"Well, 494?"
"It is the correct location, ma'am."
"How were you received?"
"Without any obvious suspicion. Permission to speak freely, ma'am?"
"Go ahead, soldier."
"I'm worried about 452. She seems to be more apt to look into my reasons then the rest."
"Yes, we were afraid of that. 452 and yourself were paired as breeding partners."
"Then why send me, ma'am? If she and I are compatible, why was I sent in?"
"Because she's the least trusting, we may need you to use that to your advantage."
"Excuse me, ma'am?"
"If she doubts you, 494, use it to your advantage. You've been to different places, you're a new person. Tell her that."
"If she doesn't believe me I should tell her that I've changed, ma'am? I'm afraid I don't see that logic."
"494, either tell her that or show her that. Use words or actions. Remember, the rouges are corrupted. Use their weaknesses to your advantage."
"You want me to confuse her, ma'am, by using her feelings and relationships?"
"Yes."
"Ma'am, she seems to be watching me closely. I'm afraid-"
"Soldier, are you doubting me?"
"No, ma'am."
"Good."
"But, ma'am, I'm just saying-"
"Dismissed, soldier."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am."
***
The group of X5s stood in front of a Starbucks counter. Jondy waltzed up to the counter and smiled broadly at the man. "You're new here?"
"Yeah..." his voice cracked. "I just got the job yesterday."
Brin coughed from the back- "freshmeat"- causing Max to grin and whack her on the back.
"Need some water?"
Brin shook her head innocently. "No, but caffeine would be good."
The man started, reminded what he was supposed to be doing behind the counter. "How may I help you?"
Jondy grinned and turned around. "Usual?"
A chorus of yeses rang out.
"Okay, then," she turned back to the man, peering at his nametag, "Jim. We'll have a Caffè Mocha, two Caffè Lattes, an Espresso con Panna, two Tazo Chai teas, a Mocha Valencia, and-" she turned to 494. "What do you want?"
He blinked. "Uh… a cappuccino."
Jondy shook her head. "Ben, you're boring. But oh well. Jim, give us a Cappuccino too. To go."
"That was a… a mocha, two lattes, and what?"
Suddenly a guy in his late 30s, proudly bearing a MANAGER label, came out of the back. "It's the coffee groupies!"
Jondy held out her arms. "Mark!"
Tinga sighed and leaned on the counter, fluttering her eyelashes. "Mark, babe, you gotta help us out. Your new guy just isn't gonna cut it."
Max grinned at the owner. "The usual, and a cappuccino, all to go."
"Who's the new guy?" Mark asked.
From the back, Krit held 494's arm in the air. "Meet Ben!"
Mark waved. "You gonna be a regular?"
Max grinned. "We hope so. If we think he's cool enough for us."
494 slid up to the front, poking Max in the stomach. "You think you're gonna get rid of me that easy? I'm cool, and you know it."
"Oh, yeah. We all dream about being as cool as you, Ben."
"'Course you do, Maxie. Don't worry, it's normal."
As the two argued, Mark grinned and grabbed Jim, who was staring at all the pretty girls in acute shock. The two of them set to busing themselves with whirring blenders, dripping coffee pots, tea, whipped cream, and chocolate.