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

ARCHIVE: No

The following scene is based on characters created for the television series DARK ANGEL,
and is set in the time frame following the Max Allan Collins novel AFTER THE DARK. -- author's note

What Price?
By Valjean

*************************************

Artwork courtesy of Valjean &
JensenAckles.org

"They grabbed 452 because she's a near-perfect X5 prototype," Donald Lydecker said, his voice low and grating to Alec's ears. However, the young transgenic knew that he had to listen to this ... that the colonel might well be their only hope of recovering Max from the foreign nationals who'd kidnapped her.

"They want her ova ... her eggs," the older man continued, being matter-of-fact. Seated behind a battered wooden desk, wearing worn leather bomber jacket and fatigues, Lydecker -- with his greying blond hair, weathered skin, and crinkled eyes -- looked more soldier than bureaucrat. However, the colonel had a mean reputation as both -- a combination of talent Alec knew was needed if the woman he'd finally admitted he loved was to be saved.

"They want her for breeding and for her DNA," the colonel added, stating the obvious. He was regarding Alec coolly, but there was also something else in those icy blue eyes -- a touch of pride. "In case you've forgotten ... much as you might like to ... you and Max and the handful of other surviving X5s are the most advanced bioweapons systems on Earth. Your DNA is worth millions ... your eggs and sperm priceless."

Alec flinched at the brutal assessment of his biological status, a coldness creeping through his belly. Even after all these years of freedom, he and his brothers and sisters were still really just sacrificial meat to the U.S. government ... military "wetware." Lydecker, of course, had a bit more personal interest in his so-called "kids" having raised them from infants and trained them into their young adulthood. However, Alec's keen sense of empathy told him that even the colonel -- deep down inside -- still considered the X5s something not quite human ... a subservient species not worthy of the same rights and considerations true homo sapiens were afforded by the law. It was an assessment of the man (and the situation) the soldier in 494 knew to be wary of, but it was also a factor he could neither eliminate nor control.

"494!" Lydecker said sharply. "Did you hear what I said? The Chinese are going to have Max guarded like one of their most precious national treasures. There's no way we'll be able to penetrate their military lab in order to get to her, at least not covertly."

"So, what do we do?" Alec spat. "Just leave her to be cut into little pieces?"

Lydecker was eyeing him speculatively, and Alec felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle. "What?" the X5 said, green-gold eyes narrowing.

"We can't reach Max via assault or subterfuge," the colonel said, steepling his hands and a thoughtful expression relaxing the harsh lines on his face. "However," he added more softly, "there might be another way." Blue eyes roved over Alec's body.

The X5 shivered.

"That open order from the Chinese was for an X5 breeding pair," Lydecker said, his voice still quiet. "They've now got their female, but they still need a male."

"What good would I do inside their top secret military lab if I was a prisoner?" Alec immediately said, seeing exactly where this was going and hating it ... but also realizing that it might be Max's only chance.

"We could outfit you with a subdermal transceiver," the colonel said. "Once inside, your people -- via the link and some hacking on your part -- might be able to access their computers, perhaps even take physical control of the base.

"And if it doesn't work?" Alec said hotly. "They'll eat me alive! Right along with Max! And no one here will be able to help us. You said yourself their security is impossible to get around."

"From the outside," Lydecker said. "But if we could gain access to their control systems from the inside ..."

"And if we can't?" Alec challenged. "What then? Max and me are just sacrificed?"

"I'll see to it that the money I get for you goes to your people."

Lydecker was being flippant. Alec glared at the man, old grudges ... memories of betrayal regarding the colonel ... whispering in the back of his mind.

"Would you rather we just abandon Max completely?" Lydecker persisted. "Leave her to their mercy ... to face a lifetime of being raped over and over again with her babies torn from her womb?"

Alec felt sick on his stomach. He knew the colonel was stating the facts, and it was more than he could bear ... to think about his lover condemned to a lifetime of such hell. In fact, it would be far better to go in and shoot Max in the head or break her neck if he had to in order to free her from that kind of fate. But if I do that, then who'll do the same for me?

"I'd want an end-game option," Alec said levelly. "And somethin' for Max, too."

"You might not have a chance to get it to her," Lydecker said. "Or even get close enough to her for other ... means."

"I know," Alec agreed. "But at least I could try ... if I couldn't get her out that is."

The colonel nodded. "That can be arranged ... two cyanide pills inside temporary dental caps."

Alec inclined his head. "Make the deal," he said, steeling himself inwardly for what was about to happen. "Tell them you've got their male." He smirked then. "And tell 'em you won't take a penny less than twenty million 'cause I'm worth it."

*****


Alec's armpits were sweating ...

"You know this has to be done, son," Lydecker said gently, his voice oddly paternal as he picked up the hypodermic needle. "If you're not heavily sedated they're not gonna buy it ... they'll suspect something's up. I mean--" The colonel smiled slightly. "If I don't have you knocked senseless how else are they going to believe someone like me could capture an X5-Unit?"

