me feel any better. I'm sorry, Max. Patching now."
A tear slipped down her cheek as she heard a crackle on the line. The babies were finally asleep, but as she reached out to them it was as though they could feel her distress and they whimpered in their sleep. She wheeled her chair as close to the table as she could and she buried her head between them, hugging them both. "You're a bastard," she cried bitterly.
"I don't think that was ever in dispute," White said dryly. "You're out of time. I think you know what I want."
"Go to hell," Max seethed, tears coursing down her face in rivers.
White swore on the other end of the line. "You'll wish you'd never laid eyes on my son. It's not over 452. Oh wait, for your kids – it is."
The explosion sent her, the table and the babies crashing through the glass. The phone fell from her hand and skidded across the tile floor. The last thing Max thought before she lost consciousness was that she had managed to cover them, the second she'd felt the burning heat and searing pain in her back.
A dark candle lit roomLexie's face came swimming into focus and Max groaned, immediately feeling her back. It was as thought she'd been stabbed a hundred times over. She was lying on her stomach and her face was turned to the side. She choked with tears of relief when she saw her kids. Despite a few little grazes, they were okay.
"You and the capsules took the brunt of it. Despite the heck of a shock, they were mostly fine. I don't know about my ears though," Lexie joked softly. The explosion had been sudden and loud but that was nothing compared to the dual vocals of two very distraught transgenic babies.
"That was no micro-explosive."
"No it wasn't," Lexie said. "He wasn't sadistic enough to do it after all. It was in the baby bag. There's not a lot left of it. Biggs' is going over it. He says it was probably a new type of high-grade explosive, harder to detect. Joshua couldn't sniff it out. They're searching for the trigger. And they got a lock on White."
"I'll kill him," Max said vehemently, trying to get out of bed.
Lexie forced her down gently. "You're not going anywhere. Let the guys handle it, Max. You're in no shape to move."
Adrian poked his head in the door. "Can I come in?"
"Only if you're bringing good news," Lexie warned.
Stepping through the door, Adrian crossed his heart. "Promise. We got the results back from the first trial. The synthetic antibody is working. Two people have already come out of a coma, and one person who was on a respirator is breathing normally and can sit up."
"That's great. I guess we better get cracking on mass production then."
"Yeah," Adrian said breaking out in a grin. "But I just wanted to say thank you, Max. Without you, this wouldn't have been possible. You have my personal thanks, and I'm sure once it comes out, others will feel the same. If you ever need anything – a lab, tests, money, you name it…"
Max remembered CJ and what he said to her before saving her life. "You're it man. You're my only chance." He'd tasered his own brother and broken her out because he'd believed in Sandeman's prophecy. He'd taken a bullet for her to make sure she escaped. Now he was out there, somewhere counting on her to repay the favor. "Actually, you can something for me. I have a friend. He was admitted to a psych facility here in Seattle. I need to find out where. He saved my life. I have a feeling I might need to return the favor right about now."
"He's not a transgenic?" Adrian queried.
"No and he's not immune, so his probably running out of time…"
"I'll see what I can do Max, but I can't make any promises."
"I know, thanks Adrian."
Transgenic Holding Location, Washington
Alec was with Harry in processing, working with the FBI in getting the transgenics released. The information they provided the government on McKinley and his co-conspirators was more than enough to clear the transgenics. But they also had ulterior motives for trying to get into the transgenics good graces.
They'd learned from the CDC that the transgenics were producing antibodies and fighting off the virus. In Seattle they already had X-series donating blood to help stabilize the onslaught of infected patients.
It had been over five hours since he'd talked to Max and he was already feeling the ache. Walking away from her in the Command Center was the hardest thing he had, had to do in a long time. She'd constantly been in his thoughts. How was she? How were the twins?
He picked up his cell phone and called Biggs. "I think we're done here. First ride I can get, we're headed back."
"You might want to put that on hold, just till we settle the score for good," Biggs said hesitantly.
