Field Test

Allen sat by the window staring out through grimy glass to a scorched sky as lighting crackled through the atmosphere. He sighed deeply as he laid his head back and closed his eyes. Reoccurring images played through his exhausted mind. They always played the same, one horrible event after another.

The resource shortages and men scrambling for just scraps. The collapse of world governments creating further lawlessness. The plagues and sickness that followed, putting the final nail in societies coffin. The splintering of his unit into small groups of leaderless mercenary's with no guidance.

The last image was Allen's favorite. All the misery, but this one, this one lasting image of hope. He smiled to himself as it played out. The empty bunker with papers strewn about the room. Most had been trampled to undecipherable words, except the one forgotten page discarded behind the filing cabinet.

A scrawled note with a badly drawn picture of a heart shaped locket. The note gave vague information on a supply stockpile and the locket being the key. This led to other images of endless boxes of supplies hidden and safe. They allowed Allen to relax enough to doze off into a fitted sleep.

The soldier dreamed briefly of a moment with his younger brother. "I'm going to call you Glizzy from now on." The boy said in a defiant tone as he smiled. Allen looked at him puzzled as he smiled in response. "That is the dumbest nickname I have ever heard why would you call me...".

"Glizzy, are you there? Do you copy?" Allen woke up to the voice on the radio. He stood up shaking his head trying to figure out how long he slept. Still slightly dazed the voice repeated the message as Allen grabbed his mic to respond. "Copy Raven."

"Man, you had me scarred. Been calling you for thirty minutes. Thought the storm or the locals had gotten you." Raven's voice had a slightly high pitch that dropped as he finished his words.

"No Raven, still searching and didn't hear the call. Be in touch when I finish." Allen looked around the empty building.

"You're so full of it. You dozed off again Glizzy. Report back if you find the locket." Raven's voice had a chuckle to it as he spoke.

Allen rolled his eyes as he responded. "Copy that Raven." He picked up his rifle, continuing his search. Allen walked to the stairwell, climbing the stairs two at a time, reaching the top floor quickly. He peered into the space in between the flashes of lighting, landing his focus on a man slumped over in a corner.

The soldier's pulse quickened as he crept towards the corner with his rifle sighted. Allen tensed as he reached within a few feet with no movement from his target. He poked the slumped figure, causing the lifeless form to tumble to the floor. The sound of metal clanking across the floor echoed through the room. Allen looked towards the sound, catching a glimpse of metal from the flashing sky.

Allen briskly moved to pick up the piece of metal out of the dirt on the floor. Several close strikes of lighting flashed the details of the locket to Allen's eyes. He wiped away the dirt and blood that marred its appearance, bringing forth its true beauty. Allen admired the craftsmanship for a brief moment before putting it in his pocket.

The soldier trained his focus back on the last keeper of the locket. Allen quickly returned and began searching the fresh remains. He came up with a half eaten sandwich and a rusted can opener. He stood up and noticed the man's right hand grasped tightly closed.

Allen reached down and slowly opened the hand revealing a crumpled, blood stained, scrap of paper. The soldier flattened out the paper and waited for a flash to examine its contents. His patience paid off as a large bright strike hit close enough for him too see the coordinates scribed onto it. He fell back to his training realizing that the location was close. Allen quickly stood up and put the paper with the locket.

The soldier stood up and flashed back to the images of endless supplies and some comfort. "Glizzy, Do you copy? Did you find anything useful?" Raven's voice startled Allen back to the empty room. He put his hand into his pocket, fondling the scrap and locket between his fingers. Allen went to reply, but hesitated as he thought over his options.

"Glizzy, I repeat, did you find anything useful? We have to move the storm is getting worse and the natives are restless." Raven sounded urgent as Allen sent his response.

"Copy Raven, Didn't find anything. Moving to the next location. Will respond when I have a base camp set up for the storm." Allen hung his head as he rationalized the words.

"Copy Glizzy, Get a move on that storm is almost on top of you. Be waiting for the check in." Raven had a sullen tone as he spoke and the radio went silent. Allen paused as he thought twice about using the mic. The moment passed as he looked around one last time before heading downstairs. The soldier reached the entrance as he felt a strange sensation through his body.

Allen's whole body had the feeling of pins and needles as his head began to buzz. He watched as the whole room began to spin and he hit the floor blacking out. Before the soldier slipped out of conciseness, he heard a faint voice in his ear.

"Subject thirty three, test twelve, is a partial success. Reset parameters for test thirteen in two days after the storm has passed. I think the subject can still hear me someone put him back...".