Chapter 7

Chapter 29

Jondy let a satisfied smile play at her lips.


'Damn! You go girl!' she smirked from her perch in the tree above the oblivious couple. 'I am so good.' she thought triumphantly as she silently made her way down the tree and into the dark twisting shadows. Max wouldn't stay in her passion- induced haze forever and would surly not appreciate an audience.

' 'Sides I'll squeeze her for all the details later.' Feeling like she deserved a treat for all her "hard work" Jondy ducked into the late night bakery. She was immediately assault with the smells, biscuits, cakes and other delights. With childlike eagerness Jondy paid for her Chocolate Slice and began munching as she walked down the darkened streets. Food had been one of the hardest things to become accustomed to Jondy reflected as she savored every bite. At Manticore food had a sole purpose. To provide nitration for soldiers no difference was established between good and bad. The only altering in routine was punishment. You just ate what you were given. In the real world food was eaten for pleasure and enjoyment as well as its nutritional value.

Smiling contentedly Jondy tossed the paper bag into the nearest trashcan. Suddenly her hypersensitive hearing caught a sickeningly familiar sound, the wheeze of the artificial breathing machine. Seized by an all-encompassing fear Jondy's mind automatically switched to the cold, calculated mind of a solider. Scanning the area for the origin of the sound she immediately used her enhanced vision to zero in on an old man driving down the street opposite in a motorized wheelchair. He was good 400 meters away but thanks to the cleaver folks at Manticore she was able to see him clearly.

'It wasn't him!' That simple thought dance joyfully through her terrified mind as she stumbled into an abandoned ally before sinking into a tight ball. She could feel the sheen of preparation on her forehead and her heart thundered erratically in her ears. 'Snap out of it solider! You can't let your past effect you like this!' The weak command was no more convincing then her futile attempt at regulating her heartbeat. He still terrified her.


FLASHBACK Manticore Base

"Wheeze."

The distinctive sound followed by the smell of Tobacco caused the small group of X5s to immediately stop their paired hand to hand combat routine and snap to attention. Lydecker entered the room followed by the man simply known as "The Overseer".

The Overseer was and elderly man with numerous health problems. His identifying wheelchair carried an oxygen-tank, as he was unable to breathe on his own. Why he continued to smoke was a mystery to Jondy. It was no doubt the source of the majority of his health problems. It could also be a weakness she analyzed. He was one of Manticore's major financiers. He came sporadically to look on his investment.

The tires skidded slightly with soft whirring sound as he drove onto the workout mats. His sharp obsidian eyes held the gazed of each of the group separately. He gave a slight nod of approval to Lydecker who had came to stand beside him. "You've done a good job with this batch, Deck." he said amiably, taking another puff of his cigar.

Lydecker nodded curtly, keeping his gaze fixed on the X5s. "I'll take that one," he said gruffly pointing a bony finger at Jondy, who looked towards Lydecker for further instructions. Lydecker indicated with a quick nod Jondy saluted stiffly before following Overseer out of the Gym.

Jondy kept her pace even with the motorized char as she mutely heeded any change in direction. The only sounds were the whirring of the various machines on the elderly man's chair. Jondy tried to maintain the expressionless mask and fight the fear that she felt surging within her. 'What did he have planed for her?'

Whenever he came to Manticore the Overseer would randomly select an X5 to test. Apparently this was her time. Overseer held up an emaciated hand as they approached a sealed door. His hands moved with surprising swiftness over the security pad before he shoved Jondy inside.

After recovering from the initial disorientation Jondy quickly fell into a defensive crouch as she sensed another presence in the room with her. Golden eyes glistened menacingly. Suddenly the beast leaped Jody locked gazes with Overseer through the window. Calm brown met defiant blue as his voice echoed mechanically through the speaker. "Do not engage."


END FLASHBACK

Jondy roughly shook her head. 'Don't go there."

"Solider?" a voice whispered.

