Balance Read Online Free PDF Page A

ensemble an effective representation of early century business misconceptions .
    Across from them, on the far side of the lobby, a wide staircase lead s up to a second floor hallway.  Their guide continue s up the stairs and down the hall , extend ing several hundred feet in front of them with doors s paced roughly thirty feet apart along both walls.  
    Escorted more than halfway down the hall the sold i er stop s at a door on the right side . P lacing his ha nd on a small monitor embedded in the wall next to the door, a green shadow of his handprint briefly display s on the scree n. H e touches th e lower corner causing a keyboard to appear . T yp ing in a series of characters, he turns to Rena.  “Place your left hand on the screen please . ”
    Rena does as instructed, her handprint shadow s, first blue, and then green.  The door unlocks.
    The soldier opens the door and motions Rena inside.  Closing the door behind her, it lock s automatically .
    The soldier turns to the door across the hall and repeats the exercise, likewise lock ing Michael inside.
     
    Rena steps into her quarters, t h e door shutting behind her. H earing it lock, s he stands for a moment in the dark entry hall.
    Now, for the first time alone, emotions overtake her.  Her eyes well up and she starts to tremble.  The events of the last twelve hours have drained her.  She did not want to succumb to her emotions in front of her ‘captors’ or Michael , especially Michael .  She knows her future w ill depend on him.  His display in the cage, all but guaranteed it.  H e has to have fai th and confidence in her.  She c annot afford to appear weak in front of him.
    Weak, at this moment, is all she feels.  Cha ngo, of all the SuperElite, he’ s the most dangerous, the boogeyman from the nightmares of children, faceless and ruthless.  What the H ell was she thinking?  She closes her eyes, replays the events of the past … thoughts of right or wrong have nothing to do with it … it’s all about those we love.
    After minutes of reflection , Rena collects herself , whisper ing so as not to be heard by any surveillance equipment likely present in her ne w home, “ Stop being a little girl.  You can do this.”   Crossing her arms i n front of her to provide some additional reassurance , she walks forward into the residence .
    As she steps into the main room, sensors detect her presence and illuminate the space.  The dwelling consist s of a central sitting room with a couch and two lounges positioned around a coffee table . A large monitor mounted on the far wall opposite the entryway.  An office area with only a desk extends off the side o f the main space on her right .  A small kitchenette sits adjacent to the office space, also off the main space.  On the opposite wall , to Rena’s left , an ent ry way opens into what appears to be a bedroom.
    Rena steps cautiously through the entry .  A single large bed sits in the center of the space against the far wall.  To her left, several drawers built into the wall, a small walk- in closet, and a rather large dressing area with a full - length lighted vanity mirror.  At the opposite end of the room, a bathroom and shower.
    She surveys the entire room for obvious surveillance.  No cameras present themselves , but without being overly invasive, she didn’ t expect to find much .  Mo re importantly, she does n’ t want to raise any concerns as to her acquiescence .  S he knows surveillance exists in the room, and she needs to operate under that assumption .
    As a whole, the entire dormitory , with its excessive light and the walls too lightly colored , is relatively sterile and somber .  Even the furniture felt uninviting .   She walks to the closet and drawers, perusing bot h pieces for appropriate attire.  She find s only a single set of basic undergarments and a black workout suit .  Gathering the clothing , Rena deposit s them on the bed and heads to the bathroom.
    After undressing