(S FICTION)The Other Side of Silence (PG13) COMPLETE Options

[mezzogal]

hey again! i'm back. wow, this is pretty cool, this universe of mine. i'm a bit apprehensive tho, got lots to live up to. anyway, this here's kind of the continuation of "Within the Sound of Silence". knowledge of the events in that story is not a must, but is a bonus to have cos it sets the scene for the things happening here.

anyway, some 'admin' stuff. i'll probably update this story once a week, either tuesday or wednesday (my time). the date in the subject line will be changed when the chapter changes.

alrighty, time for me to stop babbling on and on. enjoy! :cheers

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Other Side of Silence

1. Prologue

It was a dark and stormy night. He was running through the twisted streets. He couldn’t see. Was it too dark? Had he gone blind? Something was wrong. What did he need to find? He only knew that something terrible would happen if he did not find it in time. He didn’t know what he was looking for nor where to find it. Overwhelming was the feeling of intense loneliness the place exuded. A world in which nothing existed but himself. Where nothing mattered but his action. There was no life there. Death lay all around, written in the cold hard stone walls surrounding him, proclaimed in the dry withered wood of fallen trees lining the streets. Everything in shades of black and gray, malevolent shadows lurking.

Blindly, he ran, heedless of where he was going, desperate in his fear. Someone was in trouble. He had to help them. ‘Where are you?’ he pleaded. ‘I can’t find you.’ He spun round and round helplessly. He heard distant screams. Someone’s agonised calling, crying to him for help. In the distance, he glimpsed a large building. It was burning. A fierce fire raging out of control. He smelt the stench of the smoke, choking and stinging his throat. There was only pain, carnage and death. Figures moving all over, like ants fleeing the destruction of their anthill. The scene was familiar and yet strange to him. He began to run. The more he ran, the further it seemed to be. Weights were attached to his legs, holding him back. Suddenly, there was only empty space, and he fell...falling for such a long eternity…the only screams were his own…

Timothy woke with a start. He was breathing heavily and sweating like he’d just finished a marathon. His sheets were all twisted and bunched up under him. He looked round his room, a part of him afraid of what may be lurking in the shadowy corners. ‘It was just a dream,’ he reassured himself. ‘Everything’s ok now.’ The dream confused him. He had never dreamt it before. What could it mean?

Still shaking slightly from the after effects of his dream, he got up and reached for a glass of water. The cool liquid soothed his dry lips and throat, a well-known and comforting sensation. Timothy walked over to the window of his small apartment. The night was peaceful and still. The moonlight bathed the compound and the pasture in an ethereal white light that was achingly beautiful to him. It held the promise of mysteries solved, of love fulfilled, of trust and safety. A little cocoon where everything was alright and the world was perfect.

“This is the night where we capture forever and all our tomorrows begin…after tonight we will never be lonely again…,” he softly sang to himself. Wetting his lips again, he continued, “Lift me up, in your eyes…if you told me that is where heaven is, well, you’d be right…”

Trailing into silence, Timothy contemplated the view he saw. Opening his window, he felt the night breeze kiss his face, cool with a tinge of freshness that came from the trees. He leaned out of the window and let his gaze rove as far as he could, towards the WMS buildings. Ever since the New Year, a new rule had been in place that disallowed civilians from leaving the base except on weekends. It was becoming too dangerous to let them move in and out of the compound everyday. Now Fin and her colleagues lived in rooms assigned to them in the admin building, going home only on Friday nights and returning to the base on Sunday evenings.

Timothy had absolutely no problem with that. It meant that Fin was now nearer and safer. It was an increased possibility of accidentally running into her around the compound. They had exchanged looks and glances, but had not spoken to each other since she had been reprimanded by the general. He missed her. He wished she would just give in and join and take her tests that would allow them to be together. But that was her decision, not his. She had made it clear that she was going to do no such thing.

The WMS was still on alert. Teams sent out into the field were now reinforced to protect against any surprise attack again. The base implemented high security measures that made it exceedingly complicated for the clones and soldiers to engage in any secret activity. It was a new year now and a year was long. Who knows what may happen in that year. Timothy prayed inwardly to a god he half believed in. He prayed for peace. He prayed for officers to have guidance to do the right thing. He prayed for his brothers, his brothers-to-be and his friends to be safe.

