Advance: (Advance Industries) (Book 1)

by K A Duggsy

  The only male interaction we ever have is when we’re being tested on. The only male role models in our lives are these people and what we learnt from them is that men can’t be trusted. Women can’t either but we’ve had each other so know that some females aren’t inherently evil. We don’t know why boys never factored into their plans. They only wanted females to study. We’re innocents in more ways than one, or I was until Kye showed me the wonder of sensuality, of pleasure. He introduced me to so much. I love him without exception. Love was something that was never on the cards for me and my friends. I knew that Advance Industries was my lot in life. We all did.

  Yeah I know who you are I think, but play along. It’s only now that I realise Ameera hasn’t entered the room with her.

  “Nice to meet you Doctor. I’m... um... sorry I can’t recall my name at the moment.” I throw her a frustrated look and stifle my need to gag after saying it was nice to meet her. I’m shivering, this place is so cold and I don’t mean temperature wise. It’s as if the building has soaked up all our repression, all our anxiety and has become as subdued as the girls held here.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll get you looked over. Everything will be okay.” She flashes me that fake smile again and I dig my nails in my wrist to stop from lunging forward and wiping it off her face.

  She runs through a series of questions, writing my answers on a clipboard. Do I know what year it is, my age? What is the last thing I remember? Pretty much the same questions Ameera asked. I lie my way through the interview hoping I’ve been convincing.

  “Okay,” she says, “Let’s take you to our medical site and run some tests.”

  Kye

  I roll over grinning from ear to ear. Faith is starting to remember me. I held her in my arms and it was the best feeling to be re-united with her. To hold her against me. I’m amazed that I found her and amazed that although she doesn’t remember me completely, she feels something for me. Her buried memories are finally trying to fight through. I’ve waited a long time for this and marvel at my good luck. I reach out to touch her and pat an empty side of the camp bed. I sit up quickly. She’s not here.

  I run outside in just my boxers and start throwing open my men’s tents. She isn’t in any of them. Not that I expected her to be but I never know what she’s going to do next. She could easily be interrogating them for information or charming them for the same thing. One by one the men trot out, blinking sleepily, rubbing their eyes and staring at me like I’ve lost my mind.

  “Where is she?” I shout, glaring at them. I’m aware that I’m stood barefoot in the sand wearing only my boxers and I don’t give a shit. I’m frantic!

  Jonah steps forward frowning at me and holding out his palms. “Kye, calm down.”

  “Fuck you Jonah! Did you know about this? I wouldn’t be surprised if you helped her leave!” My chest is heaving, my breathing ragged. I’m livid but my overwhelming emotion right now is worry. I don’t give Jonah chance to answer as I storm off back in the direction of my tent. Last night was perfect. I was in heaven having my girl back in my arms, now I’m met with hell... again!

  I storm inside and snatch up my jumpsuit from the chair by the makeshift desk, as I do a piece of paper flutters to the floor, falling at my feet. I look down at it, my heart plummeting.

  Kye,

  I’m sorry, I really am.

  But I have to do this.

  I have to know for sure.

  Please don’t worry, I’m a big girl. I’ll be fine.

  Check your comm-rec. I will check in with you every hour so you know I’m okay or as close to every hour as possible.

  I’ll come back this time. I’ll come back to you!

  Faith xx

  I fold the letter neatly and put it in the top pocket of my jumpsuit. The stupid, strong-headed, bloody woman! How did she slip past me? I’m a light sleeper, all the years out in the field sleeping with one eye open is ingrained in me. It was her. Holding her again and knowing she was at my side led me to have the most peaceful, deep sleep I’ve had since she left me.

