Chaos Theory – Chapter 23

Roughing It

2020, 30 miles north of Seattle , Washington – Manticore Facility

Alec stood at attention waiting for the guards to open his cell. He glanced at Max in the adjoining cell. She stood rigid and unbending, eyes staring straight ahead. If not for his advanced sense of smell, her fear would be unnoticeable. It was heavy and constant; as if she were dumping loads by the second. Alec felt sorry for the girl.

Today is going to be hell. My unit isn’t going to take this well at all. As the sound of guards approaching reached his ears, he offered a quick word of encouragement.

“You’ll be fine, Max. If they get to you, don’t show it. Everything’s gonna be okay.” He wished he felt as confident as he sounded. He knew his unit; things would be anything but okay.

She didn’t acknowledge him. Keeping her eyes forward she fought back the urge to cry. Alec’s words from earlier haunted her. ”09ers have a bad rep here. We went through a lot of shit because of the stunt you guys pulled breaking out, and everyone blames you for it. It won’t be pretty, Max. The best advice I can give you is to take it, swallow it and prove them wrong.’ 

They blamed her. Well, they blamed all of Unit 5 for defecting. It wasn’t like they had known what would happen – she still didn’t know what had happened. But she could imagine. I’ve got to show that I can do more than run. I have to prove that I can hack it. 

Max braced her shoulders and stood straighter as the door to her cell and that of Alec’s swung open.

“X5-452, 494, come with us,” the guard ordered. The two soldiers stepped into the hallway and walked silently, prodded from time to time from behind by the guards. They were escorted to the main building. Once they reached the entrance, the guards turned and left.

“Looks like I’m back in charge,” Alec quipped lightly. Max was looking around with wide eyes at the structure. It was larger and more modern than the Gillette facility. She noted the abundance of windows and wondered at Manticore’s reasoning. After the escape in ’09 she would have thought they’d either bar the windows or cut down the number. Alec saw her fixation on the windows and imagined he could read her thoughts.

“They’re reinforced glass. No chance of breaking through them I’m sorry to say,” he said casually. Max turned to stare at him.

“You’re sorry to say? What, did you plan to escape too?” she found herself replying tersely.

Alec fought to keep emotion out of his face and voice. His desire to escape hadn’t left him and he was still trying to come up with a plan that would actually work. He just needed time.

“I’m loyal to Manticore, sweetheart. If you’re looking for a fellow traitor to help you escape, you’ve come to the wrong man.” He felt uneasy lying to her for some reason. But Manticore sure knew how to instil the fear of Psy-Ops into a soldier. It was bad enough he’d told his plan to 714 and 664. 714 was who-knows-where and 664 was being reprogrammed. What if 664 had told Lydecker or Renfro something during debriefing? What if Manticore was keeping a more careful eye on him than usual? Alec knew he had to tread carefully, hence his declaration of loyalty.

Max glared at him, flushing hotly. She hadn’t meant it like that at all. But leave it to Alec to get under her skin and fire her up. He’d managed to do it every time they’d spoken in the past two days. Almost like his soldier persona had the added sting of cocky arrogance. Great. A cocky-ass C.O. who’s gonna be breathing down my neck all the time. None of them is ever gonna trust me. What’s the point in trying?

She stood her ground, eyes locked with his until he backed down and looked away. One point for the home team, she thought with self-satisfaction.

“Follow me, 452,” he ordered shortly and began to walk down one of the long corridors. 

“The name is MAX,” she hissed.

494 grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her hard. “Shut up and listen, 452,” he said in a quiet, tight voice. “And listen well. You are 452. You will answer to 452. You will eat, sleep and breathe life as X5-452 while you are under my command. Is that clear?” His eyes were hard as he regarded the rogue X5.

Max flinched at the sharp tone of voice. “Yes, Sir.”

“Good. Now follow me. We’re late for Mess Hall.” X5-494 – yes 494, not Alec – set off at a steady pace and she followed obediently behind him. They reached a set of double doors. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting, but it wasn’t silence. From experience, when dining along with a number of people there was at least some noise. But Mess Hall was silent. 

