Timeline: Post - �And
Jesus brought a Casserole�
Author�s notes: After reconsidering a few things and designing a few
more writing projects, this will be my only possible sequel to �And Jesus
brought a Casserole� because of my new writing plans.
This story is not Max/Zack in case you were wondering cause as much as I�ve come to respect Zack after the season finale, I still don�t think that M/Z stuff is right, sorry Zack fans.
I bumped the X7-Zack to X7-601 because I thought that since it was two generations forward, you would move the last digit up twice, as I did for X7-Max when I made her X7-454.
Inspirational music is provided in full by Black Sabbath, Finger Eleven, Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Rob Zombie, KoRn, Slipknot and The Living End.
�What�s the verdict?� Max asked as she
stood in the doorway of Logan�s den, where he was tinkering with the
exoskeleton�s servomotors.
�If I even think about doing a superhero
show again this thing will go off like the fourth of July.� Logan replied as
he finished disassembling the secondary mode to the exoskeleton.
�Well it�s the thought that counts.� Max
said smiling as Logan smiled back as he took the exoskeleton down and began to
slowly fit the device back on around his legs.
�You were really that close to burning out
the exoskeleton when you came to get me?� Max asked wondering if Logan had
known that he could have crippled himself again to save her.
�Max, when I told you that getting back on
my feet was more important to me than anything, that was because I thought I
could never be with you unless I started walking. I would have given up the
ability to walk if I could have if it meant getting you out of Manticore, I was
ready to give up on walking if it meant having you back.� Logan replied as he
explained why he had taken such a chance when it came to his only ticket to
walking.
�How could you be so sure that I wouldn�t
be a Manticore soldier when you came to save me?� Max asked wondering if Logan
had even thought about that possibility.
�That could never happen, you�re too
thick-headed to listen to anyone but yourself.� Logan replied as the two
shared a laugh that they had not shared in over two months since the incident at
Manticore.
�But I was smart enough to recover here from
last night�s ordeal.� Max replied as she recalled Zane dropping her and
Logan off at Fogle towers and Logan using all his wits to talk Max to resting in
the guest bedroom and rest off the time she had spent at Manticore.
�That�s because we both knew had you taken three more
steps you would have collapsed on the floor and you would have been too stubborn
to let me carry you to the guest bed.� Logan shot back as Max fake-slapped him
over the head.
�I would have let you carry me to your
bed.� Max replied smiling as she helped Logan fit his right leg into the
exoskeleton.
�Max, I hate to bruise your ego but you
couldn�t have worked my pants off without running short of breath, you were a
mess when we got back last night and you know it.� Logan replied as he pressed
a finger to her lips as he fit his left leg into the exoskeleton.
�I know, but I would have been more than
content to fall asleep in your arms.� Max mentioned as she kissed Logan�s
temple.
�Neither would I, but I was pretty sure Zack
would have stopped to look in on you and I�d hate for him to think that I
would take someone who just came off of Manticore reprogramming to bed.� Logan
replied as he turned the power to his exoskeleton, granting him the ability to
walk once more.
�Since when did you care what Zack thought
about us?� Max replied, reminding Logan that he had been rather callous in the
past about what Zack had thought about their relationship.
�I read the Manticore files, he was ready to
give his life to make sure that you did not die, I gained respect for him when I
realised how far he would take his stand to make sure you lived.� Logan
replied as he stood up as the exoskeleton�s servomotors whirred and granted
him the ability to move like everyone else.
�That also reminds me, you are leaving this
apartment tonight and having fun.� Max replied as Logan stood there enjoying
the feeling of being able to walk just like everyone else once more.
�Who died and made you the boss of my
leisure activities?� Logan asked wondering what Max was thinking when she made
the matter-as-fact statement.
�Your sense of fun, you�ve not had fun for
at least two months I am going to bet.� Max replied as Logan walked but
predictably to his computer.
�What kind of fun do you have in mind?�
Logan asked as he wondered what Max had in mind.
�Wait and see.� Max replied grinning.
*******************
�You allowed an injured X5 to fight his way past three of you and kill an X7, another X5 escaped and you were stopped by some non-transgenic and another X7 is dead as a result, you are failures, all of you.� Renfro snapped as she tensed as pain wracked as the bandaging around her severed ear chafed her again.
