A/N: Well everyone, here it is (finally)...The last full chapter of X5-452: To Be or Not To Be. I hope you've enjoyed the story so far. My thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed. I really hope you like this last chapter; it's my favorite and it's been the hardest of all to write. Please check back in a few days or maybe a week, I'm working on an epilogue, and then that will be it.

Thanks again ya'll!

SenoritaDLH

Freedom Never Comes Free

Max awoke to find herself laying on a soft pile of rags underneath one of the few basement windows. To be honest, she was surprised to wake up at all; the last thing she remembered was an X2 talking about having her for dinner. As Max sat up she did a quick check to make sure that all her limbs were still intact. Satisfied that they were, she began to re-examine her surroundings. A sliver of moonlight shone through the window illuminating the area around her. In a neat pile next to the rag bed were a number of old magazines, some cheesy romance novels, a few classics, and a Bible. These were obviously someone's prize possessions. Before Max could investigate further a tall figure stepped out of the shadows. It was another nomalie and Max instinctively began to scoot away.

"Wait! Little fella is safe here. Joshua won't hurt you." The figure stepped into the light with his hands up. The creature standing in front of Max was more canine than human, but he had a kind face and Max felt like she could trust him.

"So…" Max began. "I'm guessing your name is Joshua." Joshua nodded and held out an apple. Max took it gratefully; she had no idea how long it'd been since she'd eaten last. "Thank you!" she said, taking a big bite. "So, I'm guessing you are the one that saved me from that X2?" Joshua nodded again. "Well thanks for that too then. I really thought he was going to eat me."

"He was." Joshua replied matter-of-factly. "They're hungry. The guards forget to feed us sometimes. Joshua sneaks out, brings them food. They respect Joshua."

"The guards don't feed you? That's awful." Max was beginning to feel sorry for the nomalies. "I guess that explains how you got the room with a view." Max patted the seat beside her, inviting Joshua to sit. "How long have you been down here, anyway?"

Joshua looked sad. "Down here long time. Since father left. Joshua misses father. Sometimes I look for him, out the window, but he doesn't come."

"Father?" Max wrinkled her brow in confusion. "You mean Lydecker?"

Joshua snorted and looked disgusted at the thought. "Not Lydecker. Sandeman, Father's name is Sandeman. Father made Joshua, first, special, no barcode. Then father left and Lydecker came, then the bad lady. Joshua and others hide here. Hide from Lydecker and the bad lady."

"Can't blame you on that one. She's the reason I'm down here too. So you were first, huh? I guess that does make you pretty special." Max yawned, the events of the past few days had left her pretty worn out.

Joshua smiled. "Little fella sleep, rest. Joshua will keep watch."

Max nodded and laid back down on the pallet. "Ok Joshua, but just for a minute. Alec will be coming for me soon." Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep.

What was left of Unit 7 gathered in Max's cell. They had all agreed that it was time to leave Manticore for good. The problem was, Manticore wasn't likely to just let them walk out and never come back; they would have to fight their way out. The team was dressed in combat gear and armed to the hilt. They also each carried a small survival pack with some medical supplies, a change of clothes, and whatever few possessions were most dear to them. Alec was packing an extra bag with a few of the things he thought Max would want to keep, like the letter from Logan. When he was finished he turned to face his team.

"Alright guys. This is it! We've really only got one shot at this so everyone had better know what they're supposed to do. Everyone is vital to this mission, if we lose even one person we're all toast." Alec paused for a moment and his tone softened slightly. "Besides, I think we've lost enough of our family already. Don't you?" The team thought about Dren and they nodded in agreement. "Ok, so here's the plan one more time. Cale, you and Paige head for the Control Room. As soon as the fun starts, Renfro is going to order an immediate lock-down and cauterization of all the barracks. I need you two in place to keep those doors open. Jam them if you have too, but get them open and then get out of there. We are not going to leave anyone behind when we go. Jes, you and Brin are in charge of the explosives. We need them everywhere, but they must be very carefully timed. I want that Command Center taken out first. If Renfro survives, it won't matter whether we escape or not. She'll hunt us for the rest of our lives and that is no way to live."

