Welcome to Our Life -- Chapter 22: Wayne (X5-369)

Disclaimer:  The TV show Dark Angel, all of the characters that appeared on it (Max, Zack, Jondy, 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 (Elle/X5-164, etc.).

I made sure that my M16 was within easy reach as I looked down as Parker, Xavier, and 714 from 494's unit opened up their laptops and started to attach network antennae and other necessary peripherals and got down to work.  121 was somewhere up above us in a tree with her sniper rifle and 494 was standing next to me, in charge of the group and also standing guard.  Sitting on the ground next to Parker, Xavier, and 714 were Karen and 494's surveillance expert, 263, waiting for the other group to finish hacking into the enemy's computers so that they and Parker could hack into the security cameras and have a look around inside.  The rest of the strike team were back at the hotel that we were all staying at in a nearby town.  I kept my eyes and ears open for any signs of the enemies doing patrols outside of the perimeter but I didn't hear or see a thing.

"How's it going?" 494 asked.

"Almost...got it, we're in," Parker said.  He exchanged some gestures with Xavier and 714 and then the three of them took a CD and put it into their respective laptops and started to copy the data.  "This is going to take a little while.  They've got plenty of data."

"Estimated time for the data transfer?" I asked.

"I'd say at least fifteen minutes, possibly as long as thirty," 714 said.  "So far, they haven't detected us in their systems."

"Good.  Keep it up," 494 said.  We were silent for a few minutes.

"What's the craziest thing you've ever done while out on a mission, whether it was done in order to complete the objective or just something you did on your off hours just for the hell of it?" I asked 494.

"This girl Jessie in Toronto last year when I had to go there to assassinate somebody at a conference," 494 said.  We laughed, though we kept our laughter quiet.  "Seriously, I don't really know.  What about you?"

"Had a mission in Brazil a few months ago," I said.  I grinned.  "I went BASE jumping.  Holy crap, that was awesome.  701 was on the mission with me and when I went jumping on our off hours, she thought I had officially lost my mind."  I shrugged.  "I have a tendency to pull off insane stunts.  I'm kind of an adrenaline junkie. Hell, some of my f--teammates even call me Evel Knievel once in awhile as a nickname.  210 is the same way."

"Don't forget to tell him about the time that you jumped off of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco when you went on a mission there when you were eighteen," Karen said.

"The Golden Gate?" 494 repeated.

"Yeah, I was on a mission in San Francisco with 210, 452, 471, 120, and 205 at the time," I said.  I grinned as I recalled those three weeks.  "Brilliant idea, wasn't it?  Get the six biggest adrenaline junkies in the unit and possibly in the entire facility in Wyoming and send them on a mission together where there's someplace high enough for them to do something stupid off of.  It was a blast.  The night before we had to return to Gillette, we went out to the bridge and we dared each other to jump off the top into the river.  First, we only had to just jump off of it and then we kept adding back flips and other shit before we had to get out of there before we could be spotted.  Not to mention that all of us except for 452 and 210 had to sleep.  That time really was fun, though."  I stopped and we all looked around when we heard a branch snap.

263 sighed irritably.  "Sorry.  I broke the twig when I moved around a little bit."

"Be more careful next time, 263," 494 said.  "369, what do you think--"

"Sir, I've found information about the status of the missing X6s," Xavier interrupted.

"Good news or bad?" 494 asked.

Xavier winced.  That was not a good sign.  "Both, sir."

"Let's have it," 494 told him.

"941 and 111 are still alive," Xavier said.  "Unfortunately, 520 and 646 are both dead.  According to this, 646 was killed during the ambush, I guess after 312 managed to escape, and 520 died two days ago after the enemy scientists at this base performed various tests on him."

"What kinds of tests?" I asked.

Xavier made a face.  "You name it, they did it."  He was starting to look a little green, which had me a little bit unnerved.  Xavier didn't get squeamish as easily as Brent or Ralph did.

494 saw this as well and put a hand on one of Xavier's shoulders.  "It's okay, 058.  You don't have to go into detail now.  We can discuss this further when we get back to the hotel.  Anything further on the status of 941 and 111?"

"The experiments that had been performed on X6-520 are scheduled to be performed on X6-111 in four days," Xavier reported.  "941 is scheduled to undergo the same procedures a week from when they are due to be performed on 111.  I guess they need the time to go over the results.  That should work for us, right?"

