Page 39 of Heart’s Prisoner

"Lana, hi! Oh, you look wonderful!" Nicole smiled brightly. She wore a gold dress that hugged her legs and sparkled. Her hair, up just like Lana's, had a sparkly diamond clip in the shape of a star. "I knew that dress would work perfectly for you."

Lana smiled timidly. "It is lovely. But do you think I should bring a shaw?"

Nicole waved her hand and shook her head. "Oh, I wouldn't, it won't be cold there in the least and I think you look so elegant without one."

"Alright, thanks again, Nicole." Lana picked up her small purse from the bedside then followed Nicole into the hall. "You look absolutely stunning as well, by the way, the gold suits you."

"You think? I've never worn gold before. I'll probably blind people." Nicole laughed.

"Only because of how brilliant you look," Lana said.

Nicole thanked her as they made it to the elevators. As they stepped inside and pressed the button for level one, Lana clutched her purse tight and chewed on her lip.

"Nervous?" Nicole asked.

"Very." Lana looked over at her. "If I say anything stupid in front of the generals, promise to kick me."

Nicole laughed. "I don't think you have to worry."

Lana sighed. "I'm afraid of what the others are going to say too. You know they are going to talk about..."

Nicole put a hand on her shoulder. "I know. Don't let it get to you, Lana. Remember, no matter what, they promised you they would give Asset X a chance. Just try to enjoy yourself tonight and not think too much about it. I know you're stressing yourself over it."

Lana closed her eyes and nodded. Of course she was stressing out. They had one more week left. Nicole squeezed her shoulder before releasing her hand as the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened.

The gala was being held in the very foyer of the city sector. The skylight above had been dimmed down to look like a starry night and the fountain–the center point–glowed with blue lights. Lanterns had been set up all along the walkways and the banners displayed a solid silver color with the Lazris star in the middle.

As her eyes searched around, Lana noticed the drones were gone. The buzzing and whirring and red lights would probably lessen the effect of the party.

Nicole took Lana by the hand to not lose her in the throngs of people. Men wore black and white suits and the women wore all variants of colors and styles. It was one of the few times on any given base that military men were allowed to wear something besides their uniform.

As they passed the fountain, up ahead was a roped-off area of tables reserved for the generals, head officers, and those chosen to sit with them. Ahead of that, at the very end of the massive foyer, was a stage.

Already people were beginning to take their seats and Lana saw Jacob standing by their table, talking with a red-headed beauty.

When he turned his head and saw them, he grinned and held up his champagne glass. "Lana!"

Lana and Nicole approached and he hugged them both then looked them over. "You both look gorgeous. Take a seat we are going to begin soon." Jacob put his hand on the redhead's back and whispered something in her ear and she sauntered back to her table.

Not long after, several men and a few women joined them. Jacob introduced each of the generals all of which wore badges on their suits. There were four in total including Jacob. Two were older gentlemen in their mid-fifties. The third looked like he was in his early forties. Jacob looked the youngest out of all of them. The older ones looked a bit stoney-eyed and tight-lipped but the forty-year-old–General Holk if she heard correctly–had a friendly smile and demeanor, similar to Jacob's.

As they settled, Lana tensed as Officer Galger appeared and took a seat at a table opposite her and Nicole, behind General Vearez. A dark-complected woman joining him. His eyes met hers and he winked before shaking hands with the others.

If she had been a fool, it would have been Lana sitting next to him instead of the woman. But thankfully she turned Galger's offer down a few days ago when she already planned on having Nicole as her plus one.

"Where is Cole?" Lana asked as she saw the seat that was meant to be his at a table nearby empty. Nicole shifted around and Lana saw her mouth turn down.

"He's...probably still in the lab. Or running late knowing him."

Lana noticed Torrence wasn't around either but that one didn't surprise her. He was rarely ever off duty.

As everyone finally settled, several people took the stage at the front. Lana leaned back but barely listened as they droned on about history she already knew and events she had already seen. They gave out a few congratulatory awards and had a few toasts before dinner was finally served.

"So, Dr. Hart, Jacob has told us a lot about your work. Impressive," said General Holk as he bit into his salad. "You've been working with this specimen for almost two months and have made considerably more progress than the previous doctors so far I've heard."

Lana took a sip of water and cleared her throat. "Yes, it's been challenging but I feel I've made good progress."

"So tell us, Ms. Hart," General Williams asked, leaning forward, "Is it friendly toward you?

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