GENESIS - THE BEGINNING. Book 1

CHAPTER 2 ... Vengeance

"Mrs. Walters, good to see you. Please, take a seat. What would you like to drink?"

"Water's fine thank you."

"Billy, if you please?"

Billy left the room at once.

"I do hope you have what I'm looking for?" the young woman asked.

"I actually have two children that fit your category, Mrs Walters," said the matron, her hulking, corpulent body quivered as she sat down. "Both highly intelligent and about old enough to leave us." She smiled at the young woman. "By law you know, all children over 18 years of age must venture out into the world and make something of themselves," she sighed. "We try to help with education and training but it is most difficult when the government cuts our grants. We have to rely on donations most of the time to get by. Then, of course, along comes someone like yourself who offers permanent positions to our children and it is most gratifying."

"Of course. I understand."

"One can only hope that the new Emperor deems it appropriate to help us."

"I'm sure the new Emperor has plans for your establishment." Jezebel Walters nodded her thanks as she accepted the glass of water from Billy. "I take it for granted that both have completed I.Q. testing?"

The matron nodded. "Yes. Here they are." She removed three cheap brown files from a drawer and placed on a pair of reading spectacles. She opened the top one. "Jason Mc Alistair. Tested four times in six years. An I.Q. score of 127. It says he will do excellent in the engineering industry."

"The matron passed the file across the table. After a few minutes of browsing the young woman nodded. "He will do. And the next one?"

"With this one we have a small problem," she laughed softly, almost disparagingly. "Jack Princeton. I.Q. tested five times in seven years. I.Q. score 139. Brilliant if I may say so but generally lazy and prone to causing problems with the other children. Says he should be sent for further specialized training. With our funding at a bare minimum what can we do?" she handed the file over.

The young woman studied the file with interest. "Good. It seems I can relieve you of both young men, Matron." She watched as the large woman beamed her happiness. The mounds of fat jiggled and her jowls slopped from side to side. "But first I need to have a few minutes alone with both of them to make sure that they are suitable."

"I'm sure that would be fine," she said. "Billy, please show Ms Walters to the wing office." She turned to the young woman, "would you like to see them together?"

"At the same time would be fine, thank you. Will five thousand be fine?"

"Perfectly fine, Ms Walters. You are most generous. It will go a long way in covering our expenses."

"Good. And the paperwork?"

"Will be ready when you return." The matron tapped a third file on her desk.

"I will have your funds sent in a short while, but first, the two young men if you please."

The wing office was much smaller. Walters was still gazing at a framed painting of a pastoral scene when there was a soft knock on the door. Billy entered, ushering two young teenagers in before him.

"Thank you, Billy," she said. "This will not take long." She tapped her right ear and said one word. "Guardian?"

SIRE. TWO DEVICES IN BOTH OFFICES. ALL HAVE BEEN DISRUPTED TEMPORARILLY. YOU MAY CONVERSE FREELY.

"Thank you." She turned to the two who were taken aback by an older woman who was talking to thin air. "High there Froggy. Stalk... I hear you two have been giving the Pig some gray hairs. Haven't you learnt anything?"