the newest prisoners

3

when i woke up again, Norris was still there, and there was a faint stinging all over my body. since i wasn't chained down this time i sat up, dizzy and a bit annoyed.

"what was that for?"

"i figured you wouldn't want to be awake during the process, its quite painful." he began to rub the side of his neck, where now i saw a bar code like tattoo was. uh oh.... "now, I'm going to step out and take care of a few things, if you look to your left, there is a automated shower and toilet, please shower up and get ready to go meet the others." true to his word, Norris left the room.

i turned to look just past where my head had laid. sure enough there was a small toilet, a shower, and a full length mirror. i got up and ran to it. on my neck there was a bar code, just like Norris, underneath was my "identification" 2-9Beta. along my arms and legs was a light, dainty design of interlocking bands written in some ancient looking language. my eyes were a startling new colour. dark blue around the edges and violet around the pupil. my hair was a light, white-gold, a startling change from its previous dirty blonde. my skin was bright and clear, with a small scattering of freckles across my cheeks. at least they hadn't gotten rid of those. i hurried in the shower, and then got dressed back into my thick strapped tank, and my shorts, both of which have my identification on them. when i was done, i pulled my shoulder length hair into a pony tail, using the rubber band i found on Norris' desk area. and then, i waited.

after a few minutes of waiting, i found myself migrating back to the mirror, i looked so different from how i was before i was captured. nearly nothing looked the same as before. i was a new person. maybe this could be a new start for me and Raymond... my heart started to race, and my fists clenched at the idea of him. that traitor let us get captured, he did this to us, to me. he gave us up, let them experiment on me. i hit the wall in frustration, i just couldn't handle it anymore. a burst of electricity shot from my fist and made a smoldering black spot on the wall. Norris finally walked back in.

"alright, now we have everything under control, so i just need you to put on, oh my." Norris was standing at the door, a strange bracelet in his hands. he looked at once to the black smudge on the wall, then at me, a huge smile on his face.

"I'm sorry, i don't know what happened, i was just angry and then-"
"and then lightning came out of your fist and hit the wall." Norris said, giving me an all knowing look. its alright, such is normal for our experiments. although usually they done manifest quite so quickly. its perfectly fine my dear, this should help you control it." he grabbed my hand and clicked the cuff onto my wrist, once it clicked it grew in size until it was a thin metal sheet extending from the base of my hand to halfway towards my elbow. i looked at it in surprise.
"what is this Norris?" i asked
"your cuff. it will monitor your vitals, your position in the complex, it will assist in regulating your emotions and powers, it will allow you access to different rooms and it will allow us to communicate your orders to you."

i looked at the cuff, it was perfectly smooth, not a blemish in sight. i guess i could get used to it.

"it will also allow us to enact punishments for any rule infractions."

hold up, "wait, what?"

he looked at me, a condescending, 'isn't it obvious' look. "you didn't think we'd enhance one of the biggest criminals in the empire, and then let her run loose, did you? we're not stupid miss Dove."

miss Dove? but he's only ever called me by my identification. "of course not Norris, i guess i just figured that the capital would rather enact punishments directly and personally. not from afar."

"you are right, of course, but we need a way of distracting you while we get you to our magnificent torture chambers." he said it all, deadpan,and that scared me, i want sure if he was joking or not. i decided to try to ignore it for now. "well, now that's enough with the introduction. lets get you to your barrack. and as a friendly bit of advice, not all of the officials are as... forgiving as me. I'd keep my attitude under check. unless you like to experience what your cuff can do first hand."

i shivered at the thought. "thank you Norris."

we walked out the door, the outside hallways were a stark white, just like the halls i was dragged through. there were signs next to every door, but there was no one in sight. we kept walking, left... right... straight... left... left... elevator... left... ooooooh people... there were several doors that we passed, all of them were open and as we walked, i tried to peer inside, but Norris pulled me along too fast. all i could see was a blur of blonde hair. scientists walked from room to room, typing on holo pads, and clip boards. Norris, grabbed me by my wrist and pulled me along faster than before. we went inside another elevator. this time we were joined by a man, dressed up in military garb and standing at attention. he didn't even look twice at me, but addressed Norris.

"Dr. Norris, I'm glad i ran into you. the general would like to have a conference with all of the experiments from 1-7 through 3-5. to show off their abilities, and to begin their specialized training programs."

"but experiments 3-3 and 2-6 haven't awakened yet, and both 2-9's haven't begun training. they are not ready yet for the specialized training regime." Norris began freaking out, looking through his notes and trying to figure things out in his head.

"I'm sorry, doctor. I'm just trying to pass along the message."

"I'm sorry for venting to you Anderson, the general gets it in his head that he knows all about these things and that he understands all of the different variables. thank you for the heads up."

"no problem doctor." the elevator dinged, and the officer walked out.

"Norris, what does the general want to watch us do?" i asked, timidly.

"when does he want this? how does he expect us to be ready on his whims...." Norris rambled, on and on.. well, i guess i wont be getting an answer from him... i waited in silence, the elevator dinged once more, and this time we walked out, Norris basically pulled me down the hallway, around a few corners, a left and a right, down a little bit, then another right, he waved his key pad across a small indent next to the door, and a small light turned green.

"here is your new barracks, you will be bunked with experiments 2-5 through 2-9 for now. get yourself acquainted, you'll see your ID next to your bunk. there will be a officer in, in a few hours to take you to dinner. please play nice." he opened up the door, shoved me through, and then slammed the door behind me.

"Vanny!!!!!!" Raymond ran to me, and hugged me tight, and knocked me down.