Road To Discovery (DA)
7 Feb 2010 21:28![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
skylar0graceTitle: Road To Discovery
Author: SkylarGrace.
Status: Multi-Chaptered.
Rating: PG-13.
Summary: Sometimes the thing you’re looking for is right in front of your face.
Spoilers: Set after Freak Nation so all of them
Disclaimer: Dark Angel and all related elements belong to Cameron Eglee Productions and FOX. No infringement intended.
Notes: Okay, so this is the first DA fic I worked on and is old in terms of my writing style. One day I'll get around to redoing it but until then, you can all check out what I was originally doing :)
The day had not started off well. Once again, Max had not gotten to bed and had fallen asleep at her desk. She was awoken suddenly at 4am when Luke burst into her office.
“Max! You need to come out here and see this.”
Max stood quickly, shaking the sleepy fog as she followed him out to the monitors. On the screen, the protestors had started two fires which were burning brightly in front of the gates. They had a beaten and dead X6 dragging behind them. From what Max could ascertain, the cross that had been set up before the siege would be used to suspend him. Max had a feeling of dread settle in her stomach. Since the ordinaries had killed Biggs, nothing as public had been done again.
“I’m bringing him in. We have a team on standby don’t we?”
Luke nodded. “I’ll get them to back you up.”
“Thanks. Also get Alec down here too. Let him know what’s going on.”
Luke turned back around to the desk as Max began her walk to the gates. When Max saw the gates come into view, she noticed the presence of transgenics behind her. Max strode purposefully towards the gates, stopping a metre in front of them and noticed the ordinaries had already tied ropes around the dead transgenic in preparation for tying him up.
“Let him go,” Max said, her voice dangerously low but exceedingly clear.
The leader of the group stepped toward Max and she heard the guns from the people behind her raise and cock. He stopped moving and glared at her.
“You are all scum!” he spat.
Max took a deep breath, trying to contain her anger. She needed to resolve this situation, needed to get back the body of a fallen comrade. Max opened her mouth to speak but the words died on her lips as two police cars rounded the corner and headed straight for them. As they pulled to a stop on the other side of the unruly mob, several officers stepped out of the cars with their weapons at the ready.
“Stand down!” a voice called out.
No one moved and Max was bristled that they were seen as the enemy until Detective Clemente stepped out from behind the car door.
“I said, stand down! Drop the kid now!”
The leader’s smug grin dropped from his face and he whirled around to face the Detective.
“What? Are you standing up for these pieces of trash?” he yelled angrily.
Clemente took another step forward. “Place your weapons on the ground now and move away.”
Max signalled for her own people to lower their weapons. If Clemente was going to try and broker a peace, Max was not going to stand in his way.
“No!” the leader screamed raising his weapon.
Detective Clemente did not hesitate as he fired his weapon. The man fell instantly and Clemente then turned his weapon towards the rest of the mob.
“Why are you standing up for them?” an angry woman yelled.
Clemente turned toward her. “This is not about sides, this is about the law and I am an officer of the law. A person has been murdered and despite what any of you may think marshal law does not apply here. I want all of you to lower your weapons and move away.”
Slowly, one by one, the mob lowered their weapons and several officers moved forward and handcuffed the group. A police van drove around the corner and they were moved into it. Max signalled for several transgenics to move forward and collect the body now lying on the ground. They cut the ropes and carried the fallen transgenic inside. As they moved past her, Max gave a small nod to Clemente who responded in kind. He then turned away and sat in the nearest police car. The engine started and the car followed the others as they moved off in the direction of the police precinct. Max turned around and followed the team inside, nodding her head at the sentries.
When Max reached Command there was a small crowd there. Word had already passed around about the situation and they were angry. Max saw Alec standing before them trying to calm them down. Zack, Zane, Krit and Jondy stood off to the side watching the crowd and Max gave them a small nod before coming to stand beside Alec. The crowd quietened as Max stood before them.
“Did they kill one of us?” a man standing up the back asked.
Max nodded sadly. “Yes. I think he was dead before we were even aware of the situation.”
Before Max could give any information, a woman off to the right started sobbing uncontrollably and she slowly sank to the ground. Alec moved toward her and knelt down, putting a hand on her shoulder. A large X5 in front of Max spoke up.
“I say we get a team together and go out and find the son of a bitch that did this!” he said, largely addressing the crowd before him. Max shook her head and narrowed her eyes.
“No, we won’t lower ourselves to their standards. We will not be the monsters they assume us to be. Now, Seattle P.D. was here and Clemente has taken the group into custody. They didn’t have to show up and they certainly didn’t need to arrest their own.”
“Bullshit!” the X5 before her yelled. “That is not justice. We can’t let them pick us off one by one!”
He took a step toward her and Zane noticed Alec stand and turn toward the other X5. His jaw and hands were clenched and his knuckles were white. The other X5 did not seem to notice. Max raised both hands as she tried to calm down the crowd, although her siblings could tell that she was furious and only hanging onto her calm by a thread.
