Alex spun on her heel, and sprinted to catch up with Thomas. Alex felt horrible leaving a struggling Teresa behind. It must have taken so much willpower and strength to break away and warn them. That took bravery.

WICKED. It's always WICKED. They ruin everything, all the time.

Alex and Thomas ran as fast as they could, yelling and calling for their friends, their family.

"MINHO?"

"NEWT?"

"SONYA?"

"CHLOE?"

"FRY?"

The first explosion happened beside them, throwing Alex onto her side. The tent ignited with an instant roar of fire.

Please, be no one inside!

Thomas pulled her to her feet.

"We gotta find them! Where are they?" Thomas asked desperately.

"I don't know!" Alex yelled.

Something else exploded, making them dive to the ground. It looked like everything was on fire now, people were screaming. A helicopter opened its door and WICKED soldiers started dropping in, guns blazing.

"SHUCK! WE GOTTA GO!" Alex screamed.

She grabbed Thomas's hand and they ran, weaving around fires. They rounded the end of a row of blazing tents and a soldier stepped in front. Alex didn't stop running, adrenaline surging; she screamed at him, jumping up and slamming her knees into his chest. He was knocked to the ground.

Thanks Minho for the awesome ninja move! More effective with a solid wall behind us though.

She fell on top of the soldier, his helmet had come loose with the impact. She scrambled to grab it, as the soldier scrambled after her, forgetting his gun that fell to the ground. Her fingers reached the strap, just as he grabbed her jacket and pulled her. Alex fell backwards twisting and swinging the helmet at the same time, smashing it into his face. He let go of her with a screech, reaching for his face. Alex swung it again, a better grip on it. She smashed his face again, he fell and didn't get back up.

"DON'T JUST STAND THERE THOMAS! HELP!" Alex screamed.

Thomas blinked at her, shook himself and grabbed the gun.

"Give it here." Alex held her hand out. He obeyed and they kept running.

"I think we're even now. And I saved your shuck butt and without gettin' shot!"

She flicked the safety off, and cocked it, ready to shoot. Thomas followed behind. Alex didn't see anyone but Right Arm members. Alex kept her head on a swivel. Another set of soldiers appeared. Alex shoved Thomas behind a box. She ducked behind it too, peeking around it. A shot rang out, missing her by inches. Alex raised the gun, took a deep breath and flung her body around the box pulling the trigger. One soldier dropped with a bullet in his forehead. Alex had to roll, as the other soldier was shooting at her. Alex rolled again, came up on her knee, pulled the trigger. He dropped, with a bullet in his forehead.

"Thomas! Let's move!"

Thomas sprung from the box. They sprinted past another burning tent.

Alex scrambled to a stop.

"Shuck shuck shuck!" Alex almost broke down in tears.

She saw her family, in the middle of the camp, surrounded by fires. Vince was in the back of a truck, using a huge gun. Surrounding the truck was Sonya, Harriet, Aris, Fry, Newt, and Minho. Each firing a gun of some kind, covering Vince.

"Thomas!" Alex choked. He had to grab her, before her knees buckled.

"Shuck. Where's Jorge and Brenda? And Chloe?" He asked, eyes wide.

Alex didn't care at the moment, she just wanted to get to her family. She started forwards, but a bomb went off, exploding whatever was in front of her, throwing her back. She scrambled to her feet, trying to go forwards, Thomas right beside her.

"HEY! DUMBASS!"

Brenda came running, a rifle strap over her shoulder, she grabbed both of them, pulling.

"Come on! This way! COME ON! Are you trying to get yourself killed?'

Alex couldn't move. She watched helplessly as something blue exploded inside the truck, shooting bright blue electricity over everyone surrounding the truck. She watched in horror as they dropped to the ground convulsing.

"We gotta take cover!"

Brenda hulled her away, behind a bunch of boxes where Jorge was crouched, watching. Brenda let go of Thomas and Alex.

Alex was breathing heavily. Anger and despair were flowing through her like liquid fire, she could feel the adrenaline...the super human strength Dr. Prior had told her about earlier, when it came with the adrenaline.

"We have to go. Now. While we still have the chance." Jorge yelled over the noise of explosions.

"I gotta go get the others!" Thomas yelled desperately.

"No! Look! Look. You can't help them." Jorge insisted, pointing.

WICKED was pulling everyone they electrocuted in front of the helicopters, dropping them into lines.

