Chapter 17: Endgame
Within a day, over two hundred transgenics arrived at Terminal City to help with the cause, and many more were still on their way. Max and Alec had already laid out the plans for the attack on the Familiar headquarters housed in the asylum.
Over the next two days, they distributed the plans and organized several teams of transgenics with varying skills. As night fell on the second day, they all headed towards the Familiar headquarters for their assault.
"So this is it then," Max stated to no one in particular. "It all comes down to this..."
"You're up, Max," Alec said as he finished addressing the teams. "Time to give them your go-get-'em speech."
Max rolled her eyes and stood on the makeshift stage. She scanned the crowds of transgenics that had all gathered to stand up for their race, if you could call the transgenics a race. It brought a warm feeling to know that they still stood strong as one, even though many of them had their own lives.
"Let me start by thanking you all for coming today. Although we all have our own lives now, it's nice to see that we are still united as one. I'm not going to lie and say that this battle we have ahead of us isn't dangerous. Our opponents are anything but Ordinaries, so when we attack, we make it fast, and we make it strong. Don't hold back – they have taken many of ours. They want to eliminate us and prevent us from living the free life we have earned. Are we going to let them?!"
"NO!" the soldiers chorused.
"Fight hard and protect each other. We have something they don't, and that is a heart. We always will have someone to watch our backs, to care for us. They have no one. Remember that. Now let's finish this once and for all and show them who's superior! Let's MOVE OUT!"
Cheers erupted from the crowds below as the transgenics fell in line to get to their appropriate transport. Within an hour, all teams would be stationed right at the Familiar headquarters.
"Alec?"
Alec looked up as Max called his name. They were moments away from launching an attack.
"Thanks...for everything you've done. If it weren't for you, well...I'd be dead," Max finally managed. "I just wanted to say that...in case something happens."
Alec just grinned. "You'd do the same for me, but if you want to pay me back, a pitcher of beer at Crash would suffice after all this is over," he replied with a wink. He would not acknowledge that something could happen after this battle. It just wasn't possible in his mind. They were going to win, and they were going to live. After all the tragedies, they deserved a happy ending, and the Familiars deserved to die.
Max forced a smile, but she felt less optimistic. "Let's get this over with then, and I'll get you that pitcher," she replied, even though she knew he was joking.
Minutes later, the transgenics launched their attack on the unsuspecting Familiars, taking many of them out with grenades and sniper shots. When the Familiars finally realized they were being attacked, it was too late. The transgenics had wiped out the majority of their defenses and the few remaining were already fighting a losing battle.
Max, Alec, and their small team of transgenics finally made their way to the main office, where the leaders were gathered and ready to fight. As soon as they arrived, they were met with a hail of bullets. The transgenics blurred in every possible direction to avoid the bullets and quickly disarmed the Familiars, engaging them into a hand-to-hand battle. Their team easily outnumbered the remaining Familiar leaders, so the battle didn't last too long.
When the last leader was down, the transgenics went to destroy their databases, but not before taking a copy for themselves.
"Alec, look at this," Max called out. She was looking at some of the drawings the Familiars had, as well as various photos they had of her when they held her captive.
"What is it?"
"According to these drawings and scribbles, a comet is supposed to come close enough to Earth to deliver hazardous toxins and wipe out massive populations, leaving the Familiars free to dominate what's left of the world. My...DNA...provides a cure for the toxins. They already have a cure made to save those they want to keep alive for information purposes, or whatever."
"When was that comet supposed to have arrived?"
"...two days ago. That night we started calling people in for this task."
"We'd better find that cure then and start making more of it as soon as we get back. The people will need it."