“Let’s all calm down. It’s very early so I suggest everyone go get some sleep and we can have a meeting tomorrow and talk about things then.”
The X5 continued to shake his head and stepped toward her, reaching out and grabbing one of Max’s forearms.
“I don’t think so,” he began but was interrupted by a low, threatening growl.
He turned his head and noticed, with surprise, Alec standing six feet away, his entire body screaming out that he was a threat. The X5 only paused for a moment before dropping Max’s arm and furiously storming away. Jondy watched as Max tried desperately to control her anger before turning to the crowd still assembled. Zane saw Alec almost instantly turn back to the woman on the floor as the threat dissipated. He seemed as concerned about the sobbing woman as before - as though he didn’t just threaten the safety of another male.
“Please, everyone go get some sleep. We’ll have more information in a few hours and I’ll keep you informed of what’s going on.”
Max watched as most of the crowd left to return to their homes and an X5 stepped forward to help Alec pick up the woman from the ground and help her home.
Max took a deep breath and walked back to her office. She had just sat down when there was a small knock on her door.
“Come in,” she said, a little strained.
She wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. Jondy’s brown hair came into view as she poked her head around the door. After seeing Max smile at her, the rest of her body followed and she sat in a chair opposite Max.
“So, what was that?” Jondy asked with a raised eyebrow.
Max sighed. “I think it was an X6. I didn’t recognise him though so I have no idea who he is.”
Max placed her elbows on her desk. Jondy shook her head at Max and smiled lightly.
“I meant Alec,” she said watching Max carefully. Max looked startled and confused.
“Huh?”
“You know, the growling thing?” Jondy questioned but Max continued to look confused.
“He growled?”
Jondy shook her head and laughed. “You didn’t notice?” she asked incredulously. “When the X5 stepped up to you Alec became defensive. He growled when the guy tried to manhandle you. How could you not have noticed?”
Max shrugged. “Don’t know. I can handle myself though.”
“I’m not saying you couldn’t. And I think the only reason the guy was able to leave in one piece was because Alec thinks so too. He was defending you.”
Max only raised her eyebrows slightly and shrugged again. “He’s one of my best friends, as odd as that sounds. I know he has my back, just like he knows I have his.” Max turned her attention back to the paperwork on her desk and Jondy sighed knowing that she wasn’t getting anywhere.
“Alright, well I’m heading back to my place. Shark DNA or not, you should get some sleep, you look like you need it.”
Max gave her a tight smile in response and Jondy gave a small wave and closed the door behind her.
~
Max dismissed the meeting of TC sub-leaders and stood up as she watched them go. There were only six: Dante, who was in charge of housing; Dix, who was in charge of communications; Mole who led the transhumans; An X5, Elliot, who was in charge of X6’s, X7’s and X8’s; Kellie, an X5 medic who kept track of the medical supplies and led her fellow medical workers; and Leita who was running the training programs for TC’s residents. They worked together with Max and Alec to keep the city running. The committee made decisions together though a final decision had to be made by Max and Alec who, surprisingly, managed to agree on most things.
Max tried to ignore the irritation growing inside of her because of Alec. He had been fidgety during the entire meeting and Max had to concentrate harder just to ignore him. Max turned to leave when she saw Elliot re-enter the room. Before she had a chance to talk with him, Alec grabbed her firmly by the arm and led her away from Command. They had walked about half a block before Max roughly pulled out of his grasp.
“What the hell is your problem?” Max asked angrily as Alec turned toward her glaring.
“I need to get you somewhere safe,” Alec said, grabbing her arm and pulling her further along the block. She pulled her arm out again.
“I am safe. TC is safe. What is wrong with you?” Max spat, stepping back from him. Alec let out a frustrated groan.
“Max! You’re going into heat. I’ve been able to smell you for a day and I honestly thought you would have taken off by now. Based on Elliot’s reaction to you during the meeting, I’d say others are starting to notice too. If I don’t get you somewhere safe, you are going to be surrounded by X5 males.”
Alec stepped forward but stopped mid-grab and looked over Max’s shoulder.
“Hey Max,” Elliot began flirtatiously.
Max felt a pull in her stomach that she had felt over the last day but had ignored. She turned toward Elliot but Alec stood in front of her. “I thought we could go over some of the numbers. It would be good if you could re-check my calculations.”
“Back off Elliot,” Alec said warningly. “Stay away from her.”
“She’s not yours. She can go wherever she wants to,” Elliot replied, his gaze directed at Max and the implications obvious. Max felt a flush through her body and was mentally scolding herself for not recognising what was happening sooner. Alec stepped menacingly toward Elliot.
“When you wake up, find Max’s sisters and tell them what happened,” Alec said, a small part of him relishing at the confused look on Elliot’s face before Alec punched him hard in the face and he sunk to the ground.
