General Frank Williams thumped his fist to the wall in the small underground brick room.
He was not only outraged with the latest report on Alexis but disappointed with his first telepathy contact with Alexis the night before.
Its been a month now and shes stalling! he screamed, kicking a table nearby. She should be here with us by now. Whats keeping her with them so long
A taller figure stood beside Frank. Shes our first test case because shes the best candidate by far. She volunteered for it, remember Maybe shes still gathering evidence or incriminating information thatll be more useful to us.
Frank turned towards his deputy, his eyes blazing like the sun. Do you really believe shell make it through, Leonard he asked in a sudden quiet tone.
The young captain sighed. He knew Frank personally since they were young agents, but the generals temper always left him agitated. He had long understood Franks bark was worse than his bite, but when or if, it came down to battles, no one could stand in this hot-tempered mans way.
Its hard to determine now but shes making progress, Leonard replied carefully. We can see through her eyes and hear the others conversations through the wires we inserted prior to this operation. Shes doing a good job.
But
Oh, come on Frank! Leonard shouted. Shes doing the best she can and were gathering more information in minutes than in years! Give her a break! Shes still disorientated after the repeated experiments and examinations with all these other agents undergo through every day. Its amazing shes made it this far.
Frank sank down in his seat, slowly breathing in his emotions. As the leader of the rebels, he felt responsible for allowing the youngest candidate to be a test subject of the rebellion group which they belonged to.
A group of super soldiers which the Kapitoll thought it had destroyed for good.
All because they felt that they were nearly humans just as their creators were.
Lets try a couple of weeks more, maybe then shell be able to obtain the serum used on people like us, Leonard pleaded. We need the cure.
Frank nodded. Indeed we do. Just last night when I was inspecting the others in the make-shift infirmaries where some were moaning in pain. I felt helpless. They dont understand were conditioned by chemicals. Well need it first before we continue engaging in this senseless war with them.
The children whom weve rescued recently are especially susceptible to this disease which the lab coats inserted into them. Theyll continue on living but without the serum. Franks voice trailed off.
Both men sighed. Youre right. Were running out of time. Any moment now the Kapitoll will locate our new safe houses. Only yesterday I found traces of them in one of our caves but thank goodness it wasnt the ones with fresh water.
Thank you, Leonard. For making us safe, smiled Frank. Now, make sure Alexis remembers her real mission here.
Well improvise in the meantime.
Recalling their escape from the academy six months ago, Frank remembered the ten military personnel who risked their lives arriving in a dense thick forest after fleeing from their home, trampling across the vast tundra with nothing to fill in the void, except hunger rumbling in their bellies. It was not long days later that they encountered a vegetation habitat.
Upon seeing a stream, they rushed to the clear water, gulping it down with a sense of elation. A couple submerged themselves in the stream, feeling the sores on their skins cooled down.
Frank, with his laser gun slinging casually on his shoulders, was relieved that they were not lost after all. The map which had been smuggled to him by the guardian, Josef, proved to be not only useful; there were places marked on the document of hidden caves or taverns with trusted bartenders who sheltered them as they continued on their quest to search for the final destination underneath an old sewer system in an abandoned outpost which housed a small community who had left the Kapitoll eons ago to build their own lives.
We're exactly just like them, defectors of the old regime only to build a new one from scratch, thought the 16-year-old general as he took a sip of water from his canteen.
He eyed his troops who were a mix bunch of young male and female captains, either resting their wary bodies near the stream, or plopped up against the trees. Their last ration of powdered eggs and soup were distributed out by Elisabeth, who acted as their de facto logistics officer-cum-physician.
She filled in the canteens whose feet were too sore or those who she thought were weak, after which she handed back to the troops.
It was only after fulfilling her duties, Frank noticed, that Elisabeth rested. She had gone to a quieter corner of the stream, lifting off the satchel which was filled with medicine and essential supplies. She then took off the jacket that she had worn since they left, and while sitting down lifted the boots, and leaned against the sun's warmth mingled with stream's coolness underneath her naked feet.
He slowly walked towards her, who was now clad in a white tank top and black combat trousers. It was like stalking for a deer - one false move and she would turn her weapon towards his eyes.
Except it was her eyes which turned to him with a relaxed gaze.
"I wished we could stay here forever," she murmured underneath her breath. "It's quiet, almost as if you could touch the silence in the air."
