881 Words, this chapter is short, but needs to end where it does for dramatic effect... OH, and I think the story can be read either way, pre B/J relationship or during a relationship. I have used my OCs from other stories, but this story is not related to any other one.
Chapter Four, Controlled
Jess and Corporal Selby had finished telling everyone in Ops what had happened. Jess became alarmed by something on her screens.
"Medical section just locked," said Jess, "without authorization. I can still see inside. Men. I only see men. Wait, Megan."
"She's taken over the medical section?" asked Abby.
"Yes, she has," said Beverly, a medic, running into Ops. "The men just pushed us out. It was very strange, and...creepy. She turned one medic into a raving nut, professing his devotion to her."
"She's gone insane," said Jess. "I mean, I don't know her, but she didn't seem like a witch, before she told Becker to steal my shoes and made him kiss her. Ew." She shuddered. "Actually, 'witch,' is too good a description for her."
Abby laughed. "It may not be entirely her fault. Power corrupts, Jess, plus, we don't know what the pheromones are doing to her, personally."
"Where are the female soldiers I sent?" asked Bilson.
"I have them on monitor," said Jess. "They're fine, still on alert, but outside the medical section now."
Bilson sighed. "With Becker, Flowers, and Vale all down..."
"You're in charge," said Connor.
Bilson nodded. "I'll happily take suggestions."
The others smiled.
"I'd leave the sentries where they are, outside medical," said Abby.
"Yes, keep the men, and whatever is affecting them in medical," said Bilson. "I'll make sure they put the EMDs on lowest setting. It's not the men's fault."
"No, it isn't," said Jess, remembering the anguish on Becker's face. "They want to fight, but they can't."
"Right," said Bilson, squeezing Jess' shoulder in comfort.
Jess smiled weakly at Bilson as the Sargent left to re-group with her female troops.
"What do we do?" asked Connor. "What could be causing this?"
The others shook their heads.
"I think I might have an idea," said Abby, but she never got to offer it.
Jess, still monitoring her screens, yelled. "They're pushing out of medical! The men are fighting! EMDs are being fired!"
The males in the fracas outnumbered the females. The men had been unarmed, but they were able to disarm the women. Though ordered to fight, they didn't want to hurt the women, and fortunately, had not been specifically ordered to.
They spilled out, into the rest of the ARC.
"We must keep them from spreading, and affecting more men," said Emily.
It was quickly becoming too late. Megan walked along, strutting regally, converting more men. She ordered the ones in her control to bring uncontrolled men to her, and she brought them into her influence. Her control easily spread.
Megan walked happily into Ops. "Hello," she said. "Connor, sweetie, come here."
Abby watched in horror as Connor, despite his efforts to resist, walked over to Megan.
"Connor?"
"I'm sorry, Abby. I can't help it."
Megan smiled. "No. He can't. I'll take good care of him. Now, what should I do with all of you? I have no need of women," she said. She smiled at Matt. "Or rivals."
"Leave him alone," snarled Emily.
Megan smiled. "Matt tell Emily that you don't want her anymore."
Matt stared at Emily. Shaking his head. He bit his lips. He would not say that.
"Matthew," said Megan. "You can't resist. Tell her you want me."
The other men looked at Matt with sympathy.
"I...don't want...you...Emily. I want...Meg...an."
Emily nodded. "I understand. It was forced," she said, tears in her eyes. Matt was teary as well.
Megan smiled smugly. "The ARC is no longer open for business. Out you all go," said Megan, "Throw them out, past the last bit of security, and you don't have to be gentle."
The women were pushed out of the ARC.
Becker pushed Jess, taking care not to hurt her. "Forgive me," he whispered. "Oh, you're still shoeless." He picked her up, carrying her out of the ARC.
"Becker," she cried, tears down her face. She was in his arms, but not enjoying it. She beat his chest with her fists. "Don't do this!"
"I don't want too. I really...Jess, I'm sorry," he said weakly as he moved.
It was a flurry of movement, with men pushing, carrying, and shoving women.
"Connor," said Abby, looking behind her as she was pushed. "Connor, don't..."
"I'm so sorry," said Connor to Abby. "I can't stop."
"You must not do this," said Emily. "Matt, you must resist."
"Emily, I'm trying to fight, I swear," said Matt, dragging her along, half-carrying her as she fought.
"Don't fight me, Nicole, please," said Vale. "I don't want to hurt you."
"I won't be removed that easily, Vale," she said, as she kicked, and hit, and even bit.
Vale moved her as quickly as he could, and finally yelled to another soldier for help. That soldier shot her with the lowest EMD setting.
Vale carefully picked her up, and carried her outside, lying her gently on the grass outside the last checkpoint.
Despite Megan's command, all of the men were careful, even gentle with the women. Having pushed all the females out, the men retreated into the ARC.
"Becker!" screamed Jess.
"Connor, don't go!"
"Matt?"
The women watched helplessly as the men retreated, armed guards standing at the gates.
"We've lost the ARC," said Abby.
"And so much more," said Jess, in tears.
End of Chapter Four
