Episode 3.09 - Cat Scratch Fever

Clemente turns up the heat on Max, even as she is faced with a new challenge to her leadership from within the transgenic community. At the same time, consequences of her past captivity at Manticore return to haunt her present...

 

PROLOGUE

 

Mess Hall, Terminal City – October 1st, 5:45 AM

 

The mess hall was bustling. Transgenics and transhumans mingled in the long lines as harried workers tried to move them through as quickly as possible. The assignment of meal times had helped ease some of the confusion, but there were still too many mouths to feed, and too little time in which to do it.

 

Max strode up to the entrance and spotted Ginger checking meal passes. "Hey, Ginger."

 

"Hey, Max. Logan was looking for you."

 

"I'll find him after I score some food." She glanced around, "Man, it's hot in here. And crowded. Does it ever slack off?"

 

Ginger shook her head, "I was going to ask you if it would be okay to set up a second mess hall. There's too many of us for one to handle."

 

"If we've got the equipment, go for it," Max agreed. "The bodies we can always grab."

 

Ginger grinned, "Wouldn't happen to be those in hot water with the brass would it?"

 

Max laughed and headed off for food, "Later." As she approached the line, the large screen suspended at the side of the room frizzed into life and she turned to watch.

 

"...Melissa Michelle at Harbor Lights Medical, where there has been an influx of patients to the Emergency Room, complaining of severe diarrhea, vomiting, and headaches. More than fifty cases have arrived in the last twenty-four hours and we have word of similar numbers at other Seattle medical facilities. Stay tuned to Channel 3 for continuing updates..."

 

"At least this one isn't about us," she muttered. She looked at the lengthy food line and with a resigned look on her face, she headed toward the end, reaching it at the same time as an X5 male.

 

He paused to let her step in front of him and, with an appreciative look up and down his toned physique, Max smiled seductively as she purred, "Lookin' for some company for breakfast?"

 

Before he could reply, an impatient voice behind them snapped her back to attention. "Stop holding up the line!" A look of dismay crossed her face as she turned and quickly left the mess hall. Ginger watched her quick exit, a look of curiosity on her face.

 

Rooftop, Main Building, Terminal City

 

Max stood in the same spot where she and Logan had taken their first tentative steps back to each other five months earlier. Joshua's flag hung limply on its pole in the flat, heavy, pre-dawn air.

 

Six months ago, I thought my life sucked. Like I knew the half. Logan and I were screwed, but I had my job and my crib and my home girl. I miss those things. I even miss Normal and his constant bipping, now that I'm stuck here in the middle of Toxic City, USA, with 700 plus freaks lookin' at me to be their CO.

 

Things are getting uglier outside, and inside the natives are getting restless. Some of them want to break out of this dump. Break out to what? Got no clue. The world isn't any more ready to accept us today than they were when we holed up in here.

 

Logan's another problem. I mean, where do we go from here? The renegade cyber-journalist and the freak show in human form. Bad enough I have to figure it out, worse doin' it in living color in front of the world. Icing on the cake, Manticore picks now to pull one of its jokers out of the deck. My reaction to that X5 in the mess hall clued me in to the real. I'm in heat.

 

So now I gotta figure out how to keep the heat on the DL, and get through it without jumpin' anyone's bones, especially Logan's. I don't think he's ready for an X5 in heat. Or maybe I'm not ready...

With a heavy sigh, and one last look at the breaking dawn, Max turned and left the roof.

 

ACT I

 

City Hall, Seattle – October 1st, 9:00 AM

 

"Commander Clemente, sir," the pretty, young secretary announced, opening the door to the Mayor's office.

 

The Mayor swiveled his chair to face Clemente, and gestured to him to take a seat. Unlike the furniture in the outer offices, the polished wood of the desk glowed softly, and the leather chair was soft and comfortable, not cracked and peeling. There was a thick carpet on the floor and sparkling clean windows overlooked downtown Seattle and Elliott Bay. The office was a marked contrast to the battered furniture and equipment Clemente was used to in Seattle Police headquarters.

 

"Commander, I haven't heard from you recently about the...situation in Terminal City. I've been expecting a progress report," the Mayor opened testily, tapping his fingers on his desk.

 

"Things are quiet, sir. I advised you when you gave me this assignment that I didn't intend to provoke a confrontation. The inhabitants of Terminal City are highly trained military personnel. Any confrontation has the potential of significant injury and loss of life, if they're as good as I'm informed they are. They can't hold out forever in there."

 

"So you say, Commander, but they don't seem to be hurting so far," the Mayor observed sourly. "At the same time, our personnel standing guard are becoming restless. Not to mention the expense of housing and feeding the National Guard troops quartered in the city. There've been rumblings lately about the effect on our budget and with the elections coming up soon..."

 

Clemente was silent for a moment. "Do you have an alternate proposal, sir?" he finally asked.

 

The Mayor glared at him. "Have you heard the latest news, Commander?"

 

Confused, Clemente asked, "About the transgenics, sir? There is no news."

 

"About the hospitals. In the last twenty-four hours, over 500 people have come to various emergency rooms, complaining of severe diarrhea, nausea, and headaches. Seems we have some kind of mystery disease going around." He looked at Clemente expectantly.

 

"And that affects me...how?" Clemente responded.

 

"Don't you get it, man? Those...freaks are holed up in a place where all kinds of biological research was going on. Who knows what kind of nasty bugs were left behind when it was abandoned! What could be better than to release one out into the population? This is the second time in three months that we've had something like this pop up. The first one didn't work, so they're trying another!"

 

"But, sir, I don't think..." Clemente began. The Mayor slammed his hand on his desk. He was visibly agitated.

 

"I don't care what you think. I expect you to get to the bottom of this. I don't want Federal troops here, but if the freaks are waging biological warfare on us, I will bring the Feds in and let them wipe them out. You have twenty-four hours to get me an answer. Is that understood?"

 

"Yes, sir. I'll get right on it."

 

"See that you do. And while you're at it, what's the progress on that murdered blind girl? Wasn't it one of those freaks that killed her? I want answers, Commander, ANSWERS!" The Mayor's voice had risen to almost a bellow. "Your twenty-four hours starts now—I suggest you get a move on." He turned back to the window, dismissing Clemente.