Frank, now sitting next to her, nodded in agreement. "Tranquility without the nonsense of tubes running through our veins, or checking for our pulse day and night," he said, mesmerised by the reefs near the water.
"Ssshhh.... just enjoy the moment. The present. We'll never have this moment again," she whispered.
There they rested with Frank's arm over her shoulder while she leaned her head into him without realising it nearing to late noon.
When they left, a rope had been tied to each other with served as an umbilical cord in case one of them was lost in the sandstorm.
They parted with little knowledge of the sand dunes which was dry in the day and froze their skins at night. The youngest was a 12-year-old captain who tried as he might, kept fainting out of exhaustion due to the immense change of temperature emanated from the earth.
The thick boots which they wore was starting to thin the nerve-ending skins on their soles. Blisters filled with water appeared in pockets which hurt when they walked on the hard surface.
Frank could feel the dead weight of commanding his troops as he studied the map given by Josef before they fled the Kapitoll; essential supplies were running so low as water was rationed to a mere three cups a day now.
They were created for speed and agility, but a month had passed now and morale among those who chose to defect with him started to wane. There were grouses reported that they had been better off in the academy despite the twisted minds of their instructors' training and mind-bending missions which left some both physically and emotionally impaired.
Reminiscences during their trainings in the academy were now doubled with the lethargy and lack of the cool climate which they had been accustomed. No doubt the troops were thirsty but there were questions of their decision to leave on their free will.
There was a question of the possibility of few individuals who may start an uprising and return to their original posts. Frank could sense the restlessness among them; a small spark of dissension could prove fatal and end the rebellion entirely before it started.
They've forgotten our real mission, Frank reasoned quietly. They need to be reminded again of their choice of being away from the imprisonment with the mind boggled missions which usually resulted in death among their comrades.
They need to understand their act of defiance meant the equality which they've been deprived was necessary for them to stay alive, he added.
But how
Like the quiet breeze, Elisabeth's shadow stood before him and she snatched the map up to see their current location.
"The Purple Forest shouldn't be too far now, only three days away," she said.
"I've scouted the perimeters here while you were day dreaming. We need to move on four more hours until we've reached our post. Only then we'll rest."
Frank mentally dismissed his aide's sarcastic remarks. He knew they had to keep on moving or perish in the unforgiving heat.
He nodded in affirmation while checking the compass in his palm.
"Inform them of the current status - no one will stop walking until sundown," he said.
Meanwhile, hidden among the trees at the forests entrance was the Freeman tribe who lived in the forest before the Kapitoll was established. Partially human with different animal genetic encoded in them, they had evolved over a millennia with their survival skills from the Ancient Ones.
Their leader, Augustus, with his cat-like moves, arched his back on a tree bark. He had heard through their own intelligentsia that a small defiant group had decided to turn rouge with their final destination beyond the dunes.
Using his sharp eyes, he could see further than the average Freeman. Ten kilometers North were soldiers dressed in the blue combat suits. He noted it down mentally before relaying the messages through the trees which acted as a conduit to the others by the touching its branches.
Augustus turned towards the others camouflaged in the hill tops. He gave out a signal by waving his hands to one which was passed onto the others, telling them outsiders were on their way into the forest's entrance. With their spears and bows ready, they waited patiently.
Augustus somewhat admired the resistance group's ability to bypass the unforgiving sand dunes which was filled with the deadly Desert Kingsnakes. Being bitten by one as a child nearly sent him to meet the Maker when an antidote, in the form of a new mother's milk given to his father, revived him from the poison which threatened to kill him.
There was now a small pockmark scar on his left leg which lay buried underneath his thick orange fur.
His whiskers twitched slightly as the wind carried multiple scents - he could smell the outsiders approaching closely now to their domain.
He swiftly leaped from one branch to the other and met his mate, Kassandra, who also twitched her nose in the air.
"They're close. We'll need to bring them to Father," she said with her bow and arrow lay down. She was licking the spotted fur on her own body, easing the child which she was carrying in her belly now.
Augustus quietly admired Kassandra's strength. He had battled hard with another Freeman youth leader to win her as a mate. But, she proved to be more than the rumours which he heard among the tribe - strong, courageous and still displayed a calm demeanor when warranted.
