Here's the next part, hopefully it'll work, but my computer is being
stubborn as usual. I've said it before, everything will make sense in the
end, but it might take a while. This is for all the people who have
reviewed my story and Shadowcat because she's worse off then I am (her
computer fried)...
I don't know what I did to deserve this, the knowledge that no matter what happens, someone out there cares what happens to me. After years of hiding what I am, someone manages to look past it and fall in love with me, the loathsome soldier. Sleep comes easy wrapped in his embrace. Nothing could ruin this.
"Get up soldier." A harsh voice barks. "Hope you had a good rest. We have a surprise for you. Thought you'd like to see it."
I open my eyes to find Renfro starring down at me. It must be big, if she's coming for me. Usually it's one of her men that comes in. "Get up!" she throws fatigues at me. "I expect you on the field in five minutes."
I yank the military garb on. I guess this is punishment for that stupid exploit we pulled. Mission. Duty. Discipline. The words are scrawled over the walls, an effort at subliminal brainwashing. Not Manticore's usual techniques, but Lydecker isn't running the show anymore.
The day's cold, but the wintry wind is nothing compared to the anguish I feel inside. I thought we were capable of taking down Hell, and now I find myself living there, day after day, realizing what it was I could have had if I had just listened to my heart.
"452. I have a proposition for you. You do something for us and we just might let you have a little fun."
"What could you possibly have that I would want?"
"How about a friend of yours? I believe you know Eyes Only."
My attention is drawn to the figure at the end of the "field". It's a strip of land, half a mile in length, that is used for training purposes. I honestly don't think that a solitary person has gotten through the entire thing. Some of the units have, barely. Even with my sight, I can barely make out the figure. A sick feeling rises in my throat. It can't be. They couldn't find him.
"Get through the combat zone and you might have time to save him. That's the first task. We'll let him go as soon as you retrieve a disk for us. Very simple really."
"Why would I believe you?"
"You don't really have a choice. This way gives him a chance."
"You're a sadistic bitch, you know that?"
"I took over Lydecker's job. Who were you expecting? The goddamn toothfairy?"
"No, but he looks like Santa and the Easter Bunny rolled into one next to you."
"You'll follow orders exactly or he dies instantly. Any change and he'll pay for your mistakes. You wouldn't want his blood on your hands, do you?"
I can't let her get to me. If I want to save Logan I'll have to be smart. Keep my head in the game. "Piece of cake. Like stealing candy from a baby."
"Careful you don't get cavities."
"Like you said, you're not the toothfairy."
"You'll run all the regular courses, but I've released the x7s into the game. You are to shoot on sight."
This is too easy, even with my aversion of firearms. What isn't she telling me? I don't have time to ponder the question when she hands me a small handgun and pushes me.
"Go. Time's wasting."
I don't have a choice. I'll run, jump, swim, whatever's necessary. My lungs are burning, but I won't stop. Logan is not going to die because I was stupid. I don't even bother thinking. This is just another Eyes Only assignment.
I'm approaching a heavily wooded section, just off the main course. The terrain is familiar, and I'm taken back to the day that I found Ben. The pain of the knowledge of what my brother still threatens to consume me at times. I'm so distracted with my memories I don't see her immediately. Eva. No not Eva. It can't be Eva. She's gone. X7-766 then. "Shoot on sight." Renfro's words echo in my head. I do, persuading myself that it's the right thing.
"Max." She said as she fell. Not again, God, not again. It's not Eva, I remind myself. Renfro's trying to get to you. Sadistic isn't a strong enough word to describe her. Keep the objective in mind Max, I instruct myself. Save Logan and find a way to beat the bitch. That's all that matters right now. Think later.
I run on, and after an eternity I reach him. He hasn't changed, he's still Logan, the guy who cooks me dinner and stays by my side. He look so happy to see me, as if I'm the only good thing he's witnessed in years. What have they done to him?
"Logan, I'm here. I'm so sorry, I . I thought we could do it. I didn't think they'd hurt you. How could I? I love you. Please tell me you're okay. God, you're alright. I don't know what I would do if you weren't."
