(In an isolated room at Manticore, Zack is strapped to a table and gagged. We hear children training and chanting in the distance. A Manticore doctor is in the room with Zack, looking at his file. Lydecker enters.)

LYDECKER: Whenever you’re ready.

DOCTOR: I don’t recommend it. It’s too soon to use psychoactives on him again. His system hasn’t had time to recover.

LYDECKER: Your concerns are noted. Now let’s proceed.

DOCTOR: Just give me a day or two to stabilize his condition.

LYDECKER: Maybe you don’t understand what’s at stake. He knows where the X5s are. He’s got it locked in his brain, but I’m going to get it out.

DOCTOR: You’re not going to get anything if he’s dead.

LYDECKER: I’ll take that risk. Do it.

(The doctor hesitates.)

DOCTOR: Do it, or I’ll find someone else who will.

(The doctor injects something into Zack’s arm. Zack struggles for a minute, and then is still. The doctor props Zack’s right eye open and aims a laser into it. Lydecker removes the gag.)

LYDECKER: Where are they, Zack? Where’s Jondy? Where’s Max? Tell me, and all this will be over.

(Zack has flashbacks to his childhood at Manticore—marching, training, and being tased during the escape.)

(Zack wakes up in a cell. His vision is blurry. He glimpses a woman running by. A nearby guard sees her as well and goes to check it out. She attacks the guard from behind and knocks him out. The woman, who appears to be Max, takes the guard’s keys.)

MAX: Zack!

(Max opens Zack’s cell. He follows her through the hallways.)

ZACK: Max? How—how did...How did you...?

MAX: Shh! I’ll explain later. We gotta get out of here.

ZACK: Max, you shouldn’t have come here.

MAX: After what you did for me, I couldn’t just leave you here. Think you can make it over the perimeter fence?

ZACK: If I can’t, you go on without me.

(Max and Zack go into a dark room to hide.)

MAX: The guards will be changing shifts soon. We’ll make a break for it then.

(A guard passes by outside the room.)

MAX: Did you tell them anything? About me or...the others?

ZACK: No.

MAX: Because if they’ve been compromised—

ZACK: I didn’t say anything.

MAX: Tell me where they are so I can warn them.

ZACK: I didn’t say anything.

MAX: You sure?

(Zack looks at her again and frowns as his vision starts to clear.)

MAX: What’s the matter, Zack?

ZACK: No. You tell me.

(He grabs her by the neck.)

ZACK: You’re not Max.

MAX: Zack...

ZACK: Who are you?!

MAX (choking): Zack! Zack...

(Soldiers run into the room and turn on the lights. We see that the girl is definitely not Max. The soldiers start beating on Zack. The doctor runs in.)

DOCTOR: Leave him alone! Leave him alone! Stop!

(The soldiers back off, and the doctor runs to Zack’s side. Lydecker enters the room.)

DOCTOR: I’m telling you, he can’t take this.

ZACK (to Lydecker): I’ll never...tell...you...anything.

(Zack smiles.)

(At Logan’s apartment, Bling is cleaning an exercise machine. Max enters, carrying a shopping bag.)

MAX: Hey.

BLING: Hey.

MAX: Check it out.

(Max pulls out a plucked chicken from her bag.)

BLING: Haven’t seen one of those in a while.

MAX: Scored it at the farmer’s market. Thought Logan might want to whip up one of his spur-of-the-moment culinary miracles. He around?

BLING: He went for a walk.

MAX: A walk?

BLING: Down by the waterfront.

(At the waterfront, Logan is standing barefoot at the water’s edge, using a cane. Max walks onto the beach and watches him for a moment.)

MAX: Hey. No trespassing. (Points to a sign) Can’t you read?

LOGAN: Take off your shoes and come here.

MAX (obliging): I left you a little present back at your place—a fresh chicken.

LOGAN: Oh, wow. I see a poulet chez Cale in your future, with a bottle of pre-Pulse Nuits St. George. Say, around...8:00?

MAX: I was hoping you’d say that.

LOGAN: It’s beautiful, isn’t it?

(They look out over the water.)

