Excerpt from Xenophobia: Quarantine

by Chels in my imagination, wondering who in the world designed this place.

Excerpt from Xenophobia: Quarantine

I stood, hands clasped behind my back as the doctor beside me gave me a wary glance.

"Would you like to begin, Major?" He asked, fingers naturally bending onto the controls. I nodded in approval and he pressed a grey button and announced into the microphone on the control board. "Lights."

The large glass window before me luminated. I blinked twice before I saw what it was. It was a room of a decent size. A single white spotlight was on a man sitting in a chair, sleek grey tape around his mouth and arms bound behind the chair. He moaned something, staring at me eyes wide and frightened. There were armed men flanking him. I made a note of which weapons they held, marine-standard issue, MARs and pistols. Then I noted the clothes they wore. Their chests and thighs were armoured, everything else was exposed with black cloth.

"We're going to test the soldiers you chose on this situation. We've already briefed them but they haven't moved into position just yet. A band of enemies has captured our VIP," He gestured his hand to the man bound in the chair, silenced by the tape around his mouth. "and the team will work together and retrieve him."

"How long have they been in service?" I asked, seeking an entry way of some sort. The room was black except for the single spotlight and it was prone to some type of ambush. No visible point of entry.

"They just finished their training a week ago. Fresh out." He told me with a grimace. "Your call, Major."

"Now." I said, folding my arms over my chest.

For the longest time it seemed, nothing moved. A pair of enemies was checking up on the VIP and the others continued to keep watch, eyeing the darkness with suspicion. Still, nothing happen. I could see the armed men become fidgety. I thought I saw a shimmer of some type in the midst of the darkness but it didn't show again.

Finally, I said, "Where are they?"

"They should be moving into position now." The doctor said, sliding through pages on his holopage. He looked up and shook his head. "This is something new, I'm not sure how this is going to all -" He stopped suddenly and cocked his head. "Ah, yes, very clever. Observe, Major." The doctor made a small gesture with his index finger towards the window.

I turned back and just in time. I saw a one of the armed men; disappear into the darkness by a gloved hand around his mouth. I couldn't hear anything but the armed men were now aroused. One turned and saw his comrade no longer there. He panicked speaking and pointing. Then -

The spotlight stuttered and then completely shut off. Darkness filled the room and I shifted myself, gazing into the darkness blindly, hoping to see some type of movement. I did see something, but I wasn't sure exactly what it was.

"What happened to the lights, doctor?" I asked.

His visage was just as taken with perplexity as mine. "I'm not sure." He tapped a few controls, murmuring to himself. "Keep an eye on it. I'll try to get the emergency lights."

I reverted my gaze back. The silence in the compacted room had a stuffy silence that casted a sense of uneasiness into me. My gut was frozen and my eyes frantically looked. I couldn't see anything -

Slam.

I nearly jumped out of my skin. A man's face was pressed against the glass by an unseen force. The body fell, skidding down the glass with a high-pitched squeak. Then he was suddenly pulled back into the darkness – out of sight.

“Doctor...” I warned from the side of my mouth. “Where. Are. The. Lights?”

“I’m working on it ma’am.” He muttered through clenched teeth. His fingers were typing commands on the keyboard, turning knobs, pressing buttons. “There!” He cried triumphantly.

The lights snapped back on and –

My jaw unhinged.

The VIP was gone and there was a strip of discarded tape near the chair. The armed men were lying on the ground in various sprawls, unconscious.

That was amazing.

“Impressive.” I hummed.

“Very.” The doctor agreed wide eyes. “That was amazing for the first time.” He offered out a blank holopage and a stylus.

I took them and scrawled onto the page;

Subjects; 12,23,34,45.

Time: 25.2 seconds

Situation: Rescue VIP

Notes:

The subjects executed well together, though I would prefer them not obscure my point of view. However, it was very cleverly planned – if it were. I cannot be certain how smoothly things ran because my sight was impaired by them cutting off the lights.

I would like to schedule another test later, any time would be appreciated, to test what they failed to show during this test.

I wouldn’t mind working with these men but until the next test is in effect, my decision is uncompromised.

          I finished promptly and handed the holopage back along with the stylus. “Thank you for your time, Major.” The doctor said, giving me a winning smile.

          I managed one, “Any time, doctor. May I go and talk to the subjects?”

The doctor paused for a moment before complying, “Of course. Just down the hall.”

The subjects work well together, from what I already know. But… something. I couldn’t quite place my finger on it. Something about just them seemed a bit off to me; a bit unsettling.

They were in the Bay Two, arranged in a circle sitting on crates. Their helmets were on and they didn’t seem to be talking. But I knew they were. I watched them a moment from the balcony in the hangar, walking them shift and breathe. They had identical black ops issue armour with a grey trim. It was Model – III, I could tell from the shape of the helmet. I was reserved a Model – II since I trained in such.

I didn’t know what the difference between the two was. The targeting systems could have been different; the feel could have been different… I made a mental note to test one of the suits out to see its compatibility. 

I descended down the metal steps patiently, my head turn watching them. I saw one of their heads slightly move and they all turned to look in unison. The next moment, they sprung up snapping a salute.

