“Project: Killswitch Engage is one of the most groundbreaking experiment created,” Mr. Hecksford said from the front of the room. Tucker and I sat together with The Corps to my right and Mrs. Hecksford to his. Tucker had more gauze around his eye that he kept picking at. Me, I was sore as fuck. “With this project governments will no longer need to worry about problems such as drafts or low enrollments in the military. One soldier will be able to do the work of hundreds.” I raised my hand. “Yes, Mr. Jones.”
“How does this work?” I asked. “Well,” Mr. Hecksford continued. “With a series of secret code words the program is activated.” “What’s the codeword?” Tucker asked. “Well, seeing as how the two of you have the Killswitch programmed inside of you it would not
be wise to give it to you at this time,” Mrs. Hecksford said. “That’s cool,” Tucker said. “So what’s the codeword?” I asked. “Jones,” The Corps said. “Silence.”
“Well, what’s the point of giving us this Bionic Man shit if we won’t know how to use it?” I asked. “Do you think we gon’ use it on y’all?”
“You can trust us,” Tucker said with the most untrustworthy smile ever. “We’ve forgiving you for killing our friends and totally ruining our lives.”
“Such a blasé attitude,” The Corps said. “We have been through this. Your escape and the damage done by O’Reilly set the project back nine months. We cannot risk the two of you attempting to cause even more losses to the project.”
“We won’t try and leave,” I said. “I promise.” “We have thought of that,” The Corps said. “We?” Mr. Hecksford asked. “Here,” The Corps said as he handed Tucker and I some photos. Tucker dropped his. I didn’t. I
looked at each one for half a minute before moving on. “They’ve all died. Natural causes. Mostly.” “Did you dig up their fucking graves?!” Tucker asked as he kicked the photos away. Every shot
was of someone we knew...dead. My mother was in two pictures. One of her head, the other of her body.
“Train accident,” The Corps said.
“And this one?” I asked. It was of Ronda Smithes, my fiancé/wife. She was covered in blood with her clothes torn.
“Train accident,” Tucker said. He was oozing sarcasm. And when Tucker was being sarcastic he was just one floor from snapping. And on the next floor “Irrational Rage.”
“What’s this shit supposed to do?” I asked.
“I think it’s supposed to say ‘There is no point in you leaving because we have killed everyone you know so there’s nothing left out there for you’“ Tucker said. “Subtle, don’t you think?”
“Fuck it,” I said. “I ain’t leaving anyway.” “We’ve been here for how long?” Tucker asked. “Uh, thirty eight months, I believe,” Mr. Hecksford said. “Have we ever asked y’all for anything?” I asked. “This is fucking crazy,” Tucker said. “You shoot lasers from your eye,” I said. “Good point,” Tucker said. Later that night Tucker and I sat alone in a cafeteria that could seat hundreds all by ourselves.
Tucker barely touched his food and shook his head whenever he looked at me. I had no problem waiting. I had a plan.“So what the fuck was with that show?” Tucker asked. “I think I have finally realized that I don’t give a fuck,” I replied. “Meaning?” he asked. “We’re all we got, right?” I asked. “Yeah,” Tucker replied questionably. “I say we use this fucking project to our advantage,” I said. “Let’s fuck with them as much as
they have fucked with us.” “How about more?” Tucker asked. “I have a perfect plan,” I said as I leaned in close to him. “They think they know L.T, they don’t
know shit. I have plans for the Hecksford’s kid.” “Their sons?” Tucker asked. “We haven’t been away from chicks for that long, man.” “No, the girl,” I said. “They say her name is Kendra. In about 18 years I am gonna be all over her
like white on rice.” “That’s fucked up,” Tucker said. “And perfect.” “I knew you’d like it.” I said as I swiped a fry from his plate.
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