Gold Chains
Disclaimer: Nothing has changed. I still do not own Dark Angel. So I let my imagination fly and write these little things that pop into my head.
A/N: A lot of people have been waiting for another instalment of this. At least I hope they are still waiting, although I am sure I taxed their patience something chronic and for that I am sorry. I kept telling myself not to start something new until the prior story is finished. Didn't quite work. Part of the problem was that the end I had in mind just did not fit this baby after the third chapter had written itself. Like buying a sweater that looks great but does not match your favourite trousers. Sigh. It had a bit of a Casablanca thing going for itself. Might save it for a one-off. Anyway, nuff with the 'Rechtfertigungen' on with the show.
Chapter 1
Alec's jaw felt permanently dislocated, when he saw Mole dance into command, His world did a sick little spin sideways when Mole actually pranced over and started babbling.
"Alec, my man. Will you look at this beauty." He waved a long, thin shape in front of Alec's face, whose nose had not trouble in identifying the object in question. Alec felt obliged to make a statement: "It's a cigar."
Mole clutched his chest dramatically - a look approaching wrong from the other side. Adopting a condescending look - no mean feat for a six foot lizard man - Mole proceeded to educate Alec.
"Listen Alec. This is no mere cigar."
"It's not?" Alec did not like this feeling of confusion one bit and had little hope pf getting away from it for the next few minutes.
"No, it's not. This, my friend, is a prime, grade A, hand-rolled, first class Cuban Havana." mole looked at him expectantly.
"Oh." Alec really didn't get it. As he saw mole's face darken, he hastened to add: "That's good, right?"
Mole sighed heavily. "I'm surrounded by plebs. Give them a gun and they are fine. Ask them about culture and they are as ignorant as new-born babes." Ignoring Alec's snort of affront and muttered 'Hello, concert-class pianist here', he continued: "Let me put this into words even an X-5 can understand. This little baby here is to normal cigars what a Glock is to a bow and arrows. Capice?"
Alec's confusion fled. "Ah! I get it. And how did you manage to get your grubby paws on one?"
Mole waved his hand dismissively. "Not just one. A whole box of them. With a little note saying 'For Mole'." He sported a look as close to orgasmic as Alec ever wanted to see him. He was sure the image would stay with him for ever - and not in a good way.
"So I can take it as written that our unknown benefactor is back?" Alec did not say this without a generous helping of irony and worry lacing his voice. "What else did he leave?"
Mole shrugged. "I didn't really check the whole lot after I discovered my babies. The usual I suppose. Tryptophan, medication and that heat-suppressing stuff you guys are so fond of."
Alec's heated response was cut short by Dix chiming in with: " I for one am a real fan of the heat medication or do I need to remind you about the last time all the X-5 females went into heat at the same time. Stocks were getting low and I wasn't the only one worried."
A murmur of agreement swept through Command, swiftly quelled when Max stormed in, her usual glare in place, lank hair falling around her face.
"I heard mystery man has been in." She snapped, laser-like glare pinning Alec to the spot.
'Who else?' He mused quietly to himself , all too aware of his limited life expectancy should he voice his thoughts out loud. 'Why bother asking the people on sentry how the mystery person managed to get by them - again. Of how somebody always manages to stumble on the stuff minutes after it has been deposited. No, of course not. Slam Alec instead. He's handy.' He plastered a smile to his face and said: "I've only just heard myself. Cigars, medication, the usual stuff." He was silent for a moment, then burst out with: "Why does nobody see this man? And what really worries me. How does he know Mole's name?"
"Worries, Alec? Didn't know you could do that." Max sneered. "Valid point though. Whoever it is knows us. And that is not acceptable. I want you to find out everything." With that parting shot she stormed out of command, leaving all guiltily relieved in her wake.
Alec shook himself as if coming out of a stupor. 'Of course. Blame it all on Alec and then pile the work on. He'll do it. Good enough for the grunt work.' With the little voice bitching away in his head, Alec collected his thoughts and made a couple of well-thought out / made up on the spot commands/recommendations. "Right, find out if anybody - and I mean anybody right down to the lowest X12s - has seen anything in the last 12 hours. And collect everything we know about the deliveries. Add anything unusual in the surrounding area. And if you do not find anything move outwards until you do."