Alec quickly turned around and grabbed Max, pulling her toward her apartment. Alec had to knock out only two guys before he found himself opening the door to Max’s apartment and pushing her inside. She protested as he shoved her into her bedroom and locked the bedroom door. Max pounded her fists on the door and Alec leaned his head upon it, taking a deep breath.
“Alec, why are you doing this?” Max yelled, pounding on the door.
Alec gave a deep sigh. “Max, you didn’t seem to be noticing what was happening but I know you. You would not have been happy when your heat was over. I had to get you somewhere safe before all the guys in TC were affected by the Alpha female going into heat.”
“It doesn’t seem to be affecting you,” Max snorted. Alec closed his eyes and tried to relax his hands from the tight fists they were clenched in.
“Max, I am trying so hard here and I have been for over 24 hours now. Now please stop talking,” Alec said tightly trying his best to ignore the woman on the other side of the door.
Krit and Syl walked into Command and stopped talking immediately. Mole and Dix were standing off to the side as Kellie did her best to tend to the three men in front of her.
“What happened?” Syl asked as Jondy appeared behind her. Kellie looked over at Syl.
“Alec,” she stated.
The three siblings frowned in confusion and Elliot stood, holding gauze to his bleeding nose. “Max has gone into heat. Before he decked me, Alec told me to find Max’s sisters and let them know what had happened.”
Krit laughed at the men.
“And you guys took on Alec when Max was in heat? Come on guys, surely the danger outweighs the hormones.” Krit continued to laugh at the now scowling men and the smiling Dix, until he felt Syl hit him.
“Does anyone know where Max is now?” Syl asked and they shook their heads in unison. “Come on, let’s go find them.”
Jondy nodded and they walked out of Command, bumping into Brin and Zane on the way. Syl quickly grabbed Brin’s arm and pulled her along. They could faintly hear Zane’s laughter as he walked into Command while they walked away, searching for Max.
When they reached Max’s apartment, they could hear Max yelling in frustration and banging on a door. Syl threw open the door and was met with the sight of Alec sitting on Max’s couch with his hands over his ears as he rocked back and forth. Alec looked up at them and his red-rimmed eyes showed relief.
“I am so glad to see you. I don’t know how much longer I could’ve dealt with this.” He stood up quickly and addressed Syl. “Someone should go in there with her and make sure she doesn’t get out another way and someone else needs to watch this door. When I get back to Command, I’ll try and find some more females to help,” he said quickly. He gave one last glance toward Max’s door. “Look after her,” he said to her sisters.
He received nods from all three and a smile from Jondy as he walked out her front door. Walking down the stairs he saw another X5 climbing them. He stood still and gave a low growl, warning the other X5 of the danger he was in. The man briefly paused before attempting to pass him anyway. Alec quickly punched him out and dragged his body toward Command.
“Alec!” Kellie complained as he walked in dragging an unconscious man. “Do you have to render them all unconscious?” she asked. Alec passed the man to Zack and Mole as he shrugged.
“I gave them all a fair warning. It’s not my fault they didn’t listen.”
Elliot stood and glared at him. “You seemed to take pleasure in hitting me.”
Alec just glared back. “You were given fair warning and you still tried to get to her. I told you to stay away.”
He turned to the two X5 females in the room. “Get over the Max’s place and keep watch on the door. And make sure you lock it.” They nodded before running quickly out of Command.
“You look like crap Alec. Maybe you should get some sleep,” Zane said looking closely at Alec. Alec shook his head.
“Nah, I just have a headache. It‘s getting somewhat better now that I don’t have to listen to Max yelling and banging on the door.” Alec sat down and rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hands. Zane and Zack sat down at the conference table with him.
“How long has she been in heat for?” Krit asked.
“A few hours,” Elliot said.
“A day and a half,” Alec said simultaneously. Krit looked between the both of them.
“Oh. Well, I didn’t notice until a few hours ago.”
Elliot got up and moved to leave Command with the other X5’s.
“Stay away from her guys,” Alec warned neither looking up from his hands nor turning around. He was met with a few grumbles as they left. Zane smiled.
“So, a day and a half huh?” he said to Alec. Alec looked up at him.
“Yeah, I was sure she would have holed herself up by now, but she didn’t even seem to notice,” Alec said with frustration. “Elliot was so jumpy during the meeting so I knew she had to get out of there.”
Kellie scoffed from across the room.
“Elliot was jumpy?” she said with a small laugh. “I thought Max was going to deck you for being so jittery. Apart from the occasional glance he threw her way, I didn’t notice anything.”
She finished packing her bag and picked it up offering Alec a small laugh before departing Command for the med bay and leaving him to roll his eyes.
