Chaos Theory – Chapter 3

Proposition

2020, Post-Pulse Seattle, Washington – Present Day

Logan reeled backwards at the force of her words. Never before had he heard such desperation, anger, pain and terror wrapped in one. This girl obviously had huge issues regarding Manticore. If only he could find out what they were and why she felt so strongly.

Logan’s research hadn’t yielded quite as much information as he would have liked. Deacon had given him basic facts and he’d had to work from there. But Manticore knew how to cover their tracks. Here he was, two years later, still struggling to get any information at all on Manticore and their secrets.

Eyes Only had been contacted a few years back by a man named Robert Berrisford. Berrisford had known quite a bit about Manticore’s operations and was sure someone was out to kill him. He’d asked Eyes Only to find asylum for his daughter, Rachel. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Manticore had sent an operative to take the Berrisfords out. Rachel had been killed, though Robert had survived. Eyes Only had gotten him out of the country shortly thereafter.

Logan was intrigued. The operative had entered the Berrisfords’ home posing as a piano teacher to Rachel and eventually they had become intimate. Logan couldn’t fathom how someone could be loving and caring one minute and then murder the object of his affections the next. It was inconceivable, inhuman. But that’s where all the information he had gathered fell into place. These soldiers were not human, not completely.

And looking at the girl before him, at Max, he took that into account. She looked like a trapped animal and trapped animals could become dangerous. He had to tread carefully here.

He knelt next to Max and spoke softly.

“Don’t worry. We’re not going to send you back there. I’ve heard of Manticore. The things they’ve done aren’t what I would wish on my worst enemy.”

Turning to Asha he said, “Call Sam Carr. He’ll know what to do.” Asha nodded and turned to leave the room.

Max called out to her. “No need. I can do this on my own.”

“Max, we need to take care of that wound. We don’t want it getting infected.” He motioned to her leg, looking at her for permission to examine it. She nodded warily.

“Get me a lighter and a knife. Bullet went clean through. Hole needs to be cauterized. If you can stomach it, that is.” Max clenched her teeth in pain, breathing in short gasps between words.

Logan looked at her in surprise. “You’re serious, aren’t you?” The thought of taking care of the wound himself was a strange concept.

“I’m a soldier, Mr. Cale. It’s how I was trained. Are you gonna help or what?” Logan nodded silently and left the room. Minutes later he returned with the items she requested, along with some gauze and medical tape. Logan began preparing the blade. When it glowed red-hot, Max removed her pants.

“All you gotta do now is hold the blade to my skin. The heat will sear the flesh together. I hope you can keep your dinner down, cuz trust me, it aint gonna be pretty.”

Logan took a deep breath and pressed the fiery blade onto Max’s leg. She let out a low hiss but seemed otherwise unaffected. Logan took in her posture and determination and assumed correctly that she’d done this a few times before. That thought alone made him feel compassion for the girl.

As the scent of burnt flesh faded from the room, Logan bandaged the wound. Max put her pants back on and Asha and Logan helped her to the couch. She looked up at them, her expression guarded.

“So, what now?” she asked cautiously.

Logan regarded her thoughtfully. “I think I’ll let this little attempted burglary slide, on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You tell me everything I want to know about Manticore.” His voice was controlled but she could sense anger in his words.

Max inhaled sharply. Suspicion suddenly taking the place of any fear she had held previously.  ”Why are you so interested in Manticore?”

“I’ve been digging for information on them for a while. Manticore was responsible for the death of a friend. I’d like to see the end of them. I wouldn’t mind being the one who takes them down.” He replied with conviction. “And if you have any information that could facilitate their downfall…”

Max smiled slightly. “I see. So, you want the low-down on Manticore in exchange for keeping my secret. While I can see that as beneficial to me, I still think I’m getting the short end of the stick. I’ve been running for years. I can easily get out of this and you’d never find me again.”

Asha gave Logan a piercing look. Without acknowledging her he turned back to Max.

“Asha and I do a lot of work here in Seattle . She’s with the S1W and I…” he looked Max directly in the eyes, “I’m Eyes Only.”

Asha gasped. “ Logan !”

He just shook his head. “A secret for a secret, Asha.” Looking back at Max he said “So what do you say? We can use someone with your abilities to help us and I need information. In return, we’ll keep your secret and give you a decent base of operations. We’ve got a spare room if you’re interested.”

Max considered her options. This guy doesn’t know me from Adam, yet he’s let me in on a secret that if blown open could get him killed. In addition to that, he’s offering me a place to stay… Cale’s loaded. This is a P.H.A.T. pad. A girl could get used to this.

“You got a deal.” Max extended her hand in acceptance. Logan shook it firmly.

“Why don’t we get you something to eat and we’ll discuss our new ‘partnership’ tomorrow?” Logan left the room, Asha following after, shaking her head in disbelief.

Once out of the room Asha whispered angrily to him. “ Logan , have you lost your mind?! We don’t know anything about this girl yet you told her the one thing that could get you killed if leaked to the wrong party. And you asked her to move in with us!? Again I ask, are you out of your mind?!”

Logan held her gaze. “Asha, have a little faith. I don’t know why, but I trust her. I think this will be equally beneficial to us and to Max.”

“Max?” Asha asked, confused.

“Yeah, Max. Me,” Max said as she entered the kitchen. “And as for your concern? Don’t be. I always keep my word.”