Dysfunctional -- Chapter 12

Disclaimer:  The TV show Dark Angel, all of the characters that appeared on it (Alec, Biggs, Renfro, etc.), and everything else that has to do with the show belong to their respective owners, not to me.  No money is being made off of this fic.  I only own the original characters (X5-121, etc.).

121 tied up her boots, smiling to herself.  It’s great not having to wake up to Private Pervert’s face!  I know I’ve said that everyday for the past six months, but I can never say it enough.  I still can’t believe that my prayers were actually answered and that I never got pregnant.  Yeah, 786 was almost unbearable when she actually did get pregnant and she lorded it over my head that she succeeded and I failed at the mission, but that’s a small price to pay.  I can deal with that.

She stood up and stretched and then left her cell.  I wonder if the guys are back from their mission yet.  They told me before they left last week that they were going to arrive back here either late yesterday night or sometime this morning.  She turned around and saw the doors to both 494’s and 511’s cells opening.  “Hey, welcome back!  How did the mission go?”

“Smooth as silk,” 494 replied.  “We got back last night at around 0100.”  He grinned.  “But we did hear that you passed your test for solo ops.  Congratulations, 121.”

“Thanks,” 121 said.

“What was your score?” 511 asked.  “Did you beat mine from when I took the test?”

“No, my score was barely less than yours,” 121 told him, laughing.  “It was still really high.”

“Well, congratulations anyway,” 494 said.  “I think that makes you only the fourth X5 so far who actually took the test before his or her seventeenth birthday.”

“Something that I can shove in the faces of 908 and 786 if they start with me,” 121 agreed.  She grinned.  “Hey, they want to play that game with me?  I can play it better.”

“So, when do you think—“  511 was cut off when a guard approached them.

“121, Director Renfro wants to see you in her office immediately.  You will be excused from lineup and roll call today,” he informed.

121 nodded.  “I’ll be seeing you two at breakfast, then.”  She followed the guard to Renfro’s office and went inside when the door was opened for her.  She stood at attention and saluted Renfro.  “X5-121 reporting as ordered, ma’am.”

“Wait a moment, 121,” Renfro said.  A few moments later the door opened and this time, 849 and 228 marched into the room and also saluted Renfro and stood at attention.  “At ease, all of you.”  She waited for the three X5s to assume the position before she continued to speak.  “I’m going to be sending the three of you out on a mission.  121 will be the commanding officer on this assignment.”  She picked a folder up off of her desk and handed it to 121.  “The three of you will be sent to London.  King William is allowing some of his private art collection to be displayed to the public for a six week period to raise money for various charities.  Some extremely rare and valuable paintings are included among the ones that will be on display.  British Intelligence has picked up word that a group of thieves are planning to steal some of these paintings.  This particular group is believed to be responsible for the theft of a few of the world’s rarest pieces of art.  This group is also American, which is why British Intelligence has asked the American government for their assistance in helping to prevent any possible theft of the artwork.  The display is scheduled to begin in a week.  You will report to mission prep for your final preparations in three days and you will be shipped out to London on the following day.  More information is contained in the folder.  You are dismissed.”

The three girls saluted Renfro and marched back out of the office.  When they were out of Renfro’s hearing range, 228 squealed.  “They’re actually sending us out on a mission together!  This is going to be fun.”

“I hope it will be,” 121 agreed.  She opened the folder and began to read its contents.  “Standard stuff.  Our covers, information on our possible targets, even of King William himself.”  She took a photo out and showed it to 849 and 228.  “King or no, this guy is good-looking enough to be one of us.”

“I’ll say,” 849 observed.  “When do you want to meet up with us to really go over this information?”

121 put the photo back into the folder.  “I’ve got about an hour of free time at the end of my day today,” she told her friends.  “If the two of you are also free then, we’ll meet in the library and start to properly go over this information.  Does that sound good to you guys?”

“That works for both of us,” 849 replied.  “We also have free time then.”

“Great,” 121 said.  “I’ll see you at around 2200 in the library.”  She waved good-bye to them and headed back to her cell to drop off the folder before she headed right for the cafeteria for breakfast.  She beat her unit there, so she grabbed a tray and some food and sat down at her table and waited for the rest of them to show up, which they did a few minutes later.

“So, what did Director Renfro want with you in her office?” 511 asked.

“I’m being sent out on a mission with 849 and 228.  We’re heading to London in a few days.  We’re basically going to be on guard duty for some paintings that belong to the king’s private art collection while they’re on display in some museum,” 121 informed him.

“How long will you be away?” 494 asked.

“About six weeks.”

“Thank you,” 714 spoke up.  She smiled and ate a spoonful of her oatmeal.  “This makes my day.”

“Hey, I’m always glad to make your life happy, 714,” 121 said sweetly.

“Do you always have to be so sarcastic?” 714 wondered, flipping her blond hair over her shoulder.

“Do you always have to be so prissy?” 121 mimicked.

“Do the two of you always have to argue with each other?” 494 remarked.  511 and 121 snickered.  714 just rolled her eyes.

“I think it’s very good that you’re getting out on a mission,” 908 said patronizingly.  “I hope you’ll be as successful at your mission as I’ll be on the solo mission that I’m going to be leaving for in two days.”

“So you’ve got to off some diplomat who can’t keep his hands out of government funds and his dick in his pants.” 121 rolled her eyes.  “No big deal.  I can pull something like that off with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back.”

“You are our best sniper,” 511 pointed out.  “They’ll probably be giving you some assassination solos soon.”

“I can’t wait until I’m cleared for solo missions,” 237 said.

“You’ve got almost a year until they’ll at least consider scheduling you to take the tests,” 511 reminded his unitmate.  “You’ve got time.  Relax.”

“Whatever,” 237 said.  He shrugged and stretched his arms, accidentally nudging 107.

“What!  Why did you do that, 237?  Did you do that on purpose?” he questioned nervously.

“No, but I will fucking hit you on purpose if you don’t shut your dumb little face,” 237 snapped.

494 sighed.  “No offense, 107, but why did you sit next to 237 if you get along with him as badly as you do?”

“I don’t know, I just wanted to sit down and eat,” 107 replied.

“Next time, think ahead,” 494 told him.  He sighed.  “I get back and find more of this waiting for me.”

121 smirked.  “Have fun while I’m gone.”

“Gee, thanks,” 494 said.

“You’re welcome,” 121 replied cheerfully.