General Norma Otomangue has just disclosed highly classified information involving a part of the process of how Agent C-13 was created. A key element of that process involves something of the outmost value to Officer Joseph E. McCain. (Too long to describe, for now we’ll only refer to it as “Strand 11”)

• “Now you understand WHY WE MUST plug you out of the equation.
• “Yes... Ma’am.”

~ C… why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you say anything…? ~ Joseph thinks to himself.

• “You’re gonna get up now and walk out that door. All of your personal belongings have already been summoned from your quarters and will be given back to you at final destination.”

Officer McCain is arrested on site and escorted out the building. He offers no resistance. In his heart a rare mixture of sorrow and RELIEF.

• “Tania, tell me exactly where Agent C13 is right now. I need to talk to her IMMEDIATELY”.
• Yes, Ma’am. (Reads a screen) According to log she just ended physical training, so she must be in the shower rooms”

C is taking her usual refreshing shower. The one with lots of soap and fresh aromatherapy. She uses a special lotion Diana gave her so her skin is even softer. She wants to pay Joseph a special visit today. She has never worn a dress before, but today she wants to surprise him. Nurse Isabel has lent her a white flower dress she wore on her wedding day last year. Everything is set for them to have a romantic evening togeth…

• “Agent C13!” A firm voice breaks her thoughts. A voice she knows just too well.
• General, you startled me!!
• “Agent, my time is very valuable so I’ll go straight to the point. I just spoke with Officer McCain. As we speak he is being escorted out the island to an undisclosed location, unknown even to me. I understand WHY you did it and I’m willing to let it go because I understand that must have come as a surprise even to you. But this ends right now. You are to discard any and every thought of him and focus on your job.”

These words catch C off guard and doesn’t know what to say. General Otomangue softens her tone a little. She knows she must choose her next words wisely.

• “We are all stepping on new ground here. Never have we created something like you before. At first I let it play thinking he might be ‘Maximum Adhesion’ (A term I’ll explain some other time) but after Lab reported her file missing I knew it was not you.”
• “General, he is not to be harmed in any way. It was ALL my doing. I chose to follow him and give myself to him, he never forced me to…”
• “I know that Agent, I’m well aware! (A PAUSE) At least I can check-off the ‘SPOT, FOLLOW AND SEDUCE’ part of your training. You have shown me you can do that swiftly. Now dress up, I’m gonna see how well you play chess under agitation. Meet me in Study Hall in 10 minutes. We’ll play 3 on 1.”
• “Yes, Ma’am!”

General Otomangue exits the locker room leaving another broken heart behind.

• “Tania, have Pira and Malton meet us at Study Hall ASAP for a 3 on 1. And have all our meals brought in, we’ll be there the rest of the evening.
• “Yes, Ma’am!”

The wind blows outside Headquarters, taking with it all trace of what could have been. Broken hearts will mend, tears will dry up, the sun will set and another night will cover the island. The earth will take another spin and life will go on another day whether we want it or not.

Some people touch our lives ever so briefly but leave inside us a deep and profound sense of what it was to be loved, truly loved.

(THE END)