Page 14 of Master B-1901
“Arguing with him, Elec? Were you trying to get him to go into an episode? Jail? Homeless? Did you hear that nonsense? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”
The Main Master blinked heavily, shaking his head as if he were tired too.
“I did hear, and I don’t like it. What the hell has happened since he came to you? He was fine when he came in for his interview with me. Where are the tapes of his sessions?”
One of the woman’s eyebrows rose. “Braddock requested they weren’t recorded.”
“Bullshit. None of us have a choice in the Gardens. It’s protocol. You know that.”
“What I know is my patient has a right to privacy. To choice. The decision was granted by the Uppers, just so you know.” A tightening in her features followed her as she moved in closer to the Main Master. “Are you insinuating something, Elec?”
“Our offices are the only two not recorded. I want to know what the hell happened to him. I can’t figure that out unless I can investigate every angle. You’ve made that impossible by going above my head.”
“I did what he asked. He’s always had trust issues, you know that. His conspiracy talks are legend in our circle. I can’t believe you’re surprised by what’s happening to him. He’s surely had some sort of mental break and is confusing it with…who knows what.”
“Oh, I’m not disagreeing with that. I want to know what it was that got to him.”
“That makes both of us. That’s why I asked you to sit in. But I can’t have you pushing boundaries with my patient that I’m not comfortable with.”
“You’re never going to get anywhere if you always go by the rules. I was gauging his mindset, and now we know.”
“I didn’t teach you to be reckless.”
“No…you did the teaching. The reckless part is all me.”
The Mistress shifted, not at all happy with the Main Master.
“I’m trying to work with you, Elec, but I didn’t call you here to be suspicious of me or undo all my progress.I need your help.That’s not easy for me to ask. Whatever happened to Braddock…it broke him, and I don’t say that lightly.” Her face turned sad. “You know I don’t admit weakness. It’s why it’s taken me so long to come to you. Elec…I’ve tried everything to bring him back. I figured if I could do that, then I could get him to face whatever caused this. But I can’t. I’m not sure either of us can, to behonest. He asked to become a blank slate. To join the soldiers you’re sending to the outside world. Of course I told him no.That’s ridiculous.He’s never served a day in his life. I don’t even think he knows how to use a weapon or gun. I just…I don’t know this man anymore.”
“Are you serious? He asked that?”
“I told you something is not right with him. He believes himself to be a soldier. A damn good one. A special forces soldier or something. I’ve heard his stories, and when I tell you they’re ingrained, I’m not exaggerating. He truly believes them. They’re ones we can’t go back into ever again. Not until he’s stable. Or maybe never at all. It could ruin any progress we make. It could kill him. The shock to his mind when he relives these stories already almost did. Hear me when I say this isn’t just an impossible case. It’s a never-going-to-fucking-happen-in-our-lifetime case. I think he’s gone for good. There’s no bringing him back. I’m a damn great doctor, but this is a lost cause. He's not grasping reality from his delusions. Not even with medication.”
“Are you sure they’re delusions?”
“What? Of course they are. The alternative would be impossible. I would know. If he served or did something on the shadow side, I would have been briefed, just like with the Jane Doe Foundation.”
“Nothing is impossible. You taught me that.” A deep sigh left the Main Master. “Let’s start over. I’m sorry if my shock came off as hostile towards you. I’m just adjusting to his change. He’s…a stranger. And that’s not your fault, but I want to help you figure this out. Tell me more. You say reality from delusions. Has he invented this story for identity purposes, or does it just cover a span of time? Youth? Young adult? How far does these delusions go back? He was triggered by me using his real name. Braddock’s never minded before. I’ve never even heard him go by Brad.”
“I don’t know,” she breathed out. “I haven’t tested exact ages. Nothing makes sense when he’s under. I think I start to understand, and then his patterns change. His mind…It’s like it’s his…but not. If he returns, it’s never for longer than a few days. I guess we’re lucky he’s come as far as he has. The first month he was here, I could barely get him stable enough to put him under. We should take the win for what it is and not risk making this worse.”
“Whoa. What are you talking about? You’re giving up?”
“You’re not hearing me. With each session, he’s getting worse. He shows no sign as a candidate for becoming a blank slate. Nothing we input will retain. Trying would kill him. There’s no path for Braddock anymore.”
“Stop.” His hand lifted to face her. “You wouldn’t have brought me here if you didn’t think I could help. Take a breath. I’ve never seen you this defeated. You feel we’ve already lost. We haven’t. Melissa, what is really going on? Why didn’t you come to me sooner?”
Her lip pouted. “You always have so much on your plate. The last thing I want is to add more. I thought I had this. I’ve never not been able to—I failed.” The last was almost silent. “I know you mean well by thinking you can help. I truly wished it was why I brought you here, but it’s not. Braddock is gone. I can feel it in my gut. I think we should discuss options in case he remains unfit for society. He’s a Pierce. He’s the only male in his line. We have his sperm. I think we should start looking for someone who’s fit to take over their legacy. We could have them head it up just as Kayla will do for the Princetons.
The Main Master didn’t speak as he stared at her. Back and forth his eyes went between hers before he turned his back to her and walked towards us. “It’s not that easy, Melissa.” His head tilted this way and that as he closed the distance to my Master. When he kneeled and continued to study Braddock, Icouldn’t help but wonder what he must be thinking. I shouldn’t have. I had other things to focus on, but curiosity over the man I belonged to came first.
“What is it? Why isn’t it that easy?”
Still, he stared at my Master’s unconscious form.
“Jake Princeton is dead. I can’t have another elite with a child on the way coming up dead too. People will ask questions. Now is not the time for suspicion. Besides…Braddock’s my friend.This has to work. We’ll fix him.”
The Mistress closed her eyes for a few seconds, nodding as she finally opened them.