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DOCTOR CAMPBELL SIGHED as she stretched her weary limbs. She tugged her surgical mask down and stepped away from the operating table. She’d performed so many surgeries in the past few days. It was hard to keep track
The newest Tracker lay motionless on the operating table. Her eyes were wide, staring at nothing. The doctor nodded to herself, recognizing the signs. The Givers had initiated the modification of the girl’s mental processors.
Her patient’s lips moved silently as she acquiesced to the programming. The conversion process was on track.
The Givers had exited the room several minutes earlier. It wasn’t necessary for them to be physically present when they invaded a new recruit’s mind.
Doctor Campbell preferred it that way, if the truth were to be known. Despite her many years of service on behalf of the Givers, she still experienced an awkward queasiness whenever the aliens were in close proximity.
She glanced up and caught the eye of her overseer. He hadn’t bothered to don surgical attire today, opting instead to observe the procedure from an antiseptic distance. Now he gestured to her, beckoning her to join him and the personal assistant standing beside him.
She sauntered toward them with studied nonchalance, yanking off her surgical gloves finger by finger, the snapping sound underlining her refusal to be intimidated by him. “A new Tracker, Councilor Sterne, prepped and ready for its first assignment on behalf of the Enclave.”
Her statement was redundant. Sterne was well aware the procedure was a success. She was simply using the opportunity to remind him of her strategic importance.
He didn’t take the bait, ignoring her insolent tone. “You’ll be pleased to know we were able to find a use for your last Tracker failure, after all.”
Sterne’s benign expression, coupled with his casual tone of voice, made the barbed insult all the more biting. “You’ve probably seen it on the Infomedia already.”
He turned to address his assistant. “Well done, Ethan. The Givers have noted your service.”
Ethan fidgeted awkwardly, glancing at the livid doctor. “Thank you, sir. The edited riot footage was pretty convincing. The Initiative should proceed at an increased rate after today. People are screaming for security more than ever.”
“The net is closing.” A satisfied smile flitted across Sterne’s face. “The pieces are falling into place.”
Doctor Campbell edged closer, curiosity outweighing her resentment. “Everything is on schedule then?”
Despite the lingering sting of his earlier snub, she couldn’t disguise the eagerness in her voice.
Sterne smiled tightly, clearly relishing the thought. “Yes, it’s almost time. The Givers will be pleased.”
He clasped his hands behind his back, a look of hungry anticipation on his face.
“I’ll alert Mateo.”