Prologue

The night was hot, and the air was still. Bright lights filled a room of steel. There were no windows, and it was a bit too small for its purpose. In one corner was a desk, stacked with books left open and papers all over the place. There was a computer on it, pulled up to a diagram of some machine. The computer screen showed each piece with its description, operation and current health. In the lower left hand corner, the date read Winter, day 60, 2110. On the wall to the desk’s right was a bookshelf crammed with books on computers, humans, planets and about every other scientific subject man had written. Most of them were leather-bound, large and very old. One had a date reading from 2000. Scattered throughout the rest of the room were machines, tools, chests, microscopes and fridges that read out research material. By the door stood two very anxious young women dressed in red clothes with black seams. They were armed with automatic guns. Instead of watching the door, however, their eyes were on the center of the room.
In the center of the room was a woman around nineteen years old. She wore a lab coat, gloves, a face mask, a sterile white outfit underneath the coat and a cloth over her head. She was bent over a table holding a machine the size of a backpack, her entire focus drawn on her project, her long amber hair in a pony tail. It had several power sources, including a uranium-powered energy cell in its core. It was round, with tubes and chords all over it. There were switches and buttons labeled carefully in a basic language that appeared to be a cross between English and Spanish. The screen was about the size of your average novel face.
“Done.” She called happily. “There. Now it’s stable for testing. Could you two please leave the room and ask somebody to bring in the volunteers? I’m quite sure it’s adequate for testing.”
They nodded and left. The girl turned on the machine, watching it carefully. Its screen flashed. Small lettering and coding ran along it. The self-check read ‘successful…errors - 0’. She watched the chemicals travel to make sure everything worked alright and nothing leaked. Nothing was unusual. She smiled, relaxing quite a bit.
So long as some imbecile doesn’t drop this thing, we’ll be fine. Just in case…I’ll request that those two stay out of the room.

The guards followed in three men, one in a similar outfit to the woman. The other two were in all-black uniforms, obviously sterile.
“Great. We need this room to remain sealed. Could you two wait outside, so nothing distracts us?”
“But Sable,” One of them glanced at the bar code tattoos on the volunteers’ arms.
“Go on. I’m fine.” She moved her hands in a gentle shooing motion. The guards hesitated, and then quickly exited. Sable turned to the other three.
“Please step in front of the device.” She said formally. “As my assistant straps this prototype onto you, I will explain how it works and why there are two of you.”
The man in the lab coat walked the volunteers to stand right in front of the device. He picked it up, straining a little bit for a second.
“Please be careful. This is powerful tool.” She said it as if directed toward the volunteers, but the assistant knew better. “Since it’s only a prototype, the design is yet unsafe for outside use.” The assistant brought it over to the first man, who was looking a little unnerved at the words ‘be careful’ and ‘unsafe’.
What a gutless coward! He chose to do this!

There was yelling from outside the door, surprising the man just as he was setting the straps on the volunteer. He jumped, dropping it. Sable gave a shout just as it hit the floor and exploded. Pain ripped through her heart and she hit the wall.
Then she saw and felt nothing.

Chapter One
Procedures

Terra Lain stared in horror at the body lying on the floor, against the wall. Shrapnel had pierced her heart. There was only blood where her left leg and right arm should be. From her left ear and nose dripped a stream of the same thick, crimson liquid. Medics rushed by her, wearing the H.A.D uniform. She tried to get to her first, so she could say good-bye before they burned the body, but somebody grabbed her before she could.
“No, Terra! She isn’t dead! Stay out of the way!” Somebody was shouting.
She pulled against the one thing keeping her from her sister.
“There’s still poison in that room, Terra!” The same voice sounded confused and angry. She was straining to keep Terra from rushing in the room.
Why keep me from her? I don’t care if it’s dangerous!

“Calm down, sis. H.A.D will save her. They always do!”
She whirled to see it was her sister, Deseray Iris. She was stronger than Terra, but smaller and younger. And she didn’t put thought into things.
“At the cost of what, Deseray? I don’t want to save a vegetable! Look at Sable! Half of her body was blown to bits in that blast!”
“There are prosthetic limbs, sis. She won’t be crippled long. I’m worried to, but I’m not yelling at you.”
“You don’t get it, do you? H.A.D isn’t magical; it can’t replace her heart.”
Deseray looked confused. “Heart transplants have been successful for centuries…”
“Do you see a heart they can rush to her, right this second?”
The pain in her eyes was clear, but it seemed directed at Terra. “Come on, Terra. Let’s talk to somebody about this, alright?”
She nodded, giving up seeing her sister in replace of seeing somebody who would save her. This was more like Deseray; thinking about what Terra always missed. Why try to save Sable without any medical know-how?
Deseray was walking toward the H.A.D main office. Were they going to complain about the situation, ask for the best of the best?
Wait…what is she doing?

“Hello.” She showed her ID, then Terra’s.
“Oh, yes, Sable Rose’s sisters, correct? You’ll need to be seated right over there, until the evaluation is complete.”
“You’re only going to assess the damage?” Terra snapped. “Why? She has provided you with half of the research you have on the human body –“
“Sis, they have to know what’s wrong. There might be something else we didn’t see. She hit her head pretty hard. They know what they’re doing…so please come sit down and stop yelling.” Deseray looked a bit lost, and very frightened.
Furious, she followed her sister to a bench. But she didn’t sit. She couldn’t. Deseray was right; that was a lot of blood coming from her ear and nose. Could she be brain damaged? How in the emperor's name are they going to fix a broken brain?

“Please stop pacing…” Deseray begged. Terra didn’t even realize she was, but knew she couldn’t stop.
Everything is their fault! If they’d placed her at a damn desk job, or as an assistant to a safer science, none of this would have happened!

Her fingers balled into fists. Her hand found her gun thoughtlessly.
“Uh…Terra…is your gun still loaded?” Deseray sounded nervous. “Maybe you should put that down…”
The secretary was obviously getting nervous, too. She spoke quietly into her microphone, glancing at Terra.
Bitch. I’m not leaving my sister for your damn nerves.

A couple of guards wearing a lower-ranking uniform approached them. They saw her weapon, her uniform that screamed 'I’ve had more training than you' and hesitated. They carried pistols. Why would she call security? Wait…
They had medical officer clothing. They weren’t just removing her…
I’m not crazy!

Deseray was getting up. She came up to stand beside Terra.
“Sis, I’m sure they know you’re not crazy, but they need to help you get over this. Sable isn’t dead. The doctors will save her; I don’t know how, but they will. You need to talk to those guys for a while, so I need your gun.”
She…doesn’t…believe in me…?

“Please? I know you’re not crazy, but they don’t. To prove that you’re not, you need to give me your gun. Just go talk with them, alright?”
Sighing, Terra gave her sister her gun. Whether she believed she was crazy or not, she was letting her go get mentally evaluated anyway.
What a sister…

She walked up the med guards and allowed them to walk her to an evaluation room. They looked both nervous and sympathetic; they weren’t sure if she was or wasn’t crazy. By the War, they looked down-right doubtful. After all, most crazies put up a fight, screaming about the aliens, big-brother theories and mind-control. Huh! She wasn’t insane.
They stood outside the door and sat her in a room. She hated waiting, but knew she had to take it. And for Sable, she would.

*****

Deseray sat on the bench for long hours, alone, waiting, thinking. Terra and Sable were always arguing, but they were close in their own way. She knew the problem wasn’t insanity; it was grief. But she also knew that this heavy of grief wasn’t normal. Not if she couldn’t grieve on the inside, like their training had taught them. Terra had always taken these things a bit hard, but privately; never had it been such a public display. She would be considered mentally unstable by the med staff because they couldn’t have such break-downs in the middle of war.
And Area Origin is pulling their usual bull shit. Another war is looking likely…

Then there was Sable. She was in critical condition, and though the evaluation had to be over, Deseray didn’t know the details, or why it was taking so long to put in fake limbs and a new heart. The explosion had been Deseray and Terra's fault; they’d been arguing on whether or not to go in. The shouting had alarmed the man, and he’d dropped it. The only person to survive the explosion itself had been Sable. There were still gaps in knowledge about science. Would more knowledge prevent these events?
I will help them, then. After I know my sister has been taken care of, I will help them…

*****

Terra sat there, holding her head, unable to answer this question for the third

time. Three different people, asking her questions over and over again, some the same, some different. But always this one question. She was tired of this; By the war, she was tired; tired of people, tired of the uniform, tired of questions and tired of this constant throb of pain from the knowledge that she was missing her sister’s damage report, her surgery. And the fact that this man was watching her like she was insane.
I was trained to not show emotion. I am a soldier. I should never show my emotions, and now that I am… I will never leave the base again, will I? Will I be put in a strait jacket?

The man sighed. “Are you able to answer the question, Terra Lain?”
“You mean for the third damn time? Fine, though your reports will tell you the same damn thing I’m about too…I will answer you a third

time.” She was ready to get up and walk out, but knew that would be very

bad for her. Her livelihood would go flush

. “Her injuries were severe, so I wanted some help that would include saving her life, not making her a vegetable. I was upset that she was injured on a government project that was unstable for even her skill. And I‘m pissed that you people aren’t letting me out of here to see her surgery.”
The man jotted down the answer – as if it wasn’t the exact same from last time – and rose.
“A man will be in shortly to show you to your temporary resting quarters.”
Shit. I’m never leaving this place…and all I wanted was my sister to stay alive…

*****

Deseray sat up at the approach of a doctor.
“Sable Rose is now stable. She has two prosthetic limbs. Her heart and the left side of her brain were not able to be saved. Because of this, we installed computers into them and gave her a shot that will enable her to use them like a normal human does organs.”
Deseray slumped into her seat with relief, grief and amazement. He’d done it; he’d saved her sister’s life…
Now it’s time for me to help save the next life…

“Um…sir…how do I…uh…volunteer…for medical testing?”
He looked surprised. Then he smiled gently. “Though I don’t personally advice it for your age, there are forms on the front desk. Fill them out only after you’ve thought heavily about it. Girls your age and your rank should be focusing on improving your marksmanship and caring for your sister, not taking drugs and shoving needles into their arms. The unstable items could cause serious and permanent damage.”
“And it could be my body that tells them it’s too dangerous to give to people like my sister.” She told him quietly. “Almost everybody here has a family; they are here to protect that family, and that’s what I’m doing.”
He nodded. “There’s one more thing…Terra Lain has been moved into the psych ward for a few months. Her grief is making her a bit unstable. If you do any testing, be careful. I don’t think she would handle both of you being in critical conditions.”
“I’ll try.”
He left, looking as troubled as she felt.
I’m just glad that the H.A.D doctors are more considerate than the CEO’s. They actually care. Maybe that’s why their placed as doctors, though. They make poor anything else because they want to save everybody without hurting them.

She got up, determined now, and took a form for medical volunteering. Looking at it, she saw it was like a medical slip to go to the doctors, only there were questions that could prove a person wasn’t mentally stable.
I guess Terra can’t volunteer…

Then she pushed the thought from her mind and began.

*****

Terra wasn’t shocked when she answered the door to find a man in H.A.D uniform. At first, she expected the worst; something had gone wrong with Sable Rose’s surgery. Then she saw he had a bag with neatly folded and pressed bright orange uniform in his hand. It was a patient outfit.
“Are you prepared for the testing?” He asked.
She took the clothes and changed at the door, already used to the men not allowing her privacy. At least this one turned the other way and looked a little embarrassed. Most of them gawked at her as if she wasn’t sane enough to know they were getting boners from their privileged careers.
“I’m ready.” She explained, stepping out. He nodded and began to walk toward the H.A.D building. After about twenty minutes of walking, they came to a large door that literally told them;

Warning; Testing in Sequence. Please enter Staff Identification Card or step away from door.

