[2034]

5275 enters the interrogation room and quickly does a scan of the male soldier in front of her and the surroundings.

His hair is too long. Dirt and food on his face. He smells like meat too. How can he afford meat? His pants are unkempt without an iron line. Looks like the shirt is too big for him too. Did he lose weight or is this borrowed? Is he a fraud? No, he’s definitely a solder. He looks the part, but he’s stopped caring.

“You may be seated, 5275”

5275 glances at the two wooden chairs and the wooden table directly in the middle.

Some dust on the table? A two-way mirror from floor to ceiling. A smudged handprint with four fingers. When was the last time I interrogated someone here?

She takes out a white ironed handkerchief and quickly sweeps the chair once. Covering all the parts she knows her uniform will touch. She lightly takes a seat with her back away from the back of the chair. The two-way mirror faces her.

“Soldier 5275, as I’m sure you’re aware, we are disbanding your unit and all other active covert military units. Soldiers like you are no longer needed in today’s world.”

The man finally takes a seat himself. He doesn’t bother to clear the dust before his uniform touches it.

“You’ve done your duty. Admirably. Efficiently. But now, the time for people like us… It’s over. You will be dismissed as of tomorrow morning.”

The elbows of his uniform become little brooms gathering the dust as he talks matter-of-factly with his hands gathered in a fist. 5275 continues to sit on the wooden chair, unflinching. He almost looks like he’s praying.

The man clears his throat, “Our government has decided that it has a responsibility to make sure you integrate back into society. That means we’ll help you find a reasonable job, meet other people. We’ll make sure you make a good life for yourself.”

“A good life? Being a soldier. This is all I do. This is everything. I don’t need to go back into civilian life.”

“Yes, that is what your file says. But therapy and relocation will be provided.”

This is really all I know. I don’t remember what I can do outside of this. What can I do now?

5275’s hands remain still and folded on her lap to avoid everything dirty around her. Completely still. Outwardly calm.

“What about Nyx? Where was he reassigned?”

“I don’t know.” The soldier replies quickly. “I wasn’t told details of all the others in your unit.”

5275 barely lifts her eyes to look at the man, briefly, subtly. And she sees him instinctively look away from her. He’s lying.

The man coughs.

“Soldier, this is a new world. A new opportunity. No one will know who you were. You’ll have the option to pick a new place to live. Right now, everyone is starting over… as equals.”

“Are we really equals now?”

Early twenties. Does he even remember a world before the war? What could he possibly think equality is? And what is the purpose of lying about where Nyx is? Unless he’s still on a mission.

“That’s what they say. And you’ll see for yourself soon. Pack up, sleep tonight, and we will talk in the morning. You’re dismissed.”

5275 looks at the room before she leaves. There’s no evidence that she’s been here. Good. I don’t want to remember being here.

When 5275 leaves the interrogation room, she returns to the nineteen barren bed frames, washes her handkerchief in the sink, changes her clothes, folds everything neatly, and lies down in her perfectly made bed. The only bed still in the room. 5275 looks straight ahead and lies still.

Does this mean I won’t be able to sleep again?