By now 494 was back on his feet, not breathing heavily, but regarding Max with wary eyes now. He'd read about his own botched mission with Berrisford, although some of the details had been certainly omitted from the version he'd gotten. How had Max known about the daughter? And why did he feel a pit opening in his stomach at that name?
It was just more of her outside world mind games, he decided, mirroring her fighting stance and watching her slink around.
Maybe she knew some details she shouldn't have. For all he knew, maybe Renfro had let something slip, to see if he would slip. 494 wasn't going to mess this one up if he could. This wouldn't be like two years ago. 494 circled with Max, watching for an opportune moment to strike. He waited, watching her feet, her body language, for anything that might tip him off to what she planned to do next. Technically he could just end this right now, seeing as he was the one with the gun here. But the other orders he had insisted Max remain alive; she was no good to Manticore either alive here in Canada or dead with a bullet hole in her. Without taking his eyes off his opponent, 494 clicked the safety back on the Glock, not wanting to risk having it go off in the fight.
He suddenly swung out at Max then, aiming the butt of the pistol at the side of her head, his arm blurring.