Some take high roads; some take low roads
Some take any road beneath their feet.
Some take soft roads any way the wind blows,
Some take lonely roads that never meet.

Some take long roads; some take dark roads
And some take hard roads no one else can see
Some are safe on the good roads,
Others lost on the bad roads.

But they all come back to Thee.



*Credit: Roads – Steve Dobrogosz

[Canadian bAiken]

It's here! :rah

It was a dark and stormy night. He was running through the twisted streets. He couldn’t see. Was it too dark? Had he gone blind? Something was wrong. What did he need to find? He only knew that something terrible would happen if he did not find it in time. He didn’t know what he was looking for nor where to find it. Overwhelming was the feeling of intense loneliness the place exuded. A world in which nothing existed but himself. Where nothing mattered but his action. There was no life there. Death lay all around, written in the cold hard stone walls surrounding him, proclaimed in the dry withered wood of fallen trees lining the streets. Everything in shades of black and gray, malevolent shadows lurking.

See? Right here you've sucked me in completely. I'm all worried now, wondering who this is and what is happening to them. To think it might be a clone...or a soldier. You're very good at painting dark pictures, Mezz.

Timothy woke with a start. He was breathing heavily and sweating like he’d just finished a marathon. His sheets were all twisted and bunched up under him. He looked round his room, a part of him afraid of what may be lurking in the shadowy corners. ‘It was just a dream,’ he reassured himself. ‘Everything’s ok now.’ The dream confused him. He had never dreamt it before. What could it mean?

Oh no! Not dear sweet Timothy. This does not bode well. :nails

I love that he sings to himself for comfort.

Ever since the New Year, a new rule had been in place that disallowed civilians from leaving the base except on weekends. It was becoming too dangerous to let them move in and out of the compound everyday.

That would make a lot of sense, I think, in this dangerous world.

Timothy had absolutely no problem with that. It meant that Fin was now nearer and safer. It was an increased possibility of accidentally running into her around the compound.

Yay! He hasn't given up on her, he still cares about her.

He wished she would just give in and join and take her tests that would allow them to be together. But that was her decision, not his. She had made it clear that she was going to do no such thing.

She's stubborn, I'll give her that. But really, how long can anyone resist such a face, such a sweet man.

The WMS was still on alert. Teams sent out into the field were now reinforced to protect against any surprise attack again. The base implemented high security measures that made it exceedingly complicated for the clones and soldiers to engage in any secret activity. It was a new year now and a year was long. Who knows what may happen in that year.

Great way to set the stage, Mezz. I get the feeling that it's a long, dark road ahead for everyone.

Looking foward to seeing what happens next. :popcorn

[dixiehellcat]

Yay! :yay New story!

But now I'm worried about Timothy too. Wondering if his dreams are of past hurts, or glimpses of future ones. :squish to him.

Thanks Mezzo! (applause) Ready for more!

[mezzogal]

2. What Are You Up To?

“You miss her don’t you?” Wilder probed. The two of them had bumped into each other while taking a walk and they had fallen into conversation. In a way, Wilder was glad that he’d finally managed to corner Timothy.

“There’s nothing I can do about it.” Timothy shot back. “I’m not going to make her lose her job. Too bad for me.”

“You should try and talk to her at least,” Wilder suggested. “Put an end to your misery, properly end this thing.”

Wilder had noticed Timothy’s behaviour towards Fin and every one of the other soldiers. It was as if he was afraid to go anywhere near them for fear of getting them into trouble. And to him, that was crazy. Did he think to avoid women for the rest of his life? True, rules were rules, but what sense was there in trying to uphold a rule that countless others were already shamelessly breaking anyway?

“Look, talk to her. It’ll do you good. I can set it up for you.” Wilder offered. “We’ll find some way that you two can have a chat and go round the rules for at least fifteen minutes.”

“Fifteen minutes, or fifteen seconds, it’s all the same Wilder.” Timothy was exasperated by his brother. “And to think I’d see the day when you’re the one encouraging me into a relationship with Fin. Who are you, and what have you done to my annoying big brother?”

“Ha. Ha.” Wilder laughed sarcastically. “Stop changing the subject. The point of issue here is you two. Do you want to talk to her, or don’t you?”

“Of course I want to talk to her. I just…”

“…Don’t want to get her into trouble. I know.” Wilder grinned. “Don’t worry. Just tell her exactly how you feel, then take it from there.”