 

Marketplace, Seattle - 10:00 AM

 

Asha browsed the rows of stalls in the Seattle marketplace. The vendors held out various foodstuffs for her consideration, and she took each item in turn, examined it, then returned it and moved on.

 

"Fresh raspberries just in from Guatemala. I give you them cheap," the current vendor pressed her. "You lucky today - we got a big shipment."

 

"Sorry. Not my thing. Thanks anyway." Asha started to move on.

 

"You know, if you're that picky, you could starve." She started at the familiar voice and turned to see Alec giving her one of his cocky grins.

 

"A girl's gotta maintain her standards, in food and...other things," she retorted sassily.

 

Alec raised a brow, but didn't return a volley. "I know a place that serves a decent cup of coffee. Can I buy you one?"

 

The vendor in the stall was watching with interest, so Asha tossed Alec a flirtatious smile and answered, "With the price of coffee these days, how could I turn down that offer?"

 

Alec took her arm and guided her away from the curious vendor. In minutes, they were seated at a small table in front of an open-air coffee stand, with steaming cups in front of them. Alec glanced around to be sure they were clear and, without looking up from stirring cream into his coffee, asked casually, "So what was the urgent summons about? And why call me and not Logan?"

 

Asha hesitated, "I called you instead of Logan because...well just...because." Alec saw something flash across Asha's eyes, but she averted them before he could discern what he had seen. She added sugar to her coffee and continued, "I have a friend who works in City Hall. She takes butt breaks with the Mayor's secretary." She paused to sip her coffee, savoring the luxury.

 

"You gonna tell me what this friend of yours said, or do you need to worship the Starbucks god a little more?" Alec asked, his tone both sarcastic and utterly serious.

 

Asha set her cup down, leveling her gaze on him. "This morning, the secretary told my friend that she heard the Mayor talking to Ramon Clemente about biological warfare. The Mayor thinks the transgenics have released some kind of bio-weapon against Seattle. He's threatening to bring in Federal troops to wipe out Terminal City."

 

Alec was visibly startled. "He what? Why would he think that?"

 

Asha shrugged, "You heard about all the hospital admissions, right? People are getting scared, and who better to blame than the freaks. Especially with all the abandoned bio-labs in Terminal City at your disposal."

 

"Damn. I need to get back to TC." Alec rose and pulled money out of his pocket.

 

"I can get it," Asha protested. "I know you guys are short on stuff in there. Use it for something you need."

 

Alec shrugged, "When I ask a pretty girl for coffee, I pay." Their eyes met and Alec started to say something but stopped. Asha blushed slightly and held his gaze. She saw something pass across Alec's face. His expression was almost pained, regretful. He put the money on the table and started to leave.

 

"Thanks for the coffee, Alec." Asha said quietly.

 

He hesitated, then said to her, "No big deal...I guess I...I better go." With that, he turned and left, leaving Asha staring after him, a bemused look on her face.

 

The Atrium, Terminal City

 

Max sat on a bench in the middle of the deserted, weed filled Atrium. She stared sightlessly at the broken fountain in the center of the scummy pool of water that had once been an ornamental pond.

 

"Max. I've been looking for you," Logan's voice broke the silence. "Now that Eyes Only is starting up again, I've been working on a new investigation for him. Seems that some of our upstanding leaders may have their hands in some dirty doings in the import field, paying off agricultural inspectors to look the other way when some of their imports don't pass the inspections. I just need to get my hands on..." He trailed off, realizing she wasn't paying attention. "Are you okay? Ginger said you left the mess hall in a hurry earlier. Is something wrong?"

 

She turned to him as he dropped down onto the bench next to her, a question in his eyes. "I'm fine, Logan. Just needed to clear my head." She looked away, not meeting his eyes.

 

"What is it?" Logan asked, puzzled. He checked to be sure they were alone, and then dropped his arm around her shoulders. Next thing he knew, Max was literally attacking him, her hands in his hair and her mouth locked to his as she pinned him against the backrest of the bench. His arms came up automatically, and he pulled her closer as he responded. The kiss continued until the wailing of distant sirens broke the silence. At the sound, Max pulled away as quickly as she had attacked, jumping to her feet.

 

"Max?" Logan was bewildered by her actions. "What's going on?"

 

"Logan...I..." She looked around like a hunted animal. "I can't talk about this."

 

"Talk about what?" He took her hand and pulled her back down.

 

Max's eyes glazed over as he looked at her quizzically. They traveled from his scruffy beard to the neck of his dark gray, button-down shirt, which was opened to reveal a faint sprinkling of the blonde hairs that lightly covered his chest. From there, her gaze traveled downwards...Suddenly, a hand with long, strong fingers was waving in front of her eyes, calling them back from their wayward journey. Max gulped and fanned herself, muttering something about how ‘hot' it was.

 

"Earth to Max. What's up?" Logan sounded worried and impatient. He studied her closely. Her skin had a faint flush and her pupils were slightly dilated. Realization hit him and he fumbled for words, "Are you having...I mean, is your feline DNA...?" He stopped and then blurted it out, "You're in heat, aren't you?"

 

"Logan! Shhh. You think I want all of TC to know?" Max didn't deny it. "I have a load of stuff to deal with today, so I can't lock myself up somewhere until this is over. And I can't be jumping everything and anything male that comes near me. I need Original Cindy, and she isn't here!" The last was almost a wail.

 

"Why do you need Original Cindy?" Logan asked, confused.

 

"She helps me keep this bitch under control." Max explained.

 

Logan chuckled, "I'm not Original Cindy, but that might not be so bad in this case." At Max's glare, he sighed and tried to explain, "I mean...it's just that when you...damn it, I'm a guy, Max, and we are..." He stopped and took a deep breath, "What can I do?"

 

Max had drifted off as he spoke, her glazed eyes wandering freely over his body. At his last words, she smiled and teasingly ran her hands down his chest to play with the top button of his shirt. She made quick work of opening it and moved on to the next one. "I can think of a few things." Her voice was husky and before Logan could react, she leaned over and lightly ran her tongue over his exposed skin.

