Free The Clean Slate Accord by Sofia Diana Gabel Page A

see fit to re-elect me in the fall, I promise to continue to serve as your humble leader. I wish you all a pleasant night and may the grace of the Accord fulfill our every dream.”
    The transmission ended and Alexa looked over at Jonas. “Humble leader? Is she kidding? It was me who negotiated the uniting of the North and South American continents. You like the way she worked the election into the speech? I think she even peppers her hair gray so she’ll look more dignified.”
    Jonas pointed to the blank screen. “You don’t like her, do you, Director?”
    â€œOh, it’s not a matter of like or dislike, it’s just that she’s so arrogant, in a very unpretentious way.” Alexa saw Jonas struggling with the concept and thought she should help him out. “She fakes her humility.”
    â€œThat doesn’t make sense.”
    With a wink, Alexa smiled at his innocence. “Don’t worry about it. It’s a trait you thankfully don’t have.”
    â€œBut I’m like everyone else. You said it yourself.” Jonas stared down at the ground. Even when Alexa touched him on the shoulder, he didn’t look up.
    â€œYes, you’re human, so in that respect, you are like everyone else. But your intellect, as wonderful as it is, segregates you from the rest of the population. Sometimes, Jonas, I wonder if you see the full potential of who you are.”
    He looked up and removed his eyeglass frames. “But why did you have to make me so smart? I’ve never had a friend. I’ve never even gone to school. People my age shun me.”
    Alexa sighed. Here it comes, the self-pity. Poor Jonas. Every now and then, he fell into a contemplative mood and pondered his existence. Alexa took the frames from him and waved them in the air. “Why don’t you leave these things off? You know I don’t like them. Your eyes are perfect.”
    â€œI look more like everyone else with them. It gives me the appearance of a fault. They bring me equality,” he answered with a half-smile.
    Equality? He would never be equal to anyone, but Alexa was not about to tell him that . “Why would you want to waste your time in school or socializing with ignorant people? You are who you are. You’re special and for that reason, I didn’t implant you. You and I are the only humans on the entire planet without implants.”
    His face seemed to brighten a bit, which relieved Alexa. She really disliked playing mother to his childlike insecurities. He reached out and took the frames. Slipping them back onto his face, he sighed.
    While the crew packed up the broadcasting equipment, Alexa motioned for Jonas to follow her into the hallway. She glanced behind to make sure he was following and thought how diminutive he looked. “Hurry up, Jonas.”
    â€œYes, Director. Have I done something wrong?”
    â€œNot at all.” They walked farther down the hallway, almost to her bedroom. “Can you do something for me? Without the knowledge of anybody else?”
    â€œAnything for you. What do you want me to do?”
    Alexa lowered her voice even more, “Can you double-check that the remaining Serum D has been destroyed? I don’t want even the smallest stockpile left.”
    Jonas just stared through his frames, as if taken by surprise at the request. “All of the Serum D? You don’t want to keep some for further experiments?”
    â€œNo. I want all traces of it destroyed. Make sure all the files referencing any experimentation and the lab trials are deleted, too.”
    He stared again. “I can do that.”
    She knew he could , but she needed to know that he would . He’d been instrumental in developing the serums and Alexa knew how he detested letting go of his creations. “Good. I’m going to go and lie down for a while. Call me when it’s done.”
    Jonas took a moment to straighten his frames and then hurried the