Chapter 1; Citadel 11
There he lay, strapped onto a table, his rebel uniform still glistening in the artificial glow of the metal around him. Victor was unaware of what had happened. To him, the world had frozen; right when he saw the door to his hideout burst open. A mechanical arm descended on him and took out a needle. The arm moved closer onto him as the needle pressed itself into Victor's skin.
His eyes shot open. At first he did not understand, he had just been in his hideout staring out the window onto City 11, now he stared upright into strong beams of light coupled around him. A screen in front of him flickered on.
It was doctor Breen.
"Breen, what the hell are you here for?" Victor spat out into the emotionless face. Soon he realized it was a prerecorded message. In response to his outburst the rubber flaps around his body tightened.
"Welcome. I am Doctor Breen. Administrator of City 17." Breen said expressionless in Victors face.
"You have been sentenced to – order- 1 -5 -7 -8" Breen said in a prerecorded manner.
"You still have a chance –Victor Manino-. You can redeem your charges by enrolling into our combine reformatory office. If you wish to take this offer, press the bright red button to the left of you." The robotic Breen smiled as a countdown appeared on the screen.
Victor starred at the button. He knew behind Breen's friendly gabber was a fiendish goal. He'd rather be sent on any tortcher Breen was expecting of on him instead of becoming a transhuman. Never. Victor looked around the place. Small shafts of light streamed through strong metal bares, robots ran from every corner of the place. His bed was on a balcony covered by a window. Victor knew where he was. The citadel of City 11, he must've been caught, but how? In his confusion the timer ran out. There was a short screech of metal and the straps around his body painfully tightened on his chest. He cried out in pain, but it was to late. He wriggled helplessly in his rubber prison. "Time's up." Breen said lightly into his ear. "Times up Mr. Manino."