"You guys need to go. They aren't looking for you." Thomas said, trying to push Brenda and Jorge away.

"He's right. They want immunes. Especially Thomas and I." Alex agreed, not taking her eyes off what was happening.

"Thomas...Alex...." Brenda started, trying to plead with them.

"I'm not leaving them!" Alex yelled, rounding on Brenda.

"No. I can't go. " Thomas said at the same time.

Brenda's eyes watered. Alex glanced at Jorge.

"I'm not leaving them. I'm not leaving him."

Jorge nodded. "Ok Hermana. Here. Take this." He handed Thomas the explosive and detonator.

"Good luck kids."

He grabbed Brenda's arm and pulled her away. Leaving Thomas and Alex crouched behind the boxes.

"Here's the plan. I'll cause a distraction. Wait until Rat Man is in sight. You blow klunk up." Alex explained.

"Sounds about right. But why are you the distraction?" Thomas asked.

"Cuz I know exactly how to piss Rat Man off!" She smiled deviously.

"That you do." He shrugged with a nod and turned back.

Thomas and Alex watched crouched from behind the boxes as WICKED soldiers lined everyone up. Right Arm members at the back and kids at the front.

"I don't see Chloe...or Dr Prior!" Alex whispered.

"Maybe they are hiding?" Thomas whispered back.

"I shucken hope so! Dr Prior is a full on traitor, if they find him...he's as good as dead!"

"Line them up right here! On their knees!" Yelled a voice that instantly grated on her nerves. They turned back to listen and watch what was happening.

"There's our favorite slimy sewer rat!" Alex whispered.

"Put some eyes up on that ridge." A deep voice rumbled.

"I recognize that voice!" Thomas whispered.

"Ya..that's Captain Ronin." Alex said through clenched teeth, pointing. His big bulky frame was hard to miss, even when all the WICKED soldiers were dressed the same. They watched as Captain Ronin came around behind each kid, pushing their heads down, and scanning their necks. Like Brenda did back in the warehouse.

"B-4." Captain Ronin called. Someone behind him made a note on their hand held computer screen.

"How many did we get?" Jansen asked

"All of them. Give or take." The Captain replied, scanning another neck.

"Give or take what?" Janson snapped, his arms crossed, scanning the faces of the kids in front of him.

"Well, they lost a few." The captain snapped back.

"A-4."

"A-6."

"B-3."

"Where's Thomas? And Alexandra?" Jansen asked suspiciously, he had finished scanning the front row.

"There's my cue. Remember. Blow shit up." Alex whispered. She stood up and came into view.

"Right here. You slimy ugly sewer rat!" Alex yelled.

She plastered a smirk on her face, lifted her head and squared her shoulders, sauntering closer.

"I'm right here." she spat wrinkling her nose as she looked at Janson.

"Didn't you die in the explosion of the building?" Janson sounded surprised to see her.

"Went to hell, didn't like it, and Satan couldn't handle all this, so decided to come back just to piss you off." She sassed as she slowly walked closer. "But I thought you were just wondering where I was? Did you miss me that much ya filthy rat."

"Freeze!" Yelled a soldier, pointing his gun at her.

"You gonna shoot an unarmed girl when she's clearly surrendering?" She raised an eyebrow at the soldier who was now holding his gun at her back.

"Go! Move forward!" He yelled.

"Alex!? What are you doing?" Minho yelled.

"Alex! No!" She heard Newt cry.

She looked over her shoulder to meet the soldier in the eye, "Well which is it? Freeze or move? Make up your mind!" She sassed.

She held her body frozen like she was mid run, mocking him. Alex could see the frustration on his face. And she smirked even more, holding back a laugh.

"Jansen, your soldiers are as smart as you! Which means... not at all! Absolutely nothing going on upstairs, if ya know what I mean..a few crayons short of a full box!" She called to him.

The soldier shoved her forwards, pushing her until she was standing in front of the kids on their knees, facing Jansen.

"Alexandra." He sneered.

"It's actually just Alex."

"Where is Thomas?" He asked.

"Shuck if I know! You started blasting things apart. What if you killed him? That would be a disappointment, now wouldn't it? Not very smart of you. You sorry excuse of a human Rat." Alex mouthed back.