The man whipped out a fancy card and slid it through a card slot. The slot beeped, turned green and showed a key puncher.
“Please enter Staff Identification License.” The door’s computer said.
He pressed a huge number sequence that nobody could have hopes of remembering without using it thirty times a day. He seemed to use every damn number on the board at least three times. The door swung open. He gestured for her to follow him. She entered the room right behind him.
It was a large room with a two-way mirror on one side and lots of different machines and heavy-looking exercise equipment throughout the room. He led her to a bath-tub like thing that had glass over it. There were chords inside and tubes that disappeared into the floor on the outside.
“Please get inside and lay down. I will attach the chords and glasses. We are doing vision testing, as well as testing the electrons in your brain. To further understand them, there will be tests run inside this device. The risks are rare, but have still occurred. They are severe migraines, trouble recalling events we trigger and blindness.”
She lay down and relaxed as he attached stuff to her head and placed a pair of goggles on her. They dimmed everything to dull shadows. Then he stepped back and shut the glass lid. She closed her eyes.
“Can you hear us?” A voice asked through a microphone.
“Yes.”
“Alright. We’re going to need your eyes open. Listen very closely and respond to what you hear and see.”
She opened her eyes. Before her was a snowy plane similar to where she grew up. The sound of dogs barking brought back memories of when her family hunted elk every month. In fact, she heard her parents call to her. Her eyes went wide. This…this was a real memory…

This was Sable Rose’s fifteenth birthday; the day everything changed.
She ignored the tears running down her eyes, steeling herself just in time for the electric shock that raced through her body. This time she gritted her teeth and held on, refusing to scream or even flinch. She focused on the memory, holding on to it as if it were life or death. She would not let go of this one! She would hold on, even if she died trying! The charge seemed to be dying, the pain easing, even though she could feel her body convulsing yet from the shock. There were shocked murmurs coming from the microphone.
“Her heart rate is increasing. Her brain activity has sky rocketed! I’ve never seen this! Look! She’s using her entire brain at once! What in the name of science is going on?!”
There was something wrong? She couldn’t tell. She just wanted everything to stop

.
Everything shut down.
She sighed, breathing hard, exhausted.
Before the top opened, Terra Lain was unconscious.

*****

Deseray Iris listened to her sister in her room, quietly muttering about something in another language. She was fast asleep, but her eyes were open. It was the strangest thing she’d ever seen in her entire life – and H.A.D soldiers saw a lot of bizarre things.
“Is she insane?” She asked the man to her left. He’d called himself her ‘handler’ as if she were some ill-trained dog. He was tall with long black hair and a goatee. Lanky as an athletic runner, he gave her the creeps. His attitude rang ‘trouble’. He even wore black sunglasses and a suite, as if he were some rich guy who owned a zoo of expensive animals.
“No. She’s speaking Japanese – an ancient language that died out over eighty years ago, soon after the third World War. It’s incredible. She’d actually activated a part of her mind that is able to cross into the spiritual world, as well as into another person’s mind. But we can’t figure out why. That’s what we need you for.” The man explained. “So that we can safely make these kinds of changes to a person without this kind of suffering. Do you want everybody put through this to go through such pain?”
She stared at her sister, who muttered something in painful gasps.
“I don’t give a fuck about the other people, but I do want that

to stop. Will this help her?”
“If we go far enough, it will. We can make changes in her to help her, yes. We need to know what went wrong before we can.”
“Then I’ll do it. But if this happens to me, and doesn’t help her, then you’re number one on my hit list, fucker.”
He looked a little unnerved, but nodded. “It begins tomorrow. Be prepared.”
“What time?”
“When I pick you up.”
She grabbed hold of his shirt, lifted him up and slammed him against the wall.
“What. Time.”
“S-six! S-six hundred hours!” He gasped, his eyes bugging as he grabbed her hands and struggled to push the much smaller girl away. She released him suddenly. He dropped to his knees, hands over his neck. Deseray looked one last time at her sister and walked back to her room.

The man Deseray had threatened wasn’t there to escort her; it was some terrified, walk-on-your-toes chick. She handed her a bag of black clothing, then took her without saying a thing into a heavily secure room (the girl used a key-card and every damn number on the pound pad like three times) full of tech-junk and heavy tools. She took her to something like a bathtub with tubes and chords all over it. The top was glass.
“Get in.” She said quietly.
“Why?”
“This is where we test you.”
“What does it do?”
“I have no idea; I’m not a medical officer; I’m a secretary.”
Cowards.

She got in and lay down. The woman put chords on her temple and forehead, then goggles on her. Then she closed the lid.
“Deseray Iris?” A man asked.
“Yes.”
“Lay still and watch closely. Some memories will be retracted from your mind, and we need you to focus on those and not what’s happening otherwise. Don’t hold back screams, groans or tears. We need to know your pain and emotion to get accurate results.”
No wonder she’s fucked up; they’ve hurt her daily!

“So you’re the ones who screwed with my sister’s head?”
“Please pay attention to the work ahead of us, Deseray.”
“Fine.”
There was a beeping, a flash of light and then…dogs.
The sound of howling and barking, growling surrounded Deseray. Fear engulfed her mind. She felt a gun heavy in her hands. It was dark. Yellow eyes surrounded her. Crackling flames heated her back.
The day the house burned…

She screamed as a dog leaped from the pack, at her neck.
She didn’t know how to use the gun.
Just before it crashed into her, something flickered.
Agony! Her head! It was on fire!
Everything went blank.
The agony raged on, spreading through her body until she was screaming at the top of her lungs.
Something hissed slowly and above her. People were shouting, but she couldn’t focus on anything but the pain. She couldn’t see! She couldn’t see! The mask was off her, but she couldn’t see! Something grabbed her and tugged her up, then shrieked “My arm! My arm! It’s on fire!”
She collapsed onto something hard, crying. Gentle hands guided her to her feet and away from the screams. They walked for a time, Deseray allowing the person to guide her. The person laid her on something warm and soft.
“Sleep, child.” A soothing voice whispered in her ear. It was female, it was familiar…
It was Terra Lain.
She was asleep.

Chapter Two
Re-awakening

Beep. Drip. Drop. Beep.
It was all she could hear. Sable couldn't think or see. Something restrained her so she couldn’t move anything. Where was she? Pain; there was so much pain. Then there was nothing.
When she woke again, there was a bright light. She could hear voices now. There was activity around her, and though the pain was gone, now she was numb. Sleepy, she was so sleepy…
But she must listen…what was going on…?
“She has re-gained conscious. Give her more tranquilizers.”
“Commencing.” A machine replied. Then she was so very tired…
She was asleep again.
The third time she woke the pain was there, but it wasn’t bad; it was just enough to tell her she was alive. It hurt to breathe or move her left leg, right arm or head. Other than a little dizzy, she was mostly just achy. There were no other people around her. The light was dim. Quiet music played in the background. What was that kind called again? Classic…violin? Yes, that was it. It was kind of nice, even soothing.
From what she could see of it, the room looked small and completely made of steel. It was capable of being very bright, like it had last time she’d woken. There were medical items on a metal table that she could see in the corner of her eye. On a table on her other side was some kind of food. For some reason, she couldn’t recall what any of it was or how to consume it. She tried her best, but couldn’t place it.
Have I seen this food before?

The door opened. She turned to see a man in a lab coat and two girls in normal attire. One walked with a staff; it was clear from her eyes that she was blind. The other looked a little strained and limped in her left leg.
I wonder how she hurt her leg. Wait…how did I hurt my leg? Why am I here? In the name of science, where is here?

“Speak to her quietly and slowly. The hardware we installed in her brain may still be adapting, so light and sound may be painful for her.”
“I’m well aware of that, asshole. Shut up and get out.” The girl who limped snapped. She was the taller one, with red-blond, long hair bound in several braids. From where she was, Sable couldn’t tell what held them up. Her left eye was blue, her right eye was brown. The other girl was only slightly shorter, with black, short and spiked hair. Her eyes were dark brown, though unfocused. They shared similar features to one another, including their tiny waists.
I know them. Where from?

“Hi Sable.” The blond nearly whispered, as gently as she would to a frightened child. “You’re finally awake again.”
Sable? Is that my name?

“You know…it’s been three weeks since I last saw those beautiful eyes of yours, and they had to go and change them, didn’t they?” She sounded very upset.
“They changed her eye color?” The blind one sounded furious. “What in the Empire's name did they do that for?”
“We didn’t, girls. The nanobots did. That is only a small side effect of how healthy she will be.”
He seems smart. I wonder if I know him...

“Can she speak?”
“I don’t believe she has fully adapted to the alterations we were forced to make. Why don’t you leave us for a few days? Your handlers will be wondering where you two are…”
They hesitated a moment, then nodded and left together. The man stayed. Sable watched him.
“Can you speak?” He asked quietly.
She shook her head; there was no way she’d have enough air to speak, even if she’d remembered how.
“Alright. I want you to answer me by blinking once for ‘yes’ and twice for ‘no’. Do you understand?”
She blinked once.
“Good. First question; do you remember who you are?”
She thought a moment and blinked twice.
“You’re name is Sable Rose. You are nineteen years old, and a scientist for the government. Does any of this sound familiar?”
Something flashed behind her eyes. Pain exploded through her. She screamed until it stopped.
He was by her side in a second, looking at this and checking that. When she’d calmed down, the pain was gone and he was finished, he faced her.
“That was the computer we replaced the left side of your brain with. You were in an explosion. To save your life, we replaced your heart and brain with computers. We added microscopic robots called nanobots into your bloodstream to maintain those computers and allow communication between them and yourself. We also gave you mechanical limbs; your left leg and right arm. Unfortunately, your left eye wasn’t savable either, so it’s been replaced with a bionic eye as well.”
Sable stared at him in horror. They replaced half of her brain, one of her eyes, her entire heart and two of her limbs with machines

?!
“I am your programmer, so I must ask more questions. Do you recall who those girls were?”
She blinked twice. She felt like she should, but couldn’t.
“Well, we’ll fix that. Alright. Next question; do you recall how to eat?”
Sadly, she blinked her eyes twice again.
“Alright. I’m sorry, Sable, but it seems like the main problem is that you are currently unable to access most of the hard-drive. You’ll need another dose of nanobots. I’m not even sure what to tell you about that; it might be the most agonizing thing you've ever felt, or it could make you feel like you’ve reached cloud nine. For the love of science, you could feel nothing at all. Just remain still, grit your teeth and hope for the best.”
He pressed a button.
The door opened to emit a girl with a long syringe. Since she couldn’t exactly get up and run away, Sable did as the man had advised; she remained still and waited for whatever was to come. There was a sharp pain that lasted for a split second before pleasure exploded through her. She relaxed fully, completely caught off guard, fully enjoying it.
Thousands of minds raced through hers, talking, listening, communicating. She could suddenly recall her name, the explosion, the importance of her work and basic operation. But she didn’t care. The minds, the feeling racing through her…it captivated her. She wanted it to never end. Though it was slow, the minds integrated into her thoughts or heart. She felt them flowing through her blood then. Massive amounts of them, willing to do anything she asked of them that they were capable of doing. The second the ecstasy was gone, she was drained.
The man and woman were staring at her. Not really caring, she grabbed the plate, shoveled down the food – still not able to fully use her right arm - and allowed herself to fall asleep.

