Extrication Read online

  “Is there any other pertinent information I should have before I undertake my assignment?”

  Schultz shifted from behind her to pace in front of his office window again. “The state of affairs on Brevona is a very delicate matter. We have always had good trade relations with the royal house, and Nimera knows this. Three of our world leaders were invited and will be attending the celebration to extend our supposed goodwill toward recognizing Nimera as ruler. If we had declined the invitation in support of the royals, it would anger the man, and he could hasten the execution before we have a chance to step in. Four will also be attending. He will impersonate General Winston who has been ordered to accept the invitation but to remain on Earth. Four’s resemblance to Winston is close enough to fool the other two delegates, General Fitzgerald and Sir Forsythe. Our plastic surgeons perfected the resemblance and did their job well.” He stopped walking and gazed out at the mountains. “Nimera is a beast. He would start a full-scale war against us if he was left in power. The last thing we need is an invasion of their space fleet. There are already rumors circulating of his plans to take over Earth.”

  Schmidt tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “He plans to rule the universe. We have heard that he’s talked about a massive intergalactic war after he sits on the throne.”

  Two took a deep breath. Targeting Earth? An intergalactic war? It was more than a delicate situation, and she would not allow the pig to live to achieve his conquests.

  She looked at the tablet and another question formed. “The royals have several children. Nimera would execute all of them?”

  “As I said, the man is a monster. Don’t worry. You will not be there alone.” Schultz clasped his hands behind his back and continued to stare out of the window. “Four will meet you upon your arrival and will serve as your date for the event. He will be dressed in a high-ranking officer’s uniform. It really is uncanny how closely he resembles Winston. They could be twins. He will introduce you to Nimera as Princess Chandra from the planet Afrania.”

  By the nomenclature, she knew Four had to be from the male division next to theirs. Did he know the wrist implants were meant to kill them? Probably not. It was only by chance she had overheard the doctors’ conversation while they did an inspection of the trainee groups. Her enhanced hearing had picked up their words, and therefore, she knew. “Is there a reason I need an escort? I was under the impression that we are always sent out alone.”

  Schmidt gave her a patient smile. “The invitation General Robert Winston received is for two, and you would not attend such a gala on your own. Brevonian etiquette does not allow a woman to attend such functions unescorted. Four will be waiting for you on the balcony of the royal palace. We will set the coordinates of the portal so that you will land there. Like you, Four is highly skilled and can assist you should there be any trouble.”

  “He is fluent in the Brevonian language?”

  Schultz turned from the window and stared at her, impatience written all over his face. “Of course. All trainees are given intense studies of the known languages. You know that. It is the same for our male division. Now go to your room and rest. Tomorrow, just before lunch, Doctor Schmidt and I will personally take you to the portal.”

  Two stood, holding Schultz’s gaze. Apprehension filled her. She had never had contact with men, save for the doctors, other scientists that worked in the various labs, and their assistants. How could she, an inexperienced woman, trained to kill, ever hope to entice Nimera?

  “Doctor Schultz, what if I fail? Seduction is not a skill I was trained for. To seduce a man in one evening—”

  Steel laced his voice as he interrupted her. “Failure is not an option. You must kill him that night. The execution is set for the next day as entertainment for his guests. I have seen images of the women he has flocking around him. Your beauty surpasses them by far. You shouldn’t have any problem getting him to take you into his bed. Now go.”

  “Orientation—”

  “Not necessary. Go straight to your room. Do not speak to anyone.”

  Schmidt cleared his throat. “I have had information loaded onto your tablet about the art of seduction. I suggest you study it.”

  Schultz turned back to the window. It was getting dark. The sun had disappeared behind the mountains, and she could see a sliver of moon. Turning, she nodded to Schmidt, then left the office and hurried to her room.

  Schultz had called her exquisite. She flopped down on her bed and wished she had a mirror. She had never seen her own reflection except in a window. At least not for the many years she had been a trainee at the Institute. She sighed and rested her head on the pillow. She had been in this prison for such a long time.

