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Looking at the tray of mush before him 7926 ate quickly, least another, more swift or powerful person come and steal his food again
“Pst! Hey!”
7926 sat up and glanced at the other girl, she was carrying a plate that had fruit on it. An orange, it was small yet she still split it between them.
“Here, I always wanted to try one of these.”
7926 looked at the fruit in his hand. It was squishy, slightly wet and soft.
“Why are you giving this to me?”
“Caush we schell’ ates!” she spoke through a mouth full of orange slices. Sitting on her bed she kicked her feet, happily enjoying the fruit.
“Where did you get this from?”
“My handler said if I did a good job on the tests and passed, he would get me one!”
And she had decided to share her one and only treat with him…
“...thanks.”
“No problem.”
Outside the reinforced steel doors the sound of heavy machinery clicking off signal bed time. The two climbed onto their bed and curled up for the night.
“Pst, 7926.”
“What?”
“I hope they partner us together when we're older.”
He thinks he would like that too.
“Go to sleep.”
Yet the offer replayed in his mind. Days after days after weeks.
One day when their handlers decided they were ready, they could leave.
“7926, step into the room. You may begin when the door locks.”
Today was battle evaluation day, they put him in the same room they always did. Old blood,bones and rotting meat sat in corners of the large room. A thin yet powerful wall of bullet proof glass separated him from the amalgamations on the opposite side.
These creatures were dog-ish in their form. Four legged with rows of powerful teeth and several sets of jaws that could launch out with a hidden extended neck. Difficult to kill but not impossible. They were more annoying now that he knew how to handle them.
Every amalgamation had a core in its center mass. It was difficult to pierce through the flesh as it was now. But as the glass fell he was already beginning to calculate how to kill the monster.
As he and the creature went blow for blow. His mind started to wander.
Duck, duck, strike, duck,duck,strike strike.
What was the point of all this? Yes there were others but what was the end goal?
He grabbed one of the jaws and pulled hard enough to yank the section out of the main body.
Would he be forced to stay here and fight for the rest of life? The handlers never told him anything besides what he needed to know. The only thing he knew was this place called ‘outside’. The girl had told him about it a few times. Explaining how there was something called a ‘sun’ and ‘bugs’ how it changed depending on the time. He didn't believe her at first until his own handler asked him who had told him about it.
Duck, Lunged, Grab.
He took a good handful of flesh and pulled, tearing the beast into pieces to get attacked its core.
“Ow!” Teeth dug into his leg as he shoved his hand into cold flesh, ignoring the pain and wanting to wrap this up already. He pulled and fought past popping ligaments and fat,freeing the glowing core with a grunt.
Pop!
The organ exploded in his grasp,coating his hand in a gross, glowing, off yellow mucus.
“Disgusting.”
He flicked his hand off and waited for his handler to open the door for cleansing when he heard a scream next door. The usual, one way mirror had been turned off. Allowing him to see chamber after chamber after chamber of kids fighting or dying to experiments.
A surprise for sure but nothing he hadn't figured out.
“Get! Off! Me!!!”
But that voice had him whip his head around so fast!
There she was, on the ground holding back teeth that threatened to tear into face.
“You have to peel it!!” He yelled, banging on the thick window to get her attention.
“Wha- 7!? Aughhh!” One of the heads pulled back to bite her arm.
“Peel the skin and head back! Like an orange! There's a core! You have to destroy its core!”
She winced and rolled it over onto the side. Ripping meat and flesh off layer by layer until the fleshy orange core was in her hand. It popped loudly, covering her face with blood, if you could even call it that.
She huffed, leaning on the wall and leaving a messy orange print on it.
The loud, angry buzzer went off and the doors opened up. Allowing him to leave.
Outside his handler brought him to the shower room. The ones who'd survived were quick to abandon their soiled clothes. Everyone took the time to bask in cool,cold waters that rained above. But he was worried, she hadn't bled out? Right?
The metal door creaked open and a still bloody girl and handler stepped in.
“- understand?” the man asked. Holding her by the arm.
“Yes,sir.” she nodded.
