It was midnight when I woke up. The windows were slightly open, letting the slight breeze into the room.
My navy uniform lay on the chair near to my bed. I tried reaching for it and found that my holster was gone. My heart started to beat faster. Where was it Most importantly, where was I
Dont worry. Youre safer here than outside.
The voice was low and a clicking sound could be heard from a distance.
My men saw you trapped between the armies and shot them down. They brought you here.
I turned around. Wheres my gun
There was only a dark silhouette that spoke to me. Weve kept it for your own safety. Those armies were shooting you with darts. We dont know what it contains yet but as soon as we do, well return your weapon.
Finally, the truth; I was shot down by Sentinels who were waging a galactic war against the humans. Whatever was in my body could only do two things kill me or destroy my own kind.
My head started to spin again. I ended up vomiting blood on the floor.
Immediately, the lights were switched on.
Get out of the way! Weve got to get that sample! someone in a long white coat said.
Get her some water and food too. She needs to stay warm! cried another.
I felt my whole body being dragged on the stretcher again. Although my visions were slightly blurred but I believe I could somewhat recognise the face that pulled a blanket over my shivering body.
My vision suddenly collapsed.
*****
I could hear the steady beeping sound beside me; it was a heartbeat monitoring machine which beeped quietly while the saline solution drip was inserted into my arm. I tried as I might to control my mind but all attempts remained useless.
A sudden wash of anger swept into my heart. It was crunching itself madly to. escape from not knowing the reasons behind the physicians motive in placing me in the infirmary
Youve certainly pulled that one out alive.
The voice came from behind the curtain separators. Instinctively, my right hand reached to the needle in my arm. I wanted to yank it out in case the stranger was an intruder.
Who are you I screamed.
The curtain pulled away. A man in a leather suit and thick coat looked into my eyes calmly.
Im Josef, what you may call your guardian, he gently replied. We lost you for awhile during the experiment. But, were glad that youre safe now. Youll be here monitored day and night until youre ready to get back to the Academy.
What Academy I demanded. I was fighting against the Sentinels until the Rebels found me. Somethings been shot in me and I need to know whats happening now!
Without a word, the guardian pushed a buzzer beside the bed. Two men in laboratory coats came into the room and quickly pulled me down as I attempted to struggle from their hands.
Dont hurt her, Josef ordered them. One of the men injected a sensitive into my neck. It felt painless, leaving me in a state of semi-consciousness.
Now, leave us alone.
The physicians were frightened of this man. They hurriedly rushed out with their medical equipments without a backward glance at the stranger and me.
Josefs expression suddenly turned serious. He peered into my eyes deeply.
You were under a deep hallucination. The chemical which was injected into you by the dart was simply to trace your whereabouts with the Kapitoll. Weve extracted it from your system while you rested.
Now, rest Alexis. Youve done well today. Youll be needed for three more missions in the upcoming months.
*********************************************************
Fully attired in a black leather uniform, Alexis sat on the edge of the rooftop of her apartment. She could see the Kapitolls skyline which shimmered underneath the dark sky. There was a moment of peace surging through her.
She felt normal being here, as if she had done it a million times before the blackout at the infirmary.
Her mind scrambled with questions. Who were those people in their white coats What kind of secret experiment had she joined Most importantly, who was she
Hi. Care for some company
The female voice startled her. Sure, its a free country, she replied.
The red-head dressed like her. Strangely, Alexis felt comfortable with this stranger.
Im Natalie, your roommate. Theyve just assigned me to the cubicle this evening.
They Alexis asked.
Natalie stared hard into her companions eyes. You dont remember at all, do you How many missions have you undergone
Alexis became silent.
Youre part of the Kapitolls secret agents, Natalie explained, pointing out towards a tall spiral building. You mustve been undergone so many missions until you couldnt even remember about yourself.
I know that Im sixteen years old, Alexis replied. But, how did I get into this situation Was I chosen Are you an agent too
Natalie shifted slightly, nodding her head. Im a year older than you. Were genetically modified engineered soldiers. Weve been created to protect the human race from a coloniser who intends to exploit our world.
Some have said that just because were young, we deal with the physical pain better. Thats partially true but we still retain the human essence which lasts after we complete our missions.
Also, in case youre wondering, we dont have families. We can adapt to any environment, gather intelligence, report back to headquarters and then slip back into another mission through the mind transference programme with a new identity without a single trace of our whereabouts on the official channels.