Perhaps it was because she was the chieftain's daughter with his blood flowing through her veins.
"We'll wait then," he said, returning to his original post.
****
"Peace, brothers! Peace!"
The call was made by the Great Chieftain Ama Santubong to the other elder council chieftains who were lifting their spears in the air.
Surrounding the camp fire, they had journeyed for a month across the dessert plains, mountains and rivers after news began to spread of the young military cadets who decided to leave their home.
The chieftains were not strangers to invaders such as the Sentinels, during the first wave of their invasion, the aliens had sent their ambassador carrying gold, silver, antidote and essential medical supplies needed for their tribesmen.
The tribes had called the invaders "The Invisible" because they had no shape nor form which they could identify with. The Sentinels, they understood, were not humans and originated from off-world planets.
The misery suffered especially newborn babies, women, children and the elders were incalculable. The first signs were extreme chest coughs followed by symptoms of flu and fever. Traditional medicine did little to ease these systems.
These "invisibles" finally vanished without a trace one night. They had not returned since then.
Beside Ama was his beloved and only daughter, Kassandra, who quietly observed the congregation's indignant ways of waving their spears in the air. There was also a sense of fear among them.
"What if these new human breeders come with a disease that'll end the lives of our kinsmen" exclaimed one.
"Yes! Yes! And if they are hunted down like wolf packs by their superiors, are we to defend them with our warriors' lives too We've lived long in their shadows to be known as only a tribe, while we were here long before they were hatched in their mothers' wombs!" cried another.
The last statement erupted laughter among the group including Ama. He nodded thoughtfully while smoking an elongated pipe which was passed from one chieftain to another.
"Hah, brother of mine, there's some truth of that," Ama commented. "But, our scouts have told me that these youngsters aren't entirely human, which begs the question why have they been formed by these humans As for their reason of leaving their abode, I don't know. I've consulted our High Spirits and ancestors and there's been no answers given to me.
"I hope you'll forgive me when I ask this of you. Grant them safe passage until we know for sure their reason on leading this peril mission on their own. Remember our law - do no harm unto others who haven't done to us. Allow them shelter here since new information has come to light that they're heading here. Give them the strength to speak their mind. Show them we are not barbarians but of the Freeman tribe. We shall share their plight," Ama counseled them.
However, a youthful looking Freeman threw down his spear on the ground. "We've always favoured peace while they, these in-breeders and foreign creatures, take advantage of our kindness. We can't risk another form of war with those who oppose us while we're still sustaining our own homes, O Great One!" he said.
The others were nor staring at this upstart, Marius, who often spoke his mind at the council-held meetings.
Marius was rumored to hold the youth chief position in twelve moons, and his dissenting voices were beginning to hold weight.
Some of the chieftains had the same the notion and understood the young blood which flowed in Marius's veins. One of the greatest warriors and hunters among the ten tribes. Second only to Kassandra's mate, Augustus.
But, Ama waved the young man's concerns away, reiterating his stand as the council's chief.
"There'll be plenty time to for war, young Marius. Rejoice in this moment of harmony. Regain the strength we held lost in the past. Patience and absolute justice will be the way for our survival through these harsh times," Ama advised.
Unsatisfied, Marius picked up the spear and began to walk away with his own band of warriors. Before he reached the end of his path, Marius turned towards to the council elders again.
"Remember then, on this holy night, we've allowed another invasion to crush us beneath their feet like ants. We shall rot like our brothers and sisters corpses just as history predicted for us. My warriors and I will seek refuge elsewhere, and we shall not be bound by this old law. Instead, we shall burn higher than the fire tonight, ignite our brotherhood from across the continents to stand with us or risk perish among the dead," he said, turning slightly to Kassandra.
She continued to bow her head, feeling the tension akin to an erupting volcano in her heart. They knew by venturing this risk which Ama suggested may jeopardise their lives again. She kept her peace when Marius trudged through the forest, his shadow becoming one among the unseen.
The chieftain continued to debate until late morning. Kassandra had then made her way home above the trees where Augustus waited. Skin against skin, he covered them with the blanket of leaves which he had woven until they fell asleep in each others arms.
****
Theyre dropping us off into the middle of the sea! Alexis screamed during the second days simulation.
Sharks surrounded the agents as they swam in the salty water. It was another exercise but which neither expected it to be so barbaric.