Alec stood slowly and began walking toward his office and he was at the door when he heard someone call his name. Turning around he saw Bugler walk over to him. Bugler was about to speak when Alec heard grumbling sounds and looked up to see a group of X5’s moving toward him. They stopped at the conference table leaving a small distance between Alec and themselves. Alec raised an eyebrow.
“Can I help you guys?” Alec asked.
An X5 named Ryan stepped forward. He had been keeping an eye on Alec from the moment he had gotten to TC. Alec had unintentionally gained status as an Alpha at Manticore and Ryan had watched as history repeated itself at TC. Ryan saw Alec as a good solider when it suited him and a disgrace the rest of the time. He had been disgusted that Alec had given his authoritative position up to a woman and worse still, an ‘09er. Ryan didn’t have anything against Max, but he thought if Alec was going to keep an Alpha status, he may as well live up to it. If not, he should relinquish it.
“We want Max,” Ryan stated.
Alec turned so that his body was facing the group and Zack stood slowly from the table.
“Excuse me?” Alec said.
“We want Max,” Ryan repeated. “You’re the one protecting her. A few of us have been there and been turned away by those inside on your orders.”
Alec stood still with his mouth agape. He noticed that a few of the group were sporting bruises and Ryan had a developing black eye.
“I’m sorry, what exactly are you saying?” Alec finally asked, eyeing the group before him.
Ryan turned back and received subtle nods from the group. He turned back to Alec. “We want Max and we’re willing to go through you to get her.”
“Well, when you put it that way, absolutely not. Are you kidding me?” Alec said incredulously.
“She doesn’t belong to you. She’s not yours to protect,” Ryan said angrily.
Alec visibly darkened and his head tilted down slowly as he looked up at them. Most of them noticed that he was asserting his dominance and they knew that the only way to get around it was to challenge Alec.
“I suggest you all go wait this out. If you still want her in a few days then you can come back and ask her yourself. Until then, stay away from her.”
Alec’s voice became low and threatening. A few of the group looked unsure but Ryan stood his ground, not backing down from Alec’s challenging stare.
“Ryan, back the hell down before I make you,” Alec challenged.
Krit had been moving along the length of Command until he reached Alec’s side. He slowly put out his hand and grabbed Bugler, pulling him quietly away from Alec. Krit knew Alec wouldn’t hurt him but he worried that if Alec had to fight it out, he would worry about the little guy and lose focus.
Ryan gave a small, wry smile and slowly dropped into a fighting stance. Alec paused. So he wanted to fight this out. This fight would not only be for Alpha status, it would also be for the right to protect Max and that was something Alec was not willing to give up to anyone, especially not someone like Ryan.
“Ryan, trust me. Walk away now while you can,” Alec growled watching him carefully.
Ryan closed the gap between them with little effort and lunged out. Alec dodged the blow and returned with one of his own. Zane watched as the two X5’s traded blows and it was obvious they had different strengths. Like Zack, Ryan had been built for strength whilst Alec had speed and agility on his side, a physique better suited to an assassin. Alec gave a couple of quick blows to Ryan’s chest but was stopped with a well aimed blow to the head.
Alec moved back and looked at Ryan. Ryan let out another round of attacks and whilst Alec managed to cause him some damage, Ryan grabbed his arm as Alec led with a blow and twisted it, a sickening pop heard around the room. Zane moved forward to help but Zack put a hand on his shoulder.
“Let him finish this,” he whispered and reluctantly Zane nodded.
Zack understood what was happening on an instinctual level and knew that the shift in power would be dramatically changed if Zane stepped in to help. Zane wouldn’t understand the repercussions of his actions but the others would.
Alec pulled his injured arm back and glared at Ryan who had a smug look on his face. Alec raised both eyebrows jovially and launched another series of blows, ignoring the pain in his now dislocated arm and quickly breaking Ryan’s leg from behind, dropping him to the floor and putting a foot to his throat.
“Next time you injure me, make sure it’s more permanent. I won’t spare you again. Now get the hell out of Command and stay the hell away from Max or I’ll make sure your leg isn’t the only thing broken.” Alec growled dangerously.
He released him as a few of the group members moved forward to help Ryan stand. Once they had walked out of Command, Alec looked to Zack who walked forward and grabbed his shoulder. Alec pushed into his hand and another pop was heard as his shoulder slipped back into place.
“Thanks,” Alec said, “And thanks for letting me finish.”
Zack gave him a small smile. He wasn’t sure how he felt about giving up his power to protect Max to Alec but he supposed it couldn’t have been to anyone better. It had been Zack’s role to protect all of those in the unit and he hadn’t always succeeded. Besides, if it came down to it, Zack could always challenge him “You’re looking after our baby sister, so we’ll look out for you.”
Alec nodded in return and turned to Mole. “You and Dante go check on the girls and make sure they are alright. Those guys had bruises and they undoubtedly gave some back. Dix, put a call through to Joshua and ask him to go over when he has finished with the kids. If anyone needs me, I’ll be dealing with requisition forms.”
