tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46560459120155467042024-03-18T20:47:31.639-07:00Experiment 24-42Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-88175840154618473532015-07-07T04:04:00.000-07:002015-07-07T04:04:21.231-07:00Fun and Games<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 scowled, her eye blackening fast.
Tytus and Daniel were ropeable, both sporting lumps on their heads.
Alexis was nursing her sore shoulder and the red mark on Hennas face
was definitely going to bruise.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Slimy weasels...” Alexis fumed.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Team A42 had just been on the end of a
very nasty ambush from Team B42 as they tried to get to one of the
training grounds that morning.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“I can't believe C42 won't do
anything about it! How can they get away with this?!” Suzie was
fuming. “You guys have EVERY right to use the facilities, they're
not just for them, and they have no right to attack you every time
you try to use them!”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“We did get to use it in the end
though.” Tytus grinned cheekily. “We won the fight again!”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Wonderful.” Suzie scowled dryly as
M42 walked in.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“She didn't want to hear about it.
And neither do I.” He said, which instantly started the protesting.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“You're supposed to be our leader!”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“If you won't listen to us, who will
we go to?!”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“I always knew you were a flake!”</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“ENOUGH.” The Major sat down at his
desk. “I'm not going to hear about it because YOU are going to
deal with it.”</div>
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</div>
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“Oh really?” Henna snapped. “And
how are we going to do that?”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“The same way you handled me.” M42
shuffled some of the papers on his desk. “Now if you'll excuse me,
I have work to do.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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The team forwarded out, 24-42 looking
to linger until the Major mentioned, “That includes you too 24-42.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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She poked her tongue out at him and
left in a huff. The Major had a little chuckle to himself. So cute
when she was mad!</div>
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<br />
</div>
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–</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“You're kidding me, right?” Alexis
looked at the door.</div>
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</div>
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“I think it's clever.” Henna gave
the cling wrap that blocked the door a light poke. "Definitely what I think M42 had in mind."</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Why did WE have to be dragged out of
bed at this hour when you two CLEARLY had everything under control?!”
24-42 hissed, thinking of her warm bed with her cats.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And at 1am in the morning, I don't blame her. </div>
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</div>
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“I didn't think you were with the
Major tonight.” Tytus raised an eyebrow cheekily.</div>
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</div>
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“I wasn't! I just appreciate a good
nights sleep!” 24-42 went bright red.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“We're a team. We do these things
together as a team.” Daniel said sternly. “We've had a rocky
start but now I think we're really starting to pull together.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Some more than others.” Alexis
nudged Henna, who giggled.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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24-42 rolled her eyes.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Anyway, they're all in this wing, so
if we trigger the alarm for this wing only, it should be hilarious.”
Tytus smirked.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“You come up with all sorts of
wonderful plans don't you?” Alexis grinned at him.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“I try.” Tytus couldn't help but
grin back.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“1B-42, can you sound the alarm?”
Daniel gently whispered to the supercomputer.</div>
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</div>
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“Only for this-,” Tytus started,
but it was too late. The whole base erupted in wailing sirens.</div>
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</div>
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“Quick, let's skidaddle!” Henna
began to run.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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As they ran, they couldn't help but
look back. Just about all of team B42 had been caught in the trap
and were now either wrapped in cling wrap, on their backsides or
both.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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–</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“<i>24-42! YOU HAVE TO STOP THIS!”
M42 cried, running away from a falling building.</i></div>
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<br />
</div>
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“<i>24-42! Please!” Henna tried to
pull herself out from a pile of rubble.</i></div>
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<br />
</div>
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“<i>We didn't think you were like
this!” Tytus was surrounded on all four sides by burning rubble,
unable to escape.</i></div>
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<br />
</div>
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“<i>24-42!”</i></div>
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<br />
</div>
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<i>HE screamed.</i></div>
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</div>
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“STOP IT!” Screamed 24-42, nearly
falling out of bed the next morning.</div>
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</div>
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“24-42! Are you okay?” M42 was
leaning over her, gripping her arms tightly. “It was just a
nightmare.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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24-42 began to cry. It didn't feel
like just a nightmare.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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M42 felt a little lost. He loosened
his grip on her arms and tried to hug her properly. Even when he'd
been married he hadn't been very good at comforting people.</div>
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</div>
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“Don't!” 24-42 pushed him away.
“You're not him.”</div>
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</div>
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“You're upset and irrational, maybe
you should have some water.” M42 got out of bed and went to fetch
24-42 a drink, leaving the shaken Experiment to her thoughts.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<i>I put that all behind me. I put HIM
behind me. The Major is my future now. </i>She
thought, trying to rid herself of the old emotions that now seemed
stronger than ever.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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But try as she
might, as much as she was attracted to the Major she just couldn't
muster up those same emotions for him. She was angry at herself for
her misplaced loyalty, upset by the nightmare and tired from all the
strain.</div>
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</div>
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“Here.”
M42 sat down next to her, handing her a glass of water. He was
holding it in his cybernetic hand, she noticed. Taking the glass and
sipping the contents slowly, she ran her fingers along the cold
silicone.</div>
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</div>
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“Can
you feel anything?” She asked quietly.</div>
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</div>
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He looked away. “I
wouldn't call it feeling.” He admitted. He raised the hand and
stroked her face with one cold cybernetic finger. She put her drink
down and covered the metallic hand with her own natural warm one, and
reached out to his human hand with the other, grateful that both her
hands were her own.</div>
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</div>
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“I'm
sorry I snapped at you before.” She whispered, looking down.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“So
you should be.” He replied, just as quietly. 24-42 looked up at
him, and for a brief moment M42 thought he saw faint traces of hurt
on her face.
</div>
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<br />
</div>
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24-42 chuckled
quietly, reaching out to hug the Major and to snuggle into his body.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“I
never got to ask you why you were out at the evac point before
everyone else last night.” M42 suddenly remembered the events from
the previous night. After the entire staff had been dismissed after
the false alarm, the Major had headed back to 24-42s lodgings and
spent the rest of the night with her.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Uhm...”
24-42 didn't quite know how to answer that question. She breathed a
premature sigh of relief as there was a knock at her door.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“COMING!”
She quickly scrambled into her dressing gown and opened the door.
The Major shrugged with a grin and lay back down on the bed.</div>
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</div>
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“Oh
my GOD wasn't that funny last night?” Alexis burst in, followed
closely by Tytus and Daniel. 24-42 tried to silence her as she
continued loudly. “I can't believe they fell for it!”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Fell
for what?” M42 poked his head out of 24-42s bedroom.</div>
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</div>
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The colour drained
from the four Experiments faces.</div>
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</div>
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“I'll
pretend I didn't hear it then.” The Major closed the bedroom door.</div>
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</div>
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“You
could've TOLD me that he was here!” Alexis hissed angrily.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“You
didn't give her a chance you big mouth!” Daniel snapped.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“I
can still hear you guys y'know!” Came the shout from 24-42s room.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Anyway.”
Tytus recovered first. “MB42 went to C42 and had a huge whinge.”</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“And
C42 told him to take a hike, that his team should be ready for
anything.” Alexis finished. “ HZF3615-42 overheard MB42 having a
fit about it while she was out having brunch with TDH5634-42.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Wow,
so Team B42 is getting – wait, I thought HZF3615-42 was screwing
RVB4587-42?” 24-42 looked confused.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
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“Until
she found him in bed with ZZST5609-42.” Daniel shrugged.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Wow.”
24-42 said, shocked.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Apparently
MB42 brought up your relationship with the Major too.” Alexis said,
worried.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
wouldn't be too concerned, she's had plenty of inappropriate
relationships in her career!” The Major called.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You'd
know about that how?” Tytus couldn't help but ask.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Ask
H42!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“ANYWAY.
We just thought we'd let you know what was going on. We're going to
spend today in the gym, care to join us?” Daniel recovered first.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Umm...we'll
catch up with you later I think.” 24-42 smiled, turning pink. “See
yas!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She quickly shoved
the others out the door and locked it behind them.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
To think less than
fifteen minutes earlier she'd been worried about some stupid
nightmare. 24-42 giggled to herself, before heading back to the
bedroom to give M42 what was coming to him.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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Not that he minded.</div>
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</div>
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–</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I have NO idea WHAT the Major is
talking about.” Suzie denied M42s claim as she walked with 24-42,
Henna and Daniel to one of the labs.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“You sure? Your face is red.”
Henna asked cheekily.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Hold your tongue Experiment!”
Suzie snapped angrily.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Yup! Definitely hit a nerve!”
Daniel grinned.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“So what's the big secret?” 24-42
asked as they headed up one of the escalators.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“THERE IS NO SECRET!” Suzie
growled, making the three Experiments chuckle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“All right then, have it your
way...weren't we going up?” Henna noticed that the group was now
standing at the bottom of the escalator.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“Yeah...silly us!” Suzie shrugged.
They moved over to the other escalator, and started heading up again.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I don't know why you're so defensive
Suzie, you know us.” Daniel continued the conversation.</div>
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<br />
</div>
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“I'm not defensive!” Suzie snapped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You guys realise that next month
it's going to be a full year since the Exposure?” 24-42 suddenly
realised, earning her a grateful look from Suzie.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Wow, it's gone by so fast!” Henna
wondered. “We should have a party or something.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That'd be fun. I'll talk to C42
about it.” Suzie grinned, thankful for the Experiments short
attention spans.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And someone is screwing with the
escalators, we're down the bottom again.” 24-42 looked up to the
top of the escalators.</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well, that's no issue given three of
us can fly.” Daniel pointed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The looks on the faces of the members
of Team B42 when Daniel, Henna and 24-42 came flying over the top of
them were priceless!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“WAIT!” Suzie screamed after them,
running as fast as she could to keep up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well, that went well.” 04-42
scowled at 20-42, who shrugged in defeat.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-1937321671479878862015-06-27T04:35:00.000-07:002015-06-27T04:35:03.194-07:00Bonking<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 opened her eyes and yawned
loudly. She'd had a very good sleep that night. She stretched out,
until her foot hit another leg.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She froze. It dawned on her that she
WASN'T in her room. It was then she remembered the night before.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Good morning!” Daniel and Tytus
walked into the lunch room, where the girls were happily eating
breakfast.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So anyway, where were you last
night? We knocked on your door but there was no answer.” Henna
asked 24-42, who was digging into a big pile of mushrooms.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“In bed.” 24-42 replied. To be
fair, she wasn't exactly lying. She HAD been in bed – just not her
own!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're working too hard.” Suzie
said. “You need to chill out a bit.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And if you ever need a good time,
just call me.” Tytus winked, earning him dirty looks from the
girls.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm fine, just catching up on my
beauty sleep, which is something you should definitely look into.”
24-42 smirked at Tytus, who poked his tongue out at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just then, M42 walked in.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Before anyone says anything, YES,
24-42 and I slept together last night.” He droned as he got himself
a chocolate bar from the vending machine.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Five mouthfuls of cornflakes went
spraying across the room, and 24-42 simply dropped her spoon into her
bowl and her face into her hands.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Wait...you didn't tell anyone?”
M42 looked confused.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No. I was saving it for you.”
24-42 deadpanned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You two are...seriously?!” Suzie
glared accusingly at the Major, who raised his hands defensively.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“She started it.” He pointed at
24-42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I KNEW it!” Alexis grinned at
Henna, who was now laughing.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You two are bonking?” Daniel
looked incredulously at the pair, who were now beet-red.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Elequently put.” Tytus snickered
loudly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Team A42 were happily working out in
the gym later that day, each of them doing their own thing. Harmony
reigned supreme, even the music was to everyones liking. M42 was
working with Henna to improve some of her weaknesses, 24-42 was
working on her legs (nothing to do with anything the Major had said
mind), Alexis and Tytus were bench pressing, Daniel was doing cardio
and Suzie was working on her flexibility.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was a peaceful, fruitful hour, until
Team B42 showed up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We've been given priority access to
the gym.” 07-42 snapped. “You guys are to get out of here.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hang on just a minute Experiment.”
M42 narrowed his eyes at the team. “There's plenty of room in here
for all of us.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We've been given priority, M42, so I
suggest you leave now.” MB42, who was a weaselly little pig of a
man, showed M42 his paperwork.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Why can't we all work together,
we're all really on the same team!” 24-42 stood beside M42, while
the rest of Team A42 got up too.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We really DON'T want to be working
with the base psycho if you know what I mean.” MB42 sneered at
24-42, whose eyes immediately flared red.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Why don't you watch your mouth you
scrawny little hog!” 24-42 growled before M42 could stop her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Be careful Experiment, you might be
screwing a Major but you still sit below me in the pecking order.”
