Chapter 43
Chapter 43
GMN-5 couldn't believe they used her! Wait she could. What she couldn't believe was she fell for it. The oldest trick in history. Abundant liquor makes for a running mouth. She nearly pulled her eyes out and wanted to stake GMN-1 through her heart. She tried to rationalise things. GMN-1 wasn't stupid to confront Doc and even if she did, Silver was taking over. She looked at the wall of her special room, over the things she pinned on the wall. She just needed to find the missing link that connected them all then she'll have more cards than them all.
GMN-2 looked at the things GMN-1 pinned on the wall of his extra room with his arms folded.
"you want me to do what exactly?" he asked GMN-1 who was seated on his table looking at him. He couldn't tell exactly what she was thinking because she could be thinking anything. He had a good reading on everyone here except her and the little he read bothered him. He had decided to pay more attention to even the simplest and tiny detail.
She sat on his table legs crossed looking indifferent and bored, her usual mask. GMN-9 who she had brought moved from one foot to the other uneasily.
"there's obviously a connection she didn't make. I want you to find it so you can fill in the blank spaces" GMN-1 repeated.
"i heard what you said, I just don't understand" GMN-2 stated and she sighed like he was testing her patience.
"she made a connection in this order" GMN-1 said gesturing with her hands. "this and this seem off and that seem not to fit in at all. This is her perspective, I want yours using everything here and hopefully you can point us in the right direction of what we are missing" GMN-1 said and raised her eyebrow in question. He didn't say anything. She wanted him to fix the puzzle and find the missing parts. Great! He looked over what she pinned, pictures, notes, dates and more. He didn't know what they meant not to mention how they fit in.
"you do know I have no idea what most of them mean" he said and she hoped down.
"that's why he's here. Tell him what he needs to find. He has a secure network and do that before she does cause she's really close" she said heading to the door.
"why don't you wait till she does?" GMN-2 asked
"unless she finds all we know, she's bound to head in the wrong direction sooner or later, I'll keep you posted on anything that might help. Good luck" she said and left. She sounded like he was going to need luck. Did she really underestimate him? Then why did she bring it to him or better still do it herself? He looked at GMN-9 who breathed in relief. He had been petrified when she had asked him to follow her. He turned to the wall bringing out his tab and taking pictures.
"i'll get started on facial recognition. If you need anything else, my room is opposite 4's" GMN-9 said heading for the door. GMN-2 just nodded focusing on his wall.
"did you threaten to knock me out?" GMN-6 asked as soon as she stormed inside the common room. GMN-1 looked up from the book she was reading. She had a bowl of grape on the table in front of her.
"so?" GMN-1 replied like 'what has that to do with anything'
"so? So? You threatened to knock me out!" GMN-6 said
Just then GMN 4 and 3 walked in. GMN-4 just sat down beside her and dipped his hand into the bowl and grabbed some grapes. GMN-3 looked from 6 to 1.
"what's going on?" GMN-3 asked
"and just like that my peace and quiet is ruined. Go get yours!" GMN-1 lamented to herself before moving the bowl far from 4 a bit forcefully.
"she threatened to knock me out!" GMN-6 was saying as 2 and 9 walked in.
"you were drunk and making a fuss much like right now" GMN-1 said
"what are they arguing about?" GMN-2 asked 3 who made an I don't know gesture. He heard from a far but couldn't grasp the main point.
Just then GMN-5 walked in. Immediately she walked in, GMN-4 stood up. Seeing this reaction infuriated 5 and she decided to pour it out on 1.
"i can't believe you got me drunk!" GMN-5 said. 'what now!?' GMN-1 thought bringing down her book. GMN-5 was standing in front of her.
"really?" GMN-1 asked like she couldn't believe 5 couldn't believe that she got her drunk. GMN-5 was puzzled. That tone of voice surprised her. Normally when she made comments like these, GMN-1 would flat out ignore her.
"so I believe you could…did that, what I don't believe is you could take advantage and question me!"
GMN-1 turned back to her book. This was pointless. The other two females starred at her and the males joined and soon everyone was starring at her. She ignored them and continued reading and eating her grapes.
