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Blue Belt Entry: 5

His fingers stopped at something and pulled up. I could feel the back of my head being lift up.

"This is your control panel," Dr. Quigley said. He pulled out a cord and plugged it into my head. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the cord trail up into a computer.

"This won't hurt a bit," the doctor said.

I closed my eyes and whispered to myself, "I am Brea Gregory. I am 18 years old. I have 2 siblings. I live in..."

***

I woke up again on the table. Dr. Quigley was looking down at me. "What is your name?" he asked. My mind blanked then I suddenly remembered. "I am Soldier 17B2D."

"Very good." He nodded. "Your common name will be, oh, let's say Eve. What is your job?"

Hmm... I don't think I have one. So I answered as such.

"Yes, yes. Your new job is to find a certain Dr. Juarez's soldier. This will be Soldier 23A1C. Common name, Jack. Find him and destroy him.

"It will be done as you say, doctor."

***

It had taken me nearly a week to track him down. Days of searching and research. Now, if this little stake out worked out, I would have his neck in my hands in less than an hour.

I was hiding behind a dumpster in parking lot of a disguised building that was actually Dr. Juarez's lab. I was almost positive that Soldier 23A1C was on a mission to find me too. It was a battle of who could find who in less time. And I had won.

The door swung open and I ducked down. I peered around the corner and saw a young man come out. My display locked on his face.

Identifying face... confirmed: Soldier 23A1C.

I smiled. Now was my chance.

I jumped out from behind the dumpster with super human speed. He immediately noticed me and braced himself. I landed in front of him. I held up my metal fists. He grinned. "I've finally met you. May the best soldier win."

"I will."

He swung at me, fist grazing my chin. I jumped again, this time landing on him. He caught my legs and swung me. My head hit the asphalt with a thud.

PAIN. Discontinue activity causing PAIN.

This time, the words lit up bright, signifying greater pain. I grunted and kicked at his legs. The metal clanged and his knees buckled a little. I swung my feet forward, using the momentum to get up. 

He swung at me and I dodged it. He kicked out and I took a step back in time. He dropped his fists and suddenly ran. What was he doing? I couldn't lose him. I sprinted after him. He ran across the dark street into the park with a fountain. He stopped near it. I continued running, aiming to push him into the water. As I went to push him, he grabbed my hair, took a step to the side and threw me into the water. As I tumbled into the fountain, I felt my control panel open. I went under.

It was shallow and I tried to get up but the soldier held me under.

Limited air. Seek air now. A little bar appeared, showing just how much air I had left. 

I struggled and tried to pry his hands off my head. My legs tried to hit his arms but they couldn't reach. I writhed as the bar got to the lowest point.

No air left. Commencing shutdown.

Soldier 23A1C suddenly lifted my head out of the water. I gasped and filled my lungs. He then suddenly thrusted my head into the water, hitting the concrete. I heard a crack. My retina display died and I lost control of my limbs. I could hear water rushing into the empty cavity of my shattered control panel. This was it.

The soldier lifted me out of the water and threw me onto the grass. I blinked and looked up and saw two approaching figures. Dr. Quigley and Dr. Juarez. The latter was smiling.

"It seems I've won," he said proudly. Dr. Quigley frowned at me. "Yes. I thought this one would win me this round. I guess I was wrong."

He reached into his coat pocket and gave Dr. Juarez a stack of money.

"Until next time?" he asked.

Dr. Juarez nodded and shook his competitor's hand.

"Until next time." He snapped his fingers and Soldier 23A1C quickly picked me up. As we walked back to the lab, a final shock went through my body and all systems shut down.