A/N: Due to an overwhelmingly large demand for an update, here's the next chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 6: Unit 9

She sighed as she came to a decision to ask what had been on her mind. She trusted him not to report her, at the least. "Alec."

Alec looked up. "Hmm?"

"...if I wanted to leave and had a way to...would you come with me?"

Alec froze. Of all things he had expected from Max, this was not one of them. They weren't even friends. Well, at least he didn't think she thought of them as friends. Still, he didn't expect her to invite him along for an escape.

"Now why would I do that?" Alec proceeded cautiously.

"Well, now that you're spending the whole night in my cell, I don't really have the advantage of no one knowing I'm missing. I'm not letting you get in my way, Alec, so if you don't want to come along, I'll warn you now – don't bother stopping me. But if you want to avoid getting in trouble for my absence, come with me."

Alec absentmindedly ran a hand through his hair. He wasn't prepared for this. "Max, there's no way you'll make it over the perimeter alive with those X7s. They've got hive minds and they're highly loyal to Manticore. They'll stop you at all costs. If you're lucky, they'll take you back alive."

Max sighed. She should have expected this. "I'll take my chances, Alec, but this isn't me. I don't like training. I don't like Manticore. I can't deal with missions if I'm ever assigned one. I had a life out there, and I miss it. This may be hard for you to understand, but there are people I love and care about out there. I...just want to be with them," she admitted sadly.

"Is that why you didn't want to sleep with me?" he asked with a small smile, trying to lighten the atmosphere. She was wrong about him not understanding. He had loved once, but Manticore had taken all that away from him. He was the cause of her death, and the guilt he felt was still there after all the time he had spent in psy-ops afterwards.

Max nodded sadly. "Please...just think about it."

Alec's heart sunk. His only remaining mission objective had been confirmed, but his accomplished mission had brought along more problems than he anticipated. Why did everything have to happen at once? He remained silent as he tried to process everything that had just happened.

"Max, I'm not looking for trouble. I can't go with you."

"Then help me," she pleaded. "This is your chance to get me out of your life for good."

"Who said I wanted you out of my life?" he asked with a smirk.

"You're going to tell me you don't want a new breeding partner?"

Alec pretended to think about it for a while. "You know, you make it sound like all guys think about is sex."

"So what? Now you're going to tell me you're not the typical guy?" she mused.

"Does your boyfriend think about sex all the time?" he asked, steering the question away from him.

Max paused. "It was never like that." Although she couldn't remember who she had been with in her past life, she knew it didn't progress as far as sleeping together. She had a vague dream about it, where the image of her lover had been blurred, yet she knew it was just that - a dream and nothing more. But she knew they loved each other, and she was not going to give up on him. She only hoped he wouldn't give up on her...

Alec cocked an eyebrow. "You mean to tell me you've never slept with your boyfriend?"

Max turned away. "It's none of your business."

Alec laughed, "No wonder you want out so bad. Let me guess – you two kept waiting for the right time that never came. Now that you're back here in good old Manticore, you realize your mistake and want to make it up to him. And you say guys are the only ones thinking about it."

"Shut up!" Max said, now irritated. "Are you coming or not?"

"Max, now is not the best time. The X6s are conducting night exercises this whole week. Resultantly there's been several other X7 units added to patrol the perimeter," Alec lied. Stalling for time was the only thing he could think of doing for now. "You won't get out without being seen. Even you should know it's better to wait until security is loosened up."

Max sighed, knowing that it would be impossible to get pass an increased number of X7s. Her plan was already risky as is. "You're right. Next week then," she agreed as she returned to reading. Her eyes reflected a sadness Alec had never seen in her before.

Alec sighed in relief, glad that it worked, but he didn't feel any better for what he just did, and he couldn't understand why. Now he had to figure out what to report to Renfro tomorrow...

Director's Office, Manticore

"A new development?" Renfro asked as she admitted 494 into her office.