  I activate my comm-rec and see a message from three hours ago: I’m here. Ameera found me and is taking me to the lab! I’ll check in again soon xx

  Does she really think that will calm me? Seriously? What did she expect? That I’d wake up, find her gone, find her note and comm-rec message and think ‘oh, okay then?’ What the fuck was she thinking? How could she do this to me again? The only upside is this time I’m not restrained and I will be going after her, abso-fuckin-lutely. Nothing and no-one will stop me this time. I’ll drag her out of there caveman style if need be and woe betide anyone who gets in my way!

  Wait a minute. That message was left three hours ago and is the only message! Why hasn’t she checked in every hour like she said? Fuck!

  “JONAH!”

  As if he’s been standing outside waiting for my meltdown he appears immediately, suited and booted.

  “Assemble the men. We’re going on a recovery mission! Now!” I bellow at him.

  Chapter 14

  Faith

  I’m being led towards the main lab facility; the area I was just in was merely holding rooms, for minor assessment. I’m trying to contain my apprehension. The labs are bustling as if a new experiment is in process. Many scientists swarm the adjoining rooms, mainly men but a good few are women which I never understood. It would be easier to accept that men would treat us like they do, but the women? Who were they brought up by? Were they brainwashed? How could a woman possibly subject other women and girls to this kind of treatment? Do they have no conscience? Feel no empathy?

  It shouldn’t matter that I was born as part of an experiment and therefore should be experimented on. That shouldn’t be my only purpose in life. Don’t I deserve happiness? A real life away from here? I’m a human, a person, regardless of my birthing!

  Many of the scientists stop to stare at me. I guess they realise I’m the girl who travelled or else they remember testing me. I’ve been tested so many times that all the faces have seemed to blur into one. Only the scientists that repeatedly and cruelly tortured me remain fixed in my mind; Dr Bowers being one of them.

  I look around nonchalantly as we walk past more containment cells, wondering if Fraser is being held close by. I don’t remember any interaction with him from my time spent here. If he was involved in any of the tests I never saw him. But Kye has been right about other things, I wonder if I really can trust Fraser. I hope I can, he seemed so sincere. Though he is the leading scientist, whether he carried out my tests or not, he’s definitely tested on others or been privy to the goings on. He invented Advance, he told me so. So where was he when I entered the tube? I can’t imagine him living on the streets all for a ploy. Who would do that? He must have been genuine. And I will help him... if I get a chance.

  We walk past the learning room. Education was high on their list of priorities for us. It seems they wanted to introduce more pain to us in this way. Letting us learn about life through books and stories other people had witnessed yet reminding us it would never be a life we could lead. We had one purpose; to provide the scientists with our bodies for them to learn from.

  Our many tutors were strict and punishments were common place for any perceived deviance from our studies. I absorbed the knowledge like a sponge, for one it was better to be learning than being experimented on and two, I wanted to know about life, history and why science was so important. Learning about my body changing proved most useful as I started my period a day before the subject was discussed rather matter-of-factly. Before then I was convinced I was dying. That finally they had messed with my body to such an extent they had caused internal bleeding and I was bleeding out. I was the first of the girls to go through this change and didn’t want to scare them as well so I kept quiet, kept to myself and worried incessantly. I close my eyes for a moment against all the memories. I take a deep breath and continue walking.

  I’m ushered into another sterile room, this one containin
g a desk and chair with a computer and a bed with both metal and leather restraints. I’m more than familiar with this room; it’s a mirror image of many of the others. The leather straps are used most often but after being worn down over the years, the metal ones were installed as a backup, an extra precaution to keep us in place.

  “Take a seat,” Dr Bowers says as she makes her way to the computer monitor. She doesn’t sit, just taps away on the touch screen while I stay frozen in place. Kye will be freaking out. I haven’t checked in for hours now. I haven’t been alone long enough and I can’t activate my comm-rec in their presence. If I have no memories, who would I be reaching out to?

  “Fai...” Dr Bowers starts then frowns at herself. What an idiot. We’re playing a game and she nearly gave herself away that she knows my name. What an I.Q she must have.