LOGAN: And it’s funny. For the first time in a long time, I feel like anything...and everything...is possible.

(Logan steps into the water. Max smiles.)

MAX: Aren’t you cold?

LOGAN (smiling): Freezing. But it feels great.

(He holds out his hand in an invitation to join him in the water. Max declines, shaking her head. Logan uses his cane to hook her arm and pull her close. They smile at each other for a moment, until a hoverdrone flies overhead. Max hides her face.)

HOVERDRONE VOICE: This is a restricted area. Repeat: This is a restricted area.

MAX: I hate those things.

LGOAN: Yeah. We better go.

MAX: Guess so.

(After they put on their shoes)

LOGAN: So, I’ll see you tonight?

MAX: 8:00.

LOGAN: Sharp.

MAX: I should get to work.

LOGAN: Yeah, I gotta head home.

MAX: Bye.

LOGAN: Bye.

(Logan and Max walk off in opposite directions. They both stop, turn around, and pass each other.)

MAX: Wrong way.

LOGAN (at same time): Wrong way.

(At Jam Pony, Herbal overhears Normal speaking to another messenger.)

NORMAL: How many times have I told you? You don’t have a signature, you don’t get paid for the run.

(Herbal takes a moment to forge a signature on the slip of paper on his clipboard before turning it in.)

HERBAL: 225 Carrington.

NORMAL: Signature?

HERBAL: Right there.

NORMAL: Robert Marley. That’s more like it.

(Original Cindy and Sketchy push in a couple of shopping carts full of Original Cindy’s belongings.)

SKETCHY: Doesn’t seem fair.

ORIGINAL CINDY: It’s not fair, but what was Original Cindy supposed to do? They turned off my electricity, my heat, even my water.

NORMAL: Uh, you’re late.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Back off. I’m gonna put a smackdown on your ass.

SKETCHY: Hey, cut her a little slack, man. She just got evicted from her apartment.

(At the lockers)

MAX: I’m really sorry, girl. I can’t help feeling responsible.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Not your fault you got some hopped-up killing machines gunnin’ for you.

MAX: I can’t believe they killed your super.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Me, neither. Not that he didn’t deserve it. I mean, he was a slumlord and a weasel. Guess I can’t blame the folks for wanting me out of the building for bringing in a “bad element.”

MAX: First you lose your job because of me, and then your crib...

ORIGINAL CINDY: Gig was a bust; crib was a dump. Original Cindy just gotta stay strong with the struggle.

MAX: Why don’t you crash at my place?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Thanks, but I don’t want to impose.

MAX: You’re not. Kendra moved into her cop boyfriend’s love nest, so there’s plenty of room.

ORIGINAL CINDY: You sure?

MAX: We’ll move you in at lunch.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Just one question. Those superfreaks still looking for you?

MAX: After the way I kicked their butts?

ORIGINAL CINDY: What about those black-helicopter boys you got on your tail?

MAX: That whole situation’s pretty much chilled out.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Aiight, I’m in.

MAX: Cool. At lunch.

(That evening, Logan and Max are at their respective homes, getting ready for dinner. They both shower and then look through their closets. Logan talks to Bling and Max talks to Original Cindy.)

BLING: Everything all right?

LOGAN: Yeah. Why?

BLING: Tearing through there like you lost something.

MAX: I’m just trying to find something to wear.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Where you goin’, anyway?

MAX: Over to Logan’s.

ORIGINAL CINDY: Oh. So you got a date.

LOGAN: It’s not a date. She’s just coming over for dinner.

BLING: Uh-huh.

LOGAN: We have dinner all the time.

BLING: Yeah, but things are different now. The gun is loaded...if you know what I mean.

MAX (shaving her legs): No, I don’t know what you mean.

ORIGINAL CINDY: I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. With him up and around, now maybe you two can do somethin’ about it.

MAX: We’re not like that. Besides...

LOGAN (chopping vegetables): ...just because I was in a wheelchair doesn’t mean that I couldn’t have gone there if I wanted to.

BLING: I understand...

