Well, so far the votes show Leo is still in the lead, with West in second. Maybe I should tell you a bit about the character... Hmm. I'll try and incorporate some of his personality into this section without his name yet, we'll see. Thanx for the reviews, also. I was thinking about starting a new fic sometime soon, or should I finish this one first?
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Chapter Eleven
Eve's POV
Max and I were talking in the kitchen when Zack walked in to wash his hands off. As he passed me I noticed his hands had orange streaks on them. Curious, I sniffed the air and immediately recognized the aroma.
"God, Zack! Why is there blood on your hands?" I ask, walking up behind him as he was turned on the faucet. He didn't look at me and grabbed the soap.
"Had to do something" He mumbled.
"Like what? Sacrifice a few goats?" I caught a smile out of the corner of my eye, but he quickly hid it. He must be trying to stay in soldier mode.
"That guy had a tracking implant in him, probably all the latest generations do, after we escaped in '09. I had to cut it out." Zack saw my grimace and rolled his eyes. " Relax, it isn't very deep under the skin, not much blood." I nodded and bit my lip in concentration.
"So what next, oh great and mighty leader?" Max asked, and both Zack and I turned to look at her. She was leaning on the counter with a hand on her hip, and the other scratching her neck.
"Well, we need to know what exactly we are dealing with here, so we'll wait until Logan comes home and then he can contact that Sebastian guy." Max nods and looks around the room nervously.
I can't help but roll my eyes at Zack. "Zack, I have-"
"That's a good idea, Sebastian's hacking material is a bit more advanced than Logan's."
I try again to continue, "People, I can-"
"Yeah Max, plus you get to see one of your old friends. I bet he'll be happy to see you."
I let out a sigh. "Listen, we don't need-"
"That's right! I haven't seen Sebastian either for these years, I can't wait!"
"Don't make me get out the cat whistle!" I yell in frustration. Both adults looked at me confused. "Finally I got your attention! Listen, we don't have to bother Sebastian at this hour. When I was old enough, he and Dad set me up with some hacking software and virus programs, so I would have training to continue Eyes Only if deemed necessary. Well, I upgraded the stuff and worked on it so I could hook all the Eyes Only files up to my computer, in case Dad's is destroyed. I have everything we need here. Just give me a few minutes to access the database, then we can research our new friend." With that I strode out of the room leaving Max and Zack to give each other looks.
On my way to my room, I passed by the X8, and couldn't resist looking in. For a short moment I felt adrenaline start to pump inside me, but I fought to calm my body. He wasn't a threat at the moment. He didn't really look like that much of a threat, lying there tied to a bed in only a beater and boxers. I could make a bunch of crass jokes about now, but I'll refrain. I took a tentative step inside the room, expecting him to jump out of the restraints and attack me again. I studied his face, and found it looking surprisingly peaceful. Pieces of his blonde hair were over his shut eyes, and he looked almost... boyish and innocent. I've been told that Manticore gave all it's kids attractive bodies and beauty to use as manipulation. As I gaze at his face, I could definitely believe it. I have never been big on having crushes or "boy scouting" as my friend Olivia calls it, but I have to admit he's well... hot.
I suddenly shake my head and clear any hormone induced thoughts from my brain. Damn teenage years. Thank God my genes got rid of most of those awkward teen moods. This guy's the enemy. He's dangerous, and already hurt me in a very, very... exciting and worthy fight. Wow, I've never fought someone stronger or faster than me before. It was challenging, and almost fun. I wince as one particular cut on my back throbs. Okay, maybe not fun...
"Eve, you almost ready?" Max called from the kitchen. Crap, I've spent too much time in here, I got a date with the keyboard.
"Just give me another minute." I call as I rush into my room and deactivate the screensaver. I pull up Dad's Manticore files and search around online until I get to the main password to the site. Quickly uploading the hack, then a few others to get to the information on all the kids. I've been here a few times, but have never hacked into the subject files.
"Okay, I'm in!" I call out and they come around the corner and both lean on each of my shoulders. Easily supporting the weight I click on the X8 info, then hack through the access codes with slight difficulty. Finally in, I let Zack take my seat and he starts pulling up the basic information and history of experiments. There is a small icon labeled "Project Objective" and I point to it.
"That is probably what we are looking for." I state, and he clicked it. I read through it fast, and waited for Zack to finish. He leaned back in the chair and turned around to face us.
"The first project since the X5 not to be designed with hive minds." Max read. "To be trained for officer positions and deep cover ops, and to perform as individuals, not as a group." She glanced at Zack.
"That's what we were bred for." He stated emotionlessly.
"And we became a family, and escaped. Why do they think it will work this time?" She asked.
"Try the genetics files, there might be something there." I suggested. He accessed the genetics and I read through them. "So... The X8 have a higher percentage of feline in them then the X5, and a bit lower Wolf/Canine content. It says in this caption that hopefully felines natural individualism will keep them from bonding emotionally. Did they think it was the wolf and human in you that made you care about one and another?" I ask the two. Max simply shrugged, and Zack nodded in affirmation.
All I can do is shrug. "Makes sense." I mumble, and both stare at me with odd looks. "What? It does." I turn and suddenly feel a rush come. My ears perk and my skin tingles, as I sense movement in the guestroom. "I think he's awake."