  Excitement filled her... and dread. She could finally leave the Institute, but she also knew this would be the end. What would happen if she didn’t activate the microchip in her wrist? Would they know? Wishing she could warn the other girls about the implant, she opened her tablet to read up on Brevona and its people.

  The camera in the corner near the ceiling watched everything she did. Sometimes she wondered how they could keep track of so many screens. Was someone really watching them all the time? She barely glanced and skimmed over the article Schmidt had loaded on her tablet. There were additional photos. Many more than provided by Schultz during their meeting. It didn’t tell her anything she didn’t know already.

  The Brevonians were an advanced species and traveled through space long before Earth mastered the technology to achieve jump drive. They looked much like people on Earth, except for the ridges on their foreheads and their pale, luminescent skin. She’d seen the data before, but this time she paid close attention to their customs and religions. They were extremely superstitious and believed in sorcerers and magic.

  It was an interesting planet, not just in its beauty, but also the indigenous creatures of the land. Unlike Earth and its old myths, Brevona had real sorcerers that practiced true magic, and living gods and goddesses. It was a fairytale planet, and she longed to be the princess with a happy ending. Fantasizing about the planet, she finally drifted off...

  Chapter Two

  Two woke at six, as always. Stretching, she swung her legs out of bed and went to the bathroom to relieve herself and shower.

  With a towel wrapped around her, she was about to get dressed when there was a knock on her door. “Come in.”

  Carol, Schultz’s senior aide, entered. Dressed in a tight-fitting skirt and blazer, she always looked polished and mannequin perfect, like pictures of models Two had seen when studying Earth’s history. Her blonde hair was swept up in a loose bun. Wisps of hair framed her face, softening the stern look.

  “Morning, Two. You need to come with me to wardrobe to get ready. Put your robe on.”

  “I haven’t had breakfast yet.”

  “I will bring you a tray after you’re finished. Come. June is waiting for you.”

  Two followed Carol to wardrobe. She had never been inside that room since it had appeared not long ago. She’d been told that’s where they kept the costumes and outfits the girls had to wear when going on a mission. Carol opened the door and nudged her to enter.

  It was bright inside. One wall consisted of all full-length mirrors. Racks of clothing stood neatly lined up. Two stood rooted in front of the mirrors until Carol cleared her throat, drawing her attention.

  “June, please prepare Two quickly for her mission. The doctors are waiting for her in Schultz’s office.” Carol glanced pointedly at her watch.

  June took Two’s hands and ushered her forward. “Hello, Two. I have your clothing ready. I’ll do your hair and makeup first.”

  June was an older woman, maybe in her mid-fifties. Her body was slightly round, her cheeks full, and a smattering of light lines edged the corner of her eyes. Her lips were tilted in a smile that eased the butterflies in Two’s stomach. She couldn’t help thinking it odd that June looked so much older than the others employed by t
he Institute. Maybe she hadn’t yet partaken in the rejuvenation treatments.

  June swiveled the seat of a chair around that was bolted to the floor. “Sit here. Schultz wasn’t kidding when he told me you were gorgeous. Look at that wealth of hair. Wow.”

  Two sat on the offered chair and gazed at her reflection in the mirror of the makeup table. Exquisite... beautiful... gorgeous... All words used to describe her in the last twenty-four hours. She didn’t see it. Deep-blue eyes peered back at her from a heart-shaped face. She grimaced at her reflection. Her lips were too large and her face pale. How was she to attract that pig of a general?

  June began brushing her wavy waist-long black hair, then picked up several spray cans and sprayed a blue color on the top half, and a blonde on the bottom half. She waited for it to dry, then brushed some of her hair up into a bun and left the rest of it hanging loose. It draped around her shoulders like a short cloak. The colors were radiant, sparkling in the light. The blonde almost had a golden sheen, and the blue enhanced the color of her eyes.