Max nodded and headed down another hallway in search for the cure. Alec followed her along, leaving the rest of their team to clear out the main office. After several room checks, they found a laboratory. After several minutes of searching the laboratory, they managed to find the cure locked up tight. Hacking into the computers, they easily undid the electronic lock and stored the cure in a steel briefcase. Alec was on one end of the room setting charges while Max was at the other end. Another figure entered the room and fired a shot at Max, but Alec blurred just in time to intercept the bullet, knocking Max over. Max rolled into a fighting stance, blurring towards the attacker and quickly disarmed him. Within seconds, she had snapped the attackers neck and was back at Alec's side.
"What the hell did you do that for?!" Max asked in anger and worry. The bullet aimed for Max had gone right through Alec's chest. But it barely missed his heart.
Alec just looked up at Max, dazed. "Thought you could use a hand..." he smirked.
Max picked Alec up after making him a quick bandaid from the lab supplies to stop the bleeding. She blurred back to the main office with the cure in the suitcase and handed it to one of the other X5s.
"I know there's already some people gathering the injured, so take them all back to Terminal City now in one of our transports. Take this back to Terminal City as well and give it to Dix. Tell him to start making more of it as soon as possible. It's important," Max told 420.
The X5 nodded and left immediately.
Max handed Alec to several X5s taking away some of the injured to be put on the first transport back.
"Don't die on me Alec," she muttered before leaving him.
Alec just smiled, as if in a peaceful rest. He was already in a daze from blood loss. It was not looking good.
Once Alec was out of sight, Max went to help the other transgenics clear out the main office. When all the Familiars were captured or eliminated and the charges were set, the transgenics left the Familiar headquarters and pressed the lovely button, blowing everything to bits.
Everyone cheered as they loaded up into the transports to head back to Terminal City. Max congratulated everyone and thanked them once again for joining together and defeating their enemies once and for all. They would now be safe from their transgenic hunts. Max also explained the procedures of what would happen when they would get back – burying the dead, caring for the injured, etc. Those who were available to stick around to help were asked to do so, while those needing to get back would be able to leave.
As soon as Max reached Terminal City with the remaining unharmed transgenics, she headed to the infirmary. Only 3 of their troops became a casualty. It was better than to be expected against the Familiars. Then again, only a handful of Familiars actually held fire arms at the headquarters, which made it easier to avoid deadly injuries. They lost 1 of the troops to the fight – those were immediately buried and honored in the traditional Manticore way.
The infirmary was working overtime as they tried to handle the incoming casualties. Several transgenics came to help after coming back from the fight. Max found Alec, but he was still unconscious.
"He'll be fine, but he needs rest. He lost a lot of blood. We transfused him though, so he should be getting better soon. The bullet didn't puncture any vital organs – he's more fortunate than some," one of the nurses informed her.
Max nodded slightly and continued to watch Alec as he slept. He looked so peaceful...
Dalton gently tugged Max's shirt to bring attention to himself. "Max, Dix asked for you."
Max nodded and thanked the young boy before heading over to Dix.
"What's going on?"
"Breaking news," Dix explained as he directed her attention to the TV.
This is a breaking news report. People all over the world have begun suffering from a strange toxin. Several hundreds have died, while millions have fallen ill. No one yet knows the cure for this never before seen danger, but scientists are working overtime to ensure that a cure is found as soon as possible. We will keep you up to date as news continues. It is advised that you stay inside, for it is believed that this toxin is airborne.
"The suitcase I gave you – it's the cure to whatever this toxin is. Long story short, the Familiars found it using my DNA to save those they needed. They were going to dominate the world after this thing did its job and killed off most of the population. I was hoping you could make several copies of it and send it to the CDC for a Dr. George addressed from...Linda Eastman."
Dix nodded. "Will do Max. It'll be out before tomorrow morning."
"Thanks Dix."
"No problem. Hope Alec gets better. I heard what happened."