Author: SkylarGrace.
Status: Multi-Chaptered.
Rating: PG-13.
Summary: Sometimes the thing you’re looking for is right in front of your face.
Spoilers: Set after Freak Nation so all of them
Disclaimer: Dark Angel and all related elements belong to Cameron Eglee Productions and FOX. No infringement intended.
Notes: Okay, so this is the first DA fic I worked on and is old in terms of my writing style. One day I'll get around to redoing it but until then, you can all check out what I was originally doing :)
The day had not started off well. Once again, Max had not gotten to bed and had fallen asleep at her desk. She was awoken suddenly at 4am when Luke burst into her office.
“Max! You need to come out here and see this.”
Max stood quickly, shaking the sleepy fog as she followed him out to the monitors. On the screen, the protestors had started two fires which were burning brightly in front of the gates. They had a beaten and dead X6 dragging behind them. From what Max could ascertain, the cross that had been set up before the siege would be used to suspend him. Max had a feeling of dread settle in her stomach. Since the ordinaries had killed Biggs, nothing as public had been done again.
“I’m bringing him in. We have a team on standby don’t we?”
Luke nodded. “I’ll get them to back you up.”
“Thanks. Also get Alec down here too. Let him know what’s going on.”
Luke turned back around to the desk as Max began her walk to the gates. When Max saw the gates come into view, she noticed the presence of transgenics behind her. Max strode purposefully towards the gates, stopping a metre in front of them and noticed the ordinaries had already tied ropes around the dead transgenic in preparation for tying him up.
“Let him go,” Max said, her voice dangerously low but exceedingly clear.
The leader of the group stepped toward Max and she heard the guns from the people behind her raise and cock. He stopped moving and glared at her.
“You are all scum!” he spat.
Max took a deep breath, trying to contain her anger. She needed to resolve this situation, needed to get back the body of a fallen comrade. Max opened her mouth to speak but the words died on her lips as two police cars rounded the corner and headed straight for them. As they pulled to a stop on the other side of the unruly mob, several officers stepped out of the cars with their weapons at the ready.
“Stand down!” a voice called out.
No one moved and Max was bristled that they were seen as the enemy until Detective Clemente stepped out from behind the car door.
“I said, stand down! Drop the kid now!”
The leader’s smug grin dropped from his face and he whirled around to face the Detective.
“What? Are you standing up for these pieces of trash?” he yelled angrily.
Clemente took another step forward. “Place your weapons on the ground now and move away.”
Max signalled for her own people to lower their weapons. If Clemente was going to try and broker a peace, Max was not going to stand in his way.
“No!” the leader screamed raising his weapon.
Detective Clemente did not hesitate as he fired his weapon. The man fell instantly and Clemente then turned his weapon towards the rest of the mob.
“Why are you standing up for them?” an angry woman yelled.
Clemente turned toward her. “This is not about sides, this is about the law and I am an officer of the law. A person has been murdered and despite what any of you may think marshal law does not apply here. I want all of you to lower your weapons and move away.”
Slowly, one by one, the mob lowered their weapons and several officers moved forward and handcuffed the group. A police van drove around the corner and they were moved into it. Max signalled for several transgenics to move forward and collect the body now lying on the ground. They cut the ropes and carried the fallen transgenic inside. As they moved past her, Max gave a small nod to Clemente who responded in kind. He then turned away and sat in the nearest police car. The engine started and the car followed the others as they moved off in the direction of the police precinct. Max turned around and followed the team inside, nodding her head at the sentries.
When Max reached Command there was a small crowd there. Word had already passed around about the situation and they were angry. Max saw Alec standing before them trying to calm them down. Zack, Zane, Krit and Jondy stood off to the side watching the crowd and Max gave them a small nod before coming to stand beside Alec. The crowd quietened as Max stood before them.
“Did they kill one of us?” a man standing up the back asked.
Max nodded sadly. “Yes. I think he was dead before we were even aware of the situation.”
Before Max could give any information, a woman off to the right started sobbing uncontrollably and she slowly sank to the ground. Alec moved toward her and knelt down, putting a hand on her shoulder. A large X5 in front of Max spoke up.
“I say we get a team together and go out and find the son of a bitch that did this!” he said, largely addressing the crowd before him. Max shook her head and narrowed her eyes.
“No, we won’t lower ourselves to their standards. We will not be the monsters they assume us to be. Now, Seattle P.D. was here and Clemente has taken the group into custody. They didn’t have to show up and they certainly didn’t need to arrest their own.”
“Bullshit!” the X5 before her yelled. “That is not justice. We can’t let them pick us off one by one!”
He took a step toward her and Zane noticed Alec stand and turn toward the other X5. His jaw and hands were clenched and his knuckles were white. The other X5 did not seem to notice. Max raised both hands as she tried to calm down the crowd, although her siblings could tell that she was furious and only hanging onto her calm by a thread.
