Joshua's house was empty when they arrived. "Where are they?" Biggs asked.

"They must be with Josh." Max said unsure. They went back outside and caught sight of Joshua a few yards away with his arms full of bags, walking towards them. They waved him down.

"Needed supplies. Lots of mouths to feed." He said, noticing Alec looking at the bags.

"Where is everyone?" Max asked. Joshua went inside and set the bags down.

"Not here. Gone to get Archie and Harry's things. All want to stick close." Joshua replied as he started unloading the bags. Joshua described where the boys had been staying, so Max, Biggs and Alec set off to help out.

Max walked with Alec and Biggs along the streets of TC, taking note of the boundaries that various groups of transgenics and transhumans had marked as their territory. She spotted the graffiti Joshua had mentioned and eventually arrived at the old run down building Harry and Archie had been staying in. Outside the house were groups of transgenics huddled together, all focused on something happening inside. Max guessed that a fight must have broken out, as there was noisy chatter running through the crowds of people. Alec picked up the pace, pushing through the masses, fearing the worst. His fears were confirmed when they reached the centre of commotion. An X6 had Harry by the throat, pinned to the wall. A little transhuman girl lay at his feet. Other X6s had formed a barrier between Archie, Lily and Cosmo.

"Stand down soldier." Alec called automatically. The X6 twitched as some recollection of an order passed through him. It was obvious, however, that months on the outside had caused his survival instincts to take over. He turned his head slowly towards Alec and flinched as he realised who had given the order. He seemed to look into the crowd for support. "Your superior is giving you an order, I suggest you comply." He barked. The noise level had dropped and several of the others had backed away slightly. Alec was always able to command large groups of people. Back at Manticore he was resourceful, ruthless and very good at what he did, and everyone knew it. An X5 stepped forward from the crowd eyeing Alec.

"You're not superior here. It's every man for himself. Carry on Radley." He stated encouraging the X6 who had Harry. Alec and Biggs recognized him as X5 480. Back at Manticore he had been in a different unit. 480 was standing on the opposite side of the circle, staring at Alec. The sly smirk on his face was evidence that he had been enjoying the show.

"He's just a kid, let him go." Max interrupted. 480's head snapped in Max's direction, looking her up and down.

"We don't take orders from anyone, and we certainly don't take orders from an 09 traitor." He spat. Max moved forward but Alec grabbed her arm. 480 laughed. That was enough for Alec. He remembered not liking him much, too much of a bully if you asked him. He loosened his grip on Max and sighed. "Go for it Maxie." This guy deserved a beat down, he thought. Max shrugged Alec off and stepped closer to 480. He looked down at her and raised his eyebrows as if daring her to try. She knew this was more about pride than anything else, her reputation couldn't take the insult. She smacked him across the face and kicked him square in the chest. 480 went crashing into the opposite wall. He recovered quickly and blurred towards Max. She blocked a punch, caught his swinging arm and tripped his foot, flipping him over and onto his back. Another X5 rushed towards her. Turning towards him, she planted a foot on his chest and wrapped her legs around his neck. Max swung him to the ground landing like a cat ready to pounce. She slowly brought herself upright and circled 480. She bent over him and stuck her foot under his chin. Max looked at the X6 who appeared to have completely forgotten about Harry.

"Do we still have a problem here?" She asked him. The X6 shook his head backing off. Harry bent down to help the young transhuman girl still lying on the foor.

"Well that settles that." Alec grinned, rubbing his hands together. He walked over to Lily. "Alright?" He asked, looking at Archie and Cosmo as well. They all nodded. He placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, who was brushing off the young transhuman. She was an earthy colour with rusty red hair only a little taller than Harry. If Alec didn't know any better he'd say she could have been grown and dug up from the ground. 'Come on pal.' He said guiding Harry to the door. Harry grabbed the frightened transhuman's hand, pulling her alongside him. 'Who's your friend?' Alec asked.

'Maple'. He replied.

'Hi Maple, welcome to the fold.' Alec smiled. She wrenched her gaze from her feet, steeling a quick glance at Alec. He looked friendly and genuine. She rarely got that feel from anyone.

Alec signaled to Max, who took her foot off 480 and followed the others outside. She turned back, sensing Alec was no longer behind her. Alec's cheeky smirk had been replaced with pure venom. He strolled up to the X6, neglecting personal space etiquette, looking down on him. "We may not be in Manticore anymore, but you need to learn some respect where its due. If you won't give me respect, I have no problem earning it." He turned to 480 who had picked himself off the floor. His face displayed pure disgust. Alec was in his face, using his height to intimidate 480. "I know Max doesn't need my help when it comes to whipping your sorry ass into submission, but if I ever hear the word 'traitor' directed at her again," he threatened, bringing his face closer "I will break your neck." Max felt her tummy jump. Alec had implied his distaste towards her fellow 09 runners once before, but it really meant a lot knowing that he didn't hate her for it now. She wasn't naive enough to think that people would forget what they did, or that the ones they'd left behind wouldn't hold a grudge. As far as Alec was concerned, Ben had caused him unnecessary pain in Psy-ops by running away. The 'defective' unit had caused panic among the officers and suffering among the soldiers. They had disobeyed orders and followed free will, Manticore couldn't afford to have that happen again. She noticed Alec heading her way. Pretending she hadn't heard anything, Max took hold of Lily's hand and began the walk back to Joshua's.