Title: Yadda Yadda, Bang Bang

Co-author: BHG

Author: Lusmeitli

Rating: PG-13 (until further notice)

Show: DA

Disclaimer: Cameron made them, no money, no cry

Genre: Action/Drama

Pairing: Yogi Bear and Betty Boo

Summary: My post-FN version, so to speak. It picks up right where FN left us hanging.

 

A/N: I would like to dedicate this story to BHG. Because you are a brilliant writer and I greatly admire you. Because you took the trouble to help me and to be bombarded (literally) by my emails. And because you kicked my butt to do this. :-)))

 

A/N2: The “preview“-format is used by kind permission of Heather.

 

 

 

 

Chapter I

 

Max stood hand in (latex gloved) hand with Logan on the roof, together with the other transgenics and transhumans as Joshua’s flag was raised. They all watched it move in the wind, softly flapping. Alec’s eyes wandered from the flag to the couple standing next to him. A pang of pain throbbed through his heart and made its way out in a soft sigh. That moment, the sun began to rise.

 

He remembered the very first sunrise he had seen outside of Manticore, just after it had burnt down. He remembered how he was scared of the outside world. So far, he had accomplished his missions and returned to Manticore, where – despite all – he somehow had felt… at home…amongst his own kind.

 

Flashback

 

He stood there in the woods, watching in disbelief the flames eagerly eat away what he had known as home so far in his life. He heard cries of fear, of pain. They reflected what he felt. Alec turned and ran for cover. On a hill he finally rested. He felt exhausted, not physically but emotionally. But what to do now? Where to go?

 

Until then, he had had a structured day: getting up, breakfast, training, workouts, drill, a quick lunch, then manoeuvres, lessons, a quick dinner, afterwards shower and back to the barracks, bedtime story, i.e. reading briefing files on missions, lights out at 2300. Physical check-up every fortnight. Psychological drill daily. Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays special classes in weaponry handling. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays additional ‘field trips’. Manticore knew no weekends. Of course that routine varied considerably whilst being reindoctrinated or staying in Psy-Ops. *Ever such a nice twist to the habit,* he thought dryly.

 

What was he supposed to do now? Desperation crept up on him. He still could smell the burnt flesh of those who hadn’t made it. He felt guilty to be alive and yet, at the same time, abashedly relieved. But then, the sun started to rise. He saw the clouds of smoke in the sky turn from blood red into orange. He felt the first rays of the sun softly play on his skin and, suddenly, he felt at ease and calm. There was something soothing and comforting in watching the sun rise. It was powerful, overwhelming. It nearly brought him to his knees, wanting to cry, but it made him strong at the same time. It touched something deep within him he had never known existed. He felt balanced. Strong. Just watching the sun gave him inner piece. And hope.

 

End of flashback

 

Just like it did then, the rising sun calmed him down now too. The adrenalin rush of the last couple of hours wore off and for a moment he felt strong and confident, happy even. Then his eyes wandered off to Max again. Her hair seemed like a reddish halo in the early morning light. The sharp pain stabbed Alec’s heart again. He tried to avoid looking at Logan’s and Max’ intertwined hands. But somehow his eyes automatically wandered to the spot where they were connected. He already had a bullet hole in his arm. He thought that was enough pain for one day. Why was looking at intertwined hands hurting him anyway? He willed his eyes away.

 

”What now?” Mole asked, ending the solemn moment.

 

Max turned to him, dropping Logan’s hand. Alec could tell that she was uncertain as to which step to take next. Maybe she could hide it from the others, but he knew her too well. Her eyes wandered from one transgenic to the other, softening at the sight of Joshua, stopping to lock with Alec’s eyes.

 

”Max?” Dix asked.

 

Alec could see Max swallow. He could see the fear in her eyes. The realisation that now all responsibility weighed on her shoulders. The fear that the decision she was about to take might be wrong and be their death. This feeling was very familiar to him.

 

He remembered the very first time he was in charge of a mission. Alec had felt the expectation to succeed from his superiors. He had shivered inwardly at the looks of his team mates. They entrusted him with their lives.

 

Logan was about to speak up, when Mole’s hand stopped him.

 

”Max,” Mole said impatiently, completely ignoring Logan. ”We’re waiting for YOUR orders. You said we should stay. Now what?”

 

Logan knew the ball was in Max’ court now and glanced from Max to Mole and back. They were staring at each other, not noticing that everybody’s eyes were on them.

 

Alec knew that Max hadn’t applied for this leadership role. Well, not really and certainly not intentionally. Her role as leader was questioned and he was certain Mole was not the only one entertaining some doubt.

 

”Uh, Max,” Alec said casually, ”didn’t you tell me before that you wanted to increase the sentries and that there would be a meeting on further proceedings in the command centre?” His eyes urged her to play along. For a nanosecond her brown pools displayed surprise and then silent gratitude.

 

”Why yes, thanks Alec. I was just deciding on who,” Max said with certainty. She pointed at a few transgenics. ”You’ll follow his orders,” she commanded, pointing to Mole. ”I’ll meet the rest of you downstairs in half an hour.”