“Let’s all calm down. It’s very early so I suggest everyone go get some sleep and we can have a meeting tomorrow and talk about things then.”
The X5 continued to shake his head and stepped toward her, reaching out and grabbing one of Max’s forearms.
“I don’t think so,” he began but was interrupted by a low, threatening growl.
He turned his head and noticed, with surprise, Alec standing six feet away, his entire body screaming out that he was a threat. The X5 only paused for a moment before dropping Max’s arm and furiously storming away. Jondy watched as Max tried desperately to control her anger before turning to the crowd still assembled. Zane saw Alec almost instantly turn back to the woman on the floor as the threat dissipated. He seemed as concerned about the sobbing woman as before - as though he didn’t just threaten the safety of another male.
“Please, everyone go get some sleep. We’ll have more information in a few hours and I’ll keep you informed of what’s going on.”
Max watched as most of the crowd left to return to their homes and an X5 stepped forward to help Alec pick up the woman from the ground and help her home.
Max took a deep breath and walked back to her office. She had just sat down when there was a small knock on her door.
“Come in,” she said, a little strained.
She wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone. Jondy’s brown hair came into view as she poked her head around the door. After seeing Max smile at her, the rest of her body followed and she sat in a chair opposite Max.
“So, what was that?” Jondy asked with a raised eyebrow.
Max sighed. “I think it was an X6. I didn’t recognise him though so I have no idea who he is.”
Max placed her elbows on her desk. Jondy shook her head at Max and smiled lightly.
“I meant Alec,” she said watching Max carefully. Max looked startled and confused.
“Huh?”
“You know, the growling thing?” Jondy questioned but Max continued to look confused.
“He growled?”
Jondy shook her head and laughed. “You didn’t notice?” she asked incredulously. “When the X5 stepped up to you Alec became defensive. He growled when the guy tried to manhandle you. How could you not have noticed?”
Max shrugged. “Don’t know. I can handle myself though.”
“I’m not saying you couldn’t. And I think the only reason the guy was able to leave in one piece was because Alec thinks so too. He was defending you.”
Max only raised her eyebrows slightly and shrugged again. “He’s one of my best friends, as odd as that sounds. I know he has my back, just like he knows I have his.” Max turned her attention back to the paperwork on her desk and Jondy sighed knowing that she wasn’t getting anywhere.
“Alright, well I’m heading back to my place. Shark DNA or not, you should get some sleep, you look like you need it.”
Max gave her a tight smile in response and Jondy gave a small wave and closed the door behind her.
~
Max dismissed the meeting of TC sub-leaders and stood up as she watched them go. There were only six: Dante, who was in charge of housing; Dix, who was in charge of communications; Mole who led the transhumans; An X5, Elliot, who was in charge of X6’s, X7’s and X8’s; Kellie, an X5 medic who kept track of the medical supplies and led her fellow medical workers; and Leita who was running the training programs for TC’s residents. They worked together with Max and Alec to keep the city running. The committee made decisions together though a final decision had to be made by Max and Alec who, surprisingly, managed to agree on most things.
Max tried to ignore the irritation growing inside of her because of Alec. He had been fidgety during the entire meeting and Max had to concentrate harder just to ignore him. Max turned to leave when she saw Elliot re-enter the room. Before she had a chance to talk with him, Alec grabbed her firmly by the arm and led her away from Command. They had walked about half a block before Max roughly pulled out of his grasp.
“What the hell is your problem?” Max asked angrily as Alec turned toward her glaring.
“I need to get you somewhere safe,” Alec said, grabbing her arm and pulling her further along the block. She pulled her arm out again.
“I am safe. TC is safe. What is wrong with you?” Max spat, stepping back from him. Alec let out a frustrated groan.
“Max! You’re going into heat. I’ve been able to smell you for a day and I honestly thought you would have taken off by now. Based on Elliot’s reaction to you during the meeting, I’d say others are starting to notice too. If I don’t get you somewhere safe, you are going to be surrounded by X5 males.”
Alec stepped forward but stopped mid-grab and looked over Max’s shoulder.
“Hey Max,” Elliot began flirtatiously.
Max felt a pull in her stomach that she had felt over the last day but had ignored. She turned toward Elliot but Alec stood in front of her. “I thought we could go over some of the numbers. It would be good if you could re-check my calculations.”
“Back off Elliot,” Alec said warningly. “Stay away from her.”
“She’s not yours. She can go wherever she wants to,” Elliot replied, his gaze directed at Max and the implications obvious. Max felt a flush through her body and was mentally scolding herself for not recognising what was happening sooner. Alec stepped menacingly toward Elliot.
“When you wake up, find Max’s sisters and tell them what happened,” Alec said, a small part of him relishing at the confused look on Elliot’s face before Alec punched him hard in the face and he sunk to the ground.