MB42 smiled triumphantly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Until M42 wiped the smirk off his face
with his robotic fist.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Overall I think we won.” Tytus
dabbed tenderly at his lower lip with a cold towel as they sat in the
lunchroom.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“At least none of us are in the
infirmary.” Daniel added as he held an icepack to his head.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You boys.” Henna scowled, her
hands bandaged.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hey, YOU took out the most of them!”
Tytus defended himself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Alexis giggled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You have to admit they had it coming
to them.” She said carefully, the cut on her cheek still sore.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm just impressed that it was M42
that threw the first punch. He must really like you 24-42.” Daniel
said cheekily, earning him a friendly punch from 24-42, who was
blushing (although that could have also been the pain from her
twisted ankle).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's a nice guy once you get to know
him.” She said. “Even if he is a bit gruff.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Speaking of, just then M42 and Suzie
walked in. The Major had a lovely black eye and Suzie just looked
bemused.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So, how was the lecture from C42?
Anything as bad as what we got?” Tytus asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“A tonne of extra paperwork for me.”
M42 shrugged. “Nothing I haven't had before.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I just got a stern telling off for
not stopping you.” Suzie giggled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They deserved it though. They
started it!” Henna protested.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We know, but C42 didn't want to hear
about it. We all have to learn to get along.” M42 shrugged.
“Anyway, we have the rest of the day off.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Sounds good to me! I'll see you
guys later!” Tytus sped off before anyone else could say anything.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's trying to get into the pants of
one of the scientists. 97TYB32-42 I think.” Daniel shrugged.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Ah. He's figured that since these
two are getting some he might as well get some too eh?” Suzie
grinned, earning her two filthy looks as the others laughed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 was lying on her couch after her
psych appointment that afternoon. Three of the five cats were lying
on the couch with her, and she felt at peace for the first time since
<i>him</i>, which had been a year
before she'd joined Project 42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They'd met at
school, being paired up for a project in one of their classes. Since
that day they'd been inseparable, until the day he left. She sighed.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He wasn't part of
her life any more, not now. She smiled as she thought of the Major
and what had happened the night before. They'd talked a little bit,
and ate dinner together. She'd found out he'd been married once, and
had a son who had died in a car accident after he'd divorced his
wife. She knew that his father-in-law had been a terrorist, and that
the Major been the one to kill him (hence the divorce).
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was
understandable that he was a grouch.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The buzzer on the
door went off. 24-42 lazily got up to answer it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Sir!”
She straightened up the moment she saw who was at the door. He was
wearing a grey Project 42 shirt which was a contrast to his usual
uniform, and 24-42 thought he looked gorgeous.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“May
I come in?” M42 asked with a small smile.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“S-sure!”
24-42 let him in, cringing slightly at the folded laundry which was
still sitting on the end of the couch, the magazines which were all
around the coffee table and the multiple cats scattered across the
room. The Major sat down opposite the clothing and looked at the TV.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Reality
television? Really?” He raised an eyebrow at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Leave
me alone you old fogie.” 24-42 smiled at him. “Can I get you a
drink?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Water
please.” M42 continued to watch the TV as 24-42 got him a drink.
She settled down on the couch next to him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
probably shouldn't have punched MB42, y'know.” 24-42 pointed out,
sipping her ginger beer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's
had to coming to him for a while. Trust me. He and I served
together on Project 24.” M42 slipped his arm around 24-42, who
happily cuddled up. “24-24 was my designation, and thanks to him I
was the only survivor.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
mean, your implants?” 24-42 looked up at him, curious. She tried to
ignore the light stubble that was starting to adorn his manly
jawline.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Major sighed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He
used to be a combat scientist. He was pretty deadly on the
battlefield because of how much he knew. Anyway, after the initial
implants on us, he got too far ahead of himself and decided to try
and turn us fully cyborg. I only escaped death by locking myself in
a broom cupboard.” He looked at his water, eyes burning with anger
at the memory. “He got himself demoted for that foolishness.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He
killed the other Experiments?” 24-42 looked scared. “He wouldn't
kill Team B42 would he?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“HB42
and KB42 were assigned as his Captains to make sure he doesn't.”
The Major leaned back. “I've hated him ever since that day, and
the fact that he had a go at MY team didn't exactly endear him to me
either.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The
guys are really starting to like you now, you know.” 24-42 rested
her head on his shoulder, looking up at him like an expectant puppy.
M42 laughed, the first time 24-42 had ever heard the sound.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Then
please explain why my desk drawer exploded with glitter this
morning?” He grinned at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 turned pink,
making the Major chuckle even more. He leaned in and kissed her,
turning her to mush.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They
glitter-bombed your desk?” She gasped when he pulled away.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'll
be finding the stuff in the carpet for a long time yet.” He
finished off his water. He couldn't help but smirk at the look on
her face. “Anyone would think you'd never been kissed before.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well...there
was one guy when I was about 14, but that's about it.” 24-42 went
from pink to red.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well,
we can fix that.” The Major kissed her again, deepening the kiss
this time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Just then, the
buzzer on the door went off again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
should get that.” 24-42 tried to escape, but the Major pinned her
to the sofa.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Leave
it.” He commanded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Eep.”
Was the reply as he kissed her a third time.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Outside, Tytus,
Alexis and Daniel were pushing the buzzer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“C'mon
24-42, we want you to help us paper the Majors desk!” Tytus
groaned.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-49252277602595293752015-06-19T03:50:00.001-07:002015-06-19T03:50:19.276-07:00Redemption<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“24-42 not here again?” M42 checked
his roll book. It was a week after his near-death experience at the
hands of 24-42, and she was still hiding in her lodgings.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No Sir.” Henna looked sadly at the
seat next to her in the classroom. The members of Team B42
snickered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“There'll be none of that thank you.”
M42 glared at them. He sighed inwardly. He'd never admit to it, but
he was worried about 24-42. He knew about her temper, but had no
idea how to help her quell it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Go and talk to her.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“NOW Major!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Captain, you're pushing your luck.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Major!”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Captain.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Look, you're supposed to be our
fearless leader!” Suzie groaned at M42 in his office after the
lesson that day. “Plus I know you like her.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“<i>Like</i>
her Captain?” M42 looked amused.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Major,
I've known you for ten years. You rarely let anyone see you smile,
and even I've never been in your lodgings!” Suzie glared at him.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That
would be because you, nor anyone else, has bothered to come over to
my place and get to know me.” M42 pointed</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That's...actually
a good point.” Suzie realised mid-sentence. “Still-,”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Suzie was about to
continue the argument when an alert came over the loudspeaker for
Team A42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
are SO lucky.” Suzie growled as the pair grabbed their emergency
kits and headed to the Mission Briefing Room.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Those
prisoners that B42 failed to rescue are being transported within the
next five days. This is the perfect opportunity for a rescue.” C42
gave Team A42 the details.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hang
on, aren't we supposed to only be used in case of severe civilian
risk?” Tytus asked. “Why are we doing rescue missions?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Because
two of these prisoners are members of the Great Nations royal
family, not that the enemy realises that. If they get harmed, then
we'll have a huge war on our hands. Ostraya isn't in the position
where we can participate in another World War, and if we didn't, we
could find ourselves in a fair bit of strife.” C42 explained.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Ah.”
Tytus shut up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
know what to do. Get those prisoners out with as little mess as
possible. You'll have two contacts who will be responsible for
getting the royals home after you rescue them. They're from a tribe
native to the area who have allied with us, so please try to be
sensitive. They might prove to be violent against our enemies, if
they attack then you are to withdraw immediately.” C42 told them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes
Marm!” Everyone replied.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Dismissed.
Good luck team!” C42 nodded as they followed the red lights to
their cargo plane. 24-42 took a seat far away from everyone else
again, looking sad. The four other Experiments looked at each other,
worried. M42 stared determinedly at the front of the plane and Suzie
looked completely lost.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Team A42 doesn't do
plane trips well.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Welcome
to the lands that should be rightfully ours.” Was the welcome that
Team A42 got when they arrived.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 didn't like
the two men at all. Something about them made her skin crawl. One
was blonde, short and bulky and the other had dark hair and was tall
and bulky. Both wore smirks on their faces and were leering at the
females.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Keep
them the hell away from me and the girls.” Alexis growled to
Daniel.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No
problem.” Daniel didn't like the look of them either.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The
girls and I.” Tytus corrected with a smirk, earning him a smack.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We're
here to rescue our prisoners.” M42 said bluntly. He looked past
the two men and saw two children. “Who are they?” He asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Spies.”
The blonde man said. “They're the enemy, and we'll dispose of them
after we're done here.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The two children
could barely be ten years old. 24-42 could feel her cold, sick anger
coming back at her again. She tried to swallow it. She'd spent the
last week curled up in bed, ashamed and embarrassed. She wanted to
make up for her poor behaviour and hopefully conquer her fault once
and for all.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This
way. We'll show you the route where the prisoners will be
transported.” The dark-haired man beckoned to them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The group trooped
through the dark of the night to a small country road surrounded by
boulders and dead trees. 24-42 hung towards the back of the group,
and started talking with the children.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We're
not spies, honest.” The older boy said quietly. “We were just
hungry.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Please
don't let them hurt us.” The younger girl begged.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'll
see what I can do, but no promises.” 24-42 patted their heads. She
could clearly see that they were hungry, the poor things were nothing
but skin and bone. “I have some apples in my kit if you guys would
like one?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The children
couldn't speak, but their eyes shone with gratitude as they devoured
the apples.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Making
friends?” Daniel looked back at the three.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
know me, friendly as anything, wouldn't hurt a fly.” 24-42
deadpanned, making the children giggle.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Daniel smiled and
put an arm around her. 24-42 rested her head on his shoulder as they
approached the road. M42 looked testily at Daniel, who quickly
dropped his arm from 24-42s shoulders.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The
convoy will be passing through here within 24 hours. Our scouts have
indicated that the prisoners are on foot.” The blonde man said.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You'd
never fit any sort of vehicle through here.” Tytus looked at the
road from one of the boulders.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We'll
need to distract the enemy.” Henna looked around.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Landslide?”
Alexis suggested. “Would be pretty easy to do.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“But
we run the risk of harming the hostages.” Tytus pointed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Can't
you guys just kill the guards and have it done with?!” The
dark-haired man looked impatient.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We're
to spill as little blood as possible. Last thing we need is an
International incident.” M42 said. “In fact, the more we can
make it look like an accident, the better.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Then
the landslide is the best bet.” Daniel flew up to one of the
boulders and had a look.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“If
we can get this between the prisoners and the guards, we should be
all clear.” He wobbled the boulder slightly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“But
there's still a chance we could accidentally harm the prisoners.”
Henna pointed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tytus was sitting
by himself, thinking quietly. He stretched out his fingers in front
of him. The goo that formed his Blasts began to work its way out of
his fingers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Slowly, he turned
his hands outwards, away from himself. The goo began to spread in
the air, hardening until it formed a shield.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
think I might have the answer to that problem guys.” Tytus grinned
at his own ingenuity.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tytus, Daniel and
Henna were dressed in rock-coloured clothing, ready to slide down
with the rockslide. They were the only ones who had mastered the
shield so far so they were going to roll down ahead of the landslide
and protect the prisoners from the landslide.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 was playing
with the two children, helping them climb a tree.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They're
the enemy, you're not to fraternize with them.” The dark-haired man
glared at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They're
kids.” 24-42 scowled back.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Their
lives are over anyway.” The blonde man snapped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Cold anger gripped
24-42 again. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask how quickly the
men could get back to their own village and their children, but she
forced herself to swallow it back. She couldn't hurt innocent
children, even if it would hurt these men more than anything.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She got up the tree
with the children and watched the show. The convoy with the
prisoners made its way up the narrow road, the prisoners all
connected to each other with thick rope. The front guard stood well
in front of them, but the rear guard was antagonising the prisoners
at the back of the procession, which would make things difficult.
The aim was to have minimal casualties after all.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hmmm.
Hey, I have an idea!” 24-42 grinned. She turned to the two
children. “You two can provide a distraction!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“NO.”
The blonde man growled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It
could work, provided we kept the children tied together so they
couldn't escape.” M42 pointed out. “That way we could get our
mission finished and you can keep your prisoners.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They're
CHILDREN!” Alexis snapped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That
is none of our concern. We're here for one reason and one reason
only.” M42 looked coldly at the Experiment.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Fine.
I'll bind the kids.” The dark-haired man grabbed a rope from his
belt and stood under the tree.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Bring
the children down 24-42. Now.” M42 looked up the tree.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 glared at
him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm
sorry guys.” She turned to the children and began to help them
down the tree.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No
funny business!” The man called as the trio made it to terrafirma.
24-42 scowled at him as he tied the two children together by their
hands.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
two are to run out to the guards at the back and distract them enough
to get some distance between them and the prisoners, understood?”
He barked at the children. They nodded, fearfully.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Good
luck guys.” Alexis patted their heads as they ran towards the
guards.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“HELP!
