Thanks again for the reviews! I did this next part in a little bit of a hurry, because I've got a horse show in a couple days that I have to get ready for, so it might not be quite as good. I think it's still pretty good though. I'm not sure, so please Review!
I turn over in my bed, desperately trying to go to sleep, but there's too much running through my mind, and I can't get comfortable. It's been almost a week since I'd arrived back at Manticore, and my body is still bruised. I'd had my worst beating ever, and whenever Lydecker happened to see me when he was in a bad mood, I got getting another 'reminder'. Despite this, I'd been put back into the exercise routine, where I was mocked and punished more for being slower. Since I'm only slower than usual because I'm hurt, this has absolutely no purpose whatsoever, but the trainers don't seem to care. Nobody cares, because they're all so angry over my 'failure'. Screw them. What really bothers me is that my brothers and sisters are angry with me too. When I got back from Room 57C, they informed me coldly that I had shamed them, then left me to suffer alone. They haven't spoken to me since. The people who used to be my family through thick and thin have turned their backs on me. That's what hurts the most.
I heard yesterday that Manticore hasn't been able to hack into Logan's system yet. I guess he upgraded his defenses, and I'm very proud of him for outsmarting these bastards. Him, the 'worthless norm'. This is why I can no longer pass someone in the hall without getting an elbow shoved into my stomach, but I don't mind. The whole thing has me grinning like a cashmere cat whenever I think about it. And he's going to live! All day, that phrase keeps repeating in my head in a singsong voice. All the beatings and insults, being made an outcast, it's worth it, no matter how long it lasts, just because of that. And nothing on this planet could change my mind. I'd give anything to be able to see him again, but I know I never will, not so long as I'm stuck in this piece of hell on earth.
It is hell. I don't know why I never noticed it before. All week, all I've been doing is what other people tell me to do, which is basically drills and sparing. Over and over again. It drives me crazy. What I really feel like doing is going to Crash again with O.C., have a few beers, chat with Sketchy and Herbal,…and Logan…AAAH! Why can't I stop thinking about him? All it does is make me hurt more. Think of something else…one of Lydecker's pain-in-the-ass speeches…Never compromise your identity to the enemy, it allows them to research your past, and gives them the upper hand. He'd been telling me this at least ten times a day for the past week. It got old really fast. Well, Logan had found out about me, but all he'd done about it was talk to me about Eva…Eva…What really happened to her? I never had gotten up the nerve to ask Lydecker, and even if I did, I seriously doubt he'd tell me the truth.
Completely awake now, I give up on sleep and throw back the covers. After a moment's consideration, I pad silently past my snoozing roommates and out the door. Anything about her would be in Manticore's records in the main computer. I'm not technically allowed out of the barracks after lights out, but most of Manticore's security is concentrated on the outside, so there are only a few security cameras to dodge. I was with Lydecker once when he checked the records on the X6 series back when I was in his good graces, and I still remember his clearance number to the room. Positively gleeful, I punch in the number, and find myself in a completely bare room except for one computer with a chair in front of it. Once again typing in his clearance, I get to work sifting through everything about the X5s.
June 3rd, 1997: First X5 child is successfully made. Plans for more are underway. No, too early. I skip through the section to the end.
May 20th, 2000: Last of the X5s is born, making a total of 30 soldiers. 40? There's only 16 of us. Where…What happened to all the rest? I glance nervously outside of the room to make sure I'm still alone. Then, with a sense of foreboding I keep on skimming through a few of the reports, working my way forwards.
August 24th, 2002: X5s are beginning to show signs of side affects, a few of them sparaticly convulsing with seizures. A meeting will be held to discuss their possible termination. My heart starts pumping, and I begin to feel sick. Termination. We were almost killed as children. As much as I hate the Manticore personnel, and I'd known for years that some of the norm personnel were killed for disobedience, I'd never thought that Lydecker would kill any of his children in cold blood. He was as much of a father as the others and I were ever going to get. He wouldn't now, would he? Swallowing the panic lodged in my throat, I force myself to
October 8th, 2004: X5622 is the 4th X5 to be terminated due to seizures. Studies to what caused them have concluded that the problem lies in a lack of seretonin. Research for a treatment is being made. Oh. My. God. They killed 4 of us. Horror-stricken, I click on another date.
April 10th, 2004: X5 training results are still surpassing all expectations. We are once again intensifying them. That must be why they let us live after all.
March 15th, 2007: With the use of X5 test subjects, our doctors are making great leaps in osteo-regeneration. We were their lab rats. How wonderful. Why don't I remember it though?
January 24th, 2009: Treatment for the X5 seizures has been found, aided by the autopsy on X5516 (a.k.a. Jack). I don't remember him either.
January 26th, 2009: X5s 417 (a.k.a. Eva), 377 (a.k.a. Chris) 665 (a.k.a. Jen) and 233 (a.k.a. Mika) were all terminated during a rebellion of the X5s. 6 more were wounded. The committee has voted to modify this incident, as well as all future terminations, from the X5s' memories, so this does not happen again. It is believed that the rebellion was due to the fact that the X5s were angered by the loss of their 'brother', X5516. I remember now. I'd been having a seizure, and thinking I was going to be killed like Jack. Eva standing up to Lydecker, and Lydecker shooting her, jumping through the window, being shot down, and brought in screaming. I remember being told that I was a traitor, and replying that I didn't care, right before the doctors injected me with something blue. After that, all I remember is acting more like an eager-to-please dog than a person. I stare at the computer numbly, before deciding to skip most of those years. I don't think I really want to know how robotic I was. I click on a report dated about a year ago.
May 6th, 2020: At doctor Bunter's request for the use of one of the X5s, X5346 (a.k.a. Sandra) has been removed from duty and donated as a test subject for medical research. What the…
July 19th, 2020: Due to the unfortunate death of X5346, the search for another test subject is underway. My pulse starts racing again as I stare dumbly. They must have modified our memories again. I don't remember Sandra. They gave her…donated her…as a thing. That's all we were to them. Pieces of property. And they were still killing us…one by one. Screw that. They didn't own me, and I wasn't gonna let them kill me. Why was I here anyway? I'm sure as hell not happy. I'd be safer…and happier…if I left. I could do it. If I really wanted to. I'd almost made it out before… Blood drumming in my ears, breath coming hard, I stood up on legs that had turned to rubber. I wasn't staying here another second. I just had to figure out how…
I'm pretty sure this is my second to last chapter. What did you think? I'll do the next chapter as soon as I can!