Disclaimer: The TV show Dark Angel, all of the characters that appeared on it (Alec, Biggs, Renfro, etc.), and everything else that has to do with the show belong to their respective owners, not to me. No money is being made off of this fic. I only own the original characters (Sasha/X5-121, etc.).
Notes: Spoilers/spoiler-ish stuff for "Female Trouble," "Pollo Loco," "Hit A Sista Back," "Meow," "…And Jesus Brought A Casserole," and "Designate This." Also, just so nobody gets confused, in this AU I made Krit's designation 157 for reasons that were explained in chapter 26a of my fic "Together."
About six weeks later…
511 was shaking his head as he walked through the halls towards Director Renfro's office. I still can't believe what Director Renfro told us at that assembly earlier this afternoon. Four of the '09ers actually went back and bombed the DNA lab? That's just…well, fucked up is a good phrase to describe it, but somehow I think ballsy is a better one. Unbelievable. He reached the office door and saluted the two guards that were standing outside. They returned the salute and one guard spoke into a walkie-talkie and a moment later, 511 was allowed to enter the office. He looked briefly to his right and it took every single bit of training that he had not to do a double take when he saw who was already there standing at attention in front of Director Renfro's desk. Holy shit, 494? He also stood at attention and saluted. "X5-511 reporting as ordered, ma'am."
"Both of you, at ease," Renfro said. "511, 494 has made remarkable progress during his stay is Psychological Operations. His progress has been so rapid that we have made the decision to release him and he has officially been cleared for active duty."
"Yes, ma'am," 511 said.
"As for 494's rank, it will remain as is," Renfro said. "It's been decided that 494 will remain in command of both Unit 3 and this entire X5 squad. 511, you will resume your original position as second-in-command effective immediately. Likewise, the two of you will inform 121 of her return to her previous rank."
"Ma'am, yes, ma'am," 494 and 511 said in unison.
"511, you may fill 494 in on the content of this afternoon's assembly," Renfro said. "Return to your normal schedule. Dismissed." 494 and 511 saluted Renfro and turned around and left the office. As soon as they were around the corner and out of sight of the guards, they gave each other a big hug.
"Damn, man, I didn't think that I'd be seeing you for another three months at least," 511 said. "Welcome back."
"It's great to be back," 494 replied. "What was Director Renfro talking about when she mentioned an assembly this afternoon?"
"Oh, you are going to love this," 511 remarked. "They called all of the X5s, plus all of the X3s, X4s, X6s, X7s, X8s, and even the X9s that were in regular training to one of the lecture halls for an assembly in the middle of lunch today. We get there and Director Renfro comes in and apparently two days ago, four of the '09ers decided to visit their old home and leave a little present, said present being bombing the shit out of the DNA lab."
494's jaw dropped. "No fucking way."
"Definitely way," 511 said. "Not all of them got away unscathed, though. 701 and 157 did get away, but 599 and 452 didn't. Both of them were injured, and according to Director Renfro 452 damn near died, and couldn't get away."
"Well, they got the jewels in the crown, huh?" 494 said. "How many of them does that make re-taken or dead?" A strange look passed through his eyes, but it was gone in a moment. 511 did catch it, though, and gave 494 a brief sympathetic smile before he continued on.
"734, 599, and 452 are now back, though out of the three only 734 was successfully reindoc-ed. I think they must have set a new speed record with her. 798 decided to join her unit after all when she went AWOL while on a solo. You should have seen how pissed Director Renfro was then. 493 is dead and now 656 is as well. I'd heard through the grapevine that they'd found out that she had a husband and a kid and Lydecker got the kid sick and got 656 to turn herself in exchange for her son's life a few weeks ago, though apparently Lydecker almost botched that one. They still hung onto 656 and she'd been taken to another site for testing, but she'd died a few days before some of her unit mates went home for the weekend. So now of the twelve that made it over the perimeter fence in Wyoming eleven years ago, 120, 701, 157, 210, 205, 369, 552, and now 798 as well are listed as AWOL with status unknown."
"Wow, at this rate we might have the whole motley crew back here in twenty years," 494 remarked.
"Yeah, and the fun doesn't end there," 511 said.
494 stared at 511 in disbelief. "You've gotta be shitting me. What now?"
"Director Renfro also told all of us that they're going to be consolidating all three Manticore facilities into one site. Three guesses as to which place is the lucky one," 511 said.