“And how exactly are you going to arrange this?” Timothy enquired.

“That, my dear Timothy, is for me to know.” Wilder replied. “You just do what I tell you to do, and don’t screw things up.”

[center:4096f05f56]~~[/center:4096f05f56]

“I can’t believe you actually did it.” Timothy was awestruck at Wilder’s brilliance. Somehow, he’d found out when Fin was scheduled to do work with Colonel Kav, and was going to engineer the situation in such a way that the Colonel would be called out of the office for a guaranteed period of time. Wilder refused to divulge how it was going to be done. Just that it would be done. Timothy was glad enough to kiss him, except that he knew his brother would probably blanch at such a prospect.

Looking through the glass panel of the Colonel’s office door, he saw Fin bent over her work in concentration. Kav was not too far away from her, also working hard. Timothy suddenly felt afraid. Next to him, Wilder seemed to sense his fear.

“It’s not too late to back out.” He offered.

“No. I’ll do it.” Timothy was adamant, steeling himself.

“Let’s go then.” Wilder slapped him on the back for encouragement. “Whatever happens, don’t come and investigate. Stick to what you’re supposed to be doing.”

“What’re you…” Timothy was perplexed, grabbing Wilder’s arm, worried about what his brother was up to. “Are you sure about this? There’re a billion things that could go wrong.”

“Quit second guessing already.” Wilder sounded slightly exasperated. He shrugged Timothy off.

“I don’t know!” Timothy still had doubts about it. “I don’t want to get you into trouble.”

“For the last time, brother…” Wilder started, but was interrupted by an irate Colonel Kav standing at her open office door.

“What are you boys up to?” she sternly enquired. Wilder winced. And then pointed to Timothy. Timothy bit his lip, flushing red with embarrassment. Kav stood there with her arms folded, looking expectantly at Timothy.

“Er…I, er…I mean, we...um…” Timothy stammered, floundering under her piercing gaze. He saw Fin look up from her work, wondering what was going on, causing him to blush to the tips of his ears. Kav saw his expression and tried to hide a grin. She had an idea what was happening.

“Wilder, get out of here. I’ll deal with you later.” Wilder needed no further invitation and he instantly shot away. “What are you doing here Timothy?” she asked again.

Timothy finally got it out, staring resolutely at the floor, his voice dropping lower with each word, “I-I wanted to…to talk to…Fin.”

[Canadian bAiken]

True, rules were rules, but what sense was there in trying to uphold a rule that countless others were already shamelessly breaking anyway?

A good point. Still, shall I nickname Wilder, 'Baddness?' :lol

I'm quite interested to see how Wilder arranges this meeting. *rubs hands together*

It's so cute how they're just standing there and Kav suddenly appears. Wilder sure took off in a hurry, didn't he? :lol

I really hope Kav lets them talk. I think she will. I hope so, anyway. Nice one, Mezz.

:flowers

[Invisible Ink]

This is the absolute perfect example of the creativity of writers taking a situation (the O-niverse) and putting two totally different spins on it!

I would be hard-pressed to come up with two more disparate -- yet interesting & entertaining -- stories! Go, Mezz!!

[faithwriter2004]

It's been so hard to catch up...but I just want to let you know, Mezzo, how darkly beautiful I think your writing is. That first chapter was just haunting. It's *so* cool to see the Oniverse in an alternate dimension like this! Can't wait to see what happens with Fin and Timothy...I hope he gets that time to talk to her. :popcorn

[footloose]

hee...i just finished Within the Sound of Silence and now this. u're brilliant Mezz!

“What are you boys up to?” she sternly enquired. Wilder winced. And then pointed to Timothy.

"Wilder, get out of here. I’ll deal with you later.” Wilder needed no further invitation and he instantly shot away.

:lol

She's stubborn, I'll give her that. But really, how long can anyone resist such a face, such a sweet man.

yeah that. sigh. wish she would warm up a little to him.

[mezzogal]

3. I’ve Waited so Long to Hold You

Kav laughed, shaking her head in amusement. Fin was also blushing by now, having heard Timothy’s request to talk to her. “I suspected as much.” Kav commented, turning to Fin, “You wanna talk to this fellow here?”

Timothy’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You mean it? You’re letting me talk to her?”

“If she agrees.” Kav told him. “I’ve seen the two of you behaving yourselves. (Until now that is.) But I think you deserve it.”