Adults tend to think children to be innocent and dont get hurt when undergoing the missions that were sent. But, of course we do. We feel pain, anger, happiness, sorrow all emotions which makes us almost human.
Inevitably, we could be in a childs mind living with her parents, observing their every move.
Or be transferred to an adults mind, even a murderer, to understand them to do what they do.
Alexis nodded. So, in short, were helping the Kapitoll by transferring into other peoples minds. I wonder when I started my first mission.
Four years old, came the response. Those lab coats have created an acceleration genome programme, which enables us to not only mature faster than an average child, but also absorb the knowledge easily of those whom weve targeted through the same transference system, unlike normal children.
Natalie demonstrated this by touching Alexiss lower part of her head, transmitting a few sentences and images of her in a combat suit. There was a tingling sensation running through Alexis spine.
Thats how we communicate without having to use our mouths to speak in the instance when an enemy attempts to engage with us.
Now, you give it a try.
Alexis fingers trembled slightly as she curiously touched Natalies temple. There was a sudden pull into Natalies mind that rendered her helpless. She could feel her comrades sense of misery hidden in the subconscious mind.
Why are you sad, Natalie Why are you in so much pain she asked.
Natalie sighed. If you were to dig a little deeper, youll see the source of my feelings. Try again.
But, weve just met. Are you sure you want a complete stranger inside your brain Alexis asked curiously.
Youre not a stranger, comrade. Believe me, weve saved each other in countless life times until the lab coats removed some of the memories in a computerised system stored in their laboratories. But, Ive learned to keep them in another place where even they cant see.
Try to see beyond the neuron path, Natalie urged. Thats the trick. Itll take time and practice, of course.
Alexis attempted again and to her horror, she flinched momentarily. There were hues of different colours alongside where the memories resided until she reached a point. There stood in the middle of a wheat field a girl, alone, enjoying the sun rays. She was an innocent child, no more than two years old.
The child looked so happy, laughing while playing with her doll until somewhere beyond the bushes hidden behind some tall trees was a younger Natalie, laying flat down on the ground with a long-shot range gun aimed towards the Innocent.
Alexis closed her eyes but still could see as the shot passed straight into the girls skull.
I was instructed by my guardian to dampen my feelings then. I was only six when he told me that we were going hunting for deers. He tricked me.
Ever since then, Ive carried this scar of humility inside me. Once the Council of Guardians knew about it, they removed him and replaced with another.
Although my new guardian is kind but hes firm in terms of combat tactics. I tend to deviate from the traditional form, or so he claims.
Natalie pushed away Alexis hands and sighed.
We better rest now. Weve got an early start for the next one month.
What for
Well be re-trained after each mission. It serves as a part of our reinforcement programme to reset our minds in remembering our true purpose which is simply to protect the inhabitants of our planet and its allies from being harm, both domestic and foreign. Therell be a series of educational courses, simulations, physical and repeated emotional tests.
Once the lab coats have determined that we know who we are, our military commanders will convey a message with a new chosen target for us, Natalie replied.
The first kick which landed on Alexiss stomach sent her staggering backwards. She quickly flipped up and moved forward towards her instructor. For a few minutes, they circled each other, assessing the others weakness.
She quickly lurched forward and side-kicked the instructors sides, screaming her way through it.
Within inches near his face, she punched using her fist straight in the face. Her arm repeatedly punched him until they both stepped back. Blood started to ooze from the instructors nose.
Better than the last time, but your muscles are still weak.
The instructor then turned towards ten other agents who stood watching the sparring match. Fetching a towel nearby, he snorted for awhile, as he inspected the line of agents while wiping the blood from his nose.
In fact, Im beginning to sense that theres a lack of motivation from all of you to participate in these exercises. This, ladies and gentlemen, is not a democracy we are at war and we need to follow the protocols set before you. Otherwise, you wont be productive. Youd be immediately terminated should you dont perform better results the next time.
Once all agents left the room, Natalie walked with Alexis towards the canteen.
Are you alright You took a beating there. You were good though, she said.
Alexis laughed.
Im fine but what did he mean by terminated she asked.
Its nothing. Hes just trying to scare us to do better. Well never be put down like an animal, Natalie replied as she walked down the hallway leading to their cubicles.
***********************************************************
Put down like an animal.
Alexis woke up screaming that night. Sweating, her eyes fluttered around to find her roommate. Natalie was not in the dark room.
