A/N: thanks for the reviews, I appreciate the feedback.
Genre: Action, Angst, Romance (if you squint)
Pairing: Max and Alec
Other notes: placed somewhere in season 3 (if it were made)
Song: Run This Town by Jay-Z Ft. Kanye West and Rihanna
Run This Town
Feel it comin' in the air
Hear the screams from everywhere
I'm addicted to the thrill
It's a dangerous love affair
Can't be scared when it goes down
Got a problem, tell me now
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gonna run this town tonight...
Is who's gonna run this town tonight...
We gonna run this town
The day was upon them, and as much as she was disappointed that it had turned out this way, they were ready. The war chants for outside TC walls could be heard, the ordinaries syked for a fight that was building up for 5 years. In truth, they'd looked for an excuse to finally engaged the transgenic population and, White had made it so that it would be given on a silver platter. The TC residents equally chanted, to ready themselves for the fight that was sure to happen.
As much as he'd spent 5 years on the outside, he was and always would be a soldier. Max could deny it all she wanted, but it was engraved in this psyche and their was no running from it. People were going to die, it was one of the side effects of war, but he could help be thrilled at the prospect of a fight. Of a fight that was sure to determine their freedom. All the Manticore training had to count for something right? It was a dangerous addiction to be so ready to battle but, after 5 years of being practically dormant, the soldier in was crying to come out, the adrenaline run through his veins and the increased testosterone levels told him as much.
"I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this," Max confessed as she watched, everyone scurrying around to get to there assigned position as well as the swell crowd of soldier and civilian outside.
It was just like Max to hold that hope that this wouldn't happen, that the pseudo-truce would hold, but he was a realist and saw it for what it was; buying time so they can attack when they least expect it. There was no way the government would be able to conjure up the arsenal that was steadily closing in on the small city within a city, in two days it had to be a pre-planned strike. "Max this was always going to happen, White just duped us into making it happen sooner." He could tell she was disappointed and exhausted, more so now that her hopes were being crushed. He'd hoped the truce would work, at least for her sake to spare her the feeling of failure. But now that it was completely destroyed all he could offer her was his loyalty and promise to fight by her side like always, to fight hard to get the freedom she so desperately wanted for them.
"That bastard really knows how to screw us over," her tone tired. She had to commend White for winning the last 'screw you over' play.
There was no turning back now, she was all talked out, all negotiated out, now it was time to fight a war she so desperately tried to avoid. They were ready, thanks to Alec and Mole's 'better safe than sorry' planning. Both of them had always known this would happen, that this uneasy peace was bound to be broken some time, and had planned accordingly.
All kids and teens below 18 had been snuck out of TC and on route to safe houses around the country, as well as expectant mothers; only to return when things were completely settled. The rest remained behind to fight for what was rightfully theirs. They could have run, everyone of them, but then that meant they would also always be on the run, and hunted. If they threw down, however, it would secure freedom.
As for defence strategy, it was Alec's brain child. He had both front and rear entries covered, as well as blind spots she didn't even know about. People with top notch skills at hand-to-hand combat would act as the second line of defence, but also welded guns. Snipers lined the roof, of the command centre strict order to protect there CO at all times and take out bigger threats. Mole was heading the 'big gun brigade' that were handling the big arsenal on all four sides as the first line of defence. The medical enable were to primarily handle the injured, and would only engage in combat if and only if it was necessary. Alec was heading internal forces, meaning the one that would remain at the core of the city to protect Max and Command.
"But we'll have the last laugh," he promised her, with a determined tone, squeezing her shoulder to reassure her that he was by her side, and he got her back no matter what. He'd been the second to raise his hand when she'd asked who was staying to fight, and since then even though he may have had his doubts, he had her back.
Only when she felt the light squeeze on her shoulder, did she let herself relax slightly. He didn't know how thankful she was that he was still there having her back, and by her side despite his scepticism. "Is everyone ready?"
"And waiting," watching the same scene she was. The offensive side was growing in number by the second, reaffirming how unwanted the Transgenics were. But he'd be damned if they lost, they couldn't afford to. "scared?" he asked studying her face search for a lie.
"I should be, but I'm not," she sighed; it was the truth and it saddened her that she was pushed to this. But she wasn't scared, they weren't scared. Anyone scared was on route with the children, by her command. They were going to battle and were in it, to win it so only the willing were out there in the streets of their contaminated home awaiting for the first offensive.
It wasn't a lie. But he could see worried glints in her eyes even though they were being overpowered by determination. Pulling her in a half hug, he placed a soft kiss on her temple, which she wholeheartedly accepted.
"You're ass better not die on me," she warned, as the realisation that in this war he might be a casualty. He was a good fighter, and even better soldier she knew that, but heroes always did end up dead. "'cause if you do so help me," she didn't want to be weak right now, it wouldn't help her battle focused mind to worry.
There, that was the Max he loved. Always threatening his ass with bodily harm. It was an inappropriate time to smile, but just knowing his Maxie was in there; even if it was a small part was just overwhelming and he couldn't help it. "You know I'm too stubborn to die," giving her a light squeeze to assure her, just before an explosion tore through TC.
Life's a game but it's not fairI break the rules so I don't care
So I keep doin' my own thing
Walkin' tall against the rain
Victory's within the mile
Almost there, don't give up nowOnly thing that's on my mind
Is who's gonna run this town tonight
Alec closed down all exits to command, effectively keeping out the rogue external forces that had managed to infiltrate their first and second lines of defence. But their retreat wasn't without injury, Nicole had bullets wounds in her thighs, Dalton was nursing a nasty looking abdominal wound and he had a gash on his neck from an inaccurate bullet.