Each agent had only a pen knife. One of them was screaming out loud because he forgot how to swim.
Get us out of here! the scared agent shouted. Help! Help us!
Alexis turned to look out for Eric who was swimming alongside her roommate Natalie. Their lips had turned blue with cold.
Natalie knocked the panicked agent with the blunt end of her knife. Be quiet! Its only a test! They wont help us!
Yes, its not real, Alexis muttered.
A thought struck her she dived underneath the cold water feeling its ripples running passed her suit.
As a shark circled her, she sliced her arm with the pen knife, allowing some flow of her blood running freely in the water.
The shark, sensing it, went straight for the bloods source which only led to Alexis kicking its nose. A second later, she reached for its fin which swam just near to the surface and left her with enough time to push above the water.
It was already sunset when she noticed the agents were now gone, leaving her alone.
Except for Natalie and Sean.
They had to be pulled out, Eric explained, kicking his flipper underneath the water. Both of us thought wed swim to shore. The helicopter couldnt take all of us at once.
Above the waves, the three swam with the tide with their eyes towards the sand which was a welcoming sight when they landed. There was no sight of another team waiting for their return. They would have to make to the base on foot with the taste of sea water on their lips.
Goodness! I didnt think wed last! Natalie exclaimed.
The other two was silent out of exhaustion.
Before they fled, for a few hours, they decided to rest, lying on the sand watching the stars slowly appearing as the sky turned dark blue.
None of them spoke for awhile. They simply stared out to space, immersing in the moment with the stars above them.
****************
The third day's simulation proved to be a challenging one for Alexis and the other surviving agents - it dealt with their worse fears which they had yet to overcome.
After their usual brisk morning run across the academy's fields, they were directed to their cubicles with technicians ready to inject them with a serum which induces a hallucination in their mind.
Alexis saw the expression on her friends Natalie and Sean; they seemed sleep-deprived but pushed on anyway.
Natalie was the first to go followed by Sean. Both returned within an hour apart of each other to the recovery room looking worse for wear. Even in their jumpsuits which were meant to insulate the heat within their bodies, Alexis could see their hands turning blue with cold as well as their lips which cracked slightly. What drove their best agents to such an worrying extend
"Come along now, we don't have much time," a technician called out to Alexis.
A sudden fear engulfed her - the cubicles were grey in colour which did little to assuage her nerves.
As the technicians strapped her onto a leaning chair and injected the serum, she finally managed to immerse into another world which she hoped to survive.
The effects did not take long. She found herself trapped in a box filled with water slowly being pumped, rising up to her calves then faster as it caught to her waist.
Suddenly, the pump stopped and small snakes appeared from nowhere leaving Alexis screaming and thumped against the screen.
The more she showed fear, more snakes appeared with now larger one hissing with glints in their eyes.
Their smooth skin rubbed against hers which sent a nerve-wrecking sensation in her entire body. Why are the technicians stopping the simulation Was it to see how she would overcome her fear of reptiles
Finally, she resolved to remain calm. Recalling a mantra which she read that a religious community once used prior to the major invasion, she closed her eyes and recited them silently. Slowly, her heart rate dropped. It was the only logical explanation to avoid for more snakes being poured into the box.
She kept repeating the mantra over and over again until finally, she fainted against the screen panel. Interestingly, once her head hit the screen, it cracked open allowing the water, snakes and her out to the floor.
Once she recovered from the simulation, her feet walked towards the chief technician who controlled the agents' landscape. Once she saw her target, a pathetic looking scrawny man sitting behind the controls, she grabbed his collar and pulled him away, punching both sides of his face until it bled.
She had not realised then an agent's strength was ten times more than a normal human being. The man lay dead after being beaten black and blue. It took more than five security guards to pry Alexis from her victim. It was then a senior scientist called on her guardian to meet her before she would be reported for attempting to kill an Innocent in a controlled environment.
****
"She's emotionally unstable. She can't continue with this sort of behaviour unless she undergoes another reprogramming session which would not be a pleasant experience one for her," said the senior scientist in a broad Scottish accent.
Josef, who stood by listening to Alexis' report, saw her through the panel glass where she was isolated in a room appearing composed.
"What did you expect them to do after undergoing their millionth mission, Mackenzie Did you expect them to be normal after only three days feeling almost human" Josef demanded.