 

A tremor ran through him at the sharp contrast of her hot breath and the cool outside air simultaneously hitting his moistened skin, and he started to raise his hands to pull her closer. Then, with a visible effort, he dropped his hands and stood before she could proceed any further. He stepped back, away from Max, who had also risen and was staring at him predatorily.

 

For a moment, Max stood poised, as if about to attack, and then, slowly, sanity returned to her eyes. "Damn. Tell you what, if you really wanna help...give me a smackdown if I do that again," she said, resignation in her tone.

 

"Max, I can't," concern mixed with desire in Logan's eyes as he looked down at her. "You shouldn't be out like this. Let me ask Alec to cover for you."

 

"He's not around – Asha called, said it was urgent and he headed out. And there's stuff the CO needs to do up close and personal, ya know." Max sighed. "Just remind me if you happen to see me goin' to the dark side. That'll have to work. And...thanks for being chill with this. Without Original Cindy, there isn't anyone else here I can trust, me being in charge and all." She managed a weak smile. "Can't have the CO tryin' to knock boots with anythin' in pants."

 

Logan smiled down at her reassuringly, "It'll be okay." Their eyes locked and Max started to move toward him once again, but she stopped at the sound of a cough. Max froze, then turned to see an X8 standing there.

 

"Ma'am, Mole sent me to ask you to come to Command."

 

"Tell Mole I'm on it." The X8 nodded and left at a trot. Max sighed, and followed Logan, her eyes roving hungrily over his tall figure as he strode along in front of her.

 

Jam Pony

 

Original Cindy sat on the bench in front of her locker. She braced her hands on the edge and with a visible effort pushed herself to her feet, muttering to herself.

 

"Normal's gonna have yo ass for sure. Two hours late...with the muthah of all hangovers...damn raspberry daiquiris. How you ever gonna push those wheels round this sorry city?" She sat back down abruptly. Her t-shirt was soaked with sweat and her face was flushed. "C'mon, girl, get movin'," she exhorted herself.

 

Rising, she started towards the bathroom, but after a few wobbly steps, her legs gave way underneath her. With a soft moan, she collapsed in a heap on the floor.

 

Command Center, Terminal City - 10:30 AM

 

Max and Logan had arrived at Command, only to find out that Mole's summons was nothing critical. Two Xs had questioned one of Mole's orders and he had sent for Max to deal with them. Max shot him an annoyed glare, but refrained from comment.

 

With the problem solved, Dix had buttonholed Max to show her his newest innovation for the video surveillance system. She dutifully listened to him extol the virtues of his new system, while Logan stood at her elbow, preoccupation evident on his face.

 

Max noticed Logan's impatience and when Dix turned away for a moment, she elbowed him and whispered, "I'm fine. You don't hav'ta be glued to me. Just keep an eye out."

 

Logan looked at her doubtfully. "Are you sure?"

 

"Logan, I'm okay." She gave him a slight shove and with a shrug, he turned away. Max's eyes followed and when he looked back at her, their gazes locked for a moment. A sultry smile spread over her face as she looked him up and down. Logan frowned and shook his head slightly and, with an almost imperceptible motion, Max shook herself and turned back to Dix. Logan positioned himself at a workstation where he could watch Max, but within moments, he was completely absorbed in a records search.

 

Search complete, he finally looked in Max's direction and stifled an exclamation. While he was busy, Max had finished with Dix and started over to join him, only to be accosted by an X6.

 

"Excuse me, Ma'am, Ginger sent this to you. She thought you might be hungry." The young man held out a package.

 

"Thank you, soldier." Max looked him over from head to toe admiringly. "Why haven't I met you before?" She moved closer to him.

 

"I d-don't know, Ma'am," the boy stammered, not sure how to react.

 

Max reached out for the food and let her hand trail lightly down his arm. "Wanna help me eat this?" Her voice was husky, promising more than just a shared snack.

 

At that moment, a hand fell on her shoulder and spun her around to face Logan. "I'd love to help you, Max." With a curt nod, he dismissed the soldier, who quickly left. Max transferred her interest to Logan, smiling seductively up at him.

 

A movement behind her caught Logan's attention, and he spotted Mole watching with an irritated expression on his face. Making a quick decision, he quickly pulled Max behind a row of high shelves packed with equipment. Hidden from prying eyes, he held her at arm's length, as though unsure of what to do with her. Max, on the other hand, had definite plans of her own. A wicked grin crossed her face mere seconds before she literally threw herself at Logan, jumping up and wrapping her legs around his waist as she pressed her mouth against his, kissing him intensely. Logan responded eagerly, fueled on by lust, adrenaline, and his own hormones. She pressed her body against his and for several moments, the two were oblivious to the rest of the world.

 

Nearby, a cell phone shrilled, and Max jumped out of his arms as quickly as she had put herself there, eyes ablaze, cheeks flushed from the rush of hormones. Logan's hands remained cradling Max's head, his eyes full of shock and lust. Max let her arms fall from around his neck, her hands resting on his chest briefly, before she pulled them away sharply, as though she'd been burned.

 

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Max practically screeched, forgetting not to make a scene. She clenched her fists as if to keep from striking out at him.

 

Every eye in the Command Center was focused on the unseen action behind the shelves, as they all held a collective breath. Behind the obstruction, Max and Logan continued to stare at each other. Logan dropped his hands, but before he could speak, a cough cut through the tension and caused them to jump apart. Max turned to see Alec standing there, eyebrows raised. He opened his mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by Dix, who called out, "Max, you better come take a look at this."

 

ACT II

 

Jam Pony

 

Normal stood in his cage, looking around for available bodies. Spotting Sketchy, he called out to him, "Where the fire truck is Sappho's daughter? Packages to deliver or paychecks don't happen. Get back there, moron, and tell her to get on the stick..." Normal's rant died out into his usual mutterings about the incompetents working for him, as he sorted packages and handed them out from his cage.

 

Sketchy headed toward the back, rounding the corner to Original Cindy's locker. As he reached the bench, he almost tripped. Looking down, he gasped at the sight of Original Cindy, unconscious on the floor.

 

"Oh, man...stay calm...you can deal with this...take her pulse...she's breathing...that's good...need a phone...dial 911..." Sketchy knelt by Cindy and called out frantically, "Normal, we gotta problem back here..."

