A/N- Oh my! I feel so much love from you all it's making me so happy and near tears! I can't help it!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I promise you I won't let you guys down!

So, for your enjoyment, here is the next chapter!

Countdown- 6 hours, 56 minutes

It started raining on my walk home that same evening. At first it was slow and steady, nothing to worry about other than frizzy hair. But the rain quickly started to fall faster as I got closer home. And by the time I arrived at home, it was a downpour and every inch of me dripped with water.

"I'm home," I called out, closing the front door behind me.

I tried not to act grumpy as I swiped at my thick clumps of stringy, wet hair out of my eyes. Slipping off my black flats and wringing the water out of my skirts, I made my way down the hall and into the living quarters. There I was greeted by the familiar sight of the caretaker, a voiceless robot that had a cylinder bottom for mobility but feminine upper body. Those robots are only given out to our people who are rarely at home or need help around the house.
I liked to call that quiet robot 'Nanny', after a term I learned from one of the world's I analyzed.

She glided to me and held out a towel in her metal hands. When I took the item into my possession she spun her metal body around and hurried out if the room. Probably in search of something to dust or clean in this meticulously done place.

"Welcome home," I was greeted by the house's A.I. system, Cam. It's voice came from the speakers in the corners of the rooms. Cam watches everyone in my world and informed us on anything worth mentioning. "Baby boy had just finished his dinner."

I barely computed the A.I.'s voice as I walked down the hall and into the next room, stepping over to the white barred bed. It sat in the corner of the room, strategically placed in the one blind spot that the cameras or A.I.s can't see. Next to the bathroom door, one of the few private areas my people have. I smiled as I reached inside its bars and pulled out the most precious possession I had.

"Up please! Up!" The little boy demanded with a big smile. His white curls bounced as he jumped in place and held his arms out.

Even though I was soaked, my body shaking from cold chills, I picked the little boy up and kissed him on is nose. He giggled and tugged on my wet hair.

"You hair is wet." He told as he examined the hair between his fingers.

"And yours is dry," I replied and rubbed my nose against his.

Little boy was the reason I why I had to become a temporary Analysis. It was required of me, as it was for all female Field Agents, to have at least one child. We had the best genes to survive from, and passing them to the next generation was a part of a Field Agents job.

I wasn't allowed the choice of choosing when and with whom to have children with. They- the Government Officials- said that my good work and better genes would help future generations. My genes had to be monitored closely and used wisely. From there they 'paired' me up with a male Field Agent who was known for his great background.

He was great- great enough to be known for his sheer strength and intimidating threats to others. Scars covered his body as skin did to most others. I could still remember his heavy, labored breathing, my stinging cheeks, and his solid grip around my wrists.

He's gone now.

Two years off for each child a Field Agent women would have, or so. Have a partner to procreate with for life. Always be a contributor to our world and do our part to help other worlds.

But I don't believe they made me have a child so young because of my genes. In truth, I probably was becoming too independent and the cameras caught it. Or that's the reasoning my partner used to condemn to me every night as we passed through the halls.

I learned my lesson, though. Before my mistake, I accepted the status I was given and never spoke against the superiors. Kept my thoughts to myself. Be polite always and used manners. Be a soldier, a General. Win their trust, and then reap the benefits.

After my mistake, when little boy was born, I promised myself I wouldn't go against them again. Not if I didn't want to risk his safety. It was wrong of me to do such a thing, however small I thought it to be.

Cam's hollow voice brought me back to reality, "You are scheduled for an hour training session with dual blades and then another hour of constant running at seven miles per hour. This must be completed by the twenty-fourth hour. You have three hours and twelve minutes to complete."

I held back a groan and rolled my eyes. "Of course." I muttered underneath my breath as I placed little boy back in his crib.

"No," Little boy whimpered, reaching his little arms up and grasping at air. "No."

I reached down and cradled his cheek in my palm. Softly smiling I told him, "I'll be back. You know I will. I always come back."

Training has always brought me peace, and it forever will. Cardio, weights, stretch, combat, It's always been peaceful. The heart beating fast and hard in the chest. Sweat trickling down my skin. Euphoria from the adrenaline coursing through my body, sending cold and pleasure filled chills down my spine after each set. Endless movements in perfect sync took on all my concentration, and therefore, I was able to forget everything outside the room.

