Chapter 7

Chapter 13

Lydecker frowned in disappointment as he gazed a photo. The photo was of Zack kissing a raven -haired girl. A sudden knock at his door brought Lydecker out of his thoughts. A man in uniform entered and stood crisply to attention.

"Sergeant Jones reporting for duty sir," he barked

Lydecker turned and regarded the sergeant coolly. Jones was the best solider on the base, next to his kids of course.

"I've just received confirmation of the location of at least two the X5s," as he said this a slow triumph grin spread across his face. He turned back to his desk and picked up the photo. "It's a shame I'm using his own technique against him," At Jones's questioning look Lydecker explained "Training Simulation 549."

Flashback to Manticore Base

Lydecker paused briefly in doorway. Inside the X5s are sitting at their desks. At the front of the room Dr. Mary Smith is giving the class a lecture on the basics of the human genome. She is clearly nervous. Lydecker frowned. Dr Smith was an expert on the human genome having been top of her class at Harvard. Now as she stood before the products of her research she was shaking.

"Doctor Smith," Lydecker said crisply as him entered the room. The X5s immediately stood to attention, their faces as cool and hard as their surroundings. Lydecker strolled up and down the rows of desks examining each of his creations carefully. Their expressions were identical but there were subtle differences in their posture that set them apart; Krit stood tall and proud as any good solider, Tinga determined and fierce, Jos was the weakest, trying desperately to conceal a seizure, a disappointment.

At last Lydecker spoke, "Zack, Max, Jondy stay behind the rest of you head to the pool." The X5s filled out the sound of their matching echoed of the walls. Lydecker turned to the remaining X5s.

"You three have proven to be superior in all aspects of your training. I want you to complete a SIM for me. Your target is a wealthy businessman well liked by everybody. The security at his office is second to none even you can penetrate. What do you do?"

Zack steeped forward, "Go after somebody he has attachments to, I have observed that one of the doctors has developed an attraction to one of the guards, when I wounded him her actions became erratic and uncalculated. The same principle applies here." his voice was flat and emotionless.

Lydecker smiled.

End Flashback

Lydecker smiled coldly, "You shouldn't fallen into your own trap Zack."