"Yes ma'am. 452 is planning to escape by next week. She was actually going to try and escape last night, but I lied about an increase in X7 units patrolling the perimeter to deter her from leaving. She asked me to come along, but I refused. Then she asked me to assist her."

"Seems you two have become quite friends," Renfro commented.

"She was left with no choice. She was desperate to leave and told me not to stand in her way. She implied if I didn't help her, she would make sure I was not able to stop her, ma'am." So maybe they were 'friends', as Renfro had put it, but Max had only asked him along to allow him a chance to escape Manticore's unhappy clutches after her escape. Wait, did that mean she cared for him?

"Why was she desperate to leave?"

"She says she misses her life outside. Her friends. She says Manticore isn't for her. She does not like training and would not ever agree to carry out missions."

"And a boyfriend?"

Alec paused before answering, "She did not mention one, ma'am." Alec knew that if Manticore found out, they would eliminate him, and no guy deserved to die because his girlfriend was a genetically-enhanced super-soldier stuck in a military establishment that wanted her to conform. He would at least give Max a chance to find her love again if she managed an escape; he was not going to let Manticore take that away from her as they had from him. Alec just wasn't intending on helping her escape. He didn't want any fingers pointed at him. He continued to make sure that the issue would be dropped, "I asked her specifically if she had someone waiting for her on the outside, and she looked at me as if I were crazy, so I believe she has no significant other."

Renfro nodded, but she still held some suspicion. "Do you know what day she may attempt escape?"

"No, ma'am. Just sometime next week."

"You will remain with her at night then."

"Ma'am, most of the breeding partners have already completed their mission a while ago. Won't this be suspicious?" Alec asked, hoping to be removed from this position. He was starting to get uneasy about this mission, as his loyalty to Manticore was tested time and time again, right alongside his morals and principles.

Renfro knew that he was right; if the two remained together, it would seem abnormal. So she decided something new. "I'll have 452 moved to another cell then. It will deter her from escaping for a while longer. Your mission is concluded, 494, as all your mission objectives have been completed. Well done."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"You will remain with her for tonight to watch for further escape attempts, but I will have a place for her by tomorrow night, so you will be able to return to your normal schedule. Your are dismissed."

"Yes ma'am." Alec saluted before walking away. He didn't know what it was about this mission Renfro had assigned him, but part of him was glad it was over, yet another part of him would miss talking to Max. He didn't really understand why, since every time they ended up talking, he would find himself with a few new bruises with no idea as to how they got there. Maybe it was just because she was an '09er, which made her a bit more interesting than the other soldiers, he concluded.

Conference Room, Manticore

It was the day before a new unit was to be formed, so Renfro called a lunch meeting to ask for a report from the trainers.

"How is 452?"

"452 was given some practice with leadership during a field training exercise these past several days. The units were broken down into smaller groups and I assigned her to lead one of them," Sergeant Nickerson answered. "She did fine, and surprisingly, there were very few problems. The X5s followed her orders without question and without emotion. If there was any resentment, none of them showed it. 452 has proven herself in Class Alpha, however, so there may be some respect that has built up, in spite of the way she isolates herself from everyone. That may not carry on to soldiers outside of those units, however."

"After lights out, she was assigned some of the more important pieces found in the leadership curriculum the commanding officers went through before being assigned a unit. Given the time, it's the best we could do, ma'am," one of the trainers informed. "If she's not ready by now, there's nothing else we can do."

Renfro nodded. Their answers would have to do. "Very well then. Your efforts to make this work are most appreciated," she said before adjourning the meeting.

Mess Hall, Manticore

"Hey Max," Alec greeted as he took a seat across from her.

Max didn't look up, stirring her mashed potatoes with her fork.

"You going to eat that?" Alec asked as he noticed she sculpted some type of bird like figure with her spoon.

"Leave me alone Alec."

"Oh come on. What's wrong Max?"

"Alec, just leave me alone. I'm not in the mood to talk, ok?" her voice was cold, emotionless, as if she had lost something. It made Alec uneasy. He had never seen Max like this.

"Max?"

