Manticore Gathering
Part II



The next morning, Bling watched as Logan picked at his breakfast. He was mulling over Max being gone and Lydeckers threat.

Bling interrupted his thoughts, "C'mon, Logan, eat something."

Logan looked up and pushed his plate away, "Not hungry."

A knock on the door interrupted them. Logan wheeled around, "I'll get it."
Bling began to clear the dishes. Logan opened the door and Evan stood there.

"Can I help you?" Logan asked staring at Evan.

Evan looked at Logan, seeing the wheelchair, "I have a message for you, Logan."

Logan was uneasy, "How do you know me?" Bling came over to see who was at the door. 

Evan saw him, then turned to Logan, "We need to talk....privately."

Logan turned to see Bling, "Ok, we'll go into my office."

Evan followed Logan. Once there, Logan wheeled to face Evan, "Ok, let's talk. How do you know me?"

Evan pointed to the computer system, "Eyes Only, huh?"

Logan shrugged, "Maybe. Who told you?"

Evan reached into his pocket and Logan tensed up, "Here." Evan pulled out a disk, "A friend said to give this back."

Logan reluctantly took the disk. Memories of what Max done to his system flashed through his mind. He looked to Evan, "Max?"

"She told me to tell you she is fine."

Logan felt like crying, but didn't, "You've seen her." There was a hint of desperation in his voice.

Evan leaned up against a table, "Yeah. She's back at Manticore.....making nice with Lydecker."

Then it hit Logan-who this guy was, "Which one of the twelve are you?"

Evan shook his head, "Niether. If I had gotten out, I would've made it thirteen." Logan looked confused. "I sacrificed my chance so that Max and the others
could be free."

"How did you manage to get out now?"

"Like I said. Max is playing with Lydecker.....keeping him distracted."

"I have to see her." Logan quipped with determination.

Evan shook his head, "Can't." But one look from Logan, Evan hesitantly changed his mind, "Well....maybe I could get you in." Logan brightened up, and
Evan thought about it a little more. "No. Too risky. Besides, I doubt Lydecker will leave her alone long enough to get her attention."

Evan turned away and Logan could see part of the barcode under Evan's hat.
"But I'm scared for her, Logan. She's in danger."

"Then we have to get her out."

"Yeah....but we can't. Lydecker has such a hold on her, mentally and physically." Evan turned to face Logan. "And what scares me the most is the way she
acts around him......all that touching....." Evan didn't finish and Logan understood. 

Heck, Logan was kinda glad that he didn't finish. But the trailing off made Logan think. The scene from the Market flashed in Logan's mind. Max helping
Lydecker off the ground. Max retrieving Lydeckers money. Max greatly appriciating the thank you hug. Logan shivered to remove the nasty scene from his
mind.

Then Logan remembered Max telling him why she did that. He looked up at Evan, "Does this have anything to do with a serum?"

Evan looked shocked, How did he know? "Yeah. She says its out of her due to a siezure....but I don't know." 

"Take me to her. It'll be the only chance we may get to save her."

Evan finally agreed and the two headed out on their rescue mission.




Max sat across from Lydecker in the mess hall. They were at a table, alone. A few other soldiers and TAC leaders were scattered at different tables.

Though you couldn't tell, Max was terrified. She knew that the mixture of the serum and being in heat would make her do something terrible with Lydecker.
She fiddled with a fork, trying to avoid his eyes and touch.

Lydecker knew. How could he not? This one of his "kids". "Not hungry?" He asked concerningly. He reached up to brush some hair out of her eyes, but she
shrieked away. She tried her best to ignore him....to wish him away. C'mon, Evan. I don't know how much longer I can hold out.

He frowned and gazed at her a bit. He then stood up and made a decision, "Re-indoctrination will begin. Time to see how much damage