When Sable awoke for the fourth time, she had to blink at least three times just to adjust to the difference in her vision. Everything was sharper and brighter. She could look at something and lock onto it, then pull up a summary of it from the back of her mind. It happened several times before she locked onto a medical tool and flinched at its use. Then she closed her eyes and listened instead, a bit sick to her stomach.
At first, only violin music reached her ears. Then she could hear voices outside the room. She locked onto the most familiar to her; the man who had brought those girls in. He was talking with some other people, and when she heard her name she paid closer attention.
“Her name is Sable Rose. Her program is a little different from what I’ve set up for the others, so tread carefully. She has far more combative power and intelligence. She can actually control computers with her mind, given the chance. Unfortunately, I also couldn’t download the obedience program properly, so don’t just go and give her orders. She has to want

to obey, alright? She also has no memory of her own personal past; she recalls her sisters, with their modifications, but I didn’t have enough information about them to even imply personalities, or her interests for that matter.”
“What? I’m not handling her!” A man snapped. “If she isn’t of any use, then what’s the point in even meeting her?”
“She’s very intelligent and can use computers with her mind

. How is that not useful?” The man sounded furious.
“She won’t listen to orders.”
“Of course she will; she’s a soldier, even if she was in the science field. You just can’t treat her like an object; she has emotions like any other person.”
“We’re in need of a weapon

, not a daughter.” The other man growled angrily. “If you think she’s so valuable, you

be her handler! You can handle a weapon just as well as we can!”
“I don’t know anything about guns. That’s the only weapons program her system accepts.”
“Then she should be fine, if she already knows how!”
“Fine! Get out of my lab!” The man was yelling by now.
“Just as well with us!”
Sable Rose flinched at the sound of a slamming door. She lost focus, and the only sounds she heard were inside the room; beeping computers and dripping water, as well as the wonderful violin music. Sable sighed. The door opened and in came the man, with two nurses behind him. His face was brisk and professional.
“Alright, Sable Rose, today you should be feeling much better. Can you move your left leg or right arm?” Sable moved both slightly, proving she could. Fire flared through her muscles with even that simple movement.
He turned and typed something on the computer Sable had heard beeping earlier.
“Do you know where you are?” He pressed.
“No.”
He typed something else.
“You’ve a small case of amnesia. I can’t really fix this, but I can tell you. You’re in a medical facility in the government headquarters called H.A.D, standing for Human Alteration Development. We’re here so the staff and soldiers like you and your sister, Terra Lain, have their problems caused through government work taken care of. Your injuries were severe enough that the modifications we made to you were the only thing that could save your life. Do you know what happened to your sister?”
“Something happened to her? I thought I just saw both of them…they seemed fine…”
“I see. The programing is very confusing, isn’t it? Alright, because the left side of your brain holds your memories, I’ve had to implant what I knew about you. That leaves…blank spots. Professional paperwork isn’t very helpful for re-building a life, because they don’t ask for your personal interests – from what your favorite foods are and your political views to your favorite music and your relationships. You’ll have to piece those back together, I’m afraid. They seemed to really care about you, so you three must have been close.”
“Really? I can recall their faces, their careers and their ages, but…”
“The rest is very personal information, so I couldn’t recreate them. I’m sorry; you’ll have to re-learn your sisters again. Today, I’m going to go through some basic information with you…”
“What’s a handler?” Dying to know what was going on, she couldn't help but ask.
He sighed. “A H.A.D employee trained to assist the development of an injured or recovering soldier. You were a scientist, but H.A.D has been ordered to train you again in a much different field; special combat unit. I’m a scientist, but I’ve had the training I will be giving you, and was going into the same program…but traded off to be a programmer and handler.”
“Whatever. I really don’t care.” A headache was setting in and she really didn’t feel like talking with the jack-ass who couldn’t get her memories straight. Besides, he looked like a little pussy. He was tall, at least five-six, with dark brown eyes and short, straight and messy brunette hair. Though he had broad shoulders, the guy needed to lay off the donuts and focus a little less on his video games, and pay a little more attention to his growing gut. Say…jog? Had this guy ever eaten an apple in his life without the chocolate and caramel? He was even wearing a white shirt with orange stripes and blue-jean cut-off shorts. His black sandals looked a hundred years old. He hadn’t shaved today, either, giving him the appearance of a mall security guard with the heart of a kitten.
And this guy is teaching me to fight? Man…if I ever see a battle, I’m a goner! At least he’s young…

She found herself a little curious on exactly how old he was. Suddenly, something clicked and her eye locked on him. Words raced across the inside of her left eye.

Name; Jayson Darren Bearskin
Age; 24
Height; 1.7272 m (5’8)
Weight; 91.6 kg (202lbs)
Occupation; H.A.D handler and programmer

Sable sighed, more than a little frustrated. That was helpful, yes, but she hadn’t aimed for it to happen, let alone expect it. It just wasn’t natural!
Maybe I’ll talk to Terra about it. She should know, with her psychic abilities.

Where did that come from? Terra was psychic…but she knew very little else about her sister. Was that integrated into her tech-mind?
“What was that sigh for?”
“It’s none of your business, geek.”
“Fine. If it has nothing to do with your programing, then you’re right. But my computer just informed me that your bionic eye and RAM was activated. Then you sighed. I could ask you, or I could pull it from your mind and know myself.”
She glared at him, furious. “Fine, Jayson

. That computer in my head just gave me a whole lot of information that I really don’t care about. And, man, lay off those donuts and candy! Two hundred pounds is a little much, don’t you think?”
He became a little stiffer in his seat, and his face became red.
“Look, I do a lot of computer work…”
“Good for you. Did your mother never teach you that candy rots your teeth? Try eating your apples without caramel and chocolate, and perhaps boiling your chicken instead of frying it. That might help out a bit. Oh…and ever think that beer has a little too much sugar? Hang-overs only happen if you have one too many, you know. There is flavored water, by the way.”
He glared at her sharply.
“Let’s keep this professional, please…”
“I am keeping it professional. If you’re teaching me combat, then I’m teaching you a little something called self-control.”
“I have plenty of it.”
She spotted a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.
“Oh really? So much control, you smoke to prove it? I didn’t think those things were still around. Only a handful of people are dumb enough to do it anymore.”
What’s in those things, anyway?

Her eye locked onto them and information zoomed onto her eye again.
She couldn’t keep up with most of what was listed – though she knew a good portion were dangerous chemicals and stuff proven to cause cancer – let alone understand most of it. But she did catch some of the ingredients; nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT.
“Do you realize you’re inhaling DDT everytime you puff off one of those things?”
He shrugged. “Tell somebody that cares. You seem to be locking onto everything and just getting stats on a whim. Why don’t you try listening to me and maybe that’ll stop.”
She rolled her eyes. “Listen to you? Sure, let me do that. So what’s first, Jayson? Learning how to type on a computer with my eyes closed?”
He made a face. “Why would I have you learn that? No, you shouldn’t need typing skills; you can operate this computer from where you lay now, as soon as you understand the stuff. But let’s work on your operating skills before we focus on the mind, alright?”
“Don’t you think I can work my own body?” She snapped.
“Well…you’ve been down for the count for a month…and you have a new heart, and two new limbs. Also, your brain is very different, since it’s not organic.”
In an attempt to prove she could do things, she sat up, turned to the side of the bed slowly – her head whirling – and made an attempt to stand.
Whoa.

She wobbled, not quite balanced. Something wasn’t right. She could feel

her legs – both of them. Her left leg was…different. But looking down, there was nothing different about them. In fact, the only way she could tell the difference was that her right leg felt weak and wobbly. There was no balance because one she didn’t seem to know how move properly, while the other didn’t want to move at all. But most of all, what she didn’t expect, was the pain.
She sat back down, trying to breathe normally.
“Yeah…I’d advise you to remain seated and listen to me a bit closer. You’ve been off your feet long enough to weaken tissue and muscle that will need to be slowly built up. Unfortunately, that process will be all the more painful because of the mechanical limbs. As for your right arm, I saw you flinch just lifting it. They look normal on the outside, I know, but they are complex pieces of machinery that attach or even supplement nerves. They are just as light as a normal limb, but using that arm won’t be easy at first. So, I want to begin by doing some pretty basic operations.”
Sable was in so much pain, she didn’t feel like arguing anymore. Jayson rose and handed her a plushy ball.
“Squeeze that twice.”
She sighed and obeyed, trying not to show the pain.
“We’ll do this for a while. Keep squeezing the ball while I move your right leg in proper walking motions.”
She squeezed again as he went over to her right leg and picked it up. She squeezed once more, imagining it was his head. He moved her leg high. She scowled, holding back the yelp. She squeezed the ball again as hard as she could manage. There was a pop and out came the beanies in the ball.
He stared at her, paling. Then he shook his head and bent her knee.
She gave a sharp cry from the pain. “Be careful, idiot!”
He ignored her comment and slowly straightened her leg out. She swore he was enjoying causing her this much pain! He repeated the motion eight more times before he stopped. Sable was sweating and beady-eyed.
“We’ll stop there for now. We’ll have to do this every day; on your leg and on your arm. Building them back up, as well as learning to use the other two, will be very hard on you. But there is an easier way to learn to use your arms again, and I’ll bring that to you tomorrow.”
After giving her fresh water, the man began to type on his computer. Soon, she was feeling numb. It wasn’t long after that before she had fallen asleep again.

Something startled Sable Rose awake. Somebody was in the room. It was dark still, so they hadn’t turned on the lights yet. She felt the throb of Jayson’s tortures in her leg. The lights flicked on, making her flinch. Glancing around, she saw it was the geek himself. He carried an instrument case.
The boy plays music? Oh no…don’t tell me he’s playing that in here?

He opened it up to reveal a handmade violin, bow and all. Glancing over, he saw her watching him with some growing interest. Violins were alright, as long as he could play it well.
“See what I mean? Much better than pulling your arm all over the place, isn’t it?”
She stared at him.
“You want me to play?” She asked in shock.
“Yeah. Why not? Your sisters said you loved playing and listening to violin. I managed to download the songs they heard you play the most, and some you listened to a lot that you couldn’t play yet. It was something I could resurrect of your past.”
After a moment of thought, Sable recalled several pieces of music. But she also knew that they required practice and graceful, careful movements.
Talk about painful.

“So you want to torture my ears, my memories and my body?” She snapped. “Look, Jayson, I’ve had it up to here” she raised her hand above her head “with your bullshit. Half of my body is dysfunctional. My brain and heart are computers and I have electronic bugs running through my veins. You do not

want to fuck with me. Right now, I’d kick your ass even if it killed me.”
She watched his smile leave and he slowly lowered the instrument.
“I’m sorry, Sable. I didn’t mean to upset you, alright? We’ll hold the violin off…”
He put the striking instrument away. Sable saw the irritated yet pained look in his eyes.
He did go through the trouble of doing this…

“Did…you do this for me?” She asked.
“I know it can be difficult. I’ve seen it so many times…and every time I’ve handled things, nothing has worked. The implants are difficult, and the obedience program H.A.D wants me to upload is painful; when they don’t obey, it literally hurts the Technist.”
“Technist?”
“Yes, that’s what H.A.D calls humans with alterations similar to yours. You’re quite advanced, mind you; especially since you have free will because I didn’t upload that program into your hard-drive.”
She sighed. Her stomach growled.
“Why don’t I get you into a wheel chair? I’ll take you to the cafeteria to get you something to eat.”
Finally! I can get outta here!