Brin stepped forward to report, "We're all set, Sir! Jes and I set the charges a few hours ago. We just need to get to a remote location to detonate them. We put a couple of extras in various locations around the perimeter fence as decoys, which we'll detonate to draw out the guards. Those points will also double as exits during the escape."

"Good work, guys! Head for the rendezvous point and set off the charges from there. Just make sure that you detonate the Command Center first and save the labs for last. Biggs and Meeks, you two will accompany me to the basement to rescue Max. We have no idea what kind of condition she's going to be in so Meeks you need to be prepared to treat her on the move. Once I know that she's safe with you, I have to head out. There's one last thing I have to do before I can leave." The team began to protest but Alec held up his hand to silence them. "I'll meet you all at the rendezvous point, but this is not up for discussion. You all have your orders so let's move out." Unit 7 took a brief moment to hug each other before splitting up and heading towards their assignments.

Alec, Biggs and Meeks made their way cautiously towards the basement. It was slow going though because every few hundred feet they had to hide and wait for the guards to pass. Normally, X5s were free to walk around the compound but since Alec and the others were all dressed in combat uniforms they couldn't exactly claim they were just out for a pleasant stroll. Hopefully the others were making better time to their positions.

Brin and Jes reached the rendezvous point with little resistance. They did run into two perimeter guards, but they took them both out quickly and quietly before they had a chance to alert Command.

"Do you think Cale and Paige are in place yet?" Jes asked Brin worriedly. "If we detonate too soon they might not be prepared to stop the lock-down. I wish we had thought to use comm links to keep in touch with each other."

"No,if we'd used the comm links we be in even greater risk, the guards might overhear and it could give away someone's position." Brin glanced at her watch. "As for the timing, I think it's a chance we're just going to have to take. If we wait too long someone might see them and then we'd be toast anyway. Go ahead and blow the perimeter. Let's get this party started!"

"Yes, Ma'am!" Jes flipped a switch on his control box and explosions echoed around the edge of the facility.

Inside the building, Cale and Paige approached the door to the Control Room. They'd had to duck into the shadows a few times to avoid the main guards, but they'd made it to their objective. Taking a deep breath, Paige reached out and knocked firmly on the door. It opened just as the first explosion shook the compound and the lock-down sirens began to wail. Taking advantage of the confusion, the two X5s shoved their way into the Control Room and subdued the computer techs. All that was left now was to hack into the system and get those barracks doors open.

Confusion reigned throughout the compound as cell doors slammed shut and locked trapping the occupants inside. Guards raced towards the perimeter of the grounds only to be stopped in their tracks as explosions began to demolish parts of the main buildings. The Command Center was gone, demolished in one of the first and biggest explosions and this was only adding to the chaos. Director Renfro had been seated at her desk looking over some of 452's medical reports when the first charges detonated. She had barely enough time to hit the lock-down button and shove the reports into her briefcase before the Command Center exploded and she was buried beneath all the rubble. The perimeter guards were all trained in military tactics, but without someone in Command to give the orders it was every man for himself.

Inside the basement, the doors were also beginning to close and lock. Alec, Biggs, and Meeks raced through the maze of tunnels that made up the basement, frantically trying to check each cell before it locked. "Max!" Alec yelled, "Max, where are you?" Another cell door slammed shut in his face just inches from his nose. Come on, Cale. Come on, Paige. You can do this. Get these doors open, now! Alec continued his search desperately hoping that Max was alive and conscious enough to hear him.

"Alec!" Max could hear Alec calling her name, but she couldn't find him. Panic reigned in the large basement cell. The doors were locked and the nomalies were very, very scared. Joshua tried to guide her towards the cell door, shoving other nomalies out of the way, but then they got separated. "Alec! We're in here." Max, Alec, Biggs and Meeks all reached the cell door at the same time. The three X5s on the outside tried futilely to open the iron door, but to no avail. Just then, another explosion rocked the building and bits of ceiling began to fall around them. "Why the hell won't these doors open?" Alec yelled.

"Paige and Cale must be having trouble hacking into the system, Sir!" Biggs yelled back, trying to be heard over all the screaming and crying of the nomalies. "Do you want me to go help them?"