"Absolutely.  I've got a feeling that we won't even need that long before they want to work on 111," 494 agreed.  A few more minutes passed and they finally finished obtaining the data and they quickly severed the link between their laptops and the enemy's systems.  Parker swiftly and efficiently removed the peripherals from his laptop and attached some different ones and he waited for Karen and 263 to open their own laptops and attach the correct peripherals and they got to work, getting into the security cameras inside the building in a matter of minutes.  494 nodded in approval.  "Start looking for the locations of 941 and 111."

"I've found 941, sir," Karen said a few moments later.  "He's in the West section of the building, second floor."  She typed a few commands into her laptop and the view from the security camera zoomed in on 941, who was lying on his cell's bunk, deep in thought.  "He seems to be in good condition, sir."

"I've got the location of 111," Parker said.  He also zoomed in on 111.  "East section of the building, third floor.  He also appears to be in good condition."

494 nodded.  "714, were there facility maps included in the data that you, 537, and 058 obtained?"

"Yes, sir," 714 said.  "It should be easy to map out the locations of 941 and 111 once we have them printed out."

"Good," 494 said.  He made a whistle that sounded like a local songbird and a moment later, 121 climbed down from her tree.  "Let's pack our gear up and get back to the others and fill them in.  We're moving out."

We quickly packed up our gear and moved stealthily through the forest until we'd gotten to a temporary camp that we'd set up.  We quickly changed out of our forest camouflage and back into street clothes and then we continued through the forest until we exited it and walked until we reached the van that we'd driven over.  We got in and drove back to the hotel.  On our way there, I called ahead on one of the secure cell phones that we had been given to let the others know that we were on our way back.  When we reached the hotel, we got out and headed straight for one of the conference rooms inside.  The others were already inside when we entered the room.

"What do you have for us?" Zack asked.

"A lot of data to go through," 494 said.

"What about 941, 111, 520, and 646, sir?" Wes asked eagerly.

494 shook his head sadly.  "520 and 646 are now confirmed to be K.I.A.  I'm really sorry, kid."

"Oh," Wes said quietly.  He blinked a few times as he tried not to cry.  I felt so bad for him and for Ralph and Layla as well, who were also trying not to break down in front of everybody.  "What about 941 and 111?"

"They're alive and they appear to be well," I said.  "All hope isn't lost, 312."

"Exactly," 494 said.  "537, plug in your laptop and let's go through this.  It's going to take awhile."  Parker nodded and took his laptop and plugged it into the room's projector.  He picked up the remote and hit a button and a screen came down from the ceiling.  Parker pressed another button and the screen lit up with the screen on the laptop.  "What do you think, 599, should we go over just who these guys are first?"

"Makes sense to me," Zack agreed.  "Which one of you has the CD with that information?"

"I do, sir," 714 said.  She pulled the jewel case that contained the CD out of her backpack and went over to the laptop and inserted it into the drive and navigated to the correct information.  "Here we go."

Zack nodded.  "Thank you, 714.  369, take us through their genetic and biological information."

"Yes, sir," I said.  I stood and looked over the information that was on the screen, analyzing it quickly in my mind.  I nodded to myself before I began to speak to the others and I began to run down their DNA composition and other related information.  I looked out at everybody once I had finished voicing my analysis.  "Questions?"

Jace raised her hand.  "I've got a question.  If these guys are about the same age as some of us X5s, then how did they get to this kind of a level physically when it took us another generation down to get there and even then that was spotty until another two generations after them?"

"I have no idea," I said.  "I don't have access to any of our specific DNA profiles so I can't do a side-by-side comparison.  That question might be answered in the information that we have yet to uncover."

"Thank you, 369," Zack said.  "537, continue on."  Parker moved through the information until Zack gestured for him to stop.  "Here's some answers.  They're the only genetically-engineered soldiers that this group has, where as Manticore has various series of transgenics, each with multiple generations or sub-series.  They also don't have the kind of funding that Manticore does, which caused them to focus their attention on creating this one specific generation.  They were able to put all of their time and effort into them."

"Going for quality instead of quantity, huh?" 511 said.

"Pretty much," Zack said.  He skimmed the information and nodded.  "They had a total of thirty of these soldiers to begin with, so now their numbers are down to twenty-seven.  That gives us close to two-to-one odds."  He frowned.  "Even so, we can't go in there en masse and attack that way.  We need to take a step-by-step approach to this operation."  He paused.  "I need to see information on the layout of the base and where their sentries are."  Parker, Xavier, and 714 shuffled around as they accessed the information that Zack wanted and brought it up on the screen.

