Maximus's life was complicated to say the least. His biological mother Judy gave birth to him thanks to Mason Verger donating his sperm. After 3 IVF treatments and 9 months of a brutal pregnancy, he was born into the world. He doesn't remember much from his childhood except his time with Mason, who kept him in his studies and groomed him to run the family business once he died. Over time, Maximus grew to love Mason and truly think of him as a strong, resilient father figure. Margot and Judy always seemed so weak to him. Why couldn't they step into the role and into the family business? Did they think they were better? Mason sent Maximus to Europe to study abroad and he kept up with him via phone calls. Maximus certainly knew of Mason's plans to murder Hannibal Lecter and even offered to help, but Mason declined saying it best if Doctor Lecter did not know of his existence lest he use him as leverage against him.
Maximus was devastated to hear of the passing of Mason Verger. He tracked down his live in nurse, Cordell and tortured the truth out of him. He learned of the events that night and how Hannibal Lecter: murderer, Cannibal, monster...carried Clarice in his arms to safety that night. Cordell was just the first stop in revenge for his father. Hannibal Lecter was the ultimate goal and prize, and with his death, he could finally bring peace to his father. Maximus felt something deep down that Mason would never admit to. His belief was that Hannibal Lecter was in love with Clarice Starling. He tracked Hannibal across countries trying to capture and kill him, but turned up unsuccessful each time. He finally decided to test his theory of this so called love story by abducting Clarice. After all, he only thought it fair to take something precious of the Doctor's after he took something precious
from him. But he had confirmed his instincts to be true when he had learned how Hannibal Lecter nearly died thwarting the plans to kill her. He laughed to himself about how close Mason was at knowing the truth, but his father likened Lecter and Starling's relationship too much as a control thing; a predator hunting a prey. But Maximus saw through those lies and uncovered the missing pieces. Admitingly this discovery costed him a lot. He had some members of the FBI in his back pocket thanks to his father's contact information. A little "I scratch your back and you scratch mine." But the news media was taken by storm at a dead agent and a dead mercenary in Starling's house. Luckily, with all of Lecter's blood being all over the house and crime scene, the FBI gave Lecter the sole blame and reopened the case. Maximus laughed at all the attempts that were made at piecing the puzzle together. Little did the precious FBI know that one of their top
agents had willingly gone with Lecter. Oh the irony, and he so wished Mason could appear right in front of him so he could finally tell him, "I told you so father! You believe him incapable of love because you think he is a monster. But he is just a man. Weak."
Maximus sat in his large house. He owned several houses across the country and frequented them often. He specialized in selling and moving weapons around. It was fast access to money. He kept around 10 guards with him at all times. They were all mercenaries he picked up. Getting into a business like this made you lots of friends, but even more enemies. This particular house sat on a rather large compound that was gated and had heavy surveillance. There was a large iron gate that stood at the entrance of the driveway. He heard a familiar voice come over the speaker system.
"Maximus, it's me. Please let me in. I have some important information to share with you." Margot's voice boomed over the intercom system.
Maximus scoffed, "Fuck off. I don't need your help."
Judy's voice came over the intercom system next, "Please dear, Hannibal Lecter came to our house. We need to speak with you, now."
Maximus's breath caught in his throat. He pressed the button on the speaker system and the gate opened allowing Margot and Judy entry.
Once they made it down the length of the driveway, Maximus stepped outside to greet them. He saw Margot assisting Judy out of the vehicle. He noticed the blood stain sleeve on the jacket she was wearing.
"What the fuck is wrong with her?"
"She was shot."
Maximus nodded toward two of his men, "Help her to the nurse, now."
"Yes sir." They carried Judy in the house and left Margot and Maximus standing out in the cool night air.
"So...what happened?"
"He came to our home with a warning. He told me he wanted you to give up on this charade and leave them in peace. In turn, he would leave you alone as well."
Maximus grinned and let out a loud, deep laugh, "You have got to be fucking kidding me. He let the two of you live just so you could tell me that bullshit?"
"Do you not believe me?"
"Oh I believe you alright. But you should know that I am not stopping this until that man ceases to breath."
Margot clenched her fists, "I figured that would be your response. Max...you know what became of Mason that night...please...I don't want the same thing happening to you. I have spent years of my life disappointed I didn't take you away from all this. But you have the chance now to stop and walk away."
Maximus slapped Margot across the face, "The only thing I regret is that it wasn't you! It should have been you! Not my Father. Now then, you have said what you came to say. When is he supposedly making his move?"
