"Look at me."60Please respect copyright.PENANA5oVCwA53il
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But I couldn't. I shouldn't. "Look. Or I can have my friends here tear you apart again. Your choice." I looked up, expecting to see a man's face. But his features- they were gone. A haze. "You're showing fear. Aren't Elites supposed to be emotionless during missions such as yours?"60Please respect copyright.PENANAaRRugNfLcu
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I spat at him. He wiped his featureless face, "I take that as a no?" I drew in a breath, trying to calm my nerves though I truly was fearful. Not of death. But of what I knew.60Please respect copyright.PENANAbeRd35oxlI
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"Oh my. Now not even a spark of emotion in those eyes. What sort of rigorous training do Elites go through to achieve that?"
I simply blinked. "Answer me." Just those two words contained a hidden threat. I looked down at the forest floor, shut my eyes, and braced myself. Nothing could have prepared me for this living nightmare. Now it was a matter of hanging onto the remaining threads of defiance.
***
I woke with a jolt, my heart beating out of my chest. I clutched my head, fighting tears. They destroyed my mind to the point of not remembering that mans face... They obliterated me mentally. I may have survived and kept my mouth shut but they fucking won. Reaching for my phone, cigarettes and lighter, I slipped out of bed. I stayed in my sweatpants and loose tank top, grabbed my G17, and made my way out of the room into the hall. As soon as I reached the nearest balcony, I placed the pistol on a small table and lit up a cigarette. Why'd I have to become so reliant on damn cigarettes? Such a fool. Weak.60Please respect copyright.PENANAGw7zrce3wn
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"The sun hasn't risen. What are you doing awake?"
I puffed on my cig a few times, leaned on the railing and looked out at the rolling hills. "I can ask you the same thing, Taredd." He walked up to the rail, shutting the doors behind him.60Please respect copyright.PENANAGD4QZDg1AO
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"You're shaking." I grimaced, glancing at my hands. Of course he was right. "What of it?"
"What happened to you?"
"You know what happened. I was held captive and tortured. Nothing else to it." I knew exactly what he wanted to know. But I didn't want to talk. All it does is bring back the past.
"No. I mean... Just how bad did they ruin you? How far did they-"
"Stop." He put his hand on my shoulder, "You need to talk about it. Sooner or later. Does the Gen-"
"Yes he knows. I gave a report before I left. No I don't need to talk. I'm not going to speak of it. I went through some hell. That's all anyone needs to know. Don't push it any further." I took a long drag and sighed. "I know you're trying to help. But now is not the time. I'm sorry."
"No it's fine. I shouldn't have pushed it as far as I did. Just... Don't keep it shoved in your head. Don't let it destroy you. There are people here willing to help you recover and work through it. You simply have to let us." I glanced at him, and said nothing. Weak. Weak. Weak.60Please respect copyright.PENANAnaONMommxd
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Taredd shuffled forward and wrapped his arms around me. "You're an Elite. You'll get through." He backed away with a small grin. "Yeah... Thanks." He waved my gratitude off, "There's no need to thank me. Don't be up the rest of the night," he said walking towards the doors. "I hear your dad will be making us all busy in the morn." I nodded, and that was that.
***
I couldn't get back to sleep no matter how hard I tried. So, at some point, I gave up, changed, and limped my way to my fathers training room. It's nothing fancy. The room isn't large, but it's not at all small either. It has concrete floors and wood panel walls. Tucked in a corner to the left are a few racks of blades- from spears to daggers and swords. Near the racks is a large glass case, holding a treasured family weapon...
The scythe that will belong to the Aoi Kama- the Blue Scythe- which may very well work beside my father one day. The blade itself were multiple blades. One inside of the other. It could retract within itself and extend beyond its normal state. "Oh good. You're up and at 'em already." I stepped to the side to make way for Arata and Dad. "Of course I am, Arata."
Father walked over to the weapons rack and picked up two Katanas. "Arata, you first," he said as he handed one to him.
They sparred for a time, but I payed no attention. I was to focused on trying to keep myself from falling apart. I hate this body. Its now just a reminder of what happened.
"MOTOME!"
"Hm?" I blinked snapping out of a haze. "You alright kiddo?" I looked up at dad, with a forced smile. "Yeah. I'm alright. Just tired." The look in his eyes told me he didn't believe my words. He tossed a katana to me, "your turn."60Please respect copyright.PENANAlIHvehhCop
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I got up, prepping my stance.