Alec tensed. Just the tone of his friend's voice set him on edge. "Spill it, Biggs."
"White tried to get a location out of Max. He used the kids as leverage. We couldn't deliver, so he made good on his threat."
The room swayed and Alec sank into the nearest chair feeling a chill all over. "Max is…"
"They're okay, and we have his location. Alec, he's in Washington."
As soon as he got the co-ordinates out of Biggs, Alec snapped the phone shut. He heard Biggs trying to explain something further but he didn't have time to listen. His blood boiled in his veins and his fingers cracked at his sides. The phone buzzed in his pocket and he ignored it, along with Harry's curious glance as he strode out the heavy double doors.
CeCe had to sprint to catch up with him. She'd been talking with the X5 who'd taken charge of the transgenics in holding, and noticed Alec leaving. "Hey, what's up?"
"I've got to take care of something," Alec said bluntly. CeCe paused in her stride at his tone and Alec didn't wait for her. He climbed into the nearest car and hotwired the engine. Throwing it into reverse, he sped out of the parking lot. Only glancing in the rearview mirror once to catch the bewildered look on CeCe's face.
Newark docks
It took him fifteen minutes to reach the docks. He'd broken every road rule in the book and lucky for him, the streets were mostly deserted or he'd probably be trying to shake a police chase.
Alec parked the car outside the main gates, and after easily slipping by security, he jogged the rest of the way to the location White had called Max from. Reaching the warehouse, he didn't expect White to be there. He'd probably already left, but he'd chosen the docks for a reason. He'd probably bought a ride out of the country on one of the cargo ships. He scouted around the warehouse quietly and stealthily, listening and looking out for anything that would give him a clue as to where White was now.
Two men rounded a corner and Alec slipped behind the nearest shipping container. As they walked by he listened to their conversation.
"I don't like it, he seems shady to me."
"A guy offers you a grand to stow till the next port, doesn't ask for any privileges, bunking, food or water – it's easy money."
"Don't you think it's strange he's bailing just when the biggest outbreak to hit our country in years is unleashed."
"Maybe he's just like everyone else, wants to get away before he gets sick…"
It sounded like White. Couldn't be a coincidence that there was someone else that fit the description trying to skip out in the same place White had just been. His fingers ached to curl around that man's neck, and he practically had to plaster himself against the container wall forcing his body not to react on impulse and throttle the men into telling him where White was. He waited for them to move on and followed them quietly in the shadows. They started up a ramp to the deck of one of the nearby ships, and Alec waited before they disappeared from view before sneaking on board.
"Wondered how long it would be before one of you showed up. Didn't think it'd be so soon though," White said with a smirking curl of his lips.
Alec felt every muscle in his body go rigid at the sound of his voice. He hadn't even noticed White come up behind him. He turned, immediately taking a defensive stance. Taking sidesteps to a more open deck area.
White followed casually, his wood trench coat brushing, his pant legs as he walked. With both hands in his pockets, he was a picture of indifference to the transgenic surveying him with unconcealed fury.
His knuckles cracked as his fists tightened, and Alec felt his jaw tense. His blood thumped loudly in his ears and he followed White's every movement. "I warned you to stay away from my family."
"Sorry." White shrugged. "You should have told 452 to stay out of mine."
Alec attacked. He flew at White, two swings connecting with the left and right side of his face before White could fend of his assault. After that every kick and punch was blocked, and they danced with White not attacking back few minutes before a cruel laugh broke his cold demeanor.
"Now let's really play." White countered Alec's lunge to his face, by grabbing his wrist and head butting him.
Alec recoiled when White released his grip, and he had to shake the spots out of his vision. The man had packed a load of force and his head felt like a sledgehammer. He swayed a step as he tried to regain his balance. He noticed that White was smirking at him and was advancing without a trace of uncertainty in his step.
White spun and kicked Alec in the gut, he moved quickly while the transgenic was slightly dazed, and sent him crashing through a stack of crates on the far end of the deck.