He left for a moment, and then came back in with a really cool wheel chair. It had all sorts of buttons. Somehow, just by looking at it, she knew it was electronic. She slid off the bed and into the chair. It fit her well.
“I customized it for you.” He sounded embarrassed. “It’s yours, so explore it whenever you can. But uh…until you know what you’re doing…I’ll push you.”
“Then let’s go!”
He laughed and pushed her out of the room. The movement made her nauseous for a while, but she quickly adjusted to it. By the time they arrived at the double-door, large café, she was even examining the wheelchair buttons. Her bionic eye wasn’t working – perhaps because she wasn’t even sure how to make it work – but they were tempting.
Upon entering the café, however, the only thing she was interested in was the smells. People looked over and dismissed her. She didn’t see anybody she knew, but then again, she hadn’t recognized her own sisters.
“Let’s get the food and go out into the garden. Is that all right?” She wanted to be outside.
“Go into the garden? To eat? What about bugs?” He made a face.
“What about them?” There was no reason to insult little bugs!
He shrugged. “We’ll head for the garden, then.”
They went through the line. Since she wasn’t sure what she liked otherwise, Sable grabbed pizza, bread sticks, an apple and coke. She remembered having this the day she woke up. As soon as Jayson paid for the meals, they headed for the garden.
“Mr. Derran!” Somebody called from their left. “I need to speak with you about your checking balance!”
“Shit…” Sable looked over to see a man in a business suite.
“What? Are you put on a limit?”
“Yes.”
“Is that a problem for you?" She teased, expecting a definite no. It’d never been a problem for her…
“You could say that…”
She looked at him, a little more than surprised.
“What in the Empire do you spend it on?!”
He sighed. “It’s a low budget…”
He was wheeling her over with the monkey suite.
“Why don’t you ask for a raise?”
“Because they don’t realize how little they’re giving me compared to what I need.”
“Prove it.”
“He’s tried.” The man looked about as annoyed as he did amused.
It was odd, to see those expressions on such an old man’s face. He was gray and grizzled, with a weathered face and callused hands. He wore a banker’s glasses and had his hair clipped and gelled back. He shook a little, and his small stature made him look frail. The only admirable part of him was the intelligent gleam in his eyes. I blinked and there was data on my bionic eye.

Name; Samuel Riley
Age; 75
Occupation; H.A.D Financial Manager

Sable shook her head, trying to understand why that came up now and not on the wheelchair operations.
“I’m sorry, sir, but if you would try to spend the money we give you on your systems and career, you would have a bit more money to buy that new computer you’ve been wanting. Could you explain to me why you bought a seven hundred dollar, handmade violin two weeks ago? Oh, and why in one month, you spent fifty dollars on sugar? What is this; a hundred dollars on cigarettes? Twenty dollars on pedigree dog kibble? Ten dollars on a dog sweater? A hundred dollars on a Dachshund? What in the Empire is a Dachshund?”
He looked embarrassed as Sable starred at him.
“It’s a small dog, sir.” He almost whispered. “They’re adorable…”
“Do you understand that we can’t raise your kind of man’s budget?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You spent only a grand on The Project. Is that why no other handler will take her? There was something about not being capable of adding the obedience program to Technist Sable Rose. Is that correct?”
“She’s right here, sir.”
He looked at Sable, who watched him with some curiosity and distrust.
“I see. Her rehabilitation isn’t complete?”
“She’s been awake for only three days now. Half of her body was destroyed; this requires at least four months.”
“Don’t baby the brat, Mr. Derran. Have her ready to shoot a gun in a month, even if she can’t stand. And get her properly updated.”
“Her brain will overload. I can’t, sir.”
“Then why don’t you remove the unnecessary information about her personal life?”
“Why don’t we remove all your personal memories, Mr. Riley?” Sable snapped back, furious.
“And correct her mouth.”
“I’ll correct yours, asshole!” She tried to stand, but Jayson pushed her back down.
“I will not. I am handling her, sir, and you’re concern is my spending. I will be more careful about it in the future. The violin is for a physical exercise that will increase control and movement in her arms. Dogs need food; short hair dogs need protection from the harsh winter chill and dogs relieve stress. Unless you want me to quit or have a heart-attack, I suggest not commenting about my decision to get one; my blood pressure is high. I have a form of diabetes that forces me to consume sugar, or I’ll go into a diabetic coma. Is there anything else you have to say to me, sir?”
Samuel Riley looked a little shocked as Jayson wheeled Sable out of the café and into the gardens out back. They ate their meal in silence.
He stood up for me…didn’t he? Why? Why would he buy a violin when he could simply have me preform normal exercises twice a day?

When they were finished, he rose and wheeled her back to the room, helped her into the bed and went to his computer, where he began to click on links and type.
“Thanks.” Sable said quietly.
He looked over at her. She yawned, closed her eyes and told herself to go to sleep until twelve hundred; lunch. In a matter of seconds, her body responded to her half-electronic mind.

*****

Terra Lain lay in bed, on the other end of the building, and cried, holding her leg. Something in the back of her mind kept picturing a man moving Sable Rose’s leg, making it feel as it was on fire. She hated that man, right then. The other side of her mind kept a close eye on the man who called himself her handler. He watched her just as carefully, knowing what was wrong by looking at her movements. He’d offered her something for pain and she’d refused. Since he’d been trained to handle this, it had seemed to finalize things. He looked strained and angry. Looking closely at him, Terra wondered how the boy had became a handler and remained so passionate. He was young – only seventeen – and apparently he’d seen a lot of shit. His memories often gave her nightmares.
“Alex…” She whispered. “It’s alright; it isn’t my pain.”
“They’ve hurt you and your sisters. They put Deseray into isolation, and it’s their fault she’s blind and a pyrotechnic. Sable is half machine and computer, and has no personal memories.”
He was all worked up. It was making it hard to ignore the anger she felt in him; the anger that was building from his concern and brotherly love for her. She watched him begin to pace. There was a small meow at his feet. He paused, looking down. She blinked, rubbing her leg as he picked up a white Turkish Angora cat.
“I still can’t believe you convinced them to allow me to buy her…” Her handler stroked the cat between the ears and gave her chin a scratch. Terra could hear his cat purr from here.
“Stress relief, I told them.”
Yes…keep him off this…keep him focused on the cat…instead of my pain…

“You’re a wonderful cat, Isabel.” He coed. “Now, be a good kitty and go eat the Emperor’s balls off!”
Terra sighed, trying to stop crying.
The pain suddenly stopped. She felt utter exhaustion.
“It stopped.” She told him as the connection with Sable Rose faded. “I’m fine now.”
“The pain just cut off?”
“Her handler was hurting her leg; I think she’s in physical therapy. She’s sleeping now.”
“Good. Why don’t you try to get some?”
She sat up, exhausted but unwilling to show it.
“Naw. Let’s go out to eat instead. I’m hungry.” She got out of bed, making sure she went slowly enough not to stumble, grabbed her coat and shoes and walked out. Alex quickly followed her, laughing. Terra zoned in on the cat’s thoughts.
He’s so nice. I’d like to get down now. Human girl? Yes, you. I don’t want to go anywhere. Can I get down? I don’t like human balls…

She laughed. “Alex?”
“Yes?”
“Put Isabel down. She doesn’t want to go out with us.”
He laughed and put the cat down.
I’ll be on the porch, human girl. I like you. Pet me later.

“Do you like tuna?”
That is absolutely horrid! I want chicken!

“Let’s get Isabel some chicken, Alex. She doesn’t like tuna.”
“Chicken for the kitty, then, and sushi for us.”
They left their room and slowly made their way to the café. Terra ignored her exhaustion; Alex needed some fun tonight…

Chapter Three
Jayson’s Gift

The light was dull with the blinds drawn shut. Sable Rose looked again around the room she’d been moved to two days ago. It was small – no more than a cubical with a kitchen stove, a mini-fridge, a bed and a chest. There was a door with a closet-sized bathroom. She also had a laptop that sat on the table doing nothing. She wasn’t able to get it to turn on – it hurt to get close to it Right next to it was that violin.
Maybe I should try to play…Jayson did spend seven hundred dollars on the stupid thing...

There was a knock at the door. She sighed, rose and walked to the door. She opened it for the only person she ever saw; Jayson. He was carrying a backpack this time, surprising her for once.
“Well? Can I come in?”
“You want to come in?” Now she was shocked. He never came in. “Why?”
“Today is your birthday, that’s why. Didn’t I program that back into memory?”
“You’re two days off, genius.” At least…she hoped he was…
He sighed. “I know, but I wanted you to have these today, and on your real birthday we have plans.”
“We do?”
“You’ll understand if you’d invite me in and open your gift.”
She sighed, irritated. “You’re my master, remember? Why do you need my permission to come in my room?”
He handed her the backpack.
“You’ll need what’s in there. I’m no master; I’m your handler. I make sure you learn what you need to for survival in the battle field. Now may I come in, or would you like me to wake you up early tomorrow morning without having any idea what we’re doing?”
She sighed. There was no point in arguing with the guy. If he saw himself as her super-trainer or whatever, she wasn’t going to crush his make-believe world. “Fine.” She left the door wide open and walked to her bed, though as he followed her in he shut it. She set Jayson’s parcel on the bed and sat down, staring at it for a moment.
“Before opening it…why don’t you play something on the violin? I haven’t heard any complaints today, and I’d like to hear your progress.”
Yes, pretend you care. Lovely. Let’s hold hands and sing love songs now…

She went over and grabbed the violin.
At least I can walk now. Let’s see if I can play this in front of him like I did earlier; without shattering windows and ear drums.

She stood and placed the violin under her chin, holding parallel to the floor. Placing the bow on the strings, she began. There were so many ways to move her arm that hurt, and her movements weren’t quite right. But from beginning to end, she only had to stop once, and she only messed up badly four times.
He clapped. “Not quite right, but that was such an improvement in two days that I’d think you’d practiced.”
I have.

“Whatever.”
She tried to ignore the pride his praise had brought her.
“Alright, now I’d like you to open the backpack and take out its contents.”
“Usually presents are wrapped.”
“These would be a little difficult to handle wrapped.”
“These?” She cocked an eyebrow, trying to pry the information from him.
“Open it up and you’ll see.”
She unzipped the backpack and reached inside. Grasping cold metal, she lifted out a 9mm Smith and Wesson MP pistol. There were two of the black, small guns. There was also a box of ammunition in it. A screw driver and other tools she wasn’t quite familiar with were the last contents of the pack. Sable stared at them. Seeing them made her feel…hungry. She wanted to pick them up and begin immediately. She wanted to dismantle them a hundred times. She wanted to…
The thought frightened her.
“It’s a part of your programing to enjoy firearms of any sort, but I think we’ll start with something light and small, with little kick.” He began, watching her warily. He was studying her, but she was too busy examining the guns. She had them in her hands, one at a time, cocking them, feeling their weight, loading and unloading them. She was slow because they seemed heavy to her. It still hurt to play the violin, let alone shoot a gun. But dismantling it, on the other hand…
I’ll have fun tonight…

Again, the thought caught her off guard. She forced herself to put the loaded guns on the bed.
“Why? Why did you do that?” She asked him, furry rising in her. “Did you make it so I would enjoy killing people too?”
“No. Why don’t we stick to what’s going on now, instead of in the future?”
She listened, her heart aching and thrilled at the same time. She didn’t know what to do with herself.
“These are very important weapons. They are your and yours alone. This means you can modify them, once you know for sure what you want to do. You can sell them the moment you think you can handle something more powerful. You can do anything you want but throw them away or purposely break them.”
She was so happy; she leaned in and kissed him. Something about his lips, about him, suddenly made her forget the guns. She deepened the kiss. Her entire body screamed for more. He pulled her closer. Then she was upon him, kissing and moving. His lips were so soft, so lush. Desire flooded her. Somehow, their clothes were stripped…
What am I doing?

She tried to stop, to pull away, but instead she found herself putting him as far deep as he would go. A moan escaped her lips. Thoughts of somebody else flashed in her mind, confusing her. What was going on? Jayson moved perfectly with her, making it hard to think.
The hours went by quickly, draped in ecstasy.

Sable Rose woke to Jayson’s movement. He was sitting up, trying not to move her. She blushed; they weren’t dressed yet. She watched him dress, pleasantly sleepy yet. The only thing ruining the moment was the pain easing its way through her body; from her toes and fingers, into her ankles and wrists, and up to her knee and elbow, then finally her entire leg and arm. Her head throbbed painfully.
“Sore?” He asked almost kindly.
“A little. Could you get my pain pills?”
He nodded. “Oh…you still need to practice with those.” He pointed at the pistols she’d honestly forgotten completely about. Somehow they’d ended up on the floor.
I think I enjoy sex as much as I do shooting those…and the nanobot things.

