Xeadas
The screen glows as the old VHS tape whirrs into life, an image of a struggling woman brought into focus as she is bound to a table before the camera.
…
“Who are you?” A gruff male voice asks, the figure hidden in the shadows behind the prisoner. Only she is lit in that small room.
“Xeadas, UNTIL officer 2635947,” The prisoner says firmly, her eyes set on the camera before her, blazing with the same fury she had fought against her captors with.
“What are you doing here?” The same voice asks, the figure pacing in the shadows behind her.
“Xeadas, UNTIL officer 2635947,” Xeadas repeats in that same tone. Her gaze still fixed on the camera and not even moving as a gloved hand slams down on the table next to her own. Her hands do tighten though as her captor leans in to whisper something in her ear, a gloved finger running down a cheek and pulling back her short, white hair a fraction.
“That’s enough.”
The voice is quiet but authoritative and the man stops in his actions, backing away from Xeadas as the new woman approaches to stand near the table. The dark shadows hiding her from view but it is clear Xeadas knows who it is.
“Did they make you blue to make you more interesting to me?” The woman asks her tone regal and strangely kind, “Did they think it would make you more appealing? You were certainly intelligent enough.”
“Xeadas, UNTIL officer 2635947,” Xeadas replies, her only response. Yet her voice is weaker now as if she had not expected this.
“Or did you tell me the truth I wonder and you were simply a victim they chose because of random chance,” the woman continues, circling behind Xeadas to stand on her other side, “There is a place for you here, you know it. With your talents, your knowledge, you could do well here Xeadas. Join me.”
Xeadas’ gaze moves from the camera then, looking to the hand that now covers her own in the same matching blue.
…
The tape whirls in the projector for a moment, then all is static.