�The X5�s had outside help, four X5�s
that escaped in 2009 assisted in the escape and they were heavily armed.�
Thomas replied, trying to make sure his group did not receive extreme
disciplinary action for their failures.
�You still haven�t explained how Tinga
died, or as you so humanely call her, X5-656.� Brin snapped at Renfro, who was
taken aback by the verbal blow and David took a step forward, but Renfro held up
her hand and stopped him.
�Remember your place X5-734, or you will be
reminded of it.� Renfro replied with an edge in her voice.
�By whom? Those three? They couldn�t even
take on one of us anyways!� Brin snapped pointing at David, Chris and Alyssa
with contempt.
�You are entering dangerous waters X5-734,
you are already facing disciplinary actions, do not make the situation even less
in your favor.� Renfro snapped at her with greater contempt.
�X5-656 was undergoing a harvesting operation to remove her ova and all
reproductive genetics that allowed the XX-001 offspring to be produced, ordered
by Director Renfro, subject died with no attempts at resuscitation taken.� Amy
announced as she entered the office, late for the meeting, but early for the
battle lines to be drawn, carrying a file folder with the Manticore logo stamped
on it.
�Care to explain that?� Brin snapped as
she grabbed the file folder from Amy and shoved it in Renfro�s face.
�That is an illegally obtained document from
a restricted lab which none of you have authorization to enter, put it down.�
Renfro said, not caring that the true report of Tinga�s death in the
slightest.
�I think the entire X5 group would be
interested in seeing this, especially the three over in Hamburg would certainly
enjoy a fax of this report.� Brin reported as she tossed it to Thomas, who
read the report and cursed.
�X5-884, you will put the file folder down,
stand at attention and listen to my decision on the disciplinary action that I
will assign your group.� Renfro said, but Thomas ignored her.
�You three, take these three into custody,
then they are to go through A5 disciplinary action.� Renfro said nodding to
David, Alyssa and Chris, who were practically mindless drones when it came to
her orders, assigning them to put their three siblings under lockdown and
initiate the harshest punishment there was.
�We are not going anywhere.� Thomas said
evenly, but a definite edge was present in his voice.
�You will.� David replied as he raised a
Beretta 92SF and aimed it precisely at Thomas�s heart.
�Don�t be stupid.� Thomas said as his
hand prepared to retrieve his own sidearm.
�That�s a matter of opinion.� Chris
added as he withdrew his own Beretta and aimed at Brin.
�Put the guns down.� Amy snapped as she
withdrew her own Walther P99 and took precise aim at David.
David and Chris looked over, which gave Brin
and Thomas the chance to withdraw their own firearms. David now saw himself
facing Thomas�s Colt M1911A1 right in his face, Chris had an H&K USP
Tactical brought to bear on him as Brin withdrew her own weapon, while Alyssa
snapped out her own Sig Sauer P229 and aim it at Amy, who shifted her own aim to
target Alyssa.
�X5-614, you are either with us or against
us.� Renfro said as she watched Edward, the member who would tip the tide of
battle, but she was pretty sure he would shift with Thomas and Brin in their
quiet revolution.
�It�s over Renfro.� Edward replied as he
withdrew an FN Five-seveN and pointed it at Renfro, whose own hand had been
snaking towards a small H&K P9 hidden in a holster fitted under the desk.
�It�s Mexican standoff, anyone shoots the
six of you die.� Renfro said as she glanced towards Amy, Brin and Thomas.
�It still remains to be seen, whether you will survive this one.� Edward
said as his finger slowly traced the trigger of his pistol as he aimed right
between Renfro�s eyes.
�What good does it do any of us if six prime X5 subjects and I die?� Renfro
asked wondering what the hell the rebellious X5�s were thinking.
�Actually, there will be three unconscious
X5 subjects, and one flat-lining Director.� Thomas said smirking as he shifted
his aim to Renfro and pumped the trigger six times, shredding her heart, both
lungs, both kidneys and her liver.
