The Program

Jerrod stood in his spacious office, looking out a mammoth window, overlooking the science labs of the Program's headquarters. He watched intently as the scientists labored on the next big improvement for the Synthetics. A few of the workers could almost feel his glaze, as they were obviously fidgeting under his gaze. Jerrod had that effect on people. The phone on his desk rang, snapping him out of his trance-like stare. He strode over to his desk and picked up the phone. Only four words came over the phone, but they brought a wave of anger with them. " The Mind-Splice failed." Jerrod calmly put down the phone and turned back to the window. Whatever anger he felt, he did not show it. He was above petty displays of emotion.

A while later, there was a sound as the door to his office slid open. Jerrod turned around slowly to see an Agent standing before him. "Sir!" the Agent snapped a smart salute and stood at attention. Jerrod sighed. "I'm not a general. Stop acting like your in the military and just tell me what you came to say." The Agent awkwardly stood at ease. "Well, sir, I was just wondering if you know who caught the rebel." He paused before going on," It was K Delta 6-2, Sir. Was he on patrol? Because our logs don't show him being scheduled-" Jerrod raised a hand and silenced the Agent. Jerrod slowly lowered his hand and waited a moment before he replied. "That particular Synth was in fact on patrol. Ordered by me. The Government doesn't control my Synths, I do. Now, whether he knew who scheduled him for patrol, we will find out soon enough. But yes, I ordered him on patrol." Jerrod turned back to the window. "And Lieutenant, from now on, don't worry about my Synths." The Agent made a hasty retreat out of the office.

Jerrod couldn't tell why, but he had a funny feeling about K Delta 6-2. He couldn't tell why, but he did. "Perhaps I should have him deactivated." Jerrod's voice, barely a whisper, cut through the silence of the office like a knife.