Acting on the adrenaline that was plumping through her system Jondy sprung up, catching hold of her assailant's jacket and slamming him into the wall.

"What the Hell is up with you?" Zack asked grabbing hold of Jondy wrist before she could land a punch.

"Zack, I'm sorry." she gasped breathlessly.

Zack gave her a scornful shove. "Snap out of it!" He ordered, "The past is the past". He had recognized the signs of a flashback.

Jondy laughed humorlessly. "This coming from the man who believes we can only live by Manticore's freaking restrictions, oh the irony." She glared daggers at him. "I've got something to discuss with you." she said changing the subject before they could begin fighting again.

"What? Trouble with your unicorns?" he asked spitefully.

"Very funny Zack. Your sense of humor is truly awe-inspiring." Jondy drawled dryly.

Zack crossed his arms and assumed his classic posture of weary anticipation. "What to you want soldier?" he asked.

"I want you to give me the duties of leader." she replied bluntly preparing herself for the backlash.

"No."

"Zack listen..." she implored silently willing her stubborn brother to see reason.

"Jondy, you and the others are my responsibility and mine alone!" he said forcefully, "Regardless of any anomalies."

"Is that all Cat is to you? A God damn anomaly?"

"My feelings for Caitlin do not factor into this." Zack hissed sharply. "I have a sworn duty to protect you and the others, I do not intend to abandon them." He finished turning away clearly indicating that he believed this conversation to be over.

"We're not children anymore brother," she said, gripping his shoulder at forcing him to look around, "We're not the scared soldiers leaving everything we knew, including dead siblings." Her words were calm but her voice cracked with suppressed pain. Jondy steeled herself resolutely, this was no time to be weak! "We all grownup now brother and can look after ourselves." she tensed as Zack's eyes flashed.

"All grownup huh?" he mocked. He bore down on her. "We are pursued, hunted and tortured. They don't give a damn about who we are or what lives we have created; we're just lab rats, expendable creations." He hissed, "We can never have normal lives! Come down from your rich girl perch...do you really think Manticore will hesitate in using Cat or anyone else we form attachments to again?"

Jondy wanted to scream and rant at her brother, not listen to this freaking speech again!

Zack didn't give her the chance to speak though, "When I said I couldn't leave her...I lied I can and I will leave eventually because without me she can live a good life."

"Oh please spare me that speech." Jondy said, "You can't give her what "she wants" yada yada.... I've heard enough of that crap."

"I thought it was the ultimate romantic sacrifice," he said, "Loving someone enough to let them go...or whatever." he ran a hand through his hair.

"I don't disagree with the sentiment brother," Jondy acknowledged, "I find it quite noble in fact, what frustrates me is the fact that you COULD make it work if you wanted too/"

"How?" he asked.

"Let's look at this from a soldier's view point...shell we? Cat's family is one of the most influential in the technology sector...therefore you could have access to the latest advancements." she began, "Secondly she is intelligent and resourceful a good ally." Zack nodded curtly.

Before Jondy could continue Zack broke in, "All this is beside the point...somebody has to watch over the others and it is my responsibility."

"Why can't it be mine? I made the same promise...to watch over and protect."

"I am designated CO." Zack stated "If I gave control to you they'd all go AWOL."

Jondy rolled her eyes at the unsubtle insult "You really think I'm that far removed from reality?"

"Yes." Zack stated bluntly.

"I know what it takes to be leader."

"No you don't Cupid... go back to your romantic fairytale."

Jondy drew breath in sharply and swung her fist it connect solidly with his unsuspecting jaw. "Enough!"

Zack merely smiled sardonically. "So little kittens do have teeth after all." he said rubbing his jaw gingerly.

"Damn straight."

Jondy began to regret what she had done when a blackish bruise began to swell on the effected area. "Come on. I'll put some ice on that." she said offer her hand in wordless apology.

"Glad to see that being a rich girl hasn't dulled you strength solider."

"Shut up Zack, this conversation is far from over."

"I didn't think it was sister dearest."