I start walking to the room, and hear Zack shuffling along behind me. "How?" He asks himself. "It's only been forty-five minutes. He shouldn't recover this quickly." I turn sharply and look Zack right in the eyes.
"Excuse me, but has your brain been present? This is an X8 - that move you used works on X5s best." He glares at me in slight aggression, then continues on to check up on X8-405.
As I entered I observed the boy's reaction. As he caught sight of me his wrists lifted violently as he fought against the restraints. He stared at my eyes threateningly, and I merely raised an eyebrow. That made him get a confused look. Obviously he isn't used to people not cowering around him. Max walked in behind us, and his reaction became more violent. He thrashed and grimaced, but the ties and buckles held him down, thankfully. He finally realized he was contained, and he couldn't move. The guy let his wrists fall back to the mattress, but I could sense the tension permeating the air.
He seemed to be trying to decide something, and I couldn't tell what it was. He opened his mouth, but didn't speak. Ah, he can't decide whether or not to speak. Zack has always told me never to talk with the enemy, you may unknowingly divulge information. Much to my surprise though, he did say something.
"Where am I?" He asked huskily, animal aggression still seeping through his tone. I looked over to Zack for guidance, not sure whether to say something or not. Even though he is inferior to me, he will never stop being my CO, and my uncle. Zack didn't respond, neither did Max. I guess I'll have to take this into my own hands.
"Someplace safe." I say, looking him right in the eye and cocking my hip to the side. I crossed my arms over my chest in a show of dominance, the animal in me happy to see that I am the superior one in the room.
"You won't get any information out of me. I'll forget it before you can ever break me." Once again he glares at me, now ignoring Max and Zack. I wonder if he knows I'm the only one who is a threat to him.
I chuckle, and smile arrogantly. "Have fun." He cocks his head slightly, and I can see the cat in him briefly. "We have all the stuff we need. We got the 411 on you and all your sibs." He raises his chin in defiance.
"You are lying." I shake my head and approach him, walking up to where his head lay. I smile innocently own at him, feeling his anger rise, and sensing a hint of curiosity.
"Well, X8-405, let's see..." I tap my chin mockingly, and he jerks at the realization that I know his identity. "You and your nineteen other X8 classmates are from Manticore in Gillette, Wyoming. You are all part of a government project to mix animal DNA with humans, to enhance strength and intellect along with other senses to eventually create the perfect soldier. You are a spy, sent to retrieve or possibly kill X5-452." I look back down at him, and am surprised to see him smirking at me.
"Now let's talk about your friend over there, X5-452." He responds, never letting go of that smile. "A rogue X5 who escaped with eleven others in '09, flawed with a low tryptophan level, so seizures occur. But not only have I found the objective, but I can now report about an offspring of 'Max' as you call her, a daughter who not only is enhanced, but more so then a normal X5, and put up a worthy fight with an X8." Zack walked into the room. Funny, I was so caught up in the conversation I didn't notice him leave in the first place. The X8 glanced at Zack, then went back to our little one on one staring contest. "Also I have located the strongest X5, 'Zack'. There will be a lot of praise coming my way when I return."
Zack stepped forward, with a completely neutral look on his face. "I just got further into the files." Zack said, making eye contact with the boy. "Turns out X8-405 is commanding officer to the X8 group, and is the oldest, fastest, and strongest of the class. This is his first deep cover op to the outside." 405 squirmed visibly under his restraints, uncomfortable with us knowing so much about him.
I turn to my uncle, and see that he has printed out the information. I flipped through the many pages, catching words here and there. 'Accomplished', 'High minded', 'Respectful'. I turn to vital statistics, reading the date of birth. Just turned eighteen, now ready for deep cover ops. I read through the other nineteen barcodes. There was a small caption underneath the list.
Results of high feline content not going as well as planned. Individualism not as evident as desired, while class seems to be forming unapproved emotional bonds to each other. X8-405 shows particular protectiveness to his company far beyond the call of duty. Separation of group may be required. See psychological evaluation and sociological reports for further detail.
I'll have to get into the psych reports later. "So, 405, says here you are everyone's big brother." I catch Zack lift his head at my words. "That's so sweet you know. They are all your little brothers and sisters. Aww." I give him a smartass look and see him begin to get uneasy at the mention of his family.
He is starting to show more and more of his human side as he lies there. It's obvious his family means a lot to him, and that the X8s have started to bond like the X5s. I will probably find more as I infiltrate the psychological/ sociological reports on them. Who knows, if their personalities are already like the X5, maybe they also want to escape Manticore. I can only hope his siblings mean more to him than Manticore, if not, we are pretty much screwed. Hmm... Emotional attachment to each other, too much, according to Manticore. Also it mentioned an undesirable individualism. I wonder if they gave each other names like the X5 did. It would be a hell of a lot easier to turn him against Manticore if I didn't always have to address him like a microchip.
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Ta Daa! Hope ya liked it... Still taking name votes... SO REVIEW - Lil' reminder - Leo, West or Rok? La la la - What secrets will be divulged in the psych report??? DA DA DA ! Keep reading, and keep reviewing! I LOVE YOU ALL