The Light in the Darkness

Chapter III

Actor had been standing at the window for a few minutes wishing that they had thought to review the training manual when it had first arrived months ago. They hadn't known Chief then and they never really thought much about how he behaved or why. All they really knew was that Rogue Guardians were dangerous. It had actually been Professor Ainsworth's visit, to access the Warden's training of their Rogue Guardian, that had opened their eyes. Seeing how Chief was treated and forced to act had shocked and disgusted them all. Actor smiled at the memory of the private celebration they had had when they learned that the Professor had been arrested on charges of treason and conspiring with the enemy. Truthfully, prison life was too good for the… What had Casino call him...rat bastard!

Still standing at the window he knew he was stalling, the idea of reading any more of the accursed manual turned his stomach. He sighed, and decided to start making mental notes on how they could protect Chief in situations that involved G-CAT. He and the Warden were going to have to carefully analyze the obvious changes to Chief's training and correction methods and come up with logical and defensible reasons for making those changes. Done properly some of their modifications might be found acceptable by the military and what a joke it would be on G-CAT if they were adopted by covert teams assigned Guardians. He didn't know how many there were or if there were any still functioning but if they could make life a little easier on a Guardian at least in military conditions, that would be well worth the effort. He laughed at himself…hope springs eternal.

Garrison entered the study, "Actor have you seen Chief?" he asked.

Actor looked at the mantel clock and said "Not for at least an hour. He came in to…" Actor stopped. Why had Chief come into the room? Thinking back it seemed that Chief had come in to see why Actor was upset. No that was ridiculous. Chief could feel if Garrison was troubled because Garrison was his Hearth. Actor was just a teammate. Still he had known that Actor had been hurt when he fell out of the truck on their last mission. No, he had probably just come up to ask him something but forgot when he saw the book.

Garrison prodded, "He came in to…what?"

Actor replied, "I do not know. That vile book had made me so angry I had thrown it across the room. I was about to pick it up when he came in."

Garrison angered at the thought of Chief seeing the training manual asked harshly, "You let him see the book? Actor, what were you thinking?"

Actor responded coolly, "As I said I was angered by it. He walked in before I could pick it up. He seemed to realize that I was upset about something, walked over, saw the book on the floor, picked it up, and handed it back to me."

Garrison asked, "And that was it? He didn't say anything? Do anything?"

Actor paused remembering the puzzled look on Chief's face when he realized that Actor was upset for him and the suffering he had endure most of his adult life.

Actor recovered himself, "He knew I was upset by what was in the book and what had been done to him and he thanked me for caring. He told me he understood why I was reading it and then he told me it was …OK. Then he simply left. I was surprised that he handled it as well as he did."

Garrison worried, said, "Maybe he handled it too well. You know how he makes everything his fault. He convinces himself he's always in the wrong."

Actor said "That is part of the training. They start the first day telling Guardians that they are no good, they are nothing but problems, that they do nothing but cause problems and on and on…During the first week of indoctrination it is literally twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with little or no food, water or rest. That type of treatment makes the mind very pliable. Add the drug and …" Actor shrugged. "Who could stand up to that kind of treatment? It would work on anyone, Guardian or not, just ask the Gestapo."

Garrison sighed, "He went through that for years. They ripped apart his mind, body, and soul. They made him see himself as an animal and I act like he's supposed to get over it in a few weeks. What the hell is wrong with me?"

Actor gently, "We are not Psychiatrists and Katherine has said that this is new territory for psychiatrists. She could not have done better than we have." Changing the subject back to Chief whereabouts he asked, "Have you checked his Eagle's Nest? That is where he sleeps most nights now. He was worried about waking us with his nightmares and moved so he would not disturb us."

Garrison replied, "No I haven't. I knew he liked it up there but I didn't realize he was sleeping up there."

Actor smiled, "He has made a nice simple little place for himself with a little help from us and Mrs. G. He would not touch a thing up there without Mrs. G's approval. She took one look and started helping him clean up the area. Then she found him linens, extra blankets, and a pillow. She has become very fond of him and I believe he would do anything for her. Goniff and Casino found a servant's bed and an old kerosene lamp. I added an old desk and bookcase. Would you like me to go with you?"

"No, I think you need to get away from that thing." Garrison said pointing to the book on the table. "and clear your mind of its poison. If he's not there, then I'll get you and the others and we'll start looking for him. I can't shake this feeling that there is something wrong. Probably my imagination but better to be safe than sorry in his case."

Actor nodded in agreement, "I am afraid you're right there. I will just be in the gardens for awhile if you need me."

Garrison left and Actor stared at the manual once again remembering Ainsworth's visit. He shook himself to clear his mind. He had to get back to work figuring out how to protect their friend. Too many things were going wrong that should not. It was clear that they were being sabotaged and every time the evidence pointed to G-CAT. The best thing they could do now was was convince G-CAT that Chief was a model Guardian and the Warden a perfect Handler. They could not give G-CAT any excuses to take Chief back for training which was just their euphemism for torture. Actor thought, "Please hold on Chief. We have come a long way but we still have far to go to ensure your freedom."