"It doesn't appear to be any information on the position of the sentries," Parker said.  "We're going to have to go blind on that one."

"Point out the locations of 941 and 111," 494 ordered.  Xavier stood up and took out a laser pointer and pointed at the correct portions of the diagram.  "What does it say about the security in those areas?"

"Unfortunately, they're not complete idiots," Parker said after he sifted through the information.  "The area where they are holding 941 is under tighter security than the area where they are keeping 111, not that his location is under light security itself."

Zack looked thoughtful as he looked everything over.  "Do they have any idea that we're here now or that Manticore will mount a rescue mission in the near future?"

"If I had to guess, I would say no," Max said.  "If I was in charge over there and I knew that we were coming back to try to rescue 941 and 111, I would have put the two of them together in the same cell or at least have put them in cells that were next to each other in a section of the building near a location that we would have to pass through to get out that would also make a great place for a second ambush.  They've got them separated and in opposite ends of the building and I don't see any place too terribly close to either of their cells that would make a good ambush point."

"What about demolitions?" Becky asked.  "What kind of firepower is necessary to take out the building once we rescue the P.O.W.s and take out or at least incapacitate the enemies?  Are we looking at a multi-person job?"

"Definitely," Zane said.  "We'll need myself, 144, and 237 and another two soldiers who are proficient with explosives.  The other buildings in this compound are definitely uninhabitable, correct?"  Parker nodded and Zane looked a little relieved.  "That saves some time and man power, but it's still going to be a five-member team for optimal success, plus at least another soldier for lookout while we set the charges.  Who among this group excels with explosives?"  Becky, Zack, Ben, Kenny, 494, Wes, Suzanne, and 665 raised their hands.

"Excellent," Zack said.  "I have a basic plan.  First, 120, 121, and 773 will move out and take position up in the trees on sniper duty.  The three of you can discuss where exactly you want to be placed.  I leave the exact placement up to you.  Second, we send two people in to retrieve 941 and 111."  He glanced over at 494.  "With all due respect, 494, I'd like to have 405 go in for 941 and 452 go in for 111 based on their abilities and specialties."

"Sounds good to me, 599," 494 agreed.  "What's next?"

"We set up an ambush of our own," Zack said.  "Actually, we'll be setting up two of them using the two pairs of 405 and 941 and 452 and 111 as bait."  He took out a laser pointer of his own and circled two areas of the floor plan for the building.  "Right here and right here.  405, you will lead 941 over to this area and 452, you will lead 111 over to this area.  When they realize that the P.O.W.s have been freed, they should split their soldiers up and send them after us.  Take out as many of them as you can before you reach the respective points.  We'll have two groups waiting for them.  When it's been confirmed that the soldiers are in pursuit of the bait, then the explosives team goes in and sets the charges.  As for that particular team, joining 205, 144, and 237 should be 392 and 665."  He looked back over at 494 and waited for him to confirm his choices, which 494 did.  "205 will be in command of that team."

"304, would you like to join that team to act as lookout and guard?" 494 asked.

304 nodded.  "Yes, sir."

"691 and 728 will remain behind in our camp to treat possible incoming injuries," 494 said.  "400 will also remain back at the camp.  On comm. and surveillance duty outside of the perimeter will be 537, 367, 662, and 263.  All other soldiers will be going inside as one of the two ambush groups."  We discussed who would be going into which group, which took a few minutes.  I don't know why, but I guess 494 had his reasons for wanting certain members of his unit in one group and others in another.  "It looks like we're set.  Everybody's on their own until 0430 tomorrow morning.  We move out then and I want our camp in the forest set up and everybody ready to go by 0530 at the absolute latest.  Okay, you're all dismissed."

We all saluted Zack and 494 and most of 494's unit left the conference room almost immediately.  Becky and her siblings and P2-400 also left, though not as quickly as 494's teammates did.  My brothers and sisters and I, plus 494, 511, and 121 stayed behind in the room.  "I think this is going to go pretty well tomorrow," I said.  "I've got a good feeling about it."  I stretched my arms.  "Hey, 494, what was the deal with how you wanted the rest of your unit mates split up among the two ambush groups tomorrow?"

494 shrugged.  "I didn't want certain people together in case they would start fighting each other during the melee.  They haven't let me down during a mission in that way before, but I don't see why I should have to take a chance on it, you know what I mean?"

"I guess so," I said.

"What is with your unit?" Kenny asked.  "Other than the fact that 786 seems to be a whore."