She could see the anger in his face. And she smiled, her plan was working, it was actually really fun getting under his skin with her smart mouth. She was verbally punching him in the face. He ground his teeth. She saw his fists clenching and unclenching. She glanced down at them, then back up to his beady little eyes.

"Janson...Would you like to hit me? You irritating twat waffle."

His first made contact with her jaw, snapping her head sideways, she stumbled a little. She heard an instant commotion behind her. Alex could feel blood fill her mouth. She slowly straightened up, looked Jansen in the eyes, and spit the blood all over him.

"Dude you hit like a shuck girl."

"Hey!" Sonya yelled behind her.

"Oh. No wait! That's an insult to females, sorry ladies. You hit like a wet noodle." Alex yelled over her shoulder.

"That's better." Sonya called back.

Alex turned her attention back to Janson, "Do you feel better? Hitting a girl? An unarmed under age child? Do you feel like a man now? Huh? You disgusting intolerable klunk pastry."

Captain Ronin had walked up beside her. She only gave him a side glance, when she heard a rumble and a clearing of his throat.

Was that a covered up laugh?

She nodded in his direction. Unsure what game he was playing at the moment. She knew he was on their side, but how far would this double agent thing go.

"Well well well. We meet again Captain Marshmallow. Long time no see." She wiped some blood off her chin. And flung it in Janson's direction. The Captain clamped a hand on her shoulder and turned her around

"Get her in line." Janson's nasally voice whined.

"Oh go play in traffic Janson." Alex rolled her eyes.

The Captain took hold of her arm, but it was surprisingly gentle and guided her into her knees beside Minho.

Jansen had turned his back on the crowd, "Okay. Bring her in." He ordered into a walkie talkie.

Minho leaned closer and asked, "Why didn't you run?"

Alex spit blood from her mouth again, "I'm tired of running. And besides, Tommy and I have a plan, I can do more fuckery if I stay."

"Alex... seriously stop swearing! Also you could have escaped!" Newt chided.

She narrowed her eyes at him, "You should know me better than that! That actually hurts a little, Newt. I don't leave my family behind." Alex growled.

A Berg had landed and the door slowly opened, out walked a pristine looking Dr Ava Paige, in a crisp white dress, bright red lips and nails to match, looking bright as fresh blood.

Huh, fitting. How much blood is on her hands?

"Oh goodie. Her highness graces us with her presence, does she? The mighty Ava Paige." Alex called, mockingly. Newt groaned.

"What's your plan exactly?" Minho whispered, raising an eyebrow.

She smiled deviously, "Piss off Rat Man, Thomas blows shit up. We escape." She whispered back.

"I like it. Simple. Elegant. Efficient." Minho nodded in approval, "I think I'll join in on that."

"More the merrier, love."

"Is this all of them?" Ava asked Jansen, coming to a stop beside Janson. She was scanning the faces of the kids in front of her.

"Most of them. It'll be enough." He said it with such malevolence Alex physically shuddered.

"Start loading them in." Ava said lazily, with a flick of her wrist.

"Yes, ma'am." Jasen coed. He turned to the group, his twitchy mouth twisted into what was supposed to be a smile. "Okay, you heard. Let's go!" He barked.

"Hello, Alexandra." Ava said, stepping in front of her, "I'm glad you're safe."

Alex scrunched her face up, leaning away from Ava, "If your waiting for me to say I'm happy to see you too, you better have brought something to eat...cuz your going to be waiting a long bloody shuck time. Cuz I am not happy to see you. Like at all!"

Alex heard a few Snickers around her.

"What the shuck?" Minho blanched, Teresa had walked up behind Ava, standing beside Jansen.

"Teresa?" Newt asked, the hurt in his voice.

"Wait, what's going on?" Frypan called

"She's with them." Someone yelled.

"What? Since when?" Minho asked, his forehead creased in confusion.

"Since never." Alex answered.

Alex could see the terror and silent plea for help in Teresa's face. Jansen sauntered over and laid a hand on Teresa's shoulder. Teresa's face visibly flinched, but her body was stone still.

"Teresa always had an evolved appreciation of the greater good. Once we restored her memories, it was only a matter of time." He sneered at them.

Alex couldn't help it, she burst out laughing.

"Ya..okay! 'Director Jansen'...whatever helps you sleep at night!" She mocked. "You Coward." She added.

Janson and Ava turned towards her, their eyes flashing dangerously.