Alyssa, David and Chris all pumped their gun
triggers, but nothing happened, they pumped their triggers again and again in
frustration, but were silenced as Amy, Edward, Brin and Thomas quickly swarmed
them and knocked them out in short order.
�Removed the firing pins from their guns
while they were sleeping, they forgot that you should always check your weapon
before you go anywhere.� Brin explained as Edward and Amy wondered why Brin
and Thomas had so openly flirted with death.
�Now what happens?� Thomas said wondering
what would be in store for Manticore considering the losses that they had
suffered recently.
�We�ll just have to wait and see.� Brin
said, she too was afraid what would happen if Manticore were to shut down and
they were all separated into different standard military commands.
The four X5�s carried their unconscious siblings to the medical wing of Manticore and then reported to the medical staff that the Director had been assassinated in her office the previous night when the attack had happened and that the X5�s they were bringing in were suffering from delirium of some sort. They had executed the mission well, an inquest into the death of their sister had been completed, punishment had been handed down and all the question marks had disappeared, now they waited for what tomorrow might bring.
*****************
�So let me get this straight, you received a heart transplant from your sister, suffered two months at that shithole undergoing torture, but still made it out and kicked the ass of your ten-year old clone at the same time.� Original Cindy asked as she and Max played some foozeball.
�More or less.� Max replied as she won once again thanks to her superhuman capacity when it came to just about everything.
�You know what I need?� Original Cindy asked, knowing that Max knew the answer.
�Another pitcher.� Max replied grinning as they walked away from the pool table.
�Read my mind.� Original Cindy replied smiling as they walked away, Original Cindy sat down at their table whilst Max went to get the pitcher refilled.
�You know, you may chose to swing the way you do, but sooner or later you�re going to get curious about what I have to offer.� Zane said sitting down, his womanizing demeanour taking over as he grinned.
�Don�t even try it, or Original Cindy will put the smack down on your ass.� Original Cindy replied, but Zane persisted driving her mad as Max stopped along the way to the bar.
�So let me get this straight, she broke into your apartment to rip it off, and you liked that?� Krit asked Logan as they sat at the table as Max stopped by.
�She went for the good stuff, I could tell she had good taste.� Logan replied smiling.
�That and that black cat-suit didn�t hurt.� Max added as she gave Logan a quick peck on the forehead as she continued towards the bar.
�Hey my sistahs.� Max said to Jondy and Syl, who were conversing at the moment with Sketchy.
�Hey, so where do you guys know each other from?� Sketchy asked wondering how Syl, Max and Jondy were connected.
�We went to school together.� Jondy put in.
�High school?� Sketchy asked curious.
�More like boarding school.� Syl answered as Max rolled her eyes.
�All-girl?� Sketchy asked as his eyes opened rather wide as he calculated possibilities and fantasies in his mind.
�Are you two going to be at this all night?� Max said as she dropped in on the debate between Zack and Herbal.
�Tis the will of the almighty.� Herbal said to Zack arguing his philosophy.
�That�s it, people get killed, there are homeless everywhere, that is not all good.� Zack replied arguing with Herbal.
�His plan is all good, all the time.� Herbal replied simply, believing wholeheartedly in his philosophy about life.
�Understand?� Max said to Zack as he and Herbal laugh.
�One love my brother.� Herbal says to Zack as they pound their fists together as Herbal gets off and walks off.
�Interesting friends.� Zack commented as he watched Herbal walk off and Max looked to the bartender.
�The best.� Max said smiling as she nodded to the bartender. �Another pitcher, and the handsome gentlemen right here can have whatever he likes.� Max said as she slapped a few bills down on the bar counter as the bartender refilled the pitcher and Max smiled at Zack.
�Wonder if this really is the end of it, no more running.� Zack said thinking about the recent events involving their birthplace.
�We�ll find out sooner or later, but I have a feeling after the way we kicked ass in there Manticore is going to find itself with its days being numbered and very digits in the number of days left.� Max replied reminding Zack the sheer amount of damage they had done to Manticore in the dual raids that had been launched upon it.
�Guess it may just be the end of it, Logan told me how he managed to liquidate all the accounts which Manticore pulls its funds through, they�ll have a spot of trouble explaining that, the DNA lab being destroyed, and X7s losing to X5s.� Zack said agreeing as he realised what they had managed to do to Manticore.