"Well, at least this place might finally seem halfway full," 494 said. "When's the rest of the gang getting here?"
"Director Renfro said that they'd be getting here starting tomorrow," 511 said. "I think the only person who's almost definitely happy about this is 941."
"Yeah, he would be," 494 said. He recalled the conversation that he and 511 had with the teenager when the three of them were at the airport waiting for their flight to Anchorage. "That'll mean that 405 will be around here all of the time."
"She's here right now, actually," 511 said. "941 told me that she's on a solo out in Russia somewhere and she's got to check back in here every couple of weeks, which means that she's temporarily attached to his unit again. Though with this happening, that won't be necessary anymore."
"Yeah," 494 said. "Anything else happen while I've been away or out of action?"
"Just the usual," 511 said. "And 228 went out on a solo last month and she's not scheduled to be back until three months from now, give or take a few days. Other than that, nada."
"Gotcha," 494 said. "What's next on our agenda?"
"Hey, you're the boss. You should be telling me what's next," 511 teased and the two of them laughed. "It's time for us to head to the gym. We've got martial arts." He grinned wickedly. "I can't wait to see the looks on the others' faces when you show up."
"You're afraid that 121 is going to take one look at me after not seeing me for four months and drop you like a hot potato and succumb to my charm?" 494 joked.
"What charm?" 511 replied in the same tone of voice. The two of them chuckled quietly and 511 caught another strange, almost sad look pass through 494's eyes. "Are you okay, 494?"
"I'm always okay," 494 said cockily. His expression softened a little. "I'll tell you when I'm ready, 511."
511 nodded. "I hear you, buddy." He grinned. "If you ever want to visit your friendly resident shrink, my office door is always open."
"With your way with people, no wonder it's always open," 494 joked. "Speaking of which, how have they been behaving recently?"
"As well as can be expected," 511 said. "Some more than others have been especially nasty, but 121 and I have been sticking up for you non-stop and so has 941 once he got back from Bulgaria and figured out what was going on. As for the rest of the people here, 941's unit has been behind you 100 percent, of course, and so have a bunch of other people. About half of the people, though…"
"That's to be expected," 494 noted.
"Yeah," 511 said. "We should be getting to the gym now. Lead the way, boss."
"Will do," 494 said. He and 511 marched towards the gym. When they got there, they paused for a moment before 494 opened the door and the two of them marched in. He couldn't help grinning at the happiness that he saw on 121's face and the sheer horror, disgust, or both on most of the rest of his teammates. "Did you miss me?"
"Oh my God!" 121 said. She ran up to 494 and gave him a big hug. "Thank goodness that you're fine! I can't believe that they sprung you early."
"Hey, when you're as good as me…" 494 said with a cocky grin. He playfully punched 511 in the shoulder. "You were in Director Renfro's office when she told you that they were cutting me loose. You heard what she said."
"Are you going to let 494 get away with that kind of behavior, 511?" 908 said nastily.
"I hate to break it to you, 908," 494 began. Actually, I don't hate to. I'm loving every second of this. "But Director Renfro said that I'll be retaining my unit and squad ranking. It looks like I'm still in charge." He saw 908's face turn red with anger. "Ooops." He started to say something else, but they heard multiple pairs of footsteps approaching the gym and a trainer marched in, followed, to 494's surprise, by 941 and his unit. Unit 3 quickly fell into line and stood at attention as the trainer moved in front of them and the X6s lined up next to them.
"At ease," the trainer said. "The trainer for X6 Unit 4's time at the outdoor rifle range has suddenly come down with food poisoning so they will be spending that time here. Pair up and warm up and after you're done, we'll begin." All thirty-five transgenics saluted him and split into pairs or groups of three. 511 and 121 paired together again and 494 paired up with 941. They found a spot on the mats and started to stretch.
"It's so good to have you back this early," 941 said sincerely. "I missed you."
"Missed you too, kid," 494 said. "511 told me that you had my back when I was out of action. Thanks. I appreciate it a lot."
"You're welcome," 941 said. "You've been there for me when I need help so you deserve the same."
494 nodded. "Thanks." He and 941 grinned and quietly gave each other high fives.
TBC
More notes: Thank you so much to CrimsonReality, Angel of Darkness231, and calistra for their reviews and support!