Basement
The clone pushed Jarod down the stairs of the basement and slammed the door shut. It took a moment for Jarod's eyes to adjust to the dimness of the room, but then he spotted the figure on the cot in the center of the room. He could barely believe how frail Sydney looked. Jarod went to his mentor and gently touched his arm.
Sydney? Can you hear me?
The doctor moaned, and Jarod reached for the glass of water on the table by the cot. He carefully lifted Sydney's head, and touched his lips to the glass. Sydney drank some of the water, and as Jarod lay his head back on the pillow, Sydney's eyes opened. But he didn't look completely lucid.
Yes, Sydney, it's me.
Sydney's words were slurred, What are you doing.... here?
Miss Parker brought me here; or rather her younger and more evil twin....
Sydney was foggy,
No, Sydney, not Parker. The clone. The clone you thought died on SL-24 a long time ago.
The doctor wasn't following, and Jarod realized he must be drugged. He lifted an eyelid to get a better look at Sydney's pupils, and they were completely dilated; Jarod knew it wasn't just from the dim lighting. He exhaled heavily. Sydney took Jarod's hand in his own.
I'm sorry, Jarod.
For what?
Jarod took both sides of Sydney's face into his hands, trying to make him understand, Sydney, you have to listen to me--
--You were just a little boy--
--Sydney, not now. This is very important. Miss Parker--
--No. Now..... His voice grew softer,
Sydney passed out. Jarod ran a soft hand across Sydney's brow, a look of worry covering his features.
Oh Sydney...
***********
The Centre
Miss Parker had stormed out of her father's house, anger driving her right back to the place it all started: the Centre. She stalked down the hallway toward Broots' area. The stupid moron was probably playing computer games. Parker was so heated, she didn't care what excuse Broots would offer; she was going to lambaste him. She walked into his cubicle only to find it empty.
That damned moron.....
She puttered around his computer desk for a minute or two, looking for anything that might tell her where he had disappeared to, but there was nothing of interest there. She exhaled in annoyance, and then she heard it: a slight, muffled pounding. Frowning, Parker walked toward where she thought the noise was emanating. She followed it to the one closet in the room, and then it all made sense. A small but twisted smile tugged at the corners of her lips, which was immediately replaced by a more appropriate scowl.
Damnit Broots. Are you in there, you moron?
For a moment there was no answer, then came a weak rap on the door.
You idiot.
Parker turned the knob of the closet door, opened it, and stared at Broots, who looked positively horrified.
What are you doing in there?
She made me.
Miss Parker....I mean, the other Miss Parker....I mean...oh hell, the clone.
Parker stared at him, She was here?
A slightly sheepish look passed over his face, So was Jarod.
Jarod was here, and you didn't call me?
I tried to call you, you weren't picking up your phone.
That's beside the point, moron; you let them leave.
Parker slammed the door, once again locking him inside. There was a pitiful knocking from the closet, and for a moment, Miss Parker just stood there, staring at the door, actually contemplating not letting him out. Then with a giant breath of air, she yanked the door open.
You are the biggest pinhead I've ever known, do you know that? Leave a bonehead in charge, and this is what comes.....
Hey. That is so unfair. Parker glared at him, and he swallowed hard, but then he continued anyway, You can't just talk to me like that, Miss Parker. I have feelings too, you know....
Parker rolled her eyes, I don't give a damn about your feelings right now, Broots. You let Jarod and the clone walk out of here. If that isn't the biggest chump moment of the past five years, I don't know what is....
Look, think what you want, but she's got Sydney, and now she has Jarod, and the DSA--
She grabbed his shirt, --DSA? What DSA?
The one of SL-24 right after the fire. Both Sydney and Mr. Parker thought the clone was dead.
And you let her take it.... Broots, if I had a dime for every time you screwed up, I'd be a billionaire.
She had a gun. It's not like I had a choice.
So you just...got in the closet? Nice move, Scooby. She looked at Broots' dejected face and decided to change the subject, I don't suppose you have any idea where they went? He shook his head, so she continued, Have you heard from them?
Great. So we're right back where we started.
What do you mean sorta?
Well, she seemed to have a purpose, Miss Parker. I don't think she went to all this trouble without having some kind of goal in mind--
--Well, duh, birdbrain. She is made from the same DNA that created me.
Yeah, no kidding....
What does that mean?
Broots looked away, then continued, I think she'll contact you.
Why in the hell would she do that?
Think about it, Miss Parker; she has two of the people who mean the most to you--
--Bullshit. Jarod and Sydney don't mean anything to me; Jarod is my job, and Sydney is a means to an end. Broots just stared at her, and she looked away, her voice becoming soft, What's your point?
The point is that if she wanted to kill Jarod and Sydney, she would have already done it, and we'd be burying the bodies. She wants something else.
The tech had a point, and Parker knew it, Okay, let's say for a minute that you've overcome your geek-deficiency and you're right. What next?
We need to wait and see what she has in mind, then we can come up with a plan.
You just wanna sit here until she contacts us?
Do you have a better idea, Miss Parker?
Yeah......I'd like to play pin the tail on the donkey, and you're the ass.
Broots sighed and sat down at his terminal. A moment later, his phone rang. He and Parker stared at each other, until she slapped his shoulder, hard.
Answer the phone, you moron.
He picked up the receiver,
The voice at the other end of the line was cool, Put her on the phone. I know she's there.
Broots handed the phone to Parker, It's her....
Parker's voice was tinged with annoyance,
I assume you'd be interested in getting Sydney and Jarod back. Am I correct?
I'm listening.
No nonsense, I like that, Miss Parker. Parker didn't answer, so the clone continued, 491 North Barker. Come tonight. And come alone.
What do you want?
There was a slight pause, then,
***********
