Page 2 of Heart’s Prisoner

Jacob nodded. “But it won’t be like the Gyda, Lana. The ones we got are...well, let's just say we already have a basic understanding that they aren’t so 'peaceful' and 'willing' like the Gyda.”

“They are hostile?”

“Some we aren’t certain. Others...have been threatening,” Jacob said and drank down the rest of his glass.

Lana brushed a hand through her hair. “This is...I would have to think…”

Jacob dragged his chair closer to hers then put a hand on her shoulder. “If you need time to think it over, no problem.”

“It’s just…” Lana fixed her eyes with his. “I know a lot about the Gyda. I was lucky to be one of the head therapists when we first discovered them. I’ve studied them for years now. It gave me an edge on the best ways to interact with them. With a new...species, and more than one by my guessing, it could take me a lot longer, and I can’t guarantee any sort of cooperation.”

“Hey, yea, trust me, we understand the risks,” said Jacob. “But also trust me when I say you are our best choice. I’ve reviewed your work, Lana, plus I know you. I can’t think of anyone more qualified for the job.”

Lana turned her eyes away from him to gaze back around the bar. The two Gyda were now talking with a few human men and women, speaking in broken, yet still impressive, English. Their mannerisms and gestures were clearly human, not their own.

“You said you have them, these new beings,” Lana said. “ I take it I won’t be going to their home planet or interacting with them in a separate community?”

“No. They are housed at the base on LV012 .”

Lana turned back at Jacob, stunned.

“Lazris?” she breathed.

Jacob nodded. “The one and only.”

Lana sat back, staring at him firmly. “How dangerous are these individuals, Jacob?”

Jacob took up his glass, swirling the remaining ice around. “Dangerous enough that Lazris is the only place for them.”

Lana watched him for a considerable time, thinking. Lazris was one of the military's top security and research facilities. Built below ground on a terraformed world, it was made to be one of their most confidential bases. No other place was more secure and heavily guarded than LV012.

If the government had other alien races housed at Lazris then they could only be of high risk to humanity.

At least for now.

If Lana agreed to go, she could see these aliens for herself, discover a way to communicate effectively and efficiently enough to allow them to interact in human society. Just like the Gyda. If she could do that, she’d finally have the means to begin her one private research and exploration program, perhaps still backed by the government, but still hers nonetheless; and not stationed on some base, but rather traveling to various communities all through the galaxy.

The Gyda, after all, had only been the beginning. They had been successfully introduced into their society–true–but there was so much more to be done. With more races being discovered, human society could quickly be on its way to a vast global federation not unlike the kind dreamed of in the oldest sci-fi books and movies.

Lana closed her eyes and breathed deep. “How long?”

“The contract starts at two years. Can be made longer pending on if more testing needs to be done...”

Lana opened her eyes and saw Jacob giving her a look she had seen many times back when they studied together.

“What aren’t you telling me, Jacob?”

Jacob sighed, setting down his glass. “I’m gonna level with you, Lana. I almost didn’t want to recommend you for this.”

“Oh?”

“Not because I don’t think you couldn’t do the job. It’s just that…” Jacob glanced at the Gyda then back at her. “The team currently assigned at LV012 have been working with these aliens for a few months now. Even our most advanced and qualified therapists have been struggling to understand them. Some of these beings are very intelligent, we think maybe more intelligent than they are letting on. That’s why I knew we needed you to come in. I had been directed to ask you sooner–way sooner–but I kept it off.”

Lana arched her brows. “Why?”

“I know you won’t care when I say it’s dangerous work. But that’s beside the point. Cole, the head of the department, wants you to help study these aliens... but there is one in particular he wants you to work with specifically...personally.”

Lana frowned. “Just one?”

---