  Usually, Two merely pulled her mass of hair into a ponytail. Any other style would interfere with her training exercises. She would have cut it off had Schultz allowed it, but he seemed to think women had to have their hair long. Only a few girls had shorter hair, those that lost it in an accident, like Twenty-four whose hair was ash-blonde and pink and implanted. The poor girl was more cyborg than human. Two still remembered her when she was a little girl. In those days, she’d been quite scarred, one side of her face almost deformed, and she’d been bald.

  When June seemed satisfied, she began to apply makeup. Slowly, Two saw her face transform from plain to exotic. Her eyes were heavily lined with black, deep-blue eyeshadow intensified the violet-blue of her irises, a light dusting of blush defined her cheekbones, and finally, June painted her lips a deep rose. Long, dangling earrings completed the picture.

  June stepped back to admire her handiwork. “Even more beautiful,” she murmured while adjusting several strands of Two’s hair. “Now the dress.”

  “A dress?” Two screwed up her face. She had always worn her training uniforms, and a dress would hinder her movements. Then again, what movements did she need to seduce the man?

  June clucked her tongue. “Now, now. Those are the orders. By the time I am through, you will be perfection. You can hardly attend a big party wearing a tight bodysuit.”

  Two took a deep breath. She knew she would have to fit in with the other guests attending the celebration, but the whole getup had her a little out of sorts. “I’ve never worn a dress in my life. At least, not that I can remember.”

  “I guess there is a first time for everything.” June patted her shoulder then took a garment bag off one of the racks, opened the zipper, and held up the dress. “Here it is.”

  Two gasped. “It’s gorgeous.” The fabric looked soft and inviting, unlike the stretchy material of her uniforms.

  “Take your robe off,” June ordered.

  Two disrobed. It didn’t bother her. She’d been naked so many times over the years. The laboratory technicians had touched, prodded, and poked just about every part of her body under the watchful eyes of Schultz and Schmidt. Their assistants, many of them males, were often present and ordered to perform medical tasks, so nudity was no stranger to her.

  Years ago, when she’d entered puberty, Schultz had ordered all body hair removed from her except her eyebrows, eyelashes, and her hair. They had also injected her with a drug so she would never menstruate or be able to procreate. Two didn’t care. From what she’d learned, periods were messy and annoying. Having children was not going to be a part of her future, and she was glad to be spared that monthly unnecessary evil. As for babies, she’d never even owned a doll, let alone had any maternal instincts.

  “And she has a perfect body to match that face,” June murmured and taking a small pot of rouge, she applied it to Two’s areolas, stopping to stroke her breasts and pinch her nipples.

  Her caresses caused an unusual sensation within Two. No one had ever touched her in such a manner.

  “So smooth,” June murmured and stroked her belly, then the area between her legs.

  Uncomfortable, Two knew better than to protest or show any type of reaction. Thankfully, June’s intrusive ministrations ended quickly. She let out the breath she had been holding.

  June sighed and stepped back. “Let me slip the dress over your head without messing up your hair.”

  Two wondered why she’d never met the woman. Although the staff had their own dining room, she’d seen most of them somewhere along the line. Not this one. Maybe she was new? Probably. The doctors hadn’t begun sending girls out on missions until the last couple of years.

  Two shivered as the shimmering brocade slid down her body. The dress clung to her curves, almost as if it had been designed especially for her. The silvery white material was embroidered with pale blue flowers. The neckline was almost down to her waist, exposing quite a bit of her cleavage. The skirt hung in gentle folds from beneath her breasts down to her ankles.

  A fleeting image pushed its way out from the dark vault of her suppressed memories. A pretty pale blue frothy outfit. Satin slippers on her feet. Unconsciously, Two pirouetted and curtseyed to applause.

  June snapped her out of it. “Ballet? Interesting. I didn’t know they taught ballet in this place. Pay attention now. This part of your costume comes with instructions.”

  June held up what looked like an ornate, silver metal belt with a blue stone in the center. Below the blue gem, a rectangular adornment with an intricate pattern of woven silver rested against her abdomen.