“Right.” She got up and began to dress as he went into the kitchen to retrieve her meds. She’d just gotten her shirt on when there was a knock at the door. Sighing, Sable shrugged her pants on and opened the door with her good arm.
My hair is a mess…I don’t have my vest on and now I’ve got the top-dog at my damn door…shit.

A woman stood tall, her face stern and a gun strapped to her side. She had only one other piece of evidence of her rank; a badge. She was only slightly taller than Sable, with dark blue eyes and black, short and spiked hair. Her clothes showed too much for work, but it wouldn’t matter with her rank; nobody was stupid enough to challenge her.
And to completely destroy the once pleasant morning, Jayson came up behind her with a tall glass of water and pain pills. His shirt happened to still be lying at the foot of Sable’s bed.
The woman’s eyes showed her interest.
“Who is it, Sable…?” He saw her and his jaw literally dropped a little.
“It’s your boss, idiot.” The woman growled. “You know; the one who put you in a job with computers instead of rebel groups?”
“I’m sorry about this, Mrs. Lythe. Jayson was showing me how to work a gun and I threw my shoulder out; he had to re-tighten bolts and such.” I grabbed the pills and swallowed them. There was nothing stopping me from getting rid of this agony. “It was after curfew before he was done, and there was quite a bit of blood. He had to shower, so he said there was no reason to walk the halls in a bloody shirt at four in the morning.”
He picked up on it quickly. “Remind me to get you a couch, Sable. If I have to do this again, I’m not sleeping on those hard floors.” He moved his shoulder roughly. I remembered dislocating it last night – that’s what had stopped everything.
Please buy it…

She didn’t look entirely convinced, but didn’t pursue the event.
“I’m not here to patronize. I’m here to give you two these.”
She handed us two knew IDs. My card read;
SPECIAL UNIT; SABLE ROSE, TECHNIST.
I noticed Jayson’s read;
SPECIAL UNIT; JAYSON DERRIAN, TECHNIST HANDLER AND PROGRAMMER.

“And to inform Mr. Darren that you have two months to recover before you’re sent on your first mission.”
Lythe looked them over one last time, shook her head and walked away.
“She’s not the friendliest person.” Sable grumbled, leaning back into Jayson’s arms.
“She’s our boss. Does she need to be?” He gave her a small kiss and they broke apart. Sable wasn’t sure she wanted to be out of his arms; the skin tingled where he kissed her. But he began to speak, snapping her out of it – though barely.
“Training is important, since you only have two months. The rebel groups aren’t going to wait for you to load your gun and aim for their hearts.”
“Rebel groups?” She tried to focus.
“Yes. There are rebel groups out there killing off scientists, medical officers and of course, people like you and me.”
“Why?”
“They’re against the government.”
“So they kill people forced to follow it?!”
“Most of them are just kids. It’s sad that their parents train them for war at that age…”
“You mean they’re younger than fifteen?”
“Or at least they start out that way.” He shrugged, closing the door. “Then they refuse to come with the operatives that bring them, and by the age sixteen the government can’t recruit you. There are also those who aren’t registered in the computers, so they are never recruited in the first place. There are entire generations like that.”
Now that’s different!
“That’s…horrible. And we have to kill these misguided kids? It’s not their fault!”
“But it isn’t our choice; they will kill you if you don’t act first. Not to mention any other government personnel, really.”
“That’s too bad…” Sable said, walking over to the bed and grabbing her pistols. She cocked them, enjoying the sound of the click they made.
“Why don’t you start by dismantling them?”
“Sounds good to me.” Sable shrugged, as if just following orders.
Sounds fun!
“I’ll get us breakfast. Do you like Japanese?”
Her fists clenched around the guns until her knuckles turned white.
“I have no idea what I like, asshole. You removed that part of me.” Sable snapped, furious at the empty feeling the truth gave her. “Go get the food. But I suggest breakfast food, not something we’d eat for dinner.”
“Of course.” He sounded a little put off. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He walked out, looking rather disheartened.
Ignoring him, she placed the pistols on her round glass dining table and sat down, focusing on them as she attempted to fill or block the emptiness. She wanted to know how to dismantle them, and thought about it. Her bionic eye locked onto a part of the gun and gave her information. She began slowly at first, but quickly got into it. Somebody knocked on the door when she was about half way through with the first gun.
“Come in, come in. It’s unlocked, Jayson.”
He opened the door and came in rolling a cart of food. Sable looked back and stared. Bowls of steamed rice, miso soup and several side dishes she couldn’t name lined the cart.
“You’re already half way?”
Sable nodded. “That’s a whole lot of food.”
“I bought it all for you to sample them all. I had nothing else to spend things on…”
“Damn. No new computer to buy?”
“No. The company bought them this time. They are taking charge of most of my money and giving me the rest from now on.”
They ate in silence, Sable dismantling the gun as she nibbled on different dishes. The balls of rice, soups and the cold dumplings were all delicious. She didn’t care for some of the weird vegetables, but everything else was great. But the Technist was finished with her first gun long before she’d eaten her first plate.
“I’ll need to leave early tonight.”
“Why?” She wasn’t happy about that at all.
Last night better not be a one night stand. Working with him all day and getting nothing out of it is going to piss me off.

“We can’t draw attention to us.”
She sighed. “Fine. Work tonight.”
She began to piece the gun back together, finding herself pissed and enjoying the guns all the more for it. She tried to ignore what that might mean.
“Don’t get upset about it.”
“Thanks for the food and guns.” She said formally, keeping her tone even. “I’m not upset. I was hoping I could unwind tonight – with you.”
He blushed. “I’m sorry. I have updates to install on the shitty computer systems they insisted on buying.”
She stared at him.
“Your computer matters more to you than getting fucked?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, with dark red cheeks, Jayson stammered something Sable didn’t quite hear.
“What was that?” She asked, placing the fire pin very carefully in its place.
“I said…we don’t have to wait all day.”
She glanced up, frustrated. “We have things to do today.”
He sighed. “Yeah. We do. Let’s go.”
She finished her task and breakfast. It was already ten thirty by the time she was finished.
That’s odd. I don’t have a clock in here at all, and I know the time. Weird.

“Let’s go, busy man.” She said, brushing her hair into a tight pony tail.
“So soon?”
“It’s ten thirty. We’re behind.”
He got up and followed her out, then took lead when she paused, realizing quickly she had no idea where they were going.
“You’ll know your way around again once you’re used to using your hard-drive.”
Again?

“I’ve been here before?”
“Of course. You were a scientist, remember? You made rounds through the dorms to collect data all the time – even if it was recommended that you didn’t. You even went out and watched your sisters do their training so you could improve the gear you’d designed That’s how you came up with your latest gear. Well…that’s what it said in the data reports.”
“Why don’t I remember that?”
“The hard-drive can’t run everything at once, no more than a brain can. You have to tell it to access a memory, or at least search for it.”
“How do I do that?”
“Figure it out.”
“Asshole.”
“It’s called training.”
“Whatever.”
They went through several halls before coming up to a door with a security lock on it. It was titanium steel with a red circular light above it.
“Dammit.”
“What?”
“I forgot the code in my wallet…”
“Move aside, ingrain.”
She shoved him aside, not waiting for him to comply, and typed in the code without really thinking about it. Numbers just came to her. She pressed enter. The door buzzed, turned from red to green and opened.
“Looks like I won’t need to carry around a code catalog anymore…”
Sable continued through without waiting for him, recognizing the area slightly. An image flashed through her mind, making her head spin. She stood behind two girls – her sisters – while they fired guns rapidly at human-like targets. They shot at the head, the heart, and the stomach – all vital places. She recalled the sick feeling, the unease.
She didn’t understand why she had felt that way. She stood; staring at what her mind told her was her usual place. Then the rest of the surrounding settled, and she realized she was holding her head and leaning against the wall. A couple of people were staring at her unsurely, seeing the pistols and wondering what to do.
“A-are you alright?” Jayson asked with confusion.
“Damn memories, flashing in at random times…”
He visibly relaxed. “That’s unavoidable. I can’t change when your memories slip in. They shouldn’t be so difficult to deal with as you get used to it.”
“Fine. Whatever.” Looking for a free firing box – they were pretty full, honestly – her eyes stopped on a familiar face. It took a moment, but the lean, muscular female with gray eyes and dark, olive skin flared her cheeks deep red. “I can take it from here, Jayson.”
“Are you alright? Your cheeks are red!”
“I’m fine. Leave me to work.”
“You know how to shoot already?”
“I’m sure I won’t get anywhere watching a computer geek pretend he does. Leave me to figure it out. The hardware you installed should be more than enough for a still, non-breathing target.”
He followed her eyes and frowned. “You won’t get anywhere asking a Basic something…”
She slugged him in the cheek – hard. Completely unprepared, he took a step back from the force of the blow.
“What in the Emperor's name was that?!”
“Never call her that!” She growled in a quiet voice full of fury and menace. He stared at her. Heads turned. Most of them looked confused. The girl she’d spotted literally laughed. She put her gun on safety and lowered it, walking toward them leisurely. She came up to stand beside Sable.
“You messin’ with my girl?” She asked with twinkling eyes. “’cause you need ta git lost if ya are, lard ass.”
Jayson blinked, utterly bewildered. “Your girl?”
“That’s right. She’s my girl. We’ve dated for three years now.”
Sable hoped the heat in her cheeks meant she was fevered. The way Jayson stared at her was bad enough.
“You’re…”
“Yes.”
“Then…”
“Shut up.”
“Who is this, baby?” The girl asked.
“My…handler, I think he called it.”
“You’re being pimped out?” She sounded furious.
“No, sweet lips. I’m being trained as a Special Op. Technist, isn’t it?” She asked Jayson, getting anxious. Why didn’t she already know this?
He just nodded, looking very nervous.
“That’s right. Weren’t you informed about her accident?”
“I was told she recovered from minor injuries.”
“Minor injuries?!” Sable snapped, glaring at her so-called handler.
“I had no contact with this woman, Sable. Don’t give me that look.”
“Who informs people of these things?”
“Our boss or the people directly below her are in charge of that. I have no clue what their names are. Even if I did, I would have no idea who the person to tell her would be; I’m not given that information, and neither are you.”
Sable sighed, letting her anger go flat. People that high up wouldn’t consider even her significant other important enough to give the complete truth.
Still, a little truth to that would have been nice.
“I was in a major accident. My left leg and right arm have been replaced with false limbs, and I’ve some memory loss.”
The rest of it seemed to be trapped in the back of her throat. She didn’t want her to kill Jayson.
“Why memory loss?”
“She inhaled some very toxic fumes. She doesn’t seem to remember the accident very well, either.”
“Aren’t technists more computer than that?”
“Usually. But she already has basic training with weapons and tactics from her sisters, and most of her memory problems –“
“Fuck it.” Sable said; she was feeling tired of lying already. “It’s nothing like that. I’m sorry for even trying to lay, but the truth, Samantha, is that I also have a computer for a heart and half a brain.”
She stared at Sable in disbelief.
“You…can’t be serious…”
“I am. Half of my brain – the left half – is a hard-drive; along with my entire right arm, left leg and my heart. Most of my personal memories are lost, or buried. Honestly, it wasn’t until I saw you that I recalled who you were and what we were. I still don’t have a clue how I get along with my sisters, or their personalities.”
“Damn.” She was thinking. Sable could see the wheels turning behind the deep gray eyes.
“Somebody had to have programed that computer.”
“Jayson did.”
She didn’t look pissed. Instead, she looked at him and nodded her thanks. Then she turned back to me. “You ought to visit those sisters of yours and get to know them again. Honestly, they’ve changed a lot themselves. They’ve gone through a hell of a lot since you nearly died. They refused to say anything about it, though. They aren’t allowed to come here anymore.”
“Why not?”
“Your youngest sis nearly blew the place to hell.”
Sable blinked, and then sighed. “Of course. I do remember how violent she is…”
“You know…Terra hasn’t been out of her new room for a week. Why don’t you go check on her some time? She’s going through a lot.”
“If I get the chance; I have training.”
She glared at Jayson.
“I can’t do a thing about it, Samantha. The boss says she trains, she trains.”
“Come over here. I’ll help you with those two pistols…”
She winked.
“Bye Jayson.”
“But-“
“Good. Bye. Jayson.”
He’ll understand this, right? I mean, I can’t toy with him tonight anyway…