Alec felt the pain in his back but shook it off. He quickly scrambled out of the splintered timber and took his stance again. This time when White attacked, he was ready with a counter. White kicked at his chin, and Alec grabbed his ankle and swept White off his feet.
Laughing, White jumped back up, the fall not even causing him to flinch. Not wanting to waste the opportunity, Alec charged him and drove him into the side of the cabin wall. Pinning him there he drove his knee into his groin, and battered his ribs with a series of blur speed punches.
White grunted back the pain and broke Alec's nose with a head butt. Managing to send the transgenic back a step, he used the space to drive his shoulder into Alec's chest and sent him reeling backward. Advancing the second he was free to move, White grabbed Alec's arm and twisted it behind his back. Then with heavy force, he brought his foot down on the back of Alec's knee. It burst out of joint with a sickening pop.
Alec blinked against the burst of white light that blurred his vision. Pain shot up his leg and he bit his lip to keep the curse on his tongue from slipping out. White let him do and he felt forward. He braced his fall, but felt his injured leg fold under him in an awkward position. The surrounding muscle screamed in protest, but Alec kept silent.
White took a step back, surveying the damage he'd inflicted. Alec's leg was bent from the knee down on an unnatural angle. Blood streamed from his nose and sweat soaked his brow. He was in pain, he could see it in his eyes. "The difference between you and me," White stated bluntly. "You'll always be weak." He reached inside his coat, and pulled out a gun from the small of his back. Pointing it down at Alec, he smiled in satisfaction. "Game over, 494."
There was a whooshing sound, and a cracking noise. Alec watched in stunned disbelief as White crumpled to the ground. A neat hole marked the center of his forehead and already his eyes began to cloud over as his body used the last of the oxygen in his blood.
Alec tried to stand as he heard boots behind him and shouted commands.
"Secure the area. Find the shooter."
CeCe dropped down next to him and gripped his arm. "Think you can manage standing?"
"How'd you find us?" Alec said as he stood, using CeCe's offered support.
CeCe rolled her eyes. "After you cut him off, Biggs tried me. You should have waited Alec. The guys had it under control. The FBI and NSA want White more than we do. He's got a lot to answer for." She looked at the lifeless body of their once most aggressive enemy. "Some might think he got the easy way out, but I don't envy where he's headed."
Alec grimace and wiped his nose. "Where's that?"
"Where all the dead bad guys go – to hell," CeCe said with a nudge.
Alec tried to grin but he turned into a scowl as his nerves reminded him of how injured he was. "Right."
A man in dark combat gear jogged over to them, carrying a fat case. "Tony Marks, field medic. Let's get you checked out."
CeCe helped Alec sit down on a box, and had to hold him steady when he swayed. "Soon as we get you cleaned up, we're flying back."
"Thanks CeCe," Alec said softly.
CeCe grinned broadly. "No problem."
Melbay Pharmaceuticals, Seattle, a few hours later
Her back still felt stiff and touché but she couldn't stand lying on her stomach any longer. She sat up and stuffed two pillows behind her, and lent back gingerly. By the bed, Jesse started smacking his lips and Max groaned aloud. "With the amount you eat, you'll be ten pounds by the end of the week." They'd been born premature and were now only a few days old but they had rosy cheeks, and were building a healthy amount of body fat. After she'd sent the last batch of bagged milk to the hospital, she'd feed the babies breast milk instead of formula. It had been an awkward experience at first, but the no mess, no fuss feed had been bliss. Both of them had fed till she felt empty and went straight to sleep. Having an easy release valve with no effort aside from holding them was amazing. After the continuous manual pumping every half an hour, her boobs had become engorged to the point of bursting.
Max reached over and pulledJesse up out of his makeshift bed. Lexie had found an instrument cart, and padded it up for the babies to sleep on. The handles on either side served as bumper guards and properly swaddled, they slept peacefully side by side.
