Chapter 5: Who's Afraid of the Big Blonde Bitch?
Sitting at his desk, Lydecker watched Jondy break, and cursed Renfro for the thirty-seventh time that day.
"You stupid bitch. You wonder why they implode after you screw with their heads. Why can't you leave my kids to me?" He took a deep, calming breath and let it out slowly. I can't let her win.
A faint knock on the door. "Sir? Am I interrupting?"
A white-coated medic from the Psychology unit stood on the threshold. He'd heard everything, and they both knew it. Go on, you little chicken-shit. Run off and tell her.
"Not really. What do you want?" he growled.
"The Director herself has requested that you interact with the reprogrammed X5, sir."
"Really."
The little man nodded his head emphatically. "Yes, sir. As soon as possible."
"Hm. And I suppose by 'as soon as possible,' you mean 'this instant'. Am I correct?" He tapped his fingers together thoughtfully, smelling a trap. Without waiting for the medic to respond, Lydecker removed his glasses, stood abruptly and exited the office, heading in the direction of the Psychology Unit.
***
In her new quarters, X5-210 straightened her vest and tightened her bootlaces. Granted, she was a very slight girl at best, but just like all of the X5 series she created an imposing figure with her hair severely pulled back from her blank face, sinuous movement and proper military attire.
And just like all X5s, she was being monitored every second of the day. Just like all X5s, she was acutely aware of it. But that didn't matter now – constant surveillance had been a part of her life for as long as she could remember, and all that did matter was duty, mission and discipline.
A knock on her door. Hesitant, she noted, even though her visitor was trying to appear composed. With catlike grace, she yanked the door open sharply, absorbing the presence of the usual two armed guards without even thinking about it. Fleetingly she wondered why she was always escorted by them. They didn't follow X5-734 around…but the moment passed and she shrugged it off as another part of life.
"X5-210. You are to meet with Colonel Lydecker in Briefing Room Four immediately," one of the guards barked.
A curt nod. She was above him, and they both knew it. Ah, the Colonel. He's been away for quite some time. I hope he has a mission for me…for some reason Manticore feels odd, strained even. Like it's waiting for something. A little voice in her head snapped, that's not for you to decide, soldier. Now shut up and don't keep the Colonel waiting any longer than you already have.
Obeying the little voice, she picked up her pace and her ever-present escort was forced to jog to keep up.
***
Lydecker's head snapped up when Jondy marched into the room, snapped her heels together and stood at attention, flashed a crisp salute, and patiently awaited acknowledgment from him. Perfect, just as they all are.
"At ease, X5-210. Or would you prefer Jondy?"
The eyes, like chips of glacial ice and just as cold, almost glared at him. "That is for you to decide, sir. I was under the impression that all of the X-series are referred to by their barcode designations. Permission to speak, sir."
What the hell did you do to her, you bitch? "Granted."
She looked clean over his shoulder, never meeting his eyes, just as she had been taught. "Sir, I simply wondered why you would want to call me 'Jondy,' wondered as to the significance of it, sir."
Lydecker's brow creased into a familiar pattern of worry and stress. "You…don't remember being called that?"
The reply was instantaneous, although for a split second he could have sworn she was giving him a look that said 'what sort of moron are you anyway?' "Sir, no sir."
[A classroom. Thirty or so children with shaved heads sit facing the front at perfect attention. Their fists are balled in front of them on their desks to enhance their concentration. A man in a black leather jacket is pacing while he speaks of survival situations and watches them absorb his every word. He goes on. "Nobody can resist torture indefinitely, not even you. You must learn to –"]
Oh Jesus. She's forgotten everything. She's completely useless. I have to do something, and fast.
