Anything That Can Go Wrong

Back on Track

Based on the music video for Red's Feed the Machine.

AU: Alpha/Beta/Omega, Rebellion, No Murphy's Law

Zack gasped as he woke up, pulling himself out of the drug-induced haze he'd been put into. Where was he? What was happening? What the hell was he taken for? Why was he chained to a pole and what was with the wires attached to his wrists?

More importantly though, where was Milo? Zack had been with him when they'd taken him, had they taken Milo too? God, he hoped not.

"Hello?" he called out. "Hey! Hello? Someone get me out of here!"

Zack was sure this was because of her affiliation with the Rebels. He was probably about to undergo the Mind Lock he and Milo had been trying to prevent from happening. Zack wasn't sure where he was or what exactly was going on, but he knew one thing for sure; based on the footsteps coming towards him, he wouldn't need to wait long for answers.

The door opened and two people came out of the darkness.

"Hey, what's going on? What are you doing?" Zack asked, but they didn't respond. They twisted a few levers, punched a few dials, and Zack felt fire burn his veins. "Hey! What are you doing! Hey, stop!" he screamed, but no one heard him.

His last thought before he passed out flitted through his mind like a trapped dove. Milo, I hope you're safe.

MML~MML~MML

His eyes snapped open and he turned to face the people he worked for.

"Worker 59291, you have an assignment. Here is your job." One man handed him a folder and 59291 took it and read it over with intense focus. He looked back up and nodded, "I understand."

"Good. Hold out your arm." Zack complied and watched passively as the second man attached some kind of metal device with wires sticking out to his arm. "Come with us. We will take you to the job site and you will begin your work there." The men began to walk away and 59291 followed them obediently.

After many twists and turns, 59291 was told to stop by a large piece of machinery that could easily hold three people. "We will bring the rebels in shortly. 64391 will get them from the doorway and bring them to you, you will put them in the machine, and 46830 will pull the lever to take care of them. They will not be able to rebel after this," cackled the second man

59291 nodded. "I understand," he repeated.

"Good. Wait here."

59291 did as he was told and waited. When the doors on the far right of the machine opened and people were herded in. 64391 grabbed the first one and pushed him towards 59291. The person struggled against him and he pushed him into the machine with all the strength his body possessed. 59291 didn't know where his strength had come from, he figured that it'd come from the wires entering his body from the glove he'd been given.

The thought was pushed aside as another body appeared in front of her, this one female. He pushed the second person into the machine, she went much quieter, like she'd known struggling was inevitable. 59291 was pleased when the struggling didn't come as he'd expected.

59291 continued his job as instructed until he came to a frightened twenty-two-year-old boy who seemed to know him. "Zack!" he cried, pulling on 59291's shoulders.

59291 tried very hard to ignore this boy and continue his job, even going so far as to begin pushing the boy into the machine. "Zack, please!" the boy pleaded, "Please, Zack!"

59291 caught sight of something on the boy's wrist. A silver bracelet with seven charms around it. Suddenly it all came flooding back. This boy, Milo Murphy, was his Mate, his Omega. 59291--Zack Underwood--was an Alpha and he was being controlled. A memory hit his mind, the day of Milo's fifteenth birthday when Zack had gotten him the bracelet.

MML~MML~MML

He'd looked amazing in the high-tops and new jacket. Zack had known exactly what to get him to make him smile. He unboxed the small item and looked at Zack curiously, wondering what his Mate of four years had gotten him, until he opened it and his eyes filled with tears.

The image changed and suddenly Zack was watching Milo walk down a bridge, his hand trailing across the railing. Zack's eyes were drawn to the bracelet Milo hadn't taken off (except to shower). Zack was happy that day, then everything had fallen apart the next week and the Rebels had swept them up for their cause. Milo and Zack were happy to join the fight.

MML~MML~MML

Making up his mind wasn't a hard choice, Zack grabbed Milo's arm in his free hand and pulled him out of the machine, off to the side and behind him, ripping off the gauntlet he'd been put into and tearing out the wires. Seeing this, the Rebels took their chance and stormed the other guards, Milo joined the fight, easily outpacing the guards and taking them down.

Zack moved to help him, but was intercepted by 64391--Melissa! Melissa wrapped her hands around Zack's throat and lifted, pulling Zack into the air. Zack choked on the little air he could get in as he scrambled for the gauntlet wrapped around Melissa's arm.

Milo had noticed and was coming forward, but Zack stopped him. He ripped out the wires and Melissa suddenly dropped him. Melissa shook her head, then pulled her gauntlet the rest of the way off, throwing it away from her in disgust. Melissa looked at Zack and held out her hand. Zack took it and was pulled up. Melissa nodded her thanks and Zack smirked.

Milo appeared at Melissa's shoulder and the pair hugged briefly.

The Rebels were winning. Zack looked around and saw the person the guards had called 46830, Balthazar, wrestling with Vinnie. Milo looked at Zack and Zack nodded. They moved as one to help their friend. Vinnie and Zack managed to get a hold of Balthazar's arm and Milo ripped out the wires on the gauntlet. He tore it off and Balthazar shook his head, eyes clearing. Vinnie flashed Balthazar a smile and helped him to the door where the other Rebels where running out, having won their fights.

Milo, Melissa, and Zack made to join them, then Zak thought off the machine he'd been made to out people into. He pulled back on Milo's hand and when he turned back, Zack shot forward a thought. We can't let them do this to someone else. If this is the end, we have to make sure they can't do this again. This was the last base, the last Order, and the last Mind Lock to destroy.

I'm coming with you. Milo replied.

It'll be dangerous. Zack warned him.

When has that ever stopped us? Milo smiled, quirking an eyebrow.

Zack chuckled and they rushed off, grabbing fire extinguishers and the explosive disks from Milo's belt. The guards hadn't even checked them, too caught up in the idea that they'd caught not one or two, but all of the Rebellion's top agents.

Stupid. 

Zack looked at Milo and nodded. Milo grinned and they both tossed the fire extinguishers into the Mind Lock and Milo activated and threw the explosive disks. Zack took Milo's hand and they raced for the exit, hand in hand.

MML~MML~MML

After the loss of their final Mind Lock and base, the Order scattered. Most were easily rounded up, but others required special missions. The Rebels sent in their top agents.

Milo, Zack, Melissa, Vinnie, and Balthazar easily tracked down the rest of the Order and rounded them up. The second the last one was captured, Zack and Milo left the Rebellion, only to be brought back if they were of need again.

They moved into a small apartment and lived happily ever after. With the Rebellion over and the world finally going back to normal, Milo and Zack could finally get their lives back on track.