GMN-4 came back with a can of soft drink and sat down beside GMN-1. GMN-5 frowned. Maybe he wouldn't be so comfortable around her if he knew she was only interested in using people to get what she wanted. He wouldn't see her in favourable light again. That sounded like a plan to her.
"to think you were the better person but it turns out you are worse than we could ever imagine" GMN-5 began again. GMN-1 didn't even look up from her book. She knew 5 was playing at something again. She always did that whenever 4 was around. She wondered why 5 was always dragging her down with her. Well that was her business. Still she kept feeling that there was something she was purposely ignoring, a connection she was supposed to have made but didn't.
Seeing no reaction from any of them. It made her angrier she was the victim here and they were silently taking her side. GMN-5 turned to 6. she too was a victim and she was still supporting 1. all these people were crazy. She turned back to GMN-1 who hasn't given her the time of day. Typical GMN-1. she wondered how someone could possibly like GMN-1. she tried again but before she could finish.
"your imagination put me at worse, it is clearly lacking. By the way the information you volunteered was substandard so I don't understand the fuss but if you want to add, be my guest; if not, you're making noise" GMN-1 said without dropping her book.
GMN-6 just stood there starring at her. Substandard? GMN-1 really had a big mouth. She couldn't get these information and had to drug her, now she was calling it substandard!? she would show her substandard! GMN-5 just turned and stormed out. She was going to uncover everything, then she would show her who's substandard. The rest didn't bother. Interaction between the two of them always ended that way.
"so what next?" GMN-6 said plopping down on the other side of GMN-1. Urgh! Can't a girl read in peace!?
"you all go away" GMN-1 said flipping two pages. The dog just strolled in and positioned itself on the floor between 1 and 6 and closed it's eyes as if to take a nap. They hadn't seen the dog in a while and they wondered what it was up to. Just then GMN-7 walked in and looked at GMN-1 who seemed not to notice then nodded at the rest of them in greeting.
"what did I miss?" he asked. He saw 5 zooming off and knew something went down and he knew 1 was at the center.
He was hanging out with them more and more these days and they didn't know why. It was like he switched camp but why?
"female drama" GMN-9 replied and he just nodded and headed to the refrigerator.
GMN-1 stood up closing her book.
"Doc appears, call me" she said and headed out.
"1 wait! Do you have a minute, got something I wanted to talk to you about" GMN-7 called out disposing his can in a hurry, walking towards her. Even the sleeping dog open it's eyes and looked at both of them.
"sure" GMN-1 said heading out before him. The dog stood up and followed.
"that was unusual" GMN-6 said
"did you have to say that out loud?" GMN-3 muttered under his breathe
"Guys, I think something is going on between them. I've seen some exchanges between them." GMN-2 said and the room became uncomfortably quiet. He wondered why then recalled what he said. "oh, I meant something, not like the something between us" he corrected
"say it again" there was enough venom and an open threat infused in those three words.
"can we get to the point and stop these petty arguments, jeez!" GMN-6 exclaimed
"point is, I think they are doing something. I don't know what and I think it might be a big deal. The fact that it's a secret especially from me bugs me a little"
"yeah, cause you're the first person to know what she's up to. If we want information on her we ask 3 or 4 or even 9 but definitely not you" GMN-6 said
"that was harsh, besides I've been studying her"GMN-2 said
"studying her is not the same as knowing her. Sometimes I wonder if anything between you two would ever work. I mean look at him" GMN-6 gestured to 4. " They don't talk much but they understand each other perfectly, it even boggles me. I can't say the same about you. No offence but if you want anything to work, you need to up your game"
"suddenly you're the relationship expert" GMN-9 said drily
"we are going off course here" GMN-3 interjected
"so have you noticed anything unusual?" GMN-6 asked
"Aside the games she seems to be constantly playing or the distraction or the fact she seems busy, no" GMN-3 said
"Should we really be talking about this here?"GMN-6 asked
"It's okay. 9 got it covered" GMN-4 said
"I really don't know what to call it and I don't mean recently I mean overtime. It's like she has some sort of split personality or multiple personality but they are not really distinct as others but one seems to be in more control than the others. It's like at each point, one aspect of her is more prominent than the other and every other interaction is based on the dominant one. Plus she switches without warning, I can't even keep up. It's like borderline personality disorder. I'm having trouble to pinning her situation to one."