“Thank you, so much, Colonel.” Timothy stammered, unable to believe what was happening.

“Remember, it’s a privilege, not a right. Stay in my office.” Kav sternly instructed as she stepped away from the office. “Oh, and, you’re on a time limit. You better be done by the time I get back.”

Timothy waited until the Colonel had left the corridor before he dared to enter the room. Meantime, Fin stood there in silence observing Timothy. He looked like he had lost some weight, and worry crossed his features. But when he came into the office and stood before her, she recognised traces of the boy that she first saw at the hospital, frightened and anxious for his injured brothers. He crossed the room and stood in front of her. He hesitantly reached out to her, as if afraid that something would happen if he touched her.

“Hey…” she tried to reassure him, but didn’t quite know what to say. “Tim, it’s ok. It’s just me.”

Timothy pulled her into a hug and didn’t let go. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to be able to hold you like this.” He whispered. Fin just held him tighter, relishing the way his body felt warm against hers.

“You’ve lost weight. Haven’t you been taking care of yourself?” Fin gently probed.

Timothy finally released his tight hug, holding her at arms length, carefully studying her face. “I’ve had a lot on my mind. I missed you.” He grinned. “You’re looking good though.”

“Well…ya. They feed their workers well.” Fin conceded. “Living on the base, room and board included on top of my regular salary. Saves a lot of money.”

“I was so worried that I got you fired.” Timothy began. “I didn’t mean to. I mean, it wasn’t your fault. I was the one that started the contact and…and you didn’t know it was me, and then I heard you had to go and see the General…”

“I’m just surprised that the Colonel actually let you be here alone with me.” Fin quickly cut him off before he began babbling. “I thought any contact at all was a big no-no.”

Timothy remembered the reason he wanted to talk to her in the first place. “So…what happens to us then? Are we still…friends?”

“I don’t know how it’s going to be done, but yes, we’re still friends.” Fin emphasised the word to leave no doubt about its meaning. “Maybe now and then, we could ask permission to meet up, or something. The Colonel seemed quite understanding.”

“Maybe so, but I hate that.” Timothy almost sounded whiny. “I want to be able to see you and talk to you whenever. Not like this. This is like…scheduled visitation of some sort. It sucks.”

“That’s just life. Live with it, boy.” Fin replied. Timothy put on a disgusted expression. “And don’t give me that look. You know it’s true.”

“I know, I know.” Timothy sighed. “I just thought that…um…never mind.” He couldn’t speak his thought. If he did, he knew he would scare Fin away for good. And he would never do that. He couldn’t tell her how he felt about her. She wasn’t ready for it yet.

Through the office window, they could see the Colonel returning to the building.

“The Colonel’s coming back.” Fin observed. Timothy pulled her into another tight hug, lightly kissing the crown of her head. In case it was the last time they could be together without restriction, he wanted to memorise how it felt like to hold her close. They heard Kav’s footsteps nearing the office. Fin spoke, her words slightly muffled inside Timothy’s chest. “Tim, do me a favour ok?”

“Anything.”

“Take care of yourself. And don’t do anything stupid. I’m not worth it.”

[Canadian bAiken]

Yay for Kav, for letting them talk! :rah

He looked like he had lost some weight, and worry crossed his features. But when he came into the office and stood before her, she recognised traces of the boy that she first saw at the hospital, frightened and anxious for his injured brothers. He crossed the room and stood in front of her. He hesitantly reached out to her, as if afraid that something would happen if he touched her.

Poor thing. He's heartbroken, this is why he looks so awful.

“I don’t know how it’s going to be done, but yes, we’re still friends.” Fin emphasised the word to leave no doubt about its meaning.

She's cornered the market on stubbornness I see. She's gotta give in eventually. Gotta.

He couldn’t speak his thought. If he did, he knew he would scare Fin away for good. And he would never do that. He couldn’t tell her how he felt about her. She wasn’t ready for it yet.

He loves her. :heart

“Take care of yourself. And don’t do anything stupid. I’m not worth it.”

That's just sad, that she could really believe this. I hope he shows her differently.

Great chapter, Mezz. They got to talk and resolved some things but still things are stuck. Anxious for things to get unstuck.

[dixiehellcat]

don’t do anything stupid. I’m not worth it.”

(restrains self from smacking Fin around)

Somebody get through to this woman, please!!!

