Artemis Files (0.5)

Chapter 6

Late 2272 - The Institute

"Take this with you," J6 said as she placed something in S9's held out palm. Her eyes widened when she saw what it was and then looked up at her friend who looked uncomfortable. As if she ate something earlier that day that didn't quite agree with her. For a moment S9 thought about telling J6 to go see the doctors to see if there was anything they would have that might help, but for some reason she couldn't get the words to come out so instead she went with something else. Something that was a bit more confusing to S9.

"You're bracelet? Why are you giving me the one thing you own? Is there something you're not telling me?" The worry in S9's voice grew with each question. J6 screwed up her face as she visibly thought about what to say and then shook her head.

"It's this feeling I can't shake. S9... you'll be alright won't you? Promise me no matter what, you'll be alright?" In the past few months since their mild argument in the cafeteria, they had begun to mend their friendship, although they weren't supposed to. S9 had given it some thought and she had been acting terrible towards everyone... including J6. She still had to act that way publicly in front of the scientists and other synths so they wouldn't get into trouble. The consequences of openly defying them were too dire. At best they would be killed. At worst they would be beaten and tortured. She couldn't put her friend through something like that if she could help it so they kept their friendship secret.

Silently S9 nodded. "Of course. Careful is my middle name." That got a small chuckle out of J6. They both knew S9 was tied for one of the most brutal Coursers in Institute history having been trained by X6 himself. S9 found herself chuckling along side her friend for a minute or two before regaining some amount of seriousness. She pocketed the bracelet and slung the bow over her shoulder having grabbed it before her friend caught her attention. "I better get going. I have a runaway synth to go find."

"What's the unit designation?" J6 asked as she walked with S9 a short ways.

"M7-97," S9 told her and she turned to see her friend thinking about it for a moment and finally a look of remembering crossed her face. "I've seen him around. Kind of handsome. Thick, dark hair. Stubble on his face. Brown eyes. He looks like a soldier and like he'd make a good Courser. I think they tried once, though, but it didn't work out for some reason. He doesn't remember of course, since they've wiped his memories, but now he's escaped."

J6 giggled as she playfully shoved her friend. "Does someone have a crush?" Her voice in a clearly teasing tone. "You know that's not allowed. We aren't even supposed to be seen as friends since you're a Courser."

S9 shook her head as she smiled. She'd never seen anyone in that light. Those feelings just never came forth with anyone she'd met. They'd made it as close to the relay as they dared together where J6 gave her a look that said good luck, wishing they could at least give each other a side hug or something.

The two women parted as S9 found herself in the center of the relay where she was blinded by the now familiar flash of blue white light. When it was gone she found herself near a small family farm. From this distance it looked like just an ordinary farm that was common in this wasteland. S9 screwed up her face wondering how and why anyone would live in such a filthy manor. If only they'd accept the Institute they wouldn't have to live like this.

In reality this is where the escaped synth M7-97 had been tracked to. It was also suspected that the people here were allied with the Railroad and acted as one of the many "safehouses" that dotted the Commonwealth. She looked around at the surrounding area, seeing the airport close by and getting her barings straight. She was a bit north of the CIT Ruins in which the Institute was underneath. If the escaped synth was heading this way perhaps he was heading into what used to be Canada, though really he could just be trying to confuse them.