ORIGINAL CINDY: ...but it doesn’t matter whether the obstacle between you and him gettin’ busy was physical or psychological. It’s gone now.

LOGAN: And your point is...?

BLING: That it’s a whole new ballgame, which is why you’re a nervous wreck.

LOGAN: I’m not nervous. (Cuts himself) Ow!

ORIGINAL CINDY: Yeah, right. This is just one more reason I’m glad I’m a lesbian. We don’t put ourselves through all this drama. After the second date, we move in together.

MAX: I’m telling you, we’re just a couple of friends getting together for dinner.

(Logan puts the chicken in the oven.)

LOGAN: Anything more than that is a surefire way to ruin a nice friendship.

BLING: Whatever you say, but I’m clearing out of here just the same.

(Max puts on lipstick.)

ORIGINAL CINDY: If you’re not coming home, could you just call so I don’t worry?

(At Manticore, the doctor pulls a sheet over an apparently dead Zack as Lydecker watches. We see a Manticore gravesite with barcode tombstones. Soldiers bury Zack’s coffin.)

(After nightfall, Zack wakes up inside the coffin with a gasp. He pounds on the top of the coffin and pushes his way out of the grave. He runs through the woods and washes his hands in a stream. After a while, a car flashes its headlights at him. The Manticore doctor is inside the car. Zack approaches.)

DOCTOR: You all right? (Zack nods) I’m sorry. It was the only way to get you out.

(He holds up some clothes for Zack to change into.)

ZACK: Why are you helping me?

DOCTOR: So maybe I can live with myself.

(Zack gets into the car. The doctor drives while Zack changes clothes.)

DOCTOR: I’ll get you to the state line, then you’re on your own.

(He hands Zack some money.)

DOCTOR: Just take it.

(Soon a car approaches behind them and a helicopter flies overhead. There’s gunfire and the doctor’s car swerves to a stop. Zack and the doctor get out. The car behind them is a Manticore humvee.)

DOCTOR: Run! Run!

(Zack runs. Soldiers spill out of the humvee and shoot the doctor. Zack turns to look back at him.)

DOCTOR: Go!

(Zack runs into the woods.)

SOLDIER (into radio): All teams, he’s on foot, heading southeast from Rally Point Seven.

(At his apartment, Logan is lighting candles on the table when the doorbell rings. He puts down his cane and opens the door for Max.)

MAX: Hey.

LOGAN: Hey.

(They smile at each other for a minute.)

LOGAN: Come on in.

(Zack makes a call at a pay phone. Original Cindy is putting a Xena poster on her wall when the phone rings.)

ORIGINAL CINDY (answering): Yeah.

ZACK: Max?

ORIGINAL CINDY: Who is this?

(At Logan’s apartment, Logan and Max are sitting together in awkward silence.)

LOGAN: So...

MAX (at same time): So...

(They each sip some wine.)

LOGAN: So...

MAX (at same time): So...

(The oven timer goes off.)

LOGAN (relieved): Dinner.

(Logan starts to say something, but changes his mind and goes to get the chicken out of the oven. Max drains her glass of wine.)

LOGAN: Oh, no.

(Max joins him at the oven. Logan sheepishly shows her that the chicken is completely uncooked.)

MAX: Chicken tartare?

(They both laugh, the awkwardness gone.)

LOGAN: That’s so wrong.

(The phone rings.)

LOGAN: Can you get that?

MAX: Yeah. Turn the oven on.

LOGAN: Oh, okay.

MAX (answering phone): Hello?

ZACK: Max!

MAX: Zack?

ZACK: I need you.

(Later, Max is about to leave.)

MAX: He’s hiding in the woods near Manticore. I have to get to him before they find him.

LOGAN: No, those woods are going to be crawling with Lydecker’s men.

MAX: I’m going, Logan. I owe it to him.

(Max opens the door. Logan closes it before she can step through it.)

LOGAN: Okay, say you make it past the sector checkpoint. Say you even manage to get to him. What makes you think you can slip through a Manticore dragnet and get back out?

MAX: We did it once, and we were just kids then.

(Max starts to open the door. Logan closes it.)

