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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Artwork courtesy of Valjean & JensenAckles.org

"494, you've successfully completed three short term missions over the past month. How would you like to tackle something a bit more ... involved?"

Alec's ears perked up. This could be the chance he'd been waiting for. For weeks now he'd played Lydecker's obedient little lap dog, obeying orders flawlessly, training with the other X5s, and causing no trouble. In return, he'd gotten his shot every three days -- personally administered by the Colonel (who of course made him say "please" each time).

Contrary to what Max had always thought about him, Alec didn't have to be an impulsive egotistical jerk who was out only for immediate gratification. In fact, the X5 could be quite patient -- inhumanly so -- when necessary.

And patient is what Alec had been ... waiting ... watching ... obeying ... playing the game and the hand he'd been dealt knowing that, sooner or later, his human handlers would make a mistake.

"You've eliminated every target you've been sent after so far," the sergeant addressing him said. "Colonel Lydecker seems quite pleased with your progress, even though you haven't been subjected to the usual reindoctrination program. Apparently the Colonel's experiment with regards to bringing you back into the fold using less drastic measures is a success, and something we'll undoubtedly be utilizing when re-acquiring other stray X5s.

Strays? Alec thought, his full lips twitching in the hint of a smile. He supposed that was as good a way as any to describe himself and his other still-free brothers and sisters. However, wisely, he remained silent, his body in "at ease" position, hands behind his back, feet slightly apart, his eyes straight forward, not speaking because he hadn't really been spoken to yet.

"You were on a mission in 2017 that ended badly, is that correct 494?" the sergeant asked.

"Yes, sir," Alec replied, keeping his expression carefully controlled even though the question had startled him.

"You were ordered to assassinate one Robert Berrisford, CEO of Mercidyne Labs, and his daughter. Instead, you attempted to warn your targets, resulting in failure of the mission as well as your own severe punishment. Correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"How would you like a chance to correct that blemish on your Manticore record, soldier?"

Alec's eyes narrowed. "I don't understand, sir," he said, his voice tight.

The sergeant -- an officer approximately Alec's own age who had the crew-cut blond hair, blue eyes, and superior attitude of a WASP military academy graduate -- smiled. "Don't worry, 494," he said. Your mission won't involve killing little girls this time around. However, Berrisford is once again stirring up trouble for us ... meeting with top level government officials and showing evidence of what he believes to be the abuse of genetic research. He hasn't gone so far as to claim a genetically engineered supersoldier murdered his daughter ... not yet ... but he's in possession of evidence that's worrisome to us."

Alec wondered if he was supposed to respond to this. "Yes, sir," he said, his voice carefully controlled, his eyes riveted on the wood paneled wall behind the officer's head.

"This will be a test, 494," the sergeant said. "Lydecker will be watching your performance closely. If you fail, you know what will happen to you."

"Yes, sir."

"Good," the officer said, handing Alec a folder. "Study up on your target. You leave tomorrow at 0400."

"But sir," Alec had to say. "Berrisford is on the west coast. A mission like this will take more than three days."

"Ah yes," the sergeant said, his smile sarcastic as his eyes raked the X5. "Your leash isn't very long, is it?"

"No, sir."

"Actually, that won't be a problem, 494. You see, Berrisford has relocated. He's right here on the east coast now ... in New York city as a matter of fact, a mere day's journey. You'll have plenty of time to complete your mission and return."

Alec's heart fell. He's been hoping for a long-distance assignment that would mean Lydecker trusting him with taking at least one dose of the antidote on his own. That would have theoretically given him six days. Long enough to reach Max.

"However," the sergeant continued. "This is admittedly a much more complex mission than your previous ones. That's why the Colonel wants to talk to you."

Alec glanced back at the sound of the door opening, then resumed his at-ease posture, eyes carefully forward again.

"Dismissed," Lydecker said to the handler. Then -- after the officer had left -- he took up a position directly in front of his captive X5. "Your previous assignments have all been enemies of your kind as well as enemies of our government," the Colonel stated flatly.

Meaning they'd all been Breeding Cult members, Alec clarified that statement to himself -- which is why he'd had no qualms about carrying out the assassinations. Like he'd once told Max, he had no problem taking down those bastards. But Berrisford ... this was going to be tricky.

Lydecker seemed to read his mind. "You don't want to do this, do you, soldier?" he said softly. "You don't want to complete the mission you fucked up so badly six years ago."

An answer was expected. "No, sir," Alec said. Then, "I mean, yes, sir. I do want to complete the mission. Berrisford tried to kill me two years ago. He's a danger to myself as well as to Manticore. He needs to be eliminated."

Lydecker smiled wickedly. "You lie so well it's terrifying," he said quietly. "But then that's how we designed you. You're a real piece of work, 494. You know that? In many ways, with you the creation has surpassed the creators. I can't believe a word that comes out of your mouth, but I'm damn proud of you for being such a good snake in the grass."

"Yes, sir," Alec said, figuring a response was expected from him.

"Eliminate Robert Berrisford," Lydecker barked, "and it will go a long way toward re-establishing your credentials with me, 494. Maybe I'll even tell your Unit mates to ease up on taunting their contaminated brother."

The other X5s in his Unit had, indeed, been giving Alec a hard time during training -- he had the bruises to prove it -- but it wasn't like he really cared. After all, he wasn't here to make friends. He was here to serve Lydecker just long enough so he could figure out a way to escape.

"Sir?" Alec asked quickly, realizing the briefing was almost over. "Would it be possible to be entrusted with a dose of the antidote just in case this mission runs more than three days? It would be an inconvenience to have to return to base in the middle of the assignment."

Lydecker smiled broadly and shook his head. "Nice try, 494," he chuckled. "But I'm not insane. Report to outfitting to get your civilian clothes, then be at the airfield at 0330. Dismissed."