An orphan, a wanted man, seventeen and tow-headed, Shale was in bad shape by preferable standards.
Shale jumped a short flight of stairs and hit street level again, winding his way into the thin streams of pedestrian traffic; he ignored the disgruntled yells of those he managed to graze in his hurried manner. Slowing a bit, shifting his footing, the boy swooped between two tall buildings, savoring the shadow that provided him cover. Stripping the heavy gun from his back and ditching it to the side, he continued into the maze of the alleys. His handgun always proved much more efficient, and was easy to conceal in comparison to the bulkier weapons.
Looping around yet again, he managed to connect with one of the main streets. With a kick of his back foot, the board slowed to a stop. Shale strapped that across his back, in the place the gun had been. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he glanced around before going about his way.
There was a buzz against his fingers, and he withdrew his mini-com carefully. Pressing a button on the earpiece that was concealed beneath his hair, he tapped the screen of the handheld.
"Here." His voice was casual, but he knew the call wasn't.
"It's Rade. Are you there, Ghost?"
"Yah." He responded to his alias. "What is it?"
"The line is secure, don't worry. I have to tell you something; another one of the safehouses you were headed to was discovered. It's possible the person you've been searching for was there. You know, it would be much easier if you just gave me their identity or descriptio-"
"No." Shale interrupted the other man quickly. "I can't do that. Sorry. Well, it was nice talking to you." He said the last line with a cheery tone, just in case someone was overhearing his conversation and suspicions arose.
Shale swore under his breath, shoving his mini-com back into its place. He was running short on contacts. Nearly every scientist and government official that had known his parents had been killed, or remained faithful to their corrupt leaders.
Sighing, Shale wondered if he should've just given Rade the information. The man was trustworthy enough; he'd been a family friend for a long time, but until recently, they'd lost contact. When the death penalty orders had gone out against all possible traitors, "Rade", one of the youngest scientists on Project: Cadence, had remained unnoticed- he now lived without the death warrant Shale himself bore. Even though Rade seemed to be reliable, Shale had so far stuck to not revealing the identity of the one he was searching for, just in case...
It was all some twisted, unfair chase anyway. Shale knew the government wasn't after him because he'd done anything wrong- it must of been because he was the son of a developer and they didn't want their dirty laundry spread around to the civilians or something equally petty and superficial. But justice or righting the wrongs of modern society wasn't at all to his concern. The only thing he wanted was his sister. He'd search for her no matter how long he had to wander the streets of the capital. Maybe... It would take less time if he told Rade the truth...
Part of Shale was relieved to feel his mini-com buzzing again, and answered quickly. "Hello?"
"Are you okay? You just cut off the transmission so quickly, I wanted to be sure. Though it's risky for me to be calling again right away…"
"Rade? Listen, I think I can tell you who I'm looking for. I mean, I don't know if I should but... If I don't... I just..." Shale coughed, trying to stop his own rambling and clear his head, lower his heart rate. "It's... My sister."
"What? I thought you said she was with you?"
"I know what I said, alright? Just… Forget that and help me out. You understand why this is so important. You should understand more than anyone. You know that they're after her as well. It's been four months since the separation and-"
"Shhh. I gotta go. Someone's trying to tap the line. Damn government satellites…"
The call cut out.
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2:22:3023 Project Cadence, log.
CadenceTest Subject: Tagged 119-3940-32990
Results achieved.
End of testing sequence.
Subject Terminated.
Suggested Proceedings:
Find solution to so-called "suicide syndrome" exhibited by a substantial percentage of previous test subjects.
Fulfill need for greater quantities of suitable test subjects
Locate and collect the two living keys to [system coding: TWIN HEX] at all costs- possibility of obtaining total program stability if the individuals are at our disposal.
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