"Point taken," Alec replied -- no pun intended -- as he eyed the needle and swallowed hard.

"You can still back out," Lydecker said. "And no one would blame you. This isn't a sure thing at all, 494. Chances are you're going to die in that Chinese lab, and -- with a little luck -- Max too."

Alec's tongue touched one of the newly applied temporary crowns on his back upper molar -- his way out if all else failed. "Just do it," he said gruffly, sitting down hard on the end of the cheap hotel room bed and shoving up the sleeve of his sweater baring a well-formed biceps.

He looked away at the wall as Lydecker plunged the needle home, his handsome face stoic and impassive as he forced his mind to calm and focus only on the mission the way he'd been taught back at Manticore. No time for emotions now ... no time for love or hate or fear ... just the pure practicality and ruthless determination of an automaton soldier.

The smothering effect of the drug wasn't long in coming, the powerful sedative -- enough to drop three ordinary men -- pumped by his big X5 heart and reaching his brain in seconds. As reality began to fade Alec felt Lydecker's hands cradling his head and easing him back on the mattress.

"You know," his former CO's husky voice crooned in the encroaching darkness. "Those bastards pony-ed up twenty-five million dollars for you, son. Take some comfort in that. Your people are going to be financially sound for a long time thanks to you."

Twenty-five million bucks, Alec thought as he fell into nothingness. A lot, but not nearly as much as what Max means to me ...

*****


"Wake up!"

Alec felt the slap on his face that time -- apparently the last of several already delivered if his throbbing cheekbone was any indication -- the pain muted but finally piercing through the veil of drugs that were slowly clearing his system.

"I said wake up you filthy piece of transie shit!"

His arms hurt ... his shoulders ... his wrists. Rolling his head on the column of his neck, the X5 opened heavy-lidded eyes. Wherever he was it was dark ... cold ... damp ... mildew scented ... a basement maybe? Feline pupils expanded of their own volition as his focus sharpened, and he found himself looking directly into the acne-scarred face of a perspiring, overweight, middle-aged white male who's comb-over wisp of hair didn't really cover his bald pate at all. Shit-brown pig eyes squinted at Alec from above a bulbous red nose, even as another blow from that ham hand jerked the X5's head sideways and rattled his teeth.

"Wake up, damn it! It's been hours!" Thick lips peeled back baring tobacco-stained crooked teeth in a cruel grin. "Your keeper said you'd only be out for a little while. My buyers wanna see what they're payin' for, and a half-dead Freak ain't it!

Alec struggled to obey, blinking rapidly -- not because he was concerned about what the buyers might think, but because he knew he needed to get his bearings and find out what the fuck was going on. "Where am I?" he mumbled, his tongue feeling thick in his mouth. Glancing up, he saw why his arms hurt. He was literally strung up like a slab of meat from a rafter in what was, indeed, some kind of cellar or underground lair, the cuffs encircling his wrists already drawing blood from where they were chaffing. Straightening his legs, the X5 discovered he could touch his toes to the floor, relieving some of the pain. It was then he also realized one other fact ... the reason he was so cold.

He was stark naked.

Raising his head, Alec was about to demand once again his whereabouts, not only of his person but of his clothes, when he saw something that pushed all thoughts of his own dilemma out of his mind. Eyes widening with horror, he softly exclaimed, "Max ..."

She was lying on her back on a bed on the other side of the underground room, her long dark hair and beautiful features unmistakable even in the dim light. Chained spreadeagle, as naked as himself, she was watching him, only the gag in her mouth preventing her from cursing ... or perhaps screaming. There was blood on the sheets ... cuts on her breasts and belly ... bruises welling in places that told Alec his worst fears for her had indeed been justified. And -- from the way his captor was eying him now and leering -- his own fate was probably going to be the same. This wasn't the deal! Alec thought frantically. This wasn't the way it was supposed to go down! His tongue touched the cap on his molar, but then he forced himself to take a deep calming breath. No matter how dire the circumstances, now wasn't the time to flee ... not when he'd be leaving Max behind.

A cold fat-fingered hand touched his ass, his bald-headed assailant behind him now, garlic-laced breath assailing Alec's nostrils as a sinuous voice whispered in his ear, "You know, you really are a pretty piece of work. You and me, boy--" Fingers reached around, touched him, and the X5 involuntarily flinched. "--we're gonna have a lot more fun than you and that prig of a colonel of yours ever did. I'm gonna do things to you that Lydecker never even dreamed of doin' with his so-called 'kids.' Just like I've been doin' to that little pussy on the bed for the past few days."

Alec felt like he was going to vomit. Once again tongue touched tooth.

"She'll have fun watchin', too," the man cooed, his ministrations becoming horribly intimate as Alec twisted in the chains in a futile attempt to make it stop. However, escape was impossible ...

Max, her brown eyes as wide as they could be, was shaking her head back and forth, her silent No! audible to Alec on some instinctive level as only his brothers' and sisters' cries could be. This had been a mistake ... a huge mistake ... coming here ... surrendering ... trusting his life to Donald Lydecker and Manticore technology.