LOGAN: What if it’s a trap? What if Zack’s been turned?

MAX: Zack, turned? You don’t know him at all, do you?

(Max starts to open the door. Logan closes it.)

LOGAN: I am not letting you do this.

MAX: Don’t get me wrong; nobody’s gladder than me that you’re on your feet. But reality check—I could still kick your ass.

(Logan reluctantly steps aside so Max can leave.)

(Max gets out of the city by hiding with her motorcycle inside a van that’s mounted on a truck rig full of cars. The next day, the truck gets stopped at another checkpoint.)

SECTOR COP: Contraband check. Shut her down. We gotta search the whole rig.

(Max rides her Ninja out of the van, jumps over the checkpoint, and drives away.)

(Later, Max hides her motorcycle in the brush and runs through the woods. Manticore soldiers are patrolling the area. Max avoids them. She makes her way to a cave and looks around inside.)

MAX (quietly): Zack?...Zack?

(Zack comes up from behind and grabs her around the neck.)

MAX (choking): Zack, it’s me.

ZACK: What are you doing here?

MAX: You’re hurting me.

ZACK: He sent you.

MAX: What are you talking about? You called me.

ZACK: You’re trying to trick me.

MAX: I’m not trying to trick you. Lydecker’s men are all over the place. We’ve got to get out of here.

ZACK: He sent you here to bring me back, but it’s not going to work. You’ve been turned. You’re a threat to the others.

MAX: Zack...

(Max flips Zack to the ground. She pins him there with a foot on his chest.)

MAX: Don’t move.

ZACK: I knew it. I knew you were one of them.

MAX: If that were true, this would be the part where I call in a TAC team and turn you over to Lydecker. (Removes her foot) But it’s not true. I’m here because you asked me to come.

(Zack starts crying.)

ZACK: Max...

MAX: Shh. It’s okay. Everything’s going to be all right. We’ll stay here till it gets dark; then I’m going to get you out of here.

(Max notices the wounds on his wrist.)

MAX: What did they do to you?

ZACK: I didn’t tell them anything, Max—about you or any of the others.

MAX: If they used psychoactives on you, you can’t be sure of anything.

ZACK: I couldn’t have said anything, Max, because I don’t know anything. I made myself forget, the way that they taught us to.

(Max flashes back to her childhood at Manticore. We see scenes of Lydecker lecturing the kids in class, interspersed with scenes of young Max strapped to a table with a laser in her eye.)

LYDECKER (in flashback): No one can resist torture indefinitely—not even you. The mind is infinitely pliable. You will reveal what you know.

MAX (in flashback): ...4-5-9-7-4-2-3-5-6-9-4...

LYDECKER (in flashback): Memories can be buried...obfuscated.

MAX (in flashback): ...7-3-7-1-1-9...

LYDECKER (in flashback): You can learn to forget what you know. Your own name...your own barcode number...

MAX (in flashback): ...5-4-9-7-4-2-3-5-6-9-4...

LYDECKER (in flashback): ...by deliberately flooding your mind with disinformation. You can so confuse your memory that you can’t reveal the truth.

(Lydecker shows a barcode to Max.)

LYDECKER (in flashback): Is this your barcode?

(She just looks at him.)

LYDECKER (in flashback): Answer me!

(In the present day)

ZACK: I made myself forget...to protect you. To protect all of you.

MAX: It’s okay. It’s over.

ZACK (standing up): No. No, it’s not. I’m the only one who knew. The only one. I’ve got to remember so that I can protect them.

MAX: You will. You called me, right? You remembered my number.

ZACK: It’s not the same.

MAX: Yes. You can do it if you try.

ZACK: No, it’s different with you.

(He sits down next to Max.)

ZACK: I mean, how could I forget...a single thing about you? How could I?

(They hear a helicopter approaching outside.)

MAX: Better check it out, make sure we’re okay in here. You stay put.

(Max leaves the cave. Zack lies down. He flashes back to being tortured for information, the escape of ’09, and his recent experiences with Max and Brin. He sits up suddenly when he hears a noise, which turns out to be Max returning.)