Max nodded and headed back to the infirmary to check on Alec. She rested her head on his chest, listening to his strong heart beat as he slept. She was careful to avoid the wound, not wanting to make him feel anymore pain than necessary. She didn't leave that night, staying with the one remaining person she considered a close friend. She didn't sleep that night, shedding silent tears over the realization of all that had happened within the past week. Logan was gone. Joshua was gone. Her people had died in a war to defeat the Familiars. Alec almost died as well. She couldn't take all the pain she felt at that moment. It was too much for her.
At this moment, all she wanted was to disappear. She was no longer needed in this world. Terminal City and the transgenics were doing fine without her. The world had their cure. She served her purpose in life. How could she survive without Logan and Joshua?
Another voice reminded her that she still had Original Cindy, Sketchy, and everyone else at Jam Pony. Another voice reminded her that she still had Alec, who although he was on the surface an unreliable jerk, he truly cared for her, and he was a good friend.
As her last tears fell, she finally fell into some sort of restless nap, sitting right next to Alec, who had unconsciously placed an arm around her to comfort her. Although he was still out, he somehow knew there was a person who needed comfort just right next to him. Max slept peacefully until morning, forgetting all her troubles with the comfort provided from the simple gesture and reminding her that she wasn't alone.
As morning came, Alec had awoken now and was watching Max sleep on his chest. He smiled slightly, knowing they had finally succeeded. He had never seen Max so peaceful, and he was careful not to disrupt her in her sleep.
But her transgenic senses must have kicked in because before a minute was up, she had awoken.
"I thought you didn't sleep," Alec teased.
Max shrugged. "Had a rough week. What else can a girl do when everyone else is sleeping?"
"You could be getting me that pitcher of beer," he suggested.
Max punched him lightly on the shoulder. "You need to get better first before you start chugging down beer." She suddenly became serious. "Thanks for saving me...again."
Alec just grinned. "So that makes it two pitchers of beer?"
Max just punched him again.
"OW! I'm injured here!"
"Never stopped you from doing anything," she reminded.
"So? You're supposed to treat the injured with some respect. That means no hitting!"
Max just smirked. "You wish!"
Another X5 popped into the room at noon to deliver some food for the patients and informed Max that she was needed again in the command center.
Max sighed and promised she'd be back.
"It's about the cure, Max," Dix informed her as soon as she arrived to the Command Center
Max turned her attention to the news report.
This is another breaking news update from Channel 13. Dr. George from the CDC has recently informed us that a cure has been found. Here is Dr. George with the details.
The CDC recently received a cure for this unknown toxin and is now distributing it to the public as soon as possible. I would like to personally thank Linda Eastman - or is it Max - for ensuring the cure was received in a timely manner, as well as the people in Terminal City. Anyone afflicted by this toxin should take care to thank them as well, for if it hadn't been for them, we would not have been able to save as many lives as we did. Thank you.
This is Rebecca Stewart reporting from Channel 13 news. We will continue to provide updates on this devastating event, so stay tuned for more.
"This Dr. George know you as Linda Eastman? I didn't mention it was from Terminal City or Max," Dix said, confused.
Max just smiled. "I don't think Dr. George will ever forget Linda Eastman. She was...rather special. He knows she's a transgenic now. Her face has been in the media ever since the siege."
Dix just nodded, still uncertain of exactly what she was trying to say, but assumed that Linda Eastman was Max.
"Well, I guess we're all set now. How many people have stayed behind?"
"About half of those that came. We've got plenty of help until the injured are ready to go back on their own."
"Great. Where's Mole? I haven't seen him in a while."
"He's been around. I noticed he's been rather talkative lately with a certain someone."
Max raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Dix just grinned. "Yep. You'll find him frequenting our bar."
"This I gotta see later...Well, I'll catch ya later Dix. Thanks for your help."
"Sure, seeya Max."
A/N: Well, that's basically it. Sorry it's not too original, but I guess I've read so many alternate endings that it's easy for this to become a repeat of something that's been done after all these years. I will be posting an epilogue to conclude it within a week, which will more or less reveal how a relationship begins between Max and Alec...
Thanks for reading and please review...