"then don't" GMN-4 said
"i'm not making her sound bad, she's great everyone knows. I like her, you already know but I can't help feel a build up of some sort. We all have to be careful where she's concern and I don't mean treat her differently, she'll notice. I mean pay more attention and that is up to you" GMN-2 said standing up then sitting down again. Doc was coming.
Doc was beyond enraged. She had a sleepless night. The battle line had been drawn and she wasn't faring well. She had paced around her office bitterly. How could she be so stupid losing sight of the environment in her bigger picture. Gosh! She had wanted to maul that double-crossing scheming witch! Urgh! She couldn't believe this. While she was busy eliminating their enemies, Silver was busy gaining allies and she didn't even have the GMNs. Now she is after the GMNs after turning the order against her. Doc was between a rock and a hard place. She couldn't give up the GMNs and abide by the decisions of the order, an indefinite suspension from the order with no backing and no way in was the same as being evicted from the order and with the way things were no one would take her side and even if they did, they'd be outnumbered. Keeping the GMNs was putting everyone in danger. The order would close the GMN program and erase them from history. It would be like they never existed. The order had money, resources, connection and influence to wipe out an entire continent not to talk about a few hundreds. Yes, they'll wipe out whoever had contact with the GMNs including the facility workers both past and present and even the medical team, by stepping foot here they had signed their own death warrant. She didn't care about them, she only cared about herself. She had done so much to be in the order, to get the GMNs, to be where she is now, killed even just for the chance to have an opportunity in the grasp for power. She needed to redeem herself if she wanted to stay in this game. She knew how but things haven't been going her way. She needed to get to Annabelle before the order did. If she did the order was sure to lift the indefinite suspension and she can carefully plan her coup but it seems Silver was ahead of her and was going after Annabelle and she couldn't let that happen. The fact she was making so much progress without the GMNs was infuriating. She recalled the conversation with Silver and threw the box on her table across the wall.
"you noticed that the daugther referred to me the same way the mother did" Silver had began
"one thing they got right, always second best" Doc had mocked
"And where does that live you? Third? After they find out that your memory adjustment is failing you'd drop to what? Fifth? Getting kicked out of the order because you can't handle less than a dozen teenagers with no identity, you may not even be on any list" Silver said proudly sitting on her seat. "This seat is going to be mine soon and I'm going to change it. I can't have your left over inferiority tainting the place"
"you are never going to get my chair!"Doc said and Silver laughed like it was funny
"it is no longer your chair and you may no longer have a place in the order. You have no usefulness and the order is trying to clean up your mess. It's just a matter of time before they regain their memories and find out what you did to them and if she's anything like her mother, I can't exhaust the possibilities" Silver said
"what the hell do you want!!?" Doc couldn't help but demand and Silver laughed again
"from you? You don't have anything to offer. You've already gotten rid of my greatest opposition and in the process made me new allies. I'll be taking over the GMNs, you've already handed me power on a platter of gold. What more can I take?" Silver asked and Doc was speechless. She could no fully comprehend. She had gone after those who would prove the greatest threat to her and with the GMNs she didn't see the need for allies, the power was within her grasp just a few more plays. This was so frustrating! She stared at Silver wordlessly. How could things go wrong!? she needed to be in this game long enough to win, she hasn't set everything in place so she could not lose anything now, not her spot in the order and definetly not the GMNs. What to do?
"So you're here to gloat!?"
"gloat? But I'm not done showing you up nor have I had the chance to humiliate you. I'm going to do what you couldn't. I'm going to get Annabelle Stone and without the GMNs. I'll show the order that you are completely and utterly useless and they'll not only hand the GMNs over to me but all your responsibilities and privileges that way I'm not only secured but get to move up the ladder. I'm going to do the one thing that you've ever wanted, a revolution! There would be no place for you in my new order"
After Silver left, Doc was more enraged than before.
Order her foot! She couldn't let Silver get anything, it would be the end for her. She could not risk exposing her to Annabelle and reviving her memory. She had no doubt that Annabelle wouldn't welcome her with open arms but it could make her remember who she is or was and that can't happen. Doc slumped into her chair. She seemed to be existing in a twist recently, nothing was straight anymore. She needed a solution today.
