"Awake"

"Wait another minute. Can't you see what this pain has fucking done to me.
I'm alive and still kickin'. What you see I can't see and maybe
you'll think before you speak.

I'm alive for you. I'm awake because of you.
I'm alive I told you. I'm awake swallowing you

Take another second. Turn your back on me and make believe that
you're always happy.
It's safe to say you're never alive. A big part of you has died
and by the way, I hope you're satisfied.

I'm alive for you. I'm awake because of you.
I'm alive I told you. I'm awake swallowing you

Tearing it back unveiling me.
Taking a step back so I can breathe.
Hear the silence about to break.
Fear resistance when I'm awake."
Godsmack(Awake 2000)


Lieutenant General Alexander Weston listened with half an ear while Brigadier General Johnson prattled on about the most amazing female specimen to be brought in to the Citadel. He gushed continually about how she had held off the training vampire for the whole five hours they fought together.

“Just think, sir. If this program works……”

“The program has failed every attempt made. What makes this one so different?” Lt. General Weston asked. He had little regard for this blathering fanatic. The only perfect soldier was a human soldier and that was how it should remain. In his opinion the whole program was a waste of resources. Demons and demon mongrels were only useful in places that meant a human soldier wouldn’t be killed. If Lt. General Weston had his way, every single being with demon blood in them would be eradicated.

“Well, Sir, instead of an artificial womb we’d simply implant the subject with the embryo. Once gestation was complete, the fetus would be removed. We’d have to find a way to accelerate the aging process with out damaging the specimen but in time we should be able to produce a flawless operative.”

“And if the fetus is damaged?” The Lieutenant growled, turning to face the shorter man. Using his height and larger size to his advantage, he pressed onward.

“What then? Do we bury it way under this pile of filth like all of the others? Or should we send your little pets off to the Pit instead?”

“Sir…”

“Save it General. Until you’ve figured out a full proof way of replicating the European Council’s method, I don’t want to hear any more. Dismissed.”


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Winifred Burkle knew she had a rather cushy job. When the Citadel had been built, a rather nice and respectable man named Lt. General Weston had paid her father a visit. She had been home visiting her parents after finishing her degree when he came calling. The lieutenant had been very polite and seemed to admire her father’s military record. Even if he hadn’t stayed enlisted long, Mr. Burkle had left the army with glowing reconditions. The two men had chatted for an hour before Lt. General Weston had approach the subject of his visit. He had wanted her father to head their research department. Fred’s parents had blushed under the man’s praise but politely turned down his offer. They then proceeded to list all of their daughter’s accomplishments. After hearing what a wonderful environment she would be working in, Fred had jumped at the opportunity. Every day since, Fred wished she hadn’t.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ten Years Ago

“Oh honey!” Trish Burkle cooed. Her baby was going to work for the government on a very special research project. That lovely Lt. General Weston had said it would help benefits the soldiers who bravely fought for their country. Roger had been just as pleased. He’d spent his time in the service of his country and was thrilled to know his little girl would be working to keep all service men safe.

“I just can’t believe it. My baby working’ for the government.”

“It’s not that big a deal Mom.” Fred smiled. “I’ll only be in California, right outside of Los Angelus. It’s only a four hour plane ride away. Just remember when ya’ll give me a call that I’m two hours earlier than ya’ll are.” Fred quickly hugged both of her parents, making a promise to call as soon as she settled into her new apartment. She knew they wouldn’t sleep other wise.

So, with a watery smile Fred sank into the back seat of her cab. She continued to wave as she watched her parents and childhood home disappear into the distance.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The test run today had been especially brutal. The newest soldiers had all been given stakes made from plastic wood grain. These stakes were made to look real but were not fatal. That didn’t mean that getting stake repeatedly didn’t hurt.

It had been a training exercise all of the “useful” vampires had to assist. It didn’t help that they only fed them cold slightly off animal blood. Human was much better and it helped vampires heal faster. William was convinced that the moment he sank his fangs into these soldiers necks that all of his scars would heal.

Worst of all had been that idiot Johnson. He’d charged into the training room, all puffed up like someone had broken his favorite toy. He had then systematically taken his frustrations out of the vampires. It had only been when Johnson had punched him for no reason that William had landed himself in the sensory deprivation chamber. It was just one of the Citadel’s fun little test to find out what happened to a vampire when their senses where taken from them. It seemed at times like those, William was grateful to have been raised in the “family” he’d been reborn into. Angelus used to like playing games with William. Though some days he felt these soldiers could teach Angelus a few tricks.

Unfortunately, William had been stuck in that dreaded chamber for three days by his count. That meant a trip to see the good doctors in the medical wing. There, Dr. Burkle would run test on his senses, reflexes, and then send him off for a mental evaluation. William preferred Dr. Burkle to the other scientist. She always made sure to make the procedures as painless as possible and was always nice. She never rushed a test or caused unnecessary damage. When the other scientist would question her behavior she would reply that if she wanted the test done properly it was best for the subjects to be docile. If agitated it took longer to get the samples and that was money and time wasted.

“My Momma always said you could catch more flies with honey.” Was Dr. Burkle‘s motto. Thankfully it was Dr. Burkle that got to see today. Because he had spent three days in the chamber, the wounds on William’s chest were just as red and raw as when he received them.

Pulling down the top part of William’s jump suit, Dr. Burkle went to work hooking him up to various equipment. William watch as the good doctor carefully attached each sensor.

Picking up a q-tip, Fred gently too a sample swab of his chest wounds. She was efficient, but tender. When the exam was over she gave him the customary shot of a diluted tranquilizer. It made the vampires weak, thereby making it easier for the soldiers to handle them.

Unknown to everyone in the Citadel, the shot also contained a substance that helped the prisoner’s wounds heal faster. It also help fight off infection in the prisoner’s who were susceptible to illness. It was the least Fred could do until she could unleash her costume made computer virus. She dreamed of the day she got to derail the soldier’s plans.