The Program [COMPLETED]

Chapter Fourteen

The water felt amazing the second it touched Aiden's skin. He stood in the shower, near scalding water pouring over him, and he released a deep sigh of relief. So much had happened, and so quickly. He'd felt grimy and unclean for days now, and the shower did him great justice in making him feel normal again. He'd almost fully recovered from his encounter in Oslua City, and from what he'd heard, Darius had pulled through his surgery and was now resting in the Medical Bay. The young Private would be respected around the Unit for his diligence and bravery as soon as he was discharged.

Thoughts circled around in Aiden's mind as if they were stuck on loop. It was starting to drive him crazy. What happened to Roman? What was to be done about Phantom? And most of all; who was Zariah Blanche?

Amidst all of his contemplating, Zariah never seemed to escape this thoughts. From day one, he had constantly been thinking about her and exactly where she'd come from. What was so important about Second Unit that made her transfer? No matter what Xylem said, Transfers were illegal; forbidden from the Program since the beginning of its existence. Once you were inducted into a Unit, you were bound to that Unit and the cities under its protection for life. Zariah played her game well, leaving Aiden with few clues and little means in piecing them all together. Unlike Virgil, however, Aiden refused to give up. He would figure her out, one way or another.

He started with the facts he already knew. Zariah Blanche originated from Fifth Unit. She was knowledgeable in nano-tech, multiple kinds of warfare, and detecting ambushes. According to her, they received specialized training for such things back at her old Unit. She was a few months younger than Aiden, meaning she must have either been twenty-one, or just turned twenty-two. Jayda had vaguely mentioned to him the number twenty-one, so he decided to go with it. Zariah had a particular grudge against rebels, but for the most part, her fighting style consisted of merciful combat techniques. What didn't fit about her story was the fact that she'd spared most, if not all the rebels back in Abree City, but hadn't thought twice about killing Deon and the other Phantom leaders during their cartel mission. So, if she had such a huge quarrel with rebels, why would she slaughter Deon back in Laspil City, but spare the others in Abree City?

Aiden's thoughts went back to Roman, their civilian acquaintance from their most recent mission. He hoped the man was okay. Looking back on his conversation with the spirited man back in the Official Outpost, Aiden's blood turned to ice. Thinking about the treatment of the poor in the cities made him appreciate his hot shower considerably less. He looked at the shower head, disgusted with himself.

He'd been standing in the shower for a half hour before he realized it. Muttering under his breath, Aiden hastily turned off the water, wrapped himself in a towel, and dried his wet hair. He looked in the mirror, staring down his foggy reflection. It took all the willpower in his body to prevent himself from punching the reflective glass. The past few days had completely exhausted him, as much as he refused to admit it. He exited the bathroom after brushing his teeth, and changed into dry nightclothes. He crawled into his bed, his body sinking into the soft mattress gratifyingly. His head had barely touched the pillow before he succumbed to a restless, dream-ridden slumber.

***

Aiden hated the Medical Bay. It was always overcrowded, and smelled exactly like a hospital. He'd spent his fair share of time in the Medical Bay himself from previous missions, getting stitches or casts where he'd been injured from past experiences. To Aiden, it just reminded him of imprisonment, and itching to get back out into the field; but instead, being confined to a bed to rest and heal. "A dead soldier is no use to his country," his doctors would say. Or, "a wounded soldier can't serve to his greatest potential". They had a point, but Aiden still resented the place. He'd come only for Darius, and nothing else this time around.