Mindless

Chapter Fifteen - 022

Having this conversation is about as easy as taking a punch straight to the nose.

We have another briefing today, one in which things will be explained in more depth. Things being our schedules and our requirements for staying here.

"I understand the situation the moonBases are in-- I've lived there for so many Stardamned years, you think I don't see what's going on? I'm not blind, Yuli," 008 says, her silver eyes shining with something that I see sometimes in 046's... he told me it's called anger, but there's much more in there-- that expression, it's confusion, and anger, and also just passion behind both of those, something fueling the need for knowledge. It's a bit terrifying, actually. 008 and Yuli continue on angrily, shooting remarks at each other hyperlight fast.

"You mean to tell me that you missed us? That you just took what was easy for you and forgot us?"

Yuli rolls her eyes, which 046 told me meant exasperation. He failed to tell me what exasperation was, though. I'll have to ask him later.

"Look, if you want to question the way we've all been living and the reason why, even though it's worked perfectly well for the past seven years, you can take that issue up with me later. But for now, you still need to go through all of our medical examinations and training rituals. No matter how much they suck."

We have been told that much, at least. Much of the medical stuff will suck, more so because we don't have access to much of the newer technology used for medical stuff, and because we only have kids here. The adult brains-- they were-- are-- too brittle to adapt. Most brains are-- the particularly young and the particularly old in that group. We are the in-between-- and even then, not all of us have free minds.

Yuli and 008 shout louder and louder, their argument escalating. They both stand up, making hand gestures and asking for backup from others and just acting insane. I send a sideways glance at 046, wondering if I should intervene. His eyes meet mine and he nods.

I stand up. "Ok, ok, stop it. Both of you, please. I don't know for sure, but I'm almost certain that 90% of the people in this room would like to be sleeping right now, not listening to you argue. Just tell us where we need to be tomorrow so we can leave, please."

Yuli sits down calmly, folding her hands on the table. 008 opens her mouth as if to speak, but 046 sends a glare her way. She, too, sits down, slowly. Instead of folding her hands calmly, though, she seems to be full of energy. She bounces one leg hyperactivley and repeatedly drums her fingers on the table, making a small tap-tap-tap-tap sound that echoes out across the quiet room.

"Med room 12, all day tomorrow. Class/training hours. Don't go to breakfast." She pauses, as if waiting for something. "All dismissed," she finally says, and every single hovering chair becomes vacated all at once as people pour out of the room.

I go to follow the crowd, but before I can get out the door I feel a hand come to rest on my shoulder. I turn around and there stands 046,

"Hey. I wanted to show you something? Do you have a minute?"

"Hi. Yeah, sure, I've got a minute. WHat do you want to show me?"

He brushes past me gently and says, "It's a surprise. Follow me."

I follow. Curiosity takes over-- its something new that 046 taught me about. An emotion-- but not. More like a sense of just wanting to know more. Of course, go figure, it's like the worst possible emotion anybody at the moonBases could have.

We make our way through the abandoned hallways. I ask him again where we're going. He doesn't reply.

A thought skitters across my mind and I slowly oblige it, slipping my hand into his. He lightly squeezes my hand. I shiver.