Alec quickly turned around and grabbed Max, pulling her toward her apartment. Alec had to knock out only two guys before he found himself opening the door to Max’s apartment and pushing her inside. She protested as he shoved her into her bedroom and locked the bedroom door. Max pounded her fists on the door and Alec leaned his head upon it, taking a deep breath.
“Alec, why are you doing this?” Max yelled, pounding on the door.
Alec gave a deep sigh. “Max, you didn’t seem to be noticing what was happening but I know you. You would not have been happy when your heat was over. I had to get you somewhere safe before all the guys in TC were affected by the Alpha female going into heat.”
“It doesn’t seem to be affecting you,” Max snorted. Alec closed his eyes and tried to relax his hands from the tight fists they were clenched in.
“Max, I am trying so hard here and I have been for over 24 hours now. Now please stop talking,” Alec said tightly trying his best to ignore the woman on the other side of the door.
Krit and Syl walked into Command and stopped talking immediately. Mole and Dix were standing off to the side as Kellie did her best to tend to the three men in front of her.
“What happened?” Syl asked as Jondy appeared behind her. Kellie looked over at Syl.
“Alec,” she stated.
The three siblings frowned in confusion and Elliot stood, holding gauze to his bleeding nose. “Max has gone into heat. Before he decked me, Alec told me to find Max’s sisters and let them know what had happened.”
Krit laughed at the men.
“And you guys took on Alec when Max was in heat? Come on guys, surely the danger outweighs the hormones.” Krit continued to laugh at the now scowling men and the smiling Dix, until he felt Syl hit him.
“Does anyone know where Max is now?” Syl asked and they shook their heads in unison. “Come on, let’s go find them.”
Jondy nodded and they walked out of Command, bumping into Brin and Zane on the way. Syl quickly grabbed Brin’s arm and pulled her along. They could faintly hear Zane’s laughter as he walked into Command while they walked away, searching for Max.
When they reached Max’s apartment, they could hear Max yelling in frustration and banging on a door. Syl threw open the door and was met with the sight of Alec sitting on Max’s couch with his hands over his ears as he rocked back and forth. Alec looked up at them and his red-rimmed eyes showed relief.
“I am so glad to see you. I don’t know how much longer I could’ve dealt with this.” He stood up quickly and addressed Syl. “Someone should go in there with her and make sure she doesn’t get out another way and someone else needs to watch this door. When I get back to Command, I’ll try and find some more females to help,” he said quickly. He gave one last glance toward Max’s door. “Look after her,” he said to her sisters.
He received nods from all three and a smile from Jondy as he walked out her front door. Walking down the stairs he saw another X5 climbing them. He stood still and gave a low growl, warning the other X5 of the danger he was in. The man briefly paused before attempting to pass him anyway. Alec quickly punched him out and dragged his body toward Command.
“Alec!” Kellie complained as he walked in dragging an unconscious man. “Do you have to render them all unconscious?” she asked. Alec passed the man to Zack and Mole as he shrugged.
“I gave them all a fair warning. It’s not my fault they didn’t listen.”
Elliot stood and glared at him. “You seemed to take pleasure in hitting me.”
Alec just glared back. “You were given fair warning and you still tried to get to her. I told you to stay away.”
He turned to the two X5 females in the room. “Get over the Max’s place and keep watch on the door. And make sure you lock it.” They nodded before running quickly out of Command.
“You look like crap Alec. Maybe you should get some sleep,” Zane said looking closely at Alec. Alec shook his head.
“Nah, I just have a headache. It‘s getting somewhat better now that I don’t have to listen to Max yelling and banging on the door.” Alec sat down and rubbed his eyes with the heel of his hands. Zane and Zack sat down at the conference table with him.
“How long has she been in heat for?” Krit asked.
“A few hours,” Elliot said.
“A day and a half,” Alec said simultaneously. Krit looked between the both of them.
“Oh. Well, I didn’t notice until a few hours ago.”
Elliot got up and moved to leave Command with the other X5’s.
“Stay away from her guys,” Alec warned neither looking up from his hands nor turning around. He was met with a few grumbles as they left. Zane smiled.
“So, a day and a half huh?” he said to Alec. Alec looked up at him.
“Yeah, I was sure she would have holed herself up by now, but she didn’t even seem to notice,” Alec said with frustration. “Elliot was so jumpy during the meeting so I knew she had to get out of there.”
Kellie scoffed from across the room.
“Elliot was jumpy?” she said with a small laugh. “I thought Max was going to deck you for being so jittery. Apart from the occasional glance he threw her way, I didn’t notice anything.”
She finished packing her bag and picked it up offering Alec a small laugh before departing Command for the med bay and leaving him to roll his eyes.
Alec stood slowly and began walking toward his office and he was at the door when he heard someone call his name. Turning around he saw Bugler walk over to him. Bugler was about to speak when Alec heard grumbling sounds and looked up to see a group of X5’s moving toward him. They stopped at the conference table leaving a small distance between Alec and themselves. Alec raised an eyebrow.
