Basement
Sydney shivered from the cold, as he slowly began to arouse from a drug-induced sleep. He felt stiff from lying on such a hard surface. He tried to piece together what had happened, but he couldn't. The last thing he remembered was Parker bending over him with a syringe. How he ended up here – wherever that was – he did not know. His breath caught in his throat as a thought occurred to him: where was Parker? Was she all right? Maybe she was nearby
His voice was barely a whisper,
Sydney's call was met with only silence. He let out a long sigh of air. He knew he couldn't just lie there, but he felt worn out, and his back ached more than it had in months. Slowly he sat up, and the sudden dizziness made him nauseous. He closed his eyes, trying to steady himself. After a few moments he opened his eyes and stood up. But it was the wrong thing to do. Sydney passed out, collapsing on the floor.
*************
Centre Medical Unit
I told you Miss Parker, she looked exactly like you. I thought she was you.
Parker paced the length of the room, That isn't possible, Sam. We know my twin's a man, and I sure as hell didn't hit you with a tire iron.
I know.....
It wasn't me, Sam - it was someone who looked like me. And whoever she is, she's got Sydney.
Well, there was one thing...
She looked, I don't know, younger somehow--
--Younger? As if I'm old...
That's not what I meant, Miss Parker. But now that I think about it, she looked younger, a lot younger.
Broots entered the room at a run, almost knocking Parker over.
Where's the fire, moron? Your pants?
Broots glared at her, You told me you wanted to know the minute I managed a visual on the DSA we found.
Parker grabbed Broots by the shirt and pulled him toward the door, Well why didn't you say so? Maybe now we'll get some answers....
**************
Broots' Area
The computer tech typed in a few commands and a box appeared on his screen.
The visual's a little screwed up on account of the fire damage, but the audio is clear.
Just play it, Broots.
Broots typed in a final command and an image popped up on the screen.....
SL-24
Mr. Parker paced the small room, anger propelling him. In the background, a child is crying, but Parker and Raines seem oblivious to it.
How in the hell could you have done this? I thought we agreed--
Raines ran a hand through his hair, --No, Parker, we did not agree. I went ahead with what I knew would be an important--
--You went ahead with a project that should never have left the test tube. It was immoral, unthinkable, and damnit, I told you not to do it--
--You don't tell me what to do anymore, Parker. Not anymore.
Parker stopped pacing, and stood nose to nose with Raines, You had no right to do this.
Raines smiled, I have as much right to the genetic material as you - more really.
Sydney burst into the room, anger filling his features.
What the hell are you two doing? You're upsetting the child....
Sydney moved toward the girl.....
The quality of the DSA distorted and the face of the child was unreadable. Parker slapped Broots on the shoulder.
Do something!
I can't, but we will still be able to hear the audio.
Parker watched as the young Sydney comforted the small child in a distorted picture. The child's face was obscured by the damage on the DSA, but the audio was very clear.
Shhh, it's all right lamb, it's okay.
Miss Parker's voice caught in her throat, her eyes filling with tears. Broots placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Miss Parker, what is it?
Lamb....Syd used to call me that when I was little.
Are you saying that the child on this DSA is you?
No...I....I don't remember any of this. It can't be me.
They continued to listen, looking for clues....
The child's voice was filled with fear, Sydney....oh please Sydney, don't leave me here.
Parker leaned over to take the girl from Sydney's arms, but the child grabbed the doctor around the neck, burying her face into the soft flesh of his throat, crying.
Mr. Parker, please.....she's very frightened.
How long have you known about this, Sydney?
Sydney's voice was laced with guilt, About six months.
You should have come to me.
The psychiatrist looked at Raines, I wasn't given a choice, and I was afraid for the child.
Raines piped up, Stop referring to it as a child. It's a clone. A successful genetic recreation of the original.
You had no right, Raines--
--I have as much right as you, Parker...I think more in this case.
Parker looked away. The child continued to cry into Sydney, who was gently rubbing her back trying to calm her.
Let me get her to sleep, and we can continue this conversation upstairs.
Raines left quickly and Parker approached Sydney.
She looks so much like my angel at this age.
Exactly, yes.
Parker looked at the floor and cleared his throat, Take care of her, Sydney.
Yes sir.
Parker left the room, and Sydney pulled the child from his neck and carefully placed her on the bed, tucking her in.
You should go to sleep now, lamb.
Sydney started up, but the girl grabbed his hand, Please Sydney...stay until I fall asleep. Please....
Sydney placed the tiny hand inside his own large one, Okay. But only until you fall asleep.
The DSA ended and only silence filled the room. Broots looked at Parker, whose face was covered with tears. He reached for some kleenex and handed it to her.
I'm sorry, Miss Parker.
And I thought he was only like that with me. I should have known it was all a lie.
Sydney cares about you, Miss Parker, you know that.
Parker let out a hollow laugh, Sydney cares about me? Sydney wouldn't know an honest emotion if it bit his ancient ass.
That's not true, Miss Parker. Sydney's as much of a victim of the Centre as any of the rest of us.
Bullshit, Broots. How many more lies do you think we'll uncover at this place? A hundred? A thousand? Today we find out I have a clone, what do you think we'll find tomorrow? The tech remained silent and Parker continued, And each time, Sydney is right in the middle of it. The only question left to ask is why it still surprises me.
Parker's heels echoed down the hall as she pounded into the marble flooring. Broots had no answers for her questions. He doubted that anyone did. The only thing he knew was that Sydney was in trouble, and now it looked like Parker might turn her back on him. He was going to have to enlist the help of some unlikely allies....