 

Then she turned and stared intently at Mole, challenging him.

 

The lizard man just tilted his head and smiled. Then slowly and deliberately began to walk towards the roof door. As he passed Logan, his eyes shifted to him, full of contempt. “Just because we’re on the same side, doesn’t mean I have to like you.” With that he disappeared, transgenics following him.

 

Alec suppressed a grin, stepped up to Logan and patted him on the back. ”What a wonderful declaration of love. Did you get wobbly knees and sweaty hands?”

 

”Well, he certainly has reason to hate humans,” Logan said matter-of-factly, turning from the door.

 

”It’s okay. Joshua trust,” Joshua slapped Logan on the shoulder as he walked by, causing him to take a step forward and cough.

 

”Uh, thanks big guy,” Logan replied, rubbing his shoulder, ”I think.”

 

Max stepped as close to him as she dared. ”Dix and Luke have the computer system set up for surveillance, but there are still a few bugs that need to be worked out. Think you can help?”

 

Logan’s eyes shifted quickly from Max to Alec and back again. Max seemed so… different when she was around Alec, Josh and the others. He couldn’t quite pinpoint it yet, but it was a feeling he did not really like. ”Yeah, I can help.” Then, slightly lowering his eyes, he turned and left.

 

The roof was now deserted but for two people. Max grabbed Alec’s arm as he, too, started to move out. She heard him inhale sharply. At once, she realised where her hand had landed. It fell to her side instantly, an apology in her eyes.

”Thanks, Alec.”

 

He looked into her concerned eyes, seeing she really meant it. ”Anytime.” He turned to leave, but she stopped him yet again. He gave her a quizzical look. ”What?”

 

She looked at him silently. ”Did you ever… lose people on a mission?”

 

Alec’s eyes narrowed for a nanosecond. ”I remember the first mission I was in charge of,” he started. ”I was leading a team of six.” He frowned slightly. ”And I was… scared.”

 

”You feared the mission would go wrong,” Max said quietly.

 

”Yeah, that too.” He ran a hand through his hair and leaned his back on the roof door. ”But I was scared for my team too. See, they trusted me. Blindly. They would have died for me if I asked them to.” He snorted at the memory. It seemed so ridiculous. ”But they trusted me that the decisions I would make would bring them back safe and sound.”

 

”How old were you?” Max asked sadly.

 

He remained silent for a moment. ”Fifteen.”

 

She stepped closer to Alec as he continued. ”I couldn’t sleep the night before the mission. I knew that if something went wrong, my superiors would report that and I...” He stopped, biting his lip.

 

”...you would be punished for your failure.” Max ended for him. She remembered punishment for failure very well.

 

”I lay there in my barrack, thinking what would happen if I failed,” Alec continued. ”Maybe they would put me down. Or worse: they would let me live.”

 

Max rested her back against the door. “And you would have to face the eyes of those who survived and had lost their comrades. You would have to live with their silent accusations. And you would have to stand before your own conscience for the rest of your life.”

 

Alec reflected on her words for a moment, then nodded. He turned to Max and lightly put his arm around her shoulders, his eyes staring into hers. ”I know what’s going on in your head right now. It’s a heavy responsibility. And it’s emotional. But you’re not alone in this.” He gently hugged her to his side.

 

And Max hugged him back. She felt like in the night when she had told him about Ben. He had opened up to her once again. And just like then, what she heard changed her picture of him. It was as if there was something happening between them she didn’t quite understand yet. It was as if there was a sort of… bond building and connecting them on a level she had never experienced before.

 

They stood in silence for a moment. Then Alec pulled away and opened the roof door for her.

 

”Come on. You’re needed downstairs. The police are not the only problem we’re dealing with here. It’s the whole city. And I’m sure the National Guard will come whooshing in soon too.” He waved his hand, indicating Max to go first. ”Some action’s called for.”

 

Nodding, she walked to the open door. ”You forgot to tell me what happened on that first mission,” Max said, suddenly turning around to him.

 

Alec stopped dead in his tracks. A scene replayed in his mind over and over again. “Three casualties,” he said tonelessly. Then he put back a smile on his face. “Come on, we’ve got a territory to defend.”

 

She stared at him, realising how much he had revealed with just two words. Abruptly, Max slung her arms around his waist, hugging him tightly.

 

”You know, should you ever want to talk, my offer’s still standing,” Max murmured into his chest.

 

Alec didn’t reply. Max’ action caught him completely by surprise. So he just placed a feather-light kiss on her hair. His heart was thumping painfully fast at her touch. His arms went around her and he breathed in her scent. He wished time would stand still. Holding her warm body in his arms, Alec suddenly felt strange. It reminded him vaguely of a feeling he once had had, but he couldn‘t quite remember when. He just knew it was - good. As he felt her nuzzle up his chest, his heart pounded painfully against his chest. He didn’t know why, but he wanted to hold her like this forever. The emotion was too much, his mind was reeling, he was starting to lose control. *What is happening to me?* He scolded himself for that thought. Max needed him now. And what she needed was comfort and support. Nothing more. Nothing less.