MAX: It’s me.

ZACK: It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to let my guard down long enough to sleep. Probably wouldn’t bother you—you never slept much anyway.

MAX: Me and Jondy. We must have shark DNA in us or something. Just don’t need to sleep.

ZACK: That’s why she doesn’t mind working nights.

(They both realize he’s starting to remember.)

ZACK: In a bar. In Portland. No, wait. That’s Tinga. Jondy lives in San Francisco.

MAX: Go on.

ZACK: She lives right near the Golden Gate.

MAX: What about Tinga? You said she lives in Portland.

ZACK: Works at...a bakery. You should see how long her hair’s gotten. It’s like she hasn’t cut it since the escape.

MAX: And Zane, where does he live?

ZACK: In L.A. He’s a mechanic. He’s got a dog. A German shepherd. Scary-looking, like we had back in Manticore, but sweet.

MAX: Keep going. You’re doing great.

(In his apartment, Logan is calling Max’s pager.)

OPERATOR’S VOICE: The subscriber you are trying to page is out of service range. Please try—

(Logan hangs up and stares out the window.)

BLING: Still can’t get a hold of her, huh?

LOGAN: No.

BLING: I’m headed to the market. You need anything?

LOGAN: No, thanks.

(Bling leaves. Logan walks away from the window, lost in thought. His leg begins to spasm and he loses his balance, leaning against a counter until it stops.)

(In the cave)

MAX: Tell me about Krit. What’s he up to?

ZACK: Krit?...I don’t know.

MAX: It’s okay.

ZACK: I—I can’t remember.

MAX: It’s all right. It’ll come back.

ZACK: I saw Brin back at Manticore.

MAX: We’re going to get her out of there someday, you and me. (Zack nods) You should get some rest. It won’t be dark for a while yet.

(Zack agrees and lies down.)

ZACK: Thanks, Maxie...for coming to get me, I mean.

MAX: It’s the least I can do after what you’ve done for me.

ZACK: Lydecker tried to trick me into thinking that you’d come for me before.

MAX: What do you mean? Trick you how?

ZACK: Shot me up with God knows what. Sent someone in pretending to be like you. Really messed with my head. (Closes his eyes) So tired.

MAX: It’s okay. Sleep.

(She kneels next to him and speaks more loudly.)

MAX: I’m going to head up the road. There’s a gas station nearby. I’ll get us some food. If I don’t come back by sundown, keep going. Find the others.

(Max runs through the woods. She approaches the gas station but remains hidden in the trees. She spots an undercover Manticore man at the gas station, dressed as an attendant, and listens to him speak into his radio.)

ATTENDANT: We’re in position and standing by. There’s still no sign of her.

(Max also sees Manticore soldiers hiding near the gas station. She returns to the cave, wakes Zack up, and indicates the situation with hand signals. He nods and they leave the cave.)

(Lydecker, Sandoval, and the Manticore doctor are inside a van with computers.)

LYDECKER (into radio): Has she shown yet?

ATTENDANT’S VOICE: Negative.

DOCTOR: What do you think he’ll do when she doesn’t show up?

LYDECKER: He’ll do what she said to do. He’ll assume that she’s been captured, and move along and try to find the others.

(They hear static.)

LYDECKER: What’s wrong with the audio?

SANDOVAL: It shouldn’t be breaking up like that. I’m still getting a strong GPS signal. (Suddenly) He’s moving.

(On their computer screen, there is a map with a symbol labeled “Target X5.” The symbol has begun to move along a stream.)

LYDECKER (into radio): Any sign of her yet?

ATTENDANT’S VOICE: Negative.

LYDECKER: This is taking too long. Something’s wrong. (Into radio) All units, this is Command. We’re bringing them in. He’s moving south, along the stream.

(We see Max and Zack running along the stream, unseen by some soldiers, who are searching the stream some distance away.)

SANDOVAL: He stopped.

LYDECKER (into radio): Delta, this is Control. Target is south your position, 1-7-5 degrees.

SOLDIER: Roger, Control. We’re moving in.

(The soldiers approach the specified area.)

