Exceeding Standards:
It was simple. The X5s were given the list that I had made up; they had to find what the listed items were and figure out how they were all connected. The TAC leaders had helped me put it all together and a psychologist had cleared it. We were set. My test was designed to make the X5s use their training and abilities, along with problem solving and logical thinking skills. Lydecker seemed impressed -- we were both looking forward to seeing how they would do.
The first few items they found with relative ease -- they were just serial numbers of things that had been replaced back when the X2s had been around. The serial numbers led them to find out when and why those items had been replaced.
X1-547 was also on their list. While the X5s weren't allowed to have contact with him, there were other ways to find information about him.
The X1s that were still on the base lived up on the 4th floor. The X5s weren't allowed on that floor, of course. But they were allowed on the 6th floor -- which is where they started. There were files stored in the west wing up there on the top floor -- how those X5s knew that I don't know, but that's where they went. The file cabinets were locked, but I guess their genes contained pickpocket skills because they were in those files within minutes.
Lydecker smiled, obviously pleased. He and I were watching the X5s' progress from the control room, also on the 6th floor, via the surveillance systems.
X5-599 was leading the group. He split them up to find the X1's file faster. In less the a minute X5-656 had the file.
"X1-547. Admitted to infirmary for multiple injuries. Cause: attacked by X2s while returning to base from a mission." X5-656 read.
"The X2s attacked him?" X5-734 asked.
"That's what it says."
"So our mystery is the X2s." Stated X5-452.
"She's a quick one." I heard Lydecker mumble. I glanced at him. I was surprised to hear her talk how she just had. She had a voice. It was good to hear the X5s talk like real people.
"We never heard about the X2s." X5-656 replied.
"Exactly, something must have happened to them," answered X5-452.
"Right, okay, what's next on the list?" X5-599 asked.
"Yellow Eyes."
"The Nomlies." All eyes turned to X5-493 when he spoke.
"Okay, to the basement. Move out." Ordered X5-599.
They had only been down to the basement once. Marching behind Lydecker, they had gone right past the four X2s down there -- and had been frightened by them.
X2-723 jumped at them from behind his cell's barred door. The X5s tried not to jump in fright.
"She wants you too!" He snarled at them, "Go to her! To the forest. Escape from here!" Lydecker frowned.
"The Nomly, he has yellow eyes." X5-493 said. He seemed almost fascinated.
"Right. He's also crazy. Lets move out." At that, they ran, in perfect formation as always, out of the basement. Next, and last, on their list was 'Blood stains' Lydecker didn't even know where those were. They tried Sector 9 first -- but that place, with its glaring white lights and stainless steel equipment, was perfectly sterilized. They then tried the sparring rooms and training areas -- still nothing. They went to Sector 7 into the rooms where information had been tortured out of people. Still nothing. They were running out of time. They gathered in Block 12 to talk the mystery through.
"Okay, we know the X2s went crazy, and that they attacked that X1."
"Right, and all the serial numbers we found date back to around that time."
"So they must have attacked other people too, and broken a lot of equipment in the process."
"But there are only four X2s still at Manticore."
"Maybe they went somewhere else."
"Is there anywhere else?" Only silence was the response.
"I think we're supposed to find out what happened to the other X2s."
"They would've shot them -- killed them. What else is there to do with them? They wouldn't allow psychotic soldiers to live."
"So those stains we're looking for must be where they were killed."
They were all quiet in thought for a moment.
"Our lesson yesterday, on assassination, said that the easiest way to execute someone in while the person is asleep. That way there won't be a struggle."
"But we only have access to Block 12..." The voice trailed off. They all looked at each other for a moment. X5-599 gave some hand signals. They split up and began searching their own block.
"Over here." X5-656 said. They all gathered in the back corner.
"And here," X5-493 said. He was along the west wall.
Lydecker got up and went to them. I continued to watch on the monitor.
"Good work, soldiers, you've solved the mystery of the X2s within the time. They did implode, they did attack people, and we had no choice but to terminate. That's what happens to soldiers who disobey Manticore." I grinned as I realized the double message. I went back to my musings about the X5s talking. They talked to each other like normal brothers and sisters would. So much more relaxed then how they were on the training field or elsewhere. My thoughts returned to Lydecker and his double message, I should've seen that one coming. Well, now they know. I was pretty impressed with how well those kids had done.
