Chapter 17: Cure
"We're on the same side, Henry," Logan began, walking up next to Henry Kane, but more recently known as David Stevens.
David turned to look up at the man beside him. "I think you've mistaken me for someone else," he quickly denied.
"I have news about Sandeman's work."
David did not bother to look at Logan, but simply replied, "Let's talk someplace more private."
Logan followed his lead as David led the way to his office. Logan closed the door behind him as David took a seat.
"It may be already too late," David began. "The Coming has already arrived. These people can't be saved without the key. You shouldn't have come. It's dangerous for people like me."
Logan took a seat. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I thought you might have some answers. I know the key. You are familiar with Sandeman's work at Manticore?"
David nodded. "Yes, I am. I was a close associate of his at the time. He told me he made a special one that held the answers for the cure, but the Familiars believe there is no such thing, until Sandeman's own son White found her. They've been trying to eliminate her since, except for the fact that she's now the leader of the transgenics, making it rather difficult. No doubt they're going to try harder now since the siege is over."
Logan took out some photos of Max's runes and of Max. "Her name's Max. She has no junk DNA, and these runes began appearing on her body a year ago sometime before the siege began in Terminal City. We've translated them – they seem to tell of an apocalypse. Is that what The Coming is?"
David looked at the photos in curiosity. "The Coming is merely nature's way of cleansing the population of the weak, as the Famliars believe. Every thousands of years, a comet crosses by Earth, releasing millions of toxins into the atmosphere. Those who survive are deemed worthy of remaining alive. That is the Familiar belief. Through years of selective breeding, Familiars are supposed to be able to withstand this toxin. That is what the initiation ceremony is for – to test one's strength. Max is in danger as long as the Familiars are still alive."
"What can be done then?"
"I've been waiting for this moment all my life; I was almost afraid it wouldn't come. We'll need to eliminate the Familiars. I have some contacts I can call in to request a military favor on their headquarters. They've been aware of their existence for a while now and have just been waiting for the right time. We'll need her DNA to find the cure. She holds the gene sequence to neutralize the toxin, if Sandeman's notes are correct."
Logan nodded. "I'm sure I can arrange a meet."
David sighed and reluctantly nodded. "If I'm going to die, I might as well try."
"What's your story anyway?" Logan asked, noticing David was a bit uneasy.
"I was born into this life as the second child. I'm assuming you're aware of our rituals." Logan just nodded, so David continued, "I should have been killed, but my father, a close friend of Sandeman's father, tested me. His tests indicated I would survive, and so he didn't want to kill me. Still, he had to keep me in hiding, as if I didn't exist, for if the Conclave found out, it would not be good for our family. I've remained in hiding most of my life, but they eventually found out and killed my father. Sandeman took me in and hid me from them. Sandeman was a powerful man, however, and his ranking among the Familiars was higher than my own family line, which helped keep me safe. It was fortunate for me, and I do owe him my life. I've been careful to remain out of the Familiars' radar since I've left his protection. He promised his other son CJ that he would find a cure, that we would survive the Coming – he promised us to find a cure for mankind. Maybe he did."
Logan nodded as they headed together to his penthouse.
Jam Pony, Seattle
Max's cell phone rang. "Hey Logan."
"Hey yourself. Listen, remember those contacts I told you Kat gave me? I managed to track one of them down, and he seems to know what's going on. Think you can swing by after work or something?"
"Yeah, sure. I'll be there."
"Ok, good. See you then."
"Seeya."
"You going to Logan's again?" Original Cindy asked, watching Max get off the phone.
"Yeah, says someone can help figure out what's with all these tattoos I've been getting."
"That's all?" Original Cindy asked, suspicious.
"That's all," Max reassured.
"If you say so, boo. You two don't ever mix business with pleasure, do you?"
"Guess not," Max said with a smile, walking off. She had just finished telling OC all about what happened the night before, with the cure and everything. Just because they had...dessert last night doesn't mean they had to have it again the following night, right?
