Sapience by Bret Wellman

computers are cut off from the outside world and it was the only way to get one in.” I had a feeling Adrian was talking to try and distract me. “When they called for a repair guy we sent you in his place.”
    “How do you guys get information sent to these computers?” I asked aloud, not sure if that would be a mistake. I was hoping the agents would think I was talking to them.
    “Information is sent to a computer outside where it is placed on a disk and brought by hand.” Adrian informed me. The two Agents acted as if I hadn’t spoken. “From there they can use source codes to read any encrypted documents sent by the president.”
    I watched as a program on the flash drive searched through the computers files looking for what it wanted.
    “If you want to die keep drumming your fingers on the table.” Adrian warned and for the first time I noticed I was drumming. I stopped immediately.
    “Can you fix it?” One of the Agents asked in a slithery voice.
    “Say yes” Adrian said.
    “Yes.” I repeated. With a satisfied nod the Agent turned back to his computer.
    “You know they will probably kill you if they catch even a hint of what you’re doing.” Adrian’s voice took on a new edge. My fright of the agents snapped to the forefront of my mind.
    “Quit fidgeting or they’re going to know.” He ordered. I wanted to talk back but didn’t dare.
    The program on the computer closed and the flash drive blinked green. “Take the flash drive and leave the room.” Adrian was back to business.
    I followed his instructions and made my way to the door.
    “Is it fixed?” One of the Agents asked from behind me. I turned to see him walk over to the computer I was just at and start typing on the keyboard. I debated making a run for it.
    “Tell him yes.” Adrian said before I could do anything rash.
    “It’s running as good as ever.” I said, trying to sound as much like a computer repair man as I could.
    The agent grunted before walking back over to his own computer. I was out the door before he got there.
    As I walked back down the hallways I had come from, with every step the urge to make a run for it grew. I had stepped right in front of the bad guy and taken what I needed out from under his nose. I shouldn’t have been so scared, I knew the others wouldn’t have been. It was the fact that I had lost my mind, today was the first time in my life that I had been sent on a dangerous mission without my power.
    “Don’t walk so fast.” Adrian said.
    “Is that good?” I asked as I slowed.
    “Yea.” He said. “There isn’t much else you would be good for.” He added with a laugh. I tried to ignore the insult.
    “Did you know there were going to be Agents?” I said when I reached the end of the hallway.
    “Of course.” He chuckled.
    “Why didn’t you tell me?”  I could feel my anger rising and struggled to keep it down.
    “I told Lillie it would increase your chances of success.” There was a short pause before his cocky voice spoke back over the microphone. “Really I just wanted to see your reaction on camera.” I could hear his stupid laugh and it made me want to punch somebody. “It was worth it. You should have seen your face.”
    Eventually I found my way back to the hall that led to the entrance of the building. No one seemed to notice or care that I was leaving so I was soon sliding safely into the back seat of the black suburban.
    I could feel the tension in the car. Lillie looked like she was about to throw Adrian out of the window. Her Grip on the steering wheel was tighter than it should be as she started to drive. Adrian pretended not to notice.
    “The drive.” Adrian said holding out his hand. I slapped the flash drive hard into his hand to let him know how mad I was. He ignored me and placed it in his laptop.
    “We’re sorry you had to do that William.” Lillie said in a concerned tone.
    “Speak for yourself.” Adrian said. “I’m only sorry we didn’t send somebody