Disclaimer: Dark Angel and its characters obviously do not belong to me. I am writing this purely for non-profit entertainment. Yada, yada! No infringement intended, so don't sue me!
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing guys. It's very interesting to see your thoughts on Max being a CO… Read on to find out what actually happened! Enjoy!
Angel of Darkness231 – Yeah, it could be quite a pain when computers malfunction! Hehe! The shock scene wasn't that bad, was it? Thanks for reviewing.
Calistra – Thanks for reviewing. Yeah, Max a new CO. Hmm… overall CO? I don't know…Hehe!
Mel11 – Thanks for your review. Yeah, you didn't think Max would let Alec off so lightly after kissing her senseless, did you? And that's NOT a cliffie, lol!
Kungfuchick – I am glad you missed the cliffies…me too. But I decided to spread it out a bit! -:sigh:- Yep, Max and Alec's gonna have a tough time getting together, but it shouldn't be too long now. The guy with the cane was pretty obvious, wasn't it, hehe! Must try harder next time to be more vague! Thanks for reviewing.
Kelzaa – Oh! I don't think Biggs is falling for Max. He's just naturally flirtatious; he's not even doing in on purpose! -:grins:- Thanks for your review.
Angelofdarkness78 – Happy Birthday! You're really 13? No kidding! Yeah, I know what you mean by the designation. I had to refer to my notes like in every chapter, lol! Good luck naming them, but I am sure you'll do great! Thanks for reviewing.
Iridescent Twilight – Me? Lie? Of course not! That was NOT a cliffie, hehe! I can't believe you admitted that you're morbid and weird! And proud as well, lol! Argh! Keep the damned spiders away! Okay, okay…no more cliffies -:grins:- for now…
Lotamoxie – Hmmm…eventful vacation. That sounds verrryyy interesting, lol! -:grins:- Do tell! Nope, Max is not the CO of unit 4 or for the '09ers. Read on and tell me if it's believable or not! Thanks for reviewing.
Lady marauder (anon) – Thanks for reviewing. Glad you like the story and its ending. More to come! Read on!
HeLrAiSeR32 – Darn! Hard convince people here that THAT's not a cliffie, lol! Thanks for the award!
Gamegirl452 – Happy Belated Birthday! Gee, you are going to give me a swollen head with your words, lol! Yep, Alec is falling for Max and Max is still (surprise, surprise!) quite clueless! Thanks for your review!
Alana84 – Ah, Alec was a bit too distracted to think of the consequences of his actions, lol! Glad you liked the Max/Alec/Biggs scene…I think I like Alec being jealous! The other need to have names because I am getting tired of remembering numbers, lol! Thanks for reviewing.
Claire (anon) – Thanks for reviewing. I'm happy that you think that it's a good fic! Not putting Alec in her group, you'll be pleased to hear. You're right; it will be wrong!
NoAngell – Thanks for reviewing. Lydecker have some plans for them, you'll see soon -:grins:- Max being CO is so that I can confuse the story even more -:groans:-
Shygirl1 – Glad you liked it and found it interesting. Thanks for your review. :)
Sarah (anon) – I'm known for mean cliffhangers! Of course not! -:laughs:- She's not the 2IC, that part of the story can't seem to fit in just yet. CO of the '09ers? Zack would be a handful! Yeah, I thought it's time to give Max a reminder of Alec's lips, lol! I didn't make Gab walk in cause I thought the slap would work better! Thanks for reviewing.
EnIgMa (anon) – I am glad that you agree with me that the cliffies aren't that bad! Hehe! Thanks for reviewing!
Pixiedust13 – Thanks for reviewing. I know what you mean about reviews. I feel very stilted when I try to write one, even when I thoroughly enjoyed the fic! I am glad you liked what happened in the chapter. Hope you'll like this one too!
Eva (anon) – You're back! How's the holidays? Thanks for your review.
GiRl MaGe – Don't have to wait much longer! Next chappie is here. Thanks for reviewing.
L80bug – Thanks for your review. Read on and tell me what you think!
Dedicated to Angelofdarkness78 and Gamegirl452 for their Birthdays! Happy Birthday!
Retrieved Chapter 18 – Revelations II
(by elle6778)
"You were recently chosen as a CO," Lydecker told her simply, watching the surprise flash over her eyes before Max quickly adopted the blank mask again.
"W-what do you mean? CO of what?" she asked somewhat unsteadily, trying hard to remain calm.
"We decided that the X6s needed some guidance from someone who would understand them," Lydecker answered, managing to keep his face straight. He wanted to laugh the look on all their faces, but that would not be professional.