Original Cindy just shook her head in disappointment. Her boo was waiting all these years to get in bed with Logan and now that all is well, they're still acting like nothing changed between the two of them. What an odd couple.
Logan's Penthouse, Seattle
Max finished up work early and came in through his window as usual. "Hey Logan."
David looked up in surprise at the new visitor. "He's at his computer. You must be Max."
"And you are?"
"David Stevens."
Max nodded and headed over to Logan's home office. "Logan, that the guy?"
"Oh hey Max. Didn't hear you come in."
Max just smiled and went over to the living room where David was seated. Logan followed behind her.
"Well, I guess you two have met," Logan observed.
David and Max nodded.
"So...why don't you start from the beginning and tell me what's happening to me?" Max suggested.
David nodded and told Max what he told Logan while Logan went to get some refreshments. After the story, Max examined her runes. "So I'm some sort of messiah after all, huh?"
"In a sense, yes. I have some contacts in the area who can make the cure, but we'll need a blood sample," David replied.
Max nodded. "Sure. I'm free tonight, if they're available. What about the Familiars?"
"Already taken care of. Some of my military contacts have launched an attack on their base, under the understanding that they're 'terrorists'. If any of them are still alive after the attack, the cure would have already been distributed, and they won't be able to dominate the world as they had planned."
"Sounds like a plan."
"But Max, you'll want to watch your back. They'll may be still after you. It's hard to predict their plans," David warned.
"I can take care of myself."
David made the phone call and established the meet. They ventured over to a lab tech living in the outskirts of Seattle. He had been employed at Manticore and remained in Seattle, awaiting this very moment.
"I'll need a day or two to isolate the gene sequence, but we may be able to get it to the CDC for public distribution before it's too late," Larry informed after taking a blood sample.
"Thanks Larry," David thanked. "I guess I'll be going my way then. Don't think you'll be needing me anymore. I'm sure we'll be hearing reports of people falling ill within the next twenty four hours or so. The toxin does have an incubation period, which is longer for some than others. Good luck guys."
Logan thanked David for his help. Now it was just a matter of waiting.
Jam Pony, Seattle
A day later, Max was just about to head out of Jam Pony to deliver her packages when a Breaking News report came in, catching her attention
This is a breaking news report from Channel 6. Hundreds have poured into hospitals reporting claims of an unidentified illness. The CDC believes it to be an epidemic of some sort, as reports nationwide have come in of similar conditions in other cities around the United States. People are advised to stay indoors until the cause of this illness is identified. It is possible that it is airborne. Everyone is at risk. Stay tuned for further updates.
In other news, an asylum was attacked last night in a military raid. It was found to be a hideout for terrorists. Very few survived the raid as a dangerous battle ensued, costing many lives on both sides. If you have any tips to assist in the capture of these terrorists, please contact your local law enforcement agency.
Max's attention turned towards OC when she saw her friend suddenly fall to the ground, caught by a spasm of coughs.
"You ok, boo?" Max asked, concerned.
After OC stopped coughing, she shook her head. "I think I might have caught something. Whatever that thing is they're talking about, I think it's getting to me."
Max helped her friend back to her apartment. "There's a cure coming. I'll be sure you're one of the first to receive it, but in the mean time, promise me you'll relax and take it easy until I get back with it?"
OC coughed some more but nodded in agreement, falling into a restless sleep as the illness took over.
Max left to find the lab tech.
Larry's Lab, Seattle
"How's the cure coming along? I've got a friend in need of it soon..." Max informed.
"It's almost ready. Come back in an hour or so. I'll be sending samples to the CDC around that time as well. Your friend will be OK. Whatever this thing is, it takes its time to work its deadly magic."
"I'll be back."
Logan's Penthouse, Seattle
"Logan, you feeling alright?" Max asked gently as she saw him with his head rested on the computer.
"Oh...hey Max. Yeah, just...tired, that's all."