“At ease.” I said loudly, my voice echoing through the hangar. It grasped everyone’s attention. Their arms lowered as one but they still stood straight as I approached them.

My expression solemn, I asked, “Who’s the leader?”

One of the four stepped forward. He, I assumed, had broad, bulky shoulders and thick legs muscles. He snapped a salute and his voice broadcasted through the external speakers. “First Lieutenant Derek Marshall, Subject Twelve, ma’am.” He stomped his boot for emphasis.

I stood a moment and examined him, staring into his V-shaped visor with intent before offering my hand out. “Lieutenant.” I said.

Derek shook my hand with a firm grip. “Major.”

“Remove you helmets,” I commanded quietly. “All of you.”

They did so without a word.

“Introduce yourself. If I’m going to be in the field with you I have to know your names first.” I told them grimly.

The other three Subjects had assembled in a line behind Derek. The first spoke with a pronounced voice, “Second Lieutenant Technology Specialist Jerome Stevens, Subject Twenty-Three, ma’am.” Jerome had a completely shaved head and grey eyes, a strong chin, and dominant cheekbones.

The next spoke. “Second Lieutenant Demolition Specialist Ian Harvey, Subject Thirty-Four, ma’am.” Ian had a rather pale complexion, crew cut dark black hair, and wide brown eyes.

The final spoke. “Second Lieutenant Medical and Recon Specialist Veronica Ramsey, Subject Forty-Five, ma’am.” Veronica had a soft but solemn face and petite features, short blonde hair, and bright blue eyes.

They all looked so solemn and emotionless. Their faces were as blank as a wall and definitely were solid.

I suddenly felt empathic for them. I knew how it felt to be in their position. My squad mates and I performed for the General before we were put into the field. I remember how it felt to feel nothing – feel nothing as you receive orders, receive verbal and physical punishment; feel nothing when you’re on the frontline, feeling absolutely nothing when you killed. We were designed to feel nothing, thus nothing we felt. But then, we’re not truly human, are we? I feel more human that I did a few months ago. But I was still a cold, feel-nothing soldier.

But, no emotions? I wondered how fast they made them learn. The Firsts learned fast. I would find that out when I battle alongside them.

“I want to discuss your exercise.” I told them, locking my arms behind my back. “I watched carefully and was very impressed by it; very impressed with your progress.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” They chorused.

So lifeless. So dull. So robotic.

“My decision whether I want you on the field alongside me is inconclusive because… you impaired my vision. I couldn’t see you work. However, it was a very clever mood and I applaud you.” I said darkly. “I do believe you’re worthy enough for Operation: Utopia but are you worthy enough to fight along with me? I have scheduled another exercise, a different once, to demonstrate what you failed to show me.”

“Ma’am.” Derek snapped. 

With Derek saying that, he just claimed the blame. I nodded. It was a small mistake but very clever.

“However, there’s a… bit of a catch. In the operation, my adopted daughter will be joining us. She has experience with the Chintas and will be our intel for that mission. She means a lot to me. Not only do you have the mission on the line, you have my daughter as well. Understood?”

“Yes ma’am.” They chorused once again.

So... inhuman.

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

I didn’t know why the thought crossed my mind but I felt like I was the one to blame when I knew – in truth that it wasn’t. I couldn’t be held accounted for under any circumstances.

“Dismissed.” I eyed them all. They snapped a final salute and departed with, whom I assumed, were their personal doctors.

I heard bootsteps approach and then stop next to me. I glanced to see Bower standing there hands, jammed in his pockets. I made no acknowledge of him and continued to watch the Seconds stride away in perfect synchronization.

“So,” Bower said, “what do you think?”

“They were like me...” I whispered.

“Oh yeah,” Bower affirmed, leaning forward slightly to catch my gaze. “Exactly like your squad. The cranial surgery’s programming never changed. It’s the same thing.”

“What about their training?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I ain’t sure. Some guy by the name of… Vasquez is their lead training officer. They got like twenty since they got so many subjects.”

“Do you know him?”

“Nope.” He popped the P and then he heaved a sigh. “Too bad though. I wish I did know their training plan.”

“Why’d you agree?” I suddenly asked, changing the subject.

Bower was baffled a moment but he said slowly, “Agreed to what?”

“The Trial.”

Bower exhaled slowly and pinched the bridge of his nose. “They didn’t give me a choice, rook. If I had a choice, I would have hulled you kids out of there. I knew you didn’t want this life even if you didn’t have the know-how to think that way.” He paused. “But, I didn’t because the crazy doctors wouldn’t let me.”

“You really would have?” I felt touched – only for a moment.

“Oh yeah.” He stretched out the “yeah”. He nodded twice. “I would have as soon as I could but… I didn’t.” He sounded apologetic.

“At least you cared.” I whispered.

“Cared?” Bower was flabbergasted by the word.

I gave him a sly grin. “You cared.”

Bower was automatically embarrassed. He stammered, “But as soon as I got you kids outta there I would have…  Son of a… I cared. All right. You caught me.”

“Thanks.”

Bower was drawn aback and he finished awkwardly before departing, “You’re welcome, Rebecca.”