HELP!” The children cried as they approached the guards. “The
enemy is after us!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What
happened?” The guards stopped. “OI! You guys!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The guards from the
front of the convoy grabbed the prisoners and shoved them towards
the wall of the valley. They then headed back to check on the kids.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This
is perfect! NOW!” Suzie flagged the landslide team, who pushed the
first boulders down.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“SHIT!”
One of the guards cried, leaping out of the way of the landslide.
Tytus quickly leapt between the prisoners and the carnage, throwing
up his shield as large loose rocks barrelled at him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The whole landslide
lasted about thirty seconds. Afterwards, the enemy guards took one
look at the situation and fled, leaving the children unguarded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 saw an
opportunity. She quickly flew down to the children and cut their
bonds.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Run!
Now! While you have a chance!” She told them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not
so fast!” The two men ran towards them. 24-42 prepared to fight
them off as the two children ran.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“STAND
DOWN 24-42!” She heard M42 command.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 was about to
ignore him when she saw her team mates looking at her
sympathetically. M42 looked at her coldly. Her eyes were vibrant
red again, not hazel, and she was desperately close to snapping.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Nice
try.” The blonde man spat at her as they walked back with the
children in tow again. To illustrate his point, he made to hit her,
but one growl from M42 made him change his mind.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What
on earth is going on here?!” One of the prisoners asked, rubbing
his wrists where the shackles had been.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're
safe now Your Highness.” Henna smiled at him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 watched as
the two men led the poor children away. She'd never forget them.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It's
hard. It sucks. But we have to do it.” M42 put his hand on her
shoulder. “You should be proud of yourself, you managed to keep
your temper this time.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 shrugged him
off and stormed back to the plane.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 stood in
front of the door again. After getting back from the mission, M42
had ordered her into psychological help from S42 – and in the five
weeks she'd been going it was working fine.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This time she had a
side of roasted lamb with some vegetables. Hopefully he liked lamb.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Her breath caught
slightly as she heard the door start to open.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hi...I
made you a roast this time.” She offered the Major the steaming pot
wrapped in a tea towel. “I'm sorry I attacked you, and I'm sorry I
blabbed to everyone. I still want to get to know you because I think
you're a really interesting person.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Major raised an
eyebrow. “Come on in.” He stood to the side while 24-42,
grinning, walked inside.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-52089082598179842832015-06-12T01:52:00.001-07:002015-06-12T01:52:27.979-07:00Cold Anger<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“TEAM A42 REPORT TO MISSION BRIEFING
ROOM. REPEAT: TEAM A42 REPORT TO MISSION BRIEFING.” 1A-42 said
sternly over the loudspeaker. “Please follow the red lights to the
Mission Briefing Room!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This time, 24-42 had a small bag she'd
packed in case of this happening. She quickly grabbed her MP3,
earphones and charger and bolted out of her bedroom. She opened the
small cupboard near her front door and pulled out her emergency bag.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She ran as quickly as she could.
Unfortunately, that led her right into the path of Major M42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The memory of the night before made
24-42 want to go red again, but she tried to suppress it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“After you Sir.” She mumbled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hurry up!” He barked at her.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 sighed and kept up with him.
There was a VERY awkward conversation coming up in the near future
and 24-42 wasn't looking forward to it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They caught up with Henna and the group
joined the others in the Mission Briefing Room. Suzie grinned at
24-42, she'd heard about the events the night before. 24-42 was
beginning to curse the day she'd signed up for this program!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Your mission is to retrieve Team B42
from a cave-in. This mission will require you to work under dark, no
one was aware that Team B42 even exists and a lot of questions would
be raised if you guys were seen at the site.” C42 commanded.
“Go!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The group quickly boarded the cargo
plane heading to their overseas destination.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What were B42 doing? I thought they
were still here?” Alexis asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They were sent to rescue some war
prisoners from an allied nation who were being used as miners. They
failed their mission when they accidentally sealed themselves into the
mine. The hostages are long gone by now and the place is now
deserted.” Suzie told them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This should be interesting.” Tytus
smirked at 24-42, who was sitting next to M42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 sighed. “How many people in this
cargo plane know about what happened between 24-42 and myself?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Dead silence.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I thought so.” M42 got up and
walked to the front of the plane.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The only question is, do I berate
24-42 now or do I wait for some privacy only for her to gossip to you
lot?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 fumed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This is obviously another one of
your pranks.” M42 continued. “And it is exceptionally childish.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It isn't! 24-42 really likes you!”
Henna yelped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Why would we pull a prank like this?
All our other pranks have been virtually harmless!” Daniel tried
to reason with the irate Major.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“In which case then, 24-42 has still
acted immaturely.” M42 walked right up to 24-42, who stood up to
face him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You behaved like an idiot in my
lodgings, then you went and blabbed to your friends. Either you have
no concept of privacy or no idea what you're doing and constantly
need advice. Either way, you have no business being in any sort of
physical relationship. I certainly don't want to be having relations
with someone as immature as you.” He narrowed his eyes at her.
Something was wrong with her eyes. Usually they were on the green
side of hazel, but they seemed a murky brown now. Was that a hint of
red he saw?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Understood <i>Sir</i>.” 24-42 said
coldly. “It won't happen again.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She sat back down and took out her
laptop and earphones. The Major looked down on her for a second, but
she refused to look at him. If she had, she might have seen the
faint trace of sadness on his face.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Suffice to say, the rest of the plane
trip was a riot.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not good.” Suzie looked through
her night-vision goggles. “The enemy are still patrolling the area
– I don't think they believe the cave-in was an accident.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Which means we can't just Blast them
out, we'll have to dig. Shoot!” Daniel groaned. “Thankfully this
vent is here.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He motioned to a small hole that lead
down to where Team B42 were trapped. They'd tried Blasting their way
out, but their Blasts were too weak.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It'll need to be quick. If they
find evidence of someone digging around here then we're done for.”
Suzie replied. “Let's head back to the others and see what they
think.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You hear that guys?” Daniel stuck
his head down the vent.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Whatever.” The annoyed voice of
04-42 came up to them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The pair scrambled off the ledge and
headed back to the trucks. Thankfully Daniel was able to fly most of
the way, otherwise it would have been a long trek over dangerous
rocks and through nasty forest.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The enemy are still guarding the
area.” Suzie said flatly once they got back.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hmm.” M42 looked at his plans.
“Any idea where B42 is?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We found a small vent that looks
like it leads straight to them.” Suzie said. “If we can somehow
widen it they should be able to walk straight out.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Then that's what we'll look at
doing.” M42 decided.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Sir?” Suzie touched his arm.
“We've worked together for a long time, right?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“If this is about 24-42, then don't
bother Captain.” M42 walked away.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He is SUCH a pain.” Suzie groaned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Experiments, over here!” M42
called them over. He got Daniel to explain the situation to them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We're going to have to find a way to
dig them out through this vent without getting spotted or causing
another cave-in.” M42 said.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So Blasts are out.” Tytus frowned.
“They'd make too much noise and probably cause another cave-in.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Unless...how long can we sustain a
Blast?” Henna was thinking aloud.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What do you mean?” Daniel looked
at her quizzically.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I think I get what Henna's saying.
If we can hold the form of one of our Blasts, we can use it as a
silent drill to widen the vent.” Alexis said.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“24-42?” Daniel looked at his
fellow Experiment, who was silent.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I think it should be 21-42.” M42
said bluntly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“ME?!” Alexis squeaked. “But
24-42 has stronger Blasts!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That's true, but remember we don't
want to cause a cave-in. We want control, not power, and you have
that in spades compared to 24-42.” M42 said. 24-42 snarled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Alexis and Henna looked worriedly at
each other. Something had to give!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We'd better get started. The rest
of you are to keep an eye out in case we're in danger of being
spotted.” M42 turned to Alexis. “You have plenty of time. Don't
feel like you're under any pressure. We'll work together as a team
and we'll get this done.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes Sir.” Alexis mumbled, looking
terrified.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Are you ready 21-42?” M42 asked as
he, Alexis and Suzie stood around the vent.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I guess so.” Alexis gulped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Team B42! This is Major M42. We're
about to try and widen this vent so you can get out. Please stand
well clear.” The Major stuck his head down the hole.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He could hear shuffling as everyone
moved back.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Okay 21-42, take your time. You can
do this.” He patted Alexis on the back.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Alexis breathed in deeply. She held
out her hands in front of her. The substance that formed the Blasts
slowly oozed out of her hands, dripped onto the ground and then
hardened. Within seconds, the substance disappeared, taking some of
the rock with it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not quite what we planned, but close
enough. Reckon you could try on the vent?” Suzie asked kindly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Alexis began trying to put the ooze
onto the rock, but it was hard. Sometimes it would solidify in her
hands, turning into ruby-coloured shards that would then disappear
harmlessly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Get 16-42 and 17-42 over here.”
M42 told Suzie. “We might need a little help.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Suzie nodded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What about-,”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“24-42 can stay on guard duty.” Was
the cold response.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I <i>was </i>going
to ask about Tytus.” Suzie scowled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh...yeah,
call him over.” The Major went slightly pink.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So
you ARE letting your emotions get in the way.” Suzie accused.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 glared at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're
such a prick.” Suzie shook her head as the other Experiments came
over.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Working slowly, the
group made progress on opening the vent. Three times they got a call
from 24-42 saying that enemy patrols were close by which slowed
things down even further.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This
is exhausting. Can't I go on guard duty while 24-42 comes over
here?” Tytus complained, earning a filthy look from M42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Would
probably be a good idea.” Henna glared at the Major.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Fine.”
M42 grumped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tytus went to go
and get 24-42 while the others had a break and got a drink. Soon,
Tytus returned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Without 24-42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'll
have a word with her when we get back to base.” M42 looked livid.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“If
YOU hadn't publicly berated her and then purposefully left her out
then there wouldn't be a problem!” Alexis snapped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
think we need a refresher on who's actually in charge around here.”
M42 warned. Alexis continued to glare at him as they resumed work on
the vent.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
After a few hours,
the vent was opened up enough and team B42 ungraciously got out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're
welcome.” Tytus scowled at the dirty looks that Team A42 were
getting.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Huzzah
for the A42 team huh?” MB42 sneered at M42. “Where's your prized
student?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Making
sure we don't get caught. Unlike you guys who blew the whole
operation. Those prisoners are now impossible to rescue.” M42
scowled back.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hmm.”
Was the sullen reply.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Team B42 headed out
in their own cargo plane, leaving Team A42 to try and find 24-42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
see things went fine without me.” 24-42 soon reappeared.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Why
didn't you come and help when you were summoned?” M42 asked calmly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Didn't
think I was wanted.” 24-42 replied.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“From
now on, if you get an order from me, I expect it to be carried out
without any of the backchat I've been getting. That goes for all of
you.” M42 commanded. “Like I said earlier, I am in charge here
and-,”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
His sentence was
cut off as 24-42 grabbed him by the throat and soared upward with him, cutting off most of his air.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're
in charge here huh? Given that if any of us wanted you dead, you'd
be gone in a heartbeat.” She growled, both of them hovering above
the hole where the small vent had been.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Go
on then, snap my neck and drop me.” M42 said. “I know all about what you
did. How you're here to find redemption.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 growled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Tell
me, where are you going to look for redemption once you've killed me?
There's no where else for you to go.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 glared at
him. Her lip wobbled. She landed back on the ground and let the
Major go.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“All
of you back on the plane!” Suzie commanded. The other Experiments
looked horrified at 24-42. She couldn't look at them. Her cold,
evil temper had gotten the better of her again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She picked a seat
at the back of the plane, well away from everyone else. She felt
cold and ashamed at what she'd nearly done to M42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
An hour into the
flight she sensed someone sitting next to her. She looked up to see
Tytus holding out his hand to her. She took it gratefully and spent
the rest of the flight holding his hand as if it were the only thing
keeping her alive.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-67763563333730762882015-06-06T22:36:00.000-07:002015-06-06T22:36:10.526-07:00Epic Fail.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Eleven blank stares faced the Major as
he tried to teach them the basics of gun maintenance. C42 had
decided that both teams needed the training, so the group all had to
learn together.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 didn't really bother with Team
B42, most of them seemed okay but they didn't seem to want to mix.
Alexis and Henna tried, but were often rebuffed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What's their problem?” Tytus
grumbled as Team A42 sat in the lunchroom afterwards.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I think they're upset that MB42
isn't taking the classes.” Suzie said, eating a sandwich.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Who's MB42?” Alexis asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Their Major.” Suzie replied. “If
you thought M42 was bad, this guy is about ten times worse. At least
our Major doesn't have a chip on his shoulder about everything.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What do you mean? How could
anything be worse than 24-42s boyfriend?” Henna asked, ducking as
24-42 threw a piece of rock-melon at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“M42 is strict and aloof, yes, but
he'll defend you guys to the end of the earth.” Suzie pointed out.
