Extensis Vitae: City of Sarx by Gregory Mattix

Author:Gregory Mattix [Mattix, Gregory]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-03-11T00:00:00+00:00

***

“Good afternoon, Ms. Takahashi. My name is Marcus, and I’m here to see if you are being kept comfortable.” Marcus glanced nervously at the tablet with her data on it.

Ayane sat on the edge of the bed, regarding Marcus coolly. They were in a temporary room set up for her in the medical ward. “I suppose I’m fine… for a hostage. I’d be much more comfortable if you let me go back home. Thank you for your concern, though.”

“Yes, I’m sorry, but I don’t have the power to let you go. I did look at your medical file—”

“Oh, I’m sorry as well—I mistook you for someone that has some say around here. I guess that woman is the one that pulls the strings around here, is that it?”

Ouch. This is starting off on the wrong foot. “I just recently got promoted to director, not that that means a whole lot, but if you would like to request a reskin, I can make that happen. Or if you need any assistive medical devices to help you get around.” Ayane gave him a withering stare. “Um, or if you just want to be left alone, I can do that as well,” he said in a rush. Damn it, this isn’t going at all according to plan.

“Last choice—just leave me alone.”

“Oh, okay… sorry to have bothered you. If you change your mind, just ask for me. I’ll just let you be.” Embarrassed, Marcus turned to leave.

“Wait,” she called out just as his hand touched the door knob. “Marcus, was it?” Marcus nodded as he turned around. Her face softened as she regarded him. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you. You’re the only person around here that’s been nice to me. Well, Captain Mills is pleasant enough, I guess. I meant the only real person around here—not just someone following orders to treat the prisoner well.”

“It’s quite all right,” Marcus said, relieved. He sat down on the wheeled stool facing her. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

Ayane shrugged. “Not really. It’s just nice to have someone to talk to, I suppose… someone that’s not just a robot with a pulse.”

Marcus laughed nervously, and a faint smile cracked Ayane’s face. She suppressed it right away, but Marcus thought she really was pretty—especially if she would smile more. “Yeah, the CorpSec types aren’t renowned for their witty conversational skills, that’s for sure.”

Ayane smiled again, a bit longer this time. “I know the feeling. I grew up in a household where emotions were frowned upon—even among real people, not just enforcers and military types.” She was quiet for a moment, and Marcus wasn’t sure what to say, so they sat there for a moment. “There is one thing you can do if you don’t mind. Can you raise the temperature in here a bit? It’s always a little too chilly, and I have to wrap myself in the blanket just to stay warm.”

“Oh yes, of course.” Marcus walked over to the thermostat and adjusted it a few degrees warmer.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.