Page 7 of Heart’s Prisoner

Torrence shrugged. "I'm just telling it like it is." He slowly unwrapped the crumbled wrapper in his hands and dropped the gum he had been chewing into it, then wrapped it back up. "Did Jacob mention what happened to the last two 'behaviorists' that tried to work with that thing?"

Lana glanced at Cole then shook her head.

"One lasted two weeks then stormed out without a word and never came back. The other only lasted four days and went as far away from here as possible."

"It is unfortunate," said Cole. "However, none had your unique kind of expertise."

"This also isn't some docile land fish like your–what were they called? Gida?"

"Gyda," Lana corrected.

"Yea, that." Torrence threw his old wrapper then fished for a new one out of his pocket. "This one's more like a demon if you ask me. Straight out of hell itself. And if it were up to me?" He unwrapped his gum and popped it in his mouth, chewing slowly. "I'd send it right back to where it came from. With a single bullet."

Lana shifted uncomfortably on her feet.

"Officer Torrence, always the dramatic one." Cole laughed softly. "He doesn't exactly share our views on the preservation and discovery of these new species."

"Your little discovery nearly killed four of my men just to transfer it here," Torrence growled.

"Regardless, you needn't worry," Cole said, ignoring him. "The asset is contained in a state of the art cell enforced with titanium steel and thick electro-charged glass. Guards are stationed nearby and we have security lock-down measures just in case. Safety is always of great importance."

"I'm not worried," said Lana. She forced a confident smile just to show Torrence he hadn't gotten to her (even if he had a little).

Cole nodded. "As for the rest, in time you can be introduced. Understand we'd like you to get settled in first."

Lana understood. Better to make sure she could handle it; that she didn't go running after only one encounter. She gazed over the other doors and noticed each had a number corresponding to their unit. Only the last door on the far right had no number, just a containment sign that read 'virus and disease lab personnel only'.

Cole clapped his hands. "Good. With that, how about we introduce you to your new patient."

***

Before they entered the room, Lana was given the proper protocols and procedures, this time more in-depth. The room was to stay low lit and would only brighten in an emergency. She was under no circumstances to give the asset information about its surroundings or anything about Lazris and its facilities, no matter how much it tried to push the subject or bribe its way into getting her to spill. She was warned heavily not to let it get too close despite her duties. To not let it learn too much about her. Clearly they didn't trust this Xerus and, though she could understand why, it also bothered her. The more she was told the more it seemed she was there not to study and learn and teach, but to interrogate.

"This ISpad has all the complete information you need to know about the asset. Or at least what we've learned so far." Cole handed her the tablet and on its screen popped up an assortment of different apps and files. "The files on the subject are under Asset X. The Envision app will give you access to controls in the room. You can make the room brighter or darker, pause and start recordings, control the QS translator..."

Lana, whose eyes had been drifting over the sleek little tablet in her hands, paused and looked up at Cole. "You use a QS translator?"

"Have to currently. We have yet to completely learn its language by traditional means." Cole began to make his way to the door marked “Unit 3” and Lana followed. Her eyes fell on Torrence briefly enough to see his black gaze still watching her before she pulled her attention back to Cole. "You can thank our quantum computer engineer, Dr. Hoffmen, for even being able to use the program. He took the recordings of the subject's conversations then threw them into our most advanced computer installed with the translator. We used the video feed we had and the very few instances of the creature using body language and other means of communicating certain information. It wasn't a lot at first but, after a few more conversations, there was enough to give us something to work with. Took the translator a few weeks to finally work out some sort of language." Cole nodded back to Torrence and pointed to the door. Torrence hesitated only for a moment before he passed a code into the computer beside him and the door began to slide open. Guards near the walls moved closer in and placed hands on the guns at their sides.

"Granted the translator still isn't perfect. Some things still get lost in translation," Cole continued.

Lana watched the door slowly slide up into the wall, the sound of thick metal grazing over smooth stone filling her ears. When she looked back at the central lab she saw other employees stopping conversations or other menial tasks to take positions at nearby computers and monitors. A flashing yellow light signaled the opening of the door and a feminine voice snapped over an intercom.

"Unit three opening, code white." A harsh ring followed until the door opened completely. As soon as it locked in place, guards stationed themselves on each side.

"There`s a few other things, Dr. Hart," Cole said, his eyes never leaving her, " Once the door closes behind you, it will automatically lock back in place. But you needn't worry, someone will always be monitoring. Once you are finished with your work just use your ISpad to communicate with us that you are ready to end the session. Either I or Officer Torrence will be watching from the monitors should anything happen." Cole stepped closer to her, his head falling near to hers. "I know you have been warned enough of the many disturbing things about this creature but there is something else about the asset not yet mentioned. Even without a clear means of communicating, it seems to have a way to...throw its voice. The creature may use this trick to toy with you."

Lana frowned with confusion. "What do you mean?"

"The QS translator not only translates the sounds into words that we can understand, it also tries to mimic the pitch and tone of voice. The subject can change its tone and pitch to sound completely different than its own. Think like a natural ability at ventriloquism or mimicry. It may be unnerving at first." Cole placed a warm, heavy hand on Lana's shoulder. " But I trust you'll be able to handle it. If at any time you need to talk with one of us, don't hesitate." Cole lifted his hand and stepped away. "We will be recording so we will hear everything. You'll have fifteen minutes inside just to get acquainted. Good Luck, Doctor." He placed his hands in the pockets of his lab coat and walked back toward the central lab.

Lana nodded and gave him a brief smile before turning toward the door. She paused to breathe before stepping inside.

Beyond was a short hallway drenched in deep red light. As soon as she stepped inside, the door behind her began to close. She nearly stopped and looked back but caught herself, forcing her gait to slow to a calming pace.

'Don't let them see you hesitate, Lana, or they'll see your fear.' she thought. Because despite her best efforts she was afraid. Or at least uncomfortably anxious. Funny how she hadn't really paid attention to her body's response until now. Her racing heart, her skin turning hot, her shaking limbs; she had ignored them before, keeping her composure cool in front of the others. But now that she was alone and heading into what looked like the den of a dragon, her composure was slipping.

The end of the hallway met with a simple sliding door which opened as she approached, giving her a view into an even darker red room.

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