SOLDIER: Control, this Delta team. We’re in the target area. There’s no sign of them. Over.

(Lydecker is looking at the symbol on the computer map.)

LYDECKER (into radio): Well, that’s impossible. He’s right where you are.

SECOND SOLDIER: Sir!

(He picks up a log that has lodged on the rocks and unties a cloth that was wrapped around it. Inside the cloth is a small, bloody device.)

SECOND SOLDIER: The transmitter.

LYDECKER (into radio): Say again?

SECOND SOLDIER: He’s ripped it out of his head. Used it as a decoy.

(Meanwhile, Max and Zack are uncovering her Ninja.)

ZACK: Max...they were listening to us the whole time.

MAX: They heard everything you told me about where the others are?

ZACK: We’ve got to warn them.

MAX: We’ve got to get out of here first.

(They ride off.)

(Later, Max and Zack enter Logan’s apartment. Logan stands up to greet them, using his cane. Zack’s back is turned.)

MAX: It was a trick. Lydecker let him escape so he’d lead him to the others.

ZACK: I compromised the others. I jeopardized everything!

LOGAN: What do you mean? How?

ZACK: By opening—

(Zack turns around and is surprised to see Logan standing.)

ZACK: —my big mouth.

LOGAN: It’s a long story.

(Lydecker and Sandoval are listening to the recording of the conversation Zack and Max had in the cave.)

ZACK’S VOICE: Works at...a bakery. You should see how long her hair’s gotten. It’s like she hasn’t cut it since the escape.

LYDECKER: He’s going to try to warn them...and let them know they’ve been compromised. We’re going to have to move on this, and we’re going to have to move fast.

(At Logan’s apartment, Max and Zack are talking on the couch.)

MAX: You said Tinga worked at a bakery in Portland. Which one?

ZACK: I don’t know.

MAX: What about Zane? Where did he work? How did you stay in touch with them, Zack?

ZACK: Contact number. I set up a voice mailbox so they could check in with me.

MAX: And if you needed to reach one of them?

ZACK: I’d call.

MAX: Jondy? Did you call her? What was her number?

ZACK: I don’t know.

MAX: Think, Zack. Her life depends on it.

(She touches his shoulder. Zack shakes her off and jumps up.)

ZACK: Don’t you think I know that by now?!

(He stalks off. Logan joins Max on the couch.)

LOGAN: Just give him some time, Max.

MAX (upset): We don’t have time. It could already be too late to save them. (More calmly) Sorry, it’s not your fault. It’s just...there has to be a way to warn them.

LOGAN: Maybe there is.

(At Jam Pony, Normal is watching TV in his office after hours. He’s watching a Cops-like program.)

MAN (on TV): What’s going on?

COP (on TV): What happened to your knee?

MAN (on TV): I fell chasing a guy.

NORMAL: Yeah, right, you sissy freak.

COP (on TV): Stand over here for me.

SECOND COP (on TV): Stand still for me.

NORMAL: Arrest him already. He’s a reprobate.

COP (on TV): Come here. Wait a minute.

NORMAL: Don’t you turn your back on a peace officer, you weenie.

(An Eyes Only broadcast interrupts the program.)

EYES ONLY: Do not attempt to adjust your sets.

(Normal yells in protest at the interruption.)

EYES ONLY: This is a Streaming Freedom Video Bulletin. This cable hack is being beamed to you right across America. It cannot be traced; it cannot be stopped.

(In Los Angeles, Zane is working on a car engine. A second mechanic is working underneath the car. A TV is on nearby.)

EYES ONLY: This is a message for those known as X5. You have been compromised.

(Zane drops his tool and leaves without a word.)

EYES ONLY: You are in danger. You know what to do.

MECHANIC: Hey, uh, Zane, hand me that 3/16th, will ya?

EYES ONLY: I repeat: your locations have been compromised.

MECHANIC: Zane?

EYES ONLY: You know what to do.

MECHANIC: Zane?

(In Logan’s apartment, Max and Zack are watching Logan make the hack.)

EYES ONLY: This message will repeat every hour on the hour until each of you has checked in.