If the training was not so well ingrained in her, Max would have let her jaw drop at that. CO of the X6s? She thought in stupefaction. Max could hardly believe what she was hearing. She was the CO of the X6s? How did that happen? There were at least forty or fifty X6s. How in the world was she going to command the X6s? There were so many of them!
Next to Max, Alec had the same thoughts. He darted a quick look at Max. How did an 09-er end up being the CO of one of the largest divisions in Manticore? Granted, it the X6s were kids, but they were reputed to be better designed than the X5s. After all, they were the next series up from the X5s.
Well, Manticore must have thought it through before deciding on her, so there must be a good reason, Alec concluded in his head.
Lydecker gave them a moment to absorb the news. He had left it until now to inform Max on purpose, so that she couldn't ask too many questions. Then he spoke, "Well, now that that's clear, let move on to the real reason for this meeting,"
"The reason you are here is so that we can discuss two issues. First issue is to do with the way you work. Up to a week ago, Xs kept to their own in their missions. They were never deployed together with another strain of transgenics or a different X-series. Last week, we deployed two mixed teams of X3s, X5s and X6s, led by X5-452 and X5-481. The mission was successful. Based on this, we feel that in the future, we should experiment integrating the different series. We need to explore the feasibility of this proposal further, hence this introductory meeting," Lydecker said.
Max and Matt exchanged a quick glance, pleased that their mission was so successful such that Lydecker had decided to use it as an example.
However, the transgenics did not know what to make of Lydecker's words. Manticore does not explore these issues with the transgenics. Manticore commanded. Transgenics carry out the instruction. End of story. No discussion required. So why the sudden change, they all thought, suspicious of the new development.
Lydecker could see the suspicion in some of the less well disguised expressions on the transgenics. He understood their feelings. This was an unexpected move for Manticore. But it needed to be done. Before it was too late. If they were surprised at the first item, they would be shocked at what he was about to say next.
Regarding the transgenics steadily, he continued, "The second issue stems basically from the way this organisation is run. Manticore is run by a committee of directors, who makes the decisions on the development and missions for you. You know you are the product of billions of dollars in research and development. You are the perfect soldier, with IQs off the charts. So it stands to reason for Manticore to put you in a better position to utilise your skills. Yes, you have all been deployed on missions where you utilise the skills which you spent all the rest of your years here training for,"
"We were thinking of a larger involvement with Manticore for the COs. The committee wants your input in future projects. We belief that with your superior abilities, your involvement would be beneficial to Manticore," he finished with an inward grin, somewhat gleefully awaiting the transgenics reaction.
Max couldn't help it. Her jaw finally dropped.
Matt raised an eyebrow.
A frown marred the Arctic Division CO's pale face.
Alec stiffened in shock.
The dark wrinkled face of the Desert division's CO became even more scrunched up, making him appear rather comical.
Jace remain motionless but her flickering eyes gave away her shock.
Lydecker would love to know what's in their mind at the moment. Then he asked in a deceptively nonchalant voice, "Any questions, so far?" As if he was just briefing them on a regular mission.
After a short silence, Alec spoke, careful to keep his voice neutral, "Sir, will this not involve the reorganisation of the basic structure of Manticore?"
Lydecker's lips twisted as he perused the young transgenic in front of him. Sharp, this one. He will go far. "That's correct," The transgenics started to shuffle. Lydecker returned his gaze towards the rest of them. Instantly, the shuffling stopped and they straightened their backs. "Anymore questions?" he raised his eyebrows.
"When will this change be executed?" Matt asked curiously.
"As it is extremely important to keep the organisation, and the facility running smoothly, we will be implementing this change gradually. Your involvement will be minimal to start with, then gradually you will be involved larger schemes. I am still working on the details,"
As a thought crossed her mind, Max asked, "And if the change brings about undesirable results? If it fails?"
The rest of the transgenics stiffened at her question. They were brought up to expect punishment when anything goes not according to plan, whether or not it was actually their fault.
Lydecker looked into their eyes one by one, and said, "Failure is not acceptable, as you know. The success of this change largely depends on yourselves. So it's up to you. However, if it appears that the results will be undesirable, we will revert back to the way we were prior to this meeting,"
The transgenics sighed inwardly, relieved that Manticore did not intend to punish them if for any reason, this project decided to go FUBAR.
But could they trust Lydecker to keep his words?
As they filed out of Lydecker's room after the meeting, Alec tapped Max on the arm.