(Translated, good job, Mezz! You got me annoyed at her. :lol)

[footloose]

“I don’t know how it’s going to be done, but yes, we’re still friends.” Fin emphasised the word to leave no doubt about its meaning.

:argh what holds her back? what?

[mezzogal]

4. It’s Just a Phase You’re Going Through

“I cannot believe you just threw me in that spot with the Colonel!” Timothy ranted at Wilder that evening in the rec room. “It was your big idea and you just ran off! Have you any idea what kind of trouble it could have been? What the heck were you thinking?!”

“Quit it already. You got what you wanted didn’t you?” Wilder easily countered, seeming to be not at all bothered or aware that he just risked Timothy being drawn and quartered by the Colonel for his outrageous audacity in trying to bend the rules, rules which had been explicitly stated to him time and again.

“Well, ya, but…”

“But nothing. The issue is not that I ran off or not. The whole point of today was so you could talk to Fin.” Wilder analysed. “You did talk to her right?”

“Right…”

“So, it’s not a problem.” He cheerily concluded. “Look, I’m sorry I did what I did. But you gotta admit that it worked. And you got the courage to ask for what you wanted. And now you’re a better man for it.”

Timothy stared at him. How his brother came up with ideas like that was beyond him. “I don’t believe this. Wilder, you’re just twisting the situation into your advantage and making out that you’re helping me in the process. You know, you should have been a lawyer.”

“Quit trying to change the subject. I’m smart, so what?” Wilder offhandedly remarked. “Anyway, what’d she say?”

Timothy rolled his eyes and thought for a while before answering. Given how Wilder had managed to land him in such a predicament, Timothy felt he had the right to withhold the full story from him. In retrospect, there wasn’t really anything much to tell. “She said nothing. We’re just friends. End of story.”

“Aw come on. There’s gotta be more than that. Come on, spill it. Did you two hug and kiss and act all lovey-dovey like?”

“Wilder, stop digging. I’m not telling.”

“Not telling, or just not telling me?” Wilder tried to appeal to Timothy’s guilty conscience. “Hey, I managed get the two of you together after all. I think I deserve some scoop.”

“You’re not getting it!” Timothy scolded. “You tried to help but it didn’t exactly work. I still had to face the Colonel, same as if I didn’t have your help. So next time, if you ever want to help, try and figure something really foolproof.”

“Fine. You know what? Have it your way.” Wilder conceded defeat. “Just don’t come crawling to me the next time you want a favour. Man, I try to help but all I get are all these accusations…” His voice was icy as he muttered about how insulted he was, and how these insults began from the very first day he met Tim. Wilder got up and went to join some others at the computer terminals. Timothy sighed at the sight of his brother leaving. He remained at the bar counter, thinking over the day’s events, spacing out into pleasant daydreams.

“Penny for your thoughts?” A voice cut through his musings, startling him slightly. Owen settled himself down, smiling warmly at him. He nodded in the direction of the computers. “You and Wilder had a fight?”

Timothy tried smile back, his mouth springing back to neutral position after a second of stretching. “No. Misunderstanding. That’s all.”

“Wanna talk about it?” Owen offered. Owen suspected that Wilder had tried to do something to Timothy and his girl Fin and that Timothy wasn’t too happy about it. Word travelled very fast in the clone compound. However, Timothy shook his head. He didn’t have the heart to burden Owen with his problems even though he knew Owen didn’t mind.

“Suit yourself brother.” Owen shrugged it off. Timothy would talk if he really needed to. It was a phase Timothy was going through. Owen had seen it so many times before. Being stuck within the restrictions and strict regulations of the base, certain channels of energy just accumulated and then lashed out for the smallest reason because there was no other way of releasing it. The Original always had a temper and the clones all inherited varying degrees of that trait.

It wasn’t so much the lack of freedom. It was more of the lack of company. Seeing the same face again and again, being around the same people literally all the time wore them all down. And they would pick on each other to the point where arguments, usually verbal, but occasionally physical in nature, could spark off. No argument was ever very long lasting, though sometimes it took the smallest thing to provoke a fight. On top of the list of provocations were crushes with the soldiers. It happened often, and usually ended in the clones feeling frustrated and inadequate when they could not do anything to develop the relationship.

But it was just a phase. They all got it, and they all got through it. It was just their life.

[footloose]

yay another chapter!!!