The door of her office snapped open and GMN-5 stood there leaning on the door a pitiful imitation of GMN-1.
"what's up Doc?" GMN-5 asked. Doc looked up and patted her hair into place then straightened her posture and folded her hands on the table infront of her.
"what do you want?" Doc tried to be polite
"i take it the meeting with Silver didn't go well" GMN-5 said and Doc ignored her and she continued "you still need to catch the clone maker and you are running out of time. Something tell me that to avoid being replaced the clone maker is vital"
"and how do you propose I do that?" Doc asked
"how you always do, send your precious GMN-1 and 4 or 3 and 2" GMN-5 replied like she was bored of answering stupid questions. Doc ignored the tone.
"the problem is that it might take all of you and the 'clone maker' seems to have a weird obsession with GMN-1" thought sarcastically to herself only to realise she said it out loud.
"Then don't send her, what's the big deal?" for a doctor this woman was pretty stupid, GMN-5 thought
"how do I explain the reason for not sending her?" Doc asked. 5 might be useful.
"i'm sure you can find something to keep her occupied or how about you don't need to!"
"you're right! I don't need to. Let's go!" Doc said ethusiastically, preceeding 5 out
That was easy, GMN-5 thought to herself. She couldn't wait to see the look on GMN-1's face.
Doc entered the room to see almost every other GMN seated except 1 and 7. speaking of 7 she hadn't seen him lately. He seem to be avoiding her. Too bad, she thought him more useful than 5 but she has learnt not to underestimate an ambitious female.
"you'll be going after the clone maker. I want she…or he alive but incapacitated. You will collect a serum from the nurses which you must inject into the target at the earliest opportunity" Doc said
GMN-1 was right. Doc would send them after the clone maker, GMN-6 thought.
"by you do you mean all of us" GMN-6 said
"yes I meant all of you excluding GMN-1" doc replied. 6 and 9 gasped in shock
"let me get this straight…"GMN-6 began
"you heard correctly" GMN-5 interjected. This was already worth it.
"where is she by the way" DOC asked and some gestured behind her. GMN-1 stood with the dog just outside the room with 7 behind her.
"i said…" Doc began
"heard you" GMN-1 said plainly
"so?" Doc asked unsure
"i can't decide between grey or brown" GMN-1 said inclining her head a little towards 7 who just shrugged.
Okay this was weird. She had been the one who engineered subtle persuasion so Doc would send them after the clone maker and when Doc did she was excluded. Rather than being pissed or a little bit upset, she was talking about colours. Huh, 2's weird theory was getting in his head, afterall 1 wasn't the person to show any emotion except her standard indifference. Should he see that too as weird? GMN-3 thought
Doc and 5 were quite taking aback. She was supposed to be upset right? She was excluded with no reason not even a pointless excuse and she was talking colours like…
"okay gear up!" Doc said looking at GMN-1
"right now!?" GMN-9 asked surprised
"yes you leave in the next one hour! 3 get the serum, 4 get weapons,9 set up your station, you'll be taking the minivan" Doc said still watching GMN-1 who walked past her to the refrigerator to get herself a bottle of water. GMN-5 couldn't hide her glee as she watched 1 expectantly. She was bound to slip, no one can wear a poker face for so long.
GMN-1 just grabbed a glass and concentrated on pouring her water into the glass aware they were watching her.
Doc's phone chimmed. It was a text! A text from Silver
Just wanted to give you a heads up
-------forwarded message------
She took my daughter away from me and now she has my son!
I know where he is and I'm going to get him back
Andrew
P.S. He'll get there in thirty minutes.
Good luck. You'll need more!
This cannot be happening!
"new plan! 1 is going with you! You leave right now!" Doc said
"what!?" GMN 5, 6, 7 and 9 chorused.
Doc ignored them and stormed out, muttering curses under her breathe.
"do not let 2 drive" GMN-1 said keeping the rinsed glass and walking out with the dog in tow. From her direction she was heading to the garage.
6 did a complete suspicious 180 and she's worried about who would drive. Maybe 2 was right, there was really something wrong with her