 

Command Center, Terminal City - 11:00 AM

 

"...this is a breaking News bulletin from Channel 9. Emergency room admissions continue to climb and the Mayor has declared a state of emergency. We take you live to City Hall and a statement from the Mayor's chief aide."

 

The screen switched to a shot of a thirty-ish woman behind a podium.

 

"...ask everyone to stay calm. Our medical professionals have the situation under control. The illness does not appear to be life threatening. We will advise you as we receive more information."

 

She finished speaking and the room erupted into a barrage of reporters' questions.

 

"What about rumors that this is some kind of bio-weapon that the transgenics have released?"

 

"Everyone knows about the stuff left in there – what's to say they didn't find something and let it loose on us?"

 

"Is this related to the Independence Day Plague?"

 

The official turned and spoke to someone out of camera range. Then turned back to face the camera.

 

"We have no official comment on that at this time. We will let you know when we confirm any information as to the source of the contagion."

 

With that, she left the podium and the screen switched back to the reporter.

 

"Despite the refusal of the Mayor's office to comment, rumors of a bio-weapon continue to proliferate. Protesters are gathering outside of Terminal City and the mood is tense. Stay tuned to Channel 9 for updates..."

 

Max turned away from the screen in disgust. "Great. Back on us. Can't we ever catch a break?"

 

She started to walk away, but Alec broke in, "There's more. Asha passed on a tip to me this morning. The Mayor believes the bio-weapon story and he's threatened to call in the Feds to wipe us out if Clemente and the docs don't solve this in twenty-four hours."

 

Max thought a moment, then snapped out rapid-fire orders, "Alec, get in touch with Asha and ask her to try to find out how serious the Mayor is about the Feds. I can't believe he really wants to do that, after the Feds came into Oklahoma City last year for that Skinhead thing and never left. Place is still under federal martial law. I'm more worried about our people getting caught out there. This'll bring out all the crazies and it could get nasty.

 

"Dix, put out the alarm and recall everyone home. Then lock this place down. No one leaves Terminal City until I give the word. I want our people in and safe.

 

"Mole, double the patrols at the entrances. Tell them to be ready for trouble.

 

"Luke, contact Normal and tell him to be extra careful. No special deliveries until we give him the all clear. If he's got any packages for us, he can stash them at Joshua's place until we're open for business again.

 

"Where's Brown? I want an estimate of probabilities on this thing."

 

"I'm right here, ma'am," A hesitant voice spoke at her elbow and Max turned to see Henry Brown standing there.

 

"What're the chances of the Feds being called in?"

 

"If this isn't solved in the next eight hours, 24.71%; fifteen hours, 45.64%; twenty-four hours, 96.372%."

 

"Thanks. Everyone take a break once you complete your assignments – this is going to be a long twenty-four hours."

 

Finally, Max turned to Logan. "Gotta minute? We need to talk." Her tone was cool and she didn't wait for a reply before turning and striding out of the Command Center. Logan shrugged and followed her.

 

Hallway outside Command Center

 

"Max, about this outbreak, I have an idea. It may be connected to..." Logan began, once they were out of earshot of the others.

 

Max wasn't even listening. She stared at Logan, anger in her eyes, and cut him off mid-sentence, "What the hell was that about back there? You were supposed to help me control this bitch. Not enjoy it. I thought I could trust you, but you're obviously no different than any other male who thinks with his..."

 

Logan's temper flared to match Max's. "What was I supposed to do? Stand there and watch you jump that X6? As I recall, you were the one who made the move on me."

 

She stared at him incredulously. "Don't tell me you were worried about me and that kid back there?"

 

"I'm worried about you, Max. You need to stop fighting this and let me take care of you." Logan looked at her in frustration. "Before you do something we'll both regret."

 

"What I need is to clear my head." Max turned and stalked off, leaving Logan standing there staring after her.

 

Infirmary, Terminal City

 

The infirmary was quiet. There were no patients, and Aveta was alone. When the door opened, she looked up and smiled to see Max.

 

"Max, good to see you." She didn't rise or salute, having learned from experience that traditional military signs of respect didn't sit well with the young woman. Max smiled perfunctorily, and dropped into the chair facing Aveta's desk.

 

Aveta studied her professionally. Reaching across the desk she took Max's hand and held it for a moment. "Increased respiration and pulse, pupil dilation, elevated temperature...started your heat phase, when, this morning?" she asked.

 

Max looked startled, then nodded. "I forget how sensitive you are to bio signs. Yeah, the bitch started this morning." Aveta waited. "I was wondering...I mean I left Manticore before I ever had a heat. What..." Max floundered.

 

"The heat is an anomalous hormonal byproduct of the feline DNA that was used in many of the X-series. It's unrelated to your reproductive system, which is that of a normal human female. It's perfectly normal for you, Max. Nothing to worry about." Aveta's voice was soft and reassuring.

 

"No, I mean is there a way to um, relieve the...symptoms?" Max blurted out, embarrassed.

 

"Oh. Of course, there is," Aveta responded. Max sighed in relief and waited for Aveta to get her the remedy. Aveta, however, made no move to rise from her desk.

 

"Can I have whatever it is? The pills, the shot, whatever. I don't care. I just need to take care of this, I have work to do." Max's impatience came through in her voice.

 

Aveta smiled, "Max, you misunderstood me. There's no medical remedy."

 

"So then, what is the cure?"

 

"Find an agreeable male and relieve your symptoms. Normal biological function for an X-series," Aveta responded matter-of-factly. "I'm sure Logan would be happy to..."

 

"I should have known." Frustration evident in her voice, Max rose abruptly and strode from the room, leaving Aveta looking after her in confusion.

 

Command Center, Terminal City

 

After Max and Logan left the room, Alec strolled over to where Mole stood staring after them.

 

"Interesting little show, wouldn't you say?" he winked at the lizard man.

 

Mole shook his head in disgust. "She's supposed to be our commander and she acts like that with that ordinary in public?"

 

Alec laughed, "Mole, don't you get it? Our illustrious commander is going through that phase known and loved by virile X-males everywhere. To put it bluntly, the kitty cat is in heat!"

