Project X

The Next Step: The Lock

ACT II

The Next Step

CHAPTER TEN

THE LOCK

    That splitting, searing pain was tearing through my skull again. The same one I'd felt when I saw Kendra being murdered. I opened my eyes. Everything was dark and fuzzy, just like the last time, only I could see through it a little better. I saw Phil. He was quickly becoming far too familiar of a face for my liking. He was angry, raging.

    "You told me that he guaranteed me! Guaranteed!"

    "I- I'm sorry sir." It was the angry Power Suit Lady. She was... She was my voice. Was it her eyes I was seeing through? How is that possible? "He told me it was a ninety-six point eight, three repeating chance, you told me anything that reads higher than a ninety-five percent chance to tell him to allow Fate to play out."

    "I told you to use your best judgment!" He shouted. I felt my body- Or was it hers?- flinch, "Of course, I should have known better. Someone like you has no better judgment, let alone the best. You should have had him cut the Thread. We'd be almost guaranteed victory if he had." He scoffed.

    "Sir, with all due respect, it's not like that was our last chance! We have plenty of others, I-"

    "Then get back onto The Path and speak with him. In fact, give them both my special regards, seeing as neither of the lazy brats seem to be pulling their weight."

    "Sir, I hate to argue, but It's only been a little over three weeks since I was last in The Path. With all due respect, you know that while I remain Un-Ascended my body can only withstand the environment for a short amount of time, and I haven't fully recovered from... the trip before that one."

    "Ah, yes. That trip. The one where you allowed my prized subject to escape? He wandered directly into our hands, and you just let him slip away." His words were laced with venom.

    "I'm sorry, Sir. It was the longest I'd spent in The Path at one time. My lungs, they were-"

    "Ohhh, my lungs were collapsing." He mocked, "Adam was perfectly fine, you have no excuse. Your inability to reliably connect my mind to his is already trying my patience- and I won't even mention the slip up with that... Golden one." He scoffed, "Adam's utter unpredictability is proving to be a rather... Uncomfortable thorn in my side..." He trailed off, absently running his hand along his ribs, as if remembering an old wound. He shook his head angrily, then continued, "Now, prove you're worthy of keeping around and go. Speak to the brats. Remind them that just because I am unwittingly trapped on this filthy, vermin begotten cesspool for the time-being does not mean that they are safe from my wrath. In fact, the more they fail me, the more it will compound."

    "I believe that Oscar is still on his special assignment, Sir."

    "Oh, you're still calling him that ugly little pet name? I do wish you would cut that disgusting habit out." He scoffed again, "Have you even told him where he got it from?" He asked, seeming to taunt, then gave a curt sigh, "Fine, tell the other brat to go in and get him, then. I'm sure he's done more than enough. I don't know, tell him to make the exit flashy or something. Something history will remember. If all goes the way it is supposed to out here, then they will have work to do very soon." He leveled his gaze, "Oh, and next time I tell you to cut the Thread, cut the Thread. I will accept no more failures from you."