“MB42 won't defend his team at all, he's furious that he got what
he considers the inferior team.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well, technically they are. Can any
of them Blast or fly?” Daniel asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not to the extent that you guys can.
None of them can fly.” Suzie informed them. “They also don't
seem to have your superhuman strength.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I wonder why such a vast difference
in ability?” Daniel wondered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We don't know. All of them fell
unconscious during the Exposure, you guys didn't. Maybe that has
something to do with it.” Suzie sighed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That doesn't explain me though.”
Henna pointed out. “I'm still well behind the others.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're an interesting case.”
Suzie said. “After the first few deaths, we had a look at
everyones medical results. Yours certainly weren't the highest, in
fact, you were one of the poorest performers. We didn't expect you
to survive, let alone stay awake the entire time. Even though your
Blasts are weaker than your team mates, you can still use Blasts that
far outperform any of B42. Plus you were the first to be able to
fly, and even Tytus and Alexis can't do that yet.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You certainly seem to have something
that the others don't.” They heard a voice from the doorway. M42
had just walked in.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He sat next to Henna.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“A lot of your problem is up here.”
He pointed to her head. “You don't have much self-confidence.
You need to start believing in yourself, you've already proven that
you're capable of handing everything that the others can.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Henna went bright red at this praise
and looked down at her roast beef. 24-42 went a bit pink too, and
the others smiled at the Major.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That being said I expect a lot
better of you in training. It's time you got your act together and
pulled your weight, Experiment.” He finished coldly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Everyone scowled as the Major left the
table.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I really don't know what to make of
that.” Alexis frowned after the Major left. “What a spectacular
return to form after saying some very nice things to Henna.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's a prick.” Tytus shook his
head.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 bit her lip to keep from
giggling.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Go ON!” Henna urged 24-42
forward.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You saw how the banana bread went!”
24-42 hissed angrily.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“A casserole is different. He'll be
inclined to invite you in for dinner.” Daniel said with an air of
authority. “Trust us.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They stepped onto the escalator that
headed up to the wing where Henna, M42 and 24-42 lodged.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And what are you guys doing
tonight?” 24-42 narrowed her eyes at the pair of them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The rest of the team are heading to
my place to watch movies.” Henna shrugged. “That way if
something goes wrong we're all here to look after you.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I can't believe I'm going through
with this.” 24-42 sighed as they reached the ground floor.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's still injured, it makes sense
for you to try and help him.” Henna pressed. “And that casserole
in your hands tastes great.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You sure?” 24-42 asked warily as
they headed towards the lodgings.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Just go!” Henna opened her front
door. Both she and Daniel disappeared, leaving 24-42 with her
nervousness.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Okay, it's just going to give the
Major something to eat. You're just concerned about him. It's not
like you want to...well, you do, but he doesn't need to know that.”
24-42 tried to calm herself. She tried to think of something other
than the Major and found herself thinking of her past love.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He wasn't anything like the Major.
He'd been kind, sensitive and funny. 24-42 remembered how she'd had
to push him to get motivated and to live up to his potential. He'd
been kind of like Henna when they'd first met.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Thinking of him got her to the Majors
door before she began to worry again. Her heart began to hurt.
Wasn't she betraying the one she loved by fraternizing with M42? She
tried to shake it off, it's not like he cared about her any more. She
wasn't that person any more, that person didn't exist any more.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She sighed and used her elbow to get
the doorbell. Soon enough, M42 appeared.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hi! I brought you a casserole!”
She offered it to him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He looked down at it for a second,
before looking at her. “Come in.” He said gruffly before
turning around.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i>YES!!!</i>
24-42 did a silent cheer as she walked in.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Majors lodgings
were very different from her own. It was bigger for a start, and the
front door opened up into the living area instead of a front hall.
His yard was to the side of his lodgings instead of out the back.
Everything was so clean and tidy and bland. If it weren't for the
gauntlet that was mounted on the wall, 24-42 would have assumed it
was a spare lodging instead of being lived in.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Have
a seat.” The Major said uncomfortably, taking the casserole.
24-42 sat down on the couch and stared at the television where the
news was playing. She looked at his coffee table. A few notes were
scattered over the table.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm
writing up tomorrows lesson plan.” The Major noticed. He put the
casserole in the oven to keep warm and sat down next to her. “If I
do it in my office I get constantly interrupted.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh.
Busy man huh?” 24-42 blushed slightly, hoping like mad he didn't
notice.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No,
just in demand. If I didn't have people constantly barging into my
office I'd get so much more done.” He sighed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're...not
really a people person are you?” 24-42 tried.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not
really.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Neither
was I until I came here. I couldn't help but become friendly with
everyone. I used to just hang out with my cats.” 24-42 tried to
make conversation.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
have cats?” The Major asked.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yeah,
five.” 24-42 smiled nervously.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
only have one. Roger!” M42 called out. A stubborn-looking tuxedo
cat stalked in from the yard.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This
is Roger, he's my best friend.” M42 scratched the cats chin. “I'd
be careful though, he's rather nasty around new...or not.” M42
frowned as 24-42 cuddled the cat, who purred happily. “Traitor.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 laughed. “I
guess I have a way with cats.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
seem to.” M42 smiled back.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 went
completely red. “You really do have a nice smile.” She mumbled,
letting Roger go.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So
you've said. You seem intent on worming your way into my life.”
The Major got up to check on the casserole. “Hungry?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes
please.” 24-42 couldn't have been less hungry, her heart and
stomach were busy dancing the can-can inside her.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Smells
good. Make it yourself?” M42 handed her a bowl full of the meaty
casserole.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yeah.”
24-42's mind went completely blank. “I get the ingredients from
the kitchens.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Tastes
good too. Thank you.” M42 nodded.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 forced down a
mouthful. She was completely nervous now.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So
I have to ask myself, what do you have to gain by worming yourself
into my good books?” M42 asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're...a
really good leader...sometimes...” 24-42 forced down another
mouthful of casserole, burning her mouth and throat.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Sometimes?”
M42 raised an eyebrow. 24-42 squirmed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
can be a little harsh.” She admitted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 turned back to
his casserole. “Is that why you're so bloody nervous?” He asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 completely
froze. “Um...”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 frowned at her.
“Ah.” He set the bowl down next to some of his notes. “You
find me attractive, and you thought you'd try and get into my good
graces and then my bed. Am I right?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 could have
fainted. “Well...kinda...not quite like that...”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 smirked. “Do
you know how old I am? I turned 40 just before being assigned here.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
don't...you don't look it Sir...” 24-42 stammered. FORTY?!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Meanwhile,
you're barely 25 years old and act like you're 15.” The Major
continued. “Coming over here like a nervous little school girl all
flustered and with no idea of what you're doing.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And
there's the prick right there.” 24-42 deadpanned, now annoyed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Excuse
me?” The Major was taken aback.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
don't have to be so blunt and nasty to us all the time! We have
feelings you know, even if you don't, and we'd get along a lot better
if you'd respect them!” 24-42 blurted out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Really?”
M42 rested his head on his hand, in a look that plainly said “Please,
continue insulting me while I laugh at you on the inside.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And
now you're being condescending!” 24-42 jumped up. “You might be
attractive and I might respect you and think you're really a nice
guy, but you're still a JERK!”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
And with that,
24-42 stormed out, leaving the Major looking rather amused.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yeah,
calling him a prick was your first mistake.” Tytus brought over
another box of tissues as 24-42 sobbed loudly in the lunchroom.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I've
ruined everything! He'll never like me now!” She wailed, tears
and snot everywhere.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“There,
there, I'm sure you two will make it up.” Henna rubbed the wounded
back.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
CALLED HIM A JERK IN HIS OWN HOME AND STORMED OUT LIKE A LITTLE
GIRL!” 24-42 howled before dissolving into MORE tears, making the
other four Experiments wince.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're
acting like a little girl.” Daniel sighed, earning him filthy looks
from the other females in the room.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“She'll
be okay once she's had a good cry, won't you 24-42?” Alexis smiled.
“And then one day after you've gotten with the Major we'll have a
good old laugh over it.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
really think I still stand a chance?” 24-42 whimpered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Of
course.” Everyone agreed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 let out one
more pathetic sob.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-87030087697728236082015-05-29T00:15:00.000-07:002015-05-29T00:15:45.629-07:00Courage.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And that's how we stopped the
missile Marm.” Suzie finished her report.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Excellent. Are there any concerns
from the Experiments about how the mission went?” C42 asked as they
sat in the debriefing hall.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
All five hands shot up at once.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We weren't told anything about
mission procedure before being sent on a mission, leading to all of
us being woefully under-prepared!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We weren't even told how to
dismantle a missile when it's on the ground, let alone while it's in
the sky!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The facilities we had were
manifestly inadequate!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Okay, okay, I see our training has
lacked structure and purpose.” C42 raised her hands to try and
quell the protesting Experiments. “We'll see about setting aside
our mornings for more theoretical work that will help with planning
in the future.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Swell.” Tytus muttered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How much of an input do we get on
what we get trained in?” Alexis asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We'll have a meeting tomorrow
morning to discuss the training. You're all free for the rest of the
day.” C42 got up from her desk and left the room. “Hopefully
the Major will be up by then.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
C42 quickly vacated the room with Suzie
on her heels while the others looked at each other.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“More work. I can't believe this.”
Tytus groaned, resting his feet up on the desk.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What did you think this was, a paid
holiday?” Alexis shoved his feet off the desk. He scowled at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It'll shake things up, theory in the
morning, physical training in the afternoons.” 24-42 said.
“Anyway, I'll see you guys later.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Going to go and check on your
Major?” Daniel snickered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes. Yes I am.” 24-42 poked her
tongue out at him. He gave her a friendly punch on the arm as she
walked out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Do you reckon they've...?” Henna
asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I dunno. They can't have recently
as we were all in Po-Po sleeping in the same truck.” Alexis
pointed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I really don't want to think of them
getting it on in the same truck as us.” Daniel pinched the bridge
of his nose. “I'm outta here before you guys gross me out any
more.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Henna and Alexis were giggling
furiously, while Tytus looked disgusted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You girls are horrible.” He
walked out as well.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“C'mon Tytus, you're curious as
well!” Henna followed him out, Alexis close behind.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tytus sighed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Told you so. Blokes are as bad as
women for gossip.” Alexis grinned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not like there's much to do around
here anyway.” Tytus pointed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You just whinged when they gave us
more training to do!” Henna cried as they approached the lunch
room.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 stood at the entrance to the
Majors lodgings, her finger inches away from the doorbell. In her
hands was a loaf of banana bread she'd baked.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A cold sweat overcame her. She hadn't
done anything like this in years, and the last time she'd tried to
get close to a man had ended in disaster.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i>Just push the stupid button.</i>
She told herself. Nothing.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i>Push it.</i>
She tried again. Still couldn't bring herself to do it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i>Gosh darn it! You stopped a missile
with your bare hands you can push the darned doorbell and give the
Major the bread! NOW DO IT!</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Finally, the finger
reached out and pushed in the button.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i>There. Now was that really that
hard?</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 stood there
for what seemed like an eternity before M42 answered the door.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
was just wondering how you were doing...I baked you some banana
bread!” 24-42 greeted him, holding out the bread.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm
fine, thank you.” He took the bread and closed the door.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<i>...Owch.</i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“These
things take time hun.” Alexis brought 24-42 another chocolate from
the vending machine.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He
took the bread though right?” Suzie pressed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes,
I said that already!” 24-42 let her head fall into her arms.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Then
that's good! I've known him for years, and he NEVER accepts gifts!
You're in girl!” Suzie gave 24-42 a friendly shove.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
can't believe you're into that jerk!” Tytus sipped his cola.
“There are plenty of good blokes on this base!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Name
one that would be compatible with 24-42.” Henna narrowed her eyes
at him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“L256AP-42
in the labs is pretty neat.” Tytus shrugged. “Or even
XCZ124585-42. He's a guard, very professional.” He nodded
knowingly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
have no idea. You gotta have a CONNECTION for these things to work,
and that hasn't happened between 24-42 and those guys. There IS a
connection between 24-42 and M42. We've seen it already.” Alexis
nodded with authority.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Geez,
you chicks get so riled up with your “connections” and emotions
and rubbish like that. Just find a guy who's hot and bonk him! How
hard is it?!” Tytus complained. “None of the guys here are going
to say no! RVB4587-42 and HZF3615-42 have been going at it for weeks
and she looks like-,”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Do
you mind not running down our colleagues?!” Suzie scowled.
“Besides, how do YOU know what they're doing?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Walked
into Lab 3 one day and they were at it.” Tytus shrugged.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Ew.”
