Page 55 of Tracking the Alpha
“A good thing his opinion doesn’t matter. Guess I should thank you, after all, for helping us recover him. I was quite ready to say fuck it and put a bullet in his brain, but the general stayed my hand, preferring to observe 73’s potential.”
“His name is Barrett.”
“Not anymore. He is the property of the government.”
Tanis strained at the strap over her chest. “Since you admit I helped you capture him, shouldn’t I be rewarded?”
The major chuckled. “As if that was ever going to happen. Even if you didn’t know too much, you were never leaving here alive.”
“Afraid the world will condemn your actions?” Tanis accused.
“The small-minded might, hence the secrecy for the moment.”
“What are you going to do to me?” She couldn’t help but remember what he’d said to her in the woods just before Brittany knocked her out. Something about her being meat.
“The problem with creating apex predators is they’re always hungry, and will those picky bastards eat the easy-to-get and inexpensive slop that is chock full of nutrition? No. They want meat. And lots of it. Which gets expensive.” The major grabbed a knife from a wooden block. “A good thing they don’t mind where their protein comes from so long as it’s fresh.”
Tanis didn’t want to beg or blubber, but by all the holy spirits she didn’t believe in, was he seriously going to chop her into pieces and feed her to his experiments?
“Major, the elevator is on the move.” Brittany suddenly spoke, and Tanis stiffened. She’d not even realized the woman who’d tricked her had been nearby.
The major frowned. “Go see who requested it.”
“What if it’s Barrett?”
“Impossible. Davidson activated the gas as soon as they disembarked on the fifth. Barrett and that weasel Wendell will be out cold for at least the next four hours. Plenty of time for me to finish up with the huntress while the remnants of it dissipate. Once we’ve fed the beasts, then we’ll head to B5and put 73 back in his cell.”
“Are you sure he’s asleep? The canisters were running low last I heard and haven’t been replenished,” Brittany interjected.
“What do you mean they weren’t replenished?” Stevens blustered.
“Did you forget the guys you sent to pick up the refills never returned?”
“Yes, I forgot,” growled the major. “But there should have still been enough to put him to sleep.”
“Looks like you’re right, sir.” Brittany looked away from the table holding Tanis. “False alarm. Elevator went to B6.”
“I wonder what Davidson wants down there,” the major mused aloud.
“Could be Dr. Levy paying a visit,” Brittany opined.
“Dr. Levy hasn’t been to that level in months. Says he has no interest in being reminded of the failures.”
“Don’t know why you even keep them. Some of them are downright creepy,” Brittany stated.
“Because they might still serve a use. Hence why we keep them fed just enough to keep them alive.”
“Speaking of feeding, why bother cutting her up? Wouldn’t it be simpler to just toss her in a cell and be done with it? Less mess and noise that way, if you ask me.”
“I didn’t ask you.” The major paused with the knife poised over Tanis’ chest. “And if you won’t shut your fucking trap, you might end up in pieces, too.”
“Don’t you threaten me. We had a deal,” Brittany snapped.
“A deal that specifically states you are to be obedient if you wish to retain the freedom I’ve granted. But apparently, you miss your old cell because you can’t listen to a simple request to shut the fuck up.” The major yelled the last few words, brandishing the knife he’d grabbed.
“I can see why Davidson thinks you’ve outlived your use.” Brittany chose to double down with her attitude.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Stevens snarled.
