Free Man Hunt by K. Edwin Fritz

slowly rolled in reverse, the woman in the front passenger seat flicked the whip upwards with expertise, and it humped then folded into itself neatly in her lap without so much as the tiniest click from the wicked, lashing tip.
    The car rolled further backward until it was entirely out of the alley. Then it turned its wheels, sounded another, softer, ca-chunk, and soon rolled forward, accelerating down the adjacent alley and out of sight.
     

CHAPTER 5

VANITY
     
     
    1
     
    Gertrude had drawn only a handful of lines on her new map when a soft triple knock was heard on the open door. She raised her head and saw that the two girls standing there were the remaining of the five under her direct jurisdiction. While the first three had been the hunters, these two were her trainers. They had returned from another recruiting mission only days before and were running behind on their duties, which was to be expected. But Gertrude wanted her girls to be the models that all others would strive to become. Running behind wasn't acceptable in the black sector.
    "Status report," Gertrude said.
    One girl, the prettier of the two, stepped forward slightly. "We're pretty much caught up, though we do need a name for one of the new arrivals. In fact, if you have them, we'll be needing four by next week."
    Though all of the island's trainers/recruiters were attractive– a necessary element to their job description– this girl's beauty had always been observably radiant. Beyond what many would have called the 'perfect' body, her dark, flowing hair had natural looping curls that reached to the middle of her back. Her eyes were a smooth, dark brown that seemed full of a heart-warming intensity. Her high cheekbones gave her face a soft, pleasant glow. She was beautiful, yes, but she was more than that. Her demeanor made her emotionally irresistible. It all helped to make her one of the best recruiters the island had ever had. And yet, she had her flaws.
    Gertrude consciously pulled her hands away from the delicate new map before speaking. Instinctively, she decided to give one of her longer speeches. It was imperative that these two girls stayed the course.
    "They are called 'Emotional Markers,' Josie, not ' names. ' They are an integral part of The Cause, and I should not need to remind you of this. We are still trying to weed out the last of the survivors from our earliest experiments, and it is critical that all new arrivals receive an EM which is both effective and efficient." She paused only long enough to scowl at the young woman. "Now, try again. Status report."
    Before the headwoman had finished speaking, Josie was already red with embarrassment and anger. But she had known how particular Gertrude was and should have known better. She dug down inside herself to that place where she subdued her pride and found her strength. This was another of her true beauties, her strongest perhaps. It only took a moment to get to this powerful place, and she tried again.
    "Gertrude," she began, "despite our recent recruiting mission, we are nearly caught up on our duties. One remaining area of deficiency is in our collection of Emotional Markers. Rachael and I are fresh out of ideas at the moment. If you have them available, we would greatly appreciate one for today and three more within the week." She paused to glance at the other girl for support, but found none. Then Josie looked back to the huge headwoman and laid on the details she knew would help.
    "And this one pig thinks he's hot shit. Thinks he can't be broken. I'd like to give him an especially demeaning name." Josie had spoken in a half-truth here. She had no personal vendetta against the newest arrival. She never did.
    The giant woman behind the cherrywood desk did not smile, did not repeat her scowl. Her reversion to her normal, silent vigilance had happened instantaneously. Josie found that maintaining eye contact with her was excruciating.
    She's lying to please me, Gertrude thought .