"Hey Max. Congratulations," he said with a small smile.
Eyeing Alec suspiciously, Max nodded and murmured, "Thanks,"
She did not know what to make of Alec's sudden friendliness to her. The last time this happened, they ended up kissing, she thought, embarassed.So she turned away from him to walk away. She knew it was childish to avoid him, but it seemed to her that each time they came face to face, they either do something stupid, or they argue. At the moment, she really did not feel like taking part in either. She needed some time alone to digest what Lydecker just told them.
Alec watched as she retreated from him. Alec did not know if she was doing it deliberately or it was just coincidence, but she always managed to avoid him. Ever since the time he tried to kiss her. After her encounter with him and Biggs, he had barely seen her, let alone talked to her. He figured that she must have been sent out for missions at those times when he was back in Manticore. So they kept missing each other.
And now she was just walking away again. But he knew how he could get her to stop.
Putting on his most annoying, mocking expression, he said to her retreating back knowing that she will hear him, "You know, it isn't everyday when you get told that you are commanding a bunch of kids. You must have seriously impressed Manticore, for them to make you the new Pied-Piper for the X6 rugrats. But I hope you are not planning on teaching them Escape and Evade," he mocked.
Hearing the tone of his voice, Max swivelled round at him. She could not just walk away from his condescending words. She bared her teeth at him in a fake smile and said, "Why thank you for your kind words, but they are not necessary," Max shot back, annoyed that she did not manage to escape in time.
"Why Max, I think Manticore had given you a bit too much shark DNA. That smile looks decidedly shark-like, and almost as deadly," Alec drawled, and pretended to shiver. From his previous encounters with her, he knew that it would piss her off.
And it did.
"Oh, you want to feel how deadly my fist can be?" Max shot back, lifting her tightly clenched fists mere inches from Alec's nose.
Alec instantly realised that it was now a good time to rein in his tongue.
"Whoa, calm down, Max," he said, holding his hands up in defence. He really did not want Max to hit him again; she could be quite violent sometimes. He sighed as he decided that he might as well be honest; maybe he could salvage their truce, "Look, I know that I am not your favourite transgenic, but I just wanted to have a few words with you, that's all"
Max narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "Why?"
"Why? Because I thought we had a truce," Alec replied, slightly flustered.
"Yeah, me too. Then you come along and wreck it by being a jerk,"
"Huh? When?" Alec asked, wrinkling his brow as if trying to think of what she was going on about. As if you do not know, he mocked himself.
"You know damn well when!" Max snapped, unable to stop herself from blushing as she recalled the kiss which brought their truce to a premature death.
"Okay, okay, I just thought I shouldn't mention it again, since you are so bothered about it," he said placatingly.
"I am NOT bothered about it," Max insisted rather petulantly.
"Well, glad to know that one of us isn't," he muttered under his breath
Her eyes narrowed into slits as she heard his words, "What did you say?"
"Nothing,"
"Alec, I swear I am going to kick you ass so hard you won't be able to sit for days if you don't stop this!" she warned, her face flushed. Inwardly her heart was pounding at his words. He just admitted that the kiss affected him. Max did not know what to think. She was so wrapped up in how she felt about the kiss that it did not occur to her to think of his reaction, or his motives.
"Do you know that you look really hot when you are mad," Alec blurted out before he could stop himself. Then he grinned cheekily at Max.
"Alec!" Max yelled, throwing her hands up in frustration.
Matt walked up behind Max, and said softly "Got a problem?"
Max shook her head mutely. She did not trust herself to say anything. And the last thing she wanted to give Matt or any of the guys in her unit a reason to start another fight. Unfortunately, Matt had already noticed the direction of her glare.
"494, I thought we have been through this before. I seemed to recall telling you to stay away from her!" Matt said to Alec. He remembered the incident few years ago in the med bay where Alec was getting his kicks taunting Max after Advanced Interrogation.
Alec felt his irritation rise at the other male transgenic's words, "Look, 481. I hate to say this, but it's really none of your business what 452 and I do or say to each other. What? You think she can't take care of herself?" Alec retorted.
"I am her CO and you will answer to me if you even look at her wrong," Matt snapped, almost growling.
Alec could see the anger in 481's eyes, and felt his own hackles rise. "Very protective, aren't you? For the record, I do not answer to anyone, much less you!" Alec spat with disdain. He saw no reason to back off. After all, he was not doing anything wrong. And what was it with Max and all the males around her? 547, 481, Biggs and even Lydecker seemed equally besotted.
