Midnight Raid, Sector 17: Sappho Initiative

"Welcome to the Sector Reassignment Facility LENA HUTCHINSON we are pleased you have been assigned to us. The SRF exists to repurpose malcontents and other undesirable elements of society so that they can provide the greatest benefit to humanity as a whole while achieving optimal happiness and satisfaction. You may be wondering why you have been brought here. Your official listing states that you are a SPOUSE OF CRIMINAL JOHN HUTCHINSON and that your reason for acquisition is a POSSIBLE COLLABORATOR, SECURITY RISK.

You may believe this to be inaccurate and we understand that many of the details can be lost in the paperwork. We assure you that, whether the charges are accurate or not, you will not be harmed unless it is deemed beneficial to humanity as a whole. For the time being, you have been assigned to SECTOR 17: SAPPHO INITIATIVE where you will be evaluated and given a directive."

Lena listened to the cool female voice for the millionth time, remembering when it had been her inside the briefing room almost 8 years ago. She'd been terrified, just like the woman strapped inside. She exchanged a smile with the overseer: you both knew she'd be happy as could be in just a few short months."What do you think?"

Lena glanced at the chart on her tablet, pleased with what she saw, "No family history of medical problems, good genetic profile, she'll certainly be lovely enough with a little work. I think she's a perfect fit for Sappho. I'll be happy to take her off your hands once the paperwork goes through." The overseer, an elderly asian woman from at least several generations before her own, smiled motherly and patted her on the back.

"I'm so glad you've done well for yourself in Sector 17 dearie, I remember being more than a little disbelieving that the girls in their lab could turn you around. You were very attached to your husband." Lena winced, swallowing the bile that threatened to rise in her mouth.

"I was young and misguided, he was a criminal."

The overseer looked surprised, "That's it? No 'I can't believe I slept with a man' or 'Oh god he touched me, where's the nearest bin I can vomit into'?" Lena pursed her lips, silently glaring at the smiling old woman.

"Oh, don't look at me like that dearie. You were quite adamant about your misandry the last few times I asked."

"Yet you continue to ask."

"It's my job to make sure all of my work partners are capable of working together, should the need arise. Make no mistake, I'm relieved you have either calmed or repressed yourself so you can at least function with a man in the room. Say hello to Mr. Santos would you dearie?"

The technician in the far end of the room waved and Lena gave him a cold but polite nod, "I'll be in the transport waiting. Until next time Overseer." She bowed to the old woman and exited the room.

Back at the transport, Lena took shaky breaths as her pilot offered her a thermos of hot tea, "She actually had a man in the room? Again?" Lena nodded, taking a deep pull of the soothing liquid."She's testing me. Evaluating how well I can work with other sectors. She doesn't... appreciate how strong the Sappho aversion to men is."

"Bitch."

Lena gave the young latina woman an admonishing look and the pilot threw up her hands, "I just can't believe she keeps doing this to you! It's been like this every time! She always pushes your buttons, why can't we just make a normal pick up?"

"This is a normal pick up, every day is another test. At least I know I'm not failing."

"You shouldn't have to deal with men, none of us should!" Lena pulled the girl down into the seat next to her, "Hey. That's enough. There's nothing we can do about it right now. If we show that the Sappho initiative and Sector 17 are better places, then we can change the world. Until then..." She set the thermos down, slipping her arm around the now-smiling girl, "we have each other."

Their lips met and Lena wished they were back in bed and not in the chilly transport, with a 4 hour flight ahead of them.