"I love you Max." I scarcely hear him he's so quiet. His head rolls onto his shoulder. He's dead.
I don't know what I did to deserve this, the knowledge that no matter what happens, someone out there cares what happens to me. After years of hiding what I am, someone manages to look past it and fall in love with me, the loathsome soldier. Sleep comes easy wrapped in his embrace. Nothing could ruin this.
"Get up soldier." A harsh voice barks. "Hope you had a good rest. We have a surprise for you. Thought you'd like to see it."
I open my eyes to find Renfro starring down at me. It must be big, if she's coming for me. Usually it's one of her men that comes in. "Get up!" she throws fatigues at me. "I expect you on the field in five minutes."
I yank the military garb on. I guess this is punishment for that stupid exploit we pulled. Mission. Duty. Discipline. The words are scrawled over the walls, an effort at subliminal brainwashing. Not Manticore's usual techniques, but Lydecker isn't running the show anymore.
The day's cold, but the wintry wind is nothing compared to the anguish I feel inside. I thought we were capable of taking down Hell, and now I find myself living there, day after day, realizing what it was I could have had if I had just listened to my heart.
"452. I have a proposition for you. You do something for us and we just might let you have a little fun."
"What could you possibly have that I would want?"
"How about a friend of yours? I believe you know Eyes Only."
My attention is drawn to the figure at the end of the "field". It's a strip of land, half a mile in length, that is used for training purposes. I honestly don't think that a solitary person has gotten through the entire thing. Some of the units have, barely. Even with my sight, I can barely make out the figure. A sick feeling rises in my throat. It can't be. They couldn't find him.
"Get through the combat zone and you might have time to save him. That's the first task. We'll let him go as soon as you retrieve a disk for us. Very simple really."
"Why would I believe you?"
"You don't really have a choice. This way gives him a chance."
"You're a sadistic bitch, you know that?"
"I took over Lydecker's job. Who were you expecting? The goddamn toothfairy?"
"No, but he looks like Santa and the Easter Bunny rolled into one next to you."
"You'll follow orders exactly or he dies instantly. Any change and he'll pay for your mistakes. You wouldn't want his blood on your hands, do you?"
I can't let her get to me. If I want to save Logan I'll have to be smart. Keep my head in the game. "Piece of cake. Like stealing candy from a baby."
"Careful you don't get cavities."
"Like you said, you're not the toothfairy."
"You'll run all the regular courses, but I've released the x7s into the game. You are to shoot on sight."
This is too easy, even with my aversion of firearms. What isn't she telling me? I don't have time to ponder the question when she hands me a small handgun and pushes me.
"Go. Time's wasting."
I don't have a choice. I'll run, jump, swim, whatever's necessary. My lungs are burning, but I won't stop. Logan is not going to die because I was stupid. I don't even bother thinking. This is just another Eyes Only assignment.
I'm approaching a heavily wooded section, just off the main course. The terrain is familiar, and I'm taken back to the day that I found Ben. The pain of the knowledge of what my brother still threatens to consume me at times. I'm so distracted with my memories I don't see her immediately. Eva. No not Eva. It can't be Eva. She's gone. X7-766 then. "Shoot on sight." Renfro's words echo in my head. I do, persuading myself that it's the right thing.
"Max." She said as she fell. Not again, God, not again. It's not Eva, I remind myself. Renfro's trying to get to you. Sadistic isn't a strong enough word to describe her. Keep the objective in mind Max, I instruct myself. Save Logan and find a way to beat the bitch. That's all that matters right now. Think later.
I run on, and after an eternity I reach him. He hasn't changed, he's still Logan, the guy who cooks me dinner and stays by my side. He look so happy to see me, as if I'm the only good thing he's witnessed in years. What have they done to him?
"Logan, I'm here. I'm so sorry, I . I thought we could do it. I didn't think they'd hurt you. How could I? I love you. Please tell me you're okay. God, you're alright. I don't know what I would do if you weren't."
"I love you Max." I scarcely hear him he's so quiet. His head rolls onto his shoulder. He's dead.