Margot stood in shock, her son was smaller
than she was, and she had been hit before by Mason, by other men. But for some reason, that strike hurt her worst of all. But an unnatural calm moved over her suddenly, "Three days. And I have one last request to make. If you won't listen to me, then use me. Let me help you and protect you til he is dealt with and killed."
"Fine...if it is your wish to die for me...then die."
Maximus turned and left the room in a huff and he shouted something into the distant hallway, "Philip! I need you to make a run for weapons supply. We have a guest arriving soon and we must prepare. Take the cargo truck to the warehouse. You have 2 hours."
"Yes sir." Philip picked up the keys and left the house.
Judy came out into the living room where
Maximus now stood.
"Max...I..."
"Oh save it. You both left my father for dead all those years ago. That monster killed him and yet here you stand begging I stop. I will not stop. This was my father's last wishes. I will see them through. He taught me everything I know in this world. He loved me as his son. I tried being accepting of you...Mother...and of your partner...Margot. But if there is one thing I cannot stand for, it's weakness. You both could have helped my father...you could have been here. But neither of you were. I could have been here, but instead I followed his orders and stayed behind. If it had been me here, we would have been successful and just maybe, he would still be alive today."
Judy sighed, "Knowing when to walk away is not a weakness son...that is something we
have been trying to teach you for years now. But you just won't listen. He came to our house. He confronted us. He will not hesitate to come here and kill you. I don't know much of the man other than what Margot has told me, but one thing I am sure of...is that you crossed a line in his mind with Clarice. That was foolish. If you wanted him dead, then go after him. Attacking her, that was cowardice, and that is exactly how he views you now."
Judy stormed off into the back room where Margot now waited, "Let's go Margot, we are leaving."
Margot glanced up, "Where are we going? We have to stay and-"
"NO! Too long now we have given our lives to that thing in there. But he is no longer our son, I see that now. That is Mason's son. I am ready to start a new with you." Judy held
out her hand.
Margot took it and they both made their way outside. Maximus followed behind from a distance, "All those pretty words earlier and now you all leave?"
"We are not involved in this story of revenge. We are moving on from this. We came tonight to reason with you and to warn you that he is coming in 3 days time. Take that warning well son." Judy climbed into Margot's truck and they drove off.
A part of Maximus contemplated shooting them and putting them out of their misery, but honestly, he just didn't think they were worth the bullets. After all, he had a dinner party to plan now. He will take that warning as prep time. He made his way back into the house.
Unfortunately for Maximus, Hannibal and Clarice had followed Margot and Judy to Maximus's compound. They now knew where he resided, and tonight would prove to be the longest night of his life.
--
After a few hours, the cargo truck Philip took could be seen at the iron gate. The key card was swiped and the gates unlocked. The truck came down the path a little ways and stopped again.
Maximus's security team took note of this and made the call, "Sir, Philip is back with the truck, but he stopped at the back of the main road."
Maximus had just poured himself a glass of wine, and he made his way over to the
intercom system, "Go check it out then. Bring a few of the men with you."
"Wait! The truck is moving again. But he's coming pretty fast."
Maximus looked confused. He made his way out to the front and saw the truck barreling down the road toward the house.
All the men came outside to assess the situation. Alex, one of Maximus's top security officials shouted, "Something's off! Shoot out the fucking tires, but avoid shooting the cargo bed. We don't know what type of weapons Philip moved, there may be explosives."
"Sir! No one's driving the truck!" Shouted another guard holding binoculars up.
"Fire!"
Bullets sprayed the truck and hit the tires causing it to slip off course. Maximus and his men ran to the side as the truck came forward crashing into the side of the house.
"Hold your fire but keep your guns up!" Alex shouted. They approached the back of the cargo truck and the front. One man noticed the acceleration was being held down with a large stick and the steering wheel was kept straight using a belt.
6 men approached the back with guns drawn, and Alex motioned for two of them to open the back. What they saw, was truly horrifying. Philip was tied to the back of the cargo truck and he was bloodied up. His face had been cut up as well as his neck. He was covered in so much blood and one of the younger men threw up. Alex jumped in the back and checked his breathing. He was gasping for
air and his pulse was very weak.
"Be...cc..careful...its...a...trap!" Philip's voice was raspy.
Just then, a few bullets came flying down killing three of the men surrounding the cargo van.
"Fuck!" Alex shouted, "Get Mr. Verger back in the house now!"
Alex cut the ties holding Philip and carried him into the house. A few more bullets came in, killing 2 more men in the process.
The rest of the men managed to make it in the house. All that remained were 5 guards, Maximus, and Philip.
"What the fuck was that?! This doesn't seem like a Lecter tactic. What the fuck is going
on?"
"It's Starling," Maximus muttered, "Top of her class in shooting."