The girl's handler dragged her into the shower room and sat her on a bench before leaving.
He immediately came over, seeing the last bit of her wounds already healing.
“Thanks.”
“Dont mention it.” He pushed his wet,blond hair out of his face. Grabbing a bucket he carried it over and helped the girl undress.
“I don't know how you managed to get through all that training, I prefer working at the desk.”
“You get used to it.” He squeezed a sponge out over her head and scrubbed her back.
“My turn.” Rinsing the sponge she carefully scrubbed his back as well,” my handler said there's a surprise waiting for us tomorrow.”
That made his golden eyes light up,” really? What is it?”
“I don't know, he said we have to be on our very best behavior!”
He nodded and dumped the water over her head.
“You're nervous?” He asked.
“Mhm, but I feel safer when I'm with you.”
He paused.
She felt safe with him?
“Hm?”
“Nothing, lets hurry and go back to our cell.”
“Kay.”
After drying off and being escorted to the cell he immediately went to his bed. Ready to settle down for the night when he heard the soft tap of bare feet on concrete.
Tap tap tap
Shuffle shuffle
Another blanket was tossed over his body as she climbed into bed with him. Her smaller limbs were thrown over his legs and torso. Head buried up under his chin.
“Your heavy.” He huffes, scooting over to make more room for her.
It was easier to fall asleep that night.
That morning their cell door opened earlier than usual.
“7926 and 7927, you will be meeting the director today.” Their handlers were dressed in the same military attire.
The two were guided down a series of halls, check points, DNA scanners and doors.
It wasn't until they left the lab zone that everything seemed more furnished. The air seemed more warm, potted plants in corners along with quiet background music. A stark contrast to life in the labs.
The handlers opened a set of heavy doors and inside stood a man hunched over at his desk.
“There you two are,” he rose, wearing a crisp white suit and deep blue tie,” we've been watching your preformed. 27 and 26. And we have decided to go forward with the two of you into the next program.”
He got up and sat two sheets of paper on his desk.
“These will be your names, Zeno and ___. And you will be working together from here on out.”
Together.
Together.
Together.
“___, We're here.” You jerked awake. Rubbing the sleep out of your eyes and looking out of the limousine's tinted window. Outside the rain had let up a bit, as the two of you pulled up in front of a large mansion for an auction.
“Already?” Another yawn and you looked in the mirror to fix your make up.
Zeni stepped out and popped his large umbrella open as the chauffeur opened the car door. Raising your dress in case of a puddle you took the man's hand.
“Thank you.”
Together you and Zeno entered the large mansion. The lot was full of classic and expensive cars. Dropping off even more expensive passengers.
You yawned again and shivered.
“Stayed up late again?”
“Just wanted this to go well, not to mention my favorite heating blanket was gone.” You leaned on him slightly as you walked.
“You know I had work to do.”
“Which could have been done in bed, mind you.”
Inside was warmer, with so many bodies it was bound to be.
The ball room was grand with high, arched ceilings, historical figures, golden metal work and blown glass.
“I had a dream last night.”
“Mh?” He gave the umbrella to a staff member.
“When we were kids, we first got our names. Do you remember?”
He did, of course he did. That was the day The Connections changed his life.
“You were practically under my skin the night before. I thought I'd die of a heat stroke. You ran so hot.”
“Oh I did not!” You playfully swatted him on his chest and he caught your wrist. Dragging his knuckle up your vein and holding your hand.
“You most certainly did.” he insisted.
“Hmph!” You'd let him get off by allowing him to waltz you towards the target. A pair of FBI agents from the Japanese government were planning out trying to steal some impressive pathogens.
It was easy to dance circles around the ignorant duo. You left behind a trail of spores that would cause them to pass out. Missing the auction completely and leaving any lesser threats for you to take out silently.
“After this, where should we go?”
“Already fantasizing about vacation? Didn't they teach you work comes first?” He chided, spinning you away from the CIA agents. Once he felt the two of you were far enough away he sighed.
“Relax, they'll be out for the count and the rest of their team won't be able to rest at once! Oooooh bar!”