494 opened the doors and they entered the large hall. Not a sound greeted them, though Max could feel the heated stares. After a few moments, a low, collective whisper arose from the soldiers in the room as they pointed at her.

Max swallowed. Alec heard the sound and felt her uncertainty behind him. He turned to her and smiled briefly. “Grab a tray and I’ll introduce you.” Lowering his voice considerably he added, “The faster you deal with it, the faster we move on.”

Standing in line to receive her food, Max looked at the servers dishing it out. Nomlies! she thought, shuddering slightly. A large figure slopped a spoonful of what almost resembled oatmeal into her bowl. He had heavy canine features but his eyes lit up when he smiled at her. Max found herself smiling back.

“Thank you,” she said softly. Alec looked at her sharply. What, I can’t be polite now? To hell with that.

The dog-man grinned. “Welcome.”

Max smiled at his reply. If she stretched her imagination she could almost interpret the dog-man’s words as a warm welcome. Picking up her tray, Max added some fruit and a drink and followed after Alec.

As they approached Unit 2’s table, Max looked worriedly at Alec. The transgenics slid over to make room for their C.O. Alec placed his tray on the table and faced his fellow soldiers.

“This is X5-452. She’s been assigned to our unit. I trust you’ll make her feel welcome.”

The X5s eyed her with open hostility but reluctantly made room for her to sit. She took a place opposite Alec. She sat in silence, playing with her food. She could feel the eyes of her new unit mates on her, but she kept her head down. After a while the others returned to their own meals and she relaxed slightly.

Max eyed the bowl before her in distaste. The contents seemed familiar yet strange. For soldiers worth billions in R&D they sure serve up some nasty shit, she thought, poking disdainfully at the clumpy substance with her spoon.

Max spent several minutes peering intently at the yellowish gruel that served as her breakfast. As the minutes ticked by without her attention leaving the bowl, Alec leaned over the table to see what was so fascinating, catching the attention of several other transgenics at the table. Their eyes moved from Alec to Max and Max to Alec, as they stared with utter rapture at the bowl. 

Suddenly Max pulled her head back sharply, her chocolate eyes meeting Alec’s hazel orbs in mock fright. “It moved!” she whispered frantically, pointing at her food.

At first, Alec thought Max was out of her mind. But when he caught the twinkle in her eyes, he sniggered. The rest of the unit was equally amused and seeing their Commanding Officer’s loss of control, they began to giggle and snicker as well. The table broke out into a fit of laughter, catching the unwanted attention of the guards.

“Oh, shit,” Alec muttered, composing himself quickly and glaring at Max. “We’re in for it now and no thanks to you.”

The brief moment of levity had vanished and Max was left feeling cold and empty again. The angry scowls directed her way made her cringe. I’m a soldier, goddammit! This shouldn’t be affecting me so deeply! But it was. She wanted their acceptance. She sighed.

The guards approached and pulled Alec to his feet. “What’s the meaning of this disruption, soldier?”

“It was my fault. It won’t happen again,” Alec replied, fully ready to accept the blame.

“No, it won’t,” came a strong voice from off to the side of the table. Lydecker. I’m fucked.

“Unit 2, report to Trainer Daniels for discipline. ‘The one affects the many’ – I’m sure you’ve heard the term. You are dismissed from breakfast. 494, 452; I’d like a word. In my office – now.”

The two transgenics followed Lydecker into his office. He motioned to sit.

“I can’t say I’m surprised at what happened this morning,” he began, looking between the two soldiers. “I knew this might happen when I decided against sending you for reindoctrination, 452.”

“As for you, 494, I’m both impressed and disappointed.” Alec looked at Lydecker, hiding his confusion behind a blank mask. “I know that you’ve taken the fall for many of your unit in the past – I actually find it a fine quality in a leader. Other Commanding Officers are more than happy to let their unit members fail and be punished. Yet you stick your neck out for them. It’s commendable. Not Manticore policy, but commendable. What disappointed me was your lack of instruction of 452. She is unaware of protocol and conduct becoming a Manticore soldier. What do you have to say for yourself, 494?”

