Leaning closer to Zack, Liz said harshly, “what did you say??” Raising his voice just slightly, Zack replied, “I know who you are Risika.” Almost without a reflex, Liz had the stranger by the throat. ‘Humph. I guess old habits die hard.’ Covering her smile effectively, Liz turned on Zack and whispered, “Just who are you?? What do you know?” Smirking sadistically at his sister, Zack said, “Emotion is a weakness, remember soldier??” Liz’s eyes suddenly burned with recognition, “Zack??” Liz whispered in a strangled voice. Standing up, Zack nodded, “it’s me little sister.” Letting out a strangled gasp, Liz threw herself into her brother’s arms, and wrapped her own arms around him in a hug. She couldn’t believe that after eleven years of being alone, with only Ty out of her siblings for company, her older brother had finally found her. Memories of life at Manticore entered her thoughts just then, and she let them flash by.

*Flashback*

The X5’s stood silently, side by side, as one, by one, Lydecker walked along their straight rows, bending down ever so slightly, to whisper in his kids’ faces. Suddenly he stopped, and bent down to meet Risika’s eyes. She looked straight ahead, and refused to even blink in Lydecker’s presence. “Remember this, soldier,” he whispered. “you will fall, and you will fail, but the weak links will be destroyed. Show your weakness, and the enemy will destroy you. Understand??” Turning her head, Risika said emotionlessly, “Sir, yes, sir!!” Executing a perfect salute, and about-face. “Good.” Lydecker smirked, “take 595 away, I think she needs to be taught another lesson in discipline.” The guards came forward, and grabbed Risika by the arms, she knew that fighting would make the torture, or ‘lesson’ as Lydecker liked to call it, that much harder to bear. Suddenly, Zack or 599 as Lydecker called him stepped forward, “Sir, the incident was my fault.” Turning his head, Lydecker replied, “What was that soldier, did you say, the previous incident was your doing, and not 595’s??” “Yes sir, the incident was entirely my doing.” “Very well, take 599 into the classroom; I think he needs to be taught a good lesson.” The guards released Risika, and turned to Zack, grabbing his arms, and dragging him across the floor. Risika turned and opened her mouth, ready to jump to her brother’s defense, but Lydecker stopped her. “I’m going to give you one more chance, 595, prove to me that you deserve to stand next to 599 as his S.I.C.” Saluting Lydecker, as well as Zack’s retreating figure, Risika said, “Sir, yes, sir, I will prove to you that, I am able to become 599’s S.I.C!!” Afterwards, Lydecker left, slamming the door after him. Risika immediately hurled herself onto her bed, with tears streaming down her face, as she prayed for her brother’s safe return. Later that night Zack had returned, with cuts and bruises marring his face, and climbed into Risika’s bed next to her. Risika’s face was stricken with remorse, but, lightened slightly with relief, that at the very least, her brother was okay. Throughout the night, Zack held his younger sister, as she cried, before slipping away into his bed, after she had fallen asleep.

*End Flashback*