Balance by Kurt Bartling Read Free Book Online Page A

you will have no connection to anyone out side this facility.  You are ghosts, you have never existed.”
    Rena glances at Michael, apprehension in her eyes.
    “Now , if you wil l follow us, we have a full day. ” Rodriguez states.
    The four depart the dining hall.
     
    Led to the infirmary, Michael and Rena wait in separate examination room s .
    A male m ilitary doctor enters Rena ’s room, immediately making her uncomfortable.
    The doctor, expecting her unease , reassures her , “Don’t be alarmed.  I won’t ask you to do anything unethical.  We separate the talents so test results remain confidential.  I will be performing a basic physical exam ination , nothing invasive.  Although, I will have to ask you to take off you r jacket.”
    R eluctantly , Rena removes her jacket and hangs it on a chair .
    The doctor performs a customary battery of tests , including fingerprint ing and blood draws .
    He starts to examine her eyes , then steps back, a surprised look on his face, “I thought you were wearing contacts.  I’ve never seen eyes that color before … I’m sorry , didn’t mean to embarrass .”
    “That’s okay, I’ve gotten that before.”   Rena affirms.
    “Regardless, they’re stunning.”
    “Thank you.”
     
    Her medical examination complete, the doctor offers her jacket if she still fe lt uncomfortable.
    Expecting her reaction evaluated , Rena exhibits no interest , remaining calm and indifferent , catching the doctor smile ever so slightly.
    “Okay, I’ve got one final procedure.  Can you please stand, face the wall, and pull you r right pant leg up to the knee?”
    Rena looks at him, her anxiety visibly returning .
    “Trust me, it’ s required.  There’ll be a sharp pinch just under the skin of you r calf .  You may experience some irritation for about a week . ”
    Rena does as instructed.  The doctor holds up a device that looks remar kably similar to a cookie press . R est ing the tip against the back of her leg , he depresses a trigger. S he feels more than a pinch.  When he removes the device from the back of her leg , she notices a small incision and a raised bump on her calf.
    “Now you’ ll be free to move throughout most of the facility.”
    “So , it’s a tracking device?” Rena probes .
    “ Yes , and a little more, i t monitors your body heat and pulse as well, let’s us know if you’ve expired.”
    The examination complete, the doctor excuses her.  Rena returns to Waters and R odriguez in the waiting room , arriving before Michael .  She notic es, whom she suspects is Michael ’s doctor , emerg e from his examination room, a very attractive female.
    Rena remarks under her breath , “ Always under evaluation.”
    Michael returns shortly after.
    W hile their handlers are distracted, Rena giv es him an amused half smile glance .  He rolls his eyes in response.
    The four depart the infirmary , headed to destinations unknown .
     
    Waters and Rodriguez next guide th em to a large room . 
    Racks of clothing along two of the walls, makeup booths at the far end, and curtained changing stalls tucked here and there , Michael considers what he would expect for s ome sort of stage performance. “What are we doing in here?” He inquires, scanning the area .
    “You are both currently projected as field agents.  In those roles , you will be required , at times , to infiltrate foreign environment s .  To facilitate th ese effort s , you may be required to assume a false identity .  In this room, immersion specialists will alter your appearance to assume the various guises .” Rodriguez explains.
    Rena looks around , the room filled with many articles of clothing, several make up stations , and an adjoining photo studio.
    Rodriguez adds, “ Today, they will take stock photos of you in various disguises , compil ing a sample catalog on each of you.  These photos will be used as reference to determine if you are suited for a particular mission.”
    “ For this