The hour with dual blades went quickly, to me anyway. The goal was to get behind the dummy and put a dagger into it's neck, severing the spinal cord. But with aggressive force, the mechanical dummy fought me at max level. Its speed and reflexes were instant, precise and hard too avoid. I had a hard time dodging attacks, let alone getting behind the thing. And its strength was able to crack the concrete wall in one quick hit. I knew if I had gotten hit once then the battle was over.

The time came down to the last five minutes, and neither one conceded in defeat. If I didn't hit the target point soon I would fail this portion and it would reflect badly on the report.

Dodge. Dodge. Drop. Jump. Slash. Repeat.

Then I was trapped in the corner, with my shoulder blades nearly touching the wall. I bit my lip and dropped, narrowly missing its mechanical arm to my face.

At the brink of losing, I mentally committed myself to winning. No way I could allow myself to lose. No, I thought, just no and nothing else. And time began to slow; my senses heightened. I knew exactly what to do.

I saw my opening, the dummy's upcoming punch. He was going to use his right arm if he kept up his pattern, which he would. It was going to be aimed to curve and attempt to hit my temple; a killing hit.

When it came I dodged one last time, just enough to narrowly miss once again. Wind from the attack puffed back my hair, the impact on the concrete resonated an ear-piercing crack. It would've been enough for anyone else to hesitate against, but I, however, kept my eyes on the forearm.

Forthwith, I seized the dummy's arm in my grasp, locking it in place. With one of my two daggers, I shoved it through the dummy's fist and momentarily stopped if from moving.

I was finally in the offensive. And with the advantage I grabbed the metal shoulder of the dummy and pushed myself up, swinging my body to position myself directly at his back.

One second later my second dagger plunged through the back of its neck.

"Challenge completed," Cam's voice announced through the speaker, "Time remaining was at 1 minute and 34 seconds."

"Too close," I mumbled in a tired and gasping voice. I trudged away from the wreckage and stumbled out of the door.

Next time can't take that long, I thought. Grabbing the water bottle, I made my way to the closest seat, sat down and rested my forehead on the cold tabletop. It felt so good.

"While you were away, a broadcast was transmitted to certain heads of household," I heard Cam continue, "It is government mandated that you watch it as soon as possible. Shall I recall the cast now, ma'am?"

"Sure,"

Broadcasts happen every so often, and goes to different people depending on the situation. Usually it would be a warning about dangerous weather conditions that advise us to stay at our compounds. Ocean waves that reach land and carries people away. Tornados that rip through the sky, which used to destroy our building until we found a alloy that could hold up against the strong winds. The weather here is harsh at times, and always causes fatality to any wanderers stuck outside. But my people have managed and adapted to the deadly circumstances, and I believed that my people always would.

However, this night wasn't a night of storms. In fact this was a selective broadcast, shown only to the chosen few.

I didn't feel lucky that night.

Cam's voice in the speaker became an unknown feminine one, "Good evening, workers. Ah, but not just any workers- you are the chosen few who have done some misguided actions but have since retracted away from the wrong. Relatively soon you are to carry out an operation that will help our world and others, and redeem you from your previous shortcomings."

"What?" I gasped, lifting my head in shock.

"It has come to the Government's concerns that not all is well in maintaining the stability of the worlds," The voice continued on, "It is our job to secure the lines and maintain peace with the worlds, but with recent events unfolding it has become a concern that we need to address. If we do not fulfill our jobs as Coders, chaos and disorder will ensue. You will be briefed shortly and it will be your choice to partake in the mission."

Coders, our self-given name and status. Who my people are supposed to address themselves as.

I knew what she was talking about, of course. It was my fault those few years ago when I ignored orders, doing something that is forbidden in all context within our laws. But I did it anyway. Oh, and how I regretted it.

What first caught my attention was the way the voice spoke, as if we were had to do it rather than have a choice. She also gave little information, leaving me and whoever else who had heard it in the dark. Although, it's easy to assume that if the mission is given to the misguided ones, than it's fine to assume this would be a mission with little chance of survival or success rate. We could easily be changed into the scapegoats of the failed operation.

Maybe I need to reiterate about not feeling lucky and add to it. It felt more bittersweet, like they believed just what I believed. Believing that I needed to be punished a little bit more than I already have received.

I chuckled sadly and lowered my head, letting the tears fall where they may.

Flash forward to the middle of the night. I was supposed to be sleeping in my bed across the room. But I found myself lying next to the crib, listening to the even breaths that came from it. I stared at the ceiling, my body and mind felt unusually anxious.