 

Mole looked at him for a moment, then shrugged, "Then what's the big deal? Nothing we haven't all seen before."

 

"Our CO didn't stick around Manticore long enough to find that out, my man. She has hang-ups."

 

"Great. We have to put up with a cat in heat, who ain't gettin' enough, for the next two days instead of her goin' off to do the dirty and givin' us a break? That's the usual drill." Mole complained.

 

"You could point that out to her. At your own risk, of course," Alec grinned.

 

Mole snorted in disgust and walked away.

 

The Last Stop Bar, Terminal City

 

"Alec, I need to find Max, there's some...um...information I need to give her and she'll have my ass if I don't get it to her..." Logan protested, as Alec dragged him to sit at a table for two, away from the main bar. An albino transhuman waitress came over to the table as soon as the two men sat down.

 

"Pitcher of beer and whatever there is to eat, sweetheart," Alec ordered. "For two." He pulled out three triangular blue meal tokens and tossed them on the table. The waitress scooped them up and headed back to the kitchen.

 

"Alec, I don't have time for this." Logan began to rise.

 

"Logan, you have to eat. Whatever it is you need to tell Max, it can wait. Anyway, I saw her walking toward the infirmary. She's probably with Aveta, going over supply lists or something boring like that."

 

Logan sighed, and sat back down. The waitress returned and placed a pitcher of beer, glasses, and two sandwiches in front of them. As soon as she left, Alec poured them each a beer, and picked up his food. Logan peered at his sandwich suspiciously, then shrugged and followed suit.

 

"Speaking of Max having your ass, my man," Alec quipped, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "How're things with you and Maxie these days?" Logan had already finished half of his beer. "I'm assuming it's all been good since you two finally...um...consummated." Logan shot him a glance and Alec stopped short, taking refuge in a swig of his beer.

 

"Things are fine, Alec." Logan replied tersely. He picked up his beer and drained the glass. "I didn't realize our private life was such fodder for the gossip mills."

 

Alec shrugged, "We gotta keep ourselves entertained." At yet another of Logan's withering glances, Alec quickly changed the subject. "She seemed a bit...miffed at you back there. Lovers' quarrel?"

 

"Women. Go figure," Logan replied. "They ask you for a favor and then get mad when you oblige." He stared down at his plate moodily.

 

"Yeah, well they have their uses. Gotta put up with the crap they dish out in order to get to the good stuff, if you know what I mean," Alec winked. Logan snorted and picked up the glass Alec had refilled for him.

 

Alec finished off his first glass and then continued, "So, did I ever tell you about things back at Manticore, Logan? Ordinary females can be hot, but the Xs...man." He whistled. "Let's just say that if normal women reach their sexual peak at thirty-five, men are gonna die if they ever encounter a 35-year-old X in heat." He paused, his expression innocent. "Max ever tell you about that?"

 

Alec waited for a response from Logan. When he got none, Alec simply poured himself another beer. "So I take it Max never told you about that little side effect of feline DNA?"

 

"She told me." Logan stared at his glass and avoided Alec's eyes.

 

"But you've never actually...experienced it? Right?"

 

"Right." Logan took another swig of beer.

 

"Ahhh." Alec fell silent.

 

"Alec, cut the crap. What exactly are you trying to say?" Logan asked sharply, more than slightly annoyed with the other man.

 

"Nothing. Just thought you might like some advice, man to man. Just in case."

 

"And what exactly might that advice be?" Logan asked sarcastically.

 

Alec grinned and leaned towards Logan, "Speaking from experience, I can tell you that the only thing to do when it hits is to go with the flow. Man, they are insatiable. Talk about blowing your..." Alec paused, devilishly weighing his words, "mind. Just don't try to fight it. Doesn't work and they get really bitchy."

 

Logan glared at him and Alec suddenly sobered.

 

"You really don't want to talk about this, do you?" Alec took a drink, then continued cautiously, "Thing is...if you should happen to have the opportunity...I'd hate to see you two miss out because of Max's hang-ups...I mean, given the givens with your..."

 

"Max doesn't know the givens and I'm not about to tell her." Logan replied shortly. "Neither are you."

 

Alec paused and took a sip of beer, at the same time observing Logan closely. The other man appeared uncomfortable and unsettled, almost...helpless. Alec raised a brow, "So sister Maxie is the one fighting it." Alec finished his beer as Logan carefully examined the sandwich in front of him. "Jeez, that girl has some serious issues," Alec observed, setting his glass on the table and sitting back in his chair, balancing it on two rickety legs. He watched as Logan nursed his beer, keeping his silence.

 

Logan abruptly put down his glass and rose. "I really need to find Max. See you back at Command." He turned and left Alec sitting there, deep in thought.

 

Sewers just outside of Terminal City

 

Joshua and Reese were on their way back from a pickup at one of the drops Logan had arranged with the S1W. It was located in the middle of a long abandoned park that was little more than a jungle now, near an overgrown manhole access.

 

Reese had gone above ground to make the actual pickup of a large duffel bag stuffed with assorted weapons and ammunition. The bag had been hidden exactly where it was supposed to be, under a tangle of sticker bushes, and they were headed home, Joshua carrying the heavy bag over his shoulder with ease.

 

Suddenly, there was the unmistakable click of a rifle being cocked.

 

"Halt or I shoot." A young, nervous looking sector cop stood in one of the side tunnels, pointing his gun at them. Joshua opened his mouth, baring his teeth, and let out a growl that echoed loudly and eerily in the confined space. The patrolman jumped back and, as he did, Reese launched his attack in a blur of motion, running up the side of the tunnel and landing with both feet on the frightened police officer. A quick punch to the jaw put him out and, after making sure he was unconscious, Reese slung the cop's rifle over his shoulder, and the two headed back to Terminal City at a fast trot.

 

"They're getting braver these days, coming in so close to TC. I'm gonna go report this to Command while you drop the weapons off at the armory." Reese commented. Joshua nodded in agreement and the two headed off in their separate directions.

