Chapter 7.- Mengele Meditations
The door mechanism whirred, swishing the door shut, the hydraulics pressing and sealing the double blast doors tight behind her. Undeterred, the persistent click click click of her heels on concrete resounded sharply down the otherwise silent hallway; the doors on either side of her locked down tight, entombed in darkness.
Pausing at the penultimate doorway, she checked the stats displayed for the subject contained inside. After nearly a month, this one was proving to be remarkedly resilient; although, he had his uses. She flicked down the prison-style hatch and gazed inside, casting light into the prevailing inky pitch black within. The specimen lay on his side, arms extended above his head, shackled to the wall. He stirred slightly, moaning, and turned his blond head away, hiding his pained reddened eyes from the sudden and, no doubt, excrutiating brightness. Unconcerned with his discomfort, she studied him for a moment, viewing him like no more than a mere germ under a microscope, to toy with at her lesuire. With a flick of her wrist, she snapped the hatch closed crisply, turning away; pushing open the next door along the hallway - her intended destination - she bypassed the ramp leading down onto the main floor, instead preceeding across the enclosed walkway overlooking the lab and into her comfortable office.
Kicking off her shoes, she unbuttoned her suit jacket and threw it across the back of her chair before sliding herself into her seat behind the workstation. Placing her palm against the I.D.E.N.T. lock under the multi-screened system, observing it scan the intricate web of veins in her hand before the lock illuminated green and the computer's simulated disembodied feminine voice greeted her emotionlessly
" Access granted ... Welcome, Doctor "
The screens blinked back into life from right to left, the tertiary screen split and showing a cross-sectioned camera view from inside each of the cells outside; cycling through them one by one. A quick glance confirmed all was as she'd left it. A quiet alert tone sounded, and a small blinking icon appeared on her primary screen.
Good. Now we're getting somewhere.
" Open file 2122"
A note was attached to the file, from her newly 'appointed' underling, which read simply. Stage 1 complete - Scene processed and released with minimal exposure. Initial search results negative. As requested, following up investigations personally - have assumed technical oversight including analysis of the surveillance footage; been advised they've discovered something of interest. Trying to verify it and cross-reference alternative camera angles at the moment. How do you wish me to proceed. D.
That caught her interest. Leaning back in her chair, she clasped her hands and commanded "View attachment". On her central screen, a window opened, and a grainy piece of approximately 30seconds worth of digital film appeared. At first glance, it appeared to show little of interest - the camera angle covering what obviously had been the corner of the encampment including the view to the west of the crash site and not much else. Then she blinked, as abruptly the screen fogged out from descending mist and the film blanked out into static.
"Stop.Set end loop point. Reverse. Frame Rate, 1 per second"
The film slowly rewound, frame by frame, the icy fog lifting slowly and the scene coming back into view. She frowned, examining closer, snapped "Pause". Her analytical mind musing to itself over the newly emerging miniture blotch that moved in the top right corner of the frame - what's that?
" Computer - Set start loop point. Adjust zoom parameter to 400. Alignment to image, Right ... Play, same frame rate"
The original corner of the footage, now rudimentarily enhanced to her satisfaction, filled the screen and began to play. Transfixed, she watched the object repeatedly appear and exit the camera's range, over and over and over again. Intently staring at the screen, a twisted look of hatred filtered over her features - there was no need for anyone to confirm it for her, blurred or not. She knew that outline - had come across it before on a security recording that acted as a chilling reminder to why she dedicated her life to the work, the ideal. It was unmistakable.
Its them. Murderers ...
Reaching for the intercom, she buzzed the lab floor and demanded for someone to be sent up. Reclining back in her chair hands negotiating the desk drawer with ease, she found herself pulling out the framed picture she kept hidden there - the one soft part of her she still treasured and kept, the bitterness of it keeping her focussed; forever driving her onwards. Dropping her eyes she drank in the vivid image, the people hugging, laughing, grinning back at her from the frame and tossing her mind back to the day it was taken, from the days before everything irrevocably changed.
