⇒ 67

[whatialways_do]

Who: Max Guevara and YOU
What: Max’s nightmare
When: Anytime within the plot.
Where: Manticore.
Rating: R.
Warnings: Child torture, violence, brainwashing.



The nightmare beings in a whitewashed hallway, the blue tinge of the fluorescent lighting flickering above you. It also could be a lot bigger than you’re used to, depending how tall you are. If you take the time to look, you’ll find that you still have all five fingers and five toes, but they’re now child-sized, to go with a body that’s tight and compact and meant to fit into small spaces. You’re dressed in blue smocks, plain and simple, meant to allow freedom of movement and not allow anyone to stand out. Also, if you had hair longer than a buzz cut, it’s gone. The only thing that’s truly distinguishable about you is your face, but in a sea of small X5s, some who actually have your face, it makes it hard to stand out.

Which is good, because Manticore’s goal isn’t exactly to have well rounded individuals.

A guard dressed in army grab approaches you, a rough, hard voice barking at you as he asks you why you aren’t with your unit. You’ll freeze, terrified in one place as he reaches for your arm and drags you away. You’re stronger than him and you know it, but striking an officer with a higher rank than you is grounds for a trip to psyops or worse, the med lab. You don’t fight, you don’t struggle, you just go, willing to lead you to wherever they want to take you.

Whatever punishment awaits, you’ll take it when you get there.



[SECTIONS: CLASSROOMS | MED LAB | 'NOMILIES]

Comments

[valuedstrength]

[He's getting that. Steve is careful to keep his voice low.] Like your head says. [A pause.] But, you look just like her. Are you related?

[whatialways_do]

[No, she IS Max, but he shouldn't know that. He's not part of her unit and using that here could get them in trouble.

Instead there's just a small, almost imperceptible headshake.]

[valuedstrength]

[Steve frowns. This is frustrating. Let him just focus on whatever they are trying to teach here while he sorts out how a child could look like Max and have nothing to do with her or why they would lie about that.]

[whatialways_do]

[and then the pictures start to switch to a full grown Max, interlaced with big block letters reading "TRATIOR."]

[valuedstrength]

[Steve stares at the picture a moment before glancing around at the others. He's offended on behalf of Max and doesn't bother to hide his displeasure.] Is this your idea of a joke?

[whatialways_do]

[the eyes of the instructor turn on him, and they're not happy ones.]

It's not your place to question orders, soldier.

[valuedstrength]

[He doesn't particularly care though Steve doesn't throw that in the face of the instructor. He keeps his voice calm and even as he addresses them.]

Respectfully, that isn't an order. You're spreading lies about a woman who isn't here to defend herself in front of impressionable children. Don't you think that's a little inappropriate?

[whatialways_do]

[now the instructor is upset, and the guards are starting to move closer.]

What is your designation, X5?

[valuedstrength]

X5? [Steve is clearly in trouble with those guards moving in. He knows he should hold his tongue. That would be the smart thing to do. Sadly sticking to his guns and showing he's not afraid is more important so watch him opt for the stupid thing to do.]

Captain Steve Rogers.

[whatialways_do]

[That was not what they wanted to hear Steve.]

Take him to psy-ops.

[and with that the guards will move on him very quickly.]

[valuedstrength]

[Steve won't fight... yet.] What the hell is that?

[whatialways_do]

It's where we will hopefully break this independent streak. Take him.

[And the guards will grab him and drag him towards the door. None of the children say anything, they'll simply watch him be taken away.]