Artemis Files (0.5)

Chapter 3

Late 2268 - The Institute

S9-43 and J6-95 find themselves in the laundromat area of the Institute. It had been months since that day they were both slapped in the living quarters that day, and S9 had made sure the SRB saw her in hopes that one day they would see her as Courser material and would come collect her to start training. There were a few other synths there doing the same thing though they always had at least a couple here to sweep up lint that found its way to the floor.

J6 wasn't too fond of the idea. The Coursers were a stary bunch with their monotone voices, ruff exterior, and well known battle prowess. "But it's that last part I need if I'm going to protect you...protect us from witches like Dr. Owen's wife," S9 whispered. It baffled her. That someone as generally kind as Dr. Owen would be married to someone like her. Unlike most of the scientists and their families, he treated the synths better. Not like people but better. "If I fight back as I am I'll get in trouble. I'll get my memory wiped and I might even die for it."

J6 glanced over to the door after hushing her friend and saw X6-88 standing over in the doorway. Thankfully he was standing too far away to have really heard anything but he was particularly observant. Even if he hadn't heard them, no doubt he would have seen them at some point whispering among themselves. Though S9 wouldn't say a word she felt her heart drop when he left to go somewhere, afraid if he was about to go report them to Dr. Zimmer or one of the other department heads. Hell maybe even Father if he wasn't too busy.

J6 looked at her and also didn't speak but having known each other nearly for a year now, they'd begun to know each other too well. She knew her friend was worried. Scared even. Silently they went back to work folding the different various uniforms, leisure, and sleep clothes. Regardless of what X6 saw they had to make it seem like it was a big nothing as to what they were whispering about when eventually a little girl, no older then five or maybe six, excitedly came up to J6 and tugged on the bottom of her uniform shirt.

"J6! J6!" Her voice high and excited, her father, one of the few stay at home parents in the Institute as well as one of the few that was kind to synths, hung nearby in the waiting area showing that he trusted these two synth not to hurt his child.

J6 bent down and greeted the little girl. "Well hello little Jessica. What brings you and your papa to me today. Did Whiskers get out again?"

The little girl giggled and playfully shook her head. "No he's safe in our living space. But I did want to thank you for helping us find him the other day and helping us bring him back." Little Jessica got shy all of a sudden and looked towards her father, who came over and bent down next to her.

"It's okay, Jess. J6 is a friend and I'm pretty sure she can keep a small secret," he said once he got down to her level. "We can trust her."

This seemed to give the girl some confidence. She took her tiny hand and pulled something out of her pocket and handed it to J6, palm open. In her hand was a bracelet that had been clearly handmade. The colors of the beads were vibrant and went well together. "I made this extra special for you," she said still a bit shy. "My mama helped me make it that's why she took your wrist measurement the other day."

In the Institute, most jobs humans took up had to do with some kind of engineering or science. Sometimes though, they would have someone who would take an artisan type job. Jessica's mother, a wonderful woman S9 met a time or two, had one such a job so it explained why the bracelet looked so well made.

J6 took the bracelet and looked at it as if it was the most precious thing in the world, glad that they seemed to be the last people in the Institute's laundromat for the night. "Thank you, Jess. It's very beautiful and I'll treasure it always," she tells the little girl and she means it too. Little Jessica beams at the compliment and gives J6 a hug.

Once the hug is parted the father stands up and mutters, making sure to keep his voice low, despite being the only people here now. Both synths know that's only part of his reasoning is that his daughter is here and because she's so young. She's only just learning about things. "I'm pretty sure you already know this, J6. You've been around a few years now. But make sure no one sees you with that bracelet. You know the rules. Synths aren't allowed to own anything for themselves."

J6 nods. She knows this rule. Almost to make a point the synth places the bracelet on her wrist. This brings a smile to the small girls face. Soon though, it's time for her and her father to go back to their living space. S9 watches as J6 spins the bracelet around her wrist. She genuinely seems to love it and S9 doesn't miss the slight smile playing on J6's lips and although she's happy for her friend she also finds a new emotion tugging at her. Jealousy.

S9 instantly feels bad for feeling this way. She shouldn't. J6 has something that's genuinely hers and for the most part S9 feels glad for her friend. Once they finish up the laundry they go back to their own sleeping quarters, and even then J6 is toying with that bracelet for a little while longer before finding a hiding spot for it. Something she'll have to change often, even if she keeps it on her person since the Coursers and the humans that lead them tend to root through their "possessions" at random.

The next morning the two are assigned to the living quarters, the first time they've been on it in months. They groan when they see the Owen family on the list. S9 see's J6 toying with the bracelet which was carefully hidden under the sleeve of her uniform top.

"You really like that bracelet don't you?" S9 asks seeing her friend twist it this way and that in a rare break for the both of them. J6 smiles but just as she's about to answer, they're interrupted by a chilling monotone voice. Goosebumps cover the skin of both of them and J6 quickly hides the bracelet under her sleeve.

"S9-43," the monotone voice of none other then X6-88 speaks up behind them. S9 turns around, afraid though she tries to put on a brave face. "Please come with me." J6 and S9 give each other a look. Did someone overhear them last night? Did someone see the bracelet? J6 is clearly panicking as much as she is but S9 has no choice but to go with the Courser.

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Present Day 2287 - The Prydwen

"I didn't see her for a while after that," J6 told the crowd. "Courser training takes six months to complete assuming everything goes well." She looked at Artemis with a sad look and Artemis looked down at the ground with unseeing eyes. She wasn't proud of some of the things that happened from that point up until her escape. Everyone knew she'd been a Courser once though other then escaping with Danse they didn't really know any details.

Whether she wanted to continue on or not, Artemis yawned and some in the audience had been starting to do that as well for some time. She supposed it was starting to get late. "I suppose we'll have to continue on tomorrow after we do some more planning," Artemis said. Some of the kids that had found themselves squeezing into seats or under the feet of some of the soldiers to listen to Artemis' stories. They let out sighs and minor complaints but the older soldiers told them if they wanted to grow up big and strong and smart like them, then they'd need to get their sleep.

Eventually, Artemis found herself with the Elder in his quarters. His hand on her cheek before planting a brief kiss on her lips. "I'm so glad I allowed J6 to stay around," he said in a gentle whisper when the kiss was parted. "Not only has she been a tremendous help, but it's clear that you two have been close since day one."

Artemis smiles for a bit, but eventually it shades. "I just wish I could have gotten her out when I escaped the Institute initially. The things they must have done to her after that..." She doesn't finish and the Elder pulls her closer.

"Hey, don't think like that," he comforts her. "If I know J6 well enough, and I think I have somewhat of a decent grasp on her personality by this point, she's a sweetheart. It's clear by how you two have rekindled things with ease that she forgives you. That whatever happened isn't your fault and you did what you had to do."

Artemis kisses him in gratitude, her full thanks in the kiss. Before long they find themselves in the bed they now share, and exhaustion soon takes over the both of them and they fall asleep.