Just Another 48 Hours -- Chapter 5

[parallax23]

Chapter 5: Morning Aftermath

May 5, 2021 

“It is now day two of the siege on Terminal City,” said the news reporter into her microphone.  “The National Guard is currently surrounding the perimeter as this situation has earned both national and international attention.  Congress has convened to discuss the matter in Washington, where there are more questions than answers about how this situation arose rather than ways of resolving it. 

“Namely, private Manticore documents detailing every creature to come out of the government funded operation have come to light.  Though no one will publicly disclose where the files came from or what the contents of these files specify, the American public and officers are still advised to proceed with caution.   

“Rumors of cruel and unusual tactics used to keep these transgenics in line over a lifetime have given hope that they can be taken back into government hands and placed into a similar program, if they are willing to cooperate – ” 

“No freaking way,” said Mole incredulously.  “They really think we’ll line up to be tortured and brainwashed?  Again?” 

“I think they’re assuming that the beer and Skittles haven’t corrupted us yet,” Alec said. 

His eyes turned from the screen to Max.  She was standing next to him as the normal two foot radius they kept between them in front of the Command Center TV.  From what he could tell, they weren’t really speaking since last night.  Well, at least she wasn’t hitting him. 

“We need to show them that we’re not going back,” Max stated firmly.  “We’re not going to get brushed under the rug again.” 

“Of course we’re not.  We’re just cooped up here under a friendly police barricade,” Luke replied. 

“I’ve got an idea,” came a voice from the crowd. 

Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at him. 

Logan seemed unfazed by their attention.  He was going to see this through. 

“Josh’s flag.  We could raise it from the tallest building at dawn tomorrow,” Logan told them.  “Declare independence all over again.” 

No one was quite sure how to respond to him or his idea.  He had been reclusive the day before, after a hailstorm of gossip.  Now he had come back into the spotlight to offer suggestions on a major issue. 

Alec liked the idea, but for some reason didn’t appreciate that it had come from Logan.  It was probably because the guy had first bitched him out for getting his ass handed to him by that Familiar, all in an attempt to show Max that Alec was truly unworthy.  Then Logan had still been pissed when the truth came out, though Alec imagined it was easier than being pissed at Max.  Alec wasn’t anyone’s scapegoat.  Well, anyone except Max because that was just their deal.  Why he had even agreed to be her chump was another question he refused to reflect on. 

Max’s expression was the one everyone was waiting on.  She wore a thoughtful look, but what she was thinking was anyone’s guess.  Before she could comment, someone else did. 

“Dude, that is an awesome idea!” exclaimed Sketchy.  “The press would eat it up.” 

A quick smack to the back of Sketchy’s head by Original Cindy quelled the snickering of the surrounding transgenics.  Sketchy forgot that he wasn’t allowed to add his two cents in moments like these. 

“No.  It’s a good idea,” Max said, then smiled.  “What do you say, Josh?” 

“You’re all insane,” mumbled Mole.  “Probably half the reason I stuck around was to have front row seats to this show.” 

Max ignored the lizard man as her gaze met Logan’s.  He smiled.  Alec scowled.  Great, what round was this now?  Seventeen?  Well, he considered that the position of SIC was off the table with Logan back in the picture.  It wasn’t like he was going to taunt her and let her know he’d accepted in some off-handed manner, instead of watching her go off with Joshua, Logan and Dix to plan their party. 

“I think you’d better keep an eye on our reigning Freak Queen before she gets too many ordinary ideas,” Mole said to him, then taking a puff from his cigar. 

Alec turned to face him, missing Max’s backwards glance in his direction when she realized he wasn’t behind her.  Seeing his back to her, she figured that he didn’t intend on coming.  He hadn’t even told her if he would be her SIC.  Max was starting to get the feeling that the answer was ‘no’ from the way he was acting.  She pushed that thought away to focus on Logan’s flag raising idea.  It wasn’t like she was disappointed that Alec didn’t want to be her second.  Right? 

“Look man, if eleven years in the world culminated into her starting her own little nation of freaks, I wouldn’t worry much,” Alec told him. 

Apparently Alec hadn’t gotten the message.  Sometimes Mole wondered if the boy had just been bred for looks.  “Those weren’t the kinds of ideas I was talking about, Pretty Boy.” 

“And what kind of ideas are you talking about?” 

“The kind that involves you keeping your girl away from the human.  I’ve seen it in all those TV shows Dix watches.  The best guy friend who secretly pines for the girl, but she doesn’t know it because he won’t make a move due to her on-again, off-again boyfriend,” Mole explained as if it was obvious to everyone.  “I figure your kind is the same – you know?  Looks like a duck, walks like a duck…” 

“But is still a genetically empowered soldier with cat DNA that doesn’t like being compared to its dinner.  Seriously, Max and I are just friends.  If I wanted more, I’d have it.  I don’t hesitate to go after what I want.” 

“Yeah, but she does.  Look at her current ordinary pet.”  Then Mole took another puff from his cigar.  “Anyway, you humanoids disgust and amuse me… I’m going to count my rifles.  And if one happens to go missing and some human gets shot, it won’t be on my watch.” 

“Oh, you scaly ass romantic,” Alec grinned. 

“You tell anyone that, and one of my rifles will go missing.  Along with you Princess,” Mole told him, then walked out of Command. 

Alec’s face went pale when he realized Mole had been serious.