Max was silent, but she looked up at him. The usual anger and irritation was absent. In its place was the same sadness Alec had saw last night.

Alec sighed, knowing immediately what was bothering her, and actually feeling a bit guilty for what he did this morning, but he immediately pushed the guilt away. He was just doing his mission; he did nothing wrong.

"Max. Everything will be OK. Next week, right? You'll never see me again, hmm?" he tried reassuringly, even though he knew it was a lie.

Max looked back down at her food now. She didn't know why she was so pessimistic about things, but she had a feeling there would be no next week – that her window of opportunity had just passed. It was only a gut feeling, but she had grown up on the outside world trusting her gut, and it had saved her plenty of times from landing back in Manticore. There was no reason for her to doubt it now. She shrugged before moving on to decorate her potatoes with peas and carrots.

Alec frowned, knowing what he said had no effect. Renfro couldn't possibly have told her about the move yet – he would have noticed her absence from class. She couldn't possibly have known he turned her in, could she? Then again, if she did, he'd probably be dead by now. Or ignoring him completely.

"Well, if you're not going to eat that, I can always use some more nutrients," Alec said as he took a spoonful of peas from her tray.

Max still said nothing and just allowed him to take her food. Alec downed her vegetables before watching her carefully. "Is Max in?" he asked. "Or is it just 452?"

That caught her attention, and her eyes instantly changed into the angry character he was used to seeing. He withheld a smile as he watched Max stop her moping, knowing he was only going to get a tongue thrashing instead.

"Why are you here, Alec?" she spat. "Can't your pea-sized brain realize I just want to be left alone, or perhaps you don't even have a brain!"

"Chill, Max. I'm just trying to stop your moping. Looks like it worked."

Max glared at him and before Alec knew what hit him, his shirt was covered in bits of mashed potatoes, carrots, and peas.

Max left the mess hall afterwards, deciding to cool off by taking a shower. Alec just didn't know when to quit, she thought. Maybe this time he'll learn.

Alec sighed as he looked at the mess she had made for him to clean up. Why was he trying to make her mad? He should have just left her alone. At least then he wouldn't have to clean this up. He realized then that he wasn't even blaming her for what she did, unlike when they first met. He had expected this type of behavior from her, so he could have taken the steps to prevent it, yet he didn't. He only provoked her more. Why?

Director's Office, Manticore

Renfro examined the X5s before her standing at attention. She had taken one from Units 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7. She took 2 from Unit 3 and 3 from Unit 8. "At ease," she ordered.

"Effective tonight at 2300, you ten will be transferred to Unit 9."

The X5s shared a look of confusion since Unit 9 did not exist, but no one said anything.

"Your commanding officer will be X5-452."

Another look of surprise spread through the line, as well as the programmed hatred directed at the mention of any escapee, but Renfro continued anyway. "Your current accommodations are located close to your own unit members to promote teamwork and camaraderie. To maintain that, you will be relocated to another set of barracks with other Unit 9 members. Your training schedule will be found in your new barracks."

She quickly ran through the list for the new living arrangements.

"You will report there tonight for lights out and begin training as a member of Unit 9 at Reveille. Is that clear?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Now she would give them the opportunity to bend things her way. "Any questions?" she asked.

"X5-321, ma'am," a soldier spoke up. "Permission to speak, ma'am?"

"Permission granted."

"Unit 9 does not exist, ma'am. How can we be transferred to a non-existent unit?" 321 asked, confused.

"Unit 9 did not exist, but it does now. You ten are the new Unit 9, along with your commanding officer."

This prompted another question, and another X5 spoke up. "X5-428, ma'am. Permission to speak, ma'am?"

"Permission granted."

"Ma'am, with all due respect, X5-452 is a traitor. She escaped eleven years ago and lacks the training we all have received during that time span. How is it possible that she be made a commanding officer?"

That was the question Renfro was waiting for. "I'm aware of the situation. Unfortunately, I cannot do anything about it. The decision did not come from me," she fabricated. "which is why I'm leaving it up to you to show us what you think of her as commanding officer."