"No, you stay here. I need you and Meeks to get Max out of here and safely to the rendezvous point. I still have something to do so I'll go." Turning to Max, Alec reached through the bars and lovingly touched her face. "Max honey, I have to go help the others. Stay with Biggs, he'll take care of you."

Max grabbed frantically at Alec's hand trying to hold onto him. "No, Alec, please don't leave me. Please, Alec!"

Alec pulled away, "I'm sorry, Max, I have to go. I'll meet you at the rendezvous point as soon as I can, I promise. I love you!" Turning quickly, Alec ran back the way he came, dodging the chunks of falling plaster.

Inside the Control Room, Cale and Paige worked frantically to stop the lock-down. Unfortunately, one of the detonations took out part of the power grid so they were having to work through the few systems still running off the back-up generator. It was slow going but they were doing the best they could.

"I think I'm almost there." Cale shouted over his shoulder, "I just need another minute…"

"In case you hadn't noticed, we're kinda running out of minutes here" Paige snapped back. She was keeping watch for any guards that might head that way, but so far everyone seemed to be more worried about saving their own ass.

"Got it!" Cale jumped up and grabbed Paige's hand. "Let's get out of here!"

Together the two transgenics weaved their way through the mass of X series that were now pouring out into the halls; it was chaos. Paige stopped, "Cale, stop. They're waiting for orders. We have to so something or they'll all die here." Paige grabbed a nearby chair and climbed up so she could see above everyone's head. "Attention!" All the soldiers immediately stood still and awaited her command. "Listen up, everybody. This facility is under attack. Find your unit, form ranks and go to ground immediately. I repeat, go to ground immediately." Jumping down she and Cale sped on towards the rendezvous point to find the rest of their team.

The doors of the basement burst open and Max literally fell into the arms of Biggs and Meeks, very nearly getting trampled by the nomalies as they tried to escape. "Max, are you going to be ok to run? Cause we really ought to get the hell outta here." Biggs looked down at her in concern. "I can carry you if I need to."

"No, I'm fine, but we can't go yet. I have to find Joshua." Max turned to go back into the collapsing cell, but Biggs would not allow it. "Biggs, let me go. He saved my life. I owe him." Just then another explosion rocked the building, much closer this time.

She began to struggle harder and Biggs had no choice. "Max, I'm sorry about this, but I gave Alec my word that we'd get you out safely. Please forgive me." With that he punched her hard right between the eyes, and Max fell unconscious. Scooping her up, he and Meeks began to run.

Alec reached the doors of Manticore's laboratories just as part of the building behind him collapsed. The basement was now buried and Alec prayed fervently that Max and the others had made it out safely. The power was out in these rooms and it was obvious that the doctors and scientists had fled as soon as the explosions started. Alec turned on his flashlight and began to make his way through the room. At one point he stubbed his toe on an overturned medical table and began to curse, but he continued his search. As Alec shone the light around, it reflected off something in the corner of the room. "Zack. Is that you?" Alec called softly. There was no answer, but he could hear definite movement coming from that corner. Alec decided to try a different approach. "X5-599. Step forward." A figure stepped out of the shadows and stood at attention. Alec could now see what it was that had caused the light to reflect. Half of 599's face was gone; it had been replaced by a metal plate and a mechanical eye. It was a frightening sight, but Alec reminded himself that this was Max's brother. Max loved Zack; he's the reason she returned to Manticore after Logan's death and Alec would not leave him behind. He owed it to Max! Alec tried again "599, my designation is 494. My name is Alec. Your name is Zack. I am the commanding officer of your sister, Max, designation 452. Do you understand me?" Alec waited a moment but there was no response from Zack and they were running out of time. "Ok. 599, here's what we're going to do. This facility is under attack and I have orders to get you to safety. We must exit this building immediately and rendezvous with the rest of our team at the following coordinates: 41° 12' N and 104° 46' W. If something happens and we get separated you are to proceed directly to the rendezvous coordinates to meet the others. Do you understand me, soldier?" There was still no response from Zack and Alec was really out of time now. He was just going to have to hope that Zack would follow him as ordered. Alec began to make his way back across the room as quickly as possible. He could hear Zack following quietly behind him. Once they got out of the lab, Alec broke into a run. The last of the charges were going off and the ceiling was collapsing all around them. "Double-time, soldier. It's time to play escape and evade."