The girls cringed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yeah,
it was, like I said, HZF-,”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Trust
me sweetie, you're in with the Major. You just got to keep at it,
break down his defences.” Suzie said over the top of Tytus, who
pouted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Really?”
24-42 looked up at the Captain, eyes sparkling with hope.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Really.”
Suzie patted her back. “Now, are you going to stop worrying?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
guess so.” 24-42 sighed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Good.
Now let's go outside and do some exercise huh?” Alexis walked out
of the lunch room. “You guys coming?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm
going to go and see what Daniel is doing. Has to be better than
listening to you lot whinge about men.” Tytus got up and left the
lunchroom.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's
such a tool.” Alexis shook her head.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
think you like him.” 24-42 teased, more than ready to deflect some
of the attention she was getting.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
think she does too.” Henna winked at 24-42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
do not!” Alexis turned bright red.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
They teased her all
the way to Training Ground 4.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-27982988345954725102015-05-22T02:15:00.000-07:002015-05-22T02:15:08.907-07:00The First Mission<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“TEAM A42 REPORT TO MISSION BRIEFING
ROOM. REPEAT: TEAM A42 REPORT TO MISSION BRIEFING.” 1B-42 bellowed
at 4am on a Saturday morning. “Please follow the red lights to the
Mission Briefing Room!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're joking right?” Daniel
groaned as he followed Alexis and Tytus to the Mission Briefing Room.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This had better be good.” 24-42
muttered to Henna as they followed M42 and the glaring red lights.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The group assembled in front of a desk
where C42 was sitting. In her hands was a thick file, which she
handed to M42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The city of Rashbandann in our
allied country of Po-Po is under severe threat. The enemy has
managed to get their hands on a potentially devastating missile that
could level the city instantly. Unfortunately none of our weapons
systems are strong enough to shoot down this new missile. It will be
up to you to intercept and destroy the missile before it reaches its
intended target. Failure would lead to a war that the world can
ill-afford to have.” C42 explained. “M42 has the file, he can
give you more detailed information. Right now, you guys need to get
to Rashbandann as soon as you can.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes marm!” The group replied.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Follow the red lights to your
transport. Good luck A42.” C42 saluted them as they rushed out of
the room.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We don't even get to pack?” Tytus
looked indignant.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Everything you need will be
supplied.” Suzie said.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What about those of us who want to
say good bye to our pets?!” 24-42 asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You'll be back in a week or two.”
M42 replied.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're certain we won't be killed
then?” Alexis asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You guys seem to be strong enough to
handle it.” M42 brushed her off as they loaded up into the cargo
plane.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I gotta admit, it's kinda exciting
that we're finally off to do what we were recruited to do.” Henna
sat down on one of the klunky bucket seats and did up her seatbelt.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Exciting?
We're potentially going off to our deaths!” 24-42 protested.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Potentially.
You could very well survive the whole thing.” M42 pointed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
fill me with confidence.” 24-42 deadpanned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're
welcome.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The cargo plane
shuddered as the motors started. Soon, it was up in the air.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Why
couldn't that lot fly themselves over?” Tytus scowled. He hated
aircraft with a passion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We
don't know how much stamina they have. We want you guys to arrive in
tip-top shape, we don't know how much longer we have until those
missiles go off.” Suzie smiled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Swell.”
Alexis sighed and looked out of the window.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Do
we get an in-flight movie?” 24-42 piped up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What
do you think this is?!” M42 cried.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
have a tablet with movies on it!” Suzie pulled out her bag. “I
learnt on my last assignment to have a bag packed in case the Mission
Alarm went off. Every time it goes off, I grab the bag on the way
out.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Smart.”
M42 said approvingly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Could
have shared this bit of info with us BEFORE tonight.” Daniel
scowled. “We weren't informed that we wouldn't have time to
prepare when we got called to move out.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Quit
whining. You have a job to do.” M42 scowled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well
now you DO know, right?” Suzie smiled sympathetically.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Doesn't
help us right now.” Tytus snapped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The rest of the
15 hour plane trip wasn't pleasant at all.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So
I'm thinking we'll try a land-based attack first, using our blasts to
try and knock the missile into the countryside.” Daniel said as the
truck jolted along the poorly-constructed road.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And
then if that doesn't work, those of us who can fly will try to stop
it that way?” Henna asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yeah,
although I have no idea how to disarm a missile while it's flying.”
Daniel sighed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Cut
the propulsion system off?” 24-42 suggested.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And
have it blow up in your face?” Alexis pointed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We
tested your resistance to explosives, you should be okay.” Suzie
said. “It might hurt a bit though.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That's
not what we wanted to hear.” Daniel frowned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So
where are we staying?” Alexis asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This
truck.” M42 replied.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
To be fair, they
could have taken it a lot worse than they did.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We
have been here TWO WEEKS and no missile yet!” Tytus roared.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Negotiations
must be going well.” M42 shrugged.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're
a prick.” Alexis scowled at him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I've
been called worse.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This
countryside stinks! We aren't even allowed out of this forest!”
Henna whined.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How
much longer do we have to wait? I haven't had a shower since before
we left!” 24-42 groaned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Should
be another week.” M42 replied.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It's a miracle
he survived.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“MISSILE
ALERT!” One of the soldiers came screaming from the satalite truck.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Say
what now?!” Henna perked up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Experiments,
over here!” M42 yelled. The group quickly assembled in front of
the Major.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Remember
what you guys planned. The missile should be here in five minutes.”
Suzie pointed to a chalkboard with various notes scrawled on it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
vote for trying to meet it as soon as possible.” Alexis said.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
agree.” Daniel nodded.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
think us fliers should hang back in case the ground assault fails, we
still aren't too fast in the skies and if we have to try and catch up
with it we'll just increase the chance of failure.” 24-42 pointed
out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm
with 24-42.” Henna agreed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Let's
get going!” M42 commanded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tytus and Alexis
jumped into the nearest vehicle and drove off to intercept the
missile. Daniel, Henna and 24-42 scaled the nearest trees and kept
an eye out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It was eerily
quiet up in those trees. The three Experiments were all on edge. If
Tytus and Alexis failed...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“NO!”
Daniel groaned. The smoking missile was still heading straight for
the city!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It
looks like they might have damaged it, come on!” 24-42 flew as
fast as she could towards the speeding missile.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What
now?!” Henna cried as they all latched on.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Daniel noticed
the propulsion system. “Break it!” He cried.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The three
started trying to blast the thing into pieces, but their blasts only
dented it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“The
armour on it is too strong!” Henna cried.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Then
rip the stuff off!” 24-42 yelled. The city was now on the horizon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It
won't budge!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Try
and force it off-course!” Daniel suggested.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The three jumped
off and tried to blast it away into another direction. They only
managed to succeed in delaying it a little.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 growled
and flew after it. She managed to catch up and started trying to
pull it apart again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This time, she
managed to get one of the covers off. Without thinking, she grabbed
at the wires and yanked them out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The missile
lurched downwards.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes!”
She cried, jumping off.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Then the missile
exploded, sending 24-42 flying. Her fall was broken by a nearby tree
and every single one of its branches.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I
really don't want to do that again.” She groaned, rubbing her sore
backside. She got unsteadily to her feet and looked up just in time
to see burning rubble from the missile heading straight towards her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She squeaked in
terror and covered her face with her hands.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“MOVE!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She felt herself
being flung to the ground, then she heard the Major screaming in
pain.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Two soldiers
managed to get there with extinguishers before too much damage was
done, but M42 was still in a lot of pain that night as they flew back
to Ostraya.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Gosh
it's nice to be heading home! I smell AWFUL!” Henna sighed as they
crossed the Big Water.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
don't need to tell us, we can smell you!” Tytus laughed, earning
him a slap from Alexis.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
guys did great, especially for your first time. You'll get stronger
and smarter with experience and soon these things will be routine.”
Suzie pumped them up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 was
sitting next to the cot where the Major was lying down, covered in
bandages. Part of his face had gotten burnt, and you could see that
one of his eyes was cybernetic.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How
are you feeling?” She asked as he woke up from his nap.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Tired.
Sore. Nothing new.” He mumbled. “How about you?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Fine,
thanks to you. Just a lot of bruises from where the tree caught me.”
She chuckled. “I can't thank you enough, if that stuff had hit me
dead-on...”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You
probably would have survived, but you would have been out of action
for a while, and it's my job to make sure you guys are able to do
yours.” M42 looked at the ceiling.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Of
course it is.” 24-42 smiled, knowing that he'd never admit to
doing anything out of the goodness of his heart.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-63431268200696836802015-05-14T02:14:00.000-07:002015-05-14T02:14:06.218-07:00Training Accident<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This is a complete and utter waste
of time. I could be sleeping right now!” 24-42 complained.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Escape drills are important, an
emergency could happen at any hour.” M42 barked at them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The whole facility was standing outside
in their pyjamas, some with blankets around them, in various states
of annoyance and drowsiness. It was 2.30am, and no one was pleased
to have been awoken by the alarms.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“All personnel accounted for.” The
electronic male voice of 1B-42 said loudly over the speakers.
“Evacuation completed in five minutes twenty seconds.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Five minutes twenty-two!” 1A-42
disagreed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Five minutes twenty!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Five minutes twenty-two!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Enough.” C42 said calmly. “Both
of you can do a check after we're done here.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The old lady turned to face her troops,
her face stern.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not good enough. Under five minutes
next time, understood?” She barked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A general murmur of compliance came
from the sleepy crowd.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“UNDERSTOOD?” C42 repeated, louder
this time.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes Marm!” Was the snap reply.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
C42 returned to her usual kindly
demeanour.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Then let's get to bed, we all want
to be up early in tip-top condition for all the work we have to do.
Good night everyone!” She smiled pleasantly, before turning on her
heel and heading back to her lodgings. Everyone groaned before
shuffling back to their lodgings.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What a pain.” Tytus muttered to
11-42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No kidding.” 11-42 replied as they
both headed back to bed.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42, Henna and M42 headed off in the
same direction, their lodgings all being in the same wing.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“G'night guys...I'll try to be awake
tomorrow.” Henna yawned, getting her blanket caught in her door.
M42 and 24-42 continued on.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What a waste of time and sleep.”
24-42 groaned. She'd been having a dream about a man she'd once
known and loved. She wasn't all too pleased about being woken from
that dream.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Nonsense, we must always be prepared
for any emergency, and we mustn't grumble at rules that are meant to
keep us safe.” M42 replied.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're a pompous arse.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're insubordinate.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 couldn't help but smile. M42
tried to ignore it but finally caved.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What's so amusing Experiment?” He
glared at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You. You try to be this big macho
goody-two-shoes commando but you're so much more than that.” She
said, still smiling up at him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm M42, and I'm here to do a job,
nothing more.” M42 turned off towards his lodgings.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I've seen you smile.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 stopped in his tracks.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“If I tell you another secret, will
you smile again?” 24-42 asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No.” Was the answer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 was about to protest when the
Major turned around and gave her a small smile. “Good night
24-42.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Good night Sir.” 24-42 smiled
back. There was something about the Major that made her feel warm
inside.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Maybe she could move on from her past
after all.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Okay, get ready...GO!” M42 yelled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The five Experiments ripped off their
blindfolds and headed towards the shipping containers in Training
Ground 6. The containers were supposed to represent buildings, some
of them stacked two or three high. In two of these containers S42
and D42 were hiding as “hostages” while Suzie and some of her
regular soldiers were the “enemy”.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Remember, no fatalities.” Daniel
commanded them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Who put you in charge?” Tytus
snapped, running into the enemy immediately.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“MISSION FAILED!” Yelled M42.
“You're not supposed to be seen or heard! Back here and try
again!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The rest of the Experiments shot Tytus
filthy looks as they headed back to the starting point and put their
blindfolds back on. They could hear the machinery moving a few of
the containers around to make sure the Experiments didn't know the
lay of the land.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The mission objective was to get the
hostages out without needing to confront or harm anyone. This was
their fifteenth go at the training mission, and the Experiments were
starting to get irate.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're supposed to be peacekeepers,
aimed at saving lives, not ending them! Now, GO!” M42 roared.
The Experiments rushed off again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Henna, see if you can get up and see
the lay of the land before we rush in and fail again.” Alexis
suggested. “You go with her Daniel.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Right.” The two nodded, heading
up into the air. After about five minutes, they landed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We tried to memorise the path the
guards took, it seems like the hostages are towards the back of the
facility, judging from where the guards seemed to be.” Daniel said.
“I'd suggest Henna and I go back up while 24-42 sneaks in. You
other two can provide distractions.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And how are we supposed to distract
without getting seen?!” Tytus snapped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Figure it out.” Daniel glared
back. He, Henna and 24-42 took to the air.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Down there in that building 24-42.”