He pointed to the spot where the technician's blood was still visible on the floor.
"These supersoldiers were created to keep those Sentinels from attacking us again, and the poor sods had to endure with every inch of their strength just so that you and I can breathe a little easier every single second! They're not your playthings!" he continued.
"But..."
"Mackenzie," said Josef sharply "Your man's dead because he pushed not only Alexis, but also the others too far. They had just returned from a mission which could have sent you and your precious family as alien fodder. Let me remind you of your task here. You are to bring their conscious to a stable rate which would allow them for another heart-rendering mission which neither you nor your team can survive even a day. Do you understand me"
Josef could hear the scientist inhaling sharply. He knew when he was beaten by a Guardian who also acted as the president's advisor.
"Understood, Josef," he finally said.
"Then release her and the rest to their dormitories. I will personally handle this case since you can't do it yourself," Josef said.
****
"We're going to be court martial," commented Natalie, staring at her food.
"Or worse, maybe we'll be finally decommissioned," said Sean.
Alexis remained silent, feeling ashamed and shocked at her reaction with the death of an Innocent. It was not fear alone which triggered her to instinctively react in a deadly manner - it was something beyond her own comprehension.
Natalie and Sean were sympathetic to Alexis' plight. Each one sent out a private message to her telepathically before she went to meet Josef.
He attempted to allay of her own fears when she described the brief conversation with the others before meeting him.
"You've done well," he said. "The man had it coming. I read the report and personally speaking, these technicians have gone too far. They're reacting as if you're all monsters, not the vanguards who keep their children safe at night or allowing them to continue with their own lives. No. They don't see that at all."
Alexis sighed and set her gaze towards the white surface which was partially covered with snow and sleet. The Arctic was humanity's last bastion after the invasion by the Sentinels set off other nations with nuclear capabilities to blast their weapons into the skies against a common foe. It worked for awhile but Earth eventually laid to waste with most of the inhabitants dead while leaving the planet contaminated from the massive radiation.
"So," she finally said "where do we go from here"
Josef smiled. "Straight onto your next mission. No more simulations. Meanwhile, all of you should get some rest. It won't be easy these next few days, that I can promise you."
****
The plan was simple; extract a five-year-old girl to safety currently locked up in a security facility surrounded by the rebels. Upon which, the agents are given free rein to engage with the enemies and inject a serum into a girl to have her wired back to the Kapitolls Academy control centre.
Natalie, Alexis and Sean were given full control of the operation as they had scored the highest amongst the ten agents.
Or rather, they were the only agents who managed to stay alive.
Each agent lay down on a table with wires attached to a side patch of their partially shaved head earlier. Within those patches were small needles attached to their skin. It was painless but to those who were new to the programme the experience could be unnerving at first.
While Natalie and Sean seemed relaxed as the scientists busily strapped them Alexis was slightly afraid. She forced herself to think of thoughts which were beautiful such as Natalies laughter or Seans blue eyes.
The head, hand and feet straps came on. It felt tight against her skin. Breathing in calmly now, she allowed the machine wired to her head to send in a drift pattern which would amplify them through a wormhole as they neared their destination to a point of future before it began.
The girls name was Amy Landon, a prominent leaders daughter in the community who decided to turn rouge and fled the Kapitoll with his wife and only child.
The family had lay hidden in their summer home near the edge in a forest on a colonial planet for months now. Intelligence gathered by other agents indicated the trio would meet up with the insurgents leader, Commander Frank McCoy, in a few hours.
Armed with both short and long range laser guns, the three agents hid themselves by the trees. The lush, green tall grass gave enough cover for them to fulfill their mission before Frank made his appearance.
Natalie, as the groups leader, ran in a zig-zag motion between the trees with the other two covered her move. They had only five minutes to get the child.
The girl was seen playing at a lakes edge near the cabin which the family stayed. She was alone.
Sensing there was something wrong Sean wondered why had her parents been so careless to leave her alone
Its a trap, he murmured under his breath to their telecoms to the others. Im telling you, its a trap.
But, the Intelligence agencys never wrong about their information, Natalie countered. That is her and we need to get out of here fast.
Alexis could feel the breeze coming from above the trees. Then, the sound of a hovercraft left them terrified for a moment.