"I wouldn't exactly call using a microchip in her brain and forcing her to do your dirty work, an appreciation. You're using her as a puppet!" Alex yelled at him, and then added "Jackass."

She heard a collective gasp of realization from the kids around her.

"Let's go, let's go." Jansen called to the soldiers who were trying to hull kids up the berg ramp. His face twisted into anger again.

Teresa jerked forward, all her muscles in her neck and face were straining. "I'M SORRY! I had...no choice." Her head jerked violently to the side, and then back to the front, when she opened her eyes, they were void and distant.

"We have to find a cure." A robotic voice came from her mouth, her body was stiff as a board and void of all emotion.

"Minho, Newt." Alex called, so everyone around her could hear. "You think their puppet master is controlling Tes from the Berg or back safe in their compound?"

Janson growled at her.

Minho nodded at Alex, he called out too, "Yeah, manipulating children to 'work' for you is bad enough...using human children as science experiments is freaking disgraceful...now you use them as a robotic piece of machinery. You guys are more shucked up than I first thought."

"She's right." Ava Page said, place her hand on Teresa's shoulder too.

Ava looked down at Teresa who was still twitching, and then at Alex, with something like sorrow in her eyes. Alex narrowed her eyes, and clenched her jaw.

"This is all just a means to an end. You used to understand that, Alex." Ava tried to reason.

"I was a SHUCKEN CHILD! YOU SHOT MY MOM AND DAD! AND STOLE ME! You used and abused us! You shucken strapped me down and tortured me! And you honestly want us to believe you have our best interests in mind? I can see you CONTROLLING a friend, with a microchip you placed in each of our brains, WHEN WE WERE BLOODY CHILDREN! And you want me to skip over to you? Go shuck yourself." Alex spat. Her body was shaking with hatred.

"No matter what you think of me... I am not a monster. I'm a doctor." Ava sighed. She took a step forward, desperately trying to have them understand her side of things.

"I've met doctors and I've met monsters. You, you disgusting out of date barbie doll are no shucken doctor." Alex seethed.

"True dat!" Minho agreed beside her.

The rest of the kids and Right arm all murmured in agreement. Alex could see Ava's cool demeanor crumbling.

"I swore an oath to find a cure! No matter the cost." She cried to the crowd.

"Ya OBVIOUSLY no matter the cost! How many kids did you kill in maze A alone?" Minho growled.

"Answer me that 'Doctor Ave Page" Alex asked, exaggerating the word doctor, her words dripping in venom and sarcasm.

"I just need more time!"

"More blood, you mean!"

Mary had pushed her way to the front of the crowd, her face pulled into one of disgust, like she had stepped in Griever klunk.

"Hello, Mary. I hoped we'd meet again.' Ava said, "I'm sorry it had to be under these circumstances." She sighed, like she was bored of the conversation.

"I'm sorry about a lot of things, too. But not this. At least my conscience is clear." Mary replied.

"So is mine." Ava said flatly.

There was a bang. Alex flinched. Mary stumbled back. Bright red was blossoming from her abdomen. She collapsed to her knees.

"Mary? Mary?" Vince shouted, pushing soldiers out of the way to get to her.

"Mary!" Alex screamed, she scrambled over to her side.

She tried to put pressure on the wound. But there was already so much blood. Vince collapsed beside Mary, holding her. Alex could see Janson pocket his gun.

"Mary! Mary!" He sobbed, "Mary? Mary?" He called, shaking her, "No! Mary! Wake up!"

"Come on, Janson. Load them up. Let's go. All those other people? Get rid of them." Ava ordered, with another lazy flick of her hand. She had the stone cold look on her face again, she had turned her back on everyone.

"Let's go. Let's go!" Janson yelled, waving a hand in a circle above his head.

He looked at Alex and smiled, his eyes glinting with evil. They looked like black pits. It shook Alex to the core, they looked like...she has seen black pitiless eyes just like his before! Someone grabbed Alex by the hair and pulled her up.

"Let go of me!" She screamed, clawing at the hands. Her heart was racing now.

Where the SHUCK IS TOMMY!

"Sonya!" Newt yelled, trying to fight off his own soldier. Sonya was being pulled up the ramp of the Berg. Alex started struggling harder. Her sister was NOT going back with them!

"GET BACK!" Thomas screamed.

_____________________________________________

**Mouth mouth little Alex.

**Uh oh...