Daniel pointed. “You'll have to land elsewhere though to avoid
being seen.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“MISSION FAILED!” They heard M42
yell again. “15-42 if you INSIST on getting yourself caught -,”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Will you CAN IT already?!” Tytus
finally lost it. The Major scowled at him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We will start again.” He said
coldly. The Experiments went back to their starting line and donned
their blindfolds. The machinery started again to rearrange the
shipping containers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 sighed, and checked his notepad.
Suddenly one of the cables on a crane snapped, sending a shipping
container straight towards the Major.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“SIR NO!” Suzie and 24-42 cried.
Thankfully, M42 managed to stop the flying container with his cyborg
arm. It slammed to the ground just in front of him, just before he
fell to his knees with exhaustion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Training is over!” Suzie cried.
“D42! S42! Get to the Major NOW!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 lran to the Major, who was
clutching his shoulder where his cyborg arm met his body. “Are you
okay Sir?” She tried to put a comforting arm around him, but he
pushed her away with his regular arm.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Leave me alone.” He struggled to
his feet.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Major!” Suzie ran over with the
two doctors. “You need medical attention, you've overtaxed your-,”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Leave. Me. Alone.” M42 growled.
He pushed the doctors away and struggled to his lodgings, 24-42 close
behind him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Sir, you really need to let to
doctors help you!” She tried to talk to him. “You could have
done some damage to yourself!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm fine, Experiment.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No, you're not!” 24-42 grabbed him
as he stumbled again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The two doctors caught up and began
looking at the arm. 24-42 found herself rubbing his human arm
gently. She looked at his face, which was stubbornly looking away,
trying to hide the fact that he was in pain.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This is why we didn't go the
cybernetic path. It puts too much strain on the body.” D42 sighed.
“He should be okay, but he'll need to rest for a day or two.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Major snorted at that. He lifted
himself up again, and staggered to his lodgings. 24-42 watched him
for a bit, before rushing to help him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What's up with HER?” Tytus watched
as 24-42 fussed over M42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I think she might have a thing for
him.” Alexis replied.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“She's weird.” Daniel piped up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 laid the Major out on his sofa,
where he groaned and reached for the television remote.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Do you need anything?” She asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No thank you 24-42. I'll be okay.”
He sighed as he flicked the news on.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 nodded, and headed out of the
quarters.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Thank you for your assistance.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 smiled to herself. “You're
welcome Sir.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She let the door slide closed behind
her. She looked longingly at it for a few seconds, before turning
around and nearly bumping into Alexis, who was with Suzie.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I have known the Major since he had
his implants put in, and he has NEVER let anyone into his lodgings
before,no matter how beat up he was!” Suzie laughed. “So, tell
us everything!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Nothing to tell.” 24-42 blushed
furiously, but pushed her way past the three girls who were just
DYING to hear all the juicy gossip.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Aww, there has to be something!”
Henna begged as they headed back to 24-42s lodgings.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Well...he has smiled at me twice.”
24-42 admitted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You mean a real smile?!” The girls
squealed. 24-42 grinned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yup. He's actually really handsome
when he smiles.” She continued as they all walked into her
lounge room. It had been a few months now since the Exposure, and the
lodgings showed signs of being lived in (even though a cleaner came
through every day). The yard outside had plenty of potted plants and
a small veggie patch (which was most unsuccessful due to the
abundance of cats).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh. My. Squeak!” Henna giggled.
“You know there's absolutely NOTHING in the rules about affairs
between staff at this facility.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That's because most of us are
permanently assigned here unless something goes wrong.” Suzie
winked. “I reckon a bit of action could be what softens the grump
out a bit.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The look on 24-42s face had everyone
roaring with laughter. 24-42 joined them.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She thought of her old life. She never
had friends like this to laugh with. Not until she met him anyway,
but even he kept his distance from her.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Signing up for Project 42 wasn't such a
bad idea in the end. Hopefully she could keep her evil temper under
control.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-42858290702152053652015-05-01T16:50:00.003-07:002015-05-01T16:50:48.117-07:00A Smile<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It had been a long, tiring few weeks
for M42. None of the Experiments showed him the slightest hint of
respect (and Captain H42 was NO help in that regard!), plus 17-42 was
still lagging very far behind the others</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The pranks certainly didn't help
matters either. Nearly losing the Dangerous Five Gun had scared M42
into sitting all the Experiments in a conference room and screaming
at them until they were deaf, which in turn had led to MORE pranks.
Treadmills flinging him off, lights not turning on, the computers
opening his doors and very inopportune moments. At least the
Experiments seemed to be leaving his gun alone – this was a
treasured heirloom that he had received from his father.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What the...?” M42 walked into his
office. All of his things had been glued to the roof!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“CAPTAIN!” He roared just as Suzie
appeared.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh dear...” Was all she could
manage. Being the Captain and second-in-command to M42, Suzie TRIED
to get the Experiments to cooperate (after all, hadn't she at least
gotten the Major to ease off on the use of names? She still couldn't
get him to stop calling her H42 though) but they just wouldn't budge.
Battle lines had been drawn and neither side wanted to give any
ground.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Which one was it?” M42 growled.
“HOW did they do it?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I honestly couldn't tell you Sir.”
Suzie stared at the ceiling. “Then again, they all have
extraordinary strength and ability.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hmph!” M42 stalked off angrily.
He'd tried to talk to C42 about this mess, but the Commander simply
brushed him off.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We can always get someone else to do
your job y'know.” She'd said, stirring her tea in that annoying
fashion.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
In his entire career he'd never met a
more infuriating group of people.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Suzie headed towards Training Ground 4
where she knew at least a few of the Experiments were working out.
There she found Alexis, Daniel and Tytus blasting targets.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What did you guys do to the Major?”
She asked, exasperated.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The three Experiments roared with
laughter.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How'd he take it?” Tytus asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's pissed.” Was the reply. “You
guys really need to cut it out.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He needs to lighten up.” Alexis
pointed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're not helping him 'lighten up'
when he's constantly on guard waiting for you lot to strike!” Suzie
began her lecture.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Meanwhile, the Major headed to the
lunch room for something to eat. He found 24-42 sitting there,
happily munching on a sandwich while watching the football.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You wouldn't know anything about my
office would you?” M42 scowled at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Nope, the guys mentioned something
about it but I wasn't involved. One of my cats was sick this
morning.” 24-42 replied. The cat in question was Boots, who had
taken a liking to 24-42s sewing kit. 24-42 had spent the morning
pulling threads out of the cats throat.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh.” He went to one of the
vending machines and got himself a chocolate bar.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 noticed something hanging off his
belt.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Your gun only has five chambers.”
She pointed to his gun.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I asked my father about it once, he
couldn't tell me why either.” M42 pulled out the gun and showed
her. “It's called the Dangerous Five.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 looked at the handle, curious.
“Is it related to the Lucky Seven Gun that the Death Valley Gang
use in Pleasantville?” She asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I think so.” M42 replied. “You
from Pleasantville?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 frowned. “No. You?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The pair stared at each other for a
bit, before returning to watching the game.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What did they do to your office?”
24-42 asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Stuck the furniture to the ceiling.”
Was the sullen reply.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 tried to hold back laughter. “How
did they manage that?” She asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I thought you might know.” M42
sulked. 24-42 stared at him for a bit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I've never seen you smile, you know
that?” She said.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Smile? What's there to smile about?
We're supposed to be training an elite peacekeeping force.” M42
continued to sulk.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It's just that you're a very
nice-looking man who would look better if he smiled.” 24-42 smiled
first. “See?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 glared at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hmmm...okay, maybe we can work on
that.” 24-42 chuckled. She looked at his arm. “How'd you
become a cyborg?” She asked innocently.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Another glare.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're not helping me like you very
much.” 24-42 pouted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're not here to like me.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Can't you try to be cooperative?
You don't have to tell us your life story (I'm pretty secretive
myself) but you can be friendly!” 24-42 folded her arms.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 continued to glare. “Fine. You
tell me one thing about your past and I'll smile at you.” He
narrowed his eyes at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 went slightly pink.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I never had many friends. Most
people avoided me as much as they could.” 24-42 admitted. “You
won't tell anyone will you?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Nope.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 smiled at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“HENNA CAN FLY?!” Suzie yelped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That's how we did it.” Daniel
grinned. “I don't know how she did it, but she can get up in the
air with no problem.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Has this been recorded?!” Suzie
asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“1A-42 has it on log apparently.”
Alexis shrugged.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“WHY WEREN'T THE MAJOR AND I TOLD?!”
Suzie yelled. “1A-42, get M42, 17-42 and 24-42 here NOW!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What's the big deal?” Tytus
groaned as 1A-42 summoned the others over the loudspeaker.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?! WE NEED TO
KNOW WHAT YOU GUYS ARE CAPABLE OF SO WE KNOW HOW TO BEST UTILISE
YOU!” Suzie screamed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hey guys, what's going on?” 24-42
walked in with M42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What's up with you two?” Alexis
grinned at 24-42, who went bright red again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This had better be important. Like
how the hell this lot got my stuff up on the ceiling!” M42 barked
angrily.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I can explain that!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 and 24-42 spun around. Henna was
hovering in the air above them, looking very pleased with herself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not so useless now am I?” She
sneered at M42, who pouted.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How do you do it?” Asked 24-42,
grinning.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I dunno, I was doing hurdles by
myself on Training Ground 1 and I was thinking about flying and up I
went! It's almost as natural to me as walking now.” Henna
grinned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 closed her eyes and tried to lift
herself up. Within a few seconds she was up in the air as well.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“All right!” The pair high-fived.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Daniel got the hang of it soon after,
but Alexis and Tytus struggled. They still couldn't fly by the end
of the day.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It's nice to see you ahead in
something for once 17-42.” M42 said as the group walked back
inside. “Your hard work has paid off.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Henna grinned all the way back to her
lodgings.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Inside, 24-42 was smiling too. The
haughty Major M42 wasn't so bad after all.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-10754273656912245002015-04-23T03:54:00.000-07:002015-04-23T03:54:16.561-07:00Jerk.<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 was intensely focused on her
weight-lifting the next day. It was a quiet day after the testing
yesterday, and all that was required was some form of exercise. The
group had decided that a weight circuit would be fun, so they had
taken over one of the gymnasiums. A few of the members of Team B42
had woken up and decided to watch their fellow Experiments work out
through the gym windows.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“YAY! Team spirit!” The ever-hyper
Suzie cheered them on as she too joined the work out (with
considerably lighter weights).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Is she always this upbeat?” Daniel
turned to M42 between stations.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“She tries.” M42 replied.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Henna meanwhile was struggling with one
of the weights machines.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Maybe you need to set it to a lower
weight?” Alexis looked over, trying to be helpful.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I guess.” Henna looked downcast,
made worse by a snort from Tytus. M42 frowned at him as he headed
over to help Henna out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're very far behind 17-42.
You're going to need to put in a lot of work to catch up to the
others. It's amazing you've made it this far.” He said bluntly as
he adjusted the machine.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Henna looked throughly miserable at
this. It was made even worse when M42 insisted on hanging around
“coaching” her as she tried to complete the circuit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“WILL YOU LAY OFF HER ALREADY YOU
JERK!” Alexis finally screamed after twenty minutes of it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Watch your tone Experiment! I'm
Commander of this Team, and I will run it as I see fit! If 17-42
can't handle the pressure I will have her removed!” M42 barked
back. Henna couldn't take it any more and ran out of the room.
Alexis and H42 tore after her, while 24-42 glared at the Major.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You might be in charge, but you that
doesn't give you the right to treat Henna like that!” She roared.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Henna?” M42 frowned. “Her
designation is 17-42. She is NOT Henna Ainsley any more.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You know our names?” Tytus asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We've both been briefed on who you
once were.” M42 answered. “But you are not those people
any more. Your pasts have been wiped away, you are Experiments,
nothing more.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We're still human!” 24-42 cried.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh are you just?” M42 turned to
face her. “Do you know what the Exposure did to you? Do you know
what it's changed about you?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 knew what it HADN'T changed, and
that was her sick temper. It was cold and methodical once stirred,
only resorting to all-out rage once other methods of vengeance had
failed. It was her greatest weakness, and it took every bit of her
to swallow the chilly anger back.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“None of us have pasts, and the only
future we have is the Hero Improvement Program. Accept that, and
stop trying to cling to the lives you left behind.” M42 said
coldly. “You chose this.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
With that, he turned to the others.
“Let's resume.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“But Major-,” Daniel began.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That's an ORDER, Experiment.” Was
the barked reply.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's such a PRICK!” Alexis snapped
as they walked down the corridor back to their lodgings. “I've
only known him 24 hours but ARGH!!!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Tell me about it.” 24-42 was still
smarting from the earlier confrontation. It was taking everything
she had not to start plotting revenge against the Major.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's just a stickler for rules, once
you get to know him he's actually pretty good to have on your side.”