Now he was sighing and rubbing his nose for a different reason.
“Don't pretend like it wasn't good.”
“It wasn't.”
He'd never admit it but moments like these were close to his heart. Moments he could pretend he wasn't being watched by connections and judged 24/7 for his competence. Moments where he didn't feel like Wesker, but Zeno.
Clink Clink Clink Clink
The sound of metal on glass and the heavy sound of doors swinging open.
Looks like it was time for the auction.
“Well then?” You leaned on him, fluffy boa hiding your face as the two of you entered the auditorium.
It, too, was grand. Red velvet seats, polished floors, and lit lanterns. This too was something out of a painting. They would have to find time to go to a museum at some point.
“Pay attention,___.” He snapped you back into work mode as the bidding started.
“Yes yes, I know. And you better be on your best behavior. No more causing public panic!”
“Tch, I know that. “
“And on our next list, a case of pathogens from some of the top bio engineers of our time! Starting off at 10,000!”
Several hands went up.
“Can I get 10,500?!”
More hands rose.
“Do I hear 11,000?”
Less hands this time.
Between the two of you and the rest of the auditorium the prince slowly began to rise.
“12,000! Do I hear 12,000!?” The auditorium yelled, getting more passionate with each passing second.
You raised your sign.
“13,000!”
Someone else did as well.
“I thought you got rid of those agents?” Zeno asked.
“I did,” you raised your hand again as the price sky rocketed, “ that is someone else.”
“Do I hear 20,000! 20,000!”
“Tch.”
“Go smoke, I'll take care of it.” You dug into your purse and handed him his favorite pack.
He pushed his hair back and accepted the pack,leaving the room to take a quick smoke.
Zeno shook a cig out of the pack and balanced it between his teeth. The two agents were being escorted outside to their ride. He gave a half smirk at that.
‘Idiots’
Outside the air was hot and humid. As he took a drag of his cigarette.
He thought about the plans for the future. Where he wanted his own personal goals and work goals with The Connections.
‘Perhaps she's right, a vacation sounds nice. Somewhere cold maybe? The Alps? Maybe the northern lights.’
As he thought about the perfect place to escape too there was a metallic click and a muffled bang.
He caught the bullet with his teeth and spat it out.
One of the CIA agents had woken up and slipped a silencer onto his gun.
“Those spores must have melted your brain.” the crumpled embers of his now destroyed cigarette scattered to the winds. He didn't even get to finish half of it before they ruined his evening! Reaching for his gun,Zeno paused.
‘No more causing a public panic!’
“You lucked out today.” He dodged bullet after bullet with ease before ripping the firearm out of the man's hand and snapped it in half. Metal parts flying as he threw it into the bushes,” now get out of my sight. “
The man shuddered on the ground.
Zeno opened the door just as you came outside. In your hands sat a high tech cylinder.
“When you're done playing with your food we can go. It's cold and I prefer to enjoy the rain at home.” You didn't bother acknowledging the FBI agents. They were small fry.
“This way. “ He opened the door for you and let you slip inside the cool car. He joined a few moments later. This time with a new cigarette dangling between his lips. The driver pulled off as you flicked a lighter to life. Burning his cigarette to life and leaning on his shoulder as he smokes.
“Let's go see the northern lights. “ You said, as if having read his mind.
“Of course
Perhaps a vacation is what he needed.
Once the car came to a stop the package was taken by other operators allowing the two of you to return to your rooms.
Zeno would give a briefing while you waited for him outside in the garden.
Looking up at the moon you wondered if this was all life had to offer? As a clone of the lovely Excella you had since accepted your role as a failed copy. The head honcho told you so. Years ago and the words never left your mind. Not because of how cold and harsh they were but because of what it could mean.
The Connections would start the cloning mission again soon. And eventually you'd be replaced or worse they'd have you killed. But just like your other half you'd been preparing for that day. The plan was ready, just waiting for the perfect moment to-
A heavy jacket was placed on your shoulders. Protecting you from the wind.
He didn't say anything and neither did you.
One day the two of your would be in control of your own lives
One day.