(He ends the hack.)

LOGAN: Now we wait and see who calls in to the contact number.

MAX: Eyes Only just made himself another enemy.

LOGAN: Well, it was getting a little quiet around here.

(In Lydecker’s van)

SANDOVAL: This “Eyes Only” is a pain-in-the-ass do-gooder, but smart.

LYDECKER: But the question is, why is he trying to help my kids?

SANDOVAL: I don’t know. It’s not the sort of thing he usually gets into.

LYDECKER: When all of this is over, I want you to find out who this clown is.

(At Logan’s apartment)

ZACK: Zane, Syl, and Krit have all called in. They’re already on the move.

MAX: That just leaves Tinga and Jondy.

ZACK: You sure I didn’t blab about the others while Lydecker was listening?

MAX: Believe me, I’d remember. So, how come you didn’t give me this contact number of yours so I could find you if I needed to?

ZACK: You know why.

MAX: Because I haven’t been a good little soldier and followed orders?

ZACK: Something like that.

MAX: Guess I won’t be invited to the next X5 reunion.

ZACK: You’re too reckless, Max. I couldn’t risk giving it to you. What if you got caught and Lydecker got it out of you?

MAX: I’m too much of a liability to be trusted, is that it?

ZACK: If you want to get on board with the way I do things, it’s not too late. First step, though, is leaving Seattle.

(Max says nothing.)

ZACK: I didn’t think so. Especially not now.

MAX: What are you talking about?

ZACK (pointing to Logan): I’m talking about miracle boy over there.

(Lydecker is looking at the X5s’ files.)

SANDOVAL: We got a lead on the girl in Portland.

LYDECKER: Good. Have them send us a chopper ASAP. I’m going to take care of this one myself.

(At Logan’s apartment)

ZACK: Just got a message from Tinga. Lydecker’s onto her and she needs our help.

(We see Tinga hiding from Manticore humvees in an area where homeless people live in abandoned buses. Soldiers swarm the area. Lydecker arrives.)

LYDECKER: What’s the sit-rep?

SOLDIER: She was last seen headed this way. We’ve secured the area. I’ve got men posted all along the perimeter. She’s in here somewhere.

LYDECKER: Do you know what she looks like?

(The soldier hands Lydecker a picture of Tinga as an adult.)

SOLDIER: From when she applied for work at the bakery.

LYDECKER: All right, I want a point-to-point search, with tasers only. I want her alive.

(Nearby, Tinga is hiding in a bus.)

TINGA: Come on, Zack. Where are you?

(Outside the bus, soldiers are showing Tinga’s picture around.)

SOLDIER: We’re looking for this girl.

(The man shakes his head.)

SOLDIER: Have you seen this girl?

SECOND MAN: No, I haven’t seen her.

SOLDIER: You recognize her?

(The soldiers check a nearby bus.)

SOLDIER: All clear.

(Some Manticore soldiers check the bus Tinga has been hiding in. It’s empty. One soldier looks out the window and sees her standing outside.)

SOLDIER: There she is!

(The soldiers give chase.)

SOLDIER (into radio): She’s moving west.

LYDECKER (into radio): Delta team, converge on target. Alpha team, establish a perimeter.

SOLDIER’S VOICE: Alpha team, copy.

(Tinga moves between the buses. She knocks out the two Manticore soldiers who are approaching.)

SOLDIER (into radio): Delta team to Command.

LYDECKER (into radio): Go ahead.

SOLDIER (into radio): We have the subject in sight and are moving to subdue.

LYDECKER (into radio): All right. Just remember, I want her alive.

(Nearby, Tinga stands surrounded by Manticore soldiers. Max and Zack arrive, and the three of them launch into action. One by one, the soldiers get beaten.)

(Moments later, Lydecker arrives at the scene to find all his men down. He hears footsteps. Max, Tinga, and Zack are fleeing, running across the tops of the parked buses.)

(They reach the last bus and jump to the ground. Logan drives up. The three of them get into his car, and they all drive away.)