OMG Wilder is such a jerk :lol

The Original always had a temper and the clones all inherited varying degrees of that trait.

hee...i think you're the first to bring up Clay's less pleasant side. :grin i like it...it makes him (and consequently his clones) look more real.

[Canadian bAiken]

“Wilder, stop digging. I’m not telling.”

The same thing Clay said to Kimmel in one of the appearances, "Stop diggin!" :lol

It wasn’t so much the lack of freedom. It was more of the lack of company. Seeing the same face again and again, being around the same people literally all the time wore them all down. And they would pick on each other to the point where arguments, usually verbal, but occasionally physical in nature, could spark off. No argument was ever very long lasting, though sometimes it took the smallest thing to provoke a fight. On top of the list of provocations were crushes with the soldiers. It happened often, and usually ended in the clones feeling frustrated and inadequate when they could not do anything to develop the relationship.

A nice look at their perspective of things behind that fence.

I like seeing the not so perfect side of Clay/Wilder too. It makes the character more human.

So sad though that meeting with her didn't help things though. Poor Timothy. How do the other clones deal with this sort of thing?

Nicely done, as usual. Anxious for more.

:flowers

[mezzogal]

ooh k, this is shorter than it looked on my word processor. hee. enjoy anyway.

p.s. check out my avvy! i made it myself!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Not a Common Clone

“I want this one activated.” Alclayda ordered. “Test him and see what he can do.”

“We will, sir.” The scientist eagerly acquiesced. Finally, permission was given to do what she had been secretly doing with all the clones. She was going to 'test' him to the very depths of his being. This one was going to be very special. She sensed that Alclayda was going to destine him for greatness, if and only if the clone passed the tests and proved himself worthy.

Ignoring the clone’s pleas for mercy, the ‘experiments’ were carried out, pushing the clone’s physical and psychological endurance to the limit. Then, the limit was reached. The clone’s mind cracked, giving in to the mental torture that was inflicted on him. He lost his innocence, becoming bitter and aggressive, forgetting what it was like to be free from anger and hatred, forgetting the essence of himself that was Clay Aiken, the Original. Alclayda approved. He was to be Alclayda’s right hand. But he demanded more. More than what he was allowed to have. Until he crossed the line.

[center:f2c5627981]~~[/center:f2c5627981]

He was betrayed. Deep down inside, he knew he was being thrown to the wolves. This was his punishment for thinking he was powerful enough to overthrow Alclayda and take his place. Now he was being cut down to size. The appearance had gone well. The Jay Leno interview was smooth and according to plan. The song was just as good. He could feel the way the audience responded to him and he savoured the feeling. “All those weak minded fools.” He had thought. “This is my power. My success.”

He never thought that this hubris would be his downfall. Going backstage after the appearance was concluded, he did not find the team that would bring him back to the facility as planned. It was only then that he realised the betrayal. Anger welled up inside, a furious helpless rage. He felt the sting of a barb enter the flesh of his neck, injecting the debilitating chemicals into his bloodstream. He desperately fought against it before it overcame him, slumping him into unconsciousness.

He did not know how long it was before he regained consciousness. He heard nothing beyond the soft hum of machines and someone rustling in a far corner. He gave no indication of his return to consciousness, wanting to use the element of surprise to probe the minds of whoever was around. He knew he was bound down, but he reached out with his mind. In his mind, he connected with someone. A woman. He probed her mind, knowing she would feel nothing beyond a momentary sense of discomfort, but not really caring if he hurt her. He probed further, trying to find the control center in her brain to neutralise her. From her mind, he knew he was with the WMS. He also found out that they did not intend to harm him. This surprised him slightly but he stored the information aside. This was one of their weaknesses. He smirked inwardly.

He was so intent on his probing that he did not realise another presence approach him until a syringe was injected into him. Whatever chemical it contained seared like fire through his body. A fresh surge of anger washed over him. His eyes flew open and his body jerked upwards, restrained by the bonds. He heard the noise of something drop as he forcibly pulled out of the woman’s mind. Recovering himself, he stared defiantly at the woman with the syringe standing by his side, daring her to try and hurt him again.