“Can I help you guys?” Alec asked.
An X5 named Ryan stepped forward. He had been keeping an eye on Alec from the moment he had gotten to TC. Alec had unintentionally gained status as an Alpha at Manticore and Ryan had watched as history repeated itself at TC. Ryan saw Alec as a good solider when it suited him and a disgrace the rest of the time. He had been disgusted that Alec had given his authoritative position up to a woman and worse still, an ‘09er. Ryan didn’t have anything against Max, but he thought if Alec was going to keep an Alpha status, he may as well live up to it. If not, he should relinquish it.
“We want Max,” Ryan stated.
Alec turned so that his body was facing the group and Zack stood slowly from the table.
“Excuse me?” Alec said.
“We want Max,” Ryan repeated. “You’re the one protecting her. A few of us have been there and been turned away by those inside on your orders.”
Alec stood still with his mouth agape. He noticed that a few of the group were sporting bruises and Ryan had a developing black eye.
“I’m sorry, what exactly are you saying?” Alec finally asked, eyeing the group before him.
Ryan turned back and received subtle nods from the group. He turned back to Alec. “We want Max and we’re willing to go through you to get her.”
“Well, when you put it that way, absolutely not. Are you kidding me?” Alec said incredulously.
“She doesn’t belong to you. She’s not yours to protect,” Ryan said angrily.
Alec visibly darkened and his head tilted down slowly as he looked up at them. Most of them noticed that he was asserting his dominance and they knew that the only way to get around it was to challenge Alec.
“I suggest you all go wait this out. If you still want her in a few days then you can come back and ask her yourself. Until then, stay away from her.”
Alec’s voice became low and threatening. A few of the group looked unsure but Ryan stood his ground, not backing down from Alec’s challenging stare.
“Ryan, back the hell down before I make you,” Alec challenged.
Krit had been moving along the length of Command until he reached Alec’s side. He slowly put out his hand and grabbed Bugler, pulling him quietly away from Alec. Krit knew Alec wouldn’t hurt him but he worried that if Alec had to fight it out, he would worry about the little guy and lose focus.
Ryan gave a small, wry smile and slowly dropped into a fighting stance. Alec paused. So he wanted to fight this out. This fight would not only be for Alpha status, it would also be for the right to protect Max and that was something Alec was not willing to give up to anyone, especially not someone like Ryan.
“Ryan, trust me. Walk away now while you can,” Alec growled watching him carefully.
Ryan closed the gap between them with little effort and lunged out. Alec dodged the blow and returned with one of his own. Zane watched as the two X5’s traded blows and it was obvious they had different strengths. Like Zack, Ryan had been built for strength whilst Alec had speed and agility on his side, a physique better suited to an assassin. Alec gave a couple of quick blows to Ryan’s chest but was stopped with a well aimed blow to the head.
Alec moved back and looked at Ryan. Ryan let out another round of attacks and whilst Alec managed to cause him some damage, Ryan grabbed his arm as Alec led with a blow and twisted it, a sickening pop heard around the room. Zane moved forward to help but Zack put a hand on his shoulder.
“Let him finish this,” he whispered and reluctantly Zane nodded.
Zack understood what was happening on an instinctual level and knew that the shift in power would be dramatically changed if Zane stepped in to help. Zane wouldn’t understand the repercussions of his actions but the others would.
Alec pulled his injured arm back and glared at Ryan who had a smug look on his face. Alec raised both eyebrows jovially and launched another series of blows, ignoring the pain in his now dislocated arm and quickly breaking Ryan’s leg from behind, dropping him to the floor and putting a foot to his throat.
“Next time you injure me, make sure it’s more permanent. I won’t spare you again. Now get the hell out of Command and stay the hell away from Max or I’ll make sure your leg isn’t the only thing broken.” Alec growled dangerously.
He released him as a few of the group members moved forward to help Ryan stand. Once they had walked out of Command, Alec looked to Zack who walked forward and grabbed his shoulder. Alec pushed into his hand and another pop was heard as his shoulder slipped back into place.
“Thanks,” Alec said, “And thanks for letting me finish.”
Zack gave him a small smile. He wasn’t sure how he felt about giving up his power to protect Max to Alec but he supposed it couldn’t have been to anyone better. It had been Zack’s role to protect all of those in the unit and he hadn’t always succeeded. Besides, if it came down to it, Zack could always challenge him “You’re looking after our baby sister, so we’ll look out for you.”
Alec nodded in return and turned to Mole. “You and Dante go check on the girls and make sure they are alright. Those guys had bruises and they undoubtedly gave some back. Dix, put a call through to Joshua and ask him to go over when he has finished with the kids. If anyone needs me, I’ll be dealing with requisition forms.”