Alec conveniently forgot to include himself in that list.
Trying to cool the flare-up before it becomes a full-blown Alpha brawl, Max stepped in, "Alec was just complimenting me on my success in getting chosen as the CO for the X6s," Max said, putting a restraining arm on Matt. She hoped that by calling 494 Alec, Matt would be convinced that they were friend and he did not need to view him as a threat.
"Alec?" Matt looked at her questioningly. Then, doing a complete 180, he turned to Alec and said, "So she named you as well, huh?"
Stunned by the sudden change in Matt from a snapping monster to a friendly transgenic, Alec paused for a moment before he answered tentatively, "Um, kind of,"
"It was inspired by smart-aleck," Max clarified with a smirk.
"Oh! It's better than some of the others," Matt grinned, "I'm Matt. Before you ask, no, she did not name me. Hence the decent name,"
Scratching his head, Alec asked, amused "So she does this naming thing often?"
Matt laughed, "Hah! You should hear some of them!" Matt stopped as Max smacked his arm.
"Hey! What's wrong with the names?" she asked, mildly offended. She gave him a harder punch.
Grabbing her hand to stop her punches, Matt said to Max, "Come on, we need to tell the others about the stuff Lydecker told us. See you around… Alec,"
Alec nodded. He stood there motionless, staring as Max and Matt walked away, both of them seemingly very comfortable in each others company. He squashed the twinge of resentment as he noticed her hand which still remained enfolded in Matt's.
Lydecker sat at his desk, studying the two transgenics in front of him. They stood ramrod straight at attention. The two of them had spent the last six months in the med bay, reindoctrination and various retraining programmes. Now, they seemed like the perfect Manticore soldier, but Lydecker knew better. Lydecker sighed inwardly. He knew that these two was far from 'reindoctrinated'.
"At ease, soldiers," he said, watching them relax almost imperceptibly, "State your designation," he said, just to see how they chose to respond.
"X5-599, Sir,"
"X5-210, Sir,"
Lydecker decided that he might as well get it over with, "I've called you here to inform you that your reindoctrination was successful and that you will be reintroduced to your new unit. X5-599, you will be joining unit 3 and X5-210 will be joining unit 6," he said, then pausing to look at Zack, he continued, "599, I realise that you used to be the CO for unit 2. However, it was decided that for now, there are too few of you to reform unit 2, so you will be under the command of X5-798. Although 798 used to be under your command, I fully expect you to treat her in a manner fitting a CO," he said pointedly.
"Yes, sir," Zack said, suppressing his distaste at the entire situation. Not only he was back in Manticore, now he would have to follow the instructions of one of his younger siblings. Jace did not escape with them, so he had no idea what she was like now. Considering how Max reacted when they last met after she had been back in Manticore only for a few years, he had a feeling that Jace would be worse. He dreaded the thought. However, he knew that he needed to bide his time until he found a way to escape again.
Jondy, on the other hand, was looking forward to reuniting with Max and Jace. She was slightly disappointed that she was assigned a unit away from all three of her siblings. But she knew that she would find a way to meet them. Something so minor did not faze her at all.
A knock sounded on the door, catching their attention.
"Come in," Lydecker called out.
The door opened to admit Alec and Jace. They marched in and saluted.
"Sir, you asked for us?" Jace started, trying not to let her surprise show as she noticed the other two transgenics in the room. When the guard told her that Lydecker summoned her, the last thing she expected to see was Zack and Jondy here. She wondered when did Manticore capture them.
Oblivious to her thoughts, Lydecker nodded, "There are new additions to your unit. X5-599 will be joining unit 3 and X5-210 will be joining unit 6," He looked over at Jondy and said, "494 will be your new CO,"
Alec gave her a quick glance, noticing that the girl he carried all over the woods during the mission looked much healthier now than when he last saw her. He gave her a quick nod of acknowledgement, which she returned. He did not quite know what to make of this new arrangement, but in light of what had just happened with Lydecker, he decided not to think of it too much. Having an '09-er in his unit would not be such a big deal, the thought ran through his head.
Then he brought himself up short as he realised what just went through his mind; The '09-ers are not a big deal? Since when he changed his mind about them?
Since you got yourself involved with Max, you dolt! A voice inside his head mocked him.
Alec suppressed the urge to smack himself right there and then.
Zack faced Jace, who was regarding him expressionlessly. He wouldn't have recognised his 'sister' if he bumped into her in the streets; she looked so different from the small, shaved girl he used to know. She grew up well, he thought. He wanted to ask her how she way, but he guessed that it could wait until they were alone.