But she didn’t. She merely looked surprised at his reaction. Introducing herself as the doctor, she went on to give him a thorough physical examination. It was as if she was not aware of his mental abilities, an oversight that he intended to exploit to the full. When she was done, she handed him over to another woman, the Clone Keeper. His mind was disgusted that he was being labelled as a common clone. He was much more than those beings so similar to himself. He felt a sense of contempt against everything his ‘keeper’ was explaining to him about the base. Then he heard her bring up a supposedly traditional question about his name.

“I have a name.” he growled. “My name is Leno.”

[Canadian bAiken]

Cute new avvy, Mezz! It's adorable.

Ignoring the clone’s pleas for mercy, the ‘experiments’ were carried out, pushing the clone’s physical and psychological endurance to the limit. Then, the limit was reached. The clone’s mind cracked, giving in to the mental torture that was inflicted on him. He lost his innocence, becoming bitter and aggressive, forgetting what it was like to be free from anger and hatred, forgetting the essence of himself that was Clay Aiken, the Original. Alclayda approved. He was to be Alclayda’s right hand. But he demanded more. More than what he was allowed to have. Until he crossed the line.

Oh, dear. I know who this is before I even read further. I love how you describe what happened to him. So sad, so hopeless.

I feel sorry for this Leno and yet, I also feel he got too uppity for his own good. He felt he was more than he was. Such is pride. Still, I feel sorry for him.

Nicely done, Mezz. His anger and sense of betrayal here is so real I can feel it...heck, I was starting to get angry along with him. Love it. Love this darker world and the complexities in it.
:flowers

[mezzogal]

6. The After Party

Colonel Kav was not pleased. The night before, the clones had decided to hold a wild and rowdy party in the clone rec room. A little party with no real reason. Just a little something to help pass time. Except when things got a little out of hand. High on sugar and carbonated drinks, they had started playing with water bombs and glitter bombs and now the rec room was a complete mess. The walls and ceiling were covered with glitter and the carpets were waterlogged and stained with drinks and other materials not meant to fall onto the floor. Not to mention what happened to the furniture.

It was a very apologetic and obviously arrowed Rease who delivered the news to her. Rease said that they had tried to clean up the room but had no resources or skill to clean glitter off the ceiling.

“So what now, Rease?” the Colonel asked. It was a rhetorical question. Rease just stood there looking sheepish and confused. Sighing, Kav dismissed Rease, assuring him that they would send a team to help the clones clean up. Waterlogged carpet wasn’t too much of a problem, but knowing glitter, it would probably take days to manually pick off every little piece. The way Rease described, it was as if the rec room had been transformed into a disco ball.

“You want us to do what?!” Fin was shocked when she found out her day’s assignment with her colleague Raey. A civilian, Raey had been working at WMS slightly longer than Fin, and was lucky enough to have a specific boss to report to. She mainly worked for Colonel Kav, often dealing directly with the clones. The clones were always happy to see her, bright and bubbly girl that she was, like a ray of sunshine (hence the name).

“Clean up glitter.” Kav grimly confirmed.

“You gotta be kidding, Colonel.” Raey hopefully commented.

“I wish I was.” Kav responded. “But I’m not. That’s your assignment for the next few days at least. Get the clones to help you if you want. God knows, it’s their responsibility to clean up the room anyway.” She gestured to a storage cabinet. “Help yourselves to whatever materials you need.”

“Let’s get it over with then.” Raey suggested, sticking her tongue out at the thought. “You ever worked directly with the clones before?”

“Not really.” Fin admitted. “Not much really direct work. I had close encounters with them though.”

“You make them sound like they’re aliens.” Raey teased. “Anyway, it’s not the same. Seeing them individually, you don’t really see how weird it all really is. It’s only when you see them all at once that you really see the big picture of it all.” Raey smiled, thinking about her shock when she first saw the clones together. It was unnerving, seeing the same face all the time, but on decidedly different people. Like those things when you take a snapshot of a person everyday for a period of time, then bring those pictures to life.

But something else was on Fin’s mind. For the first time, she was going to be spending a significant amount of time within Timothy’s home. The thought made her as nervous as at a first meeting of a boyfriend’s parents. Entering the clone rec room however, she quickly realised how groundless her apprehensions were. Already inside were Timothy, Wilder, Owen, and Ace, ready to spend the day cleaning the room with toothbrushes if need be. They all cracked identical grins to welcome her and Raey. Timothy actually came and gave her a hug.

It didn’t look as bad as Rease described, but they still had their work cut out for them. Raey had decided to work from the top down, starting with the ceiling and working their way downwards to the carpet. By accident or design, Raey delegated Fin to work with Timothy.