He sighed, turned and left. Sable followed the lithe, agile soldier into the shooting box and stood the way her memory placed her sisters. Her mind told her it wasn’t quite right, but she wasn’t sure what she was doing wrong.
“You’re a bit new at this, aren’t you?” Sam smiled. “Here; let me help.”
She wrapped her arms around her and placed her correctly, moving her hands down her torso to straighten it. Then she steadied her shaking arms and aimed them gently. Swooping her arms down the technist’s thighs, Sam showed Sable how to stand.
Her hands are so soft…yet firm…
Everywhere was hot. The feeling was less powerful than the urge – the need – she’d felt with Jayson. But it still pulled up thoughts.
“Oh. That feels…right.” She commented at the stance she'd been placed in.
“Feels right?” Sam looked puzzled.
“Yeah. It’s all the programming; it’ll tell me when I have things right. But I can’t seem to access things right…”
“Have you been listening to your handler?”
“The programing geek?”
“Don’t treat him like that! He comes here often enough to shoot!” Sam surprised her. “He’s damn good at it, though he’s a hell of a lot better with those axes of his than firearms. Jayson was trained to be a Special Ops handler in the first place. But he was too smart to be here, so they moved him.”
“Oh.”
“Now, aim and pull the trigger…”
She carefully aimed for the heart…
And flinched when she opened her eyes after the blast and saw she’d completely and utterly missed the entire target.
“Damn…” Sam shook her head. “This is going to be a long, painful day for you baby.”

Ten rounds later, Sable swore as her shoulder dislocated.
“What’s wrong?” Sam was beside her in a millisecond.
“My shoulder just dislocated…”
“Which one…”
She smiled to try to act like it wasn’t a big deal. “It was my right shoulder; no big deal. You could put that back in place.”
Sam sighed. “Damn. You were just starting to hit the target!”
Sable put down her pistol. “Just re-locate the shoulder and we’ll continue.”
“No way in hell I’m doing that. For one, I’ve had only an hour of my own practice. For two, you have one terrible aim. And for three – you’re going back to your dorm and talking to your handler about pain management and exercising your real limbs as well as your mechanical ones.”
As she scolded the scientist-gone-soldier, she came around and popped the shoulder back into socket. Sable gave a muffled cry of pain. A few people looked over, but they were getting a bit used to them.
I really am terrible at this…

“I’ll walk you to your dorm. Then I’ll know where it is, anyway.”
Not in the best spirits and still in pain, all Sable did was nod and lead the way…

Chapter Four
Sightless Eye

The room they had assigned Terra Lain was small, cramped even. But she didn’t mind anymore. It was quiet, with a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. She didn’t need anything more than that, now that she had her own room. All of her cloths now fit in a single chest; she’d sold most of her childhood clothing, or left it behind. Her single bed fit beside that. At its foot was a perch, where a falcon sat most of the time when it wasn’t on her arm. To the left of the bed was a wall where a strange, unstrung bow of odd metal hung. There were no arrows to the bow, either, but it wasn’t useless.
Everything she was given had a secret, and she knew the bow’s was simple – even if she hadn’t figured it out yet. It really irritated her. She had figured out how to talk to the falcon and make it respond, how to speak with it through emotion and simple commands without moving her lips. But she couldn’t find the secrete of that blasted bow!
Going over to it, she picked it up again to examine it - again. It was light as a feather and perfectly designed from every perspective. There was a place for the string to go, but no string would fit and all the arrows she’d seen weren’t the right size for the fine weapon.
The design wasn’t old fashioned, like some swords the Elite wore for show, duels or practice. It was a solid silver alloy with veins of altering colors intricately woven into it. The veins were connected to symbolize vines and flowers running up and down the weapon. Terra ran her hands up and down the bizarre weapon.
Terra stiffened, feeling rushed suddenly. She could feel somebody coming. Putting up the weapon carefully, she brushed her hair and braided it tightly. Without thinking about it, she knew who it was. Her handler was alright, for a gay boy. Just as he reached the door, she opened it, staff in hand and arm up for the falcon. It was on her arm a second later.
The boy was smiling.
“You’re getting good at that.”
“I knew it was you.”
“Good. Let’s go.”
“Where?”
He sighed.
“Common, Leo. I hate reading thoughts. It makes me feel sick.”
“It won’t if you use it.”
“Then I’d be really good at invading the most private place a person has!”
“That’s the point, Terra. That’s why you are wielding that ability.”
She rolled her eyes. “No. I have this ability because the government scientists don’t know what they’re doing. So just tell me where we’re going!”
“Fine. We’re going to say hi to your sister, Deseray.”
“Deseray? Really?” She was thrilled. The bird gave an excited screech. “That’s wonderful!”
“It is.”
“What about Sable? Can I see her too?”
“No.”
“What?! Why not?”
He frowned, looking away. “Because we have to work around her schedule, and her handler keeps her very busy.”
“Like Sable would take that!”
“She seems to be enjoying it. He said she gets anxious when she’s sitting still, as if she doesn’t know what to do with herself in her free time. She has to be following an order of some kind.”
That didn’t sound anything like Sable. The girl hated to be told to work all the time, without breaks and something that entertained her in between. But then again, it wasn’t like Terra had ever wanted or even liked birds, and now she couldn’t think of going an hour without her falcon.
“Oh well. Let’s go see Deseray.” She tried not to sound as hurt as she felt.
Terra followed her handler down the hall, up three flights of stairs and into a much different hall. It was intended for people without sight; nothing sharp or hanging, all tile floors and soft walls that wouldn’t echo. Echoing would cause confusion for those who weren’t used to it; like Deseray. As they walked, the dorms all had different doors. They had different textured mats or no mats at all. There were numbered.
It was honestly very eerie and bare, but it was ingenious for its purpose.
Soon, they stopped at a door. It had a red mat and the number and letter P1. Terra knew instantly that her sister was the first Pyrotechnic, and that’s what that stood for. Inside, she could feel pain and anger. Terra could hear a man talking about controlling emotions – which was only pissing Deseray off.
“We should go in before that man in there is no more than cinder stains on the carpet…” Terra advised her handler.
He opened the door and followed her in.
“Hey Deseray.” Terra interrupted the lean skinny dude scolding her about control. He wore an outfit that screamed ‘I-think-I’m-all-that’.
“Who the hell are –“
“Terra!” Deseray was hugging her before Terra’s heart could beat a second time.
Relief, love and grief slammed into her like a tsunami wave. Terra fought to stay on her feet, to not be drowned and consumed by the powerful emotions that had ambushed her.
“Deseray…” The psychic whispered, feeling suffocated by the intensity.
“I’ve missed you.” Her sister told her.
“I…can’t…breathe…”
“Oops.” The pyrotechnic gave a false laugh.
“What’s up with this room?” Terra turned on the boy. “You’re the retard pretending to help her, right? What’s your name, asshole?”
She instantly felt his anger, Deseray’s joy and amusement and Leon’s shock.
It isn’t like her at all! What is going on here? Should I have her leave…?

It was Alex’s thoughts. She tried to block everything out, but instead she seemed to hear more.
That’s more like Terra. I’m glad she’s not changed much after all. Maybe one day I won’t be afraid to hurt her…
Who the fuck is this bitch? She should get outta my face and mind herself!

Overwhelmed, Terra grabbed her head and tried to block it out.
“Damn it!” She growled. “Stop thinking so damn loud!”
Leon and Deseray were both beside her, their concern only making it worse.
“Get. Away. From. Me.” The new psychic growled.
“But, Terra…”
Leon took control. “I knew this was a bad idea. Her energy levels are too high. I’m sorry, Deseray, for bringing her here on such a day. Forgive me for my misstep, but we must leave immediately.”
Terra allowed him to lead her away. She felt a tug of concern, hate and love from somebody, but the pain in her head…it was so much…

****

Deseray listened to her sister’s heavy footsteps and realized it was partly her fault. She’d somehow triggered the painful energy-thing that her older sister was suffering through. Turning to Kyle, her handler, she glared at him.
“Why don’t you try to be useful like that Leon?” She demanded. “Did you hear him blaming her for mistakes made by the medical team?”
He grunted. “I can’t help it if he’s fallen for her. But I’m not that kind of guy. I don’t get personal.”
“Then stop lecturing me and tell me why you’re here!” She tried to keep the anger from her voice; she knew by now that anger was dangerous.
I can’t kill him. I have a feeling that this much anger will do some serious damage.

“S-sure. Look, I’m sorry I blew up like that.” She heard his leather jacket shift as his shoulders sag. “I got in trouble for not controlling you better. My pay was docked – again.”
“Fine. I’ll try harder, alright? It may be useful if I could get out once in a while like Terra does.”
“She goes to gardens and stuff to train her bird and give her focus. If we did that, you could reduce the entire place to ash.”
Slumping herself, Deseray found her way to the bed.
“But I do think I have a solution. You need something to help you find your way around.” He pulled something out from behind his back. She heard his breathing quicken, but wasn’t sure if it was fear or excitement. He handed her something metal.
It was long and strong, and about her height. She felt it slowly.
“A staff?”
Why must I be so helpless?

“Yes. I asked about a guide dog and they said that it was too dangerous with your…abilities. When you have control of them, then I might be able to get you a shepherd or something, but by that time…you’ll be well able to sense your surroundings…so…don’t count on it.”
“Thanks.” It was frustrating to feel relief and even happiness over a metal staff.
“I’ll slowly help you learn to fight once you can control your ability over fire, alright? It’s completely different than shooting bullets at a distant target.”
“I’ll bet.”
They were quiet for a while. The pyrotechnic listened to his breathing and heart rate; he was anxious. And there was something else…
Is he not as uncaring as he portrays?

“Is there something else, Kyle?” She asked quietly.
“I’m just trying to think of somewhere safe for you to…get used to people being around. To their heartbeats and breathing, to their movements and voices…”
“What about the café?” Deseray asked hopefully. “You always get my food for me…”
His heartbeat shot up in a pattern Deseray was sure was panic.
“Fine.” She snapped.
She heard him force himself to relax. “It’s a bit crowded for you yet, isn’t it?”
“How am I supposed to learn then?” She demanded.
Kyle took in a breath. “I have it!”
“Where?”
“The library.”
“The…what?”
“The library. It’s always full of new kids who aren’t fit to be combatants learn all the book stuff. The book worms, med professionals and computer geeks are there even after they are integrated into their jobs. But it’s not nearly as crowded and loud as the café. That and most of those people are relaxed.” He, however, was getting more and more excited. Deseray could hear the wind his hand made as it zipped through the air. He was apparently being very expressive with his gestures. “They are even-tempered – friendly, even.”
“Really? There are people like that here?”
“Your sister was, wasn’t she? Before all those changes were made?”
“You mean Terra?”
“Who? I was talking about that Sable Rose. She was cussing out her handler and programmer today.”
I feel sorry for those two.
“Yeah. She was mildly friendly if you didn’t step on her toes.”
Unless she knows you, anyway, she wasn’t the friendliest. Granted, she didn’t go out of her way to piss people off like that bastard at the shooting range…

“Snap out of it. Do you want to go or not?” Kyle sounded a little irritated.
“Sorry; I was remembering Sable. The library is better than here. Maybe I can get an audio book or something about technists.”
“Well, after you get some social training in, that’s fine.”
“What do you want me to focus on?” She asked quietly as he lead her out of the room and down the hall.
“For now, just talk to somebody and listen to their voice, heartbeat and breathing patterns like you do with me.”
“Right.”
And she followed him, with an irritating and depressing amount of excitement, toward the one place she thought she’d never see.