Alec squared his shoulders. “It was a mistake I should have known better than to make, Sir,” he replied quickly.

“Indeed.” Lydecker clasped his hands before him on the desk. “I expect you to instruct and train X5-452 personally over the next few weeks. I know I assume correctly when I say you will have 452 in top-shape in no time. I am aware that we cannot cover 10 years of training in a few weeks time, but I know you won’t disappoint me again.” Lydecker raised an eyebrow at Alec as if in question.

Alec nodded. “No, Sir, I won’t.”

“Good. 494, you’re dismissed. Rejoin your unit. I’ll send 452 along shortly.”

Alec stood, saluted and exited the room. 

Lydecker turned to Max. “You got off easy, Max. Are you willing to play ball now? Things could get ugly if you don’t fall in line.”

Max shrugged. “Whatever.”

“Is that how you answer a superior officer, soldier? You were trained better than that.” His words were sharp but his eyes soft as he regarded her.

He had her there and she knew it. Lydecker was going easy on her and she had no idea why. 

Max narrowed her eyes and cocked her head arrogantly. “What’s your game, Deck? What are you playing at? Why skip the brainwashing? I don’t get it, and frankly, I don’t trust you.” 

“I came to you earlier with some important information. You blew up in my face. Are you ready to listen now?” he countered.

“Why should I?” she tossed back.

“How can I put this? I happen to know that Director Renfro is on to at least one of your ‘siblings’. Tinga is in danger. Your entire unit is in danger, Max.” He peered at her from slatted eyes. 

“Why do you care? Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted? To bring us all ‘home’ to this hell hole?” Max hissed at him. 

“Not at all. There is so much about me that you don’t know, Max. I never wanted any of you to be hurt,” he answered sadly.

“Oh that’s rich! You’ve been after us for years! I’ve been hiding from you for half my life!”

“Quite successfully, too. You’re so much like Eva, it’s almost frightening.” Deck’s eyes lit up with pride.

“What are you talking about?! You killed Eva! You shot her in front of me! I saw her die!” Max was shouting and she didn’t care who heard her. The man in front of her had been like a father to her. Until he’d pulled a gun and shot her sister.

Lydecker watched her eyes. They were swimming with tears and a look of…was that hope? “Not everything is as it appears to be, Max. I couldn’t kill one of my kids! Don’t you know that?” Lydecker saw the pain flash in her eyes, followed by anger. “Really, Max, I know I may have seemed like a bastard but I could never hurt any of you.”

“But you did hurt us, Deck. Eva’s dead because you shot her. You let the trainers torture us, beat us. Remember Niah? Do you know how scarred we all are? Did you think what effect it would have on us? On Zack? Why? Why did you have to hurt us?” Max was crying, tears falling unchecked from her eyes.

“She’s not dead,” he admitted quietly.

Max’s eyes whipped up to meet his, the gentleness and sincerity there startling her. “What?” she croaked in a trembling voice that annoyed her. I should be stronger than this…

Lydecker continued quietly. “I had Eva transferred to another facility. She’s alive, Max.”

Max stared dumbfounded at his admission. He’s lying. He must be! But the look in his eyes was impossible to deny. “What – how – where…?” she stuttered. The hope and disbelief in her eyes made his heart ache.

“It’s complicated. I will explain everything but I have a meeting with Elizabeth and Agent Sandoval shortly. I’ll say this – I had to show a pretense of treating you the same as other units. But I never doled out punishment and I always tried to make it as easy on you as I could.” 

Max nodded, acknowledging the truth of his words. He had been easy on them. Unit 5 had been almost cocooned from Manticore. This didn’t explain Lydecker’s twisted connection to the ’09ers, but it was a start. And Eva was alive!

“Max, the reason I wanted to talk to you is this: we need to warn the others that Manticore is on to them. I know you are connected to Eyes Only,” Lydecker paused as he saw her eyes flicker with anger. “Yes, it’s how we found you. But you and I know that Eyes Only could get a message out that the others can see. Are you willing to talk to him? If I set up a secure line, would you speak to him for me?”