I rubbed my fingers over my forearm, tracing the bold, black numbers that signified my I.D. number.

Little boy would be getting his I.D. and codename tomorrow. His I.D. will be marked on his currently unblemished white forearm the same way my people always gets theirs. At age two, to be tested for his worth, before they are sent off to the Pre-Academy.

I won't be able to see him as much when I drop him off tomorrow. I'll only get to visit him every two weeks, and only if I'll be around that long. Who knows when I could get called and taken away to wherever they feel the need to whisk me to? Would I ever get the chance to see him again? Know his codename. See him age. Give him the resources for a good graduation score and a better life. That's all I that I wanted.

I didn't know how to feel about that.

I was brought back to reality then, when the sound of three hard knocks come from the other side of the front door. One-two-pause-three.

"Two Officers are waiting outside the door, followed by two high ranking Officials. " Cam's robotic voice came on.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes, confused as to why Officers and Officials are at the door. The Officers are like the Field Agents, but only reside in my people's world (Think of your local police officer).

The lights in the room flickered on as I stood up. I hoped that it wouldn't wake up little boy, which so far it hadn't. He was still fast asleep, curled up on his side and tiny grey lips slightly open. To keep this from changing I tiptoed till I made it to the hallway. From there I walked to the door, taking a few slow and deep breaths, and opened the door.

"Hello?" I questioned, eyeing the two Officers in uniform and other two in suit and tie.

"276-11-1019- Koe?" The left Officer asked, reading off a translucent tablet that only allowed him to see what was on the screen.

"Yes," I said and stood straight, widening my shoulders. "What is this about? I have a busy schedule in a couple hours."

Was it even necessary to ask such a question? I knew full well what was going to happen, what my obligation now was. However, for them to come to my compound at such an early hour couldn't have been any less civil. It peeked the question of 'confidential mission/operation'. But what hurt me the most was the fat that they're going to make me leave the one thing I care, without a goodbye.

"We are here to escort you the island 11's courthouse. Please make this easier and come with us."

I crossed my arms over my chest, "I can't do that. I have a young one sleeping in the next room."

The Officer on the right looked like he was about to say something, but he closed his mouth and stepped away from the door. The other Officer on the right did the same, leaving enough room for the two Officials to step forward. One of the Officials came closer than the other and held out his hand.

"Ma'am, we promise that the young one will be taken care of," He assured to me with a serene smile. "And we promise this won't cause problems to your schedule."

The lie was evident in his eyes, dull and obvious. I stood there for who knew how long, contemplating my actions. The Official waited patiently. But it was not my place to turn down an Official. I'd be held for treason if they felt it suitable. Two choices and I needed to pick the lesser of the two, for little boy's sake.

Finally I had nodded once and brushed past him, manners didn't exist at that moment. My former persona showing itself after a long time being buried deep in my brain. The courthouse was in the center of the island, a long journey away. Didn't want to make them wait.

It was still dark, only street lamps lit my path. Living quarters lined neatly next to each were void of light. The sound my feet stepping on the pavement signaled the only source for life tonight, I thought. But as I looked across the street, a long, sleek vehicle rolled up beside the curb.

The two officers from my door strolled past me and went to the doors, opening them. The inside was dark, the seats made of black leather and the walls and floors made of black fabric. Confined space with little chance to escape. Nothing felt right.

The Official who spoke with me ushered me forward. He placed the palm of his hand on my shoulder blade, guiding me toward the inside of the vehicle.

"Don't worry, Field Agent Koe," He tried reassuring, "What we will ask of you won't hurt anything in your life. It can only benefit if you participate."

I looked between him and the vehicle's opening, "Will I still be able to back out?"

"Of course, right up until you finalize a decision. The choice is purely yours."

"Okay," I nodded and entered the vehicle, the strong smell of polishing oil invading my nose.

A.N.- And scene!

I hoped you enjoyed this chapter! Wonder what our MC has done in the past, hmm? Are some of the pieces of the puzzle finding their spots yet? Nope? Well, don't worry these next few chapters- about two more past parts- will tie a lot of things together.

Next chapter will be back to the present, in the snow filled scenery of Drum island. But there is going to be a twist it that is going to mess with your mind! Someone is going to show up...

Oops, have a said too much? I bet you'll never guess what is to happen though!

As always, please review and criticize at your discretion! I love that stuff!

Hope to see you soon!

Leylainie