"You ask a lot of questions Menshikov," Erko mutters scowling at me.
"You said there were other ways to use the Dupes, how? You mean like a remote control?"
"No, like the suit you're wearing, we can put our own men inside. They'll have full access to the memories of the guy in the tube. Be them, it's perfect."
Like the band I'm wearing which are far less invasive, I thought to myself. "So what about those two Marines?" I say nodding at the tubes.
"They command some key units." Erko taps the tube of the Marine that stared at me on the way out. "One of our men was wearing this guy, the other one was empty, running with the other fuck's memories."
I stroke one of the tubes. "So you only have eight?"
"At the moment, they're finishing off another thirty. Then we can start to push our control out further."
This was very bad news, these guys were way ahead of our tech guys. I had to get this back to HQ, we need some heavy hardware to take this place to pieces.
"Jay, who's going to be running this soldier?"
"Miguel," Jay replied, "Mexican illegal inside an all American boy, rough justice huh?"
"Ok, get him in, I want Menshikov to see this."
Within minutes Miguel had arrived; he has tanned skin, thick greasy hair, much older and standing five foot nine.
"There's no way he's going to fit," I exclaimed.
"Just watch," Erko replied.
Jay touched the console again, and the back of the Marine started to peel away, the full length of his body; from his heel to the crown of his head. As Miguel began to push into the young Marine, the suit expanded to accommodate its new occupant, keeping all its proportions correct. The suit sealed around the Mexican.
"But he's a lot taller, don't you think that'll be a bit of a giveaway?"
"Wait," Erko said holding up a finger.
The Marine gasped, and all the muscles in his body tightened. Before my eyes, the soldier started to shrink. Within seconds, the Dupe was back to its original five foot seven.
"How the fuck does that work?" I stammered.
"Can't tell you all the secrets can I?" he said with a laugh. He signalled to Jeremy again, and the Marine in the tube started to shake and convulse. The veins on his neck came into relief, before relaxing again.
"That always happens when someone inside the Dupe leaches into their memories. So soldier, tell us about yourself."
"Cody Brown, Command Central, Chief Operator. Twenty years old, born in Jefferson, Texas." He smiled, "Lost my virginity at sixteen, and let my bro' suck me off when we got drunk at spring break. Swore never to tell anyone," he said in a perfect Texan accent.
He felt his torso. "Damn, all-American boy." He licked his lips, "He's running both sides, goes home to his girl, and he gets regularly serviced by one of the other Marines."
"Ok, his life is yours for the time being. Enjoy it, now get dressed and go. And for fuck's sake be HIM!" Erko said.
Jeremy points at a basket, Brown goes over and sorts through its contents--the Marine's clothes. A sickness forms in the pit of my stomach, as he dresses. It was the perfect vision of a soldier that's proud of his uniform and devoted to his country. A soldier that's been through training and proved himself. He slips on a gold watch, probably a gift from his family before fixing his hair. Miguel is that soldier now. He salutes Erko, back straight, proud. He gives a youthful smile and leaves.
"That's amazing," I whisper. "Are those the only three you have out there?"
Erko gives me a coy smile and looks at Jeremy. "Oh, we have a few more in the wild. We made Brown in two hours, so I doubt anyone missed him. Show him tube three."
The kid turns on the light, the man inside is enormous and muscular, tattoos cover his arms. He's instantly recognisable--Tony Brozek, Erko's own right-hand man.
"Figured it out yet?" I shake my head, my mind was reeling. "Light up tube two," he says.
With light flooding the tube, it all falls into place. It was Erko, sealed inside the tube. I turned and stared at the person standing next to me.
"What?" he says holding up his hands. "Fucking said these suits were great."
"So who?"
He tips his head and looks at me pitifully. "I thought you were smarter. It's me, Rennik."
"Rennik," I repeated playing dumb.
"Jesus. Erko was becoming a big problem for me, I wanted his business, but his men were devoted. I knew they'd never work for me, even if I killed him, so I arranged for him to make 'me' disappear and take control of my business. It was a perfect solution," he grinned, "and I'll be inside my greatest threat, controlling him."
"So you got to Erko through Brozek, lured him here then took his place?"
"But it was my job to get Uncle Tony," Jeremy chuckled. "Phoned him up, told him I was in trouble and he came running--we're a real tight family. He fought hard, took three guys to get him in the tube and restrained. A few hours later I was climbing into a Dupe of Uncle Tony, complete with his memories. Damn it was so hot, being that strong. Pulling on his clothes, his musk was almost intoxicating. I stayed with the real Erko for few days, nobody noticed--why would they?"
"So what did you pay this kid to double cross his own family?" I asked Erko.
"Turn on tube four," he replied.
Jeremy smiles widely and flips a switch. A light flickers on, and in the fourth tube, I see Jeremy.
"The kid's a fake?"
Erko laughs, "You are one dumb fuck, you didn't figure it out?" I shook my head, but it explains why the kid was involved with this scum. "He was the easiest to replace, Jay posts his life online. We just picked him up and used him. He was sort of a hero, our first Dupe. Comm'n, you've had your fun, Jay. Give someone else a turn, I've got a job for you."
Jeremy shrugs and drops his shorts. He stretches and rolls his shoulders before expanding in size. He now has a much larger, thicker build. The last of the innocence and youthful expression melts from his face, as his back peels back. Miller, Rennik's general, pulls himself free of the teenager's body. He's a big man, his ebony skin contrasts strongly against the kids, and so does the way he holds himself; confident and arrogant. I try to hide my contempt, the yelling to kill him here and now. He killed my old partner, along with two other agents.
He prodded me in the chest. "Fooled ya huh?"
"Though you were dead," I muttered.
"Sorry to disappoint you."
"You should release the kid," I told Erko.
"I could, but Miller needs somewhere."
"Yeah, dead man's gotta live somewhere so I swap between Brozek and Jay," Miller tells me.
"But Jay's right for the other men as well. When Miller's using Brozek, they draw straws to wear the kid--just to keep him in circulation. Shit, what is it now? Since we took him in, he's got, six girlfriends and three boyfriends."
"That's sick," I mutter.
"So who's turn is it?" Erko asks Miller.
"Bunny."
"Damn man, I feel sorry for Jay." He slaps my gut. "Bunny is completely wired, I don't think he even sleeps. Fucks anything with a hole," he laughs.
The door bursts open, and a shirtless guy runs in. "Fuck, fuck, fuck! This is going to be so sweeeeet," he sings skipping around the room. "Where's my ride, where's Jer-a-ME!" He stops in his tracks when he see's Erko. "Sorry sir," he stutters looking at the ground, his childlike exuberance quashed. "I didn't know you were in here."
This guy was out of control, barely holding his own shit together. Maybe he'd start ringing alarm bells when he's in the real world wearing the Dupe.
End of pt5, >> pt6
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