The lab uniform, Adrian had loaned her was about two sizes too big, but it came in handy when she was feeding. She could hide the baby under the tent of a jumper and nurse discreetly. With Jesse happy, she curled back against the pillows and let her eyes drift closed. Letting go, she realized just how tired she was. For hours since the attack on Terminal City, finding out about the outbreak, worrying about White, she hadn't shut down and taken a breather for one minute. The explosion had forced her into unconsciousness but she hadn't felt any relief from that. If anything she felt more drained. She was felt so relaxed that the faint creak of the door, barely registered on her radar.
Alec tried to sneak inside the room as quietly as possible. Lexie had been adamant no to wake Max if she was sleeping.
"She might as well have taken the Conclave down solo with the state she's in. She needs sleep and loads of it."
He spotted the small bed beside Max and immediately tensed when he noticed only one child on it. About a dozen thoughts raced through his mind, all of them devastating before he saw a bump moved under Max's shirt. A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, and a strange feeling crept over him. He put his crutches to one side, and hobbled over to the bed.
Max sensed him the minute he drew closed and opened her eyes, blushing profusely. Under his intense gaze, she felt more than naked and even though it struck her as a stupid feeling, she couldn't help it.
Feeling her embarrassment, Alec squeezed her hand and kissed her softly. "I guess I have competition now," he joked, hoping to ease her mind.
Max blushed further, but relaxed slightly. What her and the babies shared seemed intensely private, but with Alec – he'd managed to diffuse her tension with a sexy comment. "You might have seen everything already, but it feels really weird having an audience."
"You want me to go?" Alec asked. He wouldn't press her on it, he understood how awkward it must be for her. Heck, he hadn't even pictured her like this, it was too maternal.
Max shook her head. "Just don't stare."
Alec chuckled and pulled up a chair. He shrugged and gave her a wicked grin. "I'll do my best."
Max hit him on the shoulder and Alec winced. She immediately rubbed it in silent apology. "What happened to you?"
Alec tested his shoulder, rolling it slightly. "It's nothing."
In the low light, she hadn't noticed before but now that he was closer, she saw a cut near his eye, swelling around his jaw, and there was also a little white bandage across the bridge of his nose. "You went after him didn't you," Max challenged, her eyes narrowing.
Alec sighed, he'd been kidding himself thinking he could keep it from her. "Yeah."
"Well," Max demanded impatiently.
"He's dead."
Max fell silent. Hearing his threats, and following the explosion she couldn't deny that she'd had the strongest desire to kick the stuffing out of White but if had come down to it, she wasn't sure if she could actually kill him.
"We fought and he took a bullet to the head. It might have been the Conclave, or someone else. Maybe we'll never know, but I can't say that I wouldn't have done it myself if things had gone down differently."
Max nodded and took his hand in hers. "I know. I'm just glad you came back."
Alec raised an eyebrow and inclined his head regarding her. "You had doubts?"
Max's eyes glistened. "Five months is a long time, Alec. I only just got you back and then…"
Alec leaned forward and touched his forehead to hers. He took her free hands in both of his and pulled it to his chest. "I promised I'd come back, Max. From now, we face everything together. The good and the bad." His kissed her grazed fingertips gently and looked into her eyes. "You've got me, whether you want me or not."
A Washington D.C. Press Conference, two days later
Veronica stepped up to the podium, grateful to be wearing a pants suit so no one would know that underneath her knees were shaking. Flashes exploded in her vision as she paused in front of the microphone. Perhaps it was a good thing, because they blinded her to the sea of faces and cameras zeroed on her every move.
"My name is Veronica Walter. I work of the Central Intelligence Agency, and four years ago when I uncovered a cover government project termed, Project Manticore, I was told forget what I'd learned and to drop the matter by my superiors. This project created genetically engineered soldiers. You might picture ruthless, bloodied, soulless creatures, built for war but your perception will be wrong. I couldn't let this information slide, and I couldn't ignore the things I learned. These people you call transgenics started out just like you and me. They were born. Someone carried them for nine months, cared for them and brought them into the world. And a few of them even fell in love with their unborn children, an attachment that cost them their lives. My sister was one of those mothers.