“How’ve you been, Fin?” Timothy inquired, grabbing a scouring brush and detergent spray as Raey directed. The two of them went to their allocated area of the room to get start their job.

“I’ve been ok.” Fin responded, pulling over a high stool, in preparation to pick at ceiling glitter. “I think you’d better do the ceiling. You’re taller.”

“Do you want my death on your conscience?” Timothy joked. “I’m no gymnast you know. I might fall and break my neck.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll see to your funeral if you do. I’ll even send flowers.” Fin teased. “Don’t be stupid, Tim. You’ll be fine. I’ll make sure you don’t fall.”

“Wow, I’m so reassured Fin.” Timothy sarcastically replied as he took off his blazer and removed his tie hoping to make himself feel more comfortable in this uncomfortable task. The stool suddenly looked very small and rickety to him. Glancing around the room, he saw Ace and Owen already beginning their tasks, also balanced on high stools like he was. Taking a deep breath, he took hold of Fin’s hand and stepped up onto the stool. Gingerly, he stood upright and released Fin’s supporting hold.

‘Oh Lord! It’s high!’ Timothy thought as a dizzying vertigo swept over him. He swayed dangerously upon the stool as he struggled to find his balance. He felt Fin’s hands reaching up as high as she could to support him, fearing that he might fall. She could barely reach his waist. But he didn’t fall. The vertigo slowly dissipated as he found his center of gravity.

“You ok up there?” Fin anxiously asked.

“Yeah. I’m good.” Timothy reassured her. “Hand me the scouring brush.”

Fin held up the brush as Timothy carefully reached down for it. He tentatively stretched towards the ceiling. He was just tall enough to scrub the ceiling relatively comfortably. Soon, loose flakes of paint and glitter began raining down.

“Heads!” Timothy called down. There was glitter covering his arms and clothes. He was sure his hair was a very pretty sight.

“Shut up and concentrate.” Fin joked back. The glitter caught in her black hair making it look so beautiful and shimmer-y. Timothy grinned and resumed scrubbing. He could hear Wilder and Ace having a loud argument about how Ace was ruining their hair with the glitter storm he was happily creating. They were having the time of their lives, playing with the glitter as much as removing it.

It took all morning for them to clean up the ceiling. They had made good progress and had a lot of fun as well. Wilder had unexpectedly called out, “Guys! Let’s sing!” and the clones had burst into a vocal jamming session, singing enthusiastically and laughing just as hard when Ace choked on glitter in the middle of his ‘poser’ glory note. It was a very hyper and glittery group that exited the room when Raey decided to dismiss them for lunch.

As they were leaving the room, Timothy pulled Fin aside. “Do you think you could have lunch with me?”

[faithwriter2004]

The way Rease described, it was as if the rec room had been transformed into a disco ball.

Bwah!

“Heads!” Timothy called down. There was glitter covering his arms and clothes. He was sure his hair was a very pretty sight.

“Shut up and concentrate.” Fin joked back. The glitter caught in her black hair making it look so beautiful and shimmer-y.

Awww. Sounds like they matched. Hee.

He could hear Wilder and Ace having a loud argument about how Ace was ruining their hair with the glitter storm he was happily creating.

:lol

Wilder had unexpectedly called out, “Guys! Let’s sing!” and the clones had burst into a vocal jamming session, singing enthusiastically and laughing just as hard when Ace choked on glitter in the middle of his ‘poser’ glory note.

:lmao

As they were leaving the room, Timothy pulled Fin aside. “Do you think you could have lunch with me?”

*chants* Say 'yes', say 'yes', say 'yes'!

:laughcry That was great, Mezzo!

[aurryinne]

Delurking for Ace :grin

He could hear Wilder and Ace having a loud argument about how Ace was ruining their hair with the glitter storm he was happily creating. They were having the time of their lives, playing with the glitter as much as removing it.

:lol at Wilder

Wilder had unexpectedly called out, “Guys! Let’s sing!” and the clones had burst into a vocal jamming session, singing enthusiastically and laughing just as hard when Ace choked on glitter in the middle of his ‘poser’ glory note.

*CRACK UP LAUGHING* OMG, that was so cute :heart

ETA: Okay, I'm evil, he's choking and all I can do is :lol and exclaim over how cute he is. XD