(Later, Zack is hot-wiring a car. Tinga is sitting inside it. Max and Logan watch nearby.)

LOGAN: Is everybody in your family a thief?

ZACK (to Tinga): Hit it.

(Tinga turns the key in the ignition. The engine starts.)

ZACK: How much in the tank?

TINGA: Three-quarters. Ought to be enough to get us to the Canadian border.

(Zack gets in the car. Max comes to the window.)

ZACK: Should I even ask?

(Max says nothing.)

ZACK: Let’s go.

TINGA (to Max): What about you?

ZACK: She’s going back to Seattle.

TINGA: You’re not coming with us?

ZACK: Don’t bother.

TINGA: Lydecker’s—

ZACK: I said, don’t bother.

TINGA: You take care of yourself, baby sister.

MAX: You, too.

(Max and Tinga hug.)

ZACK: Thanks for getting me out.

MAX: Guess this makes us even.

ZACK: Guess so. Let’s hope miracles come in two, because you’re going to need one to keep from getting caught.

(Tinga and Zack drive away.)

(In his car, Lydecker meets with McGinnis, who is in his own car with a cigarette.)

LYDECKER: Still smoking?

McGINNIS: You lost him, Deck.

LYDECKER: It was a calculated risk. The information we got on the other X5s more than made up for losing him.

McGINNIS: If you say so.

LYDECKER: They were underground and we forced them out in the open, made them go on the run. No one on the run can avoid leaving a trail...not even my kids.

McGINNIS: The Committee has decided that the X5 situation needs to be resolved. You’re hereby authorized to use whatever means necessary to see that it is.

LYDECKER: Am I to understand that to include using deadly force?

McGINNIS: If that’s what it takes.

LYDECKER: I thought we wanted to keep them alive.

McGINNIS: The Committee wants this situation resolved.

LYDECKER: You know I’m going to have to go up the line on this, don’t you?

McGINNIS: Don’t bother. She signed the directive.

(Lydecker laughs mirthlessly.)

McGINNIS: She asked me to pass on a personal message: If you have a problem executing the order...she’ll find somebody else to do it.

LYDECKER: That won’t be necessary.

McGINNIS: I didn’t think it would be.

(At Logan’s apartment)

MAX: She looks just like I remember. I wish I could have spent more time with her, though. Find out what her life’s been like...what she’s been up to.

LOGAN: Maybe after everything settles down, you two can hook up.

MAX: How?

(Logan holds up the phone.)

LOGAN: Last number dialed—Zack’s contact number.

MAX: Oh! I can’t believe it. He usually covers his tracks way better than this.

LOGAN: You’d think, huh?

MAX: Thanks. Got anything to eat?

LOGAN: Why don’t you go see for yourself?

(Max chuckles. While she’s looking through the fridge, Logan gets down off the counter he’s been sitting on. His legs collapse under him. He uses the counter to pull himself up and hide the fact that he’s having trouble remaining standing.)

MAX: Got a half a poulet chez Cale...some leafy green stuff...mashed potatoes. What do you say we have that dinner? Promise I won’t bail on you this time.

LOGAN: Uh...I have to take a rain check. I’ve got some work to do.

MAX: Oh, okay.

(Max closes the fridge door and prepares to eat by herself.)

LOGAN: You can take it with you, if you want.

(Max stares at him and sets the food down.)

MAX: No, I’ll get something on the way home.

LOGAN: Okay. Night.

(Max leaves. As soon as the door closes behind her, Logan works his way over to a stool and sits down.)

(Max uses a pay phone to call Zack’s contact number.)

OPERATOR’S VOICE: The number you have reached is not in service at this time, and there is no new number. Please be sure you have checked the telephone directory for the right number and you are dialing correctly...

(Later, Max is on top of the Space Needle.)

MAX (voiceover): Guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I mean, it’s like I said, Zack usually covers his tracks pretty good. I just didn’t think he’d cover them from me. Must be a guy thing, ’cause Logan can cover pretty good, too. Maybe it’s me. Maybe there’s something in the way I’m made that turns people away. All I know is it was easier before, when I just didn’t give a damn about anything.