Memories
“Milord, I have cleared the building. There are no further threats.” 231’s eyes scanned the empty hall, always keeping Sophia’s back in the corner of his eye.
excerpt from recovered journal
She didn’t cry or anything. Didn’t scream. Kind of scared me. I think I thought she must have seen someone get shot before. I mean, it’s New Barcelona. Still, though… she was so calm.
Protection
231 broke into a run, his long strides catching up to her in the space of a second. But in that same second, the two figures ran into the hall.
Permission
As 231 and Sophia wandered the empty halls of the orphanage, the clone soldier’s anger began to grow. Someone had attacked the girl’s mind. Someone had barricaded something inside, something Tower wanted. If he was disturbed by the thought of Sophia braving separatist territory, he fumed at the thought of a psion battering her thoughts.
Faces
231 was slowly adjusting to the new dynamic. Sophia had continued to ask him questions throughout their walk to the objective, and had eventually asked him to stop calling her “Milady.” When he called her “Miss Sophia,” she told him to drop the “Miss.” Then, she quickly recanted when she sensed his wave of nervousness.
excerpt from recovered journal
It really started the first time we went to New Barcelona. She kept saying things and asking questions that made me think about things I’d never thought before. I guess, questions I never thought of asking.
Gratitude
“Two-three-one, report,” demanded Coordinator Marx’s voice in 231’s ear.
Transport
231 found himself suddenly uncomfortable. He stood at parade rest beside the young girl, trying to make sense of the situation. You don’t need to know why you’re here, he reminded himself. You just need to protect her.
Outbound
Coordinator Marx was still smiling when 231 arrived at the transport bay 15 minutes later. It was just enough time for him to make a quick trip to the armory for a tactical holster for his sidearm. He had grabbed several clips for the handgun, as well as two knives — one strapped to his chest, the other to his left calf. Much lighter armament than he was used to.
excerpt from recovered journal
When I first met her, I really didn’t know what to think. At all. They told me to protect her, and that was it. And they were going to send her into hostile territory.