"494, 798, you will make sure that your new unit member receives the same treatment as the rest of your unit members. I'll let you arrange their supplies. Any questions?"
"No, sir," Alec answered.
"You can go now,"
The four of them filed out of the room. As Lydecker's door clicked shut behind them, they stood facing each other silently, each not knowing what to say.
Zack was wondering about Jace and was also worried about Jondy being under Alec's command.
Jace was feeling uncomfortable at having to command Zack, seeing that she practically grew up under his wing. She was sure that he would not take it well, if she remembered what he was like before.
Alec was trying to come up with something to break the stagnant tension. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable with all of them standing there without uttering a word.
Jondy was the first one to speak, "So, what do we do now," she asked no one in particular
Relieved that the silence was broken, Alec answered, "I suppose Supplies should be the first stop," then he couldn't resist adding with a grin, "Couldn't have you running around without clothes, could we?"
Jondy laughed, glad that her new CO was easygoing enough to joke with her even though they've just met. It would make things easier than to have a strict CO.
But obviously Zack did not have the same thoughts, "Watch what you're saying, 494," Zack growled, not liking the way he spoke to Jondy. Heck, he did not like 494, full stop.
Alec frowned. Just what was 599's problem? He was just trying to lighten the atmosphere a bit.
"It was a joke, 599," he said rather condescendingly, "You know, you should loosen up a bit. Being so uptight all the time is not healthy,"
"I don't need your advice on the state of my health. Just quit making suggestive remarks to my sister," Zack warned.
Alec raised one eyebrow, "Your sister?" he looked back and forth between them, "I can't say I see the family resemblance,"
Before Zack could retort, Jace stepped in, "That's enough," she looked pointedly at Lydecker's door, telling them without words that Lydecker might hear them.
Understanding Jace's unspoken warning, they started to walk away, heading in the direction of the Supplies block. When they arrived, Alec picked up a form and started ticking the boxes.
"Shirt, combat trousers, toiletries, undergarments…" he paused and gave Jondy a cheeky wink.
She laughed and said in a teasing voice, "You might be my CO, but that doesn't mean you get to come close to my undies,"
"Shame," Alec said, pretending to be disappointed. He flicked a glance to see Zack's reaction to their banter.
Zack was seething. He knew that 494 was trying to rile him, but he refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing his anger. So he kept silent. He just wished that Jondy wouldn't encourage the guy. But he knew that that was too much to hope for. Jondy by nature was friendly and flirtatious, much to Zack's chagrin.
Jondy laughed at the disappointed look on her new CO's face. She decided that she would definitely not mind being in his unit if he was always like this. She shot a surreptitious glance at Jace, noting her frozen expression. Her heart sank. Jace had not even acknowledged her or Zack, not even now when they were away from Lydecker's watchful eyes.
Jondy wondered if Jace were mad at them for escaping without her.
He stood staring at the security records on the screen.
He simply could not believe his eyes.
Furious, he picked up the phone and started dialing. The phone rang and rang until he felt like hurling it against the wall. He was about to do that when the other man finally picked up.
Without preliminaries, he barked, "They came in and took the disk!"
There was a minute of silence before the other man asked calmly, "You saw them?"
"Not really. The security records showed one of them outside and one of them in the building. Their face were obscured, and the resolution was terrible," he admitted, his knuckles white from gripping the receiver. He could not believe they had just waltzed in and took the disk. And he did not know what happened until this morning when he tried to find it.
"Incompetent fools! What's the use of having those security cameras when you couldn't see who broke in?" the other man snapped, "Good thing you only have the copy,"
"When can I have the rest of the information?" he asked, hoping that the other man would just give him the rest of the disks, now that the first one was stolen.
"You have yet to find the information I wanted. I don't have to remind you of our deal," the other man stated.
Sighing in frustration, he said, "I told you, I am working on it. The man seemed to have gone underground. It might help if I have a chance to look at what you have,"
"I am sure you can work it out without the disks," the other man said in a disinterested tone.
"It takes longer," he insisted, frustrated that the other man refused to give in to his request.
"I am growing impatient," the other man in an ominous tone.
"So am I, White,"
t.b.c.
A/N: This one is surely not a cliffie, right? Those of you who read the last update for Deception know this already, but for the rest of you…I am getting on a plane in less than 24 hours and hence will not be able to update till around the 18th Aug. Sadly, there's no internet connection where I am going! I hope you guys would leave some reviews for me to enjoy when I get back -:grins:-