-------------------flashback----------------------
Its a bright summer's day, and they're meant to be preparing things in the garden
" c'mon 'manda ... chase me !"
Jason's laughing, running away, taunting her. She's too OLD for this now ... doesnt he realise her turning twelve makes her too old to play? even now he's dodging round the table, getting under mother's feet. Just about to scold them for it too, when the beep! beep! as the car pulls into the drive makes her jump to her feet and race to the front door, smoothing down her dress and waiting patiently to attention. Its a game - he likes them to do that.
Father closes the door behind him, and puts his bag down. He looks so handsome in his uniform, with his dark hair and bright blue eyes - Mother always says so. For a moment he just stands there and stares at her solemn-faced, but eyes twinkling. " Who's this beautiful young lady, then ? "
Her lips part, horrified. He doesnt know her ! " Daddy ! " she gasps " Its ME ! "
" Me who ? " he looks confused, and all of a sudden her mouth is dry, and the nice feeling she had in her tummy from earlier when she caught a peek of her birthday cake, evaporates away. Her daddy doesnt recognise her ... feeling like she's about to cry, she darts a quick look back at Mother, then looks him straight in the eye. See's it. The mischevious glint, the reddening face and the bitten lip to stop him chuckling out loud. " DADDY ! "
He laughs out loud then, and hugs her close - all forgiven - planting a kiss on her forehead. Mother's leaning in the doorway, waiting her turn patiently, Jason figeting restlessly by her side.
" William. Really ..." a soft smile gracing her pretty features, she simply shakes her head.
Impatient to get started, the 6 yr old comes over, tugs on daddy's arm " Can Amanda go cut her cake, now ? "
------------------end flashback-------------------
Looking at the young hopeful faces, the memories of those days burned bittersweet and fresh as always in her mind. The anger hardened her resolve. Quietly she promised
I'll make the bastards pay, Father. I'll take them apart, one by one.
With a twisted smile, realising how perfect a hand fate had played, events were transpiring in her favour. Even now - the eventual goal was within view, her revenge would be jusified - faultless and sweet. All the situation required now was a little patience, some careful management.
I can be patient. I can be oooh so very patient ...
A timid knock at the door raised her from her reverie. Clearing her throat and locking the picture away, she sat back shuffling the papers on her desk " Come in "
With a quiet rattle the doorhandle turned, a mousey little man in the lab coat scurried inside awaiting his master's bidding nervously.
" Yes, Dr Carruthers ? "
The small smile that flitted around her lips in response to her title was lost on the petrified technician. After all, she reasoned, how were they expected to know she concealed herself behind the mantle of her mother's maiden name? it was a badge of her loyalty, a cross she choose to bear while it suited her purposes. Eyeing the nervous excuse of a man before her she slipped on her shoes and rose, stepping out of her office and onto the walkway, the spineless bumbling creature following her but hanging slightly back, like a lap dog who's just waiting to be kicked. Gazing through the thick impenetrable glass, she nodded indicating the mutant sitting encased in the self-contained square perspex holding cell in the center of the lab.
" Prep it for immediate transportation - I want it sent back out. General recon, same as before, but the thing needs to be prepared so it can handle and fufil certain new and specific objectives. Its required to be fully compliant, understand? No mistakes. "
" Same basis subject ? "
An image of the haggard blond male prisioner flashed into her mind, and the twisted smile on her face grew. " Yes. Now get on with it "
The lab technician took note of her request, scurrying away in haste, the relief evident in his posture once he was dismissed. However, she paid him no more heed, her mind lingering on the boy and the havoc she was creating. Undeniably, she relished in it, drawing such satisfaction and pleasure from the endless unceasing torment they inflincted upon him. Soon, her mind skipped ahead, delighting in the fact that he would soon have other - more worthy, in her opinion - companions to share his agony with. She smirked.
And not a moment too soon - Once I'm finished with them, they'l wish they'd all had the good sense to perish ...
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chapter 7 up! sorry for the shortness lets hope the teasers whet your appetite. More coming soon :)