  She recovers quickly with, “Faint. You look like you’re about to faint. Are you okay?”

  I stifle the laugh bubbling up my throat. “I do feel a bit fai... faint,” I tease unable to help myself.

  Her brow furrows before she walks over to me and guides me to the bed. I sit down and then lie back gingerly knowing the back of my head is going to scream in protest. She lifts the leather straps nearest my feet and I sit up quickly.

  “What are you doing?” I glare at her.

  “It’s just to make sure you remain perfectly still while I examine your head.”

  “No.” I shake my head emphatically. “No, I don’t wish to be restrained. I’ll be still, I promise.”

  “I can’t take the risk that you’ll move involuntarily. It won’t be for long. You have no need to worry.”

  “NO!” I swing my legs and stand up, backing away from the bed.

  I can practically see her cogs turning. They’re not used to being defied. I’ve refused many times in the past but they’ve always won. If this goes how I expect, backup will be called for momentarily.

  “Okay, settle down. I just want to help you.” She starts pacing, her heels clicking on the floor. “Take a seat, I’ll be right back.” She turns and leaves the room.

  I know where the cameras are in here so turn my back and hunch over as if I’m crying. I activate my comm-rec and send a quick message to Kye.

  A few minutes later Dr Bowers returns with a wide smile displayed on her beautiful face. It really is a shame she’s so ugly on the inside, her beauty is totally disarming. She’s asked for backup I bet. This room will be full soon and I’ll be wrestled to the table. I wonder what they’d do if I just walked out. I mean if I really am just someone from outside, would they keep up the pretence and allow me to leave or give themselves away using heavy handed tactics?

  I have no intention of leaving though. I have a job to do. I need to keep her talking.

  “Dr have we met before?”

  She looks shocked for a split second but answers, “I don’t believe so. Do I look familiar?”

  “Yes but I’m not sure why.”

  Before she can ask anymore, the door is opened behind her and two AIG walk in followed by another scientist; I can see the lab coat behind them. They move aside, each flanking Dr Bowers and Oh. My. God...

  Fraser steps forward!

  Kye

  I storm ahead still pissed that we’ve lost so much time. Damn Jonah and his need to plan everything. Granted that is usually what I would expect but this is different. This isn’t the usual kind of mission. This involves Faith and all reason and rational thinking don’t apply.

  He insisted on having a quick meeting before setting off and although I’m in charge, I need my men. They’re good men, loyal men. They’ve saved my neck more than once and I know I need them with me. I agreed as long as it was quick and knowing deep down it was the smart thing to do, it didn’t stop me from scowling like a child through every minute though.

  We’ve been trekking for a few hours now and daylight is turning into night. I just want to see that wall up ahead and then I’ll relax.

  My comm-rec notifies me of a message and I open it: I’m at the labs; they’re going to strap me down Kye. I’m so sorry I didn’t listen to you. I love you. Xxx

  My heart stops then bursts to life before splitting in two and I halt my steps, staring at the screen as if I can see her. There’s too much to take in from that message. Firstly, my baby is scared, they want to strap her again and do God knows what and secondly she loves me? Is she remembering? She must be. Oh shit, she remembers and knows what’s going to happen when they restrain her. Fuck!

  I start running. Running like my life depends on it, and it does. If she’s hurt again my life won’t be worth living.

  I hear the men call out behind me but ignore them. I’m completely focused on reaching the city. We’ve reached the rough terrain littered with debris and I know I’m close. I can hear my men panting behind as they try to catch up to me, their boots stamping through the mess.

  There it is!

  I increase my pace, only slowing when I’m nearly upon them. I know that two guards are stationed either side and Jonah and Arlen have the pulse phasers to take them out. They reach me showing no sign of exertion, they train regularly and well. I doubt if the guards beyond the gates are as well trained and in as good shape as my men. Well, that’s what I hope at least.

