Mindless

Chapter Eight - 0009

 They got away.

I know as soon as I wake up, staring at the white ceiling of the infirmary with my heart aching from the stop and restart it did. I jump out of bed and scream, smashing my fists against the wall and straddling the medics. I have never failed a mission. Never.

The door slides open once again and I look up, not having noticed the disappearance of the medics. A timid looking soldier, one of General Martin's elite forces, steps into the doorway and eyes me warily. I have been known to have a temper, among other things. And although I might get in trouble for it, if he was getting on my nerves I would beat him up.

"Sir. The General wants to see you."

Oh. "Tell him I will be there sometime today."

"He requests your presence now, sir."

I sigh and follow the soldier out into the hallway, down the winding tunnels that lead to the General's office. I am going to be in a lot of trouble. I might even get demoted.

I do not fail.

When we reach the office, my heart beats faster. I can figure out why. The door slides open and my stomach drops, and I feel lightheaded. Demoted? Will he really demote me?

"Ah, hello, Lieutenant. I've been waiting for you. You seem to have taken quite the hit while you were on that last mission. Most people wouldn't survive that."

I eye him warily, wondering what that's supposed to mean. "Sir?"

"I'm going to be concise with you, Lieutenant. You were not supposed to survive that amount of electricity. Nobody can. And yet, you did. Your chances or survival were at 0.00%."

"I don't understand, Sir. I'm standing here before you?"

"You shouldn't be."

"Why is that?"

A hint of something odd flicks over his face, darkening his eyes.

"Because you're dead! You cannot survive that high voltage at a close range, nobody can! And yet you stand before me, healthy! I want to know why, Lieutenant!"

"Sir!" I exclaim. Unconsciously, my power awakens, allowing me to tune into his thoughts. "I understand that it may have been easier for you if I had passed but that is not the case!"

Instantly his expression calms, taking on a very dangerous air. Excuse me, Lieutenant?" He asks. I realize my mistake too late. He never said that would be easier for him. He only thought it.

"Tell me what I am thinking."

"Sir, I don't--"

"Now."

He is distinctly thinking about a command he gave this morning, for the girl who escaped to be... terminated? She was to be terminated on her first offense? I puzzle over this as I lie to him.

"How should I know what you're thinking?"

His face says he knows I'm lying.

"Oh, but I think you know the answer to that."

"Sir, I don't--"

"Answer my question, Lieutenant. Tell me what I am thinking."

I don't know what makes me do it. But I answer him. Correctly. "You gave the command for h-022y to be terminated this morning for insubordination."

His eyes flash with something dangerous.

"Good... good. Now, Lieutenant, you are going to go, and you are going to track down the escapees and bring them back here. Or this out-of-line behavior will make its way to the scientists, and you will become a purple. I suggest you hurry. You have an updated status in the database which will allow you access to more information on cases like these. Now go."

I calmly walk out of the General's office, plastering a neutral expression to my face like all guards are thought to wear, not matter what we might want to do. Then I run to the database as quickly as I can.