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Armaan was beyond glad to finally make it into the HIA. He’d done a lot of work, more than anyone had probably ever done to get in. The only thing that bothered him now was trying to stay in the GCA and training to become an agent in the HIA. He knew this double-agent stuff would be difficult, and the officials wouldn’t be happy with what he was doing. That’s why he had only told a few people. For a small moment he wondered what Imraan was doing. He guessed his twin would be studying skills, probably preparing to try once again to get into the HIA.
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Imraan had to admit, he was a little jealous of his brother being able to make it into the HIA. But he knew he had already found his place. Luckily, the major officials didn’t know that he had gone to the HIA, and he had been promoted to a much higher office within the GCA. Things were looking great. He was on the road to success. The dream that the GCA and the HIA would join together as a single, smooth unit seemed to be ever drawing nearer with every breath he took.
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Armaan paused as he entered the Administrator’s office. There was a lady sitting in the chair that he didn’t know. After a few seconds his formalities returned and he extended his hand. “Hello, ma’am. My name is Armaan Helvik,” he said.
The woman rose from her seat and shook his hand. “Malyssa Posokhov. I know who you are,” she said, giving him a gentle smile. Armaan heard a Russian lilt to her accent, and the last name gave it all away.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe we’ve met before,” he answered confusedly.
“We haven’t,” Malyssa said. “Please, sit.”
Armaan did as he was told, but his curiosity was eating at the back of his mind, and he continuously found himself pushing it back to keep it there. He took a deep breath and asked calmly, “I don’t understand why you’ve brought me here, Chief Administrator Taylor. Have I done something wrong?”
“No, Agent Helvik. You have done something right,” he answered.
Armaan gave him a confused look, and Malyssa turned to face him. “I am an active member of an incorporation known as the FNTTMS. Perhaps you have heard of it?”
“I haven’t,” Armaan said truthfully.
Malyssa nodded. “The FNTTMS, or the Founding of New Technology Through Mental Study, was faced with a complicated situation a while back. We were trying out a new method of training our SSU, the Spirit Soldiers Unit. Unfortunately, they had a terrible reaction to the form of toxins they were given. These toxins were created and prepared within one of our best labs. The toxic gas was supposed to set off the nerve endings in the brain which helped with natural instincts and reflexes. Supposedly, this new method was supposed to quicken our soldiers’ reflexes and heighten their agility. Instead, the gas stimulated the amygdala, which led to augmented aggressive behavior, most of the time without reason. We have been unable to find a cure until now. All we need is for you to tell us how you found the cure and what you did,” the woman finished.
Armaan was quick. He started piecing all the information together and soon understood what they had done. They had attacked the agents without authority, forcing them to find a cure or die trying. If he hadn’t been there when he was…if he hadn’t found the cure and used it on the agents…
They had used him. The FNTTMS had used everyone. And they had done it against their will.
This time they didn’t need the toxic gas to make him mad.
****************
Imraan was busy concocting up a plan to meld the GCA's technologies with the HIA's top-notch work when Connor forced the locked door open.
"Why?" He asked in a hoarse voice.
"Why what?" Imraan questioned.
"You know what. Why did you try to get into the HIA?" Connor asked forcefully.
Imraan sighed. "The GCA has been a solo act for a long time,” he replied calmly. “It’s not a secret we have developed our technology and expanded our knowledge. God knows the HIA needs our help, but we are always unwilling to give it. I’m not sure why this is the case, but it needs to end. Now. Aren’t you tired of all this? I even heard the GCA and the HIA used to be best buds a while back. When did that all change? I haven’t a clue, but I’m not going to let it stop me now, and I sure as h*** am not going to let you stop me.”
Conner glared back at him. “Great speech for a traitor.”
“I’m not a traitor. The people who have been holding us back for so long a time are the traitors,” Imraan responded. “And maybe you can sleep at night with the knowledge that I didn't make it in. Shouldn’t that be obvious? I’m not as strong as Armaan, but I’m just as smart. Not too long ago I discovered that I can do a whole lot more here than I can do out there."
Connor paused, then asked, "Where is Armaan?"
Imraan froze. He had been one of the few people Armaan had told about his double-agent deal, and he didn’t want to betray his brother. But if Armaan believed it was best to keep Conner in the dark, he was sorely mistaken. "Armaan…made it into the HIA,” Imraan said slowly. “He's in training with them."
"What?”
"He's being training for this for months. Haven't you noticed the change? He's a bodybuilder now, not a wimp like me. He still has the knowledge, but he's also fit, like most of the agents at the HIA." Imraan returned to his work.
"You mean there's a chance that we can get in?"
"Personally, I think that Armaan has been pushing himself a little bit too hard."
Connor frowned, then said, "You know that I should report this to the council."
"I know,” Imraan sighed. He knew he had betrayed his brother, but telling Conner was the best thing to do.
Then Conner said something unexpected.
"But I won't."
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