  “Look.” June slid her fingers underneath the silver extension and withdrew a fine, razor sharp little dagger. Then she slid it back into place before she clasped the belt around Two. “There is a small button beneath. Push it, and it releases the weapon.”

  She placed a silver necklace around Two’s neck, with bracelets on her wrists to match the belt, and silver sandals were last. Then a cloak that draped from her shoulders, held there by silver clasps, made of the same material as the dress.

  “Look at yourself.” June turned her to face the mirrored wall.

  Two gazed at her reflection in the floor to ceiling mirrors, a shocked expression on the face gazing back at her. The woman before her looked nothing like the trainee that had walked in only moments before. Was that really her? She felt as if she were looking at a stranger. “I can’t go back to my room in this.”

  “No. Doctor Schultz will come to fetch you as soon as I tell him you’re ready.” June held up a long robe and slipped it onto Two’s arms, then did the belt up. “You’ll wear this while walking through the hallways.”

  Butterflies flitted around in Two’s stomach as a moment of excitement filled her. Finally! She was leaving the Institute, even if it was to an alien planet!

  June stabbed at an intercom button. “Doctor? She’s ready.”

  “I’ll be there shortly.”

  Lastly, June sprayed some perfume on Two’s arms, neck, and dabbed some behind her ears.

  And so the journey begins. And ends. But does it have to end?

  Maybe she didn’t have to die... or the other girls. She’d so hoped to at least have breakfast with them before she had to leave. Why were they keeping her separate? Why hadn’t she told anyone about the conversation she’d overheard? At least she could have tried to somehow warn the older girls about their wrist implants. But she didn’t because she was afraid of possible consequences. If she had told anyone and word had gotten back to Schultz and Schmidt, her punishment would be harsh.

  Fear was another emotion she was not allowed. Fear was forbidden.

  Now that I’m leaving I have to find a way to get a warning to them. How? Damn. It’s a little too late to think about that now.

  She stood before the mirror of the makeup table and took a stick of kohl from the kit. She had no idea what she could do with it. Make an exc
use to go to the bathroom? There was one common bathroom on the main floor. She could write a message on the wall. Just as she hid the stick in the pocket of the robe, the doctor arrived.

  Schultz inspected her from head to toe, his gaze finally resting on her face, and smiled. “Exquisite! And I haven’t even seen your dress. Come. I have a tray waiting in my office for you.”

  Her opportunity came. Someone up there had heard her, she was sure, because they were heading toward the doctor’s office when Twelve approached from the other end of the hallway, accompanied by Schmidt. Twelve was almost naked. Dressed in a very skimpy little bodysuit, her pretty rose tattoos were visible down the left side of her body and face. She stopped and held her good hand out to Two. Twelve had lost her arm in an unfortunate accident, and they had replaced it with an ugly, metal robotic arm. To compensate, they had tattooed the other side of her body with flowers.

  Honestly, with all their advanced technology, couldn’t they have given her a more realistic limb? Like Thirty-three and Forty-five. They both have bionic body parts.

  “Good luck on your mission, Two,” she said.

  Quick as a flash, Two took the eyeliner from her pocket and stepped forward to embrace Twelve. Twelve stood stiffly, her hands between them. Two reached down and wrote inside Twelve’s good hand. She hoped Twelve could read the scribble on her palm. Wrist implant poison. Death.

  Schultz gripped her arm and pulled hard, yanking her away from Twelve. “That’s enough. We don’t have time to waste, Two.”

  Twelve bowed her head and mumbled something Two couldn’t understand, then hurried down the hallway.

  She peered up at Schultz meekly, hoping her capitulation would squelch his anger. “Doctor, we have been together a long time. Is it not okay to say goodbye to a fellow trainee?”

  “I suppose after living together for so long, you do develop some attachment. You have been taught that touching, embracing, and kissing are the catalysts of disease and influenza. I guess it doesn’t matter now. Affection and attachments were not part of your program, and I frown upon it. Come.” With a scowl on his face, he continued to usher her to his office.