  We hunker down whispering and I give the go ahead for them to approach, the rest of us falling back slightly. They reach the gates and push them open, as the guards turn, clearly startled as they don’t have many visitors to the city, my men take one each, holding the phasers to the men’s necks, then catching them before they fall. They drag the limp bodies to this side of the gates so that they’re hidden by the wall and the rest of us step through into the city.

  Faith

  Fraser looks as taken aback as me. I can’t hide the shock from my face as I see him standing before me in his lab coat, clipboard in hand looking the picture of health. He is also visibly shocked. I guess they didn’t tell him who he was coming to restrain and inject. He recovers far quicker than me. But I can still detect the indecision written on his features. I can’t believe I fell for it. I believed him, even armed with my memories I was sure he switched sides. He’s good, really, really good. If he ever gets bored of hurting others, acting would be a great career for him.

  Annoyingly tears form and I try to hold them in, he lied to me. I feel used and seeing as I now remember that that is my purpose - being used, the fact that I was still willing to believe he’d seen the light when all along he was deceiving me rips at my insides. Why was I so naive? When will I learn to stop hoping for the best outcome?

  He feigns ignorance and pretends to look down at his clipboard as if reading some important Intel before turning and striding from the room. My heart falls. A tiny part of me still hoped that after seeing me, he’d help, let me go maybe. But no, he’s left me to my fate.

  Dr Bowers smiles like she has figured out my deception and I slump. No getting out of this one. She advises the guards to settle me on the table and strap me down. I start to fight but it really is futile. They drag me over, throw me down and one stays leaning over the top of my body while the other secures the straps at my feet. Once done they secure a strap over my stomach and arms, then finally one across my head. Damn that hurts! For added restraint they activate the metal bars which clamp over my wrists and then the middle bar clamps into place over my chest.

  I let the tears flow as I start to cry. Huge ugly sobs break free; I can’t help myself. I’m so screwed.

  Dr Bowers injects something into my neck as the door swings open, and it must be a hallucinogenic they hit me with because I swear out of the corner of my eye I can see Johnson Franks in the doorway, and Fraser behind him.

  “What have you given her?” Johnson demands.

  “Just a sedative.”

  “You fool! When she awakens I want her in the interrogation room. No further treatment until I have met with her.” Interrogation room? Yep I’m definitely hallucinating or dreaming, though why I’d want
to dream of Johnson is beyond me. No. I try to shake my head; I want to dream of Kye, my Kye. My vision blurs as a tear rolls down my cheek and lands in my ear. The voices become muffled and I try to speak but my mouth won’t work. My tongue feels like it has swollen and is ready to spill from my mouth which I’m opening and closing until I can’t even do that anymore.

  Chapter 15

  Fraser

  The last thing I expected to see when I walked into that room was Faith. All I was told was that an outsider had walked in with memory loss and was a health risk, refusing to be examined. I was angry, my amazing day was nearly over and I was called upon to deal with something that really Dr Bowers should be more than capable of dealing with.

  She recognised me, no doubt about it. She didn’t hide her shock very well and I panicked. I felt a twinge of guilt and felt like I’d been caught out. Why did I let her get to me? I have a job to do and unfortunately she is the job. She’s back like we wanted her to be. She knows I lied; I just have to deal with it. I can’t afford to be distracted by developing a conscience.

  Unless... Maybe I can play on this. Tell her they spared my life by coercing me back to work. I could act like I’m their puppet, tell her I have no wish to be here, but what else could I do, they threatened my life.

  Oh, this is good and it might work. I can still do my job but keep her trust. I smile inwardly, running through it quickly in my mind. Time to inform Johnson about her return. I call his comm-rec and when he answers I say simply, “She’s back!” He hangs up and I wander the walkway getting my story straight in my head. I’ll have to let Johnson in on it so that he doesn’t treat me respectfully. I want to go back in, reassure her somehow but if she’s been triggered it’s too late for all that and I believe with all my heart she remembers.