"I thought we were bought by the Chinese," Alec said through gritted teeth, playing for time and trying to ignore the fact that he was being molested.

"All in due time," the man chortled. Breaking off contact (to Alec's vast relief), his captor walked over to the side of the room and began adjusting a video camera. "I've got a little deal with the Chinamen," he elaborated as he peered through the lens which was trained on the bed then swiveled it on the tripod to aim toward his new prisoner. "They let me have my fun first. It's part of our deal. When I'm done ..." He shrugged. "I turn you over to them. After all," he added, "they'll still get what they're payin' for ... prime X5 meat." He straightened, a frightening grin on his face. "You know, always before it's been humans, but raping a supersoldier ... now that's truly a sexual connoisseur's dream come true." He glanced back at the bed and Max, underscoring the fact that the abominable act he'd just described had already been done.

Alec's heart began to race. Now, it was his turn. For the third time, he considered his escape option. However, this loon wasn't going to kill them, but rather turn them over to the Chinese in a little while. He and Max might still have a chance to escape. Damn!

The tub of lard walked over to Max and yanked off the gag. "You got something to say, pussy?" he asked as his hand possessively caressed her naked breasts then moved between her legs making her writhe and grunt with anger. A thought apparently occurred and he glanced back at Alec. "Is this your boyfriend?" he wondered, licking her off his middle finger as pig eyes gleamed in a way that set Alec's stomach roiling. Subtly, 494 shook his head no to Max, but the look on her face had already given them away.

"Your lover?" the little sadist wondered. "Oh, that makes this even better," he added gleefully, rubbing his hands together with delight.

Alec made fists of his fingers and tugged hard on the chains. The iron wouldn't give, but the rafter overhead creaked ominously. "Yeah, we're lovers," the X5 said, his voice deep, low, and dangerous. What the hell, if it'll buy us time I'll elaborate for the pervert ... "Her and me ... we're mates ... a breeding pair." He somehow managed a smirk. "That's why the Chinese are payin' the big bucks for us, or so I've been told."

Again, their evil host clapped hands with delight.

Alec glanced toward the camera. "You want a show?" he offered. "Lemme go and I'll do her while you watch. Hell, it's been awhile for me so I'm ready, if you know what I mean." He winked. "You can get it all on tape. Tell me that won't be worth a lot ... two X5 supersoldiers fuckin' their brains out for the camera, your own personal 'X' rated show so to speak."

The offer was tempting to the guy. Alec could tell by the gleam in his eyes. But he wasn't a fool either. "No," the man said. "You're not going to trick me. I know what you are ... how strong you are. If I let you go you'll kill me."

Alec had to concede that point, even as he pulled again on the chains and felt them give slightly. Cold fingers once more found him -- the feeling anything but arousing. "Don't touch me," he said quietly, his eyes deadening.

A wicked grin. "You mean like this?" Those fingers tightened--

Alec spit in the pervert's face. "Do that again and you're a dead men," the X5 said, his voice as close to a growl as a man's could be.

"Alec ..." Max whimpered his name. Don't make him angry!

494's eyes flew to her.

Their captor snarled, reached to one side and picked something up. The sting from the lash of the whip wasn't as bad as other pain 494 had suffered in his short brutal lifetime -- but it was bad enough. Sucking in his breath, Alec swallowed his cry, at the same time ignoring Max's little scream on his behalf.

"You like seeing this, bitch?" the brutal man mocked. "You like seein' your boyfriend bleed?"

A second blow from the lash and Alec closed his eyes. The third brought tears. However, at the same time, as his body twisted in the chains, he was able to pull harder on his shackles. The wooden beam above was starting to give way ...

"You know what your real problem is?" Alec hissed through gritted teeth as the leather lash gouged the skin of his smooth chest.

"Odd taste in sexual partners?" the sadist laughed as specks of transgenic blood flew through the air.

Alec felt his heels touch the floor and knew the beam above was sagging. "Your problem is you have no idea what I really am!" he snarled, at the same time putting all his strength against the chains. With a loud snap, the board above broke in half, releasing the handcuffs. Blurring, Alec whipped the chain around their jailer's fat neck. One quick pull was all it took, the snap this time more soft (and satisfying). Head lolling to one side ... pig eyes open and staring at nothing ... the body dropped to the floor. Alec stood shaking for just a moment ... panting ... getting his balance and letting the blood flow back into his partially numb arms. But then he raised his head and saw Max. In a second, he was at her side, using the key on the nearby table to free her own cuffs and taking her sobbing into his arms.

Half an hour later ... alerted by what they'd been listening to through Alec's subdermal transceiver ... the Cavalry arrived -- Lydecker and a contingent of U.S. Marines -- to escort the precious transgenic supersoldiers back home. Mission accomplished, Alec thought grimly as he sat leaning against the bulkhead of a transport jet, wrapped in a blanket and his arms around a now sleeping Max.

But at what price?

THE END

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