Lyn found herself standing inside Commander Wakefield’s office. Her posture reflected a night of heavy drinking with exhaustion pressing heavily on her shoulders.

Her newly appointed status as a mentor came with a schedule she found extremely demanding but, in all honesty, it wasn’t as bad as she made it out to be.

“Take a look at this,” Commander Wakefield said, ignoring her improper stance. He wouldn’t take issue with her attitude as long as it wasn’t in front of others. There was a need to uphold the status quo and if he couldn't produce the image of a competent commander he'd eventually be ousted from his position.

He pushed a strange black watch across his desk and motioned for Lyn to pick it up.

“What do you want me to say? It’s a watch and a broken one at that.” Lyn examined the accessory with a scrutinizing gaze but she couldn’t see anything that stood out.

“That watch was in Visette’s possession before we confiscated it.”

“And?” Lyn shrugged.

“...I had someone in research and development open it up and it's filled with strange components. They couldn’t figure out how it works but they did say that its an advanced piece of equipment. It’s not something that you would find lying around so there’s no way she could have stumbled upon it.”

“So you think someone gave it to her?” Lyn wanted to know.

“Maybe.” Commander Wakefield rubbed his chin illustrating his bewilderment. “I’ve heard reports of cities that have grown more technologically advanced in the past few years. I’m guessing that Visette is working with or running away from one of those cities.”

“If she was working with an advanced city I doubt the first thing she would do is kill a council member in broad daylight.”

“We can’t be sure of that and that’s why I need insurance to give me peace of mind.” Commander Wakefield opened his desk drawer and produced another device. A black ankle bracelet with a small yet clunky box attached to it. “When you go to see Visette, put this device on her. It’ll let us track her position at all times.”

“If she’s that much trouble why don’t we just kill her, Commander?” Lyn wanted to know. Something about Visette bothered her though she wouldn’t admit it aloud.

“Because she’s useful. Still, if you see any signs of suspicious behavior then feel free to do as you want.”

“I got it,” Lyn replied as she took the ankle tracker from his desk and left the room.

“And I don’t mean anything that annoys you, O’Hara.” Commander Wakefield called out to Lyn’s departing figure.

…

Unaware of what was happening, Visette sat in the middle of a 6 by 8 cell surrounded by reinforced glass. A metal cot bolted to the floor and a stiff wool blanket served as the bedding. The shower and toilet were in the corner of the cell and a thin plastic sheet that obstructed the view of the inside served as the only source privacy. Overall, the arrangements wouldn’t be very comfortable for an animal let alone a human. In addition, Visette was in a specialized isolated cell block where she couldn’t see anyone else, not that she needed or wanted social interaction, but normal people would find their mental states shaken.

All those factors withstanding, Visette didn’t seem to mind her current status. She sat cross-legged with her eyes closed and channeled her psionic energy.

Under her command, the psionic energy wormed its way throughout her body, passing through each of her limbs. She was careful to control it as to not produce unstable fields which manifested themselves in blue particles that were visible to the naked eye. It was needless to list all the problems that would arrive if her psionics were discovered.

Visette’s ability to temporarily infuse psionic energy into her muscle fibers allowed her to surpass her physical limits. She was it as her most useful ability at the current moment and decided to increase her endurance while using it. Another plus was the fact that Visette’s body would be strengthened as the psionic energy traveling through her body had the same effect as high-intensity exercise. Also, since the nanites in her blood gave her faster recovery she would gain a strengthened physique which would ensure her combat potential remained high if she ever ran out of psionic energy.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

As time passed, the guards on duty swapped shifts and someone came to relieve the armed woman watching over Visette’s cell.

“Is she at it again?” The newly arrived guard asked while carrying a tray of food which, in reality, was a grey square of a tofu-like substance and a cup of water.

“Yeah, she’s been in that same spot since my shift started.” The armed woman replied as she looked on. “Anyway, I gotta go but make sure to watch out for her.”

“Will do.” The man replied as he approached Visette’s cell. He kneeled down and slid the tray through an opening before taking his distance in a hurried manner. Each step showcased his apprehension toward the strange white-haired girl.

