DISCLAIMER: All DARK ANGEL characters belong to James Cameron and Charles Eglee (Cameron Eglee Productions) and DARK ANGEL itself belongs to FOX.

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Photo courtesy of Eyes Only

Max didn't understand at all. "What would the Sector Police or the mayor's cronies or whoever the hell those people down there are want with me?" she asked Logan.

However, the man wasn't listening to her. In full "Eyes Only mode," Logan was typing furiously at the keyboard and scanning data as it came up on his screen.

"Logan!" Max said sharply. "Why would they want me?"

"Doesn't everyone?" Mole said snidely from where he was still standing by the door. Trying to relight his cigar, he was puffing hard and watching her closely as he shielded the embers from a draft with his scaly hand.

"What the hell's that s'posed to mean?" Max snapped over her shoulder as she watched the information Logan was pulling up.

"I mean, it seems like every time there's trouble for us you're in the middle of it," Mole said. "Now it looks like Alec's got his ass in a sling, and tell me it's not 'cause of you. I warned him not to--" But then Mole suddenly seemed to remember something, and closed his mouth without completing the sentence.

"Warned Alec not to what?" Max said. Not to fall in love with me? But of course she couldn't say that out loud.

"It's not because of Max," Logan said evenly, but without looking up. "Alec was on a mission for Eyes Only."

"Then why do these fuckers want Max in exchange for our boy?" Mole demanded.

Good question, Max thought. She took a deep breath. "Logan?" she implored plaintively, hoping he had an answer. Logan always had answers ... always came through for her ...

"Here's all the information I have on the underground city," Logan said finally. "And all of my notes regarding what appears to be a private prison built down there after 2016." He looked up at Max. "However, I've been going all along on the assumption that project was to house political prisoners, like Margaret Curran who was running for mayor ... people corrupt politicians in charge of Seattle wanted to have disappear, but didn't necessarily want to kill."

"But why would they want me and Alec?" Max wondered.

"Exactly," Logan said, scanning the words on the screen again. "They don't want transgenics for prisoners. If anything, the local politicians simply want you people dead. Yet it seems they set an elaborate trap for you and Alec."

"One we stepped right into," Max said ruefully. "But how did they know we'd be coming back to the cave to try and find a way in?"

"I don't know," Logan said. "Maybe they caught your merman friend?"

Max shrugged. The fact she and Alec hadn't found the merman and his mate had been a bit suspicious.

"But why transgenics at all?" she said.

Logan shrugged. "Contrary to popular belief," he said, "I don't always have all the answers."

"You can say that again," Mole snorted.

Max shot him a look, and the lizard man returned to puffing on his stogie and staring at the wall.

She knew what had to be done. "The note says to be at Pioneer Square at dawn," she said. "They'll hand over Alec for me. I say we do it."

"No!" Logan said vehemently. Mole, however, remained silent.

"Logan, it's the only way we can move fast enough to get Alec out," she insisted. "My people will take up points all around the Square, covering me. After the exchange goes down they can move in. We've got an army, Logan -- of transgenics. More than enough power to take down even a well fortified prison once Alec's safe."

"And what about Asha's mother?" Logan asked. "And other innocent people imprisoned down there? You gonna just call them collateral damage, Max? Is Alec the only one who matters?"

Max had conveniently not thought about that. However, she had an idea. "So, we sweeten the pot," she said. "Me in exchange for Alec and Asha's mother."

"Puttin' a mighty high value on yourself, aren't you?" Mole commented.

"Look," Max said, stamping her foot on the floor. "The only reason these bozos would want me -- and just me -- is if they're involved with the Breeding Cult. If they just wanted a transgenic they've already got Alec. And if it's Cult involvement, I'm willing to bet Margaret Curran means next to nothing to them. They want me bad. They always have."

"You mean they want you dead," Logan said quietly. "I was about to suggest possible Cult involvement myself, although I can't find a paper trail. But in a weird way it makes sense. Ames and his cronies seemed to have a finger in every pie, so to speak, so why not in local politics? Hell, we already know McKinley's one of them. Why not the mayor? Or the chief of police? Or some of the City Council members? In fact, it goes to reason because then they'd know about Alec and how much he means to you ... that you might be willing to sacrifice yourself for him."

Max nodded her agreement, and Logan reached to pick up the phone.

"Who are you calling?" she said.

"Asha," he replied as he punched in a speed-dial number. "If we're going to try and get her mother out as well as Alec, she deserves to be there."