Jes and Brin waited at the rendezvous point on the hill. The charges had been going off for nearly ½ an hour now and they were still the only team members there.

"This is not good, this is so not good." Brin was pacing around anxiously when Jes grabbed her arm and pointed back towards the facility.

"Look, look" he cried. Transgenics were beginning to pour out of the buildings and scatter in all directions. It was hard to tell who was who down there, but the fact that anyone at all had escaped was heartening. "Hey, I think I see them." Jes pointed off to the east side of the main building. "Look, there's Cale and Paige."

Brin was peering off to the west as the building collapsed, searching for some sign that her sister made it out. "There's Biggs and Meeks. Oh no, he's having to carry Max. I hope she's ok!"

Gunfire broke out across the yard. Apparently there were still a few guards trying to do their duty to protect the perimeter. Brin and Jes quickly grabbed their guns, got behind a couple of trees and began to lay down some cover fire for their teammates.

Cale and Paige made it up the hill and collapsed breathlessly on the ground. Biggs, Meeks and Max were right behind them. Biggs leaned Max up against a tree and stepped aside so Meeks could treat her head and check for other injuries.

"Is she going to be ok?" Brin asked worriedly, still laying down cover fire for the escaping transgenics.

"She's going to be fine." Meeks replied. "Just some bruises and a slight concussion, courtesy of James Bond here."

Biggs glared at Meeks, "Well, what did you expect me to do? She kept going on and on about rescuing someone named Joshua. She was going to get herself killed. I had no choice, Brin, I swear."

Brin grinned at him good naturedly. "It's ok, Biggs. I forgive you for rendering my baby sister unconscious. Now Alec, on the other hand, might not be so forgiving. You did give his girlfriend a pretty nice shiner."

Biggs looked over at Max and gulped when he saw the large bump and bruise forming on her forehead. "Oh God, I'm such a dead man."

"Speaking of our illustrious leader, where is he? I can't wait to get my hands on him. I'm gonna kill him for running out on me like that." Max had come to and was slowly trying to stand. Meeks and Cale reached out to steady her.

"He hasn't made it back yet." Paige answered softly. "He said there was something else he had to do before he could leave."

"What was it?" Max asked.

"We don't know for sure." Jes answered. "But he told me to make sure the labs were the last thing to detonate."

Max looked back at the facility and then she looked at Brin, "Zack. He went back to get Zack."

"Zack's alive? Why didn't you tell me?" Brin was beginning to cry now. Her big brother had been right there with her all along and she'd never known.

"I couldn't." Max explained. "Renfro said if I did, she'd sell him to the highest bidder. They've been using him as a guinea pig all this time. I'm sorry, Brin, but I couldn't take that chance. Not after he saved my life." Max walked over and hugged her big sister, then they sat down together to wait.

The team grew quiet as they waited for their C.O. to join them. Brin and Jes continued to lay down occasional cover fire, but most of the transgenic had already escaped the compound. As they watched, the last of the charges began to detonate and the laboratories of Manticore, the last remaining buildings, fell to the ground.

Half an hour later, Alec was still MIA. Unit 7 was beginning to get restless. None of them wanted to leave their friend behind, but the longer they waited, the less chance they would have of avoiding capture. They had been trained to know that when the lock-down sirens went off, signals were sent to other facilities notifying them of an attack. Troops would be coming soon to search for survivors and collect the dead. The government had invested too much money in Project Manticore to just let everyone escape. Max was still Second-In-Command and it was her responsibility to keep her team safe. They couldn't afford to wait any longer. "Alright team, pack up. It's time to move out and go to ground."

One-by-one the soldiers stood, they shouldered their packs and their weapons, took one last look at the place that had been their home and then they walked away. Max was the last to go. Goodbye, Zack! I fought them for you, just like you asked. Goodbye, Alec! I love you too!