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

The man's hair had gone grey. That was the first thing Alec noticed about Robert Berrisford when he spotted him disembarking from his limousine outside the small terminal.

Fingering the pistol hanging inside his jacket, the X5 thought things through. He'd only get one chance at this, and he was going to have to talk fast. Airport security might be less stringent in the private areas, but it would still probably take less than three minutes for police to respond to an alarm ... or a gunshot.

Berrisford, as usual, had two security guards with him -- one a familiar face -- and Alec wondered if the man knew his life was in danger ... that he'd once again been targeted by Manticore. The guy should have left well enough alone, the practical side of Alec's mind argued. However, in his heart, the X5 knew why Berrisford had continued his crusade against the genetic research that had ultimately cause his daughter's death. The research that resulted in me. Rachel's memory was worth it ... the fight ... the revenge ...

The jet's engines were on, the motors warming up prior to taxiing out onto the runway. Looking around, Alec used his telescopic vision to make certain the doors were secure, the hanger empty except for Berrisford, his hired goons, and whoever was already inside plane. The guards would be armed. He'd have to move fast.

The young trangenic then took one last look behind him at the empty tarmac and slipped through the hangar doorway, moving like wraith, blurring so he wouldn't be seen, to take up a position inside behind a stack of fuel drums. From there, he looked out at the three men who were now only a few yards away. One of the guards glanced up, perhaps sensing something, but Berrisford was talking to them and the guy's attention was soon once again riveted on his boss.

Alec took a deep breath -- and made his move. Stepping out into the open, bold as you please, he greeted the astonished trio with a wicked smile.

"What the--!" Berrisford exclaimed, even as Guard #1 was reaching for his gun.

A spinning hook kick to the head took the guy out before he even knew what was hitting him, leaving the second guard, the one Alec knew from before, gaping and fumbling for his own weapon. Alec didn't waste time asking nicely. His blow broke jawbone -- he felt the splintering crack -- and the man dropped like a stone.

"Sorry about that," the X5 said easily, dusting off his hands but holding the astonished Berrisford's eyes with his own. "Didn't see any easier way."

"Easier way to what?" Berrisford got out through clenched teeth, those eyes now narrowing as he recognized the brash young man who'd just devastated his entourage. "To kill me?"

"Those are my orders," Alec said levelly. "Again," he had to add. "You've been playing with matches, Robert. And I've been sent to put out the fire."

"By Manticore?" the older man wondered, looking down at his fallen guards.

"Who else have you pissed off?"

"It figures they'd send you," the man said, his voice bitter. "Poetic justice one might say."

"Ironic, ain't it?" Alec replied with a little smile that would have been playful if it wasn't for the deadly gleam in his eyes. The X5's attention shifted to the doorway, then up to the plane's cockpit. There was undoubtedly a pilot up there who'd probably witnessed the assault on his boss. He guessed he had less than three minutes. Drawing his gun, he motioned with it toward the jet. "Get on board," he said.

"Why?" Berrisford wondered. "Why not just kill me here?"

"Because I need you," Alec said.

"For what?"

"To get me away from Manticore. I'm not gonna kill you unless you force me. I meant what I said about caring for Rachel, and I'm not about to hurt her father, orders or not."

Understanding began to dawn in the older man's dark eyes. "You're going rogue?" he breathed. "Deserting?"

"Yeah," Alec said. "I'm goin' rogue. Seems to be a habit when I'm around you. Oh, and in case you hadn't noticed, I'm also hijackin' your plane."