It was simple. The X5s were given the list that I had made up; they had to find what the listed items were and figure out how they were all connected. The TAC leaders had helped me put it all together and a psychologist had cleared it. We were set. My test was designed to make the X5s use their training and abilities, along with problem solving and logical thinking skills. Lydecker seemed impressed -- we were both looking forward to seeing how they would do.
The first few items they found with relative ease -- they were just serial numbers of things that had been replaced back when the X2s had been around. The serial numbers led them to find out when and why those items had been replaced.
X1-547 was also on their list. While the X5s weren't allowed to have contact with him, there were other ways to find information about him.
The X1s that were still on the base lived up on the 4th floor. The X5s weren't allowed on that floor, of course. But they were allowed on the 6th floor -- which is where they started. There were files stored in the west wing up there on the top floor -- how those X5s knew that I don't know, but that's where they went. The file cabinets were locked, but I guess their genes contained pickpocket skills because they were in those files within minutes.
Lydecker smiled, obviously pleased. He and I were watching the X5s' progress from the control room, also on the 6th floor, via the surveillance systems.
X5-599 was leading the group. He split them up to find the X1's file faster. In less the a minute X5-656 had the file.
"X1-547. Admitted to infirmary for multiple injuries. Cause: attacked by X2s while returning to base from a mission." X5-656 read.
"The X2s attacked him?" X5-734 asked.
"That's what it says."
"So our mystery is the X2s." Stated X5-452.
"She's a quick one." I heard Lydecker mumble. I glanced at him. I was surprised to hear her talk how she just had. She had a voice. It was good to hear the X5s talk like real people.
"We never heard about the X2s." X5-656 replied.
"Exactly, something must have happened to them," answered X5-452.
"Right, okay, what's next on the list?" X5-599 asked.
"Yellow Eyes."
"The Nomlies." All eyes turned to X5-493 when he spoke.
"Okay, to the basement. Move out." Ordered X5-599.
They had only been down to the basement once. Marching behind Lydecker, they had gone right past the four X2s down there -- and had been frightened by them.
X2-723 jumped at them from behind his cell's barred door. The X5s tried not to jump in fright.
"She wants you too!" He snarled at them, "Go to her! To the forest. Escape from here!" Lydecker frowned.
"The Nomly, he has yellow eyes." X5-493 said. He seemed almost fascinated.
"Right. He's also crazy. Lets move out." At that, they ran, in perfect formation as always, out of the basement. Next, and last, on their list was 'Blood stains' Lydecker didn't even know where those were. They tried Sector 9 first -- but that place, with its glaring white lights and stainless steel equipment, was perfectly sterilized. They then tried the sparring rooms and training areas -- still nothing. They went to Sector 7 into the rooms where information had been tortured out of people. Still nothing. They were running out of time. They gathered in Block 12 to talk the mystery through.
"Okay, we know the X2s went crazy, and that they attacked that X1."
"Right, and all the serial numbers we found date back to around that time."
"So they must have attacked other people too, and broken a lot of equipment in the process."
"But there are only four X2s still at Manticore."
"Maybe they went somewhere else."
"Is there anywhere else?" Only silence was the response.
"I think we're supposed to find out what happened to the other X2s."
"They would've shot them -- killed them. What else is there to do with them? They wouldn't allow psychotic soldiers to live."
"So those stains we're looking for must be where they were killed."
They were all quiet in thought for a moment.
"Our lesson yesterday, on assassination, said that the easiest way to execute someone in while the person is asleep. That way there won't be a struggle."
"But we only have access to Block 12..." The voice trailed off. They all looked at each other for a moment. X5-599 gave some hand signals. They split up and began searching their own block.
"Over here." X5-656 said. They all gathered in the back corner.
"And here," X5-493 said. He was along the west wall.
Lydecker got up and went to them. I continued to watch on the monitor.
"Good work, soldiers, you've solved the mystery of the X2s within the time. They did implode, they did attack people, and we had no choice but to terminate. That's what happens to soldiers who disobey Manticore." I grinned as I realized the double message. I went back to my musings about the X5s talking. They talked to each other like normal brothers and sisters would. So much more relaxed then how they were on the training field or elsewhere. My thoughts returned to Lydecker and his double message, I should've seen that one coming. Well, now they know. I was pretty impressed with how well those kids had done.