Chapter Five
Riddle's Quest

The thud of somebody beating on Sable Rose’s door pissed her off. It’d been a very difficult day and she was particularly sore. The pain pills didn’t seem to kick in fast enough to relieve the ache in her knee or elbow.
Setting down the violin that had become – somehow – a very vexing but relaxing thing to do after training, the woman limped to the door and swung it open. Then she lifted an eyebrow at Jayson.
“What are you doing here at twenty-two hundred?” Then she spotted the case in his hands. “And what’s that?”
“Oh. It’s a new training tool, since you’re getting better at your physical therapy.”
“Really?”
Another gift…? What the hell…?

She waved him in. Whatever was in the bag was making her uneasy.
“Yes. You need to learn how to activate and control computers; it’s a vital skill for a technist team.”
“So…this is work related?”
“Sure. Let me show you something.”
He set it on her table and pulled out a laptop.
“I know how to operate a laptop.” Sable growled, going up to touch the on button.
“Sable, wait –“
Anguish bolted through her every nerve, putting her on the ground before she knew what was going on. It was as if she were being electrocuted by a thousand volts of lighting. Jayson was right there, saying something her mind couldn’t understand. Her vision blurred in and out.
Slowly, her mind cleared and the feeling faded.
“Can you hear me, Sable?”
“Yes.” The technist groaned. “What in the Emperor’s name was that?”
He sighed. “I couldn’t risk you taking short cuts and turning it on and using it normal. I would lose you to another handler and you would lose all your freedom as well as personal memories – and the desire to have a personal life altogether.”
“What?” She was able to move to the bed. “Then how do I work it?”
“With your mind, Sable Rose. You need to access it and learn it using your mind.”
“I can do that?”
She vaguely recalled him saying the same thing to the men who’d refused to be her stupid handler simply because she didn’t have the obedience program thingy.
“Indeed. It’s unique even for most technists. I made the program and hardware, but it’s more or less because you can now access your entire brain, including parts that only psychics can. But thanks to the explosion, those parts are now only accessible when you feel electric currents or some kind of computer.”
“So…how do I do it?”
The programmer’s cheeks flared red. “I have no idea. I’m a programmer, not a brain scientist.”
“Oh.”
Why should I do it at all?

“Then forget it.”
“Huh. I would have thought you wanted to see your sisters more than that.”
Anger mixed with hope. She wasn’t sure which was stronger. “What do you mean?” She had him against the far wall of the room.
“I-I mean they will let you see your sisters if you behave yourself and learn to use those wonderful abilities of yours.” He was watching Sable strangely. Then he smiled and kissed her.
His lips…were so soft…
She put him down and pressed against him harder, meeting a lump exactly where she wanted it. Jayson grabbed her butt and her boob. Sable kissed him deeper, almost banging his head against the drywall.
What am I doing? Won’t Sam be upset…?

She pulled away a little, confused. As much as she wanted this, it seemed…wrong.
“Okay…” He whispered. “I’m sorry.”
Is that…guilt…in his voice?

He let go of her.
“What? Don’t like my lips, pretty boy?” Sable bluffed, trying to goad something out of her handler.
“No. That’s not it at all.” He looked at the floor. “I shouldn’t have started that. I know it would affect you and Sam’s relationship.”
“I kissed back.”
Why is this smug bastard refusing something he started? And why is he taking the blame?
“N-never mind. Let’s focus on work.”
After all of that, you want me to work?

“Make up your damn mind.” Sable snapped. “Fuck me or work.”
He smiled faintly. “Look, try to get that computer to turn on. That’s your assignment. When you need a break, play the violin or go shooting. If you want, you can even call up Sam or I anytime you need one of us.”
He was edging toward the door. “You know how to reach me and where. For the next two weeks, I’ll stop by every evening. The third week is battle simulation training.”
“Yes, of course. Leave me to fiddle with computers, guns and music all by myself after getting me all stirred up.”
She let him go, however.
Some girlfriend I am…

But her eyes were drawn to the laptop sitting on her table…waiting…

*****

Terra lay exhausted in her bed. Her mind spun and throbbed. It was difficult to breathe. Leon held her hand quietly.
"Is the pain gone?" He asked in a whisper. She felt his fear; he'd thought she was going to die.
"Yes. It's gone." She needed her bow - right now. When Terra attempted to get up, however, Alex gently - and easily - lay her back down.
"You need to rest."
"No." She growled. "I need my bow."
And she shoved his hand away to stand. It was in her hands before she could rise, however.
My...bow...came to me?

"Do you want me to leave?" He asked quietly.
"Yes. I'm sorry, Leon, but yes. I need you to leave. I'll call you if the energy is too much again..."
"Alright. I'll be in my room if anything

happens. Your meds..."
"Are in the drawer." She finished, picking up the thought by mistake. "Now out of the room so I can focus."
He opened his mouth, but his thoughts ran into her mind.
"I will, Leon. I swear I'll call you."
With a sad nod of his head, Leon left the room.
If I'm right...this bow is triggered by my mind. Not by my hands...

She felt the design, and nodded.
There's no other explanation...but...how do I make the power flow any way I want?

Knowing she couldn't stand, Terra realized there was only one way to find out...
Besides...Leon is just down the hall..this will need training, however, that he can't help me with...

Terra told the bow to return to the wall and released it. It floated through the air. Though it hit the wall a little hard, making a thud,

it worked. Then the psychic focused on another object...
I will find that limit, that control...even if almost kills me first!

******

Deseray listened to the people in the library whispering, hearing them as if they were talking loudly to one another, and felt herself grab her handler's hand tightly.
"You're hands are hot." He muttered.
"I'm trying. But they're still talking...all at once..."
Now I understand why he wanted me here, instead of somewhere even more populated.

"Focus on one thing at a time. Tell me what the three girls to your left are whispering about."
She focused hard, closing her eyes.
"I wonder why they put such a hot man with that blind freak."
"They're calling you hot...and me a blind freak."
"Okay...keep listening."
She focused again.
"Don't be so lame, Tosha." A second girl told her. "Grow up a little. It's your father's fault she's blind at all. Didn't you know that he's the reason they pulled up a painful memory when the power was unstable?"
"Yeah." A third girl remarked. "Don't be a twit. Maybe you should go apologize for ruining her life."
Tosha's breathing told Deseray that she was both insulted and guilty.
"Whatever."
Deseray rose and walked over to them.
"I don't blame you for your father's mistakes, Tosha." The blind pyrotechnic told the girl. "But I think you could learn something from your friends. How would you like to be isolated for hours on end, with only a single boy who treats you like a tool, unable to see your friends or family? Because you wanted to help people like you get better in their research?"
She was almost in tears.
"If you feel that my handler is hot, ask him out. I don't care; maybe he'll start being a little less sure of himself with somebody like you, who seems to look at the negative side of things."
"What's so positive about your situation?" She was trying to gain ground, to make herself feel better.
Deseray smiled. "This."
She held up her hand, letting the anger-channeled energy dance to the tip of her hand - and hoping her haunch was right.
Heat...smoke...fire!
The girls were on their feet, their chairs on the ground. Then one of them said "Wow! That's awesome!"
The anger left Deseray suddenly, and fire vanished.
"Not really..." She whispered. "I can't control it very well..."
"Sure you can!" The other girl told her. "You didn't blow us to ash, did you?"
She felt her lips tug into a sad smile as hope filled her. "I didn't, did I?"
Tosha brushed past her. "This is your fault! You treat her like shit, don't you? She isn't a tool, ass! She's a gifted girl with feelings!"
And the smack

of her hand made all of them laugh.

Chapter Six
Riddle's Path

Jayson jumped from his bed as his pager went off, afraid to see it was another scientist near death, ready for him to program or meet. Or another technist he'd programmed was shutting down form the abusive handlers H.A.D trained.
His shaking hand steadied as he read the number; it was Sable Rose's ID. But all it read was;
"Come to my room immediately. And don't go emo, pretty-boy."
He relaxed a little. At least she wasn't dead.
How did she get my pager number? I never gave it to her.

Grabbing his tools, - in case she'd damaged something on her mechanical limbs after all - Jayson headed for Sable Rose's quarters.
Maybe three days is too much to leave her on her own...

The door opened for him the moment he was there, only Sable wasn't at it. A computer's voice said "Please Enter Now. Lady Sable Rose is expecting you."
What's going on?

Jayson stepped inside; the door shut behind him. He looked around; his jaw dropped. Now wires lined the walls connecting to each door, and even the lights. There was a huge screen above the bed.
"What the fuck did you do to this room?!" He demanded.
Sable laughed from her bed, where her eyes glowed like a cat's in the night.

******

Leon felt something nagging his mind as he paced. He kept picturing Terra Lain calling his name. Then it hit him like a punch in the gut; it was

her calling for him! Through her mind!
But...it's been three days!

Seizing her medication and other emergency first-aid supplies, the boy rushed from the room.

Terra's door swung open when he was still about three feet away. Alarmed, he stopped. Her falcon flew out, screeching. Terrified something horrid had happened, Leon rushed for the doorway. The moment he could see into the room, however, an arrow of pure concentrated energy shot from within.
Terra stared at him with a smile, but her eyes were distant and in pain.
"Terra?"
His voice made her shade her head, and her eyes cleared. Relief washed over him like a cool wave of water.
Until he saw her legs quiver; she dropped the bow to the floor and nearly hit the ground before Leon lunged forward and caught her in his strong arms.
Man...my boyfriend isn't going to believe this...

*******

Deseray took a deep breathe, calming herself. Taking the stance that her handler had shown her, she steadied the staff in her grip. Heavy boots shifted quietly on the hard, cement floor.
She counted the hearts she heard beating; one...two...three...
One behind her, directly...one to her left...and the third front of her.
"Good...focus." Her handler's voice frustrated her. He was doing it on purpose - he had to be.
There's been a purpose in everything he's done so far. And the scolding stopped. Let's see if it lasts more than three days.

The sound of air moving from behind her, coming toward her head, had her duck. She swung around to hit only the air and growled. Something punched her in the gut. She grabbed hold of it and sent fire up the jacket.
It was quickly out, and did no harm to the man. But he staggered back in alarm. She swung the staff at his legs, knocking him to the floor. Sound of footsteps to her direct left and behind her told her the other two were moving at the same time.
She concentrated her energy on the staff until heat and smoke hit her nose.
She was accustomed to it by now, but they paused.
Even when they're protected head to toe, the prisoners around here are still terrified of my power.

She rushed at them, spinning to strike one in the knee, chest and thigh and quickly caterwauling away from his punches. Whirling behind the other man, she tripped him as well.
"Excellent!" Kyle called to her. "That's enough getting your ass kicked by the blind child now, boys!" He called as they heaved themselves up. The guards were there in a second to cuff them in the electronic handcuffs H.A.D used. Then they led them away at gunpoint.
"They weren't very dangerous." She complained. "Or very good."
"I know. And since you've made such good progress these three days...I'm going to take you to the garden for lunch now!"
"What? Really!" The news was so great, her disappointment over not getting a real fight evaporated.
"I heard Sable Rose eats there on lunch, too. Terra might be there as well, if she's recovered. We won't have time to changed..."
"That's fine! I'll go in what I'm wearing!"
Who knows if her handler is as abusive as the others that train technists? I want to kick his ass and set him aflame if I see him yelling at her!