She could see a few traces of a smile among the transgenics.

"Any other questions?"

"X5-729, ma'am, requesting permission to speak."

"Permission granted."

"You said the ten of us would make up Unit 9. Our total count would be eleven members. Most units are composed of fourteen to fifteen members, now thirteen to fourteen after the transfer. That still puts us at a disadvantage during group missions and exercises."

"We're looking for more transfers to even the odds, but you will have to wait patiently," Renfro lied yet again. "Work hard and maybe it won't matter. Any other questions?"

No one said anything, so she dismissed them. An hour later, 452 was scheduled to arrive for the same news. Renfro smiled to herself – so far, things were going according to plan.

One Hour Later

Max stood patiently at attention, wondering what this meeting would be about. Hopefully it wasn't about her unsuccessful attempts at getting pregnant, like the last meeting with the Director had been.

"State your designation," Renfro began.

"X5-452!" Max yelled. Clearly the woman was not tired of asking that same, damn question, she thought.

"Tell me, 452, what do you think of your training so far?"

Max had no idea why she was being asked this question, so she couldn't figure out what answer Renfro would want to hear. She settled for the truth, for once. That's what Max would say, and Max was in, not 452, she thought as she thought back to the question Alec had asked her.

"Ma'am, not very fond of it, ma'am."

Renfro hid a smile. "Is that so? Why not 452?"

Max said nothing this time, fearing any answer she would give would land her back in psy-ops – something she couldn't afford if she was going to jump the fence.

"Missing life outside?" the Director taunted.

Alec wouldn't give her away, would he? Renfro already knew she missed her life outside, right? If that jerk said anything...

When she noticed Renfro was waiting for a response, she gave her one, "No, ma'am."

Renfro moved onto the next question. "How would you say you are doing in Class Alpha, 452?"

Max smiled slightly as she asked in reply, "Ma'am, twenty years here and Class Alpha consists of your top soldiers?"

Renfro chuckled. "Well, since you have not had any problems catching up, I have new orders for you."

Max's heart skipped a beat – she had not expected this. She was under the impression that things were not going to change for a while, yet here she was, awaiting orders for something new.

"Four weeks ago, you were admitted back to training. I told you that you might eventually find yourself with a unit." Renfro paused for effect before continuing. "You have been assigned to Unit 9."

Max had stayed in Manticore long enough to know that Unit 9 did not exist, so she was confused. "Unit 9 doesn't exist," she blurted out, forgetting her manners.

Fortunately, Renfro overlooked it. "It didn't before. Now it does. Since units are usually assigned living quarters within close proximity to each other to promote teamwork and camaraderie, you will be moved. You are to report to Cell 421 for lights out tonight and to begin training with Unit 9 at Reveille. The Unit 9 schedule will be in your room. Until then, you will remain with Class Alpha and follow their training schedule. Your participation in the breeding program has also been terminated. You are no longer required to meet with 494."

Max's heart sunk. There went her escape tunnel. She should have left when she had the chance. She should have listened to that gut feeling. Now she would have to make a new one, if that was even possible.

Renfro noticed the disappointment in the X5's face and credited it to the ruined escape plan. Again she withheld a smile as she continued. "Any questions?"

Max shook her head, but then realized she didn't know who the CO was. "Ma'am, if Unit 9 is new, then who will lead it?"

Glad that 452 to ask the right question, Renfro let out a wicked smile as she revealed, "It seems I have forgotten the most important detail. You, 452, will be leading them."

Max could not believe the words coming out of the Director's mouth. "Ma'am, I don't understand."

"It's not that complicated, 452. You will be the commanding officer for Unit 9."

"Ma'am, shouldn't someone who has been here the whole time be assigned such a position?" Max did not want the position; it was not her thing. She couldn't do it. She wasn't meant to lead a unit. Why did this have to happen now – to her? She had tried so hard to avoid others. Now she would have to lead them?! Luck was against her.

"Are you saying you're not up for it 452?" the Director inquired. "You seemed quite confident of your abilities earlier."

