In the barracks the brethren were aglow with satisfaction. Given the CEO’s demeanor, the meeting went superbly. Their futures at VirCorp were brighter than ever. Still the grief of losing Doctor Klaus burrowed in their hearts, making it a bittersweet victory.

“I sure miss him,” said Three during a lull in the conversation.

“Yeah,” the others murmured in agreement.

“I wish there was something we could have to remember him by.”

“Well, I have this.” Six held up a clear bottle with German writing on the label. “Doctor Klaus and Doctor Klingel were splashing it into their cups. I think they really liked this stuff.”

“What is it?”

“Schnapps.”

“Where’d you get it?”

“I found a whole bunch of it in under the serving table last night. You drink it, I assume.”

“Isn’t that alcohol, though? We’re not supposed to have that stuff.”

“I don’t think so, “ Six uncapped the bottle and took a big swig. “Mmm. Sure doesn’t taste like creeping death.”

“What’s it like?” asked Seven.

“It’s sweet. Very sweet.”

“I want to try some!”

"Help yourselves. I’ve got five bottles in my locker.”

The JONs swarmed around Six, taking and passing the bottles around.

“Say, this is pretty good stuff.”

“Let me try!”

“You’ve got a bottle in your hands already, Seventeen.”

“Oh? Silly me. To Doctor Klaus, the best boss ever.” Raising the bottle in salute, Seventeen took a big swig and coughed. “Hoo! Whoa…I think I gotta’ sit down.” He swaggered over the bed and settled into a fit of giggles. “I really have to pee!”

After a few minutes the booze disappeared and all the brethren were tipsy.

“Do you think that girl likesh me?” Three asked Eight.

“Which’s girl?”

“French Lady. Oh-may-guh.”

“Aw, man. Of course she likeshoo. You,” Eight put his arm around Three and hugged him, “are fa-fabulous!” He hiccupped. “Why wouldn’t she like you, right?”

Three hugged him back. “Thanks, man. You’re always there for me.”

Eight pulled away and sputtered, laughing. “What are friendsh for, right?” He clapped Three on the back. Three fell forward onto the floor. Looking back at each other, they rolled with laughter.

The lights flicked off and on. Six blinked. “Hey, I didn’t know this was a disco! Everybody dance!” He stood up and shook what must have been his groove thing.

“Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha!” Bosak stood at the door and walked down the rows, snatching bottles from limp hands and pitching them in the trash. “What have you boys been doing?” The brethren fell silent.

When he finished dumping the bottles, Bosak walked down the ranks. Three blinked blearily at the CEO from the floor. Bosak extended his hand. Three took it and was pulled to his feet.

“How did you get booze in here, son?”

“It’s not booze!” Six protested. It’s schnapps!”

“Schnapps is booze. Where did you get this?”

“W-we found some in the party room. Doctor Klaus was drinking it. We missed him and thought we’d try some in tribute to his memory. I-I-I didn’t know it was alcohol, sir. I swear.”

“I believe you. That’s not why I’m here anyway. This is all of it, though, right?”

Six nodded, wobbling. “Yip!”

“OK. Everyone sit down before you fall down. No more liquor, OK? You’re not used to it.” The brethren more or less collapsed onto their beds, lolling their heads.

“I have some good news for all of you. First off, your behavior today—except for now—was amazing. The General and I were very impressed. As soon as you’re ready—and by that I mean sober—I’ll send you to training for the jobs you want.”

The brethren cheered. Bosak waited for silence.

“Even better, today we caught the doctors’ killer.”

“Really? Who did it?” Three bolted to his feet, fists clenched. “Let me at him!”

“Calm down, son.” Bosak put his hand on Three’s shoulder and gently sat him down. “Justice will be served. He’s going to confess to the authorities. He’ll be spending the rest of his life behind bars.”

“Is that justice? He killed our friend!”

“Son, in this country we believe in justice not vengeance. Remember that.”

Three sobbed, hot tears streaming down his cheek. “It’s just not fair.”

Bosak put a consoling arm around him. “If it’s any consolation, he might get the death penalty. If he does, I’ll make sure you all get to watch. After all, the company owns the video rights to executions.”

“You’d do that? For us?”

“Of course. Now promise me you won’t drink again. All of you.”

“I…I promise.”

“Yeah,” the other JONs chorused.

“Alright then. Have some water and sleep it off. I’ll come around tomorrow and check in on you.” Getting to his feet, he spun on his heel and strode out.