He took no time at all, and lunged at me. I deflected. Barely... Being his blade was more to the left, and I couldn't put to much pressure on the leg. He quickly went back after me, now more to my right, I deflected and went for his arm, but he spun out of the way, swinging. I quickly brought my blade around to my left side. The metal singing in my ears. I winced, pain shooting from my hip to my toes. To much pressure.60Please respect copyright.PENANAtcrMKncICP
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He kept swinging, performing an intricate dance with each movement. And each time, I had to put more pressure on my leg. Eventually he put his all in one swing, and right as our blades met, my leg gave out beneath me, firey pain consuming me. My vision grew spotty and blurry. I shut my eyes tight, trying to just allow it to pass.
"Are you alright kiddo?"
I nodded, "mhmm."
"You don't seem to be."
"I'm fine. I just need a moment."
I heard him sigh. "When you're ready come see me in the lab."
***
I grabbed an old cane I had stored in my closet. I had for shits and giggles as a kid... Not so funny anymore. It was just a basic wooden one with an dragon head. Once the pain subsided I made my way for the lab.
The 'lab' was located underground. It was large and built into the hill so at one end there was a large window. This was where my father had his loyal scientists, mechanics, biologists- just a load of nerds, working on new technology. Everything made here eventually gets a file sent off to the DoD, where they'll go over it, and eventually approve it to be utilized. Depending on what it is, it may also go through political officials. Finishing touches are then made, and carefully sent off to the US. Most of the tech that the US uses now is made here by my father's guidance. My father walked up to me, "come, follow me." He lead me to his office, sitting down at his desk. I took a seat, leaning back with a sigh of relief. My leg is screaming at me.
"I have something I'm working on for you. The second I got news about what happened, I immediately had all focus on making prototypes. I already had the blueprints made years ago... But I tossed it to the side. I saw no point in having it sent off and mass produced. However, I think it'd be just fine if it's used for an individual." I nodded, only wanting to hear more. He caught my curiosity. He stood up, and walked over to a completely mechanical, and electrical 'empty' shelf. "Files on Elite."60Please respect copyright.PENANAt31T9BPr3D
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Blue, glowing files appeared on the shelf. They were holograms, but better. This kind of technology was released years ago. And many have made the transition to higher tech. By the time I get back, I won't be surprised if all bookshelves, cabinets, basic shelving will be replaced with this. However, many will probably stick to basic shelving for some time until production stops. "Motome Kyrn." A few files slightly moved forward, all a different color. He picked up a red folder, opening it as if it wasn't a hologram at all.
He swiped his hand across it a few times then placed it front of me. I saw my medical information, and a map design for a surgery. To the right there was an eye. I tapped it twice, and the file displayed it in front of me. The eye was bright blue, intricate thin threads or wires hanging from the back of it. It was clearly bionic.60Please respect copyright.PENANAOuu1PCWQEW
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"This eye would be connected to your brain and nerves. We would alter certain nerves, muscles, bones to better accommodate to the eyes function. It's still in the works but it would ultimately give you superhuman like abilities, and make your leg as if it was never injured. It's activated through light. Even at night, if the stars are out, this eye can sense it. However, let's say you're in a pitch black room, and there's not even a bit of light creeping from beneath a door. It won't work. Your leg will be as is, no strength, nothing. So I've made a few different accessories to provide light in those situations. With time I'll make improvements on a new one, with the same basis. Something more full proof."
"What's the accessories?"
He lifted his left hand, looking to his left. His watch displayed a clear screen on the wall. He swiped in the air with his left hand, however the screen didn't move. Black stud various earrings that fit for each of my piercings were in the upper left corner appeared. A black wrist band to the left, and a similar looking watch below it.
"It's old and basic technology- with small improvements- but they work like a charm and will light up when they can't sense any light to activate the eye. They look completely normal, just like the accessories you wear day to day."
"What's the abilities that this eye can give?"
He shrugged, sighing, "That, I don't know. We assume this eye will give abilities based on who you are as a person. The data it receives and gives to your brain and body, will decide the abilities. I don't know if the abilities are various for each situation, or just one ability at any given time. That won't be known until the surgery is finished and you adjust... If you want this of course."
"What does this surgery entail exactly?"
"Well, your left eye will be removed and replaced with the bionic one. It will act as a normal eye, you'll be able to see and look around with it. With the A.N.A.I.," 'Alter Nerve Artificial Intelligence'. It's a machine, with an AI that can work on certain parts of the body to reconnect severed nerves, repair them, or even make them less hyperactive. It's been used many times now in the US and few other countries to heal conditions like Fibromyalgia. "You're nerves and brain will become connected to the bionic eye. After it's put into place, you'll be woken up. We'll do some testing, see how you do with it, and go from there. Would you like to see this done?"60Please respect copyright.PENANA6UW7iRQKhB
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I thought about it only for a moment. My dad is great at what he does and is yet to have anything malfunction... I could walk normally again, at times at least. I'll probably want to hide the eye with an eye patch so it doesn't draw to much attention.
"Yes. Let's get it done."
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