�Guess you won�t have to be big brother anymore and protect everybody.� Max said as she looked at Zack whose eyes flickered up to meet hers.
�Oh I�ll always be your big brother Maxie,
but for what�s it worth, Logan�s okay by me.� Zack said as his eyes met
hers.
�I seem to recall you saying while you were
sleeping back in the cabin how Logan was a gutless rich kid.� Max said raising
an eyebrow at Zack�s mention.
�When I saw how far out on a limb he went to
get you and me out, risking his own neck going in there, threatening our own
family and jeopardizing the ability to walk, I started to reconsider my opinion
on him, besides if he worked his way into your heart he can�t be all bad.�
Zack replied smiling.
�I�m going to see you later if you know
what I mean.� Max said as she gave Zack a hug that only family shared as she
retrieved the pitcher and put it on the table where Krit and Logan were sitting,
then whispered to Logan �Let�s get out of here.� As Logan�s eyes widened
and he grinned as he got up and followed her out of Crash fully knowing what she
had in mind.
*****************
Max sped over to Logan�s apartment in a hurry as Logan clutched onto her as they rode through the city at the motorcycles maximum speed. Arriving at his apartment and staggering to the bedroom as fast as they could, eyes flickered towards each other seductively as Logan lit as many candles as he could in the bedroom as Max shut off the lights. Logan helped Max remove her leather jacket and pushed it out of the way as they kissed passionately as Max then removed her blue top, revealing the tight pink tank top underneath as they kissed again.
Clothes were strewn across the room and legs
were tangled together as they woke up the next morning, smiling as they felt
their naked bodies pressed together, both parties knew it was right.
�Logan, when I passed out in the forest, back when we first raided Manticore,
I wanted to tell you something�� Max whispered as they looked at each other.
�Its okay Max, I know.� Logan whispered
assuring Max it was all right.
�No, I have to say it, Logan, I love you.�
Max whispered back as she let her head slide onto his chest as she forced back a
tear.
�Max, I love you too.� Logan whispered as
Max buried herself in Logan and wept.
�I was so scared I would never see you
again, when I found out I was in there.� Max said crying as she thought back
to all her time at Manticore.
�I was a mess when I lost you, I didn�t
stop drinking for a week.� Logan replied as he shared what he had gone through
when he thought he had lost Max.
�Lying her complaining about our problems isn�t going to change anything,
get up and dressed, we�re going for a perch.� Max said as she kissed Logan
and came out of bed and faced him, not at all modest that she was completely
naked, it didn�t matter to her, it was Logan.
�A what?� Logan asked as Max threw his boxer shorts in his face.
*****************
Sometimes
it seems like it to happened to someone else, like it was a story I heard or
something, but that�s all in the past because this is my dream and no one can
ever take it away from me, from us. Max and Logan thought as they sat on the edge of the
Space Needle holding each other as they watched the sunrise together, knowing
that while they still had to deal with all the injustices in the world, that
they had at least fixed the injustice of keeping them apart and no one would
ever wrong them in that way ever again.
***************
�Manticore has suffered considerable failures and there is no good leadership to control it right now, we are at an impasse and I suggest we abandon the project.� One of the committee members noted as the Committee reviewed the Manticore situation.
�Allow me to interject for a moment my
fellow committee members, I have someone I would like you to meet.� Another of
the committee members said as a man sitting behind him stood up.
�And he would be�� The first man began
but was cut off as the new man spoke.
�Allow me to introduce myself, my name is
Laszlo Kovacs, I believe I can assist with the Manticore situation.� Laszlo
Kovacs said as he stood up and addressed the committee. �I have a few projects
and designs in mind that could serve you well and can be accomplished at
Manticore using its facilities and rather unique personnel, if you will give me
six months, you will see profitable results.� Laszlo continued as he addressed
the committee.
�Very well, six months, but we expect those
results to be considerably profitable considering what Manticore have cost us
already.� The first committee member said as he nodded to the proposal.
�You will not be disappointed.� Laszlo
said as he exited the committee chamber.
�Now, new business?� The first man said as
Laszlo walked away smiling.