121 snorted.  "How many of the guys in your unit has she hit on so far?"

"All of us men," Jack said.  "She even hit on Zack."

"Bitch," Max said automatically.  That was interesting.  Are we in a possessive mood today, Maxie?

"Oh?" 121 said, raising an eyebrow.

Max shrugged.  "She was being a bitch to Zack when he turned her down."

"Yeah," 121 said.  She didn't look like she completely believed Max.

"What?" Max said.

"I--never mind," Jondy said.

"Never mind what, Jondy?" Max said.

"I didn't say anything, Maxie," Jondy said innocently.

"Whatever," Max said.

"Huh?" 511 said.

"What do you mean?" Max asked.

"What was that deal?  Jondy, Maxie...what was that?" 511 said.

"Oh," Jondy said.  She winced for a moment.  "We kind of named ourselves."

"You did?" 121 said curiously.

"Yeah," Rena said.  "Years ago, when we were pretty little."  She smiled.  "I'm Rena."  The rest of us went around and told 494, 511, and 121 our names.  "That's the whole gang.  Well, us and the X6s.  When the mentoring program starting in Wyoming, they decided to give themselves names, too."

"Wow, does that mean that it's our turn?" 494 said in mock awe.  I couldn't help laughing a little bit.  I liked the dude.  He was pretty funny.

121 rolled her eyes and slapped him across the back of his head.  "Do you have to be such a smart aleck all of the time, 494?"

"What did you say?  I didn't quite hear you," 494 teased.  This time, Ben, Krit, Zane, Kenny, and 511 joined me in laughing at 494's remark.

"You...are...a...smart...aleck," 121 said slowly.

"Well, I know that I'm smart, but does that make me Alec?" 494 said, grinning.

121 started to reply, but paused and looked thoughtful.  "You know, it could if you want to."

"I think I do," 494 said.  He nodded and smiled again.  "I like that name."

"It seems to fit you," Max remarked.

"If you think this is bad, try having to be around him almost 24-7 all of the time," 121 said.  "He'd drive--oh wait, you live with Ben.  Close enough."

"Hey!" Ben said.  "I'm not that big of a smart ass.  Well, not all of the time."

"Do you want a name, 121?" Tinga asked.

"I'd love to have one," 121 said.  She smiled.  "I always loved the name Sasha."

Alec grinned wickedly.  "Hey, isn't that the Russian nickname for Alexander or Alexandra?  I'm touched that you want to name yourself after me."

"I'm not naming myself after you, jerk.  My name is Sasha, not Alexandra," Sasha said.  "Wayne, you're a field med.  Do you have a needle on you that's big enough to suck some of the ego out of his head?"

"Oh, you love me," Alec said.

"You wish I did, you moron," Sasha said, but she grinned.

"That's nice to see you two children learning to play with each other," 511 said.  That got more laughs out of us.

"Yeah, you big s--"

"Play nice, boys," Sasha teased.  "Were you going to call 511 by something nasty?"

"Actually, you can call me Biggs," 511 said suddenly.  "I don't know what you were going to say after big, but Biggs sounds good to me."

"Glad that I could help you, buddy," Alec said.

"Well, the night is young and we don't have to be up until the crack of dawn tomorrow," Jondy said.  "We should do something relaxing before we go out and give those bastards what they deserve.  It's not good to be tense."

"Some people have to get sleep," I reminded her.

"Some people don't give a shit," Jondy mimicked.  She flipped me off.

"I'm sorry about them," Zack said.

Alec shook his head.  "Don't be sorry.  You've seen how my unit has acted when we haven't been planning or training the day or two before we came over here.  If you think these two are bad, you haven't seen shit.  My unit has so many screws loose it's ridiculous."

We nodded and just stood around for a few moments, not knowing quite what to say.  Awkward silences really get on my nerves.  What I wouldn't give for a cliff or something to jump off of or a motorcycle to pull a few stunts with.  Finally, Jace spoke up.  "I saw a dartboard in the hotel game room.  I think I'll throw a few rounds.  It helps me keep a clear head."

"There's a pool table in there, also," Ben said.  "Alec, you want to play a few rounds?"

"Sure," Alec said.  "May the best twin win."

"But neither Sasha nor I are playing," Rena said innocently.

"And you said that I was a smart ass?" Alec said to Sasha, who just grinned at him.

"Come on," I said.  "I want to see Ben actually beat somebody at pool."

"Very funny, Wayne," Ben remarked.  We laughed and headed for the game room.

TBC