She started to crumble tightly with her fingers the bed sheets and clutched them closed to her face. Leaning against the beds board, she hugged her knees tightly, rocking slightly back and forth.
She remembered being with the white coats in their laboratories, strapped against a chair while they injected serum after serum into her veins through a tube with the end of it a needle.
They seemed upset when she did not respond to any of the injections. That was because she only felt as if cold water running in her system. Her eye pupils merely dilated and grew larger. Sharp and icy, but no pain.
Her entire body was strapped to the chair making her immovable. The final serum was running through her veins when she finally felt the synching hot liquid frying her arms which gravitated through her body.
Clutching her fists tight, she screamed her loudest until the entire universe her heard call for help to end the procedure.
****
God, you look awful.
Natalie was staring into the mirror when she saw Alexis the following morning. The youngers girl eyes was surrounded with dark circles.
Im fine, thanks, she said calmly. You were gone the other night. What happened
Natalie flung her head backwards and gurgled the water in her mouth which was spitted out into the basin.
Hah! Fun! she laughed. I had fun! Theres no sense of being cooped up in this pit hole if you dont enjoy yourself once in awhile.
Alexis was puzzled. They allow parties here she asked.
Natalie winked. Ahhh. you have so much to learn, little one.
The soft lights in their bedroom began to blink repeatedly. They started preparing their way to the gymnasium.
Its simulation day. Youre going enjoy it, smiled Natalie. We could be in a forest or a desert. Anything to jog our mind to remember another cardinal rule to survive whatever the odds may be.
You seem to like it, said Alexis.
You used to like it too. You would outdo me with your skills, her friend sighed. Guess you feel like a baby learning to crawl all over again, right
Yeah.
We might be different but we still retain the essence of a human being. Dont worry, youll catch up soon.
You always do.
Alexis was puzzled at the last sentence but left it alone for awhile.
The agents stood rigidly while their instructor inspected them one by one.
Todays simulation will be in the city. Youll be expected to retrieve this he held up a key and locate a box which will give you more information on your next location.
Expect some action when retrieving the item. You have ten minutes to rescue yourselves out of the simulation.
The instructor saw some of the agents faces blanched. They were young after all. But they were the best tools which the Kapitoll invested.
The faster youre used to the simulation, the faster youll recover and move onto your next mission.
Remember, focus on the problem at hand. Youll all be fine, he finally said.
Relax. Breathe. Dont think.
In front of us was a huge space of air while we stood on the edge of a building. The task was simple cross to the other building at the risk of the steel wire being snapped.
But how Its impossible! Alexis cried.
Somehow, something began to click in her mind. She did not need the wire at all. All she needed was momentum.
She stepped back a few paces and after determining the acceleration and approximate length of the opposite buildings distance, she ran with the gravel underneath her feet until she jumped above the skies and landed safely to the other side.
Without warning, rebels dressed in black surrounded her. They were the same ones she fought in her last mission.
Using a long steel stick which was strapped to her back, she tried to out maneuver them as wild hits or kicks came from all sides. Blocking sideways, she pounced on all four of them like a tigress loose in the wild.
More and more rebels flew in their parachutes attacking her alone from all sides. She needed to draw strength from somewhere. Her oxygen level was slowly depleting. She could feel the same deep burning sensation in her veins just like in the labs.
At breaking point, she held out her palm which cast a shimmering light which a shield formed as a defense mechanism.
This resulted in the first string of strange new beginnings because at that precise moment, she could see every single living cell suspended mid-air. Every dust, sweat and drop of tears was seen through Alexiss eyes singularly.
She reached out her hand to touch each one including the swathing clothes which the rebels wore. Their steel blue eyes pierced right through her but they remained unmoved.
Instinctively, she attempted to fling her stick right at their heads and when it landed on one, the rest started to thump towards the ground.
Dropping onto her knees with adrenaline still kicking in, she felt as if Josef stood in front of her. It was not a mistake. He was there, nodding her next move.
She took one look at a rebel on the dust, reached for a knife at her side and slowly slit their throats one by one.
This was day one.
****
You forgot the key.
All the agents gathered at the infirmary to have their bruises or cuts healed by the humanoid nurses.
What asked Alexis, turning towards the person who had spoken to her.
You heard me. You practically enjoyed yourself today, answered a boy who looked roughly older. The instructor thought youve regained your skills again, he laughed.
I dont have any idea what youre talking about, Sean, but youve certainly remembered yours as well, purred a girl beside Alexis.
