10 Minute Tales

Mar 31

Alyssa groaned softly, eyes fluttering. Even if she hadn't gone for her genetic treatment she'd still be feeling miserable. The ride up to Dextra had not been gentle and she'd been given barely enough food to keep her going. She sat up weakly, this much proving to be a challenge. Why was she up here?

"Good morning, junior investigator Alyssa." Sentinel's cold voice announced. She had seen it as protective, but now it seemed distant, almost hateful. "It is approximately ten forty-two AM. You have missed the window for breakfast; however, a late-breakfast snack remains an option."

"I jus'..." she slurred, fighting off another wave of that sick feeling. Was it nausea? Fatigue? Both? "I jus' wanna go home..."

"In the fullness of time." Sentinel replied. "You shall be due a visitor soon."

"A... a visitor?"

"Indeed. Investigator Queenson is approaching." her eyes widened a bit on hearing this news.

"He's... he's coming here?"

"Indeed. I believed it would be fitting." there was a slight pause, then Sentinel continued. This time, his voice was softer, almost darker - if he was capable of emotions, Alyssa would swear he was angry. "His final vision of you shall be at your weakest. You will survive, however."

"Wha'... no, you..." she got up, wobbling a little for balance. "You leave the boss alone...!"

"That is not an option, Alyssa. He is threatening to bring harm to my modus operandi and, in turn, that of all augmented personnel within biodome 32-A. I cannot permit this."

"Gh... but... but he's trying to protect those who can't afford augmentations..." she wobbled and sat down again, dizzy from even this. She was being deliberately starved, she was sure of it, but as long as she was in Sentinel's custody there was nothing she could do.

"The majority of those who cannot afford the augmentation procedure, or otherwise refuse to undergo G.A.T.E. chip implanting, are criminals and other lawbreakers. Chief among these is the criminal boss known as Abraham Yanni, former mercenary believed to be working in conjunction with investigator Queenson." Alyssa fell quiet. She knew it would be trouble, she had warned him, and now it was too late. "If you have any knowledge that can be used to aid in his capture, please inform me at your earliest convenience."

"But... the president was attacking... I..." she held a hand to her head, more confused than ever now. She could barely focus on any of her thoughts...

"Would you care for any nourishment?" Sentinel asked. "I can prepare you a block of nutrients. It should be suitable for your dietary needs." Alarm bells rang in Alyssa's head, but she couldn't refuse at this point.

"Alright... fine..." she mumbled, giving in. Queenson was coming. She just had to hold on to that. Queenson was coming...

(Sorry, no end-of-month blog today. I'm too into writing this!)