Drifters: The First Generation

10

January 24, 2020

APG, Maryland

2:12 p.m.

Jamie Hardy stood in front of a massive TV mounted on the wall in the lounge area of the facility. The headline was clear: Brutal murder of Beverly Hills woman finally solved. Murderer awaiting sentence. Jamie told Tamira, seated on the couch behind him, to turn up the volume.

The reporter, whose name was labeled in small print on the bottom of the screen for a moment, revealing her name as Sharon, spoke in even tones outside of Jamie's father's house. "I am here at the scene of a crime that led officers to a murderer. What was thought to be a home invasion turned out to be a plan for violence. Another woman almost fell victim to the man last night, but luckily escaped. The man, now awaiting his sentence, was a resident of the Holmby Hills area."

A picture of Jamie's father popped up on the screen, a mugshot. Jamie laughed when he saw the miserable look in his father's face. His name was displayed in large print under his picture. The reporter kept speaking on Jamie's father, her voice fading off as the scene cut back to the news. The clip was over, the reporters moved on to another subject.

Jamie was still reeling from it. Tam had told him that his father had video evidence of his mother's death. Before he could destroy it, Tam snuck in and stole it back. Pretty easily, apparently; she mentioned his father's mind was weak and vulnerable. Jamie hoped he felt vulnerable now, facing death in prison. He turned around and addressed Tamira and Edith. "Okay. Now everything is all clear."

Edith perked up from where she had been leaning against the wall in the far corner. "You'll do the operation?"

"Yeah, now that I am assured that my father is going to prison for his crimes. I don't think I could have done it without you guys." Jamie answered.

Tam smiled, getting up from her perch on the couch. She stood beside him, unsettlingly beautiful. "Do you want me to hold your hand while you're on the table?" She teased.

Jamie couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Please, honey, I can handle myself."

Edith smirked. Tam draped an arm around Jamie's shoulders, tall enough to match his height almost perfectly, as they walked with Edith to the lab. The small room was the same as always. Edith made Jamie sit on the patient table/chair. Jamie tried to relax, worrying about the needle and what would happen after. Would it hurt? What would Jamie become? Jamie had never shot up before; he was hyper aware of needles. He braced for the worst.

Edith pulled out a long needle, dark pink liquid inside. Jamie gulped. Tamira snickered, hearing Jamie's panicked thoughts about the needle. Calmly, she said, "Everything is going to be okay."

Jamie upon hearing her voice, so caught up in his mindly obsessions to notice Tam had slipped in to check up, instantly calmed down. His shoulders lowered as he relaxed back onto the table. He held out a golden arm, allowing Edith to inject him with the liquid easily and quickly. Tam bit her lip, mentally preparing herself for the next five minutes after the serum reached his bloodstream.

Jamie jerked and shook, groaning in agony. He gasped repeatedly, hyperventilating and steadily going into shock. Tam tried to use her powers but Jamie was too focused on the pain. Edith and Tam held Jamie down as best they could as it slowly passed. Finally, Jamie slumped on the table from exhaustion.Edith motioned to Tam. Tam got the hint and carried Jamie out of the room. With the operation, her strength had increased significantly; not enough to lift a car but sufficient in carrying wounded soldiers.

At Jamie's room, Tam dumped him on the bed. Carefully, she removed his shoes and covered him in a blue blanket. She put a pillow under his head, which he snuggled into immediately and let out a sigh. Tam quietly giggled, leaving and shutting the door behind her.

Tam went to the doctor's office, knocking twice before coming in. Edith was at her computer, as usual, searching through files and documents. Edith looked up with a curious expression before composing herself, hands enclosed on the table. "Tamira, I trust you got Jamie to his room fine?"

Tam nodded, taking a seat on the chair directly in front of Edith's desk. "He's fine."

Edith cocked her head slightly to the right. "Are you okay?"

"I don't remember my operation, I didn't expect that to happen with Jamie. It's a little hard to witness, I guess." Tam answered, looking at her hands. She felt oddly guilty for feeling scared.

"Of course it is hard to witness. It's a shocking thing to experience. What we do here is for the better. Therefore, we have to make the hard decisions." Edith replied.

Tam blinked, clearing her mind. She straightened in her seat. "You're right. Thanks, Edith. This is just one of many."

Edith nodded, smiling. "Your welcome, Tamira. You can talk to me anytime, for anything."

Tam nodded back, standing and leaving with a wave. At the door, she heard a single whisper; a thought slipping the mind. It said, it's all coming together. Tam glanced back at Edith, who was already back at the computer immersed in her files. She left anyway, not wanting to question; she figured Edith was talking about the operation and agency. They had two more subjects to pick up, then the real job would begin. Tam carried on to the training room, intent on clearing her mind with some combat lessons and power testing.