Suzie tried to pour oil on the troubled waters again.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How CAN you defend that?!” Alexis
cried.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He does have a point, I do need to
improve.” Henna said in a small voice.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes, but shaming you in front of the
team wasn't the way to go about it!” Alexis insisted. “Not to
mention his lecture afterwards about using our ID numbers and
forgetting our names.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I think he had a point there
though.” 24-42 said. “We're not those people any more.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“YOU might not be. But my past is
why I'll do my best here.” Alexis turned on her. “I signed on to
protect my little brother. To save his life. I'm not letting that
go so easily.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm here because I have a debt to
repay society. That's my motivation.” Henna added.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“And I'm here because it's my destiny
to protect my country.” Suzie finished. “We're all here for a
reason.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 scowled and walked into the
lodgings, the door sliding shut behind her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She headed straight to the fridge and
got a tub of caramel almond ice cream and a large spoon. If there
was one thing that cured her spirit it was ice cream, cats and
rubbish television. It was nice that they were allowed to watch TV
from the outside world. It was good to keep up with what was
happening.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Soon she was laughing at some stupid
reality TV shows, while the cats tried to bite her feet. There was a
loud ringing at the door which she got up to answer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We're gonna get M42 back, wanna join
us?” Daniel grinned at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're what?” 24-42 asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Tytus held up two towels and a bundle
of clothes.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He's in the gym shower at the
moment, we're going to leave these in the middle of Training Ground
6.” He grinned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 looked out of her door. The
whole team was there, minus Suzie and M42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“This is the most petty, childish and
spiteful thing I have ever come across. I love it!” 24-42
giggled. “Where's the Captain?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We didn't want her blabbing to the
Major, you know how she's so friendly to everyone.” Alexis piped
up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Fair enough.” 24-42 grinned.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We're going to sit in the lunch-room
and watch the show from there, it's got a view straight out onto the
ground.” Tytus said as they headed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Whose idea was this?” 24-42 asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Tytus.” Henna and Alexis answered
together.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I figured. You're a conniving little
sod aren't you?” 24-42 looked at him. She didn't trust him one
bit, even if he did antagonise the Major.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How do you think I got so far in my
chosen field?” Tytus said with a slimy smirk.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Ruining peoples lives?” 24-42
scowled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“If there wasn't a demand, then I
wouldn't supply.” Tytus shrugged.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You pathetic scumbag.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Takes one to know one. I'd love to
know what you did though, must be pretty awful if you can't tell us.”
Tytus smirked at the sudden colour in 24-42s cheeks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Shhhh!” Henna hushed them as they
got to the lunch-room. They all grabbed some snacks from the machines
as Tytus laid the clothes out on the ground and sat down where they
would have the best view of Training Ground 6.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
M42 sighed as the warm water slid down
his back over his cybernetic arm and leg. The Experiments were
unruly, and it annoyed him no end. What were they THINKING getting
civilians in to do this? Why couldn't they have hand-picked trained
soldiers who'd be more easy to control?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He knew the answer of course (money)
which only made him angrier. He resolved to put each and every one
of those pests in line, starting with those loud mouths 15-42 and
21-42. Then he'd deal with 17-42 and 24-42. 16-42 had a military
background, which showed. He was by far the easiest to deal with, a
quick talk about the use of old names would fix him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He turned off the shower and ran his
hands over his head, flicking the water out of his short hair. He
walked out of the shower and went to grab his towel.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Not there.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He spun around, looking frantically for
his things. “No, NO! I can't have lost it!”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
He flew out of the room, scaring some
assistants who were walking past.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“WHERE IS IT?” He grabbed the
nearest one.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“W-where's what Sir?” The young
assistant stammered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“MY GUN!” M42 roared.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“S-sir...we s-saw the Ex-experiments
run off...with your th-things...” One of the other assistants said,
terrified.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“WHERE?!” The Major rounded on him.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“T-training Ground 6 Sir.” The
assistant replied. “S-sir, you realise that you're-,”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The butt-naked Major thundered off
towards Training Ground 6, where the Experiments were watching.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“He doesn't look embarrassed at
all...he actually looks quite panicked.” 24-42 noticed as the
others started howling with laughter.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Daniel looked at the Major, who was
desperately searching through his clothes. “You're right. I
wonder what's up.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The pair watched M42 closely. Finally,
he found what he was looking for – a small Colt .45 revolver.
Breathing a sigh of relief, the Major picked up his things and walked
to his lodgings, not bothering to cover himself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I wonder how he became a Cyborg, and
why he was so worried about his gun.” Henna watched him leave the
Training Ground.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“At least he's not cybernetic where
it counts.” Alexis nudged 24-42, who went bright red.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-1429665905539626172015-04-17T02:45:00.000-07:002015-04-17T02:45:28.077-07:00Team A42<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So, four of the Experiments are
ex-criminals who are only here to get out of gaol.” 15-42 smirked
as they sat in the lunch-room, having breakfast.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 scowled at him. “Is this really
something that needs bringing up while we're eating?” She snapped,
trying to enjoy her raisin toast, smeared with margarine made from
olive oil.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Why shouldn't we know about each
others pasts?” 16-42 piped up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Only the five of them were at breakfast
the morning after the Exposure. Six were still recovering, and
thirteen were dead.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
21-42 nodded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I used to be Alexis Bagni. I worked
in a coffee shop, and I'm here to pay off my little brothers
surgery.” She introduced herself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm Daniel Kyles. I used to be a
Warrant Officer in the Army. Ten years in service, most of it spent
in war zones.” 16-42 said, mopping up his egg yolk with a piece of
toast.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
17-42 hesitated.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I used to be unemployed.” She
admitted. “My name was Henna Ainsley. I'm here on a deal.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I was a drug dealer. Tytus MacNeil.”
15-42 grinned. “I'm also here on a deal.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The others looked at 24-42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“My name is Experiment 24-42, and I
fall under the Hero Improvement Program, also known as Project 42.”
She deadpanned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“But who were you before, doofus?”
Tytus prodded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No one.” Was the sullen reply.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You had to be someone. You look
familiar.” Henna pointed out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I am no one. I am an experiment in
the H.I.P and that's it.” 24-42 finished off her breakfast. “I
am here to protect humanity, that is all.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Wow, what did YOU do?” Daniel
chuckled. 24-42 scowled and left the table. She wished she hadn't
joined them for breakfast now.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Would Experiments 15-42, 16-42,
17-42, 21-42 and 24-42 please make their way to Training Ground C
following the green lights. Thank you.” They heard 1A-42 over the
loudspeaker.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I can't believe this whole place is
controlled by computer. It's so futuristic.” Alexis grinned at
24-42 as the group followed the lights.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It's pretty neato.” 24-42 agreed.
Alexis bumped her gently.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How about we hang out at your
lodgings tonight after work? You have cats don't you?” She asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Sure! They'd love someone new to
try and eat.” 24-42 laughed. Maybe breakfast hadn't been such a
bad idea after all. Alexis, or 21-42, didn't seem all that bad at
all.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Crazy cat ladies.” Tytus muttered
under his breath. 24-42 scowled again. She REALLY didn't like him,
and she hoped like hell that he didn't become her Team Leader.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The group forwarded into the Training
Ground. There stood the two doctors, a gruff looking man in a
pristine uniform with what looked like a cybernetic arm and leg with
a goofy looking lady in a scruffier looking uniform.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Congratulations, you have been
assigned to Team A42. This is your Major and your Captain. M42,
H42.” S42 introduced the pair.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 didn't like the look of the the
Major M42 at all. Tall, tanned, hair so short you could barely make
out that he was blonde, eyes as cold as steel. Captain H42 on the
other hand looked like fun, with long brown hair and eyes that were
nearly purple. She had a big grin on her face compared to the stern
look of M42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Reckon we could have some fun with
him.” Daniel nudged Tytus, who grinned back. The girls couldn't
help but giggle a little bit. It would be fun to have someone to
stir up!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hi hi guys! Don't mind Mr.
Grumpy-Pants over here, he's just a constant downer.” H42 giggled.
M42 frowned at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I believe in abiding by the rules,
Captain, it's how I've gotten so far in my field.” He said. “I
am M42, and I will be your Commanding Officer in the field. It is my
job to ensure you get the combat training you require.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Combat training?” Henna looked
confused. “We're going to be fighting?” Everyone else looked
concerned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not unless it's completely
necessary.” H42 tried to calm everyone down. “You guys are going
to be our last-resort weaponry, to be used only in the most extreme
circumstances to reduce any major loss of civilian life.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You have been chosen for Team A42 as
you have not only survived the Exposure, but seem to have thrived.
Especially Experiment 24-42, who managed to blast one of our tanks
with her new powers.” M42 frowned at 24-42, who shrugged. “The
others will be assigned to reconnaissance once they've recovered.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So we're the cream of the crop eh?”
Tytus smirked. Henna still looked scared.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How did I end up in Team A?! I
didn't think I did THAT well!” She complained.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yes, you certainly surprised us.”
D42 piped up. “We certainly didn't have you pegged to even survive
after the others fell.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Alexis, H42 and 24-42 glared at him
while Henna looked down.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What my collegue is alluding to, is
that there is more than likely something very special about you.”
S42 quickly poured oil on the troubled waters (although she too shot
a dirty look at her co-worker). “Just try your best and I'll bet
you'll continue to surprise us.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Henna smiled weakly at this praise,
knowing full well it was garbage.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'll ask that you NOT attack the
credentials of my team.” M42 scowled at the doctors. Instantly
24-42 had a world of respect for the haughty Major.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Right Sir...” S42 turned red as
D42 looked down.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Anyway, testing starts now. We
already have some idea of what you should be able to do, thanks to
24-42.” H42 winked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“How did you do it?” Daniel asked
curiously. “Was it the tingling in your hands?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 thought for a second.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Yeah, my hands were tingling, so I
turned around and sort of stretched it out and the blast happened,
sort of like going to the toilet.” She said slowly, as the others
blinked at her description.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Daniel looked out towards the large
Training Ground. It was outside, about an acre, but still surrounded
by those walls on three sides and a large electrified fence on the
fourth. A few large trees were growing on it, and a few targets had
been set up and had obviously been used for gun practise. He held up
his hand and concentrated. Sure enough, a red blast raced towards
one of the targets, missing by a clear metre and exploding on the
ground near by.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Ahem.” M42 frowned (still).
“We'll start with a basic beep test, followed by weights and
finally a specialised ability test.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You must be the only person alive
who could make the discovery that you have superpowers so insanely
boring.” Alexis groaned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm SO looking forward to tomorrow.”
Alexis said as they walked into 24-42s lodgings. “It was awesome
how you and Daniel completely owned 15-42.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not going to call him by his name?”
24-42 went straight to the fridge and found that they'd put her
requested ginger beer in there.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Doesn't deserve it. Did you see how
he was picking on poor Henna?” Alexis sat down, accepting her
ginger beer. 24-42 sighed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“She tried her best, but I don't
think she's up to it.” She sat down next to Alexis, who had just
been discovered by Panda.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Aren't you a gorgeous little kitty?”
Alexis started scratching Pandas chin, ensuring the cat would love
her for life. “I don't know how she managed to survive the
Exposure, let alone recover so quickly.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It sickens me to think so many died.
Didn't they do any testing?” 24-42 asked.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They did – us.” Alexis replied.
“Who's a cute wittle kitty, you are! Yes you are!” She started
baby-talking to Panda, who was smitten.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“If you're not careful the other four
will be all over you too.” 24-42 chuckled. “What did you think
of M42 and H42?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Didn't really like M42, too strict
for me. H42 seems like she'd be a lot of fun.” Alexis looked at
her fellow Experiment. “You thought he was cute didn't you?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 blushed. “No I didn't!” She
lied. M42 was tall, strong and definitely handsome. The air of
authority around him made him very attractive to 24-42!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Did so!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Did not!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Did so!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 was saved by a knock on the door.
Henna and H42 had come over.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Excellent! 21-42 is here too, I was
hoping we'd be able to get the girls together!” H42 squealed in
delight. She beamed at Alexis. “And what should I call you?”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Alexis Bagni if you don't mind.”
Alexis grinned. “And 24-42 has no name apparently.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh, I know she does! It's-,”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Not up for discussion Captain.”
24-42 narrowed her eyes at H42.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
H42 was a bit shocked by this outburst,
but she soon recovered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Nothing wrong with 24-42, Joe
Patrick of the Brisvegas Leos wears the number 24 and we all know
what a spunk he is! Not to mention Jake Clerk, the new young
defender in town who wears the number 42! Am I right girls?” H42
looked around for support.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I support the Crate Hill Falcons.”