Max was silent, seeing the trap Renfro had been building all along. She had just walked right into blindly. "No, ma'am," she replied through gritted teeth.

Renfro smiled in triumph. "Choose wisely, 452. Every order you make will reflect upon you. Every failure you encounter will not only be felt by you alone, but by those you led astray. I will make certain of it, so I hope you took your extra assignments seriously," she said with a smirk.

"Yes, ma'am," Max responded angrily, but still in a soldierly manner.

"You may want to stop isolating yourself, 452. It's easier to lead when your unit can trust you. Being a traitor in their eyes won't help. You'll want to change that, unless you really want them to think you are one."

Max had just dropped to a lower level in hell. She had not factored in the fact that she would be commanding a unit with an undying hatred for escapees. Who knew receiving such a position of high honor could actually be so bad? Max could only glare at the Director as Renfro celebrated her sweet victory.

"This isn't over," Max said coldly. "You think this will bring me back to Manticore? Nothing will."

Renfro crossed her arms and merely smiled as Max made it evident she saw through Renfro's plan. "I knew you were playing along 452, or is it Max?"

Max flinched as the woman used her name.

"When you were released from psy-ops, I could see it in your eyes and hear it in your voice. You had no intention of staying at Manticore, 452. You wanted to leave as soon as the opportunity would present itself, but you know I cannot allow that 452. You're going to help Manticore, whether you want to or not."

"What makes you so sure?"

"Because I know you, 452, and something tells me you will."

Max clenched her fist as she desperately wished she could strangle the woman.

"You are dismissed, 452."

Max sharply turned and left, not even bothering to salute. The only thing worse about realizing Renfro's plan was knowing it just might work. She wouldn't admit that to Renfro, but she knew just as well as Renfro did who she was.


A/N: Heh, first off, I have no idea what it was that made the last chapter so special, but I received a record number of reviews. Many seemed to like the MA scene in the woods... It would be awesome if that number could be repeated (or surpassed) hint, hint. Anyway, I hope you liked this update. The more reviews...the faster the updates come. The next chapter will be mostly focused on introducing the new unit. I know how difficult designations are to memorize, so I'll try to attach a specialty with each person before I give names (unfortunately names just don't appear overnight in Manticore) so that it will hopefully be easier to remember. I had trouble writing all the characters without having my own list in front of me -sighs-.

Some other thoughts about this chapter: I have no idea how I managed to make Renfro so...manipulative (well, at least I thought she was rather manipulative, but feel free to prove me wrong). I scared myself, really. I'm actually curious as to what you all thought of Alec's reaction in this chapter. In particular - not leaving with Max and reporting to Renfro that Max had no boyfriend...but whatever else you may want to add is welcomed. (subliminal message: answer to these questions go perfect in a review!) I know some of you were wishing Logan dead, and that most likely would have happened had Alec told Renfro, but I personally wanted Alec to be...is unselfish the word? -shrugs- I don't despise Logan enough to have him murdered by Manticore.

Some of you have also been wondering how much Max remembers. After looking into that, I realized I didn't really write about that until a few chapters from this one, so I added some tidbits to include what she remembers of Logan, but the rest will be revealed in due time.

Ahem, click the review button and speak your thoughts. It'll do you good... -grins- Thanks for reading!

For my anonmyous reviewers (or those who didn't log in - there was more than one, so I'm not trying to single anyone out...):

akka: I'm glad you're enjoying this fic. Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Kayla: hmm, I do wonder what would happen if Alec escaped with Max...or attempted to escape. Or escaped and then ... well if they escaped, there would be so many possibilities. It could be just like Season 2...or not. Too bad I can't explore that alternative in this story.

random person: Glad you like my stories. -smiles- thanks for the review and I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Astra: I'm glad you find the pace just right. Further down the road, I actually had to add a chapter in between chapters because I felt it was moving too fast from one point to the next. Hopefully I won't need to add anymore chapters...Well, Max as leader is coming up, as is her new unit! Thanks for reviewing and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!