The Odd Man In

Everyday.

The same routine.

“Kill the enemy. Escape.”

I guess it's better that way.

“Launching in 3...” announced the over-head speaker, echoing throughout the hull of the airplane.

Maybe my life was meant to be like this.

“2...”

I don't know, I am a minor cyborg.

“1...”

“Kill the enemy. Escape.”

I can do that, right?

“Deploying.”

The metal plate released beneath me and sent me plummeting to the ground. “Aerial devices. Activate.” I said, out of breath. I felt the vibrations through my equipment as the wings pulled out of their holsters. My free fall slowed down and I hit the ground on my feet.

Another cyborg hit the ground next to me and stumbled slightly. I tilted my head and he nodded, straightening himself. We don't say anything here. Nothing is to be said. We simply do whatever the voice tells us to.

“Target is due west 3 miles. Head there immediately. Destroy whatever is in your way.”

I can do that, right?

I hate the voice in my head. Always giving me orders. It makes me feel like I'm always being watched. I feel like an animal, going around killing people like this.

I can't really say “I”, I suppose. I'm sure we all can agree on that. Ever since the attack on planet earth. They enslave anybody who stands in their way, turning them into cyborgs and forcing them to obey orders. You disobey, you get zapped. Enough zapping and you're dead. I heard there's yet another resistance around, but that won't last very long. They've already tracked down several of them.

We've been walking for 1 and a half miles now. My legs are starting to grow weary, my legs mostly being moved more by the suit than my actual muscles. Why couldn't they drop us off closer to the site? All this walking is wearing me out.

“Why couldn't we fly there, computer?” I ask out loud.

“We don't want to attract attention, cyborg 327.”

“Right.” I attempted to scowled but failed. My face was jammed in a very uncomfortable spot, with the visor biting into the bridge of my nose.

Finally, I can now see the house. It's a small shack, looking like it's almost like it could be blown over in a stiff breeze.

“Approach with caution. Cyborg, 834, 981, and 653, surround the site. 327, move in through the front door.”

327. That's me. I don't even remember my real name anymore.

I lift my stun gun and walk up towards the door. With caution. Like the computer said. I kicked in the door and looked around through my gun sight.

“No signs of life, computer. Please turn on the heat filter.”

My visor flickered, then all reds and blues came up, filtering the temperatures of the room. I scanned the room once more. There. A body. In the corner. It seemed to be in a fetal position.

“You. There. Stand up and put your hands above your head.”

The figure slowly stood. “Hello Charley.”

What?

The figure launched forward.

Then everything went black.

~Snickerdoodle~ 
[With help from her good friend, Tennyson]