Sean, get your scope and see if her face matches the one we were given, she instructed. If this is a trap as you say, then all we need to do is signal our way out and find another time to get her.
He fixed the lenses and nodded his head. Its her all right. I cant see either of her parents nearby.
Maybe theyre in the cabin, Natalie ventured. Its their land, after all.
The hovercraft above them flew away and shot out to space. It was certainly none of theirs. The three agents sighed in relief, believing that they were safe for now.
Oh, wait, said Sean suddenly. Theres something guarding the cabins parameters.
Laser beams, Alexis muttered. We need to find the power generator and eliminate the beams.
The girl started to walk away from the waters and slowly went up to the cabin. A woman, approximately in her late 30s, scooped her up and kissed on the girls cheeks.
Damn it! Its Dr. Marabella. We cant get pass through the beams with the mother in sight! said Sean.
Wolf Team to Control Tower, abort operation. Repeat. Abort operation! Alexis said through her intercom attached on her arm. The areas heavily guarded and were unable to extract the girl. Get us out now!
Then, there he was standing in a military fashion in green uniform. Frank looked austere and smiled as the girl approached him with open arms.
There was so much at stake. For a moment, she felt her heart beating faster.
Control Tower to Wolf Team. Standby for extraction, said a voice in the intercom.
In fivefourthreetwo
Suddenly, several rebels shot down from the trees and surrounded the Kapitolls team. One made a grab at Sean while the others attempted to cuff Alexis and Natalie.
Control Tower! Weve been compromised! shouted Natalie. Rebel agents have us and she was knocked down with a blow to the head before she could even complete her sentence.
The two remaining agents were stunned. Leave her alone and let us go! cried Alexis.
The last memory she remembered was a fist the size of her boots swinging at her face.
She went out cold.
*********************************
There was a single light bulb hanging above the ceiling. The room stank of urine mixed with sweat, or blood.
A silhouette figure with a hood stood over Alexis who was sitting with her head covered with a sack.
Once it was removed, the figure studied the teenagers bruised face carefully, as if he was inspecting a piece of art.
Tsk, tsk, he said. Your beautiful face I told them to be careful with you.
Although she was still groggy, Alexis managed to open an eye which stung momentarily. Her hands were tied behind the chair which she was chained to.
Im surprised that youre still alive. I had expected you to be stuffed down a river after assassinating my sister, Katherine. Apparently, he looked directly into her green eyes, that didnt work out too well.
I I dont know any Katherine, Alexis stammered. Youve got the wrong person. Ive never killed anyone.
Liar!
A slap landed on Alexis face which sent her spinning for awhile.
The stranger wanted to repeat his performance until a door opened to reveal a man whom she could only guess was her savior.
Enough, captain! the man said. Weve enough prisoners to do this sort of punishment. Go find another one to amuse yourself.
Once the stranger and Alexis was left alone, she kept holding on to the last memory of her other two comrades.
Dont worry, your friends are safe, unlike you, the stranger said.
On a table next to them were two steel cups and a jug of water. He bided his time as he poured each cup half full. He drank one and turned to place on the tip of Alexis lips the other cup.
Here. Drink this now. Itll soon be over, he said gently.
She gulped down the cool liquid and squirted out its contents on the floor. There were patches of red which flew from her mouth.
Dont talk now. Weve still a long way to go.
Another trap! Alexis thought. Why now Just kill me now! she silently begged.
He unlocked the chains around her ankles and loosen the chords wrapped around her arms.
There. That should be easier for you to move. Come on, he said as he placed one of her arms on his shoulder.
We need to move fast, he whispered as they started walking along a dark corridor.
Alexis attempted to nod, only to flounder more.
When they reached the outer gates of the prison, the stranger changed his tune. Open up! This is Captain OReilly coming through with a war prisoner.
The door magically opened and revealed another long corridor with its stench that sent Alexis writhing again.
Just a few more feet and then were free, said the man encouragingly.
When the second door opened after his voice boomed out his orders, Alexis could finally see a version of herself dressed in white long robes but with long blond hair running his back.
Welcome back home, sister, Frank said, hugging her now close to him. She was too tired neither to resist nor to contemplate any further of her actions to acknowledge reality as the pain stabbing in her stomach became more prominent.
Lead her to the infirmary, OReilly. Let her rest with her friends.
Only then Ill decide what to do next, he said.