Henna deadpanned, earning her three glares.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Anyway, my name is Ran Suzu
Tachibana, but you can all call me Suzie!” H42 tried to lighten
the atmosphere again. “I hope we're all going to be the very best
of friends!”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“With a Crate Hill fan?” Alexis
questioned, earning her a foul look from Henna.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4656045912015546704.post-39475852846252182822015-04-17T02:42:00.000-07:002015-04-17T02:42:29.780-07:00Exposure<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She hung her head with its jet-black
hair as she signed the contract. She now had no identity, no past to
fall back on.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It suited her really. After everything
that had happened she was ready to wipe the slate clean and start
again. Only this time she was going to do things right.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Good to have you on board. Your
designation is 24-42. Please follow the green lights to you lodgings
and wait there for further instruction.” An electronic female voice
said as the two human agents snapped the folder holding her signature
closed and walked off in the opposite direction. They had remained
eerily silent throughout the whole thing, opting to let Computer
1A-42 do all of the talking.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Forty-two. Her project number.
Twenty-four. Her identification number. Twenty-four, forty-two.
Her new name. One-A. The computers identification number.
Forty-two. It's project number.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Project 42 – the Hero Improvement
Program. The newest defence system of Ostraya. Given the civil
unrest overseas, the Government had taken steps to make sure the
Island Nation was kept safe from invasion. The Hero Improvement
Program, creating new super-humans, was part of this plan.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This was important to 24-42. She had
things to atone for. She had a country to protect.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She continued down the green-lit path
to her lodgings, looking in the windows of the various rooms she
passed. Mainly people looking harassed while banging away on their
keyboards. Some people running on treadmills while being analysed.
One guy playing Solitaire (and losing).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Finally the green lights led to a blue
door with the number 24 on it. She pulled out her blue key card and
swiped it. The door slid open. Her few belongings were still in
boxes, except for five unruly cats (Bandit, Tigger, Boots, Panda and
Splodge) who looked rather annoyed at being removed from their home
and transplanted into this new one. They were happy to see their
“mother” though, and all bounded over to her, meowing loudly.
The lodgings were very nice and very modern. The front hall led on
to a lovely little lounge room, which backed onto the kitchen. Off
to the side of the front hall was the bedroom with a nice king-sized
double bed and a large en-suite with a gorgeous bathtub and shower.
It was like a large hotel room, really.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 walked through the lounge room
through the glass sliding door, inspecting everything with
hazel-green eyes. It was a big enough yard, but the fact that it was
surrounded by very large walls on all sides made it seem smaller.
You could easily fit three or four large SUVs in the yard, which
meant there was plenty of room for the five cats, both inside and
out. The walls meant that they wouldn't get out either. 24-42 made
a note to plant some small trees for the cats to climb in. Maybe
even a veggie garden, if she could get enough sun.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She left the back door open and started
unpacking. Her laptop, her extensive DVD collection, a few clothes,
albums, decorations. Any photos from her old life were shoved in the
bottom of one of the cupboards, hidden from sight. After an hour,
the place felt like home.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Now bored, 24-42 flicked on the
television. All her old favourite channels were there, and she spent
a while channel-surfing. Her new sofa was very comfortable, and she
would have nodded off it the front door hadn't beeped loudly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Good Afternoon 24-42. I hope
everything is to you and your cats liking.” An old lady smiled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It's very nice, thank you.” 24-42
let the old lady in.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I am C42, the Commander of this
Project.” The old lady sat down on one of the comfortable chairs.
“C for Commander, 42 for the Project.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No one has an identity here.”
24-42 commented.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No, we lose our old lives as we move
through the Projects. You however will always be 24-42, as you're an
Experiment, not staff.” C42 explained.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Nice to know.” 24-42 sat back
down on the couch.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I'm here to deliver your uniform and
let you know what you'll be doing for the next few days. I like to
get to know the people I'll be working with.” C42 smiled kindly.
24-42 couldn't help but like the old lady. “Tomorrow morning you
and the 23 other Experiments will go through your preliminary
testing. Basic fitness tests, aptitude tests, medical tests, the
like. You'll all get the chance to meet each other, hopefully you'll
all get along. You have to work together anyway.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Sounds fun.” 24-42 leaned back
into the sofa.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Then on Tuesday the Exposure Therapy
begins. Those who aren't being exposed to our conditions will be
free to explore the Facility. This is your home now, we hope that
you will get to know and love the place.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“It seems pretty high tech.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“After you've recovered from the
Exposure, then your training begins. Hopefully you won't be required
on actual missions, but given the fragile nature of International
Relations between various Alliances...” C42 trailed off. “Anyway,
you'll be quickly assigned into Teams and assigned Majors and
Captains. I hope this isn't too much information for you on your
first day.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No, I'm fine.” 24-42 tried to
smile, but smiling had become difficult over the past twelve months.
She sighed, and tried to forget. She wasn't that person any more.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Anyway, 1A-42 and 1B-42 will always
be around to help you. They both monitor the Facility and can easily
be called upon from anywhere within the place.” C42 looked at the
younger lady with some sympathy. “We do try to make life as
comfortable as possible.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Thanks.” The smile came a little
easier this time. C42 placed a small plastic-wrapped package and an
envelope on the coffee table.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“See you tomorrow first thing!” She
said cheerfully, before heading out. 24-42 let out a breath, and
picked up the package, which had five uniforms in it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The uniform was made of cotton, a tight
gunmetal grey skivvy and tight black pants. The gloves were thick
and dark grey, and when 24-42 headed back to her room to put the
uniforms away she saw that two pairs of tough black boots were there.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The five cats were all standing outside
of the bedroom door when she was done, looking up at her expectantly.
24-42 sighed, the little sods were hungry. Sure enough, the fridge
was stocked with plenty of food, both human and feline.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 had a lovely spaghetti bolognese
for dinner. She flicked through the channels again. Some stupid
reality TV. An interview with the Captain of the Brisvegas Leos. A
news bulletin about the Mayor of Pleasantville being saved by some
Knights. Instructions on how to make the perfect pasta bake.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 settled on the pasta bake channel
and started taking notes.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
–</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Twenty-four men and women, none of them
over the age of 35, sat in the breakout room. It was a clean white
room, with pale blue furniture, a drinks machine, a snack machine,
two fridges, a coffee machine, a sink and a large television.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So what do you think this Exposure
is going to entail?” 15-42, a brash young man of 24 years asked the
group.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I hope it's not too painful. I
heard they don't expect all of us to survive.” 19-42 said, worried.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Probably why there's so many of us.”
16-42 said. 24-42 liked the look of 16-42, he seemed like a type to
be a leader. He'd survive easily.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Wonder what they'll do with the
stuff of all the ones who don't survive.” 21-42 said thoughtfully.
She seemed to be a bit ditzy. 24-42 marked her down as one of the
ones she didn't expect to survive.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I know I'll be fine.” 06-42
bragged.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
D42, one of the kindly medical
scientists, walked in and jumped slightly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Goodness, you're all still hanging
around!” He laughed. “Explore! Hang out in your lodgings! 1A or
1B will summon you if you're required!”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Experiments looked warily at each
other.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“That being said, if 01-42 could make
their way to the Lab that'd be great.” D42 smiled sheepishly.
“Follow the yellow lights.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Suddenly one of the doors lit up
yellow, and a path of yellow lights led away from the room.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
01-42 got up, and headed out for their
Exposure. 15-42, 03-42, 21-42 and 06-42 followed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Fifteen minutes later, 21-42 ran back.
She looked terrified.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They put you in a glass jar thing,
with a pipe for air and a pipe for waste. Then they fill it up with
this horrible blue liquid – 01-42 wouldn't stop screaming with
pain. They stopped after about five minutes.” She told them what
had happened.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
About fifteen minutes after that, 15-42
walked in. “02-42 didn't make it.” He said flatly.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 had heard enough. She headed
back to her lodgings and played with her cats. She stroked their
soft fur, scratched their little chins and petted their little heads.
Was this the last time she would ever see them? What would happen
to them if she died?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It sucked being number 24. The last
one. The waiting was horrid.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Finally, the voice of the male computer
1B-42 sounded out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Experiment 24-42, please follow the
yellow lights to the Laboratory.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Oh well. It's time guys.” 24-42
kissed and hugged each of her cats one last time. Then she got up
and followed the yellow lights to the Lab.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
21-42, 17-42 and 15-42 were sitting
outside of the Lab, all looking very pale and very shaky.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“So many have died. The others are
still fighting for their lives. These two only just woke up.”
21-42 pointed to the other two.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You really know how to inspire
confidence don't you?” 24-42 deadpanned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“16-42 was pretty okay though. He's
back in his lodgings sleeping it off. He was the only one able to
walk away, even though he was in there for a long time.” 21-42
continued.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Good luck.” 15-42 smiled at
24-42, patting her shoulder. She sighed, and headed into the Lab.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What happens to my cats if I die?”
She blurted out almost the moment the door closed behind her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“They'll be allowed to stay in your
lodgings, and they will be given the best care we can provide.”
S42, another doctor, smiled kindly. “I'm guessing you heard about
the deaths we've had already.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Was that supposed to happen?”
24-42 asked, worried.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“No. We didn't count on too many
fatalities actually.” S42 looked down.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 looked towards the large tank in
the middle of the room. If this was her path to atonement, then so
be it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The scientists pointed her to a
curtain, where she got undressed. She then got into the tank where
the tubes were hooked up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Good luck.” One of the assistants
tried to smile. The tank was sealed and 24-42 was alone. She could
see the doctors and scientists making notes and doing their last
checks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Then the blue liquid came.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
At first it felt warm. Her skin
prickled and it stung her eyes a little bit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“She's doing much better than the
others already.” She could faintly hear the doctors and
scientists. It felt like they were another world away.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The warm prickling started to turn into
burning. 24-42 tried to keep her breathing even, to breathe through
the pain. It was working, to a degree.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You're doing well!” She heard
someone say. She thought of her cats. That was a nice thought. The
five of them wrestling, chasing each other, chasing their toys,
getting high on catnip together.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Bandit and Boots were her two calico
girls. They were small, mouthy and bossy. Tigger was a ginger boy.
Panda was a black and white boy and Splodge was white with a big
brown mark on his back flank, making it look like he'd pooped all
over his leg.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The pain was starting to interfere with
her thoughts. The five cats were from the same litter, rescued from
an idiot who was going to drown them all. Fairyfloss, their mother,
had died two years ago when the cats were all a year old. 24-42 had
to admire Fairyfloss, staying alive for her babies.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
She tried to keep Fairyfloss in her
mind as the pain started becoming unbearable.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Hold on 24-42, you're doing
extraordinarily well! You're just about surpassed 16-42!” S42
called out to her. Had it been so long already? Time was fuzzy in
her mind. She felt sluggish.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Let us know when you're ready to
come out!” D42 called out.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“NOW IS GOOD!” Was the almost
instant reply. There was no way that 24-42 was staying in there any
longer than she had to!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The horrid blue liquid was drained off.
Her skin tingled.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I want to go for a shower. NOW.”
24-42 demanded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Of course you do, but we need to
check your vitals-,” D42 rushed over.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Now.” 24-42 said coldly. A
strange feeling of power had overcome her.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
D42 and S42 looked at her.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Of course.” S42 pointed to the
shower. 24-42 walked over and let the cold water hit her. The
relief was immense.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Only 15-42, 16-42, 17-42 and 21-42
were able to walk away.” D42 told her. “And now you. It's good
that you're okay.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 felt better than okay. She felt
alive and powerful.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“I feel strong. Do you have
something I can test myself out with?” She asked. The doctors and
scientists were stunned.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Let me give you a quick check up
first.” D42 quickly checked her vitals. “You might feel fine,
but I want you to rest and relax until tomorrow. Your heart-rate is
all over the place and your temperature is unstable.”</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 glared at him. S42 quickly
backed him up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Please. We'll go through full
testing tomorrow, and you'll get to see how the Exposure worked.”
She tried to calm Experiment 24-42 down.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 wasn't having it. Power flowed
through her like blood, and it had to come out. Her fingertips
tingled, her muscles twitched, and she suddenly grabbed both doctors
by their collars, lifting them up.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“Are the others this strong?” She
demanded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“We don't know how the Exposure
affected them.” S42 stammered.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“What have you done to us?” 24-42
might have sounded angry, but in all honesty she was starting to
enjoy herself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You've been mutated by Exposure to
Compound 42.” D42 explained. “One of our informants on the
outside is dating a man who came up with the original concepts.
Understandably, his version is rather flawed compared to you.”
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
24-42 dropped the doctors and got back
into her uniform. She then made to leave the lab when she stopped.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Her fingers were still tingling.
Without really knowing how she did it, she turned around and blasted
a red wave of power at the tank in which she had marinated, and which
had killed so many of the others.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It exploded.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
“You won't hurt us again.” She
left the doctors completely stunned.</div>
Kezzstar24http://www.blogger.com/profile/11140570498958117733noreply@blogger.com0