Page 38 of Heart’s Prisoner

Lana,

Just wanted to give you a heads-up about the Gala next week. You'll be sitting at my table. I will send you a link with more details. Bring a plus one if you like.

Jacob Hartin

Lana logged off her computer and sighed. She'd completely forgotten about the event. The forty-second anniversary of humanity's colonization of space and deep system exploration. The generals were to arrive a few days before. She was so swamped with... everything else she didn't care to remind herself about the gala.

Quickly she dressed and picked up her ISpad and slipped out the door.

Once inside the lab, Lana went over to her work desk and logged on to her work computer. She set to her daily tasks, organizing notes and reports, studying up on some more of Xerus' language, readying herself for their next lesson. The lights flashed and a bell rang as one of the doors was opening but Lana was so used to it by now she barely noticed. A moment later the door shut and someone walked passed. She figured it had to be one of the other biologists. Trying to still keep an air of professionalism and politeness, she glanced up to greet them with a smile when she froze, her smile dropping straight into a frown.

Standing a few feet away was a man she had seen only a few times before. He was a lean, gangly sort of man with sad droopy eyes. If Lana recalled rightly, his name was Jeff and he was one of the few people she had seen going in and out of the unnumbered unit. The one leading to the disease and virus lab.

What made her freeze was that something was very off about him. For one he was still wearing his hazmat suit. A big safety no-no. Secondly, he was bent forward, dragging his feet as he walked, and his mouth was moving as if he were mumbling to himself but what he was saying she couldn't hear. And thirdly, blood was dripping from his nose.

Lana watched as Jeff lumbered passed. Watched as he went over to one of the computers and attempted to log in to each of the unit's controls and override the security codes.

Lana stood up. "Ah, sir, I don't think you are supposed to be going in there."

The man completely ignored her like he hadn't heard a word she said. He gibbered on and continued pressing buttons.

Dahlia was working close by and saw him as well. She stood up from her desk and looked over at Lana with just as much confusion. Then she turned and quickly made her way toward the security desk.

Lana looked back at Jeff and licked her lips. "Sir?" She stepped away from her desk and moved closer. With Jeff's back toward her, Lana lifted her hand to touch his shoulder. When she made contact, Jeff twisted around so quick Lana had to stumble back.

His face was pale and he blinked several times. He moved his mouth and clicked his tongue but Lana could understand his words. He stepped toward her and Lana backed away.

As he looked just about ready to lunge at her, Torrence, Galger, and five other guards swarmed around them, guns drawn.

"That's far enough," Torrence said. Raising his gun to aim at Jeff`s head.

Jeff swayed. He murmured something then turned back to the computer.

"You aren't authorized to access that computer. Back away," Torrence said. Jeff didn't listen. As he began typing madly. Torrence gestured to the others. "Take him."

Two guards lowered their weapons and went for the man. They grabbed his arms and pulled him back. Jeff struggled against them and fell to the ground where the two men pinned him in place. One took out a pair of cuffs and locked Jeff's hands behind his back.

"Take him to the medical bay first. Then to level five," Torrence ordered.

Lana felt a heavy hand on her shoulder and jumped. "You good?" Officer Galger asked, his other hand with the gun still aiming at the man.

Lana nodded, stepping back.

Galger looked her over then dropped his gun. "Let's go," he said to the others. He nodded once to Torrence then led the way as they took Jeff–or rather dragged him–out of the facility.

Dahlia came back to stand beside Lana as they both watched them go.

"Jesus," Dahlia whispered. "The things that happen in this place."

Chapter Twelve

Lana stood in front of her bathroom mirror fixing her hair for the third time and readjusting her dress. She turned one way and then the other, checking out her bare back and frowning. The dress was nice but a little too revealing for her taste. With straps smaller than her pinky barely hanging on to her shoulders and the front exposing the tops of her breasts in a v-neck pattern, Lana thought she might need to wear a shaw just to feel better covered up. Or maybe should have worn her hair down instead. Thankfully the red chiffon went past her ankles so she didn't have to worry about her legs.

It wasn't her dress after all. She hadn't even thought to bring one with her when she first came to Lazris. No, it was Nicole who had been kind enough to let her borrow the lovely piece.

She had only a few simple pieces of jewelry that were her mothers, twin pearl earrings, a gold necklace, and a thin diamond bracelet. They didn't go completely but they would do. She didn't wear make-up too often but decided the occasion probably called for it. She rechecked her lipstick in the mirror when the buzzer at her door went off.

Stepping over to the pad near the door, she looked at the camera feed and when she saw who it was she opened the door.

---