 

City Hall, Seattle - 1:10 PM

 

The street in front of City Hall was filled with a crowd of several hundred, carrying signs and chanting. News vans with their rooftop antennas extended were everywhere and the protestors played to the cameras. Sector police patrolled barricades that had been set up to keep the crowd off the steps of City Hall. In the latest style to sweep Seattle, many of the men had crew cuts and women had their hair pulled up on top of their heads or cropped short, revealing barcode-free necks.

 

Melissa Michelle stood and waited for her cue, microphone in hand. At her cameraman's signal, she smiled and began to speak.

 

"This is Melissa Michelle, coming to you live from City Hall where hundreds have gathered, demanding to know what city officials are doing about this latest epidemic. So far, there are no deaths reported..."

 

She broke off, "Hold on a moment. I have just received the report of the first death from this illness. A 78-year-old woman has died at Harbor Lights Medical. We take you live to our reporter on the scene..."

 

Far above, Ramon Clemente sat watching television with the Mayor. At the reporter's last words, the Mayor picked up the remote and switched the television to mute. He glared at Clemente and pounded his fist on the desktop. "Damn it, man, now we have people dying from this! I will not be known as the Mayor who let this city be taken down by a bunch of freaks cooked up in some lab. Solve this!"

 

"Sir, we have our best people working with the Medical Examiners office on this. They tell me it takes time to identify the pathogen involved. I've assigned my second in command to push them along."

 

"Push them hard...any way you have to...I want this stopped...twenty hours, Clemente. Twenty hours."

 

ACT III

 

Harbor Lights Hospital - 1:20 PM

 

Sketchy paced restlessly back and forth in the crowded Emergency room. The place was chaotic, with more people arriving every moment, crowding up to the triage window. Every ten to fifteen minutes, an ambulance pulled up outside and the crew wheeled in a gurney holding another victim. Taking a breath, he pushed his way through the crowd to the admissions desk.

 

The nurse sitting behind the counter didn't look up.

 

"Name?"

 

"Um...Calvin Simon...um, I mean I'm not sick..." Sketchy stammered.

 

At that, the nurse did look up. "Young man, look around you. I have hundreds of sick people to deal with and no time to waste."

 

"But my friend...they brought her here...I need to know..."

 

"NEXT," the woman called out, ignoring him. Sketchy slumped his shoulders in defeat and moved away. He was about to resume pacing when there was a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see a young girl in a candy striper's uniform standing there.

 

"You're a Jam Pony messenger, aren't you?" she asked.

 

"Yeah. I am," Sketchy responded with a puzzled look.

 

"It's on your cap," she explained. "I think what you guys did for the transgenics back in May was awesome. I mean, they're people like us, right?"

 

"Sure. But why do you care?"

 

She looked around to be sure no one was paying attention, then whispered, "There was this guy I was dating...but..."

 

"He was one of them?" Sketchy guessed.

 

The girl nodded. "I heard Nurse Ratched blow you off up there, and being how your place helped my guy's people and all, I want to help you."

 

Sketchy smiled for the first time since he had found Original Cindy on the floor. "There's a friend of mine back there...they won't let me see her and they won't tell me what's wrong with her."

 

"C'mon. I'll take you back." She handed Sketchy a stick on pass that said "Visitor" and led him through a set of double doors.

 

Command Center, Terminal City - 2:08 PM

 

Assigned tasks completed, the leaders of Terminal City gathered in the Command Center. Max paced restlessly as they monitored the television stations for breaking news. Logan worked at hacking into the city's medical records database for updated information on the spread of the disease. As she paced, Max couldn't help looking at Logan each time she passed him, letting her gaze sweep up and down, lingering on his toned arms and shoulders. Every so often, she would almost imperceptibly shake herself, and run her index finger inside the collar of her black turtleneck sweater, even though the cool, damp fall weather had invaded Terminal City with a vengeance

 

Standing to the side, Alec observed closely. Smiling, he reached into his pocket and pressed some buttons on his cell phone. Within moments, it trilled out loudly in the mostly silent Command Center. Alec made a production of pulling the phone out of his pocket and answering it as he headed toward Logan.

 

"Hey, Logan. Phone." Logan swiveled his chair to face Alec and reached out for the phone Alec was holding out to him. At the same time, Max drew even with Logan. Alec stumbled, dropping the phone and giving Max a push as he regained his balance. Max gasped as she found herself sitting on Logan's lap. For his part, Logan automatically put his arm around her to steady her, and found her face only inches from his.

 

"Mmmm..." Max purred and leaned in to Logan's waiting lips as Alec smiled to himself. She ran her hands over his biceps as their lips met.

 

"Max. Think you might give us some attention over here?" Mole's growl broke into her concentration and she jumped up. Mole's gaze met Alec's, and Alec shrugged as the lizard man glared at him.

 

"Phone call, Alec?" Logan asked him dryly.

 

"Guess it got disconnected when I dropped the phone," Alec answered, with a look of innocence.

 

"Right." Logan turned his attention to Max, who had moved to the opposite side of the room. Gripping the sides of his chair, Logan pushed off as he stood and sent it rolling several feet across the floor. Alec stuck his foot out and stopped the chair's journey, keeping one eye on Logan and Max, and the other eye on the supply list Mole was trying to show him.

 

Logan strode over to Max, who was haphazardly trying to busy herself with the duty roster for the following week. He stood over her, arms folded across his chest. She scowled and looked up at him. "Logan, I'm not getting into this right now. I'm busy."

 

He placed his hand firmly atop the paper she was working on, obscuring her view. "Max, you need to make time. We're going to talk about this now." He crouched so that he was at her eye level. Keeping his voice low, despite the plethora of hearing-enhanced individuals in the room, he continued, "I told you I was going to help you through this, and I intend to. But I can't help you if you don't let me." His eyes darkened. "Is it...is it me?" He swallowed roughly. "Have I been doing something wrong?" He lowered his voice even more, resting his hands on her knees, her muscles clenching at his touch, the heat radiating from her skin through the fabric of her jeans. "Because I thought...these last few weeks or so...that things were going pretty well between us...in that department."

 

Max gritted her teeth. "Logan, it's been fine, I swear."

 

"Fine," Logan repeated bitterly, removing his hands from her legs.