 

As suddenly as her embrace had started, she ended it. She turned to the stairs. ”You comin’?”

 

”Yeah, I’m just gonna check on the roof. I’ll be down in a minute.” Max turned her head to look at him. For a very short instant, she saw a multitude of emotions run over his face. What she saw irritated her. But she understood that Alec had to sort out some things. So she nodded and turned.

 

As soon as the door slammed shut behind Max, Alec closed his eyes and let out a breath. He was overwhelmed by a wave of painful memories. He clenched his jaw and tried to will it away. He needed a clear head now. He drew a deep breath and opened his eyes again.

 

His view wandered pensively over the edge of the roof down to the police cars. The policemen were still standing in their positions, guns ready, fingers on triggers, waiting for that fateful word. For a short instant, Alec felt sorry for them. They had to fight a war someone else had brought on. They, too, had been trained to blindly follow orders. Orders arrogant, thoughtless and ignorant politicians gave. They were trained to complete obedience. Just like Manticore had taught them. So far they were equal.

 

Only they would get back up from the National Guard, whereas the number of transhumans and transgenics up to fight stayed the same. And if White got his special troops in again…they might be facing a real problem.

 

Alec sighed inwardly. They had to decide on how to proceed quickly, before someone else made the decision for them. One that might end up with them carried off in body bags, or being cut open in some pathological labs. Or, even worse, as guinea pigs for further ‘national research purposes‘. Neither of those options sounded acceptable to Alec.

 

He knew that the toxicity of TC would protect them only for a while. Ordinaries would find means and ways to get in without risking death. Withdrawing to TC was only a little time they had gained. Maybe just enough time to prepare for what was to come. Maybe they had better split up in small groups and make their way out of TC and Seattle. Maybe leaving would considerably increase the chances that at least some of them survived and could escape over the border. But then… They would probably be on the run for the rest of their lives.

 

Alec knew that Max, as every other ‘O-Niner’, had been on the run ever since the escape. She knew how it was to hide and to try to fit in, constantly having to fear not only being discovered, but also the ordinaries’ reaction. And now, with the open conflict, he was certain, she knew best what to do. All this running had shown her that she had to face it. And if this meant fighting, so be it. Alec was in.

 

Manticore had created them, drilled them. Manticore had tried to kill them by locking the doors when Max burnt the whole complex down. They were like annoying insects everybody detested, hated and was afraid of, creating a killer wish instantly. He wanted this to stop. He wanted to be able to be left alone to live in peace with his kind. None of them had had a choice, nor a word in the process of their creation. They hadn’t known any different since the day they were born.

 

Images flashed before his eyes. Three bodies being carried past his Psy-Ops ’residence’ to be burnt - his team mates - fragments of his punishment, Rachel, Psy-Ops, Biggs hanging there upside down…It all washed over him and he felt a stinging at the back of his eyes. His swallowed the lump in his throat. If they had to go down, they would go down in one hell of a fight.

 

Alec ran a hand through his hair. He felt very old. Not that he had enough problems, no, he had to play the bad guy that stole Max from Logan too. Just so Max didn‘t have to face her feelings and the consequences. And then the runes… He sighed. Logan had taken pictures of the latest ones and he was still trying to translate them more accurately.

 

Alec shuddered at the thought of Logan‘s hands on Max‘ body. Never mind if they were gloved. Just the thought of Logan having the privilege to touch her… *Whoa, privilege?* Since when was touching Max a privilege? And why was he feeling so strange about Logan touching her? She was his girlfriend, after all. However fucked up their weirdo-ship was. Still, something had changed. He just couldn’t pinpoint it yet. Alec didn’t dare to investigate this touchy topic any further. His life was complicated as it was. Besides, she would always see the bad guy in him, the screw up, the smart ass. She never would give him a chance. And she most certainly would always choose Logan over anybody el-- *Whoa!* Since when did he want Max to choose? And between who? Alec tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose and banned these weird, confusing thoughts from his mind.

 

He opened his eyes upon a soft sound. The flag that had been raised only a couple of minutes ago was still flapping in the wind. He remembered Joshua’s words as his eyes fell upon the red stripe.

 

“This is where we are now, ‘coz our blood is being spilled.“

 

“I’m afraid the blood-spilling ain’t over yet, big fella,“ Alec said silently. “It has only just begun.” Then he turned and left the roof.

 

 

Next on “Yadda Yadda, Bang Bang”:

 

If thou didst ever hold me in thy heart

“I can stay, I’m immune. Remember, I got Joshua’s blood.”

Absent thee from felicity awhile

“Transgenic scum!”

And in this harsh world

“The Conclave has decided it is time for another move.”

Draw thy breath in pain, to tell my story.

“And I just hear that to demonstrate just how violent transgenics are and what threat they form, we will show you now something truly shocking.”

                                                                                                Hamlet, Shakespeare