"You call them trangenics, sub- human and but they have feelings, pain, fear, doubt, love. They have families just like you and me. And when the project was deserted two years ago, instead of taking responsibility for their actions, the government decided to try and cover up their existence. When that got out of hand, they decided to terminate them.
"After what was done to them, the transgenics could have deserted us when we need their help. IF it weren't for their unique genetics, many of us wouldn't have survived the biological plague that swept our country. Are you going to believe the propaganda you've heard, that's been fed to you by known conspirators and traitors, or are you going to open your eyes, and your hearts and see their humanity? I owe them my life, and so do you. And it's time the government claimed responsibility for their actions and give the people, created by Project Manticore the respect, recognition and human rights they deserve."
When she concluded her speech, the room was deathly silent. Every eye was fixed on her in wordless bewilderment. The pink and white spots had finally cleared from her vision and she felt the electric buzz of the entire forum. Part of her wondered at that moment if she was going to be shouted off the podium. Another part know that her badge and gun were going to be stripped the second she was behind closed doors. Perhaps worse, she'd just spilled a whole lot about a government black hole project and covert spending. Someone in the crowded started clapping loudly, and soon there was a tide of roaring applause. Veronica blinked, tears suddenly springing into her eyes. Susie had died because of Manticore, but now – her was the beginning of a turn for the better. Her child, whoever and wherever she was – had hope for a different future. One were she could live without hiding who she was, and one where she truly was free.
Terminal CityMax and Alec along with the rest of the transgenics in the Command Center watched the nation-wide live telecast in amazement.
"…this has been a special live broadcast by Channel 31."
"She took a big risk speaking out like that," Biggs said with admiration.
Logan nodded and folded his arms over his chest. "Veronica's never been afraid to take risks. It was the reason why she found out about Project Manticore in the first place. Years ago, her sister's death was ruled a suicide but Veronica didn't believe it. When she was old enough, she lead an investigation into her death and discovered that she'd been used as a human incubator. Her sister was killed because she wouldn't stop talking about the baby they'd taken from her. The Project in Gillette had been dismantled after the '09 escape and a lot of information had been lost because of the Pulse, but Veronica never stopped searching."
"Guess not all norms are bad news," Mole said aloud.
Alec did a double take but didn't dare ask if his transhuman friend would care to repeat himself. Max wasn't so thin skinned.
"So you gonna make friends now?" Max asked with a wink.
Mole scowled around his cigar. "Don't hold your breath."
People started to leave and go about their business, and Logan turned around and leaned over the rail. He held out his arms to Max for Jesse, and Max reluctantly handed him up.
She was carefully not to make direct contact, as he took the baby from her. One of these days they'd find a cure, but in the meantime she couldn't say that they were doing all that badly. Life was certainly taking a turn for the better.
"You know, Max, I never thought about the connection before, but Veronica's twin sister went missing for months in 2000, and after she was found was adamant that she'd left a baby behind. There's no way of finding out for sure but…"
"…she could have been my mother," Max finished softly.
Alec put an arm around her shoulders and looked at Logan. "Would Veronica know?""
Logan shook his head. "When we tried investigation her sister's death a few years ago, we ran into a dead end. Everyone who knew her and was attached to her disappearance and her death were conveniently missing or dead."
"Not Hannah," Max said her eyes growing wide. "She knew my mother. If she saw a picture of Veronica, she'd know if it was her."
Logan looked hesitant. "Do you even know how to contact her?"
Max shook her head. "I don't think I'll have to. She would have seen the telecast."
"I don't know, Max," Logan said carefully. He didn't want her getting her hopes up. "Hannah might not even be in the country."
Notes: Thank you to Tabitha5 for the beta. And calistra and Eden, thank you for your interest and support of this story. :o)