“One last thing,” she said, pulling something from her pocket. She placed a tiny, luminescent metal thing on the table. It was about an inch long and thin, with miniscule joints, like a robotic worm, and a sharp, needle tip. The hairs on my arms went straight up.
“We call this mechanism The Helper. It helps to keep the peace. If ever you feel—how do you say it?—out of sorts, and think that the rules no longer apply to you, this tiny Helper will get you back on track.”
My mouth went completely dry and I clasped my trembling hands in my lap. I remembered First Sergeant telling us about this. That creepy little thing would go in through your ear or nose, and make its way to your brain. Then hook into your frontal lobe, taking over your personality center, basically turning you into a robot.
“W-what are the rules?” I asked hoarsely.
“You are not to attempt to leave Primo Town. For your own safety, of course. It is dangerous out there, and we want to keep you safe.” Right. “You will find that the town has everything you need. A daily schedule is in effect. Breakfast at seven in the morning. Work at eight. Lunch at noon. Fifteen-minute break at three. Work ends at six. You will report to work and meals promptly. In your off time, you will help to clean the community rooms, such as the kitchen and dining hall. Laundry will be done every third day. There will be no idle time. Everyone has work to do. At nine o’clock at night it is lights out.”
That early? Geez. Okay. I nodded. I could do all of that.
“Other rules that will be strictly enforced are no marriage, no sexual acts of any kind, and no relationships outside of friendly and professional community togetherness. In general, no touching.”
I gawked. Did she know nothing about humanity? Relationships werelife. Not just marriage and sex, but friendship. Bonding. Trusting. Laughter. Affection. Where would these creatures draw the line? I had to shut my mouth and force myself to keep nodding.
“You appear concerned.”
Dang it.I cleared my dry throat. “I . . . are friendships okay? I’m a social person, by nature.”
“Just so long as it does not affect your work. But there will be no parties. No group gatherings for social purposes. No late nights. No secretive whispering or suspicious conversations of any kind. Each person will retreat to their barracks room in the evening and remain quiet. Bael soldiers will patrol.”
“I understand,” I whispered.
“Wait here for your escort.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I wanted to close my eyes and let out a huge, groaning sigh when she left, but I was fully aware of the camera in the corner. Internally, I rejoiced. She bought my ruse.
I’m in.