Ah, its so wonderful to be back to civilisation, isnt it My last mission was in a desert. I thought of nothing else but finding my target and hurry back for a bath, she added.
The girl turned to Alexis as if she was an afterthought.
Im Kiara and this is Sean, my partner in crime.
The lab coats tend to place us as together when were undercover, Sean explained. He stretched out while the nurses tended to his sliced arm. Arrgh! That hurts!
Kiara laughed. Serves you right for abandoning me in that wooden shaft, darling. She hesitated for a moment. Although, the raw scorpions were tasty, she added later.
Alexis rolled her eyes; a couple of professional assassins flirting in front of her while she still was still reeling from a slight concussion. It was the last thing she needed now.
She left the two and slowly walked towards her room. It was comforting to be alone for awhile. Her mind was still mentally processing her ability to kill another living being. Was it her or something built into her genetic system which triggered the reaction
As she laid down to rest, her mind still wandered to someone she used to remember as Frank.
There was a sense of danger and intimidation as she walked through the woods. There was a single light penetrating through the dense trees which stood tall and formidable.
In her hand was a small laser gun with a light beam. Switching it on, she started to walk cautiously on a path laid out until she reached at an edge of a cliff where a river stream ran through. She ran towards it, quenching her thirst until she heard a voice speaking to her.
Alexis, can you hear me
Who are you she asked, searching for the voice. Come forward and let me see you.
You dont remember me the voice asked in a perplexed tone which gave way to a deep sigh.
Do you still remember of our plan to infiltrate the Kapitolls labs to gain access for our species cure
Now, it was her turn to feel confused. Alexis sighed. Somewhat. But all the same, I dont know who you are. Come reveal yourself to me now.
The forest seemed to close in to her when Franks stern voice thundered above it.
Youre a soldier, first and foremost! Youve a duty to perform while youre in the Kapitolls Academy. Gather your wits and assess the location of the serum. We dont have much time!
Alexis was at the end of her tether. She breathed in deeply and decided to end the conversation. Period.
She resisted the temptation to reply with a smart retort to this stranger who attempted to coil himself onto her mind.
As she turned towards another direction away from the river, Franks voice remained firm.
Remember soldier, come back to us safely.
Dont blow your cover.
Remember the cause.
She woke up with a jolt. The room was dark and at her side table the clock showed 2am.
She reached out for some tablets and drank them down to ease the ache in her body.
A month now has passed since her last assessment routine. Despite her perfect scores, she could still not detach from the voice which kept reaching into her dreams.
The situation not only created confusion but also created a sense of fear. This person was demanding and authoritative in nature. Had the lab coats forgotten to erase this part of a piece of memory lodged into her brain when she embarked on her last mission
Or had she kept it hidden deeply without the lab coats noticing it
She did not confide her confusion to anyone until Sean caught her sitting alone in the Academys spacious gardens at night after their training sessions.
Trouble sleeping he asked, offering her a pink elixir which he held in a glass.
Alexis shook her head. Thanks for the offer. Yeah, Im just too tired to sleep! she said.
After that, she continued on laughing hysterically and rolled onto the ground.
Oh God! I cant stop! she cried.
Sean watched his colleague with a smile. That much tension, huh he said while sipping his drink. He took his time with the thick liquid, grinning as he did so.
By the way, why do you always scream in your sleep
The question caught her by surprise. I I dont know. Nightmares, I think.
Sean nodded. We all have our own demons. Sometimes, we just dont know them but we end up finding them hidden in our subconsciousness he pointed to his head which has been placed there unknowingly by our creator.
Sometime Id wake up still reeling from my last mission, trying to save a girl from insurgents while they were pointing laser guns to her skull. I was part of the team.
I wish I could say we managed to save her but we didnt. They stunned us with their guns, left us defenseless.
I could still feel her in my arms, lifting her from the ground. I left her by the roadside and the lab coats pulled me backhere.
Alexis touched his shoulder. Im sorry. I dont know what else to say.
There was a slight sarcasm in Seans reply. Its nothing that cant be fixed. The lab coats will clear our missions from our minds and itll be a clean slate again. But, they wont be able to erase our emotions attached from the missions. Do you understand
So, how do you cope with it Alexis asked.
Keep training. Focus on staying fit both mentally and physically for my next journey. Our guardians here cant guarantee our safety when were consciously in the field. They can only observe and monitor you. We, the soldiers, have to keep ourselves safe.