 

"God, now is not the time for you to get performance anxiety!" Max snapped, unintentionally raising her voice. Alec coughed loudly and Max glared at him. Returning her gaze to Logan, she saw a hurt expression on his face. "Logan," she began. "I'm sorry. I just..."

 

"You just what, Max?" he asked. "I don't understand. Make me understand why, after all this time saying you didn't want this to lead to a string of back room quickies and one night stands in seedy hotels, when you have someone who knows you and loves you and wants to help you, you're pushing me away." He met Max's gaze and held it, daring her. She didn't answer. "Make me understand, Max," he repeated, his voiced hoarse.

 

Max bit her lip and averted her gaze to the floor. "I can't," she whispered. "I gotta go. I need air." She stood and stalked out of the Command Center, never once turning around to look at Logan.

 

"Max!" he called after her. "Max!"

 

Alec cast a sidelong glance at Mole before making his way over to Logan. Leaning against a support pole and crossing his arms over his chest, he remarked, "Well, that went well."

 

Logan's jaw clenched. "Piss off, Alec," he muttered through gritted teeth before stalking out of the Command Center himself.

 

"Trouble in paradise?" Mole asked, holding the cigar in his mouth with his teeth.

 

"Shut up, Mole," Alec replied, sighing heavily and shaking his head as he returned to Mole and the supply list.

 

Outdoors Near the Rail Yards, Terminal City

 

The group of thirty X-series stood listening to the young woman who was speaking earnestly to them. She was about Max's age and build, with long straight black hair, and aquamarine eyes.

 

"...We're nothing but sitting ducks here. One of these days, they're going to decide they've had enough of this and come in with their troops, and we're history. I don't know about you guys, but I don't place a lot of faith in some renegade X5 who cut out before she finished her training. What does she know about tactics and strategy? Her friends are all ordinaries, civilians. She's a civilian herself." She paused for breath.

 

"What do we do about it, Zeri?" asked an X6. "Mole and the rest do whatever she and her ordinary boyfriend tell them to."

 

"We gather our weapons and prepare to defend ourselves. Maybe sooner than you think. There's another disease going around out there and guess who the ordinaries are blaming."

 

"How do we get weapons? Everything is locked up, under guard. And how are thirty of us going to go up against a major ordinary attack force?" this from a female, an X5.

 

The leader turned to another X. "Reese here is on the armory guard detail. He has the codes and keys to the weapons storage. As for numbers, don't think we're the only group. There are cells organized and ready to roll as needed. We also have outside sources and they tell us that the ordinaries may attack within the next twenty-four hours. I want you all to be ready to move when you get the word."

 

The assembled Xs nodded and the group broke up, moving off in singles and pairs so as not to attract undue attention as they returned to the more populated areas of Terminal City.

 

Oak Street, Terminal City

 

Max walked along Oak Street aimlessly, kicking at scattered debris. As she walked, her cell phone rang and, pulling it out of her pocket, she flipped it open. "Yeah?"

 

"Max. It's Sketchy."

 

"What are you calling me about? Normal got the word to halt our deliveries, right?"

 

"Huh? I dunno, I've been at the hospital all day with Original Cindy."

 

"What?! Why is she in the hospital? Where?" There was panic in Max's voice.

 

"Harbor Lights. She collapsed this morning with the bug that's going around."

 

"I'm on it." Max closed her phone with a snap and looked around for the closest sewer entry point. Then she turned and ran for the warehouse where they had stored Alec's bike. Within moments, she had rolled it into the street and, jumping on, she gunned the motor.

 

Logan came around the corner just in time to see Max roaring off in the direction of the rail yards. "What the hell?" Turning, he headed quickly back toward Command.

 

Rail yards, Terminal City

 

Max sped through the rail yards toward the exit point they used to smuggle Shankar and others in and out of Terminal City. She forced back the tears that welled in her eyes as a result of the wind whipping her face, and the fact that her best friend was hospitalized. She'd had no time to go fetch a pair of riding glasses, so she squinted her eyes against the wind.

 

Just as she was nearing the exit point, Max became aware of a blur of motion to her right. Ahead of her, Alec stood, having run at his enhanced speed to get ahead of her. Max slammed on the brakes and brought the bike to a stop inches from where Alec stood, arms crossed, staring at her.

 

"What, Alec?" Max asked bitingly.

 

"Taking a joyride?" Alec asked, arching a brow. "Feelin' a need to put some power between your legs?"

 

Max gritted her teeth and shifted in the bike's seat, feeling her blood boil at the close proximity to a male, especially an X5 male, even if said male happened to be the bane of her existence. "Not that it's any of your business," Max said impatiently. "But Original Cindy is in the hospital. Sketchy just called me." She looked down. "They think she's got this latest disease everyone wants to blame us for." Max sighed and tucked her hair into her turtleneck in an attempt to disguise her identity somewhat.

 

 

Alec relented, his expression softening. "I'm sorry, Max." He paused. "But running off to see her without telling anyone - it's not exactly the behavior of a CO." He walked closer to her. "Even if that CO is currently trying not to jump the bones of any male who crosses her path." He leaned in, his breath rushing across Max's skin. She shivered involuntarily, and his nostrils flared at the scent of her pheromones.

 

She gunned the bike's engine back to life. "Get away from me, Alec. You don't know anything about what I'm going through."

 

"I don't?" he asked, incredulous. "You're not the only female X5 to go into heat, you know. I was around a lot of horny women at Manticore, Maxie. So why don't you just stop acting like it's some kind of leprosy and accept it for what it is." He positioned himself back in front of the motorcycle.

 

"Get out of my way, Alec," Max hissed.

 

"I didn't come down here to get run over," Alec said.

 

"Then why did you?" she snapped.

 

"Because when I heard Logan come over the comm asking everyone on patrol to keep an eye out for you, and then I heard that my bike isn't where it's supposed to be, I wanted to make sure you weren't running away." He leveled his gaze on her.

 

They held this staring contest for several tense minutes, Max's eyes full of anger, Alec's teeming with daring and bravado. Suddenly, Max revved the engine once more. "This conversation is over." With that, she peeled out, not bothering to maneuver around where Alec stood resolute. He had to dive out of her path to avoid being run over.