Max was unsure what to think. The bombshells that had dropped on her had leveled the playing field. Deck had been up front and honest, as far as she could tell. Was this the trick? Were they really trying to bring her siblings back? Or was he genuinely trying to help warn them?

“I have to go to a meeting and you need to rejoin your unit for training. Think about it, Max. We don’t have much time, so think fast. I’ll be waiting for your decision. Feel free to come speak to me whenever you like. I’ll issue a standing pass to your C.O.” 

Lydecker rose and walked around the table to stand next to Max. He stroked her cheek momentarily, only removing his hand when she scowled and jerked her head away.

“I’ll think about it,” she muttered, extricating herself from the chair and exiting the room. Lydecker stared at the door after she left. As soon as Hannah gets me the test results and when I know more about what Elizabeth and Ames are planning, I’ll fill you in, Maxie. You need to know. If you are who we think you are, you definitely need to know.

The day passed by quickly. She’d been put through vigorous training and exercises with her new unit. For the most part they ignored her, occasionally taunting her. Thing were relatively calm until it came time for her to spar.

“X5-452 and X5-337 – on the mats!” Alec bellowed, pairing the two for the last session of the day. Alec was curious. I wonder if she can spar as well physically as she does verbally. This should be interesting to say the least.

337 bounced back and forth. He smiled darkly at 452. The two began circling each other, both ready to pounce at their C.O.’s count.

The whistle blew and 337’s fist shot out, catching Max in the face before she could blink. She spit blood from her mouth and countered with a kick to her opponent’s stomach. She grazed his side and he twisted slightly. Max could see he was a bit unbalanced and propelled herself, kicking up with her other foot and catching 337 in the ribs. He wheezed.

They danced around each other for a few minutes, exchanging kicks and blows. Both were tiring, but Max had a few tricks up her sleeve that Manticore hadn’t ever imparted to its soldiers. She was landing some painful punches and had gotten 337 on his back more times than he cared for.

Unwilling to be defeated by an ’09er, 337 attacked with both fists, pounding Max’s face and chest. He and his entire unit were surprised when Max failed to fall beneath his hands. If anything, she seemed to improve. When 337 sent another blow her way, she bent backwards, his fist shooting over her head. She took the opportunity to grab his wrist and twist it, snapping bone. 337 staggered, glaring at her in contempt.

“You and your entire unit should have been shot,” he hissed at her. “You’re a bunch of worthless traitors that should never have reached gestation!”

Max saw red. No one called her a traitor and got away with it. “We were the best and you know it. Jealous piece of shit!” she retorted. Before 337 could blink, Max launched her self at him, feet first. They connected with his chest, sending him sailing across the room. He landed on his back, head smacking the ground hard.

Trainer Daniels approached from the sidelines. “What the hell just happened here? You lost to an ’09er?! Get this sorry excuse for a soldier out of my sight. Send him to the infirmary. I’ll deal with a suitable punishment later.” Turning to Alec he stared for a long while before shaking his head. “I’m disappointed, 494. I thought your unit was better than this.”

Alec knew he had to cover for them. Dammit, 452. You’re more trouble than you’re worth. “Sir, X5-337 left himself open for attack. 452 did as any of the others would have done and took advantage of the opening, Sir. It was a fair fight.”

Trainer Daniels dismissed him with a wave. “Fine. Head for the showers, then you’re on your own until dinner. 494, I’d like a word in private.” Alec groaned. He knew that Daniels didn’t quite believe him, and wondered what was in store for him.

When the trainer had disappeared from earshot, Alec turned to Max in anger. “Watch your step. I won’t always be able to deflect for you. If you got me in trouble because of this stunt…” he glared, his words trailing off in a not-so-subtle threat.

Max tossed her hair and put a hand on her hip, smirking all the while. “Didn’t think an ’09er could cut it?” 

She stalked off, but not before noticing the looks of reluctant admiration being thrown her way by her new unit. She was an ’09er; lacking in ten years of training, but she’d still been able to put down one of their best fighters. It was an impressive stunt and they would give credit where credit was due. But it didn’t mean they would like her.