Visette didn’t open her eyes once to observe the scene. She spread out a psionic pulse on reflex as soon as the guard entered but that was it. As she grew more accustomed to her own power she used it unconsciously which was a positive thing.

The best way to Visette could describe what psionics were to her would be as a formless extension of her own body. It was as if her nervous system was attached to a cloud of energy. Under normal circumstance, a human brain would experience a sensory overload and end up with neural degeneration but Vis could function perfectly fine just as intended by those who designed her.

Visette continued to funnel the psionic energy through her own body like a conduit until her biological need reminded her to satiate her hunger in the form of a growling stomach. She opened her eyes and grabbed the tray of lukewarm food and immediately began to eat without any reservation.

The movements Visette made while eating were so orderly that they looked mechanical in a way and the guard who watched her from across the room could only feel unnerved. Visette cut even and exact portions of the greyish nutrition filled slab before chewing only as many times as she needed. It was anything but normal, even so, Visette didn't do it on purpose.

She continued to ignore the guard stationed in a small booth just across from her and continued eating. When she finally finished and looked toward the door. As if she was expecting it, the door beeped and opened before Lyn walked inside.

The guard stood up and saluted but was ignored by Lyn who approached Visette’s cell.

“You finished with that?” Lyn asked.

“Yes,” Visette answered, her eyes remained still as they had always been. Even Lyn found herself disturbed whenever she made eye contact with Visette. There was rarely any emotion reflected within the gaze of Visette's brown eyes.

“Good, it’s time to go.” Lyn slid the ankle tracker through the door as if to discard her discomfort. “Put that on.”

Visette didn’t ask any unnecessary questions and complied. As soon as she fastened the ankle tracker to her leg, it made a clicking sound signifying that it was locked in place. There was a small keyhole slot atop the tracker which Visette assumed was used to release it.

“Don’t fiddle with it, don’t pull at it, and don’t take it off.” Lyn spoke without room for negotiation but Visette never intended to protest.

“I understand,” said Visette who adjusted her plain gray clothes.

“Open it.” Lyn said to the guard who immediately entered a keycode.

Visette’s cell door swung open and she was allowed to exit.

“Arms out.” Lyn pulled out a pair of metal cuffs and restrained Visette who complied.

As the two moved to a different area of the detention facility, Visette initiated a conversation.

“Will your training start today?” Visette asked.

“Something like that,” Lyn replied curtly, the idea of Vis growing stronger left a bad taste in her mouth. She fiddled with the pommel of the sword she carried around while wondering if she would ever have to use it on Vis.

After that, neither one of them spoke and it was silent until they arrived at an open room that had been recently modified with fighting equipment. A padded mat took up the majority of the floor, its purpose was clearly to soften any impact.

Visette looked around the room and could guess what her first training session would be hand to hand based combat.

Lyn tossed her sword into a chair and removed her leather jacket.

“...What’s your story?” Lyn began to put on her hand wraps.

“I do not understand your question.”

“Of course you fucking don’t,” Lyn mumbled to herself. “Where are you parents? Where’d you come from? The Commander’s wife thinks you got tied up with human traffickers.”

Lyn removed her boots before looking at Vis.

“I just can’t picture it though. You’re an abnormal with multiple traits which makes you way too valuable to let go.”

Visette contemplated what to say for a few moments before finally speaking.

“...Are you going to remove my restraints?” She intoned emotionlessly.

Lyn clicked her tongue and removed the metal cuffs from Visette’s wrists.

“Give me your hands.” Lyn didn’t wait for a response and held Visette’s hands before wrapping them in bandages.

She secretly observed the texture of Visette’s palms and could see they were smoothed and uncalloused which offered a clue about the latter. If Visette was trained prior to her arrival in New Mayhall it would’ve shown on her hands at the very least. Combat experience was something that could be disguised but never completely hidden. Once you were trained to kill a part of it would always stay with you.

There was nothing that overtly stuck out on Visette other than the nearly untraceable scars of an animal attack and the strange tattoos she had.

Lyn tossed Visette a pair of gloves and smirked. "Put them on. We're going to start with the basics."