Max was studied the screens with Dix and Luke, all kinds of worried and helpless. The plan was she not engage unless completely necessary or for protection. It was the most annoying thing, being unable to enter the fight, but shed promised; stupid Alec! However, when she saw his injured comrades and the gash ,that would have been catastrophic if it was a flew inches the right, all promises were off she was going to engage no matter what he said. "Can't you ever comeback without a blood on you?" she asked picking a gun, which she'd long stopped loathing out of necessity.
"What can I say chicks dig battle scars," he replied, loading up on ammo, "besides it's just a scar." She was worried, he could tell. "but we've got bigger problem: White in the vicinity." not saying a word to Max about joining the fight. Two of his men were down, so any help was more than welcome; even if he would have preferred a much later entry on her part.
"And he is heading this way…Fast" Luke announced, tracking the familiars movements toward Command.
"That cockroach just never says die, does he?" Max asked, laying in wait for her nemesis. He wanted to play this dirty, then she was game. Just like the last time she would walk away with the victory, only this time it would stick. Tonight the Familiars were goin down for good, rules of engagement be damned.
As if on queue, the front door entry to the command blew open, White stepping in with a smug smile on his face, his Familiar army a step behind. "You're probably thinking you should have killed me when you had the chance".
"No, just thinking it will be even more satisfying beating you're ass once again, despite your under handed move," Max said, hand tightening around the handle of her gun.
"Is that why you need little toys to defeat me?" Noting the gun in the transgenic's hand.
"Anyone told you, you talk too much?" Alec asked springing to action in lighting speed, quickly joined by Max and the rest.
(Is who's gonna run this town tonight)
Fighting against Phalanx countless of times before, had made Max and Alec privy to how they fought. They used pure force rather than tact, solely depending on their 'feel no pain' BS to win fights. True they were stronger somewhat than the average x5, and not to mention bigger, but the were faster and smarter, which was an even bigger advantage over the Familiars.
Ducking a powerful punch, Alec threw a well placed kick to his Familiar opponent. "That all you got sugar?" as usual, taunting to get the Familiar good and made, therefore careless with her attack.
He was answered with a charge, from the abnormally muscled female into her wall that definitely cracked a few ribs.
Enough playing, he needed to end this now. Kneeing the broad repeatedly in the stomach didn't do much, since she felt none of the hits, however, when he landed a heavy elbow to the back of her neck she released her hold long enough for him to knock her out cold with the butt of his gun. They weren't going to stop, even if they got into custody their higher up would find ways to get them out, so Alec did something he hadn't done in a lond time. He pulled the trigger and put a bullet through the familiars neck, because a head shot could be recovered from.
Life's a game but it's not fair
I break the rules so I don't care
So I keep doin' my own thing
Walkin' tall against the rain
Victory's within the mile
Almost there, don't give up now
Only thing that's on my mind
Is who's gonna run this town tonight
Killing never gave her any satisfaction, but White dead gave her overwhelming satisfaction. Not only did she kill him for her life, she killed him for her people and the ordinaries who were quick to believe him than them. The world my not be the safest place, but without White, it was the tiniest bit better.
They weren't foolish enough to think it was over. It hadn't even began. But tonight this battle was theirs for the taking, simple as that. The government troops and tanker pulling out after being heavy battered. Perhaps they would finally see sense and negotiate, with the way General Kent had talked before retreating.
TV channels only showed the battle bruised TC, and the presidents speech promising peaceful resolution to the transgenic problem before any more blood was shed again. However, she just could bring herself to care to much at the moment, because it she couldn't delve in false hope again. Resolution of the 'Transgenic Problem' was to accept that they weren't a problem and they only wanted what ordinaries got freely… freedom.
A smile pulled at her lips as she watched the able of the Transgenics trying to salvage what they could of there home. Some celebrating silently, others just content with it being over. Victory was within the mile, they could all feel it in the air, and man did it feel good.
One face however, was missing from the crowd it was hard not to notice.
(Is who's gonna run this town tonight)
Her searches of the infirmary and his apartment come up empty, so she went to the place she would go to be alone and surely enough he was there; atop the tallest building in TC watching the sun rise from the horizon.
She knew he could sense her, but remained looking out over the city. Their city, not acknowledging her presence with any movement. He was troubled, she could tell by the way his shoulders were slightly hunched and he refused to look at her. Talking wouldn't help, at least not for the time being, what he needed was someone to sit beside him in silence. Just a presence by his side, that's it.
Her fears had almost been realised. She'd almost lost him, all because he didn't want to let go of the duty to protect her at all cost. Sometimes, she really wondered why she was worth all the fuss, why time and time again Alec risked his life to protect hers. It terrified her that his loyalty to her would one day get him killed, that's why she never really dwelled on his injuries to much, because it she let it sink in, the result would be locking him up and never letting him out of her sight.
Silently, she moved to his side and slide her hand into his entwining his fingers in her own for reassurance.
He tensed up feeling her hand in his own, but for reasons her was not ready to explore. Tonight he would just be grateful that the battle against the ordinaries was over and they were holding the cards they needed to garner freedom.
But tonight they run this town, and that was all that mattered. Squeezing her smaller hand in his, he reassured himself and Max of that fact.
We gonna run this town tonight!
a/n: yeah go figure. Reviews much appreciated; Constructive critisms most welcome; Flames I guess its to each his own.