"I hope it's not that strange toxin getting to you too. It already got OC."
"I'm fine Max. Don't worry about me."
"You're taking that medicine when that lab tech finishes it. I'm swinging by later to pick some up."
"I'm fine, really."
"Just to be on the safe side, Logan. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Logan smiled slightly before falling unconscious.
"Logan?"
Max quickly took him back to his room to rest, hoping that the cure would be ready soon.
Larry's Lab, Seattle
"Is it ready now?" Max asked an hour later.
"Yeah, just running a few more tests. Relax a bit. Your friends will be OK. At least you know what's happening, unlike the billions of other people around the world who are unaware of why their loved ones are suddenly dropping dead."
"Please tell me Manticore wasn't the one that made you so...optimistic. I find that hard to believe, considering the majority of you are jerks, no offense. I've met a few friendly ones here and there though."
"Well you try working with someone breathing down your neck," Larry responded. "I only joined Manticore because of this expected outbreak. Don't think I liked doing what I had to do there. They were brutal."
Max just scoffed. "Least you weren't on the receiving end."
Larry ignored her comment this time and informed, "It's ready. How much do you want?"
"Half a dozen doses, if possible."
"I've got enough. You only need 50 milligrams to do the trick. It needs to be injected directly into the bloodstream though, ok?"
"Got it. You got any needles?"
"Yeah, here." Larry handed her some clean needles.
"Thanks Larry. Mankind owes you."
Larry shrugged. "Least I get to live as well," he said as he injected himself with it. "You're the true savior."
"I was made in a lab. All I had to do was stay alive. We should be thanking Sandeman."
"Assuming he's still alive, he'll know when he hears of it on the news."
"Well, I'm off. Thanks again," Max said before leaving.
She raced back to her apartment where OC was sleeping. She was careful not to wake her as she administered the cure. She then left to let her rest before heading back to Logan's place.
Logan was awake now and watching TV. He was not feeling too well, but he wasn't in as bad of a condition as OC.
"The cure. I got it and you're taking it," Max declared as she entered Logan's room.
Logan sighed and put the remote down. "The news still says they have no idea what it is."
"Larry's sending some samples to the CDC," Max stated as she wiped down Logan's arm with an alcohol pad before injecting him with the cure.
Logan winced a little as the needle entered his arm, but quickly got over it. "Good to know. Looks like you saved the world, Max," Logan said as she put away the things and headed back to Logan's side.
Max shrugged. "Not really me. Sandeman. I guess we've solved all our mysteries now about everything, including those cult weirdos."
"I guess so. Now we can have a normal life," Logan mused as he pulled Max onto the bed with him.
"That would be nice..." Max replied as she leaned into Logan. "But there's no fun in that."
Logan smiled slightly. "Eyes Only is still around, if you're looking for action."
Max was silent as relaxed in Logan's arms. She didn't realize how much she had missed him until now, and it had only been a few hours that they were apart. Logan kissed Max on the forehead as she leaned into his chest.
The two fell asleep in each others arms that night, comfortable with each other's company.
A/N: Ok...I personally felt that was a crummy ending, since I can think of many ways that I could have complicated it, but didn't. But I wanted a quick ending to the Familiar storyline. There's one more chapter coming (epilogue), and it'll have more (or all) ML scenes. I couldn't really have too much ML in here with the cure being found and all...if anyone has any ML challenges for me, however, feel free to leave them in a review. I notice there isn't much ML these days. I'm willing to do some oneshots...
RoseRed: After rewatching the series a few months ago, I was totally in favor of ML - it's the only way DA would ever end. I like Alec too though, and an MA relationship provides a different storyline, which is why I have explored that area as well. Both have their different appeals - ML is more romantic and...ideal? MA generally tends to be laid back and adventurous. But those are my personal opinions, so don't bother taking them too seriously...I'm sure there are other views on those pairings. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I really appreciate your response!