"Calm down, now." Kyle teased. "I smell smoke."
"S-sorry. I'm used to controlling anger...but..."
"What were you so angry about?" He asked as he began to lead her toward the cafe.
"I was thinking about how abusive handlers are with technists."
"Oh. Her programmer took her for training. He's a bit too kind and way a lady's man; he won't hurt her." He sounded thoughtful as he continued. "In fact...from the sounds of it, I'm worried she

might break him!

"
"Really?"
"Yes. She's quite the...spirited one."
What have they done to her?

******

Sable heard Jayson's voice and eased carefully from the computer, still not quite used to it. Retreating with a migraine to prove it, she reached with her mind to the cords connecting to the light and dimmed it.
She silently thanked the electrons and atoms that obeyed.
"Sorry..." She muttered to Jayson. "What was that?"
"Your eyes...they looked as yellow as a cat's in the night..."
She shrugged. "Can't control the nanobots all that well..."
I'm starving...but...

"Are you alright?"
"I...feel kind of...weak."
"Let me check your vitals."
Sable nodded, and allowed the programmer to manipulate her body so that she laid flat on the bed. He hooked her up to wires that read her vitals; including her nanobots. Each eagerly informed her on what they were for.
"So...my nanobots are low..." She heard the computer in her mind, and blinked. "Damn...computers talk a lot..."
"You knew that before the computer popped up to show me..."
Sable sighed. "I need more of them, right?"
Will it feel like it did last time?

She shivered with anticipation.
"Y-yes. Three shots of them, apparently. You've been working a lot with them, haven't you?"
"Yes. At least half of them have malfunctioned from me overworking the little hard-drives."
"Damn."
"Don't worry; they've been re-used by the others for repair. That's why the count isn't fatal."
How in the Empire's name do I know any this?

Then she realized the moment she needed information bad enough, the nanobots were telling her.
I have full access...

"You're able to read the data now. Good. So you're controlling computers well enough?"
"Sort of. I've figured out how.

Now I just need practice, I think. Most of this laptop here I know."
"Here you are."
He took out a syringe. She felt her body quiver with need. Sable let him clean the area and inject her.
The minds...they blazed through her with all sorts of data, whipped themselves clean and rebooted into her system. As soon as they were racing through her blood, Sable grabbed Jayson and pulled him onto the bed.
"Now, naughty boy, help me out with that program you filtered in."
"W-what?"
She kissed his neck. "You know...the one that makes me want your touch so bad. The one that forces me to lust for you..."
Grabbing his hand, she put it on her boob. His face was red. Knowing it would settle it, she moaned in his ear.
"How'd you know?"
"Next time, make sure the nanobots have already been whipped clean of their old data. Now let's go..."
She removed his belt.
Oh...that's better...

Sable woke from Jayson shifting in the bed. She leaned over and watched him, feeling a little hurt. He was better than the programmers that forced the obedience with hardware onto other technists, but still not who she had thought he was.
"It's noon. Want to get an early lunch?" Jayson's voice told her he was trying to make things up. As he faced her, she could see the guilt in his expressive mud-brown eyes.
She smiled. "Sure. Let's eat in the garden. I think Terra's been hanging out there during lunch. She carries around a falcon and a bow...and sits there meditating."
"How would you know? You've been so focused on work that you even ate in here yesterday."
"The computer you gave me showed me a recording of her doing it when I asked it too."
"Oh. Alright. To the garden it is, then."
He rose; this time, her programmer followed Sable out.

Chapter Seven
Reunion

Sable Rose walked through the garden a little ahead of Jayson, wondering why he would do what he did. Though she didn't want him to know it bothered her, it really did.
Should I consider him a prick? Or is that his way of asking me to be his girl? Don't I already have a lover? Wait...have Sam and I ever done anything? How come I remember her name, and that we dated, but not much about my own family?

"Sable!" A familiar voice called her down. She whirled, unable to believe her luck, to see Terra Lain and Deseray Iris sitting at the same table, at the same time. Waving back, she tugged the apparently distracted Jayson to their table.
"Stop dreaming, pretty-boy, and sit down for a change." Sable teased. Instead of a retort, he looked a little alarmed and sat down. The usually loud boy kept his eyes on his food and away from the girls.
Damn. Does he have to be rude, too?

She elbowed him. "Hey. Jay? Are you gonna say hi or what?" She whispered in his ear as the other male handlers joined them. Terra was with a lean, tall and very kind-looking boy who wore very girly cloths.
Do they put gay emos as H.A.D handlers? Because he is SO both!

Name: Alex Leon
Age:18
Occupation: Special Unit Handler and Trainer

Sable thanked the nanobots and told them to stop before any more information popped into her mind. Interestingly enough, the information stopped instantly. She held out her hand and introduced herself. Leon took her hand and shook it.
The other boy was tall and looked like he thought he was the shit. She ignored him even when he offered a hand. A bit insulated, she heard him huff.
"What's your problem?"
"I don't like smug asses." She commented. "So stop acting like you've got something, because you don't."
All of them stared at me.
"What? He's a self-centered prick and should learn to be a little nicer."
Jayson laughed. "That's Sable for you, Kyle. Now why don't us three talk about the unit Cync was telling us to put together while these sisters catch up?"
Thank you Jayson!

And the programmer led them away.
There was quiet as Sable, Terra and Deseray tried their best to think of something to talk about. They ate to mask their uncertainty. Feeling unwelcome, Sable sighed and rose.
"Wait. Don't go." Terra pleaded. "We...we want you here, really."
Sable instantly felt better.
"You'll give yourself a headache reading my emotions like that, Terra." She warned half-playfully, hoping that they had been on that level before the accident.
"I can't help that. You're sending them to me like a wave." She half-laughed, understanding instantly her sister's problem.
There was a bit of quiet.
"How are you handling the energy surges?" Sable asked Terra.
She flinched. "Better than the first one, by a lot. But that last one was the worst..."
Anxiety made it hard for her to eat.
"Oh, don't worry, Sable." Terra said, picking it up. "Alex was good at handling it. It was three days ago, and I'm better now."
She relaxed.
Three days...she's getting so strong...

"The headaches aren't even that bad now that I'm getting better at handling the abilities."
"Look at this, Sable." Deseray caught her attention. Her hand lit a small flame into the palm. It roared higher, then smaller. She danced it around her palm and split it between her finger tips.
"Alright; don't strain yourself." Terra corrected. "She's impressed."
Thank you, Terra. It really is amazing.

Beaming like a lighthouse, Deseray nodded and stopped. There was sweat on her forehead. Terra met her eyes and nodded; she was fine.
"That was very well executed." Sable told her with a grin. "I'm glad both of you are getting better."
"What about you? Sam told me you're getting to be quite the shot." Terra sounded worried herself.
"I am. Nowhere near where you two and she is, but I'm not missing every hit and dislocating my right shoulder, or damaging my left one."
"Great."
Sable smiled at the memory of last night, with the computer. "Oh, and I can operate a computer without touching it!"
"Wow!" Deseray's eyes became round. "Really? Not even most technists can!"
Terra gasped. Sable felt where she was and blocked her out.
What is her handler teaching her?

"Terra...some places are a little private." Sable whispered. "I know I'm your sister...but..."
She nodded.
"It does concern you...and Sam. I'll tell you what's going on in private."
She glanced at the camera behind her. "My room, tonight. If either of you have free time for a little drinking and socializing. I have scheduled to shoot so I am talk it over with Sam, too. But that's tomorrow."
"She'll understand..." Terra sounded almost angry.
"What's going on?" Deseray demanded, tensing. "Is somebody else here?"
"No. I'll tell you tonight, Des."
She nodded. They finished their food, joking and catching up. Sable payed close attention to their personalities and how they treated her.
She was surprised to be re-accepted so quickly. Terra was amazingly protective, and very intelligent but didn't like showing it. Deseray was outspoken, quick-tempered and very defensive; she was ready to kill Jayson or anybody else she mentioned that so much as irritated Sable.
"Oh. The boys are coming back." Terra informed them.
"Duh." Deseray grumbled.
"Well, thank you." Sable sighed. "I can't hear them from here or read their auras, emotions and minds."
The two laughed almost tensely. When the three of them appeared, Terra rose and nodded to Leon.
"I have training to attend to, sisters." She was instantly formal. "I'll see you both again - from the sounds of it, soon."
"What?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Terra replied.
"We need to get to training ourselves." Kyle told Deseray.
She sighed, rising, and the four of them left.
Sable shook her head, getting up herself. "What's on the agenda?" The technist asked her handler quietly, a lot on her mind.
"Well...I want to assess your progress in the shooting range, and then hear how well you're coming along with that violin music."
She followed him to the range and began her evening over again.

******

Sable heard the knock and put down the ten pound barbell that Jayson had bought for her after they'd realized how weak she was while shooting.
Knowing who it was, she told the door to open, feeling a nanobot shut down the moment the computer opened it. Deseray and Terra stood there, looking confused.
"Well...are you two going to just stand there, or are we going to talk?" She demanded, sweeping the sweat from her forehead and sitting down on her bed. "Oh...and Deseray...the table is three steps inside and four steps to the left. The chair will be directly in front of you."
"T-thanks." She followed my directions and took a seat. Terra stood nervously at the door, leering inside.
What is her problem?

"Get in here, Terra." Deseray growled impatiently like some old dog.
"R-right..." The psychic came in slowly, with small steps.
"What is wrong?" Sable demanded, baffled. "For the love of science, just sit down!"
Her sister plopped down on the edge of a chair close to the door. The falcon on her arm fluffed up to show its own uneasiness.
"Now...I'm very tired, and I can see both of you are as well. Do either of you want some wine?"
"No." Terra muttered. "We didn't come to socialize."
"Right. You came because you forgot there are places people don't meddle - even psychics."
"I'm sorry." She sounded honestly unhappy. "That was just a very disturbing thought. You were so troubled by it..."
"By what?!"

Deseray was out of patience. Sable didn't need psychic powers to see she was exhausted - physically and mentally. Kyle was working her very hard.
"Oh? Thanks for not telling her, Terra." Sable nodded to her insightful sister. Then she answered the more temperamental one. "You remember Samantha, right?"
"Your girlfriend? Of course!" She laughed in a way that made Sable wonder what Sam and her had done that didn't recall.
"Well...I don't recall much about her. In fact, I didn't remember her until I saw her - and then it was just that we'd dated."
"Get on with it." Terra sounded very anxious. She kept shifting in her chair.
"Calm down, Terra. This is a little difficult for me."
"S-sorry."
The technist turned back to her sightless fire-wielding sibling. "It turns out that part of the reason is Jayson is very fond of my figure. Though I have no program that forces me to obey his every command, I do

have hardware that forces me to...uh...fuck him."
The smell of smoke made Terra and her leap from their seats.
"Calm down, Des!" Sable told her with alarm clear in her voice, her arms outstretched. "I...kind of like it."
Both of them starred at her.
"I'm breaking up with Sam. I don't know her, and I know Jayson. He's an ass, sure, but he's a lot better than a handler that will have me reprogrammed without a personal life, a desire for one or any personal memories. I'll be a robot with half a heart and brain."
"Doesn't it bother you that he has that kind of power?"
"Yes. But...it doesn't bother me that with him...we'll be a team again. He's

the one who's done this - it was Jayson

who organized the Special Unit Team to be the three of us. He made it sound like I was a wild card who would only work with him."
"Really?" Now they both sounded confused.
"Yes. Now leave me; I need to take my pills and go to bed. We'll be getting up two hours before dawn to debrief on our skills training...as a team."

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 12.05.2011

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Widmung:
To Joseph Pruitt, the love of my life, for inspiring me to keep writing about technology, and proving that love is there after all...