The Sleepwalker

Part Three: 2

Agent Jinx

The paper plane glided through the air seamlessly before hitting an unsuspecting security guard on the back of the neck. He spun, eyes wide, and scanned the room, but Jinx had already turned to her screens and was acting bored as she looked at the empty halls through the CCTV.

​ "Hey! Who threw that?!" Agent Key said, rubbing his neck. Not once did he consider Jinx, a relatively short middle-aged security guard. Key eventually turned back to his desk, mumbling about something or other. Jinx considered throwing another, but decided against it. As much as working security detail is super exciting, watching over the space prison that no inmate has ever escaped from in a long while, Jinx had an hour left before her shift was over and didn't want to be held back with an infraction.

Finally, one audacious hour later she left the large security room with her crew as a new round of guards came in. Most Agents went to the cafeteria, but Jinx went right to her dorm, snagging an instant-meal pack as she went. Other people just weren't her... thing. She was aware that some people called her an introvert, and she was fine with that.

Sticks and stones, she thought to herself as she flopped back on her bunk, munching on some crunchy cheese.

I've been in this floating prison for five years now, the Agent thought to herself, looking at the calendar that was taped to the bunk above hers. Come May 25th and I'm outta here.

Would she miss this place? Heck no. Being here was like watching paint dry, only it was taking six years for it to harden. At least tomorrow she got to walk up and down Cellblock D alongside Overseer Sickle. She'd definitely get her exercise in for the day.

The next day came like a slap. Quarter to five in the morning and she's dressed and staring at herself in the mirror. Her mother was Chinese and her father was Canadian, giving her a unique look that she wore with pride. Excitement built up in her chest when she thought of seeing her mother in May. Society Agents were allowed to see their family thrice a year, and it was about time Jinx cashed in. Granted, the parents couldn't know about their affiliation with the secret Society, but beggars can't be choosers. She'd take it.

​When she left the bathroom, her three roommates were slowly getting out of bed and getting their different suits on. Agent Infinity was in her black under armor, ready to start her guard duty in the Dark Chamber, where the few of the most dangerous divergences were held. Agent Hazard was still asleep, but Agent Quantum, who also worked in the research labs, was attempting to wake Hazard, a dangerous gamble.

"They don't call her Hazard for nothing, Quan," Jinx said as she walked by. Quantum had just gotten slapped right across the face and almost lost her glasses as Hazard mumbled and turned over.

"Well, someone was up early," Infinity said as she rifled through her underwear drawer. Jinx knew that her friend was admiring the concealed shotgun underneath the undergarments. "You must be excited to watch the monitors."

"Can't say that I am, on a normal day. I'm supposed to walk alongside Overseer Sickle as he checks all the divergences in Cellblock D, since Agent Nuke, the usual guard, got a bad case of... I think he broke his leg."

"He's always been a klutz, hasn't he?"

"Dunno. I've never met him."

"Have you ever done active guard duty before?"

"Nope, only done simulations."

Infinity waved a hand nonchalantly. "I do it all the time down in the Dark Chamber, it's pretty easy. And I guess some would call it boring, but honestly the days are sort of relaxed most the time."

Jinx pulled on her boots. "Must be scary down there,"

"Meh, not really." Infinity tightened her hair into a messy bun and put a black helmet on. "Although we don't wear armor for no good reason."

​On the other side of the room, Hazard stirred and Quantum went down the ladder she had mounted in order to get to Hazard. "It's go time? Blimey, that means you'll need these!" Quantum handed a device to both Agents, who both took it without any hesitation.

"Is this going to work this time?" Jinx quipped.

"Or will it explode in our pockets like the tranquilizer darts?" Infinity nudged Quan. They all remembered when another of Quan's 'projects' went awry and almost lit their pants on fire.

Quantum smiled sheepishly. "That was... simply a miscalculation. Too much ketamine... Where was I? Oh, the device. This one works, I promise!"

Jinx held the device up to eye level. It was about the size of a pencil, but silver and without a point. Reminded her of a really big nail. "What can this thing do that our nebulium arms can't?"

"Oh, this isn't as brilliant as those," Quantum held up her own silver device. "My only grievance with the Society's tools is that they are mostly ranged. This... err... toolcaster is entirely melee-based. Just put your finger here so it connects to the Nebulium's power source and... spear!"

Suddenly a shaft of glowing blue burst from both ends of the toolcaster, both ending in an arrow-shaped spearhead. It wasn't particularly long, but maybe three feet from tip to end.

Jinx was impressed. "You need to bring this up to the Block Overseer!"

"Or better yet, the Warden himself!" Infinity added.

Quantum blushed deeply. "I do, in fact, this upcoming Sunday. I hope that one day every Agent will be holding a toolcaster!"

"The name needs some work though," Hazard shot at her, now that she was dressed and out of bed. "Sounds like quite the terrible when you think about it. I kind of hate it, not going to -"

"Excuse me, Hazard," Infinity stepped forward, face set, "hate to cut you off but I don't remember asking. In fact, none of us remember asking about what you thought."

Hazard shrugged, indifferent. "Whatever, just don't expect me to use one of those." She ignored the fourth toolcaster in Quantum's hand and left the room without another glance back.

"Well, thank you very much, Quan." Infinity pocketed the toolcaster and patted the slim bulge. "I'll try not to brag about how cool of a roommate I've got."

Jinx and Infinity left Quantum to bustle about and spoke quietly outside.

"Hazard's gotten worse," Jinx said.

"I know. We should tell someone, I think that the divergence she's been documenting in the Dark Chamber is having adverse effects on her. I'll check it when I get down there."

"Be careful." Jinx began to back away down the hall, away from her roommate, and toward the cell area, which was located above Cellblock D's sleeping quarters.

"I always am. Most of the time. When it isn't fun to do otherwise."