"Are you kidding me? She just wiped out half the unit in an instant."
"The truck was obviously just a distraction to draw us out. They are out there now. She won't have as much of an advantage if we stay indoors."
Maximus scoffed, "It's fine, I can descend a larger swarm upon this compound in no time. I just need to go make the phone call. Alex, Bill...you stay with me. You three, are on lookout. Take Philip to the nurse and be on the lookout for Starling. Backup should be here in 20 minutes."
"Yes sir."
They split up, while Maximus made his way to the basement, the power went out.
Gunshots were heard from inside the house. About 5 shots went off. Alex and Bill pushed Maximus on into the basement, "Move now sir."
Maximus went to the safe and pulled out his gun. Alex and Bill set up with guns pointed at the top of the stairs, "That is the only way in or out of this basement. We will hold them off until backup arrives" said Alex.
Bill nodded. But within a few moments, smoke began to creep under the door, "Fuck! They started a fire!"
"They are trying to smoke us out like a bunch of rats. If we move out into the open though she will be able to pick us off again." Bill
shouted.
Alex interjected, "Not necessarily. If we stay low, we can make it to the back and escape to my car."
Maximus was flustered, "Assuming they haven't disabled that as well. We don't have a choice, I am not dying until I kill that man myself." Maximus was afraid.
Maximus pushed his way through Alex and Bill and ran up the stairs. He opened the door with his own gun drawn, but he was surprised to see no one waiting on him. He kept low and ran out the back.
Alex and Bill were shouting from behind, "Mr. Verger wait!!!"
Maximus was running ahead of them when he heard gunshots from behind him. He
turned around and saw Alex and Bill fall to the ground. Philip stood there with the gun in his hands.
"Philip!? What the fuck are you doing? You fucking idiot I -"
Maximus was cut off when Philip pulled off his face revealing Hannibal Lecter who smiled, "Good evening, young Mr. Verger."
Maximus stood in surprise, but quickly picked up his gun to shoot him when another bullet came flying in hitting Verger in the hand causing him to drop his weapon.
Maximus screamed in pain, "AAAAAHHHHH...what...the fuck!" He turned his head in the direction the bullet came to see Clarice Starling making her way across the field armed with her sniper rifle.
"You bring your Bitch along to do your dirty work Hannibal?"
"I would watch my mouth if I were you boy. Your death is inevitable either way, but I can make it so much more painful."
"How did you- how did..."
"Really, are you so dull that you can't follow along? It wasn't anything complicated to even figure out...how unfortunate you seemed to have gotten your father's intelligence. We followed Margot and Judy here to locate you due to the fact you own lots of properties so that saved us some time. Then the next plan just fell in our grasp perfectly when you sent dear Philip to retrieve weapons. He had a key card, a large truck, and weaponry. Everything we could have possibly needed. A little improvisation if you will." Lecter laughed mildly.
"You killed my father! I will have your life, even if I lose mine in the process."
"I think perhaps you mean when you lose your life in the process. You have done something rather unforgivable, and you will pay for that just like your dear old Daddy."
Maximus kept holding pressure on his hand that was bleeding, "What? You mean her?" Maximus laughed, "Had I known you would have had this reaction sooner...I would have went after her from day one. How are those wounds of yours by the way? My boys in the FBI told me you were all but left for dead."
Clarice spoke up next, "So that night Ethan came to my house, he was working with you all along?"
"No, a simple payoff. We had been working
together only a few years, maybe 3 tops. Funny isn't it? How the FBI turns a blind eye so long as it benefits them. I specialize in moving weapons around. I need friends in high places to accomplish that you know. Once I explained my intentions of kidnapping you in order to kill Lecter, the FBI was all to eager to get rid of their problem child and her psycho boyfriend."
Clarice pulled out her pistol and shot Maximus in the leg.
"Aaaaaahhhhh!!!!" Maximus screamed and fell to the ground grabbing his leg.
Hannibal looked at Clarice and nodded. She tucked her gun away again.
Hannibal withdrew his harpy and approached Maximus. He tossed him the blade, "I will tell you the same thing I told your father all those
years ago...try cleaning off your face with this."
Maximus grabbed the knife and lunged at Hannibal, "Fuck you!!"
Lecter simply stepped to the side and Maximus missed, collapsing to the ground. Hannibal grabbed the harpy from Maximus. Next, Lecter took his other hand and grabbed a handful of Maximus's hair, pulling him to his knees. Hannibal stood behind him with the harpy held to his throat and glanced up at Clarice.
"Tell me Clarice, would you like to listen to him scream his apologies to you before I end his life?"
Clarice looked at Hannibal. She saw the way his eyes danced in the night sky and she smiled.