 

"Stop fighting it!" Alec hollered after her as he scrambled to his feet, counting on her enhanced hearing to pick up his words. "Stop fighting who you are," he muttered to himself before jogging back towards the buildings.

 

 

Guard Post #29, Terminal City

 

The two Guardsmen on duty were intent on a game of poker when the motorcycle roared through the checkpoint.

 

Grabbing a comm, one spoke rapidly, "Post 29 to base - A black motorcycle with female rider has just breached the perimeter, heading north toward Sector 5..."

 

Harbor Lights Medical – 4:30 PM

 

Dr. Beverly Shankar wheeled a patient through the halls of Harbor Lights Medical. The patient's head was bowed and partially wrapped in gauze and her neck was in a foam brace. Shankar maneuvered the chair into a room that was already occupied by another patient. She wheeled the chair up to the bed and put her hand on the shoulder of the patient in the chair. "I'll be back in ten minutes," she murmured, and left.

 

Max lifted her head and wheeled the chair in closer to Original Cindy's bed. Reaching out to touch her friend's hand, she whispered, "Hey."

 

Original Cindy's eyes fluttered open. She smiled as she tried to focus on Max. "Hey, boo."

 

"How are you feeling?" Max asked.

 

Cindy shrugged slightly, "Nothing a year's paid vacation couldn't cure. Original Cindy plans to get on Normal's ass when she gets out of here for some well deserved time off."

 

"If he says ‘No', gimme a call and I'll set him straight. Can't have him working my girl ragged." Max chuckled wryly, then sobered. "You're gonna be fine. Dr. Shankar said you got this bitch beat, all ya need is some beauty rest."

 

"They're trying to blame it on y'all, ain't they?" Cindy asked, her voice hoarse.

 

Max tried to appear nonchalant. "Another day, another thing we're the scapegoats for."

 

Original Cindy squeezed Max's hand and frowned. "Your skin's hotter than a fine new piece of sugar. What's the dealio, boo? You getting this bitch of a bug, too?"

 

Max shook her head, chagrinned. "No. I'm fine."

 

"Don't be lyin' to Original Cindy now, sugah, cuz I ain't havin' none of that."

 

Max sighed and bowed her head. When she finally lifted it to meet her best friend's gaze, Original Cindy was taken aback at the war of conflicting emotions she saw in Max'seyes. Terror, lust, rage, shame, embarrassment - all there, killing the fire that usually burned in them.

 

"I'm in heat - again," Max said, staring past her friend, out the window.

 

Original Cindy frowned, "So then what in hell are you doing here? Why aren't you and Logan locked away back at the homestead trying to beat Kendra's record of twelve straight gong-banging hours?" She searched Max's eyes, trying to catch her friend's gaze. Max raised a brow briefly at the mention of her former roommate, but her gaze did not waver from the fixed point she stared at through the window. "Max," she said gently. "Does this have anything to do with what happened last time?"

 

Max snapped her gaze from the window and met Original Cindy's eyes, as she was transported back in time to the hellish heat cycle that had hit shortly after her return to Seattle from Manticore.

 

Original Cindy knocked on their bathroom door. "Get yo ass in gear, boo. Time's a wastin' and I don't wanna hear Normal's bitchin' this mornin'. Didn't them black helicopter dudes teach you to be quick?" She grinned in anticipation of Max's retort. When she got none, she pressed her ear to the door, her grin fading. "Max?" She jiggled the door handle and found it locked. "Max?!" Her voiced was frantic. She tried the door several more times, but it wouldn't budge.

 

Original Cindy dashed to the kitchen and grabbed a skillet off the half-broken stove. Racing back to the bathroom, she used it like a sledgehammer on the doorknob. After several tense minutes, she broke it off and used her body weight to force open the door. Once inside the bathroom, she was horrified at the sight of Max curled up on the floor beside a vomit-filled toilet, shaking and sweating.

 

Cindy dropped to Max's side, smoothing her sweat-drenched hair, feeling her skin hot to the touch. "Do you need your meds, boo?" she asked gently.

 

Max shook her head. "This isn't th-the...seizures." She swallowed roughly. "It's the heat."

 

Original Cindy's eyes widened. "This is your itch doing this to you?"

 

Max nodded as her friend grabbed a washcloth and ran it under cool water, resting it on Max's sweat-drenched brow. "We d-destroyed their lab...and they wanted us to breed." She gasped and swallowed against the bile that rose in her throat. "Rumor had it th-they were s-spiking our food with something to make the heat m-more...intense. The only relief is to g-give in ...you can't know how b-bad I want to do that..." Her last words were barely a whisper, "I w-won't...I...L-Logan..."

 

Cindy dabbed Max's forehead. "They wanted to build back their ranks." She sighed. "Damn." Resting the washcloth alongside Max's cheek, she whispered, "Don't worry, boo - Original Cindy's got your back. She'll get you through this." Returning to the sink to rinse the cloth out, she murmured to herself, "I hope."

 

"You got me through it," Max whispered, returning her stare to the view outside the hospital room's window.

 

Original Cindy half-laughed dryly. "Cold showers until we ran outta water and stealin' some of Little Manny's roofies to keep you out until it passed." She let out a long breath. "That was some whacked stuff, boo."

 

Max nodded.

 

"So why ain't you shaking like a junkie after a drug bust this time?"

 

Max shrugged, "Damned if I know. This freak show body of mine is a bag of tricks." She grunted bitterly. "I should take my act on the road."

 

"Which brings me back to what I asked you two minutes ago," Original Cindy said. "Why isn't your ass getting its freak on with Hot Boy? There's no virus, there's no problems as far as Original Cindy can see." She took Max's hand. "You got your itch and you have some fine means to scratch it. So get goin'."

 

Max simply shook her head, her gaze transfixed. "I can't. I can't let Logan see what I become. When I go into heat, Manticore wins. They get what they set out to create - something that walks and talks like a human, but underneath...I'm just an animal."

 

Original Cindy's eyes filled with tears at the sound of Max's voice. It was flat. It wasn't full of pain or fear or anger or any of the emotions Cindy saw fighting for equal time in Max's eyes. Max's voice was just...dead.

 

Police Headquarters, Seattle - 6:10 PM